We have reached the turning point. What shall become the battleground on which the Hybrids fight for the lives of their family, friends and all wrongly imprisoned like them. Where they make their final stand. They stand before impossible odds, and yet do not wish for a miracle. They intend to create one. I look forward to seeing them free as much as you must, so without further ado. Let us watch their flight for freedom.

~~?, Year 8520, ?~~

"W-where are we…?" Hazel cowered, huddling in a corner of the room with Vivian, who stood defensively in front of her, fur bristling.

{Somewhere else…} she growled, glaring at the door. Ready for any movement it'd make.

"Behind us, Koko…" Eclipse rumbled, glowering at the door. Yuna stood right with her, on guard with her body poised to pounce.

"A-alright," Koko stuttered as she darted away from the door, behind Eclipse and Yuna.

Mama gestured towards them with a tail, and I nodded warily while holding Ki, walking over with them. Waiting for her okay.

Mama knows what she's doing. If we gotta try and run now, she'll tell us.
She walked up to the door and swiveled an ear to listen, sitting there for several seconds. Past everyone's breathing and rapid heartbeats, I could only really faintly hear some humans talking through the door. After she seemed satisfied, Mama then walked around the room, ears still perked up as she inspected each nook and cranny. Moving aside what little there was in the room, and inspecting each of the beds thoroughly. Until eventually, she nodded to herself and walked back to us.

{We do not need to worry. The door is thick enough that humans will be unable to hear us through it, and there are no cameras or recording devices hidden within this room,} she explained, sitting down calmly.

I looked at her curiously. |But then where are we?|

A smile spread across her face. {Exactly where we expected to be, my child.} Her gaze turned to everyone else. {I won't tell you to relax, but you needn't worry about someone coming through that door for quite a while. And I can explain more about our situation than you may expect.}

Yuna sniffed the air, giving it a few tentative licks. {The air is… less stale than what we've grown accustomed to. The scents, beyond our own, are slightly different than anywhere we've been in Helheim as well. Are we in a different sector or…?} Yuna's voice trailed off, but we all knew what she meant to ask. We'd begun referring to the place as Helheim, after something Owain brought up in one of his plays.

Mama nodded. {We are no longer beneath Iron Island. Now, we are below Galactic's headquarters in Veilstone. Much closer to both the surface, and civilization.}

Koko gasped in delight, her eyes glistening in joy, tail wagging excitedly. "We're off the island!? We're finally off?"

My heart leapt just like hers as I hugged Mama. We're outta that shithole! We're in another hole, sure, but it's less deep and closer to other people! That's gotta be what Paris was waiting for, for us to get here!

Hazel still looked worried. "But doesn't us being below Galactic's headquarters still mean it'll be hard to get out? They've got to have a whole lot of people here…"

At that, Mama simply gestured around her with her tails. {Ordinarily, you would be right. However, we have a plan. One that I will take great pleasure in finally disclosing to you all.}

Eclipse glanced at Yuna and a jovial Koko before nodding, sitting down with Yuna. Hazel and Vivian came much closer, still on edge, but they felt much calmer knowing that this was all according to plan. Koko sat with Eclipse and Yuna while I sat right with Mama, bouncing a little as I sat.

We're gonna get out, we're gonna punch Galactic, it's time! We're gonna prove they can't hold us!

Mama looked across everyone before beginning. {Under normal circumstances, Hazel, you would be correct. The building above would be swarming with Galactic members on high alert, and our chances of escape would be much slimmer. However,} a vindictive smirk spreading across her face, {They currently have other pressing matters to attend to.}

Yuna raised her brow. {What occupies them?}

{Helheim was not simply a torture chamber. They were conducting their own studies there, and required a large amount of high tech equipment to do so. Thanks to Jean, Indra, and the Pokemon native to the island that we alerted, the League has been made aware of their presence on the island. Galactic may be strong and coordinated, but Cyrus is no fool. They know they cannot combat the entire region bearing down upon them. Especially not when their one entrance has suddenly become their one escape, and it is blocked off. Transferring information may be simpler. But there is a large degree of equipment too valuable to simply abandon. Nevermind that a mass exodus and, ever so coincidentally, mass growth of Galactic's members in the public eye would draw attention they cannot afford to draw right now.}

My smile became a similar smirk. |So they trapped themselves?|

Mama nodded. {Precisely.}

Eclipse gave Mama an odd look. "Right, that's great an' all, but how the hell d'you know where we are? Where everyone else is? From what we've seen, we get knocked out an' then wake up in a teeny room somewhere else."

{Because of the efforts of many,} Mama continued. {Yukitsu informed us that Galactic has other bases besides Helheim, which coincides with the knowledge available to the public. Eir confirmed that, after Helheim, this was their only real option. The combined efforts of Isadora, Naoko, Shio, Noemi, Danica, and many others got the details we needed. That this is where we would be, what Galactic's backup plan is, and how the groups would be arranged.}

She gestured to us with her tails. {For instance. Hugo, with the information gathered, was able to determine that they would almost certainly pair us up together. Myself and my child along with Hazel and Vivian, the foxes, and Eclipse, Yuna and Koko as the wolves. Close to foxes, similar enough ages, so on and so forth. And with that information, Paris determined one person of each predicted group to be informed of the entirety of our escape plan. As I was already assisting with the creation of weaponry, I was the natural choice for our group.} Her eyes turned to me. {Speaking of, my child, if you would?}

My eyes brightened as I nodded, got up and gently pulled out the stuff Legolas had helped Mama stash; the hatchet, a stick she'd grabbed and fashioned into a wand from the nature room, and pairs of brass knuckles. I took the small pair, then handed the bigger one to Eclipse and the hatchet to Koko while I gave the stick to Hazel.

Eclipse's smile grew. "Oh hell yes."

Hazel looked at the stick worriedly. "Do I need to fight with this…?"

Mama shook her head. {It is something for you to hold, and to help you focus what supportive abilities you may utilize. You are not expected to fight.}

Hazel breathed a sigh of relief, hugging Vivian close while Koko observed her hatchet curiously before turning to Mama. "You guys really thought of everything. You've got Galactic figured out down to the letter!"

Mama nodded. {As we must; we are not in a position where uncertainties can be allowed where possible. We must turn every possible situation to our advantage with as much certainty as we can manage. Which brings me to what I know my child has been anticipating most; the escape itself.}

I nodded happily. I wanna hear this! I wanna know how we're gonna punch Galactic like a bajillion times!

{The escape effort will be split into three primary groups. In the back will be some who can fight, but primarily those unable or unwilling to fight with people to defend them, should the worst happen.} She looked at Hazel and Vivian. {That is where you two will be, amongst the aquatic Hybrids and those impaired like Garland and Dijon.}

Hazel nodded, Vivian sighing in relief. {I can fight, but not like Paris or anyone. That's good to hear.}

Yuna nodded. {Garland and Dijon are quiet, but admirable. They would look out for you both without asking.}

"I don't like us separating, but at least you two will be away from danger," Koko chimed in.

{They will also be alongside Ron and Rush; the two of them are young and inexperienced. Taking potshots is allowed, them being on the frontlines is not.}

Hazel's heart calmed significantly hearing that.

Mama nodded before looking at Koko. {The secondary group will be the primary combat force, situated in the middle. Their objective will be to ensure every area they pass through is as safe for us as it can be; taking out Galactic, clearing the path, and meeting up and directing whoever else we may save who wishes to help. There will be a significant amount of chaos, and this group is tasked with managing as much of it as possible. Koko, you will be in this group.}

Koko was following along until the end, when she furrowed her brow. "I'll be in this group? You mean Eclipse, Yuna and me will be in that group right?"

Mama shook her head. Koko opened her mouth to protest, but Mama raised a tail. {Let me explain. The final group will be the forward force. The most vital, but also the riskiest. This is the force whose primary objective is twofold; first, burst through Galactic's defenses before they have time to properly mount them. Not to actively fight them head to head, but to get outside. Then, we will alert the outside world of our plight courtesy of Aurora. After that is completed, our objective is to survive. Hold our own until help arrives; likely the second group, but with the slight chance of outside help responding exceptionally quickly. This group is where myself, Aurora, Eclipse and Yuna will be.}

Excitement and anxiety both stormed in my heart. I get to punch lotsa Galactic! But this sounds like a LOT. And I'm supposed to be the one alerting everyone outside? Why me? And why's Mama so worried?

Koko still didn't look too happy about it. She understood it in her head, but her heart was another story.

"I know some of us have got to separate, but… do I have to be away from them?" She asked Mama. She turned towards Eclipse for her thoughts.

Eclipse crossed her arms. "Yeah, you're gonna need to explain s'more. You going I get; you're strong an' smart and shit. An' I'd get it if it was just me an' Yuna going. But why's Aurora go with us while Koko stays back? That ain't fair."

Mama sighed. {I am aware. And this decision was not reached lightly. If I had it my way, Aurora would be with Koko. However, humans have quicker long distance communication than Pokemon do. In order to get help to arrive as quickly as possible, we need someone capable of making a human sound, with distinct, visible abilities as a signal and the proficiency with said abilities to stay on the front lines. I am more than capable of the second and third requirements, but the cry of a Ninetales is likely to deter as many as it calls to help. Combined with the fact that my child's fighting style revolves around speed, dodging, her uniquely adept use of Protect and experience with using her abilities in unique ways, she is our best bet at calling for help as soon as possible.}

I took a deep breath. Okay, so the signal is my job. Make sure I make it obvious enough that people come running to help, and if I fuck up loads of my family will probably die. No pressure.

Eclipse took a long look at me, then back at Mama. "Okay, then Aurora going makes sense. I don't like it, but no way in hell you do either. Why can't Koko come then?"

{I also do not mean to speak poorly, but Aurora has not said a word in quite some time and she has trouble parsing human with pokemon language. What if the humans cannot understand her? Are any close enough to even hear or see her?} Yuna asked.

As an answer, Mama simply looked at me. {Can you make a noise, my child?}

I blinked. |Just. A noise?|
She nodded. {It needn't be words.}

I nodded in response. Uh, sure?

"Glyabladabidy."

Mama nodded her head to me. {She has difficulty parsing human and pokemon words. There is no question she can scream to alert others; young girls are quite good at that. Humans also are more likely to respond to a distressed little girl's scream than any other, I've noticed.}

I nodded. I can scream. That much I can do. Words are hard right now. Yelling, not really.

{And as for if anyone will be close enough to notice her… perhaps not hear, if they are far enough away. Fortunately, due to Veilstone's location, there is a high likelihood that her voice will echo. And I do not believe any of us would ignore a large, sudden explosion of fire and ice at the peak of a hill.}

A weight lifted. So I don't even have to do something special? Just go nuts? Have fire and ice go berserk everywhere? That I can DEFINITELY do. That's easy.

Yuna gave it some thought, glancing at her paws a moment. {I suppose if they think they hear a human girl screaming with attacks flying about, they may believe she's being attacked and come to her aid. I know Eclipse and I would do so.}

{This in addition to the fact that, undoubtedly, those above ground have noticed the disappearances of literal hundreds that happened months ago. Even if typically one may not be wary of such a thing, everyone will be on high alert for any and all signals of someone potentially escaping from their captors. We must simply make certain the signal is obvious enough,} Mama elaborated.

{Mmm… Eclipse?} Yuna asked, awaiting her response. Mama gave lots of good reasons, but she still didn't like them.

And I can't blame her. I wouldn't like Paris telling me I gotta be away from Mama. Even if it made sense.

Eclipse still had her arms crossed. "Right, we've got loads of reasons why Aurora's gotta go with you. Why can't Koko come?"

"I know I'm not as good in a fight, but I'm just as fast! I won't get in the way, I promise!" Koko pleaded. "I can do the signal instead, I don't mind!"

Mama gazed calmly at her, Yuna and Koko. Even though I could feel the twinge of pain in her heart. {Because it was a source of much debate if even Eclipse and Yuna would come. We will have other people proficient in combat, as Paris, Legolas, myself, Naoko and Shio are amongst those who will go. Only those who we are all but certain will make it through this endeavor alive are meant to come. However, a notable section of our plan to reach the surface as quickly as possible involves scaling an elevator shaft. Only those agile enough to traverse that can come, so despite those such as Benny and Bors being easily strong enough? They cannot keep up. Eclipse and Yuna are powerful enough to tear open passageways and agile enough to keep up. They may well end up fighting, but their priority will be demolition.}

Eclipse nodded her head from side to side. "Walls don't move much, I can knock 'em down easy enough."

{Otherwise, we simply do not have anyone powerful enough, agile enough, and with enough practice with their abilities to keep up with this group. Doubtless Paris and Leanne will have trouble flying up the elevator shaft, but they have their partners to assist. Leanne and Yvonne are skilled fighters, and the most defensively oriented of this group. They will be busy making sure we do not all die. Hence the need for another.}

She looked directly at Koko. {You are agile, yes, but not as powerful as your elder sister. It is distinctly rare to see fire and ice intermingled, as Ninetales are rare and ones such as myself and my child even moreso. Such a signal will be much more obvious than one of stone, or electricity if it were to be Ron doing it. And while I understand you wish to be beside Eclipse and Yuna, as they no doubt want as well, this endeavor is exceptionally dangerous. We cannot have any more than absolutely necessary be a part of this group. Too large, and Galactic diverts too many forces and we are overrun. Too small, and we cannot break through as we must to ensure everyone's survival.}

She looked down. {And, in all honesty, I would much prefer if my child went with you. I agreed to this knowing that she is someone who is exceptional at defending herself, and that we have no other option. Were anything less suited to this specific task, she would be with you and the rest of the second group. Where it is safer. As much as I am loath to part with her, it is preferable to temporarily separate. Rather than allow my feelings to seduce me towards an action that may separate us permanently.} She looked up at Eclipse and Yuna. {I would be shocked if you did not agree regarding Koko.}

Yeah… if I wasn't as fast, or good at dodging, or defending, or lots of things, it'd be a really bad idea for me to go. And I know Mama could fight better if she didn't have to worry about making sure I don't die. It's still kinda scary what I gotta do, but Mama believes in me to do it and I'm all we've got.

Eclipse went quiet, gripping her arms tightly, her face contorted into a grimace. I could feel that she agreed with Mama, even if she didn't like it. Being away from Koko sucked. Koko dying sucked way worse.

Yuna read her partner well before addressing Mama again. {We would've preferred to have been notified of this earlier, even cryptically. We trust most of our peers wholly, but… who would look out for her? Who else is in this group?"

Mama looked at her again. {We would have informed you if we could have, but remember that every word we spoke within Helheim was watched intensely. Most of this information was relayed via the cards dealt and traded between Paris, Naoko and others. A system Galactic had no context for. Even alluding to the fact that you would need to be apart in the instance of an escape jeopardizes the escape itself. For that would imply that there is an escape planned. Galactic does not even know we were the ones conversing with the Pokemon of Iron Island; they are under the impression Jean and Indra managed to convince them all. This was, unfortunately, the earliest possible opportunity that anyone could inform you.}

{As for who will be looking out for her, she will be in good company. Mabel and Haley will be part of the second group, as will Benny and Bors after the initial push. Jean, Indra, and likely the grunts she once led will follow her. She had her own method of knowing if her own were caught up in her rebellion, and they were not. They all, however, support it and support her. Isadora and Wilona, Clive and Elpis, Vika and Proton, and many others will be part of this group. Not to mention that, almost certainly, many of the Pokemon my child has befriended are scant few rooms apart from us. And once freed, they will fight with us.}

Yuna straightened her posture. {You've considered every possible answer to appease us I see.}

Mama inclined her head to Yuna. {Nothing so manipulative as that; this is merely a part of everything we have considered. I would also implore that you keep in mind that this separation is intended to be as quickly ended as possible. The second group will need to clear out the first basement floor, but once that is dealt with, you will be merging with us again. And once we have all reunited, our goal is to fight as one until help arrives.}

She looked back to Koko. {It is also important to remember; this second group is not one meant to simply twiddle their thumbs and wait for the first to do everything. It is the primary fighting force, tasked with ensuring that the spearhead we run as is reached in time. To assure our survival and prevent us from being caught by both ends. A fortunate aspect of beginning from the bottom of a building; if you ensure the safety of every area you pass through, you cannot be assaulted from both ends,} Mama finished.

"Hmmm…" Koko looked downward in thought. She had made her choice, albeit reluctantly. She turned toward her big sis. "I… I'll go with the middle group then. I don't wanna mess up the plan everyone worked so hard on."

Eclipse, much as she also didn't like it, suddenly felt much more at ease as she held Koko close. "You'll be safe, an' with us again soon. It'll be fine," she said softly. Yuna leaned in to join as they both looped her into a hug. We were all quiet for a moment as they processed everything. Once they let go Yuna blinked away some tears, her tail drooping slightly.

{Thank you for considering our feelings, elder fox. You may continue,} She insisted.

Hazel and Vivian sat closer with the three, Hazel holding Koko's hand while Mama continued. {From that point, there is less left to discuss about the escape than you may imagine. The second group keeps the third safe, ensuring they make the area safe for us all while reaching the first group as quickly as possible. The first group creates holes for ourselves to alert the outside world, then stand our ground as Galactic undoubtedly plugs those holes as quickly as they can. Against their attempts to shake us from our standpoint. I would be surprised if that is not where they send the majority of their forces,} she noted.

Me and Mama exchanged a glance. Silas is gonna be there, isn't he. And the Pokemon with Bronco. Maybe others. Definitely loads of grunts and Pokemon with them. But we're staying there to buy time for the second group, and because no way in hell are we abandoning everyone after everything that's happened.

"The commanders and their pokemon will prolly be around too to stop us…" Koko's voice trailed off before she shook her head. "But even if Jupiter and the others try an' stop us, we won't let'em!"

Eclipse pounded her fists together. "Damn right."

Vivian looked at Mama curiously. {So how do we know when all this begins? Is it gonna happen in an hour or something?}

Mama shook her head. {Paris will call out when it is time. And, if all goes well, the collars will be shut off for enough time to shatter them painlessly. So that is a signal in and of itself. It will happen within the next day or two; in addition to Galactic no doubt being on much higher alert towards us today than in the coming days, there is much to process and digest. We all need to prepare in our own ways,} she said, glancing at Eclipse, Yuna and Koko, {And while we have precious little time to spare, it should be utilized to make sure everyone is as ready as possible for what must be done.}

Koko held up her hatchet, putting a finger to the blade, noting the sharpness of its metal edge somberly. "It's gonna get really bloody again. Isn't it?"

Mama nodded. {It must. Galactic has afforded us no mercy, and we cannot afford it in denying them. Not now, not if we deign to see the sun once more.}

"I know…" Koko said quietly before she started looking around. "So, is Galactic just gonna leave us in this room for two days? Without watching us?"

{Not quite. The collars do have a tracker in them, and there will no doubt be patrols. However, without cameras or microphones planted in the room, they will be relying on the information from the collars and the doors still being closed to know our status. Not a minimal watch, but much less strict than we had to worry about before.}

Yuna stretched out. {Well, it's not ideal, but I feel more at ease with the knowledge that no longer is someone watching my every movement of every second of every day. Not even prey pokemon must suffer this constant invasion of privacy.}

It's 'cuz humans are worse than pretty much any predator. Even Silas doesn't drag out his shit this much.

Mama nodded. {It is a welcome change for us all, and among many more we will soon have.} She chuckled slightly to herself, stretching in kind. {And now, I imagine we all have our own thoughts to grapple with. Necessary as it has been, I've spoken quite a bit about our plans. If anyone has further questions, feel free to ask them. Otherwise, I would ask for time with my child.}

Even though she didn't say it, there was something we all knew that hung in the air.

If one of us dies, we wanna spend our last days with each other.

Eclipse, Yuna and Koko nodded, all beginning to talk with each other. Mama curled a few tails around me, gesturing towards the bed. {Come, we have time to rest. Let us make sure Ki is comfortable, yes?}

I nodded, walking with her to one of the beds. As I was placing Ki gently against a pillow, my ear flicked. Me and Mama turned to see Hazel and Vivian walking up to us.

{Yes?} Mama asked gently.

Hazel's hands were clenched tight. "W-well, we're just… worried."

Mama looked at us, then nodded, gesturing to the bed. She hopped up while I climbed on, Hazel and Vivian doing the same. Vivian gave me an uneasy look. {Are you okay with this? It's… a lot to take in.}

I nodded. |I've wanted to help everyone escape for ages now. Wanted to do something. This is finally my chance to be able to really help. Just…| My fingers fell slack as I looked down.

It's scary.

Hazel hugged me, Vivian nuzzling me softly. "You're hurting a lot, aren't you…"

I felt tears starting to form in my eyes. I rubbed them to clear them, hugging Hazel back and breathing slowly. That was all the answer she needed.

She looked back at Mama. "Does she have to do this?"

Mama shook her head. {Paris is not the type to force someone into something they cannot do.} She looked right at me. {It is all up to you, my child.}

I didn't have to think. I shook my head immediately, Hazel letting go so I could sign. |I want to help. I want to do this. But I'm scared, and I don't know why… Mama believes in me, and I'll do my best. But…| I trailed off again.

"You can cry if you need to," Hazel said softly, Vivian nodding in agreement.

But something in my heart refused. Not because I wasn't sad, but…

Not yet.

{It is part of how my child is managing everything,} Mama said softly, Hazel and Vivian looking at her. Her eyes were full of sorrow as she curled her tails around me. {This room is less hostile than where we were before, yes, but Galactic still stands outside. It is not safe. Aurora knows this, beyond feeling it. Galactic has done a phenomenal job of teaching her how hostile their group is. And while she knows she is sad, she will let her tears run freely once we are free.}

She looked at me mournfully. {Am I correct, my child?}

Her words put form to the feelings I'd had for a long time, but didn't know how to voice. I just nodded, the sadness in my heart threatening to burst.

But it wouldn't. Not yet. The anger at Galactic still outpaced it, if only just.

Vivian sighed. {If Li were here he could help…}

Mama nodded. {I am sure he would. I am somewhat surprised he is not with us, but I suppose it was decided he should be with the other baby Pokemon after all.}

|We're gonna save them, right?| I signed, keeping my hands from shaking.

At that, Mama nodded more firmly. {Beyond a shadow of a doubt, my child.}

Hazel held my hand tight, sitting there with me for a long while in silence. She squeezed it a little when she began to speak again.

"We'll be there for you, you know that?" She was quiet for a moment before continuing. "I don't know how you fight like you do. Every time I think about even doing it, I freeze up in panic. I can't protect anyone like you do." She held both my hands. "But nobody can fight forever. We all need to rest. And when it's time to rest, we'll be there for you. You can cry as much as you want, and no one will hurt you for it. Okay?"

I just hugged her tight. She quickly hugged me back as Vivian nuzzled the both of us. {You've done so much to protect everyone you can. Keep everyone as safe as you can. And we'll make sure you're safe to let it all out.}

Even though they both felt sad, I could tell that it was a little duller than before. They still missed Hazel's parents with everything they had, but they had accepted it'd happened a little more.

I had the briefest flash through my mind. The faces of everyone who'd died.

I shook it out of my head.

Not now. I can't focus on that right now. If I do, I won't be able to fight. I won't be able to make sure everyone gets out okay. When we're out, when Galactic can't hurt us anymore, when I get to see the sky? Then I can… process it all.

Even as Hazel and Vivian were right with me? I could feel what I was sure was only a part of the depths of Mama's sorrow. And, like me, the boundless fury she had towards Galactic. Just instead, she was feeling them both at the same time.

Mama can do so much… I wanna be like her when I grow up.

~~Veilstone, Galactic Headquarters, Year 8520, ?~~

"Keep yer other hand closer; easier to block, easier to go for a two-handed swing," Eclipse coached Koko, showing her how better to hold herself when swinging her hatchet.

Koko adjusted her grip before going for a few more practice swings. "Like that?"

Eclipse nodded. "Jus' keep in mind what you're goin' for. Usually you wanna go vertical or horizontal; your goal ain't to bob an' weave around their stuff. Ya just break through it."

Yuna nodded. {Think of it not unlike an edged hammer.}

Hazel and Vivian sat watching us; while Eclipse helped Koko practice, Mama would point out how best to use brass knuckles. You actually had to punch a specific way so they didn't hurt you when you used them.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Quick as lightning, Eclipse pulled off her brass knuckles and put them by Yuna, Koko doing the same with her hatchet. Yuna then lay down on top of them, making them impossible to see while Eclipse leaned 'casually' against a wall. I did the same, pulling off mine and hiding them with Mama while Hazel put her wand up the back of her shirt.

There was a tense moment as we waited to see who would come in. That is until I felt something familiar.

"Who called the muffin man?" Said the voice in an easygoing tone, not yet fully opening the door. "Everyone decent?"

I scanned the room. He was asking if we had hidden our weapons. We were in the clear. {Indeed,} responded Mama.

We all breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened to reveal Rhodo on his own, pushing a cart full of food.

I waved with a smile to him, Mama shaking her head slightly. {We do not have an intercom, but the thought is appreciated.}

"Scared the shit outta us," Eclipse mumbled to herself.

"Sorry that there's not a less alarming way, but you shouldn't have to worry about too many visitors. I've instructed all the grunts attending to Hybrids to knock before entering. Privacy reasons, ya know," Rhodo explained as he locked the door behind him.

"You're here too?" Hazel asked curiously, Vivian sitting beside her much more at ease.

He nodded. "I was brought over a bit before you all went to sleep. Natalie, Eir and I have taken over for Jean and Indra's duties, so we all arrived a bit earlier to prep for treating all of you if the need arose," He explained before smiling. "I spoke to them earlier, Indra looks truly happy that Jean can understand his language now. They've adapted well."

I hugged Rhodo tightly. Koko and Hazel joined in as well along with a nuzzle from Vivian. Rhodo took it all in stride as he hugged us all. "I'm glad to see you all too. How are we all feelin'?"

Hazel looked at me for a moment before looking up at him. "We're… better. It's still a lot for everyone. Everything that's gonna… happen."

Rhodo looked at us both with a serious expression. "So you already know… it's true Hazel. This is too much for anyone, especially for children who never asked for this. I can't lie to any of you; this won't be easy and it won't be safe… but you've survived countless battles by looking out for each other. You're all young, if you make a mistake, us adults will be there to pick you up. We're prepared to do that. Nothing anyone says will be able to take the anxiety out of this situation, but as long as you remember that, I hope it makes everything a bit easier."

I held Rhodo a little tighter at that. Mama looked at me, then at him. Rhodo understood her without a single word as he knelt down before me so we were on eye level. He had a peaceful smile on his face, a stark contrast to when we first met. It was comforting.

"You've got a big role ahead of you, Aurora. I know it's nervewracking, but…" He placed his hand over his heart. "I can feel your emotions too. All the fear, anxiety, anger, turmoil. The more time I've spent with you, the more it became clear to me. But also an indomitable will to never give in. You'll be the Hybrids' beacon, their shining sun."

I let go of him, clenching my fists in front of myself and nodding. My heart burned again, the anxiety fading a bit. My tails picked up, and I managed a Rhodo smile.

I'm gonna make sure everyone's okay. I'm gonna do my best, and it'll be enough. We'll all be free, and Galactic can't stop us. Cuz we're stronger than they are. Stronger than they ever could be, 'cuz we've got each other.

"That's it, Aurora. That drive to never give into Galactic will allow you to survive. They've made you fight friends, electrocuted you, bound you and more, but they've never broken you. And they won't be able to stop you when your shackles are finally off. I have the utmost confidence in you and I don't say that just because I view you as my own daughter, but because you've proven to me every time how dependable you are," He praised me.

I wiped my eyes a little, hugging him again and my ears flicking slightly. He returned the hug gladly.

"Now that we're off Iron Island, I've been able to gain a bit more information about the outside world and I have some good news for you and Ivane."

I looked at him curiously, Mama walking up beside me vaguely surprised.

"Your mothers and sister have been looking for you both non-stop, all of this time. I've never seen a family so dedicated to finding their loved ones. They've been working alongside the Sinnoh League, Interpol and all of the other Hybrid families to find everyone." He held my hand reassuringly. "Before you came to Helheim, you looked a bit different than you do now. It might surprise them for a second and while I've never met them, I can honestly say reuniting with you will be the best day of their lives. There's nothing that would bring a parent greater joy to see their child returned to them safely."

Mama smiled. {They stay true to their words, then. Valkyries do fly together.}

I smiled up at him, nodding hopefully.

And I'm gonna get out to see them and make them happy! And they'll get to see everyone with me too.

"That's great news!" Koko cheered. "I can't wait to meet your other moms and big sister! They sound super nice!"

{They are,} Mama said with more serenity in her heart than she'd had… ever since Helheim started, really, {They are who I decided to stay around for a time. It seems that was a good decision for all our sakes.}

{You're an excellent judge of character. I'm not surprised the humans you've decided to stay with were a dependable bunch. I'm happy for you both,} Yuna chimed in.

"Wait, but um Rhodo, have you heard anything about the rest of our family?" Koko pleaded, her heart filled with hope. Yuna's ears perked up and her tail began wagging in unison with Koko. From what she's told me they all grew up like siblings, so she was equally eager to hear what he had to say. Eclipse was tentative, but listening closely.

Rhodo rubbed his chin. "Adrestia the Breloom and Nasir the Dewott, right? I have mixed news on that since I still don't have complete access to outside communication. I've had to ask our allies to scrounge up what they can. There was a report of the two arriving at a pokemon center to try and tell them you three were kidnapped. They gave an official report to League pokemon, but they refused to be taken in. According to the League officials they wanted to keep looking for you three on their own time. There's been no word since, I'm sorry."

Eclipse shook her head. "That's… that's enough. Knowing they're still out there… that's enough."

Yuna nodded. {They're strong. They'll find us once we escape, mark my words.}

Koko tightened her fists and shook them in determination and joy. "That sounds exactly like something those two would do. We're going to see each other again, real soon. I'll do everything I can to make sure we're all together again. Thank you Rhodo, we really needed that."

"It was the least I could do. When it's finally time, keep your family in mind. Your desire to see them all again and escape this hell will make every strike hit harder," Rhodo advised.

Hazel, during all this, was decidedly quiet. We knew why, but Vivian still pawed at Rhodo's leg and nodded at Hazel silently.

"Don't worry, I've got good news for you two as well," Rhodo informed her. Their own anxiety lessened immediately. "Hazel, all four of your grandparents, your uncles, aunts, cousins and even family friends are working with Aurora's family to find you and Vivian. They've poured their whole souls into the campaign to see you again. Your mom's mother made a statement that she's got your favorite meal waiting for you when you return and they've built a beautiful safe haven for you to be at peace."

Hazel's eyes quickly grew wet, and she nodded quickly before bowing deeply. "Th-thank you for letting us know."

Rhodo gave her a slight bow back. "You are very welcome."

Rhodo said they're just looking for Hazel and Vivian, but they came here with Hazel's parents and their pokemon partners. Why didn't he… oh.

I had forgotten. They wouldn't know what had happened. The people outside don't know anything about what's happened to us and we barely know what's happening to them. Whether they're alive or not either. Rhodo didn't say anything because he didn't wanna remind them of that. We needed hope right now. Mourning the lost could come once we're free.

Rhodo looked at us all. Each and every one of us felt significantly better knowing our loved ones were still looking for us. Mama told me about my family so many times, but hearing they were doing everything they could to save us? It made me want to meet them loads more.

"Now that you're all a bit more relaxed, I'm sure you're all starving. Don't any of you worry now, because the Muffin Man is here with a whole lot more than just muffins." Rhodo declared proudly as he began pushing the cart of food over to our small dining table. I hadn't really noticed until now, but the aroma was mesmerizing. There was enough food on the tray to have given twice our group the amount we usually had.

He laid each plate down on the table and directed us whose food was whose. Hazel had a large fruit salad, with chesto and pecha berries mixed in with the lettuce and other leafy things. Koko had a rich, thick stew with all sorts of veggies and meat inside including beef, potatoes, carrots and more.

Eclipse had a plate with this big slab of cooked meat on it, along with some mashed potatoes and berries. There was also some thick gravy on top that smelled heavenly.

Meanwhile, I noticed I had the same kinda stuff as Mama. These rolls of dried seaweed filled with rice, berries and fish. Thankfully not real fish, it was made without hurting anyone like Mama said. There was also some root called ginger on the side, and this tiny bowl with brown, salty liquid in it.

Then he placed pokemon food bowls on mats closeby for Mama, Vivian and Yuna. Mama had the same stuff I did, just instead of the tiny bowl it was a tiny tray with the liquid. Vivian was also really similar to Koko, except hers had seared pork and stuff in it. Yuna got a big plate of seared meat, with herbs and stuff on top.

Finally, he took out a large jug of water and some cups for all of us to share. And, of course, muffins for each of us. He handed two specific ones to Mama and Yuna before letting us have our pick.

"I'd bring you sake, but I don't think now is quite the right time," Rhodo joked towards Mama.

Mama chuckled. {Indeed. I need my wits about me, but the thought is appreciated.}

Koko inhaled the scent of her tray deeply (a lot like Vivian was doing), immediately drooling until Eclipse handed her a napkin. With a large spoon, she took the first slurp, her feelings did a loopity loop as she squealed in joy while her tail spun like a fan. "This tastes even better than it smells! I always thought the food you made was good, but you blew it out of the park this time!"

Rhodo chuckled lightly, bowing in a way similar to how Owain used to. "Your compliments are much appreciated, young Koko."

Koko giggled at his theatrics as Rhodo gestured to the rest of our food. "I hope you all enjoy; I took everything I've written down about all your tastes and tried to make you all the best meals with what I had. Natalie and Eir were a huge help getting these all done in time and making sure they were packed with nutrition. I think you'll notice the difference once you're finished eating."

Eclipse was silent with awe, looking between her own food, Koko wolfing her own down, and Rhodo smiling at us. She took a long pause before nodding slightly at him. "Thanks…" she said quietly, moving closer to Yuna and Koko before eating. Yuna curled her tail around Eclipse a little, nodding at Rhodo before eating as well.

Rhodo gave her a small, understanding smile back as he sat down on one of the beds. "You're welcome."

"Thank you for the meal, Rhodo," Hazel said gratefully, bowing her head before beginning to eat.

{Wh' sh' sid!} Vivian agreed happily, her mouth very full.

"It was my pleasure, but careful Vivian. Chew, swallow, then speak," Rhodo warned.

Vivian nodded, chewing before gulping it down and smiling. {Thanks!}

Mama looked up at Rhodo. {This could not have been easy to procure. And yet you did it for our sake. You have ever been a lighthouse for us in this dark place, and for that, I thank you.} She bowed her head respectfully.

Rhodo looked genuinely surprised by Mama's action, but he returned the bow quickly. "Your exact words escape me, but I know high praise coming from you, Ivane, thank you for that. This is only the least I can do for you all."

I hugged Rhodo tight, smiling at him before I sat down with my food. |Thanks for this, and everything else you've done. Helping me and Mama get better so many times, and being the first nice human I met. You're a great dad. I love you.|

Rhodo's face turned to shock. A pang hit his heart. An old, dull pain, but it couldn't outshine the happiness he felt in this moment. He wiped emerging tears from his face as he grinned back at me. "Thank you, Aurora, I love you too. You don't know how much that means to me. I… I've tried really hard to just be good enough."

I shook my head. |You're way better than just good enough.| I pointed to his heart before continuing. |I dunno completely, but I can feel some. And if whatever it is that hurts has to do with you being a dad, I know it's not because you didn't try hard enough. You're the best at this, I don't care what anyone says.|

Mama looked at me and nodded, smiling. {He does set quite the high bar as fathers go.}

Rhodo rubbed his eyes again, taking a deep breath. "There's so much I wish I could tell you, all of you. But… for this moment, right now… I haven't felt this great in a long time."

Only I noticed, but Koko stopped eating for a second and gave Rhodo a peculiar glance, but returned to eating just as quickly.

Rhodo raised a hand in merriment. "Anyway, please all of you, fill your bellies. I wanna see all your plates empty."

I nodded, picking up the chopsticks he'd put on my tray and eating the sushi he'd brought. It was amazing, and it was great having it with the soy sauce and ginger. Apparently you were supposed to eat the ginger afterwards, but I didn't care. I liked them together.

And after, I ate my muffin alongside Mama. It was the best muffin I'd ever had from him, filled with berries and chocolate chips. Once we were all done, Rhodo cleaned up and left us some energy bars to eat just in case we got hungry before the next scheduled meal. He refilled the water jug and got ready to go.

"And that's everything. How does everyone feel?"

I noticed Mama shuffling something into her tails, and Yuna reorienting herself. Their muffins were gone, but there were little areas where the crumbs didn't cling to the wrapper as much.

Rhodo probably brought in some stuff for us. Mama'll tell us once he's gone, we can't take up too much of his time.

Eclipse sighed, satisfied. "Helluva lot better'n I have in a long while. Nice t' have a proper meal again."

Koko nodded adamantly. "It tasted like a home cooked dinner, thank you so much Rhodo! I feel really… light? My belly is full, but I feel like I'm on top of the world kinda!"

"You can thank Natalie and Eir for that. They made sure all of your food would give you all a much needed energy boost. It took some learnin', but they've gone from never touching a spatula to being proper cooks."

For some reason, I did feel loads better. I felt energized in ways I had never felt before. Rhodo always said a good meal would make a world of difference, but I hadn't expected this.

"You're right, we'll let them both know next time we see'em," Koko promised. I nodded in agreement, making sure the trays and stuff were neatly put together before handing them in a stack to Rhodo. Something was off about the muffin wrappers, and I didn't think anyone would miss those, so I held onto them.

Just a feeling, but those are important.

"Are you sure this was alright?" Hazel asked hesitantly. "Galactic never lets us have much, and you've given us a lot of food… aren't they going to get angry?"

"If we were still on Iron Island, yes, but on the mainland they have so much more access to just about everything. It'd be a waste to not use it all for a good purpose," Rhodo assured her.

{Nor do we intend to give them the time to do much of anything about it, even if they take issue,} Mama added.

"Good. Wasting food is bad anyway. Once they're all taken out, they won't even get the chance to eat any of it, so might as well be us," Koko added.

Yuna glanced at Koko. {Can you ask him if they have pies stored somewhere? I would love to see the admins' faces in pies.}

"Oooh, that's a brilliant idea, Yuna!"

Rhodo rubbed his chin. "My pastry senses are tingling, what's up?"

"And they're spot on, once again! Where do they keep the pies? The admins deserve their least favorite pie all up in their mean faces!"

"I like the way you guys think. Conveniently enough a grunt had a birthday the other day and they ordered a crazy amount of pies. They're in the large fridge in the cafeteria."

A vein on Eclipse's forehead bulged. "They put us through all that shit an' they're over here gettin' more pies than they're even gonna eat?! Oh I'm gonna make sure they choke on 'em."

Mama rolled her eyes, smiling to herself. {Far from the most heinous crime they have committed, but nonetheless.} She looked at Rhodo. {I am certain all involved would want you to stay, but we mustn't arouse suspicion.}

Rhodo checked his watch and frowned. "You're right, I'm sorry guys, but I have to leave now. Jean's grunts are serving food to everyone else, but security will notice if I stay too long in one room."

I hugged Rhodo again, clenching my fists before signing. |We'll make sure to punch 'em lots for you!|

Koko ran up to hug him too. "We're gonna be brave and get back to our families!"

Hazel came up slower, but hugged him all the same. "Be safe, okay?" Vivian ran up to nuzzle him after.

Eclipse just nodded at him silently, but that was enough. Yuna sat by her side, looking up at him.

Mama looked Rhodo in the eye, determination burning from her. {Tomorrow? We bask under the sun once more. And Galactic will burn under its radiance.}

As soon as Mama said 'radiance' I swore I saw Rhodo sparkle. I gave him a weird look, poking his belly. |Are you secretly a Hybrid too?|

"Am I a Hybrid? Last I checked no, but in these parts that could change fast. Although… now that I think about it… I do I have some parting gifts for all of you. Gifts that you all deserve."

"You had gifts all this time?" Koko squeaked.

Mama raised an eyebrow. {Nothing that would incriminate any of us prematurely, I would hope?}

Rhodo read Mama well. "Nope. Honestly, until now I had forgotten I had them with me. They're harmless, but they have a bit of a funny story to them. A few years ago, a friend and I encountered a strange individual, a fortune teller of sorts. They gave me three tarot cards and told me that I was going to meet three people who I should gift the cards to. At the time I hadn't given it much thought, but talking to you all like this, I now understand why they were given to me and why this is the perfect moment."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a simple card with an intricate blue border and pattern on the back, but nothing but a black space in the center. "Hazel? Vivian? I believe this belongs with you two." He held out the card to them.

Hazel looked at it curiously, then nodded slightly before taking it. The face of the card seemed to shimmer before thin, colored lines dashed across the blank space. The card drew itself, depicting Hazel with her eyes closed and much more at peace holding Vivian sitting in her arms. Around her were blooming flowers of all colors, and a river to either side of her. Above her the card stayed darker, but dotted with white specks, seven of which larger than all the others. The back of the card had seven of the same white specks, twinkling as they grew and shrank slowly.

Hazel stared in awe of the card, Vivian climbing up to get a good look at it. {That's so cool! How'd you do that?!}

"I… didn't…?" She whispered, looking at Rhodo in wonder. Even he seemed surprised that happened, but shrugged and gave her an honest smile.

"Number 17 of the Tarot, the Star Arcana," Rhodo spoke gently. "It represents hope in the face of adversity, faith beyond doubt, a positive outlook and a healthy spirit. It may not feel like it, but you two are blessed with some of the most pure hearts I've ever witnessed. Despite everything that has happened, what you've been put through, you both still have hope for a better tomorrow. Faith that no matter what happens, the suffering will end and peace will reign. There are those that consider kindness a weakness and they would take advantage of that. But all I see around you is a family that would do everything to ensure your safety and you, in turn, ensure their health."

Rhodo knelt down to brush aside Hazel's hair and scratch Vivian's ears. "It is my hope that one day you'll both find solace in your lives and will be able to spread that healing to countless others in need. Just as you have here."

Hazel and Vivian nodded, Hazel holding the card close. Mama looked on intrigued while Eclipse tilted her head. "I thought you said you met a fortune teller, not became one."

"And are you like magic or something? Why does the card look exactly like them!?" Koko asked.

"Trust me, I'm no fortune teller, but I do remember all of their meanings. As for why it did that? Hmmm… I think you'll find out when you're free," Rhodo mused.

{The will of the world works in mysterious ways,} Mama said simply.

"There's so much we need to see…" Koko whispered to herself as she turned to Hazel, holding her hands. "Rhodo said a lot of pretty words and I think they fit you and Vivian perfectly. We won't let anyone hurt you guys, so please watch out for us, okay? You're our sisters too!"

Hazel nodded, wiping her eyes with her other hand. "O-of course… Thank you all, so much."

Vivian nodded in kind. {Honestly. You've been with us through everything. There's nothing we can say that'll come close to telling you how much that means to us.}

I hugged them both. |Of course, what's family for?|

Rhodo watched us patiently as he reached for the next card. He glanced at it solemnly. "Eclipse? I believe this is the card that should go with you, Koko and Yuna." Rhodo held out the card to her explicitly.

Eclipse started in surprise, nodding her head to Koko. "Not Koko?"

He shook his head. "You don't wanna see it sparkle in your hands?"

"Come on, sis! It looks like fun!" Koko insisted. "You deserve to play with the sparkles!"

{I promise I won't nibble on this one,} Yuna joked.

Eclipse rolled her eyes, shook her head and took a breath before nodding. "Sure, okay."

When she took the card from Rhodo, the same lines that shone out from the other glowed, full of life. They quickly began delicately inscribing another picture; a lake with an island in the center, trees on either side of the bank as a river went through the middle. Two large, ornate towers stood on either of the banks behind the trees. Two different kinds of Lycanroc stood on each bank facing each other, while Eclipse and Koko lay curved, making two halves of a circle on the island with Yuna in the middle. In the dark sky above, a huge gray circle shone gently over everything. The water seemed to flow around the island, and on the back there was a faint circle with a much more clear white crescent.

Eclipse just looked at it in awe, turning it so Koko and Yuna could see.

{I would say it's like nothing I've ever seen, but we've just seen something similar from Hazel and Vivian's card. Still magnificent though…} she said softly.

Koko gasped in awe. "It's so beautiful… it even has Midday and Midnight Lycanroc with Yuna in the middle with us! Sis, you and I are all curled up, like yin and yang, I think it's called?"

"Number 18 of the Tarot, the Moon arcana," Rhodo said in a chill tone. "It represents the uncertainty of our future, the confusing feelings that riddle our being, the complex thoughts we muster, but also the intuition to see through them all."

Rhodo looked straight at Eclipse, his face was sterner, but not unkind.

"Eclipse, you're a wild one. You're a driven force true to herself and others, one who prefers action over words. You are also filled with deep seeded rage… but that does not mean that's all you are. It's a core asset of yourself, trying to forcibly set it aside won't work. You've got to feel it. Which is why I hope that one day in the future you won't have to set aside your anger, rather you won't have anything to be angry about. That you can live your life with a free mind, unshackling the chains on your heart. Rather than breaking them." His expression relaxed. "Until that day, go wild. Find what will make you happy. Just don't destroy everything you already have to do so. Your family will be thankful for it and I hope you will be too."

Eclipse looked silently at the card, then Koko and Yuna. Her fist clenched slightly before she looked back at Rhodo.

"It'd be nice…" she mumbled quietly to herself. Rhodo hummed in response as he turned to Koko.

"Koko, you're the tempered one. All this time I've seen you struggle for stability of mind, body and situation. You're often lost in your thoughts, both good and bad, but there's so much you can experience if you act a little bit impulsively. You're a growing child, you'll have time to learn who you are. If you're worried about your future or whether you'll be a burden, just keep in mind your family, everyone you've met in Helheim? They're all here to support you on whatever path you feel is best for you. If you wish to help others, know this: Helping comes naturally when you know who you are. Since once you know how to help yourself, you can finally extend that help to others."

Rhodo's words resonated deeply with Koko. She fiddled with hands, thinking deeply once again before responding. "I'll try."

Rhodo nodded before scanning between them, his gaze falling on Yuna.

"You three will always walk together, I'm sure of that, but each in her own step. If there are sides, there's always a middle ground and Yuna resides there. You understand when the wild one must bare her fangs, but also when she must consider her options carefully. You know that knowing how to plan is important, but you've still gotta consider the power of your gut feelings. Understanding and utilizing each aspect while never devoting yourself to either creates a healthy dynamic for all of you as it opens up a bevy of new options. I know you've been through a lot yourself, but please make sure everyone doesn't get lost in their negative thoughts, alright?"

Yuna barked in acknowledgement. {I will do my utmost!}

"All of this may sound a bit confusing, but that's the Moon for ya. Confusing, but integral for our planet and life," Rhodo finished."

{And we'll be right there with you to make it a bit simpler!} Vivian yipped in encouragement.

Finally, Rhodo turned to me and Mama. His expression cheery and light, no more of his signature weak Rhodo smiles. This one was bright.

He reached into his pocket one last time and took out a card "I was unsure about these cards before, but now I'm certain. This one belongs to you two. This is my gift to you, Aurora." He extended the final card towards me.

I nodded, looking at the card. Looking at it up close, the blank spot seemed… almost excited. I wasn't sure if it was like that for everyone else and I was just noticing it now, or what. But all the same, I reached out my hand and gently took it.

My fingertips tingled the moment they touched the card, lights flaring to life. They flickered and danced like the flames me and Mama would make before merrily burning an image across the blank space. Colors intertwined and light seemed to shine from the trails made before it finally stopped.

In the blank space stood me and Mama in a snowy clearing. A small, icy tree was in the background and pine trees formed a circle around the clearing. I had my hands on my heart with my eyes closed, a small fire at my chest. Meanwhile, Mama stood right with me, her tails curving upwards towards the sky. Unlike the other two, this sky was bright as a blazing, golden sun shone brightly above everything. The few clouds there were parted in a wide clearing around it, the snow capped trees glistening in the light.

My heart felt fuller, just seeing it. Seeing how brightly it shone, and how it showed me and Mama together. Outside, and at peace.

When I turned it to show to Mama, there was a flash of another picture on it. We were there, I was sure of it, and we were… floating? Mama's tails made one part of a symbol I could make out in the flashes, an infinity sign. There were more details, but I couldn't make out anything else clearly enough.

Rhodo looked like he had something to say about it, but put it aside.

"Number 19 of the Tarot, the Sun arcana," Rhodo said in a light tone. "It represents the radiant joy of life, vitality and vigor to keep press on and inspire, confidence in yourself and those you trust and the shining truth you will not hide."

"When we first met, you were a little girl with no memories of her past, yet your identity was strong. All this time you've wanted to see the sun when to others, you are the sun. Your will to keep going is infectious and your drive to never give in inspires others to do the same." Rhodo knelt down before me, hand on his heart. "Once you leave here you'll be exposed to a lot. Too much for any of us to prepare you for and it will be overwhelming. Do not try and make sense of it immediately, you need time to rest and prioritize your own recovery. I know you love your family, but everyone will take their time to heal in their own ways and you need to take yours too."

"Your light has been dimmed throughout everything, but during this time you've met so many people of all walks of life and you're going to meet more. The world won't exactly have a place for you yet, but I know you won't stop working until it does and generations from now will commend and thank you for it."

"Galactic tried to blot out your light and they will try to haunt your spirit, but they will never break it. It's okay to feel weak sometimes, you don't always have to be strong. In the outside world there will be new scary things, things that Galactic has made you see as evil or just feel unfamiliar and wrong. While everything is definitely not good or right, the world is far too complex to be black and white. Just keep heart that this is a world filled with good people and some bad. Your family will be there to help you navigate through it all. So just stay true to yourself and you'll shine bright."

Mama smiled, looking at the card with me. {An accurate depiction of your self, I would say. And a picture we will soon make reality.}

I hugged Mama and Rhodo tight. He returned the hug before turning to Mama with a furrowed brow, rubbing his chin. "Ivane… as you already know, slotting a person's entire identity into a neat binary ain't all that simple, especially with something as abstract as Tarot. We vary all throughout our lives, we may align ourselves with one more strongly than others, but we're never truly just one. I think that's the case with you. You're a lot more than just The Sun," He surmised.

"But I still don't think it's inaccurate. I may not be able to understand your words, but I've grown to understand your meaning. You've become a warm, motherful figure for all of these children and even many adults. I can't speak for your entire life… but from where I am? Being around you reminds me of the revitalizing heat of the tropics. For me, there is no better sensation."

Mama smiled up at him. {You've quite the story and air about yourself for a human. I look forward to hearing more of it one day. Perhaps we may exchange our own tales.}

I nodded, smiling. |Thanks, Rhodo. For everything.|

"No, thank you. Now come on everyone, one last hug before I go!" He smiled back. He knelt down and gave me one last hug. Koko, Hazel and Vivian joined in quickly. We stayed like that for what felt like forever. Even Eclipse stood close, even if she wasn't in the hug. We didn't want to let go.

But we had to, eventually.

Once we let go, Rhodo turned his attention to everyone else. He gave us a two finger wave back at us all. "Until we meet again."

Hazel clasped her hands. "Let's finally breathe under the starry sky."

Koko fist bumped. "We can howl under the moonlight!"

I pointed upwards. |When we can see the sun together!|

He hummed in agreement. "Wherever we can taste the fresh air." With that he opened the door, pulled the cart out and spared us one last smiling glance before the door closed.

After Rhodo left, we cleaned up a bit. Instead of going right back to training, Mama showed us some X items he'd brought us; an attack one, and a special moves one for Yuna and Mama respectively. Apparently, they were like adrenaline in a bottle for Pokemon and we didn't know how it'd affect Hybrids, so me, Koko and Eclipse didn't get one.

What we could all use though was the map Rhodo had left us; on the muffin wrappers I held onto, there were diagrams drawn of the layout for the building. The floor we were on- basement 2- basement floor 1, and the ground floor. Mama pointed out the main escape route, and the route me, her, Eclipse and Yuna were gonna take to get out the signal.

Once we were all confident in what needed to be done, Mama put an ear to the door and let us know activity outside was slowing. Considering how we all felt kinda tired, that meant it was bedtime.

{I have a proposition for the night, if you would hear it,} Mama said calmly to us all.

Hazel gave her a curious look. "What's that?"

{Simply that we push the beds together and sleep as a group. You may find it far more comforting than otherwise, as I am sure Yuna can attest,} she explained.

Yuna nodded in agreement. {It always helps us sleep easier when we sleep as one.} She looked around. {Any objections?}

Hazel shook her head as Vivian smiled. {I think it'd be fun!}

Eclipse just glanced at Koko and shrugged, not saying anything. Koko hid most of her surprise, but turned to Mama. "We don't mind, let's try it!"

Mama only needed to see my smile for my answer. {Then let us begin.}

Me and Eclipse pushed the beds together; unlike the ones in Helheim, they weren't bolted to the floor. Then everyone moved all the pillows together in a big pile, the covers much better when there were a bunch of them.

Mama nodded towards the wall. {That is a light switch, my child. Move it down gently.}

I nodded, walking over and doing so. The lights above us flicked off, unlike the dimming that happened in Helheim. I had a sudden urge to quickly flip it up and down over and over again really fast, but decided against it.

Maybe that's a backup signal for emergencies, or it'd make Galactic mad or something. Don't wanna risk it.

Since everyone could see just fine in the dark, we all got into a pile on the beds. Eclipse more towards the back, with Koko right in her arms and Yuna curled around both of them along with Hazel and Vivian. Those two were curled up together, and I stayed close with Mama's tails around us all. She lay next to me, though.

{Goodnight, all. May rest come easily tonight.}

"Good night, sweet dreams everyone," Hazel murmured tiredly.

{Get ready for tomorrow!} Vivian said, hope cutting through her exhaustion.

Yuna was close to sleep, but not letting herself fall asleep until Koko had. Eclipse was more blatant about making sure she was comfy and felt safe. Meanwhile, Koko was seconds away from conking out for the night.

"Good night everybody," She yawned loudly as she made herself comfortable.

|G'night. I love you,| I signed to everyone.

From how they all felt more at ease after, they all saw it.

One by one, everyone else fell asleep. Soon, it was just me and Mama awake.

She looked at me, worry in her eyes. {Are you prepared, my child?}

I nodded. |It's the first thing I've been ready for,| I signed before hugging her around her neck.

She nudged me into a more comfortable position, resting her head against me. We didn't need to say anything else.

Who knew what was gonna happen tomorrow. Or if either of us would be alive by the end of the day. All we knew is that we were gonna protect each other, fight until our last breath, and make sure Galactic never forgot who they screwed with.

~~Dream World, Year 8520, ?~~

"Tomorrow's the big day, huh?" Rhea said, hope in her heart and a smile on her face. "You've come so far to get here. And we'll be with you every step of the way."

The pink sky above shone with a crescent moon, making the snow all around us glitter. We were by the fountain, and everyone was all gathered around.

{So close! Hope see sky soon!} Spiri cheered.

I nodded, hugging him close and smiling at Rhea. [We're gonna do our best!]

Owain pumped his fist before posing dramatically. "I may lack corporeal form, but I assure you, I will make certain records of your escape persist through time immemorial! Not even the sky itself is the limit!"

Sue bowed her head, smiling at me. {We can do this.}

Arvis walked in alongside them with a hot cup of coco. "I'll be rooting for ya, kiddo. Show'em what for and make Galactic be the one's stressin' out for once."

Mango hopped onto his head. {We won't lose!}

My ears flicked as I gave everyone a hopeful look. [We're gonna be free!]

Rhea hugged me tight. "You will. And I can't wait to see you look up at the sky."

~~Veilstone, Galactic Headquarters, Year 8520, ?~~

We'd woken up, had food, did hygiene stuff and stretched. All that was left was for things to start.

We all sat scattered across the room. There weren't any clocks in the room so we weren't sure what time it was, but Mama made sure we had enough time to finish everything we needed to do. Now all we had to do was wait.

No one was talking, each in our own thoughts. Our gear was hidden in our clothes, ready to be used at a moment's notice. Hazel and Vivian sat on the bed shuffling their feet, Eclipse stood near the door tapping her foot, Koko was prepping the synthetic arm she wore while Yuna stood guard. Mama and I sat together, watching the door in silence. Save for our heartbeats, breathing and the ever constant hum of the collars.

Without warning, there was a small fizzle from each of the collars on our necks. The persistent hum that'd followed us everywhere died out, and they went quiet.

Now! Hurry!

Immediately, my hands went around it as I snapped it in two and crushed it. There was a small crunch as the metal and circuitry inside collapsed like a dry leaf, and I threw both pieces against a wall. They clattered to the floor listlessly, small sparks fizzling out from the torn wires.

For a brief moment, I let myself feel relief. Of finally being able to feel the skin on my neck unhindered, without the ever present press of metal against it. Without the worry of being electrocuted every time I got upset, from my abilities flaring up with my emotions. Knowing Galactic's chain on me was broken.

Eclipse and Koko had done much the same, and the three of us helped Mama, Yuna and Vivian get theirs off. As soon as Vivian's snapped, I threw it aside and did the same for Hazel. She shuddered slightly, wincing even though nothing happened. I hugged her quickly.

It's fine. It's gonna hurt, but it's gonna be fine. We're gonna be free.

Then, from beyond the door, we heard Paris' voice echo. "Together we ride!"

{Let us begin!} Mama barked shortly.

Eclipse nodded, cracking her knuckles and forcing her hands underneath the door. There was a pained wrenching sound as the mechanism holding it in place screamed in protest, metal bending and cracking.

It was futile.

Eclipse ripped the door from its frame, wires and gears snapping and falling haphazardly against the floor. She tucked it under an arm as Mama led us all running out of the room. I grabbed Ki from the bed, making sure she came with us. Rhodo's gift to me.

The hallway before us was different from the ones in Helheim; still with dark steel floors and walls, but less pristine. Rather than lamps embedded in the ceiling, protected by thick slabs of tempered glass, there were lights hanging lazily from the ceiling with other tubes of glass and wire glowing on the walls. Boxes were piled up at the sides of the hallway, and keycard readers sat exposed next to the doors.

They weren't ready.

Doors were being torn down all along the hallway; Benny tearing through one door, Yvonne crushing another, Arden cutting another to ribbons. The few grunts patrolling around didn't have time to yell in surprise before they were dispatched as quickly as the doors.

One was slammed roughly against a wall by Benny, another getting knocked out cold from a punch to the face from Leanne. A sideswipe from Bors took care of another, and Paris shot the communicator the last was reaching for before Legolas swooped down on him and engulfed him in vines.

I hugged Hazel and Vivian, the sudden commotion falling into the background of everyone shuffling around quickly. We all knew where we needed to be. I gave her Ki quickly, knowing she'd be safe with her. |Stay safe!|

She nodded as Vivian stood on her shoulder. {I'll make sure of it!}

They ran to the group in the back, Garland and Dijon meeting up with them immediately with their reassuring presence. Some of the larger Hybrids were picking up Ninian, Nils and the other aquatic Hybrids who didn't have legs to walk. Ron and Rush waved them over, huge smiles on their faces and excitement literally sparking from them. Guinevere was making sure most of the kids were calm enough to stay together.

Eclipse held Koko tight, the door clanging to the floor as she did. "Kick some ass an' meet up with us soon, aight?"

Koko returned the hug just as tight. "You won't even have time to miss me."

She already does.

Yuna curled around them both. {The earth stands with us. We will not fall!}

They then split, Koko running with her hatchet in tow to Mabel and Haley, who were ending a similar exchange with Benny and Bors. The Hybrid pair kissed each other before parting reluctantly. They looked loath to leave each other's sides, but as soon as Benny, my Pa, turned around? His face hardened, rolling his shoulders and getting ready.

He's done this before. And he's gonna make sure he gets through this like he did then.

Me, Mama, Eclipse and Yuna ran over quickly to Paris and Legolas. A small group was gathering around her, much smaller than the other two behind us. Benny and Bors came up with us, Leanne and Yvonne following right behind. Naoko and Shio were already there, knives made of solid water in hand. Isadora held a single edged knife, standing with Wilona. Elpis cleared a way, Clive right beside her as Lucia and Arden came up running right behind them, both holding twin energy swords. Jean and Indra were the last to come in, Jean holding a baton similar to the one she'd had before.

"Is everyone prepared?" Paris asked quickly, her hand tight around her makeshift bow. Legolas stood, wings folded, right beside her. Time was of the essence, but so was making sure we didn't trip over ourselves.

Benny and Bors nodded. I could feel their familiarity with the battlefield we were about to go sprinting onto, but they both felt less resentful of this one. This was a cause they knew was worth fighting for, one that couldn't end with diplomacy. Either we ran through Galactic's forces, or they ran us over.

Leanne rolled her neck, her wings buzzing excitedly as her tail smacked against the ground. "You bet your ass we are!" Kano buzzed in agreement. They were both more than ready to make sure no one else had to go through the misery that'd been forced on them. Their gentleness was reserved for peaceful times. Now it was time for Galactic to see why them choosing to settle down was because of a desire for peace, not lack of strength.

Naoko and Shio simply nodded silently, each flipping their knives around to hold them backhanded. They rarely said much, but it was clear from their stance. Situations like this were exactly what they'd been training for their entire lives, with techniques new to even Paris. They were steeled, ready to engulf Galactic in the very shadows they'd plunged us all into.

Isadora laughed, part nervous, part excited. "This is a helluva lot more intense than anything back home. I can't wait for things to get boring again." She'd always wanted to get away from her life at Highshire, but Helheim was never preferable to simply boredom.

{Much as I'm surprised at myself, I agree wholeheartedly,} Wilona purred. She kneaded the ground with her claws anxiously, tail swishing quickly back and forth. Together with Isadora, they were going to return to their family. Get back to their peaceful days.

"Guess my lessons with you're paying off now, huh?" Lucia mentioned to Arden, her blades humming quietly, a soft glow emanating off of them. Like me, her body was reformed into something she was much more comfortable with by a whim of fate. And we were going to use every single iota Galactic gave us, willing or no, to tear them down.

{And there is no better use for them,} he agreed readily. Their long days together, helping each other navigate through a darkness neither would've imagined in their worst nightmares, were coming to an end. Now, they would cleave open a path to the light we all so sorely missed.

Elpis looked down at me. {Do not fear, Aurora. None will stop us from following right behind you.} She then looked dead ahead, her crest humming with power. She was the attempt of some colonizers to recreate a deity to use as just a tool for their own ambitions, and she'd refused to just be something for them to use. She stood with me, making certain that I'd have the same chance at life she did.

Clive nodded, ruffling my hair. "This ain't my first rodeo, and I know you can do this. You're great at doing exactly what Galactic hates." He'd helped Elpis escape before, and he was gonna help us all escape again. He'd told me stories about how he took the pictures for books full of beautiful places in the world. He'd promised me that we'd see them together.

I smiled at them as Eclipse cracked her knuckles, her eyes turning blood red. "Time for some payback." Galactic ruined their lives even before Helheim, and had come to finish the job. But she refused to let them have their way. They'd hurt her, Koko, Yuna, their family that was waiting for them, the family lost within the past few months, the family long since past. And she'd make sure they hurt as much as she had.

Yuna growled savagely in agreement, her eyes turning from emerald to scarlet as she prepared for combat. {It will be a bloodbath!} She'd been with Eclipse through it all, and helped raise Koko into who she is today. She'd watched her family fall apart, and helped put it back together. And she wasn't about to let Galactic break them apart again.

Jean let out a large breath, looking at Indra. "Okay, raise hell, act two." She looked back at Paris and Legolas. "Ready as we're gonna be." Someone who'd been coerced by Galactic. With the best of intentions, just wanting to do something good in the world. And Galactic used that kindness to further something cruel. She didn't stand for it, and she stood against it as surely as she stood up for us.

{Let's show them our thanks for being so forthcoming with their true intentions, shall we?} Indra said darkly. He blamed himself for not steering Jean away from Galactic, for not parsing out their true intentions sooner. But now wasn't the time for looking back and holding onto regret. Now was the time for action, and vengeance. Setting things right.

Mama looked at Legolas. {Myself and my child stand ready.} She's had a long life, seen many things. She stepped away from the world after having helped an uprising of Pokemon before, hoping for some peace. Hoping for humans to change. They hadn't. And she was going to raze them to the ground for it.

I clenched my fists, the brass knuckles comfortably on my fists. Loose enough to get off quickly if I needed to, but I didn't need to. A part of my heart twinged, the weapons reminding me of the collar that I'd only just gotten off my neck. But these weren't like that. They were plastic, see-through and with only a strip of metal on the outer side to aid in my punches' impact. They might even snap in the battle ahead of us.

But I wouldn't.

Legolas simply blinked in response. {Good. We fly together.}

He looked at Paris, who raised her bow in the air. "Today, the sun shines on us once more! Let us make certain Galactic rues the day when they thought we would be nothing more than pawns in their scheme!"

Everyone roared in approval at once, heads, hands and countless other types of limbs held high. White light shone from my body, shimmering as my body lightened.

Time to get the hell outta here.

As one, we shot forwards. The thundering roar of footsteps and wingbeats followed behind us, distance growing between us but following doggedly all the same. Legolas and Yvonne flew through the air beside Paris and Leanne, while the rest of us took stride after stride forwards.

Every door we passed was utterly demolished; a single strike from Benny and Bors in passing crumpled the solid steel doors like old cardboard. We were far past them by the time they clanged to the ground, the world around us seeming slower from our speed. Eclipse kept reaching out her hands, tearing off doors, stockpiling a stack of twisted metal slabs as she ran.

Leanne and Yvonne bolted forwards right alongside Paris, at the head of the group. Ready to raise their guard, or raise hell. Not a single grunt we came across was at all prepared; some were still talking into a microphone casually, some were coming out of rooms, some were carrying a box or two.

Each one was choke slammed, lashed with a thick tail, shot and pinned to the wall, or flung against the wall like a toy. Their bodies went limp, sliding down walls. The eyes of a few were fluttering, or rolled back into their heads.

I ran right with Mama, in the center of everyone. They didn't want me using too much energy before, so the signal I made would be as big as possible. I was slightly sad before that I wouldn't be punching as many people as early. That sadness had been replaced with halfhearted relief that I wouldn't have to see as much bloodshed from being in the middle of everyone, obscuring my view.

In passing, I'd register the rooms we blasted past. They either had no one in them, or a few dozen souls all gathered together. I didn't have time to count, or register who they all were. All that mattered was that the door between them and freedom was being decimated. Giving them the same chance at freedom we were giving ourselves.

{They're starting to gather themselves,} Wilona called out, ears perked. She and Isadora were in charge of letting the rest of us know what stood right ahead of us. {The element of surprise will soon be lost. Let's make the most of it while we still have it!}

As we kept running and skidded around a corner, several grunts stood in our way, putting their hands on the Pokeballs on their belts. Too slowly.

"Stop-" One began.

Before they could even unclip them, Eclipse flung every door she'd ripped off at them at once, howling in rage. Their screams were soon followed by sprays of blood and the cracks of bone shattering against the assault, then metal grinding against metal as the doors skidded onwards.

I felt a twinge in my heart, but nothing much else.

They were trying to keep us here. Trying to let Galactic kill us all. We can't worry about whether they're okay or not.

"No enemy pokemon released, keep moving!" Isadora reported.

Each new grunt or group of them we came across was dispatched just as quickly.

Naoko and Shio almost shot out of their shadows, stabbing them or slitting their throats and leaving them to bleed out on the floor. Eclipse's hands were quickly stained with blood, as any grunt who got close enough to her had their ribcage crushed as quickly as their throat. Yuna tore out huge gashes from their legs and sides, making certain they wouldn't be causing any issues for us. Elpis barely needed her razor sharp claws to make certain they wouldn't stand anymore, the force from her strikes alone was enough to send them flying away from us.

Focusing on Mama's furious calm helped me not get overwhelmed by the stench of blood, the screams of pain and cracks of bone now filling the air.

Lucia and Arden's swords were streaks of greenish light and scarlet smears, humming through the air as they tore large slices through each grunt. The wounds were almost cauterized after, the smell of burning flesh now mixing with the other foul odors. Clive clotheslined some grunts with an arm as we ran past, dropping them as quickly as we ran forwards.

"No enemy pokemon released yet, keep it up!" Isadora reported again.

"You won't escape! We won't let you escape!" A grunt shouted in the distance.

Jean and Indra's shockwaves rattled down the hallways, shattering lights overhead and causing the humans ahead of us to clutch their ears in pain. Legolas flew alongside Paris' strides, each of them loosing arrow after arrow into the quickly increasing horde of grunts before us. Into their elbows, knees, shoulders, ankles, shattering vital joints and neutralizing them. Not dead, but wishing they were.

Soon, I had to start jumping around the human bodies littering the floor to keep on solid ground. Leaping from wall to wall to ensure stability. I tried as hard as I could to not focus on the ones whose breathing stopped, whose chests were crushed, the ones with pools of blood much too large around them on the floor.

Mama knew it was the price they paid for what they'd done.

I knew I hated them, hated this, hated everything they'd done, hated that we had no other option.

None of this should've happened.

"Grunt with cargo, dead ahead!" Isadora called out quickly.

"Gerrof me, runt!" The grunt ahead, box in their arms, growled while shaking their leg.

{Leggo my friends!} Yelled a familiar voice, slightly muffled from something.

Li?!

I glanced around Leanne's beating wings to see Li, tugging on the pant legs of the grunt. They were trying to kick him off without letting the box tip over. An open Pokeball lay empty on the ground nearby, having fallen off the pile rising out of the box.

One glance backwards at me, embers starting to coil around me, was all Paris needed.

"Legolas!" She cried out.

{On it,} he said swiftly, flipping around midair and nocking two arrows in his wings. The grunt, only just now turning his head, didn't have time to exclaim in anything but pain as two arrows lodged themselves into the backs of his knees.

I won't let you take away everyone!

As the box was falling out of his arms, Pokeballs spiraling out as he fell forwards with his mouth agape, the world slowed further. I leapt forwards, kicking him hard in the back of the head.

The crunch of his nose breaking as his face slammed against the floor was quickly drowned out by the cacophony of Pokemon being released. Pokeballs clattering against the floor as bright light filled the hallway, forming into silhouettes we didn't have time to identify.

{Rora?} Li questioned.

Mama glanced at Li quickly. {Follow Koko!}

We didn't have time to wait for a response. Galactic was mounting their resistance, and who knew how much time we had before the admins or someone else came to stop us. We couldn't let up.

{Large squadron, pokemon already released! Be ready!} Wilona called out again.

Ahead of us stood two large, heavy steel doors, handles bored into either one. Faint scrape marks were on the floor in an arc leading away from them both. Benny and Bors charged ahead, slamming into each one with their shoulders. The doors swung out of the way with a loud clang, crashing against the walls and nearly breaking off their hinges.

The room ahead of us had dozens of huge boxes stacked up- often taped together- in all corners of the room. Some were knocked over, having been hastily shoved aside to make room for the group who stood in front of us. Their contents spilled out across the floor; papers, bottles, potions, ethers, X-items, colorful stones and much more. Their pokemon were already out, but they felt different. They were all ready to fight, but…

"Keep moving! This group isn't one to worry about!" Paris called out.

There was a spike of unease in everyone's hearts, but we'd gotten this far by trusting Paris. Now wasn't the time to go back on that.

One of the grunts at the lead laughed, pointing straight at us. "They're getting desperate! Take 'em-"

His eyes went wide. His sudden cough abruptly cut him off, choking the words about to leave his mouth to death. The Golbat in front of him looked back in shock, watching him fall limply to the ground. Behind him stood the same grunt who'd come to check on Jean and Indra, taking off the wig a bunch of grunts wore.

So not all of them actually have that hair, just a lot of them.

Five other grunts looked around in confusion, a stark contrast to the rest of the group acting as one. They quickly plummeted to the floor, the Pokemon in front of them looking around in confusion, lost. One or two seemed ready to attack, but looking at us and the group of grunts now all taking off their wigs? They decided against it and went to sit on some of the boxes out of our way. Watching how things would play out.

"The Sonar Corps are at your disposal, Captain Jean," said the grunt who'd come over, the Liepard standing next to him snickering at the fallen grunts.

Jean groaned good naturedly, shaking her head with a sigh. "I told you not to call yourselves that, it's such a goofy name." She looked over at us all mid stride, the group of grunts funneling into our wake. "He's Ragna, was my second in command. My squad was with me all the way, and stood by so they could help us later."

They're still Galactic though… I know Jean and Natalie are good, but are these ones? They helped us, but still… They don't feel like they wanna betray us, but you can't betray someone you were never on the side of anyway. I can't tell, there's too many and it's too crazy…

"I'd say we waited plenty long," Ragna groaned. "Convincing Saturn to let us go forwards was a bitch and a half."

Paris grimaced. "He's ahead then?"

He nodded, Paris looking forward again. The corridor ahead of us was empty, slightly cleaner, with the same style of large doors at the end of it. "The Admin Saturn and likely his battalion stand before us. Remember your roles, fight with your all and we will prevail!"

We slowed slightly so Benny and Bors could take the lead again, giving them the space they needed to smash open the doors once more. This time though, the doors went flying forwards, snapping off their hinges and tumbling across the ground.

There was a sudden gleam of twin orange streaks, heavy thuds against metal, and the doors were knocked to the side.

Saturn stood before us, one hand in a pocket and the other holding his forehead in exasperation. "You just had to make things difficult, didn't you?" He shrugged, shaking his head. "Can't say it was unexpected, though. You haven't known your place this whole time."

I stole a quick glance around the room. It was still smaller than the room we were kept in in Helheim, but not by too much. The walls, floor and ceiling were the same dark steel, but the lights above were embedded in the ceiling again. There were other huge double doors leading to other routes we didn't care about on the walls either side of us- though an ominous green glow snuck through the cracks of one- and a large stairwell on the far wall, with red banisters and tan steps leading upwards. It was easily large enough for seven people to walk side by side on it and still have room. And next to it were two large elevator doors.

In front of us stood Saturn, flanked by several dozen grunts and even more Pokemon. In front of him stood a Toxicroak leering at us all, venom already coating their hand spike. Just behind him were a towering Nidoking who looked down at us all like so many others in Galactic did; like we were lesser. A nuisance. Something to be disposed of.

A Bronzong swung slowly from side to side on the other flank, glaring at us. Their red eyes glowed with malice, the faint reverberations of a bell echoing throughout the room. An Alakazam floated with arms and legs crossed, as if we didn't even matter. As if we were just some unruly, clattering thing to be dealt with. A Sharpedo snapped their jaws angrily atop a localized whirlpool, the rushing vortex swirling entirely around them. Keeping them aloft, allowing them to move despite the lack of a pool or other body of water.

They stood firmly between us and our escape.

We slowed, taking a moment to evaluate everything but not backing down. Toxicroak laughed. {I thought you'd be more willing to throw away your lives! Did it just register how futile this little rebellion is?}

Saturn looked at Jean. "You know, it's such a shame you went turncoat on us. I thought we had a nice thing going."

I felt a deep disgust rise in both Jean and Indra's hearts as she glared at him, pushing down the bile in her throat. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you for so long."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Beg, tell me how much you love-"

She took a deep breath before leaning forwards, screaming at the top of her lungs. "Go fuck yourself, you lecherous bastard!"

The ensuing shockwave shattered all the lights overhead, rattling the metal panels making up the floor. Several opposing grunts and Pokemon held their ears and shut their eyes in agony, trying to block out the ear-splitting roar. Most of them, however, summoned a barrier that absorbed most of the blast. Alakazam was first among them, followed closely by Nidoking as a large shield of energy slowed the vibrations to little more than a tap.

Saturn smoothed out his hair before clearing out his ear with his little finger. "You're missing out, but oh well." He flicked his hand towards us lazily. "Kill them all."

{You'll die trying,} Elpis growled, a white ball of light gathering in her mouth. Streaks of energy spiraled inwards from her crest, growing the orb larger, brighter. Clive built up a large ball of light in his hands, swirling curiously. It seemed to almost absorb energy from the steel around us as it turned a light gray, then began to expand.

"We attack as one, then hold our position until backup arrives!" Jean yelled out. Her squad nodded, each grunt calling out various things.

"Liepard, Dark Pulse!"

"Magneton, Zap Cannon!"

"Starmie, Hydro Pump!"

"Lairon, Flash Cannon!"

And countless other attacks. Each Pokemon beside them charged up, aimed directly towards Saturn and his group.

I felt my heart rate slow, ever so slightly. If there was a time for them to backstab us, it'd be right now. And they're all pissed off at Saturn. We… actually have some allies who were part of Galactic. I guess Jean wasn't alone in being tricked…

A spiraling galaxy's worth of stars formed between Isadora's hands, beams of light scattering between her fingers all across the room. A similar white orb to Elpis' formed in Wilona's mouth, a low whine rising in volume.

Chaotic, crackling orbs of purple energy grew, hovering just in front of Jean's hands and Indra's mouth. Each one hummed dangerously, bolts of purple lightning arcing around and within. Threatening to burst forth at any moment

Saturn looked at the chorus of attacks being prepped to fire and groaned. "Of course. Everyone, Protect, Reflect, Light Screen, I don't care what it is, I want it used! We can't allow them to break through!"

We paid him no mind. He didn't have a say in the matter, even as the grunts around him scrambled to order the Pokemon beside them around. None of the coordination, the care that any of us had even between all of them.

Paris whipped her hand forwards, wings flared as she pointed directly between the two elevator shafts.

"Fire!"

Each and every Pokemon and Hybrid who'd built up energy sent it cascading forwards all at once. Concentrated into one point. Beams and orbs of energy melded into one gargantuan, spiraling multicolored beam. Bolts of lightning raced around the blast, crackling against the floor and walls it nearly razed through, the stars from Isadora helping guide it. Elpis stood at its origin point, crest faintly glowing with all the colors of the beam itself as she kept it targeted on our assailants. The beam's combined might outshone anything I'd seen before, casting shadows darting across the room as a powerful whine rushed behind the onslaught of light.

Galactic's grunts skittered about, ordering the Pokemon with them to throw up defensive moves. A third of them ran away in fear of the oncoming blast, deciding it wasn't worth it. The rest did what they could, throwing up shimmering wall after wall.

They were all forced to dive out of the way for fear of their lives.

Barrier after barrier shattered like thin sheets of ice, the shards spiraling and fading to nothingness as the unstoppable torrent of raw energy hurtled forwards. The metal wall between the elevators caved inwards without a hint of resistance. A mechanism hidden behind, the now exposed grinding of gears and hum of motors was quickly engulfed by the all consuming whine of the blast. The ground itself shook as anything in the way was vaporized.

The beam tore through the ground, sending dirt and stone flying to the sides as it slowly faded away. Motes of light trickled away from its path, the gouge in the floor and earth leaving a clear pathway right to the elevators.

{That's our cue, my child!} Mama called out.

We sprung into action, Galactic's paltry efforts to retake their position utterly futile. Several were injured, but their self preservation instincts kicked in quickly enough for no one to have died. Benny and Bors led the charge as Jean, Indra, Isadora, Wilona, Clive and Elpis formed a protective ring around us; Paris, Legolas, Leanne, Yvonne, Lucia, Arden, Eclipse, Yuna, Naoko, Shio, me and Mama. Flanking us on either side were Jean's squad, blasting Galactic further backwards, refusing to let them gain a centimeter of ground back.

{This is where our gauntlet truly begins, prepare yourselves!} Legolas called out.

As we reached one of the elevator doors, Benny and Bors ripped them apart in one smooth motion. Ahead of us was a large metal shaft, wires, steel beams and triangular supports running up the length of it. On either side were two large winches, currently immobile with two large, thick wires roped through each and extending upwards.

Benny and Bors walked in, tore away one winch's wires each and retreated out of the musty shaft itself. They had to heave the wires towards them, as from what Mama told me, similar wires were up above holding the elevator up.

They looked at each other, nodded, and together yanked the wires as hard as they could, muscles rippling as they did.

For scant moments, the two struggled; bodies tense and muscles tight against the tension of the metal wires. And then there were four loud, tearing snaps- each quickly following the last- ringing out through the elevator shaft. They were quickly followed by the scream of metal grinding against metal, hurtling closer and closer.

The thundering crash announced the arrival of the elevator, its doors still shut but rattling under the impact. Dust and debris shot up before falling back down as the ground shuddered again, steady thumps of the above wires coiling violently against the roof of the elevator car thumping out. I put my arms in front of my face instinctively, squinting my eyes.

Benny and Bors tore open the doors to the elevator itself, revealing several grunts laying flat on the ground and groaning weakly in pain. Badly injured, but alive.

The two then walked in, kicking aside the grunts, and together punched a hole in the roof of the car. The metal screeched in protest, its cries growing louder as they tore the hole open wider and wider.

As soon as the hole was easily large enough for us to pass through, they stepped away and beckoned quickly upwards.

{If Galactic is so keen on bringing us to hell, then let's bring it to them!} Yuna howled.

Paris and Legolas were the first to leap through the opening, Naoko and Shio darting through immediately after. Leanne glanced back, giving me a serious nod before leaping up with Yvonne helping her get the height needed. Eclipse and Yuna needed no convincing to launch themselves upwards.

Before we left, I quickly hugged Benny and Bors. My Pa and Papa. They returned it just as quickly, patting me on the back and throwing me up through the hole as Mama leapt after me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the second group coming forwards, a lot more Pokemon heading the charge than we'd left them with.

And then we were up inside the elevator shaft. Lit only by the occasional bulb on the wall, and the light shining from me as I kept up my Quick Attack.

Lucia and Arden came up behind us as Paris, Legolas, Leanne and Yvonne all spread their wings before taking flight. It was large enough for them to fly in a haphazard line one after another, Legolas and Yvonne ahead of their partners. Paris and Leanne both would falter every so often with their new wings, and Legolas and Yvonne would always catch them, help them reacquire their balance.

No one left behind.

Rocks shot out of the walls of the shaft at regular intervals, forming platforms for Eclipse and Yuna to more easily leap up. Naoko and Shio all but ran straight up the wall. I could see them using their knives to dig in and gain momentum every so often, but if you told me they could just run up walls? I'd believe you.
Meanwhile, me, Mama, Lucia and Arden leapt up the supports lining the walls. I watched Mama, ready to do my best to help if her leg caused her to falter and fall. Fortunately, her other three legs proved more than powerful enough to propel her from steel beams to the wall and back again.

{I've been injured worse scant months ago my child, I can handle this,} she reassured me. My heart eased slightly.

She won't let me go through this alone. And if either of us need help, we'll be there for the other.

"Remember, we make a direct path. Through the walls, to the front door for Aurora to send the signal. Eclipse, Yuna, you still ready for that?" Paris called down.

"You fuckin' know it!" Eclipse yelled back up.

{Walls are nothing, we'll break them as easily as Jupiter's spine!} Yuna howled in response.

"Leanne, Yvonne, you'll be the ones tanking for us. Ready yourselves for that," Paris continued.

Yvonne's wings buzzed more loudly for a moment in response as Leanne called back. "We'll show 'em we can take it just as good as we dish it out!"

I noticed us gaining on another set of elevator doors. Legolas thrust himself upwards with a powerful wingbeat, then nocked a feather arrow cracking with spectral energy. It left a dark purple streak as it flew through the air, passing right through the doorway and causing a muffled thump on the other side.

{To alert our allies of our progress,} he called down as he began flying again. {Let them know we encountered no issues on the ascent.}

"Lucia, Arden, Ivane, you'll be the ones beating back Galactic's forces with me and Legolas while Naoko and Shio pick people off where they can. Understood?"

{We will make it ever so clear why possession of weapons for humans was outlawed,} Arden called back up while leaping upwards.

"That doesn't apply to us anyway!" Lucia yelled.

Naoko and Shio simply gave quiet grunts of affirmation, focusing on the task before them.

{I will not let anyone assault my child, you have nothing to worry about,} Ivane responded.

Paris glanced back down. "Aurora, I know you want to fight, but your priority is to get out the signal and survive. I won't let any more of us be lost today, and that includes you. Get in hits if you can, but if you need to choose between fighting and running, run. We can handle ourselves."

As much as it hurt me to agree with her, I did. I so wanted to punch as many Galactic faces as I could. But I couldn't distract everyone just because I wanted some payback and risk getting us all killed. Even though I didn't say anything in response, my silence said all it needed to.

Making sure we all get out is the most important thing I can do. And it's super important. I won't let them down, not if I can help it.

Another elevator door was fast approaching, undeniably the one we'd be breaking through. Legolas and Yvonne hovered near it while Paris and Leanne landed, holding onto the supports. Naoko and Shio just sat on the wall next to the doors while we caught up.

One final stone platform thrust itself out from the wall, right underneath the double doors as Eclipse and Yuna leapt up onto it.

"'Bout time I got to tear open another door," Eclipse growled to herself. Her eyes glowed crimson as she forced her hands between the two doors, her tail tensing and curling as she strained to force them open.

Gears and metal creaked in denial, but were quickly overcome as she wrenched them apart. A steady stream of grunts were urgently sprinting past, but stopped short in shock at seeing us.

"Wha- how did you-"

"Comin' through, motherfuckers!"

Eclipse slammed her fist into one grunt's ribcage, then whirled around and grabbed the face of another before slamming them to the ground. Yuna mauled the face off a third as Mama seared the area around us, forcing the others to retreat lest they burn to ash.

Paris quickly pointed towards the wall directly in front of us. "Dead ahead; Eclipse, Yuna, go!"

They didn't need to be told twice. The two crashed through the wall, howling in rage. Plaster, brick and metal flew every which way as we shot forwards behind them. The room before us was filled with grunts; some with lab coats, others standing, a maze of desks, computers and monitors scattered throughout the room. They were all launched violently to the side as Eclipse and Yuna hurtled forwards, the din of screams and wood snapping ringing through the air.

A sudden chill went down my spine. Mama glanced at me momentarily, then pricked her ears upwards. Her face contorted into a scowl. {Silas!}

All our heart rates quickened. If we weren't on a timer before? The ticking clock was loud in our ears.

Grunts dove desperately out of the way as we barreled towards the far wall relentlessly. A few scattered attacks made their way towards us; a blob of poison here, a rush of wind there. We dodged some, Leanne and Yvonne's retaliatory attacks clashing with the others before continuing. Naoko and Shio made certain that anyone who attacked us would only ever get that one attack off.

The air's much fresher now. We're getting close!

As we crashed through another wall, we found ourselves in some unholy narcissism room. The walls were painted dark blue, with white spots scattered everywhere and the yellow Galactic G emblazoned all around. Books, tech stuff, posters, various random items that were like if you made Galactic's horrors into toys sat all around us.

My blood boiled at the sight.

I caught a glimpse of Katherine, the grunt who'd gotten Paris the deck of cards, looking over in shock out of the corner of my eye. She seemed to have paused by whatever this store of misery was. Like she didn't know if Galactic was actually evil after everything they'd done, or something else idiotic.

This is what I think of your fucking lies!

Even as we sped through the room, my hands wreathed themselves in raging fire. I threw roaring fireballs at every shelf I could, leaving none untouched. Each one was quickly consumed hungrily by the scarlet orange flames, smoke rising as whatever cruel joke this place was burned to ash.

I didn't give a shit what Katherine felt about it, whatever her negative emotions meant. I just felt glad that Mama felt as satisfied as I was.

Fuck you. Fuck you AND your stupid whatever that shit was!

Eclipse and Yuna stormed through another wall, and as the rubble cleared from before us? Something new was in front. A room, the like of which I'd only ever seen on the map Rhodo gave us.

It was large, barely smaller than the room we were held in before. There were plants and metal benches placed around, along with a square desk sitting next to the hole in the wall we'd just busted through. A grunt had fallen off their chair, a bunch of little gadgets and screens on their side of the desk. Small screens were suspended from the ceiling, showing some sort of video with Cyrus spouting off his bullshit. Stairs led up to upper balconies on each side, with little round desks with domes above them dotted throughout. The tiles below us were a light brown, clacking as we ran across them. Different from the metallic clang I was used to.

None of that was what was important.

Glass windows shone embedded in gray metal walls, and large glass double doors stood. The only metal parts on them were the handles, and the hinges connecting them to the walls. It was bright past them; brighter than my eyes were used to. I could see smears of green, blue and brown as my eyes began to adjust.

A quick glance to the side, and the stairwell to our left was being quickly devoured by shadows. The light in the area was being sucked out as manic laughter echoed down the hall.

"Aurora!" Paris yelled out.

{Now, my child!} Mama howled urgently.

The white light that surrounded me throughout this entire effort seared brighter as I pumped my legs, forcing myself to sprint as fast as I possibly could. Rocketing forwards, sending the couple grunts in my way careening to the sides with no time to react. Headed straight for the entrance.

Locked? Not locked? No time!

I covered my face with my arms, crashing through the glass doors.

A spray of twinkling glass shards erupted around me, their gentle tinks reminding me of ice as they spun slowly through the air. My eyes adjusted to show me something that put the nature room to shame as I lowered my arms.

I leapt over not metal, but cool gray stone squares all tiled together. There was a metal railing around the edge of the tiled area, and the ground itself curved downwards away. More stones formed steps that led down the hill and onto a path, headed towards buildings larger than I'd ever imagined. They reached out for the sky itself, little shelves outside some of them with plants. The same stone path led through them, and people in the distance walked on them; humans, Pokemon, hopefully Hybrids.

All around us, large trees stood proudly, some as high as smaller buildings. Their verdant leaves rustling calmly in the wind. The wind. The air moved gently around me, flowing through my tails, my hair, my fur, making the edges of my shirt ripple softly. The air smelled cleaner, purer than anything I'd ever smelled before; the scents of dozens of separate things reached me. Leaves, flowers I'd only ever been told about, the smoke wafting out from inside the building, Pokemon I'd never met before.

And the sky.

Above us was an endless azure expanse, stretching out boundlessly in all directions. It shone over everyone and everything, inviting one and all to explore further than the eye could see. Beyond where your wildest dreams could take you. Wisps of white clouds drifted lazily across the sky, each gleaming brightly. And glowing brilliantly among them shone the sun, a distant orb of golden-white light that bathed everything beneath it in its warmth.

I could hear Pokemon everywhere; some chattering to themselves among the trees, snuffling around the hill, tweeting to each other as they flew in a group overhead. All free. All with the liberty to choose their own lives' course.

I registered all of that even before the first pieces of glass clattered against the stones beneath me.

I planted my feet against the ground and skidded to a stop, the clinking of glass announcing my arrival to the world. A few Pokemon voices quieted, curious at the sudden sound.

Here goes nothing!

I took a deep breath, gathered every ounce of strength I had within myself, and screamed.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

A roaring blaze engulfed me. Swirling, spiraling, upwards, outwards. A symphonic howl of ice and snow. Flames charred everything around me, the ground sizzling at the sudden mix of heat and chill. Ice shot into the air, bursting into motes of twinkling shards that caught the brilliant light from the sun.

The roars of the flames and my voice echoed outwards, faster even than the swiftly expanding dome of fire and frost. Bird Pokemon flew up from the trees; to help or hurry away, I didn't know. The Pokemon on the hill stopped, and the people far away amongst the buildings did the same. I couldn't make out details, especially not amidst the plumes of flame and flurries of snow whirling around me, but I was sure they were looking.

They have to be.

Who could ignore that?

If anyone can hear even half as well as me and Mama do, or see even a little bit, they'd notice.

I don't know how large this is. I don't know how loud I was.

I did my best.

For a moment, I took a breath. Of sweet, fresh air.

{Not the scream I would've ripped from you, but music to my ears all the same!}

My eyes widened, and I threw myself forwards just in time to dodge the gleaming ivory claws that tore through the air.

I planted my hand on the ground and spun around, readjusting. A window off to my right was shattered, shards of glass littering the ground in the same diagonal line Silas was launching from. Mama, Paris, Legolas, Leanne, Yvonne, everyone were defending the entrance, and I could already see a hailstorm of attacks coming to bombard them. Mama had turned to face me, but she couldn't run right at me.

Silas shot out a hand and entrenched his claws, carving gashes into the stone below us as he skidded to a stop. Directly between me, and my family.

Shit.

{Nowhere left to run, but please, try anyway! It'll be fun!} he cackled, blood red eyes boring into me, his toothy grin gleaming under the sun.

My eyes darted around, looking for something, anything to help me survive. No Pokemon were close enough to help. I couldn't try and fight Silas directly, he'd tear me to pieces. The dozens of battles I'd been forced into against him proved that time and again. I couldn't run faster than him, couldn't keep up Protects endlessly against him, couldn't stop him. Only slow him down.

Before, it'd end with me knocked out and in Rhodo's office, nursing a new scar as a reminder of another fight. Now? Everyone else was too busy to help. No one was close enough or fast enough to get him away from me.

Whatever I was going to do, I had to do it alone.

{Stuck like a Deerling in headlights, huh?} Silas chuckled, narrowing his eyes and smirking fiendishly. {C'mon, after all the good times we've had together? I'll cut this short if that's what you want!}

His claws glowed dark as light was sucked from the air. I clenched my fists.

I won't let him. I won't just sit here and let him kill me!

Before he could leap forwards again, I held out my hands. A green bubble shimmered to life, making a dull ringing as his claws scraped against it. I bolted towards the wall, a little ways away from the door.

He can outrun me. He can leap faster than me. But we're not in a box anymore. Maybe I can slow him down enough to keep him from killing me, and make sure everyone else doesn't have to deal with him as soon!

{Oh you wanted a head start?} he laughed, eyes trained on me as I sprinted past. {Go on, have fun! I'll count to one.}

I reached the wall, looking up with my hands flat against it. A single layer of windows stretched to either side on the deep blue wall, with another three layers of them stretching upwards on towers at the corners. Considering how I saw the roof close above both inside and out, and the gray roof of the towers was much higher, each layer had to be its own floor. Each window had a tiny ledge jutting out from the building itself, the white contrasting with the dark blue of the rest of the building.

{One.}

No time to think about it, just go!

I leapt upwards, grabbing the lip of the roof and launching myself forwards as the shattering of the bubble behind me rung out. The building continued on ahead of me, with two more larger towers at the far corners. Large metal spikes protruded from the sides of the building, while a huge dome sat in the center of the roof I was standing on. Pipes easily large enough for me to slide through were funneled into it in pairs close to the towers, and the large yellow G of Galactic sat right on the front of the dome above me. As thick as the doors we'd slammed through earlier. A huge yellow ring arched over the entire dome, casting a shadow on the ground below.

The scrape of claws from the ground below was just another reminder to keep going.

My body shone white again as my legs pumped against the smooth stone, bolting for the tower on my right. Once I was up to speed I leapt forwards, spun around in midair and threw a wall of ice behind me.

A thin slash of white as the wall split in two told me everything I needed to know. Like I thought, it'd only slow him down for fractions of a second.

Better than not at all!

I sprang skywards again, scrambling up the wall as quickly as I could. Zigzagging from window to window, the white streak behind me broken up by blocks of ice being shredded into jagged chunks and the streak of darkness and laughter right on my tails. The moment my fingers found purchase on the smooth plastic of a windowsill, I'd rip myself upwards as quickly as I could. Leaping up with enough force to crack them, knocking them free and getting rid of ways for Silas to follow me as quickly. Having to slice apart an incoming bar of plastic also helped buy me precious nanoseconds.

His laughter echoed below me, cruel whimsy dripping from his voice. {You've no time to plead or pine, your blood soon paints on easels! Trip just once and limbs will fly, pop comes the Sneasel!}

Why are you like this?!

Just as I could feel his claws tugging at my shoes, I swiveled around midair and launched myself through the window I was about to leap past. Grunts running around, typing frantically at some kinda control panel, all yelled in surprise at the glass shattering and me hurtling at them.

I spun around midair, planted my feet on the face of one of them, and leapt through another window. As I shot forwards into open air, heading right for the forest below, I focused. Another green bubble shone to life ahead of me, and I swung around it before launching myself right towards one of the spikes on the side.

I made sure it disappeared the moment my hands left it, so Silas couldn't use it to follow me.

He just sat on the windowsill among the shattered glass and gave me a gleeful smile. {Run wittle fox, run! Don't worry, I'll eat your mama and brother right after you!}

Fuck off!

The cold steel of the spike gave me just seconds of solid ground to jump off of before Silas came to cut me to shreds. He was already clambering across the wall towards me, gashes in the wall marking his trail.

I swung myself up onto the roof of the tower, sprinting full tilt the moment I landed towards the dome to my left. Closer to the center of the building as a whole. The huge, shining, metallic yellow ring stretched out way too far to make a leap over it, and I needed to get on top of the building. It was the only way I could actually move faster than Silas, even a little bit.

My hands forwards and legs curled, ready to take the impact, I slammed into the dome and rolled forwards before continuing. A dull thud rang out from it, as well as smaller ones accompanying each footstep I took in an even rhythm. Only seconds later, another sudden thump let me know how far he was away.

I've got a tiny lead, but that'll close even without me fucking up. Gotta keep going!

I bolted around the side of the dome, the steady rhythm of footbeats against the dome pounding in pairs, before leaping towards the tower in the back. Launching from windowsill to windowsill again.

For just a moment, I stole a glance inside the window on the top floor as I shot past.

Cyrus stood there, arms folded behind his back, calm as ever. A large, black crow with a white chest poof and red tipped tail stood next to him. His yellow beak closed, his red eyes trained on something on the table in front of the two underneath his hat of feathers. Honchkrow.

Cyrus' eyes were trained on me. Glancing out the window, right where I was.

A shiver went down my spine as I shook my head, mounting the roof and streaking past the sight.

Not the time, not the time, don't think about how much he's planned, not the time!

This time, I made a sharp turn and leapt onto the ring itself, grabbing the edge. Smooth as its surface was, I'd learned how to get traction on that sort of thing. You had to to run on ice.

The fact it was metal would mean Silas couldn't follow me as quickly.

Now go!

Running my hand along the top edge of the ring to keep myself oriented, I dug my feet into the side of it. Pushing myself forwards as quickly as I could. The plastic of my brass knuckles skidded against the metal, making a faint scraping sound against the wind whistling through my ears.

Once I reached the peak of the ring, I gripped the top edge tighter. Flinging myself upwards and arcing over the side of it, slamming my feet into the other side. Facing back towards the city in the distance, and pushing off with everything I had.

For those brief moments? I was safe. Silas was fast. I was only just able to put some space between us. He couldn't outrun gravity, and his claws wouldn't let him get the traction he needed on the cool steel. Launching myself back towards the front, where everyone was still fighting? Faster than running down the ring, then the dome, then across the roof, then jumping down. Faster by a lot.

He'd make up that ground, no problem. But now? I got to breathe, fill my lungs with fresh air.

I'm not dead yet.

I looked all around me, several Starly flying past amazed to see someone up so high, and flying higher to get away from Silas. Off in the distance to my right, towering high above any tree, stood a huge spire of rock. A few clouds were split apart as they brushed against its face, the peak reaching even higher. The blanket of snow cut off, as there wasn't anything higher up to actually snow on it.

Clive, Mama, Elpis, Koko, Guinevere, everyone had told me what it was.

Mount Coronet. The peak of the world, where deities touched the earth.

And, squinting, far off in the distance beyond it, I saw a tiny speck in the sky. No idea what it was, but it was there.

I took a moment to take it all in. The wind rushing past me, the boundless freedom of nothing at all holding me down. No collar, no stuck inside a room, no nothing.

I wasn't flying, but I was sure this was what it felt like. What it felt like to be free.

When I looked down, readying myself to do something to make sure I didn't go splat on the ground? I saw Mama standing outside, looking up and around. As soon as she saw me, she quickly registered where I was going and shot out a beam of ice. A curved ramp quickly rose up, the surface smooth and curving around so I could slide back to her, to everyone else.

A smile crossed my face.

She's always there to help me. No matter what.

I spun around, managing to get my feet against the smooth ice path. My momentum and gravity quickly shot me down the slide, and I could see Silas still running across the roof to get back to us. Moments, but that was all I needed.

My stomach reorienting itself with the rest of me, I slid onwards and leapt back into the fight with everyone else. Mama running back to the brawl, a small smile on her face and pride swelling in her heart beside me.

There were seconds before Silas came after me again. It was time to fight.

The entrance had devolved into chaos in just the brief time I'd been gone. The desk from before in the center was ablaze, electrical sparks fizzing out every so often. Balcony railings were dented or broken in places. Tables overturned, benches and chairs strewn about. The kiosks' roofs shattered. Over a dozen grunts were standing in the room, with more pouring in from every passageway, every stairwell. Except the ones my family were gonna come up.

They can make it. They gotta.

The bodies of more grunts- unconscious or dead- lay scattered against walls, lain flat on the floor, some hanging out of windows. The stench of blood and sweat soaked the air.

There were some bodies of Pokemon strewn about as well, but all of them were breathing. Some still stood while the grunt who sent them out didn't, and they had a bevy of responses. Some ran, through broken windows or just away from the battle. Others continued to fight with the grunts who came running in. A few stood still, completely overwhelmed by what was happening. And a couple had come over to us, fighting back Galactic. They had a chance, who knew when it'd come again. They were taking it, just like we hoped.

Lots of Pokemon are like Eir. Forced to work for Galactic even if they don't want to, because of how many things the humans have done to shackle them. Shackle us. And we won't let them. Not anymore.

Leanne and Yvonne stood ahead of everyone else, taking the brunt of the assault. Bruises and cuts were strewn across their bodies. They fought valiantly side by side, refusing to give a centimeter. Sand and dirt had been built up in a short, domed wall in front of them. They ducked behind it whenever a hail of stars or blades of wind came crashing towards them. Their hearts beat furiously, and I watched as Leanne slammed aside a Dustox before backhanding the grunt who sent them out, launching them back into one of their allies with a cry of pain. Yvonne's wings buzzed scornfully as a whirlwind of sand went hurtling in another direction, the bolt from an Electabuzz fizzling out against it as they held up their hands to guard.

Lucia and Arden stood directly to their right, a half dozen human bodies in their wake. Each stroke of their shimmering blades left another wounded, forcing them to choose; flee or fall. Lucia, while quick on her feet, darted about less than Arden. Clashing attacks with a Golbat's bite before slamming them in the mouth, sending them flying backwards while she steadied herself and faced her next opponent.

Arden was much more agile; practically dancing around the battlefield as his blades were a blur of green and red. Slashing upwards and denying a Vileplume's Sludge Bomb one moment before whirling around and stabbing backwards with his elbow blades right into a grunt's stomach the next.

A quick retraction of the blade, kicking the now staggering grunt away, and continuing.

Eclipse and Yuna stood in an ever-growing river of blood. Eclipse's fists and clothes were stained red in splotches, while the same scarlet smears were all over Yuna's mouth and claws. Rocky spires tore themselves from the ground or launched in from outside, impaling any grunt that dared get too close.

Unconscious Pokemon lay around with gashes or bruises, but those were nothing compared to the open human bodies on the floor. Crushed arms, legs and rib cages, throats too flat to breathe through, entire sides of faces caved inwards.

Eclipse didn't bother with stones; her eyes shone a vengeful crimson as she blocked a strike from a Sawk, grabbed their arm and cracked them against the ground before tossing them back. All the while crushing a grunt's skull with her other hand.

Yuna sent pillars of stone hurtling towards any Pokemon in her vicinity, slamming a Mothim and Drifblim into walls while she tore out the throat of the next grunt in her path. His screams came out as pained gurgles before he fell silent.

Naoko and Shio only appeared for brief moments across the battlefield, and each time they did, another body dropped. A large number of the grunts ahead of us weren't focused on the main fight at all, despite the floor rumbling, roaring flames and howls of rage; no, they were looking around in terror, quivering in a kiosk. Trying to figure out who, what was killing their allies before they could even see them. Then, they looked in the wrong direction.

Quick as a flash, a lapis streak shot up from behind a fallen table. The grunt looked down, a blade of clear blue water mixing with the blood protruding from his chest. Naoko's face was hard, determined, focused, before it blurred and disappeared.

Meanwhile, the lost Murkrow, Watchog and Swoobat looking around for some kind of direction got it- sent careening towards a wall, spinning blades of water washing over them and slamming them back through the hole we'd made earlier. Shio barely stood still long enough for me to see her before she melded back into the chaos of the background.

Paris and Legolas stood behind the others, but not for lack of action; even as quickly as I was going, how slowly the world felt to me right now, they'd form arrow after arrow and fire them quicker than I could even take another step.

Not a single one missed their mark, and all helped sway the course of battle; shattering lights above the grunts and forcing them to shield themselves from the falling glass. Another hail of arrows pinning them to the wall.

A Bronzor fell into Legolas' line of sight, as the next arrow he let fly whined with spectral force. It struck true, sending the Bronzor hurtling through a wall before the grunt who sent them out had time to protest. And while he was still turning to see where the Bronzor went, a trio of arrows landed firmly in him from Paris, one in his leg, another his arm, the third pinning his uniform to the wall.

Mama was watching Silas, keeping an eye on where I went, but the aftermath of her attacks were clear. Fires sputtered angrily throughout the room, wicked sharp icicles interspersed throughout. Grunts ran around in a panic, trying to put out their clothes. Krokorok, Elektrik and Parasect were frozen in blocks of ice. Piles of ash were constantly being blown around the battlefield. Whether they were what was left of grunts or random items, I didn't know.

The same part of myself that steeled itself for whenever Silas slaughtered someone steeled me here. At least this time, it would be the last. One way or another.

It stops today. All of it.

I shot forwards, swerving around a pulsating orb of green energy, smelling faintly of grass, careening for Yvonne and throwing a fireball into it. With the expanding blast of energy, fire and smoke behind me, I slid under the legs of a grunt, grabbing one as I skidded past. They yelled in surprise as they fell to the floor, the Scyther in front of them looking back in shock.

Before they had time to do anything about it, I swerved to the side and elbowed another grunt in the side. Kicking a third in the face before ducking under another slash from Silas.

Leaping off their falling body, I ricocheted from them to the wall and towards an incoming group of grunts, wind whistling past me. The Voltorb, Skorupi and Mandibuzz with them reacted before the humans did; sending a burst of lightning, poison and wind hurtling my way.

I curled into a ball, a Protect sphere forming around me as I slammed into all of them. Leaping off their dazed forms, I spun midair and filled the stairwell behind them with as much ice as I could before pivoting and sprinting back towards everyone.

Mama's outburst of flame lit up the room, making Silas' attempt to hide in the chaos all the easier to spot. I swerved again, hopping over a knocked out Sudowoodo and barely skidding underneath another swipe of his claws.

He probably doesn't care, but Cyrus wouldn't let him just slaughter every grunt in his way, right?!

I shot forwards again, weaving in between the legs and bodies of Galactic's forces. Pokemon swiped at me, forcing me to slide or dart to the side. Grunts being in the way meant I either slid between their legs or slammed them into the ground as I passed, my ears and eyes swiveling every which way. Keeping track of each new body that fell to the floor, every random attack that got sent out, where I was in relation to my family, making sure I didn't get too close to the stairs everyone else was supposed to come up and cut them off-

And then I tripped.

A knot of vines from a Tangrowth had just lashed out from the rest of their body, rumbling towards Lucia and Arden. The writhing mass of vines was too much to keep track of in the midst of everything else.

I felt my feet leave the air as I looked around desperately for something, anything to grab, to swing off of, to pull myself towards, push away from, something.

There was nothing. My arms were too short, and I wasn't as good at forming ice as Mama or Yukitsu. It wouldn't rise fast enough. There wasn't enough space for a Protect bubble to form without something else being in the way, and I'd been using it to stop Silas' attacks already. It wouldn't stop him, not anymore.

I saw the ebon streak with beady red eyes hurtling past, then launching towards me. Mouth wide in a fanged grin, claws outstretched and gleaming in the artificial light.

I closed my eyes and tensed, preparing for the end.

I didn't have a long enough life for it to flash before my eyes. Even if I did, it would've been so much the same; my family dying, fight after fight, darkness and nightmares that never ended, feeling as everyone's hope dwindled to nothing.

And in just a moment, I'd join them.