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Description
Nightfall. True nightfall. One could tell by the sound of the Kricketot and Kricketune playing their midnight melodies. Even in such ominous times, the bugs seemed to find a way to make their music. They seemed to tell the difference between the real nighttime and the nighttime that the Zoroark have created.

Earlier today, the forest was filled with screams of battle. There were also screams of pain and agony as many drew their final breath.

It was madness...but what did you expect in war?

In the sleepy village of Tao, some Pokemon are stationed there, for they knew that just because the daytime attacks had ceased didn't mean that the war was completely over. They knew that the Zoroark would be returning at this time, for their moondust supplies are depleted, and the Pokemon who have been out fighting are now weary from sleep, as well as exhausted from the battle. Still, others remained vigilant: one of which, in particular, is a blind Vulpix.

Ember lied down by the door that led to Jasmine's room. Even from behind the door, the Vulpix's keen ears could pick up the sound of the Celebi's labored breathing. Mike, Micle, and all the Pokemon who went with them to collect the healing sap from the Tree of Life had yet to return.

Ember sighed as she rested her head between her front paws, and then gave a yawn. She had been up all day long without rest. Her friends told her, "Why don't you go and take a nap? You can't stay awake all day!"

But no, the Vulpix remained vigilant. Still, she grew weary. As she gave another yawn, she could only wonder if Everheart, Xavier, and Isis were sleeping soundly in the future.

No, that couldn't be. She knew that they were worried for her, but what could she do? Even if Jasmine did get better, there was a chance that she would send everyone and herself into a different time, and she may end up weakening herself to the point where she would be beyond saving.

Ember yawned once more, and her eyelids grew heavy.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if I rested these blind eyes of mine, just a bit... she thought. Just as she was about to take her own advice, she heard a small creak on the floor, and almost instantly, her weariness left her, and she jumped to her paws, snarling viciously.

"Who's there?!" she questioned.

"Ember, it's okay! It's me!"

Ember immediately relaxed and lied back down on the floor.

"Hi, Zack," she greeted the Buizel, who approached her with a large leaf full of berries.

"Hey," Zack greeted her back. "Just thought I'd bring you something to eat. You hungry?"

"No," Ember said, "but maybe I'll eat later."

Zack smiled, but then it disappeared when he saw Ember frown, again, herself.

"Ember," he said. "Are you still upset about having to kill these guys?"

"What do you think?" Ember asked.

"I guess that's a yes," Zack said.

"Zack...what am I supposed to do?" the Vulpix asked. "If I don't kill them, they go after Jasmine, but if I do, I'll never be able to be live with myself! I'm stuck on a two-way street here! What if I do end up going back home and Everheart finds out what happened?! He'll probaby think I'm a monster!"

"And I hate to think about what Alex will say," Zack added.

"I just thought of something else," Ember said. "What if these Zoroark have kids, like Shade? What are they gonna do when they find out their parents won't be coming home?! They'll either be very distraught or they'll end up coming after us, and we'll be forced to kill them, too!" Her voice began to crack. "Zack...what are we gonna do?! This isn't right! This isn't justice! It's a needless slaughter!!"

"...I...I don't know," Zack replied. "I'm just as torn up about this as you are, Ember."

Ember sobbed and covered her silvery eyes.

"Maybe we should stop talking about all this killing stuff," said Zack. "Look...how about I send some Pokemon over to cover your shift, and you can come and sleep with me."

"...okay," Ember replied with a snifle.

Zack smiled and gently pet Ember on the head.

"It's gonna be okay," he said. "Trust me."

"I hope so," said Ember.

XXX

Team Everheart: [link]

Cameos: [link]

Prev: [link]

Next: [link]

Description
Nightfall. True nightfall. One could tell by the sound of the Kricketot and Kricketune playing their midnight melodies. Even in such ominous times, the bugs seemed to find a way to make their music. They seemed to tell the difference between the real nighttime and the nighttime that the Zoroark have created.

Earlier today, the forest was filled with screams of battle. There were also screams of pain and agony as many drew their final breath.

It was madness...but what did you expect in war?

In the sleepy village of Tao, some Pokemon are stationed there, for they knew that just because the daytime attacks had ceased didn't mean that the war was completely over. They knew that the Zoroark would be returning at this time, for their moondust supplies are depleted, and the Pokemon who have been out fighting are now weary from sleep, as well as exhausted from the battle. Still, others remained vigilant: one of which, in particular, is a blind Vulpix.

Ember lied down by the door that led to Jasmine's room. Even from behind the door, the Vulpix's keen ears could pick up the sound of the Celebi's labored breathing. Mike, Micle, and all the Pokemon who went with them to collect the healing sap from the Tree of Life had yet to return.

Ember sighed as she rested her head between her front paws, and then gave a yawn. She had been up all day long without rest. Her friends told her, "Why don't you go and take a nap? You can't stay awake all day!"

But no, the Vulpix remained vigilant. Still, she grew weary. As she gave another yawn, she could only wonder if Everheart, Xavier, and Isis were sleeping soundly in the future.

No, that couldn't be. She knew that they were worried for her, but what could she do? Even if Jasmine did get better, there was a chance that she would send everyone and herself into a different time, and she may end up weakening herself to the point where she would be beyond saving.

Ember yawned once more, and her eyelids grew heavy.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if I rested these blind eyes of mine, just a bit... she thought. Just as she was about to take her own advice, she heard a small creak on the floor, and almost instantly, her weariness left her, and she jumped to her paws, snarling viciously.

"Who's there?!" she questioned.

"Ember, it's okay! It's me!"

Ember immediately relaxed and lied back down on the floor.

"Hi, Zack," she greeted the Buizel, who approached her with a large leaf full of berries.

"Hey," Zack greeted her back. "Just thought I'd bring you something to eat. You hungry?"

"No," Ember said, "but maybe I'll eat later."

Zack smiled, but then it disappeared when he saw Ember frown, again, herself.

"Ember," he said. "Are you still upset about having to kill these guys?"

"What do you think?" Ember asked.

"I guess that's a yes," Zack said.

"Zack...what am I supposed to do?" the Vulpix asked. "If I don't kill them, they go after Jasmine, but if I do, I'll never be able to be live with myself! I'm stuck on a two-way street here! What if I do end up going back home and Everheart finds out what happened?! He'll probaby think I'm a monster!"

"And I hate to think about what Alex will say," Zack added.

"I just thought of something else," Ember said. "What if these Zoroark have kids, like Shade? What are they gonna do when they find out their parents won't be coming home?! They'll either be very distraught or they'll end up coming after us, and we'll be forced to kill them, too!" Her voice began to crack. "Zack...what are we gonna do?! This isn't right! This isn't justice! It's a needless slaughter!!"

"...I...I don't know," Zack replied. "I'm just as torn up about this as you are, Ember."

Ember sobbed and covered her silvery eyes.

"Maybe we should stop talking about all this killing stuff," said Zack. "Look...how about I send some Pokemon over to cover your shift, and you can come and sleep with me."

"...okay," Ember replied with a snifle.

Zack smiled and gently pet Ember on the head.

"It's gonna be okay," he said. "Trust me."

"I hope so," said Ember.

XXX

Team Everheart: [link]

Cameos: [link]

Prev: [link]

Next: [link]