So my laptop is down right now meaning I had to do this chapter on my phone in the hope it came out alright.
"Speech"
'Thought'
"English"
Void and veil—Down the line
So, we'd arrived at the train station with time to spare, Sonia had her Pokemon returned to their Pokeball's and we had luggage in hand, or on wheels in this case. And now we were sat on the platform waiting to board the train to Hammerlocke a yellow and dark blue diesel train. Well me, Gran, and Hatty were waiting, Sonia was looking for Leon and his family. I swear, with how bad his sense of direction is, his folks should just put a leash on him.
"Jericho! Jericho!" I heard my name being called by someone in the distance. What?
"Ah! They're here," Gran spoke aloud.
"Who?" I questioned.
"Well I told your little friends we would be leaving today, I suppose they came to see you off," My grandmother informed me.
Curiosity entered me from my partner, 'I have no idea, I don't have any friends.' Don't judge me, anyone close to my physical age was an idiot, I mean their kids, so it's not their fault, but I'm not really going to get along with them either. There are too many differences mentally, Sooo glad Sonia has a brain, and my new partner is smart for her age.
"Friends?" I settled on asking.
"Oh yes, little Jenny and Joy," Gran answered. Oh no, not them.
*Groan*
Joy and Jenny were the daughters of the local nurse Joy for the Pokemon center, and the local officer Jenny for the police station. They and their mothers often came to the lab, our guardians would meet, maybe 2 times a month, regarding league business from what I could tell. But that left us kids alone, meaning we were expected to play together.
Now that's not actually as bad as I thought it would be, sadistic as she was Joy is a fountain of medical knowledge and loves reading almost as much as I do. And Jenny is a determined detective in training, analytical and observant if not far too bashful for her chosen career. For 7 years olds they were as intelligent as any adult, if hyper-focused, I'm betting from their family lineage and young training.
At first, I found it easy to study with them or play games based on memory recall for a few hours a day, but that changed when they decided I was their friend. Meaning now the two of them often had me cleaning up their messes. It usually started with Jenny wanting to solve a mystery, me being the voice of reason and trying to stop anyone from getting hurt, and Joy being an enabler for her own amusement. We still weren't allowed back in the library, and boy did that piss me off, I don't even know who started that fire. And they're lucky I negated the worst of it, I had to bury 3 Wooloo bodies for Joys, experiments, what the fuck? The farmers still hadn't figured that one out. And I still don't know how I got dragged into it, let alone helped them out. Hatty let out a hum of curiosity and intrigue...Oh no.
"JERICHO!" Shouted the approaching hazard, also known as Jenny. Fair skinned with amber eyes and dark teal hair in a short ponyta tail she was on the smaller side for a 7-year-old and soft-faced. She resembled her mother almost to a tee.
Then came Joy skipping quietly behind her, innocently... Menacingly, because I know better. She was pale, like really pale for a Joy, pink hair done into two low looped ponyta tails, she was violet-eyed and was of a lesser height for a Joy of 7. And again looked far too innocent, like most Joys, except, and to reiterate, she wasn't. She also looked almost like her mother.
Note, that I said almost.
As I am sure Brock could tell you, there are differences, mostly small but also occasionally larger between them. Such as different shades of hair and eyes, minute differences like that.
The largest was when they had different eye colors, though not that different. For example, a Joy's eyes were usually blue and a Jenny's brown, and a Joy's hair was usually a shade darker whereas a Jenny's was usually a shade lighter.
Now, even these differences were common enough that there were still multiple Joys and Jennys that looked the same regardless, but I could pick them out of a crowd every time. It's like having a pet and finding it next to an identical one, you just know. Not that I've had to, I just made sure I could, you know, so I know when to run.
Unfortunately, I couldn't right now.
*Sigh*
"Hello girls," Was my reluctant greeting, I tugged on Hatennas mind and asserted my calmness for her. While the ritual of apathy was holding so far, I wasn't going to take any chances.
Sonia giggled at my deadpan delivery, who else do you think I could bitch to about these terrors... Minus the illegal stuff, mind you. Still, she knew they exasperated me, maybe that's why she wanted me to meet Hop? Perhaps she thought I'd get along with another boy better? Because if my meta knowledge was anything to go by, the hyper boy would irritate me to no end.
"You didn't tell us you were leaving!" Jenny shouted, pointing at me accusingly before realizing what she was doing and wilting on herself until Joy put a hand on her shoulder.
"Now, Now cousin. I'm sure he has a good reason don't you, Jericho~," I twitched, she had said that in the most serene yet suggestive way possible, and it was terrifying. I could feel the killing intent before, but now I could see it.
I swallowed and went to answer, "Or perhaps," she continued before I could open my mouth, "You could tell us when you got your partner, here? Hmmm?" I felt Hatty focus on Joy and gulped, this is where I die. Now I know what people might think if they knew an adult in a 6-year-old body was scared of a 7-year-old, to laugh and ask why? And to that, I respond with, FUCK. YOU. That 7-year-old is a Joy prodigy with a body count, that has made it very clear that she knows how to both take me apart and put me back together again. Even Jenny was inching away from her cousin.
AND SONIA WAS NOW LAUGHING. GREAT. JUST GREAT. Help me brain, 'Can't think too scared'. "Errr," Was my rather dumb response, and now there was a vein on the pinketts forehead, and suddenly the weight on my own head was gone. In a flash, Hatty had teleported on top of Joy's head trilling happily.
"OH, Aren't you a cutie," Joy cooed at the new witch, taking her in her arms. And I felt bliss?Delight? Coming from my partner... Shit.
"Now girls, I'm sure Jericho's just been busy preparing for the trip with his family, like we have," A voice of reason, thank you mama Jenny. Wait.
"Ah yes, did I forget to mention that several Joys and Jennys are coming as well?" Gran smirked at me... I need a will.
Jenny puffed up her chest, in false bravado, "Yep we're training how to deal with trainers". This month just became a lot more complicated.
Joy cut in while petting Hatty, "Oh yes, which means we'll have plenty of time to play~," If the school survives, that is.
Sonia was now bent over, laughing.
"Surprise," Gran said like she hadn't condemned me to an early grave, while mama Joy giggled.
"And here are our late arrivals," Gran spoke up once more. Turning to look, honestly, anything to distract myself at this point. I saw the future champion himself along with his mother and brother. Their mother was a light dark-skinned woman with yellow eyes and shoulder-length purple hair and a heart-shaped face, and wearing a yellow shirt with dark blue pants. Leon himself had sharp features, yellow irises, mid-back length purple hair, and tan-colored skin, he was wearing a black and white track suit with a black baseball cap. Finally, there was Hop with the same tan skin as his family, followed by short purple hair, and yellow eyes with a soft round face completed with black skinny jeans and a black shirt.
"HEY!" Yelled Leon from between his mother and brother, both practically dragging him toward the train. Well, at least they'd gotten him here without him getting lost. I once found him in our front garden looking for the bathroom, he wasn't sleeping over that night, you can understand my confusion. And I am convinced that Leon and his Charmander are the ones responsible for that fire in the library.
Sonia stopped laughing long enough to see Leon being dragged along and bust out laughing again.
*Sigh*
"Mornin', Leon. I see you got here unimpeded," I spoke in my sister's stead. He laughed, "Yup, had some help, right Hoppy!" Hop cheered in the affirmative.
'Hatty?' I sent, before feeling a familiar weight appear back on my head. "Ah!" Came lil' Joy's voice, I turned to see the little girl pouting. 'You have fun?' I asked Hatenna, getting happiness in return...'Please don't try to dissect anyone,' I begged.
"Hi, I'm Hop!" Leon's younger brother shouted, right in my ear. I sighed, it's going to be a long day.
Sonia P.O.V
It's nice seeing Jerry get flustered for once, I thought as I took a deep breath and righted myself. I'd needed that, it's nice to know Jericho has friends, even if he won't admit it. He says they aren't friends, but they look like they get along fine, maybe I'd been worrying for nothing?
And Hop was already getting along with Jerry-, and nope, never mind. Hop had tried slinging an arm around him and now, Jericho was growling at Hop and making a beeline to the train carriage, with a hissing Hatenna in tow. Dang it, I guess not.
"What's that about?" Lee asked frowning and steadying Hop, as Joy and Jenny followed after Jerry.
"Sorry 'bout him, he's not good with people, you know?" I question Lee, he'd been around Jerry enough to know that. Or at least that he didn't like his personal space being invaded.
"Thanks for this Maggie," Lee's mother spoke up.
"Not a problem, dear. I'll look after them. You just get some rest," Gran said gently with a smile. I winced, Lee's dad had died last year and their mum had been working overtime to keep up.
"Thank you," Was the response she gave, she gave a hug to both Lee and Hoppy, "Be good you two. Hop, I'll see you in a month. Lee, do your best, I'll be watching, OK?"
"OK," They both responded.
"Don't you worry, mum, I'll win and we'll get this all sorted." Lee was determined, but I think I'm with Jerry on this one, I don't trust Chairman Rose. When I'd told him that he had sponsored Lee, he told me not to trust him, I thought he was just being paranoid again. Then I met the guy and the way his employee's acted around him scared me, it was like a cult. I'd have to do what I could to stop him from getting Lee involved in... Whatever was going on.
"Well I suppose, we should be off then. Come on Jen," Nurse Joy smiled and pushed Jenny toward the train, while Jenny rolled her eyes before following after her daughter.
"Hey," I called out, grabbing Lee, "Other way, Lee." I began dragging Lee toward the train as Hoppy ran ahead cheering, I'll never understand how Lee gets lost all the time.
Lee chuckled nervously and rubbed his head, "Thanks, Sonia." I chuckled to myself as we entered the train car, quickly finding seats. Though my little brother and Joy and Jenny's daughters were missing. I know Jerry and his partner were more than capable of looking after themselves, they were fine. And it seems nurse Joy and officer Jenny were of the same opinion with their daughters.
"This is going to be awesome," Hop was obviously excited, "Lee's going to ace this."
"Ohhh? He's going to have to go through me first," I teased, feeling the grin on my face as I poked little Hoppy. Whereas Lee seemed more amused, Hoppy yelled, "Hey, quit it." Hoppy moved away from my prodding into a now grinning Lee.
*Giggle*
Jenny P.O.V
I couldn't help but be worried about my friend, as I dragged Joy with me, following where Jericho had gone.
Jericho was acting weird, well weirder, normally when Joy acted out, he'd shrug it off. Heck, Joy had made a game out of getting a rise from him, but this time he'd frozen, she was sure the pinkett was overjoyed.
But it concerned her, Jericho was the only kid their age that would play with them, even among others in their family. She didn't want to lose that, most kids their age got creeped out by how similar they were to their mothers, or their intelligence, or even own their personalities.
When they'd first met the professor's grandson a few years ago, they expected the same anxiety or fear, not that Joy helped with that. Instead, they got a friend, someone who was completely indifferent to all of that, who just shrugged and went, meh. Even better he could keep up with them, Joy might deny it, but it was the most fun either of them had in a long time. They didn't have to be a Joy and a Jenny, they were just themselves.
Then he hadn't spoken to them for a few weeks, and they'd not gone to the lab. That had scared her, more than she thought. Maybe he was bored of them? Maybe he didn't like them anymore?
And then she'd found out he was simply busy, and everything was better again. At least it was, he'd flinched at Joy, it was small, but it was there. It scared her.
"If he thinks he can just leave, I'm putting him in time out," I murmured, he wasn't allowed to just leave, he was their friend now. Joy snorted and was smirking to herself still, seems like she was delighted that she had gotten a reaction from him.
Entering the next carriage, we found ourselves in the empty food cart, a varnished wooden bar on one side with multiple stools around it on the burgundy carpet. Several small round tables were littered around the room on the opposite side. Shining bottles and glasses were lined up behind the bar, and memorabilia filled the walls.
Though the staff weren't present, Jericho was with his new partner. They stood between two tables Jericho placing his new earring back on his ear, and they must have perfumed the cart as well if the smell of flowers was anything to go by, lavender? Jasmine?
Jericho sighed and glared at a news clipping on the wall. "Oh~" No Joy, "And what has you looking like you're going to pop a blood vessel, that's not healthy you know." She was already teasing him again.
Dang it. Whatever had his attention was probably interesting, maybe even a mystery! I realized I was fidgeting and rather than trying to stop only to start up again, I focused on the newspaper clipping. "Corpse train claims final victims in tunnel collapse?" I question the headline, Corpse train? Was this fake? Jericho remained silent, eyes narrowing as I spoke, oh no, he IS mad.
"Jericho" Joy demanded firmly, deadly serious as intent poured from her. No Joy, not again. She put a hand on my back, stopping me from leaving.
Jericho let out a deep sigh as the tension bled from him. He looked Joy in the eyes, "knock it off, Joy" He said boredly, rolling his eyes. So, he isn't mad? Joy's grin was back. "It's just something I've been looking into, is all," Jericho looked back at the clipping. "It's a mystery?" I questioned unsurely.
"More...A ghost story," The blond boy said slowly, patting the Pokemon on his head. He seemingly came to a decision and removed a book from his side bag, which of course Joy snatched. Jericho growled, and Joy just grinned.
I saw the title as Joy grabbed it, Urban legends and mysteries of Galar, I knew it. "Hooo, interesting," Joy spoke distractedly as she found what she was looking for. "Ghost story?" I questioned. I received a nod in return.
Jericho walked over to one of the older maps displayed on the wall. Joy looked at the map, searching for something, until Jericho pointed a finger at one of the rail lines. Joy's grin increased, if that was possible. I had studied our route on modern maps, like any good officer, and I'd never seen that line. "Line 13, also known as the Necropolis Railway. You won't see it on any modern maps, it was abandoned after the war. And the line is older still," The blue-eyed boy informed me.
Joy began flicking through the book, "Hmm, according to this, the line was built during the height of the Poke'rus plague, to ferry the dead."
"Correct, to understand the legend today, you need to know the past," Jericho interrupted, "When the Poke'rus virus made the jump to humans, it turned deadly. Half the known population died out, but those that survived were stronger, tougher, and more adaptive. Still, more would die due to starvation, assault, murder, and so on. Civilization itself nearly collapsed." Oh, my Mew I knew there had been a plague, I hadn't known it had been that bad.
"So, they made the railway lines, to connect the towns and villages left at the time. But line thirteen was exclusively for transporting the dead to mass graves away from towns," Joy cut in continuing to read, and Jericho nodded.
Jericho began again, "Yeah, the frozen wastes, or as it's known now, The Crown Tundra. The town there was actually formed by gravediggers, and you can still find remnants of the graves to this day mixed in with the ancient architecture. There's a reason most people stay away from the area, there's a lot of stigma attached to the area, and legends all their own".
I looked over Joy's shoulder and found what came next in the book, my cousin lifted the book for me to follow along. Jericho rolled his eyes but continued, "Then the great war happened, governments blamed one another and used patriotism to unite their fractured countries and empires. Of course, this only led to more death and more hate toward the governments of the time, and a bloody coupe."
"And line 13 remained in service, ferrying the dead" I quoted the book, "Until the tunnel through route 10 collapsed sealing the train and her crew away forever. But stories today, persist of an old locomotive arriving at stations, and haunting the lines, leaving only the dead she could never recover." That's sooo creepy. I looked around the train car we were in.
Joy giggled, "An interesting story I suppose, but why does this particular story have your attention?" Joy asked.
Oh, "Y-your parents," I said quietly. "Oh," Joy whispered, frowning, before speaking up, "Jericho, you know this isn't healthy, right?"
Jericho raised a brow at the question. "I know you want answers, but looking into old stories like this, without a chance of actual answers, is simply going to wear you down." Joy looked rather sober right now, say what you want about her, but she takes her craft very seriously, and I know she cares more than she lets on.
"I... Appreciate the concern." A ghost of a smile on his face, "You're not wrong, but have you ever known me to do something without a reason?"
"So what? You think this is real?"Joy questioned hotly. "... Not what I said," That wasn't a no, and the little Hatenna on his head was giggling now. "I think there's more to every story, and every story has a basis in fact," He pointed at the book in Joy's hands. "I've found two conflicting stories that aren't in that book," A mystery! I knew it. Joy snorted and rolled her eyes.
"There's debate on how the story ends and a missing piece of information. First, is that when the tunnel collapsed, the crew survived and began to eat the dead to survive." I shuddered, and Joy barked out a laugh, "Ridiculous, if they died, how would anyone know that?" Oh, right.
"My sentiments exactly, now the more interesting of the two," Well he had our attention. "Apparently the train made its final delivery... A day after the collapse," Jericho leaned against the brown plastic wall of the car as he spoke.
"Apparently?" I spoke, there was a mystery to solve.
Joy frowned again, "There either was or there wasn't, there'd be documentation of that."
"Normally you'd be right," Jericho answered, "But remember the government was undergoing a coup. Even the train and crew were left for dead."
"WHAT! That's not right!" I couldn't believe it, that's despicable. Joy snorted next to me, "That's life, and you're focused on the wrong thing, the stations would have records."
Jericho smirked, oh Mew, "I checked at the local station, apparently all records of its stops were, Mysteriously, destroyed. There's more to this." Joy frowned, "What about the mortuaries?"
"Mortuaries? Joy, they were being taken to mass graves," Jericho was frowning now. "Yes, at first, but what about the soldiers? At least some would have been taken home, yes?" The violet-eyed girl questioned. "A good point, but I wouldn't be able to access that information," Was the boy's hesitant response.
Joy grinned, "You can't, but I caaan~".
"What!?" I barked, that was news to me. Jericho had frozen, "Really?" he asked.
"I know I won't hear the end of this until it's sorted," She pulled out her phone and began typing.
"How come she gets one," The younger boy grumbled, and I couldn't help but laugh.
Joy P.O.V
Honestly, these two and their mysteries, while endearing, is equally exasperating. I'd be lying if I said they weren't amusing, but Jenny wishes to solve them and find out the truth, while Jericho takes them far too seriously. Still, at least these two were entertaining.
I did a standard search for mortuaries in the Crown Tundra area and got a single result, Winter Wonderland how original, strange there's only one. Then I input it into the family browser using mother's user ID and password followed by the alleged date, here we go. "What? By the distortion world," I realized I'd spoken aloud.
"Something wrong?" Jericho asked seriously, no longer in that neutral, tired tone of his.
"I-, there WAS something here, or there wouldn't be a page, but it's empty," I began checking other entries. "It's been scrubbed. Several dates are missing," Interesting, this was a family site you could only gain access through our browser, there WAS more to this than I thought, well, this could be fun.
"Really!?" Jenny was getting far too excited by this. At least Jericho understood the severity of the situation if his narrowing eyes were anything to go by, fun or not, you still had to be careful. The law was one thing the government was another, and they were the only ones with access, outside the family.
"Try, express engineering, they made the train and the line," Jericho added, Jenny grinned at the new lead.
After a few moments, I got a result, "Hmm, they were a government contractor for the monarchy, having made the royal carriage. They made most of the original train lines and engines, but went bankrupt during the war." I summarized.
"What about the train number," Jenny had walked over to the hanging newspaper with a picture of the train present.
"IF, that's a picture of the same train," Jericho spoke up. "Call it women's intuition," Jenny grinned. I couldn't help but giggle, it was always nice to see her come out of her shell. Jericho pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Let's see, serial number, serial nu-. Aha, it's on the nose hang on," Jenny pulled out her multi-tool, and flipped out the small magnifying glass because, of course, she's a detective after all. "Number, 666," Something to go on I suppose-, Jericho had gone pale. "Jericho?" I tried getting his attention.
He ignored me and swallowed heavily, "Jenny, You're sure". Jenny looked as confused as I felt, but nodded a Yes anyway.
"Jericho?" I was growing concerned, something had gotten to him. He exhaled slowly, "It's nothing, just something I read once."
"Oh?" I needed more than that. "Yes, oh," he confirmed. I cocked my brow and waited silently while Jenny looked between us.
"Eh, yeah 666," He took a breath, "I-, in some... Legends, it's known as the mark of the beast, synonymous with evil."
"Oh," Jenny broke in, "Well I mean it's probably just a coincidence... Right?" Though she didn't sound so sure, detectives were meant to find patterns, not ignore them. Honestly, they needed to ignore the supernatural elements of the story if they wanted the facts, the truth.
Searching the engine number, with the word train borough me to a site for steam engine enthusiasts, "Found it." I got their attention again, "It's an old train map, marking stops for different trains on their lines, they're trying to make an accurate model." How cute.
Jericho groaned, "Can anyone make sense of this?" Honestly, I rolled my eyes it isn't that hard, I grinned and turned the phone to Jenny. "Oh, we just have to find the pattern and the difference between the points, arrival, and departure times. We can see if there's any differences. And check the area to see why they got rid of the train logs."
"Really Jericho, it's not that hard," I grinned at him, teasing him. For as smart as the boy was, it came from his environment, not natural genes like myself and Jenny, regardless of the researchers in his family, ours had far strong genes. He growled at me again and my grin widened, no complaining, no crying, no ignoring me, or pretending I wasn't there. Just a promise that he would be better, that he would catch me out next time, not that I think he has realized that. And I relished it, someone, to keep me on my toes, and provide stimulating problems like this.
*Giggle*
"Got it, look," Jenny called our attention.
"That was fast," Jericho commented, and Jenny beamed at the praise.
"Look, Look," She pointed at route 7, where there was a tunnel cut through the hilly area on the way to Hammerlocke from Hulbury, because, of course. "See the train started its route in Hulbury during the war to pick up those that had died fighting, the big port makes it ideal. Then before it reached Hammerlocke, it would take an extra half an hour," Jenny explained.
"No one would know, without the log, you could hide it as departure issues or late ships." I was trying to work out why, though.
"Yeah, and it was wartime, no one's going to bat an eye at the train hiding in a tunnel during a possible attack." Jericho brought up.
"Ah, but the question is, why?" Jenny said, taking out her own phone.
"Oh, come on," Jericho exclaimed, much to my amusement.
I began searching the family browser, and immediately got a hit, "What?" I questioned, all this and it's that easy?
"Got something?" Jericho spoke to me. "Yes, but, well, it's weird." Jenny looked up from her own phone, she hadn't been using the family browser, so she wouldn't know. "Weird, how?" She asked me.
"It's on the family search," I responded, Jenny immediately shot a look at Jericho, who simply raised a brow, obviously not understanding but remained quiet, waiting. Trust, I grinned, "Yes apparently during the pandemic several Joys opened a research station looking into the Poke'rus disease. I'll give you one guess where~," I teased him a little.
"Oh, I see, easy to hide and contain," Jenny got it.
"Oh, no," Jericho whispered, eyes wide, he tensed, then all at once he was back to normal except for his now paler complexion
"What?" Jenny focused on him. While I glared, he's hiding things, yes. But not this, "Explain."
Jericho opened his mouth, then closed it and his eyes. Before I could have a go at him, that adorable Hatenna cooed something sharply. After a few seconds, the boy slumped, he looked tired.
"A research lab would have samples of the virus, a virus with a high kill rate, a virus that left survivors stronger than before they were infected, the military had access to it during wartime. What do you think they were doing?"...Oh, oh, well, that's interesting. Jenny paled, "Ho-, how hard would it be, to sedate prisoners and put them with the dead."
"Test subjects, that's why they stopped there," It made sense.
"Only if they were trying to make it lethal, what if they wanted to use it to enhance our soldiers, a literal super soldier serum," Jericho chipped in.
"WHAT, no, they wouldn't," Jenny has tears in her eyes now. They would, it wouldn't be hard to hide the severely wounded with the dead, sedated. I looked at Jericho, I could tell he was thinking the same thing.
"Or adepts they were immune, it's where the vaccine came from. What if they were forcefully infected." I felt the blood leave my face, I hadn't thought of that. "That would make the vaccine redundant," I watched him grimace as I spoke. "Yeah," Was his simple reply. It was too far, even by my standards.
It was quiet after that, we sat there in silence, was it true? Or were we just looking too deeply? As I wrapped Jenny in a hug, she was crying now.
"My parents," Jericho said tiredly, "They were researching Poke'rus's effect on wild Pokemon, before they died," I shuddered, this was getting to be a bit much now.
"We need to tell mum," Jenny grabbed at me. Do we? I don't know what to do.
"No," Jericho broke in.
"What! Why!?" The bluette yelled, I had to agree with Jenny, why?
"Because there's an obvious information lock on it. Talking about it would make us targets, and anyone we told," He explained, as Jenny curled up. "And even if we did, what do we tell them? That we had a bad feeling? We don't even know if we're right, there's no proof," He took a deep breath. "I honestly wasn't expecting this, but for now, it's probably best if we leave it alone, we're overthinking things because of a scary story. After all, it's only an old ghost story and the people and government that could be responsible are all long since dead."
I let out a breath, he doesn't believe that, "I knew there was a reason we kept you around~." I said instead. He rolled his eyes, and Jenny smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, I knew that she didn't believe him either.
"So, you know there's an eclipse in two weeks," He said, obviously changing the subject. "Really?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah, apparently all kinds of supernatural things happen because of-" He was cut off by my ballistic salt shaker, darn he dodged. "You could have just said you weren't interested," He smiled.
Oh, that does it, "Jericho, do you know how long a human can survive without a heart?"
"Depends if you had one, to begin with," He replied. I grinned exposing my teeth, oh it's on. Jenny groaned.
Jericho P.O.V
I had lost Joy and Jenny by now and entered a small gray restroom on the train. I was so glad that the apathy ritual had worked as a spell as well, it was good to know that intent was more potent now.
'Bloody Nora. This isn't good,' I thought to my friend. Curiosity and concern came from Hatty.
*Sigh*
'Not every ghost story is true, but I had been sure this one was. I was so focused on the supernatural, I didn't bother to look for other alternatives. It still might be, we never did figure out if that final delivery was made, or if our theories are even correct. Doesn't matter, I promised Sonia I'd get to the bottom of their deaths. Supernatural or otherwise,' I was venting at this point. 'This is some Wolfenstein-level shit, mad science often delves into the supernatural,' This could get ugly, fast. Especially if 666 holds the same connotations here where the supernatural is very real then the danger level just skyrocketed, maybe that was just on Earth and I am worrying over nothing? Still.
I put Hatenna down on the towel dispenser and started up the water faucet, trying to relax. That had gotten out of hand, but, 'Thanks for the nudge today Hatty, you were right I-, we can't do it all ourselves. Having a sounding board and different perspectives helped, THEY helped a lot. I think I can forgive the liberty incident, for now.' Hatty giggled at the aforementioned incident, she'd watched the chaos happen in my head, and had loved every second, damn gremlin.
I hope the girls will be alright, smart or not they ARE children, and I'm not. It's weird being an adult in a child's body, they think of me as a friend, but I just see two kids still coming into themselves. I thought of Hatty, I often forget how young she is as well, maybe because she isn't human.
My recklessness brought her into this. Granted I need the help of a psychic, and it's worked out so far, still, I'd protect her, and anyone else I care about with my life. I'd continue to skirt the truth to get help, so they wouldn't need to be directly involved. Is the least I can do for what could have been friends.
I took a moment to think about what could have been if I hadn't remembered my past life. Is that accurate? Or am I just a parasite? I don't think so, we are one and the same, not separate from what I can tell.
How many times have I had those thoughts? Not as much as I thought, I've always kept busy, preparing. I sighed, screw this quandary with a duck... Ducklet? I'm here now, and I had nothing to do with it. This is my body, looks exactly the same as from my youth.
'Hopefully, Joy and Jenny will blow this off like some scary story or conspiracy theory, lots of children have them,' I felt curiosity from my psychic partner, regarding my own concern.
I began to wash my face.
'I don't want to involve more people than I have to. I don't like omitting the truth, this stuff is dangerous, but knowing is more so. Doing it to my family is bad enough, the less involved the better.' What would I tell them, I am not Jericho, but I am? It's all they know me as. At least I had my partner.
'Thanks... Henrietta,' I thought to her, smirking at her confusion , 'What did you think Hatty was short for?' I felt annoyance at that, truthfully it was just a stray thought that amused me. I fed the little witch, her real name, through our link, calming her once more. Toweling off my face I looked in the mirror at my grinning Visage, all teeth.
I wasn't grinning.
I stared at the reflection in the mirror, though backed away to the opposite wall of the tiny restroom. 'Crap,' I thought as Hatty teleported back to my head hissing at the anomaly, 'The veils already thinning for the eclipse.'
The reflection cocked its head, then began reaching, the glass flexed like melting plastic. The thing changed from me into a leather-skinned sewed up corpse complete with a camouflaged uniform and a military beret on its head.
'Shiiit,' I cursed in my head, a cold sweat breaking out across my body, no time to find a blind spot, there shouldn't be any cameras. My right hand reached under my trench coat for my combat knife, as my left went to the pentacle hanging on my left ear. 'I knew adepts attracted strange stuff, but seriously,' I readied myself for a fight, retreat wasn't an option, people were on this train, people I cared about.
I activated my barrier and felt Hatty latch onto my forced calm through both our fear.
Then fire and heat.
Unknown P.O.V
"My, my, you think you can interfere with my kits? And before their first test? Hmm?" Her energy expanded throughout the tower.
"BEGONE!" She barked, a single red eye glowed with baneful energy as the invading entity's expanded awareness fled from her realm.
*Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
"Well, I say. How rude, it didn't even knock," She giggled to herself and caught her breath.
"Not as young as I used to be," The violet creature stretched and heard her joints pop.
She sighed in relief, 'Hmm, hurry children, I cannot keep it at bay forever.
A red-coated fox padded up to her and yipped, "Yes, in a few decades, but until then, I shall hold." She shook herself out, "Now shall we see what test awaits them?" She questioned the little one and received a yip of confirmation.
Just because she knew something was coming didn't mean she knew what, or why, it was more fun that way.
*Giggle*
A fanged smile returned to her maw, as she gazed out and saw her new charges squaring up for a fight. 'Oh, yes she had chosen well, but this interference wouldn't stand,' She released a hot breath, and the balance remained.
Jericho P.O.V
White fire crawled up the abomination as the mirror flexed back into place and the undead crumbled to ash.
It was quiet, the lights, which I had just realized had gone out, flickered back to life, and I fell back against the wall, my barrier fading away.
Okay, I'm traumatized now, what the hell was that!?
I took a breath forcing myself to remain calm, 'Dammit, we'll have to keep on the lookout, this eclipse isn't going to be fun, is it?' I questioned my partner rhetorically. Hatty simply latched on to my head tighter, not that I can blame her.
I checked my knife was still sheathed and moved to the door, though I threw one last look at the now normal mirror and left the restroom. 'Whatever it was, it's gone now,' I tried to reassure my partner, but she didn't relent, keeping her grip on my head.
As I entered the cart where Joy and Jenny had gone and felt Hatenna begin to relax. I loosened my shoulders and unclenched my jaw when Hatty sent me images of how tense I still looked. I caught Joy and Jenny looking at me suspiciously, because, of course, they noticed.
"Jerry!" My sister got my attention the moment she saw me. "Tell this one who's going to be the champ!" A beaming Sonia gestured at Hop, who squawked indignantly, Leon laughing beside him. I raised a brow at that, doesn't Sonia drop out of the GYM challenge because it wasn't for her? Well, that and Leon pulled ahead thanks to the chairman. Speaking of, Leon tries to ditch Sonia here I'm hurting him, a lot... And the chairman, though he'll get his regardless. Still, why the excitement?
"You," I stated, If she can be a regional professor, when she believes in herself, she can be a champion. Sonia beamed at that, huh, interesting.
"Not if me and Charmander have anything to say about it," Leon smirked, holding up the lone Pokeball from his belt. While Hop gave an enthusiastic, "Yeah!".
Note to self, find and introduce Sonia to Nessa before Leon fucks up. The dark-skinned beauty was Sonia's best friend in canon, and a good GYM leader and person besides.
Well, if Sonia wanted to be champion I'd help her get there, fuck the chairman, fuck Leon, and more importantly fuck canon.
I made a show of studying Leon, then shrugged dismissively. I turned to Sonia, "I'd say good luck, but you won't need it." That garnered a yelp from the two brothers and a snort from Sonia. Everyone else in the carriage looked amused at our bantering, including Joy and Jenny, glad to see they weren't too affected from earlier. Though, Joy had that disturbing grin of hers back.
I rolled my eyes and took a seat next to my sister, making sure the newly dubbed Henrietta was unaffected by all the emotion in the air, but it seemed the ritual was holding, now and in the other carriage. Well, she hadn't hissed at Sonia yet, sooo, progress?
"Now children," Gran interrupted us, "This is a public area, behave." Much grumbling was had.
I'd need to do some research on that lab when we got to the school... Academy? Whatever, it's bound to have internet access, and I have a list of things to check. Second note to self, convince gran I need a wirelessly accessible phone.
I saw Joy beckoning Hatty over and in a flash, the two sadists were back together again, much to my chagrin.
*Sigh*
I cracked open the one book of my ancestor, professor Laventon's, I had brought with me open. After all, the chance to replicate Strong and agile styles was far too tempting to pass up.
A/N: So it's been a month, sorry about that. Work WAS getting better, then got a lot worse, now it's getting a bit better again. I will continue to get these chapters out to the best of my ability. Until then here is the longest chapter so far.
Let me know what you think I tried multiple points of view this time around, meaning differences in opinion and personality and conflicting thoughts. I tried portraying Joy and Jenny as teenagers,without the hormones, because they're supposed to be very intelligent for their young age.
I wanted to show some of the thought process that goes into seeing if a supernatural event might be true or just a story, and what else it could be or entail.
Hopefully, I will have more time once we get more people on at work, I will be able to update more regularly, and maybe even start a second story for something else as well.
As a side note, any relationship the protagonist might be in, will only be when their older and will be heterosexual(straight, malexfemale).
Though some side character relationships, might not be, haven't decided on those yet.
Just so you know.
