Everything hurt.
Culus couldn't remember how badly he'd messed up to get in this awful position, but considering the mammoth pain he was having to deal with, he had to have failed spectacularly.
Both of Culus's paws were being crushed, his shoulder seemed to be leaking all of his life away, his blood felt stiff, and he had the worst headache imaginable. He couldn't even open his eyes.
And then the burning started. An unending fire, starting from his paws and stretching to the rest of his body. Culus would have shouted or screamed, had his vocal cords not been on fire as well.
And when the fire reached his eyes… he had to open them.
He was lying down inside a ship, bolts of cloth layered over him with a single sheet serving as an unsatisfactory mattress. Clumps of matted fur clung to it, chafing against the fur still there. Judging by the slow rocking sensation and the dancing of the star-studded sky out of the windows, the boat was moving, so that explained the light motion sickness - though, it didn't explain most of the pain he was dealing with.
All in all, he was left with a lot of questions. Where was he? What was he doing right now? What was he supposed to do right now? How did he get here? Why was he in so much pain? How was he supposed to relieve himself of the aforementioned pain?
The first thing to do was to get up. Unfortunately, when he tried that, he ran into his first hurdle.
Hispaws were gone.
Culus stared at the bandaged limbs. No paws to move things around with, no claws to cut with. Just… stumps.
Even though he felt his claws, rather painfully, when he tried to touch something with them… there was nothing there. There wasn't even a sensation of a nonexistent claw passing through something, it was just… nothing…
Culus grimaced. Touching something with the stumps sent bolts of pain through his limbs (as though there wasn't enough of that already). Altogether, he had been utterly crippled.
How had this…
And then he remembered.
Kenki.
The plan had been shot to hell, there had been a battle between him and Kenki, he had lost, Kenki had done… something to him, he wasn't quite sure what, Kapun and Rowan had intervened, they had battled in place of him for a short while, he made the bomb, he had tried to save Rowan…
… in doing so, his paws were severed…
… the bomb went off, Kenki got blown away and knocked unconscious, and he bit Kenki and electrocuted Kenki until he was satisfied. Then… nothing.
Looking at himself right now, there weren't any injuries that he didn't consciously remember obtaining. Considering the position he was in, on a ship with no additional injuries, on a ship that gave him as much freedom as his injuries would allow…
… they had helped him. Despite the risk, they had saved him from Kenki and helped him stow away when he wasn't able to bring himself to the ship. They had put themselves throughout all of that… to help him.
…
Through all of the pain, there was a nice fuzzy feeling, like liquid honey running through his systems. It didn't energize him or make the pain any easier to deal with, but it was there.
And logically, he could tell what it was. Affection.
Those fuckers… those wonderful, absolutely reliable fuckers…
Despite the dryness of his throat, he couldn't help but hack out a laugh. His paws and a limp in a leg for some friends. Was that a worthy trade?
Well, it wasn't one he could go back on, either way. The past was the past and all he could influence was the present. Now that he was on the ship - and, given the fact that it was well into the night, a long time from departure, also hidden - what was he supposed to do?
The obvious, and most realistic, answer was to recover. There wasn't much else that he could do with two legs and one-halfway usable arm. Anything else would have to come later…
… unfortunately, his position didn't really allow for that. Barring Kapun and Rowan, the entire world was his enemy. Unless this ship was manned with ghosts - not Ghost-types, actual ghosts - there were probably normal Pokemon aboard as well.
And, if one found him, he'd be in a boatload of trouble.
Not only that, but Culus needed to find food as well. Kapun said that his father was a food merchant, but there was no guarantee this was Kair's ship. So, in case this was a ship that Kapun threw him on at the last minute, he also needed to find where the proper food stores were for the ship.
So, no sleeping or resting, despite how tired and injured he was. He had to stay abreast of his situation, no matter the temporary cost to his health.
… and then he realized how truly ill he was.
Culus only had the ability to stand up - not the energy, the ability. It took everything he had to stand up, especially considering the pain his amputated legs were in. The second he tried to walk, he collapsed back to the ground, no exception.
This wasn't a matter of willpower - his body simply shut off his voluntary muscles out of the sheer pain. Even though the pain from the slavery band was harsher than what he was feeling right now, it didn't drain his energy quite like all these injuries did.
After ten or so tries to simply move, Culus… gave up. Hopefully, in an hour or two, he'd have the ability to move from his spot. Maybe hunger or a much more present danger could force him to move. There wasn't anything else he could hope for at this point.
As the minutes slowly ticked on by, with no change or anything like that happened, Culus simply accepted his situation. For now, he just had to deal with the pain. Anything else was impossible.
Soon, his hunger started to grow, making him grimace. There wasn't anything he could eat, not in front of him, so… shut up, stomach, don't make that much noise.
"Culus, you're awake?" Culus snapped to attention. Rowan's voice sounded behind him and he craned his neck back to see if it was truly him. A split second later, he smiled.
"Can't you tell?" Culus rasped. Rowan snorted. "I thought you'd pay attention to me."
"Considering how you've been comatose for the past few days, I wasn't going to get my hopes up too quickly. For all I'd known, you'd just moved around in your sleep." Rowan tossed a few Berries and Apples his way. "Eat up."
Culus didn't waste a second, taking as much food into his mouth as he could, before chewing noisily. There was no time for decorum in his mind - his stomach's demands far outweighed the small desire for manners.
Rowan watched him eat in silence, and when he went for the next bite, he tilted his head. "You should probably slow down," he mentioned. "Unless you want hiccups."
"Shut up, I'm not going to slow down." Despite his protest, though, Culus did end up slowing down. Rowan smiled next to him as he finished the pile. "Got anymore?"
"We'll need to get some later. Kapun's getting our dinner as well, and we need food too."
Culus groaned. "Fine. I guess I'll need to digest anyway." He sat down. "So, what's happened in the past few days, then? Tell me everything that happened after I fainted."
Rowan stretched. "Sure. But first, let's wait for Kapun to return. We all have things we need to talk about, and we've been waiting for you."
Culus wasn't exactly sure what that was supposed to mean but sat down anyway. "Where is he, anyway? You said he's on the ship, right?"
Rowan nodded. "Looks like your ears are working properly. Right now, he's gone in another hold to get some more food for us." Rowan sighed. "Even now, though, he's a little ashamed to do so. He's stealing from his pops, and that makes it worse, apparently."
"Not much of a family guy, are you?" Like Culus was one to talk.
Rowan rolled his eyes. "I only have a few memories of my mother. The biggest thing I really remember is her selling me off to Kenki to pay back her debts. I think I have some siblings somewhere, but I don't think they'll really give a shit about me."
"And your father?"
Rowan shrugged. "A name. That's all I have. Apparently, Kenki's familiar with the guy, since he's a hotshot thief in the underworld as well."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Apparently, he's stolen some really valuable things over the years - jewel, famous art pieces, even ransomed a crown once. A fucking crown." Rowan shook his head. "Still think he's a piece of shit though, that Zennitas."
Culus raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
"You remember that I said that my mother was in debt?" Rowan asked rhetorically. "Well, guess who got her in that debt?"
"Zennitas? But how?"
"She used to be rich, really rich. But then Dad got to her and her heart, and she gave him access to her entire wealth." Culus winced. "Guess what happened when he disappeared after having me?"
"Wouldn't that just make her less wealthy?"
"Gambling debts. She had a huge tab in Illusuria, and when the collectors came, there wasn't a single piece of gold left in her coffers."
Culus winced again. "Sounds rough."
"Not like it's my problem. She had to sell everything to anyone that was willing to pay, and I was one of those things, considering I was just another burden on her nonexistent budget. Kenki was willing to pay her for my servitude, from garnishing my wages."
Right, Kenki paid his crew for some reason. "Sounds like it's more your mother's fault than Zennitas's."
"Oh, yeah, she definitely holds the majority of the blame, since she was the one racking up debts and falling in love with a crook. But he was the one who seduced her and the one who benefitted in the end from her stupidity. Kenki's an old friend of his, and it's more than likely Zennitas knows of my existence. And he let me suffer under Kenki."
"Sounds like a hot mess." Culus perked up as Kapun walked in. "Got a big break, guys. There was a Mental Herb in the medicine cabinet. Did wonders for my Gummigraine."
"Gummigraine?"
Rowan sighed. "I'll start from the beginning, then." He started tapping the floor. "First, the battle. When we returned to help you out, we used some items that Kapun brought from… somewhere."
"The Illicity," Kapun answered. "I bought them all on my first visit."
"Well, they were what allowed us to fight against him." Rowan continued. "He used a Devolve Orb to regress Kenki into a Dewott-"
"-though it's only temporary-" Kapun interrupted.
"-a Gummi that he ate to give him supreme reflexes-"
"-but the side effects are awful, I've had nonstop headaches for days-"
"-and that Energy Seed I fed you, will you shut up?" Rowan hissed at an amused Kapun. "But yes, the items had strong limitations and awful side effects. There's a reason they're illegal, you know."
"But they helped, didn't they?" Kapun countered. "I could fight on even ground with him for a while because of it, until you brought out that hidden bomb."
"Hidden bomb… oh." Culus winced. He had been pressed for time, and the secrecy of his power wasn't something he had considered necessary in that kind of emergency. "Y-yeah… I had… hid it."
Rowan turned to him, eyes narrowed. "And here's the first thing you have to answer. What was that power you used to make the bomb?"
"Make the bomb?" he bluffed. "I had just hidden it, and that flash of light was me bring it into the open."
"Yeah, I don't eat bullshit, Culus," Rowan instantly rebuffed. "You just happened to have a bomb tailor-made for the situation? One that would ignite on contact with water?"
"You… never know?" Rowan's glare was petrifying. A few seconds later, Culus decided to give them the leeway of knowing. It wasn't like they hadn't earned his trust several times over already, after all. "Fine, I'll tell you how I made it - but you have to keep it secret."
"Thieve's honor," Rowan promised, which meant 'Sure, I'll keep it secret for now.'. That was probably as good as Culus was ever going to get from him.
"If it doesn't end up hurting Dad, I'll keep the secret," Kapun promised as well. That too was reliable enough, since Kapun's priorities were very clear.
In response, Culus looked in front of him, before creating a tiny metal needle, the easiest and least expensive creation in his arsenal. With a swirling of mist and a tiny flash of light, the needle appeared, eliciting a small gasp from Kapun.
"I call it creation," Culus announced. "As long as I have a general idea of what I'm supposed to be making and the stamina required to make it, I can make it."
"That's… incredible…" Rowan whispered, looking at the needle in awe. Kapun was similarly wide-eyed "Anything?"
"Theoretically," Culus answered. "Though, like I said, it is limited. This needle is the easiest thing to make, but even then, it's a drain on my stamina. Something large and complicated like a bomb leaves me nearly powerless for hours."
Rowan looked at Culus more thoughtfully. "So that was why you were so exhausted, even after the Energy Seed?" Culus nodded. "It seems like a powerful tool, even if at a heavy cost."
"Oh, it is." Culus agreed. "It was the sole reason I could escape from Ascendance Palace. I wouldn't have been able to save myself from sedation using the needles or unlock Selene's cupboards with a lockpick otherwise."
"Can you make a new paw with it?" Kapun was the one that asked that question. He was looking at Culus's bandaged stumps with anticipation.
"I'm… not sure," Culus hedged. "I've tried making a living thing once, and it took everything out of me to do so. I'd need to dope myself on an Energy Seed to survive making it, and it'll knock me out for a while. Even then, I'll only have one paw left."
"But it's possible, right?"
"Like I said, I'm not sure," he repeated. "I'll… give it a try when I have the energy and the Seed." An idea came to him. "But until we find that seed, I'm pretty sure I can make metal prosthetics to function until then. I'll do it once we're in a safe place and I have the energy for it."
The idea of having his front paws again, real or otherwise, returned some energy and purpose to him. Finding the Zoroark would be impossible with a double amputation, but it would be possible if he undid the damage or used a prosthetic as a crutch. He wasn't out of the count just yet.
Rowan grinned. "Glad to hear it. What else have you made?"
"Not much. Creation is really costly. Even the needles will be expensive, if I make enough of them." Culus looked at the needle forlornly. "In reality, it's something to be used either in dire emergencies or with heavy planning. It simply doesn't have the availability to be used freely."
Rowan looked at the needle as well. "What determines the 'cost' of a creation, then?"
"A couple of things. Size is probably the biggest. Another is the internal 'complexity' of the creation. If it has more elements to it, the more energy it'll take. Another is whether I know the exact mechanics of what I'm making - if I don't know what the molecules look like, or even a mental blueprint, it'll cost extra."
Kapun picked up the needle. "So a small, simple thing like the needle is the easiest?"
"Yeah, simple metallic tools are the easiest. Living things are infinitely harder, and the multi-faceted bombs weren't easy either." He looked at Kapun. "Does that answer your question?"
"Pretty much. There might be things later, but that was the biggest thing I wanted to know." There weren't any other secrets that Culus held, either, beyond the ones that the collar forbade him from telling. "Anyway, do you remember what happened after that?"
"After the bomb going off?" Culus paled as he remembered what happened next. Things had been so… sudden, and all he could think of was ending the threat there and then. No point in keeping Kenki alive. "Yeah… uh, if you had any attachments to Kenki… sorry."
Rowan snorted. "Any attachments were severed the moment he pointed his sword at me. No, you saved my life with that. Nothing from me - and you already know Kapun's thoughts on Kenki."
"Right… well, the murder is where my memories end." He looked at both of them. "What happened after that?"
Kapun shrugged. "Not much - we raced down to Illicity as fast as possible and barely managed to sneak on Kair's ship. We've been nursing you under one of Rowan's illusions ever since - even if someone were to sneak in, they wouldn't have seen or heard anything."
"I broke the illusion once I saw you woke up," Rowan added. "I have it ready to be made at any second, if someone were to peek inside. Luckily, it's night time, so that's unlikely, but it is possible."
Culus nodded. "Thanks, guys." He bowed as deeply as he could. "I… I wouldn't have survived if you guys hadn't come to save me."
Rowan waved off Culus's concerns. "That's pretty obvious. Of course, there wasn't any other real choice we could have made. With Pinnaleis under lockdown and the Illicity being the only way out, helping you was the only option." But despite Rowan's words, Culus felt some sort of shame emanate from him.
Culus sighed. "So what's next, then?" he asked. "I'll recover for a while in Illusuria before sneaking off to Hovete. While I'm doing that, I'll do my best to help you guys get situated with whatever you want."
Rowan laughed. "Get situated? If you haven't figured it out already, I'm following you!"
Culus blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Let me put it this way, Culus," Rowan continued. "Right now, we're figures to be feared in the underworld. We took down Kenki, and when other people realize that, no one is going to want to mess with us. More than that, though, no one will trust us, since we're all traitors."
"So…"
"So, I'll never be recruited by another criminal organization, probably. Since I refuse to become a meek citizen, I'm left with two options." Rowan held up two claws. "One, make my own gang."
"That sounds… nice?" Culus offered.
"It does until you realize that I have no actual strength, aside from my illusions. The second one of my goons figures that out, I'd be overthrown and executed in the blink of an eye." Rowan snorted. "Right now, we're feared. That might not last for too long."
"And the other option is to join me?"
Rowan grinned. "That and find out more about my namesake." Rowan flipped the jade ring on which 'Rowan' was inscribed. "It's probably nothing interesting, but it's better than nothing. And considering what you've done and where you've been, you'll need my help for whatever it is you're doing."
Culus narrowed his eyes. "And this helps you… how? What do you get out of helping me?"
"I'll figure that out later," Rowan waved. "Just know that I'm your ally. Trust me or not, I'll help you in whatever way I can."
Culus didn't quite believe what Rowan was saying… but then again, Culus didn't have a choice. Rowan had proved his loyalty somewhat, but that was a special case since it was in both of their interests to betray Kenki. He'd need Rowan's help regardless, just as he said.
"Welcome aboard, then," Culus eventually decided, before turning to Kapun. "And as for you?"
Kapun was looking at him with a strange face. It was as if he didn't quite believe what Culus was saying. "I'll… manage," he said eventually. "Once news breaks out of our ousting of Kenki, Dad and I won't be able to return to Pinnaleis. I'm not sure what we'll do next…"
Culus grimaced. "Well, we can't turn back time now, can we?"
Kapun shrugged. "Like I said, I'll - no, we'll - manage. Dad said that when he was a kid, he lived out in the wild. He can teach me what I'll need to know to survive, and we can make a living until the heat dies down and we can settle somewhere else." He smiled. "I'm just glad I got to sock Kenki in the face a few times before you killed him. Serves him right."
Then Kapun's grin faded away. "You… you keep saying that you want to go to Hovete. Is there any reason why?"
Culus opened his mouth, then closed it. "I… can't tell you why." He'd love to do so, but with the collar's restrictions, it would be impossible to do so.
"Why not?" Kapun challenged. "Will it hurt us? Does it involve me or my Dad in any way? Will it kill a lot of people?"
"N-no, nothing like that."
"Then why?"
"Because… I can't." He hated the words tumbling out of his mouth. "It's none of your concern."
"That's not for you to decide," Kapun refuted. "Considering how you told us about your creation, an ace in the hole, something like this has to be incredibly important. So tell me, and I'll decide for myself."
While Culus had wanted Kapun to grow a spine, he hadn't wanted this. "Like I said, you're not getting anything from me."
Rowan looked at both of them, confused. "What's the matter with you two?"
"If you won't tell me of your own will, I'll force it out of you," Kapun declared.
Culus laughed. "Haven't you seen my slavery band? Do you not see my injuries? What kind of torture do you think you can do that goes beyond them?"
"I don't need to torture you. I don't even need your permission." Kapun was about to say something else, only to be silenced by Rowan.
"What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Two. Talking. About?" he hissed. "Why's it your business what Culus wants to do? He's clearly not the kind of person that commits mass murder, nor does he have a reason to hurt any of us. He had plenty of chances to do so before, after all."
He then turned to Culus. "And what's the matter with you? You're not usually so tight-lipped and cryptic with your information. Is it family? Money? Evil intentions? What is it?"
Culus only closed his lips tighter. Even though the collar would fabricate something for him to say to allay their suspicions - it had an excellent track record of even manipulating his thoughts to do so - he didn't want them to have any misconceptions. The less they knew, the better.
"Rowan… you're not going to get anything from him willingly," Kapun told them. "It's clear to me that he was told to keep his objectives completely secret."
"Told?" Rowan narrowed his eyes. "Kapun… you're keeping something secret too. That gibberish you spouted at the pier and all this… what is it that I'm out of the loop on?"
Culus didn't have any idea what the two of them were talking about. He had no 'objectives' and didn't remember Kapun shouting any gibberish at the pier. "Yeah, I'd like to know too."
Kapun looked at Culus suspiciously, before heading back many paces. "Rowan, come here. We'll need distance in case he decides to attack."
"Attack?" Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Explain already."
"I will once you come here," he promised.
After Rowan moved away from Culus, Kapun stared him down. "So, before I start… how much will you be willing to discuss about your collar?"
The… collar?
…
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?" Culus shouted, making Rowan shush with concern.
"Do you want to wake up the entire ship, Culus?" His eyes then turned fiery. "And what's this about his collar?"
"What do you know about it, Kapun?" Culus asked immediately. If he could have gotten up and walked, he would have done so. In that respect, Kapun's decision to create distance was much wiser than he had thought. "Tell me everything."
Kapun looked at both of them with a strange expression. "Tell me, Rowan - have you ever seen Culus take that collar off? Or have you seen any sort of clasp that can be used to open it?"
Rowan shook his head. "None at all. I thought that he would take it off for bathing, but… now that I think about it, why would someone like you have a collar?" The question was directed at him.
He grimaced. "I… can't say," he replied.
"I doubt he'd be willing to have his free will enslaved, either?" Kapun remarked.
"Free will… enslaved?" Rowan stared at the collar. "Kapun, what is it?"
Culus didn't say anything - he couldn't. If he tried, the collar would pipe up and force him to say something to stop the inquiries, probably. He didn't even know why he was allowed to ask about the collar in the first place.
Kapun sat down, cross-legged. "I'm not entirely sure, but it seems to be like a slavery band, except way stronger. The slavery bands only shocks you with pain if you disobey orders or even try to disobey orders… I think? But this collar prevents disobedience outright, I think."
"Prevents disobedience?" Rowan growled. "Like some sort of brainwashing or mind control or hypnosis or something?"
"There are more Collared than just Kite - I heard that they were exhibited and sold at a 'Celebration' last week." Kapun said instead. "They're slaves - willing slaves. Their owner just has to boss them around, and the collar prevents them from even thinking disobedient thoughts."
Culus gulped. This… "This exhibit was last week?"
"In Illicity," Kapun answered. "I found out about it the day after, by some… digging around, let's call it. It was when you sent me off after you showed off the bomb."
Back then… then when he was standing guard at the gate or shouting at Kapun, more Pokemon like him were being sold?
Rowan looked pensive. "Are you sure about this, Kapun?" he asked. "Couldn't you just be mistaken?"
"I'm not mistaken!" Kapun insisted. "I even tested it out myself - there are some universal orders each one of the Collared have to follow, and I used it on Kite when you weren't around."
Culus's blood went cold. "You… you what?"
"You don't remember, since you aren't allowed to remember anything when fulfilling that universal order," Kapun answered. "But I used it to ask you whether you were going to betray us during the operation, which you had said that you wouldn't, and which you didn't."
Culus gulped. "I… I…"
"I've seen other Collared before, when Kenki invaded Pinnaleis. He used them to wreak havoc - they're stronger, smarter, faster, better than any normal Pokemon. They wore scarves to hide their collars, too."
Culus realized, when seeing a look of recognition on Rowan's face, that Kapun wasn't bullshitting anything. This… he was one of those Collared. His 'master' had to be that Zoroark that used him as a scapegoat. Culus didn't remember any orders, but then, if the collar could alter his thoughts and erase his memories, then not remembering orders was more than likely.
Then he realized something else.
"K-Kenki?" he asked, a little scared. "Kenki has access to those collars?"
"He was the one that sold them a week ago." So it was even worse than he thought. "He used one of those universal commands on you as well, to put you into 'Reporting Mode'. I had to use a different command to turn you back to normal."
Culus cast his mind back to the time when Kapun and Rowan had joined the fight. He got stabbed and started crying, which activated what Kenki had called 'Logic Mode' (that added more credence to Kapun's claims). Then Kenki had shouted some gibberish, which brought him out of Logic Mode, before saying some more gibberish, and…
And…
"I don't remember being in 'Reporting Mode'," Culus admitted. "But then again, I did lose track of a few seconds after Kenki said some more gibberish, so…"
"That gibberish was the command," Kapun confirmed. "And you can't remember anything in Reporting Mode. It's for telling memories, not making them."
Culus's blood ran cold. "You said earlier that you used it to figure out my intentions. What does Reporting Mode make me… do?"
"Tell the truth," Kapun explained. "It forces you to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. Even if your master tries to make you keep a secret, Reporting Mode will bring it out." Kapun smiled. "So yes, I can learn your true goal, all without flexing a claw."
Culus gulped, then steeled himself. "Then do it already."
Whatever Kapun was expecting, it wasn't that. "I thought you didn't want to tell."
"I don't, but if you're going to find out anyway, then by all means, use the command." For some reason, the collar still wasn't acting up. It hadn't forced him to stop Kapun, which meant that it would allow Reporting Mode. And if they asked the right questions, which was very likely, then Culus could clear up any misunderstandings.
In fact, with Reporting Mode, he could actually testify on his own, without needing that Zoroark. It was a blessing in disguise - though, considering how he had now actually committed murder…
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "Are you… sure?"
"Like I said, do it. You can't believe me otherwise." Hopefully, that would be enough of a clue.
Kapun smiled. "If you say so. Jurentia involtas mulaties, adjutt benker signitz shutal."
Three-hundred twelve baskets of berries to eat, three-hundred twelve baskets for me! I'll eat it today and throw it away, three-hundred eleven baskets of berries to eat! Three-hundred eleven baskets of berries to eat, three-hundred eleven baskets for me! I'll eat it today and throw it away, three-hundred ten baskets of berries to eat!
Three, would you please shut UP! You're giving her a headache!
Three-hundred ten baskets of berries to eat-
Four, I don't think she's listening to you. Please don't shout back.
Two, I can't survive listening to this! One, back me up!
Three-hundred nine baskets of berries to eat, three hundred nine baskets for me!
I can't believe this! This is a goddamn madhouse!
Selene groaned, trying to think about anything else other than the voices her diseased brain had conjured to torment her. Not only had her sleep cycles been completely demolished, but she also had to deal with all of… this.
And I'm telling you that we're as real as you are! We are not figments of your imagination, and we are not products of schizophrenia!
Four, don't antagonize her! She's doing her best, okay? Just let her believe it.
Hey, if we're not real, does that mean that-
One, we are real, Two, don't feed her delusions!
Hey, Selene, tickle Eve's nose. I want to see how she'll react if you wake her up.
This torture had been going on for the past three days. Every single time she had a thought, her mind would reply. She didn't have a moment to think, and she refused to acknowledge them as anything but hallucinations!
Selene, I swear…
Selene did her absolute best to tune out what she heard from Four - no, there is no Four, 'Four' is just what the voice, no, hallucination, named itself!
I am NOT a hallucination!
Four, please!
The only way she could make them shut up at all was to take her pills. By doing so, she could feel normal again, if only for two minutes. The voices couldn't exist, since if they did, taking the pill wouldn't do anything!
But they also make me feel funny. I think you shouldn't take them!
That's just what you want me to… no, I can't respond to them!
Yes, you can! Because we are real!
The worst part of the whole thing? She had nothing else to do. Being stuck in a crate didn't sound so bad at first, but with time, stale air, and the complete lack of light or anything to do, there was nothing she could do but sit there and think!
Because of that, she had to deal with Misses One, Two, Three, and Four (numbering them was only a half-acknowledgment since she would not tolerate giving them actual names), to varying degrees of success.
One was easy - as long as she periodically reminded One to leave her alone, she would acquiesce. The problem was that when she did talk, it was the vapidest of comments! Even that positivity turned unbearable when she said the stupidest things.
Hey! I'm as smart as all of you!
You wanted to break out of the box to go eat breakfast with the crew.
I'm just saying, it would be really delicious!
Let's do it!
Three, One, we can't. It's dangerous, no matter how delicious the food may seem.
But Two… please?
No means no.
Two was even easier. She didn't say anything rude or dumb or anything like that - Selene didn't have to even tell her to be quiet, she acknowledged Selene's desire on her own. She also kept the other three from bothering her too much.
I'm glad you appreciate me. See, Four? Kindness and manners go a long way.
I'm sorry I don't have the patience of a goddamn saint like you do, Two. And she doesn't appreciate you, she barely acknowledges you.
I see.
Damn it, Two, don't brush me off like this!
Four was quite possibly the hardest to deal with. She complained and criticized, she got into loud fights with the other three, and she piped up the most often - as if what she had to say was more important than anything else.
Well, I'm sorry for being the only one with sense in this head. None of you appreciate what I do!
Annoy us all?
Annoy you? Annoy you? Are you even fucking serious?!
But that is what you mostly do, isn't it?
Three was… Three. Gluttonous, excitable, and the one who got into fights with Four the most often, with Two having to break them… up…
…
No, they are not real. One is just me, Two is just me, Three is just me, and Four is just me!
This again?
Four, please!
Two, stop always taking her side!
I'm not taking sides. I just wish you'd stop provoking Selene. Think about how much pain she's in!
It's not about the 'pain', I just want her to at least acknowledge that we are not figments of her imagination!
Selene massaged her temples, trying to get the voices out of her head. It was difficult, but she could just barely manage to tune them out if she concentrated properly on… whatever.
"Culus, you're awake?"
Like that!
…
Wait…
Isn't Culus the name of that Shinx that betrayed Selene?
"Can't you tell?" There was a snort. "I thought you'd pay attention to what I'm doing."
It's… him. He's here.
KILL HIM! CATCH HIM! DON'T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY GO TO WASTE!
Four, we can't be so reckless!
It might be worth a shot, though. It's at least worth an attempt.
"Considering how you've been comatose for the past few days, I wasn't going to get my hopes up too quickly. For all I'd known, you'd just moved around in your sleep." There was a pause. "Eat up."
He's been here the entire time? How close have we been to death?
Selene, it might be prudent to take Eve and leave the cargo hold to try hiding somewhere else… Selene?
Culus had been here the entire time. Culus had been here the entire time. He wasn't even supposed to be here - when had he boarded? Wasn't he supposed to be en route to Hovete?
Maybe he's going to meet the Temptress?
He could want to go see the sights. Aren't Illusuria's skies beautiful this time of year?
This was bad, this was bad. If he got wind that she was here, she would die. Culus was more than capable of killing her - and if he had tricked someone into being an ally, she couldn't even use Reporting Mode against him.
Selene, pay attention! They're talking again!
"... to return. We all have things we need to talk about, and we've been waiting for you to talk too."
Hey, sounds like there's more people. And I heard that they're bringing food - maybe we should go get some.
Not the fucking time, Three.
Listening closely, Selene tried to figure out as much as she could. First, there was more than one ally on the ship, other than the squeaky and frank voice talking to Culus. He was also stealing from his 'pops' - maybe more than one merchant was using this ship.
Or…
Then they started talking about the squeaky boy's family, about 'Zennitas', a famous thief, and how he was friends with Kenki. About his mother who sold him off to pay back debts and-
Is any of this important? Cause if it is, Three, can you tell me about it later?
I don't think it's really important, but we probably shouldn't talk, since Two wants her to pay attention.
Quiet, both of you!
"Sounds like a hot mess." Selene stiffened as a familiar voice joined the conversation. "Got a big break, guys. There was a Mental Herb in the medicine cabinet. Did wonders for my Gummigraine."
Gummigraine?
Kapun - that voice was Kapun's. The ally wasn't some other merchant's son, it was Kapun. Kapun had joined forces with Culus.
Maybe that's why he didn't want our help in getting permission. He knew that we'd see him.
"First, the battle," the squeaky voice began. "When we returned to help you out, we used some items that Kapun brought from… somewhere."
"The Illicity," Kapun replied. "I bought them all on my first visit."
Kapun had gone to the Illicity? How is that possible?
He had to have come down here to sneak aboard, One. There's no other way of getting onto the ship.
Selene ignored them as the three continued to talk. They spoke about a Devolve Orb they used against Kenki, a Gummi with awful side-effect (sounds delicious, though), and an Energy Seed.
Did they fight against Kenki? Didn't Kapun say that he was ridiculously strong at some point?
"Hidden bomb… oh."An awkward pause. "Y-yeah… I had… hid it."
The squeaky voice rounded on him. "And here's the first thing you have to answer. What was that power you used to make the bomb?"
Power? To make a bomb?
HE CAN USE MAGIC!
… as much as I fear to admit it, that may be possible. We have yet to know what he's fully capable of.
"Make the bomb?" Culus questioned. "I had just hidden it, and that flash of light was me bring it into the open."
Culus was able to make a bomb?
Selene, you'll have to stay away from him. At least, until you can figure a way around the bombs.
A… a bomb?
"Yeah, I don't eat bullshit, Culus," The squeaky rudely countered. "You just happened to have a bomb tailor-made for the situation? One that would ignite on contact with water?"
"You… never know?" A few second's pause. "Fine, I'll tell you how I made it - but you have to keep it secret."
A few seconds after Kapun and the squeaky boy agreed, there was a gasp.
"I call it creation," Culus announced. "As long as I have a general idea of what I'm supposed to be making and the stamina required to make it, I can make it."
Selene's brain stopped.
He can make anything?
Hey, do you think he'll make a-?
No! Shut up about food!
"That's… incredible…" the squeaky boy whispered. "Anything?"
"Theoretically - though, like I said, it is limited. This needle is the easiest thing to make, but even then, it's a drain on my stamina. Something large and complicated like a bomb leaves me nearly powerless for hours."
We can use that! Force him to make something really big and he'll be powerless.
But we'd have to force him into the position of creating in the first place, and Culus is too shrewd to use that kind of power frivolously!
"So that was why you were so exhausted, even after the Energy Seed?" Another tiny pause. "It seems like a powerful tool, even if at a heavy cost."
"Oh, it is." Culus agreed. "It was the sole reason I could escape from Ascendance Palace. I wouldn't have been able to save myself from sedation using the needles or unlock Selene's cupboards with a lockpick otherwise."
…
THAT SON OF A BITCH!
He used me! He used his powers of creation to use me!
How dare he? He has that kind of power and he uses it to implicate us! Did he do it just to spite us!
Selene shivered in anger. It was one thing to know that Culus framed you - it was another to know exactly how he framed you, and how utterly unnecessary it was! With that kind of power, he could do anything!
Selene, pay attention!
"Can you make a new paw with it?"
… new paw? Do you think something happened to his old paw?
Maybe it got cut off?
"I'm… not sure," Culus said hesitantly. "I've tried making a living thing once, and it took everything out of me to do so. I'd need to dope myself on an Energy Seed to survive making it, and it'll knock me out for a while. Even then, I'll only have one paw left."
Both paws? He sounds vulnerable right now.
"But it's possible, right?"
"Like I said, I'm not sure," Culus repeated. "I'll… give it a try when I have the energy and the Seed. But until we find that seed, I'm pretty sure I can make metal prosthetics to function until then. I'll do it once we're in a safe place and I have the energy for it."
Selene grinned. Culus was amputated - he needed multiple prosthetics, for whatever reason. That would make things much easier - she wouldn't have to fear him as much. And unless the squeaky boy was ridiculously powerful, they could handle his allies too.
And if she managed to capture him and bring to Regilia by the time they docked, she would get more of her pills! And the voices would stop, and everything would go back to normal!
…
And right now, the voices were silent, blissfully silent! Selene could hear Culus explain his special power in peace.
…
Selene… please… don't get rid of us…
Lalalala, can't hear youuuu~!
"Does that answer your question?"
"Pretty much," the squeaky boy answered. "There might be things later, but that was the biggest thing I wanted to know. Anyway, do you remember what happened after that?"
"After the bomb going off?" Another pause. "Yeah… uh, if you had any attachments to Kenki… sorry."
A snort. "Any attachments were severed the moment he pointed his sword at me. No, you saved my life with that. Nothing from me - and you already know Kapun's thoughts on Kenki."
"Right… well, the murder is where my memories end. What happened after that?"
… he killed Kenki… Selene, it's too dangerous to go after him!
Well, now he's weak, and you're only just saying that so I don't get rid of you!
But-
I can take him now, you'll see! With Helios, Slate, and Eve by my side, we can't fail!
"Not much - we raced down to Illicity as fast as possible and barely managed to sneak on Kair's ship. We've been nursing you under one of Rowan's illusions ever since - even if someone were to sneak in, they wouldn't have seen or heard anything."
"I broke the illusion once I saw you woke up," the squeaky boy (probably 'Rowan') added. "I have it ready to be made at any second, if someone were to peek inside. Luckily, it's night time, so that's unlikely, but it is possible."
They didn't sense her! They didn't know! Selene wanted to scream in both pain and jubilation. Once these three fell asleep, she could force Eve awake and tell her, and then she could figure something out, and things would work out!
Selene continued listening - she had to collect as much information as possible for the confrontation. She found out about his intended destination (Hovete, just as they all had thought. Likely to the Cognes Research Facility that Mirella had mentioned). She learned that 'Rowan' wanted to join Culus, as he had nowhere else to go.
She learned that Rowan was an illusionist, that Kapun and Kair were probably going to live in the wild for a while, and…
"You… you keep saying that you want to go to Hovete. Is there any reason why?"
"I… can't tell you why."
And that was the truth. The amount of information that he would have to reveal would be incredible, and there was no real reason that didn't involve the collar.
"Why not?" Kapun challenged. "Will it hurt us? Does it involve me or my Dad in any way? Will it kill a lot of people?"
"N-no, nothing like that."
"Then why?"
It went on like that for a while. Kapun wasn't getting any closer to the answer, and it soon sounded like the three of them would come to blows. Then…
"... you're not going to get anything from him willingly. It's clear to me that he was told to keep his objectives completely secret."
Selene blinked. That was… strangely worded. If you considered the collar, it would make sense, but Culus didn't let on that he was under someone's control otherwise.
And as things continued, her confusion mounted. Kapun mentioned attacking, and distance, and…?
"So, before I start - how much will you be willing to discuss about your collar?"
He knows!
How does he know?
Despite her annoyance with their unfortunate return, Selene was asking the same question as the voices were. Kapun knew about the collar? He wasn't there when they discussed it.
Kair was there, though, wasn't he? Do you think he told Kapun?
… this is bad, this is bad. Kapun's going to reveal everything! They're okay with killing, so they might kill us too! Selene, get ready to fight just in case.
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?" Culus shouted it so loud that it caused Eve to stir in her sleep a little, and make her eyes flutter slightly. Luckily, she fell back asleep before anything else happened, but…
This is bad, isn't it?
"Do you want to wake up the entire ship, Culus?" Rowan hissed. "And what's this about his collar?"
"What do you know about it, Kapun?" Culus ignored Rowan's hiss. "Tell me everything."
And he did - he talked about how the Collared had their free will enslaved, how the collar prevents disobedient thoughts. The longer it went on, the more anxious Selene became. What would happen when Culus decided the ruse was over and that it was fine to attack? His allies would perish, and… if she was next…
"I found out about it the day after, by some… digging around, let's call it. It was when you sent me off after you showed off the bomb." Was it when they were in the Illicity? Did Kair mention it in passing, and did Kapun pull the full truth out of him?
"Are you sure about this, Kapun? Couldn't you just be mistaken?"
"I'm not mistaken!" Kapun insisted. "I even tested it out myself - there are some universal orders each one of the Collared have to follow, and I used it on Kite when you weren't around."
Selene froze. He used a command on Culus - that meant that he wasn't invulnerable to the collar's effects, thankfully. It was a small, irrational fear she had held. More than that, though… how did he know about 'Reporting Mode'? Kair didn't know about that at all.
"You… you what?"
"You don't remember, since you aren't allowed to remember anything when fulfilling that universal order," Kapun answered. "But I used it to ask you whether you were going to betray us during the operation, which you had said that you wouldn't, and which you didn't."
Culus stuttered a little, but Kapun pressed on. "I've seen other Collared before, when Kenki invaded Pinnaleis. He used them to wreak havoc - they're stronger, smarter, faster, better than any normal Pokemon. They wore scarves to hide their collars, too."
Right, those scarf-wearers Helios had mentioned.
Can we get some? I think you'd look cute in it, Selene.
One, you're not going to get anywhere by sucking up to her. She'll still take the pills regardless of what we say or do.
"K-Kenki?" Culus asked, sounding scared. He was committed to his charade. "Kenki has access to those collars?"
"He was the one that sold them a week ago. He used one of those universal commands on you as well, to put you into 'Reporting Mode'. I had to use a different command to turn you back to normal."
… if they truly did get into a battle with Kenki, then Kenki using that 'Jurentia' command makes sense as a battle tactic. And if it was reversed… then someone had to reverse it. It makes no sense for Kenki to reverse it, and Culus can't, so…
How do you think Kapun learned all this? It was hard enough for us to learn all this, and we had insider information!
… maybe he just spied on Selene and her friends?
…
… though she hated to admit it, for doing so would acknowledge the voices, Three was right. She had sensed a presence during that trip - it probably had been Kapun, following them. Kapun knew everything that they did…
… including the Temptress.
If Culus finds out what we know, he will kill us. But you can't let your attention wander, Selene! They've already continued talking!
Crap!
"What does Reporting Mode make me do?"
"Tell the truth. It forces you to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. Even if your master tries to make you keep a secret, Reporting Mode will bring it out." There was a predatory pause. "So yes, I can learn your true goal, all without flexing a claw."
"Then do it already."
…
What?
Did he… did he permit Kapun to use Reporting Mode on him? That - that doesn't make sense? The act would be revealed, his true intentions laid for all to see!
"I thought you didn't want to tell."
"I don't, but if you're going to find out anyway, then by all means, use the command."
He… he actually gave permission?
"Are you… sure?"
"Like I said, do it. You can't believe me otherwise."
"... if you say so."
Selene steeled herself.
"Jurentia involtas mulaties, adjutt benker signitz shutal."
There was no sound to indicate the mode change, but…
"What would you like to know?" And there it was.
"Kapun, is this Reporting Mode?" Rowan nervously asked. "His eyes have gone blank… Culus, are you still there?"
"Yes. I am still here." Culus's voice was completely devoid of emotion. There was none of his charisma, none of his enigmatic nature. Just… truth.
"When I say you are here, I mean, conscious. As if, you can speak to me like you normally can."
"I cannot answer that."
Selene's breath caught.
Did it fail?
Shush, let's see.
"Why? I thought you had to tell the whole truth!" Rowan demanded.
"Rowan, what do you think 'being unable to remember' means?" Kapun asked rhetorically. "He's not making any memories right now. I've tried talking to him normally in this form before - it's impossible. He can only report what he can remember, what he knows. Culus doesn't know anything about what he's like during Reporting Mode, only that he can't tell a lie."
Ah, so it's limited in what Culus can disclose. That makes a degree of sense.
So if I were to ask him whether or not he was hungry, he couldn't answer?
"Then we have to ask a better question," Rowan declared. "First of all, what's my name?"
"When I originally met you, you were called 'Runt'," Culus explained. "Then, upon further discussion, we collaborated to give you the name 'Rowan'."
Runt? What a dumb name.
"That's true… but then, he would say that sort of thing naturally." Rowan said. "I still need to know if he's able to lie…"
"He isn't, Rowan," Kapun reminded.
"I want to make sure," Rowan said. "This will be the only extra question… hm…" Rowan thought for a while. "... do you think 'Runt' is a fitting name for me?"
What kind of a question is that…?
"Yes, I do," Culus answered. "It accurately describes your size, making it a useable name in a situation where you are the smallest."
"... okay, yeah, this works." Rowan said, annoyed. "And here you were saying I was better than that name - but, then again, you did use it." He sighed. "Do you even think we're friends for that matter?"
"For now, I believe we're only allies. I am not entirely sure of your loyalties, and I believe you are unsure of mine. Despite our bonding, there is a measure of distrust between us."
Rowan hummed again. "Yeah… I guess that makes sense. Alright, let's begin the actual interrogation."
So Rowan isn't as naive as he let on. He doesn't trust Culus either.
Hopefully, he'll carry that caution into the interrogation. Perhaps we'll learn of Culus's master without having to need the Temptress?
The idea was reassuring. Everything with the Temptress and the 'Hats' was confusing, and getting straight into the heart of the matter was much more appealing to her.
"First of all," Kapun began. "Is everything I've said earlier correct? Is there anything I missed"
"You know most of what I know. Tonight, you have given me more information on the collar than I had before."
"Really?" Kapun sounded surprised. "You really didn't know that much?"
"Yes. I was only privy to a little more information than you were through experimentation and unexplained phenomena my collar underwent."
"Unexplained phenomena?" Rowan sounded suspicious. "Explain."
"When I cry in a heavily stressed emotional state, the collar activates and sends me into 'Logic Mode'. When I am in 'Logic Mode', I enter an emotionless state and create plans to best fit my situation. Additionally, when the collar is damaged, I'm sent into what appeared to be a more basic state, where I am forced to obey any plans made in Logic Mode and do nothing else."
Selene's eyes widened. She knew nothing about this. Was it a lie, or…
Do you want to test it out during your battle with him?
… on second thought, it was probably a bad idea regardless. And that 'Logic Mode' sounded eerie, too.
You know, if he had to be in a 'stressed emotional state', that means he felt genuine emotion, right?
And that… normally, Selene would dismiss that as a lie, but… not when he's like this.
"Logic Mode ends upon the declaration of the phrase, 'Cantrynx orizes ricenda, lobzen piecto, End Logic Mode'," Culus continued in his emotionless state. "I am unsure of the ending state of the berserk-base mode as well."
"Okay, okay, enough of that." Kapun said. "Now for more pressing matters - what is the identity of your master?"
Selene leaned forward. Here was the moment where Culus would reveal all. She had to commit all of what Culus would disclose to memory.
"I do not believe I have a master." Culus answered.
…
Um… did I miss something?
No, One, you didn't. This is making no sense.
"No master?" Kapun asked, confused. "Are you sure?"
"No, I am not sure of the existence of a master," Culus replied.
"Not sure of the… existence of a master? Are you saying that you may be doing this of your free will?"
"I cannot answer that question."
Kapun groaned. "Ugh… right, we can't ask for clarifications that way. Rowan, let's think about how to word this properly."
After that, there was a silence, as Culus's allies planned. Now given some proper time to think, Selene found it… strange.
Yeah, me too. No master? Aren't the collars supposed to be given a master?
Three, stop repeating things we already know.
Four, you're not helping either.
Then Kapun decided to end the silence and ask a question. "Why is it that you believe that you may not have a master?" Selene perked up - this might give a clue.
"While I recognize a certain identity as being highly likely to be my master, as they have never given me direct commands nor ever expressed themselves as my master, I cannot be certain there is a master-slave relationship between the two of us."
"... say that again?"
"While I recognize a certain identity as being-"
"No, I was being rhetorical," Rowan snapped. "Are you saying that there is someone is possibly your master?"
"Yes."
That… was weird. There was someone that Culus thought could be his master, yet had never given him an actual order.
"If they were to give you an order, would you be forced to follow it?"
"I am not sure. To what I believe the collar is capable of, it may force me. However, as I have never been given an order, I cannot be certain."
"So," Rowan began. "There is someone you know who may be your master, able to boss you around without issue, but because they haven't done so yet, you're not sure whether you'd be forced to or not."
"Yes."
"... you know what, this is pointless. Who is this person that may or may not be your master? Give us a name."
"I don't know the name of the person who may be my master."
"... are you fucking with me?"
"I cannot answer that question."
This is hell. This is 100% hell.
Selene had to agree with Four - then again, Four was part of her imagination, so that made sense, naturally.
Ugh…
"Why the hell do you not know their name?" Rowan demanded.
"They never disclosed their name to me."
"Why didn't they?"
"I don't know."
"Kapun, we're going nowhere," Rowan groaned. "Do you want to just give up?"
No! No, they couldn't, not yet!
"No, not yet," Kapun thankfully parroted what she had been hoping for. "Even though it's like pulling teeth, Culus isn't trying to fight against us. Rather, the situation is so convoluted that we're asking the wrong questions."
"Really?"
"Yeah, probably," Kapun made a noncommittal sound. "Now, we know that Kite isn't like the other Collared. There isn't a master-slave relationship here, not directly." Kapun then made a sound of realization. "The questions we're asking are too narrow. We have to ask more open-ended questions."
"Alright, go for it."
Kapun cleared his throat. "Kite, what do you know of the Pokemon that may or may not be your master?"
"I know several things. They are likely of a Zoroark species. They likely have experience in theft and larceny. They are the last Pokemon I know to hold possession of the Life Harp. They may have-"
Wait, what?
"Hold it, hold it - hold possession of the Life Harp? Didn't you destroy it?" Rowan asked.
"No, I did not."
…
You could hear a pin drop. Selene tried to digest what Culus had just claimed.
"But… but it's in pieces, right? They have to have the fragments back in Regilia."
"As far as I know, it is still in one piece."
"And any fragments Regilia may have?"
"As far as I know, there are currently no fragments of the Life Harp."
"Then what does Regilia have?"
"Counterfeit pieces, made to look like fragments of the Life Harp."
So he's saying the broken pieces back home are fake?
"Counterfeit pieces?" Rowan asked, still sounding confused. "How do you know they're counterfeit?"
"Because I saw the Zoroark take the fake pieces out and place them on the ground personally."
"Wait, wait," Kapun sounded confused. "It sounds like this Zoroark was at the attempted theft of the Life Harp."
"He was."
"Then - then why didn't anyone find him?"
"He ran away."
"With the Life Harp?"
"Yes."
…
The theft was successful. The Life Harp wasn't broken. Either Culus was lying (which was unlikely) or the wool had been pulled over her eyes the entire time.
What are the odds of that?
Low… but not impossible. And with Reporting Mode, it seems much more likely than it usually would.
"Okay, okay, let me get this straight," Rowan demanded. "You didn't destroy the Life Harp, correct? The Zoroark stole it instead, and left with it without anyone knowing?"
"To the best of my knowledge, that is what happened."
"Then why do you tell everyone that you were the one that broke it, rather than the truth?"
"Because the collar forces me to."
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "Did the Zoroark give you any orders?"
"No, he didn't give me any orders."
"But the collar forces you to lie regardless?"
"Yes."
"How does it do that?"
"I don't know."
"... I give up." Rowan declared. "Kapun, you handle this with your open-ended questions."
Kapun was silent for a little while. "... neither of us know how the collar works," he said eventually. "So let's ask this - Kite, what were the exact events of the theft?"
"I don't know."
"You were there, weren't you? How could you not know about the events of the theft."
"All my memories originate after the theft."
Kapun was silent. "So… you're an amnesiac? You don't remember anything until after the theft?"
"Correct."
"Then how do you know your name?"
"Selene gave it to me, on my request."
The utterance of her name startled her. She instantly tried to remember what had happened three weeks ago - she was the one to give him the name of Culus. That meant that he had amnesia, right?
Unless it was a trick to make you think he had amnesia.
But he never used it for anything. If he wanted to play the 'amnesiac' card, he had plenty of chances to do so.
"We can't check that," Kapun declared. "Not unless we were to find Selene herself." Selene tensed. "B-but we can't do that, so… how do you know so much about bombs and elements and stealing and forgery and everything like that?"
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"I have amnesia."
Kapun groaned. "Ugh… it's getting way too late. Can you just describe the events of that night in chronological order, from what you can remember?"
"Yes."
Another pause. "... then do so."
"The first event I remember is waking up in a pool of blood - what I presume to be the Nidorina guard's blood. The Zoroark said 'Oh, it actually worked. And here I was thinking it was something the scriptures were lying about, that he was spouting bullshit... but then, here we are.' I asked what the Zoroark did to them-"
"Wait, scriptures? What scriptures?"
"I don't know. The only time I've heard them mentioned is in that line."
"And that 'he' the Zoroark was talking about?"
"I don't know who that is either."
"... well, continue."
"I asked what the Zoroark did to them, and he replied with 'What did I do? Nothing. What did you do? Slashed them three times - one they blocked, another one that tore through the armor, and one last that tore through everything else. Then, when they tried to call for help, you silenced them, permanently. Note the blood on your claws'. I then asked whether I was the one that performed the deed, and-"
"He described what you did?!"
"Yes."
"Why- wait, no, that's a dumb question." Kapun frowned. "Maybe… maybe's there's a hidden command you can use for the collar to erase memories. That's the only thing I can think of."
"We'll have to ask," Rowan agreed. "Once we find someone who can answer."
"Right. Kite, continue."
"I then asked whether I was the one that performed the deed, and the Zoroark said, 'So the collar's magic does work… but then again, the fact that you're here right now speaks volumes. Unfortunately, the description also said that it didn't work within the realms of impossibility, so after tonight I'll leave you be.' Then-"
"Stop, Kite." A pause. "Rowan, we have confirmation that there is some sort of universal amnesiac command you can use to weaken Reporting Mode. But… what about the other stuff he said."
"Kapun, I have no idea, and if we stop at every sentence, we'll be here all night. Culus, continue the retelling."
And so, Culus continued. "I voiced my confusion, before alarms started to ring. The Zoroark said 'Ah, the alarm has gone off. She must finally be brain-dead, thanks to what you did for me. Though, to make this all a bit more realistic… I've decided. You're a thief that came in here to steal this.'. He showed me the intact Life Harp, before saying 'This is the Life Harp, a powerful magical treasure. In the scuffle between you and the guard, it got broken.'"
Culus took a brief pause to catch his breath, then continued. "Then he spread the counterfeit pieces on the ground, as well as some strings, before saying, 'There, now it looks like you did it.' I voiced my confusion again, then had a strange headache. When the guards approached after that, the Zoroark said 'You'll keep those things in mind, I'm sure - so remember, you're a thief, you killed that Nidorina guard, and you broke the Life Harp. And now… adieu!'. Then the Zoroark disappeared, presumably with an illusion. After that, the guards came and interrogated me, where I claimed that I killed the guard and broke the Life Harp-"
"Why?" Rowan asked. "Why did you say that, when you knew the Life Harp was still in one piece?"
"Because the collar forced me to."
"Was that the last time you saw the Zoroark?"
"Yes."
"So that was the entire interaction between you and your possible master."
"Yes."
"..."
…
What the fuck?
Was that really… it? Culus's master was some random Zoroark that he doesn't even know the name of.
"Culus," Rowan began. "Are you telling me- wait, no, bad phrasing. Culus, do you believe that the Zoroark framed you in that incident?"
"Yes."
"... I think I'm starting to get a picture of the truth." Rowan said eventually. "Culus was ordered to kill the Nidorina guard and remain the scapegoat for the theft, before having that hypothetical amnesiac command erase everything. Then, because the orders were still in play, Culus was forced to play the scapegoat, despite knowing nothing about what he did."
"... this is so fucked up," Kapun moaned. "Can we finish this and talk about it tomorrow?"
"Sure, sure. Some last few questions, then. Culus, since the events of that night, what has been your goal?"
"The initial goal was to escape Undeath by leaving the castle. After that, the main goal has been to find the Zoroark, subdue him, and force him to testify to my relative innocence regarding the manner. Sub-goals include going to Hovete to research the 'scriptures' he referred to during the events of the night, elude capture, and maintain my overall well-being."
"And the reason you couldn't have said so earlier was…?"
"It might have been physically possible to explain the Zoroark, but it would be impossible to explain the reason behind it all without the collar forcing me to lie. And I did not wish to lie to you any more than I already had, so I deemed it classified."
"... sounds solid to me," Rowan admitted. "I'm still not completely convinced, and probably won't be until I see the Life Harp in front of me. Is that enough information for you, Kapun?"
"Yep. Pyrrer gestit psists affeate."
So it's done, then? The interrogation is over?
Can we eat now? I'm incredibly hungry.
Really? Food, now?
Selene ignored them all as she tried to fully understand what went on. The truth… it didn't paint Culus as innocent or anything. It still made him look like a murderer…
… but the big crime, the inexcusable one, the breaking of the Life Harp… he was saying that was the one that he had no part in.
How likely do you think it is that he's telling the truth with regards to that?
"... what… what happened?" Culus moaned, sounding faint. "Did you find out what you wanted to?"
I don't know, Two… I don't know…
… dang it, she had acknowledged it again.
"We found out way more than we thought we would," Rowan admitted. "We have… a lot to talk about. But, for tonight, let's go to sleep."
"Right-"
Selene felt the crate leave the ground and fly sideways, and she heard the three of them scream in confusion and panic.
And then the crate broke, and she tumbled into view.
Fuck.
Mentali growled at him. "You're telling me that you've made no progress? None whatsoever?"
Light grimaced. "Very little. We've been attempting to secure access to Hovete, but the King has been very… uncooperative."
Mentali's red gem glowed, and Light found himself squeezed under psychic pressure. "Then force your way through. You have Eonia's aid, and Regilia is a military superpower. They cannot hope to outmatch us."
"We'd prefer it if things didn't come to blows."
"And I'd prefer to have my daughter with me right now! Too bad we don't get to have things that we prefer!" he raged.
Light concealed his anger the best he could. Not only did he have to deal with King Prometheus's badgering about the location of that idiot prince, but Mentali was putting him under intense pressure to retrieve Eve. The Espeon had no patience whatsoever and was getting more and more temperamental by the day.
"Your Highness," Father interjected. "Progress is being made, and faster than ever. Light has already brought the King to the negotiating table - we'll be able to secure his aid sooner than hoped."
Mentali flicked his tail imperiously. "You speak of 'aid', but if he were truly committed to the cause, he wouldn't attempt to blockade our path to begin with!"
"That is why we are trying to secure it. As of now, it is only tentative at best, and only because he recognizes the danger that Kite is to the stability of the continent. Soon, he will come to see the error of his ways, and we will be able to find Kite, and through him, Selene and Eve."
Mentali sneered. "Then I expect results - and I'm not the only one who is waiting. Prometheus is growing more impatient by the day, and if you don't bring him his son, he will rain his fire on your armies."
The urge to reach over the table and strangle the royal intensified, but Father's rigorous training kept him in check. "You will receive your results soon," Light promised - though, in reality, he was nowhere near as certain.
He had been entrusted with this duty and had been performing it to the best of his ability. Father had taught him how to lead troops, and he had commandeered several platoons in training exercises. Managing search parties, however, was nowhere near as easy.
Leading troops to battle was a simple affair - it was either a battle of numbers, battle of terrain, battle of supplies, etc. As long as you could win one and force that winning battle, you'd win that specific conflict.
Leading the Hounds, however… there was no fighting, only looking. He was forced into a purely asymmetrical battle of information, one which he could find no ground in. Not only that, he was forced into a permanent position of negotiation with higher powers.
That was bad enough, but there was also the matter of his second-in-command… Yurime. A spoiled idiot that had no place in the command structure. Light found himself working around the Kirlia more times than were necessary.
Yurime demanded quality food to be teleported to him from kitchens, that he get premium bed space, that he should be wrapped in furs if he has even a chill - someone like him had no place on an important mission like this one.
And often, Light found Yurime barking orders around to his men - stupid orders, such as pushing half of their forces to search one very specific cave on a whim. On a whim.
The worst part - Yurime couldn't - or rather, wouldn't - leave. He wanted to stay to find Eve, demanding to admonish her in person as soon as possible. Ignoring the idiocy of berating a kidnapee, that fact meant that he was eager to jump on any leads and throw himself into danger.
The boy's single saving grace was a burgeoning silver tongue. It grew harder to tell whether Yurime was making conversation or discreetly asking for permission. Yurime was useful in negotiations and negotiations only, especially considering that the level of hostility Hovete held for Regilia was much less than the one it held for Eonia.
If Light had his way, Yurime would be left in his dainty palace and would only return for negotiations. But since the prince wanted to be 'directly involved' with the search, he had to deal with all of his irritations.
"'Soon', you say," Mentali began. "Exactly how soon do you project for substantial results to appear?"
"... two weeks, perhaps, three." Light winced as additional psychic energy enveloped him.
"Do you think you're coy, child?" Mentali growled. "In case you have forgotten, my daughter, a lynchpin in the Naixian Alliance, is gone. The aftereffects of the Shower Affair have not disappeared, and I will not let Eve's sacrifice for peace be in vain!"
Father nursed a cup of tea, before grabbing the teapot and pouring more for Mentali. "And yet, that isn't what you're concerned with, is it?"
Mentali blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Eve… such an energetic, polite young girl. Fascinated with literature, an unyielding spirit, headstrong but quick-witted and intelligent…" As Father spoke, Mentali's gaze softened. "Then again, in the end, she's just your simple pawn, isn't she."
Mentali looked down at the cup of tea that Father poured and grimaced. "That… is the extent… of our relationship."
Bullshit.
"Your tongue says that, but your tail speaks otherwise." Mentali's forked tail, which had been twitching angrily, now lay limp on the pillow which Mentali sat on. "Eve, your bright, wonderful daughter, kidnapped… but it's not the state of the alliance for which you are worried, is it?"
"... tell me, good Lord Black. If a demon were to enter your room and steal away young Light, would you tolerate such a thing well?"
"Of course not," Father instantly answered. "It would be impossible for a good father to have such a thing not touch his heart."
"... then you understand where my struggles originate from." Mentali said, at last, looking at Father much more warmly than he had before. "More than my duty as a prince… my duty as a father demands me to take Eve back with me, back to the castle, back… home."
Father sipped his tea. "Indubitably. And yet, I fear such a thing may not come to pass."
Mentali glared at Light. "So you believe your son is incapable of locating my daughter?"
Light bowed his head in apology, but Father shook his head in denial. "Light is absolutely capable of rescuing your daughter. I hold no doubt in my heart for that eventuality. No, my concern lies with the bonding ritual."
Mentali furrowed his brow. "The… bonding ritual?"
Light raised an eyebrow. Yurime had talked about it all the time - did Mentali not know about it?
"The bonding ritual - an ancient and forbidden Regilian ritual. Using the power of evolution, it bonds one Pokemon to several conditions, decided by another. If that Pokemon violates those conditions, they will be immobilized, and the person given power over her will know exactly where that Pokemon is and what they've done." Father took a sip. "King Midos wishes to use it on Eve, to bind her to Yurime."
Mentali's cup cracked. "Are you saying Regilia wishes to enslave her to Yurime's will?"
"It's hardly as cruel as the slavery band is - there is no pain or punishment directly involved. But if Yurime wishes Eve to perform anything for him, there is nothing she can do to stop it - she will obey or turn into a statue for as long as Yurime decides." The cup cracked more. "The free dove will turn into a caged swallow, and your daughter, as you knew her, will disappear."
The cup shattered, spilling tea all over the table - yet Mentali paid it no mind. All he could do was look at Father in open shock.
"They had planned to use it at the Twin Moon Ball, but her kidnapping threw everything into disarray. But once she is safely within their grasp again… Light, tell me, what will happen?"
Light cleared his throat. "From what Yurime was saying two nights ago, they're going to enact it as soon as possible. Instead of waiting for a full moon or morning sun for evolution into an Espeon or Umbreon, they will just use an evolutionary stone to perform the bonding ritual the exact day she is rescued.
"N-no…"
"It truly is a shame, isn't it? She won't own even a single hour of respite, for Yurime is a member of the Hounds, below Light." Father grimaced. "For the sake of Eonia, she must lose everything. A proper martyr, bless her soul."
Mentali stared at his cup in complete silence.
"Truly, the alliance is important for such a monumental sacrifice. Do you think anyone else would have sufficed?" Father asked, taking another sip of his tea. "Anyone as important as a royal? Anyone at all?"
Mentali could only respond after several seconds had passed. "I… don't believe so. It had to have been my daughter's sacrifice." The words sounded hollow in his mouth.
"Not only her sacrifice - yours as well." Father put on a grieving face. "How old was she, when you handed her over because of the Shower Affair? Two? Three? Four?"
"Three, I think," he murmured.
"You had to hand over a toddler to strangers. Strangers that restricted how often you could come to see her, strangers that made her forsake her culture by teaching her that Regilia was superior in every sense, strangers that tore any semblance of disobedience away from her."
Mentali's eyes glowed. "Your point," he growled. "Is what?"
"Simply that she is not the only one to suffer under the treatise born of the Shower Affair." Father drained his cup. "And it was neither your fault nor hers that such an affair took place - rather, it was whose?"
"Bath's, of course." Mentali answered impatiently.
The Shower Affair… Leafia's wife, Glacia's mother, the Queen Vaporeon - Bath. Previously known for her serenity and kindness, only for that reputation to be stripped away in a single night.
During a ball Leafia had hosted for the victory of the war, Queen Pasiphae of Regilia and Prince Thespi of Hovete went missing. Only at midnight was Queen Pasiphae found maimed and lying unconscious in a tub filled with blood. And when leakage of red fluid fell from the ballroom ceiling, Prince Thespi was found dead on a roof, Vullaby pecking at his entrails.
Scales scattered around the bodies suggested the attacker was a Vaporeon. And since Bath mysteriously disappeared that night, it didn't take a genius to figure out who committed the murder.
The clincher? A note, written in Bath's handwriting, detailed a plan she enacted to kill both, was found in her dressing room closet.
Reparations were needed - Eonia donated a large portion of its treasury and all of its spoils of war to Hovete, yet that wasn't enough to stop Hovete from abandoning the alliance entirely, only preventing outright war. Regilia demanded compensation for Queen Pasiphae's pain, and Leafia sacrificed Eve for the cause.
"Your brother chose a psychopath for a wife, and forced you and Eve to shoulder the burden. And who got off scot-free as a result?"
"My brother and his daughter," Mentali muttered, absorbed in the dripping of the tea off of the table.
"Your brother only had to sacrifice money to save his skin. You had to forfeit your child and your status as a father." Father's smile turned rancid. "Remind me - didn't he offer concubines for you to use, to sire… what did he call them? Replacements?"
Mentali hissed. "Per… perhaps." He narrowed his eyes, looking at Father. "Black… what are you selling to me?"
"I'm only reminding you of what you've lost, and what you're never going to regain." Father stood up and headed to the door. "Light, it is time we leave."
Light eagerly got up, ready to get out. He was halfway out of the door when Mentali asked one last thing. "Black, what do you want from me?"
"I want only what you want - come to me when you wish to discuss it more at length." Father's smile never dropped. "I can help you achieve what you desire, and I'll only ask for one thing in return."
With that, Father closed the door behind him. Soon, they were walking through the halls of Eon Castle.
Five minutes later, as they were walking through the halls, Father asked him a question. "Light, what do you think I achieved with that meeting?" His voice wasn't cold, but it didn't hold the false warmth it held when he spoke with Mentali.
Light took a few seconds to think of an answer - Father derided impatient actions. "Estrangement between Mentali and Regilia, as well as between him and his brother."
Father sneered. "Only half right. I toyed with him, and have left him confused and struggling. With what you have said, it leaves him open for more… 'discussion'. I also nullified any anger he may have against you, by providing much more appealing targets."
Light grinned. "Thank you-"
"Don't thank me," he snapped. "Instead… follow me."
Father then toyed with something on the wall, before it opened up. Light gulped, and upon his father's glare, he went inside.
One thing that Light both highly respected and was incredibly terrified of, regarding Father, was his tendency to know anything and everything you thought should be secret. Psychological weaknesses his enemy may have, movements of currents three months in advance… and now this, a secret tunnel inside the castle that its inhabitants likely knew nothing about.
As they walked in the darkness, Father continued speaking. "You have your tasks performed admirably well, under the circumstances and the constraints you are under. You lead the Hounds with a deft hand and manage the troublesome prince at an acceptable level, going to the level of using him as an advantage rather than a burden."
Light would have smiled, had Father not admonished him for it five minutes prior. "So you wish to grant me additional responsibilities, then?" Not something he couldn't handle, but…
"Not entirely. I have yet to hand you my full trust - and, very soon, I will do so in my entirety." Light nearly gasped. "Before I do so, let me tell you some things you may find interesting."
"... like?" A shiver went down his spine.
"Where do you think Selene, Eve, the idiot prince, and his bodyguard are right now?"
Light gulped. "If I were to hazard a guess… Eve and Helios are currently being kept in captivity, by Selene and the body-"
"Wrong."
Light blinked. "I… beg your pardon?"
"The entire premise of the incident is completely incorrect." The malice in Father's voice was obvious. "There was no kidnapping - Eve went with Selene of her own will, as did the prince with his bodyguard. The four have united in an effort to locate Kite, and are stowing away on a ship heading for the port town Logain, in Illusuria. There, they will travel to the city Nucifera."
Light was taken aback. "I… what?"
"You will not find any of those four in Hovete."
"... how?" Light asked. He didn't ask if Father was kidding (he never did, not when he took off his masks), nor did he ask if Father was sure (when he stated something with confidence, it was completely true). "How did you find that out?"
"Informants, of course." Father sneered. "An Aridos doesn't make a web out of a single strand? Why would I leave any potential threats like them unknown?"
Light gulped. "I see." Once again, he had underestimated his father. "Since you haven't shared this information before, I assume you don't want me to make the Hounds go after them?"
"Correct."
"Then…" Light wracked his brain - what did his father want?
Then he remembered the earlier conversation with Mentali. "... a bargaining chip. You want me to use Eve to secure Mentali's cooperation." Then his eyes widened, as he remembered the direction of the conversation. "And not as a hostage. You want me to 'rescue' her for Mentali to give us eternal gratitude, and give her to him directly."
Light felt approval emanate from Father. "Precisely."
But there was a sticking point to the plan. "If she went willingly, how will we get her to cooperate with us?"
"You'll see."
The two of them opened to a chamber beneath the castle. Inside stood several Pokemon - but they were not surprised at all with Light and his father's appearance. Rather, they simply showed the way for them, showing utmost respect.
Light's breath hitched as he recognized the strange sensation he was feeling regarding the servants. "These… they're like the Starers back home."
Perfectly obedient, they would focus their utmost efforts on any task they were given. They would only act normal if Father was hosting, at which point, utmost charisma would flow out of them. The normal servants back home called them Starers since they had no hobbies other than staring at nothing in particular.
"Correct. Pay them no mind." Obeying his father's wishes, he tore his eyes away from the Starers and brought them to what laid ahead.
Father opened the door to a large chamber. Inside, relaxing on a chair, was a Malamar.
"Light, introduce yourself to him." Father ordered.
Light fell into a bow. "My name is Light Black. May I ask what your name is?"
The Malamar smiled, narrowing his eyes. "My name is Calamanero. I am your father's trusted partner, and the one willing to help him for all of his ambitions."
Light eyed him nervously. "I… see." That was… reassuring. "Father, exactly why did you bring me here?"
Malamar were notoriously difficult to get along with - they forced themselves into leadership roles at any opportunity, and their hypnosis made genuine friendship near impossible. Malamar were often outcasts of society, and they did nothing to change that.
"To hypnotize you, obviously. If I am to trust you with my plans, I'll need to set up hypnotic barriers to prevent telepathic espionage, as well as the security of your loyalty."
Light had never been so scared in his life. "I… do you…"
"The choice is yours, Light." His father faced him with the most serious of faces. "Because you are my son, I will give you a choice. You can willingly let Calamanero hypnotize you and bring you into my fold, or you can choose to have him erase your memories of everything past our meeting with Mentali. You have one minute."
Light felt something tight grasp his chest, yet asked no questions. Father's ultimatum made perfect sense and alluded to something conspiratorial with his plans. But… did Light want to be a part of it? A willing part of it - enough to give away a portion of his free will?
…
What a stupid question. No matter what, Father was family. If Father gave him this choice in the first place, he didn't consider Light as expendable as everyone else. Despite his 'ambitions', whatever they may be, he considered Light important enough to warrant all this extra effort.
And whatever happened next, Light would not be ignorant of it. He was many things, but he would never allow himself to be a fool.
"Do it." Light said confidently. "I am your son and your helper. You have my full trust."
And for the first time in his life, Light saw a genuine smile on Father's face.
"Excellent. Calamanero?"
"On it." Light turned to face Calamanero and the bright yellow… sparkly… hypnotic…
…
… lights…
…
…
… they were gone.
"It's done," Calamanero announced.
All of his fears, all of his doubts, all of his worries, everything, gone.
"Thank you." Light said with true sincerity. It was until you were away from them did Light understand how poorly he thought. Indecision, fear, worries over the smallest things.
All that mattered now was what Father could tell him, and how he could use that to further his lofty ambitions.
"Then let's continue with our conversation," Father said. "You need to return to managing the Hounds, correct?"
The Hounds? Oh, right, them. "Do we truly need them? Or Kite?"
Father laughed. "Hardly. The last my informants knew, he was working for the pirate captain Kenki in Pinnaleis. Looking for him in Hovete is pointless - but do it anyway, for appearance's sake." Light nodded. "Then, to Eve. You wanted to know how we will ensure her cooperation-"
Light looked at Calamanero. "Actually, I have a very good idea of how we can 'trick' her into thinking that we saved her. And considering how you said she'll go from Logain to Nucifera, I know where I'll wait for her." To Father's delighted eyes, he turned around. "No point in wasting anymore time - I have a job to do."
I don't think I'll be able to write as fast as I have been anymore. I finally got a part-time job that I'll have to go to regularly, and I'll do so until the summer ends and I return to college. Regardless, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter, even if it got a little repetitive in the middle. If you liked the chapter, be sure to fav, follow, and review. They mean a lot to me.
See you later!
