Episode 20: Family
"Okay, that should do it. You can stop whining now," Azu said as she leaned off Lucca. He sat up and picked at his new bandages which held his ruffles down, and cringed with a hiss. "Geez, have you never had a bandage before? Don't play with it, or you'll start bleeding again."
"We're so lucky it didn't hit any organs. The arrow almost went right through you," Shelly remarked.
"You guys are literal lifesavers, you know that?" Feather remarked as she sat up. The arrows had been removed from her too, but she seemed to be too damaged to float on her tail anymore. "Now what's to stop me from putting you all in hospital?"
"Try it, and I'm pretty sure you'll end up falling to pieces. You look rough," Ruby spat an ember at her.
"Heh, I'm just pulling your tails. I know when I'm defeated, and I know why I was defeated," Feather replied. She became serious, and glared at the sleeping Crystal. The Piplup was motionless on the other side of the tents, watched intently by Brine. She had been put in a hammock. "I was caught way off guard by how powerful she'd be. She spent the whole battle running away like a helpless Wimpod. I didn't even notice when she decided to take part."
"I don't even know why this happened, but I'm surprised it did when everyone else was around this time," Lucca added. He turned his gaze to the night sky, which was filled with stars and nebulae. "Perhaps it has something to do with the night."
"Wait… this time?" Azu said. Lucca's face was intense, and he silently signalled Brine to come over.
"It's good that she's still out. I don't want her to hear this. I don't know what to say to her," he began. He tried to sit as he usually did, but his wounds bothered him, so he rolled onto his back again. "There's something dangerously wrong with Crystal. There are times where she just turns into this, I don't know how to put it… feral killing machine."
"And she just like, faints afterwards? Like that?" Brine shook her head. Lucca nodded.
"I told you before that I couldn't say anything about Esther's murder attempt, or Queen Gladys. This is why," Lucca said. There was a wave of gasps and frightened looks from everyone, even Feather. "I was ordered to kill Esther because her performance uses Bestia energy. I tried to follow that order, but when I got there, Crystal was there before me… Esther's bodyguard was unrecognisable, like he'd been shredded by something that wasn't living. When I saw her face covered in blood, I panicked."
"You're lying. You have to be makin' this up!" Ruby objected. "You're telling me Esther was tellin' the truth? Crystal tried to kill her? Why the hell would she? Crystal has no reason to, and she ain't got the guts to even hit feral Pokémon!"
Silence fell as the others turned away nervously. "What? You got somethin' to say, say it!"
"You saw her, Ruby. You yourself had to knock her out. That wasn't normal. That was an undeniably violent display," Azu argued.
"Plus, you might know something about that, Ruby," Lucca continued, making her gasp. The Cyndaquil's eyes began to water.
"No! No I don't know anything! Shut up!" she whimpered. "Crystal ain't a murderer! She's too weak and pathetic to be one!"
Shelly dared to step forward. Playing with his paws, he shuddered as hard as his deep blue gospel vibe implied. "U-um… you know, back when we beat the Wishiwashi in the Shadow palace? And then I hugged her because I was really happy…"
"Shelly, shut up!" Ruby shrieked. He stalled, but clenched his fists.
"Her heart wasn't beating!" Shelly cried. Silence fell again. "H-her heart wasn't beating… her body felt like a corpse. I-I haven't been able to forget. It's scary, and I don't get it."
"Like a corpse?" Azu repeated. Her face was going white.
"I'm sorry, Ruby… I know I said I wouldn't tell anyone, but I can't… she killed Mama… I don't know what to do with that," Shelly trembled and hugged himself.
"It's a similar story. Me and Mimia went to question Queen Gladys about my mother, Nebilim, after everyone had gone to bed. But when I got there, Crystal had reduced her to mush… and was still attacking," Lucca recalled. Now Azu was trembling, too. "But I'm in a similar boat. Crystal just seems so innocent and docile; I couldn't bring myself to let her take the blame for a murder. So I took the blame myself. Now, you guys have all seen it."
"You stupid idiot! You've been burdening yourself with that the whole time? Didn't you tell Mimia off for the same thing?" Azu snapped and leaned towards him. Lucca was about to reply, but blinked and gawked as Azu couldn't hold back tears. "I-I've been hounding you for being a shady murderer, when all this time, you've just been trying to cover her suspicion? What the heck am I supposed to do with this, Lucca?"
"Urf… you're not supposed to do anything. I'm the prince, here. It's my role to carry burdens like that, and get to the bottom of the situation. I only lament I even have to ask for you guys' help," he answered, and shook his head. Mimia answered him with noises, which made him look up.
"So what, we just all believe it, now? From the stupid guy whose been lying to us all journey?" Ruby challenged.
"Please, Ruby. I know it's incredibly hard, but I need your knowledge now, more than ever. You're her sister. If you know anything about Crystal at all, you have to tell us," Lucca said. His voice sounded just like a monarch just then, and his face was devoid of all the handsomeness his Brionne self normally exuded. "She attempted to kill Esther, she killed Queen Gladys, and now she almost killed Feather and me. We have to get to the bottom of this."
Ruby sniffled and shivered. She turned away and looked like she might explode, but instead, heavy tears started to roll down her face. "Da-damn it. Damn it all to hell."
"Ruby…" Shelly muttered.
"I don't know either. I promise you; I don't know. She's just been getting worse all journey," Ruby began, and everyone's eyes widened. "Even when I first met her, I noticed her heart doesn't beat. She has no pulse, she doesn't breathe, and she's weirdly super strong even though she doesn't train or like to fight or anything."
"Wait, what?" Brine muttered, and mulled it over.
"We're sisters, right? So we used to fight over stuff. She could pull my arm off if I let her," Ruby revealed, making everyone gawk. "So I wasn't surprised to see her pick up a bow and be super good with it, either. I wanted her to help me on my journey, but I didn't think it'd lead to this, so now I'm regretting it. She's not a bad Pokémon, and you don't have to do anything to her!"
"I did notice that she was exceptional with her bow. Her accuracy is unrealistic," Mimia confirmed.
"Figuring out what to do with her is the point of this. We can't afford to do anything that would jeopardize the Shining Warrior journey," Lucca added. He glanced at Crystal, who was still lying down, completely motionless.
Right now, it's impossible to tell whether she's even alive or not. That's terrifying… this Pokémon has been with them all this journey? Brine thought to herself. I kinda want her to wake up right now just so she doesn't look dead and I can pretend that she's normal… normal, huh? Something that none of us are.
"Whatever we do, we need to get this journey over and done with as quickly as possible, before whatever triggers those violent attacks triggers again," Azu warned. She turned back to Feather. "I'm not even sure the police would be able to contain us. So what's your plan?"
"It's not like I'm going to be able to hide that the warriors defeated me. How the public decide to take that story is down to them. You're still public enemy number one," Feather shrugged. A wave of grunts responded to her. "Don't gimme those looks. I never said I'd keep fighting you. To tell the complete truth, I just wanted to keep fighting you, not actually arrest you. To think that my daughter would be hardcore enough to survive and become a Shining Warrior, I have to say that this stuff really runs in our blood."
And then there's this. My own mother, after all this time, doesn't really care about me. It's not like I cared to search for her either, Brine sighed and faced the floor.
"I think I'm interested to see what's going to happen this time," Feather said, and leaned on her paws. "So how's about this? There's some village under construction about an hour's flight from here."
"Scar's village? It's still standing?" Brine questioned. Feather nodded.
"That area turned into a Bestia Fountain. The mad Muk opted to use the monster's terrain to his advantage. So if you walk through the desert valley rather than going over it, you'll avoid its rampage and sneak right up to it," Feather explained. "That monster isn't like any Pokémon I've ever seen before. Ever since it showed up, it's been chewing up the desert by shooting Draco Meteor everywhere. I'm guessing because it's part of your legendary journey and all that, it'll never actually run out of Bestia."
"The trials tend to have objectives like that. But it explains this area," Lucca commented.
"I'm gonna keep the police off your tail and lift the charges off Esther's attempted murder. You guys focus on your journey, but be warned: this will not keep the knights off your tail," Feather continued.
"Oh, right. That's a question, too," Azu mumbled and sighed. "Earlier, you said you were following orders of higher ups. But you also said you're the chief."
"Yes I did, and I am. The minister of crime control and the board of law are the ones who give us the orders. Though they're technically not a higher rank than me, they're the ones who manage what the police force does, how it functions, our funding, all that stuff. You know, the big Metagross guys who're good with data and strategy and stuff. Because of how important the Shining Warriors are, any criminal offences involving the warriors goes straight to them," Feather explained.
"… You didn't mention the knights," Azu said slowly.
"Is that what you wanted to ask about? Between you and me, those guys are creepy and annoying," Feather commented. Azu seemed surprised, but didn't say anything. "Those Pokémon sprung up outta nowhere, but they're helping us do our jobs so we haven't exactly done much about them. But we don't actually know why they're around or doing what they're doing."
"Wait what?" Ruby gasped. Lucca sat forward now, too.
"Did you think we were on the same side? If we were, wouldn't we all be in fancy armour?" Feather joked. She frowned at everyone's terrified glare. "If you guys keep up those scary looks, your faces will stay like that. So er, what about them?"
"They started wandering Heroica one day and help keep the peace, but nobody actually knows who they are, what they are, or where they came from? Doesn't that terrify you?" Azu questioned.
"Those things have been chasing me and Crystal ever since we left home. They're crazy for Crystal for some reason," Ruby cried.
"And we can't forget how they helped Panzer that one time. But according to you, Panzer's supposed to be dead," Brine added.
"Hmm, that's quite a mystery, ain't it? If you want me to look into it too, I can. At the same time, you guys can do me a favour too, right? Don't worry, this one's totally up your alley," Feather proposed. "You guys have to dig around ruins and legendary stuff, right? Ever come across an item call the Armlet of Transmutation?"
"Wasn't that the thing Kusha was after, too?" Shelly cocked his head.
"Bingo, you've heard of it. I can't bring it up to the police since they don't really deal with legendary myth stuff. The threat of that artefact is very real, though. If you hear anything about it, please do everything in your power to secure it," Feather requested. For how smiley she was earlier, her tone was intense. "It's unlikely it will ever be used, but we absolutely can't allow anyone who knows how to use it to get their paws on it. If they do, there's no telling what will happen."
"You're not the first one to say that. What does it actually do?" Ruby wondered.
There was a pause, and feather remained intense. "I actually can't tell you. Just keep it safe if you find it, okay?"
"Well, whatever. I think Smokes was the last guy with it. He sold it in Girage or something," Ruby recalled. "He's a shady Charmeleon. Obsessed with get rich quick stuff. Can't miss 'em."
"Pokémon like that tend to slither around a lot. Just my type to hunt down. This could be fun, at least," Feather commented.
"As for us, if we're serious about tackling that trial tomorrow, we're going to need proper rest," Lucca suggested. "Are those tents empty? We've got our own, but—"
"Go ahead, and take any items you find in them, too. They were for my unit, but they won't need them," Feather smiled, and then became serious suddenly. "I don't know exactly what the situation is, but I suggest you keep someone awake to watch… her."
"Grr, Crystal's not some monster who's gonna kill us in our sleep!" Ruby pouted.
"We should still have someone to keep watch, just to make sure," Mimia said. Ruby growled at him, but the Stufful remained stern.
This is turning quite sour, Brine realised, and stepped forward. "I'll do it. I can't sleep, and I need to replenish my water anyway."
"You've had a rough fight. You sure you'll be alright?" Azu asked.
"If someone swaps with me halfway, then sure," she shrugged. Azu nodded to her, then the others, and they were off.
"That's my girl. Brave as can be," Feather joked.
"Are you really my mother? What's with you?" Brine groaned.
"Yes, I gave birth to a watermarked Pikachu. When the Undine found out what happened, your father fled home with you and left me a memento. You have any idea who your father is?" Feather asked.
"I've no memory of him whatsoever," Brine confessed.
"Hmm… he was a cool guy. A hunk of a Floatzel, if I may brag for a bit. Loved living life by the edge, always getting himself into battles to help Pokémon. I guess something happened to him, and here you are, Shining Warrior and all," Feather explained.
"Could you at least try to sound like you care?" Brine cried. "I struggle through life trying to figure out why I'm such a weird Pikachu, and my mother sounds like she doesn't give a toss and just wants to fight me. This couldn't be worse."
"And you became a Shining Warrior, defeating me in the process. Aren't you proud of who you are?" Feather asked.
"I didn't defeat you. You made a mockery of my powers. And how the heck am I supposed to be proud of myself when everyone, Pokémon and Undine, want to kill me?" she raised her voice. "You don't even sound like you want me. Why the heck am I even a Shining Warrior?"
"Hmm. What do mine, or all those racist Pokémon's opinions matter?" Feather replied. Brine let out a huff. "I've known you for what, a couple of hours now, and I can already see why you're a Shining Warrior. But if you can't, then know that that's something I can't help with."
"If you think that's some thoughtful wisdom, it's really not. It's just annoyingly vague," brine sighed.
"I don't think myself the wise type, so I'd say it's pretty blunt, actually," Feather smirked. "I'm gonna go crash for the night, too. Careful with the oasis water. It gets frightfully cold in the desert night, so you don't wanna catch something."
"Noted," Brine said, looking away. Feather waited until she glanced back, waved happily, and then limped back over to the tents. There was silence for another moment, accented by a light wind that swept the sands in the distance. Brine sighed, and then made her way back over to Crystal's hammock.
Another night alone in the desert. Can't say I missed this.
The night fell quicker than she realised. It had been a couple hours since their battle, yet the sky had already transformed into a deep, navy backdrop dotted with bright stars and nebulae. The temperature really did drop, but it was far worse than she remembered, enough to get her to retrieve a towel and wrap herself up while she kept watch.
At that, Crystal hadn't moved an inch. Even when the wind blew and her hammock swayed a little, Crystal remained rigid in place. Not a twitch, not a swell of her chest, and not a sound. Brine watched over her for a moment, but it only made her heart race.
The others were either telling the truth, or she's just the heaviest sleeper I've ever met, she thought, and dared to shift closer to the Piplup. Her ears flicked as she focused her hearing. Even laying her head on Crystal's chest, she couldn't feel anything to imply the Piplup was alive. Their body was as cold as the trees, they had no pulse, and they most certainly weren't breathing.
It was enough to spring Brine's natural instincts into action. She immediately withdrew, heart racing and mouth agape, and considered trying to get their heart pumping again. No, Brine. You know what Shelly said. I just have to trust this is correct. She's okay… whatever she's doing.
She turned to the tents, and then the water. I'm probably just getting too tired myself. Best to just, get my water back and then call it a night.
Despite telling herself that, she couldn't calm at all. Whether or not Crystal was actually alive, she had just experienced a dead Pokémon. No amount of assurance that this was normal for the Piplup could shake the fright of that. She shook herself off, took a deep breath, and approached the water.
So much for sleeping tonight. Focus now, Brine, she told herself, dipping her toes into the water. Frightfully chilly, just as was warned. In fact, it was colder than she remembered. Just that little touch however, she could feel moisture return to her form, and there was an inkling of relief. Okay now. Just one quick dip, and be out. Focus Brine, focus.
She slid forward to ease herself into the cold, but with the water up to her waist, she couldn't help but shiver. One more deep breath and she rushed in, pulling her goggles over her eyes as she completely submerged. The silence of water took over, while a frightening drop in temperature almost made her gasp. It was hard, but that relieving feeling battled the discomfort. Her powers literally flowed into her, and she shut her eyes to bask as her energy returned. The glow of her bracelets was the evidence her method was working.
That was fast. The wonders of what a bath can do, she remarked as she opened her eyes to swim back. The oasis went far deeper than it appeared, and had a fair bit of plant life growing through the sand on the waterbed, too. The biggest surprise however, was the Cyndaquil sat smack bang in the centre. What the- Ruby?
She didn't think twice. She didn't need to deal with another crisis tonight. She swam over as fast as she could, but the moment she touched Ruby's back, the Cyndaquil let out a squeak and flinched in surprise. They didn't resist thankfully, so Brine carried them to the surface.
"What in the world are you doing here? I thought you went to sleep?" Brine gasped as they both crawled onto land. Ruby couldn't seem to face her. "Er… Ruby? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she replied bluntly.
"… You were at the bottom of the oasis," Brine stated, paws on her hips. Ruby didn't react. "Look, I just had a fright with Crystal earlier. Don't tell me you were trying to… you know…"
Ruby finally growled and faced her. "Tsk, get real. I've got too much to do to off myself at a time like this. And you can talk, what were you doing in the water anyway?"
"I had to refuel. It's an Undine thing. When I use my water powers, I use the water in my body, you know? Like, the water I drink and everything. So if I take a bath, I'll be able to use my powers for a while," Brine explained. "But what about you? You could've died down there."
"I wouldn't have died. I'm not that weak. I'm watermarked too, you know," Ruby said. Her eyes opened, and she was surprisingly solemn. "I wanna get stronger, so I did my usual training. I concentrate better and stuff when I'm underwater. I never knew why, but I guess if I'm the same as you, that explains it."
"Well to tell the truth, I don't fully get it either. It's just something I figured out while growing up. Is it just like, the calmness of the water helps you? Like you can listen to water, and it's alive to you?" Brine replied.
"It… is like that. See, you get me," Ruby said. Brine's frown remained, making her sigh. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm sorry for gettin' in your way."
"You didn't get in my way. It hardly takes a minute for me to refuel," Brine said, and then went quiet. "Sorry… no. That's not how I want to sound. I hardly know you."
"If that's true, then why do you wanna kill Crystal?" Ruby snapped.
"What? I don't want to kill Crystal! I hardly know her, either," Brine gasped, shaking her paws. She dragged a paw down her face. "Look, I barely know you guys. All I can go off is what I've seen and heard, and that's… you know, what it is. I tried to fit in by watching everyone from a distance, but it really feels like everyone's got their own reasons for being here and stuff. Everyone but me."
"And that matters because?" Ruby got her usual fierce look back.
"So you don't care, either?" Brine sighed.
"Don't put words in my mouth. I never said that," Ruby spat. "I asked you why you think that matters. Why you think not having a reason to be here is important."
"Because… because it just doesn't fit right, you know? Everyone else is all noble or has something they desperately want to fight for. It makes sense why you've all got the Shining Warrior title. I mean yeah, I wanna bring back Bestia, and I was looking for my mother and all that but like… it's always sorta been day by day for me, you know? I don't have some big noble goal I can hyperfocus on," she explained.
"Then you don't have one. Count yourself lucky you get to chill," Ruby replied.
I'm totally pissing her off, and I don't mean to, Brine realised.
"If you feel so bad about it, why don't you just focus on helping us out?" Ruby suggested. "I'm not some noble hero with a just cause or anythin'. Neither is Shelly. We just have stuff we really wanna do, and the journey is stuff we can do at the same time. The moment I meet that Ribombee guy again, I'm not lettin' anyone stop me from trying to kill him."
"I don't know the full story there, but I bet if the guy doesn't die by your flame, you'll never be happy with yourself," Brine frowned.
"You really do get me. Huh. I think you're the first Pokémon I've just met who does," Ruby was surprised, and lost her anger. Brine couldn't help but stare for a moment. Even though a Cyndaquil with open eyes was unusual, Ruby was surprisingly cute when she wasn't permanently angry.
"I-I just guessed. I can't really help with that," Brine shook her head.
"That's not what I wanted you to help with. It's Crystal," Ruby said. She got up and walked over, and Brine followed blankly. "I dunno what everyone else is thinkin', but I know it's not good. I just feel like something really bad's gonna happen soon, just because everyone's scared of Crystal now."
"I am too, I have to be honest. I've never seen anything like it," Brine started playing with her paws. Crystal still wasn't moving.
"But I'm her sister, Brine! Nobody seems to get that," Ruby said. "I grew up with her for like, ten years or whatever. She's the only Pokémon who really put up with me and treated me like a normal Pokémon, despite everything wrong with me. The least I can do is treat her like a normal Pokémon too, right? A-and I know I don't really show it, but I love her. As a sister, I mean."
Their bond is real, Brine realised.
"Help me figure this out. And if things get bad with everyone else, help me look after Crystal, please," Ruby begged.
"I'm not saying this just because we're all Shining Warriors. But I'd help you regardless. Now that I know all this, I know even better. Family should love each other," Brine replied, and finally smiled, too. "Unlike that sorry excuse for a Raichu. Kinda wish I never met her."
"At least you still have a mother. If you wanna put your money where your mouth is, why don't you go try and understand them instead of just hatin' her?" Ruby commented. Brine went quiet.
At last, Crystal began to stir, and both girls gasped. It was just like waking up from a long nap. The Piplup shivered, groaned, and then sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Oh wow. I actually fell asleep."
"Crystal," Brine mumbled.
"Crystal!" Ruby squealed and dove into the hammock. Crystal sprung awake at that, but could only squeal back as the duo got tangled up in the hammock. They both fell out, but remained cuddled together.
"U-uh, hi," Crystal said sheepishly. She froze when she noticed Ruby had started crying, and nervously wrapped her flippers around. They remained that way for a few minutes too, and the entire time, Ruby truly cried. Heavy tears matted Crystals' fur, but she didn't react at all, besides a few pats and rubs of Ruby's back. She didn't wail, but there were hiccups.
… I feel like I've missed way too much here, Brine realised, watching them solemnly. Crystal eventually noticed her, and sat up to detach Ruby.
"Um… hi. It's not morning," Crystal said shyly.
"Ye-yeah, it's not. But that's good, we get to talk alone for a little bit," Ruby replied. She had to wipe her eyes and sniffle, but she returned to her cute look from earlier. "Um… do you… remember anything?"
"Remember anything? From last night?" Crystal folded her flippers.
"From before you fainted," Ruby clarified. There was a pause.
"We were fighting Feather, right? One of her attacks hit me in the head, and I fainted. Sorry about that," she cringed.
"No no no, that's not a problem. You're fine," Ruby assured. Crystal's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. "And now? You feeling okay?"
"Uh," her beak hung open.
"… What?"
"Are you okay? You're being kinda soft and mushy right now," she asked.
"Ugh, what I'm not allowed to care about my sister? Take the love or leave it," Ruby stomped. "But seriously, you were out for a while. You good?"
Crystal glanced at both girls unsurely. "Er, yeah. Kinda weirded out now to be honest, but I'm fine."
"Hungry? Sleepy? Anything?" Ruby continued. Crystal made a sound, to which Ruby's face tightened, and she lowered her volume. "… You can trust Brine. She's promised me something."
"Ah, wait you didn't…" Crystal shuddered.
"Shelly… figured something out. About your heart, and the others are starting to question it," Ruby informed. The Piplup couldn't hide her angst from that. "I wanna protect you. I've not been very sisterly to you so far, and I wanna change that."
"I-I don't need you to, though. Plus, your eyes are open!" Crystal turned away.
"I know! I've just been thinking a lot. When I was training just now. Mimia's started talking more, yeah? And just being the real him. Why the heck am I still hiding the real me?" Ruby said. "So I'm gonna keep my eyes open now. And anyone who thinks I'm ugly or scary or whatever can just get a Flamethrower to the face. The same goes for you too, though…"
"What the- you're doing it again, Ruby! You don't get to make that choice for me!" Crystal snapped.
"But it's important. The more the others know, the less scared they can be… oh please, just work with me on this. I'm trying to help you, I mean it," Ruby begged.
"You stupid idiot! Ugh, you can't just say you're helping me by telling everyone stuff I don't want them to know about me," Crystal raised her voice.
If this breaks into a fight, the others could eavesdrop. After all, Azu and Mimia are part of this group, Brine realised. Her heart was heavy watching these two descend into an argument. She gulped, and then stepped forward to make herself known. "Crystal."
Crystal turned to her, surprised by the serious look.
"When you passed out against Feather, your body kept moving," Brine began.
"Brine, wait!" Ruby gasped.
"You defeated Feather when the rest of us couldn't. You just seemed to go on some sort of rampage, and almost killed Feather… and Lucca," she explained. Crystal flinched and gasped. "Ruby had to knock you out. Now the others are concerned about what's ailing you and what you're capable of. They've noticed your extreme accuracy recently, too."
"I… no…" she shuddered as she fell on her backside. Her flippers went to her head, and she slowly shook. "I… I didn't- I couldn't…"
"Brine… why?" Ruby shuddered.
"This is the only way we're going to be able to do this. You don't have to tell us everything right away, but you get it, right? If all of us are to trust each other, we need to know about each other and stop hiding secrets. Like Ruby's eyes, or my water powers, or Lucca being a prince. Right now, even I'm afraid of you, but it's just because I don't know you or what's going on."
"I… I know… you're right. I-I know you're right, but I'm scared. I'm so scared what will happen," Crystal whimpered. She slowly stood up, wiped an eye, and then checked her flipper. It was dry. "I can't even cry tears… I don't even remember if I ever could."
"Crystal?" Ruby said.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, either. I had no idea I tried to kill somebody… I don't want to do this. Did I really try to do that?" she whimpered. Brine and Ruby couldn't reply, but their appearances said it all. "I did, didn't I… you should take my bow from me."
"I'm not doing that," Ruby stated.
"I… It's like I'm losing myself. I can't remember the last time I slept… except now of course, but even that was because you knocked me out. I can't eat anymore, too. I just throw up after a while. When everyone's tired or cold, or hot, I don't feel anything. It's scary… but even that doesn't feel like it's there. I know I'm scared, but I don't feel scared," she explained. "I don't have a heart, I don't feel, and everyone says I feel like a dead body… am I even here?"
"You are!" Ruby shouted. "You're my sister. You grew up with me. You argued with me, you ate with me, you helped me train. You set off on this journey with me! You have thoughts and feelings and wishes that made you a Shining Warrior, too. Stuff you like and stuff you hate. You're alive! There's just something wrong with you. A disease or somethin'. There has to be! I'm gonna figure it out and save you, no matter what it takes. When this journey's over, me and you are gonna chill back in Lillistep, with all the other kids! I'm makin' sure that happens!"
"Ruby… no. This isn't like the other stuff. We don't know a thing about me. No one, not even myself. We can't just 'figure this out' or say it's gonna be alright," Crystal shuddered.
"Then what do you suppose we do instead? Stay scared and hide away from everyone else?" Brine argued. "I dunno about you, but I'd rather stand up to whatever the heck's wrong and try to do something about it instead of wallowing in fear."
"Ugh, why are you even involved? This is why I hate you, Ruby," Crystal said.
"Don't you think your sister's got the right idea? You can hide away and achieve nothing, or keep doing what you want to do and fight all the problems that come up. Your choice," Brine stepped even closer. "Plus, for someone who supposedly doesn't feel anything, you're awfully afraid of trying."
"What's the point of trying when I don't know what's going to happen?" Crystal cried. She sounded like she might cry, but no tears came.
"Are you seriously gonna let that stop you?" Ruby said. "None of us know what's gonna happen on this quest. But we're—"
"You still don't get it, damn it!" Crystal shouted even louder. "I'm not you. I'm not like the rest of you. I didn't even decide to go on this journey, I didn't decide to be a Shining Warrior! I got forced to do this whole thing. Now I know I'm dangerous enough to kill a Pokémon, stuff I promised myself I'd never do. This whole thing is just hell, and I want it all to be over with!"
Ruby let out a trembled breath, and then shook her head. "This isn't right. This isn't how it was meant to go. I'm only trying to help, I promise you."
"Oh whatever, Ruby. You only care about yourself. You should just keep caring about yourself before you make anymore trouble for everyone," Crystal huffed. Ruby kept trembling and staring, but Crystal remained firm, and turned her back. "Just go to bed already. I'll go pretend to sleep or something."
"Urf," Ruby hung her head, but she obeyed and slinked off.
She really meant well, too, Brine frowned. She stayed until Ruby was gone. "You're not really going to give up, are you?"
Crystal sighed. "I can't afford to, not after coming this far, can I?"
There was a long pause between the two.
"I'm allowed to not be happy about it," Crystal added.