Post by Moe on Aug 25, 2020 16:29:26 GMT -6
Volume 2, Acceptance
Chapter 1: A Fresh Start
Chapter 1: A Fresh Start
Ahti always did love the ocean. He and Maggie would always surf the regions they visited, despite other trainers saying how unconventional using a Nidoking to surf, was. Neither of them cared. Ahti’s heart belonged in the ocean, and that is where he decided to start his new life.
Slateport City always was his favorite. He loved the local marketplace, the beaches, and the fishing community. He was even able to buy his own boat and start a little fishing business of his own, thanks to an anonymous donation from “A Friend”.
It had been three long years, since Ahti had seen any of the others. Many of them had moved on. Some tried to go back to their trainers, others went looking for the man responsible. Ahti was perfectly content, with his new life. Though he sent letters to Maggie, addressed anonymously, letting her know her old friends were doing okay and that perhaps someday they would meet again.
Ahti took in a deep breath, as he steered his boat to the shore. The crisp ocean never failed to put a smile on his face. His house was near the beach, and he could see it from the sea. As he approached the docks, he was met by a young Stufful girl.
“Daddy daddy daddy!” she squealed with glee, rushing up to him and tackling him in a hug before he could even get the boat tied down.
“Calm down, Penny.” Ahti laughed, ruffling her hair. “Where’s the fire?”
“There’s no fire!” Penny giggled. “There’s a man at our house! He says he knows you and he looks funny and has green hair and he looks like he hasn’t slept in forever!” she said, bouncing up and down on her toes.
Inside the Porter household, sat Aidan. The young man, once a Gallade, was one of Ahti’s former teammates. He couldn’t be more than nineteen years of age, though after all that had happened, his face looked much older. He was exhausted and unkempt, and looked like he hadn’t had a decent meal in years.
“Hello, Ahti.” He spoke, quietly and calmly. “It’s been a while.”
“Aidan.” Ahti grinned, giving the man a firm handshake. “It’s been so long. Where have you been? How did you find me?”
“Looking for Ferrovax.” Aidan growled. “You know I can’t stop, until I finish what was started.” He sighed. “I’ve met others, on my journey. I asked around, and was eventually led to you. It makes sense that you would end up, in Hoenn.” He said, giving Ahti half a smile.
“Unfortunately, I can’t stay long. I just…I needed to see a familiar face. I’ve been traveling so long… Ferrovax…I think he’s close. Really close. Soon, I can finally end this. I want you to be part of it.”
“Aidan.” Ahti said, in the same tone in which a parent would scold their child. “You are always welcome in my house, but please do not involve me or my family, in your quest for vengeance. Even if CT was here, what would killing him accomplish? What is done is done, and it cannot be undone. Things won’t go back the way they were, and killing CT would make you no better than he.”
“What he did, was unforgivable!” Aidan shot up, from his seat. “He betrayed us, and let others die in those labs! He was supposed to die, and he didn’t. How many more lives is he going to ruin, because he was set free? How many more is he going to kill? I’m sorry, Ahti, but I can’t rest until he’s been stopped!”
“It is always easier to seek vengeance, than to forgive.” Ahti sighed. “I can’t condone what he did, but in his mind, we were the ones who betrayed him. I forgave him, a long time ago. It still hurts, but we cannot live our lives, filled with hate and longing for revenge. By letting go, by forgiving, that makes you the better person.”
“Now, I would like for you to stay the night.” He said, setting a hand on Aidan’s shoulder. “Please, get some rest, a shower, and a good meal. I cannot send you on your way, until you have rested.” He smiled, warmly.
“Though I do ask you keep those,” he pointed at Aidan’s daggers. “Away from the little one.”
Aidan nodded, as he set his weapons aside.
Later, after lunch and a shower, Aidan found himself pacing the living room, unsure of what to do. He wasn’t used to crashing at a friend’s place, and was eager to start searching for his enemy, once more.
“So, Aidan,” Zero chimed in, interrupting his pacing. “Have you been to the marketplace? Penny and I were just about to head over there, and you’re welcome to come with us. You could stand to relax, a little.”
“I’m fine.” Aidan insisted. “I’m not much of a shopper, anyway.”
“Come on, now.” Zero said, nudging him out the door. “There’s this new thing all the cool kids are doing, nowadays. It’s called ‘fun’. Try it.”
“Very funny.” Aidan pouted. “I don’t like shopping. Or crowds. It would just be more stress.”
“Aidan.” She said, placing her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not asking you to go shopping, in a big crowd. I’m asking you to walk with me. A friend. To actually talk to someone. You’d be surprised how much talking can help.” She smiled. “You can’t just wander the world by yourself, the rest of your life. Take some time to hang out with people who care about you. Can you do that, for me?”
Aidan sighed, exasperated. “Fine.” He agreed, and followed the girls to the marketplace.
Once there, Aidan found he was much less tense about the idea, than before. Zero was right; he needed to be more social. He didn’t have any friends to connect with, over the last few years, and it would be nice to finally catch up.
His thoughts were promptly interrupted, as he nearly tripped over a wandering child. “Hey, watch out.” He said. He wasn’t used to speaking to children, and felt he did a superb job of sounding polite.
The small child wimpered; “Suh..sorry…” he whispered, barely audible.
“Aidan! You found a friend!” Penny said, bounding up to the young boy. “Hi! My name’s Penelope, but everybody calls me Penny!” she smiled, cheerfully. “What’s your name? Where’d you come from? Where’s your mommy?” she threw question after question at him, then looked around and gasped. “Mommy!” she looked to Zero. “I think he’s lost his mommy!”
“He didn’t lose his mamma.” A familiar voice said, approaching the group. “I uh. I kinda forgot he was here. Don’t tell his mom I lost ‘im, she’d totally kill me.” She scooped up the child and held him in her arms. It took her a good minute or two, to realize who she was talking to.
“Heeey…Zero!” she grinned. “And uh…dat other guy!” she looked to Aidan. “Nah, I’m totally kiddin’. We cool, right?”
“No.” Aidan crossed his arms.
Zero elbowed him. “Laila.” She smiled. “It’s good to see you, again. I uh…I thought you left, with CT.”
“Oh, I did.” Laila replied. “Lasciel just insists on these annual shopping trips. Gets her and th’kid both outta Unova, for a bit a’ fresh air. Castelia is nice an’ all, but she didn’t really travel th’world like ya’ll did.” She shrugged.
“Wait.” Aidan paused. “That kid… his mother is…?”
“Well it ain’t me.” Laila shot back. “I fuggin’ hate kids. Only reason I stuck around, is ‘cause this one aint’ so bad. He’s quiet and doesn’t make any messes and he doesn’t bombard me with a thousand stupid questions.”
“Never be a parent.” Zero said.
“Not plannin’ on it.” Laila shrugged.
“Okay, are we going to ignore the fact that kid’s mother is Lasciel?” Aidan said. “So that means Ferrovax…” it took him a moment, to soak it in. “Where am I supposed to go, with this?! People are moving on, like nothing happened! Arceus, the guy has a kid??”
“Two.” Lasciel’s unmistakable voice interrupted. “Well. Not quite two, yet. More like one and a half. One and work-in-progress? Under construction? Coming soon?” she rambled on. “Anyway. Hi.” She smiled. “So, um…how’s everybody doing?” she smiled, trying to be friendly.
“Fine.” Zero replied, flatly. Ahti had forgiven them, but Zero simply tried to forget. She was happy with her new life, and knowledge that she would never have to see CT, Lasciel or Laila, again. "It took a while to get adjusted, but we’ve adapted.” She continued, tugging Penny away from the women.
The group stood in awkward silence, for some time.
“Soooo…” Lasciel broke the silence. “We’re getting ready to head back.” She smiled. “I’d love it, if you joined us! We could catch up, and Nico could play with Penny. He doesn’t really have any friends…it’d be nice, for both of them.”
Zero groaned, not really wanting to socialize with Lasciel. However, Lasciel did nothing wrong. She cared about CT, but had no hand in what he had done. Not an intentional hand, anyway. That, and Lash was right. The kids both needed a friend, and with the hybrid thing still being kept from the public, neither of them had anybody they could really be themselves with.
“I think I need to go over this with my husband, first.” Zero sighed.
“Yay!” Penny jumped up and down, excitedly. “We’re going on a trip!” She looked up at the other young child. “You can show me around and we can go shopping and eat food and we’ll be bestest friends forever!”
Nico just clung tightly to Laila, whimpering.
Meanwhile, in Castelia:
CT paced across his labs. It was much smaller than the ones Hugo Blackstone had built, but it was just as functional. There were several cells, much like the ones he and the other hybrids were kept in. In those cells, were several heavily sedated human-Pokemon hybrids.
“Shii, take note on the newest results.” CT spoke, to his assistant.
His assistant was a tall, very tall, shaggy-haired man. He had a lean build, and although he stood at six-foot-six, it was hard to tell as he was hunched over. His long hair fell down to his hips, and was tied in a large, blue band. He dressed in all black and red, and wore the creepiest of grins. Most notably, were his eyes. They were a crystal blue, and had a metallic sheen in just the right light.
The man was a mysterious hybrid transformation CT has stumbled upon, as he continued with Blackstone’s research and experiments. He was a former Zoroark, and although CT chalked his weirdness up to his brain being scrambled, he was extremely useful with illusions. He didn’t have a name, and CT didn’t bother giving him one. Instead, the Zoroark insisted he be called Naaldlooshii. CT figured it was just a jumbled up mess of letters, but decided to roll with it and call him “Shii” for short.
Shii jotted down notes, in scribbled handwriting.
The experiments CT had found were all a curious bunch, of unknown origin. One, a fire and ghost type, but did not register as part of the litwick line. Curiously, her young sister was a water and dark type, meaning both had to have been in the field group. The two males were more unsettling. One was young, possibly a teenager; he had bug and fighting type DNA, but could use a handful of fire type moves. The scariest one was a behemoth of a man; tall, muscular, and had to be kept sedated in fear of attacking. His DNA registered ground and fighting, a combination never before seen. All of them had been located and hidden away, by CT.
CT had used Blackstone’s funding to create his own “business”, in Castelia. He had eyes all over the city, and even paid law enforcement to look the other way. One of the things he had inherited from Blackstone, was a handful of Pokemon Centers where the doctor would take Pokemon left there by unsuspecting trainers.
“Hey!” he shouted. “Lemme outta this prison, you old fart!” he yelled, as he blasted a wave of fire at the window.
“First off, no.” CT responded, dryly. “Second, I am not old.”
“Ugh! Whatever, Gramps! Look if ya’ let me out, I’ll go get your walker so you don’t break your hip.” The fusion continued to insult him.
“I am twenty-nine years old!” CT growled, furiously. “Keep pushing it, and you won’t be let out at all!”
“Psh, twenty-nine? That’s pretty much thirty!” the fusion scoffed. “Don’t have a stroke while you’re fuming at me, Pops.”
“Shii?” CT looked over at his assistant. “I think this one would be a good test subject, for a reversal.”
Shii looked at the fusion, and grinned. It sent a shiver down the angry teen’s spine, but he wasn’t about to let them know it.
“Screw you, I ain’t your lab patrat!” he said, blasting several more waves of fire at the door.
“I think you should calm down, now.” CT said. At this point, he was getting less annoyed and more genuinely angry. He looked to Shii, who grinned in response.
Shii did something on the tablet he was writing notes on. The teen wasn’t sure what, but was suddenly met with the sharp prick of a needle, causing him to fall unconscious.
CT sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Get him in a more secure room, Shii.” He demanded. As Shii did so, CT began checking video feed of the others. The muscular man was still heavily sedated. It was best to keep him that way, until they knew just how to deal with his violent natures. The youngest girl was asleep, clinging to her pillow. The ghost type was…gone?
“Blast!” he snarled. “Blasted ghost type!” he slammed his hands down on the desk. “Shii!” he pointed at the zoroark. “Find her! I’ll take care of that…thorn in my side, just find that bloody ghost!”
Shii nodded, and bolted off.
“Uuugh…. Things seemed so much easier, for Michael…” CT groaned.
Back in Hoenn, things were not going much smoother.
“Unova?” Ahti raised an eyebrow. “With Lasciel and Laila? Are you sure that is a good idea?” he looked over at Aidan.
“No.” Zero sighed. “But maybe it’ll help us move on. I know you forgave them, but it’s not so easy for the rest of us. I know I need to try, though. And so does Aidan. It won’t be easy, we may not even keep our cool, but at least we can try.” She set her hand against Ahti’s cheek.
He set his hand against hers, and gave it a gentle kiss. “If it is what you feel is best, then do it. Just know that you should not feel obligated to. Forgiveness comes on its own, and cannot be forced. The more you try to force things to work out, the worse they will become. I trust you, and I do not believe they mean any harm, but I do worry about Aidan. I would like to join, if you don’t mind.”
“I can hear, you know.” Aidan interrupted. “I’ll be fine, Ahti. Lasciel and Laila weren’t the ones who did this to us. I don’t have to forgive Ferrovax…I certainly don’t want to. But…you two were right. I do need to wind down. We don’t even have to see Ferrovax, right? I think it will be worth a shot.”
“I know you are lying, Aidan.” Ahti sighed.
Aidan tried to defend himself, but it was no use. Ahti knew his game. “Fine. Yes, I still want to face Ferrovax. Can you blame me? You say forgiveness can’t be forced, but avoidance isn’t any better. This needs to be resolved, one way or the other.”
“Killing him won’t make you feel any better. That much, I can promise.” Ahti replied.
“That’s so easy for you to say!” Aidan’s fists shook, with anger. “You’ve always been so…so zen! I’m not like you, Ahti! Everybody else is moving on, even Ferrovax. God, he has a son! It’s like…it’s like you all just don’t care! You just stepped into your new lives, like it was nothing! I can’t do that, I can’t let him go unpunished!”
“Killing him would not change anything.” Ahti said, sternly. “It would not change you back, nor turn things back to the way they were. We all lost something, Aidan. Every one of us. All we can do, is accept our fate and move on. We all have different ways of coping, but this is not the answer.”
Ahti set both hands firmly on Aidan’s shoulders, and sat him down on the couch.
Aidan huffed, like a child being put in time-out. He took a deep breath, and let it all out. “What am I supposed to do, Ahti? I’ve wasted three years of my life. I have no home, no family, I don’t even know what to do with myself if I can’t seek justice. How am I supposed to move on, knowing he’s stepped into this new life, better than me?”
“Just because you are human, doesn’t mean you have to stop doing what you loved.” Ahti said, calmly. “You used to train others. You were good at teaching battle tactics. You still are. You could open a dojo, help Pokemon and their trainers learn how to battle. Your life is not over, Aidan, it could just be beginning.”
Aidan looked up at his old friend, and smiled. “You really think so? You really think I have what it takes, to be a teacher?” he said, with a gleam in his eyes.
“I know so.” Ahti patted him on the back. “Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we’re going to Unova!”