A/N Omgg, I'm so sorry about the super late update (Mwehehe, that rhymed)! Sorry, I've just been "busy" and stuff. Ill try ad have the next one in quite early to make up!
Replies to reviews
schoolmoue33: Aha, thanks! Ah, Soul Eater! ... I watched the first episode but never got around to the second. :P We haven't talked in ages, must catch up!
Ama Zon: Nope, the contest didn't end. They're on a holiday from the show. :P
Celindia: Thank you! :D Sorry for the late update. XP
sapphirez4178: XD I lurve Silver's uncaring attitude. Thanks! :D
awolflover: XD Thanks! You'll find out soon enough. :P
Crescent Rose: I'm actually not sure... :P
Sakura Touko: Thanks! I'm glad you're sticking with the story!
Contestshipper16: :o No that's fine, don't apologise! Thanks! Sorry for the late update!
Ready to fly: Thanks XD Yes, I tend to leave most of my chapters with cliffhangers. :P
Thegreypoet: Neither do I, but writing them are fun. XD
Phey: Thanks! Sorry for the late update! D:
Megumis: :P "Huehuehue..." is all I'll leave you with.
Pokémon Trainer Mystery: Thanks for your long review! :D Yeah, pretty much everyone hates her. Ah, as do I. Silver is indeed such a tsundere. And yes, I agree. XD
That-girl-from-outer-space6: Nope, she actually isn't. She's just a regular doctor, I guess. Thanks~ Huehuehue... XD
Yeah Toast: It only takes a few minutes to make one. It's much more fun too, you make friends and one day inspired to write! And yeah, I'm actually going to be writing a mystery story about the coma theory sometime.
DeadpoolRULEZ: Why thank you, I'm honoured. Thank you!
Guest: Nah, I checked it out and it's all fine. Thanks for letting me know though. (:
Ploefje: Neither happy nor sad, I guess. More drama. Ah, they'll get their fluff! Sorry for the late update!
Skitty13: Things are getting bad indeed! DX Thanks!
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Chapter Eighteen: The Truth
The sound of metal clashing with the ground rang throughout the restaurant. A fork, which was previously in Leaf's hands, clattered on the ground as she stared at Lyra disbelievingly. There was a long silence. Silver hadn't changed his unimpressed expression, however.
"N-no, you can't be serious!" Leaf stuttered, pushing back in her chair. As much as she didn't want to believe it, she realised that everything fit into place. Her unusual flashback-like dreams suddenly made perfect sense.
"Wait," Misty said sharply. "Something doesn't add up. If they were assassins, why did they go to those lengths to save us? Why not just let us die? It'd be easier for them," she stated, narrowing her eyes. Out of nowhere, Giovanni's last words to her rung in her head. The boys... they're not who you think they are.
Finally, Silver spoke as he rested his chin on his fist. "Actually, I think it was more of a kidnap, then assassinate mission," he said, looking down at his food. He twirled his fork, looking back up uninterestedly. "Get what I mean?"
Both Leaf and Misty were silent, Leaf looking more stunned than her friend. Lyra looked sympathetic at them for a second, then looked down, her eyelids lowering. She had a sad, depressing expression. "I'm sorry, I could've done something to save them, and save you." A tear formed in her eye as she looked back up. "I was too weak."
Misty narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? How are you so involved in this?" she pressed on, staring intently at Lyra.
"Well, I followed them to their base in Unova," she replied, sniffing. "I battled Lysandre for the chance to save them..." Lyra trailed off, looking like she was about to burst into tears. "I was so weak, I couldn't beat him! I shouldn't be champion!"
Silver lifted his head, turning to the bawling girl beside him. "Lyra. Just because he defeated you, does not mean you're weak. You defeated me and so many others to be titled one of the most powerful trainers in the world." He sighed, his piercing grey eyes narrowing. "He's strong, but corrupted. Pity him, do not pity yourself."
Leaf wasn't listening to what Silver said, however. To be stronger than Gary, Paul, Ash and Lyra combined... So powerful... who is he?!
"It's okay, Lyra. Do you know what's happening with them now, then? " Misty said. She mentally punched herself for thinking about Ash, despite just finding out he was on a mission to kill her. "Not that I care..."
Lyra wiped off her tears, nodding slightly. "They'll most likely be punished, then..." She trailed off, realising she didn't know anything. "I'm actually not sure... I doubt they'll be out again to get you guys, but I don't know."
Leaf narrowed her eyes, suddenly noticing something. "Wait. What about Drew?"
"Excuse me," the just-released hospital patient said, stopping by a stranger. "Do you know which way to the airport?" He knew the airport was close enough, and he didn't have any money on him for a taxi. He had a card, but no cash on him.
The older man nodded, turning around. "Just go down there," he said, pointing his arm down the road with a canal through the middle. "Then just turn left on North Boulevard and you won't miss it."
Shooting a quick smile, he thanked the old man and began speed-walking down the path. He crossed the bridge to get to the left side of the canal, still in a hurried pace. Although he was released from the hospital, he was feeling extremely drowsy for an unknown reason. He turned onto North Boulevard, the drowsiness becoming worse every minute.
"Here," Drew breathed, looking up at the large airport. He didn't have any luggage, as his friends had taken everything. He narrowed his eyes at the thought of them, and how they were. He knew that they weren't safe and that he would be lucky to go back and see them alive.
He approached the main desk, speaking to them right away. "I need to board the soonest flight possible to Unova," he said placing his arms on the counter.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid I can't-"
"Please," he pleaded, his eyes making the lady feel slightly sorry for him. "It's an emergency, and I have no luggage."
She paused, hesitating for a few moments. She sighed, typing into her computer quickly. "Alright, I'll see what I can do for you. Please wait a moment," she said, taking the phone in her hand and typing in a number.
"Thank you," he breathed, letting out a sigh of relief. He half listened to her conversation on the phone as he tapped his feet impatiently. He could feel his drowsiness growing stronger, and stronger by the second. He began to feel dizzy, and started swaying in fatigue.
Suddenly, everything went blank. The last thing he felt was someone catching him in their arms, shouting out his name.
May entered the small town, breathing in the lovely, fresh air. It felt, and smelt, extremely nostalgic as she walked through the town with a smile. She stopped at the familiar sight of her old home, where she used to live with her parents. The thought of her beloved mum and dad caused a sharp pang in her chest, along wit the worry of her remaining family members.
The smile long gone, she continued heading through the town towards Brendan's home. Despite not being there for years, she knew just where it was. After walking for a little longer, she reached his large double story house. After knocking, she took a step back and tucked a lost strand of hair behind her ears.
A tired-looking Brendan opened the door, yawning. "He-" He rubbed his head, blinking. "May?"
May forced a smile. "Hey, Brendan..." She trailed off, glancing around her. "I have to stay with you for this week."
His ruby-red eyes were filled with concern. "Tell me the whole story," he said, instantly realising something was very wrong. He opened the door fully, holding it open for the brunette. "Come in, make yourself comfortable."
Nodding, May stepped into his house, glancing at her surroundings. It was all very familiar to her, as she has been there many times in her childhood. Before she knew assassins even existed. "Where's your parents?" she asked, placing her bag down.
"Dad's at the lab, he's with this professor from Kalos," Brendan replied, heading to the kitchen. He came back out moments later with a large bag of chips, grinning. "And mum's at the supermarket, those were the last chips left," he said, throwing the bag of chips to May.
She caught them, smiling. "I'm looking forward to seeing them after all these years," she said as she took a seat on the sofa. "Anyway..."
Brendan sat beside her, his eyes concerned at her grim facial expression and her tone.
"My family, they're gone. I came home, and there was no one there, just some blood," she explained, the disturbing images clearly going through her mind. She looked extremely distressed, her fingers digging into her thighs.
His eyes widened and he stared at her for a few moments in shock. "No way... Did you tell the police?"
May nodded, finding a sudden interest in the floor. She choked, a small sob coming out. "Of course," she replied weakly, "but they didn't find anything towards who abducted them."
There was a long silence. Brendan's eyelids lowered as he felt extremely sympathetic for his friend. She had already lost her parents, including a mother who was pregnant with her little brother, and now she lost the rest of her family. He looked back up at her, his lip slightly upturned. "It's okay, May. I'm sure they're still alive. We'll find them, together."
May nodded once more, smiling slightly as she turned to look back up at him. "I think so too. Thank you, Brendan... I appreciate it."
There was another long silence, and Brendan began moving his face closer, and closer to May's. As May began to edge closer as well, sudden thoughts and feelings glowed inside her, causing her to pull back and sit up awkwardly. These were of a certain grasshead she knew.
She coughed awkwardly, opening her bag of chips. "Oh, um, I'm hungry." She stuffed her mouth with a handful of chips, unable to talk.
Brendan bit his lip, turning away awkwardly as well. "Ah, yeah. Mum'll be back soon with the groceries so she'll make you something," he said, forcing a smile at her. On the inside, he was the opposite of happy. Sad, annoyed that May indirectly rejected him. And he knew exactly why, because of her feelings for Drew. He narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists. He was going to win May one day, he had to.
Three days into her short break, Dawn was visiting her old friends in Sinnoh, when she received a call from Kanto. "Sorry, Kenny," she said, pulling out her phone.
Her red-haired friend nodded, smiling. "It's fine," he replied, waving his hand dismissively.
Dawn shot an apologetic smile towards him, standing up and leaving the room. "Hello?" she said, closing the door. She smiled as the sound of Leaf's voice made it's way through the phone. "Oh, hey Leaf. What's up? I'm kinda busy right now, so I don't have much time to chat-"
Leaf cut her off, surprising the midnight blue-haired girl. "Are you alone? I need to tell you something! Whatever you do, do not tell May yet."
Dawn sighed, wondering why everyone had to have such grim news on their break. First May, and now Leaf sounded like she had something terrible to tell her. "Yes, I'm alone," she replied, glancing around her. "What's wrong?"
Her eyes suddenly widened at her friend's words. Realisation dawned upon her (no pun intended), and she nearly dropped her phone. That scar she noticed on his arm, it was from the gunshot wound that Paul had received when protecting her. She went back into the room, her expression distressed.
Kenny grinned, about to greet her back, but then his grin fell at the sight of her grim expression. "Dawn? Are you-"
"Sorry, Kenny, I have to go," Dawn replied, cutting him off. She didn't notice she was being rude as her thoughts were completely on something else. She took her coat, opening the door out. She turned back to him, shooting an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry, I just... can't..."
His confused eyes turned into sympathetic ones at the sight of her face, she looked like she was about to start crying. "No, that's fine. I understand, Dawn."
She nodded. "Sorry," she apologised one last time, finally leaving in a hurry. She had to go home and think, where she was safe. All the way home, Dawn was constantly checking over her shoulder. Assassins would always strike without warning. All of a sudden, she felt like she couldn't trust anyone anymore. Especially Paul.
That night, she couldn't get to sleep. Even so, she didn't notice the mysterious shadows nearby her home.
Misty was taking a walk through Cerulean City, and across the Nugget Bridge. It was nearly the end of her short break. She had a place she liked to go to, and it was usually empty as not many knew about it. She finally reached her special spot, the Cerulean Cape. She had always hoped that someday, she'd be there with her special someone.
She glanced out over the cliff, her sea-green orbs staring out into the horizon, a million thoughts going through her head. Quietly, she started singing to herself. "Someday, I will be strong enough to lift not one, but both of us...~"
Out of nowhere, Misty felt someone appear behind her. Before she could turn around, her attacker had a knife touching her throat dangerously, and her waist secured in his arms. She couldn't see his face, and that bothered her. "W-who are you?"
"I'm sorry, Mist."
Her eyes widened.
"Just... win. Stay safe for me, will you?"
And with that, he let her go in a flash and disappeared. Misty knew who it was anyway, from his voice. If he was an enemy, or an ally. She just didn't know anymore. All she did know was that she had to win Kalosian Idol, no matter what. No assassin could keep Eye of the Liepard from their dream, no matter how dark their past.
A day earlier...
"Ah, so he hasn't come yet," Lysandre said to no one in particular as he slowly paced around with his arms behind his back. He narrowed his eyes, stopping. "It said he saw the message," he muttered. "Why didn't he come?" He quickly walked over to a stool, kicking it in anger. "Why didn't he come?!"
The hostages by him, on the floor, flinched at the sound of the stool and his loud voice which was as loud as a lion's roar. "Please," May's aunt pleaded. "Spare Wally-"
Lysandre turned to her, his eyes full of bloodlust and murder. "Shut up," he hissed, storming out of their cell. He turned to his three assassins. "You three, I don't care what you do. Just get those filthy girls here by the end of their competition, which gives you a few weeks. I don't care how you do it. If you fail this time," he said, murder glinting through his eyes. "Let's just say, you'll regret it."
"Oh, and Auburn," he said turning to look at Gary, who was sat down, his arms resting on him legs. "You go to Hoenn, find Emerald."
Gary looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "He still has one more day to get here, sir-"
Lysandre turned to him, his look saying, "Do I look like I care?".
"I understand, sir," Gary said, getting to his feet. "I'll be heading to Hoenn, then." He turned to his friends, giving Paul an Ash a slight nod. Getting Drew out of the hospital would be no problem for someone as stealthy as him, but he would just go to check on him. He knew Drew didn't have his HoloCaster as he was in hospital, but he wouldn't dare tell Lysandre that. Whatever they did, he knew he had to at least keep Drew safe.
All of a sudden, thoughts of the other person he needed to protect filled his mind. Leaf.
As he left, he internally slapped himself. For Drew, Paul and Ash, he needed to kill her, not protect. This time, he knew he wasn't going to fail.
A/N: That was soooo rushed, I'm sorry! I don't really have much to say. They're returning to Kalosian Idol next chapter, yaaaay!
I'll be sure to get the next chapter in early. :D Please make my day by leaving a review~
Until next time~!