Ch 01

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Indigo League…
Phallus Town…
A scientist’s home…
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    Professor Alphonse Mahogany Stroak, sometimes called Aldus by his friends and associates, sat back in his chair and sighed.  He looked at his reflection in the window, seeing a graying, weathered old man clad in an old lab coat and rumpled, modest formal wear.  He was well built for his age, but still he was aging.  There was no getting around that. 

    He looked over to the clock on the wall, designed to look like a Pre-Sukebe black cat, the tail-shaped pendulum swinging gently back and forth, counting the seconds away.  It was just past nine PM, and the sun had completely set outside, leaving everything cast in darkness.  He sighed again, looking over to his companion, who was pouring tea for him on a small table nearby. 

    “Are you certain he’s coming, Maryanne?” he asked. The mouse-like Pokégirl just nodded her head, bringing over the tea, her yellow sundress rustling slightly as she walked.  She set the tray she was carrying the tea on atop a small circular table, and handed her master a cup. 

    “In the message he sent you, he did say that he would be here tonight around nine.  You just need to be patient, Professor,” she said, tilting her head to look at him.  “After all, he did set out from Stone Town on foot, and that could take days if he doesn’t come across any problems.” 

    Professor Stroak sighed again.  “I know, Maryanne,” he admitted, “And in fact, I was willing to wait even longer.  I called in a favor owed me by Shane McMahon, and he was supposed to arrive tomorrow to help protect our guest.  The fact that he was so insistent on speed, on doing this secretly… Forgive me my anxiousness, but if what he told me over the vid-com was true… what he has to share with us could blow open the concepts of what it takes to help Pokégirls reach their next tiers of evolution.  A lot of the unknowns will start to make sense.” 

    The Titmouse sighed, rolling her eyes gently at hearing that.  Whenever it seemed like something new and exciting concerning knowledge about Pokégirls was coming to the fore, her owner would become almost childishly energetic.  Granted, it made for a very vigorous and energetic Taming afterwards, but the Titmouse would have to wait for it, as the Professor would be spending vast quantities of time getting ghis notes and findings in order for presentation to the League Officials.

    At the very least it seems that all the research is already in place for Master Aldus, Maryanne thought as she began to set up a small plate with cheese and crackers from her larger serving tray.  So hopefully the Professor can just go to bed after getting his information.

    Watching as Maryanne filled his cup with tea, the aged Pokégirl Researcher took a hold of the teacup and brought it to his lips.  He sipped the calming blend of herbs and berries, relaxing at the calming and wonderful taste.  As he took another sip, he noticed that besides the tea, the Titmouse had a small plate off to the side that had seven Bluebottle Berries.  Stroak raised an eyebrow curiously.  “Are you expecting our guest to be poisoned when he arrives?” he asked, referring to their curative abilities.

    “Well, he’s trained to be a ninja.  He’s also in service to a powerful family who has many enemies.  He very well may need them once he gets here,” Maryanne said, pointing out the level of skill their eventual visitor possessed, as well as the dangerous occupation he held.  She then allowed herself to smile, taking a berry for herself.  “Besides.  They’re tasty.” 

    Stroak snickered, nodding his head in agreement.  He and his guest both had the luck to have Blood Gifts, enough Pokégirl blood in their veins allowing them to enjoy what was normally a Pokégirl-only treat.  (The effects of a berry on someone without very much Pokégirl blood in their veins was… unpleasant.)  Stroak looked at the clock again.  “Well, let us hope he makes it here safely so he can enjoy them.” 

    “Don’t worry,” said a soft male voice from the shadows on one side of the room.  “I’m here.” 

    Stroak and Maryanne, startled, both whirled towards the source of the voice.  Standing by a now opened window was a short, rat-faced man that looked to be just under four feet in height.  The short man was wearing a form-fitting outfit, the design traditional for practitioners of the art of ninjutsu.  His outfit was dark gray all over, with parts colored in dark cranberry, such as his split-toed tabi boots, the double-ties of his trousers, the overlapping lapels of his jacket, and the loose-fitting hood over his head. 

    The man nodded.  “I am Sasuke Sarugakure.  Former servant to the House of Kuno.  Forgive my insistence on quickness, and please extend my apologies to Shane McMahon when he arrives.  This couldn’t wait.” 

    Stroak nodded.  He looked interestedly at what was hanging by the man’s side.  Connected to Sasuke’s left wrist with a set of handcuffs was a briefcase made of polished blue metal, the design reminding him of the reinforced lightweight steel cases used by the Shadow League to safely contain something for travel. 

    “I take it those are the samples you wished to share with me?” he asked, motioning with his hand to the briefcase. 

    Before Sasuke could respond, Maryanne gently smacked him on the back of the head.  “Professor!  That is no way to great a guest!” she admonished, shaking a finger indignantly at him.  Honestly, she hated when he got like this.  Having guests should be about entertaining and making them feel welcome, not hassling them about business and other mundane concerns when they got there. 

    Stroak blushed, grinning in an embarrassed fashion.  “Oh, quite right, quite right,” the Pokégirl researcher chuckled, feeling foolish.  Standing up, he motioned for Sasuke to take the seat on the other side of the table.  “Come, come my friend.  Take a load off of your feet.  Maryanne’s set up a modst spread, and you must be tired and hungry from your long journey.  Stone Town is quite a ways from Phallus, and you must be exhausted.” 

    Sasuke smiled gratefully.  “That I am…” he said, walking over to the table where Stroak had motioned, his footsteps like catspaws, making no sound.  Nodding his head as the Titmouse pulled out his seat, the ninja-retainer to the house of Kuno took a load off of his feet.  He sighed, relaxing visibly, although Stroak could see that the ninja’s muscles still retained an alert readiness to them.  Sasuke placed the case down on the edge of the table and then used his right hand to search around in one of his vest pockets.  He pulled out the key and used it to release his hand from the cuff.  “Much better… That feels much better…” he said, sighing in relief.  “My wrist was starting to feel raw.”  He took a moment to take the briefcse off of the table, and brung it down to the floor next to his seat.

    Stroak nodded.  “Good thing it’s off then,” he said, “I can imagine carrying something that heavy like that for such a distance would take a toll on one…” He motioned to the spread.  “Bluebottle berry?” 

    Sasuke nodded, smiling, and reached forward, picking up the fragile peach-shaped berry, handling the delicate fruit with ease and grace.  He popped it into his mouth, savoring the robust taste as he used his tongue to gently break the skin of the fruit, letting the flavorful juice spread about.  “Mmm…” he said, swallowing the berry.  “Delicious, Professor.  I thank you.” 

    “Thank Maryanne,” Stroak said, smiling and motioning for the Pokégirl to come over and sit with them.  “She personally chose everything for this meeting.  So how about we simply enjoy these snacks before getting to business, eh?”

    Sasuke smiled gratefully. “I’d like that.  It’s been a while since I was able to rest.”     

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Later…
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    Sasuke sat back in his chair, letting off a soft belch, enjoying the feeling of having a full stomach for the first time since he left Stone Town three days ago.  “Ah yes… Now that was delightful,” the mouse-like man said, nodding his head at the Pokégirl that had prepared the delicious yet humble meal they had just eaten.  “Thank you so much.” 

    Maryanne smiled at the compliment, nodding her head at the ninja.  She didn’t really go to that much trouble to prepare the snacks, but she was thankful he obviously enjoyed it.  Standing up, she began to gather the empty dishes, placing them on the serving tray to clear the table for the two. 

    “Thank you, Maryanne,” Stroak said to his Titmouse before turning his attention to the other buck-toothed individual in the room.  “Now, Sasuke,” he said, keeping his voice calm and for the most part suppressing the excitement he was feeling about what the ninja had to tell him. “I believe that you came over here because you wanted to share some new data concerning Pokégirls… and…” the older gentleman felt a giddy smile cross his face, “bring me some samples to study?” 

    The shorter man smirked lightly, recognizing the small, telltale signs of the man’s excitement.  “Rather eager for this, aren’t you?” he said.   He brought the small briefcase up to the table and fished a key out of a pocket, unlocking the first lock.  He then opened the two combination locks on the side, the latches flipping up.  He looked at Professor Stroak pointedly and asked, “You got the first data I sent you, correct?”

    Stroak nodded eagerly.  “Yes.  The data on the evolutions you sent me was a startling revelation.  When showed me the proof of one of your discoveries, the Ronin evolving into a Samurai through exposure to a Dawn Stone, I was hooked.  You’ve unlocked so many mysteries just from the data you sent me over the vid-com as well.” 

    Sasuke sighed.  “I wish the rest of my news would be as good, Professor.  I have taken great risk to myself in obtaining these items, and need to make sure that it’s gets to the attention of League officials.” 

    Stroak blinked.  “What do you mean?”

    Sasuke opened the case.  With a hissing sound similar to a hydraulic brake releasing air, the briefcase opened.  Sasuke turned around to the professor.  “What do you think?”

    Stroak frowned, leaning over to look at the contents of the case.  It was filled with molded black styrofoam.  In two rows of seven were fist-sized stones, mounted in slots in the molding.  A CD within a plastic case was slipped into its own slot between the two rows.  And oddly enough, two of the stones were encased in black plastic. 

    The professor easily recognized the stones as evolution stones, although he only recognized some of them.  He gave Sasuke a confused look.  “These are evolution stones.  Aside from the closed off slots, the top row consists of a Fire Stone, Water Stone, and a Thunder Stones, all fairly common types.  I don’t really understand the significance.” 

    “This is the Kuno family secret, Professor.  The disc contains data on all of these evolutionary stones and their uses… for Pokégirl purposes and otherwise…” Sasuke said.

    Maryanne shivered softly, wondering what ‘otherwise’ could mean.  Stroak was wondering as well.  Something about Sasuke’s statement made him very nervous.  “Would you explain, please?” he asked.

    “First I want your promise,” Sasuke said, his normally gentle face becoming deadly serious. “I want your promise that you will take this to the public attention, every colleague you can think of, and let it be known that the Kunos have been keeping data on these evolution stones and the other projects secret for over a hundred and fifty years.  That they’ve been hoarding this knowledge, their so-called ‘pride-and-joy,’ this end result of laborious research and cultivation for over a century.” 

     Stroak nodded his head solemnly. “I promise, Sasuke, I promise…  Something bad must have happened that a retainer of the Kuno family would betray them so.”  The Kunos, despite their eccentricities, were known to have some of the greatest and most loyal servants.  For one to backstab the family like this, to give the family’s greatest secrets to someone who most assuredly WOULD share this information with the rest of the world meant something must have happened to cause a rift between the two.

    Sasuke’s face became a mask of agony and rage.  “They sold my mother…” 

    Maryanne, from her eavesdropping post near the kitchen door, gasped softly.  Stroak closed his eyes, wincing.  “I see…”

    Sasuke closed his eyes and forced himself to be calm.  He gestured to each individual stone.  “I have brought with me samples of a Sun Stone, a Moon Shard, with a Moon Stone for comparison underneath, a Sky Crystal, a Round Stone, a Dusk Stone, a pair of Dawn Stones.  You already have the data on evolutions they cause,” Sasuke said. 

    “Yes,” Stroak said, stroking his chin, “I’m still a little irked about what you told me about the connection between Spinnertits and Scorpiagirls… To think, the knowledge that such a Pokégirl has been around all this time… and the Kuno family never shared this information with any of the leagues about what could have been a possible menace!”

    Sasuke snorted angrily.  “It’s simple, Professor.  The Kuno family has long been hoarding information.  Knowledge is power, my good man, you of all people should know that.  They kept all their findings to themselves, as it could mean they might have a trump card to use to tip the scales in their favor if a bad situation came up.” 

    Professor Stroak frowned.  “But why?  It makes no sense.”

    Sasuke gave Stroak an annoyed look.  “Kucho Kuno visited the Silver Islands League and was kicked out for being too disruptive.  He’s been obsessed with that culture ever since then, and is almost never seen without a ukulele in hand.  Tatewaki Kuno, his heir apparent, refers to himself as the Blue Balls of Stone Town, dresses and acts like a Pre-Sukebe samurai, thinks that at least ten different women are in love with him, said women actually being men that were tagged with Permanent Gender Dust that have changed form in front of him, a fact he doesn’t seem to acknowledge, and is taming his sister, who is even more obsessed with poison than most poison types and has a laugh that is known to scare Hilds and Mazoukus.  Logic does not, in any way, shape, or form, apply to that family.” 

    “Hnh.  Point taken,” Stroak conceded.  “What’s in the remaining slots?”

    Sasuke gestured to the three common elemental stones.  “Look at these.  What do you see here?” 

    Stroak frowned.  “Common elemental stones.  Available at any Jahana Corps store, along with any Titan Taming Inc store, plus any Mishima Heavy Industries store, and so forth.” 

    “What if I told you they were artificially manufactured?” Sasuke said.

    Stroak paled.  “Impossible.” 

    Sasuke shook his head.  “The Kunos have found a way.  They have discovered a method of artificially manufacturing all kinds of elemental stones, save for one of the ones in the sealed packages.  The procedure still isn’t cost effective, but once they perfect it, they will be able to corner the market.  They’re also working on a method of purifying Angel Stones into Dawn Stones that doesn’t involve the usual lengthy methods.” 

    Stroak shivered.  “My God…”

    Sasuke shook his head.  “It gets worse.  Much worse,” he said, “And it also goes to why I was reluctant to actually meet Shane McMahon.” 

    Stroak stared at Sasuke.  “What could be worse than this?”

    Sasuke glared down at the stones.  “Kocho Kuno is researching methods of weaponizing evolution stones.  He’s contacted Vince McMahon himself and wants to talk about marketing it to him.” 

    Stroak gave Sasuke a baffled look.  “Why would he go to the McMahons?  What could they have that would need weapons powered by manufactured evolution stones?” 

    Sasuke frowned.  “There are… rumors… Rumors that the teams plaguing the Ocean League and Capital League are actually fronts for a more serious organization.  It’s rumored that the McMahons are working on a Langoud-class warship to try and combat them…” 

    Stroak paused for a moment, and shook his head.  “No… No, that couldn’t be.  Something like that would be noticed.  The other League governments would notice it…”

    Sasuke frowned.  “If you say so…” 

    Stroak coughed, deliberately trying to change the subject.  “Anyway… The other two stones?” 

    Sasuke sighed.  He took a deep breath to calm himself, and picked up the first case.  He pulled out a pair of gloves, and opened the black plastic, revealing a smooth, smallish ovoid of black.  The surface of the stone was shiny, and looked almost slick. 

    Stroak paled visibly, recognizing it immediately.  Sasuke noticed, frowning.

    “You are familiar with this particular stone?” he asked.

    Stroak nodded.  “It’s an Oil Stone,” he said.  “Taken all the way from the Dark Continent, the Oil Stone is rather odd in appearance.  A thick block of black, one might consider it to be a chunk of obsidian at first… but touching it, one can feel it is far from a rock.  Oddly shaped, but very smooth, and then topped with a weak density.  But, as your putting on of gloves illustrates, it must be stressed that NO ONE must touch an Oil Stone with bare skin, not even humans.  Any Pokégirl or human, male, female, whatever, will turn into a Doll.”  Stroak sighed, pulling out an old fashioned pipe and lighting it.  After a few puffs, he sighed and added, “In all honesty, that evolution stone seems more like a curse than any actual boon.” 

    Sasuke’s jaw dropped.  To call him stunned at that moment would be like calling water wet.  “How… How do you know so much about this?”  he asked.

    Stroak puffed his pipe, and closed his eyes.  “Let’s just say… I have had connections to the Dark Continent that I prefer not to talk about…”

    Sasuke stared suspiciously at Professor Stroak, and then nodded, deciding to let it go.  Stroak hadn’t pursued detail in what happened after his mother had been sold, so he decided not to press for information on what possible connection Stroak had to the Dark Continent.  It was a horrid place indeed, and was filled with all sorts of dangerous Pokégirls and horrors not best spoken aloud.

    Stroak shook his head.  “How do the Kunos have Oil Stones?”

    Sasuke sighed.  “There is an oil well on the Kuno property.  Oil Stones were the first element stones they figured out how to manufacture.” 

    Stroak grimaced.  “Damn Kunos…”

    “I share your sentiment, Professor,” Sasuke almost hissed.

    Stroak and Sasuke sat in silence for a moment, staring at the dangerous stone in the case before him.  After a moment, Sasuke cleared his throat and said, “Shall I continue?” 

    Stroak nodded.  “If you please,” he said.

    Sasuke closed the Oil Stone case, and lifted up the last case.  He took a deep breath, calming himself and opening the last case. 

    The stone inside quite literally began to steal the light from the room, the lamps dimming.  The stone seemed to radiate pure darkness.  Maryanne tried to risk a peak, but Wendy Gilligan, having sensed the nature of the stone, appeared in the kitchen and guided her away, giving Stroak a worried look as she they left. 
   
    Stroak paled visibly as he stared at the stone, his pipe falling from his quivering lip.  “That…”

    Sasuke frowned.  “…is something else that you know about, Professor.”

    Stroak rubbed a hand along his forehead, clearing the cold sweat that had built up there.  “Yes… Yes, I do,” he said.  “That’s an Ebony Stone.  It is the key to creating… two very unique Pokégirls…” 

    Sasuke nodded, curious.  “Which two?  The Kunos left that data out, and would only work on it themselves…” 

    Stroak, his hands visibly shaking, picked up the stone.  The pure darkness radiating from the Ebony Stone tried to wrap around his arm, sensing his Pokégirl genes but unable to lock onto them.  “Sasuke… It will be better for you if you forget this stone ever existed… You are a good man, and I do not want any more trouble to come upon you than necessary…” 

    Sasuke blinked, and tilted his head to the side, confused.  “…What…”

    Stroak shook his head.  “Sasuke, please… You’ve lost your mother… I do not want you to lose your life before you have a chance to find her… Just answer me two questions first.”

    Sasuke was confused, but he nodded anyway. 

    Stroak rubbed his forehead to try and calm himself down.  “First question: Where did the Kunos find this?” 

    Sasuke frowned.  “They brought it back from an expedition to the Dark Continent.  They encountered the skeletal corpse of a strange, black-clad Pokégirl there and took it from her supplies.  They claimed to have been chased off by a bunch of… well, they called them giant lizards.” 

    Stroak frowned, staring at the Ebony Stone.  “My second question… Ebony Stones usually have a white infinity symbol in them.  Why doesn’t this one?” 

    Sasuke shrugged.  “The data I found called it an impurity, one that had been refined out.”

    Stroak blinked.  “Refined out?! HOW?! That mark has been on every single Ebony Stone there is!”

    Sasuke gave Stroak a confused look.  “Well… I just know that it works.  I don’t know the procedure, the Kunos handled it themselves.  The data is on the disc you have.  I do know that they used that very Ebony Stone on an Eva, turning it into… well, they’re calling it a Lokia.  I’m not sure of the Lokia’s abilities, it wasn’t on the data disc…” 

    Stroak shivered.  A breed other than Sanctuary Goths and Terminatrixes created by the Ebony Stone… If this ever got out… He shook his head to clear it.  “Sasuke… This data you’ve given me, not only is it fascinating, it may change things on a level neither of us could comprehend.”  He smiled thankfully at the ninja.  “You don’t know how much this is going to help us.  Researchers, Tamers, League Officials, Tradesmen, Citizens… EVERYONE!  Knowledge like this is what helps us to understand the changes Sukebe made to the world.” 

    Sasuke scowled.  “Help?  You misunderstand me, Professor Stroak.  I do not do this to help.  I do not do this to give aid or succor.  I do this for one reason and one reason only: to get the Kuno family in a royal fuckton of trouble,” he said, leaning forward and adding, “And you WILL make sure it is known that the Kuno family had prior knowledge of all this and purposely withheld it from the Leagues, right?”

    “I will, I will,” Professor Stroak assured him.  “Just as long as you heed my advice to forget you ever heard about the Ebony Stone and get the hell out of Phallus… Concentrate on finding your mother, if you must.” 

    Sasuke smiled grimly.  “I swore to my father that I would take care of her, keep her safe.  Even if I must tame her myself I will not fail in that oath.  She will be disappointed in me, seeing as how I’ve betrayed the Kunos, but I’m old enough now and confident enough in my manhood now that I can deal with it.  But why the admonition to leave quickly?  I was planning on doing so anyway.” 

    Professor Stroak smiled weakly.  “Because I have a very bad feeling things are going to get very tense, very soon.

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Elsewhere…
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    Sitting on a black painted, polished-oak chair with dark red trim, a Sanctuary Goth smiled as she listened to the conversation going on, an ear-piece in her right ear radioing everything the bug in Stroak’s tea room was picking up. 

    “Oh my dear Professor… You have no idea how ‘tense’ things are going to get…” she said, her voice as cold as ice, a smile curling over her black-adorned lips.  The figure stood up, revealing a pale skinned, muscular figure clad in black, regal, almost military-like garb, cut low at the top to reveal her ample bosom, a mystic sigil adorning her left breast, partially hidden by her garb.   Her face, hidden by a black hooded cowl attacked to a black cape, a sheathed sword attached to her belt. 

    She strode down the hallway like a grim reaper, her silken garments rustling softly as she contined to listen in.  A cruel smirk crossed her lips as she listened to Stroak talking to himself as he thought about what to do with the Ebony Stone. 

    “I MUST thank Janna for taking control over those old satellites… Her spell-protected bugs were an excellent idea as well…” she said, walking into a chamber filled with books. 

    “What pleases you, milady Valiant?” said a sibilant voice from one corner of the room.  The Sanctuary Goth turned, seeing a lizardlike woman with a feathery crest on her head standing near a shelf of books.  The Dameosaur, currently in her regular form, was clad in black, form-fitting armor designed to shift with her when she changed to her battle mode, providing Lindi Valiant with an armored mount.  She was currently holding a book, one taloned finger held between the pages so she wouldn’t lose her place. 

    The Sanctuary Goth grinned at her pet, revealing perfect white teeth.  “Tell me, dear Nemesia,” she said, “What do you know of Professor Alphonse Mahogany Stroak of Phallus Town?” 

    The Dameosaur growled reflexively, baring sharp teeth.  Like most Dameosaurs, she was trained to think of men as the enemy, save for a few that were allowed to enter and leave Sanctuary with a certain amount of freedom.  But Nemesia had been given special training (Lindi had taught her how to read, for example, and encouraged her to make use of Lindi’s private library whenever possible), and was able to put aside her training-induced hatred quicker than almost all of her bred.  She blinked, looking thoughtful for a moment, then saying, “You mean the Sire of Ms. Wendy Gilligan’s daughter Anne, correct?” 

    Lindi kissed Nemesia on the cheek, a thrill of excited happiness going through the Dameosaur.  “Very good,” Lindi said, “That is indeed who I am referring to.”  She disengaged her ear-piece for a moment, pocketing it and reclining in one of the plush chairs in the library, a polished-oak chair similar to the one in her private quarters.  “And it would seem that the good doctor has not only come across a good deal of information, but something we specifically need…  And more…” 

    Nemesia’s eyes widened.  She stared at Lindi, grinning.  “You mean…” she started.  Lindi looked up, showing Nemesia the seriousness in her cold, emerald eyes, the Dameosaur realized it had to be true.  “A Dawn Stone… He has a Dawn Stone…” Nemesia breathed. 

    Lindi grinned savagely.  “Even better.  He has TWO of them!”

    Nemesia felt a little faint.  All her beloved mistress’s planning, all her schemes, were starting to shape up.  She stood firm, pulling a bookmark out from the front of her book and marking her place, setting the book aside and standing at attention.  “What is the course of action you wish to take, Milady Valiant?”

    “It’s quite simple, really,” Lindi responded, “We’re going to send two groups to the Indigo Continent.”  She brought her hands together in a steeple, leaning forward on the table, a mannerism almost identical to the one possessed by Viridick’s Gym Leader Gendo Giovanni.  (Many had noticed the similarity between them.  No one had the raw guts to even suggest it.)  Lindi continued, stating, “We shall send a Sanctuary-sanctioned covert operation to stake out the Kuno Estate in Stone Town, and see if they have any other samples of Dawn Stone we can take possession of.” 

    Nemesia frowned.  “How can we?” she asked, “You are a member of the Council of Twelve, although your influence has regrettably decreased over the years.  They will oppose such an action, as they wish to keep Sanctuary as secret as possible.  They will not want to risk exposure by attacking a target as high-profile as the Kuno family.  News of what happened to them will spread, and that will bring Indigo League-sanctioned investigators, possibly even those troublesome pains in the neck that call themselves the Shadow League.” 

    Lindi grinned, the Sanctuary Goth relaxing back into her chair.  This is why she loved Nemesia.  The Dameosaur was a cut above the rest of her species when it came to intelligence and insight; just as Lindi had trained her to be.  “A valid point you make, my dear Nemesia… But I know how the others on the Council think.  And I’m positive that when I bring forth evidence of the Kuno family keeping such important information from everyone, information and materials that could prove disastrous in the wrong hands…” Lindi’s grin became downright Feral.  “I will be allowed the leeway to do what I please to the Kuno Estate.  Hell, Maire might insist on going along, since such an action would curry favor with both myself and the rest of the Council of Twelve.” 

    Nemesia frowned.  “The other members of the Twelve may still suspect something.  After all, they did exile you to the Ice Citadel for…”

    “For twenty-five years!!” the Sanctuary Goth snarled, interrupting her Dameosaur, “Those contemptuous, imbecilic CRETINS!! They thought sending me there would ‘cool me off’ and keep me in line…” She gripped the pommel of her sword tightly, forcing herself to calm down.  She took a moment to compose herself and smiled icily.  “Though I must admit… Despite my lingering frustration over the event, I try to convey that image, give them the impression that I have become fully ‘cool.’  That I have ‘calmed.’”  Her grin turned feral again.  “If I apply my ‘findings’ in the correct fashion, the rest of the Council is certain to agree with my advised course of action.” 

    Nemesia nodded.  She had to admit, her mistress made a valid case.  Still, the Dameosaur couldn’t help but ask.  “And the other expedition?” 

    Lindi smirked, and said, “We’re going to send a group to raid Stroak’s lab.” 

    Nemesia gagged.  “But Milady Valiant,” the reptilian Pokégirl shouted, “there is now way the Council of Twelve will agree to such a course of action.  The Professor is a longtime ally of Sanctuary, even if only through his relationship with Ms. Gilligan!  There is nothing you could say or do that would sway the Council to allow any ill action against him!” 

    “Oh really?” Lindi smirked, “What if he suddenly posed a threat to Sanctuary?  What if he had discovered one of the most well-kept secrets Sanctuary has ever had?” 

    Nemesia paled visibly.  “A… A-An Ebony Stone?!  He has an Ebony Stone?!”

    Lindi just nodded.

    “Thousand Gods save us…” Nemesia almost moaned. 

    Lindi gave her favored Pokégirl a devious smile.  “No, my dear Nemesia.  WE shall save us.  And before you can say it, yes, they won’t approve of an action like that against Stroak.  Which is why we shall convince the Council to go… outside the box, as it were.” 

    Nemesia blinked.  “What do you mean?” 

    “There are a number of mercenary groups that would gladly do the deed for us, given the right price.  All we need to do is spin a good cover story to take the blame off of us,” Lindi said, standing up and glancing through the books nearest her.

    Nemesia gagged again, her feathered crest ruffling in irritation.  “You can’t mean…” 

    Lindi grinned.  “I do.  The Limbec Pirates.” 

    Nemesia rolled her eyes in frustration.  “Milady Valiant, the Limbec Pirates?  They are enemies!  They are louts and scoundrels of the worse order.  And the lot of them stink worse than Mephitits musk!!  There is no conceivable way that…”

    Lindi scowled.  “Come of it, Nemesia,” interrupting her Pokégirl, “You and I both know that while Sanctuary itself is openly against the Limbec Pirates, there are a number of villages and ports in our little hidden society that welcome them with open arms! False Bay, Bonetown, Port Juno, Port Zephyra, Isis, SAPPHO!  By the Gods, Sappho is often referred to as ‘Mephaesta’s Second Home,’ and for good bloody reason!  I swear she never leaves that one tavern…” 

    The Dameosaur winced a little at the rebuking.  “I am sorry, my lady,” she said, bowing her head in shame, her long tail swaying back and forth behind her, curling around her legs in submissiveness.

    Closing her eyes, the Sanctuary Goth sighed.  “I am not mad at you, Nemesia.  I never am.  I just tend to have little patience for those that ignore the obvious.  The Council of Twelve for example,” she h issed. 

    Raising her head slowly, the Dameosaur looked up at her mistress.  “No offense to you, Milady Valiant… But what about Ms. Gilligan?  She is quite powerful, and would sense something is happening to the Professor.  She always seems to keep her senses attuned to his welfare.  As soon as something goes rather wrong for him, she may teleport there to offer assistance and ruin your chance to get those Dawn Stones and retrieve the Ebony Stone.  On top of that, there are reports that the McMahons are heading into Indigo for unknown reasons, which means Linda and Stephanie, plus that sadistic strategist husband of Stephanie’s…”

    “Trust me,” Lindi said, smiling, “I will make sure that Wendy Gilligan is not a threat.  And as for the McMahons, I have made sure that their travel arrangements will be sufficiently delayed to make them a non-issue.” 

    The Dameosaur tilted her head.  “But…” she trailed off, seeing her owner’s hand drop to the hilt of her sword, her fingers idly drumming it.  Nemesia sighed, knowing then that the conversation was over.  “You win, Milady Valiant.” 

    “As is only natural,” Lindi replied, her voice haughty.  “Now, be a good girl and go use the Teleportation Square to head to a town and rustle up a group of Limbecs.  I will want them up and off in short order.  I want it so that they should arrive around the time I get the rest of the Council to pass my motion of covertly staking out and subsequently raiding the Kuno Estate.  I trust you to come up with a good cover story for the pirates to u se when they make their raid.” 

    Nemesia bowed.  “It shall be done, Milady Valiant,” she said, turning to leave her owner’s private library, setting down her book. 

    Lindi noticed the book and hmmed thoughtfully.  “Wait a moment, Nemesia,” she said. 

    The Dameosaur turned, giving her mistress a curious look.  “My lady?” 

    “What book were you reading earlier?” she asked, smiling pleasantly. 

    Nemesia blushed.  “It’s called Death of a Salesman, my lady.  It’s by a human named Arthur Miller.” 

    Lindi nodded, grinning.  “A perfect book for you, my dear.  It is a fine example of the futility of man’s world… A perfect example of the outdated ideals and values that we will exterminate should our plan succeed.” 

    Nemesia grinned.  “I shall endeavor to finish the book as soon as I return, my lady,” she said, bowing once more and heading out. 

    Watching her Dameosaur leave, Lindi Valiant, former Ronin turned Sanctuary Goth and member of the Council of Twelve went back to her private quarters and settled into her chair once more, a wide smile on her face.  Yes.  This was what she wanted.  She would finally attain a decent number of Dawn Stones if all went according to plan. 

    And the Dawn Stones would be key to her victory…

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THE BEGINNING…
NOW STARTS THE FINAL FRONTIER…
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