My hands clench tightly as I stare at the thick metal door. Beyond it is the cell that contains Miasma: the Hybrid that me, Elisabeth, and Alicia detained.
Although I want to...see her for myself, that sense of self-doubt has reformed into a swallowing abyss.
“It’s not too late to back out, lad.” Godfrey says to me, the centaur-like hybrid looking at me through the visor of his helmet. “If you’re having second thoughts, I recommend leaving her be.”
“Quiet.” Honora hushes him. The Infernape looking back at me, smiling a reassuring smile. “This is your choice, Chevalier. But I do must ask. Are you ready?”
“T-Truthfully?” I say quietly, my fangs threatening to grind against one another. “N-Not really, but...” I swallow a growing lump in my throat. “...I still want to do this.”
Honora nods her head slowly. “Alright...” She approaches the cell door, pulling out her keycard. She brings it towards the electric lock, only to pause just before she swipes it. “Just...” She starts, her gaze drifting to me once more. “...Keep in mind again, she’s not in a good mental state. If she reacts badly, don’t take it personally...”
Godrey raises his lance-arm, the sharp weapon glinting in the artificial light. “And if the situation escalates beyond our control, I must escort you out.” He warns me, but his tone softens. “However...I do hope you know what you’re doing, lad.”
I wish I did too...
“I u-understand.” I say to them both, my gaze unable to meet their eyes.
“Well, now that’s out of the way...” Honora shakes her head before swiping the card, the lock makes an audible beep upon recognizing the keycard and thus unlocks said door. After stashing the card she pulls the door open and gestures for me to walk inside.
Alright...here it goes...
Tucking my wings in I walk into the room, my mind focusing entirely on keeping whatever composure I have left secured. The...last thing I need is to have another breakdown...
Once inside, the room itself I see is...not too large. The first thing I notice is a small table and chair in front of me, but beyond that is a wall of what looks to be incredibly thick metal. There is a large pane of glass in said wall to grant vision to the interior of the cell, and there’s a solid metal door off to the side that acts as the entrance to and from said cell.
But when I look at the one who’s currently contained, I feel my breath catch.
Miasma...
The four legs on her back each have what looks like large blocks of metal covering her blades, each with a chain that’s attached to the walls of the chamber. Her wrists and ankles are also bound together with metal cuffs, ultimately showing to me that every limb of hers is prevented from moving. Her hood and mask is gone as well as...pretty much any clothing for that matter.
Her cell does have things like a toilet in a corner, but I see no bed or chairs. In fact...it looks like she has no furnishing of any kind, and even if she did...she wouldn’t be able to reach it to begin with since her bonds keep her tight in place. This ultimately forces her to do nothing else but sit in the center of her cell, since...well...she’s incapable of doing anything else.
Honora noticed my horrified expression, seeing how quickly spoke up. “We were left no choice.” She whispers to me. “She was way too dangerous to even roam her cell, so we’re forced to keep her chained until things like...restroom breaks.” She rubs her sides with her free hand. “But even then that requires complete supervision...”
But...that’s still...horrible...
Hearing quiet whispering, Miasma looks up. “Back so soon?” She hisses angrily, her dark blue eyes burning with anger. “How quaint, are you now starting to take pity in m-” Her voice cuts out the second she notices me.
In that moment, I see a mass of emotions fluctuate on her face.
Surprise.
Confusion.
Anger.
...
Lots...and lots of anger...
“YOU!” She shrieks at me, her body immediately lurching towards my direction. However her bonds hold strong, preventing her from even moving an inch.
I flinch at this, taking a step back. Already I’m regretting this entire thing tenfold, regretting every single decision I’ve made that lead up to this point.
“YOU DARE SHOW YOURSELF TO ME?! TO ME?!?!” She screams, thrashing violently against her chains. “WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU POSSIBLY HAVE TO BE HERE?!” She thrashes even harder, her teeth biting so hard that I can almost hear the grinding noise over the chains. “TO GLOAT?! TO LORD OVER ME?! TO TELL ME HOW YOU BESTED ME?!” Her eyes narrow to slits. “TO TELL ME TO CEASE FIGHTING?! I WILL TEAR YOU TO SHREDS!”
The entire time my body has been rapidly backpedaling, but before I knew it my back hits the wall behind me. My eyes are completely wide, my breathing becoming rapid as panic starts to set in.
I didn’t mean for this to happen! I didn’t think she’d react this way! This was a mistake! I shouldn’t have come here at all! Stupid stupid stupid stupid STUPID!
“SPEAK!” She continues to scream at me. “ANSWER ME!”
Godfrey steps into the room, his lance starting to glow as he channels heat into it. “That is enough!” He shouts. “Miasma, silence yourself immediately!”
“ANSWER ME!” She screams again at me, spittle flying from her mouth. “ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW!”
Everything is closing in on me. My insecurities, my regrets, everything. The hopeless feeling that all of my fears are coming true.
Tears start to stream down my face. “I-I-I-” I try to speak, but my voice starts cutting out before the words could even form.
“THEN IT IS TO LORD OVER ME!” Miasma continues, her thrashing causing the areas around her legs to bruise. “YOU FILTHY CREATURE, I WILL REND YOU!”
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Godfrey yells, raising his now white-hot lance. He turns his head to me, his eyes hardening. “Chevalier, you must leave immediately!”
No! No no no no no! This isn’t what’s supposed to happen! Everything is going so wrong! I just wanted to check to see if she’s okay and ask how she’s feeling and see if I can do anything to help her and-
Gritting my teeth so hard I turn and smash my fist into the wall beside me so hard that I feel the bones in my knuckles break, causing an agonizingly sharp pain to course through it.
“I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU WERE OKAY!” I scream back, the power in my voice fueled by the terror my mind is experiencing and the pain my fist is feeling.
Suddenly...everything falls quiet. Miasma’s rage-filled screams are gone, the thrashing chains are still, it all stopped.
Trying my best to not break down from the pain in my fist I look at the cell, only for the flowing tears to make my vision blurry. I can’t wipe them away because my free hand is clenching my broken fist tightly, leaving me to do nothing but stand there hopelessly.
“See...if I’m okay?” I hear Miasma’s voice say. Although her tone is quiet, I can hear the disbelief and anger in it. “You.... You fucking fool, what do you obviously think?!” I hear the sharp rattle of chains again, but only briefly. “You took everything away from me. You took my home, my family, my daughter. You took it all...AWAY! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I AM OKAY?!”
I breathe in deeply through my mouth as I crumple to my knees from the pain, holding my broken fist close to my chest. “They...were not yours to begin with.” I say to her, doing everything I can to not let my voice choke. “That town was not your home. Those spiders were not your family. That Riolu was not your daughter.” The pain forces me to reel over, my body writhing as I’m finding it more and more difficult to tolerate it. “They were not yours. But that’s not...why...I’m here.”
I clench my eyes shut, baring my teeth. “When we...beat you, you were dying. I wanted to save you because...you were like me when the GoT found me. You looked like you were alone. You looked like you had no one to be with you. You looked like you had no idea on what to do. You looked...lost” My body bends down, writhing from the torture of my self-afflicted agony. “I-I wanted t-to help y-you. You didn’t d-deserve w-w-what happened t-to you. E-e-everything w-was taken a-away from y-y-you. T-the HWDP t-took your i-i-identity. They t-t-took it a-all a-away. I j-j-just c-couldn’t-” My voice cuts out, replaced with pained breathes as I can’t focus anymore.
It hurts so much. Why did I do it?! I broke my own fist by punching a solid metal wall.
Stupid stupid stu-
My breathing catches as I feel something metal slide under my head as well as a hand under my body. The sensation of being lifted up immediately follows, as well as the firm voice of Godrey speaking. “He needs immediate medical attention!” He says, presumably to Honora. All I know is that due to the close proximity of his voice, he’s...the one carrying me.
A rushed sense of movement follows as well as the loud clops of his footstep, signifying that he’s quickly carrying me out.
N-no! I’m not d-done! I don’t want to end it this way!!
I didn’t want for this to end...like this...at all...
But I couldn’t say anything, I just...couldn’t...
I could only lay helplessly in his grip as he carries me out to the medical ward...
[PoV: Miasma]
When the Infernape closes the door behind her, the entire room is empty once more.
I continue to glare at the door, my fangs gritting together. That Hybrid’s words continue to repeat in my mind, and they make me angrier all the while.
I pull at my chains, despite knowing how futile the action is.
“We are nothing alike.” I hiss. “To hell with his damn claims, he knows absolutely NOTHING!”
My glare turns to my bonds, the shiny metal holding just as fast as it did when they first clasped them upon me.
“I was rebuilding everything, to take what I rightfully DESERVE.” I continue to seethe. “It belonged to me, ALL of it did! He ruined it, he took it all away from me!”
My breathing grows heavy as I feel tears well in my eyes.
“I...was starting to recover, I had a safe place. I was in control, I had everything I wanted...only for it all to be taken away.”
My body slumps, yet the bonds keep it upright.
“Who is he to make such accusations...?” I say quietly, unable to do anything to the small trickles on my face.
I eye the pair of doors hesitantly, starting to regret my choice on coming here.
I thankfully managed to escape Elisabeth’s grip a little while ago and came up with an excuse to not go with her to see this cyborg, and I had to come up with another excuse for Alicia to not go along with me.
It’s...not often that I go to places by myself, especially since one of the two (especially Alicia) insists on accompanying me. I...don’t really mind it most cases, in fact I greatly appreciate it. But...what I want to do right now? It’s...something I think would be best done without them.
...
Or at least...I thought.
Before me lay the locked doors of the containment hall, where dangerous individuals are held in order to prevent them from harming others.
...
I...am really beginning to regret my decision.
The only reason why I’m standing right here is because of one person, the one my team and I defeated.
Miasma.
Even after all she did, I...still feel bad for her. I empathize with her, how her experience and fear drove her to the extremes she did. She wanted a safe place, so she began taking everything to create said safe place.
Even...if it involved taking an entire town.
...
I hug myself, feeling increasingly reluctant.
This...is probably a bad idea. No, it IS a bad idea. Why did I even think it would be good? What am I going to do? Talk to her? I’m not even good at talking with those I know well! That and she probably despises me, since I’m the one responsible for getting her captured in the first place!
Not to mention how am I even gonna get inside? Only specific people can enter and leave, so how can I even get to her?
Yeah... I should just go back and forget this entire thing... What am I even thinking? Leave it to Chevalier, thinking of the worst ideas possi-
The doors in front of me beep before suddenly opening, causing me to jump. Stepping out is are two individuals, both of which I recognize.
The taller one draws my attention first, being no other than Godrey. The Bisharp centaur stops, his eyes widening somewhat with surprise under the visor of his ‘helmet’.
The other individual is the first to speak however.
“Chevalier? What brings you here?”
That voice belongs to no other than Honora, one of the individuals responsible for rehabilitating victims of the HWDP. She is an Infernape of lean stature, her ‘uniform’ merely consisting of a two-piece outfit that share the colors of the GoT. Tucked under her armpit is a clipboard, and her expression is also one of surprise.
I...am actually kinda lucky that she’s the one to show up. While although Euterpe also works in rehabilitating hybrids, Honora specializes in dealing with ‘unruly’ hybrids, like...Miasma. And...she’s also one of the approved people to enter and leave the containment hall freely.
But... Why do I feel that I’m not so...lucky?
“Come now, Chevalier. There is no need to be silent.” Godrey chuckles before taking a step forward. This makes me flinch, my wings instinctively wrapping around me.
The Infernape raises a hand before the centaur, making him pause. She then looks at me with a soft smile. “You are not in trouble, Chevalier. But if I may ask, why are you here?”
I...really wish I was small now, small enough to disappear.
“I...” I start weakly, not sure on how to even speak. “I...w-w...” I could only glance helplessly at the hallway behind them, not sure on how to voice out what I wish. I...don’t normally have this much difficulty talking to other guild members, but...being suddenly caught in this situation... I...don’t know what to do... Normally I would rehearse this scenario over and over until I have at least an ounce of confidence, but to have it suddenly thrown at me?
I...feel very lost...
She glances behind her before looking at me again, however she doesn’t seem to understand due to the confusion on her face. “It’s okay, Chevalier. Why don’t we all walk together? That way you can speak when you’re comfortable enough.”
The two just begin to walk towards me, but I immediately throw my hands up. “N-NO!” I shout, surprising both them and myself.
No, I can’t let them walk away, otherwise the doors will close. And if the doors close, it...will make asking them even...more difficult for me.
Come ON Chevalier, SPEAK!
“I...” I start, my face tensing under the mental strain of forcing myself to talk. “...n-need to go in there.” With a hand I weakly gesture to the hall behind them.
The two balk at me, Godrey however is the quickest to recover. “Absolutely not!” He says sharply. “Dear Chevalier, I don’t believe you understand-”
Honora once again raises her hand, but this time glares at the centaur.
I found myself hiding my face again with my wings, caused from Godrey’s outburst. I grit my fangs, despising myself for how weak willed I am.
“Why do you want to go in there, Chevalier?” Honora asks quietly, making me slowly open my wings to look at her.
Her face is as calm as ever, her smile sweet and understanding. She’s looking at me patiently, waiting for me to respond when I’m ready.
This makes me grit my teeth more, frustrated at my difficulty in saying even a simple sentence.
I’m not in trouble, they’re not mad at me. They just want to know why I’m here, and why I want in there. It’s an understandable curiosity, I don’t blame them for wanting to know.
But...why...is...it...so...DIFFICULT?!
COME ON!
SPEAK!
“I...need...to...” I say through gritted teeth, almost physically fighting to let those words out. “...see...Miasma.” My legs suddenly feel weak, making my knees wobble as I try to hold myself up.
I...did it...
The Infernape opens and closes her mouth, genuinely surprised. Eventually she places her free arm on her hip, her expression becoming contemplative.
Godfrey turns his head somewhat, his eyes narrowing a tad. “If...I also may ask...” He begins, this time more slowly and calmly. “Why do you wish to see her?”
I shrug my shoulders, only to immediately wince afterwords. No, I can’t act like I don’t know. Otherwise they won’t let me.
I...need to tell the truth.
...
No matter how hard it is.
...
I breathe in sharply, gritting my teeth again. “To...see if she’s...o-okay...” I let out, my voice strained.
The two blink again.
“That...is very thoughtful of you, Chevalier.” Honora says quietly, yet her smile grows unsure. “However...I don’t think now is the best time.”
I feel my breath catch in my throat. “W-Why?” I stutter.
“Let’s just say...” Godfrey responds lowly. “The girl is not in the best state of mind.”
Is this it then? I won’t be able to see her?
...
I clench my hands into fists.
No... Stay strong, Chevalier. Keep pushing.
“I...still want to...s-see her.” I press, my body shuddering as the words leave my mouth.
The two share a glance. Eventually Honora looks at me, her body tensing slightly. “Well...” She starts, but eventually said tension leaves her form with a sigh. “Alright, Chevalier. You can see her.”
I suddenly feel as if a weight just left my shoulders. However before the feeling fully sets in, Honora continues.
“But...you need to be careful.” She warns me. “She is...very upset, understandably so. So if she doesn’t react well when she sees you, just...” She mulls over the next set of words carefully before continuing. “...don’t take it personally, okay?”
I nod my head uncertainly. “O-okay...”
Godfrey shakes his head, muttering quietly about how ‘this isn’t a good idea’. Regardless the centaur backs up into the hallway before turning around. Honora follows after him, beckoning me to follow.
Even though I finally got what I wanted, I still hesitate as the two walk down. In the end, I’m still unsure with the whole thing. But...there’s no backing out now.
Mentally steeling myself I walk through, entering the gigantic hall.
The ‘containment hall’ is lined with thick metal doors, designed to keep its occupants inside. If...I remember correctly, there’s thankfully only a few people being held here. Most cases those in these cells are HWDP hybrids who are far too violent to go with ‘standard rehabilitation procedures’, the best examples being the two newest Hybrids: Rook and Miasma.
I’ve heard only a little bit on that draconic Bisharp hybrid from the Floral Triad, but...he’s not what I’m here for.
As the two of us walk past the numerous doors, something ahead of us makes me freeze.
Standing guard next to one of the cell doors is a machine, specifically a robot.
Said robot possesses a tall, thin body with two arms. One arm ends in a rifle-like gun with an ammo-belt that feeds into the weapon, on the other arm is a smaller gun that possesses needles that occasionally crackle with electricity. The machine has four spider-like legs at its base, and its ‘face’ consists of a pair of cameras that occasionally refocus.
I...recognize that machine, there used to be a few of them located at the HWDP facility I was contained.
I...also watched them brutally kill a Hybrid that tried to escape them.
Why...
Why...is it here?!
Honora seemed to have noticed that I wasn’t following them, my expression being like a Deerling in headlights.
“It’s okay Chevalier, it won’t hurt you!” She says quickly, snapping me out of my fear-induced stupor.
With a shaky hand I point at it. “W-Why is that thing h-here?!”
“We took it from one of our raids on an HWDP facility.” Godfrey responds to me. “Worry not, Chevalier. Jarvis controls it.”
That...is...actually a lot more assuring...
Jarvis is a Hybrid like me, and he’s...very good with technology...
So if the Porygon-Z hybrid is controlling it, then...it...should be...safe?
Honora looks at the machine, her expression turning to disgust when her gaze focuses on its weapons. “I still think the thing should’ve been destroyed.” She mutters. “Evolutia is no place for such death devices.”
The machine suddenly turns its gaze to the Infernape, making her flinch as the barrels of the weapons point at her general direction. Nothing comes from it however, since the machine resumes its sweeping scans.
“I share the same sediment.” Godrey nods in agreement. “Yet...it does have its uses, such as guarding this chamber without the need of other men and women.”
Honora rubs her eyes with her fingers. “Yeah... Regardless, Miasma’s cell is a little further down. Let’s keep going.”
The two continue forward, walking past the machine.
I still eye the machine warily. An inner, less rational part of me is wondering if it’s suddenly open fire on me the moment I walk into its field of view, DESPITE the reassurance that Jarvis is controlling it. I grit my teeth and forcefully push said feeling away, knowing that I’m just making myself look like an even greater idiot at this point.
Taking in another breath I hurriedly follow after them, trying my best to not look at the machine.
As I walk past it, through the corners of my eyes I notice it turn itself completely around...as if to make sure that its weapons aren’t pointing at my direction.
...
I stop, my fear replaced with confusion as I look at it.
It...didn’t do that with Honora and Godrey, why is it doing that with me?
The machine turns slightly, using the edges of its cameras to gaze at me. Using its body it gestures with its weapon towards the direction where Honora and Godfrey went, as if urging me to follow them.
...Jarvis?
Seeing the realization on my face, the machine merely bobs itself on its four legs slightly before continuing to urge me to follow.
At this point...I couldn’t help but smile, for the first time I’ve decided to come here.
Feeling much better than I originally was, I quickly follow after the two.
I couldn’t help but grin at Venya as she finished recapping her mission. “That sounded like quite an experience.”
Said Mienshao is currently brushing her hair, she looks at me with a smile. “You have NO idea, Delilah. Fighting that hybrid with so many people, it was...actually quite fun despite the serious circumstances.” She pauses for a moment before quickly adding, “But please don’t mention this to the others that I said that.”
“No worries!” I laugh. “I won’t say a thing~”
As of currently I’m in Venya’s room, ever since she and the rest of the Floral Triad came back from their mission I decided to visit her so that I could catch up with my good friend.
It’s also something for me to keep my mind off of Bladesong, since I’m feeling very nervous due to Euterpe telling me that the cyborg is going to her 'interview’ now. When I was told that she ended up deciding to join us I was both surprised and psyched as hell, but now I’m on the more nervous side since there’s always the possibility of the one interviewing her saying no.
Course I think it’s incredibly unlikely due to her nature and that she’s a great girl overall, but there’s still that possibility...
Outside the room the PA System comes to life as the voice of Colossus starts speaking, however it’s slightly muffled due to the walls of Venya’s room being in the way. “Attention all members of the Guardians of Twilight, I would like to give you this important announcement! A new, special member is joining our guild and we would like you all to welcome her warmly and treat her with the same respect you would to others. However in order to keep this brief we are sending all of you a more in-depth announcement to your phones, computers, or other electronic devices you use to keep track of the GoT’s digital announcements. So once you receive it, please look at it as soon as possible. Thank you.”
With that our phones start buzzing, notifying that we’ve just received the message.
Venya sets down her brush and picks her phone up. “It’s usual for them to announce a new member...” She mutters to herself, curious. “What makes this person so special in order for her to get such special attention?”
The irritation is quite clear in her voice, perhaps a mix of envy as well. However I didn’t pay too much attention to it, since I can barely contain my glee!
It’s Bladesong! It has to be!
I pull my phone out of my pocket and turn it on, upon seeing the message in my notifications I immediately tap it to pull it up.
It reads:
“Attention member of the Guardians of Twilight, the reason we are sending this announcement to you is because a new, special member has joined our guild! This new member's name is Bladesong.
The point of this announcement is to make you aware of what she is, that way you won’t be surprised by her appearance.
She is a Cyborg, her fate being the result of the HWDP’s cruelty. By now you should be fully aware of the numerous Hybrids who have suffered from this terrible organization, perhaps you even know several of these Pokemon in person or even are one of these Hybrids. Like everyone she is to be treated with kindness and respect, for any prejudice or attempts to make anyone feel isolated will never be tolerated here. We aim to not only make Evolutia a safer place, but to also provide a friendly and welcoming environment to all Pokemon.
If you ever meet Bladesong in person, treat her as how you would treat everyone else. Thank you for taking your time to read this announcement.
-Colossus”
At this point I’m grinning widely.
“A...cyborg?” Venya says aloud, her irritation now completely replaced with shock.
I feel myself pause at this. I’ve kept my interactions with Bladesong a secret because she was meant to be kept secret, but now that the announcement is made...
...I don’t think there’s any harm in telling Venya about Bladesong~
“Okay, so...” I start, making the Mienshao look at me with confusion. “This was kept under wraps because Bladesong was wanting her identity to be kept a secret until she’s ready to reveal herself, but now that she’s part of the guild now...”
[PoV: Minato]
“I wilt admit, I am very interest'd to meeteth this cyborg.” Pahaliah voices her thoughts, scratching underneath her beak.
“And so do I!” Hale agrees wholeheartedly. “A cyborg! I’ve never realized it was even possible for such an individual to exist!”
“I can’t help but feel sorry for the dear...” Sinfonia sighs. “Knowing how the HWDP are, she was probably transformed into one against her will. How much did they change her, I wonder...”
Ever since Asmund and I returned from our mission, we parted ways to do our own...well...thing. I decided to visit the rest of my team members again, while we were talking the announcement was made and the light was shed on this new member named Bladesong. With all of our curiosities piqued we decided to go out and seek her out, so that we could greet her personally and give her a warm welcome.
“Regardless, I hope that she will be happy here.” I say softly, smiling a small smile. “The Guardians of Twilight treat everyone very well, granting a place to those who feel as if there is no place in the world for them.”
“Hear hear!” Hale laughs. “I will also challenge her to a friendly contest of strength, a ritual I intend to keep going for all new recruits that I meet!”
“Thee intend to armeth wrestle her as a form of welcome?“ Pahaliah asks incredulously, cocking an eyebrow.
“That...is exactly what he intends to do.” Sinfonia answers for the Machamp, looking amused.
Even though the Decidueye tried to look concerned, she ends up snickering. “Tryeth not to gallow that lady off, Hale. The lady is very new after all, and perhaps very wary due to her 'condition'.”
The Machamp taps his chest with one of his gloved fists, grinning knowingly. “Don’t worry my dear lass, if I am overstepping my boundaries I’ll be sure to back away. Besides!” He winks at the Chimecho floating next to him. “Sinfonia will keep me in line!”
“As I always try to do.” Sinfonia giggles. “But do try to not get too riled up, Hale. Remember last time when you got so into it that you challenged Asmund to one of said ‘contests of strength’?”
This makes the Machamp wince, he rubs the hand that was injured in the past with a sheepish expression. “...Heh heh...I remember that.” He shakes his head slightly. “Nevertheless! I will keep in mind to not intimidate her, you have my word!”
I couldn’t help but smile at the three, just seeing their interactions is making me feel more at home again. Even though I’ve only been gone for a few days, I still missed them.
It’s good to be back...
[PoV: Elisabeth]
"Dépêchez-vous!” I say eagerly. “I want to see te new member, do you not as well?!”
I’m currently trying to rush down the hall with Chevalier in my grip, despite my smaller size I’m easily managing to drag him.
“It’s n-not that I don’t want to see her, anything but t-that!” The Gallade stammers. “But we only recently just g-got back! Do you think we should r-rest more before we start m-meeting new p-”
“Nan!” I cut him off, grinning. “Nous pouvons nous reposer plus tard, now ees te time to see tees ‘cyborg’!”
His face contorts in confusion, showing that he only understood part of what I said. Not that I can really blame him, since when I’m excited I tend to shift to my native tongue.
“Zhere is no need to rush, Elisabezh.” Alicia comments, walking beside us with an amused expression on her face. “She is not going anyvhere, after all.”
I snap my gaze towards her. “A CYBORG, Alicia! Ne comprends-tu pas?!
I ‘ave only ‘eard of such a ting in books and movies, we NEED to see ‘er!”
The Incineroar rolls her eyes. “More like ‘YOU’ need to see her, Elisabezh. Not us.”
I couldn’t find a proper retort to this, so I purse my lips and turn my gaze forwards. “You bot are already out wit me anyways, so we all might as well as keep going.”
“A-Actually, I wouldn’t mind going ba-” Chevalier starts, but I cut him off again.
“Nan! Keep going!” I shout over him.
Through the corner of my eyes I see the Gallade giving Alicia a helpless look, who merely shrugs in response.
I don’t care who objects, but I am going see this cyborg with my own two eyes and these two will join me no matter what!
Being stuck with a crowd of defenseless Pokemon really can be stressful, especially when you need to decide on a course of action with the strong possibility of their lives being in danger.
Or at least, that’s what I assumed at first. But all of that changed when I received a transmission on my contactor, said transmission being Alicia informing me that the hybrid has been incapacitated and the town liberated.
One of the numerous things that make me appreciate modern technology...
We linked our contactors to make sure to converse with each other whenever important information pops up, and of course I planned to inform them of the civilians I stumbled upon...but hearing the loud sounds of conflict in the distance I decided against it. Can’t distract them from the fight after all, especially since no one in my area were in any immediate danger.
So when they contacted me to inform that the threat is over, was I relieved? Yes, yes I was.
I’m a hunter, scout, and tracker. Guarding isn’t one of my fortes, the HWDP sure as hell didn’t program that into my DNA.
And so with that information in mind I began leading the civilians back to the town, the entire thing itself was very uneventful...thankfully. A few spiders were stumbled upon, but they thankfully left us well alone due to our numbers.
Eventually...we arrived back at Bennington.
“MOM!”
“SARIAH!”
I watch the Lucario embrace the Riolu, the mother and daughter holding each other tightly as tears of relief stream down their cheeks. I watch the scene with a soft smile, glad to see that the family is united.
I turn my gaze behind me, observing the various members of the GoT going to and fro. Midnight Storm contacted HQ about the success of their mission, so the Gardevoir twins dubbed ‘Rin’ and ‘Ren’ teleported a good deal of members here to ‘clean things up’. These members are mostly just rookies, new to the job and such. Their jobs are to mostly just comb the forest and clear out any remaining Feral spiders, so they won’t be an issue to the locals anymore.
The Bisharp hybrid was already teleported back, to be locked up so she can’t harm anyone else. Thankfully unlike the HWDP, the GoT are interested in reforming and rehabilitating hybrids instead of weaponizing them. So she’s gonna be in good hands, if she’s willing to cooperate that is.
I walk down the street, watching the townsfolk working together to remove the webs, rubble, and spider corpses. The stench of death is very strong, since...well...there’s a lot of dead spiders here.
I spy Midnight Storm and the two members of Purging Light off to the side, resting from the looks of it.
“You all did good.” I say as I walk up to them, giving them an approving nod.
The group definitely look worse for wear, or at least Minato and Chevalier. The two possess several bandages on their injured forms, while Elisabeth and Alicia got off rather easy. Asmund still has some dark stains on his body from the blood, but that’ll wash off.
“Better than good.” Asmund rumbles. “The mission was executed without any extreme losses. We didn’t do ‘good’, we excelled.”
Minato nods his head slowly, smiling weakly. “That...I most agree with.”
Alicia looks over to Chevalier, smiling playfully. “I vill not lie, your ‘take charge’ attitude vas most unsual.” Said smile turns into a smirk. “Hovever...I rather liked it~”
Elisabeth leans close to the Gallade, also smirking. “Je suis d'accord~” She whispers to him. “To see you take charge like you deed, eet ees very...capteevating~”
Chevalier eyes flick from left to right, suddenly finding himself pinned on both sides by the two. His body is absolutely still, his face looking very nervous...and very confused. “T-T-Thank you?” He squeaks.
The Incineroar and Lopunny burst out laughing, dropping their facade. Seeing this the Gallade quickly relaxes, and a small smile works its way onto his face. “Heh...for a s-second I thought you both were being serious.”
“Oh? I am most certainly serious~” Elisabeth purrs, fluttering her eyes at him.
He leans back from her, which ends up with him bumping into Alicia. The Incineroar immediately wraps an arm around his neck and pulls him to her and proceeds to give him a noogie, minding the Gallade hybrid’s horns and ‘fin’ protrusion.
I roll my eyes and turn away, chuckling to myself.
Heh, good to see that they’re one big happy family. It’s one of the things that I respect about the GoT, how at least a few members are very close to each other.
Now although I’d stick around, I’m a Night Watcher. I have places to go, baddies to look out for. I’ve already done more than enough over here, so...it’s time I headed out back out there.
I continue down the roads of the town, passing by Pokemon of all shapes and sizes. A few of them are wearing clothing of dark blue colors, signifying their allegiance to the GoT. I don’t pay them any heed besides the silent nod of acknowledgement, a soft smile on my face.
I probably should’ve said goodbye to that group, but...I’m not always one for goodbyes.
Besides, I can contact them any time I wish. Just call Penumbra and have her put them on, simple and easy~ Course my boss wouldn’t appreciate me using the system for something as trivial as that, but...I know I deserve a few favors seeing what I’ve done here.
I reach the edge of the town, the web-covered forest standing before me. I start bobbing my head up and down, a tune playing in my mind.
Yeah...time to get back out there~
I walk into the forest...and blend in with my surroundings, vanishing from sight.
Cheri@Duskfall; “My oh my! My calculations say you’re not just one type, but you’re definitely my type~” she teases with a wink as she floats around the hybrid. “But I am curious, why is a hottie like you here? In this little party twilight thing I keep hearing about? You could be a model instead!~”
[PoV: Chevalier]
Even though I wait patiently for Alicia and Elisabeth to return, simply standing out in the open continues to make me feel more and more uncomfortable…
…that and I notice that part of the reason for my comfortableness is that my stomach is now telling me that I need food. My eyes widen upon realizing this, since the last thing I wish is to be hungry in a public place...filled with people.
I turn and reach over to the satchel hanging on my side, in which I pull out an aluminum can covered in a wrapper that says ‘tomato juice’. However this is not actual tomato juice, for the words are simply meant to fool anyone who saw me drinking from it.
Opening the can I start quickly drinking, the thick red liquid pouring into my mouth. The strong taste of iron spreads over my taste buds and into my throat, slowly sating my hunger with each drop that enters my stomach.
Blood…that is what’s in the cleverly disguised can.
As I’m about to finish the last of it, a sudden voice startles me mid-drink. I start coughing into the can, trying my best to contain it in order to prevent me from spitting the red liquid everywhere. When my coughing starts dying down I turn over to see who’s talking to me this time, but I freeze when I see that it’s an unusual Pokemon with a very playful smile on her face.
…
Did she just…?
My expression becomes something like that of a Deerling caught in headlights, my eyes wide and body frozen still.
T-Type? H-Hotty? M-M-Model?!
“Uh…” The only sound that escaped my mouth as I struggle to figure out what to do, since even though I’ve dealt with Elisabeth’s flirting numerous times…never have I experienced this sort of situation with a complete stranger. I could feel my white face start to burn up, the normally pale white skin becoming a shade similar to that of the liquid inside the can in my hands.
What do I do?!
“Th…Thank you?” I manage to say, my eyes darting around anywhere but her. This proved to be difficult however, seeing that she’s...floating around me. “I-I never t-thought myself as h-ho-” The words die, signifying this train-wreck of a conversation is only beginning.
I clench my eyes shut and grit my fangs together, but thankfully my lips were closed so she can’t see what’s inside my mouth.
C’mon Chevalier, she asked a question. Just answer it. Just…answer it. It’s not that hard.
“I j-joined the G-Guardians of T-T-Twilight b-because they helped m-me.” I stutter, fighting a losing battle against my nervousness. “I f-fight monsters a-and-”
Oh for Arceus’ sake! I’m fucking useless at this!
Out of nowhere I let out a loud growl of anger, in one swift movement I twist my body and punch the brick wall behind me…hard…
If the brick wall was capable of speaking it would be laughing right now, since even though the punch was strong…it only left a faint imprint. In fact I’ve done more harm to myself than the wall, since now my fist is hurting like crazy...and can feel blood starting to trickle out from a fresh injury on my knuckles.
…Damn it…
I quickly apply pressure to my fist with my hand, although the bleeding isn’t much…I still wince from the pain.
Yeah…this is even more awkward now, and I probably look like a damn idiot. Or Dummkopf, as Alicia might say.
“I a-appreciate the t-thought of me maybe b-being a m-model, but I don’t t-think I could stand being in the s-spotlight.” I speak up, trying my best to break the awkwardness and embarrassment I’m feeling. “And I’d r-rather help p-people, since being part of t-the GoT allows me t-to save those w-who are in d-danger.”
…Maybe this conversation is salvageable.
I try to smile at her, but my lips keep twitching too much to stay fixed. Eventually I give up and look away, since at this point I can’t bear to look her in the eyes. “S-So...” I say more quietly, taking note of her unusual appearance through the corner of my eyes. “W-What a-about y-y-”
So much for this conversation being salvageable, I couldn’t even formulate a proper question to ask in return...
I trudge forward silently, my gaze fixated on the growing forest ahead of us. Inside those trees is our objective, which is a Hybrid responsible for causing this supposed mess.
Finally...the actual job...
I’ve been ignoring the conversation of the others around me, since it’s of little importance. That and my mind is tired, very tired... I have no interest to partake in any discussions or squabbles, the only energy I want to expend is on destroying anything that gets in my way.
The fire in my chest...it may have burnt out, but a good fight may set it alight again...
...hopefully...
Snakewulf has long since left us, deciding to get a massive headstart. After giving us instructions on where to go he essentially told us to stir as much trouble as possible, so that we can keep the pressure off him while he looks for potential survivors.
That’s something I’m good at, at least. Stirring up trouble, it’s in my gears and pistons.
I glance over at the others briefly, seeing Midnight Storm having a lively discussion with Minato. Whatever things they’re talking about interests me just as little as it did earlier, so I focus my attention on the forest ahead of us again...
...the white forest...
“Well I’ll be damned...” I mumble quietly, now noticing that the trees are completely covered in spiderwebs.
My quiet words seem to have drawn the attention of the others, since they’ve ceased their talking and turned their gazes to the forest as well.
“Oh...my...” Chevalier gasps quietly, covering his mouth with shock.
“Tat ees a lot of webs...” Elisabeth agrees, apparently no longer as tipsy as she was earlier.
I tune them out again, since one exclamation of surprise is more than enough for me to hear. I continue forward, in which the rest follow behind me. Eventually we reach the edge of the forest, or ‘wall’ as a better term to describe. The trees are connected with numerous giant strands of spider silk, effectively creating a barrier to prevent others from entering.
“We’ll need to break through.” Minato points out obviously, his eyes glancing to his tail. “My blade is sharp, perhaps I-”
Ignoring him again I reach over and touch the web with a finger on my one hand, pressing it slightly to test its surface. I pull it back and look at my finger, noticing that the web hasn’t stuck to it. This signifies that it’s not the sticky kind, just normal silk.
Not that it mattered.
I aim my cannon at it, with a single thought I cause the four nozzles lining the weapon to come alive. Four jets of super-heated steam shoots out and blankets the entire wall in front of me, any web that comes in contact of the steam immediately shrivels up, creating a giant gap.
I cut off the steam, looking at the new pathway with a sense of smugness.
“That...also works.” Minato comments with surprise before looking at me. “How did you know?”
‘I’ve experimented a lot when I was a Human’ would’ve been my response, but right now I’m less than interested in conversing. So without a word I push forward, not looking back to see if they’ll follow.
Every few feet I would fire another jet of steam, clearing out the webs in front of me to ‘carve’ the path deeper. Webs are nothing more than an inconvenience to me, however I dislike inconveniences...thus my ‘spring cleaning’. The deeper we go the darker it gets, yet there’s not a single sign of life.
“Tey must be ‘iding from us...” The Lopunny whispers, whoever the bitch’s name is.
“It is fery quiet...” The Incineroar agrees in the same quiet tone, Alicia if I really cared that much to say it out loud.
I dislike this quiet, so it’s time to treat it how I treat things I dislike.
Clear it out.
I stop suddenly and aim my fist at the nearest tree, before my ‘comrades’ could comprehend what I’m doing I activate the pistons inside my arm. This action makes it shoot out faster than the eye could physically blink and slam into the unfortunate plant, a massive boom shatters the silence as the tree pretty much explodes into a shower of splinters due to the massive force that impacted its trunk.
The sound reverberates throughout the entire forest, everyone who’s at least a few miles near us should’ve heard it loud and clear.
“’AVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!” Elisabeth screams angrily, rubbing the insides of her ears painfully.
Heh, remembered the cunt’s name.
“Why...did you do that?!” Minato speaks up, still wincing from the sound and picking pieces of wood splinters off of himself.
I don’t answer, since the effects of my punch immediately start kicking in. A loud insectile screech is heard in the distance, soon joined in by another...and another...and another. Soon what sounds like an entire hoard of angry arachnids is screaming, most likely not happy for being disturbed.
“Just as planned.” I say with satisfaction, unable to keep the smugness out of my tone - if I were to even bother trying that is.
“Va te faire enculer.” Elisabeth growls, drawing her sword.
“Ich bin nicht überrascht...” Alicia sighs, shaking her head. “Ve all should hafe expected it.”
“Wouldn’t it h-have been better if we were...c-closer?” Chevalier asks, looking worried as the screeches continue to grow louder. “Before we a-alerted them?”
“Snakewulf wanted a distraction.” I grunt, casually walking towards the most likely horde of spiders. “So I’m giving him one, doesn’t hurt to start early.”
Minato shakes his head as well before quickly slithering after me. “We.” He speaks up, making me stop.
I look down at the naga, my silence being more than enough to make him repeat what he said.
“We will give him one.” He gives me a smirk, the kind I haven’t seen on his mug in a while. “We are a team, are we not?”
I glance behind me, noticing Midnight Storm all ready to fight. Elisabeth with her sword, Alicia and her electricity crackling hands, and Chevalier with his...elbow toothpicks.
Heh...
“Take care of what I miss.” I grunt, turning back towards the direction of where the good fight will start. “And don’t get in my way.”
“What? Tink we weell outshine you?” Elisabeth asks with a challenging tone.
At this point I feel my smugness increasing further. “If you wish to get in my way, so be it. However I think of it as being very stupid, since jumping into the crossfire of cannonballs and super-heated steam is the quickest way to die an ugly death. So to be considerate, I’m warning you to not get in my way.”
Silence falls in the group of five, the only sound being the growing screeching of the spiders.
“He...has a point.” Chevalier points out. “It’s n-not a good idea to jump in front of...a cannon after all.”
“I...am not going to argue.” The Lopunny sighs.
“Is zhe world ending?” Alicia asks with obvious humor. “Asmund is being considerate as vell as talking sense! Vhat is next? Tepigs flying?”
“Spiders.” I cut in. “Spiders will be flying, many...many parts of spiders once I’m done with them.”
I glance at Minato, in which I now notice his wide smile on his face. He looks like some kind of parent who’s proud of a child.
Wait... When I think about it, I haven’t slung an audible insult at any of them so far.
The world really must be ending.
Huh.
“Don’t say I didn’t worn you.” I add with a bit more force into my voice. “If any of you end up dying due to getting in my way, then that’s what you deserve for being a fuck who doesn’t listen to explicit instructions. Did any of you damn Pokemon get that? Yes? Good, now let’s fucking do this since I need to kill something.”
With that I continue forward, not waiting to hear their reactions.
Crisis averted, looks like the world gets to live for a little while longer~
Tsubayuki@Duskfall: "Hmm. I must say you are a very interesting looking hybrid. One that at first glance I may even think to be a bit intimidating." She crosses her arms and holds her chin in an observant manner as she looks over the gallade hybrid. "However, your disposition seems like it is quite the opposite of your appearance. I do understand the phrase 'Do not judge a book by it's cover.' However if you would not mind me asking, is there any particular reason or cause?"
[PoV: Chevalier]
It was several minutes after we separated from the rest of the group. Asmund’s words still stung, more than I wished it did.
I gave quiet reassurances to Elisabeth and Alicia that I’m fine when they continued to ask me, even though they weren’t entirely convinced…they made sure to give me space. Elisabeth went off because she spied a pub within the town, Alicia however merely visited one of the local shops…but made sure that she’s able to keep an eye on me to make sure that I’m okay.
I lean against one of the buildings, hugging myself with my arms. The various people of the town walk by, occasionally giving me glances that are a mix between uneasiness and curiosity.
These glances...they make me shrink back, I could feel their thoughts and judgement on me...
A sudden voice makes me flinch, I had to clench my lips shut in order to prevent a yelp from escaping. I quickly look at the source responsible, in which I see a Lopunny as white as snow.
She comments about my appearance, which...wasn’t too negative. She continues to speak me about my appearance, even adding a phrase that sounds somewhat...familiar. Eventually...she ends her talk with a question, and seems to wait expectantly for an answer.
I feel myself shrink somewhat, pressing even more against the wall due to the unwanted attention of a stranger. But at the same time…the Lopunny seems…nice enough, and…her curiosity is...somewhat...understandable… That...and her question, which ends up asking me about why I’m shy instead of my appearance...
I...should probably answer her...
I take several quiet breaths to steady my nerves, to prepare myself to start speaking.
“I…a-am not a fan of s-socializing.” I speak up, the gaze of my dark eyes trying to zip away and look anywhere but the Lopunny. “It’s just…”
My words die out, leaving nothing but a pair of moving lips and soundless air escaping. I eventually close my mouth, struggling internally to find the proper words.
With the GoT, I always found some strength when it comes to talking with others. They all are part of the same group as me, possessing a similarity that makes me comfortable enough to interact.
But this Lopunny…I know absolutely nothing about her, so it’s…difficult to even talk.
“It’s j-just…” I start again, but the words die for a second time. I grit my long fangs together, the sharp razors clear for the Lopunny to see. “I…f-feel like I’m…”
Come ON! TALK!
“I don’t like being judged!” I shout, forcing the words out so that they won’t keep hiding within the depths of my stomach.
I start breathing heavily, my wings spreading open and continuing to press against the brick wall as I hug myself tighter. “I…d-don’t like it.” I whisper. “W-When I was…”
...
When I was in the HWDP, I was made for no great purpose. The Humans judged me on my worth, whether on how well I can do something and how well I look.
The constant scrutiny, the eyes looking for any fault that would end with my destruction, it was…terrifying. I hated it, to be seen as nothing but a lab experiment and a potential mass of flesh to be thrown away…
…like all of the rest of the hybrids in the same program as me… Only me and another called VAM-05 were left alive, but even I’m unsure on what happened to her in the end...
The judgement…it was painful, it made me paranoid. I kept fearing what the scientists thought of me, what their gazes held and what their next action was going to be.
This...is made me despise interacting with people I don’t know, since I don’t know what they think of me. Am I some freak that needs to be destroyed? A monster that should be caged? Am I piece of meat that should be ogled at?
I don’t know…and I hate it.
With the Guardians of Twilight, I find comfort in their company because we’re all part of the same group. We all have the same goal, the same purpose, even if I don’t know many of the members…the fact that I’m in the same group as them shows that we all share something in common.
Because we all share something in common together, it means that they won’t judge me...because that means they would be judging themselves as well.
But with strangers…I...just don’t know.
Throughout this entire thought process I was silent, I don’t know how long this went. It could’ve been only seconds, or several minutes...
In the end, I let out a quiet sigh. “I…just don’t like talking to strangers.”
I didn’t want to tell her, I couldn’t. What would she think of me then? Would she pity me? Be disgusted in my weakness?
“-and that’s all I have right now on what we’re dealing with.” I finish informing the five, my tail continuing to swish from side to side. “So at this point you all know the gist of this Miasma.”
Minato looks at me uneasily. “A spider hybrid that controls an entire colony?” He holds his hands with obvious nervousness. “Do we even have the numbers?”
Asmund lets out a grumble. “Numbers are meaningless, power is the answer.” His single fist clenches, his tone becoming irritated. “Of course it’s spiders, and we don’t have a single fucking competent fire user to keep them under control.”
After some hesitance, Duskfall slowly raises an arm. “Uh...I...can...create fire.” He speaks up quietly, but quickly shrinks when the Golurk turns his gaze to him.
“And?” Asmund growls. “My point still stands. Someone competent.”
Chevalier shrinks back at this, his eyes betraying the hurt he’s feeling from the Golurk’s words.
“Arschloch!” Alicia shouts angrily at the golem. “Chefalier is more zan capable to fit vhatever role it is you are sinking!”
Elisabeth draws her sword, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she points the weapon at Asmund. “Every time you speak, garbage conteenues to speell out eenstead of words.” Her lips pull back into a snarl. “Eef you ‘ad a troat, I would cut eet out and feed eet to te feeshes!”
Asmund turns to the both of them, his expressionless face managing to pull off a glare due to the intense aura that radiates from him. “And yet you forget that my power is greater than all of you.” He rumbles with a bit of smugness in his tone, then he turns his gaze down to Elisabeth “You say you would cut out my throat if you could.” His hand clenches into a fist. “I say I could crush your head into paste...if I would.”
“So you are stomping on ozers feelings just because you can do so vizout resistance.” Alicia fires back heatedly. “Zat shows zat you are nozing but a-”
“Alrighty, since you all are experiencing some irritation from the teleportation I say you all should split up to regather your thoughts and get your head in the game.” I cut in, making sure that Alicia doesn’t finish that sentence. Although my face contains a smile, my predatory eyes show a certain sternness that seems to dare anyone to challenge me “We meet back on this spot in an hour, sounds good?” I don’t wait for an answer. “Glad to hear that, chop chop.” I snap the claws of my tail a few times, creating loud clicking sounds.
Elisabeth and Alicia both give Asmund burning glares before walking away, being sure to take the even more quiet Gallade with them.
Asmund merely hisses out several nasty words before turning and walking in the opposite direction, his stomping frame causing townsfolk to immediately run to the side so they don’t get trampled underneath is giant feet.
Minato lets out a defeated sigh. “Thank you, Snakewulf.” He says quietly, giving an appreciative nod.
I merely chuckle in response. “No biggie, just ending it before it could get worse.” I look over at the now disappearing frame of the Golurk. “Have to say, I’ve heard stories of Asmund’s character but they really don’t do him justice.”
The Nidoviper could only smile weakly. “He’s...working on it.”
I smile back at him, mine more reassuring. “I can tell.”
