Harmon- The surname my sister created when we first moved to Hearthome. It held no genuine power, and despite my sister being a rather famous model, our fortune was minor compared to most of the people that lived in Hearthome City. New money, as opposed to old money. Now the Wainwrights- that was wealth. Real wealth. Billions and billions to our mere millions- mainly because my damn older sister gave away far too much to charities and the like. Her generous heart fucked her in the end, because with the price of the apartment- there was no way to make her bail. I'd met some members of the Wainwrights a few times, but never really held a conversation with them, outside of Jack- my imbecile classmate.

Now, I was sitting at a table with the two youngest members- Jack and Marissa. Jack was in pj bottoms and shirtless while the other girl was wearing some cutesy, pastel goth dress with a deep v.

"Sooo~..." Marissa trilled, brushing some of her lovely bubblegum hair behind one ear. "Remind me again why I should lend you almost a billion Pokebucks?"

Marissa Wainwright's voice was sing-songy, and she was smiling, but she didn't exactly seem happy. She seemed... off. Jack had always described his sister as having a loose screw. And I believed it. She just wouldn't take her hands off her younger brother, leaning against him- clearly smothering the poor guy. And her eyes had the strangest gleam in them, like they were glazed over, partially unseeing. Was she on something? And speaking of off, Jack himself was being awfully quiet. He's usually such a loudmouth all the time, it led me to believe something was wrong here. Jack's adorable, shiny Eevee and Marissa's Sylveon were playing with each other in front of the television, where some childish cartoon show was playing. He stared off distractedly in their direction, like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Usually, he was all about me. Eating me up with his eyes. What exactly was going on?

"I told you already. I need to bail my sister out," I said, meeting the Wainwright sister's neon-blue eyes. "As soon as possible. Today, preferably."

There was also more to the story than that. I needed the money to bail my sister out. Then she and I were going back, back home, to be specific. And we were gonna ruin that bastard Chip Stylish and save Zoey Higgs. After that, we'd bring Avery home... My heart fluttered in my chest as I thought of my boyfriend. I'd used despicable means to secure Avery Higg's affection, but he was all mine now. We would explore the world of Pokephilia- savor our adulthood together. But first, I needed to save his family. Someday, Zoey would be my family too after all.

I worried about the reaction both Wainwright siblings might have if they found out about my relationship with Avery. Jack was obsessed with me, and according to said ginger, Marissa was obsessed with Avery. So yeah, if they found that out...all bets would most likely be off, and I wouldn't be able to rely on either of them- I'd be back to square one. AKA completely fucked and essentially resourceless.

Marissa grinned at me. Leaning forward on the table, her huge breasts practically spilling out. She was giggling lightly as she spoke again. "You're a rival. A fellow pornstar. In fact, you've been rather popular since your debut- Tauros, was it? Why exactly should I help you? If anyone links the money back to my family, we'd be at risk. There are all kinds of uncouth people with cameras, spying on good people like yourself and I- in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they saw you walk in here today. Even just speaking to you is a risk to myself and my sisters."

I waved off her comments. "My sister is the star. I've made a few solo films, that's it. And honestly, Marissa... I'm not asking you, I'm asking Jack."

Her eyes flashed like blue lightning. A familiar chilly expression settled onto her face, one I wore quite often myself. Honestly, I was a little intrigued by her.

"I handle Jacky's finances." (Since when?) Marissa said sweetly. "And something tells me you're not sharing the entire story. I don't lend money to people withholding information about exactly how and they're spending it. You and I both know your sister isn't innocent. She fucked that adorable Rapidash of hers ten times over, I've seen it in person even. I have no reason to help you."

I'd have to spill the beans. Well, some of them.

"Jack-ass." Jack looked my way, avoiding my eyes. "It's Avery."

His attention fully settled on me now, with his gaze narrowing ever so slightly. That reaction was interesting, but honestly, it was Marissa's reaction that interested me more. Her neon-blue eyes widened like saucers, and her mouth twitched into a twisted frown- then a smile, then a frown again. Then she grabbed her head like it was hurting, massaging her temples with her fingers.

"Avery Higgs..." She whispered breathlessly, and she squirmed in her seat, "What about him? I don't care about him, I... I hate him but... something tells me I... I should..."

Marissa clutched Jack's arm and hugged it into her ample bosom. My interest peaked further as she buried her face in the redhead's neck. Inhaling the scent of her brother deep into her nostrils, holding onto him like she never wanted to let him go.

Jack glanced at her. His expression seemed uncomfortable and pained as he frowned, he tried to push her away from himself, but failed at doing so. "C-come on Marissa, what are you talking about? Hate him?... You've always loved Avery. Why are you acting so weird..? Why are you... so affectionate with me? Usually you... Would you please let go of me?!" He wrenched his arm free from her grip and scowled, edging his seat away from her only to move closer to me.

Much to my annoyance, his hand ended up finding my own underneath the table. He gave me a reassuring glance right along with a squeeze of my hand. "We'll help Avery. I promised you I'd get Amara out... I won't let you down."

His warm, gentle blue gaze made me beyond uncomfortable. As did the look on his sister's face when she saw the interaction between the two of us. Marissa twitched, smiled, then she stared at both Jack and myself. There was something strange in those eyes of hers. Something hungry, something mean. "Yes... of course we will. What do you need from me? I'd do anything for the man of my dreams."

Something told me that the man of her dreams wasn't Avery. It was Jack. Interesting.

Well, it didn't really matter. I had plans for Jack. Plans that I should have put into action before little Zoey Higgs went and made such a huge mistake.

So I squeezed Jack's hand back. He wasn't asking any more questions- he didn't want to know how I knew about Avery's situation, or why I wanted to help out the guy I'd seemingly hated only a week before. That's one thing I did like about Jack. He was easy to push around and on top of it, dumb as a brick.

Smiling, I stared at that adorable, silver Eevee. So innocent, no longer playing but instead distracted by the TV. When I glanced back, I was startled to see Marissa staring right back at me. Thankfully, I think she'd be quite easy to "get rid" of. And Jack would help with that. No way was I letting some crazy bitch get in my way. My brain worked overtime, and I leaned forward, grasping one of her hands with my own and then running my fingers along hers, my expression gentle. "Marissa... Avery is your boyfriend, right? I have to tell you something about him..."

Marissa's expression twitched- but stayed frozen in that same smile. "Yes...?"

I had to suppress a smirk. This would be even easier than I expected. She was apparently as dumb and exploitable as her brother. "Well... Avery is being held hostage."

Jack's eyebrows shot straight up and he practically leapt out of his chair. "What the fuck!? By that Chip bastard?"

Hmm, not quite, but... the holes in my scheme were hastily filled in just like that. I nodded, my expression sad and worried as I stared at both siblings. "Yes... That degenerate piece of shit is working with Vanessa. You remember Vanessa right? Red Ebony's owner? Well, they have Avery locked up in her mansion. Meanwhile, Avery's little sister and her best friend are about to be defiled in Solaceon town."

Jack buried his face in his hands and let out a despaired noise. "It's my fault! It's all my fault!"

I was partially responsible too. We all were. We all let Avery down...and more than that, we let Zoey down. And she could end up paying the price if we don't move fast enough.

I squeezed Jack's hand, I squeezed Marissa's, and smiled at them both. "Maybe so, Jack. But now's the time to right that wrong. So... what do you say? Will you help me?"

Marissa frowned slightly as Jack nodded.

"Someone needs to save Avery," The pink-haired girl murmured. "My... boyfriend. I'll go to him."

Just hearing her call him that made my skin crawl. He was mine, but I kept my irritation in check, I had to. "Let's go get my sister, then."

Honestly, I needed Amara in order to face my past. To face Chip.

But as she came out, still in handcuffs, I couldn't believe how worn and tired she seemed to appear. My glamorous model of a sister looked beyond exhausted- deep lines in her face with bags under her eyes. Even so, she was still beautiful. Long, straight black hair and charcoal eyes framed by thick lashes. And of course, the Harmon charm- those luscious lips and subtle curves. Even in the dirty clothes that seemed to smell from a distance, her beauty still remained. Had they not allowed her to change her clothes at all? The pigs.

Amara's face was frosty, pristine like a queen. And she smiled smugly. "I believe I owe you a thanks, Marissa. I assume it was you who paid my bail." She thrust her bound hands out towards the officer.

The blue-haired Jenny scowled and stuck a key into the lock of Amara's handcuffs, roughly wrenching them open and removing them. "Harmon... You won't be so lucky next time...not enough money in the world to escape what you did."

Amara gave her a chilly smile. "There won't be a next time, piggy."

Marissa burst into laughter. I almost joined her, but choked it back when I saw the hateful look on the cop's face. I couldn't help myself once the Jenny had uncuffed her. I threw myself right into her arms and buried my face in her neck.

"Sis!" I whispered, "I missed you so much..." I really had. Being at home without her had been agony. So very lonely.

She smiled distractedly, ran her fingers through my hair, but stared at the other people present. The Jenny, Jack, and finally...Marissa Wainwright.

Amara grinned. "Let's go, all of you."

I felt a rush of resentment as Amara practically pushed me away and strode forward through the station. My sister's confidence is always something I've been envious of. My own a mere shadow, a pale imitation of hers. She was the one who took us away from our parents, she was the one who started our new name- Harmon. She hadn't thanked us very much, considering we'd gotten her out early. Most would see that as ungrateful and yet here we were trailing after her.

About a half hour later we were all squatting around a table in the Chagall cafe- a cup of tea in each of our hands. I wasted no time catching Amara up on all the gory details since her arrest. Amara listened intently, her gray-brown eyes calculating, with her mouth twisted into a smile at the mention of her former boyfriend- and her eyes narrowed.

At the end of it all, she nodded.

"Vanessa, huh? I have quite a few words for her... And that's just one more reason for you to kill Chip, sis. With that lovely Absol of yours... should be a simple job."

Kill him? I'd been thinking of getting him arrested. Hard jail time and a beating. Never once had I talked to Amara about killing Chip Stylish, my rapist, I had never even thought about it. The idea was savory, I tossed it around in my mind a bit...and I found I liked it.

Maybe it showed on my face because Jack looked around nervously. "I don't know about...about killing."

"Well, that's too bad. You'll be going with her. Holding her hand like that, I assume you and my baby sister are an item. As for you and I Marissa... we have business with Vanessa to deal with."

Marissa had been silent during the entire conversation, merely spectating. Now, she turned her full attention on my big sis. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"

Amara smiled. "Vanessa is the snitch. And once she finds out you freed me, Wainwright, there will be a target on your back."

Marissa's eyes flashed and she scowled at me. "Juliet, did you know about this you bitch?! I didn't sign up for-"

Amara slammed her fist down on the table. "It's not just Vanessa, this is bigger than that."

Her gray eyes were huge and warm, shining, as she stared at each of us. A strange energy radiated off of her. An intensity so fierce I could barely stand to look at her.

"Marissa, say you'll come with me. Jack, go with Juliet."

We were all silent for a long time.

Marissa seemed to be pondering deeply. She stared at me, then at Amara. "Avery Higgs..." She tasted his name on her tongue. Savored it. Then she smiled and nodded. "Yes. I think I will help you...help him. If Vanessa is the snitch, she needs to be dealt with. She fucked with Fantina. And the way the reporters are coming after me and my sisters... I have the feeling she may have tipped them off about us as well."

Amara laughed and put an arm around the Wainwright sister's shoulder, tugging her close. Much to my shock, my older sister kissed her cheek. Marissa frowned, but didn't pull away. My older sister stared at us with her gleaming eyes. "So... it's simple. Jack and Juliet...you kill Chip. And Marissa... you and I... we'll destroy Vanessa."

Jack shook his head. "Listen... I appreciate the energy, and I don't like snitches either, but fuck...we can't just..." He looked around. "We can't just kill people we don't like."

Amara stared at him like he was dim. "People we don't like?...Jackson Wainwright. This is about more than mere personal feelings. If it were, I'd be going with Juliet to kill that fucker, he raped my baby sis with a Tauros, a Tauros. And that Tauros- innocent as can be- was put to death by my parents, slaughtered. No, this is about Pokemon rights, equality, something the Pokemon Fanclub- no, maybe even the Pokemon Fanclubs, plural,along with our pig police and government, don't want to speak about."

I felt a rush. Adrenaline, excitement, joy. I'd missed this side of her. Amara would stay up night after night talking about the corruption in our society.

Jack opened his mouth to speak-

And Amara interrupted. "Have you never thought about how Pokemon are slaves, Jackson? Pokeballs were invented to bend Pokemon to our will. Some of them are strong enough to break free in some ways- let themselves out of their balls, disobey our commands, etcetera..."

The redhead frowned. "Well, it's not that I haven't thought about it it's just that-"

Amara shook her head. "I was targeted for speaking up about these rights. Pokelove... it's not the corrupt, filthy thing that disgusting pigs like Vanessa, the Fanclub, and Chip make it out to be. Manipulation and slave trafficking, body trading... Pokemon raised to be raped and bred and then the babies of those Pokemon- raped and bred. Human children, molested by adults and Pokemon in porn."

Marissa's expression was so strange. Like she was enthralled. And Jack just sat there, slack-jawed.

"And battling... our entire society revolves around battling. Pokemon put their lives at risk- and sometimes they actually die- and for what? For sport. They gain nothing. The trainer gets money, the trainer gets glory and power- and what do Pokemon get? Returned to their Pokeball."

Jack opened his mouth-

"They're our labor, our manpower, our... our lifeblood. We need to save them!" Amara was losing her breath.

Jack opened his mouth again-

"Say you'll do it, Jack. Say you'll help Juliet. Marissa and I will help this Avery idiot, and we'll take care of Vanessa. Just say you'll join my cause."

The poor kid was clearly shell-shocked. He couldn't formulate a proper sentence. So in the end... he just stammered out... "O-Okay...Okay, I will. I'll... I'll do whatever you need, Juliet."

I smiled. We all nodded. So, that was our path forward.

I stared at "Jackson Wainwright." My sister's use of his full name had clearly stirred something within him, along with her impassioned little pseudo-speech. She had more to say, more to teach. But too bad for poor Jacky... He would take the fall for poor Cristopher Stylish's untimely death. He wouldn't be a part of her movement for very long.

I almost felt bad for him, even I started scheming.