(AN) Welcome one and all to the second major arc of PoD! I've been looking forward to this for a loooong time.

Let's begin, shall we?

Beginning of Second Arc

Chapter 17: Recovery

Matt

…

…darkness…

...was this what death was like? Endless, all consuming darkness?

At least I protected everyone in their hour of need. That was all that mattered to me. Even if I died, my life was for them. I wished I could have said goodbye, if only to tell Hazel I loved her. I didn't live for very long, but...I felt satisfied with how I died.

"He's stirring! Get the duchess in here!" Called a distant voice. Strange...I thought I was dead… "Heart Rate increasing!"

…

What was happening?

...

"Come back to us, Matthew…" I heard Hazel's distinct accent calling to me, a tight feeling squeezing my paw. "Please...come back to me...we can live a happy life together...please, Matthew…"

Her voice sounded desperate as the everlasting darkness began to light up.

"I love you…" Hazel cried.

"A-and I love you…" I really responded and opened my eyes, seeing a large group of Pokemon gathered around my bed in this infirmary. Judging from the sunlight pouring in through the windows, it was morning. I felt dizzy and weak. Groggy. I didn't understand how I was alive. I weakly looked to my left, where a very shocked eevee was staring at me while lying down on my bed, cradling my larger paw in hers. I smiled weakly. "G-good morning..,"

Silence. Overwhelming silence. Everyone in the room could barely comprehend this.

"M-Mathew!" Hazel immediately burst into tears and threw herself into my side, clinging onto me for dear life. I felt her tears running down onto my cheek as she bawled into it. I weakly threw my arm around her and held her as tight as my tired body could. "I-I...oh, my stars, I can't believe it…Mathew…"

"Yo...this ain't a dream…?" Helios climbed up onto the bed with an extinguished tail, sitting by me with crossed legs. He looked like he was holding back tears. He sharply inhaled and crawled up to me, hugging me as well. He was warm. Very warm. But the way his erratic and sharp breaths was on my neck indicated to me that he was sobbing ever so quietly. His hug was tight, loving. "Matt...w-welcome back…"

Lastly, Thetis jumped up, crying in utter relief. He didn't contain himself like Helios did, he let himself sob into me.

"...Dude...welcome back...I can't believe it…" The mudkip shuddered and held me tight.

I felt a true warmth as my three closest friends held me tightly. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around them all as best I could, starting to sob lightly. I could barely remember anything about what had transpired last I was awake, but I was happy I wasn't dead yet. Luck must've been on my side.

"Vhat did I say vhen she patient awoken?" A harsh voice called, causing everyone to look at the door. Emerging was an audino, wearing a doctor's coat, adjusting his glasses. He walked past all the beds and other patients and shooed Hazel, Thetis and Helios away from me. "Patients who have suffered comas are very weak and delicate, vithout proper workout or stimulates, zhe muscles degrade! Though, zhis one seems cognitive and mostly aware. Güt, güt."

The audino cleared his throat and looked over some papers that were on the foot of my bed and started looking them over.

"Let's see, Matthew John Wolfe, born November twenty-second...patient is sixteen years old and is one hundred and forty-nine centimeters tall. Eighty pounds due to muscle atrophy," He overlooked his notes. Strange, I could have sworn I was fifteen… and since when was I 4 '11 too? How long was I out? The doctor pulled a pen and swayed it back and forth before my eyes. I followed it with my eyes. He nodded and put the pen away. "Ten times seven."

"Seventy." I responded.

"Twenty times four?"

"Eighty."

"Cognitive abilities are not damaged, no sign of brain damage," the doctor nodded. "Alright, you probably need a bit of an update on vhat happened. You have been comatosed for two months now. Vhile your body is unharmed, it seems you were on the brink of life and death when you healed all of us. Very impressive, coming from a doctor. Now that being said, I doubt you are in a position to walk, your muscles are weakened and in need of work out. Also you need plenty of food to get to good fitness. Oh! General!"

The audino saluted and stood out of the way as the luxray general walked in, looking proud at me. In her mouth she held a small box.

"I came as soon as I heard you were awake, Matthew," The general gave me an uncharacteristically large smile as she placed the box on my lap. She stood back and saluted. "As Minutemon General, I wholeheartedly thank you, not just as a leader, but as a friend. Without your noble sacrifice, Helios, Thetis, Hazel would all be dead. Despite your age and circumstances, you stood up to Starmie, and without you, he wouldn't have been distracted enough to have later been injured and killed. You won us a great victory against our enemies, Mr Wolfe. And I can't thank you enough. For your noble deeds and willing to sacrifice all, I award you the Medal of Gallantry, the highest medal of the Minutemon."

Everyone else in the room minus Hazel saluted as I opened the box, revealing a gorgeous gold lion head medal supported by a blue ribbon. It sparkled in the morning sun that trickled in. I held it high as everyone honored me. My heart beat hard in my chest. Was this what being a hero felt like…? I felt like I was about to faint. I had only done what was required of me.

"Now. Let;'s give the Duchess and Mr Wolfe some privacy," The general nodded and turned on her heel after saluting me once again.

One by one, the room cleared, leaving just Hazel and I, alone. The eevee jumped up onto the bed and scooted over to me, careful not to hurt me. She looked into my eyes, tears flowing freely. She pressed her forehead into mine and sobbed under her breath. I couldn't help but start crying too, as I didn't want her to suffer even more.

"Thank you, Matthew…" Hazel sniffed and looked me in the eye. "My spine was broken that day...I thought I was going to die...never to see my parents...Thetis and Helios...or you ever again...but you saved me...You gave up your life force...just to see us safe again...you almost died for us...you're so much more than I thought you were…"

She flashed a smile and held my paw in hers.

"You're a true hero…" She kissed my cheek. "And you're the greatest hero the world has seen. At least, to me. Even Shaun, Byrd and all that...can't compare to you. I've seen what bravery is."

"I-I...Thank you, Hazel...for believing in me so much…" I cupped her cheek in my paw. "For the first time, I feel accomplished...worthy of my family name…"

"You're the Wolfiest Wolfe I've ever met...well, even if you're the only one I've met~" She winked and nuzzled me. "I'm sure your family would be proud of you, no matter what, Matthew. Every family would be honored to have you, luv."

She blushed and leaned into me. I leaned into her as our lips met. Last time didn't exactly count, we were at the ends of our roads and thought death was near. This felt warmer, more genuine. I could feel the love emanating from her as she held my cheeks. This was my first kiss. And I enjoyed every second of it.

"Starting today, we're going to get you on the road to recovery," The brown fox smirked. "You'll look the part of a hero, my darling Matty~"

Day 2- December 22

I weakly held my spoon of soup to my lips, struggling to stay upright in my bed for too long. Muscles felt weak. I needed to get stronger, for everyone! Audino was working on my legs with Heal Bell.

Day 4-December 24th

"You're doing great, Matthew!" Thetis cheered me on as I walked to the end of the castle infirmary with a cane in one hand and Helios holding my arm tightly. It was a struggle to walk, but I had to do this.

"C'mon Matty! You can do it!" Hazel giggled.

"C'mon grandpa!" The charmander joked as he walked me to the door. Once we stopped, I cracked the joints in my toes for once. I was feeling stronger.

"Very funny, Helios…" I gulped and braced myself. "Let me go...I want to try my first step."

Helios smirked and let go of my arm after turning me around. With a sharp inhale, I put my left leg out first, putting all my weight into my cane. I struggled, but managed to put my right foot forward. Again, I repeated these actions. I used other empty beds near me to help keep balance. Despite the weakness, I walked myself to my bed to the cheering of my three closest friends. I felt powerful as they all clapped and smiled. I grinned as I leaned against the bed frame. I loved them so much...

Day 12- January 1st

The new year brought in new recovery. I could successfully stomach solid foods, starting with simple bread at the new year party. The Minutemon threw a huge feast as soon as the clock struck midnight.

I leaned into my cane, wearing my scarf proudly around my neck as Hazel, Helios and Thetis stood by me atop the battlements of the castle, watching the first sunrise draw in. It shone brilliantly over the field, the lake and the castle. I felt this year would be something special. I looked at my friends, then back to the sun rising ever higher in the sky. I turned to the statue of the human hero, Sir Gerald Fritz in the courtyard. He stood tall, holding his sword high. I felt like I could be like him one day. A true hero.

Day 16-January 5th

"Twenty...twenty one…" I sat on the edge of Hazel's bed, lifting dumbells in both paws, with a bowl of high protein cereal on my lap. I was regaining strength every day with physical therapy and healing. Pokemon truly had amazing medical abilities. What should have taken several months of recovery in human hospitals was taking only about two weeks here. "Twenty two, twenty three…"

Every step of the way, I had my friends backing me up, and I could not have been more thankful. Every day I was feeling stronger and more confident. I was even let go of the infirmary and could sleep in Hazel's room. She sat by my side, reading a book while squeezing my tail supportively. She really was the best.

"Just a reminder, luv," She looked up from her book. "We're heading out to the Western Reach in a few days. It'll be a long few weeks of walking, it is five hundred miles to Crucible, and her majesty will not accept anything short of a personal meeting with me. I want to know if you're up for this task, you're still in pretty rough shape there, Matty."

Hazel reminded me with a serious expression. I smiled and put my dumbells down, finished the rest of my cereal and crawled over to her, cozying up to the eevee and threw my arm around her. She smiled and returned the gesture.

"I can handle myself, I'll be in tip top condition by then, and I'll have you by then. We can get through anything together. I think that day two months ago proved that well," I smirked and looked out the window. "You're my confidence, Hazelnut."

"You sappy twat, Matt," Hazel giggled. "I can't believe how confident you've gotten as of recent, you're quite dreamy, are you the same Matt?"

"I think so," I responded and closed my eyes. She was giving me quite the confidence boost. "At least, I hope so~"

"I must have the magic touch," She pressed her head against mine. "The riolu whisperer."

"Don't ruin the moment, Hazel, heh…"

"Hmph. Can't humour me huh?" She scoffed jokingly.

"Nope." I grinned and cuddled into her.

Day 24-January 13

We were all gathered in the main courtyard of the Minutemon castle with the entire scout regiment, packing up supplies and preparing for a long walk west. I sat on a rock, told to wait for everyone to get organised. I twirled my cane around and looked through my bag one last time.

"Let's hope I didn't leave anything behind…" I mumbled as I looked at the minimal contents of my bag. My heart froze when I picked up Sir Bisharp's rainbow feather. I spun the beautiful thing around in my paw, in awe of just how well it reflected light onto me. I hoped he was alright. He may have been my enemy, but...everyone had good in them. He wasn't that much older than me by the looks of things. Regardless, I tried my hardest to get to him, vowing to try harder if we ever met again. I wanted to give him what was rightfully his. Although, before I could finish moping, a charmander sat next to me, his hands behind his head. "Oh, hey, Helios. What's up?"

"Sure you're up for this? Even if the Western Reach's border is just on the horizon, the capital is eons away. You're still needing that stick to walk properly." Helios gave me a concerned look, eyeing up my cane. "I'm just kinda worried you might not exactly make this journey easily."

He placed his right leg over his left. I smirked at him and looked at my legs.

"Don't be, I've survived being on the brink of death," I punched him on the shoulder with a big grin. "I can make it. If not, one of you guys can carry me."

"Not me," Thetis joined us carrying as many bags as his little body could. "Look at the bastard, he probably weighs a ton."

"I'll drag his sorry arse to the Western Reach myself if I have to. By the tail. No mercy," My girlfriend jumped up onto my lap and grinned at me, nuzzling my cheek enthusiastically. In return, I hugged her and layed a quick smooch on her forehead. "I will not be without my squire when meeting Her Majesty. It would be an insult to my authority as Duchess and heir to my house! Don't stand me up you blue prick!"

"I'll try not to, Hazelnut."

All four of us sat there for a moment before laughing and joking with each other. I was glad I was alive. I happily gave my life for all of them, but I was glad I could spend at least for the next little while. Eventually, our commander appeared in the courtyard. The ninetales looked around for a moment before clearing his throat with a smile.

"Alright, Scout Regiment! Attention!" He shouted, catching the attention of everyone in the courtyard. All but Hazel and I gave the femminine fox a salute as a Porygon-Z wheeled a map of the continent behind the brigadier. "As you know, we are heading northwest to the grand city of Crucible in the absolute most northwest of the continent, on this little island here."

He pointed to a large island off the northwestern coast, surrounded by two large arm like peninsulas of the mainland.

"Now, saying that is much easier than doing, scouts. As you all know, the Kingdom of Dracon is pissy about their borders and will not have us walking on any roads without their permission," The ninetale's paw trailed down the map, pointing to the southwest of the castle to a river where a purple border started. "We need to make our way down here to one of their Legion Camps to announce our plans. If not this could be mistaken for an invasion."

HIs smile dropped. Everyone grew silent, by stomach dropped and I fidgeted about nervously where I sat.

"And if they declare war on us...let's just say Starmie's might compared to theirs is akin to a Joltik standing up to a Wailord. If The Western Reach makes a move on us, we are surely doomed." He shook his head and continued his point. "Anyway...they're bound to join us if Mrs Fox there tells the queen Starmie has wronged the kingdom by kidnapping her parents, Duchess Lana Rodrick and Duke Martyn Fox. Our priority is guarding the eevee at all costs. She is the linchpin of our plan. Without her, this war will never be won anytime soon."

"Sir, if I may ask," Hazel jumped over to the map and scanned it. "Which base are we going to?"

"The Vast Wall. How come?"

Hazel jumped up onto the ninetales and began charting a course from the Vast Wall camp to the capital with her claws.

"If we stick to the eastmost border of the kingdom, taking the Bronze Road, we'll arrive at the northern bog in no time. If we're not afraid of miserable weather, ferals and mystery dungeons," The eevee explained to everyone. "The Gold Road is the safest and second shortest, however, everyone takes it throughout the Kingdom. The SIlver Road is the longest and full of military checkpoints. But the Bronze is a short road. It's risky, but short. I got from Crucible to Felicity Creek in only a month because of the Bronze Road."

Troops and scouts chatted amongst themselves as they took the small fox's words into consideration. All eyes eventually landed on the brigadier.

"I suppose the little lady has a point," Ninetales nodded as Hazel jumped off his head and ran over to me. "However, you'll need to be our navigator, Your Grace. We don't know the roads of the Western Reach that well. Are you up for a task like that?"

We all looked at Hazel, who smiled widely and proudly.

"It'd be my honour, Sir!" My girlfriend nodded. "We're saving this bloody continent from Starmie's goons, aren't we? I'll be giving you the full might of the West. It's my duty to lead you to them. It's my job as a Duchess to to such things."

"Well said, Your Grace." Ninetales nodded and turned to everyone. "We leave for Crucible in an hour. If I were you, I would triple check your belongings and say your goodbyes. We're gonna be gone for a while. Your Grace, can I have a word with you about the Western Reach?"

"Of course, Sir!" Hazel smiled and ran over to him.

Thetis and Helios stood and began walking over to their tents, speaking about the upcoming journey, leaving me alone.

While nervous, I was pumped upcoming journey! I had feelings that I came so far, and I wanted to climb even higher. I remembered how much I cried before all this, how alone I felt. I missed my family greatly, but...I felt like I belonged here for a reason, a reason I would find one day. Now that Starmie was dead, was I free? It was strange.

Before I could ponder more, my vision flashed blue and alerted me to something behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I saw my riolu counterpart sat upon the crenulations of the battlements, her aura tendrils blowing in the wind.

"Nice to see you alive and awake, Bluey. It really is," She waved and stood up, turning around and looked over her shoulder like I did. "Don't forget about our next fight now, I'll strike when you least expect me to."

Don't worry, Riley. I won't." I responded and smiled. "I'll be growing stronger every day."

"Look at you, speaking through the aura. You're learning. Enjoy the road trip now. I'll be watching~" She laughed and jumped off the walls to the great unknown.

I smiled and stood, walking to the keep to gather my things before we started on our Great Journey West."

Gene

Grr...this is not where a Bisharp's talents should be today…should have just let Gardevoir leave me at the foot of the castle to die.

I groaned and sliced at wheat with my forearm blades, wincing at the pain in my knee. It had been two months and the injury inflicted by the crossbow had since healed dramatically. I could walk again. I wiped my eyes and threw the produce into a basket around my back. When Gabriel said 'going incognito,' blending into a farming/mining village isn't what I had in mind. Where Gabe had the money to buy this land was beyond me.

I was impressed at how quickly grass and water types could speed up the farming process. The ground here was fertile as anything. Hmph. I suppose it was a nice break and recovery from that war. I looked down and cringed at my missing blades. I was a wreck. I sighed and just continued working.

After about an hour of painstaking work, I had sheared an entire decently sized field of wheat. Hmph. I was simply good at everything I did, I supposed. I looked on proudly at the eight large baskets full of wheat I had collected.

I sighed and sat on a fence, lamenting the loss of my precious rainbow feather. No doubt it was either lost forever or in the interloper's paws. I felt only shame about losing it. That battle was a disaster. In its place, I put a single strand of wheat in my mouth and looked at the blue sky above. I smiled at how the sun reflected on my mangled armour like this. I had to admit, this quiet life was rather pleasant, even if my main skills were being wasted. I felt uneasy that we were providing food for our Minutemon enemies, but alas. A job was a job.

"Ooooohhhh Geeene!" A familiar voice called. From over the fence, Sir Gardevoir waved at me while motioning to a wheelbarrow full of berry baskets."Excellent work there, ahaha~ come. Put your yield in here and we're going to the market to sell this."

"We're?" I squinted and started packing my baskets into the wheelbarrow. "This is the first time you've asked me to join you in the market, hmph. What's changed?"

"Well," Gabriel smiled and started pushing the wheelbarrow away from our farm, passing by all the other farms and some mines. He was simply using telekinesis to push the cart along the dirt road. "Well, remember, you are my 'son,' I just want to get my antisocial child out of the house more, you're almost eighteen, no man of that age should be cooping themselves in the farm for that long, you need to socialise!"

His face turned dead serious and he telekinetically spoke to me.

"And it's a good way for people to grow suspicious of us, they know I say I have a son but you never appear with me. We don't want the Minutemon finding us out." Gabe smiled and waved at a diggersby that was passing by. "Morning, Mr. George! You haven't met my son yet, have you? His name is Gene."

"Mornin, son," the large rabbit held out his hand. Having no other choice, I took it in my gauntlet and shook it. His face dropped when he saw my vast amount of injuries. "Are you...alright?"

"He was in this state when I adopted him as a little pawniard," Gabriel explained so I wouldn't mess anything up. A part of me respected the gardevoir, from the way he saved my life to how much he was covering and providing for me, it was almost...heartwarming. What happened to the degenerate psychologically toying with the riolu and eevee back at the museum? Was it just an act? "Came from the Nakamura Vale down south, must've seen some horrid combat...poor fella. At least he's here, living a better life in Evergreen, aren't you?"

"U-uh, yeah…" I bowed slightly in gratitude, and to hide my face. "It's an honor to be here…"

"Hah! Well, I'm sure you're enjoying yourself in this quiet town," the large rabbit laughed and went on his way. "Heck, I've got a son roughly your age, you two are gonna get on great I bet!"

"Yeah, hopefully…" I continued to bow as the big rabbit walked away, doing his average routine. I felt strange at how kind and genuine people were already treating me. Was this how people who lived simple lives felt? No worries? I almost felt envious… "Are we almost at the market…?"

"Almost, dear Geney," Gabe held a finger up, a slight grin on his face. "Just a few more minutes."

"Any word of Aegislash or Pangoro?" I asked once I was certain no prying eyes were on us. "Or just our army in general?"

"Unfortunately not, Gene." Gabe sighed and dropped his shoulders. Same answer he always gave. "Still left behind. Like dust to the wind...Nothing from Starmie either, concerning considering he should have found us by now."

"I see...that's unfortunate indeed."

I sighed and held my hands behind my head, staring up at the blue sky above. It was a rather pleasant day, I had to admit. Not too cold, not too warm. Just right. It was a change of pace for sure. After a short few moments of movement, we got to this small farming village's center, a town square bustling with Pokemon shopping for food. Gardevoir, using his pocket dimension, set up a stand in a vacant spot and started neatly placing baskets around the stall to sell. He then threw a small bag full of coins over to me and smiled as I barely caught it.

"Here. Don't spend it all in one place!" Though he smiled, I felt him enter my mind with his telepathy. "And for heaven's sake, try to blend in at least somewhat!"

I simply nodded and turned on my heel, going whatever direction fascinated me. I first walked past a few stalls and scanned what they had to sell, pretending not to look because of antisocial behaviour. I squinted in sheer confusion as a Miltank was selling large bottles of moomoo milk. Did she...produce those herself…? I was lactose intolerant, so I didn't have to sample it, but it still was slightly odd to me.

Next stall I saw was selling a variety of seeds and herbs, most of which smelled very pleasant. An aromatisse ran this stand and seemed to be making a decent amount of money. Next to her stand was the diggersby we met earlier, chortling as he spoke with Flygon. He was selling carrots, parsnips and turnips. They looked tasty. George & son the sign read.

However, in my moment of distracted walking I bumped into someone who immediately fell over upon walking into me. I didn't budge because of the weight of my armor. On the ground, scanning themselves for injuries was a Lopunny, a farmhand by the looks of the basket and scattered carrots. I hastily offered my hand to them, which took them a moment to notice.

"I'm sorry...I wasn't looking where I was going…" I mumbled as they took my gauntlet in their delicate paw. I effortlessly helped them to their feet and began picking up the dropped produce as they brushed themselves up. "I'm a bit clumsy sometimes…"

"N-no no, don't be!" The rabbit stuttered in a surprisingly masculine voice which caused me to eye them up. They were definitely not a female from looks alone. Less curvy body, well toned arms and legs and they even had visible pecs. I blushed and looked at my chest, never seeing a male Lopunny before. I looked at the produce he had, then to him, then to his stall. Was this the diggersby's son? He did look fairly strong and muscular, for his species at least. After handing him his basket, he stared at me with concerned eyes. Specifically at my chest. "Are you alright? Where are your blades…?"

"I...I lost them when I was younger, they've healed now though," I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly, going along with Gabriel's story. "Was just a pawniard when it happened, doing good now. My name is Gene by the way...I think our dads are friends…mine is the Gardevoir…"

"Oh, I know who you're on about," he smiled and counted his carrots to make sure everything was there. Once satisfied, we began walking to wherever. "Mr. Marshal, was it? My name is Jr. Well, that's what everyone calls me. I'm named after Mr. George...my dad. It's nice to meet you, Gene."

He started by placing the basket at his dad's stall and smiled, taking a small earning of his proceeds as payment. He bowed slightly before leading me somewhere nondescript.

"I was just heading to the cafe, wanna join me?" Jr. smiled somewhat shyly. I held my hands behind my back and looked at my hooves. This was strange. I was a knight, an assassin! But he didn't know that, so he offered to take me out like a...friend. We had just met, yet he was so charitable. I felt honoured deep down. "It's alright if you don't wanna."

I took his offer into consideration. It was a nice gesture Granted, any gesture was a nice one to me because of how I was often treated, but still. Hmph.

"A-alright, I have my own money here, too…" I shuddered and looked down more, wondering how long I had to keep this ploy up. I knew not how to socialise, only to fight. "L-lets keep going…"

"Right," The bunny man nodded and lead me throughout the down, few words exchanged between us. There was a certain pep in his step. He seemed to be genuinely happy with life. I tilted my head and started to ponder. Did those who lead simple lives live happy ones? They had relatively nothing to worry about and nothing to fear. What were they doing two months ago when Lord Starmie, his army and I were attacking? Were they just acting as if nothing was wrong? I almost felt envious. Ignorance was bliss, as one would say. After a few short minutes of walking through town, we eventually came across a small cafe. "This is the place."

Sitting down at the table nearest to the windows, I eyed the menu. Lots of pastries and other dessert type items. Not a lot of meat or fish. As if he could detect my confusion of the menu, my new 'friend' spoke up.

"O-oh uh...shit, you're new right? I should've asked…" The lopunny kicked himself under the table. "Are bisharps carnivores or herbivores? This place mainly caters to people with teeth like mine."

He pointed to the two sharp gnawing teeth in the front of his mouth. They looked like they were designed to eat plants and other such things. With a timid wave of the gauntlet, I flashed a toothy grin. In comparison, my teeth were razor sharp and metal.

"O-oh uh, we're omnivores, these teeth can get through anything…" I looked out the window awkwardly before gazing down at the menu before me, freezing up at the language laid out before me. Utterly incomprehensible symbols and letters were laid out before me. English, as the humans called it. Wonderful. If only I had learned to read it while I learned to speak it. Nervously, I gazed back to Mr. George Jr., compensating for my inability to read his language. "I'll have what you have, if that's alright."

"Of course!" He smiled as a waiter served us. "Two slices of carrot cake, please, you'll love this, uses ingredients from my farm."

As the waiter left, we were left to talk about whatever.

"So...sorry if this might be prodding, but…" The rabbit nervously asked. "What was your home before Mr. Marshal adopted you like? D-don't answer if you don't want to...I was curious because I've never met a bisharp before, let alone one whose body has so much of a story to tell…"

"Well. Life in the Nakamura Vale was tough and full of rigorous training. Combat means everything to a bisharp like me. All the pawniards existed only to evolve into a bisharp, honing their blades and skills until the day they evolve," I explained as our surprisingly large slices of cakes were served to us. "The instructors were hard on us, but they were fair and taught us the values of honor and combat of our people."

"I see…" He nodded and nibbled at his cake. "What caused you to leave?"

"Hmph," I scowled, before trying the sweet, my frown immediately dropping as a divine taste filled my mouth. I had to admit, it was really something. "This is really good! I have to give you and your dad credit, you have some nice carrots. Anyway, my mother was a kind and virtuous soul, not a bad bone in her body. Lost her when I was only young. Dad was...well, his honor and code was held higher than his wife and his oldest...son...me. Eventually after a falling out when I was young, he decided to push me and push me until...this."

I pointed to the broken blades on my chest and on my head.

"O-oh…" The lopunny shuddered and grabbed my shoulder. "I'm sorry...Are you happier here in Evergreen with your new dad, at least?"

His eyes were so soft, so genuine. I was amazed that someone so simple and naive was sympathising with me despite barely knowing my full story. Such innocence and naivety was supposed to be weak and disgusting. But he seemed so...kind and loving. The way people probably held him in high regard in this town. I was confused and truly envious.

I almost wished my life could be as simple as his was. Carefree and with little to worry about.

I thought about my future. Was it worth just swallowing my honour and staying here for the rest of my days? It was a disgrace to my philosophies, but…

"I'm enjoying my time here, so far, it's quiet." I nodded.

"I'm glad you are, Gene!" Goerge Jr. clapped his paws together. "I think we'll be good friends. What about you?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Friends, eh?"

Lana

Through extensive meditation, I observed the outside world carefully. Starmie's men had gotten themselves into a real mess. Forces were scrambled, the Knights were scattered across the continent and...I couldn't sense Starmie anywhere. I even made sure to look around the entire planet just in case, but his psychic presence was completely missing. Was he dead? For two months now, he was gone. His presence was dead. I breathed in sharply and looked at my umbreon husband.

"Martyn. It's time for this nonsense to end," I beckoned him to follow me to the end of the cave, my eyes were starting to glow pink due to psychic. "We've been in his illusion for too long. Remember the plan?"

"How could I?" Martyn smirked, his glowing yellow rings starting to glow. "Don't you wait anymore, Hazelnut, we're coming for you."

With a mixture of psychic and dark energies, we began attacking some sort of invisible barrier keeping us secured in this damn cave. Pink and deep purple blasts assaulted the barrier until it began to crack. I continued searching the cosmos for Starmie's presence, but nothing. He was truly gone. With a sigh of relief, the barrier at the cave's entrance shattered and colour bled into the cave, the once desolate and grey rock turning into a light purple rock. Immediately, Martyn and I sprinted out as fast as we could, feeling freedom overcoming all other senses. My ears twitched at the sound of running water. The cave was short but winding, eventually leading us to a large open area, a sight not of our world.

A distant sun hung over the island we were on, suspended above the endless void of stars and pink nebulae. This island was a dense ecosystem of strange blue trees and deep water that seemed to flow in from nowhere and eventually fell into the vast nothingness below. My husband and I overlooked the vista from atop a small cliff, silent as the wind blew over us for the first time in forever. It was liberating, but was not Gaia, this world was alien. In a way, I still felt imprisoned. Like a prisoner breaking out of their cell, only to be met with a vast prison complex.

We needed to break out of this prison.

"Where are we…?" Martyn gasped, his deep voice seemingly ripped out of his lungs as he saw a flock of unknown bird Pokemon flying overhead. "This isn't Gaia…"

I shook my head, taken away by the visuals.

"This is the Distortion World," I shuddered as I saw a huge serpentine creature flying around islands in the distance, dancing and weaving throughout the endless purple sky beyond. "Gaia's underworld, essentially…"

"And how do we leave this place, then?" Martyn gazed at me with worried maroon eyes. "This isn't gonna be bloody easy."

"My clairvoyance has always been foggy here, but from my research," I began explaining as I looked down at the dense jungles below. They overshadowed a vast majority of my vision of this large island. "There's two ways out. Get Giratina's attention; which might be difficult to say the least, or, we use the displacement devices humans had set up here eons ago as some forward research camp."

"Displacement what-now?" Martyn tilted his head at me, his ears drooping. I just continued looking around. "I'm afraid you'll have to explain what that is to a dummy like myself."

I smirked at the umbreon and pinched his cheek lovingly.

"Essentially a teleporting machine. If we get power for it online and input the right coordinates," I paced back and forth, muttering a plan to myself, my mind racing at a few hundred miles an hour, using my extensive knowledge on humanity. My eyes darted around the alien landscape. "We could use my clairvoyance to circumnavigate going to a predetermined point B on the machines. Essentially we'd just have to find Hazel's position, input the coordinates and then the machine would warp is between dimensions and straight to her. Although finding a machine and a suitable power source might be difficult. I theorise—"

"Hon, you're rambling again," my husband smirked at me and looked around. "We should conserve as much energy as possible and find your displacement thingamajig."

"Again?!" I threw my nose up and walked past him, caressing his body with my tail as I walked by him. "I do not ramble, luv."

I turned around and winked.

"At least, not all the time," I stuck my tongue out and began descending this steep cliff the cave was on. "First order of business is to find a human forward base. It'll have relevant information. Cmon. Let's go."

"Right. Don't worry, Hazelnut...Mummy and Dad are coming for ya…" Martyn mumbled and followed me closely.

I sighed. We were imprisoned for so long, I just wanted to hold my only child again.

She was the only thing on my mind as we slowly made our way into the jungle. Even despite the thick blue canopy of leaves above, light from the vast spatial void above poured on the path, lighting our way. I was quite surprised that there even were paths here. The voidal wind blew over us two, causing me to start shivering. This realm didn't make a lick of sense, but it was quite amazing, if the situation weren't so urgent, I would have tried studying this place as much as I could. I could even make out large and distant islands floating above this one, shadowing a majority of it from the sun.

The path was long and winding, the crunch of fallen alien leaves under my paws reminding me of my childhood in a strange way. I slowed down as we walked past a huge waterfall that poured into a vast chasm below. A chasm that eventually led into the void. I gulped and felt woozy as I looked down at nothingness, stepping back to catch my breath.

"Bloody hell, talk about a drop…" Martyn shuddered and looked down. The umbreon looked at me with a big grin. "Wouldn't wanna bungee jump off that now would we? I wonder what 'appens if we do, would we just like...fall for eternity? Is there an edge to this dimension?"

"Martyn...luv…" My vision was slightly swirly. "G-get away from the edge…You know I don't like heights…"

I breathed in sharply to beat the vertigo that was assaulting my senses, to very little avail.

"Right, 'darlin," Martyn stood back from the edge and nuzzled me. His crimson eyes scanned the environment, the yellow rings and bands across his body glowing subtly. His ears perked up as he noticed something, his tail swishing back and forth. "Over there, look!"

I looked over to where he was adamantly staring at. I noted a bunch of crates and equipment lying around in several states of abandonment. A human camp, perhaps? I carefully approached the base, not sensing or seeing any immediate threats. On the white crates I notest a distinct logo, A 'V' in front of a star. The False Virtue. I squinted and looked around the base. Because of the strange properties of this dimension, it was all in pristine condition despite being left abandoned for over half a millennia. My husband joined me and looked around.

"Well, I guess we've found a place to stay for the time being," He peered over to a collection of tents lying around. "'ts not much, but hell, probably better than that bloody cave, aight?"

"Anything is better than that cave…" I sighed and noticed a peculiar set of machines. I tilted my head and turned a knob on one of them, watching as fresh water began pouring out onto the soil below. I smiled and licked at the stream, enjoying the flavour of cold, fresh water. I looked at Martyn, inviting him over to drink. "Looks like some kind of water collector, it converts the humidity of this place into drinkable water. Brilliant, isn't it?"

"Fuckin' hell, them humans had everything…" The umberon began to drink as I took notes of my surroundings. This camp was a nice small clearing with a few tents and metal buildings lying about. "Mm, this stuff's good."

I nodded in agreement and read the signs on the metal buildings, scratching my chin with my pink paw. We had an armory, infirmary, a lab and a dining area. This settlement almost seemed permanent. I readied my investigation skills, walking over to the jungle settlement of the void as my husband drank, my daughter on my mind the entire time.

End of Chapter