Blurry white came into view as Gardevoir's eyes slowly fluttered away. A distinct beeping pierced through the silence. Pain pulsed in her head as she was met with a green figure next to her. As her vision cleared, she began to recognize the person standing over her. Weakly, she said,
"S-Sceptile."
"Welcome back to Hydroton. Save your breath. You're gonna need it. Let's get you out of here so someone else can use this bed."
Gardevoir struggled to sit up. Her chest, waist and left arm were covered in bandages and some healing cream leaked out from the edges. Gardevoir then took note of Sceptile's appearance. His eye had a patch on it whilst the other had bags under it. Looking into said eye, Gardevoir could see a man who was worn out. However, right now she needed some answers, figure out just what is happening. Most of all, was her family okay?
"Where's my family?"
"Fine, your parents are helping as much as they can. Alakazam is having a session with your sisters." Sceptile said. Gardevoir sighed with relief, laying back down on the bed. Thank Arceus they were, she wasn't sure what she was going to do with herself. However, her heart sank once she remembered what her sisters had witnessed. No one kid should see what they saw.
Sceptile placed a hand onto her shoulder. She turned to him and he told her,
"You ain't the only one going through the ringer." Gardevoir shivered at the thought. Donquixote's words still rang through her head. Sceptile noticed but decided not to say anything. She's had a long day.
Gardevoir's next question was,
"What happened here?" Sceptile then fell silent. He continued to wordlessly work to stabilize Gardevoir's heart rate, much to her concern.
"Sceptile?" The grass type then stopped and stared out into the wall. It was like watching a man possessed. However, Sceptile turned around, and the horror on his face told the whole story,
"The Phantom Corp attacked the entire nation. Every major city has been hit. Yukishihon, Dariquin, Forretree, all of it. We don't have any numbers but…" he paused, shutting his eyes. Gardevoir gulped before Sceptile continued, "We believe there are tens of thousands of people dead."
The two were quiet. Only the sounds of the medical machines echoed out as Gardevoir processed the number that was said to her. That number had to be fake, right? The Senshi were all over the country, they wouldn't let that many people die. Sceptile then helped her to her feet,
"Come. We need all the help we can get." He insisted as the two walked out of the room.
"Where's Blastoise?"
"In Yukishihon, fightn' the good fight. I was there too but as a medic, I came here."
"Why here? It's a major city, it should be…" They passed by an operating room with a crowd surrounding it. Gardevoir, naturally confused, started to push her way through the crowd. She touched the glass and gasped.
Beedrill was being operated on. Four doctors were hovering over him, obscuring his body. From what she could see, an oxygen mask was over his face. Several blood drips were attached to him. What looked like an ancient computer, a large and bulky machine, was behind him, monitoring his heart rate and other essential statistics.
"An unknown battleship started attacking the city. It destroyed a couple buildings but Beedrill was stationed here. He rushed the battleship and sank it within minutes. Although, the perpetrators were teleported away to safety." Sceptile explained. Gardevoir stared at the unconscious Beedrill. He had done so much. Despite the odds, he fought the odds and pulled through.
Gardevoir stared at Beedrill's beaten, barely conscious body. She gently placed a hand on the glass separating her from the operating table. A faint, blink-and-you'll-miss-it smile crossed her face before fading away. Her eyes drifted away from Beedrill. She stared down at the floor and bit her lip in a vain attempt to keep it from quivering. Memories of her childhood, watching the invincible Senshi defeat the bad guys, gently floated through her mind as she stared at the Senshi struggling for his life.
Gardevoir was pulled out of her train of thought when someone yelled, "WE NEED A SPLINT!" Gardevoir saw Sceptile sprinting away and she followed. He disappeared into the light of a door, the sunset obscuring what laid behind it.
The sight that Gardevoir saw, she would never forget..
Hundreds of people, maybe even thousands were sprawled out in beds and blankets. Some were in medical beds and others on what looked to be standard beds you'd buy at a furniture store. The distinct copper scent of blood wafted through the air. Screams, gasps, crying, and words of comfort formed a chorus for the scene before Gardevoir.
The cityscape around her was decimated. Several skyscrapers were split, their upper halves collapsing onto the floor. A mountain of rubble surrounded the hospital, forming a perimeter. The jagged spikes of cut buildings matched with the red sky formed a smile that looked over the city.
However, there were almost as many people helping as there were people wounded. Not just doctors either. Civilians were doing their part. Some were wrapping bandages, others were by the injured side. Others ran around, tearing up articles of clothing to make bandages, using butcher's twine as tourniquets, and utilizing whatever healing moves they had available. It was enough to lift some of the dread and grieving from Gardevoir's heart.
Only some if it was gone though. All of these people did nothing wrong. They loved their lives. They did their jobs. And they were killed for it. They were mercilessly slaughtered for nothing. Gardevoir couldn't help but imagine how horrifying this must've been for the children. It must've felt like the world was ending. How many children had to see this horror? How many had to see what her sisters had to do?
Those thoughts were what pushed Gardevoir over the edge. Gardevoir broke down, overwhelmed by so many thoughts, and emotions. Her entire body shook with every sob. It was too much.
Someone yellow then embraced and held her as she wept. They didn't say a word. For a while, Gardevoir didn't even realize he was there. However, this strange figure hugging her gave her some minuscule shred of joy in this horrifying situation.
Eventually, Gardevoir stood up and turned to thank the kind man. She recognized him,
"Ampharos!" she exclaimed happily. His face was a sickly green yet he smiled despite it,
"Hi. We gotta help." He then turned around and yelled,
"Do we have a splint?"
"Yessire! Splint right here!" A familiar voice responded. Ampharos led Gardevoir through the many beds. Gardevoir asked,
"Where's everyone else?"
Ampharos stared at the floor away from her.
"Tyrantrum and Liligant are grabbing food from the grocery stores. As for the others, the beds in the hospital are being reserved for people with serious injuries. But there are so many people that are badly hurt…" he paused, taking a shaky breath before continuing,
"Sceptile said the only ones we know for sure are safe are Garchomp and Lopunny. Garchomp's in surgery now."
Gardevoir remained silent. Ampharos paused as the two stood still. Not a word came out of either Pokémon's mouth. Neither one even frowned. All they could do now was pray.
Gardevoir just…stared ahead.
Ampharos could read the look in her eyes. Despite being away for a few moments, she looked exhausted. They were wide and blankly stared forward as though she were some mind-controlled drone. Her face was completely neutral, devoid of anything. No grief, no sadness, no pain, not even any sympathy.
He knew had to do something. His gut told him to to comfort her. Awkwardly, he placed a hand onto her shoulder. She didn't react. Ampharos quivered, maybe he had pushed too far. No, he couldn't have doubts now. She was his friend, if it were him, she'd ease all of his worries, so why shouldn't he?
"You did nothing wrong, Gardevoir," was all he could say.
"You wanna help me," said a Galarian accented voice. Gardevoir snapped out of her trance and peered past Ampharos. Her eyes went wide and she rushed past him,
"R-Roserade?! What are you doing here?"
The grass type was sitting on a bed. Her smile contradicted her current state. Gauze was wrapped around her head, covering one eye. Her left leg was completely coated from foot to thigh in a cast. Her arms had small little band-aids peppered across them. The acrid smell of medical gels permeated the air.
Gardevoir questioned what happened, to which Roserade recanted her story. About she found out about the Phantom Corp and was
"I was in Dariquin when the attack started. Swampert had a home there. Anyway, I heard all these bloody explosions and Swamperts dragging me out of there. Some Magmortar tried to take a swing at me, but that's when Alakazam came and well, here I am." She remarked. Ampharos explained to Gardevoir,
"Alakazam has been teleporting people to safety since the initial attack."
"GAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" A shrill voice sobbed loudly. Roserade nonchalantly blinked,
"And that's the idiot. Gliscor! Keep it down!" They didn't need his over-the-top behavior to make anything worse. Roserade continued,
"I heard them! They-They were saying something about Dristov."
Gardevoir took note of the information. She then asked to Ampharos,
"Where is Blastoise?"
"From what I've heard, he's out there fighting in the capital!" he exclaimed. Gardevoir gasped. Blastoise was in Yukishihon?! Did that mean he was fighting the Phantom Corp? Was he facing off against Donquixote?
Someone then grabbed onto her shoulder. Gardevoir looked back and saw the Scizor from Boltein. She barely reacted. Only a faint gasp, almost drowned out by the surrounding noise, escaped her mouth. Thankfully, he didn't appear to be wounded, only about as tired as everyone else.
Scizor then bowed, falling to his knees before Gardevoir. This was enough to push some emotion out of her. She sputtered in shock, flushing pink,
"Wha-What are you doing?"
"You saved my life. I've wanted to show my thanks to you. I was the one who got you a room." he revealed. Gardevoir shook her head,
"N-No. You don't need to do that. What happened to you?"
"Boltein wasn't hit."
"Really?"
"Yes. The internet went out and we heard the explosions but nothing attacked us. After soldiers started requesting medical help, I volunteered and now. I'm here." He said quickly. Gardevoir grinned. In the center of the biggest atrocity the country had ever seen, it was comforting to see kindness. At the very least, it calmed her nerves.
Suddenly, Gardevoir heard someone frantically looking around. She recognized Sceptile's voice, hearing worry and frustration. The grass type appeared to be searching for someone. Gardevoir speed walked towards him,
"What's going on?"
"Lopunny's vanished!"
"What?!"
"I wanted to get her up as soon as possible but she's gone."
Sceptile then moved away and continued his search. Why did Lopunny leave? It was so out of left field, especially for someone as persistent as she was. Gardevoir began to reason that maybe she wanted to get away from it all. Maybe with the amount of suffering around her, her injuries, and the death… Gardevoir couldn't finish that thought. She shook her head.
Now was the question of where Lopunny went. Maybe back home? No, with the risk of the Phantom Corp attacking again, why would she go back home? Maybe to Yukishihon? No, no way would anyone let her teleport into what is assumed to be an active combat zone. That meant that wherever Lopunny went, it was on foot.
Gardevoir's eyes lit up as she came up with a place. Infernape mentioned that their first date ended on a cliff side. With Lee…gone, Lopunny must've gone there in grief. To call back old memories. Gardevoir then shot into the sky. She frantically looked for that cliff face. However, she was momentarily distracted by the destruction around her. She shook her head. She needed to focus.
A cork rocketed off a bottle of champagne. The drink splattering onto the floor as Donquixote filled up a brandy glass. The sunset shone on his back through a window in his mansion. He stood on a raised platform with steps leading down towards the rest of the Phantom Corp. Many members watched Donquixote as he raised a glass in success,
"Now this! This is something worth remembering! As we speak, we Take a drink with me, my friends!" he celebrated, "Rejoice, my friends, for we are one step closer to our shared dream of unbridled freedom. I propose a toast to the Phantom Corp."
The Phantom Corp raised their glasses in celebration. All of them drank to the horrors that were committed today. Thousands died, and these men and women were celebrating. Vida stood next to him, alongside Dreadnaught, who looked fondly upon the stone statue. However, there was one person amongst the crowd who looked around quite awkwardly. A Baxcalibur. He tried to join in the enthusiasm, but they just couldn't. Donquixote noticed and cleared his throat. The room went silent as Donquixote asked the dragon type,
"Is something wrong?" With dozens of eyes upon him, Baxcalibur, gulped but managed to say,
"Well…uh…Donquixote, I am all for this plan of yours but…doesn't this celebration seem, I don't know, distasteful. I mean, people are dead and we're drinking champagne."
Donquixote seemed genuinely surprised at the response. He then started to chuckle and slowly step his way down the stairs, his voice taking on this fatherly tone,
"I understand your reservations, my friend, but look at the bigger picture. Sometimes, evil needs to be allowed to flourish so that good may awaken from its slumber. This attack shall allow us to show the world freedom it has never known before." Baxcalibur flinched as Donquixote embraced him, "Don't worry, my friend. If you so desire, you may forget this glorious day, and live your life unburdened by the prison known as the past."
Donquixote let go of Baxcalibur and once again raised his glass,
"Once the internet gets back online. The war will be announced to the public and we just have to silently spread our message until the world realizes our truth. Dreadnaught, you did send those men to Hydroton, right?"
"Yes sir."
Lopunny sat on the very edge of the cliff. Her legs dangling over the edge. She stared out into her home, looking out to the damaged remains of her home city. Gardevoir landed behind her. She tentatively approached the hybrid, trying to figure out just what to say. If she said the wrong thing, knowing Lopunny, she would probably murder her. Perhaps the best thing she could do was simply say she was here and then let Lopunny vent. Yeah, that sounded like a great idea. Gardevoir gently called out to Lopunny.
"Oh hi! How ya holding up?" Lopunny asked energetically.
Gardevoir blinked in surprise. Lopunny was…fine? Happy even. Lopunny then patted the spot next to her,
"Come on! Ease up a little." Gardevoir froze for a minute. This wasn't right. Everyone deals with grief differently but this, this was wrong. Gardevoir insisted,
"Lo…Jess. You don't need to hide. I know that Lee-"
"Lee? It's fine! Really! I knew this might happen so why be upset about it," insisted Lopunny, still smiling, "We're Senshi now."
Gardevoir couldn't believe this. What was this? Denial? Acceptance? Insanity? The options only seemed to make her more terrified. Was this some sort of psychosis? Lopunny's mind breaking and manifesting a reality where she didn't have that connection with Infernape, desperately attempting to prevent a full breakdown.
"Wait, wait. How can you be this optimistic?" Gardevoir questioned. Lopunny giggled in a disturbingly sweet tone,
"Like I said, stuff like this always happens." Gardevoir then glared at Lopunny. Something welled up inside of her. Lopunny had fought tooth and nail to save Lee, and now she's just sitting there with an innocent little smile on her face. Lee didn't deserve to be forgotten like this.
"So Lee meant nothing to you." Gardevoir hissed. Lopunny's ears twitched. Gardevoir hated that she went with the heartless approach but she couldn't back down. She had started it and she was going to finish it. "Was he not good enough?"
"I-I didn't say that." Lopunny stuttered. Her voice quivered subtly. Picking up on this, Gardevoir pressed further,
"Then why are you here?"
"I don't need to justify myself to you," fumed Lopunny.
"Lee is dead and you are sitting there with a smile on your face! Have some respect!"
"I DO!" Lopunny stood up and glared at Gardevoir violently. Gardevoir took a step back from the ice type.
"I'm sorry I'm not crying like a stupid little girl! I fucking know he's gone! Don't remind me that, after everything, he's dead and I couldn't do anything about it!" Lopunny screamed. Gardevoir couldn't help but to back away from the ice type. Lopunny's fiery temper melted through her facade like butter. However, just as quickly as it arrived, it vanished. Lopunny sat back down, curling up and huffed.
Gardevoir took a single step forward. Then another, then another. Lopunny was…frustrated. Gardevoir could see what the issue was. Granted, she didn't know what happened to Lopunny in her past that caused such a reaction, but she was able to figure out one thing. Above all else, Lopunny being helpless.
Gardevoir floated off of the edge and hovered in front of the hybrid. Lopunny shot a brief glance at her before looking away. Gardevoir gently held her cheek and forced the rabbit to look into her eyes. The two then embraced, Gardevoir tightly holding onto the Lopunny like a mother to their scared child. Lopunny put away the facade and returned the hug.
"I miss him. I miss him so much," she whispered quietly into Gardevoir's shoulder.
It was too much. Donquixote was so monstrously powerful, she couldn't help but imagine just how out-matched Blastoise would be. Not to mention Lee's death. Hell, she hadn't been this broken up since Shurui's death. Infernape…Lee had been through so much. So much pain, trauma, fear and yet he still pushed on. He had his flaws, god, he had his flaws. Yet he always strives to be the best person he could. He would be missed.