Chapter 16: Dying
(Hey guys, I'm still looking for a new job but thank you all for the reviews and well wishes. Now, onto the new chapter!)
{Rui's Point of View}
Abaddon and on stood at a train station waiting for the next train. We were silent. I couldn't really focus as I had two things trapped in my mind. Seeing Jay while he's dying and the damn Hypnotism Nights. What the fuck did that even mean and why did she suddenly just appear? Was it to just say that and fuck with me some more? Hell, why is Aura friends with that bitch to begin with? Then there's the fact Jay contacted me. Why now? How is he even dying? Shouldn't he just be healed unless this is something that requires heavy medication. There's too much on my mind to think about this shit clearly. Abaddon broke the silence, "As much as I love standing around doing, how you say, Jack Shit, I'd like to know just what in the Hells we are doing?" I smiled a bit, a light chuckle escaping me, "We're waiting for a train. An old friend of mine is waiting for us in a hospital. He's dying." Abaddon looked uninterested but asked, "Really? How good of you to visit your old friend." I shook my head, "We stopped being friends because of an argument. It was something really stupid at first but then it just boiled into something more hateful. I think his girlfriend was the catalyst." Abaddon nodded, letting me know he's listening, "Well then, maybe you can take this opportunity to let the hot air out. Gain some forgiveness and forget about the past argument." I thought about it and nodded, "True. I just hate how much shit has been going on in my life this past year." Abaddon snickered, "Which shit we talking about. You fucking a girl who's the species you initially hated, trying to help humanity only to do these weird ass intricate jobs for some asshole with a Zorake cloak or some shit, or how about you embracing your second species but still pacing in limbo wondering what the fuck you should be doing or feeling?" I sighed, "I already told you before, it's Zoroark, not Zorake." He waved it off, "Whatever. I'll just continue thinking of them as bitches instead." The train arrived and I didn't wait to board it. It's amazing how well Pokémon build and run society. Magnetons and Magnemites use electro-magnetism to move the trains at high speeds. Abaddon looked out the window, intrigued with the fact we are moving at high speeds. As I sat there, I got a call from Cayden.
Cayden sounded nervous, "Rui, I... uh... I've got a job for you to do in a few weeks." I noticed his nervousness, "Cayden, what's wrong with this job?" Cayden stayed silent for a bit, "Zraak... He... uh... He's asking for something really fucking big Rui. Something damn near Suicidal... but I have to tell you. He needs you to go to the Pokémon's Holy City." I could feel every hair on my body bristle at the mere mention of this, "He wants me to go-!" I cut myself off as I noticed the looks from the Pokémon at my sudden outburst. I bit my lip and lowly asked, "Are you serious?" Cayden confirmed my fears, "Yes... you don't have to go soon. Right now, we don't have a real way to even get you there. Not to mention to hide your identity effectively. Covering yourself up would make you too suspicious. I'll think of something but if you come across something, then let me know immediately, you got that?" I scoffed, "You didn't even confirm if I'd do this or not. This is suicide dude." Cayden sighed, "I... I know it's a lot, but they have something we need there." I looked around as I gripped the phone in disbelief, "I... Arceus damn you man. I'll do it but I swear, if things go bad, I'll fucking kill you and then Zraak." Cayden stayed silent before saying, "If you mess up Rui, you and I both know you wouldn't even survive the day. We'll get through this. I've helped to get us this far and you've been the best asset Venge has ever had." I thought back to the blown-up building. I felt cold, thinking about the damage and lives ended due to it. I sat back in the chair, "I've followed you this far... and I trust you Cayden. I have to go. I'm trying to psyche myself up to meet an old friend who's in the hospital." Cayden asked, "Was he attacked?" I looked out the window at the passing landscape, "I don't know... but I doubt it. It sounded a lot more serious." Cayden said, "Alright, goodbye then." The call ended and Abaddon looked out at the landscape as well. We sat there, staying silent but it felt nice having him there. Despite what he is, he's been a good friend.
After a couple hours, the train came to a stop. The city is fairly large, skyscrapers blocking the view of the sky. I couldn't stop myself from dwelling on my hotel stay with Aura. It took Abaddon shoving me to get me out of the thoughts. He didn't say anything, but I could tell he's annoyed to be surrounded by a large mass of pushing civilians. After another hour of sifting through crowds on the sidewalk we finally reached the hospital. Abaddon stood on the sidewalk, watching me. I turned to him, "You're not coming in?" Abaddon looked conflicted, "I will watch over you from the darkness." I raised a brow, "Something wrong?" Abaddon stayed silent for a moment before saying, "There are times in which it is best to feign solidarity to get honesty from those that wish to only see one person. I believe Jay is such an individual. Do not fear my friend. I'll be there in shadows, and if anything happens, I'll save you." I nodded and watched him disappear into the shadows. It took a couple minutes to finally enter Jay's room. When I did, I found him laying on a hospital bed hooked up to various machines. He stared out the window, scowling in anger until he noticed my presence.
He immediately smiled, "Rui. It's good to see you!" I stood by him, looking at his sad state. He looked much older... tired. His skin looked far paler than it should be. I noticed his left hand is black, almost as if it is dead and hasn't decayed yet. I replied cheerfully, "Same to you... I just wish it were under better circumstances." Jay laid his head back, staring at the ceiling, "Yeah... ... Yeah..." He stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about something but I could see the rage in his eyes. I asked him, "What did this to you?" Jay sighed bitterly, "That bitch..." I raised a brow, "Which bitch?" Jay tried to sit up but failed and growled, "That Gothitelle we met in college. You know, the one who said her name is Goth?" I nodded so he continued, "Well, it turns out her name isn't Goth. Her fucking name is Kristina. Goth was just a bad cover name. Guess you were right." I asked, "About what?" Jay answered with an agitated sigh, "That her name sounded too stupid to be true, especially as a Gothorita at the time. She and I got together shortly after our spat. I was too blind to see you were right about her. She was an evil manipulative bitch Rui. Over the years she was testing a poison on me in small doses, noting the side effects to low volume exposure. Fucking bitch inflicted a new ailment on me, soul infection they're calling it until a better name is proposed." I thought back to the time I was sliced by a Shadow Claw. The feeling of my soul being cut wasn't a pleasant experience. I guess this is the result of the soul being permanently damaged? I stopped staring at his hand, "Did you contact anyone else?" Jay looked away filled with regret, "My mom and dad were poisoned to death by her... She wanted to test small volumes on me and how fast a large dose would kill. They found them a week after she brought them two beautiful slices of cake she baked. At the time, no one knew how they died apart from the possibility it was a ghost type. The investigation lasted months but no killer was found. This distracted me greatly, making me unaware of her true intentions. Over time I started to feel strange and then I came across her journal. After I read it, everything changed. My condition, the afflictions, dose measurements... it was all an experiment for her. By then, I couldn't do anything. She wrote a note stating I'm officially a goner and that she's happy the facade can finally come to an end." He teared up, looking out the window bitterly as he whimpered, "I'm a fucking burden. I'm useless. I guess you were right about me..." I felt bad. I never really meant it when we joked around back then, but I can see he is taking it to heart. I placed a firm hand on his shoulder, "That's not true man." I yelled, "It is!" He coughed, grunting in anger, "Damn it. Guess they were wrong, of course those Pokémon fucks would be. You got any water on you?" I shook my head, "Sorry Jay." He rolled his eyes, "Don't you apologize. You didn't make me like this. She needs to pay for what she's done." I thought about the others in Venge wanting justice like he did but unlike them, Jay didn't have long to live. I suggested, "Maybe... maybe you'll feel better if you just forgive he-" He cut me off, "I'M NOT GOING TO FEEL BETTER!" He sat up and screamed, "And I'm not going to be a crutch for her to feel better! I lived a shit fake life, my parents died, I'm trapped to die in this room without the ability to even fucking walk. At least then I could have thrown myself off the roof for the bitch. At the end of the day, she abandoned me. Sure, I'm not surprised it ended up being a Pokémon to do me in, but her? Do you know what that was like for me? I lost everybody... everybody of importance had left me. Now I'm here to die... but not before I do one last thing." He pulled out a folder from underneath his pillow. I took it and looked at the paperwork inside, "What is it?" He grunted, "Her fucking mate. Her real one." I looked at him in shock, "You want me to hurt him? He may be inno-" Jay cut me off again, "No, he's the reason. The fucker works with the Gothitelle hierarchy as a scientist." I asked, "How did you find out?" Jay looked out the window, dejected, "Those spineless fucks gave me a hefty sum of money for my 'willing participation' in their drug trial. Used half of it to find out some info on them." I looked at him, "What are you asking me to do exactly?" Jay glanced at me, "Hurt or kill him for me Rui." I clenched the papers, "Jay, that's a lot to ask for." Jay sighed, almost defeated, "Please Rui. I have no one else to ask. I need this." I looked at the papers, "Jay, I'm just human. I can't kill-" He looked at me, anger showing, "Rui, don't bullshit me. I know you. You have to have been able to kill some Pokémon by now." It took a lot to hide my surprise and suppressed a flinch. I just scoffed and said, "Me? I can't kill a Pokémon, Jay." with a laugh. Jay held his stance, "I know you can. Please man. I need this." He reached under his pillow again and pulled out another envelope, "I figured you'd need this to give motivation." I half expected it to be a photo of Aura with a threat attached. Instead, I found a deed to a home in the city and 200,000 dollars. I eyed the money far longer than I expected. After a few moments to contemplate, the decision was made, "I'll do it." Jay smiled, "I knew money would be the key to happiness." I chuckled, "Damn right. You want me to leave this here with you for when I'm done?" Jay shook his head, "No. You take it with you. I'd rather it be in your hands than to possibly be gone before you come back due to my passing." I looked at my payment and back to him. When I entered the room, he looked tired and depressed but with accepting his quest I seemed to have breathed new life into him. He went back to looking out the window but with a renewed fire in his gaze.
After I left the hospital I got a call from Aura, "Hey babe. How are you doing?" Aura sounded sad, "I'm okay... I just... miss you a lot..." I shrugged, "Yeah, I miss you too." Aura sounded even sadder, "No... I feel... I don't know... sadder. It's not like before. When we weren't together, I looked forward to seeing you. To hearing your voice. Your smell... even the little texts you would send. Now that we're together, being apart makes me feel like I don't have you despite everything. You really fucked the hell out of me, and I just find myself laying in my hotel beds in a pseudo heat. I know it's stupid..." I smiled a bit, "No, it's not. It makes me happy to know how much you love me." She sounded happier, "Silly, you can't feel happy. I'm not there to break the blessing." I chuckled in the phone, "True. Still... I know I do. I love you." Aura replied quickly, "I love you too. I have to go... I have so much to do still." I felt sad but tried my best to sound cheery, "No problems babe. take care of yourself. I love you more than anything." That seems to lift her spirits, "Me too. I dream of you every night." I smiled, "As I do about you. Bye." She replied with a hint of sadness, "Bye."
- 3 Days Later -
I walked into our lair to find most of the group gone. Cayden is here as usual, waiting for me. When I entered, he got up and shook my hand, "It's good to see you're still with us." I shrugged, "Well, I have a weird habit of living through most shitty things. Listen, I agreed to the shit Zraak wants, but I need him to do me a favor. My friend Jay is dying because of a drug made by this asshole and his mate." I handed him the docs before continuing, "I need to find them and end them." Cayden looked at the photos and info, "Hm... this is some good intel. There's more on other shit they're focused on. One seems to have high destructive power..." I asked him, "Will Zraak fund this?" Cayden nodded, "I'll make sure he does. If you can get the intel on this potential energy source listed in the docs, then he'll even pay you extra." I thought about the money and home Jay gave me. I felt cold just taking it to feel compelled to do this for him. The problem, deep down I feel that urge for personal gain nag at me. I smiled at him, "Sure. Any more money is a great thing to have." Cayden nodded, "Good. It'll take us a few days, but I'll get back to you." I said, "Sounds good." before turning around and heading out of the hideout. Along the way home, Abaddon told me Symphony was knocked out at my apartment. I don't even know how she found my apartment to begin with. Then he told me she gave him 50 bucks to tell her. Fucking bastard, he really likes to screw people over, I guess. The troubling part is the fact someone knocked her out.
When I walked in, I found her on the floor in my kitchen. Thank Arceus nothing in my home was damaged but then I saw her at my dinner table. Fucking Silvia decided to pay me a visit without my consent... A-Fucking-gain. Terrific. She didn't look angry, sad or happy. She looked extremely serious and sat at the table with her hands clasped. She nodded towards a chair across from her, signaling me to sit. I looked at Symphony again before heading towards the chair, "You kicked her ass?" Silvia shrugged as I sat down, "She didn't give me much of a choice. She sneak attacked me when I teleported in. Scared the shit out of me." I decided to try and get to the point, "Why are you here." She stared at me before saying, "I... owe you a thank you and a sincere apology. It's only because of you I was finally able to meet my dad. Not a fake gravestone. You also saved my life because me and my mom were close to trying to kill each other over this secret. I was wrong. I was foolish. I was stupid. I ruined everything day one and I am not fit to lead. I also concede that you are right about me. I'm a disgusting person. A cheating whore. In truth, I only liked you after you made it clear you wouldn't submit. It was... very attractive. Inspiring. In truth, it made me jealous of you. A human so willful... it hurt me to admit it. I got this armor for you as a promise." I raised a brow, "A promise to what?" Silvia put a suitcase on the table and slid it over to me, "A promise to stop bothering you, correct my mistake and tell everyone the truth. I will make sure my daughter never thinks you are her father, and I am sorry I pushed her onto you." I opened the suitcase to see it contained a lightweight red, black and white armor the Armored Ones would wear. That means... I'd be on the same level as them when it comes to protection! As I stared at it, Silvia smiled a bit, "I made it specially designed for you. I remember the clothing you like and made sure to include it for the design. It's not only light, but able to keep you cold in hot weather and vice-versa." I picked it up and looked at the mask, thinking about the design fitting my style. I sighed and looked at her, "Apology accepted. With this, you just helped me big time. Thank you." Silvia nodded and got up, "I wish you luck in whatever you do and hope you live well with Aura. Goodbye." Silvia smiled at me and teleported away, leaving me there with my new suit. This plan for revenge has just gotten much easier. Time to make that bitch pay!
(With that, a new piece of the arsenal is added. On Ao3 I'm going to try and include a picture of what the armor looks like. It was AI generated by a bot for a youtube video, which I'll link to or try to point to in Ao3 for others to see the original video and support the youtuber who did it. Please, favorite, follow and/or review to support the story!)