Chapter 85: Black Justice
Afternoon
Ransei
Dragnor Castle
The courtroom hardly looked like one. Red, Green and Blue, handcuffed and escorted by a personal entourage, shuffled through throngs of people and the obsidian doors glided apart to reveal a cavernous room which, according to Ranmaru, should be a courtroom. Yellow flames danced in overhead chandeliers and brackets. As was the decorative norm of Dragnor Palace's chambers, gold leaf covered the hall's roof and when the ebony haired criminal gazed upwards, he saw his face as a distorted smudge against the metallic sheen. Civilians crammed the area, bustling, asking questions and wringing their hands. Lower ranked, International Police officers milled about, struggling to abide by the cumbersome laws of Ransei, they intermingled with the retainers of the castle and orders flew about. Sharp, one word commands rendered the air apart as the trio slunk through the masses. Boxed in by a team of countless guards, the Kanto natives failed to see their surroundings properly. They passed through the base floor of the viewer's gallery and Green spied tiered wooden benches, piled high like an amphitheater. The tightknit formation of black clothed sentries shifted slightly and Red stopped for a brief moment to peer through the gaps, his attention snared by someone. Oak sighed, no doubt his best friend ogled at Misty who stood to stiff attention next to Volkner and Blaine. A peek at his red eyed friend revealed scarlet irises swimming with regret and pockets of emotion the professor failed to fathom.
Even after all these years, Red remained a mystery to him. He briefly wondered what the fighter thought of him. Did he also think Green was an enigma? A puzzle not meant to be pieced together?
And regret? Surely they had no time for regret.
They had no time for anything at all.
A sentinel jabbed the small of Red's back, the man peeled his gaze away from Misty and continued down the aisle. She wore a policewoman's uniform, the ebony haired trainer mused; and surprisingly, it fitted her well. The ex-champion peered at Blue, her eyes were bloodshot from crying and she pressed her lips into a thin, displeased line. Blue did not accept their apology and he wished they could spend some more time together to joke around and placate her. He wanted to show his friends his birthplace, the Island of Cinnabar, perhaps they could spend a few weeks in the sun, surrounded by the other Dex Criminals in a vacation not fraught with danger? Wishful pondering, his mind sneered and he lowered his eyes to the ground. Normally, the castle sported polished, wooden tiles but here, the courtroom floor shone like a milky mirror. White against black. The Warlord of Dragnor fashioned his castle to ooze luxury and power. When one stood at the entrance of Dragnor's gates, they felt humbled in a defeated sort of way. The charcoal slate, from which the palace was constructed, radiated cruelty and the gold highlights served to intimidate and awe all those who gazed upon the gigantic domicile. Dragnor Castle sat in valley, surrounded by sheer mountainous cliffs on either side. The surroundings were devoid of vegetation and for a moment, it reminded him of a wasteland. At least Valora seemed cheery compared to the land of the Dragons. Red turned his face to Green. Clothed in a simple sleeveless tunic, Dragnor's prison issued uniform, blood red eyes studied his best friend's wan expression and Oak's jade irises, formerly fueled with passion and a need to outclass everyone, weighed down with bitterness. Red did not care about his fate; he already gave up hope for himself. But Green and Blue...
A glittering future lay ahead of Green.
Not only did Red destroy his own life, he managed to break his best friend and disappoint Professor Oak.
He exhaled.
Disappointment does not even begin to cover the consequences of his actions.
Was Green mad at him? Of course Blue hated him...She made her thoughts clear before they entered the courtroom. A swell of voices buzzed in the chamber and Red curbed the urge to stop and turn around. The tones blended into each other, conveying panic and longing. Must be parents of the other Dex Holders...
He had no one to cry for him.
Maybe it was a good thing.
After all, he would never want his parents to find out that the son they graciously gave up their lives for, wasted it on a life of heinous crimes.
The end of the courtroom loomed up, abruptly, the long rows of benches stopped and a spacious area held a platform; a seating place for the judges and areas for the lawyers and prosecutors to argue their heads off for lies. Red snorted, Ranmaru made it clear the felons won't have anyone to argue for them. As of now, the entire world hated them with a passion befitting boiling lava. Double the hatred stemmed from Ransei, as the different warlords could not summon the mythical monsters to wage war on their behalf. From the way Nobunaga's private retainer spoke, the Warlord harbored a personal vendetta against the Dex Criminals. Shoving his ingenious theories at the back of his brain, the ex-champion sailed to a stop and the guards in front of him broke away. For the first time since he entered the courtroom, he glimpsed a clear view of his environs. Engraved wood paneled the walls, but the platform constructed in front of him, swallowed the tiny detail whole. A staging of black pipes supported a circle of wood on top. The surface of the stage gleamed. On top of the stage, a team of three pairs of bisharp alighted at three different points, the pokemon were so still, they could be mistaken for statues. When the company neared, one of them rotated its head to face them and Red inhaled sharply. The metal beast's eyes resonated a harshness not seen of its kind. Typically, bisharp and pawniard emitted dark emotions; however, these six beasts exuded the essence of death itself.
Executioners.
The escorts untied the prisoners from each other and a sob escaped Blue's pursed lips. She smacked one of the guards away and grabbed Red with all her might. "Please don't do this," she pleaded in a voice so broken, it crushed him. "Please Red..." she clung on to him, fastening her arms around his body and sticking to him like glue. Her tears spilled on his black, sleeveless kimono and she buried her face and wept.
Red did not say anything, he couldn't. Forcibly, the sentinels pulled Blue away and she screeched and clawed at them. She tried to reach out for Green and eventually, the female dissolved into a weeping, hiccupping mess. The escorts dragged her up the platform and her hair, normally kept in a glossy, perfect condition; resembled dry, dead stalks. Green went up when the warden barked; he offered no resistance and simply followed his jailers up to the stage via a flight of short steps. Wordlessly, he stood between two bisharp; the creatures cast him a fleeting glance and resumed their mindless staring of the walls. The guards ushered Red last, just as he assumed his place on the platform, the doors opened and he beheld a new crowd of worried parents pouring through the entrance and searching for their children. Some of them hiked up the guards and threateningly demanded for their offspring whilst others timidly wandered around and searched. Behind the curious and distraught band of people, a platoon of weapon hefting guards marched in and scattered the crowds into the seating galleries. Directly after them, came the superintendents of the International Police and their direct subordinates, who were stationed on one side of the room, broke formation and joined their superiors. Red spied Lack-2; the teenager briskly strode inside the courtroom, his coat tails billowing dramatically around him. He donned a police hat and pulled the wide brim low over his copper tinted irises. The ebony haired man waited for the brat to raise his head. About two thirds into the room, Lack-2 did just that, his russet eyes veering upwards and rapidly confirming the presence of the three commanders.
And when the child met his eyes.
Russet on scarlet.
Red smiled. Flashing a row of pearly white teeth and inwardly pleased at the distilled terror flaring in the brown haired superintendent's irises.
One week ago, morning
Valora
Palace
For the first time during his reign, Ieyasu did not know how to proceed with his actions. A few nights ago, the alliance convened in Dragnor Castle and conducted a meeting with the International Police officers. Whilst Warlord Nobunaga agreed to their propositions, the dragon tamer had an agenda of his own. Tensions in Ransei reached breaking point and their alliance seemed to crumble from within. Warlord Mitsuhide blatantly stated his displeasure at having to meddle in the affairs of the commoners and whilst Ieyasu understood why Mitsuhide griped, the pressing concern of the deity monsters not appearing to bless Ransei's provinces, remained a tangible problem. Sitting cross-legged on a raised podium of metal, he fanned himself and watched his castle advisors argue amongst each other. They contemplated on the best course of action. At the far side, the metal laced sliding door slid open and his aggron limped inside, dragging its broken leg. Aggron, the Warlord somberly pondered, would not live long, since its fight with the escaped convict; it sustained injuries which only worsened over time. Several of its vital organs were chronically inflamed and the broken leg failed want to heal. A few retainers urged the Warlord of Valora to put the metal monster out of its misery; however, Ieyasu could not bring himself to do it. He grew up with the aggron, nursed it and the creature almost sacrificed its life to protect its domain. Shifting up, he loudly patted the area next to him with an iron staff and the beast lumbered to the source of the sound. Clawing its way up, it heaped down next to its master and promptly gnawed on the staff its owner carried.
"...Ridiculous, we have to ship those commoners to Dragnor?"
The quarrels continued and the Lord simply listened, his eyes fixated on a silk screen painting of Registeel.
"If he wants them, he can send his retainers to fetch those criminals."
"That power hungry fool is mad. I understand why Warlord Mitsuhide is so unhappy with the alliance."
"-Lost sight of his goals."
"Fool wants to command Zekrom and lay waste to Ransei. He is terrified of Hideyoshi."
"Legendary creatures..."
Snippets of conversation floated in the air and the Lord exhaled audibly. Some of the shouts died down at once. The older retainers simply kept on shouting, weighing the merits and demerits of pulling out of the coalition. Valora did not need an alliance, they argued. It was a fortress, perfectly capable of defending itself. Hearing them, Ieyasu curbed the desire to smirk, it took three outsiders to infiltrate this fortress, cripple the province's most powerful monster and escape. Till date, the Warlord regretted not marching into battle himself; his presence might have allowed the tide to turn into their favor. However, Ieyasu did not want to be present there and once the convict fled his lands, he inwardly rejoiced. The disgrace his people harbored by housing the felon was one too much to bear. The metallic room ricocheted with noise and early morning sun trickled in. Sighing once more, the ruler distracted himself from the time wasting meeting by hammering Aggron's armor into a smooth plate. The beast crooned in delight and jets of hot air gusted from its nostrils. It crouched into a more comfortable position and plucked a jewel from its skin. After squinting at it hungrily, it cut the gemstone and offered it to its master. Ieyasu pocketed the ruby and cast a glance at his retainers, the younger ones delved into silence but the older individuals raged. Sensing discomfort, the steel type opened its maw, sucked in half of the air in the spacious chamber and then roared. Chucks of cut gemstone flew out of its mouth and torpedoed into the room, sharp silvers of the brilliant ruby embedded itself on the wooden floor.
And instantly, silence reigned.
The retainers smoothed out their clothes and assumed dignified stances, meanwhile, the Warlord stowed his hammer away in the folds of his metallic blue sash and brought his hands together. Peering at each and every council member, he noted their distress and disgust. A few months after signing himself into Nobunaga's alliance, his top advisor, who also served the previous Warlord, pressed him to cut all connections with Dragnor. "I see the matter on our hands is an unpleasant situation and I strongly recommend that we do not divide ourselves by petty argument." Ieyasu's rich vocals bounced everywhere and echoed back to him. "Lord Nobunaga decreed that we hand the criminals over to him. I say we do so and thus we can wash our hands free of them." As he talked, his mind veered to the blood eyed man who crippled his aggron permanently. The Warlord of Valora wanted to keep that man; he could've served well in Valora's army. A pawn to be used should the tide turn against Valora's favor, alas, Nobunaga had other plans for the convicts. "In our alliance, Warlord Nobunaga functions as a corner stone, therefore..." dark irises zeroed in on the people slandering the dragon tamer, "it will be in your best interest not to libel his name. The man wields much power. As for his proposition, I do not know what he is planning, but I have the duty of supporting him, breaking off from this formation will anger him greatly."
"My Lord...What about the legendary pokemon?" One retainer stood up and croaked. "Ransei will fall into ruin if they refuse to visit. Why cannot we ask those convicts to remedy this situation?" The man wrung his hands and shook his head. "From what you disclosed, it seems Warlord Nobunaga has some very harsh punishment in store for them..." he broke off and meekly collapsed on the cushion underneath him.
Ieyasu admitted that the man had a point. Whatever crimes the Dex Criminals committed, the consequences of their actions must be undone. Unfortunately, no one had any idea of how to reverse the process. The antediluvian sword passed down through the generations of Valora Warlords, no longer summoned Registeel. And according to the International Police, the felons are supposed to be punished humanely. Humane punishment did not exist in Ransei, all the other torture methods abolished by the lesser regions, were still practiced in the Imperial region till today.
"We shall leave the problem for the commoner scientists and professors to solve." The Warlord finally replied and rested his chin on an elephantine fist. "If they beseech our help we can ask Kenshin to help them." Ieyasu thought for a moment and added, "Mew and Mewtwo still heed his summons and therefore it means that the criminals did not capture those pokemon." None of the retainers offered any advice and they simply shook their heads as if their Warlord's decision might damn them all. "Most of you are unsupportive of my ideas; however, I have to give them up. I will, however, request Nobunaga to pick his things up by himself." Some of the men and woman dipped their head respectfully and a peaceful atmosphere descended in the formerly chaotic room. Aggron kept up a low grumbling, wishing for its owner to continue hammering away at its hide. "You are all dismissed." The Lord exclaimed and the higher ranking members scrambled out of the door and spilled into the corridor in an orderly manner. "Munenori, before you leave, contact Ranmaru from Dragnor and relay our conditions. Also, put in a request for Kenshin and Shingen to come visit for a cup of tea. We have to discuss private matters." The retainer paused by the door and bowed to his lord.
"Consider it done my Lord." Munenori droned and left the room.
Around the same:
The Dex Criminals lounged about in their cells and racked their brains, trying to figure out new ways to drive their wardens crazy. A team of six men were now fully employed to watch over the inmates. Whilst the top trio plotted and argued back and forth, the rest of the Dex holders kicked back and enjoyed teasing the wardens. The head guard, appalled by their audacity to scheme right in front of the royal guards, suggested that they be separated and housed in individual chambers, unfortunately for him, the Warlord disagreed and asked him to endure it for two more days. Apparently, they will be shipped off to Dragnor soon. If anything, the prospect of seeing a new Imperial province excited both Green and Red. Blue did her utmost best to remind those two that they were not on holiday and if they are being moved, chances are, their new accommodations might not be as comfortable as these metal lined cells. From the rumors she eavesdropped on, Dragnor, the home of the dragons, sounded worse than Valora and she imagined Lord Nobunaga as a ruthless dictator whose only ambition was to unite Ransei under one rule. Obviously not for gracious purposes such as ending the numerous internal skirmishes, but more on the grand collusion of piecing the scattered provinces together and ruling over it akin to a supreme evil overlord. Why Green eagerly agreed with all of Red's nonsensical plans, was a mystery to her. At times, the spiky haired brunette sat on the floor and meditated by himself. Day by day, she observed the life dull from all her comrades' irises.
After lunch, she rallied the members together and to her pleasant surprise, Red assumed an active participation. Fortunately, the man showered and thus resembled a human rather than a reeking framework of waxy, pale skin and bones. He swiped his wet hair backwards and smiled gently at her, the first in many weeks. Blue, heart warming up, exchanged sarcastic pleasantries with him. Gold whistled from his cell, causing a fit of contagious giggles to spread out in the metallic corridor. Green joined in, his shoulders shaking from the effort of suppressing his laughs. Yellow watched him, covering her mouth behind her hands and grinning. Pearl and Diamond broke into one of their jokes and half of the group immediately groaned and pleaded them to stop. Whi-2 screeched at them and eventually they relented. Dia and Pearl's comedic routines were prime torture methods and although Diamond, who grew a bit too thin for anyone's standards, tired out easily, his hyperactive friend carried on the jokes by himself and the guards avoided his cell like the plague.
"So...Any headway into finalizing our escape plans?" White loudly articulated from her cell. "I'm sorry for being so useless these days...My brain is filled with other thoughts and I can't think straight." She gripped the bars of her cell and pressed her face against it, trying to see her commander. "I don't suppose they will hand Musha over will they? Well," the organizer leaned back, "it would be interesting to see how senior Red would use musharna in order to break out."
Gold whooped from his block and the other Johto natives smiled at his antics, they were grateful to see his cheerful façade. Even though the breeder sometimes muttered and cried out loudly in his sleep, when awake; he bubbled with energy and did his best to cheer up anyone who seemed down. Crystal never asked him about his nightmares. If screaming about Lack-2 and his mother were any indication, Gold endured horrible experiences whilst asleep. Swallowing her anguish, she chuckled at his jokes and the red head's lips pulled into an amused half-grin. The indigo haired female averted her eyes whenever they met Silver's, on top of the misery she already suffered, a fresh wave of pain washed over her on seeing him.
Why Silver? She often asked herself. Why not Gold who loved her to the stars and back?
Why not him?
Crystal will never know.
"Heh! Senior Red could bust us all outta here and punch that metal monster in the face with Musha!" The breeder hollered jubilantly and Red shook his head in disbelief. Green immediately fired that it would be impossible to topple the aggron and fight an army with only the dowsing monster. Gold pouted sourly. "Must you prick all my awesome theories like they are some undesirable drifloon? I'm talking figuratively here. Don't you understand figurative speech?" Oak opened his mouth to bicker back, but thought the best of it and instead, kept his mouth shut. "Excellent, you know how to retreat strategically." The golden eyed man snickered and Blue grinned. "Remember the time when Red used sunny day in the middle of the ni-"
"Here we go again!" Emerald grouched. "Yes we remember, you told us that story a hundred times already. Now find a way to distract those guards so senior Blue can bust us out of here and we get to see the spectacle in person." The blonde grumpily folded his arms over his chest and grunted angrily.
Pearl watched him, a nasty spark dancing in his flame tinted irises. "Say Emerald," he called and the midget faced him. "Can't you squeeze through the bars? I mean, you are the perfect size-"
The Hoenn native's cheeks reddened with embarrassment and he balled his fists, shaking them at the blonde, he screeched: "I'm older than you, you stupid monkey! Show some respect!" At the moment, the steel lined passageway slid open with its distinctive sound and the Dex Holders fell silent. A single person, devoid of any guards, stalked inside. The members found it difficult to judge the person's gender, the human's face resembled that of a beautiful woman and Gold's eyes periodically ran down the person's body and snapped up to their face, his brain whirring at high speed. A dragonair, wearing a collar of sapphires, faithfully slithered after its master and the black haired retainer, judging by the expensive swathes of blue silk wrapped around their form, sailed to a stop near Red's cell. Ranmaru's eyes narrowed and he whipped his head to the side, grimacing at the sight of a golden eyed man salivating over him.
"I am a man you depraved oaf." Dragnor's chief retainer spat.
Straightaway, Gold folded and retreated deeper into the cage
Inside his block, Red stirred and got up, he moved closer to the entrance. "You don't look like one," he jibed and the noble's celestial blue eyes ignited with anger. Somehow, it made him look cute. "Anyway...Why are you here?" Red's form towered over the young retainer and he enjoyed looking down at a haughty noble for once. "Let me guess...You are the messenger from Dragnor?" Another blast of indignation exploded Ranmaru's irises and the Kanto native quashed down the urge to smile. "Not the messenger? Our escort? Don't you think Lord Nobunaga is being rude to send an elite retainer to string together a bunch of criminals and deliver us to Dragnor?" The fighter's tone dripped with dry scorn, "I decline to humiliate you in such a way...My Lord." Smoothly, the coal haired man stepped back into his cell as dragonair's tail lashed out and hit the bars. He heard Yellow muffle a whimper and Green growled threateningly under his breath. "Please watch where you are aiming...You almost damaged precious goods." By now Red studied the retainer's expressions, privately enjoying the wrath stamped on the noble's androgynous face. Ranmaru stiffly lifted a hand and his dragon stopped denting the bars. He coolly eyed Red for another moment and without another word, strode out of the corridor. "Whew..." Red breathed and waved his hand when his friends' concerned visages peered at him. "Don't worry," he assured, "the only thing fazing me here is...Is...That." His previous confidence shattered and Green's stomach turned when he witnessed his best friend hyperventilating. Lumbering like the messenger of doom, a highly pockmarked aggron waddled inside the secret corridor and behind him, came the man mountain outline of Warlord Ieyasu.
A few days later
Dragnor
Palace chambers
The jail cells of Dragnor were nowhere as pleasant as the ones in Valora; the dungeons were situated at the base of the castle. A forgotten area no one cared to maintain. The cells were damp, slabs of unforgiving rock made up the floor and the walls. Firelight flickered in ancient brass brackets, throwing a fickle heat to the unforgiving chill infesting the jails. A crude wooden bed served as a resting place. Unfortunately for Ruby, who spent a good part of the day gaping at his inadequate surroundings, the chambers lacked hot water showers. The water trickling from the faucets were freezing cold and more often than not, contained dirt particles. A carpet of moss lined the floor and Whi-2 edged away from the corner of her cell where a colony of questionable fungi sprung up and decorated her dilapidated cell with vivid colors. The mushrooms reminded her of Foongy and as soon as she thought about her pokemon, a deep melancholy settled in her heart. Rusting iron bars sealed the entrance and some of the cell walls sported deep gashes, as if some huge claw raked over the obsidian bricks. Pearl, who intently studied these slash marks finally announced that they were made by dragons.
Once upon a time, these dungeons housed dragons.
The information did not quell the alternate waves of fright and hopelessness Crystal felt. Since coming here, they were promptly ushered into the dank environment whilst the wardens of this province whisked the commanders away to have an audience with Ranmaru. Gold became strangely quiet, he trained his dulled irises to the entrance of the compound and Silver merely rolled over on his bare bed and went to sleep. Ruby, who stopped commenting on the lack of proper commodities, sharply eyed the area and Crys felt a bit relieved when Diamond and Emerald nodded off. White and Yellow exchanged a few words and the older Dex holder silently listened as the younger female related her troubles. The indigo haired woman wished she could sort out her problems like that.
More importantly, how long was the top trio going to take before they come back? The presence of her commander would soothe her rattled nerves. Pushing herself off the dirty floor, she got up and paced the cell.
"They having tea with the Warlord or what?" Gold eventually broke the stillness with a light hearted comment. "Che, I also wanna join them, chatting with pretty serving ladies will be a richer experience than rotting in this damp dump don't you think Silver?" In spite of his airy words, his tone revealed pent up tension and frustration. The breeder's irises darted about calculatedly.
"Sure Gold," The red head drawled and heaved off the filthy bed, "I believe the Warlord might just ask you to be his son in law or something." Hearing this, Sapphire snickered and absentmindedly kicked at the bars covering the cell. To her surprise, the burglar bars dented. Ruby and the others stopped to gawk at her and she grinned confidently at them. Moving backwards, she summoned her strength and with a roar befitting a dragon, vaulted over and smashed the bars again. Pain shot up her leg, snaking into the very marrow of her bones. Sapphire shouted louder and with a defeated creak, the rusted bars snapped partially. Uttering a victorious whoop, the Hoenn native was about to kick her way to freedom when Emerald's panicked shout forced her to stop. His jade tinted eyes fixated upwards, in the gloomy heights of the dungeon. The darkness stretched infinitely and he zeroed in on a shadowy creature skimming the obscured depths.
Emerald clasped the bars of his cell and shook his head firmly. "No, Sapphire, please stay put...There...Is a dragon soaring in here. That's why it smells so bad. It also explains why there aren't any guards to check up on us. If you break out of your cell, the creature might have you for dinner. Pearl was right, this place was formerly for dragons." Hearing this, the girl squeaked in fear and retreated deeper into the cell. Her frightened response shook Ruby, normally, Sapphire laughed in the face of a challenge and plowed through her obstacles in a tribal princess like manner, now she hid and her actions were painful to watch. The fashionista held her gaze and gently smiled, he wanted to hold her hand but they were caged in like monsters. "Just wait till the rest get back," Rald sighed, "I'll ask Green to demand better lodgings for us."
"Ha...Lodgings..." Diamond stirred and giggled, his sadistic chortles bounced hollowly around the room.
Meanwhile in the upper floors, the tasteful decors of the room were lost on three individuals as they collectively glared at Ranmaru. The man, shorter than Blue, remained unfazed and his monsters, guarded the only entrance to the lavish chamber. Lucario, sporting golden bangles and anklets, donned a headpiece of glittering jewels whilst gemstone encrusted bands wreathed around dragonair's serpentine body. If any one of the three leaders entertained notions of escaping, they would be instantly incapacitated or if the noble ordered, killed. Hands bound together with heavy duty ornamental rope, the three of them knelt on decorative cushions and listened to Ranmaru. The retainer placed photographs of the Poke-world's destruction and at this Red snorted. "If you are trying to jolt my conscious...save it, I don't have one anymore." Blue straightened up in alarm at his words and she glanced at Green to see the emerald eyed man narrow his eyes. "The world will go back to normal eventually. Since the legendary pokemon were coerced from their positions and thrust into a new dimension, they are having difficulties in readjusting to their old places. A couple more disasters might take place, but nothing that involves the universe to implode." The blood eyed man shifted, working some feeling into his petrified legs, "we came here to listen to our punishments...I understand meddling with the distortion world is taboo...however, I'm not propagating a war-"
The chief retainer sighed and fanned himself with an elaborate silk fan. "You fail to see the consequences of you actions Red. You did not create a world in the pocket dimension." The noble articulated clearly and Oak listened intently. "Creating a different world is a laborious process. However, I commend you on you thinking...During ancient times, the nobles of Ransei attempted to use the distortion world for their selfish reasons and it did not end well for them. Thus, tampering with the distortion world became a prime offense. One of the greatest felons a person can commit. This is punishable by death." Opposite the retainer, the trio stiffened collectively. "Do you understand what you did? All of the inexplicable problems plaguing the Poke-verse are ultimately your doing. A ten year old child may set out for their pokemon journey only to be swallowed by the shifting forests of Sinnoh; the forest teleports them to rural areas in Kalos where they ultimately end up as a phantump. The biologists at Kalos are alarmed by unusual the surge of phantump...but this is none of your business is it?" Ranmaru's tone grew dangerously soft and he brushed his hair away from his face, "Of course you are not causing mass destruction, but personally, I believe disturbances of a micro scale are the ones leaving a big imprint behind. Before we get to you punishment, I have a proposition to ma-"
"Denied." The three droned in perfect harmony and Ranmaru's eyes dipped downwards in false sympathy. A terse silence engulfed the area. "I am sick of being a tool." Red snarled, shattering the heavy atmosphere, "I'm not a coddled boy champion and I won't do anything you morons tell me to do!"
Ranmaru snapped his silk fan shut and at the entrance, Lucario's hairs stood on end, it eyed the humans deplorably.
"Red...Calm down." Blue intervened and turned her caustic gaze at the noble. "First, tell us of our punishment." Her mouth felt like sandpaper and she desperately wanted a glass of water, however, her pride refused to beg. Inwardly, she moaned and blamed Green for rubbing his arrogant tendencies on all of them.
"All of you will be subjected to a trial."
"A...Trial?" Green raised his eyebrows in skeptically. "You are giving us a trial?" He murmured. "A rigged trial."
The retainer smirked behind his sleeve. "Of course it is a rigged trial Green Oak. Do you honestly think my Lord Nobunaga is going to forgive you for what you have done? He is furious because the dark dragon stone is tainted and refuses to heed his call. The only reason he is conducting a hearing in the first place is due to the requests of the International Police." The noble's celeste blue eyes glittered cruelly, "one of the superintendents demanded that you be treated fairly and...Humanely. So, you shall have a trial and after judgment is passed, you shall while your petty lives away as my Lord's vassals in the upcoming war. He is in despairing need of standard bearers." Hearing this, Red frowned, flag bearers? Was this punishment a joke? "Are you confused Red?" Ranmaru questioned and the ebony haired man tried to smooth his befuddled expression but failed, instead, he shrugged. "Since capturing the enemy flags ensures victory in a war...Standard bearers are the first to be slain. A heroic end to a lifetime of crime do not you think?" Suddenly, Red's chest and stomach heaved and he wanted to gag. The image of Diamond, slow and clueless, struggling to hold up a flag, surfaced in his mind. The boy marched on, sweating underneath layers of aggron hide armor. A soldier, galloping on a rapidash, runs Dia through with a sword and snatches up the Imperial standard. The fighter swallowed in an effort to keep bile rising in his mouth, they couldn't…they wouldn't. "I also forgot to mention that all the parents and guardians have been informed." Ranmaru continued relentlessly, Green's eyes flared in horror and he bit down on his lips. "You grandfather, Oak, suffered a heart attack and is currently hospitalized."
The spiky haired man slackened and stared at the oriental carpet lining the room. His vision swam. Tears blurred the surroundings. Bitter anger coursed through him and briefly, the young professor entertained notions of lashing out at Ranmaru and curling his sinewy fingers around the noble's pale throat.
"So basically...Your Lord hates us and is therefore going out of his way to make our lives miserable." Green's temper reached apoplectic proportions as his friend nonchalantly growled. Did Red even care about what happened to the rest? "I have a better proposition for Nobunaga." The blood eyed man intoned, Oak blinked back his tears and looked up with disbelief dancing in his poisoned gaze. "The International Police...And the Kanto authorities are desperate to get their hands on me. They offered a hefty prize." Red spoke with measured calmness and the noble hung on his every word. "It is true, my actions led to the loss of N's life and thus Zekrom refuses to come out. The Kanto region boasts scientists of great repute and I'm sure one of them will be able to draw out the pokemon, one way or the other. They won't be stuffy on the details. If you send them my head, they will listen to you."
It took a moment for the occupants of the room to fully comprehend what Red implied.
Green recovered first. "What..." he choked, "what are you saying? Do you even realize...Do you want to DIE Red?" His voice grew in octaves and he grinded his teeth furiously.
"..."
"RED!" Blue shrieked. "Have you gone insane?"
"...It's the only way." He indolently replied and eyed Ranmaru, "In exchange, you ask Lord Nobunaga to let each and every one of the Dex Holders go free; they have nothing to do with this. I'm the one who started it all and I will take sole responsibility..." His voice cracked and the words trembled. Steeling himself, he observed the aghast noble. "Please, they have nothing to do with this any longer. I'm begging you to consider my life instead of theirs. Dr. Fuji...He is renowned for resurrecting fossilized pokemon. You can exchange the bounty given by the authorities for information or demand them to work on the dark dragon stone." Red exhaled heavily. "Just...Keep the rest out of this and let Green visit his grandpa."
The young retainer studied the ex-champion who resolutely held his gaze. A fathomless determination swam in them and Ranmaru felt grudging respect blossom for the crimson eyed felon. How disgustingly noble and dubiously criminal at the same time. What made the man tick? He wondered. "I think...You are overestimating your worth Red."
Red blinked and his jaw hung open.
"You are overestimating your worth. One convict's life is hardly enough for a team of thirteen criminals." The retainer blandly stated, "And what if your death spurs them on to greater criminal activities? Your friends next to you do not look pleased with your proposition."
Inarticulate due to shock, Red pondered if his insignificant life was worth saving. Why did his parents leave him alone and die?
Why couldn't they take him with?
You are overestimating your worth...Ranmaru's toxic whispers rang teasingly in his head.
Worthless.
"Fine." Green hissed, "If he's not enough, then I'm offering mine as well. But the conditions are the same. You will release the others. Swear it by Arceus." Blue and Red jolted and stared dumbly at him.
"Green..." Red mumbled dazedly, "Are you out of your mind?"
"Those are my words Red." The spiky haired brunette snapped and refused to look at them. "Stop stealing my lines and don't look so shocked." His voice gained a cutting edge. "Do you honestly think I felt okay when you asked them to behead you? DO YOU?" The professor whirled around and ignored Ranmaru who uttered what sounded like a frightened squeak. Green's eyes gleamed with emerald fire and he clenched his jaws, the muscles tightened around his neck and he spat: "For as long as I know you, you only do what you want. You romp through life, uncaring about the consequences of your actions. What?" he barked, "why are so baffled? Do you feel it Red? The sheer hopelessness, anger and biting pain, Blue and I felt when you told this noble it was okay to use your head for a prize? Does it sound nice?" Red lowered his eyes and meekly shook his head, like a child given a severe scolding by their parents. "Not nice is it? You never think before running your mouth..." Green slumped and the momentum of his words decreased. "Seriously, the next time you talk, at least give your words a little more thought. Tsk, if you died on me, I'd probably have to watch Gold rip you out of your coffin...And then I'd ask Charizard to set you on fire." Straightening up, he faced the retainer. "Run along to your Lord and tell him of our proposition. And before we accept our punishment, I want a written confirmation of our terms...Signed both by Nobunaga and the International Police. Blue will keep the document in case you fail to adhere to these conditions." Uncurling from his cushion, the noble performed a stiff bow and marched out of the room. Dragonair slithered after him.
Fat tear drops slid down Blue's cheeks. None of them dared to look at each other. Green eyed the ceiling; perhaps he cursed the deity monsters for such an unfair ending whilst Red stared straight ahead, his shoulders angled downwards like the carried the weight of the world. It seemed her coal haired best friend aged during the span of the meeting, his scarlet eyes were unfocused and they reminded her of a blind person. His wrists were raw with rope burns and despite the obvious pain it caused him, the kept on rubbing his hands together. She simply broke down and a volley of silent tears coursed down her face. The tears stung and the love she held for her friends, morphed into hate. How could they do this to her? Leaving her alone to fend for herself. They never asked her if it was alright for them to die and abandon her. Instantaneously, the brown haired female felt vulnerable and scared. She pictured a life filled with inverse smiles. No Red to poke fun of, no Green to rile up. No Yellow and Green to tease. No Red to give dating advice to.
No best friends to hold her hands, hug her; and tell her the world was vividly beautiful if she stopped crying.
"So...We're gonna die together huh?" Red's disembodied voice floated in the room. "Wow...Even in the afterlife I'm stuck with you. Gimme a break Green. Don't you have a sister and a Grandfather to look after?" His voice wavered, "I'm so sorry...Green...I-" Red hiccupped and blinked furiously, keeping his tears in check.
"...Stop it Red. Stop crying, you can't let the others see you like this. And as for Grandpa...I'm sure Daisy is going to look after him just fine. What are best friends for anyway? That noble agreed to our terms, it is the best we can hope for right? Yellow, Blue and the others can finally get their lives back. The children can live out their dreams. We are doing this for Black and N...So stop getting your tears all over me." Oak turned his face to the other side and balled up his hands, he willed for his body to stop shaking.
Alas, the fear of death was not one to be easily mitigated.
"I...I'm not blind." Red sniveled, "you have tears running down your face too Green." His best friend whined. "I don't think...Arceus...I think I just turned into a murderer!" The black haired man cried loudly, at this point Blue wailed, her sobs echoed around the room. Startled by her, the two males turned to see her chest heaving uncontrollably. "Blue...Please calm-"
She glared at them with all the negative emotions she could muster. "I hate you two...How...Just How could you two DO THIS TO ME?" Her lazuline irises darted about, wild, uncanny and laced with so much grief, her two friends spied madness spilling from within. "You bartered your life for freedom for the rest of us? Tell me Red is this supposed to make me happy? Am I going to spend the rest of my miserable life trying to shoot rainbows out of my eyes?" Instead of trying to reason with her, Red moved closer and she latched on to him like a life line. He kept on whispering apologies, as if a string of sorry's were the only thing he could speak. "Please reconsider your decision Red..." she buried her face in his chest and wept. "We can be standard bearers...But please don't leave me alone. Even though I never mentioned it, you two are the ones who sustain me. Green...I'm sorry for annoying you all this time...Please...Please convince Red to change his mind." She hung on to the fighter and reached out for the jade eyed male, for a moment, she thought he may shuffle away, instead, Green moved closer and she clenched his shirt.
"Pray we go to heaven." Her ebony haired friend joked; she looked up and scowled, noting his moist eyelashes. "...You can survive without us." Red clasped her shoulders and she opened her mouth to protest. "You can and you will. We will forever be alive in your memory, right? And look after the rest of the Dex Crimi-...the Dex Holders for me. Believe it or not, Gold needs a lot of attention." He reached up and ruffled her hair. "I know an apology won't satisfy you, but, I am sorry for all the mess I have caused and the only way I can atone this...Is with my life. And I apologize for taking Green along with me. If I try to change his mind, he'll just knock me out."
Oak muttered, "Injustice...We are being punished too severely for our crimes. Heh, if I ever reincarnate...I'm going to swipe Nobunaga's head off. When we have scum for authority...That is when the world spins in the opposite direction." He sighed and a melancholic glower seized hold of his eyes. "Blue, please find it in your heart to forgive us. I most certainly do not want to die...But as you heard, our Red is pretty worthless."
"Thanks Green." Red croaked
"You are welcome. Now wipe those tears, you don't want the rest to know do you?"
A/N: Title drop people! (I feel like I achieved something in my life) Anyway, Red gets the lecture of his life from Green and Blue…poor Blue. Much thanks to all those who read and reviewed, virtual mangoes to you all. I swear, this mango season is gonna give me a royal headache.
At Jack54311: From bad to worse huh? You underestimate my power. Send them to the distortion world? Eh, they'll probably starve and die in a few months' time because of the lack of sustainable food, shelter and whatnot. At HeyYouYaYou: Most fics write off Blue as a flirtatious young woman…her intellectual capacity is probably on par with Green's. I mean, it takes brains to con people right? So yeah, no underestimations.