Book II: Impending Twilight
Chapter 106: "I want you to help you know who..."
Point of View Gray
My body shifted back and forth on the hard stony ground. An annoyed groan escaped me as I gave up on getting comfortable. After all those years of living with Alex, I got to used to the comfort of the couch. Carefully, I rolled onto my back, allowing myself to gaze up at the small lines of light entering the cave through crevices. No longer did I feel like I was on the brink of death, but with a sore body it would be a bit challenging to make the journey back. Amater...-whatever she called herself insisted on me resting, the vixen even gets fussy when I get up and move around too much, even though it's my body and I'll know when I'm damn well ready.
With a tired yawn, I rolled onto my front side and slowly rose off the ground. The muscles around my wounded shoulder were stiff with pain, but I managed with only a few pained grunts.
I decided it was time I got some fresh air, so I cautiously began walking towards the exit, trying my best not to trip on a rock or something. I moved with a small limp each time my left forepaw touched down on the ground, but I didn't waver from what I wanted. Down towards the end of the cave I could see light shining into the cave, but the intense brightness hid what awaited outside. As my paw stepped into the light, I felt warmth for the first time in days. For a moment, my eyes burned upon exiting the cave, so I kept my gaze mostly downward to avoid the stinging.
I inhaled a deep breath a fresh air as I allowed myself to sit down. I don't know what the hell she was thinking in keeping me cooped up in that cramped den, there was no better remedy for healing than a nice quiet spot outside, although somewhere other than a swamp would be nice. Feeling content with my rest from the walk, I stood up, it was time for me to figure out exactly where I was. While I appreciated the ninetales hospitality, I needed to get going soon, WPA probably has me marked as MIA…
I walked through the forest as I looked around in all directions. As I continued to walk, I neared a clearing from all the trees and swampy water. Inside the clearing I found the ninetales in the middle of a training session. I stood and watched as the ninetales let off a barrage of fire based attacks. The ninetales moved as if she was in a musical, and her flames danced along her. Her nine tails lit ablaze in a blue fire and the fox jumped high up into the air, and as she came down she spun forward, creating a wheel of fire, then landed on the ground. She breathed heavily for a few seconds, before she finally caught her breath.
"You know it isn't polite to spy?" Amaterasu said with her back turned towards me.
"Hmmf, sorry you looked pretty concentrated there," I lightly laughed.
"Well, seems you're fine enough to walk, but you should rest a bit more," Amaterasu spoke as she spun around to face me.
"I think I'll manage for now, but thanks," I said as I began to walk towards her, while trying not to limp. "Either way, I'll need to get back to my boss soon."
"Hmm, if you really think you're ready, then I'll make arrangements for you to leave, I'll just have to get you supplies for your journey."
"That's not necessary, I'm used to traveling with very little."
"No need to resist my hospitality, I'm also doing it so I can let you leave with a clear conscience," Amaterasu insisted.
I sighed as I felt myself caving in, "Alright, do what you need too." Amaterasu gave me a nod.
"Well, for now I will repose from my training, then I'll gather what you need and I'll send you off tomorrow."
"Sounds fair," I nodded. Without a word Amaterasu walked past me and headed back for the cave. I forced myself to follow along at her pace, but somehow she knew I was struggling and her pace slowed down to something manageable for me.
"Just curious, but why exactly are you training?" I asked from behind the fox, "With skills like that you'd send any opponent running for miles."
"No particular reason, but when you've been alive as long as I have, you learn to be prepared for anything."
"And how long has that been, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Quite old," she chuckled to herself, "why don't you try guessing, and if you're right I'll tell you?"
"I don't know, two hundred... wait is it true what they say, ninetales live for around a thousand years?" I asked, not sure if I just made an idiot of myself. I mean if it was true, then I guess two hundred would be like twenties in my life span, but she looks more like she's in her forties… I honestly had no idea how old she was.
Amaterasu turned back and smirked at me, "I wish I was still that young, but thanks."
"Alright, I don't know, how old?"
"Quite old compared to you normal pokemon. Too be honest, I lost track long long ago, when you're around my age, a year doesn't mean much."
"Okay..." I said without much of an idea of how to respond to such a statement.
Point of View Annie
"ughhh, what a long day," I quietly complained to myself as I walked down the halls of the Genesis facility. Along the walk many of the humans bumped into me, and increased my stress. For some reason it was too much trouble to ask them to watch where they were walking, so us smaller pokemon don't get trampled by them.
My stomach let out a loud grumble as I walked. "Shh, be quiet," I whispered to my stomach for some weird reason as I held my gut with one of my hands for comfort. After a twelve hour day, it was time to get some food in my system. While I am given opportunities to eat during the day, I get way too consumed in my work to really think about eating, or at least not till I get off. Plus, today was different, I had a lot more on my mind than usual.
Without any stops, I transversed the busy facility and made my way into the equally busy cafeteria. Once there, I got in a long line full of pokemon and humans. It took around thirty minutes for me to actually be served food. Once I had my tray I found a empty table and sat down. I glanced down towards my meal and frowned, today's entree was meatloaf... gross.
For about a minute I sat in place probing the meat with my fork, before my stomach let out a loud rumble. "Ughhh, I don't even care at this point," I mumbled as I took my first bite and slowly chewed with dissatisfaction. I would have done room service again, but it was far from cheap, I mean the prices were like three times higher than what they should have been.
For the next five minutes I ate at a very slow pace, thinking about something that has been on my mind since I got back to Techvivre , that is until a familiar face greeted me again.
"Hey... you're Annie, right?" a jolteon shyly asked me as she placed a bowl that was in her mouth on the chair next to me.
I paused for a moment as the name came back to me, "Yeah... Kana was it?"
"Yeah. Mind if I sit here for a bit, everywhere else is crowded and I don't really want to sit next to complete strangers."
I gave a weak smile, "Go right ahead, I don't mind."
The jolteon smiled as she jumped up on the chair next to the one she set her bowl on, and then she brought it up to the table. The jolteon glanced down at the food, but she didn't seem to have much of a appetite since she just stared at it with a blank stare.
"So, anyone else giving you trouble?" I asked, snapping Kana out of her staring contest with her food.
"Not really, everyone here mostly keeps to themselves. You're actually the only pokemon I've really interacted with during my whole time here." Kana nervously laughed as she looked away, as if she was embarrassed.
"Well, that's Techvivre for you. Everyone here is just here to make money and that's it. Not much of a social zone, just a twenty-four-seven work environment here," I told Kana as I opened up a small bottle of water. "Speaking of work though, what are you doing here? I don't take you as a mercenary getting work through Genesis, and I can't see you working in the labs either... and Genesis doesn't really hire quadrupeds for maintenance. So, that would leave guard duty... but, no offense, you seem a bit soft for that."
The jolteon frowned as her ears drooped a bit, "Actually... I'm just here with my human. The whole story is pretty complicated actually, I'm honestly confused about it myself. You're right though, someone like me doesn't really belong here," the jolteon spoke with a depressed tone.
"Oh... well I didn't mean to offend you or anything, I just wasn't sure-"
"No it's fine, really," Kana quickly smiled. "You didn't offend me or anything, and even if you did, it doesn't take long for me to bounce back from a sour mood," Kana smiled. "Just curious, but what kind of work are you doing here?" the jolteon asked as her frown disappeared, and her tone became a bit more serious.
"Well, I do lots of things around here. I actually work with the specimens-"
"You don't hurt them, do you?"
"No-no, if you're talking about experimenting, that's not my jurisdiction. I do work with specimens though. You see, after these experiments some of the pokemon don't come out okay... Some come out altered, traumatized, or messed up in some way that puts a lot of stress on them. Well, throughout the day I work with these pokemon to help keep them sane. Sometimes I work with them on adapting to their changes, sometimes I help with trauma, or I just help keep them from doing anything they'll regret. It's quite a busy job, especially when you have twelve hour shifts like I did today."
"Isn't... Isn't a job like that kinda depressing though, I mean don't some of these pokemon come out messed up forever, and you're there to deal with all the aftermath?" The jolteon asked.
A long sigh escaped me as this topic came up. "Yeah, my job can be depressing at times. Most pokemon I work with weren't bad pokemon, they were just unfortunate enough to be caught by Genesis. Sometimes I'll work with a pokemon for a long period of time, and sometimes I get to know these pokemon pretty well. They'll tell me about their families and how they were happy before all of this, or maybe how they regretted not being able to do things in life. Then one day I'll come in, and I'll never hear anything about that pokemon again... I do hate my job, but at least I know I'm doing some good in a way. Not all the pokemon die, but the majority of them do... Quite honestly, I don't get a lot of sleep because of it. Every time I close my eyes at night I just toss and turn with their faces in my head," I finished my story and stood up. "Sorry, I don't know why I told you all of that, I guess I just wanted to tell someone."
"Wait!" Kana called as I turned to walk away. I stopped walking and turned back just enough to see her. "If you're miserable then why don't you just stop. I mean-you don't seem like the type of person to be involved with this stuff, if that makes sense."
"I guess I surprise everyone with my career path, but there is a reason behind why I chose to come here, but maybe I'll tell you another day."
A frown formed on the jolteon's face, but before she could hold me up anymore I took my leave. Once I was alone again, I decided it was time to end my long day, so I headed to my room. When I reached my room, I collapsed on my mattress and released an exhausted scowl.
"Ughhh, I'm so freaking tired," I whined as I dreaded the morning that was going to follow when I woke up. 'Just got to make it till friday,' I told myself in an attempt to keep myself together for just a bit more.
For the next hour or so I tossed and turned on my bed, just between sleep and consciousness. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I watched my day replay itself over and over, or when my mind drifted from that I had Zygarde's words in my head. I looked towards the corner of my bed where my alarm clock rested, and saw that it was very late in the night. I let out a scowl as I tried to push the thoughts out of my head, but after I pushed one thought out, another problem entered.
'Am I making the right choices right now?' I questioned myself. 'Is doing all of this the right way to keep my brother safe? Yes, anything is worth it, it's just tough that's all.'
'Accepting my crappy life still doesn't fix the Zygarde thing though... What if Zylen was wrong, what if I should do what he tells me, maybe that espeon really is dangerous...' Thoughts continued to stir in my head, until I couldn't take anymore and I sat up and let out a loud groan.
"For the love of- can I just sleep?!" I yelled to myself, before something clicked in my head. "You know, I actually got a decent idea," I yawned as I reached around my bed for the phone, until I found it. I rose up my left hand as I held the phone in the other, and a small flare flickered into existence, giving off a faint candle like lighting. I dialed a number on the phone, and listened as the phone rung. It was around the third ring that someone on the other line answered.
"Do you have any clue how late it is right now?" Zylen asked from the other line.
"Yeah... I have to go to work in like four hours, so let me say what I need to so I can at least try to go to bed tonight," I said in a groggy voice.
"If you're having sleep problems why not use hypnosis then, instead of bugging me while I'm on a job?" Zylen scowled from the other line.
"Cuz' last time I used hypnosis I slept in very late... Not exactly effective when you use it on yourself."
Zylen let out a long breath, "I'm on a job now, so you got like ten minutes before I need to go."
"Alright, I'll get straight to the point then. Do you have any jobs for this week?"
"No, we've been over this, I just take the jobs as they come in, unless someone wants to schedule a date and pay in advance. What do you need though, I really don't have much time to entertain you if that's what you want."
"No..." I sighed into the phone. "I want to hire you for something, if you're up to it."
"I swear if you ask me to bring you cheesecake again, we've been over this like five times, I'm a serious mercenary! Not some cake delivery boy!"
"Okay first off, not my fault Genesis doesn't have it here. Secondly, this is almost as serious as my request for cheese cake."
"I'm so close to hanging up Annie, what do you want," grouchy Zylen growled into the phone.
"Okay, I need two things from you, and yes I'm willing to pay."
"Go on."
"I want you to help you know who..."
"What?"
"I want you to help out the espeon on that hunt they were on... you know, the one we helped get information for..."
"Ohhhh," Zylen said understandingly. "Right, but you don't really want to help them... do you?"
"No, I want you to learn all you can about that espeon. I'm taking what the other 'you know who' said into consideration. If the espeon really is dangerous then he needs to be stopped, or something needs to happen. I'd go myself, but I already used a sick day and I can't risk missing anymore work."
"Okay, and your second request?"
"Yeah… I know you're going to hate me for asking, but is it possible for you to check in on my brother," I asked nervously, knowing that I was going to get Zylen's wrath from such a request.
"You know you'll be putting all of us in danger if I do that, right? The deal was pretty strict, they want the two of us to stay as far from him as possible. If I get caught, we could all end up-"
"I know!" I yelled into the phone and banged the wall with a fist. "I know it's selfish of me to ask, but Zy you're the only one I know who can safely do it. I just want to know a small bit, I can't stand not even knowing if he's alive. He could be a crack addict for all I know! I can't do this anymore, it's not fair to me in any way!"
"Annie..." Zylen began, but paused. "Fine I'll see what I can do, but if I feel uncomfortable in anyway then I'm not doing it."
"That's fair… I really appreciate this Zylen, but I just have one more thing to ask of you, if it isn't to much."
"What?" Zylen scowled into the phone.
"Can I please get cheesecake... I'm really-really stressed-"
"Are you serious?!"
"No, I'm just really stressed out and I'd like something sweet, Genesis doesn't have much down here and-"
"Okay, I'll tell you what! I'll get you your damned cheesecake, but after that you're to never ask again, and I'm charging you for my time and everything!"
"Fair enough... so how much is all of this going to cost?"
"Jeez, depends how long I'm gone on your first request. Then your other one is really risky as well, then the third is just flat out demeaning for me. For most it'd be in the ten-thousands for sure, but for you I'll charge the bare minimum, so maybe a couple thousand. Think you can manage that, I mean I know we're friends and all, I can do your brothers request for free since I know it means so much to you, plus I'd like to see what became of the little guy myself."
"No, it's fine, whatever it comes out to I can manage, not like I'm paid poorly or anything, plus I have very little living expenses down here. I just have to ask, on my weekends I'm enrolled in some online medical class, so do I get a student discount by chance?"
"A-a student discount for a mercenary?" Zy asked with disbelief.
"Ughh yeah... Most businesses do it. So maybe we can work something out, maybe like ten percent?"
"Okay, I'ma hang up now..."
"Wait! Are you going to help me?!"
"Are you a serious customer?"
"Yes, I really am."
"Okay, call me tomorrow when you're off work, we'll talk further then. I got to go now." Zylen hung up the phone instantly after his sentence.
"Okay... that kinda burned me out," I whispered to myself as I placed my phone on the charger and fell back down. "Time to sleep," I mumbled to myself as I felt a bit of relief.
My eyes closed and I began to fall asleep, until a loud knocking on my door woke me.
"Seriously?!" I shouted as I sat up in an angry manner. "What do you want, it's like really late!?" I yelled at whoever was at my door.
"Yeah, it is late, and all I hear is someone yelling in here like a lunatic!"
"Oh, whoops, sorry," I apologized to whoever was at the door, even though I was half tempted to argue back.
"Just shut it lady, I want to sleep," the voice snapped at me.
I didn't respond to the voice, and just fell back down on my bed to finally sleep.
Point of View Vincent
All of Crimson, including myself traversed through a forest that followed along the northern coast of Kalos. The path we were taking to get to Xerneas was chosen yesterday. Our plan was to travel around the barren wasteland near route thirteen, then cut around Lumiose, which then we'd come across a river which we could follow or find someone to take us down the river till we're at our destination. Seemed like it was going to be a long trip, but it shouldn't have been too hard.
Around when we first started travelling, Kane finally decided to show back up, even though he was very late. Of course, the scyther never gave us a reason, he just remain silent as always, which really set off a creepy vibe. Still, I wasn't complaining, I knew Kane was capable of doing his part when the time came.
"So, how long should this trip take?" Merrick asked out loud.
"A week tops, maybe three to four days if we can find someone to take us down the river," I answered Merrick.
"Ughhh, I don't mind travelling, but I just wish there was a faster way to get to our destination."
"Yeah well, this is as good as it gets," I bluntly stated, as I kept up my pace while walking with everyone.
To be quite honest, I've been feeling a bit nervous about all of this. I had no doubt that all of us could take Xerneas on and win, but what Mandus was expecting me to do after may be too much... Holding Zygarde already put strain on me at times, I'm not quite sure how holding two Legendaries is going to work. All it may take is something very small to break my control if I'm influencing them both. Of course, it shouldn't be impossible, just difficult. Either way, I'm in this now, and I planned to fulfill my mission.
Chapter End
Author Note: Sorry for the shorter chapters recently, but I just felt like that was a good stopping point for where this is going. Don't worry though, things will be getting interesting soon. Also, the Black Dawn cover has finally been posted on Deviant Art, so if anyone wants to see the full size BD cover just go to my profile and find the link. It's pretty easy to find.
Thanks to genericgamer207 for the usual.
Fun Fact: The name Amaterasu is a name taken from a sun deity, which is from the Shinto religion. The name Amaterasu has actually come up in a lot of animes, and even inspired a video game known as Okami (One of my personal favorites). Anyways, just a little background on the name, if any of you managed to stay awake through that.