Chapter 14

Shut (Regret)

Freya grunted as she and Seliph fell for a second before she straightened them back into a glide. The wind blowing on her right wing felt like icy wind on an open wound. Damn, that boulder. Her eyes shot wide as once more, her wing snapped back from pain, causing the two to drop once more before she forced it back into place.

Glancing down at Seliph, she saw the boy was shaken up. She could feel him shivering in her arms as he eyed the sea of trees below them with a fear she guessed of being skewered on them from a fall.

"It's okay, I got you." She assured him, but when he looked back at her, his gaze seemed uncertain. To his credit, she was struggling to keep them flying. "I'm fine. My wing just stings a little-" Her encouragement was cut short as she felt her gift act up again, begging her to look behind them though she already knew what was pursuing them.

Damnit, I was hoping for more of a head start. Freya tightened her grip on Seliph, making him squeak at the sudden roughness. "Hang on!" She shouted as she angled downwards and pulled her wings in, letting the speed kick up. Seliph's scared cries were a pain, but she knew she had to shake the PorygonZ somehow.

Realizing they were still a ways from the forest line, Freya took this chance to look at their attacker and determine his position. To her dismay, she saw him send three orbs, one for each of the primary colors. They spiraled at them, splitting their formation as they neared the two.

"Seliph, close your eyes," was all she said before jerking to the right, spinning the two around and allowing her to fire Flamethrower. Are you joking? She grumbled in her mind as the three orbs split away from the flames as if they had minds of their own. So he's controlling them directly and of course, he's too far away to reach.

She flipped them back right side up and pulled Seliph close to her body, fearful that his jittering may cause him to slip from her grasp. Okay, do you worst, scum, she challenged as the orbs were closing in.

Diving to the left, she began spiraling around, the orbs following in kind. She then shot her wings out, glancing upwards as she fought through the pain, and quickly determining where she needed to go. In a split second, they were upon her, but she managed to angle herself and Seliph so that they all flew past her.

With a roar, she unleashed Air Slash upon them, only for the triple orbs to fly away from the attacks. We aren't going to get anywhere like this, she thought as she flapped her wings to ascend. If I can get close enough, he'll have to focus on direct combat. Her eyes lowered as she looked down at her child, shivering at seeing their synergetic pursuers closing in. I have no choice.

Twisting around, Freya shouted, "I said cover your eyes."

Seliph immediately complied as she pulled back and pulled her wings in. They went into free fall, making Seliph cry.

She spun her body around, surging Air Slash into her wings once more as the orbs and her were about to collide. However, this time she twisted and fired them to her right, using the push from her wings to propel her just enough to avoid a collision with the orbs. With that, she instantly faced the PorygonZ, flying towards him in a descending arc.

Come on, drop your orbs. She surged Air Slash once more, ready to fire. A loud cry followed as she felt a strong impact on her back, causing them to fall a little faster. What? She spun on her back and looked up, spotting grey and red smoke right above soon dispersed by a yellow orb of light following them.

Where's the blu- She got her answer as one struck her on the side. It felt ice cold that felt like it was freezing her inside. However, she fought the pain and pulled Seliph into one of her arms as she raised the other to defend them from the last orb. Alas, it soared around her swipe and struck right into her right wing, making her cry as electrical sparks surged from the impact.

Time felt still as she could feel Seliph slip out of her hold. It was a feeling that dwarfed the pain from the moves as she turned her head down, watching him fall towards the ground. "Hang on!" She exclaimed, dropping her wings in to dive after him.

Gasping, she glanced back and sure enough, the PorygonZ was pursuing them once more. Sending out three more orbs, though this time he kept them at his sides, their glowing increasing as did their size.

No! She had to get to Seliph now. Pulling in tighter she carefully extended her hand up her body, attempting to avoid decreasing her velocity. "Grab my hand!"

Seliph was spiraling around, flailing about too confused in his free fall to do what she needed.

Her gift lit up inside as she could almost feel their adversary bringing down his attacks any second now. With a growl, she surged cyan light into her wings and unleashed Air Slash, propelling her closer. Quickly, she pulled the boy in and pulled him close, wrapping him in her arms and closing over him like a tight ball.

She closed her eyes tightly, accepting she couldn't alter course in time at this speed and a second later felt the harsh impact of the trees strike her. Pulling Seliph close to her, Freya tried to focus her mind on just keeping him shielded from any harm.

Their fall felt like ages as she tanked beating after beating on her body until a harsh stinging filled her chest. It was so intense it made her cry out in some kind of primal anger and squeeze Seliph even tighter to the point she couldn't hear his cries for how buried his face was.

Not long after, they broke through the last of the branches and she struck the ground with a harsh thud. She felt some bones shatter on her side as Seliph was flung from her grip and the two tumbled for a second.

God…Ugh, she moaned in her head as her hands rushed to her right side. It felt like she was doing her best just to hold it in place, like a splitting headache but for her ribs. Panting, she pulled herself together and tried to roll on her back.

Her eyes shot open as she felt a searing pain in her back, making her almost jump forwards from how abrupt and strong it was. What the hell? Right as she fell on all fours she realized what was going on and it made her freeze up.

Something was lodged in her back, between her two wings. It felt rough, likely a tree branch and thick enough it made it hurt like she'd had her wings torn off. "God." She grit her jaw as her fists almost slammed on the dirt in some desperate attempt to calm her nerves.

Suddenly, she heard a groan. "Seliph?" Panic filled her heart as she pushed herself forwards, crawling over to the Frogadier, who was laying at the base of a tree. "Seliph!" Her hastiness caused her to stand up, fighting through the stinging pain as she stuttered over and clasped her child on the shoulders.

"Wake up." She shook him gently, fearing the worst. "Please wake up." A calming sensation filled her body and soul as she saw him shake his head and open his eyes. "Oh…" Before he could reply, she pulled him close, nuzzling his cheek as tears started to form. Freya wished she could be in this moment forever.

Tears formed as memories began to flood her mind. The scenes of Seliph fighting Rosa in his mind played out for her, remembering how fearful she was he would fail and yet he prevailed, even going so far as to deny the bitch what she was looking for. It was enough to make any mother proud.

Drifting further back, her memories with Seliph trickled through her mind like water down a forest creek but flowing upstream. From him helping her with the message, to becoming more independent, to evolving into a Frogadier, to learning to read and write, to his first steps, to his hatch day. It was enough to make her shut her eyes.

"M-mom?"

Sniffling, Freya pulled back and smiled at her son, brushing his cheek as he stared at her with a worried, wide-eyed gaze. "Sorry, are you alright, son?"

"I think so." He glanced around his body just to be sure.

Despite her smile, she felt a sense of sadness creep into her heart. Her gaze lowered, closing as she tensed up like she was swallowing something sour. "Seliph."

"Yes?"

"I…" She looked at Seliph, who was tilting his head and eyeing her curiously.

The words clung to her tongue as she tried to fight back the impulse to reveal her breaking sadness. That Red Eye is looking for us.

"Mom?"

Hearing his voice just made her eyes stay shut even tighter. For the first time in a long while, she couldn't accept this. The thought of leaving all three of them so soon in their lives would surely ruin any parent and yet here she was having to divulge this to her son. It took everything she had to not collapse into tears.

"Mom? What's wrong?" Seliph's voice felt scared as he touched her stomach. While he may not have known, his touch sent a small feeling of calmness within Freya.

Her eyes opened, staying true to their stoic nature as she moved a hand to his shoulder.

"Seliph, do you have the formula?"

He nodded. "It's with Jaron and Ciecro. They're at the tunnel."

A sense of pride filled her, but she didn't waste time on it. Instead, she continued, "I need you to go back to the tunnel and take care of your brothers. Get them to one of the plain towns on the other side of the mountain." A lump formed in her throat as she saw his eyes widen, perplexed.

"You need to get to the Norfarion colony on the North East side of Triacal. They'll help you get to the homeland. Once you're there, ask for Team Alpha, Nasch, Friega, or say your name is Almkin a-"

"W-wait," Seliph interrupted, even more confused of what to make of the request. "What are you talking about? What about Dad and Tetheron?"

Her fists clenched as the pain in her heart began to hurt more than the stick in her back. "Seliph, there isn't time."

"What do you mean?" Seliph asked, desperation in his voice. "We can fight that mon off and then go back to hel-"

Freya shut her eyes as the nerves in her body tensed. "We aren't going to make it." A surge of fear kept her from daring to open her eyes. I'm sorry, she said over and over in her head as she listened to the boy stutter.

"N-n-no. I…I'll-"

The sound of Seliph drawing his Cut convinced her to look at him once more.

"I can fight. I'm not gonna let any of you die like…"

She watched in silence as Seliph's grip on the Cut started to shake. His anger gaze faltered into a crestfallen glare at the ground. Slowly, she tried to hug him but was reminded of the branch lodged into her back.

"Seliph…" she shook her head. "I need your help."

His gaze rose, looking at her with a huge amount of anger and sadness. "Why…I don't want to leave you."

"I know." She turned, revealing her fatal wound to him. It was hard for her to watch his reaction, but she was running out of time. The PorygonZ was setting off her gift again and it wouldn't be long before she had to battle him. "I can't fight like this. I need you to pull this out."

His eyes were fixated on the branch, dooming his mother. Disbelief filled his eyes as his head slowly shook.

"I'm sorry, but I need you to be strong for me." Her voice started to stutter as fighting back her emotions grew harder by the second. "That Red Eye will be here any minute now and I can't pull this out myself. You've done so much for me, Seliph, so please let me give you three the chance to survive."

She turned, closing her eyes and bracing. In her heart, she knew he would do what was needed. He was strong.

A few seconds later, she felt the branch in her back wiggle slightly, making her grunt.

"Are…are you ready?" Seliph's shaky voice asked.

Freya stiffened, taking a deep breath as she spread her claws wind and answered, "Go." The initial pain was enough to make her maw clamp firmly shut and her claws dig deep into the ground. She wanted to roar, but they needed every second of time. Roaring would just make that villain find them sooner. With every second, this reasoning became harder and harder to hold on to as the pain scoured her body like wildfire. She pulled her head up and slammed her forehead to the ground, panting heavily as she willed herself to hold on.

A loud gasp followed as she felt the object leave her body. She collapsed on her side, groaning amid heavy breaths. "Seliph," she heaved, trying to get back up. "I…" her eyes narrowed as she looked at the darkness in front. It felt endless in front, so much that even the trees were hard to make out even with her tail light. "I'm sorry. I've been a terrible mother to you three."

"Shut up!"

Her eyes shot wide as she glanced back at the boy, who was glaring at her fists clenched and fighting back his tears.

"Don't you dare say that! You…you kept us…" his sniffling made it hard for him to form words let alone a sentence as he angrily wiped at his eyes. "You…Dad…and…Uncle Tethe…" he started crying on the spot, dropping to his knees. "I wish I could…was strong enough…I…"

A small smile formed. "Seliph…you've been incredibly strong." She reached out and brushed his little head. "And very patient. I'm glad you're my son and your words mean a lot to me." She moved in close and gave him a little kiss on the head. "Tell your brothers we love you…and are proud of each one of you."

He looked up at her, a complete emotional wreck; it was enough to almost make her look away.

"So please…get to a town and get to the homeland. You have family and friends that can help you."

Seliph's gaze lowered, his fists clenching firmly. "I…I don't want to leave you."

"I don't either, but…we have to accept the truth." Her eyes shut, as she wondered if those words were for Seliph or her. Her mulling was cut short as her gift warned her of the foe incoming. "I'm sorry but it's time." She got up and turned her back to her child.

"Wait, I can help you fi-"

"No," she said with firmness. "You need to move now. There may be more elsewhere. We can't take that chance. I won't lose to this one.." She felt power run into her fingers as the synergy in her body sprang to life in line with her desire to fight.

"Bu-"

"Seliph." She sighed and glanced back, taking one last look at her young, brave boy. "I'm your mother. Please listen to me."

Focusing back on the front, she ignited Dragon Claw into her claws. "Now go and…get to safety. I know you three will have incredible lives that I won't allow to be robbed from you. We'll wait for you three when your times come and we can all be together once again. But till then, go and don't look back. That is what…we want." It took all her strength to not look back. I need to set the example, she assured herself. You need to be strong for him now so he can be strong for himself.

She waited in silence until she heard the sound of his footsteps, soon followed by sprinting and the rustling of leaves. A small smile formed. Thank you. Taking one long breath, Freya snapped to a cautious scowl as her Wary began to feel stronger and stronger.

Her imagination started to pretend it could see the mon, flying right towards her with his vile Red Eyes. However, Freya didn't budge, simply igniting a Dragon Claw into her right and raising it to her head. The vision of the mon disappeared as a red beam of Tri Attack struck her claw, though her arm held firm.

Once the beam ended, Freya inhaled and was about to fire towards the spot she sensed him, but quickly spotted two other orbs from the Tri Attack. Hopping back, Freya fired her Flamethrower to meet the two beams, causing a stalemate.

The stinging in her wing started to act up again, coupled with the pain in her back and strain on her lungs. I'm not losing this! She thought, as her Flamethrower grew in power, pushing back the double beams of yellow and blue.

A shadowy figure flew to the side as the beams were cut from their power source, allowing the Flamethrower to fly onwards and almost hit this silhouette.

Almost. Freya took that as a good sign and tried to fire again. However, she quickly stopped upon seeing pink orbs appear all around her out of thin air.

Psyshock! She spread her wings and flapped them with all her might, propelling herself backward before her escape route was cut off by more appearing. The pink orbs flew towards her at great speed but met a swift demise as she swiped them to pieces with rapid slices of Dragon Claw.

Gasping, she tried to block to her right but was too slow. The Beams of a red Tri Attack sent her flying into a tree, as the two other beams followed soon after. Freya quickly raised her Dragon Claws to block those two, using the tree for a strong base till the PorygonZ gave up on his beams.

Dropping to a knee, Freya wheezed as she leered at the mon ahead. I need to get close. To her frustration, more of those Psyshock orbs appeared around her and the tree. With a roar, she fought against the pain in her wings as she went soaring forwards before the orbs could strike her.

She surged Dragon Claw. Now! She spun around and did a big hop with her wings as the orbs went flying after her. Unleashing a quick Air Slash, Freya spread her wings out to catch the shockwave of the explosion. Nimbly, she twisted around and swiped with her Dragon Claw.

To her dismay, the PorgyonZ merely flew over her trajectory and out of her reach, dropping his Psyshock for a closer and more direct Tri Attack triple beam.

Freya twisted back around and blocked the move as it struck her Dragon Claw. Realizing she was headed for a tree, Freya opened her left wing and flapped it as hard as she could. She then twisted her body, sliding out of the beam's path as it struck the tree. Despite avoiding a direct collision, the tree did graze her side and she went tumbling a few feet before coming to a halt, panting and weary.

Get up damnit! She ordered, pushing off the ground. Confused, she glanced down at her legs as she stood up with relative ease like she hadn't been injured at all. The blood from her back wound was flowing down her leg and yet she could hardly feel it.

How? Adrenaline perhaps but… She stretched out her palm, opening it up to allow a trickling flame to appear in its center. It was vibrant and chaotic, filled with life and power. A small scowl formed on her face. So my Blaze is active.

A brow raised as she looked, just in time to see a Tri Attack fly right towards her. Quickly, she thrust the hand holding the flame out and unleashed Flamethrower, pushing back against the beam till she formed Dragon Claw with the other and swiped it apart. Her eyes fell on the PorygonZ as an intense silence filled the area.

Freya started walking to the left, their eyes remaining locked. There isn't going to be a second chance. She planted her legs firmly and raised her claws, igniting Dragon Claw through them with rippling dark blue energy. So play by the book. First, get it to fire those beams again.

She lunged forwards, rushing to it as fast as she could with her Charizard legs.

The mon retaliated by forming three orbs around him, unleashing the Tri Attack from their positions.

Good, next. She raised her claws in front, blocking the collection of beams with a heavy grunt. Keep him thinking he's got you pinned. Freya took a deep breath as she felt her body heat increase. Ripples of flame sparks began to travel around her body as the synergy inside her flowed in all directions.

Lastl. She eyed the beams in front as she ignited a blazing fire around her. Don't miss the grab. Dropping her Dragon Claws, Freya spread her wings and soared forwards, the beams breaking against her Flare Blitz.

The PorygonZ flinched as he saw her close the distance, pushing against his beams like a soft spring wind to a stampede. He immediately flew up but jerked his gaze down as he saw Freya had grabbed him by his tail.

"Got you," Freya growled, yanking the PorygonZ's body down to her and pulling him into a tight hug. Synergy surged throughout her body as the Flare Blitz sprang to an even stronger kindling, engulfing her and the PorygonZ's body in flames.

The headless body flailed in her grasp, like a puppet possessed by some lively spirit. However, it couldn't free itself from Freya as its strikes grew more sporadic. Its blue and pink colors began to burn to purple and green as the blazing cloak dropped to her feet as fiery ash.

Suddenly, she heard a slamming sound to the right. Breaking her gaze from the struggling body, she watched with a stern expression as the PorygonZ's head whizzed around in the air, striking tree trunks with a maddening look in its eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Freya ceased her Flare Blitz and let go of the wrinkling body. She turned towards the head, reached out, and snatched it by the spike on top.

Her scowl shifted to fierce anger as her grip tightened. "Join your body." Shooting off with her wings, Freya flew amid the trees, striking the head against them. Eventually, they broke into the clearing, where she tossed it in front and pulled back, planting her foot on the head and using it to slow her momentum.

Stepping off, Freya glared at the blood-covered and skin-torn object, twitching around faintly in the dirt, whether due to the pain or just the body's natural response she didn't know or care. Any sympathy she was for his ferals. She shoveled the dirt back over the head with her foot, burying the bastard with a harsh stomp.

Backing off, Freya felt dizzy and fell to her knees. Fuck. She groaned as her adrenaline wore off and she began to experience the pain at full throttle. Hissing, she forced her head up, browsing around with a desperate glare. Where are they?

The smell of smoke permeated her senses as all she could see was the fallen from their battlefield. Their home was all that seemed to remain standing, as damaged as it was. All others were dead or dead in pieces. A cold feeling filled her soul.

"Huh?" her thoughts were shoved away as she spotted something near what looked like the Rhyperior's corpses. Sticking behind one of them was some kind of log, covered in dirt. Nudging herself forwards, Freya's eyes widened as she uttered, "Tetheron!" She rushed towards him, fighting the pain as best she could but sadly her body gave way.

"Move damnit!" She barked, picking herself back up and limping her way over. Please be alive. Please. She climbed over the Rhyperior's body and about fell on top of Tetheron. "No…" All the hope in her eyes died the second she saw the gaping wound in his stomach.

Tears began to form as she shut her eyes and looked to the side. She felt her arms snake around her body as shook her head, forcing her eyes back open. They fell back to Tetheron's wound, browsing up the body to his face. A little smile formed as she almost burst into a brief chuckle.

He was smiling, laying in the grass with his eyes shut like some carefree moment out of their childhood.

Shifting over to his hand, she clamped her hands on his cheeks and just smiled down at him, the tears dripping down on his face. "There's so much I wanted to say…needed to say." She lowered her head, till their foreheads pressed. "I'm sorry I never told you to your face how glad I am that you're my brother. How glad I was that you snapped me out of my childish jealousy of you." Her hand began to caress his cheek as she kiss the forehead and pulled back.

Removing her hands from Tetheron, Freya looked around. There was still one more person she needed to say something to before she joined them. Sure enough, she saw Gathor not too far away, lying on his stomach, eyes shut and still.

It sent a shiver in her body, seeing him like that, but she fought it off and crawled over to him. Her body was starting to feel numb in areas, so she just simply laid in front of him, moving her snout beside his and just rested.

"Gathor…I-" Her eyes shot wide as the face beside her started to shift. "Gathor?" She watched the mon move his hands forwards, pushing on the ground weakly, trying to get up.

A small smile formed as she reached around his head, caressing his cheek affectionately. "It's alright. Don't strain yourself."

The body went limp as a weak bellow followed.

Shifting closer, Freya nuzzled the side of his face as she looked down at the grass between their heads. "Don't worry, the kids are safe. They even got the formula with them the clever boys. I know they'll make it."

She about started tearing up again as she felt his head push up against hers, albeit no stronger than branch would when blown by a gentle breeze. Pushing on his head with her other hand, Freya said, "Gathor, there's a lot of things I regret. But, I want you to know that saying yes to you isn't one of them."

She felt him shift a little, prompting her to shut her eyes. "I'm glad you shared your life with me. We even got to have three wonderful boys and I know they'll grow to be stronger than us."

His weak bellow sent a feeling of warmth in her body.

"It was enough. All of you were enough. I'm just glad I could have you here…with me."

She pushed back against his still head and whispered. "Thank you." The weakness set in, as she felt unable to pull her head from his, not that she wanted to.

Slowly, her touch on reality began to dim as her eyes started to close. There's still so much I need to say. Her body felt hollow. To so many of you. Thank you all, for being in my life. Her breathing grew harder to keep up. Please…take care of them when they get there…I know you will…take…care… Her body went limp as sleep overtook her.

O

Seliph placed a hand on a nearby tree, giving his burning legs a chance to rest. Panting heavily, he raised his arm and finally got a chance to wipe his teary eyes. He'd been crying since he left his mother.

As his breathing stabilized, Seliph glanced back to the dark forest behind him, a giant lump filling his body. A small sniffle followed as he looked forwards. There was the creek from before, illuminated by the moon's light and running as it always did without a care in the world.

Scowling, Seliph's hand on the tree turned to a fist as he pulled it back and slammed it on the rough bark. She said get out of here! With a harsh growl, he pushed forwards and sprinted through the creek till he came upon the bush with the hole behind it. He stepped over it and got on his knees at the entrance of the hole.

Seliph paused, staring into the abyss as his fists tightened. This isn't the time, he told himself, but his body didn't listen.

He wanted to punch something, anything. He just wanted to take out his rage on something he could pretend was that evil bastard's face. This bloodlust feeling in him felt alien at first, even scared him a little. But now, it was all he wanted to do.

"Fuck!" He exclaimed, slamming his hands on the ground as he leaned towards the hole, shaking with a fiery fervor mixed with his grief. Calming himself down, Seliph shook his head.

"Seliph?"

He opened his eyes and peered into the darkness. "Ciecro?" He shifted forwards and slid into the hole, saying, "Yeah, it's me."

One awkward landing later, he looked around seeing nothing but darkness aside from one path of moonlight he currently was obscuring most of. "Where are you guys?"

"Here."

Glancing towards the voice, Seliph a flicker of light suddenly appear as Ciecro got out from behind what seemed to be the backpack. Seeing Ciecro's face sent warm relief throughout Seliph's being. "Ciecro." He walked over and dropped to his knees, hugging the confused Charmander tightly as he struggled to keep himself from bursting into tears.

"Uh…bro?" Ciecro tried to pull back. "Bro lemme go."

Seliph complied, his eyes shifting to the backpack. "Jaron, are you there?"

Jaron's head poked out from behind. "Yeah."

"Good." Seliph rushed to the backpack and started putting it on. "We need to get moving."

"Huh?"

"Follow me." Seliph briskly rushed past Ciecro, only stopping as he realized the two were still standing there. "Come on, we need to go."

"Wai', where's Mom an' Dad?" Ciecro asked.

"And Uncle Tethe and Roweilo?" Jaron followed.

The mention of that last name sent a chill in Seliph's body as his eyes widened and muscles grew stiff. The image of Roweilo's throat getting sliced open by Plageues made his body gag for a second as he dropped to a knee to calm down.

"Seliph!" Ciecro cried, rushing over. The Charmander placed his hands on Seliph, shaking him in a panic. "Wha's wrong?"

"Stop it!" Seliph shouted, grabbing Ciecro's arm. He let go of it a second later as he rested there on his hands and knees. "I'm fine."

Jaron joined them, confused and a little scared. Ciecro, on the other hand, was looking at Seliph with a serious gaze, wanting an answer.

A cold feeling filled Seliph's chest as he started to see no way out of telling them. His head shook as he used the wall to help himself stand. "Guys…Mom and Dad told us we need to escape."

Glancing at them, he was disturbed at their reactions. Jaron started shaking as visible dread filled his eyes while Ciecro stared at him with a blank that shifted to a scowl.

"Wha' are yah sayin'?" the Charmander growled, stepping forwards defiantly. "We need tah go back and get dem."

"We can't do that."

"Why not?" Ciecro demanded.

Seliph's hand shifted to a fist as it pressed hard against the wall. What could he say or do to persuade them? Many ideas flooded, but the stress to just say something caused him to blurt out, "Because they want us to survive."

Growling at what he said, Seliph turned to look at them. The two looked horrified as Seliph shook his head. "Do you get it now?"

Ciecro's head shook faintly. "Yah…yah don' mean."

"They're staying behind so we can survive."

"Screw dat!" Ciecro roared.

His muscles tensing, Seliph finally swallowed the reality of the situation and said, "It's too late."

The Charmander froze as his tail light dimmed.

"I couldn't do anything. Roweilo died protecting me and Mom barely got me away." He shut his eyes as he tried hard not to tear up. "We've been ordered to get away so lets-"

"No!"

Seliph's eyes shot wide open as he looked at Ciecro, who was glaring at him with tears forming.

"We can't jus' leave dem! We've gotta help dem!"

Scowling back, Seliph shouted, "Mom and Dad told us to!"

"I don' care!"

"Don't make this harder than it has to be!" Seliph shouted at the top of his lungs, making Ciecro flinch back startled. "Stop being a stubborn brat and do what they've asked! Mom and Dad raised your better!"

Guilt filled Seliph's instantly as he saw Ciecro scowl as his head lowered. The Frogadier watched tears dripped from the Charmander's downcast fast as his anger died down. Ciecro… He wanted to apologize and comfort Ciecro, but just couldn't. They needed to get moving and he just couldn't think of what to say.

Instead, he focused on Jaron, who was staring at the ground with a vacant expression. The sight was enough to snap whatever anger was left in Seliph away and replace it with sympathy. It felt wrong to not bring them close and cry along with them, but he fought those thoughts and got to his feet.

"I'm sorry, but we have to leave. They could be searching for us." Seliph walked over to Jaron and dropped to a knee. "Jaron."

The boy didn't respond, but his eyes teared up more.

Sighing softly, Seliph reached up and pulled Jaron close. He put a hand underneath Jaron's tail and heaved up, carrying the Totodile and using him as a good balance weight with the backpack.

He felt Jaron's snout move up to his neck as sniffles followed.

I'm sorry. He turned around, seeing Ciecro hadn't moved since he went to Jaron. "Let's go," he said softly, moving onward. A relieving sigh followed as he heard Ciecro's footsteps from behind. "Ciecro, can you cut it for me?"

A second of silence passed, followed by the sound of Slash igniting and the snapping of a rope. The tunnel roof behind them fell behind as a mechanism activated, shoving them into complete darkness, aside from Ciecro's tail light.

Light suddenly gushed into the tunnel, as Jaron held out the orb of light for Seliph to accept. The Forgadier graciously accepted and cupped his hand back around Jaron's back as he trekked onwards.

The darkness in front looked like a giant mouth of the grave that they were walking towards. The eerie silence felt chilly and also pulled at Seliph's heart. The peacefulness of their travel allowed him to process all that happened, ponder what awaited them ahead, and regret his harshness.

But his brain comforted him, giving answers to each one of his troubling thoughts and reminding him of the limits three kids not even adolescents yet could do. These truths offered little comfort to the boy as he trudged onwards, deeper and deeper into the tunnel, yearning for a spot where it would come to a stop.

His mulling momentarily ceased as he felt Jaron shift in his arms. He glanced at the Totodile, who had fallen asleep. A little smile formed as he started rubbing the youngest's back. Get some rest, Jaron.

Downcast, he watched his feet step in the limited light. Something was calming about how repetitive this was. No bumps, no large rocks to trip him, just flat ground at his feet. Their father had done a pretty good job in making this tunnel, though the thought just brought back the horrific image of the last time he saw his father's face.

He cringed back as he wanted to shut his eyes, but knew he shouldn't. If I'd just rushed in and stabbed that fucker in the head. Shifting his stare to the side, he watched the image of the walls come and go through the light. And Roweilo. If I was quicker he may still be…It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come back to them. They even already knew of the dead rangers.

His muscles tightened as a scowl formed. I was such an idiot and I got my family killed because of- he stopped, right in front of him was a giant wall of dirt and roots. It was the end of the tunnel and the end of the journey for tonight.

Sighing to himself, Seliph dropped down and set Jaron down against the wall, taking great care not to wake the boy up. He watched Jaron's steady breathing for a second. Mom wouldn't want me to say those things…even if it was my fault. She'd just…

His freed hands found themselves at his eyes, wiping away a few tears forming. I've got to be strong for all of them. Standing back up, Seliph whispered, "We're stopping here for the night."

Right as he turned toward Ciecro, he saw the Charmander drop on his side and pull himself in a tight ball.

Once the initial surprise died down, Seliph felt the guilt rise again in his heart. He walked over to Ciecro's side and knelt. "Ciecro…I." He reached out and touched his brother's shoulder, only for it to yank away from him.

Seliph kept his hand still, his face filling with remorse as he managed to hear a small sniffle from his brother. Retracting his hand, Seliph walked over to the backpack. I'll apologize to him tomorrow.

Focusing on their supplies, Seliph moved the orb above it and inspected the contents. Everything seemed to be there, even the last-minute additions he made before starting that checker game with Jaron. Good…huh? He noticed the box was buried inside, the key not far from it. Guess he put it in there.

Freezing up, Seliph felt a little chill throughout his soul as a thought crossed his mind. What's inside? He reached into the backpack, pushing aside the voices that warned him, and carried the box and key away from the end of the tunnel. Setting the orb to the side, Seliph moved the key into the lock and twisted, a tight scowl on his face.

Anxiety in his grip, Seliph pulled the lid open and raised a curious brow at the vial resting in some straw. He pulled it out and set the box down, peering at the red liquid like he was inspecting for impurities.

So this that 'sample'? His scowl returned. This is what they were after. He almost felt offended that this was the item those things came and ruined his world over until he felt something strange.

Peering closer, Seliph could almost swear he was seeing things inside that liquid. Indescribable things that didn't feel foreign yet were strange to him. Leaning against the wall, Seliph peered at it leisurely in the light of the Luminous Orb.

I've never seen this before, so why do I feel like I have. His eyes narrowed as theories filled his mind. Maybe it's some kind of medicine? No, that wouldn't make sense. Weapon? Maybe, but it doesn't feel dangerous. Though…they seemed determined to get this, at least according to Mom. His hand tightened on the vial. So I'm not going to let them get this. Though, I wonder why it is so important to them?

He shifted a little more upright as he brought it closer to his face. Images of those ferals from earlier, specifically their faces, flooded his mind. Those thoughts intermingled with that one time he saw his father fall under Death Wrath and how scary it seemed, though he grew to feel safe under its protection.

Is there…I don't get this thing at all. Blinking, he rolled onto his side as he held it adjacent to the Luminous Orb. Well whatever, this is thing is weird and makes me feel weird. Though…I wonder what Mom thinks of this.

A narrow gaze formed as his mind conjured up a scene that seemed unintentional. It was Plageues, lying on the ground in front and he was staring straight at him, pounding the villain's face in. A small smile formed as he thought of it, but at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling it wasn't him thinking it up.

Shaking his head, Seliph sat up. I need to rest. We've got to leave as soon as we wake up. He placed the vial back into its straw bed, almost tucking it in as he carefully closed the lid. Once he locked it tight, Seliph left the key inside the lock and simply set the box beside him. I'm not done with you.

Grabbing the Luminous Orb, Seliph twisted it, causing all that was visible to vanish into darkness. He let it fall to the ground and curled onto his side, his muscles growing limp from the chance to relax.

Drowsiness set upon the tired boy as he thought back to when Freya entrusted the key to him. I wish…I wish I knew what would happen. Then… A small sniffled followed as sleep overtook him.