Chapter 25 - Pain

Blade didn't have much memory of the days immediately following the events in Petalberg City. The memory that came into clearest focus was being taken from the gym to the Pokémon Centre, gripped tightly in Charizard's claw.

The pain, the humiliation and the rage…That he remembered clearly.

At the Pokémon Centre Charizard had pushed him to the ground, holding him under his foot again. "I'll kill you," he'd managed to spit at Ashachu, Ash and the other Pokémon. "One day Shadow will come for me and I'll make you all fucking dead. Man, he's killed so many of you, I'm surprised he hasn't run out of ways to brutalize Charizard's."

"Oh, be quiet," Charizard said. "You have no control over what happens now!"

And then he heard the singing…

"Chan, Chan Chan Chansey, Chansey."

Suddenly Blade's eyelids had felt every and he had fast fallen asleep. The next moments of his life had occurred in blurry flashes. The box, the 747, the terminal and the boat ride. Today was the first day he had felt himself. His thinking was clear.

He'd awoken, to his surprise, in a soft comfortable bed, snuggled in warm white sheets. In a softly lit plush room. He sat up and rubbed his head, and found himself almost nose to nose with a Lilligant – a plant like humanoid creature who looked a bit like a walking tulip

"Whoa." Blade scrambled backwards, alarmed to find this Pokémon in his personal space.

"Oh, you're finally awake," the Lilligant said happily. "How are you feeling. Better?"

"Ahhh, who are you," Blade demanded. "What do you want. Tell me or I'll kill you." He held up a claw threateningly for good measure.

Lilligant was not intimidated. In fact, the sight of the claw made it laugh. It put a paw to it's face and giggled. "Hehehe. They warned me you'd be like that."

Blade glowered at Lilligant. "I wasn't joking."

Lilligant continued to giggle. "I doubt you're strong enough to have any real chance with me. Now come on, master is waiting for you."

"What…Agh!"

Lilligant grabbed Blade by the claw and pulled him out of bed and out of the room. For such a petite looking Pokémon, Lilligant sure was strong. Fast too. They moved so quickly that Blade had no opportunity to take in his surroundings.

That was until they reached the room with the greenhouse with the lush garden and the white walkways – That's when he realized, with a sinking feeling, exactly where he was. Blade had been brought back to Aether Paradise.

"Here he is," Lilligant sang happily as they finally came to a halt. "Blade the Sneasel."

A table covered in a white tablecloth had been set up in the middle of one of the walkways. And sitting at the table were the last two humans Blade wanted to see right now – beside from perhaps Ash and his friends.

Lusamine – the blond-haired president of the Aether Foundation, and Lyte, the spiky haired young scientists in a lab coat. They had with them two Pokémon. A blue Meowstic who sat perched on Lyte's shoulder. The other was a Beware, standing behind Lusamine.

There were a few other humans milling about on the walkway, all dressed in white Aether Employee hats and overalls. One was holding a large coffee pot, pouring the strong-smelling black liquid into Lusamine's cup.

"Ahhh there you are Blade," Lusamine said in a sickly-sweet voice as she laid eyes on him. "Welcome home dear!"

This place certainly did not feel like home to Blade.

"You must be hungry. Please take a seat." Lusamine gestured to an empty seat across the table from her.

Blade's first thought was the refuse – but one look at the Beware told him that wasn't a good idea. The Pokémon was much larger than him and looked like it might break him in half if he didn't do what Lusamine wanted. Sure, he could take his chances in a fight, but he didn't want to lose the risk of loosing. Not yet, anyway.

The chair was simultaneously too low and too high for him. His feet didn't touch the ground, but his head was only just above the table. It was of course, designed with humans not small Pokémon in mind.

"Here you go," said Lusamine, pushing a large plate of fruit towards him. "Eat, your skin and bone."

Part of Blade was suspicious of the offering. Should he really accept food from a strange human who had imprisoned him here. However, his instinct…and his rumbling stomach…told him it was better to eat.

Plus, that kid Lyte was here…He probably wouldn't allow any harm to come to Blade, would he?

Who knew when he would be fed again? He picked up an apple in his right claw and shoved into his maw. It was crisp, juicy and sweet…delicious. Blade munched it down, before helping himself to another. Very soon there was nothing left on the plate.

Lusamine beamed at him. "Very good. Is that tasty?"

Blade didn't reply. He wasn't going to let Lusamine infantilize and mock him.

"Now we have a bit to talk about, unfortunately," she said, her tone suddenly becoming serious, whereas previously it had been sweet and syrupy. "It seems that the Pokémon Centre in Petalberg City has flagged you as potentially dangerous before sending you to us. Something about trying to kill a certain Pikachu who was also your lover."

Blade felt a flush of anger at this suggestion. "That Pikachu had it coming," he growled.

Lusamine pursed her lips. "Quiet. We've also become aware that, prior to coming here the first time, you were having a sexual relationship with an extremely violent Darkrai called Shadow!"

Blade experienced a lurch in his stomach. "Shadow! Where is he, is he here?"

"Don't look too excited," said Lusamine. "I'm afraid Shadow is a very long way away from here. He's in a far away region in a secret facility, where he will shortly be put to death. I'm afraid you are never going to see or speak to that Pokémon again."

"What." These words hit Blade like a smack in the face from iron tail. Shadow, far away…going to be put to death. It couldn't be true…He didn't accept it. He waved his claw dismissively at Lusamine. "Nah, whoever's got him will never be able to keep him. Just wait. He'll break out. And then he'll come from me. And you want to be around when that happens."

Lusamine gave him a curious stare for a moment, while Lyte watched him with concern. There was a moment of silence, then Lusamine brushed off his statement as dismissively as Blade has brushed off her's. "Whatever you need to tell yourself… It may interest you to know I've had a Pokémon Connoisseur draw a preliminary analysis of you based on your behavior the last time you were here. It raises concerns that your ability to relate to other Pokémon is damaged due to previous abusive relationships. First with your father, and second with Shadow."

Blade shook his head. "Shadow didn't abuse me. Cleave did, but Shadow didn't."

"And you in turn were abusive to poor little Ashachu."

"He deserved it." Blade growled.

Lusamine ignored him. "Here at the Aether Foundation we aim to help Pokémon who have been hurt or abused, by humans or otherwise, to heal, to be safe and to be reintroduced to the wild. Or to go to trainers who will care for them."

"I don't want to go a trainer. I want to be free," Blade retorted.

"Quiet. But sadly, for us to be able to release you back into the wild, we need to be certain that you won't pose a risk to the environment, or to Ashachu."

Blade scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Well then you've got your grubby claws full haven't you." Then under his breath, "I am never going to forgive that piece of shit."

"There are other complications as well," continued Lusamine as if she hadn't heard Blade's comment. "Sneasel are quite unpopular with breeders due to their propensity to steal and eat eggs. Many of my employees don't want your kind in this facility. And sadly, this fact has led to the dwindling of the numbers of Sneasel and Weavile here in Alola. But I believe that every creature has a right to exist and to live their best life. And I was very much hoping that you might help me to rebuild the Sneasel population on the island."

Blade folded his arms and frowned. "And how would I do that?"

"There's somebody I want you to meet!"

[Pokémon]

Blade was led down onto the grass below the walkway…wasn't this the spot where he and Ashachu had…

"Now Blade. I know this is about to be very confronting for you," said Lusamine as she drew a Pokéball from…somewhere in her dress, apparently. "I had hoped to arrange counselling for you before this, but therapy for Pokémon is unfortunately fairly non-existent. ."

Blade, for some reason, started to feel unnerved. His heart was suddenly racing, and his mouth felt dry. He didn't know why, but his instincts were telling him that something very bad was going to happen.

"I have set things up to help you both get past your previous feelings for each other. This is a little experimental, but with a little luck." Lusamine lowered her arm, preparing to toss the Pokéball into the air.

Before she could do so, Lyte grabbed her by the arm. "Wait…Lusamine, I'm really not sure this is a good idea. It's far too soon. You haven't even…"

POP…

Lusamine didn't to throw the ball. It burst open in the palm of her hand, releasing the Pokémon with in. A burst of light that took material form in the grass, as a dark blue navy furred weasel like creature, similar in body shape to Blade except with a crown like ornament on his head as opposed to just a single feather.

"….Weavile…"

It gazed at Blade with mischievous eyes as an evil grin spread across its maw, revealing two sharp looking fangs.

Lusamine's tutted and rolled her eyes. "Shit…Why do you keep doing that." She then turned to the walkway and shouted, "Alright, turn it on."

There was a hissing sound from somewhere nearby, and a mist begun to fill the air above them. It must have come from a sprinkler system somewhere in the ceiling…

"SNEASEL…"

It was as if Blade's entire brain had stopped working. Simply shut down as the emotions of seeing his father again, right here right now, had threatened to overload it. He felt like his soul had been knocked from him, and he was watching from the sidelines as his body moved on pure instinct.

He charged at Cleave, a snarl across his face and his right claw reaching for the Weavile's throat. Blade was going to kill him…Pure and simple. No more being afraid, no more being abused.

"Ha…" The broad grin on the Weavile's face broadened as he brought a claw up to meet Blade's.

The two quickly disappeared into a flurry of dust, fur and claws, and the conservation area filled with the sound of growls, snarls and yelps of pain.

Lusamine's eyes widened in alarm. "Guys…Guys stop," She yelled. Whatever she had been expecting, it had not been this. "Cleave, get off him. Blade, don't…Yah." She and Lyte had to jump out of the way to avoid being knocked over and the two continue to scratch, bite and throw themselves at the other.

"The damn incense isn't working," Lusamine mumbled. She turned her head over the shoulder to yell at someone on the walkway. "Turn on the affinity enabler."

"It is on," somebody yelled back – a large man in a set of Aether employee overall who spoke with a Scottish accent.

"Then turn it up!"

"She's as high as she'll go. I cunnot turn her up no more!"

Lusamine groaned and rolled her eyes. "Oh, for the love of…Cleave, Blade stop fighting. Cleave, as your master I order you to stop attacking. Use your words, you stupid pair of."

"I don't think they're listening," said Lyte.

And then the fight was over. Cleave had always been the stronger and the larger – He wrestled Blade to the ground and pinned him down. His claws held in a half nelson behind his back and his knee in his back. A long fleshy red rod was poking out between his legs.

"Wea Weavile Wea…" He growled cruelly into Blade's eyes.

Blade froze. Where there had been an empty rage inside him before, there was now a cold fear. He knew what was about to happen and he was powerless to stop it. Even after all this time, he was still that weak Sneasel run. He started to cry, hot tears rolling down his cheeks as he felt something wet press against his tailhole.

"Lusamine, recall Cleave," said Lyte desperately, as Cleave shoved Blade's head in the grass with his free paw, while lining his tip up with Blade's entrance.

Lusamine coxed her head curiously and held up a hand. "Wait, this could be what we want."

"No, NO," cried Lyte, his eyes widening. "We can't allow this to happen to Blade. Recall him, for Arceus sake before…"

Too late…Blade screamed out in pain as he felt his insides stretched to accompany the large erection forcing itself inside. Waves of pain wracked his body and Blade sobbed harder than ever. He squeezed his eyes tight, wishing he could leave his body. That everything would just end here and now.

"Weavile wea weavile wea wea…." The Weavile laughed and growled as he thrust in and out of the poor Sneasel. Slow at first, then faster with no thought as to the Sneasel's wellbeing.

"Snea…Snea…Sneasel." To Blade's horror, he felt his insides become hot and wet as Cleave released inside of him – The Weavile's essence filling him and pouring over his rear and down his legs.

Lyte had finally seen enough. "Meowstic use disarming voice."

The blue cat like creature on his shoulder, leapt to the flow and fired a beam of purple hearts from its maw. A terrible sound filled the conservation area.

"Wea…Weavile." Cleave turned his head curiously, just in time to see the beams before they struck him in the neck. The force of impact knocked him right off Blade, freeing the poor Sneasel.

He landed on his back in the grass, but he was quickly back on his feet. He raised his claws and snarled at Meowstic. But Lusamine acted before matters could get worse.

"Cleave, return…"

Blades open his eyes and rolled onto his back. He could feel Cleaves…Just cleave…still inside him, wet. Filling him up. His insides felt like they were on fire. Like someone had used flamethrower in his butt. He felt humiliated…small and powerless, just like he had when he was a baby Sneasel.

"Blade." He heard Lyte's voice from somewhere above. "Are you okay." He really wanted Shadow right now. But, according to Lusamine Shadow was gone. Far away and would soon be dead. He no longer had Hikari…Or Raiee, or Pyre or Rai or anyone else. He was well and truly alone.

He didn't resist when Lyte picked him up in his arms…

[Pokémon]

"Well, I don't know what you were thinking," said Lyte and little angrily when he and Lusamine were alone in her office a few hours later. "But you never should have let it go that far."

Lusamine sighed. She was standing by the window, staring at the sea while he sat in front of her desk. "No, I must apologies to you Lyte. I was wrong to think that would work. It seems we will have to change our strategy if we are to reunite the two."

"Don't you get it. I don't think they can be reunited at all. Haven't you read my thesis; I've never seen an abuse case among Pokémon this bad before."

"I have to admit, I may have misread the situation," Lusamine agreed. "How is Blade, by the way?"

"Physically he'll be fine. The doctors treated him and gave him a sedative. Emotionally, however. I can't say."

Lusamine shrugged before turning away from the window and wandering back over the desk. "At the end of the day he is a Pokémon. In the world of wild Pokémon, rape is a lot more acceptable than it is in human society." She sat down in the chair and drummed her long fingernails on the mahogany surface. "Yes, in the natural state, where lives are nasty, brutish and short, if one Pokémon is beaten, they are completely at the others mercy. Most prefer rape to death and just bear it. And Sneasel and Weavile usually assert dominance by raping their mate."

"So, might makes right," said Lyte.

"You've studied Pokémon long enough; you should know this."

Lyte pulled a face. "Yeah, some of the time. But most of the Pokémon I've encountered have respected each other's boundaries and only mated when the other wants to. I would like to know why those infernal affinity enablers failed though."

"Could just be a problem with the machine," Lyte suggested. "Or maybe it doesn't work when the two subjects hate each other so much. I mean, attract wears off after a while doesn't it."

"Usually two or three moves," Lusamine agreed. "Either way, I need you to contact the engineer and let him know. We'll need to get this sorted before we try again."

Lyte gaped at her open mouthed. "Are you seriously going to try again. I thought we just agreed, it's not practical."

"I think under better conditions we may be have a better chance. The two need to reconcile. Blade has no family left. He doesn't have a trainer or friend of anything. He has an unhealthy emotional connection to a psychotic Darkrai. We must break it. And reforging a connection with his father might help that. Then Blade will have no more emotional need for Shadow."

"Hasn't Shadow been killed yet?"

"Soon," said Lusamine. "The consignment arrived in Wyndon two days ago. The chairman promised he would contact me as soon as the deed was done. I had hoped they would be swifter than this."

"Why do you care so much that Shadow should die," Lyte asked. "You seem, forgive me, to really hate him."

"Quite the contrary young Lyte, I love all Pokémon," Lusamine replied sadly. "But Shadow poses a great threat to my enterprise. First, he would likely try to kill Cleave again, if he were here. I am Cleaves trainer now and I cannot let that happen. Second, I cannot risk that he remove Blade from Aether Paradise. Third, I don't want that pesky Heather Dunbar finding out that he is still alive, or it could lead back to us. And most importantly, he poses too grave a threat to our little Ashachu. The aura Pikachu."

Lyte was surprised by this last answer. "Why would you care about him. I mean, I get that you love Pokémon but…"

"If Shadow hunts down Ashachu, then Cosmog-Dewott will be in danger," said Lusamine, her tone becoming impatient. "I have spent years of research on that project. If the Cosmog-Dewott dies, then everything will be lost. Finding another Cosmog would be almost impossible. Lillie has already taken Cosmog from me and ruined all. I am not about to let a Darkrai do the same."

Lyte was silent for a moment. Lusamine rarely mentioned her children to him, and when she did it was usually in passing. He didn't know either of them well. He had met Gladion a few times when he had been younger, and he had never met Lillie.

More out of a desire to seem concerned then genuine curiosity, he asked softly, "What's happening with Lillie."

"She let me back in her life quite recently," Lusamine explained, her voice dropping almost to a whisper. The previous animosity was gone. "I can't say we've put aside all of our differences, but she's content to live at my home on Melemele Island for now. She's attending the Pokémon school on the island."

"And Gladion."

Lusamine sighed and shook her head. "Gladion will always be Gladion. I agreed he could go and train, provided that he does not leave the Alola region. I keep tabs on his movements."

"He's not still involved with Team Skull is he," Lyte asked, then immediately regretted it. He added quickly, "Just askin'. I didn't mean…"

"It's quite alright." Lusamine held up a hand to quieten him. "Team Skull have gone to ground since Ash defeated them at Po Town. Incidents involving their members have declined sharply since, at least according to police. So, there's not much for him to be involved with. Besides, Gladion knows full well that if he is arrested again, or that I find he's involved with Team Skull again, he will never be leaving Aether Paradise."

"Tough but fair, I guess," said Lyte. "What happened to Guzma. Is he out yet?"

"Unfortunately, so," Lusamine replied. "The conditions of his bail are that he live with his parents and report to police three times each weak. He's not allowed to have or care for Pokémon. All the Pokémon that were in his possession have were brought here to Aether Paradise."

"How longs he likely to keep that up for?"

"Who knows. But I suspect he won't get so lenient treatment if he gets back involved with Team Skull again. The Alolan citizenry has had more than enough of the youth crime problem Team Skull has caused these last few years. Another crime wave and there will be call for much tougher penalties."

"Have you heard from Faba?" Lyte asked, changing topics once again.

Lusamine sighed and pursed her lips. "No. I won't lie to you, that situation is becoming a concern. He fled the day the indictments came down. Right before the feds showed up to arrest him. He must have had a tip off that he didn't share with me. I've tried to get my PI's in Rhyme City to find him, but no luck. I suppose if the police can't do it. He may have to be dealt with, eventually. He's a huge liability, given how much he knows."

Lyte raised his eyebrows and said simply, "yikes."

"It's a pity too. He is a good scientist."

"So, what are your plans…" he started saying before Lusamine cut him off.

"You know Lyte, it's starting to get late. I have a number of matters I need to attend to before I am ready to call it a day, and I believe you need to oversee the dittos. And I suspect you'll want to be there when Blade wakes up."

And just like that Lyte knew the meeting was over. He got up to leave. "You're right. I see you again tomorrow I suppose. I'll be able to give you a full report on Blade."

"Very good. Thank-you Lyte…"