AN. Hope you enjoyed that emotional kick to your proverbial and metaphorical testicles also sorry for the late upload was busy today. and was unable to access my computer.
Le village des Chacals
The sun had barely risen when we set off, the forest still draped in the soft, muted hues of dawn. A thin mist lingered, a ghostly veil over the ground, clinging to the underbrush and casting the world in a dreamlike glow. The air was cool, crisp; carrying the scent of pine needles and damp earth—a refreshing change from the stale, musky confinement of the cave that had served as my shelter.
Luna walked beside me, silent and graceful, her movements so fluid it was as if she were a shadow slipping through the trees. I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly she navigated the terrain, a creature born of the wild, while I felt like a bumbling tourist, occasionally stumbling over errant roots or ducking beneath branches.
For this journey, I packed light, bringing only my spear and a woven sack filled with berries I'd gathered earlier. Despite their squishy nature, they had held up surprisingly well, and I figured they'd save us the trouble of foraging along the way. The dense forest closed in around us, and I found myself once again grateful for my body's newfound night vision. The world around me was painted in shades of violet, every detail crisp and sharp in the dim light. It felt as though I'd stumbled into a realm of magic, where even the most mundane of things had a certain otherworldly vibrancy.
The silence between us was not quite comfortable but far from tense, thick with unspoken thoughts. I could sense that Luna had something on her mind, but I wasn't sure if I should break the quiet. Eventually, she did, her voice soft but teasing. "You're awfully quiet for someone who usually can't stop talking."
I smirked, adjusting the strap of my pack. "Just trying to enjoy the peace before you start drilling me with more training. Thought I'd save my energy-you know, for when you inevitably drag me into another spar."
She let out a soft huff, not quite a laugh but close enough. "Oh, please. You could use the practice. Last time, I barely broke a sweat."
"Hey, in my defense, you've had a lifetime of training, and I'm still getting used to thi-." I clamped my jaw shut. 'That was close. Need to be more careful of what I say.' The audible click of my teeth clamping together earned an ear twitch from her. I didn't need to read her aura to know she was curious. Trying to steer the conversation, I continued, "But seriously, no ambushes today, right? I'm still sore from that last surprise Aura Sphere you 'accidentally' threw my way."
Her tufts flicked forward, eyes narrowing playfully. "Accidentally? If I wanted to hit you, Jack, trust me, you'd know." This earned a chuckle as I shook my head. "Good to know I'm still alive because you're going easy on me."
Luna's eyes softened for a moment, her lips twitching into the faintest of smiles. But then, her expression grew serious, her gaze drifting ahead as the forest thickened around us. "I wasn't just testing you back then, you know. I needed to know your limits—to set your training beyond them."
I slowed my pace, sensing that this was leading somewhere important. "And? Did I pass your not-a-test?"
"You did," she said simply, her voice steady. "You've proven yourself more than once. In your resilience, strength, and character. You've earned my trust, Jackson... It's one of the reasons I'm comfortable with the idea of you knowing where my village is."
I nodded, feeling an unexpected swell of pride at her words. "Well, I'm honored to have passed the Luna trial." I said in a grandiose manner, my tone filled with mock pride before shifting to something more earnest. "Honestly, I'm glad you trust me, and… I've got your back."
The forest path began to narrow, the canopy thickening above us, blocking out much of the morning light. Luna moved with the ease of someone who knew these woods intimately, while I relied on my enhanced vision to keep from tripping over roots or getting slapped by low-hanging branches.
Curiosity finally got the better of me. "Luna, back when we first met, you were on some kind of mission, right? I didn't ask before because… well, you were pretty banged up, and it didn't seem right. But now that we're heading back to your village, I've gotta know—what were you doing out here alone?"
She hesitated, her ears flicking back slightly as if the memory weighed on her. "It was a reconnaissance mission," she began slowly. "Our scouts noticed unusual disruptions in the migration patterns of various Pokémon. Some arriving too early, some too late, and others not at all. It seemed like a minor issue at first, but my father believed there was something more behind it."
I listened intently as she continued, her voice carrying a hint of frustration. "He sent me to investigate. I was supposed to find out what was causing the disturbance and, if possible, resolve it. It wasn't long before I discovered the cause—a Tyranitar had taken up residence in the area, disrupting the balance. I thought I could handle it, but... you know how that turned out."
There was a note of bitterness in her voice, and without thinking, I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, the warmth of her silken fur soothing against my flesh. "Hey, we all make mistakes. The important thing is that you did something. You didn't hesitate when the time came to protect your own."
She looked at me, her eyes softening, and for a moment, the weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. "You're right," she admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that I failed. I couldn't even report the source of the disturbance."
Before I could respond, Luna froze, her ears twitching as she scanned the surroundings. The usual forest sounds had gone eerily quiet, and a chill ran down my spine. I tightened my grip on my spear, my senses on high alert. "What is it?" I whispered.
One moment, I was staring at the alert jackal—her brow furrowed, eyes narrowed, and ears pinned back. The next, she was gone, a streak of cobalt vanishing into the treeline. I snapped into motion, quickly following her, ducking and weaving through the dense underbrush.
The forest rushed past us as we sprinted through the thicket of trees. Luna was a blur, weaving effortlessly between the trees, her movements precise and calculated. I pushed myself to keep up, every stride propelled by the enhanced strength of my new body. But something about the urgency in her movements unsettled me. 'Had something spooked her?'
Branches clawed at my arms, the air heavy with the scent of pine and damp moss. The faint thrum of rushing water grew louder in the distance. The trail narrowed, roots twisting like veins across the ground, and Luna was barely a smear in the distance when she abruptly stopped at the edge of the treeline.
"Why are we stopping?" I managed to ask, trying to catch my breath.
"Look," she said, her voice softer now, as she gestured beyond the trees.
The sight stole the air from my lungs.
The forest ended in a clearing that opened up to a view of unimaginable beauty. Looming before us was a mountain, its snow-capped peak glistening like a crown in the mid-morning sun. The pristine white faded into jagged gray bands of stone, harsh but mesmerizing, before softening into vibrant green slopes that blanketed the lower reaches.
And nestled at the base of the mountain, as if cradled by its massive arms, was a village.
The village was simple yet breathtaking. Wooden homes, their thatched roofs spewing tendrils of smoke from their chimneys, dotted the landscape. Lucario and their younger counterparts, Riolu, seemed to be the most common occupants as streaks of azure moved about with purpose, their sleek forms weaving through the pathways that crisscrossed the settlement, while the other forms were diverse, both in colour and shape, to the point to where there species weren't discernable at this distance.
A river cut through the village's heart, its waters crystal clear, reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding forest. Wooden bridges arched gracefully over its flow, connecting parts of the village like threads stitching together a tapestry of life. The sound of rushing water and faint laughter carried on the breeze, a serene melody in stark contrast to the chaos of the forest behind us.
"It's… incredible," I murmured, unable to look away.
Luna stood beside me, her posture proud but her expression unreadable. Her crimson eyes flicked over the scene below, lingering on the village before drifting up the mountain.
"It's home," she said, her tone low, almost reverent.
The village didn't stop at the base of the mountain. A winding path, carved into the mountain's side, led upward to where older, grander structures clung to the rocky slope. These buildings, made of stone and weathered by time, exuded an air of history and importance. Moss climbed their foundations, and their intricate designs spoke of a culture deeply rooted in the land.
"Those buildings…" I said, pointing toward them. "They look ancient."
"They are," Luna replied. "The higher you go, the older they become. That's where the council meets, where my family's home is." Her voice faltered slightly, and for a moment, her usual stoic demeanor cracked.
I glanced at her, catching the subtle vulnerability in her expression. She wasn't just leading me to a village—she was returning to a place that held more weight than she cared to admit.
I turned back to the view, letting it sink in. The snow-capped peak against the sky, the vibrant green of the forest embracing the village, the serene river carving its way through the heart of it all—it was a picture of balance, a harmony I'd never known before.
Luna shifted beside me, her focus sharpening once more. "We should move. We're close, but we're not safe yet."
I nodded, reluctantly tearing my gaze away. "Lead the way."
She didn't wait for the response, taking off down the slope with her usual grace. I waited a moment longer, trying to sear the image into my mind, before turning to follow.
BOOM!
My head snapped toward the sound, and my heart sank as the once serene view was shattered by a plume of smoke rising from a couple of buildings near the outskirts of the settlement. The occupants, who had moved with order and purpose moments ago, were now in a panic, scrambling in all directions. My eyes caught movement among the smoke—a flash of- something, but I couldn't quite make it out before a second explosion rocked the village.
Before I could process what was happening, Luna's voice sliced through the chaos, urgent and commanding: "Jackson, we need to go NOW!"
By the time I arrived, Luna and several other Lucario were locked in combat with the intruders, their movements a blur of battle. The attackers were a nightmarish force: black-furred quadrupeds with bone-like protrusions that jutted from their ebony coats, their eyes glowing like molten lava. Flames danced from their snarling muzzles, bathing their immediate surroundings in an eerie, flickering light. Beside them lumbered hulking bipedal giants of living stone, their broad, gray forms nearly featureless except for the massive, drill-like horns that crowned their heads.
Luna was at the heart of the battle, a spectral figure among the chaos. Her agility was mesmerizing; she twisted, ducked, and wove through the onslaught of attacks like smoke in the wind. Beams of dark energy seared the air where she had been only moments before, claws of flame passed harmlessly through empty space. Her counterattacks were swift and merciless, aura-coated paws striking with the precision of a surgeon, orbs of crackling blue light detonating against her enemies with pinpoint accuracy.
Her movements stood in stark contrast to her fellow Lucario. They fought with unwavering brute force, staying close to their foes, blocking attacks with crossed arms before retaliating with relentless, bone-crunching strikes. Luna's style was entirely different—calculated, elegant. She slipped into her enemy's space, delivered decisive blows to their vitals, then disappeared before they could retaliate. It was a haunting, otherworldly display, like watching a ghost dance among the living.
Despite her skill, I couldn't afford to watch for long. A more sickening sight demanded my attention. Beyond the chaos of the battle, figures in black uniforms crept through the shadows, dragging Pokémon into reinforced cages. Some were unconscious, limp like discarded dolls, while others fought desperately, their cries a symphony of fear and rage.
My chest tightened, rage bubbling to the surface. I knew these scum all too well—poachers. I had spent years dealing with their kind back home, but seeing their despicable work here ignited a primal fury I couldn't suppress. I gripped my spear tightly, the jagged shard of crimson steel at its tip gleaming menacingly in the firelight.
'Eight men. Average builds. The tallest barely over six feet. Three with launchers—net guns, no doubt. The rest wielded batons that crackled faintly with electricity.'
'The launchers go first' I thought, spinning the spear in my hands. For a moment, the idea of using the blade tempted me. It would've been easy to spill their blood, to make them pay for their cruelty. But I hesitated. Murder might not put me in the best light here. With a reluctant sigh, I snapped the blade from the shaft, fashioning the weapon into a blunt staff.
With my weapon ready, I slipped into the fray, using the chaos to mask my approach. The air reeked of smoke and ash, burning my throat with every breath as I navigated through the narrow alleyways between the ruined wooden structures.
From my perch atop a half-collapsed building, I spotted my first target. He was average in every way—dark hair, pale skin, no scars or tattoos. He fumbled with his launcher, completely unaware of my presence. I leaped, the staff crashing down onto his skull with a bone-rattling CRACK. The sound echoed, followed by the dull thud of his body hitting the ground.
The second poacher barely had time to react before I spun, the momentum carrying my staff into the side of his head with a sickening THUD. He crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut. But I wasn't fast enough.
"We've got company!" the last of the men with launchers shouted, raising his weapon.
The battlefield froze. The chaotic symphony of flames, explosions, and clashing steel fell silent as every pair of eyes—human and Pokémon alike—turned to me.
"Well, shit," I muttered, rolling out of the way just as a net hissed through the air, narrowly missing me. The steel mesh tangled around a wooden post, the force of its impact shaking the structure.
There was no time to think. I bolted toward the remaining poachers, dodging fireballs and shards of rock hurled by their Pokémon. The projectiles tore into the ground around me, spraying dirt and embers into the air. My lungs burned, my muscles screamed, but Luna's brutal training and my enhanced physique carried me forward.
With a final swing, I shattered the last net launcher, the remnants of my staff splintering in my hands.
My moment of triumph was short-lived. A crushing force slammed into my side, knocking the wind out of me and sending me sprawling onto the soot-covered ground. Before I could recover, my attacker pinned me, his weight pressing down on my chest.
His face was inches from mine, twisted into a scowl. His chocolate-brown eyes glinted with malice, but it wasn't his expression that caught my attention—it was the baton in his hand. Yellow arcs of electricity crackled along its length, the sound like the snapping of distant lightning.
I thrashed, but it far too late. Then, with ruthless efficiency, he drove the electrified weapon into my chest.
Pain. Blinding, searing, all-encompassing pain. It was as if my nerves had been set ablaze, my skin flayed from my body. My screams tore through the sky, primal and raw. My vision blurred, the world around me twisting and distorting as the agony consumed me.
Amid the chaos in my mind, a voice cut through. Cold, detached, and hauntingly familiar.
"Jack… give me control."
'What?' I thought dimly, barely able to form coherent thoughts through the haze of pain.
"You heard me," the voice—Shade—repeated. "You're going to die unless you let me handle this."
"Like hell I will!" I growled internally, though even my thoughts sounded weak.
"We don't have time for this, Jack! You know I'm right. If you want to live, if you want her to live, you'll let me take over."
"Don't you dare bring Luna into this," I snapped, the mention of her name igniting a flicker of defiance.
Shade's tone softened, though it remained icy. "Believe me, I still think she'll abandon you at the first sign of trouble. But, I admit, she surprised me. Back at the cave, she showed strength. Loyalty. For that, I'll give her one chance. Just one."
"You're a bastard, Shade," I hissed, the baton sending fresh waves of agony through my body. "But what can you even do? If I can't fight back, how the hell will you?"
"Jack," Shade's voice clawed at the edges of my consciousness, sharp and cold, like the edge of a blade. "You know my purpose. You've always been the thinker—the planner, the negotiator. But I'm not you. I'm the piece you need when the board turns bloody."
He wasn't wrong. Damn him.
My vision blurred, a kaleidoscope of pain and anger, the searing burn in my chest threatening to drag me under. "Fine," I spat, my voice raw and trembling. "But it's a truce. We work together. Got it?"
Shade's laughter slithered into my mind, rich and mocking. "Oh, Jack," he murmured, his tone slick like oil over steel. "You'll thank me for this later."
And then, the fire raging in my veins froze.
An icy tide surged through my body, drowning the agony, washing away the haze clouding my thoughts. The wails of pain that had torn from my lips twisted into something grotesque, something wild. Laughter—dark, guttural, and unrestrained—poured out of me, echoing over the battlefield like a death knell.
The world sharpened. Every sound, every movement, every flicker of light came alive in stunning clarity. My vision zeroed in on my attacker, who had recoiled in horror. The baton sparked in my grip, arcs of yellow crackling and dancing along the jagged burns spiderwebbing across my chest.
For the first time in too long, I felt truly alive.
Ah, this was it. This was life.
The rush of adrenaline coursed through me like liquid lightning, igniting every nerve, every instinct. The fear in their eyes—oh, it was intoxicating. I could feel it, taste it, a sharp tang in the air that made my heart race. Their terror wasn't just sustenance; it was a symphony, a melody that sang to my very core
I moved with purpose, a predator among sheep, my smile wide and teeth bared. The baton hummed in my grip, a wicked instrument of pain, and oh, how it sang when it connected. The first man crumpled beneath the strike, his body convulsing as electricity coursed through him.
The second tried to run. Foolish. His fear made him clumsy, his movements slow. I was on him before he even realized I'd moved, the baton driving into his gut with a satisfying thud. He gasped, a wheezing cry of pain, and I couldn't help but laugh.
It wasn't enough to win—it never was. It was about domination, about the thrill. Their fear, their helplessness—it was exhilarating. Every scream, every desperate plea, every shuddering breath—it was proof of my power, proof that I existed.
I danced among them, a symphony of violence, each movement precise and deliberate. A strike here, a dodge there, the crackle of electricity and the sharp scent of ozone filling the air. My body moved with a grace that was almost alien, each motion fluid and perfect. I wasn't just fighting—I was thriving.
Poacher #3 POV
'It wasn't human. It couldn't be.'
I don't know what I expected when Josh slammed that baton into the kid's chest, but this... this was a waking nightmare.
Josh lay sprawled in the dirt, unmoving. The sickening crack of his body hitting the ground still echoed in my ears, but my focus was locked on what stood in his place. Not the boy we'd been fighting—no, that thing.
The laughter started low, a guttural sound that clawed its way up from some abyss better left undisturbed. It wasn't the laugh of a boy in pain. It was wrong, twisted, something that didn't belong in this world.
The burns across its chest still smoked, blackened veins fanning out like cracks in scorched earth, but the thing stood tall, defying the searing wounds. Long, wild hair fell in disarray over its face, masking all but flashes of features that sent a shiver down my spine.
Teeth gleamed in a feral grin, sharp and predatory, catching the light like ivory blades. And then there were the eyes—God, those eyes.
They burned violet, searing through the shadows of its hair, unblinking and unrelenting. They didn't just look at us; they pierced through us, stripping away any illusion of control or strength. They weren't the eyes of a fighter, not even a predator. No, those eyes looked at us like we were already dead, like we'd already lost, and this was just the final page of the story.
And then it moved.
Fast. Too fast.
One of us screamed—Henry, I think?—but it was cut off as the baton struck his throat, a sickening thud that sent him crumpling to the ground in a spasming heap. The thing didn't stop, didn't hesitate. There was no pause to revel in the victory, no mercy, no acknowledgment.
It was on Gabe next. I barely registered the blur of movement before Gabe doubled over, clutching his stomach, wheezing in agony. The baton came down again, this time against his skull, the crack echoing like thunder.
It wasn't fighting us. It was dismantling us.
My chest tightened, breath catching in my throat. 'Run'. My mind screamed it over and over, 'Run! Run now!' But my legs were frozen, rooted to the spot by a terror so raw it gnawed at my very soul.
All I could do was watch as it worked, precise and ruthless. One by one, it cut us down. It didn't waste a single movement, every strike landing with purpose. Efficient. Deadly. Like it had done this before—like it was born for this.
It wasn't just a predator. It was a force of nature, an unstoppable storm given flesh and malice.
And then, silence.
When the last of us hit the ground, my ears rang with the absence of violence. I forced my gaze away from the demon to the battlefield. The Pokémon—the ones who had fought so fiercely moments ago—had stopped. They were no longer engaged in their own clashes.
The Lucario—the smaller one—stood off to the side, her form relaxed and back turned. She didn't even bother to look our way. Instead, she was speaking with one of the larger ones, her posture calm. She looked as though she didn't have a care in the world, as if the slaughter happening a few feet away was nothing more than background noise.
A low growl broke the silence beside me. My Houndoom was still conscious, his red eyes glaring daggers at the battlefield. He was like me, defiant to the end, spiteful enough to fight even when the battle was long lost.
A plan started to form in my mind, desperate and reckless. My lips curled into a grin, the pain coursing through me making the expression feel more like a grimace. If I was going down, I'd take her with me.
"Houndoom," I rasped, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. The words scraped against my raw throat, but I forced them out anyway. "Flamethrower!"
The demon turned, its violet eyes locking onto me. For the first time, I saw something I hadn't expected—panic. The grin it wore faltered, replaced by an expression of alarm as the flames erupted from Houndoom's maw.
And then… darkness.
The last thing I saw before unconsciousness claimed me was the look of terror in the demon's eyes. That brief moment of weakness, that crack in its unrelenting malice, was a twisted sort of victory.
I took that with me into oblivion.
Jackson's POV
"Houndoom... Flamethrower!"
The shout cut through the air like a blade, and my head snapped toward the source. A downed poacher, smirking through bloodied lips, pointed at his target. Just meters away from him, a Houndoom crouched low, flames flickering ominously within its jagged maw. My stomach dropped as I followed the line of its aim.
Luna.
The name echoed in my head, and my chest constricted as if a vice had closed around my heart. My grin vanished, replaced by cold determination. My eyes narrowed to pinpricks, instincts roaring to life.
'Move!' my mind screamed, but I could only manage an incoherent cry. Luna was starting to turn toward me, but she was far too slow. The Lucario she'd been conversing with also seemed to hear my shout, but instead of pulling her to safety, his crimson eyes locked on me, burning with hostility. His gaze promised pain, but I had no time for his misplaced threats.
I surged forward, legs pounding against the ground in a desperate sprint. Stopping the Houndoom wasn't an option—it was too close, too fast. But if I could just reach Luna, I could shove her out of the way, get us both to safety.
"Move, Jackson!"
Shades' voice rang in my head like an alarm, pulling my focus to the larger Lucario. My breath caught. An azure glow burned in his paw, and I realized too late what was about to happen. The Aura Sphere materialized in an instant, and before I could even blink, it was hurtling toward me.
Instinct and desperation kicked in. Fragments of Luna's training swam to the forefront of my mind, half-remembered lessons on focusing energy. I reached for the burning amethyst flame within myself, willing it to obey, to bend to my command. But it resisted, the blaze refusing to move, as if mocking my urgency.
Then, like a shadowy embrace, I felt another presence.
A voice echoed in my mind, dark and commanding.
"Dominate and control."
The flame surged to life, a violet inferno igniting within me. My arm erupted in brilliant, violet light just as I brought it down, striking the Aura Sphere mid-air. The impact sent the energy projectile careening off-course, detonating in an explosion of raw power. But the force of the blast sent me stumbling, precious seconds slipping away.
As I regained my footing, dread clawed at my chest. The Houndoom's Flamethrower was already roaring toward Luna, a column of fire unstoppable in its advance. There was no time.
This was the end.
The thought was bitter, but a spark of defiance ignited within me.
"To hell with that!" I bellowed, my voice ripping free from my throat. Adrenaline surged, pushing my body beyond its limits. I raced forward, catching up to the searing flame. With one final burst of speed, I reached Luna, wrapping her in a protective embrace.
The inferno hit me like a battering ram.
Agony ripped through me as the fire consumed my back, the sickening sound of skin bubbling and blistering filling the air. Luna's muffled cries reached my ears, her voice breaking through the haze of pain. I couldn't make out her words, but the desperation in her tone was enough.
I gritted my teeth and tightened my hold on her trembling form. This time, I would not falter. This time, I would protect her.
The flames finally died, leaving only the oppressive heat hanging in the air. My body felt like it was tearing itself apart, yet the pain in my back had faded into a terrible, hollow numbness.
I gazed down at Luna. Her crimson eyes, not cold nor distant, shimmered with tears that carved trails through the fur on her cheeks. Silent sobs wracked her body as she clung to me, her grief palpable.
Weakly, I raised a trembling hand, brushing away the tears that marred her face. I forced a smile, though every muscle in my body screamed in protest.
"Don't… cry… Luna," I managed, my voice barely a whisper. "You look so much better… when you smile."
The last of my strength left me, and darkness crept into the edges of my vision. As I collapsed to the scorched earth, the comforting weight of her in my arms, a strange peace filled me.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I had succeeded.
And as the abyss claimed me, I did not fear it. I embraced it. Content.