Hey.

Took quite a long time, but here it is, chapter 11. Sorry for the wait.
Anyway, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.


Chapter 11: Reunion

Lurio hardly believed it. He shook his head several times to see if it was a dream. It was real.

"I can't believe it." he was in shock.

His heart was pounding, as if it was going to pop out of his chest any second. After all these years, she was finally here. He had so many questions to ask, about her, her father, everything that had happened before he was born, who he was supposed to be.

"You're okay?" Galern asked worriedly.

"It's... alright. I... I just need to breath..."

He tried to focus, but it seemed impossible.

"I'm sorry... I..."

"Why should you? Take your time to process, I know it's a huge shock for you. I'm sorry I didn't realize earlier. That was foolish of me."

"You don't have to be." Lurio said while wiping a tear from his face.

Lurio took a deep breath, he calmed down, sort of.

"I'm going to take a look outside." the Lucario said as he got on his feet.

"No, I will."

"But..."

"You're still in shock. I'm sorry but it would be hard for you to concentrate against a foe if you would encounter one."

The Golisopod stood up and put a hand on Lurio's shoulder.

"It's better for you to stay here for now."

Lurio let out a sigh and nodded.

"I understand."

Galern left both Lucarios afterwards. He looked at his mother again, wondering once again what happened before his birth, what leaded everthing in this way. He couldn't think of something else. Then he noticed her head started to slowly raise while her eyes opened. His heartbeats accelerated. What could he say to her? He couldn't stay here saying nothing. He needed to talk to her. When she fully regained consciousness, she first looked at Lurio, then noticed Galern's bag.

"How long was I asleep?" she suddenly said.

"Uhh... not that long don't worry... Galern arived and... he is outside watching the surroundings..."

"Oh, that's good to hear. You're okay?"

"I... I'm good"

"...Is there something wrong? You sound anxious."

"No... I... it's just..."

He looked outside, actually wishing for Galern to comeback so they could change the subject. Bu he needed to tell her mother that... his son was actually alive.

"What's the matter?"

"It's just Galern... Galern told me about... what you've been through..."

She was about to say something, but immediately stopped.

"I'm... sorry for what happened to you."

"...It's been a long time since I ever saw one of them. They took everything from me, now I live hidden, unaware if my child is alive or not, if they did find him."

She swept a tear off her face.

"These monsters... I can't imagine what they could have done to him if they did."

She clenched her fists. Anger was readable on her face, there was also sadness. He must tell her.

"You hid the egg at the top of the High Peak Mountain in a tent right?"

"...How do you know?"

"...I... I was born there, in the tent. You left a bag of fruits in it."

She didn't say anything. She just stared at Lurio, the shaky mouth half opened, the eyes opened wide. She started to breath heavily and shook his head.

"No... no... it can't be... how is it possible..."

She clenched her fists even harder and started crying. Lurio kept looking at her, he didn't know what to say. Did she really believe it? Should he read her thoughts? That could disrespectful towards his mother. The she looked at him, in tears. Suddenly she jumped on Lurio and clutched him in her arms very tightly.

"...I thought I would never see you again..." she said while crying.

Lurio's sight became blurry, then he was feeling tears running on his face, he hugged her back.

"I also thought I would never see you ..." he replied in a tearful voice.

"... I'm here ... my son." her voice was now soft, one of the softest voices the Lucario ever heard.

After over ten years, he finally reunited with his mother.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all this ... I'll never let them touch you ever again ..."

"You don't have to be ..."

He didn't know how long they kept hugging each other, but he didn't care. Suddenly he heard something, he turned his hea and saw Galern who came back and was staring at them. His mother noticed him as well.

"Did you know this whole time?"

"I didn't realize earlier. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be. All we need to do is get my son out of here."

"Yes, but I spotted several patrols wandering around us, composed of at least five soldiers. Nobody saw me though."

"You have an idea?"

"For now, there are too many of them and we're in an opened area so going out means we would have to battle each of them. When the area is cleared, we will head to the frontier to the east. We will pass the frontier at night, but it is heavily guarded at all times so ... "

He abruptly stopped. He stood still for a seconds before he nodded to Lucarios to move back. They all stepped away from the exit and Galern told them to stay quiet. Lurio could only hear the wind blowing, but after a few seconds, he heard footsteps, right above them. They were slow, then they stopped. They heard something else coming closer. A female voice spoke:

"Someklunk un your sure?"

"No. Kut U kloukrt U rearr someklunk." A male answered.

"Klegre's noklunk un klese pdauns, det's joun Karry."

One was walking away.

"Kurry, re's rautunk us."The female talked, but she was further.

The male finally went away as well. That was a relief. Galern continued, with a lower voice:

"We will wait until night before we go out. We will have to approach a mine guarded at the bottom of a mountain. After that we will be at the border."

"How long would it take to get there?" Lurio asked.

"Ten hours on foot. At least. Rest for now, we'll need it."

Galern sat down and closed his eyes, crossing his arms. Lurio's mother sighed.

"What's the matter mother?" he asked, she looked worried.

"... although we're finally together, we aren't safe here at all. If only I hadn't run back then, maybe you could have found me sooner ..."

"Mother..."

"Your dad died because I was too slow so he had to protect me. Lary died because I couldn't save him. They both died because of me, could I even protect you?..."

He put his hand on hers.

"Everything will be fine."

She remained silent, it didn't seem to be work, she was still sorrowful.

"Your father and I joined them because our species was persecuted."

"...what?"

"It was before the Steel Federation came into power, like thirty years ago. The Lucarios were united in one clan. At the time, we denied the order to control us. For years, we have fought for our independence. But one day when I was merely a child..."

She stopped. Lurio could see the horror in his eyes.

"They brought these things. Their heads were covered with steel and their orange eyes… I will never forget them."

Heatrans...

"The whole town burned down. We were thousands before the massacre, we were one hundred afterwards. Your father and I escaped in time together. We survived for years, Then we joined them when we became adults."

"Why?"

"We were blinded by vengeance, our rage grew with time. We actually hated the world for trying to kill us all, and leaving us in our misery. The Steel Federation didn't change anything at all. But that was before you were about to appear. The Steel Federation changed their leader and actually made changes. At this moment we thought we had no more reason to fight anymore. That's when we realized how much horror we commited in the dark, uour father, Lary and I didn't want to do that anymore..."

She paused again. She wasn't fine at all. Talking about her past must have reminded her some terrible things that Lurio didn't want to imagine.

"When... they found out what we were up to, they attacked us in the back. Your father took an aura sphere on the chest while we were running away. When I and Lary wanted to defend him... he... denied our help and yelled at us to run... We were able to hide. That was that day I laid your egg. Even though I wasn't able to see you, I thought you were wonderful..."

She actually smiled. Lurio couldn't hold back a tear.

"Lary told me your father died so you could live. But the Mega-Lucarios knew about your existence, they would have sought the lands to find you. The only place they would never guess where you were was the mountain. I was sure you would be able to climb it down, you have your father's blood."

"...who was he?"

"The greatest warrior of all the Lucarios I've ever known. His will appeared unbreakable, so was his body. Apart from his combat skills, he was the nicest perrson in the world. After we were left on our own, your father gave me most of his food, and I wasn't aware at that time. He tried everyhting to not appear hungry. He never hesitated to protect from the ones who wanted to harm us. I ended up giving him my food, and he kept saying 'I'm fine'. I had to insist so he could eat. He was also gifted by a power almost no Lucarios have."

"...what was it?"

"He told me that... when he thinks that it could be over for him, his body refused to break. He said he feels his aura increase, his strenght would come back to him, the pain would disappear. And that at this moment, he was able to perform a close combat."

When his mother said reminded of the moments against Blast at Firstone and against that Scizor near the forest. He did feel an immense of aura within him. He felt the same things his father seemingly did.

"I... did feel something like this before." Lurio said.

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes when I was weakened, when my foe was about to finish me off, I felt an immense power within me, I wasn't feeling the pain anymore, and... I was against a Scizor near the forest where I fell down and I did what seemed to be a close combat."

His mother was staring at him. She grabbed his hand.

"That means..."

He had his father's gift. He actually felt some kind of pride, but he controlled it. He would put that gift in good use. He's going to protect everyone he cared about.
His father wouldn't have died in vain.

"I will make sure it will be put in good use mother."

"I'm sure you will."

"I do have a question though."

"Go on."

"Do all the Lucarios stay in this cult?"

"No. Not all of us do. Those who chose this path are blinded by rage, and when they obtained their newfound power, they were driven insane by it, for the most part. But the leader... he was crazy from the start. He wants everyone to fear the Lucarios. That's what I understood from what he kept saying."

"...you know what made him like that?"

"None truly does."

Lurio now knew what was the objective of these people. Driven insane by rage, vengeance and what appeared to be overwhelming power, they're terrorizing everyone they see in the dark so they would be scared of any Lucarios they see, but still. Why were they doing that? Why does the leader want the Lucarios to be feared? Was this really for what happened thirty years ago? Lurio was intending to find out what his motivation was. Maybe all they needed was help. But they did such horrible things he wasn't aware of, and they almost killed Gre and murdered Durry...
No. He wouldn't let vengeance and rage consume him. He won't commit the same mistake as they did. They're blinded by madness and rage, he will help them.
Everyone deserves a second chance.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all this mother. It must have been horrible..."

She hugged him.

"This is the past Lurio, the only thing that matters to me now is you being alive."

He hugged her back. He looked at Galern who was remaining silent while looking at them. He noticed the sun was setting.

"I will make sure you go back to Seraïon safely." His mother said.

"We're all going to get out of here alive." Lurio replied.

All three remined silent, as they were looking at the sunset. When it was finally night time, Galern went out first to see if anyone was around. He came back after a moment.

"The area is clear. We need to be fast though."

The three went out, all wearing blankets Galern brought. It was completely silent. There was only a light chill wind that could be heard. Then he noticed colorful lights far in the sky, these were aurores borealis. Lurio actually liked it. Beritor definitely had a charm Seraïon didn't have, despite the hostility of the lands. They trotted along on the snow silently with Galern leading the group, without meeting any Beritorian patrol, fortunately. They were heading for a mountain, a rather tall one. When they finally reached the bottom of the mountain, the sun was actually rising. Lurio didn't notice they were travelling that long.

"We'll need to find a safe place soon to wait during the day." Galern said.

Lurio nodded. They explored all along the mountain to find a place where they could hide. They did find a place where they could hide thanks to the rocks. Lurio was actually happy to find a hiding place, he didn't sleep for the whole night. Suddenly, he noticed a figure at the top of a wall. He couldn't tell what Pokemon it was. He warned the others quietly:

"Someone is above!"

The three didn't even answer they immediately hid behind a wall. Mother casted a glance at where the figure was.

"Who was they?" Galern asked first.

"I couldn't clearly see. Sorry."

She remained silent for a little while

"Let's get some rest, we didn't sleep for the whole night." she said

Lurio sat against the cold stone that made his hair bristle. He yawned, his eyes felt heavy. He looked at her mother before falling asleep, while she was looking at the horizon.

He was in a forest at night time, it was familiar to him. That forest didn't inspire anything good to him. The complete silence wasn't helping. Then he could see through the trees what appeared to be a mountain. It was the High Peak Mountain, he was back there again. He did feel some nostalgia, but it was soon replaced by painful memories. The Village, Durry... Now this place was just a reminder of the people he couldn't protect in time.

"Lurio!"

That voice... it came from behind. Lurio straightaway turned around and saw his mother on the ground, heavily wounded. On her side was a Mega Lucario. The one he met there. He was just standing on front of him. When he was just about to rush to rescue her, he felt a violent strike on his right ribes. He was sent flying into a rock. It was very painful, it fekt like his bones were broken. As he was on his knees, he raised his head and saw two other Mega Lucarios, looking at him with empty looks. He stood up with difficulty. He had to protect her. They weren't going to take her. He prepared himself to counter any incoming attack. One zigzagged with an outsanding speed. They finally jumped at him with their fist covered in energy. Lurio grabbed their hand and their chest in time. He threw them on the other side and as soon as he did, he quickly turned around and the other Mega Lucario kicked him violently in the chest, sending him flying into the rock again, destroying it and causing all his body to hurt. He spitted blood when he landed on the ground and had that blood taste in the mouth. A Mega Lucario grabbed the Lucario and threw him back at the other one. His body refused to move because of the huge pain in his chest. The Mega Lucario put his foot on Lurio's back. The Mega Lucario who was with Mother raised both of his fists and both illuminated with energy. Lurio's eyes opened wide and his body decided to finally get up. He felt the rage animating his body. Suddenly he felt several hand blocking him on the ground. He struggled to break free but the Mega Lucarios were preventing him to. The Mega Lucario who was with her mother glanced at him.

"Please don't... Let her go... I beg you..." Lurio begged him.

The Mega Lucario just looked at Mother.

"I'm sorry." Mother said while closing her eyes.

The Mega Lucario's fists rushed towards her mother's head, they were about to hit...

"NOOOO!"

He was back at the bottom of the mountain again. It was just a nightmare. Lurio sighed and shook his head. Galern slowly opened an eye, as he seemingly got awakened.

"That was a nightmare?" the Golsopod asked.

"...Yes."

"Not surpising. After all these events."

Lurio stayed silent, wondering after what he just dreamt. Then he noticed something. Mother wasn't around.

"Where is she?" he asked to Galern.

Galern's head raised a bit, as if he just realised it. He quickly looked around them and sprinted outside their hiding place. Lurio joined him straightaway. She was nowhere. Then Lurio noticed footsprints in the snow, ones from a Lucario.

"How long were we asleep?" Lurio asked, almost in panick.

"...six hours, approximately." Galern answered after looking at the sun.

"Where did she go?"

"There's only one way to find out."

When they were about to follow the tracks, the footprints stopped not that far. Nothing after these. The tracks were next to the walls. Did she just climb it?

"This is not good. We better hurry." Galern said.

Lurio started to climb. Galern planted his claws into the rock to make the climb easier. After several minutes, they finally reached the top. More footprints, they guessed ran while following the Lucario got more worried as time passed. Why Mother would go without any warning? Any message? Anything? What made her do that? But the most important thing was where she heading to. They kept running and climbing, following the footprints. After a long while, they ended up climbing down, and went in a forest. How far did she go? They glampsed what appeared to be... a camp, with the flag of the Beritorian Republic, the footprints were going towards it. If she really did go there, what could the soldiers do to her?

"...this is the guarded mine we were supposed to avoid." Galern said.

"...really? But... why would she go there?"

"I'm afraid we have to go there to find out."

If she was in there, whatever the reason, they needed to get in.

"Follow me." Galern said.

Galern went down the cliff and walked the lenght of it. Lurio did the same. It didn't take them long to reach the walls while trying to hide behind rocks they could use from the guards who could be on the few towers that went alongside the walls. Then Galern stopped and observed the camp for a little while.

"...something isn't right."

"What is it?"

"There's nobody posted on the towers."

Now that he said it, there was indeed no guard on the towers.

"What does that mean?"

"There is always at least one sentinel. Something happened."

They both hurried to the gates. Lurio could hear some Beritorians speaking, they sounded like in a hurry, in panick or angry. They looked carefully at what was happening in the fort, still hiding behind the wooden walls. A Weavile wearing a damaged armor was sitting next to a wooden wall of a shack, holding their arm while pulling a face. A Golisopod was talking to a heavy Beartic, who had a bandage on his right shoulder and left leg, and a Ferrothorn who was holding a flag. Lurio could spot several figures who were further but he would have to lean more to see what they were. They were attacked recently, that's for sure, but by Mother? Why would she do that? Lurio couldn't find any anwer. They needed to go through them.

"How are we going to go past them?" Lurio asked.

"You'll go past them." Galern answered.

"...what?"

Galern walked past the Lucario, exposing himself to the Beritorians view.

"Galern!" Lurio whispered.

Galern signaled to stay hidden. Lurio was about to raise his arm to prevent him to go, but he stopped and obeyed. He was watching Galern going, the injured Weavile was the first to notice him. She immediately stood up.

"Hey! Klus us a retrrukter agrea! Turn agrounr anr ko aray!"

The other three stopped talking and stared at him, looking rather confused as they came closer. Galern didn't stop nonetheless.

"Agre you reaf?! Turn agrounr! Klegre's noklunk to see..." the Weavile began to close in menacingly.

"I won't." Galern spoke.

Every Beritorian who heard this just stared at the Golisopod. The Golisopod soldier just pushed the Beartic aside.

"Deave rum to me."

He slowly approached Galern, Lurio could distinguish a little smirk on his face.

"Duel. Like traditions." The Beritorian soldier talked with his accent.

"U'm yours." Galern answered.

The enemy Golisopod laughed of excitement a bit. Then both joined their hands an created their water saber. Galern's adversary placed his empty hand in front of him as a shield and his saber behind him. Galern kept his hands together and placed his water saber next to his pelvis. Both Golisopods stared at each other. Then...
they set off and moved at incredible speed until they were at where the other was standing. The action didn't even last one second. Both apparently landed a blow as they had their saber raised. The Golisopod soldier moaned, as half of his chestplate just fell on the snow, revealing a deep wound. Then Lurio noticed that a part of the edge of Galern's shell was gone. The enemy Golisopod put his hand on the snowy ground to avoid falling. Galern glanced carefully at Lurio. Lurio understood he had to go now. He climbed the wall and landed on the cold ground. He moved silently, going past walls and Beritorian soldiers who were about to join the fight. Lurio stopped at a moment, wondering if he should go help him, but if he did, it might mean that their chance to find Mother would be gone. He continued sneaking past the soldiers, decided to find her quick. As he penetrated in what was the mine. He discovered that the mine was unlike any other cave he saw. It looked like a straght tunnel dug into the ice, with stalagmites and stalactites everywhere, and some rocks where, as Lurio could imagine, iron ore could be found. He remembered that he was in a tunnel probably filled with Beritorian soldiers so he hid behind big enough stalagmites. He observed the area carefully. Few soldiers who were actuammy taking care of wounded soldiers. They were like eight from what he could see. That was odd. Was it really supposed to be few crowded? He moved quietly, hiding behind each stalagmites or cart he could use and managed to go past the guards. The tunnel was going deeper in the mountain. And it was so wide. How did the Beritorians dig such a tunnel of this witdth? But that wasn't his priority. But as he went deeper, he noticed bodies, many bodies of Beritorians. They were still breathing, just knocked out. Who did this? Mother? Why? Suddenly something just snapped him out of his thoughts. A noise, behind him. He immediately turned around and a Flygon in armor was just rushing him in the air. He rolled on the side, the Flygon missed him, then turned around. He landed but he slided on the thick ice so he planted his claws on it.

"You agre NOT supposer to ke regre! Surrenregr anr klegre's ke no rarm." the Flygon spoke when he stopped moving.

When did he spot him? But the big matter was if he was alone. Probably not, so he had to get through the Beritorian guard and fast. Lurio charged an aura sphere as fast as he could. The Flygon, upon seeing this, took a quick breath and spitted out a dragon breath. Lurio jumped on the side with the aura sphere and threw it. The dragon type flew off, avoiding the sphere and charged the Lucario. Lurio jumped but the Flygon managed to get a grip on his left foot and threw him at the wall. The pain was manageable, so he got back on his feet quickly but then he felt a tremor. He looked up at the Flygon who harshly punched the wall, the stalactites at the ceiling trembled and fell. Lurio zigzagued, dodging the falling stalactites. Then the Flygon grabbed a stalactite in the fall and threw it at the Lucario. Lurio jumped in time, the stalactite crashed on the ground, shattering in pieces. The dragon type spitted out another dragon breath so Lurio started running. Lurio charged a dark beam while running and shot the dark pulse, but the Flygon dodged easily. Lurio couldn't run past the Beritorian, and to take him out, he had to make him land. He had to take a risk. He ran on the ice wall which was the nearest of the Flygon. He charged another dark pulse, then jumped towards the Flygon and shot, while being dangerously near of the breath. The dark pulse hit the chestplate, which unsettled the Flygon who stopped spitting out the dragon breath and had to land. Lurio landed and slided on the ice to the wall, then he leapt on his foe and landed an ice punch to the head, removing the helmet., and quickly dealt an uppercut with an ice punch. The dragon type screamed and stepped backwards. Lurio had to take advantage of this moment of weakness. He rushed the Flygon with a fist wrapped in ice to deal the final blow. But the dragon slided on his left and grabbed his neck. Lurio gasped out of surprise and was knocked down on the thick ice ground, the face first, he felt a grip on his arm that was put behind his back and a foot on his back. He was getting immobilized. if his arm was stuck, he wouldn't be able to do anything. He turned his free arm around and quickly shot dark beam before it would be grabbed. He heard a "Hmph!" and he felt that the grips were weakened. He managed to free himself an rolled on the side and quickly got up. The Flygon grouched and rushed the Lucario again. Lurio wrapped his fist with ice and slided just under the dragon. Then he did an ice punch on the stomach. The Flygon crashed on the ground and rolled until he collided with a cart full of coal. The Flygon surprisingly got up, but as he staggered, he finally fell. Finally defeated. Now he had to hurry before any more came. He sprinted and continued going deeper. Then he began to hear screaming and... explosions. He didn't waste time and sprinted towards the source. Then he stopped.
The tunnel led to a big room, with ice pillars and at the center was a gigantic stone that was shining of all colours, that thing was certainly illuminating the whole place. He was staring at the stone, wondering what it could be, but he could sense great power that was emanating from it. Then he noticed two guards, a Walrein and a Piloswine, who seemed to be hiding behind stalagmites, who didn't see him. Suddenly two figures appeared out of nowhere in front of the giant stone. One tried to land a punch on the other one who was wearing a blanket but it blocked it. These figures...
Were Mega-Lucarios...
He slowly came closer. He began to hear what the two guards were saying.

"I po top tesestet pkap pke jetetap Tractatori sape Seja-Puyatioy." the Walrein said.

"Se teipket. Je ykoupp tuyp jaip kete." the Piloswine replied.

That wasn't Beritorian, that was... Galorian. And they said "Tractatori". What were they doing here? Then the Walrein turned around and noticed the Lucario, in fear.

"Gah! A Puyatio!"

Suddenly a sphere went right their hiding place. The explosion destroyed the stalagmites and sent both ice types flying toward Lurio. The Polswine fell unconscious, but the Walrein was still awake. Lurio needed answers. He put his left hand on the Walrein's throat, the ice type was scared of him, he could sense it.

"Who are you?" Lurio asked, trying to appear threatening.

"Not speak Segraïonian."

"I want answers! Tractatori is your master?" he pointed the giant stone with his head he raised his right fist, hoping the Walrein would answer.

"Wait! Wait! Yes, Tractatori is my master!"

"Why are you here?"

"Watching the stone."

"What is this?"

The Walrein didn't answer, Lurio read his thoughts.

"...Seja-jesy... top pepp..."

Lurio grouched. Of course he wouldn't understand his thoughts, he's Galorian. He raised his fist even more, trying to intimidate him.

"Will say nothing."

Suddenly he heard something coming right for him and the Walrein. He grabbed the ice type and managed to roll on the side while avoiding to pierce him with his chest spike. The sphere struck the place where they were standing. Lurio released the Walrein whose eyes were staring at the crater. He could have died there. Lurio turned around and saw a Mega-Lucario who was staring at him threateningly. Then the other Mega-Lucario who was wearing a blanket, tried to land a hit but it jumped, dodging a bone staff. That Mega-Lucario... was Mother. She turned at him, then stared at him in shock.

"Lurio!?"

"Mother!"

Lurio sprinted in her direction.

"No stay back!"

An aura sphere was heading towards them, Mother created one surprisingly fast and threw it, both sphere exploded in the collision.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Galern and I were worried! You left us without any explanation! Why?!"

"...him."

She looked at the Mega-Lucario, staring at them with a rather questioning look.

"He noticed us. So I prevented him to attack you both. Where's Galern?"

"Distracting the guards."

"What?!"

"I didn't want neither but... he told me to go."

Mother stayed silent for a few seconds then look at their foe.

"...I will get in a close combat against him. Meanwhile you try to hit him with an aura sphere."

"Okay."

The Mega-Lucario slowly walked towards them. He kept his cold look. Then he finally spoke.

"You're her."

Mother stayed quiet.

"You're the female who betrayed us over a decade ago. With the two males. You were about to have a child."

"...I won't let you take him. You won't take anything else from me."

"Why did you even leave then? You know the consequences."

"I didn't want my son to grow up with insane fools as you."

"Our race will thrive. If you both aren't willing to accept it, you have to disappear for the cause."

"Even if he is not in Mega-form, it's still a two on one. Do not underestimate him."

"Who said it was?"

Lurio gasped. He quickly looked everywhere and noticed figure on the high ceiling. It came closer so fast. Lurio jumped aside and grabbed Mother. A Mega-Lucario landed harshly on the thick ice, his fist struck the ground which greatly cracked the ice, as if it was going to collapse. That Mega-Lucario was familiar to Lurio. Where did he...
The Village. It was him. He almost killed Gre, destroyed teir home, killed the inhabitants... killed Durry.
He greeted his teeth, his breath was fast and heavy. Lurio's mind was suddenly flooded with rage. He seeked him particularly. He couldn't think of something else than avenging him. Avenging everyone who died. He'll do it today.

"...Lurio...!"

He looked at Mother. They won't take her. Suddenly he felt hands on his arms. Her arms. She stared at him with a worry look.

"Lurio... control your rage. Do not let it consume you."

"...don't go too far."

Galern's words resonated in his head. He shook his head, took deep breaths. His rage wasn't completely gone, he feared it would never. He turned around and looked at the Mega-Lucario who was staring at him then frowned.

"...how are you still alive?" he spoke, the same voice that Lurio heard months ago.

"...I don't know neither. But today, you will pay for what you did."

"You're welcome to try." he said arrogantly.

The Mega-Lucario disappeared. It was like that day... he felt something on his right, he crouched, the punch went right above him. The Mega-Lucario was straightaway stroked by the Mother's bone staff to the chest. He was sent flying, but landed on his feet next to the other one, his hand on his chest.

"Focus brother." the other one spoke to him.

The Mega-Lucario sighed. He charged again, going for Lurio again. Right when Mother was about to strike him again, he jumped behind Lurio. Lurio jumped to deal a high jump kick to him in the air. He had no other choice than block the incoming hit, he was repulsed backwards. While being the air, he turned around and saw an aura sphere coming right for him. It blew up as a bone staff intercepted it. Lurio landed right behind Mother.

"Thank you." Lurio said.

"Thank me later, Lurio."

The Mega-Lucario in front of him was charging an aura sphere and then disappeared. Luio saw him using extreme speed, moving all around them. Suddenly he disappeared. Where was he? He looked everywhere then looked above. The Mega-Lucario threw the aura sphere. Lurio quickly charged a dark pulse and shot at the sphere. His foe immediately landed right in front of him and was about to land a punch. Lurio just grabbed hardly the punch just before it reached him with a hand, his foe was clearly stronger than him. The Mega-Lucario tried to land a power-up punch with his other fist, Lurio grabbed it with his other hand, he was leaning backwards because of the Mega-Lucario's strenght.

"Mother!"

Lurio let himself fall and launched the Mega-Lucario with his leg. Mother noticed the Mega-Lucario and immediately sent him in the air by a violent strike with the bone staff. Lurio jumped in the air and prepared his leg for another high jump kick. Suddenly the other Mega-Lucario grabbed his mate. Lurio missed his hit and rolled on the ground to land. He joined Mother. The injured Mega-Lucario coughed.

"Why can't you kill him? He's not even in Mega-form." the other one said with a severe look.

"Ugh... he wasn't that resilent back there."

"Hmph, let me handle him."

"Wait! It's my duty to finish him off."

"It was. Long ago."

He sighed loudly out of anger. The other Mega-Lucario widened his arms and created two aura spheres at the same time. Lurio forgot they could do that, despite that this is supposed to be impossible to make. For a normal Lucario at least. He jumped high in the air, threw an aura sphere at Mother who threw the staff to block it. As the explosion created smoke, he appeared through the smoke and threw the other one. Lurio rolled aside and dodged the explosion. The Mega-Lucario landed then rushed the Lucario, and leapt on him with the fist raised. Lurio slided on the side, his foe planted his fist deeply in the thick ice, cracking it. But he immediately grabbed Lurio's arm with his other arm and removed his fist from the ice. Lurio needed to free himself. He recalled what happened at the Village. One hit, and he was almost already knocked out. He shot a dark pulse with his free hand to the head to unnerve him. The Mega-Lucario quickly moaned but then his free fist got wrapped in energy, then he smirked. Lurio tried to free himself again. Suddenly the Mega-Lucario took a hit on the back, he screamed and rolled on the ground. Mother dealt a brick break to him, but her mouth was bleeding and her other hand was on her chest.

"Mother! You're..."

"I'm fine, it's just a single hit..." she answered with a soft voice.

But she wasn't. Suddenly Lurio got grabbed from behind. He was bumped violently against an ice pillar, breaking it into pieces, then he was knocked on the ground, the face first. His body was hurting but not too much. He was turned over, it was the other Mega-Lucario. He grabbed his throat. Suddenly he felt a hit on his belly. The pain was horrible, he yelled. It felt like his stomach was violently struck from the inside. He spit out some blood.

"I'll make sure you stay dead for good."

He punched him again but in the chest. Lurio felt a bone crack, as he yelled again and spitted blood again. The pain was atrovious, his heart made him feel sick, as if it was sick itself. His look was blurry. He had to get out, but the pain... was too much. He tried to free himself again... The Mega-Lucario raised his fist once again. Suddenly he glanced behind him. He stopped the bone staff of Mother wih his hands. He quickly punched Mother on the nose who moaned and released the staff. He struck Mother's chest with her own staff, sending her flying.
No...
He slowly stood up despite the dreadful pain on his chest. He could feel blood raise to his throat. But he didn't care. He had to protect her. He rushed the Mega-Lucario, who wasn't lookking at him, while he was charging an aura sphere. When he was about to throw it, he waited instead. His enemy turned around and quickly slided aside. Lurio aimed at him and threw the sphere. The enemy greeted his teeth and punched the sphere. The explosion made Lurio blind, when the smoke was disperced, the Mega-Lucario was further. Holding his burnt fist firmly while contorting. Suddenly he rushed Lurio so fast the Lucario couldn't react. Lurio received a hit in the face and fell down. Lurio yelled feebly. Lurio tried to get up, but the Mega-Lucario put his foot on his chest, as if he wanted to crush it. Lurio turned his head and saw Mother. She was about to go for him but she was grabbed from behind and got thrown against a wall. She had wounds all over her body, her nose and mouth were bleeding. She tried to get up but the other Mega-Lucario grabbed her throat. She opened dimly her eyes and looked at Lurio. Suddenly the Mega-Lucario raised his arm.

"Please don't... Let her go... I beg you..." Lurio begged him.

The Mega-Lucario who was above him slighlty sighed with despise.

"You'll join her." he said.

The other Mega-Lucario glanced at Lurio. Then his fist went right into her face...
She collapsed, her eyes were closed. Lurio straed at her. Lurio couldn't focus to use to use the aura vision. He felt his breath going faster. His mind as flooded with rage. He couldn't think of anything else than making them pay. He WON'T let them take her, without doing anything. He greeted his teeth to not yell, but then he screamed.
This time, that wasn't pain.
He felt that immense power again. The pain vanished, he wasn't feeling anything at all. His body started to emanate bright blue aura.

"Huh?" the Mega-Lucario was startled.

He leapt backwards straightaway. The other one was apparently as surprised as him, since he was staring at Lurio, completely idle.

"What's up with him? What is that aura?" he asked.

"It's strong. Too strong for a normal Lucario. You definitely should have killed him."

"Cut it off, he's still a normal Lucario."

The other one shook his head. Both ran in opposite directions. Lurio could perceive their movements, as if they were slower than before. They were both going for him and were about to attack at the same time, one leapt and was raising his fist and the other was readying a power up punch. Lurio went between the two quicker than he usually could, grabbed the arm of his enemy who was in the air and threw him on the ground. The other Mega-Lucario stopped moving afterwards.

"What?!" he exclaimed.

His hands got wrapped in a dark aura, and black smoking claws appeared on both, then jumped on Lurio. Lurio quickly rolled aside, dodging the shadow claw, fastly charged an aura sphere and immediately threw it. His enemy jumped backwards. Lurio charged an other aura sphere, then he saw that the other Mega-Lucario was doing one as well. Lurio jumped high and threw the aura sphere. The Mega-Lucario threw his to block the projectile, as expected. Suddenly Lurio noticed that the other one jumped and was about to slash him. Lurio rolled in the air, the claws wounded him in the right leg but he barely felt anything. He was bout to land to the Mega-Lucario who was about to jump backwards, but he was too slow. Lurio raised his leg and striked his head with a high jump kick. He was sent flying away, rolled and slided on the ground. Suddenly, his body was glowing with a bright light. When the light disappeared, the Mega-Lucario was now a Lucario, unconscious. Then Lurio heard something behind him. Lurio immediately slided on the side. The Mega-Lucario planted his shadow claws in the ice. His claws disappeared and leapt on the Lucario with the power up punch ready. Lurio rushed him, taking him by surprise, and punched him in the belly. His enemy was repulsed, but managed his landing. But Lurio didn't want to give him a break. While he was rushing him, Lurio prepared his fists, his entire body. And when he was at range, he unleashed everything. He punched his enemy at a very fast pace, hitting the entire body while screaming. Then he landed one final uppercut. He was sent high in the air. He heavily landed on the ground. The body glowed and went back to a Lucario.
They were finally down.
But there was no time to celebrate. Lurio sprinted towards Mother. She went back to a Lucario. Her aura was weak but there was still time, there must be. Her eyes slowly opened and looked at him. She smiled.

"You did it." she said, calmly in a warming voice.

"I'm going to bring you somewhere safe, don't worry."

"Don't."

Lurio thought he heard wrong.

"What?"

"I'll be a dead weight to you. Go..."

"I won't Mother! I'm NOT leaving you here!"

"You're too weak to face all the guards while carrying me and... it's already too late."

"No... there must be time!"

Mother giggled, then coughed.

"You're exactly like your father."

"Please... I don't want to be alone.."

"You won't be alone. Don't you have Gre?"

"...how do you...?"

"Galern told me about him. You both seem very close. There is nothing that makes me happier than knowing that... you were enjoying life..."

She shed tears.

"I'm sorry I can't come with you..."

"No Mother I..."

"But I'd rather die than putting my son's life at risk."

"Mother... please..."

She slowly raised her arm and touched his face. It was surprisingly warm.

"Live. Do it for me. Do not end up like us..."

Lurio couldn't answer, as he looked down tears started shedding.

"...be sure of one thing..." she talked again.

Lurio looked at her in the eyes again.

"...I'm proud... of... you..."

Her hand was slowly going down. Lurio held her hand.

"Mother!"

She didn't respond.

"Stay with me! I beg you! MOTHER!" he said while strongly holding her hand.

He couldn't feel any heartbeat. He used his aura vision... her aura...

"MOTHER! PLEASE STAY WITH ME!"

Lurio stared at her. He slowly put her hand as he slowly realized. He shook his head. He didn't want to believe it. His vision was blurry. He wanted it to be a dream. He wiped the tears. She was still... she was... It was unfair. He just met her. They were finally reunited after over a decade and now she...
He yelled.


Galern was running despite all the pain over his body. He had to. He was very lucky that all the guards were either wounded or tired. If they were in good shape, he wouldn't be here. Lurio was deep in the mine. Who knows what happened there. All of a sudden, he heard a scream. It was Lurio. Something definitely went wrong. He sprinted. He saw bodies of Beritorian soldiers. He wondered about who did this but he stayed focused. A Walrein in armor was in front of a huge room where there was a giant shining stone at the center. The Walrein turned around and gasped upon noticing him. He had to take him down really quickly. He focused on his target. He went behind him with first impression and striked the head. The ice type fell down, to Galern's surprise. The Beritorian was probably weakened, but he could have dodged it. Galern concentrated again and observed the room. Two Lucarios were down. A fear took him over as he was about to rush the bodies, but after looking more closely, ther weren't Lurio or Maria. He slightly breathed out. Then he noticed Lurio, on his knees in front Maria who was...
He sprinted to their direction.

"Lurio! What happened!?" Galern asked, afraid of one answer.

Lurio didn't answer. Something was bad.

"Lurio!"

He was quiet. The Golisopod noticed he was shedding tears. He feared the worst... Galern took Maria's hand while looking at her eyes. No heartbeats, and her look was empty...
His fear was true.
He closed his eyes. A tear managed to get through. She was gone. Her who was here every day, giving him company, helping him. A friend. He lost a friend. Again. He shook his head. He had to focus. Beritorians were on their way. He closed her eyes carefuly. He grasped Lurio's hand.

"Lurio, we have to go."

He stayed as silent as he was still. He was in emotional shock. Galern was surprised Lurio loved his mother that much despite that they knew each other for just over a day. But after all, it was Lurio. He's very sensitive. A quality as it can be a flaw. He had to carry him, and Maria. He grabbed Maria's body and put her on his armored back and took Lurio. If he encountered a Beritorian, he would have to go past them. A Tyranitar appeared and noticed him. When they were about to do their move. Galern concentrated and used first impression. He went right behind them, before they could react. He ran as fast as he could, holding both Lucarios strongly. A few other Beritorians came. He did an other first impression and went past them. He heard a projectile flying towards him. He quickly slided on the side and ducked. A focus blast went just past over him and collided against the wall. A Zangoose appeared. Another first impression. Suddenly he felt pain in his pelvis. The Zangoose managed to land a hit with their claws. The cut was not too deep. When he finally reached the outside, there was a blizzard, almost completely blinding him. He used an other first impression, going past the remaining guards he could see. He heard an attack being charged, when the projectile was shot, he rolled while holding the Lucarios and dodged the fire blast. He was now outside of the camp. He continued running. Beritorians would not give up like that. He tried to find a hiding place in the blizzard, but he could barely see a thing. He decided to head to the mountain, hoping he could find a place he could use to hide. When he finally reached the walls, he did find rocks that were big enough. He hid behind these, and waited. He couldn't hear anything but the loud cold wind. After a short while, he could hear some voices, but they were scarcely understandable.

"...where... go?!" they spoke in Beritorian.

"Do not scatter... together!"

"...keep looking!"

"Sir... lost in the..."

"We won't... bastard... hiding!"

"Understood..."

He put both Lucarios behind him and put snow on his armor as a camouflage. He was watching carefully the horizon while holding Maria and Lurio. He could spot some figures among the blizzard. They were at least four, and they stayed together. They were slowly getting further, to the Golisopod's relief. While watching them, he wondered about the place they could head to. The house was too risky after all these events. Anyone who would see them would be hostile. They had nowhere to go. Except... the frontiere. First he had to find a shelter. When he was sure that no one was nearby, he moved. Finding what could be a shelter would not be easy.

The blizzard abated. That small rock shelter was the best thing he found. Both Lucarios had snow over their fur. Galern had a few issues with moving his claws and if he wasn't trained to resist the cold, his teeth would be chattering so much that it could be heared despite the noise of the wind. He had to use his blanket as a bandage for his wounds. He gave Maria's blanket to Lurio to make sure he wouldn't freeze to death. He didn't say a single word since he found him. And Maria... they had to eventually bury her. But he waited Lurio to get a grip on himself. He should try to talk to him.

"Lurio." he called him.

Nothing.

"Lurio, I need you right now."

Still nothing. Galern slightly sighed.

"Listen, you can't stay like this for..."

He stopped. Who was he kidding? He should not say this to someone who lost his mother. Especially Lurio. He looked at Maria. He closed his eyes again, so tears would not drop. He needed to stay focused so they can both survive. But, maybe he could show more emotions. Even so, should he really blame himself for this? His training made him used to not show emotions except for anger. Something he always found contradictory. Whatever, Lurio needed emotional support.

"Lurio. I'm sorry for what happened. Her... all her doing won't be in vain."

"...This is unfair." Lurio finally spoke.

Galern wanted to answer but... but he didn't know what to say.

"I finally met my mother. I already knew she was a wonderful person... and now she's... gone..."

"...I'm sorry."

"I'm weak... I should have been able to protect her... not let her die..."

"You aren't."

"Then why did I..."

"Who were your foes?"

"...two of them. But she did..."

"She protected you. So you can finish them both. She believed in your capacities."

Lurio remained silent.

"I'm not telling you to not mourn her though. But you're just blaming yourself right now. And that's something that she wouldn't want to see."

"But... I wasn't there to save my father, the village, and now my mother. I can't save anyone..."

"...I wasn't there in the village either. No one in this world is perfect and can protect everyone. The only thing you can do is save as many people as you can. And if you make a mistake..."

He put his hand on Lurio's shoulder.

"Try to make sure to not repeat it."

Lurio stayed silent. He wiped his tears and looked at Maria.

"We'll bury her, together." Galern said.

After a short moment of silence, Lurio replied.

"Thank you Galern."

"...you're welcome."

"But what will you do afterwards?"

"I'll cross the frontiere with you."

"What? But... you are ready to leave Beritor?"

"I won't make the same mistake again."

End of chapter 11


I hope you liked it. I think the execution was maybe too quick, but overall it seems good. Next chapter is already in progress but as usual, I can't guarantee any release date.
Have a good day, and good luck.