Chapter 49:
After a day of rest to recover, Jude, Lucy, and the others headed for the Blackthorne City prison. Lucy had put in a special request the day before to allow them to speak with the four MUPIC members, being extremely specific in what the meeting would entail.
Jude was back to wearing his old outfit, but also wore a pair of black aviators. He walked between both Lucy and Infernostar, his arms crossed, and his teeth gritted. I thought I took care of you four before. Guess you didn't quite learn your lesson yet He thought, as they approached the prison.
As they arrived, Lucy spoke to the guard in charge of meetings between prisoners and outsiders. "Yes, I am Officer Sparks. I hope the particular setup I asked for is ready." She said.
"Of course, Officer. Right this way." The prison guard said, leading the party into the facility. They passed by several doors, before entering on their right. This one led into a large, isolated room with no windows. In the center of the room there was a large glass panel separating the prisoners from the visitors, with another door on the other side for the prisoners to enter from.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Lucy asked Jude. He took a moment to remove his aviators, before looking back at her, his red eyes glowing. "Positive. I don't let people get away with stunts like this. I have a plan to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
"Please don't tell me it involves what you did with that Gardevoir and Infernostar." Lucy said. She had no idea what Infernostar had done to the Gardevoir, but whatever went on inside their head left quite the impression to say the least.
"I make no promises" Jude replied, turning his attention to the glass. They could see the door on the opposite side open, as one by one, the four MUPIC members entered the room. They were all dressed in prison orange, with a Machamp security guard entering in behind them.
"You have five minutes." The guard said, before leaving and closing the door behind them. The Machamp turned and did the same, leaving the party on one said, and MUPIC on the other.
There was a dead silence between the two groups, before Jude stepped forward. "Been awhile. Enjoy being where you belong?" He said condescendingly, clearly wanting to milk this opportunity before getting to the real event.
"That is no way to speak to a lady, you naughty child." Martha Swamps replied, as she stepped forward. "Someone ought to teach you proper manners. You" she said, as she turned her attention to Lucy. "Should know better than to let your son behave so inappropriately. He needs to be properly punished."
"Silence." Infernostar said, taking a step forward himself. Martha took a second to size him up, her face slowly losing its color, as she stepped back.
"We did not come for your abysmal parenting ideals. We came here for answers." He said, staring them down, his red eyes burning with the desire to destroy.
"Correct. Tell us, did you have an association with a Gardevoir of any kind?" Stark added. The group immediately noticed the MUPIC members fear in their eyes, as the others looked away. Martha tried to calm herself and respond to that statement.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. The only Pokemon that I give the honor of socializing with are those with similar mindsets to how children should be properly handled." She said coldly, though her eyes still showed a sense of doubt.
"Well then. What do you think about that, Jude?" Alucard said, perching on his head before getting shooed off.
"I don't buy it. Let's test it with something different. Infernostar? Artemis? Show them what I mean." Infernostar stepped to the side to allow Artemis some space, their golden markings glowing brightly.
"If you can answer this question again, we'll believe you. But that isn't likely." She said, as she stared down all four members of MUPIC with her deep red eyes. Infernostar grabbed a hold of Artemis' tail before closing his eyes. Within seconds the MUPIC members' eyes glazed over, locked in on Artemis' gaze.
…
The world was pitch black. The only visible things around were the four MUPIC members, who looked around in confusion.
"Wh-Where are we?" The Tangrowth asked in confusion, shifting her gaze around nervously.
"Stay calm ladies. There is nothing these hooligans can show us that will hurt us." Martha replied, standing tall in the sea of nothingness. The others seemed less stern, but obediently nodded their heads in support.
Suddenly, a single, bright light appeared off in the distance, rapidly approaching the four of them. Before they could even react, it suddenly stopped, just a few feet short of them.
It was Infernostar. He was engulfed in a brilliant white flame, the heat unbearably intense for anyone that wasn't a fire type. The four MUPIC members could feel the sweat start to run down their foreheads, which sent them into a panic.
"W-Wait, you said we couldn't be hurt. Then why can I feel this sweat!?" The Blissey exclaimed, as the others started to freak out. Even Martha looked like she was silently shaking with terror, as Infernostars blazing body remained stationary in front of them.
"I shall ask again. Who is the Gardevoir you sent?" Infernostars voice boomed, sending the already panicking Pokémon into hysterics. It took all of Martha's willpower to not break down, as she looked back at him.
"I…I have no idea what you are talking about." She quietly responds. She prays that Infernostar did not pay much mind to her quiet answer, until his head suddenly snaps to her.
"SAY THAT AGAIN." He roared, as the area around them became engulfed in the same white fire that engulfed his body. The sweat poured down the four Pokémon like a raging river, as they each began to break down emotionally.
"I…I-I…"
"YOU SENT THE GARDEVOIR." Infernostar roared again, his red eyes glowing with a deep-seated hatred of what he saw. "ADMIT IT."
"N…N-N"
"YES, I ADMIT IT." Martha turned to see the Tangrowth, Susan, curled up in fetal position. "We called in a specialist to make sure that boy was treated the way he should have been treated. Like a newborn baby. I'M SORRY." She cried, tears and sweat pouring down their face.
"Oh my god, Susan!" Martha said, running over to her fellow MUPIC member. Being a grass-type, this situation was particularly nightmare-inducing for Susan. Martha embraced her as she turned back to Infernostar.
"WE'RE SORRY. WE'LL NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN. I SWEAR." She cried, as she held onto her trembling comrade.
"Good."
With that reality snapped them back to their senses, as the four MUPIC members recoiled from what had just happened. They were all still shaking in fear, as they just stared at Infernostar, not saying a word.
"I take it we found the ones responsible?" Jude asked, turning his head to face Infernostar.
"Correct. I've taken the necessary steps to make sure they never attempt anything of the sort for the rest of their lives." He replied, as the two of them stared at the four terrified Pokémon. To the four of them, the resemblance was uncanny; the two of them shared the same body language, blank yet intimidating expression, and fear-inducing red eyes.
"Fantastic. Now, you four won't be causing trouble anymore, correct?" Jude said. The four of them hastily nodded their heads, avoiding eye contact, as the guard Machamp reentered the room.
"Alright kid, times up. These four have to head back now." The guard said, as the four instantly rushed to return to prison. The guard looked after them with a confused expression, but quickly shook it off.
"Thanks. I think we took care of things rather well, if I do say so myself." Jude said, as the group made their way out of the prison, and started back towards Lucy's home.
"Ok, what exactly happened while you were…taking care of business?" Lucy asked Infernostar, a look of mild discomfort in her eyes.
"You might not want to know. Let's just say I gave them a solemn warning, and leave it at that."
"That's what I was afraid of."
"Don't be. My methods may be a bit forceful to some, but they will keep them in line from now on."
"I guess so. I'm just not a fan of your…style."
"You wouldn't be the first."
Soon the group reached Lucy's home. She invited everyone inside as most of them settled down in the living room. Lucy excused herself to the bathroom, leaving Jude to mingle more with his old team.
"Oop, hang on guys, I'll be right back." He said, getting up and moving towards his room. I should get the picture for them. I know for a fact they'd be ecstatic to see its still intact.
When he entered the room, he made his way over to his desk and picked up the picture frame.
"Mind if I have a word with you?" Infernostar said, nearly spooking Jude. He turned his head to see him standing in the doorway, and smiled.
"Course partner." He replied, as Infernostar entered, closing the door behind him. Jude sat down on his bed as he held the picture behind his back, making sure to contain his excitement.
"Brother, there is something I need to tell you about. Something important."
"Well, out with it then. What is on your mind?" Jude asked. Infernostar looked down at the ground for a moment, taking time to find the right words to use. Once he looked satisfied, he turned his head up to Judes.
"I am going to be leaving for the Wilderness soon. Will you come with me?"
