I live! And I feel like a turd bomb for making you all wait so long for this! D: But! For those of you who put up with my laziness and actually read this, you people should be getting a Nobel prize or something.

Also: I apologize if this chapter feels different than the others; I haven't played around with Retribution for a while, so I've kinda fallen out of the style I had established for this. But! Hopefully it still holds the same 'epicness' as before.

Alsoalso! Once again, a big, amazing thank you to all my lovely reviewers! Moosebutter, crazybarkz, Twilight- The Moon Spirit, Galalithial, and bobdaduck!

Chapter eleven

Alterations

Emayla clasped her hands underneath her chin, staring hard at the far wall as she pondered. "So," She began, her red eyes roving up the patterns of the white-washed wallpaper. "Your informant told you nothing?"

"Yes," Kael lied, his own gazed pulled away to avoid any detection if his farce. "They gave no conclusive results."

Emayla sighed, running her hand across her forehead in frustration. Her lipid gaze tore a hole through the gap in her fingers, boring into the wood of the far wall. "What can we do?" She whispered. "Every moment we waste in contemplation brings Thomas closer and closer to his end."

Kael didn't dare a glance towards his partner. His shoulders rose rigidly as he waited, unwilling to divulge what was really dancing across his tormented mind.

"It's almost as if the whole world is venturing across our path," Emayla mused, her words spitting defeat into the air. The Pokemon trainer sighed once more. "You can't contain the power; we don't even know how long we have left before it's all to late."

"Well," Kael began uncertainly, rubbing his paw across his arm to accentuate his nervousness. "That bit of information was delivered by my informant." He admitted. That tidbit caught Emayla's attention, drawing her crimson gaze to match Kael's own bloody eyes. With an uneasy shift, the Lucario continued. "He did say that we have a year."

"A year?"

"Yes. From what information he could gather, Thomas would be safe from total possession of the dormant powers for at least a year."

"That doesn't give us much time," Emayla growled. With a groan, she shifted her weight around on her hospital bed, forcing her weakening legs down onto the linoleum floor.

Kael's eyes widened at her audacity. The white Lucario caught his partner by her hunched shoulders, forcing her to remain in the softness of the downy bed. "What are you doing?" He demanded.

"Let go!" Emayla stammered, her still healing body crying out for repose. "We don't have time to wait for me to heal!"

Kael let out a small smirk at her determination, but he was firm. Using his innate powers to assist him, the Lucario maneuvered Emayla back into a comfortable position on her bed, ignoring the titters coming from her clenched jaw. "We're not going anywhere until you're better, m'lady."

Emayla sighed. "I'm fine, Kael, really. The longer we wait, the less likely Thomas' salvation will be. It was only a little burn, I'm ready to go."

"No, no it wasn't." Kael whispered. The air tilted downwards at his words, a tangible chill tickling the back of their necks as the echoes of his voice dissipated against the walls. "You died, didn't you?"

The Pokemon trainer didn't respond for several minutes. Emayla shivered. "...Yes."

Kael's ears pressed worriedly against his head. "And... Did Arceus speak to you?"

Emayla glanced towards the far window. "No."

"What?"

"He told me nothing." The Pokemon trainer let her words hang with a bitter tang in the chilled air. "Not only am I deprived of the sweet release of death, but now not even Arceus will deliver any assistance. In the past, I saw my deprivation of death as somewhat of a good thing; I would receive direction when my soul was closest to the heavens. But, now, there was nothing. As I died, all I saw was black." Emayla paused. "I was afraid. I've heard that death is like walking into the light; when nothing but darkness assaulted my senses, I was terrified that I had failed, that..." She shuddered. "That Arceus has finally forsaken me."

Kael gazed sadly at his partner. His black paw rose slightly into the air, as though he meant to offer her a comforting touch, but he never got his chance.

The doorway slammed open, the green blurred shape of Syhn barrelling into the room before the wooden door had even finished it's descent. "Kael, lady Emayla!" He cried as his claws skidded to a halt on the floor. "Come quickly! Something has happened to Thomas!"

EC

Blackfire hacked into the hindquarters of the corpse, sawing down into the bone, severing the meat from the rest of the cadaver in quick, harsh motions, his face set into a deep scowl as he went about his work. The tough hide of the Stantler readily gave way to his weapon, allowing the life-giving meat to come cleanly from the rest of the body. Creed let out a low whimper from his makeshift bed, altering his weight around on his haunches to alleviate the numbing pain as he watched Blackfire work. The man looked up from his grim tasks at the sound of his wounded Houndoom, a grimace etching down his face. "Just hang in there," Blackfire grumbled, sliding a slab of meat onto a fizzling rock to cook. "I'll have this ready in no time."

Creed let out another whimper, laying his head weakly back down atop his paws before his voice finished its descending echoes through the trees.

The silent din of their camp was suddenly interrupted by the snapping of foliage. Blackfire swerved around on the spot to face the gloom, his bloodied dagger poised for the attack. A yelp staggered out from the darkness of the burnt undergrowth at the human's movements, causing he former Rocket lieutenant pause. He rose slowly, hunching his shoulders forward to bring forth a menacing premise.

The pathetic squeal sounded once again, but this time a recognizable voice followed suit. "Lo! Lopunny lo!" A shivering Lopunny came scampering out of the ash covered forest, her fur lined paws held in front of her in a gesture of goodwill. Her paws worked furiously, signing various odd shapes as though she meant to say something.

Blackfire growled.

The Lopunny shrunk back, her signs frozen in place. She glanced off to the side for some support, though nothing offered her fears respite. "Lopunny, lo lo." She said, her voice cracking.

Blackfire shifted the dagger in his hands, not at all amused. "Either you take your pathetic hide back from where you came, rabbit, or I'll add you to my catch." He spat, though his depleted energy stores told him a different story. He knew he couldn't hold his own if the Lopunny got wise to his bluff.

The crystalline eyes of the Lopunny filled with glittering tears. She let out a single, choking gasp before she collapsed into a heap upon the forest floor, her paws held tightly across her face in defeat.

Blackfire rose to his feet. His dark visage pounded down upon her, his merciless rage rising to its peak. He tipped the dagger back, fully intending to strike, but his movements were stopped by an unexpected whine from Creed.

The defeated Houndoom pined, his head lifted weakly from its resting place to stare woefully at the sobbing Lopunny. Creed whimpered again, shifting his pained gaze to his master with an urgent glare in his iridescent orbs. Something passed between their gazes, an intangible force, causing the hand of the former Rocket lieutenant to waver.

Blackfire glanced back and forth between the two Pokemon, his usually unmoving resolve somewhat rocked. With a disgusted snarl, he plopped back down onto the earth, his dagger continuing its macabre duties to the body of the Stantler. Blasted chivalry.

EC

Xavier snarled with renewed vigor, fire angrily lancing from his nostrils as he exhaled, his fury renewed with every flap of his wings. She had betrayed him! How could he have been so foolish? It was all a lie, all of it! The Charizard roared in agonized defiance, his powerful wings propelling him along the winds towards the quiet din of the Viridian Forest.

-Earlier that same day-

Xavier slowly touched down on the large rocky outcropping, the buffets from his landing sending several rocks careening down into the quieted valley below. The flickering lights from a far away town were lost to the sheer weight of the ocean of trees stretching out from the base of this single peak, the fits of human habitation not drawing even the slightest hint of attention from the single-minded Charizard. His quarry lay in the cave beyond.

Without even a knock on the steel plated doors erected against just such an intrusion, Xavier strode forward into the complex, the fire on his tail casting odd shadows against the ghastly old machines lining every inch of the wall. The uneven divots of the roof flickered in protest at the assailing light, their shifting gloom acting like caged beasts as the massive Charizard strode past.

"Alithe?"

Xavier froze at the recognition of that horribly familiar voice.

"Alithe? Are you there? Hello?"

He couldn't have gotten here before him, could he?

"Hold on a moment, Syhn." Xavier relaxed immediately as he heard Alithe's familiar melodic tones, recognizing the metallic inflections scratching underneath the surface of Syhn's words. "I've almost got it figured out.

Xavier lightly tapped on the wall with his sharpened claws as he came around the corner. The illuminated chamber glimmered slightly in the faux light provided by the man-made lamps, the whirring of the video-phone sputtering in the otherwise quiet room.

Alithe, a pink Dragonair, lifted her regal head at the sound of Xavier's entrance. Her silver orbs widened as she slowly recognized his scarred visage. Her lips moved as though she meant to say something, but Syhn's insistent voice called once more from the screen.

"Alithe?" He called once more.

Alithe repositioned herself in front of the screen. "Blasted, unreliable technology," She sighed in exasperation, sweeping her jeweled tail across the small camera as she tried to reposition the thing.

"It'll have to do," Syhn's distant voice called from the speakers of the device. "Have you gotten any word on Xaiver?"

Alithe paused for only a fraction of a second. Xavier could almost see the shining gears in her mind whirling. "No." The magnificent Dragonair glanced to her side to gaze imploringly at the waiting Charizard, who only offered a nod of consent at her words. Her attention immediately shifted back, the lie already flowing easily from her lips. "It's unusual for him to be silent for so long. Though the lady Emayla allows you to leave whenever you wish, he has always made a prompt return. His blood oath still holds strong."

Xavier nearly snarled aloud at the mention of his oath, but he kept himself in check as Syhn's voice prattled off once more. "I know, and that's whats making the others nervous. Arrogant lizard. He's probably off terrorizing innocents in some dark alleyway."

Alithe rolled her eyes. "Oh, could you let your animosity slide for just a moment? This could be serious, Syhn."

"I know, I know." The Sceptile let out an audible sigh. "Well, if you get any word, send me a message with Vestill when she arrives, alright?"

"Will do." Alithe commented lightly at his insistence, putting on a smile to assure him of her sincerity. The screen flickered for just a moment, then it went silently black. With a sigh, the pink Dragonair turned her attention to the stilled form of Xavier. "I really hope you have a good reason, Xavier." She commented quietly.

The Charizard almost cackled at the magnificent irony of her words. But he steeled his resolve. This was above petty jealousies. "Alithe," He began.

Alithe raised her tail into the air, causing Xaiver pause. "If this is another 'heart-felt' confession about how I should have been yours, forget it, Ferrintin." She stated, using the old nickname she posted on the Charizard in years past to slap him across the face with her words. "It's over between us."

Xavier fought hard to keep his calm. "Alithe, let me explain." He pleaded. "The ramifications have been met. Everything is going according to plan."

Alithe cocked a single eyebrow at his words.

"We'll be done within the week," The Charizard continued. "Once the target has been secured, they wont need my services anymore." His voice climbed with excitement. "I'll be free, and things can finally be as they always were!"

Alithe backed away slightly. "Xavier," She began, looking around as though to garner support from her broken down home. "You know that your oath holds you responsible for the protection of lady Emayla until she releases you from her service. No single job can release you from your debt."

Xavier did lose his clam this time. At the obvious misinterpretation of her words, the Charizard let out a agonized roar. "No!" He yelled, both in defiance and in response. "No." He said once more, his voice becoming deadly quiet. "No, not her. I'll never give my oath to that traitor."

"Traitor?" Alithe replied in utter confusion. "Xaiver, what-"

"She betrayed her friends, her family! Don't you see, Alithe?" Xavier's crazed voice splashed across the cave in a deadly wave. His eyes rolled back in their sockets, his muscles tensing as he felt the conviction of his words. "Amarri left the path! She left her partner to become the lacky of that false idol!"

Alithe curled back in fear, her wing-like ears flattening defensively against her head.

Xavier's burning eyes once again locked onto Alithe's iridescent gaze. "Don't you see, dearest Alithe? I've walked past her lies. I've seen the light."

"Xaiver..."

"I know what must be done." He paused for a moment, as if he only just remembered where he was. "Come with me, Alithe. Come with me, and I'll show you the glories of Tirus' kingdom." A sincere grin wound up his scarred visage. "Come with me, and things will be as we always wanted them to be. We can finally be together."

"N...No." Alithe whispered, almost surprising herself with the power residing within her quiet words. "No." She called again, her voice gaining power and conviction with every syllable. "No, Xavier. You cannot change what has happened."

"Alithe, don't you understand?" Xavier cried in agony. "Syhn follows her! He follows her down the path to his own destruction! Lord Tirus has sworn to kill everyone of Amarri's supporters who stands in his way- not your precious Syhn, not Rowell, not even that blasted Kael will survive his purge! He'll kill them all!"

Alithe froze in horror.

"But there is a way!" Xavier called, his fervor once again getting the best of him. "Come with me Alithe! Together we can survive! Together we can live forever!"

"You're the traitor..." Alithe murmured. "You're the one who's been feeding information to that murderer, Tirus." Her courage slowly took hold once more. "You delivered lady Emayla's kindness with a dagger in her back! What else have you done, Xavier? Who else have you betrayed?"

Xaveir's composure lost itself in the tangle of her words, his eyes widening in horror at the venom behind Alithe's voice.

"You told Team Rocket of Emayla's stay in Pewter. That man was just your pawn..." She whispered. "You arranged for Blackfire to break free..." Her silver eyes snapped to hold the twisted gaze of the tormented Charizard. "What have you done?"

Her final words rang with such a final gong in the echoing chamber. Xavier's excitement became a macabre rage. With a savage roar ripping from deep within his throat, the Charizard struck.

…...

Acidic tears poured freely from Xavier's eyes, the Charizard's mind wracked with utter guilt as the memory filled his tormented mind. They would never find Alithe. They would never find her body.

What had he done? Xavier let out a horribly pained screech into the air. Tirus had promised Alithe's safety in return for his services. It was all for naught! Xavier let his wail continue for hours unchecked, his voice bleeding from the effort. He screamed until no sound could come from his mouth; fire ensued from his maw as he exhausted his vocal chords, his agony fully playing out for the world to see.

What had he done?

Deep in the reaching sky, Xavier could see his target. Far off into the distance, hovering over the Viridian forest floated that Dusknoir. Tirus' little pet.

With what final strength was left in him, Xavier tore into the sky, his powerful wings propelling him forward at impossible speeds. He covered the distance as a flashing bolt of fire, his wake causing the devastated trees down below to once again catch fire. With a primal scream ripping from deep within his throat, Xavier barreled into the Dusknoir, his savage fangs ripping deep into the shifting grayness of its form.

The startled ghost Pokemon let out a yelp, its hands releasing the body it had been carrying to fend off the furious assault of the Charizard. It's ghastly blood popped satisfyingly in the thirsty fire lizard's mouth, the pained gurgles trailing from its throat only goading the murderous Charizard onwards. Xavier raked with his claws, tore with his jaws, ripping deep into the unprotected essence of the Dusknoir. Fire sprayed from his maw, engulfing the both of them in a bloody halo. Xavier could feel the ghost Pokemon become less and less substantial as he held on, its body becoming nothing less than a bloody mist.

"Stop."

The words held an ultimately powerful conviction. An ethereal presence hooked around Xavier, ripping the enraged Charizard from his prey. The fire lizard roared in protest, furiously flapping and kicking against the unseen force that held him in check. But the hold was firm.

"Calm yourself, Xaiver."

Ghethar's deep voice immediately sent pings of calming energy over the Charizard, causing his muscles to inadvertently relax, though his face still pulled into a murderous scowl.

"Calm yourself," Ghethar repeated, his influence also keeping the dissipating Dusknoir aloft. "You don't want to make yourself more trouble than your worth, little Charizard."

Xavier snarled in response.

"So be it."

The psychic energies immediately tightened around the Charizard. Xavier let out a squeal of protest at the sudden agonizing pressure, trying to break free of the grip, but his words only came out as a blood suffocated gurgle. His bones began to break under the tremendous pressure; his organs splintered and burst. Xavier struggled through every agonizing moment as his body was being crushed. His every thought was trained on Alithe, his absolute agony over what he had done ringing with such clarity. The wretched Charizard let out a final, tormented wail into the skies, his final echoes dying into nothing more than the dripping of blood from his once magnificent eyes. As the fires died down from his furious passing, Xavier's body became a sickly deformed wedge of dripping meat floating in the air, the contours of his once proud and strong body snapping to horrifying shapes as Ghethar finished his work.

With a satisfied grunt, Ghethar tossed the lifeless body down into the forest below.

EC

Blackfire lifted his head as he heard a distant battle raging. Both Pokemon in his camp did likewise, mimicking his movements as the questions filled both their eyes. The former Rocket lieutenant narrowed his gaze, his hand once more going to the comforting reach of his dagger as he placed the hunk of dried Stantler meat he had been consuming down. Without even a backwards glance, Blackfire trudged into the woods, his not-so-light pace easily matched by the Lopunny as she followed close behind. Blackfire snarled as he heard her following, but he knew he didn't have enough strength to fight whatever was battling. He was almost glad for her company.

The tree's parted suddenly, an almost circular clearing opening to the day-lit sky as the two came to an abrupt halt. Blackfire trained his eyes skyward; all was silent, but a strange, dark shape held his attention. "What's that?" He growled.

Almost in response, the misshapen form came hurtling down towards the earth, its landing sending a sickening, slurping noise ricocheting about the trees.

Blackfire started towards the strange thing, but he was stopped by a sudden squeal emanating from the Lopunny behind him. The former Rocket lieutenant whirled around, expecting an attack. But none followed

The ecstatic instead Pokemon hurtled herself towards the center of the grove, her paws hardly touching the ground in her haste. Near the center of the grove lay another shape, this one her destination. Blackfire could identify the thing; a boy lay sprawled about in the grass, his eyes closed in pain, blood caking his hair and matting it to his sweating forehead.

Odd.

The Lopunny rushed to the boy's side, her gentle paws lifting his head into the air, coming to rest at her shoulder. She cooed over him, brushing back the hair from his face with such tenderness.

Blackfire watched in confusion.

The Lopunny lifted her head to gaze thankfully at the former Rocket lieutenant, her glossy eyes rimming with joyous tears. Her paw trailed to the orb tied around her neck, that simple movement giving all the information Blackfire needed.

They had found her trainer.

EC

Emayla paced worriedly about the lobby of the Pokemon Center, her limping movements causing Kael to shoot worried glances her way every time she passed him.

Syhn, Rowell and Keiva all watched anxiously at the doors leading to the emergency room, their collective gazes almost boring into the feeble plastic. Keiva continually rose from her seat, padding over to the door, only to be sent back by the silence. Rowell simply sat quietly, his head in his paws. Syhn, unable to handle it anymore, rose from his chair. With one great claw, he gripped his pacing trainer on the shoulder, causing her pause. Red eyes met yellow.

Emayla slumped at the calming gaze of her Sceptile, allowing her worried form to be shepherded back to the seat beside Kael. The white Lucario offered his paw around her shoulders, giving his partner a reassuring shake. But he, too, was worried.

Nurse Joy came slowly out of the doors to the E.R., her normally vibrant pink hair covered in sweat and muck. All eyes immediately snapped to her, causing the nurse to wriggle uncomfortably under the intense stares. "He's stable." She finally announced, drawing relieved sighs from everyone in attendance. "But we're still unsure of what's happening to him."

Emayla unsteadily rose from her seat at Joy's words.

"The Pichu, in all rights of normal growth, should be experiencing his first evolution right now. But," She paused, fishing around for the right words. "Its almost as if his body... Well...

"It's as if he's being ripped apart from the inside."