Hey guys! Like I said in the last chapter, this one will be a special one to celebrate the 100th chapter of the story. It will feature what ifs and spin-offs of some sort made by the fans, for the fans. We will be back on the regular story on the next one. Enjoy!
Next Chapter : docsgooglecom/document/d/1BkzXxWfgjCdaKMW9BK85DBBs8hymz8dkU6RSLexK6kI/edit
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Fan Made What if's
The Promise - Done by Lamorak
It was another frigid, unforgiving night. The sky was engulfed in dark clouds, with their downpour being imminent. The fields were desolate of life, now littered with bloodstains, numerous eviscerated corpses and gutted bodies. Bodies of those who have failed on their journey, yet, have been given a warrior's death. Weapons of blades and arrows, of all matters, were also scattered across the ground, most of them lying beside what used to be their wielders.
The Sun behind the clouds had begun to burn away, losing it's former brilliant, decadent rays of golden hope. What was now left of it was something similar to that of a ghastly eclipse, the flames surrounding the black spherical figure were beginning to dwindle, a sign of the world coming to it's demise. What was a symbol of hope, now a reminder of dread. The Sun had a thin line of flame going towards the earthen ground, over the vast horizon, where an accursed warrior is destined to rekindle the flames of the Sun. Yet, the Kiln seems to be fading away into oblivion.
The life of this world was coming to an end, towards an age of darkness, but it would not matter. Nothing ever does.
In her place, an eldritch-looking creature sits upon a pile of brimstone and gore, awaiting her next prey. The creature had numerous gashes and deep slashes, but she did not seem to mind. A few traces of smoke bellow from her gaping split maw as she removes a claymore from her shoulder blade, tearing off dried, crusted blood. The fur of the creature seemed to have worn out too, from the countless centuries she had been here.
The creature was not always like this. She used to walk amongst the men themselves, enjoying and living in their company, thriving with them like a bundle of joy. But, over time after the eventful day, the creature began to take on a more mutated form, altering not just her body, but also her mind. She began to have visions, visions of the future, visions of what must be done, and visions of death. Over and over again, she saw death, endless and absolute. For the second time in her life, far worse than the first, she felt true despair. She began to crave for flesh and gore, and tried to suppress it to the best of her will. As the creature's desires began to grow, so did her size, currently now able to tower over the usual giants that roam these lands.
But, there was hope for her. The creature seemed to always seek a certain promi- no, a certain human, that will fulfill a promise, the promise now long forgotten. That human, as she used to recall, was the first human she ever truly loved and adored. They spent the happiest of moments together, not always the best, but never dreary. This human would be the one that would carry out his promise to her, she had decided.
But, it seems the human was forgotten, too.
As she waits for nothing, sudden steps broke the silence, steps that were heading towards her. The creature turns her attention towards the source of the noise, smoke rising from what used to be her maw again. The steps suddenly come to a halt, then a figure rises over the horizon.
It was a human.
It was the human. At long last.
Max then steps over the tiny crumbles of slate and brimstone, his worn out - but still usable- metal headgear clinking on his head. He looks to his front, towards the horizon, seeing a gigantic sized figure. He breathes in a sudden breath of realization, as he registers what he was looking at.
He can't believe it.
It's her.
It's actually her.
It's finally her, after all this time.
Max then makes a few steps towards the creature, his face forming a smile, a smile filled with both jolly happiness and unspoken sorrow. His face was scarred with numerous cuts and bruises, from the journey that he had embarked on along the way. He then stops, and waits for the creature to respond.
The creature was confused. Why did this human not rush towards her? Why was it smiling at her? Was it willing to die? Although slightly taken aback by surprise, the creature then proceeds to rise from the pile, and starts her heavy steps towards the human, the smoke starting to increase from her maw. Sparks were now starting to come from it's ears, one of which was mutilated by time.
Max then frowned, soon enough realizing he simply must do what he ca- no, what he has sworn to do. There was no other way around this one. With shaky a breath, he then whispers, looking towards the ground, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"D-Dusk, old friend. It's been a long time."
He clenches his teeth, his tears finally giving way from his eyes. Eyes filled with regret, but also with determination for what he was about to do.
The creature, still unfazed, continues her slow stride towards the human. Her split jaws now hang even more agape, flames starting to kindle in them, nearly bursting forth. She nearly stumbled on a piece of stray brimstone, but it did not falter her movements.
The creature somehow knew, she had to kill this human.
Max steels his nerves, and adjusts his metallic plate armor, dented through numerous battles, quests, lives, and resurrections. Alas, it seems that his resurrections won't allow him to be able to save face now. Although tragic, he must fulfill his promise to her. He then clenches his eyes shut to clear them of tears, then forces them wide open again, staring into the soulless eyes of what used to be one of his most beloved family, staring with a fiery determination.
"I, Max of Rados, have come to uphold my promise!"
Max then reaches for his side, briefly looking at his shaking, hesitant hand. He clenches it, and reaches his side again with rekindled determination. He grips the handle of his straight sword and draws it, the sword that was given to him a long time ago.
The sword is not any other sword. This sword was special, it was made for a certain purpose. It was made and given to him to fulfill a certain promise.
This sword could kill her.
The creature, although not slowing down, came to a sudden realization. This is why the human seemed weird. This is why the human smiled at her. This is why the human cried. This is why the human set off an unknown feeling inside of her.
This is the human that made the promise, centuries ago.
The creature then picks up her previously slow pace, the flames in her maw now erupting forth, as she raises her morbid claws towards the human, ready to strike, slash, rip and tear.
Max then looks at his blade, the blade he has grown to fondly call "Nokoribi", in tribute of the one that originally gave it to him. And it seems that the blade was given to him, to end the life of the giver itself.
"Let the light shine upon Dusk, the first Delphox."
Max then steadies both of his hands into gripping the handle, then aims the tip of the razor-sharp blade towards the rushing creature, their distance now significantly shorter than earlier. He then releases one final shout, before charging at the creature with unbridled determination. His lengthy journey can finally come to an end.
The final loud sounds heard that night was a loud cry, followed by a resonating slash, and the splatter of blood.
The downpour of the dark clouds overhead persist.
Can't say goodbye to yesterday - Done by Garrand
Shivering with tears upon my face, I lay in my bunk in the back of the tavern in togetheart. I'd lived here since the days after the raid, memories of which had me in my current state. It was roughly noon and most townsfolk had received their food rations and left. A nightmare of the years I'd passed struck around midnight yesterday just as it had for weeks. My dwellings consisted of a herb pantry filled with your standard food products with a particularly heavy garlic scent. My bed was a bag of flour and I required no blanket. It was a simple, if not moderately cruel living space. The city refused me the right to a proper housing installment like the rest of us had for my past aggressions. The aggressions in question was being in the Radosian raid army seven years ago. I was a conscript in the 85th Corsocoast motor rifles. Nowadays, I serve the city of Togetheart as an outward intelligence agent for the local security forces. All in the name of avenging the victim of the other aggression, the murder of a civilian Lucario by the name of Mia, which was pinned on me during the aftermath. Looking around the room calmed my body and the violent spasms began to halt. Luckily my screaming ended an hour ago. Hell, my screaming might be why the people ate so fast. They likely eyed up my door and ran fearing the worst. however, my thoughts were interrupted by my door opening which cast light in the otherwise dark room. A feminine voice projected itself directly into my head leading me to recognize the person before my eyes could adjust.
"Are you okay, hon?" she asked, "You were getting kind of loud. I got worried, Kohl."
"Don't worry about me Rosemary, I'll get over it," I replied.
"You've been telling me that for years, Kohl. I just wish you'd tell me why. I-is it the raid?" I remained silent. Her answer was correct but I didn't want to tell her. I had been living in her tavern's pantry for six years yet never told her. Knowing psychics, however, she likely received my confirmation straight from my head.
"That is correct." Rosemary confirmed before approaching me. In response, I turned on my other side to not face her. I didn't think I could, "Kohl… please tell me?"
"What do you need to know?"
"Seven years ago… what happened?"
"We met on the battlefield. I was doing my job… until I wasn't."
"You saved my life," she laughed out before laying down behind me and hugging me from behind, "I'd be dead if you weren't around! You're my hero, you know that?"
"I'm no hero, Rose. I never was. I'm just a rusting cog in the machine." She began to hug tighter. I wasn't really into pokemon in any romantic regard. If it were anyone else I would have thrown them off me. Rose, however, was a special case. I knew she was aware I wasn't interested. She never came off as flirtatious towards me despite the knowledge that she did, in fact, have a thing for me. I guess she likes dead men. She scoffed loudly.
"Sorry Rose, I forgot you don't like it when I talk that kind of dirty." I chuckled.
"Beyond that, though. what did they do to you in the raid? Please I-I need to know. I just want to comfort you, Kohl."
"I can't talk about it."
"Well, I could just go through your memories, if you don't mind, of course." for a moment I wrote this off as stupid but was quickly met with a euphoric high, likely induced by the vixen holding me. She giggled lightly as I realized this and I concluded that the idea wasn't too bad. By all means, I knew she was listening. Sure enough, I felt her move one hand up to my head and a gentle pulse beaming against me. Before I knew it, everything faded to black.
Seven Years Ago
It was a gentle and bright afternoon. Not too different from the average autumn day in Rados. The smell of burning diesel and cigarette smoke hung above the truck convoy I was riding in. we were Heading to some backwater shithole called Togetheart. It would seem that they were pokephiliacs. There was nothing wrong with this, of course, but opinions like that might have you executed by your friendly neighborhood morale officer. Speaking of whom, the morale officer for the combat sector was posted up behind a wall we stopped in front of. Our web gear shook and made metallic clanging noises. Our steel helmets with brown cloth covers shook causing me and a few other men to reach up and adjust our visors. Dust from the dirt road we were using kicked up hard, causing a neat, concealing veil.
"Dismount You stupid Fucks," the officer screamed, "Gunner, rip the dephiling pieces of shit up with the MG!" as if on cue, the truck's front machine gun screeched to life. In a matter of seconds, my entire squad dismounted the truck and stacked up behind the officer. "Well, none of you are dead… yet. We've been losing too many around here and we haven't made ground on the damn square since six in the morning!" looking around, I saw about twenty other trucks completing an identical maneuver to what my squad had pulled. Throughout the town ahead, bodies of man and pokemon alike were sprawled out in different states of dismemberment. Some men took cover in front of a fountain in the square with two riflemen covering their flanks. A wounded Arcanine with a red cross on its side cried while sniffing the corpse of a medic. To the right were two gaps where the buildings broke up. Most buildings had holes in them from the preliminary rocket barrage. The morale officer looked to his watch while some of my squadmates lit smokes and passed around cartons and lighters. One man put a carton in front of me but I waved him off.
"I don't smoke," I said. The man smiled wide and chuckled. The morale officer reached down and drew his revolver.
"It is time to take this god damn square you fucking degenerates! The treacherous bastards must die for our Radosian earth! Load rifles… NOW!" the officer shouted. As instructed, we each pulled a magazine from our pouches and lined up the magazine's front tab with the rifle's magazine well before rocking back the magazine and chambering a round. The officer grinned before reaching for the whistle on his chest. Taking a deep breath in, he blows a horrid screech from his old, slightly rusted whistle which, in all reality, was probably used in the last war Rados was in. "GO GO GO! EXECUTE YOU FUCKING MORONS," he shouted. instantly, a few men ran around the wall and began pressing toward the square. I did the same. While passing his shouting became louder. "THE FUCK ARE YOU STANDING THERE FOR?! MOVE! COME ON, LET'S GO!". As I ran towards the first low wall in front of me, the loud noises of battle intensified with more automatic rifle fire. To my left, a man kicked in a door and his Houndoom sprayed a stream of fire through the entire building that leaked through the windows of the upper floors. I dove to the low wall to avoid a Charizard making a strafe and looked back. The flying tank flew too far and was pelted by .50 calibre gunfire and twenty-millimeter autocannons. The man who offered me a smoke quickly approached the wall behind me but a stray round punched a clean hole in his helmet which leaked blood profusely. He fell forward and struck the wall hard. His stare was blank and directionless.
"KYLE! SHIT!" I screamed as I began reaching for medical equipment before the type and area of wound set in. knowing no better option, I got up and pressed forwards towards a blown-out and burning tank. On the way, my leg got caught on a piece of rubble which threw me to the ground. An intense fear built up as I desperately tried to get my foot free. Everything seemed to slow down as I looked around the rubble-filled and mostly destroyed plaza. Two men were engaged in hand to hand. A Radosian federal was pummeling an Absol with a brick. The burned building on my left began pouring smoke along with men and pokemon from both sides jumping out of the windows. Most were completely on fire. The rubble began to move and I looked down. It was the morale officer.
"PRIVATE BERGMANN! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FUCKING DIE HERE YOU COWARD! MOVE!" he shouted while pulling me up and shoving me towards a second low wall with a bit taken off the top for a nice shooting position. I ran as fast as I could before reaching the wall and set my gun in the hole to watch an alley. I could see a shoe peeking around a corner in the second gap between buildings. A man ran in front of me from behind which startled me, causing my vision to blur. In that blur, I saw figures that were not olive in color leaving the wall. Following my training, I squeezed off two bursts of four to five rounds and one figure collapsed on the spot. The second fell behind it and began screaming and crying loudly.
"What have you done to my Husband?!" the second blur cried out.
My first kill on the enemy. When my eyes focused, however, I was met with a horrible sight. A Lucario was crying on the torso of a man. The man in question, however, was carrying no gun and wore no gear. I had just shot an unarmed civilian. I immediately lowered my rifle and put a hand to my head.
"Oh… oh god. F-Fuck, man. I-I just killed a man. What have I done…" I wept to myself. I felt a hand grasp my gear and A voice bellow to my ear,
"YOU DUMBASS! WHY ARE YOU EXPOSING YOURSE-". A wet feeling encroached on my face and I lifted a hand to it. Upon pulling my hand down, it was red. I looked behind me and saw the morale officer flailing on the ground with a red froth erupting from his throat. Peeking back into the hole, I noticed the Lucario was still there. Gathering my courage, I vaulted the wall and sprinted toward the weeping pokemon. Nothing stopped me and before I knew it, I grabbed her and pulled her to a blown-out wall along with the human I'd shot. I began trying to bandage his wounds as his jackal began wailing into my arm. For about five minutes, I continued this process before a small ball rolled next to me. Just a moment's look and I knew immediately what was going on. I grabbed the Lucario and pulled her over the wall and dove after her.
"GRENADE!" I shouted. The blast was loud and snappy. Pieces of shrapnel slammed all around us. The man was dead, there was no doubt in my mind. The Lucario jolted and fell unconscious. She was still breathing, however. Once again, I had no choice but to complete the mission. After leaning the Lucario against the wall, I grabbed my rifle and continued moving into the area it came from. It was a tight alley with a door at the end. Looking around the brick walls, I saw no windows, holes, or alleys and proceeded faster. Reaching the door, a gentle whimper emanated from beyond. I took a deep breath and gently opened the door. An overturned table caught my eye, yet the whimper was from elsewhere. Books were scattered about and pots were haphazardly thrown about. A sweet aroma wafted from a liquid on the floor. Suddenly a voice rang in my head
"Help me, please! Somebody, anybody! I know someone is here. M-my bookcase! I'm trapped under my bookcase!" It beckoned. It was a gentle voice, quite shaky. The voice of a civilian. I moved through a door at the end of the room and saw the legs of a Delphox who was indeed trapped under a bookcase.
"I gotcha! Just give me a second." I assured. The bookcase seemed relatively light. A grabbed the front and pulled it over my back before reaching under and grabbing what I could. However, it struck my hand.
"Not there you pervert!" she cried.
"My apologies… I uhh can't see well under here," I gently replied, reaching under once more, "Just grab my hand." I instructed. As instructed, she grabbed my hand, and with little effort, I pulled her out. I smiled reassuringly but was interrupted by a burst of fire sounding off nearby. Now alert, I stood up and moved towards a window atop a small staircase about eight meters ahead of me, scattering tattered paper and coffee mug shards along the way. My boots were loud, and the distinctive noise of hobnail boots against wood rang out. The window was shattered, its glass was scattered all over the stairs. With my rifle up, I peered through the window and say clearly a machine gun team. As trained, I squeezed the trigger. Around eighteen shots rang out before my rifle stopped due to a lack of ammunition. The Delphox began screaming and crying wildly. The three men who manned the gun were dead. Their bodies collapsed on the tripod mount and each other, and my eyes, met with horrified, shocked faces contorted to agony. A small blur in the corner of my field of vision caught my attention along with the rocket-propelled explosive it had sent my way. I attempted to get away, but the rocket struck the wall. The explosion threw me against the wall behind me and I rolled down the stairs. Ending on my back, the Delphox crawled to me with whimpers as glass shards cut her arms. Getting to my side, she held me tightly and cried into my chest. In return, I coughed and wheezed. I could feel myself losing consciousness. The last thing I saw was the face of the Delphox, completely mortified.
Later…
I woke up in the familiar house I'd been hit in, now with an extra-large window. Unfortunately, a far smaller window's worth of glass was on the floor. The floor was wet due to the rain pouring into the building through the hole. I struggled to get up, every part of my body ached intensely and I felt extremely weak. I began to walk out of the house but the Delphox was leaning against the bookshelf, covered in cuts. She would die if left there. I won't be responsible for two dead civilians. I approached slowly, she was awake and staring at me with a faint smile.
"Y-you are well? I was so worried, sir." she gasped,
"I'm fine. Nothing like a bomb to get the blood flowing. You, on the other hand, need help." I affirmed.
"The guard s-set up a h-hospital to t-the n-n-north. I-in tent by a pokemart," she said, "D-do you have a n-name? Mine is R-Rosemary." she coughed out.
"Kohl, my name is Kohl. We need to get you to that hospital." I informed. With this said, I walked to her and picked her up. She wrapped her arms around my neck and legs around my waist. She was oddly light for someone above 5 feet in height. Slowly, we left the house and were met with the pouring, cold rain. I struggled down the alley before A small jingle played over an intercom.
"Hello everyone! We are happy to report that the invaders have been repelled thanks to our wonderful guardsmen, and togetheart has retaken all sectors lost this month! A search party is looking for any people hurt in the fighting. Do not be afraid to let them know if you're hurt. Glory to our home, Glory to our unified city!" It cheerfully chirped out.
"Damn… it's probably better this way. Y'know before I got here I uhh hah didn't know this place was here." I chuckled yet was met with gentle snoring. I continued out the way I originally came in and found the Lucario, still where she was when I left. I looked left, I looked right, and I carefully scooped her up and slung her over my back. She was a bit heavy and my knees started to buckle, but I managed to keep standing.
"I'll get you out of here too, I swear it!" I whisper-yelled to the Lucario. I was back in the plaza after about 5 minutes of stumbling through the pitch-black city. Street lights flickered on one side but were completely out on the other. The main sources of light were the still-burning buildings. I turned right and staggered to the far side of the plaza, which I knew was north. The caged flowers and trees were smoldering and the corpses stank. The bodies were scattered everywhere but impossible to identify by any metric other than whether or not they were human. As I walked through, a voice kept entering my mind, not quite as gentle as the Delphox. It was stern, almost boyish and it kept repeating a droning phrase.
"Don't worry, I forgive you. Don't worry, I forgive you. Its all okay." It slurred constantly. The volume and time between repetitions were inconsistent. I had once heard that Lucario could use the aura to speak to the minds of others, yet I never really believed it. The voice was maddening. I continued forth for almost an hour. My body burned from the exertion. That voice laid quiet, faded ten minutes ago. The pavilion was in sight. a flag with the red cross fluttered in the heavy winds. Guardsmen with rifles stood at the tent's opened flap. Upon seeing my helmet, the two men in their blue and brown battle dress uniforms raised their rifles but stopped when they saw that I came unarmed and had two pokemon on me. They moved towards me quickly and helped me into the tent. On the left were two open beds. I laid Rosemary onto one and she smiled at me. I reached for the limp Jackal on my back and put her in another bed with my right hand supporting her legs, and my left hand supporting her neck. Yet as I pulled away from her I noticed my left hand was coated in blood. I stared at it intently. Having become worried, one of the guardsmen patted me on the back.
"You might be a federal scumbag, but you did the right thing. I won't shoot you if that makes you feel any better about this mess" he said, coldly. I sat down at the foot of a bed and raised my eyes to see his. He looked at me as if I'd seen a ghost of some kind, uncomfortable and anxious. My eyes hovered on him, I didn't blink, I felt no need to.
"Mess? This was all bullshit. Hell, I still don't know why I'm here. This shit is stupid. I haven't a rhyme or reason to fight you. This is a tragedy, this is no mess." I laughed out. I was so mentally drained by it all that I couldn't help but laugh. There was no real humor in all the death and pain to me yet somehow I couldn't help it. The broken families, the endless sea of rubble half a city was reduced to, and the bodies that made it happen became chuckles. The chuckles became laughs, the laughs became howls, the howls became wails, and the wails became a complete breakdown. My head fell in my hands as tears streamed down my face, mixing with the blood and rain I already had. I was a complete mess. I felt a hand reach my face and I violently slapped it away. Looking at the source of the hand, my eyes met a young nurse. Behind her, the Delphox had an IV and multiple bandages on her. The Lucario had nothing. The nurse looked at me and started speaking,
"Hey mister. The Delphox you brought in is just fine. She will make it. But Mia," she halted her words. Seemingly she was choking back tears while looking at the Lucario, "Mia is gone," the nurse stammered on, "w-we found m-metal shards in her n-neck" she began crying upon informing me about this. Quickly, she stood up and ran away. The guardsmen took one last look at me before leaving the tent. I stared at the corpse of Mia the Lucario yet could project no reaction. The tears kept coming but I felt nothing. It was all so surreal. I stared on as I began to white out. I began to say goodbye to a far yesterday.
In the present
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a peculiar situation. I was sitting upright on my bed of flour bags. Rose, however, had managed to get on my lap and held on to me tightly while sobbing. Noticing my awakening, Rose began to get off of me and I followed. I was about to go on an assignment. Apparently, some crimson Gardevoir came through town half a year ago who happens to be the only surviving subject to the Weapons of tomorrow project, and the Radosian government wants their little science fair project back. This is what we call in Togetheart a 'security concern' so I have to stop those fed boys from bagging her. Rose took my hand and led me to the door to leave. She hugged me after wiping her tears on the woodland camouflage tunic I wore on operations and gave me my helmet, which had a matching woodland cloth cover and a tan set of computerized magnification goggles. I put it on and checked my equipment before I began to walk towards the door to leave yet Rose began to speak
"Kohl," she said. I turned around to meet her, "I love you!" I smiled.
"Somebody has to"
Empress Qsalyla : By Tokken
"Well… There she is."
The evening was beginning to draw out the light of day, turning the skies orange and the wind cold. A gentle rain had begun to fall from a clear sky. The gates to the mansion had been opened with no force; likely by an obligation of the Houndooms from the Spencers to prevent needless property damage. On the porch, waiting and tense, the whole of the group stood behind a Gardevoir of immensely powerful proportions. Mad-Ji. The personification of years of military success. A downright prodigy. Surely, they were safe.
Mad-Ji finished her cigarette, puffing smoke in Max's direction as she turned to face him. {Is it just one?}
"No. There's a whole bunch of them, but she's the main target," Max said.
Mad-Ji put her eyes back on the land. {I'm only seeing one. Explain.}
"I don't… I don't know. It's definitely her, too," Max added, scratching his head. He felt nervous, but Ji exuded confidence, and her power backed her unmade claims quite well.
Bonny cracked her neck, putting her paws up in a combat position. {If she's coming alone then that's just gonna make this massacre way more disappointing.}
Max chuckled, reaching over to pat her head. "Please don't talk like that; I don't like seeing my cute bunny so corrupted."
{Uhm, Master…?} Dusk intervened.
"What is it, my pretty—?"
Looking up and ahead, he noticed the deathly glare of Ji staring right back at him. He gulped. "Right, sorry. No sap."
{Not now, you Poképhile fuck.} Mad-Ji took a step forward, almost cracking the wood beneath her with her sheer presence. {Let's get this worthless task over with, finally.}
The newcomer, another Gardevoir of significant height and dark green hair float-walked through the large front patio with the casualness of a grandmother returning from shopping. Her dress swayed left and right methodically. Her eyes faced the floor, and her arms stayed folded behind her back.
Mad-Ji walked down the steps until her stubbed feet touched the grass. Cracking her neck to the side, she waited until her opponent was close enough for her face to be discerned. Ji tilted her head. This freak of nature that had just meandered into their property smooth as butter had absolutely no sense of alarm. Gardevoirs could easily recognise the power potential of those around them via telepathy or by simply reading the tension in the air; and here she was, no cares in the world, just shopping.
Spitting on the ground, Ji said, {Hey, fuckstain. Welcome to the Spencer Mansion. You're about as welcome as the shit Max trod on the other day.}
The Gardevoir stopped walking towards her about twenty feet away, staying stock still.
Ji scoffed. {I figured you'd be too much of a pussy to get closer. Now listen, I don't like repeating myself. I'm here on a mission, and I always get shit done. I fucking despise people who half-bake things, and I sure as hell am not joining that list of deplorables. So do us both a favour: bend over like the whore you probably are, lay your neck on the grass and accept a decapitation. I swear the guillotine's the easiest way you're getting out of this.}
Despite her bold, aggravated claims which boomed with a volume intense and supernatural, the other Gardevoir did little more than shake her head from side to side.
Mad-Ji waited about three seconds before exhaling, spitting residue smoke from her lungs. {What a waste of time.}
As if an act of boredom, the military Garde spawned a dozen violent Shadow Balls, lined them up and sent them away with a careless wave of her wrist. Instantly, the energy spheres smashed against Qsalyla, each bringing about a great explosion that ripped plants from their roots and pushed the hair back from Max's head.
"Holy shit…" Max said, astonished.
Scarlet bit her tongue and looked away. {I could do that.}
"I mean, yeah, but like that? I think she's yawning over there."
{I guess this is just further proof that Mad-Ji is indestructible,} Bonny added, exhaling a humoured breath at the ridiculous sight.
"Still, it's a bit upsetting, having her killed so nonchalantly. It makes me think about how… how Jade could've been… And so easily, too."
{Master,} Scarlet started, {you already know the Universe doesn't work like that. We didn't even know this thing existed back then. A lot has changed.}
{Yeah, besides, we likely wouldn't have met her had it not been for the state we were in. It's best not to blame ourselves for not seeing ahead of fate,} Aurora said, putting a reassuring paw on his shoulder.
Max sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I remember her sometimes, and it hurts to think that if we were just a bit quicker, then maybe…"
Dusk put her paw on Max's chest. {I know Master. I feel that way every time I think about her. But we love her, and she knows that now, I'm sure of it. Just give her the warmth in your heart. I'm certain she died knowing that, for the first time possibly ever, she was cared for by someone. By us.}
Max smiled, feeling a tear build in his eye as he saw Dusk's lips tremble. "Thank you, Dusk. And I'm—"
{What the fuck…?} Mad-Ji muttered, loud enough for the rest of the team to hear.
"Huh...!?"
As the smoke dissipated, the girls and Max fully expected to see nothing more than loose ash under it. But instead, they saw Qsalyla, completely unhurt. What's more, she had grown closer, and a horrific, toothed grin had formed on her face. The sight alone made Max's hair stand and Dusk's legs quiver.
{Wait, what?} Bonny said, her arms falling to her sides in disbelief. {How did…?}
Qsalyla raised her right hand, snapped her fingers and spun her index finger up to the sky. Instantly, a sound as loud as lightning striking right in front of them boomed, pushing Bonny and May back and forcing the noise-sensitive Lopunny to fall on the floor and writhe. Despite it all, Scarlet wouldn't budge.
"Shit! What was that?!" Max said, trying to see through the cloud of dirt that had lifted all around.
{I can't… believe it…} Scarlet said, her pupils the size of pinpricks once her sight managed to slice through the jets of air that engulfed the zone.
"What happened? Scarlet?" Max tried to approach the edge of the porch, only to be stopped by a protective Scarlet's hand. Her eyes wouldn't leave the scene.
"Scarlet, what are you doing? What's going on?!"
{Hold on, where's Mad-Ji?!} Aurora said, rubbing her eyes to ensure her vision wasn't failing her. But she was right — her Aura confirmed it. The Gardevoir was absent. Where Ji once stood, there was a thin ring of earth. The Lucario's eyes then landed on Qsalyla, who still kept her finger skyward. {You! What did you do to her?!}
Qsalyla smiled sheepishly and just shrugged. She brought her finger down to the floor, and suddenly, that lightning strike came again, only this time complemented by cannon fire. In an instant, most of the team either fell or threw themselves on the floor, not wanting to be caught by the shockwave that followed. Several pieces of exterior furniture flew about and many of the front side's windows were shattered by the wind. Max took hold of May and Scarlet before they flew off, and after about ten seconds, the shockwaves finally settled.
Max was, surprisingly, the first person to lift his head. He peered carefully over the mid-wall, and what he saw left him speechless.
Qsalyla was the only one standing. Mad-Ji was nowhere to be found, though it could be easily deduced that she was inside the hole that had formed in the ground. What's more, Qsalyla still looked entirely unspent, the effort made equal to lifting and lowering an arm.
A full year of military training with one of the most powerful living beings he had ever seen had desensitised Max to even the suggestion that Ji could be defeated in any way. After about a week, he accepted that she was an opponent beyond his or even the girls' level. Like asking a standard Pokémon to defeat a Legendary Titan; it just wasn't going to happen.
And yet, here she was. The bitch whose tribal army murdered one of his dear friends—someone who just needed to be cared for and did so little wrong—standing tirelessly, effortlessly in place. Then, she raised her eyes to Max, and the smile she gave belonged to the Devil itself.
"Ho-oh my… Holy…" he barely babbled.
{Ma… Master…?!} May said, still feeling wobbly from the fear just the noise brought.
"She… Qsalyla won…" he squeezed out, falling on his knees. "How the fuck…"
{We have to get out of here!} Aurora said urgently, jumping to her feet.
{Not without her head,} Scarlet said, though even she showed hesitation to manifest her powers.
{Scarlet, don't!} Dusk whispered a shout. {She'll be the death of you!}
{And she'll be the death of Max if I don't do something.}
"Scarlet, stand down. Let's… Let's try to get out of this."
{Teleport us! Now!} Bonny yelled, tugging at her tested ears.
A little chuckle could be heard at that suggestion. Scarlet stopped her efforts midway, turning to face the stage again. Qsalyla was on the first step of the stairs, much too close for comfort.
{I wouldn't do that,} the bewitching voice of the Gardevoir said.
{You rotten filth,} Scarlet spat, giving her a defiant look despite the unholy power she had just been shown. {Why shouldn't we?}
Qsalyla tilted her head with a wicked smile. {It's your style to tuck tail and run, is it?}
{Fuck you!}
{No. I'll say 'fuck you',} a mangled voice echoed from somewhere beneath their feet. Springing out from the earth with a smash, Mad-Ji landed on the dirt with her fist first, letting her presence disturb the atmosphere once again. {You piece of shit. You troglodyte. How fucking dare you bury me like that?! You think this is funny, pissant?! I'll show you funny you worthless little fucking RAT SHIT!}
To the combined outrage of the Crimson and Military Gardevoirs, Qsalyla just giggled an imprudent little laugh; as if just a little girl laughing at her father's tasteless jokes. {You're noisy. Did you know you're noisy?}
All hell began to break loose as Mad-Ji began to crumble away at the terrain, fully intent on using the entire Mansion's perimeter as her weapon. Scarlet took this as her cue, rushing off to gather Max and the girls to escape. Before anything even remotely close to a battle started, however, Qsalyla put one hand under her chin and another in front of her eyes. With a dismissive little wave, the tables turned in an instant. A wall of impossible energy smashed directly into Mad-Ji's front, and as soon as contact was made, a five-kilometre radius was engulfed in a temporary absence of light itself. Everything became white and shadow. White and shadow. Sound itself was muted. All in Ji's general direction felt as if it had been struck by an orbital cannon.
Mad-Ji could feel the energy pass through her skin, past her bones and organs, and out the other side. Her combined powers were interrupted as she felt nothing short of unthinkable agony; her every major bone fissuring, snapping, popping until they became dust. The worst part was that she somehow felt alive throughout it all. Shock didn't impede her pain from burning like white metal, nor did she faint to escape from this agony. She just endured. And no amount of moving about would soothe this impossible ache.
Her newly-turned bag of a body dropped as soon as colour returned to the world. Gravity became normal again, the ringing that made up for the absence of sound was replaced by the calls of distant seagulls, and all felt as it was again. The only thing to have gone was Mad-Ji's influence over the world.
And what did Qsalyla do, after performing this otherworldly feat? She just shook her wrist as if it were mildly burnt by a hot stove.
Scarlet couldn't even begin to perform her spell. The blood-tainted Psychic just stared in sheer awe; amazed her sight hadn't burnt away. None of the girls said a word. Max was lucky he'd emptied his bladder earlier today. As the rain cleared away, all that could be heard was the noise of crickets and birds and the light shuffle from Qsalyla's dress as she turned around and spread her arms wide as if all were a show.
{There! All is sorted. The oh-so-great hitman has left the building. But don't worry, she isn't dead. I'm just not that sort of person anymore. I've mended my ways. Death is such a vile thing, really.} She pushed her 'heel' into the flesh of the destroyed Mad-Ji, and to all the girls' horror and Max's nausea, she returned a distorted moan of pain. She was still alive. Mad-Ji was somehow forced to live. A fate worse than death itself. A worthless husk of meat, forever in agony. {I think I did you all a favour. This glum, crazy bitch must've been so frustrating for you all. I think I'm owed a 'thank you', wouldn't you agree? I mean, why in the world would you feel anything for this worthless Brig-sucking mock icon of a Drill Sergeant? Ineffective… At least some of my minions live through my training regime. Useless.}
May felt the yellow drain from her skin as the crazy 'woman' stepped on Ji like a macabre carpet. She briefly fainted against Max's leg then and there as even Bonny felt light-headed.
{Let's chat then, huh?} Qsalyla said, stepping up to the porch without a whimsy to worry about. When she floated past a flabbergasted Scarlet, she leaned in by the terrified Gardevoir's ear and whispered, {Had you teleported away, I would've come right behind you. Ever heard of Ivan the Terrible~? Well, let's say behind you works in two ways.}
Dusk fell to her knees in horrified disgust, bawling into her paws uncontrollably. Bonny dropped down next to her and put an arm over her back, though her eyes bulged and her pupils were slits. All she could do to 'protect' her friend was cover her with her large ears, but no amount of courage would bring her to look back at Qsalyla.
{You're… a monster…} Aurora said in disbelief, not allowing fear to take over her senses even if she was as bewildered as the rest. She cancelled out the noises of vomiting as she had the audacity to turn the Gardevoir's way. She almost took a step forward when Luna grabbed her firmly by the chest.
{Qsalyla, how is this possible?} Luna asked, her voice somehow calm despite the terror of the Mistress.
The Psychic whose sadism had likely surpassed all measure put her chin on the paralysed Scarlet's shoulder, grinning slyly and looking off to the side. {I got my birthright. Wonderful, huh? I can finally give that which my children deserve.}
{What does that mean?} Luna pressed on, standing between the team and her once territorial enemy.
Qsalyla hummed, removing herself from Scarlet and letting her fall to her knees and breathe, having left her too stuck with trepidation to even inhale. {Does it entice your curiosity, Ludpazilis? Or should I call you Luna?} Qsalyla giggled, draping three fingers over that vicious smile of hers. {So much love and devotion for a fox that just pisses over all that which isn't hers to own. Oh, what was that you said, army girl? Pissant? I might take that,} she teased, mocking the life she turned into agony's existence with a little titter.
{You've become incredibly strong, Qsalyla. I won't deny you that satisfaction. But your arrogance speaks volumes in the face of a Dark Type,} Luna said, taking on a fighting stance.
{N-No!} Dusk screamed, grabbing ahold of the fellow fox's leg to no real use. {She'll hurt you or worse! Don't do it, Luna!}
Qsalyla chuckled, dropping her chest forward with her arms behind her back. {Listen to the puppy, Lupi. I know that meat bag made a mess of you. I mean, really, how embarrassing is that?}
The Zoroark grit her teeth at her, before turning down to give the Braixen a reassuring smile. {Worry not, little one. I'll do my best. Please, leave this place.}
Qsalyla tilted her head and levitated Scarlet behind her by her neck, making her choke. {What, without your ginger slut?}
"LET GO OF HER!" Max suddenly shouted, his face torn with anger as he too stood up, albeit with wobbly legs. "I don't give a shit what you've become! Let go of Scarlet right fucking now!"
{Ah, look how excited the male gets when the thought of his cumdump going cold pops up.} Scarlet was shaken from side to side. {Come get her, handsome~}
Before his anger drove him forward on a fruitless suicide mission, Bonny and Aurora stepped before him, stopping him dead in his tracks.
{You let us handle this!} Aurora said, though her words felt duller than they were usually.
{If you die, my life is forfeit!} Bonny yelled, devastated by the thought of parting for even just a day.
{Don't you dare, Master…} May said in a quiet rasp, having awoken during the stir and feeling too sick to move with strength.
"But…"
{All of you, run. Please,} Luna insisted. {I'll try to get Scarlet and get to you as soon as I can. Just run.}
Qsalyla looked so amused. {How cute. A whole team fighting for the honour to fight. Violence, violence, more violence… Isn't it tiring being somebody else's fighting dog? Hell, even those mutts don't have to guzzle their owner's sperm as you whores do,} she said, the disembodied head of a Houndoom flashing into existence and landing on her palm. A second or two after, she clenched her fist and the entire thing exploded into a confetti of gore.
Qsalyla revelled in the feeling of blood splattering over her face, bringing a finger to her lips and licking off the red with an intentionally perverse motion, mocking Max's desires and taunting him in the most disgusting way possible. When she took a step forward, all but Luna took a step back.
Fed up, the Zoroark finally shouted, {GO!} and soon the whole team rushed into the mansion to escape through the other end. They'd have to rescue the people inside as well, so they wasted no time dispersing at Max's orders.
Luckily, his fragmented training had given him a clearer mind even in rash situations, but Max was visibly struggling to even budge his lips as the tragedy unfolded. The girls, excluding May who was too small and ill to run fast enough and stayed in his arms, ran off in different directions to collect the several residents. All was going well until someone decided to start a ruckus.
Aristide. The gentleman who owned the estate was one of stern attitude and nobility. He was wise, but far from the type to falter to humility, and less so one to abandon his homestead to a gang of ruffians. Of course, in this case, the 'gang' consisted only of their representative. And clearly, that had proven to be enough.
The longer they took, the more Max fretted. He had placed his bets on Luna's survival, knowing her to be smart enough to escape when she was spent. But then he recalled how swiftly Mad-Ji had defeated her. How, even using her all, she might be bested long before she could escape.
And then, his eyes widened.
{Master? Master, what is it?} May asked, concerned, forcing herself out of his grip to stand at the ready. Max resisted at first, but now was no time to bicker over comfort. This was do or die, and thus, he understood her desire to will the courage to fight if needed.
"The Houndoom…" he said, putting a hand on his cheek. "Qsalyla killed a Dark Type…"
{M-Master…?}
"It's so quiet…"
Outside, Luna stood steadfast and with her claws and fangs bared; her body lowered slightly in preparation for a vicious pounce attack. She couldn't afford to be hasty. Qsalyla's might was one she had never even pondered before; which was all the more surprising, considering how meek she seemed just a year earlier.
Luna stood on the right side of the porch, completely on her guard, whereas an aloof Qsalyla stood on the left-hand side. The door into the mansion was right in the middle. Scarlet was holding onto her last drop of oxygen.
{Let her be, Qsalyla,} Luna demanded as peacefully as she could, shifting her feet impatiently.
{Hm… Nah. I like to see her choke. Could you step aside? I want to admire this scene from there. Oh, if only I could record this forever… Oh, wait, I can!}
Qsalyla gave another hellish giggle before materialising a camera. Without a trace of concern in neither action nor speech, she lifted it and spun it around, recording a 'casual' video of her with, ironically, a peace sign thrown up while Scarlet's face became blue.
{Qsalyla!} Luna raised her voice in frustration, still not daring to make the first move. Her last defeat with Mad-Ji had left her scarred to take the initiative against certain species.
{Were you talking to me? Sorry, I don't like that name all flat and on its own. I prefer a little more… emphasis.} The Gardevoir put away the camera and twirled before performing a curtsy. {That weird little shit who led me to my gift called me something the other day. Empress Qsalyla. Mm, I like that one.}
Luna's teeth gnawed and ground together in her mouth, sweat beading on her forehead. Her entire body was tense and muscles firm, so it was all the more frustrating to see how Qsalyla took so little interest in keeping things serious. Time was not on her side. She had to do something.
{E-Empress Qsalyla, don't you think we should sort this feud between us on our own? It's you and I that have history, not—}
{Don't take me for another one of that human's cum-gargling retards. This bitch has as much history, if not more, than you and I. It's amazing she's lasting this long! I guess she's used to choking.}
Luna had no choice. She took a step forward, hoping that would stir some kind of reaction, but the Gardevoir just bobbed her head from side to side in boredom with a simple little grin.
{Well? Won't you attack me, Lupi? I mean, she is dying, you know. Oh, don't tell me. Are you into that sort of thing? Watching people choke? Or is it particular with Gardevoirs? Such a racist…}
Once she saw Scarlet's body become limp, Luna let out a warcry and leapt forward. Qsalyla huffed and yanked a hand her way. A brick flew from the wall and collided right with her outstretched paws, forcing them down and breaking two of her 'fingers', and immediately after, her throat was grabbed and smashed against the wall.
{Haaah… See, you are right about Dark Types being immune to Psychic abilities. It's like trying to drive electricity through a leather glove. But what's stopping me from doing things the classical way?} Qsalyla taunted, tightening her grip whenever Luna tried to raise a paw to attack. {I learnt something, too. I learnt that, if you use your abilities to assist your muscles, you can manifest greater strength for short lapses of time.}
Qsalyla released her grip on her neck suddenly, but before Luna could escape, she grabbed her by the mane and tossed her aside, sending her to roll a few times only to smash against the mid-wall. This act defied what their size and muscle mass discrepancy should allow, making it look plain ridiculous to any outside perspective, but still, the deed was done with barely a breath.
{How about that! God, that's invigorating! Like a Mega-Lopunny smacking down a Haunter — the satisfaction~!}
{Qsalyla!} Luna growled, becoming larger with bulging muscles as she used her illusion to appear twice her already enormous size. Just the sharpness and length of her teeth, which resembled swords, should strike fear into any mortal heart.
But Qsalyla… It's hard to argue where she lies on the mortality spectrum now.
{Catch,} the Empress suddenly said, lobbing Scarlet at Luna at tremendous speeds. Luna reflexively tried to grab her, but in doing so, she allowed the unconscious body to collide firmly into hers, sending her teetering backwards. That instant of weakness was all that was necessary for her to look back into the eyes of Hell.
TRACE.
ILLUSION.
Luna's eyes widened so much that she felt as though they would bleed. She would never be the same.
The musical hums drummed and soothed the terrible atmosphere of the disturbed home as the unparalleled Gardevoir slid past the torn door with not a scruple. She turned her head with a calmness, feigning the gentleness of a passing breeze but struck with an underlying excitement apparent in the giddiness of her smile. All was silent when she came in as if the whole world had shut up in the presence of an audition. If anything and anyone was alive, present and aware, no matter how futile or small their existence, they would know better than to disturb she, the Empress.
{Empress of what, though…?} she asked herself in a mumble. {Empress of the world…? A bit ambitious. And boring. Hah! Imagine, me, being made to take on everyone's business. What a chore.}
None returned her thoughts. She was speaking to herself, and she was more than happy to do so. A Houndoom that hid behind a bar counter sprung into action the moment her back faced it. It ran about two feet at her before dropping and skidding to a stop like a ragdoll. Dead. The reason? Qsalyla willed it.
This only made her more excited.
{Come out, come out, wherever you are!} she chimed with much heartiness. A heartiness that belonged to one without a heart. {If you make me chase you… If you make me come find you…} Her knuckles cracked. {Then by God's will, I'll act accordingly~}
Outside, hiding in the thick greenery that stretched to the boundaries of the massive estate, Max shushed the whimpers of the maids who hid. Among them was, luckily, everyone. Max's Pokémon, excluding Scarlet and Luna, as well as the Spencer family and the workers. Even Vicky was nabbed in time, though it almost cost Max an arm. Luckily she got the message quickly after hearing the ruckus outside. Among the girls, Dusk was still wobbly on her knees, while May had recovered to the point she felt as tough as the steel she was part of. Bonny kept insisting to be Mega Evolved, that she should put herself to use at least and create time, but there was no way Max was going to allow that. The only way he could convince her was by telling her a hard truth: if Mad-Ji had been sunk so quickly, the Lopunny didn't stand a chance.
"I don't get it. I seriously don't get it…!" Max hissed under his breath, feeling the weight of Scarlet's absence. "How the hell is this possible? How?!"
Above all else, Aristide was furious. He couldn't even vent his anger in the predicament they were in, and so he had to show his displeasure through the stiffness of his face. Helene did her best to calm him, but he was well past that. He blamed Max for underplaying the severity of his enemies, for allowing them to come to his domain, and for permitting the destruction of his belongings. Worse, Aristide damned the young man for condemning his wife and son to this fate.
Max was finding it difficult to keep it together, but slowly and oh-so quietly, the group shuffled through the shrubbery and trees, using the shadows to their advantage to navigate around the building and closer to the entrance gate. Mike was soon to come to pick Aristide up, and Helene was terrified he might show up now. Dimitri was brave enough to snatch the phone out of her hands before she made a fatal mistake.
{Master, how are we going to save Scarlet and Luna?} Dusk said.
Aurora, seeing him struggle to answer, pat the fox on the back. {Relax. Luna is a Dark Type. Qsalyla's already at a severe disadvantage, and you know how strong Luna is. We'll fetch them once they tire her out and escape.}
{That may be so, but… Well, Luna lost against the Mistress so easily, and…}
"It's okay, Dusk," Max tried to convince, smiling at her. "We'll get out of this. We always do."
{We'll kick her butt. But maybe not today,} May added, giving the fox a friendly bump.
{We'll tear her apart,} Bonny finished, driven up the wall with a mix of fear, sadness and a need for revenge.
Max, the girls and Helene were upset to see the toll this had taken on Bonny's mind, but all they could do was pray for the future.
"Oh my go-!" one of the maids screeched, hushed by her own palm. Right where her foot was going to go was the body of one of the bigger Houndoom patrol dogs; its muscular frame squashed down like old roadkill and its head absent. Max immediately deduced that was the one whose head Qsalyla had exploded earlier.
It was surprisingly quiet up until they reached the front of the garden. Aristide noticed the gate was open, as it had been left to avoid destruction to his expensive defences, but sitting by the middle of its frame was a little humanoid Pokémon with a raggedy white dress, green legs and feet and white, 'gloved' hands. On its head were two crests, both smaller than that of a Gardevoir's, and the one on its left had some small cracks and a missing piece near its tip. Its green hair dropped like heavy bangs over its eyes as it groomed itself; a wicked smile full of pointy teeth the only facial feature visible.
This disturbed Kirlia worked away at picking something from its teeth, humming a little jingle to itself.
{Let me do it,} Bonny suggested with an absent mind; her thoughts focused on murder.
May grabbed her paw and stopped her, anchoring the bunny, and when she turned to face her the Mawile shook her head. {No, don't. It'll make too much noise. Qsalyla will come for us.}
"Yeah, but these people need to get out of here, and it's the only exit," Max said.
Aurora conceded with May. {She's right. You saw what she just did. She'll catch up to us in seconds. They won't get a chance to get far.}
{I'll do it quietly,} Bonny hissed.
"How? There's no way you could come up to it without it noticing. Besides, it's… just a Kirlia…"
{That doesn't matter right now. It's a part of their group and I won't let it live.}
"Bonny, stop it. Don't you remember? Jade told us they basically get forced into it. That Kirlia might have been born into this nasty business. We should at least try to spare it."
{That Kirlia will grow up to be a horrible Gardevoir. What does it matter?}
{Bonny, please, stop it,} Dusk pleaded, grabbing her friend's shoulder with tears in her eyes.
They became quiet as the Kirlia suddenly stood up, stretched its limbs and wandered directly towards the vegetation the group hid in. Everyone dropped down as low as possible, doing their best to not even breathe. The Kirlia, once close enough, leaned forward with its arms behind its back.
{Hello~o, who's this here? I see a few fluffy butts sticking out. Gosh, you're awful at hiding!}
Immediately, Bonny sprung into action, leaping to destroy the Kirlia despite her Master's wishes. Before she could come close enough, Bonny's course was strangely altered, making her 'miss' unrealistically and illogically. Hitting the earth, she turned to the Kirlia and tried to swat it with her ears, but the Kirlia just stepped backwards, arms still behind its back as it flashed that sickening smile.
{Come on, come on, you all. You can step out, now. There's no point hiding in there like a dog; I mean, how do you think the Houndooms got cleared out?}
"It was… you…?" Max said, standing up with fierce eyes, the rest of the group reluctantly following. "That's impossible. You're just a Kirlia, they're—"
{Save me the beans, I know. I don't make a lot of sense. Your bunny friend doesn't make a lot of sense either. I mean, I get being jacked, but holy moly is she one doozy of a biological nightmare.} The Kirlia giggled, swaying its waist a bit and sticking a drunken finger toward the Lopunny. {Quintuple jacked! It's kind of gross! This emasculator doesn't disturb you?}
"That's enough," Aristide said with a deep, clear voice that tried its best to remain calm and quiet. "Leave this property at once. I have more than mutts at my disposal."
{What, like, the crazy Gardie you had in your back pocket?} the Kirlia prodded, leaning forward again just to tempt Bonny to attempt another fruitless jab he whimsically dodged. {Man, you need to learn to time your blows. What was it you said, 'speed is my secondary!' right? Mhaha! Aww, it was so cute to see you sparring with that dude. Shame he never showed his sensitive side; he could've spared himself had it not been for those gross comments he made, huh?}
{That disgusting Gallade? I almost forgot he existed. I guess he doesn't, now,} Bonny said with an evil smile, trying to jerk the little Psychic's instincts.
The Kirlia just shrugged. {I guess you're right. I was about to give him a thwack of my own, to be honest. Sexist, sexist. Don't like those, no sirree.}
Max had enough of this waste of time. "Look, just step aside and let these innocents free. Qsalyla only wanted to deal with us, to begin with. They have nothing to do with any of this. Besides…" Showing his anger for once, Max made his toned body seem bigger. "If you stand in our way, we'll do something drastic."
The Kirlia wowed, clapped his hands on his cheeks and dropped low. {So cool! A human, all puffed up. Your shirt isn't ripping, though, so don't mind me…} Reaching forward, faster than the girls' reflexes, he grabbed the fabric on Max's chest and tore at it quick enough for his chest to become exposed to the world.
"What in the…?!"
{Ta-daa! At least now you have something to your word. Oh, what's this you're making—?}
The Kirlia noticed Aurora charging a large bludgeon of bone, swinging it around a few times before thwacking the Kirlia over the head so hard it threw him against the wall.
{Go!} the jackal exclaimed, and all the humans, as well as Vicky, ran outside in a hurry. Having made too much noise to conceal, Aurora turned to the human she loved and pointed the bone his way. {You too! Get out of here, now!}
"What?! Scarlet needs help! Luna does, too!"
{I know, and I'll help them. But you're just gonna get yourself killed if you stay, so please, go!}
Bonny stood next to Aurora, putting a hand on her shoulder. {I'm with you. If it costs me my life, I will avenge Jade. I'll kill that witch.}
{I'll be your shield,} May said without hesitation, standing with them. She turned to Dusk to see her expression. The Braixen was mortified at the prospect of fighting, but even more so of losing the last of her friends. {You don't have to come if you don't want to, Dusk.}
Bonny smiled at her oldest friend. {Yeah. I would hate to see both of us disappear.}
Dusk shuffled on the spot, biting her finger with anxiety. {I— I…}
"You… You can't seriously expect me to run away from this fight!" Max finally spoke up.
{You can and you must, Master. We live to keep you safe. Let us serve our purpose,} Aurora said.
"That's bullshit! None of you are here for my convenience! If you're going to risk your lives saving her, then…!"
{Gracious, does it always have to be a fuckfest or a fight with you?} the Kirlia interjected with a groan from the ache on his back.
{Stay down, you little shit. I'll splatter you just like I did that Gallade,} Bonny hushed, resorting to something she didn't usually: intimidation.
Not that it seemed to work. It was hard to feel threatened by a rabbit on two legs. The Kirlia waddled closer, not an inch of wariness to him. {Why don't you lot just see straight, eh? This is pointless. Seriously, that's not even me being villainous. Your best bet was to run far, far away and hope to Arceus the lovely lady wants nothing more to do with you. But obviously, I know that's not true, so…} The Kirlia scratched his head, dodging attacks left and right as Bonny and Aurora showed their displeasure. Even as he evaded their assault, he kept on rambling. {I guess this is fair? I mean, I totally understand wanting to fight for your life, but with these odds, it's more a matter of dying tired or not. Agh, what am I saying?! Who's to say you'll even die in the first place? See, now I'm falling for your arrogant assumptions. Oh, Lyla'll be heartbroken if she hears!}
{Trust me, you'll be the last person to move my heart.}
The voice of Qsalyla behind them startled the remaining girls as they whipped around and saw her, the self-proclaimed Empress, in all her macabre glory. Floating beside her was the hopefully unconscious body of Scarlet, and behind her, shambling and shivering and shaking like a madman with her claws tapping together in front of her was none other than the beastly Zoroark they knew and cherished, her gaze fixed on the floor as though anything more were to defy a greater will.
All but the grinning Kirlia were horrified, but the girls didn't waste time. Bonny grabbed Max and threw him behind her, urging him to run before taking a fighting stance. No matter how much it stung, he couldn't waste time making himself cannon fodder. If any of her troops arrived, he would at least have a chance. Against Qsalyla? The reality of the situation was cruel and a gigantic pill to swallow, but he didn't stand a chance. With no options left, and time pressuring his decisions, he turned away from Scarlet and ran off to get the others to safety. He could feel his heart weigh. Scarlet was alive, he sensed it, but every beat was heavier the further he ran. Tears slipped from his eyes. Was he killing her?
As all became serious and the tension rose, the Kirlia once again disturbed them by crawling on all fours to his mistress' foot, grabbing her leg and worshipping her with the most perverse love imaginable.
{Sweet glory, look how you shine! Your beauty, Mistress, it blinds me!}
{Thank God. Your eyes do enough as they are,} she said, colder than usual before kicking him off herself, throwing him into the fence so powerfully that it fell apart where he struck.
{Luna looks…} May gasped.
{Mindbroken,} Aurora concluded, lowering her head a the sight.
{O-Oh no…} Dusk worried.
{Let them go, you fucking bitch!} Bonny shouted, stomping her foot with such force it cracked the floor beneath.
{Explain to me how that would make any sense,} Qsalyla challenged, a hand on her hip. Despite her actions, the way in which she spoke seemed all too normal for a psychopath such as her.
{Do it! Do it or I'll end you!}
{Okay, end me.}
{Don't test me!}
{Seriously, try it. Go ahead.}
Aurora noticed the burning fire in Bonny's eyes. {Don't lose your head, Bonny. She wants you to crack.}
{Oh, I'll crack alright…} Qsalyla spat with venom in her voice, taking a step forward toward Bonny.
The rabbit glared daggers into her eyes, and both she and Aurora tightened their fists and readied themselves for a fight unlike any before. It was likely a suicide charge; the rush was addictive.
But then, a voice from earlier creaked out among ragged breaths and oral pain. {My holiest! Sweet gorgeous creature, a delight to my senses, I feel the preciousness of your every inch of being! I love! Qsalyla, Goddess mine, love and embrace me!}
The wicked witch calling herself 'Empress' groaned in response, her stiffness melting. Those that still stood here were surprised to see the surely destroyed Kirlia waltzing back into the scene like a drunk, still woozy from the impact yet not a spec of blood. More so, however, was how Qsalyla seemed to lose her airs entirely from just that.
The little Kirlia finally reached the foot of his beloved ruler to no real interruption from the girls, who almost sniggered despite their stress, as the Gardevoir folded her arms and looked down at him in disinterest; he on all fours and pleading her with his very being.
{Mistress, my love, the apple of my life~! Could you do me a favour, just one, a small one? For me?} the nameless Kirlia begged, though not at all distressed, giving his wishes more on a whim than principle.
Qsalyla closed her eyes and sighed. She took to looking at the three girls in their puny fighting poses. All it would take is a yawn. The fact it was so easy was… so demotivating. Looking behind her, she reached for the Zoroark's mane and pulled her forward, with Luna not resisting her 'encouragement' in the slightest.
{Madam?} the Kirlia pleaded more, grabbing the hem of her dress like a loving child or a malignant creep. {My favour?}
{I owe you squat. Watch and silence yourself.} The 'Empress' pointed off towards the girls with a sneer. {You wish to do battle with a divine being as I?! Phet! Your grotesque, violent ways…} she said, soaking in her hypocrisy with a little giggle. The Kirlia smiled, all too charmed by her tender sadism. {Fight your bitch, instead!}
{W H A T?!} Bonny shouted, flapping her arms about. {OH MY GOD, LUNA, SNAP OUT OF IT!}
{Oh, for crying out loud…} Aurora sighed, drooping her snoot.
{Damn, today's just all about us losing, huh?} May growled.
Luna stepped forward, her body twitching. She was still in there; you could tell just by watching her pupils fly around the whites of her eyes. This wasn't a matter of choice. It was a matter of being. Her internal structure, her memories, her thoughts… They were hijacked by this witch. Luna breathed deep, shivering as her claws became sharp in front of her. The girls, startled, took a step back but were far too determined to give in, no matter how hopeless this may seem — no matter how hopeless this was.
With the authoritarian voice she had practised over long years of rule, Empress Qsalyla commanded, {Ludpazilis, kill your friends.}
TO BE CONTINUED
READ THE REST FROM THE OFFICIAL FANDOM PAGE
Family Matters
By: Chief Reviewer
The night was silent and peaceful in the forest, many pokemon were sleeping, others with nocturnal habits were looking for their prey, wrapped in darkness. Over the treetops, a tunnel appears in the air, quickly a small greenish-colored pokémon comes out of it flying at high speed, nimbly dodging the branches of the dense forest in front of him.
For some time, he seems to survey the area, as if he's looking for someone or some place. After a few moments of searching, he sees a clearing in the middle of that dense forest, and, in the center of this clearing, a small lake with calm and crystalline waters.
The pokémon lands near the edge of the pond and walks towards the water, stirring the water as he approachs the water looking like a mirror reflecting the night sky and shining stars.
After a few moments a bluish glow begins to form in the center, and, in an explosion of water, a small blue pokémon emerges from within the pond.
Upon opening his eyes, the mythical little pokemon looked for who disturbed his calm waters, focusing his eyes on the pokémon that had stirred the waters, he smiled and went to meet him.
{Celebi, you are back! So that means the mission you entrusted to me was successful doesn't it? Did they achieve the future you expected to achieve?}
{Not quite yet, the future is not that easy to predict, or to define…}
{What do you mean? When you told me that those two were going to show up here one night arguing with each other, and that I should find a way to make them understand how they really felt about each other… That's exactly what happened! And now you tell me that it was useless?}
{That's not what I meant! Let me try to explain it to you! Imagine that certain important moments in your life are like a room with several doors, and that each door will lead you on a path to another room with several other doors, and so on. Depending on your choices of doors in each room, you will be guided to a different destination, that is, the choice that is made in each of these important moments is what will make a certain future more plausible to happen or not...}
{Hmm I see, then by this, you mean that what happened to them here was one of those special moments, and that you needed my help to direct them to the correct door is that it?}
{Exactly, I can visualize these "rooms" but I can't force them to follow the path I need them to follow, so I depend on the help of others like you to somehow guide them to the right path...}
{Wow! must be extremely tiring for you!}
{Hahahaha! It's extremely exhausting! It's like guiding a herd of Taurus through a big crystal shop without breaking anything! But every tear, sweat and drop of blood is needed to reach the future where that person who will be a symbol of the union between humans and pokemons as equals will exist and convince everybody…}
{Woah, that looks fantastic! Can you tell me a little more about that future?}
{About the endpoint… Unfortunately it's still very hazy, even for me, but I can tell you about another important convergence point! Would you like to hear?...}
{YES!}
{So, approximately 10 years in the future….}
About 10 years in the Future
The sun was rising on the horizon, illuminating a small ranch near the base of the Crystal Cove Mountains, on the outside, a man of tall height and athletic build in his 30's to 35's stood with an axe in his hand chopping wood near the entrance to the house.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
Suddenly a three-fingered hand caresses his back, exploring every perfectly shaped muscle.
{Hey handsome. Good Morning. I see someone woke up early again. Why are you chopping wood out here? You know very well that we have electricity through solar panels, don't you?}
"Good morning to you love, sorry if the noise woke you or the girls. But breathing in the fresh morning air while exercising a little helps focus my thoughts and clear my mind."
{You're still thinking about the outcome of our last mission, aren't you?}
"Grrr, I just can't believe we let those smugglers get away! We were so close to arresting them! It was six months working undercover thrown in the trash! And the worst of it is that now they know who we are."
Scarlet, caressing Max's face gives him a small kiss, and smiling at her beloved says:
{Max… You did the right thing. None of us had any idea on that night where the trade was made, they would have a Gengar lurking in the shadows. If you and Luna hadn't acted quickly enough, that bastard could have easily taken out both Bonny and I.}
"I know… But that distraction was enough for us to lose the leader of that organization along with that Bisharp of his and another half of the cargo they stole."
{Don't be so hard on yourself, love. Even the Ranger High Command agreed that your actions were correct after reading the report.}
{We've been working with them for over 5 years now. Everyone inside knows your dedication and commitment, your record is one of the best ever. Heck, they even accept your terms of working for them with your own Pokemon team.}
{Don't worry, we'll have another chance. The Ranger Intelligence team has been looking for information on their whereabouts for almost a month. Be patient, we'll be able to catch them at one time or another.}
"It's just..."
Scarlet already knew that expression on Max's face very well, no it was just frustration, but concern, concern that he had exposed their identities without arresting the criminals, thus putting his team in real danger.
{Hey! Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to any of us. After all, we've faced much worse situations than a bunch of smugglers.} Said the Gardevoir with a smile on her face.
"Thank you, love, you always know how to bring out the best in me and calm me down."
{That 's why we complete each other! Now, don't delay entering the shower and change clothes. The girls should be waking up by now, and Dusk was already getting things ready for the barbecue when I stopped by the kitchen to come talk to you.}
"Hmmm… change clothes? …. Barbecue?..."
{MAX! Don't tell me you forgot what day it is?!}
"HHee… No! Of course not… but…"
Max then looks at his lover, who already knew he was lying because of the mental link between them.
"Ok I give up. Sorry, I completely forgot. What do we have scheduled for today?"
{Hmph! Lucky for you that I love you so much, and you have a sculptural body that turns me on to this day.}
{Today is Dimitri's son's 1st birthday party, and Helene made me promise her that you'd be there no matter what. After all, you are the boy's godfather.}
"True, you are right."
{Not to mention that Luna is extremely excited to see Dimitri and the baby, you know how she has a certain maternal bond with that boy.}
"Yes, especially after that mission last year involving that Hisuian Zoroark… What was his name?"
{Loki.}
"Yeah! Who could have imagined that that monster was actually the incarnation of Luna's son?"
{Tell me about. It was very difficult for her to end her own son, but he was out of control and irrational.}
"And she insisted on solving this mission on her own, without any of us intervening."
{It was a very personal matter for her…}
{Anyway, don't take too long love, I'll be transporting us in approximately 1 hour.}
After about 1 hour Max and the girls were ready, Dusk had made several special dishes to take to the party, while Luna kept pointing at the living room clock saying they were already late to see Dimitri and the others.
Then everyone gathered in the middle of the room placing their hands on Scarlet.
{Is everyone ready? If so, let's go.}
In the blink of an eye, everyone was standing in the gardens of the Spencer mansion, where several maids were preparing a beautiful birthday table in the gazebo near the garden.
Mike and Helene, who were coordinating the organization, noticed the arrival of their guests and immediately went to receive them.
"Max my boy, how good to see you again!"
"Ehh thanks Helene, but I don't think I'm a boy anymore…"
"Nonsense! For me you will always be that young man I welcomed into my home years ago."
"Hehehe yes ma'am!"
"Mr. Max, good to see you healthy and strong!"
"Mike, my old man! What medicine are you into? It feels like you never get old!"
"Thank you for your kindness, sir!"
"Scarlet! Girls! Welcome, make yourselves at home!"
Everyone thanked Helene for her hospitality, Luna in turn, was soon asking Helene about Dimitri and the baby.
"Oh my! Looks like the big mom is looking forward to seeing her puppies." said Helene laughing a little at the Zoroark's reaction.
"By the way, Dusk, the cooks are waiting for you in the kitchen. When I told them you were coming today, they were all so excited to want to learn those special recipes of yours."
"As for you girls, make yourself comfortable. Max, if you don't mind, I'll steal Scarlet a little, I'd like to talk to her a little."
"Sure Helene, is there anything I can help with?"
"No, young man, just girls talk…."
"Ehhh ok then…."
{Don't worry Master, we won't destroy your dignity… too much. Hihihihihi.}
And so, everyone went their way that morning, until everyone gathered at the large lunch table prepared in the garden next to the gazebo.
Lunch went by peacefully, with everyone talking, having a good laugh and at one point they even stopped to watch Luna who made different expressions and faces while helping Dimitri's wife to feed the baby.
A few hours after lunch, everyone gathered again in the gazebo to celebrate little Stephen's first year of life.
"…. Happy birthday to you"
"….Happy birthday to you"
"….Happy birthday, dear Stephen"
"….Happy birthday to you"
"Hey Dimitri, congratulations man! I'm proud of you! You will be a wonderful dad!"
"Gee thanks Max, I…."
KABOOOM!
"What the hell was that? What is happening?" Max asked as he saw a column of smoke rising from the back walls of the garden.
"Everyone, protect yourselves! We are being attacked!" said the security guards who were running into the garden from inside the house.
Immediately Max looked at Luna saying…
"Luna! Quickly get Dimitri and his family out of here and keep them safe inside the house."
"May, Sally, protect Helene and Mike! Dusk, Scarlet, Aurora and Bonny come with me, let's see if we can help!"
Arriving near the wall that was destroyed, Max and the girls were attacked by several hooded and armed men, working alongside pokemon, among them a Tyranitar, a Rhyhorn and a Rillaboom.
As the Mansion's security seemed to be controlling the advance of the armed invaders, Max focused his efforts on stopping the four invading Pokémon.
"Dusk, attack that Rillaboom using Flamethrower, Scarlet and Bonnie, go all out for that Tyranitar, Aurora, finish that Rhyhorn using Bone Rush."
But in the midst of all that gunfire chaos and debris Max could see a silhouette hidden in the smoke, just waiting for his pokemons to move away from him.
After the girls get far enough away from Max, a Bisharp darts at high speed through the smoke towards Max to attack him using Night Slash.
With her enhanced peripheral vision, Scarlet realizes what is about to happen and tries to alert Max by screaming.
{MAX! WATCH OUT!}
Realizing that there would be no time for Max to dodge in time, Scarlet teleported instantly….
…SLASH…
Splash… a burst of blood spreads across Max's clothes, staining his chest and face.
"….Argh! N No! No! NO! Dusk HELLLP …."
Upon hearing Max's cry for help and seeing the Bisharp in front of him, the Delphox instantly launches a blast of Mystical Fire, seriously injuring the Pokémon, causing it to flee immediately.
{MASTER! Are you okay? Are you hurt?} Asked Dusk, running towards Max who was already on his knees on the floor.
Getting close to Max, Dusk looks at his Master, but horrified by what she sees, she screams so loud that it draws the attention of not only Bonny and Aurora who had scared away the invading Pokemon, but also May, Sally, Helene and Mike.
KYY AAAAAAAAAAA!
Everyone then runs towards Dusk who was paralyzed beside Max with her face frozen in panic.
Within seconds Aurora and Bonnie arrived, followed moments later by May, Sally, Helene and Mike.
Everyone remained frozen there in the midst of the terror scene.
Kneeled on the floor Max was in shock, with his shirt and face covered in blood. In his lap, Scarlet was lying, coughing up blood and with her abdomen completely ripped open of the attack she received from Bisharp while protecting her lover, as she teleported herself directly in front of him.
With his voice trembling and muffled, Max barely had the strength to say….
"s.. somebody… h.. help her please!"
Taking control of the situation, Helene then snaps everyone out of their trance.
"Dusk! Quick, use your Psychic to keep the wound closed and Scarlet immobilized…."
"Aurora and Bonnie, get the base from one of those tables and the tablecloths to wrap around her abdomen so we can move her…"
"Mike contact Carlos on the radio now and tells him to get the high-speed Helicopter ready."
"Now let's take her to the east courtyard where the helicopter is, we don't have time to waste."
"Hey Chief!" Helene said to the security commander who was still dealing with the invaders. "Get rid of those intruders, and make sure no one follows us."
Dusk then used her powers, gently lifted Scarlet from Max's lap, placing the Gardevoir on top of the improvised stretcher and everyone headed for the helicopter that had its engines running.
Entering the helicopter, Mike sat next to the pilot, while Max and Helene sat in the back along with Dusk, who supported Scarlet on the floor of the aircraft.
"Bonny, May and Aurora, you'd better stay to help security if necessary and inform Luna and Dimitri of the whole thing." Said the old lady.
{B..But Master!} The girls said in unisom!
"Please girls do as Helene ordered, don't worry. We will give you news as soon as possible."
As soon as the aircraft took off, Helene gave Mike instructions.
"Mike, contact Sector 22 and inform Director Wu that we have an Omega code, inform him that we need a specialist team and an intensive care unit. Say the individual is a Gardevoir with a deep abdominal laceration!"
"Yes ma'am! immediately!"
Turning her attention to the pilot, Helene asked…
"Carlos what is our ETA until Sector 22?"
"On our course, and current speed, we should reach Sector 22 in approximately 7 minutes ma'am."
"Great. Mike, pass this information along to Director Wu!"
"Ehh, Helene, what is this Sector 22 thing? I vaguely remember hearing this term on our old Module a long time ago." Asked Max, still with his clothes stained with blood and visibly shaken by the state of his beloved who was breathing with difficulty on the floor of the aircraft.
"Well, young man, it's an Institute for genetic research, diseases and medicines, maintained by the Spencer Foundation and other companies. This complex is at the forefront of research for the well-being of humans and pokemons!"
"Keep calm and have faith Max, if there's one place where Scarlet has a good chance of surviving, it's Sector 22."
"But now tell me, who were these people who attacked us? And why were they after you and Scarlet?"
In the next few minutes Max explained the details of the failure of his last mission, which resulted in the escape of the leader of a large criminal organization.
"Oh my God, that's a horrible story young man, and you spent 6 months undercover with these criminals? Probably they have contacts spread throughout the Rados region, since most of the merchants in our city knew that you would be present today in the celebration of my grandson's birthday."
Max remained thoughtful for a few seconds, but his thoughts were interrupted by Mike informing him that the Institute was already in sight.
"Ma'am, the team is already on the landing area with a bio-bed ready to take Miss Scarlet to the operating room."
"Perfect, thank you Mike, Carlos put us down!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Upon landing, Max couldn't help but be impressed by the size of the Institute, where humans and Pokemon seemed to work together on site, both wearing a sort of white protective suit. A situation that greatly intrigued the boy, since he was not used to seeing pokemons wearing any type of clothing.
Opening the doors of the aircraft, the team quickly evacuated Scarlet with the help of Dusk and her psychic power, they then layed the Gardevoir in the bio-bed and rushed inside the institute towards the operating room.
"Scarlet! wai…." Max said, trying to keep up with the team.
"Don't worry sir, she will be in good hands!" Said an elderly man with an oriental appearance.
"Max! I want you to meet Dr. Wu, the Director of this research complex."
"Ehh. Nice to meet you Doc, but… I would like to be with my mate… ehh pokemon!"
"Don't worry Mr. Max, here in Sector 22 we don't judge any interaction between humans and pokemons. We both work for the well being and union of all!"
"But I think it would be better if you go to one of our dormitories to take a shower and change your dirty clothes. If you want, your Delphox can accompany you, since she also has several bloodstains."
"This gentleman will accompany you to the dormitory, and when you are ready, you can meet us in my office, in the meantime I will discuss some matters with Mrs. Helene."
Saying goodbye to Helene and Wu, Max accompanied the Institute employee to one of the dormitories, which looked a lot like a hotel room, with a large bed in the center with a TV in front, a table and a small wardrobe on the right and an entrance door to a relatively spacious bathroom on the left.
Upon handing them the room keys, the employee said goodbye to them by informing…
"Mr Max, inside the wardrobe you will find a pair of our standard work uniforms. You can leave your dirty clothes in the basket described as Biohazard inside the bathroom, our team will take care of cleaning them"
"I'm sorry about that, but I'll need to ask you that after you clean up your companion she will need to wear one of the uniforms too, once that we have a very strict level of biological control in this place"
"As soon as you are ready, you can meet me in the entrance hall we passed through, I will be waiting for you there to accompany you to Dr. Wu office."
Then, after a brief bow, the employee headed for the lobby, leaving Max and Dusk alone to clean up.
{Wow, Master, apparently their level of concern with cleanliness here is almost an exaggeration.}
"Not so much my love. If you imagine all kinds of diseases research with contaminating materials that they must do here, you can't be too careful."
"After all, no one wants to leave a laboratory and unintentionally spread some kind of deadly bacteria or virus."
{M.. Master, this way you make me scared…}
"Don't worry, let's just protect ourselves by wearing these clothes and not touching anything we shouldn't. But now let's try to clean up, and find Helene as soon as possible."
{Right…}
Max and Dusk then entered the shower, which comfortably accommodated two people, where they both removed all the blood that had already dried on Max's skin and Dusk's fur,
which wasn't so pleasant for the Delphox, as several tufts of her fur stuck together because of the dried blood, and she hated the medicine smell of the shampoo that was available to them.
"Yes, it seems that in an environment like this, what matters is the effectiveness of hygiene and not the scent it leaves." Max said, also a little annoyed with the smell the products left on their bodies.
After they dried off completely and donned the protective clothing, Max couldn't help but notice how sexy Dusk's figure looked under the garment.
{What happened? Did the outfit look weird on me?}
"Errr.. No. On the contrary. Maybe I should think about buying you some clothes for your girls to wear once in a while…."
Leaving the room, Max and Dusk headed to the entrance hall, where they were reunited with the Institute employee who had accompanied them to Dr. Wu office. Along the way, Max and Dusk crossed paths with several Institute employees, both humans and Pokémon, all of whom showed a friendly attitude, but seemed extremely focused on their tasks.
"Wow, that's what I call professionalism!" Max said.
When they arrived at the entrance to the Office, the employee opened the door for them, and once again, bowing briefly, said goodbye and left the place.
"Helene! Dr. Wu! Do you have any news of Scarlet's condition yet?"
"We've just received a preliminary medical report, and it looks like we have two entire teams in the operating room right now, but they still haven't informed us of her physical condition, we can only wait now."
Max, Dusk and Helene remained waiting in the Office along with Dr. Wu for over 6 hours when the Chief Surgeon arrived with the news that the surgery was over and had a new medical report to share with them.
Hastily Max got up questioning the doctor about Scarlet's condition.
"So doctor… How is my Scarlet?"
"Well, gentlemen, first I would like to inform you that the surgery was a success! She is out of danger, we will keep her in an induced coma for the next 48 hours to aid her recovery and spare her the pain."
"This... This is... WONDERFUL! Thank you, thank you so much doctor!"
"Ahem… However, we have a complication to discuss at the moment…" said the Chief Surgeon, maintaining his serious posture.
"In fact, as I just informed you, the patient is not running any chance of death, however, the injuries she received were extensive and deep. The lacerations permanently compromised her reproductive system. We had to remove her womb, her left ovary was completely destroyed, and her right ovary was severely damaged and contaminated by blood. We were able to save only 3 eggs from the patient before we removed the right ovary, in order to avoid septicemia in her system."
"Oh My God! But we can freeze them for storage, can't we doc?" said Helene.
"Unfortunately, as the envelope of the right ovary has been ruptured and the patient's blood has contaminated its interior, it is not possible to perform a cryonics procedure. In fact, if these eggs are not fertilized within the next 2 hours they will completely degrade… I'm sorry."
"Does this mean that any chance Scarlet could have a child is lost forever?" Max asked mostly to himself.
"Ehh. This is quite ironic. I never worried about being a father, because we always knew that there was no possibility of having a family, since I'm human and she's a pokémon. We even discussed her getting pregnant with a Gallade or adopting a child, whether human or pokemon. But Scarlet has always been against these options…"
"And now I can't help but feel a deep emptiness inside me, as if a part of my life can't be completed anymore… This… is… is… it sucks!"
Helene then watched the deep sadness in the soul of that man, who, in her eyes, remained that young boy she had welcomed and cared for years ago. Made the old lady thank the head surgeon for the information and politely asked him to leave them alone.
With the surgeon out of the room, Helene immediately turns her attention to Dr. Wu and questions him.
"Doctor, according to the Spencer Foundation funding reports for Sector 22, what is the current state of research on the Artemis project?"
Hearing Helene's questioning, the old researcher's eastern eyes opened wide.
"Ma'am, you are mad! We've just finished mapping the genomes and we've barely completed the phase 2 tests, we don't even know if the procedure will actually succeed! You cannot be serious."
"Dr. Wu, I can't just stand here and watch the lives of two people I love being destroyed, knowing that there may be a solution to the problem, even if the chances are slim!"
Max and Dusk, who watched the heated argument between the two without understanding anything, then asked.
"Excuse our ignorance, but what is this "Project Artemis"?"
Doctor Wu, then looking at Max and Dusk's confused faces, tries to explain as simply as possible.
"Try to understand, in recent years our society has been increasingly tolerant of relationships between humans and pokemons, and for this reason many unions between humans and pokemons have taken place. But as you yourself said, we are not genetically compatible to generate children between us. And because of that, many couples seek adoption or assisted pregnancy by another human or pokemon. But unfortunately our laws still do not recognize the rights of these human or pokemon children, as a true fruit of these relationships…
"For this reason we created the Artemis Project, which aims to add part of the human genome to the pokemon DNA, so that after a simple DNA test in the child, it is possible to map both the genome of the father and the mother, thus guaranteeing all the rights established by law for children conceived on legitimate marriages."
"Wait a moment! Are you trying to tell me that your intention is to create hybrid babies between humans and pokemons?" Max asked, startled by the possibilities.
"No, you misunderstood, our intention is not to develop hybrids, in fact the dominant base genome will always be the pokemon, our objective is to be able to implant part of the human DNA in order to create genetic markers that prove the paternity of the couple. In short, the baby will always be a Pokemon, but with genetic markers from its human parents. So much so that this entire fertilization process is done in laboratories, and the embryo develops in an incubator chamber that we developed."
….
Max remained thoughtful and couldn't answer the Doctor's explanations.
"My young man, this may be the last chance for both of you, is it not worth the attempt?" Helene said putting her hand on one of Max's shoulders.
"… I…."
"Mr. Max, I would just like to make it very clear that we cannot guarantee that the procedure will either work!" Informed the old researcher.
"I… I wish I could discuss this possibility with Scarlet before making a decision…."
"I'm sorry young man, but I'm afraid it won't be possible, as she will remain in an induced coma for 2 days, and we have a maximum of 2 hours to be able to fertilize the eggs before we miss the opportunity."
Max then looked at Dusk, who was smiling at him and said…
{Master, if the situation were the other way around, I'm sure Scarlet would do anything to have a chance to have a baby with you.}
"Wise words my beautiful Delphox…."
"Okay, I accept, tell me what I have to do Dr. Wu!"
Immediately Dr. Wu calls two nurses into her office and gives the following information…
"Nurse Audrey please bring a semen collection kit immediately!
Nurse Caroline goes to lab 16 and informs Dr. Yoshida and his team that we will begin proceedings for a Project Artemis attempt in less than 2 hours, under my direct authority!"
In less than 5 minutes the first nurse was back with an orange capped bottle in her hands.
Doctor Wu then handed the vial to Max and instructed him to go into the next room and provide a semen sample.
As he headed for the room across the hall, Dusk started following him in order to help his master get the semen sample. But she was stopped by Dr. Wu who informed her that Max should do the collection himself to avoid any kind of contamination.
After about 15 minutes Max returned from the next room carrying the vial with his precious seeds inside, handing it back to Dr. Wu.
The researcher then invited Helene, Max, and Dusk to accompany him to Lab 16 to deliver the samples to Dr. Yoshida, who already had Scarlet's eggs and was preparing all the equipment to carry out both the genetic mapping and DNA splicing necessary to match the DNA of both in order to achieve successful fertilization.
Arriving in front of a large door that gave access to the laboratory, Dr. Wu passed on some information about how the guests should behave within the sterile environment of the experiment area.
"All right ladies and gentlemen, we're going to go through a decontamination chamber now, please don't be alarmed by the jets of decontaminating gasses. Once they're done, you all have to put on the environmental suits present in the chamber and connect the yellow air hoses that will be suspended from the ceiling."
Even though they had been warned about the decontamination, the force of the blasts of air were enough to scare Dusk and Helene, causing both of them to jump as the procedure began.
Once the procedure was completed, everyone put on their environmental suits and entered the gigantic oval-shaped laboratory, which had on its walls all kinds of equipment, monitoring stations and pipes that connect to a metallic sphere in the center, and was open at the moment, divided into two parts.
Doctor Wu then asked everyone to wait for him by the front door while he went to deliver the vial to Dr. Yoshida.
He then walked away and went towards a man who was also in an environmental suit, but red in color with two black stripes on the left side. The two then exchanged bows and Dr. Wu handed over the vial.
Max then couldn't help but notice that the researcher in the red suit seemed very annoyed with Dr. Wu, demonstrating that he did not agree with the attempt to perform the procedure at such an early point in the research.
The two researchers then return to where Max and the others were, and Dr. Wu introduces his colleague to his guests.
"Dr. Yoshida, this is Ma'am Helene, our sponsor and representative of the Spencer Foundation, and this is Max, our research subject in this experiment and his companion Pokémon Dusk."
Max politely reached out to shake hands with Dr. Yoshida, but was completely ignored by the researcher who looked him straight in the eye and said.
"You are aware that this is a procedure whose research is years away from being perfected, and that for this reason we cannot promise you any success or guarantee that whatever comes out of that sphere will survive, understood? Mr… Max?"
Max felt a chill down his spine, due to the insensitive and harsh way in which Yoshida spoke to him. Making him just nod his head, demonstrating that he accepted the risks.
"Well then. Once we're all in agreement, let's get down to business! As I was informed by our Chief Surgeon, we only have three eggs and they cannot be stored. For this reason, I suggest we fertilize all three simultaneously…"
Hearing this, Max immediately asked Dr. Yoshida.
"Does this mean I will have 3 children ?" Max asked, thinking about the situation of becoming a father of 3 right away!
"No Mr. Max, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, this means that we will have 3 chances to try to achieve at least one viable fertilization."
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I ask you to step out of the way and remain seated in my office next door."
"Ow! This one deserved the title of Mister Sympathy, Max said to Dusk, as they made their way to the office that was separated from the lab by another decontamination room."
For the next hour, they watched through a glass as Dr. Yoshida works, running a series of tests and analyzing procedures on several of the equipment. Until, after a while, one of the researchers catches Yoshida's attention, informing the doctor about some data on a computer screen, and soon after opening a machine and removing a round vial containing a purple gelatinous material, which they put inside the sphere in the center of the laboratory.
As they move away from the mechanism, the sphere begins to close, and large screens throughout the laboratory begin to transmit various information and graphics of DNA structures.
A few minutes later Doctor Yoshida enters his office to report on the progress of the proceedings.
"Ahem! Well, as I had previously mentioned to you, my team could not promise any concrete results coming from such an experimental procedure…"
"My assistant called to my attention that one of the eggs did not support insemination and had completely ruptured, for this reason. We insert the other two inseminated eggs inside the incubator, where enzymes will carry the genetic changes programmed by my team, altering the DNA double helix, thus allowing the compatibility of fertilization by human DNA, while maintaining all the characteristics of the pokemon egg."
"So we only have two chances of success now." Max said a little sad to hear about the loss of one of the eggs.
"I suggest that now you take some time to eat something at the Institute's restaurant and rest, we will only know if the fertilization will be successful and if the cell division starts, at least 4 hours from now." Yoshida said.
Hours later, Wu, Helene, Max and Dusk were talking in the restaurant after they had eaten, when Wu's phone rang, requesting that they go to Lab 16 immediately.
Upon arrival, they entered directly into Yoshida's office, where he was apparently stressed and talking to different members of his team.
"Say Yoshida? What happened?" Wu asked his colleague.
"I warned you! I said we were a long way from a stable change in DNA structure! The suppressors that prevent human DNA from blending dominantly with Pokémon DNA are degenerating the structure of the protein. We just lost another egg!..."
"And what can we do?" Wu asked.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing! Without further research on the suppressors enzymes, we have no way of stabilizing Human DNA in a recessive manner!"
"Dr. Yoshida, what if... we remove the Human DNA suppressors?" Wu asked in a serious tone.
"IT'S MADNESS! This is precisely what we swore not to create here! You know very well that without the suppressors we'll have a hybrid on our hands, and who knows what will come out of that incubator, I won't be responsible for creating a freak."
A freak... A freak... A freak...
That word echoed inside Max mind who remembered how, for a long time, his beloved Scarlet considered herself a freak because of her color, and how it took several years of great care and love for her to accept herself, and that, in reality she was just "unique".
In that moment Max's heart was filled with love and compassion for that little life that could come to represent the love between him and Scarlet. And with eyes full of hope, he asked Helene, Wu and Yoshida to try the solution presented.
"Please try this last solution! At least give it a chance! I promise that regardless of the outcome, or whatever comes out of that sphere, we will be gone and you will never hear from us again. I am already eternally grateful that you saved my Scarlet's life, but please don't waste the last one seed of my beloved!"
Wu, along with Helene look at Yoshida, who visibly annoyed replies.
"Let it be recorded in our journals that the decision to continue along this path came directly from our Institute Director and his sponsor. I exclude myself from all legal and juridical responsibility arising from this experiment!"
Yoshida then calls his assistant into his room and passes the following information to him.
"Start the procedure on the third egg, stop the suppressor enzyme insertion, and introduce protein stabilizing and compatibilizing enzymes."
"May Arceus forgive us…"
The assistant then leaves the room and joins the team members, relaying the researcher's orders. Some showed some discomfort with the orders but carried them out anyway.
Within minutes the lab monitors begin displaying thousands of information from proteins belonging to both DNA, as well graphs of the construction of a new DNA spiral.
Human DNA Helix Proteins
A-G-T-C-A-A
G-T-A-T-A-G
T-A-C-C-G-A
Pokemon DNA Helix Proteins
S-H-S-L-O-S
O-S-S-L-S-H
H-H-S-L-O-L
Analyzing Combined DNA Helix Proteins
A-S-T-L-G-O
G-G-S-L-A-C
A-G-T-C-A-A
G-T-A-T-A-G
L-H-A-T-T-C
H-H-S-L-O-L
After approximately 50 minutes several text messages appear on all displays.
— CONSTRUCTION AND COMPATIBILITY OF GENETIC CHAIN SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED —
— SUCCESSFUL FERTILIZATION —
— CELL DIVISION STARTED —
"Well! I believe that my work is done, now we just have to wait for the accelerated maturation of the embryo inside the sphere in the next 5 days…"
"As for you, Max, I hope you don't regret the decision made here today! Because you will have to carry it for the rest of your lives! Have a good night…."
2 DAYS LATER
"Mr Max, good morning…"
"Good morning Nurse Audrey…"
"Sorry to disturb you and your partner's breakfast, but I would like to let you know that the doctors have removed the sedatives and Ms. Scarlet should regain consciousness in the next few hours. I believe you want to be there when she wakes up."
"That's great news, we'll go to her room as soon as we finish our meal."
Max and Dusk after some time arrived at Scarlet's room, who was still unconscious in a bed with several monitoring devices and bags of IV and medication attached to her arms.
The two approach the bed and take a close look at the Gardevoir.
"Look at her Dusk. If it weren't for all these gadgets connected to her and this thin scar on her abdomen, I would never have said that we almost lost our Scarlet."
{It's true, Master. It even looks like she's just getting a normal night's sleep.}
{…. Um… Who… Who's there? M… Master? i.. it's you?...} Scarlet slowly begins to regain consciousness.
"Shsss. My love, take it easy. you've been through a lot…"
{W… What happened… to me?}
"What's the last thing you remember?"
{... I remember... a mess in the mansion... some humans and pokemons invading... and... THAT BISHARP! Master! Are you okay? Are you hurt?...}
"Calm down, Scarlet! Everything is fine! you saved me, you teleported in front of me just when that damn thing was going to attack me. But unfortunately you didn't have time to put up your defenses and received that blow at point blank range." Said Max, feeling great sadness as he placed his hand over the scar on Scarlet's abdomen.
{... What's up, Master? Why are you so sad? don't worry, I'm fine now...}
"My love, that's not entirely true… You lost more than you think on that attack …."
Max then calmly explains to Scarlet everything that happened during her time in the Operation Room.
{Oh! So you mean…} She broke off her speech as she ran her hands over her scar.
"Unfortunately yes, my love. You can't be a mother … anymore…"
{But Master, ever since I accepted being by your side I knew I could never be a mother…}
"Yes I know that, Scarlet, but until recent events you still had a choice. But now that has been taken from you…. "
{Max! I… I didn't know you had started to care so much about being a father… I… I'm sorry… if I had known it was something so important to you, we would have talked more about adoption or maybe even assisted pregnancy… Once more I ended your dreams…}
"No! Don't think like that, my love, you are the fulfillment of all my dreams, I couldn't want a better life by your side!"
"And in fact this accident ended up making this dream come true indirectly…"
{...Sorry. I'm not following you. What do you mean by your dream coming true indirectly?}
Max sat on the side of the bed, held his beloved's hand and looked into her sapphire blue eyes, took a deep breath and started to tell about the whole situation involving Project Artemis ….
{... … WHAAAT! You mean that I'm going to… be… a mother?!...}
{And that you're the father!}
{And the child is ours, not adopted, not from any Gallade! He's made of you and me!}
"Yep! that's right, and he or she will be born in 3 days according to Dr. Yoshida. The only catch is that due to the circumstances I've told you about, we have no idea what he'll look like…"
{Max, I don't care! He could have 3 legs, 5 eyes and horns! being ours! Whatever it is, I will love him or her unconditionally! You're right, it's a dream come true….}
{... A child of ours…} Scarlet kept repeating it until she fell asleep again due to so much emotion.
3 DAYS LATER
In the middle of the afternoon Helene and Mike came to visit Scarlet, and knowing that this was the big day, she brought along Luna, Aurora, Bonny, May and Sally, who had already been informed about what had happened at the Institute in the previous days, and were super excited about the news.
When they entered Scarlet's room, who was already sitting on the bed without all those devices, and was accompanied by Max and Dusk, they ran to hug the Gardevoir they loved so much.
Amidst the hugs and girl talk, Sally was the most excited about the idea of being an aunt and couldn't stop making plans with her future nephew or niece.
Everyone continued talking for several hours, until Dr. Wu knocked on the bedroom door along with Dr. Yoshida and his entire team. Asking permission to enter, Dr. Wu carried in his arms a tiny being wrapped in a small lilac blanket with butterfree embroidered on the side.
A silence then took over the room. And as Dr. Wu approached, everyone else moved away a little, leaving only Scarlet and Max sitting on the bed.
Wu then performed a typical oriental salute and stretched out his arms to deliver the baby to its parents.
Max held the child and placed it in Scarlet's arms, who with tears of happiness, carefully unrolled part of the blanket revealing her face.
"She is a beautiful and healthy girl!" Said Dr. Wu, walking away from the couple.
Gently Scarlet unrolled the blanket that covered her daughter further, finally revealing her tiny body in full.
Physically she looked like a Ralts, except that her hair was dark like Max's, the horn on her head was blue like Scarlet's, her skin had a color that was somewhere between the white of a Ralts and the beige color of the human skin, and finally her hands…
{MAX! Look at this ! Her hands… She has five fingers!…. She is… PERFECT} Scarlet said through tears of joy.
The Doctor. Yoshida then briefly interrupted the couple by informing…
"Mr. Max and Mrs. Scarlet, we analyzed your daughter's DNA and found that the percentage of Human Material in her DNA is approximately 35% and the other 65% corresponds to her Pokemon lineage. We also verified several similarities in her digestive system with the human, which leads us to believe that she will have eating habits closer to ours. For that reason, we recommend that you feed her with baby formula until she can eat more solid foods…."
"Another thing that our tests indicated is that she will cross-growth between a human and pokemon evolution. With that, we believe that she will grow in size for a while as a Ralts until she undergoes a bodily evolution into Kirlia, then again she will undergo a size development as a Kirlia, until it again Evolves into Gardevoir."
"For these reasons, we ask that you allow us to examine her from time to time, in order to monitor her development and health…"
Closing his recommendations, Dr. Yoshida walked away, allowing Helene and the girls to enjoy their niece!
- THE END -
Bonus Info:
12 years into the future
Ranger High Command personal report
Name: Lydia.
Aliases: "Trouble Maker";"Little Brat".
Species: Human/Gardevoir hybrid.
Origin: Unauthorized early experiment of Project Artemis - By Sector 22.
Age: 12.
Evolutionary Status: Second Stage growth of the Kirlia evolution.
Relatives:
Father: Max - Human - Ranger Commander Special Ops.
Mother: Scarlet - Gardevoir - Intelligence Expert.
Aunties: Aurora / Dusk / Sally / Bonny / May / Luna.
Affiliations: Pokémon Ranger Special Ops.
Abilities: SuperHuman Intelligence.
Full speech capabilities in human languages.
Well trained in hand to hand combat situations.
Full control over pokemon powers.
Shadow ball.
Gravity.
Psychic.
Teleport.
Healing Pulse.
Protect.
Recover.
Psybeam.
Telekinesis.
Flash.
Hypnosis.
Current Status: Attending School to learn how to socialize.
Discord server Role-play - Done by various members of the discord server
TCG Roleplay Special
Anon : My name's Eric and I have been living in this small town of Ousa for half my life. I sometimes like to go about my business but sometimes there are some things in this town that just startled me. Anyway, let's talk about the present. I was out in the front yard raking some leaves into a pile in my front yard but then things started to take an unexpected turn after I noticed a shadow looming over me from behind me. Not just one, but two shadows. Then came a voice I seemed to recognize, I turned my head and who I almost recognized. It was one of my neighbors... Max
Max : Hi, mister Eric. Still messing with those leaves, I see
Eric : Max is that you, this is, well…
Max : Unexpected?
Eric : Yes.
Max : I can understand why.
Eric : Wow. You changed... and ...
I then noticed that there were seven pokemon with him and they were all humanoid.
Max : Stuff happened. And you wouldn't even believe half of them.
Eric : Wow, you have pokemon too, this is incredible.
(notices a red gardevoir)
Eric : Wait... is that a gardevoir
Max : Oh, yeah. Let me introduce them. This Scarlet, a... reverse shiny gardevoir.
Eric : Reverse shiny?
Max : She's sweet, but just don't disagree with her too much. Yeah. Simply put, it's a shiny Pokémon whose color palette is inverted.
Eric : But wouldn't that make her hair orange and not... red. Unless it's some new species of shiny
Max : Well... he started before looking at his gardevoir
Scarlet : Let me explain.
Max : Don't go into too deep details, please.
I then heard a female voice in my head, I was confused of where it came from
Eric : Huh? Who said that?
Scarlet : Me. the gardevoir said before taking a step towards Eric.
Eric : Wait... You can talk...
(notices the megas tone around her neck)
Scarlet : Easy with telepathy. Long story short, some people have tried to mess with me since I was born. Some managed, others, not so lucky. So I had to do what anyone else would to escape a living hell. The color is the result of me pushing my way through freedom. Literally. I let you picture the rest.
Eric : What's that supposed to mean?... Wait... Max don't tell me that….?
Max : Yeah. You have no idea how cruel a human can be. And this pretty creature saw all faces of humanity.
Eric : No, I mean... that your gardevoir is a killer.
Max : Well... she-
Scarlet : Yes, I am. I did kill in order to survive, or protect Max and the others. I'm not proud of it, but you should at least know who you're dealing with. Rest assured, though. You risk absolutely nothing. As long as you don't try to kill us first.
Eric : Okay... now I'm really scared.
Max : Don't. If you get past that, you will see that she's the sweetest and most reliable pokémon you'll ever encounter.
Eric : Well... I guess... I'm just worried for my spinal cord.
Scarlet : Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You humans also kill to survive.
Max : Scarlet, please...
Scarlet : Just saying.
Eric : (scratching the back of my head) Anyway, I see you have a mega stone for her. God, you sure are very lucky now.
Dusk : [We're all lucky to have him.]
Max : Yes. Max said while winking at Dusk. She can indeed mega evolve, and let me tell you, she's no joke in her normal form, but when mega-evolved...
Eric : Um... Max, I know you have pokemon and a new rare gardevoir and all but how come that you can understand her?
Max : Oh, right. I somehow always forget about that.
Eric : About what?
Max : Scarlet here did a little... psychic surgery to make me undertsand poke-speech perfectly.
Eric : SHE DID WHAT?! Isn't that like... dangerous... How is that even possible?
Scarlet : Gha! Humans and their weak mind Scarlet grunted.
Eric : No offense, Miss Scarlet.
Dusk : Scarlet, please don't bring that up. Master did go into a coma for over a week, remember? Dusk replied uneasily.
Scarlet : I Know, but he asked for it.
Eric : Um, what are they saying Max?
Scarlet : Yes, it was dangerous, but I knew what I was doing, alright?
Eric : Okay... but if that was the case you must be a skilled gardevoir for things like that.
Scarlet : I just transferred some knowledge into his brain directly. Any psychic- type pokemon can do that. Given that they are competent enough.
Dusk : Just... Don't mention any of the times he almost died, okay? Dusk replied with a huff.
Scarlet : Well, I don't want to boast, but saying that I have no match amongst my kind will be modestly true. Scarlet said a bit haughtily
Eric : So, are you going to introduce me to your other pokemon, Max?
Max : Sure. Here's Bonny, my faitfull and strong lopunny.
Eric : My my, she is so adorable. (petting bonny's head)
Bonny : Well, not as pleasant as master, but I'll take it.
Max : Isn't she? But despite her appearance, she pack quite the punch, let me tell you that. Then you have Dusk. The perfect wife material if she was human
Eric : Really... wait... perfect... wife material? Max, is there something your not telling me?
Max : What? She's hella good with cooking, she's helping a lot with laundry, go get us food in the wilderness... There's nothing she can't do right, honestly. Max explained proudly
Dusk : Um... Master? I ask with a blush. Should we tell him?
Max : No. Max replied in her mind.
Eric : ...All your pokemon are female? Aren't they…
Dusk : [Phew... That was close ]
Scarlet : I don't know why, but I feel harassed right now
Max : Err... It just happened. Good or bad luck, call it however you want.
Eric : I don't wanna sound rude or anything but... I'm guessing you've become... a pokephiliac.
Max : What? No. Are you assuming that because I have a gardevoir and a female lopunny? Not mad though. That's the usual treatement I get all the time.
Scarlet : Anyway, what would happen if it was hypothetically the case? She ask while glaring at the man
Eric : I actully don't mind you being a pokephilia... it's no secret cause I can tell. I see the signs.
Max : Huh? Which signs?
Eric : The look on your face when I asked you about your pokemon being all female and asking if you're a pokephiliac, it was so obviously from the look in the eyes. I'm not against any of that. It's kinda kinky, to be honest.
May : Man... You need to take some acting classes, Master. But with a team of females, you're practically asking for it. Hah!
Max : Err... Look, I don't really that to be a world known fact, okay? Let's just keep it between ourselves, alright?
Eric : Well okay, but just to let you know, one of my friends back in alola had been caught dating a salazzle two months ago. I was surprised myself when i he told me.
Bonny : Not so much for me. Salazzle is the definition of 'fuck me', so I understand the guy. Hehe.
Max : I see.
Scarlet : I hope his immune system is up to date, because mating a poison-type is always risky.
Eric : Yeah, but there is more. Last week, one of my cousin's got seduced by a florges and she mated with him in the forest.
Max : A florges? Huh. Always wondered how it works with them. I mean, there physiology isn't the most practicable one.
Eric : I know, right? Max, I know we haven't had the chance to get to know one another and become friends. You see, I was there when your father kicked you out of the house. I saw the whole thing happened before my very eyes and I stood here and did nothing.
Max : Yeah. Well, turned out to be the best thing that could have happen to me. I lived some crazy adventure and meet those wonderful pokemon. Anyway, what would have done if you wanted to act? Don't feel bad about it.
Eric : You see, since you are here, I would like to make up for that, if it's okay with you and your pokemon, that is.
Max : Sure. I kind of past the grudge I have against this place. Honestly, you're one of the few that don't dislike pokemon.
Eric : Great, lets go inside and have some of my homemade super veggie-fruit smoothie.
May : Sounds delightful!
Dusk : [You seem like a very nice human, Mr. Eriç. Thank you for not hating on our master... He's had enough hate for one lifetime.]
Max : Sure. I hope have room for seven girls.
Eric : Of course, I do. (opens the front door and welcomes everyone inside) Just make yourselves at home.
Dusk : I inspect my surroundings and saw how cozy this little house was. I could only assume that Max lived in something similar when he grew up in this town. [This is a cozy home you have, Mr. Eric.]
Aurora : How come someone alone has that many chairs at disposal? Almost suspicious.
Bonny : Everything is with you.
Max : Thanks He said while picking a chair
Eric : My folks bought this house since it is made for a family of twelve.
Max : I see.
Eric : I had nine siblings.
Bonny : Looks like his parent went busy for a while. Haha.
Max : Bonny, behave a little, please.
Bonny : He can't understand me, so I can say anything, really.
Eric : What did she say?
Max : Err, nothing important.
Dusk : He does have a point Bonny, we're guests here.
Eric : (opens the fridge) Here they are my super-veggie-fruit smoothies.
Aurora : Bonny? Not being lewd for more than just a few minutes? I doubt she will survive.
Bonny : I won't. Bonny replied, paws on chin in disappoinement
Max : Thanks
Eric : (passes each smoothie to each person) You are most welcome.
The fridge closes weirdly, being pushed back by something. It slides open again.
May : Awesome! Woops! May exclaimed as she was about to drop the glass due to ther tiny hands. Luckily, Scarlet caught it with her abilites and brought it back.
Max : What's up with the fridge?
Eric : Crystal, come on, we have guests.
All then perked their attention up.
Dusk : Crystal? I asked, tilting my head in confusion
(frostlass appearse)
Max : Oh, a frostlass. I was wondering why the air was slightly cooler than ususal.
Eric : Everyone, this is my frostlass, Crystal. She belonged to my mother.
Scarlet : Is she a stripper?
Max then hit her with his elbow
Max : Your mother?
Dusk : I stared at the Froslass in awe as they came into view. No wonder I didn't sense anything, they're half Ghost type. [Oh wow... H-Hello there.] I greeted with a friendly wave.
There is zero butter in the fridge. The cupboard opens and the muffins are gone.
Eric : Yeah, both mom and dad died in a car wreck about a year ago.
Max : Oh. That's sad. Max said while looking at the frostlass, who was waving back at Dusk.
Eric : Seems like Crystal is taking a liking to Dusk there.
Max : Yeah. My delphox is really social towards others.
Dusk : [Hard to believe I was socially awkward not too long ago. Now, I like meeting new people.]
Scarlet : Don't know why you want to befriend our natural enemy, though.
A light weight drops on the Delphox's shoulders and two legs pop into the sides of her vision.
? : If only that weren't the case... Pity, pity.
Eric : Well, to be honest, you all are very will to join me in my house, otherwise your dad would have caused more problems.
Max : Maybe. Max said before all looked at Dusk.
There's a lil' Kirlia just... swinging their legs like Dusk's just a bench. Crumbs fall on her head.
? : Mmph~
Eric : A lot has happened since after your (ahem) father kicked you out, it's bad news, I'm afraid Max. Your old man has gone completely off the rails... isn't that right, Crystal?
Max : What do you mean?
Eric : When it looked like you were gone for good, your father has been causing some trouble in the neighborhood.
Dusk : Before I could continue talking to Crystal, I felt a short weight on my shoulders take me by surprise. I turn to see a Kirlia sitting there, swinging their legs back and forth.
Max : Very likely of him. He said, discouraged What and why?
? : Oh, child abuse. You can always blame the father of the father, or the mother of the mother. Case and point, nobody's to blame! Isn't that quirky? He just taps Dusk's head. It's covered in muffin crumbs. Ew.
Eric : The thing is, he had been drinking and just keeps smashing everything up
first he threw a bottle of wine at the nextdoor neighbor's car window, the donk.
Max : Ah. Now it's not just inside, but outside as well. Hardly understand why though. He should have been happy since he got rid of a free-loader.
Eric : Unfortunately, yes.
Luna, who usually kept to herself, took interest in the conversation
Luna : Peharps your father regrets his decision?
? : He got rid of his punching bag, silly~ Of course he's still pissed. He seeks relief. Has he tried your route, yet? Ooh, is your daddy a deviant?
Max : Higlhy doub it. Max answered to Luna
Eric : Well, that is just nothing, then he started picking a fight with the neighbors hounddoom.
Scarlet : Who are you anyway, you little shit? She asked the annoyign kirlia
Dusk : [Um... Does anyone know who this Kirlia is? He's making me uncomfortable...]
Eric : He even kicked it from behind.
Aurora : Not that I care about other humans that much, but maybe you should check on him?
? : Where's his grave? I can take the valuables. The Lady taught me.
The kirlia never stops smiling. It's gross.
Max : An houndoom? Looks like he has a death wish now.
Eric : Yes, but he's been in the hospital several times, and the fines.
Aurora : A Houndoom's bite never stop hurting. And its fire never stops burning.
Max : I can end up with a few broken bones just by playing with my companion, so actually assaulting one...
Eric : Really? How so?
Aurora : A Houndoom's bite never stop hurting. And its fire never stops burning.
Scarlet : That's up to the houndoom's will himself. It can last forever or just a few hours.
? : That mutt must have no fangs, no claws and no spirit for that human to survive. How silly. How frankly silly.
Max : Well, the girls can get a little rough sometimes, so...
Eric : Can I ask how you met Scarlet? I'm kinda curious,
The kirlia taps Dusk's head.
? : Trusty and submissive steed, stop shifting your shoulders.
Sally joined the chat
Sally : Huh… tugs Max If something bad happens to your father, don't you get his stuff? I heard some of the humans at Togetherheart inherited their parent's stuff after they passed.
Max : Not now, Sally. Well, the same day my dad kicked me out, I decided to try the pokemon journey stuff, so later that day, I was thristy and went to a lake to fill up my bottle, and that's where I saw her for the first time.
Eric : Wow. Then what happened? Did you try to catch her?
Bonny : Then he got thristy for someting else, am I right? She shared before only receiving a light bonk on the head by Luna. Oww.
Aurora : He he.
Max : More or less. I kind of have that philosophy about capturing pokemon, but that's beside the point. I kind of encountered again alter on, but injured by a group of beedrill that attacked her. I tried to help, but she attacked first. Luckily, she was exhausted, so I could approach and heal her. She then left before I saw her again in front of my tent, asking for shelter from the rain. She didn't want to, but it was either that or freeze to death.
Aurora : Funny how everything on your journey happened because you two were at the same place and same time.
Max : Then I saw her again the next day until we endeded up and the same bed, and... well...
Scarlet : Sometimes, there's luck in misfortune.
? : He tilts his head at Scarlet Almost too convenient~
Eric : ...You ended up mating with her and she became attatch to you since.
Max : More or less, yes.
Eric : I think it's kinda sweet.
Max : Rare are those who would think the same. Loving someone else than another human is wucky, you know.
Dusk : Chuckles nervously. But it feels right, does it?
? : Mhah! Love, love and sex. Corrupted and lecherous. I find this wholesomeness tainted. To believe is of the essence, find meaning~
Eric : If only I could see your journeys right now. It must have been exciting.
Max : That, I'm not sure, though.
Eric : Why is that? Did something happen on your journey?
Max : Yeah. Not all was pretty and fun.
Dusk : [Let's just say... A lot happened, Mr. Eric. Both good and bad.]
Eric : Max, tell me everything.
(after an hour of explaining)
Max : Like Dusk just said, good and bad stuff happened.
Luna : I'm kinda of curious of how the early days of your journey were, before we met.
May : Hey, this ain't fair. You two can actually talk to the man. I was among the first! Hmph...
May crosses her arms and pouts.
May : Why do humans only hear, "Mawile, mawile!" It's stupid! Why do you work this way!?
Max then took a while to narrate everything that happened to him, like when Bonny lose control of her mega evolution and Jade's death.
Eric : Oh, Max... thats awful,. You must have went through alot. I'm really sorry for your loss.
Max : Yeah. That's why I've earned the tilte of 'problem magnet'.
Scarlet : I thought your nickname were "Poké Molester".
The girls behind giggle
Max : That was yours, therefore, not official Max replied to Scarlet.
Eric : Still, what is more surprising is your gardevoir scarlet's past. She too had suffered alot
Max : You have no idea.
Dusk : I tried not to get emotional over Jade's death, luckily May and Aurora helped me from bursting into tears. Scarlet also tried to lighten up our mood every now and then.
Max : It's a wonder how she's still a living being with reasoning.
May : Strokes her chin. Hey Scarlet, I never asked. Do you have some kind of voyeurism thing going on?
Scarlet : I don't know? Do you? She asked, already knwoing the answer.
Dusk : [We've all had our fair share of tragedy. It's what we did next that made us who we are today.]
Scarlet True. Problem is, we barely had a break from those shitty situation.
Eric : Now that i think about it, those people in scarlet's past remind me of a rumor i heard.
Max : A rumor?
May : Grinned at Scarlet. I asked first, friend.
Eric : Yeah.
Scarlet : Not as pronounced as you, but close.
Max : What kind?
May : Thank Arceus, too. With these tiny hips... And hey, you don't need an answer. Psychic types are overpowered.
Scarlet : And keep remembering it, friend
May : Mmhm. You should know, I outran a Gardevoir's Psychic abilities once. I'll do it again!
Eric : I heard there was a secret criminal group that has been stealing pokemon and experamenting on em, breeding em for weapons of illegal pokemon fights.
Dusk : Gasp [Oh no... That's horrible!]
Max : Really? What do you think it has to do with Scarlet? If anything, it could a different one. Sadly, pokemon stealing isn't that rare.
Eric : Yeah, but this is not like any I heard at the very least.
? : Oh! Confetti?
Eric : But there is more. This group are made up of rogue military officals who use pokemon for their own political gain and war.
Max and Scarlet then looked at each other
Scarlet : Do you perhaps... know the indentity of those rogue militaries?
Eric : Afraid I don't.
Scarlet : I see.
Max : I hardly imagine her being part of this.
? : The one who sins, walking on her heels? Mad-Ji?
Eric : It may be possible she was in a small outpost of that group.
Max : You know Mad-Ji?
? : Well, since you walked into her, it was my job to.
Aurora : Mad-Ji may not be the most pleasant person to be around, but I didn't sensed any kind of evil in her aura.
Eric : No, but I have heard all about her from my brother Ethan.
? : Recalibrate your sensors then, puppy.
Max : I wonder just how famous she is. It can be dangerous to be that well known he pondered out loud.
Scarlet : And who's gonna try anything against her? She could probably kick Arceus in the balls and get away with it.
? : How so? She acts with impunity. Those that govern unrightfully, they have chosen to give her liberty.
Bonny : Does Arceus even have balls?
? : You would be first to know, bunny.
Luna : That's a mysterious question that probably very few is asking themselves.
? : I would wager she flooded herself in the presence of any Brigadiers. There is a harlot under that skin, I'm sure~
Eric : Well according to what i heard from Ethan that he and Mad-Ji were once against this rogue millitary officials.
Scarlet : Wait?! That stuck-up tyran worked with a human?
Eric : Well, only once.
Scarlet : What was he bringing? No offense, but a human with a pokemon... was he her meatshield or something?
Max : Very appropriate, love. Sorry about her. Sometimes, she has no filter when speaking.
Eric : Actually, she and him trained together in military outside the order, it's what we humans call black ops.
? : The Crimson one has a point. That foul witch would abuse an infant.
Max : Mad-Ji and a human, receiving the same training. I can hardly believe it.
? : She would turn out crumpled like a Persian. Alolan.
Eric : Yeah, I know right? I check up with him every now and then.
May : I wonder how strong those humans are, if they could keep pace with Pokémon like Mad-Ji.
Aurora : Probably similar to Max's.
Eric : To be honest, there are skilled and high in the ranks but not many make it back.
Luna : Hmm, I think our pup still haven't reached his limit yet.
Max : No shit. Um, I mean, those must be excruciating training.
Eric : As for the mission, Mad-Ji you mentioned and my brother, well, they were the only survivors of that mission. The rogue millitary officials got away and blew up the camp.
? : Hasn't reached his potential? Arceus himself has saved him! He was mangled, well beyond survivability, and he lived. You!
The Kirlia floats off Dusk and walks up to Max, poking his thigh.
? : Are you perhaps committing plot armour?!
Scarlet : Are you perhaps asking for a quick death? We did. Hours of Dusk holding Max's broken body and me using Healing Pulse.
? : No, no. I want to live a long and fruitful live under the Mistress' servitude, don't be daft! But explain. Explain your anomaly, human. Explain.
Max : Escaping a psychic monster like Mad-Ji? What in the hell were they against to?!
Eric : I don't know, my brother Ethan wouldn't say, he keeps saying that it's classified information... but in my personal opinion, he's hiding something from me and I think it's personal
Max : Possible. Military are known to be very secretive. Anyway, topic change, what's my dad doing right now?
Eric : Well, right now, he's still in the house right now and drinking and yelling and getting angry.
Max : I still wonder if I should go see him and rub in his face with how well I did without him.
The kirlia points at Max and turns to Eric
? : This human isn't human. It makes no sense. His survival exceeds reality. Shouldn't your kind investigate? He is a phenomenon. No wonder the Mistress is frustrated.
Eric : Well, to be honest, I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but okay.
Luna : Don't push your luck pup. The best revenge is to live a good and happy life.
Max : ...I guess.
Eric : But I,m coming with you, just in case.
? : That's not revenge, it's inadequacy. Pick up a dictionary.
Scarlet : Plus, you would just give him undeserved attention.
? : It would be very convenient for my likeness if you stayed put, truly.
(kirlia pulls scarlets dress)
Scarlet : The fuck you want, you annoying cockroach?
? : Stay very still. Very still. The Lady is not fast, for she carries the world on her shoulders.
Scarlet : Say, mr. Eric. Is it okay if I make that kirlia vanish away a bit?
Eric : Oh, I totally forgot (picks up kirlia) this is Mindy, I raised her as an egg when I found her.
Mindy : You might be confused, but I'll take it. Espionage!
Max : She's cute, but her grin a bit uncanny, to say the least.
Mindy : Rudeness! With how obsessed I am of you and your likes!
Eric : She is sometimes playful like a child, she didn't seem to like the name Mindy for some reason.
Mindy : Keep your penis away from me.
Bonny and Sally then giggled like schoogirls.
Eric : But she seems to take quite a liking to you, Scarlet.
Scarlet : Aww. Almost a shame that it's not reciprocal.
Mindy : The red one has been the apple of my eye for some time. My affection, unreturned? The pain. It swallows me.
At this moment, a knock could be heard on Eric's door.
Mindy : MY LADY?!
Eric : Oh no, not again.
Max : Did you expect visitors?
Mindy : I-I DID! MY LAADY! MY PRECIOUS ANGEL, HEAVEN-SENT, IS THAT YOU?!
Then, a few more knocks could be heard. The Kirlia rips out of grasp and bolts to the door faster than a gunshot.
Eric : It's your dad again.
Max : ...Well, shit.
Scarlet : At least you won't have to go there.
Mindy breaks the knob opening the door
Mindy : MY LADY?! No. Not my Lady.
Max : Thanks. Feeling better already.
Max's dad : Where's Eric? He ask the kirlia
Eric : He's also been demanding to wax his car several times.
The Kirlia grabs its head and yanks at their hair.
Mindy : I HAVE BEEN FOOLED! CONFUZZLED! HOW WOULD I NOT KNOW?! HER WAY OF KNOCKING, IT'S DIFFERENT! I'MSORRYSORRYSORRYSORRYSORRY! He's that way.
The Kirlia immediately chills out and points towards Eric with that smile again.
(Max's dad enters the house)
Eric : I'll tell you right now, I'm just fed up with this man's aggressiveness
Max's dad : Well, well. I knew I recognized that face.
Scarlet : Don't worry, he won't do anything, this time. She said, intensely glaring at the man.
Max's dad : My good-for-nothing son. he said before tossing his empty beer bottle outside.
Max's : Hi... dad.
Eric : Oh boy, here we go again.
Max : What do you want?
Max's dad : Just wanted to see you. How rude can you be? he said, pulling a chair before makign himself at home.
Right there, all looked at him with disdain.
Eric : If I recalled correctly, you kicked Max out of your own house,
Max's dad : It's between him and I, Eric, so shut up.
Scarlet : How about you lower the tone a little? she almsot threatened.
Scarlet was relatively close to Max. The other girls watched from afar, slightly on the edge
Max's dad: And who the hell are you?
Max : She's my pokémon, dad, so a bit of respect, alright?
Max's dad : Your pokemon, huh... He said while eyeing Scarlet.
Scarlet : What are you looking at, you pig?
Max's dad : Oh. She got some bite.
Mindy : Now now Scar-Scar, remember, he made Max~
Scarlet : I don't care, and never call that again, or I won't mind hurting you in front of your human. she threatened, even more on edge.
Mindy : Ooh, you'll hurt me~? You'll hurt me? Will you will you? Oh, the Mistress would love to know your mettle today~
Max's dad : Nice. That slimy son of mine needs a firm hand to keep him straight up.
Eric : Wait a minute. You're just here to see his pokemon not your own son?
Max's dad : Of course I'm here for him. I'm no poke-fucker freak like this one. he said while pointing at Max.
Eric : Whats that supposed to mean?
Max's dad : You didn't know? My own son is a fucking pokephiliac. Disgusting. he said while raising his voice a little at the end.
Eric : I knew this isn't going to end well.
Mindy : Gasp You caught him watching Rule 34?
Max : Better that than being a useless piece of shit like you.
Max's dad : Watch your mouth when speaking to your dad.
Max : You still consider yourself as such, don't you?
Eric : Oh boy…
Max's dad : Not that it pleases me, but the facts that you came out of my balls are real.
Bonny : Is it okay if I puke on the carpet?
Eric : Um, translate please?
Mindy, disgustingly, cups their hands and puts them below Bonny as if to imitate a cup. Always smiling. Admiring the scene.
Max : You don't wanna know. I don't care where I'm from, you kicked me out of the house when I had absolute nothing and you were always a living garbage with me and my mother. So yeah, not a good paternal figure to me.
Max's dad : Maybe, but look at you today. Who do you have to thank for that?
At this scene, Aurora, May and the others were starting to get annoyed with Max's father's behavior. Luna was growling lowly.
Eric : Okay, now things are starting to get ugly.
At that, Max didn't know what to retort.
Max's dad : I may have slapped you a few times, but did you die? If anything, I made you tougher, you ungratful kid.
Eric : Um ... sir... did you actully murder max's mother?
Max's dad : Yeah, before burying her in your backyard and fucking your wife.
Max : Okay enough! Max almost yelled while staning up Just get the fuck out already!
Eric : Max, can your gardevoir Scarlet look into his mind, i'm starting to worry.
I wanna be sure im not overreacting.
Scarlet : No way I'm diving into that dirty and sickning mind of his.
Max : Don't worry about that, Eric. I'm over that. But seriously, dad. Can you stop being a utter jerk for just five minutes?
Eric : Um (whisper) permission to call the police?
Scarlet : No need to. Watch this.
Eric : Huh?
Scarlet then stood up and walked near Max's dad.
Max's dad : What do you want?
Scarlet : My master kindly asked you to leave this house, so you better comply.
Mindy : Aw, but he's so fun! This drama~
Max's dad : Or what? You hurt me, the police as well as the gouverment will be on your ass for attacking a human.
Mindy : Yes, that worked the first hundred times~
Scarlet then lowered her head near Max's dad face.
Scarlet : Oh, but you have to be able to speak for that, and have the will power to do so, which I can control at any given time. You will get out on your own, whetever you like it or not.
Max's dad ; As that a threat?
Eric : Don't tell me that you're going to erase his memory. I really hate memory loss.
Scarlet : A threat? Please, a threat would imply that I might not commit to what I said. And I always commit to what I say. So, move your ass, and , fucking, leave. she said, glaring at Max's dad with murdering intent eyes.
Max's dad was not the one to be bossed around, but somehow, his mediocre survival instinct seemed to have kicked in and decided not to go against even further.
Max's dad : There's always a way to trace back a crime, no matter the origin. he said, standing up.
Eric : What's that supposed to mean?
Max's dad : ...At least I can see that you're not in so much incompent hands. he added before leaving.
Sighing, Max sat down.
Max : Sorry about that, Eric.
Eric : Thanks Max, I owe you guys one.
Aurora walked over to Max
Aurora : Are you ok?
Max : Yeah, don't worry. Just didn't have the rollercoaster of emotion in a long time. Thanks. he responsed while petting the lucario.
Scarlet : Told you that you risk nothing as long as you're on Max's side.
Eric : Got the message and your were right.
Mindy : Yours, more like~ But no, you are very much at risk.
Max : sigh Making trouble in the neighborhood. I see it now.
Eric : it's no trouble at all.
Max : Honestly, it's a wonder that he wasn't banned from this town.
Mindy : You think someone would try? He did have a point, though. Crime tends to get found out. One way or another... ~
Eric : Yeah, but something doesn't seem right about him.
Luna : Curious though how a rascal as him created a gem like Max
Max : That, I don't know. Always had a bone to pick with him, maybe I'm just being biased.
Eric : Max, do you get the feeling he's up to somthing?
Max : At the moment, just the one to punch him hard, but no. Something on your mind?
Eric : Yeah, about him claiming that he killed your mom and burried her with my wife if I had one?
Max : Oh. No, don't think to far about it. That's his "comeback" lines for when he pissed, which he always are, actually. Honestly, I did wondered about that, but... kinda of never went that path.
Eric : Well, to be honest, I'm concerned, if he was being serious about murdering your mother, or just playing a sick joke on us to just scare us, I feel it be best to check things out.
Max : I don't know. Going over that story again, just to... I don't want to unearth some buried emotions.
Mindy : Hah, buried.
Max : Anyways, what will it change? My mother is gone.
Eric : Maybe, but the way he looked at your gardevoir, at this moment i'm starting to suspect he has some involvment with the rumor I heard and the story from my brother Ethan. I wonder if there is a connection…
Mindy : Oh, grief. What a strange gift of mother nature. It gives us closure, or more so forces us to obsess over the lost. Just forget.
This lil mf sits on Max's lap like it owns it.
Max : My dad? Like, he could be military rogue?
Eric : Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions, or i'm just worried about you guys safety, but maybe, just maybe…
Scarlet : We'll managed, alright? We are seven hardly trained pokemon at this side, so what could possibly happen to him?
Eric : Don't be so over confident of your training with Mad-Ji. There are things about this military rogue group that you might never know or even seen.
Scarlet : Pfft. If you say so. The time where we could be caught off-guard are kinda behind us. I don't care what or who we face. I'll kill whatever tries to hurt master.
Eric : Max, did you say that scarlet destroyed a facility? I think it might be a military rogue HQ.
Max : She did, actually.
Scarlet : I don't think it was that. All I saw was mostly scientist and such. Military presence was minimalistic, which is was a huge mistake from them.
Luna : Maybe an ally from those rogue military?
Eric : Cause some of the rogue military had scientists, and for top secret scientists they must have a hidden facility.
Max : It could make sense, actually. It's not impossible that those rogues and the scientists at the lab were partners or something like that.
Eric : I would have to see it for myself to be sure. Maybe their tech might give us some clues.
Aurora : Okay, okay, but what I don't understand is the link with your father in all of that.
Bonny : Kinda agree. I hardly see that idiot responsible enough to be that evil.
Luna : He doesn't strike me as someone who would do great acts of evil either.
May : Same, but we never know. I thought the same when I first meet my previosu trainer.
Scarlet : There's nothign left of those. I destroyed everything.
Eric : Don't be too sure, you need to expect the unexpected, think outside the box. With your permission Scarlet, I would like to contact my brother about this place you were in. He might be able to investigate it, even if its a pile of ruble.
Scarlet : Feel free to do whatever. If you can retrieve anything, then go for it. I hope your brother has a strudy stomach though. He won't see pretty stuff.
Mindy : Ooh, speaking of! Where is that little troublemaker?
Eric : He seen worse
Scarlet : That, allow me to doubt it.
Max : Okay, love. That's not a competiiton.
(eric phone calls ethan)
Eric : Hey there, bro. Are you free by any chance?
Max : Oh, like right now? Max whispered to the girls. That was quick.
Eric : Is this a secure line? Cause I think we have a problem… How long can you get here? 3 Hours?... Good, thanks. I tell you more when you get here.
Eric : Well, he's on his way here.
Aurora : That was fast.
Luna : Indeed.
Eric : Yeah, he'll be here in 3 hours, as long as there isn't any traffic.
Max : Given that he was a military, I thought he was coming on helicopter.
Eric : Well, he has been trying to track them down for a long time. Max, do you think its possible if Scarlet can lead the way to whats left of that place?
Max then looked at Scarlet.
Scarlet : No fucking way I'm getting back there! she shouted
Max : I know it doesn't sound pleasant, but-
Scarlet : But nothing! Why, of all people, would you want to make me relive that!?
Max : I... Max said before looking at Eric with a sorry face
Eric : Because you might be hunted down.
Scarlet : Then I'll wait for them! Bare fist if needed!
Max : Calm down, love.
Max then looked at Eric.
Eric : Then show me your memories, if possible. Please.
Scarlet : What? Do you want to fuck me as well?
Eric : No.
Max : Scarlet! Please, calm down.
Scarlet : Rhaa! I can't beleive it! She blurted before standing to get near a window of the house.
Max : Sorry. It's a very, very senstitve subject for her. Maybe... there's another option, like... a map indication?
Eric : I don't know, maybe like draw your memories on paper in pictures.
Max : Say, love. If we show you a map, could you point us to where that lab was?
Scarlet : ...I don't know. Maybe. The exact location is a bit blurry, but... I could try.
Max : Great. Do you perhaps have the new Gogler 3D map renderer premium?
Eric : I guess. Let me get my iboard.
Max : Cool
(eric goes upstairs)
(eric grabs his iboard and carries it down the stairs)
(the iboard was as big as a life size computer screen)
Eric : cool, huh?
Max : Sick as fuck, you mean. Always impressed of what we can do with technology.
Eric : Yeah, lets just hope it doesn't turn on us.
(places the iboard on the table)
Max : Nothing that Arceus can't fix. Anyway, can you come back, love?
Sighing, Scarlet sit back to where she was before.
Max : Can you show us the world map, Eric?
Eric : okay (3d map of kalos shows on screen) So we are in Ousa, so Scarlet, what can you remember?
Sighing again, Scarlet leaned forward. She went over the Rados region and started at the middle. She swiped left and right with some pauses here and there until she was higher on the north region. There, she swiped left and right again, but this time, at the same place a few times. Then, she came to a stop.
The Kirlia exited statis
"Woah hold- hold on, you're going someplace? But if you move, the...!"
Scarlet : It should be around here. She said before circling a rather large zone. Can't remember the exact place, but it's the best I can do.
Eric : Don't worry, miss Scarlet, I know you are trying and you couldn't bare the pain of your past, but everyone has their own scars. Even aura guardians have to face their worst fears and inner demons.
Scarlet : ... Just tell your brother to look for an almost pryamidal mountain. It should be at the base of it.
Eric : Almost pryamidal mountain? Wait a minute… that's wounded pyramid peak.
Scarlet : Probably. Didn't take the time to do some tourism.
Eric : But you also held at the most anciant place in history.
Scarlet : Can't really say I found it, as I was just dragged there.
Eric : I heard stories of this place, I thought it was just a myth.
Max : Besides horrible ones, I wonder what kinds.
Eric : Well, acording to legend, this place was built to be sacrid burial site of dark prince ukaru. He was born from a royal family, but his younger brother was first in line to be the next king.
Dusk : I don't like that story already.
Eric : The story gets much better than that.
Dusk : *gulp*
Eric : It is also said this place was where ukaru met his first love.
Luna : Interesting.
Eric : Yes, she was snow spirit pokemon who goes by the name isaris.
Sally : She was a pokemon?
Eric : Not just any kind of pokemon, she is what I believe is from space
The group then looked at each other.
Scarlet : A bit farfetched, don't you think?
Sally : From space?
Bonny : Like an alien?
Max : That's... pretty cool.
Aurora : Hardly believable though.
Eric : Well, her physical discription is very unclear, but i think its new species of space pokemon, but there were ruins in kalos where some old pictures of the story discribe her. She was indeed humanoid.
Scarlet : Those kind fo theory are always a bit fishy. I mean, pokemon orginate from this world, so creatures coming from outer space shouldn't be lebabled as such, right?
Max : She... has a point.
Eric : There are indeed pokemon from space. Here, this one was found in hoenn. It was called deoxys.
Bonny : I mean, some Pokémon can cast illusions, other can teleport and create mini black holes. I'm use a Pokémon coming from outter space is the least weird thing.
Aurora : Also, some Pokémon do live outside of our planet. Rayquaza lives in the Ozone Layer. Jirachi is like a shooting star.
Eric : It might be possible but as the story goes, she saw described a angel white light. She had the face of a mew, the arms of a gardevoir and the body of a salazzle.
Scarlet : Sounds horrific is you ask me.
Eric : Well, maybe sometime later I can show you some photos of the drawings in the ruins. You see, Ukaru was banished from his kindom after he tried to kill his brother and take the throne. He traveled far away into the mountians and walked though a snow storm. The sky was as dark as night, guilt of attemting to kill his brother to take the throne out of jealousy was getting to him and laid there in the snow, knowing that death will take him soon. But then out of nowhere he was blinded by a great light, when he recovered his senses he couldn't not believe what he is seeing. a beautiful humanoid pokemon, feminine figure. it floated across the snow and it softly touched the ground and walks on the snow towards dispairing prince. She put a hand on his cheek and spoke to him, she then took him to very top of her mountian and built a temple for them to rest together in peace. It became a legendary and rare place to find. It is said if a pokemon and a human care love and trust eachother so much, the temple will appear before them and enter the temple as a wedding ritual of union. Over time the temple was decaying and damaged for hundreds of years undisturbed hidden. And it was given the name "wounded pyramid peak" and it was never seen since untill now. But both Ukaru and Isaris left a warning in the temple "should any intruder of ill intention of violate this temple, with for evil gain will be punished by a pokemon of great power of mind.
Scarlet : Ah, so far they didn't get punished that much. I did the work.
Eric : So it all makes sense it could be possible that you might be the pokemon they were talking about.
Max then looked at Scarlet.
Max : Hear that? You're a profency pokemon.
Scarlet : Rha, stop the mombo jombo and get to the point.
Eric : It means you inherrited these powers from Isaris . You're her descendant and vessel of reincarnation.
Max : And being practically the only reverse shiny to date could explain a few things.
Eric : Exactly.
Scarlet : No, no. I'm no prophetical pokemon or whatsoever. Those kind of being are heroes and such. I'm not a hero. I'm the opposite of that. The amount of people and pokemon I killed is too ridiculous for that to be plausible.
Eric : But I think there seems to be more to this story, I'll have to do more research.
Max : Let's start to see what kind of relation with that lab and my dad first. We can worry about other things another time.
Eric : Good idea.
Max : So, wanna hear a few more stories about me and the girls while we wait?
Eric : Well, I guess I could try find some online.
Max : Huh? Finding what online?
Eric : Oh sorry, I was distracted. Sure, go aheard.
Max : Alright.
Then, for the next three hours so, Max narrated some anecdotes he didn't share yet to Eric
(knocking at the door)
Max : I hope it's your brother.
Eric : I'll open the door.
(eric opens the door)
Ethan : Hey there bro, it's been a long time.
Eric : Oh thank god you are here.
Ethan : Yeah well, you said that you have a problem.
Eric : Well yes, um, come inside we have guests here I would like to introduce you to.
Ethan : Okay.
(eric and ethan enter the dinning room where Max and everyone were situated)
Eric : Here he is.
Max then shyly waved at the new guy
Ethan : Eric, you said that you had a problem, not a party.
Eric : Well, it's more complicated than that. You see, this here is my neighbor's son, Max. And these are his pokemon... (ahem) harem team.
Ethan : ... I beg your pardon?
Max : Nice call, Eric. he said, a bit upset.
Scarlet : Say it louder, dude. I think the neighbors didn't hear.
Ethan : Hey, no need to feel upset here. I'm just trying to process what my brother is saying.
(notices scarlet)
Ethan : Hold the phone. Is that a gardevoir?
Scarlet : No shit, Sherlock.
Max : Scarlet, can you not for a minute?
Ethan : huh? Wait, did she just use telepathy? I haven't felt that telepathy in a long time since...
Scarlet : Yeah, I'm a gardevoir telepathic abilities and all that shit. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to get into it as soon as possible please.
Max : It's a topic quite sensitive for her, so...
Ethan : Did something happen?
Eric : I think you should sit down and we'll fill you in on the details
(after a few hours of explaining)
Ethan : good lord... it seems that you all went through quite a lot... but i'm pleased that you all worked and trained hard under Mad-Ji.
Scarlet : Yeah. That tyran sure had her fun with us.
Max : She's merciless, to say the least.
Bonny : And that's an understatement.
Ethan : She has hasn't she... anyway about this Scarlet's experience trauma from this facility... is very disturbing although I'm still trying to process all of it but I'm surprised that they took base.
Eric : Not only that, but their outpost was hidden here (pointing to where scarlet pointed on the 3d map)
Ethan : So, I'm guessing you want me to help them investigate this location.
Scarlet : But you have no idea what horrible things they do in there.
Ethan : Don't worry about is my dear, I've seen much worser things than that.
Scarlet : Don't call me that. she demanded while glaring at Ethan
Ethan : Okay sorry about that. Anyway, I'll call it in and see what we can do in the mean time after we examine what was left of this outpost, we could try and clear out everything and let you guys check out the wounded temple peak. I'll even send in archeologists.
Scarlet : I would like to be informed of any piece of informations you could find. Names, locations, anythings. If you manage to salvage anything, that is.
Ethan : Okay, we'll do everything we can but this must remain top secret, confidential, classified.
Eric : You got it.
Scarlet : Nothing will leak from this room, rest assured. But since I'm concerned, I feel like I have the right to know.
Ethan : Sure thing, since you've all been trained under Mad-Ji, I guess that makes us fellow soldiers. Speaking of which, how has she been doing? Mad-Ji, I mean.
Max : Hard to say. She's cold, distant and punch you whenever you ask if she's okay. She's in shape, I suppose. That's all we can really tell.
Ethan : And Max…
Max : Hm?
Ethan : While my team and I investigate the scene, I'll try to send out someone to keep watch on your father...
Max : You think that's necessary? Mobilizing military ressource just for a drunk bastard?
Luna : Eric and him do seem to suspect something about him, so maybe they have a reason.
Ethan : Don't worry, one of my friends has a partner that is highly skilled in stealth mode.
Max : ... Well, if you think that's necessary...
Ethan : Trust me... I've seen how silent he can be, he's skilled at assassinations.
Max : Alright.
Scarlet : I doubt he can be as efficient as an intelelon tough.
Ethan : I'll go ahead and contact them and we'll get started.
Max : Be careful out there. It's been a while, so you never what could have happened there.
Ethan : Don't worry, we are pro's.
Eric : While we are at it, would you want to spend the night here?
Max : Me?
Eric : Yeah.
Max : Well, I mean, I doubt you have room for seven pokémon.
Bonny : Exceptionally, we can sleep in our pokeball.
Max : I guess... Sucks a bit tough.
Luna : Technically, I don't need space since I won't be sleeping, so there's that.
Eric : Well, lets just see which rooms suit you.
Max : At the very least, my lopunny suggested that they could sleep inside their pokeball, but I wish to avoid that if possible.
Eric : (sighs) My parents are gonna haunt me in my sleep for this, but they had a room with a king size bed.
Max : King size bed are a bit smaller than the bed in the module, but I guess it could work if we squeeze really tight.
Bonny : Oh yes. You can squeeze me tight anytime.
Luna then wanted bonk Bonny again, but sensed it and moved out the way.
Bonny : He he.
Unexpectingly, Dusk did the bonk this time.
Bonny : Ow. You guys are no fun.
Eric : (chuckles) I don't know what miss Bonny is saying but I think shes really happy.
Max : Yeah, let's go with that. he said with discreet eye rolling.
Crystal : Okay girls, let me show you around first.
Except for Scarlet, the girls then followed the frostlass around.
Eric : I'm guessing you don't like Crystal do you,
Scarlet : Nothing personal, I don't like anyone in general, but that's beside the point. I don't like leaving Max alone more than necessary.
Max : She's very protective without being too clingy. She's just there. keeping an eye to my surrounding.
Eric : So you are being alert.
Scarlet : Always. We have been taken by surprised too often, and... We learned the hard way.
Eric : So what was that gardevoir that you are being alert about, Qsalyla?
Scarlet : Not just her. Through our journey, we made a lot of enemies, so it's more than that. What most fail to realize is that we live in a world more dangerous than they want to believe. Danger and death can come from any angle at any given time. The sooner you realized that, the better your survival chance are.
Max : Especially with a lifestyle like ours.
Scarlet : As someone who as a military brother, you should know that.
Eric : Well, ever since Ethan watched millitary movies he wanted to join the military.
Max : Really? Those aren't reallly... selling itself, you know. Seeing horrible stuff on those... how come someone can say they want to get in after that?
Eric : Well, to be honest, I think he wanted to be a hero. Just doing his part.
Scarlet then huffed rather audibly.
Scarlet : Hero...
Max : That's great. I guess we do need people like your borther. Doing the dirty job, you know.
Eric : Well, not the only reason (picks up a photo of a man wearing a army uniform) not only Ethan wanted to be a hero, he wanted to be like our grandpa.
Max : Who was a military too?
(tears form in eric's eyes)
Eric : Yes.
Max : Doing good?
Eric : Over the years, he was given the rank of admrial, but died a day after he took office.
Max : Nha, always like that. Like in movies when the guy die one day before retirement. Kinda sad. How come you didn't fllow that path yourself, Eric?
Eric : Well, grandpa's death had a heavy toll on us. We even ended up forgeting to follow in his footsteps, but not ethan. He just went out the door and just joined up to fill grandpa's shoes.
Max : That's some solid motivation right there.
Scarlet : It's nice and all until they decide that their regular paycheck isn't enough and go for shady businesses.
Max : I beleive it's not Ethan's case, so can you be a bit more respectful please?
Scarlet : Sorry, but I don't really believe in human organisation anymore.
Max : sigh Sorry Eric. It's hard finding a topic that doesn't brush her the wrong way.
Eric : Can't say I blame her, you know I heard that some people have a hard time remembering their bad times cause they just repress them. It's called selective repressing memory
Scarlet : I believe it's mostly for the more primitive human brain.
Max : Thanks. he replied sarcastically.
Scarlet : What? Having a monkey brain doesn't mean you can't dick me good.
Max : Oh my god. That's quite innapriopirate
Eric : Did she say something in your head?
Max : Yeah. Something very naughty.
Scarlet : He likes it when I'm naughty.
Max : I don't think he wants to know, love.
Eric : Maybe you guys should have a secret couple name.
Max : What do you mean?
Eric : I heard in collage there were some students couples give themselves a couple nickname, wether its a public or a secret.
Scarlet : Well, in public, it's just master, but privately, it can be Drill-Master, or-
Max : Okay, I think he got the point he interrupted.
Eric : I even heard there was one couple, they were caught doing it in principle's closet.
Max : Ah, That's a classic one.
Scarlet : Would have been funnier if they did on the desk with the principle still there?
Max : And that's Scarlet humor for you.
Eric : And guess what nickname they were given themselves?
Max : The principle skeletons?
Eric : They were nicknamed devious perverts.
Max : Meh, I wasn't far.
Scarlet : Heh, sure master.
Eric : But that is a good one though, I wonder why they never thought that nickname.
Scarlet Max : Because they are humans. they said in unison
Max : Ah. Got you there.
Scarlet : Bravo. You got smart once in your life. she nagged while clapping her hands twice
Eric : Hey, um, Max? You said that you used to date an older woman and she dumped you for and older man.
Max Huh? When did I say that?
Eric : So it was you. Well, you are not gonna believe what I heard.
Max : Well, it did happen, just doesn't remember when I said it. And what about her?
Eric : Turns out she was a gold digger.
Max : Really? She didn't really give that vibe when we were together.
Scarlet : Physical attraction can turn a male quite stupid.
Eric : That's not the half of it. She even tried sneaking money from one of the neighbors wallet from his pocket, I even called the cops on her.
Max : Wow. I wonder if she was always like this or changed over time. I mean, she did have some bad habits, but that...
Eric : Yeah, a whole new level.
(ethan enters the room)
Ethan : Okay, so they said that they're going to check that area out and gather everything we can. Looks like scarlet's traumatized past might possibly pay off. One thing for sure, they never should have kidnapped a psychic-type.
Scarlet : Especially me.
Ethan : They said they are going to get there as fast as possible.
Max : Alright.
Ethan : They think that area can be really tough to reach when hiking, but much faster to reach by helicopter.
Max : Make sense. You don't want to be easily found when you're assholes that tortures pokemon for "science".
Eric : What about the temple? They were hiding in, I'm worried about all that anciant mystery that were hidden.
Max : If anything, they got rid of everything. Scumbags as such don't care about history.
Ethan : Don't be too sure, Max.
Max : You think they may have kept stuff?
Eric : The legend of that temple, also states that Usaku was not only a prince, but also a richest prince in that very temple.
Scarlet : So, after all that time, those would have been the first to get their hands on some treasures or something?
Eric : Indeed.
Max : That could have financed their research.
Eric : It is possible, and according to the legend, after they built their temple, Usaku made a pendant of golden chain and a rainbow dimond for Isaris. It was said to have been made from the very tunnels of the temple they built and lived together. It was the most rare artifacts that many treasure hunters had always sought to obtain "it was called the multi-color heart of Isaris.
Max : Probably on the black market now if you ask me.
Eric : Yes, but it is said to have magical properties, powers of the union of both Usaku and Isaris combined.
Max : I wonder what kind.
Scarlet : How relevant it is now? If it's on the neck of a prostitute, it's kinda useless now.
Eric : Not entirely. I think I read something about it in legends of royals in the world online. Remember that warning they left behind? That warning prophecy?
Scarlet : About me being the emissary of vengeance? Yeah, I still believe it much.
Eric : It says here thee the emissary of this temple is allowed to wear the heart of isaris around his or her neck and is the true heir to the temple. Usaku and Isaris shall grant their gift of union to thee.
Max : Who's that 'thee' exactly? Do we know?
Eric : Thee is an old forign word for they, he or her.
Max : Ah.
Scarlet : You're sllowing down the group, master.
Max : So... maybe I didn't follow, but... are you implying that Scarlet could be one to be able to use the necklace power?
Eric : It maybe so, which means she could also invoke the angel butterfree of light, a skill first used by isaris herself.
Scarlet : Butterfree of light? Really?
Max : Kinda agree with her. She's too edgy for that girly stuff.
Scarlet : Fuck you.
Eric : Well, acording to the legend this techique is ment to be attack or defence with a burst of light that has the shape of a butterfree's wings. It was said to be blinding radiance.
Max : You would be pretty as fuck though.
Scarlet then just rolled her eyes
Eric : It was because of Isaris that prince Usaku found redemption and returned to his family's kingdom and save them, including his own brother whom he was most jealous of. By finding redemption, Isaris and Usaku manage to use that technique to save the kindom. Afterward, Usaku approched his royal parents and brother to make amends, he apologized to his younger brother for all that he did in the past.
Max : At least he did.
Eric : That was the only last time the royal family ever saw of their elder son after he went with Isaris into the sky back to the temple to live in peace and in solitude. That very temple also became Isaris and Usaku's tomb, side by side.
Ethan : It was a very romantic, sad, happy and tragic legend it was.
Max : Well, from how things went, I hope it was just a legend, otherwise, there won't be much left of the tomb now. he said while briefly looking at Scarlet.
Eric : Well, there have been stories going around in the past that some couples ended up getting lost and ended up finding the temple or the temple found them. It is also said that Isaris and Usaku's souls still live in the temple wandering endlessly. You can also feel their pressence there.
Max : I guess it was before it was harder to access. Or maybe humans made it that way.
Eric : There is also a protection spell on the multi color heart of Isaris. 'Those who steal the pendant for their selfish greed will become crystals'.
Scarlet : Didn't see many humans turned into crystal lately, so...
Max : Maybe they were just not that greedy.
Eric : Or maybe they never found it yet.
Max : Possible too. If it's behind some glass, it's pretty safe.
Eric : I also heard this temple is like mountian sized laberinth of tunnels and massive halls, all shapes and sizes. Its very easy to get lost in.
Scarlet : Possible, but now it must just be ruins.
Ethan : They might arrive there in the morning and hope that most of the temple's interior is still intact.
Scarlet : Don't count on it. Last time I checked, there were almost no ceilings and walls in there.
Eric : Wait a minute… Scarlet, I have a theory. You might be the prophysized emissary and heir to the temple, and you are possibly able to wear the multicolor heart of Isaris, it maybe possible there is more magical properties this amulet has
it could have the power to heal beings and possibly repair the temple itself.
Scarlet : That's a lot of fairy tales just for one place.
Eric : Ether that or the pendant can also enhance the wearers abilities . I'll have to keep looking into the legend, in the meantime why don't you guys get situated?
(phone rings)
Ethan : I got it.
(picks up the phone)
At that moment, the girls were done with the tour and walked back in.
Ethan: Yes.
Eric: So how was the tour?
Bonny: Fun. I've never seen an actual human house.
Sally: I do, but not as cozy as this one.
Luna: Do humans really need all of that stuff?
Ethan: This is Eric's brother (still on the phone).
Max then motioned them to lower the voice.
Ethan: Yes, Max is here (talking on the phone) is there a reason why you're asking about him?
Max then looks interrogatively at Eric.
Ethan: hold please (whispers) Max, a nurse at a hospital is on the phone
trying to get in contact with you for some reason.
Max: ...Okay. That's weird. He said while extending one arm to grab the phone.
nurse on the phone: hello?
Max: Hi. You wanted to speak to me?
nurse on phone: Yes. Well, I'm afraid its about your father.
Max: What is it?
nurse on phone: You see, he had been involved in an accident and is lying on the bed in critical condition, but just received these photos and a few weeks ago we received his x-ray and mri scans.
Max: An accident? He seemed okay when we saw him a few hours ago.
nurse on phone: Well, the witness said he was walking weirdly and then fell on the ground.
Max: I see. He must have left town since we didn't see or hear anything. Anyway, is there a problem with him?
nurse on phone: I think it's best if he could tell you himself, he can barely speak but can still talk. Do you accept?
Max: ...
Max: ...Sure.
Max dad: S.. son i it's you?
Max: Yes. What is it?
Max dad: they tell you something ab… about m.. my x-rays?
Max: Not yet.
Max dad: Lo.. look son, I have something t.. to tell you, but I need to see you in person. Could your Gardevoir, Scarlet I think, could teleport to my room at the hospital?
Max: Hardly if it's a place she's never been.
Max dad: Fair.. so this way will be...
Max: Do you have a nearby location I could remember or something?
Max dad: Remember when you were little and you mother got sick and we went to the city hospital and you went to that restaurant at the hospital.
Max: Oh, yes. Where I ate lobster for the first time I think.
Max dad: That one! Be there in 20 minutes, you and Scarlet! Please, she needs to be with you.
Max: It should be fine. Be there shortly.
Max dad: I will have my way to get there silently.
Max: Do you plan on leaving the hospital?
Max dad: one thing at a time, son.
Max: You stubborn... sigh Alright.
After a few minutes, Max's dad was seated on a corner table at the restaurant... As always drinking a beer.
Eric: Max, is something up?
Max: Kinda. he answered, looking at Scarlet.
Scarlet: We go as soon as you're ready.
Max: What about the girls? I doubt they can enter the restaurant.
Ethan: Leave that to me!
Max: What are you gonna do?
Ethan: Watch and learn! just follow my lead.
than enters the restaurant as Max, Eric, Scarlet and the other girls followed him from behind.
Max waited for Ethan's action
Ethan: What was your old man's name, Max?
Max: Faust.
Ethan approaches the waiter.
Waiter: I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid those pokemon will have to leave.
Ethan: (takes out his police badge) Sorry, sir, but this is personal family and police business, you be wise to turn away unless you want to be involved.
Waiter: (feeling nervous) What do you want?
Ethan: We're looking for a man named faust. He's this young man's father.
(points to max)
Max just nodded firmly.
Waiter: He's right over there on the table.
Eric: Ethan also used to work at the cia. Well, part time.
Max: Damn. Wouldn't even think about double crossing him.
From afar, Faust waves to Max and the others.
Ethan: You must be faust, I presume.
Faust: Yes! I'm Max dad, and thanks for your intervention over there.
Max: You're awfully nice all of a sudden. What's going on, dad?
Faust: Have a seat son and it would be better for you to order a beer.
Doing as told, Max sat as well as everyone else.
Faust: So.. it's Scarlet, isn't it? The old man asked the Gardevoir.
Faust: I know a little about your kind, and I need you a favor.
Scarlet: ...Depends on what. She replied with a slight touch of animosity
Faust: My son and I have some trusting issues, so I would like you to tease my mind to assure him I'm not lying about what I will tell you guys. Can you do that?
Scarlet: Seriously? she asked, almost looking at Faust with disain.
Faust: Yes. Seriously, but if you don't have the ability to do that I will understand.
Scarlet: I do, but... she added, looking at Max, who had a 'please' face.
Scarlet: Rhe! Fine.
Using her power, she briefly scratched the surface of Faust's mind, just to assure the veracity of his next words.
Scarlet: Alright. You don't plan on lying, so what?
Faust: Look son, I know that I wasn't the father that you deserve, but I would like to set the things straight between us, maybe be more close to you as family...
Max: Happy Scarlet scanned you, because I wouldn't believe you one bit.
Faust: You see, I just received some news that made me reconsider my way of living, and... Could you forgive the atrocity I did to you?
Max: Forgive? Look, you may be sincere about redemption and shit, but actually forgiving you? You made my life a living hell. I didn't have a childhood because of you. And ask me to forgive you? Just like that?
Faust: FUCK MAXIMILIAN! I'M DYING OK! The doctors discovered a tumor on my brain the size of an orange!
Max was then took of guard by his dad raise of tone
Max: You... what?
Eric: A what?
Faust: Yes, you heard right! I'm dying! They told me i have at least 3 months by now.
Eric: 3 whole months?
Max then looked at everyone briefly.
Max: Is that... for real?
Faust: Ask your girlfriend, wife or whatever!
Max then looked at Scarlet, who signed and scanned the physical brain.
After a few seconds, she looked at Max with sorry eyes.
Max: ...So, it is real... he said, dropping his back on the chair.
Faust: Yes son, that's true! Pfff! you know... You only think about what's important in life when it slips through your fingers.
For a short moment, Max was lost at word, in too much shock to say a thing.
Faust: And thinking about this, I realized that for once in my pathetic life, you was my greatest achievement, but I always needed to hurt the others near to me to feel better with myself.
Max: ...And that other happens to be me, huh?
Faust: And your mother too…
Max: Nice way to say I love you.
Faust: Don't force, Kiddo, things don't change on a finger snap, like that Thanos movie! So I'm willing to set things clear with you, for once and for all, so I have some truth to share with you...
Max: ...I'm listening.
Faust: Well, when you were like 5 to 6 years old, I made a trip to Little Creek, and I had an affair there...
Eric: You did WHAT!
Max: No surprise here.
Faust: I met an adorable girl, who was a researcher from a company in the city and we have a relationship for that 2 weeks trip. The thing is that she got pregnant...
Faust: Look that's no easy way to say that and I'm not mister sensibility... So you have a sister.
Max: ...I see.
Eric: A sister?!
Ethan: Did you say, a researcher for a company?
Faust: She's about 15 years old now, but I broke contact with them times ago.
Scarlet: That was unexpected. I mean, not this one committing adultery, but you... having a sister...
Max: Where is she now?
Faust: Yes Ethan, that researcher presented me to some kinds of works that paid very well at the time.
Eric: We are willing to hear what you know , please do go on…
Faust: You know Max, I lost contact with her after she and her mother discovered the things I did to those poor creatures...
Max: What things to which creatures?
Eric: Pokémon. Am I right?
Max: Dad... what did you do?
Faust: See our job was to capture some extremely rare Pokemon to deliver to this research facility...
Eric: Did you have any idea of the experiments they do to them?
Faust: C'mon Eric, don't be a puritan, at the necessity, money talks!
Max: Money talks? Don't you hear yourself?! Just look at this cute face and tell me you wish it hurt her! Max blurted before pointing at May, who had a cute confused face.
Faust: N..n..no, not anymore…
(Faust smiles towards May…)
May only narrowed her eyes at him.
Faust: The thing is that they kept at that facility a Kirlia that after a time evolved to a Gardevoir and was involved in some kind of ultra high top secret experience over there...
Eric: Well, Faust, as for the rare pokemon that you mention that were captured, one of them is sitting before you right here! (pointing at scarlet)
Max: She was an orange kirlia at that time. Is this ringing a bell to you?
Faut: No, I never had contact with her, I just heard about the experiments and the "good time" the scientists had with her...
Scarlet: Good time?
Suddenly, the group felt intense pressure coming from Scarlet. She had her arms crossed and silverwares was starting to get shaky.
Scarlet: You have no idea what I've been through.
Eric: Max, are you ready to spill the details to your old man?
Then, the table started to shake as well
Max: Scarlet, Calm down.
Scarlet: Calm down!? He's the one responsible for my hellish life!
She then stand up before preparing a Shadow Ball.
Scarlet: Give me one reason, not to kill you this instant!
Faust: Look, Scarlet, nothing that I could say or do will repair the thing you suffered… But... I'm sorry… I am truly sorry… Sorry for everything...
Max: Scarlet! Max called out, grabbing her nearest arm, getting her attention.
She then briefly looked at Max before looking back at Faust with the most hateful eyes she could make.
Max: Killing him right here, right now won't solve anything. At least, let him finish speaking.
Faust: If only I could turn back the time, I would give my life to do that…
Scarlet went thoughtful for a moment before cancelling her Shadow Ball, with the shaking stopping.
Scarlet: Now is a bit late for regrets. I've lived atrocity because of your own fucking disgusting greed. No excuse can arrange that.
Faust: Yes, I know. Look, I know how much my son loves you, and how important you are to him. Let me put it this way… I can't change what I did, but I know what I can do. I'm putting my life in your hands, if killing me will bring you peace, so have your way!
Eric: You're asking Scarlet to kill you?
Scarlet: Trust me, I'm not lacking the willpower to do so.
Ethan: ...
Faust: No, Eric, I'm asking her to make a decision! Put the past behind and be a better person, as I'm trying to do, or kill me and satisfy herself.
Eric: Max, you can't agree to this... not in front of all these people.
Scarlet then used her power on Faust's brain, starting to hurt him.
Max: You don't understand... Scarlet... if we try to stop her, it will make things worse.
Faust: Just remember Scarlet... Killing me, will make you no different than myself.
She then increased the power until it was hurting so much that his head was on the verge of exploding.
Max: ... But...
Eric: I can't look!
Faust: I..i.. looove you son... Goodbye.
Then, after an unbearable moment that seemed like it lasted for an eternity, the pain suddenly stopped, leaving the head of Faust intact.
Max: ... She does make good decisions.
Scarlet: And that isn't even a fraction of what I had to go through.
Faust: Ahh.. hum... Pfff!. T.. thanks, Scarlet...
Eric: You do realize the police will be after us and scarlet now?
Scarlet: How so? Didn't kill him.
Ethan: No need to worry about that, not as long as we have Faust in our hands and in custody. After all, he played a role for that facility, and was a misguided man.
Max: He's a dying man anyway, so...
Max: Proud of you, Scarlet.
Scarlet: I'm gonna be sore after that from how much I have to hold back.
Faust: Son, listen to me... Go to my house, there is a loose wood piece on the kitchen floor, it's a trap door, under that you will find documents of the facility business, transactions, contacts everything. Take it, and put them behind the bars!
Scarlet: I killed everybody, so there shouldn't be much left.
Faust: Nooo no no, that's only one of their sites, Scarlet.
Max: Wait! There's more than just one?
Eric: Just as I thought, in the meantime sir, I think you and your son have a lot to talk about.
Faust: They are infiltrated in the high ranks of the government.
Max: ... Shit. It's not gonna be easy to go against that. It almost means going against an entire region.
Faust: They research even for the military! Special pokemon weapon division.
Ethan: So, your hunch was right, rogue military ops!
Faust: Yes, Ethan, a whole shadow government!
Max: Indeed. However, we-
Instantly, Scarlet hammer punched the table loudly, briefly getting the restaurant's attention.
Eric: Scarlet please!
Scarlet: I don't fucking care who they working for or where they are from. I'm gonna look for them, find them, and kill them all and decortate the backyard of their their fucking relative with their fucking deformed bloody corpse!
Max: That's a bit insane. We don't know how much or how powerful they are, we don't even-...
Scarlet: Did i fucking stutter? Those fuckers have breathed and riuned the life of other long enough. she said while firmly balling her hand into a fist.
Scarlet then turned to Ethan.
Scarlet: Do whatever you want with me, but only after I'm done with all of them.
Ethan: Max, we need to get your father to a secure location, he's vital, no need for execution scarlet, you are also vital to everyone!
Faust: Max, Scarlet, let me help you. Please, I don't have much time to live, so I want to do something that matters to my life.
Scarlet: And don't worry for me. I don't plan to die until the very last of them is dismembered.
Max: Look, I... I don't even know what else you can do. Ethan is right. You might not be safe anymore.
Faust: I still have contacts, my name is on their system...
Scarlet: Other reformed demons?
Suddenly, Faust noted a strange man entering the restaurant with his hand on the pocket.
Scarlet sensed his sudden anxiety raise.
Ethan (takes out gun and fires at the strange man, creating a violent panic in the restaurant)
Faust: Oh no... They found you... I don't know how but they found you...
Scarlet immediately used Protect to shield everyone.
Aurora: And here's the trouble again.
Ethan: Max, Eric, Faust Scarlet, run…
Faust: Everyone gat to that Choppa... Shit wrong movie. Everybody run!
Scarlet: Run? You're cute.
She then used teleport to bring everyone back to Ousa town, in front of Eric's house.
Ethan: Well, that was fast!
Scarlet: Told you. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Eric: We need to form a resistance.
Max: Indeed. Surely they are not done looking for us.
Ethan: Mr Faust, are you sure that your contacts will aid us?
Scarlet: It better not be some kind of trap.
Eric: What about Max's long lost sister?
Faust: Pretty sure my contacts will help, Ethan! And about your sister Max, after the breaching at the facility, she and her mother vanished...
Eric: Vanished? Just vanished?
Faust: Don't know if they were relocated or worse.
Max: Wait!
Faust: I tried to find them for some time, but with no luck.
Max: If she's my sister, it's possible that she has similar brain waves than mine, right? Maybe Scarlet could help?
Faust: Guys... That man at the restaurant dropped this piece of paper. Words Spencer, MJ and ruins mean something to you?
Ethan: Well, we can't stay here any longer.
Eric: mj? You mean Mad-Ji?
Max: Spencer and MJ do, in fact. Those are... allies, more or less.
Scarlet: Maybe not anymore.
Max: Wait, there must be an explanation.
Faust: Are ruins like ruins of ancient temples? Maybe they could be targets? People that interacted with you.
Eric: Oh no, I knew it, they are hunting Scarlet!
Luna: I just hope that the Spencers and Mad-Ji aren't implied in that story.
Max: Probably not.
Sally: I'm... sacred…
Ethan: Max, do you think you can take us to this Spencer?
Max: It's okay. We'll get through this, like always. he said, hugging the cinderace in a reassuring way.
Max: I believe I can, yes.
Ethan: I never thought that fate may be bringing me and Mad-Ji together again.
Faust: What can I do for help?
Max: You're not safe on your own, so we have to take you with us.
Ethan: Take Max into your house and help him get those papers. We may need them too.
Scarlet: After that, I can teleport us to the Spencer mansion to demand some answers.
Max: It's pretty far away. Are you sure you can do this?
Scarlet: I may have to take a few stops here and there, but yeah. I should manage.
Max: Alright, be back in a moment. He said before getting inside his old house with his dad.
Eric: Bro, do you think this resistance plan is going to work?
Ethan: I don't know, but it's our only option.
Eric: It seems like you are looking forward to seeing Mad-Ji again?
Scarlet: I wonder if it's reciprocal?
Ethan: Well, Miss Scarlet, let me lend you a little secret. Mad-Ji is short for Madison Jill.
Scarlet: Oh! So the story about just being mad Gardie was fake?
Ethan: No, mad gardie is her name, Madison Jill was what I liked to call her, but she prefered mad gardie better. You get what I'm saying?
Scarlet: I see. I'm starting to see a pattern I'm not sure I like here, she said, looking at Ethan suspiciously.
Ethan: what's that face for, is something up?
Scarlet: You tell me. I mean, no one is even allowed to pronounce her actual name, but you, you have an intimate name? What is it between you two?
Ethan: After the first and last mission with her, I kinda had a crush on her…
Bonny: Someone is having a masochist kink here she commented lowly.
Eric: You never told me you had a crush on Mad-Ji.
Scarlet: A crush? Don't you mean, you have to obey her so she doesn't crush your heart?
Dusk: I don't know if I should find it cute, or disturbing?
Ethan: What can I say... she's quite a woman…
Aurora: On that point, he's not wrong.
May: Just a bit of an understatement, that's all.
Scarlet: What about her? She doesn't appear to me as someone who would love cuddles and soapy stuff.
Ethan: Anyway, how long till Max and Faust get those papers?
Scarlet: Maybe they are doing some quick chat. He just learned that his dad was about to die.
At this moment, both finally got out of the house.
Ethan: You have the papers?
Max: We do. He affirmed, waving some paper sheets.
Faust: Max, did you pick the tapes too?
Max: Which tapes?
Faust: Damn boy, those with the surveillance cameras of the facility. They were with the papers at the bottom.
Ethan: Get them quick!
Sighing, Scarlet used her power to materialize them in in hands.
Scarlet: There you go.
Eric: That was fast!
Scarlet: Master is a bit confused sometimes, so...
Faust: Good, let's reassemble with the others
Scarlet: Alright. All of you, get as close as you can to me.
Ethan: Yes ma'am.
Faust: So, what's our next move? What's the destination now?
Then, as soon as everyone was close enough, Scarlet focused her power to teleport the group. At first, she stopped at Zino City, then teleported again and landed at CorsoCoast. Then Togetheart, where they briefly saw Fushiu and barely had the time to say hi before teleporting again to the Spencer Mansion.
Scarlet: Here we are.
Then, for a brief instant, Scarlet's legs grew weaker, to which Max had to catch her for her to not fall.
Max: That was a long trip. Thanks, love.
Faust: Well, so this is where you lived for one and a half years?! That's fancy!
Eric: That's a big house!
Max: And the inside is even better. This way. he said before heading towards the main door, where he rang the bell.
After a couple of seconds, the door opened, revealing Mike behind it.
Mike: Welcome, Max. he said, not looking that surprised.
Max: Hey!
Mike: I see you brought some visitors. He said, noticing Ethan, Faust and Eric.
Max: Yeah, about that... Is Helene and Aristide here?
Mike: Indeed. You're lucky, Aristide just arrived from a business trip. Come in.
Faust: Pardon Mr. Mike, but I'm not dealing with teleports very well, could you point me to the next bathroom?
Mike: Sure. he said before snapping a finger, getting the attention of a nearby maid. Can you escort this gentleman to the nearest bathroom, please.
Maid: Yes. she acknowledged before leading him away.
Eric: Well, this is more fancy on the inside!
Max: Told you.
Ethan: Is Mad-Ji still here?
Mike: I haven't seen her since she left alongside Max months ago.
Ethan: Tell her it's urgent.
Aristide: What's urgent? he asked, as he entered the room with Helene.
Ethan: Would you believe us that we are being hunted by rogue military officials?
Arsitide then stared at him a moment before taking his phone out to make a call.
Helene: What's going, dear?
Max: Bad stuff, and some people will have to give some answer!
Helene: Oh, my...
Aristide: Hi. Can you tell her to come here? ... Alright. he concluded before ending the call.
Aristide: She will be here in one minute.
Ethan: Good, we need everyone we can…
Max: Before she arrives, maybe you want to look at this he said before handing the paper the rogue dropped at the restaurant with the names on it.
Aristide grabbed the paper and read.
Aristide: ... That doesn't look good.
Faust then came back from the bathroom.
Faust: Greetings everyone! Wow, I don't know if it is this bloody tumor or the teleport, but I'm feeling that I'm wearing my inside out!
Aristide: And who's this?
Max: He's... my father.
Ethan: Yes!
Faust: nice to meet you Mr...
Aristide: Aristide Spencer, the man who glued the piece of the child due to fatherly negligence. He said, looking down upon Faust.
Eric: Oh boy this is going to look ugly.
Faust: Excuse me? Are you calling me a bad parent?
Mad-ji walked in with one of her cigars in her mouth as she exhaled a puff of smoke. "What now?" Mad-ji asked, irritated at being called.
Aristide: ... We'll continue this later.
Faust: Can't wait for that!
Ethan: Well well, looks like we met again Mad-Ji, it's been a long time.
Mad-ji looked at Ethan. "Hello Ethan. What's the problem?" She asked him.
Ethan: looks like our former old friends are hunting us and these folks here!
Max: Which happens to be a rogue military. Does that ring a bell?
Faust: They call themselves as Black Mesa squadron...
Max: Pompous name, I'd say, hehe.
Mad-ji went into thought for a moment. "Black Mesa Squadron? Yea i think I remember some of my higher up's talking about them. They take prisoners, people and pokemon but that's about all we know. No rhyme or rhythm to it, it seems."
Ethan: Seems like this red gardevoir was their lab rat!
Max: Until the rat bite them back in the ass! um... no offsense.
Scarlet: A lot taken.
Mad-ji sighed in disappointment. "So we're dealing with this maggot's ghosts of her past?" She analyzed. "Love to see it." She heavily sarcastically added.
Max: I'm sure someone like you can help
Ethan: Mad-Ji, don't forget we've been tracking em down for a long time now.
Mad-ji looked at max. "So, Nemako, how long has this been going on?" She asked, taking another puff of her cigar.
Max: About what?
Mad-Ji: the Black mesa. How long do you think they've been following you?
Max: Hard to tell. From a long time to recently. I don't know them and don't know what they want from us, so...
Max: At the moment, I'm in the dark.
Faust: Miss Ji, the problem is that we catch this piece of paper with a spy, military minion or whatever, it has the Spencer family name, your initials and something related to temple ruins. So we believe that all of you are in some sort of danger, or being followed for some reason.
Scarlet: Or, you're somehow allied to them. she accused them.
Max: That's a strong accusation right there, Scarlet.
Scarlet: Don't pretend that you didn't think that too.
Ethan: Listen, we currently being hunted now so we need to form a resistance alliance it's our only option of taking down the black mesa squadron. Also, Faust here might be terminal in 3 months.
Faust: I'm with Ethan on that, it's not time to accuse each other, we need to trust each other right now! To keep our eyes and ears open to anything suspicious.
Max: They have a point. Besides, if Mad-Ji is with them, we might as well just lay down and wait for death.
Faust: Pfff. Sometimes, I believe you all overpower her a little… No offense, Miss Ji.
Ethan: Mr. Faust, don't tempt her.
Max: Consider yourself lucky that your head isn't on a pike yet.
Mad-Ji looked at Faust and pulled him closer with her psychic powers, choking him. "You will watch your fucking mouth or I will rip it out and shove it up your asshole then you can eat your own ass! Are we clear?!" Ji yelled at Faust.
Eric: Wow bro, you were right about one thing.
Max: Dad, I present you Mad-Ji, the angrier version of Scarlet.
Scarlet and Mad-Ji: Shut up! they told Max.
Faust: I'm not my son, understood! Intimidation doesn't work with me! But for the well being of the group I will accept your terms!
Ethan: And what a woman she is….
Scarlet: Too bad that his "courage" comes from his pride more than actual braveness.
Max: Honestly, the fact that you're still alive after playing that kind of dangerous game your entire life is a mystery to me.
Eric: Indeed Faust, your son is right!
Faust: Mr. Ethan, am I wrong or you have a little crush towards Miss Ji here?
Eric: Man, there are some things in this world that must never be said!
Max: Lucky guy. Dating Mad-Ji is like dating the Grim Reaper itself.
Faust: I see... It's a sensible topic... Cof. Cof. Coward!
Eric: I know I asked this before Faust, but I have to ask again to make sure if you are telling the truth! Did you really kill Max's mother... officially?
Faust: Killed her! Are you nuts? That woman was the only living being that accepted staying with me knowing my past! How could I get rid of that?
Ji takes a puff of her cigar and looks at Faust. "People do stupid shit when under the influence. Things they regret. So, we never know." Ji stated as she looked at Scarlet.
Scarlet: Hmpf. As far as I'm concerned, I don't regret my decision so far.
Faust: She got sick, and went to treatment, but suddenly she… Disappeared… The doctors told me she died, but no one ever showed me her body!
Eric: That sounds fishy.
Max: That's impossible dad. Someone can't just disappear like that.
Faust: You see, son, for a long time I collected a lot of enemies. But let's focus at Ms. Ji right now.
Ji looks at Scarlet. "What tests were they running back at that facility?"
Scarlet: Why asking? You already know.
Ethan: Miss Scarlet, I know it's sensitive but you need to tell Mad-Ji everything in your past...
Mad Ji: Well, I could just rip it out of your skull if that's what you prefer.
Scarlet: sigh Fine, Whatever.
Then, for the next minutes or so, Scarlet went to explain what she remembered from the facility.
Ji sighs and uses the table to put out her cigar. "I can handle it from here. Stay out of trouble. Or don't, just make sure it's not my problem." Ji said as she ricocheted the cigar off of Faust's forehead, landing it in the trash bin and walked out.
Ethan: Miss scarlet, I know you had it rough but you can't keep running away from your past forever.
Scarlet: Easy for you to say. You didn't have to take dicks too big for you on a daily basis.
Ethan: It may hurt but you can learn from your mistakes or let them consume you. A wise man once said "fear is a path to the dark side, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate... leads to suffering".
Eric: He's got a point there.
Scarlet: Was that wise man raped, beaten, experimented on, starved, humiliated and almost killed everyday?
Faust: what about you Mr. Spencer? I heard that military contracts are your business somehow!
Arisitde: You got it wrong, mister. I'm just a simple bank owner.
Eric: No, but I'm sure he sees things like that happen most of the time.
Scarlet: Seeing and living isn't the same, so spare me your cheap sentimental wisdom please.
Max: Scarlet, come on... he said, briefly rubbing her back in a reassuring way.
Eric: Scarlet, imagine if you said those wise words to jade and she said the same thing you did. Would you feel hurt?
Scarlet: ...
Eric: Scarlet... I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you, I just…
Scarlet: Hmpf. I don't need your sympathie. People just seem to underestimate how destructive stuff like that can be.
Eric: Faust, I think you and Max deserve some bonding time, Max has a lot to tell you about his journeys. Max, tell him now, you might never get that chance again.
Max: I guess...
Faust: Indeed, maybe it's a good time to do that, this place looks safe enough to relax a little.
Faust: So, Max, mind to go for a walk while we talk?
Scarlet: If Mad-Ji takes care of everything, we can stay here until things get calmer.
Max: Sure. he agreed before leaving with Faust.
Eric: It seems like things are starting to look better!
Scarlet: sigh I still need to get stronger, so that I can handle stuff myself better.
Faust: Well, son, tell me, what's your story after... You know... I kicked you out... Sorry.
Max: Well...
Then, as Max walked through the mansion to narrate his adventure so far, Scarlet and the girls then made themselves comfortable for the time being.
Faust: Looks like you become a real man after all! You grew a lot during this time… I don't know if it matters to you after all I did... But I'm proud of you... Son… hhher.. Humm... but let's cut the sentimentality... We have a real situation to deal in our hands right now…
BoonTown Karaoke
by Drago421
{…Are you sure about this, Master?} Dusk asked, surprised by what Max told them.
"Why not? I think it's about time I let you girls pick the activities," Max answered reassuringly.
It was relatively early in the evening as the gang were still in BoonTown for their final day before heading back on the road. Everyone minus Luna have had their dinner and were currently in a 3-star hotel room that Max rented out for the remainder of their stay; one king-sized bed, a countertop in front of it with a thirty-inch TV, a bathroom adjacent to the counter, along with a sofa & coffee table in the far corner. So far, they spent most of the day going on a sight-seeing trip through BoonTown, getting to know the city environment and doing a bit of window shopping. Max offered to buy the girls souvenirs in between stores, to which they all politely declined as their time spent with them was satisfying enough. Even though everybody had enjoyed their time at the spa the other day, Max wanted his team to relax and take their minds off training for one more day. Besides, this was an opportunity for them to go about and do their own thing without Max suggesting them, for he decided to let them have a choice in the matter. Naturally, this caught them by surprise, some of them more suspicious of his offer than others.
{Not that I'm complaining about this Max, but why let us choose the activities this time?} Aurora asked, raising her paw. {I mean, apart from the spa, we don't know what this city has to offer.}
May walked up to Max while raising her hand as well. {She's right. You're usually the one who tells us where to go, so what gives?}
{Did we do something wrong?} Sally asked nervously. {I mean, I don't think we did, not counting my… *sigh* Disappointing gym battle.}
{Sally, we talked about this…} Bonny stated in a supportive tone.
{I know, but-}
"Rest assured, you didn't do anything wrong. It's nothing personal towards any of you, but our little trip to the Cheeky Barn got me thinking," Max said while waving his hands in a "settle down" manner. "I've been wanting to give you guys more freedom, especially when it comes to choosing what to do in a place like this. I know you guys like going along with what I say most of the time, but when was the last time you all have done something you wanted that didn't relate to sex?"
{I can understand why you're doing this, but why now of all times?} Scarlet asked interrogatively.
"Because I've noticed that there's quite a bit to do in BoonTown," Max answered casually as he took out the tablet, scrolling through the list of activities the city had to offer. {So what do you say? Wanna take the lead for once, girls?}
The gang looked at each other for a moment, thinking about this whole ordeal. While it is true that they've been following Max's word ever since they joined him, they couldn't help but agree with him to some extent. Just because they didn't mind following his lead doesn't mean that they should, at least for trivial matters such as city activities. Besides, this could allow for some additional bonding between them, so it wouldn't be all bad. With everyone nodding their heads and turning to Scarlet for the final verdict, she walked towards Max and placed her hands on the tablet.
{Okay Master, we'll take up on your offer.} she began as she took the tablet out of his hands before walking back to the group. {We'll think of something, then you can take us there.}
"Sounds good. Don't tell me what it is yet, though," he stated with a smile, stopping the gardevoir and making her look back at him. "Surprise me."
Scarlet gave a smile of her own before walking the group to the coffee table, leaving Max on the bed browsing through his pokėdex. A few moments later, the girls had decided on an activity that caught their interest, some more so than others. They then packed all of their belongings so they would check out of the hotel the next morning before heading further into the west side of the city, but not before contacting Luna to let her know what they'd be doing, as well as changing Scarlet to a green color to not attract any unwanted attention. Even though Max would be left in the dark, Luna did seem rather interested in what the girls had planned, leaving their trainer even more puzzled. If it caught Luna's interest, then it must be good or entertaining. After a good thirty or so minutes of walking through the now-lit-up BoonTown, the gang arrived at a 3-story building with a neon sign of a microphone hanging above the entrance, with Max immediately catching on. There was also a "We are open" sign hanging off the window on the inside, indicating that they were able to spend a good amount of time here.
"Karaoke?" Max pondered out loud as he inspected the building. "What made you girls decide on that?"
Scarlet was about to answer before Sally jumped in front of her. {Because singing is fun!} she exclaimed excitedly.
{*ahem* Yes, well, most of the other activities were pretty boring, and this place just so happened to be within walking distance, so…} Scarlet answered as she moved the eager cinderace to the side.
{She's saying she's too lazy to teleport us all here.} Bonny blurted out amusingly.
{Lopunny, I can and will teleport you to the most random location I can think of.} Scarlet retorted, looking at Bonny in annoyance.
Max was about to step in and prevent a possible conflict, when Aurora did so before he could. {Alright, alright… We're here to have fun, remember?} the lucario reminded them, Scarlet and Bonny briefly stopping their little squabble before it could escalate.
Max let out a sigh of relief as he and the girls entered the building, the interior looking pretty nice and classy. The main lobby was a simple room with a desk at the front with a middle-aged woman working on the computer, along with two vending machines adjacent to it; one for snacks and the other for drinks. Behind the desk to Max's right was a door labeled "Karaoke Rooms Ahead", which they could assume is where they'll be singing in. After having looked around enough, Max approached the desk with his team in tow.
"Good evening, welcome to the BoonTown Karaoke Center," the woman greeted, Max waving back. "Are you looking to reserve a room tonight?"
"Hey there. Uh, yes I am, though it's mostly for my pokėmon," he stated in a friendly manner. "Will they be able to sing as well, or how does this work? It's kind of our first time here."
"That's fine. So the way it works is that we charge you by how much time you want to spend, as the chart explains," she explained as she reached for a chart and handed it to Max for him to. "Say for example, you reserve a room for thirty minutes, which will start once you've entered, and from there you'll have access to our multi-million song library." She then reached underneath her desk and pulled out a gray, high-tech collar. "As for your pokėmon, if they wish to sing as well, that's what these are for. They're equipped with a software chip that can sync with the room's microphone, allowing them to 'speak' in fluent English."
"Woah… That's pretty cool," he replied in awe, admiring how such a technology existed. "So they wear that, speak pokėspeech into the microphone, and real words will come out?"
"Absolutely, and these collars are easily detachable too, and since you seem to have quite the party, they can all share one or two amongst each other," she stated while demonstrating just that.
Max turned to his team to see if any of them minded having a collar on them, to which he saw mixed reactions across the board. Some didn't seem to mind, some were a bit uncomfortable at the mention of the collar, and a certain gardevoir seemed heavily against the idea, but calmed down once she heard that it can come off easily. Max then turned back to the receptionist to reserve the room.
"Alright, I think we'll be reserving a room for… Forty minutes, ma'am," he told her, putting the chart down in front of her while taking out his wallet.
"Wonderful, give me one moment," she responded before typing away at her computer. "May I see your I.D and method of payment, please?"
Max did so as the lady went ahead and reserved a room on the second floor. Upon completion, she handed back his I.D and debit card, as well as giving him a keycard containing the room number and two pokėspeech-to-English translator sync collars. Max then said goodbye to the receptionist and went through the door and up the stairs to their room. The hallways had a black and red color scheme with doors leading to different rooms every few feet and lights just above the door frames. After a few moments of walking, they made it to their designated room and used the keycard to open the door, to which they were greeted with a large TV about fifty-five inches in length. In front of it lay a small glass table with a large tablet and a microphone, with couches bordering the sides of the room adjacent to the door.
Max whistled impressively at the room's design with the girls entering behind him. "Not too shabby."
{Pretty…} May muttered to herself.
{This room seems to speak to me in some way, can't quite figure out why.} Luna stated, feigning innocence with Max playfully rolling his eyes, knowing she was being sarcastic.
{So who's going first?} Scarlet asked, already browsing through the song list. {That human wasn't kidding, there are like a million songs on here. }
Aurora stepped up and grabbed the microphone. {I'll go first. I already got a song in mind, Scarlet. I'll tell you via telepathy.}
Scarlet nodded and almost immediately received Aurora's request, the gardevoir searching it up on the tablet and pressing play. Right as she did, the dirty-yellow lights in the room dimmed down as the lyrics appeared on the TV screen. Little do they know, from Aurora's perspective as she was now facing the group, there was a smaller TV that also displayed lyrics for the singer to follow along, mounting within the wall above the door.
Aurora's Song - Starring/Shining Star (English Cover by Kyle Brook)
[Opening Instrumental]
*The song starts playing with Aurora getting ready, slowly putting the translate collar on and picking up the microphone, getting ready to sing
I look back to when I was young
Reminisce in all that I've done
In my hands I held The dreams of my childhood
That now've come to pass.
I look on to the times ahead
Wondering why all the really small things pass me by!
Although I'm struggling, I know I'll do fine.
So let's ride upon the wind and journey to
A world we've never known
(It's a brand new story)
Now a new chapter starts.
Shining star in the night be my compass and guide
Take me to where I belong!
The warmth we once shared will always be there
Its magic lives on in our hearts.
Shining star give me strength from your light up above
Show me the way to be brave!
My hands still hold onto hope that together we'll manifest
All that we've dreamed of!
As the light cascades around me
Everything I gaze upon is brighter than before!
So I'll move on now, no lies hold me down.
So let's drive along the hills and journey to
A world we've never known
(Resonant memory)
We've only a few miles left to go!
[Instrumental Bridge]
Shining star in the night be my compass and guide
Take me to where I belong
The warmth we once shared will always be there
Its magic lives on in our hearts.
Shining star give me strength from your light up above
Show me the way to be brave
My hands still hold onto hope that together we'll make it through.
Shining star in the night be my compass and guide
Take me to where I belong
The warmth we once shared
And our love will never fade.
Shining star!
I look up to who I've become and think I'll start again
(And everything)
Will be alright as long as I'm with you.
Woah~!
[Ending Instrumental]
[Song end]
Max's Song - Tragedy + Time by Rise Against
[Opening Instrumental]
*Max grabs the microphone as the song plays, him looking a little nervous until he takes a deep breath and steels himself.
On the edges of the sharpest knives
In the middle of the darkest nights
Always knew that I would find you here
In a puddle of the bravest tears
I've seen enough to know it's lonely where you are!
Above the crowd, feet dangling from a rooftop
She waits from ledges for a voice to talk her down!
And nothing matters but the pain when you're alone
The never-ending nights when you're awake
When you're praying that tomorrow it's ok
There will be a time to crack another smile
Maybe not today or for awhile
But we're holding on to laugh again someday
To laugh again someday!
All that matters is the time we had
Doesn't matter how it all went bad
Never wonder what it might be like
Shut the door, say goodbye
When faced with tragedy
We come alive or come undone!
So don't look back, let it shape you like an ocean
Even the deepest scars in time will fade!
And nothing matters but the pain when you're alone
The never-ending nights when you're awake
When you're praying that tomorrow it's ok
There will be a time to crack another smile
Maybe not today or for awhile
But we're holding on to laugh again someday
Now we're holding on to laugh again someday!
[Instrumental Bridge]
And sometimes you have to go back
To know just where you have been
But we're old enough to know that
What has been will be again and again
And the bravest of faces
Are the ones where we fake it
In the roles that we play
Nothing matters when the pain is all but gone
When you are finally awake
Despite the overwhelming odds tomorrow came *
And when they see you crack a smile
And you decide to stay awhile
You'll be ready then to laugh again
And nothing matters but the pain! (We are tragedy, yeah, we are sympathy)
And nothing matters but the pain, you see what you want to see!
And nothing matters but the pain! (We are misery and distant memories)
And nothing matters but the pain, but we all learn to laugh again!
Yeah, we all learn to laugh again!
Oh, we all learn to laugh again~!
[Song end]
Scarlet's Song - Now by Paramore
*Scarlet eyes everyone in the room with a somewhat dominant expression, looking to prove to everyone that she can sing, better than everyone else if possible. The drumsticks clicked against each other and Scarlet began to sing.
Don't try to take this from me
Don't try to take this from me
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Don't try to take this from me
Don't try to take this from me
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Feels like I'm waking from the dead
And everyone's been waiting on me
'Least now I'll never have to wonder
What it's like to sleep a year away
But were we indestructible
I thought that we could brave it all
I never thought that what would take me out
Was hiding down below
Lost the battle, win the war
Bringing my sinking ship back to the shore
We're starting over, or head back in
There's a time and a place to die but this ain't it
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Don't try to take this from me
Don't try to take this from me
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Don't try to take this from me
Don't try to take this from me
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Wish I could find a crystal ball
For the days I feel completely worthless
You know I'd use it all for good
I would not take it for granted
Instead, I'd have some memories
For the days I don't feel anything
At the least, they will remind me
Not to make the same mistakes again
Lost the battle, win the war
Bringing my sinking ship back to the shore
We're starting over, or head back in
There's a time and a place to die, but this ain't it
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
There's a time and a place to die
There's a time and a place to die
And this ain't it
There's a time and a place to die
And this ain't it, this ain't it~!
This ain't it~!
There's a time and a place to die
There's a time and a place to die
But this ain't it~! No~!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
If there's a future, we want it
Now! (Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!)
If there's a future, we want it
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
Now-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!
[Song end]
May's Song - Together Forever by Rick Astley
[Opening Instrumental]
*May walks up to the mic with a skip in her step, grabbing it and taking her spot in front of her audience. She continues to dance in place as she begins to sing.
If there's anything you need
All you have to do is say
You know you satisfy everything in me
We shouldn't waste a single day
So don't stop me falling, it's destiny calling
A power I just can't deny
It's never changing! Can't you hear me, I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life!
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you!
If they ever get you down
There's always something I can do
Because I wouldn't ever wanna see you frown
I'll always do what's best for you
There ain't no mistaking It's true love we're making
Something to last for all time
It's never changing! Can't you hear me, I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life!
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you!
[Instrumental Bridge]
So don't stop me falling, it's destiny calling
A power I just can't deny
It's never changing Can't you hear me, I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life!
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you!
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you!
Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you~!
Bonny & Dusk's Duet Song - Give It Up by Victorious
[Opening Instrumental]
*Bonny and Dusk each grab their respective mics with a spring in their steps, Bonny moving with more sass while Dusk moves with more grace. The beat to the song starts to drop and the two begin their performance, being sure to look at Max every so often.
[Bonny]
Someday I'll let you in
Treat you right, Drive you outta your mind, ooh~!
[Dusk]
You never met a chick like me
Burn so bright, I'm gonna make you blind!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Always want what you can't have
Is it so bad if you don't get what you wanted?
Make you feel good, as I whip you into shape
Yeah, boy, let's get it started!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Give it up, you can't win
'Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame you don't put up a fight.
That's a game that we play at the end of the night
It's the same old story, but you never get it right
Give it up~!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Come a little closer, baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer, baby, baby
[Bonny]
So stop trying to walk away
No you won't ever leave me behind!
[Dusk]
No, you better believe that I'm here to stay (that's right)
'Cause you're the shade, and I'm the sunshine, ooh~!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Look at me boy
'Cause I got you where I want you
Isn't it so exciting?
Wanna shake you, wanna break you
Take the back seat, boy, 'cause now I'm driving!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Give it up, you can't win
'Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame you don't put up a fight.
That's a game that we play at the end of the night
It's the same old story, but you never get it right
Give it up~!
[Instrumental & Vocal Bridge]
*Bonny delivers some back-up vocals while Dusk delivers the main vocals.
[Bonny & Dusk]
Come a little closer
Come a little closer, baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer, baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer, baby
Yeah, you are my baby, and I'll make you crazy tonight~!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Look at me boy
'Cause I got you where I want you
Isn't it so exciting?
Wanna shake you, wanna break you
Take the back seat, boy, 'cause now I'm driving!
[Bonny & Dusk]
Give it up, you can't win
'Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame you don't put up a fight.
That's a game that we play at the end of the night
It's the same old story, but you never get it right
Give it up~!
Wow hoo wooooow~
Yeah!
Sally's Song - FPX Anthem, Phoenix by Chrissy Constanza
[Opening Instrumental]
*Sally nervously takes her place in front of her audience, trying to find it within herself to perform a song for her friends and master. Upon hearing the phoenix cry, she takes a deep breath and tries to think of herself as one, before beginning to sing.
Bloodied and scorned, tattered and torn
Hanging on by a thread
With death at our door, the cannons still roar
We shall not bend If the flag doesn't wave
At the end of the day
What is there left to say?
Tell me what is there left to save
And if there's nothing left to save
It's clear there's nothing left to lose
I'll strike the match and light the fuse~!
Set me on fire, so I can rise
From the demons I'm keeping inside my mind!
Into the flames, all that remains
Is what I needed to keep on believing!
Won't turn back I'm a phoenix, phoenix! (Won't turn back)
Phoenix, phoenix! (Won't turn back)
City is asleep under my feet
Sea of a billion lights
I'm taking the leap out of this dream
Into the purple heights.
It's clear there's not a better view
I'll strike the match and light the fuse~!
Set me on fire, so I can rise
From the demons I'm keeping inside my mind!
Into the flames, all that remains
Is what I needed to keep on believing!
Won't turn back I'm a phoenix, phoenix (Won't turn back)
Phoenix, phoenix (Won't turn back)
Sticks and stones, oughta know
That I won't be broken
Highs and lows, come and go
But I live in the moment
Sticks and stones, oughta know
That I won't be broken
No, I won't be broken~!
Set me on fire, so I can rise
From the demons I'm keeping inside my mind (Inside my mind!)
Into the flames, all that remains (All that remains!)
Is what I needed to keep on believing (Yeah!)
Won't turn back I'm a phoenix, phoenix! (Won't turn back)
Phoenix, phoenix! (Won't turn back)
Phoenix (Don't turn back!), phoenix! (Won't turn back)
Phoenix, phoenix! (Won't turn back)
[Ending Instrumental]
*Sally looked on at everyone looking a bit more confident than she was prior to their trip to BoonTown, everyone giving the cinderace a supportive look as she was somewhat revitalized by the phoenix cry in the background.
Luna's Song - Sound of Silence (Cover by The Dooo)
[Opening Instrumental]
*Luna closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, not because she was lacking confidence, but to prevent herself from becoming too emotional, as this was a very powerful song that carried a strong message that reminded her of her daily life, both past and present.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again.
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence~.
In restless dreams, I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone.
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence~.
And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence~!
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence~!
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
Then the sign said, "The words on the prophets are written on the subway walls
In tenement halls."
And whispered in the sound!
Of silence~…
[Ending Instrumental]
*Luna kept her eyes closed as the song finished, the zoroark not daring to shed a tear or show any emotion to anyone present, regardless of whether or not they'd think less of her for it.
Group's Song - Just Fine by Backhouse Mike
[Bonny]
I'm never that far, no matter where you are
Believe it! We can make it come true.
[May]
We'll do it our way, no matter what they say
'Cause no one's gonna do it for you
Ooh, ooh, yeah!
[Dusk]
But I-I-I-I, I'll never say never
As long as we keep it together
Er-er-oh~!
[Bonny, Dusk & May]
If you're living a dream and you know what it means
Then you can't let 'em change your mind
It's the life that we choose and we still break the rules
But it's all gonna be just fine!
[Sally]
And while all we need is just to make believe
Yeah everything begins when you do
[Aurora]
Just gotta let go, 'cause your original
And no one else can do it like you
Ooh, ooh, yeah!
[Luna]
But I, I, I, I, I'll never say never
As long as we keep it together
Er-er-oh~!
[Aurora, Luna & Sally]
If you're living a dream
And you know what it means
Then you can't let 'em change your mind
It's the life that we choose and we still break the rules
But it's all gonna be just fine!
[Bonny, Dusk & May]
Yeah we're all gonna be just fine!
Just fine!
[Scarlet]
And if you are misunderstood, just think of your life
Don't feel bad it's the times we've had were free
[Max]
If you're living a dream and you know what it means
Then you can't let 'em change your mind
[Max & Scarlet]
It's the life that we choose and we still break the rules
But it's all gonna be just fine
Just fine~.
[Bonny, Dusk & May]
If you're living a dream
And you know what it means
Then you can't 'et 'em change your mind
[Aurora, Luna & Sally]
It's the life that we choose and we still break the rules
But it's all gonna be just fine
[Max & Scarlet]
Yeah we're all gonna be just fine
You and me, we're going to be just fine!
[Everyone]
Hmmmm!
*Everyone gets together to close out the song, holding each other in their arms as they were having the time of their lives.
[fin]
