We've spent enough time with Alden and Gerard, I think we should turn our attention to someone else. We don't know what Valon and Misato have been up to, only that they broke away from Dokukage and Rafe for some reason. Let's check in with them, and see how they're spending their time running from Samarra!
KedharS: I don't think he was really thinking all that clearly at the time. Samarra is a hell of a drug after all.
Just a Bad Writer for Fun: I'm glad that chapter raised a lot of speculation, hopefully this one will too! A lot of juicy details here.
Tambry96bj: I guess we'll have to see.
Hyphenman: It's been a long road getting from there to here. And don't worry, we'll find out what happened to Misato and Valon in this chapter.
Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings
Chapter 1083
Gerard had wondered how it was possible for Misato to fall under Samarra's influence. While he didn't really have any memory of what had happened to him, there was almost… a phantom of sensation trapped in his skull. Like his brain was pushing up against a wall of fog, and just couldn't get through to the other side. But he could still see an inch or two into the fog, still look into it and see what was right in front of him…
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was too exhausted to keep looking further. He didn't question the notion of a Mechadoll being controlled by this woman, and didn't see any need to bring up the topic at all.
Maybe if he had been a little clearer in the head, he would have dug deeper into that assumption, because everyone had taken the notion that Misato had been possessed on face value, when the truth was exactly the opposite. Dokukage and Rafe hadn't been the only ones to escape from the facility Samarra had been trapped in; Valon and Misato had escaped with them, only they had taken the opportunity to break away from the group the first chance they got.
And now they had found something quite interesting indeed.
"Why hello there," Valerie said, wearing a charming smile as she addressed the two intruders. It was rather absurd for someone to be protective of a cave in the mountains and treat those who entered as trespassers, but then these were absurd times Valerie found herself in.
"Pleasure to meet you," Valon greeted her diplomatically. "You're Valerie Chiester, I believe, is that correct?"
Val's only response to her identity being discovered was a subdued raise of her eyebrow. An intrigued smirk crossed her lips. "And how exactly would you know that?"
Valon laughed it off. "Let's say I'm the type of man who considers knowledge to be power. I have quite an interest in you and your… friend, as it were," he said, glancing past the brunette and deeper into the cave, where Gwen laid curled into a trembling ball.
"Ah, a stalker, eh? Well, I'm not really into that sort of thing," Val said. Her fingers tapped thoughtfully against her belt, a subtle warning that her pokemon were ready to fight and she wasn't afraid to use them.
"Not at all. My name is Richard Valon, but you can call me the Phantom," he introduced himself. "I believe that clears things up?"
Val's eye twitched imperceptibly and she lowered her guard a hair. Her smirk returned. "I see, so you're the Phantom. Don't take this the wrong way, but I expected you to be older."
"Not at all. And I hope you won't mind me saying that I expected you to be a little more… well, just more. Your reputation precedes you, after all, but honestly… hiding out in a cave? What would your father think?" He asked in mock concern.
A snort escaped Val's lips and she nearly burst out laughing. "Come on now, you're making me blush! You know better than that. But at it so happens, I happen to be a wanted woman, as I'm sure you're aware. And that one, well…"
She glanced over her shoulder, aiming a disinterested look Gwen's way, before turning back to Valon and sighing. "It's not like I can bring her out in public."
Valon nodded in understanding.
Val shifted her stance and crossed her arms. "So, I'm guessing this isn't some big coincidence, you running into us all the way out here. Are you looking for us, for something?"
"It's somewhat of a coincidence," Valon admitted, "but only in so much as your presence on this mountain to begin with. Consider it a happy little accident that we both happened to be here at the same time, and let's keep going from there, shall we?"
"An accident, eh? This the kind of accident where you want something from me? Because the way I hear it, you still haven't upheld your end of the bargain, Phantom," Val said, a dark look crossing her face. "Something about the 'next stage of pokemon evolution' I believe? Or was it called the 'Evolution Variance Enhancement'? You know, that old man Decker's lab was attacked just the other day, any thoughts on that?"
The Phantom let out an exaggerated sigh. "So you're still pursuing that, I see. Well, it doesn't really matter. What I'm here about has nothing to do with my… projects. I'm here purely as a courtesy call, nothing more."
"Courtesy?" Val's smirk returned, and she raised her eyebrow, turning to Misato. "Because I heard from some associates of mine that they discovered one of the Oracles in this region. The Ground Oracle, to be specific."
"…Did they now?" Valon asked evenly.
She nodded. "That they did!"
"Congratulations, I suppose that means you're one step closer to your goal, then," he smiled.
"…Yeah. You'd think so, right? But it turns out, they couldn't retrieve the Oracle. The girl who found it first put up quite a fight, it turns out," Val narrowed her eyes, still staring right at Misato. The Mechadoll didn't acknowledge her at all.
"Well, I do hope no one got hurt," Valon said with as much sympathy as he could fake. Neither side bought it for a second. Finally, Val got tired of the games.
"I know you sent your Mechadoll to stop them," she said. "That was very… courteous of you."
Valon shrugged. "It was necessary to build a bond of trust," he explained. "That girl who found the Oracle, it's something very important to her, you see, and thanks to that little incident, she and I are now the closest of friends."
He was exaggerating just a hair.
Val wasn't amused.
"…I see," the Phantom sighed. "Well, I suppose there's nothing else I can do to make this up, then, is there? Unless, of course, you might be interested in another Oracle in exchange? Or maybe two? Just to smooth things over, of course."
"Huh?" Val perked up at that. "You can't be serious. You'd give up your Oracles over this? Are you shitting me?"
"You already know I have the Electric Oracle," Valon said, holding up a finger. "If you let this incident slide, I'd be willing to hand it over. I'm sure that would make your boss very happy, wouldn't you agree?"
"I'm sure it would," Val agreed, narrowing her eyes. There was definitely an angle here. No way this guy would just give up an Oracle to her like that. "But I believe you said something about 'two' Oracles, isn't that right?"
"Yes, of course," Valon nodded, raising a second finger. "The Electric Oracle and the Ghost Oracle, both of them. Just as soon as I've finished my research. Then they won't be worth anything more to me than some shiny rocks."
Val scowled. "You're lying. The Ghost Oracle has been missing for centuries. Nobody knows where it is, not even-"
She caught herself before she said too much. Straightening up, she glared, and said "nobody knows where it is. And I really doubt it's with you."
"That's right," Valon admitted. "I don't have it on me-"
Val snorted and rolled her eyes.
"…But I do know where it is. And I'm working out a method to get it. And when I do, well… it's a good deal for you either way, right?"
Val thought it over. Not that there was much thinking to be done. She, better than anyone, knew that trusting others was something only fools did. And she definitely wasn't a fool.
At the same time, however, she wasn't sure why he would come to her making this offer in the first place. He had one Oracle already, and apparently the means to get a second; with the Ground Oracle in reach as well, that would be quite a lot of power amassed in the Phantom's hands. And he was prepared to give all that up?
"…Not good enough," she decided. "It's one thing to let you keep the Ground Oracle for now. But you need to sweeten the pot. I want every Oracle you have, not just those two."
Valon raised his eyebrow, a look of shock crossing his face. "You think I have more? What kind of man do you take me for?"
Val put on a charming smile and tilted her head to the side, brushing a lock of curly hair behind her ear. Her golden eyes twinkled in the darkness. "The kind of man who wouldn't give up his power unless he had something in reserve, of course."
The two exchanged pleasant smiles across the threshold of the cave, both trying to get a read on the other.
It was a waiting game. They'd reached an impasse at that point, because Valon couldn't reject her counteroffer without confirming that he had more Oracles in his back pocket, but at the same time, she had made it clear that his current offer wasn't good enough.
"I promise, those Oracles are the only ones I have," he assured her, knowing full well she would never believe him. Val just raised her eyebrow.
"Well, I suppose that we'll have to take it by force, then," she sighed, reaching for her belt. The Phantom eyed her closely, wondering if she was bluffing, or if she really intended to fight him. He decided that it was just posturing.
"Come on now, you don't really think I'd have it here, do you?" He laughed. "And besides, I already told you, I don't have the Ghost Oracle yet. Just the Electric one."
"And you expect me to believe that any more than anything else you've said?" Val asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Yes I do, because you're an exceptionally clever girl," the Phantom replied. "You know that I'm not the kind of fool that would make an offer like that to a group like yours without the intention of following through on it. Which is also why you're going to stop with this song and dance and take a good deal when it's offered you."
Val scowled, but her hand left her belt. "Oh, I am, am I? And why is that?"
"Because you're smart enough to know that if the Ghost Oracle hasn't been found or recorded for all this time, then it must be located somewhere that would be nearly impossible to find under normal means," Valon explained. "But I know where it is. And you can't just dispose of me or threaten me, because if you do, then you won't ever get your hands on it. And we both know your boss wants a full set for his collection. So take the deal. If you don't, I can promise you that you'll never get your hands on it."
Val said nothing, studying the Phantom carefully. She still wasn't sure what his goal was in all of this. Knowing what she knew about him, coming here and brazenly making deals wasn't his style. In fact, it seemed like he was the one losing out.
So what was he after?
"I'll consider your offer," Val agreed. "And I'll hold off on pursuing the girl for now. But in exchange, I'd like you to tell me why you came here in the first place, so eager to hand over your… 'shiny rocks'. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me."
"I told you," Valon laughed. "In the spirit of courtesy! I came here to extend a hand of friendship myself."
"That's cool and all," Val said, twirling a lock of her hair absentmindedly. "But I have enough friends already."
"I didn't say I was extending it to you," Valon said, narrowing his eyes.
Just like that, Val began taking this situation very seriously. There was a dangerous glint in her eye and she straightened up, preparing for a fight.
"I see, so you're after her, huh?" She growled. "Well, I can't say I'm her biggest fan, but-"
"No, no, you misunderstand," Valon said, holding his hands up and shaking his head. He was still smiling that damn grin. "I'm not here to fight, I already told you that. I'm here because something very bad has happened involving little Guinevere, and I want to make sure she'll be okay."
Now Val was lost.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She asked.
"Has Guinevere ever told you about 'Samarra' before?" Valon asked. He noted the confused look on Val's face and shook his head. "…No, I imagine not. She isn't one for small talk, and I suppose family issues are rather unpleasant for her to face."
"Family?" Val asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Samarra Harker is Guinevere Harker's older sister, and younger sister to Kanone Harker," Valon explained. "Don't be surprised if you've never heard of her, not even I knew she existed. That just shows you the extent to which the Harker family is trying to keep their precious daughter's secret hidden away from the rest of the world."
Val glanced over at Gwen, who was still catatonic on the ground. She knew a thing or two about what the other girl had been through, family-wise, but she didn't know a damn thing about any Samarra. Like the Phantom said, Gwen wasn't exactly the most open book.
"So what about this Samarra, then?" Val asked, but the question hidden beneath it was "why should I care?"
"Well, she was recently being held prisoner on Mt. Battle," Valon explained. "And… now she isn't. I'd wager that she might be looking forward to a little family reunion, as it were."
"I see. And how would you know about that?" Val could already tell this was going to be a mess. Gwen had enough issues already, she didn't need more of them. And Valerie definitely didn't want to be dragged into the middle of them.
"…I'm the one who freed her, of course," he said without a trace of remorse or guile. Val actually applauded the boldness he showed in saying that to her face.
"Okay, fine, family reunion," Val muttered. "They suck, but they're survivable. Again, what are you doing here?"
"I told you, a courtesy call," Valon repeated for what felt like the hundredth time. "I felt bad, letting her out of her cage, so I came by to check up on the two of you and extend my apologies, and give you a little heads up. Nothing more."
Somehow, Val doubted that was the whole story. "So Gwen's big sister is coming by, and you, the Phantom, saw fit to warn us? What aren't you telling me?"
For the first time, she saw a crack in his façade; a look of unease crossed his face for the briefest second before relaxing into a calm mask. His smile soon returned to perfect heartlessness.
"Well, there's the little matter of what this girl is capable of," he said, like he was admitting to his parents that he had been drinking at a party. "I'm sure you realize she has harmonia, but her abilities are a little more… special than the traditional fare."
Val certainly didn't like the sound of that, it sounded like more trouble.
"…Special how?" She asked.
The Phantom's green eyes were sparkling and he seemed to be taking perverse delight in explaining things to her. "From what I could tell, she isn't just capable of forming bonds with pokemon," he answered. "She can also connect to other people. Other human beings. Can you imagine that? Someone being able to connect their thoughts, their feelings, with someone else?"
Val frowned. "That sounds disgusting," she scowled, feeling sick at the thought of another person being privy to her secrets. The whole idea of forming "bonds" with others in the first place was anathema to how she lived her life.
"You have no idea," Valon said, shaking his head. His eyes were practically glowing. "From what I saw, when she bonded with the people around her… it was like mind control. She forced herself inside of them and it was like they became a part of her, like drones to a computer. She controlled them at will, and they were fine with it."
Now that Val found intriguing.
"So you're saying this woman you freed from her cage… she can take control of others' minds?" Val asked suspiciously. It sounded very problematic if it was true. "Forgive me, but that sounds rather… well, I don't know quite what."
Whatever the issue was, she certainly didn't want to be on the receiving end of it. She delighted in manipulating and twisting the hearts of other people, she had no interest in becoming someone else's drone.
"I'm just giving you fair warning," Valon said, already making moves to leave. He wasn't even looking at Val now, his eyes were focused on Gwen. But then he turned back to the brunette, and for an instant she thought she saw a shadow cross his face. "If that girl comes by here, I don't think you would like what happens, given your… predilections. And I KNOW that sweet Guinevere wants NOTHING more to do with her sister. So if you ask me… it seems you have a very clear choice, wouldn't you agree?" He smiled.
Val scowled. She didn't like the insinuations he was making. She didn't even like the fact that he was warning her, it made her feel indebted to the scumbag.
But she supposed that if Samarra came calling, she'd find herself dragged into this one way or another, so might as well prepare for it.
And with that, we know what the Phantom is up to. But what could his plans be? It seems he has some association with the Children of the Oracles, and he's using Eve for his own purposes… the question is, what will he do about Samarra? Will he join the heroes and fight against her? Or does he have something else planned?
