Chapter fourteen: Watch Me

Prompt: #17 Vengeance

Universe: Gameverse

Rating: K+

A/N: Distortion World scene with a twist... Cyrus goes insane

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The Distortion World was exactly like its name: distorted, demented and petrifyingly frightening to those without an iron will. Dawn, having gone through adventures only few could relate to, was midly disturbed by the sights she saw. The gloomy atmosphere and dark colours swirled around, but she ignored it, hand tightening on the strap of her bag. Her pokémon were a constant thought on her mind, not to mention the fate of the world, her mom, Barry, Lucas, Professor Rowan, and even the kind woman who helped her, Cynthia...

Speaking of Cynthia, where did she go? Dawn was quite sure the woman had said she'd gone to investigate up ahead, but Dawn couldn't locate her at all. Her body trembled slightly, feeling the power of the mysterious legendary pokémon roaming the area. The teen couldn't help but sigh in relief when she finally caught sight of the blonde, running up to her.

"Hey, you okay?" Cynthia asked, a kind smile on her face.

Dawn nodded, too relieved to speak, and kept close to her impromptu guide.

"It seems like Giratina has set up a puzzle to help us. The Lake Trio also want to help. Hmm..." Cynthia thought out loud, hand on her chin.

Dawn decided she'd act rather than think, and asked her pokémon to help her push the boulders into the right pits. She'd seen Cyrus on her way, and had shuddered at the dark look he gave her. The puzzles were maddeningly frustrating, but they were solved eventually. Dawn grinned at the look of appreciation Cynthia gave her and the two moved forward, together. They jumped across boulders and platforms and found Cyrus with his arms stretched out. He had a crazed look in his eyes, a large grin twitching across his face.

"Mine..." he whispered, "all mine."

His face was red when he turned to them. He was angry, furious. Dawn could feel his emotions fill her up from where she stood.

"IT'S ALL MINE!" he yelled, "you will not take it away from me! I will avenge myself by destroying you and that pathetic monstrosity Giratina. Only then, will I accomplish my goal of removing spirit from this disgusting, imperfect world."

A screech sounded above them and Dawn glanced up to see a shadow circling the air above them. It seemed like the pokémon wanted to observe them, wanted to test the worth of the humans who dared venture into its territory.

Cynthia put a hand to her belt but Dawn stood in front of her. "Cyrus, your ideas are, in my opinion, stupid. I'll finish this here and now," Dawn declared.

Cyrus barked out a laugh and released his Honchkrow. "Let's see you try, little girl."

Dawn sent out her Rotom and commanded it to use Shock Wave. Unable to dodge, Honchkrow took a huge amount of damage and twitched from the electricity. It struggled to stand and Cyrus yelled at it to get up.

"Use Aerial Ace," he ordered.

"Not so fast! Rotom, Shock Wave again!"

Honchkrow fell to the ground, exhausted and Cyrus returned it to its pokéball, disgust contorting his face into a scowl. The battle continued fiercely. Dawn glanced back as Staraptor dodged an attack and noticed Cynthia watching her, staring at her. She blushed but turned to focus on the battle, body tense and set on impressing the blonde. Her moves were jerky, nervous, but her voice was strong, firm and unwavering. By the end, with Empoleon standing and Weavile on its stomach, Cyrus was on his knees, shouting his anger to the inky blackness surrounding them.

"Spirit will be no more. I vow it, I swear it, by everything I stand for. One day, you will wake up in my world. I promise you this, you vile vermin," Cyrus promised. He walked to the edge of the platform. Dawn's eyes widened and she stepped forward, her hand stretched out.

"No!" she cried.

He grinned madly and jumped.

Dawn rushed to the edge, peeking and seeing his figure fade into the darkness. She gasped, hands to her mouth when he fully disappeared and turned to find Cynthia with a grim look on her face. Cynthia approached Dawn and pulled her up. She wrapped her arms around the girl and soothed her. Dawn sobbed into the woman's chest, clutching the back of her coat.

"He did what he thought was right... but Dawn, he was bad to the bone, why cry over him?" Cynthia muttered.

Dawn pulled back and wiped her tears. "Because... at one point, he was human. He was like us. But something changed him, and even though he's responsible for his actions, I wish it didn't have to end like this," she answered, eyes cast down.

Cynthia sighed and brushed her lips against the girl's forehead. The teen gasped lightly and blushed, eyes peeking below her lashes to see the blonde smiling at her.

"Here, I'll heal your pokémon. I think Giratina wants a shot with you now."

"Okay."

With her pokémon healed, Dawn marched up the platforms to face Giratina with only one thought on her mind.

Cynthia... I hope you're watching me closely.