Chapter 28: Veilstone Gym
[Chris' POV]
I wake up when Dawn shakes me. I look around. "What?" I ask.
She sighs. "What did you do last night? You're sleeping in a chair."
I chuckle. "I was meditating. Focusing my Aura will really help."
Dawn smiles. "You've really changed in such a short time."
"You seem to be doing a bit better today."
"I thought about what you said. You're right. I need to focus on the things in life that bring me joy."
I smile at her. She kisses me. "You're one of them," she says.
I stand up and hug her. "You're back. The Dawn I know is back."
"It's because of you that I'm like this again. I'm nobody without you."
"Don't say that. You're everything to me."
She leans into me. "I love you."
"I do too, Dawn."
We let each other go. Dawn gets some clothes from her bag. She starts undressing. I feel my face turn red. She looks up at me. "What's wrong?"
I get clothes out of my bag and start dressing. "You didn't give any warning."
She turns to me. "You know me. I don't give warnings to you."
I snicker. "Tell that to me again when we're fighting Team Galactic."
"You know what I mean, Chris."
She puts on her shirt and pants. "I'm going for a different look."
"You're not wearing your coat?"
I zip up my jacket and reach for my hat. "Not today."
She pulls out a jacket that looks similar to mine. It's red instead of blue, though. She puts on the jacket and zips it up. She wraps her white scarf around her neck and turns to me. "How do I look?"
We both turn to the mirror. I take off my hat. "You look a lot like me."
"I think I should act like you, so I decided to dress like you first."
She puts her beanie on and I look at my hat. I put it in my bag and walk to the door. I grab my belt on the dresser and clip it on my waist. Dawn follows me out. I let out Eve and Riolu. "Chris?" Riolu asks.
"We're going to challenge Maylene today. We're going to win."
Eve nods. "Let's go."
Riolu smiles. "We can do this!"
I look at Dawn. "Let's get going."
We walk out of the door and walk to the exit. I wave to Nurse Joy and leave. Dawn and I sit outside the Pokémon Center, waiting for the others. Dawn looks at me. "About yesterday…"
"It's fine, Dawn. It was a lot."
"No. It's just… we didn't wait. You wanted to."
I grab her hand. "It's fine."
She grabs a pokéball and looks at it. She grits her teeth. "Cyrus…"
"Should we tell Cynthia?"
I hear someone walk up next to us. "I think we should," James says. "After all, we failed in that regard."
I sigh. "It's not our fault. We didn't know Cyrus was there. If he wasn't, we would've won."
James sits. "I don't know. It was just…"
"Veon?" Eve finishes.
"You got 'dat right," Meowth says.
I lean forward. He's sitting next to James. James is wearing his uniform. "Is that your Team Rocket get up?"
He nods. "From a long time ago. Well, not that long."
"What made you quit?"
"I'm naturally gifted at becoming friends with pokémon. It just doesn't seem right for Team Rocket to have that quality. It was also Jessie. When I realized I loved her, I knew Team Rocket wouldn't be good for our life. Life behind bars for being in Team Rocket wasn't what I wanted my future to be. It's not like I would've been in there long. Team Rocket disbanded months later. Apparently a few kids took them down. Two young men who went to face the Pokémon League and a young girl. I heard she was a thief."
"I guess we won't be the first kids to overthrow an evil organization," Dawn says.
"Won't you both be adults by the time they attempt to destroy the world?"
Dawn chuckles nervously. "Oh, that slipped my mind."
"I'll be seventeen," I say.
"Eighteen."
I hear the Pokémon Center door open. I see Barry, Roark, and everyone else come out. Dawn, James, Meowth, and I stand up. Dawn and I walk over to the group. Barry looks at the two of us. "Dawn? Is that you?"
She nods. "I want to be more like Chris, so I've decided to dress like him a bit."
Dawn seems very different. She seems more confident than usual. She takes a deep breath. "I'd like to challenge Maylene first," she says.
"Don't you usually see how gym leaders battle first?"
"You don't. You take the challenge head on and fight no hard no matter what they through your way."
Roark observes the two of us. "You two have changed so much since our battle back in Oreburgh."
We start heading towards the gym. Riley walks up to me. "Did something happen after they were taken?"
"Nothing much."
He keeps staring at me. "I'm sensing that more is going on than you're letting on."
I lift up my left hand and surround it in Aura. I stop walking. Everyone turns to me. I bring my arm back. I thrust my palm into the air. A boom rings through the air as I expel my Aura in a Force Palm. Riley watches in awe. "Amazing. Your Aura. It's… incredible. You've improved so much over the past couple days."
"I was meditating for what was probably hours last night. I thought about everything that has happened on this journey and every choice I made. I thought about the Legendary Pokémon, Mega Evolution, the war 3,000 years ago, everything. I recognized something. If I want to save the world, I need to focus on improving both my pokémon and my Aura. That's where everyone comes in. Riley and Dawn to train my Aura, then all of you to train our pokémon, not just mine. We all need to be strong if we want to win this war that Cyrus started."
"Now that we know Cyrus is an Aura user, we know he'll be incredibly tough," Barry adds on.
"Don't remind me. That poison was terrible."
Mom is still silent. She takes a deep breath and keeps walking.
Dawn steps into the gym first. I'm right behind her, followed by Barry. All of us except Dawn head to the stands. On the wall across from Dawn, a door opens. I feel a great amount of Aura on the other side. Two figures run out, shrouded in smoke. One figure flips through the air and lands across from Dawn. The other rolls to the side of her. The smoke and dirt fade away. Maylene and a Lucario stand next to each other. A white bracelet is on Maylene's left wrist. "What's that bracelet?" I ask out loud.
"It's look kind of like yours, Chris," Mom answers.
I look at my Mega Bracelet. "Can her Lucario Mega Evolve?"
Maylene steps forward. "Welcome to the Veilstone Pokémon Gym. I am Maylene, the gym leader."
Dawn steps forward. "My name is Dawn Berlitz from Sandgem Town! I challenge you to a gym battle!"
A referee walks to the side of the arena. "The battle between Maylene and the challenger, Dawn, will now commence! Please send out your first pokémon."
Maylene and Dawn throw their pokéballs at the same time. On Dawn's side, Buizel appears, and on Maylene's, a Meditite. "The first round begins now!"
"Meditite, Fake Out!"
Meditite dashes forward and smacks Buizel. He flinches. "Aqua Jet!"
"Trap him with Rock Tomb!"
Meditite's eyes glow and she tosses several rocks around Buizel. Buizel tries swimming towards her, but rocks block him from every direction. "Now use Drain Punch, Meditite."
Meditite leaps into the air and falls down, fist first. Her fist glows green. Dawn grins. I chuckle. "She found a huge opening."
"Buizel, dash straight into Meditite using Aqua Jet."
Buizel jumps up and surrounds himself with water. Meditite punches at him. "Use Water Gun!"
I smile. Buizel blasts water at Meditite point blank. Buizel lands on a rock and Meditite crashes to the ground. Meditite grunts as she gets up. Suddenly, she flinches and collapses. Maylene gasps. "With one attack?!"
The referee points towards Dawn. "The winner of the round is Dawn and Buizel!"
Buizel and Dawn both smirk. Lucario looks at Maylene. "Lucar?"
"Not yet."
He nods and sits down. She returns Meditite. "Thanks. You did great."
Maylene grabs another pokéball and throws it. A Machoke appears. Dawn nods to Buizel. Buizel smiles and nods back. "Water Gun."
"Dodge it and use Focus Energy."
Machoke jumps to the left and glows a red light. "Dawn, watch out! His attacks could do some serious damage!" Roark yells.
Dawn nods to us. "Thanks for the warning!"
"Aqua Jet, Buizel!"
"Strength!"
I sigh. "And she ignores the warning…"
"I guess she really is like you," Barry taunts.
I glare at him. Barry laughs. "I'm just kidding."
"You better be."
Eve snuggles up next to me. I start petting her. Buizel is flying around Machoke. Machoke ignores him, waiting for the perfect time. "Now!" Dawn commands.
Buizel stops for a split second. Maylene grins. Machoke punches Buizel immediately, sending him flying into a rock from the Rock Tomb. He slides in front of Dawn. Dawn sighs and returns him. She looks at the pokéball. "Thanks for your help. You did great."
"What's with the one move matches?" Roark asks.
"I don't know, but I think this is the end of that."
Dawn throws a pokéball. Monferno appears in front of her. The referee chops the air. "Begin!"
"Mach Punch," Dawn orders.
Monferno dashes forward and punches at Machoke. "Strength! Grab the punch!"
Machoke slams his hand forward, extinguishing the force from Monferno's Mach Punch. "Flamethrower!"
Monferno jumps back and blasts a stream of fire at Machoke. "Jump and use Karate Chop."
Machoke jumps. "Use Flame Wheel!"
Monferno curls into and ball and breathes fire. He rolls towards Machoke and jumps upward. Machoke chops the ball of fire as they collide in midair. They both fly back landing on their feet. They are both panting. "You ready Monferno?"
He nods. "Fire Spin! Trap him."
Monferno breathes a spiral of fire that creates a vortex. Machoke is caught inside of it. "Use Rock Tomb!"
Machoke kicks several rocks at Monferno, which land around him. "Run through the flames and use Karate Chop!"
Machoke bursts through the inferno and dashes towards Monferno, who has nowhere to run. "Catch his hand!"
Machoke chops down, but Monferno slaps his hands onto Machoke's. Machoke yells and thrusts his hand down. He makes contact, really hurting Monferno. Machoke starts walking away, thinking he's won. Monferno grunts. He looks back. Monferno gets up slowly and growls. He breathes fire into the air angrily. Monferno glows white. I gasp. "He's evolving!" Mom shouts.
Monferno grows taller and his head starts flaming. The light fades and Infernape stands across from Machoke. "Infernape," he says.
Machoke turns around and readies to fight. "Infernape, you evolved!" Dawn yells excitedly.
He looks at Dawn and smiles. "Fern."
"Alright, let's finish this. Use Mach Punch."
Infernape turns around and runs forward faster than before. Machoke grabs Infernape's fist with both hands. He grunts as the Fire/Fighting type grows stronger. Infernape's flame grows and burns brighter. Barry smiles. "His ability is kicking in!"
"Blaze," I say.
Dawn notices. "Use Fire Punch!"
Infernape ignites his other hand and punches Machoke back. "Use it multiple times!"
Maylene grits her teeth as Infernape rapidly punches Machoke back with his powered up attack. Infernape jumps back and watches. Machoke falls to the ground, out of stamina. "The winner of the round is Dawn and Infernape!"
Dawn and Infernape high five. "Great job Infernape!"
"Fernape!"
Maylene returns Machoke and nods to Lucario. He gets up and walks to the battlefield. Infernape turns around and readies to fight. Maylene glares at Dawn. "I won't let Infernape get off even one attack!"
Lucario and Maylene sync up. Maylene crosses her arms, putting her left in front. A gem on her bracelet glows. "Let's go, Lucario!"
Lucario copies Maylene's movement. He starts glowing. Maylene sways right, then left. She reaches her arms out, crossing them at the wrists. They bring their arms to their sides. They punch with their right hand, then left, alternating two more times while increasing in speed. On the fifth, they put out both fists. Maylene and Lucario glow red. They bring their right arms back, then thrust their palm forward. "Our strengths are one! Go Lucario, All-Out Pummeling!"
Lucario thrusts his arms forward several times, sending a blast forward every time. Each one hits Infernape, sending him back further and further. Lucario finishes by running forward and punching him in the gut. Infernape flies back towards the wall and crashes into it. He hits the ground, knocked out. Maylene and Lucario get ready for Dawn's last pokémon. Dawn returns Infernape. "You did really well. I'm proud of you."
She puts the ball away, then starts walking towards Maylene. She passes Lucario, then grabs Maylene by the shirt. She glares at her. "What the fuck was that?!"
Maylene starts shaking. "I-It was a Z-Move. I trained in Alola with Kahuna Hala. He entrusted me with a Z-Ring."
She shows her the object on her wrist. "He also gave me Fightinium Z."
"Pull another trick like that and you won't like what happens next."
Dawn lets go of Maylene and walks back. I smile. "That's my Dawn."
Dawn throws a pokéball. Lopunny appears in front of her. "Using a Normal type against a Lucario? Are you insane?" Maylene asks.
"I might be. Attract."
Maylene gasps. Lopunny kisses her hand and blows a kiss to Lucario. Hearts fly from Lopunny towards Lucario. One touches Lucario. He smiles at Lopunny and I see hearts in his eyes. Eve giggles. "Imagine Riolu looking like that."
Riolu glares at Eve. "I heard that."
"I know."
I sigh. "Lucario, snap out of it. Aura Sphere!"
Lucario ignores the order. "Hi Jump Kick!"
Lopunny leaps into the air and flies at Lucario foot first. She collides with him. "It's super effective!" Roark shouts.
Lucario is lying on the ground, knocked out. "She dropped his guard with Attract and risked using Hi Jump Kick."
"Amazing," Maylene says."
She returns Lucario and walks to Dawn. "Congrats, Dawn. You've earned this."
She hands Dawn her badge. "This is the Cobble Badge."
Dawn smiles at her. "Thank you for the battle."
I stand up and start walking to the battlefield. Dawn and I meet on the stairs. We embrace. "Good luck," she says.
"I don't need luck."
"Watch out for the Z-Move."
"I will. I can handle it."
Eve and Riolu stand on either side of me. Eve looks up at me. Maylene starts laughing nervously. "I have to head to the Pokémon Center. I don't have any healing items left."
I chuckle. "Go ahead. I'll wait."
"So who's going first?" Eve asks.
"I want to," Riolu says.
"Not yet. I have high hopes for you later."
He groans. "You have a very important role in my plan."
He nods. "Okay."
"So, me?"
"No. If Prinplup fails, then you."
She nods, then nuzzles my leg. I sit down and pet the both of them. I grab a case out of my bag. I let out Prinplup. I open my Poffin Case and grab three different kinds. "I made your favorites."
Eve smiles and grabs hers. I give Prinplup's to her and Riolu's to him. Eve eats hers happily. "This is delicious!"
"You make the best poffins."
"That's nothing. I'm sure a bunch of people make better ones."
Eve shakes her head. "Yours are the best because you make sure they're the ones that we like."
Maylene runs in and to her spot across from me. The referee walks up. "Who are you, challenger?"
I cross my arms in front of my face and put them at my sides, flaring up my Aura. Lucario stares at me. "My name is Chris. I'm from Twinleaf Town. I challenge you, Maylene."
She nods. "We accept your challenge."
"The battle between Maylene and Chris will now begin! Send out your first pokémon!"
I nod to Prinplup. She walks out and stares Maylene down. "I can feel both of your strengths," Maylene says.
"Lucario."
Lucario steps in front of her. "Not yet, Lucario."
He stares at me. Maylene shakes him. "Get back, Lucario."
He doesn't respond. "I stopped my Aura, right?"
She nods. Riley stands up. "Aura users can see another's Aura if they choose to."
"Lucario, return!"
She points the pokéball at him. He jumps to the side. He just keeps staring at me. "Lucar!"
He points at me and puts up his fists. Eve gasps and looks at me. "He said he wants to fight you!"
I step forward. "You want to fight a trainer in hand-to-hand combat?"
Lucario nods. "Cario."
I tilt my head. "How about after Barry's gym battle, I show you the power of my Aura?"
Lucario smiles and backs down. "Lucario."
He goes to Maylene's side. "A pokémon wanting to fight a trainer? I've never heard of that." I hear Barry mutter.
I walk back to my spot and nod to Maylene. "Send her out."
She nods and throws Meditite's pokéball. She appears and readies to fight. "Prinplup, let's go! Use Bubblebeam!"
She leaps up and fires a stream of bubbles that explode on Meditite. "Use Confusion!"
Meditite's eyes glow and Prinplup grunts, holding her head. "Use Metal Claw."
Prinplup starts running forward. "Use Drain Punch!"
Meditite runs forward. Their attacks collide, causing them both to slide away from each other. "You okay, Prinplup?"
She nods. "Okay. Use Whirlpool."
Prinplup jumps up and creates a vortex of water. She throws it at Meditite, who is unable to dodge. Meditite struggles to get free. "Swim through the vortex and finish her with Metal Claw!"
She runs forward and enters the whirlpool. I see Meditite fly up and out followed by Prinplup, whose wing is glowing silver. The vortex of water dissipates and Meditite hits the ground, knocked out. Prinplup lands by me. "Great job, Prinplup!"
Maylene returns Meditite. She sends out Machoke. "Focus Energy, then use Karate Chop!"
"Don't let him get near you! Bubblebeam!"
Prinplup fires a constant stream of bubbles at Machoke, who runs through the bubbles. He chops her aside, causing massive damage. Prinplup gets up slowly and glares at him. Prinplup glows cyan. "Torrent. Okay, use Bubblebeam for cover, then use Metal Claw."
She fires bubbles at Machoke and dashes at him. "Strength!"
They both clash for power. They're evenly matched. Suddenly, both of them glow white. Both Maylene and I gasp. "A double evolution?!"
Machoke grows two more arms on his back and grows taller. Prinplup grows a bit and her beak forms a trident. Her wings become more jagged. They stop glowing. "Machamp!"
"Empol!"
Maylene grins. I smirk. "Aqua Jet!"
"Dynamic Punch!"
Empoleon jets through the air before aiming directly at Machamp. Machamp punches Empoleon as they collide. They both slide back several yards. Empoleon and Machamp stare at each other before Empoleon flinches and falls over. I sigh and return her to her pokéball. "You did great, Empoleon."
Eve walks to the battlefield. Maylene takes a deep breath. I do too. "You ready Eve?"
She looks back at me and smiles. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good. Quick Attack."
Eve dashes at Machamp. "Karate Chop!"
Eve hits Machamp in the stomach and he chops her down. Eve gets up without a scratch. Maylene gasps. "What?"
"Fairy type. Fighting isn't very effective."
"In that case, Strength!"
"Moonblast! Finish him."
Machamp runs forward, but Eve jumps up and creates a pink orb in front of her. "Syl… ve…"
She fires it. "On!"
Machamp grabs it, trying to knock it away. He grunts under the pressure. "Dazzling Gleam!"
Eve runs forward and glows brightly. Machamp grunts and the Moonblast consumes him. He slides up to Maylene, unconscious. She returns him. Lucario steps in front of her and smiles at me. "Eve, come back."
She looks at me. "What?!"
"Steel is super effective against you."
She nods and runs back to me. "Now's the time, Riolu."
He nods and runs out to face his evolution. The two stare each other down. "What's he doing?" Barry asks.
"I don't know, but I'm sure he has a plan," Dawn answers.
Maylene looks at us. "Okay, Lucario. Use Aura Sphere. Finish Riolu in one hit."
Lucario brings his arms to his side. "Aura Sphere, Riolu."
He nods and brings his arms to his side. They both form their Aura into a ball and throw it forward. They both collide in mid-air. They cancel each other out and explode. Maylene is watching in awe. "Riolu is very powerful. He probably has the most potential out of all of my pokémon."
"Force Palm, Lucario."
"Force Palm, Riolu."
They both dash forward and clap their hands together. A shockwave blasts through the gym. Dirt blasts into the air around them. "Metal Claw," Maylene commands.
"Dodge it and use Aura Sphere!"
Riolu jumps through the dust. Lucario slashes his spikes below Riolu. Riolu creates an Aura Sphere in one hand and combines it with Force Palm. He forces it into Lucario's face. Lucario flies back, but lands on his feet, sliding towards Maylene. He is all scratched up. Riolu puts his fists up, flaring up his Aura. Lucario does the same. His is more intense due to the damage he took. Riley smiles. "Lucario's Aura gets stronger the more damaged he is."
The pair run forward and grab each other's fists. Lucario gains the upper hand and is about to connect with Riolu's face. "Endure!"
Riolu braces himself as Lucario punches him. Riolu slides back towards me, falling over. He gets up, panting. He doesn't have much fight left in him. "You okay?" I ask Riolu.
"Yeah. I'm ready."
"Good. Run towards Lucario and get ready to attack!"
Riolu runs forward and faces Lucario. "Force Palm!" Maylene yells.
"Dodge it and use Reversal!"
Lucario thrusts his arm forward. Riolu jumps to the left, avoiding the blast of Aura. Lucario gasps as Riolu's Aura flares up more than it ever has. Riolu punches Lucario in the chest and he flies back towards Maylene. She braces for impact, but Lucario flips back and lands on his feet. Riolu and Lucario both pant as they stare each other down. The referee watches closely. Riolu drops to his knees, but Lucario falls over, fainting.
Riolu smiles and jumps up in victory. "We did it!"
I run forward and catch Riolu. He hugs me as Lucario gets up, smiling. "The winner of the match is Chris from Twinleaf Town!"
Maylene and Lucario walk forward. Maylene holds out the Cobble Badge. "Take it. You've earned it."
I take the Cobble Badge. "Thank you."
I look at Lucario. "Do you still want that battle?"
Lucario shakes his head and looks at Riolu. "Cario."
"He said I was enough of a challenge, Chris," Riolu translates.
"Keep training him well, Chris," an unfamiliar voice says.
Lucario is smiling. "I will, Lucario. I promise that."
Maylene is looking around. "What's going on?!"
Lucario, Eve, Riolu, and I laugh. Maylene looks around. "What are you laughing for? Tell me!"
"It's nothing you need to worry about."
She groans. "I guess I have to thank you, though."
"Why?"
"You got Machoke to evolve. I've been trying to do that for a long time. Empoleon put up a great fight, too."
"You're welcome. You might want to heal your pokémon before you battle Barry."
She nods and runs to the Pokémon Center.
An hour later, we walk out of the gym. Mom lets out Pidgeot. She turns to me. "Chris. You've really grown up since I've last seen you. Both you and Dawn have. Please get back the Lake Trio."
I nod. "I promise."
"And when you meet Cyrus again, be sure to knock some sense into him for me!"
I nod. "I promise."
She hugs me. "Goodbye. Save the world. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Dawn walks to her and hugs her. "Bye, future Mother-in-Law."
"Goodbye Dawn. I'll miss you, too."
Barry walks forward. "Can you tell my Mom I said hi?"
"Sure thing. I won't mention anything about Team Galactic, too."
I smile. "Thanks."
Mom looks at Roark and smiles. She walks over and kisses him. Riley, Barry, Dawn, and I gasp. Roark is completely shocked. Mom lets go of him. "Call me later, okay?"
Roark is smiling like an idiot. "Okay…"
Mom waves at us and climbs onto Pidgeot. Roark readjusts his glasses. "Take us home, old friend."
She nods and starts flying away. Dawn, Roark, Riley, and Barry wave as she leaves. I look at Roark. "I guess I'll have to start calling you Dad, won't I?"
Roark laughs nervously. "No! You don't have to!"
"Alright, Dad," I say, jokingly.
"I said not to!" Roark says, blushing.
Dawn intertwines our arms. Eve wraps her feelers around my other arm. I sigh. "Yare yare daze. Two clingy women in my life."
Dawn giggles and kisses my cheek. "You bet," Eve says.
Riolu climbs onto my shoulder and sits behind my neck. "Let's go to the Pokémon Center and go to sleep," I say.
"I second that," Barry says.
We walk to the building as the sun sets on the second day without the Legendary Pokémon.
[Cyrus' POV; Team Galactic HQ]
I walk through the halls towards the laboratory. I open the door and lock it behind me. Charon turns to me. "Ah, Cyrus. I see that you came to see the progress of my studies on the Lake Trio."
I glare at him. "Is something wrong?"
"I never said you could cause physical harm to them!"
"I'm aware of that, but who is in charge of the laboratories?!"
"If I recall, I'm the leader of Team Galactic."
"You know that both of us created this organization to benefit ourselves."
"I never said you could bring harm to pokémon, especially the Legendary Pokémon."
"The Red Chain will harm both Dialga and Palkia when they appear."
"That cannot be avoided. This can!"
Charon turns his back to me. "I don't need to listen to you, Cyrus. You know that. I paid for this lab to be built! How much did you contribute? Absolutely nothing!"
"I had no money, Charon! My parents cast me out. I had no job and no family!"
The door opens. Both of us turn and see Saturn standing at the door. He shudders. "Cyrus! How unexpected. I came to check on the progress of the Red Chain!"
"You heard nothing."
He nods. "Understood!"
He closes the door. "Anyway, I have a proposition, Cyrus."
"What is it?"
"Hand over the leadership position to me. Then, maybe, I will stop my experiments you seem to hate so much."
"Why would I do that?"
"Why do you care so much for them?!"
"Pokémon shouldn't have to suffer! They are harmless creatures that are friends to humans! Do you know how hard it was to bring myself to hurt the boy, Chris!"
"Since when did our emotionless leader become so soft? Maybe it is time for me to take control. You seem unfit to command."
He opens a drawer and pulls out a remote. He presses a button. I hear my jacket click. I look around it. "What did you do?"
"You can't take it off now."
He turns a dial on the remote and presses a button. I feel a shock. I scream in pain and drops to my hands and knees. He stops the shocks. I pant. I feel sweat drip from everywhere. "Beg for mercy, Cyrus."
"You hurt them."
I feel another shock. I feel my muscles twitching. I growl. "I can't let a monster like you live."
I surround myself in my Aura and attempt to touch him. He steps backwards and holds the button down. I scream and fall flat on the floor. He doesn't relent. "I'll give you one more chance! Let the experiments continue or die! Don't even think about talking about this to anyone. I've planted a bug in your jacket. I can hear everything you say."
I grit my teeth. "Fine. You win."
I feel the shocks stop. I get up and put my hand on one of the Lake Trio's tanks. I look up and see Mesprit looking at me. "Cyrus…"
I look down and grit my teeth. "Thank you," she says.
[Saturn's POV]
I take my ear away from the door and walk down the hall. I go to my quarters and sit at my desk. I think about what they said. "Screw the new universe," I say to myself.
A few hours later, I watch Charon from the window of his quarters. He finally goes to sleep. I smile and walk down to Cyrus' office. I open the door and wait for it to close behind me. Cyrus is sitting with his back to me. "Why are you here Saturn?"
"Charon is asleep."
"What?"
"I eavesdropped on your conversation after I closed the door."
"You…"
"I want to help you free them."
Cyrus spins towards me in his chair. "To do so would be mutiny."
"I'm fine with that."
Cyrus grins. "Meet me here tomorrow when Charon goes to sleep. This will take a lot of planning."
"How long do you think it could take?"
"Charon sometimes stays up several days at a time and he has security camera footage of the lab in his room. He probably has his remote to electrocute me in his room, too. It could take months before our plan is ready. Talk to Grunts that you trust will follow your every command. Only take the ones who think what Charon is doing is wrong."
"I will start soon."
"Good."
I walk to the door and stop before I open it. "I bet Mars would join our cause if you didn't kill her."
"What are you talking about?"
"She never really wanted to capture the Lege-"
"No. The four of them are still alive."
I gasp and look at Cyrus. He is smiling. His Crobat is smiling as he pets it. I smile. "It's nice to meet you for real."
"Same to you, Saturn."
I walk out of his office.
