Chapter 34: In Life Or In Death: Our Bond Shall Never Break

It took a while for the Pokémon and his original partner to speak up once again. The Pokémon needed time to recover from his emotional outburst and neither of the girl interrupted him.

Angel was still taken aback by his sudden attitude. She knew he was kinder than he first seemed, but never expected the ghost type to cry like that, she was that important to him. She remained quiet. The child felt as if she wasn't a part of it. She was only a spectator.

Are you feeling better? Heaven gently asked him as Dusknoir looked in her eyes.

The ghost type managed to calm down and nodded, "Y-yes. Heaven, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I did that. I can't believe."

You can't believe what?

"I- I- I… I forget about you Heaven. I forget everything we did together. I let you here alone for so long!" the heartbroken ghost type replied as he hugged her once again.

The spirit didn't immediately reply. She simply gazed at the poor Pokémon with a kind smile and put her hands on his shoulders, Dusknoir. I forgive you. You couldn't know what happened. Even I didn't know that I died until, she played with her blond hair, that only the ghost type could see from his memory, my hair was somehow back. I thought that the same day was just not coming to an end. I realised that I died, but you were gone. I looked outside and the sky was also gone. Dusknoir, I don't mind how long I waited for you. I always knew that you will come back one day. That we will be together one day. I know you too well.

"But I forgot you."

It was better than being forever sad. I don't want you to feel sad or heartbroken for the rest of your life. I forgive you my friend. I forgive you a thousand time over.

Dusknoir looked at her gentle smile and knew that she forgave him. The Pokémon said, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

The spirit gazed at the girl behind them who remained quiet. Heaven carefully looked at the girl and asked, it seems we forgot about your friend. Who is she?

The ghost type turned towards her and felt a little awkward and ashamed that the living human saw him cry out like that. He scratched the back of his head, trying to recover from his awarded and answered, "This is my… current partner Angel."

Angel wanted a little to say that the Pokémon liked to call him stupid human, but that would be way out of place and a little cruel.

Angel. It seems there is a lot that I missed when I was here, the spirit looked outside the window, in the city covered by darkness, what happened to you after I was gone? I cannot help but wonder.

Dusknoir explained everything, while the young child added things when they reached the moment, they met each other's until the present time.

Heaven looked saddened by the news, poor Druddigon. He suffered so much because we were gone. Her voice sounded sad. She would have cried if she was still alive, you too Dusknoir. Both of you suffered so much. Not just you… Every Pokémon who lost their friends, she looked at them and added with a small smile, but I'm glad you found a new friend. Angel was it?

"Yes," she replied as she approached the spirit.

My name is Heaven. I was Dusknoir Pokémon Trainer when I was alive. We went through so much. It is a big story, but I'm sure Dusknoir will tell you one day. She turned her gaze to her partner, I'm sure you think she looks like me right Dusknoir.

He crossed his arms and replied, "Wha- N- no. Maybe a little, but that's only that. She is not your sister."

You totally think that.

Dusknoir blushed but didn't reply at that. His red eye gazed at her and asked, "How did you hold on for so long Heaven? You were alone for millenaries and… you're still not tainted."

I knew you would come one day Dusknoir. I always believed you would. Arceus must heard my prayers. I prayed for so long, the spirit raised her hand and the Pokémon gently grabbed it, it's sad that I cannot feel your hand. It's neither warm or cold. I just feel little of your hands.

"You are a spirit Heaven. Even so, I'm so glad I've found you. I should have come sooner… But I forgot you," guilt awakens in the ghost type, "I don't know how I didn't try that."

What do you mean?

"I've… When you disappear, I… I don't know why I didn't even try to find you with my antenna. You were a spirit and-" he was quiet as he looked down. He already knew why. He refused to believe she was dead. Disappearing out of thin air was just not the way anyone die. He looked at her and whispered, "I should have tried."

Don't worry about it. I'm happy you two searched for us for so long… but we hurt you so much, she was saddened by what they put their partners through.

"Miss Heaven…" Angel hesitated. She was the one who had to bring this up. Her partner was incapable off. The child thought it was going to drag on and on. The world was potentially in danger with dangerous and corrupted spirits that could roam free in the world. She nervously gazed at her partner, while the spirit gently said.

What is it?

"I'm sorry Dusknoir but… We also have a mission here," the child started.

You came to prevent the spirits to hurt Pokémons. You did tell me why you came here, the spirit understandably replied as she looked at her partner.

"It can wait," the ghost type ordered, "There is so much to say."

The child hesitated to reply. She had too. Even if the Pokémon started hating her, "I know, but-"

"It's been more than five thousand years Angel!" the ghost type yelled.

Don't yell at her Dusknoir, Heaven gently asked.

The ghost type looked down as the spirit stood up from the bed and grabbed his hands.

"S-sorry," the Pokémon quickly replied.

Angel looked down and wanted to say something else. She had too, but the ghost type was upset at that thought.

Dusknoir. She is right, the girl told him.

"Heaven-"

She raised her finger and continued, I know it is something horrible I am saying, but I know what's going on. The spirit looked outside the window, towards the black orb, I can see and feel the malevolence of the tainted of the spirits in the air. I… I thought I could join the realm of spirit Dusknoir, but I am trap here, the spirit turned around, So I waited, knowing that you would come one day.

"Miss Heaven, you want us to free you from here?" the child asked.

The spirit nodded while the Pokémon protested, "But we are finally together again Heaven. Finally."

I know, but I'm… the mood changed as the spirt tone turned into a sadder one, afraid.

"Heaven, you have no reason to be afraid. I'm here," the ghost type said.

"We are here to help you. We are members of the rescue team," Angel added.

I fear that I might become tainted one day. I'm just lucky I didn't until now. Recently I- the spirit hesitated for a few seconds. She embraced her old partner; Dark thought are starting to come in my mind. That I should do horrible things.

"You will never do that Heaven," Dusknoir replied as he pat her back.

Those are not my thought Dusknoir. Those are from the spirits that wants to hurt the outside world. They want revenge for their demise. Revenge on Pokémons.

"What?" The members of Team Salvation yelled.

The only reason nothing is going on is… That we are weighting them down. Me and other spirits are preventing anything from happening. Not just them, but those who are not aware of their death. Soon… I'm afraid it will overwhelm us. That's why I have a mission for you.

The ghost type knew where this was going. He wanted to protest, but if he let her be, he will still lose her. Not her spirit, but who she was, "What is-" he couldn't say more.

Angel asked, "What is the mission? We will not fail."

The red eye of the ghost type turned towards her and lightly nodded, she is a little like you Heaven… Just a little.

I want you to stop those spirits for taking their revenge. You are all innocent. I… the spirit said nothing else.

"You want to stay with me Heaven?" the ghost type asked.

Yes, but I can't… Not when so many will be hurt. That's why… I must go. I'm sorry Dusknoir. I'm… going to hurt you yet again.

Dusknoir put his bravado face, even if he was torn apart inside, "I understand. We will accomplish our mission. We never failed before," he pat her back again, before slowly releasing her.

Dusknoir.

"What is it?"

It's… so good to understand you.

"Yes," the ghost type replied, before sobbing, "I wanted to talk so much to you… just like that."

Angel grabbed one hand of her partner, while the spirit did the same with his other hand.

Right then, the ghost type could feel for a second the same thing from them. The feeling of their warm. Even if Heaven's wasn't there anymore, those memories was still there. The memories of her warm's hands. They way they held his hands were similar, maybe… Angel is… he ended his thought.

The spirit released his hand and said, you must go. You don't have much time. Dusknoir, you are the best thing that happened in my life. You made me truly happy, even now.

The ghost type nodded and replied, "You changed my life for the better Heaven."

Angel. Please watch my partner for me. He is a kind Pokémon.

The girl replied, "I know," I saw who he really is, "I promise."

Thank you. Good-bye.

The duo turned around and walked outside of the room. Dusknoir gave one last glance before they leave. Once they were, the floor wasn't the normal hospital, but the ruins of it. The floors, walls and the ceiling were cracked by the passage of time. Most object that could have been found had been broken. When they observed it a little closer, they could see that Pokémons surely had fought there with the holes and traces of violence. There were also a few bones and skeleton of dead Pokémons that remained even after all this time.

"Things went horribly wrong," the ghost type concluded. It was the only thing that he was glad he missed. The Pokémon knew that would have devastated himself and his friend Druddigon if they witness such a thing. Now that his memory was back, I wonder if you are in town, he wondered to himself.

They climbed down the ruined stairs of the hospital. Angel observed her partner and noticed that his shoulders were down, just like his head, "Are you okay?"

"No. Obviously. I have no time to think about it. Heaven asked us to…" no other words came out. The simple perspective of releasing her was scary.

"You sure everything's going to be fine? You are-"

"It won't," the ghost type answered, suddenly stopping when they were on the second floor, "I remembered so many things and- I still can't believe I forget everything. She was everything to me and I just- How could I've?" he covered his face in shame.

The child didn't know what to say. Everything was complicated for her. She could barely say a few things to Heaven and Dusknoir.

Her partner was now looking at her, waiting for an answer that never came. The Pokémon nodded, "Couldn't answer?"

"I just… I just don't know what to say Dusknoir."

"That's okay. You are a stupid human after all," he then continued to go down the stairs with his partner following him.

"Sorry."

"Don't mind it. Angel. Thank you," he said as they were back at the entrance.

"For what?"

"For bringing back everything I forgot. I'll… I'll make sure I never forget about it again. I have too," he looked at his hands, "Because Heaven gave me so much that even forgetting about her was horrible."

"Sure," she lightly smiled as they went outside.

Once the door was opened, Team Tempest turned around and rushed towards them.

"Are you okay? Did anything bad happen?" Heracross worryingly asked as he checked on the child.

"You disappeared for a few hours!" Scyther grunted as he joined them, blade crossed in front of him.

"We were worried!" Ariados said, surprising them with her emotional outburst, "When you went in this place, we followed you, but you were gone!"

"Tell us what happen right now," the green bug Pokémon ordered.

The duo resumed what happened in the hospital. Dusknoir was more hesitant when it was about his partner, thinking back. He eventually briefly told about Heaven and who she was.

"She was your partner? Tell us more," Heracross asked as he came near the ghost type.

The ghost Pokémon didn't really want to talk more about it and avoided looking at Heracross.

Scyther grunted, "Not now Heracross. The virgin doesn't want to talk about it and we don't have time for this. We have something more important right now," he pointed his blade at the ominous black orb floating in the air. The ghost type grunted at the insult.

The blue beetle Pokémon nervously chuckled at the reminder, but his face turned into a more serious expression.

"Heaven also gives us a mission," Angel started. That got the attention of Team Tempest as they all looked at her, "She wants us to stop the spirits from obtaining their revenge."

"Revenge?" the trio asked the duo.

"Yes. Heaven told us that those spirits wants to get their revenge on those who killed them. As every human is gone…" the child was hesitating a little.

"They want to exterminate Pokémons as well," Ariados understood.

That turned the mission from urgent to critical.

"Exterminate us? We didn't ever cause it!" the green Pokémon yelled, before wondering, "Is it?"

"There is no way we cause it. Arceus is the only one who knows the true answer. They were dead for so long and unable to join the spirits. The corruption of their spirit turned towards Pokémons," Dusknoir said as he went forwards, "Let's go. Heaven doesn't want to be a part of this and I will never let her become what she isn't. Never!"

Team Tempest could only understand that the spirit he met was more than they could have guess. They could hear his determination to make sure it would never happen.

"You can count on us Dusknoir," the leader of Team Tempest said.

The ghost type didn't reply but nodded, what's going on with Scyther?

"Dusknoir. Does that mean that we will meet the spirits of people you know?" Heracross asked.

The ghost type didn't reply as he looked forward and took the lead.

"Heracross. It's not a good idea," the girl warned him.

The blue beetle Pokémon sighed, but nodded, "I'm sorry."

The ghost Pokémon wasn't pissed off at the question, but it awoke the question in him. Would he meet Druddigon and Stephen? Are you together once again Druddigon? He thought as sorrow came back to him. He grasped his courage and focused on his task, he will deal with those questions when the time came.

AC: This is the end of this chapter. It's a little shorter than the previous big one, but I put everything I needed here.

Next: Hunting Voices.