"Thank you for informing us of Ser Donovan's late but certain arrival, you have my deepest appreciation for your services."

The Talonflame beamed with pride at Zokura's words. To be congratulated by a being whose grace and presence was second only to his own, it was such a pleasure. He took off for the chair his partner would have taken had he been present. The top rail had been straightened and made higher, an adequate temporary roosting place for a weary bird.

As the rest of the men in the room argued about things that did not concern him, the large bird rested. He did not hold much interest in discussion, much less for the scheming that was going on. He'd have someone relay the outcome later, but for now, he will relax.

---

The doors of the chamber opened and Donovan stepped inside the chambers at last. He was visibly winded, his dark skin stained by sweat. He looked around the room and quickly composed himself, making a quick bowing gesture in the direction of the princess.
"I'm-" He paused for breath, struggling to keep his sentence going. "I'm sorry to arrive so late into the meeting, I was keeping watch over the eastern roads," He gestured in the general direction of the roads. "As I often do. In any case, for what reason are we all gathered here today?

Claire silently nodded as Zokura gave them their orders. They, for the most part seemed sensible to her, and she couldn't help but to feel a little smug about Anas idea being shot down. Perhaps it would teach the older woman to think rather than just do the first thing that came to her mind. She was a royal guard after all, she should act like one. She again remained silent, as she did not wish to cause any anger that would potentially disrupt the groups cohesion and teamwork ability. After Zokura finished, Donovan entered the room looking like he had just run a marathon. Latias gave the other guard a friendly wave, Claire didn't acknowledge him, aside from giving him a glance. Being late was unacceptable. Considering the rather special case, she would let it slide this time, and now wasn't the time to let her personal feelings get in the way of information.

"Trouble." Claire stated towards the other guard. "Some dark force threatens the Kingdom, and we have been tasked to find out what it is and prepare in case we must act."

Donovan smiled and waved back at Latias, it was always a pleasure to have such a shining beacon of positivity amongst the stiff upper lips on the rest of the guards. He turned towards Claire, who had addressed his question, and listened.

So the darkness had indeed been the bearer of bad news, though the exact nature of the darkness had yet to be appraised. Donovan felt a slight relief in knowing that he was right to send his birds out to patrol the immediate surroundings.
"A dark force? I knew there was something off about the sunrise, never expected it to be such a large problem." He started walking to his seat, talking as he walked. The exhaustion he had exhibited earlier seemed to vanish. "I had both Talonflame and Staraptor search for anything out of the ordinary, but we found nothing. If we are going to be doing some reconnaissance, I am glad to say that I have two perfect candidates for the job." The guard turned his head to look at the Talonflame that had chosen to rest on his chair, not an entirely unexpected move. It was why he had the chair modified in the first place, after all. "Both of the Pokemon at my command would be invaluable for that task, I'm sure Sorren would agree with that."

He finally reached his chair and took a seat, just under the Talonflame. It felt good to sit down after such strenuous physical activities, even if he didn't show it.

Zokura looked around at the group before her, each individual of limitless value as soldiers of the royal guard. She felt a level of confidence in their plan, at least, in the plan that was forming. She looked over at her brother and then at her sister. Alex had said very little since his arrival and she was struggling to decide whether his mind was actually with them or not. Her younger sister looked heartbroken at her request to stay closer to the immediate kingdom, but she would not be moved by the saddened eyes of a child when the safety of her loved ones was at risk.

Zokura rose, and addressed Sorren. "Sorren, I will leave the decision of your partner up to you. After all, no one knows better what requisites are presented to a companion on a mission of this nature. It is your field of expertise and so none could make a decision as well as you. When you have chosen, come to me and inform me of your choice. Donovan, if you continue to have your flock scour the lands, though I would not wish for any but your strongest and most reliable birds to venture near the darkness. I believe you have a noctowl or two, correct? Find your strongest and send it out at night when the shadow rises to it's strength, see if it finds more than what the day flock will find."

She moved away from her chair, tucking it back under the table out of instinct, and walked slowly along the wall between the door and the large bay window. "Chau, I would ask that you and Ana go and interrogate the caravans that have come and gone from the east where the shadow grows. Find out what they know...And as I am aware of how things work with those of the road... you may use funds from the treasury to pay any bribes that you must. Though the source of the gold is not to be released to them. I do not smile upon such actions but I am not so foolish to push petty laws when the cumulative safety of the kingdom is at risk. Adormon, Zion, if you would proceed with collecting what knowledge you can from the archives I would greatly appreciate it. Claire, I'd like you to accompany me on a few errands. The kingdom still has immediate needs to be looked after and I cannot shirk my duty to the people, even in times of higher issues. Adelaide, I'd like you to come by my chambers later today. I have something I'd like to give you. And Alex, brother, I would ask that you watch over the throne and see to the needs of those that approach, be they requests for extra food, gold allowances, or the infliction of petty laws. It would help ease my workload greatly."

She walked to the door, pausing before it. Suicune rose and strode to her side. "If we are all in agreement with what has been said here today, I would call this meeting to an end. Any who wish to discuss personal tasks further are welcome to seek me out. Claire, if you would?" She smiled sweetly to the group, offering a curtsey in respect to those who surrounded her. She was eager to get going with the rest of the day. She had many duties as stewardess of Urael, and despite her wishes to remain in deep thought and planning, she needed to see to the immediate happiness and well being of the kingdom.

While Chau didn’t agree with Ana’s idea, there was no need for him to add his piece in when all the others already had. Simply shaking his head slowly to show he disagreed with her head-on strategy, he turned his attention back to the others in the meeting. Raising an eyebrow at Ser Zion’s suggestion, he cracked a small grin. There wasn’t even a need to ask Gengar what it felt at the suggestion, but despite its reluctance his companion would act as needed. “It won’t be a problem.” Seeing as it was the topic at hand, Gengar took the opportunity to writhe its way out of Chau’s shadow.

To anyone who had never seen the process, it likely would have been downright disturbing. He had leaned forward to speak so his shadow was cast at the back of the chair. From there it seemed to twist in on itself, moving as if alive before something began to crawl out. Black tendrils clung onto Gengar’s body as it wormed free of Chau’s shadow, clinging as if to drag it back within and it certainly looked like the Pokemon was struggling. With a snap though, the black binds released their hold and his shadow returned to normal. Gengar took a perch on the chair’s back as it gazed over those gathered in the chamber, much like its companion was doing so.

---

Silence reigned after that short display, but it was quickly broken by the chamber’s doors being opened. “Good time, Donovan.” The eastern roads were a fair distance away, and given the man’s state, he had pushed himself to make good time to the meeting and that was enough for Chau. As Zokura spoke again, no doubt to bring the meeting to a close, Chau leaned back against his chair. It would seem that the comforting times were coming to an end. The fact that his two partners still didn’t quite get along was a bit of an annoyance that was added on. He could feel the pressure at his back as Gardevoir glared at his, and hers by extension, partner. It was enough to make Chau want to sigh.

---

With the meeting finally called to an end, Chau stood up quickly from his seat and made his way over towards Sorren, holding up a hand to signal for Ana to wait for him. Addressing the younger operative, “Since Princess Zokura has given you the choice of a partner, I’ll leave it at that. Pick now if you want to take Gengar with you though. It can take a while to get used to its presence.” The Pokemon in question floated to Chau’s side, just slightly above his head. As usual, it was never really still, twisting, turning, and flipping mid-air while it glanced between Meloetta and Gardevoir, curiously and tauntingly. That was about the least distracting Gengar ever got whenever it wasn’t in a shadow.

Zion nodded towards Zokura, a pleasant smile upon his lips. “I will send Deoxys down to the Archives right away. He will communicate any information he discovers there to me.” Turning his head a bit he acknowledged Deoxys. ”Go the Archives and read every book you can get your hands on, any time you see any mention of darkness I want you to contact me with whatever it says.” Deoxys gave a nod of its own, before it vanished from the meeting room accompanied by a white light.

Turning his attention back to the Princess, Zion slowly rose out of his chair. ”I will search my personal collection for any mentions of anything that could cause this darkness. I have many books that the Archives do not, between the two I am sure that something will be discovered.” Moving towards the door at an even pace, he stopped beside it. ”Oh and Adelaide I would like you to stay with me when you are not with your sister. I am not as young as I once was, and I could use your assistance going through all of the books. Not to mention it will ensure that you stay out of trouble. Chuckling softly, Zion leaned against the wall next to the door, waiting for Adelaide to join him since she would not be going with her sister for some time.

Adomorn stood as well, "I will do all that I can as well Princess Zokura. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I must take my leave, there are some scrolls that I must read, just in case they have something written in them about this darkness, or about any pokemon known for this type of behavior." he bowed deeply and the white haired male took his leave, Zoroark following behind after waving to Latias. Later the two pokemon would have to join and plan something, well after this dilemma of course.
Adomorn was in his own thoughts, thinking of what they all must do to figure out what this darkness is and what it could do. He would keep his eyes on the horizon, and hopefully, whatever it is does not advance in anyway toward the Kingdom. The white cloaked male entered his room where he quickly went back to his studies, reading carefully each and every single word written in the text.

Adelaide was most displeased by Zion's demand. She wanted to help, and in a way that would make her sister proud! She didn't want to lay around, reading books all day, that would be a tortuous activity!! Besides, Raikou was one of the fastest pokemon out of all of them! He ran like the speed of light, like how quickly lightning strikes the ground followed by the boom of the thunder.
Yet before she could say anything in protest, Raikou got up and padded over to Zion, looking straight at her. Looking in between Raikou, Zion and her sister, she wondered if she was ever going to get out of this...probably not. Zion was right, her sister would be very busy and stressed out. So stressed that Zokura would never have time for her... Reluctantly she stood up and with pouted lips, and furrowed eyebrows she walked to the older man who was the family's adviser, and the one person who still tried to form her into becoming princess material. Looking down, her blue eyes met Raikou's and they just screamed traitor! But the Tiger pokemon just shook it's head and followed the old man, Adelaide following as well...

Sorren quietly listened to each person’s words, saying nothing. For the image of attentiveness he was, Meloetta was the opposite. She lay back on the table with her eyes closed and hummed a tune to herself, paying absolutely no attention whatsoever to anything anyone said. She quieted her tune for the princess only, humming underneath the words of anyone else who spoke.

He had seen the darkness already, and he had planned on investigating it regardless. When the princess closed the short meeting, Chau walked over to Sorren. Technically he was Sorren’s immediate superior, technically. Sorren would listen to him though, and that was enough. More than could be said of most.

“Since Princess Zokura has given you the choice of a partner, I’ll leave it at that. Pick now if you want to take Gengar with you though. It can take a while to get used to its presence.”

Sorren really didn’t want anyone else with him. Besides Meloetta, others only got in the way. And he didn’t like drawing his sword with someone else watching. But if he really needed to, Gengar wouldn’t be the worst choice. “Very well, Gengar is an excellent choice.” Sorren calmly stood up from his seat, Meloetta flipping upright and then onto his shoulder. “Though I have to know one thing first.” The guard turned to the floating ghost and asked it directly, “If you are in my shadow, what will happen when Meloetta sings?”

Meloetta cocked her head to the side. “Don’t ask stupid questions Sorren,” she retoreted, “he’ll dance of course!” The little muse cracked up at her own cleverness. Sorren sighed and tipped his body to one side; causing her to fall off his shoulder. He ended up regretting it though, because she stopped herself from falling by grabbing onto his hair.

“Ow, that’s attached you know,” he complained as he rubbed his head and his partner retook her seat next to his head.

“Really, because the handful I have right here says otherwise.”

The two of them could be at it for a while, but this time Sorren ended it by turning back to Chau and his Gengar. “The question stands. Ignore my partner; I think she might have raided the wine cellar before breakfast this morning.”

Meloetta put on a completely straight face and slapped Sorren on the back of the head. “Hey, no joking about what I do. Besides, I know a certain Gardevoir that…” Whatever she was about to say went unsaid as she rolled backwards off Sorren’s shoulder and turned invisible. She was just too much to deal with, even for herself.

Claire was comfortable with the plan the Princess had laid out, though she slightly hoped to get a chance to see this darkness first hand. Sorren obviously didn't seem to keen on taking someone else, even reluctant to take Gengar. Understandable, since Gengar was a rather unusual partner and was a bit unusual. Well, she'd just have to wait and see what happens. She had plenty of other things she had to do without whatever this darkness was anyways. Such as accompany the Princess on these errands of hers.

"Very well princess," Claire said with a small bow. "I would be more than happy to accompany you." As she finished, there was a small snicker from Latias. Claire gave her a questioning look, but Latias went back to humming, seeming to not even notice her. "Ignore the feather-for-brains Princess." This insult caught Latias's attention and she gave Claire a hurt look.

"H-hey that's not nice." Latias replied, feigning sadness. "I have a fully working brain, just like you! Except mines more fun and of friendly sunshine and rainbows!"

"You sure that's just not your stomach doing the thinking for you?" Claire continued, giving Latias a somewhat bored look.

"Y-you're just a meanie pants Claire! That's what you are, a big meanie pants!" Latias shouted, waving her arms in a mildly cute manner, once again pretending to be hurt over Claires words. This was a daily routine for the two, to others it would probably look like they were actually fighting. However, neither of them ever actually meant their words. Usually. Latias zipped over to Zokura, giving her the cutest set of puppy dog eyes she could muster. "P-princess, she sniffed, "C-Claire's being mean to me! I say we give her 1000 years in the dungeon!"

Donovan nodded and rubbed his beard as he thought the princess' words over. He actually didn't have any other birds here, any of the others that he'd raised were either in the service of another man or were stationed at the aviary. It'd take a week to get any reinforcements... or maybe less, if he sent one of his own birds out as messengers. But then he'd be left with only one partner while the kingdom was possibly at risk...

As he went over the possibilities, an argument pulled him from his thoughts. Seems Claire and Latias were arguing for some nebulous reason. Again. A quick glance and a shrug at the Talonflame above him confirmed that it was thinking the same thing, even if no words were spoken. Donovan grinned as he heard the two arguing, and Latias' pleading almost caused him to laugh inappropriately.

Regardless of how entertaining the current situation was, Donovan doubted that Zokura was in the mood for this. There was threat to the kingdom, no time for childish disputes in the meeting chamber.
He turned towards Claire and asked in a hushed voice, "Claire, would you mind if I took Latias off of your hands for a while? I'm sure the princess would appreciate it, and I'm going to need a few extra eyes in the sky."

The Talonflame shuffled around its roosting post, a betrayed look on its face.

As Claire and Latias took their places at her side, Zokura couldn't help but giggle at the relationship the two had. Claire, so professional and serious, and Latias, a child by heart, a legend by mind. The pair truly were the perfect match, each of their personalities complimenting and counteracting the other's.

"P-princess", she sniffed, "C-Claire's being mean to me! I say we give her 1000 years in the dungeon!"

Zokura smiled warmly at the blue and white pokemon, "But my dear Latias, a thousand years in the dungeon would leave you alone for an awfully long time, and I don't think Claire would enjoy it very much. Besides, I couldn't very well imprison one of my best guards, especially in these uncertain times. Perhaps you should try and work things out? I know deep down you want to." She took a moment to appreciate the bond between the two. As she did, she looked around at the pokemon and their companions; the pokemon had no obligation but their own honor and word to stand by the humans of the land, and yet time and time again they would put their lives on the line to help them. The connections they formed with their human companions went deeper than nobility, it was love and respect at its fullest. She could never imagine enslaving a pokemon to do her bidding as she heard people were doing in the far corners of the world.

Just as she nodded to Suicune to motion towards departure, Donovan spoke up, asking Claire and Latias a favor. Zokura halted her leave and stood politely waiting, understanding full well that a legendary flier would do great service in the scouting mission.

"B-but she called me a featherbrain! I don't have a brain full of feathers! I..." With a pause, she folded her arms and sighed. "Princess, I worry about you. I was joking, you know that right?" With that, she gave the Princess a friendly smile before zipping back over to Claire and Donovan. Claire saw no problem with letting the other guard use Latias for the time, if the pokemon herself was alright with it. She could see the advantages it could have. Having a Legendary watch the skies would be extremely helpful with whatever...this was.

"I see no reason why you can't, Donovan. I have no objections if Latias doesn't."

"Nope! I don't." Latias said, giving the other guard a smile.

"Well its settled then." She replied, giving a nod to Donovan before giving a Latias a rare, somewhat concerned look. "And you, be careful and don't do anything stupid." She said, placing a hand on the red pokemon's head.

"Please, its me Claire. I'm always going to do something stupid!" She grinned, causing Claire to simply sigh.