Chapter 6 Tabitha A Deerling like No Other Just off of Bangam Island stood a small village dedicated to hoofed Pokemon and did not allow any clawed or fang Pokemon into its ranks unless escorted by one of the village Pokemon. This was not out of fear of the clawed Pokemon, no…there was no such thing as fear among the hoofed ones. Instead it was done to keep the secrets that lay in the village from being leaked out to those that were not worthy. This was how Tabitha the village leader and priestess wanted things to be ran, and no one questioned the wisdom that Tabitha had to offer, nor fought against her brand of leadership. Tabitha was a blue and black Deerling with small yellow and white spots dotted along her back. She had a yellow flower on her head and small antlers on top of her head. She did not look like your normal Deerling, nor acted like it and yet…no one questioned her. To outsiders they would find it strange that a Deerling was the leader of a village of hoofed Pokemon who did not question her rule nor ever seemed interested in challenging her for it. She was Deerling after all in charge of Stantlers, Sawbucks and other strong Pokemon. “Now, now, there is no need to worry everyone, we will clean up the caved in roofs and rebuild.” Tabitha said while inspecting some structural damage to several houses in the village. There had been heavy snowfall lately and finally some of the wooden homes were starting to cave in. This was no solely from the snowfall but also from the lack of the tenants doing anything to clean the snow off when they had a chance to do so. The snow would melt, freeze and become heavier and heavier until finally it broke through the roof. Tabitha had told the villagers to maintain their homes and though many were heeding her words there were several who were not. She looked back at the Griagrag who lived in the home with a questioning look in her eyes. Was this Pokemon fit to live in this home by itself? “Lady Tabitha…I am sorry for my lack of judgement but…you see I have been um….well…busy as of late.” “Too busy to take care of the home I provided for you?” Tabithas’ ear twitched. “you know how I feel about lying to me.” “Um…yes well…um…its true…” “Is it now?” Tabitha’s tail twitched, the little tail went back and forth as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. “So you would rather sleep out in the cold than have a warm place to live?” “No, no…I like being warm.” The Pokemon gulps. “Please understand I have been busy working hard to make the village a sound place. I mean…look at how sound our security is, how much food we have stored for the winter—“ “Stop trying to find excuses for your lack of thinking ahead or heeding anything that we have been putting out.” Tabitha had it with the excuses. “We are going to rebuild this home, but you are going to be moving in with someone else, we can not trust you to be by yourself.” “Lady Tabitha are you sure that is wise?” Buck the Stantler asked the emotional Deerling. Tabitha nods at her advisor. “He is right about working hard for the herd lately. Maybe we should give him another chance.” “This is not the first time Buck that something like this has happened, Quagmire has prove his worth and at the same time his lack of wisdom time and time again. I would feel safer if he was roomed with someone else, someone that can keep an eye on him.” Tabitha was done with the situation and had begun walking back towards her own home. Buck stayed along side her. “I know your word is late and the herd will always follow what you say but…” “But what Buck? Hmm?” Tabitha snapped, her eyes seemed to cut into her advisor’s soul. “You can be a little rough around the edges at times.” The Stantler gulped. “For the work we do Buck, me being rough around the edges is nothing. I might do field work all the time anymore but I do know what its like out there and our herdsmen must be ready for it. Attention to detail and maintaining the little things is only one aspect of our lives. You know this just as much as I do.” “Yes my Lady.” Buck bowed his head. “I fought along side you during the Great War, and I have stood by your side as long as I can remember. Both before and after your transformation and ascension to leadership of this herd. I mean…we have a daughter together.” “Don’t bring Din into this.” Tabitha did not like it when they brought their daughter into any argument. She kept family life and work life as separate as possible. Buck was her “mate” in terms that they have a daughter together but she did not think of him as such outside of their shared child. “Sorry.” “Buck I plan to increase our influence and begin advertising our work in the city, for that to be successful I need make sure that those who are tasked with going outside of the forest are ready for the challenging. Sooner or later I want any spot there is a hoofed Pokemon to be influence and a knowledge that we’re watching you. Clients pay us for our ability to get the intelligence they want and no one will ever know who got it. And if that means offing a few Pokemon to achieve that goal…” Tabitha stopped walking and twitched her tail. “That is what a Hoofed Rogue must do.” “I agree.” The big deer bowed his head. “I shall take my leave. Will I see you for supper?” “What you want to go on a date with me?” Tabitha looked unimpressed. “One silly night and a daughter later doesn’t mean that we’re a thing.” “I know, but you can’t blame a Stantler for trying.” “Try hearing that from my position.” Tabitha walks away and heads into her home. It was cozy place with a nice bedroom in the back, a living room and wash area connected. Her place the one of the least impressive in the village as she did not like to overly impress. Tabitha was a simple Deerling, even if her outside suggested otherwise. She was the kind of girl who would rather go on a long walk through the woods by herself than being at some large party. She use to be someone that attracted a lot of attention, mostly because of how large she was once before, but now…she only got others starting out her because of her odd colors. Taking a deep breath the priestess looked at her table to see a letter sitting on top of it. “For me?” Tabitha opened the letter to find the paw prints of a most familiar Pokemon… Dear my old friend Tabitha, It has been a long time since we have spoken which is shame on my part, that is no way to maintain friendships and partnerships. Life has been going well for me as of late, I am getting married this spring, ya for me. I have kept up with our research from long ago and have found a way to improve your old findings so much that the transformation process is nearly seamless now and with few side affects. The largest is the lost of base strength but that is to be expected. No one goes from being an all mighty deity like a Diancia or Xerneas and then transforms into a Eevee and Deerling and expect to still be as powerful as they once were. But your findings long ago about the ability for the one’s former strength to return…I think that is very true and than some. But I wanted to let you know that he is back, Dynamo has resurfaced and is far more powerful than he was long ago. Myself and Ruby fought against him in our new bodies, only to fail at capturing him. I would like to hire your assistance in this matter and help use to capture him before he causes any more trouble. I am not sure how strong you are, but if you are anything close to what you once was you shouldn’t struggle to take him down. He most likely has left Bangam Island in route to where ever he was before showing back up. It’s a lot to ask but if you catch him… “Oh Radiance…my old High Commander…” Tabitha puts the letter down, then picks it back up and rereads it again and again. A big smile seemed to crawl across her face as she was becoming excited. “Dynamo…” Her heart bounds in her chest. “I’ve waited long for this day, the day I get to hunt down the traitor and bring him to justice…Tabitha justice. I accept your request Radiance.” Tabitha grabbed her ink and began writing a message back to her old friend and comrade in arms. Once done she had a carrier Pidgy take the letter. “Buck!!!” “Yes my Lady.” “I’m going to be gone for a short bit, I have a hunt I need to track down. Hold down the place while I’m gone.” Tabitha prepared her travel bag, her heart was pounding in her chest as she was too excited to not become emotional. The end of the letter jumped out at her… …It’s a lot to ask but if you catch him… You may do to him as you see fit, long as me and Ruby have our chance to confront him. I will also owe you favor. If you accept this please come see me and Ruby in Fablereach. - Best regards Radiance