Chapter 18: The Warning

AN: Hey everyone! Just in time for Halloween! Boo! Anyway, I've got the next chapter here, so I hope you enjoy it!

***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***

Samantha woke up while a doctor was writing down some notes and he seemed to be talking with someone else.

"We're not sure when she'll wake up, Lusamine. Perhaps you should head out. I'll let you know if her condition changes." The doctor suggested. Samantha slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"She's up!" A woman declared. But before she could walk towards her, the doctor held out his arm.

"Sam…can you count to five?" The doctor asked.

"What? Where am I?" Samantha asked with confusion.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but I'd like to run a few tests first." The man explained to her as he pulled out a small light. "Can you count to five? I need to ensure that you did not suffer a concussion." He informed the princess.

"One, two, three, four, five." She replied quickly. "Now, seriously…where am I?"

"Follow the light." He shined a light and Samantha complied with his directions. "Lusamine found you unresponsive on the ground. You are currently at the Aether Headquarters."

"Aether…" Samantha began and tried sitting up again, but the doctor carefully placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't push yourself." The doctor insisted. "We'll do our best to get you back on your feet." Lusamine pulled a chair sat next to the princess.

"I spoke to Professor Burnet. She's on her way here."

"What happened?" She questioned those in the room while she rubbed her head.

"I was hoping you'd be able to answer that for me." Lusamine probed. "But I am relieved that you don't seem to be suffering any memory loss."

"Deep breath." The doctor said and Samantha complied once again. "I…I don't know. There was this…building. Made of gold. I tried going there, but…I couldn't move."

"…a gold building?" Lusamine asked. "Are we sure she isn't…" Lusamine put a finger to her head and twirled it clockwise.

"I'm not crazy!" Samantha barked. "And where's Genny?"

"Who is Genny?" Lusamine asked.

"Genny is a little girl I'm watching over. Where is she?" Samantha practically yelled. "If you've hurt her…"

"There wasn't a little girl around, I swear!" Lusamine insisted. "All I found was you and that giant diamond." Samantha vaguely remembered a giant white diamond on top of…that guy's machine.

"I'm also looking for a man." Samantha added.

"Ok, we're done. The doctor stated and took a step back. "Physically, she's fine, but I'd like to run a few tests to see if her memory is still intact. Since you seem to know more about Samantha, perhaps you'd ask her a few questions about her past." The doctor suggested.

"Gladly!" Lusamine smiled as she pulled up a chair and sat next to her bed. "Ok, Sam…what's your full name?"

"Samantha Grace McCloud." She said quietly.

"Where are you from?" Lusamine interrogated the princess.

"Hyrule." She quickly replied.

"Siblings?"

"Three. Virginia, Alex, and Jackson."

"Parents?"

"Mom and…" Samantha paused. "…I…I don't know my father."

"But you only have one parent?" Lusamine questioned the princess.

"No…I have two. Samus Aran and Queen Zelda." Samantha insisted.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I…" Samantha began crying. "I just want to go home and pretend none of this ever happened." She covered her eyes and continued crying.

"I think we should leave her alone. The doctor suggested and the two left the Hylian princess to her own thoughts. As Lusamine exited the building, there were two giant helicopters landing on the helipads. Francine and her co-worker, Faba, slowly walked towards the front door.

"Francine!" Lusamine called out and waved to her. She then noticed her daughter and a few of her friends walking towards her as well. "Lillie, I-"

"I do not want to hear any excuses!" Lillie cried out. "We had plans for lunch…and you never showed up."

"I know it looks bad, but-"

"What is it this time? Work-related? Or maybe you took a nap and forgot…or maybe, I'm just not important to you anymore…" Lillie sniffled as her vulpix nuzzled her head against her arms.

"Vulpix…" The Pokémon cried out with sadness.

"Lille, that's not true." Lusamine sternly told her daughter. "I love you so much, my dear. It's just…Sam was here and-"

"Sam?" Lillie asked. "Sam…is here?!" She asked while her eyes grew big. "But…I was supposed to bring her here-"

"Miss Lillie, please. My alakazam brought her here." Faba informed the young lady. Before Lillie could lash out at the man, Mallow grabbed onto Lillie and held her back.

"Lillie…there…there must be an explanation, just hear him out." Mallow insisted. Lillie reluctantly calmed down and glared at the man.

"Have any of you been paying attention to the news?" He asked. Everyone shook their heads and he walked inside to turn on the TV.

"…unknown man claimed a young girl hostage. While the man was not identified, police are not releasing names for anyone who was immediately involved with the incident."

"What happened?" Lusamine asked.

"Sam was trying to get Genny to eat the crust of her pizza slice and-"

"There's that name again…" Lusamine cut Sophocles off mid-sentence. "Who is Genny?"

"She's a laguz child that Sam found a couple weeks ago." Francine informed her friend. "Genny is being treated at Melemele General Hospital. Kukui's with her and so far, it sounds like she is in stable condition."

"That's a relief." Lusamine sighed with relief.

"Mother…I…I'm sorry…" Lille quietly apologized as she lowered her head.

"Lille, don't feel bad. We're learning this together. Sam is inside and she woke up just now. Why don't you and your friends go say hi to her?" She suggested.

"That sounds like a great idea!" Mallow cheered. "Come on everyone!" Mallow led the group inside to visit Sam. Francine, Faba, and Lusamine were still outside.

"There was one other thing, but I didn't want to say it in front of them." Lusamine quietly informed her allies. "Sam also had a diamond."

"A diamond?" Francine questioned while Lusamine nodded.

"I've never seen anything like it. I ran a few tests on it…it can't be cut."

"What do you mean it can't be cut?" Faba inquired.

"I mean, there's…some sort of power that prevents it from breaking. I thought it was radiation, but it tested negative."

"Can I see it?" Francine asked.

"Right this way. I have Wicke looking up anything she can about abnormal sized diamonds, but so far, she hasn't found anything." She gestured towards the door and the three of them walked inside. Mallow, Sophocles, and Lillie made their way through the building until they came to the medical wing.

"Excuse me…" Lillie asked one of the receptionists sitting at their desk.

"Miss Lillie! How can I help you?" She asked with a warm tone.

"I'm looking for Sam's room. Can you point me in the right direction?"

"Certainly. It's at the last door on the left at the end of the hall." She pointed towards a long hallway behind her. The young woman thanked her and the three quickly made their way to the room. Just before they knocked, they heard Samantha speaking to…someone.

"…need help. I don't ask for much, but please…please help me." She sniffled and then they knocked. "Shit." She quietly said before clearing her throat. "Um…J-Just a minute." A couple moments passed while the three waited in the hallway. "Ok…" She said and Lillie slightly opened the door.

"Sam…?" She asked and the first thing she saw was Samantha looking out the window from the bed she was in. She glanced over and Lillie noted her eyes were red like she'd been sobbing for awhile.

"…hi Lillie." She uttered quietly.

"Is this a bad time? We can return later if-"

"No, please don't go. I…I don't want to be alone right now." She sniffled and Mallow and Sophocles followed the blonde haired girl into the room.

"Who were you talking to?" Mallow asked before Sophocles covered her mouth with his hand.

"Mallow!" He hissed, and she immediately turned red.

"…Lady Hylia. I was…praying." Samantha said quietly.

"Praying? What for?" Sophocles inquired and Samantha started breaking down again.

"Everywhere I go, people get hurt and I can't keep putting her in danger like this. I asked Hylia for guidance. I need help to figure out where I'm supposed to go, or what I'm supposed to do. I don't know…I just…" She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "…I don't know…"

"I have an idea!" Lillie's eyes lit up and she smiled. "Why don't we take you to the conservation area? It's the place where Virginia spent most of her time."

"Yeah, that's a great idea!" Sophocles blurted.

"We can even show her that absol that Virgi-mmmph!" Lille rushed over to cover the green haired girl's mouth.

"Absol? What's an absol?" Samantha asked. Lille glared at Mallow before removing her hand and sighing.

"You sister was helping an absol that she found in Kalos. She was pretty badly hurt and had a strong distrust of people. She actually bit Virginia the first time she met."

"Oh my God! Was she ok?" She asked.

"Virginia cried, but it also made her more determined to help her get better. Eventually, she helped her back to her feet and she decided she wanted to train her to protect you."

"…me?" Samantha asked the blonde haired woman. "She was training a Pokémon to protect…me?" She asked again and Lillie nodded.

"Come on, there's a whole lot of Pokémon there." Lillie left while Samantha struggled to sit up. But with the help of Mallow and Sophocles, she managed to sit upright. Lillie returned with a wheelchair and the three of them helped move Samantha to the wheelchair. Though she was still attached to an IV drip, she managed to hold onto it while Lillie moved her down the hall.

"Where's Kukui? And Francine? And Kiawe? And Lana? And Genny?" She frantically panicked.

"They're all downtown. Genny's being seen at Melemele General Hospital. I'll give them a call once we get you to the conservation area." Lillie calmly explained as they entered an elevator. The elevator started going down and there it was an awkward silence most of the way.

"Did your mom say it was ok to move her out of her room?" Mallow asked her friend.

"Well…she…didn't say I couldn't." Lillie nervously laughed.

"Lillie…" Sophocles began in a cautious manner. "Is it safe to move her?"

"Yes…just as long as she doesn't do anything…you know."

"Strenuous?" Sophocles asked.

"Yes." Lillie smiled and it was clear to everyone else that this might not be the best idea she's had. Eventually the elevator stopped and they exited the elevator. They walked down a long hallway and a set of doors slid open. Samantha saw the sunlight and a dozen different Pokémon flying in the sky. She was wheeled to the middle of a bridge and saw even more Pokémon on the ground and in the water.

"Woah…" Samantha was amazed at what she was looking at. Samantha had a hard time believing she was still inside; everywhere she looked, there were at least a handful of Pokémon.

"Abby! Where are you?" Lillie called out, but nothing happened. "Abby!" Lillie called out again and suddenly a single Pokémon started walking up the bridge to meet with Lillie.

"Is that her?" Samantha questioned with a little worry that this Pokémon might attack her.

"This is her." Lillie declared as while she ran a hand through her white fur. "Abby, do you know who this is?" Lilly gestured towards Samantha. The Pokémon looked over at Samantha before walking towards her and sniffing her.

"…h-h-hi…" Samantha weakly squeaked before slowly reaching out with her hand. Absol looked around before lowering her head to let her hand pet her.

"W-Wow…so soft…" Samantha said with a slightly louder tone. Absol took a few steps forward and licked her face.

"Abby! Stop it." But Lillie stopped as she heard Samantha laughing while the Pokémon was licking her. Eventually, she stopped and Samantha scratched under her chin with the arm that wasn't attached to the IV drip.

"I can't take her." Samantha told the group.

"What?!" Lillie exclaimed. "But you…she…Virginia-"

"Lillie, I need to get Genny home. That's my main priority. After that, I promise I'll come back and pick her up, but I don't have room to take her with me. And even if I did, I remember that one needs a poké ball to catch them with and-" Lillie held out a shiny regular poké ball for Samantha to use. "Lillie, I'm in no condition to battle."

"We really shouldn't force her to-"

"LILLIE!" Her mother's voice boomed as the entire group looked over to see her mother storming towards her.

"Eep!" Lillie quietly squeaked as from out of nowhere, her vulpix stood between her and her mother. "Just what do you think you're doing out here with Sam?" She asked with a motherly tone.

"I…um…well, you see…" Lillie stammered; looking for an answer or a viable excuse for her.

"I asked to come out here." Samantha interjected with the absol nuzzling Samantha's free hand.

"You did?" Everyone questioned the princess at the same time.

"Yes." Samantha spoke softly. "I was feeling cramped, so Lillie told me about the conservation area you've got here…amazing, by the way. I love this place." Samantha admitted that last part much quieter than the rest of it. "And then this absol came up here and she's just the cutest thing I've ever seen." Samantha gushed at the Pokémon, who ended up licking her face a few more times.

"It's all in good fun, Lusamine. Just let it go." Francine told her friend. "Hey, tell her about the diamond."

"What diamond?" Mallow asked as Lusamine pulled out the biggest diamond any of them have seen.

"Holy…" Sophocles gasped and rubbed his eyes.

"It's…so big…" Lillie said in awe and even her vulpix was admiring the diamond.

"That's the most incredible thing I've ever seen…" Mallow smiled while she stared at it.

"I thought I was seeing things." Samantha admitted. "That man had it."

"You mean that guy who took Genny?" Lusamine chimed in as Samantha nodded.

"Quite a convenient story." Faba doubted the princess' tale.

"Faba, not now." Francine scolded the man. "Samantha, we've spent the last hour trying to break this diamond or cut into it…and in all our efforts, we've yet to make a single scratch. Is there…I don't know some kind of hex that you might've put onto it?" Francine requested with the hope that Samantha could provide more information.

"I can't use magic." Samantha admitted. "I am unable to conjure or curse anything. So, I don't know what to tell you."

"Perhaps that man knows something…" Lusamine murmured to her friend.

"Perhaps, but Kukui said that no one has seen this person since…well, the incident." Francine whispered back and Lusamine sighed with frustration.

"Wicke, have you found-"

"No! Nothing!" The woman informed her boss as she flipped through many different books in an attempt to find out what kind of diamond it was. "I can't seem to find anything here." Lusamine sighed with frustration.

"Mother…can I…can I continue to show Samantha around?" Lillie asked.

"Yes, but be careful. Return her to her room before you leave." Lusamine informed her daughter and her friends.

"Thank you, Miss…Miss Lusamine." Samantha nodded her head.

"Please, just call me Lusamine." She answered sweetly she waved goodbye and the rest of the adults walked away with her.

"Your mom is nice." Samantha admitted while Lillie rolled her eyes.

"She's only gushing because she's your biggest fan. I wouldn't put it past her to admit she's had a crush on your parents." Lillie snapped before turning her head and giving an aggressive 'humph.'

"Lillie, calm down…we're all friends here…" Mallow reassured the young woman. "Why don't we check out what Tsareena and Togedamaru are up to?" Mallow changed the subject and quietly wheeled Samantha away, but Mallow was moving too fast and ended up forcing Samantha out of the chair. She somersaulted out and rolled down the bridge until she fell flat on her back in a grassy area next to the pathway. Her head was spinning and her arm was aching. The absol that was with her walked up to her to check if she was hurt.

"Oh my God! Sam! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Mallow cried out with a great sense of worry.

"It's alright…actually…it's kind of nice down here. I kind of feel like…I could…" Samantha closed her eyes and slowly inhaled. She felt the warmth of the sunlight and soft grass underneath her. While she dreamt, yet another memory from her past played in front of her. This time, it was Samantha prepping for her very first match in the tournament. Samantha was still stretching when she heard a knock at the door.

"Yeah?" She called out, and her mother entered the locker room.

"Oh…my little girl's getting ready for her first match. I'm so excited!" Zelda squealed with joy. Watching her made the present-day Samantha weakly smile.

'I miss you so much, mom.' Samantha thought as she glanced over to a familiar man watching over her dream. Samantha bit her lip, closed her eyes and gave a shuttered exhale.

"I…I'm not s-scared of you…" Samantha whimpered. Though she attempted to put on a brave face, she couldn't help but feel scared since the last time they squared off, he nearly killed her.

"Your tone says otherwise." He hinted as he watched alongside her. Samantha felt tears running down her face as she was terrified of the man who sat near her. She was considered to be as strong, if not stronger than her mother. And yet, the man who calls himself Gannondorf has placed the fear of God in her and all he was doing was sitting there. "I am coming for you." He warned the princess.

"Please…don't…" Samantha pleaded. "I don't have anything. I don't want to die. I just…leave me alone…" Samantha begged. Gannondorf didn't reply to her. He simply reached over to her, but a glowing light prevented him from grabbing her.

"Hm…same as before." He stated. "That's quite a hex your mother placed on you."

'What…What does that mean? What hex?' Samantha's asked herself.

"Enjoy the rest of today, princess. Tomorrow, I will ensure that you no longer breathe."

"I'm not…I don't want to die. Please! Just go away!" Samantha screamed with tears flowing down her face. Now that she was alone, all she had was the warning of what Gannondorf gave her and the fear of not knowing where he would strike. She woke up and frantically looked around.

"He's coming. He's coming…" Samantha squeaked as she began crying for real.

"Who's coming?" Mallow asked.

"Everyone, out." Francine pointed towards the door. Though everyone was a little disappointed, they slowly made their way to the door.

"Francine, I hope you don't mind if I-"

"Out." She said again.

"What?" Lusamine asked with a hurt tone. "But I-"

"Lusamine, she needs rest. The doctors will examine her and we'll keep a close eye on her." Francine reasoned with her friend. "Let's get some coffee, ok?" Reluctantly, Lusamine nodded.

"If anything changes, please call." Lusamine pleaded with the doctor. He nodded and turned back to Samantha.

"We'll keep her safe." The doctor informed the CEO. Lusamine and Francine waved goodbye to the princess before leaving the room. Though today wasn't exactly productive for the princess, she knew the odds were against her and her newest mission would be the hardest one yet.

'Get Genny and get the fuck out of here.' Samantha told herself as she looked out the window. Time was her newest enemy and with no other options, she had to find a way out.