Chapter 58 – In Public

Nurse Blissey squeezed past the clogged halls of the hospital near the center of Kilo Village, balancing a Soft-Boiled egg in her tiny hands. It glowed with golden light. She quickly tossed it onto the Aggron that was in the corner of the room in one of the heavy-duty beds, made from reinforced stone, cotton, and thick sheets.

"Status on Aggron?" Blissey asked.

"She's stable," Incineroar replied, looking over at a small screen embedded into the stone. It had white text on a black screen, reading out various numbers and metrics based on countless other devices—mostly for precaution—that surrounded Step's general area.

Step groaned, trying to move one of her icy arms.

"Please don't move, Ma'am," said Incineroar.

"Where… am I?"

"You are at Kilo Hospital. You're under good wings."

"The others…"

"They are fine, too," Incineroar said. "You sustained the most damage, so we're taking care of you. Don't worry about anything else."

"The Hunter…"

"The person you were fighting is gone. Don't worry about it."

"I need to go," Step said, rising up—but something kept her from moving. "What…" She looked at her arms. Strange, black fabric made from some ethereal material wrapped around her. "What is this?!"

"Stay calm. We're just restricting your movement so you don't further hurt yourself or others."

"Hurt others?! I shall make you my first victim, you—"She angled her wrist toward Incineroar, who stared with indifferent, calm eyes. Step fired a weak beam of ice at him as a warning shot. A golden light blocked the beam completely, Incineroar crossing his arms with a deft, routine movement. Step was positive he was trying to suppress an eyeroll.

"Don't think you can Protect against the next one," Step hissed.

"Mm. I won't need to," Incineroar said.

A new light behind Step caught her eyes, opposite of Incineroar. The black fabric had originated from a Wobbuffet, centralized at the base of its blue, bulbous form. "Sorry," Wobbuffet said meekly.

"What did you do to me?" Step said. She growled and focused entirely on Wobbuffet this time, channeling her aura for a Blizzard to freeze everyone over. That was much easier. Yet… the strike never came. She couldn't tap into it at all. Blizzard was simply not there.

But she knew Ice Beam worked. She held her other palm toward the Wobbuffet, drawing from her aura to launch another. But then a blue light enveloped her next, and the charge faded in an instant. "What—"

A purple shadow emerged from the ground, solidifying into a Gengar. "C'mon, seriously? Just keep it together. We're trying to help you here." His eyes glowed with blue light.

"Just so you aren't panicked, we're keeping you from trying to escape and cause more trouble," Incineroar said, pointing at the Aggron's arms. "Wobbuffet's Shadow Tag prevents any motions of escape. If you moved to try to cooperate, it will let you. But once you try moving to run away, you'll be pinned down. Don't do that." He then pointed to Wobbuffet. "Also, he used Encore on you, blocking your aura channels from switching openings. You can only use the last technique that your aura tuned itself toward. Looked like an Ice Beam. Then,"—he pointed to Gengar—"we Disabled the one remaining channel."

"Why such elaborate security?!" Step hissed. "Let me go!"

"Because you just snowed over half of the crater," Incineroar said dully.

"Do you really think these bounds will restrict me so easily?! I'll—I can so easily break free if I pleased!"

"Oh, by all means, break if you wish," Incineroar said with a shrug. "You're too weak to do anything. Look at your aura readings." He tapped at the screen. Step didn't understand what any of the numbers or abbreviations meant. "How about this," he said. "If you calm down, we'll let your kids and your mate come in to see you. I don't know what sort of strange variety of Pokémon you are to be made entirely of ice, but they told me you're from the northwestern tundra. I buy it."

Step glared at Incineroar. "What is wrong with me?"

"Mentally or physically?" At the glare, he went on, "Well, it used to be horrible injuries, but you seemed to have healed yourself up just fine from that. Somehow. A Soft-Boiled egg took care of what remained. Now, we're just dealing with some aura strain. I've never seen something this unstable before. It's like your aura's ready to leap out of your body. Or… well… I don't know what else to make of it. It's almost like your body and aura are blended together."

"Hmph. That isn't anything to worry about. I feel perfectly fine."

"I'm sure you are," Incineroar said. "Do you want to see your family or not?"

Step growled. She settled down, muttering to herself about her own uselessness.

"Then please, don't make this any more difficult. At the rate of your recovery, you'll be released by tomorrow morning."

"Unacceptable!" Step's energy returned again. "Release me now! There is no time for such foolishness!"

Incineroar sighed. "Gengar. Hypnosis."

"You got it." Gengar said, eyes glowing purple.

"Such pathetic tricks won't work on me," Step said, staring Gengar right in the eyes. "You may have blocked my aura, but I refuse to fall asleep. Allow me to see my family. Where are they?"

Gengar and Step locked eyes. The purple glow intensified. Step glared harder. Gengar shifted his weight, frowning uncomfortably.

"They're waiting in the lobby," said Incineroar after Gengar gave up.

"Would've gotten you next time," Gengar said in a mumble.

"Then you'll settle down?" Incineroar asked.

"I suppose I don't have a choice," Step said, puffing a bit of frosty air into her blanket. After a long silence, she eventually turned her head until her snout dug into the fabric she was resting on. The softness against her steel hide perplexed her. "What is this? Cotton?"

"Yes. Well, wool, I suppose. Or cotton-wool. I didn't really look into what Mareep shed with a Cotton Spore technique, but they make very good fabric."

"Mom?"

Step suddenly turned her head, realizing that the black ribbons that covered her arms gave no resistance. "Kana," she said, sitting up.

"Easy," Incineroar said.

Step obeyed, slowly getting into a sitting position. "Cent," she greeted the second Kommo-o and then nodded to the third. "Ra. You're all okay?"

"We are," Ra replied. "And you?"

Step looked down. "I am not," she said. "I failed against some sort of… creature, and a Hunter. It was disgraceful."

"It was," Ra said, nodding.

"Dad?!" Kana said.

Ra raised his arm. "But," he went on, "you did far better than any of the others. There was something… wrong with that creature. I do not know what it was. But the feeling I got—and what Star told us…"

"Souls." Step nodded. "What did she mean? I can't hear her any longer. She must have traveled to the others to tell them the news."

"Whatever it is," Ra said, "it had her incredibly shaken, and not merely because of how frigid your Ice Realm is." Ra sat on the bedside. Kana and Cent sat across from Ra. "That monstrosity truly frightened her. But now, you must rest."

"Yeah, rest!" Enet said.

Gengar and Wobbuffet shouted in surprise at the sudden, abrupt appearance of Enet in the middle of the room.

Incineroar growled. "Who are you, and how did you get here?"

"Zoroark," Enet nodded, pointing a claw into her furry chest. "And… Zoroark." She clicked her claws together, disappearing.

"Do not worry," Step said. "She is friendly."

Incineroar grumbled something about the place becoming too crowded. "Do not cause trouble," he said. "I don't understand all of your strange freak-show talents, but right now, it's my job to make sure you make a full recovery. None of you put Aggron in any stress."

"No stress!" Enet agreed, reappearing.

"Enet," Step said. "What of ADAM and Jerry?"

"Zzz is okay," Enet said. "Jerry, um…"

"Jerry left to help Spice check on all the buildings to make sure nobody else got hurt," Ra said. "You indeed filled most of the town with snow. It's a good thing the runoff system for rain can handle the water melting."

"Hmph. They're lucky that they have to deal with snow and not total annihilation by the Espurr."

"How in the world is an adorable little Espurr a danger to all of Kilo?" Incineroar said, shrugging. "I see her walking through town all the time at this time of day. She's probably just shy of all the bustle of the mornings and evenings when most Hearts are preparing for missions." He shook his head. "Don't cause trouble. I need to check on another room. Our staff can't handle this influx that you created. Will you guys take care of this?" He looked to Wobbuffet and Gengar. They both nodded—in Wobbuffet's case, his black tail did.

Incineroar left, leaving Step and the others to brood.

Enet tapped her claw on Step's arm. "Okay?" she asked.

"Hm? Yes, Enet, I'm just fine. My aura is weak, but as you can see, Ra can still maintain himself, as can my kids." She looked at her. "Enet, you were seriously harmed. How are you here, now?"

"Healed!" Enet said, nodding. "With… that!" She pointed at the Blissey across the hall tossing a golden, egg-shaped wad of light toward another patient.

"Oh, I see," Step said. "Blissey are wonderful healers. Though, I imagine it is nothing compared to the mutant Meganium." She smirked. "Well. In any case. I suppose I will rest." She let her body drop back onto the cotton, sinking a few feet inside.

Peace and quiet returned to the Ice and Electric guardians.

Just down the hall, with his beak buffed out and repaired, ADAM flailed in protest. "I do not require further assistance. I am… optimal!"

"Sir, sir, it is okay. You do not have to struggle! We only want to check on your inner workings." A second Porygon-Z bobbed worriedly on ADAM's right.

A Rotom was on the left, buzzing uncertainly. "There is something strange about your circuitry. Perhaps you loaded the incorrect programs?"

"No such programs are incorrect! I am fully operational. Optimal! All unit tests passed!"

"He's talking kinda weird," Porygon-Z said.

"You kinda talk like that if we hit you on the head hard enough," Rotom said.

"Perhaps he's concussed," Z said. "Well, no matter. Fellow kin, would you mind, uh… holding still? We're going to try to do a system patch."

"You do not have the necessary user permissions."

"Sorry, not a choice. That fight must've banged you up pretty bad." Z nodded to Rotom. His body crackled and jittered, plunging into Z's body. He shivered, "Urgh—okay. Okay, that's good. Digitizing… now!" Z, possessed by Rotom, became nothing but a crackling streak of colored lights. He shot directly into ADAM's chest.

He let out a blaring alarm again, buzzing and screaming with his head spinning rapidly atop his body. "ACCESS DENIED!" he roared. "MALWARE DETECTED!"

"What on Kilo is going on in here?!" Incineroar stormed in. He quickly ducked, narrowly dodging a wad of floating frost crystals. Upon hitting the wall, they exploded and left behind a chunk of ice. By his feet, a ball of electricity crackled and exploded in the same way. Going right for his chest was a ball of fire. Incineroar grabbed it and threw it to the ground, grunting.

ADAM blared klaxons, shouting again about malware, viruses, and unauthorized access. Incineroar rushed out to call for Gengar, but instead ran into an Aerodactyl.

"Ugh—sorry," Incineroar said.

"What's going on?" Spice asked, standing just behind Jerry. "And what's that noise?!"

"Sounds like the tweaking Porygon," Jerry mumbled.

"Porygon-Z," Spice said. "Don't get lazy with their names. They get really offended."

"Yeah, sure." Jerry rolled his eyes.

"The Normal Guardian appears to be in distress," said a creature just behind Jerry and Spice.

Incineroar blinked. "What in the world are you supposed to be?"

The canid Zygarde nodded. "Hello. I am here on assignment. Pay me no mind."

"Yeah, while we were checking out the houses for anybody else that may've been injured," Jerry said, "he said he'd like to accompany us for some business we had. Don't worry about Zygarde. Besides, according to the legend, these guys aren't that strong in this form."

Incineroar stared. "Zygarde. Of the Legends. Here." He looked at the canine, then at erry. "…Fine. I need to check on other patients anyway. That Blizzard really did a number of some folks. Zygarde, don't cause any trouble."

"Understood, Phol." Hecto bowed.

"Incineroar. Keep it formal."

"Apologies."

Jerry peeked inside just in time to see Rotom and Z slam into the wall, dizzy. ADAM then flew through the hospital, alarms on an eternal repeat.

Spice rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I see what you mean by tweaking," she said. "Is he always like this?"

"I've only known him for a day and, yes, he's always like this," Jerry said.

Rotom and Z twitched, barely conscious.

"It's like a… Dungeon in there…" Rotom said.

"Guess he couldn't fix his software," Spice said.

"Software?" Jerry repeated.

"That's the term their kind use," Spice said. "It's kinda like their brains, I think. They must've thought your friend had, um…"

"Corrupted files," Z said. "So many… corrupted files…"

"ADAM is not a standard Porygon-Z," Hecto explained, turning his unblinking, hexagon-eyes toward Step's direction.

Rotom's body fizzled. "I think I'm gonna throw up."

"Guess we should track down Mr. Corrupted," Spice said.

"Do we have to?" Jerry said.

"Doesn't matter. He ran off toward Aggron's room, and I wanted to have a word with her anyway," Spice said, tapping him on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's go."

"I, too, would like to speak to the Guardians all at once," Hecto said.

"Okay." Jerry pointed a wing at the Zygarde angrily. "what's your deal? I've never seen you until now."

"I am Star's eyes," Hecto said. "I watch. However, due to the extreme circumstances, I am here to interfere and report. I suppose in that sense, I am now her paws."

"Well, don't interfere with me," Spice said. "I need to give that Aggron a little taste of the law."

"You aren't seriously going to arrest her, are you?" Jerry said. "Once Anam finds out about this, she's gonna be let off with a warning, at most."

"Doesn't matter. Nobody's above the law, and she just iced over half of Kilo Village. That kind of destruction can't go unpunished."

"Fine, fine, your funeral," Jerry said. He followed after Spice, mumbling, "Consider yourself lucky nobody got killed. Though a few homes are gonna need to be rebuilt…"

They entered the emergency room—something that, at first, startled Jerry. His eyes darted around at the familiar scenery, heart racing for only a few seconds. He gulped, looking down.

"Hey," Spice said, holding his shoulder. "It's alright." She stepped in and waved down Wobbuffet. "Is Aggron doing okay?"

"She's doing better," Gengar answered for him. His eyes briefly focused on the crackling scar on Spice's chest, but after a fierce glare by the Salazzle, Gengar averted his eyes. "Aura is still giving off weird readings, but the stability is going up, so that's all we're worried about. And, uh… you, uh… hey. Are you another one of those weird Pokémon?"

"Hello," Hecto said. "Do not mind me. Finish your interactions."

"Hi, Jerry!" One of the Kommo-o cheerfully waved at the Aerodactyl.

"Eh, hi," Jerry said.

"…Okay," Spice said, staring at Jerry. "Why are there three living ice sculptures of Kommo-o in the hospital with an Aggron the same way?"

"I told you," Jerry said, "you don't want to get involved in all this. You think this is weird? Just wait. The second you see Anam for how he really is, you'll start reconsidering if you want to retire early."

"Oh, please," Spice said, looking at the four. "I think it's interesting. Besides, I already know there's some crazy darkness about Anam."

"…Excuse me?" Jerry said. "What? No. He's a happy bundle of immortal slime, not—"

"No, there's more," Spice said, looking at Jerry. "What you're telling me just confirms it. Hmph… anyway. You. Aggron."

"Yes?" Step said.

"You do know that you are under arrest for disturbing the peace, property damage, and negligent use of aura, right?"

"I care little for your laws," Step said. "I saved your lives."

"Seven Pokémon were seriously injured and fifty more suffered minor injuries," Hecto reported monotonously. "Additionally, three buildings were completely demolished, and approximately a quarter of all Kilo Village properties are partially flooded."

Spice nodded. "Yeah, about that,"—She flexed her claws in a wave-like motion—"you attacked first. I was there, and I saw the whole thing. That Espurr was buying groceries. She showed zero signs of aggression. Everything she did was in self-defense. I don't know what kind of crazy powers she had, but whatever feud you have, your mistake was taking it to Kilo Village. I'm sorry, but we're going to have to take you in."

"Bold of you to assume you can subdue her," Ra spoke up with a scowl. "My mate could overpower you all if she wished. She is only behaving this way to be cordial."

"Strong!" Enet said.

Spice blinked at Enet. She prodded Jerry again. "Is she—"

"Feral, yeah. Not sure how she's talking."

Spice shook her head, finally spotting ADAM spinning his head in the corner, muttering something about defragmenting.

Spice rubbed her head. "Look, I'm not gonna question it. You're made of ice, apparently an Aggron and a Kommo-o can be mates, and ferals can talk. Got it. Today I learned a lot. But the point is, Aggron, if you want to lighten any of your punishments, and if what Jerry's saying is true about Anam giving you some kind of pardon, then you'll cooperate with us. How does that sound?"

"Trust me, Step," Jerry said, "just work with her. It'll be better this way. Besides, we aren't taking you out now, right?"

"No, we can't discharge her," Gengar said. "Her aura is still unstable, and we'd like to keep an eye on her in case she needs another Soft-Boiled treatment."

Spice nodded. "Alright, that's fine. Then how about this. Is she fine now?"

"We were told to keep an eye on her because she was being… uncooperative."

"And rightfully so, restraining her like that," Ra snarled. "I have half a mind to strike you all."

"V-violent threats are going to just increase your charges," Gengar said.

"Hey, you guys need to tone it down," Cent said, tapping Ra on the head. He flinched and growled at her, but Cent held her glare. "These guys live to help you. The least you can do is be grateful. You're just being a nuisance." She looked at Step. "Both of you. You're being awful patients right now. Try having some dignity."

"Dignity?" Ra said. "How is this any—"

Cent flicked Ra on the snout, earning a surprised snort. "Dignity," Cent said again. "Learn to accept help. Enough of that stupid Dragon pride."

Ra opened his mouth partway to retort, but no words emerged. He glanced at Step.

The Aggron huffed a cloud of snowflakes and turned away. "Very well."

Gengar blinked. "…You… sound familiar," he said to Cent.

"I—I do?" Cent asked, flinching. "What're you talking about?"

"You know, I don't really know for sure," Gengar said. "Wait. Your mother—no offense, but, your biological mother—did she happen to work here once?"

Cent blinked. She pointed to Step. "She's my biological mom, sorry."

"But… you're a Kommo-o."

"Yeah, because of my dad."

"But… that's not… how…"

"It's complicated," Cent dismissed.

Gengar frowned, but then his eyes glimmered. "Oh, I get it. Transfer Orb, right? That must've cost a pretty Poké."

"Guess it's kinda bad that everybody knows we exist," Kana whispered to Cent. "What're we supposed to do?! Star can't erase all their memories! And Nevren can't, either, right? That was the thing he usually did? But Mom iced the town! And now we're here!"

Spice groaned. "Maybe I should retire early," she mumbled. "Hey, Gengar, Wobbuffet. Go tend to the other patients. I don't think Aggron's going to cause any trouble for now. Looks like she's content enough with just having her family around. And if she does cause trouble," Spice said, winking at them, "I'll take care of it."

That, it seemed, was enough. They left to tend to other patients more in need of their help.

Step finally relaxed, deflating against her mate when the black fabric dissolved around her. "It has been a while," said Step, "since I felt so… weakened."

"More recent for me," Ra said, clearing his throat. He made an uneasy glance at Enet.

The Zoroark growled at him.

"Hello, Zoroark," Ra said.

"Enet," she replied, growling.

"Right, of course. Enet. Star gave you that name, didn't she?"

"Nice Star. Mean you."

Ra snorted. "Ironic."

"Dumb word!" Enet said. "Glad you're dead!"

"I feel very alive," Ra said. "Death only comes to a spirit that has given up!"

"Then give up!"

"Enough," Step boomed, rubbing her head. "You bicker like children. Enet,"—she pointed at her—"Ra means you no harm. He made mistakes in his past that he has already paid for with the end of his life. And with his death, he remains in my company. I apologize that you were forced into the Guardian life, but the true person you should blame for your circumstances is Star, not my mate."

Enet growled, sticking her nose in the air. "Mean."

Ra sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Is she always like this?" he asked Jerry.

"How should I know?" He looked to Spice. "Look, I don't know the full story here, but as crazy as these guys seem, Step's one of the more reasonable ones. So, if she attacked Espurr, there's a good reason for it. Right?"

"Absolutely," Step said. "She is a Hunter. She attempted to kill me only one day ago with her mutant subjects."

"Mutant?" Spice repeated. "Wait—you mean those freakish Pokémon that've killed Kiloans? We're still rebuilding Milli Town out east…"

"Exactly those," Jerry said. "Back when I first got arrested, I ran into some crazy Snorlax that was more muscle than fat. I don't think I could've run away faster. Felt like a Ninjask. That thing could've turned me into dirt with one punch. Of course I got out of there."

"Comforting," Spice said with a mumble. She then addressed Step again. "So, she's the leader of the mutants that have been causing trouble in certain areas? You know, we've had to clear out and evacuate small villages because of that. We even lost Granbull Jin—Mew rest his spirit—last year to one that came too close to Kilo Village."

Jerry nodded. "Yes. She's behind it. And I met another one of them, too, back when I was getting, uh, treated." He tugged at his scarf to make sure it was still on tight. "His name is Eon. And he's even stronger than Rim. I don't know why she's here in Kilo Village, but I don't think she should be allowed inside. When I see that slime dragon again, I'm gonna ask him if he knew about this…"

"Mm. And what about that… thing that was with her? I saw a glimpse of it. Like it was transforming into different things, but then it became some kind of… mashed up version of a bunch of different Pokémon, all at once. What was that?"

"An abomination," Step said.

Hecto cleared his throat.

"It coughed up souls!" Cent spoke up, not hearing Hecto. "That's… Why would something have more than one soul inside it!?"

"Well, figure that's possible with Team Alloy if they fuse," Jerry said, "but yeah. Not like that. If those golden lights really are souls, I gotta wonder why. Actually, second question: when you say soul, are you talking about that Book of Arceus junk? That stuff's actually real?"

"I gotta hear this," Spice said, leaning forward with interest. "No offense to Arceus followers, but Mew's more my kind of Pokémon, if you get what I'm saying."

"Nobody's really surprised by that," Jerry said. He yelped when Spice's tail whipped him on his lower back.

"Go on?" she asked Step.

Step shrugged. "The concept is strange to me as well. Body, aura, spirit, they are all layers to us. That is all I know. Perhaps some are the same. I did not pay attention to Star's explanation since it has little relevance to my daily life."

"Perhaps now it's relevant," Ra said. "If the Hunters are creating a creature that can contain countless souls inside, there must be a reason, just as there's a reason to be creating mutants that can fuse together. Seeing as that thing was able to so easily strike Step down… perhaps this is the next step in the Hunters' inventions."

"Comforting," Step growled. "Perhaps that is why Star was so upset."

"Star?" Spice finally asked.

"Oh, just Mew," Jerry replied with a casual wave of his wing.

"Oh, okay." Spice rolled her eyes. "Why not."

"Excuse me."

Heads turned toward the entrance.

"Oh, right, you. Zygarde. You kinda blend into the background, don't you?" Jerry said. "I forgot you were here."

"That is generally my role," said Hecto. "My name is Zygarde Hecto. I am Star's eyes, but at the moment, I am here as her mouth. She is traveling across the ethereal forest to find the others, and tasked me with communicating the rest of her words."

"This day just gets better and better," Spice said. "The Legendary Zygarde… well, part of him, at least. You're a lot smaller than the Book says you are."

Hecto continued, undeterred. "Star neglected to inform the newcomer Guardians—as she thought such a situation would not arise—that Rim occasionally visits Kilo Village under an ancient treaty between the Hearts and the Hunters. They visit for luxuries and other goods to keep the mutants at bay. In exchange, they assist in retaining, controlling, and capturing mutants, rather than unleashing them."

"Wait," Kana said, "so Rim… really was just here on errands?"

"That is the general opinion."

Step clicked her claws against her arms. "Mm. A treaty. Why was I not informed of this?"

"Star is quite absentminded. She did not consider Rim crossing paths. Additionally, the actual treaty was only known by a select few, typically Nevren, Rhys, Elder, and Anam. Rhys and Elder have been involved with one another, and Nevren and Anam were not present. I apologize for not informing you in time, but I was trapped under the snow as well."

"Do you just wander the town and we've never seen you?" asked Spice.

"This was a rare arrival," Hecto said. "Strange activities have been making Star antsy, so I have been visiting more often. Additionally, I was assigned to inform you that the chimeric creature you encountered is known as Silvally. I know little else." Hecto's hexagon eyes flashed once. "Additionally, I recommend returning back to Hot Spot so we can discuss these new developments."

Two mutants lounged near the entrance to Quartz HQ. One was a Sceptile with a long, winding tail, like a serpent covered in sharp, leafy blades. Another was an Ampharos whose body pulsed in waves of cyan electricity, starting from the head and ending at the tail.

The air smelled vaguely salty from the nearby ocean that surrounded the small island. Their landscape was a field of white sand dotted with grass and palm trees. Behind them was the entrance to a small cave leading underground, marked by a stairway, as well as a large hillside of yellow grass.

A gentle breeze shifted the sharp leaves on Sceptile's tail. "Hey," Sceptile said. "I'm sorry."

"Hmph." Ampharos turned his head away.

"I didn't mean it, okay? I didn't know that was the last slice."

"You could've asked."

"I thought there was another box, okay? I'm sorry."

"You knew it was my favorite flavor." He sniffled.

"I—I know I did, I…" Sceptile bit his claw nervously. "What can I do to make it up to you?"

Ampharos flicked his tail, sending sparks toward Sceptile. "Today's my chore day," Ampharos said. "You're doing it. Then I'll forgive you."

He slammed his hands together. "Okay! It's done!"

"Good." Ampharos looked ahead. "…And I'm sorry I scorched your comic book."

Before Sceptile could reply, Rim appeared in front of them, battered and bleeding, with Lavender right behind her, barely able to contain the souls within his mouth. Behind Lavender came a haphazard assortment of groceries and goods.

"H-help," Lavender said.

They sprung to their feet. "Mom!" they both cried.

Rim's breathing was weak, and she could barely look up.

"G-get Dad!" Lavender begged.

They obeyed without question, sprinting into the lab, screaming at the top of their lungs for Eon.

It took far too long in Eon's opinion for him to reach the surface. He, as an Espurr, flew out with the power of wind, kicking up a cloud of sand. Lavender transformed into a Golem and stood in front of Rim, blocking the incoming blast. He then rolled to the side to allow Eon immediate access.

"Rim! Rim, what happened?!" He clutched her fur, but then flinched when he saw how much of her blood had soaked into it. "You're practically half mortal! W-wait, let me—" He held her shoulders firmly and channeled energy into her.

Rim gasped weakly, holding out her paw. Eon gulped, paws shaking. She saw the huge tears soaking the fur on the impostor Espurr's cheeks. "I'm okay," Rim said weakly, forcing a smile.

"You're far from okay," Eon said, but then looked at Lavender, who was holding his mouth shut.

"Lavender—why were you in your Silvally form? Never do that! It's not stable yet!"

"I'm sorry!" Lavender said, three souls spilling out of his mouth. He snapped his jaws around each one, struggling to swallow.

"You tried to fight," Eon said. "Why?! I said not to—"

"The mean Aggron fought first!" Lavender said, sniffling. "M-Mom woulda been even more hurt!"

Eon stared at Rim next. She looked away.

"It was just groceries. It was just groceries in Kilo. Did—did that treaty mean nothing to Anam?!"

"She didn't know…"

Eon shakily held Rim, waiting for her to breathe easier. "Rim, is that what happened? Lavender—go inside and put on your Sealer."

"O-okay. Okay." Lavender shambled inside, turning into a Scolipede again to roll as quickly as he could.

Eon watched Rim's wounds slowly close. He heard slithering behind him and looked back. "Dad, do you need me for any help?" It was a mutant Meganium, vines writhing with worry.

"Please," Eon said, standing aside.

"M-Mom…!" She rushed forward and wrapped her vines around Rim, channeling healing energy into her. With barely a piece of her vine consumed, Rim was back at top health, though her aura was still depleted.

"Take her inside," Eon said, staring with wide eyes. "Please… make sure she's okay."

"Okay. B-but where are you going?" Meganium asked.

"This—this is too much," Eon said, paws shaking. "I'm—I'm done. I can't let this go on. This was too close, too—" He swallowed, trying to stay composed for his child. "Don't worry about me. I'm leaving to see one of your older brothers, that's all."

"Okay," Meganium said. "But, Dad, who—"

"Please, take Rim inside. She needs rest."

"Okay—okay." Meganium lifted Rim onto her back and slid into the underground lab.

Eon stared forward. "This is all wrong," he said, his body slowly shifting to the mutant Charizard's form. "This is too much. It's… too much. I'm not waiting. Two weeks… Nevren's just going to rush me. I'm ending this now."

He held the Badge in his hands, closing his eyes. "Owen…" And then, he was gone.