Void and Veil - Shadows

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"English'


Silence, seconds had passed since the beast's declaration... yet, nothing, the tension in the air skyrocketed, and both beast and hunter tensed, waiting.

Fiona began sobbing in despair at her unwitting actions, her want to help me turned against us.

My anger conflicted with my fear and then my friend broke her sob with a whimper, and my anger spiked, fear forgotten.

I raged, "COME ON!"

I charged.

I was no match.

"Ahhhhhh, fuck you!" My scream was of rage more than pain. Its jaws clamped over my shoulder before I could take a second step. Because of the Grimm's massive body compared to a 6-year-old boy, it clamped around my body as well as my shoulder.

Fresh blood fell, as the girls screamed.

Yet, I wasn't dead, its teeth pieced me but not deep enough to kill, it grinned, and I knew, I was its new toy.

"No, NoT YEt, tO mUCh raGe, noT ENougH desPaIr," It flung me to the side with its massive maw, Hatty included having frozen the second it drew my blood.

"Fuck!" I hit the heavy morgue door, as Hatty teleported almost immediately to protect the girls, a barrier forming as it lunged again.

It laughed as cracks formed in the barrier, "WaTCh tHEM DiE, DISPAIR!!!"

"NO!" My mind raced faster than it had ever had before, as the rage, fear, and pain left me, I had to protect them, I swore it.

The collar was the problem, but my knife was still in my hand.

I put my knife behind the collar.

"AHHHHH!" I could only scream as the collar zapped me, scorching my throat as my knife cut into it.

Come on, the barrier was breaking. The Grimm still smiling, but it was no longer laughing, eyeing me, even as it bit into the barrier.

SNAP

I gasped in relief, as I lost my grip on my knife from the electrocution, the collar fell from my neck with the smell of burned flesh.

The barrier broke, and the Grimm hesitated, distracted for a second as my Psionics returned.

It's all I needed.

In an expert showing of telekinesis, brought on by desperation, my blood hit the iron door, forming an alchemical symbol I knew well, the same I had used to make my knife.

A symbol to reconstruct metal.

The Grimm knew it, it lunged at me, and I grinned.

Too little, too late.

The door sparked as its alchemical structure changed, and a spike of what had to be iron lanced out, skewering the beast's skull a hairs' breath from my own.

Then I fed the alchemical array, and a dozen more followed.

"WHAHHAHAHMMAAAKKK," Its scream was ungodly.

"Ahhh," I fell to my knees before the impaled creature covering my ears.

'HATTY, THE DOOR, THE DOOR, BLAST IT, GET THEM OUT!' I mentally commanded.

Almost instantly the door exploded outward, as I created a spear from the quickly thinning iron door.

Shink.

I pierced its jaws closed, but it still lived. HOW!?

"Zoey get them out, NOW!" I commanded.

Her voice was weak, filled with terror, "B-B-bu-"

"NOW!" I barked, through my damaged throat.

I briefly heard Fiona stutter my name as her sister got her to help move their unconscious aunt, Hatty paused, breathing heavily from the strain of powering such a strong barrier.

The Grimm stopped moving, and its unpieced eye fell toward me with naked hate.

"You shouldn't play with your food," I snarled at it.

I ripped the spear free and aimed for its heart.

I missed its body as it shifted, cracking and twisting, and distorting as it began freeing itself.

Shit.

I lanced it with the spear again, and again, to no avail. Pushing the spear deep as it formed off of the spikes. I pushed myself hard as I empowered myself psionically and charged forward, the beast hanging from the spear.

It snapped at me as I stopped my momentum and jabbed the weapon forward, the beast flew back off the weapon as I hit it with a sloppy desperate Psybeam, I'd never even thought to train such a move before, but it worked.

The Grimm sailed through the room into a wall, then through the wall.

CRASH

That assault had winded me, and within seconds I was barely standing, though that was likely a combo of my wounds and the sudden suppressing and unsuppressing of my psionics, still I can't let it know that.

"What was it you said? A leashed dog?" I taunted the wounded beast.

"MAAAAGI!" The Grimm stood enraged, ready to pounce again. It was smaller now the size of a wolf, more akin to our first meeting.

I'd hurt it.

But before it could charge.

Poof...a bag of lit sage hit its head? One of the same I'd given the girls.

"I AM NOT YOUR PLAYTHING!" yelled Fiona!?

"Now," The pinkette commanded.

Click, I know that sound.

Crack, its head snapped back.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Click... "D-did I g-get it?" Asked Zoey from behind her FUCKING REVOLVER, WHAT THE FUCK ZOEY, HOW, WHEN, WHAT!?... questions for later.

"You made me hurt my patient, for a nurse that's unforgivable, but worse you made me hurt my friend," Fiona was pissed, her face and voice dark as she grinned at the beast's pain.

It brought its head back down, then it chuckled looking for an opening, trying to buy time, I'm not sure which, "YOu rEAlly THink thaT I dID thAt, ThaT W-"

"Don't listen to it, it-" I started as it spoke but stumbled as my strength began to fade from overexertion and the stress of my wounds and blood loss.

"Hatty!" But Fiona WASN'T listening to it, she threw the second lit bag of sage, that I'd missed seeing, above the beast.

Hatty teleported above it blasting it and the beast with a Psybeam.

BANG

There it lay barely moving, Holy shit.

"D-Did, we do it?" Zoey asked.

"AHHHHH!" The Grimm shot up, oh come on.

"Move," I shouted to Fiona, its new target, as a tired Hatty teleported in front of her.

I readied my spear, it was slower now, I could-

CRASH.

The Grimm was struck by a surprising, but familiar blue ball of energy...

'Human!' A Meinfoo entered the fray, 'What's happening, are you OK!?'

Huh, I'll take it, "Later, focus."

It raised itself up again, "MoRE PEstS."

I threw my spear as Hatty and Meinfoo both launched their own attacks. Unfortunately, the Grimm dodged them all, and realizing that it was losing, it fled through the broken wall and into the shadows, ceasing to exist and falling from our sight.

"Shit, after it," I attempted to follow and activate my true-sight.

Then I landed on my face.

"Owww," I groaned.

"Jericho, stop, we can't" Fiona panted and collapsed on her knees near me, obviously concerned about my well-being.

I caught Zoey sliding down a wall sighing in relief and practically hugging her gun... right need to ask about that.

Meinfoo interrupted my thoughts, 'THAT WAS AWESOME, HUMAN! What's going on? What was that? Are you ok? Do you need help? Can I help-"

I groaned at all the questions, as Hatty teleported onto my face-down head.

"This place has an old church, doesn't it?" I asked, someone.

Thankfully it stopped the Mienfoo from asking her questions, though now she was watching us intently.

"Y-yeah," Zoey spoke up.

I thought so, "The Grimm got around the protection, it'll desecrate it so it can return."

I hissed in pain as I tried to push myself up.

"Stop, Jericho, please, none of us can fight like this, we still have time until tomorrow's eclipse," Fiona helped me to my side.

I felt some relief as Hatty used Life Dew on me, "Thanks."

"We can't let it run free, it's weak, yes, and these are trainers with Pokemon, yes, but who knows what'll happen between now and then," I explained.

Fiona automatically checked my wounds, "It won't help if we get ourselves killed."

I know she has a point but, damn it, she's right.

"Fine, but-" I cut my self off as Mienfoos ears perked, then I heard something.

"Shit, we need to leave, how's your aunt?" I could hear banging, and a commotion coming closer, then again, given the noise we'd made I shouldn't be surprised.

Fiona blinked, "Ah, she's breathing but I..."

"Then we're good, she'll recover without the Grimm's influence around," I assured her as my adrenaline kicked in at my panic about being found, it made me feel sick so soon after my last burst of adrenalin.

"Wait, Jericho, You need a hospital, please," Fiona practically begged.

"No, please Fiona, I trust you to help me, that thing is too weak to influence us anymore, especially because we're aware of it now. I need YOUR help, they can't know about this," I begged back.

Fiona froze and looked at my now burned neck and bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

Zoey was back on her feet and conflicted, looking between us.

No time.

"Mienfoo, you want answers? Then help us get out of here, grab my knife and spear, oh and the collar near the metal door," I promised, I'm not making the mistake of leaving behind evidence again. Besides, it was too late to stop her from getting involved, she'd seen the Grimm.

She perked at that and nodded rapidly in agreement, then moved to get the mentioned items. I wasn't worried about the blood it had been exposed to the Grimm's ichor, it was corrupted, already turning black now it was no longer connected to my life force.

Fiona was not convinced, "Jerich- Jerry, please, I can't, I nearly-"

"Too late, we're in this together, come on, back to the room. Trust me, if you don't trust yourself," I tried.

She hesitated, and the ruckus got louder.

"Please, Fiona, I CAN'T trust anyone else," I was resolute, while it was true she had fucked up, she had only done so out of genuine concern.

She took a fortifying breath and stood, I nodded at Zoey, who nodded back determinedly.

Together, we fled the scene through the broken wall.


I had collapsed bodily against the wall groaning when we arrived, I was exhausted, hurt, and emotionally drained. Yet, I still felt better than the last time I'd pushed myself psionically.

"Thanks, Zoe," I panted heavily, as I shed the damaged and bloody clothing from my torso.

"S-sure," Zoey was still a bundle of nerves right now, but had helped my wounded body back to the safety of the room.

'So wait, you're telling me that monsters and stuff are real and that you're all these awesome monster hunters!' Mienfoo was ecstatic at the thought of being a monster slayer and destroying evil.

"Essentially? Yes, though we've yet to actually slay anything. That Grimm was our first, and it got away, thanks for the assist by the way," I, well, thanked the Mustalid-looking Pokemon.

If anything, she grinned harder.

"But, remember, you can't tell anyone, not your parents or your teacher or clan, not anyone, it weakens the veil, and brings more of them through, can I trust you to do that?" I looked the Pokemon in the eyes, silently pleading with her, hoping the young Mienfoo understood the consequences.

Thankfully she did and nodded to me seriously, 'Yes, I won't allow these creatures to harm the weak and innocent, nor shall I allow more to follow.'

I sighed in relief, as Fiona dug through her bag for her medical supplies, Hatty on her head comforting her.

'Human... Jericho, correct?' The Mienfoo asked.

I nodded.

'Jericho, will you allow me to train under you as your student hunter?' She bowed.

"I... what?" I wasn't expecting that.

Hatty sent annoyance but also gratitude through our link turning to glare a bit at the other Pokemon, though it had no heat to it, and she didn't actually say anything.

'I realize that your hunt failed, but from what I can tell you put up a magnificent fight against such a creature, and you're well studied on these things, please I wish to learn and help protect this world,' She said earnestly still bowing.

Ah, crap, how can I say no to that, it was partly our fault for not containing the situation anyway, never mind the fact they'd be drawn to her now.

"Fine, I'll teach you, we need all the help we can get," I finally agreed.

She grinned hard, 'Thank you teacher, I will endeavor to be the best student I can be, and these creatures shall rue this day as their undoing.'

She's a dramatic little thing, isn't she?

I turned to Zoey who had her head cocked in curiosity, she was likely following along from my side of the conversation.

"Looks like we have some help," I commented.

Zoey seemed a little relieved, "Having another Pokemon along will help."

"Mienfoo, sorry, can I just call you Mie? It's shorter, and it'll help in combat," I ask.

'Of course. Your packmate called you Jerry? May I call you Jerry for the same reason, teacher?' She responded, hope burning in her eyes.

I bit back my dislike of the nickname, she'd earned it, "Sure,"

'Thank you, Teacher Jerry,' She bowed happily.

I'm already starting to regret this.

'Too late, teacher Jerry~,' Hatty cackled in delight in my head.

Fiona was walking over now with her equipment in hand, not saying a word, just going to work.

That's concerning.

Silence as she went over my wounds...

"How bad?" I finally had to break the silence.

... "You're not going to die, but you've lost a lot of blood, luckily, Hatenna's Life Dew stopped the bleeding, but you need stitches," She explained quietly.

"Ok, can you do it?" I requested her aid.

She froze, "No, I don't have any anesthetic, I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't bring any."

I sighed, "It's likely the Grimm's influence, you don't forget stuff like that. It's fine, I can take it."

I'd have to.

She grit her teeth, "It. Is. Not. Fine. I don't want to, I can't hurt you again."

"Sis," Zoey spoke, "Won't it be worse if it isn't treated?"

The Joy prodigy flinched, "I... yes, but-"

"Fie, it's fine, I had worse when I died," I tried to assure her

"That doesn't make it better!" Fiona said firmly.

'You died?' Mienfoo asked.

Oh, right, shit, "Later," I told the Pokemon.

"Maybe not but it needs doing, think of it this way I'm asking you to hurt me, to help me, I can take it," Not the best explanation, but it got the point across.

I was also a little dizzy from my blood loss, this needed doing, before I reopened my wound or something.

Fiona's lips pinched in distaste as she gripped her clothing, "Fine, but only because the alternative is worse."

"Thank you, Fie," I conveyed as much sincerity as I could.

Fiona sighed in acceptance and began to prepare to... stitch my wounds.

"Hey, Zoe, I've been meaning to ask, but what's with the gun?" I tried distracting myself and hissed as Fiona began spraying my wounds down, picking stuff out and... essentially trimming them, so she could sow them shut.

"Oh, right, that- it's a CR38, 380. Mum gave it to me, I am trained, it was just in case..." She trailed off.

Team Plasma, right.

"Yeah, I don't think this is what she had in mind, huh?" I tried lighting the mood.

I hissed as Fiona began stitching, she looked at me in concern, but I nodded my consent.

"I-It's weird though, back, AH, where I'm from there's age restrictions for firearms," I tried to keep the conversation going.

"Really? But Pokemon are more - oh, right, you didn't have them," She paused.

'Wait what?' Mei looked confused.

"Ok short version, ah. I reincarnated into this world from one where I died as an adult, there were no Pokemon, but the concept existed, ah, a-as a TV show and in games," I focused on breathing as the pain increased.

'Really!? Cool!' The Martial Arts Pokemon exclaimed. Huh, oh, right aura she knows I'm not lying, probably how she found us and saw the Grimm as well.

"Y-yeah, shit, dying wasn't fun though," I got out.

'Well of course not, but now you're here, if you weren't I wouldn't have a teacher, and those things would just be running around,' She nodded to herself.

'Right, thanks, umm where are your parents right now anyway?' I asked, then hissed as Fie made another puncture.

'Oh, they're with teacher Mustard right now, they went out looking for something. But mum said it was fine if I played with you for today, she vetoed dad. It's a good job I came to play today as well, right teacher?' She chirped.

I nodded but didn't respond verbally, gritting my teeth. I hope I'm not on the Lucario's bad side, he seemed fine when we last met.

It was silent for a while.

I need a distraction, this hurts.

You know, sometimes I wonder how bad it really was, in canon, Ash and co. stopped some supernatural crap but not much. The question is how much we didn't see, if they just stumbled into situations like that, adept or not. I just hope Grimm ain't the norm.

Ring-ring-ring.

And the phone rang, oh, thank fuck a distraction.

"Ah," Still, Zoey really needs to learn to silence her phone, what if we'd been hiding from something?

"Hello?" Zoey answered, and I have a good idea who it is.

"Mum, I'm fine, we're all fine," Zoey hesitantly eyed my wounds when she said that.

"Yes, but wouldn't it be better to wait together, where we're all together?" She spoke into the phone, likely trying to buy us time.

"No, I-I'm not sure, in the castle, one of the upper floors, is everything alright?" She stuttered slightly, trying to redirect the conversation.

"Oh, is she okay? Oh, that's good... Yes, they're here," She turned the phone toward us.

I gathered my strength, "Hi, how's it going?"

"We're all together," Fiona called, her voice flat, shit.

"See, yeah, I promise, I know, yeah, I love you too," She hung up the phone.

"Aunties starting to wake up, they found the morgue, they think we took shelter in the closest room when we heard it happen, and aren't sure where we are. Mum says to stay put and wait for the all-clear," She relayed the parts we couldn't hear, sounded like there was a lot of assumption going on.

I sighed in relief, thank Giratina that the morgue and this room are in rarely used parts of the castle.

I hissed.

"There, done on the front," Fiona commented as she finished sowing up the puncture wounds from the Grimm's fangs going from my shoulder to hip.

"Right thanks, Fie," I was very glad we had a medic on our little team.

"Right turn around then," She remained focused on task.

"Got it," I complied, turning myself over with some difficulty.

'Can I use Life Dew, it'd help, right?' Hatty asked over our link, caution and concern flooded through our bond.

'I'll ask,' I responded.

"Fie, Hatty wants to know if she can use another Life Dew on me?" I relayed.

Fiona blinked tiredly and patted Hatty who was still on her head, as she changed her gloves.

"Later, when I've finished, ok cutie," Fiona had a small smile.

Glad to see that Hatty was helping her mood.

Hatty responded with a trill in the affirmative.

"Ok, ready," I remarked with my back to her.

This time the process continued in mostly silence only broken by my small hisses of pain, it was only after she was done did I comment as I looked at my clothing.

"I can't go back with these, they're covered in blood," I held my shirt aloft.

"You're lucky that's ALL the blood you lost, a bit deeper and your lung and carotid would have been in danger," She took a deep breath.

"Yeah I think that was intentional, it was playing with us at first, feeding on our fear, I don't think it thought I could remove the collar," I rubbed my damaged neck lightly, as Hatty used Life Dew on me, it helped the pain a lot.

Fiona winced at my comment but shoved a cream tube into my hand, "Put that on, those are first-degree burns bad ones, maybe second-degree..."

"Yeah... it hurts, I think it was worse, but the Life Dews helped, worth it though," I commented and put on the burn cream.

She was silent, Mei was obviously confused but could read the room well enough.

"I need something to hide this," I gestured at my wounds. I really needed to start bringing spare clothes.

"I have a spare shirt," Fiona's voice was quiet, as she routed around her backpack.

"Thanks, Fie... look I hate to ask, but do you have a spare collar, one without a crystal?" I asked gently, the girl was beating herself up plenty as is.

She froze a second then shook her head in the negative.

"I have some glue, do you think it would work?" She held up the cut collar.

I winced at the sight, "Yeah maybe, thanks, Zoe." Note to self, buy a choker to cover the scar.

"It should probably be bandaged first, huh?" I asked Fiona, I made a point not to say, I should bandage it.

Fiona briefly nodded and handed me the bandages, shit. She would NEVER leave someone to treat their own wound while she was around.

I shared a look with Zoey, both of us were concerned.

"Fie... I'm going to need a professional job to hide it under the collar," I held the bandages to her.

She tensed.

I sighed, "Fie, I would trust you with a gun to my head, whatever happened, was the Grimm's manipulations at work. You know that it's a demon, that's what it does. Please don't let it get into your head, you faced it down and told it what for, you got this."

"Sis," Zoey's concern was palpable with a single word.

Hatty cooed at her, even as Mei looked more and more lost, but seemed to gain a spark of understanding at the aforementioned Grimm and its manipulations.

Slowly the pinkette abandoned her search for a shirt and grabbed the bandages from my hand, then started on my neck, it didn't take her long to finish.

I breathed a metaphorical sigh of relief, she'd be ok.

"Thanks," I said sincerely as she finished.

"Oh, no," Zoey groaned. She had her revolver in front of her and the chamber out.

"What?" I asked cautiously.

"I used all the ammo mum gave me, she'll know I used it," Zoey slumped, showing me the spent copper casings.

"Ah," Was all I could articulate, shit.

Fiona, I'm thrilled to say, went over and hugged her sister.

"Couldn't you tell her you were practicing?" I attempted.

"After what happened in the morgue? No way, she'd figure it out!" Zoey slumped into her sister's embrace.

"Crap, well, what if you lost it?" I'm just throwing shit at the wall at this point to see what sticks.

"Noooo, that's worse," She moaned.

Honestly, I'm just glad to see her acting a bit like a kid still, after everything that's happened, it's... nice. Even if it's over a revolver, something I'm 90 percent sure a child, even in this world, shouldn't have.

"I could always damage it with some alchemy, say it misfired, or just went off for some reason?" Like I said, seeing what sticks.

Hmm, I took out my phone, ohhhh, 5 missed calls from Sonia... I'll text her.

I'm with the girls.

P.S. Pending approval of both parties' parents/ Guardians, I may have a new teammate.

And send.

There now she'll worry about that instead and think that's what I'm dealing with, instead of what happened at the morgue.

"Haaaaa, maybe?" Zoey responded.

'Oh, oh, can I smash it,' Mei asked with her hand in the air.

Huh, that's not a bad idea.

"Hey, what if Mei smashes it?" I asked for her.

"That might work, like a training accident?" The bluette asked hopefully.

"Yeah, that," I agreed.

She nodded.

"Ok then Mei feel free to smash it, we'll say the force made the rounds go off," I gave the grinning Pokemon the go-ahead.

'Yes!' She cheered as Zoey put the weapon on the ground.

Then with a blast from a single Aura Sphere, the revolver was smashed almost beyond recognition.

"Well... that's that then, nice work Mie," I praised.

She grinned and made an adorable sound, like a Te-hee almost, while Zoey picked up the weapon and nodded at it in acceptance.

"Seriously though nice work, you girls were brilliant," I relaxed a little as I flattered the group of females... I seriously need more guy friends, maybe Raihan he seems cool.

"R-really, I mean yeah, we got it good didn't we!" Zoey slowly smiled as the weight of what she'd done set in.

"It's not done yet, not until it's dead," Fiona hissed, gripping at her clothing.

"W-well, yeah, but it's like you said we're in no condition to go after it right now," I soothed.

Thankfully she slumped, letting go of the rage in favor of her tiredness, "Right."

I sighed in relief, "We'll get it, it's weak now in no small part thanks to you, was that your plan perchance?"

I couldn't imagine any plan of Zoey's using Fiona as bait, so it had to be the prodigy's plan.

"I had to do something, you were hurt, and it was my-" The nurse began to work herself up again, but her sister quickly put a stop to it with a big hug.

"Your intentions were good Fie, the Grimm just twisted them. It's going to take more than that to stop being my friend, sorry but you're stuck with me," I was beating a dead horse, err Mudsdale, at this point, but she still needed to hear it, so I'd keep saying it.

Fiona just hugged her sister back but didn't dispute the claim.

'Hey, Jerrrry, I found your new shirt~' The little witch cooed.

Oh, Arceus, what now, I turned to see a pink girl's T-shirt with the works Heartstopper printed on the chest area...

I turned slowly toward Fiona.

"What, you didn't think I had one of YOUR shirts, did you?" The nurse huffed in embarrassment.

I groaned as Zoey nervously lifted the now-repaired pink collar... the worst part was because we're all children and the girls are a year older, the shirt would likely fit.

I was seriously debating just saying fuck it and showing off my wounds... but pragmatism won out.

"Please, just help me get the blood off of my trousers," I requested with a sigh. Grabbing the shirt and collar, my shirt and coat might be full of holes now, but my pants could be saved.

The defeat in my voice was obvious given Hatenna's cackling, and how red Zoey had turned at the thought of me effectively cross-dressing, while Fiona actively avoided eye contact because it was her shirt I'd be wearing.

Blissfully, Mei just looked confused.


Sonia POV

Ohhhh, he is in so much trouble when he gets back.

Yamper scurried around my feet as I paced, thankfully he wasn't getting in the way.

Gran had been called away after another attack, this time inside the castle, and Jerry wouldn't pick up his phone! What was the point in having it then?

And, and, when he finally gets back to me, with a text of all things, he just tells me he's with his friends and has a new Pokemon on his team... possibly, what!?

If he hadn't just buggered off again, then this wouldn't be a problem.

Does he have any idea how worried I am!?

Since he first got that Hatenna he's been acting weird, at first it was small things like skipping a meal or two, not too uncommon. Especially considering how much he read, that sometimes happened anyway. But he was eating less and less as the days passed, in the last week I don't think I've actually seen him eat properly, other than once in the cafe. At family meals he'd basicly just pushed food around his plate now, only eating the absolute minimum he could get away with.

And when we started training weeks ago he'd go off exploring on his own, again strange, but he had a Pokemon with him now. It wasn't out of the ordinary for kids to give in to some wonder lust when they didn't need to worry about wild Pokemon anymore, I did the same after all.

But ever since coming here he's started to act out, granted a lot of it could be explained by the arrival of Team Plasma. Such as arguing with Gran about hanging out with his friends, because of them being targets, friends he had denied having a day before, mind you. Then he was wondering off with those same friends while they were being targeted, and even actively threatening bodily harm to people.

I'd be inclined to say it was ALL Team Plasma's fault and nerves on his part, but the way he'd mouth off to the chairman when they first met, and more so how he had reacted to Mustard and Raihan was... telling, something had happened between the three there.

But my brother isn't stupid even if he is young, there HAS to be a reason for his behavior, I just don't know what, and he keeps putting himself in positions where he could be hurt.

It was foolhardy, like when we'd been children, and he'd put other children several years his elder into the hospital and gotten hurt, but he did that to protect me, I could understand why he did it.

Now I'm scared he'll get hurt again, or worse involved in all this. I'm hurt and angry that he won't tell me why.

Oh, I'm gonna give him such an earful when he gets back, I'll make him listen. I'm gonna wait right here in front of the door... Menacingly!

...

I picked up Yamper as my nerves started to get to me again, "Oh, Yamper, i-is he still ok? What if he got hurt? What if-".

Click.

The door!

"We're back," That was Jerry!

"Jericho, how dare yo...u?" My righteous indignation quickly turned to confusion.

"Not a word," He demanded while wearing a tight pink t-shirt that read Heartstopper and a pink collar.

"A-ah," I could only stutter as I tried to understand.

Then there was the Mienfoo from yesterday walking beside him, one of the CHAMPIONS Pokemon!

"I- you-... are those bandages!?" I chose to address the reason he was wearing bandages on his forearms first and foremost.

It was a good starting point, he could be hurt.

The sigh he let out made ME feel tired, "It's been a long day, ok? My coat and shirt got destroyed when these two," He paused and gestured at the two Pokemon around him, "decided to have a spar again."

He continued, "So Fiona let me borrow a shirt she had in her pack, but as you can see it's a tight fit, and it's cold in the castle tonight, so I put some bandages around my arms before dropping the girls off."

Of course, he did, well it WAS weirdly cold tonight.

"... and the collar?" I asked, trying to understand.

He twitched, and gritted his teeth, "I thought wearing a collar would be pretty... metal."

"A pink one?" I questioned confusedly.

Yamper barked in agreement with my tone.

...

...

"Are you ok?" I asked, Jerry was definitely lying right now. If he thinks I haven't noticed the change in his behavior, then he's lost the plot.

"I'll be fine, Sonia. Ah right, Sonia meet Mei she's our new teammate, Mei meet my sister, Sonia," He gestured again at the Mienfoo who bowed at me then stood straight and waved enthusiastically.

"A-Ah," I waved back, wait is this his new teammate, one of the champion's youngest Pokemon?

No wait.

"Hang on, I'm mad at you mister, do you have any idea how worried I was, this has to stop Jericho. You're my lil' bro you can tell me if something's wrong, you know, and I'll always help you," I was desperate for some answers but at the same time I didn't want to make things worse and drive him away.

The distance between us was growing, I could feel it, and I didn't like it.

I need to know Jerry. What. Has. Changed?

I was giving him what I knew to be an imploring look, Jerry gave me a smile, a fake one, before speaking sadly, "I know you would, Sis."

...

Oh, what does that mean, please just tell me, I'm afraid to ask now.

"Jericho, I just- things have been getting dangerous around here, I know you won't leave your friends, but remember what we talked about?" I asked hopefully.

"Talked about? Oh! Yeah, well here I am, back home," He remembered at least.

"Right... Good, then go and get cleaned up for dinner, OK?" I forced a smile on my face, I have the feeling that that's all I'm going to get from him right now.

I was too concerned to be upset anymore, he looked tired, no not tired, drained.

The blonde boy nodded and moved to his bed in the dorm. He took out some clothes, then moved to the bathroom, "Thanks, Sonia, I know I've been a bit... difficult lately, and I'm sorry. I'm just not used to all this."

I blinked but nodded after him, he wasn't lying, but it was intentionally vague.

My phone buzzed, so I put Yamper down and sat to check my phone.

I had a text from Gran saying she wouldn't be back tonight, but I'm used to that, at least she asked if Jericho was back.

I replied telling her, he was, and that I'd made dinner.

She replied, sending her love and telling us to be careful.

I wasn't used to getting replies, it wasn't malicious, Gran was just practical like that, but she was getting better.

I needed to vent, and neither Chewtle nor Yamper were any good at that, one wouldn't sit still and the other napped all day, even now he was asleep on the bed.

I looked at one of the new contacts I had and pressed it.

She picked up on the first ring, "' Ello?"

"Hi Nessa, it's Sonia," I let her know in case she hadn't put my number in yet

"Oh, hi Sonia, how's it goin' you on lockdown too?" She asked, her tone was calm, which was... nice.

"Yeah, just looking after my little bro, trying to stay sane before he sends me loopy," I forced out a laugh, got to start somewhere.

"I mean, considering what happened in the cafe today I can only imagine, but he seems like a good kid, and cares about his friends, might just be his rebellious faze, you know?" I could hear the grin in Nessa's voice.

"Nessa he's only six, I'm just worried, what you saw isn't the norm for him," I told her, a new perspective might help.

"Hmm, well this whole training course has been a bit iffy, hasn't it? Everyone's on edge, speaking of, you know what's going on?" She asked curiously.

"I wish, I only know that there was an attack of some kind, Gran reckons it might be Team Plasma, coz of those bodies they found," I told her. That was the story I had been told.

I knew they wanted the younger Joy and Jenny for some reason, but not why, just that the leader of the team wanted them. I wouldn't, couldn't, sell out two young girls gossiping. But it wasn't their fault after all, whatever it was, they were only seven.

"Yeah, that's what I hear, Raihan's clan is apparently freaking out over what happened, some things got them on edge... You didn't hear this from me, but apparently, this is big, something that has their Draconic instincts flaring fiercely," Nessa provided, her voice quietening as she explained.

Oh, Arceus, please don't let Jerry be involved, I composed myself before answering, "Thanks for the warning, Ness."

"O'course, Sonia, gotta look after my new friends, don't I?" She chuckled lightly. "Look I don't want any kids getting hurt nether, maybe ask Raihan or that guy friend of yours for a boy's perspective, yeah? Might help with your brother problems," She finished.

Hmm, Leon had known him longer, but Jerry was always neutral to him, no matter how much the poor guy tried. Raihan might be my best bet here.

"Yeah thanks for the advice, I'll think about it," I replied, as I heard the shower come on.

"Yeah, no prob, Sonia. So hey, you see those new jackets by Jetsetter?" She was changing the subject, but I was glad for it.

"Oh, Arceus, yes, some of them are adorable, you reckon-" I was cut off by a loud thud from the bathroom followed by the little Mienfoo's barks.

"Hang on, Ness," I told her as went over to the bathroom.

My brother's voice came through the door, "I am not explaining this again, human males aren't THAT different from male Pokemon."

W-what? What is going on in there?

"Sonia you alright," Came Nessa's voice, as the Pokemon barked again.

I didn't have time to respond as Jerry continued, "What? No, that's because humans don't retract, look I am not having this conversation."

The Hatenna cackled as the Mienfoo barked again.

Jerry scolded her as he persisted in his, apparent, anti-explanation, "Don't you start, stop encouraging her. And no, I don't care that you're five as well, just wash up, why did you follow me in here anyway?"

A good question, he always showered with Hatenna too...

"Sonia?" Nessa spoke through the phone.

"Shh," I responded softly, as I heard more barks and yips.

"No that's not how it works, stop asking. Look, this isn't a pack bonding thing, SHE will just teleport in here if I don't take her with me," He sighed.

Ok, that's not so bad.

Another bark... "Ask your dad... Actually ask your mother," Was his only reply as the water cut.

Oh, bugger, I returned to the table as I talked, "Hey Ness, is it normal for trainers to shower with their Pokemon?"

Silence... "I mean, I do, sometimes, why?" She replied.

"You do? Oh good," I wouldn't know taking an electric type in the shower with you is a bad idea, Yamper has sand baths usually.

"Sorry it's just my brother is showering with his Pokemon, his female Pokemon" I stressed slightly.

Nessa laughed over the phone, "Sonia relax, most Pokemon are too animalistic for it to matter, and even if it was an intelligent species like that Hatenna, they're only kids."

"Yeah I guess you're right, I mean he's done it before, i-it just sounded like they were having a weird conversation," Well more one born of curiosity, but it was weird to hear.

Ok, so I might be jumping to conclusions, but I was protective of him, so what? He's my little brother and something isn't right with him, let me big sister him!

Ooooh, all this worrying and schooling and the attacks are making me jumpy.

"Conversation? Sonia, Pokemon don't talk," Nessa replied.

"Some do, kinda? Strong Psychics and Aura users can communicate with humans," I informed my friend, you pick up a lot living with a professor, though in this case, it was Jericho's doing.

"Really? Huh, that little Hatenna's that powerful?" She asked curiously.

"Well no? I don't think so anyway, but a Mienfoo came back with him tonight. Apparently, she decided to join his team!" I explained.

"And can they use, uh, Aura? I'm assuming," She responded.

"Err, maybe? But she's that Mienfoo that they fought before, one of the younger members of the champion's junior team, so she must be good for her age at least," I informed her.

"Huh, that's pretty cool, how'd he swing that? Maybe I should challenge some of them, I hear he had a Blastoise, think he has a Squirtle?" She was getting sidetracked.

"Nessa, please focus, I need help here," I begged.

"Ok, Ok, so let's assume they could communicate, what was so weird about the conversation?" Nessa questioned.

"Right, well it was weird, it sounded like he was explaining the difference between Pokemon and human males? B-but, I only heard one side of the conversation, maybe I misheard or misunderstood? Oh, and apparently, the Mienfoo is around five," I told her giving a quick rundown.

"Mienfoo are smart Pokemon right, they age like humans?" She asked.

"Yeah, human-like and field egg group, why?" I retorted.

"Sounds to me like kids asking an innocent question, I take it Jericho's had, The Talk, to explain it?" She concluded.

Oh, this is going to be embarrassing, "Umm, well not exactly, but he umm, he's the one who explained it to me, kinda..."

"What?" She sounded honestly dumbstruck.

"W-well Gran never got around to it and Jerry reads a lot so he just threw a book at me and said it was something I had to know," I stuttered out my explanation.

"Don't take this the wrong way Sonia, but your family's weird," She stated because it was true.

I sighed, "Yeah I know."

Nessa continued, "L-look, I can have my folks talk to you both if you want?"

"Umm," I could feel how red my face was, this had gotten very awkward very fast.

With a click the bathroom door opened.

"Well, that's better, kind of," Jerry walked slowly out of the bathroom. He was back in a pair of dress pants and a button-down shirt, but was strangely wearing a gray scarf almost like an ascot, almost, it was thicker and road up his neck to his chin.

"Jerry!" I yelled, making his presence known over the phone as well. I eyed his neck, first the collar, now this?

"Yeah, Sonia?" He asked.

"Ah, make sure you eat your dinner tonight, ok? All of it," I needed an excuse, and his lack of appetite the last few weeks gave me one.

"Sure, Sonia I'm actually pretty hungry tonight, thanks for cooking," He gave a small smile.

That was it, no weary sigh, no reluctance to eat with me?

He turned to the Mienfoo next to him, "What about you, your parents gonna be picking you up?"

The young Pokemon made a yelp and a series of quick barks, then strangely Jerry looked at me before turning back.

"I'll take that as a no, don't worry, Sonia's a great cook," He praised.

"Nessa I'll call you back, thanks for talking with me tonight," I said my goodbyes.

"Sure, I'll see you tomorrow then," She sounded amused.

I hung up my phone for the night, so we could eat together. I was still concerned, I still want to know what he's hiding, and why he was hiding his neck.

For now, I'd be glad he's eating again. But tomorrow after some rest, we needed a little talk.


Unknown P.O.V

The darkness shifted, and several lights shined bright through the murky shadows still infesting the city.

Fate had changed once more, remaining in flux, though still among the shade.

She could not see their future, only the paths they might take in the shrouded city.

With a gasp, she saw her brave new kits standing deficient, more added to their number.

They had done something, the darkness had waned, but shadows still clouded the city beyond her reach.

The eclipse was upon us, divide had come into being, and with it, a choice had been made.

She could not see the future again, not yet, but the shadows lengthened and shuddered before recoiling.

Her kit's spirit's burned bright.

Temperance, have you learned to wait, little kit? Learned when you should, and when you shouldn't?

Good.

But so many stars had been lost beneath the heavy cloak of darkness.

"Oh, Gale, what have you done?" She asked the emptiness around her.

An eerie howl pierced her mind, it was weakened but desperate, and something answered as the moon faded.

Remember that time might not always be a luxury you can afford, little kit.

Tick-tock went the clock as the eclipse approached.

But will it get that far?


Long A/N: So thought I'd show Sonia's POV a bit more, she's smart as mentioned before, and shes starting to put some things together, but often jumps to conclusions because of her emotions. And right now is very worried about her brother, and frankly stressed that she can't keep an eye on him.

Well, Jericho looks a little ridiculous with his clothing mishap, and he's not happy about it, but for him thats better than people finding out, it also got him out of a dressing down by Sonia via confusion. Jericho is also more concerned with his friends welfare rather than hunting the grimm, part of the reason he gave up on chasing it so quickly. And while he hates shots, ie having something injected into him, he, as you can see is okayish with been stitched up by fiona.

Theres tention between the siblings and while Jericho knows hes been worrying them a bit, hes used to being independent and older, and while he logically knows its strange for a child/children to go off by themselves, he is still an adult in mind and isn't getting just how stressed Sonia is with her 6 year old brother going missing for extended periods because he doesn't see HIMSELF as such.

Mienfoo is joining the team, and Jerryboy basically gave up on stopping her the moment she arrived because, A- They needed the help while fighting for there lives and, B- He's pretty drained by this point and C- There was know way to prevent it, he wasn't aware someone that could find him would be looking for him.

Also on the little shower scene, I repeat Jericho is working on earth values, so while he sees the two pokemon as people, their also not human ergo its a none issue. But he isn't taking into account what it might look like for the natives. while that ignorance isn't an issue because He's currently in a 6 year old body and therefore doesn't have a sex drive anymore, he will again later, but thats a future problem.

Fiona's getting her head back on right, or beginning to now she knows what happened.

Yes, Zoey was give a firearm by her mother, I mentioned before her mother was armed response, well she taught her daughter. And for a world that has creatures the could murder you accidently while just walking down the street and thinks giving children free reign with them is a good idea, I doubt their gun laws are very strict.

@JoeMcLuvin- Not errors but thanks for checking;

Pentagram: Five sided star alone.

Pentacle: Five sided star in a circle.