Book II: Impending Twilight
Chapter 117: The White Reaper
Point of View Flare
Other than the scraping of my claws against the wooden table, the room fell silent. No one paid any mind to Dawn and I. For what felt like hours, we were locked in eye contact. It was actually her, The White Reaper, Dawn the absol. She was the same monster I remembered. Hideously covered in aged scars, fur thinning in some areas revealing burns. Her left eye had a fog to it and held little color to it. Only broken halves of her claws remained intact, and cracks on her horn traveled all over it. In no way was she elegant, she was an eye sore, it hurt just to look at the ragged crone. I could only imagine what ruins her personality were-
"Flare," Gray's voice interrupted my thoughts. My eyes lingered for a moment, before turning towards the other absol in our company. Gray didn't exactly look like he was holding up well. New scars were added to his collection, and his synthetic horn had little left to it.
At first, I spoke at an inaudible volume, before speaking up, "Yeah, what's up?"
Gray kept a stare on me while he proceeded. "You just seemed zoned out. I'm just curious how you're holding up after everything." Gray's voice began to lower. "I know it's been tough."
As I looked over towards Alex, I noticed him watching me with interest. I realized that the gardevoir, Ada, was translating our conversation. I gritted my teeth at the thought, and almost even scowled.
'Tough would be an understatement,' I thought. I forced a smile. "It's been different, Gray." I sighed at the end of my sentence.
"Gray!" Ebony yipped from across the room, saving me from awkward silence. Everyone in the room turned towards the excited espeon as she ran into the room. Ebony started to speak with a burst of energy. "You've been gone for so long. I was actually starting to think you were gone for good. Where have you been? What's it like to be in the WPA? Why are you here?"
Gray chuckled to himself. Either he was happy, or shocked that the timid child was becoming more verbal now. "I've been around quite a few places. Mostly northern Kalos to answer your first question." Gray didn't bother with the second question. At the start of his third answer, his tone became more serious. "As about why we're here, it has to do with Black." Every smile in the face went straight and all attention was on Grayson.
"Black?" Hesh's voice filled the silence.
Alex was quick to comment after Hesh. "Wait, you've heard from Black. Where is he?!"
"I apologize, but that we're not sure about," The psychic spoke using telepathy.
"Then why make the trip to talk about him?" Alex asked. The human pulled out a chair and sat in it sideways, leaning his back against the table.
"Well," Ada began. "We've come to discuss Umbreon Black. We have many eyes throughout Kalos. Through the web of information, we caught wind of the umbreon." Everyone leaned forward in anticipation. "His whereabouts are unknown at this point, but we plan to unveil that with your help. But aside from asking questions about him, we're also here to discuss his future."
"What do you mean?" Ebony turned her head in confusion. "Black's coming home, right?"
The gardevoire shook her head. "If I may, I would like to discuss this with just Alex. As his owner you are his legal guardian. So, it's only fair you understand what to expect."
Alex looked around the room, before speaking up. "Alright," he nodded. "Everyone, would you all please go upstairs or outside?" It was only for a few seconds that everyone hesitated before abiding what was asked. The three of us all marched upstairs while the WPA pokemon took our spots. Midway up the stairs, Hesh grabbed onto my shoulder.
"Shh, I wanna hear what this is about, and I'm sure you do too. We should be able to hear from here if we're quiet."
I nodded in agreement. I planned to eavesdrop in the first place, but I was going to put my ear to a vent that leaked sound from below. Hesh, Ebony, and I all waited on the stairs, out of everyone's sight.
Gray stood out into our view and looked directly at us. All three of us stared at the absol, before he turned from us.
"They're upstairs, so we can begin." Without even acknowledging us Gray walked back into the dining room.
"Alright, we can begin, Mr Hayter," the faint broadcast of the gardevoir started.
"So what's so important about Black that we have to discuss his future?" Alex inquired.
"Our informants have confirmed some of his recent whereabouts, but where he is now is unknown. Unfortunately, Black has taken an unexpected route."
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine, as far as we know," Ada confirmed. "But from here on out you are going to have to turn him in if you come in contact with hi-"
"Excuse me?" Alex's tone snapped.
"Of his own free will, Black has joined Team Genesis."
"That's a lie." Alex's chair creaked as he stood. "Why would Black do that, how do you even know this, do you realize how much they've messed him up?!" Alex's voice boomed across the condo. "I watched my umbreon break down into tears from the horrors of them committing mass murder. Are you telling me that he found some motive to view them as something he'd want to be a part of?" Alex voice brimmed with anger.
"I'm afraid you are wrong about this, Mr Hayter," Ada continued. "Are you aware that your umbreon was involved in a recent terrorist attack? Six people died, many more were injured, and we have video evidence of him on the-"
"It wasn't him!" An echo sounded through the house from Alex's hand banging against the wall or table. "Maybe it was another shiny umbreon, or maybe a zoroark or something. Black is harmless, he may be a bit moody at times but he wouldn't hurt anyone! The fact that you even suspect him of such a thing is ludicrous."
"Whether you believe us or not, he's a wanted fugitive. He's a danger to society and has to take responsibility. Six people were murdered, mostly everyone on the case points at him and the others on the scene. These cases aren't taken lightly."
"And what if you do find him? Going to take him away, abuse him for something he didn't do?"
"No-" Ada was quickly cut off by a much colder voice.
"We'll simply kill him on the spot." Silence followed the cold words of Dawn.
Hearing her talk like that, I wasn't going to listen to a single word of it. I slipped through the support beams of the railing and jumped down into the hall leading to the kitchen. No one noticed the quick steps of my light feet. Smoke fumed from my nostrils. Heat burned from within my chest. My vision went straight at the scarred absol.
"Do you get some kind of joy from tearing apart families?" My voice growled. Everyone turned towards me, but Ada didn't translate to Alex what I said. "It's like some game to you, isn't it?"
Dawn barely even glanced at me, before turning back to Alex. Alex stared puzzled at the absol, not once did he ever look at me for intruding.
"You just talked…" Alex uttered. "Or did I just-"
"Yes, I talk," Dawn said in her monotone voice.
"H-How?!"
"It doesn't concern you, human." Dawn turned towards the door and didn't even look at me for a second. "It seems you're unwilling to cooperate. Here I thought you would be more informative. Regardless, I already got what I wanted to know."
"You didn't just come across Kalos for that, did you?" Alex questioned. Dawn didn't even answer as she walked to the door.
"I wish you and your pokemon the best of luck," the gardevoir bowed as she followed Dawn. Gray and Tyson both remained behind.
"You all go on ahead, I was promised a bit of time with them," Gray said to the leaving pokemon.
"As will I, not like I got anything better to do," Tyson shrugged.
"Do as you will," Ada said. "Be sure to meet us by tomorrow morning."
"Will do," Gray nodded. Dawn and Ada both departed from our home, leaving us in our thoughts.
The burning flame in my chest never left. A thick smoke left with each long exhale I let out. I couldn't catch my breath, that absol actually did that! Again she was fucking up my life! Even if Black did possibly mess things up I still didn't want him dead. Dawn had no right, I'd kill her long before I let her touch anyone I cherished.
"I'm going after he-"
"No!" Tyson's voice snapped. Regardless, I attempted to rush past him. Within three steps Gray tackled into me, pinning me with his paw.
"Just leave her Flare…" Gray's empty voice spoke.
"How can you let her do this?!"
"I'm trying to figure it out, okay!" Gray rose his voice. "I know Black wouldn't do that, but you can't just oppose all of WPA like that. And if you try going against Dawn you'll end up dead."
"Screw this." I bit down on Gray's paw, forcing it to withdraw. His weight lifted off me and I darted to the other side of the house. With a strong leap, I lunged up into the air and hooked my paw on the door handle. My weight forced it down and the door pulled open, revealing a small exit. I slipped through. Outside I was met with a bitter cold. The heat burning inside me kept me warm as I charged through the snow covered ground. Still in sight of the house was The White Reaper.
"Reaper!" I called out to the absol. Her pace stopped and Ada looked back. Her palm pressed against her face, but Dawn didn't bother to look back. "Hey, I'm talking to you," I snarled at her. Following me outside was everyone else in the house, but none dared to stand by my side. Dawn still ignored me.
"Fine, don't look. I find you repulsing to stare at anyway's". Dawn's head flinched a bit from the comment. I sneered as I realized that the comment bothered her. "What, didn't like tha-"
My ears rose at the sound of a crackle, before the air in front of me lit up with a tornado of lightning. Electricity splashed everywhere, stinging my nerves as it whirled inches from me. The air heated with its fury, hissing along with the crackles. A cry escaped me as I fell back in shock, shaking.
"One more comment and you're dead." Dawn's words bit into me. I couldn't tell if I was more shaken by the threat or the sudden attack that came from nowhere. Suddenly, a gloved hand went over my snout, muffling out my words. I soon realized that the cold hands touching me belonged to Tyson.
The croagunk whispered. "Don't say anything you're going to regret. You're making a big mistake."
I fought against his grip, before my maw broke free. "I refuse," I spat out, before kicking myself away from him. I got back to my feet as I walked to Dawn. The absol turned towards me at last. Her cold eyes met my own as I stopped with an arm's length between us.
"I want to take this somewhere private."
"Flare, just stop!" Gray yelled at me. The force of gray's paw crushed against me, pushing me to the cold ground. My skin scraped against it on the fall, leaving burns on my side. Gray's paw pressed hard against me. I kicked and squirmed, even clawed at him, but the absol kept his paw firmly on my side. Had it been anyone else, they'd be up in flames right now.
"Please forgive my friend." Gray's head lowered in a bow to Dawn. "Recently he lost a friend close to him, so he's not quite himself recently. He's harmless, I assure you."
"Like hell I'm harmless!" I pulled on the ground, leaving streaks from my claws. Gray's paw moved up to my head and pushed it flat against the ground.
"Very well," Dawn said with no emotion. "Behave in the future, fennekin. I wouldn't want to have to go back on my word." I watched as Dawn's feet walked away. My jaw snapped down from the sight. I couldn't let her leave, not without talking to her. A few seconds passed before Gray released me. Both Gray and Tyson exhaled a sigh.
"Man, that was close," Tyson shuddered. "You're really a glutton for punishment, you know that, kid?"
I pulled myself up from the ground and shook any loose dirt off. "Don't call me kid," I muttered. "And why'd you two stop me? I had my reasons for-"
"Because, you're an idiot," Gray interjected. "If we let you continue how you were, you'd be dead." A wind whipped through the air as I absorbed his statement.
"Is everyone okay?" Alex called out. The three of us turned back towards Alex and the others. All three had a startled look to them. It made sense, whatever that attack Dawn used, it was terrifying. I nodded at Alex.
"So, why tag along with her if you know Black is innocent?" I glanced back at Gray who had pulled back from us.
A sigh came from the absol as he pulled his eyes away. "It's complicated. WPA has more than enough evidence to hold Black accountable for taking part in that event. I don't understand these events myself, and I'm wanting to unravel the hidden truth." Gray walked towards the others. "I don't believe Black would do that. None of it makes sense. So if there is a chance he's innocent, I plan to do everything I can to make sure the right thing is done. After all, I did give him a lot of trouble in the past, so, I owe him it."
Gray didn't stop walking until he reached Alex, Ebony and Hesh. "Is everything alright?" Alex asked as he crouched down and gave Gray a pat on the back. Gray gave Alex a nod.
Hesh crossed his arms with an accusing glare directed at Gray. "So, did you all really come here just to tell Alex that Black is a wanted criminal?"
Gray shook his head. "I wasn't allowed to say anything at the time, but Dawn was scanning through the memories in your heads." Tyson and I both joined in by Gray's side.
"Wait, Dawn? I thought the gardevoir was Ada."
"No, she is Ada, Dawn is the other absol. You may have noticed, but she's…" Gray stopped to think of the appropriate word. "She's different."
"No kidding," Hesh nervously laughed. "I mean, Alex claimed to hear her talking. So, the freak talks to humans too? Which Legendary did she have to screw to get that po-"
"Don't," Tyson sighed. "Dawn may seem detached from things, but it's not without good reason. It's for the best if you don't insult her for being different."
Tyson shot a dark glare at me, "And Flare, don't ever insult her like that again. She's been through a lot, and she is actually not so secure about her body because of it. You'll regret making her angry. She doesn't have a good history of dealing with insults about her appearance."
"She owed me that one," I snorted. "And you know why."
Ebony's head turned to the side, "Flare do you know Dawn? You seem very angry."
"Oh it's nothing," Tyson laughed. "Flare and her just got in an argument once in the past, heh heh." The croagunk's elbow jabbed into me. I cringed at the hit but just smiled from the lie.
"Yeah, it's a long story from back when we were in Shalour. I'll explain later, I'm not in the mood for talking about it."
"Anyhoo, Flare," Tyson pinched my ear and pulled me toward him. Both of my eyes closed as my face muscles tensed from the discomfort. "I'ma treat you to lunch. Gray, why don't you stay and catch up with your friends. I need to discuss things with Flare, it's mostly from when we met in Shalour."
Everyone casted a suspicious stare at us. Of course this seemed fishy, this was a pokemon no one knew I met.
"Okay, I guess." Gray shrugged.
"Great, see ya later." Tyson's arm wrapped around my neck as he forced me along with him. In some eyes it may have looked playful, but I knew this wasn't good. It wasn't until we were long out of sight and on the next street the Tyson released me. I stretched out my neck, but a crushing force hit my nose. I hit the ground and rolled along it. Blood dripped from my nose as a firm foot went against my neck.
"You fucking idiot!" Tyson yelled. "Do you have any idea how freaking hard you are making it to help keep your stupid little past a secret? It's ridiculous! You couldn't just be calm; you couldn't wait to talk to me in private? Instead, you do that shit show!" The force on my neck increased as I felt my air pipe being blocked. I struggled for air as Tyson looked down on me. "You wanna know about your sister, or are you just more interested in making a scene?"
I pushed on his foot with my paws, but he didn't budge. I struggled to breathe, only able to suck in the oxygen as if it was through a thin straw.
"Now, we're going to have a talk, and you're going to shut up and listen. You're an adult last I checked. That means you're ready for your big boy pants and big consequences." Tyson's foot lifted off me, and I breathed in. The croagunk waited as I continued to pant for air.
"First things first, I got an answer from Dawn about your sister."
Even with no breath, I forced myself to speak. "You did?!" My head lifted off of the ground.
Tyson nodded with a grin forming. "Mhmm, I did. Your big sis, she's still around."
The burning in my chest calmed, every worry just faded. After all these years I knew Annie was alive, I just knew it. Now I knew I still had my sister. I wasn't alone in this world, I just had to get to her, somehow. I opened my mouth to speak, fighting over the lump blocking my throat. "W-Where is she?"
Tyson rose up his index finger "No, no, no, kid. Your sis, she made a deal with us. In exchange for this life you have, you're not supposed to ever be in contact with her. Hell, you're not even supposed to know she's alive. So it doesn't matter where she is right now, she's not here in Lumiose, nor is she anywhere you'll find her. I promised you I'd figure out if she was alive, not reunite you two. Now, I did what I said I would, so we're done here. Hopefully this brings you some peace of mind, see ya kid." Tyson spun in the opposite direction and gave a wave with his hand.
"We're far from done!" I called out as I sprinted in front of him and blocked his way. "Tell me where she is. You have no idea what it's like to be torn from your only sibling."
Tyson's arms crossed as he just gave me a long stare. It wasn't until a few silent seconds passed that he said something. "Sorry kid, I ain't got anything for you. I'll get in trouble with Dawn for telling you, and Dawn isn't someone I prefer to upset. She's pretty high up in WPA and could have me working night shift in the ghetto part of Lumiose until I croak. So, I got my own ass to watch out for." Tyson shoved his way past me, nearly knocking me over.
As I regained my balance I looked at the croagunk. "Fine, then take me to Dawn. I'll ask her myself." Tyson stopped in his tracks.
"That's stupid. You really want to make Dawn change her mind on her sticking her neck out for you?" Tyson turned back towards me.
That's what he called it, 'sticking her neck out for me?' My paw pressed harder against the cement ground. "Sticking her neck out for me? That's complete crap and you know it. How does taking me from my family fix anything, all it's done is make my life harder for me."
"Back off, kid. As I said, Dawn isn't someone you want to talk to about this. Now, be a good little fox and high tail it back home. You're starting to run my patience dry."
'Patience' I thought to myself as I let out a bitter laugh. "You're out of patience now, are you?" I walked towards the croagunk. When just inches from him, I began speaking, becoming more enraged with each word. "I've been patient my whole life on waiting for a chance to figure out where the fucking Hell my sister is! Now, take me to Dawn before I make you!"
Tyson snorted, "That a threat?"
"It's a promise if you don't do as I asked."
Tyson removed the gloves from his hands, before popping the joints in his fingers. "You know that's too bad. You had it pretty good here. Sadly, I can't ignore your hostility. Consider our deal null and void from here, so pat yourself on the back, kiddo." Tyson rose up both of his hands into a fighting stance, his fingers opened up instead of closed. I lowered to the ground, snarling as stray sparks escaped between my teeth. "So, just curious how educated you are on the poison of a croagunk?" Tyson sneered at me. "Let me tell you a secret. My fingers carry quite a nasty touch. While in lower doses it acts as a tranquilizer, in higher doses it'll shut down your body. So, don't make me hit you around too much, you might die. In other words, don't piss me off any further."
"You think you scare me?" I muttered below my breath. Tyson charged at me, his fist cocked back. I got low to the ground to jump left, but before I could even process it his foot slammed into my cheekbone. I flew back into the air until my body was torn up against the rough ground. I groaned as I crawled back up and flexed my jaw to relieve the numbness.
"While my feet aren't poisonous, a good ol' kick to the face always knocks the wind outta losers like you. I can see how you only made it past the second gym, you couldn't even see a fake attack like that."
"Just shut up," I growled as inhaled a deep breath.
"Bad idea kid," Tyson inhaled a deep breath as well.
Simultaneously, we shot our own attacks. A haze of mist shot out from him and my fire bomb went through it, before it combusted into an explosion. A wave of force launched me into the air as I inhaled the noxious fumes. Halfway to the ground, something stabbed into me and accelerated my fall to the ground. A yell came from me as the sharp pain pressed me down. The fumes surrounding me cleared, revealing Tyson with his hand stuck in below my ribs.
"Game over," He grinned, before yanking his hand from me. "I estimate the poison will take its effect on you in less than a minute."
I rolled to my stomach and began pushing up. My muscles fought against me as a growing numbness started to spread from below my ribs.
"It's potent. So yeah, you'll live if you stop there, but keep trying and you'll see an early grave."
"Just shut up already." I struggled to breathe, and it almost felt like I was half suffocating. My legs gave out as I lost control of my muscles. My heart that had been pounding from the adrenaline of the fight had become too faint to notice. All I could hear were the slow thumps of my heart, each slower than the last.
"Was it worth it?" Tyson kneeled down in front of me. "Like I said earlier, you had it good. Family, friends, a roof over your head. A pokemon like you shouldn't have been given a second chance. You just threw it away, and you're still just that same problem child. Dawn always had a soft spot for children, but you're an adult now, so you can take the adult consequences as well." My eyes fought to stay open as they came in and out of focus. "It's not something we like doing, it's a shitty side of the job. Putting down screw ups like you that is. Of course, it's not quite my job to put you down, that's up to WPA. They'll learn you're Ex-Flare, and I'll have to report your violent nature. After, you'll be sentenced to a punishment. But hey, you'll get to see Dawn now. Maybe she'll answer your questions out of pity. I wouldn't count on it though."
Everything faded to black when Tyson finished his speech.
Point of View Black
How many days have passed since we left, one, two? No, if I had to guess I'd say around four. Things haven't exactly been fast since our arrival at Anistar city. I'd even say things were duller than I ever anticipated.
A grayish tone lingered over the city of Anistar. Few beams of light escaped the cracks of the clouds, shining between the tall structures. Buildings reached out, some almost seeming to dwarf the snowy mountains from afar. With an exhale of my breath, a foggy mist came out. Just the sight of my own breath made things feel much colder. The Imprint of my paws in the snow followed me down the brick streets as I stared around. Despite Anistar being close to home, I never actually did get a chance to ever visit. It was a shame. My family might have enjoyed such a place, but we avoided civilization. Mom never did like us going near humans. Said we'd get captured by a whack job human. (Too late, Mom.)
Many of the buildings shared the same architecture, most lacking any roundness. All roofing matched with their grid-like tops. Withering trees bordered the streets, most of which were young. Following along some houses, or even out on the window sill were the remains of flowers killed off by the season. Tapping steps, chatter, the sound of human children laughing down the street, it all filled the city.
To the left I looked off to a massive dome building with golden rings travelling over it. The sun's rays reflected off the rings, making a bright glare of light. From the logo on the building, I knew what this place was, the seventh gym. Somewhere my friends and I never reached. The sight brought a frown to me. I could see us all fighting alongside each other to claim another badge for Alex. Flare, Kana, Ebony, Gray, even that annoying pikachu, Hesh. It would have been a long time from now, but the journey would have been fun, if things could have been normal.
I pried my vision from the structure and headed down the street. I weaved between and under the legs of humans. Most moved out of the way, some cursed as I tripped them, and a teenager lost herself at how cute I was... I cut between two buildings, separating myself from the noisy environment. Halfway down, I came to a steel door. My paw rose, and I gave four knocks at it. Silence followed before a voice spoke up.
"We're closed, come back anoth-"
I cut the voice off, "It's me, Rhy-Rei, let me in." No response came, only the click of the door followed by the sound of heavy metal scraping over the ground. I followed in, not looking back once. When in the door was sealed. Inside the air was dusty, and lit by candles dripping wet with wax. Shadows flickered all over the room. Two eyes that could be mistaken as red or orange pierced into me from the shadows. The hint of a skeleton emerged. A lizard stepped out, one with a long bone strapped to his back.
"So you're back, I see." The marowak said. Despite the lack of visibility of his face, I could still see the smirk. "How's Anistar, enjoy anything good today?"
"No." I shook my head before I collapsed down on a rug. Dust particles flew up into the air. Immediately I sneezed and groaned before glaring up at the fake marowak. "How long do we have to stay here. I thought you said my Dad was here?"
"Relax, it's only been three days." Rei leaned onto a shelf of books. The wood creaked behind him as a clump of dust fell beside him. "And for your dad, he'll be in Anistar soon as I said. Probably tomorrow if things go well."
"Because your informant said that?" I scowled.
"Yes, because my informant said that." Rhys shifted his helmet. "Zack moves around a lot. Most of the leaders of WPA do, he'll be coming here fairly soon. I trust my informant.
"So I have to sleep in this dungeon all night again, don't I?"
"Well, you're more than welcome to stay out at night. I wouldn't hold it against you for embracing your nature as an umbreon."
"Then I'll have to sleep here during the day, or stay up tired."
"It's just one more night, Ryder. After that, we'll be safe if WPA assists us."
"Except my dad probably hates anyone who is involved with Genesis," I retorted.
"Right now, Zack and I both may be enemies, but we both share a common enemy that is a greater threat to this world. He'll come around. Besides, I've taken on the persona of Rei because he won't ever know the real me. Not until all this is over."
I stretched out my body before closing my eyes half asleep. "Who knows what he'll do… I barely know him," I said, yawning at the end. Rhys didn't say anything after. Instead, I heard him pulling a book off the shelf. It wasn't long before I fell into a light sleep.
Point of View Flare
"Wake up," Ice cold water splashed onto me. Shivers ran through me as I tried to stand, but something held my neck to the cold floor. I pushed as hard as I could. Someone was behind me, but I couldn't look back due to being pinned to the ground. A set of white paws walked into my views along the cement floor. Stopping directly in front of me, and when I looked up it was her. Glaring down at me, like I'm some goddamn pitiful display. Her red eyes stood out in the darkness of the empty room, almost too the point of being harrowing. 'Dawn, the White Reaper,' the thought terrified me. The fact that Dawn continued looking down at me didn't help, and after a minute, it began to infuriate me.
"What?" I asked. Silence followed, before I blew up. "Why are you looking at me like that!?" My voice echoed in the room, and made me realize how loud I actually was.
A few seconds passed before Dawn finally pried her eyes from me and spoke. "I'm unsure of what I'm looking at," her voice answered with no emotion. She walked around me, inspecting me. "You harbor hatred towards me. You're not the first, and far from the last."
'I bet,' I muttered within my own mind.
"So, you wanted to talk, so talk." Dawn's foot pressed against the back of my neck, but the device around my neck released. The metal collar binding me clacked as it fell to the ground. I sprang to my feet and backed as far from her as I could. Half of me was ready to fight, the other half was just wanting to talk if possible. "He told me you were demanding the whereabouts of your sister. Annie, was it?"
I nodded my head once as I inched closer.
"Well, as my colleague told you, she's well, or was."
"W-was, what do you mean?!" My heart started to race as my breath was already running thin.
Dawn sighed. "Your sister has gone missing. She's presumed dead." Dawn stated bluntly.
'Dead…' the thought played in my head. The room suddenly felt much more silent. All I could hear were those repeating words 'Dead.' It couldn't be possible, after all this time she's alive and she's just dead before I get to her... No, I couldn't accept it, she's alive, it's the only possible outcome.
"You better start talking," I growled, trying to show no weakness.
"Alright," Dawn said. Her voice still lacked any sign of pity or remorse, it just held no emotion, like she was empty. "After you were separated from your sister, you were put in a pokemon adoption program. From there your trainer took you in and gave you a new home. WPA was ready to execute her, but I saw potential in her and the zoroark. So, I documented that she was executed by my hands along with the zoroark. After, I enlisted her onto a special team I've formed, consisting of pokemon I see potential in. Most pokemon working secretly under me doing dangerous jobs. Some I asked to join, few I forced like your sister. The braixen was happy to abide by my will, so long as we left you alone. That was our agreement. A second chance for all three of you, and even what could have been a happy life.
"Since then she worked as a spy in one of Genesis's main bases as a counselor for the specimens. From what my other informant told me, she has been under immense stress. How they said it, she was having breakdowns at least twice a week. This led to her making mistake after mistake. In the end, she made too many phone calls, said too many things she shouldn't have, and Genesis caught on. One day, she went black. I haven't heard from her, she could have abandoned her job, or been caught and killed. The thing that I find most intriguing is that the zoroark, Zylen, disappeared at the same time. His job was to be a spy amongst the mercenaries, but he abandoned everything at the same time. I don't know what their fate was. Whether they abandoned their lives or not was their choice. I won't chase them, but there was one understanding that we did have." Dawn paused for a moment. "If I see her again she'll be dead where she stands," Dawn's words left the room silent.
I stood, not saying a word as I took everything in. Dawn forced my sister into this. She drove my sister insane with stress, then acts like she isn't even a person. I couldn't even begin to understand why she'd kill her. Annie was a good person, she deserved none of this.
"You really are a monster," I growled. "So you destroyed my sister's life, now you're going to end mine here. Or maybe I'll become your slave, is that why I'm here?"
"I have yet to reach a verdict."
"Don't expect me to do a damn thing for you. I'll run. I'll tell everyone what you're doing, you're not promoting world peace you're exploiting pokemon!"
A dry laugh escaped Dawn. My face twitched in anger. "Exploiting? You're probably very right, I can see it," Dawn gave one nod of her head. "I've done terrible things in my life, exploiting others wouldn't be below me."
I snapped at her, "And you're proud of it? Your outside really reflects who you are."
Dawn's eyes narrowed in on me, both pupils filled with blood. "I'll give you a single warning. Mock my appearance and it's over."
"Make lightly of my sister and you're dead," I muttered.
Dawn took a step at me. Her claws tore through the cement ground. "Threatening me? I'll enlighten you on somethi-" before Dawn even finished I was thrown across the room by an invisible force. My back slammed into the wall, cracking the surface beneath me. Before I even fell I was thrusted up into the ceiling and forced to the ground right after. I couldn't breathe at first. Couldn't even groan or cry. My eyes remained wide open as my muscles throbbed and my body refused to move.
"The name White Reaper wasn't given for the fun of it. I've killed a lot of pokemon. Lost count years ago, can't even begin to account for them. A fruitless fennekin like you who hasn't even evolved, it's like stepping on a joltik and watching its blood and guts come out. Almost satisfying, really."
"You're insane," was all I managed in my winded breath. Dawn didn't reply, she only kept her eyes on me.
I didn't bother to stand. It wasn't a joke, she was strong. Somehow, she had the power to throw me across the room like a ragdoll. If that was her warning attack… I didn't even torture myself with the thought of a real fight.
"Sorry." Dawn said. "I thought you could be happy, that's why I did what I did. I thought you could maybe live a normal life. I see now that I was wrong. A troublesome childhood really does impact one's life."
My head rose as I yelled at her, "I was fine until you came along!"
"I have no further words to speak with you, fennekin. You'll be dealt with tomorrow. You know too much, that's why the croagunk kept his silence. Knowledge can be power, but with power comes those who'll silence it. You're an adult now, this is what you chose."
Dawn walked towards the door of the room. A purple energy emitted from the stone on her head before the door resonated with the same energy. The door flung open and she walked out, only for it to close behind her right after.
With my aching muscles, I pulled myself from the ground. "Dammit!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I charged at the door. With all my energy, I slammed my side into it. The door didn't budge an inch and instead brought the pain back to my body. I let out a yell of anger, but the pain almost felt relieving. Again, I slammed into it, this time adding fire to myself. Over and over I kept at it, I couldn't stop until I was on the floor panting, and my shoulder felt broken. Tears weighed down my eyes, before flowing out, drenching the fur below my eyes.
"I'll kill you!" I yelled out before breaking into sobs.
For a while, I remained at the foot of the door. I lost. If life was a game, I just lost in the worst way possible. I was going to die tomorrow, I was trapped and Dawn promised death. No one knew where I was, and I just threatened to kill my reaper. The thought of it all ending was unimaginable to me. Was this how Kana felt? A strong feeling of hopelessness, almost trapped? Only now I could clearly picture her dying hours. I understood the terror she probably felt that night as she was hunted down by the monsters of Genesis. Only difference, I was being killed by the monsters of WPA. Not only that, no one would know what happened to me. Like Kana, I was going to disappear off the face of the planet. I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't ready to hurt my friends either. I had to get out of here.
"I'm not dying to you," I told myself as I struggled to move. "I'm not dying to you" I cried out as I forced myself to stand. My muscles ached, but I didn't care. "I refuse to let you win!" Instead of the door, I looked at the first spot Dawn had thrown me. The wall was cracked, and if I tried it could be possible… It would hurt to force my way through it, but I wouldn't stop until every bone in me was dust.
I yelled out a battle cry as I flew into the wall. Adrenaline started to pump through my veins, numbing the pain. I panted after each strike, and stumbled around before going again.
"I'm going to find Annie!" I proclaimed. "I'm going to find Zylen too! They're both alive. After, we're exposing you!"
A rush like nothing I ever felt went through me. My body burned with a heat I've never felt. My blood boiled and my vision blurred. The numbness in my shoulder faded, my body felt light, but at the same time like it was coming apart. I stopped my assault as the feeling overwhelmed me.
"Am I?" I looked down to my forepaw to see myself radiating in a white flame. For a second time stopped, before the flame absorbed into me. All at once it felt like I was expanding out and going to explode. I fell to the ground, numb, but reinvigorated. For a moment, I blacked out but came too just as fast as it happened. When I awoke on the floor, I saw my extended arm laid out in front of me. Still slender, but longer, like a human almost. With aching muscles, I looked towards the rest of my sprawled out body. Everything was different, I was no longer myself… I evolved.
"How?" I uttered in bewilderment. "I was told I couldn't." I thought back to the events of that day. When I was stabbed in the neck with the everstone. They told me I wouldn't evolve, that chunks lodged in me stayed long enough to alter me, permanently. They were scientists, so how could they be wrong?
I attempted to move my legs, but realized they were different. With my new hands, I placed my palms against the floor. Just feeling the cement against my new digits felt bizarre. Trying to mimic how humans stood, I tried pushing myself up with my legs, but quickly fell to the floor.
"Crap," I muttered. I tried again but fell with no progress. Many times I attempted to stand, but made little progress each time. On my ninth try, I finally managed to stand. I wobbled back and forth like I was intoxicated, but I had it. My triumph only lasted a few seconds before I landed on my rear.
"So…" I began as I looked at my hand. "I evolved and I'm going to die tomorrow?" I questioned, but chuckled to myself. "I already said I wouldn't. Dawn, I won't lose to you." With determination I stood, doubling all my previous speeds.
What I imagined was all day I practiced moving with my new body. First, I mastered walking. Next jumping. Couldn't leave out learning evasive moves again either. By the time I was exhausted I felt more comfortable in my new body. I could manage almost the basic movements of my old body.
A sneer formed as I looked at the cracks on the wall. "Now, let's see what this did for my flames." I was about to release them straight from my mouth, but I remembered Annie's techniques. She always used her stick. I still remembered back to her explanations, she used the energy in her hands to channel it to her stick. The stick just helped guide it. I didn't have one though.
"Right," I nodded to myself, raising my hand up. With a thrust of my arm sparks came out, but nothing to be proud of. It was almost as if I was learning to breathe fire all over again.
More practice time passed. It was much faster than when I was in my youth. For a matter of fact, I excelled years within hours. A pillar of flames came from my palm, blasting straight into the crack in the wall. The cement reddened after a minute of effort and I charged right at it. With everything I had I slammed into it. The wall gave in and collapsed as I fell straight through.
I groaned as I looked up, realizing that I was in a hall. I shifted myself over and looked around. Outside my confinement, this place seemed quite normal. Halls were lit well, tiled floor. No sounds came, so maybe I was alone? Using my uninjured arm, I got myself up. I inched my way down the hall in an attempt to be quiet.
Many rooms branched off from my path. Most of the rooms were filled with file cabinets, computers, maps, storage. It felt as if I was in some secret CIA base, or the lair of cyber terrorist's. Only at one point did I encounter someone through the window of a door. It was a quagsire sorting through a pile of paper on his desk. He sipped at his coffee while a radio played in the background. When he went in for his coffee, I ducked below the window and moved. From there it only took a minute before I found a set of stairs leading up.
'An exit?' I thought as I tried out the stairs with my new legs. Even with the practice I had it was awkward. I found myself mostly depending on the railing to pull me along. When at the top, I began fumbling with a latch. First attempt at fingers wasn't easy, kinda hard to grip things. Most difficulty came in controlling the individual digits. When I finally did get it, I pulled it down and pushed the two steel doors open. The crisp night air rushed in, chilling me. I pulled myself out from the lair.
Outside I was still in Lumiose. Just in a location I didn't recognize. I walked around an abandoned commercial building I was outside of. Soon, I realized I was in the ghetto part of Lumiose. Never once have I wandered here at night, but once or twice I came through with Alex just to do a really quick errand. Now here I was, a newly evolved braixen in unknown territory.
"Best to get home," I told myself as I started running from the base. I ran for as long as I could, often times tripping on my new legs. Four times I fell flat on my face. When I was sure I was alone I stopped on an empty street. My hands slid down to my knees as I panted. When I stopped, I had a chance to realize something I neglected.
"I can't go home…" I said aloud. "Dawn knows I'm a liability to her… If she finds out I told them, she could kill them." I fell to my hands and knees from the thought. I was alone, I couldn't go back. I was a danger to my family.
"Why is this happening?" I asked. "I should have just shut up when I could." I punched the ground, finding that the pain helped numb my emotional agony. "Crap. Crap. Crap. Alex, Ebony, Hesh, I can't come back, I'm sorry. I can't even let you guys know why."
"I'm dead to them… I'm just like Kana. I'm going to disappear from them. I really am sorry." A tear fell from my eye as I stood. It was freezing out and the wetness against my eyes burned from it. "I need to find somewhere to go," I told myself. For now, I just needed to take my mind off things. Shelter had to come first, I was going to freeze tonight if I didn't act fast.
"Arceus… please help me."
Chapter End
Author Note: Not much to say here, other than I hope the chapter was enjoyable. Had a lot of fun writing it, but I was honestly surprised I got it done this week. Been crazy busy with a tournament thing my school has for seniors.
Especial gracias a genericgamer207... Mi el espanol es malo...