A/N: I was planning to jump straight back to the outline's notes, but uh...well, you saw the end of the last chapter. XD That's my problem. I just don't know when or where to stop sometimes (guess that's one downside to not doing it chapter by chapter but eh, hard to keep track of everything and wasn't sure I had enough material to make a good enough chapter).
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's nor Pokémon. Both go to their respective owners. I only claim OCs.
Chapter 4- Lost and Found:
(Yusei's POV)
As soon as I stopped my Runner, I unhooked the box and pulled it off the back. "Okay, everyone still intact?" I asked.
"Pooche..."
"Sen."
"I'll take that as a yes." Kinda wish I had Ren or AJ's ability to understand these guys, though, I added mentally. It'd make things many times easier. I lifted up the little gray one's—I believe Ren said it was called a Poochyena—head up to get a better look. Still looking pretty flushed and warm, but it is more alert. Hopefully AJ will- I got snapped out of my thoughts as I heard the front door fly open and AJ bolting out. Oh boy...
"Hey, AJ!" I called as she was fumbling for one of the capsules on her belt. She jolted a bit, realizing I was here.
"Yusei? Oh thank Arceus," she responded as she jogged up. "I need your help! Ren's missing, and I don't know where he could..." She trailed off as she noticed the box next to me with the four creatures I managed to get to Martha's. Her blue eyes went back up to meet mine. "Yusei, what's going on?"
"Well, about Ren...he's okay. He's with Riki, Mazin, and Storm right now."
"And where is that? He didn't go off to your place, did he?"
"No, nothing like that. He had been chasing something when I found him, and then we happened across a big group of Pokémon hurt. The four here were some of the worse looking ones."
"Then where is he? You didn't leave him alone, right?"
"Technically, he's not alone. He has his partners."
"That's not what I—I mean—argh!" She turned away in frustration, starting to massage her temples. I could have sworn I heard her mutter, "Keep calm, keep calm." She then sucked in a breath and turned back around with a more stern look. "What I mean to say is did you leave the three by themselves without any sort of protection? As strong as his partners may look to anyone here, they're not that strong against a potential enemy Pokémon!"
"Yeah, because clearly there's a lot of those running around Satellite."
"I'm serious! What if he runs into the same people aga-"
"He's not going to, and he won't ever. The entire time you two have been here should have been enough evidence that the people that did all that damage to him aren't anywhere around here. And one quick look at Riki or even an attack of his is going to send many around here scrambling for their lives. We didn't spot any person around where the group is, so my guess is that the rumors of 'weird monsters' probably caused many to give that place a wide berth." Plus, whatever left those marks could have also made them turn tail. "If I thought he had any chance of being in danger, I would have brought him back here. At the moment, as long as he stays out of sight, he'll be okay for a few minutes until I get back there with more help."
She was quiet for a minute, so I decided to continue. "But the longer I am away, there is a chance something could happen. I can take you to him if that will make you feel a bit better. He might not appreciate it that much, though."
"Probably not. Considering how I've been like during his whole recovery, I can't blame him. I just...I don't want to risk his life. I've got to make up for not being there enough for him. For not being a good enough sister for him."
Make up for not being there enough, huh? I can relate to that. My mind wandered back to that night, when Kalin got arrested and the Enforcers officially fell apart. If I had been just a bit faster to catch on, maybe things would have been different. I may not be as close to Jack or even Crow, but I still want to make sure they're safe and sound. It's the least I could do to make up for failing Kalin. One of the red and white capsules entered my vision while I was lost in my thoughts. I blinked in confusion.
"Take Titus with you. He can be an extra set of hands and also be quick to get more of the Pokémon here," AJ stated. I took the ball from her hand.
"Are you sure? The offer stills stands." She walked past me as I spoke.
"As much as I want to, I need to get everything ready for the rest of the injured individuals coming in." She picked up the box, the residents inside letting out various surprised but tired squeaks. "These are the worse ones?"
"Yeah. There are a lot of them. That's why I went on ahead and brought these guys here. The place wasn't far from mine, so I just hopped onto my Runner and came here."
"And how many?"
"Ren said there had to be about twenty. Two aren't injured. I doubt I could carry all of them, and I wasn't going to have Ren strain his injury trying to pick up my slack."
"All right. I'll have to do a bit of an unconventional method of using the berry seeds I've got on hand from our world. I'd rather that than using up all the medicine here."
"Okay, you got it." I put the capsule into my jacket pocket and started getting back on my Runner.
"Hey."
"Hm?" I looked back at her.
"I'm still mad that you pulled this stunt-"
"I'd be worried if you weren't."
"-but, I can see your logic in it. Even with how long we've been here, I feel like I still need to be on edge and ready for any sort of attack. No matter how silly that may sound."
I shook my head. "It's not silly at all. It's better to have a certain amount of caution rather than none at all. Even being here practically all my life, I still worry when any of my friends head out. But I trust they know to keep themselves safe and know when to get out of danger. Maybe that can be something you could work with Ren about, too."
"Yeah, maybe..." With that, she took the box inside and I headed off for Jack's place.
Hopefully, I can talk him into coming. He might not fully believe the whole "creatures from another world" at first, but maybe AJ's partner could help a bit with that. I just need to be quick and get Ren back before it gets too late and Sector Security starts lurking around.
(Ren's POV)
"Shit!" I yelped as I ducked at the purple blur going right over my head. I could barely get a glimpse at what the Rockruff and Jangmo-o had motioned to before it leapt into an attack.
It was definitely another Pokémon, a Sneasel, but it wasn't at the same time. It was purple and white, with different patterns than what Sneasels typically have. Plus, based on what I saw from the scratches on the injured Pokémon, a different type all together. The thing that was the most chilling was the eyes when I could see them. They looked...soulless, like it wasn't all there. Like...something else was in control of its body.
"Dammit, it's fast!" Riki growled. "I can't aim any moves at it!"
"Well we gotta do something 'cause there's no way the others can defend themselves!" Storm added. "Maybe if I can get it to hit me-"
"That's a horrible idea! That thing is dripping in poison, and you saw the injured. You'd end up just like them or worse trying to get your ability to activate!" Mazin argued.
"You got a better plan, then?!"
The Rockruff and Jangmo-o both were trying to hit the strange Sneasel, but they were having as much luck as Riki, Storm, and Mazin. The injured Pokémon all huddled as far as they could away, trying to make sure not to get hit by the claws again. Dammit dammit, there's gotta be a way to get them out of harm's way, I thought, scanning around. I spotted a door a bit off its hinges leading to another room. Bingo! "Riki, Mazin, Storm! Try to keep the Sneasel distracted as best you can! Don't forget about the move AJ helped teach ya, Maz!" I called as I went to collect some of the Pokémon.
"What do you—ohhh, right! Take this! Swift!" Mazin jumped into the air, swishing his tail as the white point glowed and shot out glowing stars. The Sneasel hopped around, but the stars persisted and hit it. It got knocked down for a second.
"Gotcha! Thunder Wave!" Sparks flew from Storm's front paws and connected with the Sneasel as it was dazed. It shrieked as the paralysis condition started setting in.
"Here, come on." I coaxed the more stable ones to following me. I carried the ones that were too weak to move fast. I pushed my shoulder against the door. Thankfully, it was weak enough for someone like me to push it over. I started a head count as I kept ushering them in. All right, that's everyone. Now we can-
"Gaahh!" I heard someone scream. I rushed back in to see that the Jangmo-o had a deep gash on her shoulder. The Sneasel hopped away when she tried to retaliate with a Headbutt. The paralysis slowed the strange Pokémon a bit, but not enough for it to stop doing damage to the two protectors.
"Take someone your own level, Arceus dammit!" Storm yelled as he jumped at the Sneasel. "Thunder Shock!" He sent a bolt of electricity at the Sneasel who dodged it. "Oh you little purple-!"
A shine caught my eye as I looked to where the Rockruff was still standing. She had her eyes squeezed shut as a multi-colored glow was appearing on top of her head. Wait, is that-? She made a run at the Sneasel but missed by several inches. The Sneasel didn't even have to jump out of the way, and the Rockruff ended up crashing into a broken chair. It would have gotten its claws into her had it not been for Storm batting the Sneasel away with an Electro Ball to the face.
"Ergh..," she groaned as she slowly got up onto her paws, rubbing her head. "Not again..."
"That was Zen Headbutt, right?" I asked her.
"Yeah, but I can't ever get it to connect right. Every time I use it, I can't keep my eyes open with how bright the light is," she replied.
"That's what you were doing when you got spotted by us, right?"
"Pretty much. I thought maybe if I could get used to the light, it'd make it easier. Didn't exactly help when the light shone off all that metal before I could hit the target."
"I got an idea. Riki! Mazin! Storm! Get the Sneasel as much in front of that window over there as possible!"
"Got it!" the trio called back.
"What? What's going on?" the Rockruff asked.
"We're going to send this thing flying out of here with that Zen Headbutt move of yours. I'll act as your eyes, and you can focus on using your other senses to make up for any changes in direction. Think you can manage that?"
She glanced over as Riki, Storm, and Mazin worked to try to shepherd the Sneasel over to the spot. Then her eyes drifted to the Jangmo-o who was nursing the injury and seeming to start feeling the effects of poison. She looked back up at me with a determined expression. "You got it."
It didn't take long for the Sneasel to be in the right position. The Rockruff bent her head down as she focused, the energy starting to form on her head. "Steady...keep facing forward. One step to the left, now the right." She moved as I spoke to her, the light keeping forward and aimed right at the Sneasel. One step, two, now! "Charge! Straight ahead! Give it everything you got!"
The Rockruff threw herself forward, keeping her head aimed right at the Sneasel. This time, the Sneasel didn't have the time or room to dodge the attack. The Zen Headbutt hit right into the middle of it. With one big final shove, the Rockruff slammed the Sneasel into the air and straight through the window. The Rockruff managed to skid to a stop before she hit the wall, blinking her eyes open.
"Did...Did it...?"
"Whoo-hoo! Yes!" I ran up and picked up the Rockruff, holding her up in the air. "You did great, Joan!"
"Joan..?" Crap, I didn't mean to say that out loud.
"Oh, uh, sorry. I'm just so used to nicknaming the Pokémon around me and that was the first name that came to mind with you. Since it'd seem a bit weird calling ya 'Rockruff' so much." I gently set her back down as I rambled. "I don't have to call you that if you don't want to."
"Hm...Joan...I like it. I'd like to be called that name from now on."
"Oh, okay, great!" That's when I heard the door swing open behind us.
"This place...how can anyone be forced to stay in this place?"
"Coco..."
"If I ever meet the person doing this..." A sigh. "No, gotta focus. Let's find what's happening and then head back before anyone spots us."
"Fue! Fuecoco!"
"What is it, Spec—wait, is that..?"
"What are you doing here?!"
(Yusei's POV)
"You better not be wasting my time with this."
"Don't worry, I'll-" I got cut off at the sound of glass breaking. I felt my heart sink at the noise and made a run for the doors. Shit, no! I slammed them open as soon as I got within reach. "Ren?!"
At the shout, Ren turned around, holding onto the little brown dog I think he called a Rockruff. "Um...hi, welcome back?" he said sheepishly.
"What happened? I heard glass breaking."
"Uh, yes and no?"
"'Yes and no'?"
"I mean, yes that something did break in while you were gone, but technically the glass breaking was us sending 'em back out rather than them coming in."
"What?!"
"D-Don't worry! We had it all under—oh shit! I forgot Jangmo-o got hurt!" Ren set the dog down and hurried to where his own partners were collapsed (not having any scratches but looked like they had the wind taken out of them). The one he was talking about was currently trying to clean a new gash in its shoulder. It let out a squeak when he picked it up to look closer at the injury. "Just let me make sure there's no bad gunk in it. I'll be quick!"
"These are supposed to be some of the dangerous monsters lurking around here?" I heard Jack say as he came in. "A bit disappointing."
"Well, they did just have a rough fight before we got here," I responded, turning to him.
"Still, they don't look that tough." He walked up to Storm who was lying face down on the ground. Uh-oh.
"Jack, I wouldn't..." But my warning came too late when Jack grabbed Storm's tail, making him let out a cry and start sparking. Jack pulled his hand back in surprise as Storm jumped onto his four paws and started yelling angrily.
"Pika Pika Pika! Pikachu Cha!" Storm chirped, hopping on his paws a bit in emphasis. Even without Ren's (or AJ's) ability to understand, I definitely could tell that Storm was throwing out every curse word he knew in his own language.
I took a glance at Ren who had stopped what he was doing to stare wide-eyed at his own partner as he continued to rant. He looked up at me, stating, "Uhh...I am not repeating what he's saying. Mazin, Riki? You two have any ideas how to calm Storm down?"
"Charrr," Riki groaned. He moved his head to Mazin who then gave him a look that clearly read that he was too tired to do it. So, Riki pushed himself up onto his back feet, walked over to where Storm was still hopping around, and flopped on top of him. Storm struggled a little, pulling his head out a bit from underneath the red lizard, let out a few more cries, and gave up when it was certain Riki was not moving.
"What the hell?!" Jack yelled, snapping out of his surprise. "You didn't mention one of them was electric!"
"And now you know." I turned back to Ren. "Ren, where's the rest of the..?"
"Oh, right! I put them in this room over here!" He still held onto the Pokémon he was checking over and into the room he mentioned. "It's safe now! That weird Sneasel is gone!"
There was a lot of clattering and a few crashes which made me wince a bit, but Ren hadn't yelled out so he wasn't hurt. "Huh? You sure? All right, if you're okay walking." Then the yellow and pink lizard one came hobbling out of the room, holding up the front leg with the gash on the shoulder which had stopped bleeding. It sat next to the brown dog who looked closer at the injury, giving it a sniff, and sighing. Looks like even the wild ones form bonds with each other, despite being different species. That's probably the only reason they managed to survive this long until we found them.
"Hang on, I gotcha. No no, don't worry. Everything's under—shit! Never mind!" I flinched as I heard another crash followed by several cries from the creatures Ren was most likely trying to pick up by himself.
"Well...I see why you asked me to help your new little tag-along," Jack stated.
"Let's just get him and these guys to Martha's before anything else happens," I sighed and headed for the room. Just as suspected, Ren was laying on his back with a few of the creatures looking worriedly at him. "Need some help there?"
"I...wouldn't mind it," Ren groaned a bit. "Really thought I could get at least the smaller ones." I gave him a hand and got him to sit up. He rubbed the back of his head. "At least I didn't tear anything..."
"Gah! What the hell is this thing?!" Ren and I looked to see Jack, except he had the little floating dragon resting on his shoulder now. He seemed to be expecting it to attack him like Storm had, but it seemed too tired to really notice his nervousness, or really care.
Ren rolled his eyes a bit. "Oh yes, the baby ghost dragon is so scary."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Sarcasm just happens to be my only language when I'm tired as hell. Also, Dreepy cling to anything they deem stronger than themselves until they get closer to evolving. So really, her clinging onto you should be considered a compliment."
"See? Not all of these guys are going to shock you."
"Tch, fine, but if I so much as feel a nibble..."
"You'll let us know. Now, let's get these guys bundled up and back to Martha's before AJ decides to track us down herself."
Ren started to chuckle until he heard the last part of my sentence, turning pale a bit. "AJ's...back already?"
"Yep."
"And you ran into her?!"
"Yep."
"...on a scale of 1 to 10, how screwed am I..?"
"Well, I did talk to her and calmed her a bit before fetching Jack...so I'd say less than 10 but more than 5."
"F-" Before Ren could drop that little bombshell, there was a crash from outside. Ren, Jack, and I ran for the entrance, a few of the more able creatures following after us to look at what the commotion was about.
Pulling itself out of one of the piles around the place was an entirely new creature that looked like a cross between a dragon (minus the wings) and also a bike, having a feature on the underside of its neck that looked like part of a spiked tire. It was mainly red with some blue, black, and white. The closed feathers behind its head resembled the one I had found outside not long before finding out about the secret residents in here. It shook its head, opening amber colored eyes and looking quizzically at us.
"Rrroo?" it rumbled.
"Ja Ja!" the yellow and pink lizard yelled in excitement.
"Wait, that's the big guy?!" Ren cried in shock, looking down at it and the dog. It nodded at him before running up to the lizard along with the dog and a few others that stumbled out around us.
"Uh...Ren? Don't suppose you know what that is, do you?" I asked.
"Um...well uh...I...have no clue..."
"So much for the monster expert," Jack muttered.
"Well, I also happen to not remember a whole lot of my past right now! And there's always new Pokémon being found every other year!"
"Okay, stop, both of you. If this guy's friendly, maybe he can help us transport the rest of them too."
"And if it's not? What then, Yusei?" Jack retorted.
"Well...then Ren can talk to its friends and make some sort of compromise."
"Oh lovely, I get to talk down the angry dragon...just another Tuesday..."
(No One's POV)
AJ gently lifted the head of the Poochyena to help it drink the concoction of brewed Pecha seeds. The Dark-type wrinkled its nose a bit at the taste. "Sorry, but I haven't had the chance to have any berries grow just yet," she apologized.
She glanced over at the other Pokémon that Yusei had brought in. They were perking up a bit more after drinking the brew, the effects of the poison in their systems ebbing away and their faces cleared of the light purple hue. They still each sported makeshift bandages over their injuries. The older teen let out a sigh of relief. Well, looks like whatever the poison is, it's still at least able to be healed like any other from our world. But...the marks...I've seen similar ones before when around snowy mountains. Trees marked with a series of scratches, indicating the territory of a well known icy Pokémon. Except, poisoned status? I know Sneasel can learn at least one Poison-type move with assistance of a TM, but naturally? On its own? Are Ren and I really the only Trainers here, or did someone else come here too... she pondered as she wrapped up the Poochyena's injury, making sure the bandage was secured.
"How are the little patients?" Martha asked, walking into the room.
"They're healing up. I haven't had to use Pecha Berry seeds in a 'tea' for a while, but it seems to still do the work on what was making them sick. Plus, it'll make sure to flush out any possible infections that could have tried to set in."
"Sounds like you've got it all under control. Just let Dr. Schmidt or I know if anything comes up, dear."
"I will, ma'am." The sound of an engine outside caught both of their attentions.
"That must be them. I'll stay here and make sure these little ones are okay until you return with the others."
"Okay, thank you." AJ picked up the tea kettle that held the rest of the drink for the injured Pokémon as she headed out. I should have enough for what Yusei said there was in number. If not, I may have to dip into the few Lum Berries I still have in my pack. I'll just have to dig out the seeds and plant them later in the patches I've found. Hmm...maybe I ought to mix a few of the Sitrus Berries in too to make sure their strength comes- Her thoughts were cut off when there was a loud thump from outside. "What in the world?!" she muttered as she hurried her pace.
(Ren's POV)
"Okay, easy," Yusei said as he picked me back onto my feet. I had just flown on the back of Joan (the Rockruff) and the Jangmo-o's friend, finding that not only can he go in a 'running' mode with his chest puffed out like a makeshift wheel, he can fly! Which he did while carrying a box with a few of the Pokémon in it. After setting the box down and putting his feet on the ground, I slid off from his back, landing right on my face a bit ungracefully. Considering I felt like my heart would stop any second if we hadn't land, I'm very surprised that I hadn't have the whole 'life flashing before my eyes' moment. But of course, can't get my memories back that easily, can I?
"Is...Is this land? Are we on the ground? I'm still alive?" I asked, still feeling a bit woozy from the trip.
"You're on the ground. We're at Martha's. You're okay," he replied.
"Oh, thank Arceus and the Lake Spirits..."
"Quit whining. It couldn't have been that bad," Jack decided to put in. I barely knew this guy, and I already knew I wasn't going to get along with him much (and something tells me if I had my memories, I still wouldn't).
"You wanna go flying on him, then hop on his back and yell 'giddy-up' and then tell me how it feels!" I growled back.
"Ren, might want to calm down. Your sister's coming," Yusei stated, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Hu—oh sh-oot!" Whether on instinct or to at least maybe deter whatever punishment was incoming for me, I picked up one of the injured 'mons up, a little Zorua. Riki, Storm, and Mazin were set down by Titus who had been loaned to Yusei to help carry the injured Pokémon alongside the Rockruff and Jangmo-o. He did carry the Bagon as she refused to be put in a box and wanted to be flown on his back.
"What was that?" she asked hastily. "Is everything o..." She trailed off as said large Pokémon came into view, tilting his head curiously and letting a rumble out. "Ren...what is that?"
"Um...I was kinda hoping you knew?" I squeaked. "Look, Joan and...uhh, Nana! Yeah, Joan and Nana say they know him and that he's friendly and a bit shy, and he helped get the rest of these guys here with Yusei and Jack and me." The Jangmo-o looked around for a second as if expecting someone else to answer to the name before pointing a claw at herself as if asking 'that me?' I gave a quick shrug since...well, I hadn't thought of a really good nickname for her, and I was trying to grasp for something to call her than 'the Jangmo-o' all the time.
AJ sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "All right, we'll figure out whatever...he is. Right now, let's get the rest of these Pokémon to the infirmary and get them healed up. Ren, just carry that Zorua. I don't want to risk anything opening even with how much it's patched up. Anything else can wait until after everyone's been taken care of." She picked up the box Jack had set down next to Yusei's Runner. She also reached and got the Dreepy that still clung to Jack's shoulder. "Come on, while we still have daylight."
(No One's POV, elsewhere)
The dark haired young man pressed his back up against the remains of a building as the footsteps ran past where he had ducked out of view before they rounded the corner. He set down the red and white bipedal lizard with what seemed to be a tuft of hair but was actually small flames in the shape on the ground once he was sure they had run past their spot. He shut his pale blue eyes as he started to catch his breath. "All right...we lost them, Specter..." he panted.
"Coco..." the lizard murmured.
"But we've got an even bigger problem. We're way past the hideout. I'm not even sure if we're anywhere near where-" He stopped as soon as he heard crashing. The little lizard hopped in front of him, spreading its little arms out to try and shield him.
Out of the rubble came a small, white and purple creature with a feather sticking out of its head, two purple claws on its front paws, and a yellow jewel in its chest. It was shaking as it stepped a bit forward before collapsing from exhaustion. He put a head on the lizard's head to calm it. "Easy Specter, I don't think it's a threat...at least, not any more right now."
"Sn...Snea..." the new creature muttered weakly. Hesitantly, the man walked up and carefully picked the creature up. It didn't resist him, only opening its eyes for a moment before shutting them again.
"I don't think I've seen a Sneasel like this one. Except in that book. Wait...could this one be..."
"There you are!" came a female voice from behind. He and the lizard whirled around to see a woman dressed in dark purple and black cyclist gear with a helmet covering her face, except for two digital eyes on the helm which highlighted her anger. "I told you to stay put! This place isn't safe for someone still recovering, and that jump could have weakened everything further!"
"Well, I'm sorry, but I wasn't going to stand by and hear secondhand what was happening to my family. Especially with what you said when you left!"
"Yes, yell so everyone can hear you, and then everything I've done up to this point will be for nothing if they catch you around! Now, let's go."
"But what about-"
"I've checked, and they're both fine. Let's get back while we haven't yet been spotted. There's eyes and ears everywhere for my previous cohorts." The man still stood his ground in front of her. She sighed, the digital eyes closing for a brief moment. "Look, I can show you how they are once we're safe. Right now, it's too risky. You're more vulnerable than they are, and also your new charge needs immediate attention." She motioned to the being in his arms that was still breathing a little heavily.
He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and exhaled while opening his eyes. "Fine, but right when we get there, you show me."
"All right, now let's move!" The small group hurried out of the area, not seeing the glowing figure peeking around the corner.
(Ren's POV)
All the Pokémon were soon patched up and on the mend. Nana, which she accepted as her name once I explained things to her, was also resting with Joan curled up beside her. The big guy, or rather Dash, had slipped in and also laid down with the other resting Pokémon. Jack headed off as soon as his task was done, though he did say he was going to talk with Yusei before heading to his place again. Not sure what that was, but I figured that it was between them and I would just intrude on something I wasn't really in. AJ had sent me back to my room when all the Pokémon were on the beds and said I shouldn't strain my injury any further than it has. I checked again for clarity, finding no red and everything still as it was.
Riki, Storm, and Mazin quickly passed back out after the hectic day. After facing that weird Sneasel and then having to help the injured 'mons get their medicine, they were ready to sleep the night away and then some. Mazin was curled up on my lap while Riki was stretched out behind me with Storm leaning against my side. I brushed through Mazin's brown fur when a knock interrupted the quiet. "Ren, you still awake?" came AJ's voice.
Oh boy...well, knew this was coming, I thought with a slight gulp. "Yeah...still up," I replied.
She quickly opened the door and then closed it. She seemed...not mad, but she was definitely a bit stressed out and tired and...something else I couldn't describe really. Apologetic? But why? I was the one that did the screw up. I kept my eyes turned to my sleeping partner as silence filled the room again. Come on, Ren. You spent a good time rehearsing earlier. Just...blurt it out like you usually do.
"AJ..." "Ren, I-" we started at the same time and then stopped, looking at each other in slight confusion.
She cleared her throat. "Um, you start."
"Okay." I took in a deep breath. "Sis, I'm sorry I ignored you, but all I thought when I saw Dash fly overhead was that someone could try to capture him and try to use him for bad things. And then Yusei and I found all those injured 'mons, and...I couldn't leave them. They were all hurt, a-and I just..."
"Well...I also want to apologize. It's just...after all that happened...I wanted to keep you as safe as possible, and I thought that if you stayed inside and out of view then you'd be okay. But...I should have been a bit more considerate. I thought making you stay in longer would be the best thing while I got stronger was the right way. I wanted to protect you, but my way meant keeping you locked away and wasting away rather than help you to handle yourself."
"Still...I should have listened..."
"That's true, but you were never one to sit back and let others take care of you forever. There...might come a time where I can't be there to defend you, and I want to make sure you're prepared for that. So...I figure that there can't be much harm as long as we're going out together."
"Wait, really?"
She nodded. "I'll always be your big sister, and I will always want to protect you no matter the cost, but I also want to make sure that should anything happen that you can handle things on your own, too. I'm still unsure what all this world holds, but I'd like us to face it together until the end."
My face lit up and I quickly wiped my face in case there were any tears. "Okay, thanks, sis."
"Of course." She walked over to my bed, giving me a hug. We stayed like that for a good bit until she spoke again. "Though, that might have to wait until after your grounding is over."
"Ahh, there it is..." I groaned a bit. We looked at each other before laughing a little. She let me go and walked to the door. "'Night, AJ."
"'Night Ren. You're going to need to be rested while all those 'mons regain their strength." She opened and closed the door behind her, leaving me with my sleeping partners in the room.
I gently moved Riki a bit so I could lay down a bit (though I did have to slide my feet off the bed as he was curled over my head. Tomorrow...I'll do everything I can to help show her I'll listen, I thought as I closed my eyes.
(No One's POV)
Far away, the image slowly faded out of view from the crystal as the cyclist woman backed away from it. "Satisfied?" she asked the man beside her.
"I'd feel better if I was with them," he replied, walking over to one of the raggedy chairs. He sat down in it with a slight pained grunt, hand going to his chest over the scrubs he wore.
"Look, there are still a lot of things to come, and I want to make sure everything is stable before setting you loose. Besides, I'm not sure if they're ready to see you again."
"Why? Because I'm not supposed to be here?"
"Because you are supposed to be dead, and the fact that you're not may send ripples that could mess everything up much too soon. We were lucky today, but until I can figure out some way to keep you hidden from them—along with making sure the procedure holds—you must stay here. Don't worry. You will be reunited with your siblings soon, Ellis.
A/N: Welp...time to hide out for several weeks.
I tried to get this done before the end of Pokémon Day (though, it's technically not midnight where I live, so I sort of did it?). Figured that the update coming this month should be a Pokémon crossover, especially on the 29th anniversary, no?
Anyway, tell me what you guys thought of this little 'bonus' bit and let me know if there's something you guys might want to see, or potentially theorize. Or, let me know if you saw the little update from the Pokémon Presents! I saw it over on Crimson's stream and boy, I'm excited to see what else is in store later this year. See ya in the next update (whatever that will be)!
PS- Should I do end notes over Pokémon either featured/named in upcoming chapters? In case anyone has trouble following? Or just leave it as is?