#halloweenball2016

Tapferkeit looks up at the castle known as Hochburg, the once proud structure now laid in ruin. Seeing what used to be a mighty fortress in this current state brought sorrow to the Golurk.

Still in his ceremonial garb he slowly makes his way past the giant doors, the once beautifully carved wood now covered in moss and rot. He walks down the many halls, passing piles of rubble and tattered tapestries.

He remembered when skeletons used to cover the floor, consisting of Humans and Pokemon alike. Tapferkeit took the time to bury each and every one of them, to merely leave them on the ground didn’t sit well with him.

Eventually he arrives at the very room he found his outfit. After staring at the crate for what felt like hours, he shook his head and carefully takes his outfit off. First he started with the war flag, then the headdress, then the shirt. He neatly sets them inside the crate before closing it, hopefully the rotting wood will keep it safe from the damage of time...as it had all these centuries earlier.

As much as he wanted to keep it with him, the garbs would most certainly become damaged during his travels. These ceremonial garbs are extremely precious to him, since they’re all that he has left of The Order. So he will keep them here, for when they’re needed...he’ll know where to look.

He hoists his hammer over his shoulder and makes his way out, another destination in his mind.

Tapferkeit arrives at the courtyard, the emotion that is sorrow once again returning. Hundreds of rusted weapons are seen stuck blade-first in the ground, each one with a ruined medallion leaning against their base. Each weapon marks a grave of a Crusader, the medallions mark their Soulbound Pokemon.

It took the Golurk a great amount of time to find each Pokemon and Human, the only way he could tell the skeletons apart is their armor and the medallions that the Pokemon wore.

He bows his head in respect, the feeling of loss gripping his heart. “Hello again, my comrades.” He utters quietly, his voice lacking the strength others know the Golurk for. “I’ve returned from an All Hallows Eve Ball.”

“How can one such as I come go to a Ball?” He chuckles weakly. “I admit, I was rather surprised myself. It was a disguise Ball, so I dressed in my ceremonial garbs since those were the only disguises I had.” Tapferkeit chuckles again. “It was not interesting to say the least, nothing but talking and dancing. If you all were with me we could’ve turned it into a true party, we would’ve showed them how a Crusader celebrates.” He falls silent, the only sound coming from the courtyard being the rustling of the autumn leaves.

“It’s...difficult, being the last of us.” He speaks up again, letting out a soft sigh. “One moment we were all laughing and talking, the next...I am on the ground...everything and everyone gone.”

He looks back to the castle, another sigh escaping him. “However...I have found several lads and lasses that you all would’ve been interested in. Blayz, now that is a lad with energy. I feel that you would’ve really liked him, Sir Dolphus.” Tapferkeit chuckles again, his eye turning to a grave marked with a broken glaive. “There is Eira, although I have spoken to her briefly...she is a Pokemon who possesses powerful support potential. You would’ve gotten along quite well with her, Lady Margo and Lady Maritza.” He says, turning his eye to another grave marked with a rusted shield and a shattered silver medallion.

“Ciel is another lass, a Pokemon who is small in body...and yet possesses the spirit of a giant. Sir Jantis...if you could’ve met her in person, I feel that you would’ve quickly taken a liking to her.” He sighs, looking at a shattered mace marking the man’s grave. “And there is another lad...a Lucario by the name of Zaitsev, he had witnessed many horrors...I feel that you could’ve related to him...Lady Ebba.” Tapferkeit mutters, looking at a grave marked by long sword.

The Golurk slowly makes his way through the graveyard, eventually arriving to a grave in the very center. This grave is marked by a rusted lance, a silver crown lay beside the weapon as well as a damaged medallion showing the head of a Pidgeot. “Sir Abelard and Lady Glorreiche Herz, I have met a lass that possesses the strength of what I would call a god.” He chuckles quietly as he remembers his ‘spar’ with her. “A Marowak by the name of Shauna, if we were to have her by our side during our great crusades...we would’ve ended battles before they even started.” The Golurk’s chuckle dies in his throat, the gravity of the situation drowning away his joy.

Tapferkeit bows his head, letting out another sigh. “I am trying, Sir Abelard, it is...difficult to be on my own now..” The Golurk turns away, his gaze to the sky. “I will do my best to carry on our legacy, to fight the darkness and defend those who can’t defend themselves.” He looks back at the grave, his next words a vow. “Once the world is aware of our glory once again, I will return.”

With that the Golurk leaves the ruined castle, not once looking back.

On the grave of Sir Abelard, the wind blows heavily around it. A single Pidgeot feather falls from the sky...and slowly lands beside the silver crown.