-April 2, Gale's POV, FP-
I watch as Celebi opens her eyes. We are in the guest room, just the two of us. Michael, Luke and I agreed to keep it simple and introduce them later. A camera is setup in a high corner of the room, whose lens reveals the room to Michael, via laptop nearby. I'm sitting in a chair next to her bed, as I have been doing for a few days. Luke and Alice have been taking care of my charges, I'm very grateful of that.
Pushing down my emotions, I gently put a hand on her shoulder. She jumps slightly, startled. I move my chair into her field of vision, keeping my hand on her to hold her still. Michael did everything he could, and it showed. She lived. But she was still seriously injured and I didn't want her to hurt herself more by mistake.
I allow a small, reassuring smile to cross my face. "How do you feel?" I ask, softly. She considers the answer.
"Tired, and sore." She mutters after a while. I just nod. We sit in silence for a while, before I work up the nerve to do what Michael really wants me to do: Find out what happened.
"I don't want to scare you or anything," I begin, uncertain. "But I need to know how you ended up in this bed. Everything."
She gets a haunted look in her eyes, but she responds. She sounds calm, but still slightly wavering. "Those humans… You called them the 'SSM.' They have some sort of… Plan. It involved… Involves me. One of their leaders used some sort of weapon on me, it injured me really badly and I was unable to contact the other Masters…" Her fear becomes more evident, but I move slightly, rubbing her forehead. She continues. "They chased me through a deep forest, kept attacking me until I couldn't run anymore. Captured me, threw me in a cage. I couldn't concentrate enough to get my bearings." She starts sobbing harder at this point, but still goes on. "They took me to a dark room, and a doctor kept me alive. Hardly alive. Every night, they took me to another room…" She becomes overwhelmed at this point, and I was forced to hold her down to prevent her from hurting herself while she cries.
Knowing that she wouldn't calm down on her own, I quickly snatched up a vial and pricked her skin with it, before depressing the trigger. Her body goes still, and, after making sure the monitors were running right, I lean back on the chair and close my eyes. All at once, I return to the cave where I first met the injured pokemon, a place within her mind of our creation.
Standing quickly, I stride through the only exit, which leads to an identical cave, in which Celebi sits. Her body is healed within her mind, but the emotional scarring is present. Acting as I would do with my charges, I sit in the grass and pick her up. We stay embraced like that for several minutes.
She maybe hundreds of years old, but her maturity, her emotional state is that of a preteen… And to a preteen, anyone, torture would be too much to deal with alone. I thought sadly to myself.
So I proved that she wasn't alone. And then she said something that completely caught me off guard.
"They sexually assaulted me." She said it so softly that I almost thought I might've imagined it at first. I looked her in the eyes.
"I'm going to admit something, and I want you to not get mad at me, at least at first. Ok?" I start. She nods. "Michael charged me with caring for you, so we keep the amount of people that get near you to a minimum. That and he wasn't comfortable… Bathing you. Without your permission, at least."
She takes in these words, their hidden meaning. After a moment, she sighs,, accepting them. I relax a little, I expected to get slapped. "All right. I admitted that because when I washed you I noticed severe swelling on your folds. I promise I didn't touch them more than needed to clean them, but I talked it over with Michael and he was suspecting." I finished.
She frowned slightly and continued. "Every night for over three months. They said if I did what they wanted me to do, it would stop and I could leave… But I didn't. Finally, one of the guards left my cell unlocked by mistake. I flew out as fast as I could, they couldn't find me. I searched for the strongest Aura in the area and flew to it, hoping for protection… Now I'm here."
I nod slowly, noting her emotional state brighten the slightest amount at admitting the horror. "We'll discuss this more later. Would you like to meet Michael?" She nods, the smallest trace of a smile forming. I direct my thoughts and Aura to the man, and in moments he responds. A few minutes later, he walks through the door to the cave, a warm smile on his pale face, crinkling his sapphire eyes.
"Hello, Celebi. I'm Michael Tellings. I run the Pokemon Orphanage and Protection Agency in SlatePort." He pauses for a moment and sits down next to us, arms on his knees. "In reality, your body is currently in my personal guest room, on the top floor of the Orphanage. Only a few people know of your true location, and you can stay as long as you like. Gale has been overseeing your care. I hope you don't mind, I installed a security camera in the top corner of the room, above the door. It was only for the concern of your health, so I could monitor you." He says. Celebi nods.
"How am I doing…?" She asks, hesitantly. Michael's smile fades. He lays down, faceup on the moss. The man hesitates for a moment, gazing at some point in the universe only he could see.
"Let's see…" He starts sadly. "Fifteen cuts clear to bone, dozens more, severe bruising, bullet wound in your hip… Sexual assault," He adds, counting them off on the fingers of his left hand. I narrow my eyes at him. "Hey, you can't blame me for listening in… I needed to know what was going on." he says quickly. "Anyway, you lost quite a lot of blood as well, and you might even have a broken rib. I couldn't tell for sure without x rays." He finishes.
Celebi sighs sadly. "To be honest, that's about what I thought, too. I need to contact Dialga…" At this, Michael sits up and looks at her, an interested look on his face.
"The Master of Time, right? and you're his Apprentice, correct?" Michael says.
Celebi answers. "Yes. The problem is, whatever the SSM hit me with made it impossible for me to concentrate on their thought waves. I can't communicate with them, or reveal my location, and seeing as they haven't found me yet, I'm assuming they can't get a read on me either…" She trails off, seeming slightly upset.
Michael puts his chin on his fist, deep in thought. "Well, we are in the Hoenn Region as of right now. I know that humans have spotted Dialga on Spear Pillar in Sinnoh, but is there any place in Hoenn that we could go to that Dialga or another Master would be able to find you? Any place that you could have a good chance at seeing someone?" He asks, sounding a bit excited.
Celebi considers the question for a while, but at the same time her mindscape seemed to be warping slightly. I speak up. "You're tired. Sleep on the question and we'll talk more later. Ok?"
She agrees with a yawn, leaning back against my chest. I smile softly, before setting her down on the moss. Concentrating for a moment, the cave blinks out of existence and the room reappears. Sitting up, I note the girl sleeping soundly. Moving slowly so as not to wake her, I head out of the room, hitting the light switch as I do so. Turning around, I spot Michael sitting on his bed. We exchange nods.
Michael speaks up first. "Masters and Keepers… What do you think? Groudon and Kyogre… Rayquaza… Deoxys…" He trails off.
"Don't forget the Regis, Latias and Latios, and Jirachi. Assuming their all Masters and Keepers, if we took her to a place where they are most likely to appear, we would have a good chance at getting her to safety." I respond. "We would have to be stealthy though. The Society of the Shattered Moon is brutal…" I fall silent.
The Orphanage had taken in several pokemon that had been abused by the SSM in the past. One of the Seniors, a Zoroark named Zero, along with several others, had originally come to the Orphanage after a rescue effort by over forty Aura Guardians from multiple regions had invaded one of their bases. The conditions of the pokemon were so horrible that quite a few Guardians disappeared off the grid for several weeks afterward, and although they didn't admit it, it was to deal with their conflicting emotions.
Michael stands and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry. We won't let her get caught again." He glanced at his clock, which read 5:43 PM. "I'm going to head down to the library. How about you visit your charges, take a break. She'll be fine, I'll be back very soon," he says. My look of relief was probably very obvious, I had been taking care of her for days straight, and even a few minutes that I could spend not worrying about her would be heaven at this point. Not that I didn't like taking care of her. There was just so much fear, anxiety of screwing something up that one can take. I smile, then head out the door.
-6:15 PM, April 2, Michael's POV-
I'm entering the town at a brisk but casual pace, although I'm paying no attention to my surroundings. I've just walked this path so long that I don't need to look where I'm going to get where I need to go. I'm deep in thought, considering recent events.
So of course I run into the guy.
I grunt and fall to the ground. "Shit! Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." I say. I quickly get up and help the man to his feet. He dusts himself off. It's only when I realize I know him that I back up a few paces.
The man was Dave Corring. One of the three admins of the SSM. He looks questioningly at me and I quickly wipe my face of the horrified look that must have sat there. I was able to get my hands on a list of the top dogs of the SSM during the raid, that's how I recognise him. Dave is in his late 30s, about five foot 8 inches, with a thin face, almost no neck and eyes that gleamed silver. He responds.
"No problem, Sir. By the way, do you know where the Pokemon Orphanage and Protection Agency is?" He asks politely. I struggle to remain expressionless, and answer.
"North of Slateport, about a mile up the path." I respond. He nods, shakes my hand and walks off.
I'm rattled. They know. I force down my panic and continue on my path. As soon as I enter the library, I run to the restroom and lean against the wall. I thought we had done enough to ensure her protection. I shake my head, forcing myself to focus. I reach out with my Aura, connecting to Luke in seconds.
LUKE! Where are you?! I think, knowing he will hear the thought. He responds, a voice in the back of my head.
"I'm in my charges dorm, holding a checkers tournament. By the way, maybe a bit quieter? You're going to give me a migraine…" Even in our thoughts, he sounds strained. "What's the problem?"
The SSM knows, or at least suspects that Celebi is in the Orphanage. Put the other Seniors on guard, and get her out. Meet me at the Pokemon Center. I reply.
Luke's emotions recoil at the exclamation, before he composes himself and responds. "Ok. I'll get Gale to come with us as well. He can carry Celebi and teleport her to me if they get seen."
Be careful. I finish, before heading out of the restroom. I quickly scan my surroundings. Several people in casual clothing had entered the library. Each had a small badge with the SSMs symbol on it, glancing knowingly in my direction. They knew.
Acting calm, I head towards the door. As I reach it, another SSM badged person gets to it from the outside. I stop, back up and let him in. We all stand stock still, eyeing each other. I speak up.
"Are you bastards going to stand there, or are we going to get this over with…" I say. As I talk, I focus my Aura. My arms get a slight blue glow, and the one person in front of me narrows his eyes.
Then all hell breaks loose.
The man in front of me pulls out two knives from his sleeves, slashing at my eyes. He is extremely fast, but I quickly duck and send a jab at his throat. The hit connects and he chokes on his own spit as he falls to the ground. I quickly turn, noting several pokemon had joined us in the room. Two of the people also carry swords. It's a seven on one. Eight, if you count the guy that owns the pokemon. Oh joy.
A Crobat launches an air slash attack at me. I dive behind a bookcase, and the attack cuts several gashes into the carpet. I quickly activate my Aura Sight, noting the two swordsmen coming behind me. I jump, landing a foot on one of the shelves and using it to launch myself over the top of the case. I land right between the swordsmen. The first is to startled to react in time and I punch him in the nose. He crumples. I hear the sword from the one behind me and instinctively drop to the floor. Turning over quickly, I jab my hands together, trapping the downward strike that followed a half inch from my face. I force the blade off to one side, then kick out with my left foot. It connects and the man topples over. In an instant I'm on my knees, wrestling the sword from his grip. I punch him in the temple and he goes out like a light.
Not wasting any time admiring the fact that my skill hadn't rusted over, I race out from behind the bookcase. Not an instant too late either, as it's blasted to ashes by an Infernape's flamethrower.
I quickly take in my surroundings. A Sawk was perched off to my higher left. An Empoleon to my right. The Crobat was flying, hovering up near the ceiling, almost directly above me. The Infernape was standing next to it's master, in the back, top floor. I could see them over the railing. So where was the Machoke… Shit.
I dive forward and hear the fist smash into the floor an instant later. I tuck and roll, getting to my feet instantly, taking the sword in my right hand. Running forward, the Machoke sends another fist, with the strength to smash me flat. I put a rush of strength and Aura into my left arm, however, and manage to counter the hit. During the split second stalemate, I jab the shortsword into Machokes leg, just above the knee. It cries out and drops to the floor, which quickly becomes slick with blood. I dart out of it's reach, feeling a twinge of shame. I never wound a pokemon if I can avoid it. The problem is that I can't always avoid it.
Vaulting onto a table, I throw myself at the Empoleon, screaming a battle cry. It sends a razor sharp metal claw at me, and I quickly lift my sword to block the hit. I left my chest open, however, something I realized half a second too late. Empoleon launches a hydro pump at point blank range, smashing into my chest. Dazed but still able to think, I let myself fly through the air. As I reach my highest point, I take aim and throw the sword. I doubt Crobat was expecting it, as it connected a direct hit with it's wing. The bat screeches in agony as the sword hands from it's wing, pulling it out of the air.
I tuck and roll, landing on the second floor. The Sawk stands nearby, in a casual but tense stance. I'm still dazed, but it doesn't attack. When I regain my breath, I stand. We eye each other wearily.
"Why didn't you kill me? All you had to do was jab at my head. And yet you just stood there." I ask. It's eyes narrow as it shakes his head.
"I don't kill defenceless men. The SSM will not force me that low. But you are not defenceless anymore. Show me a worthy battle." It says in a deep voice, taking a fighting stance. I nod.
I take off, running at a full clip, straight at the Sawk. At the last second, I duck left, rolling and coming up behind it, jabbing toward it's unprotected neck. He anticipated my move, however, quickly blocking and sending a sweeping leg out to knock me off my feet. I counter. We fall into a sort of dance, kicking, punching, blocking, dodging, countering each other's moves. Pure instinct and skill keeps us both on our feet. He sends a jab for my eyes. I smash it out of the way, aiming a jab for his chest. He ducks, sending a foot to my knee. Thankfully I wanted him to do that. I twist around, trapping his leg in my embrace and force my right heel into his left kneecap. A crack like a gunshot goes off as the Sawk cries out in pain and collapses. Untangling myself, I nod to it.
"That was an amazing battle. Perhaps we will do it again sometime." I say. Through the pain, the Sawk puts on a small smile. Without waiting for a response, I run towards the SSM pokemon trainer.
The man nods to his Infernape, which moves to meet me. The Empoleon was still standing as well, and I knew I didn't have the stamina to be able to defeat them both. The Infernape jabs at my chest, but I slide baseball style under him, using the momentum to push myself to my feet afterward. I continue at a full clip, slamming into the trainer before he can run. I quickly pull the knife he has from his belt, force myself behind him and place the blade to his neck. I push the guy to his knees and speak.
"If either of you try anything, I will cut his throat out. I swear to Arceus, I'll do it." I say, loudly and clearly. Both of them hesitate. I speak again. "Don't struggle or I'll make the last seconds of your life a living hell." I say, focusing on my hostage. He nods ever so slightly. I stand, forcing the man to his feet. Walking backward to keep both pokemon in sight, I head to the stairs. Taking them slowly, keeping my focus on the SSM trainer. Neither pokemon move, letting me get to the door. I force the man to his knees again, then speak.
"Good. I'm going to remove the knife from your neck, and you're not going to move until the doors close behind you. If you do, I will bury the blade in your skull." I say. I would do it. If I have to. The man nods slightly again. I slowly release him, then walk backwards to the door. I open it, hesitating. Then I bolt down the road.
The sight ahead of me is so terrifying and angering that I want to lay in the road and cry.
The Orphanage could be seen burning even from here. All over the town, Senior pokemon and Police fought the SSM army, trying to defend the innocent people and pokemon. A safe area had been setup near the docks, and dozens of pokemon were there, many being treated for various injuries. The police and Seniors were outnumbered, and as I watched, Alice got struck down by several Gengar. Her scream only lasted a moment.
What happened next will terrify me for the rest of my life.
I screamed, a heartbroken, angry scream. A surge of energy poured out of me, covering me in a blue ring of Aura. I fell to my knees, sobbing, hatred and fear and pain flowing. The energy surrounded me, turning blood red. All the anger and fear and negative emotions I had kept to myself for the last 23 years, flying out of me. The fire suddenly exploded, a red ring of horrible energy flowing outwards like a tidal wave. Any pokemon or police on the good side, it ignored completely, doing no effect. But the bad guys screamed in agony and fear, those who didn't get hit right away tried in vain to run. All I could do was scream as I watched them burn. It tore through them and they dropped like flies, twitching and moaning in agony.
I watched, breathless, as I burned Slateport to the ground in mere seconds. Then I fell face first onto the blackened cement and my vision went black.
Authors Note: A bit of a cliffhanger, I know. I didn't really want to end it on a cliffhanger, but it works best for the way I want the story to go. Don't worry, It will be entirely worth it! Happy Reading! -Orthros