Chapter 19

Bureaucracy

Earth 63, 2048, 9:45 AM

3rd person POV

"Last call for red line to Lillycove City!" the conductor yelled out as Cassie took her seat on the bullet train stationed in goldenrod city. While the train was originally only able to travel to Kanto, construction projects over the past twenty years allowed the train to travel across the ocean via bridges and tunnels. The world is more connected now that it has ever been.

Cassie was about to put on her headphones when an all too familiar woman with hot pink highlights in her hair jumped into the seat next to her. She was wearing a dark blue power suit and black flat shoes. This was a slight contrast to Cassie's black suit with her yellow scarf and heels.

"Dana? What are you doing here?" Cassie asked, clearly surprised.

"Everyone's going to the summit, I thought we could catch up a little bit on the train ride over." Dana explained as the train left the station and began to pick up speed.

"I suppose it will be all business when we get there, it's been almost five years since we've seen each other in person." Cassie admitted, reminiscing on how much had happened in the past five years

"No need to remind me, how's Kelly and Charlie?" Dana asked.

"As good as can be expected, they're going to be 19 soon." Cassie said, a hollow tone overcoming her voice.

"You can't beat yourself up about this, Cassie." Dana assured her.

"Yes I can. My children will never have a normal life" She said somberly.

"Cassie, when has our lives ever been normal? Even before Cipher's experiment you were still a shifter. Is it really that different?" Dana argued.

"Yes, shifters age slower, but they'll look like kids for over a century!" Cassie refuted, becoming even more upset.

"Ok, fine, but for everyone's sake can you be a little happier? You need to see positives wherever you can and take things day by day. Can you please do that for me?" Dana requested.

"I'll try." Cassie promised, sighing..

Earth 63, 2048, 12:32 PM

3rd person POV

As the meeting convinced the headmasters were on edge. Despite their protests the shifter registration act had been created and was now being taken to a vote. If passed every shifter would be subjected to a mandatory blood test. That blood would be synced to a DNA database showing their shift form and current residency. Something the headmasters of the academy couldn't allow as their shift forms were an important secret.

Luckily they weren't the only ones who opposed the bill, the representatives from Alma, Fore, Orre and Alola were on their side, however that meant that one of the more stubborn regional representatives would be the deciding vote.

As the voting began Connor seemed to be fixated on the benches where the representatives sat. Cassie noticed that Connor's eyes dropped to his twitching hands for just a moment. He then put his hand to his forehead, rubbing his temple like he had a headache. Cassie sweated, he looked genuinely agonized, like he had just been told a horrible news.

Then she felt it, for a fleeting moment a pulse. It was almost as fast as a gunshot, only Cassie, who's training with lightning bolts had given her obscene reflexes and senses would have felt it. It was a psychic signal that lasted no more than a second.

The chairman of the council stood up as the votes added up on his computer, however just as he opened his mouth his eyes bulged. He stayed silent for a moment before straightening his tie and speaking with authority. Everyone was on the edge of their seat as he announced the outcome.

"By a close vote of five to six the shifter registration act has been overturned and will not be ratified" Chairmen Mallum said, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

Five of the six representatives gasped, they quickly regained their composure and stood up. It was clear that they were angry at the outcome and had nothing more to say. The meeting was over without another word.

As Dana, Alex and Jake got in their car to go to the airport Cassie tapped Connor on the shoulder and pulled him to the side. They got in a separate car that simply waited in the parking lot.

"I got those files you wanted" Cassie said before shutting the widow in between the back seat and the driver.

'What did you do in there?' Cassie asked, using telepathy to keep the conversation silent.

'Do what?' Connor responded silently.

'Your entire body is an illusion and you're talking mentally but you still can hide the fact that your lying" Cassie scoffed.

Connor let out a deep sigh and said 'I read their minds, we were going to lose so I mind controlled the Unova representative and altered his memories to cover my tracks. even mentally the regent was apparent in his confession.

'Connor, you did what you had to, don't feel too bad, if that had passed everything we've worked for would have gone up in smoke.' Cassie consoled him.

'I know, it's just ...that was the first sign my sister showed when she was younger and going down the wrong path,' He admitted. Clearly the memories of his sister were still a painful topic.

'Connor, you're never going to be like her, you know why? Because unlike her you feel bad for what you did, and you didn't do that lightly, so stop beating yourself up' Cassie assured him.

Connor gave her a smile and opened the door, his fedora appeared at his side as he told the driver "take her to the airport please" before handing him the cab fare and walking away.

Earth 63, 2048, 2:35 PM

"SHUT UP!" Jackson Malum yelled into his phone as he was walking towards his car. A squad of security guards were walking with him on all sides.

Unbeknownst to him, a young man in a black leather trench coat was hiding in an alleyway with line of sight to his car. As soon as Jackson passed by the young man would reach for a concealed pistol in his coat.

However before Nixullium had a chance to do anything or even react, a pair of strong arms grabbed him. Then a gloved hand placed a rag over his mouth. He was out cold and dragged away without a single sound being heard….

Editing and Nixillum OC by FXCF