Please note that last "chapter" was more of a fun way of me explaining somethings without doing just a huge text block as an author's note to explain a few things, and not really canon to the story. Yes, the lore Hoopa told was canon to the story, but the whole "breaking the fourth wall" really wasn't. I just needed to clarify a few things, and that's how I chose to do it.
Enjoy chapter 12!
Day Seven
I did not agree to be trapped in one of your spheres.
Ash tried not to shiver as the Honedge glared down at him. Her single eye was trained on Ash as they made their way through the Zubat Roost cave. Kindle was walking next to Ash, holding her stick out with the tip lit like a torch so they could make their way through the darker cave. Chester was darting ahead, sticking near the walls, occasionally looking back at them with a glare. Scape the Skiddo was behind Ash, timidly following her new trainer. She could feel the tension from the whole team that was directed at her, so she tried to stay out of the way. It didn't help that Aura had decided to perch up on Ash's shoulder, glaring down at the Skiddo every time she dared to look up.
"Look," Ash told the Honedge, "I didn't know what else to do. For some reason I can hear your voice in my mind when no one else can, and I didn't want the others to think I was crazy. You kept saying stuff that... caught my attention, and it seemed like you had a few questions yourself, so I decided to catch you. I can release anytime you want, if you're really that bitter."
The Honedge slipped her sword body back into its sheath, floating alongside Ash, deep in thought, Very well, I saw humor you, peasant. What was that name you decided to call me again?
"Mulan," Ash said, "If that's okay. I mean, I can understand you so I guess you already have a name..."
I cannot remember it, Mulan snapped, The name I was given as a human is lost to my memories. Though I do remember the great war, fighting within Alphaus Omegan's mighty army, though he was a horrible king.
"So you really are a human..." Ash muttered, remembering the butler's lore on Honedge. He gave the sword a sideways glance, "And you were really in AZ's army? I thought girls didn't fight in wars during that era..."
Of course I was a human! I'm stuck in this form though because the Sentinel never guided my spirit to the afterlife... So my soul got bound to my own sword. And yes, females were in the war. It was so violent that men, women, and children were in the ranks, fighting for their life! The war was that bad... And what was our king doing? Sitting in his castle like nothing was wrong! Mulan snorted, But that doesn't matter. I have two questions for you. First, where did you get the name 'Mulan' from? I must have a worthy origin for me to be called by it.
"Um..." Ash began, trying to think, "I got the name from a movie, if you even know what those are... Basicly, the name comes from a story about a girl in ancient times that sneaks off to join the army in her father's place. A bunch of ghost types wished to help her, and send a Charmander to revive a Tyrantrum fossil from its slumber to help the girl, but he fails to awaken it. Afraid of the others finding out of his failure, the Charmander goes off to help the girl, Mulan, himself," Ash scratched the back of his head, "It is aimed for a younger audience, but it's a good story. The name came to my mind when I thought of what the butler said about your kind, that you were in AZ's army, and that your voice was female."
Mulan thought on this, then her sword body bobbed in midair, as if nodding, The girl in the story seems honorable enough. Mulan shall be my new name, since I cannot remember my own, and I shall bear it with honor! She turned her small beady eye towards Ash, Now, why do I sense so much spectral energy flowing from you? You smell of death!
Ash hesitated, wondering if he should give the full truth right away. The only Pokemon that knew his full story was Kindle, and the Honedge was still new to the team. Then again, he wasn't exactly close to Chester or Scape, and Aura seemed to care less about his origins. After a moment Ash sighed, holding up the amulet for the sword Pokemon to see.
"Well, I probably smell of death, because Death likes to hang out quite a lot," Ash said, and Mulan stared at the gleaming black gem. Ash tucked the amulet back under his shirt, and the Honedge kept staring at him in shock. Kindle shifted uncomfortably, watching the Honedge suspiciously. She was clearly not happy with the fact that they had run into another Pokemon that Ash could understand, while her words were nothing but nonsense to her trainer.
T-that amulet... Mulan muttered weakly, The sign that the Sentinel has marked one as cursed...
"First rule, we don't do that 'Sentinel' nonsense. We call him Yveltal, because that's who he is and I have no respect for him," Ash scowled, "The word 'Sentinel' refers to a guard or watchman... That is not Yveltal, he doesn't deserve that title..."
A cold wind blew through the cave, Hush! Mulan muttered, Don't speak ill of the Sentinel, you fool!
"Why shouldn't I?" Ash asked, not concerned, "He's thrown me into this stupid 'game' of his for something I didn't even do. And what has he done for you?" Ash asked cooly, "You said yourself, you're stuck as a Pokemon because he didn't take your soul to the next life. Your current state is his fault."
Mulan was silent, I understand why you radiate death now, She said after a moment, But I will not speak ill of the Sentinel, he is the great guardian of this world, She looked at Ash in awe, And here before me is one that met the same fate of my 'great' king. One that the Sentinel as marked as a Pariah. What have you done, and what must you do to free yourself?
Ash sighed, "I am here because I 'cheated death', but it wasn't my own choice, I never wanted to. But that doesn't matter to him, and now I'm stuck in this 'game' of his. I must defeat the Pokemon League here and become the champion in order to win his game."
A quest! Mulan said, How noble! She thought for a moment, the blue cloth on the hilt of her sword swinging back and forth, I have made my decision, 'Ash', She said, darting in front of him, You shall not release me from the sphere at this time. I shall follow you throughout the quest, and I shall join your ranks and fight for you. Unlike my king, you seem to be a good soul, so I would like to help you escape the same fate as my king. But if I fall during my travels with you then I shall not mind, it might be my second chance to past on to the next life, since the Sentinel seems to be near you often.
Ash hesitated, "Are... Are you sure?" He asked, "I mean, all battles are to the death here..."
Didn't you hear me?! I am sure, boy, She said, hovering in front of him still, I will join your quest.
"Okay then," Ash said slowly, "It's your choice... So, welcome to the team then..."
Kindle was staring up ahead, and tugged on Ash's sleeve, "Braixen brai," She said, pointing with her stick.
She's saying something about a 'Chestnut' or something, Mulan translated, sounded confused, Says it's gone. I think she's crazy.
Ash looked ahead, frowning, until he realized a certain monkey was missing, "Chester," He muttered, rubbing his forehead, "I should just keep that Panpour in his Pokeball... Kindle, would you go see where he's running off too?"
An angry look crossed Kindle's face, but she nodded, trotting up ahead, looking for the Panpour. As Kindle vanished up ahead Ash had to slow down, realizing by sending Kindle ahead that they had lost their light source. He felt Aura's talons dig into his shoulder, and Scape bumped into his legs as she stumbled to a stop. Mulan floated nearby, energy humming around her.
So it seems this 'Chestnut' is a member of your ranks, Mulan mused, If you have tried to give me a name like that I would have gutted you and left you to the Sentinel.
"Thanks," Ash muttered, focusing on Kindle's fading fire up ahead, watching it flicker out of sight as she ducked into a smaller tunnel, searching for Chester. After a moment the fire light vanished completely, draping the cave in darkness. Suddenly there was the sound of crashing rocks, and a long startled cry.
"Brai!"
"Kindle!" Ash cried, breaking into a run.
'Stupid little Panpour,' Kindle muttered as she wandered ahead, 'I should have let Serena's Pokemon kill you when they had the chance...' She stumbled over a rock, cursing at herself for her lack of balance in this new form. She was sure most Braixen adjusted quicker than her after evolution, but she wasn't quite sure what was holding her back.
No, wait, she did.
Guilt.
She flinched, Midnight's death and Chester's family's death quickly entering her mind. Young lives destroyed because of her. While it had been Yveltal using Scape's form to kill Midnight, Kindle still felt the pain of guilt weighing down her chest. She could have protected Midnight with ease, but she had ran to Ash's defense instead. It wasn't that she regretted protecting Ash- but it was the fact that she knew that Yveltal was targeting Midnight that night, and she had chosen to go to Ash even though he had Aura with him. She had willingly gone to Ash knowing that Chester and Midnight had nearly no hope, while it was quite clear that Yveltal wasn't going to kill Ash that night.
And Chester's family...
Her paws gripped her stick tighter, the flame on the tip flickering with her emotions. She didn't want to remember... She didn't understand what had overcome her that day... Why had she suddenly attacked the Pikachu and the two Pichu? One moment she was retreating, no even thinking of launching an attack, and the next... She was controlled by a cold rage that had taken her over. Her claws had been flying of their own will, tearing at the unprotected family...
She bit down hard on her cheek, drawing blood. She let the coppery taste distract her from the horrid memory. Fighting in a gym battle with trained Pokemon that knew the risk was different from slaughtering an innocent family who had never seen a death battle in their life.
Kindle paused, looking at a small turn off in the cave, and she could hear the sound of Chester's claws scraping against something deeper in the tunnel. She sighed, slipping in after him, 'Look,' She said, and the sound stopped, 'I don't want anything to do with you, but if you're trying to run away from Ash after he saved your life, then I'm going to say something about it. You agreed to travel with him, and I don't like it when people break their promises. I know you're in here, I'm not stupid.'
There was no reply, but Kindle could see that the tunnel opened up into a small cavern. She stumbled out of the tunnel, looking around the room-like cave, but she didn't see Chester. She frowned, but then heard the sound of claws against rock once more.
'Stupid enough to walk into a trap,' Chester said behind her, his voice echoing as if he were up high. Kindle heard the sound of rocks clattering, and she quickly darted forward.
"Brai!" She cried in her surprise, falling to the ground due to her poor balance as she avoided the small rock slide that Chester had just set off. She looked back towards the tunnel, and the small Panpour was perched above the cave door, glaring at her with malice. He had pushed a build up of rocks off the small ledge, and if he hadn't said a word she would have been buried in it. Kindle gritted her teeth, 'At least I'm not stupid enough to mention that there's a trap before I set it off.'
"Kindle!" Ash's muffled voice called.
Chester snorted, but didn't leave his perch, 'The rocks weren't supposed to kill you,' He said, 'I'm not like you, killing when the opponent doesn't have a warning or chance,' He glared at her, and she flinched as she recalled her claws sinking into the young Pichu's body... 'The rock slide was meant to trap you in. Now you have nowhere to run, no trainer to protect you, no Pokeball to recall any of us,' Kindle glanced at the rockpile again, realizing that they blocked the only exit in this small cavern.
'So you think that now I'm without Ash that I'm going to sit here and let you kill me?' Kindle snarled, baring her fangs, 'Because I'm not! I could handle you as a Fennekin, and now I'm evolved!' She pointed her wand-like stick towards him, the fire flaring up at the tip.
'No, I don't expect you to lay down and die,' Chester said simply, shaking, 'We're going to have a fair fight- something you didn't give my mate and hatchlings, you murderer! You can fight back all you want- but just know that I have fully intentions of killing you here, vixen. Au revoir, "Kindle".'
With that he sprang down at her, teeth draped in a dark aura as he aimed his Bite attack at her throat.
She fired an Ember at the Panpour as he came at her, but the burst of fire barely affected him, and his fangs sank into her shoulder. Kindle let out a cry, then jabbed her stick right into his ear. He let out a scream as the tip flared up, and he released her. He fell to the ground, hand covering his burnt ear.
"Kindle, are you okay!?" Ash's desperate voice came from the other side of the rock slide as he heard the sounds of battle, "Kindle!" She could hear him starting to move the rocks, trying to reach her.
'Yeah,' She coughed, 'Just trying not to be killed by this crazed monkey!' Chester let out a snarl, preparing a Water Gun. Kindle aimed her wand at him, focusing. The fire at the tip flared blue, then a pulse of swirling purple and pink energy was released from the tip. The Psybeam struck Chester in the chest, knocking the Panpour back before he could attack. Kindle snorted, rising to her feet, 'As an official league starter Pokemon, I have been trained not to kill my teammates,' She glared at Chester, 'But as Ash's Pokemon, I've learned that the things of this world aren't always right,' She prepared another Psybeam, 'I promised Ash I would believe him and fight for him, and I have promised myself that I would protect him and help him in any way. So while neither Ash or the league would like a stunt like this- I'm afraid that I'm going to kill you here and now.'
Chester let out a snarl, darting around her Psybeam, teeth glowing with his Bite attack, 'Then you're coming with me, you murderer!' He spat, trying to clamp his teeth around her throat, but she raised her forearm to block the attack. His fangs sank into her wrist, drawing blood, but Kindle didn't even flinched. This was a fight to the death- nothing mattered right now but winning. Not even her past. She burst into flames, letting the Flame Charge consume both her and Chester as energy rushed through her. Even though he was a water type, he let out a scream as the intense flames licked at his body. He released her, stumbling back, drenching himself in his own Water Gun. Kindle watched him for a moment, listening to the sound of Ash trying to shift the rocks away so he could come in after her.
Kindle blasted him with a Psybeam, and the worn Panpour was sent flying into a wall. She glared at him as he peeled himself from the wall, huffing. He looked at her, both desperation and murder in his weakening gaze, 'Y-you k-kill my mate and h-hatchlings...' He muttered, stumbling towards her, 'T-that Pikachu was the g-girl I loved, and you k-killed... She didn't d-do anything to you...' His claws gleamed, 'M-my babies didn't d-do anything to you...' He let out a painful shriek, 'Why did you kill them!?' He screamed, raising his claws to attack her despite his worn state, 'Why?!'
Kindle flinched, keeping her wand trained on him as he stumbled towards her. She had full control of this battle, she could end it with ease right now, but she didn't. Her heart thundered in her chest- how could she kill the last member of the family that she had destroyed? It was painful to watch his pathetic form drag itself towards her, desperately trying to bring peace to his broken mind. To satisfy his need for vengeance, perhaps the only thing keeping him moving.
"W-what?" Ash stuttered from behind the pile of rocks, "Mulan, Chester said what?! Who killed who?"
Kindle froze, realizing that the stupid sword was probably translating everything the Panpour was saying for Ash as he tried to shift the pile of rocks. She heard Ash's efforts stop after a painful silence from the other side of the cave.
'No!' Kindle cried to Mulan, 'Don't tell him!' Ash couldn't know what she had done! He couldn't see that side of her!
Chester had reached Kindle, and he dragged his claws down her leg. There was hardly any power behind it, and combined with her panic the Braixen didn't even feel the weak slashes, 'Die...' Chester muttered, tears falling, 'Please... Then I won't hear their screams anymore... Just die...'
"A... Pikachu...?" Ash's voice quietly muttered. Kindle cringed at his tone- at the horror and disbelief in his voice.
She let out a screech towards the pile of rocks. It was bad enough that Chester spend every waking moment reminding her of what she had done- she didn't want Ash to look at her with that same knowledge. Ash was her first friend- the first person she had ever felt like she could fully trust. A pain formed in her chest, one that hurt worse than Chester's claws. She couldn't lose Ash's friendship... 'Please don't tell him!' She screamed at through the rocks at Mulan, but she knew that the sword had probably already told Ash everything.
She swung her arm, catching Chester in the chest and flinging him away from her. He groaned, but started stumbling towards her again. His eyes were dull- her Psybeams had hit him hard, hitting both his body and mind with the psychic energy. Yet he still managed to make painfully slow progress towards her. She let out a cry, springing at Chester like a feral Mightyena. The desperation pounded through her, she couldn't lose Ash's trust!
She heard the sound of the rocks tumbling away, and she turned. Ash had managed to shift the rocks aside enough for him to get a view of the cavern. She looked at her trainer, shaking. She had pinned Chester to the ground with one paw, and the other had her wand aimed at him, its tip gleaming with an angry red flame. Her amber eyes blinked, her energy and rage draining from her as she saw the look at Ash's face.
She looked down at herself, at her blood covering her legs and Chester. Chester was weak, he could barely move. But his arms were raised, still trying to attack her in vain. She was posed to kill the Panpour, only one more attack would do so.
She released the water type, stumbling away. He was coughing, eyes dim, unfocused. He slumped to his side, alive, but very weakened.
Ash was staring at Kindle, uncertainty in his eyes. Horror in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but couldn't seem to find any words. Finally after a moment he looked away from her, shaking slightly. A yowl got stuck in Kindle's throat, Ash knew. Ash knew of the monster she had become before they had met. He knew that she had slaughtered an innocent family. He knew why Chester was so determined to kill her.
'A-ash-' She began, voice shaking, but he couldn't look at her. It didn't matter- he couldn't understand her. He simply stumbled over to Chester, picking up the elemental monkey the same way he'd pick her up as a Fennekin. The water type stayed slumped over, too weak to move.
"Kindle...?" Ash finally muttered after a minute, "D-did you really d-do that?" He asked slowly, and Kindle winced, "Is what Mulan said true...? Did you really k-kill a f-family...? A P-pikachu...?" He was shaking.
Kindle wrapped her arms around herself, shaking as well. Did it matter that it was a Pikachu? She didn't want to remember! No... Ash couldn't be reminding her of that time she wanted to forget... "Braixen brai!" She cried, the sounds having no meaning behind them, she just wanted to sink to the ground and scream. But part of her couldn't lie to Ash, and she found herself nodding in response to his question.
Ash didn't look at her, but muttered, "... In my world, my first Pokemon was a Pikachu..." He whispered, and chills raced through Kindle. She now realized why he had focused so much on the species. He was picturing his first Pokemon- his real starter. She couldn't look at Ash, she didn't want to see the look on his face now that he recognized the monster that lived within her.
'You don't understand!' Kindle screamed, leaping to her feet, 'I didn't want to do it! I didn't want to! I was just standing there! T-then suddenly, I was just filled with this rage and- and-' Another yowl escaped throat, and she ran out of the room, darting down the tunnel and back into the main part of the cave. Though she had chided Chester for the same action earlier, her emotions screamed at her to run, to get away from everyone that blamed her. The trained part of her hissed at leaving her trainer, but she didn't care. She had to get out of there- away from the accusing glares!
Ash didn't even call after her.
Kindle let out another sob as she entered the main cave again, and she darted farther down the cave. She didn't know where she was going, but she honestly didn't care. It was hard enough when she thought about that time, even harder with Chester reminding her of it, but now everyone knew... Everything time they'd look at her they think of the dark side of her... They'd see the monster in her...
'H-hey!' A small voice called as she ran, and she heard the sounds of hooves clattering against stone. Kindle slowly came to a stop, turning in time to see Scape trotting after her. The Skiddo looked at her uncertainly, and stopped a respectable distance from Kindle. Her hooves pawed at the ground, 'Um... I want to talk to you...'
'I don't want to talk to anyone!' Kindle screamed, wheeled around, sinking to her knees, 'My trainer knows I'm a monster!'
Scape hesitated, and took a step towards her, 'W-when you attacked that P-panpour's f-family... What was it like?'
Kindle froze up, what kind of question was that!? Kindle wanted to scream and tear the Skiddo apart for asking such a question, 'Y-you-!'
Scape let out a whimper, 'You said you filled with a r-rage!' Scape said quickly, scampering back, 'Was it a rage where you didn't know where it came from? Like a darkness rushing through your mind? One moment you were minding your own business, and the next you're killing someone you would have never normally attack? And you couldn't control yourself, even though you wanted to stop?!' She spurted out all the questions quickly, cowering.
Kindle paused, shaking. Scape had described the sensation perfectly, 'Y-yes...' She whispered, 'Then suddenly the rage is gone and you just can't help but wonder...'
'...Where it all came from,' Scape finished quietly, and Kindle was surprised to hear relief in her tone. Scape took a deep breath, then said, 'Kindle, you're not alone. I've felt the same way before. When I attacked that Skitty kit that belonged to our trainer... That wasn't me, I swear! One minute I was sunbathing... The next thing I know I'm attacking... Then I have a kid's blood on my vines... I know how you feel. I don't know what did this to us, but I don't blame you.'
Kindle's heart raced. Kindle knew what had made Scape attack like that- she knew the force that had been behind it. And if what Scape was saying was true, and what she went through was the same as what Kindle had gone through...
'Y-yveltal...' Kindle muttered in realization. Yveltal had controlled Scape when she had killed Midnight... And if the sensations felt the same... 'It wasn't me...' Kindle muttered as the comprehension washed over her, 'It was Yveltal...'
Scape backed up uncertainly, 'What is a Yveltal...?' Scape asked, 'I think our trainer mentioned that word before...'
Kindle blinked away her tears, remembering that Scape had been a wild Pokemon until recently, she didn't know of the legends. The Braixen's mind was racing, and she passed her wand from hand to hand. Yveltal had told Ash he had specifically chosen her out to be his starter here... He must have purposely made the wild Pokemon attack Tierno and Trevor, so they'd have to send out the starters... She had been sent out, then Yveltal had taken control of her and made her attack Chester's family... But why...?
She remembered how Chester had rallied the some of the forest Pokemon into attacking her and Ash when they passed through... He had only attacked because of what she- no, what Yveltal did to his family... And because of that attack Serena had to come to their rescue, leading to her Pokemon killing some of the forest Pokemon...
That had been Ash's first exposure to Pokemon death in this world.
Kindle felt sick, her killing Chester's family had been set up just so Ash would be forced to watch Pokemon die when he entered the forest. And if Ash's first Pokemon had been a Pikachu, then she didn't doubt that Yveltal had specifically chosen Chester's family for that very reason. And now that Ash knew about her attack, there was a rift in the team, distrust towards his own Pokemon. This hadn't been set up to just make him watch Pokemon die, but had been set up to eventually make the team unstable. Yveltal had been setting this up before Kindle had even met Ash.
'Yveltal is a name...' Kindle whispered in response to Scape's question, 'A name of a powerful Pokemon that wants our trainer to suffer then die... He controlled you to force Ash to lose a member of our team, and he knows that. Ash doesn't blame you for what you did, and neither do I... But from what you said, it seems that Yveltal controlled me like he did you... But Ash doesn't know that, and...' Kindle buried her face into her hands, 'I don't know what to do!'
Scape slowly approached her, and sat next to her, 'Back in the forest I was the alpha of my herd... I was the strongest so they depended on me to protect them. I was never the leader type though, I was just a practical joker as kid...' She looked at Kindle, 'A trainer is like the alpha, and the team is like a herd. We depend on each other for survival, and it's the alpha's job to keep the herd functioning. I think this alpha is under a lot of stress right now, and you need to help him.'
Kindle shook, 'He doesn't want me, I'm a monster, in his mind,' She shivered, 'And maybe we are... Yveltal can take control of us at any moment and we can't stop him... He could make us do anything... Attack team mates... attack our trainer...' She shook even harder, for the first time realizing just how powerless they were against Yveltal.
Scape shook her head, 'I can tell the alpha favors you, he cares so much about you. I saw the way he ran when he heard the rocks falling. If Alpha knows about this 'Yveltal' then go explain to him what happened. He'll believe you,' Scape tilted her head, 'You say he doesn't blame me, and I'm new here. You have been in the herd for a long time, so how could he blame you?'
Kindle thought on Scape's words, a small wisp of comfort building up inside her. It would never hurt to explain to Ash this new information, what was the worse he'd do? She knew he'd never purposely hurt a Pokemon. Ash also knew what Yveltal was capable of doing, so she just needed to explain she hadn't been in control. Mulan could translate for her, everything would be okay... The Braixen took in a deep breath, and looked at the Skiddo next to her, 'Thank you, if you hadn't said anything I'd still think there's a monster deep down.'
Scape smiled, 'Same here with me. I may have lost my old herd, but I think I like this one as well,' She made a face, 'Except for that bird.'
Kindle let out a small laugh, despite all of the emotions rushing through her, and she felt herself relaxing. Scape was right, this 'herd' wasn't bad, and Ash was a good trainer. She just needed to explain to him what happened... Ash would believe her... right? Kindle held the wand in her hand, watching the flame flickering in and out on the tip, then she looked at Scape. A smile tugged on Kindle's lips, it seemed she had made friends with another Pokemon for the first time in her life.
A blistering headache pounded through Chester's head, and he kept his eyes shut in the pain. He now officially hated psychic type moves... That Psybeam hadn't just hurt his body, but it had made his head scream. He wondered how much psychic pressure it would have taken to kill him, he was sure the brain had its limits. His ear ached as well, since a flaming stick had been shoved into it. Every part of him hurt... He didn't want to move, but the pain running through him didn't compare to the pain in his heart.
He hadn't killed the murderer.
The Panpour let out a whimper, twitching in the human's arms. He had been overpowered in seconds. Was it to much to ask for the strength to get rid of that horrible creature...? Why did he keep failing his mate...? His two little hatchlings...? An image of his family popped into his mind, begging to be rescued. Chester let out a pained cried, twisting in Ash's grip.
Chester stiffened as he felt a sticky substance being sprayed on him. The substance was cold to the touch, and seemed to soothe the burns that the Braixen had given him. He felt his trainer shifting him about, and more of the substance was put on him. The pain from the burns died down, though the headache still remained. Chester took in a deep breath, and dared to open his eyes.
He couldn't see the murderer anywhere, which meant the light from her fire was gone too. The trainer taken a strange device out of his bag- one of those holographic things humans had, and was using it as a light. The cavern was drenched in a blue glow from it, and his trainer stared down at him. Chester groaned, shifting, wishing the human wasn't holding him. After a minute Ash set him on the ground, and he pushed himself into a sitting position.
"Are... Are you okay?" Ash asked quietly, tone rough. Chester didn't reply to the human, looking down at his bloody claws.
What was he doing...? All that was on his mind was killing that fox... The need for vengeance was eating him alive... Was he turning into a monster himself...? Just living for the sake of killing...?
"Pan!" He shrieked, he was nothing like the Braixen! She was the killer- others would be hurt if he didn't stop her! Other Pokemon just like his helpless family!
But he couldn't get the image out of his head of Kindle protecting and mourning the lost of the Skitty hatchling...
'While I do enjoy a good fight,' Aura said, perched on Ash's shoulder, 'Going so far as to attack a nest... That's low. I didn't think Kindle would be one to go that low.'
Chester didn't look at the Pidgeotto, and the human gently helped him to his feet. He stumbled about, but the pain from his headache was fading. Psychic energy could kill quickly in battle, but if you survived the pain didn't last for long. Chester reached up to touch one ear, wincing. She had shoved that stupid flaming stick up his ear! If he didn't have a natural resistance to fire he was sure he'd have more permanent damage.
"I can return you to your Pokeball if you'd like..." Ash muttered to Chester, "If you can't walk..." Chester shook his head, stumbling forward. Ash watched him, then aimed the glowing device to light up the tunnel, "L-let's go... go find Scape and K-kindle..." The Honedge next to him floated about impatiently.
Chester would have snorted if he had the strength, of course the two hatchling killers were together. They were perfect for each other. Chester took a deep breath through his nose, catching the scent of his teammates and Zubats at lived here in the cave, but one other scent made him stiffen. It was her scent. Not the fox, but the human girl. The one that had killed Pansage and Pansear, the girl that had the Froakie. Chester bared his fangs, were all the murders in this cave today?
But if he couldn't kill the fox to get vengeance, what about the human girl...? Sure, he was weakened, but if he could strike before she could send out a Pokemon... He looked at Ash, Chester knew that Ash didn't like that girl much either, so would he try to stop him...? The Panpour went down on all fours, testing his limbs. Yes he was burned, but that medicine was helping. He could out pace his trainer and catch up to the Serena-girl without too much trouble besides pain. But his pain was nothing compared to the hurt his heart felt, so it didn't matter much to him.
Chester took a deep breath, bracing himself, then charged down the tunnel and into the main cave. He heard Ash calling after him, but he didn't care. He scampered around the corner, running as fast as he could. He could see Kindle and Scape up ahead, talking, but he didn't bother engaging them in a fight- he knew he couldn't win. He sped past them, and they let out a yelp of surprise, but he didn't stop.
Serena's scent was getting stronger, but he also caught a new scent... It was unfamiliar, yet familiar... The smell of a young Pokemon, but a species he didn't know. But that didn't matter- the scent of a hatchling was enough to trigger his fatherly instincts, and a desire to protect the unknown child welled up in him. He managed to run just a bit faster, and to ignore the pain just a bit longer. He turned another corner, and he could hear the sounds of battle.
"Jet, use Water Pulse!" A voice cried, and Chester stiffened. That was the girl's voice! He felt his claws curl as he rounded on last corner.
"Froga!" A Frogadier cried, forming a sphere of water between his webbed hands. His fellow water type launched the Water Pulse forward, speeding towards a small green shape.
The Axew was sent flying back, even though she had a resistance to the attack. She stumbled to her feet, glancing back at a small crevice in the wall. Chester strained his good ear, and he could hear small whimpers coming from within it. The Axew sprang back to her feet, but she was stumbling. She opened her mouth, preparing a mass of purple and blue energy. The Frogadier prepared yet another Water Pulse, intercepting the Dragon Rage as the female Axew launched the attack.
The girl threw a Pokeball at the Axew, but even though she was weakened she broke out, huffing, shattering the Pokeball in the process. Chester noticed several other broken Pokeballs laying around, and it seemed that the Axew had been putting up a fight for a long time. But she looked worn, she was at the end of her rope. She looked back at the crevice again, and a look of determination entered her eyes. There was a hatchling in there, he knew it. The Serena-girl was about to take this mother Axew from her child.
Serena sighed, "Okay, I've had enough of this Axew, Jet. She's too stubborn of a Pokemon for me to waste time training, we're not going to catch her," The female Axew let out a sigh of relief, stumbling some more, "But she's injured, so put her out of her misery."
Chester's eyes widened in horror, along with the female Axew's. Jet charged forward with a Quick Attack, with the intent of killing the Axew. A blinding white flash of anger rushed through Chester, and he could only remember the sight of his own mate being torn apart. He let out a scream, springing forward just as the Frogadier struck the Axew.
Though weakened, Chester landed his mark, claws sinking into the back of the Frogadier. He let out a cry of surprise, and Chester tried to Bite his neck, but only got a mouth full of frubbles. Jet grabbed him by the tail, throwing him to the side. Chester saw blood coming from the Axew, and he ran right back into the battle, sinking his fangs into Jet's arm. The frog let out a howl of pain, then flung his fist into Chester, sending him back once more.
Chester felt dizzy. He was already weakened as it is... He couldn't defeat this Frogadier... But- but the Axew! He couldn't leave her, he couldn't leave the baby hidden in the crevice... This family was just like his own, and they were under attack by this horrible human... Chester pushed himself to his feet, snarling weakly as the Axew tried to drag herself back to her hidden hatchling.
"What on earth is a Panpour doing in the connecting cave?" Serena muttered, but she shook her head as Chester sprang at her Frogadier once more, "Pathetic, Jet, finish it off."
Jet sped forward with his Quick Attack, right at Chester. The Panpour didn't have time to react as the much larger water type slammed into him, fist digging right into his stomach. He could feel the powerful force shaking his whole form as he was slammed against the ground, and he heard the sound of bones snapping. A wave of pain washed through him, Kindle had weakened him, and Jet was now finishing him off. Chester couldn't move, this wound would be one he couldn't recover from. He let out a low cry, rotating his head, hoping to see that the Axew had made it into the safety of her den with her hatchling.
She was lying on the cave floor, dead. Inches from the crevice in the wall.
No... He couldn't have failed another family... Why couldn't he protect anyone!
Serena sighed, "This was a waste of time, Jet, no catches here. Let's get going."
Chester could only stare at the dead Axew, vision swimming as he heard the sound of a Pokeball recalling the Frogadier, and the fading footsteps of Serena leaving. He had failed... He hadn't killed Kindle or Serena... He had watched another mother die... Her hatchling was now helpless and alone, and he couldn't stand up...
Chester could feel his heart rate slowing... He was dying. He knew it, and he felt no fear for himself. The only fear he felt was for the small hatchling he could now hear whimpering for its mother.
"Chester!" A voice cried, and Chester managed his turn his head slowly. Ash was coming... His trainer was coming... He could protect the hatchling...
Behind Ash was Kindle.
Chester blinked slowly, trying to comprehend everything that was happening. Kindle was keeping her distance from Ash, he didn't seem to realize she was right behind him. Kindle was staring at Chester in horror. The pain was fading... His vision was getting darker too... He stared at Kindle, he felt rage, but why...? He couldn't quite remember...
Oh yeah... His hatchlings... His mate...
Chester blinked again, he was going to see them again, real soon. He was going to see his children again... But first... The Axew's hatchling, it needed to be safe...
He looked at Ash, but the human couldn't understand him. He looked at Kindle, hesitating, but it was the hatchling's only chance. He then slowly opened his mouth, voice cracking as he slowly spoke, 'Y-you... I... No forgive... I can't...' He stuttered out, then raised one arm that was dripping with his own blood, and he managed to point to the crack in the wall, where the cries of the hatchling could be heard, calling for its dead mother, 'B-but... You must help... Help the hatchling... please...?' Chester coughed, and his arm fell to the ground. Kindle was staring at him, 'P-please... Help the h-hatchling... like it was y-yours...? Please...'
Kindle blinked back a few tears, '... I will...' She whispered back, 'I... promise. I'll protect it, I won't let it die.'
Chester relaxed. The hatchling was going to be okay. He could hear the sounds of the rest of the team catching up to Kindle and Ash, but even his hearing was fading. Chester looked at Kindle, he couldn't forgive her. Not for what she did to his family, yet... Today she had seemed truly sorry. He believed her promise, she would protect the hatchling. Perhaps what she had done in the past couldn't be changed, but she could change herself.
'I'm coming...' Chester whispered to his family as his vision faded and his hearing became muffled. He was coming, he was going to see them again... He could feel a faint thump in his chest, and then in stopped. It was strange, for one moment his body was still, then the pain was gone.
/*/*/*/*/*/*
Deaths: 2
Chester - Panpour - Male
Died in Zubat Roost
Levels 4-20
RIP
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Goodbye Chester...
In game he was actually killed by a wild Axew, but I changed it to him defending them since it was more true to his character.
Disclaimer: The movie that Ash referenced was (obviously) Disney's "Mulan", which I don't own at all (just like I don't own Pokemon!) I usually don't do disclaimers, since the term "fanfiction" makes it pretty clear that I don't own the franchise... But since this isn't a Mulan fanfic I figured I'd throw this disclaimer in here. So... yeah. *Shrug.*
Thank you for reading!