Sir Aaron was grateful for the silence that echoed throughout the manor. Professor Gen, thankfully left after all the chaos she caused. The lads now rested in their temporary chambers. Though it wasn't willingly. Ash in particular wanted to wait until his cousins returned before retiring for the night, however the exhaustion of the caught up to him quickly. With the help of Mrs. Rose the knight managed to get the both of the older lads to bed. The twins were another story. Carter and Constance were inconsolable, thinking that they'll never get to see their sister again. The twins' cries broke Sir Aaron's heart but sadly he wasn't close enough to be much help, and Mrs. Rose was alone in tending to them.

As for the Knight himself, he honestly couldn't find it in him to be tired. He soul alit with too much righteous fury to find himself rest. Sir Aaron had seen many of domestic spats, usually between his own sister and mother, but even when Emily frustrated their mother, never in his life had Sir Aaron fathomed that mother despised Emily to the point of disowning her. The knight bit his lip, letting the taste of copper blood keep him from acting out in wrath. It's been hours since the altercation and he was still simmering.

However, it wasn't just the anger that was keeping the knight from his own slumber. Fear lingered in the back of his mind. The blackened chains and veil that surrounded Amanda's soul tightened and pulsed during the confrontation, dimming her spirit almost to shadow. The last time Sir Aaron had seen her aura in shut a state, blood was running down her arms. He needed to check on his niece just to be safe.

The guest wing was on the other side of the manor from where the permanent residents resided, so the knight had left Lucario to watch over the slumbering lads. Though, Sir Aaron could tell that his auratic partner preferred to stay. Riolu had remained in his poke ball for most of the night, letting the horrid mist be breathed in at the underground arena ware off. Ash decided to let the little one out for a bath after remembering the state of the place, and the pup was still rather lethargic. No doubt Riolu was now currently curled up with Lucario, and the thought warmed Sir Aaron's heart a little. Even when young guardians were matched with pups rather than adults, it was still required for the little ones to remain with their parents part time until three years of age. Riolu didn't have that. This was good for both of them.

Sir Aaron was unsure which door led to Amanda's bedroom, however closing his eyes he found...many souls present in a room on the left side of the wing. He opened the lavender colored door as quietly as he could, peeking inside. Seemed as if the knight wasn't the only one who wanted to check in. Amanda lay asleep on the bed, still dressed in the clothing she wore at dinner. Tucked in around her, was Lulu, Umbreon, Pichu, Roserade, and the twins, whom all of which were equally dead to the world. Looking at her aura, Sir Aaron was grateful that the black chains had loosened somewhat, and the veil thinned. It was no where near healthy, still very much inflamed with shadow, but it was better then before.

A quiet sigh sounded from the side of the bed. Riley sat slouched in a large armchair, head in his hands. Exhaustion bleeding from his very being. Absol laid on the soft carpet next to his feet, seemingly still awake.

"You should be in bed," Sir Aaron spoke quietly, crossed the threshold into the room.

"I know," Riley answered, looking towards his sister, "But…It's…it's just…" he sighed, running hand over his face.

"I know, we're all worried for her Riley," Sir Aaron spoke.

Silence settled for a moment, and Sir Aaron was tempted to let it continue, however there was too much that needed to be said.

"Are you alright?" The knight prodded.

"Probably not," Riley huffed, "I-I mean…I'm scared. I'm sad. But most of all I'm angry, like why didn't know about all this? Why didn't I know this was happening? Am I really that bad of a brother that I didn't think to check on my sister too see if she was, okay?" He stood up, and walked out of the room…

Sir Aaron and Absol followed the younger user with out much prompting, making sure to close the door behind them. The children didn't need to be woke up, but the incoming blow up.

"I could've come home at any time!" Riley continued, pacing the hall as he ranted, "I should've come back! Even if it was just for a day! But no! I was too busy selfishly chasing ghosts and a pipe dream!"

"Wanting to understand a part of yourself isn't selfish," Sir Aaron tried to cut in.

"Maybe it wasn't! But I shouldn't have made Mandy pay for it! I'm her big brother! I'm supposed to keep her safe! I promised I would when we were little, yet I left her with one worse than anything I could imagine," Riley swallowed, "Why did I let this happen?"

Sir Aaron stepped forward placing a gentle hand on his nephew's shoulder. Absol rubbing against the younger's leg, in comfort.

"You didn't let this happen," Sir Aaron said, "The only one responsible for all this is the witch who drove you and Amanda apart."

Riley jerked away, "Easy for you to say, you don't have a sister who's arms are covered with scars and a lived a life time of nightmares under your watch!"

Sir Aaron pulled away, trying hard not to flinch at the actuation. His nephew's rage was strong, rippling outward from his being. Though, the knight's recoiling was due to another reason. The elder bit his tongue, wondering how to sooth the situation.

"I did have a sister," Sir Aaron eventually settled on saying.

Riley's fury almost immediately dimmed.

"Her name was Emily," the knight continued, "She was married off, had no choice in what she became. The only thing she could choose was how her life ended, and she drove a dagger into her heart in the rose garden outside. I was stuck in rock. I didn't know. I couldn't save her."

Riley's mouth gaped mildly as Sir Aaron spoke, and it left the younger stammering, "I'm sorry…I-I shouldn't have said -"

"No, let me finish," Sir Aaron cut him off, "I understand your anger, Riley. I was unaware of Emily's suffering, and by the time I learned what happened…it was already too late. Amanda is still here, Riley. You have time to save her."

"I-I just…I don't know what to do…" Riley mumbled, leaning against the closest wall.

"Nor do I," Sir Aaron said reaching out to his nephew once more, "But sometimes we just need to take a step forward even if blind."

Night had fallen on Pallettown with the calmness that only a small town could achieve. Like most of the recent days, Delia was home alone. Her sink filled with the little dishes she used that day. She had eaten breakfast and lunch at the restaurant, and while she felt bad about it, those plates were looped in with the customers' and her staff washed them. Brown eyes looked down at the single plate, cup and fork coated in soapy sudds, with subtle sorrow. It seemed wrong to have so little to take care of.

Sure, Delia had her restaurant and her house hasn't technically been filled since the old Ketchums had passed, with just her and Ash living in it. However, sometimes her home was just so painfully empty. She hadn't really noticed it when Ash was little, but after he left for his journey, the quiet rooms became far more evident. Mimey helped, but now he was gone too. By now the empty home should be familiar, and in a way it was, but it wasn't pleasant to her. She had tried to talk with the other moms in the neighborhood about it, but most of them had multiple children, or had partners, so they didn't really understand.

Delia sighed as she finished drying the dishes. A sudden weariness washed over her. Maybe she should call it and early night. She had a meeting with some suppliers in the morning anyway.

She went to put the plate in the drying rack…and something didn't feel right. There was this quick pinch in her head and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. You know that feeling of being watched? Well Delia was feeling it in that moment. Trying not to be to obvious she wiped her hands on the dishtowel and calmly walked to her bed room. She made a quick trip to her dresser, but didn't grab any clothing.

Pallettown was usually a very safe place to live. Most people in the community were good folks, and didn't cause much trouble. However, that didn't mean Deila didn't have any form of protection for herself. She was still a single woman who lived on her own. It was a sad truth that her home would likely be the one robbed. Though, if any robber came here, she'd make them regret it. From behind her socks, she pulled out the small handgun she had gotten years ago. Mrs. Ketchum taught Delia to shoot as soon as she could leave Ash alone for a few hours. The world was in chaos at the time, but even in peace Delia never forgot those lessons.

She thought about hitting the emergency button on her phone, but it this was false alarm, she'd hate to waste the little police department that Pallet had. Her living room, and kitchen seemed to be the same, but there was this sense of something off. She tightened her hold on her firearm.

"If anyone is in here, come out," Delia spoke in an authoritative tone, "I'm armed, but I don't have to use this."

At first there wasn't an answer, and she almost breathed a sigh of relief. Then a deep throated chuckle echoed through out her home, sending ice up and down her spine.

"My, my, my, you certainly are a fiery one…" slithered a hallow voice.

Delia steeled herself, ready to defend her home, as she scanned the room, "Where are you? I'm still open to not pressing charges when the cops show up."

Someone laughed…right behind her.

Delia whirled around, smacking who ever it was with the heel of her gun, and backing away.

The man she hit let out a grunt at the contact with the cold metal barrel. However, he remained unmoved. Still towering over her and glaring with his empty black eyes. Snow hair caught a ray of moonlight from her window, but Delia didn't marvel at the color, only raised her firearm and continued to put distance between her and the intruder.

"And you've got the bite to go with your bark," The man grumbled, rubbing his cheek.

"I don't know who you are, or what you want, but you better get out of my home right now," Delia said.

The man hummed, not looking a bit intimidated, "Oh Madam, I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Oh, you will."

He laughed, and the sound made her feel sick, "I can see why he liked you."

A dark smoke suddenly seeped from his eyes, and Delia fired, however the bullet merely slipped through him as if made of shadow. Delia dropped her gun and bolted. She had to get to her neighbor's house. Find help, because this wasn't a normal break in that was for sure. However, the middle-aged woman barely got to her front door before blackened vines reached out an snagged her limps.

Struggling against the vine proved fruitless, and Delia didn't have the time to contemplate over the sudden appearance of a Venusuar in her living room. As the white-haired man crept closer to her, his teeth twisting into a smile.

"I can also see why father never approved of you," he purred.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Delia snapped. Was he psychotic?

"So you don't remember either," the man huffed, "Well, don't worry I'll explain in all due time."

"How about you get it over with and let me go," Delia said, with much sass.

The man chuckled, "You won't get away that easily."

A cold pale hand clamped down on to her forearm and Delia choked as pain flooded her vision. Cold heat stabbed her skin and heart. She lost control of herself, unable to feel or move her limbs. Her pulse almost being stopped and set on an uncomfortable forceful rhythm.

Delia was almost grateful for the relief of the void in unconsciousness.

A/N:

Yes, I gave delia a gun and no I don't regret it.