A/N- I'M SO SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN ON AS MUCH BUT I'M ALIVE. I'VE BEEN SLOWLY WORKING ON THIS STORY, SEE.

Chapter 5

Emotionally Scarred

Manectric was tired. That was an understatement. They were all exhausted, ready to just collapse in a heap and start crying their eyes out over the losses of others.

They'd been running for about an hour, and by now, her legs felt so numb that if they simply disappeared, she probably wouldn't realize it. Not that she wanted that to happen.

Now snow flurried around them, the wind harsh enough to force them into walking.

"It just had to snow," Ellie muttered, but at least she was looking better than she had in the Grass Region. Manectric figured it was just because she had been forced to look like Leafeon, and the thought of that probably made her feel down or something.

"Isn't the weather usually like this?" Manectric questioned.

"The last time I was here, it was perfectly normal," Ellie said. She paused and shook herself free of more snow. Thankfully, her soft fluffy coat was thick enough to keep her from freezing to death. Manectric's coat was thinner, but apparently, the snow didn't bother her too much either, as long as she stayed near Star.

Star wasn't that bothered, as he was a Fire type. He could've run through the snow if he wanted, but stayed with them, keeping their bodies as warm as he could, and led the way through the darkness of the snowstorm. He looked back at them. "You guys doing okay?"

Manectric narrowed her eyes, trying to see more clearly. "Yeah, I think."

Ellie nodded next to her.

Star turned back around, peering into the storm. "… Hey, Ellie, any ideas on what kind of home Mesprit would have? Or just what the Ice Region looks like?"

"Snowy."

"That's descriptive."

Manectric thought. There had been a snowy mountain in the Arena, but she hadn't gone there. Had any of the contestants gone there?

"Your friend did," a voice purred, seeming to answer Manectric's question.

She jumped. "Who's there?" Star and Ellie looked surprised at her sudden exclamation.

"Manectric? You okay?" Ellie asked.

Confusion crossed Manectric's face. "You didn't hear the voice?"

"What voice?"

Star frowned. "Are you sure you aren't just imagining things?"

"No, she isn't," the voice laughed, almost mockingly, and this time, they all heard it.

As if time froze, all of the snow surrounding them suddenly stopped swirling and hung in the air, not moving, then it all fell the ground in one deafening thud, revealing one lone figure that was closer than they had originally been. The Pokémon was elegant, but her eyes had a certain darkness that glinted with knowledge and hunger at the same time. Behind her was the gaping mouth of an icy cave that glowed ominously with flickering red lights. The three of them stared in shock.

"I am Mesprit," Mesprit introduced, her voice holding a slight accent. She smiled, almost hungrily. "I have been expecting you."

"Did someone tell you we were coming?" Star asked, nervousness creeping into his voice.

Her eyes glinted. "Well, let's see… It depends, doesn't it? No one told me, you see. I mean, after poor, sad little Latios bit the dust, Latias sent a telepathic warning out about who to look for. It's really a shame that she was too distraught to notice me, a rogue of all things, hacking into her thoughts and weeding you three out."

Ellie shivered, remembering Latios's still form lying on the ground. "But it wasn't—"

Mesprit laughed. "Oh, I'm well aware you aren't the ones who killed him. A shame you didn't, but I know who really did."

"Who?" Ellie demanded.

The Emotion Pokémon raised one perfect brow, smirking. "You think I would tell?"

There was an uncomfortable silence.

Then Mesprit grinned mockingly. "I know why you are here. Come, let us talk." She spun around then floated into the icy cave.

Manectric shared a troubled look with her two companions, but they all nodded, following the Psychic type into the cave. They stopped several feet in, and Mesprit turned, suddenly looking a lot more gleeful.

"Now then… who's first?" she asked. "Can you all face true emotion, and confess these things before each other?"

"… What do you mean?" Star asked after a moment of silence. They all looked nervous.

Mesprit smirked, spreading her arms. "I am the Pokémon of emotion! I know exactly how each of you feel, right now, in the past, how you will feel once certain requirements are met! I have the best mind-reading capabilities in the world! And—," she floated lower, meeting them all in the eye. "I know exactly who you are, inside and out."

Star flinched. Well, they all did, but he seemed a lot more nervous.

"But why?" Manectric asked.

"Hmm, I may help you in your silly little cause if you can do what I require from my clients," Mesprit said.

"Do you often have many clients though?" Ellie asked.

Mesprit grinned. "Little. Almost none are able to face their fears or feelings. And most times, their feelings are their fears."

Ellie was silent, but then spoke. "Can… can we talk? Just the three of us?"

Mesprit looked almost amused. "Be my guest."

The three of them walked towards the entrance, stopping just before they had to step outside.

"What should we do?" Ellie asked, looking worried.

"We won't have a chance of convincing Mesprit unless we do as she says, but…" Star sighed. "This… I don't know. I don't want to fail you guys…"

Manectric shook her head. "It'll be fine."

Ellie looked thoughtful. "If there's something you really can't admit to… it's okay if it isn't worth it."

Star smiled, but his eyes were still full of nervous anticipation

Then Manectric asked, "But who's going first?" she knew no one wanted to, but she was afraid what Mesprit would ask of her. Of all things, there was just one thing she was worried Mesprit would ask.

Ellie looked a bit troubled, but she shook her head. "I'll go first." She didn't seem willing. A mask of confidence shrouded her face.

They went back in to find Mesprit waiting, ready. "So, the silver Eevee goes first."

Ellie nodded, and Mesprit smirked. "Let's begin."

XXX

Mesprit's eyes glowed and Ellie felt a twinge of doubt. What if she couldn't do this?

"Now then," Mesprit said, her voice sickly sweet. "Ellie, I will ask you one question. One simple question. You will answer. Are we understood?"

Ellie frowned, but nodded.

Mesprit smiled. "Now let's see… so much emotional turmoil in your mind… but—ah. Here is your question: What are you so afraid of?"

Ellie snorted. "I'm not afraid of anything," she said, but inside, she was worried.

"… Anything?" Mesprit seemed amused. A sharp jolt of pain ripped through Ellie's mind, and she cried out in shock. "You would do well to realize my position when I still worked with the Center. I was one of the main Game Masters… and a feared interrogator, see?"

"Ellie!" Star started forward, but Mesprit block his way with a psychic barrier.

"No interference," she hissed.

Ellie's mind was starting to clear of Mesprit's pain, but another pain was returning. She gasped and lurched forward.

"What are you doing to her?" Manectric demanded.

Mesprit laughed. "Oh, I'm doing nothing now. You see? Her fears are right before you!"

"What? Ellie, what's going on?"

No! Ellie struggled to force the pain away, but it wouldn't leave.

"Just admit it, sweetheart." Mesprit was practically gloating.

"I…" She hated admitting it. She hated Mesprit for forcing her to.

Mesprit laughed again. "Such hatred! Well, go on! Say it!"

Ellie hung her head in defeat. She couldn't deny it now. "Three months ago… I was told…"

"Keep going," Mesprit purred.

"I'm dying," Ellie spat. "There, I said it. I'm dying and only have one month left to live."

Utter silence.

Then Mesprit howled with laughter. Ellie ground her teeth in frustration.

"So… when you were having those episodes… they were signs that you were dying?" Manectric asked in horror.

"Yeah," she replied bitterly.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Star asked.

She whirled on them. "You didn't have to know! I… You… I have to carry the weight of this myself!"

"But…" Star looked like he was about to cry. "Why?" Just on that one word, his voice broke.

Why? Why why why? "I… I don't know," she said, suddenly feeling like breaking down.

Mesprit stopped laughing. "So much turmoil in your hearts!" she exclaimed. "But I'm not done! You!" She pointed at Manectric. "You're next!"

To say Mesprit was happy now was an understatement. Suicune was tame compared to her.

"Isn't this enough…?" Star pleaded. "Ellie—"

"You'll get your turn. Honestly, I'm very interested in you," Mesprit cut him off. He looked horrified.

Manectric gulped, stepping forward while Star helped Ellie back.

He looked at Ellie, looking nearly heartbroken. "You're dying…?"

She couldn't look him in the eye.

"Ah… the victor of the past Games," Mesprit said. Ellie looked at her tiredly, as did Star.

"Just get on with it," Manectric said, glaring at the giddy Pokémon.

Mesprit smirked. "Alright then. Here is your question: How do you feel about a certain past competitor?"

Manectric fidgeted. "They're all dead now. It doesn't matter."

"Oh, but it does."

Manectric flinched and Ellie figured Mesprit had just used the same jolt of pain on her as she had with Ellie.

"Fine… I… I feel guilty…" Manectric said, looking down.

Mesprit waved her hand impatiently. "While that is indeed true, that is not the answer I seek."

"It's the truth, isn't it?"

Ellie frowned. Manectric had admitted it so easily. But… she was still confused. What exactly was Mesprit looking for?

Manectric shuddered again, and glared at Mesprit.

"Just guilt? You can't even face true feelings?"

Manectric just stared at the Psychic type, before her eyes widened, and she trembled. "No… No, anything but this…" Her voice so much weaker than Ellie had ever heard before.

Ellie was tackled to the ground as she attempted to go to Manectric.

"We can't interfere," Star muttered.

"Mesprit!" Ellie demanded, "What are you doing to her?"

Mesprit broke her concentration for a moment, and Manectric gasped, looking dazed. "What do you think?" she asked. "I'm simply forcing her to succumb to her emotional fear through memories."

"You aren't helping her though! This… This is torture!"

"Ellie, it's okay," Manectric said quietly, decision flickering in her dark gaze. She looked haunted. She turned to face the giddy Psychic once again. "When I first arrived… I was weak. Pathetic. I… I probably would've died if A-Arcanine or Weavile weren't there." Her voice shook with delirium. "And during our time in the Arena, I…"

Mesprit smiled sweetly. "Say it."

"Manectric… You don't have to…" Star said.

Manectric gritted her teeth, but bowed her head, letting all tension out. "I fell in love with Arcanine… but I didn't know what I was feeling, and I was so afraid…" she didn't continue, but the effect of her words was enough.

"You…" Ellie began, more stunned than anything. What had Manectric seen in her mind just now?

"I know!" Manectric said bitterly. "I know, but I don't care! It's in the past…"

"And yet, it isn't," Mesprit said coyly.

Manectric's lips drew back in a snarl. "It's done. I admitted it. But I'm over it now… It was a stupid, childish crush."

"Are you?"

Manectric didn't answer, but walked back to her two companions, flashing them a glance that was more desperate than how she was acting.

None of them said anything, but Star stepped forward to Mesprit. "Isn't this enough?" he asked again, pleading, desperation flooding his voice.

Ellie grit her teeth. Was it even still worth it? They were all going through turmoil now thanks to Mesprit.

But now Mesprit cackled. "You, I am most interested in!"

"Why?" Star demanded, though now he sounded more afraid.

Reasonable.

Mesprit floated right into his face, grinning maliciously. "Tell me, Star, your true identity,"

He froze right there, on the spot, looking horrified.

"My… I have no other identity," Star said.

"Of course you do." Mesprit leered at him. "No legendary forgets."

Fury was evident in his eyes. "What do Legendaries have to do with this?"

Mesprit smirked. "Everything." Her eyes glowed with ominous power.

Star's eyes widened further, then he screamed in fury, breaking the deathly hold Mesprit held on him, then whirled around, shaking his head deliriously. Ellie backed away. "Star… What's wrong?"

"Nothing… Everything…! Nothing's working!" He broke down in sobs, but his body trembled dangerously.

"Star—?"

"No!" He backed up with a hiss of pain, and Ellie felt fear course through her. Fear? Of Star? Her mind scoffed. She couldn't really understand what was going on herself. "Star, please, snap out of it!"

Without another word, he leapt, crashing down on Ellie. She looked up into his dark eyes for the first time in fear, those same eyes she had fallen desperately in love with. "Star…" she whispered, trying to understand why he was in so much pain.

He stared down at her, shock registering in his eyes, mixing with the many conflicting emotions already in his gaze. His eyes narrowed, and she instinctively flinched, but couldn't move. Her eyes shut, expecting an attack.

Then he kissed her, desperately, almost as if he were pleading. Her eyes snapped open, but he was already jumping off her, racing into the once-again swirling snow. Her shock wore off, and she screamed his name after his retreating figure.

"Star!" So much confusion and pain was in that one word.

But he was gone.

XXX

Star ran, his heart pounding. He couldn't go back now. Not after that.

They almost found out his secret.

She almost found out.

Ellie.

His Ellie.

And he'd almost hurt her.

She… was dying…

It was his fault. He knew that. He always knew that and tried, tried to stop himself from loving her so much.

Mesprit had pushed him back to the edge of insanity, trying so hard to wheedle out his secret for them all to know.

He so desperately wanted for her to know, to share his burden, and yet he was so afraid. He loved her. He loved her so much… but he knew that if she found his secret, then she would hate him. Turn her back to him and leave.

And if the time came that she did just that…

He didn't know what he would be able to do.

Star forced the memory out of his head, then shutting his eyes so tightly they hurt, he kept running, gritting his teeth hard.

He had a mission.

He had to follow through.

Even if he had to forget them, push the memory of his friends so far back in his mind he wouldn't even remember they truly existed.

Even if he had to leave the very one he loved.

XXX

"He was weak."

Manectric turned on the Legendary Pokémon, snarling. "Don't say that!" She padded over to Ellie, who was staring, shell-shocked into the storm.

"Are you okay?" she asked. That's a stupid question. None of us are okay after that.

Ellie nodded. Once. Twice. But then she bit back a choked sob. "Star… he's… what just happened…?"

"He failed," Mesprit chimed in. "Failed you to be exact."

"W-what are you talking about?" Ellie asked, still struggling to get herself together.

Mesprit smiled, almost mockingly. "I'm not going to help you, dear. Your little friend Suicune had the right idea, refusing. But my sisters are true fools. They will die when the time comes."

Fury arose in Manectric. "How can you say that so nonchalantly?"

Mesprit examined one tiny hand. She laughed. "The Center already wants you dead. Besides, better not get involved with the losing side."

"And what about the winning side?" Manectric asked. Now Mesprit laughed so hard, Manectric took several steps back in fear.

"Ah, Manectric," Mesprit said silkily. "You should know that."

Manectric let those words sink in before her eyes widened. "Ellie, get out. Get out, now."

"W-what?" Ellie asked, confused.

"They're here!"

Ellie looked horrified, but pushed herself to her feet quickly. Mesprit made no move to stop them, just shrieking with laughter. They ran out the entrance, into the snow, and nearly crashed into another. Manectric hissed, drawing back.

Latias snarled. "You."

Another Pokémon with elegant wing crescents and a crescent shaped head emerged. "Ah, so you are the little troublemakers running around and causing havoc."

"Cresselia, Latias, stand down," another voice suddenly tore through the storm. Manectric twitched. So he hadn't abandoned them.

Cresselia's eyes glowed with a pink light and the snow once again stopped howling, revealing a lone figure standing over them all on a ledge over the cave. His face was in shadow.

Latias growled at him. "The traitor," she spat.

"Traitor?" Ellie asked nervously. She and Manectric shared a look. What had Suicune done?

Cresselia smiled almost daintily, and if Manectric hadn't known she was on the side of the Center, she would have easily been fooled by the Lunar Pokémon. "Why yes. Seems he chose a side after all."

Manectric peered at Suicune, stunned. "What happened back there?"

Suicune slunk out of the shadow, and she and Ellie both drew in breaths of horror at him. Parts of his fur were singed, and there were wounds covering his body, although very slight. The worst was three claw marks, scored across his face. The blood had since then dried, but the wound was still horrifying to look at. Suicune growled. "This is what happened," he said, turning to the side

Latias straightened herself. "We're taking you back. All… three of you?" She looked around, almost confused.

"You won't find the third original member of their party here, dear," Mesprit said, floating out of her cave.

Latias whirled on her in anger. "We told you to get them all!"

Manectric gritted her teeth. So Mesprit wasn't originally going to help them at all. Everything she did was to stall them.

Mesprit shrugged, her body shaking with laughter. "I cannot control the emotional insecurities they contain. Especially the Quilava."

So Mesprit… Manectric shook her head. Mesprit was way too confusing.

Latias looked furious, but turned to Manectric and Ellie. "I'll just have to make do."

Suicune leapt down between them. "You aren't taking anyone."

Cresselia frowned, her eyes narrowing in disgust. Opening her mouth, an orb of psychic energy began to form, but before she could strike, Ellie charged a Shadow Ball and launched it at her. The Shadow Ball collided with Cresselia's forehead before any of them had a chance to react, and exploded, sending snow everywhere.

"Hurry!" Suicune called, and Ellie and Manectric dashed towards his voice. Something was definitely different about him. Like the way he was so tense now and… more bearable. She would stand by him. And he would stand by them.

As soon as he caught sight of them, Suicune turned and began to lead the way. There was a shriek of fury from Cresselia, most likely because she was actually hit with an attack.

They kept running.

Manectric flashed a glance at Suicune. He looked haunted. "What happened back in the Grass Region?"

His eyes narrowed considerably, but he smiled grimly. "Had a lovely family meeting. Clawed each other's throats out." He didn't say any more, and none of them bothered to question him.

"Does this mean you're joining us?"

He shrugged, but it seemed like he was agreeing. "What happened to Star?" Suicune asked.

"I don't know," Manectric said quietly. Ellie looked away.

Suicune looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't.

"YOU," Cresselia suddenly loomed over them all. She was furious. "YOU HIT ME IN THE FACE."

"Hey, I was aiming for your neck. It's not my fault you kept moving around," Ellie said pointedly.

The wind picked up once again, snow whirling around them. Cresselia screeched, and fired a Psybeam at them. Ellie jumped to the side instinctively, but Latias was there.

"Surprise." Latias grinned and hit Ellie with a Mist Ball at point blank range. Ellie's eyes widened, and as the strike hit, she cried out in pain, her body falling back through the air.

"Ellie!" Manectric bristled, her fur sparking with electricity, and blasted Latias with a Thunder Wave. The Eon Pokémon twitched, but was paralyzed by the attack. She spat hatefully, but Manectric tackled her with a Wild Charge, ignoring the recoil that threatened her.

Nearby, Suicune was fighting against Cresselia, and as she got close, he blasted her with a powerful jet of water, and she twisted her elegant body, barely dodging the attack. Flying back into the air, she fired an Ice Beam, which he in turn dodged by leaping into the air. Cresselia's eyes widened as she realized how close he was, and he slammed his forepaws down on her, forcing them both to crash onto the ground.

Suicune coughed, blood dripping down his once beautiful face. Cresselia fared no better, scratches covering her coat. Her body floated very low to the ground.

Then, crying out in anger at her lost beauty and this long-standing betrayal, Cresselia launched a Psychic at Suicune, but at the last moment, his coat flashed, and as the move struck, it rebounded. Suicune drew in deep breaths to stay on his feet, but as soon as his Mirror Coat took effect, he knew he'd won. Despite being a Psychic type, the move dealt heavy damage to Cresselia, and she crashed to the ground once again.

This time, she remained there.

Suicune walked up to her body and she snarled at him, but he placed one paw on her neck to prevent movement.

"You… traitor…" she whispered.

He leaned in close, faintly amused. "No. You and all others who stand by Leader are the traitors. What happened to what we believed? You have given up your sanity and freedom to Leader. You all have become murderers."

"So have you," Cresselia spat.

"No, not I, nor them," he retorted, nodding towards where Manectric and Ellie fought Latias. "Latios was killed by another. But only Mesprit truly knows," he said quietly.

Cresselia snorted in disbelief, but her vision was swaying and she wasn't focusing on anything. "You all… liars till the end…" Her eyes lolled back and she fell unconscious.

Latias looked alarmed as her fellow Psychic fell. "Cresselia!"

"Now!" Ellie rammed her body into Latias's hurling her straight up into the air, and Manectric scored a direct hit with her Thunder.

Latias fell to the ground, but she still attempted to fly back up. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "You took everything!" she screamed.

The only sound was that of the howling wind as her voice echoed into nothingness.

Then, in a voice that sounded so much more secure and firm than she probably felt, Ellie said, "We have taken nothing."

Latias wailed in agony, but flew to Cresselia, resting one weak hand on the Lunar Pokémon's forehead. Shooting the three of them one last look, so full of disgust and hatred, she teleported away with Cresselia.

All was silent.

"We… we need somewhere to rest… Or just to heal," Manectric breathed.

Suicune nodded, lying on his side in the snow to catch his breath after the intense fight. "There should be a place around here. Just keep heading straight from here, and the Ice Region should be ahead… Sorry I can't shroud you anymore, but there's a small tunnel a little to the left. Follow it and there should be an underground cavern big enough for you two. Stay there… and rest for a bit before heading out to find Rayquaza. Be careful, though… he's also…" The rest of his words were drowned out by the storm.

Ellie and Manectric shared a look that was nearly obscured by the snow.

Then Manectric asked, "What about you?"

He didn't reply, and Manectric's eyes widened. "Suicune?" She turned and padded over to his body, Ellie close behind. The elegant blue Pokémon was still. His tail ribbons were lying on the snow, motionless, and his coat lacked its usual sheen of pure beauty. His mouth was curved in a smile. One final, genuine smile. The snow surrounding his body was painted crimson and spread slowly in a deathly ring.

Manectric was numb with disbelief and shook Suicune. "Come on. It's… Quit joking already… I know you're just playing around…" She shook him harder. Now the tears came. "GODAMMIT SUICUNE!" She collapsed by his body, sobbing as horror and shock took hold over her. Ellie walked over by her, but her steps were unsteady.

Suicune was dead.

"Manectric…"

The blue and yellow Pokémon raised her head. Her face was streaked with tears amid the snowstorm, filled with sorrow and anger. "I… He… I swore never to lose anyone else… and when Star left… now Suicune… I'm sorry… I'm sorry for everything, Suicune…" She choked on her tears, looking over to Suicune's body.

Ellie looked just as upset, and turned away from the scarred Pokémon who'd probably saved their lives. "How…?" she asked sadly, her voice cracking.

Manectric raised her head in remorse to look at his body. Now that she could see him more closely, she could make out one single gash, just in the shadow of Suicune's throat. It looked as if a ghastly smile had been carved out there, as if to mock them.

How had they missed it?

And when did it happen?

Ellie seemed to notice too. "It was probably during our time in the Grass Region… He mentioned a family reunion, right? And then he fought one more battle standing at our side, even though he was probably weak… and that one blast from Cresselia… But why…?"

How hard had it been for him to come all this way to find them and to fight by them?

Did he know he was going to die?

Manectric pressed her forehead against his chest, tears falling down her face, as if hoping to hear some faint trace of a heartbeat, to find proof that life was just playing some cruel trick on them all.

But there was nothing.

Finally leaving, they traveled on in silence.