BP: Sorry for the late update. Have been thinking how I can clean up my POT fanfics that I would never continue, and I got an internship that works long hours. I'm drained by the time I get home, and was too tired to be cranking out parts of chapters every day like I used to.
I'm also going to finish PAL: The Dark Chronicles in a few chapters, so I was concentrating on finishing it so I can put it aside.
Hinata opened her eyes, as her vision was slightly blurred. She blinked a few more times before opening to see herself dressed in a fancy lavender nightgown on a canopy bed. Her injuries had also been bandaged.
Naruto was sitting by her bedside, glances down with friendly blue eyes and giving her a reassuring smile.
"No need to worry, Hinata. You're going to be just fine." Naruto told her. "Aunt Akeno's going to bring a hot drink."
A small, light green Pokémon with several flowers surrounding it made its appearance. Its main body had an orange face with oval, light green eyes. On top of its head was a long, fluffy green crest that curled slightly over its face and extended backwards.
A thin blue thread is attached to the back of its head and had several flowers attached to it. The flowers were white, purple, red, and yellow. The last flower was being held in its two short arms. On either side of the main crest is a smaller, pale yellow tuft.
"Oh, hello, Comfey." Naruto recognized it as Pakura's Comfey.
"Hello. Pakura left me here to help." Comfey placed the crown of flowers around Hinata's neck, much to her felt relaxed as the flower necklace had some sort of soothing effect.
Hinata's vision turned to the sound of a door being opened. There stood Akeno, holding a tray with a violets bone china tea set she had brought with her when she moved to PAL from Sinnoh.
"Thanks, Aunt Akeno. Just set it here." Naruto petted the bedside. Akeno nodded, and set the tray at the top of the bedside.
"I'd bring cookies but we ran out of groceries." Akeno admitted softly.
"No, this would do. Thank you." Hinata replied, as Naruto handed her a cup.
"You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Take your time." Akeno reassured, and Hinata nodded.
"W-Where's your dad?" Hinata questioned Naruto.
"In another room. Uncle Jude said he needed a word with him." Naruto shrugged. "Uncle Phillip went with them."
"I'm going to check on him. You two stay here." Akeno said gently, leaving the two children to look for her fellow teammates.
Meanwhile in another room, Ash closed the door, making sure Naruto wasn't going to be able to listen. He then turned to Jude and Phillip. The former was looking uncertain, while Phillip was simply sighing while looking at Jude.
"Alright, what did you need to talk about that's so important that it couldn't wait?" Ash folded his arms.
"It's about what actually happened when Akeno channelled Shiki." Jude replied.
"What about it?" Phillip frowned.
"He asked to see Pakura…" Jude admitted slowly. "He seemed angry when we told him we couldn't let him because she wasn't here."
"Now, Jude, I'm sure Shiki just missed her. He's her late fiancé after all." Ash said.
"Fiancé? He never proposed to her! She just found a ring in his pocket after his death and assumed, and just out the ring on!" Jude walked forward, distraught. "She wasn't in the right mind at that point!"
"Jude, it's not as if Shiki did anything to us when we refused. Sure, he was angry, but he backed down after venting it in the training rooms." Phillip grabbed him by the shoulder and moved him in order to stand between Jude and Ash. "None of us were hurt."
"Phillip, he has every single talent known to man. He could have used his skills as an actor to fool all of us." Jude hated to admit it, but Shiki had acting skills that was on par with his, if not exceed his. That was saying something, as Jude had been acting for years and was literally the ultimate actor.
Ash couldn't say much, as he never met Shiki before, since he died before Pakura met Ash.
"But Shiki took us in at our worst times." Phillip reminded him. "if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here, working towards something better."
"Phillip, Pakura was there too. For all we know, it could be her ability to sense emotions that led them to us." Jude pointed out.
"Look, even if what he said was true, the damage is already done. After all, Shiki is dead." Ash folded his arms.
"We can ask Akeno to stop channelling any previous rulers." Jude cut in. "Akeno isn't at that level where she can control someone as powerful as a ruler while unconscious. As long as no one channels Shiki, we would be fine."
"But she channelled Shiki before and they met, and nothing happened." Phillip reasoned.
Jude sighed. "None of those channellings had Shiki alone with her. We were there. He couldn't do anything since we were with her."
Ash was thoughtful. He wasn't the best at making these kinds of decisions.
Phillip was the smart one of the group with a genius-level intellect, but he saw nothing wrong with Shiki when he was alive. However, apparently Jude thought there was something off with Shiki and had suspicions that Shiki's personality was a mere mask. As an actor, he likely knew more about personas than anyone else.
"But he helped us with the paperwork, without any complaints at all." Phillip was looking down.
"No, see, you just don't get it! If Akeno just channels a ruler just to finish off some dumb paperwork that someone has left backlogged, something drastic could happen." Jude argued. "And I'm saying more than her just using up all her spiritual power, and we'll just having that incident happen all over again! Or did you forget we lost a member the last time?"
"You didn't like Rosaline either." Phillip pointed out. "She was a fraud, anyway. She deserved what she got."
Ash became annoyed and turned to the both of them.
"Enough! You're PAL Elites and professional Hunters, act like it." Ash silenced them. "Please."
"Face it. The only reason why she hasn't relapsed or got overwritten is because Giratina is sealed for now." Jude folded his arms. "Giratina isn't going to be sealed forever and once it breaks out, it'll go after her again. She was one of the most powerful Aura users. No way would that Legendary let her go that easily."
Ash hated to admit it, but Jude had a point.
"Oh, my! What's going on here?" Akeno opened the door and came in.
"We're just discussing if you should stop channelling any rulers." Phillip answered. "Jude thinks there is a problem with you channelling Shiki and if you keep channelling the rulers, especially him, it'll end up with that incident all over again."
"Well, you weren't there, but…" Ash waved his hand. After all, it was that incident that allowed Akeno to join up with them. "It's up to you."
Akeno weighed her options carefully, thinking everything through. She pursed her lips and said, "I think I know where Jude is coming from. I fall unconscious when I channel a spirit and someone as powerful as Shiki can go rogue. So I don't know what actually happens when I channel a spirit."
"Look, I know she seem to love Shiki very much, but I believe she's mistaking her love for Shiki for something else." Jude shook his head.
"What makes you say that?" Phillip was surprised.
"You mean the fact that she couldn't even remember anything during the party to celebrate their crowning as regional rulers didn't raise any alarms in you?" Jude pointed out.
"Her previous traumas could have made her forget." Phillip said awkwardly.
"She remembers everything that happened to her. If she didn't remember this one, I am sure her memories were tampered with." Jude slammed a fist on the wall, almost making it crumble.
"That's enough. Akeno?" Ash turned to the spirit medium.
"Yes, Ash?" Akeno blinked at him.
"Alright, alright. It would be best for everyone if until you fully master the technique, no further attempt to channel any rulers would be done." Ash told her. "Would that be alright?"
Akeno giggled. "Of course."
Ash nodded in approval. Phillip then said, "And…now we have to address that."
Phillip tilted his head towards the door, where Naruto and Hinata was in another room.
"We should tread carefully. She's scared as it is." Akeno said sweetly. "I got them some tea to help."
"Considering she had to come here via teleportation, she must have teleported away from somewhere. It would cause pandemonium back at the village once they realize they can't find her." Ash frowned. "We should get her back as soon as possible."
"We know, but we ran ourselves ragged trying to finish all the work tonight. You two also just got back from Konoha." Jude sighed. "Besides, I think the girl should calm down first before being sent back. We also need an explanation about that charm she was holding."
"Jude's right. Without that information, we can't really be certain that sending her back right now is the correct decision." Akeno agreed.
"And the only one who knows is…" Ash gave a knowing glance, as Pikachu heard the front door open and warned Ash. Pakura was entering the manor, carrying bags of more groceries. She didn't even bother announcing her presence, as she headed to the kitchen immediately.
Ash motioned to the others to go to the kitchen, and went there in time to see her stock up the fridge and the cupboards.
"Pakura, we need to talk." Ash stated.
The Elite Leader took one look at Ash, and raised a brow. Like her charm did not just somehow send Hinata here.
"I'm guessing you don't know what I'm talking about." Ash stated and then sighed angrily,
Pakura gave Ash a sarcastic look, and motioned for him to go on.
"Hinata arrived at our doorstep when you were out getting supplies, and I can see that your charm was the one that got her here." Ash went straight to the point.
"Is she injured?" Pakura simply asked.
Ash replied, "A few bruises here and there. Anyway, you put a teleportation technique inside the charm, didn't you?"
Pakura shrugged, as if to ask so what if she did. She bent down to whisper something to Sylveon, and she nodded before trotting away.
"What we did was potentially kidnapping, Paku. You said that the charm would keep her safe, not send her here. My question to you is why would you rig the charm to send her here?" He couldn't believe how much of a migraine his righthand woman was.
"Who said I did?" Pakura finally spoke, disinterested.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Phillip knew there was something more to it already.
"The charm was supposed to send her somewhere safe. I never said it would send her here." Pakura explained, as she arranged the supplies.
"But she got here anyway, for some reason. Would you care to explain this part?" Ash questioned, raising a brow. Pakura was silent as she finished stocking the supplies.
"I set it so it would teleport her away when she perceives danger. It also takes her to the person she thinks of as safety." Pakura finally answered.
"So she thought of Naruto as safety?" Ash was incredulous. "Which is why she got here?"
"Or it could be you." Jude pointed out. "After all, you are always with Naruto and is kind and nice to her as well."
"Which means her family is…" Ash had a realization. He then turned to Pakura. "Did you know about this?"
Pakura was silent, which Ash indicated as a yes.
"When you've been through the same thing, you kind of pick up some signs." Akeno agreed. "Like how my mother treated me…"
Ash didn't know what to say. After all, out of the five, three of them had abusive families to a certain extent, with Pakura's being the worst.
While Jude's parents weren't abusive, they were rather neglectful, which ended up having his sister to be promoted to a parental figure despite being only a few years older than him and left him when she was ten.
Which leaves who? Oh yeah, him. Although he only had his mother, she was at least loving and supported his dreams to the very end.
"Alright, I understand you did what you had to do." Ash heaved another sigh. "I can't believe you didn't inform us, though." The unspoken question of why didn't she trust them was in the air.
"What you're thinking is the idealistic route." Pakura merely told him. "Since when have we been friends?"
Jude and Phillip looked at one another, while Akeno was tilting her head in confusion.
"But, I mean, when you go through so much with someone, it kind of changes things, doesn't it?" Ash was puzzled too. "You take care of us and even stay by my side to protect me…and Naruto."
"That's my job. I don't confuse the two." Pakura simply told him, and put on a very slight defiant expression.
Jude placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look, Ash. I know you want us to repair our relationship, but the reality is it needs time. Just having a break is not going to erase years of trauma that she suffered through…or what he did to ruin our relationship." His voice was contempt.
Before anyone could say anything more, Akeno decided to change the topic, "I think we should try to cheer the girl up first!" She clapped her hands together.
"I mean since the girl is really distraught, we should make something nice for her." Jude agreed.
"What do you suggest?" Ash turned to Akeno. He never really had experience with little girls, after all. What do girls like? He thought of that one store where they could play with dolls and have tea. The problem was, she was an heiress. Do daughters born from rich families still like dolls?
"Cookies?" Phillip suggested tentatively. "I mean sweet things cheer anyone up."
"That's true. I... remembered how my mum also used to make those when I was sad," Ash mused sadly, causing the other to blink at him. "Wouldn't hurt to try. It does bring good memories."
Everyone turned to the group's best baker and chef. Said person rolled her eyes and was already putting the ingredients on a table. Pakura shot a look that clearly told them to get out. This was because she would like to be able to do her work without any of them ruining it.
"I'm going to check on the two kids." Ash mumbled, as Pakura started mixing the dough. He made his way to the room, and quietly knocked.
Naruto opened it a slight creek and said, "Oh, hey dad." and opened the door wider to let him in.
"How is she?" Ash asked, seeing Hinata sleeping with tear tracks in her eyes.
"She spent a lot of time crying." Naruto admitted. "Whatever happened before she came here, really affected her a lot."
"I see." Ash nodded solemnly, sitting down on the chair.
"Dad?" Naruto addressed his father.
"Yes?" Ash whispered.
"We're not going to send her back, are we?" Naruto questioned quietly.
Ash looked down, trying to hide his pained expression from him. "As much as I would not want to, her being missing would cause the village to be in chaos to look for her. We cannot keep her here forever."
"Please, dad, couldn't you do something? You… You could adopt her like you did me. There is a reason why she was sent here. She was in danger from her family, I knew it! So we can use this as proof, and…" He trailed off.
"I don't think this method would work again, considering you were a special case. Furthermore, I am not married." Ash shook his head. "Adoption chances are usually higher with married couples."
"Isn't Aunt Pakura an attorney? Couldn't she make him sign papers to give up the guardianship and transfer it?" Naruto suggested.
"And who do you suggest she get her father transfer it to?" Ash asked, not unkindly.
"To herself!" Naruto chirped, "or one of the others!"
Ash didn't want to point out Naruto's flaws in that approach. Apart from the fact that none of them were married, he doubted any of them knew how to be a good parent, since none of them had good examples to go by.
Phillip's parents were so invested in their business and favoured his younger brother. Jude's parents were neglectful, preferring to gamble. Akeno's father left her mother and her mother was so ambitious she forced Akeno into solitary confinement in her room, watched 24/7 to practice her spirit channelling so that she could reclaim her rightful title as the Master of the Cheveyo Clan. As for Pakura…
Well, let's just say that her biological parents make all three of theirs look tame or even loving by comparison.
Ash supposed they could look to those parents as a guide as to how not to be a parent. But how many people are really strong enough to see this perspective? He was almost sure they were picked because of their backgrounds, but he couldn't outright prove it.
True, the member Akeno replaced also had loving parents like him, but she was defeated and killed by Pakura during that incident. While he knew why Pakura killed Rosaline, it still didn't change the fact that she technically killed one of her own team members.
"Alright, I'll speak to them," Ash concluded tightly. "And see what we can do."
That's it. That was the best Naruto could hope for. "Thanks, dad!"
"You stay with Hinata, alright?" Ash assured. "I'm going out to clear my head."
Going out to clear his head meant he was going down to a café for a drink, Pikachu and Lucario accompanying him.
Ash sat at a table at a small coffee shop, contemplating what he should do. True, Hinata was likely being abused at Akeno levels of abuse or maybe Phillip's, where they favour the other sibling. But he should tread carefully as the Hyūga patriarch likely had some influence in the village.
A waitress then set a cup with hot cocoa and marshmallows in front of him.
"Oh, I didn't order—" Ash started, but was cut off.
"It's from the woman upstairs. Blonde hair, grey eyes." The waitress described. "Pretty famous around here."
Ash looked up at the edge of the balcony, wondering what she wanted.
"Thanks." Ash nodded.
"I went ahead to add some honey for the taste. Hopefully you like it." The waitress winked.
Giving an awkward wave, he watched as she walked away. He took his glass and headed upstairs. Sitting at one of the tables was a tall, and slender young lady with wavy knee-length creamy blonde hair that has bangs covering her left eye. Her eyes were grey in color.
"Hello, Ash." The woman greeted.
Ash looked at her from the top of the stairs for a moment before moving to where she was sitting.
"Cynthia." Ash acknowledged, and pulled the chair that's beside her and dragged it to a position across from her instead, before sitting down. "So, what do you want?"
"A girl can't just catch up with her friend?" Cynthia gave a smile.
"I figured you'd stay away from me after the fallout of our relationship," Ash replied, a little tense. "I know you wouldn't be here unless you need to ask me about Champion business. How about you go straight to the point?"
As he said this, he set the cocoa down.
"I heard you went to that village." Cynthia said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
Ash didn't confirm it answer right away, instead tapping on the table absent-mindedly.
"I don't get how it's any of your business where I went." Ash finally said evenly.
"That place would bring us—" Cynthia started, but Ash cut her off.
"I know. You're saying I would open the regions up to more danger, because they all can fight. I am pretty sure all of you can defend yourselves just as well." Ash informed her.
"But we are not trained to kill, like the PALites." Cynthia reminded him.
"Then we can implement this for every region. We are already exchanging those that are born with a certain power to go there and study, and those without that power can be Pokémon Trainers." Ash shrugged. "Regardless, the relations are important because I have adopted someone born there."
"You what? Why would you do that?" Cynthia was surprised. "Both of us were too busy with relationships and now you have a kid?"
Ash leant forward and grabbed Cynthia by the forearm, stilling her panicked motions.
"Look, I did it because I knew the kid deserved a home. You didn't know what the kid went through. If I can give him the life he deserves, I will." Ash told her sternly.
"I thought you weren't interested in any of that." Cynthia's brows were furrowed.
"Times change, Cynthia." Ash merely shrugged, letting go of Cynthia's forearm and sipping his beverage.
"Are you sure you would have time for the kid?" Cynthia questioned.
"Why would you worry? We aren't in the same regions, after all." The unspoken fact that they broke up was there, but Ash didn't mention it.
"Your entire team are experienced killers." Cynthia stated. "I worry for the boy, especially since he is within the vicinity of your righthand woman."
"They are still my friends." Ash countered. "I think we are doing fine, considering what kind of people live in that village."
"I know, but I am just concerned of what it would mean for the other regions." Cynthia clarified.
Ash stood up. "I lead PAL now. And as their ruler, I will do everything in my power to ensure everything runs smoothly. It's not for you to worry, and I will inform you if there is."
"I know what your team is capable of." Cynthia acknowledged. "But yet, you left Blackthorn City to suffer in the eternal blizzard storm."
Ash sighed. Only he and the others in his team knew just who was the one that killed the entire city and plunged it into the eternal blizzard. It not only rendered it inhospitable, it also meant the Gym located there lost business because no one could travel there without suffering frostbite.
However, Ash didn't turn her in because he knew what they did to her and even allowed her to stay as their Elite Leader. It was only fair they suffered for what they had done.
"Like I said before, I have my reasons to let them stay in that eternal winter storm." Ash reminded her. "Or do you not remember that they approved of the human experimentation and were secretly working with Team Rocket?"
"But you didn't say who were the victims." Cynthia pressed.
"Not my secret to tell." Ash said flatly. "Frankly speaking, Lance and Clair are lucky to have survived. Them asking me or trying to get me to approve of Lance marrying my Elite Leader to restore their clan is pushing too far."
"I'm not talking about Lance and Clair." Cynthia frowned.
Ash resisted the urge to facepalm. He had been dealing with Lance and Clair who wanted to restore the clan the easy way– by arranging a marriage with Pakura, who was actually cast out of the clan as a kid. Now he had to listen to his ex, who had problems with his decisions, and apparently was deflecting when he mentioned this problem with the cousins.
So he cracked. He said, "I'm saying they are not exactly innocent either. If that is all you have to say, then we have nothing left to discuss." Besides, they have strayed from the main point already, which was his adoption of Naruto.
"I don't know what is going on with you and your team, but you know I am here if you need to talk, right?" Cynthia tried to assure him.
'And why would I believe that?' Ash inwardly scoffed, knowing it was their duties that pushed them apart. However, he simply nodded curtly on the outside.
A moment of tense silence passed between them, and Ash said, "If you would excuse me, I have to check on my team."
Cynthia grimaced as Ash walked away. She looked up just to see him teleport away and disappeared back to his abode.
Ash walked in in time to see Pakura present the cookies she had finished to Hinata.
"R-Really?" Hinata asked excitedly as she looked at the batch of cookies. "A-All these f-for me?"
Pakura gave a curt nod, as she let the tray hover with telekinesis. She then went to Hinata to heal her bruises. Hinata glowed white, as her injuries disappeared. Hinata was admiring her now uninjured arms.
However, he noticed Pakura and the others looked harassed, as if they got into yet another fight or something.
Naruto grinned. "Of course! You have gone through so much today so we figured you deserve a little break. So she made them for you!"
"Go ahead! We hope you like them!" Akeno said happily as Pakura took the tray of cookies that was hovering and presented it in front of Hinata again.
The heiress cheerfully took one of the sugary treats and put it in her mouth. Her smile immediately went bigger from the sheer delight that came from the taste. It was almost as if she had tasted heaven itself.
"Mmmm! T-These are really g-good!" Hinata exclaimed, making Naruto smile at seeing her happier now. Sylveon had her ribbon feelers around her to keep giving her a soothing aura. As she was distracted, Ash went up to all of them.
"Why do you all look like you went through a fight?" Ash questioned. He whispered so Hinata wouldn't hear.
Naruto scratched his head. "Well, when you were gone…some woman named Lily showed up. Wasn't she Aunt Pakura's student or something?"
Ash groaned, knowing what happened the last time Lily came over when she somehow managed to detect chocolate cooking in their home when she was a whole other region away. He was almost sure they had to bribe her to go away.
'Ugh, don't they get enough food already? Our pantry has just been emptied.' Ash grumbled inwardly. 'One of them is a princess and she practically has royal chefs to make any kind of food for them. Yet, they still come to our home for food!'
He looked at Naruto, and realized that he needed to speak with his Elites, like he promised Naruto.
"I see. Naruto, you stay here with Hinata again, alright?" He knelt down to Naruto's level. "I need to talk to my Elites about something."
Naruto nodded, as Ash gathered his Elites and went to another room. To his relief, Pakura left her Sylveon and Comfey behind, definitely for Hinata's benefit.
"W-What's going on with t-them?" Hinata was munching away.
"Let's not worry too much." Naruto assured, smiling. "Do you want to play some video games?"
Hinata nodded, wondering what was video games. Naruto rummaged through the video games he had, mumbling something about "education…horror…adventure…fighting…" while putting aside his collection.
"N-Naruto-kun, y-you like games?" Hinata asked.
"Of course. I like the story and the gameplay. Sometimes the games give accurate descriptions of what happens based on the choices we make. Uncle Phillips aid you can learn a lot from games, and that's actually true." Naruto replied.
"What game is this?" Hinata held up a game that had rollercoasters, signs and a graduation cap on the right.
"Oh, that's the Game of Life, where you make choices based on what you spin and decide how you want to live your life." Naruto explained. "Only, it's not exactly ninja life here, it's more like something closer to reality, or what we perceive as one."
"I-I want to t-try it." Hinata looked interested in the colourful cover.
"Alright." Naruto put back all the other video games, and set up the console. He gave Hinata one controller and held the other one. "Let's see how you would fare."
"You're just crushing." Kurama said sarcastically.
'Crushing on what?' Naruto thought.
"Nothing." Kurama snickered.
Naruto frowned, but swore that his Gabite was laughing from his Poké Ball.
Later, Hinata found herself enjoying the game. "You'll never beat me, Naruto-kun!" She got the lawyer job, but didn't know what it was. All she knew was that it earned her a lot of money.
"We'll see, Hinata, we'll see." Naruto smiled, admiring how quickly Hinata got the game. Hinata landed on a space that allowed her to increase her salary, much to her delight.
As Hinata played, she realized that making choices for her own life was what she had always wanted, just like that game. As the roll of the dice is random, that meant what life gave may not be exactly what she wanted, but she had to make do with it and see if she could do something to improve.
"N-Naruto-kun, I want to t-talk about w-what happened before I came here." Hinata plucked up her courage.
Naruto nodded. "Go on."
Hinata took a deep breath, as Sylveon helped soothe her with her feelers. She then began talking. "It started when the bad man took me, but you got me back." Hinata admitted in a quiet tone.
"Your father wasn't happy?" he whispered back.
"He was really angry that someone managed to sneak in. And me for being taken. He thought I let myself got taken. He was furious when he came home from some council meeting." Hinata mumbled. "I was almost sure I was going to get beaten or something."
Naruto was silent. He could imagine what it was like, considering strangers had done this to him before. That was before Ash came along and adopted him. He wondered if all aristocratic families were like that.
After all, while Ash was a prominent figure in society, he himself wasn't from some prestigious families and while Aunt Akeno, Uncle Phillip and possibly Aunt Pakura were, and all of their families were abusive to differing extents.
'I'm beginning to sense a pattern.' Naruto thought.
"I wondered what happened in the meeting that made him so mad. But regardless, he said the next day, I was due to show up in training. I didn't think anything was wrong at that time because he trains me all the time." Hinata went on, her courage flowing through her thanks to Sylveon giving her constant soothing energy.
Naruto stayed silent, as they continued playing the game.
"The next day, he brought his brother and his son. My cousin Neji-nii." Hinata continued to Naruto. "They pitted us in a match against each other. First one to defeat the other wins. I couldn't bear to hurt Neji-nii, so he defeated me quickly, it was so fast."
Naruto frowned at this. It was clear she was too nice to hurt anyone.
"I mean, one moment I was fighting and the next I was on the ground with him standing over me. Neji-nii was amazing, but the elders looked so disappointed." Hinata whispered.
'So that was where the bruises came from.' Ash thought.
"After that my father ordered everyone to leave and wanted to speak to me alone. When I was alone, well…" Hinata trailed off.
"What happened?" Naruto was cautious.
"He…did some hand seals and next thing I know, his hand was glowing. He was approaching me and saying something about my abilities lacking and not fully utilizing the power that I have. He was aiming for my forehead." Hinata whimpered.
Naruto was certain it was some sort of sealing power on her kekkei genkai or something. Was that when she felt she was in danger?
"I'm certain it was something to do with Neji-nii's forehead and I was so scared that people like the bad man would get me again and I couldn't defend myself!" Hinata was shaking her head, tears in her eyes. "I felt like I was in danger."
"Was that when you somehow came here?" Naruto enquired.
"Yes. I saw that the charm was glowing and I was…thinking of your kindness." Hinata replied, a blush on her face. "Just as I felt his hand reach to my forehead, I felt the whole place disappear and the next thing I knew, I was here."
"Did he try to stop you?" Naruto wondered.
"I…don't know," Hinata replied. But she did. There was a moment, when the charm glowed, where the father tried to take the charm away from her when he noticed it. However, he was too slow.
"You're shivering," Naruto observed. He supposed the story and the aircon had blown all the warmth from her body.
Sylveon whined, as she curled up on Hinata's lap, wiping the tears with her feelers.
Naruto took off his jacket and wraps it around her shoulders. Hinata gave a small smile in thanks as she wrapped herself with it. When she reached at the tray for more cookies, she was a little disappointed to find it empty.
"Don't worry. I'm sure if we ask, she'll make more." Naruto grinned. "Let's continued the game."
At the end of the game, which took around another 45 minutes, Hinata won by a landslide, making her smile at her victory. Naruto wasn't even annoyed, as he was glad to see her cheered up.
"I wonder if dad's done with his talk." Naruto said out loud, only to hear someone clearing their throat and he turned to see the five of them watching the screen from behind. Four of them were amused while one was indifferent.
"When did you get in here?" Naruto questioned, pointing an accusing finger.
"When Hinata was deciding if she wanted to get married." Ash supressed a chuckle. He then became serious. "Anyway, I have come to a decision. It's risky, but it's the best plan we've got."
"The main concern about Hinata was the father and what he would do once he realized he is with us. I don't think he would take it very well that he was with us." Jude told them.
"So we decided to let Hinata make a choice. If she can choose her adoptive parent, who would she choose?" Phillip added. "Well…besides Ash, since Ash already has Naruto."
Hinata couldn't really think of any adults back in Konoha that would take her and still be safe from her father. Hence, she started to think of the five she had met so far.
"A-Are y-you all w-willing to take me in?" Hinata asked shyly.
Akeno nodded. "All of us agreed if you choose one of us."
Jude and Phillip were out because thanks to her father, she was a little afraid of male adults now. Even if she was sure that they were very nice.
So that left Akeno and Pakura. Akeno being a sweet and gentle lady, and likely had an but something about her seemed a little creepy. Pakura on the other hand, was very aloof and it was clear she would not show her true emotions. But she must have had some care about her, if not she wouldn't have left her…pets to help her.
Hinata thought of what kind of person she wanted to be, and knew she wanted to be a strong ninja to be able to stand by Naruto-kun's side. In other words, she had to go with someone that would give her that and yet would allow her to be herself.
"I-I choose P-Pakura-s-san." Hinata quietly said to them.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise and dread. Even Pakura showed some mild form of shock for a split second, before her face turned to a blank mask.
Ash was inwardly worried. Being a parent wasn't easy and she never had any indication of wanting to have a family of her own. While she could fulfil any duty theoretically, parenting a kid was more than just a job. You have to invest in them not just financially, but also emotionally.
Sure, you can spend a lot of money to give your child the best resources in life, but that was moot if you couldn't even spare the time for your own child to know them better.
Ash knew this, which was why he made sure one of his team members was with Naruto when he couldn't be with him. Fortunately, they love Naruto enough to do it, anyway.
But Ash never thought that she would be chosen out of the five. He was sure Pakura would have been the last choice...no, she should be the last choice. First choice as spouse for everyone doesn't equate to first choice as a parent.
Said person must have figured out what he was thinking, for she was giving him a glacial look.
The others except Pakura also exchanged apprehensive looks at Hinata's decision. They were conflicted as to whether they should intervene and suggest someone else. The others all looked at Pakura to see what she would do.
Pakura silently knelt down to Hinata with a somewhat soft look. She still said nothing, but gave the child a tentative hug.
It was the first time Naruto ever seen his Aunt Pakura give a hug to anyone other than her Pokémon, since she never let any of her male teammates hug her. Even Akeno only gave hugs that lasted a few seconds.
Ash then said with a slight tremble in his voice, "Paku, are you up for it?"
Pakura gave a single nod. Ash then continued, "Alright. Then let's put our plan into motion."
That was how Naruto found himself sitting in the Hokage's office in the morning with his father, Aunt Pakura and Hinata. Sarutobi looked like he needed a high dosage of aspirin when he took one look at the missing Hinata and who she was with.
Although Sarutobi did try to be gracious and got someone to serve coffee to them, which he didn't drink, but Ash slipped him a flask of honey lemon drink.
"Everyone was looking for the Hyūga heiress ever since she disappeared in front of her father." Sarutobi started. "Care to explain why she was with you?" He gestured with a hand to Ash, Naruto and Pakura.
Ash spoke up, "If the Hyūga patriarch, Hyūga Hiashi, had had any brains, he shouldn't have made his daughter think he was a danger to her. But he had an unfortunate intention to seal off her eye powers. So here she was, in our home. Three guesses as to who she thought was the safest person."
Sarutobi sighed. By the way Ash said it, it was clear Hinata thought of either Ash or Naruto as the safe person. Ash probably felt it was his duty to help Hinata cheer up, which was why they waited to return her twelve hours after her disappearance.
Ash all but confirmed it with his next words, "I certainly couldn't give her back when she was so distressed. That is why we let her stay for a while. Surely you don't expect me to just care about her well-being when she was bruised and crying, were you?"
Sarutobi's face must have registered at least a flicker of bewilderment, because Ash addressed it.
"This, of course, you don't know. You weren't the one who healed her after all. I never thought that prestigious families here were just like those in our regions…and if the abuser in question can take away their own child's powers and walk away unharmed, what is to stop them from doing it again?" Ash shrugged. "How would the child be able to defend themselves?"
"This is the ninja world, Ash." Sarutobi reminded him.
"I know. Survival of the fittest. But it's another thing to take away or lessen someone else's chance of survival, right?" Ash shot back.
"Or put a seal to get them under control." Naruto cut in from the couch, yawning.
"What do you mean, Naruto-kun?" Sarutobi was curious.
"Hinata told me about this seal on the Branch members. Not only does it seal the Byakugan when they die, it also allows the members of the Head family to punish them. It's probably the same thing that her father was going to use on her." Naruto explained. "Don't tell me you didn't know."
"He probably didn't. Clan secrets tend to be very close-guarded." Kurama told him. "It's like a family tradition."
Just then, the door opened, and there stood Hinata's father. At the sight of him, Hinata clung to Pakura, much to her chagrin.
"Finally. There she is. Hinata, come here, you're going home right now." Hisashi said in this no-nonsense tone.
No "Hi, Hinata, how are you?" or "Hinata, it's great to see you're safe." Just "Come here, you're going home right now."
"Um," Sarutobi coughed. "I know Hinata went missing, but those two helped take care of her and—"
"I don't care," Hiashi interrupted. "Come here right now, Hinata." He approached her, but was instantly blocked by Pakura, who had an ice sword pointed at his crotch. At that moment, he realized just who was the one that froze him in the Council meeting.
"Move aside, lady." Hiashi barked at her. "I need to get to my daughter."
Pakura stayed unmoving, eyes narrowed at Hiashi's glare.
Ash coughed. "Well, Hyūga-san, we found her with injuries all over her body. Care to explain?"
"Come on, Hinata," Naruto whispered. "Let's sneak out of here."
He started tugging her toward the exit, but even though she was frightened she stayed put to see what was going to happen next.
"Please," Hiashi scoffed, looking down nervously at the ice sword. "It was just a few bruises!" At that, the ice sword jabbed further into his crotch.
He held Pakura's gaze, weighing his speed against hers. The time it will take to send a Gentle Fist straight to her heart versus the time she would take to slice off his manhood.
'Oh, wait…' He realized that her enormous breasts would have blocked Gentle Fist. The most he'd do was to enrage her. Besides, Sarutobi would have his head if he attacked anyone in his office.
"It was all over her body." Ash informed him acidly. Naruto wondered why the acidity in his tone didn't dissolve the office floor. "Did you even take her to a medical-nin?"
"We didn't have to do that," Hiashi waved it off, looking a little flustered. "I'm sure our family medic—" he winced as the sharp pain of the ice sword was pressing even more on his manhood. "Could you ask your righthand woman to lower her weapon?"
"If you sign this paper, I will remove the sword. In fact, I'll stay far away from you." Pakura shoved him a large sheaf of papers. Hiashi frowned as he kept leafing through the papers to find the signature line. When he did, he didn't even hesitate as he signed his name.
'He didn't even read it!' Ash thought, facepalming.
As Pakura dispelled the ice sword, Ash said, "You should notify your family medic that our doctor will be requesting Hinata's records. Because I believe this incident more than adequately proves the point we were discussing with the Hokage: Your home isn't a safe—or stable—environment for Hinata to live in. If you disagree, you may contact our team."
"Isn't a stable environment for—" Hiashi spluttered. "After everything I've done for her!"
"Doing things for your child is not a contract, it's a responsibility. I think you might want to review what kind of parent you actually are," Ash started, holding his Pikachu, "before you continue bragging about what you've done for your daughter…former daughter, whatever. Especially after the condition we found her in earlier."
"You make it sound like you're her guardians now." Hiashi frowned.
"What do you think those papers were for?" Ash raised a brow, smirking.
Hiashi looked from Pakura to Ash and realized what they made him sign. "You…" However, he couldn't do anything because Sarutobi was there. He was sure they made him sign it in front of Sarutobi so that he could not dispute this.
"You did sign it." Sarutobi pointed out.
"Anyway, here's a copy so you know what you agreed to." Ash said sweetly, handing him a copied sheaf of the same papers. "Failure to comply…well, let's say you wouldn't like the consequences."
"But if she is no longer of my family, then she should have her Byakugan sealed." Hiashi told them.
"Not according to Clause…" Ash paused, and turned to Pakura.
Pakura whispered something in his ear, and he continued, "…37. It says here that the party signing this agrees that they, or any of the others from the clan are not allowed to touch the charge, Hyūga Hinata, in any way, shape or form that would affect her ability to fight or her physical, mental or spiritual condition."
Hiashi gritted his teeth as he realized there was a lot of loopholes closed with the contract. It was likely the woman herself was excellent in politics and the law in order to have drafted such a well-done contract that made the agreement solid. Furthermore, she also made use of the laws in the village to draft it up, and not the laws from wherever she is.
"If you want a weak successor, then be my guest." Hiashi said coldly, turning around to leave.
Hinata looked like she was about to cry at this. Naruto was comforting her, as Sarutobi looked disturbed. Even Pakura herself looked very vaguely aghast at his remark.
Ash's eyes widened in shock and anger and was visibly scowling. Ash then lifted his hand, and blasted Hiashi out of the door. "How dare you!" He stormed over the ruined door and was about to give Hiashi a piece of his mind when Pakura stopped him by grabbing his arm, shaking her head.
This was what Kurenai, Shisui and Itachi saw when they were on their way to the Hokage's office.
They paused upon seeing the scene in front of them. However, what stood out was the looks on their faces…or Ash's face at least. Naruto and Hinata were holding each other in a hug.
"Ketchum-san, please calm down." Sarutobi walked out, smoking on his pipe. Ash opened his mouth, presumably to protest, but Pakura chopped him on the head, effectively cutting him off.
Ash glared. "Fine. I'll let him go this once. But do that again, and I will rain hell on you." Hiashi was wise enough to flee, considering Ash's eyes had a white aura glow to it and he wasn't sure what it was.
Ash turned to Sarutobi and said, "Sorry, I'll pay for the damages of the door."
"See that you will." Sarutobi sighed, walking away, presumably to get someone to repair the door.
"Paku, let's go." Ash wasn't about to escalate anything.
Pakura nodded tersely, and both almost walked past the trio without noticing them, until Kurenai said, "Ash, I think we need to talk."
Ash almost stumbled, he didn't notice them. He could tell Pakura did notice them, just that she refused to acknowledge them for some reason.
"I don't think it's a good time." Ash gave a tentative glance at Pakura, who was giving him a look. "Could we talk some other day?"
"No, it has to be now." Kurenai was firm.
"I can't leave her alone…" Ash was mumbling, giving Pakura a worried look. Said person just rolled her eyes.
"It's fine. She won't be alone. I'll be with her." Shisui volunteered. "I need a word with her anyway."
Pakura's eyes narrowed in understanding. She just knew what it was about. Ash and Pakura looked at one another, before nodding. She took out her katana, and slashed open a portal, gesturing for Naruto and Hinata to get inside. Ash nudged his Lucario and Pikachu to go in as well, as did Pakura with her Sylveon.
Naruto tugged at Hinata's hand, and both went in with the Pokémon. The portal then closed.
With that done, Pakura pushed past everyone and out the office. Shisui and Itachi gave a nod to everyone, before following her.
"She'll be fine." Kurenai reassured him.
Ash sweatdropped and nodded reluctantly, as he followed Kurenai out.
Naruto and Hinata found themselves back home, as Jude asked, "Where's Ash and Pakura?" as he looked at their partner Pokémon who came back without them.
"Dad got roped into a talk by Kurenai-san. Aunt Pakura got waylaid by Shisui-san." Naruto explained. "I wonder they would want with them?"
"Honestly, it could be anything. Those two can't be subtle even if they wanted to, not because they don't have the ability to but because of their physical appearance. Especially Pakura." Jude folded his arms.
"What are you implying?" Naruto tilted his head.
"Nothing." Jude shook his head. "I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Those two can handle themselves. I am going to bet that Ash would be seen as the safer person and be talked to by one person, while Pakura would have a second person with her."
Meanwhile, Ash found himself in a dango shop with Kurenai. They were discussing what happened in the office.
"Poor Hinata." Kurenai sympathized.
Ash nodded, as he sipped some tea. "We did get him to give up guardianship though, so there's that."
"But who is her official guardian?" Kurenai questioned. Hopefully, Hinata chose anyone except that Pakura woman.
"Paku," Ash answered, frowning. He wasn't happy either. "We let her choose before we executed the plan."
This caused Kurenai to choke on her tea. "But she's…dangerous. She's even causing you problems, is she not? The way she was treating you…"
"Oh...you've got it all wrong!" Ash realized they must have concluded she abused him or something.
"But that incident you mentioned; did she instigate it?" Kurenai raised a brow.
Ash sighed, but nodded. "Yes, but…it's complicated."
"Then what did she do, that she did not want any mention of it?" Kurenai asked gently.
"She...she killed one of our own members...and it was really brutal..." Ash still remembered that, but knew it was because she was technically overwritten by Giratina.
"What?" Kurenai was astonished at someone killing one of their own. Just how brutal is Ash's righthand woman? "Why still keep her around?"
"Kurenai, you may not like her, but you cannot deny she's good at her job." Ash shrugged. He didn't mention that as Hunters, they have largely reduced legal responsibility for murder. To add salt to the wound, because Pakura is a Blacklist Hunter, killing people IS her job.
"So…about the member you lost…" Kurenai prompted.
"Her name was Pyra Rosaline. She like me, shared some similarities. Loving family, normal backgrounds. For the first time ever since my mum was killed, I thought, maybe, maybe I could connect with somebody without any worry of betrayal. Because as much as we were divided, we still have each other's backs. But now, it just feels like a childish dream." Ash explained despondently.
"Because she was killed?" Kurenai held his hand for comfort. "During that incident?"
"In a sense, yes. But there were a lot of things we didn't know about Rosaline. Not until the incident happened. The incident is hard to describe, since I'm not the best with words. I can only say it was a chain of events and different things happened to different members." Ash scratched his head.
"What happened to the others?" Kurenai sipped her tea.
"You're better off asking one of my other members, since I wasn't there for some of the instances that it happened. That incident did take all of us out of commission for a while, though even if we didn't die. One of us did, but what happened during the battle is still anyone's guess since all I saw was the aftermath." Ash told her. "Where Pakura murdered Rosaline in cold blood."
"So the incident was instigated by your second-in-command." Kurenai surmised.
"I guess in the surface way. If you want to look deeper into it, I'd have to explain a lot of other topics for this to make sense. Like on Kurobane Shiki." Ash replied, eating a dango. "I can't say much about him since I never actually met him in person."
'And not to mention, the whole fiasco started when Shiki died.' Ash thought. 'Although Jude felt otherwise.'
"I heard that name. You mentioned it." Kurenai nodded knowingly.
"Other than him being Paku's former fiancé, I know nothing else about him in person." Ash hmm-ed. "I'm sorry."
All he knew was that Shiki was an insanely and extremely talented person who could do anything, he fought for what was right, and everyone, including his Elites (except Jude, for some reason) loved him. Akeno didn't count because she also never met him in person.
Ash did not mention that somehow, he doubted that Pakura actually started the fight that killed Rosaline. After all, she would never make the first move.
Prior to that fight, another incident came out where it was stated she tried to join them after stealing those powers, thinking that the last spot belongs to her. Rosaline thought only needed to win the Trainer's Tournament to join them. Not knowing that she needed to be a Hunter first. Even worse, she lost to Jude, the supposedly weakest member in Pokémon battling and solely depended on her Gardevoir for type advantage.
When she lost, she begged for another chance, when they stated she only had one chance. She blamed it on type advantage, as Jude was Water/Dark and she was Fire/Psychic. Pakura went down to fight her, since her Fire type would have an advantage over her Ice and Fairy. Which gave Rosaline the edge this time.
Surprise, surprise, Rosaline lost again. This time, she blamed Pakura being too powerful as she was the strongest Elite. Even when it was revealed that she had to be a Hunter first to even apply and she wasted her only chance, Rosaline refused to back down, and kept stubborn. She wanted another chance to get in, yelling that she would keep applying even if she was rejected.
When Ash asked if it was true once this information came out to the regional newspaper, none of the Elites could refute this point. In fact, it was later revealed that Pakura herself was the one leaked that info to the papers. Shortly after, she killed Rosaline for unknown reasons.
If Pakura's later claims were to be believed, however, perhaps Rosaline found out Pakura had the other half, and decided to charge in trying to kill her in the hopes of obtaining the other half. Only to be overwhelmed and killed by Pakura in her "hacked" state, as Phillip called it. If that is the case, Rosaline's murder was indeed self-defense and Pakura cannot be faulted for fighting back.
The best they could even do was to seal off Giratina until they can figure out a way to reverse the psychological damage that 'hacking' had caused to Pakura…and prevent Pakura's mind from being programmed again. Speaking of the seal…
"Is that where Giratina is sealed?" Naruto had found a Cherish Ball being contained in a powerful crystal similar to the ones he saw his dad use in this dark room while showing Hinata around.
Jude nodded savagely. "Yes, so it's important we do not touch this. Otherwise, Giratina may escape, and take control of his latest victim again. Until we figure out how to reverse the 'hacking', we can't be careless."
"T-T-That's s-scary!" Hinata whimpered, as Naruto reassured her by petting her head.
"How does Giratina select its victims?" Naruto wondered, looking at the pulsing crystal.
"Like I said, because it's part Ghost, it can sense souls." Jude explained. "Giratina selects its victims based on the power that they have, and their high mental fragility. For example, it gets attracted by someone who recently suffered a loss, or some mental issues stemmed from their trauma."
"In other words, free will is gone." Gabite gasped in horror.
Jude gave a single nod. "The main feelings that fuel is anger. Which is why they call it Scarlet Anger. While Scarlet Anger does make you more powerful, it also consumes your physical and mental state."
"Then why isn't the world filled with those users?" Naruto was curious. After all, the world was full of people with a lot of dark desires.
"Giratina can only choose one person to hold it at a time." Jude replied, smiling bitterly. "I'm not sure how it can be negated, but I just hope the latest victim would be able to somehow overcome the effects."
He remembered what Rosaline yelled while trying to kill Pakura. While he knew Rosaline deserved what was coming to her after what she did to steal powers and claim the last spot in their team, it didn't mean the death wasn't brutal.
Although, he supposed that Rosaline probably asked for it, considering what she yelled at Pakura. Or so he thought he heard, since at that point, he was almost unconscious, being tired from fighting a mind-controlled Phillip thanks to Pakura.
"I have come too far to be stopped by some puppet that killed her own weak fiancé!" Rosaline screamed.
Jude thought he heard something else about a child, but didn't register as he blacked out from blood loss.
"Were there any casualties during the incident?" Naruto asked solemnly.
Jude nodded, a slight sneer on his lips. While it was true that Rosaline and Pakura had half the powers that was taken by the previous host, the difference was that Rosaline stole hers, while Pakura's half of the power was extracted from the previous host and given to her by Shiki via his Power Transference because it was clear if the previous host died, the other half of the power would seek its other half, which was held by Rosaline.
Something about his expression made Naruto suspect that member was disliked anyway for some unknown reason.
Jude led them out to the workshop where Phillip was, working on a new machine. When they reached, Jude said, "You know what? I'm going to take Akeno with me, and fetch those two back. Arceus knows what they are being interrogated about. You two stay here with Phillip."
As Jude left, Naruto had a feeling the Pokémon belonging to the Elites knew the details, but they probably wouldn't tell him.
"That thing radiated a lot of power, that's for sure." Kurama grunted in his head. "Better not touch that, kid."
Naruto nodded absent-mindedly. One thing was for sure, he'd come back and take a look at it again. Still, he can't help but wonder who was the latest unlucky sap that got stuck with that Scarlet Anger curse as thought about the glowing crystal that held that Cherish Ball.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of Pakura's portal, and he ran out just in time to see Pakura step out. She was quickly followed by Ash, Akeno and Jude.
"Dad!" Naruto ran over and gave Ash a huge hug. Ash also gave Hinata a hug as well, which led her to stiffen, but returned it eventually. Pakura didn't seem inclined to hug her, after all.
"What did they want?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Nah, Kurenai-san just wanted to talk. As did Shisui-san with Paku." Ash smiled. "It's nothing much, just seeing how we are after we got called back." It was a good thing he practiced this lie with Jude before coming back. Naruto didn't need to worry about the incident.
"I know! Can we take Hinata to an amusement park?" Naruto didn't press on.
Surprisingly, Pakura was the first to respond by nodding, putting both her hands on each of their shoulders to lead them away into making plans. As the kids talked about outing plans to Pakura, Ash raised a brow at Jude.
"What?" Jude sounded exasperated.
"You were the one that went to fetch Paku, right?" Ash questioned. "Did you know what she told that Shisui boy?"
"She told him nothing. I was the one who told them some things." Jude replied, running a hand through his hair. "Well, the two boys with her, I mean."
"What did you tell him?" Phillip asked, blinking.
"Let's just say I told them about Shiki's true nature." Jude shrugged casually. "And their 'loving' relationship."
"Do you really think that low of Shiki?" Phillip frowned. "What's next, you think he started that incident?"
"The incident didn't just kickstart with his death. It's a build-up from his actions, and you know it." Jude retorted.
"Please, enough, both of you!" Akeno stepped in between them as they looked like they were about to go physical. "No more fighting. It's like I'm back in my old home, and I don't want to think about being back there."
Both of them calmed down, and sighed apologetically.
Pakura was looking over at them with an emotionless face, as if she knew what they were talking about. She then took Naruto and Hinata further in, almost like she did not want them to hear this.
"Do you…think we would be able to fix this?" Ash looked down at his hand, the same hand that permanently took a power that was the key to bringing Shiki back from Pakura. That power felt like it was something alive, and not in a good way.
The incident may be over for now, but the damage of the aftermath was still there and had impacted everyone with the exception of Akeno.
"As long as we keep Giratina at bay, I am sure the incident won't happen again." Akeno tried to comfort the others. "And if it does go free, I am sure we can handle it."
"Not if it gets control over Pakura again." Jude replied brusquely.
Unknown to them, Naruto had talked Pakura and Hinata into going to that room with the crystal again. While he knew it was dangerous, there was just something about it that couldn't keep him away.
"That seems dangerous." Sylveon wrinkled her nose.
'Ash never told me about this place.' Pakura thought, but then felt the dreaded presence. 'Don't tell me…'
As Naruto rushed to see the crystal up close, he tripped over his two legs in his haste. He blasted a Kurama-powered reddish bolt from his hands at the wall to steady himself with a backflip like a recoil from a gun, but it hit the crystal…
…Shattering it into pieces.
Meanwhile, everyone else heard a crash from somewhere inside their home. Almost like glass was shattering.
"What was that?" Ash asked, dreading this.
All of them shook their heads, not knowing what it was. Ash ran to see what happened, with the others and their Pokémon hot on his heels.
Pakura acted fast, grabbing Naruto and Hinata as well as the walking Pokémon, and turning them invisible and inaudible by touching them. Just as the Cherish ball opened, and both of them felt the frightening atmosphere coming from the Renegade Pokémon.
'Be quiet.' Pakura thought to them through telepathy, though her hands were shaking slightly.
Naruto and Hinata looked up to Giratina, trying to swallow their dread. Giratina was a large, gray, draconic Pokémon with three gold half-rings on each side of its long neck. Its head had a gold crown-like object surrounding it with two large horns pointing sideways. A thick black stripe ran vertically along its front with five red horizontal stripes. It also had two large black ghostly wings with three red tips on each that can resemble claws. Two golden half-circles similar to those on its neck were on each side of each leg, resembling shackles. It also had a black tail.
"I warned you." Kurama growled in his head. "I told you not to touch it!"
Naruto almost made a noise, but Pakura jammed her hand over his mouth.
Giratina looked around for something, or rather someone. Pakura's eyes flickered between scarlet and amethyst.
A person came into her mind, someone so important to her and yet…
A bespectacled, handsome young man with black hair and lilac eyes was standing in the middle of a laboratory facility. Everything was shattered, blood was splattered everywhere and the lighting was dark in general.
Dead bodies lied around, some of which belonged to pregnant women and children.
Even the katana he was holding that was exactly like Pakura's was splattered in red. It was impaled on a pregnant woman's large stomach. The boy extracted it gruesomely, not caring about the blood splattering on him.
"So, she isn't here?" Giratina spoke out loud. The tone and ambience it was emitting was ominous. "Oh well, I have time to take control of her again."
Naruto wondered what that meant, while Hinata was trembling. Pakura was gripping onto them tightly. Unknown to them, her amethyst eyes flickered scarlet a couple of times, before being forced back to amethyst.
Shiki turned to Pakura, his lilac eyes cold and void like his heart. Pakura eyes changed from clear to dull as she struggled against Shiki's Mind Control, his signature ability that she later gained. She fell on her hands and knees, panting.
He had a knife impaled in his heart, blood dripping from the wound and the knife slowly. Just like the way he had died. "I thought we would have been perfect together, Paku-chan. You weren't so boring after all." His voice was completely empty, numb to the heart.
Pakura was paralyzed at Shiki's appearance, and the eyes of the corpses. They were all on her, as if accusing her for not saving them from Shiki.
"But do you really think you can be forgiven after all that you did?" Shiki asked frigidly, standing over Pakura.
The door burst open, revealing Ash and the others. Ash took one look at Giratina, and blasted a ball of bright white light that engulfed the whole room.
When the light died down, everyone looked up to the glowing purple hole at the wall. Giratina was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm…I'm sorry." Naruto stuttered, almost in tears. Pakura had dropped the invisibility and inaudibility after Giratina was gone.
Jude inwardly groaned. He should have known Naruto would be curious enough to go look at the crystal again, despite his warning.
Ash took deep breaths to calm himself. He couldn't be too angry at Naruto because as much as he was raised by them, he was still a kid. Kids get curious, after all.
It was clear that the incident was going to repeat itself…and this time, he wasn't sure if he could stop it. It might have been alright if it was just them and the Pokémon.
But now, he had Naruto and Hinata's safety to consider. Especially since Pakura was now Hinata's legal guardian. Ash collapsed to his knees, on the verge of tears.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Naruto was crying out like a mantra, as Jude wiped his tears. Akeno was comforting Hinata.
"It's alright. Giratina has been sealed for quite a while, so it'll need a long while to recharge to full power." Akeno tried to reassure Naruto while petting Hinata's hair. "We can figure out what to do then."
He nodded, and looked through his tear-filled eyes to see Pikachu hurrying to Ash's side and laying on his lap. Lucario knelt down beside Ash with a distraught look. Uncle Phillip was watching with wide eyes. Uncle Jude was clenching his fists in anger, but still tried to reassure him. As for Aunt Pakura…
"Where's Aunt Pakura?" Naruto questioned through his tears. Her Sylveon was also nowhere to be seen.
Ash widened his eyes in horror when he realized Pakura was nowhere to be seen. He composed himself and said, "I'm sure she is hiding from Giratina. Each of you, search one region. I want constant updates."
All of them saluted him and then begin leaving the room.
Ash sighed, and looked out the window. His eyes were shadowed, which only happened when something serious was going on. 'History is going to repeat itself…'
Everything around him was on fire. The forest was entirely decimated.
Ash looked to the crumpled bodies of Jude and Phillip on the forest ground. Rosaline's body was completely charred, used by Pakura as a shield earlier.
He himself was bleeding from the head and any attempts to staunch it was futile. He held his shoulder in pain due to his Aura being shattered. He only had his Chosen One powers and psychic powers to rely on at this point.
Clutching to his rapier, he readied himself from the next attack from her. Sure enough, a katana stab came from the flames, which he barely blocked.
He looked into Pakura's eyes, which was glowing bright scarlet.
"What is wrong with you? Why are you doing this?" Ash cried, referring to her turning against her own team. She practically had it all, and yet here she was…
Pakura blasted him back with a powerful aura bolt. As she walked towards him, she replied coldly, "You never lost everything before, so shut up."
"Dad?" Naruto was unsure, sniffling. Hinata was holding on his arm.
Ash snapped out of that traumatic incident and turned to him, biting his bottom lip. He did not know what to do, as Naruto did disobey warnings not to touch that crystal.
"I know I didn't tell you everything about Giratina and the incident. I'm...sorry." Ash placed a hand over his chest. "There is a reason why I did not tell you the full details."
"Why?" Naruto wiped the tears and snot from his face with the tissue offered by Gabite.
What Ash answered next made Naruto wonder just how much he actually knew about Ash's members, especially his second-in-command. He finally understood why they tried to hard to keep it a secret from him.
"Because the latest victim Giratina took…is your Aunt Pakura."
BP: (Spoiler Alert to those who haven't read my Dark Chronicles and PAL Chronicles)
Alright, this is for those who have read my Pokémon fics. I am sure you know the original Pakura's backstory by now. So after talking to a friend, I decided to consult with you readers.
Here is what I want to know:
Do you want me to implement a Pakura with a completely different backstory, since perhaps her backstory is too dark for Pokémon?
As in, do you want to see what would she turn out to be like, after taking away everything that is influenced from her life with Team Rocket or Shiki? Do you want to see the original theme I have thought up for her and what she could have been if Shiki or Team Rocket was not a big part of her life?
Because it may turn out to be a completely different Pakura (fighting style, dressing, mannerisms), which essentially almost makes her a new character…almost. After all, she may even be born somewhere else.
Or, do you want a Pakura that she would be if Shiki was alive in the original? The truth behind Shiki's personality and actions?
If yes to any of the two, then I will see what I can do to change this story to fit, and adjust the timeline and interactions. If not, I will continue this story as per normal with all the original traits from Dark Chronicles/PAL Chronicles.
As for pairings…well, I haven't decided, so if you want, you can tell me what you want.
Please do vote in the poll for your answer, or give your choice in the reviews.
Anyway, do review, favourite and follow!