VICTORIA NESARI V. CITY ORDINANCE OF UNDELLA
COURT DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY BY DEFAULT
REASON: INSUFFICIENT/INAPPROPRIATE EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: N/A
END OF REPORT
Not Guilty by Default… hah. If an entire story could be carried on just a single phrase… this would be it. So much of my blood, sweat, and tears went into just this single case; only for it to end in a default victory.
Now I know why the other detectives told me to never follow domestic violence cases to court. "Too much heartbreak," they said, "just do the investigation and get out." Pfah. I should have listened to them. Of course, what I feel is nothing compared to what Lilly's going through. First, the divorce; and now this. Her life's pretty much a tragedy; and I can't stand tragedies.
I should probably go and do something about it then; no use just moping about it.
I put the report back in the filing cabinet and clock out for the day. My car's still waiting for me in the parking lot. I hop in and drive off. I make sure to stop by the mart and grab a few pokeballs. It's long past prime time that this was supposed to happen, but better late than never.
I'm getting Lilly her own partner. At the very least, it'll keep her sane until she turns 18.
As always, Lilly and Rekker are playing chess at the community center. They've been doing it since Rekker moved in from Sinnoh. It's kind of impressive how much they play actually; both of them could probably be chess champions if they-Oh right. Victoria exists. Yeah, that's not happening.
Of the two kids, Lilly's more on the cautious side when it comes to things. She never makes decisions on a whim; and when she does something, she's always looking around, expecting something to go wrong at a moment's notice. Some part of me wonders if that's because of her less than stellar upbringing. Don't get me wrong, she's a sweet kid; but… It ruins me when I see Lilly constantly worrying if her mother's going to come and start messing things up.
Rekker, on the other hand, is much more rash when it comes to decisions. In fact, he nearly got charged with contempt for his outburst during Victoria's trial. He's extremely protective of Lilly to the point where he spends most of his nights sleeping in her house. Not once have I seen the two seperate In a way, I guess one could say that the two love each other.
I walk in and silently observe the game in process.
Rekker takes one of his knights and slides it across the board, "Knight to A3. Check."
In response, Lilly moves a pawn to take the knight. I fail to hide a small smile as I note an uncommon hit of confidence in her gait, her eyes flicking up to meet Rekker's. "Pawn to A3."
Not even a second passes before Rekker mo-
"Bishop to A3."
"Pawn to H7."
"Rook to F1, Check."
Lilly stares at the board for a second before closing her eyes. "That's checkmate, good game."
If I'm going to say something, it's going to be now. "Hello, you two done here?"
Only Lilly responded, "Oh! ...Hi Niel. It's... nice to see you here." She shifted in her seat.
Yeah, she's going through those feelings. "Did I interrupt anything?
"No, No you didn't! It's totally fine! I-In fact, W-We were just getting r-ready to leave!" Lilly says, getting up from her seat.
"Alright." I glance at the door. "Do you two want to come with me? Victoria's still being re-"
I hear Rekker shouting,"DON'T YOU DARE FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" as a loud crash sounds out from where he is sitting. Lilly turns in shock as Rekker stands up to glare straight into my eyes.
I returned his glare. "Rekker, It happened. Get ov-"
"GET OVER IT MY ASS! VICTORIA GOT OFF BASICALLY SCOTT FREE FOR WHAT SHE DID TO OPAL!" He punches the table several times, causing multiple chess pieces to fall to the floor.
Oh right. Rekker calls Lilly "Opal" and Lilly calls him "Phoenix". Don't know why, don't claim to know why.
"Rekker, I know what you're feeling, but punching stuff isn't going to make things better."
He says nothing this time around, gripping his own hair as he pulls his own head down; screaming wildly as Lilly runs to calm him down.
Nonetheless, I continue on. "Please understand Rekker, please." I want to say more, but can't find the words to.
Rekker stands there fuming for a bit, continuing to pull at his hair before finally taking a breath and responding softly, "... I'm ready to go."
"How about Lilly? Are you ready to go as well?"
"S-Sure, I'm r-ready!"
No more words are spoken as all three of us leave the building, pile into the car, and take off.
A FEW MINUTES LATER
One of the only good things about today was the relative lack of traffic. Normally, it takes 30 minutes to get from the community center to the beach by car; today, it took just 15 minutes. Well, the fact that it's winter probably contributed to that; this place gets pretty lively in the summer. Either way, it was quite the exciting moment when I handed Lilly the pokeballs. Of course, we didn't find a pokemon to catch for a long while. Finally, after a few hours, one pokemon arrived on the beach; a shiny dewott.
To make it easier for the kid, I sent out Decidueye and used false swipe on both Pokemon. All that should be left is for Lilly to throw the ball.
She took aim, and threw a pokeball. The ball struck the dewott, and caught it on the first try.
Of course, we were all excited.
"What are you going to name her?" Rekker asked.
Again, Lilly's response takes a while; but it's worth the wait. "Opal."
YET ANOTHER FEW MINUTES LATER
I never normally do this, but I let Lilly have Opal out of her ball in the car. I can deal with the cleanup later. For now, I'll just let her have her own moment of happiness as I drive her back home.
Of course, the two are already talking about letting their two pokemon meet each other.
After quite a bit of discussion, I hear Lilly excitedly shout, "Yes! Absolutely! Pyro and Opal can meet once we get home! And then tomorrow we can take them through the marine tunnel! I can't wa-umm.. Pyro's the shiny flareon right?"
I hear Rekker chuckle a little before responding, "Yes. Pyro's the flareon." He pauses for a bit. "But how are we going to get to the marine tube anyway? I mean, Niel here doesn't get a day off for 4 days!"
He's right. Ahhh, the joys of 6 day work weeks.
I hear Opal let out a squeak as Lilly starts petting her head. "I guess… We walk?" Lilly says.
Rekker looks out of the car window. "The tube's 9 miles from your house if I remember correctly. Definitely not within walking distance. "
There's a small bout of silence before Lilly talks again, "What about…. Trains?"
"Lilly, there are no trains anywhere near Undella. Besides, even if there were trains near here, what's stopping you from just hopping on one and… you know… Not getting off?"
Not getting off. Those three words… ARGH!
I pull over and stop the car. Just before either of the two could say anything, I looked in the rear view and shouted, "There will be no running away at all!"
I could visibly see Lilly and Opal flinch at my sudden outburst; while Rekker started angrily arguing with me. "What else is Sh-We going to do then!? Wait 15 months just for the slim possibility that Lilly'll have the means to live on her own? What if Victoria tries somet-?"
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GET OVER IT!"
"I FUCKING DARE YOU TO SAY THAT TO LILLY'S FACE."
I want to explode so much. I can't, though, so a few strikes of the steering wheel is the best I can do here.. After the last of the car horn dies down, I'm finally able to speak. Through gritted teeth, I'm able to push out just what I want to say. "Start an emancipation case then. Get your stuff in order, talk to a lawyer, And then present your case to a judge. Assuming they're at least halfway competent, they'll grant the order," I say to Rekker, Lilly indirectly as well. I look back at the girl. "Lilly, I know it hurts to have to deal with… Victoria. But bear with me, things will be much worse if you end up running away." At last, my attention turns to Opal. To the dewott, I silently whisper; "Opal, be there for Lilly. Please."
There's a long period of awkward silence. After I'm sure things have fully settled in, I get back on the highway and drive off. Aside from a few sentences from Lilly and Rekker about how cute Opal is, nothing else is spoken for the rest of the car ride home.
"Alright. I'll tell Marin that you're staying with Lilly again tonight. She's working the night again tonight so it works out in the end, sort of." I call out to Rekker just as Opal knocks Pyro to the ground. In response, the flareon repeatedly bites the dewott. They've been play-fighting on the lawn for 15 minutes. They're somehow both losing.
I put the car keys back in the ignition lock. The engine roars to life as I disengage the parking brake. Before I drive off however, I owe it to Lilly to make sure she's comfortable; especially since she's practically going back into hell. "Do you need anything else?"
"Y-yeah," She says. "Um.. T-this i-is awkward to s-say… b-but, C-can I h-have one o-of y-your pokemon? O-Opal's perfect, b-but I-I'm worried Mo-Victoria will t-try something- w-with m-me or O-Opal...B-because ...She's shiny" I barely manage to hear that last part.
Honestly, It's a valid concern.
Sighing, I re-engage the parking brake as I get out of the car. I pull one of the pokeballs off my belt as I hand it to Lilly. "This is Wartortle. You can have him for a few weeks as you get Opal trained up." As Lilly grabs the ball, I point up my finger to say one more thing. "But, you have to promise me one thing. Don't run away. Please."
Lilly smiles as she holds up her pinky. "Promise."
I get back in the car and suddenly I pause. A chill has been sent up my spine for whatever reason. In an instant, I'm filled with dread. I try shaking it off and driving anyway; but the feeling only gets more and more intense. I can't even get out of the driveway without going full on shaking. After thirty minutes of failed attempts, I decide to just call it quits and stay with Lilly for the night.
Of course, she and Rekker were more than happy to allow me to sleep on the couch. We even watched a few movies together. After that, I watched them go to bed together, with their pokemon close behind.
I sat in silence for an hour before the front door opened. Victoria entered through it.
Of course, I was the first one to talk. "Hello. Lilly wanted me to stay tonight. I hope that's fine with you."
She looks at me suspiciously before walking over to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring 2 glasses. "Want some?"
I walk over to the kitchen table. "Sure." I told her.
We both sat down and started drinking. We did not speak, just stared in silence.
I know it's innocent unless proven guilty, but I did not want to talk to someone who beats their daughter. I don't talk to people I hate. Even looking at her just sitting across from me now makes me want to kick something. That look, that smug fucking look, like she knows something I don't and thinks herself superior for it… whatever she's done to Lilly, I want to… I...
...ha.. I'm feeling tired all of a sudden. I… need to sleep. I.. No, I need to stay awake. But… too.. Tired.
I stumble back to the couch and lie down. I was hoping that it would make me feel a little better; but phah, my eyes closed for good once I reached the pull-out mattress.
In the end, I fell asleep.
That was the WORST decision of my life.
I had terrifying nightmares in my sleep. So many died around me. I couldn't stop it. My team couldn't stop it. Nobody could. The light slowly consumed all.
But nobody remembers their most important dreams.
Never.
I wake up to an eerily silent home. Looking around, I notice the lack of kids getting ready for school. In fact, there's a severe lack of anything; books, water bottles, jackets, food. Rekker and Lilly's backpacks aren't there… The front door looks like some locksmith completely lied on their resume...
Wait, No… NO!
I quickly check the rest of the house. Same thing, anything that could be taken was gone. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was some kind of burglary. But I know better!
They FUCKING RAN! Grabbed their stuff and fucking bolted it out of here! And right after I told them not to!
I run out of the house, get into my car, and then make a radio call to the rest of the department.
Into the receiver, I scream; "I have 2 missing children. One boy, 16, with the name of Rekker! And one girl, also 16! Her name is Lilly! Ran away last night!" I quickly glance around the house; there's a car missing. "Likely driving a car! Get a team and LOOK!"
Before Dispatch can say anything back, I drive off; cautiously looking for any sign of the two. They HAVE to be around here somewhere! I… jus…
PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ARCEUS, BE SAFE!
SOMEPLACE FAR FAR AWAY
It hurts so bad. Arrgh… I can't breathe. Feels like I'm having my very being ripped out of my body. I can't take it. But I have to. I feel like I'm going to go crazy from all of this…
WHY? I tried to be good to you. I wanted to see you be a better person. I wanted to see you happy for once!
But, that's… completely impossible. The wrong person found you. Not even all the time in the world could undo his manipulation. You are his puppet. He is the puppetmaster.
Even after all this, I can't find it in me to hate you. I still love you. I'm sorry this ever happened to you, but it's too late for sorries.
Goodbye Mom. May we see each other in another life.
Where am I?
Am I dreaming this?
I feel a cold, yet pleasant breeze.
...
I hear a familiar voice from somewhere…
…
... ...
… … ...
"Hey! Wake up please! I'm here! It's me! Rekker! Wake up Lilly!"
"LILLY!"
Something nudges at my side; and thus, I open my eyes. Instead of my house, I see an open sky as snow falls on my face. I'm dazed for a moment before Rekker calls my name once again.
"LILLY! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
I continue staring upward, but I do manage to push out a response.
"Rekker, I'm here. What's wrong?"
I hear a relieved sigh along with the sound of snow crunching; likely Rekker walking around me.
"Oh thank Arceus you're alive. I thought I was talking to Opal or Wartortle instead of you."
Wait... What?
I wave my hand in front of my eyes. Instead of seeing tan-colored skin, I see turquoise colored fur. Of course, My initial reaction is to look down at the rest of my body. Most of it is also turquoise; but near my waist, there's a purple section of fur with two scallops resting at its side. My eyes widen as I slowly come to the single possible explanation. I've turned into Opal!
I immediately try to stand up. However, just one tiny problem prevents me from doing so: My back just won't cooperate with me! It feels really stiff, even though I've never had back problems before. It just won't move, even when I try to stretch it.
I look over at Rekker for help. However when I do, I don't see a human; I see a shiny flareon. Wait, huh? Didn't Rekker have a shiny fl- Oh. Oh no… He's pyro. Rekker has turned into pyro, just like I turned into Opal.
Wh- WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO US?
While I was freaking out, I guess Rekker might have guessed that I was having trouble getting up; as he grabbed me by the hands and pulled back, allowing me to get off the snow-covered ground.
Once he does though, I see his jaw drop to the floor as he points towards me.
"L-Lilly…! Y-Your b-back!"
That grabs my attention as I glance at my back. Instead of seeing more turquoise fur, I see a green shell… and tail. I can move the tail, but not my entire back.
Wait… no.. No this can't be!
My knees give way as I collapse to the floor, shaking. Not only have I been turned into Opal, But I've also been turned into a weird wartortle hybrid as well!
I…
Tears start splashing on the ground. This is too much. I can't do this! I… WHY! WHY DO THESE THINGS ALWAYS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO ME? I… AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I start screaming into my new "paws." I know it won't help but… I can't do anything else. I just have to scream.
...It takes a few minutes before I feel a light brush from behind. It's, of course, Rekker.
"I know things are scary right now, but we'll get help. Niel'll know what to do. He'll figure something out."
I'm still crying, but… those words help a little. I look back at Rekker, and give a light smile. In response, he places his… paw on my back;
"Whatever happens… I'm here for you."
And that… just breaks me. I don't have the energy to cry anymore; so I grab my head and pull. No words came from either of us for a very long while. Eventually, my feelings mellowed out into a small acceptance as I looked back at Rekker one last time.
"Thank you." I said.
He sighed and stood up, me just managing to do the same despite the shell on my back. We both scanned the area for any hint as to our current whereabouts. A snow covered mountain range in the middle of nowhere. There's a frozen ocean to the far east; with mountains in every other direction. So… nowhere near Undella, by the looks of it. Are we somewhere in the Reversal mountains? No, that wouldn't explain the ocean. Sinnoh, then? How would we have gotten there, though? It's too hilly to be anywhere near Snowpoint; and it's too close to the ocean to anywhere near Mt. Coronet. Despite that, there's something about this view. I... I don't know how to describe what I felt seeing all of this… but it's beautiful.
…
My gazing is interrupted by Rekker, waving from the slope off the peak.
"Hey! This looks like a path down to the bottom. Wanna try it?"
"...Do we really have any other choice?" I respond.
"Are we going or not?"
Of course, we're going down that trail. Nothing much of interest happens; though, I notice that some blades of grass pop up behind Rekker. Something feels… off. I'm not completely sure if it's just my imagination or…
You know what? It probably is just my imagination. Probably just telling myself things that aren't there again, right?
We continue climbing down the mountain while taking in the view. Though, the view became obscured at one point as we passed by a rather weird section of the mountains. I don't know why this place feels so… different. I don't know what it is. But it's different.
There's no option but to keep going forward.
Snowfelt Mountains
1F
TO BE CONTINUED