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.

Catherine was inside a Killian plane. Her hand held a ritual knife branded with strange runes and Unown symbols. She looked at the artifact and making click noises with her tongue. This piece of blessed metal had costed her considerable amount of credit due to its origin (which was ironic since this was a stolen artifact from Celestial). With the amount of credits she had spent and the uncertainty surrounding it, Catherine began to wonder whether if the knife was worth it or not. However, after the incident, she is willing to try anything. Shoved the knife in her pocket, Catherine asked the Pokémon beside her. 'Hey sunshine girl, still holding up?'

Celeste answered with a nod and a badly put together grin.

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

Chesterization proudly presents.

A Pokémon fanfiction

Genesis

(Song ends)

Chapter 14: Friction.

After the attack at Gamma base, things had changed. Security within all facilities had gotten tighter-more screening, scans and time restrictions; changes that Doc claimed to be "futile". However, he admitted giving the residents of Genesis a sense of reinforced security (albeit false) was much needed at the time. While the residents were calm thanked to the illusion of security, Genesis agents focused on provide permanent security in the long run-locate and eradicate the Bandit Kingdom. In order to so, Lucious had commanded the remaining agents to perform searches all across the Outland. "Leaving no patch of sand untouched" was what he told them. A difficult task considering the amount of square spaces the Outland took on the world maps. The number of agents and grunts reduced to nearly half after the attack only make this particularly hard for the Gamma base. Because of the shortage of work force, the standard team of agents at Gamma had been reduced to three members. Yet, despite all their effort, there were no sign of the Bandit Kingdom. All the previous bases were all empty. As if, the bandits had planned all the events and evacuated in advance.

Catherine had fully recovered from her injury and joined the search a few weeks back. Celeste, for unexplained reasons, decided to merge with Catherine's team. She said she wanted to make sure Catherine's injuries would not act up and cause harm. Catherine knew that was not the case. However, whatever the true motive was, she did not care (for the most part). Celeste's present was uplifting to her. She knew it was a bad thing to feel, especially at times like this, but she could not lie. Catherine's spirit and body were damaged greatly by recent turns of events. The King and his underling infiltrated Genesis; the Plates were stolen; Axel's abduction; her third near death experience: All were testimonies of how little control she and Genesis had over the bandit threats. So naturally, seeing someone who was just as shaken (if not more) gave Catherine a reason to pick herself up. It was no longer for her shake, but for someone else as well. She needed to keep the spirit up.

That day, Catherine's team, which consisted of her, Rick and Celeste, was doing the daily patrol at an area to the East. Doc had reluctantly stayed and worked as an operator at the base, as soon as the searches began. And like every morning in the past few weeks, Doc's raspy mechanical voice would come through the plane's speaker. 'Good morning, everyone. Today, I will assign you to the 58A59 sector. Eh, by science, this job is so horrendous. You all know what to do.'

'Roger that, old man.' Rave said before steering the Killian plane to its new destination.

The process then repeated itself. The team would get off the plane, carry out special equipment, scan the area for hidden bases with said equipment and continue until unset (with rests in between). After a day under the sun, the team did not discover anything. There were no hatches that lead to the underground, no camp, no building, nothing at all. The team returned to the plane and flung their equipment on the plane's haul. Catherine tossed her sweat-damped coat at the wing and sat flat on the sandy ground. She pummeled her fist at the earth. 'Shit. Another day and nothing turn up.'

'Just calm down, eventually we will get those jackasses.' Rick said and hopped on the plane. Seconds later, he came out with an icebox and dropped it near Catherine. As she opened it, mist of cold air flew out and gently caressed her face. This time, the box was not filled with beer or other beverages, just regular bottles of water and ice.

Rick gestured her to toss him a bottle, which she obliged. He said before cracking the thing open. 'We'll just stick to the old plan. Get hydrate, take a break, and save the world.'

Celeste took a bottle. 'I wish it was that simple Rick.' She said before drinking it in silence.

Catherine smirked and proceeded to shower her head with one bottle. 'Well, he is not wrong, here, to the old plan.' She then made a toast with the remaining water.

Afterward, the crew jumped in and the plane set its courses back to base. As the Killian plane was passing through the desert, it suddenly shook. Annoyed with the shock, Catherine yelled from her seat. 'What the flying fuck is that?'

'Eh, I just saw a car popped in existence.' Rave said.

'What the hell are you…' Before she could complete her sentence, Catherine heard shots fired from the plane's cannons. Rave's voice then blasted in the cabin. 'Everybody hold on to your butts, we got bandits.' The cabin vibrated and churned some more while the cannons were firing non-stop. 'Suck on this, bitches!' screamed Rave as he kept his finger clued to the trigger.

After a few minutes of holding on the railing for dear life, the team relaxed when the plane became stable and Rave announced that the threat had been dealt with. Once the plane had finished its landing, the side door opened. It let in the all-too-familiar scent of burning metal and flesh. Catherine and Rick, with weapons in hands slowly made their way to the doorway. Outside was the remains of several bandits and their vehicles. The crown emblem on these vehicles made the sight a pleasant surprise for Catherine and a jolt of excitement to Rick. 'Holy shit! Rave, you deserve a drink.' Rick hopped out of the plane while laughing. 'Hahaha, how does it feel, you cockblocking son of bitches?' He said as he crushed the skull of one bandit. Catherine and Celeste soon exited the plane. Instead of insulting the dead body of bandits, they focused on piecing together what had happened. Celeste saw a long tire trail that ran pass the wreckages and to the horizon, a small distance away from a setting sun. Celeste then contacted Rave, asked for what he had seen. Catherine on the other hand, looked behind the destroyed vehicles and noticed numerous tired tracks that seems to coming out of nowhere. 'I don't know, one second, I saw an Infinity car just popped the hell into view, than it was followed by a bunch of bandits.' Rave said as Catherine approaching the end of the tire tracks.

Celeste turned around and could not find Catherine. 'Catherine, where are you?' Celeste called out with her eyes opened wide in panic. Rick soon turned and looked around in confusion. 'What the hell?' He said.

'I'm here. Behind this illusionary wall.' Her voice came from nowhere.

'What?' Rick said.

'Just move forward. You will see.'

Both got to the part where Catherine's footprints and the tracks disappeared. Rick reached his hand out and watched as his hand seemingly disappeared into thin air. 'Holy crap. So, it must be an illusionary wall, huh.' He walked forward, out of Celeste's sight.

'Holy shit.' Exclaimed Rick as he witnessed what this illusionary wall was hiding.

Celeste passed through it and saw a garden overgrown with flowers under her feet. The air inside was clear, conditioned and pleasant. She then tranced the tire tracks. They all led back to a four stories building at the center of the garden. The building was cladded with blue glass from the first floor up. On the top floor, a gigantic symbol of the Infinity Corporation was present. Celeste had an odd sensation of familiarity about the place. It felt like the Square at Genesis bases. Infinity vehicles occupied the front parking lot; except for one that crashed to the front door of the building. Surrounding all neatly parked vehicles were corpses with unsuspected expression on their faces.

Catherine was inspecting one of the bodies. The poor soul's throat was slit. She touched the long yet narrow wound. The blood was not yet hardened. Catherine then saw a shadow looming over her. It was Celeste. 'These are fresh kills. Whoever did this are nearby.' The Kirlia said before standing up.

Celeste thought of something for a moment then contacted Rave. 'Rave return to base and tell everyone of this location. We're going to do some investigation.'

Surprised with Celeste decision, Catherine asked. 'Are you sure about that, sunshine girl? Maybe, we need some back up for this one.'

Rick approached the two. 'Nah, don't think we are going to need back up. There are no bandit vehicles left. Chances are they are all dead.'

'What if, some are left behind?' Catherine asked.

Celeste refused. 'If that is the case, we have tipped them off.' She paused for a moment, as if conjuring up something in her mind. 'Eventually, they are going to come out. The base is half an hour away, enough time for they to make an escape. Give the bandits time is not an option. We must go in and make sure they stay there.'

Rick said. 'Well, when you put it that way, I'm in. First blood at these sum bitches is always welcome.

'What you are suggesting is infinitely more dangerous than wait.'

Rick then backed Celeste up. 'They don't have a huge convoy. Chances are the ringleader is not here. We could take them. Beside I do want to see what these bandits were doing.'

"Then why don't we wait for Genesis?" was what Catherine had in her mind. However, she did not say it. With Rick on Celeste's side it might just complicate things up. Celeste wanted to get in and investigate, first and before Genesis and Catherine was going to let her have it. The Sylveon was hiding something and she could feel it.

'Are you up for this Catherine?' Celeste asked.

'Of course, I'm up for some killing. I just I like it better when you act like your old self and not like Rick or me. '

'Oh I will, after I make these bandits pay.' Celeste said before stormed in and wormed her way in the gap between the crashed car and front door. Rick shrugged his shoulders and joined Celeste, leaving Catherine behind with the bodies. Catherine wiped the blood of the unfortunate soul on her coat and teleported to the front door.

Once entered the building, the first thing they noticed was the trashed interior. The desks, vending machine and furniture were misplaced and scattered all over the place. Floor, window and walls were covered with bullet holes. Some were old some were new. There were bodies in corner here and there, oozing out terrible smell of rot. All these bodies were wearing blue and white Infinity uniforms, similar to those outside. However, these bodies had been here for a long time. Their eyes were deflated and hollow. The messy bullet wounds one them were blackened and ripped wide open by bacteria. The team put on their gas masks and moved forward. From there, Rick saw a power-offed information hub and approached it. He restarted the long turn off hub with a few tricks he picked up from his cousin. He busted opened the power box and plucked out a few wires. He connected these wires to his fabricator and started to transfer electricity to the hub. Once, the hub turned on, he ran his oversized fingers across the keyboard, hoping to find some answer. A Glaceon appeared on the screen and said. 'Welcome to Sanctuary. How can I help you?'

'Guys, check this out.' Rick called.

'You don't need to yell. We are just a few feet away from you.

The Glaceon on the screen said. 'Processing request, I'm sorry but "Guys, check this out." Is not a valid request, please, retry.'

Rick pressed a button on the hub. 'God, these things are dump as hell.' He muttered under his breath.

The Glaceon nodded. 'Processing'

'Cancel.' Rick pressed the button, making the image turned stiff. Once Catherine and Celeste were near, Rick continued. 'Computer, what is this place?'

'Processing request. This is Sanctuary. A facility built by Infinity Corporation. Serve as a temporary shelter for refugee in the Outland. Are you a refu' Rick turned off the hub and stomped the floor. 'Son of a bitch! They are ripping us off!'

Celeste pondered. 'I don't think that is the least of our worries. That does not explain the bandits in here.'

Catherine said. 'Fuck if I know, but I think the Infinity and these bandits are in cahoots. That would explain a whole fucking lot.'

Celeste said. 'Then why did they kill Infinity employees and that little chase? No, I think there are more to this. We just need to dig deeper.'

The group then went up the stair and continued their investigation. The first room on this floor was a long room with plenty of cushioned sofas and one large window overlook a large lake down below. On the wall was an electric bulletin board. Its power, like the hub and everything else in this building had been turned off. Therefore, it was impossible to determine its purpose. The floor was dirty, riddled with stains of sand, mud, crushed vegetation and dirt. All dried up and had been glue to the floor for a long time.

'Look like an airport waiting room, just roomier and dirtier.' Rick said.

'It does.' Celeste said before having a look at a counter. Behind it were black-screen computers and empty chairs. 'Nothing here.' Celeste said.

'Well, there is plenty of room to look at. C'mon, let see what's behind that door.' Rick pointed at the exit. They walked to the exit. Catherine shook the door and tried to get it open. It was locked. 'Allow me.' Rick said before he punched the door opened. The latches and parts of the locks fell to a dirty floor. The inside was dark, forcing the team to turn on their flash light. With the little light they had, the group walked in. They found two cages at both sides of the wall. These cages extended from the entrence to the end other the room. Through further observation, they found long spears, drenched with blood at the other side of these cages. At a corner near the exit, there were five large trash bins and a long metal table. All of them were blackened with blood. Inside the trash bins were severed body parts from different types of Pokémon. All of them were dried up to the bones. Catherine felt her lunched touched her throat the moment she saw them. In the end, she remained calm and examined the table instead. Celeste had a look inside and inspected the severed limbs. They all have scars on the wrists. Catherine found chains and metal pieces on the table. Dried sticky blood and oil coated these pieces. Further to the right, she found several saw blades along with a large bloody meat cleaver. Under the table were containers with sets of those chains and metal pieces in them.

'What the fuck happened here?'

'Slaves.' Rick said. 'All Outlands slaves are branded with chains and that piece of metal.

'Catherine, do you remember the plane that we found near the hole?' Celeste asked.

'Yeah, you guys said it was filled with refugees.'

'And they all have metal pieces on their limbs.' Celeste added.

'Hum, suddenly the idea of this Sanctuary is clear.' Rick said and shook his head. 'Tricking those with nothing left and exploiting them. Don't know who the hell is behind this, Infinity or bandits. Either way, I'm gonna smash his skull.'

They exited the room and saw two sets of staircase. There was a sign on the wall that was vandalized by bandit graffiti. The sign indicated that the upward stair led to the "Prison" and the other that leading down to "The King's lab".

Celeste hesitated for a moment and said. 'Well, let's go down, shall we? I don't think what up there would do much help.'

Catherine said. 'Yes, maybe there are more in the so call Lab. Rick?'

'Eh, whatever floats your boat.'

'All right, let's check the lab.' Celeste then took the lead.

The stair led them down to large rooms with empty cages that levitated on metal rails. At the end of the rail was an elevator that led down to somewhere. The elevator doors were locked and heavily reinforced. Even Rick could not break them open. After a series of rooms that look more like a combination of a prison and a butcher house, they made it to the power room.

'Hm, yup, my cousin's magic is need once again.' Rick said and opened the main power box. 'Well, this is gonna be a problem.'

'What it is?'

Rick took out a handful of severed wires. 'Eh, someone had already cut them off. Well, so much for that idea. Wait the minute.' He dug his hand deeper in the wire. 'Ah ha, still have a few.'

'Do you where they are leading to?' Catherine asked.

'Hold on', he shook the small wire, with enough strength that it did not snap them. He took his hand out and pointed to the left, which was leading to outside. 'There.'

They stepped out of the power room and saw no lab, just the lake they had seen from above. Celeste looked around, trying to find any other room. While she and Rick were wandering around the lake, Catherine just focused on a control panel at the edge of the shore. Catherine inspected the panel. There was only one button, "Drain". 'Wow, didn't even bother hiding it.' Catherine pushed the button.

As one would expect, all the water were drained away. The sound of water pouring back to hidden containers caught Celeste and Rick attention. Several minutes alter, a hatch in the middle of the lake revealed itself. 'Hiding stuffs in a lake. Haven't seen that in a dozen movies. These Infinity guys are sure hacks.' Rick remarked as he jumped down. The floor cracked under his weight. He looked at the hatch for a moment, until a realization hit. He ran to the middle of the lake, confirmed a suspicion and slammed his fist on the lake floor. 'Agh, damn it!' He slammed the floor once more. 'I hate it when they never make the size right for all Pokémon.'

Catherine teleported to his side and gently patted him on the back. 'Calm the fuck down. What's the matter?' She looked at the hatch. It was only wide enough for her and Celeste to come through. 'Oh, that. Nah, don't think too hard about it, big guy. These guys probably think that no Pokémon your size is smart enough for secret lab and shit.'

Rick glared at her. 'Don't you sass me. If it is not so painfully true, I would punch you.'

'Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Jeez, what the fuck is wrong with you. Just a fucking joke.' Catherine continued to pat his back.

Celeste then ran pass then and immediately opened the hatch. 'No time for that Catherine. Come with me.' She looked around. 'Look like you should stay here and guard the place, Rick. Make sure that there is no surprise party up here. Keep in contact.'

Rick gently told Catherine to get her hand off. 'Sure, it is what I do. Guarding stuffs and crap. You ladies have fun.' He said with disappointment in his tone.

'Fun? Not too fucking sure about that.' said Catherine as she looked down the ladder, which led down to darkness. Celeste, without saying anything, climbed down.

'Well, good luck, big guy. See you later.' Catherine said.

'Just be careful. In the meantime, I'll have a look at the prison. There may be something up there.'

'Good idea.'

'Catherine, we must go.' Celeste urged.

'Fine. I'm coming. What the hell is wrong with you today?'

Catherine slid down the ladder and landed shortly after. Whatever this lab was, it was not placed too deep into the ground. The air here was heavily sterile, so much so that Catherine could taste it through her mask. 'What the fuck happens to all the lights?' Catherine said before activated the flashlight in her fabricator. 'Ah!' Celeste screamed at Catherine's flashlight. The sudden burst of light was unintentionally aim at her eyes. 'Oh shit, sorry.'

'It's okay. Agh, you got to warm me about that.'

'Sorry.'

After Celeste had reactivated her flashlight, they started to look around. Apparently, they were in a large empty metal chamber with metal pipe overhead and crawling on the wall. In front of them were three branching paths, with the one in the middle locked. To their left was a large elevator. The size, appearance and the same reinforced locked, confirmed that this elevator linked to the one from above. Catherine inspected the control panel near the elevator. There was no power connected to either the elevator or the panel. Celeste shone the light down at the floor and found long blood trails alongside the magnetic rails. They ran from the elevator to the center of the chamber, where a lever would decide which branch for the cage to head to. Celeste turned the lever and the rail underneath responded by spinning the central piece with a rail link attached.

Catherine noticed the feature and exclaimed. 'Oh, it like a…'

'Train.'

'Yup, that. Well, can't blame these fucker for being…creative?'

Celeste ignored her comment and headed to the first branch on the left.

"Hum, I stating to sense something is wrong with her." Catherine thought.

"Don't lie to yourself Catherine, you have thinking that since we set foot in this place. You were even thinking about "that" a few minutes ago."

"Thinking of what, that she might be one of them?"

"Oh, I have no idea that was what you are thinking about. Hahaha. Did you catch my sarcasm?"

"Stop being a smart ass. You can't, that's everybody-in-The-Foundation's job."

Celeste voice echoed through the corridor. 'Catherine, have a look at this.'

Catherine abandoned her thoughts and head straight to Celeste. The end of the first corridor was starting to look like a laboratory. The wall and floor were coated with white tiles. At both sides of the rails were desks with computers and other equipment. Paper with numbers and figures were tossed and discarded all over the floor. On the wall was graffiti text that said: "This lab had and would always belong to the King" Underneath is the crown emblem. The paint had faded quite substantially. Going deeper and the corridor was invaded with both trace of blood and paper scattered. There were these sealed up rooms with title of "Indoctrination therapy" and a number. Catherine was stumped for quite some time there. 'Indoctrination? Like, brain washing?' She whispered to herself.

'Catherine where are you?' Celeste's voice came from indoctrination chamber number 9.

'I'm here, just a sec.' Catherine said before quickly located the room. With hesitation, Catherine stepped in. She saw large screens on the walls and a single chair in the middle of the room. The chair was bolted to the floor. Leather straps were all over on the chair. They all were worn out and smeared with blood. Celeste was examining a heap of report paper in the corner of the room. 'Have a look at all this.' Celeste said. Catherine then slowly approached the chair. She could felt revenant of pain flowing from it. While Catherine was looking at the chair, Celeste opened up a compartment in her right arm with a slight moment from her finger. The sound of a dart loaded in place could be heard.

'You heard that?' Catherine said, making Celeste immediately look back at the document. She turned to Catherine and said. 'I think, there must be something around here. You should go and check.' Catherine squint her eye. 'Yeah, sure, stay put.' Catherine then nonchalantly exited the room. Once Catherine's footsteps were far enough, Celeste slowly moved out of the indoctrination room.

She saw Catherine was busy looking at some equipment on a nearby desk. With Catherine's back turned against her, Celeste extended her arm and aimed. Catherine stopped and kept her back turn to Celeste. 'Celeste, can we, talk for a moment?'

Celeste lowered her arm. 'What is it?'

'Before we uncover anything from down here, I must ask. Why didn't we wait for Genesis to come and conduct this investigation? What is so fucking important that you don't want Genesis to know?'

'Catherine now is not the time to.'

'Answer. That is all I need. Give it then we shall continue. Or else.'

'Or, or else? What are you saying?' Celeste moved backward in preparation.

'Well, I have plenty of ways to knock you out. With you suddenly behind my back, I couldn't help but feel the need to pull the trigger.' Catherine reached for Lady Death 'Answer me.'

The Sylveon put her right hand behind her back. Her eyes focus on Catherine right hand. 'I, I don't trust Genesis. I know Axel and I owe them, but, but. They lied and conduct, horrible things.'

Catherine grabbed Lady Death's stock and turned around. 'That is a little vague. Care to clear it up?'

Celeste swallowed her breath and answer. 'I, I, I can't, but let just say, I saw this particular deception from Genesis, that covered up the death of thousands. I stumbled upon it be chance, so, eh, so, I didn't have any evidence. But now I can, yes, I can get it before them.' Sweat damped the fur on the Sylveon.'

'You are way too innocent to lie. Seriously? If Genesis would actually do so, then why the fuck does we still have firsthand experience at the mine? I tell you what I think of your excuse.' Catherine began to snicker. 'Bullshit. Absolute, bullshit.' She then took Lady Death Out and pointed it at Celeste. 'Tell me, what you are truly up to.'

Celeste seemingly jumped at Catherine action. However, the expression on her face was not of disbelief or feeling of betrayal, but of determination and preparation. She put her right mechanical hand in front of her. The compartment on the hand opened, revealed a gun muzzle. 'Catherine, I know what you are trying to do. Just calm down.'

Catherine slowly moved forward. 'Oh, I am perfectly calm. Here is what I think. You insisted on going down here, before any form of back up show up. You know about this place, don't you? You know to the lay out and everything. You know about this doorway. Too small for Rick to come in, perfect chance to separate us and stab me in the back while I'm down here. You probably faked that call with Rave too. This place had something and you want to hide it.'

'Catherine, that is absurd. What can I gain from that?'

'Now I know why you want to merge with my team. He must have told you to keep an eye on me.'

'Who is he?' said Celeste, confused.

'You should know. I was wondering how you could be swayed, but this place had gave me the answers I need.' Catherine cocked her pistol. A psychic bullet was formed within the chamber.

Celeste spat. 'Me? You think guilt me would work. Newsflash, I am not as naïve as I appear to be. You were right, the whole Genesis things is made up- far stretched and illogical. The same goes to your excuses as well.'

'Well, and what the fuck do we have here?'

'You are the one that need to explain yourself. You are the one that is indoctrinated. You encountered the King twice and live.'

'Bullshit, I nearly die the second time. And what about you? You faced him as well.'

'I got Axel to be my witness. I heard the reports. No one was there when you faced him. Therefore, it is impossible to know what your conversations with him were. And isn't it kinda convenient that you somehow managed to faced him the second time in Gamma base lowest depth. The S sector is nearly inaccessible at all time, then how did you get in. You dragged Axel down there with you and got him caught. Then the King just purposely wounded you to avoid suspicion. You are indoctrinated so pain is no problem.' Celeste paused. 'You must be the one that assisted the Kingdom's preparation before the assault as well.'

'Bitch! Are you high on that grenade of your? And just because of that, you think I'm a traitor?' Catherine snapped.

'Well, color me surprised, but what make your reasons any different? Yours only based on paranoia.'

Catherine yelled 'What about yours?'

Both of them stared at each other for long while. They realized that both were pointing weapons at each other for no other reason than baseless assumptions. 'Catherine, what are we doing? Why are we doing this?'

'Fuck me if I know.' She came up with an idea. 'How about we put down our weapons and iron something out.' Catherine put her left hand in front of her while slowly crouching down to put Lady Death on the floor. Celeste closed the muzzle on her arm as well. 'There we go. That's how it fucking done. ' Catherine then proceeded to turn off the fabricator. 'See. Now we can-' Celeste quickly reopened the muzzle and launched a dart at Catherine's chest. Catherine could not say much else but 'You BITCH!' before collapsing on the floor.

'I only need, one way to knock you out first.' Celeste said before Catherine lost consciousness.

A blank dream in Catherine's head soon followed. In this dream, she heard nothing but the words 'I'm sorry', stuck on repeat. Once her eyes found strength to opened, she saw Celeste shaking her gently while constantly say 'I'm sorry'.

Reflex made Catherine pushed Celeste away. 'What the fuck?'

Celeste quickly hugged her 'I'm sorry. I was wrong.'

'What the fuck just happened?'

Celeste pressed her index fingers together and said. 'I used the truth serum on you. I got all the answer I need. I was wrong, you are not a traitor'

'What the fuck? Truth serum, wait, then how the fuck didn't I remember anything?'

'Well, eh, it was a stronger dose with, eh, some other stuffs.' She said with an awkward grin.

'You got two fucking seconds to tell me what your questions were.'

'I well, just the one that I asked when you were pointing the gun at me. Well, I did go into detail about how you got to the…'

"She is telling the truth. She did not ask anything beyond that." The malevolent voice spoke. I was about to assume control should she show signs of betrayal or asking about "our relationship". So I found no reasons to kill her."

"Wow, how awfully nice of you."

"Don't think that way. Making more enemies is not ideal now. Try to hold on to all the allies that we have."

When the voice stopped, Catherine returned to reality. She found Celeste was still apologizing.

'Celeste.' She said.

'Yes?'

'Don't give me that apologetic bullshit. Time is tough enough. You fucked up, I fucked up, I get it. I did point the gun at you first. But, no one get killed, that is enough. No need to worry. All is forgiven.'

'Thanks.'

'Okay, good. With all that dealt with, let's get through this place.' Catherine stood up.

'But I thought you want to wait.'

'Nah, I want to do some investigation from the start. But once I saw you want to murder some motherfuckers, I just starting to, suspect. And the rest is history.' Celeste looked down at the floor, thinking of what she had done.

'Oh, that is when you started.'

'Yeah, I know, pretty rash and stupid.'

'I began mine before I joining your team. I even tried to, neutralized you after you get down the ladder.'

Catherine felt a sense of dread. She was indeed not, what she appeared to be. This time, Catherine was the one that put up a badly constructed smile. 'Don't think about it, history. Anyway, let focus on the tasks at hand. Seeing all this, I began to wonder, what else is in this wretched place.' Celeste nodded.

They reached the end of the branch, nothing more but rooms with the same set up and an office. Inside the offices were file cabinet, a desk and a computer. Celeste rebooted the computer with her fabricator. Through it, she started to access the data. On the desk were papers with detailed report on the result of indoctrination process. Catherine skimmed through the lengthy numbers and reached to the conclusion. "All subjects to the experiment showed signs of intellect degeneration. An unfortunate side effect to achieve absolute obedience from said subjects." Catherine sighed in relief after reading that. 'So the whole process turned you into a dumb zombie slaves. No wonder why they have gathered so many bandits to serve as cannon fodders.'

'I see, why waste time with training and recruiting bandits when you can just snatch a few and make them work for you. '

'Thanks for that Miss Obvious, got anything from the computer?'

'No.'

'Protected by password huh?'

'No, empty, there is not a single bit of data in this thing.'

'Hum, the bandits must have erased everything before taking off. Let's see the other branch, maybe they have something.'

Rick then jumped in the comm. 'Hey, you guys have been awfully quiet down there. Discover anything?'

Catherine connected her comm. 'Yeah,' Catherine paused 'we are all good. Got anything up there?'

'Well, lots of dead bodies and rotten food. Obviously, this is where they keep the slaves. I even found an elevator up her, the same as the one down there. Eh, no, the one on the surface. Sorry got a brain fart there.'

'Hum, I see. We found the elevator down her as well.'

'Oh really? See anything else down there?'

'Brain washing maybe, could be more. Just keep digging. We will continue our investigation from down here.'

'Sure, be careful down there.'

'Uh huh.' Catherine turned off the comm.

Afterward, both went for the branch in the right. This branch looked less than a laboratory and more like the Containment center at Genesis. There were chemical containers on the floor and glass cages on the wall in both sides. Some of the chemical bottles were cracked open, which brought some explanations to the smell of detergent in the air. All the glass cages had blood, cracks and claw marks on them. A few of them had writings on the wall. The letters were swirling red worms and barely eligible. Some of they said: "Help us." A few of them were long paragraphs written in blood, reciting the passages of Arceus book of creation or letters to someone who would never read them. There were dead bodies within these glass chambers as well. Most of them died of starvation. Their remains were nothing but rotten skin and bones. Some fresh bodies lied in pools of their own crimson liquid. The blood for these bodies came from narrow cuts on the throat. The scene made Catherine asks 'Are you okay sunshine girl?'

'I'm fine. I had seen worse.'

Surprised by her respond, Catherine shrugged. 'Good, me too.'

They reached the end of the cells and the railway. Again, there were two shut tight reinforced steel doors. In front of the door was a few small cart, just enough to fit a few medium size Pokémon. Celeste examined the cart and said. 'I think this is where they transport, specimens for experiments.' Besides the doors were surgeon tables with bloody knives and drills left in random fashion. 'Ah, shit, well, whatever the fuck that was, it can't be good.' Catherine said while examined the bloody drenched equipment. Catherine then found a glass case in a corner. It said "Emergency Extraction room keys" on the cover. Inside were three hooks and two keys. 'Ha,well, at least these fuckers are honest.' Catherine crushed the glass with her elbow. She took the key and tossed it to Celeste. 'Let's go and find out what's behind door number three.'

They walked back to middle branch and inserted the key. The metal doors then opened up with a few creak. Once the doors were opened, they noticed something. This corridor was lit up. Catherine said. 'Oooookay, didn't expecting that.'

'Do you think, there might be.'

'Someone gotta be up ahead. Prepare your weapons.' Catherine took out Lady Death and phased through to the end of the corridor. She turned to handle of the gate and slowly open the door, trying her best not to make too much noise. Behind the door was a gigantic chamber, filled with a buzzing sound. Celeste scanned the area for any source of living thing with her left arm. After a few minutes, she could safely tell Catherine that there was no one in this chamber. Both started to examine the area.

This place seemed disjointed compared to the other areas. All the machines here have scrap metal for their outer shells. The while tiles on the wall and floor were stripped apart, made room for clumsily metalwork and abundance of bandit-made machines. Catherine looked up and saw the ceiling were chockfull of electric wires sparkling with electricity. In between them were running engines with Infinity emblems. These engines were forcefully plucked out of the structure and exposed for the world to see. All the tubes from the entrance and one extra tube were connected to one hulking contraption at the center. The contraption in mention was layers upon layers of various machines and equipment. All of them were marked with numbers drew by graffiti. At the bottom of the contraption was a single tube pointed down to a metal mold.

Both walked along an unstable walkway toward a computer bolted on the middle of the contraption. The computer had multiple screens, one was off while two of which showed Catherine and Celeste images at that moment. Apparently, there were cameras mounted on the walls surrounding them. Celeste accessed the computer, making the only black screen turn on. The computer screen displayed a message that said "Deleting data 98% complete". 'Darn it.' Celeste immediately hit "Cancel" and managed to save a few video files and one audio clip.

'Hum, well, someone doesn't want us to any see that.' Catherine said.

'Should we?'

'We went this far, so why the fuck not?' Catherine connected her fabricator to it. 'Let me copy this, just to make sure…there, now let's see.'

Celeste played the video files. All the footages were displaying one moment from different cameras -this place over six months ago. In the footage, the area was chaotic and noisier. All the bits of machinery on the contraption were moving, burning, lighting and active in some way. The two cameras displaying Catherine and Celeste was now the image of a regular Alakazam wearing the King's attire. He was anxiously looking at the screen. Catherine noticed one camera was focusing on a machine connected to the extra tube she saw earlier. She squint her eyes and saw something moving within the machine.

'Holy shit! There is someone in there!' Catherine exclaimed.

Celeste slapped the back of her head with the ribbon feeler. 'Catherine, be quiet, there is someone here remember? Sh.'

Catherine whispered 'Sorry, but look at the shit. She pointed at the screen.' Before Celeste could see it clearly, from the screen, came voices. 'PLEASE, HELP US!'

'Oh my gosh!'

Catherine slapped the back of Celeste's head. 'What the fuck did you just tell me?'

The Alakazam in the footage shook his head and said. 'Calm down, now, my kin. You should be grateful. You are about to, transform into new, idea and power. Instead of, turning into recycled, flesh and food. Hahaha. Oh, I was just taunting you. You have no reason, to be grateful. Only I'm going to be, the one that benefits from all, this. Look on the bright side, living is much worse. And once I am the King of the world, you will eventually suffer, similar, fate. Now, goodbye.' He said before turning on a series switches on the computer.

'What, is, he, doing?'

'Fuck me if I know.'

What happened next was beyond both of their understanding. The Pokémon within the crammed machine began to scream. From the footage, it was hard to tell what was going on inside. However, the lit up compartments on the machine gave her the idea that they were being burned alive. Once the screams turned into incoherent gurgling sound, the machine began to compress itself, pumping something through the tube. The mysterious substance then entered through the top of the contraption. The machine along the contraption began to work at full forced. Pumping, crushing and burning whatever was floating inside it. Once in a while, a chunk of brown goo splashed outside the cracks of the machines.

'Hollly shit.' Catherine said with her eyes wide open. 'That is fucked up.' said Catherine while Celeste was silence with dread.

Moments later, the tube at the button extended and penetrated a small metal mole underneath it. The contraption then shot a radiating substance inside. The Alakazam just casually walled down a stair and came to the mold, completely ignored the excess liquid being pumped to the ground. Once the contraption stopped, he opened the mold and took out on shining Megastone. As soon as he touched it, the Alakazam was wrapped up in a blinding rainbow light. He became the King that Catherine had seen all too often. After that, the King headed to a set of door. The footages stopped there.

Catherine then heard a loud thud beside her. Celeste knees had given up for a moment. Catherine quickly picked her up and asked. 'Oh, god, are you, fuck it, are you okay.'

Celeste nodded while shaking. 'Yes, I'll be just fine. I, I have seen worse.'

'Don't lie to me sunshine girl.'

After calming Celeste down, Catherine accessed the sound clip. The King's voice came. 'Yesterday Mega stone recreation process, was a success. Taking the essence of DNA, and organic materials; crammed them into a small area seems, like a crazy idea. But look at it now. It is functioning, just wonderfully. After months of collecting, research and experimentation, I have done it.' He took a deep breath. 'For the first time, I have created something, which my father, had not done. Something I could call, my own. Hahahahahaha.' The sound clip ended there.

'Well, that just fucking happened.'

'He, just murdered his own kind for that.'

'Well, in retrospect, this is the fucker that snapped my arms and legs for his amusement. That kind of behavior is expected. Surprised that he didn't monologue longer before pushing the buttons.'

'Do you think that, he is here? Could he be the one behind that door?'

'Regret huh? Well, if that is the case, I going down there alone.'

'WHAT? Are you insane?'

'I might be, but don't worry, like Rick said, what are the chances if that this not him and just be a grunt who know how to use a computer. Either way, I'm going down there. I want to, try out something.'

'If that what you want then no way I letting you go down there alone!'

'Good.' Catherine patted her shoulder. 'Let's go.'

Both walked passed the Mega stone recreation contraption and traversed to the door. It opened and showed an elevator behind it. They prepared themselves and walked in. There was only one button for Catherine to press. The elevator creaked during its descent. The metal created an ominous hum after the ten seconds mark. Without warning, the elevator stopped. The doors opened and presented before both of them another long and brightly lit corridor. Catherine with Lady Death walked forward. 'Cover me.' Catherine said as she carefully moved to the end of the corridor. 'What a shock, a door.' Catherine whispered to herself before touching door and opened it.

The final room of this facility was a data storage room. However, it could no longer serve such purpose. All the data storage unit and caches had been cut into pieces. Their remains discarded in four corners of the room. The absence of these machines gave the room plenty of open space. The only intact equipment was a large computer placed at the end of the room. On the screen was a large amount of data was being transferred to some place with an encrypted name. Axel was standing in front of it and looking up at the screen. On his back was a replica of the Mind plate. Without so much as a second thought, Celeste ran toward him. However, Catherine grabbed her by the arm and pushed her to the side. Before Celeste could hit the floor or react to what had just happened, she felt something touched her rib. Lying on the floor, before the pain rushed to her brain, Celeste was stunned at the sight of the attacker.

It was Axel with his fabricated blade. Celeste turned to the Axel near the computer and realized it was just a holographic decoy. The thought of her could be killed by his hand made a bitter cold ran down Celeste's spine.

'Sunshine girl, are you alright?' Catherine asked her while aiming Lady Death at Axel. He turned and ran straight for Celeste. His intention to cleave the Sylveon in half was clear. He raised the weapon halfway up, until a psychic purple dome covered Celeste completely. 'Don't answer that.' Catherine said before shooting at Axel. The Snivy sidestepped and avoided the shots. Catherine noticed how his speed had changed. His movement was quicker, to the point that his image sometime disappeared when he quick stepped. Axel returned to the computer and retrieved the hologram. Seconds later, the computer screen changed. The Bandits King and his devious smile were on the screen.

'Oh, what a surprise. Fate has a cruel sense of humor, isn't it? Welcome to my, humble home. Well, old home anyway. How do you, enjoy the visit so far?'

'It's dark, run down and all fucked up, just like you.' Catherine answered.

'Ooooh, you are too kind. However, the credit is not, all mines. This facility was in fact, Infinity's property and the indoctrination devices, belong to them as well. I just pulled a few strings, added a few features, and faked a few reports. Too bad that, I have to see it goes, up in smoke. At least, you would save money, on your own cremation.'

'Blah, blah, I am still a chicken shit, blah, blah, blah.' Catherine fired at shot at the screen, cracked it and distorted the image.

'Now, now, don't be like that. Since our last encounter, you should be grateful, for I am not being there.' Catherine gritted her teeth. 'But no matter, you would die anyway, to my newest clone. Well, technically, he is not technically my clone, but, hehehe, his DNA are so adaptable and so interesting. No wonder my father took an interest to him.'

'Cut the shit, what have you done to him?' Catherine fired another shot at the screen. Axel blocked the bullet with his blade.

'Well, let just say I gave him a little boost in everything else and one psychic ability. I also planted something special in him.'

Catherine rolled her eyes. 'I'll give you two minutes before telling me what the fuck that is.'

The King chuckled. 'Like I would…'

'That is not a request. It's a prediction. You are so cliché that it hurts.'

His smile diminished. 'Oh, well, let see if you can survive that long then. Attack.'

Catherine summoned her bladed bat and charged forward, prompted Axel to do the same. She began with a series of diagonal swings. After dodged her swings, Axel summoned his semiauto sniper rifle to his left hand. Axel pulled the trigger and fired two shots into Catherine's right kidney. Catherine staggered from the pain and teleported out of the following shots. The dark aura oozed out from the bullet holes and quickly healed her. Once Catherine stopped teleporting, Axel anticipated her next location. He dashed and thrusted forward, right where Catherine was about to be. Her aura extended and turned into a bony hand. It grasped the blade by the tip. The arm then lifted Axel by his blade and hammered him to the floor. Catherine regained her footing and advanced. Axel sprung back up and backed flipped, avoided a swiped from the aura hand. The hand grabbed the floor and slingshot Catherine forward. She flew through the air and aimed the blunt side of the bat at his face. Axel ran forward and slid on his back, evaded the attack. Catherine's momentum continued throwing her forward and crashed to the wall, bruised her eye in the process.

Seeing both Axel and Catherine fighting paralyzed Celeste. She did not know what to do and the barrier Catherine put up certainly would not help. She tried to stand up, but gravity instantly brought her down. She looked down and noticed a long and narrow cut dragged across her side. She summoned a healing hypo. A sickening feeling creeped up her stomach as she jabbed it in the wound.

Outside of the barrier, Catherine and Axel were still trading blows. Axel was still going on the aggressive, constantly forcing Catherine to block his slashes and thrusts with her bat and assistance from the aura. Tired of the never-ending defensive state, Catherine put all her strength to a parry attempt. Axel raised his sword for a full-force chop. Catherine then clashed the blade with her bat as soon as he brought it down. The attack was a success. The two weapons collided and Axel was the one who stunned, leaving him open. Catherine's aura arm formed a fist and punched him right the gut, sending the Snivy flying to the opposite side of the room.

With Axel distance away, Catherine released a large amount of aura out of her body. Allowing the voice to formed the extra aura hand. Catherine ran forward and dragged the sharp edge of the bat on the floor, created metal sparks. Axel recovered from the previous attack in a wink and put his hand in front of his face. The King on the screen grinned as he did so. 'Ah. Not too fast, Mind lock.'

'Mind lock.' Axel said at the same time at the King. The plate on his back and his hand glowed with a shade of bright purple. Catherine felt the connection between her and malevolent voice was distorted once again. The aura hand quickly faded away. Unfazed by it, she kept on attacking. She brought her bat up and positioned it overhead. Tricking Axel into thinking that she was about to do a simple slash. Axel moved forward, prepared his blade for a parry. Catherine threw the bat, at him and recalled Lady Death to her hand. He instantly responded by blocking the bat with his blade. By the time the bat dropped to the floor after hitting Axel's sword, Lady Death was in Catherine's grasp. She pulled the triggered, relentlessly fired psychic charged bullet at Axel's feet and abdomen. Her face changed from surprised to confusion in matter of less than two seconds. The shots exploded on his skin, but did not leave any form of injury behind, just a few dents on his skin. Axel dashed forward with blinding speed and knocked Lady Death out of her hand. He chained the attack with another forward slash, which Catherine evaded with a teleport. She placed herself behind him and grabbed him by the tail. A trick to tame Krokorok taught to her by Rick. She screamed before lifting him up and slammed him to the ground. He was incredibly light so do that did not cost Catherine much stamina. After three repeated slams, her muscles got tired. Without the assist of the malevolent voice, this was much harder. She decided to finish up by started spinning in a dish throwing motion. Once her muscles could not hold on anymore, she released him. Axel flew through the air. His face then made an impact with the barrier Catherine had set up, which surrounded a dumbfound Celeste.

With no strength in her arms muscle, her body sweating and the bullet wound began to bleed from within, Catherine was left with no choice but a half charged Focus Blast. The orange orb managed to hit a dizzying Axel. The small explosion propelled him away from the barrier. He lied still for a moment. The sword was still in his hand. Catherine made a victory smile. She knocked him out, at least. Whatever attack she had done on him could not kill him. Not when his skin had just shaken off her psychic bullets like that.

'Stand up.' The King on the screen said; moments before Axel began to get up. Axel turned around and attempted to attack Catherine. However, he stopped when the King said. 'Stop and return.' The Snivy returned to the computer. The King then looked at Catherine, smiled. 'Surprised? Never thought that he could just block your power like that, huh?'

Catherine turned to the screen. 'You son of bitch!'

'I told you, he now serves as my clone. And like all clones, I can act through them. It would be waste, not allowing him to use my newly, acquired technique, don't you say. And it would be a shame too, if a skilled warrior got, outmatched by a mere grunt, with gods given power.'

'Bullshit, then why enhanced him in the first fucking place? Be honest. You just want to kill me.'

'Maybe. Attack!' Axel fire two more shots with his sniper rifle. Catherine quickly raised her psychic barrier and prevented the bullets from penetrating her skin. Axel activated his invisibility with his blade. Catherine put her palmed together and thickened the barrier around her. Axel existed his invisibility state and thrusted his blade. The thicken barrier defected the blade after each hits. Axel transformed the thin blade into a heavy hammer and bashed it at the barrier. The impact cracked the outer layer. Yet, with some concentration, the barrier mended itself in blink of an eye. Catherine caught up her breath and began to speak. 'I can't kill you, I can't beat you in this stage, no matter, I'll just gonna stall this until, reinforcement arrive. And they should be here soon. Let this puppet be their problem.' Catherine said, smiling.

Heard Catherine calling Axel a "puppet", Celeste turned her head to her. 'Are you, are you, seriously. He is your ally. Your.'

Catherine turned to her, kept on smiling. 'So what? I executed my ally when I have to, this should be no different.'

Celeste's eyes began to show water around the edges. 'Cath…Catherine, how could you, how could you SAY THAT! He saved you, he, he.'

'What else? He just needed a replacement for his teammate. And even if he saved me, so what? I barely know him, he hold no significant to me, so why bother?'

'You cannot be serious.' The King said.

'What's wrong? Didn't get any of those satisfactions from your silly game?' Catherine gave him an ear-to-ear grin that almost mirrored his.

'Hehehehe, fine, then you are no longer, amusing to me. I guess I have to, switch my victim.' The King turned to Celeste. 'Kill the Sylveon, cut her into pieces.'

Axel immediately ignored Catherine and turned to Celeste. With his weapon still in hammer form, he walked slowly to Celeste, whose faced was cowered in fear and running down tears.

"Fuck!" Catherine screamed in her head, knowing that her little show had put Celeste in danger. Axel raised and slammed his hammer on the thin barrier. The hit broke the purple dome instantly. Catherine had put all of her remaining energy into her own barrier so there was not much left to maintain Celeste's barrier. All the shattered pieces soon disappeared.

'Axel, please.' Celeste said. Her eyes were still bloodshot with tears. Axel transformed his weapon back to the sword form and prepare for a sideswipe. Celeste slowly standing up, her hand prepared for an embrace. 'I know you are…'

'Take her head off.' The King said. Celeste closed her eyes as soon as Axel moved the blade.

'AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.'

In near instance, Axel had slashed Catherine's forehead. A chunk of green hair fell down, leaving a scar with the shape of an emblem on Catherine forehead exposed. The emblem was an X drew with incantations, written in Unown symbols. The blade cut the front bang of her hair and carved into the skin. Axel attempted to do a following up attack, but she teleported away from him. Celeste opened her eyes and found herself in the protection of Catherine's barrier. She found Catherine had taken her place. "She, she used Ally switch, she, she."

'Stop, return.' He commanded Axel to go back to the computer. 'Mine, mine. What do we have here?' The King said.

Catherine took a step back then used her hand to cover her forehead. The burning sensation dragged itself across her head. Her hand felt a sick stickiness as she put more pressure to stop the bleeding. With the absence of the malevolent voice, her body refused to heal with the force of her will. Soon, she could feel droplets of blood crawled down her cheeks. Her eyes were stung as more blood made their way in her tear ducts. Catherine let go of her arm as soon as the feeling of light-headedness seeping in. She was barely standing up with her crumbling legs.

'Look at you. Poor, poor Catherine. Ran out of breath already?' The King shook his head. 'What was your motive behind that? I thought these Pokémon are insignificant to you?'

'Just, just shut the fuck up.'

'Hahaha.' He started to clap, slowly. 'I find you Keepers to be, quite fascinating. Whatever hide in your mind somehow has the ability to transcend reality; simply by using your bodies as medium. What fascinate me more is that, a simple move like Disable, focus on the connection between you and It, is somehow enough to stop you from that monstrous strength. That make me want to.'

'Blah, blah!' Catherine lunged herself in a drunken path. The meaningless phrase now served as her battle cry. 'Go, fuck yourself!'

''That's the spirit! You will have to honor to be the first Keeper that I dissect. Attack!' The King ordered.

Axel sprinted toward while deconstructing his sniper rifle. He two handed his sword and dashed forward. Catherine used her psychic hold and retrieved her bat. Once it was back in her, And Axel was a few feet away from her, she teleported herself above Axel in an attempt to strike him down.

Axel quickstepped and avoided the blow completely. The blade on Catherine's bat was bended and seemingly stuck to the floor. Vibration came from the impact had shaken Catherine all the way to her skull. Afterward, she could not feel her hands anymore and dropped the bat. She stood there dumbfounded and powerless. Axel turned around, transformed the weapon into a round shield and bashed her with it.

'Catherine!' Celeste screamed as Catherine hit the floor. The Sylveon could feel the barrier around her growing weaker and weaker. Axel reversed the weapon to the blade form and approached Catherine. He raised the sword. 'Catherine, please stand up!'

'Psych!' Catherine yelled as she used her psychic hold to grab the bat and tossed it at Axel. The sharp edge was yanked out and thrown toward Axel's head. His skin seemingly bounced the blade back, leaving behind just a small break on Axel's skin.

'Argh!' Catherine quickly sprang up and performed an upper cut to Axel's face. His head turned with the attack, but the expression on his face told her that he could not feel a thing. 'No! No! No!' She said as she blindly pummeled him with punches after punches. The force behind the punches slowly diminished (at roughly the same rate as the barrier surrounding Celeste). Once Catherine stopped, Axel then cut her with two diagonal slashes-one across her chest, the other on her abdomen. The cut was not deep enough to chop her in pieces, but the pain was unbearable and unheard of to her body. With quick motion, he struck her with a punch near the heart. The last strike made her vomit blood on Axel's jacket.

'Ca…Catherine.' Celeste uttered in disbelief.

'Stop, return. I want to see her bleed.' After Axel completed the command, the King continued. 'Hahaha, it is not pleasant, fighting against him, isn't it?'

Catherine barely standing up said. 'You, spill my blood, hah, hah.' She panted as she held on to her abdomen. She summoned a healing hypo and jabbed it into her vein. She grimaced and squeezed a tear as the syrup-like liquid entered her system and stopped the internal bleeding. After a while, the pain killer effect settled in. Still, it was not enough to make all the pain go away. Catherine recalled the bat with her psychic hold and slammed the tip of it to the floor. 'No matter. I just need to bonk him the fucking head, faint him. And everything will be okay.'

'Haha, well, about that, sadly to say, it won't happen.' Catherine glared at the screen with her bruised eye. 'You survived for two minutes, so here is your reward. You see, I have conducted as special Genesis procedure on him.'

'Procedure?' Both Celeste and Catherine said.

'Yes. This particular one is used, on special agents and dangerous subjects. A mean to ensure, both loyalty and security.' The King raised a switch in front of the screen. 'I have planted a small pill of compact explosive in his head. See this? With a push of this button, the explosive will go off, and his head will blow up into chunks.' The King said as he tossed the switch into the air and caught it with his psychic hold, leaving the button untouched. 'I just love this thing, unnecessary, but add so much to the drama. Besides, it is the only thing that could work, long range. I could just detonate his head, with my mind alone, but controlling him was, painful enough.'

'Why, the fuck, are, hah, you telling me all this?'

The King laughed. 'I want to see how you churn and troubled by this realization. Even if you knock him out, I'll kill him. I cannot let those precious memories of his fall to your hands. The only way for him to live is both you being slain by his blade.' He stopped and turned his head back. 'Hahahaha, oh, the endless enjoyment I would have with this one.'

Catherine stopped and thought deeply. She was slowly reconsidering her options, all while her body was still aching all over and barely standing up. When she opened her eyes, she began to get on one of her knees.

The King said. 'Oh, I see, are you begging me to let him go, or a sweet release? Either way, I would love to hear.'

Catherine grinned. 'Fuck no, I'm going to kill this motherfucker, than you.'

'Catherine, what are you saying? You are not going to…' Celeste screamed from inside barrier.

Catherine spat out some more blood. 'Gak. Hehehe, can you do math, right, sunshine girl? Two is a bigger number than one. Either he dies, or we die. And gods know how many more could be killed by him. I have to do this. I'm sorry, truly am.' She closed her eyes at the last sentence.

The King grinned. 'Oh, majestic. A true face of bravery, I am impressed. However, you won't have to worry about that; because he is going to kill you. You are injured and outmatched. On top of that…'

Catherine did not listen. Instead, she slowly stripped apart the leather strings surrounding the golden rings on her boots. Once the rings were removed, she wore them on her right hand like bracelets. Used Psychic, she made the leather strings wrap around her wrist, secured the rings. The King stopped talking once Catherine abruptly stood up. Things went silence when Catherine used her left hand to take out the ritual knife and drag it across her open wounds. 'What are you doing?' The King said.

The small blade now drenched with blood from base to tip. The engravings of runes and symbols let out a bright purple glow. Catherine's tattoos appeared to do the same thing. The glow was dimer due to the fabric of her sleeve. She then raised the knife up and chanted some incantation. 'No mane ika so, a lacka, No mane ika so, a lacka. With blood serves as a medium, all is reborn. Azazel, I beckon thee. Accept my blood sacrifice and grant me the strength from thy soul!'

(The song Friction by Mili begins to play)

The King and Celeste did not know what to do besides watching Catherine completing the strange ritual with her staining the rings with the blood on the knife. Dropping the knife, she slammed her hands together in an explosive clap. The rings on her wrist were radiating shining white light, so did her right hand a second later. Once the hands were separated from each other, a white great sword was slowly materialized in between them.

Once the five-foot length great sword was completed, Catherine grabbed it and slammed it to the floor, created an explosion of light from the point of impact. A surge of strange power flowed through her. Catherine's body still felt agonizing pain, but it was no longer weak and limping. 'Thank you for pissing around and witnessing my ritual. Now, it's Showtime! Oh, and a little hint.' Catherine picked the sword up and pointed it at the King. 'This, will go straight up your ass when I done with him.'

'Arg, attack!' The King commanded Axel.

Axel dashed forward. Catherine got herself in a batter stand. She swung her sword, launching a thin wave of white light toward Axel. The Snivy jumped over it. Just a fraction of miscalculation and the wave could have cut his body in half. The wave passed by him and slammed into one of the control panels. The wave destroyed the panel in an explosion. The King on the screen was greatly distorted.

'Argh, what the hell, is going on?' The King screamed.

Keeping the grin, Catherine said. 'Frankly, I can't even tell.' Catherine thrusted the blade forward. Axel transformed his sword into a shield and blocked it. With force, she pressed forward. The tip of her blade pierced into the fabricated crystal. Axel held his ground, buying sometime for the King to come up with a new plan. She then charged some energy into her sword, making it shone brighter. Once it reached the brightest, a small explosion was triggered. The blast broke open the shield and flung Axel back. Catherine raised her sword and brought down a chop. Axel rolled to the left and got away. He then quickly gained distance from Catherine. He regenerated the blade and entered his invisible state.

Catherine pointed the blade at the ground and stabbed it down. As the tip penetrated the floor, a powerful wave of light seemingly exploded around Catherine. The area of effect attack caught Axel and blasted him backward. Axel recovered and immediately charged straight at her. They then crossed blade and looked at each other eye to eye. Catherine's were burning with resolve while Axel's were empty and hollow. They immediately separated. Catherine pushed his blade aside with an upward slash. Then an attack across his chest followed. The sword of light burned through his jacket and to his skin. Even the modified skin of his could not with stand Catherine's blade and let some blood spilled out. He back-stepped and transformed his normal blade into great sword size, similar to Catherine's. Catherine did not advance, instead, she stood still and rested the blade on her shoulder. 'Heh, copycat, fine, let's see what you got.' Axel did not hesitate and went for a forward thrust.

'Holy blade!' Catherine raised the sword straight up. A smaller explosion of light went off around and propelled Axel away. After the explosion had subsided, Catherine kept her blade raised and stood still. The blade was getting brighter. 'Retaliate immediately.' The King ordered, screaming.

After witnessing Catherine's ability with her blade, Axel decided the best course of action would be range attacks. However, before he could summon his railgun, Catherine turned to Axel's direction and slammed the blade down right in front of her. The impact sent waves after waves of light at Axel. Axel dashed out of the first few waves. Catherine generated more strength into her sword, expanding the size and speed of the following up waves. Soon, they had turned into tsunamis of radiance and Axel could not escape them anymore. The first few waves got him in between pushed him against a wall. Axel used Protect and hunkering down. Catherine broke Celeste barrier and put all all her concentration into create more waves. Eventually, the Protect wore off and Axel had to feel the heat of Catherine attack. Axel covered his eyes and coiled himself. The light vaporized his clothes and burned deeper into Axel's skin after each consecutive hit.

After the third dozens of waved had burned to the wall behind Axel, Catherine stopped. She was panting heavily. Blood mixed with sweat fell to the ground below her. The blade of light was still pinned to the floor. The effect of her previous attacks could be seen by burn marks, drawn in V shaped patterns. Axel was still coiling, smoking were coming out of his body.

(Song ends)

'Axel!' Celeste screamed out and moved toward him. The Snivy moved a little.

'Get up, now!' The King screamed.

Axel forced himself up and slowly moved forward, his hand clung to a newly generated crystal blade. The plate on his back fell off as he moved forward. Catherine struggled to pull her sword out of the ground. Before she knew it, the blade had disappeared. With all the strength she had left, Catherine summoned Lady Death with her psychic hold and pointed it at him.

Standing between Catherine and Axel, Celeste decided to run with her crazy plan. She threw a large grenade, or rather a bundle of grenades that she had strapped together at Axel. Axel did not bother dodge away from it. One could argue that he could not see it at all for the light had blinded him. 'What are you…' The King said before Celeste detonated the grenades. Jolts after jolts of electricity were let loose and struck Axel in the head. The Snivy screamed in agony when the lightning hits. Once all the lightning dispersed, he fell to the ground.

'Oh, you, knocked him out.' The King said, his eyes opened wide 'Well, goodbye, then.' The King pushed the button. Axel's head remained the same. 'Wait, what's going on?' He pushed to button once more. There was no respond from Axel. 'How? I can't.' Not giving him the chance to finish his words, Catherine fired both Anima and Lady Death at screen. Afterward, she obliterated the computer with a Focus Blast.

Once the King was silenced, Catherine slowly dragged her feet to Celeste, who was desperately trying to revive Axel. With an exhausted motion, she poked Celeste shoulder. 'S'cute me, this may sound dumb. But what the fuck had just happen?'

Celeste turned around then quickly returned to Axel. 'I, I, can't talk right now.' The Sylveon stabbed the second hypo to his chest (the carbon tip of the needle had proven itself useful here) and checked for pulse with her ribbon feelers. Realizing there was no pulse, Celeste put both her hand on his chest and started pushing down. No pulse, no respond. Celeste shut her eyes tight, trying to hold back the stinging feeling in them. With determination, she opened them and summoned another, stronger healing hypo. She forcefully jabbed it to his neck. Still no respond.

Catherine did not know what to say. Her body and mind were shaken by too many factor, the pain, the guilt and a sicken feeling of nostalgia from seeing a reenactment of the past. She composed herself and knelled down. With her left hand on Celeste shoulder, she said. 'Celeste, it's not worth it. He is dead.' Celeste just slapped it away and turned to Catherine. Could not held back her tears anymore, she snapped at Catherine. 'NO HE'S NOT! WHO ARE YOU TO, TO. GAGH.' Catherine felt something within her crumble when she heard those words. It was so familiar that she was terrified by it. Celeste then returned to Axel and took out the empty healing hypo. Another crazy idea happened in the Sylveon. She immediately acted on it but biting one of her feeler. Bit it until blood stained her white fur. Her mouth shone as if she had just performed "Drain kiss" on herself. With that, she drew her lip to Axel's neck. The opening caused by the hypo allowed her to transfer the life essence to him. Despite her effort, Axel just laid there, dead silent. Catherine looked down at her chest. The wound had been healed without her notice (at least from the outside). The malevolent voice returned to Catherine's head. "I know what you are thinking. Don't. I work within the mind, blood transfusion is pointless."

"I don't know what the fuck you are talking about, but I want to try it."

Catherine rolled up her left sleeve, just above her elbow. 'Use mine.' She told Celeste.

'What?' Celeste turned around with teary, yet curious eyes.

'If you think that going to work, then take mine. It's better. No offense but have you seen half the shit I have done?'

'But, but.'

'Listen, I may not care about him as much as you do. But, since I have caused this, I want to help. Now cut the shit. Owww! Bitch! What the hell?' Celeste had sunken her teeth in Catherine's arm. 'You know what, screw everything I just said! God! I thought it was called "Drain kiss", not biting the fuck out, ah, forget it!'

Celeste quickly transferred the life essence to Axel in the same manner. Afterward, Catherine put her hand on Celeste's shoulder and both waited, anxiously. Axel skin was rapidly repairing itself, much faster than Celeste's attempt with her serum and "Drain kiss". The burned mark from both Catherine's Holy Blade and Celeste grenades disappeared. The cut across his chest was healed. Celeste held on to Catherine hand in anticipation.

Axel's eyelids fluttered and opened. In a tired voice, Axel said. 'What, the sodding hell just happened? I feel, everything, hurts. And why I got the, feeling that I'm naked?' Celeste did not say anything. She just gave him a tight embrace. 'Okay, heh, nice to see you too.'

Catherine then helped her get him up. 'Long story, let's just get the fuck out of here first.'

Catherine's comm then rang. Rick was at the other line. 'Hey guys, The Foundation is here. Are you guys coming out anytime soon?'

'Yup, and tell them to get the medics. I'm bleeding like mad.'

'Okay, what the hell happened down there?'

'Long story, lots of internal bleeding.'

Half an hour later Catherine was outside, sitting in a Genesis Killian plane. A Chansey had finished treating her wounds and wrapped them up with bandages. Beside her laid her torn and blood stained coat, along with her other equipment. 'Are you sure, you are fine?' The Chansey asked.

'Yup. I'm fine, thanks.'

'It is my pleasure.' The Chansey said before leaving.

Celeste then ran toward her, with a smile on her face. She was starting to look like her old self. 'Hey, Catherine, how are you doing?'

'Eh, pretty good, still pissed off that your boyfriend nearly cut me in half but I'm good. I should get back on my feet in a few hours. How is Axel? Is he doing okay?'

'He will.' She then moved close to Catherine. 'I won't tell anyone about, your blood.'

Catherine was pleasantly surprised and relief. 'You are indeed smarter than you appear to be. Thanks.'

'No, I should be thanking you. Things could have been much worse.' She then reached for her back pocket. 'Here, a little gift, for you. It is not much, but that it's all I have, for now.' Celeste then gave her a large blue ribbon. 'Something, to help you cover the scar on your head.'

Catherine looked at the item. 'Are you fucking kidding me?'

Celeste put her head down. 'Sorry, but I don't…'

'Not pink? I expect that kind of shit from you.'

'Oh, I thought you look good in blue. I will.'

'Nah, I kidded. I like it. And sorry for, trying to, you know.' Catherine moved her hand in awkward motion, trying to explain the situation.

'It's fine. I did commit something of the same level. No one would know what to do. That was the best option you got.'

'Uh huh. Okay, now I'm bored. Let's head home.'

'Here, let me help you with your stuffs.' She then picked up Catherine's coat.

Twenty minutes passed, Catherine, Celeste, Rick and Axel was on their Killian plane.

'So, do you remember anything at all?' Rick asked.

'No, that jolt of electricity must have wiped it all.' Axel replied while rubbing her head.

'Oh great, back to fucking square one.'

Rick then received a signal from his comm. 'Oops, excuse me.'

'Is it Doc?' Celeste asked.

Rick shook his head. 'Uh huh, yup, it is about time for you to do your part of the bargain.' Rick summoned a crystal notepad and typed in some numbers. 'Yeah, good, uh huh, all right. See you, eh, tomorrow, need a break right now. Yup, you bet your ass it is.' Rick hung up. With a triumphed look, Rick announced to everyone, 'Everyone, I got some helluva, helluva good news.'

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.