Chapter 5: Zraak

(With what happened last chapter, I wonder how this story is going to end. Yes, there was a sentence in the last chapter that showed the blessing is weakening. He said it felt good to have killed that Gardevoir earlier in the story. He shouldn't have been able to feel that, but he did. That's what concerns them.)


{Rui's Point of View}

I asked Zraak, "How much of Sasha's story was true?" I didn't doubt Sasha, but I know he couldn't have seen everything. Zraak thought to himself for a few minutes before asking, "What did he tell you?"

"He said you murdered your parents and then followed a Zoroark to be her prize." Zraak glanced at his fur and turned away, "I did." I asked him why, but he didn't answer, probably lost in thoughts until he spoke, "I had to." He walked towards a window, "I needed to survive and see where our parents came from. My mom said the Pokémon were kind to her... and I got to see just how kind they are. Kill your parents they order; we'll take you back alive she whispered. All I ask is your purity. All I ask is your servitude. All I ask is your enslavement to my wants. It's better than dying right?" He whispered the last sentence and stared blankly. Several minutes pass and he continued, "I cried but smiled. I watched our parents' last moments just like all the others. They never deserved any of it. All of them were wonderful people. Why did they have to die? Why did they think it was their right to take their lives?" He wiped his eyes, "Words cannot describe how we all felt but I needed to do what I did. I needed to learn and adapt to our enemies. Over time, I tricked her into loving me. Despite it all, I only thought of their handless, throat slit bodies, laying in a pile to be brought back. Some were cut up for meat. Some were..." He glanced at me, "Sent to the Gardevians for skinning." I looked away, feeling slightly guilty. Zraak looked forward again, "I hate this world. It's disgusting. Monsters... monsters everywhere." He snickered, "What's that slogan you guys say? We are Venge? Avenge what? They're already dead. They're already scarred. In the end more will come and die. More will suffer as we have. There is no vengeance we can truly achieve just by saving a few stragglers. No. We need to do more. I have connections within their top companies now. I have money. It took years but I am who I pretend to be now. Working together, we'll find a new world and turn theirs to turmoil."

I looked at Cayden, "This honestly sounds borderline psychotic. Are you really believing this Cayden?" Cayden shrugged, "Well... I kind of do because he's not wrong but what he is suggesting is too insane." He looked at Zraak, "We only have like 30 people left. How can we do anything substantial to their society?" Zraak nodded, "You're right. It is difficult, maybe impossible... but if we don't do it then it truly is impossible." We activated his illusion, "I have found some islands... places Pokémon have not gone to because they are too far from the continents and too small to populate efficiently. The perfect hiding place." I felt interested but skeptical, "You say that, but we're not farmers and there's no telling what wild Pokémon live on these small islands. Then there's the water Pokémon surrounding the island. The navy Pokémon propose a problem as well." Zraak nodded, "Valid... but Sasha's parents and my own did it. Sure, it was not an island, but they did it for about two decades. We'd give them what they need and make sure no records are made." I shook my head, "That's still not good enough. They can still find us." Zraak yelled, "It's still better than doing absolutely nothing! Who's going to save our people if we don't!? Have you ever seen the human farms? They're repulsive. We're literally talking about people who've never even seen the sun, the fucking sun... stuck in a metal box, fed poorly to reduce a risk of retaliation and human females literally walk in, pick who they want, get some DNA through a tube or by their own means. Followed by having a child for the Pokémon, getting some money and fucking right back off to live in blissful ignorance." Zraak looked at me, "You tell me. Does that sound wonderful to you?" I clenched my hands, "I... No... No, it doesn't..." Zraak looked out the window, "Exactly as I thought. Fucking monsters." The room went silent. I looked at Cayden wondering what he was thinking until Zraak tapped the window, "I wonder, Rui. That's your name, right?" I nodded, "Yeah." He continued, "I heard you were also with a Pokémon for several years. That arm sleeve... is that a mark given to tie you to her?" I looked at my arm, sighing, "Yeah... the beginning of the end I guess." Zraak nodded, "Yeah... I can see you hate it. Something more personal... have you ever enjoyed the act?" I raised a brow, "What act..? Oh! Mating, no... well... once but it was a lie, so I don't really count it." Zraak frowned, "It's strange... there's so much joy that can come from it when you do it with the right person. When it is someone you love, it can be an unforgettable experience and empower you to make a better tomorrow." I asked, "Did you ever feel love?"

Zraak agreed, "Yes. I did. Heh... I had a girlfriend. Though the irony bothers me, she is a Zoroark. It happened recently, while impersonating Zraak. She had a crush on him. She had no idea he died and instead did nearly everything she could for me." He laughed to himself, "She even walked in on me bathing in my human form. I convinced her it was an illusion to see if she'd attack me to ravenously cheat on me with a human. By this point I had strong feelings for her. Once we had sex, I knew the good times were coming to an end. I couldn't keep up the facade any longer since she knew there was a problem with my penis. It was nothing like her kind's and felt human. I told her it was just her head after the bath incident and while she thought about it, I stabbed her through the back of her throat with a poisoned dagger." He shook his head sadly, "I think it was loneliness that caused me to allow her to get so close. At one point the facade became me. I am Zraak and I almost wanted children. In many ways that's... pathetic. Especially for a human like me. The cloak around my neck is made from her fur... I guess I couldn't just give her up entirely. If that makes me weak then so be it. I'm human. It gives me comfort and strength to smell her scent." I spoke up, "What's your real name? I think this is becoming too much for you. You need to be yourself for a bit." He refused, "I cannot give it up. It's who I have to be." I glanced at my arm, "I guess we all have to be someone we don't like." Zraak asked, "Have you ever been in love?" I thought back to when I was younger, "Honestly, once. I hate to admit it but there was one Gardevoir I genuinely liked because we were childhood friends. Her name is Aura." Zraak looked at me with a bit of shock, "Aura? The singer?" I nodded, "Just... who are you?" I raised a brow, "I'm Rui. I grew up in the human part of the Gardevian estate." Zraak looked at Cayden, "You never mentioned this." Cayden raised his hands defensively, "I had no idea Zraak. I swear." Zraak looked a bit suspicious before looking back at me, "I've been wondering about you. Why you? Why do you have a power of immunity? It was given to you. I just don't understand why. Why would they give you immunity to psychic and fairy types?" I stared at him blankly, "It was a deal. I mated with Margrev's daughter until she was pregnant. I then was allowed to leave as a free nameless man." Zraak got angry, "You were with her daughter? Why didn't you kill her!?" I shook my head, "That wasn't who I was at the time. I was tired of the killing... I was scared too..." Zraak grunted, "You were a pussy. Bowing down like that, you deserved to be a sex slave." I screamed at him, "Fuck you! You do not get to stand there and tell me I deserved what happened! I lived through it! I kept myself together you stupid fucking bitch!" Zraak snickered, "Stupid? How am I anywhere near? I murdered several Pokémon, impersonated a rich one and continue to trick Pokémon off our tail. I learned their language, I studied until my eyes bled. I became what I am because I had the balls to. I even went through with killing my parents, with my own fucking hands! All that! Just to get to this point you weak stagnant shit!" Cayden got between us, "Stop it, both of you! This isn't helping." Zraak calmed down, backing off, "You're right... sorry..." I bit my lip angrily before nodding, "Yeah... sorry..." Zraak reached a hand out for me to shake it. That's something humans do... but as I stared at the hand it felt alien. I reached out and grabbed it, shaking his hand, "All is forgiven." Zraak nodded, "Same." He looked at Cayden, "This conversation may not have gone as expected, I do trust both of you a little more." He looked at me, "Rui, there's something I want you to have. It's a couple bandanas. When you are infiltrating, make sure to keep your face covered. If they see your face, even though YOU are impervious to psi-sight, their memories are not if they connect to a psychic." I took it and agreed, "Yeah... I guess we've just been too lucky thus far."

Cayden and Zraak discussed money for an hour or so. From their discussion, I learned how tied both sides are. Venge's accounts have been shut down several times and the latest one went down hours after being approved. Zraak mentioned making one through him being a terrible idea because it leads a more obvious paper trail to him. For now, he'll secretly give us money and other resources through his most trusted followers. For our final segment he told us what his ultimate goal is, "I want us to help do one thing. Destroy the farms." Cayden shot up, "What!? That goes against what we're doing!?" Zraak shook his head, "I know it sounds crazy, but we need to. The people in there aren't people anymore. We're talking about people brought up in cages from birth to adulthood. They can't speak, they can't fight, they can't live without a handout. They're cattle." Cayden looked conflicted, "I... I know that! It's just... I started this to try and save those people especially." Zraak sighed, "They wouldn't survive Cayden. We're literally talking about people with no... anything. I'm sure you've seen it considering you've visited some. Didn't you tell me it was 'heart-breaking' to watch some of the guards go into cells, wave food in their faces and do anything they want to them? Isn't it about that..? Or was it because of your mom?" Cayden's head shot up, "NO! Do not mention her!" Zraak looked at me, "Rui, how much do you know about his parents?" Cayden had murder painted on his face, his eyes fixated on Zraak, "This is not a joke anymore." The entire room felt uneasy, I swear I saw an evil aura emanating from him. Zraak dropped his head, defeated, "Got it. Understood. Still, we need to destroy them. Pokémon hate humans but like to kick us around. From what I learned in their history, there was a time humans, mostly males, tried to commit mass suicide. A lot succeeded but the ones who didn't die were used to bring numbers back up. That's when the estates and farms were first implemented in regions across the world. Deals were made with the survivors and Pokémon started mixing with the humans. I bet you'd love to learn why." Zraak smirked at me, I raised a brow, "Okay? If you know I want to know, then why not just say it?" Zraak rolled his eyes, "You're so fucking boring. Turns out Pokémon hybridization creates stronger and stronger Pokémon. They quite literally allow Pokémon to break the boundaries of their strengths and reach new heights. They even created subspecies. Did you know there's a group of Gardevoirs living in the forest, bunch of crazy ass mother fuckers I swear. All female, can use dark type attacks and kidnap males who wander into their territory? I'm talking any male. I think one came to live in the estate, ever met her?"

I thought about it and shrugged, "I don't think so? All of the Gardevoirs I've seen at the Gardevian estate followed the same formula. Green, White and Red. There's a Teal Variant but they're a pigment mutation I believe." Zraak thought to himself for a second, "Hm... well it would have been amazing to kill one of those and see how different they are." I saw the sun setting and asked, "Can I go home now?" Zraak noticed the sunset and said, "Yes. Keep your wits about you two. Things may end up becoming more dangerous. My team will notify you through the mail and give you the coordinates. The letter will have a pass for the bus, they'll allow you on if you keep your face hidden." I shook his hand goodbye and waved at Cayden. He waved back, willing to stay and talk to Zraak more.

- Home -

When I got home, it is already pitch black. I entered my home and honestly expected someone to be waiting for me. Instead, no one was and then... MY FUCKING PHONE RINGS. You ever have a bad day at work and just want to go home to peace and quiet with no Tauros Shit to push you over the edge? Yes? Well, that's how I feel. Guess who fucking called me? My bitch ex and guess what it's about!? Aura. Of fucking course. I unlocked my phone and looked at a message from Silvia.

Why did you do it? I'm literally sobbing right now.

The fuck are you talking about?

Aura told me what you did. You know you're not supposed to do things like that!?

Silvia, I have no fucking idea what you are talking about.

I...

Look...

Babe...

I'm done, good night. Fuck you.

Wait! She told me you... did... um... with your mouth...

You know you did that on purpose. Just spit it out. You had no problem talking a lot of shit when I wasn't allowed to be free.

She said you gave her oral...

...Pfft hahahahahaha! You believe her?

She sent a picture Rui!

Zoroark

This isn't funny! She wouldn't do that!

...Wait

Yeah, she would do that...

But still!

Why would you do that!?

I didn't do it!

The time of the picture doesn't lie Rui!

Zoroark

Stop deflecting! Zoroarks aren't the answer to everything!

If this is such a fucking problem to you, then just tell your mommy about it like the little brat you are!?

MY LORD MOTHER FUCKING ARCEUS! WHY THE FUCK DO I EVEN LET YOU TEXT ME!?

I'm sorry... I just felt hurt when I saw it and... I love you still...

*This Contact has now been blocked, they are not notified and won't know*

I threw my phone onto my bed angrily. I grabbed new clothes and immediately went to my bathtub. As I warmed up the water, I suddenly felt guilty. I don't even understand why! She's such a fucking bitch and I hate her! Why doesn't she just leave me alone!? Why does she care!? Even worse I started feeling guilty for lying to her. It's frustrating because I know what I did, but I didn't have to tell her I did it. Even so I still feel guilty about it. Ugh! I sunk into the warm water, trying to calm myself down. Minutes pass and I still felt the same, "Damn it, why can't I be the horrible person!?" I stared at the ceiling, hearing something in my mind, 'If you act like her, how can you ever be better?' I shook my head, "It's not about being better. It's never been about that..." It whispered again, 'If you don't act better, then you'll be just like her. Do you really want that?' I am pretty sure this is my conscious speaking. Why the fuck do I still have one? I know she doesn't! She used to strut around with her nose in the air like a fucking bitch all proud after that day. Happy, excited to gossip... I bet she sent messages to Aura. This is what she deserves! She is just lying anyways... She never cared about me. She only wanted a trophy... like all Gardevians... I bet even Aura is like that... I feel so depressed now... Unable to enjoy the bath any longer I begrudgingly got out and dried myself just to unblock her on my phone.

You don't love me. When are you ever going to realize that's not what I want to read. The more you lie to me, the more I'm going to retaliate.

I just... fine... I'll never say it again. I swear on my life. Just... look... I'll believe any answer you tell me. Did you do what she said you did?

You're Everywhere Silly

What?

Figure it out.

Ok...

Good night...

Will you be mad if I say miss you?

You don't miss me. You miss having your slave.

... Yeah... You're right... I'm sorry Rui... Good night...

Stay safe...

Stop texting me already.

She didn't reply, and I did feel better, so I went back to enjoy my bath. I just want to go to work and have a good day tomorrow.

The next early morning, I woke up to a knock on my door. I groaned loudly and struggled to get up. When I opened the door, Silvia was standing there with a small box. I was about to start closing the door but when she didn't try to move towards me, I decided not to, "What is it?" I asked.

She looked down at the box she is holding before holding it towards me, "Happy birthday."

I scoffed, slightly offended, "My birthday was months ago!"

She sighed defeatedly, "I... I know..."

I groaned, "Silvia... come the fuck on already. Stop doing these things. They're not helping."

Silvia teared up, "I know but..."

I hit my forehead on the door, "Arceus... why are you such a dick... Get in here."

Silvia walked in and stared at the table. I looked at her, raising a brow as she felt it. She looked at my arm and then hers, "What if... you marked me? Would that make things better?"

My jaw just dropped, "Are you just stupid? No! There's nothing! Absolutely nothing you can do! Hell, Silvia... your mom knows Alivia isn't mine. Stop acting..."

Silvia Flinched, "She what?"

I facepalmed, "Oh my lord... your mom knew it wasn't mine. She just felt bad for me."

Silvia got mad, "Wait, she felt bad for you?" I instantly got mad, "Oh, there you are. The real you." Silvia softened, "No, I-" I pointed at the door, "Get. The fuck. OUT." Silvia started crying, "I'm sorry!" I rolled my eyes, "Oh, turn off the water works! You aren't fooling me! You don't cry. You've never felt sad a day in your life." Silvia looked down, "I felt sad when you were gone..." I shook my head, "No, you were sad you lost your toy. That's all I was, you used to fucking say it all the time. Fucking bitch." I turned my back to her, "After everything you've done to me." I took off the sleeve, "LOOK AT MY ARM! Years! Fucking YEARS of burns and wounds thanks to you!" Silvia looked at the burns. She looked into my hate filled eyes and stared at the burns determined. Her other hand glowed as she rubbed the burnt arm. I just watched her fail, seeing her grunt and grit her teeth in anger. When she gave up, I said, "You see that. What you just did? You should have done that many years ago. Instead, you beat me. You raped me. You tortured me. You became a nightmare. Hell, you even stopped me dying when I fucking hung myself..." I clenched my hands, shaking visibly from anger and depression. I gasped when she wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "I'm sorry." I shoved her away, "Don't touch me!" I pulled out my knife, "You overstepped your good graces. Get out or I'LL make something from YOUR skin." She looked at me and the knife in shock. Tearing up, she drooped her head and shoulders miserably, "I guess my mother's teachings are undefeated. You've become one of us... and it's all my fault." I pointed at the door with my knife, nudging my head towards it. She obediently walked towards it, looking back at me as I slammed the door on her way out. I put my knife away and noticed the box on the table. Curious, I opened the box to see a neat brownie. She knows I love brownies... and cookies... Aura told her once...

I glared at the brownie, contemplating whether or not to throw it out. I glanced at my trash can and back to the brownie. I slammed my fist on the table, "Urk... damn it." I took the brownie and ate it. It was good.


(Wow, Silvia does not give up! I'm pretty sure she's going to push too far at some point. Also, I decided it was best to pump out the chapters since if I get lazy, I'll forget the important plot points and hints I need to lay throughout the story. I hope you all enjoy! Please, favorite, follow and/or Review to support the story!)