Hybrid: Aurora Edition

by SairaCrystaline

A story in the Pokemon world with a trans protagonist who lives through some of the worst life has to offer, but refuses to back down and always does their best to do the right thing. Lots of hurt/comfort, comedy will be in places, don't expect much hetero stuff to happen. And plenty of filled in holes the canon of the games leaves.

12. Chapter 12: Found in Loss

The end draws near. Now is when plans begin coming to fruition, for both parties. Galactic has nearly accomplished all they set out to do with the Hybrids. Meanwhile, the Hybrids and their partner Pokemon are still concocting their specific means of escape, yet they now have a goal and method. But there are some affairs that need to be put in order. Some, surprisingly, are shared between the two groups. For different reasons, of course, but nonetheless. Let us see what they choose to do as the climax grows ever closer.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Taflinal, Erishi 30th~~

"I'm gonna castle!"

"That's not how you play checkers, dear," Guinevere told Ron gently. He and Hazel were playing against each other, and he was new to the game. I was too, honestly, but the difference was that I also didn't know what doing a castle was. Or why it wasn't allowed in checkers.

"You've played chess?" Hazel asked curiously.

Rush rolled his eyes. {His strategy to beat opponents is just say techniques and then eat the pieces.}

"It works, doesn't it?" Ron laughed.

I glanced at Mama. She shook her head. {No, eating chess pieces is not a good idea. Human, Hybrid or Pokemon.}

Just then, the door hissed open. We all turned to look at who was there. Jean and Indra, but they weren't calling anyone over. Instead, with them were-

"{Koko! Yuna! Eclipse!}" I nearly tripped over myself scrambling off the bed, bolting over to them to hug them tightly. "{You're alive!}"

Eclipse held out an arm, stopping me short before I full on hug tackled them. "Easy, Aurora. Good to see ya too."

I paused, taking a moment to register. Eclipse was more or less how she'd been before. Some scars from the rocks exploding out of her, but she had nicer clothes (probably thanks to Rhodo) than she had before. Ripped blue jeans and a black t-shirt, with black sneakers. Yuna was in a similar boat, but without the clothes. They both felt relieved, but anxious.

Koko was standing behind Eclipse, feeling more depressed than ever. She was wearing simple pants, a long sleeve shirt and gloves for some reason. Her ears and tail laid low and lifeless. Her hair had grown and was covering her face a bit, but she made no attempt to move it. She had been staring at the ground mostly, clinging to Eclipse, but when she looked up she gave me a tiny smile.

"Hi Aurora…" It was a very exhausted greeting. I could tell she was happy to see me, especially when her ears perked up a second, but it was being overwhelmed by all the negativity.

"{Hi…?}" My ears tilted down, as I held out my arms a little. I could feel Hazel, Vivian, Ron, Rush and Mama behind me, but they all felt like they were waiting a moment. "{D'you want a hug…?}"

She nodded slowly, stepped from behind Eclipse and gave me a one armed hug with her right arm. I hugged her back tightly. My heart slowly began to slow down, even as I heard hers speed up suddenly. "{'m so glad you're back…}"

Her left arm felt a little weird. Hard and bumpy. I just figured it was rock or something. What mattered is that she was back.

We stayed like that for a few seconds until her ears perked up in the direction of some Hybrids and pokemon speaking amongst themselves. My ears swiveled to match.

{They look well despite everything. It's a miracle.}

"I couldn't sleep right for days after their fight, but it looks like the little girl's left arm is still there."

{Something seems off with it though. Notice how she barely moves it. The gloves are new too.}

"It's awful Srid made them fight that… chimera, but at least the fights got a bit easier thanks to her losing control."

"Shhhhh!" Garland, the Sunflora Hybrid who rarely spoke, hushed them loudly. They looked affronted by his interruption, but quickly noticed our ears were angled towards them and their conversation specifically. They might have felt the barely constrained violent rage from Eclipse too.

Koko pulled on Eclipse's sleeve. "Can we go sit somewhere else now?"

My ears perked up again. "{There's a new really nice place to sit! C'mon, it's quiet and pretty!}"

Yuna and Eclipse both gave me confused, curious looks. {Is it nicer than this room?}

I nodded, and after a quick nod from Koko, I started leading them to the nature room. Mama walked next to me, giving Eclipse, Yuna and Koko a sorrowful nod. Guinevere was leading Hazel, Vivian, Ron and Rush a little behind us.

I don't know why they're so sad, but being with grass and trees and stuff is definitely gonna be nicer than metal walls and beds and stuff.

When we walked through the short tunnel, and they got to see the room? Eclipse's jaw actually dropped a little. Yuna stared wide-eyed at the room, and Koko noticeably brightened up. For a second I could sense her desire to run all over the nature room like she usually would. Instead, she pulled Eclipse around a bit and knelt down to feel the dirt.

"The dirt… real dirt… and rocks!" She pulled Eclipse over to the boulders and placed her right hand on them. "It feels… different. It wasn't like this before… why is that, Yuna?"

Eclipse was silent with awe. Yuna walked up next to Koko. {That is because you can now feel stone, to an extent. And these are made from the earth, not a human or Pokemon.}

{Or Hybrid,} Mama interjected.

{Or them,} Yuna nodded.

Koko brightened slightly as she took off her right glove with her teeth and began hugging the boulder. Her tail swayed with a bit more life. "I never thought I'd be so happy to see a real rock."

"Me neither…" Eclipse said softly, almost to herself.

I looked at Mama, and she nodded before looking at the three. {I do not claim to understand all the logistics behind giving us access to this place. Insanity can be hard to reason with. But whatever the motive, we have functionally limitless access to this room.}

Koko looked around to see all the other pokemon and hybrids just chilling in their own areas, not paying us any mind. She relaxed a bit at that, sitting down and looking me up and down.

"I'm glad you're still okay," She said softly.

"{I'm glad you're back!}" I said, smiling as I sat with her. "{I missed you all,}" I trailed off, looking at her, Eclipse and Yuna.

Eclipse felt calmer than before, glancing at Guinevere as she led Hazel, Vivian, Ron and Rush over. They locked eyes for a moment before Eclipse sighed and sat down with Koko, putting an arm over her shoulder. Guinevere brought over the four, Ron being the first one to speak.

"Can we hug you too? It's been forever!" He said with a bright smile.

Koko opened her right arm welcoming a hug with a light smile. I noticed her left arm moved a bit, but she kept it to the side. Ron hugged her happily, Rush nuzzling into her while Hazel hugged her more gently and Vivian sidled up next to her warmly.

"It's good to have you back…" Hazel said softly.

Koko sniffled, holding back tears as she held onto them. "I missed you guys so much…"

Eclipse's grip tightened slightly as she leaned over, resting her head against Koko's. "Toldja they'd be happy to see you…" she whispered.

"Yeah, you were right…" Koko sniffed. She hesitated a little bit with her next statement. "I feel a lot better now. I think I wanna show them now."

Eclipse and Yuna felt a little shocked suddenly, but nodded. Guinevere stood close by, and I was as confused as everyone else.

Show us what? She's worried about it, whatever it is, but unless she's got a mini Spinel or Charon hidden in her pocket, I dunno what's to be afraid of.

Koko gripped her left arm and her anxiety spiked. It looked like she wanted to lift up her sleeve, and at the same time wanted nothing more than to pull it down even further. Hazel just rubbed her right arm gently. "Whatever it is, you don't have to show us if you're not ready. We're here for you regardless. Right?"

{Right,} Vivian nodded, bumping Koko's leg with her head. {We're friends and family, remember? And family's there for each other. Whether you're ready to come out with something or not.}

Ron and Rush nodded in agreement, Ron smiling as always. "If it's people you're worried about, it's okay! I'll go and make sure you get the best food before they can get to it!"

Rush sighed, smiling. {I don't think that's what she's worried about.} He looked up at Koko. {But if it is, that's a promise.}

Mama nodded, sitting down with her tails waving calmly. {You are safe with us. Whatever it may be. You may not be Aurora, but she and I stand with you all the same.}

I smiled. Brighter than I would've otherwise, clenching my fists and nodding in encouragement. "{You're you! An' you're back! That's what's important. An' you're family. We gotta stick together, right?}"

Koko looked at us all, nearly overwhelmed by the support, but it gave her the strength she needed to ease her anxiety. She trusted us all completely. She inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"So ummm… it's not as bad as it was before, but uhhh… here we go…" Koko went to move out of sight from those outside of our group, and Mama oriented her tails to help with that.

She took off her left glove and raised her left sleeve.

Where her arm was cut off before, just below the shoulder, there were deep scars that ran up a few inches in jagged lines. What was attached there, though, wasn't the arm she used to have. Instead, it was metal.

Small silver panels lay overtop pistons, gears and wires. Her elbow wasn't smoothly melding with the rest; instead, it was moreso a large ball bearing joint held together with bands of more elastic metal. Her hand was segmented; tiny gears and wires ran through the length of her fingers, with the plates from before being more like rings. The ends of her fingers were rounded plates, shaped like a fingertip without the nails or fingerprints.

While most of the arm was naturally obscured by the plates, some small areas of it were covered by glass panels to show the inner workings. I could hear quiet clicking and whirring as the arm shifted with Koko; barely audible over her quickly beating heart, but still very much there.

I was silent. Not out of shock or anger, but out of confusion. I tilted my head, my ears with it as I thought.

Okay, so they couldn't reattach her fleshy arm. That SUCKS, but at least she has an arm at all now! She's really worried about it. It's definitely different from her other one, and probably feels all weird. Galactic stuff doesn't feel good. Can she use it? Does she still only have one good arm, or is it like one and a half arms? Whatever, there's only one big important question and one thing to ask her. Otherwise she's gonna get really scared really fast.

"{Do you hate it?}" I asked gently. I wasn't afraid of the arm, or angry at it or anything. I was just worried that Koko hated it, and that's why she didn't want to show it to anyone. A deep, core part of myself understood the feeling she had. Of not wanting to show a part you have that you don't identify with to other people. Or even yourself.

What mattered was if it was that to her or not.

She was quiet. She stared at it and cringed before turning to me again. "Yes, I do. I hate it so much. It's uncomfortable, it's hard to move, I can still feel pain from it, it doesn't even look like an arm, it made me have to spend time away from everyone else and with Spinel and her goons. And now I'm stuck with it."

She sighed deeply looking down, tapping her metallic fingers on the boulder she was sitting on. "I'm not really surprised this happened though. Bad things always follow us. Eclipse and I have an unlucky streak, so I'll get over it once the next super awful thing happens."

I hugged her tight before looking at her seriously. "{Then we're gonna fix it. I dunno how, but we are. An' super awful things aren't gonna keep happenin' forever. We'll kick the shit outta Galactic an' then things will be better.}"

Mama nodded, staring right at Koko. {Luck is a fickle thing. Gaining the strength to render it irrelevant, however, is quite effective.}

Eclipse chuckled slightly. "I can get behind that."

Koko turned to Eclipse in surprise before turning to Mama and me. "You're both right! Things have been sucky for so long that I'd forgotten that. I wanna get stronger and think smarter, so the unlucky times don't hurt as much."

Mama smiled. {We happen to be working towards such a goal right now. Things are not as they once were, even within the time between you leaving us. This room is a singular example of that. You need not worry about being forced to eat gruel anymore, for another. And if you listen closely, the will of the world stands with us.}

Yuna paused a moment, narrowing her eyes in thought and pawing at the ground slightly. Her eyes widened. {Well. Quite a strong will you speak of.}

Eclipse looked at her confused, and Yuna shook her head ever so slightly. To which Eclipse sighed loudly and held Koko close. "Well, sounds like we're gonna beat the shit outta Galactic. You up for that Koko?"

"Totally!" She cheered. "I've got a knuckle sandwich with cool steel on top just for them!"

{My child has helped us understand the limits of their bindings upon us as well,} Mama smirked and gestured at me.

I tilted my head and pointed at where the collar cracked from me trying to snap it. Eclipse whistled. "Damn gal, good work. How'd that happen?"

Ron's face lit up. "Ooooh, you get to tell them how you broke Charon's wrist! And Yukitsu! And-"
Guinevere put a hand on his shoulder. "Settle down, she's got plenty of time."

"Yukitsu, I don't know. Charon…? Spinel was mumbling something about him earlier. I couldn't tell if she was happy or mad." Koko shivered at the memory of being that close to Spinel.

"{I dunno, but he definitely got beat up. So that's good,}" I said, smiling a little before recounting what'd happened while they were gone.

"{-An' then he said he was okay with the name Rampan! He jus' needed to see Galactic was wrong, that's all.}"

Guinevere had brought us lunch from where we got food while I kept telling Koko, Eclipse and Yuna what'd happened. Hazel would make sure I wasn't doing too much at once, but with Ron and Rush hyping up everything everyone'd managed to do? It was hard not to get excited with them.

"I wish we could beat up everyone in Galactic so they could learn that. At least Yukitsu sounded nice!" Koko noted.

"Is being with everyone else helping?" Jean asked worriedly, walking up with Indra.

Koko waved excitedly at Jean. "Hi Jean, hi Indra! Yeah, we all feel way better away from all the icky scientists!"

She breathed a big sigh of relief, Indra doing the same as tension melted away from his wings. "That's great to hear, I was hoping so. But just in case, there's someone else you've got to meet."

Indra opened up his wings, and out of the floof on his neck and back leaped Li, right towards me and Mama.

{Pukk-a-boo!} Li cheered as he launched through the air before landing right into my arms. Koko, Eclipse and Yuna watched the scene with varying levels of confusion.

"A vulpix…? Oh my gosh, Ivane I'm sorry, have you been pregnant this whole time?" Koko gasped in shock. "And Galactic was making you fight!?"

"{Li!}" I hugged him tightly while Mama actually laughed.

{No, no I have not been pregnant. He was brought to us, and my child quickly adopted him as her little brother. Not to say that I'm at all upset at having him be my son; he's a wonderful little kit.}

"Wow…" Koko leaned in to poke Li's nose. He giggled happily at the little bonk. "He's so cuuuute," Koko squealed in delight. Eclipse felt slightly more tense than before, but it was quickly fading. Yuna felt warm, watching him be happy. Like she was remembering simpler times.

Li looked at them all with his tongue hanging out happily before looking up at me. {Friends?}

I shook my head. "{Not just friends. Family.}"

{Famiwy!} Li squirmed out of my arms and jumped gleefully right into Koko's arms. Her eyes lit up as she began petting him excitedly. Li adored the attention.

"He's sooo small! And he's only got one tail! Eclipse do ya remember when Yuna was this tiny? She was a little spikier though, and loved nibbling on everything."

Eclipse relaxed, petting Yuna softly with a smile. "How could I forget? Little rascal, we had to keep gettin' new bags and stuff."

Yuna huffed good naturedly. {I apologize for nothing. It was fun.}

Koko laughed wholeheartedly. "Oh we know. Every time you finished you gave us those bright puppy dog eyes, we'd sigh and give you a proper bone to chew on while we looked for replacements."

Yuna smiled, resting her head on her paws. {This is nice. We needed this.}

Eclipse nodded. "Helps keep in mind what we're fightin' for."

"Mmm!" Koko nodded. "We've gotta reunite with Nezira and Adrestia ASAP too! They've gotta meet all our new family and friends!"

"You know it," Eclipse affirmed while I smiled.

I'm glad they're back. I was worried they'd be super sad after everything when they first got back, and it's not all gone, but they're still them. They just spent too much time with Galactic and evil humans and stuff and not with us. And if just being reminded of being outside makes them this happy, that has to mean outside is AWESOME.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Taflinal, Erishi 32nd~~

I was resting after another fight with Silas with Mama, just listening to everyone and watching people. Hugo, Baltasar, Noemi and Danica had gone out to fight while I was still coming back, so I hadn't seen them. Jean ran off pretty quick after she brought me back from Rhodo though, so they were probably coming back really soon.

The hiss of the door signaled I was right, as Jean nodded to the two pairs while they walked in and the door shut behind them. Hugo looked at Noemi with a gentle fondness.

"I believe you got through to some of them," he said warmly.

Noemi smiled back. "A lot of them are fearful. Others have been all but brainwashed. They just need a push to remember that we're people too. We might not be as good at sensing emotions as Aurora is, but people aren't that hard to read. Speaking of…"

Danica flew, slightly unsteadily, from Noemi's shoulder over my head and back to her as the others walked over. Baltasar waved at me, and I waved back.

{You feeling okay?}

I nodded. "{Stuff doesn't hurt 's bad 's it used t'.}"

Noemi ruffled my hair gently, scratching behind my ears slightly. "You're a tough girl. You remind me of our son. Kind, but strong."

I smiled up at her as Paris walked up. Noemi glanced at her and turned, Hugo sitting down next to me while the two talked.

"Do you know what today is?"

I looked up at the ceiling in thought, counting on my fingers before I looked back at him. "{The thirty-second of Erishi, right?}"

He nodded, smiling. "Do you know how many days are in each month, or how many months there are?" When I shook my head, he continued. "There's twelve months in the year, and thirty two days in each one. Every week is eight days long, and there's four weeks in a month. Does that make sense?"

When I nodded, he rubbed my back gently. "So how many days away is Krituki 18th? Melatto is the next month, and Krituki the one after that."

It took me a second, but I soon figured out what I thought was the answer. "{That's fifty days away, right?}"

"That's right," he confirmed, nodding slightly at Mama. "You got it exactly."

Mama nodded slightly back before nudging me softly. {You still need your rest, my child. I will be with you as you sleep, as always.}

I glanced between Hugo and Mama, smiling a little as I saw Noemi beckon him and Baltasar over. "{'kay, thank you!}"

They smiled while I went over to cuddle with Mama. Once I was safely in her tails and out of sight of any cameras, I looked at her hopefully. |Does that mean we're gonna escape on that day? And finally get outta here?|

She nodded, resting her head against mine. {It does indeed, my child,} she whispered softly. {We need some time to finalize plans, as well as some other factors I've been discussing with Paris. But escape we will, and Galactic won't be able to stop us.}

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. We're gonna escape! We're gonna get to go outside and be free and not have to see Galactic ever again! Fifty days is a buncha days, sure, but it's a day!

It was only a little while later that the door opened again. Instead of Jean and Indra, Eloise was standing there with the Metagross from before. "#102, #171 and associated Pokemon, come with me."

Me and Mama glanced over to her, then towards the voices we were familiar with.

"Asking for us again so soon? That's surprising," Noemi said with a raised eyebrow as she, Danica, Hugo and Baltasar got up. "What, you want my advice on new torture devices? Sorry, that's not my field of expertise."

Eloise grumbled and rolled her eyes, shaking her head slightly at the sass. "It's of no concern to you. Now come."

Something… something didn't feel right. She wasn't lying, and she didn't feel particularly evil then or something. But something about what was going on made the fur on my tails bristle.

As I opened my mouth to intervene, moved to get up, Mama pushed me back gently with a couple tails, shaking her head softly. She did, however, look at the two pairs walking onwards. {Would you come here a moment?}

They glanced over. Hugo and Noemi glanced at each other, then Baltasar and Danica respectively. They then walked over. "One second!" Hugo called over his shoulder.

Eloise sighed. "Make it quick."

Noemi crouched down next to me. "What is it?"

"{T-this d'snt feel r'ght,}" I said quickly. "{S-somethin's wrong.}"

Noemi smiled sadly, hugging me while Danica nuzzled me gently. "We know. But we need to be strong for everyone, remember? You're good at that. And we adults have to do our part too. So just… keep being you, okay?" She squeezed me ever so slightly tighter. "You're a wonderful girl. I know you and our son will get along wonderfully when you two meet."

Hugo joined in on the hug, ruffling my hair. "We'll make sure you meet him. We promise."

Baltasar nodded, smiling sadly like Noemi. {With how brightly you burn? You'll make a phenomenal team.}

Danica chuckled slightly. {Where there's Smoke, there's fire huh? Keep that heart burning bright, will you?}

Noemi let me go, Hugo patted me on the back, and then away they went. I didn't know what to say. But I knew I wanted to say it before they went.

"{I l've you!}" I splurted quickly.

They looked back, and Noemi gave me the same sad smile as before with a wave. "We love you too, Aurora."

And then they walked out, following Eloise.

I could feel some people looking at us, and Mama just waved dismissively at them with her tails. They left us alone.

"{Mama…?}"

{Yes, my child?}

"{Why'd… they feel sad, but… calm? An' hopeful…? They didn' feel like Koko 'r Okan, but…}" I trailed off, not sure how to put it into words. My mind was a blur.

{As though they were at peace, yet still remorseful?} She ended for me gently.

I nodded, and she nudged me closer to her. {That, Aurora, is the feeling one hopes to have before facing fate in a place like this dead in the eye.}

They're gonna die, aren't they.

But what if they don't?

Let's… let's hope they don't.

"{C'n we stay up t'll they come back?}" I asked quietly.

She nodded, gently bringing my head in the crook of her shoulder. {Of course.}

"Would you like a bedtime story, Aurora?" Guinevere asked softly.

I just shook my head. Staring at the door, silently. Like I had been.

{Perhaps another night. But thank you for the offer,} Mama said gently.

She nodded. Chestnut nuzzled me gently. {Good night, Aurora.}

They both felt like Noemi, Danica, Hugo and Baltasar had. But sadder. The only one who felt the same kind of calm as they did was Mama.

She kept sitting there, right beside me, keeping me in her warm embrace, as their footsteps led away from us and we kept watching the door.

Hours later, it was quiet. The buzzing of the lights had long since quieted, bathing us in darkness. Only a couple people were still up- pacing, fidgeting, waking up from nightmares.

The door hadn't budged an inch.

"{They're… n't comin' ba'k, 're they…?}" I choked out.

{I do not believe so,} Mama whispered gently, drying my eyes again with a tail.

I looked down, then curled up and hugged one of her tails close to me, burying my face in it.
Mama kept me close, quietly wrapping her tails around me as I cried myself to sleep.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Radinam 4th~~

"I should be down there," Koko muttered as we watched Eclipse and Yuna march into the arena. "We've faced every single battle together and survived against all the odds…"

"Everyone has their own battles too," Guinevere said softly, sitting with us, Hazel, Vivian, Ron and Rush. "This just happens to be… a bit more literal application of that phrase."

{You're with them in heart, don't forget that,} Chestnut said while looking at her. {I'm sure you're in their minds the whole time. And they're stronger for it.}

"I guess… it's prolly better I'm back here then. I dunno how well this stupid arm works anyway," Koko grumbled flexing the artificial hand she had.

"It's good that you have time to acclimate," Hazel said, "you need that before… going in there again…"

She trailed off, watching Eclipse crack her neck, then her knuckles. "Aight, what asshole's in the ring today?"

"I'd say you, but that's neither here nor there," Jupiter said to herself.

Eclipse and Yuna's ears perked as they whirled around to see Jupiter for what I thought was the first time. Yuna growled dangerously, while Eclipse looked like she wanted to rip Jupiter's throat out. "YOU."

Jupiter blinked, raising an eyebrow and glancing down. "Yes, me. And?"

Koko squinted at Jupiter and shivered. "She looks familiar… in the worst way. That haircut is definitely unforgettable," She turned to Hazel. "Who is that? Is she like Mars?"

"Yes. Her name's Jupiter. She's… more put together than Mars, at least?" Hazel shrugged.

"{'s it from the past c'ple months?}" I asked, confused.

Koko shook her head. "No, I feel like I saw someone like her a long time ago… but it's so hard to remember stuff after being stuck in here for so long."

Well if she's part of Galactic, it's definitely not a good memory.

"Of course you don't recognize us," Eclipse hissed.

"You say that like I should," Jupiter responded dismissively.

"You blew up our home and killed our family!" she howled in rage.

Jupiter just squinted a moment, looked up at the ceiling with a raised eyebrow, and shook her head. "You'll have to be more specific. That doesn't narrow it down very much, you understand."

"The weird purple hair… she was there! She had a crazy Skunktank! They caused the explosions!" Koko yelped.

"I-" Eclipse punched the wall so hard, a shockwave fizzled across the glass. "C'mere, I'll choke you out with your own spine."

"Mmm," Jupiter hummed to herself before glancing at Bronco. "Send out #159's opponent, will you?"

Bronco nodded as he took out a great ball, releasing the pokemon within. Standing around the same height as Eclipse was… not a human. They had a big red ball nose, gray skin, weird pink… muscle bands? Something. And a big red beam of steel.

{Mmmm. Gurdurr. One working for Galactic is fitting,} Mama said with narrowed eyes.

He emerged from the pokemon with a roar, swinging his red beam with gusto. Gurdurr sized up Yuna, then Eclipse before laughing. {So it's finally my time to fight and they give me the puppy? Heard you two got clocked by the freak. Guess Null showed you who's top dog in the end, hahaha ha!}

"Shut the fuck up Bobo, you're distracting me," Eclipse growled with a sidelong glance. "I'm not done with you yet, bitch!" She yelled up at Jupiter.

Gurdurr slammed his beam on the ground twice, shaking the arena. {I'm distracting, am I?! Too loud for ya?} He swung his beam around again, ready to charge. {What ya gonna do? Shut me up? You're all just little yuppies compared to me!}

Gurdurr charged forward, twirling his beam with practiced movements as it began to glow orange. Eclipse didn't even fully turn to face him. She just turned her head, her eyes glowing blood red with fury. The sheer vitriol in her gaze caused Gurdurr to pause for just a moment, and she took advantage.

The air whistled past her fist as she slammed it right into his stomach, lifting him into the air slightly before he fell back down. Yuna, lurking in the background, summoned an array of energy swords around her, sharpening her claws and fangs before she darted behind Gurdurr.

Gurdurr grit his teeth in anger, but his thick muscle shielded him from the brunt of Eclipse's blow. He raised his beam trying to take a swing at Eclipse, but Yuna jumped onto his back, fangs glowing an odd pinkish purple as she ripped into the back of his stubby neck.

Gurdurr collapsed onto his face as Yuna pushed him down, face first, her claws digging into his back.

He attempted to rise, but she raked her claws through his thick skin, making the attempt agonizing.

Eclipse walked over to where he loosely held his girder and ripped it out of his grasp. "The fuck up," She growled before swinging it directly into his face. A clang rung out across the arena, and Hazel winced in response.

Before he could get a word out, Eclipse and Yuna nodded at each other. A jagged rock rose out of the ground as Yuna bit down harder, forcing him to open his mouth. Eclipse kicked the stone in his mouth, then slammed the girder down on top of his head. His eyes bulged and he started coughing, Eclipse picking him up by his nose as Yuna let go, more energy swords dancing around her before she leapt away.

"Piss off already." Eclipse hissed, tossing aside the girder and slamming his face to the ground again before grabbing him by a leg. Yuna howled, jagged spires of rock shooting up besides Eclipse. With one arm and a furious howl, she slammed him facefirst into the waiting bed of stone.

He didn't even get the chance to register what was going on before she grabbed his other leg, Yuna howled again, and Eclipse swung him over her head and down onto the bed of stone spikes behind her.

Each successive impact caused stones to shatter, each slam causing the ground to dent beneath the force more and more. Eclipse's face was red with unrelenting rage, as though the only thing that mattered was inflicting the pain we'd felt on him.

Everything and everyone was dead silent besides Eclipse's onslaught and Yuna's howls of fury. Bronco was white as a sheet, meanwhile Jupiter gazed in distant interest. The scientists in the background stared wide-eyed, not budging an inch.

Hazel and Vivian had long averted their eyes. Ron and Rush didn't seem sure whether or not to cheer for them doing so well, or if this was too much.

Koko was a storm of emotions. She was staring at the carnage, but her eyes told a different story. It was like she was reliving a distant memory over and over again. Underneath it all I could sense that she was like me when Rhodo was beating up Charon. Glad. She didn't like that she was, but she was.

Mama glanced at me. I felt like I did with Charon. It didn't make me happy this time, but the fact they hurt Eclipse, Yuna and Koko so much? The fact he likes what Galactic asks him to do, and thinks the restrained Silvally forced to fight them is a freak? I couldn't bring myself to feel bad for him.

{Letting it out is good,} Mama said flatly to no one in particular, breaking the silence. {Judgement and moderation are important in retribution. But if the focus of your ire shows they care not what lines they cross? They deserve all that comes to them,} she finished darkly.

I didn't say anything. It just made sense. Galactic deserves misery after everything they've done.

Eclipse slammed Gurdurr into the ground one final time before tossing him aside like a frisbee. He spun around before slamming into the wall, falling onto the floor like a ragdoll, motionless except for the rise and fall of his chest.

Yuna ran over to Eclipse, helping keep her upright as she stumbled and nearly fell. She gripped Yuna's fur and wailed-in fury, loss, loathing, grief and other things I couldn't feel from where she was- before steadying herself, breathing heavily.

"Eclipse…" Koko whispered, clenching her shirt. She knew what Eclipse felt.

"You should recall him before he bleeds out all over the arena, if you care about that," Jupiter said plainly to Bronco.

"My Gurdurr…" Bronco whimpered as he recalled Gurdurr as soon as she asked. He shirked under Eclipse's gaze, slinking away before she swung it back to Jupiter.

"We're not done here," Eclipse growled, steadying herself. "I'm gonna make you pay."

"I don't know about that," Jupiter shrugged, "I'll admit, you've got a bite to back up your bark. But you're overestimating yourself. If it wore you out dealing with a Gurdurr, you're no match for me."

She put a finger to her chin, then smirked with a raised eyebrow down at Eclipse and Yuna. "Tell you what. I'll ask Master Cyrus if he can find a use for you. I'm sure he can figure out more purpose for you than you've ever had."

"Over my cold, dead body you will. If he's so important let's see if his skull cracks just the same as anyone else's, huh?" Eclipse hissed. Yuna nodded in agreement, growling furiously.

"Your loss," she sighed dramatically before smiling, looking down like they were incomprehensibly beneath her. "You wouldn't fit in the world Master Cyrus is making anyway. A lab rat like yourself couldn't understand its magnificence."

With that, she turned and began walking away. Eclipse howled after her. "I'm not done with you!" She tried to stand up on her own, but nearly fell to the floor. Yuna caught her and helped her steady herself.

{We'll get our chance. I promise,} she said definitively, {But not now.}

Eclipse gritted her teeth, exhaling sharply through her nose. "Fine. Fine. Fine…" The rage was still there, but it went from fueling her to weighing her down.

When Jean and Indra came to get them, they didn't say anything. They looked upset, but more sad than anything. They didn't say anything as the four left the screen's view.

So when we fuck up Galactic, Jupiter is Eclipse, Yuna and Koko's target. I'll help them where I can, but they deserve this. Jupiter's their Spinel, Cyrus and Silas all in one. AND she smells bad.

I looked at Mama, and we both nodded at each other. We knew what had to happen.

They deserve the kinda beatdown Eclipse and Yuna gonna give 'em.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Solacei 11th~~

"You did awesome!" Ron cheered for Arvis and Mango, jumping up a bit. "You gotta teach me how to be that cool!"

Arvis gave Ron a delighted high five. "It's all finesse, my friend. A little suave creativity and proper teamwork can carry you a long way."

Ron started shadow boxing while Rush looked at Mango. {You've been helping him learn how to be lighter on his feet, huh?}

{He's taken to fighting really well, actually. All of his posh ballroom dance lessons have paid off in the weirdest way,} Mango shrugged. {Even I've learned some new moves.}

I looked at Mama confused, and she smiled. {It's a fancy dance.}

I chuckled slightly. "{Fancy dancy 's fun t' say.}" I looked at Arvis and Mango. "{Did y' fancy dancy lots?}"

Arvis did an elegant spin into a graceful bow. "Quite a bit. It's not for everyone and it can be a bit stuffy, but my dance partners and I have always found our fun. Someone has to bring life to the business convention after all."

I tilted my head, an ear doing the same to the side. "{Business confection?}"

"Convention," He corrected with a grin, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Boring, fancy work meetings where a bunch of important people come together to talk about more work. They like to make them a li'l worthwhile by having them at extravagant venues with chocolate fountains and endless champagne. And it certainly worked on me every single time."

I'd noticed that Arvis did eat a lot of chocolate when we could get it. Mango always had to keep him in check before he got a tummy ache or sugar rush. But mainly he just wanted an extra piece for himself. Champagne he never mentioned though.

"So what was your job exactly?" Koko strolled up to Arvis with a inspective eye. "When you first got here you were wearing all these expensive clothes. Are you rich like Isadora?"

"Haha, I wish. In layman's terms, I'm a businessman who was on a business trip. So I make good money by not being incompetent and making sure no one embezzles or whatever. Honestly, I don't really care to explain. I just like being paid to travel," Arvis admitted non-committedly as he wiped his brow again. He was sweating quite a bit.

I looked at Mama again, who shrugged. {Boring human things.}

"Speaking of perks, how good was your medical?" Riri asked as they walked over with Tou-san. "You seemed to weather that fight pretty well, but can I check you over if you don't mind?"

"You worry too much, Mabel, I'm in my prime. I've got abs now too, but who am I to deny free healthcare?" Arvis ceded.

Emotionally he felt just as lackadaisical as usual. Arvis never seemed to take things too hard, like when he forgave me for blowing him up super easily. Also ever since he got better at fights his mood improved a lot. He had his low points, but I still found it so… admirable how he could get by despite everything.

"Better to worry over nothing than ignore something," they chided before feeling his breathing and other doctor stuff.

We sat there for a minute before the door opened again. "Aurora, Ivane?" Jean called. "Can you come with me? Arvis and Mango as well? Rhodo, Natalie and Eir would like to check on you. Just to make sure you're both alright."

Is he secretly not okay or something? He has fought more than most…

Mama stood up, hopping off the bed with me. Arvis and Mango followed in turn with Riri and Tou-san right behind.

"I was about to get a check-up from Mabel and Haley, though," Arvis explained.

"Were you?" She looked at Riri questioningly.

They just waved a hand slightly. "Better Rhodo than me right now; unfortunately medical supplies are contraband here for whatever reason. Go on," they said kindly to Arvis, "Make sure you're well enough to keep dancing long into the night."

Arvis clicked his teeth and gave them a thumbs-up. "I'll show you all a new trick that had the CEOs eating it up! Hey, Jean, does Rhodo have more chocolate muffins ready?"

She snorted in amusement. "Yes, yes he does. Make sure to save some for Aurora and Ivane as well, alright?"

"{Chocolate's tasty,}" I said softly, staying close to Mama.

{It is indeed,} Mama agreed, {One of the better things humans have created.}

"It is truly humanity's magnum opus. That and al-"

Mabel coughed over him. They didn't like it when he talked about a certain drink. Apparently it makes humans warm, dizzy and stupid. I wondered if it was the only thing Galactic drinks.

"-ka seltzer… actually, no. That's disgusting, I had to drink it for medicine one time. Hey, what's the fizzy water called again? That's pretty good too."

"Just seltzer. No alka needed."

Koko rubbed her chin. "Then what is sparkling water?"

{Seltzer is water with an inordinate amount of bubbles pumped into it, and sparkling water is fizzy because of specific minerals present in the water originally,} Mama explained.

Koko looked absolutely marveled by the revelation as she turned to Jean. "Jean, next time can you get Eclipse, Yuna and me sparkling water with lotsa minerals in 'em? Please?"

"I'll see what I can do," She promised, before beckoning to me, Mama, Arvis and Mango. "I'd love to keep talking, but there's unfortunately a deadline."

Riri put a hand on Koko's shoulder. "I can tell you more about sparkling water while they're away, if you like? For example, all the different flavors they have."

Koko's jaw dropped. "It's flavored!? Yes, please!" She turned to Arvis and Mango next. "You guys have fun eating chocolate muffins, okay! Then we can share sparkling water with lots of minerals. Grass types should like it too, right?"

{We'd love to!} Mango smiled.

"I've been a sucker for some bubbly, count me in Koko," Arvis grinned.

Riri and Koko waved as we walked out and the door shut behind us. Jean chuckled. "I've always found bubbly as a replacement for another noun funny. Never really thought about sparkling water being something a given type would like, but it makes sense. Indra doesn't like iced water, after all."

He nodded in affirmation. {As opposed to our vulpine friends, who would down a glass of nothing but,} he said with a look at me and Mama.

{Water is less of an issue when you're surrounded by snow,} Mama noted.

{As long as it's not poisoned water or something, I'm down with anything,} Mango stated proudly.

"On another note, why'd the doc trio ask for me again? I'm a little tired, but I was gonna take a nap or something," Arvis asked.

Jean deliberated how to answer for a moment. "In essence? The only ones we've seen to utilize moves with no ill effects are Aurora and Hazel. Ron and Koko are close. But for the adults, we prefer err on the side of caution. And you've been fighting and using moves more recently. It's not you specifically, per se."

I could feel some worry in her heart, but considering where we were? It was hard to tell if it was about this, or something else, or the topic or what. Too many worrying things.

Whatever slight concern Arvis had was assuaged by her words. "Well you know me, I'm still young at heart. Paris has got me on the best training regimen of my life. I'm as fit as a mighty bouffalant!"

Mango floated by Arvis' head. {Actually you're as spry as the most voluminous whimsicott! No bouffalant has anything on us!}

"Right you are!"

Whatever was happening, it was nice to feel them in such high spirits. Mama said to focus on those feelings, and she was right. They were much nicer.

Jean and Indra stopped next to Rhodo's door, swiping a card. "This is healthcare avenue, please beware the closing doors," Jean said in a forced monotone. From the way she said it, it felt like she was calling back to something. I had no idea what.

"Much appreciated, miss conductor." Arvis gave her a superfluous bow.

{Where are Aurora and Ivane going?} Mango asked.

"The arena, but at least it's not meant to be Silas or anything like him," Jean replied. "There's some kinder Pokemon you haven't met yet, so maybe you'll see one today?" She said to me.

"{H'pefully!}"

{Oooh…} Mango hopped over to me and held my hands. {I hope you two stay safe and make another new friend!}

I squeezed his lightly. "{I h'pe so too!}"

Mama smiled, the ire she'd felt looking at him in the past gone now. We'd all moved past it and become really close. {Whatever challenge we face, we face it unflinchingly. Even one as bright as making a friend.}

Arvis patted me on the shoulder. "Give them another splendid name, alright? And if they're a jackass, kick their ass. Ya hear? I wanna hear about it after."

"{'Kay! Thanks!}"

Jean and Indra led us away, while Arvis and Mango went in with Rhodo to go eat chocolate muffins and make sure they were okay.

{You continue to improve, my child} Mama praised.

"{Thanks! Water's scary, but Lulu was nice! Not r'lly the others, but still!}" I replied happily. Apparently they wanted to see how me and Mama would do in a fight that was mostly water. It freezes, so against the mean Sharpedo and Jellicent, things were easier. Against Lulu, a nice Lumineon though? It wasn't so bad. She didn't try and drown me like the others or anything, and she thought the ice me and Mama made was really pretty.

{Swimming comes more naturally to us, fortunately. Ice being buoyant helps even moreso,} she continued as the doors opened.

"{Jean! What's…?}"

Both Jean and Indra seemed loathe to look at me and Mama. Their hearts felt heavy, their bodies looking like they were about to melt into a puddle of misery. Something had gone wrong. We just didn't know what.

"{W-wh' happen'd?}" I asked, nervously. The air had shifted. Lulu felt like an already distant memory as my mind raced to try and figure out what happened.

Is Arvis really sick like I used to be? Did Paris or someone die while we were gone? Did Galactic do something else cruel? Did someone try and help us escape and they failed? Did more people get captured?

"It…" She trailed off before breathing deeply and looking at me again. "It's not something to talk about here. Come with me, alright?"

I looked at Mama, then nodded. At least not talking about bad stuff in the middle of Galactic made sense. Somewhere safer, like Rhodo's office or something.

We walked in silence with Jean. I stayed close with Mama, not wanting to stray away from her. Not now. Mama watched all around us, while I took note of everything I could.

The grunts aren't panicking or anything. If anything they look as dull as usual. So there's nothing going on that's super fucking up Galactic. That's not amazing, but it also means they haven't ordered the mass murder thing Charon said they planned at some point. So that's good, at least?

My heart began to sink, though, as I recognized where we were going. Every turn just confirmed my fears.
We were headed to Rhodo's. Something happened.

My walk quickened, then became a jog, and soon I was full on sprinting towards Rhodo's office with Mama, outpacing Jean and Indra. They began running after us, while I wasn't sure what my heart was beating from. Panic, or exertion.

Even when we reached the door and I skidded to a halt, Mama didn't say anything. She just quietly kept me close. And I stayed with her, waiting for Jean and Indra.

They quickly came running up after us, Jean sighing. "Aurora…" She shook her head sadly before swiping her card on the door opener panel.

The door opened, but Rhodo wasn't standing there. Instead, Eir was checking the computer, the screen displaying all the Hybrids and pokemon's life signs that Rhodo told us about earlier. Focused on it, almost like she was blocking something else out.

Jean knocked lightly on the doorframe. "They're here now," she said quietly. Just trying to get Eir's attention, and not other people's.

Eir felt… sad. Not nearly as sad as Jean and Indra though. Upset, but a dull, melancholy pain. One that she'd felt many times before, and was used to. There was mild shock, but nothing else. Rhodo and Natalie, in the other room, felt much more distraught. Like Jean and Indra, but… with more of a sense of failure.

Mango though. Mango felt overcome with grief. Worse than when I'd blown up and hurt Arvis. Worse than when he hated himself for getting upset with me. He felt like Hazel had when her parents died, how Okan felt when Razin, Urie, and his dads died.

Arvis… I couldn't feel anywhere. He was just gone.

Eir turned around with a solemn expression as she waddled over to me, taking my hand. {Aurora, I think it best you sit down.}

I could already feel tears running down my face. "{Wh… b-but… I-I don'…}" I stuttered, my heart dropping further. Mama just gently nudged me to the same stool Li had sat on before, when he was licking me after I'd been electrocuted. I sat down heavily while Eir sat across from me.

Eir waited a few seconds to gauge my feelings before she finally spoke. {I am so very sorry to tell you this… but Arvis has died.}

I started breathing heavily, Mama pressing my head into hers. {I am here, my child.}

My shuddering breaths got more even with her there, as she looked at Eir. {Stress?}

Eir nodded solemnly as she began to explain.

{We asked Arvis to come in today again because we were concerned about his heart and his elemental energy, as they were not stabilizing after the battle. We had believed he overexerted himself from the constant fights, training and his difficult living conditions. After we gave him a check-up we began preparing his medication so he could be properly treated for high levels of stress.}

Eir took a short pause to ensure I was absorbing all the information. She was speaking slowly and carefully.

{After his check-up, Arvis informed us he was feeling tired and that he wished to take a nap. After we got him everything he needed, he was comfortable, Mango was with him and he went to bed…} Eir took one more pause squeezing my hand. {Arvis passed away peacefully in his sleep. He experienced no pain and I could see his contentment as he closed his eyes beside Mango.}

"{Buh… B-but he wasn't…}" I stammered.

Mama nodded slowly, keeping me close as her warm fur rubbed against my head. {He pushed himself too hard. The conditions we are in are intense, even if one does not fully realize it. Some… are more hardy than others, unfortunately,} She said slowly.

But- but I couldn't feel anything! He didn't feel super stressed, and I know really well what it feels like now! Even when people hide emotions and stuff, I can feel that!

{Aurora.} I blinked, looking at Mama. {You are not to blame. Nor is he. You could not have known, as he most likely didn't know himself. We all have our ways of enduring our circumstances. Not all of them work, unfortunately.}

{Arvis did what he had to do in order to survive Galactic's battles and I will always admire any who stand against them. Unfortunately, his body failed him before his spirit. He was a much stronger individual than I had believed,} Eir commented.

Ivane glanced down sadly, then turned her gaze to Eir. {You say he was peaceful in his final moments?}

Eir nodded. {Yes. He was quite talkative and lively during the check-up as he gorged upon his favorite chocolate muffins. When he set to retire to bed he requested we awaken him once you had returned. He wished to… share a fresh batch of victory muffins with you all and did not wish to miss it.}

Mama nodded in kind, and curled a tail around my waist. {Come, my child.}

I silently nodded, getting up as she did. Mama glanced at Eir, and beckoned her with her head slightly to come with. Eir seemed a little confused, but followed regardless.

Mama led us into the other room, where Rhodo, Natalie and Mango were. Mango was weeping openly in Rhodo's arms, as Rhodo gently rocked him back and forth while patting his back. I could see tears falling from his eyes as well.

Natalie had covered what could only be Arvis' body with a blanket, and was completely silent. Next to his bed was a nightstand, a berry plant growing in a pot and a plate of chocolate muffins next to him. Even though there were loads of crumbs on the plate, there were a couple muffins left.

Rhodo and Natalie watched us as Mama led us to Arvis' side. Mama looked at Eir, sad but calm. Eir seemed to understand her message as she walked to the nightstand to take a muffin before handing it to me. I held it silently, tears still streaming down my face as she reached up, pulling back the covers over Arvis somewhat.

He looked so peaceful. If the complete lack of feeling, heartbeat, the rise and fall of his chest weren't blatant giveaways? He could be sleeping, having a nice dream. Mama beckoned Rhodo over to her with a couple of her tails.

Rhodo approached willingly as he sat beside me, holding Mango. He whispered some comforting words to Mango, granting him the strength to peel away from him. His eyes were filled with tears as he turned to us all for the first time. Seeing Arvis' face again struck a chord in him, but before he lost composure? Mama gently guided his hand to the same muffin I was holding.

She kept us both close as she closed her eyes. {I have not known Arvis long. We met in circumstances that were amongst the worst imaginable. And yet he proved to be someone of kind, strong heart. His unwavering faith has helped us all move forwards, and now we must do the same for him. Passing amongst loved ones, peacefully, is rare and rarer still in a place such as this. Yet he was at least afforded that kindness, that peace, in his last moments. May his next life be in much more favorable conditions, and may we remember him for as long as we are. And do our part, however small, to wish him well on his journey.}

Three of her tails curled around us, the ends pointed at the muffin. Small streaks of golden flame whispered forth, curling around and engulfing it. They didn't hurt in the least, and they didn't seem to hurt Mango either. As it slowly burned away, the warm glow of the flame lit us, smoke gathering in a cloud above it.

Before long, the muffin was gone. All that remained was smoke that spiraled above us, then drifted by itself over Arvis' chest. It swirled again, then drifted into two streams; one that went to Mango, and one that went to me. It smelled of chocolate, grass, and air that was much nicer than even that in the nature room. It clung to us both, resting with us as it seemed to fade away from the world, staying with us.

I would swear I saw Arvis' peaceful smile widen ever so slightly.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Clalta 26th~~

"{N'ver st'ps smellin' awful…}" I mumbled, waking up from Skuntank knocking me out in the weird room again. For whatever reason, even though I wanted to throw up my lungs after each trip there, once that went away I felt… better? Not great, and it wasn't like the scars I'd gotten had gone away or anything. But better.

Mama had her tails curled around me, but this time Okan and Kano were here too. "It's fitting that a Pokemon with a butt for a face smells like ass, huh?" Okan joked.

That got me to snort a laugh. Kano buzzed her wings lightly, and Okan nodded. "I know, I was getting to it."

"{Gettin' t' wha?}"

"Jean let us know after bringing you back that you don't have to go back to… wherever that is anymore. Apparently whatever they were trying to do, they did it."

I tilted my head curiously, furrowing my brow as Mama looked at me. {Do you feel significantly different, my child? Anything untoward?}

Hmm. Well, I still fuckin' hate Galactic, so there's that. I don't feel like Silas scares me any more than usual. I don't know how you'd feel a bomb in your chest, but I don't hear anything like that. And even if I didn't, Mama would let me know if she did.

I shrugged. Mama looked down in thought. {The only difference I've noticed is the fur on your tails and ears becoming fuller. But I highly doubt there's a secret evil groomer in Galactic, so beyond that I am unsure.} She looked back up at me. {At least it seems they have not negatively impacted you, my child. So that bodes well.}

I nodded, cuddling with her, Okan and Kano. My mind was still racing. What the heck were they even doing? Does Jean know?

"{D'd Jean f'l upset?}" I asked quietly.

Okan shook her head. "If anything, she felt hopeful."

So maybe it's good? I hope it's good.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Solacei 27th~~

"Hazel? Would you come with me?" Jean called over from the door.

She and Vivian both got up, but Jean grimaced. "Just… just you, Hazel."

Their panic spiked.

I got up and ran to them, hugging them tight. Mama followed quickly after, looking at Indra for an explanation.

He deliberated for a moment before responding. {She will be going to the same place Aurora has, and will similarly be in no danger. Of that, I can assure you.}

"Can you tell us what they're doing if it's not so bad?" Koko asked.

Jean nodded. "I can, it's just a lot to explain." She paused. "But to make it short… you know how things didn't go so well with everyone becoming Hybrids at the start? This is to help fix that."

Koko flicked her ears in interest. "Does that mean all of our powers will work better?"

Ron smiled brightly. "An' do more cool stuff?!"

A small smile crossed her face as she nodded. "It should, yes. Aurora can tell you that the start will smell really bad, but that's the worst of what'll happen."

I nodded, signing my response. |It smells awful, but that and a little headache when you wake up is really it.|

Koko cringed physically and emotionally. "Yuna told me that rockruff have way better noses than humans. Won't the bad smell… hurt?"

|It does, but you pass out quick and it's better than the stuff Silas does,| I shrugged.

"That's a… really low bar, but I guess it's alright." Koko rubbed Hazel's back. "Ya know, back on the road, Eclipse got sprayed by a stunky, but a nice trainer gave us some tamato juice and the smell… eventually went away!"

Hazel still didn't feel very convinced, somehow Koko was even less convinced, so I tapped Hazel on the shoulder lightly and signed what helped me get through stuff here. |At least it's gonna help people?|

She hesitated for a long while, then nodded, keeping herself steady. "Right… right. It'll help everyone."

Vivian looked up at her, worried. {You've gotta be okay when you come back. Alright?}

Hazel nodded, hugging her. "I'll do my best."

Jean smiled sadly. "I'm as sure as you can be in this place that you'll be fine. It'll just be some waiting, okay Vivian?"

Vivian breathed deeply, then sighed. {Come back soon…}

Hazel hugged her tighter before letting her go gently and standing with Jean. "Will it be long?"

Jean pursed her lips. "I don't think it will. Not now, anyway."

I hugged Hazel quickly, and she smiled. "If you could take it, I can too."

And with that, she walked away with Jean and Indra. Vivian, meanwhile, looked lost. All Mama had to do was glance at her before ushering her closer with her tails, and looking at Ron, Rush and Koko. {Why not wait for Hazel to return in the faux nature room? It would certainly be nicer for her to wake up in, and Aurora has always come back before the lights turn off.}

Ron smiled brightly, pumping his fists in the air. "And we can make sure when she gets back, it'll be nice and pretty! Maybe I can try and read her a story!"

Rush chuckled. {So long as you let someone like Ivane help.}

They both looked at Mama, and she chuckled. {I see no reason not to.}

|Maybe you could tell us more stories after?|

Mama smiled. {I would be happy to, my child.}

Koko looked at me with slight confusion. "You've been using sign language more often lately. Do ya got a sore throat?"

I shook my head. |No, that's gotten better. It just… feels harder to say things, after everything.|

She understood immediately. |I get it. Take your time.| She'd been practicing signing too; Mabel said it would be good for getting used to the artificial arm.

I smiled as Mama gestured towards the bed we usually slept on. {You should go get Ki, if we are to be resting for a while.}

I nodded, quickly running over and getting the plushie Vulpix that Rhodo gave me for my birthday before running back. At the same time, Ron and Rush had gone over to get one of the storybooks that we'd managed to get. We all liked Thomas the Tank Engine.

Vivian was still on edge, but once we'd all sat down around a tree and Ron and Mama started telling stories? She felt more at ease. She curled up with Mama and me, and seemed happier when Li came in soon after.

In a shorter time than we'd figured, Jean and Indra came back with a still unconscious, but okay, Hazel. Next it was Ron's turn to go with her. He was definitely nervous, but he didn't show it as much. He made sure we knew he was gonna be okay, because he "can't be put to sleep by bad farts if I eat them first!". Li wanted to know if it actually worked like that. We told him it didn't once Ron had left.

As soon as Hazel was laid next to us, Vivian curled up right on her chest. Keeping an ear on her heart, just to make sure everything was okay. Mama kept telling us stories while we waited for Ron to get back. Rush kept twiddling his thumbs the whole time, but would feel better whenever me or Koko hugged him.

Eclipse and Yuna came over while we were waiting, having done some training with Paris. Eclipse didn't say much past hi before plopping down next to us, but she'd always respond if me or Koko asked her something. Yuna was more amused by Li's antics with her tail, but she let him have fun anyway.

When Ron was brought back, he only looked a little different from before. The blue fur on his tail was bluer, but that was mostly it. He snored as loudly as ever. This time, Jean was asking for Koko to come with her. Eclipse and Yuna were a lot more anxious than Koko was, surprisingly, but it made some sense. Koko had seen Hazel and Ron come back okay, Eclipse and Yuna had just seen Ron. After Koko, Mama and Jean explained it though, they calmed down enough to let her go.

The whole time Koko was gone, Yuna was kneading the ground and Eclipse fidgeting relentlessly. Me and Mama would help them feel a little better, but not even Li cuddling up to them would help them calm down. Which made too much sense, after what'd happened with Koko last time.

Fortunately for them, Koko was only gone a little while longer than Hazel was. She also didn't look a lot different, but I could feel… something different. It was like everything was just a little calmer inside her, some strings being given slack. When Jean said Eclipse needed to come with her, but she was the last one today? She just hugged Koko and Yuna, got up without a word and went. Her fists were clenched, and it wasn't hard to feel that she really wanted to punch Galactic as soon as she got close to them, but she wasn't going to let Koko go through something she wouldn't be there for. She didn't want this to take longer than it had to.

I only remembered once she was gone that Jupiter and Skuntank were gonna be there. I hoped she'd get to punch them at least a little.

It wasn't that long after Eclipse went with Jean that Hazel woke up. She coughed, just like I had, and I saw her eyeing the dirt like she wanted to stuff it up her nose to blot out the smell. Like I had. But some water and food that Guinevere and Chestnut brought us helped.

Vivian felt like we'd gotten out of Helheim with how relieved she was Hazel was fine. We all started to see a little of what would happen to people who weren't me, too; because of the collar she couldn't do it much, but she could make little glowing stars in her hands without any trouble anymore. She felt nervous, asking Vivian and Mama if they'd hit anyone. Once Mama told them they'd hit what she wanted them to, she made them float around in little circles, glimmering brightly.

Eclipse still hadn't come back yet by the time Ron woke up. He didn't waste a second, running over to the fake river with Rush hot on his heels to dunk his head underwater. Li ran after the both of them, darting away a little after Ron yanked his head up from the water and yelled that it only made it worse. It showed just how nasty Skuntank smelled that it took him longer than twenty seconds to notice the food that was waiting for him.

A while later, with Ron still holding the bowl that had food in it before over his nose, I heard Koko starting to wake up. Her face was scrunched up in disgust, but she looked around for Eclipse and Yuna. Yuna only had to turn her slightly, as she made sure she was as comfy as could be on her flank.
And before she could even start asking where Eclipse was, Jean and Indra came in with her in Indra's arms (wings? He was holding her).

Unlike the four of us, Eclipse was noticeably different. Her hair was fully dusty orange with brown tips now, spiking out haphazardly. But, much more notably, she had a long, white, fluffy tail now.

"She got a tail?" Koko questioned.

Jean sighed and sat down with us for a moment as Indra set Eclipse down gently, then sat next to her. "It's a little more than that. Now that I've done most of the running around for the day, here's the slightly more in depth explanation. With you, Aurora, Hazel and Ron, being a Hybrid came easier. It's got something to do with you being younger, I don't know why exactly yet and I don't think anyone does. But Aurora, being the youngest, and Hazel being with Vivian, had it easiest."

"So Spinel is actually doing something helpful for the first time in her life, and working on everyone's DNA to make it more like Aurora's. She spent lots of time looking at hers, and now she's looking at everyone else's and fixing parts that weren't good before. Part of that is that along with your abilities not hurting you anymore, you'll get a couple more Pokemon attributes. So Eclipse has a tail, but it means that making rocks won't hurt her anymore. Not the other way around. Does that make sense?" She asked.

Koko shrugged. "I guess so. After we spent all that time together with her making the arm for me, it sounds like something she'd do. She really likes new data. At least it's starting to help us now."

Jean nodded, getting up and smiling with a hint of defiance. "It's about time something good happens to you all."

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Noxal 30th~~

{What do you mean, exactly, you do not know?} Mama questioned Indra, more pointedly than usual. We were going to the arena again, and Jean and Indra felt nervous. Unsettled. And we didn't know why.

{I mean exactly what I said, elder vixen,} he replied hesitantly. {We know you will not be facing Silas today. However, Cyrus has made it clear he will oversee this bout.}

And he doesn't get up off his ass and show himself unless it's something big. Shit.

"Even if we hadn't been busy lately, Cyrus plays his important cards close to his chest," Jean continued once it was clear Indra was done. "We only found out he'd be overseeing as we were walking to come get you two."

Mama mused a moment before responding. {Well, the warning is appreciated. Is there any other information you managed to glean?}

Indra shook his head. {Unfortunately not. You know as much as we about this.}

Okay, them not knowing stuff is really bad. Usually they know a bunch, or can at least figure something out to tell us. Just nothing? That's really bad.

Jean grimaced as she opened the door to the arena. "Good luck, you two."

Me and Mama nodded before walking in. I glanced up to see Cyrus facing forwards, only his eyes tracking us as we came in. Silas, meanwhile, was almost giggling, claws pressed against the glass as he watched us.

{I hope you don't miss me too much! You just might after this little reunion,} he cackled.

Me and Mama glanced at each other, my mind racing. Reunion? So it has to be someone we've met before. Maybe they're throwing a bunch of the mean Pokemon against us at once?

Mama tapped me gently with a tail, gesturing towards where Bronco usually was. And another chill ran down my spine when I saw it wasn't Bronco. It was Eloise.

Bad. VERY bad.

"Begin," Cyrus said shortly.

Eloise nodded, pulling out a Pokeball and releasing someone. But something was different. Wrong.

The white energy usually coalesced into someone. But this time, it faded to pitch black jagged energy before forming, retaining a dark aura. In front of us now stood… someone without legs. They were a wheel bug, with a dark purple carapace and circular red markings on each section. The edges of the wheel had spikes around the ring, with two pairs of spines on opposite ends with two black stripes on them. The inner parts of the carapace were black, and they had a yellow eye on either side. The iris, though, instead of being black was glowing red. And surrounding them was a chaotic, jagged mass of black energy.

I could feel a whirlwind of repressed emotions- hatred, disgust, loneliness, dismay, only negative. At the very core, I could feel something else. Scared, shocked, worried. Almost like the two were completely separate, but only almost.

That was only part of what was making my blood run cold.

What even IS that?! It's like… everything opposite of what Dojima was doing. It feels so fake… and yet way too real. It has to be something Galactic did to him, but why?! Okay I know why, they're evil, but still! How do you even-

{My child?} Mama's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, distracting me slightly from the nausea bubbling in me just being close to him like this. {This is a Whirlipede, what-}

"{Th's Nini!}" I blurted out quickly.

Mama's eyes widened as she looked back, Nini rattling his carapace dangerously. {He evolved? But…} She trailed off, narrowing her eyes at Nini. He was acting like he didn't recognize us at all. That tiny part I felt before definitely did, but the bigger, angrier part didn't.

Mama didn't seem to totally understand why I was so concerned, but she didn't question it. Especially not when Nini suddenly clicked angrily, whirring in place as his spines shone black. He suddenly spun sideways, black crescents- crackling the same way the aura around him did- streaking towards us.

I felt more surprise from Mama as she leapt and slid around them in tandem with me, watching the bursts of energy as they impacted the ground and walls. Instead of just dissipating, they crackled angrily, small black bolts of energy arcing out hungrily before fading away.

I looked at her, pleading silently for an explanation for what'd happened to Nini. She grimaced. {This… this is new. Unnatural. Be extraordinarily cautious, my child.}

A shiver ran down my spine again as I nodded, looking intently at Nini. There was something else, something I couldn't work out.

He feels mean now, but it's not like Eclipse or me being mad. Or Silas or how Rampan used to be. It's like… Hazel? Hazel when she didn't wanna fight. That's under it. It's something about the angry part.

Nini buzzed dangerously, his spines shaking and making an ominous clacking sound as he closed the distance. Scarlet trails followed his eyes, an ebon comet shooting right at us.

And yet, as me and Mama leapt to the side, I saw the tiniest swerve towards where we were, not where we were going. A desperation from the fear and recognition in the center.

Flames crackled at my hand, an instinct I'd had to refine, but I couldn't bring myself to aim it at Nini.

Mama glanced at me, then ran over as Nini turned in a wide arc to make another pass. {Evaluate. I will give you time.}

She formed an icy orb with her tails, keeping it above herself before launching a beam in front of her. A ramp of ice crackled and clinked under the force it barely withstood just seconds later, Nini careening over our heads as shards of ice joined the trail behind his eyes.

Mama swung around, launching shards of ice at oncoming black crescents as I watched Nini. His scared emotions are right where he is. That makes sense. But… it's not just that his angry ones FEEL bigger. It's like they're bigger than he is. Even Owain didn't have that kinda thing.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to focus harder on the sinister aura. It flared and crashed into everything around it, like it was trying to consume everything it could. It was angry. It wanted nothing but a bloodbath. It was lashing out, taking control. Not Nini.

Now how the hell do I even explain that?!

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Even if I'd known which ones I wanted to use, I couldn't force them out. I glanced at my still burning hand. My eyes widened.

I made a dome with my hands, and Mama made a thick dome of ice. It shuddered as Nini crashed into it, but held. For now.

{Quickly,} she urged. {Whatever it is gives him unnatural strength.}

I nodded, making a small fire in my hands. As the dome shuddered again, I made a large, spiky ice ball around it, the fire in the center shrinking. I held it there for a moment, then pointed at me and Mama, and blew fire at the icy ball. I made it slowly melt before the fire inside was free again, and pointed to Nini.

Mama hummed to herself, glancing between the now cracking ice dome and me. I could feel uncertainty, concern and urgency in her heart before she nodded slightly to herself. {We must fight, my child.}

When my ears drooped and I opened my mouth to protest, she closed her eyes. {I know. You will not raise a hand against Nini, and I will not do something that would distress you that greatly. But that is not what I am asking.} Once she saw I'd calmed down as much as I could with ice shards and flakes breaking loose from the dome above us, she continued.

{Whatever that other force is seems to have no tactics whatsoever. We do not need to attempt to strike Nini directly. We need to counter any attacks the chaos energy sends our way and defend ourselves. Burning through it as quickly as possible is our best chance of dispelling it. I do not know if it will work, but that is our best option. Do you understand?}

I nodded, even though my heart was still heavy. At least I don't need to try and actually hit Nini, but… maybe if I wasn't feeling as awful as I am, I could say stuff like I would before and help him get through it that way… I can't focus on that right now though. Later. Nini needs help NOW. Mama had an idea. We just have to hope it works…

As Nini slammed into the dome again, it shattered under the assault and he went careening towards us. Mama darted in front of me, cloaking her tails in brilliantly orange flames. They formed a small dome in front of her as the fire and chaotic energy clashed.

Even though neither one was making direct contact, there was an angry sizzling from where the two forces fought. Mama kept her fires burning bright as both sides drained the energy of the other.

Only once we could see the shadowy energy fading from the attack and back into the aura, Mama used the warring energies to launch Nini over us. As his horns began to suck light out of the air in their dark glow, Mama glanced at me. Asking me silently if I understood.

I nodded.

My hand left a blazing trail behind it as I held my palm in front of me, steadying my arm with my other hand. Eyes darting to each of the oncoming waves, I shot fireballs towards each one. A dark, billowing cloud interspersed with orange light and gouts of flame grew in between us with each new explosion.

Even though the bursts of chaotic energy obscured it, I could still see the aura engulfing Nini. He fell towards the ground before the segments of his carapace rattled, his spines clicking back and forth.

A shudder went down my spine, one I wouldn't have thought twice about if a faint shockwave of that dark energy hadn't followed right behind it. I cloaked myself in flame for the briefest moment, the wave sizzling to nothing against it.

In that moment, Nini had revved up and was now rocketing towards us again. This time I wreathed my arms in flame, catching Nini like Clive had.

My feet skidded against the ground before coming slowly to a halt as the energy almost screamed at me for obstructing it. The burning scarlet glow from Nini's eyes pierced through me, trying to drag out that instinct I had. To fight, to not hold back.

The flames on my arms grew brighter as I burned that away, searing through as much of the sinister energy propelling Nini on as I could. And just as the attack was ending? I felt the light it was trapping inside brighten just a little.

He's fighting too. I'm not gonna let him go through this alone!

Time ceased to have any meaning. I didn't know how long we were fighting, and I didn't care. What mattered is that every time we beat back the chaotic energy, every time we stood our ground and refused to leave Nini alone? It faded ever so slightly.

Every so often, I'd feel exhaustion begin to creep into my limbs. Each time, a thought ran through my mind.

If we don't fix this now, we might never get another chance.

Nini's already been fighting this on his own for who knows how long. And I'm just gonna stop because I'm tired?

Galactic's already killed enough of my friends and family. I won't let them steal another.

He helped me when I needed his help. Now it's time to return the favor.

I won't let my friend be hurt if I can do something about it.

While I was dodging to the side of one shadowy rush, I noticed Eloise glancing up at Cyrus for a moment. He hadn't stopped watching. Silas hadn't either, but there was a clear difference. Silas was practically drooling at the fight, relishing every clash we had. Cyrus simply stood there, silent. Hands clasped behind his back, staring down.

Just like he had in the forest.

Eloise turned her gaze away after it became clear he wouldn't stop us anytime soon, and I shook them out of my mind.

Punch Galactic later. Help Nini now.

Scrapes. Bruises. Gashes here and there. Shimmering veils of light that faded and brightened, green walls of energy that lit up and waned. Searing flames and towering ice. Chaotic assaults against our relentless defiance.

I don't know how long it was. All I know is that eventually, I saw the energy waver. It shuddered after another attack was met and overcome, turned a dark purple instead of a pitch black.

There was a chance. Who knew if we'd get another.

White light engulfed me as I sprinted after Nini, still making a wide arc to turn around at his speed. Mama's eyes widened and her Safeguard shimmered brightly again as I skidded to a stop in front of Nini, catching his charge and pulling him in for a hug.

He was still spinning vigorously, but I refused to let go. I closed my eyes, ignoring his spines slamming into me. I just focused on that light. Who I knew Nini was, slowly, agonizingly slowly gaining strength as the darkness was beat back.

I held on.

Slowly, he began to slow down.

Gradually, his light brightened even more.

Eventually, the menacing aura around him began to dissipate.

When he'd finally stopped. When I could feel the skin on my hands was raw, when it felt like my shoulders were about to fall off, I opened my eyes.

There wasn't any more red glow coming from Nini's. Instead, like mine, there were tears.

I held him closer, Mama standing right beside us.

{Thank… you… Aurora…} he chittered weakly.

I just smiled and held him closer. Before exhaustion overwhelmed us both, and we fell into a different darkness. A welcoming, soft one. One that promised rest, recuperation and reunion.

I felt Mama catch us. And that was the last thing I knew before I passed out.

Entry Log:

-The Lycanroc group has completely recovered and are doing well. The Rockruff girl's artificial arm is a mere prototype, as we do not have access to anyone with exemplary knowledge on prostheses. However, I have taken the time to learn from this chance so I may perfect the battle armor I intend to create for the future. Professor Mecharis has been extremely helpful in getting it to function well and the girl seems to have adapted to it well enough. He may be eccentric, but perhaps it is worth seeking his council in the future in such matters.

-Noemi and Hugo Smoke have been terminated via lethal injection. Their loss provided me invaluable data for perfecting the hybrids' DNA. They may have been working against Galactic, even though we have no definitive proof of such, but that does not mean they cannot further our goals.

-I must give credit where it's due; Commander Jupiter is more level-headed than I expected. With Mars' blind obsession, Saturn's eagerness to please and Charon's… everything, I was surprised to find her to be the most efficient. Perhaps striking conversation would not be remiss.

-The Lycanroc fusion's destructive prowess has become quite extreme. According to Bronco, his Gurdurr has obtained a bevy of new scars after their last encounter. Her body seems to be undergoing change from the stress, as she's now able to harness her powers a bit more efficiently. She is one to watch… carefully. I fear if left unchecked she could grow up to become a person with a penchant for bloodshed. The uncontrollable kind.

-Despite his excellent performance, the Whimsicott hybrid decompensated and passed away. I had Natalie and Rhodo give me the full report of what transpired and requested an autopsy to find the CoD. If I were to guess, it was likely from stress and overuse of his powers with a body too unfit for them. A shame, truly. I wanted to see after correcting his DNA if his hair would turn into cotton. It appears Cyrus was right about implementing the nature room, this death could've been prevented if we had installed it sooner. For someone who wishes to rid the world of spirit, he has a deeply nuanced understanding of it. Know thy enemy, I suppose. If it had not been implemented, there's no telling how many more test subjects would have perished before I was through with them.

-After countless hours and tests, I have perfected the Fusion DNA from #001's DNA sequence. She still cannot compare to Pokemon in raw power, but it does not matter as her body is now officially stable. I still need to use the others' incomplete DNA to make further improvements. It is yet to be determined how exactly #001's DNA differs from the others fusions', and detailed investigation is required if the Fusion Chambers are to work flawlessly on any human. While I do not believe their data will allow me to perfect them to the extent that any human can be fused with any Pokemon, it is a vital step.

-Even once I have perfected their DNA sequencing, there are still some tests I would like to perform. There seems to be something incorporeal, yet undeniably different from them that humans have… I believe Kalosian researchers were discussing the power a human provides a pokemon in battle? I'd never taken stock in it, but perhaps this 'power' is real. Whatever the case, they still seem capable of providing it to some degree. #001's Ninetales fusion partner has been able to perform feats I doubt she could have in #001's absence in her condition. More investigation into this is required.

-The younger fusions underwent the re-sequencing process well, even the Lycanroc girl despite being several years older than the youngest. It is logical however; she is still growing in her own way. I will work my way up via age to see how the adults react, test them and if all goes smoothly we can wash our hands of this batch and move onto more valued subjects. Jupiter is already preparing the formula to be rid of them. A simple press of a button, a gas released in their enclosure and all that will remain is body disposal. If we did not have Byron's trainers almost knocking on our door, I would say we are in the clear. But apparently creating it in sufficient quantity will take time. Time I am not certain we have.

-The proto shadow pokemon virus data we received from Team Cipher of Orre is quite… esoteric. I did not have the supplies on hand to make it work flawlessly, but as I am trying to create a proper Team Galactic strand, it will take time. From what I know, shadow pokemon can be cured via bonds from pokemon, humans and it seems fusions as well. Shadow Whirlipede was eventually cured by #001 after a distinctly prolonged battle. According to files, it's not so easy to break a shadow grip on a pokemon which proves that my strand needs ample work. I had not expected anything from that backwater region to be remotely complex, but this has been an entertaining diversion. The fact the Whirlipede only exhibited signs of exhaustion after being rid of the virus shows a perfected version would make for phenomenal soldiers, something Cyrus noted as well. He understands it cannot be our priority at this moment, but he believes it will be invaluable in the future. If the results from even such an incomplete strain are any indication, I am inclined to agree.

-It is worth noting that #001 was able to keep up, however. She was clearly completely drained after the battle, but her ability to keep up is admirable. Something I hope is reflected in other fusions in the future.

-The work for the prototype armor should be finished in a few days. I am basing it off the Mewtwo model and what would make sense for #001's body type and fighting skills. Undoubtedly she will despise it, but we will glean something from the experience.

-According to lore Dusknoir are said to escort lost souls to the afterlife, the grim reaper pokemon. On occasion, Juliet will leave me and return revitalized once more. She never elaborates on her excursions, but each time she grows stronger. Perhaps the loss of life fuels her? My research into her species grows. I cannot surmise how many souls swirl around in that abyss she calls a stomach, but everyday I wonder… could I revive one of those souls in a new body? Bifrons did not give me a straight answer, but I believe he knows. Regardless if it is possible or not, my name is Spinel Sird. I intend to decide the fate of the Gods. Manipulating life and death is just another experiment to me.

#001 Fused Kantolan Vulpix (Aurora) & Kantolan Ninetales (Ivane) Status: Recovering

#006 Fused Pyroar & Pyroar Status: Deceased (Stress)

#011 Fused Magcargo & Slugma Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#019 Fused Carnivine & Carnivine Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#020 Fused Furret (Guinevere) & Furret (Chestnut) Status: Nominal

#27 Fused Toxapex (Ibya) & Toxapex (Shoal) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

#033 Fused Eevee (Hazel) & Eevee (Vivian) Status: Recovering

#043 Fused Hydreigon (Paul) & Hydreigon (Tobias) Status: Deceased (Unstable, reverted to feral instincts, used for dissection)

#048 Fused Whimsicott (Arvis) and Whimsicott (Mango) Status: Deceased (Stress)

#053 Fused Flygon (Leanne) & Flygon (Yvonne) Status: Recovering

#068 Fused Decidueye (Paris) & Decidueye (Legolas) Status: Nominal

#072 Fused Swampert (Zacharias) & Swampert (Elvis) Status: Deceased (Combat)

#078 Fused Phantump (Razin) & Phantump (Urie) Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#079 Fused Glalie & Glalie Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#085 Fused Blissey (Mabel) & Blissey (Haley) Status: Nominal

#086 Fused Bewear (Benny) & Bewear (Bors) Status: Recovering

#090 Fused Krookodile (Corporal) & Krookodile (Sargeant) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

#095 Fused Greninja (Naoko) & Greninja (Shio) Status: Nominal

#102 Fused Bibarel (Hugo) & Bibarel (Baltasar) Status: Deceased (Lethal Injection)

#111 Fused Stantler (Dusk) & Stantler (Comet) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

#123 Fused Female Gallade (Lucia) & Gallade (Arden) Status: Recovering

#132 Fused Pachirisu (Ron) & Pachirisu (Rush) Status: Nominal

#134 Fused Silvally (Clive) & Silvally (Elpis) Status: Nominal

#143 Fused Electrode & Electrode Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#147 Fused Sunflora (Garland) & Sunflora (Dijon) Status: Drained (lack of sunlight)

#158 Fused Rockruff (Koko) Status: Under Watch (Observing Prosthetic)

#159 Fused Dusk Lycanroc (Eclipse) & Dusk Lycanroc (Yuna) Status: Recovering

#163 Fused Spiritomb & Spiritomb Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#171 Fused Emolga (Noemi) & Emolga (Danica) Status: Deceased (Lethal Injection)

#180 Fused Samurott (Owain) & Samurott (Sue) Status: Deceased (Finally)

#188 Fused Typhlosion (Noah) & Typhlosion (Charcoal) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

#193 Fused Noctowl (Keaton) & Noctowl (Twili) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

#199 Fused Breloom (Lola) & Breloom (Etter) Status: Deceased (Pitiful Escape Attempt)

Author's Note: Well, my prediction that I'd need slightly more than twelve chapters to get this done was right! Yay? At least chapter 13 is gonna be fitting for this story, I'd say. There's a date now for the end of this all, and it's fast approaching. I hope to see you there!