Yeah, this one's late and shorter than usual. Blame Sis though, she left me to do the last bits while she's off taking the piss with her relatives hahaha. Hopefully mates, this chapter isn't so cringeworthy.
Disclaimer: Nintendo owns Pokemon, not us.
Chapter 12: Breakthrough
With Aurora…
Aurora smiled brightly as Hugh and Roxanne walked (not so much walking as they were limping, they REALLY went all-out against the two humans in their second-to-final test that morning) up to a regal Jeanne who was adorned in her golden-and-white armor, her sword floating in a vertical position next to her. Both Hugh and Roxanne kneeled before the Arceus, who was then joined by Darko who was also in his armor which was made of a darkened steel of sorts.
You two have done well to make it this far. Jeanne began as she nodded at Aurora, and then Alpha who, unlike the Akirari, was standing on all fours instead of sitting on his haunches. Your teachers believe you two worthy of the final test, worthy of Knighthood under our name. Darko nodded his agreement.
Aurora noted the two humans' expressions with amusement as several Legendaries of the Council and few others came to watch the proceedings. Roxanne and Hugh were trying to keep their calm under the eyes of the many Legendaries, and they weren't being very successful at it.
The Akirari then smiled wider when she saw Roxanne look at Alpha, who simply nodded at her and gestured towards Jeanne with a paw. Aurora wanted to laugh and tease the human girl who almost immediately recovered her composure and even helped Hugh with a few words, causing him to instead swell with pride rather than being cowed by the amount of attention they were receiving.
Before we proceed further, I'd like to make the announcement that you two are actually the fastest recruits we've ever had, Darko stated, the others are still in their training, most not even close to being halfway to finishing. Take pride in your growth as we acknowledge your feat. At his words, the Legendaries, Originals, and Knights all gave their own proclamations of praise.
Amazing job, you two! Aurora decided to cheer, and the two looked at her with great smiles (though their cheeks were flushed from the praised) before Darko continued.
But before your Knighting, everything quieted at the Arceus's words, you have one last test you must overcome in order to receive your titles and Knights' armor. He smiled warmly. But that is not the true purpose of this meeting. Today, you are here to get a taste of what may be your future days in the Halls of Origin. Another roar of approval from the onlookers as the two Arceus summoned a large table in the center of the enormous chamber complete with countless food and beverages. Two jaws were dropped at that moment.
Do not mind the pun Lord Arceus unintentionally made, Jeanne said with a smirk as Darko widened his eyes. He chuckled after realizing what he had said as did some of the others. Now then, permission is granted to partake in the feast to all of you, she gestured to those who came to watch the proceedings, who actually gave a care and came to this meeting for our recruits. Enjoy, but we expect all of you to return to your duties as soon as the food is cleared.
…
"What are you doing, Hugh?" Aurora asked as she took a moment to spear her fork through a dumpling and bringing it to her mouth. Hugh's hands were currently shaking as he ate, his utensils sometimes scraping against his plate.
"I believe he's feeling self-conscious at the moment." Alpha answered for the quiet human, gesturing to the the Legendaries sitting on either side of Hugh. The Legendaries were both minding their own business though, not really paying him any attention as they talked to their own acquaintances.
"Just relax, Hugh!" Roxanne was sitting diagonally of Hugh and across from Alpha, who was next to Aurora. The Fenrir wasn't paying attention to the food, having already eaten earlier. Rift and Oculus had left, the former wanted to go back to watch the house while the feast took place and Oculus went with him just for extra support in the case someone invaded the house. Aurora was eating heartily though, she didn't care whether or not she was lacking manners. Most of the occupants in the room were good friends she knew, and they were eating just as in the same regard as she was.
She just made sure not to overeat...Got to watch the weight, you know?
"She's right, you have nothing to worry about. We're all friends here." Aurora said, smiling when Hugh seemed to gain more confidence and ate with renewed vigor. She then paused, thinking about one of her brothers with a frown. "I need to check on how Nyx is doing…" she muttered. Both Pyralis and Raiden were either in Kanto or Johto, but her sweet Umbreon of a brother hadn't yet returned from his quest yet. She resolved to asking Jeanne about him later, making sure to make a note of doing just that after the feast.
"So when are we taking that test?" Hugh asked.
"Most likely sometime this week." Alpha-No, Aurora reminded herself, Ryker, answered. He was about to say more about it but a finger tap to the shoulder from the Original sitting next to him gained his attention. "Yes, Miss..?"
The Original, a silver-black furred fox one at that, smiled and shook her head. "No formalities, we're all comrades-in-arms here. I go by Yvette, and you're Lord Fenrir, yes?"
"Comrades-in-arms?" thought Aurora, and it was only then the Akirari took in the fox's full appearance. She was wearing Knights' armor, which was mainly a smoky gray with dark red accents that matched her eyes. A quiver of ebony rested on her back, Aurora could that it was filled to the brim with arrows that had shafts of onyx. The Akirari wondered what the Knight's bow was like, imagining one up in her mind's eye that had a matching color scheme to the arrows and quiver.
"I am." Ryker replied with a surprisingly light tone, Aurora was glad he was putting some more effort into being amiable towards those other than herself and their group. "You have something to ask of me?"
"I'm wondering if you can possibly…" The Knight flushed, her words caught in her throat. Aurora saw Roxanne in the corner of her eye stabbing at her food violently, and when the human realized what she was doing, she expressed confusion as if she had no idea what caused the sudden aggression. Aurora inwardly snickered at the situation. "You see, I'm hoping to strengthen my abilities but I'm not getting much currently." She held up a hand and produced a ball of Darkness. "I'm adept at using it, but I know I have the potential to make it grow stronger. I just don't know how." She smiled, seemingly gaining more confidence as she continued. "And I heard you have complete mastery over it and Void, so I figure you'd be my best bet."
"You haven't went to anyone else?" Aurora asked, curious since there were others in the Hall of Origins that were of the Dark (but not exclusively). The Knight, Yvette, shrugged.
"Thought it would be easier Original-to-Original, you know?" She then chuckled. "And I'll be honest, I'd get to learn more about the mysterious Lord Fenrir of the Halls at the same time if he decides to help me." As far as Aurora knew-though not to Roxanne's and that only amused her further-Yvette was genuinely only trying to get stronger.
Well then, it's all up to Ryker then. Aurora returned to eating.
"I suppose it's not too much trouble." Ryker gave Yvette a small smile to assure her. Aurora looked over at Roxanne to see the human Knight-to-be calmly taking a sip from her glass of water, setting it down and taking another bite of her food...after violently stabbing her food, of course. Hugh had been watching her and jumped when she did, almost shoving against one of the Legendaries he was sitting in between with the action. "It would have to wait until after these two," Ryker gestured to Roxanne and Hugh, "pass their test and become full-fledged Knights. Would that be fine?"
Yvette clasped her gloved hands together, grinning. "Of course! Should I give you my number so you can contact me whenever-?" Aurora winced as Roxanne suddenly stood up, cutting off Yvette's question and directing attention to her.
"Alp-Lord Fenrir?" Roxanne asked as she gave Ryker a barely disguised glare hidden behind a smile, "would you mind helping me with somet-?"
She never finished her sentence, for Darko and Jeanne, both had been sitting at the far end of the table nearest the side of the room opposite of the side with the entrance to the chamber, rose from their seats with expressions of surprise.
"Lord Feran?" Darko asked before shifting into his true form, as did Jeanne. What's the meaning of this? Aurora shifted into her true form, alarmed at the sight of the Manticore and a platoon of his army file into the room.
"I received word," Feran began smugly, "that one of your Legendaries, Lord Fenrir to be frank, was conspiring with the Shadowed Saints."
Preposterous! Jeanne exclaimed as Aurora watched Ryker with concern. The Fenrir was showing no emotion, his previous friendliness was gone and his eyes had gone cold since the last few seconds. He would never side with them and we've been over this, Lord Feran, he is loyal to us and only us.
"I can call forth my witness right now, if you wish." Feran countered. "You can examine his memories for falsifications, as I already have. You'll find that it is exactly as he claimed, and that his memory hasn't been tampered with as well so no one could have possibly implanted a fake memory of Lord Fenrir meeting with the Shadowed Saints." At his words, a Persian separated from the bulk of the soldiers and presented himself for everyone to see with a bow.
Lord Uxie, Darko growled and the pixie-like Legendary came forth, examine his memories and establish a connection with us so we can see for ourselves. The Uxie nodded, floating over to the Persian. After the Persian closed his eyes, and the Uxie opened his eyes to begin the process (Aurora made sure she wasn't looking, and the Uxie warned everyone to look away as well), she noticed Ryker making eye-contact with Jeanne.
What? Aurora thought, confused, as the two almost imperceptibly nodded to each other. She then watched Darko who was seemingly keeping an eye on Feran who, at the moment, was facing away from all of them due to Uxie facing his direction.
I see…They all returned their attention to Darko who spoke as Uxie returned to his side. Darko then glanced over at Ryker, almost regretfully. Lord Fenrir, would you like to defend yourself in this? Ryker remained silent, and Aurora and the group were looking at him with alarm.
Say something! Aurora told Ryker desperately. It couldn't be true, could it? Had her doubts finally been realized? She dearly hoped it was all a ploy, and the only reason why she even had hope was because of the fact that Ryker was their friend, family, and that the strange interaction that went between him and Jeanne just moments earlier.
"Hm. Seems like we've caught him red-handed." Feran stated haughtily. He then smiled, leering at Jeanne. "Men." At his command, several of his soldiers came forth with chains and binds. "Lady Arceus, you seem to be troubled. Perhaps, you have something to say?"
For some reason, Aurora knew that he was intentionally goading the Arceus. He had something on Jeanne, something that was keeping her from doing something about the dire situation. She was backed into a corner, somehow, in someway. But with what, Aurora had no clue. As for Feran, seeing as Jeanne wasn't replying, motioned for his soldiers to surround Ryker who stood up.
"Lord Fenrir," Feran said as he walked over, "forgive us but this is only precautionary. Please change into your weakest of forms, if your current form isn't." Ryker was still silent, but nodded, before shifting into his human form, Aurora finding his human appearance to fit him perfectly. The Akirari also caught a quiet gasp from someone, though from who, eluded her. "Please do not resist."
Smug...bastard. Aurora cursed as they clasped the binds and such onto Ryker. Alpha, what are you doing? Defend yourself and explain that you're innocent! At least, that was she tried to say to him, though he seemed to have blocked her off from his mind.
Nothing was said as they began to escort Ryker out of the chamber. Aurora tried to gauge everyone's expressions. Darko and Jeanne's were strangely calm and she noted to ask them later, Hugh looked torn between moving to help Ryker and just staying to keep the situation from getting worst, and as for Roxanne…
She was running towards Ryker and Feran's platoon! NO! Roxanne! Aurora thought as she prepared to stop the Knight-to-be, but stopped at the expression of distraught and desperation on her face. "Wait!" Roxanne called, prompting Feran and his soldiers to turn around. Ryker could only turn his head to look at her.
"Step back, girl." Feran warned. "Do not try and get close to him."
"...Please…" Roxanne said, barely audible. Her tone sent a shock through Aurora. Widening her eyes and looking frantically to the two Arceus, and then Ryker, Aurora could only think of one thing...The tone Roxanne had used, the look on her face upon seeing Ryker in his human form, the look of recognition.
Could she...Has she finally figured it out?
"I want to have a few words with him, just a few words." Roxanne pleaded. Before Feran can answer, Ryker made his way over to Roxanne despite his bindings. It could have been a comical sight, seeing him effortlessly drag the soldiers with him as he walked over, had it not been for the seriousness for the situation.
"What is it, Roxanne?" Ryker asked tenderly, showing emotion once more. He was calm, but that didn't last for long as Roxanne suddenly cupped his face with shaking hands. Aurora watched the worry flash across Ryker's eyes, she could tell that he wondered what could possibly be ailing her... except for the fact that he was going to the Beacon, of course.
She was crying. Aurora could see the tears fall from where she was standing. Crying and her breathes giving evidence to slight hyperventilation, Roxanne finally met Ryker's eyes.
"I thought they looked familiar... " Roxanne started.
"What do you-?" Ryker started.
"Your eyes. They're white. I didn't think much of them, since you're not human, but there's no mistaking them now." Roxanne was breathing harder as she went. ".. And your choice of words. Even now, after all these years, you talk like you were raised to be part of King Arthur's knights of the round table." She chuckled, though it was weak and caught in between sobs. "And whenever you talk to me... What do I make you call me by?"
"Roxy?" Ryker was completely confused as to where she was going to this, Aurora could see it plastered across his face with capital letters.
"Exactly." Another choked chuckle. "It's so familiar...that...tone you use when it comes to saying it. Sure, your voice is deeper, but still..." Her tears fell faster now, and Aurora couldn't imagine what might happen after this. "Do you not remember me, Ryker?"
"How do you know my name?" Ryker asked immediately, though he wasn't hostile about it. He seemed to be restraining himself, seeing as he talking to Roxanne.
"You don't... Please, remember Ryker. Remember all the times I came over, we played with each other all the time back home."
Ryker... Aurora thought as she saw the Fenrir wince and clutch his head, the chains that hung from his wrist noisily clanging. He was beginning to remember... His repressed memories were no doubt about to resurface.
"Ryker... Please remember!" Roxanne continued. "The village! My parents! When I got lost, what did you do? You hugged and comforted me... Ry..."
...
With Ryker...
He was in agony.
Ryker clutched his head with both hands as he sank to his knees, a roar erupting from throat making it go raw within moments. Even with his eyes closed, he saw. everything. The Fenrir felt as if someone stuck a barbed pike and stirred his brain with it. He could faintly hear Daina calling out for him, though he payed no heed.
Then, he saw it. All of it. Every single detail. Ryker couldn't do anything but to relive his repressed memories of his family's slaughter, being put down like mere dogs.
…
He was frozen, eyes wide with fear and body paralyzed. Ryker could only watch from his hiding place as his father received a pitchfork to the stomach. Eyes fierce though the fire in them waning, Shadow shoved away the attacker and tore out the pitchfork from his abdomen. His blood stained the floor as he stepped in front of his mate and youngest pup, Midnight and Vulcan, Ryker's mother and little brother.
"Please," Shadow pleaded, "just spare my family! We've done nothing to wrong you!"
"You gorge on our livestock!"
"You feast on our families and friends!"
"You deserve to die, you monsters!"
Shadow fell to a knee as another village guard trailed a line of fire across his stomach with a sword, Midnight crying out for her mate and Vulcan whining. "Love, just r-!" Shadow was cut off as his throat was sliced open, before one of the guard decided to plunge his sword deep into the surrendered Fenrir's abdomen.
The rest of the village guard didn't even bother sparing the dying Fenrir a second look as they immediately moved on the Midnight and Vulcan, cutting them down as well before they had a chance to escape. Ryker found himself unable to look away or do anything, even as his family's screams pierced the night air and echoed in his head.
Why they didn't fight back, Ryker couldn't understand. Why HE couldn't move was more than beyond his comprehension….He could've stepped in...He could've done something...anything. But Ryker had difficulty processing his thoughts, as his vision soon became clouded while his body sagged with a sudden heavy weight. His thoughts soon came to a stop as only one word registered. It came like a whisper..a soft brush in his mind.
Kill...
…
All he saw was red. He didn't care that all he could smell was blood. He didn't care that he tasted it, as coppery as it was. He ignored the gore that matted his fur. He didn't even bother to tend to his wounds that the villagers had inflicted. He could feel his blood gradually drain, but it continued to boil with his rage.
Kill.
He felt sadistic glee as his claws tore the humans into ribbons. Turning around to face the villager that was trying to sneak up on him, he simply snorted a bolt of flame that ignited the feeble human. Relishing the sounds of the wailing, dying human, Ryker spotted a father and child trying to sneak away out of the area unnoticed.
Kill!
He pounced.
The father's throat didn't give any resistance as Ryker bit down and viciously snapped left and right. More blood sprayed into his mouth and fur as the formerly alive father's son screamed in horror. Ryker didn't pay it any mind, only briefly noting to himself to deal with the annoying boy afterwards. The young Fenrir continued to tear apart the man's corpse until it was left unrecognizable, all in a manner or two seconds. Immediately, Ryker turned and batted the crying boy with a paw. Despite being only as large as a medium-sized horse, the young Fenrir still had significant power.
He then moved on to his other prey as the boy was sent into a tree headfirst, neck breaking and signaling that the boy was no more. Snarling, Ryker went after a woman he apparently missed. She was already mortally wounded, though it didn't stop her from attempting to crawl away. Ryker simply lunged, leaving three major gashes in the back of her neck and the force of his lunge also caused her spine to snap.
Avenge your family.
He didn't do so much as snarl when a sword pierced his side, glancing off one of his ribs and not going any further. Ryker instantly snapped at the sword, the blade was actually threatening to cut his maw as he did so, and shattered it with a powerful bite. He faintly registered the shards that embedded themselves in his gums and palate. Briefly whipping his head to the side with an abrupt growl, the shards shook loose though a few remained.
Ryker threw himself at the offender, the poorly armored guard screaming as they hit the ground. The latter tried to fumble around for his dropped sword, though Ryker was already tearing into his chest cavity. The man howled with agony as his ribcage was forcibly exposed, only gasping in unimaginable pain as Ryker clamped his jaws around his heart.
The heart bursted as Ryker's fangs sunk into it, and the Fenrir didn't stop there. Keeping a paw on the guard's chest to keep him steady, Ryker tore the heart out of its resting place and after a moment, tossed it to the side. It only seemed to be fitting to the young Fenrir. The humans were foul, enough to taint their own flesh and not even provide a good flavor to his tastebuds.
Hunt them all down.
And he continued on, wrathfully disposing of every villager he came across. He did his best keeping them from escaping the area, for they were all to be purged. He'd make sure they wouldn't spread their menace. He'd ensure that they wouldn't produce more murderous offspring. He didn't care for who they were; child, woman, or man. They all needed to pay. With blood.
…
He didn't realize that he had fallen to his knees, hands clutched to his head in an attempt to stave off the pain. He was shaking, his breathing was harsh with little control. With hands clenched and threatening to pull out his hair, he bared his teeth to the floor in a silent scream…
I...I killed them all...In cold blood…
Ryker faintly registered someone, or maybe a few people, calling out his name. He didn't pay them any heed, all he heard was the constant screams of those he had butchered. All the men..women..children..He had condemned them all to the afterlife, if there was one. It was...unfair of him.
Ryker shook his head. He had been judge, jury, and executioner to those people of the village. No one had the right to take the role of being all three. Not even himself.
N-Ngh.
Another painful pang, Ryker almost groaned out loud at the suddenness of it. Why was he questioning it again? He was the damned Fenrir of the Legendaries, for blood's sake! He was known to be cold, ruthless, and willing to do whatever needed to be done no matter how moral, or immoral the method. Of all times to question his ethics, it had to be as he was having an identity crisis.
No...The answer was simple, he was just simply over-thinking it. As his colder side took over, Ryker reminded himself that he never killed without reason. Back at the village...it had been in rage, for the loss of his family. He had...overdone it, but it was his family. He was the. Last. Fenrir. That was enough of a reason as any.
He never killed without reason...And if there wasn't one, he could always find one.
This was it. He couldn't take it anymore. Ryker sighed shakingly as he slowly regained his bearings. The original plan he had agreed on with Jeanne...They'd meet up with the Shadowed Saints leaders, and the negotiations would go wrong, as expected. Feran's spy would see the entire meeting go down "covertly", due to the rumors that surely had been spread among the Halls of Origins. Feran would get word, and at the next opportunity, strut right in and arrest him. Ryker would be taken to the Beacon where, after some time waiting, the Shadowed Saints would raid the prison with the goal to free him, thinking that liberating him from the Beacon would persuade the Fenrir to join their cause. Ryker would then take apart the Shadowed Saints' leadership from the inside, taking over and after joining back up with those of the Hall of Origins, knock down Feran a few pegs or rid themselves of his corruption and forces entirely. They would then free the imprisoned innocents at the Beacon, destroy the Beacon with their combined forces, and make sure no other force like Feran and his Darkstalkers would rise ever again.
But alas, Ryker didn't care for any of it at that moment. He wanted to be gone. To hole up somewhere and just separate himself from the outside world. Cowardly, yes, but it was an option.
He could also...No..Could he?..Yes..He could also give in to his innermost desires. To hunt down all who had scorned him. To rectify whatever he felt needed fixing. To purge the toxins killing the world that was the humans for their natural greed and irrationality...But that wasn't...It wasn't what he wanted to want to do, even though it was.
He was conflicted.
"Ryker!"
He knew that voice. It wasn't the one that usually resided in his mind. No, he had already shut Daina out in order to protect her from his thoughts..His breakdown.
"Are you alright, Ry?" A pair of arms wrapped around him, embracing him for all that it was worth. The sensation wasn't cool like snow, so it wasn't Aurora either. And as there were a pair of arms around him, not just a single arm hugging him, he ruled out Hugh as well since the Knight-to-be always hugged with a single arm, not once using both. "Ry, can you hear me?" She...Yes, she sounded worried. It couldn't have been Oculus, for he lacked arms, and it couldn't have been Rift either since the Alakazam only spoke via telepathy. And, of course, they were both males. It couldn't be Darko, and the voice wasn't motherly so it couldn't have been Jeanne.
…
"No fair, Ry!" Ryker kept his expression neutral, as was his habit, but he was thoroughly amused. He watched as Roxy tried to climb up after him. She tried to find the footholds that he had used to get up the large tree, though to no avail. "You do this all the time!" she called from the ground.
"How would you know?" he asked, leaning against the base of a thick branch with crossed arms. Roxy put her hands on her hips, raised an eyebrow, and her lips contorted to a victorious smile.
"Your mom tells me some things, she talks about you sometimes." was her answer. Ryker only nodded in understanding and watched Roxy try to climb the tree again. This time though, her determination to succeed blazed in her eyes. She didn't attempt to talk to him as she climbed again, only focusing entirely on where to place her hands and where to stick her feet in.
She made it a good deal up the tree, Ryker's spot just a couple of reaches away. Ryker wasn't leaning against the branch anymore, instead watching interestedly as she continued to close the distance between them. He was still, only his eyes moving as they followed her movements. He didn't stay still for long though, as he spotted her grip slip and without hesitation, dove after her as she fell from a great height.
As they fell, Ryker managing to grab her and turn so that she'd land on him when they impact, the former thought as Roxy shrieked at their plight that in hindsight, maybe he should have had her climb a smaller tree as it was her first time. They were children, after all, a great fall from a tree could seriously injure them.
Well, just Roxy. She was human.
Ryker let out a small grunt as they hit the ground, Roxy only rolling off of him relatively unscathed. He figured that there would only be a slight bruising on his chest later, though it would heal in no time. His parents would no doubt question what he did to get such a thing though. "Ry!"
Roxy was over him in a second, careful not to touch him in case he was injured in places she couldn't see. Ryker let his emotions slip just once, his eyes crinkled upwards in amusement as he watched her inspect for injuries. "I'm just fine."
"How could you be!?" she asked, frantic. She gestured up at the tree. "We fell from so high up!" She settled down, sitting on her knees, and covering her face as she began to sob. "I-I should've been more c-careful. I'm s-sorry, R-Ry-!" She stopped when he patted her knee reassuringly. Looking at him with nervous eyes, Ryker only smiled.
"I'm alright. You don't need to worry about me, I'm not that injured at all." He sighed as she tried to suppress her sobs, patting her knee again. "I promise, I'm not." Roxy nodded, taking a moment to compose herself before motioning for him to move his arm away.
Complying, Ryker was warmed as she settled against his side, head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're ok, Ry. Just make sure to ask your parents to check just in case, okay?" Ryker nodded, smiling as she hugged him and steadied her breathing. Hm, if they kept up at it, they'd probably fall asleep again. He wouldn't really mind, they were just outside the village in the outer edge of the Whispering Grove. He'd hear anything trying to sneak up on them. And he'd protect her, he swore his blood on that.
She, aside from his family, was the only one to make him feel so content. There was no other he knew that replicated the feeling, and he didn't mind if it were to stay that way. And he was sure it was the same for Roxy, to him.
"I will, Roxy." Ryker replied, turning to smile at her despite the still-drying tears on her beaming expression.
And with that memory, came along a few more of her.
...
Looking up wearily, Ryker met the eyes of a very concerned Roxanne. Roxy...It's the same expression she wore that day... Her eyes teary, Roxy hugged him once more and buried her head in the crook of his neck. Ryker could feel with guilt the tears that wetted his neck.
"...Do you remember now?" she asked. Ryker slowly nodded. Sighing inwardly, he supposed that he should restrain himself from lashing out at humans in general, Roxy was human too after all. And it wouldn't be right, anyway, even he wouldn't stoop so low as to blame an entire race for what happened to his family.
"I...do.." He felt her grip his shoulders hard for a moment before relaxing, she sobbed in relief as Ryker made to hug her.
Only to grab empty air as she was sent crashing into the table, where the other Legendaries stood in shock.
It took Ryker a moment to realize what he was feeling at the sight of her on the ground, table cloth covering her injured body. A growl rose from within without him even thinking, and rage similar to that day in Zenith surfaced as Ryker turned to face the one who dared lay a hand on Roxy.
…
With Hugh…
Hugh was instantly at Roxanne's side, helping her up as Aurora appeared to heal her wounds. He heard the two Arceus and Feran shout at each other as he mentally reached out for his Noctowl and Alakazam partners. You two need to get here now! Knowing that it would take awhile for his message to find its way to Rift, Hugh spared a glance back at the scene.
The first thing that grabbed his attention was the malevolent growl that emanated from Alp-er, Ryker. He watched as the guards holding the Fenrir-in-human's clothing lose their footing as Ryker viciously tossed them to the nearest wall by his chains. Still growling, he snapped apart his binds as the area began to dim in light considerably. Hugh stepped back, watching as Darkness rose from everyone's shadows and move towards Ryker, rising up the legs in a slow but gradual rate.
Feran and the two Arceus ceased the arguing over the Manticore's recent unnecessary treatment of Roxanne and they, along with everyone else in the room (including Roxanne, though she was recovering from Feran's bat of the paw) focused their attention on Ryker.
The Darkness began to cover his torso, soon enveloping Ryker entirely and leaving his appearance with no distinguishable details save for a few things other than the fact that his entire body was just covered in black matter. Ryker's hands had grown into claws at their tips, and his ears extended into an angle, almost like that of an elf. Almost. And Hugh noticed, as he began to feel sick at the sight, Ryker's teeth that were simply there on the ground before him stained with blood. They...fell out of his mouth?
Hugh received his answer when Ryker growled again, baring a full set of fangs. His eyes were also devoid of pupils, only showing white that expressed nothing but rage.
Nothing but a blur. That was what Hugh saw. What the-? he thought before realizing that Ryker was right in front of him. The next thing he knew, Hugh was on the ground with bruise quickly forming on his chest. He barely caught the sight of Aurora being sent into the wall, gashes along her side, before slumping to the ground. "Aurora!" Wait, Roxanne! He tried to get up, but could only watch as the dark form that was Ryker raised a hand and out of nowhere, formed a transparent blackish barrier around Roxanne who on the ground, still trying to recover.
Hugh backpedaled as Ryker turned his gaze to him, though sighing with relief as the dark form regarded Hugh and Aurora with sudden recognition before moving on.
It was mayhem from that point.
When Hugh got to his feet and helped Aurora up, they saw Ryker mercilessly attacked anything and everything in that room. Legendaries were sent this way and that, knocked unconscious or incapacitated, Knights (of all three races; humans, Originals, and pokemon alike) had their armors and weapons shattered before they, too, were beaten, and Feran's forces especially were brutally attacked. Those that were smart enough not to intervene stepped away, from both parties.
Ryker then take a moment to stand in the center of the room, the ground littered with either unconscious or heavily injured persons, and roared. His form grew wings before he took off to go after those who decided to take flight, unleashing his wrath upon them as well.
Is this really Alpha? Wait, I mean, Ryker? Hugh thought. Suddenly, his two partners were at his side and Hugh sighed in relief before quickly getting to the point. "Quick, guys! Rift, heal Aurora as best as you can and Oculus, try and help me get Roxanne out of this barrier. No time to explain, let's go!"
And so they did. Rift began healing Aurora, the Akirari grateful for his help, and Hugh tried his best assaulting the barrier with his abilities with Oculus not really faring much better. He tried his best to ignore the bloodcurdling screams of agony, as well as the occasional splatter of what he knew must be blood.
"Hugh!" Aurora was in her anthro form, in white light armor that Hugh didn't take the time to make out the details of, and ran over to him with a slight limp. "Let me try Light to break this barrier!" Hugh barely heard her, as there was a lot going on around them and he heard several things at once. Screaming, battle cries, explosions from attacks, and the orders being given mingled all together.
Hugh looked back once more, seeing his allies and Feran's forces actually working together for the moment to try and restrain Ryker who was actually on all fours, growling at them like a feral.
"Let's see if this works." Hugh turned to see Aurora hurl a ball of Light at Ryker's barrier around Roxanne who was finally completely able. Hugh thought that the barrier would shatter under the ball of Light, as it seemed to make perfect sense to him that Darkness and Light were some sort of weaknesses to each other. And so, he watched as the barrier cackled for a moment before overwhelming and absorbing Aurora's Light.
Not the outcome he'd been expecting, to be honest.
He suddenly felt chills rattle his spine. Hugh immediately did a one-eighty only to sidestep, barely avoiding Ryker snarling past him. The enraged Ryker growled at Aurora before standing on his feet and moving through the barrier, not bothering to heed Roxanne's words of protest as he picked her up bridal-style and, with a snarl at everyone but Hugh and the rest of the close-knit group, before vanishing. The barrier shimmered away a moment later.
…
Jeanne had told them to search for the missing Ryker and Roxanne at the house, that was where she was sensing Ryker's dark signature. Before they left, everyone at the Hall of Origins did their best to recover. A great amount of them needed healing and such but before long, everyone was all and well. However, despite Feran agreeing to withdraw his forces and wait until everything was all sorted out, he promised to return to finally arrest the elusive Fenrir.
So, as it was now, the four of them were standing outside the house. Hugh could feel waves of Dark emanate from within, and had to swallow his apprehension as they finally stepped inside. "Ryker?" Aurora called out, Hugh thinking that it might not be wise for her to call him out by his actual name given the Fenrir's reaction to Roxanne knowing his name. The Fenrir was probably still not in the most trusting of moods. "Roxanne?"
"Up here!" replied Roxanne, though she sounded anxious. They rushed up the stairs, finding her in her room seated on her bed. However, in front of her bed, was Ryker in his true form. He took up quite the amount of space in her room. He instantly rounded on them, his form still covered in dark matter and eyes still glowing white, and growled in a warning for them to step back. He nearly snapped at Aurora who stepped a little too close, his fangs missing her hand by mere inches. "Ryker, don't!"
Will...protect…
The words seem to come from seemingly nowhere, but they all knew that it was the Fenrir's. "You don't need to." Roxanne pleaded. "Ry, they're our friends-no, our family! We can trust them!"
...Family...Ryker ceased his growling and settled down, though still keeping an eye on them as he paced around Roxanne's bed to keep them from getting closer. Feeling that they were safe, Hugh chuckled tiredly.
"You alright, Roxanne?"
"I'm good." she nodded. She didn't seem to be concerned with her own condition, however, and was focusing on Ryker. "Ry, come here." she asked gently. Ryker froze in his tracks for a moment, regarding her with a blank expression. Hugh almost had to stop his jaw from detaching at what he saw next.
Roxanne held her arms out in a welcoming gesture, and Ryker stared for a moment before leaping towards her. In mid-jump, his form shrunk in size to accommodate for the room and her bed. He was in her arms in the next moment, Roxanne hugging him and allowing a few more tears escape in their reunion.
"Why?" she asked. Ryker's ears canted at her question. "Why didn't you tell me what you really are back then when we were kids? I wouldn't have minded...especially knowing that you were just a cute and cuddly wolf puppy back then." She giggled, and even Hugh cracked a smile imagining Ryker as a mini-sized Fenrir.
Suddenly, the dark matter covering Ryker dissipated and the Fenrir went slack for a moment before regaining his senses and looking at all of them, before staring at Roxanne who was still hugging him.
...Why….? Ryker asked before going rigid. For a few moments, he just sat there unmoving. Hugh wanted to try and walk up to the Fenrir and snap him out of it, but Ryker began moving again. No...I lost control again...He hurriedly removed himself from Roxanne and returned to his normal size off the bed. Ryker then looked at each of them again, and Hugh felt his heart drop at his expression.
Ryker seemed completely anguished.
I'm sorry...Ryker said quietly, to all of them before staring at Roxanne for a moment. Don't...Don't follow me...and I'm sorry, Roxy.
And he was gone in a cloud of dark matter. And they wouldn't see him again for years to come.
"The key is to get to know people and trust them to be who they are. Instead, we trust people to be who we want them to be, and when they're not, we cry…"