I have returned! Between dealing with school, getting drawn into Pokémon Sword, and preparing for Christmas, I've barely had time to write. So, before I celebrate Christmas with my family, I hammered out a chapter for all of you. When I get back, I'll have another one for you. Enjoy!
Eve and Kevin slowly approaches, glancing between me and the still-paralyzed Joshua. He's still shaken from the effects of my curse, but at least he's still human. I, on the other hand, find it difficult to stand; I'm still drained from casting the curse, but I manage to stand up straighter.
"What happened? We heard someone speaking telepathically, but couldn't understand what was being said…" she asks me; I note she speaks aloud, but has a ribbon tied around Kevin's ankle. She reaches her other ribbon out to me, but I bat it away. Instead, I continue to stare at Joshua and whisper to her, "I'll tell you later."
Then, I broadcast telepathically, but directed at the kneeling trainer before me, "Now, tell me where Nana is. The arcanine you saw with me, and stole away." He hesitates, and I add menacingly, "I can always make it worse, you know…" It was a bluff, though; the rush of power I used to cast the curse had long since dissipated, but it managed to get him talking.
"I-I already told you! When I tried to register her for a gym battle nearby, her past record came up, and I almost went to jail for it. They agreed to release me, but on the condition that I give up the arcanine to their custody. That was less than a week ago; she should still be there, if they haven't put her down yet." He pauses, out of breath, but before I can say anything, Kevin speaks up.
"You keep saying they'll put the Pokémon down. Why? What sort of crime did she commit that would warrant such a punishment?" he asks curiously, genuinely confused.
"They…didn't tell me directly," Joshua replies. "But I overheard a rumor that she killed her trainer and his Pokémon, then ran away. She's been on the run ever since…"
I notice Eve and Kevin recoil in the corner of my eye, but I stand firm. I'm not surprised by this revelation, as Nana already told me herself, but hearing it said so blatantly makes me cringe slightly. Unfortunately, Eve notices this, and gasps.
"You knew?" she asks me breathlessly, too stunned to look away. I, however, don't meet her eyes, too afraid to see disappointment or hurt in her eyes.
"Yes," I reply, but only so she can hear. "From what she told me as a kit, her trainer forced her to evolve after promising her not to. In her anger…she incinerated him, Pokéballs and all. That is why she swore never to trust humans, and why she taught me the same."
No one speaks for a moment, before Kevin curses under his breath. Curious, I turn to see Eve staring intently at him, as if holding a very fierce mental conversation with him. Then, she looks away and he speaks up. "In light of this new evidence…I'm afraid I can no longer lend you my support, Sol." I kind of figured he would back out when the truth came out, but what he said next threw me for a loop: "I also advise against continuing your journey, as it will only end badly."
I recoil slightly, unable to hide the hurt in my eyes. Give up on saving Nana? I think to myself, anger slowly building. That's unacceptable!
Turning on my hindpaws, I sprint into the trees. I hear Eve cry out my name, but I ignore it this time. She's got her 'Master' after all; I doubt she really needs me. Besides, if they won't help me save Nana, I'll do it myself!
Despite my anger, I didn't get far; I am still exhausted from casting the curse and from the battle earlier. Without warning, my legs give out, and I fall sprawling to the dirt floor. Too tired to get up, I just lay there, softly crying. Both Nana and the mountains seem farther away than they were before, and any hope I had is long gone.
Suddenly, I hear a twig snap behind me, and I lift my head slightly to take their scent, just as Nana and Eve taught me. Recognizing it, I blink away my tears and look over my shoulder to see Eve approaching.
"What do you want?" I growl at her. "Come to take me back to your master? Or stop me from running off somewhere?"
"Neither," she replies, unperturbed. "Kevin has his hands full with Joshua; whatever you did to him made him as meek as a pup. I'm here for you."
I look away, dejected. "Why bother? I deceived you; I could be just as bad as Nana…"
"I highly doubt it," she insists. "You showed great restraint against Joshua, and I still trust you enough to hold back against me. It did hurt that you withheld information from me, but I'm sure you had your reasons." She pauses, then continues. "Look, the reason Kevin said what he did wasn't because he didn't want to help; he literally couldn't. The Ranger Union would look down on someone who helps free a wanted criminal, human or Pokémon. However…"
She pulls out a keycard from behind the bow around her neck. "I may not be associated with him, but I still have my own access to various systems; if you can hide us from the cameras. I can get us in to see her."
I stumble to a sitting position, looking at her stunned. "Won't he get in trouble anyway?"
She shook her head, replying, "I'm a free Pokémon now, remember? Even if we get caught, he can simply deny responsibility for me. Hopefully, we won't get caught." She pauses, then asks, "I do have one question, though. Did she regret what she did? Your Nana, I mean."
I think hard, trying to recall the story, then reply, "I'm…not sure. She mentioned feeling sorry for the Pokémon trapped in his Pokéballs, but nothing about the trainer himself…"
She doesn't respond but puts the card back. "Well, the station she's probably being held at is about a day's walk from here; we should get a head start now."
Fighting back against my exhaustion, I manage to stand up, hope fluttering in my ember again. However, my legs almost buckle; I'm clearly at my limit. Eve holds me up with one ribbon and produces a sitrus berry with the other. "Look," she consoles me. "I know you're tired, so we'll rest through the day and reach it by nightfall. Besides…" She touches her bow again. "I've got a little task for you before we see her."
I just look at her questioningly but nod regardless. Chewing on the berry, I felt some energy return, enough to keep me going. Eve walks in front, setting the pace and direction, and we head deeper into the forest. All the while, I imagine breaking Nana out of her imprisonment and being with her again.
Next chapter will be a big one, so I hope you can wait for it. Merry Christmas, everyone! And may your Ember never fade!
