Chapter 06 – Harsh Reminder

Route 05 – Four Years Ago

Espeon was slightly injured during the fight with Drake and his men in Nimbasa City, it sparked up bad memories of Sakura and Isaac being killed right in front of me. I feared Espeon was going to die by the attacking men, and I lost control and allowed the voices inside my head to take control, almost killing Drake in the process. Before Espeon and I travelled together I was alone for five years searching throughout the region for my missing friends and family kidnapped by Shiny Latias and her team known as Team Annihilation Reborn. I thought about having more people and Pokemon, friends travelling with me, but the first year alone made me remember why I was out here alone.

I wasn't quite yet used to travelling alone, without a travelling companion, someone to watch my back, I felt anxious about walking down a route or into a city since there was a bounty above my head and hundreds of soldiers trying to hunt me down and bring me to their boss. I would've taken on a Savior member if they were still around, at least someone trained to help fight alongside me since I was feeling lonesome without a companion or two, even thought about calling up some people to help out so I could remove the weights off my shoulders and relax a little more

I was walking down Route 05 in the direction of Nimbasa City; it was my second run throughout the region searching up and down for my missing friends. Trying to find any lead to the whereabouts of my friends, Team Annihilation Reborn camps or bases nearby, rumors and stories I heard in bars about what the soldiers did to the captured people and Pokemon even where they took them. I had heard recently just outside Nimbasa City had a Team Annihilation Reborn camp filled with captured prisoners ready to be taken away to who knows where. It was the best lead I had gotten in months and I wasn't going to allow this opportunity pass by. I had hoped to find out where they had taken them and maybe just maybe I would find my friends and save them.

I glanced down at my open wounds I had received during my last confrontation with Team Annihilation Reborn. I saw them patrolling Driftveil Drawbridge and more within Driftveil and had to get out of there, but some did see me and attacked. Using whatever weapon they could to inflict as much damage as they could; ranged weapons, grenades, even knives slashing my arm up pretty good. "If not for the bandages and potions in my bag, the blood would've made a trail leading those soldiers following after me…" I said to myself, a common thing I did whenever I was out alone. "Last thing I need are more of these soldiers chasing me after I find the prison truck… I don't want to have to face with all of them or losing the truck…" I was exhausted, I was hungry, I had injuries left untreated but I had to keep going until I reached Nimbasa City. If the stories of the prison truck within the city are true, it would leave tomorrow by twelve in the afternoon, so I wanted to hurry up so I could prepare myself for tomorrow since it was getting pretty late. At this rate I was going, it would take a while for me to get to the city perhaps late in the night, I wouldn't be able to sleep much and treat my wounds fully. "If there is a truck near the city… I'll have to be careful. Not sure if my wounds will heal up before I sneak on board to wherever it is they take them… or if my energy will recover in time… I just got to keep going. They're counting on me."

I stopped at the sound of something clattering behind the trees in the forest of Route 05. I reached for my sclachops and readied myself for an ambush. The clattering continued until I heard grunting and someone complaining from behind the trees. If it was someone trying to ambush me they were doing a terrible job at doing so. Most would stay silent, unnoticeable until they started attacking seconds later, but this one was making a lot of noise. Then after a few more minutes of listening I heard the man suddenly yelp out followed by the sound of something fall. I cautiously but slowly moved towards the trees and carefully moved through them towards the source of the sound, until finally I saw in the small clearing squirming on the ground was an elderly man surrounded by many dead branches.

Before I approached the clearing, I watched the area, the trees, the bushes, anywhere someone might be hiding in wait for someone to approach the man if this was a setup, but after a thorough examination and my senses told me there was no one else nearby I emerged from the bushes towards the old man.

He was wearing a winters coat and pants with boots almost high enough to go past the kneecaps, but no weapons he was carrying from closer inspection. When he turned, I asked. "Are you alright sir?" At first he seemed confused, trying to lean up so he could see if I was with anyone. Because of the cloak I was wearing, the top part of it covered my mouth so he didn't see my mouth move to talk. A Pokemon who could speak human language was rare, so I wasn't surprised he thought someone else was talking to him. I knelt down beside him and asked again, only this time he realized it was me who had been talking, and like always I got the same response.

"Wha-What the heck!? Y-you can talk?" To cut this short I'll just skip over how I can talk, a lie obviously not wanting to mention Team Doom or Shiny Latias which I'll explain a little later. At first he did seem to calm down but with some he was a little uneasy being around a Dewott who could join in on the conversation.

"That's uh… w-well that is something." I nodded his head, but slowly looked as though he was getting used to the fact I was able to talk. "Well uh *ahem* you see I was just getting all of this for firewood back in my wife and mines cottage just a little ways through these trees. Look, if this is some territorial thing with you Pokemon okay well I'm sorry, you can take it."

"No I'm not here to take your firewood." I shook my head. "I' just passing through until I heard you from the main road. I was just seeing what made the noise, so here I am."

"Oh, I see… s-sorry." He glanced down at the branches, almost half soaked in the wet dirt from yesterday's rain. "I think I pulled my back out… but I think I can manage. Help me up would you." I offered him help to stand back up. Due to our height difference it was difficult, "Thanks for that. Fifty-eight years and I can't carry what I used to…" He winced, leaning against a tree after attempting to pick up a handful of them.

"I can help you carry these to the cottage if you'd like." I said picking up several dead branches, offering some while I carried most. He looked unsure, but I didn't want to just leave him like this especially if his back was injured. "Please, I want to help."

"Alright… try and gather the dry ones. The wet ones won't burn as much. They're pretty much useless by now." He pointed at the branches. I passed him a small amount while I carried the most leaving the rest behind to soak in the mud, not wanting him to injure his back more and followed him close by towards his home.

Cottage in the middle of the Route 05

I don't know how I ended up inside this cottage, well here I was. The man offered me to come inside. Most cases I would turn down the offer and leave, either it was to get out of the cold, or to rest a little so I could treat my wounds after my arm was feeling a little numb, especially the left arm since it was pretty much torn to shreds was probably why. Either way I was happy to at least have some rest.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped through the door besides the slight scent of cinnamon in the air was the warmth hitting me in the face. A stone fireplace already lit in the living room just a few steps in front of me.

A kitchen on the far right and a long hallway with three closed doors, probably the bathroom and bedroom. After another look around, it really did seem like a nice home; it kind of had that cozy feel to it, a somewhat familiar feeling but couldn't quite tell what it was.

Out from the living room not too long after we entered was a woman as old as the old man approached us. She was wearing a red sweater and baggy pants; they looked slightly torn with small holes here and there. She greeted her husband with a warm smile before noticing me standing beside the man. "Ah, I see you're back early. Did you forget something?"

"Not a thing. I just so happened to gather up the firewood quicker than expected with a little is all." He grinned, wincing as he attempted to hide his back pain to his wife. Hi wife looked down and saw me standing there with a look of uncertainty, but then I spoke her expression immediately changed to that of shock. But after a quick explanation as to how I can speak, again something I will explain soon and how I was passing by until I heard the man needing help, she appeared less shocked and understanding.

"Thank you for helping, its nice knowing there are still those who would help every now and again." Then the woman turned to her husband with a rather strict look. "And you, you told me your back was better. Did you actually go and see the doctor last week or did you go to the pub again?"

"I did go." The man said nervously as he raised his hands as if to shield himself from his wife, placing her hands on her hips. "To both I mean, doctor first. Helped with my back, everything seemed all fine and dandy and told me to call him if I suffer anymore back pains. All I did was I carried way too much to take back. Winter is said to be a harsh one. We needed to stock up before the cold freezes over this region soon. I'm sorry for worrying you."

The woman shook her head and sighed. "Be more careful. You're just grateful this Dewott was here to help you. Who knows what would've happened if no one was around." She leaned down towards me and petted my head, then gasped. "My goodness, your freezing. Here, come on inside and we'll warm you up."

"Oh um… thanks?" Was all I could say as I was guided into the living room by the woman. She helped me up onto the armchair and wrapped a warm sheet around me to warm myself up as she went into the kitchen to get something. The old man came in soon after putting the branches away and sat down on another chair beside the window to make a quick call to a doctor in a clinic nearby after overhearing the conversation.

After some time, the woman returned into the living room and gave me some hot cocoa. "Here, this will warm you up." I pretended to drink some, acting cautious around these people for how friendly they seemed around me. I had met a few others while travelling claiming to offer me comfort by the fire, only for me to realize before it was too late they were trying to capture me either rare game or trying to capture me for the bounty money. The drink could've been drugged, so I just waited and watched. The woman herself placed a cup of the same drink down on the table in front of her but didn't sit down and returned to the kitchen giving me the chance to act.

Both mine and her cups were the same, same drink, same quantity, no chip or scratch on either cup, so I quickly changed the cups using my Psychic without moving from my chair. Thankfully the old man never turned his head away from the window as he spoke to whoever it was on the phone still, so I could just sit and wait acting as if nothing had been swapped, they wouldn't suspect a thing.

"How is the drink?" Asked the old man after he finished with the phone call. "It's homemade made right there with what's in the kitchen. May not be from cafes or expensive ones, but my wife Alice sure does make a really unique cocoa."

"It's delicious. I don't get much of this drink." I said, holding the cup with both paws as I leaned the cup close to my mouth, close that I could feel the warmth from the liquid, close that it looked like I was drinking it, again pretending to be drinking from the cup. Can't be too careful anyone when I have as a million cash bounty over my head.

The woman after finding out her name to be Alice walked inside from the kitchen and sighed. "What did they say? Were you able to make an appointment?"

"As a matter of fact I did, got one today if I leave right now." The man smiled as he slowly began to stand up from the chair. Alice walked towards him about to say something to him, but he held up his hand to silence her and said. "I can take the truck into town. Don't worry about me I can handle a ten minute drive." The old man looked at me still sitting on the chair. "Oh sorry, my name is Roy, this is my wife Alice. To offer my thanks for you helping me back home with the firewood to help us last the winter, would you be interested on joining us for dinner? At least allow us to offer you this for helping me back there."

I wasn't sure about this, remaining silent at first but for some reason I nodded my head before I had even thought about. They took it as a silent yes on staying for dinner, but I suppose it was best to stay at least until I had healed up my wounds. "Alice makes the best dinners around, you'll see. Or perhaps you eat Pokemon food? Yeah… we don't have much of that lying here…"

"Don't worry, I can eat… human food. My name is Zack R… *ahem* r-really grateful to be uh, taken in from the harsh cold. Thank you."

"You're welcome Zack." Said Alice, "And for the food tonight, It'll save time for when we prepare for dinner. Not really looking forward on making two meals for us three. I think today we have a special guest with us… I'll make stew for us."

Roy didn't leave right away, he stayed for a couple of minutes until his appointment which was in thirty minutes, and so it got us talking about things, well mostly about me and why I was out here, my differences to the other Dewott's in this region, and wearing all of this gear; cloak, messenger bag and eye patch all I refused to part with. I was still cautious of the two, uncertain if they knew about the bounty or about me in general. With all of the posters around, I'd thought nearly everyone I met or did business with would have at least some knowledge of it.

"I have a son and a daughter. They're with their mother in the Alola region with our trainer." I lied, not wanting to reveal the truth about my friends and family in hiding, the location getting out would only put them in jeopardy. "I'm going to Nimbasa City tomorrow to meet with my trainer's brother so I can go home finally."

"Alolo then? Ah, now I get it." Roy said nodding his head. "That explains why you're a different color than the Dewott's we have in this region, all blue and all. But talking, how is that even possible?"

"I have an Espeon friend who taught me how." I explained to them, thinking up some false scenario as to how I could speak their language. "She is a Psychic type after all, and I am part Psychic type as well so learning the language wasn't too difficult."

"Part Psychic type? My, I never heard of a Dewott that was also a Psychic type." Alice smiled. "You must've won a good share of gym battles with your trainer."

"It wasn't just me, but my friends and I fought together to win the badges for our trainer. We have only won four of them so far and hoping to get back into it once I arrive back in Alola." I thought back to my friends, just remembering the times we spent together brought a smile to my face. In my head I was telling myself "I shouldn't be out here alone. Tomorrow, I'll ask for help. I don't know why I did this alone when I have good friends who'll always be there to help out." I had decided right then and there that I would ask for my friends and allies to help me with the search. I had been out here far too long and felt it was time to bring in some help.

I didn't tell them I was connected to The Savior's, especially Team Doom not wanting to give them a reason to be either frightened or resentful towards me since the battle with The Savior's and Team Doom did end up with a lot of families losing one or two on both sides; sons, daughters, parents, no matter what side they were on just mentioning about that did lead to a lot of anger and fighting. I was still lucky on finding jobs to take on while I was out here searching for my missing friends and family, even took on jobs from family's who had a child/parent who was a soldier of Team Doom knowing who I was, almost expecting them to send me into a trap to get their revenge on the fallen, but never did.

I needed to rest up and treat my wounds properly before heading back out there to continue my search. Nimbasa City was a few hours away, I intended to walk the rest of the way and find a place to stay in the city before I could begin with the search the next day. But thanks to Alice and Roy offering me a place for the night, a hot meal and a ride to the city I couldn't help but accept the offer, especially in this cold.

Thirty minutes passed and Alice had already finished with her cocoa and made herself more while I had a slightly warm cup of full cocoa left. I sensed nothing but relaxation and calmness from Alice and Roy, so I sipped some of the cocoa, it was nice. If they were going to drug me then Alice would've felt the effects by now after swapping the cups around. I drank the remaining cocoa in the cup and sat back in the chair, feeling the warmth from the fireplace warm me up to the point I felt the most relaxed in ages. I was looking forward to the hot meal and sleeping in a warm bed for a change. Plus the company was a nice change than almost a year having travelled alone.

Then from a glance I noticed above the fireplace hanging on the wall next to others was a photo of a man I knew from when I was two years into my career as a member of The Savior's. Standing at six foot wearing a Savior black uniform amongst his peers in the middle of the photo was a man named Leo, thirty two years old and Rank 04. The highest rank a Savior member can achieve is a rank 01 with a rank 10 being the lowest, the starting rank. It takes a while to reach a rank 01 and completing many missions and a lot of hard work.

I remember talking to him at one point in the main building before a mission had begun, a year before I turned into a Dewott. I don't know how we got into the conversation but he did tell me about why he joined as a member, he said he wanted to help his parents move out of the home they were living in to somewhere nicer while becoming the best Savior member he could become to make his family proud. He lived with them for years after finishing school, trying to find jobs here and there without success. Then finally he managed to get a job at The Savior's after years of waiting for a response from them.

"Who'd of thought I would arrive at his house. I had only spoken to him once or twice. I remember he talked about this place, proudly talking about living with his parents for years before being the man he is as a Savior." I thought as I stared at the photo. Then not too long after I heard Roy's voice behind me walking over to his wife.

"That's our son named Leo. Oh and the Sylveon he is standing next to is already taken. So stick to your wife or whatever it is Pokemon call 'em." Leo chuckled. I noticed there was a female Sylveon just barely visible standing behind Leo and his peers. The Sylveon in the photo was clearly trying to get out into the front of soldiers, but seemed to have trouble doing so. I didn't know Leo had Pokemon with him at the time. "Leo and his Pokemon are probably on some harsh mission right about now or being the man Leo usually is on weekends; video games, girls and whatnots."

"The poor dear, I hope this harsh cold outside isn't too bad for him while he is out there." Alive smiled as she looked up at the photo of Leo standing beside his men. "He never did like the cold, did he?"

"I'm sure those folks he works with allow him to wear the scarf you gave him before he left." Roy stood beside his wife and placed his hand on her shoulder and looked at the photo as well. "Haven't heard from our son in a while. Either he's very busy with his work or the boy has forgotten about us. Maybe I should complain about them for holding him prisoner there?"

They didn't know he was dead, or perhaps they were in denial. Either way I thought about saying something, to tell them the truth about their son. I wasn't good on telling people bad news. Tilting and swishing the small remaining bit of cocoa left in the cup I thought about maybe telling them tomorrow, maybe that night before bed.

He died in combat with Team Doom during the final battle, I later learnt this a few days after returning home in Nuvema Town with Aqua wanting to know who died and who survived after the battle, his name I remember seeing in the list of the fallen was one of the many I remembered. They needed to know about their son.

After Roy left, Alice started with the dinner and I left to the bathroom to make a start on to heal my wounds, some which would become scars, and others that'll heal in time. I had bled a lot since before I found Roy needing help, sitting and getting warm in front of the fireplace drinking cold cocoa. It would've been noticeable if I had not taken off my cloak and bag; they would've asked questions most likely. But I felt relieved my wounds were all healed up. I thought I wouldn't be able to heal all of my wounds and feel well rested before tomorrow.

I left the bathroom to find Alice preparing the food on the table, and as soon as she called me for dinner, the car pulled up outside and Roy came inside the house greeting us before updating lice on the news of his small trip to the clinic, but Alice gave him a suspicious look as he did give off a strong smell, the smell of smoke and alcohol. This was shrugged off as we were all starving and ate a wonderful meal. And to make things even better, because of the snowing outside, Roy and Alice offered me a place to stay for the night until tomorrow, offering me a ride to the city in the morning.

Instead of a silent nod, this time I smiled and told them I appreciated the offer and accepted it.

The guest room once Leo's room after he had moved out hardly had anything inside apart from a desk in front of the window, and a small bed by the door with a bedside lamp lit up. But being in this room did bring up something I would've forgotten about if they had not mentioned to me about this room being Leo's old room, it made me think for what I should do for them before I would leave the next day.

So that night after I had eaten and recovered all of my wounds, I wrote them a letter about their son Leo, how I remembered him from my time as a member of the Savior's, his bravery during the battle with Team Doom, and how he had wanted to make them proud of him, telling them how sorry I was for not telling them this terrible news in person. Before I would the next day, before getting the ride to the city I would leave them the note somewhere they would easily find it. I needed to hurry to the city the next day before I missed my opportunity the net day.

Several hours earlier

After Roy had left the clinic, Roy made a small diversion towards the town's pub to get himself a quick drink for the ride home. That was all it was, a quick drink, one drink and he would be out of there and back home to his wife and guest for the day. He had finished his job earlier than usual; collecting the firewood needed to last the winter would've taken him a week to do in his condition, but with the help from me he managed. A job like that he could only handle a small amount, so today was a good day to have a little victory drink for the road.

"Well if it ain't the old man himself!" Three other old men cheerfully approached Roy as he sat at the bar table very close to the door so he could just be in and out without stopping to say hi to other locals of the town. The man with dark skin, a beard and smoking from a cigar placed his arm around Roy. "What are you doing here for?"

"What does it look like, Jay? I'm celebrating." He smiled, drinking more from his cup. "Not only have I found out my back will be healed soon, but I have finally finished collecting the firewood needed for the upcoming winter earlier than usual. And to top it all off, Alice is making her special stew tonight that'll really warm you up."

"Oh, man that is good stew." The man known as Jay agreed along with the other two men.

"Could go for a bowl right about now if ya don't mind Roy my man."

"Not tonight boys, but we got ourselves a guest joining us tonight." Roy shook his head after drinking more from his cup. "Unexpected guest but a sure welcomed guest."

"A guest? Who you talking about, your son come back?" Jay asked.

"Not my Leo, but this guest ain't human." Roy said, drinking up all of his drink before slamming it back down on the table. "He's a Dewott going by the name of Zack. He's a Dewott with white and black fur, black sclera and red eyes." He pointed at his own eyes and made a peace sign with his fingers and held them up to his cheek as if they were whiskers. "The Dewott helped me when my back gave way, helped me carry all firewood I would need and then some back home." Roy stood up and waved to his friends one last time before making his way towards the door. "Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, but I have a stew waiting for me back home. It's not every day Alice makes this stew! Later guys!"

The three men were left speechless as they watched their friend leave, watching if he walked funny or if he would do something strange but never did. "How much did he have to drink?" One of the three asked, but only saw the one cup. A size not enough for one to get drunk on this fast. They glanced over at the barkeep where he only said he had just the one, the weakest of alcohols.

"Or do you guys think he's probably hopped up on medicine right about now? And now he's already in his car. Damn it we shouldn't have let him leave!"

These things heard that night by Roy by the three men confused them, as if they had heard something about a Dewott of that description. But two men sitting close by had heard it all, taking what they heard with great interest, they soon followed after Roy leaving the pub.

The Next Day

I awoke that morning with a startling banging at the door followed by the yelling of what I thought was Roy shouting at the top of his lungs at someone at the door, then before I could move the sheets to get up I heard another loud bang, but this was gunfire.

I got up out of the bed and made my way to the door, opening it up with my Psychic and found myself out into the hallway, but when I turned to the right were the living room was I gasped at what I had seen. Their lying face down on the floor were Roy and Alice covered in blood, they were shot in the back by two men armed with shotguns and all manner of weapons and gadgets used to capture Pokemon. They were bounty hunters. The two men stepped over the corpses and moved closer to me after they saw me leave the room.

"Damn, so the old man was right after all." One of the two men whistled. "Figured he was either drinking his fill of alcohol or his wires were all messed up in his head. I'm just happy we did follow the guy and so we were rewarded with the big one and managed to claim our prize."

"The poster says we gotta get the Dewott alive." The other bounty hunter next to the man unfolded the wanted poster of me, a reward for one million cash for my capture. Immediately after I had started my journey the wanted signs came up, and it was only a matter of time before I would run into someone wanting to claim that cash prize, be they trainer young or old, or bounty hunter who would do anything to get what they wanted. "Make a little call to them soldiers and several minutes later we are a million richer."

I just stood there shocked at what I had seen; I didn't know what to do or how to react. I was standing like a statue eyes focused on Roy and Alice's lifeless eyes as the blood poured stained into the carpet. Before the bounty hunters prepared their Pokeball's to use to try and catch me, memories of last night flashed in my mind, how kind these two people were offering me a warm meal and place to stay after helping them, the stories they told of their son, and they died not knowing their son had been killed in combat long ago. I heard the voices in my head echo louder and louder with each passing second, until finally eventually I lost control and after that became a blur to me. Voices I could hear from the bounty hunters although muffled I could tell it was them, shouting and screaming. They fought back, but it wasn't much against what I was doing, using my moves, cutting into their flesh, burning them with Scald, slamming them into walls with Psychic, then finally after what felt like hours I stopped.

The bounty hunters were still alive, and the voices still awake but barely. The voices continued to plague my mind with 'Kill them' 'Kill them' 'Kill them' all over again for what they had done. I was starting to agree wanting to see them dead. But I refused to do so; I didn't want to kill anyone. I couldn't fight Pokemon knowing if I do so their life energy would be absorbed by me if I ever defeated them in battle, it would kill them making me stronger, it was what Shiny Latias wanted me to do. I was still a member of the Savior's, we didn't kill anyone no matter what terrible crimes they had done.

I gathered my things, everything I needed before I left. I called the police to let them know of what went on in this house. I had to leave before the police showed up; I didn't want to be questioning them since I needed to be in Nimbasa City before noon. As for the note, I burnt it in the fireplace looking back on the couple who had brought me into their home in silence.

With the elderly couple both dead it reminded me of two things; my fight to stop Team Annihilation Reborn and Shiny Latias while saving my missing friends, and second; getting people involved with me would bring them death. I swore on that day I would travel alone and never involve anyone to continue my quest to put an end to Team Annihilation Reborn and Shiny Latias for good. I never did find the prison truck; it was all just a story, a false one I just so happened to listen in on never asking about it only accepting it as something to go on after going so long without anything. And thus my quest continued once more.

To be continued…

Trivia:

Zack in this chapter would've originally been about him reminded on travelling with his companions while out there in the Unova region even starting on planning to ask if they would help him. But in the end after a dangerous encounter with Team Annihilation Reborn soldiers hurting civilians he was reminded of the deaths of Sakura and Isaac. This was cut since the originally draft didn't have a lot going on.