Warning: Descriptions of violence/gore.

Epilogue, Part 2: In the Dark of the Night

After we got back from our missions, we went our separate ways to turn in for the night. Well, the others turned in; I left to go wandering as usual. Perhaps I could find some hapless traveler to frighten. I floated up and stood in the air, taking in the surrounding landscape as I thought for a moment.

Hm… Come to think of it, I'm not really feeling like scaring civilians tonight. Sheesh, the others must be rubbing off on me… Well then, what should I do…?

As if the answer provided itself to me, I saw a distant village nestled between three mountains in the light of the sunset. I believe it was one of the towns near where…

I shook my head, "Shake it off. No grim thoughts tonight. Maybe I can just talk with some of the locals. Hope they aren't too put off by my visit." Flying in the direction of the village, riding the wind, I noticed something was off immediately. Even though it was the evening, the town was uncharacteristically quiet, as if the life was sucked out of it.

This village was so full of cheer the last time I visited… What could've happened that rendered it so… dead?

As I got closer, the wind changed direction, making me stop. Not from the effort of flying, but the smell. Smoke. Something was burning here recently. Once I was right above the town, I saw a few burnt buildings. I sped up my descent and landed in the center of the town. A few of the townsfolk listlessly looked at me, but most just continued on with what they were doing.

I grabbed the nearest local, a Sandslash, and asked him, "What happened here?"

His eyes sparked with fear for a moment and he shook his head, "Nothing, sir."

Pulling him closer I said, "You can tell me what happened. I'm an exploration team member. You will be protected. Now, tell me. What. Happened?"

He looked away, "It's just dry season. Fires are more likely to happen…"

I took a deep breath and fought the urge to pry answers out of him by force. It was a blatant lie, but I need to approach this calmly. It might not even be him. I let go of the Sandslash and he shuffled away. Looking around, I saw a young Burmy resting near one of the burnt buildings, looking miserable.

I walked over to him and sat down next to him. He looked at me for a moment, but didn't seem to care that I was here. At length, I said, "Who did this?"

He looked at me again for a brief moment and said, "My mom said that I shouldn't talk to strangers…"

"Your mother sounds like she's a smart Pokémon. But I'm just trying to help. But no one seems to want to talk about what happened. I want to drive off the source of this perpetual dread."

"You want to help?" Hope started to fill his voice. Ah, children. Always eager to hope. Maybe I can get some answers out of him. "Are you strong, mister?"

"In my own ways, yes. I can have whoever is causing this driven out by tomorrow. Just tell me who it is and where he is. I have a feeling that he's nearby."

The Burmy nodded, "He's been doing this for a few months now. We have to give him rare items, or he'll attack us. My mom tried to stand up to him." He looked down, "She died."

I clenched my fist. He hasn't changed one bit. I am almost certain that it's him now.

"But you can help? He's over-"

"DON'T!" A Mothim swept the Burmy up and hushed him. He addressed me, "Please leave, sir. Your services are not needed here. Not now or ever."

"From what your son told me, they are most definitely needed."

The Mothim growled in frustration and put his son down. He looked around nervously, "You, fly with me. Son, stay here." I followed the Mothim into the air, and after we were about fifty feet above the town, I said, "So why the change of scenery?"

"Why else? I couldn't risk him hearing us."

I crossed my arms, "So you admit that someone's causing all of this."

"Of course! What did you think?!" I blinked. Quite a drastic reaction. Mothim took a breath and said, "But nobody here would want you to do anything. Or the police, for that matter."

I raised an eyebrow, and then made my face neutral again. "Well, I'm afraid it's a little too late for the latter. Is there a Larvitar that takes up residence in this village?"

The Mothim said, "…Yes. He's my son's friend. Why- NO!"

"Yes. He was caught stealing. They know. And if it's who I think it is, they'll probably be here by tomorrow. This criminal has gotten away with many Pokémons' deaths, and has remained in hiding for years. They won't pass up a chance to catch him cornered in a place like this."

The Mothim shook his head back and forth, "No! No, no, no, no, NO! If they come, then he'll kill them! And worse, he'll think we called them, and he'll kill all of us!"

I raised my hand in an attempt to calm him, "Therefore, you have nothing to lose by asking for my help. Now, first, I must know. Is it a Magmar that is terrorizing your village?"

"No, a Magmortar."

"Does he have a missing eye?"

He moved back, "Y-yes. How do you-"

I couldn't hear anything else that he was saying. I turned away and said, "I am all too familiar with this one's cruelty. This will finally be settled tonight." I took a good look around in the rapidly fading light and saw a cave near the town that had a dimly flickering firelight in it.

That must be where he is. There's always firelight around him!

I got ready to fly forward, but Mothim flew in front of me. I said nothing and just raised an eyebrow at him. He said, "Exploration team or not, I can't let you do this! I'm going to stop you, and then tell the police not to bother him!"

He fired a Psybeam at me. I sighed; I understand how he's feeling, having lost his wife. But that doesn't mean that I'll let him stop me.

-Magmortar's POV-

I was sleeping in my cave, when I heard something. Getting up right away, I called out, "Whoever you are, you'd better have a damn good reason to bug me so late, or you're going to burn for it!"

A voice said, "I've already burned before, thank you very much."

"Hm? What're you talking about? Nobody's lived past my flames."

A shadowy figure started approaching me, being revealed by the light of my body. It was a Gengar. He said, "I never said that I survived."

I was surprised for a bit, and then let out a laugh, "Oh, this is just precious! One of my playmates has come back to haunt me and let me burn them a second time! How wonderful! Tell me, which one are you? Honestly, I've lost count."

He glared at me, "You truly haven't changed one bit. Not the least bit remorseful or repentant. You're no Meowth. But, honestly, I'd wager that he never killed anybody, even during his worst days."

I chuckled as he continued, "Holding an entire village hostage. Making them conceal your location and do your dirty work. Orphaning children, and making them steal, just so they can continue living to fear you!"

I laughed out loud now, "Ha ha ha! Is this the part where I'm supposed to feel bad and renounce my evil ways once and for all? I'm stronger than them, why shouldn't I do these things? Which reminds me, I need to punish that village for giving away my location. Evidently, they don't fear me enough."

He growled and said, "Then you have no right to complain when I defeat you and bring you to justice! This is for Isabelle and Jason! And for all of the Pokémon you've murdered!"

"Hold up," I said. "Jason? That Vulpix kid? Ah, you're that Raticate that had the wooden house. Honestly, it was just begging to be lit on fire. I only wish I could've watched it burn down to the ground."

"Silence!" He pointed at me with a finger and readied a Shadow Ball, "You aren't allowed to mention my son!" I just laughed as he fired the Shadow Ball, and dodged it, shooting a Fire Spin from my arm to counter. The flames surrounded him and he shook and shied away from them.

"Ha ha ha ha! Scared of fire now, huh? Good, you should be!" I started readying a Fire Blast with both my arms, "And what did I tell you all those years ago? An enraged opponent is the easiest to beat. But now I'm curious to see what happens when a ghost Pokémon is burned away. Let's find out!"

I shot the Fire Blast and he screamed as he was engulfed in flames.

"AAaAaaAAaaaAaAAAgGggGghhh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

I took a step back, "Wha-?!"

Still in the center of the flames, the Gengar continued laughing, "AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" The flames turned black and started curling inward. As they disappeared, I noticed they were going into his mouth. After they were gone, he laughed and slapped his knee, "I-I'm truly sorry, I just couldn't keep up the act any longer."

I growled, "What act?! How did you do that?"

He blew a raspberry, "Pbbbth! Did you really think I'd be so stupid as to attack you directly?" He grinned as his eyes started glowing red, "I'll have you know, being dead has its benefits sometimes. And joining an exploration team allowed me to access these benefits far, far sooner than if I continued to strike out alone."

I shot a Flamethrower, but this time it just went right through him, "What are you talking about?! Are you going to kill me like I killed you and your family?"

His eye twitched but his grin didn't falter, "I'll admit, I considered it in the first years that I was searching for you, but that'd make me no better than you. Besides, death is too good for you. I swore I would make you suffer, so you'll suffer."

I smirked, "Ha, well, I may not be able to burn you, but you can't touch me either."

He laughed, "Hm-hm-hm-ha-ha-ha! You don't realize how much trouble you're really in. I must be doing a really good job with this. But then, I've had plenty of practice. You've always oppressed those weaker than you; always been in control of the situation. Now, you're in my world. Why, even now, you still think I'm really here, don't you?"

I blinked in surprise and, suddenly, he was gone. What's going on here?! I know! The village! It has to still be there!

I ran to the entrance of the cave and was almost outside, but next thing I knew, I ran face first into another wall of the cave. The Gengar's laugh echoed all around.

Having fun yet? Don't worry, I want to play some more.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. I readied Hyper Beam. If there's no exit, then I'll blast until I make one!

I fired the Hyper Beam at the wall, but even before I stopped shooting it out, it curved around and hit me in the face. It sent me reeling, making me fall on my backside.

Ha ha! Stop hitting yourself!

I growled and then used Earthquake to try and make a way out. The ground split and a huge chasm opened up right beneath me, making me fall in. I heard the voice mocking me as I fell.

Tsk tsk tsk. Now what made you think that would be a good idea? Are you trying to give me ideas?

I looked down and saw a lake fast approaching. I panicked, not wanting to fall in. Desperate, I shot two Flamethrowers down with both hands to try and keep myself in the air. It worked and I heard a slow clap all around.

Bravo. Very resourceful…

I laughed and said, "You can't beat me!"

Okay, clearly you need a reminder of who's in charge right now. You seem very proud of those fire-shooting arms…

I raised an eyebrow before I felt a stabbing pain in both my arms. The world seemed to move in slow motion as I watched them float up for a brief moment, still spewing fire until they sputtered out. At that moment, I registered what happened and roared in pain as blood spewed out of the stumps that were still attached to my shoulders.

There. Enjoy your swim.

I screamed until I fell into the water, I felt my fires being put out around my body as I frantically tried to stay afloat with just my legs. I watched as my arms landed with a splash in front of me and then crumbled into ashes as the fires went out. My body was darkening, and I thought the same thing was going to happen to me, when a pillar of rock rose out of the water and raised me twenty feet above it. My arms were still gone, but I was on dry land, so I focused on relighting my fires.

Now, now, wouldn't want to lose you so soon. The fun's just beginning!

-Vlad's POV-

I glared down at Magmortar's writhing body as I continued controlling his nightmare. The Mothim was a nuisance at first, but a quick Hypnosis got him out of the way. I didn't really want to hurt him for protecting those that he loved.

After I had made the connection that Magmortar was the outlaw that the Larvitar child was working for, and that Mel had not told me, I was furious at first. But I realized that she was probably under the notion that I'd kill him. Like I said, I had considered it, but my angel wouldn't want that. I doubt she'd even want me doing what I'm doing right now, but I need to ensure that this scoundrel will never hurt anyone else ever again.

Meeting Meowth had taught me that Pokémon could change. But since he didn't seem the least bit remorseful when I first met up with him, I decided that if I must stop him through fear, then so be it.

In front of me, Magmortar was breathing heavily, his mind undergoing extreme trauma. His life was in no danger, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make him feel true pain and helplessness. Satisfied with his current state, I got ready to initiate the second phase.

Reaching into my chest, I winced as I pulled out a powerful Curse needle. Packing in every ounce of pain and suffering and malevolent intent that I harbored for this one Pokémon over so many years, the needle was a solid black.

Brandishing the needle, I held it over his heart and spoke into his mind, "Now, you shall know the pain that you've inflicted so carelessly on other Pokémon!" I drove the needle in and even in his sleep, he cried out as the curse took effect.

-Magmortar's POV-

After the Gengar shouted that, I felt a pain lance through my chest and cried out again. What is this?! I-I'm burning!

My own fire was burning at my insides, the searing pain working its way outward from my chest. I tried to lower it, but I no longer had control over my own fire. Parts of my own body started blackening and charring as they fell off. Even on the ground, they kept burning and blood evaporated from them in a red mist.

Soon, my legs fell apart and what was left of my body was writhing on the lone pillar over the water.

The water. I need to end this pain; now!

I started trying to roll my body over to the edge, but the pillar's edges grew into walls, trapping me on the land.

Oh, you'd love that, wouldn't you? No, you're going to stay there and burn. You're going to feel the pain that all of your victims felt!

I spoke between my bouts of pain, "P-please…! Urk! Stop this! I- gak! I s-swear I can- agh! Change! Just let me go, p-please!"

Hmmm… No. If I were an exploration team member, then I might consider it. But I'm not an explorer tonight. I'm a ghost out for vengeance; for myself and every last one of your victims! Enjoy, because I'm going to be here aaaaall night.

-Magnezone's POV-

I got ready to leave the station to mount the attack on Magmortar. He had gained quite a reputation, and the past two police chiefs have failed to locate him. This could be our one chance to stop him once and for all.

After Mel of Team Righteous told me who it was, we released the Larvitar from confinement. He wasn't at fault; he had no choice. And even though he told us not to go, we had to. Otherwise, more villages would suffer the same fate in the future.

I enlisted the help of Team Aqua Jet, an Azumarill accompanying the two leaders, Floatzel and Dewgong. According to them, she knew Rain Dance, which would help us to counter Magmortar's fire. It would also make my Thunder more effective. The move that is only allotted to the police chief isn't one that I'd readily use, due to its deadly force, but this is an emergency.

I met with Team Aqua Jet outside of the station and we were about to set out at sunrise, when a figure started rushing towards the station. When it got closer, it was revealed to be the very Magmortar we had been set to capture; the missing eye confirmed it!

We got ready to fight, but he fell to his knees, bowing his head and quivering in fear, and said, "P-p-please! I've heard the rumors of this place! Lock me up! Throw me in a nice, safe, ghost-proof cell! I'm begging you!"

I was taken aback by the strangeness of the situation. The outlaw that eluded capture for so long was turning himself in?

I called for two Magnemite, and they formed a barrier of electricity around him. I turned to the exploration team and said, "I suppose that the mission is complete… I will meet with you later about the bounty on this outlaw's head."

-Mel's POV-

Vlad arrived especially late this morning and seemed to be in a really good mood. After we were all set to move out for the day, he pulled me aside and whispered, "I don't blame you for being worried, but just know that I'd never stoop to his level by killing another Pokémon. But he won't be a threat to anyone else ever again."

I was shocked, and I looked at him as he floated through the ceiling to take care of his assigned mission.