Chapter 10: Back to Square One
It's almost nearly down to the wire now for Karthaniel and Hatterene. The very first easy gym victory along with the capture of Bede and two secretive staff members did bring closure to them both, but it was the astounding revelation revealed to Hatterene during the trek through the Glimwood Tangle is what really sparked much more confidence towards everyone within his support chain. It was truly horrifying to witness for the anthro Silent Pokémon, but she endured it regardless and, with that factor now permanently sealed within her soul, she's finally able to answer all of her mentally unstable lover's questions. The only catch is that the infamous Wonder Guard Demon had to be defeated once and for all. It was no secret anymore. Now that he can be seen by everyone in Galar, it was due to be a challenge by the time Karthaniel got to Circhester to face Melony and Gordie.
In the meantime, and while Sir Davis was on a flying taxi ride with Hatterene back to his home in Hammerlocke, a very crucial interrogation was currently underway at the police station in Wyndon.
"You already tried asking them, Jenny?" Leon asked the officer as he saw the two staff members sitting in the interrogation room with her by his left side. Of course, they couldn't be seen from that room. "They already look guilty."
"Yes, but I did try to get the information out." She replied as she wrote down her best effort onto her notepad before showing it to the young Galar Champion. "So far, they're telling me that they only received commands from a mysterious proprietor of the hidden facility to find and capture Hatterene and bring her back without any issues. Apparently, the connection between her and this facility is 100 percent spot on, but the only mystery is why."
"Hmmm…" Leon stroked his thin beard with deep thought as he closed his eyes in the same manner. "Did they tell you, at least, whether this mystery owner does actually own Hatterene or not?"
"They nearly forced my hand when they told me that information was classified. They practically spat it in my face."
"Yeah, I noticed. And now since she's already discovered her past at the Glimwood Tangle that involved killing some staff members, including the owner's family, the hole has been dug deeper. Maybe I should mention that factor to them and see what comes out." Officer Jenny nodded twice in agreement before Leon bravely made his way inside the room, took a seat as casually as possible before them on the other side of the table, and started with the question: "Officer Jenny didn't tell you this, but before your team captured her, Hatterene violently attacked some of your staff within a cave at the Glimwood Tangle basically because their equipment was preventing her from getting some sleep. Did you already know this?" Hearing that shocked the two men and, after thirty seconds of taking it all in, one of them volunteered to answer.
"Yes." He replied with no remorse. The other nodded twice in agreement. "That's why we ran away so quickly back at Stow-on-Side. We didn't want it to happen again."
"I knew it! Does your so-called 'leader' know about this as well?"
"That you'll have to find out from Lawrence himself!" The other staff member gasped at that second to last word spoken aloud and jabbed him in the back, which made him cover his mouth with shock. "Ow! Damn it! Did I just say that out loud?"
"You sure did and I thank you for that. You given me enough information for now. I'm sure we can figure out the rest from here… unless…"
"…unless what?" They both asked simultaneously with absolute uneasiness.
"Unless you have his full name."
"Humph! We'll never tell!" They both crossed their arms with authority, which made Leon chuckle as he closed his eyes and slowly pulled out a pokéball. "You can't make us!"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I can." At that last word, Leon tossed his pokéball into the air and his trusty Charizard came out, already giving them a pretty ice-cold stare from something made of fire. "Give it to us or Charizard's Flamethrower will burn you both alive right where you sit."
"(Gulp!)"
Meanwhile, at Karthaniel's home in Hammerlocke at 8:15 PM…
The rest of his pokémon were already out of their pokéballs and were just making themselves comfortable after a tedious journey so far. As for Sir Davis himself, he didn't waste a moment heading upstairs to take a hot shower to soothe his nerves as well as his soul. Hatterene sensed this as soon as he took his first step upon the staircase and pulled off her adorable, regal smile of hope. When he was out of sight, she decided to head for the kitchen to cook up a filling meal for everyone. During that time, Dragapult decided to join her, but not assist in the cooking. He just felt like talking for a moment.
"So far, so good, right?" He started in his most friendly tone of his half-ghastly voice. Hatterene had already started prepping a pot for a generous supply of a cheeseburger curry.
"Miraculously, yes." Hatterene replied. "Being at the Glimwood Tangle and Ballonlea did give both of us some closure for a moment. Somehow, those glowing mushrooms blocked the Wonder Guard Demon from us. Now that we've left the place, he's sure to come back tomorrow as we make our way to Circhester. We're not afraid of him, though."
"Of course. And stop me if I'm wrong here, but you two made love at the forest, didn't you?"
"It's no lie, yes. It was obviously not Karthaniel's first time. He's had a previous love before, but due to his steel type expertise, she left him. Look at me. I'm a fairy-type pokémon for Arceus' sake! I knew humans were simple-minded creatures on occasion."
"Humph! Can't say I don't agree, but regardless, your love for Sir Davis is surely much stronger than before. What do you think will happen at Circhester, besides the upcoming attack from that bloody demon?"
"I honestly have no idea, but I'm already hoping for another easy victory. If not, the demon will have Melony and Gordie to answer to along the way."
"Mm! And I can't say I disagree."
Two hours later, in Karthaniel's bedroom…
"I spoke to my parents again in the shower, love." He confessed as he and Hatterene were laying in the memory foam king sized bed whilst facing each other. They were cozy under the comforter. "I told them about that revelation you had at the Glimwood Tangle and they were actually shocked about it. I knew they've been watching you and saw how serene and peaceful you look, but now that the small massacre is added to your résumé, they find it so hard to believe. They did admit one thing: You are indeed one step closer to finding their exact location. We all know the obvious thing that blocking it right now and I have a gut feeling that this time, Melony and Gordie will be able to stop him with us and get the answers we need. If not, then… (Sigh)"
"Don't lose hope just yet, Sir Davis." Hatterene reassured as she let a slender hand gently stroke his handsome face with all the love in the world. "You've gotta be strong for your parents, especially since now you've got even more support from practically every leader in Galar, including Leon! Besides, along with that, they may finally have the cure for your mental illness. Those mushrooms may have it."
"I sure do hope so. I want answers one way or another. I wanna be sane again."
"So do I." The two shared a passionate kiss after that was said, which accidently made the covers slightly come off, thanks to Karthaniel's embrace. It was revealed that the man was shirtless and the anthro Silent Pokémon was completely naked. He never noticed until after the minute-long kiss was done and he jumped back with surprise. Seeing this made her eyes glow that passion pink again with her seductive smile in check. "Mm-hm-hm! You finally figured it out, didn't you?"
"I sure did, Hatterene. You've been waiting patiently. That first time back at Glimwood was just an appetizer."
"I enjoyed it last time, yes." She paused as she playfully pushed him down and she got comfortable overtop of him with the covers completely off of her, showing her perfect figure to him in decent light for the first time. Karthaniel's one blue eye and one brown eye were at their widest with astonishment for only a few seconds as she continued. "And if I also recall, you were on top last as well. It's my turn now."
"I see. You're confident, love." The man was about to grab his protection to spray on, but Hatterene's Psychic beat him to that and the removal of his pants and boxers underneath the covers. Seeing and feeling these factors made him chuckle a bit. "Heh-heh! Maybe a lil' TOO confident."
"After your last performance, I'm well aware of how well you can perform in this position. Don't let my bosom hypnotize you for too long." Hatterene said this with pink cheeks of arousal and her darkest seductive smirk. "Any requests for me, Sir Davis?"
"Your breasts won't do the hypnotizing. If there's one desire I want most from you just for tonight, it's gonna be all on your precious derriere."
"Oooh! Interesting proposition! Very well, but I do want to see your face later."
"Done."
The next morning – 7:45 AM at the Pokémon Lab near Wedgehurst…
"Lawrence Charleston Vanhart?" Sonia repeated after Leon explained the whole interrogation to the young professor as she and the champ were just settling into the building with cup of coffee for each of them while they headed for her computer desk with her trusty Yamper by her side. "That name does not ring a bell at all. It's no wonder he's been living off the grid. How that's possible is beyond me." She took her seat at that last word, leaving the Galar champion standing behind her. "Apparently, he and Hatterene have a connection to that facility. My question is what is that facility's purpose?"
"That factor remains to be seen. For now, let's do some research on this man and see if we can find that out and much more." Sonia didn't waste any time getting right to it by the time she logged in to her laptop. After two minutes, they both became fully observant as the professor spoke.
"According to the Galar Database, the only person by the name of Lawrence Charleston Vanhart is a former expert of the fairy type with a five-star reputation before Opal took over that position for… classified reasons? What's he keeping from us?"
"Something that's apparently not on the positive side. Does it say what pokémon he had?"
"Hmm… I'm looking…" Sonia trailed away as she did so for another two minutes, reading aloud more useful information along the way: "Age: 45; Blood type: B; Race: Caucasian; Height: 6 feet and 4 inches; Weight: 207 pounds; Marital Status: Divorced-"
"Wait! Stop! There!" Leon exclaimed after that last piece of info that Sonia read at her low volume. The champ frantically pointed out that last fact. "He was married, but divorced! Does it say when that happened?"
"Whoa! That is a major clue. Let's see…" Sonia clicked that factor that was also a link to just a small speech bubble that revealed the date of the divorce and the reason: "…the divorce happened twelve years ago and incompatibility was to blame on the woman's part. The woman's name is…" She paused as she just hovered the mouse over that information and gasped. "…BOOM! There it is! Jennifer Marie Hazleton. She's got a connection to this whole mess! The only question now is where is she?"
"That information's unavailable, but the fact that Lawrence was divorced twelve years ago and Hatterene has been imprisoned by him for ten of those years does strike an uncomfortably suspicious chord. You don't think that…?"
"Let's not jump to that conclusion right now, Leon." Sonia protested softly, which made the champ nod twice in agreement. "For now, we're calling this a major break in 'The Case of The Serene Hatterene'. I officially gave it a title."
"And it's catchy. We'll have to inform Melony and Gordie of these recent findings and make sure that they share this information to Karthaniel and Hatterene immediately when they arrive at Circhester."
"And hopefully, Karthaniel and Hatterene will try to find Jennifer afterwards. I have a feeling that they're gonna need her for more than just additional support towards the man's mental state."
"Same here. In the meantime, and before we send out that information, how about finding out what pokémon Lawrence owned?"
"I tried to find it since after finding Jennifer. That information is classified as well. Something really serious must've happened between him and Jennifer."
"All of this will be discovered soon. I'll deliver the info right now." After that last word, Leon left the lab and didn't waste a moment bringing out Charizard and making his flight towards Circhester. When he was completely gone, Sonia added this to herself:
"I hope this will also help with finding Karthaniel's parents, too."
Three hours later, at the entrance to Circhester…
"That was a lot of fighting types on that route." Karthaniel said with humor as he and Hatterene had just gotten within the snowy city's limits. "It was practically a field day for ya, love."
"Didn't mean to overshadow your other companions like that, Sir Davis." Hatterene apologized with her most sincere tone to date. "Call it payback for still accepting me as your love, despite me being extremely violent towards you humans before."
"Thanks. That and us making love shall be considered perfect tell-tale signs. Now, uh… brrr!" Karthaniel felt it as soon as he was on the path towards the Pokémon Center. "It's freezing here in Circhester. I'm sure the people here are used to it."
"Same here. I'll go ahead to the Pokémon Center with the others and heal up while you get yourself the proper attire for this weather. I'd hate to see you feeling cold during your battle against Melony and Gordie."
"Thank ya, Hatterene-love." The two shared a tender kiss on the lips for a quick second before they went on their proposed separate ways.
Minutes later, inside the clothing store…
"Oh… my God!" The only female clerk within the store exclaimed as she saw Karthaniel approach her with his selection of the most stylish clothes for him to keep warm during his stay for now. She was African American with purple hair in the same half-shaven hairstyle as the mentally fragile trainer. "You're the Karthaniel Harrison Davis himself! I've heard nothing but good things about ya. How have you been since your journey started with that gorgeous Hatterene?"
"I've had my moments every once in a while with that bloody Wonder Guard Demon, but overall, I've been well. Thanks for asking. I truly appreciate the honor." Karthaniel replied as the lone employee did her job at scanning the purchases. "Do you know if Melony and Gordie already know of my arrival?"
"Uh, duh! Everyone here at Circhester have been expecting you, including that mother and son duo."
"Huh! Melony is Gordie's mother, eh?"
"Yep! And judging by those badass gear tattoos ya got there, it's safe to say that it should be a breeze for ya against them. Melony's an ice expert and Gordie is rock-type."
"So, I've heard. Despite that factor, I'm not guaranteeing that it'll be that easy. It was at Ballonlea because of the mushrooms, but like I said before, it all depends on that demon."
"Aww, don't worry. I'm sure you'll permanently defeat him this time. Just keep up that faith and it's like butter."
"Huh! Thanks for the advice." Karthaniel took his purchase and headed straight for the changing room to get warm immediately.
Meanwhile, at the Pokémon Center…
Hatterene and the other companions were fully healed and all they had to do is wait for Karthaniel to arrive. During that time, Hatterene's psychic senses made her turn towards a Caucasian brunette woman that appeared to be in her low 40s in age casually getting herself a latte from the café at the far left of the building. She was dressed in pure tomboy fashion: a blue tank top with baggy bootcut jeans and blue and white high-top sneakers. Hatterene's eyes glowed blue as a sign of her scanning the woman with her knowing and before she could get the final results within three minutes, Karthaniel arrived dressed in the traditional warm ensemble from the Crown Tundra, except it was colored in silver with black boots. He too saw the woman that his anthropomorphic Silent Pokémon lover was so focused on and grew flummoxed as he spoke.
"What's the matter, love?" He asked in wonder. Hatterene never made eye contact, but the blue within her eyes faded back to black and kept them on that same woman who had just sat at a stool to enjoy her latte.
"That woman there…" She started in a soft whisper, making her sound like an angel towards the mentally unstable man. "…something about her strikes a sense of reminiscence."
"She's not a part of that bloody facility, is she?"
"It doesn't look like it. She dressed in a pretty young manner for someone of her age."
"Which is?"
"42."
"Huh! Let me make my acquaintance for a moment." Karthaniel became the gentleman he's always been raised to be as he made his way towards the same woman, leaving Hatterene and his other Pokémon companions to watch with curiosity. By the time he approached her within seconds, he didn't hesitate to take a seat next to her on her left with a casual smile. "Hello, ma'am."
"Oh, hello there." She greeted sweetly in a sultry voice that never mesmerized Karthaniel at all. "Oh, wow! You're Karthaniel Davis! I've heard about you from all over Circhester. I'm already hoping for the best for you against Gordie and Melony."
"Thanks for that, but who are you exactly? My Hatterene spotted you and we both became curious as to why you're giving her a sense of nostalgia, like she hasn't seen you in a while." She looked over her shoulder towards that same Silent Pokémon and raised an eyebrow with astonishment. "Huh! DO you know her?"
"You finally managed to escape Lawrence's clutches, didn't you?" Hearing that question made everyone in the building watch with utmost curiosity, especially Karthaniel, who stood up with her and followed her until the two were standing before Hatterene, who never cowered. Instead, she showed a regal glare of expectancy as she folded her slender arms. "Ten years was long enough."
"…Now I know you. You're Lawrence's ex-wife, Jennifer Marie Hazleton." An eerie gasp was heard all over the building after that last word, except for Karthaniel. He was speechless, but remained observant as the conversation continued. "Where the bloody hell have you been?"
"Away from that chauvinist pig, that's for sure. How did you escape from him?"
"That's none of your business, especially with all these bystanders here."
"I understand. I suppose we can discuss this topic further after your beloved trainer here completes his challenge at the Circhester Gym. I'm sure it'll be a riveting conversation."
"I'm definitely looking forward to it. We do have so much to catch up on." After that last word, Hatterene kindly tipped her famous hat in respect before Jennifer nodded twice in response and headed out of the center with her hot latte in hand. As soon as she was gone, everyone got back to their own casual selves, having Karthaniel approach his lover with a regal look of surprise. "Do not worry, Sir Davis. We are merely old friends. We're not enemies."
"I was about to ask, too." Karthaniel admitted. "You two go way back, eh?"
"Much farther back than you think. Come now. We must make haste to the gym and get this challenge over with." After that last word, the two headed out towards that destination, already hoping for the best.
Several minutes later…
"It's so good to finally meet you." Melony greeted as she was currently giving Karthaniel the warmest embrace from someone who's an ice expert. Her son, Gordie, watched with utmost respect. Same went for Hatterene. "I hear that we call you Sir Davis on some occasions. Mind me asking why?"
"It's the highest sign of respect for me, just so my sanity will stay in check." Karthaniel replied with honesty after the hug ended slowly. "I survived a shipwreck that should've killed everyone on board, including me. But somehow I survived. My parents are dubbed as 'missing' by officials and they refuse to give me answers. I'm getting support from your fellow Champion and other leaders, but that's just the tip of the iceberg… no pun intended, Madame Melony."
"My, my. Such a respectful gentleman for someone who still not quite mentally healed. With that being the case, we've also heard from Leon that your Hatterene there escaped a very well-hidden facility owned by a man named Lawrence Charleston Vanhart." The two gasped with astonishment upon hearing the full name of the man they both hate, although they haven't met him in person yet. "Yes, Professor Sonia and Leon dug deep in the research to find this man's name and recently found out that he's a divorced man."
"We already met his ex-wife, Jennifer Marie Hazleton." Hatterene replied. "I know her very well for confidential reasons right now. One thing I can tell you: We both share a hatred for Lawrence."
"No kiddin'." Gordie commented. "And also speakin' of your mental state, we heard that this 'Wonder Guard Demon' is due to pay a visit here soon. Will we see it?"
"It's an absolute guarantee." Karthaniel admitted. "The main reason he shows up is because he knows I'm just about ready to throw in the towel and put myself out of my misery by any means. His spell is extremely difficult to fight on my own. So, only Hatterene can stop him."
"Damn! I was about to ask about what he does, but I guess we'll find out, eh Mum?"
"Indeed." Melony replied. "Whatever we have to do to assist you, we will try our best. In fact, we've already agreed to one part of the help: Gordie and I will not dynamax. Leon told us that it triggers him the most, but if he still shows up, we will most certainly be ready."
"Thank you so much, both of you." The three humans shared an embrace one more time before Melony and Gordie headed for the arena first, giving Karthaniel and Hatterene a few more minutes to get ready. During that time, Karthaniel had to ask: "Did Lawrence own you?" Hatterene's face flushed its deepest tone of pink since she's met the man and lowered her hat to hide a watery eyed look of contrition as a response to that question. Karthaniel's reaction: "…I see." He said this with a regal glare of expectancy.
Meanwhile, at the facility's main office…
"How in the absolute hell did they find her?!" Lawrence asked a mysterious man on the phone, referring to his ex-wife.
"She was visiting Circhester at the time, sir." The man replied in a familiar tone from the other line. "She seems to come in peace with Hatterene and Karthaniel… especially Hatterene. They both share that hatred for you and, from what I've heard from witnesses, Jennifer called you a 'chauvinist pig'."
"And Hatterene agreed?"
"Of course."
"That is a total lie! Besides, what happened between me and Jennifer is strictly confidential! I've never done nothing of the sort to earn that insult of a moniker."
"I hate to go against you in this one case, but the fact that there are NO women in your staff at your facility does strike that name to be 100 percent accurate, Lawrence. It's no wonder Hatterene escaped so easily." Hearing those statements on the other line made the owner's face turn beet red with anger and surrender simultaneously. "So, what do you say about that, hmm?"
"…I hate you."
"So, it is true that you're a 'chauvinist pig'?"
"I can't help it. After that divorce, I didn't take it very well. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep… I was a bloody mess. I needed someone to satisfy me and having Hatterene was the perfect replacement for that bitch of an ex-wife. Now, I've got nothing until I get her back. It is absolutely crucial at this point. I don't care what you have to do. If you have to commit murder along the way, then so be it."
"Ugh! You're impossible! But if she really means that much to you, fine. I know the perfect way to corner them in due time. You just leave it to me."
"I'm counting on you! Do NOT fail me!"
"Yes, sir." After that last word, the two hung up and Lawrence clasped his hands together with greed. During that time, he just had this to say to himself:
"They'll have nowhere to run now. Heh, heh, heh, heh."
Moments later, back at Circhester…
The battle was going smoothly so far. With Hatterene standing at her usual safe distance from Karthaniel, he was actually performing really well. Melony and Gordie were impressed as they saw how easily his Corviknight and Magnezone took down their Frosmoth, Eiscue, Shuckle, and Stonjourner and the crowd's extremely loud volume perfectly explained that factor, too. While they all took a moment to breathe after such a harsh battle, Melony gleefully applauded while Gordie crossed his arms with cool satisfaction, making his signature sunglasses appear regal with his smooth smile.
"Damn, lad!" Gordie exclaimed, making Karthaniel smile with pride as he stood behind his fellow steel-type companions. "For someone who has a bloody demon coming after him every once in a while, you sure do battle like ya don't. You're the first true steel-type expert we've challenged in, like, forever."
"Indeed." Melony agreed after she stopped her solo applause. "This was truly a no-holds-barred battle so far. Are you feeling alright?"
"For now, yes." Karthaniel replied with sincerity. "Thanks for asking and thank you for the compliment. If only my parents could see how well I've been doing so far…"
They can, Karthaniel. That all-too-familiar demonic voice rang in his head, making him freeze in his tracks with his one brown eye and one blue eye widen with fear. This immediately alerted the family duo before him. From Heaven… and they're waiting for you now.
"For the last bloody time! It's not true!" Karthaniel exclaimed at the top of his lungs, which made the crowd grow silent as they were about to see the infamous Wonder Guard Demon as expected. "Leave me alone!" The demon disobeyed as he appeared between the two teams of pokémon and, almost instantly, Karthaniel was under the spell as his pupils inflated to the size that made his anomalous irises nearly disappear. Hatterene didn't waste any time as she mustered up enough power for her Moonblast, but before she could fire…
Oh, no you don't! Not this time, witch! The demon fired up a Flash Cannon shot from his hands and Hatterene was just as fast as she used the Moonblast essence to block it instead before running up to Karthaniel and placed her hat claw upon the top of his half-shaven head to keep him from moving. Grrr! You've improved in power, I see. I may have been blocked by those mushrooms at Ballonlea, but you will STILL be bounded to me. I cannot be defeated!
"That's what you think, ya bastard!" Gordie exclaimed from behind the demon as his trust Barbaracle and Coalossal stepped up for an attack. "Barbaracle, Razor Shell! Coalossal, use Flamethrower!" The two did as they were told simultaneously, but the attacks were successfully blocked by just a forcefield by the hand, then blasted backwards towards their trainer, rendering them unconscious. "HEY! He's too strong, Mum!"
"Allow me." Melony stepped up at the same time her Galarian Darmanitan and Lapras did and by just an elegant hand gesture, they both performed Icicle Crash and Ice Beam respectively at the same time. They were much faster and the demon wasn't able to block it in time, leaving him completely frozen by the time the two-minute attack was done. Karthaniel was still under the demon's spell, however. "Why is he still spellbound?! I froze him!"
"He's called 'The Wonder Guard Demon' for a reason, Miss Melony." Hatterene replied matter-of-factly as she tried again with another Moonblast, but the spell was proven to be much stronger than before by having Karthaniel suddenly grab his beloved Silent Pokémon lover by her neck and practically strangling her with one hand as he lifted her up. She had to use her hat claw to help her slender hands out of it, but the struggle was futile. "Agh! Sir Davis! Don't… ugh… don't do this! You can fight this!"
"…" Karthaniel didn't say a word as he now got both of his hands to work on trying to kill Hatterene. She knew this wasn't him doing this as usual. It was all the work of the demon, who was still frozen. This made the crowd gasp with horror and she was slowly losing her life as she still tried her best to get free. During that time, Gordie came up with an idea without a single word. He saw that only his Coalossal was able to get back on his feet and he got the hint immediately as he used Flamethrower to thaw out the demon, but burn him in the process. At that first twinge of the burning sensation, Karthaniel snapped out of it after five minutes of a near fatal strangulation towards Hatterene, who fell unconscious before him after he finally snapped out of it and saw what he had done. "OH, SWEET MOTHA OF ARCEUS! HATTERENE!" He kneeled down towards her with fearful tears in his eyes as he frantically started to tend to her immediately. "ARE YA ALRIGHT, LOVE?!"
"…oh, dear!" Melony gasped with horror as she summoned her two remaining ice-types back into their pokéballs before she casually walked past the now incapacitated burning demon, who was kneeled down with fatigue, and she made her way towards the panicking Karthaniel and his unconscious Hatterene. By the time she kneeled down next to him, she just had one question: "Do you truly know if your parents are still alive, young Davis?"
"That's the demon's job." Karthaniel replied as he continued to search in his bag for anything that could help his beloved Silent Pokémon. "He appears when I've silently lost faith in that factor. With the authorities not giving me straight answers, I'm left fighting over whether or not my parents are alive. I can't be at peace until I know the truth, no matter what the circumstances are in the end. I just… need to know so I can stop all these demonic 'what-ifs' from haunting me."
"I see. Stop searching, lad." Karthaniel did so as he looked at her with shocked eyes. "Whatever you're hunting for in your bag won't do for Hatterene. Rillaboom, come out of there." The disabled trainer's very own Drumming Pokémon did so and his Grassy Surge activated without any issues, having only glow beneath Karthaniel and Hatterene. While that was happening, Melony took a moment to check out how the demon was doing and, to everyone's surprise, he was gone… without a single attack from Hatterene this time. Everyone was relieved, but they were still silent in prayer for Hatterene. Gordie scoffed with satisfaction as he approached his mother, who just stood up and admired the scene before the two. "Looks like he couldn't stand the burns."
"He'll be back in Spikemuth, Mum." Gordie replied as he wrapped his right arm around his Mother's shoulders. "Since that's clearly a dark-type demon, he'll definitely be at home there. Marnie and Piers better think of something to fight him. That spell Sir Davis was under… he nearly killed Hatterene there."
"And I know he would never, ever do that to her. Karthaniel, how do you feel now that your Rillaboom's Grassy Terrain is healing you a bit?"
"A little better." Karthaniel replied as he never took his anomalous eyes off of the still unconscious Hatterene. This time, the rest of his pokémon companions surrounded her with him and had their eyes closed in prayer. "I'm… only hoping I didn't kill my Hatterene-love. I need her now more than anything. I promised her I'd try my best to fight this bloody demon with her, no matter how strong he is. After what just happened, it's safe to assume that this task is easier said than done. I've gotta try to break past my cracked sanity's cage. The next time we meet, I vow to be much stronger."
"It's the best strategy for any walks of life." Melony nodded once in understanding after she said this. "The only thing you can do is keep going."
"Yep!" Gordie agreed. "It'll get betta, lad."
"And I believe you to the fullest. Thank you all for your support." Karthaniel finally smiled as she saw Hatterene's chest slowly move at each breath, but she was still lying on the arena grounds in an elegant position. "There she is. She's asleep, but still very weak. I've got her." After that last word, Karthaniel carefully scooped up his beloved Silent Pokémon within his strong tattooed arms, stood up, and held her close like a precious baby before he started making his way out the arena with the rest of his party getting back in their pokéballs on their own and back towards the Pokémon Center, meeting Jennifer at the main lobby along the way before they both headed out together. When the two were gone, Hop saw this from a seat within that same lobby and frowned at Hatterene's current state before he headed out after them, but towards the restaurant near the beginning of the Circhester city limits to meet with his champion brother, Piers, and Marnie for a quick update on what just transpired. Before he got inside, he saw the very last moments of Jennifer and Karthaniel entering the Pokémon Center from a distance as he whispered this to himself:
"Sonia better hurry up with the mushroom remedy soon. Hatterene's life will be on the line now, if this keeps up."
To be continued…