I actually have very little motivation to update my other story again, so I'll work on this one. I left the plot too thick for its own good.
In this chapter, we will meet the last member of Tier 5. Oh, and I don't own the song that appears in this chapter nor any of the songs in any future chapters. The song in this one belongs to Miss Nami Miyahara.
After they had parted ways with Ash and Anabel, Leon and Sarah took a ship to Sinnoh. Like Ash, Leon also gave Sarah an impromptu training lesson. However, it was more like a test to see what she could do. Like Anabel, Sarah already knew some martial arts, but she was more proficient at telekinesis than Anabel was at telepathy.
Therefore, Leon judged her to be in suitable enough shape for now. And by the time they arrived in Canalave City, Leon had decided a course of action.
"We'll fly to Hearthome City, passing over Jublife City in the process. They're the most likely places that a performer like Marisa would go," Leon explained, with a twinge of annoyance.
"What's the matter with you? You've been acting a little snappish lately," Sarah said.
"I can't believe Ash had me go find Marisa! Granted, I can see the logic behind it, but the two of us just don't get along!" Leon growled.
"We can't worry about that now. If you don't want to talk to her, then I will," Sarah said.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll talk to her. The bad blood between us has to be resolved if we are to receive her help," Leon resolved. Sarah giggled. "And what's so funny?"
"Nothing," Sarah said innocently. Leon scoffed and turned away.
"Let's move. Soar, Aerodactyl!" The prehistoric pterodactyl screeched as it emerged.
"Let's fly, Togekiss!" Togekiss let out a piercing cry as it landed beside Aerodactyl.
The two trainers climbed onto their Pokémon's backs and let them fly. "To Jublife City first," Leon commanded. Aerodactyl took the lead, with Togekiss following close behind. Canalave City was not that far from Jublife, and they reached it in a matter of minutes.
When they landed in the middle of town, Leon seemed to hear something and looked around. "Hmm. What is that familiar sound? Ah, never mind. Before we start looking, I want to check something. Follow me," he said.
Sarah followed as Leon led her to a rather out-of-way bookstore. It was close to the edge of town, but the building was still rather well kept. Leon held the door for her, and she thanked him. He really was still a gentleman at heart, no matter how roguish he seemed at times. Still, that mix was what drew her to him.
"Welcome. May I help you?" the clerk called.
Leon approached the counter and stared the clerk right in the face. "I want no trouble, sir. Just give me the latest issue of Vigilate Venator. ID: 526708," he said.
"I must verify that, sir. Wait a moment," the clerk said. He entered the given number into a computer, and then Leon's face flashed up on the screen. The clerk visibly paled as he read what appeared to be a status report. "S-sir, I did not realize…"
Leon did not give him a chance to finish. "You know who I am. You know what I am capable of. Just give me what I want," he said.
The clerk hastily reached under the counter and brought up a thin magazine with the words "Vigilate Venator: Bounties of the Month" on its cover. Leon gave him two thousand Pokedollars, five times as much as the magazine was worth. "You can keep the change if you tell me something. Has the Aura Guardian Marisa Ramloss appeared in this town? Do you know where she is? And I expect the truth," he said.
The clerk looked around and leaned forward to whisper. "She is in the city, now, recording a show at Jublife TV. But you must be careful, sir," he said.
"Why?" Leon asked.
"There is a faction that has rebelled after hearing the truth, but a good many agents are hunting you and Ashvier down. Victorien and Marisa are also under suspicion. If what they are planning is true, then we must stop them!" the clerk hissed.
"I thank you for your trouble, sir," Leon said, taking the magazine and putting another hundred Pokedollars into the man's hand before turning to leading Sarah out.
"We all believe in Tier 5, sir!" the clerk cried. Leon stopped and turned back. "Tier 5 has always been kind to us lower agents, and Ashvier even sent some of my friends gifts after putting them near death!" Leon merely nodded before turning around.
"You are respected," Sarah commented.
"The members of Tier 5 all helped out in some way. Ian helped lead the weaker members in training and battle. Ash fought on their behalf whenever there was bullying involved. I taught them that being an Aura Guardian or Psychic wasn't everything, and how to survive with their own wits. Victor taught them how to train their Pokémon to excel, and how to understand their feelings as well. And Marisa…whenever the newbies needed someone to comfort them or talk to, she was always there, even though she was not much older than them," Leon explained.
"You sound like you respect her in some way," Sarah observed.
"I might not get along with her most of the time, but I've always respected her to a certain extent. She's Aura Psychicorum's most powerful Siren," Leon said.
"Siren?" Sarah asked, confused.
Leon looked at her sheepishly. "Oh, I never told you, didn't I? A Siren is kind of a cross between an Aura-User and a Psychic. They are always female, and a crossbreed between the two. Marisa's father was an Aura Guardian, and her mother was a Psychic. A Siren has all the capabilities of an Aura Guardian, but her Aura Weapon is her voice. With it, she can create feelings of peace or discord, or even heal wounds. A Siren's song penetrates to the mind, like the powers of a Psychic, although the sound waves have enough power to destroy buildings, like an Aura Guardian. And Marisa is the best out of all of them. That, and the fact that she's classified as a female Aura Guardian makes her special," he explained.
"I see," Sarah said, a little jealous of the way that Leon described her. Then she noticed something. A cloaked man had been following them for quite some time. He was omnipresent, being wherever Leon and Sarah went. "Leon…" She shook his arm, trying to get his attention.
"I know. We'll take care of it soon," Leon said.
They soon reached Jublife TV, where a crowd was gathering, strangely quiet. Leon looked up at the giant display screen, where a raven-haired girl about their age with striking red eyes and dressed in yellow had begun to sing on screen. It was a soft song, but she sang beautifully, and the TV amplified the volume by a huge factor.
I wanna be a star
I wanna be a star!
That never stops
Oh shining down on you!
I wanna be a moon!
I wanna be a moon!
Like a gentle wind,
Oh softly touch your face
Feel my breath when you close your eyes at night
It's alright you were not the only one
I will be the waves carrying your board
I'll find your day
What do you want to be?
If there is a choice?
Do you have a dream?
That make you feel alive?
The song ended with the screen fading to black, much to the loud applause of the crowd. Sarah clapped as well; Marisa was a beautiful singer. "I should have known. That song is called Sky, written and sung by a Miss Nami Miyahara. It's one of Marisa's favorites. She might not sing any original songs, but she's not looking for that, so it's all right," Leon explained.
"What's the plan?" Sarah asked.
"Go in, ask her, and deal with whatever comes," Leon said, pulling Sarah towards the entrance. Sarah rolled her eyes.
When they entered, Leon wasted no time, pushing through the crowd and ignoring the angered cries as he glared at the receptionist. "Where is Marisa Ramloss?" he asked a low tone.
"She is busy right now, sir," the receptionist hissed, glaring back at him.
"I am in no mood for games, madam. Simply tell her that Leontus Firesect is here to see her. If she refuses, tell her that I will not hesitate to blow this place sky-high," he threatened. Sarah looked at him in shock. His eyes were cold and his face was calm, but the hard edge in his voice made her realize that he truly would cause destruction.
"Hey! I don't give a damn who you are, get out!" A security guard walked up and pushed a thick finger into Leon's chest. Leon grabbed the guard's forearm and twisted it painfully to the side before flinging him away. The guard sat up, clenching his arm and crying out. The crowd began to go wild in their haste to flee. It took them five minutes to finally squeeze themselves out the doors after Leon's display.
"Now then…bring me to Marisa," Leon said to the receptionist. She looked terrified, but pressed a button underneath the desk. Immediately, a door to the side opened and two older males stepped out. Leon blinked in surprise at the newcomers.
"What's the problem, Carmen?" one guard asked.
"Get them out of here! Kill him! I don't care! The boy's a criminal! Look at what he did to Mark!" Carmen cried, pointing at the still sitting guard.
"I see. Look, kids, we don't want any trouble. We need you to leave," the second guard said.
Sarah got nervous. "Now what?" she asked.
Leon smiled at her. "I have this under control," he said, before turning back to face the guards. "I don't want any trouble either. But let me see Marisa first before I go."
"We won't ask a second time, kid. Get out," the first guard said.
"And I won't ask a second time either. So then…we are at a standstill," Leon said.
"That's enough!" a new voice ordered. Leon and Sarah turned to see the girl from the display screen walked out from the same door. She was still dressed in yellow, but was now wearing a white vest and skirt. "Why are you here, Leontus?" Marisa asked.
"Hello, Marisa. I need your help. Call off your dogs. I can't guarantee their safety," Leon said.
"You expect me to help you after you come barging in here and threaten everyone?" Marisa asked.
Leon rolled his eyes. "You and I both know that I would never do that. It would be a waste of time and energy, and I have no interest in getting the police on my tail, especially considering the fact that the organization's after me, and you, for that matter," he said.
This made Marisa scowl. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Leon took out the magazine, flipped through it, and showed a set of pages to Marisa. Sarah saw that it was a wanted list, with the faces of Anabel, Ash, Leon, herself, Marisa, and a white-haired boy with combed hair on it. "You didn't know? I can tell you why we're all on this list. It's partially my fault, so I owe you this much," he said.
Marisa hesitated, and then nodded reluctantly. "Let him in, and don't bother attacking him. He's too powerful," she said.
"Lady Marisa, we are Tier 1 members! We can beat him!" one guard insisted.
Leon's eyes widened before laughing out loud. "I can't believe it! Tier 1? You pathetic weaklings are part of Tier 1?" he mocked.
"What did you say?" the other guard growled.
"It's as plain as day to me. You guys might be strong enough to provide adequate protection, but you are far weaker than me. Your energy levels are absolutely pitiful!" Leon said.
"Why you!" One guard lunged forward, a pair of Aura Daggers in his hands. Sarah didn't even see him attack them, but Leon had expected it. He quickly moved in front of Sarah and his hand shot forward at the guard's face, grabbing it. An instant later, the guard screamed and convulsed as Leon's energy flared up from his hand for a few seconds. After that, Leon let the guard fall. His daggers faded away.
"Leon, stop it!" Sarah cried, terrified that the man was dead. Carmen was now trembling behind her desk.
"I only put him to sleep, Sarah, albeit rather painfully. He'll be awake in a few hours," Leon reassured. Then he snapped back to attention at the other guard, who was charging up an Aura Sphere out of blue energy. He then hurled it at Leon, but the punisher merely held up a hand. With a discharge of green energy, the blue ball disintegrated. "Ash's blue Aura is way more fun to evade than that," he observed.
"It can't be…how could someone from Tier 5…" the guard stammered.
"You don't get it, do you? The last time the tiers were organized was four years ago. My power has grown exponentially since then. You're behind the times, fool. The point of Tiers was to show who was the strongest. But now, the former tiers are more like units, and apparently the former Tier 5 is one of the strongest. I can't believe you haven't noticed yet. Marisa is stronger than you now. Read her Aura," Leon said.
The guard looked back at his mistress, who stared sadly back. "It's true. I've surpassed you long ago, Horace. You just seemed so happy protecting me that I couldn't let you go. But I have to now. Don't worry. Leon will be more than enough," she said. Horace looked disheartened, but nodded. "Now to see to Marcus…" Marisa kneeled beside the fallen guard and hummed. Yellow dots of energy washed over Marcus, and soon the twitching body was peacefully laying on the ground. She did the same thing to the guard with the twisted arm.
"Follow me," Marisa said, before leading the way through the door from which she had appeared earlier. Leon and Sarah followed, but not before Leon shot a warning glare to Horace.
Later…
"Do you want anything?" Marisa asked as Leon and Sarah sat down in chairs.
"Jasmine tea," Sarah said.
"Red wine," Leon joked, earning glares from both girls. "Sherry?" The girls glared harder. "Brandy?" Sarah smacked him. "Kidding, kidding! Espresso, if you have it," he said.
After Marisa poured the refreshments and gave them to her guests, she sat down in a swivel chair. "How is it that you can attack my guards like that with no regrets and then joke like this? It's baffling," she said.
Leon shrugged. "It's just me. Oh, and for the introductions. Sarah, this is Marisa Ramloss, our favorite Siren and Victor's muse. Marisa, this is Sarah Isecolt, the only person who can control me," he said.
Marisa laughed. "Controlling this fool is not something anyone has done. I'm honored to meet you," she said. Sarah smiled back at her while Leon glared at her.
"Fool? Is that how you treat the person who came to save your life?" Leon growled.
"It's how I treat you. Now what do you want from me? A healing job for your girlfriend, perhaps?" Marisa asked, gesturing at Sarah. The two guests blushed.
"She's not my girlfriend," Leon said.
"He's not my boyfriend," Sarah said at the exact same time. They looked at each other and blushed again, looking away. Marisa smirked.
Leon quickly regained his composure. "We're getting off the topic. What we will need probably will entail multiple healing jobs. Now that we've found you, all of Tier 5 has become involved," he said.
Marisa got more serious as well. "Explain," she said.
"Sarah is the best friend and assistant of the Battle Tower Frontier Brain in Kanto, Anabel Crystallium. She's a telekinetic, if you haven't noticed." Leon said. Marisa nodded. "But Anabel is a telepath that has even more potential than Sarah does, maybe destined to become the most powerful telepath in centuries. Aura Psychicorum is targeting her because they think that she's part of a prophecy. There's a faction in the top brass that believes that sacrificing her can bring back a certain goddess of darkness, and they've sent out three agents against us already, including our old leader Ian Araxes. Our old friend Ashvier had to kill him, and is with Anabel right now, asking Victor for help. If they succeed, we'll have a better fighting chance."
"So you need me to heal you, and possibly fight," Marisa said.
"I probably don't have the right to ask you this, but we need your help, Marisa. It's my fault that they're targeting Ash, too. I was the one who busted in and swore that neither Ash nor I would let them take Anabel. I might as well have painted targets on our backs," Leon said.
"And now you have the gall to ask me for help? What makes you think that I would help you?" Marisa asked.
"Are you really an agent of Aura Psychicorum? If you were, then you would never let this happen. You think Anabel asked for this? She's just a civilian, Marisa!" Leon argued.
"I won't be dragged into your fights, Leon!" Marisa growled.
Leon glared at her for a few seconds before smirking. "You're right. I was a fool. I was a fool to believe there was even a chance that a sheltered, spoiled brat of a noble's daughter would even think about helping us!" he snapped, standing up abruptly.
"And who was it that brought me out of that life, Leon! Who was it that massacred my family, destroyed my house and thrust me out of that sheltered life! It was you, all you! I was happy! And I still have lots of money, but now…now I'm fighting for my life every day!" Marisa cried.
"Were you really happy? All you were living was a pathetic excuse for a half-life, completely oblivious to the ways of the world! I merely showed them to you sooner or later! You'd be surprised how conniving the richest really can be, Marisa. Power and money corrupts. It's a truth of the world. Face it, make your choice, and make it quickly. Otherwise, I really have no business here," Leon growled.
Sarah slammed her hands down on the table. "Stop it, both of you!" she exploded. "I was wondering why you two couldn't get along, but now I know. Did you ever ask Leon why he destroyed your family? And Leon!" She turned to the green-clad young man, "Did you ever try to explain yourself?" The looks she got gave her an answer. "I can't believe this."
"I never meant to destroy it," Leon muttered. Marisa glared at him. "Sarah's right. I never told you, didn't I? Your parents were suspected of treason against Aura Psychicorum, so the organization sent me to them. They fought against me when I went to arrest them, and the fight went a little overboard. I couldn't hold back against them, so I released a little too much power, which caused a fire. I never wanted to kill them, merely arrest and question them, so I tried to save them, but it was too late. As they lay dying, they asked me…"
Leon took a deep breath. "Why did I fight for such a corrupt organization? I answered that all groups that large had corruption. They laughed and said that I had no idea how corrupt it truly was. But with a man like me, it might still have a chance for redemption. I asked what they meant, and they didn't answer, only pleaded with me to save their young daughter, and to protect her. I knew they were dying, so I left them there to find you, Marisa. I found you unconscious in your room, surrounded by flames. I got you out of there as quickly as I could, and went back for your parents, but the house crumbled. I got you back to Aura Psychicorum, and personally requested that you be placed in Tier 5 after they found out you were a Siren."
Leon chuckled as Marisa's face grew softer. "When I introduced you to Ash, Ian, and Victor, they all questioned me, and I explained the situation. Ever since then, you've been the one all of us wanted to protect, and none more so than that blasted artist Victor," he said.
"Why did you never tell me?" Marisa asked.
"It was a rash of bad judgment. You seemed to hate all of us and think that we were corrupt and cold. That was my plan. Eventually, you would come to hate the entire organization, and fight against it. I told the others what your parents had said, and we all began to see the bad blood, except for Ian. That's the real reason why Ash killed him, I think. Our old leader was blind to the truth. And targeting Anabel was the last straw. Now we want to crush it and begin anew. But we need your help, Marisa. Protecting Anabel won't be easy. Sloth was the one who sent Ian after us, and soon he will come himself, along with the other Seven Sins. I can understand if you're scared, but…" Leon trailed off, seeing Marisa's shadowed face.
"I still can't forgive you…the fact remains that you are responsible for my parents' deaths. Still…you're right. I realize it now. You and the others have always been there for me. Victor, Ash, and you, even after I treated you the way I did. We're all friends. I want us to be a team again," Marisa said. She walked over to a drawer and opened it, taking out a framed picture.
She gave it to Leon, and his eyes widened. "This is…" Sarah looked at it, and she gasped. It seemed to be a photograph of Tier 5, a younger version of the members clad in their Aura Guardian outfits. Ian was in the middle, sitting in a chair, one leg draped over the other. Ash was standing in the far left next to a charred target, petting Raichu as he faced the camera. Leon was leaning against the wall to the right, a book in his hands, but he was also facing the camera. The white-haired boy she now knew to be Victor sat facing the camera with a sketchpad in his hands, a picture of a chained demon slightly visible on it. And Marisa was kneeling a little behind Victor, seemingly looking over his shoulder. All of them were smiling contentedly.
"I look at this every now and then. Tier 5 was special. With only five members, we were bound to be friends at least. The Grim Reaper, The Beryl Blade Demon, the Malachite Punisher, the Crimson Artist, and the Radiant Songstress. And I will not refuse my friends aid," Marisa said.
Leon was shocked. This was not what he had been expecting. "I…don't know what to say. I suppose I should start with thank you, Marisa. We must leave for Alamos Town. Ash said for us to meet there. Hopefully, Victor will be there as well. We can discuss things further there," he said.
"I actually wanted to ask you to take me there. There's something in Alamos Town that I want to do," Marisa said.
"Ask Ash," Leon said.
"Okay. In the meantime, follow me. We'll stay at my condos." Marisa led them out, greeted the guards warmly, and they fell into step behind Leon and Sarah as the party walked outside.
One outside, Leon instantly noticed the cloaked figure that had been following them. He was standing, facing away from them Sarah noticed him as well. "Leon, it's that guy again," Sarah whispered.
"Hold up," Leon said, now deeply suspicious. He walked up to the man and grabbed him when he tried to retreat. "Who are you? What are you after?"
"It's too late…a force is going to Alamos Town," the snitch growled.
"You bastard!" Leon's fingernail grew and glowed with green energy and he stuck it into the man's arm.
The stalker quivered as he realized what had just happened. "No…no, please, not that!"
"You won't die," Leon said, before heading back to his friends.
"What's going on?" Sarah asked.
Leon led them off. "Let's go. We have to warn Ash. There's a force going to Alamos Town right now. We'll have to fight if we go there," he said.
Behind them, the man began to scream in agony as the Aura particles Leon had injected began to multiply and detonate. Marisa's eyes widened, and she quickly hastened the party on their way. Sarah looked back and cried out when she saw that a panicking crowd was gathering around the snitch, which was enveloped in green flames. "Leon!" she cried at her friend, horrified.
"He was an agent. The volume of energy particles I injected will be counteracted by his own. He'll survive…barely. We have more important things to worry about," Leon said.
"But…" Marisa cut Sarah off as Leon increased his pace towards a tall building.
"He is the punisher, Sarah. It's instinct for him. But he still cares about you more than anyone else," Marisa said.
"How could he…how could he do this?" Sarah asked.
"Power corrupts, and Leon is a good example of that. I would talk to him if I were you. I think he's hurting about this almost as much as you are. He never opened up to any of us. He and Ash both. But maybe…maybe he'll open up to you," Marisa said.
"I can't stop him…" Sarah said, tears beginning to fall.
The younger girl embraced her. "But you can help him. And I think that right now, he needs it. He needs you," Marisa said.
And that's it. The next chapter will be the reunion.
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