Hybrid: Aurora Edition

by SairaCrystaline

A story in the Pokemon world with a trans protagonist who lives through some of the worst life has to offer, but refuses to back down and always does their best to do the right thing. Lots of hurt/comfort, comedy will be in places, don't expect much hetero stuff to happen. And plenty of filled in holes the canon of the games leaves.

5. Chapter 5: Pocket Monsters

And thus, young Aurora's battle for survival has become much more literal. Through that hardship, she has learned more about herself. Solidifying her stance between Humans and Pokemon, as a Hybrid. It is always heartwarming to see another of my kin be at peace with their nature, even in situations as dire as these. These dire circumstances have pushed her to make decisions no child should ever be forced to make, and yet she must. For the sake of her sanity. A bright star is shining defiantly against the darkness. We can only hope that she continues to burn all the way to the surface and is not snuffed out.

~~Dream World, Year 8520, Damidar, Radinam 28th~~

I opened my eyes slowly, not even really sure what I was feeling at that moment. Above me wispy white clouds lazily drifted across the pastel pink sky, the pure white snow soft beneath me. But… I haven't seen the sky yet. Or the sun, or the clouds, or anything really…

My heart was beginning to settle on 'distinctly upset' in terms of feelings. Everyone says we're gonna get out, and we have to, but… how? How many people gotta die before then? How long is it gonna be? From what Leanne says, it's been a month already… What can we even do to get out? Mama says we gotta be patient, but do we even have a plan…?

"Aurora?"

I turned to see Rhea standing by the house, distinctly more built now. It didn't look like it was totally finished, but the outside was done. There was a second floor and the beginnings of a roof tiled with red shingles, with a blackstone chimney off on one side. She looked concerned. "I'm glad to see you again, but… how are you holding up?"

I sat up, sighing. "I… I wanna see the sky, and for everyone to be free…"

Her heart dropped as she sat down with me, hugging me close. I weakly hugged her back. "I know. I know, and I promise it'll happen. People are definitely looking for all of you. Things will get better. And I'll be right here to help you get there."
My eyes began to water. "But… how many more people gotta die? Like Spiri…"

I felt a sudden jump in her heart, and turned to see her… smiling? "Actually… I have a bit of a surprise for you about that. Can you come inside the house with me?"

I nodded slowly, getting up. Small prints were left in the snow where we sat, a trail of two pairs of footprints following us. The house smelled like… smoke, in a nice way. Pine. Fresh muffins. Nice things.

The doorknob squeaked a bit as Rhea turned it, the door swinging inwards to reveal-

{Aurora!} A small weedle had launched himself right at me, nuzzling into me as I caught him. My eyes widened as some part of me told me he wasn't just a Weedle.

"Spiri…?" I whispered tentatively, my heart swelling. My eyes began to water. "That's you, right…?"

{Me Spiri! You Aurora!} He wiggled his body happily.

A wide smile broke out across my face, tears streaming down it as I began to chuckle. Then laugh. "Spiri! You're here!" I held him tight, cuddling him close. "You're here…"

Rhea rubbed my back gently and I looked at her. "I found him while I was building the house. He seemed very excited to be able to see you again, so I told him if he waited here, you'd come by soon enough."

"But… how…?" My words were tripping over themselves. Didn't you die…? How are you here…?

Spiri tilted his head. {Spiri appear here. Dunno why.}

I just shook my head after a second and looked at him worried. "Y-you're not mad…? Since I couldn't… I-I mean… I tried, but because of me, you…"

{Mad?} Spiri felt genuinely confused. {Aurora friend, yes? Why mad at friend?}

The tears grew larger as Rhea held us both. "B-because I couldn't save you… You died because of me… B-because I wasn't strong enough to stop them…"

Spiri shook his head. His heart held no animosity towards me. Only compassion and worry. {It okay. I forgive friend. You did best.}

I just held him close and tight for a long time. Crying. Rhea was there with me and him, holding us both. She led us over to a cushy thing where I just leaned on her and held Spiri. I didn't know what to say. My heart was a whirlwind of emotions, and none of them felt like making words. Only hugging him.

{Aurora nice. Gave Spiri name. No one so nice before, not even hive,} Spiri continued eventually. {End was… scary, but quick. Not all weedle so lucky.}

I shuddered, gently running my hand over his back. "Of course… you're the best, you deserve the best…"

He nestled his head against me, feeling at ease. Rhea rubbed my back gently. "You did your best. Maybe… maybe you couldn't do everything you wanted. But you did what you could. And you made Spiri happy and gave him a friend for the time you could. Isn't that right Spiri?"

{Yes! Aurora and Spiri forever friends? Yes?} Spiri asked with innocent eyes. Sparkling just like they had.

"Of course!" I affirmed immediately, nodding and rubbing his back more. "Of course… I'm glad you wanna be my friend… Do you feel safe here…?"

Spiri looked around before nodding, wiggling a little more into my arms. {Safe and warm.}

I made myself warmer, Spiri cuddling into a comfier spot while a small smile crossed my face again. "I'm glad… I like it here too."

~~Iron Island, Year 8520, Damidar, Radinam 28th~~

"Hazel, Vivian? Can you follow me?" Jean asked from the doorway. By this point, we all knew that it wasn't really a question we could say no to. But it was nicer than her ordering us to do things. She's not the one who wants us to go.

Hazel nodded slowly, her and Vivian getting up from next to us. I hugged her. "{Good luck!}"

She hugged me back, nodding. "Thanks. I'll… probably need it."
Vivian stood tall. {I'll be right with her, don't worry!}

Eclipse slammed her fist into her open hand. "Go get 'em, you got this!"

Koko fist pumped, smiling. "We're with you all the way!"

Guinevere and Chestnut walked with the two over to Jean and Indra, nodding at the duo. Jean nodded back, gently saying "Come on" before they walked away and the door hissed shut.

Eclipse sighed loudly, laying back on the bed. The crappy springs squeaked as she did, creaking like they'd snap if you blew on them too hard. "Can't they just give us a damn break already? I don't mind a scrap but it's like all they want us to do is fight."

"Language," Guinevere chastised as she came back over, glancing at me and Koko. "Not everyone is old enough for such words."

Eclipse rolled her eyes, muttering "Yeah, yeah…" but she didn't keep going. Guinevere also gave Leanne a look, who chuckled awkwardly. Mama said I shouldn't use curse words, but I think she kinda likes that I know how evil the evil lady is. I'll have to ask her more words to call someone evil.

We were all sitting together, watching the screen now. We weren't sure what was gonna happen, but it was probably gonna be shown there.

And we were right as it fizzed to life, showing Hazel and Vivian walking into the arena. Standing against them was… a not Vivian? They were little, on all fours and had tan and brown fur like her, but their fur was all spiky in stripes.

{That is a Zigzagoon, my child.}

I nodded slowly as Hazel waved awkwardly. "Er… hello?"

Zigzagoon scampered forward in a zigzag pattern, excitedly sniffing Vivian curiously before sniffing Hazel. {You're a big eevee! Are you two sisters?}

The two glanced at each other before Vivian responded. {Uh… sort of? You could say that.}

{Weird…} Zigzagoon sat down, tongue lapping happily. {Wanna play?}

{Sure!} Vivian happily agreed while Hazel nervously smiled.

"I'll do my best."

Zigzagoon and Vivian started playing a rousing game of run and tackle, rolling around on the ground playfully. Zigzagoon's cheerful nature was infectious as Vivian started smiling after each little roll. Hazel was wringing her hands a little, but that slowed as it became clear both were having fun and not really in any pain or anything. She began to smile.

"Zigzagoon!" The intercom boomed, causing everyone to freeze and look up. Evil lady again… "You were given a chance to play fight. I see no fighting."

Hazel and Vivian shrank back at Spinel's voice, but Zigzagoon still had the same goofy look on his face with a lapping tongue.

{Ah I forgot, oh well play fighting is fun too,} Zigzagoon turned around to Vivian and got into a battle position. {I'm the oldest and biggest in the litter, so I know how to rumble. Just like Mommy taught me!}

Vivian got into a battle stance, smiling a little. {I don't mind a little scuffle here and there.}
Hazel meanwhile took a couple steps back. "You okay with this Vivian…?"
She nodded, glancing back with a smile. {Don't worry about me, I'm fine!}

"Commence!" Spinel commanded before Zigzagoon and Vivian charged. The two of them clashed head-on, then began darting around after each other. Zigzagoon kept bouncing from side to side, which took Vivian a second to register before she started intercepting them.

It was definitely nothing that'd hurt anyone, really. They'd bite and scratch a little bit at each other, and knock into each other, but neither of them got hurt. It was more practice and play than a fight.

They'd growl at each other, kick sand at each other, stuff like that. The whole while though, Hazel was staying far away from it. My ears drooped. "{She doesn't wanna fight, does she…?}"

Guinevere shook her head. "Some people are pacifists by nature. For a child who's been through so much and has so many negative connections with fighting… It's no real surprise she's reluctant."

There was a moment of silence. Chestnut was worriedly watching the screen, and spoke what we were all thinking. {The question is if they're going to let her not fight…}

They should… If she doesn't wanna fight, she shouldn't have to! I'll fight instead!

"Zigzagoon!" Spinel interrupted once again, halting everyone. "You have done well against Eevee, but you have two opponents. Focus your attention purely on the other girl. In the field you must be prepared to take down your target regardless of who may stand in your way. If you perform to satisfaction I shall reward you with ample time to rendezvous with your fellow littermates."

Every word she spoke was wrapped in sinister chill, but Zigzagoon's eyes lit up at the sound of the reward. He got in a battle stance once again, determined. This time his focus was on Hazel. She backed away in terror, almost tripping over her feet from the couple steps she took.

"Resume!" Spinel ordered.

{Here I come!} Zigzagoon darted towards Hazel. Vivian whirled around on a dime and dashed in between them and Hazel. Instead of before though, he just kept running around her. Hazel turned on her heel and ran, Vivian intercepting Zigzagoon as much as she could.

{She doesn't like fighting! Don't go after her!}

{But I wanna see my littermates!} He protested.

She hesitated, and even without being there I could tell she was thinking about the family they'd both lost. {S-still-}

{Sorry!} He kept running towards Hazel. Whose eyes were wide, and though she wasn't making any noise she was very clearly terrified. It didn't matter how much Zigzagoon ran after her, she'd always run in the opposite direction. Whether he was behind her, in front of her, wherever. She'd quickly turn and bolt the other way.

"Running away will only make it worse, #033," Spinel's venomous words dripping out of the intercom once again. "If you cannot fight for your life, then do you even deserve to keep it? I ponder this question everyday. Properly engage combat or you shall feel pain far worse than whatever a zigzagoon could inflict upon you."

She cowered, looking up. "I-I'm sure we don't really need to do this… r-right?" Vivian meanwhile had run over next to her, standing with her for support.

"I need you to do this and my needs are always met. Now fight," She repeated. "Now."

Spinel's words carried a wave of panic through everyone. Even the cheerful Zigzagoon began growling even more intensely at Vivian and Hazel.

Tingling started to spread through me as the hatred from before burned hotter, the collar protesting. Eclipse growled. "She shouldn't have to fight, you bitch!"

Guinevere glanced over with wariness, but only for a moment. Hazel meanwhile was shaking so bad it was amazing she was still standing. She looked at Zigzagoon before shutting her eyes tight, running at him with a fist clenched. "I'm sorry!"

And then she swung.

Very wide.

So wide in fact, there were several feet between her fist and Zigzagoon. He didn't even have to dodge her running, his eyes just followed her as she went cleanly around him all on her own. Despite this though, she immediately turned towards him with tears in her eyes. "Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I? Please tell me I didn't!"

Zigzagoon was baffled. He had no words. {I uhhh-}

"Attack," Spinel's authority boomed once again, triggering something in the little Zigzagoon.

{Dodge!} He shouted before he leapt at her, fangs first. She screamed, holding her head with her hands as she curled down to her knees and tucked in her head. Vivian slammed into him to keep him away from Hazel before he could finish his charge.

I leapt off the bed. Mama looked at me. {My child?}

"{We gotta go help her!}"

She hopped off after me, looking concerned. {We do not have a way to get to her, else I would gladly go to her aid.}

"{Well we gotta try!}" I ran over to the door, crouching down with the intention of trying to pry it up. I felt Jean and Indra outside, urgency flaring in both of them. What're they gonna do?

The door hissed open with Jean and Indra standing there. Surprise flared in both of them, but quickly shrank back into the urgency they'd been feeling before. Open the door? Why?

"Aurora?" She asked, concern and hope twixt each other in her voice.

"{We gotta help her!}"

A Rhodo smile crossed her face. "I was hoping you'd say that. Come on!"

Leanne yelled out "You've got this!" after us as the door slammed shut, me and Mama running through the halls with Jean and Indra.

Mama glanced over at Indra. {Why did you…?}

He gave a teeny smile as we rushed through the corridor, grunts quickly pressing against the wall to get out of the way. {We cannot stand by and watch all this happen and not try to help you to some extent.}

He tapped Jean with his tail, and she nodded before looking at us. "Spinel is… really impatient when it comes to this kind of thing. If something doesn't happen that interests her… You know what happens."

I nodded as she continued. "I was hoping that if you fight in her place, she'll let Hazel and Vivian go. It's… kind of a long shot, and of course it's up to you, but-"

"{Of course we're gonna help!}" I interrupted. "{Someone's gotta save her!}"

She sighed, relief in her heart as we stopped in front of the arena door, her swiping a card in a panel next to it. "Thank you. And good luck."

The door hissed open, and me and Mama ran in before standing between Zigzagoon and Hazel. "{I won't let you hurt her!}"

Zigzagoon looked straight past me and more towards Mama before shrinking back, afraid. He looked up towards the grunt and intercom for help as he was now severely outnumbered.

"What is the meaning of this?" Spinel's tone was incensed. But distracted. "I have not called for them."

Jean's voice crackled over the intercom. "Executive Spinel, clearly Ha-#033 is not capable of fighting. And yet she's second only to #001 in terms of success rate. Eevee are perfectly capable of assisting allies in battle, without ever joining the fray themselves. I surmised that perhaps this, combined with the two's bond, could allow for an as of yet unconceived usage of abilities could be showcased."

In the words of Leanne? She's bullshitting.

There was a long pause. The only noise filling the room was the sound of everyone's heartbeats pounding as we waited for someone to make a move. That was pierced by Spinel's loud footsteps making their way to the arena. She looked as horrific as usual, accompanied by Gothitelle. They stood next to the grunt who sends out pokemon and looked down at us.

"Well in all fairness, your battles were cut short last time #001. But I had no idea you would take such a proactive approach by putting yourself into the arena. How commendable of you." Spinel and Gothitelle clapped mockingly at us in unison. Me and Mama just glared at them both. "You shall serve as a fine example to all of your peers."

She reached into her coat pocket, taking out a pokeball. "But I would have you know that I make the decisions here, and those who act otherwise must be punished."

She tossed the ball towards the arena revealing a long, thin Pokemon. They had the same tan and brown fur as Zigzagoon, but it was matted and unkempt in several places. Rather than stripes she had long brown lines going down her back, her hackles raised and her bright blue eyes narrowed at us.

{Mommy!} Zigzagoon ran straight over to her, nuzzling her face. The new pokemon's demeanor immediately shifted at the sight of Zigzagoon, nuzzling him back in return.

{My son, one of you has finally come back to me,} She purred before she eyed Mama again and walked in front of him growling. {Ninetales!? What is the meaning of this!? Do you dare dine on my son, fox?}

Mama's face wrinkled in disgust. {Of course not, I-}

"Linoone!" The new pokemon looked towards Spinel and growled defiantly. "I am willing to forgive all your past rebellions and reunite you with the rest of your litter if you would do just one thing for me. Care to listen?"

She's gonna say something evil and messed up isn't she?

Spinel smiled down upon us, the shadow in her eyes dancing gleefully at the prospect of further cruelty. "Maim them all."

Hazel and Vivian got behind me and Mama, Mama's tails bristling and flames licking the sides of her mouth as I put up my fists. "{We just wanna make sure our friends are okay!}"

Linoone's face calmed after Spinel finished speaking before she turned to Zigzagoon. {Eevee should be enough for you to handle, my child, so direct your vigor towards them.} Linoone turned towards Mama. Her eyes were slits. {We will be reunited with your siblings soon enough.}

Zigzagoon nodded happily at the prospect, standing proud. {Okay Mommy! I'm ready!}

Mama shuffled Hazel behind her with her tails, glancing at me. {I can handle this if you cannot, my child.}

I shuddered but shook my head, looking at Linoone. "{I get it, but still… I can't let you hurt Hazel and Vivian!}"

Pride twinkled in Mama's heart as Linoone growled at me. Vivian ran up and stood with me and Mama. {I'm helping too! I won't let them hurt Hazel!} She glanced back. {Just stay behind us and lend a Helping Hand if you can, okay?}

Hazel, still shuddering, nodded slowly, holding one of her arms to try and keep it from shaking. "S-sure. Sure!"

Mama then turned back to Linoone. {You have my condolences, mother Linoone. For while you have your children to protect…} Orbs of fire began dancing around Mama, a chill wind whipping up. {So do I.}

Linoone eyed Hazel and I before turning back to Mama. {Safeguarding humans? I will not lose to such a creature again.} She clawed at the ground. {But I am now no better.}

{Incorrect on both counts. You fight to protect your cubs, and naught else. So long as that remains true, you will never be their slave. As for me…} Blue flames billowed out from Mama. {I protect my child and her friends. Her family. My child?}

I balled my fists again. "{And we're not humans! We're Hybrids!}"

She didn't pay attention. She only crouched down, her claws growing sharper as shadows seemed to refine them. Mama then gathered a ball of fire in her mouth, blazing brilliantly before she looked up and shot it. It screamed up before stopping short, bursting into a flaring orb of light and flame that shone in the sky. It's warm… It feels kinda like something-

I didn't have time to think of what, as me and Vivian had to leap out of the way. Linoone streaked towards Mama, slashing at her with her claws whining through the air. Mama darted to the side, tails trailing behind her. The orbs around her bombarded the ground in her wake, forcing Linoone to dodge and preventing her from catching up.

A purple-black glow began spiraling between Mama's tails before forming into several twisting orbs, launching right towards Linoone. She dodged, but the weird orbs kept going until they smacked into Zigzagoon. He suddenly started teetering from side to side before Vivian knocked him away from Hazel.

Meanwhile, Linoone kept going after Mama. Flames burst to life on my fists. I won't let you hurt my family! I ran right at her, punching her in the side hard. Not as hard as I could, but hard enough. She flinched and glanced back at me in surprise, just long enough for some more orbs from Mama to hit her. This time though, they weren't spinning weirdly. They were burning.

A dim orange glow smoldered across her body, lighting her fur up from inside. She staggered slightly before her eyes narrowed and she darted off in a streak of tan and white. I ran up to Mama, keeping my fists up.

{Linoone can run quicker if burned, paralyzed or so on. But she cannot do as much damage with her claws now.} I nodded, watching the trail. Even though she'd been fast before, she was really fast now. Even so, I could see her legs pumping as she ran around on the walls of the arena in a straight line. She then leaped off the wall, barreling straight into Mama and biting down on her flank.

Mama only growled, opening her mouth and bathing her in a torrent of flame to force her to let go. I ran over and tackled into her head, stunning her just enough to loosen her grip on Mama. Whose tails then became hard, shiny and gray like Cookie's had as she whacked her away.

How're Vivian and Hazel doing? From a quick look over, Zigzagoon wasn't teetering around anymore. Fortunately though, he and Vivian seemed to be pretty evenly matched. Hazel's hands were clasped, glowing with a soft white light. Whenever Vivian slammed into him, a bit of white light shone on her fur.

Apparently worrying about your family isn't allowed in this place though, as I only barely turned and made an ice slab before Linoone slashed right into me. As is, her claws left a large gash in the ice and she forced me on the ground, onto my back. {Stay out of this, human!}

"{I'm not a human! I'm a Hybrid!}" I yelled back, my heart pounding while adrenaline flooded my system.

And then suddenly, everything above me was a roaring, blazing orange.

For a solid few seconds, the only thing I could see was the slight shadow of her feet on the ice slab before that too was blown away. Everything else was just a wall of searing fire, filling the room with a furious howl.

{Do not touch my child.} Mama stepped forwards, the flames fading from the inside out until nothing but embers remained. She glared angrily towards Linoone, embers surrounding her. Linoone was currently burned, with her side towards us and growling.

She said nothing, only speeding off towards Hazel and Vivian who were still busy with Zigzagoon. My eyes went wide as me and Mama rushed over. Vivian noticed her coming and stood defensively in front of Hazel, whose eyes went wide as she cowered. We're not gonna make it!

Mama's eyes then glowed deep purple, a similar glow forming around Linoone before it faded. As it did though, she nearly tripped on her feet from how quick she was moving and had to go slower.

I took the chance, sprinting right for her before putting both my hands against her side and trying to do the fire burst thing I did to throw Maya off course.

It worked.

Just this time, instead of a shockwave that just sent her away? There was a small burst of flame as she went tumbling on her side, then rolling back up and leaping right for me. I yelped, Hazel clasping her hands again and the white glow going to me this time.

I quickly jumped to the side, and she had to slow down to follow me. Mama meanwhile was saying something to Hazel and Vivian, but I didn't have time to pay attention. I was too busy trying to dodge Linoone's slashes and bites. Fortunately, the white glow Hazel had made was surrounding me and making it much easier to dart about.

{My child!} My eyes darted over to Mama, who was covering the field in ice. There was only a small section where Hazel, Vivian and Zigzagoon still were where they were fighting. Vivian seemed to be doing pretty well, all in all. {Come to me!}

I nodded, but when I went to run past Linoone? She felt… hurt. Sad. Angry. Lonely. My ears drooped and I stopped. "{We don't gotta-}"

I was cut off as she turned around, sprinting right for me. The orange glow underneath her fur lit up a bit, but only seemed to strengthen a white glow shining from her forehead.

And she hit me squarely in the stomach with it.

Pain shot through me as I screamed, both in surprise and pain, flying through the air. The world around me was spinning, but something inside me refused. Refused to fall. Refused to be taken out of the fight.

Snow burst out from under me as I landed in a snowdrift, Mama looking at me in concern. Immediately after though, she turned to Linoone growling furiously. Several small orbs of pale blue light shone from the ends of her tails, a storm of frozen beams streaking right towards Linoone.

She did her best to dodge, but there was a scrabbling, scraping sound as her claws struggled to find purchase on the ice below her. She managed to dodge a couple, but the ensuing upwards icicles cut off her options until several managed to strike her directly.

A fine cold mist filled the area around her, Zigzagoon looking over in worry. I could barely hear what everyone was saying, my ears still ringing from the impact from earlier. The air itself began to burn as a ball of fire formed in Mama's mouth, yet the snow around us didn't melt. Flames licked the sides of her mouth before she launched it right at Linoone. The mist was quickly blown away, showing how she was frozen to the ground. Her eyes went wide before a blazing pillar engulfed her, sending a scalding burst of air and heat out around the blast.

Zigzagoon yelled something I couldn't hear, but Mama only turned to run to me and nuzzle me gently. {Are you alright, my child?!}

I shook my head slowly, pushing myself up. My stomach still hurt like hell. "{Kinda… I'll be okay.}"

She breathed a huge sigh of relief, but… I can't rest yet.

I forced myself up, leaning on Mama. {Easy, my child.}

"{Can… can we go to Linoone and Zigzagoon?}"

Surprise, alarm and rage flared in her heart before acceptance. {I… yes, my child. We can.}

She helped me over to where the smoke was clearing, Zigzagoon nuzzling into Linoone. Her eyes were still open, but only just. The ice around her was beginning to melt until Mama's eyes glowed a moment. It all turned to water in an instant. She flopped on the floor, glaring at the both of us.

She can't see her kids… but Hazel and Vivian were gonna die! But still…

I walked over, Zigzagoon growling. I just looked at them apologetically, tears in my eyes, before I hugged Linoone around the neck. "{I'm sorry…}"

Linoone simply stared at me. {...I understand now why Ninetales wishes to protect you…}

The tears grew larger and my throat felt tight, but I just shook my head and hugged her. "{What're your names? And if you don't have them, you should! The humans might not know them, but they can't take them away from you!}"

{The humans…?} Linoone's voice was tired and her breathing labored, but she managed to lean into Zigzagoon's touch. {This one is called Stripe. My mother called me Linea as a cub.}

I nodded, hugging both her and Stripe tight. Stripe was spikier than I realized, but Linea's fur was nice and smooth. She was losing consciousness fast so I let them go so they could have a bit of time. Linea leaned into Stripe who was tearing up.

{Mommy?} He sniffled.

{I am sorry, my son,} Linea nuzzled him. {I am sorry to you and your siblings. Remember, that I lo-} Her voice was cut off as she disappeared into scarlet once again. Stripe's eyes widened as he tried to jump over the light to keep her down, but she phased right through him.

{MOM-} Stripe followed immediately after. Vivian looked away, understanding, despair and rage in her heart. Tears were streaming down Hazel's face with nothing to stem the flow. Mama's eyes were hard, and my fire was burning again.

We all looked up to Spinel holding both of their pokeballs with a disdainful and bored look. Gothitelle had his arms crossed before he turned to Spinel, his eyes glowing blue a moment.

"Yes, you're right. This time I think it best we indulge your idea," She replied. What are they doing? He didn't even say anything.

Her gaze fell to the pokeballs in her hand. "That went about as well as one could've expect when prey and predator face off." She turned to the grunt and handed him both pokeballs. "I am a woman of her word, but Linoone was not. Granted she is a mere linoone, what was there to expect? Mister Bronco, do with them as you see fit. I could not care less."

I finally had a name for the meanie grunt who kept taking all my friends. Tearing them away from their families. "Of course, Professor." Bronco saluted. Spinel nodded before turning to look down at us all. Disappointment painted her expression.

"And I had thought only the Samurott duo were the only actors among you, but it seems you four are the true performers today. Oh no, we cannot forget Miss Jean and her stellar part in this show, a round of applause for Miss Jean."

Had there been a Kricketot there, I don't even know if they would've made a sound. I dunno where this is going, but anything involving her doesn't go well. Is she gonna have us try to eat babies like she does? The heck does she mean by a show? That wasn't performing at all!

Spinel snapped her fingers, the noise ringing out. Almost like a wave, all the grunts and white coats suddenly began clapping nervously as she stared them all down. Another snap was all it took to make them stop. Her focus shifted to Hazel and Vivian.

"Even if you had no powers, a simple kick in the stomach would've sent a zigzagoonreeling enough. But to watch you run and flail about the arena was simply a waste of time and squander of life."

Gothitelle clicked his teeth before shaking his head. {It seems her parents' deaths have left her more inept then we realized. A shameful human who wastes her newfound abilities. The admins collected a sorry stock.}

Spinel nodded along. "A sorry stock indeed." She honed in on Hazel once again. "Although… it seems she is capable of using Helping Hand without any recoil, so at least something was gleaned from her today. Why so much aid was needed to defeat a Zigzagoon I will never know, but I digress."

Spinel turned to Mama and I, the shadow in her eye lurking in the golden sea. Waiting to strike. "It seems I have underestimated your ability in battle, Ninetales. To correct this dishonor, Gothitelle has proposed the perfect opponent to test out the full extent of all of your capabilities." She reached into her coat once again, revealing a black pokeball with yellow stripes. "This one has been quite antsy as of late. I am sure she will love a little 'play fighting'."

Spinel tossed the pokeball into the arena. White light shone out of it as it opened, forming into a large brown and orange ball that then impacted the floor with a thundering boom. Once the dust had cleared, before us stood a bipedal Pokemon. They had a stony, brown hide and thick orange plating. Two horns crowned their head, one simpler while the other was aimed forwards and etched with a spiral pattern. A large tail ending in a wrecking ball of stone jutted out behind them, while their arms were twin cannons of rock. Three fingerlike protrusions were on each one, of a paler stone with a hole that faded into darkness within their hands. They were built like a mountain.

Vivian got into a defensive stance, and Hazel took a couple steps back. I struggled a bit but stood up on my own, shaking my head. "{Mama…?}"

Her tails were brisling, and I could feel alarm flaring in her heart as she stood defensively in front of us all. {Ilven… A Rhyperior, of all opponents?} She glanced back. {Stay behind me, my child. You as well, young Eevee and Hazel. This… is not an opponent you can withstand.}

Hazel's eyes went wide. "B-but I can help a little, right?"

{So long as you stay far away from her and can dodge boulders, you can.}

Hazel took a couple more steps back, Vivian doing so as well. I meanwhile stood with Mama. She looked at me, eyes full of concern. {We are very bad against those of stone, my child. You should stay back.}

I shook my head. "{Maybe I should, but I wanna help! I'll do my best!}"

She sighed, nuzzling me gently. {At least… do not attempt to take any attacks head on. Their attacks shatter ice without issue and snuff out flame.}

I shuddered, but nodded and put up my fists against the Rhyperior. She looked at us all curiously.

"Dear Rhyperior!" Spinel caught the attention of Rhyperior, who turned around eagerly at the sound of Spinel's voice. "I know you've been aching to test out your power on some sturdier opponents, but today I must ask you to discipline some vagabonds for me. Can you do that?"

Rhyperior pounded her arms together, grinning. {Of course, Miss Spinel, whatever you ask!}

"Such a loyal subject," Spinel smiled her twisted smile before addressing us once again. "Rhyperior is one of my most beloved projects. Genetically enhanced to be superior to the rest of her kind and her practice battles have showcased her prowess well. You are all nails and she is the hammer. Make an example of those who dare trifle with Galactic. With Spinel Srid!"

Mama rolled her eyes. {Yes yes your ego is the size of the moon, we're aware.}

I chuckled.

Rhyperior huffed, her eyes glowing a dangerous red. {You have grieved the professor. For that you must suffer!} Rhyperior kicked off the ground, moving far too fast that made sense for a pokemon of her size and stature. She aimed a red glowing fist straight to where Mama was standing.

Mama streaked to the side, several ghostly orbs trailing in her wake before spiraling towards Rhyperior. A few impacted against her orange plates, but several managed to strike her directly.

{Oh no, confuse ray. Whatever shall she do?} Gothitelle stated.

Mama glared over. {Comments from the peanut gallery are unnecessary.}

Gothitelle half bowed mockingly. {Allow me to bless you all with one last warning then. Jump.}

Rhyperior's movements were awkward and harried, but she seemed to have enough focus to gather light brown energy to her feet before she began jumping on the ground. Waves of force shook the battlefield in a miniature earthquake.

Hazel and Vivian got bowled over almost immediately, while Mama leaped onto the walls and began sending waves of her own everywhere. Instead of shockwaves though, they were large waves of snow that coated the ground and dampened the shockwaves' impact. I was doing my best to run on that, and jump from wall to wall kinda like Cookie had.

Rhyperior stood motionless a moment, her eyes still dazed, but she aimed her fist towards where Hazel and Vivian were standing. The ground underneath them began to glow before hot dirt and mud shot out, flooding them both.

Spinel clapped nonchalantly. "Even with her mind muddled she still can sense the earth's lifeforce better than anyone."

My eyes went wide and I ran over, making as cold of a wind as I could to counteract it. When I reached them though, they were both out cold on the ground. My ears tilted back and I glared towards Rhyperior, quickly grabbing them both and taking them to the furthest corner of the arena and hiding them in the snow. It's not much, but I hope you can rest well…

Suddenly, the snow shone blindingly bright. My eyes quickly adjusted, but it just seemed to throw Rhyperior off even more. Mama had shot up the same burning ball from earlier, bolstering the first one and renewing it. She then ran around behind Rhyperior, flames turning to raw energy and a green glow forming into an orb before a gargantuan beam of light razed the arena.

Rhyperior was utterly bathed in it, a low whine filling the arena before the light slowly dissipated into motes of light. The armor on her back was charred, but it only seemed to wake her up.

{Clever fox,} Rhyperior huffed before she whirled around faster than even I could see, slamming the ground where Mama stood. The ground exploded where she hit, hot mud and dirt flying everywhere again.

Mama only just made it away, lots of dirt and mud nipping at her heels. The orb was still kept in her tails, but it was quickly ripped into nine separate, smaller orbs that each one of her tails held. Her eyes never left Rhyperior as the orbs started bombarding her with small beams of light, while Mama's eyes glowed and the orbs shone brighter.

"She's launching miniature solar beams while conducting a nasty plot," Spinel hummed in the gallery. "It seems she's more than just an exotic half breed pet. She's been trained well… hmmm."

She's not a pet, she's my mama! And she's way better than you are! Of course you didn't expect her to do cool stuff, she's super cool and you don't know what that even is!

Rhyperior stepped on the ground, a rock wall appearing in front of her and blocking all the mini solar beams. She noticed me in the corner of her eye and gave me a threatening grin before shattering her own wall, sending rock shards flying towards Mama. I then noticed Rhyperior dug her foot in the ground sending dark brown energy into it, but nothing happened after that.

What's she doing?

Several stones struck Mama, a couple orbs on her tails winking out. A bunch others though got incinerated by the beams of light, and the whole time she kept on the move, weaving in and out of the snow and never staying in the same place. I gotta help somehow! The ice Mama made before didn't melt until she wanted it to… maybe mine does the same? And…

I sat down, making a small, hollow orb of ice with a single hole in my hand and began filling it with fire. It didn't melt, just like Mama's ice hadn't. Once it felt like it was about to shatter, I closed the hole with more ice, put it next to me and started making another one. Mama said to not get close, but I can help without getting close!

Mama was having more trouble moving around though. Whatever Rhyperior had done when she had stuck her foot in the ground had begun to make the arena ground sootier and harder to move in. Wherever there was snow it'd begin to sink into the dirt.

Mama's eyes narrowed, and she began launching the mini beams at all sides of Rhyperior. She blocked it easily enough, but Mama's eyes hadn't stopped glowing. A low, hypnotic hum began to fill the arena. Rhyperior seemed to understand what was going on as she dug her foot even deeper into the ground causing a huge rock spire littered with spikes to jut out of the ground exactly where Mama was about to land.

Her eyes went wide and she only barely turned to not get hit dead on, a spire of her own but of ice lancing out of the ground to help her leap away as the hum was cut short. Her fur was clearly bloodied, and yet she kept glaring at Rhyperior. She then howled, an icy wind billowing around her with snow and shards of ice filling the arena. Snow began to coat the ground once more, and the orb she'd made earlier was blocked out from all the snow and ice everywhere. Yet I could see perfectly fine through it all, watching as Mama treaded carefully on the snow. Her eyes were still glowing, the shards of ice getting bigger and bigger the longer they were.

You can do it, Mama! A bit of snow covered my small pile of ice balls with fire in them, and my ears twitched. That'd be good too!

I kept on making them as Rhyperior squinted through the snow before angrily grunting, her voice deep.

{I grow weary of your cumbersome hit and run style, Ninetales. Fight me head on!}

Mama's eyes shone and her voice appeared several feet away from where she actually was. She doesn't wanna give away where she is… {Not all of us are fortunate enough to take blows as well as a walking mountain. I will fight my battle my way. You fight yours.}

Rhyperior dug her feet into the ground once again, growling in the direction of Mama's fake voice before turning to where she really was. {I grow tired of your manipulations, so I shall produce my own. Watch as your ice breaks against my dust!} Rhyperior pointed her arms forward before she began spinning much faster than she ever should, sand overflowing from the holes within her arms. I looked up to see that the sun Mama had created was beginning to fade as it was overtaken by the sandstorm. The dust began to rub on my skin as the sand and ice began to fight for dominance.

A couple of the top orbs began to hiss as sand struck away layers of ice, and I quickly covered the spots with ice again before pushing them deeper into the snow and burrowing in a little myself. In the snowdrift, the sand couldn't reach me as easily and I could keep making my orbs.

Just a few more…

{No matter the weather, I can still see you all. Including the two you've hidden away,} Rhyperior rumbled as she dug her foot into the ground again, this time the ground began to split. The crack began creeping through the ground right where Hazel and Vivian were hiding.

{No.} The blizzard died down, but only for a moment. The sand in the air suddenly all glowed white-hot, then began spiraling directly for Rhyperior. Several small bits of glass from the sheer heat clattered to the floor as the glowing sand began rushing back from where it'd come from. Right into Rhyperior's arms.

She yelled in surprise and pain, trying to shoot it out. At the same time however, the sand was suddenly blown away from around Mama as what could only be described as sheer cold emanated from her.

{Do not underestimate me.} Several spires of ice began cracking through the ground, overtaking the cracks Rhyperior had made and freezing them shut before they began to engulf Rhyperior.

From the balcony I could spy Spinel's annoyance and Gothitelle's surprise at Rhyperior being caught off guard.

{She's about to lose, she got too cocky,} Gothitelle noted.

Spinel stomped her foot, sending a loud clack out. "Rhyperior! Use Fissure on yourself."

Rhyperior managed to meet Spinel's glance before a strong desire to not fail her replaced the cocky attitude she had before. Her eyes glowed brown before the ground beneath her opened up completely, swallowing her whole. Sand and dirt rushed in the hole as she sunk in deeper and deeper into the earth.

What… just happened?

Everything was quiet. There was no movement at all. Mama began walking around the battlefield carefully, looking out for any signs of Rhyperior's appearance. Except I could still sense her emotions. I wasn't sure exactly where she was, but as far as I could tell she hadn't moved much.

"{Mama!}" Her ear perked, swiveling towards me. "{She's underground, but in the same kinda place as before! Sorta…? She's not going far!}" I yelled, piling the orbs I'd made into a big snowball.
She nodded, moving away from that area and staying cautious the whole time. That's when the ground began to shake even harder than before. Mama and I could barely stand due to all the shockwaves, before I looked over to Hazel and Vivian. Hoping they'd be alright.

I scanned the field to find parts of the ground about to burst when water shot out of the hole, showering everything. That's when I noticed that the ground under Mama and I was beginning to rise too.

Uh oh.

Mama leaped to the side and I quickly rolled my snowball away, a huge geyser of water blasting out from the ground right where we were standing. Similar geysers began to erupt all over the arena, me and Mama doing our best to shield ourselves with ice.

That's when I felt a particularly larger geyser begin to unearth below me. I leaped out of the way to find Rhyperior shooting out of a geyser, attempting to pummel me.

Fortunately, she definitely pummeled the ball I'd been making.

The sound of ice shattering filled the air as her horn punctured several of the orbs. The condensed flames inside began setting each other off, and the snowball glowed bright orange from within before it erupted in a blaz. Before Rhyperior had even reached the ground, a huge ball of raging fire had engulfed her with thousands of ice shards embedding themselves into her hide. None of them were particularly deep individually, but there were a LOT of them. Just the shockwave blew me back a little, my hair blown all about.

I ran as far away as quick as I could, but I was smiling. It worked! It actually worked! I could feel pride coming from Mama. I didn't care about the evil lady and Gothitelle. They were evil. It didn't matter. What mattered is that I helped against someone Mama was having trouble with!

That is until the dust cleared. Rhyperior was standing firm, eyes glowing with dangerous intent. The ice shards were littered all over her body and scorch marks across her armor. She growled in a low, amused tone.

{You are quite an intelligent child. A weaker opponent would not do well underestimating you.} Rhyperior began dusting off the shrapnel like it wasn't even there, with only a slight wince every so often at her joints to show she felt anything. She adjusted her arms, making sure sand could flow normally. {Did you know a rhyperior's carapace can withstand volcanic eruptions? We also submerge ourselves in sediment so our bodies can rebuild. It is a lot of maintenance to maintain this body, but…} Her eyes honed in on me and Mama. {It is all worth it in the end.}

That… that had to have done something, right? I looked at her warily, trying to find anything that wasn't a bit of ash or something to show that I'd actually affected her at all. Her stance seemed a little heavier than before as she dug her foot into the ground, transferring energy into the earth. That's… something?

{Fall.}

Rhyperior darted straight towards Mama, using the earth to accelerate her movements. Rhyperior's arms loaded jagged rocks into both her palms. Mama began to dodge, but the energy Rhyperior had inserted into the ground earlier suddenly launched out of the ground as a dangerous rock spire.

Walling off her immediate exits.

I ran forward screaming as I watched Rhyperior slam both of her arms into Mama through the rock spire and straight into the side of the arena.

A gigantic impact shook the entire arena.

Mama gasped in agony as she began to slide down the wall, two gaping wounds filled with rock shards all over her abdomen. Blood splattered her usually pristine fur and part of the wall. Each breath she took caused the rock shards to shift, furthering her pain even more. Blood trickled down her face from where she hit her head and her right hindleg was bent in a way it never should.

Mama's pain was unimaginable, but she made brief eye contact with me before a soft glow began shining from her eyes. Rhyperior leapt forward again, slamming her arm directly into Mama's stomach. Digging her deeper into the wall. I expected to feel more mind numbing pain and fear, but… it didn't change. It was like she wasn't being hit anymore.

What Rhyperior's hitting… that isn't Mama?

The Mama in front of me was limp, lifeless and being tossed around like a ragdoll. But there wasn't any fading of feeling, or her heart or anything. It wasn't like when a Pokemon got sucked back into a Pokeball.

Instead, all those feelings were underneath the floor. Within the same tunnels Rhyperior had dug out earlier. She was hiding. Waiting.

And she didn't want to be found.

She wants me to pretend. I can pretend… humans are fooled by pretending pretty easily. Rhyperior is too angry to notice and I don't think Gothitelle caught it. Mama's okay… I just gotta make it seem like she's not. I can pretend to be sad and upset. I've been that a lot lately.

Rhyperior gripped fake Mama's face and slammed it into the wall. Again. And again. And again. And again. Over and over and over.

I ran over, tears streaming down my face from the stress of everything. Even if I knew it wasn't Mama… it still hurt. A cold wind encased my fists. "{Stop! Leave Mama alone!}" I started slamming them against her, but the only thing that happened was my fists hurt clearly more than I was hurting her. Until she slammed me against the wall with her tail, my head cracking against the wall before I crumpled against the floor. I could barely see anymore, the world was spinning and dark with my ears ringing.

Eventually she stopped hurting the not Mama. Her fake body slid to the ground, bashed and broken. Rhyperior's arms vibrated intensely before a large boulder materialized in her hands.

Large enough to crush Mama… If I just sit here, they'll catch on that that's not actually Mama. If it was… that'd kill her...

I dragged my arm around and launched several fireballs from where I was, barely able to even aim through the haze my vision was. Some went wide and burst harmlessly against the glass. The others hit the boulder, easily larger than Rhyperior, but they didn't do anything. "{Don't… Mama…!}" I yelled, weakly. Rhyperior raised the boulder above her head.

I screamed for her to stop.

She slammed it down on Mama. The explosion blew me away, slamming me into a wall again. I smacked against it, landing face first on the ground this time. I was barely able to look up and see that Rhyperior had stepped back to admire her work. A giant boulder where Mama used to be. And they think she's dead.

I tried to push myself up. I probably couldn't have stood up even if I wanted to, and struggling to get up and failing probably helped fool the others into thinking she was dead. Everything still really hurts… but at least Mama's alive.

{Finally, the half breed is dead.} Gothitelle spoke up first, clapping his hands satisfied. {Took long enough.} I didn't smile, but a bit of joy sparked inside me. No she's not. Stupid asshole.

"I did not expect this to be such a challenge, but we underestimated her capabilities despite her diminished state. I'll have to speak with Cyrus about increasing the training regimens for all of our staff. The bar has been sufficiently raised," Spinel noted. "What is the state of the other two?"

Gothitelle's eyes glowed before speaking. {They'll live.}

Spinel pressed a hand to her ear. "Joyous. Collectors, clean this mess up."

She looked down at me before a glint appeared in her eye. "Actually… Rhyperior, knock out #001. I have another test in mind as she's currently available."

Something within me stirred. As much as it hurt. As much as the world was spinning, and the pain was near blinding. I forced myself to my feet, clenched my fists and forced flames to engulf them. "{I'm not… I'm not… some test! And… I never will b-}"

I felt a coarse, rough hand grip my head before lifting me up. I held on, trying to pry them off as they were crushing my ears. It did not help them feel any better. Rhyperior turned me around so I could stare into her face.

{Orders are orders. Sleep child,} Rhyperior raised her other hand and bonked me 'lightly' on the head. For her I bet she thought it was light, but there was a loud crack before everything faded to black.

My head was still pounding when I woke up. My limbs were tingling, almost numb and heavy as metal as I forced my eyes to open. Which… didn't inform me any more, really.

Around me was a pale mist listly floating close to the ground. And it seemed to go on endlessly in whatever direction I looked. There were no walls I could see, no mist curling against them or against anything. The ground didn't even look like ground. It was just an odd, shifting black mass with purple swirls in it every so often. That same mass engulfed the space, filling it with a ghostly chill eerily similar to when the Spiritomb soul had shot through me.

Did I die? Is this where you go when you die?

I forced myself to my feet, holding my head. No matter which way my ears flicked, there was nothing to hear but my own heartbeat. Just them moving was intensely painful from them having been crushed. My heart was thumping against my chest, at the thought of the state Mama had been in.

When I tried to think though, it was very fuzzy. Well… I won't find anything out standing around, I guess? I gotta get back to Mama. I made a small flame in the palm of my hand before it floated gently next to me. The mist receded slowly, forming a small divot where I was.

I began to walk. The longer I did though, and the less my head was pounding to where I could barely think? The more the situation sank in.

Mama's hurt! And wherever this is, I need to not be here!

My walk turned into a jog, then a run, then a full on sprint. But no matter how far I ran, nothing seemed to change. Even when I'd glance behind me to see that there was a trail in the mist, there was no way to tell how far I'd gone. How much closer I was to Mama.

Fear spiked in my heart, but I just ran faster. There has to be an end somewhere! And I won't find it by just standing around!

The longer I ran though, the more trouble I had breathing. But… it didn't feel like it was just exhaustion. That wasn't bothering me too much. The pain was, but not exhaustion. It was like the air itself was getting thinner and thinner.

I gotta… keep going! Not yet!

I don't know how far I ran. I just know that eventually I had fallen onto my back, gasping for air with only the comfort of the little orb of flame I'd made before.

Until a hand reached over and snuffed it out.

I looked up to find golden eyes piercing through the darkness and an amused smile. A smile befitting the horror standing before me.

"Greetings #001. How was your nap?" Spinel asked.

As much as my lungs were screaming at me, I forced myself up and glared. "{Go away! I'm not scared of you!}"

Spinel clicked her teeth, shaking her head. "Now now #001, all this bravado won't keep you alive. It'll only make everything much more painful." Spinel sighed and I could feel the fog grow even thicker. "But that is why we are here. You are a difficult child, but a child nonetheless in need of discipline. It has become very clear that I need to take a more hands on approach with you."

With each word her tone grew more grave as she began to walk towards me. The fog bolstered her while it drained me. It rushed behind her, almost swelling her form as she seemed all the larger. The fog building a mass behind her.

I… don't care! I won't let you! I'm not yours, and I never will be! You can't make me!

I planted my feet against the ground, her steps growing slower and the fog's curling going at a snail's pace. It rushed away from me as I blasted forwards, going to punch Spinel right in the stomach.

But I just went through her.

I yelped, barely catching myself before I skidded right on my face. I picked myself up quickly, whirling around with my ears flicking every which way. Trying to find any indication of where she was.

"Do you believe humans powerless, #001?" I whirled around to find Spinel behind me, hands behind her back. "You say you are not human, so do you believe us weak and disgraceful creatures? That you are better?"

What does that have to do with anything? "{You're evil! I don't try and hurt people for stupid reasons like you do! And whatever you make, you use it to hurt everyone else because you can!}"

"Is that so?" Spinel smirked. "So your ire is directed primarily at me? That is fair… what I'm doing may hurt all of you, but your sacrifice will benefit this planet for eternity. Humans cannot understand pokemon without unorthodox means. By creating fusions I am simply bridging the gap. You don't need to be grateful, but this generation's descendants shall be."

My mind was reeling. There were so many contradictions in what she was saying it hurt my head. So you want me to talk with Pokemon, but you get angry when I talk with them? You wanna hurt people to make people happy? None of that makes sense! And she sounds like she understands me right now, when humans don't usually. What's even going on? "{People shouldn't have to be hurt to make other people happy! Maybe you're too stupid to think of ways for that, but there's people who can! If you're just gonna brag about making people when all you do is hurt them, you should go away and leave everyone nice alone!}"

Spinel finally frowned, crossing her arms. "Usually I don't entertain children with discussion, especially when persuasion is futile, but I shall humor you as you've proven to have more spine than most adults. I frankly could not care any less about any of you."

No, I could've never figured that one out.

"I've read your files. Most of you are meaningless nobodies that likely wouldn't amount to much of anything. There are a few blips here and there, but frankly no one of worthwhile substance. Which is why I don't care about all of your happiness since according to my calculations, none of you would impact the planet in any meaningful way. To make use of all of you, Team Galactic has taken it upon themselves to utilize your useless bodies for science. Unfortunately, you were picked for the first batch, to see how humans truly handle pokemon DNA. Thankfully, it has been a rousing success… for most." She shrugged at the end.

Flames began to burn around me, eating at the mist. She just thinks everyone's worthless?! Because they don't meet some stupid standard?! They're all people! People who wanna just live and be happy! And she's ruining their chances for that and she doesn't even care!

During her entire speech, one thing was made abundantly clear by her heart. The only thing she cared about in all of that? Her. "{The only people who should go away are all of you! You're just hurting people for stupid reasons you're telling yourself! You just care about doing evil things!}"

Spinel seemed to enjoy my anger, closely observing the fire as though I was an interesting bobble. She took a step back and faded into the fog.

"The outside world has been built by evil people committing evil acts, #001." I whirled around to find Spinel strolling nonchalantly. "Scientists experimenting on a few measly rattata changed the face of medicine forever and now pokemon's lives are saved everyday. It was unfortunate, but someone had to do it. Do you believe they should've let the rattata be and-"

"{Duh!}" I cut her off, shaking my head a bit. Her anger flared after I interrupted her. "{They should've been left to live their lives! You sayin' cruel things with awful reasons why over and over doesn't change anything! You just make things sound like you're all smart and special, but you're just evil humans failing to make what you do sound helpful!}" I'd had enough of her talking.

I was wondering why the humans were doing all this. Turns out it was just because they think they're better and can do what they want. Just like Mama said. And I don't need to hear more evil human talk!

Spinel pinched the bridge of her nose. "Pointless. Why do I bother? Fine-"

"{Cuz you just wanna make yourself feel better and you know you're horrible!}" I interjected again, grinning a teeny bit. No long winded speeches about you being better than us for you!

I could see a vein appear on her head as she grinned madly. "No more justifications then. I will do what I want with all of you until-"

I blew a raspberry.

"You little fucker."

Spinel warped right in front of me with the pokeball in hand. "We are going to perform a little experiment. I implore you to fight back. My fury deserves an outlet."

As much as I wanted to punch her right in front of me? That one felt like the clone Mama had made before. Where I actually felt her twisted heart, her impending glee at doing something horrible…

That was right behind me.

Time slowed down again as I whirled around and punched Spinel right in the stomach. Hard. "{You deserve to go away!}"

Spinel hunched over as I dug my fist as deep as I could, then leapt away. I wasn't giving her any chances to do something evil. She stayed in that position for a second before standing up straight and fixing her dress.

"Excellent deduction. You were not phased by the illusion and struck where your blindspot was. This time you weren't even holding back. Yes, I've noticed." Her eyes shone bright. "But allow me to demonstrate a real punch."

Spinel slowly curled her right hand before vanishing into the fog. Not even a millisecond later I felt her fist dig into my abdomen, lifting me into the air a second before she grabbed the back of my head and slammed it into the floor. This time though… I didn't just feel her behind me. But I also did? Something felt off, and not just in the usual evil cruel human way.

"Much better. Now, let us see if pokeballs work on fusions..." Spinel muttered as she tapped it over my head.

Instantly, an intense burn razed my entire body. Not just outside. Every inch of me, inside and out, felt like it was being scorched by unearthly flames. I opened my mouth to scream, but I couldn't. I shut my eyes from the sheer pain, and when I opened them again?

It was dark, but not like the place from before.

Instead of standing on anything, it felt like I was floating. Instead of a swirling black mass, there was just an empty, dark void. I couldn't see my hands. I couldn't see anything. All I knew was that it was painful.

Some part of me registered it was easier to breathe there. I took as much of a breath as I could without a body. Another part felt a tickling at the back of my mind. Like Spinel was trying to tell me what to do.

I kicked that out fast.

The last part knew that whatever was happening? It needed to stop happening. I needed out. I needed to get back to Mama.

Suddenly, burning erupted throughout my whole body again. I kept my eyes open and this time, I could see the void melting past me before I was back in the foggy, swirling mass of evil. With Spinel right there.

I wanted to scream. Just the air brushing past me sent agonizing spears of pain thrusting through me. The clothes on my back felt like a wall of spikes. The floor felt like blades ripping apart my feet, legs, everywhere. I could barely stand, the ghastly chill from before not helping things at all. I grit my teeth, forcing one eye open to keep watch of Spinel.

The only thing keeping me upright was my refusal to lose to humans like her.

"Quite a violent reaction to a pokeball. Is your human DNA rejecting the process…? You went in regardless, so it must work to an extent." Spinel sounded a mix of curious, confused and annoyed before gripping my head once again. "More damage then."

She resumed slamming it into the ground, over and over. I could feel her nails dig into my skull with each impact as the inky darkness on the floor began to shatter against my head. Just her hand was phenomenally more painful on me than it had been before. The nails and shattered bits of floor only made things worse. She tapped the pokeball on my head once again.

And once again, the burning, searing pain engulfed my entire body.

And then again as I forced myself out.

This time I did collapse on the floor. My refusal to lose to Spinel was still burning strong, it just now was forced to manifest in me not losing consciousness again rather than standing up. I began breathing, rasping for air.

"It broke? An ultra ball then," Spinel muttered as she went to continue the head bashing.

This time though?

I knew I couldn't take that and stay awake.

I needed something between me and her.

I needed protection.

Suddenly, a shimmering light erupted from my body in a pulse. It soothed the pain ever so slightly, forcing away the dark mass and fog with it. Below me were cool, hard tiles that'd been shattered by my head slamming against them. I could still see Spinel, the fog and the mass everywhere else, but protecting me was a shining green dome of light.

"She learned… Protect? Phenomenal..." Spinel stared at me with genuine surprise before her expression returned to a dangerous calm. "...but pointless."

She raised her heel and began stomping on the shield. At first, it shrugged off her attacks like they were nothing. But as she kept going, tiny cracks started to form.

I need more time!

Energy flowed from me into the shield as the cracks fixed themselves. I felt more tired, but the longer I laid there the more the pain began to fade. Agonizingly slowly, but fading all the same.

"How is it this strong, her stamina should be at its limit," Spinel muttered again. The fog around her seemed to intensify, pressing itself against the shield at all sides. Her stomps grew stronger with each strike.

But at the same time? Even though I grew more tired now with each blow, each passing second? The pain was fading. Still agonizing, but I managed to stand. I glared at Spinel, then looked at the ground. This isn't real. There's gotta be an exit somewhere!

Right as Spinel was about to stomp down on the shield again, I let it lower. She stumbled for a moment, having expected resistance where there suddenly was none. As much as everything prickled and burned? I planted my feet on the ground and bolted away from her. Now with shattered tile as a landmark.

Even though I felt like I should've run incredibly far in just a few moments? When I glanced back, I saw the tile wasn't moving any further away. I was a couple feet away, sure, but even though I was sprinting at full tilt? I wasn't moving an inch.

Okay, running isn't an option?! I whirled around, willing flames to engulf my hands once more. Maybe I can't get out of this room, but there is an out somewhere! I'm not giving in! Not yet!

Something grabbed my legs before I went flying through the air. My entire body was slammed against the tile before being hurled back into the air, then slammed back down.

Again and again and again.

When it finally stopped I tried to get up again, but Spinel grabbed my throat and lifted me off my feet.

"Obviously I have not been motivating you enough as it seems you are much more interesting when pressed," Spinel spoke with thinly veiled anger. She lifted me up higher and began to squeeze. "So now I will crush you."

Having already been deprived of air, this just made it worse. My vision began to blur even more. The mist almost looked like it was making something, but I couldn't make it out.

I was exhausted beyond belief, in agonizing pain and about to black out.

So of course, I did what anyone would do.

I stuck my tongue out at her.

She began to squeeze even harder, a wicked grin appeared on her, failing to mask her rage. Yet… her grin just kept getting bigger. I noticed the shadows were beginning to engulf both of us, but I was unsure if it was due to the fog or the choking. I looked again and Spinel's grin had expanded to an inhuman size. She had begun laughing, but it didn't sound normal. It echoed throughout the fog and caused my body to shudder. I stared directly into her eyes in defiance, but I noticed something new.

The shadow in her eyes that I had always seen frolic in her golden eyes… it was gone.

A singular, scarlet red eye appeared above Spinel's head… or at least… what I thought was Spinel's head. What I thought was her head had turned into a crooked golden mouth, topped with even larger golden eyes. I heard a bell chime as the crooked mouth opened before her hands and the fog began pulling me into her maw. All I could feel were countless hands trying to rip my body apart from every direction.

All I could hear were shrill screams of unimaginable pain mixed with her neverending psychotic laughter.

Then nothing.

Entry Log

-I believe in order. I do not enjoy surprises. I do not accept disobedience. Recently I have experienced only chaos, mayhem and fragrant disrespect. I suppose when one works with trash for so long they forget the stench. I have been assaulted by a significant heaping of filth impossible to ignore.

-#033 and Eevee's battle with Zigzagoon was pitiful. Physically painful to endure. Eevee's battle prowess is beyond middling, that even a subpar Zigzagoon proved a challenge. Meanwhile #033 is utterly useless in combat. I do not know if it was due to her mourning process being cut short or if it is due to her age, but when given the order to fight for her life, it seems she has no will to do so and zero aptitude. Watching her nearly made me ill with rage.

You do not deserve to be on this planet if you cannot at the bare minimum find the strength to fight for your life. To fight for your self preservation. Her mother died during fusion, her father went insane and now even their daughter proves to be nothing but disappointment. Such powerless, passive creatures are no more worthy than livestock to be slaughtered as even they have the sense to resist.

-Luckily, she managed to scrape some worth. The only merit of wasting time fusing her. Besides #001 she is the only other fusion at the moment who can use her abilities without extreme stress as she used Helping Hand with ease during combat.

A blood test has showcased that her adaptable Eevee cells have conformed to her human DNA much better than the others allowing her to use her powers with relative ease. Such a waste that she is the only Eeveelution fusion here.

-Jean cannot be trusted. The other grunts are avaricious beasts, but that's what I need. I do not need them developing sympathies or 'feelings' for the subjects. They are to think of them as livestock to be herded and used. Jean was the lone exception as she had enough decency to earn their trust.

Unfortunately, it seems she's grown too much of a fondness for them that she would disobey me, so discipline was required. I am sure she will enjoy dethawing Indra with the singular ice heal I gave her and the nearly crushed windpipe she is now sporting courtesy of Juliet.

Their injuries will heal in time, but my trust is not so easy to regain. If they were anyone else they'd be dead, but she may stay. For now. Another misstep and she may find herself falling into the compound with her 'beloved' fusions.

-Gothitelle quite enjoyed watching Rhyperior pummel Ninetales, but somehow even he missed the fact she had survived. Only Cyrus caught that she escaped using Substitute and now he has become insufferable. Reprimanding me like I am a child for going too far with #001 and Ninetales. It was merely discipline! -Apparently the admins have caught too much attention and cannot gather more subjects. Thus we are stuck with the batch we have at present, but now I am sure the younger the subject the better the results. Cyrus says it'd cause too much trouble to catch more children. Bah. Simply make one!

There are ample male and female grunts who clamor for Cyrus' attention. If he said consummate in his name, then that is what they shall do. I already know those filthy harlots Mars and Jupiter would jump on Cyrus at the mere mention of copulation with him. Disgusting. If I were a weaker woman I'd be disturbed by his manipulative power over his followers. As I am now? I believe he's not utilizing them enough.

-Unfortunately I do not have the time or resources to be monitoring pregnant grunts and Cyrus' theoretical children. The fusion device is still too simplistic to be dealing with fragile embryos and infants. Cyrus is adamant on not acquiring more child subjects, so #001 will have to do… her and Ninetales survival is key to learning as much as we can. Ninetales is an excellent teacher, but a dangerous opponent. Even after recovery she fortunately will not remain such a threat.

-#001 has clearly showcased that she has retained human intelligence. No Vulpix have ever been recorded manipulating fire or ice to the precision she does, much less both at once. The makeshift cluster bomb she developed did more than nothing to Rhyperior, which is far more than any single attack could. Clearly this project shows promise.

-#001's defiance is maddening. The temptation to inflict a curse on her was overwhelming, but I can only have Juliet do so so many times before the effects begin to wane. At least from her defiance she has proven fusions can learn new moves as she learned Protect right before my eyes. Progress.

-I have also concluded pokeballs do work on fusions, just not as well and it hurts them. When humans are struck by a recall beam from a pokeball all we feel is static, but we do not go inside. From what I have observed fusions endure extreme pain going inside the ball and out. Modified pokeballs will be required for them, but at least it is possible to catch them as proven with #001.

Damidar 29th

-Today's testing has proven… less informative. Due to #001 still being in critical condition and #033 recovering, none of the others remaining can showcase any use of abilities. As of right now, I only have the data previously gathered and my own theories to entertain my thoughts. Which would not be an issue if the other admins had been intelligent enough to capture more children, progress would not have stagnated.

-Several more blood samples were taken from the other fusions, but it will take time for the results to become clear. Today has been less productive than I had wished.

-Multiple fusions also seem to be upset that #001 and Ninetales have not yet returned to them. #053 in particular was second only to #180 in voicing her displeasure. Their gripes are tiresome, but I've appointed Rhodo to deal with their feelings in my stead..

Damidar 30th

-#001 pushed me more than I anticipated, even I must admit Juliet and I got… overzealous, with her discipline. Cyrus made it clear while I was displeased from the lack of progress due to #001's recovery time that I have no one but myself to blame. I did not care for the tone he took with me.

-If he finds my ways unacceptable, then he may orchestrate the next batch of fights. Let us see if he can rein them better than myself. #001 and Ninetales are still recovering within the healing pods, but our doctors surmise they may be suitable to leave soon.

-Gothitelle was most displeased to learn of Ninetales' continued survival and advocated for her extermination, but was vetoed. At the very least he seems appeased by her absence for now. What a vengeful pokemon I've raised. Recommending Rhyperior to be their discipline partner knowing just out of spite. As amusing as that sight was, I ought to reign his future suggestions in.

-Cyrus has also impressed the fact that we cannot simply go out and capture more live specimens, as due to my… impatience, the Scolipede fusion was slain during battle. If they were only more durable and had fused better, this would not be an issue. But quite clearly, it is.

-As much as I do not care for Charon's inept gibbering, he was right in one regard. The Fusion Chambers are incomplete. Of course he is irate at not being allowed near them; as though I would let the bumbling imbecile anywhere near them. Apparently he attempted to sway Cyrus. Naturally failed, the cur.
-Moving on however, clearly the Fusion Chambers are capable of creating higher quality fusions. Due to lack of examples, it was incapable of producing them with older specimens (perhaps due to their bodies being more developed?). Now that we have such examples however, further study can be conducted to result in more thorough fusions regardless of the human's age.

Damidar 31st

-I do not know whether to be pleased or irritated. Cyrus orchestrated more than just fights, conducting several tests. In addition to the fights he orchestrated showcasing how even the less perfect fusions have enhanced physical capabilities, he also tested several of their type resistances, mental parameters and effects of Pokeballs on them.

-While I was focused on the fusions' inability to use pokemon abilities, Cyrus postulated that that is due to humans having no such powers innately themselves. Meanwhile with physical capabilities, there is no lack of translation. This became clear as while #006 has been proven to be incapable of producing flame, she was able to keep up with a Pyroar in physical ability. Notably behind the pokemon, but her parameters went far and above what even trained humans are capable of. Even Alters would be hard pressed to match their physical capabilities.

-This could be why none of the fusions have wings; despite it being a physical trait, there is no parallel to it in humans. Meanwhile humans very distinctly have a spine that can simply continue into a tailbone.

-#068 is a member of a long line of exceptional alters as well as being the only successful ghost fusion with Decidueye. She has not caused any notable problems akin to #001, but I shall remain cautious.

-Interestingly, #072's test has showcased the difference with how they resist pokemon attacks. Despite his imperfect fusion, he was clearly more affected by grass type moves. At the same time, electric type moves had a notably decreased effect on him. Not the immunity that ground types typically sport, but he withstood voltage that would render a human unconscious with manageable issues. Cyrus was thorough and tested this phenomenon with various other fusions. It continues to hold true. Considering #001 was particularly affected by Rhyperior's onslaught, yet was… less than satisfactorily affected by mine and Juliet's, this seems to hold true as well. Further testing must be done with her and #033. If she does not want to fight, she can stand there and be a good test dummy.

-After being told that pokeballs were functional on #001, Cyrus took it upon himself to test them on several other fusions. Sneasel rendered them immobile as quickly as ever, though he was clearly upset from the order to not separate them from their limbs. I gave him #043's heart as a treat as recompense, as I have gathered all I can from it. He was pleased.

-While the pokeballs were unable to capture any of the other fusions, they were clearly pained by the attempt. This supports the theory that the imperfect fusions have a lower percentage of pokemon DNA, rather than having the same percentage as #001 and traits simply not manifesting.

-Loathe as I am to admit it, Cyrus was distinctly effective in gathering data from the available resources in ways that… had not occurred to me as of yet. His expertise may be in machinery rather than biology, but it is now more clear that he knows how to use what he has to create progress. I may converse with him about the course of action to be taken with the fusions moving forward, as opposed to the exclusive authority I had requested initially.

-The events over the past few days have allowed me ample time to examine myself once again. Juliet's embrace and power is charming, but I shan't allow the power to overcome my thought process. Gothitelle's petty wishes and impulses must not be heeded either besides amusing commentary. I must remain moving forward. Every day I discard the me of yesterday and move on to a more knowledgeable ideal version of myself. That is the vow I have made.

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

#006 Fused Pyroar & Pyroar Status: Recovering

#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: Recovering

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

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

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

#072 Fused Swampert & Swampert Status: Recovering

#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: Nominal

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

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

#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: Recovering

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

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

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

Author's Note: And thus are the results of Aurora's first test she undergoes. Not a great start, all in all. Poor girl deserves a break. Anyway, I hope you… well, enjoyed is a bit much. I hope you enjoy the story this chapter helped to tell, and that it wasn't too much. And that you come back to read the next one! We've gotten to the first big awful event Aurora goes through here, and there's a limited number of those. Yes, there's gonna be more events like this. What'd you expect, the awful to stop suddenly? That comes later.