"Jason, maybe I should just use Destiny Bond."
Looking at the battered Jason, Gast couldn't help feeling heartsick and said it again.
Jason waved a hand, signaling he could still fight.
"But…"
While the two bickered, the Ceruledge in the distance still didn't launch another attack. It simply stood there, appraising the prone Jason and the hovering Gast.
Soon, its low voice cut in, ending their argument.
"I can give you a chance."
Its tone was lofty, like a grant of mercy.
"Submit to me as your boss, and I'll spare you."
Jason and Gast both froze.
What was this?
Recruitment?
They traded a look—each reading the same huh? in the other's eyes. Not what they'd expected.
Ceruledge ignored their surprise. In its mind, the condition it tossed out was the only way they could survive—and impossible to refuse.
It wasn't compassion—just cold calculus.
It could tell these two were near their limits. It could erase them any time. But killing them—what did that get it? Beyond venting, nothing. Keeping them, though—useful.
Its thoughts drifted to that recent meeting with Iron Boulder. When it learned the clan war had been orchestrated by Iron Boulder, it'd been furious—struck first. Iron Boulder broke it with a single move. Yet rather than kill, Iron Boulder offered terms: submit and guard the human girl; when the two clans merged, it would make Ceruledge leader of the unified tribe.
Tempting—even if it didn't understand what made the human girl special.
It had agreed. But it knew itself. Strong, yes—but not respected enough to command all. Even with Iron Boulder's backing, Armarouge, Ceruledge—even Charcadet—would resist. It would be a figurehead.
To truly rule, it needed loyal lieutenants.
And these two were perfect.
Its eyes fell on Gast first. Freshly evolved, not that strong—but that look of resolve unto death had raised her a notch in its eyes. A death-soldier in the making.
Then Jason—the one it really wanted. A Ditto it had dismissed—until they crossed blades. This one's Transform was twisted. Fire? He turned Rock (Glimmet). Psychic? He turned Steel (Tinkatuff). That sort of on-the-fly countering—unheard of. Whose Ditto fights like that?
If it could make him its own…
Heat rose in its chest. One fearless, one clever—perfect left and right hands. With them, the path to boss would be smooth.
Of course, Jason and Gast knew none of this—only that the one who'd wanted them dead now wanted them as underlings.
They exchanged a look—no words, but everything said. Light rekindled in Gast's tired eyes, and her face curled into pure disdain. She even spat a little "ptoo."
"You? Worthy?"
Jason felt nothing—if anything, wanted to laugh. Be his underling? He planned to catch Arceus one day… Ditto or not. And this guy had just beaten him bloody.
He refused without hesitation—and added a universal "friendly" gesture for emphasis.
Gast tilted her head. She didn't know the gesture, but it felt insulting—so she copied it. One wasn't enough; she gave it with both hands.
Ceruledge read the expressions well enough—his face darkened. Why refuse? Didn't they realize this was their only way to live? Or were they so foolish they'd rather die than bend?
Patience evaporated. The murderous aura he'd just tamped down exploded again.
"Won't, huh?"
"Good. Very good."
His voice edged into a roar. "Since you're so eager to die—I'll oblige. Sleep here forever."
He raised his right blade high; fire flared.
He sighted Jason and Gast—
—and a figure burst from the side shadows, steps a touch unsteady.
Liko.
She'd been hiding—but could no longer. Tear tracks still stained her face; sapphire eyes wide in terror reflected the Ceruledge's burning form.
"Stop!"
Her voice was clear, if shaking with nerves. She rushed in front of Jason and Gast—small under the looming knight. She spread her arms and used her slender back to shield them.
"Don't you bully them!"
Soft, even close to tears—but it froze the room. Ceruledge's blade halted mid-air. Its black eyes slid from the ghosts to the girl—confusion, then raw irritation. Iron Boulder's order was to keep her from escaping; he couldn't hurt her. If she were harmed, who knew if Iron Boulder would rage? If Iron Boulder raged, not only would "boss" be a dream—punishment would follow.
Hands stilled, he seethed. What a mess.
Behind her, Jason and Gast were equally stunned. Gast blinked, warmth washing through her. She'd once feared human Trainers—but traveling with Jason had shown her many were good. Her gaze softened, and her mischievous face turned tender.
Jason's mind, meanwhile, spun through a dozen thoughts. His eyes didn't linger on her brave back—but flicked to the hexagonal pendant at her chest. It looked like fine jewelry, but to him it pulsed with overwhelming life.
Terapagos.
The source Pokémon behind Paldea's Tera phenomenon.
As expected. This girl—Liko—was the chosen partner of the slumbering legend. With that present, ten Ceruledge wouldn't lay a finger on her. If her life were truly in danger, the pendant would awaken to protect.
From that angle, they were safe. As long as Liko stood here, Ceruledge couldn't touch them.
But Jason's brain kept ticking. Rouse a sleeping god for this? Not worth it. Sledgehammer for a tack. And not even his hammer to swing.
He decided.
Liko, at the front, knew nothing of the horror in her pendant—just that she was terrified. She felt Ceruledge's cold gaze; her legs shook; her palms were ice. She didn't dare look back, afraid her courage would evaporate. Gratitude drove her: the two had gotten into this mess to save her. She'd seen everything from her hiding place—the morphing, the fighting. The thought they were in danger because of her crushed her with guilt.
She couldn't hide. To let them die for her fear—she'd never forgive herself.
So she stood. Even without Pokémon. Even barehanded. Even if the next second ripped her apart.
As she fought tears, something tapped her pant leg. She glanced down—Jason had become Ditto again, and had oozed to her side.
A Ditto. So it really was you.
He gave her a soothing smile, hopped past her, and planted his round self between her and Ceruledge. Her eyes went hot. Even now, he thought to protect her.
"No! Run!" she cried, voice cracking. "It's after me! This isn't your problem!"
She started forward to pull him back—when another black shape zipped past to stand in front of Jason.
Gast.
She turned and shouted back, "Jason—let me handle this! You run!"
To her, Jason had done enough; better she use Destiny Bond than risk him.
The scene slid toward chaos: Liko wanted both to run; Gast wanted Jason to run; Jason, stuck behind two determined girls—one eager, one suicidal—could only sigh. He shot Liko a "relax" look, then faced Gast's resolve.
"Don't rush," he said lightly. "I told you—I do have a way."
"A… way?" Gast's eyes flicked to the unscathed Ceruledge, then to Jason flying from a single swat—her doubt plain. "Your way isn't 'run up and get smacked again,' right? I won't allow it!"
"Of course not." He shook his head. He locked his beady eyes on the impatient Ceruledge, flames flaring again—and grinned, full of provocation.
"I've eaten hits long enough. My turn."
He glanced at his panel. Every clash had fed his Ceruledge Dex; that final swat had pushed it to complete. At last, a truly combat-ready entry.
His lavender body writhed and stretched. Limbs sprouted; violet armor plates snapped into place. Twin swords outlined at his forearms hardened; purple ghost-flames licked from every seam—especially shoulders and blades.
A mirror—Ceruledge.
When the change stopped, the Ditto was gone. In his place: a Ceruledge in roaring purple plate, twin blades burning, wreathed in ghostfire.
~~~
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