#highlordking

The old rat laughed a bit at the question, his pace keeping him much further ahead of Hydra. “I don’t think retired is the right word for it, maybe ah-”

“Old man you retired, you had a party and everything. Joy even made a cake for you.” Hydra reminded him, her head lifted from watching her steps as she moved a bit faster to hear the quiet old man’s reply.

Looking back he saw her trying to catch up and waited a displeased hum escaped his maw, “If I remember correctly you didn’t attend!”

She staggered a bit as she caught up. Her tails dragging the ground in exhaustion. “That’s- don’t try and change the subject!“ Keeping this upbeat tone and the small sprint made her pause and catch her breath. “It’s not like retiring made you unable to use magic anymore… You’re just too old to do it consistently.”

King looked back at the escort that walked close behind and back to the one in front that had both stopped to glare down the Scizor. King saw little threat in a steel type so he motioned with his head that they could keep moving while he talked with his guest. “I don’t recall ever hearing about a Scizor in Grail’s records, but maybe you are a passing friend that he cared not to write about.” He studied the Scizor while he walked, his head turning slightly more each time as he tried to keep an eye out for where he was walking. “I don’t think Grail has done anything worth writing in that book of his in many years, and I am not sure why he would change this pattern now.”

He shifted his head back checking to see if Hydra listened in. She watched her feet with each step, making sure not to fall over herself in her weakened state. Her pace keeping her quite a few steps behind his rat tails. “Though, I guess you can say we’re all in a bit of trouble right now. I wish I could assure you he will stay peaceful but… who knows how he’ll react to however many guards will come to escort Apollo home.”

“I’m not really sure honestly.” Apollo tilted his head, thinking back to when his life consisted of simple classes and no shape shifting. “He’s my guardian now but… back then I was just some kid who was not paying him any attention in classes. And well… not attending classes.” A nervous laugh escaped him, a bit of shame for his old childish behavior showed on his face.

“O-oh um... yeah.“ His displeased look remained on his face as he looked away from his guest. Apollo sat for a minute until he was ready to finally speak again, “It’s because other clan members call me a Zorua and a fake vulpix...” His frown grew as he spoke and remembered the experience. “ A few have even uh... thrown me out, ordered the doors closed and forced me to stay outside. Didn’t even care if it were raining or snowing...”

The little vulpix’s ears perked up and a little smile showed up on his face, even if he were looking away it could be seen. “But whether or not it was two or ten pokemon bothering me, King would always come help me. They didn’t dare even glare at me wrong when he’d show up.” He snickered a bit like a Zorua would, “I heard his punishments were pretty rough on those members. 

As Hydra came to, her paws felt the rough fur of the one who carried her. Her body laid across the back with her longer legs scratching at the path below. “And here I thought I was being carried by a nice strong pokemon...” She grumbled awake as her feet started trying to stand on their own.

King caught on, his back lowered slightly and he slid his tails out from under her legs, “Sorry to disappoint lady Hydra, it seems Grail took his own way back with Apollo.” A sat ahead of her on the path watching her legs wobble slightly as she stretched and took a few steps.

She had hardly enough energy to walk much less lift her tails that dragged across the dusty path. She started blinking her blurry eyes up at the night sky, the stars not as great as when they were at the festival. “Hmm... the kid is going to be scared of me for a while isn’t he?”

“It’s... possible considering he didn’t want to join us back to the tower.” A slight frown crossed Hydra’s face as she tried to focus on the stars. King paused for a moment glancing up at the stars with her. “I’m just glad he’s okay after running off like that. Who knows what could’ve been lurking in that forest.”

“Heh, glad you were worried sick about me.” Her familiar grin return as she returned her gaze on King. He smirked and open his maw to speak again, but before he could Hydra looked past him. “King, who are they?” Two shadow’s of Ninetales approached, their tales fanned out behind them.

“Our intimidation tactics, they’re here for me... or us.” King stood facing the shadows that approached with his ears listening to each of their steps, ready to move in case he was wrong.

One spoke up, his deeper voice telling of his older age. “High Lord King, Lady Hydra; we’re here to escort you back to the tower on order of the High Lords.”

King sighed, an acknowledging nod had them on their way again as the two guards split; one in front of the two and one in back. “If they sent two burned out soldiers for us; how many do you think they sent for Grail?” Hydra didn’t answer, her worried look returned as she focused on her walking.

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“Apollo...” Grail’s deep but caring voice hummed between the trees as he looked down on the crying pikachu. Kneeling down he could tell the electric type was trembling uncontrollably, “Are you alright?” The feraligatr could hardly tell if he were shaking his head or trembling. “...What do you say we head back to the tower with Hydra? The event’s ending soon...”  Lowering his claw to his level Apollo shook his head.

He wouldn’t look up at Grail as he sobbed quietly, yet a question squeaked out of him, “Hydra thinks I’m a monster doesn’t she? Just like the others.” Apollo voice cracked as he whined out his question. 

Grail’s claw didn’t move, but whether he intended to pick Apollo up or just help him up was unclear. He gave a sigh seeing his little friend in such distress, “There’s a lot ya don’t know and-”

Apollo suddenly stood, “That’s what King has told me so many times... even Hydra said that!” he shouted up at Grail, tears rolling down his face even in his anger. “Just tell me why I can’t be normal!”

Grail paused at his change in mood, “You’re drainin’ magical energy from everything around you. Everyone you met at the festival, me, the ground below your feet, and Hydra.” His eyes changed from their normal grey color to a glowing blue tone. “I’m guessin’ Hydra’s eyes looked like this before you ran off here?” The hand he had offered him before pointed to his eyes, Apollo nodded slowly as he was still trying to take in what the Feraligatr was telling him. “Then she could see you actively draining her and had to scare you off before you drained her completely...”

“I-is she okay?” Apollo mumbled up at the Feraligatr.

Grail nodded, “She only passed out, King is taking her back to the tower to rest.”

“Wait, both of you are here? W-Why?” Apollo stammered.

“We both found out about one of the High Lord’s theories that you were draining others, but we knew if it were true then anyone here would be in trouble.” Grail watched as Apollo drooped his head a bit, knowing he caused them so much trouble. “Come on, King is worried about ya.” Apollo shyly climbed into his open hand, as the pikachu was small enough to be easily lifted to Grail’s shoulder.

But a thought rang in his head once he was there, “B-but what if I drain too much of your energy!”

Grail gave a short laugh, “You’ll have to spend about 2000 years with me in order to do that. Don’t worry kid, we’ll figure this out.”

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The tap of the Ninetale’s claws echoed a bit through the vacant upper levels as only a few high ranking members ever needed to come up so high in the tower. “Now my friend, how has your life been? You hardly visit and update our version of the book.” He turned his head slightly, glancing back as a longer braid of hair shifted to one side.

Grail slowly climbed the stairs behind him, his larger body and feet making it hard to keep up with the Ninetale’s fast pace. “You know if anything important happens I’ll update it. Unless you want me to fill it with my drinking habits.” He took care not to step on the rat like tails that stopped ahead of him, it seems they’re at the right floor. An empty hallway stood before them as Grail ducked under the archway. His hands traced along the tight walls up to the first set of doors. A name he’d yet heard was written on the first, the other “King” was etched into a metal plate. That must be how he knew exactly where her dorm was. A hum escaped him as he continued down the hall as his guide following close behind him. The second set of doors had the name he was looking for “Krea”, he quickly turned the handle and pushed it open. It bumped against a stack of books on the other side causing them to scatter on the floor.

That was about all the two could see, as the light from the hallway didn’t reach far inside. As the red eye’d ninetales stepped inside a couple candles seemed to spark without him doing much of anything. “Still drinking and wandering this world then I see. Yet you’ve formed a party with Ms. Hydaelyn I hear, can’t say I didn’t expect it.” Grail squeezed past him into the room, it was covered in books and pages of scribbles and notes. Ranging from music charts to architecture, some even covering basic things like learning to swim. Book shelves lined the walls and a desk of sorts sat in the middle of the room. A bed completing the room in the back right corner, yet everything was covered in dust like it hadn’t been used in quite a few years. “Feel free to listen while you look, I do have an offer for you.” Grail turned with a look of confusion, he’d only been here for a few moments what kind of offer could this even be? Either way, he started shifting through the items on the desk. “I have a student, a troublesome one at that. You might be interested to know he’s a shapeshifter.”

The Feraligatr stopped suddenly and turned, “One o’ Merrick’s line?” King shook his head making Grail stand silent for a moment more. “So any child could be born a shapeshifter... how strange.”

A sigh came from the fire type who still sat at the door, “The other High Lords are figuring out what to do with him. Some are trying to limit what he can learn, others want him out forever.”

Grail continued his search while they talked, slamming drawers and tossing books on the floor. “So what’s this got to do with me? I understand he’s like Merrick, but he’s not immediately a threat.” Grail finally found a little wooden box that was small enough to fit in his claws. Hard to open at first but the small latch flipped open to show some white chalk like rocks.

“He doesn’t need to be here during the talks. If a rumor got out the High Lords were talking about him... the others would treat him so much worse than they already do.” His face was covered with sadness, like he was asking Grail to do a horrid crime.

His eyes widened a bit as he figured out what King was actually worried about, “The idea of puttin’ him to death came up, didn’t it?” The ninetales avoided his guest’s gaze as he nodded in reply again. They stood silent as Grail thought all of this over, “I’d like to meet 'em, and maybe talk to Hydra about it.”

“Here we are...” Hydra seemed a bit disappointed to be back to her home so soon. The faux Tower of Time that her clan had built and now called home rose high out of the forest. It’s dark blue brick walls standing apart from the light blue sky, it’s forged steel protruded from the walls at varying levels; frayed and spiked like those found on a Dialga. The arch leading inside held a shining gem at it’s peak. Some stairs lead up to a pair of gates to the inside, they had been left open; as they normally were in the summer time and guards were posted outside. They mumbled to themselves about their visitors who had yet to step onto the wide set of stairs. 

“Hydra you know you’re not allowed to bring your partners back to the tower.” One spoke up, a slight laugh was shared between the two. Hydra’s glare could’ve pierce the tower itself, it shut their snickering little laughs up as the Feraligatr walked forward. His heavy steps sounded as he made stepped onto the tower’s first stair, shocking the two young guards. Only one non-ninetales was allowed to enter the tower. “S-Sir Grail?” One stuttered.

Grail loomed closer and the other guard bounded off, “I-I’ll get one of the High Lords!” The one left behind squeaked out what should’ve been an answer as he tried to stand before the approaching Feraligatr.

Grail soon loomed over the trembling little fox, “What was it ya said about my friend? I couldn’t hear ya down there, ya know bein’ old hurts the hearin’.” Grail didn’t necessarily look angry, nor was he trying to be intimidating; but the fox shrunk down knowing who he was. A small apology escaped his maw, “I don’t think I heard that either, how about you go tell my friend down there instead.” He pointed his claw behind him as the Ninetales quickly took off down the stairs. Hydra has more fun toying with people anyway.

As he took his fist steps in it was apparent not much has changed, various colors and variations of ninetales sat around reading books he’d never understand. Some stopped just to watch the action that had just played out at the front gates, while others were too absorbed in their books to care. A long wall of bookshelves sat on his right side; a set of stairs hugged the outer wall that only went up to a half floor. More ninetales came from above and stared him down, some stopping in their tracks as they saw him. It was best for him to just ignore them and go up...

No one seemed to try and stop him, though the stairs were a bit too small for his massive feet. He carefully made his way up to the half floor and stomped past each table of busy ninetales. He made his way to the next set of stairs and up to the next floor. It was mostly the same as the last; book shelves, tables, and ninetales. Yet sitting atop a high shelf there hung a little yellow tail, “Seems they have pests now... Guess they shouldn’t leave the door open so much.” He mumbled to himself, yet he wasn’t alone. A couple curious fans had followed him up from the previous floor, only to be scared off by his look. Or so he thought.

“My my, Grail. It’s been too long.” The Feraligatr knew this graining voice, King. A Ninetales that was often thought to be one of the pests that roam the tower. Being an offspring to a Raticate you’d get framed as such. His tails resemble a rat’s and his claws are arched sharpened like one’s. Tapping against the stone floor as he approached, his bright red eyes glanced up at his guest. His coarse orange fur and thick whiskers made him stand apart from the crowd. His name as King is also part of his role; one of the highest and most knowledgeable members of the high order, and the one who keeps their funds in order. “I hope you weren’t expecting to sneak through without speaking to at least one of the High Lords.”

A slight grumbled escaped Grail as he bowed his head slightly for him, “I’m just here for some of Hydra’s things, should be in her mother’s old room.” He knew it wouldn’t be this easy to get away from him, as the mouse was ready to open his mouth again.

“Well then you seem lost, mind if I walk you there?” How could Grail turn down the offer? He’d much rather deal with one of the high lords than wandering around, risking running into them all. With a nod he let the Ninetales lead the way.