Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. They belong to Game Freak and Nintendo. The songs I reference here belong to their respective artists as well. With that out of the way, please enjoy this piece of fanfiction.

In a long forgotten city.

On the tenth floor of a rundown apartment, two Pokémon were taking refuge in an empty room. One was a pallid Gardevior laying on a torn mattress. She was wearing what the residents of the Outlands would call "slave fashion". Her face was showing pain but she, herself was too exhausted to express it fully. There were no wound on her, just sickly pale skin.

The other could only be described as a six foot humanoid Pokémon with an Arcanine head. His attire suggested he was not an average Outlander. There were the regular leather jacket and jean, but added to them were armor plates on his chest, over his sleeves and shins. The plates themselves were alien both in look and nature. His light brown eyes gazed down upon her. A drop of sweat ran along a small chain around his neck and fell to the floor below.

'You will be okay, I promise.' He said. She didn't say anything, just nodded with little energy she had. His ears picked up a sound. He jolted up and moved to the window. Then a loud voice echoed through the city's crumbling concrete walls.

'We know you're here. Come out and play, motherfuckers!

(The song "Do the evolution" by Pearl Jam begins to play)

Chesterization proudly presents.

A Pokémon fanfiction

Genesis

(Song ends)

Chapter 11: Menoda.

Earlier that day, a few miles away from the city, in a large barren field.

Catherine was putting all her effort to force her shovel into the dry hard ground. No matter how much technology had applied on the tool, it was still grueling work for someone her size. The heat and sunlight made it impossible to land a strike in one place twice. And her sweat made it harder to get a firm grip on the cursed thing, causing it to slipping away in the most awkward of times. She let out an angry grunt and threw the tool away. Kicked it to the side and then laid flat on the ground. She started to pant, didn't at all mind the dirt getting trapped in her hair and the heat from the ground. A scent of decay sneaked its way into her noise. She turned and looked at the pile of mangled body parts of oversized Sandiles with a few extra limbs.

'Give up already?' Rick's voice was near.

'You know something Rick.'

'Yeah.'

'When you said blowing off steam by killing ferals just for the hell of it. How come you never mentioned of this?'

'If I do, would you even want to come? And come on! You got to connect the dots. If we kill a large number of ferals, what is going to happen to the bodies? Give a load of virus and bacteria free food? Not a good idea. For the virus can be even more dangerous than the ferals threats themselves. '

'Again. I got it. That was the third time you gave me that.'

'So stop asking the damn question then. Beside I do most of the digging anyway. If you are tired then just take a break then. It's lunch time anyway. I'll get the food ready.' Rick stabbed his shovel at the ground and got to Catherine, helped her got up.

He then got beside a large rock and summoned a traditional griller. He loaded lumps of concentrated alcohol underneath and shot a small ember from his mouth. The fire appeared and immediately grew out of control.

'Son of a bitch. I hate these god damn things.' He adjusted the fire and proceed to summon an ice box.

'Then why don't you just use wood?'

'You know the whole ozone and crap. Genesis is very strict about those.'

'Yeah, that's nice of them. Can you pick a better place for camp?' Catherine sat on the rock.

'Can't. But you can just use this.' Rick turned around and fabricated a cap. 'Catch.'

'The hell?' Said her as she grasped it. She gave a glance. The cap was made from camouflage fabric. The front had "89th Tank Division" and a blue circle with stars emblem sewed to it. She adjusted the back for it to fit her head and wore it. It would at least keep the top of her head from burning under the sun.

'Haha, you look just like the old man, minus the face, hair and pretty much everything else.' He then turned back and opened the ice box.

'The old man? Oh, you mean your grandfather?'

Rick put two large pieces of meat on to the griller. 'No, my dad. That's how we Arcadian call them.'

'Oh, weird. So, eh, how is the food?' 'She remembered the little talk during the Poker game. She knew Rick's dad would be the only one family member he had. Curiosity struck her, but she reminded herself of certain boundaries. Boundaries, she didn't want anyone to cross. And she wouldn't want to do that on someone else.

'I just put them on. They won't be ready until later.' He turned the meat. A loud sizzle came from the griller. 'Listen to that. Just wait out about fifteen or more minutes and we are good to go.' He then humming a toneless song while continued turning the meat.

'So, how are you these days? Doing well?' Rick broke the silence.

'Of course, if anything I feel like I'm being spoiled.'

'Things are too easy around the base huh?'

'Yeah, this kind of heat used to be an everyday thing for me. Now, it's unbearable. Is my skin getting thinner or something?'

'Nah, just a feeling. And I know, happened to me too. That's why, I take you out here. Do some hard work, keeping yourself from going soft.'

'Hum, I'm gonna call bullshit on that.'

'I have a drill, you know. Could have used that, but you didn't see me use it.'

'Fine, I'll buy it, thanks.'

'If you don't feel like doing this, you can try using the gym. Good way to tone your body and put excess energy into good use.'

'Don't know. I don't think I need it.' She put the cap to cover her face.

'Just try. It can help you more than just your body. I did that when I first try to control my blood rage.'

She lifted the cap a bit, just enough for her right eye to look. 'Yeah, but I don't think mine can be helped with a little exercise. It's a mental thing.'

'Oh sorry, I brought it up again, didn't I?'

'It's okay. I was about to ask you about it. But from what you said, I doubt you can help me.'

'You could try asking Celeste. She got the whole Asuna therapy thing going on. But aren't Celestians supposed to be experts on mental trainings and all that weird wobbly hippy stuff?'

'We do, but, the Councils constantly restricted me from mental trainings. That's like the source of our power. So their logic is that, I should not have more power.'

'Well that sucks.' He put some seasoning on the meat.

'I mostly have to learn on my own, or sneak in the Lake of Serenity at night or when no one is watching. So, I'm not an adept in the field.'

'Hum, man, your demonic thing is like a whole new territory for me. And I thought I could help you with it.'

'I appreciate the intention, but eh, it's something I have to figure out for myself. Thanks for asking though. I could use your help along the way, like that save during the poker game.' She turned away from the heat of the griller, picked a relatively flat spot on the ground and lied down. The cap covered her face.

'You gave me your secret. I keep it. Basic decency.'

'Uh huh.' She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. It took her five to ten seconds to realize it was impossible. She had a thought back at the poker game. A few blinks of an eye and a week had passed since then. A few more blinks and it was a month since she joined in. Lot of things had changed but not to the point Axel made it out to be at first. Maybe she got lucky for having Rick and others as her teammates. Things would probably be different if she ended up with Tammy. She shivered a bit. She had never meet her or speak directly to her but thinking about her just made Catherine cringe.

'Are you sleeping?'

'Huh? No, just thinking. Hum, it starts to smell good.'

'Yeah, almost done.' Get a beer from the icebox and we'll eat these sum bitches.' Catherine took the cue and psychic grabbed a can in the ice box. The outer of the can seem greasy.

He finished the last steps with the cooking and took out two plates from a compartment of the griller. One was three times bigger than the other. Rick then turned back with the two pieces of meat in each plate. Catherine sat up, opened a can of beer open and drank some. She didn't care if it made her lose water, the coolness of the liquid was easing the pain in her throat. Rick sat down on the rock and give the smaller plate to Catherine. She looked at the chunk of dark red meat wrapped by a long strip of white-now-turned-yellow meat.

'No fancy word here, eat up. Just a piece of grilled Miltank meat warped in Feraligator tail meat and traditional Arcadian seasoning. Or I like to call it.'

'A fucking orgy of meat?' She took the plate and poked the outer layer with concern.

'Close enough.' He reached for a can of beer and opened it. 'Ah, time like this is perfect for a beer.' He took a bite and drank a sip. He let out a thin smile of pure satisfaction.

'Isn't it every time with you, Rick?'

'Stop being a wise ass and enjoy it. You did a good job today, get your reward.' He looked at the un even holes beside the Sandile bodies.

'Thanks. You too. Enjoy your…meal. What? No shiny silverware?'

'Just eat it for god's sake.' Catherine picked up the meat with the other hand and tried to take a bite. She had to work out a way to eat the two kind of meat without making the strip falling off. It was a bit chewy, more so than Mercy's usual menu. But by grilled food standard, it was soft enough and strangely juicy. And the seasoning just made it the more delicious. She savored the taste and swallowed.

'Ummmm, for an abomination of a meal. It's great.'

'Righttt'

'I'm not shitting you. It is. Who taught you to cook like this?' She said while continued chewing, letting the sweat juice falling down before swallowing.

'Yeah, you can thanks my dad for that.'

'Oh, so he was a cook or something?'

'Nah, he had a lot of jobs. You know, got to keep us both floating. He can do all kind of awesome crap.'

'Like what?'

'Eh, I saw him do those bartender tricks a few times. You know, tossing the crap around for show instead of making the damned drink. He packs stuffs and drives pretty fast, even when drunk. Don't tell the cops. And imitate all kind of voices to avoid checks up from the police. He once outran a bounty hunter from one of his bail bound agent. He never paid or get caught. He is really proud about the last one.'

'Hum, doesn't sound like a job-job to me.'

'Yeah, those were tough times.'

'Same story huh?'

'You too?'

'How do you say it? Welcome to the club.' She extended her arms, one hand still had the can and the other the piece of meat. Then bowed, slightly.

'You know what funny?'

'No, I have not read enough books or watch enough movies for that.'

'In comic books, having powers is awesome. In real life, gigantic cock block.'

'Uh huh, just curious, what is your powers anyway?'

'I have no scientific term for that. No doctor were around. But I think it's a blood rage. When it happen, I can have the strength much greater than what my normal state could muster. It can numb me from pain and do all kind of crazy stuffs, even regeneration, though slow. But well, when that happen something is going to be the target of my rage. Sometimes, it just need to be the thing in front of me. It's like a trace. So really dangerous.' He took a bite and continued. 'I can't control it well when I was younger. A great bother for my dad back then. I remember he said said I was born pissed off. Pretty much burned and head butted everything around me. Even the rock that my mother placed my egg on. The old man said I destroyed the house and nearly got him in jail for arson. He always laugh that one of for some reason.'

'You can't expect him to break down in front of you. That's what fathers do.'

'Haha, I guess so. The old fart was always over optimistic in my eyes. Even me as a kid thought that was too much. I saw all the trouble in hiding me from being caught, helping me control my powers, all the rejection letters, the hate and the crummy jobs that he put up with for me. But he just smiled. Sometimes it's piss me off to see that smile. You know, like he was lying to me.'

'I know. But you cannot hate him for that.'

'I don't, I didn't. But I don't mind if he just let loose once in every wild. But he just, again laugh it off and: "Son, thinking too hard is not your job, it's mine. How about something to change that grumpy old face. Looking at that face. It is a god damn eyesore." Heh. Taught me how to grill right there too.' Rick closed his eyes. 'God bless his soul.'

'Bless him. Your father sound like a wonderful Pokémon.'

'Yeah, but sadly, I failed to keep myself in the straight and narrow after he is gone. You know, crimes and stuff.'

'No one blame you.'

'I'm not. I'm over it a long time ago. No need for reassuring.' He carefully placed the can to touch his lips and not the fang.

'Good for you, then.' She ate some more. 'So it's like an ability that passed down from your ancestors or something?'

'No, it's, mutation.'

'Mutation? But you look, normal.'

'Not all mutated look like the things in the Outlands, big and jacked-up. Although I look pretty jacked.' He flexed his muscles a bit and earned a disgust look from Catherine. 'Some looked normal and have normal jobs and life. Ehhh, scratch that, only a small number has normal life. Most are either dead or bandits.'

'I see. So the nation is being a real dick about it?'

'Hahaha. That is the most straight forward and accurate description I got. Yup. It's like a staple thing on Essal. It's different from us, kill it.'

'Or use it and sacrifice it for the "greater good".' They both nodded and let their cans of drinks touch. 'So, eh, don't mean to pry but what get you in the whole mess? If it too personal then I'll get the fuck out of your hair.'

'Long story short, the reason why ferals got mutated is because of the nuclear fallout in the Apocalypse war.' He then pointed at the cap on Catherine's head. 'And no one give a regular Pokémon that cap. You can put two and two together.'

'Oh, I see.' War. The cause of everything horrible on Essal. Catherine knew there were others, but out of everyone she had spoken too, war is always the main culprit of their sufferings. She didn't know if that was accurate or not, but it was sure as hell easy to blame everything on war. She was not going to ask anything else about it. His sudden shift in tone warned her not to. Saw Rick's expression, she said. 'Okay. I won't ask any more.' Catherine dropped the can and showed her palm.

'So how about you? Any family, or just your uncle?'

There was a quick pause. 'Eh, yeah, just him. And you know how much of an asshole he was.'

'At least he care about you, some bit.'

'Maybe, but still, my nation is a dick when it comes to whatever the fuck I do.'

'They all know?'

'Yup, but let's not ruin the barbecue shall we? The weather alone sucks enough.'

'Agree.' He offered his fist. She stretched out her arm, hand formed into a fist as well. Their fists than made contact.

'You are still pretty weak.' Like her punch, this was Rick's attempt to change the subject.

'Oh fuck you!' She punched again, much harder this time.

'Still weak. You know what can help you with that? Work out a bit. You are soft around the edges.'

'Again with that, no I don't wanna work out. Why you need muscle when you can murder thing with the mind?'

'Then why the hell do you still punch things then?'

'Um. Ehhh, I don't know.'

'Knew it. Just try to finish your lunch, still got a lot of corpses to burry.'

'Please, don't remind me.'

After that, they ate up the rest of the meal and had a chat about random topics. The movies they saw, a few other agents, guns and kills-competing which one was more entertaining. Before they got back to work, Rick received a call from the base's operator.

'Hold on a sec.' He put down a can on his empty plate. 'Hello, yup this is Rick. Yeah. Yeah, okay.' Catherine drank the last of her can of beer.

'Who the fuck is that?'

'The operator called. We need to move out.'

'Why? What's new?'

'The satellite spotted something. Two motorcycles have just teleported a few miles from here, heading to that abandoned city they said.' Rick pointed at the blackline drawn by buildings in the horizon. 'Looked a lot like you know who.'

'Bandits kingdom?'

'Yeah, the King must has teleported them there. Probably for scavenging.'

'Shit. Tracking these guys just take forever, now that they do this teleport bullshit.'

'Well the time, let's give these guys a little surprise.'

'What about the corpses?'

'I'll address a clean-up crew, kinda expensive but will have to do. Come on, let's move.'

Catherine then nodded and both headed to the car. They set the city beyond the field of craters their next destination.

In the abandoned city, a few blocks away from the Arcanine and the Gardevior. Inside a fast food restaurant.

'Good afternoon, fine gentlemen, how about a greasy-artery-destroying-hamburger for someone as classy as you. What, you think I'm comparing you to a piece of worthless crap? Never. This is a nice burger. It's 100% beef, no Ratata. It is slime which made from 100% meat of Miltank rotten backsides and one Raticate. You can have some of the freshest salad to go along with it. You might choked on the pesticide, but it is really authentic and delicious. That's a rumor, I have heard.' An Infernape standing behind a busted counter gleefully said. Instead of a low-paying job uniform, he wore a Bandits Kindom knight armor. The light kind with a few metal pieces and no helmet. There was a large metal patch covered his left eye. A notable feature were several dark lines drew from the missing eye ran all across his cheek.

'Cain, stop it with this bollock!' A Chestnaught said from the outside of the place. He wore much heavier chains armor and had an enormous riot shield made from an unknown metal on his back. This artificial shield replaced the natural round armor all Chestnaught had. The result effectively giving the Pokémon the ability to stand straight at all time, reaching the height a bit more than Rick's. There were traces of char from explosion, scratches and blood stains all over it. On top of that height was a knight helmet that was too small for him.

'Aw come on, Cole, where is your sense of humor? The situation should be in reversed. I would be the nasty uptight and dictatorial Agnian and you will be the hilarious and always cynical Florian.'

'I told you. This is not a cartoon.'

'You are no god damn fun.'

'Just help me bag this son of a whore and get back to base. The sooner we get the King off our backs the better.'

'Why worry about the King? You got your friend Cain right here. No one can fuck with Cain.'

'Yeah, cause no male or female is interested enough to fuck with you. And by that, I mean mating. Also he tossed you half a mile away with a mental flick. If there is any comparison, it was like flicking a piece of booger with his pinky.'

'Cheap shot, I was just playing around. Stroking his ego to lower his defense. Then I shall Mach Punch his near non existing dick when he is least expected. And just take it easy there with the insults Cole.'

'Take it easy? Don't forget. You are the cock-fondling son of a whore that drag us in this whole Bandits Kingdom mess in the first place.'

'Hahahaha. I love it when you talk to me like that.'

'You bloody idiot! Go fuck yourself.'

'Aw. Common. You saw what he has. He can have every other boring things like power and slaves and we just gonna nap all that gold. Just play it out. And wait til the time is right. Imagine the new life we can buy. I'll stop bothering you and you can go back to the life of pointless indulgent.'

'Yeah, thank you for reminding me that for the fifth fucking time. Why are you keep explaining these things over and over?'

'You can never know when invisible camera crew following you around. Everybody need know our motivations in order to relate to us. We just want a lot of money for staring something new and things to do for fun. That's pretty much everybody on this god forsaken planet.'

'Why am I? God damn it. I told you, this is not a fucking cartoon.' He said through his teeth.

'Of course it's not. It's something else.' Cole didn't say anything after that, just slapped the front of his face. 'Ohhh, I'm bored, let's go nap this guy and go home.' Cain said and picked up the sniper rifle behind the counter.

'Finally! A notion that I can bloody follow.'

At the city entrance gate.

'So Rick, what is this place? 'Catherine said, as both were standing in front of the city toll booth. The sign was too rusted for her to read.

'Well, I heard this whole dump was once a city belong to the Arcadian. It called eh, I think it's Menoda or something. Among the first few cities that got affected by the nuclear radiation.'

'That explain the gigantic holes.'

'Yup. This one was among the first to heal, too. All radiation are gone, so we can breathe without worry. But be on your toes, though. Gods know what kind of resident this place has right now.' That was something Catherine didn't quite catch so she just nodded and moved on.

Passed by row and row of cars on stand still, they stepped in the city. Plant lives and mosses had already taken nearly half of the scenery. The plants were the mutated kind, seen as their leaves were as big as a parasol. From the roads, to the buildings and even billboard signs, all have the finger prints of Mother Nature on them. They walked on until facing a concentration of foliage blocking their way.

'I'll get that for ya, stand back.' Rick said before setting them ablaze with his Flamethrower. When the fire had made a big enough path, He commanded his beard to absorb the fire. A square for gathering of the sort was revealed when the smoke died off. There was a gigantic marble statue of Arceus in the middle of the place. It had turned green because of the moss. Catherine took Cerberus out and Rick got one of his shotguns. Catherine looked around and came across blacken skeletons from Pokémon of various sizes. They were hidden in between the plants.

'Egh, what happened here?'

'Riots, looting, or I like to call it, civilization committing suicide.'

'Riot? I thought the radiation could just kill them off.'

'Well, not exactly that direct. From this distance, the effect is slow and painful but well, won't kill ya right away. You can still run and punch thy neighbor in the face and steal their crap. Survival is what they say. I would have said that too.'

'I guess these guy were just trying to find a way out.'

'Most likely. Just imagine the madness happened here. Pokémon were screaming, looting, fighting, and killing. All that. Eh.' Rick paused and looked down at the ground. 'Hehe, Catherine check this out, this dude is held on to a Karaoke machine. What the f were you going to do with it, man?'

She had a look. 'That is definitely odd, and Karaoke? That sounds Asuna-ish.'

'Yeah, it is. It's a signing contest thing where you can play at home. It's fun.'

'Oh, well, at least he got his priority straight. The fucking nuclear holocaust would be boring without it.'

'No thanks, I'll be boring with my supply, shelter and intact flesh.'

Catherine let out an awkward laugh. 'Hahaha, oh god. We are so fucking horrible.'

'Only us here, no one can judge us.'

'Well, not exactly just us.'

'Oh yeah, forgot. Just stay close, we'll search this place out.'

They went inside one of the buildings-A fancy hotel that got turned into a makeshift base for a few Pokémon. The remaining skeletons were scattered all across the rug. Catherine search around the corner and found one set of bone with a peculiar weapon. A metal baseball bat that got a large blade melted to it, the black was darken with dried blood. Made the thing look like Essal most dangerous can opener. She picked it up and test its weight. Not too much for her.

'Woo, that's look pretty beastly. Don't let it cut you though. Hepatitis C is there for the talking.'

'Noted.' Said her as she carefully placed it on her back. 'I'll keep it.'

A yell broke the silence around them. 'We know you're here, come out and play motherfucker!'

Both immediately got down on the carpet.

'Shit, you heard that?'

'Yeah.' Rick prepped up his shotgun.

'Did they know us here?'

'Impossible, the voice is like echoing through the damn place. No way they can be this close and see us coming. They are probably looking for some other Pokémon here.'

'Whatever the fuck they want, let's not take any chances and stick to the shadow.'

'Easy for you to say.'

From the source of the yell.

'Bloody hell! What are you doing?'

'Eh, calling him out?'

'Oh my god! Are you serious? Were you taking a piss?'

'That's probably gonna make him carry out his little girlfriend and rattles shit up for us. Lot of trees around, we'll pick it right up.'

'You, you, wanker. Even if shit rattle up, he got to be the size of a fucking Snorlax in order for us to notice.'

'Don't sweat it, I got super good ear.'

'Yes, so good that I have told you: "You are an idiot." ten millions times and you don't get it.'

'Come again?'

'Do the world a favor and just go fuck yourself.'

A rattle come from the wall behind them. 'There, got him.' He took his sniper rifle out and shot at the wall. The sniper bullet pinned deep into the wall and exploded, blew opened a huge chunk of the wall. More rattle from underneath the hole and a mutated Rattata stretched and crawled its way out of the corner.

'Yeah, that's not him.'

'Oh shit! I should have come up with something better.' Cain took out a saw off shotgun and point it at the Ratata. The Pokémon stood up instead of running away. 'Quite a bold move, you filthy scum.' He shot the Pokémon.

A few blocks away.

'God, they are close.' The Arcanine hastily returned to the Gardevoir. He kneeled down and thought of the next thing to do. He was torn. He knew that they couldn't stay here for long. Sooner or later, the two bandit knights would come. And when they did so, it would be the end for both him and her. He could go out and distract them, but what would be his chances of returning alive? He seen them in action. One was a mutated and the other was something he and his implant memories had never seen. Besides, he couldn't just let her here. In this rotten corpse of a city, who knew what might lurk behind those walls. There could be scavengers and other feral resided in this place. They could be waiting for him to leave and attack her. With the little choices he had, he picked up the Gardevoid and made his way to the back entrance of the building, finding some other place to hide.

'Harg!' The Chestnaught grunted as he bash his shield at a support of a building. The blow broke the concrete pole like a cracker and took the building with it seconds later.

'Hum, what did you told me again?'

'Well, since, you know, you fucked it all up. So let's just make noise. Yeah, make him run for his life, maybe he'll trip on some bullshit.'

'That's the spirit. I told you it's a good idea.' Cain said with a wide smile on his face.

'I was being sarcastic you dim witted arsehole.'

'Heh. Whatever.'

'God, I wish that someday, some kind of god just take you away from my bloody hands.'

'Ha, don't kid yourself, you… Oh GODDDD!' He crossed his arm and braced for an overcharged Crimson Focus Blast. The orb hit him and pushed him away. This time, Catherine had charged and held the attack long enough that the energy had become stable and didn't exploded immediately upon impact. The red orb dragged him along, searching for a building to crash him and it into. And after two full seconds, there was one-an office building covered mostly in glass. The orb and him made a hole in one of the window and stopped at the elevator. The triggered explosion shook the building and its shockwave shattered a large number of windows into dust.

'Holy shit! Wish and you shall receive.' He turned to the left and found a pack of fiery rockets coming at him. 'A giant middle finger straight up my arse.' He took out his shield and ducked down beneath it. Let the metal protector absorbed all the punishment.

Catherine surrounded by a cloud of dark purple aura were dashing straight at him. Her determination to break him made Cole stood up straight and resumed a defensive stance. In an instance, he raised the shield and slammed it down at the ground. The strength behind the impact were powerful enough to create a miniature earthquake that cracked the road and made the pieces moved in a ripple. When the chunks of road stopped moving, things went silent. No thud or a grunt, just silence. And that was what worried him.

Something sharp punched through the armor and the back of his head was petrified. The blade had hit the chain amour and stung Cole. The force behind it striped away a few links. But the sharpened tip soon stuck in the armor after a few strikes. As Catherine was about to throw him with her psychic power to get it out, a hand grabbed her neck and pulled her away from Cole. The bat, sadly was still on him. Cole's reflex made him removed the bat and turned around. He saw Cain was facing and choking Catherine with both hands. His eye and body were completely covered in a thick cloud of red and black mist. Below them placed a grin with yellow fangs that kept getting longer and longer.

'Peekaboo.' The Cain said before increase the force of his grip and lifted her up. She fanatically beat him in the head with her right arm. A punch and an elbow repeatedly to his face, until something inside could be heard breaking. 'You bitch!' Cain exclaimed before hurling her in the general direction of the building he had just crawled out from. He told Cole. 'Take care of the others. I'll deal with her.' And ran straight to Catherine with the shotgun ready to fire.

Catherine got on her feet and see Cain coming for a shotgun charge. She quickly dashed to the right, escaped a shotgun blast to her face. In a blink, she reached her hand out and grabbed the shotgun, locking the Infernape from moving. Like an instinct, she proceed to strike his chest and abdomen with her knee while pulling his gun holding arm back and forth. Didn't let up, he punched her with the other hand, forced her to let go. When she did, he whipped the side of the barrel to her mouth. Her teeth pierced right in, made where her lip would be feel numb. He jabbed her jaw with his left hand and about to finish the combo with the gun to her face. She gripped his shotgun in time, keeping the barrel away from her body. She held his other fist and got both to a standstill.

'I see, so there is indeed more like me out there. Tell me, should I kill you?'

She spit the blood on his face. 'I'll spare you from answering.' Catherine used psychic and covered his neck with the purple glow. She returned the pain she felt earlier to him as she choked Cain with her mind. He released the gun. Tried to get his hands to pry away the force on his neck. Catherine let go of his arm and stepped back. She performed a Burden on the ground below him, making both of his legs broken from the added gravity. He let out a hellish scream despite the choke on him was still applied. Thought that she got him, Catherine prepare for a barrage of punches on him until she saw his changing face. Half of it, on the side of the patch had been completely covered in a rugged and hard tar color substance. The fangs seem to keep getting longer. And they were eager to take a bite out of her. The displaced bone in his legs returned to their posts with a loud series of snaps, crunching sound. And he slowly stood up. Catherine increased the "Burden", but he was not affected by it.

'C'mon, let's play a game. The rules. Give me all the pain and I shall return the suffering.' He made a beast noise and pretended to lunge his fangs at her. Catherine decided the best thing to do was teleport away from him and use another method of attack. 'Aw, you wanna play Chase first, fine.' He said before stepping out of the "Burden" effect field and picked up his shotgun.

Cole was following the smoke trails of the rockets. They were coming from the top of one of the tallest hotel in the city. When he was halfway there, a pair of hands broke away from the ground and grabbed his legs. Before he could say something about that and they pulled him down. He held on to his shield and kept more than half of his body above ground. The hands stopped and returned to the ground.

'You'll pay for that, wanker.' He slammed the shield down and forced himself up. With caution, he looked around the area and felt the vibration under him. From there, he anticipated another strike and got away. He bash his shield repeatedly on the ground, tried someway to bring his attacker out. Rick got out of the road and made his beard abruptly grew large for intimidation.

'That shit is not going to.' He squinted his eye and had a good look at Rick. 'Oh shit, Rick, is that you?'

'Eh, who are you?' Cole charged forward and punched Rick in the face during his question. 'It's me, your lad, Cole.' Rick blocked a followed up attack and proceed to give him a back hand. 'Cole? Oh, all grow up huh?' Cole bounced back performed a head bash. 'Ten years man, kids gotta eat and grow. And you got old and slow.' He looked down at Rick, who was shaking the dizziness off of his head.

'Why don't you just stop with all the fighting and talk normally? It's really tire to do that.'

They backed away from each other. 'Bandits code. Your friend attacked us first and a duel was made.'

'Really, then forfeit and we'll talk.'

'No way, man.'

'C'mon, you know that I'm going to win either way so just give up.'

'Oh, you asked for it. You think I'm still that little kid that you just throwing around like a football?'

Rick let out a grin. 'Pf, Arcadian or Florian football?'

'Oh, you nob. That's just pushing the button.' He dropped the shield and formed his hands into fists. His arms were trembling and shaking violently. He screamed as his veins and muscle fibers gained more size at a rapid rate. When the arm stopped growing, he slammed his fists together, shooting a small shockwave at Rick.

'Hum, nice trick. What were you on these day? Roid?'

'ENOUGH OF YOUR BULLSHIT, I'LL SHOW YOU OF WHAT I CAN DO.'

'Dude calm the hell down.'

'EAT SHIT AND DIE, YOU SHIT EATING PIECE OF SHIT!'

Rick let out a laugh. 'I'm gonna write that down.' and opened his palms wide. They were more than ready to catch Cole's raging fists. He got them and got pushed back quite a distance. His feet were dragged and dug into the road. When Cole couldn't push him any further, he said. 'Feel better about yourself? Good. Now is my turn. Hell Raiser!' The burst of heat repelled Cole back and made him run for his shield. When he grabbed it, Rick shot a Flame thrower, causing him to take cover behind the shield. He felt vibration on the ground and heard 'INFERNO BITCH-SLAP' from the other side of the shield. Cole immediately performed a shield bash. Their attacks came in opposite directions and collided with a bang.

In another part of the city. Catherine was standing in the middle of the street. To her left and right were two office building. Each had at least two hundred windows in their possession. Her hands were opened and covered in psychic glow.

'You think you can hide from me? Should have pick a better place. Like a library. I would never go there.' He said, a few feet away from her back. She gripped her fingers into fists as the Infernape kept getting closer.

'Oh, finally give up huh.'

'No.'

'Don't worry, I will let you have some fun and…'A series of windows began to break. 'Holy shit!' Said him, as three feet Psyshock blades emerged from every windows of the two buildings and headed straight for him. There were too many at once for his eyes to register, let alone dodge. Instead he stood still and moved the aura around him, created a shield of the sort. However, before the aura could solidify, the first blade pierced through the mist and stabbed him near the kidney. They kept on raining down on him and only stopped at his flesh and bone. He let out horrid screech in each hit, but stopped when the blades had no room left to hit but the ground.

Cain was left kneeling and pinned to the ground. In and surrounding him, were the blades reflecting sunlight. Blood oozing out from the wound and formed a pool under his feet. He looked at her. His good eye began to be taken over by the darkness. And the tar soon spread to the other side of his face. The fangs in his mouth grew so long that it could no longer fit in his mouth. Strings of blood like drool ran along his chin. 'Well, it' he panted, each breath escaped through his bloody teeth. 'This is. Hah, oddly arousing.' He smiled at her.

She spoke to the voice inside. "Okay, help me kill this guy." Catherine whispered and closed her eyes. She opened her mouth and let out more aura. Her eye turned black and locked on Cain. She raised her left hand and charged a Crimson Focus Blast.

'Oh you going to step up your game. I'm about to do it too.' He shook off a few blades on him and got on his feet. He was not shaking or fazed by the aftermath of Catherine's attack. Cain let out a prolong grunt, commanding the aura around him to gather up. The blood under his feet transformed into red aura and climbed on his body. His eye turned completely black and a blood red dot showed up in the middle. The aura transform themselves into tar and harden around him and overwritten his armor. They closed up the holes caused by Catherine's blades and made his arms bigger, his finger longer and formed into claws. His head twitched as bat like wings sprouted from his back. 'What on Essal?' Said her before throwing the orb.

Cain formed what seem to be orange air around his hand and reached back. He then extended his blacken hand to an extraordinary length. It touched the orb and pushed the attack back to Catherine, who teleported away from its path. She was in slight shock when looking back at him.

'Vacuum Wave, Bitch! And don't you know it's rude to interrupt someone special moment?' Said as his wings grew bigger and lifted him off the ground, allowed him to look down at Catherine with pride. 'Oh come on, that's all you got? Get up here and fight me. Or I'll eat your babies. Are they born yet? If not, I'm gonna eat something else, like a delicious muffin made of meat, your meat.' Catherine looked up with awe and disbelief. 'Why so surprise? I'm Cain, bitch.' He glided about in a few loops. 'Pretty nice, yah?'

'But, but, how did you retain your personality?'

'Because I'm, CRAZY! My created voices were so loud that even he has to give up and join in the fun with me.'

She held up her right hand, made it glow and waved it downward. 'No, you just an utter idiot.'

'Look who's talking. Woah.'

Gravity under him sucked Cain down. The impact was strong enough to make a crater. A few remaining Psyshock blades dug into him, but broken before real damage was made. She levitated some other blades and let the extra powerful gravity pull them down instead of her own power. The first few blades flew with amazing velocity and broke off Cain's tar armor. A few other punched through it and impaled him.

'Oh god!' She levitated a couple more blades and increase the gravity exerted on Cain, made the drop down faster. The gravity pinned him down harder, made his wings seemingly useless. Another barrage of blade came down.

'That hurts. Real good. Hehehehe. Hahahahaha.' She silenced him by increasing the force behind her Gravity. So much that the crater Cain laid within enlarged and got deeper.

Catherine released the gravity. The blades should be enough to hold him. 'Oh it's nothing, how about this?' Catherine charged two Focus Blast orbs with her hand. She meshed them together and prepared for a Focus Arm Cannon.

'Oh, no you don't.' He slammed his fists down, the vibration broke off the blade and allowed him to get up. He broke a few of them in his path and struck out his fist for a Mach Punch. Unfortunately, he managed to glue the attack to Catherine's gut, way before she could aim the orb of destructive energy at him. The sudden attack caused her hand to launch it at a different target-the top floor of a random building. The orb touched the gently touched the outer wall and let out a blinding light.

The explosion rocked the city and caused the Arcanine and the Gardevoir stopped and seek immediate shelter. Feared of a left over bomb had went off somewhere in the city. Cain was not affected by the attack in any form. He was focusing on performing Close Combat on Catherine. After battered her with his relentless attacks. He took a step back and finished up with a Focus Punch in her heart. Catherine heard the sound of broken walls before everything turned to black. The hit propelled her through 3 set of walls. They were belonged to relatively small houses and a store so she could fly through them with relative ease. The aura couldn't do much else but focus around her and soften the punishment. She stopped in the wall for a short while. The voice constantly fixing her up and tried to get her back on. It didn't work. Cain came and grabbed her by the coat. He dragged her back out and tossed her on the street.

Cain flipped Catherine over with his foot, he wanted to see the damage. She took quite a beating from him. Her face was bruised and some parts were swelling up bad. Places on her coat where his fists touched were torn and even burnt. The tank top underneath were still holding up.

'How, disappointing. You are even worse than my brother.' He put his hand in front of her face. 'Together once more.' He started absorbing her aura. But he then stopped. 'Is there any point to this?' He twitched his head to the left. 'This is no fun.' He kicked her side. 'Oh come on. I gave you every chance possible and you still cannot satisfy me.' When she didn't give him any respond, he sat down beside her, hand supporting his chin. 'Never feel fair for both me and the other. Fights are fun, but it eventually will end and someone is going to die or give up. The fun never last forever. That's lame beyond imagination. Don't you agree? Hello? Are you still alive? That raising flatty chest said so. Why are your breathing getting weaker? Oh come on, my attacks are not that powerful. I just sent you flying over ten buildings and sandwiched you in ten more. Not sure any of that is correct, of course. But it's not like it hurts right? Oh right, no Corruption yet. Shame, you got all the potentials but somehow never got unlocked. Shame, shame.'

Catherine couldn't feel or hear anything at that point. Her head had a spinning sensation and suddenly stop. In front of her, there was only a void of emptiness. A voice came, it was her imaginary friend for life.

"This is the end. I will finally be free of you. Maybe being absorbed by this one isn't so bad. But, he had full control does that means things are worse for me? No matter. Good bye Catherine. I'll be your burden, no more."

"Shit, is this how it end? Well, I guess it is. Even you is giving up on me, oh wait, you never fucking care. Yup, it's time to reflect on my life. And all I can see is a bag of shit. Bummer.' She sighed in her mind. "Mother. I'll see you soon. And sorry Azazel, I have failed you. I didn't do much good for this world. Just slightly made it less fucked up. Even I'm not sure about that either. Just kill lots of guys because some guy told me too." She saw a light. It started as a white horizon and slowly expanding, expanding. And soon, it took her full vision.

Back at Rick and Cole, both had returned to their normal state. Rick got a deep cut on his cheek and dents on his armor. While Cole got burn marks all over his arms and back. His knight helmet was gone. The shield was pinning in a faraway wall and pieces of Rick's firearm could be seen on the ground. Cole threw a punch at Rick. Clear exhaustion shown in the speed behind it. Rick casted the punch to the side and moved closer. He constantly jabbed his right fist to Cole's face abdomen. When Cole's arm grew weak, Rick stopped. He grabbed Cole's head and head-butted him. Rick then grabbed Cole arm and performed a Judo throw, tossed Cole to the ground. Cole was picked up.

'No, no, no, not the power slam bullshit. Not the power slam bullshit.' Rick lifted Cole over his head with both hands.

'Should have think twice before challenge me, son.'

'Oh you nob. No, no.' Rick jumped up and slammed him down. Cole landed on his back in a loud crash. And Rick watched as Cole rolling on his back, clearly in pain. Rick felt bad for him, but didn't wish to help him up. 'You ask for it, deal with it. That's the Bandit code.' He wiped the corner of his mouth. 'Now stop with the bull carp and give me some answer. My lad.'

'Egh, yeah, wait for a sec.'

When the light shone the brightest. She heard something, chatter of a single voice, too low pitch for her to hear. The pain came back, and it was excruciating. She could feel it on her face, but her chest was the worst. Ever heart beat was a bullet fired from within her. She didn't know how she manage to breathe but she was sure that at least two of her ribs was inside her lungs. The beats were getting rapid by the second. And before she realized it, she woke up. The face of Cain was not something she wished to see.

'There you go. Now, fight me, again.' He said before standing up and kicked her.

Catherine sprang up and teleported, back away from him. Her coat sides flew as she did so. She looked down and saw her coat had been. For a second, that made her feel unclean. She shook in disgust at the thought he had touched her. She snapped the buckle back in a hurry and yelled at him. 'What the fuck? What have you done to me?'

'I'm sharing a bit of my power to you. I'm not good at math but I think we are equal now.'

'How and why the fuck did you did that?'

'Nope, not telling you how. I just want you to a bit stronger so I can kill you and fell proud about myself.'

'Argh. You are an utter idiot, you know that.' She had to keep talking, it is the only way to stall him and get herself healed. 'Why are you doing all this?'

'You started it. I didn't have my power ready so that blow really hurt.'

'You are bandit. You deserved it.'

'So? You can't just kill someone because they are bandits. We just wanted to take a guy back to our base and get the day over with. And you just have to fuck it up. Now, no time for chatting, try Corruption and fight me. I brought you back for a reason. Entertain me so that I might forgive you for sucker punched me. After you die, of course.'

'No fucking way.' She held on to her newly healed ribs.

'Can't do it. So you are one of those two shoes. Come on. Make a pact with your voice. Take it to dinner, have a conversation and fuck it. Not in that literal sense. I don't even know how it is done. Though thinking back, it would be…' And he kept rambling on.

"Okay, this fucker is definitely gonna kill us this time. Any bright idea?"

"Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing. Don't think it as anything special. I just don't know at the time being."

"Both of us is gonna be in some shit place if we don't get rid of this guy. So, let's form a temporary alliance."

"And your idea is?"

"Well, he just gave us more, we could stand a chance. So give me all you got but let me handle this. I got some strategies that are not ram your face into your adversary and actually use my fucking guns."

"I supposed, but what if you failed? You are not even familiar with your, I mean my power yet. He on the other hand."

"What about that arm? You can still fight him in your own way and I have mine. At least try something to make it work."

"Fine, I'll see. Now, duck."

'What? Oh fuck!' A black fireball was coming for her. She dodged it. It didn't hit, but she could still feel the heat crawling by her face.

'Come on, get your shit together bitch! ' He charged up his shotgun with his own energy.

'Fine. I'll give you what you want, you spoiled psychotic brat.' She said in her normal voice and slammed her palms together. The gesture allowed a pair of bone arm made from her on aura to spawn on her back.

"Catherine. I'm ready."

"Okay. I'll give you something to hold."

The aura hands then presented themselves in front of her.

'Wow, this is you?' She examined them closely.

"No quite, just a part of me. Now give."

She used Psyshock to create two long curve blades for each hands. The arms then swung them made the blades danced with grace.

"Yes, this will do, just fine."

'Cool, I can never do that. Okay, I'm…' She shot him in the face with Cerberus. The electrical shots stun him a bit. 'Aw you cheeky bitch. I like that. No fuss, just…' Catherine teleported forward and slashed across his face, made a clank with the metal patch. The following strikes were precise and deadly. There were no room for counter in between slashes. One blade finished its bloody business and another ready to do its own business, and reset. Multiple cuts showed up on Cain armor and body. Once Cain used the thick aura on his arms to protect himself. The hands swiped in a cross pattern, briefly broke Cain's protection. Catherine fired three more electric orbs. They stunned him long enough for the blade to go in for fifty stabs in his torso. The blades stopped and Catherine fire more electric shot to the open wounds. It was burning from the inside of Cain, he could feel it. Cain backed off and used Mach punch. The blades caught his fist like a pair of chopsticks and cut through the hard tar and got to the bone.

'Got cha.' She replaced Cerberus and summoned the miner cutter. 'Laser, supper effective against you motherfucking Keepers.' She charged it up and fired at him. The shot almost melted away the tar on his body and vaporized it back into the aura. When the back began to overheat and Cain scream was getting too much for her, she raised her foot, covered it with her psychic glow and kicked him in the center mass. The hands noticed and let go, gave her full view of Cain flying backward. He crashed into the lower floor where Catherine was last time. In a moment, he stepped out with pride. 'Yes. Finally, pain.'

'Here's more.' Said her as the hand threw the blades at him, pinned him to the ceiling. The hands then grabbed Catherine forearm.

'What are you doing?'

"Fire your Focus Blast now."

Just as she focused her mental energy, a stream of smaller Focus Blast orbs flew from her hand. 'Oh shit.'

'Oh fuck me.' Cain said as he broke the first blade and ready for felling constant explosions went off on his skin.

As the dust caused by the explosions subsided, he jumped downward. His body twitched as he landed and the wings on his back turned into mist. It then headed straight for the ground. 'Okay, how about this.' Sharp dark spikes made from his dark aura came up from the ground. 'Shit.' As Catherine jumped away from each spike. Cain crouched down. 'Dark Descendent' shouted as he fired a wave of darkness at her.

'Oh not this shit again.' The two hands extended and slammed to the ground, triggered a Dark Descendent of their own. The two attacks merged and canceled each other out. Catherine jumped through the smoke and charged straight for Cain. He smiled and raised his arms. Unknowing to Catherine, that triggered a hand made from shadow to raise from the ground and grabbed her.

'What the fuck?'

'You are not the only one that can do giant hands. Hahahahaha. That was fun. Now I can crush you with glee. It will be like using dad's vice on eggs. I never got to chance to see that as I don't have a dad or a dad's vice. So here we go. It was fun. But sucks that we cannot play it again. I gonna take back what I gave and some more.'

The hands on Catherine's back tried punching for a way out. 'Hahaha, I cannot feel the pain if you keep poking there. My body is here. Any last…argh.' The Arcanine came from behind him and cut the aura link with a katana with the hilt made from gun parts. He turned the blade and swipe upward. Cain turned around and faced him. His claw clashed the Arcanine's blade. 'Okay, stop interrupting my monologues now. That would be nice, yah?' They separated. The Arcanine threw the blade at Cain, who lean backward and dodged it. 'Matrix, bitch!' Shouted before he got up and received a full metal sole, and another and four more to his face.

Cain, was confused and disorientated, from the repeated kicks to the face and from the question of what had just hit him. After successfully pulled of six kicks with his air flares, the Arcanine did a hand hop to back on his feet. With the claws in his paws extended and doused in flame, he charged forward and stabbed them into Cain's chest. Cain didn't scream. The Arcanine tried to withdraw and Cain caught his arm, gripping on the armor plate. He put a crush grip the plate. And it retaliated by emitting a powerful shock, enough for him to let go. Three fire claws then slashed across his face and striped way the patch. Cain covered his face, gave the Arcanine the chance to perform a drop kick and forced the Infernape on the ground. In rage, Cain got himself up. 'Dark Descendent' He shot a wave at the Arcanine, forcing him to do several back flips to get away

'You can do ten million of those and nothing will.' Another Dark descendent showed up and nullified Cain's. 'Change. Shit. Forgot.' He turned and saw Catherine in a Focus Arm Cannon pose. The arms were still held onto her forearm, charging more energy into the attack. Cain didn't know what happened after that. A moment he was there and the next thing he knew a force made him fly through the bus stop behind him. Catherine finished taking aim and fired. Cain dived forward and used Vacuum wave to deflect the orb. But the orb keep moving forward and pushed him inside the apartment behind him. After a few seconds, the orb went off and completely demolished the apartment and a few neighbor buildings. The shockwave it created nearly blew both Catherine and the Arcanine away. However, they managed to endure to force and a high pitch ringing sound in their ears. In a flash, it was over.

In Cain's previous spot was now the Arcanine, recovering from a kick and covering his ear. Catherine offered her hand to help him get up. 'Thanks' he accepted it. 'About to say the same to you. Now, be careful. It's not over yet.' Catherine said and took out the laser cutter. A stream of black fire erupted from the mountain of rubble in front of them. Cain crawled out of it, looked more pissed rather than hurt. His bone and strips of flesh were left exposed, but they were returning to where they should be, all with the help of the aura. Never in her life, did Catherine wish that she was wrong. "How long and how much punishment can this guy take? Was that the true power of the voice?"

"It is, as long as his head is attach to the body and his mind is strong enough. This one believe that there is no consequences in this world and nothing can hurt him. That mixing with me is what are currently see. Mind over matter."

"No wonder why you keep nagging me about it."

"Change your mind?"

"Don't push it."

Cain's left eye had an orange cross scar in where the iris should be. And it was looking at them. 'Okay, go ahead, talk for a long time. Now I got to interrupt your monologues. See how you would enjoy it. And I can't do it if you both are on your toes like that.'

A loud bang caught the three of them attention.

'All of you, stop! Cain, let them go.'

'What the fuck? Are you serious? I was about to, bah, are you serious?'

A stern answer.'Yes.'

Rick then entered the area with Catherine's bat in his hand. He witnessed the carnage left behind by the fight. Once he saw Catherine, his eyes widen. Noticed the weird look, Catherine retracted the arms. But then she realized he were more focus on her beaten up state. Made him appear more worry than curious. He walked past Cole and head to Catherine.

'Thanks old man.' Cole said with a smirk.

'I don't know what you are talking about. You okay?' He asked Catherine. She just gave a thumb up.

Cole then looked up at Cain. 'C'mon you crazy sack of nobs, let's go.'

'But, but, they shot me first. I just had fun with her. And they cheated. I give her some of my power and she cheesed it with this guy. I need my part of justice in this world. And what about the King? We need to bring this guy in.' Cain jumped down the rubble and swallowed some of the aura around his head while his body absorbed the rest.

'You said don't take him seriously right? Now with us kinda beaten up, he will believe that we did put one hell of fight and before losing this bastard to these guys.' He pointed at the Arcanine, who glared his fangs at Cole. 'A few losses might make him the more unwary. With that we can nap that treasure easier now.'

'But you said it would takes months for that.'

'Well, then we better get started, right. Got that? Or are you taking another piss? '

'Fine. Put it that way.' He turned to Catherine and gave a seemingly friendly grin. His teeth were normal again. 'Well, nice meeting ya, psychic girl. You need practice, a lot, or the next time I won't be so easy on you. And by that I mean I will probably kill you, without the monologues, dun dun dun. And you, weird mongrel thingy, get out of my face! Get out of my face!'

'God, why the fuck have to baby sit this guy?' Cole rubbed his scratched temple.

'Now you know my pain.' Rick said.

'Haha. Yeah, except back then I was not something with the power of a warhead.'

'Yes, of course. You were and still a friggin wuss.'

'Whatever. Remember your promises.'

'Again, don't know what you are talking about.'

'I will keep mine then. C'mon. Let's get the fuck out of here Cain. Oh God, my back. Do you have to do the power slam bullshit?'

Both them then left the scene. When they finally disappeared from her sight, did Catherine summon a healing syringe and jabbed it to her vein. She let out a sigh like an addict as the serum eased her remaining pain.

'God fucking hell. I feel like my inside were messed up and then somehow got put together again.'

'Pretty fierce all right. Mercy is gonna have a hard time patching those.'

'Make an ugly joke and I will kill you! Sorry, I got that every time. And what the fuck was that guy? Keepers now just started popping up like that? '

'Please. There is no time. I need your help' The Arcanine said. His appearance stumped Rick for a moment. He then asked. 'Easy there buddy. What do you need?'

'Medicine. Anything that can help her.'

'Who?'

'Just follow me.'

They walked to a cafe a few blocks away. The sight of the Gardevior laying safely behind the counter gave the Arcanine a sigh of relief. Catherine picked a chair and sat down. She injected another healing hypo, numbing some pain that showed up once more. Rick with some difficulty, worked around the counter and had a look at the Gardevoir.

'She is going to be fine. I think.' He said.

'You are no fucking doctor.' Catherine said.

'That's what we are supposed to say. I'll make a call for the car and take you both to base. Genesis would know how to help ya.' He pressed a button on his fabricator.

'Genesis?' The Arcanine said.

'Yeah, my boss.'

The sound of the car crashing through the remaining traffics and buildings was heard. Moment later, the car parked outside of the café. 'Yup, it's here.'

'Thank you, and you are.'

Rick then looked at Catherine. 'Oh, eh. I'm Danko and that Clare. Clare, help him get the girl out.'

Catherine squinted her eyes at Rick's made up names for them. Not that the name were bad but why would Rick did that. Yet, something told her, there was a reason for that. She nodded and held the Gardevoir gently with her psychic hold. Noticed the concern look on the Arcanine. Catherine reassured him. 'Don't get your shit twisted, she's fine. It's like floating on air. Nothing gonna break.' She then moved to the exit and slowly got inside the car.

'Thank Danko. I'm Nate by the way.'

'Uh huh.'

They all got inside the car. Catherine and Rick got the first row of seats and the couple were in the back. The Gardevoid lying on two back seats and Nate was kneeling down in the mid-section of the car. He rubbed her forehead tenderly. She was still weak and couldn't say anything but just smile. Rick started to drive.

'So what did he promise you? Danko?' Catherine asked.

Rick activated his gas mask and tapped on his color while looking at her. Silently asked her to do the same. She did, no question asked. Her eyes were wide and she was confused but she did what he asked.

'Well, Clare, he made sure that the next time we bump into him, he's gonna help us in some way. And what I promise him.' Rick looked back, Nate was too focus on the Gardevoid to notice.

'But first,' he reached his hand to the control panel and pressed a button. A white odorless gas suddenly filled the inside of the car. 'Sorry, Nate, but this is a procedure. No hard feeling, pal.' Rick said as Nate noticed the gas. He turned back and saw Rick's mask made visible by the smoke. He couldn't do much else but fell at sleep right on the spot. Catherine used psychic to place him near the Gardevior.

'Let me guess this is what happen the last time with you?' Catherine asked.

'Yeah, got me pretty pissed off too.'

'So, back to my original question. What did you promise that bandit?'

'Well, we just did. Don't tail him and let him go. I was kicking his ass.'

'What the fuck was you thinking? How can you do that?

'Because if I don't do that. You and that guy would have been killed and I might be too, if that Inferape got pissed off.'

'Not so sure. We could take him on, if you let us.'

'Yeah, your pulp face said otherwise.'

'Okay. Okay. I got it. But still. You two looked like having some kind of history together. Who is him?'

'He is my…eh. I found him in a trash can in Arcadia 20 years back. So he has been my apprentice, maybe?'

'Oh, I see. Did you at least tag some kind of tracking device on him?'

'No, I promise not tailing him didn't I? And we tried that before, didn't work for some reason.'

'So, basically we got nothing. And I got my ass kicked.'

'If not for me, things could be worse. You could lose your life.'

'I already have.' Catherine was serious about that statement.

'But don't worry, the things he promised me will pay off. I hope.'

'Ehhhhh that sounds slim. Then why don't you just take him along? Let us all live happily ever after.'

'Can't, he's in too deep. He raided a few Genesis facilities. So they gonna lock him up. And how do I explain that Infernape? He is Keeper. Genesis is not going to let him in a nice situation.'

'Well, fuck him then.'

'He saw your powers, fought it too. Do you think he gonna keep his mouth shut when Genesis go down on him? And imagine how messy that could be when Genesis try to contain him. And if everyone found out, then what are the chances that they gonna give you a hard time as well. This is your new start, better not screwing it up now isn't it?'

'So what must I say? Thank you?'

'You don't have to say anything. Just know that I did the best I could for everyone.'

'So what going to happen to the guy?' She jerked her head to the hind seats.

'Following the procedure, of course.'

'Damn it! The fuck is the procedure?'

'That guy is a bandit. So I'll turned him over to Genesis for interrogation.'

'That doesn't sound. Eh, I just gonna say, it sounds fucking horrible.'

'Listen, don't freak out, he will not be killed. Lucious is merciful, he will find a way to give this guy a chance. Like you.'

'Yeah, but that won't apply if Lucious found out I'm a Keeper.'

'That's different.'

'And what if this guy is different? What if he is worse than your apprentice?'

'I did thought of that and well. Just cross your nuts and finger. He got that chick so the chances are, he could be a decent guy. Most bandits would never carry weak female or children with them. Survival for the fittest.'

'So just throw him there and hop for the best? Why can't he make that choice? Explain to me.'

'Again, I did the best I could for everyone. That girl will get her help. He will most likely want to be with her. You saw then, tightknit and what not. And you think the Outlands is the best place for him? There are collector out there. Sick sum bitches that hunts, stuffs and pays high prices for an exotic specimens. See where I'm getting at?'

'Okay. Wow. When you not talking about beer or movies, you are fucking serious.'

'I have to be. These are lives we are talking about here. So are you on board? No objection?'

'Yes.'

'Good, I'll get back to base, take him to Anna and write some reports. You take the girl to the medical wing. Get Markov on the line. He is doing the season visit, so he is in Delta base. The dude is the best option for her. Remember to say Doc sent you.'

'Got it.'

A few hours later. Nate was lying in a dark room with glass floor.

'Wake up.' A male voice filled the room and vibrated the glass.

Nate slowly stood up. 'How did I? Where am I?'

'Pass out? One of our agent had tranquilized you before you entered. We have to carry out certain procedures. Cannot allow you to know the location of our facility.'

'Where is Carol, where is she?'

'The Gardevoir? She is being taken care by Essal's finest doctor.'

'I want to see her.'

'You will eventually, but you need to answer some questions for me first. Standard procedures.'

'What is the meaning of this? I just want to see her.'

'So help yourself by answering these questions quickly.'

'Who are you? What do you want from me?'

'Who I am doesn't matter. I want answers that's all. You are an enigma. Your body structure, your equipment and the position of our situation. They pose so many questions. And not until those questions are answered, I afraid you couldn't go yet.'

'What make you think I'm going to answer you?'

'Allow me to demonstrate. Tell me, what your name is and what you are.'

Nate spoke without a second thought. 'I was created without a name, but most Pokémon these days call me Nate. I was created as an experimental clone to John Smith-the first human hybrid.' His own statements made him dumfounded. 'Why did I say that?'

'We injected you with a truth serum.'

'You son of'

'Got to make sure that you are honest. A lie could get you somewhere unexpected and unpleasant. You must understand.'

'Really hard to do that when you drugged me like that.'

'You have no idea how the world runs at the moment. If you an unknown individual, show up near the gate of a nation would get you kill on sight. And someone with your appearance? No chance.'

'I guess I should be grateful, huh?'

'Not obligate. So half human, but clone. Interesting. Now, about the device in your possession, what is it?'

'It's a memory shard, hold all the data of the original John Smith.'

'What kind of data?'

'Basic and advanced instruction on weaponry and armor, combat trainings and a few blue prints for maintenance and repair, and also his medical record. Stop this.'

'Just like I thought. Military interests, again. What is the password for the security matrixes within that device?'

'21012981 and 0865698970, 8351739264, 1743984720 for the sub matrixes. Just please, it's starting to.' He began to feel nauseous.

'Is there any other passcodes and security protocols?'

'No, since one wrong input and the device self-destruct. Can you just stop?'

'What are you doing here at this age and time? Do you time travel or simply remain somewhere.'

'I was put in a stasis chamber, suspended animation. Persevered until I was needed and fully adjusted. I was awoke a few months ago by a band of unknown bandits.'

'Are there more of you?'

'No, none that I know of. I was just a prototype. The scientist mentioned about creating more but after conducting a few tests on me, they stopped.'

'Why?'

'I don't know.'

'Hum, what is your purpose?'

'To protect the innocent from those who mean harm.'

'Really? But who decide the branding of innocent and harm?'

'I am. Please can you stop?' The back of his neck started to grow stiff.

'Not right now. Who are the bandits that awoke you?'

'Slave traders and grave robbers.'

'What happened to them?'

'I killed them.'

'You killed them without order and on your free will?'

'Yes.'

'What made you do that?'

'They, they held a slave captive. I took pity on her.'

'Is she the female that travels with you?'

'Yes. Can I see her now?'

'Sorry, not yet. Why were the knights from the Bandits Kingdom following you?'

'I betrayed them. Left without finishing the deal.'

'What is this deal and what is your relationship with them?'

'Carol had the Remory disease. The Bandit King promise to cure her if I agree to join them until he gain full control of the Outlands.'

'Then why did you stop?'

'His cure took too long and Carol's state kept getting worse day by day. The first few days she was fine but afterward, it was worse than before. And recently the Bandit King said the cure won't be completed until one final ingredient is added. And that ingredient is in the Agni nation.'

'Which city? And what is that ingredient?

'Kencruck. And it is an herb of the sort.'

'Hum. You have no idea. What he asked for in exchange for this last ingredient of the cure? Because I'm guessing this is when the deal is off.'

That statement had Nate worry but his mouth spoke otherwise. 'I helped him and his army invade said city.'

'What is the purpose of invading said city?'

'He never tells.'

'Anna, report this to the Gamma base immediately.' A voice soon followed. 'Yes sir.'

'So that's why you left? Fear that you had been tricked, yes?'

'It's against my purpose so yes.'

'Speaking of which, how many non-bandits did you kill?

'None, I only kill other bandits in other factions, reinforced the King's place in the Outland bandits network and helped him adducted a few colonists.'

'What does he do with these colonist?'

'He led them somewhere I don't know, another place. I have no access to them.'

'Do you know how to get to the main base?'

'No, he keep the planes' window closed at all time and has a teleporter that transfer his troops in certain ranges.'

'Yes, I have noticed .The two bandits that were tracking you. Who are they?'

'They are the new recruits. I don't know who they are. The King has been destroying bandit factions and gathered the remaining fighters for his kingdom for quite some time now. Please stop this. My head. It's begins to hurt, really bad.'

'You will be fine. Stop fighting back and accept the serum then none shall happen to you. You have a few Infinity type equipment on you, explain.'

'I don't know what Infinity you are speaking of is. The equipment I got was put in stasis with me.'

'None have touched them but you?'

'The king did, but he returned them to me.'

'Good. Congratulations. We can stop, for now.'

'That's mean I can see Carol?'

'Not quite yet. There is still one question remain. Not based on truth, but choice.'

'What do you want with me now?'

'This particular question is rather harsh. But given your nature and what you are, these are the only choices. You will have some time to think, of course. One thing first, you cannot roam free after this.'

'What, that is not your choice to make.' Nate shouted.

'Listen, what good can you get from the world beyond these walls? I have seen this world rotten and corrupted because of creations like you being misused. It's not your fault.'

'How dare you?'

'Tell me, why did you chose to harm the colonist?'

'Carol would die if I don't. And I didn't harm them. I just capture them. I did it as gently as I could.'

'Yes. This is what I see. You captured and let someone else do harm to the innocents. And you justified that with the life of a single innocent soul. You might not have hurt those colonists but that doesn't mean they are out of harm's way. They, at the moment could be enslaved, tortured and killed. And yes, though not directly, but you have harmed the innocent.'

'I'

'I'm a Pokémon of reasons. I'm not judging nor accusing you, just reviewing the situation at hand. You did what you thought was the best way to handle it, I can see that. You desire your own happiness and companionship. And that's not a bad thing. We all do. But the King saw that and used it against you. He had misused you and warped your purpose. Can you see it now?'

That was something, even the truth serum couldn't help Nate answer.

'Y…es.' He said.

'You didn't see. Your lack of perspective is not a crime. Just simply the fact that you lack the perspective. And with everything stacks against you, I'm not surprised. But, maybe there are some way for you to change that. So here is my final question for you. Tell me, which one do you prefer?

Be a part of us, the Foundation, Genesis. The starting line of a new Essal-the Arceus forsaken rock you are stepping on. I will give you the full perspective, directions and the necessary resources. From there you can fulfill your purpose. Yes, you cannot undone what has been done. But you can do something to fix it. It may not fully repair everything but at the same things wouldn't get any worse. And things will gradually get better in another way. This is the chance to prove me and the world wrong. But there is a catch, you will be under surveillance and under our command 24/7. You probably know why.

The same would also applied for the second option but instead of facing a broken and corrupted world head on, you will be staying in a containment center. But you don't have to worry about making choices, worrying about being controlled by anyone. And forever in a comfortable state.

'What about Carol?'

'She can stay with you in both options. In addition, you both will be able to live with each other. However, all your actions will be heavily observed and both cannot leave the containment units or the living quarters. We will provide the optimum living conditions for both.'

'I'll do anything to be with her, even the rest of my life.'

'Hum, but she must agree to this as well. Will you be able to take it if she refuse? If she chooses her own freedom instead of you?'

There were silent.

'Understood, we will wait it out till she gives the answer.'

'No, if she refuses, just kill me. I have walked this world and seen it all. Without her, there is no place for me. Being alone is horrible enough. And being trapped alone is worse.'

'Hum, that is extreme but understandable. We shall do it. The most merciful way possible. So, what is the final answer, Nathan?'

'I will join you. As long as you promise to help me fulfill my purpose.'

'Of course. And very well, the paperwork will be finished later. I have separate both of you long enough. Lazarus will show you the way.'

That made he felt a great sense of relief. 'Thank you.'

'That's the least I can do for you and this planet. Sorry for not be able to come up with a more ideal solution.'

'Freedom ain't worth anything if you have to suffer. So it's good enough. I haven't learn your name. Who are you?'

'I have told you, does not matter.' The door opened, and the Delphox with a sniper rifle stepped in. 'Now Lazarus, take him to the girl.'

'Yes sir.'

In the medical wing, inside room 108.

Catherine and Markov was standing at the side of Carol's bed. The Gardevoir was still sleeping peacefully. Beside her was a silent heart monitor, it no longer beeping like in the past. But even if it did at that moment, the sound would be too weak to bother anyone.

'She doesn't look too well.' Catherine said.

'Yes, who would have done this? Her body is falling apart from the inside.' His voice sounded deferent from all the time he spoke with Lucious and Doc.

'Is there anything you can do?'

'I wish I could. I might be one of the best, but I am by no mean a miracle doctor. But it is too late.'

'Shit, the guy is going to be shattered when seeing this.'

'I know, sad isn't it?' The Alakazam then coughed like mad.

'Are you okay?'

'I'm fine, just old age. So, Catherine. Is it true? The one that responsible for the safety of this Gardevior is a human and Arcanine hybrid?'

'Not sure, he does look like a child of a Machoke having a drunk night out with an Arcenine. Why do you ask?'

'Just curious.'

At that moment, Carol woke up.

'Where am I?'

'You are safe.' Markov said.

'Where is Nate?'

'He will be here shortly.'

With doubt, Catherine asked. 'Are you sure?'

'Lucious won't keep him for too long.'

The door opened.

Markov turned around and saw Nate. 'Oh, and you must be.'

'Doesn't matter what I am, how is she doing?'

'Watch your tone, you don't know who you are talking to.'

'Lazarus, there is no need. You need to sit down for this. What is your name?

'Nate.'

'Nathan, sit down. I have troublesome news.' He reached for the pocket of his doctor coat. 'Is this what she has been taking?' Markov handled out some pills in his hand.

'How did you.' He reached for his pocket.

'We took the liberty of doing so in order to prevent concealed weapons. But no matter. You are aware of her disease yes?'

'The Remory. I know. Kill slowly. What's wrong with her now?'

'Yes, and this is what you have been treating her with?'

'That is the only thing given to me by the bandits King.'

'Oh dear.'

'What is the problem? Tell me god damn it! Stop this whole cryptic talk. What is the problem?

'Watch it, mutat…' Lazarus said.

Markov raised his finger and silenced the Delphox. 'Easy. Nathan. This is,' he sighed 'hard to tell you but this an old cure for the disease.'

'Then what is the problem?'

'It will cure the disease yes. But it would create an even bigger problem for the body. He told you that the cure work slowly and it will be ugly, yes? That was an old assumption, from decades ago. This thing killed even worse than the disease itself. It will destroyed the damaged cell along with other. This kind of cure had been banned for quite some time. And the creator was jailed and excited for her mistakes.

'No, no, it can't be. It can't be, he, he said there is a missing ingredient in the Agni nation.'

'Everyone know the hard truth. The Agni nation is built on lava and desert, not a single flower could grow there. Stop denying it.'

'No, no. It can't be.'

'You have been tricked. If you she hadn't taken these, I could save her. '

'No, no…'

'But at this state. I can't. I'm sorry. But her time is running out, fast.'

'NO.' He grabbed Markov by the neck. Nate's eyes turned wild.

'Stop that, mutated!' Lazarus pointed the gun barrel at the back of Nate head. He turned back and hit it with his claws. As he was about to strike Lazarus with it, he was lifted up.

'Calm the fuck down, now!' Said Catherine as she engulfed his head in a purple ball. He struggled to breathe and let go of Markov, scratching his claws on the ball. The Alakazam coughed and wheezed. He leaned on the wall for support and got up.

'She is watching.' Catherine continued. Nate turned his head and saw Carol fearful expression. It was just the same as the first time they met. 'Don't let that be the last thing she would ever see.' The ferocious look in Nate's eyes was gone.

'You good? Good, I'm going to drop you down. Do anything nuts, and you'll regret it! You hear? ' She placed him back on the floor and released the orb. He took in the air that he had lost and looked down at Markov. The Alakazam still managed to keep his cool and gestured Lazarus to stop pointing the gun.

'It is fine, Lazarus.' He coughed. 'If I was in his shoes, I would have done worse.'

'Please, tell me can you help her in anyway?'

'I'm sorry. I only managed to stable her for a while. Here is your last chance together. Both of you, give them space.'

'Yes Master.'

Markov stepped back and allowed Nate to approach Carol. He held her hand, eyes were a little teary. 'I'm sorry, this is all my fault. I'm sorry.'

'It's okay.' Carol said.

'No, it's my fault.'

'It doesn't matter.' Catherine said.

'What do you mean?' Nate turned to her.

'You fucked it up or not, doesn't matter. What's important is your time together is short. Don't waste it. And there is something I can do for the both of you.' She stood in between them them and laid her fingers on each of their foreheads.

'What are you doing?'

'Time is short, don't waste asking. Now, close your eyes. Think of each other.' Catherine began to chant an incantation of some sort. The pace were fast making some of the words impossible to be heard. 'Nympha So…ii, Re…eve! Porta…riens ad Se Nos Alliciat! Nympha So…ii, Re…eve! Porta…riens ad Se Nos Alliciat!'

Catherine's eyes turned white. Nate and Carol heads jerked up when her hands began to glow. In that brief moment. Both Nate and Carol were silent, but their mind were completely opened. Their thoughts were transferred through Catherine. The speed of images, sound and feeling passing through her finger tips were faster than any electronic signal any super computer could create. In those short seconds, both of them were experiencing what seem like a life time. A life time of talking and sharing everything they wish to show other. And once everything was heard, they put themselves in their dreams and desire set in their subconscious. Where no one was suffer, hurt, or sad. There is even the vision of a child in there as well. One bore their images and voices. All might be in their heads, but to them it was as real as it can be.

Catherine's non-existing nose began to bleed. It was harder for her to keep the connection going. But this was much longer than the first time she had done this. This time was quite different, she can only feel pain and emptiness. Her mind and body is just a vessel. After a few more seconds. They finally opened their eyes, allowing Catherine to break the connection. Catherine then wiped the blood off of her face and stepped back.

'That's was beautiful, Nate.' Carol said.

'Carol.' He held her close.

They turned to Catherine.

'Thank you, Clair.' Carol said.

'Yes, thank you.'

She nodded and said. 'Well, I own you one, consider it done. Enjoy the rest of your moment.' She just slowly going out of the room afterward, returning to her quarter. She didn't cry, she had already seen something like that a long time ago.

Nate got to his knees and they shared one last kiss. She was too weak to even give a passionate one, but what Catherine done had given them plenty of those. She just wished to give her last goodbye, in real life.

'Nate, I…love…you.' She said, before slowly closing her eyes, forever.

'No, Carol. No!' He then screamed once, miserably.

And the rest was silent. The heart monitor displayed a long and steady line. The device sent a silent signal to Markov's fabricator. Markov walked forward to the other side, giving Nate the chance to hold on Carol's hand. They were frail and still warm, but not for long. Markov examined the readings and let out a long sigh.

'She had depart from our world. I'm sorry for your lost.'

Nate was still silent. For a moment, her remember the first time their hand had touched. It was brief back then but now, he lingered on.

'Such tragedy. All from the hand of a heartless bandit.' Markov patted on his shoulder. 'Worry not, she won't die, in such, injustice. Seen once in a life time is enough for me. We will help you get your revenge, I promise. Help us take down this Bandit King and ease the sorrow for you and many more. But now, just grieve and let it all out.

After that, a thought crossed his mind. "None of this would have happened, if that wretched bandit haven't dipped his hand in."

Markov told Lazarus to open the door and leave Nate alone. He placed a small communicator device on the table. 'If you need an ear to listen to your problems, feel free to call. I'll be there to help you.' And he left.

Outside, five minutes later.

'Master. You looked troubled. Why did you use the…'

Markov coughed out a small mucus covered device and deconstructed it. 'Yes, much, better. You see Lazarus. I have a lot of doubt. And a hunch told me, that it is would be better.' His voice changed back to normal. 'For me to, not sound, like myself today. Especially, in front of, those two.

'I don't understand, master.'

'You don't have to. But see, these pills he gave me. It is my former formula. The one that was stolen by my best friend. The formula had been around, and banned for over 25 years. It is a surprise to see, freshly made pills with said, formula.'

'You are worry that they have somehow stolen the formula.'

'Yes, a little. But that would not make me "this" worry. That thing mentioned of an ingredient in Agni.' He paused for long time. 'Because my lab, had that ingredient, it mentioned of. The last thing to complete the cure. Making it not deadly.'

Lazarus thought for a moment and said. 'How does he supposed to know that? And it can't be a coincident.'

'Lately, a lot of, things had lined up perfectly. And that, sicken me even, more. We need, to stop this. And we, need to clean up, this mess, without Lucious knowing. For if he found out, a lot of cards would fall.'

'What do you have in mind?'

'I shall not wait, until all the doubts have been, confirmed. That would be, too late. Got to act, now. We have to use all of our assets, to their fullest potentials.'

'I see, that's why you planted those ideas in him.'

'It, Lazarus, it. A thing, a tool, a feral. I don't care, what you refer, it to. It is not, a civilized Pokémon.' Malice were oozing from Markov's voice.

'Yes, Master.'

'And to your, previous question. No. Not exactly, what I planned. But some parts, are close. If personal experience, had taught me anything. A young Pokémon-well, I don't know if that, apply for human, but it is only half. With a broken heart, and nothing to lose, it would be much more, gullible therefor easier, to control. Through that, it would serve us well. And since it is, not one of us, I could get away with, so much more. That remind me, about the girl.'

'I have already made the request. She will be transferred to the storage unit shortly. The hybrid is having a hard time letting go of the body. I suppose you have some uses for her in the future.'

'Good, good. A little fail-safe. Not necessary, but wouldn't do harm to have an extra, leverage. Now all I got to do is, influence that thing more than, Lucious or Anna.'

Lazarus turned to him in surprise. 'You don't trust them?'

'No, I just don't trust, that thing. I know Lucious and Anna, both are somewhat, idealistic. But thankfully, both are still practical enough and can, in fact make hard choices. That is fine, to apply on our own employees, and Pokémon. They need some of that, to actually feel, like contributing and working. And not laying around, like useless bums, saying the world is hopeless. But for that thing, I doubt it. It will do more harm than good, if it got the regular treatments.

Can you imagine it? Once it becomes, just like us? It will breed, and spread that disgusting DNA, all across Essal, plaguing this planet, once more. Have you seen the disgusting thing, they've done to each other? Even in death, that is the only thing in their mind. But luckily, I was fast enough, to prevent such, appalling scenario from happening. The girl was, as good as dead anyway.'

'I agree, Master. So disappointing. Why the humans never left behind something like scholars or professors. Always either a soldier with a primitive mind or war machines. Is there something that we all could examine and study from.'

'Big mistake, Lazarus. Big mistake. You still have, so much to learn. We can't never evolve, above those salvages, if we keep rolling in their mistakes. Gah. Enough time spent on this, trivial garbage, let's return to the important tasks at hand. Now Lazarus, I want you to contact, the insurance team, tell them, that they are in big trouble.'

'Yes, Master. Do I need to personally do "that" afterward?'

'Yes, definitely and make, it clean. Things wouldn't be this, troublesome if they didn't, mess up. Now, return to your duties. Thank you for your service.'

'You are too kind, Master. Oh, and I almost forgot, Mr. Lucious wanted to give you this.

Lazarus handled him a luxurious lighter. Markov opened it, revealing a single red button inside.

'Oh, very thoughtful of him. This will, make me feel more, secured around that abomination.'

Author's notes:

Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed what you have just read and wished to see more, please follow or leave a review. They would give me motivation to write more for everyone. All feedbacks will be appreciated. If you find anything lacking or flawed in my story (grammar, word use, etc.), please tell me in the reviews as well. I shall do my best to updates these chapters sooner and make them more polished. This is my first ever story so please forgive any possible mistake in the future and help me fix them.

Thanks again and have a pleasant day.

I personally thank you Blade5678 for your continuing support and the suggestion of Nate's design. Sorry I could not fit the suggested backstory and story in this. I hope you enjoy the version that I came up with.