Book II: Impending Twilight

Chapter 104: A bit odd, to say the least...

My body shifted back and forth on a hard surface until a sharp pain in my shoulder caused me to gasp loudly. My eyes opened wide as I panted heavily, and I began to notice a raw pain on my lower horn just where it started to curve upward. I looked around and saw the walls of a dimly lit cave. The only source of light was the slim rays from the sun that managed to sneak through small openings in the ceiling. I placed my right paw on the ground and tried to force myself up, but my body quickly gave out before I was even a inch off the ground. So, I remained on the ground as the pain in my horn and shoulder gradually got worse.

"Where am I?" I asked weakly, as I barely had the strength to talk.

Before I could attempt anything else, I noticed a different light source start to illuminate the area. I glared down the cave to see a shadow coming from around the corner. I placed my paw on the ground in another attempt to get up, and I grunted loudly as I used every ounce of strength I had, but it still wasn't enough and I fell to the ground panting.

"Idiot, don't move like that!" A female voice yelled at me as I looked back towards where I saw the shadow, but now a figure stood around the corner with a blinding light flaring over her shoulder. Multiple tails wagged behind the creature as she moved towards me on four legs.

"Who are you?" I managed to say.

"I am Amaterasu," the creature answered as the light dimmed to reveal the ninetales.

"Amater- what?" I said in confusion.

"Amaterasu," she repeated herself. "Now absol, you need to stop moving around or your wounds will open again. You're lucky to be alive," the vixen told me.

"Where am I?" I questioned the ninetales.

"Isn't it obvious? You're in a cave, also my home. So understand, you're a guest here. I'm happy for you to stay, but only if you behave."

"And you're the one who saved me?" I questioned her.

"Well, you didn't end up here on accident. I mended your wounds, although I'm sorry about the horn, I know for many absols it is something they take great pride in."

My eyes widened as her words settled in. "What?" I said in surprise as I brushed one of my paws over a small remainder of my horn. "Dammit," I muttered as I realized even more of it was gone than the first time.

"You don't seem that surprised. I saw an absol lose her horn in a battle against a mienshao one time. While she managed to survive the encounter, she wasn't the same after."

I didn't bother responding to her, she didn't need to know that I already lost my horn previously. Instead I just repositioned myself on my front side.

"Anyways, you must be starved absol, it has been three days."

I looked up towards the ninetales with surprise. A small smirk formed on her face as she noticed my attention.

"You lost a lot of blood, and went through a lot of physical trauma," the ninetales said as she turned towards the exit of the cave. "Now, I will go find us food, till then behave and don't move much," she ordered as she began to walk away.

"Right, I'll do that," I said as I rested my chin on my paws and closed my eyes.

Point of View Vincent

Hours had passed since Shade had left to fetch this contact. The clock on the wall ticked by. Despite not having access to a window, I could figure that day was just breaking. I rested on a couch that reeked of tobacco, while Mandus sat on the ground with his legs crossed and his hands interlocked like he was meditating. It seemed like the party downstair had come to an end when the music died about two hours ago..

I released a tired yawn as I sat up on the couch. I could only wonder what Scarlet and Merrick were doing. I also wondered if Kane ever caught up to us. Originally the scyther was supposed to regroup with us before we came here, but Mandus just told me he'd find his way to us. I guess the scyther was an experienced tracker if I remembered correctly.

My ears flicked up from the sound of the door handle turning. Mandus calmly opened his eyes as the door opened and Shade walked through alone. The two legged fox let out a hard breath as he closed the door behind him.

"You're alone?" Mandus commented as he went back to his meditation.

"It'll take her some time to get here, she can't just leave from where she is right away," Shade replied as he fell to the couch. The zoroark let out a relaxed groan as he stretched out his body and reached into his mane. Almost instantly, he pulled out a cigarette. The zoroark reached for a lighter on the table and lit it.

"Give her a few hours, until then just wait for her-" A yawn broke out from shade as he allowed himself to lazily lean back.

"You seem exhausted, not only that, stressed and trapped," Mandus said with his eyes closed.

"Hmmm, am I that easy to read?" Shade said as he practically fell asleep on the couch, but a small smile managed to creep onto his maw.

"Your aura is hard not to notice. I sensed it from the moment I walked into this room."

"What else can you read from my aura?" Shade asked.

"I can sense you're not pleased with me reading you like that."

"It's scary how accurate that is," Shade laughed, "Anyways, until she's here I want some shut eye, I never really have time for a full night of sleep, so I get it where I can," Shade said as he flicked the cigarette out of his mouth and onto the table without any regard to where it went.

I let out a sigh from the way things were going. I knew this was important, but I honestly didn't feel like waiting. With each passing second my mind became weaker, and Zygarde was a little closer to breaking free. I shook my head frantically as I tried to forget the thought of Zygarde, all I wanted was to get that thing off my conscience just for a day.

Point of View Flare

Alone, I wandered down the streets of Lumiose. Ever since I've been back home these walks had become routine for me. Never did anyone accompany me on them, even when Ebony would ask to come along. I needed these walks. They gave me time to think. I left earlier this morning, probably around eleven. Hesh seemed to be noticing my absence from home, the pikachu had been questioning what I'd been doing on these "long walks" I take. I'd always answer the same way every time 'I just need some space, that's all.' He'd then usually tell me something dumb along the lines of how I shouldn't be wandering off all the time to be alone.

Their concern for me was appreciated, and it did make me feel better, especially how Alex had been trying to find things for us to do, but something inside of me was just repelling me away from everyone. I knew a large part of it was Kana's absence, but there was also something in everyone else's actions. At first, I didn't understand it, but then one day it clicked in my head. The reason I'd been so annoyed and distant from everyone was out of spite. Kana was ripped from our lives. That once happy jolteon who changed me was no more, but no one was asking who did it? Not once had Alex, Hesh, or Ebony taken just one second to wonder who did it, nor wanted someone to pay for what happened. What sick twisted monster would kill her? Kana would never hurt someone, and it made me sick thinking of someone hurting her in any way.

"Someone is going to pay," I said as I walked on a sidewalk. Someone hurt my best friend and they deserved to burn for it, and if no one is going to do something about it, then I'll take matters into my own paws.

"Just you wait, I'm coming for you. It's only a matter of time," I said to myself as I began to picture who would have been the type to do it. The search was easily narrowed down to three figures: Crimson Dawn, Genesis, or that one thing known as Skull Face.

I stopped walking as my mind continued to process the whole situation. If I was going to hunt down who did this, I knew I'd have to leave Lumiose for a while. That would mean leaving Alex, he wouldn't understand how I was feeling, and either way he wouldn't be any help. To top things off I'd have to find them, which would prove to be an even bigger obstacle.

"Hey Flare." A hand touched my shoulder and my head spun. A pikachu held my shoulder tightly, behind him was my trainer and Ebony.

"You all followed me?" I asked as I pulled my shoulder free.

"Listen, we've all been noticing how you've been lately. You sleep in for a long time, you disappear all day, hardly eat anything, and then you seem restless at night. We're all worrying about you you," Hesh informed me.

I remained silent as I looked up towards Alex, the human squated down towards me level as he held out a hand for me to come to him. I stood in place as I looked at his hand, but I didn't feel any driving force to go to him.

"Flare, let's go home," Alex said as he continued to hold his hand out. "We all want to talk."

Ebony took a step forward, "Flare, please, you're worrying all of us," the espeon said meekly.

"What's there to talk about…?" I asked as I looked towards the ground, too pained to even look at them.

"We want to talk about you," Hesh answered.

"What difference does it make?" I asked, "Nothing I have to say will fix things."

"You're right," Hesh nodded his head, "But we're not trying to change what happened, but we can change what is going to happen. Now, will you please come with us? We're just going to talk, it won't hurt anyone to try."

I looked back up towards everyone. All of them stared at me with a sour expression. I could see the emotions all in there eyes. Each one of them cared for me, and I was foolish to argue from the start.

"Alright," I quietly agreed. I took one small step towards Alex, but the human quickly came to me and lifted me up.

"Thanks Flare, you have no idea how much this means to us." The human hugged held onto me tightly as he carried me off with everyone.

"You know I can walk?" I told Alex, but the human only smiled at me.

"Jeez, loosen up Flare," Hesh told me, I glared down at the pikachu that was walking by Alex's side. "You know, I didn't care about Al at first, but after getting to know him I realized some things about him." I waited for the pikachu to finish. "The human really cares about his pokemon. He treats us as equals, not many humans would go this far to help you out, most humans wouldn't have even noticed how you are acting recently."

"I know…" I admitted.

Alex continued to walk us home. While in his arms I began to pass out, the lack of sleep recently was beginning to catch up, and I felt some comfort in Alex's arms. It wasn't until around a half hour that Alex stopped walking. My head rose up from his arms and I realized we weren't home. Instead we were in front of some single floor building, one that was made of light colored bricks, and an archway in front of the main door.

"What is this?" I asked in shock. No one replied and Alex walked me into the building.

I felt some discomfort, and a strong sense of distrust in everyone. Alex's arms tightened around me, keeping me against his chest.

"Hey, what's going on!?" I yelled at everyone as Alex carried me to the front desk of some lobby. My head turned towards some secretary lady. The younger lady filed down one of her nails before she noticed Alex and put it down.

"Hi, I called about two days ago about an appointment," Alex said.

"An appointment for what?!" I yelled at everyone, smoke beginning to fume from my maw and nostrils in anger.

"Counseling," Hesh answered.

"Counseling?" I repeated with surprise. "Seriously, I don't need some prick in my life. I'm fine with talking to you guys, but not some stranger who I don't know!" I lashed out at him.

"Flare, calm down," Alex sternly told me. "Just give this a try, if you don't like it I won't force you, but just give it a chance."

I opened my mouth to argue, but my mouth closed when I realized there was no point in resisting him. "Fine," I quietly agreed.

"Alright, it's the first door on the right down that hall," the women smiled.

"Alright, thanks," Alex said as he carried me to what will be the greatest humiliation.

'I don't want to go to counseling,' I thought to myself.

Alex approached the first door on the right, and knocked. The door opened on its own, and slowly cracked open. Alex gave a small shrug and we all entered. Inside we found multiple cushioned chairs in front of a long coffee table. A large window that was half the size of the wall allowed an abundance of light to shine in.

"Welcome, please have a seat," a psychic's voice spoke calmly within my mind. My head looked towards the back of the room towards a big desk, where there was an espeon sitting on the ledge of the desk with his tail leaning off the edge.

"A espeon counselor?" I said with surprise.

"Yep," Hesh said, "This way you and Alex can communicate."

"Umm…" I nervously began as I looked towards the human. Alex sat me down on my own chair and took his own, while Ebony took the last remaining one. Hesh looked around the room for somewhere to sit, until he just sat at the base of Ebony's chair.

"So everyone is here it seems," the espeon's voice spoke within my head. "Just a warning, at this moment I will begin translating everything everyone says to break the language barrier. So, now we can all talk, human and pokemon." The older espeon smiled at all of us.

"Alex?" I said as I looked towards the human.

"Whoa, it's just like that porygon Mr. Norman had," Alex said with surprise.

"Wait, can you hear me?" Ebony asked as she sat up in excitement.

"Yeah, I actually can," Alex said with a smile.

"Before you all get carried away, I am paid by the minute," the elderly espeon said.

"Oh, right," Alex responded nervously.

"It's quite alright, many pokemon and humans are shocked the first time they're able to communicate. Now, my name is Lance, and I believe we're here for you today, Flare." My head turned towards the espeon, and I noticed the way he looked at me nonstop, not blinking for a second.

"I guess," I answered with little interest.

"Flare, why don't you tell me about yourself," Lance told me.

"Ummm," I nervously began as I looked back at Alex, who gave me a reassuring nod. "Alright… well I'm Flare as you know, and I live with my human Alex, and everyone else here," I began.

"Go on," the espeon pushed.

"Listen, we're not here to talk about who I am, I thought we were here to talk about feelings and stuff," I rose my voice a little at the espeon, but he just chuckled to himself.

"I believe having a good connection with my clients helps build an understanding of who you are, how your mind works and why you are feeling the way you do," Lance answered.

"Flare, just answer the question, it's not like you have anything to hide," Hesh barked at me.

"Fine," I muttered as I got ready to recite my fake story, "Alright, as a child I lived in a different home where I was abused by my owner. After years of putting up with that stuff I was rescued by the police, who then put me up for adoption. That's when I came to Alex's home, and things changed… I met Grayson and Kana. Kana was my friend who helped change me, at first I hated her guts, but she never gave up on me, and one day she broke through. Ever since, she and I have been like brother and sister, I loved her with all my heart. I guess things didn't change until recently…" I told the espeon, while feeling the return of the hole in my chest.

"And what happened to Kana, if she was so important I'd imagine she'd be here right now."

I remained silent for a minute, until I opened my mouth, "She was murdered."

"I am sorry," the espeon replied, but it seemed as if he truly didn't care.

"That's actually why we're here," Alex added. "It was one month ago that Kana was killed. While I'm still broken up over it myself, I can keep going one way or another. But everyday I see that Flare is much worse than I am, and I just want to help relieve some of this feeling of pain from him."

"Flare," the elder espeon began, "why don't you tell me more about Kana, I'm sure just talking about her will offer something for you."

I let out a scowl as I looked towards the espeon, "I don't want to."

"Then what would you like to talk about?" the espeon asked. "We can talk about anything you want," the espeon smiled.

"I don't want to talk, I just want some space from everyone. This whole thing right now is not what I need."

"Well, if you don't talk I got something to say," Alex stated.

"Alright, then speak Alex."

"Listen Flare, I know I can't talk to you, that's why I want to take this chance to talk this out with you. I need to know what's going through your mind. You used to be full of so much energy and now you're just so sad lately. So will you please just tell me what's on your mind, don't just hold it in like that."

I remained silent, I didn't even look towards Alex. I did have something on my mind, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to share it with them.

"Well Flare, do you have something to say to Alex?" the espeon asked.

"I do," I nodded slightly, "How do you feel about this?" I questioned the human. Alex slightly flinched in shock from the unexpected question, but he didn't hesitate.

"I feel how everyone does. I miss her, and I'd do anything to have her back. But, I know Kana, she wouldn't want us to be sad over her, she'd want us to be happy and move on."

"That's not entirely what I meant. How do you feel about the murder," I looked the human dead in the eyes, I wanted to know if he truly was feeling how I felt.

"It's tragic, she didn't deserve what happened. But, I think we all just need to accept this and move on as best as we can," Alex answered.

"This is crap," I muttered.

"What is?" the espeon asked.

"That's it? That's how you feel about Kana getting murdered? You don't feel anything like me right now, and you don't understand me apparently! All I keep hearing from you is that we'll move on, or we'll get past this some how! I don't want to move past this, what I want is to hunt down the bastard who did this and slowly burn them to ash!" I yelled at the human, with flames peeking from between my fangs. "Not once have I heard you talk about justice for whoever wronged her!"

The room fell silent, Alex's eyes went wide in shock from my outburst. "And you think murder will make you feel better?" Hesh questioned me.

"It's a start," I snapped towards him.

"Try and actually take a second to picture how Kana would respond to this, seriously," Hesh tensely answered.

"I don't need this, let me out of here," I growled at the espeon.

"Flare, I think it's best if you sit down for a minute and think about what your friend sai-"

"I said let me out, do it before I burn the door down!" I shouted at the espeon.

"Flare, take a seat, please," Alex pleaded.

"I'm done talking, I honestly have nothing further to say on this topic," I growled in fury, a flame tindering in my mouth. Now let me out."

Point of View Vincent

It seemed with each hour we waited, I seemed to faze in and out of sleep more. The zoroark Shade snored for all of us to hear, while I grew annoyed with it, Mandus didn't seem the least bit annoyed, and somehow remained in his meditation.

"She's here," Mandus abruptly stated. The lucario stood from his meditation sitting stance and turned towards the door. I did the same, and watched as the door handle turned. The door opened, and a rather lithe braixen walked through the doorway. She closed the door behind herself and scanned the room.

"Is she the one?" I quietly asked Mandus. The lucario didn't answer, and the two locked eyes.

"Wow, it has been some time, hasn't it?" the braixen smiled as she rushed towards the lucario. In a quick motion the braixen managed to lock the lucario in a strong hug. Mandus's eyes widened and his fists clenched tightly as he resisted throwing her off him.

"Ummm… what is your relation again?" I shyly asked the two.

"Oh hey, didn't see you there?" the braixen gave a flick of her hand as wave and smiled.

"We know each other," Mandus answered, "That's it."

"Jeez, that's all I am to you?" the braixen laughed as her attention went towards the sleeping zoroark. The vixen made her way towards the snoring zoroark, the dark type leaned far back with his jaw agape.

"Hey, wakey wakey," the braixen patted him on the cheek. "Come on, Zylen." the braixen shrugged as she reached for her bushy tail and withdrew a stick. "I swear, he's always such a pain to wake up," the braixen held the stick near his open mouth, before ramming it in.

The zoroark flew forward and let out a loud gagging gurgle, before he broke into a coughing fit. "Arceus, what the Hell is wrong with you, Annie!" the dark type coughed out, as he fell to his hands and knees, gasping for air, "Can you not just be normal for once?!" his left hand reached for his stomach.

"Well, no. Besides, you're such a pain to wake, I could yell directly in your ear and you wouldn't respond."

'Is this seriously the one...?' I thought to myself as I cringed from the sight.

"Annie, we didn't come here for your games," Mandus rose his voice.

"Yeah, yeah," the braixen sighed as she backed away from the recovering zoroark.

"So… she's the talented psychic?" I asked with disbelief.

"What, don't think I am?" the braixen looked at me as she placed a hand on her hip and glared at me.

"Well… you just seem a bit… odd."

The braixen frowned, "Wow, sorry I'll put on my serious face now, apparently this is a no fun zone."

"I don't mean that, you just seem a bit impractical for what we're wanting."

"Vincent," Mandus caught my attention, "Annie may be a bit… different, to say the least, but she's capable of what we're asking."

"And you're positive? This is a delicate matter." Mandus nodded in response.

"And what is this delicate matter? I guess it would be silly to assume you wanted to just talk," the braixen Annie asked.

"It would be easier for you to see," Mandus began, "But we need assistance with interrogating someone's mind, and it doesn't seem to be a one man job."

"Ehhh… you brought me here for that," Annie crossed her arms as she frowned. "Shouldn't an espeon be able to handle that, I mean don't get me wrong, but mind interrogation is pretty easy."

"As Mandus said, it's best for you to see for yourself," I told the braixen with annoyance.

"Well, I'm already out here, so what the heck, let's go. You coming Zy?"

The zoroark shrugged."I suppose."

"Hold up," I said, "Earlier you said you were Shade, then she called you Zylen, and now Zy?" I questioned the two.

"I told you people would question that damned nickname," the zoroark growled as Annie nervously chuckled while scratched the back of her head. "My real name is Zylen, Shade is a fake identity I live, another persona I take on as a mercenary. Truth be told, when you do what I do, you don't want people to know who you are. As for the ever so crappy nickname Zy that Annie game me, she just uses that to torture me."

"I see…" I said with a nod, before we left the room.

Hours later

"Seriously, what the H, you two. What were you doing this whole time, and who the Hell are those two?!" An unhappy quilava complained with an intensifying flame.

"Who are we?" Annie said as she pointed her finger at herself with uncertainty. "I'm Annie," the braixen answered with a smile.

"Shade," the zoroark answered as he crossed his arms and looked at the two new pokemon with skepticism. "And now you know our names, so who are you two?"

"Merrick," the quilava answered with a roll of his eyes.

"I am Scarlet."

For a minute, the four newly introduced pokemon stared at each other in what looked like a staring contest. Until Annie broke off from the stare and looked towards Mandus.

"Alright, you didn't bring us here to meet your friends, where is this pokemon we're interrogating," Annie inquired. The lucario turned towards me.

"Vincent, are you able to bring him here from our location?"

"Yeah, it'll take a minute though," I answered.

"Very well, bring him here. As you you two, don't be alarmed."

My eyes closed as I began to concentrate on the Legendary. His location was deep down below ground, where no one would ever find him. The gem on my head began to glow as I summoned the Legendary to surface. The ground began to shake and everyone uneasily backed away.

"What's going on?" Annie asked as she tried to keep her balance.

A crack formed on the surface, the the crust of the ground exploded as Zygarde revealed himself. Everyone excluding Mandus and myself jumped back to safety.

"Is that a…" the zoroark began.

"It's… it's Zy-zy-zy-" Annie stuttered.

"Are you trying to say my name or something!?" Zylen barked at Annie, but kept his eyes on the serpent Legendary.

"No, I know what that thing is called, it's Zy something, but I can't remember," Annie answered.

"Zygarde," I told the two. "And yes, this is a Legendary, in the flesh."

Chapter end

Author Note: Well, hopefully everyone enjoyed this chapter. Anyhoo, some of you may have noticed the new cover for this story, maybe some of you use phones so you don't even see story covers... anyways, I commissioned someone on Deviant Art to make that cover and it turned out pretty damn good. So credit for that goes to Eldrige on Deviant Art. If anyone wants to see a full version of the cover, sadly you'll have to wait just a little bit, Eldrige has not uploaded it on Deviant Art yet, I'll post a link on my profile when it is up though.

Special thanks goes out to genericgamer207 for editing this chapter.