Chapter 09 (The End of Indolence)
Warning: The chapter contains blood, violence, and censored language. Reader discretion is advised.
He knew he was going to die, he just didn't know when. If his body didn't drop dead, a healthier, stronger predator would eat it instead. He could only hide for so long until one found him---or until he gave up and plop in front of one.
The weather and malnutrition was making him delusional, but at the times he thought he was sane, he wondered if he was being punished. What evil could he have done to deserve this? Did he break a law? Did he cause harm to others? Did he bow to something that shouldn't be worshiped? His guess was as good as any. He was only ten years old.
There were times when he thought of collapsing to the ground---death could take him faster that way. But no matter how many times he fell, he couldn't stay on the ground. Something inside him, no matter how tiny and faint, always pushed him up. Whether it was a little voice speaking to him, or several voices at once, he didn't know. All he knew was that needed to do that something first.
The question was, what?
Something snapped. He immediately stiffened, turning to the source. He didn't know whether to fight or run, so he stood there, frozen.
A tall figure, almost seven feet, emerged from the trees. His four legs stood strong and prominently---his blue skin as light as the sky above. What fascinated the boy most were his horns. They were long, sharp, and streaked like lightning bolts.
"What is your name?" the figure asked.
The boy hesitated, unsure whether to answer that question. But what did he have to lose? The only reason he was still alive was because the creature willed it. If the creature only asked for his name in return, why refuse?
"K-Keldeo, sir."
"Where is your family?" the creature continued. "Your friends?"
Keldeo frowned. "Gone." He was suddenly very sad.
The creature stepped closer. He looked the boy up and down, noticing his burns and scars. The boy's ribs protruded through his yellow fur; a few patches exposed raw muscle.
"Tell me, child," the creature commanded, "did humans do this to you?"
Keldeo's eyes widened.
"Yes," Keldeo whispered. "Yes, they did."
The creature didn't look surprised. He stepped even closer until the boy was directly below him. The boy wasn't looking at him anymore. He was staring at the ground next to his feet, overwhelmed by emotions the creature knew to well. He reminded him of himself when he was his age, as did many pokémon he met along the way.
"Get up."
Keldeo looked up.
"You're coming with me," the creature declared.
Keldeo's eyes stayed blank, but were looking at him. "Where?"
"To life, redemption," the creature answered. "The humans took your home, your friends, and your family. Are you going to sit there and let them take more?"
Keldeo froze.
"No."
"Then come with me, child," the creature ordered. "Avenge your homeland."
Keldeo stood up, his bony legs wobbling as he did so. Despite his pitiful state, Keldeo stared at the creature with hardiness. The creature was taken aback, but dismissed it.
"What's your name?" Keldeo demanded.
"Cobalion," Cobalion answered. He was even more disturbed, but didn't show it.
"Alright, Cobalion," Keldeo smirked. "Let's go."
---
When Matt and Lucy arrived at the beach house, everyone was eating in the kitchen. Even Azurill had a food bowl next to their table, munching away her pellets.
When they knocked on the front door, they were greeted by Agatha and Truman. Agatha gave Lucy a hug, and Truman shook Matt's hand.
"Oh, it's nice to see you, dear," Agatha pulled away. "It's nice to see you too, Matt."
"Thanks, Agatha," Matt nodded curtly.
"Mom, where's Violet?" Lucy asked.
"In the living room with Taboden," Agatha answered.
Lucy immediately ran inside. When she saw the kids in the living room, she almost dropped to the floor.
"Violet!"
"Lucy?" Violet stood up. "Lucy!"
"Oh, honey!" Lucy ran and engulfed Violet into a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you're alright!" she said. "Are you hurt? Wait, your arm!"
Lucy pulled away and looked at Violet's arm. Violet didn't seem too traumatized, and her arm seemed okay.
"We need to run x-rays," Lucy examined the arm. "I can't know for sure if your arm is good until I see x-rays."
"What's an x-rays?" Violet asked.
"It's a machine that can see your bones," Taboden answered.
Violet jumped. "Why can't we see it now?"
Violet quickly ripped the newspaper and towels off, shocking everyone in the room. Lucy tried to stop her, but Violet was persistent. Then she saw the arm itself, and no words could explain her shock.
"Woah," Taboden bent the arm himself. "Your arm! It's all better!"
Violet squealed and performed a little dance. Taboden and Azurill, sharing in her delight, quickly joined in.
"Look, Lucy!" Violet cheered, waving the arm around. "It's all better!"
Lucy's eyes were wide as can be. "I-Impossible..."
"Yeah."
Lucy and the kids turned around.
"I thought she was injured," Matt stood behind Lucy, crossing his arms.
Violet blinked and stared at the man. "Who are you?"
"This is my husband, Matt," Lucy introduced. She stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. "Matt, where have you been?"
"I was talking to Agatha and Truman," Matt answered. He quickly tucked a notepad in his pocket, but Lucy caught the act.
"Were you interrogating my mother?" Lucy demanded.
"Relax," Matt sighed. "I was only talking to her. Just like I have to talk to this girl---who I'm assuming is Violet?"
Taboden immediately stood in front of Violet.
"I just need to ask you a few questions," Matt said to Violet. "Is that okay?"
"What if she doesn't want to talk to you?" Taboden asserted.
Matt scowled. He marched past Lucy and looked Taboden in the eye.
"Two people are in the hospital," Matt told the boy. "The last one to see them awake is the girl you're protecting."
"Are you saying she hurt them?" Taboden demanded.
"I'm saying I need to find out," Matt remarked. "So could you step aside so I can do that?"
Taboden stomped his foot. "No!"
"Taboden!"
Truman and Agatha were standing in the hallway. Truman heard Taboden's outbursts and was very disappointed.
"Taboden, come here!" Truman called again. "You father wants you home."
"No!" Taboden barked. "I'm not leaving Violet with him!"
"Taboden!" Agatha scolded. "Behave yourself! Matt is a sergeant!"
"I don't care!" Taboden remarked. "I'm not leaving Violet!"
"Taboden, wait..."
Taboden turned around. A hand was holding the upper part of his arm.
"Are those people in the hospital," Violet turned to Matt, "hurt?"
"Yes," Matt nodded. "That's why they're in the hospital. Hospitals treat people who are hurt."
Violet bit back a gasp.
"Are those people," she gulped, "I-Ian and Alakazam?"
"Yes," Matt's frown deepened. "Yes they are."
"Who's Ian and Alakazam?" Taboden asked.
"I'll talk to you," Violet said, stepping away from Taboden.
Taboden gasped. "But Vi---"
"It's okay," Violet assured him. She held his hand with both hands and looked him in the eyes.
"Thank you, again," she said, "for saving my life."
Taboden frowned, but reluctantly stepped aside. He was about to walk away, but turned back to Violet.
"Will I see you again?" he asked.
Violet blinked. Not even she knew the answer to that question. But something told her they would meet again, so she nodded.
"Yes," she told him. "You will."
Taboden beamed. He took her hand and squeezed it before running back to Truman. They waved them all goodbye before exiting the front door.
"Mom," Lucy called out.
Agatha finished locking the door and returned to the living room. "Yes?"
"Could you give us a moment?" Lucy requested.
"Of course," Agatha nodded. She looked at her daughter, then Violet, then Matt, and walked away. "I'll be in the kitchen."
When the kitchen door closed, Violet turned to Lucy.
"Why do you call Agatha 'mom'?" she asked.
Lucy smiled and knelt down to face her. "Because she's my mother, dear," Lucy answered. "When I helped Truman cope with the death of his wife, he convinced his employer to hire my mother."
Lucy looked at the spot her mother was standing and smiled. "I'm so grateful," she added. "It keeps my mother close to me."
"What's a 'mother'?" Violet asked.
Lucy opened her mouth, but suddenly gasped and stood up. She ran back to her husband, confusing Violet.
"Okay, that's enough."
Matt walked to the front of the couch and jerked his head to it. "Could you sit on the couch please?"
Violet frowned, but obeyed. She walked to the brown couch and sat on it. "Who are you?" she asked. Lucy answered her earlier, but she had to hear it from him.
"My name is Matt Burns," Matt answered. "I'm a sergeant. I do whatever it takes to keep the people and pokémon here safe."
He glanced at Lucy before glaring at Violet.
"Anything."
"Matt," Lucy quietly protested.
"Do you think I'd hurt her?" Violet questioned. "Hurt Lucy?"
"That's what I'm here to find out."
"But I would never hurt her!" Violet told him. She turned to Lucy, who was avoiding her gaze. "I would never hurt you, Lucy."
Lucy continued to avoid eye contact.
"Would you hurt Ian and Alakazam?" Matt asked.
Violet gasped. "Never!"
"Then why are they in the hospital?"
"I-I don't know," Violet shook her head. "I really don't."
"What happened at the lab last night?" Matt interrogated.
Violet took a shaky breath. She really didn't want to remember. She had been shutting out memories since Taboden saved her. But she had to say something. Lucy had to trust her again.
"When I woke up..." Violet shut her eyes. The memories were returning, and she tried not to fight them, "I saw purple smoke...and a wall. It was thin and...I could see right through it, but...it kept something from breaking in."
Matt took out his notepad and started writing.
"Alakazam looked exhausted," Violet continued. "I think...she was the one that set up the wall. She was trying to protect me."
"From what?" Matt asked.
"I don't know," Violet shook her head. "It looked like a black...round thing...with eyes and teeth. But the eyes---the parts that were supposed to be white, were red. Are eyes supposed to be red?"
"No..." Lucy whispered. She was staring at Violet, grasping her every word.
"Purple smoke, round, eyes, and teeth," Matt listed. "Sounds like a gastly."
Violet flinched. That thi---no! She stopped herself immediately. She didn't have to remember that.
"But gastlies' eyes aren't red," Matt countered.
"Maybe it was angry," Lucy suggested.
"Why would it be angry?" Matt asked her. "Better yet..."
He turned to Violet.
"Why was it attacking you?"
Violet gasped. The question hit her like a trigger. She remembered the gastly speaking to her, and understood every word.
"He said..."
A tear fell.
"He said I killed them."
Lucy gasped.
"Killed who?" Matt demanded.
"His friends," Violet choked. "At the temple. He said I killed them."
Lucy's eyes widened.
"But I don't know what he's talking about!" Violet shook. "I don't know what a "temple" is, I don't know what a "friends" is, I don't know what "kill" is, I don--"
Violet covered her face and screamed. Lucy immediately rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her.
"Matt, that's enough," Lucy declared.
"But we're not done here."
"The girl is crying," Lucy insisted. "Give her a break."
"DON'T YOU SEE THAT'S HOW SHE'S CONTROLLING YOU?"
Lucy and Violet jumped. Matt, who was composed a second ago, was seething with rage. But something else was in his eyes, something Violet knew but couldn't describe.
"She didn't only affect you, but Taboden, Truman, and your mother too!" Matt continued. "Why would I show this girl any mercy? So she could control me too?"
Violet gaped. "W-what..."
"Don't play innocent with me, kid!" Matt pointed at her. "I don't know who or what you are, but I'm not going to let anyone else suffer because of you!"
"Matt, stop it!" Lucy scolded.
"If Lucy stayed at the lab," Matt shook his head, "if I hadn't called her so much she had to go home, what would've happened? Would she be at the hospital too?"
"Matt, please," Lucy insisted.
Matt turned to his wife. He looked into her pleading eyes and shook his head again.
"I just want to protect you," he told her. "I can't believe you're allowing her to turn you against me."
"I'm not against you," Lucy stated.
"Really?" Matt scoffed. "Whose side are you on right now?"
"I'm just trying to make sense of the situation, just like you," Lucy told him. "You can't just blame Violet for everything that happened. Lucario said she needed protecting, and he was right! She was attacked last night, and Ian and Alakazam tried to protect her!"
"Yeah, about that," Matt glared at Violet. "What happened to the gastly? Why was there no gastly when we arrived at the lab?"
Violet stiffened.
"Maybe he ran away," Lucy told him. "Maybe when Alakazam's Protect went up, or when you and the officers showed up. Either way, Violet can't be blamed; she was the victim!"
"IF she was the victim."
Matt pointed at Violet. "You better hope Ian and Alakazam live to support your story, kid," he threatened, "because if they don---"
A beeping noise stopped him. Matt grunted. He knew what that ringtone meant.
"It's my boss," Matt sighed. "I gotta take this." Then he glared at Violet. "There better not b---"
"We'll be fine," Lucy assured. Matt grunted again and went out the front door.
"I d-don't like him very-ry much," Violet stated.
"No, don't say that," Lucy rubbed Violet's shoulder. "He's just doing his job. He's not always like that."
"Then wh-why is he like that now?" Violet wiped her tears. "Can't he be n-nicer to me?"
"He's usually more patient," Lucy nodded, "but he's always more sensitive when it comes to me. I'm his wife, after all."
"Does he have to be so mean though?" Violet asked.
Lucy sighed. "No, no he doesn't."
"So why is he so mean?"
Lucy straightened up and looked Violet in the eyes.
"Several years ago," she started, "Matt's parents, the people who gave birth to and raised him, were murdered. That's another word for 'killed'. It means someone took them away from him forever."
Violet gasped.
"I know," Lucy nodded solemnly. "What's worse is that the police never found out who did it. It's why Matt decided to be a police officer, to find the killer himself."
"Is that why that...gastly wanted to hurt me?" Violet asked, "and why your husband wants to do the same thing?"
Lucy gasped. "Don't say that, Violet!" she scolded. "My husband would never hurt you!"
"So why is he so mean?" Violet asked again.
Lucy sighed. "Well, Violet," she combed Violet's hair with her fingers, "when you lose someone you love, it changes you. Matt was a wonderful man, and still is. But ever since he lost his parents, he became fearful. His 'mean-ness' is just his way of showing he's scared. Do you understand?"
Violet looked down. "Yeah," she nodded. "I think I do. But what's 'love'?"
"Oh, honey," Lucy laughed out. She shook her head, remembering the times she asked herself the same question. "Love is a lot of things."
"Does it make you scared like your husband?" Violet asked.
"Oh, yes," Lucy nodded. "But it can also make you very brave---make decisions you normally wouldn't do when you're scared."
"Like what?" Violet asked.
"Like," Lucy looked at Violet, "like continuing to care for someone," she said, "knowing that someone could hurt you."
"Why would they hurt you?" Violet asked.
"I don't know," Lucy sighed, "but it's the risk you have to take. You can only hope that person loves you back so they're taking the risk too."
"Do you love me, Lucy?" Violet asked.
Lucy gasped. She didn't expect her to ask that kind of question. But the girl was staring at her, waiting.
Lucy bit her lip and looked forward. She didn't say anything for a while, not knowing whether she didn't know the answer or was scared of it. But she looked at Violet again, and the answer was clear.
"Yes," Lucy answered. "I do."
Violet beamed. "Good."
Lucy stiffened.
"Because I love you too."
Violet leaned in and gave Lucy a hug. Lucy shivered and bit back tears. Her arms eventually encircled the girl, hugging her back.
"Lucy."
The ladies turned to see Matt back in the room. "I need to talk to you," he said.
Lucy blinked. Her husband no longer looked upset, but looked...she couldn't describe it.
Lucy slowly pulled away from Violet and stood up. She looked at Violet, who was pouting from her absence. "I'll be back."
Violet frowned. "Okay..."
Violet watched as the couple disappeared into the hallway. She grasped her stomach, feeling it twist and turn.
Something was wrong.
"It's about time they left."
Violet yelped and fell back.
"Surprised to see me?" the figure with no eyes said. "You didn't think I was stuck on that bridge, did you?"
Violet didn't know what to be scared of more. The fact that the figure was sitting next to her, or the fact it was also wearing Taboden's clothes.
"Wh-why are you here?" Violet asked.
It pouted. "Why?" it asked. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I mean it!"
"Okay, okay, no need to get mad," it smirked. "Just know that you're the only one who can see and hear me, so lower your voice unless you want these people to be even more scared of you."
"You're," Violet blinked, "you're not real?"
"Of course I'm real---I'm you!" it said. "No one else can see you because nobody knows you. But you do, and I do."
"You're not me!" Violet barked. "Leave me alone!"
"But then who else is going to take care of you?" it crossed its arms. "You didn't think that arm healed itself, did you?"
Violet opened her mouth, but stopped herself. She didn't know how injuries worked, but from everyone's reaction earlier, she knew hers didn't heal normally.
"Y-you," Violet stammered, "you healed my arm?"
"But of course I did!" it answered. "You didn't think it was that quack doctor, Lucy, did you?"
Violet glared at it, but then gasped.
"You..."
It raised an eyebrow.
"You're the reason this is happening!" Violet pointed. "You're the reason no one can trust me!"
The figure frowned. "Is that so?"
"Everyone thinks I'm a monster because of you!" Violet hissed. "Nobody could trust me because of you! These people aren't the enemy. You are!"
The figure inched back. A flash of hurt appeared on its face, but it disappeared as soon as it came.
"Fine," the figure stood up. "Live in this world without me. Die for all I care!"
Violet watched as it stomped towards the window. Then it stopped, its back facing her.
"Just remember this," it said. "This world may seem kind now, but it will hate you. When it does, you will come back to me."
"N-no," Violet shook her head. "No I won't!"
The figure turned around, crinkling its eye-less holes.
"Yes you will."
And disappeared.
---
Ardonis's steps echoed as he marched to his and Melena's bedchamber. He marched rather stiffly, unnerved by the discussion he had with his associates. His eyes darted left and right. His fists trembled at his sides.
When he opened the chamber doors, he expected Melena to be sleeping on their bed. She wasn't.
"Melena!" Ardonis cried, running inside the room. "Melena!"
"Out here..."
Ardonis ran to the balcony and sighed. Melena was at the railings again, looking at the trees below. When he approached her side, however, she was crying.
"Melena!" Ardonis pulled her to him. "Melena, what's wrong?"
"You w-were right."
"About what?"
"About our child!" Melena choked. "They're going to kill it, Ard-donis. The child we always wanted will be t-taken away from us!"
Ardonis grunted, pulling her even closer.
"Is this the cost?" Melena asked him. "We could have a ch-child, but it would be k-killed the second we h-hold it?"
Ardonis suddenly hated the child. Melena was never that upset until that child came along. The child was a curse! It brought them the exact harm he expected it to bring.
"Maybe it's for the best," Ardonis told her. "That child has caused us nothing but trouble."
Melena gasped, pushing herself away from him.
"How could you say that?" she demanded. "This is our child!"
"And look at what it's causing us!" Ardonis remarked. "Do you think we would have all these problems if that thing was never here?"
"How dare you," Melena hissed. "We risked our lives to get this child! This thing is your child as much as it is mine!"
"But I never wanted it!" Ardonis reminded her. "You were the one begging me to have one!"
"Are you saying it's my fault now?" Melena demanded.
"No!"
"Then whose fault IS IT?"
"THE CHILD'S!" Ardonis snapped. "It's the child's fault! So let me get rid of it so we don't have to deal with it anymore!"
Melena staggered back.
"Don't you dare," she hissed. "If you're going to kill it, you have to KILL ME FIRST!"
Ardonis growled, but then gasped. Melena kept her distance, watching his every move.
"My love," Ardonis shook, "what...what are we doing?"
Melena started shaking too.
"We're turning against each other," Ardonis realized. "We can't...we can't do this, Melena. You're the o-only one I have."
Melena gasped and cupped her mouth.
"I-I'm," she trembled. "I'm so sorry..."
"I'm sorry too," Ardonis returned, engulfing her in his arms. Melena buried herself in his collar, crying into his shirt.
"There's only one person that can really solve this problem," Ardonis stated, combing her pink locks.
"Who?" Melena whispered, pulling him closer.
"The one who gave us the child in the first place."
Ardonis stared ahead.
"Jirachi."
---
Matt and Lucy trekked the halls until they reached the library. The library was a large room filled with bookshelves and couches. Sunlight illuminated the room, so the couple left the lights off.
"So what did your boss say?" Lucy asked, sitting on a green sofa.
"A lot," Matt sat beside her. "He and forensic team finished gathering evidence from the crime scene. The only evidence they could find for the possible intruder was a strand of black hair."
Lucy gasped.
"It's Violet's, right?" Matt asked.
"Yes," Lucy bit her lip. "She was asleep."
"The hair was processed in the evidence lab, along with other evidence that could give us clues to what happened," Matt continued. "There's just one problem."
"What's that?"
"The evidence lab was broken into by a couple of crooks," Matt answered. "They poisoned and killed many staff members and crashed the building's computer system. Not only was all the information wiped out, all the computers were wrecked beyond use. It's going to take weeks, maybe months, to get new ones, and millions of dollars to replace them."
Lucy inched back, shaking a little as she did so.
"But if you think that's bad," Matt shook his head, "the crooks also stole Violet's hair. So if you're still worried about keeping her a secret, don't worry. Without her hair, it's like she never existed."
Lucy gasped. "Wh-wha---"
"But there's even more," Matt added. "They stole one important device from the electronics room," he looked her in the eyes, "Ian's laptop."
Lucy staggered back. "N-no."
"Yes."
"A-are you sayi---"
"Yes," Matt answered. "That girl in the living room is working with criminals."
---
Melena gripped Ardonis's hand as they entered the mouth of the cave. The only source of light were tiny white dots floating freely around them. They didn't shine very brightly, but shone bright enough to reveal steps ascending to an altar. The altar itself, however, was hidden in shadow.
"Jirachi!" Ardonis called out. "Jirachi, we have returned!"
"As you have," a feminine voice replied.
Ardonis tightened his grip on Melena's hand before looking up the altar.
"Come closer,' the voice requested, "so we can speak more appropriately."
Ardonis helped Melena up the steps and made sure she didn't trip. As they started to climb, their eyes made out a line of pillars encircling the altar. The pillars were made of white rock and stood prominently like trees. Even with little light, the pillars stuck out in the darkness. If there was more light in the cave, their eyes would've hurt.
When the couple reached the altar, they thought they saw a slightly bigger ball of light. But the ball revealed to be a small humanoid creature, with black beady eyes and blue triangles hanging from their bottom. The creature had a curved seam on her belly, and flaps under her arms that gave the impression of sleeves. Her skin was white, but her large three-pointed cap and streamers were yellow. She was the embodiment of a falling star. Her only distinguishing feature were the blue tags on her cap. There were originally three, one for each point---but were reduced to two. One on the top point, and the other on the left one.
"Hello, Ardonis. Hello, Melena," Jirachi greeted. "My, I see the child is growing well."
Melena automatically clutched her womb, rubbing the area tenderly with her thumb.
"We need your help," Ardonis told the star-embodiment. "The child is in danger."
"Is that so?" Jirachi levitated closer. There was a small fountain at the center of the altar, and it was as white as the pillars surrounding them. Jirachi landed on its rim, her image reflecting on the water.
"Yes," Melena trudged to the fountain. "Our own friends and servants have turned against us. They will kill the child as soon as it is born!"
"That does sound troubling," Jirachi commented. "What are you going to do?"
"We don't know," Ardonis approached her. "That's why we came to you."
Jirachi smiled. "But of course."
She raised a hand and plucked the tag on her cap's left point. She extended her arm so the couple could see the paper.
"Just know that this wish," Jirachi said, "like the last one, will come at a cost."
"Yes, we know," Ardonis grumbled. "We're still paying the first one."
"But if it saves our child," Melena told her, "we'll take it."
Jirachi grinned. "Very well then."
She took the paper back, but continued to hold it up.
"First things first," she started, "why do you want to protect the child?"
Melena and Ardonis looked at each other. Melena's expression held one look, while Ardonis's held another.
"Because we love it," Melena turned to Jirachi. "Because we love our child."
Ardonis nodded.
Jirachi gave them a sly smile. "You may love the child, Melena," she told her, "but your husband doesn't."
Melena immediately turned to Ardonis, who was glaring at the wish-maker.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Ardonis spat. "I didn't want the child the first time we met you, but you still gave it to us!"
"Because you came along and asked," Jirachi remarked. "Now why is that?"
Ardonis turned to Melena, her sapphire eyes returning his gaze.
"Because Melena wanted a child," Ardonis answered, "and I wanted her to be happy."
Melena gasped. "Ardonis..."
"So you don't love the child, but you love your wife," Jirachi stated. The couple turned to look at her. "That will do."
"For what?" Melena asked.
"For your wish," Jirachi answered. "The reason you want to keep your child is because you love it. The reason your enemies want to kill it is because they don't."
"Where are you going with this?" Ardonis stepped closer.
"The love you two have is powerful," Jirachi told them. "If combined and embedded in your child, those who-so-much looks at the child will feel the same way you feel."
"You mean to say," Melena gasped, "whoever looks at our child will love it?"
"Precisely."
Melena and Ardonis staggered back. Love was a powerful thing. To have the child possess the power to elicit it from anyone and anything...
"What would be the cost?" Ardonis asked.
"Just as the last wish, I do not know for sure," Jirachi told him. "There is only one way to find out."
She extended the tag again.
Ardonis and Melena stepped further away and turned to each other. Melena grasped Ardonis's hand with one hand and her womb with another.
"It could save our child," Melena told him.
"Yes, but at what cost?" Ardonis asked.
"I don't know," Melena said, "but I love our child, I really do. I'll give anything to save it. Even my life."
Ardonis grabbed her hand with both hands. "Mele---"
"She's right. I'm the one that wanted this child, not you," Melena told him. "I can't let you suffer for the sake of my wants---not anymore. I have to do this on my own."
"No! Don't speak like that!" Ardonis ordered. When Melena looked offended, he scolded himself and turned away.
"What I meant to say is," he sighed, "if you want to make this wish, I...will pay it with you."
"Ardoni--"
"You're my wife, Melena," Ardonis reminded her. "And Jirachi was right about another thing. I love you---with all of my heart, my mind, everything else I have! I will not let you live without me, and I will not live without you!"
Tears welled in Melena's eyes. "Ardonis..."
She pulled him to her arms, sobbing onto his shoulder.
"I love you too," she told him. "I love you so much!"
"Then let's pay the price together," Ardonis leaned on her. "I may not love this child, but I will try. For you."
"Thank you," Melena clutched his shoulders. "Th-Thank you."
The two pulled back and looked at each other. The look in their eyes was powerful, and the grip they had on Melena's womb was strong. The couple may not have noticed, but Melena's body started glowing blue, and Ardonis's body, red. Their colors combined between them, creating a violet hue.
Jirachi grinned and held up the tag.
"What is the name of your child?"
Ardonis and Melena continued to look at each other. With the same thought forming in their heads, they smiled.
"Armeus."
The tag in Jirachi's hand lit up with purple light. An unknown language appeared on the tag, inscribing the paper with black ink. The violet light between Ardonis and Melena grew and grew until it surrounded them. The couple pulled away, finally noticing the light, and followed where it went.
Jirachi released the tag. The blue paper levitated out of her hands and stopped above the fountain. When the purple light hit it, it exploded, becoming a silver coin.
"You know how this works," Jirachi told them. "Once the coin hits the water, the wish is cast. If you change your mind, just catch it before it falls."
The couple turned to each other again once more. They also took each other's hand again---
and watched the coin fall into the water.
---
Violet remained on the couch with her knees curled and her eyes wide. She had been in that position since the figure left, and was shaking the whole time. Thoughts in her head raged like a storm. Why were Ian and Alakazam in the hospital? Why were Matt and Lucy taking so long? Were Ian and Alakazam okay? Why did Matt look strange when he came back? Was Lucy still on her side? What if Lucy came back and turned against her? What would she do? Who would she turn to?
And that thing. That thing. What was it? How could she see it outside her head? Was it even from her head? Why did it even exist? Was what it saying true? Could she even trust its words? What if that thing was right? But what if it was wrong? And why wo---
Violet gasped. She looked down and her eyes widened.
Her hands...they were glowing...black...
Violet rubbed her hands on her legs to get rid of it, but the darkness only grew. She rubbed again, and the darkness covered her forearms.
"No, no, no, no!" Violet tucked her hands between her legs. "Stop it, stop it, stop it!"
But the darkness didn't go away. Her thighs, which her hands were between, started glowing black as well.
"What's happening?" Violet croaked. "Why is this h-happening?"
She looked up to call for help, but stopped. Who would she call to? Everyone already thought she was a monster. If they saw what was happening to her now...
The darkness spread to her chest. Violet yelped and curled into a ball.
"Please," a tear trickled down her face. "Please stop, please."
The knob on the front door clicked. Two figures entered the building.
"Stop...go away..." Violet rocked back and forth. "Away...away...please go away..."
The figures entered the living room. They saw Violet curled on the couch, but what interested them was the darkness that surrounded her. They shuddered in their spots. It was so...so...dark...
One of them stepped forward. Violet gasped and looked up.
"Stay still, little girl," one of them, a man, commanded. "We're not going to hurt you."
"Who are you?" Violet demanded. The darkness flashed, engulfing her entire body. Violet gasped and staggered back.
"Such great power," the other, a woman, commented. "And you can't control it."
The darkness flashed again.
Violet sunk deeper into the couch. The intruders wore black full-body spandex, belts filled with gadgets, and white masks to cover their face. There weren't visible holes for their eyes, but Violet knew they could see her.
They were also getting closer.
"Go away!" Violet cried.
"No," the man shook his head. "Not until you come with us."
The intruders dug into their belts and took a gadget out. At a press of a button, red and white spheres enlarged in their hands.
Violet froze.
"Krookodile!"
"Malamar!"
The balls were thrown in the air.
"Let's go!"
The spheres unhinged and unleashed two beams of light. The lights then materialized, revealing creatures that were almost five feet tall.
"Malamar," the woman called out. "Take her away."
"Mala..."
The dark purple squid spread her tentacles. Her broad main body illuminated with yellow lights, spreading throughout her body.
Violet's eyes widened.
"Krookodile, get ready," the man commanded.
The maroon, black-striped crocodile leaned forward, smirking.
Violet slowly uncurled and rose from the couch. She took a step forward, then another. Malamar sneered, extending her tentacles to the girl.
"Stop!"
The intruders turned to their left. Matt was standing in the hallway. A gun was in his hand, ready to shoot.
"Oh how cute," the woman taunted. "The sergeant's trying to play hero."
"Stand down or I'll shoot!" Matt commanded.
"Matt!" Lucy called out, running to his side.
"Lucy, I told you to stay in the room!"
"Not while you're out here!"
"Ugh, these lovers are making me sick," the man grunted. "Krookodile, take care of them."
Krookodile sneered and charged towards the couple. Matt fired off shots, but the crocodile was too fast. He dodged each bullet with zig-zag movements, his jaws open for Matt's head.
Lucy screamed.
Violet snapped out of her trance and whipped to the couple.
"Lucy!" Violet reached out. "Lucy, no!"
The darkness burst, sending a wave of shadows through the room. Malamar and Krookodile were hit and knocked unconscious. The intruders were also hit, but fell to the ground, dead.
Matt quickly saw this and shoved Lucy behind a wall. The wave struck him when Lucy fell, hitting him in the chest. He fell to the ground, dead.
"Matt?" Lucy sat up, crawling to her husband's side. "Matt?"
Violet fell to the ground, gaping at the couple. She shook in place, realizing what she had done.
"Matt!" Lucy shook him. "Matt, baby, wake up! Please wake up!"
But Matt's eyes stayed closed, his body limp in Lucy's arms. Lucy pressed two fingers at the base of his neck.
"No..."
Lucy grabbed and shook him. "MATT!" she cried. "MA-A-ATT!"
She gripped his shirt, her tears spilling on his collar.
"Matt, please don't leave me!" she pleaded. "Matt, I'm sorry. Please don't leave me, please!"
But it was no use. Lucy shook and slowly backed away. She dropped his corpse and sat there, frozen.
Violet's tears streamed down her face. Lucy heard her whimpering and looked at her.
"L-Lucy!" Violet called out. "L-Lucy, I'm sorry!" she sobbed. "I-I'm sorry! I d-didn't mean to!"
Lucy stood up. She looked down at Violet weeping in the living room and approached her. Her eyes were blank, unreadable.
Violet trembled as Lucy stopped in front of her. Lucy knelt down, combed her hair, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Violet's eyes widened. "L-Lu---"
She was knocked to the ground, unconscious. Lucy lifted her up, her fist still raised.
"I," Lucy hissed, "am so tired of you."
She punched her again.
---
"Cobalion, where have you been?"
When Keldeo looked ahead, he saw two more towering figures. The one that called out to Cobalion was green and slender. The other was gray and shorter, but compensated with his broad physique. When the two spotted Keldeo, Keldeo almost tripped.
"Who's this?" the green one asked.
"His name is Keldeo," Cobalion spoke. "He will be joining our group."
"Him?" the green one approached the boy. "But he's so little!"
"What good could he be to our team?" the gray one inquired. "Look at him, he is weak. He will only be a burden us."
Keldeo growled, but cowered when the gray one turned to him.
"We will train him to be strong," Cobalion told them. "Once we're done with him, he will be an asset we can rely on."
"But he's just a kid," the green one remarked. He turned to Keldeo. "How old are you, kid?"
"T-ten."
"Step back, Virizion," Cobalion commanded. "You're scaring him."
"Even more of a reason he can't be with us," Virizion remarked. "If he can't face me, how much more if he faces the humans?"
Everyone stopped and turned to Keldeo. Keldeo was shaking, his eyes turning steely. Keldeo wasn't looking at them anymore. He was staring past them, his pupils shrinking every second.
"Give him time," Cobalion told them. "His home was destroyed by humans. We won't have to worry about keeping him motivated. He will work his hardest."
"As he should," the gray one stated, "because we're not taking it easy on him."
Keldeo turned to the gray one. To everyone's surprise, the gray one stepped back.
"Don't tell me you're scared of the kid, Terrakion?" Virizion teased.
Terrakion grunted and stomped off. "Let's just go."
Cobalion smirked as Virizion continued pestering him. He then turned to Keldeo, who was glaring at them.
"Don't be angry at them, Keldeo," Cobalion told him. "They are not the enemies."
"No," Keldeo said, remembering flames and machines. "No, they're not."
---
Lucy froze.
Krookodile and Malamar rose to their feet as they slowly gained consciousness. The first thing they did was check on their trainers. Lucy watched their expressions contort from fear to sheer terror. They bent their heads and wailed, holding their trainers against them.
Then they turned to Lucy, and their expressions changed again.
Lucy tightened her grip on Violet as the pokémon approached them. The look on their faces was terrifying. Never before had she seen such rage. But Lucy wasn't frightened. She returned to her feet and raised her chin.
"Back off," she ordered. "If anybody's going to finish off this b****, it's going to be me."
Krookodile protracted his claws, and Malamar extended her tentacles. Lucy braced herself as the creatures lunged.
But the attack never came.
Krookodile's claw stopped just inches from Lucy's eye when another figure entered the room. Just like the previous intruders, the figure wore a white mask that covered his entire face. The only difference between his attire and theirs was that a black cloak covered his body, and a hood covered his head.
Lucy narrowed her eyes. He was the one that called off the pokémons' attack, but why did they listen to him? Was he their trainer too?
"Hello, Dr. Burns," the man greeted. "I'm glad you aren't harmed."
Lucy hissed.
"Hand over the girl, please," the man extended a hand. "We'll take her from here."
Lucy tightened her grip on Violet. "What are you going to do to her?"
"We're going to take her somewhere far away," the man answered, "somewhere she won't harm anyone anymore."
"No," Lucy pulled Violet close. "She's mine."
"Are you trying to save her?" the man asked.
"I'm trying to kill her," Lucy corrected. "If anybody's going to get their hands on this b****, it's me."
The man expected this, but Lucy didn't know that. She only watched as he redirected his hand.
"Alright then," the man gestured behind him. "Bring her in."
Lucy gasped as Agatha was pulled into the room. Agatha tried to get out of his henchmen's, who looked just like the intruders from earlier, hold, but failed.
"Lucy!" Agatha called out. "Do what he says; they're dangerous people!"
"Listen to your mother, Dr. Burns," the man instructed. "We don't want your mother to end up like your husband, do we?"
Lucy snarled. "Let her go!"
"Give us the girl," the man told her, "and we will give you your mother."
Lucy's chest was heaving with rage. She glared at the masked man, and then at her mother. Her fingers slowly loosened her grip until, finally, Violet was on the ground.
The man raised his head. "A wise choice."
He flicked his wrist, and the henchmen struck Agatha's back. They continued to hold her, however, as they laid her on the ground.
Lucy gasped. "What did you DO?"
"Don't worry, she is only unconscious," the man assured. "I have something to say that your mother can't be present for."
Lucy's glare intensified. "What do you want?"
"Your services."
Lucy widened her eyes.
"You have extended knowledge on subjects that serve me greatly," the man continued. "You will be great asset to my organization. With your help, we can achieve this organization's goal."
Lucy glared at him. "And what goal is that?"
"To cleanse this world of these," he pointed at Violet, "beasts."
Lucy looked down at Violet, who was still unconscious.
"If you join me," the man continued, "you will not only avenge your husband and your friends, you will also avenge every other person on this planet that has suffered from these," he reaffirmed his point, "monsters."
Lucy said nothing. Her hands were clenched, and her chest was heaving.
The man waved his hand again. The henchmen left Agatha's side and ran to Violet's body. Lucy only watched as they carried her away, her eyes still intense.
"If you change your mind..."
A card slipped out from the man's sleeve.
"Call us."
Lucy watched the henchmen exit through the front door. The man held up the card to her before placing it on Agatha's body.
"We are everywhere," the man told Lucy. "If you decide to call us, we will come."
The man turned around, leaving without another word. Krookodile and Malamar returned to their trainers' sides and lifted them on their backs. They gave Lucy one last look before following the man outside.
When the door finally closed, Lucy ran to her mother. She checked for a pulse and sighed. She was still alive.
Something fell on the ground, and Lucy picked it up. It was the card. The card was white and blank, but did say one word.
"Absterge"
Lucy frowned. She checked the card from front to back, but found nothing more. She became angry and checked again, but still found nothing more.
Then she stopped. Why was she getting mad? Why was she even looking? She wasn't going to join this man and his faceless henchmen. Not now, not ever.
Then she saw Matt from the corner of her eyes. His head was facing her, his eyes closed.
Lucy bit her lip. For a moment, she thought he was sleeping. She imagined him opening his eyes, sitting up, and shooting her a goofy grin. She waited for a moment, expecting him to do just that.
But he didn't. Of course he didn't. He was dead now. And it was all becaus---
Lucy looked up.
Sirens.
Cops burst into the vicinity with guns and searched the house. One of them stopped to look at Matt. He checked his pulse, then backed away slowly.
"He's dead, Bert," Lucy called out. The cop looked up and ran to her.
"Lucy!" Bert called out. His shaggy blonde hair bounced as he knelt beside her. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"A bunch of men came in and," Lucy paused, "attacked Matt. They used some kind of dark type attack. Maybe a Dark Pulse."
Bert growled. "Did they hit you too?"
"No," Lucy answered. "Matt pushed me behind the wall so it wouldn't."
Bert sighed and fell back. He raked his scalp and turned back to Matt. A white sheet started covering Matt from foot to head. Bert then grunted as his best friend was carried away.
"I'm so sorry, Lucy," Bert groaned, for her grief as well as his own. Then he looked down at the old woman on Lucy's lap. "Is that..."
"My mother, yes," Lucy confirmed. "The men knocked her out."
"Arceus," Bert cursed, raking his scalp again. He stood up and paced as medics came for Agatha. Lucy slipped the card in her pocket so no one could see it.
No one did.
Bert turned back to Lucy, his green eyes wide and teary.
"I-I..." he stammered, "need you to go downtown with me and m-make a final statement. We also need you to answer a few questions. Is th-that okay?"
Lucy nodded. "Of course," she said. "Just take me to the hospital after. I want to see my mom."
"Okay," Bert sighed, helping her to her feet. He then looked at Lucy's face. "Are you okay, Lucy?" he asked. "Not that I want you to be hysterical or anything. I just didn't expect you to be handling this so well."
Lucy looked back at him. "I guess having a cop as a husband for so long desensitized me."
Bert grunted, catching the bitterness in her voice. He placed a hand on her back and escorted her outside.
---
Melena screamed. Her head fell back on her pillow before curling back up.
"Push, dear!" Ardonis gripped her hand. "It's almost out!"
Ardonis and Melena were inside a stone temple high on top of a mountain. It was the safest place they could think to go when the child was being born. Jirachi warned them the birth would be painful, but they never imagined the pain would be that bad.
Melena screamed again. Her eyes sporadically changed from being full of life to empty and dull. The twisted cycle terrified Ardonis to tears. He gripped Melena's hand, praying the next time she returned his grip, it would stay there.
Melena screamed one last time, louder than the rest, and fell back. Ardonis gasped and took her in his arms. Her eyes were closed, and her body was limp.
"No," Ardonis shook his head. "NO!"
