FOREVERMORE
~Part Three Of The Forever Trilogy~
Chapter 50
Captive
June 16, 5001.
(Crimson's POV)
I was sitting in one of the lounges with Indi, Argent, and Perla, just minding my own business, and trying to relax since that was what all this downtime was for. But something was keeping me on edge, and I had no idea why.
Suddenly, my Pokegear began to vibrate in my pocket. I reached down to pull it out, and flipped the phone open. I didn't bother to see who it was, just answering it while my girlfriend and friends looked over at me.
"Hello?" I said.
"Crim, it's me," came the exhausted voice of my sister. "Look... I need you to come to Mount Silver right now-"
Her voice cut off, and then all I could hear was a horrifying howl, and then a rush of wind and a thud. Then I heard her scream Rubin's name and then what sounded like running. I was frozen in place, knowing that that was really bad.
"Crim?" Indi asked, and I turned my head slightly so I could see her worried expression. "What's wrong?"
"I... I don't know," I said, lowering the Pokegear from my ear and flipping it shut. "I just know I have to go to Mount Silver."
I shoved the device back in my pocket, and pushed myself up off the couch. Perla was looking at me, her orange eyes wide with uncertainty, while Argent was just frowning. I was about to take a step forward, but Indi reached out and snagged my hand before I could move. I looked back at her, opening my mouth to say something, but she spoke first.
"Not without me you aren't," she said, her dark blue eyes steely with seriousness. "The old base is way too close to the Government's headquarters for my tastes."
"All right," I said with a sigh, and she let me go to stand up. "I'll tell you what I heard on the way, okay?"
She nodded, and then we headed out of the room. I proceeded to tell her as we prepared to leave. She was shocked and immediately concerned, and we quickly left the castle to release Fiero and Aerial, and then flew to Mount Silver. I got even more nervous and pent up the longer it took to take, though Fiero and Aerial were flying as fast as they could go.
When the massive mountain came into sight, I felt a slight sense of relief, only held back by the knowledge that something really had to have happened because of what I had heard. Fiero tucked in his wings and began to dive towards the ravaged ground, only unfurling his wings to slow his decent the closer we got. Aerial followed suit. The Charizard landed lightly on the ground, and I leaped off his back. Then I began to search for any signs of life.
But there wasn't even a sound.
I heard footsteps, and turned my head to see Indi walk up to stand beside me. She had returned Aerial, but I figured it was best to keep Fiero out just in case. Something was wrong, and I could feel it.
"You said it was Topaz," she said to me. "There's no way she would go alone, so maybe Rubin was with her?"
"Indi," I said, the realization dawning on me, my eyes growing wide with horror. "That was what she screamed. His name. Rubin's."
Her eyes grew wide as well. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"Come on, we have to find them now," I said, and she nodded, closing her mouth. "Fiero, search in the air." The Charizard nodded, unfurling his wings, and then launching himself into the air. I took out another Poke Ball and released Fulmine. "Let's go."
Sadly, it only took us a few minutes to find something. Thanks to Fiero, we quickly found what seemed to be a gathering of Pokemon. As we got closer, I recognized them as Lady and Sir, two of Rubin's Pokemon. And the Mightyena was curled up next to something, her head resting on top of it, while the Swampert just seemed to be sulking.
"Crim, please tell me that's not what I think it is," Indi pleaded, her eyes wide with shock.
I wished I could but I was seeing the same thing.
It was Rubin—or at least what was left of him. I mean, his body was in one piece, but there was blood everywhere, and it seemed to be coming from a wound on his stomach. The Pokemon were drenched in the red stuff, and it stained the earth around him. He wasn't moving, either. As we walked closer, I got a better look at him, and he didn't seem to even be breathing.
Both Pokemon jerked at the sound of my sneaker crunching down at a rock. Lady lifted her head, her dark fur slicked down with blood, her eyes full of sorrow, something I should not have ever seen in a Pokemon. Sir gave us one look, a forlorn expression.
"He's dead, isn't he?" I asked them quietly.
Lady just whimpered, a painful sound, and lowered her head back down to rest on her trainer's chest. My hands clenched into fists.
"Oh my Arceus," Indi breathed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Who would do something like this?"
"Whoever it was took my sister," I said darkly, looking around. "There's no way she could be emotionally capable to fight back after Rubin was... murdered."
I couldn't believe this. Who was a bastard enough to someone set my sister and her fiance up and then kill him and kidnap her? Why would anybody want to do that anyway? I was furious. Rubin didn't deserve to die. Yeah, he had made some mistakes, but we all did, and he fixed himself.
I had once wanted Rubin dead, but not anymore.
This was going to destroy a lot of people.
And suddenly it dawned on me who had to have done it.
"That bastard Flax did this, didn't he?" I growled, turning around to face my girlfriend. "He's so sick!"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I don't think Flax did this."
"Then who the hell did?" I snapped.
She looked up at me, obviously trying to keep a hold of herself and stay calm, because one of us had just been murdered. "Synis. It had to be him. Navy told me once he has a Nidoking. And if you look closely enough at the fatal wound, it looks like he was stabbed. By a huge horn. And Nidoking have horns, Crim."
I looked back down at the corpse and the Pokemon. "You're right. So that bastard did this and kidnapped my sister. Why the hell does he want her, though? I don't get it. I don't understand any of this, Indi, and I hate not knowing. I just want everyone to stop messing with my family and friends."
"I know, Crim," she said with a sigh, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I want it to end, too. But it doesn't work that way. It never has, and it never will. We just have to steel ourselves and keep on going. If we give up now, then Rubin died in vain. We have to finish this, for his sake, and everyone else... who dies. He's the first, but not the last... I'm certain of that."
I hated to admit it, but she was right. She was so right.
"Well," I said to her. "Synis definitely picked the wrong people to screw with."
...
June 17, 5001.
(Topaz's POV)
When I finally woke up, my mind seemed to be in a fog. My thoughts were cloudy and I was disoriented. Then I became very aware of a dull ache throughout my entire body. I felt sore, like I had been exerting myself way more than normal. I opened my eyes, and it took me only a few moments to realize something.
I was not in my room.
In fact, I was pretty sure I wasn't in any room in N's castle, Mount Silver, or any of my previous dwelling places. I bolted up into a sitting position, alarmed. This was bad. This was really bad. I had to think. My thoughts were cloudy and there was a faint throbbing in my head. It hurt just trying to organize my thoughts.
Okay, I would have to take things slowly... First... Who was I?
Topaz Rosso... No, I was missing something, wasn't I? Yeah, I was Topaz Rosso-Senri now. Rubin and I had gotten married.
I could remember everything now—okay, maybe not everything. Something was missing. I was forgetting something. But what? Every time I tried to think of what happened to make me end up here, I felt a sharp pain pierce through my skull.
I pressed my fingers up against my temple, wincing. Then, trying to ignore the pain and grasp a hold of the situation, I looked around the room. It was obviously a hospital room of sorts, though the walls were made of stone. I was on a hospital bed, all right, and I realized I was bandaged up a bit. I had cuts and bruises on my arms, and my knees were scraped up. I had been hooked up to an IV for a short time, by the looks of it, but now I was off it.
What had happened?
I reached down to where my Poke Balls should have been on my belt, but to much of my horror, they were gone. All six of them. That explained why Raiden wasn't in here with me. He was always with me, so it felt weird not to have the Pikachu nearby.
Wait... The walls were made of stone. What kind of building was made of stone? A castle. Where else was there a freaking castle outside of Unova? Kanto, in Pallet Town, my hometown in the past.
I was in Synis's castle.
How in the name of Arceus did I get here?
Suddenly, I heard the door click open, and I jumped in surprise. And the person that stepped in just confirmed my suspicions. I stiffened; nothing good ever came of her presence.
Pink Mazenta almost was unrecognizable. She looked a little healthier from when I lost saw her, but only by a little. She had lost some of that weight she must have gained from her pregnancy with Cade. Her long, bright pink hair was pulled up into a sloppy ponytail, and her matching eyes were cold with bitterness.
"So Sleeping Beauty has awakened," she said with a bitter laugh, her lips turning down into a scowl. "Wonderful."
I scowled right back at her. "Why am I here?"
"I dunno," she said with a shrug, obvious not caring. "Synis's business means nothing to me. I honestly could care less."
I narrowed my eyes. "Where are my Pokemon?"
"They've been confiscated, duh," she said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. "And your little shiny rat had to be locked up because he was putting up such a fight."
My lips actually twitched up into a smile at that news. That was Raiden for you. He would never give up, ever. And he had to know what had happened. If only I could get to him and read his memories so I could find out why we ended up here.
"You have to come with me," she said, narrowing her eyes at me. "Beauty sleep won't help that face."
"Shut up," I snapped defensively, before proceeding to slide off the bed. When my feet hit the floor, I winced and bit down on my lip to hold back a yelp of pain.
"You been playing rough, girl?" Pink asked snidely, before letting out another laugh. "You get used to the pain after a while."
I didn't respond. I just walked up to where she stood in front of the door. "Just take me wherever you have to."
"With pleasure," she said, and turned around, opening the door. "Just try and keep up. I'm not going to slow down for you just because you're injured, got it?"
"I wouldn't ask for anything else," I answered hotly.
I followed her into the hall. This castle was just as impressive as N's, though its walls were made of gray stone. The hallway was just as massive as the ones in N's castle, though it was less decorative, not having any pillars or waterfalls, making it seem more... dreary. The ceiling was high—it had to be over one hundred feet above us.
Pink's high heels clacked on the smooth stone floor as she walked ahead; she was serious about not slowing down, so I quickly picked up my pace to catch up with her. It was still pretty painful to move, so I had to bite down on my lip again to keep quiet.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I finally managed to catch all the way up to her.
"To see Synis, duh," she responded coldly, looking back down at me with contempt. "Who else would want you in this place?"
I glared up at her. "I don't even know why."
"Oh? You don't remember?" She looked surprised, her eyebrows raising in shock.
"Remember what?" I asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," she said, letting out a light laugh. "You'll find out soon enough. You developed amnesia again, ha!"
I scowled, my hands clenching into fists. "That's not funny, Pink, and you know it."
"Sorry," she drawled rather snidely. "At least he didn't kidnap you ever as, you know, a baby."
I knew exactly what she was talking about. "Yeah, well, Cade's better off with us, isn't he?"
"I wasn't talking about him."
"Yes, you were. There's no point in lying."
She stopped abruptly, and whirled around to face me, her pink eyes full of anger. "Don't tell me who my son is better off with, bitch. You know nothing about being a mother. Absolutely nothing. So shut your little mouth until you learn something."
For the first time, she wasn't snapping at me about lies or with envy or anything. She was speaking the truth. And, well, I never thought of that. I hadn't really cared at the time about how she felt. I was still kinda angry about what she had said about Fiori and me. But now I realized, for the first time when dealing with her, that I was wrong and she was right.
"I... I'm sorry," I said finally. "You're right. Okay, so it was wrong of us to take Cade away from you. But aren't you happy he's away from Flax? You have to admit he's safer with us. And, well, Grey's really stepping up and taking care of him."
She looked down at me, bitterness in her eyes. "Yeah, well, Flax knew better than to be around Cade. And frankly, I don't care what Grey's doing. He could be the dad of the year for all I care. I just want him to pay."
Okay then... I guess I would have to warn my friend, but I had no idea how Pink could even make him pay. Dear Arceus, why did everyone have to be so vengeful? Why couldn't people just forgive?
I guess some things were just unforgivable.
Like killing someone.
If someone ever killed anyone that I cared about, I would want to make them pay. But Pink's situation was different than murder.
"Don't look at me like I'm crazy," she snapped, her eyes flashing with her anger. "You'll never understand what I've been through."
"Try me," I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest.
"How would you feel if you were torn away from your best friend in the whole wide world?" she spat. "You have no idea how I felt after all of you escaped and I was left behind to suffer."
"I know how that feels. I was best friends with Goldy, remember? That's why he came to rescue us." Among other reasons, but that was besides the point. "And Jade didn't want to leave you. She screamed and cried and fought to go get you, but there was no time."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "I don't believe you."
"Why would I lie about something like this?" I demanded.
"To get my guard down, that's why!" she snapped. "You know what, I'm done with you. Come on."
She grabbed my arm and proceeded to drag me along. It really hurt to have to move so fast, and I nearly tripped over my own feet several times. Finally, she pulled me into a room, and let me go, pushing me forward.
"Flax!" she yelled from behind me as I stood up straight. "You deal with the little bitch now! I'm done with her!"
Oh, no she didn't. I whipped around, but she had already left the room. This was the last person I wanted to be left alone with. I heard footsteps approach me from behind, and I turned back around.
It was Flax Ama all right, the guy who had screwed with my family enough to make me hate him even more than I already did. He looked the same as ever, with his curly pale blonde hair, and piercing icy blue eyes. He smirked down at me, and I tensed warily.
He laughed. "Relax, Rosso. Synis wants you unharmed so you're safe."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't trust you."
"Good."
I stepped back so he could walk to the doorway, never taking my eye off him. I wasn't about to let my guard down, not after what he tried to do to my sister, no matter what he said. I begrudgingly followed him into the hall.
"Pink was taking you to Synis," he said, looking down at me with distaste in his eyes. "Right?"
"No, we were just having a friendly conversation like the BFFs we are."
He rolled his eyes at me, and then headed off again. I had no choice but to follow him. I wanted to know why I was here. And, well, I wanted to get away. There was no way in hell I was staying here. This was not my home. This wasn't where my friends and family were.
"Do you know why I'm here?" I asked him, wondering if he knew the answer.
Flax snorted, and didn't even look at me. "I have no f*cking idea. Sorry, Princess."
I scowled. "Does anyone know?"
"Nobody but Synis," he responded coldly. "Don't know why he'd want you, anyway. Or anyone for that matter."
Oh, for the love of Arceus, not this again. I opened my mouth to retort, but he continued, obviously starting one of his infamous rants, at my expense. But he only said one thing, though it was still insulting.
"What's so special about you?"
I crossed my arms over my chest, scowling harder. "You think I want to be here? You think I want any of this? I just want to be left alone."
He laughed. "Well, sweetheart, you really shouldn't have been a Pokedex holder's kid if you wanted to be left alone."
"It's not like I have a choice on the matter," I snapped. "And that has nothing to do with why Synis kidnapped all of us as kids, or even why I'm here. You know it, too. It's his wife, isn't it?"
I was assuming Synis and Topaz Bosco had gotten married. And I hoped they did, especially with those laws, before anyone found out she was pregnant. But something told me deep down that something terrible had to have happened.
Flax snorted, and looked back down at me. "Synis doesn't have a wife. He never got married. All I know is that the girl died or whatever. Jewel and Jet's mom, that is. You think he tells us everything?"
And as soon as he told me that a sense of dread overcame me as I realized what that meant must had happened. But in that case, Synis should be dead, too. This was all so confusing. I just wanted to know the truth.
"There's still nothing special about you," he spat as we continued to walk. "You're just like all the other bitches. You're nothing like her."
I stopped right where I was. "...What?"
I swore he said I was nothing like someone. What the-
He froze right where he was, and turned slightly to shoot me a furious glare. "Nothing."
"You just said-" I began.
"Shut the f*ck up," he snapped, his pale blue eyes flashing with anger.
"There's no need to swear," I snapped back.
That was it; I was pretty sure our little truce or whatever it was was up. I wasn't about to take his crap for much longer, not after how insulting he had been to me, nor including what he had nearly done to my sister. It made me sick just thinking I had kissed him once, whether he had started it or not.
But luckily I was saved.
"F.A.!"
We both looked up to see none other than Maroon Marun heading our way. He looked relieved a little to find us at first, but then the expression faded, and his face became a professional mask. He stopped in front of us, looking at Flax first, then me.
"I'll take T.R. from here," he said, to much of my relief. "Before you both try to kill each other."
"You came just in time, then," Flax said icily, shooting me a look. "She's all yours."
And with that, he gave me one last glare, and turned around to walk away. Maroon and I stood in silence for a moment. I sighed, and brushed my bangs out of my eyes.
"Thanks, Maroon," I said.
He shrugged. "It's nothing." He looked down at me. "You want your Pokemon, right?"
"Of course!" I exclaimed, yet more relief flooding me.
"Follow me, then," he said, turning around.
I followed him through several different hallways, becoming even more aware of my sore body with each step. But I had to stay strong in here. I couldn't let my guard down. Anything could happen, and I had to be prepared.
Finally, we entered a room. It was small compared to the other rooms I had seen, and it appeared to be some sort of Pokemon Center. And in the center was a glass box resting on a pedestal, and inside that glass box was none other than my beloved shiny Pikachu.
"Raiden!" I exclaimed, bolting up to the box, ignoring my pain for the moment.
"Pika!" came his muffled cry from the box. Topaz!
I gasped as I saw the scar that ran above and below his eye. Oh my Arceus, how did that happen?! I couldn't remember anything! How could I not remember Raiden getting hurt that badly?!
I was so stunned, I jumped when Maroon appeared next to me, unlocking the box. Raiden leaped into my arms, snapping me out of my daze. I laughed as he nudged my chin affectionately, and then leaped up onto my shoulder, turning his body so he could face forward.
Maroon then walked over to a machine that I recognized as the ones they used to heal Pokemon in a Pokemon Center. He removed six Poke Balls, and then walked back over to me, and handed them to me.
"They're all well," he told me. "None of them sustained serious injury from the battle."
"...Battle?" I asked, confused.
He looked down at me in surprise. "You don't remember? Well, that makes sense. I figured you'd be freaking out by now."
"...What... happened?" I asked, getting very worried.
He sighed, and looked away. "I don't want to tell you. You'll find out when you go back to Unova."
"I can go back?" I gasped, my eyes widening.
"Yeah, once I sneak you out," he said, looking back at me. "But you have to see Synis first."
"...Okay," I sighed. "Thanks, Maroon. You're... really risking yourself to help me." I paused. "Wait, where's Verdant?"
"He left," Maroon responded, walking over to a table where I noticed my bag sat, and then handed it to me once he walked back. "He's been gone for about a week now."
I was surprised. "Why didn't you leave, too, then?"
"There needs to be someone here that's still sane," he answered with a snort.
He had a point.
"If I wasn't here, no one would help you and you'd be stuck in this prison, and Synis would have finally gotten what he wanted."
"You're right," I said, and Raiden begrudgingly let out an agreeing growl. "So he wants... me?"
"Yep," he said with a sigh. "Just ask him everything, okay? Let's go, then. Keeping Synis waiting is a bad idea."
He then led me to what must have been the center of the castle, after I had put my Poke Balls into my bag. He stopped beside a massive doorway that was intimidating in its own way. I took a step towards it, and then glanced back at him.
Maroon nodded. "He's in there. That's the throne room. You'll usually find him in there unless he's at the Indigo League dealing with politics or training Jet."
I pursed my lips, and Raiden growled intensely on my shoulder. I looked over at him, and his lips were pulled back into a snarl. He remembered what happened, then, didn't he? I would have to examine his memories later. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, and then stepped through the doorway into the expansive throne room.
The room was huge, and the only light that came in from outside was through a stained glass window of a girl who I recognized immediately as Topaz Bosco, in her clothing as the Maiden. Several feet away from the giant window was a throne, and on that throne sat Obsidian Synis, his blue Nidoking sitting next to him.
Just looking at that Nidoking made me feel sick for some reason. Raiden was even more tense, growling, his cheek pouches beginning to spark. I forced myself to walk up to them, my sneakers thudding on the stone floor, echoing ominously. The Nidoking's eyes followed my every move, watching silently. Finally, I stopped in front of Synis, bathed in the color light coming from the window.
"Welcome to my castle, Topaz," he said to me, his voice nearly identical to the one he had from the future, just slightly deeper. "Do you like it?"
...What kind of question was that? Ugh... I'd just go along with it.
"It's... not as pretty as N's castle," I said, managing to keep my voice steady. "But it's pretty impressive."
He snorted, amused. "My castle is not meant to be easy on the eye, Topaz. It is to serve as a impenetrable fortress."
"Well, you did a pretty good job on that," I said dryly. But then I turned serious and crossed my arms over my chest. "Look, Synis-"
"Please call me Obsidian."
"Okay, Obsidian," I said with a sigh. "Why am I here?"
He looked up at me, his dark eyes seeming to get even darker. "You are my Topaz. Why else would you be here?"
I gritted my teeth, my temper beginning to flare. "Look, stop spitting lies. You and I both know that's not true. Just because you say it doesn't mean it's going to become the truth. Nobody will tell me anything, so I want the truth from you, and I want it now."
"Pika pikachu," Raiden growled, his claws digging into my shoulder. Got that right.
The corner of Synis's mouth twitched down, and he leaned back in his throne. "You want the truth?"
I nodded. "Yes. What happened to Topaz Bosco?"
A pained expression came across his face, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. "She died."
So I was right. And this was one thing I did not want to be right about. That girl had been so nice, so carefree and welcoming. She didn't deserve to die. And I wasn't saying that because she was my descendent.
"How?" I asked quietly.
He looked back up at me, bitterness in his eyes. "How do you think?"
"The law..."
"Yes. That damned law." He sat up straight, looking drained. "When her father found out, he was furious. He didn't have her killed yet, though, for I was away on a conquering mission with some other warriors. I didn't get back until the very day she was giving birth."
The expression on his face told me he was far, far away, reliving the moment. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, to make him remember...
He looked up at the ceiling. "I remember that day far too well..."
...
August 7, 10001.
(Synis's POV)
It was a hot day hitting record temperatures in Ransei. Everyone was trying to stay cool, but for the army and me, we had just returned from a easy journey that had turned grueling from the weather. I was relieved to be home in Aurora, so I could finally relax, see my family, and, well, see Topaz. I liked being a Warrior and all, and it was very beneficial to be in Warlord Akai's army, but I hated all the traveling I had to do as one of the most powerful Warriors in the army.
Of course, as I walked through the market place with Nidorino, the citizens started to avoid me, and I swore I saw them turn and whisper to each other when I passed. I was so confused on why they were treating me this way.
As we passed the ponigiri shop, Nidorino suddenly stopped and looked up at me. He let out a cry, and I looked over at the shop. I looked back down at him, and his eyes were bright and eager. We could communicate telepathically like all Warriors and their Pokemon could, but he preferred not to.
"Oh, all right," I said with a sigh.
He let out another happy cry, and I laughed. Then we headed over to the shop. But instead of greeting me happily like the shopkeeper usually would, she gave me a dirty look, and shut the shutters in my face.
"Well, that was odd," I told Nidorino as we left empty handed. "Come on, let's just report to Akai and go home."
He nodded sadly, and then we headed off to the castle. As soon as we entered the courtyard, I could tell things were different. Maids were going back and forth to the well, like they were preparing for something with all the water. Whenever I looked at one of them and they noticed they would blush and speed up.
"What in the name of Arceus is going on?" I said to Nidorino, looking down at him.
The blue Pokemon shrugged, and then we headed for the entrance of the castle, and went inside. It was just as busy inside as it was outside. We walked through the hallways, making our way to the Warlord's study and office the fastest we could.
But then I heard someone call my name.
"Obsidian!"
I froze at the familiarity of the voice, and turned around. But the sight before me was not what I was prepared for. It was Topaz, of course, the girl I loved. But her stomach was swollen wide, bigger than it normally should be by far. She was obviously pregnant, very pregnant. She was leaning up against the doorway, looking tired, her forehead damp with sweat.
"...Topaz..."
Did she betray me?
"It's not what you think," she said hastily. "Please, Obsidian... Believe me. Just let me explain."
I narrowed my eyes, tensing up. But then she squeezed her eyes shut, and let out a cry of pain. She grabbed the side of the doorway for support as her knees buckled. All the coldness that I had been stirring up to prepare for whatever she was about to say melted. I moved towards her, trying to be some sort of support. She leaned up against me, and I steadied her with my arms. She looked up at me and gave me a tired smile.
"I don't care," I told her. "I don't care whatever the story is. I still love you, no matter what you've done or whatever has happened."
She let out a tired, but light laugh. "You silly boy. It's yours."
...
I was quiet for a moment. All of this was quite shocking for me. I always thought everything worked out, but then again, if it did, we wouldn't be here. The Nidoking shifted on its spot, and stood up, stretching. Raiden tensed on my shoulder.
"So... for all that time... you didn't know?" I asked, and he finally looked down at me.
"I had no idea." His voice was a dull monotone, void of any emotion. "I had to leave on the mission before she could tell me."
That... That had to be awful. And I still didn't know the whole story. Just telling me seemed to be killing him. Already, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. I just felt so sorry for him. This was more messed up than I ever would have imagined.
And something told me it was only going to get worse.
...
I was stunned speechless. I just stood there, staring at her, my eyes wide with shock. I couldn't find my voice. I could barely breathe. This entire time I was gone, she was pregnant with my child and I didn't even know.
Which was very, very bad for us.
"Obsidian!"
I jumped to see the matron of the castle, the woman who had raised Topaz for most of her life. She did not give me a dirty look. Instead, she gave me a stern one.
"Leave the young lady alone, boy," she said chidingly, smacking me on the shoulder with a towel. "She needs to preserve her energy and she can't have you pestering her in order to do that."
"Uh... Sorry," I stammered, hastily backing away.
"It's all right, child," she replied with a sigh. "I suggest you go see the Warlord. You might just win some favor from him."
I knew exactly what she was talking about. I nodded solemnly, gave Topaz one last look as the matron grabbed her gently by the arm and started to pull her back into the room towards the bed. I looked down at Nidorino, who gave me a sad look. And then I turned around and walked away, my partner close behind me.
I had a feeling the end was near. All because of the stupid law.
I hesitated outside of the office. It was quiet. Too quiet. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and knocked on the door.
I was going to be a father.
There were footsteps and the door swung open, revealing Warlord Akai Bosco, the father of my best friend and love of my life, and my master in a sense. He looked down at me, narrowing his eyes. I did my best not to flinch.
"Obsidian Synis," he said coldly. "Please come in."
I had no choice but to follow him inside. His Electivire stood in the back of the room, watching Nidorino and me closely. Lord Akai gestured to the chair in front of his desk, and I hastily sat down. Nidorino placed himself next to me on the open side of the chair.
"Do you know?" he asked me.
"Yes. I just found out."
"You know the penalty is death."
"Yes."
"I have no good reason to let you or my daughter live."
"Lord Akai, please think reasonably," I begged. "You want to watch your own daughter die?"
"Yes. Especially after she defied the law and became defiled. She is a disgrace to the family name. She does not deserve to live."
I did not expect that. How could he say that about his own daughter? His own flesh and blood? I couldn't understand.
"So she shall die. And after she has been executed, I want you to take the spawn and leave this kingdom. I don't want to see either you or the child anywhere near Aurora ever again. I am letting you go only because you are a excellent Warrior and very few exist. But I never want to see you on this land again."
No, Arceus, please.
His eyes locked with mine. "Understood?"
I nodded mechanically. "Yes, sir."
...
So that was how Synis was still alive. But it still was horrible. He had to live knowing he had caused the death of the woman he loved. Somehow, that felt more close to home than it should.
Why did I feel like I could sympathize with him? Why did I feel like I could understand him?
"So... She gave birth... and then was executed?" I asked slowly.
He nodded. "Yes. She was beheaded."
Raiden made a choking sound, and I gasped. I covered my mouth with my hand. That was awful! It could have been worse, like hanging or a firing squad but still. Did he have to watch? I could only imagine the pain he felt watching the love of his life die.
"That was the only way she could die. The only way I can die."
I looked back at him, caught by surprise. "What?"
He met my gaze steadily. "Have you heard of Jirachi?"
"...Jirachi?" I echoed, trying to think. Oh yeah, that was a legendary Pokemon that could grant wishes, right? I think it helped my parents somehow. "Oh, yeah. The wish giving legendary, right?"
He nodded. "Yes. One day, while in the forest outside of Aurora, Topaz and I came across it."
Raiden and I froze, not knowing what to say.
"It revealed its third eye to Topaz, and granted her a wish. She wished that she and I would live forever... so we could be together forevermore. Jirachi granted her wish. I am immortal. The only way I can die has been revealed to me—through beheading. Topaz's death showed me that."
I wondered for a second if I was imagining things.
"I have lived here in this time for much longer than my children or my admins, or or any of you for that matter, have. I have ruled this empire for centuries."
This was much deeper than I imagined.
"I chose this time to execute my plan."
I pursed my lips. "What is your goal... Obsidian?"
"To unite the world in a Utopian empire, where I can live in peace, forever, with Topaz, and our children. I've always wanted to make the world a better place. The world I come from is violent, and I want serenity. But in order to succeed there must be violence."
"But... Your Topaz is dead..."
A grimace came across his handsome features. "Yes. You are to replace her."
Oh, hell no.
"You look almost identical. Your personalities are similar. My son Jet believes you are his mother."
Oh, hell no, he did not disillusion his son or anything. And I was nothing like Topaz Bosco. I might have been in the proper timeline, but not anymore.
"Mom?"
I jumped, and whirled around. It was a boy, probably around fifteen. He was shorter, skinny, and pale. He had shaggy, messy black hair, and pale blue eyes. A Eevee was perched on his shoulder. And he just called me mom. So that meant he was...
"Jet?" I asked.
His eyes brightened. "Mom! You remember me!"
Crap.
He ran up to me, nearly knocking his Eevee off his shoulder, and surprised me by giving me a big hug. Raiden nearly fell off, and let out a low warning growl. I managed to wedge my way out of the embrace.
"I'm not your mom," I said firmly.
His eyes darkened. "So you don't remember then..."
I was pretty sure I did not have sex with Obsidian Synis.
"I don't remember because it's not true," I said, starting to get agitated.
"They brainwashed you!" he shouted angrily. "They filled your mind with lies!"
"Shut up, Jet!" I snapped. "I am not your mother-"
"ENOUGH!"
We both froze, and I turned around to see Synis standing, with his Nidoking by his side. Raiden tensed even more, letting out another low growl. He really did not like it here.
"I want no fighting," he said darkly. "That is no way to treat each other."
I narrowed my eyes, balling my hands into fists. Synis looked back over at me.
"You can leave now. We're done for the moment."
...
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" I asked Maroon, looking up at him as we stood in front of the back entrance to Synis's castle.
The crimson-haired man nodded. "Yeah, I'm more useful to you here. Just look out for Verdant, okay? I'm sure he's out there somewhere."
I nodded, too. "I will. I'll let everyone know, especially Navy. Man, I wonder if Flax or Pink will go good, too..."
Maroon snorted, and rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt it. They're too far gone. Pink, maybe, but definitely not Flax."
Yeah, I had to agree with him. "Flax's screwed with us too much. What he's done is unforgivable. Pink, on the other hand... I think eventually, we could forgive her. I honestly might be able to forgive Synis myself after what I learned today."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Topaz," he warned me. "Wait for your memory to return."
I gave him a funny look. "Okay then... Whatever. I'm going to get going. Thanks so much for the help, Maroon! I really appreciate it."
He waved me off. "It's nothing. Just stay safe, okay? And tell Navy I said hello."
I cracked him a grin. "I plan on it."
I am soooo, sooo sorry for the late update! But I was grounded for two weeks, and I have school coming up on September 4th so please bear with me.
Also, if anyone tells me to hurry up and update again I will purposefully hold the chapter. I don't mind you saying "update soon" but DO NOT tell me to hurry up. I will take all the freaking time I need to write a chapter.
Okay, I am about to RANT A LOT about something, but you need to read it.
I have two other stories called Fire and Ice and Darkness and Light, and there was even a prequel called The Legend of Blufire but I deleted it.
THEY WERE STOLEN FROM ME AND PLAGIARIZED
There is a user on TeenInk by the name of Blue_Sapphire_Eyes that has stolen works from 32 (maybe more) different authors on FF and Fictionpress.
This person not only stole FaI, DaL, and LoB from me, but they even COPIED MY AUTHOR'S NOTES
Let me quote a comment they wrote to a review posted on LoB.
"I will write more after I finish Darkness and Light. I'm also working on the beginnings of a new futurist Pokemon trilogy. Which I haven't yet posted on TI. But thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you have a nice day! :)"
"new futurist Pokemon trilogy"
"NEW FUTRURIST POKEMON TRILOGY"
Aka, the Forever Trilogy that you all know and love. They couldn't even spell futuristic right. Now if they freaking stole that I WOULD BE REALLY PISSED OFF because this is MY PRIDE AND JOY and my MOST POPULAR WORK that I have spent HOURS planning out, let alone WRITING.
I just want to say THIS REALLY UPSETS ME. Not only was I plagiarized, but so were 31-something other people. THAT IS NOT COOL. We all worked hard on this and this lazy person got a bunch of nice comments on it.
I want to thank those who noticed this and are trying to do something about this.
I just want everyone on here to be aware of this, okay?
I refuse to take off all my stories in fear of being plagiarized again. I will NOT be afraid of this person. If you were a victim of this, DO NOT BACK DOWN AND HIDE YOUR STORIES.
Plagiarists are the scum of the earth, so DON'T DO IT. It doesn't make you feel awesome to know someone stole your hard work. I've had my ideas ripped off before, but at least the person TRIED WRITING THEIR OWN STORY.
Normally I would comment on the chapter, but this is long enough.
SO GO AND REVIEW