Takuya and Reaper were the last two to arrive at the table. Takuya's fur was slightly damp. Everyone assumed it was from him washing up.
Takuya took in a whiff of the fried tofu with sweet and sour sauce, as well as the fresh cut greens. "This smells delicious. It reminds me of Mogi's cooking."
"Mogi?" Kathy asked.
"She's my grandmother. I was raised by her and my grandfather, Shen Lu Wong. They were a couple of Pokemon trainer bikers back in their day." Takuya explained. "From the tales they told me of their past, they used to be a vivid and wily bunch."
"I see." Delia said. "If I may ask, what happened to your real parents?"
Takuya sulked slightly. "They died in a car accident in Goldenrod City when I was two years old. I was so young, I don't even remember them. The only memories I have of them are in pictures that my grandparents kept. Mom was a radio show host for one of the stations in the city, and Dad worked at the local bike shop. Shen and Mogi took it upon themselves to raise me after the car accident in their home in New Bark Town, where they settled down. They taught me everything I know, even on how I fight so I could know how to defend myself on the road."
Reaper put a gentle hand on Takuya's shoulder. "It's okay. We're both alike that way. I never knew my birth parents, either."
Takuya nodded, and let the sadness slide off of him. "Anyway, the food does remind me of Mogi's cooking. She's a big tofu consumer, as well as having a knack for making good food. It's like a taste of home, in a way."
"What about your parents, Kasi?" Kathy asked. "After all, since we're on the subject…"
"Oh! Well, my mother is a florist in Ecruteak City. She's the brother of Takuya's father, so that makes us cousins. Anyway, she's a talented florist and botanist as well. Mother was involved in several reforestation projects that were taken up after some nasty wildfires in the Jhoto Region several years back. She has a natural green thumb, and an affinity not just for plants, but for the water as well. As for my father, he was a sailor for a freight company that travels between Jhoto and Hoenn. He died on one of his voyages when I was five… His ship was caught up in a Typhoon that day, and it capsized shortly after they sent out the distress call… All hands on board were lost…" Kasi lowered her head slightly. "I just try not to think about it too much, because I never really got to know my father that well. I basically was raised by my mother, and I even followed in her footsteps in the florist-botanist side of things. I even helped her grow some of the most beautiful roses back at her florist shop in Ecruteak." Kasi perked up at the memories. "I especially had a knack for caring for Mom's special strain of blue-colored roses that she calls "Ice Thorn Roses." If you ever are in Ecruteak, look for her shop. It's called Grapevines and Rosevines."
"I remember seeing that shop when me and Ash were in Ecruteak." Misty said. "After Ash's Gym battle, I took a quick peek inside, and I saw some of the Ice Thorn Roses myself. They were absolutely breathtaking."
"I also remember the scents of the roses from when I was a Nidoran. That shop always smelled so fragrant." Venin said. "I really miss it."
It was after that moment a phone call interrupted the conversation.
Kathy and Delia stood up from the table with a sigh. "Don't worry, Kathy. I'll get it." Delia said.
"Okay." Kathy said. "I'll go check on the cheesecake, then."
With that, both mothers stepped out for the moment.
"So, what was the relationship with your father like, Mary?" Kasi asked. "I'm sure you have some tales to tell since both you and him are Balancers…"
Mary shrugged. "Well, I will admit: I was a wild one when I was younger. I was a Pokemon Ranger before I became a Balancer. Father also accompanied me several times with Leonidas at his side. When I watched them battle, they were like an unstoppable team."
"You humble me, Mary." Harrison said. "Honestly, I just did my studies and stuck to the best attacks I knew of that would have the best effect-"
Harrison was cut off by the loud sound of shattering glass, followed by screams from both Delia and Kathy!
"Mom!" Ash and Tyler shouted in unison, both bolting out of their chairs to the kitchen!
The rest of the group followed close behind! When they arrived, they saw several spliced Pokemon standing in the kitchen, holding knives and claws to Kathy and Delia's necks! The ambush was so sudden, Kathy had dropped the cheesecake platter on the floor, the dish shattered and splattered at her feet! The hostile splices consisted of an Umbreon, a Houndoom, and an Espeon! They all adorned Team Midnight brands on their arms!
"Well well," The Houndoom spoke, holding the knife to Delia's neck. "What do we have here? Trying to relax and take it easy after failing in your tasks to bring the three escapees back? You disappoint me, Reaper. Both you and the others…"
"Caesar!" Reaper growled, extending his claws only to have Ceasar pull the knife closer to Delia's skin!
"Ah, ah, ah! Let's not be hasty now, Reaper. After all, what is one more life being snuffed out mean to you, anyway? You basically killed Takuya once, after all…"
"Shut up!" Sparta snapped, stepping forward with Venin. "If you're looking for a fight, then take us on! Leave them out of it!"
Caesar laughed. "We aren't here to fight you, fool… We're here to acquire some bargaining chips, to get the three legendary beast splices to comply. Vergil wants you back, Takuya… You and your friends. After all, if it weren't for Malak and Vergil turning you into splices, you wouldn't be who you are today. Even if it meant shaping your lives all up to this point."
Takuya recoiled. "What do you mean?!"
"Simple." The Umbreon spoke, arm locked around Kathy's neck. "You three were selected for this splicing program when you were infants, before you were even capable of understanding the greater picture that you still fail to fully comprehend. Vergil had his scouts watch your and your families for years, keeping tabs on you up until the incident in Hoenn recently. The name's Ivan. As for my Espeon colleague, he is named Elgin."
"Charmed, I'm sure." Elgin said, taking a shrewd yet mocking bow. "Now, we're going to make this simple for you to understand: We're taking Kathy and Delia with us. If you wish to see them again, meet us with Malak and Vergil at the top of the Sylph Company building in Saffron City, one week from today. If you don't meet us there in one week, well... Delia and Kathy will suffer, and they won't be the only ones. After all, you wouldn't want to hurt your grandparents, would you Takuya?"
Takuya's eyes widened, then narrowed in unbridled rage.
"Indeed." Caesar laughed. "But it's not just the beast splices that Vergil wants… No, he also wants to see you, Dante. After all, you and him have an old score to settle."
Dante took on an expression of horror and surprise.
"What's the matter?" Caesar asked. "Has the mighty Dante finally been caught off guard? No matter… Remember: One week, or they all die!"
Elgin then threw down an object in his hand at the floor, and the whole room was filled with a puff of smoke! When the smoke cleared, the three had vanished, with Delia and Kathy