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The plan was meant to be simple. Find the pirates. Battle the pirates. Make the pirates leave Hisui for good, one way or another.
Of course, the first bump was that their plan did not include their most experienced fighter, which was fine when Adaman, Mai, Melli, Iscan, Zisu the Security Corps Captain, and Commander Kamado were all expected to fight. Adaman had insisted that Akari sit this battle out. She was technically still on sabbatical, afterall, and her duties as the new envoy between the Galaxy Team and Diamond Clan didn’t extend to galavanting across Hisui to battle pirates.
Akari had reluctantly agreed to her fiance's demands.
The pirates had been spotted in a remote cove that was easy to choke off. The six of them knew their roles—to approach and subdue accordingly. It was meant to be a straight-forward tactic and practically Melli-proof.
Mai was uncertain, then, how her idiotic brother managed to get himself captured. Correction, kidnapped, because the pirates were already demanding ransom for the Diamond Clan Leader's well-being.
Unable to retaliate until they had regrouped, the remaining five of their failed ambush group retreated with only mild assurance the pirates weren't going to seriously maim Adaman.
Now she was left telling her future sister-in-law—who had been made to sit on the sidelines—that her fiance had gone off and gotten kidnapped. Mai felt a tension headache build and wondered if it was poor form to take a shot or two of sake before delivering bad news.
The door slammed open, causing Mai to jump slightly in her seat.
Akari stood in the doorway, an aura of restrained anger and disquiet about her that was at odds with the careful, neutral expression she wore. Her hair was tied back into a high ponytail with a bandana keeping any stray pieces out of her face, which was red with what looked to be wind burn. She must have flown the entire way from Jubilife Village.
Mai heaved a sigh that almost came out a groan. “Who told you before I could?”
Akari’s careful mask broke into a scowl. “Who do you think?”
Mai returned the scowl equally. “Melli.” He was the only one who made sense. The Commander and Cyllene had left it to Mai, as Adaman’s sister, to break the news to Akari, hoping to minimize the damage. Of course Melli, who wouldn’t understand decorum if you bashed him over the head with it, had reached out to tell Akari first.
Akari gave one sharp, quick nod in agreement. She shut the door, stalked in, and sat down across from the Diamond Clan’s second-in-command and current de facto leader. And Mai had to admit that it was a stalk. It held the same lithe grace Akari used when she had been regularly searching for and surveying pokemon across the region.
She slid a letter that had Melli’s distinct and impeccable handwriting on it. A quick glance told Mai that Melli had told Akari that their ‘fearless leader’ had been taken hostage and was being held ransom in exchange for unrestricted access up Hisui’s riverways or risk his ‘untimely demise’. Mai was going to throttle that man the next time she saw him.
“What will the Clan do to get Adaman back?” the younger woman asked.
Mai quirked an eyebrow but her expression otherwise remained level. “We would do anything,” she answered seriously.
Akari hummed, her eyes distant. “Hm, good.”
“However,” Mai continued, feeling very wary all of a sudden, “I don’t know if the Galaxy Team may have the same mindset. You may not want to involve yourself unless you’re willing to risk your Commander’s ire.”
“The Commander and Captain know that I’m here,” Akari replied coolly, as if it explained everything. And maybe it did, but Mai didn’t understand Akari or her bizarre coworkers quite like Adaman.
She could feel her headache pounding behind her temple now.
“What happened?” Akari asked point blank.
Mai sighed even though she knew the question was coming. She recalled what she could of the events. “There were more of them than we expected. We found them in a small cove near the Cobalt Coastlands. Easy to block off. Iscan and Basculegion approached from the sea, your Commander approached with his Braviary from the air, and the rest of us were to come at them from land. Three wardens and the Diamond Clan Leader with the Security Corp Captain and Commander of Galaxy Team should have been enough. They used pokeballs, though, the same as the Galaxy Team. Probably got them raiding the ships, so there was more battling than we anticipated.” Mai grimaced at this next part. “Then we found out they weren’t just pirates—they’re poachers. Our partner pokemon aren’t safe from balls like Galaxy Team’s. That’s how they got the drop on Adaman. He was defending Leafeon.”
Akari stood abruptly, suddenly looking very afraid to hear the answer. “Where’s Leafeon now?”
Mai startled at the younger woman’s outburst, but settled when the question registered. “In the healer’s hut. She wasn’t hurt very badly, but Baba’s keeping an eye on her just in case…”
Akari was already walking to the door. “I’m going to see her,” she called over her shoulder before Mai could even stop her.
Cursing, Mai took off after her. By the time she caught up, Akari was already knocking on Baba’s door.
As if expecting her, the door opened immediately, the old medicine woman’s face kind and concerned. “Akari, my dear. Are you here to check on Leafeon?”
The younger woman nodded silently, as if all words had fled her in front of Baba’s gentle gaze.
“Come on in then, my dear,” Baba ushered, then noticed Mai standing a distance behind her. “You too, Mai. Come in for a cup of tea.”
Mai respected Baba—as an Elder, as the clan’s medicine woman, as a grandmother figure—immensely, but there was always something unnerving about her dark eyes. They peered directly into you, saw past all your barriers and facades, to your innermost self.
By the time Mai had stepped into the hut, Akari was kneeling on the floor next to Leafeon, who looked no worse for wear laying on a mat. Akari’s forehead brushed against Leafeon’s, fingers running up and down the pokemon’s coat mindful of the sharp leaves. She wrapped her arms around Leafeon in a gentle hug, whispering soft words as her small frame started to shake in quiet sobs.
Mai stood speechless for a moment, never having seen anyone other than Adaman interact with his pokemon in such a way. Nor had she ever seen Akari in such a state.
From the corner of her eye, Mai saw Baba indicate she was to follow and give the two some peace. They went to the far side of the hut, where a table was set with two cups and a steaming pot of tea.
They say together in silence for several minutes.
“I’ve patched Leafeon up, but it seems most of her injuries are emotional. She worries for Adaman,” Baba spoke finally, taking a sip from her cup.
Mai picked hers up and brought it up to her nose, admiring the scent, but not yet drinking. She glanced at Akari who was still wrapped around the grass pokemon. “She’s not the only one,” came her hushed reply.
“We’re all worried,” Baba agreed with another long swig. “However, we don’t all have the same power to make change happen. Do we?” the old woman spoke cryptically.
“Baba?” Mai inquired, her brows pinching in confusion. She didn’t understand what Baba was trying to say.
With a sigh, the Elder set her cup down. “Keep an eye on our dear child. In such a short time, Dialga has blessed and cursed her to see so much. I fear that she may end up like that poor merchant boy. She’s such a strong girl, but the soul can only handle so much wear before it tears.”
Mai looked back to Akari, who was laying down with Leafeon now, her larger frame curled around the grass pokemon. They both seemed to be asleep.
While Mai might not grasp what Baba was trying to forewarn yet, she knew that if it involved Akari, there would be more than just Mai to help protect and support her. Akari had dozens of people who cared for her and would be willing to tear the world down to help her.
Including her brother—especially her brother—once they got him back.
Mai left the healer’s hut with Akari and Leafeon sleeping deeply under Baba’s watchful eye.
It turns out that Akari was willing to tear the world down for them, too.
Mai woke the next morning to rapid knocking at her door. The sun had barely risen but it flooded the doorway with enough light that Mai had to squint to see Baba looking at her frantically.
“Baba?” Mai was still somewhat asleep when she answered the door, but the medicine woman’s expression woke her right up. “What’s the matter? Is it Leafeon? Or Adaman? Have you heard something?”
Baba pursed her lips, looking grim. “It’s Akari. She’s gone.”
A cold chill rushed down Mai’s spine. Baba’s words last night flashed through her mind. “She wouldn’t have gone by herself, would she?”
Baba shook her head, sadly. “She didn’t. Leafeon’s gone, as well. I fear that they may have headed to the Coastlands.”
Mai cursed, stressed enough to not feel embarrassed for having done so in front of a Clan Elder. Baba didn’t look offended, however.
“I have to stop her. Or at least help her. I need our fastest flyers to send word to the Commander and Akari’s Captain—Cyllene. Even that other surveyor…Rei? Surely they’ll send help again quickly if one of their own is involved,” Mai rambled, hurriedly rushing through to pack a bag. Munchlax was swaying sleepily on his feet by the table, a Sitrus berry in his mouth.
Baba left to do as requested, though Mai couldn’t help but feel that the older woman knew something like this would happen. Why hadn’t she just come outright and said it? Why did she have to be so obscure with her advice?
Mai hauled Munchlax behind her and pulled out her Celestica Flute, coaxing out a familiar tune that she knew Wyrdeer would recognize anywhere. There was a cry from several valleys away—it would only be a few minutes before he would arrive.
Akari had likely flown, which means Mai would be several hours behind her when she made it to the Coastland, and any additional help would arrive even later. She couldn’t sit back and do nothing, though, and risk losing both her brother and future sister-in-law in the process.
The ride on Wyrdeer was long and grueling. She wanted to apologize profusely to her Lord but he seemed to sense the urgency and refused to slow anytime she let up her grip. When the vast expanse of the Cobalt Coastlands opened up to her as she cleared a ridge, Mai decided to veer off towards Iscan’s hut. She needed as much back-up as she could get.
When she arrived, the sun was high overhead and Wyrdeer’s coat was thick and heavy with sweat. Iscan was already outside when she arrived, his right arm bandaged from yesterday’s battle, and his expression grim at the sight of them.
“Mai,” he said in a short greeting. “Have they made their move?”
Iscan had stayed behind in the Coastlands in case Adaman escaped and needed close-by assistance, or if someone was needed to meet the pirates for negotiations (even though Mai would have been better suited for it, but Iscan was this region’s Warden for the Diamond Clan and Mai had to return to the Settlement as second-in-command).
“Worst. Akari went off by herself to try and save Adaman.”
Iscan’s face lost some of its color. “What was she thinking?”
Mai’s lips pursed. “That’s the problem, I don’t think she was.”
Suddenly, there was a loud explosion off in the distance, with smoke billowing up in the direction of Islespy Shore.
Mai and Iscan shared a brief look, with Mai sliding off Wyrdeer and leaving her entire pack filled with berries and grains for him, before rushing to the water where Basculegion waited. They both mounted, leaving their partner pokemon behind in fear of being poached, then the large fish pokemon was shooting through the water, out of Tranquility Cove, around Lunker’s Lair, until Islespy Shore was in sight.
Mai’s heart was in her throat at the sight.
Even from a distance, they could see husks of three ships jutting out of the water, each one run aground. Their sails were alight with a dark purple flame. As they approached, Mai could make out deep, jagged gouges in each ships’ hulls and a shadow swimming around the wreck. The occasional flash above the water's surface told her the dark figure was Samurott. The scene would have looked like a massacre, but other than crates and pokeballs, there were no bodies floating in the water.
At the shore, Akari stood with her Typhlosion and Adaman’s Leafeon by her side. Scattered about on the sand were a dozen or so pirates, having clearly swam to the shore when their ships caught fire and started sinking from the gaping holes. The men were in varying stages of consciousness now, Akari’s Gardevoir and strange, snow white Ninetales on either side casting Hypnosis. Leafeon’s eyes glowed and blades of grass began to emerge from the sand, long tendrils that wrapped and ensnared them in their lethargy.
Further up the beach, with the vigilant Lucario standing watch over him, was Adaman. Mai and Iscan came ashore, with Basculegion returning to deeper water to join Samurott who had surfaced to herd any stray pirates to the shore. Mai rushed ahead and reached Adaman first, Lucario recognizing her and letting her pass easily. Iscan followed at a more cautious pace, watching Akari and the pirates warily.
Her brother was on his back and clearly unconscious. His clothes were in disarray and the bandages normally on his arm and hand covering his scars had fallen off at some point. She was relieved to see he was okay other than a nasty bruise on his left cheek.
She grasped his shoulder and shook him gently. There was no response and Mai felt her worry return.
Iscan knelt next to her, digging through his own pack and pulling out a vial. He uncorked it and held it under Adaman’s nose.
Suddenly, Adaman began coughing and rolled to his side, grasping his sides as his eyes shot open. Iscan pulled the vial away, re-corked it, and placed it back in his pack.
Mai got a sharp whiff of something pungent and looked at Iscan with wide eyes. “What is that stuff?”
“Smelling salts—ammonia. Usually it’s found in plant or pokemon waste products, but you can also collect it by…”
“Okay, okay. I get it. Pokemon pee or poop makes for powerful wake up calls.” Mai interrupted, not wanting to hear the details. She turned to Adaman who was still hacking up a lung but very much alive and awake. “Hey, little bro. Welcome back to the free world. You look like you’re still in one piece. Do you have a concussion or anything?”
Adaman, unable to find his words yet, shook his head to indicate he didn’t think so.
“Okay, good.” Then she smacked him—but not too hard—upside his head. “That’s for getting kidnapped and making us worry about you!”
“Ow!” Adaman exclaimed pointedly, grasping the back of his head. “It wasn’t like I was trying to get kidnapped,” he rasped, throat and mouth parched. Iscan handed him a water flask next, which Adaman took eagerly. After several long gulps of water, his next words were spoken more clearly. “What happened? Where are the pirates?”
“Your fiance decided to take on a pirate fleet single-handedly and handed their asses to them,” Mai told him flatly, pointing over her shoulder but not taking her eyes off him. She didn’t trust him to not keel over again.
Adaman blinked, slowly. “I’m sorry. My fiance…Akari…she did what?”
Iscan cleared his throat nervously. “She razed the pirates with her pokemon and now she’s kind of scarily looming over them while their ships burn.”
Pulling himself up into a sitting position, Adaman looked over her shoulder to find that the scene Iscan described was indeed true.
“So…” Adaman started cautiously, “Akari found out that I was taken by pirates.”
“It’s not like we were going to keep it from her,” Mai replied. She wasn’t about to tell him that Melli was the one who spilled the beans first, though, at least not right now.
“And she didn’t take the news very well, so she decided to…take them all on her own to rescue me.”
“Yes,” Iscan replied seriously.
“After a team consisting of our clan and the Galaxy Team’s strongest fighters were more or less flattened.”
“Yup,” Mai chimed, much less seriously.
“Your fiance is a little…” Iscan started but his expression became nervous like he was afraid to finish his thought.
“Terrifying,” Mai happily supplied.
Adaman held up a hand and it took both Mai and Iscan to get him to his feet, and okay Adaman might have a concussion. Mai felt only a little bad for hitting him.
They helped him walk towards Akari under Lucario’s watchful eye. Their progress was slow and by the time they made it within a few dozen yards, Typhlosion’s purple flames on the ships had burned down to smolders and Samurott was approaching from the water.
Leafeon seemed to register his presence first and gave a joyous cry, though to Mai’s surprise, she didn’t come running immediately for Adaman. Instead, she looked between Adaman and Akari worryingly. Mai didn’t understand what the pokemon was trying to convey, but Adaman clearly seemed to.
He pulled away from their support and took a step forward. He looked steadier than moments ago but there was a harsh line between his shoulders that indicated Adaman was using more effort than it appeared to stand on his own.
“Akari!” he called. His tone also sounded clearer, more like his normal Clan Leader voice.
Her head whipped away from the pirates that were entirely covered in vines and grass by now, her bright grey eyes wide and wild. Her lips were pursed in surprise. When she caught sight of him, some of the fervor in her gaze disappeared.
Adaman held his arms open, a clear invitation, and Akari turned away fully from the wreckage and all but sprinted into his arms.
Mai made an aborted noise of protest and went to brace them, but Adaman deftly caught Akari’s small frame and wrapped his arms around her tightly. After a moment or two, though, she must have sensed his struggle to stand, and she led them both down to the sand. They knelt there together, her head on his shoulder and his face in her hair.
Mai watched the two carefully. Thinking of the distant look in the young woman's eyes the night before, the older woman noted just how grounded Akari seemed to be in Adaman's arms.
“I am officially off sabbatical. You are never going anywhere without me again,” Akari told him around tears and hiccups, leaning away to peer up at him. Her hands stayed firmly glued to his arms.
Adaman gave a deep chuckle that slowly turned into a cough. At Akari’s concerned look, he pulled her back to him and reassured her with a kiss to the forehead. “I assure you, I don’t fancy being a damsel in distress again. For any missions from here on out, you’ll be firmly glued to my side like the God Tamer and ravager of pirates that you are.”
Akari kept her face hidden in Adaman's neck, but while her expression couldn't be seen, her form sagged in relief.
Mai shifted from one foot to the other, trying not to sink further into the sand as the two had their reunion. It was a stressful time, afterall. That only lasted a few minutes, though, before more pressing matters had to be attended to.
“So, uh, what exactly do we do about the pirates?” she asked, nodding to their sandy, grassy, and very unconscious forms.
“Don’t worry about them,” Akari replied, not bothering to move from her position against Adaman. “The Galaxy Team’s Security Corp should be sending reinforcements soon. I told them to be here around noon, but they’re always a little late.”
Gears were turning in Mai’s head and pieces slotted together. “That’s what you meant when you said the Commander and Captain already knew,” she commented dryly, hands crossing over her chest.
Akari finally lifted her head and looked Mai in the eyes, unflinching. “I told them that I was getting Adaman back one way or another, and they could send the clean up crew after the fact.”
Mai could appreciate that kind of boldness in the Clan Leader’s future wife.
Adaman kissed the top of Akari’s head, suddenly looking as tired as a man who had been held hostage for over a day. “Does this mean we can leave this to them and go back to Iscan’s place for a proper bite to eat?”
Akari was rubbing her arms up and down Adaman’s back in a soothing gesture, fingers tracing along the golden embroidery of his haori.
Mai resisted the reflex urge to gag at the affectionate gesture and motioned Iscan in their direction. “Go ahead and take them. Adaman could use a bath and a bed with that meal. I’ll stick around if you’re okay with leaving some of your pokemon, Akari. I can keep an eye on these guys until the Galaxy Team’s people get here.”
Akari nodded. “Of course.”
Iscan handed them the key to his hut. “I’ll stay here with Mai, actually. The fastest way short of flying is by Basculegion, but we won't all fit on my Lord's back. Plus, I don’t think Adaman is up to riding Braviary right now.”
“You would be absolutely correct there,” Adaman replied, his legs wobbling as he stood.
Slowly, Akari and Adaman waded through shallow waters to mount Basculegion, Leafeon glued to their sides. It was a tight fit with the three of them but the Lord of the Sea seemed to pay no mind to the additional weight. Basculegion left at a much more sedate pace than when he arrived.
Mai watched them go, thinking back again to Baba’s words.
“She’s a force of nature,” Iscan commented from beside her. The pirates' ships were little more than charred wood sticking out of the water now.
Mai hummed in agreement. A force of nature that would be her sister-in-law soon, and dear Almighty Dialga, did Mai hope Adaman knew what he was doing.
She sat down on a rock with a heavy sigh and waited for the Galaxy Team's crew to arrive.
Her brother was safe and sound, and time flowed for Hisui another day. They could worry about telling the rest of the clan the news after Adaman had rested.
(Though she wasn't sure how much resting would be done under Akari's attention. Poor Iscan, it was his hut after all. Oh well.)