NSO Chapter 45
I don't own Pokemon.
"Have a safe flight."
"Sorry I couldn't stay longer, Cleo. They really need me over there."
Of course they did. Janice had barely spent a day overseas before receiving the call from Kingdra High. She had to pull in every favour she had in order to obtain an emergency leave of absence, hurriedly scouring airline websites for the earliest flight back. She remembered the entire trip back being hectic and uncomfortable, but…
The Flareon looked down at her daughter she had wrapped in an embrace. Cleo was blinking rapidly, trying to get rid of small tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Upon eye contact with her mother, the Vaporeon flushed red, burying her face into the yellow chest fluff.
… but looking back, there was no regret in those actions.
"I love you, Raindrop. Try to stay out of trouble, won't you?"
"I love you, mom." Her words were muffled by thick fur, nuzzling deeper as a red paw pat her head affectionately. "Text me every day?"
"I will."
…
"Is she still there?"
Julley peered over the bannister. Cleo was leaning on a windowsill in the living room, staring wistfully at the driveway outside. Her mother's hailed taxi had been waiting there hours ago, and he had joined the Eeveelutions gathered by the vehicle to send her off, watching it drive out of the neighbourhood.
"Yeah." He returned to Zoey, who was shoving a water bottle into Cliff's backpack as the Leafeon bounced on their shared bed. "You got the tickets?"
"It's in your bag. Cliff, get down from the bed and go grab your camera."
Stepping aside to allow Cliff to race out of the room, Julley picked up the bag that the Glaceon handed to him. It was a fanny pack, and he pulled out four yellow tickets before strapping it around his waist.
"Looks like we're all set. Do you want to ask Cleo to get ready?"
"Zoey?" She was inspecting a tube of sunscreen rather intently, holding it up next to a list of items she had scribbled down. It appeared she was too focused on her tasks to have heard him, but he knew better.
"You know, I never thought I'd wear a fanny pack before I'm 40," He tried to joke, but it was painfully obvious his attempts to dispel Zoey's worries were falling short. Undeterred, he flopped back onto the bed, tugging at a blue paw to get her to join him.
"Come on, talk to me~" Zoey was resistant, rummaging through the bags again to make sure that nothing had been left out of her checklist. But everything had been packed, and the more Julley pleaded, the more she realised how hard she was trying to avoid his advances. If something was troubling her to the point of reticence, that something should probably be addressed.
"Okay, fine." She lay next to Julley, both Pokemon staring at the ceiling.
"You're afraid of talking to your sister?" The Lucario felt no need to beat around the bush.
"I guess I am," Zoey subconsciously wrung her paws as she spoke. "I'm pretty sure that she's still mad at me for everything that happened, and I feel bad for having a paw in all this."
"Heck, I'm the one who planned the whole thing. The Pokemon behind all of today's suffering." She chuckled at her words, her laughter stemming more from the helplessness rather than hilarity of the situation she had created. "I think it's going to take a while before the both of us feel comfortable around each other again."
"I know, but you may have to be a bit proactive if you really want to smoothen things over. Make amends. Have you tried apologising?"
"Apologise? No…I don't think I've apologised to Cleo at all. Not even when we were little." There was a new sense of shame when she recalled her childhood, her remorse growing at what else she had put Cleo through. On top of her over competitive nature, arrogance had been especially prevalent, including the belief that she was always in the right. She couldn't even imagine how much strain that had placed on their relationship.
"Uuugh." Zoey tugged on her flaps, pulling them from the sides of her head to cover her face. "I really screwed up this time, huh? She probably still hates me from when we were kids."
"Maybe, but neither of you are kids anymore. You were gone for two years. Surely things must have mellowed by now."
"If only I hadn't messed up again by causing Zenith's… when I caused the incident."
"Perhaps it's time to give apologising a shot."
"I don't think an apology's going to bring a Pokemon back from the dead. Or make it easier to forgive someone whose 'advice' led to a murder."
"Well… at least it can't make things any worse?"
Zoey wouldn't blame Cleo for assuming that she was still too stuck-up to admit fault, but she had to prove to the Vaporeon that she had changed, or was trying to.
The Glaceon sat up on the bed, tossing her checklist aside.
"Go help Cliff find his camera. I'll get a pen and a piece of paper."
…
Breathe in… hold… breathe out… hold.
Cleo fidgeted with the disc. It was her only belonging that had survived the trip to Palosand Beach Resort, solely due to the fact that she had been holding it when carried into the ambulance. Her mother had retrieved it from the hospital counter even when she had forgotten about it then. It was only when she was getting into that taxi did the Flareon place it in the palm of her paw, whispering a few words before waving everyone goodbye.
"Be careful if you see anything strange. And Kelli's offering to train you."
A gift from Zenith, approved by her mom. The disc was the size of a large coin and resembled a portable speaker with its circular shape, complete with patterns of tiny holes on both sides and a 'power on' symbol printed on the meshy metal frame. She traced the symbol aimlessly, feeling its rubbery texture against her pads. Maybe it was time to find out what this thing did—-
"Cleo?" Julley could see the Vaporeon flinch at her sister's voice, and sense Zoey tense up at the cold response. He met the Glaceon's pleading expression with a head tilt, encouraging her to go on.
"Cleo!" The excited squeal was what got her to turn around, to see Cliff barrel down the stairs and into her paws. A disposable camera dangled around his neck, and he used it to snap photos of the Vaporeon, as well as the pair of Pokemon standing awkwardly behind him.
"We're going to a theme park! Are you coming along too?"
A theme park? Cleo shot a pointed look at her sister, who had turned her gaze to the floor. She was having a hard time understanding how a fun day out would help her with anything she was going through. But what would Zoey know about what was best for her, anyway?
"Thanks, Cliff, but no. I have some things I need to do at home."
Julley looked like he was about to make a comment, but it seemed he eventually decided against it.
…
Cleo didn't hear Zoey's words as they left, nor did she stick around to watch their car leave the driveway. She had returned to her room, sitting on her bed in silence. Her mind was simmering with thoughts evoked by her previous brief interaction.
She's the one that caused all this! If she hadn't thought of the plan, Zenith would still be alive!
Alive, but in what state? Forever bound to a Pokemon's side, manipulated into staying in a one-sided relationship?
We should have found another way! Ambushing her in school, or waiting until she moves on, or—or actually telling a teacher!
Zoey had considered their time remaining before the influence over Zenith was permanent, and the effectiveness of grown-up intervention. Zoey sounded like she and Julley had crossed paths with her enough to know what would result from confrontation. They just probably didn't expect the consequences to be so dire.
Wait.
How had they encountered her when both had attended Kingdra High before…?
"Hello."
A tinny voice interrupted her internal argument. It came from the disc, which had unknowingly managed to slip from her grip. It was the voice of a text-to-speech bot, but it strung words together smoother than any she had found online.
"Hello. To initiate a guided tutorial, say 'one'. To initiate Mind Synchronisation, say 'two'. To initiate Combat mode, say 'three'."
"Uh…" Cleo gingerly picked the disc up from the floor. "One."
"Greetings. I am the Camouflage And Defense Mind Operated System, or C. Dot. A. Dot. D. Dot. M. Dot. O. Dot. For short. I am designed to enhance your mimicry and self-defence capabilities, all controlled in conjunction with your mind."
"Mind synchronisation is a process where your mind is linked to my central processing unit. This allows you to access me using your thoughts. It is required to unlock most features and programs. Combat mode is an analysis tool that tracks the moves you use, as well as recommends ways of learning or using moves. Other features of Combat mode are available after Synchronisation. To learn more about Synchronisation, say 'one'."
"One."
"Synchronisation mode utilises the move 'Mind Reader' to establish a temporary bridge between your mind and my central processing unit, as long as CADMO is in physical contact with you. While the bridge is active, you have access to these additional functions: Battle Analysis. Database. Disguise. Health and Wellness. Memory Storage. Post-Combat Review. Removal. You will also be able to select and use all CADMO functions using your thoughts. Synchronisation mode has been tested by my creator and the following worries have been addressed: CADMO will not be able to access areas of your mindscape without prior consent. Using CADMO does not cause mind, mood or physiological alteration or impairment. Synchronisation does not inflict physical or mental pain on the user, and detaching CADMO is easy and painless."
The disc seemed to have reached the end of its spiel, and Cleo let it fall onto her mattress. There was a lot to take in, but her daily experiences over the week-long school break were the first that came to mind. Zenith must have been working on this for quite some time—probably even before they had run through those tests, or created combo moves.
Maybe she should try out this Mind Synchronisation thing. After all, Zenith did test it beforehand.
"Hello. To—"
"Two."
"Mind Synchronisation sequence initiated. Place CADMO on any exposed skin. Make sure that the placement will not cause easy detachment during the process. Securing CADMO with a piece of cloth is recommended, if necessary."
"Um… Give me a second…" Cleo tried a few different places, eventually settling on her nape. Located underneath her neck frill, the disc wouldn't be easily noticed in that spot.
"Steady heat source detected. Would you like to proceed with Synchronisation?"
"Yes."
"Establishing a mind bridge. Please maintain the confirmed position. Estimated time to completion: 30 seconds." Cleo could hear whirring coming from inside the disc, the tiny piece of metal vibrating against her skin.
How much longer do I have to wait?
…entage completion: 85%.
That didn't come from the disc. Cleo had imagined some additional burden or presence she could feel occupying her mind, but there really wasn't much difference. Although she did nearly drop the disc when first hearing CADMO speak in her head, the voice clearer now that it wasn't garbled by a speaker.
Mind bridge established. Hello, Cleo.
Hello.
Here are all the features you now have access to.
Cleo wouldn't be able to explain it if she tried, but she was somehow aware of a list and its options, able to 'see' said options as they scrolled upwards slowly in a looping animation.
What about 'Disguise'?
…
Janice had to admit; that despite living here for a few months, she still wasn't familiar with the overall layout of this town. Apparently, her colleagues that grew up here also occasionally got lost in these twisting streets and near-identical infrastructure, with barely any landmarks to determine their location. That was why she always had her navigation app open whenever she stepped out of the house.
"Are we there yet?" There was no answer from the driver, her question probably unheard through the thick pane of glass separating the front and back of the car.
The app was still open, even when the directions were left to someone more experienced, like a taxi driver.
Because that was how she knew she was nowhere close to the airport.
…
Cleo stood in her tub of water, a mirror held up to her face.
Picture the Pokemon in your mind, or speak the name of its species.
…
Pokemon identified. Fetching colours from the database.
Cleo could feel something being released from the disc, millions of tiny particles gathering in the layer of water she had wrapped around her body.
Dye released.
The Vaporeon's frills melted into her head, replaced by two long, ovalish ears. Her snout elongated and her pupils narrowed into slits.
The colours were next, rushing across her face to colour in her features. Her light blue skin disappeared underneath a wave of black. Her vision was tinted pink as the thin film of water over her eyeballs turned red. Finally, the dye filled in the indentation of a ring on her forehead, a shade of cyan so bright that it basically glowed.
Disguise complete. Are you satisfied with this disguise?
Looking at the Pokemon staring back in the mirror, at that piercing gaze, the slight angling of his ears whenever he got anxious, that small curve at the end of his jaws that made him look like he was smiling, even when he faded away…
Remove disguise.
Cleo decided to step outside for a while.
…
One… Two… Three… Four… Five. Breathe out.
Cleo sat on her lawn, on the circular patch of synthetic grass that hid a battle arena underneath. Kelli had offered to train her, and Cleo had no qualms about accepting. Maybe they would come up with new ways to use her moves, like how Zeni…
The Vaporeon's breathing was interrupted by a sharp inhale, her grip tightening around a pawful of grass blades. How was she supposed to focus on the present when everything presently reminded her of him?
Was this why Zoey and Julley were offering to take her to the theme park? To get her away from it all, even if it was only for a fleeting moment?
That couldn't be it. She was supposed to be mad at her. Pushing herself into a standing position, Cleo picked a random direction and trotted off.
Maybe she would take a small walk around the neighbourhood.
…
Cleo shook the wireframe fence, stepping back to avoid a shower of paint flakes. Wandering down foreign roads eventually led her here, standing before a pair of gates. They were unlocked, inferred from an equally rusted chain lock lying broken on the floor. The gates were the only entrance to this fence-enclosed area and creaked open at the slightest push.
Welcome to the Junkyard, read a sign hanging from the fence. No littering.
She had no idea if that last line was a joke. Cleo could see traces of moved soil that showed signs of this place once being a deep pit for dumping. However, it looked like there was so much trash and scrap that not only was the pit filled to the brim, a raised platform was created along with its own landscape. Piles of garbage and metal created tiny mountains. Metal tips of distorted metal frames stretched towards the sky like trees. Stacks of crumpled cars towered over everything.
There were two pairs of rubber boots next to the trash heap, sealed neatly in a ziplock bag. There was a note stuck to the transparent plastic, with handwriting that was oddly familiar.
'To those hunting in the Junkyard— wear boots. The ground here can cut pretty deep. Please return to this spot afterwards.
-Z'
Of course. Out of all the locations she had ended up at, it had to be one that he had frequented. What were the odds? Cleo set the bag back down. She should just turn around right now. She should just keep going without the boots. Heck, she should even kick the bag as far as she could. She should—
Yellow boots crushed a soda can under heavy footsteps. So far the thick rubber had been attacked by shards of glass and metal, and she shuddered to think how her paws would have fared every time she looked at the soles.
Her paws caught on an exposed antenna, revealing a broken walkie talkie. Its black shell was cracked and its matching partner was missing.
If I hadn't lost my communicator, I could have been on that shore earlier.
She tried to march onwards, but the acrid smell of burning halted her paw steps. It was coming from the walkie talkie. There was a hole blasted in its screen, smoking and melting the surrounding plastic. The screen was flickering wildly, sparking when she picked it up.
What could have done this?
A loud 'BANG' in the distance seemed to be the answer to her question.
Cleo climbed a nearby 'hill' to get a better view of her surroundings. The Junkyard was one huge circle. Her position on the diameter was the most elevated, and the ground sloped downward as it neared the centre. It was in this depression in the sea of trash where she spotted bright yellow flashes. The flashes were random, but a boom always followed their occurrence.
Investigating the source would get her mind off things.
Probably.
Cleo patted the trash under her paws, feeling it hold easily under the added pressure. It was almost a steep drop from the top of the hill to where she needed to be. She could either slowly make her way down, or…
Cleo grabbed a large, somewhat flat piece of cardboard, gripping one side while the rest of her body lay flat on it. Kicking off with a paw, she felt gravity take over and direct her descent further into the Junkyard.
Wait. How do I steer? Or stop? The question came a bit too late, with another heap of trash looming on the horizon. She could see the flashes better now, especially a silhouette that showed up when they illuminated their surroundings. A spiky head and body?
Another 'BANG' brought Cleo back to her current predicament. She opened her frills, feeling the sides of her head trap the rushing wind. She was blown backwards, landing on her rear to watch the now-weightless cardboard float into the air.
Cleo could hear her heart thump in her throat. A faint whistling rang in her ears. That entire experience was… a rush. Exhilarating, for the lack of a better term. Although she did almost get injured, seeing how the pile she had almost crashed into was full of sharp metal bits.
The whistling grew louder, and it was coming from above her. Looking up, the Vaporeon released a high-pitched yelp as she tried to scramble away.
A car battery tore through the cardboard as it dropped out of the sky, smashing into the ground between her hind paws. She gaped at the cuboid that had almost made her tailless, then at the figure that had revealed himself by running towards her.
It was a Jolteon. The very same Jolteon had she had met in the Institution. Cleo's disgust must've been clearly expressed. The Jolteon's pawsteps slowed, and his smile faltered as she pressed her tail against her belly, making sure to cover her hindquarters.
"Look, I'm sorry for all those things I did in that place. But you have to let me help you. You landed pretty hard, and on some nasty things too. You're currently being impaled by metal." He stepped closer, but Cleo found herself unable to retreat.
"I don't feel hurt at all." She could smell
"It's the shock. Let me help."
"I. Don't… don't need…" Cleo's head was on fire. Every inch of her body was tingling with the sensation of prickly pins and needles. She could feel her back growing warmer. Was she bleeding? She tried to see, but her head lolled onto her shoulders, surprisingly heavy like her eyelids.
"…d'need… your help."
…
She was floating in a pinkish place, staring down at a pulsating pink thing. Its outer surface was a wrinkled mess, the organ full of convoluted folds.
…
"Ow!" Cleo's back arched at a searing pain across her skin.
"You sure heal up fast." The Jolteon tossed aside a large brown bandage, dusting his paws off as she sat up. She was still in the Junkyard, just a few metres away from where she had lain before. "You were out for barely half an hour.'
"You almost crushed me! And back in the— you-"
"Listen, I'm sorry for both of these things. I really am. But since you're okay now, I'll leave you to… whatever you were doing before. " Grabbing the car battery off the ground, the Jolteon slid down the remainder of the slope, his paws leaving a small trail of dust behind. He manoeuvred through the amalgamation of vehicle wreckages in the bottom of the Junkyard's pits, knocking against bonnets until one emitted a dull thud. He lifted up the hood, and his ears perked up. Cleo peered in closer from her position above to get a better look at the item of interest. It was probably another untouched car battery that he was now touching.
She could see the yellow electricity arc from the battery onto his paw, dancing among the spikes of his fur. Throwing the car battery he held, electricity was drawn from all over his body in waves to accumulate at his paw. Punching the air, the electricity was discharged into the sky, a thick bolt that zapped the airborne battery until it exploded.
She knew that it was meant to look flashy, but she couldn't deny the effectiveness.
"So… I've never seen you around here before." Something had compelled the Vaporeon to crawl deeper into the pit, landing behind the Jolteon as he continued to rummage through other cars.
"I've always been around," He shrugged. "I even go to Kingdra High too. It's just that I'm really good at not being noticed."
"What's your name?"
"Seph. You know, I always saw you with that Umbreon. Zenith, right?"
"To be honest," Seph ripped the car battery out single-pawedly, taking no notice of the exposed wires sparking against his fur. "I always thought it was for the best that you two broke up."
"What."
"No offence, and I can only speak from an outsider's perspective here, it always looked like you were the one bending to what he wanted."
"That's not true. We do things together—"
"His things. Things where he does more than you. Things where you helped him accomplish his goals. When has he ever done something you wanted to do?"
"I…" She couldn't retort; the replies were stuck in her throat.
"It's like those romance novels of yours. He's a poorly written, plot-armoured, pretentious protagonist. While you have been reduced to a side character in his story instead of sharing that main role."
"I was happy, though." Her words were a mumble directed at the ground.
"Were you really the happiest you could be in that relationship? Tending to his every whim but receiving a trickle of affection in return. You even staged a whole rescue mission for a Pokemon who couldn't keep himself alive. I don't think that's a recipe for a long-lasting relationship."
Cleo's legs felt weak. Gripping the nearest car frame, she slumped onto a crumbling seat. She found it hard to swallow, her gulps of air conflicting with the sobs she choked back. Was it—Did she—Then what did she feel?
Seph placed the drained battery back into the car.
"Do you see how he's just using you?"
It was even harder to think, so many revelations to struggle through that she just nodded numbly at the first sign of an answer.
"But that's enough about him. Enough reminders on what he did, or rather, what he didn't do. It's finally time to ask yourself what you want to do."
A paw wiped away a single tear rolling down her cheek, gently lifting her head to meet his azure eyes.
This feels familiar.
His touch was warm. She pressed against it, feeling tingles run down her spine and into her paws.
"Because with me…"
Their noses were millimetres apart. Cleo could detect a faint whiff of citrus coming from the Jolteon. It smelled sweet.
"I'll always put you first."
Sparks flew.
Is it really healthy for—
Shut up. Another voice interjected. Shut up and enjoy this.
So she did.
…
In the Torrent house, the desire to leave quickly left the large window in the blue bedroom open, and a note on the study desk under the windowsill had been ignored. Its edges were torn, rippling wildly as a strong wind blew through the room.
Cleo:
I'm sorry for how everything turned out on that day. I should've been there. I was wrong to make you and Gayle and Apollo think that you were able to take Sylvie head-on. It was stupid and foolish, and I deserve everything that's coming to me.
I know you may go out and find someone else, just to escape the loneliness, or just to escape me. This may be hard to take in, but you're not fully healed just yet. We still need to work through some things, to resolve the problems I had and still have, and you still need more time to process.
I made a lot of mistakes while I was away, Cleo. Please don't make them too.
There was nothing weighing the note down. Succumbing to the breeze, it was blown off the table, soaring out of the room.
…
"You have arrived at your destination." There was an automated voice coming from underneath her seat cushions. Janice could feel the car stop, but the doors stayed locked, and the windows remained tinted. Neither would budge when she applied force.
A rush of air ruffled the fur on her hind paws. Something had been released into this enclosed space, and with the voice replaced by soft hissing, its concentration was only growing.
Janice sneezed, and then yawned.
I need to get out of here. She held her breath, straining against the screaming of her lungs when her remaining oxygen was used up by the flames growing in her mouth.
The ceiling and doors were blown off by a five-pronged Fire Blast. Janice dived out of the burning car, sucking in deep breaths of fresh… dry air? Harsh sunlight beat down on the Flareon. She was in a desert, with nothing but barren landscapes for miles. Her first instinct was to check her location, but she had left her phone in the taxi.
The taxi that was now floating.
"Janice Jones."
"You."
A Mr Mime levitated the car above his head. With a flick of his wrist, psychic powers imploded the vehicle into a mangled metal mess. It crashed down on the Flareon, exploding in a ball of smoke and powder. Fire erupted from the wreckage, emanating waves of heat so fierce that the Psychic-type had to look away for a moment. The next, he was tackled onto the sand, a pair of blazing paws pressed against his chest.
"Cleo was right about you."
"And I was right about your strength, Janice. Your addition will be a great contribution to our cause."
Janice leaned in closer, steam streaming from between her bared fangs.
"What makes you think I'll go quietly?"
"You WILL go down quietly." That wasn't a threat but a suggestion, and its effect was instantaneous. Janice's eyes fluttered shut, and her body collapsed soon after.
"Bit anticlimactic, but you can't argue with results," Doctor Seeniz muttered as he pushed the limp Flareon off him. His Barrier had taken the brunt of the damage, but blisters were starting to form on his chest. That was one of the feistier Eeveelutions he had faced, but now that she had been subdued, the work from here on out would be much easier.
An upbeat ringtone interrupted his thoughts. The doctor placed his phone to his ear, a smile spreading over his features the more he listened.
"Excellent news. Also, send another transport to my location. We've got quite the haul today."