- Chapter 24: Against all Odds -
The giant's crushing presence consumed them first. Sharp fangs designed to rip through flesh hovered over their tiny bodies. A single bite was more than enough to consume Krista and Glider at once.
Frozen by fear, Glider couldn't will himself to move. It took for Krista to deliver a heavy strike behind his head for him to hit the ground. The giant's body flew over them and landed several feet away. The ground trembled underneath her weight as the Gyarados snaked around to face them. The dirt and mud churned as she charged.
"C'mon!" Krista grabbed Pineno's arm and slung him on her back. "We have to move! Glider!"
The Gyarados lunged again. Krista lunged back, and her foot was just a whisker away from getting caught by the fangs. As she landed, she felt her knee buckle, and she almost fell to the ground. The weight of Pineno and the backpack was already slowing down her movements. She was thankful for her feline reflexes, but it wouldn't save her forever.
(How are we supposed to fight a Gyarados? Do Alpha Pokémon have a weakness?!)
Pineno was still conscious, but the pain he was in made it impossible for him to move. For as long as he was breathing, Gyra wasn't going to give up. Skullzer wasn't going to give up.
The giant turned around to attack again, and Krista was forced to make another lunge to avoid the fangs that made an effort to snap at her. After the Gyarados landed with a heavy crash, the giant pursued her. She was determined to tear Pineno from Krista's back, even if it meant hurting herself.
"Glider!" Krista cried. "I need your help! Please!"
But Glider didn't move from his spot. The horror on his face was too extreme.
She was on her own.
(I just need one minute to get through the bag! The embargo should have worn off by now! If I can slow her down, we might actually stand a chance!)
But she couldn't stop moving. Gyra made her lunge and rammed her head through the ground. Krista panicked as she felt the ground leaving her feet. A massive tail swung her way. The impact pushed the air out of her lungs. She felt Pineno slip from her back.
The tail slammed her to the ground.
Krista rolled to her knees. Pineno was nowhere near her. In a wave of panic, Krista searched. Gyra ignored her and rushed across the field, away from the lake. Pineno had landed several feet away, and he wasn't moving.
"NO!" On all fours, Krista sprinted. With all the effort she could muster, Gyra was just a foot away when Krista took the risky lunge. Her claws almost failed to reach as she slipped and latched on to Gyra's head fin. She scrambled and sunk her fangs into the base. A mouthful of moss and worn scales almost made her gag.
Gyra's cry shot through her ears, and the world snapped backwards. Krista held on with all the strength she could muster as Gyra thrashed in every known direction.
(I have to hold on! Pineno! Run, Pineno! Hide somewhere! You have to move!)
A loud crash boomed through Krista's ears. Gravel and dirt rain down on her. Her body was snapped back again, and the crash was a lot closer.
(She's trying to shake me off! But I'm not…going to…!)
The third crash made her slip. Krista bit down harder. Her gums were screaming for relief.
Sharp pain slammed into her entire body. The pointed edges dug into her flank. She was forced to let go, and she was on the ground. Gyra was free, and she made her lunge towards Pineno.
A force knocked Gyra's head back. She staggered and shook it with a low growl.
A desperate cry swelled in the air, and a blur of pink made a sharp turn to strike the Gyarados across the head. She almost crashed to the ground. Glider stumbled his landing near Pineno, his pinchers aimed.
"Grab him!" Glider shouted. "I'll distract her!"
Krista sprinted for Pineno as Glider kept up his endless but rapid attacks. From how fast his movements were, Gyra couldn't keep up. Her raging roars were constantly interrupted by another blow she didn't see coming.
"I'm sorry, Master!" Gyra cried out as he struck her again. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Pineno was boosted to Krista's back again. She couldn't run as she liked, forced to move on twos as she practically dragged the Chespin behind her. His whimpering told her he was still conscious, but unable to do a thing.
The thought was pushed out of her head. If she lingered on it, she wouldn't be able to keep moving.
(I can't stop to grab the escape orb. There has to be another way out!)
The way mystery dungeons worked…if she could reach the cave they came in from, she would be back on the main road in no time.
But…it would mean leaving Gyra and Vigor to fight the giant alone. But what if Gyra ignored them both and chased her through the barrier? Gyra would rampage through the road, putting more Pokémon in danger.
The safest way out was to use the badge…was the badge free from the spell? Krista took a quick look, and she saw that the purple bolts were still there.
That Houndoom and his priorities.
(It's like he thought of everything! What am I supposed to—)
A sharp wave of nerves flew up her spine.
(Something's wrong.)
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, there was a loud but dull boom. A jolt shot through her body. The ground beneath her rumbled, and it started to roll.
The world tilted. Krista staggered and fell to her side. Pineno was slumped on the ground. She crawled to her feet to reach him, but the ground shifted. Violent vibrations flooded her head. It seeped into her bones. Krista anchored her claws through the surface as it continued to roll beneath her. She couldn't stand straight, even on all four legs.
Her head felt as if it was constantly being thrashed back and forth. She couldn't see straight. Every effort to stand sent her back to the ground, where the terrible feelings coursed through her in a higher intensity. All sound was drowned by the constant roar of the earth that persisted to roll in waves. Pulse after pulse, the tremors were endless. Her ears started to ring.
(Earthquake.) It was the sole thought that crossed her scrambled mind. (Earthquake… Earthquake…. Earthquake…)
Skullzer…
With all the will she could gather, Krista lifted her head from the unstable ground. She could see the Houndoom floating in the air, which she was sure was an illusion at first.
There were a great number of hovering Starly holding him from the ground.
(That's…that's not…fair.)
The vibrations stopped. Krista's entire body was buzzing like static. Her limbs had turned to jelly. To push her own weight from the ground almost stole her breath away. The world kept spinning.
Skullzer flicked a paw.
Gyra raised her tail again.
(Please, no.)
A heavy boom, and the awful feeling shot through her again. Krista was back on the rolling ground. The second wave was too much for her. Sounds were distorted. Her vision started to blur.
Everything stopped. Gyra's form snapped back, but she corrected her balance. With a hiss, she followed Glider's motions as he zipped past her. Her head was knocked to one side.
The bag.
Moving felt heavy. Krista rolled to her side and slipped the bag off her body. But trying to coordinate herself felt impossible. Her paws were still shaking. She couldn't get a decent grip on the strap that held it closed.
Once her claw caught it, she almost sliced it open. The contents inside…
…all swallowed by the black bolts.
(The Embargo…why didn't it wear off?)
A quick glance at Skullzer, and she came to a new realization.
(He…renewed it.)
Her claws raked through the earth, but they gave her no leverage. Her burning eyes locked on to the Houndoom who was not phased by her glare.
(I hate this dog…)
Glider screamed.
It was a terrible, bloodcurdling scream. One that made Krista forget how to breathe.
Gyra has him locked between her frozen jaws. Her fangs almost punctured him, and frost layered over his body. Once he had gone limp, her jaw loosened. Glider slipped from between them.
Unable to move, Krista could only watch in horror as Gyra discarded him like trash. Her eye was on the Pineno once more.
They were way out of their league. Against a spell-casting Houndoom and his flying minions…and a giant beast who was being puppeted against her will. Gyra sprung forward with a roar, but time felt as if it had slowed down.
(We don't stand the slightest chance. We are fighting just to lose…and Pineno…)
He remained slumped on the ground. His eyes…they were open. They were locked on her, and for a moment, the pain was irrelevant.
"I'm sorry…" Krista thought she heard him say. "It's all my fault…"
(No…Pineno…)
Pineno ran far to find refuge in the complex. He became a Retaliator just to get stronger, and to help others. But now…his will to keep fighting was fading.
And so was her's.
They got lucky at Mount Ember. But this time, Skullzer came prepared, and there was no escaping this one.
(I'm the one who should be sorry…)
The associates of the Stoneridge Complex…what would they think?
The Headmaster…he would be furious, wouldn't he?
Team Slasher…would they find it amusing?
Team Spring… Team Bedrock…
Tidal…poor Tidal…
Chester… Needler… Pecan… and Quill. Pineno's cruel siblings…they would be thrilled to learn of this, wouldn't they?
If the world is so strongly against him…why do they keep fighting?
Why do they…
(No!)
Krista gulped in a huge breath of air. Although her body ached, although she didn't stand the slightest chance…she couldn't lie down and give up!
(I won't lose! For as long as I am still standing, I can still keep going!)
(For as long as I can stand…I won't let Skullzer win! I refuse!)
With a desperate cry, Krista pushed herself off the ground as her claws transformed into blades. By some miracle, a burst of energy coursed through her. Skullzer took immediate notice and silently commanded Gyra to face her. With a weak paw raised above her head, Krista prepared her lunge.
Gyra snapped her body around. Her giant tail lifted and swung down.
The heavy weight slammed through the ground. Slabs of sharpened boulders shot from the earth in a mad frenzy towards Krista. She couldn't move fast enough!
(Th-that's stone ed—!)
The ground burst beneath her feet. The heavy blow stabbed against her chest. White flashed through her eyes. The air was knocked out of her body. She couldn't scream.
Her vision was gone.
All feelings were gone.
Everything ceased.
…
… …
… … …
…Starry blue eyes stared at her through the darkness.
"Human…!"
The images of the color-vibrant field. The ever-changing sky. The sheets of crystals that coated the ground…
"Human!"
A gigantic lake. A lake that sparkled a thousand colors…
"Don't leave me here!"
Something was floating above the surface. Several crystal-like objects…they revolved around a massive figure. But beneath that, was a tiny form, something vulnerable. It lifted its tiny head, and cried:
"DON'T LEAVE ME HEEERE!"
The voice morphed into a high-pitched sound. One that pierced through her skull…no, her very consciousness.
Krista's eyes flew open as a gasp escaped her. Time was moving again. The first thing she saw was golden light swirling around her in a strange vortex. It shot high above her, towards the sky…she didn't know. She couldn't tell.
But it was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
All the pain had vanished. She felt revitalized, as if she had woken up from the perfect nap. All of her senses were as sharp as they could be.
She was standing, feet away from the spot she had fallen just a moment before. As the vortex shrunk into rippling threads, she checked her body. There wasn't a single scratch.
(What…what just…?)
She looked ahead. The row of jagged boulders were proof that she was indeed hit. Gyra was still there. She had gone completely stiff, as if she was just as confused as Krista was.
"Impossible…"
Skullzer's voice was faint. For the first time, there was the hint of confusion in his tone. His eyes searched her as he tried to formulate an answer to what he just witnessed.
His lips curled back as he snarled.
"Doesn't matter what happened. All you've done was delay your fate!"
His collar gleamed. The enraged Gyarados made her lunge with a gaping mouth. Krista leaped out of its attack range, and she found herself high above her head. She didn't think she could jump so high so fast!
As she descended, she swung, and her claws struck Gyra's face. The blades bounced off the scales. The attack had no effect.
As she landed, Krista knew she couldn't win against her with sheer strength alone. But what could she do? By some miracle, she was revitalized. And even with that, it did nothing but delay the one-sided fight. Skullzer was right. She was going to get crushed either way!
Gyra lifted her tail again. She was going to do it. Again. Krista couldn't take another one. She couldn't take—
The tail slammed down. The ground vibrated and rolled. Krista lost her balance as her head rattled again.
It had to stop. She had to make it stop!
She saw it.
The bag. It laid slumped next to Pineno.
The bag. The items inside. Useless.
The bag. The bag!
She clawed the bag towards her. Gyra dove down.
It was a stupid idea, but it was the only idea she had.
With a scream, Krista threw it at the Gyarados with all her might.
Massive fangs clamped down and caught the bag. It crushed beneath the force of her bite. Something popped inside. A series of objects cracked inside.
The bag ripped apart from the inside in a fiery shockwave. The heat blew Krista back and singed her face. The world around her spun. The air was loud with a series of explosions that boomed and rippled through the air.
GRRRAAAAA-AAAAAH!
Gyra flew back, her mouth filled with smoke. She tossed her body one way, saving herself from falling. She snapped her head towards Krista. Her fangs were smeared red. Blood was oozing from her gums.
Krista stepped back. Her body was shook, but she could move.
Gyra's eye has returned to its red glow. On the cliffside behind her, Skullzer had staggered, as if he were struck with something. He met Krista's eyes, and his powerful glare sent a clear message:
"What did you do?"
His collar gleamed again. Gyra's eye shifted to a purple glow again. Her bloody mouth snapped open, and a cluster of orange light merged into a growing sphere. It was swallowed in zapping, rotating purple energy.
(That's bad.) Every nerve in Krista's body screamed at her to move.
Gyra fired. The sphere was unleashed as a gigantic blast.
Krista felt the air breeze through her. She lunged without thinking, and she was high above the ground. The orange and purple spiraled blast gouged the ground beneath her. It tore through the earthy walls behind her.
Gyra stopped firing. Krista was descending.
The ravaged path Gyra created crackled with angry bolts. They spilled, then it exploded from the inside. Flying chunks flew in every direction. One smacked Krista from the air. She was sent to the ground with a brutal tumble. Dirt had been inhaled, and it stung her lungs, which her body rejected. The coughing ripped through her throat.
Krista lifted her head, and she could hear the blast forming again. In a scrambled panic, she rolled out the way. The blast pierced through the ground where she was just a second before. It was a clean shot.
Then it buzzed. The ground bulged and exploded. The shockwave knocked Krista in the air, and she crashed down on the ravaged earth.
Even if she dodged the initial blast, the aftershock was too massive to get away from. The earth had been churned, and plants were burned and unrooted.
A presence behind Krista made her look behind her.
Skullzer stood high above, watching with cold eyes.
(Now you're trying to get rid of me, aren't you?) Krista knew she should be afraid. But she stood, defiant. And all it did was anger Gyra—or perhaps, Skullzer—even more. The Gyarados was charging another blast, its light illuminating everything brighter than it did before.
Her renewed energy started to dwindle. She couldn't dodge forever.
An idea struck her.
It was foolish, but it was all she could think of.
(Dusk…I'm going to try it. Give me a bit of luck!)
Dropping to all fours, Krista anchored her claws as the heat and light intensified. With trust placed on her body's capabilities, she launched herself from the ground with all the strength she had. The ground shrunk beneath her, within half a tree's height.
The blast fired. The light was almost blinding, and the heat grew stronger. Already, Krista descended towards the ground, but she wouldn't make it on time.
It wasn't what she was hoping for, anyway.
Almost at the last second, she twisted her body, and the heated blast shot past her. It singed her flank.
Skullzer realized it soared for him a second too late.
BOOM!
A terrible explosion erupted underfoot, climbing up the cliffside in a mad frenzy. Giant cracks burst from the surface as chunks of the earth collapsed in layers. The face of the cliff blew off in a landslide as a series of smaller explosions tore through the top. A gigantic dust cloud rose from the ground, swallowing the crumbling walls in a blinding curtain. The sounds of destruction settled, with only a few staggering rocks remaining.
Once landed, Krista couldn't tear her eyes off the horrid sight. She searched and searched, but the dirt cloud wouldn't settle. A few staggered explosions would trigger, forming new clouds. It brought terrible dread to her stomach. It twisted her chest.
She didn't think it would do that.
Skullzer was nowhere to be seen. Was he buried? Or did the blast…destroy him?
Was he…?
No. Pokémon were built to take such devastating power head-on. But still…she couldn't shake the feeling that…
GRRROOOOO-AAAAAAH!
The terrible sound pierced her heart.
Krista spun around. Gyra tossed her head around as purple bolts snaked through her body. She threw her head down, and the ground shook on impact. Her body swung one way before she threw it on the ground again. As she lifted her head, the bolts only worsened.
GRRR-OOOOOO-AAAAAH!
She slammed her straight head down once more. As the ground trembled, she remained still. Her heavy breathing pushed dust from underneath her body.
Once she rose again, her eye returned to its red glow. The bolts died down, only zipping through her on occasion.
"She…she broke free…?" Krista gasped.
GRRRR-OOOOOOOH!
Krista dove to the ground. Gyra rammed her head through the very spot she stood on just a second before.
Gyra rose, and her maw built the orange and purple energy once more. She threw her head back and fired the blast towards the sky. The clouds above parted and disintegrated as orange light danced like a beacon. The distant squabbling of panicked birds flooded the air as their shadows fled from the distant trees.
(Oh…no…)
Gyra threw her head in an arc. The blast followed her motions, searing through the walls around them and churning through the earth.
Krista stayed low on the ground and shielded her head as gravel rained down. Heat blistered in the air, baking Krista's body. Gyra blindly fired blast after blast, unleashing her rampage in every direction imaginable. Each blow on the earth created an endless series of delayed explosions. Trees snapped. Boulders fell and shattered. Landslides were formed. Roars filled the air. The entire earth shook.
(At the rate this is going…we'll be gone before she even gets to finish us off!) Krista winched as a chunk of the earth crashed next to her. Another roar filled the air, followed by another stray blast. It soared past Krista's head. An explosion erupted from the walls. It felt neverending. A living nightmare.
The Starly had left their perch from the lake coated with stones in time to avoid being caught in the blast. As the jagged boulders burst into flying pieces, they darted around the blind attack and flying projectiles. Determined, they gathered around the pile of rubble where Skullzer once stood. They dove in, one by one. Squabbling flooded the air as the Starly worked together. They pulled a limp black body from the rubble with the grip of their talons.
(No way!) Krista couldn't believe it.
The Starly lifted the wounded hound from the ground and into the air in a panic. Skullzer was unmoving, with his right horn snapped down to the very stub. Patches of fur were burnt from his body, which Krista didn't think would be possible.
Gyra didn't miss the commotion. She turned with a low growl and charged another blast. As she fired, many Starly rushed right in front of the blast and took it head-on. A terrible explosion sent burned forms raining on the ground.
The smaller group of Starly that carried Skullzer were unharmed. They were flying fast, ducking in the nick of time to avoid another blast.
They vanished behind the damaged cliffside. Only their faded cries remained.
With no moving targets to unleash her fury in, Gyra turned back to the children and charged her attack. Panic swelled in Krista's being.
"Pineno!" She rushed for him and lifted him to her shoulders. Her body buckled, and she fell to her knees. "No…! Get up…! Don't give up on me!"
Pineno's weight was lifted. Krista believed she had caught a second-wind of some sort, until she caught the sight of Glider on her right. Patches of frost coated his body, and he looked to be in a lot of pain. But even through all that, he nodded.
They started to move, but the illuminating light bathed them. It was too late.
A shadow overcame them.
BOOM!
…
… …
They weren't hurt.
The first thing Krista saw was the smoke. Then, it was the familiar transparent green dome that swallowed them.
Vigor. Although her body was bruised and covered with red scratches, she stood in front of the children with her hands flattened forward. She clenched her teeth as her arms shook to keep the dome in form. Another blast rattled the earth. It reverberated through the surface of the shield.
"Vigor!" Krista couldn't tell if she was overjoyed or terrified.
The Machamp kept her hardened gaze forward. "I need y'all to get down, alright?! Protect won't hold strong forever!"
They didn't argue. Krista and Glider were flat on the ground with Pineno between them. The Chespin lifted his head, watching the light of the blast scream against the barrier. Vigor pressed her feet through the earth, and her beak parted as she roared.
"C'MOOOOOOON! I'M READY!"
It shattered.
Vigor ducked her head and threw her hands in front of her as she took the blast head-on. The three children pressed their bodies as flat as they could make them. The smell of char filled the air. The blast would explode against the Machamp's hands in waves, but even through her pain-filled groans, she remained solid in her position.
She lifted a foot and stomped through the ground. She did it again with the other, then again, until she was marching against the blast. Gyra remained firm in her position. Vigor's resistance fueled Gyra's desire to keep the blast going.
It didn't take long until Vigor was mere foot away from the Gyarados. She was resisting the screaming blast at its strongest point. Through all the pain she had to be experiencing, she wore a maddening grin. A seething chuckle escaped her as she removed her upper right hand from the pressure. Her body was almost pushed back. Her blackened hand buzzed and cracked as yellow bolts started to build. As it intensified, she formed her hand into a fist. Her grin turned into an intense snarl.
Vigor roared a furious cry.
Her punch shattered against Gyra's stomach. The impact boomed through the air. A small, static-filled shockwave rippled through.
The bolts expanded and engulfed Gyra's entire form.
GRYAAAAA! AAAAAA-AAAAA-AAAAAH!
Horrid, screeching, ear-piercing bellows. The blast stopped firing. Gyra's entire body locked in place as the sound of thunder boomed in the air.
A yellow lightning bolt boomed from her core. Static flew out in a wave, sparkling and fading in the air. Gyra remained stiff, even as she collapsed to the ground. The earth shook under her weight one last time.
The echo of Gyra's fall pulsed through the air. Then, there was the shifting of stone. A distant landslide roared as earth poured into the nearby lake. A tree fell to its side, its roots ripped from its anchor.
Then, the deafening silence.
One by one, the children stood. They did not acknowledge each other as they stared at the mass destruction that surrounded them. The beautiful view they witnessed before had been reduced to ground-zero of a warzone. The clean walls that surrounded them had been ravaged. The line of trees and bushes were snapped or collapsed, some engulfed in flames. Leaves were shredded. The lake was coated with shattered boulders. The grass was tarnished with trails of scorch marks.
Krista heard a thump next to her. Glider had fallen to his knees. Tears streamed down his face before he buried his face behind his arms.
"GGGGH!"
The horrible sound escaped Vigor as pain seemed to hit her all at once. She dropped to one knee. A single hand planted on the ground kept her from toppling over.
"Ms. Vigor!" Krista and Pineno stood and hurried to her aid. Instead, a scorched hand lifted. They were forced to stop.
"I'll be fine…" Vigor said. "Just give me a moment…"
And a moment was all she truly needed. Once she had collected herself, she was back on her feet. Her blackened fingers curled and shook under indescribable pain, but she didn't make another sound. Only her heavy breathing gave away her suffering.
It was too severe for Krista to ignore. "But…your hands!"
"I said, I'll be fine…"
"No! You're not fine!" Krista argued. "You're hurt!"
"I'd rather it be me than you. 'Sides. It ain't nothin' but a 'lil burn. It'll heal."
It was more than just a "little" burn, but Krista knew arguing about it wouldn't get them anywhere. She wasn't sure if it was pride, or if Vigor was trying to keep them calm, or if her pain tolerance was simply that impressive. Regardless of what…Vigor did save them.
They were safe. Gyra has been defeated…
Gyra…
Krista'a fears died down as she looked at the unconscious, battle-scarred giant. It was hard to believe that they all mistook her as part of the terrain before. She was practically ancient…but the power she displayed was lethal.
That blast…it defeated Skullzer in one shot. She couldn't believe it.
But what power Vigor displayed was just as stunning.
"What was that…?" Krista asked her.
"Hyper beam," Vigor answered. "It's one of the most powerful basic techniques nearly any Pokémon can learn. It uses every ounce of your energy and transforms it into a devastatin' blast. You've seen what it is capable of…"
"I…yeah. I've seen…but I was talking about what you did…"
Vigor glanced at Krista before she looked at her wounded fist.
"Thunder punch."
"Thunder…"
"GYRA!"
Glider flew past the group, but Vigor caught him by the tail before he could dive. Her arm jerked, and she bit her tongue.
"No! NO! Let me GO! I need to see her! I need to see her!"
"You can't. We have to go. Right now." Vigor reached for her badge with the other hand. The mere action made her winch.
"NO! NO! NO! I'M NOT LEAVIN' HER! I'M NOT LEAVIN'!"
His voice wavered as more tears poured down his face. He fought against Vigor's strength, but she didn't budge in the slightest. Even as his constant tugging brought her pain, she refused to let him go.
Another hand reached under her scarf while she spun the star of her badge.
"I'm sorry, child."
"NO! NOOOOO! LET ME G—"
The sleep seed struck the Gligar, exploding in a puff of pink smoke. He staggered. His eyes went heavy, and he fell back. Vigor caught his unconscious form before he could hit the ground.
"I'm so sorry…"
She unclipped the badge and pressed it against her chest. With a deep breath, it started to glow. She held it high above Glider's head.
He was swallowed by golden light, and he was transported away.
"Will he be okay?" Pineno asked, on his feet.
"He will be near the office within a few heartbeats. The moment Grove, or anyone sees him, they will know somethin' went wrong. So, they will be expectin' us."
Vigor paused.
"But what about you, child?"
Pineno sighed. "I'm…okay. It doesn't hurt anymore. So I guess… I don't know. I'm just tired."
It was something Krista could agree with. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Everyone's attention returned to the fallen Gyarados. Although she was rampaging just a moment before, to see an elder Pokémon in such a state made Krista feel terrible.
"It wasn't her fault," Krista muttered.
"I know, but I didn't have a choice," Vigor said. "The poor thing didn't deserve that, but it was either her…or all of us. She should recover on her own, at least. Her wounds aren't severe, although I can't say the same for her teeth."
"Her…oh." Krista remembered how badly the bleeding was from Gyra's mouth. "The bag…"
It was tossed several feet away. Upon closer inspection, it was tattered and blackened from the explosion. The contents inside were likely destroyed along with it.
"Hm. I've never seen this before," Vigor said.
"The blast seeds. I think they all donated at once," Krista said as the plucked the ruined material. "I was just trying to distract her. It was a stupid idea. I guess…I lucked out."
"Embargo only makes it impossible for you to use the items. But as long as the shell breaks…" Vigor frowned. "This is unheard of."
"There goes all of our items though." Pineno sighed. "It's going to take a while to replace all of that."
"Well, the consumables are likely destroyed. And maybe some of y'all wands. But what's promised to not be damaged…ah."
Vigor reached down and picked up a spherical rock. Only, when she dusted it off, a familiar glass surface was revealed.
"A Wonder Orb!" Pineno gasped.
"Yes. I figured these would survive. A petty explosion ain't enough to destroy them. C'mon. Let's find the others."
They scattered about and picked up just about every Wonder Orb they found. There was even one lodged in the damaged cliffside. The quick orb…it didn't have a single scratch.
Once they regrouped, Vigor activated her badge once more.
"Let's get outta here…"
As the golden light swallowed them all, Krista casted one last look at the Gyarados.
Hatred was an emotion Krista would reel away from, but at that very moment, she hated nothing more than the Houndoom who brought them nothing but pain.
The Central Retaliation Corporation
As soon as they arrived on the star platform, they were immediately flocked by a crowd of Pokémon. Several voices spoke up at once, many crying out names, most notably Vigor's. The overwhelming number made Krista shrink back. Pineno stood by her side in an effort to give her some comfort.
A desperate voice bleated over the uproar.
"Out of my way! Out of my way! Move!"
(Grove?)
The crowd parted, and a Gogoat galloped through. Krista didn't get the chance to speak before a pair of vines scooped her and Pineno from their feet. They were brought close to her chest, and the battle aches Krista already felt spiked. She grunted through her teeth. The leaves felt sharp against her face.
"Again!" Grove cried. "It happened again, didn't it?! Oh, oh I am so sorry…! I was the one who gave the stamp of approval before the Headmaster! I should have known…I should have known…! Had we lost you…I…I…"
"Grove…" Krista wheezed. "Everything hurts…"
"Oh!" Grove set them down. "Oh, I am so sorry!"
"It's alright, Grove." Vigor walked over with a smile. "They are safe. That's all that matters."
There was a long pause.
"Dear gods!" Grove exclaimed. "What happened to your hands! They are burnt!"
"Uh…haha…" Vigor chuckled as Grove looked over them. "I'll explain later. This isn't a good spot…"
Grove redirect a vine towards Vigor and gently wrapped it around her arm. She was on the move, nudging the children along. "All three of you are going to get checked out. I don't care how you feel, you don't have an option!"
"The children are fine. Just some bruises that will heal on their own overnight, I'm sure," Vigor said. "But I could use a visit myself. I won't be able to do any labor for a few days…"
Grove snorted at this.
"Grove…they don't need any serious tending to."
"You don't know that."
"Grove—"
The Gogoat spun around to face her. She stomped a hoof against the stone ground. "They could have internal injuries! If you fought against the great elder, surely…surely…!"
"WHAT IN YVELTAL'S NAME HAPPENED HERE?!"
Krista recognized that scream. She felt her body lock as the unmistakable form of a Mightyena lunged over several heads. He landed where the crowd parted, his lips pulled back.
"Dusk." Grove hurried over to him as he marched forward. She blocked her body against his shoulder. "No, Dusk. Stand down. You have to stand—"
"VIGOOOOOOOR!" The roar that bellowed through Dusk's chest made almost everyone freeze. His eyes were just as wild as they were before. "He's still alive, isn't he?! He's STILL out there! You should have went after him! Why DIDN'T YOU GO?!"
The crowd panicked as he tried to lunge, but Grove restrained him with both vines. She appeared to be using nearly all her strength just to keep her weight from being dragged.
"ANSWER ME!" Dusk roared. "WHY DIDN'T YOU GO?! YOU WERE WITH THEM! YOU COULD HAVE TRACKED HIM DOWN! YOU LET HIM GET AWAY! HE WAS RIGHT THERE! RIGHT THERE!"
"Mightyena!" Grove screamed. "Calm yourself! She's already hurt!"
Vigor said nothing, averting her eyes from his wild gaze. It didn't seem right to see her so meek.
"YOU LET HIM GET AWAY! WHAT IF HE KILLED THEM?!" Dusk continued. "YOU…! YOU—"
SHRRRRREE-CRACK!
The sound snapped loud in the air. Everyone jumped.
Dusk stumbled as he fought to keep his footing, his face wide with shock. A third vine hovered over his head where he was just struck.
He blinked. He shook his head. Once he noticed the vine, he lowered his body to the ground in a yield.
"Thank you, Grove," he whispered. "I'm okay now. I'm…okay…"
He buried his face against his paws.
"Forgive me…I lost my sense of self again. Forgive me…"
Krista stood, stunned. What did she just witness?
"The Pinnacle, Mightyena," Grove ordered. "Go."
There was no further argument. He lifted his defeated form and slugged through the uneasy crowd. His tail was limp and lifeless.
Grove lifted her head. "The rest of you. You are dismissed. There's nothing to see here anymore."
The gathered crowd started to leave, muttering soft words. To Krista's disbelief, she didn't sense any resentment or fear. There was just a thin layer of unease that was beginning to fade.
Grove sighed and pressed a vine against her forehead. "I didn't want to hit him, but he made me swear that I would…"
Krista felt her mouth hang open. (He…asked her to do that?)
How often did Dusk have those outbursts? Was it normal?
A pillar of blue light fell from above. Everyone moved back as it burst apart in a shockwave. Slowking stood, and he took a quick look at everyone.
"So it seems I've missed the uproar by a second," Slowking said. "I'll speak with Dusk later. But first…I'm going to need every witnesses' detail. Vigor, you get yourself treated. Children…come with me."
… … …
Krista held the sitrus berry between her paws. The torches of the Headmaster's chamber were lit, bringing a small sense of comfort after escaping by the skin of their teeth.
Pineno nibbled on his berry next to her. Standing at the other side of the room was the Headmaster, who was deep in thought, then there was Howler and Frost, who listened to everything they were told.
"Hm…a concerning dilemma," Frost said. "But you've managed to escape with less severe injuries compared to your last encounter."
That was what Krista didn't understand. How was it different this time compared to the last? She was sure the earthquake rattled her silly. Wasn't she hit with a flying boulder? She knew Pokémon were resilient, but what counted as severe and what didn't was still something that confused her.
Maybe it was because she wasn't dehydrated. Maybe it was because she didn't have any open wounds. She didn't see any blood on her.
(It's so strange. Even though I'm not badly hurt this time…I feel just as exhausted…)
(But what's even more strange… I was sure I was defeated. Gyra crushed me. I blacked out, didn't I? So what happened? How did I get back up? Was it because of the voice?)
It bugged her too much to just ignore it.
"I was sure that I was knocked out," Krista said. "I was too dazed to move. And I was sure she crushed me with her tail. I don't know what happened, but I shouldn't have…"
"You say you were defeated?" Frost asked. "Knocked unconscious?"
"I…I think so?"
"I question for you then. When your senses halted, did you find yourself enveloped in a golden light?"
"In a golden…yeah. Yeah. I was." Krista remembered it all too vividly.
"And you found yourself completely revitalized."
"How did you—"
"That was the miracle of the reviver seed," Frost said.
"Huh? It works like that? I thought you had to eat it or something—I didn't think it would just activate. But…I don't remember packing the reviver seed. We even checked the bag before we left…so how did it get there?"
"Sorry." Pineno sighed. "After hearing about The Enclosed Beast and all…I got kinda scared. Even though Glider said he knew her, I was still nervous about it. So I used the Kangaskhan Rock and took it out—I know we should had held on to it but I just…"
"Actually, you doing that might had saved us," Krista realized. "I wouldn't been able to actually get a good hit on Gyra had I not recovered. And Vigor wouldn't been able to save us in time…"
"So…I did the right thing?" Pineno asked. "It's too bad it was the only one."
"Against the likes of that Houndoom, it was your best option. I wouldn't consider it as a waste," Frost said.
There was a knock on the door.
Slowking lifted his head at last. "You may enter."
As the chamber door slid open, Vigor stood at the other side. She stepped in the room, with all four of her hands wrapped in sitrus-soaked bandages.
Krista felt her stomach drop. (Oh, no. Was it that bad…?)
Vigor dipped her head. "Headmaster."
"Vigor…" Slowking sighed. "What were you thinking, tanking a point-blank hyper beam like that? Had you been a heartbeat too late, you could have been…"
"I know. I wasn't thinkin'," she said. "I was far more worried about the children. When the protect shattered…it was the only thing I could do."
Slowking sighed at her reason. "I do thank you…for assuring they were safe. I can't very well get upset. You did what you were supposed to do."
"Of course."
Howler huffed. "Now that you are here…we need to confirm details with what we were already told. How fares the Houndoom?"
"We don't know how badly Skullzer was hurt, but it's safe to say if he will be out of the picture for a while," Vigor said.
"You mean, he lives?!" Krista knew she shouldn't be surprised, but the explosion still looked devastating. There was no way!
Howler nodded. "It takes a lot more than a direct hyper beam to take out a Pokémon like him. But as it seemed, it was strong enough to knock him out in just one shot. His own sorcery worked against him."
"As it should," Frost agreed. "He must feel truly chastened."
"But what matters is, he's too wounded to take action," Slowking said. "He shouldn't put up much of a struggle for some time."
Usually, Krista would be thrilled to hear that actions are being taken. But, between the journey through Enclosed Crossing, and the near-death experience she had…she just wanted to go to sleep.
Then there was something else. What the Headmaster said…about how it would be easier to catch him…
(Skullzer said…that Slowking sent us through that dungeon to lure him out. But…that can't be true. Slowking wouldn't just…use us as bait like that, would he?)
She glanced at the Headmaster, but he seemed occupied by his own thoughts. She was thankful he couldn't read minds whenever he wanted.
"The quick actions you took were impressive," Howler said, breaking through her thoughts. "Especially from someone who is not a skilled battler. Who would have thought to throw a bag filled with blast seeds? And it seemed to have worked out for you."
"I…I was just trying to get out of the way," Krista said.
"You won't take credit for your quick actions? Pity," Frost said. "As for your bag, you have little to worry about. We will replace that, although it will take some time until your new map arrives."
The map. Krista had forgotten it was attached to the bag…
"Although, what I do want to know is how you managed to take down someone like Skullzer?" Howler said. "He is not someone who falls easily."
Krista shook her head. "That's the thing. I…didn't directly defeat him at all. I just…I saw the blasts, and how destructive they were. I figured that I could had done what Dusk did."
"Dusk…?"
"I saw how he turned one Poliwag's attack against the other. So I tried it against Skullzer. I didn't think it would actually work."
The Pokémon all stared at her, their expressions unreadable.
"Hm…" Frost placed a hand under his chin. "It seems his arrogance blinded him from such possibilities. What a rude awakening he had."
"You thought quickly under pressure," Howler said. "Usually, instincts would try to preserve you. Others would hide or run."
Krista wasn't sure if that was praise, or a stated fact. But she knew that things could have gone wrong if she reacted too late. If that blast did the damage it did to Skullzer, she didn't want to imagine the state she would have been in if she was too slow to avoid it.
How would had Dusk reacted…?
"Is Dusk okay?" she asked.
"Dusk has cleared his mind and retreated to his quarters," Slowking said. "He should be back to his usual jobs tomorrow."
"Huh?! But I thought—"
Krista stopped. She almost forgot…
It was going to take a while for her to get used to that.
"Um…excuse me."
Pineno had everyone's attention.
"Where is Glider?"
Slowking smiled. "He's in the guest room, sleeping off the…sleep seed. He'll be fine. Although he was struck with a ice fang, there were no severe wounds."
"How is that possible?" Krista was in disbelief.
"I've asked the same thing," Slowking said. "If I had to guess…perhaps a part of Elder Gyra was still in there. She must have recognized him, but she couldn't stop. The amount of willpower to restrain herself from crushing him…I can only imagine."
That explained her odd behavior then…
"Once he wakes up, we can go on and see where we can send him. He can't very well return home."
(Home?) Krista remembered Glider talking about the real purpose behind his escort. But he never mentioned anything about what he wanted to do afterwards.
"Does he have anyplace to go?" she asked.
"I'll ask that of him when he awakens," Slowking said. "Although I can assume he will be far more concerned about Elder Gyra's well-being. Understandably so.
"So it's to be expected to pursue this dilettante of a hound," Frost grumbled. "He's too frail to defend himself. We can send Boomer."
"No," Slowking declined. "As preferably as it would be, wherever he was taken, it is to be assumed he will be inaccessible. Sending Boomer after him would be reckless."
"But to stand aside and do nothing isn't ideal either. Suppose he sends more scouts. What if he decides to blight someone else?"
"Skullzer isn't the main issue here," Howler said. "He is one of many sorcerers. Even if he remains out of our fur some time, who's to say Knight won't make himself known? Or Armora? What about Foresight and Loom?"
(There's more?) Krista felt the pit forming in her stomach. Of course there would be more. But the new names she never heard made her feel panic trying to surface. They just got one out the way. They knew Armora was a problem, but there were three others?
"Loom is the least of our worries. A mere pushover," Frost said. "Foresight will only present herself as an issue if you cross her. But yes, Knight and Armora could be a problem. Considering someone as mighty as Skullzer had been forced to retreat, neither of them will be pleased. We will have to tighten all security."
"Hnn. All of this nonsense over the spiny-nut child," Howler grumbled. He looked at him. "Does it still hurt?"
"No. It doesn't hurt all the time," Pineno said. "It only burned when he got me…and then the pain came back when he was at Mount Ember. Then it happened again when…"
Realization struck him.
"It only hurts when he's nearby…"
Slowking nodded. "Makes sense. It's how Houndoom hunt their prey. Even if their target managed to escape, they don't have to fret over running after them. And now, I see why it's such an effective method. A terrible one, but effective."
"Is there no way to reverse it?" Pineno asked.
"I'm afraid not," Slowking said. "Once a Houndoom burns you, it will hurt forever."
Pineno frowned. "So they were right after all…"
"There is no need to worry, child. You are safe within this fortress. And while The Sorcerers may have their underhanded tricks, we have several protocols in place, just in case."
"What will become of Gyra?" Krista asked. "Are you…"
Slowking lowered his head. "She's been reverted to a creature who can no longer think, I'm afraid."
"What? But Skullzer…he said it was temporary!"
"And you believed that?" Howler growled. "He hardly understands the depths of his own power. The Gyarados we once knew is no more!"
(That…that can't be…)
"You have to help her! You have to!" Krista pleaded.
Slowking shook his head. "There is no saving her, child."
"I don't care! There has to be some way! She didn't deserve this! She didn't!"
Howler growled a warning. "Watch your tone when you speak to the Headmaster."
Krista backed down with an apology. But, she wasn't going to stand by and let them leave Gyra to her doom, or worse. Krista knew they would hunt her down. It wasn't right.
"I do agree with you. She doesn't deserve any of this," Vigor agreed. "But what was done is done. She has access to all of our rivers. If she rampages throughout the land, the damage could be catastrophic. Skullzer would be countin' on that, I am sure."
Krista shot up. "But…"
"You've seen how much damage she can do."
Vigor was right. They were lucky to have escaped…
"Such meager efforts will do nothing but linger the pain," Frost said. "It would be best to let things go."
Even so…to give up on someone who suffered felt wrong…
"It pains me. It really does," Slowking said. "Trust me…when I say that this is a solution I wish didn't have to be looked at. But if we let her go…someone could get terribly hurt, or worse. I'm sorry. I am truly sorry…"
"But…"
It wasn't fair.
First it was Chessie.
Then it was Gyra.
(Why is the world so cruel…? They are innocent!)
"Gyra is old, child," Howler said. "Her time has been approaching for decades. Her mind is not as sharp as it once was, and now she is suffering."
Krista shook her head. "But Glider—"
"Glider's feelings cannot change the facts."
She felt her body freeze. She knew she heard those words.
Yes. Glider spoke the same words. He was told those words before. It was happening again.
Glider…he would be crushed, just as he was before.
"Facts, huh?" Krista's tone soured. "If that's true, then what about you?! Skullzer said she was easy because she was once wild. What if he does the same to you?! Wouldn't that make you a liability, too?!"
A low growl shook Krista to her core. The wild and heated glare pierced through her heart. Her body locked in place as the pressure in the air became too crushing. She couldn't breathe.
And all she could see were those terrible red eyes…
…Gyra's eyes…
"ARCANINE!" Slowking's voice boomed.
It stopped, all at once. Krista gasped, and she collapsed to her knees. She could breathe again…
She was almost afraid of looking. A quick glance, and Howler had dropped to the ground with his head resting between his paws.
(What was that…?) Krista's thoughts almost scrambled. (What WAS that?!)
Slowking sighed, and it sounded relieved. Around him, Frost and Vigor dropped their battle stances. Krista felt her fears double.
Howler sighed and closed his eyes. "I must apologize, Krista. My reaction to your concerns were…undesirable."
Krista was baffled. Not only did he apologize so quickly, something she had never seen him do before, he was also addressing her by name. The atmosphere surrounding him was no longer hostile. He was genuine…it was difficult to grasp.
"What you speak is truth; I am the weak link among The king's chosen," Howler said. "But that is only if I allow my primal mind to overcome my granted ability to reason. Skullzer has exploited this recently…something I've been aware of for some time. And perhaps you can argue that it has placed my position…no, this complex at risk. Perhaps you stand correct. It is something I've tried to deny, for a very long time."
He pushed himself to his feet.
"But my mind cannot be so easily tainted. I've had rigorous training in anticipation for this. And as you have seen, the Headmaster has command over me…to snap me out of any primal urges."
(What were you about to do?!) Krista felt even more frightened.
"It wouldn't be a lie to call you reckless, Krista," Howler said. If he took notice of her expression, he didn't react to it. "But you are incredibly loyal, a trait scarcely seen among the felines. They are usually self-serving, only seeking companionship for their own pride and benefit. I've always believed you to be strange, so I was skeptical of your motives. I didn't want to believe that you rebelled against your own nature. Even the sharp-claw child has concerning motives that do not surprise me. Her companions seem to only wallow in her pity. Her pride would not allow her to show vulnerability. Felines refuse to show such weakness. That is why when you arrived…I almost convinced myself that you were trying to lure us all into some sort of ploy. But as it seemed…today you have finally proven me wrong."
Howler did the last thing she expected anyone to do.
He closed his eyes and lowered his head. He was bowing. But why? Panic almost overtook Krista, trying to search for a reasonable answer. Just before she could utter a word, he stood tall again, and looked at her in a gaze filled with respect.
"A Swellow and a Wurmple can work together as a team, because we have long ago learned to defy our instincts. We combine our strength for a better world. That is what earns us the title of Pokémon. I wish to believe your faith. I hold Elder Gyra in regard as the rest of us do. I hear you, Krista. I hear your plea.
"But unfortunately, what happened to Gyra…there's not much that we can do. The primal mind is difficult to bend. We were not hatched in a peaceful life. Wisdom was not passed on to us when we were small. We only learned the unforgiving ways of the wild, in a twisted world where time and space can break even the sanest of minds. Wild creatures of the dungeons are wicked. You can remove one from such a place, but never can you tame a wild beast, they can only be trained. They have to accept that the civil life exceeds what they had known. A difficult milestone. A harsh truth. If a Pokémon is forced to become wild again, it will bring them great mental pain. They have lost reason, and therefore, lost the ability to think, to remember. Do you understand what I speak of?"
Krista turned her gaze to the ground. (What Howler is saying…is that Gyra really can't be saved… It would only hurt her more to try to bring her back. Her body and mind…isn't as young as it once was.)
A terrible thing to accept. It would be painful for Glider. And Howler…he looked to be in pain as well. Was it a fear of his, to be reverted to a wild creature who only killed for survival? Was that something he woke up to remember every single day?
He remembered his old life. He told her how he became civil. The wild Growlithe in Mount Ember…he was one of them once.
It was difficult to nod. Krista didn't want to give up on Gyra, even if their first meeting was horrific. From the stories Glider told, Gyra sounded wise and kind. She was looking forward to speaking to a giant who could pass down decades of wisdom. But as it seemed, it was not possible anymore.
She didn't want to accept that.
All because Gyra was once wild…her mind…
Slowking sighed. "Perhaps…there is a small window of hope."
Krista blinked. "Wh-what?"
"What?" Howler gave him a strange look.
"I'll see what I can do," Slowking said. "Considering it was her mind that had been altered, perhaps, as you claimed, there is a way to reverse the effects. It takes a powerful psychic to repair a mind that's been Blighted, after all."
"It has never been done with a Pokémon who was wild before," Howler said.
"That can change. Perhaps the combined forces of The Western Headmistress and I could change things."
"She's a Delphox, right?" Pineno asked, hopeful. "You think there's a chance? You and her reversing it together?"
Slowking nodded. "This conversation has left me with many chilling thoughts…yes. The mere thought of Howler facing a similar fate fills me with dread. So, I will try. I can't promise that there will be a solution…but any chance is better than none."
"Headmaster…" Howler didn't know what else to say.
But Krista was overjoyed. "Thank you…thank you so much…"
"No. I must thank you," Slowking said. "I know it seems impossible. What Howler said is true. A wild creature is difficult to pass wisdom to on its own. It's an extremely difficult and dangerous process. Although they speak and reason, the way they think is forever different. In the back of their minds, in their very subconscious, they are still wild. You can never forget the life you've left behind. So imagine it being forcefully ripped to the front of your mind, overtaking your very conscious in such an overwhelming wave. The extent of Gyra's rampage does not surprise me. It's like being held underwater, denied of air. A terrible sensation I would never wish on anyone. It seems impossible to help her, yes. The others would call me foolish to consider it, but they are not a master of the mind as I am. And although I was not born wild, and was privileged to be raised in a stable environment…I understand Howler's fear…in a different light."
"What do you mean?" Krista asked.
"Headmaster," Howler turned to Slowking, uncertainty on his face. "Is it wise to speak of this?"
"It's common knowledge, even if we try to pretend it isn't," Slowking said. He stepped closer, wearing a soft smile. "Krista, do you know anything about my species?"
"I…a Slowking…" Krista couldn't fathom why he was asking. "You evolved from a Slowpoke."
"And how does a Slowpoke evolve, child?"
"A Slowpoke…"
Krista paused. She knew this once. She could feel it trying to surface, and she didn't want to let go of it. So, she reached and searched for the words that tried to elude her. And when she found them, there was almost relief. Memories. It was just Pokémon facts, but they were memories all the same.
"A Slowpoke evolves when a Shellder bites its tail…or in your case, your head. You could have been a Slowbro instead."
"Yes. That is true. Although you speak partially of how evolution works. Perhaps is true if I were wild. But when a Shellder bites, we know we've been chosen for a different fate…even if it takes a while for that thought to come. The journey to the Luminous Burrow is a journey of self-improvement. When I reached it and achieved evolution, I felt enlightened. I saw the world in a different perspective, and gained such a strong desire to learn everything about the world. With every new thought, idea…or wisdom I gained, I never took it for granted. Because I knew that if I am ever careless, I could lose everything in the blink of an eye."
Krista looked at his crown, and she understood.
"When a Slowking loses its Shellder…it becomes a Slowpoke again."
Slowking nodded.
"But I thought—I thought that was just a fable! Pokémon can't de-evolve!"
"In most cases, you stand correct. But for some reason, Arceus decided that there had to be a line somewhere. Who are we to question the gods?"
Krista felt like she just learned something forbidden. How many other Pokémon could be forced to their previous state? What about Magneton, who were merely a combination of three Magnemite? What about Metagross? Was it possible to tear it to two, or worse, four? Four lost and confused Beldum—it was a concept that tightened her.
Slowking was vulnerable. He was…
"It's quite alright," Slowking assured her. "The Shellder that chose me isn't so keen on abandoning me. If there were an event that someone ever tried to separate us, it wouldn't be so easy. There's a reason scarcely anyone has tried. You've witnessed the extent of a Psyduck's power, and it only has a fraction of the psychic mind. To put such a powerful mind under stress…the results are always catastrophic."
Krista shuddered. She didn't want to envision it.
"So like the possibility of me losing my Shellder…you have reminded me that sometimes what seems impossible might just work. Frost has recognized this, yes?"
Frost nodded. "You've stood your ground against a lofty opponent even when the situation turned bleak. Twice now, actually. Such formidable efforts deserve to be recognized. At the same time however, it is not favorable for young adolescents to experience trauma. Therefore…it is required of Team Retribute to accept two days of leisure."
"Leisure?" Pineno echoed. "You mean, you want us to take a couple days off?"
"Indeed."
"But…! Our training! We have to do our training! I—We have to get stronger!"
"It is not a request, young Chespin. You have no choice in the matter. You've scarcely escaped. Your body and mind are both stressed. Take a break."
Pineno sulked. "Oh…okay…"
"Now then, Vigor…" Slowking looked at her. "The registration office. Take them there. Although the day ended in chaos…they still completed their mission."
"Of course." Vigor looked at them both. "Come."
… … …
"WHAT?! ONLY FIVE-HUNDRED?!"
Vigor took the heavy bag of coins from Simisear's hand. What Team Retribute was given instead was a laughable pouch that contained only a small number of coins.
"I know. It's never easy the second time either," Vigor said. "But the corporation will always appreciate it."
"After all of that trouble too," Pineno sunk to the ground. "I still can't believe we only get to keep 10%. It's not fair…"
"Well, yes. The pay is only from the mission. What happened afterwards doesn't count. It would be considered by our own actions so…no amount of damage will make them pay us any more or less. I'm sorry.
"Bur, what matters is that Gligar is safe," Simisear said. "You didn't think the money was the only reward, did you? I never said we get to keep the items."
"Huh?" Pineno perked up.
As a reward for escorting Gligar, Team Retribute was given; Two heal seeds, honey…and a one-room orb!
"All of these are for us?!" Pineno gawked.
"Glider really did want to cross that dungeon, so he made sure the rewards would be ones sought-after," Vigor said.
The honey was stored in a jaw of some sort. But Krista didn't imagine it would be a glass jar—where did they get glass? It held the honeycomb inside…likely from a Combee hive. It made her wonder if there were a swarm that sold their honey for a living.
The craft of the jar did look vaguely familiar.
"It's in…a jar," Krista said.
"Yes, it is," Simisear said. "And that piqued your interest? For what reason?"
"No reason. Just curious."
Vigor and Simisear exchanged looks.
"Well, you should get going. The night is early, and I suggest you regain your strength by sleeping in. You won't have to worry about Howler waking you up," Simisear said.
"Okay but…" Krista took a look around. "Where's Grove? I thought she would be here?"
"She went to go see Glider, probably to ask him some questions. She's…pretty much one of the only Pokémon here who can talk to those under stress. I don't know how she does it."
"Now that that is done…" Vigor's voice trailed off. Her attention was towards the ceiling. "Hm? What is it?"
Zee. Krista wondered what the strange Pokémon could want.
"Oh? Are you sure? He just got here. The poor child did enough walkin' as is." Vigor's gaze was on Pineno now, and it was clear on what the topic was about. "Oh…alright. I'll inform him right away."
"What?" Pineno asked. "What is it?"
"The Headmaster wants to speak to you…" Vigor glanced at Krista. "…In private."
Krista looked at him for a possible reason, but he looked more frightened than she did.
"You aren't in any trouble or anything like that! He just wanted to ask a few questions, that's all. I promise. Maybe he wanted you to feel safe? Maybe it's a sensitive conversation?"
Pineno frowned. "But…I wouldn't mind Krista coming along. She's my friend."
"Yes, I know. But it's the Headmaster's orders. Perhaps you can mention this to him." Vigor offered her hand. "Come now. Zee said he'll take us directly there."
Reluctantly, Pineno reached for her hand. But seeing how bandaged it was, he touched her arm instead.
Vigor looked back at Krista. "We will send Pineno after you once we are done."
Krista sighed. "Okay…"
And with that, they vanished in the blue pillar of light.
… … …
Walking through the halls alone was a familiar and lonesome feeling. The last time…it was also because of Skullzer.
That Houndoom truly knew how to ruin a day.
But she was exhausted. They were all right. She could use a couple days of rest after the terrifying experience. Sleeping in didn't sound like a bad idea.
She wondered if she would hear that voice in her dreams again. Back when she faced Gyra, it spoke to her again.
It was the first time she heard that voice in days.
(It's been a long time since I've dreamt of anything. That voice…I think it saved me. But it said it shouldn't trust humans. I guess…I betrayed its trust. That's why it stopped talking to me for a while. So why? Why did it suddenly change its mind…?)
(Is it related to the promise it said I made? A promise I can't even remember?)
Krista stopped. She was halfway down her hall when she noticed that there was one other Pokémon there.
A single Gogoat stood out. She stood right in front of Krista's door, and she noticed her presence just as she did.
"Ms. Grove…?"
Both of Grove's ears flicked, as if to swat away a peaky insect. She turned her head slightly, but only for a second. Her focus was right back at the door.
"I was getting ready to leave," Grove said.
"But…" Krista tried to find the most polite way to ask. "Why are you…standing near my room?"
"…Pondering. I know I…have been busy these past two weeks. I didn't mean to leave you worried when I left some suddenly. But…I am fine."
There was no smile. Krista wasn't sure if she wanted to walk any closer, in case she snapped for any reason. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I took some time to reflect. But…I needed to talk to you. You were always training, and I could never find a proper time. But since Pineno is not here, we can have our own private conversation."
She tilted her head towards the door.
Krista felt her fur stand. She glanced towards the hall entrance, but there was no one else there. A part of her was hoping at least Buck would show.
"Um…but can't you just open it?" she asked.
"I could," Grove made a motion that appeared to be a shrug. "But it would be rather rude with you right here."
With the badge removed, Krista made her way to the door and had it opened. It was cooler than normal, perhaps due to its own loneliness. Her feet almost made it to the bed when she remembered she wasn't alone. She turned to face the senior, who only casted a quick glance at the walls.
The door closed behind her, and the room was small.
"Um, maybe I actually—"
"Sit down."
Krista sat.
Knees buckled as Grove set her body on the ground.
"You were not supposed to have made it out of that situation," Grove said. "Elder Gyra is far older than me, who had experienced battles every single one of us could only dream of. You were not supposed to have made it out of Mount Ember either. In fact, you were not supposed to step foot in this complex. You came here on a whim, when you remembered nothing. And yet, you were the last one standing in before a threat that had nothing to do with you. Anyone else would try to stay away from it. Why is that you fight for those you just met?"
(She's starting off with that?!) Krista didn't have the time to process her presence. She statements completely threw her in a loop.
"I…" What was she supposed to say? She didn't know why herself…
No. She did know why.
"I couldn't leave him," Krista said. "I couldn't leave Pineno like that. And then, Tidal and Glider were in danger too. If I just left them…I would had never…"
"Even if they were an inconvenience to you?" Grove asked. "When they placed you in danger twice? Frost and Vigor too, who fight so hard to protect you from what could have been prevented?"
Krista remembered what she said about Oinkologne, and the guilt struck her again. "I thought…we already talked about this? I already…feel bad about what I said. And not once did I ever think Tidal or Glider were an inconvenience—okay. That's a lie. I did think Glider wasn't worth the job…but I got over that! I'm not—"
"I…am not saying you are selfish. I know you are not," Grove said. "I was just asking to see what you would say."
(Well…gee. Thanks…)
"I am just relieved that you are unharmed. When I saw the Gligar arrive, I knew something went wrong. So I waited…and waited…and the wait became too much for me. I started to worry that something went wrong. I almost went after you, but Simisage and Ambipom had to convince me that Vigor knew what she was doing. I knew to trust her. She was strong, after all. So when you did arrive…I hope you'll excuse my reaction."
"It's…it's fine." Krista couldn't forget about the embrace, it was almost crushing.
Grove took another quick glance at the room. It was out of nervousness. A distraction. Grove even took a deep breath before she spoke again.
"When we were back in Luminous Burrow, I believe you had your suspicions that you may have been there before."
Where did that come from?!
Krista's heart started to race. Rampant thoughts. What made her come to that conclusion? Krista was sure that she mentioned nothing that would be considered odd. Nothing slipped out, did it?
"I…it was just a question!" Krista almost wanted to scold herself for blurting the words out. (Sure! Let's look more suspicious here!)
"A question with a purpose behind it. After your interrogation with The Headmaster, it all makes perfect sense on why you would ask such a thing."
(Oh…oh. She's only asking because of…the amnesia she sensed from me. It couldn't possibly be because she knows… Does she know? No, she couldn't have come to such a wild conclusion! If so, why does it feel like I'm lying to myself? It couldn't be that she found out somehow…about who I really am.)
(No. No, I'm just overthinking it. Even Pineno had no idea until I told him.)
"When I first saw you, I was skeptical," Grove said. "I didn't know who you were, or why you came to us. A cream-furred Meowth is a sight never seen within these lands. We rarely ever get outside visitors. It's even rarer that they are allowed within this fortress. So forgive me if I appeared off-putting upon our first few meetings."
(You are…acting very off-putting right now.) Krista almost wished she said it out loud.
"Through all of your troubles, it's only suitable for you to come here…Krista." Grove lowered her head closer to the ground, just to properly meet Krista's eyes. "Pineno gave you your name, isn't that correct?"
"Yes. He did," Krista answered.
"And you like that name, don't you?"
"Yes…I do."
"So you do."
Grove closed her eyes, and she set her head down on the ground at last. With a heavy breath, the dust on the floor was blown back in a small cloud. So close—with matted fur and abraded horns—one of her ears was nicked. It was like a new but small trait was picked up every time Krista saw her. Even her steady breathing sounded winded by the mere act of laying down.
"I know you desire no pity from me, child," Grove said. "You are right to believe how no one will ever comprehend your position. Why did it happen to you? What happened the day before? There had to be some logical reason for it, you want to believe so. Maybe if you wait enough…the answers will come to you. Perhaps it was destiny. Or maybe, it was punishment."
She chuckled.
"All of those questions…I'm familiar with such questions. I've been familiar with them, for so…so long."
At first, Krista wanted to protest that she wasn't upset with Grove's sentiment.
But then, she saw Dusk's pained face in the pinnacle. She saw Howler in the library.
"You may find that they share a common experience. Or perhaps their words will enlighten you."
Then, there was understanding.
"You…have it too?"
Krista's words were a soft whisper. For a moment, there was only silence.
A gentle head tilt followed by an ear flick confirmed that Grove was still awake. "…A long time ago"
The weight of her words sunk. Krista wanted to say something, but she feared if she asked anymore questions, it would only hurt.
Grove's body shifted. Hooves struck the ground as she balanced her weight. Her towering presence was large, but there was no intimidating aura.
"You are far stronger than I was, Krista. I wasn't…so keen in trusting anyone I came across. I felt so lost…so afraid. But in a world like this, having someone to trust matters more than anything. Such a life is something not accepted by most people, but once you find it, it's the most sacred treasure of all, don't you think?"
Grove made her way towards the door.
"Pineno is a good friend to you, Krista. Cherish him. I know that he values you more than anything."
Krista watched her go. The door slid shut.
(Strange. All this time…I thought I was the only one…)
(…She said she forgot everything along time ago. It's hard to imagine. Did she regain any of her lost memories at all? What if…what if I'm stuck like this forever? What if I'll never remember anything? Is something like this really permanent?)
Krista stared at the door. There was…something else bugging her about Grove. She thought back about the conversation they just had…and then it clicked
(She said "people"! That's…that's a human term!)
To be Continued in Chapter 25.