A/N: We're on 13! Yay!!! I bet your all wondering what's going on now don't you? Well, you'll finally see some of those little things I've been putting at the beginnings here. I decided on a name change for the Houndoom kid too. I wanted him to be more evil, so he's called Darkfire now. Neat eh? ^^
Disclaimer: See previous chapters ^^
Freedom
It's time
Ember sat on her bed, looking over at Chrysies. The Typhlosion hybrid stared at the doorway, a muzzle placed over her mouth, hands bound behind her back. Around her neck was a thick metal collar, chaining her to the wall her bed was pushed up against. Her little outburst earlier had placed her in this situation
"Chrys?" Ember asked.
The hybrid nodded, in reply
"Chrys, you didn't have to do what you did earlier. I..." she was unable to finish though when she looked over at Amoura who was writing something on the wall.
"What are you writing?" she asked, too far to read what she had written
"Times do get hard sometimes, but your entire life? That just can't be right can it?? I mean there has to be something worth living for, but when you were made in a lab of some crazy scientist what is there to look forward to in life? Some people have goals in life, sometimes many goals, but what about me? What goals do I have? I have only one goal. FREEDOM. Yes, to be free, to run through fields of green, to see the sky, to feel the wind, to be able to do what I want without the fear of the 'torture'" she said, reading what she had just written.
Amoura may of appeared cold, forever stating the obvious in bad situations, but she didn't mean it. She'd been blasted with fire, soaked completely by water, and placed under several other kinds of tests. She didn't call them tests, she called them 'torture'. She just wanted to be free from it all. She was a plant. She craved the outdoors. Instead, she was locked up, attacked at every chance the scientists possibly could and she hated it.
"Your talking about us aren't you?" Ember asked softly
Amoura nodded "Yes. I want out"
"I do too, but there's no way we can get out"
"Your Jale got out didn't he?" she asked, turning to face the Ninetales. "Maybe we can find a way out too"
"I liked him for a while, he tried to keep me safe, but he always failed. The Professor hated the way he treated us like creatures with feelings and so that's why he got rid of him I guess. Well that's what I think. Maybe if we ever do get out I'll go look for him. He helped us in many ways, I guess we could always try to show him some appreciation" she replied
"You really do love him don't you?"
"I think so"
"I don't know how you feel, or why you feel it, but I admire you for it. Because of him you haven't suffered the way we have"
"No I haven't, but it feels just as bad"
"Maybe this is your torture"
"Bret? Bret baby, wake up please" came a voice as a blue haired woman looked over the Charizard boy's powerful body.
Groaning, he opened one eye, then the other to look up at Sam. Looking around he saw Venom and Jale standing behind her.
"Huh? What's going on?" he asked sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
His head hurt like hell, his body felt like he could barely moved. He had no idea how he managed to sit up.
"Sssseeeemssss they neeeed our help" Venom hissed
"Huh? Our help? How?"
We need your full co-operation, and the other's too" Sam said, placing a hand on his orange shoulder.
"What for?" he asked, looking at each three in turn
"To get you all out of here. Not today, we have to wait for the last to be released from stasis, then it's breakout time" Jale explained.
"Last?" the boy asked
"There's on pokèmorph left in the pod. When she's released, we'll tell you, and you charge, doing whatever you can to get out. Hopefully, we'll try and make it as easy for you as possible"
"What? You mean we're going to get away from those torture tests we're being put through?" came another voice from somewhere in the room.
Bret sat up, and looked at the Houndoom that slowly approached.
"If you'll help us you will" Sam said, looking at him with fear in her eyes.
He could of killed her before, and could still kill her know. Looking at him, all she could see was the anger, evil, and power he held within his eyes when he had her by her throat. She was defenceless then, was she any different now?
"In what way to do you need help?" he asked, folding his arms against his chest, long black locks falling over his shoulders.
"We need a huge distraction, bigger than the one you caused. It could be fatal, so we're taking very few risks. Only the powerful of you will cause the problem, while we help get those who are weaker out" Jale explained
"But I thought weeeee were all created to beeee the ultimate power" Venom hissed
"Yes, yes, but some of you may be undergoing tests, and not all of you have fire power, like you Venom. You don't have an attack we can use. You'd have to get up close to attack, and we're not risking you getting hurt, so you'll be one of the first to get out. We were hoping to use a mix of attacks, such as fire, water and electricity" said Jale.
"Which is why, I suppose, yah want me to help?" came another voice.
The Dragonite anthro joined the little group.
"Yes. They've been teaching you all of your techniques" Sam said, seeming less afraid of him than of the Houndoom.
"Torture more like it. Thay're not teachin' me anything'"
"True, it does seem that way, but not only you. Bret and the Houndoom boy will be there and…"
"I have a name" came the Houndoom's voice, cutting Sam off. "I take Darkfire, from my own Pokèmon. Ever since I decided to take on this experiment, I wanted my name to be Darkfire. We all have names, some of us used to have our own once, isn't that right Azure?"
The Blastoise anthro nodded from his position near the window.
"Melete told him of the name Asel had once called one of her Pokèmon. He liked it, so he kept it"
"Melete? Jale asked, raising a brow
"One of the girls. She speaks to us in our mind. She's told us of everything, in a way. She only speaks to me, but Azure knows almost everything she knows. It's not just her with psychic powers though, right Nightscar?"
"True" came the voice from the Gengar. "I haven't been able to talk like she has, but I've been listening. I choose my own name. We're all powerful, and we're all able to get out of here, if that Professor was killed. I say, instead of trying to get us out the hard way, we should kill the Professor, and the one he works for"
"That's impossible! You'll have the entire complex crashing down on you!" Sam protested, throwing up her arms. "You'd never get out alive. They both have too many drones hanging around. Especially the Rockets. They'll kill you all if Giovanni dies!"
"We thought of that option Nightscar, but it's not going to work" Jale said, looking at the anthro
"Only because you don't want her to get hurt"
"You leave Ember out of this!"
"She's powerful enough to help, yet you want to get her out first"
"I have to protect her! I promised her!"
"Did you?"
"I'll kill you myself if you carry on!" Jale shouted.
"Jale! Cease this!" shouted Samantha as she tried to calm the pair down, but to no avail.
"Come kill me then human"
A roar echoed through the room, as Bret glared at the two. The flames burned on his tail as he opened his jaws to roar again. He was quietened when Sam placed her hand upon his arm. Both Jale and Nightscar stared at the Charizard pokèmorph in amazement.
"What was that!?" Ember asked, looking around frantically as she heard a loud roar from somewhere in the building.
"Probably someone undergoing torture" Amoura said, sitting up on her bed.
"You sure? That didn't sound like the person was in pain" came Chrys' voice.
"And how do you know someone is in pain?" came a voice from across the room. "I bet you don't even know pain"
Her body was battered and bruised. She'd only just returned from another torture session, and it was killing her. Her long tail hung limp at her side, her yellow cheeks glowed red where she'd had devices stuck to her. She knew the true meaning of pain.
"I've heard your screams. You scream when in pain. Your screams were not like that" Chrys said to her
"Perhaps" she replied with a slight shrug
"We should stop arguing and find out who that was. I think I recognise it though" Ember said as she rose from her bed "I think it came from where the male Anthros are being kept"
"And how do you propose we get to them Em?" Chrys asked, struggling to break free of the chains that held her still.
"That, I don't know"
"Seems like you don't know much" came the Raichu girl's voice as she struggled to stand.
Asel rushed up and helped her stand up. A swift paw brushed her away.
"No, I'll do this on my own" she coughed "We could really do with Melete right about now"
Both Ember and Chrys nodded
"Don't worry, I'm here now" came a voice as the Mew hybrid was led into the room. Slowly, one of the scientists removed the collar from around the girl's neck, then slipped out, following the other. "And I know what your all thinking, and we can't get away with it"
The girls stared at her as the almost human looking girl sunk down onto the Raichu's empty bed.
"Not yet anyway"
Once Bret had settled, Jale and Nightscar attempted to ignore each other, but the human's blue eyes often glared at the ghostly orange ones. It was difficult to stop the conflict between the pair. Meanwhile, Samantha explained the situation to them all, and the plan they had decided on.
Jale would aid in releasing the final hybrid. When that happened, and she had been taken to the room with the other girls, Bret, Darkfire and Drake, the name the Dragonite male had been given, would break out of whatever room they happened to be. The same would go for Chrysies, Amoura and Asel. With the entire building in chaos, Jale and Samantha would lead some of the hybrids to safety. Going first would be the Raichu girl, followed by Circe, who would keep watch of the skies, aided by Nightscar. Melete had to be removed early so she could keep track of the hybrids still inside. The final hybrid would be taken next, by Sam herself, hopefully Azure and Venom would help them escape. Ember would meet up with either Darkfire or Chrys, depending on whom she met up with first. It was Jale's brutal attempt to calm Nightscar down. The pair would then head for escape anyway possible, meeting up with the other. This meant Ember, Chrysies and Darkfire should escape together. Finally, Jale would escape with Bret, Asel, Amoura and Drake.
And then another hybrid was introduced.
Giving the two scientists a wary look, the group of three other scientists, one of whom was Dr.Ichael, the Professor then gazed at the hybrid that lay upon the table. A pure weapon, this creation was his best yet.
His appearance was human, in many ways. His face was human, his body was human, with powerful muscles, but his arms, were different. Below his elbow, running along his lower arm, were curved bone-like structures. Sharp, the edges gleamed brightly in the light. Growing from his wrist, the blade curved along and outwards, the point reaching far past his elbow. From his back grew four, insect-like wings. Large and powerful, they seemed strong enough to carry more than the male's weight. Green hair grew from his head, his eyes were closed as he slept, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. His feet weren't human, instead powerful claws.
Marvelling at his creation, the Professor grinned, then looked at Thanatos.
"Prepare him for transport. His owner will want him as soon as possible"
"Sir, if I may. Why did you create him different from the others? He's nothing but a pure weapon"
"Because stupid, that's what he is! This boy is not for Giovanni, oh no, he's for a rare collector who needs something more powerful than the lot we created for Giovanni" and then the Professor left the room.
Nodding slowly, Thanatos collected the needed equipment for transporting the hybrid, when suddenly, a burst of flame attacked one of the doorways. A loud roar echoed and Chrys burst in, flames burning wildly from her shoulders. Another roar, another burst of flame and the room was inflamed. His eyes watering from the searing heat, he grabbed the medical table the hybrid was strapped to, and ran from the room, coughing from the smoke.
Heading through the building, the sleeping hybrid in his arm, Jale's eyes searched in hopes of spotting Ember. His legs carried him along, driven by fear alone. His lungs ached, his eyes stung. His arms felt like they'd drop of from having to carry the girl. Fire spread through the building, blocking exits he could of used. A crazed Darkfire had passed him twice, only to cause more chaos. Getting around was proving more difficult than he though. Shouting Samantha's name, he received no reply on each occasion. He needed to find her quickly or the plan could be ruined.
A jet of water burst down one of the doors, followed by Azure. Glancing at the large hybrid, Jale stopped him.
"Azure, take her for me and find Sam. I've got to find Bret and the others"
"Asel went look for her brother. She said she saw him running with a hybrid on a trolley"
"The scyther!" Jale shouted suddenly, remembering something.
"Who?" the hybrid asked, tilting his head as he took the girl from Jale's arms
"Another hybrid we forgot about. I've got to find Thanatos and Asel. If you see Bret, Amoura and Drake, tell them to head for the exit"
Nodding, the hybrid went off on his way.
"I'm in big trouble now" Jale muttered to himself, running through the burning building.
'No your not. Head left' spoke a voice 'Melete?''Left, then right. Down the corridor, third room on your left. Thanatos is there'
'Thanks. Are you alright?' he asked as he followed her directions
'The world looks so beautiful from out here. Circe helped Airia and I out. People are coming though. You have to hurry'
'I'm glad your ok. What about the others?'
'Why not just ask about Em? She's the one your thinking of'
He sighed 'Ok, how is she?'
'She and Chrys are looking for Darkfire now. Once you've found Thanatos and Asel, head for the Professors room'
'What? Why?'
'Darkfire is enacting his own plan, but I fear it will not go well. Ember and Chrys should be there with him'
'Thanks Melete. I'm glad your helping us'
'It is I who is glad Jale. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to do this'
Bursting into the room, Jale saw Asel leaning over her brother's bleeding body.
"What...What happened?" he asked breathlessly
"The hybrid" she sniffed "It woke up and attacked"
"He will. He's not like you. He's nothing but a weapon, built to purely kill. Acting upon orders. Self preservation is his current order"
"He was called y the Professor"
"That's why..." he muttered
"Why what?"
"Nevermind. Asel, you get your brother out of her. Melete is already out. Drake, Bret and Amoura should be heading for the exit themselves"
"But you should be helping us out"
"There's a problem. Now go!"
Nodding, she quickly lifted her brother, letting him lean against her and ran out of the room. Gathering his breath, Jale headed out after them, then ran for the Professor's room.
"Darkfire, we have to get out!" Ember said as she chased after the Houndoom, Chrysies not far behind her
"This is something we have to do. It's our right!"
"But we were told to get out"
"Yeah Dark, out" Chrys said, the flames on her back weaker now
Roaring, he sped up and darted along the corridor, throwing himself through the door, bringing it down under his weight. A scream challenged his roar, then a powerful challenge in a voice that was torture alone to the Pokèmorphs. Flames burst out into the hallway, and the Houndoom howled.
"DARKFIRE!" Ember shouted, running into the room.
Standing infront of the Professor was a creature Ember had never seen before. Scythes grew from his arms, the liquid from the tanks glistened upon bare skin. Green strands hung infront of green eyes. His face was nothing more than an emotionless void. Infront of him, stood Darkfire, breathing heavily. Flames licked from his lips but nothing more. The Professor was grinning.
"Ah, the fire girls. Nice you two could join us"
Growling, Chrys filled the room with flames, but the Professor was unharmed. Moving from behind him was a pure Pokèmon, an Alakazam. Ember had only seen it from Jale's drawings, but she'd been told it was psychic and could create barriers. There was no way to harm the Professor with that still alive.
Roaring again, Darkfire leapt for the Professor, only to be knocked away by the scythed hybrid.
"Fools! You think you can defeat me?"
"No, we don't think, we know!" Darkfire roared, his eyes glaring at the human.
The Professor laughed "Three, Ten and Nine, meet Fifteen, the last survivor of the trails"
He motioned to the hybrid.
Fifteen snarled, showing his fangs. Raising his arms, the blades glittered in the light, blinding Ember momentarily. Once she could see again, she noticed Darkfire and Chrys had also been blinded slightly.
"Now, attack!"
Roaring, Chrys leapt at Fifteen as he swung for Darkfire, claws punching into the other hybrid. Darkfire leapt back, blasting him with flames. Ember could do nothing but watch.
"I see those three obey my orders, but you Three, stand there and just watch"
"I refuse to fight them" she said, looking over at him "We are not tools for war"
"There is no Jale to save you this time girl. You either fight, or die. It's your choice"
"I don't choose either. Pokèmon are more than just weapons, and we are more than Pokèmon. We may look different from humans or the Pokèmon we were created from, but we are still ourselves. Our lives belong to us"
He laughed "I've heard that speech somewhere before. Maybe you should stop letting the Mew girl speak for you"
"She's not. This comes not from my head, but my heart. Melete has no control over my heart, and neither do you. My heart is my own, and mine alone. I share it with whoever I wish"
"You're a fool. You're a weapon, not an item for love, although your figure may state otherwise" he said with a grin. "Alakazam, hold her!"
Bending one of it's spoons, Ember felt her body lift from the air and held in position. She screamed, trying to break free, but it seemed useless. Darkfire and Chrys were too busy fighting Fifteen to help her. Walking up to her, the Professor grinned evilly. Slowly, he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek.
"So soft. I can see why that pathetic boy likes you so, but, alas, your innocence shall be mine to take!"
Unable to do anything, she felt his hand move over her, his fingers running through her hair. His head was the same height as her, but his eyes were focused away from her face.
"No, don't..." she mumbled, trying to turn away, but her head was held in place "Don't..."
A gunshot, and the Professor collapsed to the ground. Blood pooled from the bullet wound in his head. The force holding Ember vanished and she dropped to the ground. Tears ran from her eyes and she curled herself up tightly, trying to shut everything out. But the fighting between the three other hybrids still went on. She could hear roars, growls and snarl. The force of the three attacking, flesh being torn. Curling up even tighter, she placed her hands over her ears. She could still feel his hands though. She hurt, all over, inside and outside. Her head swam, her thoughts everywhere.
Then they stilled.
Placing his hand upon her shoulder, Jale placed the gun down and knelt at the shaking hybrid's side. Suddenly bursting out, she wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. Wrapping his own arms around her, his hand slowly stroked along her back, keeping her close and comforting her.
"Oh Jale..." she whispered
"Shhhh...It's alright"
Suddenly, a loud scream pulled the pair from one another and Ember turned just in time to watch Chrys fall to the ground, blood flowing over her body. Fifteens' scythes dripped with blood, and Darkfire collapsed to his knees, breathless and exhausted. Chrys lay motionless, and Ember quickly ran over to her.
"Chrys?"
A/N: Oooooo.…...Fancy ending eh? ^^ Hope y'all like cus your gonna R&R aren't you?