Ch.61
Alliance
Pokemon is the property of its respective owners, Ocs belong to me
"(Ah, hello Dmitri. Just set Tomoe over there and I'll explain everything,)" Oni warmly greeted the battle ace who nodded and gently set his bodyguard down on a flat rock big enough to accommodate her large form causing Tomoe to hiss while clutching her chest.
"So what's this about, Oni?" Dmitri inquired politely as he sat down on the edge of Tomoe's makeshift bed and put a hand on her shoulder as a bright, crimson energy suddenly enveloped her which began to mend any broken bones, internal injuries, or deep lacerations she suffered during the brutal melee.
"(It's about you of course, but more specifically about your decision to leave your friends behind and attempt to save your mother by yourself. I won't voice my opinion on the matter so I'm just here to inform you about what I'm going to do with you and your bodyguard,)" Oni calmly told the battle ace though her voice still sounded like a deafening thunderstorm causing Dmitri to wince slightly while a myriad of thoughts went through his head.
Was Oni going to keep him as a servant? He had heard about humans who had committed the most heinous crimes be subjected to that kind of fate in order to teach them respect, humility, and compassion to their fellowman, but he certainly hasn't done anything to deserve such a punishment. Was Oni going to confine him to her cave where he wouldn't be allowed to leave until the threat of the New Swords of Justice passed? He didn't want to be confined in some gilded cage even if Oni was going to treat him with the utmost respect and compassion. The last thought made him blush slightly; was Oni going to keep him as...as a concubine?
Suddenly, the mighty titan released a loud, hearty laugh causing Dmitri to raise a brow as the legendary was in hysterics and even gripped her gut with her wings as if they were arms before her laughter died down.
"(I'm flattered Dmitri, but I'm afraid you're a bit too small and far too young for my tastes!)" Oni jovially remarked causing Dmitri's blush to deepen as he rubbed the back of his head while Tomoe groaned and rolled over on her side.
"You were able to read my mind?" Dmitri asked causing the titan to chuckle for a bit longer before staring at the battle ace with a calm gaze that made Dmitri avert his eyes despite the warmth behind the titan's stare.
"(Forgive me, young one, but I was able to read your thoughts like a book when you allowed your imagination to wander. On a more serious note, please work on strengthening your mental defenses as enemies with psychic abilities will do far worse than just read your mind,)" Oni suggested causing Dmitri to gulp nervously, but nodded nonetheless as Tomoe groggily sat up and stretched her stiff body.
"(Don't worry, Lady Oni; I'll do my best to prepare him for psychic attacks,)" Tomoe assured the titan while stretching her arm over her chest and then rolling her shoulder causing Oni to nod before conjuring a crimson image of someone Dmitri was all too familiar with.
"(Thank you, Tomoe. Onto other matters, I'm going to be sending you to my identured servant, Alice, who is helping push back the invaders and someone you'll have to stay with until the New Swords of Justice's forces have been well and truly been pushed back to their homeland. I know you hate her and with good reason, but she's under my control and won't be able to harm anyone for selfish, petty reasons even if she wanted to,)" Oni assured the battle ace who glowered at the image of his enemy with his fists clenched while the titan linked her mind up with the samurai and shared the knowledge of all of Alice's transgressions with the warrior.
"(So basically we traded one theater of war for another? My job is protect young master and having us travel with an active combatant against the New Swords of Justice only puts him at risk,)" Tomoe exclaimed causing the mighty titan to shake her head which made the otter to ball her paw into a fist before relaxing her grip.
"(Not exactly; besides the foothold they established, the invader's forces are far and in between so you'll mainly be dealing with small pockets of resitance. Besides, Dmitri wants to help end this long-standing war and I know that a part of you wants to settle this conflict once and for all,)" Oni responded as coolly as the ocean waves causing the old warrior to grumble and avert her gaze from the titan before staring at Oni with her arms crossed over her chest.
"(I'd want nothing more than to end this ridiculous war, but young master's safety comes first. Therefore, I shall protect him from these invaders should he encounter them in his travels,)" Tomoe stated firmly causing Oni to nod while Dmitri continued to glare at the conjured image of the titan's servant before glaring at Oni with wide eyes.
"I don't want to travel with her! Why can't you just send me back to Sinnoh with my friends!?" Dmitri practically roared at the titan at the top his lungs before he widened his eyes and bowed his head all while Oni calmly stared down at him.
"I'm sorry," Dmitri apologized causing the legendary to wave one of her wings as she lowered her giant head to eye level with the battle ace where he felt the overwhelming pressure of her energy that made his entire body tremble.
"(It's alright, young one. You have every right to be angry and I'd want nothing more than to return you to Sinnoh, but some of the pokemon in that region have formed large bands in order to hunt you and your friends down, no doubt inspired by the New Swords of Justice,)" Oni responded causing Dmitri to huff and ground his teeth while Tomoe folded her arms and raised a brow.
"But...but my friends and I managed to beat hordes of pokemon before! We beat Alice's pokemon and the pokemon allied with the New Swords of Justice!" Dmitri pointed out causing the titan to stare at the battle ace dead in the eye while releasing a puff of air from her nostrils that nearly blew the boy back.
"(Did you now? If I recall, it required the intervention of Delia's rival and the champion of Sinnoh to hold your ground against me and it took the police and the intervention of Hearthome's citizens to effectively beat back Mienshao's army,)" Oni countered causing Dmitri to open his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it when nothing came to mind causing Tomoe to step forward which made the titan glance at the warrior.
"(Lady Oni, isn't there anyone else you can send us to?)" Tomoe requested as even though she was doing better than Dmitri, she still felt as if her whole body was numb due to the immense pressure of Oni's energy and it took all her effort to not collapse on her back.
"(Unfortunately, no. The only other human I would trust you two with is the Nurse Joy in Cianwood City, and let's just say she isn't too happy about giving up her lifelong dream of becoming a fashion designer when she was practically forced into the medical profession by her family,)" Oni responded causing Dmitri to continue to glower at the image of Alice while Tomoe folder her arms and narrowed her eyes at the legendary.
"(I want your word that Alice will not harm Dmitri or anyone else without good reason,)" Tomoe gruffly stated while gripping the hilt of her sword and staring at the titan dead in the eye with a look that could kill in one fell swoop.
"(I swear on my life and honor as one of the protectors of the Kanto and Johto region,)" Oni resolutely responded as she and Dmitri's bodyguard glared at one another in a brief, tense moment that caused the entire cave to go silent before the otter gave a barely noticeable nod.
"(Alright then; I'm definitely not happy about this, but if young master approves, then so do I,)" Tomoe responded as she glanced at her charge who glowered at the image of Alice with his eyes burning with hatred before he finally glanced at the titan with his eyes narrowed.
"...I'll go with Alice, but I'm not going to be her friend even if she is serving you now," Dmitri conceded hesitantly causing the protector to slowly nod her giant head making the cave rumble as she tore open another psychic rift of crimson energy.
"(I understand,)" Oni replied calmly as she gestured at the portal with her wing making the battle ace take a baby step forward before retracting his foot causing Tomoe to put a paw on his shoulder which made a slight smile form on the boy's face.
"I just have one last question. Will I run into Lance?" the battle ace inquired causing Tomoe to raise a brow while Oni looked at him with a wooden gaze for a brief moment before shrugging her shoulders.
"(It's possible; Lance directly involves himself in the affairs of the Kanto and Johto region so seeing him in public is commonplace,)" Oni answered causing Dmitri to stare down at the floor of the cave long and hard before sighing softly as he looked up at the legendary who had helped him when he needed it.
"Thank you, for everything," Dmitri gratefully told the titan who smiled warmly and nodded her head as the battle ace stepped through the rift while Tomoe respectfully bowed at Oni who graciously returned the gesture before the otter followed her charge through the rift.
"(Here they come,)" Espeon mumbled as a crimson rift opened a few feet away from them causing the pink cat to lazily roll around on the grass while Poliwrath glanced at the ex-heiress before sitting down on a rock.
Alice, in the meantime, took a deep breathe in and let it back out as someone she never thought she'd see again along with a strange, funny looking pokemon came out of the crimson rift where they glowered at her which the ex-heiress was more than eager to return.
"You don't like me, and you don't have to like me, but I will do my best to watch over you as my master commands," Alice gruffly told the boy in front of her causing him to narrow his eyes at the ex-heiress who glared back at him as the pink feline took this as an opportunity to place herself between the two parties.
"(You call that saying hi?)" Espeon stated with a raised brow causing the ex-heiress to huff and say nothing as the pink cat calmly gazed at the boy and his bodyguard who warily glanced at her.
"(I'm Espeon, and I'd like to formally welcome the both of you to our little group. Look, I know this is...less than ideal and to be honest, I'm not exactly comfortable with having two strangers join us, but I'm willing to make the most of this situation if you guys are too,)" the sun pokemon coolly offered causing the bodyguard to narrow her eyes at the pink cat before reluctantly putting her blade back in its sheathe.
Dmitri, however, glanced at Alice, then at Espeon, and then at Poliwrath who waved at him before sighing heavily and nodding scausing the pink feline to inwardly sigh in relief as the battle ace suddenly walked up to the ex-heiress. The sun pokemon's eyes widened when she saw Dmitri's durable, prosthetic fist in motion causing her to encase the prosthesis in crimson energy and stop Dmitri's punch in its tracks mere inches from Alice's face. Looking down at the prosthetic arm and then at Dmitri who continued to strain against the psychic grip on his arm, the ex-heiress rolled her eyes and calmly sat down next to Poliwrath.
"If you're trying to get payback for what I did to your friends, all those people in Hearthome, and for yourself, it's a wasted effort," Alice bluntly stated as Espeon released her psychic grip on Dmitri's arm causing the boy to warily sit down on a rock across from her while Tomoe stood next to her master with her paw on the hilt of her sword.
"And why is that!? Because you're a servant of a legendary pokemon now!? Why do you get a second chance at life when a lot of people more deserving of such a gift are just left in the Distortion World!?" Dmitri roared at Alice who blankly stared at him causing Dmitri to clench his fist tightly to the point his hand turned white before Tomoe put a paw on his shoulder causing the battle ace to grumble, but relax his grip.
"Experiencing every bad thing you've ever done to someone is no life, but this is the fate I deserve after everything I've done and I accept my punishment," Alice retorted in a tone barely above a whisper causing Dmitri and Tomoe to widen their eyes as the ex-heiress walked away causing Poliwrath to follow her while Espeon remained with the duo.
"(Look, is this going to be a problem? We can't exactly fight the New Swords of Justice if you two are going to be at each other's throats the whole time,)" Espeon inquired while sighing heavily causing Dmitri to growl lowly while Tomoe scoffed and regarded the pink feline with a harsh, wary stare.
"Espeon, with all due respect, that's easy for you-"
"(No, it's not. Oni showed me everything Alice did in her previous life and I wasn't exactly thrilled to be her partner at first, but she was kind of like me in my previous life so I guess we were made for each other,)" Espeon interrupted sharply causing Dmitri to narrow his eyes at the feline who blankly stared back at him while Tomoe's suspicious gaze deepened.
"(What do you mean you're kind of like her?)" Tomoe interrogated the sun pokemon who suppressed the urge to groan irritably and instead lept onto a nearby rock where she sat on her haunches and gazed at the duo with her eyes glowing crimson.
"(Team Rocket was trying to make a clone from Mew's DNA and I was one of the guinea pigs since Eevees have the most versatile DNA sequence of any pokemon. Because I was the ideal test subject, everything they wanted to use for their clone was tested on me first so it wouldn't hurt their precious experiment. By the end of it, I can say without arrogance that I was nearly as powerful as the clone,)" Espeon explained causing Dmitri to widen his eyes while Tomoe tightened her grip on her arms as the sun pokemon's skin suddenly shimmered while her purple eyes and white pupils changed to demonic red eyes and monstrous black pupils.
While both Dmitri and Tomoe were shocked by this, Espeon laughed heartily as she gazed at her limbs in awe before stretching her back causing the battle ace and the warrior from old to exchange glances with one another.
"(Sorry, I should explain. Since Arceus realized I would need to fight while in Oni's service, she's gradually giving me my enhancements when I prove myself worthy of them and this just one of them. My bones, skin, and organs were reinforced with the same organic metal a Metagross is made of which can repair and strengthen itself when subjected to trauma and it also greatly boosts my psychic abilities, but it had unintended side effects,)" Espeon explained while pointing to her eyes with her tail causing Dmitri to nod slowly while Tomoe continued to glare at the pink feline who looked back at her stonefaced.
"(Do you have any other unnatural enhancements?)" Tomoe scathingly barked at the sun pokemon who nodded as she lept off the rock and sat down a few feet away from Dmitri causing the otter to ready herself.
"(Yes, the scientists wanted to know if Mew's genetic code could be further strengthed by introducing the DNA of other pokemon so they gathered samples from other psychic type pokemon. Once they got what they needed, the scientists injected the DNA of Deoxys, Lugia, Latias, and Latios into my body and waited to see what would happen. Spoiler alert, it made me far stronger than any Espeon or any psychic type pokemon could have been with a lifetime of training, but the overflow of psychic energy was...difficult to cope with at first,)" Espeon elaborated while unconsciously shuddering causing Tomoe to recoil in disgust while Dmitri sympathetically stared at the pink feline who didn't seem to be all too bothered by it.
"I'm sorry that happened to you," Dmitri stated softly causing the pink feline to wave her tail and stretch her back with a loud yawn.
"(Don't be; once the clone, big shocker, went rogue and blew up the facility, it unintentionally freed me where I came across some of the scientists who were "fortunate" enough to survive. With my newfound freedom and the overwhelming power they had given me, I forced them to think that everything they had done to me was being done to them a hundred fold. Once I finished, I would heal them so they wouldn't die only to repeat the process when they were back to full strength,)" Espeon calmly explained while swishing her tail back and forth like a pendulum causing Dmitri's jaw to drop while Tomoe's eyes widened before she scowled.
"(Why though? Besides the moral implications behind the act, you made it sound like the enhancements they gave you were some kind of gift from the gods,)" Tomoe pointed out with a snarl causing the pink feline to nod her head before calmly gazing at the otter who couldn't help but shudder when she stared back at what she thought were the eyes of a demon.
"(I loved the immense power given to me, I just wish it didn't have to be so painful, depressing, and lonely,)" Espeon lamented which didn't elicit any sympathy from the otter while Dmitri leaned forward causing the sun pokemon to raise a brow.
"What happened next?" Dmitri inquired causing the feline to hop onto his lap which made Dmitri jolt while Tomoe nearly unsheathed her sword to strike down the pink cat, but remembered that Espeon hadn't threatened Dmitri yet so she put her sword back in it sheathe.
"(After a week of torturing them, I just...kind of felt sorry for them so I granted them quick and painless deaths and stayed on the island for a while. Later, I realized I was just...tired; after all, I completed everything I wanted so what else did life really have to offer? So after taking in the beauty of the world one last time, I built up all of my psychic energy into my body until it couldn't contain it anymore,)" Espeon continued while shrugging as best as her form would allow causing Dmitri's jaw to drop while Tomoe snorted, but said nothing as she continued to keep a close watch on the pink cat who nestled in the battle ace's lap.
"(So instead of forging a new life for yourself, you decided to end it right then and there without considering that life may have had more to offer?)" Tomoe nearly roared at Espeon, but managed to keep herself under control as Espeon looked up at the warrior and rested her chin on her paws.
"(Yes, because at the time, I accomplished everything I wanted in life and thought it was a good time to die with a clear conscious. Approve of my decision or not, it was mine to make and I have no regrets,)" Espeon calmly, but firmly retorted as she narrowed her monstrous crimson eyes at the warrior who jolted, but didn't back down as the two continued to glare at one another before Dmitri coughed into his hand causing the pink feline to calmly glance at the battle ace.
"(Anyway, when I met the Big A, she told me I was even worse than the scientists who experimented on me along with taking away all my power, enhancements, and regressing me back into an Eevee. She did show me mercy since I had been in an impossible situation and Lady Giratina taught me why I did what I did was wrong by showing me others who had walked down the same path. Once I learned my lesson, Arceus asked if I wanted to safeguard Oni along with her new thrall to which I accepted,)" Espeon fnished causing the battle ace to nod slowly while his bodyguard narrowed her eyes at the pink feline as Espeon suddenly jumped off of Dmitri's lap.
"Then you're not like Alice at all; sure you both...murdered people, but you did it to take revenge on the people who wronged you while she did it for any small slight," Dmitri argued causing the pink feline to shrug and stare at the battle ace with her demonic eyes making the boy unconsciously shudder.
"(Does it really matter? Yes, she was an abuser and I was a victim, but we both killed for selfish reasons and we both paid the price for it,)" Espeon countered causing the battle ace to rub his arm while Tomoe continued to regard the feline with a suspicious glare.
"I guess that makes sense, but I think you deserve someone else for a trainer and not Alice," Dmitri admitted causing Espeon to purse her lips and rub the crown of her skull with her tail before shaking her head causing the battle ace to raise a brow.
"(Nah, she's alright. She takes care of Poliwrath and I and one of the conditions of her journey is that she can only befriend, not capture, any pokemon she may want which she managed to do with Poliwrath,)" Espeon responded with a grin tugging at her lips causing Dmitri to say nothing and glance off to the side while Tomoe folded her arms as they saw Alice return with two plastic wrapped sandwiches, two water bottles, and a bag of pokemon food in hand.
Narrowing her eyes at the battle ace who suspiciously stared back at her, the ex-heiress tossed a sandwich and water bottle at Dmitri and slid the bag of pokemon food at his feet causing Dmitri to give no gesture of acknowledgment to Alice who didn't let it bother her.
"If you three are done socializing, Poliwrath found a way we can get to Olivine City without having to set foot in the water," Alice stated as she chomped down on her sandwich and then took a swig of water causing the pink feline to walk over to the ex-heiress while Dmitri ate his food without making eye contact with the indentured servant.
"(Actually stupid master, can we make a pit stop first? I have enough power now to make a rift like Oni so we can get there lickity split,)" Espeon interjected causing Alice to growl and put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at the pink feline who absentmindedly swished her tail back and forth.
"And where do you think is so important that we can afford to be sidetracked?" Alice inquired causing the pink feline to roll her eyes as Dmitri finished his sandwich and quietly drank from his water bottle.
"(We're not going somewhere, rather we're going to someone. Before I blew myself up, I sensed the altered brain waves of some of the clones settle down in the west while the prime clone and the majority of the other clones settled down in the east. Just now, when I regained one of my enhancements, I once again sensed the clones in the west which is why I'm suggesting we try and recruit some of them to come with us. They're ungodly powerful like I was and am so having even two of them on our side would be a great help since we're often going to be outnumbered,)" Espeon reasoned causing Dmitri to put a hand on his chin and look down at the ground while Tomoe grounded her teeth, but said nothing as she put a paw on her hip.
"...We should go," Dmitri tersely said causing Tomoe to open her mouth to protest before shutting it with a low growl while Alice snorted before looking down at the pink cat.
"Fine; Espeon, open a rift," Alice ordered causing the pink feline to roll around on the grass without a care in the world which made the ex-heiress nearly yell at her partner before a magenta rift opened in front of the group causing the thrall to narrow her eyes at Dmitri.
"Let's go," Alice bluntly stated causing Dmitri to remain rooted to the spot which made the thrall roll her eyes as she walked through the rift with Poliwrath close behind her leaving Espeon, Dmitri, and Tomoe behind.
"Is something wrong, Tomoe?" Dmitri worriedly inquired causing the otter to want nothing more to just dismiss his claim and proceed into the rift, but released a heavy sigh instead before glancing at the battle ace.
"(Forgive me, young master. It's just that hearing Team Rocket tampering with creation as easily as a child playing with a sharpened tachi is...unsettling. I promise I won't let it interfere with the mission,)" Tomoe assured him causing Dmitri to put a hand on his bodyguard's shoulder while Espeon patiently watched this exchange in spite of Alice irritably shouting at the three of them to hurry up.
"I understand, but please try to be kinder to Espeon and any of the clone pokemon we may recruit to come with us. Espeon has been nothing but courteous towards us and the clones never asked to be born," Dmitri stated calmly, but firmly causing Tomoe to say nothing as she brushed her Dmitri's hand off of her shoulder and spared a stonefaced glance at Espeon before staring at Dmitri dead in the eye.
"(I will try, but please understand I may never get used to the concept of altered pokemon,)" Tomoe begrudgingly conceded causing Dmitri to sigh heavily and shrug at Espeon who waved her paw as the battle ace and his bodyguard walked into the rift with the pink feline bringing up the rear.
"Thanks! We always suspected that they killed those other people, but this recording proves it. I'm going to get a squad of officers rounded up and bring them in now!" the officer stated in Veilstone's police department causing Delia to nod slowly and brush some of her hair back while Lopunny folded her arms
"I suggest you exercise caution then. From what I've seen, Yoko's family won't give themselves up to anyone even those sworn to protect and serve," Delia advised the officer who raised a brow, but said nothing as he barked some orders into his walkie talkie before glancing at the dragon tamer once more.
"Belive me, I know how they are. Thanks again for the tip," the police officer responded as he grouped up with his fellow officers and headed out causing Delia to put her hands in her pockets and calmly exit the police station with Lopunny right beside her.
"(Do you think leaving them to the police was the right decision?)" Lopunny inquired causing Delia to glance at her friend blankly before slowly nodding as they both started walking back to the Pokemon Center.
"I believe so; you and I both sensed that they and their pokemon are quite capable since training with the Gym Leader so they should be able to able to handle Yoko's family if things get violent," Delia answered causing the rabbit pokemon to raise a brow before sighing softly as they both saw the officers get into their squad cars and race down the streets with their sirens blaring.
"(And if Yoko's family happens to get away?)" Lopunny curiously asked her friend causing Delia's eyes to glow crimson and cross her arms over her chest.
"Then we find them, appeal to whatever good is left in their hearts, and try to get them to give up and turn themselves in. If they refuse, then we deal with them...permanently, and make sure they don't hurt and very likely kill anyone else," Delia replied causing Lopunny to wince and think back to the time her friend had incinerated some of Alice's pokemon to not even ash causing the dragon tamer to put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Lopunny, I don't make decisions like this lightly. The force needed to neutralize a two bit robber or someone attacking another is usually just to knock them out and deliver them to the police, but with Yoko's family it's more complicated. They admitted to killing others and I tried to appeal to the futility of their views, but they're too deadset in their ways that I don't think imprisonment is going to make them change," Delia coolly assured the bunny pokemon causing Lopunny's eyes to widen as she folded her arms and glowered darkly at the dragon tamer with her muscles tensed.
"(Then why get them arrested in the first place!? If you admit that they're just going to kill people once they get out or if they escape, why not just kill them then and there?)" Lopunny seethed through grounded teeth causing Delia to clasp her friend's shoulder tighter making the rabbit pokemon huff, but didn't brush it off as she grasped the dragon tamer's wrist with one of her ears.
"Depending on the circumstances, I usually just hand dangerous criminals over to the police, but if I believe doing so is impractical and viable to lead more people to getting hurt or killed, then I will do what I must. Letting Yoko's family be imprisoned was the practical choice since I believe the police are more than capable of containing them now that they've trained under a Gym Leader and it would give the families of the victims closure," Delia calmly, but firmly retorted causing Lopunny and the dragon tamer to glare at one another, neither giving an inch, before the rabbit pokemon sighed heavily and put her paws on her hips.
"(So what you're saying is know when to use less-than-lethal force, but also know when to use lethal force when the situation requires it?)" Lopunny guessed causing the dragon tamer to nod slowly as the entered the Pokemon Center and headed to their rented room down the hall.
"Precisely; my mother refused to teach me how to fight until she was absolutely sure I understood this," Delia answered causing Lopunny to purse her lips and then nod her head as she along with her friend entered their rented room with Catherine where they saw Sparkplug laying on top of Kiera's back while Maris walked up the dragon tamer.
"(So, is Yoko's family going to be a problem down the road?)" Maris inquired while folding her arms causing Delia to slowly shake her head causing Catherine and Luka to sigh in relief while the rest of the former heiress's team smiled.
"The police should be apprehending them as we speak and they will answer for their crimes once they're taken to court which will give their victim's families closure," Delia answered causing the former heiress and the aura pokemon to frown slightly while their friends exchanged happy glances as the dragon tamer walked up the duo and sat on their bed with them.
"Catherine, Luka, I know it's hard for you guys to trust the police since they were nothing but brutal thugs, enforcers for terrorist teams or major criminals, or greedy cowards to you two while growing up, but not all police are corrupt. The some of the ones in Sinnoh genuinely want to make their community a safer place," Delia sagely advised her friends causing the former heiress to grumble and rub her arm while Luka snorted and folded her arms causing Lopunny to narrow her eyes at the jackal.
"You have a point, but you don't know what it's like growing up and seeing your supposed guardians working with the very people they're suppose to protect your from. It's going to take time considering I've seen and experienced first-hand the depths of police corruption in Orre, but I will try to remain open minded," Catherine conceded causing the dragon tamer to nod and bring Catherine in for a hug which made the former heiress pout, but couldn't help but let a grin tug at the corner of her lips.
Releasing her grip on Catherine, the dragon tamer glanced at the aura pokemon who met her gaze with a stonefaced glance and slowly stood up from her bed where she put her paws on her hips and curled her tail.
"(...The police's staunch defense of Hearthome, Langston's unwavering dedication to serving his city, and arresting Yoko's family despite knowing they might fight back is noble. Because of these actions, I suppose my opinion on law enforcement...requires a second look,)" Luka begrudgingly huffed causing Delia and Lopunny to nod in approval while Maris smiled ever so slightly before walking to where Sparkplug and Kiera were.
"(Luka, while it's true law enforcement is an institution that's just as vulnerable to corruption as any other, you have to realize Sinnoh isn't rampant with crime like Orre used to be,)" a calm, yet powerful voice suddenly stated causing everyone in the rented room to jolt while Maris snorted and looked up at the ceiling causing Sparkplug and Kiera to follow suit.
"(Before you say anything, I'd like to tell you that the police successfully managed to arrest Yoko's family where they admitted that they did kill all the people they were accused of with chilling indifference. As of now, they're in lock up and are awaiting trial,)" Oni added causing Catherine to smile slightly while Luka grunted, but nodded in approval as the powerful presence in the room got stronger and made everyone feel as if the titan was in the room with them.
"Good, now tell us about Dmitri and Tomoe," Maris gruffly demanded causing Delia, Lopunny, and Luka to glance at the martial arts pokemon with the stink eye while Catherine's jaw dropped while Sparkplug and Kiera shook their heads.
"(Since you asked so nicely, I've sent them to travel with my thrall, Alice, where they will help her fight against small pockets of the invader's forces. Before you start, Alice has become more mellow and...open minded since entering my service and she is being properly punished by experiencing every bad thing she's done for selfish and petty reasons in her sleep,)" the titan informed the group causing Delia and Lopunny to narrow her eyes, Luka to snarl lowly as her light blue aura calmly flowed over her like a river, while Maris's fiery, demonic magenta aura flared up like an out of control wildfire that increased the temperature in the room.
"How could you put them in the care of such a monster!? She'll never learn and never feel remorse for anything she's done no matter what you or any of the other legendary pokemon do to you her!" Catherine shrieked at the top of her lungs causing the overwhelming presence in the room to suddenly focus on the former heiress who felt as if the mighty titan was staring directly at her causing Catherine to avert her gaze to the side.
"(If that were true, then subjecting her to everything bad thing she's done to someone would have only increased her rage towards the world, not make her more considerate. Besides, she is combating the invaders for your sake even though she knows you'll never love her,)" Oni calmly, but resolutely responded causing the former heiress to growl lowly even as she felt as if the titan blew a puff of hot air against her face that washed over her like steam.
"Okay, she realizes the world doesn't revolve around her, so what? No matter what she does to make up for her many crimes, I'll never love her again," Catherine vehemently retorted even in the face of the presence causing the former heiress to rub the back of her head.
"Oni, I'm sorry for sounding rude, it's just that I'm not comfortable with this," Catherine admitted causing her to feel as if the presence nodded its non existent head and felt the pressure around her cease.
"(It's fine, young one. I understand why you and your friends would be uncomfortable about this, but it's the only plan I could have feasibly made on such short notice since Dmitri leaving was unexpected for everyone,)" Oni replied coolly causing the former heiress to nod while Luka wrapped an arm around her shoulder as Sparkplug suddenly lept off Kiera's back and anxiously stared up at the ceiling.
"(J-just use one of those portals to send them here!)" Sparkplug roared with a slight whimper causing Kiera to trudge forward and stand next to her friend while narrowing her eyes at the presence causing the titan to sigh softly.
"(I'd want nothing more than to do that, but you know why I can't,)" Oni soothingly responded causing the lioness to feel tears welling at her eyes which made her vigorously shake her head before walking away as Kiera affectionately coiled around her friend.
"(Tell you what; I'll use my rifts to transport Dmitri, Tomoe, and anyone of you to my domain so you can talk with each other whenever you guys have down time,)" Oni offered causing Maris, Delia, Sparkplug, Kiera, Catherine, Luka, and Lopunny's eyes to light up while Maris eagerly stepped forward.
"(Would now be good?)" Maris inquired causing her to feel as if the presence in the room slowly shook its invisible head causing the martial arts pokemon's wide grin to deflate into a frown where she scowled and leaned against the wall with her arms folded.
"(I'm sorry, it is not. At the moment, Alice and Dmitri are heading towards a group of cloned pokemon to see if they can't recruit some of them into their ranks,)" Oni explained causing Maris, Delia, Lopunny, and Luka to begrudgingly nod while Sparkplug, Kiera and Catherine grumbled irritably, but said nothing as they continued to stare at the presence.
"(Please contact us the moment Dmitri has free time,)" Maris requested with her paws tightly clenched into fists causing the presence to hum lowly before everyone felt the pressure in the room suddenly ebb causing the dragon tamer to put her hands on her hips.
"Alright, no one's happy about this, but what's done is done. Let's get some sleep and try to get our gym badges and strike at the New Swords of Justice tomorrow," Delia suggested causing her friends to nod or not voice a complaint which made the dragon tamer let out a heavy breathe before plopping down on one of the beds like a rock.
"When we meet up again, we're going to have a lot to talk about Dmitri," Delia thought to herself as Lopunny curled her arms around the dragon tamer's chest while wrapping her giant ears around herself and Delia like a warm, thick blanket.