One's own life is a curious thing. To be surrounded by so many others, just like yourself, and yet no way to connect to their core. No way to truly know who they are. Unless, of course, you are able to see their very essence yourself. An ability young Aurora is merely scratching the surface of. Such an ability is rare to begin with; yet rarer are those who can properly utilize it. Thus far, it has allowed her knowledge of those around her she would not have otherwise had. In the future… well, that is what we are here to watch.

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Damidar, Calta 26th~~

Mama's gaze shot to Jean and Indra. {Fight what, precisely,} She growled dangerously, tails bristling.

Jean grimaced. "I know you don't trust me, but trust I don't have a choice in this at least. I… don't think it'll be too bad?"

At that I gave her a very odd look. That's not what Mama said at all? I guess she sounded a little angry, but… wha? When she noticed, I tried telling her instead. "{What're we gonna fight?}"

It took her a moment before her eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, you want to know what you'll be fighting." Yeah, that's what me and Mama asked. Humans really can't understand Pokemon, huh? That's stupid. "I… don't know, unfortunately. But the fights thus far have mostly been against equals, so… I'd guess a vulpix or ninetales?"

Mama nodded, relaxing ever so slightly. We'd seen that that was the case for everyone thus far, so it only made sense that'd be the case for us too.

We stopped in front of a door I recognized. It was the same one I'd heard Eclipse behind, on the way back from Rhodo before. It opened, giving a path directly into the glass enclosure. Jean looked at us both. "I'll be waiting here to take you to Rhodo afterwards. And… good luck."

I nodded, walking with Mama. We didn't have much of a choice. The floor here was still metal, but the floor in the arena was a dull gray that felt kinda… not soft. It wasn't hard either. Sorta springy? It was like our beds, but harder. Lights above us blared, a constant low hum filling the room.

All around us stood the various grunts with the white coats. I instinctively went to Mama, who hid me in her tails. {There is no reason for them to gawk stupidly as humans are wont to do.}

After a moment, a door on the other side opened. I was expecting a ninetales like Mama, or a vulpix, or the Sneasel from before or something. Instead what came hopping out was… a seed? A yellow seed with brown stripes, big eyes, a smiling face and a green stem with two leaves shooting off to the side. Who smelled kinda earthy.

I could feel the surprise from Mama as her eyes widened, then she sat down slowly. {I… was not expecting this.}

The yellow seed jumped at our arrival. {Hewwo!}

I raised my hand hesitantly, pausing halfway before waving. "{Hey?}"

{I'm Sunkern! Are you my playmate today?} She asked.

"{Playmate?}" I asked, tilting my head in confusion. What's going on?

She hopped around eagerly as much as she could without limbs. {The blue people told me when I get into the playroom that I can spar with someone cool! So you two have gotta be those people!}

I looked at Mama, confusion written across my face. She smiled. {Pokemon will often play-fight together, my child. That is what she's asking.}

I looked back at the sunkern. Happy, bouncing and a bundle of joy. My mind went back to the fights Eclipse and Owain had had. How Lucia had fought tooth and nail against another Gallade.

My ears drooped as I looked back at Mama. "{But… won't that hurt her? I don't wanna hurt her…}"

{Heya!} Sunkern shouted again, gripping my attention. {Can we start now? I wanna play!}

I looked back at Mama again. She nodded, gesturing with a couple of her tails towards her. I feel like a meanie butt. I turned back towards Sunkern. "{I uh, I'll try and play?}"

{Yay!} She jumped for joy, only stopping when the intercom turned on.

"You may begin," Was all they said.

{Now that we're both ready, Imma hit you with my bullet seed attack! Watch out!} Sunkern took a deep breath before she started shooting several dozen small, green tinged seed pellets at me. I yelped, leaping to the side out of the way and dodging around them.

Since when is playing shooting seeds at people?!

Some part of my instincts though told me this was okay. It felt… right, somehow. Like I didn't need to be afraid of play fighting with her.

The other part felt awful about play fighting with a gleeful little seed girl.

I started jumping around, weaving through the seeds to get closer to her. Within a few seconds, I'd gotten close to her while she was taking a breath after firing a volley of seeds. When I thought about what to do though, I hesitated. She was breathing kinda hard. Her eyes are so big and she feels so happy and nice and what am I even meant to do? I don't wanna kick her!

I watched as Sunkern caught her breath before she shot more seeds, this time right in my face. I yelped again, holding my hands in front to block them. "{Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow!}"

Without even thinking, a small panel of ice formed on my hands to block the seeds. They bounced off of it, my hands no longer stinging. Or my face.

Sunkern stopped short and gazed at me, eyes wide. {So you're of winter…} Sunkern bounced backwards slightly thinking about her next move. {But I'm not scared of some silly snow!} The leaves on the top of her head sharpened before turning a luminescent white. {Here we go, cut attack!}

Sunkern leaped forwards, leaves first with Cut. This time though, I darted to the side away before grabbing her, then throwing her across the room. Much quicker and further than I expected, bonking against the wall. I winced. "{Are you okay?}"

It took a second for Sunkern to bounce back onto her feet, shaking off some dust. {Owwie… I'm okay! Let's go again!} Sunkern hopped back into battle with shining leaves once more. I had to dodge a couple strikes before leaping up and away, landing on my feet and dashing back around to grab and throw her again. Some part of me thought about trying to shoot fire or ice back at her, but… it felt too mean.

She shook her head again after getting up. {You're pretty good at playing, but… my papa taught me this move!} Sunkern focused really hard into her leaves this time surrounding them in a verdant light. She jumped into the air before sending several sharp leaves curving and slicing through the air right towards me.

Unlike the seeds from before, they didn't stop if I dodged them. I kept trying to get in close to throw her again, but they'd just whirl back around through the air at me. Some crumpled against the walls or floor, but more kept coming. I thought back to how Mama made the beam of cold from her mouth. Maybe…

I swung my hands around me in a circle, a bunch of snowflakes cracking a little as they formed and filled the air with a cold breeze. It sent the leaves off course and Sunkern got caught in the cold, falling onto her side after a few more snowflakes hit her.

My eyes widened and I bolted over, picking her up gently. My heart froze. "{Are you okay?! Don't die! I don't wanna hurt you!}"

Sunkern got up a bit slower this time, but she shook it off easily enough. {Ooof, I don't think I'm ready for winter.} She turned to me and hopped happily. {That was great! You're lots of fun to play with!}

The chill in my heart warmed as I breathed a sigh of relief, smiling back at her. "{Thanks, you too. I didn't know you could throw leaves and stuff at people.}"

{My papa taught me!} Sunkern hopped happily at the thought of him before looking around. {I haven't seen him in awhile, but next time I'll tell him I made a new friend!}

My ears drooped, my eyes watering a bit before I hugged them close. "{You'll see your papa again…}" I pointed over at Mama. "{That's my Mama over there.}"

Sunkern peeked over and waved a leaf at my mama who returned it with a nod. {Your mama looks nice. I think her and papa could be friends! Hey what's your name? I wanna play again sometime!}

"{I'm Aurora,}" I said softly, "{What's your name?}"

She tilted her head confused. {It's Sunkern silly. Did you forget?}

I blinked. But… wait, what? "{Nono, I didn't, I just… lotsa Pokemon I've met have names that aren't what they are. Sorry, I didn't mean to be a meanie…}"

{They do!? I didn't know we could do that…} Sunkern looked genuinely stunned.

The intercom turned on once again. "Sunkern is dismissed. Bring in the next opponent."

My eyes widened, the world almost slowing down as I gazed at her. I thought about how she'd probably been taken from her papa, how I didn't know if I'd get to see her again ever, how I didn't know if she was gonna be alive much longer.

"{Shine!}"

{Shine?}

I hugged her, trying not to cry. "{Do you want your name to be Shine?}"

{Shine…} Sunkern was thoughtful for a moment, until her heart filled with happiness. {Shine shine shine! Like the sunshine! I love it, Aurora, tha-}

Shine's glee was cut off as she turned into scarlet mist right in my arms. I couldn't help but recoil as her feelings, right in my arms one moment, were gone the next. One of the grunts from above had recalled her back into her pokeball before pocketing it and exchanging it for a new one. The grunt clicked the new pokeball and a small orange wormlike pokemon with a single white horn entered the arena. He looked around confused before his eyes landed on me.

{Play?} He crawled a few steps toward me, cocking his head. When he noticed my tears he began to feel sad. {Why cry?}

I barely even heard him. I was just thinking how Shine got turned to red light and pulled away into a Pokeball before she'd even gotten to finish saying goodbye. How I'd probably never see her again.

I looked at the little bug, wiping my eyes as Mama came over and nuzzled me. "{I… I didn't wanna say goodbye…}"

{My child…} Mama nuzzled me gently, looking at the bug. {Can you give her a moment, young Weedle?}

Weedle nodded before crawling back. His emotions were simple, but he understood what Mama meant. The lady on the intercom didn't wanna wait though…

"Commence."

Weedle looked up at the intercom and then back at Mama and me. He shifted awkwardly, wondering which voice he should listen to, but he remained still.

Mama gave him a grateful look before looking me in the eyes. {Aurora. I know it hurts. I know it is painful. But we cannot do anything about it, not yet. For now, you need to be strong. I know you can be. Just play, and keep her in your heart. I will be here.}

I nodded, and she gestured with her tails to Weedle. {His horn will poison you. Take care not to touch it, my child.}

She brushed her tail against my face, drying my eyes, before walking back and sitting. I faced Weedle, my heart still shaking, but I stood strong. Like Mama asked. "{I… I can play now.}"

Weedle nodded and gave a happy trill. {Play good!} He took a stance and shot a long string of web at me.

I dodged to the side like before, the sadness in my heart burning away into anger. They don't care. At all! They just wanna do whatever they want and they don't give a damn! Shine's probably gonna die and I couldn't stop it and so are they and everything's gonna be awful!

Weedle stopped shooting webbing before honing toxic energy to his horn and firing pins at me. I dodged to the other side, into the web. It was a bit stickier than I expected, but it stopped sticking to my feet pretty quick as it began to crackle and burn.

I turned to Weedle, the web blackening to ash as it was engulfed by the blaze. An acrid smell filled the air and a thick black smoke began to rise. The heat didn't stop the tears rolling down my face. I made a quick panel of ice from my hands, stopping the needles before they could hit me. I then ran over, grabbing him and throwing him like I had with Shine. I don't wanna hurt him, but they're gonna kill us all if I don't fight!

Weedle wasn't as talkative as Shine, but he looked eager to get back into it. I wonder how often he gets to be outside of his pokeball?

Weedle made his way over to me clumsily, focusing skittish bug energy to his face before creating fangs like a bug bite. I ran right towards him, skidding to the side as he tried to bite me and throwing him against the wall again. Not hard enough to really hurt, but there was a small thud like before.

He got up once again and shook his head. {Fun?} He asked. He's asking if I feel better now…

I hesitated. I definitely don't feel better… but I don't wanna lie to him. Maybe…

"{Happy to meet you. Your name?}" I said, slowly. It's not how I'd say that usually, but maybe it'll help him?

{Weedle. Name?} He asked me curiously.

"{Aurora.}" I glanced at the burning web from before. My breath hitched as I imagined him there for a moment, his corpse blackening like the web and smoke rising around him, before shaking my head quickly to get the thought out of my head. "{Need keep playing. You want other name?}"

{Other… name?} His emotions were filled with the same confusion Shine had. They had never thought about it. Humans hadn't given them a world where they were allowed to think about it. To be them. To be more than just a tool.

I glanced fearfully at the room looming above us. They don't care about any of this… but I don't think he knows to play and talk at the same time. My eyes darted about, looking for something, anything, that'd give us more time. And then I had a thought.

I ran up to Weedle, grabbing him and hugging him close (making sure to keep the horn away from me) before running into the middle of the burning web. At the same time, I made my body cold so he wouldn't get too hot, and kept him close so the flames wouldn't get him.

He squirmed for a moment before realizing he wasn't being hurt and looking up at me with his big eyes. "{They don't want us talk. Your name… doesn't need be Weedle, like other Weedle. Want name be Spiri?}" I spoke quietly the whole time, the smoke hiding us from view.

I didn't have time to come up with much, and my brain was still reeling from what had happened with Shine. But I didn't wanna come up with a name like Spike or Web or something super simple. It'd be just as bad as the humans not letting him have a name to give him a simple name. Spiri was the best I had at that time.

He gave it as much thought as he could before he nodded gleefully. {Spiri! Happy!}

I hugged him closer, tears streaming down my face again. "{Play dead. Me don't want hurt you. Want things to be okay. Please?}"

{Okay, Aurora friend,} Spiri said before getting comfy, closing his eyes and going fake limp. I hopped out of the burning web, which had burned down to nothing but ashes at this point. I looked at Mama with fear in my eyes, my ears tilting back and my tails bristling.

"{I-it can't take him if it doesn't touch him, right…?}"

She nodded. {Indeed.}

I turned to the room, holding up Spiri for a second. "{He's knocked out! It's okay!}" And before the human holding the ball could move, I turned my back to him so the Pokeball couldn't hit him with the red beam and suck him back up.

The grunt tried recalling Spiri from a few more angles, but I got in the way each time. He clicked his teeth frustrated before he stopped and pressed a finger to his ear, as though he was listening to someone.

"Understood," He said, before stopping and staring down at me. A few seconds passed.

{What happen?} Spiri said softly, just loud enough for me to hear.

"{I… don't know…}" It was the truth, but this time? There wasn't any conflict in my instincts. They were both telling me something horrible was coming.

That's when I heard it. Clacking.

It was rhythmic and loud, piercing the silence of the very large arena. To anyone else they sounded like noisier footsteps, but every time I heard them I could feel my heart sink. Every step this person took my body began to tense. Whoever was coming was dangerous just like Sneasel… but focused. Plotting. Calculated in their cruelty. Human.

Finally I could see the mysterious person with the loud shoes. She was the same woman Rhodo showed me on the phone. She had short, silver hair and a lean body. She wore a silky looking black dress with golden trim and flower patterns all over it. Over it she wore a white coat with the yellow G symbol on the back. There was something off about her eyes though… they were golden, but the insides… they were twisted and cold. As though they were endless voids leading to somewhere any light was snuffed out.

She made her way over to the grunt who straightened at the sight of her. She did not make a single misstep, even in her weird heel shoes. All the other humans in white coats froze when they saw her. She stopped by the grunt before looking down at me.

She took out a pokeball from her coat pocket before releasing the tall pokemon with the black dress and white bows. Upon looking at me his eyes cringed as though he were staring at filth.

"Gothitelle, remove Weedle from #001's arms," She commanded. Gothitelle nodded before raising his hand and I could feel my body begin to move on its own as I was engulfed in a pink glow. I felt as my arms were being torn away from Spiri's form.

No!

I tightened my grip, but no one could tell. My muscles tensed, straining against a force that had no physical aspect. The most it did in response was slow for a brief moment before Spiri was ripped from my arms.

Spiri tried wiggling his way out of the invincible grip, but all he could do was shake ever so slightly and shout. {Help!}

"The pokeball," the woman asked, the grunt delicately placing it in her hands.

"{Spiri!}" I cried, jumping after him as he began floating out of the arena. I opened my arms to hug him again. He looked straight into my eyes, the curiosity and glee from his face gone. Replaced with fear and confusion.

Time slowed down again. I hadn't jumped far enough, but I was close to a wall. I knew if I couldn't save him, something awful was going to happen.

I twisted around, planting my feet against the wall before launching myself to the opposite one. Gothitelle's eyes followed my movements easily, but the humans couldn't track me.

As the wall rushed closer, I turned so I could propel myself off of it, upwards towards Spiri. There was a small glimmer of hope in his heart.

Until a wall of force shimmered into existence, and I crashed right into it.

{Auro-} Was all he could manage before the red light engulfed him. I didn't even have the time to try again, falling through the air as it streamed back into the pokeball. With Spiri. I crashed to the ground. Mama ran over with concern as I glared up at them with horror and fury.

"Thank you, Gothitelle," She nodded to him before placing Spiri's pokeball in the grunt's hand. My heart sank before she even opened her mouth again. "Feed Weedle to Cyrus' Honchkrow. My tolerance's range does not encompass disobedient worms."

My heart shattered. A white noise filled my ears, the thought of Spiri being fed to some Pokemon after being taken away. His innocent voice, demeanor, the last thing he knew before he was eaten alive was me splatting against a wall I couldn't break.

I'd needed the time. I'd tried to talk with him. And he was being killed for it.

Tears streaming down my face, I screamed. Twin roars of emotion erupted around me as the world went white, then faded slowly to black.

My mind was in a haze. Not unlike when I'd first woken up two weeks ago, but my memory was more shattered than foggy. Brief scenes passed through my mind; hugging Spiri, both him and Shine being taken by a Pokeball, the evil lady calling for him to be eaten, both of them confused at the end, how I'd never see either of them again, being taken by the Sneasel and tall human, the person who'd died in the process as their bones split apart in horrible cracks that ripped open their limbs to mimic what Mama had told me was a Sigilyph.

"-rora," Said a hazy voice.

{M- -hild!} Said another one.

The memories suddenly shot together, forming one cohesive picture again.

"{Spiri!}" I screamed as I shot upright, my breathing frantic as I looked around. There was no glass around. No grunts. Just the berry plants in pots, some cots, Mama and Rhodo.

{My child!} Mama curled around me protectively, keeping me close. {You're awake…}

"You're safe now, Aurora," Rhodo said gently. On the nightstand by my cot were more of those potion bottles and an empty yellow diamond capsule. "How do you feel?"

My condition wasn't even registering. Only one thing was on my mind. "{Spiri! Is Spiri okay? Where is he?}"

Rhodo's heart told me everything I needed to know before his words ever could. "I… I'm… I'm so sorry. Spiri is… gone."

Tears welled up in my eyes again before I held close to Mama, wailing. She just kept me close, saying nothing. She just made sure to keep me enveloped in her tails, her warmth barely registering anymore. Even the collar tingling didn't register.

I couldn't stop thinking about how the last time I'd seen him, despite my best efforts, he was terrified. How I couldn't do anything to save him. How all he wanted was to help me feel better. To play.

I needed time… and that time came in exchange of his life...

"Jean and I tried to talk Spinel down… we really tried, but… I'm sorry. I failed…" Rhodo looked down and squeezed his hands, an old rage welling up inside him. It was the most emotion I had ever felt from him. Self-loathing and anger.

At that moment, everything else went quiet. Rhodo and Mama were still there. Rhodo was saying things, Mama was whispering something in an attempt to help soothe me, but I wasn't focused on them. I could feel two sides of myself arguing with each other.

-can't just move on!

The point isn't to move on! If anything that's the last thing we should do!

So, what? We keep crying about Spiri forever? That's…

Definitely not what we should do! But Spiri being gone doesn't have to just make us sad. It can make us mad. Like Mama has in her heart. That fire in her heart's because of what humans have done. She's sad right now too. But she's probably been sad before. Stuff like this has probably happened before to her already, loads of times. And she doesn't forget about what happened, does she?

...no, she doesn't. She remembers it. And that helps keep her going.

Exactly. We do that. We keep Spiri, Razin and Urie, Paul and Hydreigon, everyone who dies here? We keep them all in our heart. Like how Owain and Sue showed everyone! They kept going and didn't back down until they had to to not die. We don't just sit back and let the humans do whatever they want. We fight. We keep going. We don't let them beat us. Any of us. We're gonna get out with Mama, Leanne and Yvonne, Hazel and Vivian, everyone we can.

But… but people are gonna die!

Yeah… they will. But what are we gonna do about that? They killed Spiri because he didn't listen to what… Spinel, Rhodo said her name was? Because he didn't listen to her immediately. Which is stupid! He just wanted to be nice!

Leanne would call her a bitch, wouldn't she?

Yup.

So if we try and save everyone now…

We'll all die. And then we can't live for anyone. We gotta try and help as many people as we can, get out, and then we get stronger. We make more friends. We break this world humans have made, that let all this happen. With the help of Pokemon friends, and others like us. And we make sure the humans hurt for what they've done.

What about Rhodo? And Jean? They don't feel bad.

No… no they don't.

We shouldn't hurt them. They've been hurt by humans too. Even Mama doesn't hate them as much! Some humans are nice.

But not all of them!

Definitely not all of them. But we can feel the good and bad people! Spinel, the evil lady? She felt… eugh. So wrong. Like she eats babies.

She probably does, really.

I know right? Anyway, she and Rhodo feel lots different. Jean feels a lot closer to Rhodo than Spinel. And that Sneasel from before… they look like they're more Spinel than Rhodo. We just gotta pay attention to who's who. We can tell who's nice and who's naughty. So we beat up the bad guys and hug the good guys!

That… makes sense.

I won't let them win. We'll beat them. Together.

Something in my soul resonated with that. Unending, blazing hate wasn't the answer. But neither was boundless, overflowing compassion. The kind people would be hurt by the former, and the latter would let… stuff like this happen. And neither was an option.

I had to make sure the nice people were safe and loved, and felt that way. And I had to make sure those who'd hurt them would pay.

As my thoughts merged to form one, cohesive plan of action, the world around me began to register again. Mama and Rhodo were both looking at me, waiting patiently. {I sense something within you has shifted, my child.}

I nodded, still crying but wiping my eyes as my ears tilted back. My heart still felt like it was the thing that'd been eaten, but the sadness was fueling something else now. "{I'm not gonna let the bad guys win. We're all gonna get out together! An' beat them all up!}" I put a hand on my heart. "{And Spiri is gonna live here, just like Razin, Urie, Paul and Hydreigon.}"

Pride and affection blazed from Mama as she curled around me. {Absolutely, Aurora. The humans shall not break us.}

Rhodo smiled at that. He felt… nostalgic now, as though a small flame of fervor had been lit within him, but still somber. "The heart, huh… yes, keep them all there. I'm sure they're all grateful that you will be thinking of them. I'll support you all as best I can."

"{I will,}" I stated, fire in my heart blazing against the torrential downpour around it, "{And things are gonna be okay!}"

Rhodo suddenly perked up at that. "You called the sunkern in the arena Shine, right? I want you to know that she's safe."

My eyes widened at that. She's okay? She's not dead like Spiri? She's alive! We can help her too!

"Unfortunately…" He continued. "Jean and I can't access her at the moment. I don't think they'll do anything bad to her since she didn't disobey, but…" Rhodo caught himself before he finished his sentence. There's something he knows, but why won't he tell me?

It was like the words had tried to dampen the flame with a splash of water. All it did was sizzle and burn like before. "{She's strong! She'll be okay! But…}" I looked at him oddly. "{Why don't you wanna say something?}"

Rhodo frowned. He didn't feel like he was confused as to what I said, more about how to respond. "Pokemon raised in environments like this don't always turn out… completely alright. I dunno what Spinel and the others have in store for her and I don't even wanna guess..."

Mama felt like she wanted to say something, but she glanced at me to give me space if I wanted to say something. Which I did. "{If we can make it outta here,}" I said defiantly, putting a hand on my chest and moving closer to Mama, "{And if everyone else can too? Then she can make it outta here okay too. She's strong!}"

Rhodo smiled at me, another nostalgic warm feeling welled up in his chest. There was still self-loathing, but he felt a little more at ease. "Your optimism is contagious… you believe in Shine, so I will too." He closed his eyes, the nostalgia growing even more mixed with seriousness. "Spinel is going to have you fight more pokemon around Shine's age under the pretense you are all 'playing'. She saw your powers and wants to see a whole lot more, but I suppose that was inevitable. These pokemon don't have a lot of freetime outside of their pokeballs besides training and none of them have names so… I think they'd all really appreciate what you did for Shine and Spiri."

That fire of hate burned ever so slightly brighter in me, but I nodded. "{I'll help them too! I'll try and give them names if they want them, and I'll make sure everyone's okay!}"

Mama nuzzled me gently. {Your heart is large to encompass them all, my child. I am proud to call you my daughter.}

Just then, I remembered something. "{Mama, Rhodo… what happened? I remember screaming when they took Spiri, but… I dunno what happened after that.}"

A tiny smile crossed Mama's face. {You exploded at them, my child.}

I blinked.

"It was… intense. Your body was engulfed in fire and ice. Never quite seen anythin' like it before," Rhodo added on, rubbing his chin.

I looked at Mama curiously. "{Pokemon don't do that?}"

Her eyes closed as she shook her head slowly. {There is a technique used by some Pokemon that allows them to explode, and it is not unlike what you did. However, it is an expulsion of raw energy. Not fire and ice, as happened with you. Nor is it involuntary.} After I looked confused, she elaborated. {It means you did not perform any technique to explode yourself, unless I am mistaken?}

"{No,}" I said slowly, shaking my head, "{I was just so angry and sad and I just… screamed. I didn't know any of that happened.}" And I wasn't trying to burn Spiri's web, or make ice after Shine was taken… And I'll get shocked sometimes when something makes me really upset...

"I've never seen fire and ice types like you before, but… it's not unheard of pokemon to overwhelm themselves with their own power and just explode. There's a lot to it, sometimes it's due to their ability, a move, release of excess energy or in your case… it looks like raw emotion," Rhodo finished. "There are ways to manage the bursts so you don't do them accidentally, at least."

Mama chuckled. {Yes, there are ways to better control your energy, my child. I would be more than happy to teach you. In a shocking turn of events, humans are quite inept at understanding it.}

Even though my heart still ached for Spiri, and there were two fires burning in me? I still managed to chuckle. "{Okay Mama,}" I said softly, hugging her.

Rhodo checked the time before turning back to us. "I could see from the cameras that everyone was worried about you, so let's make sure you're alright now," He said as he began to finish the check-up. It didn't take too much longer before I was done and he could call Jean. "I'm sorry about Spiri, but Jean and I will ask about Shine again. Until then, I tried something new for everyone to eat. Banana nut muffins."

He gave me a whole armful of them, and me and Mama were ready to go when Jean came in. She breathed a huge sigh of relief at seeing me up and about. I was still a little tired, which makes sense since I apparently exploded. But feeling how her and Indra were so worried about me, then happy when they saw I was okay…

When we got to the door back to everyone else, I looked at my armful of muffins. I can't move them, but… I bonked her leg with my head. She looked down at me confused. "Aurora?"

"{You and Indra should have muffins!}"

Her eyes widened as Mama looked at me curiously. "No, I…" she started, hesitating. "I can go to Rhodo anytime, you shouldn't…"

I shook my head. "{You're a nice human. The bad humans are hurting you too. We're gonna get through this, and Rhodo's muffins help!}"

"You're sure…?" When I nodded, she went to take one, stopped halfway, and then shook her head. "I'll go ask Rhodo for some. I can't take yours. You all get so few as is…"

My ears tilted, worried. "{But… you haven't had any yet, right?}"

She paused. "No… not yet, but-"

"{Then why don't you want one…?}"

She felt thoughtful before she responded. "I do want one. But those muffins are for you and the others. You all have to go through so much. It's not right for me to take them from you. Yes, I'm… not in the greatest place. But I have less hell to go through than you. I can ask Rhodo. You're very kind, but please. Those muffins should be for all of you."

Mama smiled sadly at me. {You are kind, my child, but she is in a position we are not. We must make use of what we have.}

I nodded slowly, nuzzling closer to Mama as Jean gave a Rhodo smile. "Thank you, really. But you need to take care of each other. I'll be okay."

Is it bad I tried to give her some muffins…?

As the door slid open, Leanne looked over before her eyes widened. "She's okay! And back!"

She and Yvonne quickly ran over as we walked in hugging us close. Hazel and Vivian were close to the door as well while Eclipse, Yuna and Koko ran over. "What happened? Are you alright?"

I nodded, putting the muffins on the bed before I hopped on with Mama. I opened my mouth, then my mind went back to Spiri. How he'd been ripped from my arms, and I was powerless to do anything about it. "{No…}"

Her face fell, but I clenched my fists. "{But it's gonna be okay! We're gonna beat them all an' make it outta here together!}"

All of them looked surprised by my sudden declaration. Mama smiled. {My child is not one to simply let the humans beat her. She is strong. And she has faith in the strength of us all to endure and overcome.}

Hazel felt particularly worried, so I went over and hugged her. "{It's okay… we're gonna be okay.}"

She just nodded slowly, fear still in her heart. "Were… were you okay? Fighting? We heard you yelling Shine's name…"

I shuddered. "I… they wanted to play. I didn't wanna hurt them." My eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't mind fighting the humans, but Shine and… S-Spiri… I didn't…"

Leanne came over to wipe my eyes gently, Eclipse feeling clearly at a loss for what to say.

{You really didn't want to fight either of them, did you?}

I looked over to see a large, flower headed plant. He had lots of small, yellow petals on his head, leaf hands, a big teardrop green body and long feet. Next to him was a person like me, even though he looked pretty human. He had fluffy blonde hair that spiked to look like petals, baggy dark green pants, tough brown boots, a lighter green long sleeved shirt and worn gloves.

I shook my head slowly. "{No… all they wanted was to play.}" The words died in my throat before something pushed them forwards. "{If I'd tried to burn them… they would've been really hurt. I-I didn't…}"

{Easy,} he said, putting a leaf on my head. {I'm not blaming you. You just wanted to help them, right?}

I nodded, and he smiled a little more brightly. {That's all I wanted to know.} Then he looked up at the person with him, who felt… sad. Like his heart was breaking. I quickly held up muffins to them both.

"{H-here! These'll help!}"

They looked at the muffins, then me, gently taking them as the person nodded. "We already know your name, so… you should know ours. I'm Garland." He gestured to the Pokemon with him. "He's Dijon. Thanks for the muffins."

Even though he spoke curtly, I could tell it was mostly because he was hurting. He didn't know what to say. He doesn't wanna make it worse. "{I hope you like them!}"

As they walked away, Mama sighed. {That poor Sunflora…} At seeing my face, she elaborated. {Sunflora is what Shine will evolve into. They… do not do well without sunlight for extended periods of time.}

I shuddered. I might not even really know what the sun looks like, but at least I don't wither away without it like him… I wonder if Shine's gonna be okay without sun…

We slowly began eating our muffins, Hazel and Vivian staying closer to me and Mama. Then I noticed Mabel, Haley, Benny and Bors coming over. I waved a little, even though they all felt sad.

"Hey Aurora," Mabel said gently with their heart in the floor, "How're you feeling? Nothing broken…?"

I thought a moment before putting my hand over my heart. It feels like it broke… Mabel got it though, and just hugged me gently. "I'm so sorry… Is it alright if I say something about… all of that?"

I nodded, and they ruffled my hair with a sad smile. "A lot of weedle are overlooked by lots of people. If nothing else… I'm sure he was glad to have you as a friend."

My eyes welled up. "{H-he's still my friend…}" I put a hand on my heart again. "{A-and he's gonna live here now.}"

They nodded as Leanne started rubbing my back gently. "And it's a wonderful place for him."

As much as it hurt. As much as I wanted to curl into a ball, crying and never seeing any of the evil humans ever again? I couldn't. Not right now. We all needed to get through this. And I had to do my part to help.

I grabbed some muffins and held them to everyone. Mabel smiled sadly. "Thank you," they whispered before handing the muffins to Haley, Benny and Bors. When they took a bite, they relaxed a ton and smiled more warmly at Benny. "Muffins with nuts in them. Brings back memories, huh?"

Benny nodded and started signing as I nibbled on mine. I like the parts that don't have nuts in them. But it's still lots better than gruel… My heart sank even more. Is it bad that I don't wanna eat something that isn't gruel?

Someone's hand brushed gently on my arm. I turned quickly to see that Hazel had sat up and was looking at me concerned. "Do… you want to sit with us?"

Even though we were only a few feet apart, I got what she meant. I scooched closer to her, Mama getting up to walk over before encircling us with her tails. Hazel held my hand gently. "I… don't want to hurt people." One of my ears tilted. "I don't want to do any of… what this place is. Mommy and Daddy… they taught me better than that. But…" She looked at me and Mama. "You wanna fight them, don't you?"

I nodded. "{They're evil. And they're hurting loads of people. I can't just stand by and let all that happen. I gotta do something!}"

"{Even if it hurts you…?}"

"{Yeah.}" I gave a small smile. "{I can take it. And if I get hurt, then other people aren't getting hurt.}" I hugged her. "{I don't wanna get hurt, but I can fight. I can do something. So I should. Right?}"

Mama felt concerned, but also pride as Hazel hugged me back. "I… don't think I'll ever be able to fight with you. But I can try and help you. Like family does, right?"

Vivian nuzzled between us. {Yeah. Family helps family.}

A shadow came over us as Yvonne's wings spread around, Leanne hugging us all while Mama kept her tails around us. "Right. Family helps family. And they can't take that away from us." She gave me a sad smile. "But Aurora, don't put yourself in too much danger, alright? You don't have to do this alone. We're gonna do this together, right?"

I nodded, a part of me feeling… happy. Right… Spiri wouldn't want me to be sad. He didn't and he doesn't. I gotta be happy for him and everyone else, too… And we can all be a big, happy family.

We stayed like that for quite a while. Afterwards we didn't say too much, and were simply… there for each other. Like family is. Eventually though I had to go to sleep, so Leanne made sure we got there okay while Hazel and Vivian wished us good night. Once we'd reached our bed and I was safely in Mama's tails though…

"{Mama?}"

She looked in at me. {Yes, my child?}

My eyes started watering again, and the words died in my throat once more. She waited patiently until I said something. "{Is… i-is it my fault? If I'd been stronger… If I was used to Pokeballs, S-Spiri wouldn't have-}"

{No.} I looked at Mama as she brushed away the tears with a tail gently. {It is not your fault in the slightest, my child. None of us ever truly get used to Pokeballs. Your reaction was entirely natural. You did not harm Spiri in any way. You did everything you could to help. The humans are to blame for this. Not you. Never you.}

I nodded slowly, hugging close to her. "{W-what about the muffins from earlier? I didn't like them as much as the others, is that-}"

She shook her head again. {Simply having a preference is not bad at all, Aurora. Rhodo is giving us as many muffins of as many different kinds as he is able, simply due to how many preferences everyone here has. Even Ron and Rush have foods they would eat before other ones.}

"{R-really…?}"

{Really.} She nuzzled me gently. {You are not to blame for anything that happens here, my child. Would you blame Leanne and Yvonne for what happened to their family?} I shook my head quickly, almost making myself dizzy. {Then why do you blame yourself for what happened to yours?}

I stopped. But- no, that's mean… but what about- no, that's mean too… I slowly looked back at Mama. "{But I still feel bad about it…}"

{And that is perfectly fine. We cannot control our hearts. But I will always be right here to help calm yours.}

Even after that though, my heart still ached. I'd close my eyes and cuddle against Mama, but every time I got a bit more tired Shine being turned to mist in my arms and Spiri being ripped away shot through with an accompanying jolt from the collar.

After quite some time, when the lights had turned off already, me and Mama both looked over at the sound of footsteps. Guinevere and Chestnut were coming over.

"Having trouble sleeping?"

I nodded, and Guinevere gave a sad smile. A very sad smile, if her feelings were anything to go by. "I think I can help, if you like…? And Ivane allows it, of course."

Mama nodded slowly. She wasn't quick to trust people, not at all, but she could tell they were kind too, I think. She unfurled her tails slightly and Chestnut curled with us both, smiling. {Let me know if I'm intruding, alright?}

We both nodded, and while I laid with Mama and Chestnut? Guinevere began rubbing my back slowly as she started to sing. The same song she'd sung before when I had trouble sleeping.

Come my child,

Stay with me.

I'll protect you, and your dreams...

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Damidar, Solaci 27th~~

Guinevere's song was accurate, since I didn't have any nightmares like the other night. My heart still hurt lots in the morning, trying to process everything that'd happened yesterday.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to do so.

After me and Mama had eaten with the others, Jean and Indra came by because we were supposed to fight again. Something about how we weren't injured last time and didn't need a recovery day? Whatever it meant, Jean didn't seem happy about it at all.

This time when me and Mama went into the arena thingy, waiting for us was a blue Pokemon. They had a flat tail, two feet, no arms, pink spiny things on their cheeks and three darker blue curves on their body.

He tilted his head at me and gave a toothless smile. {Who're you guys?}

I stopped for a moment, my mind flashing back to Spiri from yesterday, but I couldn't let that happen again. "{I'm Aurora.}" I moved closer to Mama. "{And this is my Mama.}"

He kept tilting his head back and forth with the same smile. He didn't really have much going on besides good vibes. {Aurora and Mama… So many names, I'll try to remember. I'm Wooper… I think. I forget.}

I blinked. Did he get his head messed with like me? "{I… I mean I think you're a Wooper? Mama?}" She nodded as I continued. "{Do you want another name?}"

Wooper's face and emotions remained the same. {Another name… that sounds hard to remember.}

Something simple… "{What about Woo? That's simple, right?}"

This time he felt a bit happier. {That's even easier than my old name! Whatever that was…}

"Commence," Said Spinel over the intercom. Woo looked around confused by the sudden voice.

The grunt who had taken Spiri's pokeball yesterday spoke up when he saw Woo not doing anything. "Wooper, attack!"

Woo shirked at the grunt's command, his calm heart spiking with fear. {I thought we were playing...? Play… attack?}

My eyes narrowed, this time a chill running through me. It coalesced in my hand, the air freezing into a snowball before I chucked it right at the grunt. There was glass in the way, so it couldn't actually hit him, instead slamming into the glass and sticking as a splatter of snow over his face. But maybe not seeing him will help Woo feel better?

Mama smiled at him. {You are indeed playing, young one. Simply do what you feel is right.}

Woo turned back to us and he quickly returned back to his usual state. {Alrighty… let's play attack!} Woo took a deep breath before he spat a long stream of water towards me.

I dodged it like I had with the other moves, running around while Mama called out to me. {Be wary, my child. We do not do well with water.}

Why not? That was a thought for later though, as I went over to grab him like before. When I did though there was a little tingle in my hands, almost like the collar. My hands slipped off him like he was covered in water. I quickly jumped back and shook my hands to get the slimy stuff off, tilting my head in confusion.

Woo inhaled again, this time lobbing a thick glob of mud towards me, ready to splatter all over the field. Time seemed to slow down again as I darted to the side, rolling well out of the way of the splash range. I didn't know what compelled me to roll. It just felt right.

{Wooper have a thin film over them that makes them hazardous to touch, my child.} I nodded at Mama, making a little more snow and using that to get the rest of it off my hands. After doing that though, I looked at them again. So I can't touch him really… What then?

Woo began running towards me, shooting water guns back to back in my direction. I kept dodging, since while the water would splash in places? It didn't go far, and he wasn't super fast or anything. My mind went back to the snowball I'd thrown.

I ran around, making another two in my hands. This shouldn't hurt, right? As he turned to face me I chucked them both at him, one splatting against his body. That one he didn't seem that bothered by. The other one went right into his open mouth, and I felt my heart recoil. "{Are you okay?!}"

He chomped down on it and swallowed the snowball. {Refreshing, thanks. I can do ice too,} Woo said as his tail became coated in ice. He jumped into the air and started spinning faster way faster than I expected.

Well, snow didn't do anything, so what about the fire Mama helped teach me? I made a quick angled sheet of ice, diverting him so he slammed his tail against the ground. A small burst of ice encircled him, the air chilling around the sudden frost. I made fireballs in my hands like the snow from before, and threw those at him.

The ice hissed as it melted, making more water around him. The fire that hit him seemed like it made him less shiny, but he didn't recoil as much as Shine or Spiri had. Internally, I breathed a sigh of relief. So I can't really hurt him… that's good.

While I was happy he was okay, he turned around and shot a mud shot right into my stomach. It sent me reeling, falling and skidding back on my butt a bit while my stomach hurt. Okay, so he can hurt me. Ow.

I touched the mud on my clothes, thinking a moment before I made myself lots colder. The mud quickly froze, falling off in chunks that I then picked up and hucked back at Woo.

It hit Woo directly on the head, but whatever pain he felt he didn't seem to notice before he fired another water gun at me without missing a beat. I had to leap out of the way again, and this time I started watching what he was doing more carefully. I can't do much to him, but what he does can do a lot to me.

I threw fireball after fireball at him, not really trying to hurt him or anything. He just had to take a second to make himself shiny again, so I was hoping that I could tire him out with that before I got tired myself. Which… seemed to be working pretty well. The more I threw and the more sizzled off of him, the longer it took him to make himself shiny again. Meanwhile, I was starting to feel a little winded from throwing a bunch of fire, but nothing I couldn't deal with.

Woo began slowing down. He made himself all slimy again, but he took a bit longer to inhale whatever he was going to shoot at me. While he did that, I threw one more fireball to burn off the slime. He was busy shooting water, so I jumped over it and landed behind him. This time when I grabbed him, he felt… soft. Cool, and a little rubbery.

I gently threw him towards a wall, and he only lightly bumped it before falling on the floor again. He got up onto his feet slowly only to fall back onto his butt, panting.

{Wow… what a workout… you're so fast…} Woo panted, exhausted. {I got ya… good though.}

I smiled a little, running up. He still hadn't made himself slimy again, so I hugged him close. "{You did. You did good, Woo.}"

Woo leaned into me, relaxing, before I could feel my hands go through his body as Woo was engulfed in the red mist. I looked up glaring to see the grunt had recalled him. Right next to him was Spinel and Gothitelle looking down at me with her twisted golden eyes. She had a neutral look on her face with her arms crossed, like she expected the bare minimum of obedience and I just reached it.

My eyes narrowed further, my mind going back to what I'd heard Leanne and Eclipse say loads of times. "{Bitch!}" I didn't know what it meant, but they were angry when they said it and I was angry at her. And it's an adult word, so it fits since she's an evil adult.

Mama's emotioned spiked for a second before she chuckled. {Usually I would say to not say that word, but… given the human you're addressing, I can't deny its accuracy.}

The grunt next to her looked petrified before he slowly turned to Spinel. Gothitelle's condescending gaze intensified, but awaited Spine's orders. She didn't change her facial expression or stance, but for the smallest moment I could see something move within her eyes. Something dangerous. Like a shadow was clawing at me within a golden sea. That means she's angry… right? Well, I'm angry too! I'm ready to punch you!

She turned to the grunt. "Send Pichu and Igglybuff out at the same time."

"O-of course!" The grunt saluted before reaching to his belt, several Pokeballs hanging from it. He took two and held them towards the arena, two arcing beams of light pulsing down to the ground. When they formed, one was a small yellow mouse with a teeny black tail, spiky ears with black on the edges, pink cheeks- Why do so many pokemon have special cheeks? -small paws and feet.

The other one was… a ball? They were pink with a little swirl on their forehead, red eyes with big black circles in the middle, three little puffs on their head, and… are those even paws? They're little nubbin thingies. No special cheeks, though.

They looked around a moment before they turned to each other in surprise. {Igglybuff!?}

{Pichu! What are you doing here?}

Pichu looked around confused. {They told me I was gonna play fight with someone. Are we playing in here?}

Igglybuff felt just as confused. {Maybe… Why do all those people wanna watch us play? It's creepy.} She looked around before noticing us and immediately hid behind Pichu. {That pokemon… she looks too big to play with…}

Pichu stood defensively in front of Igglybuff, but he also began backing away when he saw Mama. She just shook her head. {Do not be afraid, little ones. I am Aurora's mother, Ivane.} She gestured with a tail to me. {And this is my child, Aurora.}

I waved at them, smiling a little. "{You don't gotta be afraid. My Mama's super strong and nice!}"

Igglybuff peeked out from behind Pichu. {My Mama is the best singer in the whole wide world! Imma be just like her when I grow up!}

Mama smiled warmly. {I can see it. Keep heart and you will achieve that goal.}

Igglybuff smiled, feeling a little better already. {Before we play I wanna sing a song, I'm so happy!} Igglybuff closed her eyes. {Ahem…}

Igglybuff began singing a soft melody, but the pitch… was a little weird at times. It was a really nice song and listening to it made me feel a little drowsy, but by the time she finished the feeling went away. Pichu had fallen asleep though which seemed to please her, but she looked expectantly and nervously at us.

{I'm not very good yet, but Pichu always falls asleep to my lullabies.}

"{I think it was pretty!}" I walked over and sat with them. "{I dunno how good at singing I am, but I liked your song. Maybe you could teach me or something?}"

I didn't know it was possible, but Igglybuff's eyes got even bigger. {You wanna learn from me?}

I nodded, smiling. "{Yeah! You feel nice, and you sing good and I'd be happy to learn things from you. Maybe we can be friends, if you want…?}"

Igglybuff squealed in delight before she shook Pichu awake. {Pichu look! I'm making new friends!}

Pichu got up slowly before yawning and scratching his face. {I want new friends too!} He turned to me. {I was asleep, but I want a new friend!}

I held my arms open to them both for a hug. "{We can all be friends!}"

{Yay! You should come with us to the playpen! If we're good during training we get extra time out of our pokeballs and treats! I can show you the sweetest ones!} Pichu sparked as he and Igglybuff jumped into my embrace.

My ears drooped. "{They don't give us snacks or a playpen or anything.}" I shuddered, my eyes starting to water. "{A-and Spiri…}"

{Spiri?} Igglybuff asked before she was cut off by the grunt.

"Pichu, Igglybuff commence battle!"

They turned to each other with worried looks. Neither of them wanted to 'play fight' with me right now. My heart skipped a beat.

Not again. Not again.

I got up quickly, wiping my eyes. "{I-I'll be okay! Just… let's do stuff, okay? If we don't, they'll…}" I stopped, taking a deep breath before giving them a Rhodo smile. "{And after maybe I can give you new names if you want…?}"

Pichu tilted his head. {I thought only the humans got names…}

Igglybuff puffed out her body. {I don't wanna fight, I wanna sing! You don't wanna play fight either right?} She asked me.

I shook my head slowly. "{No… no, I really don't, but if we don't you'll…}" My eyes welled with tears. "{You'll be like Spiri…}"

My heart froze and I closed my eyes, feeling things get colder around me. I could feel both their hearts pumping against mine. Don't explode don't explode I don't wanna hurt them don't explode!

The air started to crackle as ice formed in large chunks, falling and crashing against the ground. I opened my eyes again. "{Please! I don't want you to die too!}" I begged.

Igglybuff's eyes began to water, but ice began to crackle around Pichu causing him to shock me by surprise. It was a quick zap, but it still stung.

{Oh sorry!} Pichu apologized quickly. He turned to Igglybuff, who looked ready to burst at any moment, but not with an attack. Pichu's emotions went racing, but when glanced up at the grunt and Spinel he made his decision. {Sorry everyone!}

Pichu's body crackled with electricity before he began shocking us all. Igglybuff bounced into the air in surprise, floating. She rubbed her eyes and stared down at me.

{Fine. Weirdos forcing us to play fight…} Igglybuff's eyes glowed white before she shot the same sort of electricity as Pichu right at me.

I could feel Mama's heart ached, but she watched me as I leapt backwards away from the bolts. They still got several glancing hits on me though, since they were way faster than Woo's attacks. But I was more used to how these attacks felt, because of the collar.

{Igglybuff is capable of copying what Pichu or you do, my child. And Pichu cannot keep up electric attacks for long without damaging himself.} I shuddered, glancing up at Spinel. The same monster in her eyes was slinking back into the depths. So she's probably not gonna treat them like Spiri…

I wiped my eyes again, taking a deep breath before throwing more fireballs. Not at them though, just at the lightning so it wouldn't hit me. The way Mama made it sound, if Pichu tires himself out and Igglybuff doesn't have attacks to copy, then we won't have to fight! And…

"{Do you want names? Humans are stupid, they don't think we should have names but we do! What do you want yours to be?}" I yelled over the crackling and bursts of energy sending out small shockwaves.

{Cookie!} Pichu shouted as he began running forward with a tail made of iron. {Because I love cookies!}

I smiled a little, covering my hands in ice to block it. I tried to grab him, but he was faster than everyone else and scurried away. "{Nice to meet you Cookie! What about you?}" I said curiously towards Igglybuff.

{I like the name Maya!} She bounced around a lot faster than I expected to with relative ease. She began creating a wicked ball of energy, contrasting her cutesy appearance before throwing it at me.

I ran the opposite direction of Cookie, throwing a fireball at the pulsing orb. It exploded into a cloud of dark mist, embers and purple lightning crackling in the cloud. Even though I couldn't see where he or Maya were, I could hear Cookie's footsteps. I dunno where she is though… did it send her back?

I ran into the middle of the cloud, putting my hand against the floor and trying to make a fireball right against it. They were making really bright things earlier, maybe this can make a bright thing?

The fireball sputtered, growing hotter by the second. It forced my hand up after a few moments, a flash of orange and red cascading upwards. It scattered the mist, and both Cookie and Maya were covering their eyes a little. I quickly ran over and grabbed Cookie, throwing him at a wall.

Cookie flew easily, but unlike everyone else he spun in midair, landed on the wall and jumped right off back to me. His fist was coated with white energy. Maya floated back a bit as her fist became coated in white energy too, ready to charge in.

When I went to leap away, my whole body jolted with electricity. Not from the collar though, from everywhere. Okay, that didn't work! I only just caught myself from falling on my face, quickly spinning around and making a dome of ice between me and them.

The punches collided with the ice forcing them both to back off. Meanwhile, my mind was racing. Cookie's bolts from before were going everywhere, and when Mama was being shocked I got shocked too by hugging her. Maybe…

I laid on the ground a moment, the jolts in my limbs fading a little as teeny sparks lanced into the floor before disappearing. They didn't go away totally, but it was better than before. And the rest of it… I can manage.

I took another deep breath, sending out the same burst of cold and snow I had with Shine. And just like before, I wasn't trying to hit them. Just blow them away a little.

"Igglybuff use Rollout, Pichu use Helping Hand," Spinel's voice pierced through the chamber. Neither of them dared to look back.

{Sorry about this, Aurora…} Maya apologized as she began spinning in midair, surrounding herself in brown energy. Cookie backed up and started doing a little dance for her, sparking occasionally before finishing with a little pose. When he finished she started spinning even faster.

{Rollout uses rock energy, my child. We are… not good at taking such attacks.} Okay so definitely don't get hit by this one. I can do that, right?

Maya let herself loose as she began flying through the air faster than even Cookie was beforehand. This better work! I put both my hands on the floor this time, making a fireball between them both. Orange light began shining through my fingers as the heat built underneath. Tiny embers sputtered out from beneath my hands.

When Maya was about to hit me, I let go. A huge burst of fire launched her way off course, bouncing around the walls and spinning the whole way. Cookie watched in amazement, but quickly remembered he had to help too before he sent another thundershock at me.

Making sure to avoid Maya's very dangerous bouncing, I whirled around and sent a gust of cold and snow at Cookie while rolling to the side with my hands outstretched. He stood strong against it for a moment before it bowled him over, a bit of frost forming around the edges of his paws, feet and ears. From what I could feel, he probably could keep going. But he didn't. He stayed on the ground, resting in the snow. Like how Spiri pretended…

After that, I watched Maya. She didn't… really seem to be able to stop herself. But I knew that if I tried to stop her, it'd hurt lots. And she was slowing down. So I waited, moving around a little so she didn't smack into me. Eventually she bounced to a stop on the floor, the rolling propelling her forwards a bit before I grabbed her and set her down gently. Her eyes were spinning as she rolled onto her back. {Mama said people don't get hit by that much…}

Cookie smiled at me from where he was sitting. {That wasn't too bad… but I think I could go for a cookie right now.}

Maya hopped back onto her feet and looked up to the grunt hopefully. {Can we play something else now? I wanna teach Aurora how to sing.}

Gothitelle's eyes glowed a moment before Spinel nodded her head. "Dismiss them both."

My heart dropped, even though I knew it was coming. They don't care about us at all. I quickly ran over, hugging them both as the grunt grabbed the pokeballs. "{Thank you for being my friends… You're the best…}" I said, tears starting to fall.

Cookie patted me on the shoulder. He smelled like Rhodo's muffins. Cookie seemed to understand what was going on better than the others too, which may have saved their lives. {Next time we can share cookies.}

Maya sniffled, leaning into me. She smelled… soothing. Different than a muffin. A little like pecha berries. {I wanted to sing with you-} Was all I got to hear before she turned to red mist along with Cookie. Spinel looked down at me and then towards the grunt.

"Increase Igglybuff's discipline training. She doesn't seem to understand her place yet and has taken her luxuries for granted," Spinel ordered.

All the sadness in my heart turned to fury all at once. Flames started billowing out from me as I glared up at her, the tears turning to steam on my face with a roaring blaze engulfing me. I hate you. I HATE you! "{I hate you!}"

Spinel simply glared at me, as if I was a bug she had to swat at. "As you can see these pokemon are merely sparring partners, not playmates to make friends with. You fight and they leave; do not blame me for whatever anguish you feel whenever we recall them."

The flames crackled angrily, roaring in tandem with my rage. "{They're my friends! They're people! And they're better than you ever could be!}"

Spinel turned to Gothitelle whose eyes began to glow. She turned back to me once he had finished doing… whatever he was doing. "Friends hmmm…" Spinel frowned."Do not be confused. They are your sparring opponents to test your capabilities. Assets that have fulfilled their purpose and will resume their training elsewhere in the service of Team Galactic. What we learn from your data could forever change the human race. Don't waste my time with your incessant meltdowns."

She pointed down at me, eyes ghastly cold. "Beings with the intelligence of humans and the power of pokemon, yet can understand both. The ideal fusions, the perfect species. These tests will mold you into the ideal being, but…" Spinel closed her eyes before opening them revealing the shadow within her eyes had grown even larger. "Your compliance is not a factor and you are not irreplaceable. Whine all you want and shed your plaintive tears, but in the end the result will be the same. Obey and live; disobey and die."

"{I won't let it be the same!}" I yelled up at the bitch. "{I don't care what you humans want! I'm not yours!}"

Spinel clicked her teeth. "#001… how unfortunate that you've become disillusioned. You are human, modified, but human. You forget your place."

I clenched my fists. "{You don't have tails or wings or anything! And your ears are little! And you're evil! I'm not like you!}"

{Your mind is clouded, human,} Gothitelle spoke up, staring down at us with a detached, condescending tone. {A few new limbs does not make you or the rest of the ilk within that cesspool any less human, just as they do not separate pokemon.}

Spinel shook her head. "Only a singular statement of yours has been correct; we are nothing alike. I am a pioneer towards global advancement." The darkness within her eyes appeared once again, laughing at me. "You are a means to an end, #001."

Mama walked over and sat next to me, glaring up at them with me. {Perhaps a few limbs does not mark the line between us, but you are clearly more human than either of us ever have been, petulant infant.} She said, venom in her voice.

"{You're not a pio-whatever! You're an evil bitch! And I'm Aurora!}" I yelled up after.

{Repulsive she-beast and her disillusioned human pet,} Gothitelle muttered with immense vitriol before turning to Spinel, his eyes glowing. Spinel raised an eyebrow in interest. I don't like that look.

"They're dismissed. Have Jean take them to Rhodo, but quickly. They don't need medical attention," Spinel ordered before walking away with Gothitelle. The grunt saluted them both before he left as well.

The flames around me began to die down as they walked away, Mama smiling at me. {You seem to have not been bothered by their words, my child.}

I shook my head, feeling more tired now but nothing that wouldn't go away. "{They'rea buncha meanies. They're just using fancy words, it doesn't mean they're not hurting people.}" I growled a little. "{An' we're not theirs. Nobody's anyone's. 'S not how it works.}"

{You are correct,} she said as the door hissed open to show Jean standing there. {We are all equals. It is primarily the humans who perpetuate the idea that is not so.}

We walked over to Jean, Indra glancing at us as we walked. {I would tread carefully if I were you. Directly aggravating the Dark One is… unwise, in most circumstances.}

I huffed. "{If she didn't wanna be called evil she shouldn't be evil.}"

He smiled a little. {Regardless. You already have more than enough to deal with. You needn't make it harder on yourselves.}

"{I'm not just gonna not let them know they're evil.}" I moved a little closer to Mama. "{Nothing's gonna get better if we just let them do whatever they want.}"

Indra went quiet at that, while Mama was beaming with pride. Jean glanced down at us as we stopped at Rhodo's office. "You're a strong little girl, you know that?"

I smiled a little as the door opened. Rhodo was sitting at his desk with his usual tired eyes preparing… something?

"Ah hello everyone, I saw your bouts; I'm glad everything worked out better this time," He spoke solemnly, but he felt a tad bit… proud? "It looks like you bonded well with those pokemon. I'm sure they'll be much happier with their new names."

I smiled a little. "{They should all get names! Everyone deserves a name.}"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, everyone does. I saw what happened with Iggly- no. Maya, was it? I'll be sure to ask if I can oversee her 'discipline', so she's alright."

I crossed my arms. "{All she wanted was to teach me how to sing…}" I growled softly, still fuming over the evil lady.

"Sing, hm? I'm sure there's an old folk song or two I could teach her after she's disciplined…" Rhodo hummed a little tune thoughtfully before shaking his head. Does he mean teach Maya something?

"Ah, I'm getting carried away. Spinel wants you back in the compound sooner than later so I have to make this quick. I'm going to do a blood test on you, it'll only take a second and then you get muffins. This time they're chocolate with orange zest." He hummed triumphantly near the end. He sounds really proud of that.

I nodded, smiling a bit. When he turned around, he was holding a small, thin glass cylinder with a metal stick at the bottom and a button thingy on top. One of my ears flopped as I looked at it curiously.

"It's just a needle. We use it to administer vaccines or draw blood so we can make sure everything is okay. It's how we prevent illnesses before they can even happen. It'll pinch for a second, but it's not so bad," He explained. That sounds like a really good thing. Right? And Rhodo's nice… anyone who thinks these are stupid has to have no brain at all.

"{Do I eat it?}"

Rhodo's face twisted to concern. "Oh gods no, uhhh I just stick it into one of the veins on your arm and we're good to go. You ready?" I nodded again, as Rhodo began cleaning my arm with some wet pad before sticking the needle in me. It felt like a harder poke, and I could see it filling up with blood. He put a bandaid over it and gave me one of his signature sad smiles.

"And that's it, easy right?"

I blinked. "{That's all? That didn't hurt at all. Woo's water hurt more.}"

"Some kids get a little scared of the prick and feel a bit sour, but you'll be just fine. I remember when-" Rhodo froze mid sentence.

His feelings became muddy and dull before turning to panic. He clutched his throat like he couldn't breathe, his legs crumpling a little beneath him. Mama leaned forward, just as confused as me while I reached out to touch him.

"{Rhodo?}"

He looked at me with bugged out eyes before he finally began calming down, exhaling deeply. His normal feelings were coming back, but now he just felt uneasy. And scared. He got up quickly, handed me the container of muffins and tried to give me a tiny smile.

He couldn't even do that.

"Sorry…" He went to the door opening it up for Jean and Indra. "Please…" He didn't specify, but his feelings gave me an idea. He was scared. Sad. Lonely? Something like that. His heart hurts… why does he want to be alone? The evil lady hurt him too, didn't she?

I hopped off the chair and ran over, hugging him tight. He didn't really respond, but I felt something in his feelings. I couldn't make it out exactly, but I smiled as best I could. "{Thanks!}"

He gently patted me on the back before nodding towards Jean. She glanced at me and Mama. "Let's leave Rhodo for now, okay? He needs some time."

I nodded slowly, feeling that Mama was a bit more urgent as well. I waved, holding the muffin container before we walked out.

As we did, Mama glanced back and nudged me closer with her tails. "{What was that, Mama?}"

Her eyes narrowed. {I am… unsure. But it was unmistakably psychic manipulation of some kind, as well as a curse.} I looked confused, but Indra shuddered as Mama continued. {It is not from another Ninetales, however. Our curses carry a distinct signature. As well as how it seemed to enhance the psychic manipulation. Which is when a powerful psychic pokemon uses their abilities to… alter, someone's mind.}

My mind flashed back to the Gothitelle with the evil lady. Was it him? {It seems to prevent him from broaching certain subjects,} Mama continued, {As well as initiate dire consequences if he attempts to do so.}

"{Couldn't we figure out what it is?}"

{If we were given free reign, my child. As such, considering where we are? I believe pressing would call more ire to us than we can deal with.}

I shuddered, staying close to Mama as Indra nodded. {I don't know what it is he cannot talk about, but you both are already under a more watchful eye. Pursuing that topic would be unwise, to say the least.}

We walked in silence to the… compound, Rhodo called it? That sounds… mean. But it's a mean place made by meanies… I don't like calling it that, though. To the room where the others were, and were welcomed by Leanne and Yvonne alongside Clive and Elpis.

"How're you feeling?" Leanne asked gently, leading us back towards our bed. Yvonne was walking next to her, her tail waving slightly as we went.

"{A little better…}" I rubbed my stomach gently. "{My stomach hurts though…}"

She gave a sad smile. "Hurting enough to not eat muffins?"

I shook my head quickly, opening the container and handing them out to people. Leanne helped and ruffled my hair a little while we were giving them out. "I was hoping you'd say that. Enjoy, kid."

As I did, Elpis looked at me with pride. {You were strong back there. Having already learned lessons it took me a long time to accept. In no small part due to Clive's help,} she said, nuzzling him.

He just smiled. "I just did my best to help you see how wonderful you are. Nothing more."

Mama felt a bit happier as he said that while Elpis turned back to me. {You are correct, in that you are not like them. Nor are you like me, in the sense that you are not a Pokemon. My origins come from several different pokemon, but I am a Pokemon all the same. And just as you have named pokemon, so too should you name yourself.}

I raised an eyebrow and gave her a confused look. "{But I already did that? My name's Aurora.}"

She chuckled. {Yes, you have. But I mean what you are in this instance. You are neither Pokemon nor Human, and yet both. They say you are a human with special aspects. I say they are wrong. What do you say?}

I nomed my muffin while I thought. I'm not a Human, and I'm not a Pokemon either. I don't wanna be human, either. And it's important to be yourself… I'm definitely something in-between. Like a spectrum! Kinda. Ish. Is there a spectrum for species? Now there is. Anyway… what're things in between? I don't wanna be a middle. Or a sorta. Or a kinda. And they call us fused, so definitely not that one. Something tells me Mama blasted someone for calling her a half-breed, so not that either. What's a good hybrid name… wait. Wait! That's it!

"{What about Hybrid?}" I asked curiously.

Elpis thought a moment. {Simple… but effective. And accurate. Do you feel alright being called a Hybrid?} She glanced to Leanne. {What about if she called you a Hybrid? Or yourself?}

I rolled the word around in my head some before nodding. "{I'm not a Pokemon or a Human, right? I'm somethin' else. Something in between. And Hybrid is nice and short.}" I groaned. "{The evil lady who thinks she's a pier would probably think of another name, and I wanna not be her.}"

Leanne chuckled, rubbing my back. "I think it fits. Good choice, Aurora."

I looked up at her. "{And you're a Hybrid too, right?}"

She paused for just a moment before nodding. "I suppose I am, yeah. Along with lots of other folk here." She put a fist to her chin. "So we're Hybrids now, huh…"

Yvonne gently cuddled up to her, making her chuckle a little while Mama smiled warmly at me. {You feel comfortable, my child.}

"{...I think it's because it's a word now,}" I started hesitantly. "{Kinda like how it's easier to say I'm trans than what it means all the time.}"

She nodded, nuzzling close. {Such words can be important, my child. I am glad you have one that you feel comfortable with for who and what you are.}

The rest of that night was spent together. Elpis and Clive made it super clear they were ready to help however they could in terms of me feeling comfy being a Hybrid. Leanne, Yvonne and Mama were all making sure I felt okay after everything that'd happened that day. And I really liked the muffins Rhodo gave us.

Everything might not be amazing, but… we can do this. We can get through this. They didn't decide we're Hybrids. We did. I decide who I am, not them. And they can't do a thing about it.

Entry Log

-#001 Vulpix fusion had her first bout of battles to test her abilities. Just as I predicted, unlike any other fusion she seems to have painless access to all her abilities unlike all the others. Her opponents were pitiful, but I can't expect as much from a child. Nonetheless she performed satisfactorily against Sunkern and Weedle.

-Weedle began to disobey direct orders so I ordered for his disposal. Apparently #001 bonded with the worm and threw a tantrum at the thought of his death triggering a large explosion of fire and ice. For any other child this would be a waste of energy, but in this case it's quite clear her powers are closely tied to her emotional state. I must look into this further.

-From what I've observed so far ice begins to form when she's sad and fire forms when she's angry. I wonder if her powers manifest willingly only when she's upset? I care not for pleasing the subjects, I shall leave it to Rhodo's observation.

-She seems to use fire, ice and quick attack instinctively than actively trying compared to the other fusions. She does not need to forcefully trigger abilities, it seems her brain has been rewired to know on its own accord. None of the other fusions have displayed this trait thus far.

-Annoyingly enough, as with all children she has a tendency towards defiance. Her tirades and futile tantrums will soon be stamped out. Even Gothitelle has developed something of a strong disdain for #001 and Ninetails. I shall admit their backtalk is irksome. He has advised me of a course for discipline, but it is a bit too strict for such potentially useful subjects.

-I have collected a blood sample to examine her DNA structure compared to the other fusions. As promising as this may be, it can only become better. The other fusions have worked well enough, but are all still incredibly faulty. I must perfect my art. My perfect humanoids.

-It has also come to my attention that Rhodo has dared to speak out of turn and his curse reactivated. Poor fool. Unintentional, of course, as he cannot keep his trap shut. My eyes and ears are on him always and I had best be sure to remind him of that fact once again.

-Next on my docket I would like to test #033 Eevee fusion. I had intended to have her participate sooner, but according to Jean she needed time to grieve her dead parents before engaging in combat. Fair enough, her mind would be too clouded to operate effectively, but I believe it has been enough time. Finally I may witness how Eevee's adaptable cells have merged with the human body.

-On a lighter note, it appears Honchkrow found his live weedle snack quite tasteful.

#001 Fused Kalolan Vulpix (Aurora) & Kalolan Ninetales (Ivane) Status: Recovering

#006 Fused Pyroar & Pyroar Status: Nominal

#011 Fused Magcargo & Slugma Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#019 Fused Carnivine & Carnivine Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#020 Fused Furret (Guinevere) & Furret (Chestnut) Status: Nominal

#033 Fused Eevee (Hazel) & Eevee (Vivian) Status: Nominal

#043 Fused Hydreigon (Paul) & Hydreigon (Tobias) Status: Deceased (Unstable, reverted to feral instincts, used for dissection)

#053 Fused Flygon (Leanne) & Flygon (Yvonne) Status: Nominal

#068 Fused Decidueye (Paris) & Decidueye (Legolas) Status: Recovering

#072 Fused Swampert & Swampert Status: Nominal

#078 Fused Phantump (Razin) & Phantump (Urie) Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#079 Fused Glalie & Glalie Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#085 Fused Blissey (Mabel) & Blissey (Haley) Status: Nominal

#086 Fused Bewear (Benny) & Bewear (Bors) Status: Recovering

#123 Fused Female Gallade (Lucia) & Gallade (Arden) Status: Nominal

#132 Fused Pachirisu (Ron) & Pachirisu (Rush) Status: Nominal

#134 Fused Silvally (Clive) & Silvally (Elpis) Status: Nominal

#143 Fused Electrode & Electrode Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#147 Fused Sunflora (Garland) & Sunflora (Dijon) Status: Drained (lack of sunlight)

#158 Fused Rockruff (Koko) Status: Nominal

#159 Fused Dusk Lycanroc (Eclipse) & Dusk Lycanroc (Yuna) Status: Nominal

#163 Fused Spiritomb & Spiritomb Status: Deceased (Failed Fused)

#180 Fused Samurott (Owain) & Samurott (Sue) Status: Nominal, Unfortunately

Author's Note: And thus begin the fights! We're starting to move into the main section of what happens here, so I hope you're ready. Not excited, if you're excited about what this poor girl is gonna go through I'm concerned. And we get the title drop in this chapter as well! I can finally start writing Hybrid when Aurora sees a new Hybrid during this instead of 'person who looks like me' over and over. It's a lot more succinct. I hope you look forward to seeing that actually be used in the future!

-Don't we all love a title namedrop within a story?