The only way I can see the first part of this chapter is in first person. I've tried to avoid it up to this point, because I doubt I'd be very good with it. But alas, here we are. The first, and only, first person piece of the story.
Also, a lot, lot, lot of tension in this chapter.So, let's see what's happening in the world of Erratic Fate!
My eyes slowly opened to a field of grey, the blurriness preventing me from identifying anything. I couldn't make out where I was, nor could I hear much. As if I was underwater, a muffled sound repeated into my ears, as I slowly turned my head. Beside where I lay, on the ground was a yellow blob, vaguely in the shape of a quadraped. The thing began to move upon noticing I had awakened, and bolted out of my vision. I tried to open my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I rolled my head back to facing the ceiling, as I attempted to move any part of my body. I vaguely felt my tail twitch, and one of my paws flick. The soft footsteps of someone walking sounded, as I turned my head towards the door to wherever I was. As I watched, another blob entered alongside the same yellow one from earlier. This one was a few shades similar to a peeled banana, and the thought made me chuckle.
"I see you can laugh. That's a good sign. Can you hear me?" The banana blob sounded far away, their voice barely an echo to my ears.
I slowly nodded, barely able to move my neck.
"That's good as well. Can you speak?"
I shook my head gently.
"Why so? Is it pain, lack of voice? Nod for the first, shake your head for the second. If it's anything else, don't respond."
I shook my head once more.
"That's alright, then. You'll be able to talk sooner or later. I promise you, I'll do everything to help you."
I once more nodded, before turning my head back to the ceiling. The pull of fatigue came over me, as I closed my eyes and began to drift off.
The banana blob sounded a bit more clear now, as they said to me, "Sleep soundly, my friend. You deserve it."
Azura yawned as she stretched and rose from her slumber. She cleared her throat and smacked her lips a few time, before yawning again. She looked around her sunlit room, seeing her brother and Nate both asleep at the bottom of her bed, hugging eachother tightly. She smiled, before standing and walking towards the mirror in her room. As she stared into it, she noticed her gem had fully healed already, despite Dr. Cube stating it would take a few days. To test if it was truly working, she looked towards her bed, and began to focus. One of her pillows began to float into the air with a blue glow, before floating towards the sleeping couple and dropping onto them gently. With a mischievous smile, she began to float the rest of her pillows on to them, and when she had finished, the two Pokemon were covered in 6 or so pillows, plus the comforter and blanket. Azura giggled a bit, before walking towards the door and opening it. The Espeon gasped in surprise the moment her face made contact with the side of a red furred Pokemon, who subsequently smiled at her.
"Azura, good morning dear! I hope you slept well. Today, we're going to go have breakfast at that restaurant, and then we're going to the park so we can catch up, and then we're going to-" The Flareon was cut off, as Azura psychically shut her mouth.
She glared at her mother, hatred boiling in her eyes. "What you did to Alex will not be forgiven, Hope. He may not care anymore, but I do. You subjected him to a life he didn't want, and shut him in this house for so long. He wasn't able to develop like a normal Pokemon, he had no friends, no one to talk too, and you forced him to act like me. Explain yourself. Now."
Her mother, the Flareon named Hope, stared in shock, before her maw was released. She squinted her eyes, glaring at the Espeon. "How dare you. Accusing me of such things! It was all his choice, he wanted to become an Espeon, he wanted to be treated like you, he wanted to become you. It was all him, not me. You have no idea how much it hurts to find out our only daughter went missing, only to come back ten years later, and find out she left because of some boy. Imagine how much it hurt him, Azura. Imagine how much it hurt me and your father."
Azura turned and looked at her door, before glancing back at her mother. "You're right. I hurt all of you, but that's no excuse to find a replacement. He told me he wanted to become a Vaporeon or Sylveon. He may not be visibly effected by what you did, but I bet he is effected deep down. And it effects me, Mom. You hurt him more than I did. I bet Dad didn't even have a part in this, did he? Mom, I assure you, if you don't apologise to him for the years of… of basically abuse you put him through, you won't see Jacky or me ever again. And I will gladly open my door for Alex to come live with me when this is all said and done."
The Flareon puffed out her chest, and took a few steps forward, her nose nearly touching Azura's. "Shut up now. Azura, I raised you, and if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't exist. If it wasn't for me, you'd have never even evolved into an Espeon. Remember all the other kids making fun of you at school when you were little? It all stopped after I helped you evolve, didn't it? You ungrateful little brat, you ran away from the very Pokemon who gave you life, just for some Leafeon from the middle of nowhere! You even have a child with that Leafeon! Don't you see, Azura!? This is your chance to start over! Find a new mate, finish your education, make a name for yourself! You don't need Jacky! You don't need anyone but me and your father! Alex didn't fight back, so it's his fault!"
Azura stared deep into the Flareon's burning eyes. A flame lit in her own soul, as her emotions began to build. "You take that back now, you pampered Rattata! You take all of that back, before I hurt you!"
Her mother's yellow mane intensified it's color and the heat resonating from her body, as she pulled back her lips, revealing her teeth. "I will not take back what I said. Aloe was a piece of worthless trash, that degraded you by marrying you. It's a good thing he's dead, because if he wasn't I'd have-"
She was cut off as the Espeon barreled into her, pushing her back only a few inches. Azura's gem glowed slightly before a wave of Psychic power pushed the Flareon further back. With a growl reverberating in her throat, Hope darted once more towards Azura. Flames blew from her mouth, as she leaped into the air. As the Flareon fell towards Azura, she shot a Psybeam from her gem, hitting Hope. The flames died before she had clamped down onto her daughter, as the Flareon yelped in pain, before tumbling into the Espeon. Azura sent off another wave of Psychic, throwing Hope into the air, who fell to the floor and slid a bit away.
"Take all of that back, now!" Azura shouted at the top of her lungs.
Hope stood, shaking herself. "Outside, now. I will not have your stupid tantrum destroy my precious home. We will finish this outside, wether you like it or not."
With that, the Flareon swiftly turned and walked away, heading down the stairs. Azura's pride begged her to follow after her, but the true pushing factor was that her mother had insulted Aloe. With seething anger, Azura followed behind her, quickly exiting the house into the yard. Hope stood on the far left side, so Azura made it to the right side.
"You actually accepted. I haven't punished you once in over 19 years. I guess that ends here. If I defeat you, you will do exactly as I said, and find a new mate, while finishing your education. If you win, I'll take back what I said."
Azura gave Hope a glare, before straightening her back, her forked tail nearly snapping left and right. "No. If you win, you will take back what you said and I'll stay, and keep trying to get my son back. If I win, you will take everything back, apologize to Alex, replace that Espeon statue with a Leafeon, and have hundreds of trees planted in Aloe's name."
Hope glared back. "No."
Azura stared at her for a second, before sitting down on her haunches. "Then you'll have no fight."
"I didn't want to fight anyway." The Flareon also sat down, similarly to Azura.
"Fine then."
"Fine."
The two sat in complete silence, for a few minutes. As they simply stared eachother down, Hope finally sighed.
"Fine, we were both unrightfully mad. I'll apologize, and you'll leave your old life behind. Alright?"
Azura's eyes widened as she look at her mother in disbelief. "Are you stupid or something!? I was rightfully mad! You basically abused my little brother, you proceed to insult my dead mate, try to convince me to forget about my only child, and you think that's unrightful!?"
She stood back up, staring straight into Hope's eyes as she began to walk towards the Flareon.
"Yes. It was indeed wrong. You left us for a boy. But I can forgive you if you forget that life."
Azura was right in her mother's face, her own face slightly red from anger. "Shut up! I couldn't leave my life behind! What's wrong with you!? Would you leave this life you built behind?!"
The Flareon wrinkled her nose. "Get out of my face, before I disown you."
"Do it."
"Im…" Hope's features softened, as she averted her gaze.
"You're no mother to me. I honestly wish our relationship could recover from this, but I doubt it ever will. Goodbye, Hope." With that, Azura turned and began to walk away.
Her ears flicked when she heard her mother mumble something. "What was that?"
"Y-you're not leaving again…"
Azura turned around, and leaped back in fright, because her mother was inches from her face. Tears streamed down the Fire type's face, and her lower lip slightly quivered.
"You're not going to leave us again… Azura, please. I don't want to hurt you."
Azura stared into Hope's eyes. "Apologize, and I'll forget our little disagreement."
"That's not what I mean! Don't ever leave us again, please! We'll buy Jacky from Andre, please Azura!"
Azura was disgusted. "You can't buy a child, Hope. And even if I get Jacky back, he still killed Aloe. Andre needs to pay."
Hope stared into Azura's eyes. "Please… stop calling me Hope…"
"Then start acting like an actual mother, instead of some insane Pokemon collector. You can't just keep someone locked up in your house their entire life."
The Flareon began sobbing, before collapsing to the ground. "I'm so sorry, Azura… I've been a horrible mother to you and Alex… I'm a horrible Pokemon, but please… forgive me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have insulted you, or Aloe, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have raised Alex as if he was you, it was wrong! Please, Azura, find it in your heart to give me one more chance? For your mother?"
She slowly raised herself, her red fur stained with tears. Azura glared for a few seconds, before sighing. "It's alright, Mom. I'm sorry for running away. But I don't regret it. I'm sorry I unintentionally hurt you, Dad, and Alex. I forgive you, if only slightly."
The two embraced for a few seconds, Hope sobbing onto her daughter's back. Azura chuckled a bit, realizing something.
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"I'm pretty sure I got my short temper from you."
"Probably so." Her mother giggled a bit, before they pulled away.
"So… what was he like?"
Assuming she meant Aloe, Azura cleared her throat. "He was really nice, and…"
As they made their way back to the house, she explained to her mother how Aloe had acted, and how much she cared for him.
"Sounds like your father." Hope noted.
Azura shrugged, as the doors to the house opened before they even got close. Out of the doorway stepped Fenris, Alex, and Nate. Hope raised an eyebrow at the smiling Furfrou, anxious Espeon, and calm Liepard.
"Hello… you three. What's got all of you up? And who are you, Liepard?"
Fenris smiled at his son, then at Hope. "First we all woke up from hearing you two fighting. But Alex said it would be alright, and actually healthy for both of you. And then, out of nowhere, this Liepard walks out of the room! Tell her what you told me, Nathaniel."
The Liepard smiled and nodded. He looked at Hope and bowed politely.
"Hello, future mother-in-law."
Hope raised a non-existent eyebrow, then looked at Azura, who grinned and shook her head. Her eyes slowly drifted to the Espeon who was shuffling his feet, and her expression softened a bit. She started towards him, and when she was near inches from him, she pulled him into a hug.
"I'm sorry for what I've done to you, Alex. I hope you and that Liepard have a good life together. I know I've been a horrible mother, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. It was all me who pushed you to be Azura 2.0, you're father had nothing to do with it."
The male Espeon shrugged, but hugged his mother back. As the two Eeveelutions parted, the Flareon made her way to the Liepard, who was still grinning.
"So, you're the one I've smelled on him for the past few years. I suspected it, but I never pushed the subject. Treat my son right, or I'll buy whatever house you move into until your forced to live on the streets, then I'll pay you a visit." She winked at the Liepard, who chuckled.
As the group began to converse about the mother-daughter quarrel, and if Nate and Alex ever planned to be officially married one day, tensions calmed down.
"Y'know, Azura, I'll think about changing that statue to a Leafeon."
Azura simply nodded, fine with that decision. As the group walked back into the house, and into the dining room, Axel the Drakloak had apparently already made breakfast, because sitting at the table were 6 plates of roasted berries, alongside a few pieces of Pignite Bacon, feral of course. The group sat down to eat, conversing quietly as they did so.
"9...8...6..2...8...5...1, here I come!" A small Eevee yelled, before snapping his head around.
He scanned the area, his eyes skimming past every tree, bush, and rock in sight. He noticed a bushy, brown object sticking out of an actual bush, and smiled.
"You gotta hide better, Jessie!" The Eevee giggled, before jogging over to the bush and gripping the tail in his teeth, before yanking it out of the bush.
Out came another Eevee, although this one was larger. It turned it's head, growling at the smaller Eevee.
"Jessie, quit playing! I found you!"
The larger Eevee tilted it's head, before sniffing the smaller one. Any signs of hostility were gone, as it sniffed him more.
"H-hey! That tickles!"
The larger Eevee licked the smaller ones cheek, making him cringe. "Gross! Stop it, Jessie!"
"Um… I'm over here." A voice said.
He turned his head and saw another Eevee, similar to the bigger one. The smaller Eevee gulped, before turning to the one he had yanked out of a bush. He yelped in pain as the Pokemon bit his cheek, taking a bit of fur with it.
"It's eyes… look." Jessie said from a few feet away.
The smaller Eevee looked into the one that had just bit him's eyes. They were empty, cold, and emotionless.
"Uhm… mister?" The small Eevee's voice began to shake.
The big Eevee once more bit onto his cheek, but this time more than fur was pulled free. The smaller Eevee squealed in pain, before standing and running towards his friend. He jumped behind Jessie, shaking.
"H-he bit me! Jessie, I'm bleeding!"
The larger Eevee looked at the two, it's emotionless eyes narrowing. It began to growl, stepping towards the two.
"It's a feral… Your dad said they wouldn't be in the park, Jessie… Are we going to die?"
Jessie turned his head to the smaller Eevee behind him, shaking his head. "No, we aren't. I won't let some meanie feral hurt us!"
Jessie turned back to the feral Pokemon, which stalked closer to them. Closing his eyes, Jessie began to concentrate. A black ball began to form in his mouth, before firing at the feral. The Shadow Ball struck, forcing the Pokemon back a few feet, but it began to hiss, before charging forward. Right before it made impact, it suddenly froze in it's tracks. Froze, as in frozen solid. Out from a bush stepped a Pokemon that was large to the two Eevee's, a strange badge stuck to its ice blue chest. A bag hung from it's side, as nine elegant tails flowed behind it.
"You two, you're in a part of the park that hasn't been cleared. Follow me, please." The Ninetales ordered, turning and slowly walking.
Jessie's jaw dropped, before bolting after the Ice Ninetales. The smaller Eevee followed after him, trailing behind only a few inches.
"Jessie, who is this Pokemon?"
The larger Eevee turned and looked dumbfounded at the smaller. "How could you not know the amazing Captain Jack!? He's, like, a superhero!"
The smaller Eevee pondered for a few seconds, before shrugging as they exited the forest. The Ice Ninetales turned to the two children, smiling widely.
"Now, what's your names? I have to put this on record, you know."
"We won't get in trouble, will we?" Jessie asked nervously.
Captain Jack shook his head, still smiling. Jessie gulped before nodding.
"I'm Jessie."
The smaller Eevee stepped forward shyly. "I-I'm Andre."
A knock resounded through the house from the door, right as the long-deceased Butler floated dishes from breakfast to the kitchen, and the family had stood up.
"I'll go see who it is." Hope said, starting out of the dining hall.
The others dispersed from the table, heading off to do their own thing. Nate and Alex had headed to the living room, alongside Azura, while Fenris had left to do who knows what. As the two Espeon and a Liepard conversed, the Flareon returned, her face nearly pale.
"Uh… It's… the I.L.E… They're here about possible domestic violence. Between a Flareon and Espeon." She gulped, nearly beginning to shake.
Azura's ears stood straight, as she looked at Alex. "Please cover for me."
He nodded, before she bolted away from the living room. Hope took a deep breath, and motioned for him to follow her. He stood up, gave a quick kiss to Nate's cheek, and followed after her. As they arrived in the main hall, two forms became visible. A highly armored biped with pincers, and a black and orange quadraped, radiating physical warmth. He gulped a bit, as the two figures eyes locked onto him. The Houndoom began to snarl, preparing to attack, as the Scizor uncrossed his arms.
"You! You're under arrest for prison break, assault, holding a hostage, and destruction of public property, along with everything you've done before!" The canine growled.
Alex leaped back, his gem flashing to life. "I've done no such thing! The only thing I've done is have a little argument with my mother!"
Both of the officers relaxed slightly, the canine even looking slightly embarrassed. "Ah, sorry. You just look so much like an Espeon we arrested a bit back that escaped prison."
Alex relaxed, before nodding in acceptance. Hope smiled a bit, before speaking up.
"How about we head to the living room? It'll calm us all down after that small aggression spike." The other three nodded, before following her to the living room.
Alex hopped up onto a couch beside the Liepard, who was seemingly asleep. Hope hopped up alongside him. The Houndoom stepped forward, right in front of the couch, and bowed apologetically.
"My name is Officer Hela, and this is my partner, Officer Bash." The Scizor simply nodded.
Alex stared at the Houndoom in disbelief, before disgust took over his features. "I hate you, Hela. It's you're fault I'm like this."
Officer Hela looked at him slightly confused, then to his mother, then back at him. Realization set on her face, as it donned on her who he was.
"Alex… It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Eight years, Hela. I thought this stopped bothering me, but I was wrong. You knew I wanted to be a Vaporeon or Sylveon, yet you helped my mom evolve me into an Espeon. All just for money. And you're one of the only two Pokemon I hate."
The Pokemon cringed, looking away from him in shame. "I'm truly sorry, Alex, but my family needed the money. It was either you evolve into an Espeon, or my family got kicked out and onto the streets."
All signs of professionalism were gone, as Hela shamefully kept her gaze away from him. "A sorry doesn't begin to mend your mistake. I thought you were my friend, Hela. I'm willing to start over, though. If you hold in your hatred, it will build up and eventually make you into a bad Pokemon."
Hela looked up at him, hope filling her eyes as she nodded quickly. "How about we talk over dinner? There's this really good place I know of."
Alex looked from her, then to his "sleeping" soulmate. "Can he come?"
Hela looked at him, slightly confused. "But… why?"
He looked back to her and shrugged. "Don't want anyone to think it's a date, right? Especially since you literally mistook me for a female the moment you saw me, and who's to say someone won't start a rumor about you going on a date with another girl."
She considered it, before nodding. "You're right, really. The guys at H.Q already question me a lot anyway."
"Ahem." The Scizor cleared his throat, subtly kicking the Houndoom softly.
"Oh, right. So… was there really a fight or something? Anyone want to press charges? Any witnesses?"
Hope shrugged. "Juts a small argument, nothing too intense."
Alex nodded. "Yup, neither of us are even hurt."
Officer Hela nodded, looking to her partner. "I think that's good enough."
The Scizor shook his head. "What was it about?"
Alex looked at Hope and gulped. She looked at him, then to the Liepard. "It was about him and my son. Y'know, I was just in disbelief for a few minutes, that's all."
Officer Bash nodded. "Now that's good enough."
Officer Hela looked between the Espeon and Liepard, and smiled. "Ah, I see. Good for you, Alex. I honestly thought you used to crush on me."
The Espeon didn't respond, now staring at Nate. Hope looked at the two Officers, before making a "go away" gesture with her paw. The two Officers nodded, and began to leave the house. As they exited, the door shut behind them by itself. A while later, Officer Hela suddenly stopped walking halfway back to the I.L.E base.
"How did he know the escapee was female?" She suddenly said.
Wow… I'm in disbelief. This chapter literally only took me a day to write. Usually it takes forever! What's even stranger, is I had actual distractions that I could have been doing instead of writing! I'm proud of myself! Though, it is only 4k words, (4008 to be exact.) I still am proud! Next chapter will be 5k, and then eventually each chapter will be 6k!
(Hi guys, me from the future. Yea, the average eventually changes to 6k each chapter. I actually kept my promise.)
Azura and Hope's argument seemed… horribly done. I'm not very good at the forgiving portion of intense arguments, and that mirrored in my writing.
Anyway, see you awesome readers later!