Chapter 2: Who We Are
(Here we go, chapter 2! It's time to get into some action, some plays and some regrets! Thank you guys for all the reviews, follows and favorites! Without the views counting, it is impossible to see who's actively reading but I want you guys to know I appreciate all of you.)
{Rui's Point of View}
- 4 Days Later -
It's been four days since my interaction with my Gardevian coworker. As I walked home, I received a call. Cayden hadn't messaged me anything and with a call from him out of the blue, that means this job must be serious. I answered my phone, "Rui, it's time for the gathering." I quickly hung up and turned around to head to the hideout. I still wondered about the client. They wanted us to bomb a building. Why? What's so important about it he'd be willing to commit an act of terrorism? The more my mind dwelled on this, the more anxiety I felt. We've already lost so many people; this could just add to it. Why would Cayden even agree to this? Is he being paid to do it?
When I arrived at the hideout, I found all of the remaining members waiting for Cayden to address us. I walked over to one of our members, Sasha, and asked how he was doing. "I've been doing... alright." He replied. "How has it been... you know, living in the city?" I asked. He scoffed, "I'm surrounded by liars, criminals and worse every day. I think it sucks... I miss living in the forest." I felt intrigued, "What was that like?" He thought to himself for a moment, letting out a sad sigh, "It was hard. Foraging for food every day, worrying if something was going to kill us all, diseases... Well, I guess the second one had merit considering it happened." I wanted to ask more questions, but he continued on, lost in the memories, "My father would go out, finding berries to ease people's pain or to help spice up the food we'd eat. He wasn't much for hunting, deciding it was best not to kill even for food because it'd make us like them. Like... the Pokémon. I always wondered what that meant, why they were so scared of them. Pokémon... The Parents settled in the woods years before I was born. They had escaped from... their master. My dad had a mark on his back made by his abuser as he called her. In his sleep, he'd have nightmares, cuts and burns affecting him as if manifesting from his dreams into reality. My mother would do all she could to calm and help him. To wash away the memories... but some scars are too deep. When I turned thirteen, my father started worrying for me. So much so he gave me a death berry to eat if Pokémon ever captured me. My mother would sometimes say my father overexaggerated. She'd say the Pokémon were not all bad and that they were kind to her. I remember asking why she left with my dad in the first place, and she said it's because he needed her. I always found that funny. She never left because she believed the Pokémon are evil. She left because she knew my dad needed her. But then things began to change. My mother suddenly became a different person. She'd yell at my father, hurt him and eventually he broke down in tears because of the scarring left on his soul from his abuser. That's when it happened. My mother suddenly began laughing and revealed herself to be a Zoroark. My real mother was murdered in the forest two days earlier while washing laundry. Turns out it wasn't just one Zoroark, seven people were murdered at the river, all replaced with the Zoroarks. They reconned the village from within, making sure to note how many people were in it, how many children there were... The parents... all of them... they were lined up single file in the center of the village. Their arms and legs bound as they kneeled. We watched as the Pokémon cut our parents' hands off and then slit their throats. Forty-seven people died like that... in front of their families, their children, all alone now with the Pokémon to watch over them. When a group of beings kill those you love so easily... when they laugh at what they've done. You just can't see them as anything but monsters. I was terrified. Some of the girls in our village were killed... but not in the same way of our parents. If they refused to go back peacefully, they'd be put to sleep and have their heart pierced. The ones who did were untied, given good food and treated kindly. One of us yelled they'd go back willingly and found himself taken as a prize by one of the Zoroarks... the one who killed his parents one hours prior. Seeing him fake his smile, tears rolling down and dripping off his chin as he tried to will himself through with the decision... I thought of him as a coward. Watching that little bastard do everything he can to appease his new master. The rest of us were forced to walk, starved and brought to our lowest as we trudged back to the 'civilization' Pokémon have built. The first time the city, it was something strangely beautiful. The concrete jungle looming in the distance, and we marched... and marched... and marched... until our spirits broke. Our feet would ache, bleeding and scarred from walking on the stones and cement. Pokémon mocking us as we walked until I was face to face with my father's previous owner. She looked down at me, hate and anger clouding her vision until finally branding me." I watched as Sasha took his shirt off and everyone stared at him in shock. Four chunks ripped from his back as if three sharp gigantic claws slashed his back in one vicious horrifying rake across his back. The scarring so present and dip to display how much of his back was lost. It was horrible. "I spent four years under her care... until you all saved me."
Cayden approached him, "There are many out there that still need our help." He placed a hand on Sasha's shoulder, "And we will help them. I don't regret anything we've done so far. We've lost people and it hurts. The past hurts. Life hurts... but we press on because we are Venge. We were made to avenge all those mistreated on our shitty planet. We will stop these overlording bitches and free ourselves and our friends, our families, OUR KIND!" As Cayden yelled, everyone cheering. The spirits in the room rising as everyone bought into the idea. Cayden turned back to Sasha and pat his back, "Regardless of the scars the past has brought, we all share them with you. We are all victims. You are not less important; you are a part of us because we are all important. We're friends. We're FAMILY. Right Rui?"
I nodded without hesitation, "You got that right." Sasha looked a lot more optimistic, "Thanks Cayden. If it weren't for you, I'd still be-" Cayden cut him off, "A part of healing is to acknowledge and move on from the past." He smiled at Sasha and fist bump him, "If you dwell, you'll stay in hell. Keep going and we'll eventually bring our dreams to reality." Sasha looked a lot happier, smiling with a nod. Cayden smiled at him and looked at me, "You ready? Our client has some special gear for you."
- Ten minutes later -
"What... what is this?" I asked in shock.
Cayden opened up some briefcases, revealing something I've never imagined to be in existence, "This, Rui, is human military grade gear." He picked up the armor, "Lightweight heavy kinetic dispersal vest." He picked up a weapon, "A ballistic armor penetrating weapon. I think it's called a gun." Lastly, he picked up a small bundle wrapped in cloth, "Kinetic Reflecting armor for your forearms, legs, and hands."
I investigated the armor, "Where did he get this!? This is illegal to develop!"
Cayden snickered, "He's got his sources. Take pride, he made this specifically for you. You're the one with Arceus's blessing."
I thought back to Margrev, and for a moment I thought I saw a faded apparition of her whispering, "Brother..." I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away, "Okay... what does it do?"
Cayden smiled, "The Vest is light, but it can reduce a lot of power from a Garchomp using Outrage. Even a drillrun theoretically will be reduced in effectiveness by 85%... or so the test results say. The kinetic reflector armor can be used to block or reflect all attacks using any form of Kinetic energy. You will barely feel the force unless it's something so overwhelming you couldn't block it properly. Even better, they designed it to also separate your burn from your skin. the fabric is made with the skin of fire types. With it on, you can set your entire arm on fire and never feel it."
I looked at Cayden Suspiciously, "This is a lot to give to just one person. I know I'm expected to knock out the Psi-sight users... but doesn't this seem even more suspicious to you?"
Cayden nodded, "Yeah, it is. We'll be extra careful. We have to blow this building up though. The bastard who owns it is someone I know. Someone I hate."
I asked, "Who?"
Cayden looked down, "Who else? My dad."
I flinched, "Your dad? You mean, your actual dad!?"
Cayden nodded, "Yep. The bastard sold me off to be a breeder the moment the results told him I was not infertile despite being imperfect."
I slipped some of the armor over my branded arm and thought about freedom. the fire didn't burn me... it danced around my arm with an eerie but beautiful purple flame. I heard Margrev whisper, "He discarded his humanity. He's become one of us. He's a brother now." I closed my eyes and stopped thinking of escaping. I couldn't help but feel like she's right. All those years... it would be impossible to not be like them in some way but... maybe I am like them now. Despite everything, what if I am a Gardevian now? Seeing all this... it excites me without the ability to even feel it. In a way it disgusts me. I'm relishing the chance to kill and cause damage to my sufferers. It's just like how the Gardevoirs treated their male escorts. I even learned younger humans were picked especially to be killed for skin while older humans are picked for servants/escorts. The escorts typically lose life in their eyes after six months from the repeated sexual encounters. I remember having to watch one get beaten for trying to escape. The Gallades mercilessly beating on him until one of them stopped and said this is wrong. The Gardevoir was furious, demanding them to continue. They told her no, calling her far too sadistic for her own good. She tried to get them reprimanded but Margrev agreed she needed to learn to be less sadistic. Margrev wanted her followers to be cruel but not sadistic for the sake of it. She said she wants all of them to understand despair and how to inflict it on others. How to break wills but still be in control of their own cruelty. I never understood it, it sounded backwards to me. Like someone saying their followers should be kind but tells them to kill an entire village just because they can.
Cayden pat my back, worry painted on his face, "Are you okay Rui? I've began noticing some troubling signs."
I raised a brow, "Troubling how?"
Cayden explained briefly, "You've been lost in thought far too often... I've also noticed your eyes have started glowing subtly periodically. Especially when you are lost in thought or angry. That's usually a bad sign in humans. You're not a hybrid, right?"
I nodded, "I'm a human. I have two human parents. I have no powers I was born with. I merely have a blessing."
Cayden sighed, "Alright, I'll take your word for it. It does bother me we'll have to figure it out later. Come on. It's time to talk plan."
Cayden explained the plan to me and the others. I'm tasked with infiltrating the building first. The client is allowing us to use his skyscraper in the city to get us on the roof. From his rooftop we'll be using a glider, it's a machine designed to ferry people or objects from one roof to another. Once I neutralize the psychics using Psi-Sight we'll begin phase 2. The others including Cayden will ferry in with the bomb and we'll bring it to the center of the building. Once there the bomb will be armed, and we'll run back to the roof for transport back to the skyscraper. After we are clear, the building will blow in a couple hours. It sounded so simple... but I knew there was going to be a shitstorm within this building. There's going to be security walking amongst the floors to subdue anyone detected or found. I'll be alone... but with the new gear I felt confident. If I could feel it, I bet I'd be hopeful and eager.
- Late Night -
After several hours of prep and pep talks, we were all gathered at the top of the client's skyscraper. Using binoculars, I scoped out the roof to note there's one lookout. He's a Gardevoir smoking while looking at the dark sky. Eventually he took one last breath before flicking the cigarette butt off the edge. I gave Cayden the signal and he operated the Glider. I hung onto it and looked down at the city below me. The lights, the cars, the specs of citizens... it was quite a sight... then I saw the roof and noticed the rooftop door is open. I dropped down and rolled upon landing. With my immunity granted by the blessing, Psi-Sight cannot see me nor what I'm wearing/using. I crept over to the door and looked inside to see the Gardevoir standing near a door bored. He looked down a brightly lit hallway as I snuck behind him. He turned around and began heading back to the roof as I hid in the darkest corners. With him gone, I carefully walked down the hall and looked in several rooms. Eventually I found the door leading to the Security room, but I needed a keycard. I looked for one of the guards and noticed a keycard hanging from their pants. Two were in a breakroom complaining about work so stealing one off of them was easily as pie. I got back to the security room and opened it. Inside I found a few Alakazams hooked up to their security system. Over them were TVs broadcasting what they are seeing. One corner piece displayed a door I opened. It was being investigated by one of the security personnel. With my knife I quickly slit the throats of the Alakazams. With them dead, the Psi-Sight network is shut down in the whole building. I honestly felt surprised at how easy this was.
After taking out the Psychics, I quickly went back to the hallway only to be attacked from the right. I barely managed to block the attack, but the force knocked me down the hallway. I quickly got back to my feet, examining the enemy before me. He stared at me, emotionless as stretched his neck. He's a hybrid... a Human Lucario Hybrid. Blue fur grew along his neck and forearms with a bone sticking from the back of his palms. He looked around, noticing no one was around, "Another human wasting their time." I got in a guarded stance, "This happens often?" He scoffed, "Often? No. Typically they get handled before the Psychics are hindered. How did they not see you?" I smirked, "I'm just really stealthy." He glared, "Well, we'll see about that. I've taken down so many humans over the years. Once you figure out one, the rest are easy." I focused my attention on him, "You'll be surprised." He smiled slightly, "I doubt that. Now, Surrender." I shook my head no, "Sorry, but I'm not giving up without a fight." He sighed, "That's unfortunate... for you." He got into a stance and focused energy into a ball. I took a breath, focusing on the ball of energy. He shot it towards me and to his surprised I punched it. The ball of energy reflected quickly, flying straight back at the hybrid. The shock wore off just as it connected. An explosion blasted him down the hall. He laid unmoving; his chest severely damaged. I carefully approached him and took out my gun. I said, "You were too arrogant." as I stabbed him in the throat and watched him writhe in pain. Once he stopped moving, I pulled out the dagger and thought of the Gardevoir. I went back to the hall and heard his footsteps. "Lucas, are you okay?" I heard him say. Once he was just around the corner, I burst towards him and tackled him to the ground. He tried using Psychic on me but looked at me in fear and shock as I pulled out my knife and stabbed him viciously... hatefully... He couldn't stop me with my knees pinning his arms as I stabbed at his head, neck and chest. He now just stared lifelessly at the ceiling, several deep wounds all over his upper torso and head. Seeing a Gardevian dead by my hand... I wish I could feel happy about it but... I felt some sadness. Guilt? He did nothing to me. He was just a guy working here... but it was just bad place, bad time. Unlucky is the best way to put it. I got up and put the gun in my holster and ran to the stairs. Once I got to the roof, I called Cayden to send the rest of the team with the package.
The rest of the operation went smoothly. The explosive was rather large but four people were able to carry it and we got it to the center of the building without a hitch. Turns out that floor has no security due to it being mainly a maintenance area. It is, however, right above where the company's CEO works from. He works long hours this time of year, so we were guaranteed he was there to see the package delivered. Within a couple minutes, it was armed set to explode by our detonator. With there being some dead security, we knew a few hours was too long. Someone would investigate and find the bodies too soon. We evacuated the building and flew off on the Glider. From the safety of the client's skyscraper Cayden stared at the company building and smiled. "Happy Holidays Dad." he whispered as he pressed the button and the building erupted in a huge explosion. Debris flew for miles, nearly hitting some of us as well. The explosive destroyed the top half of the building leaving a crater. The operation was a success. Cayden turned to us, "Congrats team, we did it. Venge has taken a step further!" Everyone cheered before we quickly left the client's skyscraper and went home.
When I got home, I got a text... it was from Aura. She said to call her. I did, "Hey Aura. You wanted me to call you?" She sounded happy, "Hi. I'm going to be in your town tomorrow, can we hang out?" I tried to make up an excuse, "I'd love to, but I have work." She said, "Don't lie. I know you have no work tomorrow. Come on, I haven't seen you in a year. Please?" I sighed, "Fine..." She sounded ecstatically, "Yay! I'll be at your house tomorrow morning!" I looked at my bloody knife and said, "Alright. See you tomorrow." She sighed into the phone, "Great... I-" I cut her off, "Don't say that. You know I can't." Aura sounded sad, "Yeah... Sorry..." I felt bad for her, "It's fine. I appreciate it though." She hung up and I went to my bath and turned the water on. As I watched it fill, I thought about the explosion, the Gardevoir I killed... the hybrid. The Gardevoir really bothered me though. What if he was a good person? What if he left the Gardevians to be happier and kind? I shook the thoughts away and thought about Aura... running away with her and heated the ice-cold water. I got in and looked at my ceiling. The armor was good. I punched an attack right back at the user. I killed two people... My hands were already tainted... We bombed a building... I'm... a terrorist now... I'm as good as dead... but I'll do what I can because if we don't, no one will. All that doesn't bother me though. What does bother me is the fact I may in fact be just like them. 'A brother is speaking.' I guess Margrev wasn't kidding...
(And that's the end of this chapter! Next chapter Aura is going to be spending time with Rui and complicate his life just a little bit. The hybrid was killed because he wasn't expecting his attack to be reflected. With his guard lowered, he knocked himself out and allowed Rui to kill him. The Gardevoir was just unlucky. If he lived, they could have been friends and I mean that genuinely. Sometimes the people we never get to interact with can be our best soul mates or friends. Think about that when engaging or making decisions. There are plenty of friends out there just waiting for you to be a part of their life. I hope you all have a great day. Next chapter releases February 1st. Please favorite, Follow and Review to support the story!)
