~Attractive Altomare Chapter 20~

~No Time~

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Zephyr soared through the sky, scanning the ground as the beach came into view. 'Right there!' Seeing Tobias plain as day, he grinned and subsequently, an itch was felt right up his spine.

Odd, he surely didn't have fleas. Whatever it was started crawling up his back and that spooked him. "Hey! How did I end up here?!" A very audible squeak surprised him further as he landed right before his trainer.

Tobias arched an eye in surprise, "Seems you brought a visitor?"

Zephyr cringed, using Psychic to try and pull at whatever it was, but it hung on tightly. In fact, it felt very familiar now to the eon. He remembered a vague memory of the one time something had managed to cling to his back. Tobias chuckled, moving toward his old friend.

"Don't worry, I've got it." Tobias reached out and gripped the Pokemon who struggled slightly and proceeded to unleash a shot of electricity that shocked both Zephyr and his trainer!

Once it subsided, Tobias fell backward and coughed out a puff of smoke. Meanwhile, Zephyr looked very fluffy compared to his usual self. Narrowing his eyes, he finally got to see the electric mouse in all his glory. The only one to ever defeat him in battle, a true marring of his talents.

"You again?! Why're you on my back?" He stopped for a moment as it sunk in, "Again?!" Zephyr spouted angrily as Pikachu shrugged in confusion.

"How the heck should I know? That Abra teleports weirdly…" The diminutive tank responded, looking at Tobias and Zephyr properly.

Folding his ears back, Pikachu continued. "Eh… Sorry about that." He grinned awkwardly with a twitch of his ears.

"As much–" Tobias coughed. "–as I like watching you two argue–" Another short coughing fit wracked his chest before he could continue. "Did you find anything out, Latios?" Zephyr, still narrowing his eyes at what he considered to be a rat. Said rat tried his best to look innocent. Snorting, Zephyr turned to Tobias.

'In fact, I've found out that Hunter K is indeed making a move and Darkrai is in pursuit right now. At least, I think she is…' The eon made a mental note to ask her before she disappears in the heat of the moment next time.

Tobias nodded shakily as he stood. "We shouldn't waste time then…" He patted himself down, taking a moment to collect his thoughts, "What of you?" He questioned Pikachu whom he recognized as Ash's

Pikachu nodded very eagerly, wanting a second round with Hunter K. "Kachu!" The mouse's confidence was staggering to say the least.

Zephyr grunted, not liking the idea one bit. "Are we sure this one can keep up?' The question bounced off Tobias who merely grinned.

"Are you only asking that because he managed to topple you?" That struck a nerve, but Zephyr relented.

'...Yes.' The blue dragon caught sight of Pikachu sticking its tongue out and this made him utterly boil.

Tobias loved it, like having his own mini comedic team. "That answers that. We'll be glad to have you, Pikachu." Seeing the little mouse celebrate brought him a feeling of warmth that was followed by a cold unflinching harsh demeanor.

"I didn't manage to get much out of Koro here, but with this sudden revelation you've passed me." He looked up to the floating eon, "It probably won't matter in the long run. Hell, he may not know a thing at all, but that will be decided later." Tobias finished as Zephyr floated down.

He boarded the legend with a hop, then offered a hand to Pikachu. The mouse leapt up, trailing up the side of the young man's arm. A clear determination on Tobias' face and a nod to Zephyr later, they whisked off into the sky.

From not too far away, Koro watched this happen. Sweat drenched his forehead as flashes of what he thought was merely half an interrogation flowed through his mind.

"Where is Hunter K?"

Tobias seemed entirely different from before. Koro knew very little about this man. His past exploits were a mystery beyond league runs and he never talked about himself. Calm had been the persona earlier on, but now it was a cold aura. Gulping, he twitched uncomfortably.

"W- Who?" Koro asked, a nervous tremor in his voice, as if his response would end it all if it was any different.

Tobias put both his hands in his pockets, leaning in slightly. "There's no possible way that you don't have a clue." His light green eyes seemed to bore a hole through the trainer, "I'm giving you a chance to come clean."

Koro shifted backward, clearly intimidated. "I-I'm not s-sure who that is." He wasn't lying. He'd never heard that name before.

Tobias hummed, taking a moment to think. "Surely you don't think I'm this stupid? No." He was looking for something, anything to give him some idea this trainer wasn't lying to him, 'Perhaps an inkling of truth? No, I'll grill him a bit more.'

"People who were coming in and out of this very tournament hall have seen you acting uncharacteristically suspicious." Tobias said with a sense of authority.

Koro wasn't sure what to make of this statement. "That d-doesn't mean anything." He felt as if he were being interrogated by a cop.

Tobias shook his head. "I doubt even you believe that."

Shaking his head, Koro shook and clenched his fist. "T- That's ridiculous! I'm definitely telling you the truth! I don't know this person!" His conviction outweighed the hopeless fear in his mind and his eyes flashed brightly in the coming daylight, "For that matter!" He pointed at Tobias, "What are you supposed to be?!"

Tobias didn't move, choosing instead to intensify his glower. "Don't change the subject. You're obviously hiding something." That statement echoed just as much as the wind that suddenly blew off the surface of the ocean. The chill cut straight through the heavy atmosphere, but Tobias didn't dare acknowledge it. His fortitude and ability to deflect would gain him more ground in this battle of words. In truth, he had nothing on Koro.

But that was the point, he'd been invited to this island just as Koro was. Yet, the differences were stark when comparing their situations. Koro was a trainer who was going through a rough patch, his career in shambles and not much money to his name. Here he was, on this island anyway. Someone had to pay for this trip. If Koro didn't have the funds, then clearly somebody did.

Tobias could guess that the obvious answer would be the benefactor that put the whole thing together. He also wanted to figure that said benefactor could be Hunter K. Since that man always wore a mask in every report he'd read on him, though, nobody could be sure.

Koro looked thoroughly frustrated by this point. His mind boiled with the questions levied upon himself. Then he realized that there was a question he himself hadn't asked.

"Am I being detained?"

Tobias shook his head. "No. You're not being detained."

Koro mulled this over for a second. "Am I free to go?"

The words lingered in the air for a moment. Tobias figured that surely things would work out in the interim, but his suspicions would still remain. Stepping back, he took his hands out of his pockets. His shoulders relaxed and he nodded.

"Yes." He said simply before turning and walking off to leave Koro alone.

Koro gripped his PokeBall tightly while mulling over his next moves. 'I should follow them. Just to be sure.'

Clicking the button and watching the ball expand, he dropped it to the ground. As it touched the sand, the sphere popped open with a metallic sound. A white light rippled out and before him stood a green dragon with bits of red on its wings. Its eyes shot to Koro from behind the protective layer concealing them and it made an excited growl.

"Flygon!"

"Alright Flygon, let's go." The dragon nodded, lowering to allow his master to ride on his back.

'I hope I don't regret this.'

Latios stared down in disbelief at the empty pool, the water having ceased its flow entirely. A chilling dread seized him, making his blood run cold. The dark apparition standing off to the side seemed to be studying him—or perhaps, in a way that could only be described as unsettling, observing him with a creepy fascination. Latios barely registered her presence, too consumed by the despair gnawing at his heart.

"They got it…" His voice trembled, barely above a whisper, echoing the quiver in his body.

"Got what?" The bewildered question slipped from her lips, much to Latios' dismay.

"The Soul Dew… It's gone, and soon we'll follow." Latios' words were heavy with resignation. The thought of living in a world where his home and family no longer existed was unbearable. This city, this sacred place, was all he knew. The idea of existing anywhere else was inconceivable.

She frowned, a determined glint flashing in her eyes. "Then we shall rectify this situation."

Latios shook his head, disbelief and irritation mingling in his voice. "Really? And who are you to be saying such a thing?" His patience was wearing thin, and he didn't bother to hide it.

The shadowy figure eyed him up and down, her gaze piercing. "You're intriguing," she murmured, drawing closer. "Not even a hint of fear. You've not met a more terrifying force, and you haven't suffered nearly enough." Her tone was cryptic, laced with a hint of something Latios couldn't quite place.

His eyes narrowed, anger flaring up as his teeth clenched. "Who in the hell are you to say such things?!" His growl reverberated through the Secret Garden, his displeasure clear.

Warm winds swept through the garden, stirring the shadows of her cloak. Her expression remained blank, but her aquamarine eyes spoke volumes. They held a complex mix of emotions—understanding tinged with a certainty that seemed to burn with an intense resolve. Yet, her anger wasn't directed at Latios; it was aimed squarely at the situation that had ensnared them both.

"I am Darkrai," she said, her voice calm yet firm, "and I've come to assist." Her words carried a weight that made Latios pause, his red irises fixed on her with newfound curiosity.

"And that's supposed to clear up everything? What about your trainer?" he questioned, his mind racing with new questions. He sensed that answers might be hard to come by, though. Darkrai, it seemed, was not one to give away more than she deemed necessary.

Latios decided to drop the topic when Darkrai just stared at him with that strange, unreadable expression. "Okay. Thanks, I guess," he muttered awkwardly, the words hanging in the air between them. A tense silence followed, both of them uncertain of how to proceed.

Darkrai, however, was eager to focus on the task at hand. This was the perfect opportunity to shift gears. "Don't mention it. Now…" She let her gaze sweep over the ancient garden. "I believe we have a Hunter to track down. You wouldn't happen to know of another way out of here, would you?" she asked, her voice calm yet commanding.

Latios nodded, albeit shakily. "Yeah, there's another way."

"Perfect. Show me," Darkrai urged.

But before they could take a step, the door behind them flew open with a harsh slam, echoing through the garden. Darkrai's eyes narrowed as she recognized one of the newcomers—Ash Ketchum. The memory of her last battle with him flashed in her mind, reigniting the frustration she'd felt at losing to him. It had been a rare and bitter defeat, one that still stung despite the overall victory. As quickly as it appeared, she pushed it to the back of her mind. There would be a time for such thoughts later.

Latios, on the other hand, looked utterly horrified. His feathers bristled wildly as he caught sight of the person who had just entered—Mama's best friend, who also happened to be his long-time crush. Panic surged through him, and for a split second, he wanted to hide. But the moment her eyes locked onto him, he knew it was too late.

Ash stepped forward, his voice filled with concern. "Latios? What's going on?"

Bianca was right behind him, moving swiftly toward the fountain. The sight of the shallow pool made her freeze in place, her face paling as shock and dread gripped her. Memories of a haunting nightmare flashed in her mind, making her tremble uncontrollably.

Her voice shook as she gasped aloud, "W-Where's the Soul Dew?!"

Latios dipped his head in shame. "T-There was nothing I could do..." His voice was a whisper, laden with guilt.

Ash moved to stand beside Bianca at the fountain, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay! We'll get it back, no matter what!" He tried to sound reassuring, his eyes locking with Bianca's.

Bianca looked up at him, her eyes meeting his chocolate-brown ones. She nodded, determination slowly replacing her earlier fear. "I have an idea where the thief is heading."

Ash's expression changed as he caught onto her meaning with a nod. He turned to Latios. "Think you can get us to the Museum?"

Latios twitched slightly, his head nodding in a quick, jerky motion. 'Of course I can. It'll be no problem!' He lowered his body, signaling for them to climb on.

Despite her earlier irritation, Darkrai couldn't deny that having more allies would make their task easier. "We should go, Latios," she said, her voice losing some of its earlier harshness as she watched Bianca climb onto the dragon's back, followed by Ash. She noticed the strain in Latios as Ash settled in.

"I-I know. Just give me a second!" Latios retorted, struggling with two riders.

Ash gritted his teeth as he tried to get comfortable, feeling the tension in the air. Latios could sense the weight of their worries pressing down on him.

As Ash finally settled and Bianca wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, Ash spoke up again. "By the way… Latios?" The blue dragon acknowledged him with a low grunt. "Where's Latias?" Ash punctuated it with a lower tone.

Bianca tightened her grip on Ash, the question hanging heavily in the air. "I'd like to know that too."

The weight of the island's fate, his riders' concerns, and his own personal grief was too much for Latios. He could normally carry two people with little issue, but the emotional burden was too great this time. He suddenly crashed to the ground, slamming onto his stomach against the hard stone, causing Ash and Bianca to shout in alarm.

"Latios?!"

But Latios couldn't respond. He was trembling, tears streaming down his face as recent memories flooded his mind. Losing his sister. The agony of witnessing his mother's demise. Lashing out at Ash when it was his own failure that had brought them to this point. The sorrowful emptiness that had consumed him when all other emotions faded. And finally, the seething rage toward the Hunter—the orchestrator of all his pain.

He was overwhelmed, unable to hold the weight of it all any longer. Latios wept openly, the tears mingling with the cold stone beneath him, each drop a testament to his anguish.

Latios's wings lay limp on the ground, a physical manifestation of the despair that had consumed him. Misty had tried to lift his spirits earlier, but his thoughts had spiraled into darkness, leaving him feeling even more burdened. When the weight on his back lightened, it only seemed to make the crushing gravity of the situation worse. His vision was still blurred by tears, but through the haze, he saw Bianca. Her soft hands stroked his head and gently caressed his ears, and Latios leaned into her touch, unable to hold back the flood of emotions any longer.

Tears streamed down his face as he found comfort in the one who had introduced him to this beautiful city—a city he had come to love deeply. He remembered how lost he and his sister had felt when they first arrived. Guided by the new Soul Dew, they were fledgling guardians, unsure of their purpose. Meeting Bianca had been like seeing the sun for the first time, a beacon of warmth and light that he wanted to follow forever. To him, she had been nothing short of a goddess.

Even now, with the city on the brink of disaster, Bianca was here, offering him comfort. Despite everything he had done, it had never been enough. It would never be enough. He had a duty to this city and its people, but instead of fulfilling it, he lay on the ground, overwhelmed by his own misery, as weak and helpless as any newborn Pokemon.

A hand pressed gently on his back, and Latios turned to see Ash. Though he harbored a grudge, he couldn't deny the trainer who had won the love of the one person Latios cherished most.

With a grunt, Latios gritted his teeth and confessed, 'She's been taken and… it's my fault.'

Ash's expression darkened, his voice firm as he asked, "Taken? Taken by who?"

Bianca gasped, covering her mouth as she turned back to the empty pool, the once flowing water now eerily still. Panic edged her voice as she spoke, "It's got to be the same person who took the Soul Dew!"

Latios nodded, his expression turning dire. 'We don't have much time left! But…' His voice trailed off as an intense wave of regret washed over him.

Before he could spill his heart out, he was interrupted by Darkrai– who had been watching the exchange– laying a claw on Latios' shoulder. "I understand how you feel, but this is not the time for it. You will get your chance. Right now, we must go. Evil is afoot and must be stopped." She recognized the body language of a hopeless romantic.

Latios slumped to the floor, unable to argue with Darkrai's words. He knew she was right. The city was in danger, and they had to act. But the weight of his unrequited love, combined with the responsibility he bore left him feeling hollow. Yet, he knew he couldn't give up, at least not now. With a deep breath, he gathered the strength to float, determination flickering in his heart.

There was still a chance to make things right.

Ash leaned down, anger evident on his face. "Latios…" He flinched away as Ash reached for him, expecting a punch or something violent, "I get it. You must be just as pissed off as I am right now." He rubbed Latios' side.

That wasn't untrue, Latios definitely felt angry. He couldn't help but nod.

Ash grinned. "Then let's go."

Misty stood outside the door, pounding away at the wooden frame. Nobody had answered her call and she couldn't get ahold of anyone from her phone. 'They must already be gone…' She must've hit the redial button hundreds of times at this point.

If she did it anymore, Misty figured the phone might actually blow up. 'If I was a gambler, I'd bet they already headed to the Secret Garden.'

She clicked on her contacts list, scrolling down until Sato's name came up. "Come on! Pick up!" She said aloud, frustration evident in her trembling hand.

Leaving yet another voicemail, Misty gritted her teeth, 'Maybe he's already got to the police and can't answer?' She could only hope at this point.

She tried one last number, Brock's, to no avail. 'Even Brock?! I guess it's a bit early.' Reluctantly, she slid the phone into her pocket and ran for the Secret Garden. Luckily, she remembered the path from here.

'Hold on, Ash. I'll be there!' She thought, rushing to her destination with reckless abandon.

Once the doors were sufficiently barricaded, Hunter K took but a moment to appreciate the work, before retrieving the revolver. Turning back to Lorenzo, his revolver trained on him. "Let's get to work."

Lorenzo grunted as he was forced into the main chamber of the DMA. The magnificence of the machine only being brought out by the rising sun shining through the ornate windows that surrounded it. It was hard to believe that this was where he might leave everything behind. In his head, he hoped that at any moment, somebody would come and stop this madman. Yet, that didn't seem to be a possibility.

Hunter K unleashed his Genesect, who seemed to have recovered from the powerful shock delivered unto it by Pikachu. It seemed angry at the same time. "Gene- SECT?!" It roared the last bit of its name, seemingly confused by the change of scenery.

"Not sure what you're going on about, but we don't have time for that." Hunter K said, clicking the Dark Ball containing the newly captured Latias. It popped open and she materialized onto the floor, still unconscious, "Move her to the designated spot and we can start on taking control of the situation."

Lorenzo looked on, horrified at seeing her in such a state. "LATIAS! If you can hear me! Get out of here!"

Hunter K turned to the older man, his mask gleaming in the light. "Oh? Don't worry! You'll have a role to play soon! We've just gotta get her ready." Genesect scooped up the eon as Hunter K continued, "She defied me the most, while her contemporary seemed to throw away her hopes. While admirable, it's really unbecoming to the legend of these devices…" He tossed her Dark Ball to the side.

"Besides, her life is all but forfeit. Regardless of her desires, she dies here and now, all for my cause." He relished in the expression of pain and hopelessness that took over Lorenzo's face. "And you get the front row seat to witness all of it." Reaching into his pocket, he took out the Soul Dew.

"And the culmination of all my hard work is right here in the palm of my hand." Hunter K admired the small, but powerful conduit. Turning, he watched the Eon being placed on the containment rings.

Lorenzo ripped his gaze from her limp form, unable to bear the sight of her being placed in the device that led to her brother's death. As the floor began to glow, the containment rings lifted as the barrier surrounding Latias' limp body raised into the air. Genesect watched as she ascended to a certain point before stopping at a certain point. Hunter K could only grin from behind his mask, walking with a certain energy toward the holder for the Soul Dew.

"And to christen this occasion, this will make sure that my power is unchallenged." He put it upon the pedestal the Soul Dew would rest upon. It fell apart, dropping the shining sphere into place. Energy sparked along the lines of the machine, spreading into the floor. Hunter K pulled back, but before he could fully pull away, his mind felt a certain tug.

Hunter K's eyes widened further as the room continued to shift around him, the shadows seeming to close in as Hunter J's haunting form flickered in and out of existence. Her garbled voice echoed inside his head, twisting his thoughts into knots.

"You're reaching the conclusion," her hollow words repeated, more like a distorted recording than an actual voice. The red aura surrounding her grew dimmer, as if her energy was slipping away, leaving behind only her decaying, frostbitten body.

"This isn't real!" Hunter K yelled, panic creeping into his voice as his breath fogged in the cold air. His mind was racing, struggling to process the horrific vision before him. "I'm not done yet! I'm not dying here! I did this for you!"

Her icy grip tightened, the frozen chill creeping up his arm and numbing his muscles, yet her expression shifted—an almost human look of sorrow in her empty, decomposing face. The icy tendrils from her fingertips began to climb, freezing his blood in his veins, but Hunter K fought back, thrashing against the surreal vision.

Her voice became weaker, less threatening. "Don't… die…" Her fading whisper barely reached him as she pulled further into the distance, her figure dissolving into mist before his eyes.

Hunter K trembled violently, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the frost on his skin began to thaw. He blinked, his surroundings slowly returning to normal—no more red aura, no decaying specter. Only the silent room, empty as it had been before, but his heart still pounded like a drum, and the words still echoed in his mind.

"Don't die..." It wasn't a command. It was a plea. He stood there, fists clenched, staring at the spot where she had disappeared. His mind was torn between fear and frustration, unsure if it was a warning, a curse, or something else entirely.

Breathing hard, Hunter K whispered to the cold air, "I won't die. Not yet."

He stared at the still DMA and his eyes narrowed. "I cannot say the same for him ." Turning to Lorenzo who'd just witnessed everything that had transpired, he growled, "WHY ISN'T THIS MACHINE WORKING?!"

Lorenzo's breath caught in his lungs, knowing this moment would come. "Urgh, I…"

Hunter K shifted his glance back and forth between the machine and the older man. His hand reached for the gun inside his pocket. A gleam in the morning sun shone down upon them from the stained glass above and the chrome sparkled in the light. Genesect watched on, waiting for a command from his master. Latias still floated limply, but unhurt all the same from her barrier above. His movements were wild and Lorenzo recognized desperation when he saw it.

Lorenzo had lost count about the times he'd been held at gunpoint by this point. "..." Yet, he still had nothing to say. He figured that perhaps, this might be his final moments. The old man had spent them well, protecting someone else. Frustration still encompassed his mind. There was still so much to live for. To see Bianca find herself, the future he was promised growing up. Wanting to lead a peaceful existence in the only place he'd ever called home. To make gondolas and the people closest to him laugh.

This man was going to take it all away.

This evil bastard was going to make sure he never saw his grand-kids.

Why?

He didn't know. Maybe the operative thought was that Lorenzo didn't care about what this man had gone through. His anger was only growing and one of his hands had been broken, he still had one good one. Even if they were tied together at the front. If this really was it. If this was the last thing he was going to do. Lorenzo wanted nothing more than to hurt him. To make him suffer. Adrenaline is a strong drug. It'll make you do some crazy things.

Why was he rushing at this man? His legs didn't move as they used to, they weren't meant to carry him this quickly at this age. Through sheer force of will and the Hunter not expecting it, his mask was slammed into by the old man. He swung his arms like an ape, making sure to drag his knuckles across the mask and like clockwork, it flew into the air. Crashing to the floor and splitting down the middle was that black mask. It clattered across the floor right as a loud bang went off.

~End of Chapter~

Special Thanks: Echoh (Best Editor)

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