A chorus of shadows a li.., p.54
A Chorus of Shadows: A LitRPG Isekai Adventure, page 54
"We'd trade all four of your lives for a bucket of sand," Dugtrio replied without hesitation. Saniya's grip tightened, but Scizor managed to regain his composure.
"I'm perfectly fine," he assured them. "Maybe creating those swords wasn't the best idea, but I had to prove my identity somehow. Nobody else can do that."
"He's got a point," Bellsprout groaned from the sand. "This is pretty convincing evidence that this is Scizor we're dealing with."
"I barely even took a hit," Scizor continued, attempting to reassure Team Sunrise while not disparaging Team Flame. "I can outsmart Chimecho."
As it turned out, he would be mistaken.
Leaving Team Flame to lick their wounds, it seemed like their pride had taken the biggest hit. Team Sunrise decided it was time to return Scizor to the guild before anything else went wrong.
Guardian, always possessed by an insatiable curiosity, couldn't resist but inquire. "I've never even heard of what you just did," he said, casting a sidelong glance at Scizor. "Forging those blades. Was it perhaps the Sacred Sword?"
"Nah," Scizor responded, audibly popping the 'p'.
"Um... Secret Sword?"
"Nope."
"Then, what was it?"
"It's the Swords Dance," Scizor declared with a mischievous grin.
Guardian shot him a skeptical look. "No, it wasn't."
"Yup, it was."
"Swords Dance is meant to enhance your strength temporarily. It's not an offensive move."
"That's what I initially thought too," Scizor acknowledged. "After Lucario mastered her aura blade, she regaled me with tales of a scyther she once crossed swords with who used Swords Dance to create a physical shield of sorts. I'm pretty sure she was either pulling my leg or coaxing me into doing it myself for some swordplay. And, well, she got her wish."
He flexed an arm and clicked a pincer, conjuring a gleaming white blade at its tip. His gaze turned intent, but he gradually softened it, causing the sword to spin around him before vanishing into his body, momentarily causing his carapace to gleam.
"I can still employ it for the usual purpose," Scizor remarked. "But with enough concentration, I can manipulate them. They're not exceedingly robust, more like a step above an illusion, but they can pack a surprisingly potent punch."
It's known as "Move Mastery," Guardian's eyes widened. He'd heard of the concept but had never witnessed a fully realized mastery in person. Striker nodded, genuinely impressed. "I also accomplished something Dusknoir could never comprehend." He swiftly wiped away a Leaf Blade that had been launched from his arm, striking a tree and leaving a shallow gash in the bark.
"Very impressive," Scizor acknowledged, equally impressed. "Is it true mastery?"
"Not quite yet," Striker replied, shaking his head.
"How impressive," Sean whispered.
"What was that?" Scizor inquired.
"I said it's getting a bit chilly; let's hasten our return."
He exchanged a knowing smile with Striker and followed Sean as they made their way back to the guild. Striker grinned, Saniya was off with the fairies, Guardian remained bewildered, and Sean was still affected by the cold.
The cold, of course.
That evening, Team Sunrise found themselves with a suspicious meal. It seemed that all of their least favorite dishes had been served, but Chimecho maintained a serene smile throughout the meal.
Dugtrio avoided making eye contact and left with Diglett once dinner was finished.
It was an unsatisfying meal followed by a restless night, but Scizor enjoyed a restful sleep. The night passed slowly, and eventually, the dawn broke through and roused them from their slumber. Team Sunrise welcomed the prospect of a break, as the previous day had been anything but a respite.
Chimecho didn't permit it, though.
"Well, I suppose, in the end, it's for the best that I got some exercise," Scizor remarked. On that same day, Scizor and Team Sunrise ventured out once more. Scizor argued that he felt more agile and energetic, a result of yesterday's battle against Team Flame. However, the rest of Team Sunrise, who were famished and fatigued, disagreed.
"Quit giving me those looks," Scizor retorted, crossing his arms. "I don't know what you're yawning about; I had a great night's sleep." He might have been taunting them, but they couldn't be certain, as another voice interrupted them. As the five Pokémon reached a crossroads on their way to Treasure Town in search of food, they halted when someone called out to them.
"It's good to see you're up and about," Lucario approached, a certain glint in her eyes. She walked right up to Scizor, and they shared a long, contemplative stare.
Carapace managed a half-smile. "You seem restless."
"I've been restless for forty long years," Keira replied, taking a few steps back.
Cara let out a sigh. "It's only my second day on my feet, and you already want to spar with me again."
She cracked her knuckles. "Two fights a day; that's about 16,000 battles I've missed. I want to start catching up on that."
Scizor shot a 'Can you believe this crazy person?' look at Team Sunrise before turning back to her. "Alright, I'll warm you up, and then they can take you on."
"Excuse me?" Saniya squeaked.
The Legendary Lucario, Keira, grinned broadly. "I've missed you, Cara."
Chapter 17: Of Epic Moments
A caution regarding risqué humor in this chapter.
"This."
The battlefield resounded with thunderous clashes, causing the very atmosphere to quiver with thunder-like reverberations.
"Is."
Numerous ethereal blades performed an intricate dance akin to Illumise and Volbeat, hovering above glistening bodies of water.
"Incredible."
Complemented by gleaming spears crafted from pure white light, condensed into firm staves that crackled through the air with each swing.
"Amazing!" Saniya exclaimed.
The Legendary Lucario and Scizor the Apprentice engaged in a duel on the sandy shores. They had an exclusive audience of Team Sunrise, adept at navigating unnoticed.
Scizor wasn't in the best condition, and Lucario was clearly demonstrating restraint, tempering her strikes and causing eruptions of sand from near-miss blows. The brilliance of their attacks was nearly blinding.
Sean found himself overwhelmed by the rapid movements unfolding before him, unable to keep pace with the intense action. Even Striker and Guardian struggled to discern the two combatants amidst the swirling maelstrom of energy. These were two of the most formidable Pokémon known on the continent, and it was a profoundly humbling experience to witness their battle, even though they were clearly holding back.
Saniya, with her exceptional cognitive abilities, was the sole observer capable of comprehending the chaotic spectacle. For a full ten minutes, they unleashed their destructive power upon the beach, at times extending the battleground as attacks were deflected and obliterated parts of the encircling stone. Eventually, they ceased their confrontation.
Scizor, visibly fatigued and panting heavily, knelt, his body radiating heat. In stark contrast, Lucario appeared only mildly winded, yet she extended a paw with a blunted spike and rubbed her forehead before offering it to Scizor. He accepted her paw with a pincer, and she helped him to his feet. Both wore radiant smiles on their faces.
Scizor, who had seemed weary and strained during his time in the hospital wing, now exuded vitality, while Lucario, whose voice had previously been aloof and whose fur had shown signs of age, appeared rejuvenated, as if a century of years had been lifted from her.
"I've missed you," Lucario remarked, patting his shoulder.
"Clearly," Scizor replied with a grin. "You've never uttered so many kind words in such a short span of time." He chuckled as she playfully pushed him, and a smile remained etched on her face. Then, unexpectedly, he collapsed.
"Hey! Hey! Cara!?" A brief flicker of concern crossed Lucario's expression before she gently lifted him. Turning to the spectators, she addressed them.
"Let's refrain from informing the nurse about this incident, alright?"
"I'd readily divulge everything for Dugtrio's container of sand," Saniya promptly remarked. "Support me, folks!"
"Nothing noteworthy occurred."
"Agreed."
"I'm practically invisible."
"My closest friends have let me down!"
Lucario grinned as she approached them, carrying Cara the Scizor as if she were her just-fainted partner. "I'll take care of him and ensure he's okay. I'll catch up with the four of you later."
Sean winced. "We actually have a task to complete, so..."
"I'll join in!"
Sean managed a strained grin. "Wonderful."
Lucario's smile broadened for a moment before she sprinted away with Cara in her arms.
"...if we sprint," Sean began. "Really, really fast, do you think we could make it?"
"If I instantly transport us to a random place-"
"No," Striker promptly vetoed Saniya.
"But-"
"No, Saniya," Guardian sighed. "Nevertheless, ponder what The Legendary Lucario might want from us?"
"Perhaps an expression of gratitude?" Striker suggested. "We did achieve something she couldn't…" He trailed off, glancing around. "You don't suppose she can hear us, do you?"
"Coward."
"Some of us value our lives more than a container of sand."
"You don't appreciate Dugtrio as I do!"
"I'd rather not comprehend Dugtrio the way you do."
Saniya chuckled. "You're missing out, my attractive friend. Missing. Out."
"Let's abstain from notifying the nurse about this incident, shall we?"
"I'd eagerly spill all the details for Dugtrio's sand holder," Saniya responded promptly. "Stand by me, everyone!"
"Nothing significant occurred."
"Agreed."
"I'm nearly invisible."
"My dearest pals have disappointed me!"
Lucario flashed a grin as she approached, carrying Cara the Scizor as if she were her recently unconscious companion. "I'll take care of him and ensure he's okay. I'll catch up with the four of you later."
Sean winced. "We do have a mission to complete, though..."
"I'll join in!"
Sean managed a strained smile. "Great."
Lucario's smile widened briefly before she sprinted away with Cara in her arms.
"...if we sprint," Sean began. "Really, really fast, do you think we could make it?"
"If I were to instantly teleport us to a random location-"
"No," Striker promptly rejected Saniya.
"But-"
"No, Saniya," Guardian sighed. "Nonetheless, consider what The Legendary Lucario might desire from us?"
"Perhaps a show of gratitude?" Striker suggested. "We did accomplish something she couldn't…" He paused, glancing around. "You don't think she can hear us, do you?"
"Coward."
"Some of us cherish our lives more than a container of sand."
"You don't understand Dugtrio as I do!"
"I'd rather not comprehend Dugtrio the way you do."
Saniya chuckled. "You're missing out, my charming friend. Missing. Out."
Team Sunrise meandered back toward the town, engrossed in conversation. Although it was technically a day off, the prospect of Scizor being confined to the hospital wing, unconscious and vulnerable, propelled them to action. They couldn't simply idly pass the time.
Guardian chided playfully, "Seems a bit presumptuous to claim we're on a mission, and to Lucario, no less!"
Sean winced and confessed, "I just... I don't know."
Striker, nodding understandingly, added, "It's not what you expected, is it?" The unspoken agreement was to avoid discussing the events inside the Magnagate. "Nevertheless, she did offer that piece of advice. This is our opportunity to comprehend the emotional turmoil you've been going through."
"I knew it wasn't just teenage hormones!" Saniya exclaimed.
"You literally bet on it."
"In a playful manner."
Sean refrained from commenting. It wasn't about that, even though Striker was correct in his curiosity about how she knew that combat would help him, especially since she couldn't have known that he hadn't been fighting in such a manner already. There was something about her that unsettled his stomach. That name Scizor, or Cara, had whispered... It sounded like... It couldn't be possible, though. Lucario was ancient, as old as recorded history in this world. And he was from an entirely different dimension. But then again, he was here due to dimensional and time travel.
In the end, Sean and Striker headed to the guild in search of a new assignment while Saniya and Guardian loitered around Spinda's Cafe.
"Did you ever feel upset with Sean for addressing you as Guardian instead of something starting with the same sound as the rest of us?" she inquired out of the blue.
"No," Guardian fibbed.
Saniya narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.
The boys returned with Lucario in tow, and she appeared to be engaged in an animated conversation with Striker.
"It's all about the wrist motion," she explained, demonstrating whatever she was referring to. It looked peculiar. "We'll have time to practice."
"What did you select?" Guardian inquired.
"Lucario made the choice," Sean replied, with Lucario holding up a crumpled poster.
"We're going to confront someone!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "I really enjoy doing that, but I'll leave it to you guys. I'm certain the four of you, taking on deities and such, can handle a krokorok."
As they headed toward the town, Lucario reached into her small hip bag and retrieved a scratched flask containing something larger than the bag itself.
"Are you going to clarify this?" Saniya inquired calmly.
Lucario opened the flask, and Saniya's antennae drooped slightly from the overpowering odor that emanated from it. She recoiled, coughing as Lucario took a hearty swig.
"One Look," she explained.
"That's not what I asked!"
Lucario grinned. "I need something to cope with what's going to happen in town."
"That smell is awful," Saniya coughed. "And that's still not what I asked!"
"Tastes even worse," Lucario remarked, taking another sip.
"You're not constantly drinking it, are you?" Sean inquired as they entered the town.
A short while later, the town erupted into a spirited celebration in honor of Lucario. Her retracted claws subtly emerged from their hiding place within her sheath as she grasped the container, revealing the marks that marred the surface of the metal flask.
Taking another sip, they expedited their shopping for Lucario's sake. The Kecleon Brothers, maintaining their usual professionalism, extended a modest discount and presented Lucario with a complimentary apple. For them, it held significant importance.
"You know, I never thought Pokémon would succumb to avarice," Lucario remarked as they departed, briskly heading back to the crossroads. "Introducing currency seemed like a brilliant concept—something 'valueless' that everyone could hold in high regard. It brought some semblance of order without forcing Pokémon to barter their sustenance or themselves for assistance."
"It seems to be working rather effectively," Sean responded. "It makes perfect sense to me."
"Dimitri and Jessica shared the same sentiment," Lucario added with a nonchalant shrug. "Kenji, on the other hand, always takes the contrarian stance."
"I... I only know one of them," Sean confessed.
"Wartortle, Dewott, and Gengar," Lucario clarified. "The three other humans before you."
She furrowed her brow. "Kenji hardly counts, though."
Lucario rolled her eyes upon noticing the inquisitive gaze of Team Sunrise. "That whole name thing, by the way," she remarked, understanding their curiosity, "I most certainly did not start it."
I made the changes you requested while maintaining the original meaning and length of the text. Here's the rewritten version:
"The sole alteration I made was abbreviating their names to actual ones, but everyone insisted on maintaining this absurd secrecy about it." Lucario muttered quietly, and that, combined with the intense gaze, kept most of the Pokémon at bay.
Nevertheless, a trio of Pokémon decided to follow them as they left the town. With Lucario's mumbling, Sean couldn't ask the question he had in mind. Lucario halted just before they passed the watering hole and turned to face the approaching trio.
"I need three items when I return," Lucario declared dramatically. "A three-foot-long magenta twine, a ruby pendant that reveals the sea within, and a solitary plum, floating in honey, served with an edible scarf. Go."
Without hesitation, they dashed off. Lucario rubbed her temples and rejoined Team Sunrise.
"What did you even request?" Striker inquired.
"And why did it sound so peculiar?" Saniya chuckled.
"I haven't the slightest clue. It's whatever came out of my mouth at the time."
"You certainly use colorful language," Guardian remarked, offering him a playful finger-gun gesture.
"So, what job have you selected, and how deep into the wilderness will it take us?" Saniya inquired.
Lucario extended the paper to her. "Uh…." Saniya eventually glanced at the job at hand. "Seeking: Krokorok for misconduct, and that's quite a lengthy list." Her cheeks flushed as words stumbled out. Sean examined what was written until Lucario swiftly retrieved it.
"You're a young one; you shouldn't be reading that. I remember this guy, lol. Alright, it says we need to head to Sicily. Should be interesting."
"Sicily is the nearest town to Treasure Town, right?"
"Indeed," Guardian confirmed. "Although it hardly qualifies as a town."
"Well, that's something," Lucario remarked, folding the wanted poster. "We'll take care of him, hand him over to Officer Magnezone, and he'll serve his debt in the iron mines."
"Is it that severe?" Guardian gasped, taking the poster. His face took on an unusual hue.
