But of course, you're a tough one, aren't you? You aren't satisfied with the sob story. You want the real deal. You want to know exactly what happened. Sitting around in this lifeless room, it's not like I'm in a hurry to go and do anything else. You may as well hush and listen to what I'm about to tell you. Perhaps even make yourself comfortable in the meantime. I'll indulge you with the deserved truth.
…
...
"..."
"5:45pm. Raidon should've been back by now."
The table I sat at exhibited a phone that displayed a low battery, as well as numerous outgoing calls to my son, which seemed to be ignored entirely. He was never one to stay out for so long. I had set him a curfew of half past five o'clock. On this particular evening, it didn't seem to be good enough for him.
I robotically rapped my claws on the wooden surface, one at a time. Because everyone knew that slumbering around, spinelessly, was the best way to have miracles work things out for you.
To imagine, I married a clod who would eventually live by those words.
Painstakingly, I got up and trotted about the house that I managed to pay rent for each month. As I did, a thought brewed inside my complex mind. My son must be very, very lonely. That stood without going on about my own social status, mind you.
Do I make the effort to check on my child's outside life? If so, how often do I do it? Am I sure that he's even remotely happy?
All these questions, with their respective answers buried beneath an avalanche of lies, guilt and denial.
I hope those answers suffocate to death.
I had just emerged from the kitchen into the main hallway, where I was previously nipping on a cucumber that smelled a little fishy. Don't ask me why. The hallway seemed to have been disregarded for at least a week; a vacuum or at least a sweep would do the whole world some good. I travelled beyond the lounge door, and took an early right - Raidon's room.
It was never often that I'd step beyond the door to my son's chambers. My relationship with my flesh and blood was akin to reversing a motor vehicle - never go further than necessary. On the other hand, it's not like I adhered to lawful recommendations anyway.
Out of sheer boredom, I slowly pushed open the door. More of the room had been revealed, and it was looking much different than the last time I had seen it… which was a few months ago.
A bed to the left, a desk to the right. Be that as it may, no Luxray in sight. Balanced in symmetry, as all things should be. To say the least, I was stunned with how clean it was. At least, for a teenager's room. So impressed, I managed to crack a smile. Almost. In fact, I didn't at all.
I had taken a couple steps further into the adolescent abyss. The room smelled weirdly of Pecha berries. To his desk, I had traversed. On it, a few magazines concerning video games or whatever kids these days gawk over. I hate to say it, but I took a gander at it, reading one of the article titles aloud. The author's name was K. Chief. I imagined the 'K' stood for 'Kdumb'.
"SpoinkBob SquirtlePants - Battle for Dratini Bottom? Where do these, preposterously ridiculous, people get these concepts from?"
The verdict was to not even bother turning the page. I merely closed the magazine and continued my snoop.
I hadn't purchased any video game emulation systems or personal computers for my son. I never have, nor will I have any intention of doing so in the future. I deem them a waste of time, endlessly pursued by socially-ambivalent, fedora-donning shadow stalkers with all the unrealised privilege in this Arceus-forsaken world. Nothing personal, should this apply to you.
My next look went to the tidy bed of the Luxray. Surely, there'd be something explaining his prolonged absence. There definitely seemed to be a theme of Luxrays and lack of presence. That's just one between yourself and I, however.
Under the pillow? Nothing at all. Hidden below the mattress? Only more comic books waiting for their timely demise. I had even gone through the effort of looking under the bed sheets. In vain, of course.
Soon, I realised how silly I was. A teenage boy like Raidon attempting to cover his tracks would hide his belongings out of sight nowhere other than the dressing table. Believe me. I know. I've once hidden a bloodied knife in a house that wasn't even mine.
My eyes lifted from the bed, shifting interest to the wooden dresser. It was next to the desk/chair combination. Odd interior design from the Luxray, though that wasn't the matter here.
I had sifted through the drawers of the dressers, not paying heed to the occasional sports apparel or bottle of deodorant. On the other hand, there wasn't anything that'd give me a sort of clue.
My senses jolted my body awake when I caught a scent in the air. It was only for a moment, yet it was more than enough for me to get an idea. I immediately trekked to look behind the wooden dresser, and I found what my nose had been attracted to.
Fishing it out between the oak surface and the painted walls, I soon understood that it turned out to be another one of Raidon's comic books. This one was different, however. The cover displayed on broad lamination, an illustration of a bipedal blue bird that stood in front of a large fighter jet. That wasn't the emphasis here, although the character seemed rather… dashing.
Avian pilots aside, what caught my attention was the smell. The smell of the book was so familiar. It brought me back to my prime, cut-throat days. Months of reigning terror on pupils my age. Years of extreme mental conditioning, that scarred me to my current age. Only one single word ran through my mind.
Bursyamo. Where's that blade of mine...
…
I was sure this was the place. It must've been about 6 o'clock by the time I had reached there, or maybe somewhere around that time. The familiar layout where I had once been on a different agenda seemed to imprint itself on the back of my paw. I hiked into the fancy courtyard to announce my presence by pressing the doorbell.
Using public transport had been kind to me today. The jet black bandana I wore to mask the lower half of my facial profile had served wonders.
The door opened. A Blaziken of formidable stature appeared before me. It certainly wasn't the same fire and fighting type that I did fierce battle with once upon a time. Their apprehensive mop exhibited nothing but cowardice.
"U-Umm… Hi? You're um… Miss Abby, r-right?" stammered the Blaziken, obviously not expecting me. No one ever does.
I reached into one of my special pocketing areas, and…
Oh, stop being so immature. I've no entitlement to be speaking to you in the first place.
Anyway, I reached into one of my special pocketing areas, and pulled out the comic book with the bird and whatever on it. The young Blaziken let his eyes wander over the precious laminated pages.
"I'm not here to converse, Bursyamo. Explain what this was doing in my son's room. It has your scent."
What was his name? Ben? Brandy? Brian? Brian Bursyamo, it must've been. This Brian seemed to look more afraid once I had questioned him. That look on his face. Terror. It will always give me the fondest memories.
He scratched his head. Familiarly. "O-Oh! Y-You're Raidon's Mom?"
"Yes. Answer my question, Bursyamo." I rolled my eyes. My patience wore as thin as the hair on my head.
"S-Sorry. I had lended him that comic book e-earlier today. After school, I mean."
That would make sense. Of course they would confer about silly sorts of medium such as comic books; they're friends after all.
"Interesting." I said to myself, carelessly dropping the book on the concrete floor between myself and the Blaziken. "So, you were with him after school? Where is he?"
"U-Um, yeah. We were here earlier to hang out for a little bit. B-But, he had gone back to school to meet up with Ana- U-Uh! Someone. F-From school, I mea-"
I held my paw up to halt the worrisome Blaziken. Worried, with good reason, at least.
"I've heard enough. Take this comic book back."
I promptly turned my back, finishing the business I had in this pompous part of town, and abandoning a speechless Blaze Pokemon in my wake. I hadn't even bothered to bid the Blaziken goodbye, despite how useful he was. Strutting past the main gates onto the sidewalk, I knew that our paths would cross again someday.
The setting sun and the gathering clouds gave way to an opportunity. It was only a short bus or car ride from here to the school. However, it was never my preferred way to travel. Look up at the roof of the building to my left, here. You may see a collection of chimneys and air conditioning appliances, yet what I say was a yellow brick road.
A number of terraced houses just outside the Bursyamo property were perfectly lined up in the direction of the high school. My next destination. I've hunted wilder game than my own mere flesh and blood. I suspected this would not take longer than an hour.
An alleyway branching off between the houses caught my interest. It proved to be much easier scaling the thirteen-metre-long properties using water pipes and the ledges of some windows.
Reaching the pyramidal roof, I had breathed a long sigh of aching satisfaction. West Latias city was but a sight from where I stood. Gentle breezes soothed my nerves, and provided a tailwind as I expertly waltzed across the slate tiles. One wrong move could possibly mean the end for a commoner. My upbringing was different to those ants down there.
I picked up my pace.
Like a Braviary through the skies, I glided from rooftop to rooftop. For the first time in what felt like an eon, I could be Abigail Disastra again. The feeling was unmatched. I vaulted a rather large fuse box.
I could hear other Pokemon down below on the sides of the streets murmuring about whatever it is they'd talk about. The wind rushing through my fur, as I crossed above another alley, told me that any other matters were of ill-importance.
The high school was approaching on the left, across the street. I hadn't realised the name of the school was 'Evergreen' until I noticed the large sign on it's front exterior. What a dumb name for anything, even.
Nonetheless, my journey had come to an end. For now. A set my sights on the long pavement that governed the exterior of the school grounds. Not to say that Blaziken sold me false information, but I didn't see any Luxrays at all.
Wrinkling my nose, I began to worry a little. W-Well… No. Abigail Disastra has no room in her empty heart for restless trepidation. But at the very least, I could say that I was at an unfortunate loss. There is always something that can be done, though. Those were words I grew on.
I assessed the fall height onto the sidewalk below me.
I've broken bones before. Of course, not my own.
Shrugging, I carelessly stepped off the roof, projected to land right on the stony pavement. That was the plan.
The car door of a parked vehicle swung open haphazardly. A Beartic stepped out, right on the target where I was due to land. I weigh about forty kilograms, and the drop was about ten metres. If you'd like to calculate my momentum upon crushing the brainless ice type, go ahead.
As I said, I landed on the Beartic's shoulders, flattening him to the ground as he wailed like a whining child for it's mother.
A Golem (who had struggled at first due to his size) got out of the motor vehicle from the other side, grabbing his head in disbelief.
"Yo, what the FUCK!" screamed the rock and ground type, squeezing in between the bonnet of the car and the bumper of another to get onto the sidewalk. Just what I wanted. A commotion. "What in the Distortion World is wrong with you, lady!?"
I cocked my head. "I was falling before he decided to get out of his car." Next, I brought my vision down to the writhing and sputtering Beartic. "Plus, he's still alive. I don't know what you're crying about."
"Get off him!"
Rolling my eyes, I at least stepped off the pleading mammal's back to check if he was in any critical condition.
The Beartic immediately rolled onto his side, gripping his torso while he coughed out dust. The Golem rushed to his side. I watched from a far enough distance. You don't know what sort of stupidity you could catch from some people nowadays.
"K-Kirk! Come on, Buddy! Speak to me!" cried the Golem, as if said Kirk had just been involved in a steamrolling accident.
"Geez… G-Gary…W-What hit me?" croaked the injured ice type, ignorant of the infernal incident icicle that had spiked him. "I think one of my ribs is broken…"
"It was that bitch over there." scathingly scorned the boulder of a living organism. I bared my teeth, and he instantly turned away. What was to stop me from putting them both out of their miseries? "Come on, Kirk. We still got a mission to do. Gauvin's way ahead of us."
The Golem hoisted Kirk on one of his shoulders, slowly helping his friend to the four-door while stabbing me with a glare. "You really oughtta fuckin' look where you decide to drop, whore."
My deadpan was unaffected.
Gary helped his borderline-vegetable of a friend lay in the back seat, closing the door painfully. He waltzed back around to the driver's seat, handing me the stink-eye for my troubles.
"If you'll excuse us, we've got a Sylveon to cream."
The Golem slammed the door, and switched the car engine… Wait a second. Did that rock just say Sylveon?
Whatever gram or two of remorse that I held for the Beartic disintegrated. Following the disappearance of my son, there would only be one species of Pokemon responsible for his absence.
Squinting as the four-wheeled transportation machine accelerated out of the parallel parking spot, I pieced together whatever possible outcomes I had sitting in my head, and took the opening by its neck.
There's no room for that boy in the distortion world. I'll make sure of it.
…
…
"Hey, hey. Kirk. You alright man?"
Squeeze. The leather seats wailed from below the Beartic's weight.
"Ugh. Yeah. I'm gonna be rusty for awhile, though. Fuckin' bitch." hissed the ice type, clearing his throat once he was done talking.
"Gotcha. You'll be good, man. Dunno who that flying witch thought she was, but we can move on still." assured the Golem, who had been driving for what felt like an hour now. We'll find a vantage point, and set up there. Ring Gauvin for me, will ya?"
"Yeah, gotcha."
Carefully, I peered over the back seat, making sure to steer clear of the rear-view mirror's line of sight. In the very boot of the car, I kept my profile discrete. One wrong move would seal my fate. Each speed bump we traversed had me clinging to the soot-black carpet, just to prevent me from slamming into the ceiling.
A few items were back here. A spare tyre, as well as a tangled jumper cable, comfortably lay on top of each other, as husband and wife. On the opposite side of me, a rather long, silver case. It looked like it could store something as long as a guitar, despite not having the exact same shape.
The Beartic just in front of me - I could hear his subtle yet stressed exhales - equipped himself with a transceiver. The poor thing was completely oblivious to my position. Imagine, if I were to have my way with the defenseless Pokemon. Their spine would snap like a dry twig, as I'd sink my teeth into their jugular. Their hapless wails filling the vehicle, while precious blood would flow down my throat… So… Erotic…
…
Anyways, I put my fantasies aside - for now. The ice type spoke into the microphone, trying not to sound pained. He'd be lying through his teeth, though.
"Hey, boss? We're on our way."
"...About time. Allons-y, we don't have much longer."
"Yeah, gotcha."
The car began to accelerate from it's already fast speed. From what I could understand, these two had in mind a rendez-vous point somewhere far from the city I called home. There certainly wasn't any good that could come out of this, but.
That's how I knew I was on the right track.
Silently, I crouched down, and found a space in the compartment below the boot to descend into for the time being. Hopefully, they wouldn't find my place in hiding. For now, I'd bide my time in the metallic darkness, with nothing but the whirr of the animalistic engine to keep me at bay.
…
…
Great. Not very Abby-like of me.
On occasion, I truly hate to admit it, but. I'm merely a Pokemon. I get hungry. I get angry. And worst of all - I get sleepy. I must've exerted my tiredness by falling asleep while down here.
My eyes opened to see… More darkness. That at least confirmed my surroundings to have not changed. Unless I was dead, of course.
I stretched my arms out in front of me, but remembered to keep cautious of how much noise I made in doing so. Slowly, I placed a paw on the ceiling above me, and pressed. The hinges on the compartment door complied, and I was able to let a bit of light into my life.
The car's engine seemed to be switched off. The engine noise I fell asleep with was replaced by the rhythmic patter of endless rain on the metal shell I was stuck in.
Propping myself up onto the floor of the trunk, I carefully peered over the back seat. No one was there. No Golem. No Beartic either. I noticed that the silver case that shared it's journey with me in the back of the car had disappeared too.
I huffed a sigh of relief, finally being able to have sometime to myself. Next, I brought my eyes to the outside world. It was weirdly dark. In fact, it looked nothing like home. Rather, it reminded me of… home, home.
The buildings that surrounded the car looked like they had somehow survived two consecutive earthquakes. There wasn't much colour to work with; it was black as black can be outside. I had seemed to be parked on the side of a main road. Down said road, there seemed to be two points of interest on the right: A rather large warehouse - perfect place to stage a kidnapping - and a pier for market goods. Those couple of coons couldn't have crawled very far from here.
Down on my to-do list, the next on the agenda was getting out of this car.
I turned around, facing a window that merely stood in the way. Easy fix, though.
I shoved the back of my palm into the glass, shattering it into itty bitty pieces. Thankfully, the car alarm didn't go off.
Hopping out of the car at last, I landed on the barely flooded street with a splash. As it would turn out, I had severely underestimated the intensity of the rain-
*BANG*
A gunshot. It had to be. Instinctively, I ducked down onto my forearms and forelegs. A couple of loud voices came from the pier, so I shifted my body and attention. Some more gunshots were fired, and it became a full gunfight from the middle of the pier almost.
My body froze at the very thought of my son being escorted in a body bag, though there was no time for the hesitation I demonstrated.
I heard an ear-piercing cry. Feminine for sure. The gunshots had subsided, for just a moment. Time to strike.
In half a flash, I got my legs moving, dashing through the watery resistance as fast as I could. I took a brief right when I met the warehouse, slowing down and sticking close to the outside perimeter of the wet brick walls. A trio of clangs rang throughout the air, followed by a dying scream, before the steady gunfire had continued.
I couldn't tell what was going on.
I reached the main entrance to the pier, but even I knew that stepping out into a heated, unsafe battlefield wouldn't be a bright idea.
My sight inched just to the left. The beach was only a fifteen-metre drop from where I stood. My ears were begging for the mindless noise of an explosive warzone to cease. There was something I could do about this mess, that could potentially involve my son.
Landing on the sodden shore, I brought myself just below the epicentre of the contested area. Safe from the rain, yet not safe from the risk of being caught up in the battle above. If it would mean risking my life - and effectively suicide - just to see my son walk the earth in my absence, then so be it. I'm not afraid of death. Death is afraid of me.
Two pairs of short claws caught on a wooden support beam. Hastily, I began scaling the vertical distance. Every inch I gained upwards, the gunshots increased in volume, until…
I had reached the top. I never thought my eyes could deceive me, especially considering what they had seen in the past thirty or so years they've been functioning. Arceus would always find a way in the land that was crowded with clouds and stormy backgrounds.
To my left, an Umbreon ducked behind cover, who's frame, body language and set of gorgeous eyes I'd never forget for the world. Julley, was next to a Typhlosion, who also had the same look of apprehension on his face. On the far end, though on the same latitude, a Jolteon whose profile I remembered. A spouse of my beloved cousin.
My eyes travelled to the right. I still remembered to keep my head down, and my claws firmly dug into the pole.
A Flygon, donning a raincoat and fierce, foreign grin, mercilessly pinned down the familiar group of three. In his grasp, a TG-56 submachine gun. What, you think I made that up? It's real. You just haven't seen it yet. I could tell, I wasn't very fond of the scaled Pokemon already.
Inbetween bursts from the dragon, I could hear a few clicks, as well as a few mumbling voices of defeat emanate from the Umbreon and Typhlosion. What in the distortion world had happened here?
I straightened my vision. My heart sank to my tail. Blood pooled around a Pokemon, that lay lifelessly in the centre of it all.
Zoey's crimson gaze pointed straight at me. A faint smile on her face, as if she knew exactly what was going to become of her.
Never, ever, was I one to let anger get the better of me. However, something boiled inside of me. A demon begged for it's release. My breathing quickened, and my body shook with the magnitude of an eruption to rupture an entire continent. It took all my wit and internal strength not to vault this very fence, and have a say on the situation.
From behind the pair of Julley and the unnamed Typhlosion, a linear bolt of ice glided through the air, parting the fog of war as it did so. A scream followed its strike on the Flygon's torso, covering his round body in a block of ice. The gun he once wielded dropped to the floor with a clunk. I should've never counted out the possibility, yet still, it was unexpected as it came.
"What in the fuck?!" shouted the desert Pokemon. However, I couldn't wait any longer. I didn't know where the opportunity arose from, but it sat there for the taking. My taking.
I hoisted myself above the fence, and my legs sprung to life. I leapt into the air, gazing into the petrified Flygon's eyes with a steel face of vengeance. Unsheathing a dagger I kept precious to me, I was set to exact my revenge.
"WAIT! N-N-NO…!"
The dragon type yielded, and pleaded for mercy. I don't know who mercy is.
Upon my descent, I jutted the knife blade into his forehead, severing ties with the winged Pokemon's grasp on life. The hilt sunk until it had kissed the top of his head, meaning the iron shaft was buried inside the fucker's brain.
I had knocked the flat-footed Flygon off his feet, landing on his neck as I did so. Blood immediately began seeping out of the dragon's wound and mouth the second we collided with the cold, dead floor. I was more than certain he was dead.
"...A-A-Abby…?"
The fragile voice of an Umbreon came from behind me. I stood up, and saw the image of three Eeveelutions standing beside a Typhlosion: An Jolteon, a Jolteon, and most unexpectedly, a Glaceon. A Glaceon who I had recollections of tormenting to no end all those years ago, clutching Julley's side closely. Name this as my atonement.
Footsteps.
Being the ever-ready huntress I was, I immediately swivelled on a dime. Catching up to the situation was a Blaziken. A more matured, Blaziken. In his hands, a shivering Sylveon.
"A-Anais!" the Glaceon cried, running past me to the now kneeling Blaziken. I watched the sight in feigned nonchalance. I knew how I really felt.
The rival I once did battle with, watched the entire sight with horror, as he gently let the fairy in his grasp down to the floor.
"Abby…? What… happened here?" murmured the Blaziken. Everyone seemed to be too shocked by my appearance to explain, however.
"I should be asking that question, Bursyamo." I replied, scorn in my voice.
"W-Wait, i-is that Zoey?! Shit!" blurted out the Jolteon who I recalled to be Cooper. Immediately, he dashed to the Zoroark's aid, accompanied by the Typhlosion.
Cassidy turned around, diverting her attention to the floored dark type also. "Oh, no, Zoey!" she cried, tears running down her face.
"Why is she even here!? She was supposed to stay at home!" angrily shouted the distressed Cooper, who had removed his own assault vest to apply pressure to the bloodied Pokemon's.
Silence grew in the air. Seemingly, no one knew the answer. Or rather, it felt like no one wanted to reveal the answer. Frankly, I wanted to know just exactly what this was all about to begin with, and where my son was after all my efforts.
My ears, which were obscured by my draping white fur, directed me inland. My eyes grew open at what I heard. From what I understood by a few shared faces, they had heard it too.
"Shit, those are sirens, right?" the Blaziken commented, eyes darting back and forth. "Damn… This can't be it."
Julley grasped his head with his trembling paws. "S-S-Sirens? L-Like the police?"
The next to pipe up was the grieving Glaceon. "The police?" She began sobbing again. "Oh, no, no no! All I wanted was to have my daughter come back from school safely! Arceus, why did this have to happen?!"
She cried out to the skies above. Yet, she received nothing but the remorseless rain. The scene had tugged at my heart strings. I owed so much to the ice type. All she wanted was her lost child. I suppose we had something in common after all.
Furrowing my brow, I stomped on the floor. "Alright, that's it! Everyone needs to leave, now!" I commanded, getting shocked faces from all around. Understandably so.
"What?" questioned Cooper, taking his worried eyes off his spouse to look at me. "But, they'll tag you for sure, Abby!"
"Just…! Go, alright?" I ordered fiercely, the rain not stopping my tirade. "If not, they'll trace you all for sure. Trust me. Leave me with Zoey, here. She'll be safer in official custody."
Cooper had shut up. Instead, he stood up, and nodded sombrely. Looking at all the others, he reiterated my instructions.
"W-Well… Y-You heard her. Come on, guys, we need to go." he yelled above the thunderous waves of the nearby ocean. He laid a kiss on the Zoroark's cheek, before upping and leading Bursyamo (who carried) and the Typhlosion inland. All had departed with a message as they rushed past me though.
"Stay safe, Abby."
"You're a real one, Abby."
"Take care of Zoey for me."
Julley and Cassidy lagged behind. The former didn't say anything to me. He looked too stiff to even say a single word. However, the latter ice type approached me. Something she wouldn't do in a school setting. To my surprise...
She embraced me.
Her touch was cold, but welcomed.
The hug was only for a few seconds, although in my eyes, it lasted a fortnight.
Finally, she let go of me. Her beautiful turquoise irises gazed into my own.
"Thank you, Abby. Thank you so much."
Without hesitation, she made a 180, running down the pier with an Umbreon in tow. I was still left speechless by the entire encounter.
As the duo scampered off, I turned around to witness the fruits of my labour. Two Pokemon, lifeless, lay on the unforgiving planks, buffeted by the rain that refused to let up. My knees gave out after an entire afternoon of searching in vain. I buckled to the wooden floor beside my dear Zoroark, stripping myself of my black bandana and pressing against the dark-type paladin's bullet wounds. Meanwhile, I took the vest that once belonged to the Jolteon, and donned it as my own. Hopefully, this would cover their tracks a little better.
Carefully, I caressed my claws through the dark type's red and black fur. Barely a minute passed after holding the cloth to my relative's fur. She became bathed in rhythmic patterns of azure and garnet light. I heard the sirens close in on my position.
The blaring voice through the megaphone spoke to me. It's dynamic volume acting as one last hurrah, for as the Zoroark did, I too knew my fate - painted in stock orange.
For once in my life, I did something I'd never thought I'd do.
"Ma'am, stand up, and put your hands behind your head."
I shed a tear.
…
...
Okay, that'll do it for today. How'd I do? Someone out there better tell me, because I'm letting self conscious get the better of me lmao. Jokes aside, I really want to know how you think about it! Thanks for reading, all in all. I'll see you in the next chapter. Hope you found my hidden clue ;)
-LuanOTP