#hydraninetales

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.”

Retro: It’s mostly because our energy is pretty much all we are. Like, if I felt strongly enough, I might be able to pull enough energy to take on half a Yarajya. That’s a pretty big “might” though.

She really genuinely enjoys helping people and having company, so it’s like killing two birds with one stone! If you think about it like that, you’re the ones doing us a favor.

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.

Gran was- is a good friend of mine. One to fight a fight when it was needed and one who’d win more than not. Though we’ve only recently caught up with one another, she still seems to be the same. A strong spider with a kind voice, who seems to have found herself a lot of mon that care about her.

Oh that bird, he’s… a timid one. With how he trembles around me you’d think he was a Skarmory. Maybe he’s not so scared of my flames but more of the silly “curse” rumor that floats around about ninetales.