Objective: Flare now has control over the Cold Storage of Driftveil City, and with it a large cache of food. With such quantity they could feed their forces with just the cache for at least a year. Furthermore The Grove refugee camp is always need in supplies. Raid the Cold Storage and steal supplies for The Grove and while you're there destroy any supplies you can't take with you. The Cold Storage cache is too valuable to let them have but far too big for us to take for ourselves. Use the element of surprise to your advantage.
With Zera dispatched for the time being, it was time to focus back on Unova for now while the getting was good. Though I have to admit, I am left to wonder just how Lysandre amassed so many people to do his dirty work, let alone spur them to go overseas and attack a region that had no hand in this. With the Snagems divided up once more, I decided to take the initiative and volunteer to take care of any key points against Flare. Rather it be someone’s stupid sense of humor or it was just how the missions were divvied up, I ended up being tasked in going to Driftveil City to ransack the supplies that Flare decided to take for themselves. The supplies in question were in cold storage, along the docks of Driftveil city. I was recommended to go stealthily amongst them and take them by surprise. The supplies, however, would have to go The Grove, the designated refugee camp. Get in and out quiet with no one the wiser? Yea, right. When has that ever went off without a hitch for anyone in Snagem? Sure, we might go off undetected for a time, but then there’s always that convenient person who catches the hybrid that sticks out like a sore thumb or a Pokémon that finds someone rather unfamiliar for the area.
I would find that there were worse problems however. Transporting the goods out of there would be a point of contention immediately as I stood on the far side of Driftveil, west of it as if someone were to head out for the caves. I stood there alongside a confused Psy, my Gallade, as to why on earth he landed here in the woods instead of in the city. “Teleportation jammers. Great.” I said. It didn’t matter too much anyhow, really, the more that I thought about it. Even if the jammers weren’t an issue, even having Telia along side of me, there’d be no way we’d be able to transport out a massive quantity of supplies via teleportation easily. One teleporting Pokémon taking off three to four people? Might not be a big deal. Taking more than that will be an increasing struggle the more people there are to focus on, and it would be the same way with any objects that need to be taken away as well. Taking a large stash of goods to sustain a refugee camp, even for a short time, would be brutal. I’d have to sooner commandeer a vehicle; a truck or something. A large one. Pack it to the brim as much as I could, and pray I could get it out with as little Flare resistance as possible.
I took out my SNAG and started to study it. There were at least three roads that branch off Unovan Route 6 that heads through the southern mountains and off to the Refugee site, except one that’s a costal path…where some of the fighting is over that way which has not only Flare involved, but Team Aqua, for reasons beyond me. That’d be the worst way to go. The next path was a far up on Route 6, closer towards the Chargestone cavern area, which would lead to Misaltron City. Unfortunately, there was Flare activity close to there. While there are supposedly Snagems heading towards there, I didn’t need to turn their mission into an all-of-a-sudden escort mission to make sure that I get through there. Not to mention, that way is WAY out of the way just to get to where I need to go. The final path that branched off of Route 6 headed towards the mountain range near immediately. It was a winding road which ultimately would lead towards a long tunnel to head towards Virbank City. However, with all that goes on, it wouldn’t surprise me at the least that Flare would block off routes like that for their own uses. “…micromission, they said. It will be easy they said.” I quipped as I stared at the SNAG. “Surrrre...fine, whatever.”
I made a hard sigh then signaled off back for headquarters. ”Oh good, not even five seconds into the mission and a Snagem peon is crying for help. The late Gonzap would be proud.”
“Shut it, GRAY. I just realized that there is more to this mission than what was initially there. Get a message to the resistance group at the Grove. I need them to secure the mountain tunnel that’s south of Route 6 for me and tell them they’re on the clock.” I said.
“And how long do you suppose they have for you to complete this very easy, even-a-child-could-do-it, teeny-tiny, insignificant mission will take.” “You’re patronizing me, aren’t you?”
“GRAY log…subject can learn remarkably fast.”
“GRAY!”
“Confirmed. How long?”
“I don’t know. Two hours. Let’s just go with that. Out.” I said finally stashing the SNAG. “I swear to God, why…ugh.” I recalled Gallade, giving him the thanks for the teleport then started my way off for the docks of Driftveil.
It took some time making the trek through the woods alongside Route 6. Nightfall fell upon the region during the run, potentially making this mission a bit easier under the cover of darkness. At least at first, anyways. Between having to disable, if not outright demolish, a teleportation jammer for future purposes and taking a large shipment of goods out of the city somehow, a lot of noise was going to be made if I liked it or not. Typical. It seemed the best way to go about it is to get all the Flare guys diverted away from the primary target, that being the goods for the Grove, which would leave the tower as a nice diversion to throw Flare into a panic for potential raids from this side of the major bridge. It was just the matter of figuring out where the jammer was.
I finally made my way towards Driftveil and was disgusted at what I saw. Roads were being barricaded by the likes of Flare; people and vehicles were being bottlenecked, trying to make their way in and out of the city. That wasn't good. That'd make leaving all the more problematic if I didn't want to get the populous involved. Spotlights were out and about as well, making sweeps of the general area and the occasional Pyroar and Furfrou accompanied by their trainers in the area. "…how in God's name did they manage to get this ingrained in the region is beyond me. What is this Gestapo bullcrap?" I couldn't help but to ask myself. I kept hidden amongst the brush and the darkness, keeping an eye on the area, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make the rush to the city proper. I watched and listened in on the commotion of unrest amongst the Unovan locals making their disdain known to the Kalosian invaders. "…they're hostages…" They couldn't leave. They weren't allowed to leave. Though it did have me wondering just where were those that could fight? Not all of these people were defenseless, right? Then again, considering how many of those within the Flare ranks that I see right off hand, they'd be outnumbered. Coming to thinking about it, who is to say that there aren't those that decided to join Flare's campaign, if for anything, to take on Cipher, by chance? This was essentially a free-for-all that I can figure. I couldn't help but to shake my head at such a grim thought.
I took notice to a spot nearby. A break in the patrols and the sweeps of the lights. My first shot for a while. Quickly, I sprang up and dashed off with Agility, making my way to the wall close by, then leaped on over, landing on the other side and dashing off into the city, immediately getting within the back city streets and the like for cover. I looked back for a second, peering around the corner which I just passed by. Nothing out of the ordinary that I could tell from observing for that time. They didn't notice me. Good. I then made my way off deeper into the city to find the tower.
By my experience so far, they usually plant the towers somewhere where not only the tower's influence will envelop the area of interest, but usually out of the way where no one would dare try to get to it without raising any sort of ire. Problem is, in this city, there's a lot of places that would fit that description, including, but not limited to, the docks itself. I may have to grill someone, as much as I kind of don't want to. The more people that I'd end up interacting with, the worse my position. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice.
Going through city, I found my way what seemed to be a market place. It was deserted for the most part, other than a couple of Flare grunts making their way through to do some rounds, or perhaps scavenging what was left after their sudden invasion. I weaved amongst the stalls, taking note to one Flare grunt, making his way into a large structure where more stalls seemed to be; perhaps to keep it out of the direct sun and such. I swiftly moved my way in, looking about behind and in front of me. Instincts not really picking up much of anything either right at the moment. Now or never.
I darted towards the lone grunt, quickly pinning one arm behind his back with one hand, covering his mouth with another. "Helloooo…" I softly said. Muffled cries and a fierce panicked shaking to get loose started to come from the flare grunt, prompting me only to make my grasp all the tighter on him. "Hey, hey, hey…enough of that." I then took notice to something as I had my hands on the grunt. It looked like a wire, which lead from his side to his ear. I looked down towards his jacket pocket; a small radio, looked about as thin as a holocaster. "You honestly don't know who in the hell you're dealing with, do you?" I asked him. "Now, follow me…" I said, starting to pull on him to bring him into the shadows. There was some resistance, the grunt making it obvious that he doesn't want to go anywhere. I started to freeze the man's arm in my grip; forcing him to comply, albeit more muffled screaming from the sudden shooting, chilling pain that started to overtake his arm. I bring him to a nearby wall that made up the structure threw him in a corner. I quickly pulled out the ear piece and the holocaster device, dropping it on the ground, then turned him around in the process and pressed up against him, putting a hand over his mouth. I then made a faint glow with my ice beam to bring some light into the immediate area. The grunts eyes widened greatly, possibly realizing just how much in a rut he was in. "I want answers. Now."
I slowly removed the hand away from the grunt's face. "Okay, I'll tell you anything." He said, rather quietly at that. He really didn't want to face the wrath of a hybrid, just by the quivering of his voice. "I'm really the biggest coward you ever met. Please don't hurt me."
"Biggest coward? Huh…that's quite the claim." I said.
"I've already wet myself." A long silence could only come out of me as I slowly started to look down and notice that there was a dark wet spot growing on his pants. I gave a long-winded disgusted sigh, turned him around once again, and slammed him face first right back in the corner.
"To your credit, at least you made the top ten." I said. "Just…ew."
"Sorry." The grunt practically squeaked out.
"Where's the jammer."
"The what-now?" The grunt asked.
I quickly grabbed him by the neck with one hand, grasping tight, pressing him harder into the corner. "I don't recommend playing coy with me. The teleportation jammer. Where is it?"
"I can't tell you-they'll have my head-"
"I'll have your head by the literal meaning and have it displayed on Lysandre's bed encased in ice if you don't tell me where it is." I said. "I'm starting to lose my patience with you, and its raaaapidly going down considering that I am kind of on the clock here."
It took a few more seconds, between the pressure of the verbal threat to the pressure of my hand continuing to crush down around his neck, then the sudden ice beam charge with my free hand which finally made the grunt crack. "At the mines."
"Mines?"
"The mines down the road from the gym." The grunt said. "They're supposedly mines owned by the gym leader; it's over there."
"It'd best be…this isn't a statement that you're willing to be disposed on by me, are you? Because I will find out otherwise. You know that. Right?" I said.
"I swear." The grunt squeaked out once more.
"Good." Before the grunt knew it, his head would get slammed hard into the metal wall and out like a light he went. I then dragged the grunt off by the jacket and shirt collar, mindful that I wasn't going to step in the grunt's panicked excrement, and tossed him into a crate to hide him and closed the lid behind me, moving a second crate around and putting it on top of the first; making sure the second one had something to hold it down so he wouldn't get out. "…..the guy…actually…pissed himself…wow. Grunts, man…" I said, shaking my head. I then walked over towards the grunt's holocaster device, taking a look at it for a second. Apparently these things were used similarly to radios for Flare; hopefully they'll work the same way. I started to work about the settings; and sure enough, a push to talk function. I froze the button down then stashed the holocaster in a nearby garbage can. That ought to keep communications out of whack for at least a little while. I hoped. Checking to see if the coast was clear, I made the mad dash to the northern part of the city, off to the mines where the tower was allegedly was.
It wouldn't take long trying to find a large crater in the area. Also sure enough, it dawned on me about something else. Not only they had the cold storage on lockdown, they also had the mine to pilfer out of as well, meaning more goods for Flare to use, which didn't go over kosher with me. I was only here to bring food supplies and the like from the Cold Storage. I didn't have the intention on carrying things like coal or whatever out of here as well. Did Sub know about this place? Or Reno? Blast it. As I fretted over such a thing, I then noticed off in the distance with a few lights to hail that it was there to planes in the dark, the teleportation jammer on a high enough mound just above the main entrance to the mine. Standing tall and overlooking the entire city. Considering the distance that I had to walk, it was perhaps safe to assume that at least part of the Driftveil Drawbridge and the Pokémon Tournament Conference Center down south was also affected. It would also explain why I had to take a decent jog through the woods just to make it all the way to this city. Yea, this thing had to go. I had no plan though; I had nothing. I could maybe set off an earthquake because that was an awkward spot to put the tower at; it was almost asking to destroy the tower. But then another realization; they're holding the mine hostage. If it gets closed off somehow, then its useless until its open again. Until then, the city could be set back months, if not years without getting whatever resources they get out of that mine; and that's not counting the resources that it'd take to even open it back up again. This city could very well be crippled even after Flare gets routed out. Another choice in a long line of hard choices tonight. I made my way down into the crater as fast as I could and started to weave about the machinery. I noticed at least a couple of generators close by. One of which seemed to be giving power to the tower. There were grunts about as well; but no workers for the mine. As if these tacky bastards would actually sully their dainty gloves and overpriced zoot suits. Still though, they did have at least the mind to have a few guys to patrol the mine as well. I was left to at a loss as to what to do at this point, because I was sure to get caught if I get anywhere near that tower. I crept about, trying to find a way to get to that tower. I'm too far out of range to detonate an Ancientpower attack, at the very least, so that's out of the question. I made my way towards a building, which at first looked like perhaps a contractor's post.
As I made my way around the corner, however, I took a notice to something kind of strong smelling. Like rotten eggs. "…..the hell? Sulfur?" I asked myself, musing, trying to figure out where that smell was coming from. I took notice to a nearby sign, demanding no smoking or any fires at or near this area. I made my way back around the corner I came from, seeing I did pass by a door. I crept up the steps and checked the door. Locked. I took a deep breath then broke off the door knob. I pulled the door, but still stuck. A padlock, holding down a latch above the doorknob. I worked my fingers behind the metal then made a hard pull down, pulling the metal right off the wall, leaving it dangle on the door itself. Another pull on the door and it opens. The smell was even more pungent as the door was opened. I charged an Ice Beam to see what was inside and found my answer. This wasn't a contractor's post. It was a storage building. And not just to store anything. Explosives. And a fair bit of them, in fact. I made my way back outside and looked around, seeing a transport vehicle, nothing for the typical civilian fare mind. It had several seats, but more importantly a large dump bed on the back of it, perhaps to transport people or whatever goods they had in and out of the mine. And better still…it was just a short ways away from the building. "…….and now, a reason for Beau to go screw himself." I said to myself.
I made my way into the building and picked up a couple of crates and carried them out of the building. I checked around once more and dashed to the vehicle. I carefully sat them down in the passenger seat then started to check about the driver's seat. Keys were still in the ignition. I looked above the steering wheel, looking up towards the entrance to the mine, which was a fair bit of ways away. I gave one hard sigh; only had one shot at this. I adjusted the steering wheel a little, hoping I can hit the entrance right on, and also froze it into place. I then grabbed the ignition key, counted to myself silently as if to prepare myself. One…two…three…
I quickly turned the ignition key; the engine roared to life, making the Flare grunts perk and look around in confusion; knowing that something was up. I pressed down on the gas on the vehicle, freezing the pedal in place, revving the engine up, then quickly grabbed a lever and threw the vehicle into gear to set it into motion. I quickly snatched myself away to avoid getting dragged off by the vehicle as it went full speed ahead as fast as it could towards the mine. I made the hard dash off back out of the crater before anyone was the wiser. The Flare grunts tried to scramble for their Pokeballs to stop the heavy duty vehicle heading towards the entrance to the mine. As I ran off back for cover, I could hear the panic of warning; a couple of grunts saw the explosives. At least ten to fifteen seconds later, an explosion rocked the area, debris flew everywhere, both of the earth and metal from the vehicle. Then soon after, a loud metallic groan started to come from the entrance. I looked on, the tower lost footing on two of its legs, allowing the tower to fall. More panicked screams of 'Look out' and 'out of the way' were soon deafened by the massive boom of metal landing on the ground below. As I dashed out of the crater, I looked back on at the devastation that I wrought, making a hard sigh of content with a tinge of regret at what I just unleashed upon the mine. Before I fell too comfortable of watching smoke rise from what progress Flare lost, I checked my SNAG to check the time. Time was running short. I had to move.
As I made my way through the city once more, I took notice to the frantic movement of grunts toward the mine. Between the calls to assist for potential injuries to an emergency call to re-construct the jamming tower, it was more than enough distraction to allow me to do what I needed to do, though it had me come to a realization. Apparently my stunt to jam the holocasters didn’t work. Typical, but inconsequential, really. That just means more people to rush over to the mine, meaning less headaches for me to contend with. It took some time, but eventually I found my way to the Cold Storage, finally making it to my target destination. I dashed through the shadows provided by the large buildings. I needed to find one that would be worth the while to rummage through. Furthermore, I still needed a means to carry what I could out of here. As I quickly scouted the area, I found a large area, what seemed to be a parking lot, with routes leading through the buildings and back on the roads to head off towards the bridge or perhaps even Route 6. There were a couple of large semi-trucks that seemed to be owned by the Cold Storage that are parked, which presumably would have been for only the night if not for Flare. I looked around, instincts on high alert, then dashed off to one of the trucks’ driver’s side.
When I arrived only a couple of seconds later, I stepped on a side step to reach the door and climb in the operating seat. Before I managed to reach the door, I overheard something close by. Sounded like talking of some sort. Thinking fast, I leaped up and landed on the trailer portion of the truck and laid down flat, trying not to be seen. I peeked over the edge of the truck to look down to the pavement below, noticing another couple of Flare grunts were around. Apparently not everyone was ordered to run to the mine. I hoped that I managed to divert enough, however, otherwise this may be a short trip. As the two walked on by, I slid off the side of the truck and landed right behind them. The sudden noise made them instantly turn around. “Sorry, thought there were Mews here.” I said, quickly blasting one of them with an Ice Beam, then quickly, smashing the second one’s head into the truck as he tried to reach for a Pokeball.
With the two dispatched for the time being, I went back to the driver’s door of the truck and managed to get inside. I checked the ignition. No keys. Checked the glove compartment, sun visor, under the seat, and center seat divider. Still nothing. “I wasn’t going to get that lucky, was I? Bah…” I moved back out of the truck, standing back on the top step on the side of the truck, reached up under the steering wheel and popped open a panel. “Alright…how did…Freth tell me how to do this again?” I asked myself as I started to look at the wires, trying to figure out what went to what. As I started to look about, I perked up and looked back down at the pavement, seeing the grunt I had smashed his face into the truck’s door started to come to. Without so much of a quip, an Ice Beam shot rang out to put this guy back out again. I made a quick sigh, then shook my head. “Their heads are getting thicker. They’re on to us.” I said, trying to bring some light of the whole operation. I then went back to study the wiring then reached up pulling out a couple. As I went on to examine, one of them made me jump, yelping out quickly and forcing me to snatch my hand back from a sudden shock that rushed up me. “GAH! FFFffffughhh…” I shook my hand a bit to get feeling back in it. “That’s one of them.” Now that I knew where my power was, now was the matter of finding the ignition. After a couple of minutes longer, the ignition cranks up and the engine roars out. “Theeere we go.” I said. I climbed back up behind the wheel and closed the door behind me, set the truck to drive, and coasted the truck out of the parking lot, off to the storage building.
I coasted the truck alongside one of the storage buildings, parked the truck, and got out. I hopped upon the walkway and made my way to a large metallic roll-up door. I blow the lock off at the bottom with an Ancientpower attack, then lifted the door up. I made my way inside and took a look about. Supplies of all sorts, needed supplies for the refugees. More than what the truck can handle though. And worse still, there’s a whole other building just close by too, probably with more stuff like this. Another one of those hard committals I have to do right now. In the meantime, I took out all Pokeballs and gave them a toss out. One by one, Pokemon revealed in flashes of light. Psy, my Gallade, Telia, my Gardevoir, Lucario, Typhlosion, Scizor, and Weavile, all were at the ready. “Alright guys. That stuff there in the building.” I said, popping the doors open to the trailer wide open. “We’re loading this truck as much as we can. Fill it to the brim, the less we leave behind the better. If you can stack it without crushing it, do it. Move, guys, move, we’re on the clock.” I said, making my way up towards my Pokémon. “Except you, Weavile. Be on the lookout for us. I don’t want any surprises if I can help it. If you see anyone, do not engage, get back to me. Got it?”
“Weavile!” Weavile spoke up, running off. Quicky the Pokémon ducked into the shadows to scout as the rest of us quickly loaded the supplies into the truck with such haste.
Time ticked away, seemingly uncontested, though the concept of time fell lost on us as we frantically started to pile the goods into the back of the truck. Large portions of the supplies in the storage were taken away between Psy and Telia as smaller loads were taken between myself and the others as fast as we could. Placing them as far back as we could into the truck and worked our way forward toward the door. If there was even the least bit of space, we’d find some sort of box or bag or anything of the sort that could fit in it. Eventually, I took out my SNAG and grimaced then took a look back in the storage room. While we did take a hearty amount out of here, leaving an entire large section of the building in fact virtually barren, there was still more in there that could be taken and still space on the truck to fit in at least another load or two out of Telia and Psy, and maybe some small things in between hand. Unfortunately, we would not be able to get that chance.
“Weavile!” A cry out, frantic scurrying could be heard from an alley nearby. Weavile finally got back.
“Company?”
“Vile Weavile!”
“Crap. Alright. Psy, Telia, Scizor, Lucario, Weavile. Come back now. Thanks for the help.” Quickly, I recalled my Pokemon as fast as I could then looked back at Typhlosion. “Typhlosion…” I gave a resentful sigh at what I was about to command. “Fire Blast.” I said. Typhlosion looked back into the building and unleashed a massive flaming fireball which unfurled out to form a kanji-like figure and instantly everything started to catch fire. I waived my hand, driving icicles from the floor into one of the cooling units and gave a clinch of my fist, destroying the unit, perhaps beyond repair. I quickly dropped down and closed up the door. I then perked up and heard the patter of a bunch of footsteps coming. “Crap. Typhlosion!” I shouted. “Smokescreen!” Typhlosion hopped down from the walkway and down onto the pavement and down the alley, unleashing a thick plume of smoke which filled up the alleyway. It took a couple of seconds, but then one started to hear shouting and coughing come from that way. “Typhlosion, get in the passenger seat. Go, go, go!” I shouted, rushing around the truck and getting back into the driver’s seat. I then got the truck back in motion, moving forward, slowly at first to get the truck up to speed, down the path and around the building. I gave another wave of my hand, targeting the next building next to the one we were in, a pillar shoved itself right into its cooling unit and with a wave of the hand, destroyed it. While I wouldn’t have the time to get Typhlosion to burn what was in there either, at the very least I could allow it to spoil. Hopefully.
My regret started to shine through; of all things to choose, I picked the thing that was slowest to get going, surprisingly harder to keep in control compared to much smaller vehicles, and among all else, the biggest target for Flare to start gunning for every inch of the way. On the one hand, it probably was inevitable. On the other hand, it was either this or just fight every last Flare grunt in this town, which wouldn't do me any good at all. As soon as I hit the main road in the city, I started picking up speed, heading for the only way out of this place: the barricade that was choking up traffic heading to Route 6.
This was perhaps going to be the worst part of this whole endeavor, one that I ended up questioning the best way to go about this. I did perhaps have a shot. While leaving the city perhaps was bottlenecked, coming in was a whole other matter. The incoming traffic would be next to non-existent. As Typhlosion and I got closer to the outer city limits, I started to notice the traffic up ahead. Worse still, everyone really was on high alert now. "Blast it, they know we're coming." I said. "I guess that was obvious with all considered."
"Ty-pho-sionnnn." Typhlosion spoke up to me, concerned about to what happens next.
"Hang tight." I said, shoving down on the accelerator harder. I swerved the truck hard to the left, hitting the center median divider. Typhlosion and I jumped in our seats, getting bucked hard as the truck roared over. I quickly corrected the truck, trying not to lose ourselves, let alone our payload beyond the road, over the edge and into the nearby coastal waters, eventually righting myself in the oncoming lane. As soon as I managed to right the truck, I once again stomped down on the accelerator, picking up speed. "Not going to lie! Not the best plan I had by a far margin!" Up ahead, large metal shutters started to come down on the roadway, blocking off the incoming road as well as long wooden gate arms rose up from the ground. "Definitely not the best plan." I said, now flooring the petal. A few more seconds, I grabbed Typhlosion, pulling him down towards the seat. "GET DOWN!"
The truck frantically bucked, loud booming crash, glass shattering, total hysteria, while lasting only a few seconds felt like an eternity. I looked back up, unable to see with the shutter still stuck on the front of the truck. "Blast it! Typhlosion, Fire Blast!" I shouted, charging an Ice Beam attack of my own in one hand. We fired our attacks through the windshield to blast the shutter off the truck just in time to see the truck going off road. Quickly I quickly hit the brakes with occasional pumps of the accelerator, trying not to jackknife the truck, getting it back on the road in one piece. The tires squealed out from under the truck, disagreeing completely with the operators handling.
"TY-SIOOON!" Typhlosion shouted in panic.
"I KNOW, I KNOW!" I shouted back. The two of us could feel the payload starting to tip, the right side wheels refusing to come back down on the road. Another jam of the accelerator to force the trailer straight, feeling a slam behind us.
Typhlosion poked his head out the passenger window to look back at the trailer, seeing it finally was meeting the road once more. What's more, he looked back to see the barricade in the distance and the chaos that was wrought upon it. Not only a large section of the barricade was forcibly ripped off, apparently one of the booths was taken out along with it in our frantic dive to freedom. Typhlosion sat back down in the seat. The wind that rushed through the windshield was the only noise now; but it was peaceful. The two of us looked at each other for a second then looked back at the road ahead of us as I managed to get onto the correct lane of traffic, a sigh of relief came about us as we made our way for The Grove.
It was quiet for a while beyond the wind that rushed into the truck cabin. We hit up the back road off Route 6 to head south through the mountains. It seemed as if we were about to get away with the chaos that was wrought upon Driftveil. But then, my fears came to pass. The tunnel that I had intentions on getting through was blocked off. Just as I thought it was. Worse still, this time they had Pokémon out ready and waiting, some like Charizards and Talonflame ready to make my day all the worse. They were expecting me. And after that stunt back in Driftveil, I doubt I'd be able to pull the same thing again. Not with this truck already pretty beaten up and not really anywhere to run off to. And there was no backing this truck up by any means. "I'm guessing they couldn't get it pulled off."
"Ty-sioooon."
My mind practically went warp speed, trying to see if there was anything at all I could do. There was also the desperation thought of just floor it and hope for the best, potentially running some of the Pokémon over, which is not something I want to do. "Out of the truck! Now!" One of the grunts shouted. They're not wanting to damage the cargo, knowing what's in there. That said, amongst all else, I was told that better off them not having it. We may end up having to do the deed and ultimately overall fail this mission. "Typhlosion, when I give the word, Blast Burn the fuel tank."
"Sion?"
"I know."
"Ty-sion-sioooon"
"I know what that'd do to us; hopefully that'd catch some of the Flare guys as well, if anything and takes the cargo out of their hands. I don't like it any more than what else I had to do tonight. Perhaps even less. Now get ready with it…" I said. I started to reach over toward the door handle. Before I knew it, there was some yelling out of the Flare members. I looked ahead, there seemed to be some action within the tunnel "…then again, never mind." I watched as chaos started to unfold. People and Pokemon of all sorts were starting to come out of the tunnel, some from the woods close by. This…was an ambush on Flare. Above the tunnel, overlooking the thunderbolt sparks flying, the clouds of stun spore dispersing, the hydro pumps spraying and the like, I noticed Alder there, arms crossed alongside his Volcorona. His figure being made majestic under the light of the moon. "Not only he's a giant ham, he's also a gigantic cliché. Whatever. I'll take it." I said, rather flatly to Typhlosion.
"Ty-siooon." Typhlosion spoke rather confused on the matter.
A loud whistle was heard; I took notice to one of the resistance members giving a wave, the go-ahead to get through the tunnel. "Finally, some good news." I said, getting the truck to move once more.
It took some more time, but eventually I found my way into the Grove with the goods taken from Flare. Many were quick to assist unloading the truck, with quite the few astonished I got away with that much. Little do they realize just what kind of trouble I had doing this sort of stunt, let alone the prices paid just to do what I needed to do and perhaps anything in the future. Never the less, hopefully this will last them for a while and for that matter, this doesn't make this camp any sort of a target to Flare. I really made a big mess, bigger than what I cared to in Driftveil that surely wouldn't go unanswered. It would be a thought that I would depart from The Grove with, much to my disdain.
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:10 pm
”Mission”
Unlock Potential
So you’re a Hybrid or Channeler, aren’t you? Perhaps you’ve studied under a master for a time or used to train yourself but regardless of how you began to accrue power you fell into a period of stagnation, your abilities becoming stale. Maybe the daily grind of normal life took precedence, maybe you got ill, whatever happened you feel your powers have become lacking over time and now you are too embarrassed to return to your old master or show off your abilities in public out of shame of having let them degrade so badly. Never fear, there is a way to reignite your spark and unlock your dormant potential yet again.
Near Lake Acuity in the Sinnoh region there is a small village tucked away in the frozen tundra, a village composed of hybrids, Channelers, and Pokemon, all of which are dedicated to the ancient art of meditation and worship of the legendary Pokemon Uxie. This village is said to have existed since ancient times, originally an ancient religious order, the Order of Acuity, that once thrived under Uxie’s direct blessings but now only pray to his image. The village is composed of many Meditite and Medicham, Hybrids of said species, and Channelers which have bonded with them as well. There are other Hybrids and Channelers that have come from afar to join them, such as Mienshao and Hitmonlee but the majority is largely that of the Meditation Pokemon.
The Order of Acuity, as they call themselves, are famed for their meditation teachings, helping Pokemon, Hybrids, and Channelers unlock their mind’s eye (Mind Reader, etc.) or even unlock their untapped or stagnate potential. Their meditation however does not grant new power, just whatever power you already possess but now find difficult to access again, or perhaps need help finding. And that is where you come in.
Travel to the Lake Acuity and find the village of the Order of Acuity, they will accept you into their fold willingly. Elder Chaksu, a Medicham hybrid, and his students will be the ones to help you in your meditation journey. You will undergo many physical tasks, mental ones, ones alongside Pokemon, and of course meditate, a lot. You will have to remain at the village for days, perhaps even weeks, before you see any progress. But make no mistake, as long as you stick with it Elder Chaksu promises you will leave the village restored, brimming with all the powers you once have, and perhaps even a little bit you didn’t know was there all along. Good luck.
-Objective: —Journey to Lake Acuity and find the village of the Order of Acuity. —Follow Elder Chaksu’s meditation regime and unlock your dormant potential.
-Opposition: —Whatever challenges Elder Chaksu throws at you such as wild Pokemon, trainer battles, fights with other Hybrids of Channelers, the wilds themselves, your own inner demons, anything.
-Pokemon: —You may capture or befriend any wild Pokemon found at or near Lake Acuity (surrounding routes). There is some leeway here provided you can think of a good reason why a Pokemon not normally found near here is there.
-Rewards: —8x Snag Coins —Your character’s dormant abilities are restored. —Varies from there.
-Note: —This is a very story heavy mission, as you will note not many spelled out objectives are given, instead it is up to you to decide what your character does here, the challenges they face. Because of that you will be critiqued on how good of a story you write to explain how your character regains their former abilities rather than completing a certain objective.
A glass cracked in the kitchen then fell apart, spilling a fresh tea all over the table. “Son of a…” uttered the Galarian Articuno hybrid there in the kitchen. It was getting worse…
It started as if she didn’t have it at all. A power she knew she had, but didn’t know how to control or to call upon. Bestowed, or rather, forced upon her by an assailant in a last desperate measure to kill her significant other. However, the whole concept of psychic power, other than being witness to it, was completely alien to her. How to control it. How to call upon and harness it. She couldn’t even feel it like she could with her icy prowess before her transformation. Incidentally, she couldn’t feel it now still, even when those random spouts of power that escapes her. The random spouts she was warned about shortly after the Hunter’s attempt to take her over…they were a danger of an untrained mind to keep up with psychic power. The power started to manifest more, starting in Hisui when stress levels were at their highest, faced with what appeared to be a great peril and threat of an elemental. But from there, the ‘hiccups’ were starting to become more and more frequent. A random psychic burst forcefully blew a door off the hinges when her newly acquired Hisuan Sneasel wanted to act out and cause a fight with a few other Pokémon in her entourage. Mirrors in the women’s shower area cracked simultaneously when she and the Hunter had a few words exchanged that didn’t go over too well with Freth. If only spouts of anger and irritation were the issue, it would be one thing. But then it was perhaps only coincidental that such power started to come out at those times. Now it was just seemingly random…a chair that slid out away from her when she was looking for a seat to sit down on as if some cruel prank, various Snagems and their Pokémon started to float about when she was the only psychic type in the room, or now, just merely trying to have something to drink.
Freth dug around the kitchen for a kitchen towel to clean up the mess. “So how much longer before you realize you cannot live like this.” A voice spoke to her. Freth looked towards the refrigerator, paying attention to the reflective surface of it. The Hunter stood where Freth was standing in the reflection, hands on her hips. “Then again, with any luck these random spurts might actually kill Blizzard, though possibly taking several others in this building with him. Also of course provided that it doesn’t kill you first. I would rather not the latter thing to happen.”
“Even after being taken out, you’re still trying to hold out to hope that there is some way out of my head, or rather to take me over, I take it.” Freth said, turning back around to finish cleaning the tea off the table.
“Nothing is off the table at this point.” the Hunter stated.
“It has been weeks now since you decided to invade our lives; I would have imagined that if your friends were to do anything, they’ve already done it.” Freth said.
“Unlike your merry band, we’re more analytical as to how we do things. We have to. We’re dealing with all manner of multiversal ‘tampering’ for a lack of a better term.” The Hunter stated to Freth. “Sure, a good number could run in, probably take you away to get me back in working order, perhaps admittedly not with total ease depending on the numbers they send and how much force Snagems may have to defend, but we understand at the very least that in some worlds, this one for instance, does need a Team Snagem of this kind of variety and doing any extensive harm to it could mess up this world’s means of defending itself in some capacity and restraint needs to be had.”
“You say this, and yet you tried to have Blizzard killed.” Freth snapped back.
“Snagem doesn’t need Blizzard to function, despite what you, let alone he, believes. He’s only something that grew too much beyond its initial purpose.”
“Are you calling him a cancer?” Freth then said.
“And I was trying to cut out the disease.” The Hunter stated. “Do I need to remind you about the other worlds that didn’t have the benefit of me?”
“Conceited much!?”
“Simply stating fact. I know you still don’t believe me about the fates of the other worlds, but you have seen Crystal, Aden, and Reno after they got back from their trip, right? They haven’t said much of anything since returning from their interdimensional trip, but they have seen something in their trip that has given them great pause. Aden was then holed up with his father for a while, Crystal is passive around Blizzard, and Reno hasn’t given Blizzard the time of day. They know it; they more than likely seen it, or at least seen what is probably leading up to it. It’s all the matter of time before the rest of them will start realizing it somehow. They will fight him, probably lose in a direct confrontation, and anything passive he’ll start getting suspicious and run off and they’ll still never get him. And it will all be because you had to get in my way one afternoon.”
“Because a simple warning wouldn’t do, right?” Freth said.
“No, it wouldn’t. Because of like how you have been this whole time, like now. And if it had been anyone else, it would be similar. Sub perhaps would have been the worse of them, other than you, honestly. He seems to have quite a lot of biases when it comes to his subordinates. To Blizzard especially. And think, before I showed up, everyone other than maybe Reno didn’t even have any manner of inkling about other worlds existing, let alone how numerous they are. A random hybrid coming out of the blue to foretell doom of one of their closest and most powerful ally bringing effectively an icy Armageddon?” Freth was about to say a word, but only cut off by the Hunter. “Don’t bother trying to justify it to me, I’ve already lived it in several worlds while doing my own missions. It wouldn’t be anything new. By the way, you might want to pay attention to what’s going on around you.”
Freth looked around, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary at first. “…what?” she asked.
“The ceiling.” The Hunter stated. Freth looked up and did a double take. Various utensils, pots, pans, plates, glasses and so on were pressed up against the ceiling. Freth moved a chair out to stand on top of it then reached up, grabbing a pan handle and tried to pull hard. It wasn’t budging, even to her strength. Another hard pull and she accidentally moved the chair out from under her feet, leaving her to dangle by the pan handle.
“ACK!”
“You’re not going to get it down that way. You’ve been doing that for the past twenty minutes before we had this talk.” The Hunter said. Freth let go of the pan, landing on her feet back on the floor, then looked back up to the ceiling. Freth was almost panicking now. She wasn’t sure how she was doing that. She still wasn’t really getting any sort of feeling that she is doing it. As she tried to figure out how to get the various kitchen commodities off the ceiling, she started to notice the towel she was trying to clean up the spilled tea was now starting to float up to the ceiling.
“Hey! No! Nooo!” She shouted, grabbing the rag only to be lifted up off the ground, nearly getting pulled on top of the table before she let go. The rag would then land on the ceiling with a loud, resounding plop. “I really hate you right now.” Freth then said to the reflection on the fridge.
“I don’t care.”
Freth then looked back up to the ceiling for a moment, resigned that she couldn’t really keep this power under wraps like she thought she had. She started to walk out of the kitchen, hopefully to get help from someone like Crystal or perhaps a Pokémon that could help counteract what was going on in the kitchen. A few steps away from the kitchen, however, and a resounding crash would echo throughout the headquarters, making Freth jump. Rushing back to the entrance of the kitchen, all manner of chaos was made throughout the kitchen. The items on the ceiling were all scattered about the floor, some items outright broken by gravity. “Smooth.” The Hunter spoke up. Freth couldn’t help but to bury her face into her hands.
Clean-up would take a while in the kitchen, though fortunately there were no further episodes of random telekinetic channeling for the time being. Freth made her way back to her room, sitting down on the edge of her bed. She needed help. There was no avoiding it now. It was the matter of who, though. She couldn’t go to Reno…he was more empathic than telekinetic as far as she could tell. Aden did have more telekinetic power than anything else, but he was an ametuer in the grand scheme of things. His means to go through time were of no help and his psychic prowess was basic. Crystal seemed to be the best choice, but her form of manipulation seemed to be harnessing and manipulating various forms of light and cosmic power. She was dubious if that was going to be of any help. Frankly, much as she didn’t want to admit it, the only one that could perhaps give her any idea as to what she was capable of and control it was the Hunter herself, and getting any information out of her as to how to control would come at the expense of her love’s life.
She looked at her hands for a moment, seeing the dark talon like hands that she cared little for since she got them. She started to wonder of the possibility of ever being able to go back as the Kantonian variant of Articuno like she once was. Or perhaps…just go back to being human, if there was a way. Leslie became human again on accident after a desperate hold the line attempt against an Ultra Beast, it wasn’t off the table anymore like she thought it once was. Being a hybrid was great and all where it counted most, but now is a time where it doesn’t seem worth it. Either way, as far as she imagined it, the Hunter would lose her sway. Perhaps would just be gone altogether, she hoped. Though this came at a severe risk. But really? That risk would be worth it, she figured.
“There’s resignation here.” The Hunter spoke. “But I don’t think this is you seeing the light. No. You’re…coming up with something. Something real reckless.” Freth looked up towards the mirror at the drawer, the image of the Hunter with the vigilant glowing blue eyes looking down at her. The Hunter gazed upon Freth, seeing a look out of her that she recognized all too well. This was resolve. “You’re going to put us both in danger, aren’t you? You’re going to kill us both.”
“Technically, you’re already dead, though like a coward you decide to try to take someone else’s life to have another one of your own.” Freth said, eyes narrowing. “But since we’re in gambling moods, since you decided, as you claim to take a gamble and risk existence to take me over, I’m willing to take a chance on seeing to it that you are not a bother anymore. I have heard nothing but doom saying out of you. I have heard nothing but taunts and ridicule out of you towards me, Blizzard, my teammates, other than one short stint in Hisui when there didn’t seem to be any hope for anyone involved. You have done nothing other than make life all manner of awkward and tense between everyone here. You have done nothing than hide all manner of secrets and left people paranoid about what is out there. And for what? To get at Blizzard? Because he was going to bring about the end of the world, as you say? Saving the world just so you could have some hope that someone could rescue you from my head, be able to walk the earth again, and have a retirement home on this world after it’s all done!? If there was any help out of you, it’s only just enough just to make sure my skin is saved so you don’t go away either.” Freth shot up from the bed, walking over to the drawer, slamming her hands down on it to stare the Hunter dead in the eyes in the mirror. “I am done with you.”
“Don’t act righteous with me, Freth.” The Hunter retorted. “You’re willing to risk your neck just to protect him?”
“It’s not just for him. It’s for me, too. You’ve done too much damage, and as far as I am concerned the longer you stay, the worse it is for everyone. For me and him especially.”
The look on the Hunter was one out of shock, her glowing eyes went wide. “You selfish-“
“Call me whatever you like. It changes nothing.” Freth stated, cutting her off with such venomous words. “You’re leaving as soon as I, or someone, can figure it out.”
------
“I can’t help you.” The black hooded figure spoke, closing a large tome, picking it up off a counter and walking off with it. Various flasks over Bunsen burners boil and distill various liquids, sending them through tubes into other flasks as a final product. It produced…an interesting odor, to say the least. Nothing to wretch over, but nothing to complement either. First thought on Freth’s immediate people to ask was one that studied this sort of thing. A rather reclusive psychic channeler in the deepest reaches of the headquarters. An Unown floated about the room, looking down towards Freth and Ambrosia with earnest as the two psychics discuss the situation at hand.
“Okay. Ambrosia, I know we…never talked. Like. Ever. Never really needed to and all. You did your work, I did mine, yadda yadda yadda. Sub hired your services for…reasons of his own I guess, some of your stuff I see around the headquarters, all helpful I’m sure.” Freth said. “But after recent events, you were the one that I figure to come to. But to shut me out immediately like that is just…”
“You misunderstand, I’m not saying I can’t do it out of any sort of malice.” Ambrosia spoke, placing the tome on a nearby shelf. “You are suggesting to either revert yourself back to your icy form or just remove the hybridization altogether using the means that I have, only basing this on what happened to Leslie in recent events. Freth, you must understand, Leslie’s mega evolution was based on months of research and only hastily executed out of desperation under threat of an otherworldly invader, and it came with a bunch of risks, and that isn’t to mention that I am not the most proficient in my craft to begin with. I warn all about that when they set foot in here looking for some trinket or tool to aid their mission. Leslie could have perished from the stress of the power bestowed upon her and the fact she reverted to human is a complete accident, let alone a godsend compared to the alternative of her no longer being alive from the power strain. The only theory I can come up with is that Leslie was not a natural born hybrid to begin with; she was transformed by that abhorrent contraption Sub has elsewhere in this headquarters and the mega evolution rendered her borrowed Pokémon genetics inert. Even if I tried to do something that could instigate such a change with you, there’s no guarantee that it won’t solve your problem at hand.”
“Why not?” Freth said.
“The mind is a fickle thing, Freth.” Ambrosia started to explain. “This guest…for lack of a better term…imprinted on you.”
“She makes it sound like I’m some sort of animal.” The Hunter chimed in.
“Yes. Survival instincts and all. Especially the ones that would involve parasitizing a host.” Ambrosia then spoke up.
“Touché.” The Hunter conceded bitterly. “Though I think I know where you are about to go with this.”
“This person changed you utilizing a great deal of psychic power. More than what most would be capable of. It leaves me to believe there was some other catalyst to your change. Nevertheless, you found yourself with psychic power as a result of it, Freth. Power that is steadily building, but with no realization of control. Even returning to a human state somehow would put you in jeopardy because your mind would still be sensitive to that level of power. It would take longer than you have time for before it fades back out from say non-use or intense mental burnout, the latter being life-risking or rending you as, one would say, a complete vegetable. And it wouldn’t guarantee that your mental resident would go with it.”
“And I don’t want to imagine sitting in here, floating around in your head, when you are nothing more than just a pile of meat and flesh on a medical bed.” The Hunter spoke up. “Like it or not, Freth, you’re stuck with me.”
Freth pulled up a stool and sat down on it. This one conversation alone bothered her a lot for the most part. She was almost sure that Ambrosia would have an answer or at the least have been trying to study the ramifications of what transpired not so long ago. “What you need to worry about, Freth, is just actually getting your mind to realize the potential which was unlocked in you.” Ambrosia would state to Freth as she was pulling down another tome off the shelf she placed the first one, bringing it to a nearby table, starting to flip about it to find a recipe she had once recorded. “The sooner your mind can get a grasp on the power, the more that you can be aware of what you are doing and thus no more accidents in the headquarters, at the very least. Putting a lid on it, as it were.”
Freth then perked up, a realization. “Well wait, you do your craft by means of Psychic channeling, right? You’re kind of like Reno, right? That was something that you ended up being taught? Teach me.” Freth said, getting off the stool, standing up, a feeling of renewed hope.
“I cannot.” Ambrosia stated.
“Why not?” she then said, hope once again going down in flames.
“Each channeler, regardless of the Pokémon type they associate with, has their own…specialty to it. Mine is for my craft, aided by the Unown you see in here. While psychics do tend to have their overlaps, they are minor at best. And even then, it doesn’t translate well to how a hybrid functions in life. I would have imagined that you would have long since known about that.” Ambrosia said, tilting her head quizzically towards the Galarian Articuno female.
“I…did…I’m grasping at straws, I guess.” Freth said, sitting back down on the stool again, starting to rub her eyes in frustration. She would be lying that she didn’t put all her faith in Ambrosia with what she was going through. The resolve she showed to the Hunter started to waiver.
Ambrosia looked back up from her tome, taking notice to Freth for a brief second, then looked back down at her tome. “…I might know something you can do. Some who might be able to help.”
“What? Who? Where?” Freth asked, perking right back up. Ambrosia had her full attention.
“Sub had brought this up a while ago; he considered making this knowledge widespread to the rest of the Snagems if they felt in dire need of some sort of training, or new insights as to what they are already capable of. You are familiar with Lake Acuity, correct?” Ambrosia spoke up.
“Snowpoint region in Sinnoh. Yes, what about it?” Freth said.
“Tucked away in a nearby tundra is a village that many goes to, overseen by the Order of Acuity.” Ambrosia spoke up.
“…this isn’t anything like that Clan…Village…thing that Darts go to, is it?” Freth then asked.
“No, this village isn’t in the same kind of league as the Mymays, or any other community like them, though it wouldn’t hurt for you to seek one of them out after this.” Freth grimaced at the thought of it. As much flak she gave her significant other from the intense amount of training he does and she’s looking at the possibility of having to do it herself, albeit with guidance, but that would be the only perk. “The Order of Acuity is a group that was once said to receive the blessings of knowledge by the legendary Pokémon Uxie. The place consists mostly of Meditite and Medicham, both of the actual Pokémon and hybrid variety, but this group has expanded to let most anyone in who is willing to take on extreme states of physical exertion followed by deep meditation.”
“…this…wasn’t what I thought this was about to go.” Freth stated.
“I thought of going there myself once or twice, more so as a means so I can center myself more since my work requires a great deal of focus but I admittedly have a hard time pulling away knowing that what is required of me would take days. Perhaps weeks.” She explained.
“Weeks!?” Freth spoke up.
“Did you think that this was going to be resolved in a few short hours? A day, perhaps?” Ambrosia asked. “If it were that easy, anyone would be able to harness psychic power. To my understanding, it took almost a month for your new ‘friend’ to instigate the change in you. It requires great patience for true control over one’s own power. Or more specifically, patience to control a…late bloomer’s power.”
“Late…bloomer?” Freth asked.
“Psychics are realized at birth, Freth, though rather they keep their power or not is if the child is aware they have it. Mind, I’m only speaking in human terms.” Ambrosia stated. “Most humans lose their power almost immediately as they leave the womb because truthfully, the human mind is technically not built for it. It’s an extremely rare anomaly and their gift has to maintain existence somehow as the mind starts to change and develop. Science to this day cannot really pin down just what makes a psychic a psychic exactly. Beyond that, it’s the matter if the child is conscious of their power, and if they are, if they can maintain it in any manner of ways. Some might realize that it is a function of their body. Like the moving of their fingers. Others might mistake it for an imaginary friend, for example, not knowing that they are the ones controlling it, that their power is responding to their will, whatever it may be. Psychic Pokémon are different because their minds are built for it. At risk of making it sound dull, it really is genetics. Its genetics that determine if they have it, how powerful they can be, and so on, but how exactly eludes even the greatest of minds today, and honestly? Let’s hope they never do. Science already has its proverbial hands in enough.”
“If that was the case, then how can someone who went through life not having psychic power then all of a sudden have it? Like Reno? Or me?” Freth then asked.
“There are ways to realize psychic power, but the method depends on the one teaching or perhaps circumstance, but regardless of the method, it is not easy for a multitude of reasons. The mind is already set, as it were. I mean that both literally and figuratively. Literally because the mind eventually stops developing and it’s just waiting on the downward turn towards degradation and death, as is life. Figuratively because the one seeking to achieve psychic power at bare minimum has to relinquish all reservations about what they knew about the world at large to begin with, which is hard to do when adult minds have become set in their ways, and usually the older one is, the worse it is. ‘Impossibility’ for a psychic is a lot stricter word than what it already is in a world like ours. Reno had to have gone through extensive exercises just to get to the state he is in now and even then, many things he is capable of is not possible without the aid of his Pokémon to begin with, since he is a channeler like I. You on the other hand had it forced upon you; your mind is now in the state where it is recipient of it because it’s natural for the Pokémon you are now a hybrid of, which makes you rather dangerous as you are now.”
“And this Order…is supposed to help me with that.” Freth asked, rather skeptically at that.
“The one you are looking for is an Elder Chaksu, a Medicham hybrid himself. I am not sure what he will have you do to have you do for this, but if you can maintain patience with him, you might be able to realize quite a lot of things you didn’t realize you are capable of now. All the same, I am not seeing how much of a choice you have right now.”
As Freth crossed her arms under her wing-folds, she thought for a moment. It didn’t take much, however, to convince Freth that this was the path to take for the time being. She needed to at the very least get this power under wraps. Unfortunately, she was already convinced this trip was not going to be pleasant. “Thanks for your help. I’ll look into it…” Freth said, though a bit of dejection, getting up off her seat and started to make her way off back for the main parts of the headquarters.
Freth started to walk back to the main parts of the headquarters, trying to be resigned to the fact that there was perhaps not all that many leads she could go on and worse, Ambrosia made Freth realize that her usual means to approaching training of any sort was not going to work for her here, and that didn’t necessarily gel too well. “Upset that you actually have to do some work for once in your life.”
“Oh shut up, you know better.”
“Yes, I actually do. My statement stands. You never really put too much emphasis on training because you had, for a lack of a better term, a knack for doing your various hybrid abilities. Blizzard showed you the start, you followed through on your own terms. The power, speed, and strength that you had came from just mere natural talent that you didn’t work too hard to achieve, unlike Blizzard who nearly kills himself trying to get things down and reach new plateaus. And it became worse when you adopted a ‘work smarter, not harder’ mentality, not that there’s usually anything wrong with that, except when it makes you complacent. And because of which, he in turn leaves you behind in those categories while you just stagnate.”
“You say that after I introduce you to the business end of Hinterbane.” Freth stated. “What excuses do you have for that?”
“Between being already tired and hurting with no time to recover from the fight with Blizzard, in a hurry, and the sheer, stupid, undistilled luck all of the Snagems tend to run on. There wasn’t much contribution you had to the fight other than landing a surprise coup de gras.” The Hunter stated. “For instance, that Frustration attack you decked me with when you interrupted me wasn’t the hardest I’ve been hit before. Not by a long shot. I would have killed you easily under different circumstances. It’s amazing how you’re trying to take pride in the work of others.”
“Oh, hurry up and go to hell.” Freth bitterly stated, turning a corner at a hall.
--------------
The young Manetric hybrid teen found his way out of his room and went down the hall, papers in tow. Scrawled in paragraphs, answering questions that he had to study up on. It was a long afternoon trying to study the various things Freth laid out for him to work on. Freth was a little thematic this go round and had the boy study up on Sinnoh’s history. It was fortunate that Snagem’s trip to Hisui didn’t affect the one here. It was a whole other reality entirely, if Tristen’s history book was any indicator. By what he has studied up, Hisui reminded him a little of where he hails from; though it seems Sinnoh, let alone the whole Indigo region chain decided to adopt technology a little quickly. The need for discovery and progress and all of that. Tristen preferred that, in honesty. The teen was done, however, and was on the hunt for Freth.
He found his way to his adoptive parents’ bedroom and gave a knock on the door before entering. “Freth?” Tristen spoke up.
“Come in.” Freth called from inside.
Tristen made his way in. “So, I got done with what you had me to do an-“ The boy would stop himself as he stared at the room. Freth had various items sprawled out on the bed. After leaving Ambrosia, she found her way to Sub to ask about the Order which Ambrosia mentioned. Once Freth got the information and the go-ahead, she made her way off back for her room to get ready. As Tristen would see, there were supplies for the most part on the bed. Six PokéBalls; her party presumably. The old-fashioned coat and the thick leather and fur socks to fit her talon feet that Freth brought back from her impromptu trip to Hisui. “…is there a mission?”
“Just for me, sort of.” Freth said to Tristen.
“Huh?”
“I’m going to try to get my psychic issue under control. It’s not going to be a vacation, that’s for sure.”
“Does Blizz know?” Tristen asked.
“Not yet.”
It was a pensive silence for a few seconds. “Are you going to tell him?”
“If I did, he’d probably insist on going with me even though he probably wouldn’t be able to do much of anything.” She said.
“So, that’s a no.” Tristen said.
“As far as I see it, he’ll be worried sick either way. At least this gives me at least a day head start so I can do whatever I need to do in peace.” Freth said. “Besides, I had him promise to back off to let me actually figure this whole mess out, and I am going to hold him to it.”
“If he doesn’t strangle everyone in the HQ trying to squeeze information out of them as to where you are.” Tristen said.
“Well, when I get back you let me know if he does.” Freth said, pretty non-chalantly. Freth sat her pack down on the bed and sighed out. “How his feathers haven’t turned gray by now is beyond me, though.” She said. There was yet another pensive silence, though one that caught Freth’s attention this time. She turned around, staring at Tristen, staring at her rather concerned. “Don’t tell me that you don’t really think I can do this.”
“Oh, no. No, no. It’s just…”
“You don’t want to find out what happens if something goes south.” Freth said.
“Yea.”
“You both are still holding out faith that he’s not going to do anything at all, with or without your influence. I wouldn’t blame the kid for being naïve; his still being young. You’re still a fool, however.” The Hunter chimed in.
“No one asked you!” Freth shouted, turning towards the mirror, seeing the Hunter in the reflection, hands on hips, staring back at Freth. Tristen jumped at the sudden outburst. “Not you. Her.” Freth then said to reassure the teen.
“I…figured.” Tristen said. “Still, is there no other way? How do you know this will work?”
“I don’t, but these episodes are starting to be more frequent and I need to get it under control somehow. I’m hoping that the people I am going to see will be of a help. Which by the way, I’m going to have some stuff set aside for you to work on while I am gone.” She said. “Though you’ll probably get it done right away, knowing you.” Freth said, looking back at Tristen with paper in hand. “Which speaking of, is that the Sinnoh history that I had you to study up on?” It was at that point where she saw Tristen unresponsive. Staring out in space. “Uh, Tristen? Are those the questions I wrote out for you?” Tristen stood there, practically a statue. “…Tristen?” Freth walked over to the teen and started to wave her hand in front of his face, still eliciting no reaction. “Tristen!?” she reached over, and tried to shake the petrified teen, only for him to be stuck in place. She couldn’t even move him.
“I was wondering when something like this was going to happen.” The Hunter spoke up.
“What’s going on!?”
“You just put Tristen in a kinetic stasis.” The Hunter replied.
“A what!?”
“This is a Galarian Articuno’s namesake. How they ended up with the moniker of ‘Articuno’, apart from vaguely similar looks. The Galarian variants are powerful telekinetics. Not only they can move things with their psychic power, as most psychics do, they are especially effective in removing and halting all manner of kinetic force. Not even a Machamp would be able to move Tristen from that very spot. Some would argue that Tristen is planted in a fixed point in time, though that’s not really true. It’s not like you’re a Dialga. All the same, in a matter of speaking…”
“He’s frozen.” Freth stated, finishing her sentence. “Is he even aware?”
“Oh yes, and probably panicking right now because he’s not able to say anything, react involuntarily to anything such as to pain, let alone move. It is a real jarring experience usually for someone, namely non-psychics, to be caught like that.”
“Am I just slowly killing him, then!?” Freth then shouted, now nearly panicking herself. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if something happened to the kid.
“No, he’s fine. Though he’s not going to feel so hot once he’s finally out because it’s going to be as if all those moments he missed out on happened all at once.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Freth asked.
To answer that question, Tristen gasped out, collapsing onto the floor on all fours, and promptly vomited. Freth couldn’t help but to stare in disgust as much as annoyance as Tristen tried to recuperate. “Some has described it to me as the worst case of vertigo they have ever felt, for one. Others equate it to vehicle crashes, the sudden whiplash of moving, stopping, and then moving at speed again. Though Tristen is probably lucky for the moment. That was only a very brief stasis. They could go on longer.”
“How long?” Freth asked.
“Longest I managed to keep one under wraps was at least two, maybe three hours at most. Though I was conscious of myself holding someone in such a fashion. There’s no telling what you could do in your current unrestrained state. Could be a minute such as now, could be a lot longer.”
“Permanent?” Freth asked, extremely concerned.
“I went after Blizzard for being on the path of unleashing a Sheer Cold to end the world. What do you think?” the Hunter replied.
“And Blizzard is the threat!?” Freth shouted, forgetting the concern, angered out the apparent hypocrisy.
“Unlike Blizzard, I am restrained.”
“Really!? How many versions of you threaten the multiverse compared to him?”
“None.” The Hunter states, matter of factly, perhaps too proud.
“Why do I doubt that?”
“I don’t care. It doesn’t change the fact.” The Hunter replied.
Realizing arguing with her wasn’t going to go anywhere, Freth knelt down towards Tristen. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t wanna go through that again…” Tristen said. Freth only sighed. She had to get out of here. That much was clear to her. After getting Tristen back up on his feet and sent him off to recover, following up from cleaning the mess on her floor, she went back to preparing for the trip. After getting the supplies and gear in tow, she releases her Alakazam, directing him off to Snowpoint, and they were gone in a blink.
-------
Freth would arrive in virtually no time at all, being brought to the city by her Alakazam. “Thank you, Alakazam. I think Mamoswine is going to take it from here. Come back for now before you get too cold.” She said, recalling the Pokémon back to the ball. Snowpoint City is a well out of the way city. For some, its rich in history with the ruins dotted about the northern parts of the city. For others, such as trainers, its perhaps one of the hardest to trek to due to having traverse the innards of the Coronet mountain chain, then across the snowy fields under the harshest of weather and braving perhaps some of the most fierce Ice type Pokémon in the Indigo region chain. Freth at one time enjoyed this place just as her significant other does now. Now? It only served to be a subtle reminder of what once transpired close by years ago and the cold itself was actually problematic. In fact, the cold was the worst part. Being able to go about the cold with nary a care, taking in its serenity and comfort…Freth couldn’t help but feel she was robbed of one of those little joys in life. No…she was in fact robbed. No thanks to the Hunter. Galarian variants don’t have the tolerance to the cold as the Kantonian naturally does.
Freth made sure her coat was secure then folded her wings once again around her, then wrapped a cloak around the wings so they wouldn’t get numb from the cold. She was still feeling somewhat cold out in the city, not bad…but not great either. She then took out her SNAG to double check on the location of this place. It was around the lake, in close proximity, but there wasn’t quite an exact spot. Though she couldn’t help but to wonder why she hasn’t heard of this place. Apparently, this place, the more she researched into it, was pretty widely known at this point… to the point it was almost treated as if a fact of life, it seemed like. The Order’s teachings did wonders for many a Pokémon, Hybrids, and Channelers allegedly and Freth could only wonder since she herself has been out and about in this world why she hadn’t heard of them until now. Were they recent? Is this actually a cult? She then shook her head. She had to investigate it at the very least. She had nothing else to lose.
She then made her way off to the west side of the city, making her way towards the main route to find her way towards the lake. Once on the very outskirts of the city, Freth took out yet another Pokeball and tossed it out. In a flash, her massive Mamoswine lands into the snow. “Hello, Mamoswine. How are you doing?” she said, giving the massive beast a few strokes along its side.
“Mammoooo.” The Mamoswine spoke up.
“I need your help. We got to head off towards the lake and from there, we got to find a…I guess a village or something. It’s supposed to be close by. You think you can let me ride you for a while? It’d be faster for me to get there if you can plow the road.” She said. The Mamoswine gave an affirming grunt and knelt down some for Freth to hop on. She climbed aboard, centering herself, and held on tight. The Mamoswine stood back up. “Thank you. Alright, Mamoswine. Forward.” She said. The Mamoswine started to trot through the snow and onwards into the snowfields.
It was uneventful for the most part going through the snowfields. Most of the wild Pokémon were not willing to test their luck against a Mamoswine, short of Abombasnows that is, and even then, as far as Freth figured, they had other things to be concerned with. Whatever that may be, that is. Freth wasn’t complaining, regardless. Between worrying about having another psychic episode in the middle of nowhere on top of Mamoswine and soon enough getting saddle sore from riding on Mamoswine from the way she ended up having to sit down on the back of the beast, it was one less headache.
Freth pointed out to her Mamoswine the way towards to Lake Acuity. She knew where that was, at least. While it wasn’t far from Snowpoint City, going on foot through the thick snow made the trip take a while. A couple of hours, in fact. Once arriving at the lake, Freth got off the back of Mamoswine, giving the large Pokémon a few strokes and pats on the back, allowing the Mamoswine a break for at least a few moments. The least she could do for her Pokémon. She then looked about the lake area, taking the opportunity to walk around for a minute or two to try to nurse the soreness from sitting on the back of Mamoswine. As she done so, she went on trying to figure out where the Order of Acuity is holed up at. She couldn’t imagine they too would stray far from the lake as well considering, in the way this group was described to her, would prefer to stay in the vicinity of where the legendary Pokémon they are fond of would reside. If she was still the Kantonian variant, she imagined that she would be able to sense the pressures of the various residents in their own personal village. Heck, if she could still fly, she could have avoided needed to ride on Mamoswine altogether and get a better sky-high view of the area. They would stick out like a sore thumb in a frigid area such as this. Once again, things to curse the Hunter for taking.
She once again took out her SNAG and took a look at the map on it, zooming in closer around the area of the lake to see if she could get some hint of the satellite imaging that it provided. There were at least two or three major clearings around the lake, and one of which she passed right through to get to where she was, narrowing it down to two. She just would have to investigate, she thought. After giving Mamoswine a few moments more, she gave it a couple more pats on the back then once again mounted the beast. “That way, Mamoswine.” She’d say. With an affirming snort, the Mamoswine once again started to trudge about around the lake.
She wouldn’t have to go far, much to her surprise. As soon as Mamoswine gotten half-way around the lake, she noticed something odd. The snow was disturbed here. Recently. Parted like biblical seas. It doesn’t look shoveled. Too clean, and nothing looked tossed aside. The part was uniform. There were stairs here. Carved into the rock that made up the area that surrounded the lake. She once again hopped off of Mamoswine. “Thank you, I’ll…take it from here.” Freth said to her loyal beast. She recalled Mamoswine back to his ball and stashed it under her cloak and cowel. She then took a deep breath then started her way down the stairs.
The stairs seemed to have gone down for an eternity. Though Freth wasn’t taking any chances on these steps. As carefully cleaned off as they were, she was worried about left over icing, not wanting to risk taking a spill down this ridiculously long flight. As she continued to descend, she took notice to three individuals climbing up, heading her way. Freth stepped off to the side, allowing them to pass. She would then take notice. All hybrids. All deep in focus as they ascended the stairs towards the lake. All three of them females. One of the Medicham hybrids were leading the other two, another Medicham hybrid and a Meinshao hybrid. Though something Freth noted was off. The females were poorly dressed in these conditions. All three of them wore pants similarly, baggy…seemingly thin in fabric. Bare feet. Nothing covering their torsos other than enough wraps to do nothing more than to protect their modesty. Freth needed an eyebrow to raise out of confusion as to what was going on here. How in blazes were these three not cold? Even the Meinshao hybrid shouldn’t be able to weather it that easily. Meinshao’s fur isn’t that thick. And the Medicham hybrids didn’t have fur at all. While Freth’s extreme confusion would have been apparent to at least the psychics within that small bunch, they didn’t acknowledge it. They continued forward. “Meditation in extreme circumstances. I’m actually impressed.” The Hunter would speak up in Freth’s consciousness.
“What?” silently replied.
“Nothing. Just starting to realize what you might be going through when you finally get there.” The Hunter replied. “I don’t really think you’ll be able to do it.”
“No more than I have any faith in you shutting up through all of this.” Freth snapped back.
“This will be amusing.”
Freth continued, making her way around a couple of bends in the stair path, and on forward for at least few minutes more until she finally reached the bottom. The Order of Acuity. This village was a bit too old fashioned to her liking, but she guessed that was how they operated around here. People around came here to train, not for a vacation, as she was explained before leaving the headquarters. As she made her way down the path down the walkways, she took notice to the various buildings about. They looked mostly the same between each other. A couple of choice ones seemed larger than another for one reason or another or had something along side of it. A field, for instance nearby a building littered with tall, thin poles, with various people balanced on one foot at the top of them. Most of them Medicham and Meditite hybrids, and the actual Pokémon of the same species alongside. Others, the occasional hybrid of a different species and a couple of actual humans. Perfectly still, exposed to the biting cold that constantly whipped across the area. All Freth could think was ‘how’, ‘why’, and if she was going to have to do anything like that.
Freth shook her head. That seemed like insanity, but if doing what looked like extreme yoga was going to help in her issues, then she had to suck it up and deal. She took out her SNAG once more, taking a look back at the notes she took before coming here. Elder Chaksu is the one she needed to look for. She walked off…she didn’t want to interrupt those that seemed to be in too deep in some sort of training regimen, like the ones on the poles. She continued on down the path, until she perked up noticing a door opening up close by. What she thought was steam coming out of there was actually smoke and from the building was a male Medicham hybrid, closing the door behind him. There was more to the smell of the smoke, that she could tell. There was meat. A smokehouse, perhaps. He was cooking something in there. Something savory. She shook her head. Priorities.
She approached the hybrid. “Excuse me.” She called out, approaching him.
“Yes?” he then spoke.
“I’m looking for an…Elder Chaksu? Did I say that name right?” Freth said, double checking her SNAG for a brief second before looking back at the hybrid.
“The Elder you say? Another one to take-“ The hybrid stared at Freth in confusion. Found himself paused in Freth’s presence.
“What?” Freth stared in confusion.
“I see one. I sense two.” The hybrid spoke.
“You’re not imagining it.” The Hunter spoke from her. “Hi, resident ghost in this shell. Along for the ride, waiting on this one to embarrass herself.” Freth sighed out, trying to contain her frustration. Of course, she was going to make this already difficult task even more taxing.
The Medicham hybrid went wide-eyed. “I’m afraid the Elder only helps train, not exorcises.” The hybrid told her.
“I am here to train. She’s irrelevant.” Freth tried to reassure, though her frustration was quite apparent and perhaps making her plight unconvincing. “I’m basically a brand-new psychic in the world and I have no idea how to deal with it, and I’ve already had a few psychic related accidents because I have no idea that I am really doing anything until I see something happening. Just before I got here, I put someone in a psychic hold and left them frozen there for about thirty seconds or so, just to name an example.”
“And picked up a presence along the way, I believe.” The hybrid observed.
“Sure, let’s go with that.” Freth sighed out. She had to admit he wasn’t necessarily wrong.
“The Elder is down the path. When you past the second structure, which is one of our guest quarters, take a left. He is having a session with other students at the Gathering Hall at this time, which is down at the end of the walk.” He stated.
“Thank you.” She said, walking off.
Down the path and making the turn as directed, following the path all the way to the end. The gathering hall was at least three times the size of the guest quarters. It was also a little bit more ornate compared to most buildings here. Carefully carved spiral designs around the window frames and the frame around the double doors leading inside. The door frames in particular also had what seemed to be an Uxie’s shape embossed at the top and center of the frame. Freth was a little apprehensive opening the doors before her. Was she even allowed to go in? Rude to interrupt?
As she contemplated about going in or waiting, the door opens for her. She peeked in, seeing a Meditite at the door, waiving her in. Although apprehensive, she went in. Once in, the Meditite closes the door behind her. It was dead silent in the massive hall. Lined up in columns and rows were at least a dozen people on their knees on the floor, eyes closed, deep in meditation. Humans, Pokémon, Hybrids all. Each had a candle in front of them, them staring at the flickering flame in front of them. “Come forward.” A voice rang out. It sounded like it came from everywhere in the hall. Though she didn’t think that this hall would have that kind of acoustics. “Over here.”
At the front of the dozen meditating students, one stood up and started his way around the people still deep in meditation. It was a Medicham hybrid, but unlike the others she saw since making her way here, this one had a robe of some kind on. Real minimalist. Solid sky blue and yellow trims. Though, it didn’t seem like all that much of a step up compared to the other people she saw making her way through this place. The robes also seemed to not really be all that fit for the weather in this area. It was as if silk, perhaps. Rather thin, regardless. “You have a peculiar feeling about you. I thought I had sensed two at the door.”
“Another telepath. No surprise there.” The Hunter spoke up. Freth nearly was about to react to the Hunter once more, but then she realized that it was true. This one wasn’t talking normally like any other person.
“Now I see…I’m afraid that if its someone to handle a ghost, you’ve come to the wrong place.” The hybrid spoke in Freth’s mind once more.
Freth had to hold her tongue for a moment, realizing what was probably going to happen for a bit so as long she was here. She then started to silently speak up, as to not disturb the others. “I’m here to train my prowess in psychic proficiency. I’ve not the slightest how to use my power and because of which I am a danger to others. I’ve already had a handful of incidents as is because I don’t have any control over what I can do. I don’t even realize I am doing it until it’s brought to my attention somehow.”
The Medicham hybrid raises his hand to stop Freth from explaining herself further. “I see. That would pose a severe problem.” The voice echoed in her mind. “Come with me.” he said, walking towards the door. The Meditite opens the door once more for the robed hybrid and Freth goes to follow. As the door closes behind the two, the two started down the path.
“I hope that I am not interrupting anything, I mean, don’t you have to stay with them back there?” Freth asked.
“They will be fine.” The hybrid then stated, speaking normally now. “They’re in a middle of an exercise that I was overseeing. The session will continue for them until close to dinner time.”
“…oh.” Freth uttered. “So, I…take it…you are the elder. Chaksu.” Freth said.
“That I am.” He stated. “Though as I walk here, I seem to get a feeling from you. You seem to have a lot of expectations. I believe I have to disappoint you some.”
“…you’re not going to tell me that you’re not going to be able to help me, are you?”
“You misunderstand. I can. To a point.” He simply stated. “Just perhaps not to the extent that you are expecting.”
“What…do you mean?” Freth said.
“You have to understand the most I can do is to get you to realize your power. What you can do with it is going to be a whole other matter.”
“That…doesn’t make sense.”
“Not now to you, it doesn’t. You came here expecting not only to realize the potential you have, but to utilize it as you see fit.” he stated. “Realizing your power and utilizing are vastly different things, sadly. Realizing it at least will solve your issue. You’ll be able to sense your own power; steady it. Not have any more accidents, as you have stated. Utilizing it, say for the use of to the extent of your hybrid abilities for example, are a whole other matter.”
Freth sighed in resignment. It was better than nothing. “Right now, I’m willing to take anything you’re willing to provide.”
“I’m not sure about that one.” The Hunter spoke.
The Elder stopped, turning around to face Freth, having her to stop in her tracks as well. “And what of your other apparent issue.” The elder then asked.
It didn’t take long for Freth to realize what he was referring to. “What? Her?” Freth asked. “What about her?”
“I never had anyone here like you before. Where one has a what is effectively a whole other entity before. Sure one has been possessed by the likes of Ghost type Pokémon before, albeit on rare occasion, but this…this is a whole other matter. Like this one is part of your very being. I never seen anything like it.” Chaksu explained.
“Its not like I asked for it.” Freth stated.
“I suppose you haven’t. Nevertheless, this leads to a great deal of unknowns as to what would happen should you start training here. I have to keep those here who seek enlightenment here safe; that’s including yourself. I do not like dealing with unknowns as to what she may do.”
“She’s already had a while to try something; its been months. If she could do anything beyond annoy me and give me a headache, she’d done it already.” Freth stated.
The Elder’s gaze studied Freth for a moment. There was an unease that Freth was feeling, as if she was on the cusp of being denied. She seen such looks out of someone before. It was one of suspicion. Was it at her? Or in reference to the Hunter? But then the silence breaks. “I suppose we can try to take care of what issues we can. One does have to live, after all.”
“Oh, thank God, for a minute there I thought I was going to have to take a trip back.”
“However, for the sake of posterity, I am going to warn you that this is more than likely nothing that you have dealt with before. The regimen is going to be tougher than what you are probably used to.”
“I have trained quite a bit before. Hell, my boyfriend for the longest got me to wear heavy fireproof stuff not only to protect me from fire because I was weak to it at the time, but it was just that heavy and it was a workout just going through day-to-day life for a time. It’s-“
“It’s more than just physical ability. You’re training towards psychic proficiency. It only sometimes goes hand to hand depending on the situation; more that will be explained to you later should you stay. Be knowing that I’ve had people quit before because people went in with the delusion that it was just another training regimen when instead it broke them. Sometimes as early as two days to a solid week. Only those who have rightfully steeled themselves stay longer. It will be no different for you.” Chaksu explained. “I’m not saying this to scare you from taking part in the Order’s activities. I’m saying this to temper your expectations greatly.”
“Tempered or no, I am in a situation where I have no choice in the matter and you’re my only lead to getting my problems dealt with. I don’t have the luxury of choice. I don’t know of anywhere else.” She said, getting slightly irritated with Chaksu. Was he starting to underestimate her too just as the Hunter has? There was something going on here now. Freth was almost certain of it.
“As long as we’re clear.” The Elder stated. “So, who do we have the pleasure of meeting?”
“I’m Freth. And the one you’re also sensing is unwanted baggage.”
“Hilarious.” The Hunter spoke deadpan.
“You may start tomorrow. In the meantime, you may stay at our guest quarters.” He stated, pointing down the walk towards the large buildings at the end of the path. “Furthermore, if you do have any one of these episodes which you state you have as long as you are here, however, you are to inform us immediately. We’re all some variant of Meditite or Medicham hybrid, so we’re easy to spot out. And I do mean it, no matter how minor or intense they may be.”
“I will.”
“In that case, welcome to the Order of Acuity. Your regimen begins sunrise. I would recommend getting rest while you still can. I’ll have someone by to see you later this evening to get you ready for the morning.” The Elder stated. Freth would nod and started her way off for the guest quarters.
-----------
Hours went on by into the evening. Freth had stayed in the guest quarters, only leaving long enough to get at least a meal before once again retiring to the guest quarters. Her Hisuan coat and cowel was draped across a stand on the far side of the room. It was actually cozy in this place, oddly enough. Freth was looking at a window from a bed which she laid back on. She would end up being reminded that despite the sun being as down as it is, it was still bright out as if broad daylight. The pure white snow lit the area up quite a lot. It was going to be a little troubling to get to sleep tonight. She took out her SNAG and stared at it a bit. At this point she was waiting on some sort of message of panic from her significant other back at the headquarters. She wouldn’t have minded having a conversation with a familiar face already. She didn’t know the next time that she would have the opportunity. Though speaking with someone, she started to realize something…
“You’re quiet.” Freth said aloud, addressing the Hunter. A pause. “I know you’re listening.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you didn’t care to hear me.” The Hunter spoke.
“I usually don’t. But you’re also usually bothering me at every opportunity. Ran out of stuff to say? Tired of repeating yourself?”
“I had a bit of a realization. Perhaps I should give you a bit of peace for this.” The Hunter stated.
“Really?” Freth said, suspicious.
“I mentioned this before.” The Hunter spoke. “Your episodes could be life threatening. If you go out, so do I. This is similar to Hisui. I do need you to succeed for my sake. Though, like in Hisui, I am not holding out much hope.”
“And we got you to eat your words. We made it back. You really have a bad habit of not having faith in others.” Freth stated.
“You misunderstand. I do try to have faith in others when I know others have earned that trust.” She stated.
“And I haven’t?”
“You did ‘kill’ me.” She stated. “And as far as what I can tell, most of your ‘accomplishments’ all boiled down to dumb luck. Even Hisui. That someone in that time frame had at least some sort of chance of an answer out of the blue to in turn invoke Darts’s power to find himself back to our own reality. You’re not going to tell me otherwise. Luck tends to run out eventually, and at the most inopportune times.”
“No humoring you, I guess.” Freth sighed out.
A knock came on the door though before getting up to answer it, the door opens. Another Medicham hybrid, a female this time, carrying a cloth package. “Excuse me. Good evening. I am Renala. You are Freth, yes? I was told to deliver this to you from the Elder.”
“Huh?” Freth got up and took the cloth package and opened it up. A different fabric was with in it, folded. She took one end and unfurled the fabric and stared at it for a moment. It was a set of pants, just like what she noticed earlier today. Grabbing the pants by the seams, she pressed it against her waist, at first wondering if the pants was even going to fit her, but then became compelled to ask. “I take it that there’s a dress code here.”
“For the most part.” The female Medicham hybrid stated. “The cloth might not look like much, but they are extremely durable. Carefully handcrafted to withstand some of the most rigorous training sessions that we have here. You would be surprised that how many guests we have here that are thankful as to how much of their own clothes that gets spared.”
“I imagine. Though…” she then came to a realization then looked back at the Medicham hybrid, taking note of what she was wearing, then noticed on the floor. The other, more glaring issue. Like the trio she saw earlier, and now that she thought about it, several of those that she saw walking through the village. And even those on the posts, namely the females about. The near mummy-like wraps on the females that wrapped around the chest. Such wraps were on the floor now, which must have came out from the folded pants when Freth unfolded them. She picked up the wraps, looking at them for a couple of seconds, then suddenly felt apprehensive. “…is there any way that I can talk someone into just wearing my own tops? Let alone a coat?”
“I’m…afraid not.” The hybrid replied, an eyebrow raised as if to suggest Freth had mildly insulted the Order. “Its all part of the attire. It’s been part of tradition since the Order’s formation.”
“Are you sure that someone didn’t do it because someone along the way was perverted? Heck, I’m sure the Elder might enjoy the view here and there…” she said, shrugging, trying to make a joke to hide the lack of comfort she was starting to feel about the situation. It did nothing, however, to appease the hybrid before her.
“I do have my complaints about my brother, but that is not one of them.” She said with a rather strong tone of voice.
“Wait, the Elder is your brother!?”
“Yes.” Renala sharply said. “If you must know, the wear is two-fold. One is what was already discussed. The other is especially for those, such as yourself, us, and other psychics that came by here looking to unlock their potential. The clothes were originally modeled after the Meditite and Medichams, and the hybrids alongside. They are a representation of nothingness. Just as with the Meditite and Medichams, nothing. Else. Matters. Everything is a distraction. Vanity is a distraction. The cold outside is a distraction. Pain in general. Your emotional state like anger. Or the shame I am starting to feel from you for not only being called out in this manner, but just the idea of wearing it. A distraction. I’m sure you’re fairly aware how Medicham and Meditite are. How they train with extreme fasts, meditation, and exertion.”
“I…am…” Freth sheeply stated.
“I think I am starting to like her.” The Hunter stated. “First contact with someone who makes sense in a few months. Thank God.”
“We adopt a similar philosophy to ourselves. Rest assured that we would not put you, let alone ourselves, through so much if it didn’t serve any purpose, let alone get results.”
“I’m sorry.” Freth spoke up. She screwed up. She could admit to it.
“Bear that in mind as long as you are here.” Renala stated a bit more softly now. She was still apparently agitated, it seemed but perhaps had forgiven Freth. Or at least Freth hoped.
A noise broke the awkwardness from within the room. Freth looked back behind her, trying to figure out what it was. Nothing seemed to be out of place for the second until she started to note the bed was starting to move across the floor on its own. The legs scraping across the wooden floor.
“It is happening again.” The Hunter then spoke up. “Though…woah, what’s going on in here? It’s getting crazy in your headspace now…Freth? Freth?”
Renala looked over taking note to a small drawer that started to move away from her off into the direction of the bed, and like the bed, scraping its legs across the floor. The lantern that was on it was quick to fall off from the sudden movement. Renala reached out with her psychic influence, stopping the lantern from hitting the floor and causing a fire. More stuff started to rush across the room, off into the corner of the room with the bed. It was as if the furniture came alive and was desperate to leave. Through the wall if it had to. The wooden furniture creaked as the furniture pressed against the wooden walls, with no idea what would give first, the walls or the furniture. Though as it creaked, Freth started to feel something that she has yet to feel before. Her head started to feel as if it was about to split open. She was sure this was an episode for sure, but now, this…she hasn’t felt something like this since Hisui, though at the time she was more intent trying to survive a threat from an illusory Celcius.
Renala looked on to Freth, starting to see Freth’s feather tips on her wings starting to light up and started to intensify. The crest about her eyes, onyx black started to glow fierce to a pure white, and Freth started to hobble over. The psychic buildup was starting to get out of hand. She realized what was going on. “Freth!” Renala shouted to the Galarian Articuno hybrid. The very second Freth turned to look back, she was greeted with Renala’s palm engulfing her face. With no time for subtlety, she slams Freth into a nearby wall and focused fiercely. Freth would only feel a massive shock came over her. The Hunter screamed out within her consciousness as well, not really expecting a sudden intrusion. Freth’s feathers started to dim and return to normal, both on her face and her wings. Renala would let go of Freth, watching the hybrid slide down the wall, sitting on the floor, passing out…
“You are going to be trouble. I can feel it…” Renala said, finally putting the lantern back down.
Freth wouldn’t realize what have transpired right afterwards. The most that she could state is that she was not where she once was. “Augh…what the…” Freth sprung up, throwing aside the bedsheets she was in. She started to realize this wasn’t the room she was loaned for as long as she stayed. In fact, there were multiple beds here, in a large room. Maybe this was the entire building. A few cabinets here and there, and not much else other than a few old-fashioned screens propped up against the wall. She wasn’t quite sure what was going on. She slid to the edge of the bed she was in, then took a deep sigh, rubbing her head a bit. Once she realized that things seemed fine, she hunched over. “You’re up.” The Hunter spoke. “That was a pretty bad one. That was what I was talking about. The episodes you had before was nickel and dime stuff. I don’t know what would have happened if they were any worse than that.”
“Ugh, what triggers these?” Freth said, rubbing her eyes.
“Anything, really. Or nothing at all. This is your mind after all.” The Hunter stated. “By the way, aren’t you supposed to go to the Elder in case you had one of those episodes?”
“Yea…” Down at the end of the building, the door opens, letting a bitter cold gust of air into the building before being closed. Elder Chaksu made his way in and started down the isle. “So much for going to find the guy…”
It was only a few seconds before Chaksu found his way over to Freth’s bed. “Are you okay?”
“I…think so?” Freth said, rubbing her head. “How long was I out?”
“About a couple of hours. Renala told me after she had you brought in here.”
“What is ‘here’?” Freth asked.
“A medical ward.” Chaksu stated. “We do try to be prepared for all that may occur. Injuries. Sick. What one would expect.”
“Ugh…I feel terrible; the sooner that I can get this under control, the better.” Freth said.
“I have to concur.” Chaksu stated.
“Is Renala alright?” Freth then asked.
“Oh, never better. In fact, you’re perhaps lucky she was there. She stated she had to use Imprison on you to stop your episode dead in its tracks.”
“A little more advanced warning next time!” the Hunter called out from Freth’s consciousness. “That even got me in here!” Freth rolled her eyes at that remark.
The elder raised an eyebrow at Freth, a bit intrigued over the Hunter’s complaint. Freth could just about see the gears turning in the elder’s head, as if he was formulating something, if albeit briefly. “All the same, you should continue getting some rest. You’re going to have a long day tomorrow. Renala will come fetch you in the morning.”
“Standing on poles for who knows how long?” Freth asked.
“Oh, not on the first day. No. See me in the gathering hall in the morning in dress and I shall get you started.”
“Alright, I’ll be there…” she said.
The elder would then give a sagely nod then start his way off out of the ward. Freth would end up pulling hair off to the side of her head, rubbing her eyes for a moment again. She would then get up from the bed and start her way back off for her assigned room. Her stuff was still in there at least, hopefully not in a crumpled mess with the rest of the furniture.
------------------
Knocks came to the door of Freth’s room. The Galarian Articuno female snaps awake, wincing hard. It was still broad daylight outside, but then again, how true really was that? The snows still showing that it can really mess with one’s perception of time. She turned over in her bed, reaching over the side, digging around in her pack of supplies to pull out her SNAG. Turning on the screen, she sees the time. Ten till four. In the morning. “Are you serious…?” Another knock. She kicked off the warm covers and made her way to the door, opening it.
Renala was there, taking note to Freth. “You’re not ready yet?”
“It wasn’t as if you guys told me what time you start.” She said, rubbing her eyes. “At the earliest, I’d figure it was at least not for another couple of hours. I feel like I just made it to bed…”
“Hurry and get dressed. Then meet at the dining hall. You’re going to want breakfast, I’d imagine.”
“It…would be appreciated…” Freth wearily stated. Renala would leave the door and Freth closes the door behind her. “Crap. Hell of a way to start a first day…”
“It was on you for not asking when to be there. Then again, you’d probably wouldn’t have gotten a concise answer anyways if these people work the way I think they do.” The Hunter spoke from within.
“And why is that?”
“The ones who run this place, the Medicham and Meditite hybrids, and their Pokemon.” The Hunter spoke up. “They’re perhaps all in sync with each other. They just…well. Know. From years of tradition and habits. Though that may not help those seeking training from them. Though with enough pressure and training, even they will get close to the same speed as the ones helping them. The mind and body adapt. Eventually.”
“Hopefully sooner than later if we’re getting up near 4 a.m.” she said, making her way off to the clothes she was given, draped across a table up against the wall. Most of the furniture from last night’s episode was still propped up against the wall, save for the bed. Freth only took out what she needed, intending on straightening it out for later…provided that she wasn’t exhausted after her first day. She sighed as she picked up the pants, staring at it, then down at the sash which was supposed to wrap around her chest. This wasn’t what she would have called suitable for any sort of training despite Renala’s instance it was, and on top of how she was feeling about her transformation still, made for a miserable time.
It didn’t take too long to get dressed. The pants were simple enough. The wraps took a few minutes however to get it properly set so her ‘assets’ didn’t go anywhere. Once she was finished, she took a look at herself as best as she could. The room didn’t have any mirrors in here, but she can just about imagine. Freth never cared for the onyx-colored feathers that were on her torso and around her eyes, nor did she care for her arms, which were dark and talon like from her hands all the way up to her elbows. Putting on this training wear, pretty much showing off everything she wanted to not make too apparent wasn’t helping matters. For the longest of time, during the days she traveled the world for her own agenda still as a human, running her own criminal group, she had the belief that beauty had to supplement power. Provocative curves which undermined a toned physique, leaving many a person to underestimate her. Many who made many a foolish claim that she was weak just on looks alone, and just as many to regret such a decision. The only one that she could recall that didn’t fall for such a thing was her significant other, when at one time they were enemies. ‘She was the leader of a criminal group for a reason’ she was once told; her once then nemesis constantly proving that in his refusal to hold back under threat of a potential Elemental reemergence.
After becoming a hybrid, she still held on to her belief, somewhat. Though such a stance was harder to perform in practice when by default she was looked on as a threat due to just being a hybrid, let alone one of a Legendary Pokémon. It didn’t necessarily stop her from trying though. Freth didn’t want to say, but the Hunter wasn’t fully wrong. She did put in some work, but she did adapt to everything about her life more than anything and pretty easily at that, eventually instigating that ‘work smarter, not harder’ mentality the Hunter accuses of breeding complacency. Regardless, she felt pretty much on cloud nine. She looked good, she was as powerful as she felt, and she had the know-how. She was confident. Nothing could go wrong. That was until the Hunter, at least. Sure, she still had a grand deal of physical strength, but she couldn’t really harness it like she once could, effectively feeling the most powerless she had in quite some time. The onyx feathers and her talon like arms clashed with the violet feathers in her opinion, despite her efforts in trying to make it work over the past few months. She wasn’t all that much to look at anymore in her opinion. Not to mention, being thrusted into a whole other proverbial world, where there was all manner of complications regarding psychics, many that she had taken for granted due to she herself not being one at one time, she didn’t know what to do anymore. Throw on top of causing a lot of undue friction between her and her significant other left Freth feeling robbed of any sense of peace of mind. Violated, perhaps. She had done well to not really show how much it was bothering her to others, but then…that wasn’t going to be all that hidden in what is effectively a compound where its primary residents are a bunch of psychics.
With a sigh, she closed back up her wings in front of her and made her way out of the room. She passed by a couple of other residents of the quarters, they too waking up and trying to get ready for a morning routine, not really giving Freth any mind. She made her way to the door and opened it up. The biting chill rushes in, Freth wincing hard. Freth was told in Hisui that the cold was going to get to her eventually, that whatever tolerance she had to the cold was going to get overtaken. Freth realized just in that moment she was too far up in the Snowpoint region to take the cold as is. She crosses the threshold and quickly closed the door behind her. She was trying not to make too much of a scene but it was so hard to do when every step was frigid and the chill in the air was needling every exposed spot on her body. She paced down the walk, in a pace between a walk and a run, but not necessarily a jog either. She hugged herself tight under her wings, and tightened her wings around her the best she could, not that it did much in this cold. She was trying to not look awkward to everyone as she was effectively skipping down the icy path, clutching herself tight in a desperate attempt to make it down to the dining hall sooner than later. She noticed many on the way to the hall, but they didn’t seem to care either.
Once at the dining hall, she practically leaped up the steps and quickly made her way through the double doors and closing them behind her quickly. She started to feel relief immediately now that she was in once again a warm spot. She took note to a fireplace on the far side with a decent size cauldron hanging over it with a Meditite hybrid tending to whatever was inside it and a Braxien close by stoking the fireplace flames. She took a look around and there weren’t as many here in this otherwise barebones hall as she would have thought. Several rows of long tables with benches on each side of them, but hardly anyone here. Of those that were here, Renala was already apparently seated at a table with a bowl. It looked like either she was meditating or praying for a few seconds, her head down and eyes closed, but soon after, she held her hand up and telekinetically grabbed the spoon next to the bowl, quickly bringing it to her hand and she started to eat her meal.
Freth furiously rubbed her arms to hurry warmth back into them and adjusted her wings before folding back in front of her. She then walked down the isle between two rows of tables and got into the non-existent line, picking up a bowl and a spoon, meeting the Meditite hybrid and Braxien. The hybrid looks back towards Freth, then back towards the cauldron, pulling out a large spoon full for Freth. Freth held out her bowl and the food fell in with a resounding flop. Freth stared at the meal. Oatmeal. And it probably tasted as bland as it looked. “Thank you.” She said, taking her food off back for the tables.
Freth walked off towards Renala and sat down nearby. “Mind if I sit here?” A shake of the head of no came from Renala. Freth said down with her bowl of oatmeal and took a bite of it. Freth winced a bit…it was that bland. “Uh, about last night…thank you.”
“Its fine.” She stated.
Stared at Renala in confusion for a second, glancing about the room for about a half second thereafter. “And…I’m apologize again about the comment from last night…” Freth then stated.
“Nothing more is needed on that.” Renala stated.
Freth’s confusion started to turn to slight agitation. “…so why do you seem like that you’re still irritated with me?”
“That would insinuate that you know me well enough.”
“Considering that you started to get apprehensive after my comment last night and you didn’t seem to change your demeanor at all from last night, I’d like to think you’re failing at being passive aggressive. Hypocritical when you preached last night about nearly anything being a distraction, you think? You’re right about one thing: I don’t really know you. But I’d like to think I’ve been around the block enough to recognize animosity.” Freth said before taking another bite of oatmeal, wincing again. This stuff needed a heck of a lot more. Apples? Bananas? Oran Berries? Salt? Something.
Renala sighed out, letting go of her spoon and had it float down into her bowl. “If there is any animosity here, it would be the simple fact of out of all the people that has come here, you honestly have me unnerved.”
“What did I do beyond try to cause a bit of unintentionally insensitive humor? What, my psychic episode?”
“That didn’t help, but no.”
“You’re referring to me.” The Hunter spoke up.
“Just what are you really?” Renala asked the Hunter.
“A pain in my a-“
“Someone who was on a mission before Freth messed it all up for me. I guess I might as well say she killed me. Huh…the more I say that, the weirder it feels for me to actually say.” The Hunter stated, cutting Freth off.
“I’m not entirely believing of that.” Renala replied.
“She’s not wrong.” Freth then spoke up. “She tried killing my boyfriend and as a last-ditch effort, tried to take me over. Its why I look like I do now.”
“Wait, she turned you into a hybrid?” Renala asked.
“No, I already was a hybrid. She turned me into a different variant of one. I was originally the Kantonian variant of Articuno. She turned me to the Galarian one, hence why I have no control over of what came with it. Because I don’t know how.” Freth said.
“Then why is it that sense the presence of an Elemental?”
“You…know of those?” Freth asked, being caught off guard.
“One was close by here years ago. We know not of what its intentions were, but he was there. All we could do was pray that Uxie would protect us. And then, almost seemingly as quick as it arrived, it was as if he was silenced.” Freth started to realize immediately that had to been around the time Hinterbane was introduced to Celcius’s skull. But something wasn’t making sense. Nothing that she was going to try to let on to Renala. For now, however…
“I…was once taken over by Celcius; he was the one who made me into a hybrid to begin with.” Freth said. “But you’re the first one now that brought him up. As far as anyone else was concerned, hybrid or otherwise, anyone Celcius pretty much put under his ‘employ’ were hardly distinguishable from any natural born hybrid. You noticed such a subtle difference?”
“Subtle?” Renala stated. “There’s nothing subtle about what I am feeling. Which is why I suspect there’s something more to that one inside of you.”
“I have nothing to hide.” The Hunter replied.
“Oh really?” Freth spoke up. “Then how about you share how you were able to change me then? Ambrosia already suggested there had to be more than just raw psychic power. Its Celcius, isn’t it? What is your relationship to him? What did you do?” Freth said, trying to keep her voice low, trying to not cause any sort of ruckus in the dining hall.
There was a silence for the better part of a few seconds. “It’s irrelevant now.”
Freth slammed her fists on the table. “Bullsh-“
“Freth.” Renala spoke up, cutting Freth off. “One thing you have to do if you are to learn, and it will be reiterated by Chaksu, is that you have to maintain inner peace. And I would rather not have anything trigger another episode out of you.”
“You don’t get it. This woman has been giving me the run around for the past few months. Every time she lets something slip, she clams up when I try to make her spill more. Every little bit she lets out, the more I get irritated because I feel like I am being toyed with in some way. Its pissing me off.” Freth said.
“I understand that. But yelling at her isn’t going to do you any good.” Renala stated.
“I’m also well aware of that.” Freth stated. Freth sighed out then started to stir her oatmeal about in the bowl in front of her. “So, what was it that you are feeling that is giving you grief. What’s on your mind that’s in my mind?”
“Truthfully, the way your mind is, I really want to say that isn’t just anyone in your mindscape.” Renala stated. “I want to state that you have Celcius himself in you. The best to describe it: there is…a…block. One that I cannot really see through and it has this…distinct feeling, just as Celcius himself did.”
“You think…I am an Elemental? Now that’s…probably the funniest thing that I have heard over the past few months.” The Hunter spoke. “Nevertheless, I only hope this proves to Freth that psychics are not all-knowing.”
Renala wouldn’t react to the Hunter’s barb. “Bear in mind, Freth, that should anything happens during your stay here, we will react appropriately.”
“…ominous.” Freth stated, needing an eyebrow to raise.
“I’m quite serious. We’ve never had anyone like you here before.” Renala stated. “I suppose I should confess that with what I sensed off of you, and the fact that you have perhaps the most chaotic mind I have ever encountered, as did Chaksu, I was petitioning for him to not accept you here.”
“What!?” Freth exclaimed. “I haven’t been here twenty-four hours, and you’re wanting to kick me out?”
“The past few minutes alone makes me more justified in my position with how you react to every barb and irritation. And that’s not getting into the unknowns of this person within you and what it could mean on top of the fact that usually when people find this place, they already have a modicum of mental discipline and somewhat of a proficiency to training.”
“I’m not a stranger to training. I’m not just some lazy bum.” Freth said.
“Perhaps. But you only train on your terms.” Renala stated.
“She’s got you pegged.” The Hunter stated.
“Shut up.” Freth snapped to the Hunter.
“However, Chaksu sympathizes with your plight and agreeance with you in that you don’t have the luxury of choice. You’re in need of guidance lest you be a danger to everyone else, let alone yourself, and it was fortunate that you came here now instead of later, where your episodes are still relatively infrequent for now.” Renala stated.
“I’m not going to be leaving until I manage to get this under control.”
“I pray that is sooner than later.” Renala stated, pulling her spoon back out of her bowl with her telekinesis, bring it back to her hand. “When you are done here, you head to the gathering hall where you saw my brother yesterday. He will be waiting for you personally.” She said, going back to her own bowl of oatmeal.
“…personally? What, me alone with him?” Freth said.
“Until we know for certain that you’re not going to put anyone, Pokémon or person, at risk, he’s going to isolate you with those capable of making sure you don’t go out of control. More often than not it will be with Chaksu.” Renala stated, taking another bite soon afterwards.
“Did you have a hand in that?” Freth said.
“No. You did after your episode yesterday evening. As elder, he’s the most capable of quelling anything that you might unintentionally do. Moreso than even I. He’s most likely to quell anything even at your worst, legendary Pokémon ability and all. He’s taking time away from other, much more advanced staged students just to make sure that you don’t pose a danger to others, teachers and students alike. Once you manage to get a grasp of your power, you’ll be given to others to more refine your base abilities, such as myself. Make no mistake, the only reason you’re getting special treatment is because of your…special circumstances.”
“…fair enough.” Freth said, going into her own bowl of oatmeal again. Freth once again tried to not make a scene of the blandness of the meal, but then her patience ran out. “…got any apples?” Freth asked. It only got a disapproving look out of Renala.
----------------
Freth would eventually manage to get through breakfast then made her way out of the dining hall. Back out the cold and was doing the oddest of prances down the walk and off to the Gathering hall. The steps, almost feeling as if she was walking on nails as to how cold it was. All the same, desperate to get to the hall before she loses feeling altogether to the icy walk. She was hugging herself tight with both her arms and her wings once again by the half-way point between the dining hall and gathering hall. Once she made it to the hall doors, she made her way in and closes the doors behind her. Warmth once again, she felt. She flexes her toes a bit, then rubs the top of her feet on her opposite pants leg, trying to get warmth in them sooner. She looked about and saw the Elder at the front of the building, deep in what appeared to be meditation. Maybe prayer. It was just as she encountered Renala in the Dining hall. Chaksu was sitting on his legs with what looks to be a thin pillow that separates the wooden floor and Chaksu’s knees. Facing the rows of candles and a couple of wooden statues that appeared to be in memorial to something. The shape of them resembled the flaired tails of Uxie, the lake entity of Acuity. “Good morning.” Chaksu spoke up.
---End of Part 2---
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:17 pm
Unlock Potential - Part 3
“Okay, real talk, I know the reasoning behind going minimalist as you guys do, but have you guys ever heard of frostbite? Maybe hypothermia? There’s only so extreme you can go before being a danger to yourself.” Freth said.
“If you know the reasoning, then you should also know the preparedness we have in enduring such extremes.” Chaksu spoke up. “We’re dedicated. We’re not foolish.”
“Okay, just so we’re clear.” Freth said.
“Please. Sit.”
Freth looked around on the floor, noting that there was nothing on the floor, but then looked over. More of the thin cushions stacked close by on the wall. She walked over, taking one of them then walked over towards Chaksu. “…do I have to sit like that?”
“However you feel.” he replied. “Just maintain posture, is all.”
Freth sat the cushion down close by Chaksu and sat down, opting to go cross-leg, Indian style. Maintain posture, he stated though. She couldn’t slouch. Just keep straight up, she thought. As she sat, she noticed immediately. This cushion. It does nothing. It was already somewhat uncomfortable. “Uh, so, what do I do?”
Without getting up, Freth took notice to one of the candles starting to move about. The elder was moving it telekinetically towards her and placed it in front of her. “The first step is for you to actually get a feel for your power. Know what you are looking for. Do you meditate?”
“I can’t say that I do.” Freth said. “That sort of thing always seemed like a placebo to those that it didn’t matter to.”
“And that be whom?”
“Basically, well…anyone not an actual psychic…” A realization came to Freth. “…though I don’t ever really recall seeing Crystal do it. Or Reno…huh…” she said in a lower town of voice, mainly to herself. She would shake her head at the thought, looking back at Chaksu. “Pokémon are the only ones that seemed to do best with it. Usually, choice psychic or fighting types. Beyond that seems like something someone got off of TV.” Freth said.
“I suppose in a way I cannot fault you for doubting what’s on television. After all, it is what it is.” Chaksu admitted, standing up himself walking towards Freth. “Especially when it comes to psychics. I have to admit however that some items regarding psychics that come off egregiously cliché on television is truth to a degree.” He said. “Metal spoon bending for example. Barring those of Abra lineage, people honestly make spoon bending look quite bad.”
“You mean, psychics actually purposely bend spoons with their mind?” Freth asked, confused.
“Children, specifically. When you see adults do it on television, it looks quite bad and overplayed. Metal spoons usually are used to test if a child is that gifted, and if so, to train children to calm what is an otherwise their chaotic child mind to better control their power, and it’s easier to do so for them because they are quite aware of their power in their own ways. It’s a training exercise for them. Much in a way as children learning to do basic arithmetic. When they can perfect making the spoon into a perfect arch, including flattening the head of the spoon without compromising the integrity - no stress, stretches, or cracks in the spoon efficiently then revert it back, or more difficultly, roll it up into the tightest perfect spiral, where no part of the spoon touches itself then roll it back out back to how it originally was, they can move on to the next step. Adult psychics in actuality don’t bother doing that; they’ve long since graduated from that at that point and have long since continued their practice on other things in other ways as their power becomes more defined as to what they specialize in.” A realization came to Chaksu just then. “Though, I’m afraid I may end up eventually subjecting you to those children’s lessons, however.”
“Really?” Freth said, a little distraught.
“Well, you do have over two decades of ground to make up for.” The Hunter stated. “He’s telling the truth.”
“Okay, fine, whatever. So, what am I to do now to get to that point? Meditate, right? That just sounds easier than done. I don’t even know what I am looking for. Is ‘looking’ even the right word for that? Ugh, I’m confusing myself. Is there even a right way to do it?”
“What would help is if you do not dwell on the details like that. They are irrelevant. Just sit quietly. The candle here can help you.” Chaksu stated.
“Uh…I thought nothing else mattered.”
“There isn’t. The candle will help you clear your thoughts. Just focus on it. And only on it. Do not let your mind wander, nothing else matters. Then finally, put out the candle from your mind.” The Elder would sagely explain.
“Wow, that’s getting into real archaic methods.” The Hunter spoke up. “Though I guess it is the simplest too.”
“How long do I need to just do this?” Freth said. A slight disapproving frown graces Chaksu’s face. “…irrelevant. Got it. Long as it takes, presumably.”
“Precisely.”
Freth sighed out. Her task was effectively do nothing. Think of nothing. Last she checked, that was called ‘sleep’. Which was still real tempting to go back to at near 5 a.m. As Chaksu made his way back over to his spot in front of the rows of candles, Freth looked at the candle before her as it flickered about. She was trying all she could to do what she was instructed to do. Was this actually going to work? What if another episode happened while she was trying to do this? How would she even know she succeeded? Was there a sign? Was she even going to be able to stay awake for any of this? Why do this so early in the morning? Was her rear going to survive on this hard wood floor with nothing more than the flattest of cushions? Was this not a cliché that she was going through now? How long does this normally take in reality? “Freth, I know this is your first time, but can you really not!?” the Hunter exclaimed from within her consciousness. “You can’t do that!”
Freth jumped from the sudden shout within her mental faculties. “What?” Freth said silently.
“You’re still letting your mind wander! Not even thirty seconds in and you’re failing.”
“Bite me. It isn’t as if I’m already under a lot of pressure no thanks to you.” She said. She gave another sigh then went back to continuing to stare at the candle. She didn’t know what else to do though. She wasn’t used to this and she did have too much on her mind. In a sense, most literally speaking. She continued to stare, trying to remind herself nothing else mattered. Not even the Hunter. Another moment. She already started to realize that, no, she was in fact going to be stiff whenever she got off this hard wood floor. It was starting to be quite uncomfortable. She would shift on the cushion a bit, leaning forward a bit to brace against her knees as she continued to stare at the candle.
“Posture, Freth.” Chaksu spoke up. She couldn’t slouch. She shifted again, managing to sit up right once more. She had to be mindful of that.
“I thought nothing else mattered?” Freth silently said.
“There isn’t.” The Hunter spoke up.
Freth rolled her eyes at not really getting her question answered, then continued to watch the tiny flame dance as she tried to hold posture. It was official: this was torture. Holding still, doing nothing in silence, staring at a candle and only that. There couldn’t be any way possible someone was expected to do even this much on their first day. Clearing one’s mind was easier said than done, especially when one always had so much on their mind to begin with. Even if she didn’t realize it fully until now. Perhaps took her life for granted more than she originally thought. Once again, she shifted where she sat, trying to find some comfort out of the thin cushion she was on. She looked out a nearby frosted window, wondering what time it was. It was impossible to tell still without something telling her outright. She didn’t know why she bothered. Once again, she looked down at the candle, another silent sigh let out. “You’re bored.” The Hunter spoke up.
“Of course, I am.” She whispered. “I did not expect this when I got here.”
“You expected worse when you finally showed up, like when you saw those people balancing in deep meditation in the cold wearing nothing more than like what you got on.” The Hunter spoke. “Would you have preferred that?”
“Will you shut up? You’re not helping.”
“Freth.” Chaksu then addressed.
“Uh…yes?”
“Bear in mind that I can hear you and your friend, both.”
“’Friend’? Making a lot of assumptions there.” Freth said. “Secondly, if you can hear us, then you know that she’s bothering me.”
“Freth…” Chaksu spoke up in a tone of voice, not too much like a reprimanding parent.
“Yea, yea, I know, nothing else matters.” She said.
“You’ll have to ignore her as well, despite some of what she is saying is true, I admit.” Chaksu then stated. Freth couldn’t help but to rub her eyes frustratingly then gave a frustrated huff, going back to staring at the candle once more. “With that said…” he then stared deeply at Freth, his voice starting to ring in the reaches of her mind. “…I do not need your help in teaching my lessons, specter.”
“Fine, fine…”
She went back to staring at the candle, trying to focus on it and only on it. Desperate for progress. Perhaps desperation was part of the problem. She wasn’t sure. But she had nothing else to go on. She just had to relax. And just stare at the flickering flame before her. As she continued to do so, minutes turned to an hour eventually and boredom started setting in real thick. Her mind’s natural desire to entertain itself long since started to take hold. She could swear she was hallucinating for a moment. Perhaps wondering that if Chaksu actually gave her a Litwick to stare at instead of an actual candle, because it started to take a life of its own. The melted wax which dripped upon the sides of the wax candle started to look like a face. A rather blank staring face. Two wax droplets that were running down the side of it making up the eyes, and one drop that was a tiny mouth. And it was staring at her. Almost as if it was making fun of her. Freth shook her head, blinking a few times, rubbing her eyes then looked back down at the candle. It was just a melting candle from the flame that had been burning all this time.
Freth continued to focus on the flame and the boredom was finally at its worst. And combined with getting up at near 4 a.m. this morning made for a miserable time. She wasn’t fully aware of it, but she started to nod off, slowly starting to slouch forward. “Woah woah woah, Freth?” The Hunter started to speak up. “Freth?! FRETH!” Freth once again jumped in her seat from the sudden shout in her consciousness, sitting straight up, once again wide awake. “You were passing out! You can’t do that!”
“Ugh…” She rubbed her eyes again, wincing a couple of times. This wasn’t tenable, Freth could only think. There had to be some other way that wasn’t practically torturing someone who wasn’t used to it. But if what the Hunter stated earlier was true, this was the simplest way. That wasn’t to insinuate that it was easy, though, Freth would realize.
Freth once again went back to focus on the candle, trying to maintain focus on it. Maintain posture. Just…stay awake. And eventually put out of her mind that is what she is trying to do. It had to be natural for her to keep her power in check. Perhaps as natural as she breathed. For something that sounds so simple, it was grueling. Another hour passes. And another. And another. Sleep wanted to take hold again. Boredom was at its worst in this silent hall. She became totally numb sitting on this hardwood floor. It was going to hurt if she tried to get back up just to merely stand. And then finally, there was nothing. For that moment, Freth would have sworn she has totally cracked. That one brief second, she didn’t realize the candle was still in front of her. She wasn’t tired. She wasn’t hurting. However, in that one second in this whole mental abyss of nothing, there was unfortunately something.
Freth went completely wide eyed. The candle shot off away from her like a missile. The wooden floor around Freth started to creak and crack. Freth’s onyx feathers on her face and on the feather tips of her wings started to light up fiercely. Freth screamed in agony as she fell forward. It was another episode. It was even worse than the one last night. And worse, she was actually feeling pain now. Chaksu, ever vigilant, quickly shot up from his seated position and started to rush for Freth. But he couldn’t get to her right away. The mental force repelled Chaksu, sending him flying back. He managed to unleash a psychic force himself, managing to stop himself and hold his ground before he got planted into the nearby wall. The wood floor around Freth started to give way from Freth’s out of control power. He then looked back at Freth for just a moment. His mental influence started to go out towards Freth. A moment of clarity came to him in Freth’s moment of agony. He then rushed forward, fighting against Freth’s repulsing force, grabbing her by the head and unleashed his own Imprison upon Freth. Freth gasped out, the glowing of her feathers faded, and finally calm was restored to the hall. Freth would then start losing consciousness on the floor, until finally she was out.
Freth sprung up from her pillow and covers, breathing hard out of shock, but then winced hard, rubbing her head. She had a bit of a headache now. She looked around the room she was in. It was the medical ward again. Freth sighed out hard, realizing she had another episode. She didn’t even think that with all that was happening that one would have happened, and she cursed it. She felt as if she was on the cusp of something only for that to stop it. She fell back and flopped her head on the pillow, rubbing her eyes, and was left to lament.
“That was the worst one yet.” The Hunter spoke up.
“Well, nice to know you’re concerned.”
“I am concerned. Concerned that if I am ever going to make it out of here or left in here with you a vegetable. At this rate, your mind is going to self-destruct on itself before you get any grasp of what you need to do.” The Hunter stated.
“Not helping with the confidence…” Freth said.
Roughly twenty minutes passed before the door to the ward opens. Renala came in, closing the door behind her with her telekinetic power behind her, making her way towards Freth. “Chaksu figured you would be up by now.” She states.
“And when is now, exactly?” Freth asked.
“You missed lunch, we’re approximately an hour or so away from dinner.”
“Son of a-…” Freth sat up once again. “I am really getting tired of this.”
“As soon as you are able, Chaksu needs to see you. Apparently that episode gave him some insight as to what may need to be done.” Renala stated.
“Am I going to be staring at candles again?” Freth asked.
“Probably.” Renala stated.
“How do you guys go through that?”
“Go through what?” Renala asked.
“Just sitting still in total silence for hours at a time. Just focusing on yourselves or whatever the hell. I was barely an hour in and I was tempted to ask the elder if I could get up to walk around for at least five minutes.”
“It’s a matter of diligence. You end up learning that once you find yourself, obtaining enlightenment in deep meditation, you don’t need to worry about what is going on about you. You…see without seeing, in a way. You can feel all that is about you. Shapes. Emotions. Anything, depending on what your power allows. It might not make any sense to you now, but once you find yourself, you’ll know. But such a thing will never come if you decide to quit so close to the start. Or perish.” She said.
“I don’t intend to.” Freth stated. Freth sighed once more, pulling herself out of the bed. “I guess I best go see what Chaksu needs to say.”
She started her way back out of the ward, behind Renala. The second the door opens, once again she was reminded of just how cold it was outside. Freth writhed, wanting to get back under the covers in the bed she was just in. The two would leave: Renala went on ahead off on her own path, having other errands to deal with in the village. Freth would have to find Chaksu. She took a guess and went to go back to the gathering hall. She once again ended up having to prance across the Order’s village, her feet not caring for the cold walk. She made her way back and quickly moved inside. A human and a hybrid was in a hole in the floor, hammering away at the floor’s base, placing boards down to replace the ones that Freth’s episode decided to do away with. Chaksu was once again at the front of the hall, in front of the candles and the flayed tail statues, on his knees and deep in meditation despite the massive pounding the workers were giving the nails. “Welcome back, Freth.”
“Renala said you wanted to see me. Should I be apologizing right about now?” Freth asked as she started to rub her arms again to get warmth back into them.
“No, the exercise wasn’t going to be without risk, though I have to admit that I didn’t expect a reaction so violent. It didn’t seem…normal.” Chaksu stated.
“Normal?” Freth asked.
“It’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Tell me, what did you experience that moment before you had your episode.” Chaksu stated.
“I…don’t know. Apart from the boredom and still being tired at the time, I…really didn’t notice anything. I think.” Freth said. “Before I knew it, I had an even worse headache than I had last night.”
Chaksu mused for a moment, he wasn’t surprised. He stood up and started to walk towards Freth. “The moment your power ran amuck, I sensed something about you. To try to best describe it, you…touched something.”
“I didn’t touch anything.”
“Not physically.” Chaksu explained. He shook his head, trying to figure out how to describe it to Freth without confusing her. “Without you realizing it, you were about to see your power come before you. But something stopped you. You…had something stop you.”
“Did…I panic?” Freth asked.
“I’m not sure. Maybe that was part of it when it happened, but more so, there was something that actually prevented you from reaching further and it reacted badly in that one brief second.” Chaksu stated.
“Renala stated before I came in to start that she was sensing some sort of block that she couldn’t see beyond.” Freth commented. “She thought that was a cause of worry, and started to accuse the Hunter in my head of being an Elemental. Would that have anything to do with it?”
“She told you this?” Chaksu couldn’t hide his irritation. He sighed himself, trying to recenter himself then looked back towards Freth. “I believe I have to confess: she doesn’t have a good prospect of what comes of your training.”
“I’ve already gathered that.” Freth said.
“Part of it is when she was younger, just shortly before I was appointed elder, we did effectively shelter ourselves when Celcius’s presence found its way in the Coronet Mountain Range, but with the measures we had put in place to protect ourselves from the Ice type Pokémon and hybrids, the drastic weather shift, and the mere threat of Celcius potentially finding his way to us for any particular reason, it put vastly everyone on edge. The mental stress it put on everyone effectively feedbacked on itself. It was scarring to everyone. Everyone was on the cusp of going mad and rend this village non-existent to its own madness. It was fortunate he left when he did and Uxie itself bringing calm to this village once more. You being here, however, is giving Renala quite a lot of pause, reminding her of what happened in that time.”
“Oh, great.” Freth sarcastically stated.
“The other part is that this ‘block’ as she puts it, is nothing that we’ve experienced before. It does seem to have the same feeling as Celcius, and thus we’re dealing with a lot of unknowns. But I have the suspicion it is what is stopping you from actually getting any semblance of control. It seemed like you were starting to actually realize it, as if a child taking her first steps, but was immediately shoved back down out of malice.”
“So, if this ‘block’ is the problem, then what do I need to do to get rid of it?” Freth asked.
“That’s the problem, I don’t truly know. I’m not knowledgeable enough in the ways of the Elementals to even warrant a guess. I might have an idea as to try to find a way, however. To do so, however, we may end up trying to forcefully trigger another episode.”
“Wait, what!?” Freth asked, shocked.
“I know, it’s not exactly ideal. I’m making arrangements to try to perform something tomorrow, because if this is what is going to happen every time that you reach out, then I would rather do so farther away.”
“That only happened once while I was deliberately trying to get control, how do you know that it will happen again under the same circumstances?” Freth asked. “Maybe I had done something wrong earlier?”
“That is also a possibility. But it doesn’t change the overall scenario. You don’t seem to understand, you have power that seems to be constantly growing. I can even feel that one, even though you don’t seem to right now. It’s you coming into your position as a Legendary Pokémon hybrid. By default, you have a great deal behind of power behind you. But without the conditioning for you to wield it, well, you felt it earlier. Even you crippled yourself with your own prowess only momentarily. Do not worry, I am going to guide you through it under hopefully much more controlled circumstances.” Chaksu told the Galarian Articuno female.
“I certainly hope you’re right…”
-------------
Freth would eventually find her way to supper. It wasn’t much, much to her chagrin. Though it did smell good. A beef brisket of some kind. Something that she probably smelled in the nearby smoke house the day she arrived here. Frankly, this was a relief compared to the oatmeal she had that morning. Her mind dwelled on what happened earlier, she did recall very vaguely the very second the episode happened, but it just happened all too fast. She didn’t realize what she triggered, or sure if it was what triggered such a violent episode. She pondered over the savory meat on her plate if this training was actually making the episodes worse? Or if that was all a coincidence? The Hunter didn’t even know either, it seemed, once again reciting her situation is pretty unprecedented and once again berated that it would not have happened in the first place if Freth just didn’t resist when she attempted to take over. Freth wasn’t up for having an argument in the dining hall.
Remembering what time she woke up, she would set an alarm on her SNAG and went off for bed. Rest would come relatively peacefully that following night, only to be jarred out of it by the loud, grating buzzing of the SNAG the following morning. Once again, she went to get dressed in her village training wear, once again lamenting how she looked, only much more briefly this time, then went off for breakfast, followed by going on the hunt for Elder Chaksu, all the while doing the awkward prance from one destination to the next. Freth wondered in some sense if this was akin to walking on hot coals. Doubtful.
Freth would find the Elder once again in the gathering hall. Once again, kneeled in front of the rows of candles and flayed tail statues. “Good morning, Freth.”
“Good morning, Elder…” Freth replied, rubbing her eyes, still trying to get fully woke up this cold morning.
“Let us go.” Chaksu then stated.
“Where are we going anyways?”
“Not far. We’re heading to a cavern just to the east that sets at the edge of the village.” Chaksu replied.
“A cave?” Freth asked as Chaksu walks past her and motions for her to follow.
“We believe at one time the cave was at one time part of an interconnecting system of caverns which all connected to the one in the center of Lake Acuity. There’s a…distinct feeling within them that all of us whom live here feels from within it, a feeling that harkens to the deity of the lake.” Chaksu stated as Freth followed him out into the cold.
“Uxie.” Freth said, now hugging herself tight with her arms and wings, trying to stave off the cold all she could. She still could only wonder just what kind of mental tempering did they go through…apart from wishing she was still the Kantonian Articuno variant. Chaksu moving at his pace though wasn’t kosher to Freth’s freezing feet either. “So, what, is this just another place for meditation for you all? Saving you all from having to cross the lake to go into Uxie’s cavern on the lake?”
“I suppose the ones here could do that if they wanted to, but the cavern actually ended up with another purpose.” Chaksu guided Freth for the better part of a few minutes as Freth shivered in the cold following the elder. The two would finally arrive at the cavern and at first it didn’t seem like anything all that special. A part of a couple of decorative posts to mark off the entrance, and a couple of Medicham hybrids alongside the entrances who gave a bow to the elder, but that was about it. Freth and the Elder entered the cavern. Freth noted the cavern floor was carefully carved into a set of stairs to carefully lead visitors down, something that had to have taken a fair bit of work, she’d thought. As the two started to go down, Freth started to notice something: it was oddly getting warm in here. Just being in here was sweet relief to nearly every inch of her, she felt. The reason why became clear once she reached the end of the stairs. Torches were mounted along the walls of the cavern and dotted along various path hanging above the cavern ceiling or planted on the path itself. The paths separated large pools of water that steamed a fair bit. Just to confirm it to herself, when she started to walk about, she stuck her hand in the water. “Hot springs.” She said, moving her hand out of the water and shaking off a bit of the water.
“The springs are usually meant to aid recovery from being out in the elements during training. We suspect that the tunnels that were once here were once part of a larger magma system stemming from Mt. Coronet that also affected the formation of the island at the center of Lake Acuity, hence why we were able to feel Uxie’s presence about us down here, at least at one time. The Order has lived here for many a generation, but it has been quite the few generations where we haven’t felt Uxie within here. Myself, especially. I haven’t really felt any such thing…it was only on Uxie’s island on the Lake where I could. As such, we take frequent trips and cross the lake to show our devotion to the Pokémon. The tunnels don’t appear to exist any longer in any major capacity that anyone is aware of, so what we have here is what’s left of time’s work. It might be a matter of time before these springs no longer exist, but until that time we will make use of them as needed. Don’t mistake though, you’re not here to take a soak.” Chaksu spoke.
“One could have hoped.” Freth said, continuing to follow Chaksu.
“I had the cavern vacated for the time being to try to deal with your episodes. We will be going to the back of the cavern where we can work in peace.” He said.
“Because having an episode in a rock cavern to get buried in is much better compared to having a roof fall on our heads.” Freth said.
“Actually, that is not even an issue here.” Chaksu stated.
“How?” Freth asked, skeptically.
“Leave me to my secrets for now.” He would only reply. Freth imagined there had to be something to this place that made it a non-issue and couldn’t for the life of her figure it out right away. She just had to trust that she knew what Chaksu was doing.
She would follow him past the springs and off to one more cavernous room, about as large as the one with the springs. Like before, torches lined the walls and one larger brazier, with Renala there at it, lighting it up for what was to transpire here. Renala would look back towards Chaksu and Freth, then turned back to the brazier to make sure that the fire wasn’t too high, only just high enough. The Elder could sense Renala’s concern still ever prominent. Chaksu would take a position nearby, sitting down once again on his legs like he did back in the gathering hall. “Sit, Freth.” He stated, motioning for her to come next to him. She was on the cavern floor, which didn’t gel too well with her. Whatever. Small price to pay to actually get her power under control. “Stay close by, Renala, and make sure no others come in without my word first.”
“Understood.” Renala stated, leaving the room.
Freth couldn’t help but to just look about the room, which unsettled her. The feeling as a demonic ritual was about to be performed, and she was the sacrifice. While she doubted that was actually the case, the simplistic setup of this place didn’t do any favors to the look of the place to her. “Now, just as yesterday, Freth. Just look upon the flames, find yourself once again in the depths of your mind. Find that feeling you had yesterday just before your episode. I don’t care how long it takes.”
“God, that took hours yesterday.” Freth said.
“You’ll learn patience is quite the virtue here. Now, proceed.”
Freth sighed and started to look about the flames that danced about in the brazier. Once again, her mind wanted to go all over the place. She wasn’t even sure how she even gotten to that point in the first place. She wasn’t even aware she had until that episode, and even then, she didn’t think it had anything to do with the episode until Chaksu stated his suspicion. Complaining about it wasn’t going to do her any favors, she realized, nor was stating her concerns about what would happen should her power goes nuts again, she just had to just undergo a whole lot of boredom until she found her way back to whatever point that was. She also expected the Hunter to have said a few of her annoying quips by now, but apparently, she was true to her word as she said she would try to do and leave Freth alone as she trained. The episodes were that much of a threat, and perhaps the one last night really gave her a bit of pause. It was after all one of Freth’s worst so far.
Fatigue started to set in once again, between the boredom and sitting on the hard stone floor of the cavern. Maintaining posture just as yesterday was also just as daunting task. But once again, a few hours in, it gotten to the point that Freth didn’t so much realize that everything about her didn’t matter, but she didn’t care anymore. She couldn’t. She was a miserable wreck as she continued to sit there on the hard ground, trying to stay sitting up straight. Whatever stiffness or pain she was getting long since had gotten numb and was irrelevant. Deeper into the depths of staring right into the flames of the brazier.
“Welcome back, Freth.” A voice would speak to her. Freth looked about herself realizing that the world about her had dissolved right before her eyes. She wasn’t sure if she was hallucinating. She wasn’t even sure she was breathing. She felt light. She felt as if she had no control over herself. She flailed about, but yet was going nowhere. She couldn’t speak. She then felt heavy. Then felt as if she was everywhere. Then nowhere. She was going through so many sensations all at once, overwhelming her. She wanted to panic. She didn’t know what was happening. She couldn’t see Chaksu. “Calm, Freth. Calm.” She felt as if someone reached for her and started to hold her up. Chaksu appeared before her. “Easy. You’re okay.” She couldn’t respond. She wanted to, but it was as if she didn’t know how to anymore. She still didn’t know what was happening anymore. It was all too surreal. “I’ve been waiting this entire time waiting for you to finally get here again. I didn’t have too much of a window to come save you before you found yourself with another episode. While here, it could take a long time, it only took a second back in the Gathering Hall. I’m going to try to see that you don’t have another one. Now, I know this is all jarring to you, so we will just take it one step at a time. Freth had a multitude of questions, but still couldn’t ask them, like how can she just move at all.
“Freth, you need to focus more. This is your mind; you are the domain. You’re overwhelmed. Only you can bring peace to it. Now try saying something to me…just relax, one word at a time…”
She was trying to, but wasn’t as sure as to how. Nothing else mattered. She just had to speak. She would open her mouth, trying to speak. Her head bobbed and weaved and one time she looked as she was prone to vomiting, if that was possible in this world. “…Cha-…ha…”
“Easy. Calm. One word at a time.”
“I…”
“You’re almost there. You’re getting it.”
“…help…”
“At this point, this has to be done by you. I’m here. Come on, keep at it.”
Freth staggered with her words severely. She knew what she wanted to say, wanted to ask. But just asking it was absurdly daunting. She had next to no control over what she was trying to say. What she did managed to get out of her mouth was nothing shy of a miracle. “…dead?”
It only got a chuckle out of Chaksu. “No, you’re not. Come on, you’re getting there.”
“I…can’t…move.” Freth managed to get out.
“You were doing it when you got here, even if it wasn’t productive. Its your first time in here so its not surprising. I didn’t expect you to actually go anywhere when you got here and its not too important right now. We’re going to see about investigating what is potentially causing your episodes. Perhaps investigate that ‘block’ that we discussed, if that can be found here.” Chaksu took her by what she assumed was her arm and started to pull and it seemed they were traveling off to…somewhere. As if they both were flying. Or at least Chaksu was and he was pulling her. All about Freth, it all looked as if some sort of deep blue void. It tremored, at least she thought it did. She then looked back towards Chaksu but then noticed something that stuck out. Her arm which Chaksu held. It wasn’t talon-like like it should have been, nor any feathers. That was the arm of a human. She still didn’t understand what was going on. She managed to shift her head down towards herself, still wearing the training wear as she did, but no onyx or violet colored feathers. Her wings which she had wrapped about herself wasn’t there either. Then managed to work her other arm to look at it. Human. “Am…human?”
“You have mentioned that Celcius has taken you over at one time and made you into a hybrid to begin with. Seeing you here as you are made me further think that no one not natural born really fully integrates with their Pokémon half. However, I’m afraid I am ignorant as to what the transformation process entails, rather it be one of science or Elemental origin. I’m afraid to also find out should ever an opportunity presents itself. Being one natural born, I’m not sure why those would want to try either. I digress.” Chaksu stated. “You still need to calm yourself further, Freth. This trip is quite turbulent in here. It’s hard to move about in here. Especially when trying to guide you through your own mind.”
Freth was irritated now. She still wasn’t even sure of the rules to her own mind and it was easier said than done just to further calm herself when everything was still overwhelming her as it has been. She would still try to do as she was told. “That’s it.” Chaksu stated. “Just like that.” It was taking all her focus just to make this trip quick, and putting so much in trying to make this trip smooth was stopping her from speaking once more. It was so much more difficult. As if trying to pat her head and rub her stomach, but on top of that, one was expecting her to do algebra while discussing politics all at the same time as that.
As she was continued to be moved about, she once again managed to get verbosity back. “Where…are…going…” Freth managed to utter out.
“I believe we’re going there.” Freth managed to move her head once more towards, managing to see in front of her. Within the violet blue void, they were approaching a white light towards the end of the tunnel. Freth nearly wanted to panic. Stories of ‘the great beyond’ started to come as a realization. That flash of life before ones eyes before fade into white as some claims to see. A massive wave of an unseen force rocked both Chaksu and Freth, making Chaksu lose her grip. “Augh!” Chaksu yelped out. He then looked back, noting Freth was now out of control started to want to panic once more. Chaksu rushed off and grabbed Freth once more within the turbulence. “Freth, calm down! There is nothing wrong!” Freth couldn’t speak to justify herself. She tried to calm her mind once more, and though it took a moment, peace started to come about the bluish violet void.
Chaksu started to continue to pull Freth off to make their way off to the light. As they approached, Chaksu ended up stopping and had let go of Freth. He moved forward and looked around. He reached out and what appeared have been nothing to reach out for, Chaksu managed to reveal what appeared to be a wall that shimmered before Freth upon Chaksu’s touch. However, as it shimmered, cracks were seen to be in this wall. She didn’t know if that was something of her doing or what it could be. It was only a few seconds before the wall disappeared once more. “Hmm…” Freth wanted to ask what it was, but found herself unable to once again, still not really having grasp as to function in her own headspace.
“Interesting…” Chaksu stated. “I feel that this is what we are looking for. I sense the Elemental here, but…yet it seems not related at the same time, now that I am here. I can’t see what’s beyond here, but it was put here…” That only answered just one of the questions Freth wanted to ask. Sort of. Chaksu then started to focus himself, the wall would shimmer and flicker fiercely but would still not react otherwise. Chaksu would then pull away then looked back at Freth, only to notice that she was wincing hard and the world about them started to get turbulent for as long as the wall flickered and shimmered as it did. “You put this here…” She managed to get herself right again when the wall stopped shimmering, but now this just left more questions. How did she do that? When did she do that? This was her first time here. “I see your confusion. Unfortunately, I have the feeling if we’re going to make more progress, the two of us are going to need to get behind here. And I believe its going to have to be you to bring down this wall.” Freth then looked at the invisible wall before her, confused as to how she was supposed to do that. She didn’t even know how it was put up to begin with. How was she to bring it back down?
Chaksu moved her closer to the wall. “Reach out to the wall, Freth. Remember, this is your mind. You have the control here.”
It took several moments, but she finally managed to move her arm on her own. Without it mindlessly flailing about as she did when she first arrived in this place. She slowly moved her arm forward and touched the wall. This was her mind. She wanted this wall down. What was behind here? Freth was afraid to know, but this was all in order to get her psychic problem in order. She didn’t have a choice. The wall shimmered and flickered just as it did with Chaksu for a couple of seconds, but then the cracks started to get bigger. Fierce lights were starting to rush from the cracks and then the wall followed suit. She was blinded...
Once Freth managed to get her eyes opened up again, she found herself in neither the bluish violet void or where she was in what would perhaps be called the real world at this point. This wasn’t the cave where she went into deep meditation. Chaksu wasn’t around either that she could see. She was still having trouble moving, barely able to move her head around to look. She noticed that the void was solid white. She wondered if instead of it being a void, they were actually walls. However, what made it weird to her was that there were in fact windows to one side of her. Ornate stained-glass, wouldn’t honestly be out of place in a cathedral. But the large windows didn’t appear to be attached to anything, just hovering in place. To the other side, a long, large, regal fireplace which gave a calming glow. She then noticed she was seated…in a wooden chair. Large. Ornate. Regal. Carefully crafted. The cushion, heavenly. Almost throne like. A dinner table was before her, the most sterling of silverware, crystal glasses, platters, a large roast at the center of the table. A large chandelier, crystal like, which hung in the air, and like the windows, it didn’t appear that it was attached to anything either. All the same, it was as if she found herself at a party. But there were no guests. And she wasn’t dressed for the occasion, still in the Order’s training wear. And still human. What was this place, Freth could only wonder.
“Well, look who dropped in.” A new voice spoke to her. Freth looked up, all the way down the table. Another woman, dressed as she was. Sitting in a large, regal chair, just as she did. Human, as well. For a second, Freth wondered if that was just her looking at herself. But only at first. Freth had dark brown hair as a human, this female had blond hair instead. As the other female stood up and started her way down Freth was able to get a better look at her. A slender female, a more athletic build compared to Freth as opposed to Freth’s meticulous balance for strength and curves. But weirder, her left arm, wounded. Seemingly deformed. Or was it? It was blue, as if all circulation had cut off from it. Her veins in her arm made distinct by the various darker blue lines that were up and down her arms. Freth couldn’t be sure. Freth noted her general demeanor as she walked. There was a passive aggressiveness to her walk as the woman felt along the decorated table and the chairs lined alongside it. A quiet rage waiting to leap out. Freth couldn’t say it, but it wasn’t hard to figure out who it was anymore. Made all the more apparent from Freth’s look of shock. “I suppose I should thank that Elder.” She then stated. “If not for him, I probably wouldn’t have been given a second chance to life.”
Freth’s expression changed from shock to near panic. ‘Second chance?’ How? What did she do? “Ambrosia wasn’t wrong. Nor was Chaksu. There was a catalyst to when I tried to take you over; it was Elemental in nature.” The human Hunter told her, looking at her off-putting, wounded hand. “Unfortunately, when Tristen decided to butt in, that Thunderbolt attack combined with your resistance caused a massive backlash and left me trapped in here. And try as I might to try again, it was as if nothing was responding, and I didn’t know what was stopping me. But then leave it to Renala to bring it up. There was a wall. The wall that you made inadvertently. Or maybe it was me that made it, when I lost my connection to you at that moment that electric attack hit. Hm, maybe a wall is the wrong word? A filter? Mmm…I don’t know. Doesn’t make the whole situation any less unprecedented like I said before.” Freth could only follow the Hunter with her eyes. Too many questions still to be had, but was unable to speak them. Though honestly, she doubted the Hunter was going to answer all of them, even if she had felt generous in doing so. The past few months, loaded with heated arguments, derogatory statements, demands of silence, and the lack of killing her boyfriend, Freth knew the Hunter had to be seething and this was perhaps nothing short of catharsis. “I’m not sure how it was really done. If you did it, I don’t think you did it purposefully any more than I would have. Perhaps it really was a reaction to Tristen’s Thunderbolt attack. Regardless, it would explain a few things, as to why some were able to sense me in your head, and why some things actually affected me in here, like that Wyrdeer’s telepathic message in Hisui, or Renala’s and Chaksu’s Imprison. At least explain it a little. But…”
The Hunter finally made it to Freth’s chair, she leaned up against it with one hand on her hip, looking down at Freth. Freth could only look at her, desperately trying to move away from her, but with the many thoughts roaming through her mind, the utter fear she was under right now because she couldn’t defend herself in any capacity, how every thought seemed to work against her and paralyzed her in her chair. She tried to get back to calm, just as Chaksu told her constantly to do as long as she was in here, but not only it was problematic to begin with, it was now impossible to the stakes presented to her all of a sudden. “…of all things, you actually took down the wall without even realizing what it actually did. Or any of us. Then again, I doubt even Chaksu would blame you. You did probably need to bring down the wall to stop the episodes, especially if that construct was a ‘filter’, then it probably was only meant to filter one way. And when a force has nowhere to go, it will try to make one if at all possible.” Freth wondered if when she saw the wall, the cracks in it as it shimmered, that was the stress of the episodes taxing the wall in the process. It was going to be a case of what would give first, the construct or her? “So, congratulations: you succeeded. Episodes are over now. Because now there will be someone who can actually take care of it all. Do what needs to be done.”
Freth was starting to seethe herself; her face contorted to pure rage. Scared as she was, it was suddenly matched by such unbridled fury, she wanted to strangle the Hunter. She knew what the Hunter was getting at. There was nothing stopping her. The Hunter stood straight up, stopping herself from bracing against the chair which Freth sat anymore. “Speaking of doing what needs to be done…considering that you found your way here, I don’t imagine that I need to leave you right there.” A large black void started to form to the other side of Freth. Freth barely could move her head, only seeing a large dark spot in the floor. “’What is that’ you are probably asking. It’s only the same courtesy you given me all this time, Freth. The lack of hope of a chance for release.” The Hunter stated, pushing the chair. The chair tipped over, Freth going wide eyed. She couldn’t hang on tight, she fell right out of the regal chair and off into the dark abyss.
In the dark cavern, the brazier was knocked over, several torches were pulled off their mounts on the walls, Chaksu was on the floor, dazed, but only momentarily. He managed to push himself up, shaking his head. He looked around for a moment. While the lights in the room were knocked about all over the place, he was content that at least the cavern part to his plan was working. More importantly though, Freth. He looked over, seeing that Freth was sprawled out on the floor, passed out for the moment. It was another episode. And a rather nasty one at that. “Chaksu!” Renala’s voice echoed out through the cavern. Renala rushed in, followed by a couple of other Medicham hybrids.
“I’m fine. Fret not.” The elder spoke, rubbing his head for a moment. Renala would help Chaksu off the ground, but as she did so, she took notice to Freth sprawled out on the ground as well.
“And her?”
“I don’t know. I never seen anything like what just transpired in her mind before.” Chaksu stated.
“What do you mean?”
“We found the wall…it did seem that her means to control was behind it and I had her bring it down. The wall did seem elemental in nature, but I doubt-“ Before Chaksu could finish his explanation, he took notice to Freth starting to shift on the ground. She would sit up, wincing a bit, even going cross-eyed for a second or two.
“Freth, are you-“
“Wait.” Chaksu stated, grabbing Renala by her wrist and pulled her back as she tried to check on Freth, stopping her. Freth looked down towards the ground, feeling the dust, dirt, and rocks on the ground. She then proceeded to stand up, nearly losing her balance for a second. She took a deep breath, then looked down at her hands, flexing her hands by clinching it a few times. She then took another breath, and closed her eyes. Before the four in the cave with her, she closed her eyes and slowly lifted off the ground, floating in place with psychic power, wings slowly spreading out for a for a few seconds before slowly lofting back down upon the ground and folding her wings back in front of her before reopening her eyes, showing that her diamond bluish-white eyes started to perpetually glow with power. Chaksu’s eyes narrowed. She touched the ground because it was the first time in months since she could feel anything like that. She lost her balance because it was the first time in months she actually had some semblance of gravity and center of balance. She started to move her limbs about because she could actually feel her movement, though it was perhaps a little awkward. As if she wore clothes that didn’t fit quite right. A feeling that she hoped passed in time. The minor exertion of psychic power, a display she was alive. He was afraid this was going to happen. Dropping that wall did more than stopped access to any control of Freth’s power. He knew of this risk, and tried to take in consideration of all of the unknowns, like as to the wall’s seemingly Elemental nature. “You robbed that woman of her life…” Chaksu stated.
“She robbed me first. She got involved in something she shouldn’t have. And she wouldn’t have had this issue to begin with if she hadn’t.” The Hunter stated, although in Freth’s voice, that tone is what made it rather distinct. “Speaking of, I got unfinished business to take care of.”
“I’m afraid, my dear, you cannot leave. I forbid it.” The elder stated. “I’m afraid that I put Freth in that situation and it would not look good to me if I just left you alone. I’m going to see to it that I get Freth back. I do plan on maintaining the honor of this village, let alone to Uxie if no one else.”
“Elder, I don’t recommend that.” The Hunter replied. “I would rather not fight you if I could help it, if not only the fact you helped me finally get out after that…torture that I had to put up with over the past few months, but that I simply do not have any qualms with you. Unfortunately, many in the past has realized that just because I don’t have qualms is not to insinuate that I won’t defend myself if you stand in my way of my objective.” The Hunter looked over towards the cavern entrance, seeing the two attendant Medicham hybrids and Renala herself starting to take positions. “You too?” The Hunter asked.
“My hands are kind of tied. But I do have to agree with my brother. I don’t think Uxie would take kind to us abandoning one in need.” Renala stated.
“Funny you should mention that. I believe at this point I need help taking out the one Freth had been trying to protect this entire time because he’s going to bring doom to this world. You thought Celcius was bad? There is always worse.” Renala was taken a little aback by the Hunter’s statement.
“A bold claim, specter.” Chaksu spoke up. “And a claim to deflect that you effectively committed a grave evil before everyone here.”
“Sure, but a necessary one. Now out of my way.” The Hunter stated.
“It’s not going to happen.” Chaksu stated. “You will submit and return Freth.”
The Hunter took one final sigh then started to hover a couple of inches off the ground. “Have it your way.” She darted across the ground rushing for those at the door, reaching out to strike at one of the attendants, elbow first, but much to her surprise, he was already ready, pulling his arm up and blocking the fierce blow. The other attendant went in to retaliate, rushing in with a kick of his own. The Hunter weaved back to avert the attack, grabbing the assailant’s leg and driving her fist into his face. With the Hunter temporarily distracted for that split second, the first attendant started in to attack, quickly throwing a jab of his own, but in a swift motion, the Hunter breaks away, ducking the shot and driving her fist into him. Renala then rushes own, leaping up and driving her foot into the Hunter’s back, the blow driving the Hunter face first down onto the ground.
The Hunter quickly pushed herself up, flipping back up, some with core body strength, some with her own psychic prowess to quickly square off with Renala, already on the attack. Renala unleashed a flurry of furious punches, gracefully weaving them with the occasional kick when the opportunity there, leaving the Hunter on the defensive, blocking the blows. For Renala’s stature, and for that matter, the Hunter noticed just even with the attendants, their strikes were fierce. Fiercer than perhaps what they should have any right to be. Medicham normally tends to have Pure Power as one of their traits, their physical prowess enhanced by their psychic prowess. Leading to feats of strength far beyond what should be considered normal for them, let alone for one that is a hybrid of one. She could feel it in every blow she physically blocked, only counting some blessings that Freth did prove useful in that in her training she still was as sturdy as could be. However, even that would give way eventually in this relentless assault. She couldn’t afford to end up crippled immediately now that she has been given a new lease on life.
Worse, as she tried to counter attack, the Hunter noticed something. She felt oddly sluggish. An ordinary person observing the fight perhaps would not notice it, but the Hunter for certain did. She didn’t know if it was just her still trying to adjust to the body she is now in control of, or perhaps it was what was arguably a perversion in nature she committed just to get back into the world. She already knew the odds were somewhat stacked against her just by virtue of numbers fighting against her, but she was left in a no choice situation, but if something else was an issue, her odds was already low before the fight began. She needed out of this place.
As Renala continued to place the Hunter on the defensive, the attendants started to rush in to aid her, continuing to put pressure on the Hunter. Their attacks were coordinated, each of their minds in synchronicity. Too many attacks to guard against. She then quickly dodged out of the melee, rushing towards the cavern ceiling, holding out her hand and forming a dark black mass within it. She then throws it down upon the trio, the attack making impact upon the ground and made the three rear back to guard against the attack. Having to focus upon using Agility, she then vanishes, appearing behind one of the attendants, unleashing a mighty Psychic blast upon him, blowing the attendant into the other one. Then moved quickly upon Renala, driving her fist right into Renala’s abdomen. As Renala was in the process of hunching over from the sudden sucker blow, the Hunter then once again formed yet another Shadow Ball and detonated it up against Renala, blasting her back. Before the Hunter could actually catch her breath, the Hunter felt a great presence right behind her and before she was able to put her guard up, the Elder slinks around her, palm outstretched, and drove it right into her chest. The Hunter’s glowing eyes went completely wide, the wind escaped her and she flew back, smashing into a nearby wall. That was a feeling she didn’t quite miss. Actual pain.
The Hunter recognized it. That was an actual Pokémon attack. A Force Palm. But as far as she was concerned, such an attack shouldn’t have caused the damage it just did. No where close to it. She was supposed to have a great resistance to such an attack. Which only meant either this Elder was at a much greater level of skill than she originally given him credit for, which was a fair bit initially, or something else. She looked up towards the Elder as he got into a fighting stance, a palm out stretched before him, one arm behind his back, balanced on one foot. Ready to strike should any wrong move was performed by The Hunter, fierce and focused. Almost as if an Arbok to strike down a Pidgey. The Hunter was irritated. She was certain on any other day, before her encounter with Freth, this Elder wouldn’t have any shot against her. Perhaps a strong opponent, sure, but nothing that she would have had to worry about too much. Not to the level of Blizzard that she could estimate. She made a mental note to self to further prepare herself before attempting his life once more. There might be more unforeseen issues with the body she took for herself.
She managed to push herself back up off the ground, trying to center herself once more. As she was trying to do so, the other Medicham hybrids in the room managed to get back up. “Whatever it takes, she is not to leave this cave.” Chaksu stated.
The Hunter, by that command, was reminded that Chaksu brought Freth down here for a reason, but wouldn’t delve as to why. There had to be something about this cave that was so special. Unfortunately, they were too far down to attempt perhaps trying to break the ceiling open and escape that way. She wondered if that was why her performance wasn’t all that grand either, apart from not being able to practice in any capacity in the past few months only to be thrusted into a fervorous fight. The Hunter then gave a wave of the hand and a large stone jut out forcefully from the cavern wall. She looked at the rock she forcefully pulled with her Ancient Power attack noting that there were black streaks within it. If it was obsidian, as it would be in places like this, it would have been one thing, but it instead gave about a feeling that didn’t gel too well with her. It didn’t take much to figure it out what it was. “…Ebonite ore…b*****d.” The Hunter hissed. That explains why this cavern didn’t fall down on their heads when the change happened moments ago. The very walls were resistant to the psychic forces and the only reason why she was able to discover it was that the attack was primarily Rock type in nature.
“I’m not too familiar with Galarian Articuno enough to know if teleportation is an option with you, so I had to make sure. Well, heh, that and I doubted that anyone wanted to continue to make impromptu repairs on the Gathering Hall in short order as long as Freth was trying to learn.”
“A teacher still keeps some secrets…” The Hunter spoke up. “Feeling Uxie in here was an outright lie, too, I suspect. This stuff doesn’t just come from nowhere.”
“No, that was in fact truth. Forgive me for not knowing exact sciences as to how Ebonite Ore is formed, but I suspect as the caverns started to seal themselves off, something happened in the process to form Ebonite Ore. While on any other day, this would be a detriment to us, we found that it does have a practical use to isolate ourselves. Cut ourselves off from the world when need be. To recuperate. Hence why I did tell Freth that this place could be used as an aid to meditation, especially for those of an ametuer psychic level.” Chaksu stated, almost confidently.
“Or to cut me off from calling for help.” The Hunter stated. It couldn’t be helped. This elder was no fool. And even if she did somehow make it past him, Renala, and these attendants, who was to say what was waiting for her outside. And there would have been nothing that she could have done to stop it either with how she was stuck at the moment. Do with the hand one is dealt. She got this far, she figured. It will be an absolute waste to give up now.
The Hunter quickly darted in, once again with Agility. She wasn’t going to try to fight this time. Just run. She was well aware typical jukes weren’t going to help; they were far too vigilant for that. She was going to plow right through. She would leap up, attempting to make her way over them, only having enough cave ceiling clearance to not grind her forehead against stone. The opposing sagely hybrids were ready, Renala leaping up to meet The Hunter in the air. The Hunter quickly stopped herself, stopping in mid-air to avert the attack, but doing so allowed the other attendants to come in, spring off the nearby back cave entrance and drive each of their knees into the Hunter. The hunter quickly guarded, getting repulsed back, until the Elder reached up himself, grabbing The Hunter by her ankle and promptly dragged her back down to the earth, slamming her on the ground.
Not to be deterred, the Hunter quickly kicked up, bucking away from the Elder and quickly rolled backwards, then springboarded herself forward, attempting to smash her fist right into the Elder. The Elder swiftly slinked his body about, his arm wrapped around her assailing arm and attempted to flip her head over heels. The Hunter, well prepared for such a maneuver, was not in the least deterred, quickly snapping around, now grabbing the Elder and pulled him forward to drive her elbow into his face. The Elder would match the Hunter blow for blow, raising his free arm to guard against hers. As if a trap was sprung, he then moved that free arm about, now locking both of The Hunters arm, he proceeds to drive his foot right into the Hunter’s knee, dropping her to one knee, and in rapid succession, switched legs, driving his other knee into the Hunter’s face. The two attendants then proceeded to flip over the Elder, coming down upon the hunter one leg extended to drive down upon the Hunter-possessed Freth, to continue adding on the damage to make her submit.
The Hunter quickly unfurled her wings, each of the tips of the feathers rapidly lit up as did her, and with great power unleashed a mighty gale within the cavern. The Elder reared back, but generally stood his ground, but the attacking attendants were blown back fiercely, getting smashed into the ceiling of the cavern by the sheer force of the Hunter’s Hurricane attack. The Hunter once again threw herself back to her feet and darted forward towards the Elder. She once again went on the assault, carefully minding where and how she attacked, knowing the Elder was sure to try to counter her. Blows between the Elder and The Hunter were blocked, parried, and retaliated up between the two, with no give between them both. Much to the Hunter’s dismay, Renala found her way back into the melee, the Elder staggering one of his attacks so Renala could make her way into the fray.
The Hunter once again found herself on the defensive, getting pushed back between the focused assault between the Elder and Renala. The each of them was patient, the Hunter noticed. Waiting on their opportunity to once again counter attack as they came to blows, all in further attempt to subdue the Hunter. Their attacks were hurting, near-surgically targeted, and just as near flawlessly coordinated. The Hunter was getting more and more taxed between her mental prowess and her new physical form. This wasn’t tenable. She had to attack. She couldn’t stay here.
She quickly weaved back away from one of the blows Renala, quickly snatching her arm and pulling her in front of Chaksu. Chaksu ended up ceasing his attack with Renala now in the way, giving The Hunter the opportunity to unleash another Psychic blast, blowing them away from her. With the opportunity there, the Hunter bolted for the exit, her psychic power allowing her to swiftly glide along the ground full speed, only to be cut off immediately by the two attendants once again, who managed to get on their feet after the Hurricane attack halted their assault. More blows were exchanged, between them all. The Hunter caught notice to behind her, seeing Renala already back up and on the attack. Quickly, the Hunter swiftly kicked away one of the attendants, then turned back around to guard against Renala only to realize too late that was a trap on Renala’s part. Her palms, electrified. A Thunder Punch. The sudden shock to the Hunter had her feet plant back upon the ground, giving the remaining attendant the opportunity to rush in. The Hunter quickly got back up on the defensive as a mighty kick went into her. Her feet dug into the ground as she tried to withstand the attack. The Elder would then come in once more, both arms forward unleashing a Psychic blast of his own, to which the Hunter would meet head on. The mental forces exploded in the cavern, blasting the two of them apart. The Elder would manage to land gracefully back on his feet. The Hunter, now getting worn out from the relentless assaults, tumbled backwards and hitting the wall once more.
“You fought well, but this is the point you need to surrender.” Chaksu told the Hunter.
“Not…on your life.” She said, pushing herself back up off the ground. “I’ve honestly taken worse.”
“I would imagine. You died, after all.”
“Funny.” The Hunter deadpan retorted.
“I can tell you had an extensive amount of training. You’re no stranger to fighting in such conditions like these. Against these odds. If I don’t know better, you’re quite a soldier.”
“Not quite. Nevertheless, flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, for the record. You are talking to the wrong woman for that.” The Hunter retorted.
“I’ve noticed one other thing. The more we go on, the more desperate you’re getting. You’re in a hurry. Not so much of worry about us, no. But it’s affecting your movements. Your strikes, fierce and true, but lack any manner of finishing power due to your haste.”
“I’m still trying to get used to being, you know…out? Well, that and I still really have no reason to kill you all. I would really prefer not.” The Hunter stated.
“I’m sure that’s part of it, but we all can see you, specter.” Elder stated. “You are worried. Not about losing. No. In fact, you still think you can leave. Your win condition isn’t so much as defeating us, but just escaping from this cavern. The problem is…you’re worried about…” The Elder’s eyes narrowed. She knew what was going on, the Elder was reading her. With her mind slowly getting more taxed trying to keep up with all the attacks and her own psychic power-based assault, it was hard keeping defenses against a read like this. “…time. The months you lost being trapped in Freth as you were? No, not quite…”
“She’s worried about Freth.” Renala stated. “You’re…worried about her actually coming back on her own. You think it’s possible for her to do that with or without us.”
“I’m not worried. You, Chaksu, brought that woman in a world where she couldn’t even function hardly other than give looks of scorn.” The hunter defiantly stated. “I got all the time I need.”
“Who are you trying to lie to? Us or yourself?” the Elder stated. “I see it. You have seen some outrageous things while in captivity in Freth’s mind. Odds defied on more than one occasion. However, unlikely the possibility, you still want to take no chance at all. Freth actually unnerves you enough where desperation is starting to seep into your attacks when your training tells you to not allow that. If I may warrant a guess…it’s what got you trapped in Freth’s mind to begin with.”
The Hunter stood there, perhaps the most infuriated she has felt herself being for a long time. It was almost a mark of shame, being called out in such a manner. Her? Scared? She couldn’t bring herself to admit to it. She legitimately couldn’t believe much anything did, seeing and experiencing what she has before her fate was fulfilled by being on the receiving end of Hinterbane wielded by Freth. At the same time, she couldn’t bring herself to reply either. Did the history of Snagem he saw in Freth’s memories, let alone what she first hand witnessed in the months she stayed in Freth’s mind, make her wonder if there was any distinct possibility? The Hunter knew the Snagems in general, regardless the universe, have been grand in snagging any opportunity presented to them, regardless if they were the heroic ones, or staunchly villainous. Remembering seeing first-hand what would have been a ‘no one should get out of that’ scenario in Hisui, for instance, it did sow some doubt suddenly. He did bring up one point however she couldn’t deny completely either, she couldn’t just stay here forever. She had no doubt that there were others that were perhaps on their way to lock her down, especially with all the noise the bunch of them has been making down in this cavern. She refused to go back to the confines of Freth’s mind. Or worse. She took a deep breath and got ready to fight once more, glaring at the Elder with her vigilant, piercing glowing eyes, focused as much as she was completely defiant. Something then about the Hunter started to affect the Elder, giving him a fair bit of pause. As the Hunter started to ready herself, Freth’s hair started to get free of its hairbands that she had placed there to keep her hair back, starting to fan out as the Hunter’s psychic prowess started to intensify further. “Alright. You think you got me read, Elder?” she spoke up. “Then come on and stop me.”
---------
It was dark. She couldn’t see anything. The perfect pitch blackness. Absolute silence. No smell. No touch. She still couldn’t move. She still couldn’t speak, let alone scream in absolute madness. The Hunter won. She got what she wanted. Perhaps she should have just let those episodes get the better of her and just self-destruct…just to ensure that such a cynical, callous person never got out of what was effectively a prison to her. Freth could practically cry in the first time in years as she drifted lost within herself, if her remorse and grief wasn’t so fiercely overshadowed by such unyielding rage. Freth wanted an opportunity to kill The Hunter. Completely. No opportunity for her to cheat death again. But much to Freth’s disdain, it didn’t appear possible. The Hunter was in control now. ‘Her mind, her domain’ Chaksu told Freth. Yea right. Not anymore.
It felt as if an eternity passed. Or maybe a mere second. Freth couldn’t tell in here. Grief had set in. This was perhaps the true hell. Absolute nothingness. She started to think back, remembering the words the Hunter told her. That the end of the world was caused by Blizzard. Many realities. That she didn’t matter, rather she had or hadn’t existed in them. Freth could only wonder just how true that was. She was certain for one thing however, he wasn’t going to be thrilled at all if he finds out The Hunter made his fears realized. If Blizzard was in fact as powerful as the Hunter thinks, then perhaps the Hunter just instigated the world ending after all. Freth made him promise that no matter what happens with her, he would do what needed to be done and move on. Would he actually do it? Freth couldn’t honestly say. If his unbridled rage after Pryce getting attacked was any indicator, it probably wouldn’t be easy. The waiting was actually killing her…
She closed her eyes, left to her grief. She then opened her eyes once more, only for it to not really matter it seemed. In some respects, Freth wished she was dreaming at this point, waiting for herself to wake up. Still more darkness. The Hunter apparently went through this several hours at a time, every time Freth found herself going to bed to sleep for the night. How did she go through this for several months? All of that antagonizing just a means to cope? Who knows. Not as if she can ask her now.
A faint light then finally cut through the darkness. She couldn’t see where it was coming from. Maybe it was a way out. Maybe at the very least the able to see the outside again, just as the Hunter did. Though that in itself would probably be torture, just as it was for her. As she drifted about, rather it would be because of the physics, if such a thing existed here, or merely by chance, she managed to get turned in just a way to see the light. She was approaching it. She didn’t know what it was. Perhaps her fears were coming true again. Stories of experiencing death. Was she actually done? Her story over? Freth realized she never made peace with it until now. She was well aware of something happens, then it happens, no sweat over it. But here, she crept towards the light. More torture. The anticipation of it all. She perhaps imagined her end coming quick. She wanted to move away from it, but she still couldn’t really get herself to move at all. Her mind all in a panic. The light then finally claimed her…
“Ursie?” A little girl spoke. “Ursie, where are you?”
“Right over here!” A voice, similarly childlike replies
“There you are!”
Freth couldn’t see for a moment as the white light blinded her but all of a sudden she found herself in darkness again. Though nowhere to the extent that she was in. Light seemed to have been coming in from a window. Was it sunset? She couldn’t make out anything beyond that other than vague silhouettes. One thing she could notice, however, she was moving. But yet she wasn’t in control. She was feeling happy…but yet she didn’t understand why, she was uttering every last curse she could, if albeit futilely, to the Hunter. The little girl was giggling as she reached up for something against a nearby wall. The pale orange light from the window seemed to allow enough to make out something…
“Found you, Ursie!” the girl said. Freth noticed at this point that she was looking through the eyes of a little girl. Somehow. She couldn’t tell what was going on, however. But she was feeling everything this girl was experiencing. She saw the happy, giggling face of what appeared to be a Teddiursa. She brought the bear closer, hugging it. A warm, comforting embrace. “So what do you want to do now, Ursie?” the girl asked the Teddyursa.
“Sweetie! Dinner time!” A older woman called out. Freth would see the girl turned towards a wall. Freth was able to make out a door there. The outer frame and at least part of the door, the door knob there.
“Ursie! Dinner! You might want to be careful or Mommy might give you another bath.”
“Bathtime is no fun.” Ursie would speak up, a sad look on his face. “I don’t know why your mommy puts me in the washing machine.” Freth could only look on in confusion. She wondered if she has officially lost her mind…figuratively speaking, that is. She watched as the girl runs to the door, Ursie in her arms. She would reach up, the door knob being placed about a head taller than the girl.
A turn of the knob and the door opens into darkness that the girl apparently runs into. She could hear the quick patter of footsteps, Ursie still in her arms, feeling soft fur that bristled on the girl’s skin. She could see the silhouettes of what appeared to be a handrail of some kind. “No running!” The woman called again. The girl’s mother. Freth wanted to try to speak up again, but if it wasn’t hard enough before finding herself in the mind of this girl, now it felt impossible. She literally had no control of what was transpiring before her. All she could do was watch.
The girl slowed down and she could feel herself having to make at least a dozen of steps downwards. Stairs. It had to have been. The girl then finally found her way in to what had to be the kitchen. Another window lit up the room. Freth could see a table, the stove, several cabinets. There were at least two people here. But Freth couldn’t see who they were. Their faces looked practically non-existent. The girl made her way to a chair, pulling it out, sat Ursie on top of the seat then climbed up after him.
Freth still had no idea as to what was going on. Why was she seeing this? How? How could she even feel all of this. She could smell the aroma of the cooking that had filled the kitchen. But suddenly things started to sound weird. She could tell that the people in the kitchen, the people she assumed was this girl’s parents, started to drown out for some reason. She couldn’t make out their conversation, it was severely muffled, despite them only being a few feet away. The girl was having her meal. Every bite she took, Freth could taste, and despite as weird as it sounds, it wasn’t half bad. Peas of some kind. Maybe corn as well. Mashed potatoes. Pieces of some kind of meat; maybe chicken. It wasn’t the greatest to the child, however, noted by the hesitation between bites and irritation on the potatoes. She tried to sneak a couple of bites to her Teddiursa, to which he partaken in rather happily, only to be stopped when her mother’s voice became loud and clear. “Stop playing with your food.”
The meal lasted for a half hour, the father had already left the table, the mother took the girls plate in front of her and brought it to the sink. Various clanks and bangs of the moving about the plates, pots, pans, and silverware were heard. “Can we have cookies now?” the girl asked. “Please?”
“In a little bit dear.” The mother stated. This irritated the girl, Freth could feel. Like any child, this one was pretty impatient. “You just had dinner. Give it a bit.”
“I really want some cookies…” Ursie stated.
“Me too.” The girl stated.
She then looked up, on a cabinet, across the kitchen. It looked as if it was near the roof. Freth could only think ‘Good luck in that, kid’. Even with the help of a chair, there was no way she was reaching that; she’d only hurt herself trying. She noticed that all the girl could stare at was a package of cookies. They looked like most any other cookie that are mass produced and store bought, but to this girl, it seemed they were practically gold. She could feel the impatience as she wiggled in her chair with her Teddiursa. She noticed that the Teddiursa was starting to get upset himself, looking at the cookies too then over towards the mother, trying desperately to be patient. “Maybe ask her again?” Ursie asked.
“Now, Mommy?”
“Dear, I said in a little bit.” The mother replied as she continued to do the dishes.
Freth then realized something, as she took notice to the arms of the girl again, let alone her parents. They were human. Freth had been a hybrid so long that it took her a moment to realize that humans aren’t really supposed to understand Pokémon to such a degree. This Pokémon was basically speaking English to this girl. Once again, Freth started to think she was going crazy. Was this Pokémon capable of talking to people?
The mother then started to move about the sink, as if she was in the search for something. “Now what did I do with…” She started to check the cabinets below the sink, then above it, spending at least half of a minute to search for whatever it was she was searching for. “…Dear? Where are the extra scour pads?” the woman called out to her husband. Freth could tell that something was being said from the next room, but it sounded as inaudible as their conversation earlier during the meal. “And you didn’t bring them back now why…” The parents started to talk in the next room, the most it sounded like, perhaps some minor arguing, maybe minor teasing since it sounded like laughs, but Freth couldn’t make it out. The girl though was only focused on those cookies.
“Maybe we can get them now.” The girl said to Ursie.
“Yea, help me up!” Ursie replied. The notion gave Freth pause. She was about to do it. They were going to try to climb on that counter and then try some way to get to the top of the cabinet. There was no way. She felt the girl slide off the chair, but much to Freth’s confusion, instead of moving the chair over to the counter like she expected, she got lined up with the cookies and raised Ursie above and infront of her, holding the bear by its side, under the arms. “Alright! Ready!”
Ready for what?
“Come-to-teddy! Come-to-teddy! Lets-a-go!” The two of them chanted. Freth thought it was cute a little, if a little cringy, but kids will be kids. She started to notice what was happening. As they made their way through the fifth time they chanted, the package on top of the cabinet started to shift on its own. Freth started to feel a sensation go about through her. Her mind felt as if it was about to expand, her arms started to have a weird feeling about them. She couldn’t describe it, but she could feel movement, as if the world about the girl was bending to her whims. She could…touch everything, but yet was focused on one thing. She didn’t understand at all. Freth couldn’t help but to look on in disbelief as the package continued to shift then finally come off the top of the cabinet and slowly lofted down, right for Ursie’s arms. She had it, she could feel it, but in some respects it weighed a ton. But yet was weightless. All manner of sensations that Freth couldn’t make sense of as the package drifted down towards the girl’s arms and Ursie until they were safe in each of their arms. She brought Ursie and the package close to herself, careful to not drop either of them. She then scooted back for the chair, sitting Ursie on the chair as she did before, then placed the package of cookies on the table. Then climbed on the chair. The girl sat Ursie on her lap, the two of them looking at each other, proud of their successful heist of the cookies. “Come-to-teddy!” One more chant, and instantly the package opened at one end and the plastic tray slid out of the plastic packaging. The two started to partake in their bounty.
They were barely on their first one when the mother returned, the mother seeing them relishing the sweet mass-produced goodness. “How did you get those!?” The mother exclaimed, infuriated.
“Ursie helped me.” The girl stated.
The woman snatched up the cookies, looking at the tray, seeing the slot which contained the cookie, then slid the tray back into the packaging, frustrated. “Maybe you should tell Ursie about patience.” The said.
“What’s patience?” Ursie replied, confused.
“Go to your room. Just…go to your room.” The girl slid back off the chair, taking Ursie with her in her arms, hugging the bear tight, burying her face in Ursie’s fur as she runs out of the kitchen. As soon as she crossed the threshold to the next room, Freth would watch the girl look back behind her, taking note to the mother staring in confusion for a moment, more notably looking at the top of the cabinet. While she couldn’t see the facial expressions, she could see the body language in the little light provided in the kitchen. Freth could only imagine what this girl’s mother was thinking. No one else was here. How could she have gotten it? This girl was a psychic. A telepath. It was just as was touched on by Ambrosia earlier; this girl was mistaking her power for something else. Her Pokémon being in control. Teddiursa wasn’t capable of using Psychic in any capacity.
As she watched the girl turn away, the vision before her distorts severely; faint orange bloom of lights and the darkness obscured any sight until it righted itself. A surreal experience to behold, but as soon as it showed up it was gone and Freth would see the girl was once again moving into the kitchen, Ursie hanging on tight in the girl’s arms. “Mommy?”
“Sweetie…” The mother would speak up, but there was something different in the tone of voice, Freth would notice. “…maybe you can help mommy with something.”
“Help?” The girl asked.
“Mommy ended up losing a cup between the counter and the fridge…” she said pointing it out. Freth could barely make it out herself, an orange outline in the small space, a cup wedged between the space. Freth already knew what was happening. The woman was probably strong enough to move the fridge if she wanted the cup that bad. Just carefully scoot it out if push came to shove. The mother was suspicious of her daughter. “Mommy can’t reach it. Do you think you can get it?” Was the cookie incident what did it? Was that the first incident? Or one of many? More context Freth wasn’t getting.
Freth watched the girl try to reach in, futilely unable to get the cup wedged in the space. “…no…”
“You think Ursie can do it?” The mother asked. It irritated Freth. Being with Tails then eventually Tristen as long as she had, she couldn’t imagine this girl being that ignorant. Kids were smarter than this. Right? Freth would notice the girl looking away from the mother to Ursie. Ursie giving a look of concern.
“I don’t think I want to…” Ursie said to the girl.
“Um, Ursie doesn’t think he can.” The girl then stated to her mother.
“Oh…really? Is he sure? I really liked that cup. I was going to use it and I accidentally dropped it.” A blatant parental lie. “It will be later this evening before your father can help me get that cup back…” Freth would watch the two of them exchange in conversation, the girl trying to hide Ursie’s adamancy to getting the cup all the while saying that it couldn’t be done. The mother would eventually sigh out. “Maybe I guess I will just have to wait…I really wanted that cup…” The classic parental guilt trip. This girl has to be about three or four, considering this and the fact this girl had to climb chairs as she did. Seeing this through the eyes of this girl was a bit cringeworthy to Freth, because it almost as felt in some respects she was the victim of all of this. She could see the woman have a change in body motion, almost as if she was trying to contemplate something. “Alright, never mind then…” she then said, making her way out of the kitchen. The girl watches her mother leave then looked back at the cup in the space.
“Maybe we could try to get it, Ursie. I think she really wanted that cup…” The girl stated. So much for not being a sucker, Freth thought.
Ursie would look back towards the space then over towards the kitchen door. “Okay.” The girl looked back towards the kitchen herself then held Ursie out in front of her, similarly to when she went to grab the cookies. “Ready, Ursie?”
“Yea!”
“Come-to-teddy, come-to-teddy, lets-a-go.” The two chanted. The feeling came back to Freth. Everything felt within reach, that sensation that the world at her fingertips. Everything that weighed practically the world, yet weightless as well. Freth’s mind couldn’t make heads or tails. This wasn’t like a weird taste or a new smell, this was…incomprehensibility given motion. Given form. The two continued to chant in the kitchen and it was only a few seconds before the cup started to wiggle and squirm before it started to shift up the space, making its way out the top of the space then back over to her. She and Ursie would take the cup into their hands. A job successfully done. Mommy would be happy, now, and that made them happy knowing it.
“What the…” A sudden jolt of fear ran down Freth’s spine, the girl given a scare. The cup hit the floor as the two would turn and see the mother back at the kitchen’s entrance. “…you…” Freth could feel it. The girl’s tiny arms would squeeze Ursie all the tighter, her face starting to bury into Ursie’s fur to futilely hide from the mother. All Freth could feel now…was shame. Fear. This girl was exposed.
The world about Freth would distort even more. The orange and black hues of light clashing once more for a few seconds before she would find the world about her. The orange bloom was bright. It was warm. Perhaps it was the middle of the day? She was barely able to make out that in one hand, she carried Ursie, who was worried, given the look of grief on his face. In the other hand, her mother’s hand had her, guiding her. It almost hurt Freth to look around at the world about her. The bright orange bloom made the surroundings virtually impossible to tell. There were buildings, tall ones, but she couldn’t recognize them. Freth could hear other children around, but she could barely see them. They all blended in with the darkness of the ground and surrounding objects. Perhaps a bush or tree here and there. There did seem to be a playground set as well close by. A school? Daycare? Orphanage? Were these parents about to ditch this kid? Whatever it was, Ursie wasn’t the only one unnerved. She could feel it. This girl was upset as well. Scared.
Up in front of them all was what appeared to be a large building they were about to approach. They moved up a set of stairs and made their way through the door. Back into the darkness they went. The bloom was making it through the windows of the building. Freth could smell the sterile, air conditioned smell of the halls. “Hello.” A new voice spoke. “Is this her?” The girl became more scared, quickly retreating behind her mother from this really tall stranger.
“It is. We weren’t sure what it was for a while. For a while, we thought one of the ghosts from the tower decided to haunt our home.” The mother stated. Ghosts? Tower? Was this Lavender Town? Or close to it? Was this the Kanto region? “But then we saw-“
“Say no more. Its always a shock to find out. You must know…” Freth would try to listen to the man, but once again they drown out. She can’t figure out why the man cut out like that. She could see the girl still hiding behind her mother, holding Ursie tight. She was still feeling that shame when she was caught using that psychic power. It gave Freth the indication that she had an idea at least as to what was going on. She then peered her head around her mother’s leg, seeing the man before them had squatted down closer to the girl. Freth still couldn’t tell who it was, only getting a silhouette. Though this man had glasses, which the bright bloom reflected oddly off the lenses. Freth had to admit even that unnerved her. “Hello there.” The girl wouldn’t answer. “Your mommy tells me you’re really special.” Not helping this guys case at all, Freth thought.
“I’m scared…” Ursie spoke up to the girl.
“This way.” The man then directed to the parents. The two walked down the hall of the building. They noticed many chairs, doors, merely by a vague orange outline on all of it provided from the orange bloom. They would walk for the better part of a minute before finding their way to one door. “Alright, we’ll be right here. You’re free to leave her with us or stay in the waiting room. It will take about an hour. The coffee is pretty good, you ought to try it.”
“Thank you.” The parents stated.
“You be good in there and listen to the man, okay, sweetie?” The father spoke up to the girl as the mother let go of her hand. The mere act of letting go of her mother nearly made the girl panic. “No no, its okay. We’ll be right down the hall, okay? Nothing bad is going to happen. Okay? Its okay.” Despite their reassurances, Freth could feel it down to her core, this girl was not okay, nor was Ursie who was bearing witness to it in her arms.
“Come on in.” The man with the glasses stated, opening the door. He guided the girl inside, though he seemed to try to respect her personal space. He realized she was scared. She slowly walked in and she looked around. The far back wall to the room had a very long window, with the orange bloom peering through it. She could make out a few chairs, some large for adults, others really small, ones meant for this little girl’s size. Some of which was at a table, one that the man started to guide her to. “Come on, have a seat.” He pulled out the chair for her and she sat down, still keeping Ursie close to her chest.
For the next while, Freth would bear witness to the man talking to her, reassuring her that no harm was going to come to her. Trying to get her to budge to do other things. Talk about what she liked to do. What was her favorite foods. Trying to get the girl to open up. Was this a psychiatrist of some kind? He eventually managed to coax her into doing something, like make pictures when he gave her some paper and using crayons that was in a tiny basket in the center of the table. Freth couldn’t tell if it was copies from a coloring book or if they were blank. The girl all the way through, however, still was well on her guard. Ursie hadn’t said a word however as he kept a close eye on the man with the glasses.
“Your mommy tells me that your friend there has a special trick. Is that true?” The comment got the girl to stop coloring. She didn’t reply. “What’s his name?”
---End of Part 4---
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:22 pm
Unlock Potential - Part 5
“…Ursie…” The girl sheepishly replied, still on guard. Ursie didn’t look too thrilled either, looking as if he was ready to lash out at the man.
“Does Ursie do his trick a lot?” The man then asked. There wasn’t a reply either out of them. “What if I were to tell you that you have that trick, too.” This brought confusion to the girl, Freth could feel, but when she saw the Teddiursa, it was as if he got scared suddenly. As if he was seeing something coming that really didn’t need to happen. Though it didn’t really register to the girl too much. “Its true. Want me to show you?” The girl still didn’t respond. “Here.” He then reached over and quickly snatched up Ursie, right out of the girl’s hands. This made the girl spring out of her chair, trying to jump up and reach after Ursie.
“Help! Help me!” Ursie shouted to the girl.
“URSIE!” she then shouted. She kept reaching up, nearly attempted to climb up the man’s leg just to get at her Teddiursa.
“No, no, no, shhh, wait, I’m going to show you, okay? Look, look, look…shhh…look.” He then walked over towards a nearby shelf, placing Ursie on the highest shelf, well out of reach of the girl. She ran over to the shelf and was about to climb the shelf as if it was a ladder. “No, no, don’t do that.”
“URSIE!” she said.
“I can’t get down! Help!” Ursie shouted to the girl.
“No, look…here, here. I’m going to show you, okay?” he told her. “Here, have a seat. Calm down. Okay? Shhh…” The girl couldn’t bring herself to comply, but wanted to break down to cry instead. “Come on, no need to do that. You’ll get her back. Okay? Come here.” He would guide the girl back to her chair and sat her down. “Alright…we’re going to get Ursie back, okay? Dry your tears…now. You’re going to get him…you want Ursie back a lot, don’t you?” Freth could feel it, the girl nodded her head ‘yes’. “Do like you did when you wanted something else. Your mommy told me about how you got cookies a while back ago. On top of a cabinet? Do what you did when you got those cookies.” He said.
“Ursie got those cookies!” The girl snapped back.
“I don’t know.” He calmly replied. “What if you were helping Ursie?”
“I-…” The girl would cut herself off just then; Freth could feel the many thoughts going through this little girls mind, but they were all on Ursie. She looked back, seeing Ursie still up there, distraught, wanting down. Freth then started to realize something as she continued to look on at the scene playing out before her. This Teddiursa could have done a lot of this stuff on his own. Let alone defend himself. But he wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. Not to mention, weren’t Teddiursa roughly twenty pounds on average? If she was four years old like she suspects, then that Teddiursa would weigh almost as much as she probably did. And surely she couldn’t carry it as easily as she has been. Some of this could have been written off as her unintentionally using psychic power, but she didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary until she was grabbing hold of the package of cookies or the cup the mother planted.
“Go ahead. Get Ursie. Do like you did before. Reach out to him.” He softly spoken, squatting near by her. She then reached up, and for a minute, nothing happened. The more time passes, the more distraught Ursie got, the more distraught Freth felt the girl being. “Dear, you have to calm down. You weren’t upset when you two got those other things, right? Go on, take your time.” Freth could feel the girl calming down, but still was very upset, but deep down Freth started to feel the girl starting to remember. The chant. Each time they did it, they got a thing they wanted. The girl reached out once more, remembering that chant, though wasn’t saying it aloud. The feeling came back. Everything. Nothing. All in one. The sensation in her mind, that moved throughout her body. The surreal feeling that couldn’t be put into words. Ursie then started to lift off the shelf, much to the shock of Ursie. The Teddiursa lofted down off the shelf and finally found its way into the girls arms, the girl promptly squeezing the bear tight out of worry.
“You did it.” The man stated. “You know, I think Ursie might like another friend. Take a look over there.” He pointed towards a nearby, standalone, mounted shelf just a ways away from the shelf Ursie was on. “See him? That’s Mr. Meow.” The man stated. Freth couldn’t see it, only a vague shape on the mounted shelf. “How about you help me introduce him to Ursie, huh? How about you bring him over? Just like you got Ursie. It’s okay.” Freth could feel the girl’s reluctance, but then reached up with Ursie in her hands. “Wait, no. You did it without Ursie, remember? Do that again.”
Freth noticed that the girl looked down to Ursie, and Ursie looked all manner of distraught, almost as if he was betrayed. She was trying hard not to upset the man, but she didn’t want to upset Ursie either. “Its okay. It will be fine.” She sat Ursie in her lap then reached up towards where ‘Mr. Meow’ supposedly was. The feeling once again returned to her as power started to flow about her. From the darkness, a figure became more clearer when it got closer and when she got ‘Mr. Meow’ in her arms, Freth realized what it was. It was a doll. One of a Meowth. A plastic metal charm on its forehead, patch-felt like eyes, joints on its limbs embroidered, and a sewn-on smile. “This is Mr. Meow. Mr. Meow, this is Ursie.” Ursie looked apprehensive near ‘Mr. Meow’, leaning closer up against the girl’s chest.
“See, you have the trick too, you know. You know what that trick is?” he asked. “Its this here.” He then said, gently poking at her temple. “Your mind. You’re a special little girl, you know that?” The girl wouldn’t reply. “Don’t worry, we’ll help you out more. You can do a lot of things with your mind, you know that? Its your mind, and therefore your world. We can help you do more than even that. And you know? Guess what?” Yet doll appeared before her, this one looked vaguely like a Piplup, which floated about in the air. The doll spun about, then made an orbit around the girls and Ursie’s head. “I can do that too.”
The world would then distort before Freth’s eyes once again, the orange bloom of the room clashing with the darkness, almost as if the snow of an old television set. It wouldn’t last long at all; Freth would see the girl on a large leather couch, with Ursie on one side of her, Mr. Meow on the other. The girl looked as if she was trying to play with both Ursie and Mr. Meow, but it was half-hearted. Freth could feel as such. The girl was confused. Distraught. When the girl got a look at the room, Freth would see they had changed rooms it seemed. There was another long window, with the orange light bloom coming through, everything yet still in silhouette. But there was something that appeared to be a plant in the corner of the room. A large desk with a computer and papers, maybe a name plaque. Freth couldn’t see the name on the front of it, however. It was far too dark. She noticed three people, two on one side of the desk, one on the other. The single one on the other side of the desk…the reflective bloom on the glasses. It was the man that coaxed the girl’s power. They were talking. The words, distorted yet again…Freth was sure the other two people had to be the girl’s parents. Freth was severely annoyed with the view she has gotten this entire time. She wanted the better picture if this was her fate to watch the life of this girl.
“…so with all being said…” One of the voices spoke up clearly. Freth started to recognize the voice as the girl’s mother. “…so what do…we need to do? Can you…” the woman appeared distraught, apparently given all manner of news that neither she or her husband apparently wanted to hear, if their body language had anything to say about it. “…I don’t know, fix…her?”
“Miss.” The man in the glasses nearly frustrated put his glasses on the desk in front of him. “Miss, you have to understand, there is nothing to ‘fix’. Strange for you, sure, but its still as natural as your hair color. And if you keep on like how you are right now as she is going through life trying to find herself in the world, looking at her as if she is some sort of monster, there is no telling what would happen later for her.”
“I don’t understand.” The father then spoke up. “No one in our family turned out like this.”
“I understand that. But you have a little girl that beat the odds.” The man in the glasses spoke. “And we can help in making sure that she stays on the right path and develop her gifts safely. But we will need your help in doing that. We will need you to be supportive to her, just as you would have if she didn’t have it. If she gets any idea that you are going to look at her as some sort of…I don’t know, monster? Then there could be all manner of consequences down in life.” The voices would proceed to drone out again as she looked down at Ursie, as the bear looked back at her. The bear looked upset, it looked as if he was trying to scream at her, as if he was desperate to communicate with her, but there was no sound at all coming from the bear. The girl looked back at the man with the glasses, and for a second, she saw the man look at her. Freth imagined an image on the man just then as the two of them looked at each other for that couple of seconds, then look slightly down upon his desk, coming off as somewhat dejected. If that was the case, then this is perhaps the harder part of whatever job he holds in this building. He would then pay attention back to the parents, who to Freth was still muffled out. The girl would then look back at Ursie…there was an embroidered smile. Patch-work felt eyes. Sewn joints. A patch crescent moon on the forehead. A plush doll of a Teddiursa. Why the bear wasn’t heavy. Why it takes baths in the washing machine. Why Ursie couldn’t do anything on his own. Why no one acknowledged Ursie really at all.
This girl lost a small part of herself this day…
-----------
Freth gasped out as she found herself back into the darkness. Before her, the large orb of light which consumed her. An odd sensation as she found herself ejected from it. She was behind the eyes of someone else’s life. Unable to interact, unable to react. She felt everything. The joy and sadness, the warmth and cold, the world about her as it as interacted with in some capacity, rather it was rather the physical or the mental. Was that a memory? But it wasn’t her own. Her life wasn’t anything like that. The Hunter’s? She didn’t understand it. This is her head. Or…rather…it was. As she drifted away from the large orb of light, she realized that she could have movement again. Unfortunately, she still had to keep a clear head about it. Just to even so much as to move a finger, she needed to focus her mind. Just as Chaksu kept telling her. She couldn’t panic. This inner world of sorts was a jarring mess, but shouldn’t matter. She managed to slowly get her head moving about so she could better look around her. Though she was still shambling some, but it was something. She didn’t really understand it. Was it still the worry of what’s going on now that the Hunter had her here. The fact that she needed to leave desperately? It was still gravely hard to do. ‘Nothing else mattered’ she was constantly told in the village. Was that true here? But why didn’t it? Why didn’t anything matter when it came to psychic power? She just bore witness to a little girl that went after cookies and stuffed toys on a whim because she wanted it. Too many questions, still.
She still didn’t have it down movement in this place, but it was enough to look around. Enough to see that the orb of light was the only one. In this place, many of them filled this darkness. Sparkling in this darkness as if stars on the clearest of night skies. They gave a faint light. All of them. But apparently nowhere enough to light up this vast, infinite darkness. She then noticed that she was approaching another ball of light, ready to take her in just as the first one did. She tried to move more within this void, she didn’t need another view of something, she wanted out of this place. But her mind once again went frantic, she locked herself in. And the light took her in…
Once again, while it wasn’t in total darkness, there was a bloom coming in through the window that provided a little light to make out some objects, though instead of the weird pale orange, it was pale blue hue of some kind. She, herself, couldn’t move at all again. Frozen behind the view of someone’s eyes as if her own. What she could tell was that the feeling from before was back. The feeling of psychic power being used once more. That the influence was all about her, ready to make things move about on a whim. Though…unlike last time, it was more…pronounced. She could feel the book that was in front of her. Every last page of it. The cover. The overall shape. A pen nearby that floated about, writing. The piece of paper that was being held down for the pen to write on, on a desk in front of her. She took notice to something on this desk, looked to be a laptop of some kind. Though the screen was too bright to make out what was on it.
A knock echoed through the room. Freth would watch the view change, away from the computer towards darkness. A door. The door opened up. “Hey, what’s the big deal? What happened to the holo-phone?” a female spoke from the door.
“Sorry. My fault.” Freth realized it…it sounded more like the Hunter. Freth was almost assured where she was now. These were in fact the hunter’s memories, but why did they look like this? Is this how people remember things? Can’t be. Incidentally, Freth realized something else about what she was feeling. In this world, this Hunter was distracted somehow. Despite Freth being told by Chaksu that nothing else needed to matter when it came to controlling psychic power, she was apparently controlling it just fine, as if an expert. But yet at the same time, she was feeling…dejected? Irritated? Overall stressed. Something along those lines. “I was already trying to shop for a new one. I’ll pay for it…”
“What happened!?” the female asked.
“Talked to mom a little while ago. She just reaffirmed something I kind of suspected for years now.” The Hunter stated. Freth continued to listen to the Hunter, but she didn’t have any sort of context as to when this is. Or where. Freth started to notice that this area didn’t shape out vaguely like the room where she was younger at. No toys around either that she could tell. Other than what she assumes to be “Ursie” planted near the computer monitor. Years were had, that was for certain.
“What’s that?”
“They’re scared of me. They pretty much have all their life since they realized I had…this.” She said, motioning to her floating book, before moving it aside and have it come to rest on the counter. “They tried to keep it quiet all this time; but they didn’t realize that I could just…feel it coming off of them for some reason even though for a while I didn’t really realize what it was.”
“Did they just come out and say they were?” the female then asked, starting to approach.
“No, I called them out on it when I started to mention spring break was around the corner and I was looking to come home, and Mom…ugh…she started on, trying to play it off as if that was unexpected of me, wondering why wasn’t I getting out more with friends now that I was out of the house, yadda yadda, never mind that I have been since I’ve been taking classes here. Tch…I’m almost convinced they funded part of me being here just to get me out of the house away from them.” The hunter would tell the female. “She then eventually got out that she was going on a vacation of her own with Dad off to some resort in the Hoenn Region around that same time and I thought I could chip in so I could go too and that gave her so much pause, like they didn’t want to be seen with me. She wouldn’t come out and say anything when I suggested it and well, it’s not like you can hide facial expressions too much over holo-call. I then finally asked her that after two…three years now? Not being home, haven’t really talked to them all that much despite my efforts otherwise, why are they trying to avoid me? She couldn’t come up with an answer for that either. You could see it that she wanted to come up with some sort of excuse or some reassurance that they weren’t really, when I know they weren’t doing much else. Fifteen years. Fifteen stupid years. You would think they would have come to grips with it by now.”
Freth, listening in, started to think on the context. ‘Fifteen years’? Then at this point, Freth thought, the Hunter at this point was 20…21…22 years old at most by now when this was happening. ‘Classes’, ‘spring break’. She was off to college presumably. And this was a dorm, possibly. Though where at still escapes her. And this person is a roommate. The Hunter apparently never had the best of relationships with her parents growing up since discovering her psychic power. The parents perhaps only raised her out of obligation, only doing just enough if it took this long for the Hunter to call them out. Freth thought she was the only one with major family issues…
“And I guess she said something that got you to break the phone.”
“Yea. I didn’t break it deliberately. I…slipped.” The hunter stated.
“Why are you still trying to talk to them?” the female said. “You’ve been trying to make headway as long as we’ve been roommates here that I know of.”
“Because…I don’t know anymore. Maybe I want some more reaffirmation about my life other than just from my therapist.” A therapist? Freth was legitimately surprised that such a thing was happening here in this point of the Hunter’s life. Then again, she was left to wonder just how little of a help a doctor was for her considering the most she knew about her, she was a relentless killer.
“Come here.” The female said, walking over towards a nearby bed, sitting down on the edge of it.
“Not now…” The hunter told her, turning around in her chair to look back at the computer monitor. Freth would feel the chair jerk under her, the chair was moving away on its own with the Hunter still on it. “Hey, come on. No. Please stop.” The Hunter moaned out. The friend was apparently psychic as well, to Freth’s astonishment.
“You know this doesn’t do you any good. Now you need to relax. Calm down. Move over here.” Freth could feel the irritation coursing through the Hunter. With a sigh the hunter got up from the chair and made a quick transition to the edge of the bed as well. “Come on.” Freth would notice the roommate scooting more onto the bed, crossing her legs Indian style, sitting up straight. “Close your eyes. Breathe.” There was reluctance out of the Hunter but she too moved more onto the bed and sat across from her roommate, getting into a similar seating position. It went completely dark to Freth momentarily; the Hunter closed her eyes. She could feel the breath coming into her. “Center yourself. Just like we were always taught.” Freth couldn’t feel anything right away, but it took a moment before she could feel a relative calm come by. “Maybe it’s about time you just moved on and just leave them to their own issues.” She said.
“I should.” The hunter stated. “I just…wanted to hope things would change…”
“You can’t change everyone. Especially if they’ve been set in their ways for so long, you know that.” The female said.
“I guess.” The hunter stated.
“You did all you could. More than what most people would. Probably should. Just let it go.” There wasn’t a reply from the Hunter. As the two started talking to each other, Freth was a bit irritated herself as she watched the conversation go on, she was reminded of the conversations she and the Hunter had. The Hunter was completely cynical. Absolute in her means. She recalled a few times where the Hunter stated that everything Freth was trying to do wasn’t going to pan out because it was reality. That this wasn’t a Saturday morning cartoon or anything of that sort where love and friendship wasn’t going to fix everything. Yet, here the Hunter was in this memory, taking to heart what her roommate, presumably a close friend the way the two were talking, and some of the stress she was having was slowly melting away. Freth found it was to bear repeating to ask what the hell happened for the Hunter to become the person that she was today. If she could, that is. Much to her disdain, she was perhaps bound to find that answer eventually in these memories. It made Freth wonder if watching scenes from the Hunter’s life was deliberate on the Hunter’s part…it probably was. Probably to get Freth to realize everything by seeing what she dealt with? Why she needed Blizzard to die? Actually, no, Freth would think. That would be a wasted effort on the Hunter’s part, especially when she made intent to live the rest of Freth’s life when Freth stated that she was not going to do anything the Hunter wished. That wasn’t to mention implications that something was bound to happen to Freth anyways if whoever her employers were in Ultra Space got a hold of her.
As Freth mused the mindset of the hunter, Freth then started to notice the Hunter opened her eyes. “You know you are better than what you are, right?” the roommate stated. “Its your mind, and its place belongs here just as much as anyone else’s. Psychic or no.”
“I know…” the hunter stated.
“Now come on. Go straighten up some. Last class is in twenty minutes.” The roommate told her.
The world about Freth started to distort, the darkness and the pale green hue tried to clash before Freth’s eyes before finally bringing into view a new room. There were only at least a half-dozen people in this class room, a lot less than what one would have expected in a class room. That said, they all were appearing to be faceless in this darkness to Freth, much to Freth’s disdain. Freth could feel that something still weighed on the Hunter’s mind, though it wasn’t as prominent anymore. Perhaps the words the roommate given to her was starting to set in.
“Ok, everyone. You turned in your exercise from last night and I must say your handwriting, heh, is a little atrocious when you’re using your psychic abilities, but I thank you for the effort anyways. So, to help you further, the exercise today is using these metal spheres.” The Hunter would look down in front of her. There were at least a dozen orbs which shined to the green bloom that was coming into the room. “Precision is just as important to you as much as movement is. Perhaps with a skilled enough hand, you might be able to stack one of these spheres on top of another. But doing more than that is virtually impossible. One would need the precision to get it absolutely centered on the sphere multiple times and doing so without knocking over your stack and doing that with your hands, well, it’s just not going to happen. Your mind, however, can do what your hands cannot. Its only in your mind where you can perfectly stack these dead in the center, with nary a fraction of a micrometer off center. Take your time and do what you need to short of altering the spheres. I’m not going to condone cheating in this room. Begin.”
A class, Freth realized. And it was one specifically for someone’s psychic abilities. Freth would take notice to the other students, however few, and they were already going to work in trying to stack the spheres on top of each other. That would explain why there were so few students. Psychics were, after all, supposedly a rarity as far as humans were concerned. Freth would notice the Hunter breathing out a bit then she started to feel her influence go out. That weird sensation again, the mind working extensively. She could feel the table before her. The spheres. The world faded out before Freth. Nothing else mattered. The orbs started to float off the table and one at a time, she felt the spheres move. Rather, felt the Hunter moving the spheres, one at a time, placing one at the table. The next one started to move and was placed on top of it. Freth could feel the Hunter trying to discern the right spot on each sphere. About the sixth going on the seventh one, it was starting to become worrisome, Freth could feel. She was trying to hold the ones she already stacked in place and did not want to let go until she had all twelve stacked to show she did it, but trying to maintain the exact alignment for all of the ones she had, and only adding yet another movable piece to the stack of orbs was making it more and more taxing.
Metal clacking would startle the Hunter, making herself lose focus and all of her orbs started to go all over the place. She quickly reached out, Freth could feel, grabbing all of the scattered orbs before they hit the floor. She then looked back behind her, seeing someone who apparently had failed to maintain their own stack. Freth watched the Hunter put her spheres back in front of her, bunching them tightly together then sighed. Once again, Freth felt the Hunter reach out. Freth couldn’t put into words just exactly what was going on here as the Hunter tried to complete the task. It was as if she could feel every last side of just one sphere. It was as if she could feel the actual weight of the sphere, but yet, at the same time it was weightless. Holding up a dozen was overwhelming, Freth wanted to pass out from the sensation of it, but yet, couldn’t. And yet, the Hunter was treating holding up these spheres as mere trivial. Being in this vision or memory or whatever it was came off was torture for Freth. Her own mind was not ready for this.
Once again the hunter manages to put three of the spheres on top of each other. Then four. Then five. The more that she gets perfectly aligned, the harder it got. Six spheres. Freth started to notice that to each next orb, she was getting slower and slower moving, trying to maintain the perfect stack. She felt the next sphere tremble, as if it was her own hand trying to hold it. Despite this excruciating view of the Hunter’s life, it was oddly insightful. Even after years of trying to nurture their psychic power, they still have to hone their talents either way. Orb number seven finally found its place. The Hunter was trying to hold the stack, moving orb number eight into position. Slower the Hunter moved the orb, the orb still trembled a little more than the last. The Hunter stopped moving it just then, trying to get herself more centered and stop it. This wasn’t going to help getting the orb in the perfect position on the stack. Freth could feel the concentration that the Hunter was going through, the anguish that she was going through was starting to get more intense in her mind. She was hoping the Hunter in this vision would hurry up and finish soon. The Hunter would finally put the eighth one on the stack and start on the nineth, but once again the orb she was trying to move into place started to tremble. Worse, now the stack was starting to tremble, and almost immediately after, number four flies off the stack away from her and her concentration, let alone her sphere stack collapses.
The Hunter would slam herself on top of the table to corral the scattering orbs, then reached out for the stray one with her psychic power and grabbed it before it went too far out. “You seemed to have been getting it there.” The teacher spoke up. “You’re okay. Just try again.”
The Hunter once again corralled the spheres together and started to focus once more. Once she was ready, she attempted to stack the spheres perfectly as commanded. In Freth’s anguish, she couldn’t help at the same time wonder if she was ultimately to do the same thing under Chaksu’s tutelage. Considering that this is being taught to the Hunter as an adult, probably not likely. Not right away, at least. All the same, she was left to wonder why this was affecting her so much. Was this actually strenuous to a psychic? At least one of a human level, at least. Or was there such a thing? Too much she still didn’t know. Let alone still had a hard time thinking about herself because the more that the Hunter tried to stack the orbs, perfectly aligned on the table, the closer she got to her objective, the harder it was on the Hunter and harder it was on Freth.
Six orbs. Seven. Eight. One slowly placed on top of another with precision. The stack being held in place all she could. Nine. Freth could feel it. The Hunter was taxed here. Trying to make sure that none moved from the spot each orb was given. Ten orbs. Slowly, the next one moved. The Hunter, focus at its highest thus far, the orbs now starting to be taller than her in her seated position. She tried hard to ignore the clacking and clatter of the orbs the other students was trying to work with and failing with. Nothing else mattered. Eleven orbs now. The final one. The last one to move it into position. Freth couldn’t scream out of how excruciating it was on her own mind, but the Hunter was resolute. She wasn’t screaming. The orb was trembling, but after a couple of moments, she finally got it still as it reached to the top of the stack and finally it was in position. The Hunter as each orb was held in place, she realized that she had to let go of all of them. Leave it all standing on their own. She had to release her hold on them. All at the same time. No delay. Freth could feel it…the Hunter started to count to herself. One. Two. Three. She released her hold. Freth could feel the instantaneous relief wash over her.
The orbs then shot away from each other in the center. The Hunter didn’t have them lined up like she thought she did. Scatter they went. The Hunter jumped in her seat, thinking for sure that she had done it. Freth felt the frustration come over her. A chime echoed through the room, and it made the Hunter slump in her seat. She didn’t care for the orbs that scattered all over the place now around her. “Alright students, session is over. Practice up and we’ll pick up tomorrow.” Wait. Already? Freth could only wonder just how much time was spent just trying to move and stack these spheres as they were. She wondered if this is why it took so much time to master one’s own psychic power. As the students started to clean up their own respective messes and leave, Freth noticed that the Hunter still sat there, the mess of metal spheres around her.
She wasn’t really up for anymore failure today…
--------
Freth found herself ejected once again from an orb of light, back into the starfield of memories. Freth found herself with motion again, but she couldn’t bring herself to even bother trying, not so much as she lost faith on getting out of this place, but it was left to wonder what was happening with The Hunter. Despite shortfalls, she apparently had people to help her still. She had all the tutelage she could ever ask for. On top of all of that, she started to wonder if there was any way that what she was looking at could be of a use for her. She was supposedly a psychic now herself…though…maybe that was going to be the case. She isn’t in control any longer, after all. The Hunter up and took everything. She needed to regain control. That was all there was to it. But could she even leave this sea of stars? She barely was able to move as is. One thing at a time, Freth thought.
She had to calm herself down. Nothing else mattered, she kept telling herself, just as Chaksu told her. One thing at a time. What’s going on outside doesn’t matter. What’s happening now doesn’t matter. She needed to move. As she continued to drift about, she started to slowly get more movement down. She started to move one of her arms. It felt like there were weights attached to them. Perhaps they were asleep. Or something along those lines. But eventually, it started to get a little easier. It was then the other arm. Just as before. Her fingers. One at a time. Left leg, right leg. The amount of time she spent didn’t matter. Just as long as she worked it like she was expected to do to begin with.
She started to realize as she tried to move about her limbs, fingers, and toes that this was a similar feeling to what she had been in the memories. When the Hunter apparently moved everything with her power. But not quite either. It was as if it was all centering on herself, instead of all over the place. It wasn’t perfect however. She still felt relatively sluggish, but it was a far cry to being outright paralyzed as she was.
She noticed that she was drifting to yet another memory of some kind. She didn’t want to go into another one. She was making progress here. She didn’t want to stop. Freth tried to calm herself further, trying to see if there was any way to influence the orb of light that she was approaching. Or maybe herself. It was still no use. Provided she could even do such a thing, that is. When Freth drifted aimlessly close enough, the orb consumed her.
Freth would find herself wrought with pain near instantly. Every last inch of her body was aching, as if her very insides was twisting and turning violently. She could hear the Hunter breathing heavily, occasionally yelping. She was cold. Too cold. Freth could feel that her psychic power running rampant, perhaps the hardest that she has felt her go so far. It was on herself, but why? Why was the Hunter torturing herself? She noticed that the Hunter was grasping herself with her own two arms. She was trembling, more from the pain than the cold. No, she wasn’t doing that.
A loud heavy thud was close by. And another one. And another one. She would see the Hunter move her head just enough to look out into the darkness a ways away, just as all the memories seem to do. There wasn’t any bloom about to vaguely light up the area, but oddly the floor of white. And Cold. Snow and ice was here. The loud thuds were coming closer. And closer. But then they started getting lighter. And Lighter. But yet closer. The compaction of snow. Footsteps. “You really need to stop. Humans, go figure. I really need to just stay with what works.”
That voice…Freth knew that voice…it was a comforting one, undermined by a diabolical intent with every syllable. The Hunter saw a figure before her. It was white. No features about it. Just white and human like. While Freth knew that isn’t what he looked like, she knew who it was. Celcius. “I could have easily just made an avatar of a Jynx utilizing that power of yours, but I just had to experiment. Test the limits of a Pokémon’s influence. To see how that would affect an avatar’s own prowess. Unfortunately, it’s that innate power of your own, on top of your stubbornness, that refuses to allow the change. Of course, you realize the more you try to hold it back, the more you resist me, the sooner that you’re going to perish. Not by anything that I am going to do though, no. I can see it in you. You’re putting every shred of concentration to stopping it. But it’s causing your body to destroy itself. Hm…Oracle would have loved someone like you. Though I more imagine her laughing at me for not getting a simple human converted. Well, if she wasn’t some incoherent blob somewhere.” Celcius mused.
The humanoid form of Celcius stood next to the Hunter then knelt down. Freth could feel that the Hunter was trying to suppress her fear right now, knowing full well the kind of monster this…deity, if one could call it that, was. Freth knew that not all the elementals were not like Celcius. Most didn’t care about what went on in the world. They knew that they had a role to play in the world and did not need to undermine the fickle balance of nature in the world. Celcius was not one of those Elementals, unfortunately. He had his own agenda. He didn’t want to just follow fate like a puppet. Celcius then reached out, lifting up on the Hunter’s chin, looking down at her. Just the mere touch made the Hunter writhe in agony. His very touch, gentle, but yet absolutely chilling, as if his power was derived from the Ninth Circle. Worse, just his very touch made all the cramping, the aching, the convulsions intensify severely. Freth would cry out herself if she could with what she was feeling. This pain, Freth started to wonder, was what she avoided when she willingly gave herself to Celcius that day years ago? Or maybe, was it actually there and she was completely oblivious to it with it. There was no way to tell. Either way, Freth was almost certain with this touch, Celcius was trying to force the issue. Force the Hunter to change. If she did, regardless of the result, it was all over for the Hunter.
The Elemental then would move away. The pain subsided only a little. “Fine then.” Celcius said. “My lesson is learned. I’ll find someone else.” His irritation was clear, Freth would think. More footsteps started to come into the area. Heavy. The Hunter managed to get a look, Freth noticed the vague shapes…it looked as if they were Abomasnow. A pair of them. “Do what you will with her. I’m sure she’ll provide nourishment for you in time. You might want to prepare something for that.” Celcius would then vanish into the darkness and as he did so, her view was blocked by the two Abomasnow, grabbing her.
The Hunter didn’t appear to have Pokémon to aid her. She only had her own psychic prowess that was too preoccupied stopping her from changing. She was carried away, not able to resist the Abomasnow’s grip, unable to fight back. She was carried off into the darkness, unable to see where she was going. Eventually though, Freth realized, they were finally back outside. Icy cold wind was blowing. Snow was falling on the Hunter’s face. A snowstorm. Probably summoned from the mere presence of Celcius still being in the area. There was no telling how far the sentient trees carried her. But it was over once they just dropped her carelessly back into the snow. The Hunter looked over towards the Abomasnow who stood over her, menacingly, waiting on her to expire. The Hunter was outside. She had to run somehow. Despite all the pain, Freth started to pick up that the Hunter was trying to figure something out. She didn’t have much to go on. She didn’t have too much choice. The Hunter reached out. Freth felt a rush in her mind, everything that was in the area. What the Hunter focused on. Freth then started to hear cracking in the distance. The Abomasnow would then turn, reacting to something, to be greeted by a large tree falling on top of them. It was only a few seconds The Hunter slowly pushed herself up, but hobbled back down. Freth could feel it. That brief moment she diverted her attention on something else gave the transformation process that foothold. She started to feel like something was trying to grow in her insides. Something that refused to fit into place. Down her back. Her entire spine. Her face starting to contort. Bones feeling like they were set to break. Everything wracked with pain. The Hunter continued to focus, trying to stop it. She needed help. She had to find help.
She pushed herself back up and started to trudge off away from the tree. There was still nothing but darkness all around, however. Freth wasn’t sure where she was going. Or where she was coming from. She could hear the Hunter gasp out, trying to yell ‘Help’, but it was all for naught. Freth felt that the Hunter started to walk for almost an eternity, wondering how in the world was she still alive through all of this. Celcius perhaps by now would have figured her dead by now, if not from her resisting the change, then from the cold.
Freth’s vision would turn to static, only briefly having her own pain subside for only a brief second. Freth knew that this couldn’t have been the end to the Hunter. She was alive to try to claim the life of her own significant other. The static would then slowly clear. Now feeling pain in her eyes from the sudden light beaming straight down. The Hunter wasn’t cold anymore, Freth could feel. The Hunter looked around, seeing she was on some sort of table. Strapped down. “Easy.” A voice told her. She saw many bodies around, some in front of various screens and instruments. From one nightmare to another. “Do not worry. You are safe now.” The voice once again said. But it didn’t look like it was any one person that was in the room talking to her. “I’ll explain everything later, but for now, you must trust me. You are in the process of an unwelcome change to you. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about that. A change is going to happen, no matter what. What we can do is try to make it better for you so at the very least you can keep your power.” Freth noticed that the Hunter was trying to find where the voice was coming from, but no one seemed to be paying her any mind. And she couldn’t see anything within the darkness beyond the people she sees.
“We’re ready to begin.” One voice close by said.
“Monitors set.” Another said.
She watched some sort of wave of light wash over her. A lot of instruments then appeared out the table. Various needles that penetrated her skin. A mask that went over her nose and mouth. A lot of clammer between the people close by. All manner of confusion and fear set in.
“Alright, they are getting ready. They are going to do everything they can to help you, but for them to do that, you are going to have to let go.” The notion Freth felt didn’t go over well to the Hunter. Her pushing herself like this is preventing the change from happening. “You have to let go. You’ll die otherwise. You do not have too much longer. I can feel it from here. You have been doing this too long. Trust me, please. It’s okay. I’ll make sure nothing else happens. You been through too much as is.” Freth felt the reluctance rush through the Hunter, but then resignment. She felt the Hunter mentally counting to herself. One. Two. Three.
The moment she let go, the pain intensified tenfold, the Hunter screamed. Freth was feeling what she felt, unbelieving that this was happening. It was like when the Hunter tried to take her over. The Hunter tried to thrash about on the table but the restraints keeping her in. Freth could hear metal starting to creak nearby. Objects falling on the floor. Her psychic power was starting to run rampant. The clammering of the people around her intensified as each of them started to coordinate efforts. “It’s okay. Its expected!” one shouted.
“This is expected!?” Another replied.
The Hunter started to feel everything about her change. Each moment felt like an eternity. “You’re doing good. It’s okay. Just let it out.” The voice assured her, calmly. Despite the calm this voice was trying to offer her, there was nothing calm about what she was feeling. She felt her face contort severely. Every joint. Every bone. Every muscle. Fusing, contracting, growing, shrinking. Her arms. Legs. Torso. Her back suddenly felt damp. Something was trying to get out from behind her. Wings. She was growing wings. And violently at that. That dampness. More than likely her own blood.
“Stabilize that! We need clean up!” voices started to shout.
“Sir? We got something happening here…” One of the voices then spoke up. Pain intensified even further. The light that covered her as if a blanket blew apart, the restraints snapped off, the instruments flew right off of her. The hunter started to thrash about, her psychic power now rampant. The Hunter looked as if she was then reaching up, but her arm then started to violently erupt in all manner of…something. Freth couldn’t tell what was going on. She was too far in pain herself to actually get a good enough look.
“Blast! Too good to be true trying to fight a force of nature’s influence with technology!” one then shouted.
Freth’s vision started to blur. Darkness started to creep about her. “Sir, we’re losing her!” Freth managed to hear.
“Don’t give up. You made it this far. Just hang on.” The voice in her mind echoed.
“Leviathan! What are you doing!?” One of the voices spoke. The image cleared up just only to see one large figure above her and a ginormous hand that reached down to her face. And darkness finally came.
Freth wasn’t sure how long the darkness lasted, but the pain was over. She had enough pain to last a lifetime as far as she was concerned. A roller coaster ride of all manner of pain and emotions all served up. She started to realize that this was why the Hunter had a violent reaction to seeing Celcius in Hisui. She was telling the truth, also. Blizzard wasn’t the first one. Though a chilling thought came over her. Just how many people has Celcius gone through before he settled on him. And why? The Hunter insinuated at the very least that Blizzard would be the perfect contingency plan incase something fell through; the calculated mind of an Elemental at work. It was in that why he was marked to die by the Hunter’s hand. Was that the only reason?
Freth would notice that a groggy feeling came over her. The Hunter was waking up. She looked around. There was a soft green hue in the room. A couple of monitors of some kind was next to her, though she couldn’t tell what was on the screens. The bed. Softest that she ever felt. Same with the pillows. The hunter sat up and looked around but then Freth felt the realization hit her. She felt her face. Different shape. Skin, rubbery and somewhat thin it felt. Something that didn’t belong. But then…her hand. It was a dark colored hand. Talon-like all the way up to her elbow. Thick skinned. Thick nails. From beyond that, her shoulder…rubbery skin as well just as her face. She felt a new weight on her back. She tried to shift her body just enough, seeing two appendages of some kind. Wings. Bare, however. Her feathers haven’t grown in yet. She was barely able to move them, her body not used to the new limb yet. She then took notice to her other arm, how odd it was for the moment. Freth wanted to say it was heavily bandaged up, but they didn’t look like bandages. It was some sort of wrapping…she didn’t know what it was made of. It felt like hard rubber, with a latex coating the best way Freth could describe it. But at the same time, the way the Hunter moved her arm about, flexing her fingers and her arm, it didn’t give any sort of resistance or stiffness like it looked like it would. She had total freedom of the arm that not even bandages would have. She adjusted herself in the bed, but as she did so, she took notice to her feet. The shock seeing bird feet was jarring. She ended up bringing one of her feet closer to be reached and felt about the toes, as if to confirm she wasn’t hallucinating what she was seeing.
“Hello there.” The voice spoke up once again. The Hunter jumped in her bed looking around. There was no one in the room. “I’m outside the room.”
“A telepath.” The Hunter spoke. “You are the one that was talking to me after…that…uh…”
“In the operating room, yes. Mind if I come in?” The voice asked. “I’m not going to force you to allow me in. You’ve been through a lot as is.”
The Hunter paused for a moment then looked towards the door. “Come in…” she said.
The door appeared out of nowhere. A light from the outside came into cutting into the green hue of the room. Through the threshold came a large individual. Literally having to bend over some just to not hit his head on the top of the door. Footsteps that made a noticeable enough thud on the floor. In the light, while she couldn’t see the face, she could see the shape of the one who came through the door. He was absolutely huge. A very muscular build. He had hands almost as wide as his arms and they looked flatter than what they should be. His head, shaped weird. Freth was certain this had to be a hybrid, but one of what she couldn’t tell. She did take notice to a tail that he had that he was careful with. It had two flat protrusions at the end of it. It still could be a lot of Pokémon, Freth thought, but she couldn’t imagine what would make a person this size, even lifting weights or no. And funnier still, this guy is a psychic? While Freth was all manner of confused of the situation, she felt the Hunter wracked with all manner of fear, as if she made a huge mistake letting this beast of a person in.
“Hello.” He spoke, softly just as he did in his telepathic message to her. The Hunter skirted back in the bed in a desperate move to get away from the large mystery hybrid. He would merely raise his hands up, trying to show he wasn’t hostile, but that only warranted the stand and the monitor that was on it getting flown off in the hybrid’s direction. The hybrid managed to quickly catch the stand that was flung its way. The Hunter didn’t even realize that was her for a moment. She didn’t think she moved it. It was too quick. Freth didn’t even feel it. “Its fine. We’re not going to hurt you here. You need to calm down, you’re in possession of a lot more power than you’re used to right now, power that you’re not used to in having yet.”
Silence was between the two for a moment as the Hunter tried to recompose herself. Freth could feel it, however. The Hunter wasn’t even putting effort into it and it felt like she could warp all of eternity. It overwhelmed Freth, as it was the Hunter. But then, the Hunter brought calm to herself. Trying to remember what she was taught all those years. But Freth could feel it. She was on the cusp of losing it. This really was far more power than she was trained to handle. “You are a lucky person, you know?” The hybrid stated as he moved the monitor back to the bedside. “I don’t think anyone that I can think of right off hand would have kept their mind intact after a run in with an elemental. I’m guessing it was you using your power that helped you get away somehow.”
“…an elemental?”
“You don’t know about it, do you? I guess that’s not surprising. To best explain it, a literal force of nature got to you and tried to change you into a hybrid.”
“A…what?”
“Hybrid. Pokémon and Human, one body, one mind. Simply put. Like me. Though we couldn’t stop it though. We did figure out what he was perhaps trying to do, so we managed to convert what he was trying to change you into so you wouldn’t lose your psychic power. I have…to admit that…it wasn’t without a hitch, though.”
“Huh?”
“Your arm there.” He said, pointing towards the Hunter’s wrapped up arm. “It was…a mess.” The Hunter stared at her arm once more, her fear of the large imposing hybrid was overridden by wondering what was under this thing. She started to try to pick away at it, trying to see if she could see what was under it. “The top, at your shoulder. Start there.” The large hybrid stated.
She started to feel around and managed to pull back on it. The bindings started to loosen up as she unraveled it off her arm. The more she unraveled, the more it loosened up even right down to her fingertips. She was able to slide it right off. As the Hunter stared at the arm, Freth had the urge to dry heave at what she was looking at. While it seemed like a talon-like arm was trying to be formed, but there was all manner of fissures in her skin, a crystal-like substance protruding from them. It looked as if ice, it was after all cold to the touch, but didn’t want to seem to melt however. Blue vein like structures within her arm could be seen up and down her arm, that reached almost to her shoulder. Her hand looked fairly disfigured overall; there was no way that this arm should actually function by the amount of chaos that was wrought upon this arm. And if it was not bad enough, in the very palm of her hand, it seemed as if there was a dark, endless pit there, where along the edges those crystal protrusions. A gaping wound of some kind. The Hunter looked at the hybrid before her. He was looking away, perhaps some in a bit of shame and regret. “If you like, we could attempt to amputate your arm, but no one is sure how that is going to go. They already made the mistake thinking there was the possibility they could quell whatever the Elemental did. And well…you see how well that went. They rather not risk putting your life in any danger any more than what they already had. Not without your say-so, anyways. Um…if you want it back in that, just slide it back in and twist.” He said, pointing towards the bindings. The Hunter would then look at her arm just for a few seconds more, then slid her arm back into the position and started to twist about the bindings. Just as if it was destined to be a second skin, the bindings formed over her arm and locked into place. The hunter once again flexed her arm, wiggled her fingers, clinched her fist a couple of times, astonished by whatever this was on her arm but upset and confused by the events that lead up to this.
“I know you’re confused. Scared even. So many questions. I can help you one step at a time.” The hybrid stated. “Oh, maybe we can start with introductions…call me Trevor.” He spoke up. “Others here know me as ‘Agent Leviathan.’ I was leading a mission on a whole other unrelated matter when a couple of my subordinates found you in the process of dying out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Mission-wha…” The Hunter would shake her head. Missions, agents, what was going on. “Who are you people…where is here?” The Hunter would shake her head. Too many questions to be asked.
“Perhaps I can explain it like this. Here. The window.” Trevor spoke up. He walked across the room to the far wall. Freth could feel the hunter’s confusion as Trevor walked to it; there were no windows there. Trevor reached over and pressed at a panel and a visible window was revealed instantly. There didn’t even look like any seams on the wall for one to be there. “Its fine. Come here.” He said, backing away from the window to keep his space. The Hunter slid off the bed but nearly fell over, realizing that her center of balance was somewhat off. It didn’t take much to adjust however. She then walked to the window and looked out. Freth could see and for some odd reason, unlike all the other visions, seeing the city started to look as clear as day. A massive change in pace to what she has dealt with. What the Hunter had seen, and what Freth would see now, was a massive cityscape that perhaps spanned forever. Freth couldn’t imagine a city like this being any level of sustainable. Close by, a massive tower. Every inch of it with lights brighter than any she saw; its light that spread out for miles. But as large as a city this was, it was haunting. There were not that many people out for some odd reason.
“Are we in Kalos?” the Hunter would ask.
“I’m afraid not. You’re in a place that many of those like myself call the Ultra Megalopolis.” This only briefly made the Hunter look at Trevor, a disbelief washed over her at the utter ridiculousness of what the name was. “I know, not very original. It was either that or call it in this world’s native tongue which…even I couldn’t even attempt to try.”
“I’m guessing everyone is…in bed? I guess it’s that late at night.” The Hunter asked.
“That’s…um…that’s not night time. In fact, the people are not completely certain what time it is.”
“Wait, how can’t they?”
“Well, to start off, the group I am with are a bunch of interdimensional travelers. They travel to other worlds, in other realities. Originally founded by the inhabitants of this reality, they do so to make sure a grave mistake they made that made this world completely F.U.B.A.R. doesn't happen anywhere else.” Trevor stated. “What I know of the story, many many millennia ago, the people here were perhaps the most prosperous beings in all of existence. Most of that was credit to a being called ‘The Light Dragon’, or more accurately ‘The Radiant One’. This dragon’s own radiant essence, its very energy, was all they could ever need. From agriculture to technology. You name it, the Light Dragon provided by the means of the power that it provided to the people of this world. This dragon’s power was limitless. Unfortunately, with prosperity, comes complacency. The more they progressed, the more they took their source of wealth and prosperity for granted, the more they drew upon the Light Dragon’s power. Their progression and prosperity went on for generations. Until one day, that is. When the lights suddenly went off. The light dragon’s power wasn’t…all that limitless after all.” Trevor walked up behind the to-be Hunter, looking out the window himself, crossing his large arms. “They had a vault where they kept this Light Dragon, where the people here were siphoning its energy for their use. They went to investigate to see what was going on with the Light Dragon. When they opened the vault, however, they…didn’t find any ‘Radiant One’. They found…something else. A being, body like crystal, black as obsidian, with a prism like core. And it was angry. And in a grave amount of pain. And that being tore this place asunder. Rampaging, looking for the light that was robbed of it. Or a means to replace it. The reason why the sky is so black as it is? Every star in the sky, robbed of its energy. Robbed of its light. This world is in perpetual darkness because of that crystal being that was eventually called Necrozma.”
“That’s impossible. How are-why…what…” The Hunter was left with a massive ton of questions, it was even overwhelming Freth. Though to the Hunter’s credit, anyone would have thought this notion was absurd.
“Impossible?” Trevor spoke up. “You literally escaped death from a literal avatar of nature, got brought to another reality and was safely converted to a Pokémon hybrid, something I might add that you are not too aware of being a thing, to spare your life and psychic power at bare minimum, all of which transpired over the past 48 hours. Still too much of a jump for you? But I know, how are these people still alive, so on so forth. They had to apparently sacrifice a lot. One of which, the progress and prosperity they cherished so much, first and foremost. What you are seeing outside right now is basically how things have been for at least a couple of thousand of years, that I am told. Maintaining, reusing, recycling most of the same stuff to maintain what they have and live on. Full-on Green Earth projects, draconian style. That was including but not limited to…a couple of cullings of the populace.”
Freth could feel the Hunter’s mind go at warp speed at the implications of all and Freth couldn’t blame her. She would have felt the same way still. “So…if things are so bad here, why waste their time in other worlds? Are they trying to look for the perfect place to live?”
“Discovering other realities came as an effect of Necrozma, sadly. Because when Necrozma realized that not even the stars could give it is light back, it used what energy it gathered and tore a hole between realities, to what we know as Ultra Space. It was going to find light to ease its pain. And when he tore open a hole to leave this reality, that opened the door for new creatures to find their way here. Ones that would be called ‘Ultra Beasts’.”
“Are they Pokémon?”
“Only in the vaguest of sense. Though that’s not exactly an invitation to try throwing a PokéBall at it.” Trevor stated. “The people here would eventually stop the Ultra Beasts finding their way here, but then they would have a realization and decided to attempt to track down Necrozma. The Ultra Recon Squad’s mission is to journey to these worlds and track Necrozma down. So, any other reality doesn’t suffer this world’s hubris. Unfortunately, this is such a daunting task for even the populace here. They may end up trying to very discreetly recruit those from other realities for their efforts. Those like myself.”
“So I take it you haven’t found this…Necrozma?”
“Sadly no. But hey, heh…its been kind of fun. You get to see all kinds of stuff out traveling Ultra Space. Its actually kind of amazing.” He said with a grin and a shrug. “Mostly that is. I have to admit…with the various tampering between us and Necrozma, it has lead to other…issues. Issues that forced us to get our hands dirty on occasion.”
The Hunter then turned around and stared at Trevor, the feeling of dubiousness started to wash over Freth. “Yea, I had the feeling when I brought that up, it would put you on edge. I’ll be honest, people are really not ready for what’s in Ultra Space. Seriously, literally no reality. No where near ready. Heck, there are some realities that panic for a Deoxys showing up out of nowhere in Hoenn, so imagine if they find out that there’s life in other ways than just from a rock in outer space. Getting involved in those realities extensively causes a multitude of problems than just knowing. Changing the course of a reality for any particular reason could be catastrophic on a whole. For instance, would you believe that there is actually a variant of the Team Rocket boss roaming around in Ultra Space somewhere? Yea, can’t pin down that b*****d either.” Freth could feel the Hunter tense up, severely on guard, backing away from the large Lugia hybrid. “Hm…yea…I’ll admit, truthfully, my subordinates were going to leave you out in the snow to actually die, either by the cold or your transformation. While they were sympathetic, they didn’t want to do any undue tampering, because taking someone out of a reality could throw things out of whack for a reality at whole. Perhaps worse if they just showed up somewhere deceased.”
“So what are you going to do with me?” The Hunter bluntly asked, still well on guard, though even with this new jump in psychic power, she had doubts about being able to do anything to this guy.
“Well, you’re here, aren’t you? We ended up saving you.” Trevor stated. “And I’m telling you this because I am hoping that in some capacity that you would feel obligated to take a job from us.”
“I feel like you’re trying to coerce me.” The hunter stated.
“I’m trying not to.” Trevor bluntly stated. “I know I can’t force you to do this. However, I need you to also understand that I’ve also stuck my neck out for you.”
“Why?” The Hunter then asked. “You don’t even know me.”
“You’re right. I don’t.” he said. “However, the thing about me you need to understand is that I am more empathic than telekinetic and unfortunately as my subordinates found you out there and we were bringing you in, I got to see what you have been through. I got a little more sympathetic than most, and don’t take this the wrong way, I didn’t expect you making too much of an impact if you went up and missing from your reality. You had a shunted childhood because your parents were scared of you. You primarily pulled yourself up by your bootstraps to try to get some headway in life, working a job, finding a school that is accommodating to psychics, but deep down you actually had the feeling that you weren’t ever going to get anywhere really meaningful. You only had a few friends in life, and they themselves were other psychics, who while sympathetic to your issues, were struggling with mostly the same issues themselves and could only do so much to support you, let alone themselves. In essence, I’m effectively giving you a second chance at life. And be a part of something far bigger than that. Well, all of that and I found it a bit of a waste letting someone who fended off the influence of an Elemental by psychic power and sheer force of will. You have no idea just how astounding that is. We could use someone like you.”
Freth still felt dubious about the entire matter as she witnessed the memory play out. Lugias being more empathic than telekinetic? That was an outright lie, Freth figured. Never has she heard about a Lugia being empathic. They were more known for telekinetic power, and rather powerful kinds of display at that. From nigh impenetrable Safeguards to destructive conjuring of Aeroblast attacks. She wanted to play the card of claiming the stereotype that he was just another guy trying to get in a girl’s pants when she was at her most vulnerable. He’s been playing it really cooly since the moment he stepped into the room. Even if he was honest about everything to her, there was the bigger issue of putting this all on her now. This guy did not have a lot of tact, she thought.
“But what about what I left behind back home?” The hunter asked.
“Be honest with me. To yourself.” Trevor stated. “What is back at home that is so important to you? Truly that important.” The hunter couldn’t really answer. Freth could feel something drop to the very pit of her stomach, that feeling of being dead to rights. “Perhaps at some time down the road, you can go back home. Or better yet, go to some world that’s a lot better off for you. I mean.” He then motioned towards her, to insinuate just what she looks like. “…you’ve effectively been given a different identity, for better or worse. Might as well make the most of it, right? No one is going to recognize you and it’ll be hell for you to try to prove your identity otherwise.”
Freth could feel the Hunter was overcome with all manner of confusion. In some sense, the Hunter felt robbed. Freth was familiar with that kind of feeling; the same one she felt in the aftermath of the Hunter’s botched attempt. Though, Freth could only wonder as to why. Perhaps the Hunter cherished the little that she had to begin with? She wasn’t sure. One thing was for certain, Freth could feel the hunter trying to come to come to a decision, but just in this conversation time, there was far too much to absorb. “I’m sorry, I put too much on you. Still in the middle of recovery and told to make a life making decision shortly after waking up. Just…give it a bit. Nurses will be by periodically to check up on you. Just get some rest.” Trevor said, making his way for the door out back to the light he came in through.
The hunter couldn’t help but to stand there for a moment as the door closed behind the Lugia hybrid. Freth noticed the Hunter look back out the window for a moment then made her way back to the bed and sat down. She stared at her newfound talon-feet, flexing her toes for a couple of seconds. Sleep wasn’t coming easily…for whatever time this was this day…
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Once again, Freth was ejected from the other side of the orb of light. She couldn’t bring herself to try moving around again. The woman was deep in thought over what she just saw. Oddly enough, despite being a prisoner here, she wanted to know more. There were still pieces to an overall puzzle that she still didn’t have. If these visions were in fact truthful, this was a woman, grew up psychic, and was just merely spinning her wheels, trying to do better for herself only to be caught by an elemental and subsequently tossed aside like trash. Freth cleared her thoughts, only long enough to get movement back and look at her arm. The arm that was completely messed up in the visions. Freth recalled in that grand ball room, the Hunter’s arm looked fairly bad as well. Celcius’s mark, forever scarring for those completely defiant to the end. It was absolute insanity just what this woman been through. Was this all why she eventually became a rather tunnel visioned killer? Did she just…finally crack?
Freth just shook her head. No, she couldn’t stay here to ponder that. She had to get out of here. There’s no telling just how long she has been here drifting and looking back in someone’s life. She managed to get herself back up right and started to look around. While she could move her limbs about, she didn’t seem to be moving anywhere. She continued to drift much to her irritation. She even tried swimming, as futile as that was. The Hunter knew just how exactly to keep her trapped. Seemingly every concession taken within the reaches of Freth’s own mind. Or…perhaps the Hunter’s now.
Freth then looked down as she noticed she was approaching yet another orb of light within the sea of stars. “…no…” she uttered to herself. She tried to guide herself, move herself about, change her directory even ever so slightly to avoid it but it was still no use. And once again, an orb takes her in…
“Just up over here.” A voice spoke up. Freth knew instantly who that was. It was Trevor again. The image started to come into clarity before Freth. It was blue all around. The trail was dark, the world, bright. Not like the Megaopolis. No. This…was maybe natural light? Where was this now? And why did everything behind her feel so heavy? “Alright right here.”
“I was wondering when we were going to stop.” The Hunter spoke. Freth felt the Hunter shift and suddenly the weight was off. The Hunter was taking off a rather large pack of some kind. The Hunter then walked forward and took a look around. There was literally nothing on the horizon, Freth could see. The path Trevor and she were on seemed to end just only a short bit away. It was a cliff of some kind. Below it, rolling clouds…and no way to tell what was below them. Freth felt a chill go through the Hunter, one of intimidation. It got the hunter to start zipping up the long white overcoat she was wearing. “These clouds go on forever.” The Hunter stated. “What is this place?”
“As much as we want to say it’s just another version of Earth, we…honestly don’t know.” Trevor said. “This place actually has Pokémon you and I know in it. No Ultra Beasts or anything of that sort. Only that this place seems to be loaded with Flying type Pokémon. Or derivates therein. Not too long ago, a report came in that a Rayquaza roams around in the clouds somewhere down there. Go figure.”
“And it’s safe to be here?” The Hunter asked.
“Honestly? ‘Safe’ is subjective.” Trevor stated. “But I don’t really know any other place to go to get you trained.”
“I shouldn’t need that much, should I? I mean, I’ve practiced with my power almost all my life.” The Hunter stated.
“You practiced them as a human. Some basic skills are similar. However, when you’re a channeler, or a hybrid, things get drastically different. Especially in the hybrid’s case.”
“Like?” The Hunter stated. The Hunter would watch Trevor take off his own, much considerably larger pack, open it up with his telekinetic power and from it, pull out a spoon and had it float over towards her. “Spoons!? This is kid stuff! I’m not a child!”
“If it is, then you know what you need to do. Show me.” He said, dropping the large pack on the ground.
Freth could feel the agitation out of the Hunter. This was practically an insult to question someone who at one time has long since passed by this whole exercise. However, she was just going to humor Trevor just to get it done and over with. She then looked on and, in a blink, the spoon was bent…around the fingers on her hand and it was super tight, threatening to cut the circulation off to her fingers at best, her fingers altogether at worst. “OWOWOW!” she quickly slid the spoon off her hand and had it drop to the ground.
“I thought you had it.” Trevor said with great sarcasm.
“That…wasn’t right.”
“No, that is about right.” Trevor replied. “You trained in this as a human, and while the rules are…pretty much the same, you have to take how you were used to it, and dial it down. A lot.”
“Dial it down?”
“Human minds are not generally meant for psychic power. But those that manage to have it, they still need to have a considerable amount of focus, even if otherwise it looks a psychic is doing acts like bending spoons or picking up objects with no effort. It honestly makes your feat holding off the Elemental’s change in you all the more astounding, honestly. Hybrids and actual Pokémon are built different. Because they do have the minds meant to accommodate for it. The mind is…more…eh…efficient in projecting their influence? Sort of speaking? And it’s more so in the case of Legendary Pokémon and the hybrids of them. Such as yourself. And we’re here in what is effectively the middle of nowhere so you can work safely and not…you know…put any one in any danger while you try.” A moment of silence fell between the two. The Hunter looked back out the wild blue yonder then down at the spoon that she furiously bent, only to pick it up just a couple of seconds later to stare at it, somewhat annoyed. Perhaps spending all that time at a younger age learning how to perfect that only having to take remedial courses effectively.
“So. Let’s get started.” Trevor walked over and picked a spot, sitting down, wrapping his large tail around in front of him as he sat cross legged on the hard ground. The Hunter would pick a spot and sit down across from Trevor. “I suppose we can start off using that one you got there. Straighten it out.” Freth could feel the humiliation, but then followed by resignment. Freth was a little astonished as the Hunter started to try to perform the tasks given to her. Even after learning how to control her power initially, she had to go back through it all over again just to temper herself to her newfound level of power.
Getting into the meditative state, Freth would see, would come super easily for the Hunter. For the most part. Freth could feel something…like a part of the Hunter was slowly dying inside. Dejection looming in some as the spoon started to stretch about like taffy and trying to revert it back to its normal state to the Hunter’s influence. “What’s wrong?” Trevor then spoke after a few minutes.
The Hunter would stop exerting her influence on the spoon. “I’m still a little iffy on the whole working for you people bit. I feel like I had made a mistake for some reason.” The hunter stated. “Seeing places like this is all well and good, new experiences, so on and so forth, but…I still feel like you twisted my arm over this, and not helped by me getting saved. Not that I am not grateful for it, but….”
“I admit, how I worded that wasn’t the best in hindsight.” Trevor stated. “But it didn’t make the situation any less true, did it not?”
“I guess not.”
“You’re scared.” Trevor then aptly stated. “Overwhelmed perhaps. In such a short time, you learned hybrids in your world haven’t really aren’t that well known yet, the world operates in a vastly different way than what most people realize, you’ve gained new found reaches to your psychic power that you didn’t even imagine possible for you albeit coming at great pains, and the world you know of isn’t the only one of its kind, and now, you’re on a cliff, somewhat cold because feathers are trying to grow in still, on a world that looks like the middle of nowhere trying to get control of that newfound psychic power with the help of a giant Lugia hybrid. That’s not getting into in the process of all of that, you feel like you were conscripted into something but was told to get a handle on your power before your first assignment.”
“Yea…and its kind of crazy that old guy that I talked to is over all of this Ultra Recon Squad…though I can’t say that the name he decided to assign me is the greatest.”
“I don’t know, I like Agent ‘Polaris’. Harkens to the ice type you were to become and the phenomenon that you effectively are. Makes you sound cool. I just got ‘Leviathan’. Original.” He said, a bit dejected at the end.
“I don’t know, seems to fit.” The hunter stated. Freth couldn’t believe it. All this time. Not what she was looking for, but now she actually got the name to that absurdly punchable face that she has been seeing all this time. ‘Polaris’. Go figure. “Though, that guy…was…he a hybrid?” The Hunter asked.
“The Commander? Oh. Heh heh…no.” Trevor stated. “He’s about as close as human as you could get.”
“Why was his skin this pale-blue color then!? Or in fact…well…seemingly everyone there…” she then started realizing.
“That story of the ‘Light Dragon’ I told you, remember? These people have been living in soft artificial lights for a lot of generations. Eventually, along the way, they find themselves with green skin and weird color hair. Heck, some of them believe it or not, when they go out on assignments to these other worlds, have to bring helmets with visors that are nothing more than over glorified sunglasses because their eyes can’t handle the natural light. I was nearby one of those my first year with the squad; I could sense it. Complete accident, I bumped into the poor guy, knocked off his helmet and his eyes felt that absurd discomfort as if someone turned the lights on you when you are in bed. Only worse. Their eyes are not used to it. Sure, they probably could eventually, but the people find they have more pressing matters to take care of other than to take a vacation to get their eyes fixed in a way.”
“That…whole story still sounds so unreal.” Agent Polaris told him. “Have…you ever saw…this…light dragon? Or rather, Necrozma, was it?”
“Necrozma himself? No. I have seen a couple of worlds that had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing him, however. The aftermath of it all. And I pity them, honestly.”
“You people do help them, right?”
“…we…can’t.” Trevor remorsefully stated. “While it’s in our mission to try to stop Necrozma, if nothing else, providing aid to those that suffer him is a bit of an impossibility.”
“What? Why!?” Freth could feel the utter shock run through ‘Polaris’. Not that she could blame her. Freth honestly had questions herself now.
“Tell me something. Take your world, for example. You seen the Ultra Megaopolis. Do you think your world could do what those in the Megaopolis did, can you? Could they find the means to sustain themselves without the warmth and light of the sky? The reason why the Ultra Megaopolis did was because they had a head start on the technology and advancements they had thanks to the Light Dragon itself. Granted, it put all progress from there on in an absolute standstill for many generations, but they lived. Even with your world as it is now, it had nothing on those of the Megaopolis those generations ago, and still don’t. And as much as we would love to help, its logistically impossible. The worlds that I have seen that Necrozma robbed of its light were similar to yours. There was no way for us to deal with that. The worlds just don’t have the technology to sustain themselves and by the time we could perhaps teach them everything they need and how to survive post-Necrozma, it’d perhaps be too late to develop the means and the technology in that world, let alone maintain it. Provided that they don’t destroy themselves from the panic before we are able to do so. I don’t need to tell you of all people that people in general are real fickle. And keep in mind, I told you, I only personally seen two worlds. And there are countless numbers of realities out there. There’s no telling how many Necrozma has affected to replenish its light.”
“This mission as you call it is starting to sound more and more impossible the more you talk.” ‘Polaris’ stated.
Trevor sighed, shaking his head. “…you’re…probably not…wrong. We’ve at the very least have been on Necrozma’s trail for a long time, but every time it looks like we have cut him off at the pass, he finds another world instead. We have the means of tracking Necrozma to a degree, but it’s not precise right now.”
“Tell it to me straight, then. Did I just get drafted into a lost cause?” The Hunter asked.
“Not lost. Just…daunting. Severely daunting. I got to hand it to you though…you came to that assessment a lot sooner than I did.” Trevor stated. “If we had a means to find Necrozma better and lock him down when we do, and perhaps get some key figures out of Ultra Space, like that Giovanni variant, perhaps the mission could be complete finally. All that would be left is to get the people of the Megalopolis out of the darkness somehow, for good. Until then…well, fight the good fight I guess.”
“Remind me to keep you off of recruitment posters.” Polaris stated to him.
“Sorry. Uh…let’s just get back to getting you in working shape.” He said, motioning towards the spoon for the Hunter to work on.
Freth could feel the skeptisism run through ‘Polaris’ at that time. If Freth understood the context correctly, the Hunter only took this position out of the feeling of obligation, but it was still a raw deal anyhow the more Trevor spoke about what they do. Freth wishes, however, that this honestly explained why she went after her significant other like she did; he wasn’t a multiversal threat like this Necrozma that was discussed. Freth would then take notice to the feeling that would wash over her. The Hunter was trying to further focus her capabilities. This feeling was strong, now. More so than ever now. Freth still put it into words quite exactly; it was as if she could feel the world about her somehow. Every last grain of dirt and every last stone. The stuff they brought. Each individual item, rather it was in a container of some kind or not, let alone the containers themselves. Freth wasn’t even sure how the mind was processing all of this…it was actually overwhelming her, even though she was only bearing witness to a memory. Freth then took notice to the Hunter then holding her hand out and the spoon started to levitate. She too could feel it. The hard metal spoon in her hand. For some reason, as it floated off her hand, she could still feel it as well. The contorted shape it was in that threatened to take the Hunter’s fingers off, every curve and so on. She then felt the forces start to come about the spoon. The mission was to straighten it back out like it was brand new silverware. Each micrometer of the piece of metal being influenced to return it back to its default shape.
However, it wasn’t going swimmingly. The Hunter found with her newfound enhanced abilities were a lot to deal with. The spoon continued to contort further instead of reverting back like it should. Each spot being overcorrected instead of it being exactly where it needs to be. “You need to calm yourself more.” Trevor spoke up. “Just as your mind is your sword and shield, it is also your domain. You need to keep it in order. Now more than ever. You already know that your mental state affects your power; that is true more than ever now. Each exertion of force you make is now magnified. You don’t need to do as much as you did when you were a human.”
“I wasn’t doing much even then.” The Hunter stated. “I was practiced enough.”
“That’s not going to cut it anymore.” Trevor stated. “You are the only one that can realize just how much you need to do the job in question. The mind is the only thing that can see it through. To go down to the absolute deepest of your imagination to complete your objective.”
Freth couldn’t help but to stare at a little amazement at the whole thing. This sounded a little like what Chaksu was trying to explain to her to get her started. However, she didn’t have any idea her problems ran deeper than what she initially realized. She truly was a ticking time bomb; this is why threat of harm to herself and to others was so emphasized. It wasn’t so much of her having psychic power. It was the level of power she actually had access to. The Hunter here in this vision, even with the training she had before this point, was having trouble getting her mind to just only make the most minor of movements. She was reminded of when Darts first became a Giratina hybrid. Darts stated himself that he felt like he could rip open the doors into eternity, and had no idea how to control that power until he ended up with the Dragon clan. The fact that somehow she got Chaksu’s help when she did was nothing short of miraculous because she otherwise probably had taken too long in getting help.
Though as the Hunter trained in this vision, Freth had a realization about something else. While she couldn’t move, nor interact within this vision, she was left to wonder just how much could she use herself. Was there some way, by chance, she could use what the Hunter had learned in these visions for herself? A key to get out of here? Even though she was looking at ‘Polaris’s’ memories, she was still in her own mind. A mind that was in complete disarray, admittedly. Trevor said it best. There needed to be order in here.
Freth watched intently, taking in everything she could. Her only gripe to this was that she couldn’t put any of this in practice herself. But she was feeling everything that the Hunter was doing. Every force that the Hunter was manipulating. Becoming ever finer as time continued to go on. The sudden, subtle shifts of the spoon, each spot of it ever adjusting. It wasn’t just one solid object. Everything about it was interactable. Freth wasn’t sure how long it was. Perhaps not even the Hunter for that matter. But the spoon would find itself back in its original shape. Slowly, the Hunter stopped focusing and the spoon drifted back down into the palm of her hand. The Hunter looked intently at the spoon for a moment. She noticed that with as much as she ended up bending the spoon around as if it was taffy, there were in fact many stress marks where it bent and folded about. It was on the verge of breaking at some point.
The spoon then floated out of the hunter’s hand; Trevor taking hold of the spoon and had it float over towards him. He took a look at it, a little amused at it. “Not bad.”
“That was a lot more involved than I thought it would be.” The Hunter stated. “I about had to just give up everything I had learned to begin with.”
“You kind of just about got to. Like I said before. What you know is based on being a human psychic. And while it was probably difficult to learn then, some of that doesn’t really translate to being a hybrid. You think this is bad, just wait until you try to learn how to fly.”
“Fly!?”
“Oh yea. You’ll fly a lot like me in a way. Using your psychic power to get your feet off the ground and carry you wherever you want to go. Part of some of the perks to having much more intensive psychic power behind you. It’s not like you saw any flying humans, right?” Trevor asked. ‘Polaris’ couldn’t deny it. Worse, she didn’t for some reason make that correlation until it was pointed out. Freth could feel a slight tinge of embarrassment come about her from the Hunter. “Alright, now, let’s try something like that again…” Trevor stated.
He then reached over, pulling his pack over towards him with his own psychic prowess and started to move stuff out of his pack. Various objects started to float out; the Lugia hybrid trying to find what he was looking for. He then perked up and looked back behind him. The Hunter looked towards behind Trevor and a feeling of shock came over her. Freth looked on as the vision transpired behind her, there was a shape in the bloom. It was a bird of some kind, she could tell, but couldn’t tell what it was. “Trevor!” The Hunter shouted.
“Get back!” Trevor would shout.
“We don’t have any Pokémon!”
“We don’t need any! I got it! Just get back!” The Hunter rushed back away from what was about to be a battle between a Flying Pokémon of some kind and extremely large and muscular Lugia hybrid. The two in the vision was lost in the bloom of the world around them, or at least to Freth. She couldn’t see the fight transpire, but she could hear various bursts in the air and the wind whip past her. At one point, she noticed Trevor falling and hitting the cliff, only to get back on his feet and take off as quickly as he crash landed, going back into the bloom. The Hunter was wracked with worry for some reason; she started to feel cold. No, that wasn’t her worried, Freth would soon realize. Something was making the world about her cold. Was that Trevor? Or the Flying Pokémon?
The Hunter would watch as Trevor land back on the cliffside, skidding to a stop, and turning around to look around. “Is it gone?”
“No. It gave me the slip; it’s trying to counter attack. I’m trying to find-POLARIS!” Trevor then shouted.
The Hunter would turn around, seeing a large, imposing figure. It was the flying Pokémon, assuredly, but now Freth realized what it was. The large wing span, ribbon like tail, and the distinct headfeathers on the top of the head. An Articuno. An Articuno attacked the two. Freth wouldn’t have imagined that an Articuno would be attacking in this manner, they were docile. But then…they were in another reality. Maybe this one was territorial just by nature. Regardless, it was already about to attack. The area grew gravely cold. The world about ‘Polaris’ went from the bright, blinding bloom, to pitch black. Freth could see the streaks of power collecting before the Legendary bird before her before it was unleashed. “POLARIS!” Trevor shouted. It was a Sheer Cold. The Legendary bird’s ultimate trump card.
What would come next would be astounding to Freth. That second started to slow down, as if the Hunter started to contemplate life in that moment but as that happened. Freth though, started to feel her arm start to feel agitated. As if it flared up. Reacting to the power that was building in front of the legendary bird. As the Sheer Cold was unleashed and started to wrap about ‘Polaris’, Polaris held her arms out, almost instinctively, in pure panic. Her fate resigned. The arm; the wounded arm started to react. As the icy power went to envelop her, it was drawn in by the arm. The odd wrapping started to give way from the sudden influx of power that was overtaking it. Ripping apart. Her arm was taking in the Sheer Cold, voracious on the power as if it had not been sated in some time. Freth could only stare in confusion at that second as the Sheer Cold was suddenly nullified. The bloom finally back in the world, but the Hunter was clutching her deformed arm. It was aching severely. She then whipped it back out in front of her and instantly, the clouds at the base of the cliff started to part all the way into the bloom in the distance. The Articuno recoiled severely, feathers flying off the assailaing bird as the Hunter too fell off her feet from the sudden display of power. Freth noticed that the Articuno disappeared into the bloom just as the Hunter had passed out.
The Hunter was more gifted than it seemed…
----------
---End of Part 6---
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:26 pm
Unlock Potential - Part 7
Freth was forcefully ejected out of the ball of light. She had too much momentum, the most she’s had in this sea of memories. She flailed about, trying to get herself to stop, but it wasn’t working. She wasn’t even sure how or why she was speeding through this field like she was. Did the memory do that? She wasn’t sure. It was violent all the same. She got movement back, she could actually stop, couldn’t she? She then started to remember, Chaksu moved about in her mind as if he was flying himself. She had to do that. She had to do this on her own.
Her mind, her domain. Her world. Something that was constantly spoken during her voyage within herself. It was easier said. She needed to stop, move elsewhere. It was hard enough just trying to get herself just to move her limbs in this place. This place ran on strictly different rules. Despite how dire this looked, she had to calm herself further. Focus herself. Far as she was concerned, she had to get herself to have those similar feelings to how the Hunter was moving anything that she cared to move. Maybe like what she thought she felt when she triggered her episodes while under Chaksu’s tutelage. She herself felt something at that time, if only in a blink. She presumed, at least. Rarely did any associations come so simple. Freth continued to focus; trying to calm herself despite being under pressure in such a fashion. She needed to stop. Nothing else mattered. She stopped flailing, closing her eyes, not caring at this point if she was going to find herself in yet another memory of some kind. There needed to be order here.
She needed to quickly figure out how did any such things even happen. Why. And how to apply it. How did she move her limbs in here to begin with? But then…were they actually part her physical body? Maybe in the physical world, they influenced her actual body’s movement in some fashion. Something that would translate to the electrical signals from her mind to her muscles. She in her own mind was only just a manifestation, if nothing else. Just as the Hunter showed herself as a human for that matter. Just as Chaksu who was here to explore. The rules were different, after all, in this place. To speak, to move her arms and legs. What was controlling any of that? How was she able to move to begin with. To speak that broken speech to Chaksu. That wasn’t anything physical…
She continued to focus as best she could. As far as Freth figured, she had to look beyond herself. Moving her various joints in this world was more akin to her treating her mental form in here as if a marionette, when fact of the matter is that she was part of something much bigger than that. She had to feel out about her. She continued to focus, trying to expand her mind out. Trying to find herself. Perhaps akin to when she unintentionally triggered her episodes in the Gathering Hall and in the cavern. Where it was as if she found herself in a massive abyss. But that was part of her, too. She needed to reach out. Feel every part of it in its infinite vastness. This was her world. Not only her limbs in here moved about to her whims, so did her world. She needed to stop herself. Everything had to work in sync, and be worked to do many things at once when needed.
Freth opened her eyes and found that she wasn’t moving anywhere near as fast as she was. It was once again that slow drift that she found herself doing for a long while before now. This was good. She did feel it, if a bit. She was a part of this world. If she could do that, then she could move freely around this place, then she could probably find her way back out. Despite the circumstances she found herself in, this was actually kind of cool…
Freth then took notice to yet another orb of light that was threatening to pull her in. However, unlike the others, something was different. There was a tinge of red in it. With some sort of black energy that cracked about it as if lightning. Freth wasn’t sure what that was about, but it didn’t look like anything she needed to be a part of. Worse, she was already making progress in finding her way out of this place, she didn’t want to be interrupted. Not like this. She didn’t have time. She had to find her way out. She quickly went back to focusing; wanting to actually move herself away from this orb. At the very least stop her momentum, just as she managed to slow down to begin with. With the lack of practice in this exercise, however, the orb still easily took in Freth, much to her agitation…
The vision came into focus and Freth found herself in what seemed to be some sort of large pod. She was seated with at least a couple of people. Freth noticed these people were coming in clearer than in other visions. Not by much, though. They did seem to be human though. Wearing helmets and jump suits of some kind. The world about the pod, beyond the seemingly glass dome, didn’t have any bloom like in other visions, but it was trippy looking. As if one could see out into eternity. Various stars of some sort, various trails. Out in front, a large imposing beast that glowed brightly, almost making up for the lack of bloom there was. It was reminiscent of Crystal, it looked, and it was apparently towing the pod Polaris and these two people were in.
Freth noticed something as the Hunter sat there in silence out into the great eternities. This Hunter…felt…odd. She wasn’t upset, but wasn’t really…happy either. Not angry, or any sort of agitation. But not any sort of despair either. No joy, confusion, curiosity, or so on. It was a lack of…caring. A dead-inside feeling. Freth was left to wonder if this was the end of the road to someone who finally mastered her power like hers. Nothing else mattered, supposedly, as she was constantly told. But that couldn’t be completely right. Trevor seemed like a normal person in a matter of speaking. Freth couldn’t figure out what was going on in the Hunter’s mind. Was it the effect of coming into this memory? She wasn’t sure.
The pod would jostle a little when Freth noticed that the beast crosses the threshold of a large Ultra Space portal. The Hunter would look out down below, seeing the Ultra Megaopolis down below once more. It was only a moment before the large beast finally stop, having arrived at its destination. The pod opens up and the Hunter would stand up, reaching down towards a pack in front of her. She would notice that the arm, which was tightly wrapped up in that white, latex-like binding of some kind, was replaced. It looked like an armor of some kind, but still gave that flexibility that she needed. She recognized it. It was what she had on when both Polaris and Freth fought. Did she lose her arm? Did they eventually amputate it off somehow? Too many questions.
Freth’s train of thought was suddenly derailed when the vision then had a massive flash of crimson red. A vision of a building of some kind. It wasn’t descript enough, because the building was completely black as a shadow. She couldn’t tell what it was at first. But it looked as if Polaris was trying to approach it. The vision then went back to normal, seeing the Hunter make her way out of the pod and started to walk. Freth was nearly overwhelmed, wondering what in the world that building was and why it flashed like that all of a sudden.
The Hunter would leave the pod, accompanied by the two that were with her, and started her way down a ramp, past several gates of some kind with various workers wearing similar jumpsuit outfits to those that were in the pod with her earlier. All toiling away at various functions that Freth had no idea what they were doing. Save for a couple that were seemingly standing guard…accompanied by a couple of violet colored creatures that didn’t look like any Pokémon she knew. They were kind of small, though. But lofted about rather candidly. Were they psychics too? We’re they actually Ultra Beasts?
“Submit the report to the commander.” The Hunter would tell the two following her. “Dismissed.”
The Hunter would split off on her own, making her way out from the compound she was at. The hunter would unfurl her wings and kicked off the ground. Freth could feel the Hunter’s psychic influence off the ground. Ever subtle of a sensation as she lifted off the ground and lofted off towards the city before her. Polaris apparently did eventually come into her own as far as being a hybrid was concerned. This felt pretty effortless, Freth would notice. The Megaopolis itself was still unchanged from the last time she managed to look upon it. As crazy as it was to look at, knowing what she knows about the city now from seeing the various memories Polaris had. And yet, it still was still haunting to look at with how the lights lit up this city consistently. These lights, the only bastion against the eternal darkness that was brought upon them by Necrozma. But to Polaris, these feelings has long since left.
The Hunter would finally land and make her way into a building, the doors opening up automatically to allow her in. She would walk down through the lobby; the building fairly empty it seemed like. Only a couple of people behind a counter, vigorously poking away at some sort of holographic projection in front of them, maybe typing? Freth wasn’t sure. Seeing these people toil away on whatever task before them was still straight out of science fiction to her. Just even how they looked was off. The white uniforms that most others wore. But no helmets this time. She got a clearer look at their faces…seeing the ashen-green skin on their faces Polaris briefly described before. Bluish-green hair, for that matter. Freth wasn’t sure about science herself as to how in generations living in nothing but artificial light would lead to this but she had to admit this was something else. The Hunter made her way to a set more doors, they too opening automatically to welcome her in. She stepped into the room, the doors closing behind her. “Level 3.” Polaris stated. The room started to hum and Freth could feel a slight shift. An elevator.
The doors would open up for the Hunter only less than a minute later, revealing a massive field. Freth could only stare in astonishment, seeing the various humans, presumably, exercising, performing drills, and the like. This was a training room, one that dwarfs the one in Snagem HQ many times over. These people were working, training, quite furiously. Some making laps on a track that encircled the entire room, others apparently taking part in what would otherwise look like a Pokémon battle, using those same violet, floating creatures she saw when the Hunter arrived. There were even a couple of Pokémon hybrids, though they were apparently training to themselves, Freth would notice. One such she noticed was a black in color avian of some sort. On the one hand, she could swear that one, noting its dancing flames that emanated from its wings and the top of its head, was a Moltres. However, it was off. The Moltres was completely black, with black and crimson flames. A variant, perhaps? Just as the Hunter was one of Articuno? Freth distinctly recalled Doc Owl briefly mentioning it. He moved about, wings unfurled wide, moving about around pillars, as if trying to train his speed and reflexes then finished it off unleashing his black flames upon a differently colored pillar. The flames engulfed the pillar; its hellish flames dancing about on it before fading out. The odd Moltres hybrid then stood there, having to take a break a moment, out of breath. It seemed that he was at it for a while.
As she continued beyond various weight machines, battlefields, and the like, Freth would notice then a hybrid she didn’t recognize. Solid white, pure as snow. A toned, yet slender physique. Tail. Fur looks like it was encrusted with diamonds…but…it was…ice? His eyes, vigilant and focused glistened as sapphires. He moved about, apparently practicing drills himself in a ring designated, swinging about what Freth would realize to be a rather distinct looking sword of some kind. Dark down the center of the blade with decorative blue wavy lines of some kind. Freth didn’t know what this person was a hybrid of. The guy honestly intimidated her in some respects.
Finally making it to the other side of the training field, the Hunter made her way through yet another set of doors. Down a couple of halls and through one more set of doors. While they looked futuristic in its own right, Freth knew what this had to be. A locker room. The Hunter made her way down past various isles then went down one of them. She went in front of one and pressed a panel, opening it up. Polaris would sigh a moment, taking off her long, sterling white coat and throwing it in. She then took a look at her armored-up arm, reaching over with her other one and felt along a seam that was there on the underside of her armored one. The armor would pop and clack all in unison, revealing a triangle-like chain mesh underneath that started to slide off Polaris’s arm. Taking off the arm, Freth couldn’t help but to want to dry-heave, seeing the disfigured arm in all of its mutilated ‘glory’. The pit on the palm of her hand didn’t look any better, and the crystal-like small formations around the palm of her hand and in some spots up and down her arm seemed to have grown, if only slightly. It did seem that at one time feathers did try to grow in, noted by a few stray quills up and down her arm, but ultimately gave up. Polaris would reach in the locker, pulling out the familiar latex-esque arm wrap which she slid up around her arm, and allowed it to clasp shut in place.
As the hunter flexed her hand, perhaps to make sure she had it on her arm right, she then suddenly had two extremely large arms go around her, in a warm playful hug. “Well, that was fast.” Trevor, again, Freth would realize.
“It wasn’t anything really.”
“Still, you are a workhorse. What does that make now?” Trevor asked.
“A hundred-four.”
“A hundred-…seriously!? Workhorse is an understatement, that’s been nearly six missions in the span of six months without so much of a break. I barely get by on two in that time frame. And not getting into perhaps the bloodshed you are in at the time…maybe you need to catch a break. Maybe I can go talk to the Commander and-“
“Its fine.” The hunter stated in a dull tone.
Trevor would let go, looking down at Polaris, skepticism abound. “Alright, spill. What has gotten into you?”
“Nothing.”
“You’ve actually been like this for a long time now, now that I think about it. It’s not healthy.” Trevor stated. “And please don’t try to lie to me, I know better. I’ve been trying to respect your space, but now you got me worried.”
“Only just now?” The Hunter would throw her pack into the locker and close it.
“More in the sense I had faith that whatever has been getting at you, you would get over. I thought you stronger than that.” Trevor stated as she started to try to walk off. He would reach over, grab her by the shoulder. “So, what is it?”
There was a rather pensive pause, a silence in the locker room. “Trevor, I need out. I don’t care what it takes, what I need to do, I need out. A lot of these missions lately didn’t feel like they were all that crucial in going after Necrozma. The last couple before now felt nothing more than making sure that someone who knew about Ultra Space made sure they stay out and stayed silent. Where neither was willing to do it. Last one was more of a headache than it should have been. And worse, the Commander insisted that I go through with it.”
“Though I’m betting that you didn’t object either. To think when you first started, you actually tried to find the good in anyone.” Trevor stated.
“It doesn’t usually do me any good. You know how the old man is.” He said. “And the whole lecture about the Council and blah-d-blah…”
“…I suppose there has been a few things that has been off lately. Nocturne has been getting me as of late to help with a few issues of his own.”
“Nocturne? Why?”
“Oh his whole ongoing ‘Sundaria’ issue…I’m still not really sure what that is about.”
“…huh?”
“Oh, a while before I joined this, apparently, they had another agent here that eventually defected at some point. Just up and left. And it’s a pain in the butt trying to pin her down because she can make her own rifts into Ultra Space. Well…that and some other related side project.” The sentiment gave Freth a lot of pause. She distinctly remembered something along the lines of that when it came out the Hunter was in her head. They were actively looking for Crystal, too. Perhaps now, as a matter of fact. For what end, Freth could only imagine at this point.
“All the same, before I left on this mission, there was apparently a Necrozma sighting and nothing was acted on.” The hunter stated.
“Oh, no, it was.” Trevor stated.
“And…?”
“Nothing came too much of it other than darkness. It doesn’t help the time it takes for the preparation they have to do in the process before they run to where they need to go. Don’t need Necrozma munching on the Solgaleo or Lunala that pulls the skiffs if they can help it. Hell, I don’t want to know what would happen if Necrozma met someone like Nocturne.” Trevor stated.
“Ugh…that’s…yea, I need out. I’m done.”
“You can’t just walk out, you know that.” Trevor stated.
“What…are they going to get someone to do me in because I know too much?” Polaris asked Trevor, rather defiantly.
“I mean-…” Trevor was a little distraught, it was clear what he was trying to quickly figure out what to say. “Look what would you do anyways? Where would you go?”
“Home.” she would reply, simply put. No hesitation, full conviction.
“Back to your…why would you want to go back there when at the very least you could go basically anywhere, let alone better than…that.”
“Better the devil I know. And it’s as you told me when you brought me here. New life, remember?” The Hunter stated. There was something then that caught the Hunter’s attention, as did Freth incidentally. “What is it?”
“What about us? You and me. Come on.” Freth suddenly started to wonder if she stumbled into some sort of soap opera.
“Trevor, we haven’t gotten anything off the ground at all and between your and my traveling, being practically married to our jobs, it wasn’t going to work anyways. Look, you’re a nice guy. You risked your neck out for me and all of that to fix me up and got me to see things that many would never see at all. That was great. Honestly. And I thank you. Seriously. But with all else this…’career’ if you call it that, entails, its…not really going to work. Something’s got to change. And I’m done waiting on it. I’m going to try to start over again. Perhaps it was long overdue…if you want to come with me, try to bail out yourself with me, then I welcome it, maybe we can actually have the time to actually give it a shot, but right now? No…I’m going to the commander and seeing about trying to find a way out.”
The Hunter would turn away from Trevor, walking away, but by the time she got to the end of the isle of lockers, Trevor shouted to her. “Your world is not going to make it.”
At that instant, yet another flash of red crimson before Freth. Before her, it looked as if a man, was trying to fight her. She didn’t recognize it, but there were at least presumably a couple of Pokémon. One of which was presumably a Piloswine. A couple of flashes and the man fell to the red floor, a cane flying away from him. Freth realized what was happening. In that brief second, she saw what was leading up to Polaris’s fated fight.
The crimson went away as quickly as it came in, the Hunter turning around to look at Trevor. Freth felt shock run over her. Utter surprise. “What do you mean ‘It’s not going to make it’.”
“I don’t…know the details…of it. One thing I didn’t tell you when I brought you here is that while yes, I was there on a survey operation, it was the kind of survey we were on. We were there to study Necrozma’s possible habits. We were seeing if there was any kind of systematic means that Necrozma chooses to find places to gorge itself on light. Like if it is aware of potential problematic areas.”
“Problematic…how?” she said, her tone of voice practically demanding to know. A secret that she probably wasn’t meant to know.
“That system of Ultra Space routes has been otherwise quarantined off because the worlds they go to were either died or was in the process of dying and there is a strong possibility that your world end up the same way. The worlds in that sector have been apparently frozen over.”
“Frozen?”
“Some hybrid apparently got too powerful and apparently iced the worlds.”
“Anyone tried to stop this this hybrid!?”
“I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. Variants, remember? Each one arrives at their apparent ‘destiny’ in some fashion. Some similarly, some vastly different.”
“I don’t care the reason; this hybrid has to be psychotic if he thought whatever the problem was required the world to be iced over! So, wait, is there this kind of variant in my world too?”
“…yes. He hasn’t…done anything yet in your world, but apparently, we did some estimations, having to compare various other spots in the process of dying out to him to find out things like when such events have happened and maybe get some idea what kind of chain of events that led up to this hybrid getting that powerful and doing the deed. And we’ve been monitoring the quadrant to see if Necrozma tries to go there under the radar knowing that we won’t really go there or if he is just going to outright avoid that reality for his safety, if he’s still aware of such a concept.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner!?” Polaris exclaimed. “How long were you going to keep that from me?”
“What would you have done, huh? You wouldn’t have been able to do anything on many a facet. For instance, do you have to reminded about tampering to such an extent on a world.”
“I can’t just leave that alone, Trevor!” The Hunter would then march back to her locker, opening it up pulling out her pack and her coat again.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to the commander.”
“For what?”
“If this hybrid is going to going to ice my home eventually, then I need to stop it.” she stated. “If the Commander is going to deny me doing anything about it, then I’m just going to outright resign and do it anyways. To hell with it.”
“What!? Are you serious? Think for a second, will you!?”
“What does it matter anyways!?” Polaris snapped to Trevor. “You said it yourself! That small sector got quarantined off! It was the Council’s call, right? The Council already written off that area! What does it matter if I took out one guy in the span of what’s effectively a small chunk of the multiverse!?”
“It’s still not an invitation to do whatever the hell you want.” Trevor then sternly retorted. “Polaris, don’t make me pull rank on you. I really don’t want to, but I will do so to make sure you don’t do anything stupid. You’re asking to end your career effectively just for a…false sense of solace, it seems like. I only told you this so you wouldn’t be stupid and get yourself killed out of nowhere! Not for you just take it upon yourself to off this guy out of the blue! And what might come of it if you do. Haven’t you learned anything here!? We got to let the ends of places play out as best they can. If this guy snuffs out the world for whatever his reasons, then it’s got to happen, because there’s no telling what may happen if it doesn’t.”
“We’re already going to these worlds to take out people as is for whatever reason. Even if these people pose a threat to Ultra Space at large, we are still altering whatever course that world takes. Hell, just us being there changes things, rather for better or worse!”
“We don’t do any more than what we have to. And we take great pains to see it that way. You know that.”
“And now that you say that, the more that sounds like a lofty justification when at the same time you talk about letting things play out as it should.”
It was clear Trevor was trying not to lose his cool. “Alright, that’s it. I’m sorry, but I’m benching you. I’ll be filing the report to the commander. Like it or not, you’re sitting out a while. It’s for your own good. You need to cut away for a while and cool off. You try anything stupid in the meantime and I can assure you’ll be wishing it was me that was dealing with it.” Freth could feel the fires of fury burn hot. She wasn’t sure what Trevor meant by that apparent threat, but it was clear Polaris did. She turned around and stormed off.
A flash of crimson swept across Freth’s vision once again, a large formation of some kind…mountainous. While it would leave most confused, Freth, knowing what she already knew, could only figure one answer. It was Mount Silver. She watches as in the vision as the deep red starts getting overtaken by black as the Hunter apparently approached the mountain, presumably perhaps the entrance to the Snagem headquarters.
But as before, just as the crimson appeared, it disappears, revealing the hunter in the dark. Freth noticed that it was indoors; a view that overlooked the Megaopolis. It was dark in whatever room it was. Freth could feel the Hunter still seething; mind racing. Knowing why, it still left her all manner of confused as to how she is still able to get away with actually feeing such irritation when there was a fair amount of emphasis that calm was needed to control psychic power. More importantly, what was going on in this vision anyways? These red flashes that occasionally show up. Why was this one so weird? They seem to be her final days…Freth didn’t understand it.
A buzzing was heard nearby, rather, more akin to a chime. The Hunter sighed out, getting up from the chair and pressing a panel on a nearby counter of some kind. A screen appeared before Polaris; though Freth couldn’t necessarily tell what was on the screen. “Yes.” She spoke up.
“The Commander needs to see you.” A voice spoke. “He needs you to report in 30 minutes.”
“I’ll be there…” she replied. The image before the Hunter, whatever or whoever it was, vanished. She would make her way out of the room and off for whatever destination it was. As soon as the Hunter crosses the threshold to the room, it was as if the memory instantly jumped once more. A static haze made its way across Freth’s view and cleared up. Before the Hunter, Freth could see isles among isles of various workers furiously working on various screens of some kind, in a massively large room. Toiling away at various equations, charts, and all manner of odd and end things that to Freth was virtually incomprehensible from where she was looking. Though even if she was there personally, she still doubted it do much better. In the center of the room, it looked as if a map of some kind of, on an extremely massive holographic projection. Celestial bodies and various portals across it. Highlights and indicators flickering across, above, and in some instances, maybe even through it. Was this Ultra Space? Or…what was perceived as such? Freth didn’t have any idea as to what this room was, but it was clear it was important. Every terminal manned, communicating with each other with such efficiency and fervor to keep up the demands of what they do.
At the other end of the room, a set of doors opened up for the Hunter. She would walk down a long hallway, solid black for the most part other than two lines of lights indicating the floor. The Hunter traveled down the hall and it would be still where Freth started to notice the Hunter’s mind racing. She was trying to calm herself down still. This commander was apparently that important where even a hybrid like her would give this man a wide berth. Though if she recalled correctly, Trevor stated he wasn’t a hybrid himself. She almost wondered why it perhaps seemed like this man was such a grave threat to her, or perhaps even Trevor for that matter.
She stopped in the middle of the hall, turning towards one of the walls. She pressed at a panel, and a soft chime rang out. The door opened and the Hunter would pass through. Polaris would walk in, a man at a desk toiling away at a tablet of some kind, wearing a white uniform as she seen all other workers here thus far. On top of the pale blue skin that Freth now noticed that made them relatively distinct, he apparently had age on him, gray hairs compared to the more bluish green most everyone else apparently had. A few notable wrinkles on his face to further cement this one has been around a while. And apparently, facial hair was apparently allowed in an operation like this. On the desk, a map similar to the one in the massive room only a moment before, smaller in scale. Another terminal of some kind with various formulas and indicators that were completely foreign to Freth. A helmet of some kind which rested at the corner of the desk, which looked similar to what the grunts had earlier before. Freth had the suspicion this was the Commander…though he didn’t seem to carry any other markings that make him any more distinguished than the rank-and-file. Freth could only guess at this point that it wasn’t necessary, but that’s all it was. A guess.
There was a pensive silence for a moment between the two as the Commander typed away at the tablet then finally sat it down on the desk. “Agent Leviathan told me about the discussion you two had earlier.”
“He said he would.” Polaris stated.
“Agent Polaris, I’m aware that this occupation isn’t for the faint of heart. I’ve known it for years and I am consistently reminded of it. It was a rough start for you, to be sure, but over time you have performed more than admirably. One of our best agents, hunters, what have you. But, straight to the point, I am left to wonder why now it finally comes to a head for you. Why the sudden need to stop?”
“I’m not entirely certain, sir.” Polaris replied. “I do know that it’s something that I had been contemplating for a few years now at least, on and off. I’ve…kept it relatively bottled up and I suppose I couldn’t anymore.”
“Sit down.” The man then ordered. Before the Hunter, a chair would materialize immediately, starting from the base which looked as if it was mounted to the floor. No legs, just all one piece which rounded off into a seat and the back of the chair, with two arms that materialized off to the side of it. The Hunter moved around, adjusting the long tails to her coat and her violet tailfeather to sit down. “Why didn’t you bring this up sooner?”
“I didn’t find it a problem at first. It wasn’t anything I put too much thought into when I started. It wasn’t until probably the past year where I started finding myself fed up, sir.” Polaris stated. “And even then, with all that happens through the days, I just kept to myself and finding a distraction in the missions that I have been on.”
“Why do you find yourself fed up?”
“At the very least, I don’t feel as if this operation is doing anything, sir. That we as a whole are wasting time. And that’s not getting into the lives that we end up taking as an effect of our operation consistently feels as if a waste because of it.”
“You hadn’t complained about that second part in years.” The Commander stated.
“I gave up making any protest, sir, as far as that is concerned. While I ended up realizing that at the end of the day that lives are going to need to be taken, there has been many where I still have to question if it was the right choice. I’ve stopped protesting, more so out of some faith that you do know in fact what you’re doing and why.”
“And we are wasting time as a whole, why? Because as long as you’ve been here, you haven’t even so much as seen Necrozma, nor has your peers?” The commander asked, leaning back, giving a gentle caress to his facial hair. “That it’s us either arriving in a dark zone or dealing with Ultra Beasts that follow in Necrozma’s wake? Or making sure that Ultra Space stays out of the reach of anyone else?”
“Yes sir. And that’s not to mention I found out earlier that Agent Nocturne has some other agenda, something about a former agent. Agent Leviathan told me about it in our argument, sir.”
“Sundaria, yes, which unfortunately that too has a Necrozma attachment, albeit a little distant compared to the main task at hand.” The Commander has stated. “So, you feel we’re not doing enough to apprehend Necrozma, is that what I am to understand?”
“I suppose when you grossly summarize it, yes.” Polaris stated.
The Commander would caress his facial hair…a handlebar mustache with a beard that pointed out into a thick, sharp spike shape of some kind for a couple of seconds. “How much do you know of Necrozma?” the Commander asked.
“Only what I have been told. Eater of light, interdimensional traveler, even depleted of its original light, it’s still somehow absurdly powerful as is somehow.”
“Why do you suppose that we haven’t manage to effectively pin down Necrozma as of yet?”
“Likely problem is that it’s the countless realities that it can duck into.”
“It would be the likely scenario, wouldn’t it? But how would it know to hide every time when we get on the cusp of us finding it?” the commander stated. “What would that suggest?”
“…is it a Psychic?” Polaris asked, as if this was new information to her now.
“We believe that he might be. Though to what extent, what variant of psychic he is, rather he is telekinetic, empathic, prospicient, maybe all of them in some fashion, or perhaps even none of them and is some new unknown breed, is unknown to us. It’s not as if we had any opportunity to actually examine Necrozma, after all.” The commander stated. “All the same, to pin down a powerful psychic such as Necrozma, it is going to take a coordinated effort by all hands, of all various talents, to finally capture Necrozma and maybe see to it that we give it its light back…if such a thing is possible. But when we have those who wants to abuse their station for their own ends, the system fails all the same.”
“I’m not wanting to just take out anyone, Commander! I want to take out JUST ONE. I don’t care about anyone else! And I don’t want to stay here forever waiting on Necrozma’s capture to happen! Did you know that apparently Galarian Articuno can live for several hundred years? Not too unlike their Kantonian counterparts? I don’t want to spend a few centuries doing this commander! When I got drafted into this, it was sold to me as something as a great change of pace. Albeit hard work, sure, but it was an adventure to see and experience great new things, a far cry from what I grew up in. And while yea, it is a far cry, no one really wanted to explain the proverbial fine print, even when I asked about it. I stuck around mainly out of obligation of you people saving me from what Celcius did to me.”
“But you actually knew the ‘fine print’, didn’t you?” The commander asked.
“What?”
“You were skeptic of the operation from the start. I remember you those years ago as if like yesterday, unnerved by the whole prospect of what is out there in Ultra Space, and what that would possibly entail should you agreed to join us. What things that would need to be done that what’s in Ultra Space doesn’t need to be out in any particular reality. You had all manner of questions that I was willing to explain to you and I did tell you the truth to the best of my ability. You might have joined out of some sort of obligation, but I don’t think you’re anxious to leave out of some sort of stress. I’m sure that might be a small factor, sure, but I believe it’s only a symptom, not a cause, and you’re not honestly sure as to what it is. So, your only solution that you can think of is to distance yourself from it. Perhaps cut yourself off from it altogether, if possible.”
“Regardless of the reason, would it not be in your best interest to let someone go who wants to leave lest it risk compromising the operation further?” Polaris asked.
“Usually it would.” The commander admitted. “The problem is, we’ve only had such situations to those native here. Those, such as yourself, Leviathan, Nocturne, so on…I will admit truthfully we haven’t fully worked out. Because those of your situation are unique.”
“How?”
“Because you all are native to other realities. Doomed or otherwise. Even if one would agree to never state what is beyond the threshold into Ultra Space, what it could possibly mean, or even the possible means to cross said threshold…anything that would ultimately bring risk to Ultra Space as a whole, and perhaps break all of creation far as anyone knows, let alone the reality someone is from, intentionally or not, it is not realistic. There will be questions to your origin; details you will not be able to prove. Even if you returned to your original reality, you would have to convince without reasonable doubt that you are who you are. Regardless if you were to assume your original identity, or a made up one to fit in. And if worst case, I doubt that you are one to hermit yourself just as Legendary Pokémon tend to do themselves. Even then, you would be found eventually.” he said.
“…Trevor lied to me then.”
“Hm?”
“He stated that there was the possibility that one of these days that I could go back home, or perhaps if I wanted, go to another reality and start over. But the way you talk, it wouldn’t matter what world I go to, would it?”
“Sadly. The nature of the beast, I’m afraid. Though I am glad you told me of this; I’ll have to address that with Leviathan later. He knew better than that…I’m guessing he just stated such things to keep you at ease. I doubt any malicious intent, knowing him, but that was not something he needed to say.”
Freth would notice the Hunter start to lean over, covering her eyes a bit. The Hunter was in a bit of despair, and Freth could feel it. She was in fact a prisoner of sorts. While Freth didn’t see what she was living in as long as she was in the Megaopolis, she was almost certain that Polaris was well taken care of, considering that they went out of their way for her to help her at her time of most need and gave her eventually a ranking position. This Commander seemed to acknowledge that for that matter. A gilded cage is still a cage, however.
“For the time being, Polaris, I am going to leave you on Inactive status. No disciplinary action will be taken; I see no reason to right now. You technically haven’t done anything.” The commander stated. “However, there are issues that will need to be addressed and I feel that I will have to tend to that personally. In the meantime do something for yourself on the downtime. Meditate, train, maybe find a hobby. Some members like to take part in games at certain hours of the day, I’m sure they might enjoy teaching a new player. If you like, I can arrange someone for you to talk out any other feelings you might have. Whatever the case, no assignments until further notice, understood?”
“Yes sir.”
Another flash of crimson appeared before Freth. She saw a stand of some kind, solid black. It was a stand of some kind. Nothing else around. On top of it, an odd rectangle of some kind. Freth couldn’t see inside it, but it wouldn’t take long to see the contents. The bottom of it came apart on its own and out came two pieces seemingly on their own. A handle…a blade, broken. This had to have been Hinterbane, the icy sword. This had to be when the Hunter found her way to Snagem HQ to find Blizzard still. It didn’t make too much sense, in retrospect, any more than trying to kill him out in the open for all on television land to see. Going into a headquarters of Team Snagem. Did she know everyone was out of the building? What was she trying to accomplish? Was the sword part of the objective? She didn’t understand.
The crimson faded away and before her, it was a brand new scene. A large table, at least four other people was gathered around it that Freth could see. She noticed Trevor to the left of her who was sitting, though he didn’t seem to be in the best of moods. There was a hybrid, yet another one that she didn’t recognize…gold trim and a violet-colored wings that sparkled that she could tell off hand. A head shaped in an odd fashion…from where she sat, it looked as if they were horns, but it was odd that it was at the side of his face. It did make an odd shape, not to dissimilar to a crescent moon. Down all the way across the table, someone was speaking…it was the commander, his helmet donned, perhaps now he was more in public. A couple of others, apparently the Ultra Space natives, were sat at the table as well, they were apparently tapping away at their tablets, apparently to take notes as to take down what was being discussed.
“I suppose I should get to the point. Polaris, this is a great concession that this is being made for you. I don’t imagine that I need to spell that out for you. The council will grant the request for the alteration of a reality – the termination of one individual. This is not being done lightly and a lot of resources were used to calculate and predict all manner of factors and variables, and to figure the best-case scenario of what should play out to ensure as minor damage as possible. The council agrees that it is not entirely fair to those that are enlisted in our services in the manner that you Polaris, or perhaps Leviathan here, have to effectively be used until they are literally incapable of serving any more. Each one should be in charge of their own destiny in a sense. Albeit, in this case, this is perhaps coming at the cost of someone else’s future.” The commander stated.
“We’ve looked at all manner of possibilities as to avert these issues, for instance, since the reality’s predicted termination is caused by one individual, we looked at the potential of bringing him into our fold. Effectively replacing Agent Polaris with this new individual. Unfortunately, doing so would ultimately bring us back to the original problem of why we’re here in the first place.” One of the human Recon members spoke.
The Commander reached over towards a panel on the table and a projection appeared before everyone. An Articuno hybrid. Freth wanted to grimace. Right before her eyes, the plan to assassinate her significant other was unfolding. “This is your target. In most realities, he is known as ‘Blizzard’.” Various charts, numbers, and so on started to appear about the holographic projection, maps which were highlighted in one centralized spot, and all manner of other images pertaining to her significant other. “He is part of a faction known in these realities known as Team Snagem. Most Team Snagems origins go back to a region known as Orre, a desert region, mostly devoid of law enforcement, and just as devoid in manner of Pokémon. In some cases, this team doesn’t make it past either being thwarted in some fashion, or they were consumed perhaps by another, much more organized and larger faction in that of one Cipher Organization. The name, Team Snagem, would be reappropriated in some fashion later down in life by a new group, and where they fall on the morality spectrum of course varies as it does. Effectively, in a bit of irony, snag away everything the original Team Snagem ever was. And in most known cases, Blizzard would be part of this new Snagem.”
“This is the guy?” Trevor spoke up. “I heard about how these worlds were iced over, but by this guy? He doesn’t look that strong…”
“A classic case of not to judge a book by its cover.” The commander spoke. “The variants, the ones that end up ultimately becoming a hybrid, have laid claim to approximately four thousand worlds.”
“Becoming a hybrid?” Polaris spoke up. “He was human?”
“Yes. And became the Pokémon hybrid you see before you in the fashion you’re most familiar with, Agent Polaris.” The commander stated. The statement gave Polaris a lot of unease.
“An Elemental, then. How did he come to this level of power? I doubt the elemental would just go out of the way to imbue a hybrid or Pokémon to such an extent, even if it were to serve its own ends.” the odd purple clad hybrid spoke.
“Training. The hard way. Old fashioned hard work. Since becoming a hybrid, he’s had a near overwhelming desire to become stronger. Motivations vary as they do when in faced in the scale of the multiverse. It is to note though sometimes it’s been known he has found higher plateaus just out of sheer desperation, if albeit at some cost to himself.”
“That’s…insane…” Trevor stated.
“Well, there is a human under all of those feathers after all. Who knows what human stubbornness can do.” The purple winged hybrid stated.
“Taking all manner of calculations, predictions, relation analysis, and so on, to potentially minimize the impact of a reality losing their version, more specifically, your home reality’s version, of Blizzard, if you are to execute the operation, you will need to do the deed at a specific time. We estimate potentially doing so would perhaps guide the reality to a similar stance to where Blizzard never became a hybrid at all. Where while he was important, he wasn’t as important in Snagem’s case in the long term and not dependent on that level of power. However, there are events that we have come to learn, one that is happening right now in your home world.”
One of the other human members stood up and pressed at a panel. “Currently Team Snagem of your home reality is at odds with their variant of one known as Lysandre of Kalos and mastermind of Team Flare and it seems they’ll have more on their plate in one known as Ein, a former leading administrator and perhaps all that remains of the Cipher organization.” The person spoke. “Going after Blizzard now and taking him out of the fight is bound to have Team Snagem lose and divert the world into a much worse future than the one you would prefer to find yourself in because Team Snagem would lose their main powerhouse to defend who they need to. Estimations and predictions lead us to believe that other members of the team are coming into their own in their own fashion to meet these threats, and in the meantime, Blizzard is that buffer for the team until they are able to do so. Though we also estimate that when such an event happens, it will cause a feedback loop of some kind, rather it him trying to stay ahead of the curve to maintain his relative position in the team, or perhaps to meet whatever new threat that comes in all the stronger just because he and his allies get that powerful and their new found nemesis needs to meet that amalgamation of cunning and force with their own. I’m also sorry to say Agent Polaris, that despite your skill and power, we estimate that at this time and as where he seems to stand you will not be able to contend with him easily. In fact, you’re more bound to lose.” Freth could feel the irritation rush over the woman. “While Blizzard apparently has a history of not having the easiest time against Psychics of any sort, he does apparently win out in the end through sheer tenacity. Only so much one can do in the face of overwhelming physical force.”
Freth noticed Trevor taking notice then looked back towards the commander. “So, is it not even worth the headache then? This meeting is just a waste of time?”
“Not necessarily.” The second human spoke up. “While we estimate he does have a formidable level of power, he’s still far and away the level of known variants. The same goes for any of his allies. For instance, as of now, I heavily doubt that he could face you Agent Leviathan. Perhaps with enough effort, perhaps Agent Polaris could reach that plateau high enough to overwhelm him, defeat him for that matter and do the deed, give enough leeway that even if he finds himself in a desperate state, even that wouldn’t be enough, but she would have to start now. The estimate is approximately four years of this reality’s time. Too soon and it could change the course of important battles he and Team Snagem may face. Too late and it risks the end that you seek to avoid, let alone being unable to defeat him to begin with.”
“Never the less…” The commander then spoke up. “If you execute this operation, the Council is in agreeance that you will be responsible for any unforeseen things that come of it. If in fact that these predictions and calculations are wrong and something comes of it due to your target not being there when he should or your interference of the events of the reality causes those of Ultra Space to perhaps invade this home reality of yours, or any other events therein, you are responsible. Even if the predictions are correct, there are still going to be unknown variables to be contended with that you will be responsible for should they not come out favorable. No compromises and no quarter. This is no small matter that is being arranged for you. There are no restarts to this or take backs. Do you understand?”
“I do.” Polaris stated.
“In the meantime, this is not going to be a license for you to not take on appointed assignments in the meantime.” The commander stated, cutting off the projector before everyone. “Feel free to do what you can to prepare for your deed, but not at the expense of the operations here. There has already been enough of that for this. Furthermore, even after your personal objective is done, you are to remain in service to the Recon Squad until thus a time at the council’s choosing finds your obligations fulfilled. Clear?”
“Understood.” Polaris then stated.
“Dismissed.” The commander’s voice said, though it was odd at this point. His voice echoed…drew out which gave Freth a feeling of nervousness for some reason.
From there, Freth’s visions into the memories would start to get erratic. Another flash of red showed Hinterbane being reforged before the Hunter’s eyes. Freth felt a wave of a cold chill of some kind despite seeing black sparks fly off the blade. When that flash of red goes away however, the vision showed the hunter frantically training. It seemed as if she was pounding away at some sort of weight bag, the various beatings on the stiff bag virtually echoed as every hit was quick, precise, full of energy upon impact. Another flash of red, a cliff of some kind, a train in the distance could be seen. And feelings of resignment and intent was felt. Once again the flash of crimson goes away, and it seemed as if the Hunter was on some sort of mission, fending off some sort of jellyfish like creature. Not a Tentacruel or anything of that sort. That she knew of. It was clear as glass and made a harsh screech as she felt a massive psychic blast leave the Hunter’s hand. Once again, another flash of red, from a distance, two people battling…two hybrids. More resignment, the feeling of commitment. A goal within sight. A glint of a reforged Hinterbane before her. Freth was starting to feel overwhelmed by the frantic switching of the various points of the Hunter’s life. This was the Hunter at perhaps at her most determined. The most motivated that she had in a long time. And for a cause that just felt right to her. Freth couldn’t understand that even with all that she seen discussed, why did it have to justify the life of one person. Not just any person, but one that she cared for. Even with all of these people’s calculations, estimations, predictions, and so on, they still ultimately found it fine to do this all at the expense of someone else. Potentially all of a reality for that matter if the stakes were that high. Perhaps this was one more screw-up that this council should be responsible for instead.
Another flash into normalcy, and it was the hunter once again training, sparring with others. It looked as if even the humans could hold their own against the likes of Polaris, despite them not being hybrids themselves. They weren’t showing off anything like any channeling ability or even using Pokémon of some kind, they were actually going toe to toe, and despite what power the Hunter may have at that time, the humans of the Recon Squad was standing their ground. Another flash of red and it was an image of an avian hybrid. It had to be Blizzard. He was on the backfoot. Constantly. Constant blasts, attacks, sword attacks, all of which that brought him on the ground. The more he got back up, the more he was put back down. When the flash of red then goes away, the Hunter was in deep meditation. Pushing her psychic prowess to the limits. Everything to push herself to achieving her goal. As she hovered in place, cross-legged, the earth around her started to crack and move as she dug deep within herself to reach new levels. Freth was starting to hurt, not only from feeling the psychic forces project from the Hunter, but from the various images that kept flashing before her. This was the memories at their absolute worst.
Another wave of crimson, Blizzard as a black silhouette was retaliating. Freth could feel every crushing blow. He was angry. Every time that Polaris retaliated, he retaliated harder, faster. Freth could feel desperation. But there was something else. Intense anger. Was that from Polaris? Maybe some of it? She was seeing that she was working hard to make sure that this mission went off without a hitch. No…Polaris was using her abilities to keep an eye on her enemy, and he was absolutely livid. Every blow was rage-fueled yet near surgically precise. This was one with someone with the intent to kill, not only to survive, but for vengeance. A person ready to end Polaris with extreme prejudice. Freth recalled this…she was told of this. Blizzard was climbing back now. When the crimson goes away once more, she sees herself on the track. It looked as if she was in that training area from before. She was pushing herself full speed, a combination of her psychic abilities and physical strength, blazing a trail down the track. To win, she had to be fast as she was strong. Every advantage needed to be obtained just to defeat her target. She continued to press herself, every step which barely touched the ground propelled her leaps and bounds, every fiber of her being getting its endurance pressed harder and harder.
The red flashes were starting to come more rapidly. Within the crimson, the black avian silhouette was forming a large black mass which was soon after released and rushed for Polaris. One that Polaris reaches out with her hand, her armored arm which revealed the abyss which took in the mighty attack and unleashed a massive powerful wave back towards her assailant; a shockwave which looked to have distorted everything around her. The Sheer Cold…and the Hunter’s ace up her sleeve. Literally. What ultimately stopped her significant other. The crimson finally goes away and once again Freth sees a massive city, all in the dark. She doubted that this Necrozma that Freth has been hearing about did anything, stars were still in the sky. The Hunter was looking down apparently taking in the view from above on a rooftop of some kind in the dead of night. A tower stood tall in the distance; a serene glow of street lights and vehicles lit up the city streets. It looked like perhaps some form of Kalos, namely Lumiose City. It was a busy night for this city, and to the Hunter it seemed. Peaceful it looked.
The images continued its rapid changing at its frantic pace. The black silhouette of Hinterbane flashed before Freth as the Hunter was ready to claim her quarry, but as soon as the sword was raised, staring down the solid black form of a fallen Blizzard, a massive impact to the Hunter’s, and by extension Freth’s, face. In a blink, the Hunter found herself on some sort of platform, moving towards a skiff. A large, towering portal was open with the large beast she saw from before ready to make its way inside. Various Recon members were working frantically, ready for a departure to be made. The crimson washed in front of Freth again, a massive fight with yet another avian hybrid…that was her, Freth realized. This was the Hunter’s last moments. Freth felt the desperation in full effect, fatigue was crippling her. There was panic. Fear. Everything on the cusp to give out. She had a suddenly excruciating battle against one foe; she didn’t have it to take on another one, let alone one that managed to get a hold of Hinterbane. Freth could almost read the thoughts the Hunter was having that moment. She was planning in the moment of panic despite that. And weirder, the Hunter seemed to favor her armored arm some. Not because of some sort of pain...but because it was as if it wanted Freth for some reason. Freth couldn’t believe it…during that fight, the Hunter didn’t seem like much bothered her still. She picked up that she was a bit reckless, but she assumed that it was the possibility of having other Snagems show up. She was completely hellbent on her objective. The crimson then immediately flickered away. As the Hunter boarded the skiff. The Hunter looked back towards the crew, but more notably Trevor who apparently wanted to see Polaris out, his large massive arms crossed across his massive chest and a look of concern across his face. “You come back in one piece, alright?” Trevor told her.
“I will.” She then replied back as the skiff closed.
One more flash of crimson. Freth felt the worst pain imaginable. The Hunter looked down, Hinterbane in her torso. Her heart could be heard in her ears. Getting slower. Ice was starting to wreck all manner of havoc in her body. With the last of her strength, she reached up towards the sword handle, grabbing her enemy’s hand, pulling herself closer, staring down the black silhouette of Freth. The crimson would vanish into a solid white, the black silhouette fading away, revealing a stunned Freth as the Kantonian variant as she once was, staring at the Hunter, who at the time wracked with equal parts anger and confusion. “I still don’t know who you are but you have made…” A cough interrupts Polaris in mid-sentence. She was choking. The unforgiving ice from Hinterbane and her own internal bleeding was making it difficult to say anything. “…a tremendous…mistake. It’s not just my blood on your hands…but…the entire world’s.” And suddenly…it was as if the Hunter virtually flew into Freth. And then…nothing. Complete darkness.
Once more Freth would find herself out the other side of a massive orb of light. Not forcefully ejected or any of that sort, but she was left there, stunned. For a moment she had to feel around her chest, where Hinterbane impaled the Hunter. As she drifted there for a moment, Freth still had all manner of questions. She had to agree with one thing, there had to be other motivations to what made this Hunter commit to what she tried to do. With that said, as she floated there, she thought back to all she has seen in this world of memories. While she has not seen everything as it would perhaps take a life time to even see it all, she did feel a slight bit of sympathy to Polaris. While her upbringing wasn’t the worst, it was not the greatest either, all because she was different. That ‘gift’ in question made her an outcast, a target, garbage, then asset all in short order, and when she goes to try to get something for herself, there was a lot of push back. Unfortunately, Polaris’s Freudian excuse was only going to carry so much weight to Freth. When one’s desires came at the cost of what she cared about, let alone possibly bringing world ending implications should everything go wrong, or even go right incidentally, that was well above too far. The fact that this council was okay with it even with their conditions in consideration infuriated Freth. Who knows what concessions they made at this point. Freth recalled even Crystal was not kosher at all with this council for that matter which left a lot to bring into question.
Freth managed to recompose herself, now that the shock of Hinterbane of being in her torso has passed and that spout of anger subsided. She managed to right herself back upright, presumably. She’s seen enough. She started to move about, trying to see if she couldn’t get movement once again in this world. She moved her limbs well enough, just as before. But it was navigating this sea of stars that was a problem. She continued to squirm, kick, trying to focus deep as she done so. She wanted out. She was determined herself now. She was going to claim back her life, if Polaris liked it or not. This was her mind. Her world. Her sword and shield. Her domain. Her life. She made headway before this last vision. She slowed herself down. She was making progress during the time here. The experience she felt the hunter have. She needed to do that.
She started to slowly move…
-----------------
The Hunter, hair fanned out still, the ends of her hair, the onyx feathers around her eyes, and her feather tips on her wings, lit up furiously. Despite being in a great deal of pain, at the same time, she was feeling pretty invigorated. Chaksu would find all too late that there was more to Galarian Articuno, let alone the hybrid variants to such, than what initially imagined. Compared to the standard Kantonian breed, Galarian variants had a nasty Competitive trait. The more that Chaksu and his appointed fighters repulsed and attempted to restrain the Hunter, the more her power flared up in response. The Hunter had to admit, however, that she felt like she was on the cusp of losing control of such intense power. Even in her previous body, Competitive didn’t go as hard as it did in this one. If it did, perhaps the fight with her target wouldn’t of had the outcome it did. Perhaps this body was used to such power output? She didn’t know, but it was still a lot. There was so much power to let loose…it was pretty amazing. And even better, as the fight went on, the better the Hunter started to feel about being in Freth’s body. She was getting more and more used to it. It started to feel all the more natural.
Chaksu was hurting himself, though he had steeled himself to not show weakness. It was dire for Chaksu, however. In Freth’s absence, Chaksu had made it a point to immobilize the Hunter, trying to do so with the least force possible. However, the Hunter continued to put on the pressure, and as a result, he was losing ground. What started with at least himself, Renala, and a couple of attendants all in perfect harmony, the cavern was now littered with almost a dozen bodies all bruised, battered, and mentally burned out, one of which being Renala herself who was propped against the cavern wall, sitting on the floor. Chaksu had to commend the Hunter for having such the mental fortitude and skill of this level. On the other hand, this was untenable. In their efforts for trying to save Freth, giving her the time to perhaps take back over or immobilize the Hunter, meeting her force with equal force with the combined efforts of himself, Renala, and the attendants, the Hunter’s power continued to flare up and it has gotten to the point where they can’t push back hard enough.
With only two more attendants and himself, all trying to remain vigilant and ever on their guard, but with things looking at their most dire, the resignment came in if they truly wanted to help Freth, they’d have to ultimately stop the Hunter, at the ultimate expense of Freth. They knew the Hunter was here on a mission, one that she was hellbent on accomplishing. Freth perhaps would not complain if they ultimately made the Hunter fail outright and those Freth cared about remained safe. The thought unnerved the Elder; never imagining once in his life to take someone elses life, believing that the Order was well above such things. The knowledge of Uxie provided all. He quickly prayed that both Uxie and Freth would forgive him.
“Now, look who is feeling desperate.” The Hunter spoke up to Chaksu.
“You speak as you’ve won, specter.”
“Save the bravado, Elder, it’s not becoming of you.” She replied. “You’re good…but there’s only so much that even you can take and as many subordinates you can throw at me. And you’re reaching your end on both accounts it seems.”
The Elder was back at the ready, as the two remaining attendants with him. The Hunter rushed for the three, the attendants then moved forward. They came to blows, one swing after the next, kicks and punches parried, psychic bursts repelling the combatants back only for them to rush back in, the Elder moving in and clashing as well. Each of the Medicham hybrids once again maintaining their synchronous assault. However, as they defended and retaliated, the Hunter noticed something. There was a shift in game plan between the three. Their movements turned to more of an attacking nature. While there was one occasionally giving defense, the other two was now on the attack. Fluidly, they were shifting from defense to attack, one after the other. Several blows managed to escape the Hunter’s awareness, the Pure Power blows nearly making the Hunter buckle. They weren’t focusing on stalling her any longer, they were out to put her down. The Hunter found opportunity…
As one of the attendants went to deflect one of the Hunter’s blows, readying a Force Palm to thrust into her. She shifted her body, thrusting her own palm forward, turning to unleash a massive Psychic blast, blowing the attendant away. She then quickly whipped her elbow back, driving it into the other attendants face as he attempted to quickly compensate for their downed ally. The Elder moved forward rushing in, his palms lit up with electricity to drive into the Hunter. The Hunter quickly stepped back, forming a Shadow Ball and throwing it down at the floor. The two standing Medicham hybrids reared back, trying to cover themselves from the sudden surprise attack. With great speed, the Hunter rushed for the still standing attendant and drove her fist into him, right into the solar plexus, then one massive right hook to send him into the floor and out of the fight.
She then looked back at the Elder, the last one standing. He moves in and went in on the assault. The two traded and parried blows, one right after the other. The Elder was managing to hold his own against the Hunter’s own training. He was the master, after all. He wasn’t going down easily. His palms crackled with electricity once more, weaving his strikes, making guarding and parrying for the Hunter all the more perilous despite her heightened psychic power. She unleashed another psychic burst, repulsing the Elder once more. He tries to guard against it, unleashing his mental might himself, his feet digging into the ground. He lost his posture for a moment when the assault was over, falling over forward for a second before quickly springing back up. The two combatants quickly went back to blows, the Elder ever watchful, looking for an opening he desperately needed.
As the kicks were guarded, the punches diverted, and the Psychic attacks and Shadow Balls were constantly being dodged or weathered between the two, the Elder it started to look the pain and fatigue was finally setting in. The Hunter was having to use Freth’s endurance, and while she could take a beating, it was starting to catch up. The Hunter was getting sluggish faster from the pain and exertion, unlike himself, who’s body has been tempered like steel from both the physical and mental. He perhaps could go on forever compared to Freth. Her guard was starting to weaken. He had to go for it.
The Hunter went in to lunge in, driving a fist straight for Chaksu’s face. He would quickly guard, parrying the blow. With her chest open, his palm lit once more sparked furiously and he went to drive it in. Aiming for the heart. A blow fatal to most. The Hunter snapped back and grabbed his hand, her body getting the massive shock from his hands. However, she steeled herself, a proverbial shock to Chaksu himself. He then went to swing in, quickly to break away from the Hunter, but she quickly snapped back to guard the blow. The Hunter’s glowing blue eyes then changed into a fierce neon violet and unleashed a massive beam of psychic power which blasts Chaksu at point blank range. The Hunter would let go as the beams relentlessly focused down on Chaksu as he yelled out in pain…only to be made silent by the Hunter’s Freezing Glare.
Renala finally made it back to consciousness, seeing the Hunter still standing as was Chaksu, but Chaksu was as still as a mountain. A look of a pained grimace across his face, his arms locked in a position as if he was trying to defend against what hit him to no avail. The Hunter walked towards the still Elder and then unleashed many furious blows. All unresisted by the likes of the Elder. Every blow came with a resounding thud. His Torso, his head, his abdominals…all was open game for the Hunter to treat as if a punching bag. The Elder remained unmoved despite the relentless assault. Nothing changed. As if he was twice as hard as the hardest metal. A few more seconds of the brutal assault of uncontested blows then a quick charge of the dark, ethereal energy that made up a Shadow Ball, firing it forward and blasting the Elder for good measure. The Elder still stood there, rigid, as if nothing had ever happened.
Her hair stopped fanning out and fell back behind the Hunter. The feathers around her eyes returned to its onyx color. The feather tips ceased lighting up any longer. The Hunter looked at Chaksu, stepping forward some, feeling only slightly regretful this fight took this turn, but she had a mission to perform after all. “…this is…all on you Chaksu.” She said, taking a breath nearly every other word. “…you…were warned.” She then turned around and started to make her way off out of the cave. Renala tried to get back up, wanting to stop the Hunter, but then Chaksu was of more of a concern, though she wasn’t clear as to what transpired. It would be at that moment where Chaksu suddenly launched from his spot and slammed into the far wall, his face would stretch out some in the sheer pain and terror of what just transpired, on top of the sudden starting and stopping of movement. As soon as he hit the floor, Renala managed to get up off the floor, hobbling over as fast as she could, which wasn’t fast at all. She herself was in too much pain from the fight which transpired in this cavern.
As Renala tried to see if Chaksu was even so much alive, the Hunter slowly started to follow the path around the hot springs, having to hug herself a bit, trying to nurse the pain that was around her ribs from the uncontested strikes she took. She ached quite a bit, but nothing that she couldn’t walk off, she figured. She put out a lot of power over time during that fight; she did need to relax a bit. Recenter herself. She won, she thought. Most anyone else that might try to fight her wasn’t going to stand a chance. What she fought in this cavern was perhaps the best of the best, including the Elder himself. They had no chance. She has actually won.
“The hell do you think you’re going!?” A familiar voice shouted to her. One that gave the Hunter a sense of dread. She felt as if someone grabbed at her shoulder to stop her from leaving. Someone was challenging her once more. She turned around, seeing the human Freth there, already reared back then driving her fist, right into the Hunter’s face. Renala would watch from the distance, and she didn’t know what happened, not at first at least. From where she stood as she tried to make sure Chaksu was still alive, it looked as if the Hunter had passed out, falling flat on her face on the stone ground near the hot springs, as if the massive exertion of power and the damage she took finally caught up to her.
The Hunter would find herself on a solid white floor, grasping at her face. She then quickly looked around, and she was instantly filled with dread. The long ornate buffet table, silverware at each seating position, a massive feast that spanned the table. The long ornate fireplace. The crystal chandelier. The stained glass windows. The white void which made up the floor and the walls with no sight to a beginning or end. The inner palace of Freth’s mind. She had her human look as well, with the blue, veiny arm as if it looked it lost all circulation, the one that Celcius left his mark on. She looked back up, seeing Freth before her, cracking her knuckles. “It’s not a Frustration attack, but it’ll do.” Freth said. “So…Agent Polaris, huh?” The Hunter’s eyes gone wide, a sudden realization as to what she had done. What perhaps transpired during her brawl with Chaksu and the Order. “Well, at least I got a name to go to that stupid mug of yours. So…about that girl chat…”
The Hunter, infuriated, scrambled to her feet and rushed for Freth, tackling her onto the solid white floor with no warning or lead up. The Hunter got on top of Freth, brutally swinging and smashing away, trying to land blows upon Freth’s head. Freth on the defensive, trying to turtle up as best as she could as the Hunter wailed away. “You should have stayed in that darkness!” she shouted. “I am not going to let you take this away from me!” Freth managed to shift herself and managed to retaliate, swinging and forcing Polaris to sway back. Freth would then buck the Hunter up off of her, long enough to kick the interdimensional hunter off. Freth would quickly get back on her feet as did the Hunter.
The two would come to blows, but something Freth didn’t take into account. The Hunter had all kinds of training during her time with the Ultra Recon Squad. Even without her hybrid abilities in this space, she was still a trained fighter, considerably more so than even Freth was. The blows Freth would swing towards Polaris were nearly predictable, able to be guarded and retaliated upon. For every punch or kick Freth attempted, at least two or three blows the Hunter would successfully land herself. Freth would manage to land a couple of decent hits, but it was more so out of the Hunter’s recklessness out of infuriation. Freth realized quick that as is, there was no way she was beating the Hunter. The Hunter wasn’t kidding…she would have stomped on Freth on any other day. And she was showing it.
A massive metal clang would ring out within the white void. Freth had swiped the metal serving platter which had a massive roast and smashed it against Polaris head, bending it well in half right on impact. The best idea Freth had to combat this experienced hunter? Fight dirty. With the Hunter reeling, Freth jumped on top of her, pressing her against the table and started to punch away at her. She couldn’t give Polaris an inch if she could help it. One harsh blow after the next. The Hunter, however, would manage to quickly snap back, punching Freth in retaliation. She would then reach over. From down the table, a large butcher knife moved and flew right for the Hunter’s hand. She would effortlessly catch the blade then swipe at Freth. Freth managed to catch her wrist, but the Hunter pressed forward, swinging her around so Freth was now pinned down against the table and was poised to stab Freth and bring an end to this fight.
The Hunter pressed down hard as she could and Freth could only push back as best as she could. There was too much strength here. But then, that wasn’t really her physical strength, was it? This was the Hunter’s mind at work as well. Freth was trying to learn on the fly as to how to harness her mental prowess, and she was already against an experienced foe as this. Freth didn’t have the luxury to wait in the darkness to figure out how to further help herself, she had to hurry out to reclaim control; she had to take the chance. With everything she had, she would knee at the Hunter, catching her off balance, then managed to divert the force of the knife off to her side. She then slammed the Hunters hands on the table, making her drop the blade onto the floor. Freth as fast as she could starts punching away at the Hunter, landing a couple of hits, but it did little to deter her, coming back and landing a hard haymaker on Freth, making her stagger back. Freth stumbled, but managed to right herself, running around one of the large chairs and threw it down at the floor at the Hunter’s feet, trying to keep her off balance. That too would do little. As Freth started to try to reach for something to either stab or bash the hunter with, the hunter would launch the knocked-over chair towards Freth. Freth, quick to react, abandoned her plan and jumped over the chair as if a hurdle. As soon as she landed though, the Hunter would once again tackle Freth. The two would flail, Freth on the defensive, trying to get the Hunter off her case. She would then try to reach for something. Anything. The Hunter would still not give her the time of day. That moment, she would then pull Freth away from the table then with one infuriated psychic push knocks over the entire table off and Freth in the opposite direction, sending most of the objects away from Freth’s reach. Food and deserts, wines and fruits, silverware, candelabras, went all over the floor. Most if not all weapons Freth needed, well out of her reach.
The Hunter stomped over as Freth was trying to get off the ground once again who was now reeling a bit from the attack she was just in. Before she could get back off the floor, the Hunter kicked her back ground then turned her over, arm around Freth’s neck and started to put Freth in a choke hold. Freth didn’t think she needed to actually breathe in here, but the sensation, the utter peril. She could very well feel, and it was working. She tried to budge the Hunter’s arm and constantly tried to break away, but the Hunter’s arm was practically a vice. “No more arguments, no more fighting. No more insults, no more surprises. No more of me sitting in total darkness in whatever corner of your head this is every time you go to bed and have your nice little dreams. Do you know what its honestly like when you do that? Its maddening. No concept of time. If I am lucky, its over in a blink. But most nights? They last an eternity. And I can’t sleep in here either. Its literally just staring at total darkness. I can’t dream in here. There is no rest. And this all happened because of you. No more. He. Is going to die. Like it or not.” She said as the lock grew ever tighter. “You will not stop this. I will go back to my life, the one you taken. You will be a non-factor in ALL of it. This world is going to be saved, with or without anyone’s approval. I have come too far and put up with too much just for someone like you, let alone someone like Blizzard, to stomp all over it without a care in the world.”
Freth started to feel as if the life was about to leave her; getting out of the Hunter’s grip was still feeling more and more impossible by the second. She then noticed the knife from earlier. She reached out for it. But it was far too far away. The Hunter wasn’t going to give her the time of day. “It didn’t have to be this way, Freth. It really didn’t. You could have just lived your life and that was it. One person. That’s all that was it.” Freth was in dire straits…she continued to reach. Unable to move. She couldn’t let Polaris win. This was her mind. Her domain. Her world. “Perhaps Tristen will be the one who will thank me later…he does seem to be the smarter one of you three. Just let it go, Freth…this isn’t one fight you will wi-OOOOW!”
Freth pulled down on the arm and bucked hard, sending her head back and smashing her head into Polaris’s. Freth then turned around and gave a fierce kick to get Polaris off of her. Freth scrambled to stand up then turned around and looked at Hunter, trying to be ready for anything else she might do. The Hunter reached back behind her and with a yelp, the butcher knife was extracted from the meat of her leg. “What the…” The Hunter looked back towards Freth with a look of shock. Freth was astounded herself, realizing what might have happened. She then started to realize something…everything here. Everything in this dining hall. Those feelings, those like what Polaris had all of those times. When she trained, when she wanted something. That influence to the world around her. Freth then looked over towards the bent serving platter that too was on the floor during the scuffle. She reached, and with the focus that Freth never realized she could actually achieve, the platter skidded across the floor a short ways then lifted off, right for Freth’s hand. Freth would catch the platter and stared at it, astounded.
“…huh…” Freth said. She was absolutely speechless. No witty retort, no jokes, no sarcasm. She was legitimately surprised. She was doing it. What she needed to do this entire time.
“Oh, hell no…” Polaris stated defiantly at what just transpired. To the Hunter, this was not good. The more Freth starts realizing her abilities, the worse it was going to get for the Hunter to maintain control. This couldn’t go on any longer. The Hunter would then throw the knife straight for Freth. Freth stepped aside as it whizzed by, but as Freth turned back to face the hunter, the knife halted in mid air and came back on the return trip with a motion of the Hunter’s hand. Freth quickly snapped back and swatted the knife away with the bent platter. The Hunter would then rush in and tackle Freth from behind and back on the floor they went. The Hunter snatches the bent platter away from Freth, but before she could attempt to clock Freth a few times with it, Freth bucks the Hunter off once again, this time with her newly found power.
As the Hunter fell over on her back, Freth managed to get back up and reached out for one of the large wooden chairs. The chair quickly slid across the floor for Freth. Freth would grab the chair and gave it one hard swing. The Hunter went wide eyed and quickly rolled away, having Freth make impact upon the floor and shattering the chair. The Hunter quickly staggered to her feet as Freth abandons the chair and rushes for the Hunter. The two once again came to blows. Freth would manage to land a couple of strikes upon the Hunter’s face, but the third attack, the Hunter would manage to catch Freth and throw Freth over her shoulder. The Hunter would quickly stomp down, practically threatening to crush Freth’s head if such a thing was possible. But Freth rolled away, getting back on her feet and retaliating. The two would then lock arms then quickly broke away, unleashing their own hard telekinetic force and driving each other back even further. The two rushed in and came to blows once more. The two twirled as they tussled eventually pulling each other over the knocked over table onto the food, drink, glass and silverware scattered all upon the floor.
The two scrambled up, Freth quickly picked up what remained of a pie with her influence and lobbed it off right into the Hunter’s face. “ACK! REALLY!?” As the Hunter tried to wipe her face clean enough to see again, Freth rushed up and pounced on the Hunter and started to smash her fist again into the hunter. She quickly then reached out. A wine bottle flew off the floor and right for Freth’s hand. Before she got the opportunity to clock the Hunter with the bottle, the Hunter shoved Freth right off with her own telekinetic force. Freth hit the ground hard, losing the bottle hitting the ground. She would scramble back up, as would the Hunter, pulling herself up against the knocked over table. “You really think you’re cute now that you figured that much out about psychic power?!” The Hunter shouted. “You know nothing of what it takes!”
Much to Freth’s shock, multiple items started to float off the ground. All manner of sharp and blunt instruments all for the outright maiming of Freth. Freth barely was able to grab one thing at a time. Freth would walk back some, as if trying to get ready to dodge every bit that she could, but with all the more focus, the Hunter reached over and Freth would start to lift off the ground herself. “In what world did you think you had a chance!?” When it looked at its most dire however, Freth found herself falling back to the ground, as did all the items the Hunter picked up. The Hunter stumbled over, leaning against the table, looking severely out of breath for some reason. She grasped at her head: she looked in total agony. Freth wasn’t understanding what was going on…but the Hunter had some idea. In this world, only the mind mattered. The mind dictated everything. From mere movement to manipulation of manifestations of whatever is here. The Hunter, already having to push herself between getting used to Freth’s body and using all manner of psychic ability to fend off Chaksu and his designated defenders, pushed Polaris to her absolute limit. She couldn’t go that hard anymore. Any other day, Freth, a complete ametuer had no chance in here. She had no chance of going back to the physical world. Now, she once again found herself on the back foot to circumstance.
Freth managed to stand back up but as soon as she did, the Hunter pushed off the knocked over table and reached over to Freth, grabbing her once again and dragged her over. She then moved her over, slamming her against the large, knocked over banquet table. She started to frantically stomp away at Freth, now desperate to bring this fight to an end. Freth quickly pushed out with her own telekinetic force, pushing her away then scrambled back up, rushing for the Hunter and once again the two blows once more. The Hunter had to do this the old-fashioned way for the most part. She had the skill at least, the experience of the Ultra Recon squad. Freth was still some former underworld street brawler for the most part. She still had the edge. She had to calm down and not screw up. The Hunter carefully guarded then managed to slug Freth once more. Polaris pressed the advantage, one hard strike after another. Freth managed to recover, swaying out of the way from one of the Hunter’s fists, driving her own into Polaris’s gut.
Freth then threw Polaris back behind her, then unleashing another psychic burst, shoving Polaris down and slamming against the large table. As soon as the Hunter turned around, Freth wailed away once more, putting Polaris back on the defensive. She turtled up as Freth tried to find an opening, slamming away at her gut, trying to bash her face, anything to keep the pressure. Freth quickly gave a moment of hesitation, one that the Hunter tries to capitalize on. To Polaris surprise…it turned out to be a feint. Freth gave one harsh haymaker, rocking the Hunter and throwing her off her feet and putting her onto the floor. Freth immediately jumped on Polaris constantly wailing around, putting Polaris back to turtling away to try to get another opening, completely pressured by Freth’s relentless assault. Polaris, with a roar of defiance, unleashed a mental burst herself to once again kick Freth off, but Freth this time, knowing where this situation lead, quickly countered, unleashing a pulse of her own to nullify Polaris’s, practically parrying it. The notion caught the Hunter off guard, that moment of surprise rewarded with a uncontested strike on Polaris’s face. And another. And another. And Another.
Freth was not letting up; all of these months has been absolute hell with Polaris around. All this doom saying, all these stupid justifications for trying to kill those she cared about, predictions which hadn’t even come to pass and still had the chance to not to, a chance that the Hunter didn’t want to bank on just because of whatever she dealt with in Ultra Space. While there was no doubt that there were many worlds were a crapshoot, they were only that way because of the decisions of the people there. And her decisions weren’t going to ruin this one for her. As Polaris tries to struggle to get back to the defensive, Freth reaches out towards one of the objects on the floor. A Candelabra. The candles left over still stuck in it from the chaos get whipped off from Freth’s sudden summoning of it to her. She catches it in her hand then proceeds to bash away with the base of the candle holder, Freth hell bent on finishing this fight now. A few more strikes and it started to look Polaris was going cross-eyed from the relentless assault. To finally put a punctuation to this fight, Freth pushed off of Polaris and took a few steps back. She then reaches up and snaps her fingers. The chain holding the massive crystal chandelier makes a resounding snap which echoed in the white void and crashed down on top of the intruder that long since overstayed her welcome.
Freth stared at where Polaris laid then gave a hard sigh out. One of the hardest fights she ever had in her life. Angry as she was at Polaris for doing all of this, putting though Freth what she did, she still did at the very least understood generally why she did what she did. Perhaps there was a legitimate concern…she was witness to it after all on a day-to-day basis. Despite it, she never imagined that it was going to be that bad. She saw the memories however. Perhaps there was cause for alarm. But it didn’t change the fact that no one wanted to give anyone the chance to change, let alone Polaris. Freth wanted to believe that people, let alone Blizzard, was better than that. Different realities should come with different potentials, Freth thought. Now that she thought about it, it did raise a few questions…questions she almost wished that was answered when she was still adrift in Polaris’s memories.
She then took a look around at this inner palace. A complete mess. Maybe, she can clean this up one of these days, but right at the moment, more important issues. “How the hell do I get out of this place?” she asked as she started to walk off, looking for the nearest exit to reality.
---End of Part 8---
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:35 pm
Unlock Potential - Part 9
The crystals on the chandelier started to shift, making Freth perk up, looking back towards the wreckage. The Hunter was trying to lift up the chandelier. Slowly the wreckage of gold and crystal started to lift off of Polaris using her telekinetic power and with a loud grunt, the ruined chandelier gets moved off to the side. Polaris slowly pulled herself up, bracing against the table. “Well…good to know that apparently dying here isn’t happening. At least that easily, if nothing else. But if it’s any comfort to you…that hurt like hell.” Freth couldn’t believe it; she was exasperated at the whole issue. How much more did she have to do before this was over? Now that she was looking at her, there wasn’t a mark on her either. Freth realized that she should have had a few bangs and cuts on her too from this dinner room brawl and she wasn’t damaged in any way. Sore though. “So…is this it then?” The hunter then spoke up, reaching over and bringing over a chair leg to her hand, trying to get ready to fight again. “We just keep bashing each other’s proverbial brains out until trumpets sound and Arceus descends on the world? Or more likely the scenario, we’re frozen over to your demented boyfriend?”
“Or you could just surrender.” Freth then stated.
“You know that’s not happening.” Polaris venomously replied. Freth could only just stare at Polaris. Though it wasn’t out of anger…no. Irritated, perhaps still, but overall it had mostly passed. Now, it was just pity. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m left to wonder…what got you so hellbent like this?”
“Because I’m staring at a foolish woman who can’t even get it through her head that her boy toy is going to doom the world and no matter what I try, I can’t seem to make any headway for one reason or another! I’m believing Arceus hates me at this point!”
“No, not that.” Freth said. “Tell me something. Did you know where you sent me when I first showed up here?”
Polaris paused, but then a realization. “I didn’t care where I sent you, because I didn’t have full control in here yet and as far as I was concerned, you were not able to do anything anyways and doubted you could. But considering that you called me by my recon name and all of this, I’m guessing perhaps my memories.” She said.
“Yea, I saw a fair bit. Leaves me to wonder what happened in life that got you the way you are.”
“Oh don’t even try playing psycho-analysist with me.”
“I don’t need a degree to figure you out. Grew up in life with your parents possibly scared at you, and making whatever concessions and excuses they could to make sure you stayed away, but you pulled yourself up for the most part. Might have gotten help here and there, but it was all you. Eventually your world was rocked by Celcius, which explains your episode in Hisui. But despite all of that, up until your stint with the recon squad you tried to maintain some semblance of…well. You. Still wanted to find the good in people in some respects…your team mates in the recon squad mentioned as such. But then one day, presumably in your romp galivanting around who knows where, that all changed. Something of you died out there in the ether somewhere. Made you bitter. Jaded. Something you saw, perhaps? Something happened on your watch? What made someone like you just completely break?”
“Have you not listened this entire-“
“Shut up, I know it’s not Blizzard…that wasn’t until after the fact. He was just another in perhaps a long line of scapegoats and pariahs. It bothered you for a long time…ate away at you. But considering what I saw down there in your own head…I wonder…some of those memories were too dark. I couldn’t even see faces, let alone where the hell I was at until presumably I found more recent memories of yours. It was just some odd light and complete darkness that made vague shapes…I’m left to wonder perhaps were you trying to forget all this time. You wanted to forget. Your main means of coping anymore. You didn’t feel as if you could talk to much, even with your Recon allies, could you? You in spite of that try to maintain some semblance of peace for the sake of your own power and such, but deep down, if you weren’t seething the entire time, it was just the feeling of being dead the entire time. And that’s all you’ve known. You don’t even know why you are upset anymore, do you? Its all you’ve known for years; you’re used to it. And worse, these feelings were constantly fed into you by the recon squad with your various assignments in some fashion. All you can remember is that being left alone to your own devices in whatever mundane spot that you were in before the day Celcius robbed even that from you was the only sense of peace that you had. And you wanted it back. Even if it came at the expense of someone else. Under all that power, that training and experience, that desperation…regardless what you say, rather it be for the benefit of the world or not, at the end of the day, you’re still that four- or five-year-old little girl trying to find that ‘Ursie’ again.”
The table would erupt into splinters, Polaris not taking well to Freth’s analysis. Freth remained unmoved. Such a display probably would illicit at least a flinch, but Freth just saw a girl having a tantrum. Polaris wasn’t that stoic, resolute bounty hunter anymore. She was a scorned girl. “How dare you…” she venomously stated. “You know nothing! All that monologue and all you did was give me more reason to figure out how to stuff you into some deeper reaches of this head!”
“Yea, about that, that’s not happening. In fact, you already lost.” Freth said.
“What?” The stained glass windows shattered violently and through them, from a dark void, crystal like chains came out from the each of them, whipping around quickly as if a serpent ready to attack. “What is this!? What-“ The chains start ensnaring the interdimensional hunter. The Hunter tried to struggle, even tried to use her own psychic prowess, but with her still mostly burned out, she couldn’t repel them for long. The chains wrapped and entangled about her. “ARE YOU DOING THIS!?”
“Yea…I had a realization. You managed to change me into the Galarian variant because of what Celcius did to you. You figured out that Celcius got to me too when we butted heads in Galar, didn’t you? Rather, that arm ‘told’ you. Its why you decided to try to take me over. Using that arm of yours. That was the catalyst that Ambrosia speculated, wasn’t it? Renala gave me another hint for that matter when she thought she was sensing Celcius before all of this. In fact, that arm of yours, off-putting as it is, kind of told stories in its own way. With Celcius gone, you had free reign over that messed up arm of yours and whatever secrets that it might still hold. Like the fact that you could convert icy power from say an Articuno, let alone from Blizzard, to your own uses. Like making…I don’t know what you would call it. A psychic feedback? I guess? You figured that you could use what Celcius did to me just as you did with your arm. You had some sort of feeling about me, despite not knowing who I was, when we fought in Galar. The backlash when you tried taking me over, what made that icy barrier between me and psychic power, was probably an adverse reaction to you trying that. Tristen probably didn’t help, though. So, I figured, what if I gave it a shot? What if I could use what’s left what Celcius did to me on you?”
“This shouldn’t be possible! Celcius fully integrated you! You’re just another hybrid as far as anyone or anything should be concerned! You shouldn’t be able to do anything like that!” Polaris stated.
“You forget, you changed that. The day that you changed me. You’re the one who put me in a position where I had to look pretty deep about myself. Realize how to use psychic power. Realize the depths of how my mind works, at least start to, anyways. More importantly, disable the barrier that divided me and the power you forced on me. Celcius unfortunately had been part of me, rather if he actually still exists or not, just as he was with you. And while I didn’t have the benefit of a proverbial, maybe literal, ace up the sleeve like you did since becoming a hybrid, you made it when you tried to take me over where I could perhaps access what Celcius did to me in some other fashion, rather if I was aware of it or not. That’s what I think anyways. I’m probably overthinking it…but I do know this: this is my mind, Polaris. My domain. My world. My life. And you…are an invader.” The chains snapped tight, Polaris near mummified from the icy crystal-like chains that ensnared her, and try as she might to fight it to get loose, resistance was futile. The chains constricted tighter on her. Polaris’s mind was still overtaxed from her fights. She was too much in a panic for that matter. Getting out was hopeless. Polaris catches in the back of her eye a dark hole opening up behind her. “You did this to yourself, Polaris…maybe you need some time to reflect.” There wasn’t any malice to what Freth had said to Polaris. It was still all-around pity for her. However, so long as the Hunter remained ever determined to execute her personal mission to completion, she was in fact a potential danger, and Freth had too much going on to be concerned with her. She kicked Polaris into the pit, with fear in her eyes for the first time as far as Freth was concerned. As she descended into the darkness, the pit closed up afterwards.
Freth could only stare at the spot on the white void of a floor where the pit was. Freth was almost certain she would be back. Maybe she’d break those chains eventually. Maybe they’ll be bound to fight again in this space. Hopefully, she’ll have the time to better ready herself. She had to admit: she lucked out. She probably had no right to win this fight. She had to be ready next time. She had to be. The world then started to fade out around her and the white void got brighter, engulfing her…
Freth’s vision was blurry. And she felt like hell. Everything ached. She winces a few times. When her vision cleared, she saw she was in a familiar bed. One in the medical ward. Though the ward itself was a little more occupied than before. The people around her were in quite the ringer, constantly being bandaged up and salves made up of various herbs and berries were being applied to where needed. She even noticed Renala was close by. She was sat up to apparently eat some soup. The female Medicham hybrid took notice to Freth, noticing that Freth didn’t have the glowing, vigilant eyes of the Hunter but instead the diamond white eyes she came here with. Renala moved the bowl with her telekinetic force to a nearby stand then stood up to hobble off towards Freth. “Welcome back.” She stated.
“Oh God, did she do this?” Freth asked.
“Yea. Admittedly, we all underestimated her. Power and tenacity, all. We were trying to not do too much harm to you but she made it to our disadvantage in that fight.” She said. “Though things was tough for you too, that I could tell…but I couldn’t see what happened in your mind. What happened in there?” she asked.
“I…guess I managed to get rid of her for now…”
“For now?” Renala asked, staring at Freth in confusion.
“I don’t know for how long. Probably could come back all of a sudden for as all I know. I tried to do what I could in there. And even so…I mean, I probably shouldn’t have been able to come back given the circumstances. The Elder didn’t exactly do me a lot of favors…”
“He had no idea what was bound to happen, and he feels regret for that.” Renala stated.
“Speaking of, where is he?”
“He’s in his own quarters being tended to like everyone in here. He unfortunately got the worse of what that specter was capable of in the end. Freth, your power, it honestly terrifies me…I never seen anything like that before.” Renala stated. “And the way she was using it, it…was…” Renala couldn’t help but to think back to the fight in the cavern, cutting herself off. The Hunter clearly unnerved her.
Freth was reminded about something just then. On the other side of the bed, cata-cornered from it, she noticed a small wooden stool. Freth got a little curious just then…something that bothered her. Freth reached out towards the stool. She tried to focus, just as she did during her fight with Polaris. The stool jittered and shook in place. Renala stared in confusion then looked over towards the stool then back to Freth again. Freth would stop for a second, tilting her head in confusion for a second, then tried again. Once again, the stool jittered and jived more, but moved nowhere, let alone to Freth just as she wanted. Trying again for a third time got Renala to move her hands over to move Freth’s hands down. “Stop.”
“I don’t get it…I was doing it against Polaris.”
“Because in your mind, it was your world and your rules. In your mind was where your power could flow freely. But now you’re here, in the physical world, where it’s no longer your rules. But considering that you can do that much now seems to show promise. You’ve taken your first steps…” Renala explained.
“Oh…”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be given guidance. You need to rest in the meantime. That specter didn’t do you any favors.”
“Alright…”
---------------
Rest came relatively okay for the next few days as normalcy returned to the village of the Order. Though Freth would have to admit that something had bothered her this entire time, and she wasn’t sure as to what. An uneasiness that she couldn’t necessarily describe. Was it guilt, maybe? She thought back to her last moments with the Hunter. She was fine with the fact that she did what she had to do. The Hunter still had no remorse in her actions and was completely hellbent at accomplishing her objective. There was no reasoning when she remained stalwart in her logic, all reinforced by whatever her experiences were, completely shutting out any other reasoning. It was what it was. No, it wasn’t guilt, Freth would deduce. Perhaps in the end, it didn’t matter. Just as it has been told to her, after all.
Perhaps it was the numerous questions that she had that the Hunter refused to answer. Like what got her to be the merciless person she was because if she understood it correctly, that didn’t really happen until she was in deep with that recon squad. What about that Necrozma thing, for that matter? Something so powerful it literally brings about an eternal darkness. Seeing that Megaopolis was harrowing, she had to admit. Her allies that she ended up leaving behind. Was she really going to end up encountering those at some point or another? Or this council that saw over everything? Was she going to end up a target for what she knew thanks to the Hunter? They did seem to want to keep things quiet. Freth wasn’t sure if those questions were what was bothering her as well.
After a couple of days rest, Freth was provided another suit of the order’s training clothes since the other set that was provided to her was ruined from the fight between Polaris and the Order. Once again, she got dressed, putting the wraps around her chest, tightening up the pants around the waist, all in preparation for the day ahead. She still ached a little, but not as bad as it was when she woke up days prior. It was still enough to stop her from doing her prance around the village to spare her feet from the stinging cold. In the dining hall, it was another bowl of bland oatmeal, but honestly? Freth was fine with it this time. The fact that she could even taste this now, eat this now, was perhaps nothing shy of a miracle. She wasn’t going to complain. It could still use something sweet, though. As she finished with her meal, she stared at the empty bowl with the spoon she left inside. She raised her hand up and tried to focus once again, just as she did with the chair in the recover ward. Just as the chair, the spoon vibrated and shook, not really wanting to go anywhere other than jitter about in the bowl, almost as if it was having a seizure.
After trying a couple of times, and resigned that she wasn’t able to do that yet, Freth figured to go on ahead and head off to the Gathering Hall to get to work on getting on the path to mastering her power. Freth was about to stand up from her seat at the table until the dining halls doors open and Chaksu walks in. Bandaged up a fair bit, but he was up and moving around. Freth moved up off her seat, ready to greet him, ready to bombard him with all manner of questions about how he was feeling or ask why he was up and about already. She was stopped before she started with a gentle raise of the hand by the Elder. “No need, Freth. I’m fine enough.” He said. “I actually came to see you. Please, sit down.”
She sat back down at her seat as Chaksu sat across from her. Freth was a bit on guard, wondering if she needed to say something. The Hunter put Chaksu through the ringer, after all. “I don’t blame you for what transpired, Freth. Some of it, I am to blame.” He gave a sagely nod. “I apologize to you.”
“Oh, Elder, no, nononono…Chaksu, we had no idea what would happen and I came here knowing anything was on the table.” Freth said. “Things needed to be done, right?”
“That it has. Speaking of, Renala stated that despite the peril, it wasn’t without reward. You become aware of your power, is it true?” he asked.
“Something like that.”
“Show me.” Chaksu stated.
Freth looked down then tried to recenter herself. She then reached up trying to pull up the spoon again, just as before. The spoon once again vibrated and jittered about in the bowl, the more that she tried to get it to her, the more that it wanted to go all over the place. “Alright that’s enough.” Chaksu stated.
“Yea, not a whole lot going on there.”
“But it’s still leaps and bounds than you were before.” Chaksu stated. “Crawling before walking, as it is said. Tell me, what do you feel now that you realize this power? You stated you were the icy variant before now? How does it compare?”
“It’s different. I used to be able to sense the various pressures in other people; their own power, if they had anything going for them. How strong or weak it was. I could feel my own in a sense, and it helped me in a way where I could control it like how I could tense a muscle; and the more I did so, the stronger say my Ice Beams were or my Icy Wind attacks were. Now? I…don’t feel any of that. Instead, its…like I’ve become I’ve become more overly aware of everything in this room. Every person and object. I don’t sense things the way like I used to…and I don’t know if that’s honestly a good or bad thing. It makes me oddly nervous when I don’t have any reason to. Maybe as if I was prone to get vertigo. I don’t know how to really to describe it.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” Chaksu stated. “Not many psychics are like you. What you describe most would have long since gotten over it because they lived with it all their lives. That will be worked out in time. We can help in that. But…I feel as if that isn’t everything. You…seem to have your thoughts elsewhere…what is wrong?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really quite figured that out.” Freth admitted. “I’ve been trying to figure that out over the past couple of days.”
“I see. Bear in mind that you will need to maintain a clear mind for these exercises.”
“Nothing else matters, right?” Freth recited. “I’ve been wanting to ask something, now I am reminded of it. Nothing else matters, and yet what I saw from Polaris…or heck, some of what I saw here in this village, people were practically multitasking with it. In Polaris’s case, she was temperamental in some respect or another and yet she was using her power just fine as if it didn’t matter.”
“You’ll learn hopefully during your stay here that the intent is not to make you just an unwavering drone all in order to use your psychic power. The same would go for any psychic. One cannot go on through life after all without some sort of joy, sorrow, anger, or anything within the spectrum. Let alone pain and comfort. Here, we favor knowledge, and a crystal-clear mind is needed in the pursuit of the knowledge you seek, that is true. However, knowledge at the expense of all other facets of ourselves is honestly no knowledge at all. We believe that is what Uxie has been trying to show us that the entire time. At least, that’s what I believe. We are living, sentient beings after all.” Chaksu explained. “We temper ourselves to try to maintain that sense of self despite whatever excites us or anguish us. In the end, nothing else matters.”
“The poles.” Freth stated.
“The poles.” Chaksu chuckled. “So simple yet serves many a purpose. Helps train all manner of person, hybrid or not. Psychic or not. Though that’s one of our many exercises here. But I’m sure you’re up to the task.”
“…looking forward to it?” Freth said with a bit of unease apparent.
“You’ll be fine.” He said with a gentle, knowing smile. “In the meantime, how about we get started.” Freth during this time was feeling something move, though she wasn’t doing it. She looked over seeing another spoon float over to Chaksu’s hand. Then the bowl that Freth was eating out of was floated out of the way.
“Wait, what? Here?”
“Why not? Here or the Gathering hall, it matters not.” The Elder stated, holding out the spoon for Freth to take.
Freth took the spoon and stared at it for a short moment. She recalled what was mentioned…a exercise for children. Though in retrospect? For a child? This has to be torture. Then again, so was school to begin with. “So…what’s the first step?”
“Instead of just trying to move it anywhere, start with moving it in place.” Chaksu stated. “What you exhibited to me was your mind still trying to make sense of what it is wanting to do. You did all manner of things perhaps in your own inner world, of sorts, but that was only because it was what you wanted, and even then, I’m willing to guess you still didn’t do as much as you hoped even then. Didn’t you?”
Freth recalled the fight with Polaris and now that she thought about it, it did feel like she could only grab and throw one thing at a time, which was in itself pretty hard, and that was on top of making sure she herself could at least move at the same time, because just moving herself around in there was a task in and of itself. The Hunter outright threatened to tear the world apart it seemed like with her own mental prowess. “I…suppose not.”
“Now you have to effectively translate that to this physical world of ours. One thing at a time, after all. And the more that you can hone your mind, the more you can do at once. But again, crawl before walking. Bend the spoon.” The elder explained.
“Into an perfect arch. Got it.”
“No, just simply bend it. I don’t care if you bend it at some angle. But keep it straight at least; don’t twist it. Arches are the next step.” Chaksu stated. As Freth laid the spoon down in front of her, she found herself a little astounded by Chaksu’s statement. Apparently, the steps forward were tiny, but deliberate. All in order for more precise control. “Take your time. As you are doing that…I think I’ll have some breakfast…” he said, standing up and making his way off for food.
Freth looked at the spoon and tried to focus on it. Even without the intent to move to her, away from her, or anything of the sort, the spoon shook and gyrated about. As she sat there, Freth could almost see images flash before her eyes again. Those brief moments she saw Polaris using her power in some fashion, recalling what she felt as Polaris used it for her own gain, to get merely a cookie or to train, she recalled as it felt, but she would be lying if she wishes it meant that she could use her psychic ability outright knowing what Polaris knew. But then…Freth didn’t know. She only watched and felt things that were beyond her mind’s comprehension at the time.
Chaksu would finally sit down at the table and started to partake in breakfast as Freth continued to work on the exercise given to her. Between every attempt to try to bend the spoon before her, she couldn’t help but to think back. Both Chaksu and Renala stated that the fact that Freth could do this was miraculous for what it was. At first, Freth wondered if it was just the fact that she managed to do this while under fire effectively. But part of her started to doubt that. What was the step that she taken that set her apart from someone starting fresh like say Reno had when he started his path to psychic channeling. “You mentioned that you’re feeling overly aware of your surroundings, like you never have been before, correct?”
“Yes?” Freth spoke up.
“You’re trying to single out the spoon before you, I can see.” Chaksu stated. “You have the right idea, but you’re trying to go about it wrong. You’re trying to…hm, how to say it…shut off your perception to the things around you in order to get to the spoon, trying to ignore it in any way you can. You don’t need to do that. You’re putting in too much effort in the exercise than what is needed. Calm yourself. Remember how you were reaching in yourself to find your power? During your meditation exercises? Meditation will help you. However long it takes. One step at a time.”
“Nothing else matters.” Freth once again recited.
“Indeed.”
Freth once again looked down upon the spoon, trying to maintain her focus on it. Chaksu wasn’t wrong at all; she was trying to block out the feeling of everything else and focus squarely on the spoon. But it was a juggling act to her. Her mind was still trying to cope with feeling everything. These new sensations that her mind was trying to process. That said, in a way, the reasoning didn’t seem to make sense. When she bore witness to Polaris’s memories, it was as if her influence extended out from her to the thing she wanted. Nothing mattered beyond that. Perhaps she was misreading the situation that she saw. She shook her head, figuring that seeing and feeling the event and actually doing it were in fact two different things, just as most things were.
If she was to understand it correctly, being able to feel out all manner of items is fine. She needed to just only need to worry about the one in front of her. She could feel the object in front of her. Every minor curvature, its size. She needed to just pick a spot and bend it. As Freth attempted to focus on it, she closed her eyes, trying to get into a meditative state similar to what Chaksu tried to put her through in the gathering hall and in the cavern. Truthfully, Freth still wasn’t sure how that she looked deep as she did back in those places. In some regards, she almost felt if she maybe skipped a step because she managed to get into that deep meditative state which triggered her episodes without even realizing it until too late. Now that she thought about it, was this going to trigger another episode? She didn’t see why it should now. It didn’t matter.
As Freth started to meditate deeper after some time, Chaksu noticed the onyx feathers that rimmed her eyes started to slowly light up. The spoon jittered, though not as hard as it once did. The feather tips on her wings were slowly lighting up one at a time. The spoon continued to jitter but then in one swift motion, the spoon bent over in a blink. Her feathers then slowly went back to their normal coloring and Freth looked down towards the spoon. She picked up the spoon, and sure enough. Bent. Unfortunately, not in the way he was asking. The spoon bent, the curve folding about and twisting awkwardly. Chaksu was just looking for a mere bend. Not…this.
“That was a nice attempt.” Chaksu stated as he took the spoon away from Freth with his telekinetic power. With no effort at all from him, the spoon snapped back into its original shape, then handed the spoon back to Freth. “You were getting there. Try again.” Freth couldn’t help but to stare at the spoon a second; she was expecting all manner of stretch marks and wear on the spoon from trying that, but the Elder fixed it back rather easily. Thoughts for another time.
She sat the spoon back down on the table and started to get back to work, but then a realization hit her. “Elder, are Psychics actually meditating when they are using their power? I mean, if they are proficient in it.”
“If they’re proficient in it, then no, they aren’t.” he stated. “Meditation here is to help any Pokémon, Human, or Hybrid to achieve new potential that they were originally not aware they had. It will help supplement them. Enrich them. Or in others cases, such as yours? Get started on their path.”
“Oh.” She said. There was a long way to go to this ‘path’ as it was called. “Alright.” Freth went back to looking at the spoon for a second, once again closing her eyes to try to get back to her meditative state. The more that she thought about it, getting like this was actually helping. Quite a lot, actually. The more that she tried to go into it, she found herself going into it quicker. Once again, Chaksu would notice Freth’s feathers would light up and, in a snap, the spoon bent once more. She opened her eyes once again, seeing the bend was still not as it should be. Chaksu this time reverted the spoon without even bothering taking it again, instructing her to try again.
Freth would make a many attempts trying to do a simple bend, all failure, all the way into the afternoon. In which time, people of the Order and those who have come here to train have made their way in and out, noting Chaksu there at the table with Freth. Chaksu would give nods to them as they passed as Freth continued to concentrate from the foot traffic and the cold being let in to the dining hall. Chaksu would look towards a nearby window where he was seated then looked over towards Freth. “Please, Freth, take a break.” Chaksu spoke up. “You’ve earned that much today, so far. Lunch will be ready shortly.” Freth would open her eyes again, and then stared at the spoon, lifting it up with her hand. The spoon was literally folded in half. No twists like asked. It was straight. Though it wasn’t really an angle, strictly speaking. “Heh, technically, you succeeded. Though I never had anyone to fold the spoon in half like that before.” Chaksu stated.
“But not what you were truly looking for.” Freth said.
“Don’t let it discourage you, Freth. You’ve made progress today. We will continue later after the meal.” He said, sitting up from his chair.
As Chaksu left, Freth took a look at the spoon that she had been twisting and turning in an effort to hone her mind. Despite taking a while to do this much, Freth found herself fairly enticed at the prospect of the power that was forced upon her, perhaps for the first time since becoming a hybrid of the Galarian variant of Articuno. Perhaps Polaris did have her pegged in some regards, Freth would come to think. As the Icy variant, as much as she loved it, she didn’t really have the drive to do more than what she needed to do to keep up with others. But now…she actually wanted to work on this, not for just the sake of her own well-being, but now that she was doing this, it was actually…kind of neat. She never imagined that she would take to working on this as well as she was doing.
Discouraged? Not at all…
---------------
The days would pass on by as Freth tried to perfect bending the spoon, from a simple angled bend, to finally putting it into the perfect arch. She went back to meditating between the exercises, even doing so on her off time, like shortly after meals or right before bed. She would sneak a couple of spoons out of the dining hall back to her room as well, trying to entwine spouts of meditation with bending the spoons into the arch she had expected to do. She started to realize that these meditation sessions were a bit of a catalyst to anyone trying to harness whatever abilities they had. And even if she got to the point where she didn’t need to meditate, it was perhaps a good idea to keep on anyhow, especially in her case to make sure that she kept her psychic prowess in check.
Freth would have to admit though her unease didn’t really go away, however. She still tried to ponder what was giving her issues. After all this time, she would have figured that she’d be over it, regardless of what it was. Or just have forgotten about it, especially with her being busy in trying to stay on the road towards perfecting her use of her psychic abilities. She at first wondered if it was the fact of her mind still feeling a bit overwhelmed from the massive number of things in any given area, but that wasn’t necessarily it either. She tried to meditate on it herself when she could, since meditation seemed to be the answer to everything here. She found no answers, much to her chagrin.
One day, she would once again be instructed to meet with the Elder, but not in the Gathering Hall this time. The poles. Not what she imagined doing so soon, but apparently this was the next step. She would walk off, making her awkward walking-prance down the paths to the poles, still shivering quite a bit from the cold. She would find Chaksu at the poles, but this time gathered by various others. Pokémon, Hybrids, Humans of both the channeler variety and those that were not. Things were back to normalcy with the Order. With Chaksu feeling that there was no longer any need to give Freth special attention due to her not having an episode or the threat of Polaris causing all manner of havoc, she was intergrated with the other trainees of the order. Freth had a cold comfort as she took a look at the students about Chaksu. Most of them too weren’t fond of this cold either.
“Good morning.” Chaksu stated to the class as a whole. “For some of you, this will be just a mere remedial exercise. For others, a few choice words I will not condone, even if you don’t out right speak it.” Chaksu stated. “Here, you will balance yourself at the top of these poles. Your endurance will be pressed, your mental state will have to fight through all of the elements. You will be given various exercises that you will have to complete as you attempt the overall main exercise. Take a position next to a pole, each of you, and await further instruction.”
Freth would finally notice that here at these tall posts, the snow around them hadn’t been cleared away for some time, unlike the walkways. The snow was about knee high, which made Freth wince quite a bit as she waded through it to make it to an unoccupied post. She took a position and waited. And prayed that Chaksu would hurry up. Of course, he would go at his pace. She shivered hard, she tightened her wings around her, and hugged herself with her arms tight, which did nothing. Chaksu would make eventually his way to Freth. “Nice day, is it not?”
“Glorious.” Freth said, sarcasm abound. She was clear she was missing that ice typing she once had.
Chaksu would reach over and a much smaller, thinner pole, about as tall as Freth was, shot out from underneath the snow nearby. Chaksu pulled the pole towards him and once he had hold of it with his hand, he thrusted it down into the earth underneath the snow. He then reached into a pocket, pulling out another spoon and drove it into the top of the pole. “Freth, just as you have been working on, you are to make the spoon into a perfect arch. Consider this your next step. If you somehow knock off the spoon accidentally in your attempt to bend the spoon, you will come down and reposition it and move back up on your post until you get it right. You have a half-hour. Do you understand?”
She nodded furiously, still shivering from the extreme cold. “Begin.”
“W-wait, I can’t fly yet. How do I get up there?” she asked.
“Climb.” Chaksu said matter-of-factly, walking off towards the next student.
Freth stared dumbfounded for a moment then gave a sigh. When one asks a stupid question, after all. She then looked at the post then jumped on it. The cold was making her limbs numb, making it hard to make any headway. Her talon-like hands dug in deep into the wood, trying everything she could to make her way to the top. She started to pull herself up, a little at a time. Usually, trying to do something like this was no big deal. But she didn’t have all manner of the elements against her.
It took a few minutes’ worth of attempts, occasionally sliding down or falling off the pole from not being able to get enough headway to make it to the top, before she sighed. She had to focus…recollect herself. She looked up at the top of the other posts, seeing most other students have already made it before her. She was reminded of one other thing. Each of the students were balancing on one foot…some much more poorly than others. The post was only going to be big enough to stand on one foot. Exercise in endurance was right. She took a few breaths, she had to focus. Meditate once more. She had to dig deep again. Meditation wasn’t just for the mental, but it also helped the physical. No pain, she thought. No pain. No cold. Just…get to the top of this pole. She once again hopped up and started to shimmy, steeling herself as she started to climb. The sooner she could get to the top, the better.
It took another couple of minutes, trying to maintain that little peace she has gotten, but she finally made it to the top. She had to work herself around; it was awkward, adjusting herself to move the foot that she was going to stand on and stand up straight, just as the other students were doing. Once she got her foot into position, she was in what would otherwise be said in a kneeling position. She had to press up, push herself up straight. As she tried to push to get up straight, her leg was wanting to refuse to. It was too cold, the wind now that she managed to make it to the top not making it any better. She continued to push, trying to fight beyond the limits of what she had until finally she stood up. She was wobbly, already ready to lose her balance. She closed her eyes, trying to retain that peace but was failing. She had to get in a really deep meditative state, she figured, but this was absolutely absurd. She was hell bent trying to keep her balance, fight against her leg wanting to buckle between the cold and the pain from trying to balance on the post. She instinctively put out her arms and even her wings to try to balance herself, but as she quickly learned, it honestly made things worse. She fell over, hitting the ground and leaving a large imprint in the snow below.
“Are you okay, Freth?” The Elder called out to her.
“Just hurt my pride…and maybe a few other things…”
“I can tell. Fortunately, hybrids tend to be more of a durable sort.”
“Doesn’t make it hurt any less…” she said.
“I would say you should take your time, Freth, when you’re trying to get into position, but I would imagine you would disagree with me.”
“Yes, kind of, given the circumstances.” Freth said, pulling her head above the snow. She managed to get back up and started back up the post. She got to the top once again, slower this time however, still trying to nurse the impact with the snow-covered ground and dealing with the numbness being dealt by the cold. She managed to reposition her foot on top of the post and push herself up, trying to meditate at every step of the way. She managed to get back into position, this time not trying to balance herself with her wings and arms. She closed her eyes, trying to dig deep. She had to fight through the cold. She started to remember what was told to her; that if she was going to draw upon this power when she needed to, she needed to do it under all manner of circumstances. It wasn’t always going to be a clear, sunny day with nothing going wrong. And nothing normal was bound to happen if she planned on using her abilities during an assignment as a Snagem.
As she started to balance as best as she could on the post, she started to realize something else. She couldn’t get a read all too well as to what was going on around her. What actually was around her. She was in too much grief from the cold and numbness. How could anyone actually manage to do this? She had to get back to meditating. She had to power through it, she thought. As soon as she could get a read on the spoon, she could bend it and be done with this torturous exercise.
She could feel her leg getting ready to buckle once again; she needed to switch legs to stand on, but there was not a good way to switch. She broke out of meditation, looking at the other students, seeing if there was anyone else that was ready to fall over just as she did only moments ago, but they were practically troopers. She wasn’t sure if they trained extensively their leg strength in order to do this or if they were about to give way just as she did. The latter didn’t look at it, all holding their own respective tree-like poses. A good number of these people were here long before she was, after all. Perhaps they have been tempered to such a degree already.
Screw it, she either had to switch legs or she was falling, and if she screwed up, she was falling anyways. Freth gave a short hop, quickly switching legs, but upon making contact with the post, she quickly tried to do everything she could to maintain her balance. She swayed about, trying to prevent herself from falling again. It took a good few seconds but she managed to stop herself and managed to right herself. She sighed out, then went immediately to work trying to get back to meditating, as impossible as it seemed. She initially thought that it would have been easy enough, considering that she was doing it relatively okay while in the dining hall, but the more she went on, the more it was practically impossible to her.
She continued to power through, but she started to realize she had to be running short on time. She had to get the feeling of the spoon again. She constantly struggled to meditate; feeling desperate at this point. In the midst of her desperation however, things started to come somewhat into clarity. She started to feel the objects again somewhat. Good enough, she thought. Parsing through the objects and people around her, she quickly singled out the spoon. In her haste, she went to attempt to bend it to an arch, but the moment she extended her influence out, to manipulate the metal object, the spoon was knocked off its perch. “Son of a-“ Freth growled out. She had to climb down and put it back on its stand now, much to her disdain. She slowly knelt down and shimmied herself around the post she was on to climb back down, but as soon as she managed to get herself around the post, she slipped and ended up falling off once again. She was already tired, legs absurdly sore, and too cold. She pushed herself back up in the snow and started to dig around in the snow arounds the stake that held the spoon. She managed to find it and pull it out of the snow, subsequently trying to reach up and mount the spoon back to its position. Her fingers didn’t want to work too well to help in the matter; even putting the spoon back was proving difficult.
“Time’s up.” Chaksu stated. Freth just stood there, giving a frustrated sigh. The students started to come off their own respective posts, some being extremely slow about it. Freth started to notice that they too were cold, and some hurting as well trying to maintain posture on the posts all this time. Chaksu would start meeting with the students, one at a time and dismissing them. Chaksu would eventually make it to Freth. He would take the spoon from Freth and look at it as she continued to hold on herself tight and was barely standing up straight. “Quite difficult, isn’t it?” Freth couldn’t even bring herself to reply, between the irritation and being so cold. “Most don’t do it on their first try, truth be told, not even those here of the Order, and we lived here all our lives to withstand the likes of the ice and wind. Don’t worry about it. Go and recover now. But be ready to try this again.”
She trudged off, unable to skip through the snow or the icy cold path. She needed anything to warm up at this point.
Freth would find herself eventually back at the caverns which held the warm hot springs. Freth was careful to walk down the stone steps, making sure the numbness didn’t make her trip and fall. The further she descended to the caves, the more she started to feel better already from the warmth they held. She took notice that there were those already here, all neck deep, or in some Pokémon’s cases, floating about in the spring. Though another thing she noticed immediately that made her break any observations. The humans and hybrids in particular were all stripped down. No swim wear or anything covering them. This for all intents was a Onsen hot spring, the springs divided between the males and the females, other than the Pokémon anyways. No one was looking at each other. Their eyes closed and took in the warmth, therapy, and tranquility the springs provided. Even with everyone minding their own business, Freth still felt awkward, never having to be part of anything like this, and even more, still wasn’t quite comfortable with how she looked. She would shake her head and just continued to move forward. Just don’t stare at anything or anyone, Freth would think. Just…be part of the crowd and just recover.
She made her way past the springs and off to the back. She would be provided a towel and a spot to place her training wear. She would tie up her hair more than what she had, to make sure it was kept up for the time she was in the spring, then stripped down and wrapped herself up in the large towel, only for long enough to make it back to the women’s half of the springs. Unwrapping again, she would find her way in and sunk down, leaving the towel off to the side of the spring. She sunk down, letting the waters take her in. She sighed as she sunk down all the way to her neck, nearly getting into a fetal position. The warmth actually hurt a bit she’d realize as it started to quickly return feeling to nearly every fiber of her being.
She started to realize however as she soaked away and started to feel better, there was still one thing that was off. She still wasn’t able to feel about much of anything within this cavern. She was eventually told about the Ebonite that was within the rock walls, but she only imagined that it would stop her from feeling stuff from beyond the walls, not within it. Perhaps that was part of the recovery she was told about. Maybe it just didn’t matter. She practically hugged herself with arms once more, then wrapped her wings around both her torso and legs, sitting up against the rock and just closed her eyes. It was still early on in the morning, but she was already ready to just call it a day.
“Are you giving up?” Freth perked up, looking up towards the edge of the spring, but then quickly averted her eyes, kind of cursing habit at this point. It was Renala who was preparing to enter the spring herself. She would pull off her towel and carefully sit herself into the spring, across from Freth on the other side. “Well, are you?” she asked.
“No. After all I went through so far here? Like hell.” Freth said. “Though, not going to lie, after having to stand on one of those poles for a half-hour, its trying to make a good argument for doing so.”
“Honestly, its what breaks a lot of upstart trainees.” Renala stated.
“I can see why. It honestly sucked.” Freth said.
“Anything worth achieving isn’t without its problems.” Renala replied.
Silence would find its way back into the cavern for the moment as Freth closed her eyes once again, just trying to get back to meditating. Trying to practice it if nothing else for her inevitable stand on the poles once again. She needed to find new levels to it, that level of clarity that made the likes of the cold not even matter. Or at the very least, help her recover all the sooner. “What’s bothering you?”
“Hm?”
“What’s bothering you? Your mind is scattered.” Renala stated.
“Nothing. I’m trying to practice a little since I’m doing nothing else in here.” She said.
“I see that. You’re forcing the issue, though. You know you’re not supposed to do that, correct?” Renala stated.
“Am I?” Freth asked.
“Quite. The benefits of meditation don’t come to those that force it. It’s got to come naturally. With that said, that’s not all there is to it, is there?” Renala stated.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve noticed you over the past few days as you were training with the spoon. And occasionally stealing some from the dining hall.” A wave of embarrassment started to come over Freth, one that didn’t escape Renala’s notice. “Your fine. I have to admit I acknowledge your commitment to it but you’re doing so while burdened with something else. Something that…you don’t seem to know the problem to either. And it wasn’t bothering you until after dealing with the specter.” She said.
“God, am I that transparent? Or is that just one of the benefits of being psychic?”
“Both.” She said with a slight smirk on her face.
“Great.”
“Are you worried about her?” Renala asked.
“I don’t think so.” Freth said.
“Did something else happen in the reaches of your mind?” she then asked. “What did you see?”
“I saw her memories.” She said. “I saw a little of what she’s been through. Felt them as if I was there.”
“And?”
“Really? Just got me to pity her just as much as I was pissed off at her.” Freth said. “Didn’t change what I felt what I had to do though.”
“Regrets?” Renala asked.
“I don’t think so. She wasn’t going to quit; she made that clear. She probably was going to try to take me over again and would probably have started another fight with you all, fresh off the one that she just had regardless of what shape I was in, or her mental state for that matter.” Freth stated. “Why are you asking me these things?”
“I am trying to help.” Renala stated. “You’re staring at a hurdle that you don’t know how to overcome, but yet you don’t even know what that hurdle is. You don’t know the questions to ask yourself, let alone the answers. I’m trying to see if there is anyway that you can actually answer some of these. These springs are a place of reflection upon oneself, if nothing else. Something to do while one soaks and recovers from the cold. This is a place of relaxation and reflection and it’s hard to do any of that when you’re troubled.”
Another silence loomed between the two as Freth looked down at the waters before her, trying not to make really any manner of eye contact. Trying to remain respectful to others that were in this cavern, let alone to Renala who was directly across from her. Freth continued to try to figure out what was ailing her so. Perhaps the Hunter was a worry to her after all. Despite doing what she did in the depths of her mind, Freth didn’t think it was a permanent solution for her. The Hunter, who has a great deal more experience in the ways of a Psychic, probably was bound to find her way out, out of the chains and round two was bound to happen with Freth losing. Freth only won because the Hunter was gravely taxed as is with her fight with Chaksu. And it could possibly happen at any time now with the wall within her mind was down. “Why do you hide like that?” Renala then spoke up.
“Hide?” Freth asked.
“Your wings. You’ve always got your wings around you. Are you ashamed of yourself in some fashion?” Renala asked.
Freth sighed a bit. “I…kind of am, but I don’t have my wings around me because of that.” She said. “Its apparently how Galarian Articuno are. I used to have them held up behind me like most other avians, but my wings constantly were tired and achy doing that after getting changed. I don’t really understand it. It still doesn’t make too much sense to me still, even now, when Polaris told me that Galarian Articuno uses their psychic power to fly and will just merely glide to conserve their mental state if they need to travel any long distance. Admittedly, its perhaps the only useful piece of information that Polaris given me. Wings haven’t felt bad since.”
“Interesting. So if that were the case…why…are you ashamed then?”
“Just…years of maintaining myself and getting nice things for myself and all of it goes to waste because of her.” Freth said, simply. “And try as I might to make it all work out, I still find that I hate the way I look. Frustrating if anything.”
“You’re one for vanity.” Renala stated. “I suppose that explains your issues with the Order’s training garb. Or perhaps being in here trying to soak.”
“Sorry.” Freth stated.
“No need. You’re not the first one who took issue with the Order’s tradition, and perhaps won’t be the last. Though it probably exacerbated an already existing problem for you, though.”
“Yea. I’m really trying not to let it really bother me. I got bigger issues in front of me, like trying to work on getting the spoon bent under pressure.” Freth said. “It’s not supposed to matter, right?”
“Correct.” Renala stated. “Though, I don’t see what is your issue with your looks. I suppose it’s a problem who constantly live in the city life as you do.”
“…I hope you realize the whole ‘first world problem thing’ is a really massive overplayed stereotype.” Freth stated.
“I’m aware. I’m also aware that, stereotypical as it is, it constantly happens and its foolish to worry about such things either. Stereotypes. Fashion. Irrelevant to true self-improvement.” Renala stated.
“It doesn’t matter.” Freth deadpan replied.
“You’re learning.” Renala stated, another slight grin coming across her face.
“This is all confusing, though. On the one hand, Chaksu stated that in the end, its not to make someone some soulless…whatever. And I buy into that considering what I seen with Polaris. At the same time, its like I’m expected to be…”
“Broken?” Renala asked.
“I guess that’s the right word for it?” Freth said, not too sure of herself.
“I can see where one would draw that conclusion. In a sense, we probably are trying to do so. We’re trying to get you out of whatever reservations that you may still have, whatever barriers that are still prominent within you because they hold you back from your true objectives. You got a lot of proverbial ground to travel across on this path. We do the same for anyone trying to achieve enlightenment in their own respective fields. Knowledge does not come easy.” Renala stated.
“I’ve noticed.” Freth said.
Renala sat back, letting the warmth take her in. Freth went back to trying to relax herself, albeit not doing it as easily as Renala was. As Freth continued to sit there, eyes closed. As she constantly sat there, she went back to thinking at the very least what she saw when she was adrift in her own mind. Seeing Polaris’s memories of times perhaps forgotten to her. Freth figured that maybe something she saw in there got her in her awkward state. Her childhood, apparent college years and so on. What gave her too much grief, because it really didn’t too much when she first saw them at first. Only gave her more drive to get out and get her body back.
She started to recall distinctly what she saw in Polaris’s memories…specifically one of the last ones she saw. How Polaris was made responsible for anything going wrong should she have succeeded in her mission. Every word of that mission briefing started to echo in her mind, but yet at the same time, it started to unearth something within her. She started to look back to when this all started, that dream back in Galar. For a while now, she thought nothing of it. In fact, she finally almost forgot about it between all of the going-ons in Snagem and her constant verbal clashing with Polaris. She started to recall how the world was in fact a massive crapshoot and the only thing separating her from life and an untimely demise was a dome that spanned miles. That was a world that didn’t have Blizzard anymore. Or any Snagem for that matter. At least any one Snagem fully capable other than arguably her. But then again, she didn’t seem to be in the best of shape either, that she could recall.
Polaris was dismissive of that reality, but Freth wasn’t so sure, considering that apparently Monique hailed from that specific one. Or at least one that was absurdly close to it. Freth would then open her eyes, a realization that hit her. What if…that reality was still possible? Or some reality just as grim? Usually, Freth wouldn’t be concerned because as is life. Come what may, after all, as she once told her significant other. But it left to question: what if the events that transpired, and are transpiring, are the result of those otherworldly entities interfering in their own way instead of leaving the world to do its own thing. Polaris, that Ziton thing, Crystal herself in some respects…and worse, it wasn’t necessarily over. Currently there are ultra beasts threatening this reality just going about their natural ways. The Buzzwole being the more recent issue. And then that isn’t to say anything about that Necrozma thing that she heard about in Polaris’s memories. The irony is that Freth recalled from what she had seen that the unknown Ultra Council had apparently written off this part of the cosmos, and yet…it had suddenly been a hot topic over the past several months. What is going on with this world? This reality? Really? And what did she have to do?
“What’s wrong with you?” Renala asked. “That was a violent feeling coming from you.”
“Renala, question…do you have premonitions? As in legit ‘I can see the future’ stuff.” She asked.
“No. Can you?”
“I don’t think so…or at the very least, I don’t know how. Maybe the wrong question to lead off with…son of a-“
“Calm down, Freth. What’s wrong?”
“Something that I saw in Polaris’s memories reminded me of something. I think its what’s been bothering me. I was reminded of something I saw before I ended up as the Galarian variant. A pretty awful future. I started to wonder if with everything that has been going on in my life right now has been a direct result of interference by those who shouldn’t have any involvement with this world.” She asked. “I’m not usually one that believes in destiny because it gives the feeling of cheapening out whatever work I do put in for whatever I want or however I want my life to be, but at the same time…I don’t know…”
“You found yourself maybe finding yourself right in that belief, probably because of these invaders, and now you don’t know what to do with yourself.” Renala asked.
“I guess so.” Freth said.
“That, I’m afraid, is something that you will have to figure out on your own. Knowledge comes in all forms and what one does with it defines you. If you did have some vision of a future, then you have to do what you feel is right. One thing that those who can foresee futures has to realize is that its just one of many possibilities…and actively trying to avert it may just as easily bring about it as inaction to it. There’s no true answer to it.” She explained.
“That still sounds like destiny in some way.” Freth said.
“Not necessarily.” Renala stated. “But I can tell you this, those who has the knowledge and still move forward regardless of the outcome are the ones who are better off.”
“Better off living in the now than later, right?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“…heh, now if only Blizzard can get that through his head.” Freth commented. She would turn around, stand up and pull herself out of the spring, grabbing her towel and wrapping herself back up. “I think I am done here. I need to get back to it. But thanks.” She said. Renala would give a sagely nod herself, welcoming of the gratitude. Freth would then make her way off to recollect her training wear.
Getting dried and back dressed, she slowly left the cavern then made her way down the path once more, a bit renewed from the soak in the hot springs. She made her way off back to the posts, but not before going by the dining hall to pilfer yet another spoon. Everyone else had left perhaps for other lessons and training regimens. Right now, she needed to take care of business. She looked around, noting the post that was still stuck in the ground in front of the pole she stood on. She took the spoon and mounted it on the pole then went over to her post and started to climb back on it, trying to get up there before she got too cold to even bring herself to do it.
She shimmied up the post once more and managed to get back on one foot. Freth found that the weather over the past while gotten slightly worse. It got windy, as opposed to earlier, making everything feel colder than it had any right to. While she would curse the fact once again about lacking her ice affinity, she realized that at this point there was no reason to anymore. It didn’t matter. She had to fight through the cold, find the spoon, bend it. She started to focus a bit, trying to reach down deep into her meditative state. She couldn’t force it, just as Renala stated. It made sense…when in the gathering hall, just keeping her attention on that candle, she ended up going into those meditative states almost involuntarily even though it took a few hours each time. She remembered each time, it felt like her boredom was so intense she virtually went full circle. While she had made improvement since then, she didn’t have the extreme cold having a say in this matter.
‘It didn’t matter’ she occasionally told herself. Her mind was trying to sort out everything that it was trying to process. The cold didn’t matter. The mix of pain and numbness standing on this post didn’t matter. Only the objective. As she delved further in her meditative state, it started to become clear. The items started to become clearer around her. The other students’ posts where they once stood. The buildings. The wind itself. The people close by. She needed to parse out the spoon. Her breath started to no longer shiver as she continued to go further, trying to put all she was told into practice. The rod planted into the ground that was made as the spoon’s mount. Then finally…the spoon itself. Don’t knock it off. Make it into the perfect arch. Slowly, as Freth’s feathers started to light up once again, the spoon started to bend backwards, a solid metal object conforming to Freth’s will acting as if it was taffy. She didn’t need it folding to the left or right…it had to be straight in the perfect arch.
Freth gave a gasp out then looked down towards the ground. With eyes wide in shock, she sprung off the post and landed back on the ground. She made her way to the post and snatched the spoon off the mount. She closely examined it. The perfect arch…just as asked. It still took a bit of time however, but at least this time, it was under 30 minutes still. There was still plenty to get down, but Freth was content. Another step forward…
------------
More days went on by as she constantly trained in getting the spoon bending down on various conditions. And at tighter time constraints for that matter. Occasionally, she would finally get to her SNAG and finally call back to the headquarters, calling her significant other to at least try to give him some peace of mind. While he didn’t approve leaving without much of a word to other than Sub or Tristen, he did understand why, and perhaps it was just as well. Though Freth did hear in the background a bunch of teasing alluding to how frantic than what he was letting on. Giving a bit of peace of mind back at the headquarters gave her a bit of peace of mind as well in some respects.
On one day, Freth would be instructed to meet back in the dining hall. Chaksu was there and a good number of his injuries from his fight with the Hunter had finally subsided, Freth would note. She would take a seat at a table. Chaksu would sit down across from Freth. “You’ve been progressing well.” He said. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to give you something new to practice on.” He said.
“New?” Freth asked.
“Just the next step for you is all.” He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out something Freth didn’t imagine. A baseball. An honest-to-good baseball.
“I didn’t think you were in these kinds of sports.” Freth stated.
“We do partake in a couple of here and there. Though, this ball is for a different purpose.” He raised the ball up off the table with his telepathic power and brought it over to his hand. “Your turn.” He said, placing the ball back on the table.
“Oh, we’re actually moving it now.” Freth said. She was a little astonished that she was at this point now, but she wasn’t complaining.
“Yes, that is the next step. The spoon bending was to help you train your precision. Now this is to help you with your direction. Its easy enough to manipulate something while its stuck in place. Now you need to learn how to make it travel to where you want it. You already gave yourself some idea when you bend the spoon into the arch by bending the various parts of the spoon in the direction you need it to.” Chaksu explained. “Bring the ball into your hand.”
Freth held her hand up and started to once again achieve her meditative state. It didn’t take long. Chaksu took note to the feather tips on her wings and the onyx feathers around her eyes lighting up once more. The ball trembled at first but then started to levitate off the table and lofted into her hand. As the feathers dimmed once more, Freth looked at the ball in her hand, a bit amused. “Huh…I…did it. That wasn’t…too hard. Maybe a little rough, but hey. Mission accomplished, right?”
“Really?” Chaksu stated. Chaksu would look over, noting a bowl of cheri berries that was placed by the cook at the fireplace’s cauldron, who was using it to concoct various remedies for the students and residents of the Order. Chaksu would bring one single solitary berry from the bowl and had it hover over to him and sat it on the table before Freth. “Do it again.”
Freth didn’t quite understand. A smaller object should mean easier to grab and move, right? Freth shrugged and went to try to move the Cheri berry just as she did with the baseball. Just as with the ball, the berry trembled but before it had the opportunity to lift off the wood surface of the table, the berry splatted right before her. “…I’m guessing I wasn’t supposed to do that. I don’t get it; I was trying as hard as I could.”
“Would you hang on to a berry in the palm of your hand with all your might just to make sure you don’t drop it?” Chaksu stated
“No, I’d…crush it…” Freth stated, starting to come to the realization as to where this is going to go.
“When you were the icy avian that you were before, you mentioned that you could control the intensity almost as if tensing a muscle, correct? It was how you described it.” he asked. “I can see that, honestly. And it takes all manner of physical training primarily to intensify your various abilities, correct? But even then, you were still able to control how strong or how weak you wanted say…an Ice Beam? That it could be adjusted, if albeit in a linear way. Is that true?”
“That’s right?” Freth asked.
“For a psychic type in particular, there is a whole new dimension you have to take in consideration. Not just the intensity of the force you project, but the shape of the object, the integrity of the object, the physical and mental forces that would resist your influences. I could go on.” Chaksu stated. “The baseball and the berry here…it trembled because you didn’t have the shape perfectly in mind. The berry effectively destructed because you were using the same amount of force that you used on bending the spoon, lifting the baseball, or lifting the berry. Heaven forbid if you were to try it on say one of your Pokémon or another person. In one case, you might not be able to lift them at all with your abilities. It’d be as if they were an unmovable object. In other cases…they may end up like this berry.”
“…that’s a grim thought.”
“It’s a grim fate.” Chaksu stated. “Keep in mind sometimes the reverse is true. For mallable objects, such as clay or perhaps even the snow outside. The right amount of influence to give it shape, or to even give it any context to be able to be lifted since the snows for example don’t have a given form to begin with. Such as water. This is your next task. You will need to be able to lift and move about any manner of object. No matter how strong or frail it is. How fluid or solid it is. Objects of different sizes. Of course, you will also need to keep in mind when you are in various conditions as well, just as your spoon bending outside.” Freth’s heart just practically sank to her stomach. It was hard enough trying to just bend the spoons nearly freezing trying to do that. Now she needed to add another criteria to it. “That’s just the natural next step, Freth.” Chaksu stated. “You already have the skills required for this point; now you need to start to bring it all together. I will admit that this exercise will be quite the barrier for you. But surpassing it, however, will make further exercises easy by comparison.”
“Like what?” Freth asked.
“There’s all manner of exercises to train your mind. For instance, multiple objects. Imagine trying to carry all manner of objects with your ability, all various shapes, sizes, and so on. Each one you will need to make concession for in the reaches of your mind.”
“That’s supposed to be easier?” Freth asked.
“It will be once you figure out the steps before hand. Have you not noticed?” Chaksu stated. “How you were at the least able to bring the baseball to your hand despite not having any extensive manner of instruction to do so? You realized the movement of the spoon bend contributed to an object’s motion altogether.”
“I kind of thought that was just still something left over that I finally got to use after fighting with Polaris.” Freth said.
“Not in the slightest. You were faced with a whole different set of rules in the confines of your mind. Here in this physical world of ours, you managed to hone your mind and training your mind to manipulate direction and you’re doing so with precision. You’re slow still in doing it, mind, but you have improved. And in that practice, you managed to realize that in that kind of movement you can lift things off the ground, perhaps even actively hold it in the air in place, or move an object wherever you need it to go where as before, when you finally woke up from your fight, your mind didn’t have that concept of direction or…much of concept of anything beyond the confines of your own mind. Hence why your breakfast spoon shook and thrashed about in your bowl that morning. You were trying to pull it in all manner of directions instead of where and how you wanted. Now you need to work out how much influence you truly need. For today, you will start practicing through the day on all manner of items. To accomplish this, I will hand you a list of items for you to acquire for today. Find Renala. She should be behind the dining hall. She will accompany you in my stead. Get these items and return them to me. You will have until this evening. If you do not complete the list before nightfall, then you will be charged with the list again tomorrow and so on until you finally can complete it. Understood?”
“Okay.” Freth stated.
Freth would stand up from the table and make her way out of the dining hall. She would start searching for Renala, trudging through the snow around the dining hall. A realization hit Freth just then. A half-hour out in this cold was torturous enough; was all she had to do was outside? She would find Renala at the smokehouse, leaving it and making sure the door was closed behind her. “Good morning, Freth.”
“The Elder said that I was with you today. That he had a list of things for me to get?”
“Ahh, I had a feeling that was going to happen.” Renala stated. “We’re headed out into the ice flats south of the lake to start.” Renala explained to her.
“…am I going to need to go out like this?” Freth asked, motioning to her training wear, apprehensive.
“Ease your mind, no, you won’t have to. I wouldn’t dare do that myself. That sort of training is in under more controlled conditions. You may retrieve your winter gear. Meet me at the stairs at the Order’s entrance.”
“Oh thank God…” Freth said. Freth would be quick to rush back for her room. She would put on her coat and the cowel to go over her wings. Followed up with the warm leather-fur padded socks for her feet. She would take her Pokéballs as well, just in case. She would walk off for the village entrance, finding Renala there, also padded up quite well in a coat, boots, and a hat fashioned to fit her Medicham like head.
“Are you ready?” Renala asked.
“About as good as it gets.” Freth then said.
The two would make their way off up the stairs and made their way off into the snow. The trip would prove uneventful. Freth would note that for one the route had clear skies for once, allowing the two hybrids to see the sun very slowly rise over the horizon. As the two traveled, Renala would lead Freth to a small forested area. It didn’t come off as anything special, Freth would note, until she started to find few tree stumps that were apparently chopped down. In one of the stumps, an axe was planted, with some snow caked on top of it from last night’s snow fall. “We’re cutting trees down?”
“You are.” Renala stated. “The wood here is used for all manner of things. Some for repair on the buildings in the village, others for burning in the smoke house or just simply keeping quarters warm.”
“…wait, is this some sort of chore list?”
“Yes.” Renala stated matter of factly. “You didn’t suppose that your stay here would be completely free, did you? There is quite the bit of upkeep that is needed around the village. And besides, if there’s an excuse to train someone in the process, then why not strike two Pidgeys with one proverbial stone?”
Freth couldn’t help but to stare stupefied. “Training running parallel to everyday tasks. My God, Blizzard would love this place. Everything is starting to make sense with him now. Somewhat, at least.”
“You’ve mentioned him a bit; he trains like this frequently?”
“Save for the meditation, yes, he honestly does. And does it wearing stuff that weighs two or three of him at minimum. I mean, it works. I’ve done it too; though I didn’t go at it as hard as he did. In a way, I kind of had to as a necessary evil. The stuff he and I wore also doubled as fire-resistant gear because well…Ice typing.”
“Heh, understandable.” Renala stated. “We have those in the village who trains in similar fashion. Mostly those with the fighting affinity. Humans, hybrids, channelers…though they do meditate in the process. Never the less…this is less about weight training but instead of learning more control. Though, I am surprised that Chaksu has tasked you to do this already.”
“Probably because that I apparently already had figured out how to move objects altogether because of the spoon bending. Unfortunately, its not precise like it should be. I picked up a baseball fairly okay. He had me pick up a Cheri berry and it splatted.” Freth explained.
“Ah, I see. In that case, using your power, retrieve that axe.” Renala stated. Freth looked over and started to try to reach out. The axe, wedged in the stump trembled a bit, but it didn’t seem it wanted to budge. Freth attempted to calm herself, get back into the meditative state again to help her out. Renala noticed Freth’s onyx feathers around her started to light up as did the feather tips on her wings. The axe refused to still budge. “Hmm, I suppose the Lucario trainer from yesterday really shoved that axe deep in there.”
“You’re screwing with me now.” Freth said. Freth’s feathers dimmed out and she gasped out. “Okay, what the hell? You really are screwing with me, aren’t you?”
“I am not.” Renala looked back towards the axe and gave barely a gesture, a flick of her palm and the axe shot right out of the stump and hovered there for a moment. “See? It is possible. You’re needing to put more force behind your pulling up. Just as you would if you were to do it with your bare hands. You have to compensate for it being stuck in the stump as it is.” And with another slight gesture of her hand, the axe’s head then drove itself right back into the stump, planted where it once was as if a lumberjack stood there to do so.
“I literally crushed a Cheri berry accidentally; why do I want to try to train myself to make it splat harder?” Freth asked.
“Its trying to train you to adjust the power you put out. Make you more efficient at it. Harder or softer, it doesn’t matter. It’s all the same in the end.” Renala stated. “You’ll have all manner of tasks to train yourself that will require you to use your power in different ways, to get your mind to understand that ‘yes, that is a way you can move an object, this is how much force that I need to project’ and so on. You need to start getting your mind out of its old habits. Old tactics. Methods to train and so on. Things are not linear as it may have been for you as an Ice type. Now, try it again.”
Freth sighed hard then started to try to call upon her power once again. Trying to reach that meditative state as she was trained to do. It was to her fortune at this point she could call upon it somewhat quickly. It was just the matter of trying to do what she needed to do while she was at that point. Once again, her wings’ feather tips and the onyx feathers around her eyes started to once again light up. She could feel the axe that she was trying to lift out of the stump and how much it apparently wanted to resist her. The axe trembled as Freth tried to pull the axe upwards. She started to grimace, the axe feeling like it was weighing several tons if it was held in her own two hands. The axe finally then popped right out of the wood. Freth held it above the stump, opening her eyes to look at her handiwork. “Ugh…I remember seeing Polaris having a different problem than I am now.”
“Different problem?” Renala asked.
“She apparently didn’t know her own psychic strength after becoming a hybrid.” Freth said strained out as she tried to hold the axe up still.
“Probably because that her mind was still used to human context as opposed to how a hybrid should, let alone a Pokémon. Human minds technically aren’t really supposed to support psychic power.”
“Yea, yea, I know…its genetics. I was told about that. Human psychics are a bit of an anomaly.”
“Quite. So, when her mind is all of a sudden is running more efficiently than what she is used to, its going to be represented in her displays of power. You have the problem of trying to process what you can actually do, as opposed to the amount of power you have. And without that comprehension, you can’t access that kind of power. That’s what we’re working on now. Though, if that specter’s performance in the hot springs were any indicator, then I am actually afraid of what you might be capable of.”
“We’ll cross that bridge…when…we get there…” Freth said, trying to pull the axe towards her to take. It slowly lofted towards her. It took a moment, but it was within reach of Freth now pulling it out of the air. She sighed out as her feathers dimmed once again. “Ugh…that was harder than it had any right to be.” Freth said, checking the axe. Trying to train her mind, she didn’t put it past herself that she could have possibly broken the wood handle or warped the axe head in trying to pull the axe out by accident. It did seem to be fine, as far as what she could tell.
“Don’t rest on your laurels as of yet.” Renala stated. She pointed towards a nearby tree. “Bring that one down with the axe.”
“Why did I know you were going to say that…alright.” Freth stated, resigned. She once again called upon her psychic power, her eyes and feathers lighting up, she held out her hands and allowed the axe to float up out of her hands. She moved closer to the tree, bringing the axe along beside her for a short distance until she moved the axe ahead of her. When she positioned the axe near the tree, she slowly moved it horizontal, getting it ready to start chopping away at the trunk. Freth suddenly realized something immediately. She still wasn’t getting any significant speed or force as she tried to pull back on the axe. Made all the more apparent when she tried to force the issue, the axe head softly tapped at the trunk. She wasn’t getting the amount of influence out right. She tried to pull back on the axe once more, and once more she tried to forcefully send the axe right into the trunk, only to barely tap it once more. She gasped out once again, the axe dropping onto the ground next to the tree. That axe still felt ridiculously heavy when she knew that it wasn’t.
“Take your time, Freth. Even if you don’t get the tasks done today, you will given many opportunities to get it right.” Renala stated.
Freth rubbed her head, already feeling taxed from trying to move the axe about. She sighed out once more, trying to clear her mind and get back to her meditative state. She needed to relax some. That was perhaps some of the problem; she was in a hurry. She was tasked to have this done by the end of the day and if she didn’t she would have to be doing it and keeping that in mind tried to get her to hurry more than she needed to. Perhaps the thought of not wanting to try to do this again tomorrow was too much of a motivator when really? It shouldn’t have mattered. It didn’t matter. This was a marathon, not a sprint.
Once again her feathers lit up. She managed to feel about, locking on to the axe, and it started to lift off of the snow-covered ground. She manages to get the axe back into position, but now the problem: how to actually change the amount of force in the swings. She was told that she was treating everything with the same amount of force no matter the situation when that was not tenable. Especially for this where she needed to chop a tree down. Once again, the axe head pulls back away from the trunk then, moved forward, once again only a tap on the bark; no damage to it whatsoever. Not even flakes of bark to pull off. She once again pulled back the axe from the tree and pushed it forward again. Still, no notable force. No damage. Not even a graze.
As time went on, Freth could swear her mind was trying to cook within her own skull as she tried to perfect the movement. While she was getting the axe into position faster over time, she was not giving it any more force much to her dismay. Once again, the axe flopped into the snow and Freth gasped out. “Take a break, Freth.” Renala stated.
Freth would walk off towards a log that has been laid out on the ground and sat down on it. She sighed out, closing her eyes. Odd as it was, she was half-tempted to fall asleep on this log. She hadn’t done anything physically, but her mind was worked to no-end. Renala sat down next to Freth, observant to her condition. She could sense the mental fatigue, but there was something else. “You’re stressed. Frustrated.”
“I’m wondering what I am not getting right now.”
“You know all you need to.” Renala stated. “You’re still just trying to comprehend the totality of doing a task. And this isn’t even the hardest objective to do. You could be tasked to multi-task. Do multiple different tasks within a short area of you. It makes the ‘rub your stomach, pat your head’ mentality look laughable.” Renala stated. “Your mind has to influence a large area and process every motion you do, every object you lift or manipulate in some fashion, and so on and for a up and coming psychic, that’s virtually impossible. But you will reach that point eventually. Its all the matter of practice. Its part of where knowledge comes from and eventually evolves. For instance, I noticed that as you went on, you haven’t been trying to go into a deep meditative state before you start trying. On your own, you managed to start lifting that axe without needing to do so. It still takes a lot out of you, but its progress where before, you had no comprehension and it took several hours to find your meditative state. That has been done in a matter of close to a couple of weeks now, Freth. That’s honestly good progress.”
“Well, considering a lot of what I am doing I ended up having to figure out under fire, effectively.” She said.
“It doesn’t matter.” Renala stated. “Here, let’s try this.” Renala looked towards the ground and the snow started to shift. Renala started to gather a small glob of snow with her telekinetic power and packed it tight. Then she just gave it a hard toss out into the snow fields. “See how far you can toss a snowball. One step at a time. Take your time.”
Freth sighed out and closed her eyes. The snow, easily malleable unlike the axe. There wasn’t any set form to it which made it fairly hard to actually read it compared to the axe. She had to give it that form. Once again, her feathers lit up. Slowly snow started to collect at a spot in front of Freth and she lifted it up. She needed to give it form. Tightly pack it down. Slowly, the snow clod she took started to squash and roll about in the air, some snow starting to fall off of her small collection. This was just like with the Cheri berry in the dining hall. More snow started to fall off until Freth ended up having to quit, feeling a bit burnt out from constantly using her psychic power, the remainder of the snow falling to the ground and once again her feathers dimming. “You lost your concentration. What happened?”
“I think I’m still out of it from the axe…”
“……” Renala started to think for a moment then started to wonder. “Freth, I notice that every time you use your psychic power, your feathers light up. Do you know why?”
“I’m guessing that’s just a Galarian Articuno thing whenever they use their psychic power.”
“Maybe, but when I fought that specter alongside Chaksu when she had taken you over, she was clearly using her psychic power, but your feathers weren’t really lighting up at all save for the occasional hybrid ability. Like Shadow Ball or whatever that was that put Chaksu out of the fight.” She said. “Your feathers are lighting up just trying to do menial tasks. You’re probably putting in far too much effort, more than I originally thought, just trying to do these tasks, only to do so little. I knew efficiency was going to be a problem with you, but I think that’s something that needs to be rectified sooner than later. It might help you with the axe.”
“What do I have to do?” Freth then asked.
“For starters, relax. Meditate. Don’t force it like you did at the spring, just let it come to you.” Renala instructed Freth. “You need to calm your mind more, feel out what you actually need instead of just putting your power all over the place just haphazardly. But before all that, you need to recollect yourself. Forget the task for just a moment, just rest.”
“If I get any more relaxed, I’d probably end up taking a nap out here.” Freth said.
“That you don’t need to worry on. Just let it all go for the moment.” Freth sat there for longer than a moment, more than several moments, trying to get herself back to stability. She started to vaguely understand why, in some aspects why Renala is telling her to do this now. She saw it herself. Polaris had utililized her psychic power to great extents during her fight against the Order. Freth, while not having done anywhere near as much as Polaris did in her escape attempt, still felt as if her mind was ready to melt at this point. She wasn’t used to exerting this kind of power still and caution still need to be made even if she were.
As Freth sank deeper into meditation, still as a statue. She started to become aware of a lot of the things around her. The snow became clearer to her. The trees around her and how they shook. Freth at one point could almost swear she could see cold wind for a moment. She noticed movement closeby. Pokémon perhaps. Swinub or Snorunt. They didn’t seem to be that large from where she stood. “That’s good.” Renala stated. “Now, try to make another snowball.”
Freth sat there, continuing to remain still. She still could feel the snow all about her. She felt as if she herself had leaned down and scooped it up in her own two hands. But it wasn’t cold at all. She was slow to lift it up, but the clod she picked up was staying together. The clod slowly rolled about in the air and started to compact tight. Renala noticed that Freth’s feathers were lighting up again, but it wasn’t as extreme as it once was. “You’re still using a good bit of effort to do it, Freth.” Renala stated. The ball stopped rolling about in mid-air as Freth tried to adjust herself, trying to maintain keeping the snowball in the air all the while trying to get her mind more focused on the task at hand. She could in a way feel now what she felt in the memories when Polaris tried to grab the package of cookies or lift objects…that influence that she was exuding, where it was mind numbing, if not crushing on certain items, when she was feeling Polaris perform then, but now, when she was doing it, it was softer. Every thing needed only a stern enough touch to do what needed to do and nothing more. She could almost feel her mind reacting in all manner of ways, trying to process all the reactions and resistances that the snow was putting on, trying to compensate and correct in rapid pace where it was needed, how it was needed. Each motion was precise and subtle as only the deepest of imagination and awareness can reach.
Renala noted the snowball, smooth and compact as it hovered before Freth. Her feathers dimmed more, while still lit, it was only subtle now. Freth was getting a better handle on it. “Alright, now give the ball a toss. Far as you can send it.” Renala stated. This was going to be the hard part. This snowball had to get launched. Keep it intact, just send it off. Freth managed to lob the snowball off. It was enough force to reach the woodline, but not enough to send it well out into the fields just as Renala did. And it wasn’t exactly fast either, not compared to Renala’s rocket launch of the snowball. “That was good. That wasn’t bad at all.”
“That felt like it took a lot to do…” Freth said, rubbing her eyes now.
“It will for a while. Its all about practice on it. Now. Lets try that with the axe.”
--------------------------------
---End of Part 10---
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:37 pm
Unlock Potential - Part 11
It would be needless to say that Freth would not be finishing the tasks that day. She couldn’t get past the first one. It was to be expected for Chaksu and Renala, but it was good to know Freth made progress that day. Freth tried to adapt the snowball exercise into the axe, and she was swinging the tool with a fair bit more force, but not enough to eventually bring the tree down before the end of the day. Freth would try to plant the axe back where she saw it earlier in the day, in a similar fashion to how Renala did, but she couldn’t get enough force behind it to plant it like she needed to. She opted for physical force which she had plenty of.
Nightfall eventually came upon the snowfields, prompting Renala and Freth to find their way back to the Order’s village. Freth had dinner once more, all the while discussing with Renala at the table the whole process that Freth is going through trying to at the very least perfect baseline skills with her psychic abilities. Renala was trying to reassure Freth that this is all part of the process. Renala also admitted that some of the things that she was being tasked to do during her time here was a bit of a conversion of the original lesson plan, just to pay respect to the fact that she was an adult. Spoon bending and the likes were for children.
“God, physically I feel fine. But yet I feel like I could take a nap until next year.” Freth said. “I guess meditation doesn’t cure everything.”
“No one said it did.” Renala stated. “Though you are coming along well all the same. You do seem to have some sort of innate affinity for this somehow.”
“Nah, this is just something I’m a little hellbent on doing is all. Though…I am kind of wondering a little now that you bring it up if Polaris did have me pegged that well.”
“Hm?”
“Natural talent and all, never really put too much into working at anything I wanted to do.” Freth said to her, leaning over on the table.
“Perhaps. Though that’s not too much of a bad thing. If something comes natural then, well it does. Others don’t have that benefit and work until they’re red in the face and make little progress despite doing nothing wrong. Its only the matter of what you do with that talent is what matters.” Renala stated.
“I suppose that’s true.” Freth said. Freth would start to reach down towards her plate, going after her piece of meat on her plate, she’d see a quick blur of yellow go right by it, making her jump. She realizes that her meat is gone. “Wha-what the hell?” She looked around, seeing a Fennekin on the floor under the table feasting away at Freth’s meal. “You little scamp! Come here!” She reached over, trying to grab at the fox only for the fox to pick up the meat in its mouth and attempted to get away. Renala reaches out with her telekinetic power, lifting up the fox and dragging it back over towards her.
Renala hovered the fox in front of her, the Fennekin looking at Renala with the meat still dangling from its mouth. “You shouldn’t be in here. How did you get out?”
“Is that…yours?” Freth asked.
“The Order’s actually.” Renala stated. “We raise them here.”
“…now that you mention it, I did see a few Braixen walking around here and there. I might have seen a Delphox. In fact, I think the cook over there has a Braixen…” Freth stated.
“That’s not a coincidence. If you want to come with me, I can show you.” Renala stated.
Agreeing, Freth stood up from the table with Renala carrying the tiny fox. They’d leave the dining hall and made their way across the order’s village to a stable that apparently seemed to be close to the hot springs. Freth took note to the Pokémon there, with the various attendants tending to them. Swinub and Piloswine, primarily. Perhaps to make their way through the icy tundra. She then noticed a bunch of Fennekin on the far side, a bunch of them in fact. “You have a runaway here.” Renala called out to one of the attendants.
“You! How many times have I told you that you need to stay in here!” the attendant stated, taking the Fennekin from her.
“There has to be at least two or three dozen here…where did you get them?” Freth asked. “They’re not native to Sinnoh.”
“We do travel beyond the village, let alone out of Sinnoh on occasion. Though admittedly only one or two of us at a time at least. As far as why we have Fennekin, it’s actually an odd story. The elder of the time, let alone his closest confidants were quite rigid when it came to topics of tradition. The more progressive of our order however felt that we needed to make concessions, that knowledge is not just restricted to here in this village. It was a rough time for our village, because the old and young constantly clashed and the wild Pokémon from the tundra were restless. At one time, one of ours made a pilgrimage to the Unova region, hearing about a group similar to ours who pay homage to the Three Blades.”
“Presumably, that Legendary Pokémon trio…Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.” Freth noted.
“Most likely.” Renala confirmed. “In that pilgrimage, he learned of a Pokémon that harnesses psychic power that could at the very least may be used to defend the village from the Wild Pokémon attacks. While the Meditite and Medicham sufficed, there were times the battles were much more grueling and taxing, or so I am told. As such, we looked upon the power of the Unovan Darmanitan.”
“Wait, what? Darmanitan? Seriously?”
“He brought a few back, only to find out the hard way some…unfortunate things about them. For one, they are too rambunctious for anyone’s tastes, even the younger generations here. And then the more damning part is that while it is possible for them to achieve psychic power, such a trait is extremely rare in them and they only are able to call upon it upon instances most dire.”
“Zen mode…oh yea…” Freth said, rubbing the back of her head, realizing where this was going.
“You see the problem. And when you also factor in the fact that these Darmanitan are usually desert dwellers, it made for a miserable time for them being in the freezing climate. Their fur coats were too thin to handle it for long periods of time. This flub only solidified the Elder’s and seniors’ position. Undeterred however, the younger generation heard about the Fennekin of Kalos and wanted to try again, however that wasn’t without a challenge in and of itself.”
“The region was severely discriminatory to hybrids.” Freth noted.
“Very much so. We couldn’t go there without great risk to ourselves. We ended up having to try to make a web of contacts to see if we couldn’t get a few Fennekin over here and raise them, calling upon the aid of those who have come here to train with us for instance, knowing their final states allows them to be quite adept pyro-kinetics. It took some time, but the effort paid off. Unlike the Darumakas and Darmanitans, they could adapt to the colder weather. Their fur is considerably thicker and traps in their own heat quite well. While we do like these and have raised them to great effect, and have made things a lot more comfortable for us, we do still favor the Meditite and Medicham here, obviously.”
“Hey, don’t need to defend yourself to me. Whatever helps you guys out.” Freth said.
“It became more important than ever in recent years. Especially after the Elemental had his way in the area for the time he did. The wild Pokémon are at their most aggressive nowadays. I would honestly argue the ice types here in this part of the region are fiercer than any other ice type you’d find in the world just for it, as if being cut off from Celcius’s influence has done something to them rather wrong.”
“I suppose with you guys living here, you’d notice it better than anyone else.” Freth stated. “I’m not sure if anyone else noticed. The Snowpoint area is still a traveling route to Snowpoint City to take part of the Gym challenge.” Freth said.
“I’m sure they have, honestly.” Renala stated.
“With that said, this little guy in particular has been quite the escape artist lately.” The attendant stated. “Wanting to explore and get into all sorts of trouble.”
“Like stealing my dinner.” Freth noted.
The attendants jaw drops then looks at the Fennekin. “Now you know better than that! Get back in the pen.” She would say with a huff. “It’s getting close to bed time for you all. Thank you, Renala.”
“Not a problem.” Renala replied. Freth would follow Renala out of the stable and off back through the village.
As the two made their way down the pathway, Freth would eventually find her way to her guest quarters. “Tomorrow we shall pick up from where you left off. Meet me back at the gate in the morning.” Renala instructed. “I’ll inform Chaksu about your progress today.”
“See you then.” Freth said, retiring to her quarters.
The remainder of the night was uneventful for Freth. She sat in her room for a while on her bed, practicing meditating once more trying to call upon on her psychic power more at will and was practicing it on random objects she had on hand. Mostly on empty Pokéballs. At one point in the night, she left her pack on one side of the room and tossed Pokéballs into it as if it was a basketball net with her psychic prowess. Trying to keep in mind the force she needed, direction, the arch, the shape of the ball…seemingly countless things for her mind to process, trying to run through the acts as natural as she could breathe.
The next morning, Freth would wake to meet Renala at the gate to head back out to the flats and off to cut a tree down once more. Making their way through the flats and making their way back to the trees. Once again, Freth got to work, lifting the axe out of the stump it was left in then went to use it to strike the tree. She was trying to put everything together. A couple of hours has passed and Freth started to realize there was yet another hangup that she started to realize. She wasn’t trying to toss the axe into the tree, just like she was with the snowball or the Pokéballs the day before. Then again, that wasn’t necessarily the point of those exercises that she took on. Direction, force, shape, integrity, the target…she needed to consistently hit the tree, full force. Let the tree stop it, then pull back and do it again. It wasn’t just enough to propel something, she had to move it full speed, hard as she could, all the way through.
Renala would notice all of the sudden, the swings were getting harder. And harder. The axe started to cleave into the tree deeper, starting to take chunks away out of the trunk. Eventually Freth made her way to the other side of the tree, once again cutting away at the tree. Freth, trying to remain consistent with her swings. Another ten minutes or so and finally the tree gave way, falling over and landing on the ground with a large resounding thud. Freth would bring the axe back over to her, bring it to her hands to grab on to, then finally sighed out. “Not bad, Freth.” Renala stated. “Now we clear the branches and start cutting this down to carry.
“I’m not going to have to carry each individual piece of the tree, am I?”
“No. Even for us it would take forever to walk back and forth carrying as much as we can carry with our psychic power.”
“The Piloswine.” Freth then stated.
“That’s correct.”
“Well when it comes time, I got Mamoswine that can help us.” Freth stated.
“That’s perfect. Get to it.” Renala stated. Freth started to levitate the axe and started to get to work. One by one the branches started to come off and then finally work on the trunk of the tree. As she continued, Renala took notice to the skies. Birds disturbed and started to fly off in a panic. “That’s…odd…” Renala stated.
“What’s odd?” Freth asked.
“There’s a disturbance over to the east…” Renala stated. “That’s…near the stables…”
Freth plants the axe down into the tree. “Do we need to go over there?”
“Let’s go.”
Renala and Freth head back towards the village and made their way back to the stables. The attendants were apparently already trying to clean up what was appeared to be all manner of havoc. Chaksu was overseeing the cleanup. “Chaksu, what happened?”
“A Pack of Sneasel and apparently a pack leader of a Weavile found their way and got the Piloswine all riled up. As you can see, not much is going to be able to stop a bunch of charging Piloswine. The Piloswine got out and they scattered all over the place.” Freth took notice to the destruction, a massive hole in the wall in the stable. Walking inside, she noticed that the insides were wrecked and trampled over. “What were they here for?”
“I don’t know. The simple answer would probably be food, but I am having my doubts Swinub and Piloswine are in their diets. And the feed for them and the Fenniken in here wouldn’t have suited their needs either.” Chaksu stated.
“You said they had a leader Weavile?” Freth said.
“Correct?”
“You might want to check elsewhere in the village.” Freth said.
“Oh yea. Wild Weavile are crafty bastards.” Freth stated. “And if they got a pack of Sneasel behind them, then you got a problem of a bunch of Pokémon working in unison as a team, all accomplishing one objective after another.”
“And with them all being dark types, we’re not able to pin-point them easily.” Renala stated. “We might have to keep on patrol for a little while and see about neutralizing the Weavile.”
“Oh no…” One of the attendants spoke up.
“What is it?” The elder called to the attendant.
“We’re missing a few of the Fennekin. They must have scrambled in the chaos of the Piloswine trying to escape from here.” The attendant stated.
“Could they have made their way out into the woods?” Renala asked.
“Possibly. They’re not bound to make it out their on their own, though.” Chaksu stated.
“Meaning that they’re going to need to be found if possible. Same with the Piloswine.” Freth said. “I can help in trying to do that.”
“It will be appreciated.” Chaksu stated. “I’ll try to have others in the search as soon as possible.”
Freth made her way out of the stable and went immediately to work as Renala would stay behind with the organization efforts with Chaksu as Freth started to look around the area. Freth felt sort of nostalgic for a moment for her skills in bounty hunting and raiding whatever historical spot she needed to in accomplishing her objective to obtain control Celcius was once again being put to use. The snow on the ground was severely disturbed, a slurry of dirt-ice mush kicked up by the Piloswine. Tracks leading out into the woods in a panic. Slowly but surely spreading out and separating from each other. Finding the Piloswine was going to be a headache for certain. If she couldn’t, at the least they will be able to survive out there in the wild if push came to shove or if better luck, they’d find their way back. They did have a strong sense of smell after all. Perhaps priority should be on the Fennekin…
As she started to walk about the building, she started to take note to the various other prints in the snow. Body prints, albeit a big bigger than any one of the Piloswine’s footprints. The Fennekin couldn’t necessarily move freely in this snow as much as they cared to, not without melting it first with their flames. With the Piloswine hellbent on escaping, they didn’t have the time to do that. They effectively hopped out as fast as they could. Something else also didn’t escape her notice…the lack of tracks by the Sneasel and Weavile. They covered them on the way out and if they couldn’t feasibly, they found something to climb on, noted by the claw marks on the fence posts or one of the remaining walls of the stable. Leave little for prey and other predators to go on. Freth was certain that she could take on the pack of Sneasel and a Weavile if push came to shove with her Pokémon…well, probably. If the leader of the bunch was as clever as she is giving it credit for, then it’d take a bit more finesse to bring them down
She made her way out into the woods, following the tracks the stable Pokémon had left behind. She noticed that at least a couple of the trees were toppled over, presumably from the panic the Piloswine were having. Freth closed her eyes for a moment, trying to put everything she has been practicing up until now to work, getting into a meditative state, trying to get a feel of the objects in the area. Something moving, something out of the ordinary. Nothing that she could tell. Everything in this part of the forest probably evacuated from the panic. She was left to wonder how far into the woods could they have gone.
As she continued through the forest, trying to follow whatever trail she still had. She approached a slight clearing staring about it. At least one of the Piloswine made it through this way. She noticed one of the trees scraped, perhaps the Piloswine bumping into it. Though the Piloswine seemed to be slowing down at this pace. The spacing of its footprints, going from a full-on sprint to a slower trot. It was getting tired. It was winding down. At least one of them couldn’t have made it too much farther.
Freth perked up, hearing a squealing from a short distance away. Almost akin to crying. Freth stared in confusion a second, making her way to the source of the noise. As she moved forward, she felt something close by that graced her senses. Moving. At least trying to. She approaches a deep sinkhole in the ground. Too narrow for her herself to fall in, but could sink a leg into by accident. She looked in seeing a yellowish fox trying to climb up the hole, making no headway. The earth was too moist to get any purchase to climb. The hole was not wide enough to actually get any speed upwards. “Well, there’s one of you. Hang on. Hang on…” Freth would go to reach down towards the fox. The Fennekin went wide-eyed and tried to back away from Freth’s grasp, pressing down harder into the hole. The fox was a bit too intimidated at the sight of Freth despite her being its only salvation for the time being. Despite that, Freth wasn’t going to be able to grab him anyways. The fox was just shy of arm’s length. “…” Freth sighed, realizing that this Fennekin was going to be difficult. “Alright…I’m going to try something…do. Not. Squirm.” She said.
She stepped back from the hole for a second then tried to focus, once again trying to get into that meditative state. Freth had to admit, she wasn’t confident in this. She barely had some semblance of skill when it came to her psychic ability, but she couldn’t leave that Fennekin there. She could feel the world about her once more and started to zone in on the panicked Fennekin. She could feel that her influence shrouded the fox and she started to pull away. The Fennekin started to levitate up, starting to ascend out of the hole. Much to Freth’s chagrin, however, when the Fennekin started to realize what was going on, the Fennekin started to panic and started to squirm in Freth’s psychic grasp. “Oh please stop, stop, stop…” Freth wasn’t ready for it. First live target and it was perhaps the most skittish thing she could grab immediately. “I told you not to squirm-stop it already!” She was starting to lose her hold on the Pokémon right as the Fennekin’s ears started to appear right above the hole. She quickly knelt down and snatched up the fox, right when she was about to lose her hold. The Fennekin yelped and squealed out, biting and fired off a couple of embers. “HEY HEY HEY! STOP IT! You’re out of the hole! Stop it already! I’m not going to hurt you! I’m going to get you back to the Order’s village but I can’t do that if you’re going to be a pill!”
The Fennekin squirmed in Freth’s hands for a couple of seconds more until it started to look at Freth seeing her a bit annoyed, but otherwise, seeing it was just how she said it was. It was safe. After that moment, Freth sat the Fennekin back down onto the ground. “Now…just stick close…I still got a bit looking around to do. And watch your step.” She said. She started to make her way forward, once again trying to be alert of her surroundings, only to hear the squealing and barking of the Fennekin. The Fennekin, just as before had to hop through the snow, but it wasn’t up for doing so again. As soon as it got close it started to try to climb up Freth’s leg. “Wha, hey, what are you…okay, okay, here!” She figured to pick the Fennekin out of the snow, supposing she was going to have to carry it. The fox would have different ideas. As soon as it was picked up again, it squirmed out of Freth’s hand, quickly rushed up her arm, and perched upon her shoulders. “Really?” Freth said, a bit annoyed. “Just…don’t mess up the hair…” she said, rolling her eyes.
She would start moving forward through the forest, trying to follow what little trail she had left. As she went along, she noticed something that peered out over the snow, moving. “Well, there’s one of those…” Freth said. It was a Piloswine, apparently having to stop to rest. It perked up, turning to see Freth. Freth quickly raised her hands up, trying to show her non-aggression. “Easy there. Here to take you home, buddy…” she said. She slowly approached, knowing just how it was raising her own Mamoswine. She got close and started to stroke down its fur, giving it a few pats while she was at it. She started to examine the Piloswine as the Fennekin hopped off of Freth’s shoulders and onto the back of the beast. He was tired, but he seemed to be fine now that there wasn’t anything attacking it or instigating anything. “Everything’s fine now…we need to get you back home now, alright? Come on, buddy…” she said.
She managed to coax the large Piloswine around and started to guide it back towards the stables, still trying to keep a look out for any of the other brown-furred beasts around the area, let alone the rest of the Fennekin. The fact that Freth found these two, she felt, was nothing short of a miracle. There was no telling just how scattered these Pokémon were, or if they were going to be found. The walk would be quiet, Freth on guard for the two Pokémon. When the stables were in reach, she carefully guided the Piloswine to one of the attendants.
As the Piloswine walked off, Freth felt a bit content with her work. She would simply turn around and started off, trying to repick up the trail. The time has went by has made it harder however, she note. The movement between those of the Order on the hunt started to blend into those fleeing the scene. Not to mention the time has taken between the now and when she left the first time. Perhaps she could find some more answers in the meantime, as to what the Weavile were after, provided that hasn’t been found out yet.
Freth would perk up once more, hearing the familiar squeal from earlier. She looked back and saw the Fennekin starting to hop through the snow, trying to make its way back over to Freth. “You have got to be kidding me…” she said. “…Come on, Fennekin, I was trying to get you back home. This wasn’t an adventure for you to go on.” Once again the Fennekin reaches Freth and tries to climb up her pants leg. With an agitated sigh, Freth picked the fox up and actually made sure she had a grip to look it dead in the eye. “You need to get back to the attendants at the stable. Go home.” She would sit the Fennekin on the ground and point back towards the stable, directing the Fennekin to go. The Fennekin then looked up and stared at Freth, its tail wagging gently with intent. And those eyes, those cute wanting eyes. “Oh my God…this is happening now. Go. Home.” The Fennekin continued to stare at Freth, only this time bracing up against her leg and giving a couple of yips at her, prompting her to rub her eyes. “Fine…just…fine, but you’re going back to the stable after I’m done.” She’d pick up the Fennekin and once again, the fox scrambled to her shoulders and perched away. Freth could only roll her eyes, believing that the Order perhaps spoil these foxes.
Freth would continue on around the village, trying to see if there were any other clues. Marks. Tracks. Anything that might give a clue as to the disturbance here. Her newfound perception was getting a workout as she tried to feel out anything that might be out of the ordinary. The Fennekin started pacing from Freth’s left shoulder to her right and back again, trying to take in the sights that Freth was trying to parse through. “Okay, if you want to look around, fine, you need to hold still.” Freth told the Fennekin. The Fennekin would adjust itself and just proceed to sit, giving a bark to Freth, acknowledging the command. “Good.”
As she continued around the village, the Fennekin started to take a whiff of something in the air then immediately hopped off of Freth’s shoulders. “Oh what…what are you doing now?” The Fennekin started to hop through the snow then stop, digging into it to where its tail was the only thing appearing in the snow. “What…what are you getting at?” She reached down picking up the Fennekin once again. She’d see the Fennekin with its mouth full with a slab of meat in its mouth, trying to chew away at it. Cooked, it looked. Though probably cold at this point. There was no telling how long it’s been in the snow like that. “I know you have to have been fed better than that and that is the thing you go for anyways? Give me that…” she said, taking the meat away from the Fennekin and tossing it off to the side. The Fennekin looked disappointed, seeing good meat go off by to the wayside. “Though…hmm…” Freth looked back towards the village, realizing something.
She would walk off back into the village, nearby the kitchen and found her way to the smoke house. She’d check around the building, finally taking notice to several claw marks on the side of the building. “Oh no…” she said. She looked up, seeing that the Pokémon scaled the wall on the outside. She then moved back around the building, going to the front door. She couldn’t feel anything moving inside…though she was left to wonder if she would be able to feel the likes of a Dark type. She takes a step back, closes her eyes to focus, just enough to call upon her power once more and slowly opens the door with her psychic ability. Nothing leapt at her, so that was good news. She makes her way inside then started to look around. A light came in from the ceiling, a crude hole made near where a vent was mounted at. Claw marks on the vent…they climbed up and down this thing. Two entire racks out of several in the building were vacant. That was their heist. They made enough of a disturbance to get everyone to drop everything effectively non-essential to go deal with the Piloswine and left the meat unguarded. The Fennekin started to softly step and started to get ready to hop from Freth’s shoulders once more. “Don’t even think it.” A soft whine escapes the fox.
“Who left the door open!?” a voice outside calls.
“Renala?” Freth called out.
“Freth?” Renala finds her way into the building. “Why are you-…oh.” Renala stared around the inside of the building, taking note to the entrance in the roof, the vent, the missing meat.
“Yep.”
“We should have known.”
“This ever happened before?” Freth asked.
“Not in recent history, no.” Renala stated. “Not since this villages founding, that I am aware of.”
“You know they’re going to call this a win, right?” Freth said. “I don’t know how much meat was on those racks, but them getting away with it tells them that it can be done and probably repeatedly. It will embolden them badly.”
“This feels too orchestrated to just be a wild Pokémon attack.”
“Then you underestimate Pokémon in general.” Freth said. “We heard it. A Weavile was leading this bunch. They’re not known for being stupid. And they’ll guide whoever they need and do whatever it takes to get their wants met. It’s going to need to be tracked down. Take out the leader, you take out the squad. Though this Weavile might have been around the block a few times, I’ll give you that much at least.”
“We haven’t had anything like this happen before. Wild Pokémon attacks, sure, but nothing like this.” Renala stated.
“First time for everything.”
“Where would we even find it? We’re not going to be able to sense them in any capacity.” Renala stated. Well that answers that question, Freth thought. She honestly didn’t know at that point. These Weavile were careful to cover their tracks every step of the way. She didn’t see any prints or claw marks in the snow as they left, just as they covered them over at the stable. She was left to question in fact how they managed to do that. “Uh, Freth, why…is one of the Fennekin with you?”
“Hm? Oh…apparently, he’s wanting to get out, I guess. Found this little guy in a hole in the woods. Tried to put him back to the stable, but he wanted nothing of it. I just gave up and went back to looking around since I figure getting those other Fennekin and Piloswine was more important. By the way, any word back from anyone about them?”
“A few others managed to bring back some of the missing Piloswine and Fennekin, but we’re still missing a few last we checked.” Renala stated. “Though trying to get them squared away while trying to get the stable fixed is going to be a slight endeavor.”
“I’d imagine.” Freth continued to think about how to deal with the Sneasel and Weavile, let alone find them but then a realization occurred to her. She then looked at the Fennekin on her shoulder. “…you want to earn a piece of this meat?” Freth asked the tiny fox. The Fennekin’s ears perked right up. She took the Fennekin off her shoulders and held it up to one of the smoking pieces of meat. “Take a deep smell.” She said.
“Freth, I see what you’re trying to do, but it isn’t as if they are Growlithe or Mightyena.” Renala stated.
“This guy picked off a cold piece of meat those Sneasel and Weavile left behind without any prompting. I’m willing to gamble.” She said. “Unless you got any other better ideas.”
“I suppose not.” Renala sighed. “Do as you will. But what do you intend to do if you find the Weavile? Capture it?”
“In a sense.” Freth stated.
“In a sense? Wait, you’re going to bring it back here. You’re…going to…” Renala started to stare at Freth, as if reading her very soul, a whole attack plan was getting laid out before her eyes. “…get us to tend to them.” Renala stated. “Freth, we’re not ones that can-“
“Think of it as expanding your knowledge.” Freth said, cutting Renala off. “If these Sneasel and Weavile are the only ones of recent that would dare try this, then they are the ones you have to contend with, and the sooner they’re squared away, the better. Otherwise the attacks are going to just keep happening and perhaps with worse problems than a wrecked stable.”
“You’re not…wrong-ugh…I was right, you were going to bring problems here.” Renala stated. “Alright, fine, I’ll inform Chaksu. I’ll let him know about this and we’ll trying to be ready to corral the Sneasel and Weavile.”
“Just the Weavile for now.” Freth said. “The Sneasel might come shortly after when they don’t have their leader. And with them being unorganized, you might be able to get that Weavile to get them to turn away. Provided you can give it incentive to do so, that is.”
“Are you going to be able to single out the Weavile?”
“I have ideas…”
-----------
Freth was back out in the woods, with the Fennekin leading the way. As it hopped about in the snow, trying to cover as much ground as it could, Freth continued to look about to keep on guard. She occasionally closed her eyes, trying to maintain her more relaxed, meditative state to be able to call upon her power at a moment’s notice. If nothing else, it made her once again quite aware of the world about her. Every tree and every sway of its pine needles. Every flake of snow that was kicked up from the fox’s and her own’s movement through the forest. The Fennekin itself as it remained ever vigilant as it tried to track down the smell of smoked meat. Freth had to wonder if this was normal. She didn’t recall Polaris having any feelings like this, just only when she needed to use her power. Perhaps it was something that needed to be worked out.
The Fennekin stopped hopping forward and started to smell around in the air. “Found something?” Freth asked. The Fennekin barked and started to change direction, making its way through the snow deeper into the woods. It was only a few moments, once she passes a particular tree, something catches her attention. She walked to the tree and studied it, gracing her hand along the bark, across a couple of deep indentions. She looked up, seeing those same indentions head up to the tree. Freth thought for a moment: Sneasel weren’t tree dwellers…but they can climb them rather quickly. Perhaps to go after birds and pray of the like. She wasn’t sure how old these claw marks were, however, but she did know they have been around. Though the fact that Fennekin started its way down here got her well on her guard once more.
She walked off towards the Fennekin once more as it continued to run off through the woods, only now, Freth pulled out a Pokeball, getting at the ready. She was almost certain she was going to be in for some sort of fight. She needed to separate the Weavile, that was the more important thing, but doing so while dealing with a slew of Sneasel was going to be problematic. As she figured, the best shot she had was to deal with a lot of them in one fell swoop, preferably with Mamoswine unleashing one of its fierce Earthquake attacks. If she can get them to scatter, she could probably single out the Weavile in short order. Another thought is to perhaps to challenge the Weavile’s leadership. She had her Hisuan Sneasel with her…perhaps it could usurp this Weavile potentially. Though, she wasn’t going to hold up hope as much on that one. Her Sneasel was the newest add to her entourage and she is still trying to learn just what it was capable of.
The Fennekin yipped once more, then quickly sped up its hopping, it was raring to get after something. “Hey, wait up. Hey!” She sped up her pace in the snow trying to keep an eye on the Sneasel. The Fennekin stopped and started to dig around in the snow. “Hey, what are you doing?” She made it to the fox and reached down, picking the fox out. Freth looked at the Fennekin, carrying a piece of meat in its mouth. “………” Freth stared at the fox for a second as it tried to gnaw away at the meat as it dangled from its mouth. She then looked over to a nearby tree, seeing similar claw marks from earlier. The ones that ascend into the branches above. “…crap.”
A loud screech echoed through the forest. She looked up, seeing a Weavile in the high up branches. She then looked behind her, seeing the Sneasel starting to surround Freth. It was a trap; she was in their territory. They actually saw this coming. Or perhaps the Weavile, at least. She knew they were clever, sure, but to have this level of foresight? Was this an ongoing problem with these Pokémon in particular? Something that the Order has been dealing with and these Sneasel and Weavile adapted to? She wasn’t sure.
As she dropped the Fennekin back on the ground, she quickly tossed out a Pokeball knowing running was out of the question. “Mamoswine!” she shouted. The ball hit the snow and in a burst of light the large behemoth ice type appears with a furious roar. “Mamoswine! We got problems! Get ready!” she shouted. “Earthquake!” As the Sneasel rushed forward, the Mamoswine reared back and unleashed the mighty quake. Snow and earth kicked up off the ground and flung the Sneasel up and off their feet. Freth then heard another loud screech from up above. Freth wasn’t quite sure what this one was commanding…while she could understand most Pokémon, this one somehow was as if speaking in code of some kind. She didn’t understand it.
The Sneasel managed to get back up off their feet, but to her astonishment, only two or three of the Sneasel started to go after the Mamoswine. “Ancientpower!” Freth shouted. As the Mamoswine reared back for the attack, she then took notice to the remaining of the Sneasel moving around and was making a beeline for her. “Son of a…” As the Mamoswine was unleashing its rock attack upon one of his targets, Freth found herself trying to duck out of the way of a flurry of claws. She didn’t have the mobility like these Sneasel did. She managed to avoid a couple of swipes, but others managed to dig in, cutting through her coat and cutting deep. “AAAUGH!” The Fennekin tried to help out in its own way, firing off a few embers on its own, which did only a little to deter the Sneasel.
The Mamoswine was starting to get piled on by the three Sneasel, climbing on top of it and starting to claw away, and once again, Freth heard the Weavile howl out from the trees. “ Okay, if that’s the game you want to play it! Mamoswine! That tree! Take Down!” She shouted as she was trying to reach for a another Pokeball and trying to do all she could to minimize the damage on these Sneasel. The Mamoswine looked back and then made a hard turn. The Sneasel held on tight, nearly getting whipped off by the burly beast. The Mamoswine then charged full speed as fast as it could towards the tree. With a mighty slam, the tree shook hard and flung the Sneasel off its back from the sudden stop. Snow was jostled loose from the branches furious sway made by the intense impact. The Weavile dug into one of the branches, holding on tight as it could before it slipped off, its claw marks carving into the branch on the way down.
The Sneasel attacking Freth stopped their relentless assault, taking note to their leader off his perch. The Sneasel then started to run full speed through the snow to aid their leader, going on the attack on the Mamoswine. “Mamoswine! Another Earthquake!” As the Mamoswine shook its head, trying to recover from ramming into the sturdy tree, it started to rear back once more to ready its mighty Earthquake attack, the Sneasel started to pile onto the Mamoswine quickly, clawing away to stop the beast from doing so again. “NO!” Freth shouted. Freth at this point realizes she underestimated these Sneasel. The numbers weren’t that great, but it was a cohesive group. While she was familiar with pack mentality, but as she only now realized just the depths of it with these Sneasel, this was a step beyond that. This wasn’t their first rodeo. They were expertly, if albeit primitively, taking care of tasks at hand and recognizing threats as they come. One strong Pokémon wasn’t going to deter them.
“Mamoswine! Dig!” The Mamoswine flailed about then started to dig hard into the snow, into the earth. Fearing getting buried in the Mamoswine’s relentless pursuit to get away, the Sneasel jumped away off the back off the beast. Freth quickly then looked up, reaching out towards the tree branch above. She pulled hard, trying to keep in mind all that she had been taught over these past weeks. Her feathers lit up once more as she tried to quickly get what she wanted. The branch above would snap and Freth would immediately let go, letting it fall down upon the Sneasel. The bunch looked up and quickly scattered, avoiding the heavy, thick branch from falling on top of them. That was her opening…
“Mamoswine! Now!” she shouted. “The Weavile!” The Weavile perked up, realizing it was getting singled out. Under its feet, it started to rumble. Before it could run, it started to lose its balance as the earth started to shift under its feet. The Mamoswine erupted from the ground with fury, a furious roar as it shot out of the ground, dirt and snow flying everywhere as the Weavile was launched with great force. The Sneasel once again scrambled to aid their leader. The Fennekin, trying to make good on its share of meat, unleashed another flurry of embers at the Sneasel, trying to keep them dispersed on its own accord, but the super effective attack wasn’t all that effective. “If you’re going to do that, aim ahead of the ones in front! Not in the middle of them! Cut them off!” There were a couple of Sneasel that leaped up and landed on the Mamoswine once more, clawing away with its sharp claws. “Mamoswine! Shake them off!”
The Mamoswine flailed once again and managed to shake off the offending Sneasel, though it wasn’t without taking a fair bit of damage from their relentless assault. “Mamoswine! Earthquake!” she then shouted. Once again, the Mamoswine reared back and unleashed its mighty quake which rocked the area, throwing the Sneasel off their feet once more. Though in doing so, the already weakened tree that was hit with Mamoswine’s mighty Take Down attack finally gave way. The rocking of the soil up rooted the tree and it started to fall over towards Freth. Freth would easily get away, but she then noticed the Fennekin wasn’t going to be able to get away in time, not with it having to travel through the snow as it was. “Son of a-!” Freth quickly dug deep, calling every bit of influence she can put out. Her feathers lit up furiously and she reached out. The Fennekin was picked up off the ground. “Get over here!” The Fennekin was practically flung from its spot, straight for Freth like a furry missile. She catches the fox, falling over upon catching it. She looked in her arms, noting the Fennekin was scared out of its mind from what had transpired in the past five seconds. “…you’re going to be trouble…” she said with a relieved sigh.
She gets up off the ground and started to look around. The Sneasel and Weavile were starting to run for it. “Oh no you don’t…Mamoswine! After them!” she shouted. She put the Fennekin back on her shoulders, knowing that it would not be able to keep up with her, let alone Mamoswine. “Hang on tight.” She rushes off after her Mamoswine, following the trail that the beast was making in the snow. While the group of Sneasel and Weavile was going to be faster than the beast by a considerable margin, they weren’t going to be able to elude Mamoswine for too long. Slow and steady was the name of Mamoswine’s game. If she had to take a guess, the Sneasel had to regroup. They were tossed around and rocked considerably, and Weavile taken considerable damage from a fall off a tree and a nasty Dig attack. They were highly damaging and highly agile. But they were also not exactly durable. They needed to go lick their wounds for another round. An opportunity Freth was not going to allow them to get if she could help it.
Freth followed the trail made by Mamoswine and it was only a few moments until she caught up to. She looked around, taking note to the surroundings. They were on a cliffside with a hefty drop. After that, more snow-covered forests. If she had to warrant a guess, the forest spans a good way all the way before civilization again, and perhaps to the sea beyond that. There was no easy way down off this cliff unless one could fly. The Sneasel and Weavile more than likely wouldn’t have dared try to make the trek down. “You lost them?” Freth asked. It only got a disgruntled snort out of Mamoswine. “Don’t worry about it. They couldn’t have gotten far. You did give them a bit of a beating. Come on. Stay close.” As Freth and the Mamoswine started off, the Fennekin took notice to the mighty beast under Freth’s command. It hopped from her shoulders, onto Mamoswine’s back, giving a playful yip to the Mamoswine. All it got in return was a confused grunt out of the Mamoswine. “Don’t worry about it. This little guy is from the Order and was helping us find those Sneasel and Weavile for a bit…but this is no time to play. If you’re going to hitch a ride on Mamoswine, hold still.” She commanded to the Fennekin. It sat straight up, stiff almost as if to stand to attention.
Freth started to pay mind to the trees once again that spanned near the cliff. The had to have gone somewhere. The trees seemed to be a haven for them in some respects. Then, paydirt. “Mamoswine. That one. Headbutt.” She said, taking the fox off the Mamoswine’s back once more. Mamoswine rushed forward and rammed into the tree, giving it a hefty shake. One of the Sneasel fell out and flopped into the snow below. “Hello there…” she said. She then looked back up and from other trees close by, the other Sneasel started to slowly climb down, a couple skidding down, having their claws slow their descent by grinding it in the tree. The Weavile also would climb down, landing in the snow. Severely irritated. “Not fun when you find out you’re punching higher than your weight class, huh?” She said, taking out yet another Pokeball. The Fennekin yelps at the Weavile itself as if it wanted to be part of this conversation. “Quiet. Geez, you’d think the Order would have taught you some manners by now.”
Freth then reached behind her and took out another PokéBall. “Sneasel.” She shouted, giving it a toss out into the snow. Before the Sneasel’s and Weavile’s very eyes, out came the ashen-colored Hisuan variant. The various Ice types stared at their Poison-Fighting type cousin with grand confusion. None of them has ever seen one like this. They even questioned if they were one of their own. “How about a fight then if you think you’re hard enough.” Freth stated, challenging the Weavile. Freth knew that there wasn’t a whole lot of training with her and her Sneasel, but she was hoping that with the damage that Weavile took would be the great equalizer in all of this. “Otherwise, I could just have Mamoswine tear this place a new one like he did a little bit ago. Come on. You like barking orders around. Let’s see what you can do instead of your grunts doing the heavy work.” The Weavile grew more irritated, recognizing Freth’s taunts, but yet found itself in a position where it couldn’t necessarily refuse.
The Weavile stepped forward, claws out and ready to battle. The Hisuan Sneasel got ready, claws out itself, squaring off against the Weavile. Without warning, the Weavile rushed in and starting to swipe away at the Sneasel. The Sneasel ducked and weaved with the occasional clash of claws of its own. The Weavile’s claws then sheened with a metallic shine and swiped down on the Hisuan Sneasel with a Metal Claw attack. “Brick Break!” Freth shouted back. The ancient Sneasel reared back, only a little staggered from the Metal Claw then retaliated with great force, dealing a crushing blow upon the Weavile. “Yea, that’s not going to work as well with any other Sneasel nowadays, pal.” It hunched over for a moment, grasping at its chest, aching from the strike. “This is where you probably should surrender, buddy. I’ve fought tougher than you. Hell, my boyfriend has a Weavile himself that could probably battle circles around you.”
The Weavile managed to pull itself up, hissing at the Hisuan Sneasel, to which the Sneasel responded with the sentiment with a hiss of its own. The Weavile pounced on the Hisuan Sneasel. The two thrashed about clawing and hissing about. However, the larger stature of the Weavile compared to the Hisuan Sneasel provided leverage that was not to the Sneasel’s favor. The Weavile’s claws then started to give off a dark aura, a Night Slash attack in the Weavile’s frustration as to figure out how to quickly down the ancient Pokémon. “Sneasel! Get him off of you! Slash attack!” she shouted. As the Weavile continued to slash away, it managed to kick the Weavile off and leaped up, and struck back with fury. The Weavile reared back and got back at the ready. However, the Weavile then started to nurse at its slash injury. It had a nasty burning sensation that was steadily going through its body. “Poison touch. Now you’re in a spot…surrender, Weavile.”
As the battle continued on, Freth continued to realize as clever as the Weavile has been directing the Sneasel as it has, it still was at the very least a wild Pokémon. It did not have the training in the long term. Raised to fight other wild Sneasel, and probably got profoundly good at it. While her own Hisuan variant hasn’t had too much to go on, being the newest one in her entourage, it still had at least some skill on the Weavile. And the Weavile had no idea what this things story. It was an ancestor. Long since gone. It wouldn’t know anything about it. However, despite things getting ever so dire for it, it refuses to back down.
Freth would sit the Fennekin down as the Weavile went back to blows with the Hisuan Sneasel. The two would lock claws and much to the Weavile’s surprise, while it would otherwise be an earlier stage like the other Sneasel, it was matching its strength in general somehow. It was perhaps its general structure; its ancient strength, its fighting typing that is forcing the Weavile to give it respect. The Weavile and Sneasel continued to slash away at each other. The Weavile would then parry one of the Hisuan Sneasel’s swipes and breathed out a biting gust, an Icy Wind. The attack would make the Sneasel rear back, trying to clear the ice from its face. It would quickly then follow up with an Ice Shard attack, the various icy chunks bombarding the Sneasel in a rapid pace. “Sneasel! Hang in there!” Freth shouted. The Weavile would once again pounce on the Hisuan Sneasel and once again the two would thrash about. Freth, the Fennekin, and Mamoswine would have to move out of the way from the fray as the two continued to flail about in the snow.
Closer to the cliff the two continued to clash. The Weavile started to come down with its Fury Swipes, trying to press its advantage while poison started to course through its body, but as it tries to press its advantage, the Hisuan Sneasel gives another Slash attack in retaliation. The ancient Pokémon kicks the Weavile off of it then gets back up, rushing in. “Brick Break!” she shouted. The Weavile tries to retaliate, trying to cut the Hisuan Sneasel off, but the Sneasel manages to weave about the attack and drive its claw right into the Weavile once more, sending the Weavile off into the ground.
The Weavile once more tried to pull itself up. It was tired, the poison starting to get the better of it. It wasn’t steady on its feet. “Weavile, give it up.” She said. “This isn’t a fight you’re going to win, and even if by some miracle you managed to get by Sneasel, you’re not going to get through the rest of my friends, nor will you be in any shape to tell your backup dancers anything.”
The Weavile stood there, weary and battered. It wasn’t fully comprehending what Freth was saying between its near punch-drunk state and the poison that was overtaking it. It did have one more move up its proverbial sleeve. It screeched out, its voice carried on the winds throughout the forest. Freth stared in confusion for a second before coming to a realization, looking back. The Sneasel, who were spectating the battle between the Hisuan ancestor and the Weavile, were getting primed and ready once again. The Fennekin growled out, trying to stand off against the opposition. Weavile was done playing fair, it seemed. Mamoswine grounded its feet into the ground getting ready for another brawl once more.
“You coward…” Freth said, eyes narrowing. She realized what transpired, the Weavile perhaps at first was willing to fight to maintain some sort of honor, but when it started to realize that wasn’t going to do it any good, it slowly pushed the fight closer to the cliff’s edge. Pressing whatever advantage that it had on its supposed predecessor just to move the fight near the cliff. He was now getting the Sneasel to finish the job, recognizing the threat she had and the means it still had.
The Sneasel started to move in, starting to leap down on the her, the Fennekin, Mamoswine, and the Hisuan Sneasel. Freth was trying to weave away from the attacks, still without any sort of significant power that she could use. The Fennekin, try as it might, was getting overwhelmed, regardless of the fire it tried to spit out towards the Sneasel. It was swatted towards the cliff and severely hurt. Freth rushed off and snatched up the Fennekin, now needing to guard it with her life. The Hisuan Sneasel swiped off the couple of Sneasel that was attacking it, but quickly turned its attention to the weakened Weavile. It rushed in and pounced on the Weavile, hellbent on continuing its brawl. The two locked claws once more and started to thrash about on the ground. Mamoswine had a few Sneasel leap on it. The beast immediately flailed about, roaring out trying to effectively subjugate the beast. Mamoswine, unfortunately for them, was not one to bow down easily. The beast flailed about, once again flinging the Sneasel back off. Covered in slashes and cuts, infuriated, the Mamoswine reared back and stomped on the ground, quaking the ground. Once again, snow and earth launches off the ground, as did near everything around it.
Freth found herself wide-eyed, that moment in time frozen as she started to comprehend everything that was going on. She was knocked off the cliff by Mamoswine’s quake with the injured Fennekin in her arms. Her Hisuan Sneasel and Weavile was also launched off the cliff. She could see the Weavile passing out finally, but fear in the Hisuan Sneasel, not realizing what just happened other than there was no solid ground under it. The bottom was going to be in mere seconds. She was not going to survive a fall like this, nor will any of the ones caught in it.
Time started to slowly speed up to Freth. She knew how to get out of this. She needed to fly. However, her wings wouldn’t allow it. Her mind flashed back immediately, remembering something Polaris told her a while back ago. Galarian Articuno didn’t fly normally like most flying types. They used their psychic power to ascend, accelerate, and hover about, only using their wings to glide. It was her only way out. Time continued to back to normal, time was running out. Freth ripped the cloak off around her wings and spread them out. She could glide at least, or she could try. That much shouldn’t be too much different than when she was the Kantonian variant. She shifted around and put her wings out but there was an issue. In her efforts to try to glide, she started to fall faster. She needed to correct herself and catch her Hisuan Sneasel and the Weavile.
She could feel everything. The rock wall. The tree below. The wind that whipped around her face and wings. She needed to see herself. She needed to lift herself up. It was hard, the stress ever so intense. She remembered freezing on those posts, balancing just to bend a spoon. The stress of threat of hypothermia, the numbing sensation racking her body. The mind was a powerful thing, she needed to use it. Just as then. Now, here than ever. Her feathers started to glow once more as she tried to feel herself out. She managed to move off a short ways away off to the side. Her descent started to slow. She needed to calm herself. The ground didn’t matter. The trees didn’t matter. The cold didn’t matter. And if she didn’t do this, nothing will matter anymore anyways. She held her arms out, catching the Weavile now passed out and the panicking Hisuan Sneasel. She held them tight as she could, barely holding on to all three in her arms. The extra weight she was now carrying now making this extra difficult. She had to continue to focus. Her descent continue to slow and then…she stopped.
Freth looked back behind her. She could feel her mind working in overdrive at this point. Perhaps her mind was going to split wide open. She noticed the trees below, only a couple of feet under her. She could smell the pine that was trying to fight through the smell of fresh snow. She looked at the three in her arms, the Hisuan Sneasel was holding on tight. “I…swear if you poison…me with those claws…while you are trying to hold on tight…I will…declaw you…just…don’t move.” Freth strained out to say. She looked back up for a second, then closed her eyes. She needed to go back up. Just like the snow. Just like axe. The ball. The berry. She needed to carefully and precisely move up. Just go straight up. Scale that wall. She moved upwards, slowly.
At the top of the cliff, Mamoswine and the Sneasel were looking down below, bearing witness that moment which transpired. They were all sure that it was over for the hybrid and three Pokémon. The Sneasel, now without a leader. Mamoswine, now without its trainer that it has known effectively all his life. Instead, they bore witness to the work that Freth had put in. After another moment, she made it to the cliff edge. Mamoswine and the Sneasel going wide eyed seeing what was before them. Freth moved forward now, hovering towards the cliff edge. The Sneasel and Mamoswine moved off, away from the edge, allowing Freth to land. Freth’s feet would finally touch down, and with a loud gasp, she drops the three Pokémon into the snow, falling forward herself. She was gasping out, trembling between the cold and the massive amount of exertion she was putting her mind through in a literal case of do or die.
“Not…hard…at all…ugh…”
--------------------
Freth would eventually return, if albeit slowly, back to the Order. Accompanied by the Mamoswine, the knocked out Fennekin and the passed out Weavile laid out on the beast’s back, and the Hisuan Sneasel to keep guard. Freth had quite the tale to report once she gotten back to see the mission accomplished to the Order and things to demonstrate, namely her newfound means to fly. She was still rough at it, and perhaps still would be for some time, but she made leaps and bounds, more than the fledgling psychic she once was.
The Weavile would be nursed back to health and kept as a probationary guest of sorts for the Order. While not a psychic itself, the Order’s ways was meant for anyone and any Pokémon. The Weavile was shown the ways of deep meditation, as odd as it would seem to an outsider. Freth, after seeing and experiencing what she has dealt with over the days of being at this village, wasn’t really going to question it. The Order would try to see about calming this Weavile, recognizing that this was a rather skilled one for an otherwise wild Pokémon. The fact that it commanded a squad of Sneasel so effectively was something else. Something rarely seen in these parts. Perhaps bringing it into their fold as opposed to more draconian measures would benefit everyone. Knowledge was after all meant for all.
Freth would continue her training for a little while longer at the Order before she came to realize that she had to leave and make her way back to Snagem. It was just as well too. The Order showed her the ways of deep meditation and how it tends to aid her psychic abilities and how it in some ways feedback on itself to unlock further potential. However, she got the extent that they could honestly teach her in the midst of meditation. However, they also recognized something else. In her skirmish with the Weavile, apparently the Fennekin she enlisted the services of ended up growing attached to her. The Fennekin wasn’t one for the Order’s life, but then some of that could be excused of it being young as it was. It was well fed though by Freth as agreed, if albeit eventually a little spoiled after the events of dealing with Weavile. Her final days of training with the Order had been occasionally interrupted by the Fennekin wanting attention in some capacity. Perhaps that was the problem it had this entire time. From stealing the meat in the kitchen, to agreeing to Freth’s proposition to track down Weavile. The Order understood that some Pokémon wasn’t meant for the life of the Order and found it agreeable to part ways with the one Fennekin, only on the condition that it would achieve knowledge of the outside world.
Freth, back at Snagem finally, was glad to be back, and oddly feeling quite refreshed. Despite her body and mind practically going through hell and the problems that spanned therein, she had a deeper understanding of herself and the world about her. In a fit of irony, she felt that maybe some more training was in order to further hone her psychic abilities and maybe she could start kicking her significant other out of the training room so she can use it to hone her abilities safely.
It would be one afternoon, she sat there on the bed, across from her lover. The two would sit in silence, Indian style though Freth was levitating, eyes closed, focused. Her new Fenniken and the Hisuan Sneasel was taking a nap in the corner of the room, the latter of which sawing logs quite fiercely. Though something wasn’t escaping her notice. “You’re bored.”
“Yeah, usually, training usually involves me doing something.” The Kantonian Articuno male would tell her. “Also, you floating there is making me think you’re trying to flex on me.”
“Heh, just trying to multitask, I guess. Though, with meditating, I thought of the same thing. You might not believe it but it actually did wonders. When you meditate, you start realizing things about yourself you once didn’t think you had before. Things that doing laps, punching bags, lifting weights, or even sparring won’t show. Its…honestly weird.” Freth told him. “And because of all of that, all that I did at the Order, I am honestly curious as to what I am capable of doing. I don’t think I ever really had that kind of drive when I was an Ice type.”
“You’re making it sound like you’re actually okay with yourself now.” He would tell her, staring in confusion.
“……” Freth stopped for a moment, ceasing her hovering in place and properly sat down on the bed. It didn’t really occur to her until this very second. She thought for a moment. “When that woman invaded our lives, effectively, transformed me into this, yea I really did hate life in general. I hated how I looked. The black feathers looked awful the way they were on me, I sort of look like I got a perpetual scowl because of my beak, my hands, oh God the hands, and how it seemed like nothing that I wore went with the hue of my feathers…and on top of all of that I hated how defenseless I effectively gotten just overnight, super reliant on my Pokémon more than I even was as a human…oh my God, I’m sounding like Aile now.” Freth said, looking back towards her significant other. The two would share a chuckle after that brief second of silence. She would then comb her fingers through her hair, bringing some locks back behind her as she thought about what to say next. “But as I walk around here, doing what I need to do, focused, I come to realize, it’s…not really all that bad, honestly, and even if it was? It didn’t matter.” She said. “There were more things to be concerned about. Its not to say that I still won’t care if my hair is done right or what I wear day to day. But its really not as bad as I made it out to be. I’m still me at the end of the day. I just need to stay focused. It’s a new life for me. And that’s okay. So…yea…I am okay.”
The two would get up from the bed and look at each other, holding each others hand, then going into a comforting hug. “Glad to hear it.” Freth would stay in the embrace, head on his shoulder for a good moment before the two would separate once more. “Well, I’m hungry. What time is it? Want something? I might fix up a club in the kitchen. That sounds good right about now.”
“That sounds fine.” Freth said. “Make sure that someone bothered getting the dressings. It seems like I’m the only one who actually bothers having-…” Freth would take notice to the dresser. The dresser that she had many a conversation with, or more specifically, with Polaris. She’d notice the image, of her sitting on the edge of the bed, though the image was looking away from the mirror. And she wasn’t sitting right now. “…greens. Blizzard, mind giving me a few minutes?”
He would look at Freth in confusion for a second then towards the mirror, effectively double taking between the two before a realization hit him. “Wait, is she here? I thought-“
“Blizzard, remember what we agreed on.” She said. He very well knew. He had to trust her. Moreover, he knew that Freth went through too much just for her to try again.
“Alright…”
“I’ll be looking forward to those clubs.” She said. He was reluctant, but he backed away and made his way out of the bedroom and off for the kitchen. She gave a hard sigh then made her way back to the mirror, crossing her arms. “Polaris.”
“You’ve seem to be having fun with your power.” Polaris stated.
“How long have you been back?” she asked.
“A couple of days. A little after you got back to the headquarters. It was hell just to get back to where I can talk to you again. I didn’t really want to say anything right away because since I’ve gotten back, I took a bit of extra time to think about a few things.” She said. Freth stared at the mirror, at Polaris, with a lot of trepidation. “If its any comfort to you…” Polaris lifted her hand, showing off her wrist, a icy crystal-like chain wrapped about it. “…still chained up in here. Part of why I had such a hard time just getting to be able to do this. And because of which, its back to what otherwise be business between two of us originally. Where I can’t do anything in here because of it.” Freth continued to stare at Polaris. Despite apparent assurances of non-aggression by her, she was ever on guard. “Number Thirty-Eight.”
“What?”
“You asked me where did everything truly go wrong for me. Presumably why I became cynical as I have been.” She said. “What made me hellbent to accomplish what I set out to do. Number thirty-eight.”
“Your missions.” Freth guessed.
“Yea. When you sent me off, chained up and left helpless, I ended up in a few of my own memories. Reminded of a lot that I cared to forget. I really was not always like that. I used to try to spare the enemies that the Ultra Recon Squad marked for termination. Even the most vile. I’m not going to lie Freth, some of the enemies that you have faced with Snagem pales to these guys. These were for all intents monsters. I once believed that people could still be redeemed in some fashion. They wouldn’t go through with such notions of course, and I would end up taking their lives. I’d go to bed thinking that I did do some justice in the multiverse. It was how I ended up justifying it to myself a lot.”
“Then this Number thirty-eight happened.” Freth stated.
“Mm-hm. The assignment started off not to terminate anyone at all. The Megaopolis actually has Ultra Beasts themselves. One prominent one is one known as Poipole, or in some circles, ‘UB: Adhesive’. A rather joyful creature. Kind of cute, actually, when you get to know them. One found its way into another reality and went about its business. I was set to retrieve it. Simple extraction mission. Nothing special. When I found it, it was traumatized to no end. Perhaps half-starved. I noticed track marks, you know, needle wounds, of some kind on its body. Whatever happened to it, it wanted the hell out of that place. I couldn’t get a read on its mind all too well because his mind was a torrent of stress, pain, and fear.”
“Oh no…” Freth said, starting to realize where this was possibly going.
“After making sure the Poipole was secure, I ended following the procedure as usual to see about what kind of contact it made. More specifically, other people.”
“To make sure that anyone that came in contact would perhaps dismiss it as a rare Pokémon, best case scenario if it did.”
“That’d be the ideal.” Polaris stated. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. This world was one of science. In some sense, perhaps not too dissimilar from the Megaopolis, honestly. However, just as any story with science with a twist goes, there were those with ill intent. Apparently, the Poipole found itself in the hands of those that wanted to experiment on all sorts of ways on it, including but not limited to making a hybrid of what they believed to be another, if albeit rare, Pokémon. Unfortunately, Ultra Beasts are not really ones to be put on production lines. One such person that got drafted became a Poipole hybrid…if you could call it that. This guy, despite the situation he was in, always tried to look on the bright side of things, held out hope that things will be better. He reminded me of…well, me, in some senses. There was always good to be done, so on and so forth. Unfortunately, the people that made him into a hybrid did him dirty, in the sense they really had no idea what they were doing. The change they instigated in him was unstable. He by all rights should have been dead. As he was, he barely was managing to keep any level of handle of his bodily functions, even his newfound ones.”
Freth made her way over to the bed and sat down at the edge, continuing to keep attention on the mirror. She was a little engrossed in this story; this memory that she didn’t see first hand in the reaches of Polaris’s mind. “Before I could get the guy out, first, I had to make sure that there was no trace of Poipole being around, so…I had the lab that he was stashed away in burned to the ground. Effectively sterilized by fire. Secondly, I needed to get this guy taken care of, maybe find some way to stabilize the transformation for one and maybe, give him a spot in the squad just as one was given to me, given the circumstances. Unfortunately, the scientists that lived through the razing of that lab didn’t take kind to it and as far as what they figured, they needed to get that man back to try to get back on track on perfecting their experiment. They actually put up a bit of a fight and just about managed to get back their quarry. In the skirmish, we found out that the Poipole hybrid did have some idea that he had power behind him, power that he wanted to help me fend the scientists off with. Unfortunately, we found out one of the things he was capable of was effectively a Dragon Pulse attack.”
“Dragon Pulse? That doesn’t sound so bad.” Freth said.
“Not when the Pokémon you’re a hybrid of uses that attack as a catalyst to their evolution, just as Ancientpower was for your Mamoswine.” Polaris stated.
“………” The notion gave Freth pause.
“I told him to stop using the attack, but given the desperate measures and him being sure that he was going to be dead soon anyways, figured to do it, as thanks to help me. And it was in the final skirmish, it actually happened. He ended up evolving. He evolved to ‘UB: Stinger’, Naganadel, and with that evolution, anything that made him human left with it. The evolution broke him, Freth. The pain of the transformation, the sudden spike in power, the senses warped. I tried reaching out to him, but he was nothing more than a feral beast, unable to comprehend his own existence. He singlehandedly finished off the scientists, and was bound to rampage in the city he once called home. Imagine, Freth, Naganadel, an insectoid creature as much as it is draconian, with a stinger that would make a Beedrill cry in envy. But just as notorious as its notorious stinger, it still retains traits of its prior evolution, specifically its special adhesive. A glue that rivals fluoroantimonic acid in acidity and he was getting that kind of stuff all over the place because he couldn’t figure out how to keep it in himself really. And it was in that I got the call – I had to put him down.”
“A mercy kill.” Freth said.
“Number thirty-eight wasn’t a notorious villain, a natural walking disaster, or a misguided fool.” Polaris said, walking towards the mirror within the mirror image as she minded the chain that tethered her. “He was a victim, Freth. His demise…broke me, Freth. From there, I slowly started to conform to the squad’s MO more than I ever had without really thinking. Perhaps more so knowing that it wouldn’t do me any good to say otherwise. I just held out faith my commanding officer knew better. I did it without question. Things had to be done without question for the better of all. But it was draining at the same time. I needed out.”
“And the more you went along with these guys, this recon squad, the more that you were ready to run out on them the second you found an opportunity. Then you found out about Blizzard, or this worlds predicted fate, more specifically.”
“Yes.” Polaris stated. “I didn’t care what it took. If I still had to stick around with the recon squad to do so for a long time after the fact to do so, I was willing to do it knowing that I had some place to go after it was all said and done. And I was more than tempered to do the deed without a second thought because as far as I was concerned, the world would still go on without him, perma-ice free. A couple of people would grieve, sure, but it was for the better. This world wouldn’t have victims from his doing.” Polaris stated. “I trained like hell at every opportunity to make sure that I could take him out. I had him.”
“Have you ever considered Blizzard is a victim?” Freth asked.
“How do you come to that idea?” Polaris asked.
“You said it yourself. We talked about it.” Freth said, standing up from the bed now, walking to the mirror. “He constantly trained and nearly kills himself trying to make sure those he cares about stays safe. He wanted to be that ultimate deterrent to those that dare tries harm anything he cares for, the world he lives in. Everything that happened in this world…Celcius, the Rangers, Lysandre, Ein…even you…anyone out to undermine that feeling of safety in this world. He in some respects is broken…someone who is desperate to stop fighting and just…enjoy his time on this world. The more the world pushes him, the more he’s compelled to push back, mostly out of sheer obligation, and doesn’t want to leave it to anyone else when he could take care of it himself. In some respects, it is a matter of pride maybe, in others, the feeling of knowing he can be dependent on himself where it would count the most. You seen it yourself, you instigated something fierce in him and dare I say perhaps you single-handly have started this world on a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Freth stated. “I’ve gone through a lot over the past few weeks trying to see to getting a handle on my psychic power and get it through to Blizzard that he in fact doesn’t have to go that hard. Unfortunately, I also have to admit, I’m still in need of help. The Order, great as they were, were not going to be able to solve everything. They knew that as I knew. They got me started on the path forward, but I can’t solve these issues here if I am having to deal with you on a constant basis like we have been with your nay-saying or worse, outright hijacking me. I doubt any amount of meditation is going to help me with that.”
“So, what are you suggesting?” Polaris asked.
“Help me, Polaris. For one, you got nothing better to do if you’re chained up in my head like you say you still are. And two, if you still have any semblance of care for this world, it would be to your benefit to help me save Blizzard from himself effectively. I don’t have any intention on letting him die, but I’m not going to have him have at it alone. That said, it’s going to be hard to keep pace with him until I manage to fully master what you basically dropped on me. There is perhaps a lot riding on this. But in the process, maybe perhaps you’ll realize that things weren’t as black and white as what the Recon Squad put through to you. That maybe, there are other options after all instead of whatever massive equation tells you.”
There was a pensive silence from the once interdimensional hunter. She crossed her arms under her wings and looked away, thinking for a moment as Freth stood across from her waiting on an answer. Given what she has seen, she didn’t think she was wrong still, still effectively imprinted of the experiences she had traveling to these worlds, exploring and fighting what she had to accomplish the missions. Times lived almost twice over thanks to being sent back into her own memories thanks to Freth. With that said, she she also realized that it wasn’t the greatest for her but she had those in her life to help her on her feet and keep her moving forward. When she tries to pay it forward in her own way, it turned out neutral at best. And worse, she admitted that she changed from one unfortunate event. In the span of the cosmos, it was perhaps insignificant. To her, it meant the cosmos. Perhaps, there would have been an unfortunate change for Freth should she have succeeded in her task. Or Tristen. Pryce. The Snagems. She was going to be responsible for anything that happened negatively in the world with no Blizzard, and despite what the predictions were, there still was no telling even in the grand scheme of things.
“…all right, Freth. We’ll play it your way.” Polaris stated. “I’m trusting you.”
“Its all I ask.” Freth told her. “Also, another thing? ‘Polaris’? Yea, that name’s stupid. What do I call you? Really?”
“Are we going to do this-“
“I would actually just prefer ‘Eris’ if nothing else. That sounds a lot better. At least casual, if nothing else.”
“You are not calling me ‘Eris.’”
“’Polaris’ grew on you, I’m sure this should be easier.”
