A/N: Sorry for how long it took to upload this chapter. Life happens my friends. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amari stood there, a cold sweat running down her back. The Gengar took a step towards her, a glint of recognition in its eyes, and Amari let out a high-pitched cry. She turned on the spot and ran as hard and as fast as she could. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she darted between the stacks trying to get as far away as possible. She was about to call out for Burgand when she ran into something warm and solid. She closed her eyes tightly at the impact and felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She looked up to meet Cyrus' dark eyes.
"Kit?" he questioned looking down at her with a concerned look. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Amari opened her mouth to answer when she heard footsteps behind her. Her head whipped around to see the Gengar finally reaching her, its grin looking manic. She fisted her hands tightly in Cyrus' jacket and pulled herself closer to him, letting out a whimper as she tried to get away from the Gengar.
"Oh," Cyrus said looking down at the Gengar, "there you are Hades. I've been looking for you everywhere." Amari watched in horror as Cyrus reached for a pokéball inside his jacket. He looked back down at her and smirked. "Sorry if he gave you a little scare. He likes to wander around down here."
"That thing belongs to you?" Amari asked in disbelief.
"Well technically he does," Cyrus answered finally releasing Amari from his hold. "Hades really belongs to Benedict but he loan him to me to assist with field work. I apologize again if he caused you any trouble, Kit."
Amari just gave a small nod and wrapped her arms around herself. Cyrus looked at her for another moment before looked behind her. She turned to see Burgand hurrying towards her with a worried expression. He slowed down when he reached the two of them. Burgand glanced over at Cyrus before looking back at Amari.
"Are you okay, Kit?" he asked glancing at Cyrus again. "I heard a yell and went looking for you. This stupid place is like a maze."
"I'm fine, Carson," Amari replied with a tight smile. "Hades just gave me a bit of a scare."
"Hades?" Burgand echoed looking at her confused.
"My Gengar," Cyrus answered. "But she is fine now. I'll leave you two to get your supplies. I'll meet you on the deck in front of the main hall at dawn. Get some rest."
Cyrus turned and left leaving Amari and Burgand alone in the cargo bay. Amari sank to her knees and started to breathe heavily. Burgand knelt down beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Amari was shaking violently and her eyes were wide and blind. Burgand was about to say something when Amari beat him to it.
"That was the Gengar that attacked me," she whispered as tears fell from her eyes. "Calron attacked it and left a scar. I remember that. I see it almost every time I close my eyes." She let out a quiet sob and looked up at Burgand. "I can't do this, Burgand. I just can't."
"Hey," Burgand said soothingly gently wiping away the tears, "don't go there. I have no idea how you must feel, seeing the pokémon that hurt you so badly, but you have to understand that you're stronger than when it attacked you."
"R-really?" Amari asked blinking up at him in surprise.
"Yes, really." Burgand chuckled and ruffled Amari's hair. "You're starting to trust pokémon again. True, it's just with your father's pokémon, but you're getting there. And I mean look at you right now. You just saw the very Gengar that attacked you and you haven't passed out yet!"
Amari let out a small laugh and nodded looking up at Burgand, the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I still don't think I can do this, but…"
"But?" Burgand urged giving her a bright smile.
"I think I can with you by my side," she admitted with a light blush dusting her cheeks.
Burgand's smile softened as he stood up, helping Amari to her feet. They gathered a few supplies and made it back to their room. Amari immediately went over to her bed where Magnar laid curled up on her pillow. She gently got onto the bed and wrapped her arms around the small pokémon. Burgand fell back onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I guess we better turn in since we have an early start tomorrow."
"Burgand," Amari whispered. "Thank you for not letting me do this alone."
"Are you kidding?" he chuckled. "How could I let a little thing like you go on a suicide mission all by yourself? Besides, my mom always told me I should see the world."
"Let's hope that you have a world to see," she replied glancing over at him with a small smile. "Good night, Burgand."
"Night, Amari," he responded with a loud yawn. "And don't worry about that Gengar. I won't let it anywhere near you. Now his trainer you might have an objection to. I caught a glimpse of you clinging to him. And he seemed pretty pleased to have you in his arms." Burgand chuckled a little at his attempt to lighten the mood. He never did see the pillow being flung in his direction.