Many have been lost in the endeavor to survive Galactic's stranglehold of the Hybrids. But their sacrifices, their deaths, will not be in vain. For the Hybrids use their fallen friends and family to fuel their fervor. Galactic hopes to break them, and they shall not bend. Something will give. And it shall not be my people. It will be those who would detain them and use them for their own ends. So let us watch as the Hybrids take steps towards reclaiming their lives.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Melatto, Lurina 32nd~~

"Metagross, keep an eye on them. You know what to do," Eloise commanded starkly before walking towards the far wall of the room, her shoes echoing through the currently empty room.

Metagross turned his attention to me and Mama. {Warning: I assume you know the procedure by now. Do not resist and you will be returned to your dwelling swiftly.}

Like we're just gonna go along with what you say.

{Yes yes, we're well aware,} Mama sighed as she rolled her eyes. We were in the same room where a buncha other tests had been done before; how well I saw in the dark, throwing a ball, stuff like that. It ranged from dull to horrifying, so we both knew to be on guard.

What neither of us were prepared for is what actually happened.

Eloise entered a code on a panel that opened once she'd reached the wall. Whatever it was, it was long. As she pressed the enter button, several panels on the wall began to shift.

She stepped back as huge metal sheets folded outwards cleanly before her, along with the sudden whirr of mechanisms leaping through the walls. The echoing clangs all around us put me and Mama on edge immediately, ready to fight if an army of robots were about to swarm out from the walls.

Metagross hummed dangerously, and we only relaxed a bit once it became clear the mechanisms were moving… something to where Eloise was. What looked to be a small room suddenly slotted into place in the opening, and the door to it hissed open. Some kind of steam or smoke flowed outwards, and something was pushed outwards.

Out of the room came a collection of… things, lightly jostling against the frame holding them. A frame that was too much like me for my comfort.

It was a collection of pieces of what looked like armor. The way they were made reminded me of the way the mechanical arm Koko had looked, without the glass panels to show what was inside. Instead, wires were connected to each piece and the soft hum of electricity could be heard from them.

The armor itself was made up of a few main pieces, each gleaming with a dark sheen. Long metal boots with hinges at the heel, and what looked like sleeves with metal pads on the knees of the dummy. Another segmented piece went over the frame's hips, plated like a metal, scaly skirt. A piece for the chest and shoulders, with metal sleeves for the hands that went up to the elbow and rubber gloves on the hands themselves. The headpiece covered mostly the top of the head, with ear coverings and a visor made of black glass.

I glanced at Mama, who was narrowing her eyes at it. So she doesn't like it either. I dunno what that is, but it looks… very Galactic. Mean. Scary. It's like what they forced for Koko, but for someone who didn't lose any limbs yet…

"Come on #001, we haven't all day," Eloise grumbled.

Mama growled softly, but we walked over as the heavy plodding of Metagross got dangerously close. As we got closer, details of the armor became more apparent. There was the same hum of electricity through the visor, and every piece looked like it was supposed to protect as much as possible while not getting in the way as much as possible. Thin lines where metal had been fused together and then buffed smooth were at the sides of nearly every piece, and while it felt just as evil as everything else in this place? It was less sleek. Refined. Like whatever this was, they were still working on it.

"This prototype armor is meant to augment- I forgot, you're a child. Those clothes will make you stronger. Put them on," Eloise corrected herself.

I narrowed my eyes. I'm a kid, not stupid. Fuck you. I know those aren't clothes. And it probably won't make me stronger. Also, no, that looks terrifying. Maybe it'll break if I touch it or something…?

I walked forwards, glaring at Eloise and standing in front of the segmented pieces. I rapped my knuckles on one of the gauntlets, and a dull metallic bonk followed each one.

Mama was about to voice her thoughts before Eloise entered another code quickly. Suddenly, the armor snapped to life. The wires connected to it all were tugged off while a harsh whirring came from the wall behind them. The visor snapped upwards, the dummy spinning its limbs in ways that made it very clear it didn't have bones to make picking off each piece easier.

I immediately kicked it in the face and leapt backwards, hiding next to Mama as she glared at the armor, then at Eloise. {Resorting to blatant torture devices, are we?} Mama sneered.

{Information: Without a user the armor is harmless. Equip it,} Metagross ordered.

{So it becomes harmful as soon as Aurora enters it, then.}

{Correction: It is a tool for combat. Naturally its primary use will be for improving combat abilities and decreasing the damage taken for the wearer. Hasten yourself and put. It. On.} Metagross' tone grew sterner near the end. They didn't like when things didn't go their way. Not like that was gonna stop us.

I looked between him, Eloise and the armor. My fists clenched. I can't fight them. Not yet. We're so close to when Hugo said something for our escape would happen. But it's a thing made by Galactic. Who knows if it's some torture thing in disguise. Maybe it requires permission to do evil, like that one vampire in Owain's story couldn't get in without being allowed.

I shook my head, crossing my arms and glaring at them. I'm not gonna put on the evil thing.

Eloise groaned. "You always have to make it difficult, don't you. Metagross."

{Confirmed,} was all he said before I felt my body tighten. My arms uncrossed themselves, even though I didn't move them. If the purple-pink glow around Mama and from Metagross' eyes was any indication, they didn't care what I thought about putting on the armor.

I tensed every muscle I could, trying to move or break out against the psychic bonds that held me and Mama, but I couldn't. All I could move were my eyes. I closed them, trying to focus on making a Protect bubble around me or Mama.

As I did, it felt like something punched my brain. It scattered my thoughts like a pile of sand, leaving my vision blurry and spinning.

{Asinine: I am not a novice and I have seen your tricks. My psychokinesis has you completely bound. Any attempt of a move and I will know of it,} Metagross bellowed.

Even as I felt cold metal being slid over parts of my body, I was now just trying to make the world stop spinning. Make sense of the words Metagross just said that were now echoing in my brain. Push down the sudden nausea in my stomach, and focus on the burning feeling in me that screamed against all of this.

When the world began to make sense again, I felt the pressure on my limbs suddenly disappear. I barely managed to not land on my tails, trying to put a hand to my forehead. Instead, I found a black glove backed by metal clapping against a visor.

I shot to my feet, looking at myself. The armor pieces were on me now. They felt cold, smooth, foreign, restrictive.

It reminded me way too much of the collar still around my neck. Even the padding here and there to prevent the metal sheets from tearing away my skin didn't distract from that feeling.

"Well it fits at any rate," Eloise muttered to herself. She pulled out a small box with a speaker and spoke into it. "Test, test."

Instead of just hearing her voice from where she was, it was like there were speakers right in front of my ears saying the same thing. I tried to clap my hands over them, push them against my head to blot out the world, but the metallic armor covering them didn't allow for that.

"And the comm system works…" Eloise muttered again, jotting something down on a tablet.

{My child?} Mama was standing with me, worry overflowing in her eyes and heart. {I am here for you.}

I nodded slightly, shaking from shock, then glared at the gauntlets and gloves on my hands. I don't want this. I HATE this. Get it off!

I tried pulling it off with my other hand. The gloves just tightened around my hands slightly, growing tighter the more I tried to pull it off. Before long, I had to stop and shake my hands to get blood flowing through them again.

I tried the boots next, sitting down and trying to push them off. The same thing happened, the cushion inside almost inflating to prevent me from removing it. Even with my other foot and both hands, pushing didn't do anything to get it off.

Metagross simply watched. Studying me. His gaze was almost as bad as the armor.

Almost.

I kept trying different parts and methods- pulling at the helmet, taking off the thing on my chest, pulling the skirt down, turning every which way to see if maybe it'd fall off at some angle they hadn't thought of or something. It didn't budge.

"Well, it doesn't seem to impact #001's range of movement to any notable degree. Circulation became a problem at one point…" Eloise trailed off, marking some things down before she pressed a couple buttons on the tablet.

Suddenly, the cushioning deflated. I felt the gloves become looser, the grip the helmet had on my head fall slack. As quickly as I could, I tore off each piece and hurled it as far as I could.

I didn't pay attention to Metagross catching them, exasperation fuming around him. I just wanted it off.

As soon as I'd shaken off the last boot, I bolted over to Mama and hugged her tight. She enveloped me in her tails, pressing me into her fur with her head. My racing heart began to slow at the familiar feeling of warm fur, muscles and skin, not ridged rubber and metal.

"This will not be the last time you wear this armor," Eloise warned us. "Next time when we say put it on, you will put it on. Saves us all the time and trouble."

I peeked out of Mama's tails to blow a raspberry at her. Like fuck I will. I'll die before I give you that satisfaction.

"I'd be surprised at the cruelty of shoving a trans kid into something like that if Galactic didn't run the damn place," Okan fumed.

Kano buzzed her wings worriedly, holding my hand gently. I held it close to my heart, and she just nodded, closing her eyes and pressing her head into mine. Tiny scales and smooth claws felt much nicer.

"At least you didn't have to wear it for too long. They had me doing all sorts of dumb stuff with prosthetic arms," Koko chimed in.

{For now,} Mama said quietly, resentment burning in her heart. {They made it clear they would require it of her in the future. I worry to what extent…}

"Well, hey," Okan said, rubbing my back gently. "You could crack the collar. I'm sure if things get too bad, you'll crack it open no problem."

Mama exhaled, staring off into space. She rarely did, but I could feel that her mind was years upon years away. Her heart responding to events long past. {History repeats itself once more…}

Koko tilted her head at Mama. Even a resting Yuna perked up, Eclipse looking over.

"You alright Ivane? I feel like we don't ask you that enough. You're always so composed, I almost forget you've suffered lots too," Koko asked.

Mama grimaced. {Nothing I have not seen and overcome before. Yet another reminder that while I stayed in an area I found comfortable, humans continue their cycle of mistakes and cruelty.}

Kano buzzed her wings sadly, Okan looking at her and then Mama. "Well, we're here for each other now, yeah? Misery loves company."

Mama chuckled forlornly. {Not how that phrase is used, but nonetheless.} She sighed again. {Restraints and armor for Pokemon have long gone hand in hand, and it should not surprise me that humans take the earliest opportunity available to apply it to Hybrids. Cloth and stone, leather and bronze, rubber and steel, the materials change. The purpose does not. Forced servitude, enslavement, bringing misery on those they see as tools.}

{Were you ever forced to wear armor in your past, elder fox?} Yuna asked.

{Not quite. I resisted it in my time, and helped free others of their bonds. I suppose it's a cruel irony to my failure to make lasting change that my daughter is now forced into the same shackles,} she spat bitterly.

I hugged Mama tight. She held me gently with her tails, looking back at me. {I promise you my child. For this transgression, they will burn.}

I know. And you just wanted to believe humans weren't evil. That things were okay. You wanted the world to be nicer… that's not a bad thing. It's not your fault the humans can't stop themselves from ruining everything.

"Get strong 'nuff that luck doesn't matter. Make sure this shit doesn't happen again," Eclipse stated, leaning against a wall and looking at us as we looked over. "You said 's much, right? Just means we gotta get strong 'nuff to pulp anyone who'd do this."

A small smile crossed Mama's face. {Say that I did. I had hoped leniency would suffice in the past. We will show it was mercy, not weakness.}

"Damn right," Eclipse agreed, closing her eyes and nodding.

I hugged Mama tighter. They try and break us. We'll show them their bodies will break before our spirit.

Koko nodded in agreement. "Now that we know what type of people that are in this world, we'll know how to handle them."

"I don't know how much you've been through, Ivane," Okan said with determination in her heart, "But I know you'll have us with you this time."

Kano buzzed her wings in agreement, and I clutched Mama's fur tighter. She looked at us all, her smile growing. {Change must begin with the few before it spreads to the many. It eases my heart to know you all stand with me.}

I nodded, smiling slightly in her fur. Of course. We're gonna beat the shit outta the humans, and make everything right again. They won't stop us. They CAN'T stop us, even if they try. We'll make sure of it.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Clalta 2nd~~

{You are not as focused as you were,} Rampan said curiously, mild worry in his heart. {Is it that metal clothing distracting you?}

I nodded, and Mama answered for me. {Indeed. It is a sort of armor Galactic forced my child into. It makes her deeply uncomfortable.}

He bowed his head. {My condolences, then. I hope you are rid of it soon.}

"#001." I jumped slightly, then tried to pull the helmet off again. It didn't budge, much as I wanted to get Cyrus' voice out of my ears. "Use your Pokemon abilities."

I don't wanna help you! I don't care if you think this stupid armor'll make me stronger or whatever, I hate it and want it gone! And I won't do what you say!

Mama gave me a concerned look, and Rampan glanced between us before stopping. {You did not harm me when I couldn't fight back. I will not harm you now.}

Mama looked at him, hesitated, then nodded. {Thank you.}

He shook his head. {I would gladly do more. But for now, I will help how I can.}

I heard Cyrus hum to himself in disapproval through the helmet at Rampan not attacking before I saw him glance at Bronco. "Recall Bouffalant. Send out a Pokemon #001 has not interacted with previously."

"Yes Master Cyrus," Bronco replied as he recalled Rampan. We locked eyes as the red beam of light shot towards him. He believed in me. Believed that I'd get through this.

As I stared down a Druddigon, the same one that nearly broke Okan's arm the other day. I hoped he was right.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Umbrum 5th~~

{My child?} I looked up from the fort of covers I'd made for myself at Mama coming back. {I thought that perhaps speaking with them would help.}

Clive and Elpis were walking with her, melancholy in both of their hearts. Mama felt slightly more at ease once she hopped back on the bed and curled around me, but still worried. Clive sat down next to us on the bed, while Elpis laid on the floor next to us. She said it didn't bother her, and it was easier for her to be on the same sort of level as us that way. I still thought she should have a mattress underneath her or something.

Laying on the floor sucks. It's hard and doesn't feel right at all.

"We saw your fight," Clive began slowly. "And… what they force you into."

I shivered, and Mama curled her tails around me slightly more.

"I know. I know…" he trailed off, looking at Elpis.

She nodded, and rested her head on the bed. I stroked her crest softly, and she smiled slightly. {I see your kindness is still intact, despite all their efforts.}

{If anything, her kindness is stronger to exist in spite of our captors,} Mama chimed in.

{Indeed it is. And what strength you have…} Elpis replied quietly. {You remember how I understand your situation better than most, yes?}

I nodded, stopping stroking her crest to sign. |You said you had a helmet you couldn't get off, and Clive helped get it off after you escaped?|

She nodded. {Indeed. Your mother thought that hearing from us could help alleviate your turmoil.} She paused, letting the silence sit there for a moment before continuing.

{It's terrifying, isn't it?}

My head jerked to her, caught by surprise. {Terrifying, being held captive to something you never agreed to. That has any effect on something you consider so deeply to be a part of yourself. The weight of its physical form pales in comparison to the emotional weight, does it not?}

I nodded. Even though they said the armor was supposed to make me stronger and protect me… when Metagross forced me into it, it felt like anything but. It felt like they were stuffing me into a Pokeball, but one that clung to parts of my body and didn't let go. That didn't go away until the humans decided it could.

I hated it. It wasn't me. It felt wrong. It felt like I was moving something that wasn't myself.

{There is something important you must remember,} Elpis began again. {Something that applies to every shackle, and every person bound by one. A shackle may hold you down, try to tear away a part of yourself, make simply existing painful. And that is by design. Shackles are intended to control, to overwhelm, to break someone.}

"But they're always constructed," Clive said firmly.

{They are. Shackles are born from those scared of what they cannot control. In some cases, as you, Lucia and Arden know, they may be something fastened to you before you even take your first breath. But in all cases, they can be broken.}

{They can weigh down your spirit. Make all light seem faint, your prospects bleak. They can engulf you. But they will never consume you, never be your greater. So long as you do not allow them to be. Your own strength is greater than any construct,} Elpis stated with finality.

"That's exactly what people like Cyrus are scared of," Clive started. "They see things one way and can't understand how anyone else sees it another. You don't need to understand it. You just need to accept that everyone's different. But they refuse to see that. That scares them, and they won't listen. Change, risk, the unknown is the worst thing that can happen in their eyes. But without those things, we can never grow. And growth is exactly what breaks shackles."

"People like Galactic make it seem like the shackles are all there is. All there ever was, and all there ever will be. They expect things to stay the same. And change is exactly what ruins them."

I looked at them both, at a loss for words. Elpis just nudged her head softly into me. {You have strength in your heart, Aurora. I know that strength has been tested time and again, and I hope that will end soon. You have had to be far stronger than anyone ever should, much too early. But you have broken shackles before, and you can do so again. As the chains that bind us are finite. Our spirits are everlasting.}

{And as happened for you and Clive, we can bolster each other's spirits,} Mama added.

{Of course, that's where true strength is born from,} Elpis agreed, nodding.

We all sat there, together. I felt the contrast between the soft fur and the hard beak of Elpis' snout, and thought how all of it had been encased in the same kind of helmet the Silvally we saw had on their head.

Even though I could feel the fire in my soul was running out of fuel to burn brightly with, it flared up again.

I'm going to break it. I won't let them control me. I don't know when, but I will. I won't let them win. Never. As long as my heart beats, as long as fire burns in my soul, I won't let them beat me.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Luxem 9th~~

{Exasperation: You do not need to make it this difficult every time,} Metagross said, narrowing his eyes at me.

I just glared back. Yes I do. This armor sucks, and I'm never not gonna fight it being put on. You can't make me. Eat shit.

"Do not bother negotiating with this one, Metagross. She's a glutton for punishment, so might as well feed her," said an all too familiar voice.

I reflexively punched where the helmet's ears were, then winced. And then blew a raspberry at Spinel's voice.

"Delightful to see you too, #001, it seems even when you refuse to speak you're still ample entertainment. Please, punch your ears out. Make my day," Spinel chuckled. The sound of her delight being magnified into my head was a new, special kind of hell. I had to fuck it up somehow.

I wasn't quite sure what noise to make to fuck up Spinel's mood. Making weird dying noises would work on regular people, but she was evil and liked death. So that wouldn't work.

"You will be wearing the prototype armor until tomorrow. You will not be permitted to take it off at any point during this time and the combat abilities will be disabled," She informed me in a no-nonsense tone. "I anticipate you will attempt to aggressively remove it before the night is done. Even that will benefit me."

After her spiel she cut off communication.

Like we're forcing you to be a bitch. Sure, that's how this works in your fucked up world.

I resolved to gargle relentlessly next time I heard her.

"Back to your enclosure then," Eloise demanded. I just blew a raspberry at her and walked to Mama, still trying to pull off the gloves. I wouldn't ever stop trying.

Mama felt particularly furious at what she'd just heard from Spinel, but stood beside me all the same. {Let us go, my child. Most company would be better than present.}

Even though they had to follow us to make sure we didn't go somewhere they didn't want us to, I wasn't sure why this time. Clearly the armor stuff would make it obvious, what with how loud it was clanking against the floor, and Mama wouldn't leave me. I knew she wouldn't.

"Are you feeling alright? I know you hate the armor, but is it hurting you at all?" Riri asked worriedly. Tou-san stood right with them, better able to tell what was wrong.

When I tried to sign at them, I just got the metal from the back of the gauntlets clanking into each other. My heart plummeted, the realization Galactic was ripping away my ability to even talk to my family cackling cruelly. It didn't hurt physically, but it was the worst thing to wear. At least I could sign in rags.

Pa and Papa felt livid as soon as they saw what was going on, and they sat with me. |You can nod or shake your head, and gesture. Not surprised they didn't think about sign language during construction of their misery machines.|

I nodded, then looked at Riri and nodded again, pointing at the areas where the padding that'd inflate were. They nodded and began inspecting them, grimacing at how the armor made it much harder for them to make sure it wasn't killing me.

It only felt all the worse that I couldn't feel their hands or anything, just soft pressure on rubber.

Once they were done checking me over and talking with Haley, I tried more things to get the armor off. Mama sat with me the whole time, watching as I clanked pieces of the armor against each other to try and break it with itself. It didn't work.

But I kept trying.

{And their cruelty continues,} Elpis fumed, glaring at the armor I was stuck in.

"Samus makes this look a lot more comfortable." Koko frowned at my condition. "Hey if you tell me where it feels the worst, I can ask Jean if they can fix it. The scientists actually listened when I told them when the prosthetic arm didn't feel right. Well this really weird one seemed really interested in hearing about what I had to say. Only about the arm though… otherwise he'd just interrupt me."

I just gestured at everything, not even really able to cross my arms with the gauntlets. Koko grimaced, as I kept trying and failing to find a position I didn't hate to rest for even a moment. And it just kept getting in the way.

"I see… all the problems now. Galactic likes to call themselves smart, but they keep making terrible stuff. I'll let Jean know that this armor is terrible and needs to be taken off. Be right back!" Koko said as she jumped to her feet and made her way over to where she could speak with Jean.

Mama kept her tail curled around my waist, one of the few places the armor wasn't. It was all that reminded me it hadn't engulfed me, yet.

"Aurora." I looked up at Clive, not really able to dry my eyes because of the visor in the way. "If you need help getting it off, we'll be right there with you."

{Of course. You're not alone. Remember that.}

A few beds down, I saw Eclipse looking at us. I could feel her fury, and her defeat. She didn't know what to do. She knew she wanted to help, but wasn't sure how.

I wasn't even sure how to help myself.

"Aurora? I brought Miss Guinevere to help…" Hazel said softly, looking at me laying down on the floor. The lights were dimming, and they'd be turning off for the night soon. There wasn't any point laying in bed; the armor made it impossible to get comfortable.

Koko had stopped by earlier to let me know that not even Jean was allowed to mess with the armor since it was a direct order from Spinel. Koko did bring me an extra muffin from Rhodo which was nice at least.

Guinevere sat down and held my hand softly, rubbing where she could reach my back gently. "It's alright. I know it's hard. But it'll be over sooner than you think, I promise."

{And we'll make sure to give you all the hugs once you're out of it,} Vivian chimed in.

I just stayed silent, tears streaming down my face. Guinevere stayed there with me for a while, holding my hand and Chestnut nudging me softly. They had to make sure Ron and Rush got to sleep okay eventually, but Mama stayed with me the whole time. Right next to me, resting her head on my waist. I could feel that, unlike Guinevere's hand.

I didn't know how long it'd been since the lights turned off. I just knew that trying to sleep was pointless; if how uncomfortable the armor was didn't wake me up, the nightmares would.

I saw Mama's twin colored eyes glow softly in the darkness, watching me. Making sure I knew she was always there for me.

Laying there, on the floor, staring up at a metal ceiling in darkness, I heard the armor hum slightly louder. And for a moment, it was like someone tore my eyes out. I couldn't feel Mama next to me anymore. Couldn't feel anyone around me. I could see them, hear them, I knew if I touched them they'd be there, but I couldn't feel them.

No.

I pushed myself up, Mama looking at me. {My child?}

I've had enough.

I grabbed the edge of the metal backing on the gauntlet, the rubber squeaking slightly. I felt the gloves tighten.

Fuck Galactic. Fuck their stuff. Fuck their plans. They think I'm just gonna sit here and let them do what they want? HELL no. Let's see how much they care about this armor when it's a pile of scrap and scraps.

I wrenched the metal away from me.

The darkness was lit up abruptly by bright blue bolts of electricity, hissing and crackling as the armor protested, electrocuting me to force me to stop.

I just clenched harder, grit my teeth and growled vehemently, reveling in every snap of wire and rubber I heard. The knowledge I was destroying something Galactic spent so much time making.

Slowly, painfully, the metal on the gauntlet was torn further and further from the gloves. Rubber clung desperately at random points, trying to hold together. Until some critical point snapped, and the metal jerked away along with my hand. I let go as soon as it was ripped free, and it went rocketing into the wall with a clang before falling to the floor, rocking in circles. Its metallic spinning still had to be filtered through the helmet.

Mama nodded, looking at me. {If this is the path we walk, I am with you.}

She opened her jaws, hooking her teeth underneath the rubber glove. Without metal in the way, it was much easier to get at. I grabbed the other edge and yanked at it, the rubber as taut as my arm.

The electricity, which had quieted after the metal was dislodged, came screaming back. This time, bolts crackled down Mama as well, occasionally running up between two of her tails before winking out. But she didn't let go, and neither did I. She just bit down and dug in, using her hurt leg as best as she could.

Soon, there was an angry ripping sound as the rubber glove was torn in two. I shook my now free hand for a moment, then huffed furiously.

We're already here, no point holding back now.

The collar joined in on sending volts cascading through my body as I lit my hand aflame, the orange embers mixing and warring with the bolts running through them. Amongst the dancing blue light, now a burning orange core shone in defiance.

I grabbed the metal of the other gauntlet, fire erupting from my forearm, to find another hand and claw already on it. I looked up to see Okan and Kano there, looking right at me with bolts fizzing onto each of them. "T' hell with this hunk of junk!"

Kano's wings buzzed as she pulled, Okan gritting her teeth as she yanked with all her strength while the rubber clinging to it melted into black goop from my flame. A putrid smell filled the air as we ripped away that gauntlet, Kano's claws making short work of the rubber underneath. They glanced behind them and stepped aside, Elpis walking up. Her claws scraped against the floor before she stood up, placing her claws on the helmet.

{I will make the fault line. You simply pull at the seams.}

I lit my other hand ablaze as a response, the lightning screaming at us to stop.

There was a sickening crunch as the metal screamed, protesting being torn in two. She ripped the helmet apart, and I wrenched it off with her with another pained screech of metal. The two halves clanged to the floor, the now dislodged visor clattering against the floor before Elpis crushed it with a satisfying crunch.

The electricity was more fervent now, almost like the armor was trying to stop us from tearing it apart.

Like we give a damn.

Elpis dug her claws into the chestpiece, ripping open another seam. Behind me, I heard sudden footsteps accompanied by Eclipse's fury. While me and Elpis tore open the chestpiece, I could hear the twisting of metal as Eclipse bent and snapped the ring holding the metal skirt together.
Elpis' heart beat with sympathy, refusing to let another of her family be imprisoned. Eclipse's burned with furious satisfaction, reveling that this was something she could help with. More people were waking up as the arcing blue light waxed and waned, faltering as more of the armor was shredded to pieces.

Koko watched with wide eyes, Yuna standing with her on guard. Hazel and Vivian looked on in horror and hope as Riri and Tou-san stood close by, ready to run to our side the moment something went wrong, or I was free of its grasp.

Pa and Papa exchanged quick glances with me before each crushing the boots' clasps. I tore them off, pitching them to the floor. Before they could skitter away, Pa and Papa made sure they were crumpled into piles of scrap.

As the last remnants of the armor were ripped away, the fire engulfing my hands slowly died down along with the voltage. Breathing heavily, I stumbled. Mama caught me with her tails, keeping me upright as Riri ran over with Tou-san, worry and pride glowing in them with equal measure. "Easy, easy. It's off now. Let me check you over, okay? That's two intense electrocutions you've been through, and that's two more than anyone should ever endure."

They gently led me to the bed Hazel and Vivian were on, Mama easing me onto it with her tails. She hopped up and lay against me immediately while they checked me over. My heart eased just feeling them again. Mama's warm fur, Tou-san's soft fuzz, Riri's gentle hand against my chest to feel my heart.

{That was dangerous, my child…} Mama smiled warmly. {But I am proud of you.}

I smiled back wearily, hugging her tight. Riri and Tou-san both gave us relieved smiles. "We all are."

Pa and Papa nodded, Elpis beaming at me. {I am glad to see that your fire has not gone out. You threaten to outshine the sun itself once we surface once more.}

Tou-san hummed to himself before patting my leg gently, drawing my attention. {It seems like you're just a bundle of surprises; you're hurt, but nothing some rest won't fix. I'd almost mistake you for being an electric type yourself with how little that did.}

I tilted my head curiously. So electricity does less to me now? Or is it just because I've gotten used to it from the collar shocking me whenever I get upset? My smile grew. Whatever it's from, it means Galactic's stupid shit doesn't work on me as good as it used to.

Eclipse walked over, holding out a fist. I bumped it with my own. "Good work Rora. Give 'em hell."

My smile widened. You know it.

Rapid footsteps announced Guinevere and Chestnut's arrival, both looking a bit more frazzled than usual. "This is all very nice, but we mustn't forget that Aurora is young. She needs her rest. I'm sure that took quite a lot out of you, right sweetheart?"

As the adrenaline slowly waned, I felt my limbs getting heavier and began to nod off against Mama. Free, and wiped out. {Go to sleep, it's safe now.} Chestnut looked at Okan and Kano. {Can you both stay with her? She needs a few more people watching her tonight.}

"Of course, c'mon Yvonne," Okan said quickly, coming over and sitting with us as Riri and Tou-san stepped back. Mama had me wrapped in her tails, so she just gently ran her hand through my hair. "You did great kid, just relax. You've earned it."

Hazel, who'd been quiet, held my hand gently. "That was scary… but I'm glad you're okay."
Vivian nodded, curling up between Hazel and Mama. {Now you can get some real sleep.}

Koko rubbed my back gently. "Armor wasn't your style anyway. You look cool as you are!"

Mama rested her head next to mine. {Rest, my child. You proved yourself stronger than your bonds once again. Now, we watch over you as you recover.}

Surrounded by my family on all sides, having just mangled Galactic's newest attempt at controlling me and feeling all my family's worry being dampened by joy at what I'd done?

I slept more soundly that night than I had in a long time.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Lurina 16th~~

The door hissed open again, Paris being led through. Like the other Hybrids who'd been called in, she looked different. Her hair was now completely dark green and choppy, but it looked like she had a tan feather with an orange base behind one of her ears, like Legolas had. Her hair draped down onto her shoulders to give her a teeny cape, but definitely the most noticeable part was her new wings coming from her back and feathery tail. At rest, her wings folded around her arms and made what looked like a red x at the base of her neck.

She still seemed out of it, but stood up fine with Jean's help. And Legolas' as well, as he was by her side as soon as she returned.

"That's everyone, unless I'm forgetting someone?" Jean said quizzically.

"Indeed," Paris wearily responded, "Everyone is now more a Hybrid than they ever have been."

The two shared a determined glance before Indra rustled his wings. {I hope you grow to enjoy your newfound wings.}

Paris bowed her head to him slightly. "I am sure I will, as well as learning their proper use with Legolas' teachings."

{Of course, but first things first. You cannot fly before you flutter, and to do either you need rest,} Legolas reminded her.

Paris nodded, one of her wings extending slightly to allow her to put an arm around Legolas' shoulder. Jean and Indra nodded to her and then walked away, the door shutting behind them.

I looked around the now far too empty room. Paris was right, everyone felt more at ease like how Koko, Hazel and everyone had after their DNA was fixed or something. The adults especially felt much more at ease, even with new limbs. Okan was actually smiling for once, learning how to buzz her new wings like Kano. Riri didn't seem to mind their pink hair at all, and apparently it was curly before so not much had changed. Pa had full Bewear ears now, and the pink hair suited him well. Guinevere took her new tail in stride, and Clive seemed pretty happy with his new crest and tail. It felt like everyone who'd gotten this far was okay with being a Hybrid, which put my mind at ease.

Not to mention the weight lifted off my shoulders.

Everyone's okay now. When we leave, they're all gonna be okay.

~~Dream World, Year 8520, Krituki, Lurina 16th~~

"It must be a relief to see everyone feeling better, right?"

I nodded, leaning against Rhea. She was gently running her hand through my hair while Spiri sat curled on my lap. [It's nice that everyone can finally use their abilities like I've been.]

I said stuff with my head in my dreams. Talking was still hard there, but Rhea, Spiri, and whoever else I wanted to could hear my thoughts just fine. Which made it a lot easier.

"They'll have to work to get as good as you are with them though," she said with a smile.

I tilted my head back to look at her. [But they're all older, and lots of them have fought before. Won't they be good at it?]

She shook her head. "They might be able to use some abilities, but it takes time to build up any skill. No one's born with expertise."

[Like Arvis?]

She nodded. Arvis and Mango had both shown up in my dreams recently, and Arvis seemed happy to see me. He felt different from Mango, though.

Like Sue feels different from Owain…

I looked down at Spiri, who looked up at me with his huge eyes. [Rhea?]

"Mmm?"

[Is it just my memories of everyone making them be here, or do the people who die come here too?]

I could feel her shock and surprise, and she looked out the window for a long moment before responding. "I… believe it's a combination of the two."

[Whaddya mean?]

She put a hand to her chin in thought, still holding my hand with her other one. "Well… Spiri has grown beyond just your memories of him, hasn't he? Owain comes up with new plays, Arvis keeps wondering if we can make the fountain be filled with chocolate-"

I chuckled. That was the fourth thing he brought up when we met each other again here.

Rhea smiled before continuing. "-and Razin and Urie still hope to play with you when things get better. Meanwhile, the Ivane here feels different from the Ivane outside, doesn't she?"

I nodded again. Mama has so much to her that I don't know about. She tells me plenty, but I'm sure there's a lot more that I don't even know that I don't know. And the Mama here is nice, but she feels… like she doesn't know as much. Like she knows what I know of Mama…

"And I'm… not entirely sure what I am right now. But I know I'm here, and I know I remember many things you don't know yet. So I think there's a difference between someone you remember, and someone you've lost," she finished slowly.

So there's people I remember, and there's the people who died who're in my head now… I wonder why they're here. Maybe they wanted to be somewhere nicer than Galactic's place? That makes sense, but I'm still here… there? We haven't left yet. If they could go anywhere, why wouldn't they go to someone else…?

"That reminds me," Rhea remarked suddenly, "You could see what was wrong with Nini, right?"

I nodded. [And Mama couldn't for some reason…]

"Right…" Rhea paused, her antennae twitching slightly. "I… don't remember exactly, but during the war, I remember hearing talk about Shadow Pokemon. And how only those who could see Aura, like Lucario, could see how they were different before they attacked."

[What's Aura?] I asked curiously.

"Aura is… it's your soul, I think?" She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I never knew too much about it. I just know that everyone has it, everyone's is different, and Riolu and Lucario are the most consistently adept at interacting with it. It's something not many people can see or use."

I thought a moment, then looked at her again. [Maybe I can see it because I can feel people's emotions? And maybe it's something that Hybrids are just better at?]

Rhea blinked. "Perhaps…? I don't know enough to tell you yes or no."

I nodded, and just quietly rested against her. I wonder why I can see it if lotsa people can't…

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Luxem 17th~~

I tapped Mama on the shoulder, drawing her attention. |Mama?|

She looked at me curiously. {Yes, my child?}

|Everyone's drumming the ground differently today.| Does that mean something's changing?

Everyone who wasn't in a fight or anything was in the nature room, and everyone was tapping on the ground again. Garland and Dijon were doing the same; spending time here helped for them, but they were still super tired without the sun.

But for people like Okan and Kano, the ones who could talk through the ground, it was different. They were all tapping the same way, while everyone else tapped however they wanted. Eclipse looked like she was taking it seriously, Koko was having some fun with it, and Li had no idea what was going on but was gleefully patting away at the ground.

{Ground music is fun!} he yipped cheerfully.

Mama smiled, licking down a bit of his fur. {It is indeed.} She then looked back to me. {We have been dancing to the same tune for quite a while now. A change of music is in order, I would say.}

A smile grew across my face as I nodded, tapping the ground to the tune of City Escape. It's happening.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Krituki, Clalta 18th~~

Blaring sirens woke me up.

My eyes snapped open, and the whole room was pulsating red. I jumped off the bed and felt the ground swimming beneath my feet. Lurching and receding, faint roars of Pokemon shaking the ground. Loads of people in the room were running around worried, and the folk in the big water tank thing all were worried it would crack, huddling close to the bottom at the far side.

"W-what's happening?" Hazel stuttered, face white as a sheet. Yuna pawed at her ears in annoyance of the sound, but Koko quickly covered her ears.

{Ivane…?} Vivian asked hesitantly.

Mama just smiled. {Our friends fight with us. Steelix, Rhydon, Donphan, Trapinch and many others raise hell on our behalf.}

"Be at ease!" Paris yelled over the sirens, her wings flaring. "Let me do a headcount, to make sure everyone is here!"

Slowly, the chaos quieted, helped by Legolas assuring them and their partners that everything would be alright. Guinevere and Chestnut were helping other kids feel safe, but I wasn't worried.

Like Ron and Rush leaping around, Eclipse cracking her knuckles, and Mama's silent joy? I was hopeful. Excited.

Things were gonna go down. And I was ready for it.

{Are we escaping now? Is that what this means?} asked Niobi, a Mawile standing with Palla by Guinevere.

Paris shook her head. "Not right now. Do you trust me?"

She nodded, and Paris continued, speaking to everyone carefully. "Then trust me when I say that while we do not escape tonight, we all need to get as much rest as we can for the coming days. I would say more, but we all know why I can't."

Everyone nodded. Galactic might be shitting themselves over something right now, but we were kinda on our own. Even if there were people outside coming to help, there was a whole lotta rock and metal between us and them.

I didn't know what the plan was to make all that irrelevant, but I trusted that Paris, Legolas and Mama knew. And from Mama's gentle calm and determined smile, I was right.

"Then I would ask everyone to rest as much as you are able, and revel in the misery Galactic will soon feel."

Everyone slowly parted; the people who were left at this point knew to trust Paris. She had a plan. She was working on it with loads of people. This looked (and felt, if the ground rumbling was any indication) like a great time to try and escape. But if she said it wasn't time yet, then it wasn't time yet.

"Aurora?" I turned to Hazel. "You're bouncing."

I looked at myself and realized that, without thinking, I'd clenched my fists and begun shaking them in front of myself lightly, bouncing my leg at the same time.

Mama smiled warmly at seeing that and looked at Hazel. {That means she's excited. And for good reason,} she nudged me gently, {But Paris was right. You need your rest.}

The way she said it made it sound like there was a big reason I needed rest, so I nodded and got into bed with Hazel, Vivian and Mama again.

My leg kept bouncing for quite a while. As exciting as hearing the faint yells of panic from Galactic grunts and the rumbling roars from the ground was, it was also soothing in a way nothing else had been for a long time.

When we woke up, the lights no longer pulsing red and the alarm no longer blaring, what we saw on the screen was something we hadn't seen in a long, long time. My blood chilled, but warmed somewhat when I felt how peaceful Mama felt.

It was the machine that made people Hybrids. And this time, it was Jean and Indra in it.

Hazel and Vivian felt as shocked as I did, looking to me and Mama for answers. I could feel she had them, otherwise there was no way she'd be that calm.

I looked more closely at Jean and Indra. Both of them had some bruises, and Jean's outfit was torn. Some of the scientist grunts also had bruises, and looked a bit more wary of Jean than they had before. Other grunts in the background looked a lot more bruised.

So they did something last night. It wasn't just the Pokemon of Iron Island, they did stuff too. Was it just them? Did the people who follow her help, or are they working with Paris? Waiting to help until some point soon?

"What you see before you is one of our own who lost their way," came Cyrus' voice over the speakers. "She became too focused on the suffering of the now to keep her clarity on the bigger picture. That our end goal is the end of suffering as a whole. Is that goal not worth any price? But, as fate would have it, she will move our research forwards in another, still vital way. She may have forgotten what we strive for, but she will help further the cause she once backed. And so, honor the sacrifice she will make in the now to ensure a better future."

The machine started up, and Mama scoffed. {He refuses to miss a chance to make suffering seem valid. Even though I would wager Jean will be glad to join us, the fact remains that he warps reality to fit his purposes.}

{You think she'll be okay?} Vivian asked, worriedly. Hazel was holding Ki, her heart beating a mile a minute.

{I do,} Mama nodded. {Noivern are not unlike Decidueye in structure. And from what I have heard through her, all records point towards her being fine after this procedure. Exhausted no doubt, as we all were, but alive and well.}

"I think they'll be okay too," Koko piped up. "If they weren't sure it was going to work after all the 'data' they've collected, they wouldn't try at all."

Vivian and Hazel both relaxed significantly at hearing that. Even though I believed Mama was right, I still felt like Koko was giving them too much credit.

They've done worse with way less of an idea if it'll work. They'd probably try if they knew Jean was gonna die anyway, and say 'oh it's an example of what happens to those who fight Galactic' or some bullshit.

Mama nudged me with a tail, drawing my attention away from the screen and my thoughts. {And you, my child? Does this worry you?}

I shook my head. |You said it'll be okay. And Jean and Indra are nice. They were already kinda family, right? This just means Jean's like me now.|

Mama smiled. {I am glad to see your hope is still intact. It shall be bolstered by the sun soon.}

As we watched, the process seemed to go… faster than I remembered. It took forever and a half before, and for the adults they didn't get anything special. For Jean though, we watched as her hair turned white and fluffy with black streaks towards the side, grew ears and a long tail, and wings furled out from her back. She didn't seem to be in as much pain as we'd been in before, either.

And, sooner than I think anyone was really expecting, it was over. The machine's humming slowed and its lights dimmed, and Jean and Indra were put on a bed with wheels.

Soon, the door to our room opened, and they were pushed inside. A guy grunt locked eyes with Paris for a moment, gave a tiny nod, and then walked away as the door closed behind them. Riri and Tou-san came over to check on Jean and Indra, Pa and Papa standing with them. Just in case.

Soon, Riri nodded and Paris' smile grew. There was definitely a plan here.

While we were still waiting for Jean and Indra to wake up, Lyre and Alkali came up to me and Mama. They both had a mischievous smirk, a glint in their eyes. "C'mon, Paris says we should bathe before the end of the day."

Even though we'd already had a bath, I just nodded and hopped off the bed with Mama. Whatever it was, it wasn't gonna be a bath. And I trusted them as much as Hazel and Vivian. Whatever was going on, my heart leapt with excitement.

We walked into the bathroom, and what waited for us was something that brought a bright smile to my face.

In this, the one room without cameras, where there weren't routine checks or anything? We had loads of weapons. All the plastic from random containers, metal from clips and hinges, bits of cloth from torn clothing, anything and everything we'd gotten over the past months sat here molded into weaponry. Ready to be used.

Mama walked up to Legolas, who was standing there, as I marveled at everything.

"Pretty epic stash, ain't it?" Lyle chuckled.

I nodded, eyes wide. There's so much here. Everyone's gonna get their own thing to whack Galactic with.

I spotted a bow that could only be for Paris, axes and swords, these rings that went around your knuckles, hard slippers that went over your shoes to kick people with, and so many more things that I had no idea what they were for. Past beating people's shit in, that is.

Meanwhile, out of the corner of my eye, I could see Legolas helping Mama hide stuff in her fur. A small hatchet and two pairs of the brass knuckles that didn't have any brass. One pair was much smaller than the other.

Just the right size for my hands.

Legolas looked over us all. {I'm sure you already know this, but not a word of this to anyone. Galactic cannot know until it is too late.}

We all nodded, and I felt the same smirk spreading across my face as Lyle and Alkali. And too late for Galactic is really really soon.

Koko sat across from me, deep in thought as we passed the time with checkers. With each passing turn she took a bit longer to play her next move. She was hyper focused, but definitely not on our game.

At one point, she almost stopped playing entirely, she was so lost in thought. Occasionally she'd steal glances towards Eclipse who was training with Paris and the adults. A glance at Ron and Rush excitedly watching our game let me know what to do to hopefully get her out of her own head.

Mama always says it's not good to be in your own head too much.

Slowly, I picked up the piece closest to me. Koko didn't notice.

Mama just glanced at me, rolled her eyes, and waved a tail for me to continue.

As slow as I could, I opened my mouth and brought the piece closer and closer.

Koko looked up and her eyes grew wide as I brought the piece closer to my mouth. She leaned forward and immediately snatched it from my hand. "You can't eat these, they're choking hazards! I speak from experience." She eyed Yuna.

{I was a rockruff without a bone! I was bored!} Yuna retorted.

Mama shook her head, glancing up at the ceiling with a smile. {Surely there were better alternatives.}

{It was the one that got their attention first since they were already playing checkers,} Yuna explained before she righted herself proudly. {And after they promised to buy me a new bone I spat it out. It was only fair.}

I tapped an incredulous Koko on the shoulder and signed to her. |I wasn't gonna eat it, you just seemed really distracted. I was hoping to maybe make you smile.|

Koko smiled bashfully. "Awww that's sweet, thanks. Sorry, I'm just a bit out of it today…"

I hugged her gently, making sure not to disturb the board more than I already had. She hugged me back for a long minute before letting go. |Do you wanna talk about it?|

She gave it some thought before nodding. "That might help, yeah. I was thinking about a lot, actually. The past, present and future."

One of my ears tilted to the side. |Dialga stuff?|

She shook her head. "Not exactly. Hmmm how to explain…" She rubbed her chin in thought. "It's just… I was wondering how to be a better sister, I guess…"

This time my whole head tilted while I raised an eyebrow. |But you're an awesome sister! Whaddya mean?|

Koko smiled half-heartedly. "I'm glad you think so, I try my best… it's just that I wanna be even better. So I was thinking about the past and how our oldest sister would take care of Eclipse, but it's hard to remember so long ago…"

I looked at the board for a second. |Well… isn't helping Eclipse as you just being you all you gotta do? She loves you, and just you being you helps her a lot. It… doesn't sound like doing much, but it's a lot to stay who you are when all this-| I gestured to everything. |-is happening.|

"I know, but sometimes with the emotion sense thingy she feels like she's about to explode and I try to help her, but the worse things get the quieter she becomes. She felt a bit better after she beat up Gurdurr, but now it feels like she's hurting in totally new ways. I dunno how to help her with that, I can't even help her and Yuna fight that well. Everything is just so…" Koko's eyes teared up. "I-it's just so much. I-I feel useless…"

I nodded, hugging her tight this time, pushing the board aside gently. Yuna gave Mama a worried look, and Mama looked at Koko. {How old are you, Koko?}

Koko stifled a sniff. "U-um, eight-years-old."

Mama nodded. {And how much fighting does an eight year old- human or Hybrid- usually do?}

"N-not much," Koko answered slowly. "I used to play fight, but that's way different."

{Many young Pokemon also play fight, to prepare for later in life. And you have been thrust into a new scenario, untrained and with significant handicap, and given access to abilities you had likely only dreamed of having. Not being a proficient fighter isn't just expected, it's what should be the case.} She looked at me. {My child has always had a penchant for unique solutions and innovative lines of thinking. And she long lamented the idea of watching Pokemon fight while simply standing behind them. It's not unusual for those from Snowpoint to pick up skills quickly to survive. And she's been forced to bear the brunt of much of Galactic's attention, forcing much more rapid growth than typical.}

She looked back at Koko. {And despite all that growth, it terrifies me every time she must fight. Something I am certain Aurora knows.}

I nodded. |It's cuz you worry if I'll be okay.|

Mama nodded in response. {And I have several hundred years of experience to my name. Time long spent safeguarding others. Imagine how relieved Eclipse must be that she often needn't worry about you being in the middle of the fray.}

Koko wiped her eyes and gave Mama's words thought. "So are you saying, Eclipse would be happiest if I keep doing what I'm doing now? Making sure she has a person to hug after scary stuff happens?"

Mama blinked solemnly. {That, but one more thing as well. While I cannot speak for Eclipse, I know that whatever path in life my child decides to take, I wish for her to have ample time to prepare. Ample time for me to assist her in preparation. We will escape. And when we do, I would be hard pressed to believe that Eclipse would deny you the chance to pursue your own path in life.}

She smiled to herself. {As for helping her mental state… Three hundred years is a long time, and I'm still learning how to help others feel more at ease. Hearing that that knowledge will come in time likely isn't what you want to hear. But it's true, as is the fact that her wellbeing is not entirely your responsibility. Does she not feel calmer after training with Paris, seeing Guinevere and Chestnut make sure you get proper nutrition, and simply seeing you smile?}

Koko brightened up after hearing that. She turned around again to see Paris helping Eclipse correct her form as she sparred against Okan. Her expression was stern, but she was in her element. Right now? She was okay.

"I… I never looked at it that way," Koko marveled. "I wanted to be a sister to her like our big sis was, but that's not possible. I can only be a sister to her the way I know how. And she wants that too. Right?"

Mama nodded. {Precisely.}

Yuna nuzzled Koko. {And I wouldn't trade you for the world. I know Eclipse feels the same.}

Koko hugged Yuna back tightly. "Me neither, you guys are my world."

Mama smiled at me. She's so good at this. I wanna be as good at helping people as she is someday.

{You should get back to your game, before my child threatens to eat more pieces,} Mama joked. {But one last mote of advice before you resume; Eclipse is not someone who shows vulnerability easy. That much is plain to see. The fact you can sense her pain means that with you? She feels safe. She feels as though she can be true to herself, true to you and Yuna. That she needn't put on a mask. And healing always begins in your safe space.}

At those words, Koko beamed with her self-confidence returning. "Really!? So she feels safe with us…" Koko giggled in delight. "So I am doing it right. I'm being a good sister!"

{And I'm a good partner,} Yuna chimed in.

"Nah, you're the best partner ever, Yuna!" Koko corrected, scratching behind Yuna's ears. She turned to Mama with her signature chipper smile. "Thanks Ivane, you always know what to say! I know you're not my mom, but you remind me of her a lot and talking to you always makes me feel cozy."

{I am honored,} Mama said warmly. {High praise from a gentle soul.}

{Thank you for your words of wisdom. I try, but I am not so experienced to speak on these matters. Your advice has made me feel more at ease as well.} Yuna bowed her head in respect.

My own heart felt much calmer with Koko feeling better. We all needed reassurance sometimes. And it brought peace to me in a way I was still unfamiliar with; a whole, good one.

But just in case…

I kept my eyes on Koko, opening my mouth and picking up one of the pieces again. Her eyes widened again as she tried to snatch the piece again.

"No! No choking on my watch!" She laughed freely.

A ways away, I saw Eclipse look over at Koko laughing. Her shoulders relaxed, and a small smile crossed her face before she got back to training.

With a groan, Jean woke up. She looked at me and Mama sitting right with her playing checkers with Koko, and Riri and Tou-san nearby to make sure she was alright.

"Mornin' everyone," she said tiredly.

My face brightened. They're up!

{Good morning Jean, Indra,} Mama responded warmly.

Indra rubbed his forehead. {I can now say quite confidently that at no point in time did we envy you having to go through that.}

{It's… not exactly pleasant, no,} Tou-san said, shaking a hand (limb?) a little, {But it's good to see you're not much worse for wear.}

Jean, meanwhile, felt elated. "I can hear you now! Properly!" She hugged Indra tightly, then gave an awkward look at Riri. "Uh. Not to diminish everything you've gone through."

Riri laughed. "No, no that's fine. We've all had precious little to be happy about. And finally being able to understand our family's speech is cause for celebration."

I signed to Mama, and she translated for Jean. {My child would like you to know that she knows it must be a relief to not have to report to Galactic.}

Jean ruffled my hair. "You're right about that one. I was expecting death, so to have what I was hoping for actually happen is nice overall."

Paris and Legolas came over, sitting nearby. "And while we can't speak on everything, I'm sure you can speak a bit more candidly about what we may not know?"

Indra and Jean both lit up at that. {Of course! Are Naoko and Shio around?}

"Yes, we are." Almost like they pulled themselves up from the shadows, Naoko and Shio now stood right with Paris and Legolas.

I'm never gonna get used to that.

It seemed like Jean and Indra agreed. Jean opened her mouth, before a sudden spark of revelation flared. "Shit, right!" She swung her legs over the bed and nearly crumpled to the ground, Riri catching her.

"Easy, easy. What's so urgent?"

They locked eyes for a moment, a feeling of urgency and seriousness burning from her that we all knew well. Riri nodded. "Just tell me where you need to go then."

Me and Mama looked at each other curiously then followed as Jean and Indra, helped by Riri and Tou-san, walked to the door. Jean pressed a button close by, and a panel opened up. A bunch of symbols and numbers popped up on the panel, and she quickly entered a long string of them.

There was an error noise, and she sighed. "Might as well try, y'know?"

Riri nodded, but we all knew there was more than just that.

Maybe she has her own plan too?

A couple minutes later, the door opened. The guy grunt who brought Jean and Indra in before stood in front of us. I could tell by how he felt that he was holding back a smile, though.

Is that one of the people who follows Jean?

"You know you've been stripped of permissions. It's a blessing you didn't drag us into your crazy scheme," he said smoothly. Too smoothly.

He rehearsed that, didn't he?

Jean and Indra both felt massively relieved, and Jean chuckled. "Of course, but I had to try all the same."

"You never stopped," the grunt responded before he walked away and the door shut.

Jean smiled at us all, gesturing with her head back to the bed. "Well, it seems like everything's how it should be. So let's try and answer some questions, alright?"

We nodded, and on the way back I only had to look at Mama for her to know. {Something Aurora and myself have been wondering for a while now; how exactly did you come to be part of Galactic? The both of you are much kinder than the average they set.}

Jean sighed and sat down on the bed with Indra. They knew this was coming, but they still didn't feel great about it. "Short answer? We didn't know. Long answer? To everyone on the outside, Galactic is trying to figure out an infinite energy source. Something Sinnoh desperately needs. I was never really the scientist sort; I did some reading here and there, sure, but it's not what I do. Me and Indra can fight, and we've got good heads on our shoulders. We figured we could help make the world a better place. Being key members of the Galaxy Federation has always been a dream of ours and we finally had a chance by joining their revival."

She flicked a hand angrily towards the room. "Fat lot of good that did."

"But you're helping us," Hazel said gently. "You've always been nice, and helped us feel like we're not alone. That not all of Galactic is okay with this."

Jean just sighed. Indra patted her back. {We have done our best. And saved lives today.}

I looked at him confused, and this time Paris elaborated. "You letting us know that Galactic intended to be rid of us helped us prepare. Jean let us know how; they had Jupiter creating enough of an airborne toxin to loose into the room and kill us all at once. It was almost ready, and may have been used if not for Jean and Indra destroying it last night."

Jean waved off the recognition. "I just pointed Indra where to go. It was him and a really pissed off Steelix that you've got to thank."

{And yet getting there and getting in would have been near impossible without you,} Indra reminded.

Koko waved her hand a bit to get Jean's attention. "Hey um, you mentioned the Galaxy Federation earlier. I've heard a couple adults mention it too, but I never really thought about it much. They just said that Galactic ruined the Federation's legacy, I think? What is the Galaxy Federation though?"

Jean sighed a bit. "Something a lot of people aren't gonna look on as fondly now."

Paris looked at Koko. "The Galaxy Federation is the name of a group of settlers who came to Sinnoh a long time ago. They founded Jubilife Village, and were allowed to stay by the Diamond, Pearl and Ginkgo clans. Their descendants often got into significantly more drama and trouble than the original federation, but the Galaxy Federation itself was helpful in their own way. They helped establish many of the norms we've grown accustomed to in Sinnoh. Someone you might know; Professor Rowan, is descended from their leader."

Koko nodded earnestly, invested in the explanation. "So Galaxy Federation was the old, good Team Galactic?"

Jean nodded in reply. "As Sinnoh became more modernized the Galaxy Federation split into different branches until the name fell out of the common eye," Jean explained. "It wasn't until Cyrus 'revived it' under the new moniker Team Galactic that it became prevalent in our lives today. Apparently, it's his so-called birthright along with the Federation's long held secrets. Now I wonder if he's exploiting what he learned to do all of this."

{Regardless of his motivations, Team Galactic is a blight on Sinnoh's history beyond even the worst criminals of Kanto,} Indra followed up. {A once noble coalition will never be the same.}

Koko frowned at the response. "Galactic ruins everything, once again."

The humans probably ruined everything beforehand, this is just making it more obvious.

I signed to Mama, and she asked again. {My child would also like to know the whereabouts of Sue, Mango, Danica and other Pokemon that were previously with us. If they yet live.}

Jean gave a sad smile. "You never stop thinking about everyone else, do you? They're alive and together. Being looked at by Galactic and going through their own trials, no doubt, but they're alive."

My heart leapt at the news. They're around! We can help them!

{And that means we can free them too!} Vivian yipped hopefully.

Yuna barked in delight. {Our reunion will be glorious.}

Paris simply smiled knowingly. That was part of the plan, clearly. And it eased my heart to know that.

I thought for a moment, and something came to mind. I signed to Mama quickly, and she nodded before relating it. {I have been wondering this for some time myself, as I am sure many have. Aurora included. How big exactly is this facility? Doubtless its size plays a factor in why we did not attempt to escape last night.}

Jean's heart shifted slightly. She knew we were getting closer to what she couldn't really talk about, and had to be careful.

Even if Galactic doesn't have their death gas anymore, we don't wanna have them decide we need to die right now and just open the door and murder us. We gotta make sure we'll be okay.

"This facility- Galactic calls it Eden's Apple or some shit, I haven't looked at that file in ages-"

Mama snorted. {They have the audacity?}

Jean put a hand to her forehead, nodding. "They do. Some of the shit Cyrus, Bifrons and Spinel will say… it puts the phrase god complex to shame. But whatever the official name is, it's several hundred meters below the surface of Iron Island. There's a maze of a tunnel system leading back to the surface, with loads of dead ends and false passageways and it's a confusing mess. Intentionally so. The actual building- more of a bunker, honestly- has eight floors, of which you've only ever been around the bottom floor of. There's plating all around it, an absurd number of security doors that can be shut from multiple points in the base, hallways designed to befuddle, fake rooms, the list goes on. Cyrus is a crazy bastard, but he's a smart crazy bastard."

"So many fail safes and natural barriers to exit that an escape attempt has an astronomically low chance of succeeding here," Paris finished.

So we didn't try because this place is awful, and we needed a better situation. That makes sense. Paris probably has some plan to get us somewhere else or something.

Paris, meanwhile, tapped Jean lightly on the shoulder. "We've created something of a card game during our time here. Would you like to play a round?"

Indra and Jean seemed confused for only a second before they got it. "Of course, it'll be nice to see what you've come up with," she said calmly.
Mama hopped off the bed, ushering me, Hazel and Vivian to her with her tails. {Come now, let us leave them to their card game.}

Yuna got up and stretched, looking at Koko. {Let us follow the elder fox's wisdom.}

We all nodded. We all knew it was more than just a game.

Hazel looked back, a Rhodo smile on her face. Her shoulders were less tense than usual. "I'm glad she's with us now. She's nice. She deserves to not be with Galactic."

{Instead of saying goodbye when we leave, she'll get to come with us!} Vivian said hopefully.

{Indeed she will,} Mama replied, nodding to herself before looking at me. {And you, my child?}

I thought for a moment before responding. |She can help us beat the shit outta Galactic on the way out! And Sue and Mango and the others are okay, and it's almost over, and…| I trailed off, just hugging Mama.

She smiled. Some things didn't need words to convey.

Hours later, a little before the lights were meant to go off, I smelled something odd.

I tapped Mama on the shoulder, my limbs feeling heavier than they usually did. |What's…?|

Mama's eyelids were drooping, but she brought me in close with a tail. {Just stay with me, my child,} she whispered, exhaustion creeping into her voice. {Galactic plays right into our proverbial hands.}

I chuckled slightly as fog flowed into my mind. Hehe, cuz not everyone has hands…

My eyes closed, and soon I was fast asleep with my arms around Mama and Ki.

~~?, Year 8520, ?~~

My eyelids still felt heavy when I woke up, but what I noticed immediately was that me and Mama weren't on the bed anymore. Ki was still in my arms, though.

I pushed myself up groggily, shaking my head to clear it and looking around.

We weren't in the room we'd grown used to anymore. And we were in a much, much smaller one. Still easily big enough for twenty people or something, but a lot less in general. There was no tank of water at any wall. A small corner of the room was sectioned off for what I assumed was the bathroom and there were several beds arranged neatly.

The air, while still stale as rock hard bread, smelled… fresher. The metal felt less thick, if my quick pats on the ground and the miniscule reverberations were anything to go by.

I looked around to see Mama, Eclipse, Yuna, Koko, Hazel and Vivian all waking up along with me, each of us getting our bearings in our own way. One thing was for certain, though.

We weren't on Iron Island anymore.

Entry Log:

-Sinnoh has certainly mobilized themselves quickly over the last few months. Our paltry league has gone from a pleasant circuit to a budding army. I've recently been informed that the trainer prodigy that Cyrus had fought several months ago has won the Sinnoh Championship tournament, making her our official regional champion and thus the strongest in the region.

She even beat that Summer girl who had proved troublesome for our scouts along with her Ranger boyfriend or whatever he is. Cynthia… her feats are a testament to her prowess. Our chances of defeating the League in a frontal assault lessen by the day…

-As expected, #001 was not pleased with the armor and attempted to forcibly remove it. What wasn't as expected was how she was able to destroy it, help or no, despite being electrocuted. While it took considerable effort the fusions and pokemon managed to tear it apart quickly enough.

#001 cannot tolerate restraints; she'd rather destroy herself than be confined for a significant amount of time. I knew that all too well. Her rebellious streak can likely be exploited further… not that it matters. She will soon be disposed of and I shall be able to omit her from my mind. Though the irony of her reaction being similar to Mewtwo's does not fall on deaf ears.

Regardless, in battle she performed decently well. The armor seemed to drain more of her energy than I expected, but the power boost was significant. General output was on the same level as Vulpix around her maturity and more. Otherwise, she looked more miserable wearing it emotionally than physically. Fortunately, her happiness is not a factor.

-Paris of the Morimoto Clan was the last to have her DNA corrected. Not that I believe she deserved the honor, but she is our only ghost type fusion and thus her utility cannot be ignored if I intend to work on more ghost fusions in the future.

-Jupiter's genocide toxin will soon be prepared in enough volume to terminate all remaining fusion subjects and their pokemon. Once their bodies have been disposed of we can collapse the facility and proceed with our plans smoothly. It is imperative everything goes perfectly. We cannot afford any setbacks.

Some Time Later

-We have been setback. We have suffered a MAJOR setback. Jean and her Noivern, Indra, somehow were able to coordinate with what can only be described as half the population of Pokemon on Iron Island. Aiding them in destroying Jupiter's toxic gas and causing irreparable damage to the mechanism for collapsing the base. The resources and time required to make a batch that would work on as many individuals we needed is far too much now. We cannot dispose of the fusions and unneeded pokemon en masse, and a large section of the facility is being sanitized from the toxic gas exposure leaving several key sections inaccessible.

-The base cannot be collapsed by anyone inside it, much less remotely. Jean was a useful asset and her dissension clear, but what she accomplished... The amount of damage she could cause in a singular moment was beyond what even Cyrus had predicted. Mars' team barely managed to contain the issue and has yet to find a reason as to why the wild pokemon went berserk.

-Fortunately though, the upgraded Fusion Chambers worked perfectly on Jean and Indra. She is now a flawless Noivern fusion. Now she may join the flock she coveted so in their squalor. Cyrus intended to have her killed, but at this point? She may as well be used as a test subject. Something he agreed with, after I brought it up. In ideal circumstances we'd be eyeing her closest confidantes more carefully, but we simply do not have enough eyes and it seems all these months below ground has caused our grunts' morale to diminish significantly. Bifrons has needed to set aside extra time for prayer. We are in crisis and they want to sit on their hands and knees and pray to their messiah. While I understand the merits of boosting morale, could they not postpone it until after we are through survival mode.

-I've decided to cease recording the status of all the fusions in my personal notes. We cannot be rid of them easily and there has been little fluctuation in their physical states the past several days. All statuses are nominal. It is staggering to see how many subjects were lost in the last several months. I wonder if the remainder consider themselves lucky to have survived or wish they had died during the fusion process. Regardless of their thoughts, science has progressed leaps and bounds. One day this research shall see the sun.

-After weeks of balancing research, experiments, channeler training and whatever other duty calls my attention I feel positively drained. Even Juliet's typical eminence has waned in these trying times. For now due to more urgent matters we've had to pause our ghost channeling training. It is serviceable, but I was never one to settle for temperate results.

-Rhodo has changed. The curse Juliet placed on Rhodo was simple, but powerful. Omitting his ability to discuss… sensitive topics was not difficult, but maintaining it has become so of late. According to Bifrons, when Juliet applied the curse his spirit was weak, broken. He did not have the fortitude to fend it off. But now despite all the emotional and physical torment… his spirit grows stronger? Soon he will be able to speak his mind. Now while I do not wish to dispose of him, we still need him to attend to our subjects for a bit longer. The curse just needs to hold a bit longer.

-Saturn has notified me that my requested Elygem will be available to me as soon as we find stability once again. Castor at this point has gotten over it and now we work fine… just not the same. We are not as efficient as before and it hinders my progress. Perhaps Rhodo would know- no, I do not need his advice on this matter…

-The time has come to leave Iron Island. The months we spent here were arduous, but… this has been the most free I've felt all my life. Yet I am far from done. My neverending desire for advancement shall never cease. I care not what path I must go. How many lives I destroy. My sins are innumerable… so why care about adding more?

Author's Note:

First time leaving y'all on a proper cliffhanger, huh? And quite a bit's changed! Where are the other Hybrids? Where's Aurora and those with her? How'd they get there? All these questions answered in the next episode of Dragonball- no but seriously, many answers will be given soon. The climax is right around the corner, and I hope y'all are ready for it!