MATURE: Stray

[OrionTheAbsol]

* Currently editing Chapter 2.

A decade-long war raged across the continent of Hevalkin, a land of Civilized Pokémon attempting to live like their predecessors: the long deceased humankind. The villages and cities of Hevalkin formed a pact known as the Peacekeeper Alliance, with the sole purpose of keeping invaders away. Across the sea is the continent of Serapía, ruled by a kingdom of war-hungry dragons who desired sovereignty over the world. Amidst the two continents, a terrible threat emerged: the Shadow Pokémon, who were by far the most violent, mysterious and unpredictable adversaries. The three factions clashed, turning Hevalkin into a ruin. And the Peacekeeper Alliance grew desperate as it sought after unlikely allies to aid the war effort: infamous mercenaries, assassins, former outlaws and even the Uncivilized Pokémon.

Among them is a young Absol named Orion, a wanderer with no place to call home. Rumor has it that the appearance of a certain Absol on the battlefield would curse the Peacekeepers and give the Shadow Pokémon an advantage. Forced to confront death time and time again, Orion was made witness to the war's atrocities as he learns the horrifying truth behind the forces that would change the world forever.

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Genre: War (Action/Adventure), Horror, Tragedy, Slice of Life

Rated Mature for:

• Minor Suggestive Themes - flirting and innuendo
• Strong Violence/Gore - depicts blood being spilled, violent deaths, heavy injuries, torture
• Suicide
• Self-harm
• Strong Language - in-universe slurs, liberal use of swearing, threats
• Substance Abuse - usage of weed and alcoholic beverages
• Abuse - physical and psychological

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Author's Note

Stray is a long-term project I had sitting in my head for over ten years. It was originally a forum RP loosely inspired by the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series and the Orre games, but otherwise its own beast. The RP died a slow death, so I adapted it into a Pokémon-centric story, with the intent of calling back to those who helped contributed to the story years back. For some time, I had no idea how to make progress with the story. But after living life and going through some dark-themed media, I decided to give this story another shot. So hopefully, I can make something special out of this premise.

The current iteration of this story is heavily influenced by Shin Megami Tensei, Fire Emblem, Age of Empires and Assassin's Creed. Lots of dark, violent imagery and politics involved.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Chapter 1 - Omen
  An Absol receives a prophetic dream of a world coming to an end.
• Chapter 2 - The Shadow Invasion
  A group of Pokémon soldiers fend off a Shadow Pokémon invasion.
• Chapter 3 - The Cursed Mercenary
  The Peacekeepers gossip about the mysterious mercenary, the Absol known as Orion.
• Chapter 4 - Siege
  The Shadow Pokémon return in greater numbers...
• Chapter 5 - Hunted
  Private Hesh learns the hard way of the Shadows' cruelty.
• Chapter 6 - The Condemned Plains
  On their journey to Emerald Valley, Orion and Hesh cross the infamous Condemned Plains.
• Chapter 7 - Shadow Tempest
  Orion and Hesh come across a Shadow Pokémon domain, a mysterious snow-laden forest.
• Chapter 8 - The Soul Keeper
  Separated from Orion, Hesh finds himself in an impossible nightmare realm where an evil figure awaits him...
• Chapter 9 - Lost Child
  Orion and Hesh find a new companion. A new threat emerges from further south...
• Chapter 10 - Hors de Combat
  Orion finds himself incapacitated, and meets some new people.
• Chapter 11 - The Meeting
  Orion and Hesh relay past events to the Emerald Valley Peacekeepers.
• Chapter 12 - Emerald Valley
  Following a stroke of ill luck, Orion found himself enrooted to the city of Emerald Valley against his will.
• Chapter 13 - Destitute
  Orion attempts to make amends with his companions while brooding over his financial situation.
• Chapter 14 - The Missionary (incomplete)
  Everyone basks in the nightlife of Emerald Valley. Orion meets a mysterious warrior from a distant land.

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ART PIECES

• Orion - Closeup - by myself
• Story Banner - by MayaIdanan
• Orion on the Attack - by StephanieRosario
• Milica the Absol - by Beagon
• Chloë the Chikorita - by MichiWrap
• Channa the Luxio/Dandelion the Joltik - by MichiWrap
• Orion & Milica - by MichiWrap
• Shadow Gengar - by MichiWrap
• Orion vs. Shadow Gengar - by MichiWrap
• Character Cast - by SanTsuki
• Hesh the Wartortle - by SG-mijumaru

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ALTERNATE SITES

• Thousand Roads
• AO3
• FFN

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 1 - Omen

Content Warning: intense imagery, blood, death​

---

Pillars of smoke rose from the burning field and fed into the monstrous, muddy sky. Screams erupted from the nearby Pokémon village as dark creatures poured through the gates. The stench of ashes lingered.

Hesitating to step in, a gaunt Absol approached the scene, scrunching up his face as he picked up the acrid scent of blood and corpses. He backed away, whimpering, as an inferno devoured the nearby vegetation. The rippling heat made the gash on his belly sting. The rest of his body throbbed in pain.

When the Absol was ready to flee, he peered at the entrance of one of the gates. A shadowy figure hovered.

“Good,” it said in a distorted, guttural voice. “Fate has finally brought us together. Step forward and we’ll talk.”

With his sickle-shaped horn upright, the Absol shambled toward the figure, whose body morphed into a more distinct shape. Two arms sprouted, giving it the appearance of a floating torso. The smog-like body developed a featureless face.

The Absol backed away as soon as he recognized its form. His jaw trembled.

No …. Why are you here? Why won’t you leave me alone?

“Yes, you know who I am,” the figure said. “And I certainly know who you are. Listen well, for what I’m about to tell you shall serve as a warning for your approaching future.”

The figure held out its hand as two blue eyes swelled on its face.

“The world as you see now will soon vanish. The endless conflicts will come full circle, the Shadows will engulf everything. Those too weak to resist will succumb to their power. But you. You must seize the Mark of Creation and claim your right to rebuild this broken world.”

The Absol tried to speak, but no sound came out. The figure presented a green jewel, encircled by irregular pieces of a golden material. A rush of frenzied thoughts ran through the Absol’s head.

Is that the Mark of Creation? Rebuilding the world? Is that even possible? But why are you handing it over to a nobody like me?

As soon as the Absol took another step, the jewel crumbled apart, its residue blending in with the embers.

“Alas, you are far too weak,” the dark figure said. “The Mark must fall under the possession of one who can persist through hardship after hardship. Should you carry this burden, there is no turning back. You must see your task through all the way to the bitter end. The forces governing this world will attempt to stop you. You must not fail.”

The Absol, still unable to respond, kicked the dirt. He attempted to mouth the syllables.

What are you talking about? What does anything here have to do with me? This is all a mistake!

The dark figure paid no heed as it pointed at the village, where another dozen Shadow Pokémon stormed in. The Absol watched a Nidorina villager rushing out one of the gates. Behind her, a Nidorino with black skin and red eyes pursued. He snapped his jaws onto the Nidorina’s hind leg and dragged her back into the scorching village.

“Basil, why!?” she wept, her claws dragging against the dirt. “I loved you! You don’t have to do this! Please, don’t kill me! No, Basil! Basil!”

When she disappeared into the village, the Absol hurried after her. His heart stopped. The Nidorina’s final agonized scream pierced through the crackle of the flames.

Wide-eyed and out of breath, the Absol glanced at the dark figure, whose body grew faint.

“Now go, my faithful follower. Your task will make sense in due time. The new and improved world cannot exist without sacrifice.”

The dark figure dispersed like smoke and faded away.

More Shadow Pokémon emerged from all sides, closing in on the Absol. With his horn raised and fangs bared, the Absol stood his ground. When he jerked his head toward the entrance of the village, his back tingled. Strands of his fur stood erect.

Another figure stood at the entrance, watching him. The Absol couldn’t discern what manner of creature it was.

The creature stared back at him. Its bloodstained grin stretched into an impossible length.

---

The Absol jerked awake and sprung up from his leaf bed. He glanced around, panting, sweat matting his face and paws. No Shadows. Nothing but the earthen walls of his den. Had it all been in his mind?

He walked out, soothed by a chilling wind. The leaves and branches of the fir trees obscured his view of the sky. He advanced toward the edge of the woods, greeted by a somber view of the Condemned Plains. The wind grazed over the amber-colored field, and silvery clouds lingered with bits of sunlight peeking through the pockets.

He could no longer sense his deity’s presence, but he still felt his skin crawl.

What just happened? Was that even a dream at all? the Absol thought. He had disturbing nightmares before, but this one … was too vivid.

The overbearing heat emanating from the flames. The all-too-familiar stench of fresh blood and carcasses. And the screams of the villagers, soldiers and children.

The Absol took deep breaths, relishing the calm environment. He tried to recall the deity’s words: something about a Mark of Creation and rebuilding the world. It all sounded ridiculous, but …

“Approaching me with that of all things,” he said. He grimaced as his head continued to throb. “What am I supposed to do? Where do I even look? My lord, in case you haven’t noticed, I have nothing!”

His raspy voice echoed across the empty wilderness. He waited, expecting a response. But no other sound came, other than the screeching of the wind and his own stomach grumbling. He shook his head.

I’m trying to talk to a dead god, he thought. I must be out of my damn mind.

The Absol searched for the nearest puddle of rainwater and drank from it. With each flick of the tongue, his mouth filled with an earthy flavor, of peat and dead grass. More palatable than the taste of moldy berries for sure.

Not like he had a choice lately. All he could find were ravaged berry trees—sometimes with splattered and spoiled berries on the ground. With more Shadow Pokémon marauding the Condemned Plains, the Absol’s options for food would diminish each day. He had to seek other means to keep himself fed.

The previous weeks made him lethargic. More restless, with no clear prospects of the future.

What now?

Behind him, beyond the other side of the woods, frantic voices bellowed. The Absol spun around and stared off into that direction. The ground shook as a series of explosions roared from far away. Silence. Then, beastly howls.

The Absol darted through the woods, careful not to trip over the tree roots and the rugged ground. Moments passed, with the sounds of the skirmish growing more intense, and he reached the other side.

He groaned. A great distance ahead, a massive horde of Shadow Pokémon scaled a hill leading to a palisade stronghold. From the other side of the wooden stakes, a slew of different projectiles and energy beams emerged, buffeting the Shadows. Many bodies dropped.

Another horde stampeded from the distance, approaching the stronghold.

“Where are all these Shadows coming from?” the Absol grumbled. “Why won’t you all just die already?”

“Help! Get this monster away from me!”

The Absol jerked his head toward the direction of the squawking voice. A Pidgeotto fluttered her wings and glided past him. Pursuing her was a Liepard coated with a black aura.

Out of instinct, the Absol gave a throaty snarl and targeted the Liepard. He bent down his legs and tilted the horn on his head as the cat Pokémon drew closer.

Closer …

Closer …

Now!

The Absol swung his horn at the Shadow Liepard’s thin legs, forcing the cat Pokémon to collapse. He maintained his gaze on his felled target and crept forward.

Hissing and yowling, the Shadow Liepard bled out and flailed on the grass. The Absol ignored its protests and primed his next attack. With a quick chop of his blade-like horn, the Absol beheaded it.

The Liepard ceased, its legs growing flaccid, its bloodshot eyes dimming. Its black aura grew in size like a hungry flame and consumed its host.

The fur, the skin, the flesh, the blood and the bones. Slowly, all reduced to ashes.

“Thank you!” a feminine voice cawed behind the Absol, gasping for air. “I thought I was done for!”

Facing the Pidgeotto, the Absol eyed the green ribbon tied around her neck. Imprinted on it was the white insignia of the Peacekeepers. A scout, perhaps.

“What’s going on out there?” the Absol asked. “Who’s fighting the Shadow Pokémon?”

“My company!” she answered. “Are you perhaps a mercenary? The Shadows are about to overwhelm them! Please, you must help us! We need anyone who can lend us their strength!”

The Absol ran his claws against the grass, pondering.

She thinks I’m a mercenary. Sure, I’ll play along. But is crossing paths with the Peacekeepers worth the risk?

His belly grumbled and his expression soured. He wasn’t in the mood to fight today, but this job may at least grant him a decent meal.

“Please!” the Pidgeotto said. “The Shadows won’t stop harassing us. I went to every nearby village, and nobody wanted to help us. I’m begging you! Help them!”

The Absol maintained his silence. The Peacekeepers should not have much trouble dealing with the Shadows, let alone needing the help of a wanderer. Or worse yet, a hapless Absol such as himself. Why approach him? Could they be that desperate?

He shot a glare at the Pidgeotto scout. She recoiled and looked away, trembling.

“I-I’m sorry, are you one of the Unciv—?” She stopped herself and spread out her wings, ready to flee. “I-It’s okay, I’ll just go look for someone else.”

“Hold on! What are you doing?” the Absol protested. “Take me to your company commander. Tell him the Shadows are as good as dead. And I expect to be paid in advance.”

The Pidgeotto sighed in relief. “Then, follow me. Hurry!” She took off, sailing across the sky in the direction of the Peacekeepers’ stronghold.

Likewise, the Absol broke off into a sprint, observing the distant Shadows gathering like a swarm of Beedrills.

The new horde thundered across the plains.

 

[System Error]

Jammed through this one real fast when I was out, so, going to be different from my usual style.

I still think this is, unintentionally (you did play Strange Journey) very Shin Megami Tensei like. The world's going to be destroyed, there's an artifact to remake it, the Shadows which are like the demons of the series, there's a shadowy figure who may not be able to be trusted (although being worshipped is a different thing) yet is helping our hero, and of course the decide. I'm not saying it's a bad thing though, in fact looking forward to see where you take this because I've always wanted to read a fic like this one. I do like an Absol as protagonist in a Pokemon centric world. Breath of fresh air.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Jammed through this one real fast when I was out, so, going to be different from my usual style.

I still think this is, unintentionally (you did play Strange Journey) very Shin Megami Tensei like. The world's going to be destroyed, there's an artifact to remake it, the Shadows which are like the demons of the series, there's a shadowy figure who may not be able to be trusted (although being worshipped is a different thing) yet is helping our hero, and of course the decide. I'm not saying it's a bad thing though, in fact looking forward to see where you take this because I've always wanted to read a fic like this one. I do like an Absol as protagonist in a Pokemon centric world. Breath of fresh air.

Unintentional?

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 2 - The Shadow Invasion

Content Warning: depictions of blood, death, body horror and bigotry​

Author's Note: From this point on, the prose will be rough and unedited. I'll try my best in delivering on tighter prose in future chapters.

---

The white rain smothered the bleak meadow. The company of Peacekeepers watched as a horde of deformed creatures gathered on a hill like a swarm of Beedrill. A chilling wind poured in, startling the young Pokémon recruits.

“Everyone, hold your position!” the captain shouted.

Snarls from the distance. The pounding of feet an arena’s distance away. A collective black aura.

The air was thick with anxiety. The Peacekeeper recruits could feel their muscles tighten as they noticed the features of their foes. The Shadows were covered in lacerations, avulsions, and cysts. Some looked like walking bloated corpses. These monsters made countryside bandits seem pleasant in comparison.

For many of these recruits, this would be their first real battle outside of training. The short stockades surrounding them were their only means of protection.

The Shadows came within a stone’s throw.

“Fire!” the captain called out.

A deluge of spikes, energy beams and acid rained down on the Shadows. The Peacekeepers cheered and watched as the beasts collapsed, their bodies each overtaken by a mysterious black flame. In a short span of time, the bodies would become ashes washed away by the rain.

Captain Berg, a burly Chesnaught with a burned face and wearing a striped red and black ribbon, addressed them. “Stay alert! I doubt they’re finished yet.”

Several of the soldiers chatted amongst themselves. A young Wartortle with a green ribbon spoke to the Sandslash next to him. “Hey, Javil. Are these Shadow Pokémon as powerful as the council claimed?”

The Sandslash’s eyes were locked on the battlefield as he nervously ran his claws on the surface of a log. “I don’t know. They seem to fall just as easily as the rest of us, though this is the first time I ever saw one up close. They’re truly as nasty as the stories I heard.”

“How long are we staying here?”

“Until one side is defeated. This is a fight to the death, kid. The real thing.”

The Wartortle’s hands shook. ”I wish I could do more than just spitting water at them. I can’t shoot beams or spikes like the rest of you guys.”

“Better than charging in and getting caught in our line of fire.”

“I know, I know.”

“I don’t like being out here either, especially in this weather. But this is the job. If we fail here, then the town of Vera will be in danger.”

Another soldier shouted, “More incoming!”

A larger force of Shadows clouded the horizon, like the beginning of an avalanche. The Peacekeepers anticipated their next command.

“Fire!”

The next set of ranged attacks took down over half of the opposing force, but the remainder began to tear down the stockades.

“Don’t let them enter the village!” Captain Berg shouted.

A Shadow Nidorino slipped through the debris. The Wartortle screamed and swung his feeble claws at the creature. A miss. The Shadow Nidorino snarled and jabbed the Wartortle’s arm with its venomous horn.

Captain Berg charged in and struck the back of the Nidorino’s skull. The beast tumbled to the muddy ground and remained still.

“Private Hesh?” the captain said.

“Y-yes, that’s me,” the Wartortle replied.

“Let me see.”

The captain checked the stab wound. “Seems like the poison is ineffective this time." He tapped the Wartortle on the shoulder. "Watch yourself. You may not be as lucky next time.”

“Yes, sir.” Hesh winced, for his injury and his wounded pride.

Having survived the wave, the Pokémon recruits watched the field. Captain Berg addressed them. “Company, you must remain here until our scouts return. No matter what happens, not a single Shadow is allowed to enter the town. Do not leave until we are certain that every last one of them is dead. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir!” the company cheered.

But as the company began to settle down, a messenger Pidgeotto landed next to the captain, wheezing.

“Where are the reinforcements?” the captain asked.

“T-the nearest villages declined our request for reinforcements, sir!” she said.

“But why!? Our numbers don’t stand a chance out here!”

“I-I’m sorry, sir! They told me that the council had ordered them to cease assisting other villages.”

“What is this treachery?” the captain stammered. "We don't have enough soldiers out here!"

The Peacekeepers exchanged glances and murmured amongst themselves.

The Pidgeotto shook her feathers. “Oh, b-but I did find a wandering mercenary along the way!”

Captain Berg gave an unsettling grimace, slamming his fist on a nearby tree. “One mercenary! What am I supposed to do with one mercenary against a thousand of these bastards!?”

“I’m sorry, sir! He’s all I could find!”

Berg heaved out an exasperated sigh. “Right. Where is he then?”

The captain then noticed the strange white-furred Pokémon from the depths of the woods. He spotted the body wounds and the blood stains on the creature’s sickle-shaped horn. The old Chesnaught at first thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but there was no mistaking it.

“An Absol? Not at all what I was expecting. I thought all of you were… well, never mind." He noticed the gash on the creature's stomach. "Looks like someone did a number on you, young sir. Are you sure you’re up to the task?”

The mercenary formed a halfhearted smile. “I assure you, no Shadow had ever bested me in battle. I will guarantee results.”

“Very well. I’ll take whatever help is available. But you know the risks, right?”

“I’m well aware. I’m skilled in close combat, but I’m also capable of ranged.”

“Then you’re hired. Keep the Shadows away from the nearby town and we’ll discuss your payment later.”

“No. First, I want a Quick Seed and two Oran Berries. Then you’ll see.”

The captain sighed. “Very well. We’re a bit short on supplies at the moment, but take them. Private Hesh! Give the mercenary what he wants.”

“R-right away, sir!” the Wartortle shouted, as the other members of the company watched with a mix of curiosity and disgust. To think this outsider had the nerve to indulge in their supplies. Even worse, an Absol.

Hesh walked over to the mercenary with the seed and berries in a small pouch. The Wartortle presented it and the Absol snatched it away. Hesh felt a bit of sweat on his limbs as he got a good look at the creature’s face. The cold, uncaring expression and the collection of battle scars. This mysterious visitor had seen quite a few battles.

The mercenary took a position next to the other soldiers, as they glared at this strange visitor. “Watch for the leader,” he said. “If you see a Shadow with red eyes and blackened skin, that’s the one to kill.”

Captain Berg resumed his conversation with the Pidgeotto messenger. Several Pokémon recruits frantically whispered to each other, even considering the idea of deserting the battlefield.

“Is the captain insane?” a Croagunk muttered. “That so-called mercenary is an Absol.”

Javil gave an inquisitive look. “A creature said to bring bad luck wherever it goes?”

“Aye, but not just any one. That one fits the description of a particular outlaw.”

Hesh glanced at the Croagunk. “Excuse my ignorance, Geris, but what’s an Absol?”

Geris gave a disapproving grimace. “You really don’t know? Pft, you really are a rookie. They’re the tribe of mountain warriors responsible for the deaths of thousands of Pokémon at Prospa.”

“Really?”

“Oh, you bet. But they were supposedly extinguished by the Shadows years ago. To see one walking about now is a bad sign.”

“What do you think it’s doing here?” asked Javil.

“No doubt planning to sabotage us. In fact, he could be one of the Uncivilized for all we know. Maybe in cahoots with the Shadows. I’d say we hightail it out of here before it has a chance to—”

“I’d prefer that you don’t speak behind my back, especially when I’m here.”

Geris flinched as he noticed the Absol. “W-what’s it to you? We were doing just fine before you showed up.”

“Is that so? Because I don’t think your captain would approve of your cowardice. If you run, I’ll drag you back here so that he’ll know.”

“Uh, I—you wouldn’t dare! An outsider like you should stay out of our matters.”

The Absol glared at him. “Don’t test me.”

The Croagunk turned away from the Absol, muttering to himself, “Don’t tell me what to do, you filth...”

“The Shadows have returned!” one of the soldiers cried out.

“Get back to your stations!” the captain shouted.

A new horde of Shadow Pokémon emerged from the meadow, its numbers growing with every passing second.

Captain Berg stood silently, his mouth drooping down. “By the gods, how could they have built up such a force? Where are they coming from?”

Among the Shadows was a huge Rhydon, whose concrete-like scales were as murky as coal. Its blood red eyes glowed with a burning ferocity. The beast gave a hoarse cry and the horde broke out into a run.

“Stand your ground!” the captain shouted. “You’re going to meet them up close and personal. Give them everything you have in your arsenal. Show them no mercy. It’s either you or them!”

The horde closed in.

“FIRE!”

The Peacekeepers opened fire in retaliation, but a sizable number of Shadows endured the attacks.

“Go!” the captain shouted, swinging his massive arms at his approaching opponents.

The woods filled with dozens of individual brawls, the bellows of soldier and beast alike, and the overwhelming scent of sweat and blood. The Shadows bit, clawed, slashed and stabbed without restraint. One by one, the inexperienced Peacekeepers dropped to the muddy ground and watched their blood spill over.

Hesh felt a sudden jolt of pain washing over his body, forcing him to kneel down. The culprit, a Shadow Luxio, shot another bolt of electricity at him. The Wartortle stumbled back, his senses numb and unable to coordinate his movements. He couldn’t even pull back his limbs into his shell. The Luxio approached him with a demented look in its eyes, its face curled up into a voracious grin. Hesh shook uncontrollably, pleading for the Creator's mercy.

As the Luxio crouched into a pouncing position, it shrieked as the Absol plunged his horn into its back. The beast fell to the ground and its black aura consumed it.

The Absol glared at Hesh. “Take this and get moving!” He tossed a round, blue berry at the Wartortle.

Hesh accepted the Oran Berry and chewed on it. “T-thank you.”

The Absol darted through the battleground, swinging his horn at any passing Shadow. Taken by surprise by his blinding speed, the Shadows cried out in pain or collapsed to the ground. Hesh couldn’t help but be both impressed and fearful. The mercenary emitted a ferocious howl as he mercilessly plunged his horn into another Shadow Pokémon. When another Shadow clawed at the Absol's face, its foe retaliated by clamping his fangs down on its neck. The Shadow wailed in agony before the Absol smashed its skull with his claws.

Hesh had never seen his own compatriots fight with such brutality. Was this really how soldiers-for-hire operate? Or did this Absol reserve a special hatred for the Shadows?

Even as a few managed to hit and wound the Absol, the mercenary snarled and impaled his foes. He turned his attention towards the massive Shadow Rhydon.

“Kill this one!” he cried out.

The Rhydon swung its tail at the Absol, slamming against the ground. A miss.

It swung its claws. Another miss.

Keeping his distance, the Absol amassed dark energy in his maw and launched it at the giant beast’s face. The ball of energy exploded and the Rhydon stumbled backwards.

“What are you waiting for!? Kill it!” the mercenary once again commanded.

Hesh followed the Absol’s voice and looked upon the Shadow Rhydon. He wasn’t sure what else he could do, so he spewed out a stream of water at the enormous beast. The Shadow Rhydon howled in pain and turned towards the Wartortle.

“Oh shit, what have I done?” Hesh whispered, stumbling backwards to distance himself from his massive foe.

The horn on the Rhydon’s nose began to spin like a drill. It bowed its head down, facing Hesh. The beast was ready to splatter its prey into a mess of broken shell and flesh.

This is it, Hesh thought. I’m actually going to die here.

The Wartortle felt the ground rumble as his captain came charging forward and slammed his fists across the Rhydon’s face. Blood erupted in drops.

The Rhydon stumbled back, groaning in pain. Hesh watched as the Absol climbed onto the beast’s back, his horn emitting a black energy. Then the Absol began to stab the beast's head several times, before one blow managed to puncture the beast’s head. The Rhydon’s eyes lost their glow and its limp body tumbled down with a heavy thud.

The Absol stood on top of the smoking body, calling out to the other soldiers.

“Now’s your chance! Kill them all!”

The remaining Peacekeepers answered with a war cry and a flurry of quick swipes at their opponents. The battered Shadow Pokémon fell to the ground, confused by the uproar. Some of the other Shadows suddenly stopped moving, as if having lost their will to fight. In a short time, the Peacekeepers littered the ground with the burning corpses of the Shadows.

When the last Shadow fell, one soldier cried out, "We've done it!"

Berg's company roared victoriously.

The captain, now carrying some of his own wounds, stepped forth. “Hold your applause! We’re not through yet.”

The soldiers went silent as a Skarmory descended next to the captain.

“The rest have retreated!” the Skarmory said.

The captain waved his hand at the company. They answered with an even louder cheer.

“Bring the wounded back to the village!” ordered the captain. “I need a few soldiers to get materials for stockades! I need all scouts to resume their patrols!”

Hesh couldn’t help but laugh as he lied on the muddy, blood-drenched grass. He was so close to dying today, but it seemed that the Creator himself witnessed the battle and brought fortune to them all. Hesh glanced at some of the casualties, some of which were clutching their wounds. The others, motionless.

Then he glanced at the Absol, who stood alone. The stoic mercenary didn’t join in the cheers of his comrades, but rather chewed on his last Oran Berry with a scowl. Even as fresh blood dripped from his horn and his face, the Absol remained unfazed. Even the gash on his stomach seemed to have opened back up. The Absol seemed detached from his current situation.

Hesh watched in disbelief. He accepted that this wasn’t just an ordinary mercenary, but a true monster that even the Shadows feared. A soldier would be just happy enough to survive another day. But for this strange creature to prance around the battlefield with such reckless abandon and disregard for his own life… Just what the hell is he?

Where did this Absol come from? And why did the others fear him? Hesh had a weird gut feeling that he shouldn’t find the answers. But he wanted to know more. He wanted to know how he could fight like a true soldier.

Just like his father.

 

[System Error]

- Spikes being shot out? What is there a Cloyster corps in this army?
- This reminds me of trench warfare.
- Instant lethality? Jeez.
- This treachery? This idiocy. If they don't band together it's going to be worse! Idiot Pokes.
- Bigotry against Absols? Also, I was expecting payment in currency, not food.
- It seems to me the Pokemon's own disorganization is doing them in more than the Shadows power.
- Aww Mercenabsol (that is my official name for him until he gets one proper) does care about his comrades. No cold mercenary, that's for sure.
- Violent punches to draw blood. Although I imagine in an edgy dark world, smashing a rock up would expose the guts.
- Hmhmhm. I wonder if Hesh is with (or will fall in with) the Law faction?

The plot moves on with a battle that makes the nature of this world crystal clear. Mercenabsol gets some characterization, and we're introduced to some new characters, including what seems to be the Neutral faction of the story. Keep it up.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 3 - The Cursed Mercenary

Content Warning: depictions of bigotry, strong language, and drug/alcohol usage​

---

The exhausted Peacekeepers marched onward, with the dead and the injured on hand, as the view of the village closed in. The ground was still damp and the air remained humid, enough to make one sweat.

Vera was a small woodland town surrounded by palisades and lit torches. The pleasant aroma of smoked vegetables, berries and fresh bread hung in the air. A nice change of pace from the odor of burning Shadow corpses.

Captain Berg was carrying a few of the injured with his powerful arms and on his massive armor-like shell. He walked alongside the Absol, deep in conversation.

“You’ve done good,” the captain said. “I didn’t think one more soldier would make a difference, but you were something out there. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”

The Absol gave a disdainful glare. “I was once a gladiator.”

“Oh, I see. Like the ones from Daem? I’m sorry to say, but that city is a cesspool. Overrun with crime and questionable city workers. Um, no offense, if you’re from Daem…”

“None taken. I only stayed there a few times.”

The captain nodded. “I heard stories about the gladiators. How they were sometimes locked in cages with Shadows and forced to fight to the death as ‘training.’ I don’t understand how the Peacekeepers there allowed some of their own to kill each other for sport. It’s not right at all.”

“I never expected morals from Daem.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” the captain chuckled. “Anyways, how’d you know that the battle is decided by killing the Shadow Rhydon?”

“Most Shadows rely on an Ascended Shadow as a pack leader to carry out even simple tasks. Without the leader, they will disperse until they can find another one. They act upon instinct and can’t form their own thoughts. If the leader wants to kill, they will kill as well.”

“Ascended Shadow? I see. Is that what you call the ones with the blackened skin and red eyes?”

The Absol turned towards the captain. “Yes. Did no one tell you about this?”

“Truthfully, no. Today would mark my third deployment as commanding officer on the battlefield. Up to this point, I was suppressing Uncivilized brigands out in the countryside, so I know very little about the Shadows. I would need to have a word with the council about this. First, they refused to supply me with reinforcements. And now, they didn’t give the necessary intel.”

The Absol’s gaze turned colder. “Yes, you should confront them.”

The captain gave a hearty laugh. “Something tells me you’re not the biggest fan of them. Well, I’m not either. Perhaps they learned about my opinion and decided to cut me off.” He paused. “Oh, right. I never got your name, son. Sorry, I just caught up in my own frustrations.”

The Absol hesitated for a second and snorted. “Orion.”

The captain nodded. “Great to have you fighting alongside us, Orion. I am Captain Berg of the Vera Peacekeepers. Right now, we’re in a bit of a fix. Most of my company here is stationed within the town’s walls but I had to jump into the battlefield. You see, some of my squad leaders died in one of the last attacks by the Shadows. And most of my troops here are young and inexperienced. I don’t even have enough large fliers to carry the casualties back. So I’m just wondering if you can stick around longer.”

“Very well.”

“Great answer! I’ll prepare your payment of lucitas for today’s battle. Until then, help yourself to some food from the village.”

The soldiers stopped at the town’s gate and Captain Berg stepped forward. “Open the gate! We got casualties here!”

The guards pulled on the cranks and the gate creaked open. Rows of wood and stone huts lined up the main gravel road cutting through the center of town. A few scattered ponds decorated the emptier areas. The villagers watched in silence as the injured soldiers marched in.

“Welcome back, captain,” said one of the guards. “Everything’s fine on our end.”

“See to it that it remains that way,” grumbled Captain Berg, setting down his casualties. “Call the medics. We need to treat the wounded immediately. Send a few fliers out to the nearest villages. We need more supplies and troops out here, ASAP.”

The guard nodded and repeated the captain’s orders to the others.

Orion observed the town and its citizenry. Some of the villagers gawked at him nervously, whispering to each other and giving scornful looks.

“Nice town. Why does it feel empty here?” Orion asked.

Captain Berg crossed his arms. “Some citizens decided to evacuate to other villages, in spite of our warnings. They even had the nerve to climb over the walls or dig beneath them. Those holes just give another entrance for the Shadows to go through. But of course, we couldn’t provide those people with escorts, so there’s no telling what may happen to them.”

“Hmph.” The Absol gave an odd smile. “It won’t go well for them, I’d imagine.”

The old Chesnaught released a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead.

“Yeah, you know how it is. Some people just like to complain and pretend we do nothing for them. So they thought they could flock over to the comfort of cities like Lusang or Daem. But it’s not quite that simple. Security is tight at those places. Even if the refugees were to survive the journey, chances are that they will be turned away, especially if they don't carry their passports. The guards would rather not risk letting the Uncivilized into their towns. Some civilians just don’t listen. It’s hard enough protecting your fellow Pokémon in these times, but the more self-centered ones would rather do as they please if it means walking straight into danger.”

“Yes. I understand that feeling.”

Orion glanced at the villagers again, a couple of which continued to gawk at him. He could hear one saying, “They should kick that nasty mutt out.”

"Anyways," continued Berg, "there is something I must ask of you. As you can see, things are not going well for us. I feel like you already know your way around the wilderness. Find me sometime in the evening. I may have a special job ready."

Orion stared at him for a moment. "I see."

---

The crescent moon peeked out from the clouds. The little town of Vera basked in the delights of chatter, music and wine. Considering the battle earlier, this peaceful atmosphere was but a small comfort.

The exhausted Peacekeepers sat at their encampments, feasting on roasted berries and toasted rosemary bread. Meanwhile, the injured rested at the tents, hoping to get a view of the stars.

Hesh rested on a log, munching on his loaf of bread in the company of his fellow squad members. He also made sure to eat some extra Cheri Berries to help with the persistent pain and numbness across his body. The roaring campfire before him was mesmerizing.

A Salazzle wearing a green ribbon pranced by, nudging the Wartortle with her tail. She gave him a flirtatious wink and continued on her way. Hesh’s face flushed.

"Watch yourself, private,” the Simisage sitting across from him said. “That Lexi knows how to get young men like you to do what she wants. I’d steer clear if I were you.”

“U-um, right. Sure.” Hesh continued to stare off in the direction of the Salazzle.

“So that’s your type, huh?” the Simisage groaned. “I’ll pray to the Creator that we don’t find you out on the field without your shell later.”

Hesh dropped his bread. “Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?” He stared down at the ground and grabbed his bread. “Ugh, my arm hurts. And it feels like this town is empty.”

“Well, yes. A few of our fellow soldiers are dead. And the ones that are still able have already left for patrols. I would have to be out there soon too.”

Hesh sighed. “I wish my old man was here.”

A nearby Scraggy sat next to a campfire, grumbling, “Gods, can you believe it? An Absol among us. For one to appear on the battlefield. That shit sucks, man.”

Geris the Croagunk rose up from his seat. “That’s what I said! If you ask me, that whole battle was staged just so he could turn over the outcome and take credit. I mean, how did he know that killing the Rhydon would cause the other Shadows to go defunct? He thinks they can’t fight back without a leader? How come we didn’t know about this? Bah! And look at how he was getting all chummy with our company commander! It’s unfair, I tell you!”

Hesh tried to ignore the Croagunk’s insane ramblings, but then the Scraggy picked up the conversation.

“Wait. What if he is trying to get close to the captain and secure a position for himself?”

“If that happens, I’ll be sure to find out what his underlying motive is.” Geris raised one of his hands, which oozed a purple substance.

“Underlying motive?” said Javil the Sandslash. “Do you really think he would come all this way to the borders of forbidden territory for some fame?”

Geris munched on a loaf of bread. “Well, think about it! There were no reinforcements. He was the one who brought down the boss of the Shadows. It’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself! Be a big damn hero for this crappy little town!” He took another bite. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“W-well, no, I—”

“Okay then! So starting with tonight, we’re going to dig up some dirt on this character.”

“I’ll pass. I’ve been repelling Shadows for hours today. I just want some goddamned sleep.”

“And give him the opportunity to assassinate our captain? Do you see what you’re saying?”

“Oh, stop it!” shouted a Hawlucha wearing a blue ribbon. “Where do you get these stupid ideas from? The last thing we need is a moron trying to stir trouble here!”

The Croagunk sneered at her. “Ha! What do you know, Julia? Do you understand what’s going on here? If he doesn’t go, we’re all going to die here. Tonight. I’m calling it!”

Hesh groaned. He couldn’t take more of this. “Just leave him alone, Geris. He helped us big time today.”

Geris loomed close to the Wartortle’s face. “What was that, rookie? Just because you’re some famous general’s son doesn’t mean you know shit!”

Hesh rose from his seat. “What was that, Pusface?”

“Knock it off or I’m piledriving both of you!” Julia shouted, glaring at the two.

Hesh sat down, fuming. “I don’t get why you hate him. He fought alongside us. He even saved my life. Isn’t that enough proof that he’s on our side?”

Geris spat acid on the ground. “Don’t you get it? He’s an Absol! The moment we have our backs turned, that’s when he’ll get us! He’s as crooked as they come!”

“And you aren’t, Geris? I’ve seen you sneaking out pound upon pound of extra food from our rations last night! As far as I see, you’re the crooked one here. Where’s your proof on him?”

The rest of the Peacekeepers in the circle glared at the Croagunk.

“Is that true, Geris?” asked Julia, raising her wings in a threatening manner.

Geris scoffed as he defiantly puffed up his cheeks. “Whatever. You can’t prove anything. You rookies can go worship a lesser beast for all I care. I’m going to find myself some real patriots to talk to.” The Croagunk stood up and walked away.

“Gods, what an asshole,” Julia said. “What I would do for an opportunity to kick his smug face. Hesh, did you report this to the captain?”

“No. I woke up first thing in the morning to get to that outpost. And then it slipped my mind. I can’t believe soldiers like him exist.”

“Don’t let him get under your skin,” the Simisage said. “That frog’s a little shit, but he can still fight. And I’m sure your father wouldn’t be happy if you fought with your squad mates.”

“I know, sarge.”

Tullio formed an amused smile. "Real patriots. That idiot has no idea."

The group of Peacekeepers settled down and took bites out of their meals.

“So, how are you holding up, Hesh?” Javil asked. “Can you move normally?”

“Better now. I thought I was going to die today.” The Wartortle’s expression turned sour. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this Peacekeeper thing. I could barely put up a fight today.”

“You’ll get better at it. I promise. Things could’ve turned out much worse today, but we’re lucky to be alive now.”

“So, how many casualties today?”

The Sandslash’s voice shook. “39 wounded, 13 dead. Most of those Shadows were just munchkins, but still threatening in large numbers. If we had more like that Rhydon, we’d probably get overrun.”

“Gods, how horrifying.”

“You’re definitely lucky to be up and about now. Some of the wounded are still resting at the medical tents.”

“I see.” Hesh gave a curious expression. “So, I don’t get the whole deal with an Absol being here. Is it so bad?”

The Simisage sitting across him replied. “Have you never heard of the tale?”

“No. What tale, sarge?”

The old chimp gulped down his wine. “The Absols were a species of Pokémon that used to live in the mountains to the northwest, in a land called Prospa. Most of them lived in their own communities there, away from the Civilized towns. Their leader, Korin, was one of the original founders of the Sol Council.”

The Wartortle eyed curiously. “Really? Um, is that name meant to be a pun, by the way?”

“Well, not exactly. The council was named after a foreign word meaning ‘sun.’ Because, you know, what’s higher than the sun?”

“Oh. So, what happened to the Absol?”

“Apparently, Korin and his tribes launched an attack eight years ago on the outlying villages, without provocation. And then, the Shadow Pokémon appeared seemingly overnight and took the lives of many Pokémon. The whole thing was a massacre. To this day, we were led to believe that the Absols had joined ranks with the Shadows. Even now, it was said that an Absol appearing on the battlefield was a sign of more Shadows to come. And if it were to die, it’ll come back as a vengeful ghost and curse the soldiers that allowed it to die."

Hesh paused in silence. This sounded like some nutty conspiracy. “But that was just a tale, right? I mean, we saw Orion fighting them just a while ago.”

Tullio shook his head.

“You can never know for sure these days. Even mercenaries with seemingly good intentions are no better than your run-of-the-mill brigands. Those guys would take off with your life savings and leave you to starve." The Simisage took a pipe and lit the end. He inhaled the pipe and sighed out a cloud of smoke. "And I don’t fully trust the council’s word on these matters. We had no evidence about what happened on that day. And the so-called witnesses to the incident were nothing more than petty liars looking for their short time of fame. Some even said they saw the Absol actually summoning the Shadows out of thin air. Utter ridiculousness.”

“And then what happened?”

The Simisage hung his head with a sullen expression. “No one really knows. Some say that all of the Absols have died out. Whether they joined the Shadows or were killed by them was anyone’s guess. Some people claimed they saw the survivors, but only for brief periods." He exhaled more smoke. "Actually, a couple days ago, I heard a local rumor that there was an Absol sighted among a cult. And everyone from that cult mysteriously died.”

“What!? Seriously?” Hesh wasn’t sure how to react. A cult this time?

"But it's just a rumor. You know how it is with these bored villagers and their gossip. It’s easy to talk trash about other people’s misfortunes when it’s not happening to you.”

Hesh nodded.

Tullio puffed out more smoke. “Well, here is a real story though. Something that happened when you were just a wee Squirtle. The Sol Council once held a public execution in Lusang years ago. At the time, I was a corporal. I still remember it like it was yesterday."

"An execution?" Hesh asked. "In my own hometown!? Sarge, you can't be serious!"

"You really don't know?" Tullio shook his head. "Ah, perhaps you were too young to know at the time. Your father probably didn't want to say something that would upset you. But yes, such a thing had happened. It was for a small child. An Absol cub, to be exact.”

“What!? That’s…”

The Simisage tapped out the burnt remains inside his pipe. “There was a huge Shadow invasion at the time and much of the military had to be away on missions. But rather than taking responsibility for their poor decisions, the Sol Council decided to make this Absol child the supposed ‘culprit’ who summoned the Shadows to Lusang. He was just conveniently there, ripe for exploitation. There was no actual evidence.” He clasped his hands together. “They wouldn’t even let the child speak to defend himself. They... burned the poor thing alive…”

The story left Hesh stunned. Even worse than when the Shadow Luxio earlier today had shocked him. Did the council really execute a child for something they couldn't prove? And in Hesh's own hometown, no less. How did he not know about this?

Julia broke the silence. “Our own children aren’t even safe. What were they thinking giving one the death penalty?”

Tullio cleared his throat. “You remember this, Private Hesh. Many of us had to join the Peacekeepers to make a decent living. Unlike you, who has personal reasons. But we don’t always live up to our namesake. Sometimes, to ‘keep peace,’ we’d have to do cruel things. Should you defy the will of the Sol Council, they will find ways to destroy you. Especially someone like you, the son of one of their generals. If you can, try to stay out of their sight and follow your orders.”

Hesh nodded like an obedient child. His father had never told him about any of this. What else could he have hidden from his son?

“Anyways, I’m done with this disaster of a mission,” Tullio said, as he poured himself another cup of wine. “I had a meeting with Captain Berg earlier. That mercenary was there with him too. I don't know what to make of him, but the captain seemed to trust him. The captain is going to try to get more reinforcements and evacuate everyone from the village. Then we can go home.”

Hesh sighed. “I really do want to go home. Hearing these stories just now… gods, what am I doing here?”

“That’s just how life is now. There is no justice.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you heard about what happened with the Sacred Swords?” The Simisage shook his head and sighed. “Perhaps not. Let’s just say that there is no damn justice.”

The Wartortle stood up. “But I thought the Peacekeepers were supposed to protect these lands! Why are we still here if the council is not going to help us?”

Tullio raised his hand. “Simmer down, son! You’re going to rile up the loyalists."

Hesh sat back down with his arms crossed. “Damn it. Damn it all! Why? I joined because I wanted to help the weak. I wanted to inspire others just like my dad did!”

"That was all politics and propaganda," the Simisage continued. "You serve the Sol Council, not the people. Believe what you will, child, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Hesh contemplated the chimp’s words. He had believed that the Peacekeepers that his father served were looking out for the villages. “Well, you know what, sergeant? I’m going to get some answers.”

The Wartortle stood up and the group watched him walk towards one of the town’s ponds. Right where the Absol mercenary was eating alone.

The Scraggy shouted, “Hey, kid! You don’t wanna do that! You’re going to regret it!”

Hesh ignored his words. He could hear the leaves crunching underneath his feet. A bead of sweat rolled down his face.

Ever since Hesh joined the Peacekeepers, he had met many different kinds of Pokémon. Many of which he never saw back in his hometown. But there was something particularly unnerving about the Absol. Something like trying to uncover forbidden knowledge. Maybe I shouldn’t do this, the Wartortle thought. Am I getting ahead of myself?

But then, he could feel the Absol’s eyes upon him.

“Hey, uh, Orion, is it?” Hesh greeted.

The Absol’s red eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. “What do you want?”

“I-I’m a little bored right now. I hope you don’t mind if we talk.”

A snort. “Do as you will.”

The Wartortle sat down, glancing at the stars between the moving clouds. He tried to hide his agitation. “I never thought I would end up fighting Shadow Pokémon so soon.”

The Absol stayed silent.

“So, what about you? How often did you have to fight the Shadows?”

“All the time.”

“Really?” An awkward silence followed before the Wartortle mustered the courage to speak again. “Wow. I guess there’s a lot for me to learn on the battlefield, huh?”

Orion stayed silent, not even looking in his direction.

“So, um, why did you become a mercenary? Why not join us and become a Peacekeeper?”

“That was never an option for me.”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Good. Then you don’t need to know why.”

Hesh cringed a bit. That answer made little sense. “What about your family and friends back at home?”

Without a look of care in his eyes, Orion faced the Wartortle. “They’re all dead.”

“I… I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. They all had it coming.”

Hesh felt his body stiffen. Did he really say that? “That… that’s an awfully pessimistic way to look at it.”

“I’m only speaking the truth. They all committed atrocities and they paid with their lives.”

Hesh pondered those words. So, was it true? Did the Absols truly cause the massacre years ago? The young Wartortle didn’t know if he should be angry. Or relieved that the Absols were gone. The very thought of wanting someone dead...

“You made it sound like that they’re beyond help,” said Hesh. “Why do you even fight then? Are you just looking for wealth?”

“There are more important things than wealth.”

“Right, right.” The Wartortle rubbed his temple before trying to speak again. “You know, I joined the Peacekeepers to follow in the footsteps of my father. You see, he’s an officer in the Peacekeepers. He didn’t approve at first, but decided that it might open up opportunities for me. Then a month of some physical training. And here I am, already out on the field. And I almost died today.” Hesh looked down on the ground sullenly. “Here I am, having the time of my life. I had never known what I would be losing more than what happened today. So, um… thank you. You really helped me out.”

Orion glanced at the Wartortle, then quickly turned away. “You’re welcome.”

“Um, look, don’t mind some of my comrades. Th-they’re idiots sometimes. I know this might be a touchy subject, but… I don’t think the rumors behind your species are true.”

The Absol’s cold gaze intensified.

“U-um, sorry! Don’t pay attention to what I said!”

“I don’t need your pity,” Orion said. “Regardless of what I do, your friends will always consider me to be some lower breed. And what you say will never change that.”

Hesh could feel his heart seize up.

“Don’t bother yourself with my affairs,” Orion continued. “If you really want to help me out, you will pretend I was never really here.”

Another bead of sweat runs down Hesh’s face. “Okay, um. We’ll just not talk about it then.”

Hesh watched a couple of Peacekeepers far away waving at him, bidding him to come back. He turned away from them. “Maybe you can tell me about your past battles. What about the big scar on your side?”

Another silent glare.

“O-of course, you don’t have to.” The Wartortle attempted a fake grin.

“You’re a nosy kid. Fine. I’ll tell you what it is.”

“Oh, really? Well, let’s hear it then.” Hesh felt his beating heart drop. He wouldn’t want to know what would happen if he angered the Absol.

“My own clan leader gave this to me,” Orion said, forming a slight smirk. “Before I killed him.”

Hesh sat still. He wasn’t expecting to hear such blunt words. “I-I see. What happened?”

“He and the rest of the clan wanted me dead. I couldn’t just forfeit my life to him, so I made sure his attempt on my life would cost his own.”

Hesh was speechless. Could this be the cult from the rumors? And how could the Absol respond with such an apathetic answer?

Orion sighed. “Listen, boy. I can smell the fear on you. If you don’t want to be here, then get out of my sight. I don’t need your company.”

The Wartortle hesitated at first, but he realized that Orion had no intention of being friendly. Whatever topic he would bring up, it would only grant him hostility or an unpleasant answer.

"R-right. See you then." With a defeated look, Hesh ambled back to the campsite and rejoined his peers. They gawked at the Wartortle with a mixture of curiosity and pity.

“So, what did you learn?” asked First Sergeant Tullio.

Hesh shook his head. "Well, he seems to answer honestly, if not vaguely. But I don’t think he likes us very much.”

“Figures. You can’t really fault him though. With the way things are going now, I’d say he already has a low reputation. His life must be wrought with superstitions.”

“I honestly feel bad for him. I don’t think even he has anything good to say about himself. He has no one to rely on. I wonder how he survived out here. What he’s even fighting for.”

The Wartortle stared at the campfire. He could imagine a smaller Absol burning in it, based on the Simisage’s story: a small cub screaming as his skin melted off. Who could watch such a monstrous act and be okay with it?

For some reason, Hesh felt responsible. Even if he was not involved in these events, he felt like he caused pain to someone who didn’t deserve it.

A sigh.

“This has been one hell of a day.”

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 4 - Siege

Content Warning: strong language and depictions of blood, death and mutilation​

The midnight clouds thinned and the crescent moon was in full view. An ominous gust of wind sailed across the silent town of Vera. The villagers and Peacekeepers slept soundly as night patrols circled the town.

A Braviary wearing a blue ribbon drifted across the indigo sky. He glanced over the small huts of the town and the faint flickering torches, detecting little movement with his powerful eyes. He steered himself into the opposite direction and looked down.

Through the trees, a black mass was approaching the town.

“Damn! They’re back!”

The Braviary swooped downward and sounded a piercing cry. The bird’s alarm echoed across town. The town bell gave a haunting shudder as the villagers took cover in their houses.

Peacekeeper guards flocked over to the palisades. Several of them climbed over to the platforms of the east gate. They stood in despair as a swarm of Shadow Pokémon gathered. The murky beasts snarled and began clawing at the palisades.

“Take them down!”

The guards unleashed a flurry of ranged attacks. The commotion stirred the rest of the soldiers.

Captain Berg lumbered towards the east gate. “What is happening?”

“The Shadows have returned! Our patrols haven't returned!” one guard responded.

“Call in every soldier that can fight! We need everyone at the walls!"

Hesh, lying on his back, rolled over at the sudden noises. He rubbed his eyes and saw his fellow squad members flocking towards the town’s borders. He hurried over as fast as his short legs could take him. First Sergeant Tullio waited near the east gate.

“Private Hesh, you’re just in time! Get up on the platforms!”

Still feeling groggy, the Wartortle climbed onto a ladder, stumbling along the way. When he reached the platform and took a spot alongside his comrades, he saw more of the demonic creatures rushing towards the palisades.

Unsure of what to do, Hesh attempted to use Water Gun against the Shadows. Due to the distance, the attack lost its power and dissolved into a weak puddle of water. The water splashed onto a Shadow, to no effect.

“Well, shit. What am I supposed to do?"

“Here! Take them down with these!”

One of the soldiers handed Hesh a bucket of razor-sharp Iron Thorns. The Wartortle stared at them. He had never handled these before, not even during his month of physical training. Hesh attempted to grab one with his stubby claws, but with little success. He clutched one Iron Thorn with both of his hands.

Can I really do this? The Wartortle stared down at his targets and clumsily hurled the thorn at one of the Shadows. The creature cried out in pain as the thorn pierced its flesh.

“Oh, wow,” said Hesh. “I can’t believe that actually worked.”

“Move it, private!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The Peacekeepers continued their attack on the Shadows, using a variety of ranged skills in their arsenal; they flung stones, needles, streams of flames, electric bolts, toxic sludge and energy bullets. Those unable to continue using their own abilities resorted to throwing Gravelerocks and Iron Thorns.

“Fliers approaching!”

A flock of bird Shadow Pokémon flew over the town’s walls and began clawing and pecking at their adversaries. A Shadow Spearow closed in on Hesh with its claws out. Hesh impulsively repelled it with a jet spray of water. The bird shrieked in anger and charged right into the Wartortle, knocking him off the platform.

“Shit!”

Hesh withdrew his head and limbs into his shell. He felt a sudden impact as he hurtled to the ground. Feeling lightheaded, he relaxed and peeked out of his shell.

“Damn! Are you okay, Hesh?” It was the voice of Corporal Julia.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hesh responded, rubbing his forehead. “Still feeling a whiplash though.”

“They’re all around us,” said Julia. “They must’ve spent that time building up their forces for this one strike.”

Hesh looked at the scene. There were Peacekeeper soldiers scrambling everywhere, manning every corner of the town’s walls. Meanwhile, more Shadow fliers infiltrated the town. He had never seen this much chaos unfold.

“What’s going to happen to us?” Hesh asked.

Just as he spoke, a loud cracking sound emitted from the western walls. Something began repeatedly ramming at the gate. Bolts of electricity erupted from the other side and hit several Peacekeepers.

Julia looked at the scene with her mouth agape and turned towards Hesh. “We need to go, now!”

The earth shook as the western walls crumbled apart. A huge Nidoking with blackened skin and red eyes emerged.

“RAZE EVERYTHING!” the beast bellowed. “KILL THEM ALL!”

The Peacekeepers watched in horror as a horde of Shadows rushed through the opening. Soon after, the walls around the town began to crumble. More Shadows broke through and pounced their next victims.

Hesh stumbled back on his feet. “What the hell is that thing!?”

Julia goaded the Wartortle to move. “I don’t know, but we’re surrounded and scattered! We have to go!”

“What about the others?”

“We can’t worry about them now!”

As Hesh hurried away, he watched as the Shadow Nidoking rammed into several houses, crushing the villagers inside. The beast roared and discharged bolts of electricity from his body. Those who were caught in the attack dropped to the ground, twitching. Some of the Shadows knocked over the town’s torches, setting the area aflame.

Hesh and Julia hurried over to a small gathering of Peacekeepers as Captain Berg frantically issued his orders.

“I need everyone left to evacuate the town in groups!” the captain shouted. “Vera is lost! I need the survivors to take refuge to the nearest Peacekeeper town and warn them! If possible, reach out to large cities like Lusang, Daem and Emerald Valley! Go now! Don’t try to fend off the Shadows alone! Your lives are more important!”

As the Chesnaught warned his company, a band of small Shadows leapt towards him. Berg retaliated by smashing the creatures with his powerful fists.

“Go! I’ll keep them busy!”

Berg knelt down and pointed the spines on his fists towards the Shadows. Several spikes launched out and pierced the hides of the approaching creatures.

Hesh turned towards Julia. “Will he be okay?”

The Hawlucha nodded. “The captain is a powerful knight. Those Shadows might as well try knocking down a stone wall!”

Several soldiers approached the two, among them being Tullio the Simisage, Javil the Sandslash and Geris the Croagunk.

“I already have a plan,” said Tullio. “We’re heading north to Emerald Valley. We’ll have to be cautious and stick together. There’s no telling what awaits us ahead. Now, move!”

The group of Peacekeepers approached the northern gate, which was lying in shambles. With no more Shadows entering from that entrance, the group ran past it. Hesh looked back at the town. Multiple houses had caught on fire and many soldiers remained in the town, unable to break free from their tenacious foes.

With the air thick with the burning odor of smoke, Captain Berg focused his attention on the meandering Shadow Nidoking. Aiming his fists, Berg unleashed another volley of spikes, puncturing the beast’s hide. The Nidoking bellowed in anguish

In retaliation, the Shadow Nidoking slammed his feet on the ground, sending a massive shockwave that leveled the town’s houses and walls. Captain Berg stood his ground and felt the impact against his resilient body. He mustered his energy to form massive seed-shaped projectiles, then lobbed them at the Shadow Nidoking.

The beast held his ground and swung his arms, shattering the Seed Bombs. “ENOUGH!” he yelled, as he leered at the Chesnaught.

Captain Berg glared at the Shadow Nidoking. The monster stood at least twice the Chesnaught’s height, with legs large enough to crush stone. The Nidoking slammed his tail onto the ground, shaking the earth. This show of power did not faze the captain, as he flexed his armored body.

The Shadow Nidoking roared and charged. Berg tucked in his arms and sprinted towards the beast at full speed.

The two collided.

The force of Berg’s Giga Impact was strong enough to cause the Nidoking to tumble forward. Hesh stared with an awestruck expression. The captain was far stronger than he expected.

Berg knelt to the ground, catching his breath. Even with the amount of power in that tackle, the impact caused his whole body to ache.

“IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?” The Nidoking got back on his feet, squinting his red eyes. The horn on his forehead began to furiously spiral. Berg struggled to move and watched as the beast inched closer. The Nidoking tilted his head downward and jabbed with his horn.

Berg summoned all his might to stop his foe, pressing his hands against the monster’s face.

"What do you want!?" the captain shouted. "Haven't you taken enough from us already?"

The Nidoking sneered at the Chesnaught as his horn spun faster. In a quick motion, the Nidoking jerked his head away to release himself from his adversary's grip. Then he craned his head forward and rammed his spiraling horn into the captain's chest.

Berg suddenly stopped moving as searing pain spread across his body. Blood poured out of his chest like a small waterfall. The Shadow Nidoking lifted the Chesnaught with his head and tossed him aside.

Berg lied on the ground, motionless.

Hesh watched as the Nidoking approached the captain’s corpse and stomped on it. Several small Shadow Pokémon rushed towards the body and began gnawing on it. The Wartortle remained speechless as an icy sensation rose from his chest.

A white figure ran to the scene and began firing pellets of dark energy at the Shadows. The Shadow Nidoking took notice of the figure and charged after it. The white figure fled.

“What are you doing?” an older male’s voice shouted behind Hesh, revealed to be Tullio. “You damn kids are going to get yourselves killed like that!”

Hesh felt himself being dragged away. The image of his company commander being crushed and torn apart remained in his mind. Tullio continued further into the woods until he saw his companions up ahead. The Simisage turned towards Hesh.

“I need you to get it together! You heard the captain!”

The young Wartortle appeared to be on the verge of tears. “B-but he died. That Nidoking killed him. We don’t have a chance out here. The Shadows… they will catch us… they will kill us a—”

Hesh stopped mid-sentence as Tullio slapped him across the face.

“Boy! Stop that talk and get to work! Focus on fulfilling the captain’s final order.”

Hesh nodded, placing his hand on his cheek. For a moment, he felt like he was losing control of himself. He silently glanced at his companions as he maintained that feeling of dread. Tullio stood before the group with a stern look.

“Everyone, I’m afraid that the captain had fallen in the line of duty. We’re on our own now.”

“No,” uttered Julia, clasping her claws together.

“How could this happen?” asked Javil.

Geris shook his head. “What a shame. Perhaps our captain would still be alive if you all had listened to me.”

Julia glared at him. “Just stop. Now is not the time.”

“I told you all. It’s that Absol. He brought this upon us!”

“What proof do you have?”

Geris flung his hands up in the air. “Where is he now? Have any of you actually seen him fighting the Shadows just now?”

No one responded. Hesh thought about the white figure he saw earlier. Was that the Absol earlier? What was he thinking, trying to fight those Shadows alone?

“You see?” Geris sneered. “Almost as soon as he was hired, he abandoned us. I guarantee you that he’s the one who brought the Shadows here. If I see him again, I'll make sure he chokes on his own blood.”

Tullio shook his head with his hand placed on his forehead. “That’s enough out of you, corporal. We wasted enough time hearing you babble. We must head over to Emerald Valley now before the Shadows catch us.”

“Agreed,” said Julia.

Javil nodded.

“Y-yeah,” said Hesh.

Geris crossed his arms, croaking in a derisive manner. "Tch. One of these days, you'll regret saying that, sarge. Don't say I didn't warn you.”

The group advanced into the depths of the murky woods, with seemingly no sign of others around. Julia approached Hesh, noticing the Wartortle’s sullen face. She pat his shoulder.

“Come on, Hesh. We’ll make it through this.”

Hesh didn’t say a word. He nodded in response. The squirming feeling in his stomach did not go away. He couldn’t comprehend how his peers were able to keep calm during this situation.

The Wartortle couldn’t stop thinking about the captain. How a powerful warrior fell to the Shadows. And how he could do nothing to stop it. Hesh could only curse at his own weakness and pity what would become of the soldiers who fought alongside him.

He looked at the direction of the village once more. Its ominous glow was the only source of light in the area. And he listened to the agonized screams of the villagers.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 5 - Hunted

Content Warning: strong language, brutal death sequences, mutilation and blood​

“Ugh, this whole thing stinks to high hell,” grumbled Tullio as he shoved tree branches away from his face. “This way, kids.”

The Peacekeeper soldiers ambled through the dense woods. The path before them was as dark and rough as a Corviknight’s feather. The ground was littered with tree roots and broken branches. Tullio swallowed nervously, feeling the dryness in his throat.

“We have to be careful out here. We have the cover of night to protect us for now. But any loud noises will give away our position. And whatever you do, move slowly and stick together. Don’t wander off.”

The Simisage crept around the path, avoiding the branches. The others followed him. The area was deathly quiet and they listened for any nearby sudden noise. All they could hear was the distant screams of the Pokémon from Vera.

Hesh could barely make out the shapes and contours of the trees and plants. He felt his hands quiver. His face was cold from sweat. Never in his life had he ever expected to find himself in this situation; running from the town he was meant to protect, with the possibility of Shadows stalking his group. Never had he missed hearing his father berate him for his clumsiness back home. Never had he felt like he was being hunted down.

“Do you know the way, sergeant?” asked Julia the Hawlucha, as she tiptoed around the path.

Tullio grinned. “Of course. I used to live in Emerald Valley before the Peacekeepers asked me to rejoin. It’s a very lovely city. Grand flower fields, many clean ponds, enormous trees that can hold whole houses. I heard they even managed to light up the whole city at night! It’s also the place where I met my wife and raised my kids. Ah, those were the days. If I say so myself, it is a true paradise.”

Julia gave a wistful look. “That sounds like a nice change of pace. Honestly, with the number of Shadows I had to kill throughout the week, I could use a nice, hot bath. I smell like blood now. Maybe I could invite my boyfriend over to Emerald Valley if he’s willing to come.”

“I could use a nice mud bath,” said Javil the Sandslash. “And a nice, big rock to sharpen my claws. Maybe a plate full of yummy Sitrus Berries.” A sigh. “I hope my little sis is doing well. I promised to return to her soon.”

Geris the Croagunk puffed his cheeks and shook his head. “You lot and your fantasies. All of you should spend a month in a hot swamp like I have. There’s nothing more refreshing.”

“I’ll pass,” said Julia.

Tullio cleared his throat. “We do have a problem though. To get to Emerald Valley, we’ll have to cross the Condemned Plains.”

Javil sighed. “Oh, that’s just swell.”

“The Condemned Plains?” asked Hesh.

“Yessir.” Tullio nodded. “They’re ‘condemned’ because it’s a place where the Uncivilized dwell. And it’s a long walk from here.”

“So, we’re going to see meat-eating predators?”

“Oh, certainly. So you best watch yourself, private. That’s why I said not to wander.”

“Do you think we’ll be alright, sergeant?” asked Javil.

“The Uncivilized are no match for the wit and training of the Peacekeepers. But that’s not the issue. It’s their sheer numbers and their lack of empathy. If they see you as food, then they’ll be dead set in hunting you down. And also, the Shadows came from their direction."

Javil stood still for a moment. “You don’t mean…”

“I do. Those Shadows we faced off against were formerly Uncivilized Pokémon. And the Condemned Plains are quite massive. If the Shadows have taken over, then we could have a huge problem on our hands.”

As the group continued to tread through, a demonic howl erupted nearby. Something beyond the bushes raced away.

Tulio ordered the group. “Stay where you are. And stay quiet.”

The soldiers remained still, unable to see what was happening. The unknown creature from before howled again. What sounded like a scuffle broke out, and several more figures joined in. Among the ungodly shrieks and snarls, a male voice roared, followed by anguished cries. A minute passed and the area grew silent once more. The soldiers could only hear the light thuds of footsteps moving away.

Tullio broke the silence. “Okay, let’s proceed.” The group continued forward, listening for more sudden noises.

Hesh stared off at the distance where the fight occurred. “Sergeant, do you think that was a survivor we just heard?”

“It’s very possible. But we can’t risk getting caught by the Shadows. It’s best to draw as little attention as we can.”

“So we can’t help them?”

“I’m afraid we’ll have to prioritize this mission. If we happen to cross paths with survivors, we’ll do what we can. But at the moment, traveling in a large group would be a disadvantage for us. Emerald Valley is still pretty far away.”

Hesh sighed. The thought of abandoning others in need felt horrible. But he knew it was not within his power to rescue survivors. The idea of him even trying seemed laughable.

The Wartortle needed something to soothe his anxiety. He had to ask more questions to feel some assurance. “Sergeant, where do the Shadows come from anyway? Why are there so many of them? They weren’t born like that, were they?”

Tullio shook his head. “No, no, it’s not quite that simple. Thing is, we’re not entirely sure about what their methods are. They sometimes come from unexpected places, even somehow infiltrating towns. But one thing is for certain. They can infect you with something like a disease. And if you don’t cure yourself of it, then you’ll become a Shadow just like them.”

To become a Shadow yourself…

“I can’t imagine what it’ll be like,” said Hesh.

“I’d rather you don’t,” said Tullio. “You need to be careful. If possible, don’t try to fight the Shadows close up. If you get an open wound and it emits black mist, then the transformation has started.”

Hesh clutched the wound on his arm that he received yesterday. What would’ve happened if that one Shadow Nidorino kept fighting him?

“What’s wrong, rookie?” Geris said. “Getting a little scare?”

“N-no. I mean, if we have to go to the Condemned Plains, we have to.”

Geris’s grin widened. “Look at you, trying to put on a brave face. Not too long ago, you were crying for the captain. You think dead weight like you will survive the Condemned Plains?”

Tullio snapped at the Croagunk. “Don’t test me, corporal. You may think this is a laughing matter, but there’s a lot at stake here. This recruit will grow up to be a fine soldier one day. We need everyone’s help here to make it to Emerald Valley. And I prefer that you don’t cause problems for us.”

“A fine soldier? Ha! You’re funny, sarge. We’ll be just fine without him.”

“I don’t know if you think you’re being facetious or just plain stupid.”

Julia and Javil wore an expression of disgust. To think one of their own would go so far to belittle a recruit like that. Geris ignored their disdainful reactions, smirking to himself.

Hesh sighed. In spite of the Croagunk’s cruel words, he was right. Hesh was barely able to put up a fight against the Shadows, let alone help out his fellow soldiers in a meaningful way. The Wartortle had no willpower to speak for himself.

Moments passed and the soldiers found a clearing leading to a larger field. Further ahead, groups of shady figures pranced about. Tullio squinted his eyes and groaned.

“No good. We’ll have to find a less crowded area to cross.”

The Simisage turned around and returned to the darkness of the woods, rubbing his forehead. Julia spoke up.

“I’m actually getting parched out here. Did anyone bring water?”

Hesh glanced at her. “I can give some.”

Julia cringed, knowing what he meant. “U-um, no, Hesh. No thank you. That’s not what I have in mind.”

Tullio chuckled. “I prepared a satchel just for this occasion.” He took out a wooden flask from a small bag and tossed it over to the Hawlucha.

“Cheers, sarge,” she said, as she gulped down the contents.

“I feel like taking a break,” said Javil.

“Alright. Five minutes,” said Tullio. “But we’ll have to keep going until we can find a reasonably safe place to stay at.”

“How much longer do we have, sarge?” asked Hesh.

“If we’re lucky, getting to Emerald Valley will take us about a day. But I don’t see those odds in our favor.”

The soldiers took in the scenery. A gentle wind brushed them. The night sky was full of glittering stars, just like how it usually was at home. Of course, they couldn’t have the comforts of home with them. In a different situation, the woods would be a nice place to have a walk.

Unusual howls and trills echoed across the area. Soon after, the sounds of shouting and fighting. Hesh felt a chill throughout his body. Almost like an invisible hand was gripping his heart. He wondered how long he and his comrades could keep traveling without having to fight the Shadows. And if there were friends nearby.

“Alright, everyone,” Tullio said. “Time to move.”

The Simisage advanced back into the thicket with his subordinates close by. He sniffed the stagnant air, picking up a familiar scent.

Blood.

Tullio approached a peculiar tree, noticing fresh red drops splattered across the trunk. Littered around the tree were the burning corpses of Shadow Pokémon. The Simisage leaned down to inspect them, noticing the gashes and stab wounds.

“Eyes and ears, soldiers,” grumbled Tullio. “Eyes and ears.”

The Peacekeepers spread out, scanning the area. The trees and shrubs trembled as a strong wind rushed through. Strange murmurs could be heard beyond the thicket. Among them sounded like a single child’s wail.

“You guys heard that, right?” asked Javil.

“Yeah,” responded Julia. “Do you suppose it’s a survivor?”

The wail echoed across the woods once more.

“There’s a kid. It’s got to be,” said Javil. “I have to look.”

“Halt, corporal,” ordered Tullio. “Do not go in alone.”

“It’ll take a sec. Don’t worry about me. I just can’t leave a kid alone.” The Sandslash disappeared into the darkness.

“Unbelievable. We don’t have time for this!” Tullio turned towards the others. “Follow me. And watch your step.”

The Simisage followed his subordinate’s trail, a set of the Sandslash’s footprints against the exposed dirt. “Corporal! Corporal Javil!” he called out.

A childlike wail sounded off once more.

Another voice from the depths responded. “I see him, sarge! All curled up in a ball.”

“No, Javil! Hold on!”

Tullio and the others heard something nearby tumble to the ground with a heavy thud. They heard the Sandslash’s voice.

“Wha—? What’s happening!? What is this stuff? Agh! AHHHHHHHH!”

“Corporal! What is it!?” Tullio called out.

Soon after, the Sandslash’s screaming stopped. In its place, loud choking noises.

Tullio followed the noises beyond a downward slope. He cautiously slid down, avoiding a large rock in his path. The others followed.

Hesh froze up in place, unable to process what he was seeing. A group of Shadow Tangelas had Javil ensnared in their vines, contorting his arms, legs and neck into unusual angles. The vines emitted a strange green glow.

"Stop them!" ordered Tullio, as he grabbed his flail-like tail. "They're feeding on him!"

Tullio rushed in and began to club the creatures using his tail. Julia struck at them with her claws and wings while Geris punched them away with his venomous hands.

The Shadow Tangelas each cried out in pain, emitting a noise similar to a child’s cry. Their limp bodies fell to the ground as a black flame ignited and consumed them.

Tullio ran over to Javil. The Sandslash’s usual yellow skin had grown wrinkly and turned into a wretched shade of brown. The shape of vines remained imprinted on his neck, which laid in a crooked shape. A pained expression was spread on his lifeless face.

“Javil… No…” Julia covered her eyes, wiping away her tears with her feathers.

Tullio leaned over to the Sandslash and spoke in a crackling voice. “Damn it, boy. Why didn’t you listen?” He gently placed his hand over his comrade’s face and shut his eyes. “Rest in peace, friend. May the Creator guide your soul safe passage.” The Simisage knelt and clasped his hands together, chanting a hymn.

Hesh walked over to the group. He grabbed the Sandslash’s hand and felt its cold stiffness. This was once someone who stood alongside him on the battlefield. “You were so kind to me during basic training. You even shared some of your sister’s delicious cooking with me.” A tear trickled down the Wartortle’s face. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be any more help, Javil.”

“Ugh, enough of this saccharine shit!” protested Geris. “He’s dead, everyone. He was too weak and dumb, and he got himself killed. He can’t hear you anymore. Just let it go.”

Hesh growled, clawing the loose dirt on the ground. He turned around and took down the Croagunk, then began punching him.

“Shut up, you bastard!” yelled Hesh, as he landed another punch.

Geris sneered at his fellow soldier and punched the Wartortle in the face with a Poison Jab. Hesh fell over and cried out in pain.

“You’re still too weak,” Geris said as he got back on his feet.

Julia jumped in front of Hesh and delivered a brutal kick at the Croagunk’s face. Geris fell to the floor and groaned. “Argh! You bitch!” A green fluid leaked from his face.

Tullio stepped in. “That’s enough! Private Hesh, don’t do that again. Assaulting your fellow soldiers will get you discharged from the Peacekeepers. Corporal Julia, you know better.” The Simisage turned towards Geris. “And Corporal Geris, you will not speak of our dead friend with such disrespect! And your aggressive remarks as of late are not appreciated! I will not have you endanger our mission while the Shadows are out running amuck! One more word out of you and I’m expelling you from our group!”

Tullio’s words echoed through the woods. In response, several Shadows howled from a distance.

Geris’s grin widened into a maniacal expression. The Croagunk pounded his fists into the ground wildly and cackled.

Tullio gritted his teeth. “Damn it all! We have to go now!”

Julia helped Hesh back onto his feet. She inspected the Wartortle’s face, which was swollen and changing into a purple color. She quickly searched through Tullio’s satchel. She snatched a healthy pink berry and stuffed it into Hesh’s mouth. The Wartortle coughed as he hastily chewed on it.

“Let’s go!” shouted Julia.

The Peacekeepers sprinted through the darkness of the woods, unable to see what was up ahead. They heard a series of footsteps trailing behind them. Over a dozen Shadow Pokémon came into view.

“Keep going!” yelled Tullio. “I have something to slow them down!”

As his subordinates pulled ahead, Tullio came to a stop. He held out his hands and projected seed-shaped orbs of green energy from them.

“Fire in the hole!”

Tullio tossed the seeds at the approaching Shadows. The ground shook as the large, heavy seeds crushed their targets. The other Shadows tripped over. Tullio turned back in pursuit of his allies.

As the Simisage caught up to the others, the woods burst into a frenzy of noise. More Shadow Pokémon noticed the fleeing Peacekeepers and joined in on the chase.

Hesh felt his foot getting caught on a tree root and he tumbled forward. Tullio stood next to him and launched more Seed Bombs at the approaching Shadows. The attack killed several of them on impact, while slowing down the others. The Simisage pulled the rookie soldier back onto his feet and shoved him forward. Hesh, with a thankful expression, continued to sprint.

The soldiers passed by a clearing with only one clear route up ahead. They dashed through, with Tullio staying behind. Taking advantage of the terrain, Tullio tossed several seed bombs at once at the entrance, neutralizing more of the pursuing Shadows and blocking their way.

“Damn! I’ll catch up! Get going!”

The Simisage remained as he continued to fight off the Shadows.

“I think we’re almost out!” Julia shouted.

“There!” Hesh pointed towards a far area with what appeared to be an exit, with a clear view of the night sky. The Wartortle took a step forward.

Julia hurried over to him. “Hesh! Wait!”

But the ground below Hesh crumbled, and he found himself sliding across a rough downward slope. He slammed hard onto the ground, with scuff marks around his limbs. One of his legs dripped blood.

Hesh held onto his leg, wincing in pain. “Ow! Why now?”

Julia slid down after him. She stood next to the Wartortle and observed his wound. “Stay still. I’ll help make it stop.” She undid her blue Peacekeeper ribbon around her neck and wrapped it around the Wartortle’s leg.

Hesh sighed in relief. “Thanks again, Julia. I’m sorry about being a burden to you all.”

The Hawlucha smiled at him. “It’s no trouble at all. There was a time I used to be rather clumsy too. But after some time with the Peacekeepers, I overcame that weakness. You can too.”

Hesh nodded, feeling a sudden sense of euphoria for once. Being an only child of a famous general, he had never known the kindness of a sibling. And the Hawlucha before him came closest to being like a big sister to him.

When Hesh glanced over at Julia again, he felt his heart stop.

A large demonic canine with glowing eyes crept up behind Julia. Hawlucha noticed Hesh’s disturbed expression. Before she could turn around, the beast snapped its jaws down on her head. The Hawlucha emitted a pained cry as the beast pressed its teeth down on her neck. She flailed her legs and wings about, hoping to strike at her assailant.

Hesh tried to grab the Houndoom by the jaws, but it backed away faster than he could keep up with.

"Let her go, you bastard! Let her go!"

Hesh began to use Water Gun at the canine, but it scurried away before his attack could even hit it. With one last growl, the Houndoom vanished into the woods. The Wartortle heard one more bloodcurdling scream from his comrade.

“No! NOOOO! JULIA! JULIA!”

Hesh shouted her name over and over, but to no avail. The Wartortle slammed his fists on the ground. Streams of tears dripped down. Again, there was nothing he could’ve done.

Hesh heard a familiar voice speaking to him. “Well, that’s a damn shame. I guess she wasn’t up to the task too.”

Hesh’s fists tightened. “Why didn’t you even try saving her?”

The voice cackled. “What for? She was a goner anyway. Just let nature take its course. The strong survive. The weak perish. There’s nothing more to it.”

“YOU’RE THE WORST SOLDIER EVER! JUST GET OUT OF HERE IF YOU’RE NOT EVEN GOING TO HELP US!”

Hesh felt the rage seething within him. It’s not fair, he thought. Why couldn’t the Shadows just take this bastard’s life instead of Javil and Julia? Then, maybe...

Hesh paused his thoughts as an elderly voice called out to him. “Hesh? Geris? What happened? Where’s Julia?”

“She’s gone, sarge,” Hesh said, fighting back more tears. “She’s gone…”

“Gods, no! What in the hell happened while I was away!? Corporal Geris, explain yourself!” Tullio leered at Geris.

“Well, you see, sarge, the rookie just stood there while a Shadow Houndoom snatched her away. He just stood by and watched.”

“You’re lying!” Hesh snapped back. “That was YOU! You did nothing to save her!”

Hesh felt a hand touch his shoulder. He slapped it away. The Wartortle looked back and saw the sergeant behind him. He turned away and wept. “I’m s-sorry, sarge… please believe me… he’s lying… that rotten bastard was lying…”

“That’ll be enough, soldier,” Tullio said in the most grandfatherly way he could. “There will be time for tears later. Come on. Let’s get out of this hellhole.” The Simisage turned towards Geris and gave the Croagunk the evil eye. In response, Geris tried to hold back his laughter.

Tullio pulled the Wartortle back on his feet and patted the shell on his back. “You’re going to make it. It’s just you and me now, kid.”

Hesh realized that the Simisage ignored their other teammate, who burst into laughter. The Wartortle felt a burning hatred for the Croagunk. But he couldn’t help but feel an icy chill smother his body as well. The Croagunk stood there, laughing. No hint of care or concern for what was happening right before them.

Hesh felt himself being pulled away as Tullio went deeper into the thicket. He could still hear Geris’s mad cackling echo from far away. The Wartortle tried to hang onto his sergeant’s grip, as his body was drenched in sweat. The two entered another clearing as the exit seemed much closer.

“Look! We’re almost there!” shouted Tullio.

As they inched closer, the exit suddenly vanished from view. An unnatural darkness smothered the thicket around them to the point where they could no longer tell where the trees and bushes were.

“Grr! I can’t see a damn thing! Private, stay close by! Don’t wander off!”

Hesh stood still as he listened for Tullio’s voice. Instead, he heard a low snarl nearby. Then he saw it: the Shadow Houndoom. The canine’s eyes and various areas on its body glowed an eerie blue. The beast made another guttural sound and exhaled blue flames. Hesh could see the blood dripping from its maw. The blood of what was once his friend.

Hesh spewed out a pillar of water at the Houndoom. The creature took the attack head on and emitted a more threatening snarl. Hesh felt paralyzed. I can’t do this. I’m useless. I’m so damn useless. Just… just do it… just end it all...

When the Houndoom inched closer to him, another figure punched the beast in the face. Hesh could barely make out the contours of First Sergeant Tullio as he continued to land punch after punch. The Shadow Houndoom backed away and emitted a thunderous snarl, then spewed out a pillar of blue flames. The clearing around them lit up.

Tullio, unharmed, pressed his hands together and began chanting. Large rocks tore away from the earth and hurled themselves at the Houndoom. The beast evaded the attacks and countered with another flamethrower. The flames made contact with the top of the Simisage’s leaf-shaped hair on his head.

Tullio hastily grabbed some sand off the ground to put the flames out. To his shock, the flames continued to devour his body.

"Here, Sarge!" Hesh doused the top of Tullio's head with water. Still, the flames persisted. "What the hell? Why is it not working!?"

The Simisage, showing a frightened expression, shouted at the Wartortle. “Hesh, you need to get out of here! Keep going north until you find Emerald Valley and stay out of sight! In the name of everyone who perished here, you must live!”

“No! I can’t leave you, sarge!” Hesh cried out.

“That is a direct order, private! I’ll be fine! Get to safety!” The Simisage tossed his satchel at the Wartortle, who caught it. “Please! You need to survive!”

Hesh hesitantly nodded. He knew what was coming, but there was nothing else he could do. The Wartortle wiped away his tears and sprinted away. He looked back, seeing Tullio once again fighting off the Houndoom. He looked forward again, seeing a clear path towards a field.

I have to do this. For them. For their sake.

Hesh stopped to catch his breath. A familiar figure appeared from the exit.

"Geris… what are you⁠—?"

Before Hesh could finish, the Croagunk delivered a Poison Jab at his face. The Wartortle lied on his back, unable to get up. An intense burning pain spread across his right cheek.

"It's all clear to me now," said Geris. "That you all intended to leave me behind here, like the unpatriotic shits that you are. But don't worry, rookie. I'm not like you at all. A weakling like you will never make it out here. I will be the one to deliver the news of your deaths to Emerald Valley, and I will be seen as a hero. Don’t worry. You will be remembered for your… sacrifice."

The Croagunk cackled madly as he fled. Hesh called out to him, fighting through the intense pain.

"TRAITOR! FUCKING COWARD! NOOOOOO!"

The Wartortle screamed all manners of curses. Soon after, the Shadows had him surrounded. A Shadow Tangela stepped in and reached out with its vines. The vines took hold of Hesh’s neck and he felt himself being dragged across the ground. He tried in vain to pull away the vines, but their grip on him grew tighter. The Wartortle desperately tried to draw breath and he felt his heart pounding against his chest. The view of the world around him grew faint as he felt his energy leaving his body. Hesh closed his eyes and relaxed his grip.

I’m so sorry, everyone… I guess… I’m worthless after all…

The thoughts ran through his mind over and over. He had nothing left, but the sweet embrace of oblivion. Hesh felt the pain leave his body. He could no longer hear the world. For a short moment, he felt nothing. Not even the vines around his neck.

When Hesh opened his eyes, he saw a faint image of a white figure moving around. Then he heard incomprehensible yells. The figure approached him and began to shake him.

“G— —p.”

The figure’s features grew more lucid. He could see its dark complexion and red eyes.

“H—, —et up.”

The creature shook him again. Hesh noticed the horn protruding from the side of its head. It’s…

“D—n it, you —re not d—ing —ere! Get up!”

Hesh felt something slap his face. He instantly recognized the creature before him.

“Y-you…” The Wartortle tried to speak, but felt an intense pain across his neck and began to cough. The mercenary. He’s actually here.

“We don’t have time to sit around,” the Absol said. “Eat this.” He placed a round blue berry and an oblong pink berry on the Wartortle’s hand. Hesh tipped the blue Oran Berry over into his mouth and chewed on it. The unusual flavor was familiar to him, having a strange mixture of spicy, bitter and sour flavors with a rough and dry texture. Though it pained him to swallow, Hesh felt relief wash over the rest of his body. Then he helped himself to the Pecha Berry, savoring its sweetness. His vision and hearing began to return.

“You’re not through yet,” Orion the Absol continued. “You have a mission to fulfill. You need to leave this place.”

Hesh stared at him with a confused look. The surrealness of the situation couldn’t be more inexplicable. “W-where are the Shadows?”

“Don’t worry about them. Do as I say.”

The Wartortle stood up. His legs felt weak and trembled under his weight. He looked around and spotted many burning corpses.

Did… Did he do all this?

The scene baffled him. How was the mercenary able to kill so many Shadows?

“Hide,” ordered Orion, as he shoved him away. “Now.”

Hesh jumped into the nearest bush, attempting to conceal his whole body under the leaves. When he turned around to look at Orion, he noticed that the area had grown dark.

No. It’s coming back.

A glowing figure came into view. Just as Hesh predicted, the Shadow Houndoom returned. The beast gave an agitated snarl as it turned to face the white figure. The Houndoom barked ferociously.

The white figure screamed at the top of his lungs and rammed himself into the Houndoom. The beast cried out in pain as Orion locked his fangs into its neck. The Houndoom kicked the Absol across the face, who released it from his grip, and spewed out a pillar of blue flames.

Orion stepped aside and circled the area, baring his fangs and locking eyes with the Houndoom. His white fur stood up, giving him a larger appearance. The beast watched intently, waiting for its opponent’s next move. Orion crouched down in a pouncing position, then leapt forward and swung his horn. The Houndoom backed away and belched out a poisonous smog.

Being in the line of fire, Orion took a whiff of the smog and coughed violently. When he tried to scamper away, the Houndoom pursued him and bit down on the Absol's neck. Orion swung his paw at the canine's snout, forcing it to release its grip on him.

Slightly wincing from the pain, Orion panted, refusing to take his eyes off his target. He waited for his opponent to make its next move. The Houndoom's body lit up with flame-like patterns for a brief moment, then discharged a massive wall of flames. Orion leapt over the attack and swiped at the Houndoom's chest.

The canine cried out in pain as it began to bleed from its torso. Once more, its body began to glow in fiery patterns. In response, Orion kicked gravel at the Houndoom's eyes, disrupting its next attack. With one quick dash, Orion raised his horn and swiped at the Houndoom’s neck.

The Houndoom stood still, motionless. Hesh noticed that Orion's horn was completely drenched in blood. He flinched as he saw the creature's head sliding off from its body, showing its exposed spine. The head continued to gnash its teeth while the body fell to the ground and thrashed about. Shortly after, the remains set ablaze and the head groaned in defeat.

The darkness faded away. The thicket grew silent.

Hesh came out of the bushes, unable to hide his bewildered expression. “W-wow. You did it. You actually did it. Th-that… that’s wonderful…”

Hesh tried to demonstrate his appreciation, but didn't have the heart to do so. He tilted his head downward, feeling numb and empty. He didn’t know what else to say.

Orion approached him. As soon as the Absol came close, Hesh felt the desire to vomit. The mercenary emanated a horrendous odor, consisting of the stenches of blood, rotten flesh and unwashed fur. A trail of blood ran down his face as well. Hesh wondered when was the last time he bathed and how the stench didn't even affect him.

"It's time to go," said Orion. "You have work to do."

Hesh shook his head. "What's the point? It doesn't matter if I live now. I failed my company. I failed the Peacekeepers. I can't even protect myself. You should've let the Shadows take me. I'm worthless."

Orion spat on the ground, grumbling. "Unacceptable answer. You only have one life, kid. Do not waste it."

"Ha. Is that so? I wouldn't have figured that out."

Orion cleared his throat and scratched the ground. "Listen. Your company commander hired me to bring survivors over to the nearest city. I intend to fulfill my end of the contract. And you're coming with me, whether you like it or not."

"I don't know if you realized it, but Captain Berg is dead. Whatever deal you had with him is null and void." Hesh turned away from the Absol. "Just leave me alone."

Orion sighed. "Look, someone wants to see you. I already told him I'll find you. You better hurry before it's too late."

Hesh quickly turned around. "Wait, you don't mean… oh gods, sarge! Is he still here!?"

"Find out for yourself. Follow me."

Orion raced off into the thicket. Hesh stumbled forward, trying to move as fast as his weakened legs could carry him. He felt Julia’s ribbon loosening around his leg, so he stopped and tightened it. He saw the Absol up ahead giving him an impatient look.

“Coming!” Hesh called out.

Please, sarge… please be okay...

 

[System Error]

C3
- Casually insulting a town
- Hmhmhm. How suspect not to tell them about the weakpoint.
- Cheri Berries as painkillers, huh? I can see it with paralysis curing being like, a numbing agent.
- I'm starting to think it's not the Shadows being overwhelming but at least partially the group being dysfunctional in a bad way
- Munchkins used for a tiny mook? Hm, I guess that is a definition.
- Well I mean that's where Absol's name comes from. Although, what IS higher than the sun?
- I'd like to think the idiots would've figured out by now that Absols are messengers not harbingers. It seems contrived, although canon and evidently, fanfic bait as it is here
- Justice is dead? Or at least the Swords of them?
- I can just see the edge of Orion the Absol. Although he was driven to the edge to get this edge.
- WHAT IS HE FIGHTING FOOOOOORRRR

C4
- I wonder if that ominous gust of wind is an ominous wind, or just convenient mood setting.
- Well this turtle needs no help getting up from his shell
- Shooting water in the form of a water gun is kind of awkward wording.
- Huh. Are those Sticky Barbs they're weaponizing? Or something similar?
- I'm surprised they didn't build a domed roof to prevent against obvious aerial assaults
- THEY CAN TALK???
- How do wild Pokemon learn TM moves, anyway?
- Well ordinarily Chesnaughts are about a foot bigger than Nidokings, so there is some obvious body mutation going on with these Shadows.
- The NIdoking moved away? Maybe a better word choice there, as it seems he left instead of charging.
- Body count intensifies.
- They were sure taking their sweet time to evacuate. Guess it allowed them to see the captain's final stand.
- Where is the Absol, anyway? Doesn't a merc know you don't get paid if the employer's dead?
- Hesh's trauma intensifies.

Progress and stuff! I'll read C5 later. Things are escalating! War is hell and whatnot. Can't form thoughts to sum things up though, but, looking forwar dto the next.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

- Cheri Berries as painkillers, huh? I can see it with paralysis curing being like, a numbing agent.

One thing I want to try out is that the medicinal properties of berries take some time to activate instead of taking less than a second. It'd be odd to see someone stuffing their face full of berries just to keep themselves from dying, lol

But of course, berries are no substitution for real medical treatment. They can only do so much for exposed flesh, broken bones and death.

- I'd like to think the idiots would've figured out by now that Absols are messengers not harbingers. It seems contrived, although canon and evidently, fanfic bait as it is here

Need something to curse at? Blame an Absol. To use as a punching bag? Blame an Absol. Need more conspiracy theories? Blame an Absol. Need to draw attention from your political scandal? Blame an Absol. Mom mad at you for not cleaning your room?

Blame an Absol today! It is the perfect solution for your scapegoating needs!

But yes, I see what you're saying. It's a different spin on the whole "harbinger of disaster" thing. Some will believe it without any basis of fact. Some know it's ridiculous rumors that were fabricated by blithering idiots.

It is simply easier to blame everything on a group of creepy-looking Pokémon that can't even fight back against those rumors... because most of them are already dead. So let's just keep kicking that Absol corpse while it's down.

- Justice is dead? Or at least the Swords of them?

More of in a metaphorical way, considering where the Swords are now.

Foreshadowing. Da da dum!

- I can just see the edge of Orion the Absol. Although he was driven to the edge to get this edge.

He came in contact with the Edge recently. The Edge was all, "Aw hell no! You don't need me to be this mopey!" Then it left.

Orion just stood there without a word. He had no idea what the hell what he just witnessed or what the Edge even is. He wasn't even sure if he's supposed to feel something.

- Well this turtle needs no help getting up from his shell

lol, you're tempting me to make him say, "Help, I'm a turtle and I can't get up!"

- Huh. Are those Sticky Barbs they're weaponizing? Or something similar?

Iron Thorns, which are throwing items from PMD that damage enemy Pokémon. Other things like Gravelerocks, Geo Pebbles, Silver Spikes and Corsola Spikes serve a similar purpose.

- I'm surprised they didn't build a domed roof to prevent against obvious aerial assaults

I imagine the budget would be pretty grand. Even more so with bigger cities.

- THEY CAN TALK???

Some Shadows can, yes.

- How do wild Pokemon learn TM moves, anyway?

Being a Shadow in this story comes with perks. One of which can be access to unusual abilities.

- Well ordinarily Chesnaughts are about a foot bigger than Nidokings, so there is some obvious body mutation going on with these Shadows.

Yep.

- Where is the Absol, anyway? Doesn't a merc know you don't get paid if the employer's dead?

Coming across his own problems, like distracting a big, dumb monster.

Chapter 5 is a long one by the way. The longest chapter by far. Chapter 6 is still in the works and I'd say about halfway into completion.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 6 - The Condemned Plains

Content Warning: strong language, body injuries, mutilation, blood, vomit and depictions of trauma and depression​

"Geez! Wait up! I'm not fast like you! I only have two legs, y'know."

Hesh traveled deeper into the woods as Orion walked ahead. This Absol has no patience at all, he thought.

"Come on. He's over here," Orion called out.

Hesh's breaths quickened as he pushed his legs to move faster. His wound from earlier still made him wince, but he knew he couldn't wait. He had to see for himself if First Sergeant Tullio made it out fine.

Hesh slowed down as he entered a clearing. He felt his heart seize up once he saw a blood-drenched body on the ground.

"Sarge… no, sarge!"

Hesh pulled over to Tullio's side. He couldn't help but stare at the open wound on the Simisage's chest, exposing part of his ribs. Pieces of his leaf-like body showed black burn marks and ashes. Tullio inhaled and exhaled at a painfully erratic pace.

"Hesh, is that you, my boy?"

"You're hurt… no… no…"

Tullio attempted a laugh, but ended up coughing up blood. "Indeed… I am. I couldn't fight like I used to. I'm well past my prime."

Hesh shoved an Oran Berry near the Simisage's mouth, but it fell over. "Here… please take this…" He placed the Oran Berry again, only for it to drop. "Sarge… sarge, please…"

Tullio smiled with a peaceful look.

"Don't worry about me, boy. I lived a full life and did my part for these lands. And now, I will have the highest honor of all: a warrior's end. So don't worry about me. May the Creator watch over you."

"No… please… don't leave me…"

"Shh, it'll be alright, Hesh. You have the blood of a legendary soldier running in you. You'll make it through this…"

"No… you're wrong… I'm nothing like my dad…"

"You'll hit your stride soon enough. Fighting on the front lines is scary the first few times. But once you see enough action, you'll get much better. That is a promise."

"Tullio…"

The Simisage coughed out more blood and struggled to speak. "G-go... to Emerald Valley... and tell them... what happened here... Let the Absol guide you there. Please… you must march on…"

The Simisage closed his eyes and exhaled.

Hesh stared down with tears streaming down his face. He couldn't summon the energy to say anything. He knelt down and covered his face. He could feel nothing but shame for his failings.

Orion approached the Wartortle with a forlorn expression. He seemed to want to say something, but decided against it. "I... I'll give you some time to yourself. Please find me once you're ready."

Hesh tried to recompose himself. He couldn't help but feel somewhat dejected by the Absol's cold professionalism. At the same time, he found it admirable. But perhaps that was the resolve of a mercenary; someone who had to watch others die as many as those he killed. To be unfazed by death. Hesh couldn’t imagine what kind of past work Orion had done.

Hesh sniffled as he stared down at the lifeless body of his First Sergeant. He gripped Julia's blue ribbon on his leg. He remembered how bravely his fellow squad members fought and how much they helped him. Javil, Julia and Tullio were true soldiers in his eyes.

Hesh lamented over them. Had Orion not intervened, Hesh would've accepted his fate. A fair price for his failure.

Why am I still here? Why can't they live instead of me?

---

Orion stared off into the dark horizon as Hesh approached him. The Wartortle's face was still wet with tears, with a look of apathy over his face.

"Ready now?" asked Orion.

"I guess. But I don't want to leave the others behind. I just wish… I can at least give them a proper burial…"

Orion sighed. "I know this isn't the solution you like, but we'll have to move on. There are still more Shadows out here. I couldn't slay the Nidoking that devastated the town."

Hesh formed a slight grimace. "I see. So, you actually fought it then."

"Indeed, but I couldn't get close to it. But I made sure he won't follow us."

Hesh looked at the Absol. He noticed the wound on his stomach had opened up again.

"You're bleeding. Are you sure you can keep going?"

Orion fell silent with a neutral countenance. "I had worse."

Somehow, Hesh believed it. The fact that the Absol wasn’t wincing in pain was convincing enough. The idea of a soldier with an asinine amount of pain tolerance didn’t feel like a foreign concept to him.

After all, his father was the same way.

“Now, tell me where we’re headed,” said Orion.

Hesh checked the view. An off-color field waited up ahead, seemingly contrasting with the rest of the grasslands. “I was told to keep going north. Eventually, we'll reach a city called Emerald Valley.”

“North it is.”

"Hey, Orion, is it? Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“The captain is dead. Why are you still trying to fulfill his contract?”

The Absol looked away and fell silent.

Hesh continued. “It's not like you'll get rewarded at the end. So, why?”

“He already paid me.”

“Wait, really? For the whole job?"

“Yes.” Orion moved to the nearest bush and yanked out a satchel. It was large enough to encompass the Absol’s chest. “Full supplies to last a couple of days and 50,000 lucitas.”

“What!? 50,000!?”

"Don't shout, idiot. Shadows. Remember?"

"O-oh, right. Well, damn. I guess the captain was really counting on you. But why did he pay up so early?"

"He knew that town was on the verge of collapse. A mass evacuation wasn't possible. Without resources and reinforcements, it was doomed. Even with enough skilled troops, it would've gotten overrun.” The Absol tilted his head and exhaled. "We had a long talk about it. He knew it was only a matter of time before the whole unit gets wiped out. So he gave me whatever he could spare to cover me. He’s aware that there’s a chance I could die as well.”

"Captain…"

"Let's not mope again. There will be plenty of time for that when we reach our destination."

Hesh sighed, partially out of relief. "Straight to the point, I see. Still, that's surprisingly honorable of you. I'd figure you would just take the money and leave. Like any other mercenary would."

"It's nothing special. I'm just here to fulfill a job. Nothing more." The Absol walked off towards the direction of the Condemned Plains.

"Whatever you say," Hesh said, following behind. He was still unsure of Orion's true demeanor. But at least the Absol was committed to the job, more than he expected. Perhaps this mercenary was more reliable than he thought.

Hesh could hear Geris’s unpleasant words echo at the back of his mind.

He’s an Absol! The moment we have our backs turned, that’s when he’ll get us! He’s as crooked as they come!

It’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself! Be a big damn hero for this crappy little town!

Almost as soon as he was hired, he abandoned us. I guarantee you that he’s the one who brought the Shadows here.

You think dead weight like you will survive the Condemned Plains?

Hesh shook his head. That traitor’s words meant nothing to him anymore. As far as the young Wartortle could see, Orion had done his best for the Vera Peacekeepers. That Absol even saved his life not just once, but twice.

For the first time since he was deployed to Vera, Hesh felt somewhat renewed.

---

Dim sunlight broke through the muddy clouds. An unusual chilly breeze blew from the north, stirring the tall blades of yellow grass. An odd stench hung in the air, an acrid mixture of dried soil and dead vegetation.

Hesh kept rubbing his forehead and yawned as he took tiny steps. His eyelids felt heavy. He and Orion had not stopped for some time. He wasn’t sure what to expect from the Condemned Plains, but he didn’t expect to see a dying field. They hadn’t heard voices or even noises from nearby Shadow Pokémon. There was almost nothing.

“Orion, what’s up with this place?” Hesh asked, rubbing his eyes. “Why is it so… empty?”

The Absol sniffed the air and pivoted his head. His intense gaze had not wavered, as if being ready to strike at any time. “I had a feeling about this place. If I have to guess, this is where all those Shadows were coming from.”

Hesh sighed. “Sarge said the same thing. He said that this place is a land of the Uncivilized.”

“It would certainly explain why there are so many Shadows and why this place is empty. If these plains are teeming with the Uncivilized, then they’re easy targets for the Shadows. By now, the Uncivilized are probably wiped out.”

Hesh sighed. "Wonderful."

Orion suddenly halted and turned towards the Wartortle. "If you don't want to die out here, then follow my orders. All of them. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to fight, you fight."

Hesh stared at the Absol and pondered his words for a moment. Orion was not wearing a Peacekeeper ribbon, so what authority did he think he has?

No, it should be fine. I mean, he is looking after me. That's his mission. Captain trusted him. Sarge trusted him. I'll trust him.

"Understood?" the Absol demanded.

"Yes, sir."

Orion's expression softened. "Good. Do me a favor then. If you have to fight, don't fight in close quarters with a Shadow. That's my job. Use your water attacks from afar. It’ll make things easier for me."

"Loud and clear."

"And don't wander off. You're to stay close by at all times. The Shadows will try to pick us apart. If they see you as a weak opponent, they will come after you first."

Hesh gulped. "N-noted."

"Good. Then this should go smoothly."

Hesh wondered how an unusual situation like this could go smoothly. Was Orion really that confident? Regardless, he appreciated the lecture.

The two made slow progress across the plains, taking in its outlandish and desolate beauty. The sun hung over the smoky clouds, unveiling a field of gold. At the remote edges of the plains towered shadowy mountains. Hesh felt overwhelmed by their monstrous shapes, imagining them as giants staring down. Watching everything. Judging him.

An icy gale whistled, stirring Orion’s unkempt bangs. He felt an odd sense of relief as the cold air caressed his searing wounds. Though he remained expressionless, the pain from past battles persisted. The silence of the Condemned Plains was enough for him to consider it a respite. A respite from the endless fighting.

“Gods, how much further now?” Hesh groaned. “My feet are killing me.”

“You’re not giving up on me already, are you?” Orion asked.

“N-no, of course not! But we've been at this for hours. Are you sure we're headed the right way?”

“The sun rises from the east and sets in the west. You want to go north, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we're going the right way. It just takes time.”

Hesh continued to gripe. “I miss taking ferries. Lusang had those air carriages carried over by Corviknights. And Laprases crossing the canals. I mean, I do take a swim every now and then. But sometimes, it’s just fun catching a ride on their backs while they mind their own business. You get what I’m saying?”

The Absol grunted in response.

“I guess not.” Hesh hoped for some idle conversation. Some way to maybe learn a thing or two about the Absol. Some way to get his mind off of his fallen squad members. He couldn't help but feel out of place.

Hesh peeked at the mountains once more, then felt a shiver when he turned his head in a different direction. In the outlying reaches of the plains, several dark figures pounced at each other.

“U-um, Orion…? Are those…?”

"Shadows. Right now, we don't have to worry about them, as long as they're minding their own business. They're only a threat if they realize we're not one of them."

"G-good. I don't think I'm ready to fight more just yet."

"However, watch for a stampede. If many of them are on the move, that's our cue to hide."

"Man, you sure know how the Shadows operate. How long have you been fighting them?"

The Absol hesitated for a moment, then exhaled. "As far as I can remember…"

Hesh wasn't sure what he meant. Was Orion fighting them since he was little? No, that can't be right, the Wartortle thought. The idea itself seemed too wild.

When he was a little Squirtle, Hesh would often explore the long alleys and numerous crevices of Lusang. He would play with the other children out on the streets. The idea that a child of his age at the time was already fighting… sounded ludicrous.

As Hesh allowed his imagination to run wild, a faint crackle emitted from the sky. The wind picked up in strength.

“Looks like a storm is coming,” said Hesh.

He heard the Absol mumble something as he tilted his head in different directions. Hesh called out to him again.

“So, what now? Orion? Hey, Orion?”

“Huh?” The Absol shook his head. “Yeah. We need to find shelter soon. I know where we can stay.”

Another thunderclap. Droplets bombarded against their skin and fur. Though the rain soothed Hesh’s dry skin, Orion’s fur got soaked. The corners of the Absol’s lips tightened into a more noticeable frown.

The two picked up in speed as their feet squished against the damp ground. Up ahead stood a hill held up by steep, rocky walls. A few trees rested on top.

“Oh, no,” groaned Hesh. “We’re not actually going to go up there, are we? See, me and hills... We don’t get along.”

“Get on,” ordered Orion.

“Say wh—whoa! Hey!” Hesh protested as the Absol hoisted him over his back. “What are you—?”

“Just shut up and rest. I got it.”

Hesh remained speechless as the Absol carried him over the hill with ease. The ride was uncomfortable, as the Wartortle rocked side to side. When they reached the top of the hill, they could see a rock formation jutting out. On closer inspection, an entrance.

"Wow. That was lucky," Hesh said.

"Not exactly. I rested here before.” Orion scowled. “By the way, you can get off now."

"Oh! Sorry!"

Hesh climbed off Orion's back. "Um, thanks for that, by the way."

The Absol silently nodded and walked inside the grotto. Hesh followed.

The amount of space inside was short and narrow, as it led to what appeared to be another exit. Nearby, a pile of ashes rested on the remains of a campfire. Off to the side were sticks and logs of various sizes.

When Hesh peeked at the exit at the end, he noticed there was no solid ground further ahead. Instead, the exit sat high above ground, giving a good view of the Condemned Plains.

While Hesh gaped at the sight, Orion shook out the water out of his drenched fur, splashing the Wartortle.

"Rude," Hesh mumbled. "So are we staying here for the night?"

"We'll have to," Orion replied. "This storm will ravage the area and we'd best not get caught up in it. Floods, lightning, a tornado."

"Seriously? How do you know this?"

"I know when a natural disaster is coming. Don't ask how. I don't know."

"You can do that? Wow."

"But seriously, do not walk out. The lightning is ferocious tonight. It will strike the ground."

"O-okay then. Thanks for telling me that."

Orion dropped his satchel, making an audible thud. He snatched pieces of firewood and piled them over the old site of the campfire. Hesh leaned on the rock wall, watching the rain and wind pick up in intensity.

This is going to be a long night.

---

Through the turmoil of roaring gusts, sharp rain and pitch darkness, a single flame crackled inside a grotto. The ground rumbled under the might of thunder. The air was thick with the pungent scent of smoke and ozone.

Hesh rolled a few berries into a piece of bread. He nibbled on his creation, watching the fire dance on the logs. He could see the faint shape of Orion across him, gnawing on some berries. The wilderness outside was so dark that he couldn't even see the grass. Only the occasional flashes of lightning provided brief glimpses that there were, in fact, grasslands around them.

Hesh broke the silence. "So, how long do you think it's going to take us to get to Emerald Valley?"

Orion swallowed the remains of a Sitrus Berry. "Probably another day or two. I've never been there, so I wouldn't know the exact time."

“Hmm. I was hoping it'll be soon."

“You ought to feel lucky that we didn’t need to fight any Shadows today. Otherwise, you'll have far more to complain about than hills.”

“Well, you got me there.” The Wartortle gazed at the fire, taking comfort in its energetic movement and warmth. “So, Orion, are you living here or something? It seems like you were already prepared for a storm like this.”

“We’re far away from civilization. And the wilderness is crawling with Shadows. If you’re going to survive out here, you’ll need a decent shelter to come back to.”

Hesh rubbed his chin. “Good to know that you prepare for these things. But I mean, do you actually live-live here? Like, where did you come from? Daem? Or Lusang? Someplace far away?”

The Absol groaned. “You’re pushing it with these questions.”

“Come on, man. I just want to make conversation. I already told you a bit about myself. Why not talk about yourself for a change?”

Orion growled, “You know, I can just leave you here and you can complete the mission yourself.”

Hesh clasped his hands together and feigned a smile. “Please?”

Orion grumbled, as he tore open another Oran Berry. “You're an annoying kid. I don't know what kind of answers you want. But go ahead. Ask.”

“Okay. Where did you live before?”

“I don’t consider any place my home. But I suppose Daem would be the closest thing, when I was a gladiator.”

“Wait, you were a gladiator?” Hesh went silent for a moment. “Heh. Well, that explains a lot.”

“Explain what?”

“That you’re such a beast on the battlefield! Whenever you fight, it's like you're treating it as your last battle!”

Orion rolled his eyes. “Enough. Next question.”

“Okay, um… how long have you been out here in the wilderness?”

“Not a clue.”

“Really? You don’t remember the number of days at least?”

“I lost count.”

“So, was Vera the last time you’ve been to a town in a long time?”

“Probably.”

Hesh had a disturbing thought. “Are you an Uncivilized?”

Orion stumbled on his response. He opened his mouth to speak, but exhaled. “No. But I can see why you might think so.”

Hesh shook his head. “Come on, Orion, I don’t mean it like that.”

“Civilized, Uncivilized. Whichever I am makes no difference. I'm not welcome anywhere.”

“Why not? Is it because you’re an Absol?”

Orion scowled. “Is rain wet?”

Hesh glowered in concern. “You know, I heard from First Sergeant Tullio that Emerald Valley is a nice place. Maybe you can find a new start there? Find a home, maybe?”

The Absol scoffed at his words. “I doubt it. Look at me. Do I look like neighbor material to you?” He leaned closer toward the fire, where Hesh could see the Absol's facial scars and the dark markings around his eyes. Hesh wondered if they were some kind of tribal markings.

“I mean, you can maybe use a bath. And someone can look at your wounds, and…”

Orion sighed. “No, you damn fool. Like I said, I’m not welcome anywhere. There will always be Pokémon like that Croagunk friend of yours. To them, I’m some kind of harbinger. Someone cursed. Murderer. Phantom. Aberration. Whatever you want to call me."

Hesh tightened his fists. “You mean Geris? That bastard is no friend of mine. I hope the Shadows get him for what he did.”

“Ha. Be careful what you wish for.”

“No, I’m serious! He didn’t care about any of us. He even tried to kill me. I can’t forgive him. I hope the Creator has plans for him.”

Orion chuckled, which startled the Wartortle. It was the closest thing to a smile he had seen from the mercenary. “You’re more vindictive than I take you for.”

“Oh, stop. I’m… I’m… I’m just really tired." Hesh leaned his head downward. "I wish I didn’t have to go through any of this.”

“That's war. And you’re still here. And you have a mission to fulfill.”

“Yeah, but what’s the point? Sooner or later, the Peacekeepers will find out about what happened to Vera. And what happened to everyone in it. I’m… just here…”

“You still have a life ahead of you. Your friends kept you alive so you can still keep moving. Don’t waste it.”

Hesh tried to laugh, but it came across as pitiful. “You’re different from what I expected, Orion. I thought you would put me through hell and leave me somewhere to die. But I guess, in your own way, you do care."

Orion looked away, nibbling on a Rawst Berry. "I'm not sure what makes you think I care. Like I said, this is a job to me."

"I don't know what you went through. And I can see that you're having a hard time. With that said, you still saved my life. A merc saving a nobody like me. If you really didn't care, you would've just left me for dead. If it meant anything, I guess I could call you a friend too."

Orion fell silent.

"You were amazing out there," Hesh continued. "You would be a great asset to the Peacekeepers. I'm just unremarkable."

"Heh. Is that all?"

"I-I mean, what else do you want me to say?"

"You're the one asking the questions here. So, you tell me."

Hesh took a large bite out of a Pecha Berry and chewed hastily. "Okay. You know what I think? You're lonely. You don't have anyone else to rely on."

More silence from the Absol.

"I remember what you told me before," Hesh continued. "How your family and friends deserve to perish. I'm trying to understand where you're coming from."

"There's nothing to understand. I'm a sword-for-hire. My job is to kill. That's always been my job."

"I mean, I have to kill too. But losing my squad mates… felt like I'm losing a piece of myself. Like I lost something important. I guess… that's the best way I could describe it. Have you ever felt that way?"

"Hmm." Orion fell silent once more. Hesh wasn't entirely sure, but the Absol looked concerned for a brief moment.

"You're an orphan, aren't you?"

Orion hesitated to answer back. "Yeah. So?"

"Did you actually get to know your parents? Any family at all?"

"No."

"Huh. You know, I think I sort of understand you now. You're under a lot of pain."

"Ha. What do you know about pain?"

"More than you think. See, my mom passed away when I was little. I actually did remember her a bit. I still have my dad, but he's too busy with the Peacekeepers to bother with me. I don't have siblings, so I only have other kids to rely on. I was actually kinda popular. But still, it can be hard sometimes. I've known my company for a short time, but I consider them my friends too. And now, they're gone."

No response from Orion.

"Sorry. I guess this conversation is getting a bit too personal. I do have my own problems too, but I hope things will work out for you in the end. When I look at you, I feel like you're just barely holding it together. Maybe if you find a place of your own in Emerald Valley, you can really make something out of yourself."

Orion emitted a deep chuckle. "You talk too much, kid. Sorry to kill your fantasies, but I'm fine out here. Like I said, I don't need anyone's company. And I don't need a rookie soldier to tell me how I should live my life."

"Do you actually enjoy being out here? I can't imagine how."

The Absol sneered at him. "Yes. I do, actually. The sooner I stop hearing somebody's yammering, the better."

"Oh."

The two resumed their meals. The howling of the wind and the pounding of thunder accompanied the awkward silence between the two Pokémon. A dark funnel stretched towards the ground outside, just as Orion predicted. Hesh felt cold with sweat.

Hesh couldn't think of more questions. If he were to anger his partner, then Orion could actually leave him behind. The idea of being out alone in the wilderness, surrounded by Shadows, was terrifying to the Wartortle.

But to the Absol, it was routine. Away from civilized territory and no one to accompany him, Orion felt at home. Even in nature’s tyrannical grasp.

Some time passed. Hesh nervously watched the Condemned Plains submerge in rain water as an eerie tornado skimmed abroad. He noticed that Orion had already fallen unconscious, snoring next to his pile of unfinished berries as his legs twitched. Hesh wondered what kinds of dreams the Absol could possibly have.

Perhaps of more battles. From what little he knew about Orion, he could only surmise that the Absol had a certain bloodlust. A gladiator turned wandering mercenary, with an apparent hatred of everyone around him. And a special prejudice against Shadow Pokémon.

Even as Hesh attempted to reach out to him, the Absol showed little interest in companionship. Hesh wondered if Orion truly felt the pain of loss before. Why would Orion put his own life at risk, after being paid, for a burdensome Wartortle such as himself?

“Ugh, I don’t understand,” Hesh muttered to himself. He leaned his head down to his legs. Though he was safe for now, Hesh felt that this was only temporary. Orion could easily leave him behind if he wanted to.

The Wartortle shut his eyes, attempting to mute the dark world around him. Instead, he remembered what happened to Captain Berg, Corporal Javil, Corporal Julia and First Sergeant Tullio. They were alive only yesterday. And in a short time, death took them.

Though Hesh kept his eyes shut, they still flooded with tears. He ducked his head into his shell, in an attempt to suppress his sobs. If Orion had heard them, he would probably view the Wartortle as some pathetic and weak creature.

A bolt of lightning danced across the sky and struck the ground. Hesh then heard an unusual rumbling sound. It didn’t sound like thunder. When Hesh glanced at the Condemned Plains again, he witnessed a dark mass writhing across the murky grasslands.

“No way,” the Wartortle muttered.

Shadows. Hundreds of them. No, possibly thousands. Hesh couldn’t keep count. He heard their footsteps rushing through the rainwater on the ground and their corybantic outcries. He saw their contorted shapes and glowing red eyes advancing closer. This must have been the stampede that Orion warned about.

Hesh glanced over at the slumbering Absol. Even if the Wartortle were to wake him up, there was no way the two of them could take on an entire horde alone. Hesh retracted his limbs and head into his shell, then shut his eyes. As hard as he tried to ignore it all, the disharmony of ungodly noises haunted him.

---

Hesh’s eyes peeled open. The interior of the grotto was filled with a subtle but warm light. The Wartortle sat up, rubbing his forehead vigorously. Though his night was dreamless, he felt like he had just woken up from a nightmare. His whole body felt lethargic.

Hesh glanced over at the Condemned Plains. The rain had stopped and gargantuan clouds eclipsed the sky. Thousands of small puddles littered the yellow grasslands, making them resemble a marsh. There wasn’t any sign of life remaining. The Wartortle wondered if those Shadows he saw last night were even real.

Hesh stretched out his arms and yawned. “Good morning, Orion.”

No response.

Hesh checked where the Absol rested, noticing the pile of berries was no longer sitting there. He was gone!

“Orion? Hey, Orion!” Hesh called.

The Wartortle forced himself on his feet. Orion was nowhere to be seen inside the grotto. Gods, please don’t tell me he actually left me here! Hesh rushed out to the entrance of the cave. He looked around the trees, calling for the Absol.

“Orion! If you can hear me, please shout back!”

More silence.

All of a sudden, Hesh felt weak and collapsed on his knees. His heart hadn’t pounded this intensely since that night. “Please… don’t leave me alone…”

The Wartortle was on the verge of tears once again. “Please! Answer me!”

A sharp pain struck him at the top of his head. “Ow! What the hell?” A pebble tumbled on the ground.

“Will you shut up? You’re going to attract the Shadows if you keep yelling like that.”

Hesh looked up, noticing Orion standing on top of the grotto’s exterior. The Wartortle emitted a somewhat unhinged laugh. “You’re still here. Thank the Creator, you’re still here! I thought you left me behind.”

The Absol scowled. “Why would I do that? I still have a job to do.”

“Sorry, I’m just… really stressed. You see, there was a stampede last night and I thought the worst had happened, and... “ Hesh paused, unable to think of what else to say. “Um, anyways, what are you doing up there?”

“Having a meal.”

“Oh. Um, why are you up there then?” Hesh noticed some odd red stains and what appeared to be white tufts around Orion’s mouth.

“You don’t want to know.”

“You’re not holding out on me, are you?”

“No. It’s not for you anyway.”

“Come on, I wanna see what you got there.”

Orion groaned. “You better not scream then.” The Absol disappeared for a second, then dropped a strange object at the entrance of the grotto. Hesh stumbled back with his mouth agape. He wanted to scream, but suppressed the urge to do so.

He recognized the dark feathers. It was the fresh corpse of what was once a Starly, with bloody bite marks on its back. Hesh felt a hot sensation erupting from the back of his throat and vomited.

Hesh gawked at the Absol. “O-orion, w-what did you do?”

“I did nothing," the Absol said with a cold gaze. "That was already dead this morning.”

“But… why? You told me you were Civilized! How could you eat a fellow Pokémon!?”

Orion shook his head and growled. “Why do you think I didn’t want you to see? Now, quiet down, idiot.” The Absol leapt from his perch and landed on the ground next to the corpse. “Our food supply is dwindling. It’ll last us just a day, and we need to save some if we get involved in battles.”

Hesh leered at him. “D-don’t make excuses. It’s not right.”

“Hey! This was what nature originally intended. Don’t talk to me about what’s right. Do you want to die out here?”

“N-no.”

“Then drop this line of discussion. We have to do what it takes to survive. Most of the food supply is for you anyway.”

Hesh fell silent for a moment. His whole body felt paralyzed and he couldn’t stop shaking. His teeth rattled. The Absol had committed a sin against a fellow Pokémon. And he felt no shame about it.

“D-do you…” Hesh hesitated to ask his question. “Do you… actually enjoy that?”

Orion shook his head. “No. It’s gamy, but edible. It’ll be enough to carry me throughout the day. Until we can find more berry trees to forage, that’ll be my meal for the day.”

“Have you done this before?”

“Yeah. You won’t find many sources of actual food out here.”

“I’m… I-I’m n-n-not your emergency supply, am I?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, I don’t like reptilian meat.”

“Well, that’s reassuring!” Hesh’s words carried a baneful tone.

“Listen, I’m doing both of us a favor. If I can get a meal without using up our food supply, then we’ll live longer. Trying to find food when you’re in Shadow territory is a miserable experience.” Orion looked down at the Starly corpse. “Besides, if the Shadows get this poor creature first…”

“What?”

"It'll come back to life as a Shadow."

Hesh felt ice in his veins. “What the hell? You’re kidding me! Is that where they’re coming from?”

“Well, that’s one way.”

One way? “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Orion sighed. “I’m not asking you to eat this stuff. And I won’t force you to. I did this out of necessity, not because I enjoyed it.” His expression soured. “Strange. To think our ancestors once savored meat.”

Hesh sat still for a moment. Orion seemed like he was telling the truth, but the Absol could be hiding other things. “Orion, when we get to Emerald Valley… you’re not going to hunt, are you?”

“I already know how this works, kid," the Absol curtly responded. "If word gets out about this, the Peacekeepers would have me executed. I know.”

“But don’t you get cravings or something?”

“No. Like I said, it’s edible.” The Absol spat out a bloodied feather. “As soon as I finish, I’m going to wash this aftertaste down with an Aspear Berry and some water. It doesn’t taste good. Unless you’ve lived out here long enough, you won’t be able to stomach this.”

“Right.”

“If you want to see this mission to the end, don’t tell anyone what you just saw.”

Orion took the corpse away and disappeared into the trees. Hesh sat on the ground, still processing what he just witnessed.

He has a point about us surviving out here. But I can’t trust him. He might be leading me to my demise. Should I just do this by myself? How far away could Emerald Valley be?

The Wartortle wiped his face and clawed at the ground for some time, unable to decide on what he should do.

I won’t make it, though. He’s my only shot at this. Damn it all! Why do I have to accompany him of all people!?

---

A deadly silence persisted between the two travelers, the only sounds being their feet sloshing against the muddy grass and the ghostly howling of the wind. Hesh continued to rub his forehead, leering at Orion. The Absol was looking forward, paying the Wartortle no heed.

Hesh looked down at the uneven ground, trying not to trip over the freshly made ridges and holes. Pokémon tracks of various shapes and sizes were imprinted into the mud, crossing into one another. To the Wartortle, this sight looked like a sign of him walking towards his own death.

As he mulled over his angry thoughts, Hesh felt his foot caught on something. He lurched forward and his face smacked against the watery mud.

"Damn it! What now?" The Wartortle wiped the mud from his face. A dark green object rested in a deep puddle behind him. It had a distinct crescent shape, sort of like the moon.

"What in the world is that?" asked Hesh.

Orion walked over to inspect the object. The interior held a sickly green sludge. As soon as the Absol caught a whiff of its decay, he flinched. "A Metapod. At least, it used to be. Someone plucked the poor thing out of its shell. Or rather, ripped it apart."

Hesh pressed his face against his hands. "Gods… why…"

Orion goaded him. "We'll have to keep going."

"I can't take this… No more… no more…"

"I said let's go." The Absol approached the Wartortle and nudged him.

"Get away from me!"

Orion stood still as Hesh trembled. The Absol closed his eyes, seemingly resigned.

"I'm sorry," said Hesh. "I need a minute."

The Wartortle sat in the water, covering his face. He didn't know how much time had passed, but he and Orion didn't say another word. Despite that, Hesh could still feel Orion's presence nearby. The Absol stared in one direction, with a morose expression.

A faint voice cried out.

Hesh lifted his head. "W-what was that?"

"We're not alone," Orion replied. "That's enough break time. We're burning daylight." The Absol rushed off to the direction of the voice.

Break time? Hesh thought. He thought that was a break? Ha ha. You condescending bastard.

"Over here, kid!" Orion called out.

Hesh gave a defiant look and meandered through the grass. As he neared Orion, he saw a white round body lying in the water. It was a Mankey wearing a green Peacekeeper ribbon.

“Wait a minute,” Hesh said. “I saw you at Vera!”

The Mankey huffed in an abnormal manner. Deep claw and teeth marks burrowed into his skin and fur. A dark mist seeped from the open wounds. “Y-you... “ The creature coughed. “Y-you have… to get out of here… m-more Shadows ahead… G-get away… from this t-terrible place...”

Hesh grabbed the Mankey’s hand. “Come with us. We’re going to Emerald Valley. Are there more survivors out here?”

The Mankey nodded. “D-don’t worry about me. S-save… the others…”

“I’m not leaving you behind. Come on, let’s get you back on your feet.”

Hesh saw Orion shaking his head, to which the Wartortle responded with a frown. Then he felt the Mankey tugging at his arm, before crushing his hand.

“Ow! Hey! What are you doing!?” Hesh cried out, trying to pull away.

The Mankey responded with a deep cackle. “Yes… writhe in pain… suffer… die...”

“O-orion? Orion!”

The Absol moved in. “Look away, kid.”

Hesh obeyed and closed his eyes. He heard the Mankey cry out in pain as what sounded like a blade cutting flesh repeatedly. The Wartortle recoiled as he felt drops of warm liquid splash on his face. The Mankey’s grip loosened, and Hesh moved away.

When Hesh opened his eyes, he saw Orion standing over a burning corpse. The Mankey moved no more, as a black fiery aura devoured it. Splatters of blood stained Orion's white fur. The sight made the Wartortle hyperventilate.

“Orion, we could’ve saved him!”

The Absol shook his head. “And pray tell, how exactly will you do that?”

“W-well, um…”

“Once the transformation’s started, there’s no going back. And the one who did this to him is long gone. There’s no hope in saving him.”

Hesh fell silent. He remembered what First Sergeant Tullio had once described to him about a Shadow's transformation. The Mankey did have open wounds emitting black mist.

“If you wanted to bring a Shadow with us,” Orion continued, “that’s on you. But we’ll have to kill it anyway. There’s no other way.”

“I-I…” Hesh wept. “I can’t do this. I just can’t.”

Orion marched on over. “Quit your crying! I’m not going to wait for you again!”

Hesh sniffled.

Orion hovered close to the Wartortle’s face. “That Simisage was counting on you to get your assignment done! Captain Berg too! The whole company! You’re going to let them die in vain?”

“If you care that much, go on without me…”

The Absol snarled. “You’re getting on my damn nerves. Get over here!”

Orion hoisted the Wartortle on his back. Hesh didn’t resist. He didn’t move at all.

“Stay and don’t move,” Orion ordered. “You’re going to Emerald Valley. I don’t care how sad you get.”

Hesh yielded to his will. He had no energy to fight back.

Orion quickened his pace, almost as if trying to make up for lost time. Hesh remained still as he glanced at the grass. Some of the puddles were stained with blood, and disfigured corpses littered the area. Some of the corpses wore colored ribbons with the Peacekeeper insignia inscribed on them.

Hesh clutched his arms and kept his eyes shut. He had seen enough.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 7 - Shadow Tempest

Content Warning: strong language, suggestive themes, blood, torture, mutilation, death, intense argument, suicidal thoughts​

A long period of silence had passed. Hesh continued resting on Orion’s back, with his eyes shut and head partially tucked into his shell. Orion managed to find himself in a more stable area, as the earth beneath him was sturdier and colder. The Absol’s breaths materialized as small vapor clouds.

The sky resembled featureless smoke, gray as ashes and flat as a road. Orion focused, attempting to tap into his innate ability to sense an incoming storm. Nothing. While the Absol felt no incoming danger, he knew something was off. Having come from a warmer area, the cold weather here felt unnatural. He tilted his head upward, expecting raindrops to appear anytime. Instead, white specks glided.

Orion felt his companion shiver on his back. “What’s going on? Why is it so cold?” Hesh peeked out from his shell. His jaw dropped as he saw snow-covered trees out in the distance. As if entering another world, the grasslands transitioned into a field of white. “Orion, w-what’s going on? Where are we?”

“North.”

Hesh paused, unable to contain his confusion. “Okay, but it’s summer! How is it snowing!?”

“Look at the sky.”

Hesh saw the edge of a forest up ahead. A gargantuan mass of thick black and red clouds hovered over the trees.

"Okay," Hesh responded. "What exactly am I looking at?"

“A Shadow Tempest, meaning the Shadows made their domain here. Those clouds can drastically alter the weather." Though Orion tried to maintain his stoic expression, something about the Tempest was clearly troubling him.

"Great. A frozen grave.” The Wartortle threw his hands up in the air. “Just what I always wanted! Gods, we’ll never make it to Emerald Valley..."

"Look, I intend to get this job done. We’ll pass through quietly and I’ll drop you off at the city. I’ll do something about the Tempest later.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that? What can you do?”

“A Tempest can happen if an Ascended Shadow decides to remain here.”

“Ascended Shadow?”

“Yeah. Remember the Shadow Rhydon and the Shadow Nidoking? The ones with the red eyes and darkened skin? Those were Ascended Shadows. As long as an Ascended Shadow is around, a Tempest can form. Kill it, and the Tempest goes away.”

"Uh-huh."

"But we're not doing that right now. In fact, we're steering clear away from the Ascended Shadow." Orion glanced at Hesh over his shoulder, somehow looking more critical than before. "Do you understand, kid? Do not wander off. Or you will regret it."

The Wartortle nodded innocently. He wasn't sure if the warning was to keep him from some other danger. Or from the Absol's own ire. Whatever it was, something was making Orion more agitated by the second.

Hesh dismounted Orion, groaning at the sight of the forest. It had an unsettling aura to it; every inch of it was covered in frost. The smoky clouds above stirred like a demonic vortex.

“Do we really have to go there?” asked Hesh.

Orion replied with a question of his own, “Do you want to circle the whole area and take another couple of days with no guarantee we won’t run into Shadows? And run out of food and water?"

The Wartortle sighed. “Not really. But I don’t want to see that Nidoking again either. Or anything like it.”

“Then yes. We have to pass through.”

“And I was looking forward to the grand flower fields sarge mentioned…”

A series of dark figures zipping through the trees. From the depths of the forest, they could hear bloodthirsty shrieks.

Hesh glanced at Orion. “Please tell me you at least have a blanket or something in that satchel.”

“Nope. That’s our food supply and medicine. Also, my money.”

“Gods.” Hesh eyed the Absol enviously. “Why can’t I have a thick layer of fur at least?”

Orion grumbled and opened his satchel. He pulled out a thick scarf as pink as a Pecha Berry, then threw it at the Wartortle.

Hesh caught it and stared at it for a moment, then spoke in an unusually deadpan manner. “Wow. It even has polka dots. Now I can look like a dork before I die."

“It’s a Pecha Scarf. It’ll keep you from getting poisoned. Also, it’s the only thing I have that might keep you warm.”

“Might.”

Orion's eyes narrowed. "Just stop complaining, kid, and get moving. The longer we stay here, the higher risk we'll be in."

Orion heard Hesh mumble some curses and something like, "Don't you think I already know that?" The Wartortle didn't even turn to face him, as he wrapped the Pecha Scarf around his neck.

The two proceeded to the edge of the forest, where a thick mist cascaded through the trees. An arctic wind brushed against them. Orion remained impassive while Hesh tucked his arms into his shell. The Wartortle felt his nerves tingle as he stepped into the snow with his bare feet. The snow crunched beneath his toes. He wasn’t used to this kind of intense cold, not even when he swam in the seawater around Lusang.

Orion approached one of the trees. He balanced himself on his hind legs and began scratching the tree with his hefty claws, peeling off the bark.

“What are you doing?” asked Hesh.

“Marking a trail. If we get spotted, we might have to make a run for it. But we need to make sure we’re still going the right way. It’s going to be harder to find where north is when the sun is blocked out.”

“Do you even know where north is?”

“We’re facing it now. If you're looking at my markers, then you’re facing north. That’s all there is to it.”

Hesh exhaled, clinging to his forehead. Out at the corner of his eye, he saw a dark figure moving away. “L-let’s just g-get this over with.”

Orion pulled ahead of the Wartortle, listening for sounds deep within the woods. An icy draft whistled as drops of snow came in larger numbers. During those silent moments, Orion would claw at another tree, removing the dark husk and revealing the lighter timber inside. The Absol sniffed the cold air and tilted his head towards multiple directions. The sea of trees stretched for what seemed to be without end. No road in sight and plenty of fresh footprints of varying sizes imprinted into the snow.

Hesh felt his teeth clatter together. His Pecha Scarf and the interior of his shell could only provide so much warmth. His legs and feet felt numb from the snow.

“O-orion, l-let’s g-go… b-back… c-c-can’t stand it here!”

“Didn’t you hear me earlier? We’ll run out of supplies.”

“I know, b-but I c-can’t f-f-feel my f-feet!”

“You’ve only been out here for a few minutes. You can tough it out for a while longer.”

“Easy f-for you to s-say.” You furball.

Orion came to a stop. “Look. I don’t know how much further we have, but I can probably find out. Look at those trees.” Using his horn, he pointed at a group of uncommonly tall trees.

“Uh-huh. And w-what about t-them?”

“If I can climb them, I can get a better view of the path ahead. I might be able to spot Shadows too. Maybe even a place to stop and rest.”

“O-okay.”

“Alright. Remember what I said before. If I say run, run. If I say fight, fight. You’re going to stay here and keep yourself hidden.”

“W-wait, you’re not actually leaving me here, are you?”

Orion frowned. “No! Didn’t you hear what I said before?”

“Y-you have a j-job to do…”

“Okay. I’ll be watching where you’re staying too. And try not to make too much noise.”

Hesh fell silent, subduing his desire to tell the Absol to shut up.

Orion walked off. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Hesh sat down, retracting his feet into his shell, and watched Orion sprint towards one of the trees. The Absol stepped on the base of the trunk a few times before digging his claws in. Much to the Wartortle’s awe, Orion managed to pull himself upward and began to scale the tree in a smooth motion.

“You really do s-scare me s-sometimes,” Hesh muttered, knowing Orion’s not within reach to hear him.

The falling snow picked up in frequency and Hesh struggled to count each snowflake. He watched Orion vanishing into the misty treetops. The Wartortle couldn’t help but feel envious. To be able to cut down his opponents, move with exceptional agility, stave off the cold, and climb to the top of a tree like it was nothing. Orion possessed all of those qualities. And yet, he was not a Peacekeeper. He refused to be one.

“What am I still doing here?” Hesh asked himself.

Close by, a group of bushes rattled, shaking off the snow. Hesh sat still, staring off in the general direction of the bushes. He suppressed the instinct to call for help, remembering what Orion said about making noise. The bushes shook again. Though Hesh felt like his whole body was freezing, he still perspired.

Come on, Orion. Please get back. There’s something here.

A small creature poked its head out. Hesh couldn’t discern what it was through the frigid haze.

Get the hell over here, Orion! I’m gonna scream!

Hesh got back up on his feet as the creature inched closer. The Wartortle could distinguish its long ovoid ears, furry collar and bushy tail. He felt like he had seen this kind of Pokémon before.

Hesh sighed. “Aw, d-don’t scare me like that.”

It was a little Eevee. No unusual aura or anything. The creature stared at Hesh for a while and took a few steps forward, sniffing the air.

“H-hey. How’s it going?” asked Hesh.

The Eevee didn’t respond. It approached Hesh until it was at his arm’s length.

“I’m Hesh. I’m a P-Peacekeeper. Nice to meet you.” He held his hand out.

The Eevee sniffed his hand for a moment, with a contemplative expression. In an instant, it chomped down.

“Ow!” Hesh retracted his hand. “What’d you do that for?”

The Wartortle felt a sudden jolt as the Eevee tackled him, knocking him over on his back. The Eevee stood on his belly and began to gnaw at his neck, ignoring the Pecha Scarf. Hesh reacted by pressing his hands against its face, attempting to release its grip on him.

“W-what do you think you’re doing!? That actually hurts!”

With its fangs still burrowed into the Wartortle’s skin, the Eevee spoke in a childlike voice. “Shut up, food! Just die already!”

“W-wha? Ow!”

As Hesh continued to press his hands on the Eevee’s face, he could see a larger figure approach them from the fog.

“Enough of this,” a familiar male voice spoke. The creature slapped the Eevee away with his broad paw. The Eevee shrieked as it tumbled into the snow.

“Orion!” Hesh called out. “Finally…”

At the corner of his eye, he saw the Eevee fleeing back into the depths of the forest.

“S-should we go after it?” asked Hesh.

Orion gave him an annoyed look. “And do what? Keep it as a pet?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Orion sighed. “No, we’re not going after it. That was an Uncivilized Pokémon. That Eevee saw you as potential prey.”

“Whoa, hold on!” Hesh pressed one of his hands on the bite marks. “This Wartortle is not on the menu! No way!”

“By the way, your neck is bleeding. Cover it.”

Hesh tapped his neck again and found his hand smeared with his own blood. “You gotta be kidding me…” The Wartortle untied his Pecha Scarf and wrapped it around his neck once more. This time, he made sure the scarf was tightened around the bite marks.

“Anyways, we still got some distance to cover,” said Orion. “This forest goes on for a while, so you better pick up the pace. I saw some Shadows further east. Steer clear of that area. I also saw a few figures patrolling the forest. We'll have to be careful from here on out."

"Yeah," said Hesh, rubbing his neck. "Understood."

"And next time, if something attacks you like that, kill it."

"W-what? But that Eevee was just a small child!"

Orion glared at him. “I don’t care. The Uncivilized are not your friends. If that Eevee had the chance, it would’ve killed you right here. And if it were a Shadow, that would be much worse. You're lucky the Eevee wasn't a Shadow.”

As Hesh was about to rebut, he saw the Eevee’s head peeking out from a nearby bush, giving him a death glare unlike which he had never seen.

“Umm, I think you made your point,” Hesh said. “Let’s just go.”

Orion kept ahead, leaving behind more trail markers and occasionally investigating other sections of the forest. The Absol was more restless than ever, as he would sometimes raise his horn in a threatening pose.

Hesh rubbed his neck, still feeling the sting of the Eevee’s bite. The pain was somehow enough to distract him from the cold for some time, as he tried to drag his feet through the snow. His toes had never felt this numb before. While his large ears and wavy tail were covered in a smooth layer of fur, it was not enough to keep the rest of his body warm.

“O-orion,” Hesh said in a weak voice. “I-I’m at my l-limit.”

The Absol shot an annoyed glance and sighed. “Alright. We’ll take a break.” He approached a barren area and began to dig, shoveling out the snow. “But we can’t stick around for long. We’re in enemy territory.”

“T-thanks.”

---

A few minutes passed as Orion piled on pieces of dry wood onto the barren ground. He opened his satchel and reached out for a piece of steel bent into a loop. He held it in place next to the pile with his paw, then struck at the steel with his horn. A spark erupted. Minuscule flames were born.

Hesh crawled to the small campfire and held out his hands and feet. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you…”

“This is only going to last us for a short time. I’ll look for more firewood. But it’s only a matter of time before the smoke will give our position away.”

Hesh slid closer to the fire. “A few minutes of warmth is all I need.”

“Alright then. Stay here. And remember… kill potential threats. Doesn't matter who or what it is. Don’t do what you did just a while ago. If it's something you can't handle, find my footsteps in the snow and get me.” Orion galloped away, leaving the Wartortle alone once more.

Hesh tried to ignore the Absol’s cruel words. Even when concerning his own safety, Hesh wouldn’t want to consider the possibility that he would have to take the life of a child. Even if the child was a wild Pokémon, who never knew the comforts and conveniences of a Civilized Pokémon town. Maybe if that Eevee was a Shadow, he might consider differently.

The Wartortle felt his skin prickle and muscles tighten as he drew more heat from the campfire. He sneezed profusely, disturbing the flames a few times. He didn’t know how long he and Orion had been out in the cold. When he glanced at the further boundaries of the forest, he saw dark motionless figures, seemingly frozen in place. He didn’t want to imagine what they were supposed to be. Or if they were even alive.

Hesh knew one thing was for certain: he was not prepared for anything that happened in the past week. Though he had expected to fight off Shadow Pokémon, he couldn’t imagine what kind of powers they possessed. The numbers they hoarded. The mayhem they delivered. The lives they took.

To think a snowy climate like this could exist in the middle of summer. All it took was a powerful Shadow to disrupt the forces of nature to this extent. Though Hesh had known his father could summon rain on a whim, the rain would still only last for a short time. Not even a powerful Blastoise such as him could prolong a shower as long as this snowstorm.

Hesh considered other possibilities of what else Shadows could do. To break the earth apart. To tear open the sky. To rain fire from above. To tear you apart from the inside. To read your mind and expose the secrets within. He felt his insides squirm as he wondered what the true extent of their power could be.

When he pivoted his head, hoping to see Orion returning, Hesh caught an odd sight. Not too far away, he saw a glowing orange figure patrolling the area, creeping around with its two legs.

"Damn, not again." Hesh placed his hands on the ground, ready to force himself back on his feet.

The orange figure came to a stop. It seemed to have noticed Hesh, as it sprinted towards him!

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

In a vain attempt to erase his trail, Hesh spewed out water to extinguish the campfire. Without a second thought, Hesh bolted for the nearest possible hiding spot. Just as he was ready to hide behind a bush, his foot caught on something. Hesh tumbled forward and fell into the snow. He heard footsteps crunching behind him.

"Please!" Hesh shouted, placing his hands behind his head, refusing to look at his pursuer. "Just take whatever! I just want out of this frigid hellhole!"

"Hey! I remember you!" a mature female voice spoke.

Hesh turned around to see a tall reptilian figure looming over him. She had a slim black body. The flame-like patterns on her chest and belly glowed an eerie orange like a flickering flame (Hesh remembered the patterns being pink). Around her neck, a green ribbon. He remembered seeing her at Vera.

"Aren't you… Private First Class Lexi?" Hesh asked.

"At your service!" The Salazzle bowed with enthusiasm. "Weren't you in Berg's company too?"

"Y-yes! I was! I’m Private Hesh!"

"Oh, it's a miracle! I never thought I would find another survivor!" She whipped her tail affectionately.

"S-same here!" Hesh restrained his excitement. "Wait, so does that mean no one else made it?"

Lexi shook her head with a morose expression. "I'm afraid not. I think I'm the only one who made it this far. It's so lonely here."

"Oh…"

The Salazzle whipped her long tail, tapping the Wartortle on his shoulder. "Come on. Don't be sad. We found each other, right?"

Hesh's face flushed and felt the rest of his body tingle. "W-well, I guess so, but…"

"Say, I bet you're very cold. How about I warm you up, sweetie?"

“W-well, I…” The Wartortle choked up.

Lexi walked over to the ashes of the campfire. “Oh, it’s all damp now. I don’t know if I can light this.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry about that. I thought you were a Shadow just a moment ago, so I put it out. No offense.”

Lexi gave a mischievous giggle. “None taken. I know I can be a bit imposing. Actually, I have a better idea. My body is like an oven. Just sit close to me for a bit.”

“W-what!? U-um, well…”

The Salazzle gave an impish grin. “It’s okay. You don’t have to be shy. It’s all for your survival after all.”

“S-sure. If you insist.”

Hesh nervously shifted over next to the Salazzle. What she said was true. An intense heat emanated from her body. Hesh hadn’t felt this toasty since yesterday. “T-thank you. I really mean it.”

She beamed. “Anytime!”

Hesh sighed, feeling like the weight on his shoulders had gotten much lighter. And for once, his companion wasn’t an unpleasant, shady mercenary. The Wartortle unpacked his emotions all at once. “You know, all this time, I thought everyone had died. Everyone from my squad is gone. Captain Berg died to that Shadow Nidoking. First Sergeant Tullio is gone too. Then I’m seeing more Shadows. Thousands of them!” Hesh trembled, unable to hold back his tears. “And b-bodies. Bodies everywhere! Was it always like this for the Peacekeepers?”

Lexi shushed him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m afraid so. It’s always been rough for us frontline fighters. My squad is gone too. Until recently, I was ready to give up. But…” Her grin widened. “I think I found a way to keep my life going.” She patted Hesh’s shoulder.

“A-and what would that be?” Hesh’s tears couldn’t hide his visible blush.

“Hmm-hmm, I think I’ll tell you in a little bit. A lady’s secret. But for now, I just want you to relax.”

Hesh sensed his companion’s body heat intensifying. It almost felt like sitting next to a roaring fireplace. On top of that, an odd scent hung in the air. Something very sweet. And it grew more pungent with each passing second. Hesh didn’t know if the scent came from Lexi or from something else, but he liked it. His muscles relaxed and he felt like napping.

He glanced at Lexi’s warm smile. Something about her made his chest pound. Impulsively, he moved closer to Lexi, resisting the urge to make physical contact.

“So, are you looking for the exit too?” asked Lexi.

Hesh gave a sluggish response. “Y… Y… Yeah…” His body felt like it was shutting down.

“Why not come with me then? We can go look for the exit together.”

“W-well…” Hesh yawned. “There’s someone else out here too.”

Lexi’s grin widened. “Who? That creepy Absol friend of yours?”

“Y-yeah… huh.” Hesh’s dopey expression changed to a more serious one. “Wait. Have you actually met him?”

“Oh, in a manner of speaking. Do you know what he’s planning to do?”

“H-huh?”

“He intends to let you freeze to death out here, so he can have a little Wartortle feast.”

Hesh paused, unsure of how to react. Then he shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t do that. He’s not that kind of Pokémon. If he was, he could’ve killed me anytime.”

Lexi gave a disapproving glare. “Oh, please. You think that Absol actually cares for you? He didn’t hesitate to slaughter a whole village a couple of weeks ago.”

“W-what?”

“Oh yes, it happened. This so-called mercenary is actually a wandering outlaw. He murdered the people in that town in cold blood. Have you noticed that he never mentioned being from an accredited mercenary troupe? Have you never thought about why he’s by himself? He’s fleeing from the law. But he won’t tell you that.”

Hesh fiddled with his claws, unable to come up with a response. His body trembled. Something in his gut was telling him that he should go.

“Would you rather go with someone who will treat you nicely?” asked Lexi. “Stay with me. I’ll take care of you.”

Hesh forced himself up his feet, backing away from the Salazzle. “W-why are you telling me all this? How can you know anything about him? What are you trying to pull?”

Before he could move away, Lexi lunged forward and clamped her jaws down on his arm. Hesh screamed as he felt a scorching pain. The Salazzle released him as Hesh clutched his bleeding arm. A black mist seeped out from his wound.

“W-what… what have you done to me!?” Hesh said, struggling to move across the snow.

Lexi gave a menacing smirk. “Hmm-hmm. Consider that a love bite from me.”

“Damn it! That hurts!” Hesh winced. A look of horror spread across his face when he noticed the black mist on his wound was intensifying. “No…”

The Salazzle cackled wildly, unable to contain her glee. A black aura began to emanate from her body. “You still have a lot to learn, it seems. You’re so easy to push around. But that’s okay. That’s how I like my men anyway.” She stuck out her tongue seductively. “It’ll only hurt for a short time, sweetie. And once you join up with us, then we can play. How’s that sound?”

The Wartortle huffed in pain. “N-no way…” A burning pain spread across his whole body. Hesh knelt over, unable to move. His open wound was turning black.

“Oh, I’m not giving you a choice.” She shook her head, giggling. “You’re mine now.”

Hesh felt a rush of adrenaline. He whipped his limbs about, trying in vain to make the pain go away. His chest pounded wildly. Like a rushing flame, his anger escalated. “D… Damn you…” He gave a hateful glare at the Salazzle, who stood there laughing.

As Hesh tried to stand up, he saw a white figure charging towards them. Lexi turned around and leapt back as the creature swung its horn at her. The attack missed. The Salazzle wrapped her long fingers around the Wartortle’s head.

“Nice try,” Lexi said, sticking her tongue out. “It’s already too late for your friend. What will you do now, Absol? Are you going to kill him like the others? Or will you let him run wild with me?”

Orion bared his fangs. “Don’t make me laugh. You already know how this is going to end.”

“I see.” The Salazzle closed her grip on the Wartortle’s head and unleashed an intense heat, causing him even more pain. “What about now?”

The Absol snarled at her, pointing the tip of his horn at her.

Hesh glanced at Lexi, still groaning in pain. Without a second thought, he spat water at her face. The Salazzle released her grip and cried out in pain. Steam emitted from her face. Hesh crawled away on the snow, attempting to widen the distance.

“You little shit!” shouted Lexi. “I’m going to burn your skin off real g—” The Salazzle stopped short, as Orion tackled her. The force sent her flying, causing her to tumble into the snow. When she got back on her feet, she snarled at the Absol. The flame-like patterns on her torso glowed brighter than before and the black aura around her grew in size. The Salazzle’s eyes glowed a bright red. “How dare you make a fool out of me!”

Lexi stuck her tongue out, which set aflame and stretched out towards the Absol from a long distance. Orion stepped aside, as the Fire Lash missed its mark. The Salazzle swung her whip-like tongue again in an erratic motion, hoping to strike her target. The Absol kept his distance, waiting for the opportunity for her to drop her guard.

Hesh kept his head down in the snow, trying to avoid the attacks. The world began to turn a deep red and warp around him. Violent spasms traveled through his body. A black flame began to devour him. He could hear agonized screams in the distance. The screams of his fallen company. The Wartortle sobbed, trying to ignore their cries.

Somebody... please help me... this is too much...

Orion kept his eyes locked on the Salazzle, encircling her. He dodged another Fire Lash. “Was that the result of your training with the Peacekeepers? Pathetic.”

Instead of rebutting him, Lexi furiously howled like a wild beast and spewed a dark puddle of acid in his direction.

Orion quickened his pace, sidestepping to avoid the attack and ejecting a Shadow Ball from his maw.

Lexi stepped aside as the Shadow Ball narrowly missed her. "You're one to talk!"

The dark puddle next to Orion hissed as it caused the snow below it to melt. Orion stared down at his opponent, taunting her once more. “Are you actually going to hit me? Or are you just so afraid to die that it’s making you vomit?”

“SHUT UP!” Lexi dashed forward, mouth agape, and launched a series of flaming bullets. Much to her shock, the Absol charged through, taking the attack head on.

Orion swung his horn at the Salazzle’s belly, leaving behind a broad laceration.

Lexi cried out in pain and backed away, clutching her stomach. A black smoky substance trickled out from her wound. “Argh! Y-you bastard! How could you do that to a beautiful lady!?”

“Beautiful lady? All I see is a hideous Shadow.”

Lexi shrieked in utter fury. With her mouth open, she darted forward with the intent of biting the Absol.

Orion waited. When the Salazzle reached him and slammed her jaws shut, Orion stepped aside and smacked her across the face with his paw. Lexi tumbled into the ground, crying out in pain.

“Y-you wretched Absol…” Lexi tried to force herself up. “I will… k-kill…”

Lexi came to a stop as she felt something sharp pass through her stomach. A confused look ran across her face as her pained tears spilled. Orion had impaled the Salazzle with his horn, with its pointed end coming out from her back. The Absol pulled his horn back.

Lexi collapsed on her knees, covering the hole in her stomach. A black liquid leaked out, making a small hissing sound as it burned the Salazzle's skin like acid. Her hands shook. “N-no…” She watched as the black aura overwhelmed her body, slowly turning her hands into ashes. “I… I can’t go… N-not like this…” The Salazzle wept as the rest of her body lit up in flames, eating her away. What was left of her figure whimpered. The remaining ashen mass collapsed on the snow. A singed green ribbon sat in the pile, slowly burning away.

At the corner of his eye, Orion saw Hesh thrashing about in the snow. The black aura around the Wartortle faded away. When Hesh opened his eyes, he found himself panting and drenched in sweat. Most of the burning sensation he felt shortly before had gone away, but the aching remained.

“W-what happened? I can’t hear their voices anymore…”

Hesh lurched back as the Absol smacked him across his face. With a confused expression, Hesh stared at Orion. The Absol had his teeth bared to the point where Hesh could see his gums. Parts of his face and fur had been singed by Lexi's flames. Hesh had never seen Orion this angry before.

“What the hell did I just tell you a while ago, you idiot!? You see what happens when you don’t listen!? What were you thinking!?”

The Wartortle's arms shook. “Yes, I get it!” Hesh yelled back. “I’m a screw-up! So what else is new?”

“Do you know what would’ve happened if I didn’t kill her!?”

Hesh refused to answer.

Orion kicked snow at him. “You would’ve become one of them! You should’ve killed that Shadow when you had the chance!”

“How was I supposed to know she was one!? I thought she was a survivor!”

“And that was your mistake! I warned you! You can’t trust just anyone out here!”

Hesh nodded. Once more, hot tears ran down his face. This time, not out of self-pity. “Yeah, you’re right. You’re damn right about that. I’ll follow your advice, starting by ignoring you!”

Orion went silent, looking like a father who had been talked back to by a disobedient child.

Hesh shook his head, looking away. “When were you going to tell me that you slaughtered a whole village, Orion?”

“W-what!? Who told you that?”

“So, it’s true then.” Hesh stared at the ground. His voice shook. "You're not just someone who hunts Shadows. You're just a plain murderer."

“I don’t know what you heard, but that was false. The Darkrai Sect killed the villagers. I killed the members of the Darkrai Sect.”

"That clan you hung out with, right? I guess they never meant anything to you if it's that easy for you to decide to kill them. Why even bother with me then? I’ve been nothing but a burden to you. Do you just pity me? Is that it?”

“How many times do I have to say it? This is my job!”

“Job? Heh. A job, you say. Screw the job. Are you even a mercenary, Orion? Seriously, just who the hell do you think you are?”

“The one who is going to drag your corpse across the land if I hear you complain one more time!”

Hesh felt like erupting like a volcano. “Then fucking do it then! What’s stopping you!?”

The Absol fell silent and shook his head.

Hesh laughed. “Exactly. This is why nobody wanted to be around you, Orion. It was never about me or the company to you. Maybe this is some sick game to you. Or maybe you're trying to weasel others into thinking that you're not as bad as they think you are. Well, you are, Orion! You're just as bad as the Shadows!"

Hesh felt another impact across his face, hard enough to knock him over.

"This is the thanks I get for getting you this far!?" shouted Orion. "You're just a mouthy brat who doesn't know how to follow instructions or appreciate my help! If it wasn't for me, you would've died back in Vera!"

Hesh shook his head, rubbing his cheek, laughing. "You don’t have to take pity on me anymore. I understand when I’m not wanted. It’s as you said before. You don’t need anyone’s company. You already got your pay from the captain, so you don’t have to worry about me anymore. Mission fucking accomplished!”

Hesh clumsily pulled himself back on his feet and limped across the snow. He didn't turn to face his companion.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” asked Orion.

“Who gives a shit? I certainly don’t! Someplace far away from you!”

As the Wartortle stormed off, Orion stood alone. The Absol huffed in fury and kicked the snow, then swung his horn at the nearest tree. The force of the Slash left behind a deep incision into the trunk.

"Damned brat..." The Absol exhaled. His legs shook. "As bad as the Shadows... you're just like everyone else..."

---

“Damn Orion… who does that bastard think he is?” Hesh muttered, stomping across the frost. “Lecturing me… you’re not even in the damn Peacekeepers! And killing and eating other Pokémon… ugh. You're just like the rest of those filthy Shadow Pokémon.” The Wartortle punched the nearest tree he could find, but he flinched as it hurt his hand. “Why are you still even around? Why are you not dead?”

Hesh paused for a moment. He knelt down and pressed his hands against his mouth. “D-did I really say that?” The realization struck him. He had never said anything this horrible before. “Oh gods.... what's happening to me? What was I thinking?”

With the exception of a certain Croagunk, Hesh had never felt this rush of hatred towards another before. Never. As he mulled it over, the Wartortle realized that he made yet another blunder. “All he did was save me… and I told him to go away…” He punched the snow several times. “Damn it, why am I so stupid!?”

When Hesh looked down at his legs, he noticed that Julia's blue ribbon wasn't there. He groaned in frustration. "Damn it! Damn it all!" He slammed his fists into the snow again, until his wounds opened. Drops of his blood stained the pure white ground.

He couldn't help but think of Captain Berg. Of Tullio, Javil and Julia. Even Lexi.

"If only I had come sooner... I'm sorry, Lexi... I'm sorry everyone... I failed you all... somebody... end me now..."

Somewhere close by, somebody snickered. When Hesh lifted his head up, he noticed a dark figure standing behind one of the trees. Someone familiar...

"Geris," Hesh said, as he crushed two handfuls of snow. "Come to laugh at me, like you always do?"

The dark figure of the Croagunk stood by silently, gazing at the Wartortle. The creature continued to chortle. "Oh, sorry. I'm just surprised that you even made it this far."

Hesh stood up, heaving as he took a few steps forward. “I have a score to settle, you piece of shit! I’ll make you regret everything!”

Geris cackled. “You? The pathetic rookie who couldn’t kill one teensy Shadow by himself?" The Croagunk crossed his arms. “To think someone as weak as you made it this far. Oh! But wait! That’s not your doing, is it?”

Hesh clutched his bleeding hands, glaring at him.

“It was that Absol who was babysitting you the whole time. But let’s face it. You’ll never make it through these woods. Your new friend had already abandoned you. Kee-hee-hee.”

“Shut the hell up!”

Geris shook his head. “What’s wrong, rookie? Are you truly this naive? He's an Uncivilized Absol. Don't you realize it by now? He preys on morons like you while still passing through Civilized towns, pretending to be one of us. He's a criminal. Didn't you know? He's the culprit who destroyed the village of Broma two weeks ago. That place is no longer around thanks to him.”

Hesh growled.

“And you really thought a criminal like him is your friend. Your dad will be so disappointed in you for trusting somebody like that. Keeheehee! I warned all of you and you didn't listen! Ha ha ha!"

Hesh raised a fist at the Croagunk. "Yeah? Well, I don't care anymore! Since you're here, I'm going to pay you back for leaving me and the others for dead!"

Geris grimaced. "You think you're worth my time? Get over yourself, rookie. I'm leagues above you." He turned around. "Well, it's been nice knowing you. Good luck trying not to freeze to death! Kya-ha-ha!" He walked away, vanishing into the darkness of the forest.

Hesh sprinted after him. “Geris! Come back and face me, you fucking traitor! I’m not finished with you!” The Wartortle continued into the darker depths, expecting the Croagunk to appear and ambush him at anytime. After some time, he came to a stop. Geris was nowhere to be found. Even more confounding, Hesh didn't even see his footprints anywhere.

“W-what’s going on? Where did he go?”

Just then, he heard a grim voice exhale, echoing across the woods. “Weeeeeell, what do we have here? A precious wittle Wartortle. What's wrong, little buddy? A bit lost? Did that Absol give you a nice scare?”

At the corner of his eye, Hesh saw something and froze up. Within the darkness, he couldn't see an actual body, but a disembodied face. Its eyes glowed, and its crooked grin stretched to a seemingly impossible width. On its wicked smile were lines of razor-sharp, uneven bloody teeth.

“G-geris?" said Hesh, shuddering. "Stop messing with me. This isn’t funny.”

The creature's voice boomed with a strange demonic presence. “Hmm-hmm, you have me mistaken for someone else.”

“Who are you, then?”

“Meeeeee? I can be a friend, if you want me to be.”

“Stop messing with me.”

The creature's grin widened even more, so much that it seemed to cover multiple trees. “Hmm-hmm-hmm. The world is such a scary place, isn’t it? All these nasty wars and complicated politics. Civilized versus Uncivilized. Peacekeepers, dragons, bandits, Shadows. We’re slowly becoming more like the humans who ended up destroying themselves. War, famine, slavery, sickness, greed. A sad state of affairs, do you not agree?”

“Y-yeah?”

The creature's mouth dripped with saliva. “Life would be much simpler if we all returned to the wilderness, where we all belong. We’re not meant to fill humanity’s shoes. We’re simple creatures, who fight, eat and sleep every day. Our own survival surpasses all other priorities. Not even the will of the Creator could take that away from us. And with our own overwhelming power, we’ll make sure all Pokémon-kind will return to this way of life. How it’s meant to be.”

“W-what do you want from me?”

The face began to fade away, to the point where Hesh could barely see its glowing eyes. “Tell you what. See for yourself what our covenant is capable of. We welcome the weak and the unwanted. Find us deeper in the forest and gain power beyond your imagination. And you shall seeeeee…”

Unable to comprehend what he just witnessed, Hesh fell to his knees. He couldn't stop trembling. Not just because of the cold atmosphere, but because of everything that happened today. He stared down at his bleeding hands. The Wartortle realized that he went his own way, unsure if he was even traveling north or not. He had to watch yet another one of his former companions die. And he no longer had Orion's protection. Without it, he would most definitely perish before he would ever see the grand flower fields of Emerald Valley.

This time, he was truly alone.

Hesh sighed. "What do I do now?"

 

[System Error]

All right it's time to get back into this with chapter 5.

- Thinking of inviting over your boyfriend in these times?!
- Ah so it's like a zombie plague here. Or something like that.
- That feel when a monkey is so used to blood it can just smell it
- Well that Sandslash is setting off death flags like crazy. Hasn't it ever seen a horror movie before?
- Murderous Tangelas? Haven't seen that Pokemon used at all since, well. One other fic here, but besides that, me twice back in the day. But also the first time I've seen them as tentacle monsters.
- Killed by children. What a way to go. Also that's a fast rotting body. Skin wasted like no time in changing color. Almost thought he was going to rise up from the dead at that somehow given the plague implications.
- I was a bit confused by the phrase there saying Hesh was dragged across a slope, since that made it seem like something had come up from below and was pulling him, but there was nothing of the sort.
- Well this Croagunk is definitely our Chaos Hero. Well, "hero." Probably going to end up a pawn, really. But definitely can see the dude becoming a head Shadow somewhere down the line.
- Why didn't Hesh try to put the flames out?!
- And the bodies hit the floor.
- And Orion just one-shots the thing that killed a ton of Pokes handily.
- Onward we go, with all the supporting cast now dead.

Going by my scrollbar, it seems C6 is a long one. And given the awkwardness of typing right now, I'll save that for later.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

- Thinking of inviting over your boyfriend in these times?!

Sure, if you're willing to afford an expensive fare by air travel, though those are usually a luxury of larger cities. The Peacekeepers do have a system similar to the Galarian Flying Taxis. Of course, we're not even up to that point in the story where we'll actually see them. They will definitely be avoiding places like the Condemned Plains like a plague.

- Well that Sandslash is setting off death flags like crazy. Hasn't it ever seen a horror movie before?

What are movies?

- Killed by children. What a way to go. Also that's a fast rotting body. Skin wasted like no time in changing color. Almost thought he was going to rise up from the dead at that somehow given the plague implications.

I think I will need to clarify this one in-text. The Tangelas were using a drain move to sap the Sandslash out of his vitality. And because there were quite a few of them draining him at the same time, his body was withering away. The snapped neck was just a nice bonus to make him an easy target.

- I was a bit confused by the phrase there saying Hesh was dragged across a slope, since that made it seem like something had come up from below and was pulling him, but there was nothing of the sort.

Noted.

- Why didn't Hesh try to put the flames out?!

Shit. Good point.

And Orion just one-shots the thing that killed a ton of Pokes handily.

Yeah, not gonna lie, I wish I made that battle scene longer. I did rush it out just to get the chapter finished. Once I reach a certain point in the story, I'll go through every chapter to see what needs serious changes. And this battle in particular is one of those.

Hey, thanks for making it this far! Much appreciated!

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 8 - The Soul Keeper

Content Warning: Strong language, visceral imagery, blood, sexual references, torture, mutilation, death. Seriously, do NOT read this chapter if this kind of material makes you feel ill. I did not hold back with this one.​

Another tree carved. Another step closer to the valley. Orion focused on his task, trying to ignore what had taken place. As the snow grew more intense, the Absol stopped at another tree. Instead of clawing at the bark, he paused for a moment, looking pensive.

"I just can’t win,” he said to himself, looking exhausted. "These damn whiny kids joining the Peacekeepers... Can’t sit still without complaining. Hungry, cold… you go get your own damn food and fire!"

As he kept on grumbling, he heard something brush up against a bush. Orion gnashed his teeth and glared at the direction of the noise.

"This isn't a free show! Whoever you are, you better run before I cut you down!"

Several dark figures popped out of the bushes. But instead of coming after the Absol, they fled into the depths of the forest. Orion didn’t even see what they were supposed to be.

Orion lowered his head. He wasn't expecting much, but somehow ended up disappointed anyway. “I never should have done this. Why can’t you bastards just leave me be?” He glanced at the frozen trail before him. “Why get my attention if you’re just going to leave anyway?” He punted out more snow and swung his horn at a nearby log, shattering the withered wood into pieces.

“I’m tired of all of this.”

As Orion attempted to recompose himself, he noticed a strange sight. He trembled violently. The trees around him… all of them had been marked; bark stripped away, all facing different directions. It was as if an invisible figure swooped in just to sabotage his trail in a short time.

Orion huffed in fury. “Damn you. Damn you all!” He swatted at the air with his horn and smashed another log. When he peered at the sky, he noticed that the clouds were growing more restless. A thick fog was slowly overtaking the whole area.

“That kid…” For a moment, Orion glowered as he realized what was happening, clenching his jaw. “No…”

He looked away from the trees and glanced at the large footprints he left behind in the snow. The Absol hurried back and followed them. After a short while, he found the small pile of firewood he had dropped earlier. A few more steps up ahead, the damp remains of a campfire.

He noticed the smaller footprints forming a different trail. The footprints of a certain Wartortle. And they were headed east.

“I swear, I’m gonna murder you, kid…” Somehow, Orion expected that Hesh would disobey him once again. Steer clear of that area. Those were the Absol’s exact words.

Orion rummaged through his satchel and pulled out an oddly shaped Quick Seed. He chewed on it hastily, ignoring its crusty texture and intensely bitter flavor, and swallowed. The Absol quickened his pace as he followed Hesh’s trail. Up ahead, a thick fog engulfed the rest of the trail. A torn blue ribbon was partially buried under the snow.

“Hesh!” Orion called. “Get over here!”

Several dark figures slowly approached from the fog. Orion discerned the black auras around them, as he set down the satchel and bowed his head down with a grimace. “Wrong day to pick a fight with me…”

---

Hesh felt a peculiar rumble on the ground, as if it was the onset of an earthquake. He rubbed his forehead profusely. Ever since with what happened with Lexi, his body had been aching, especially in his head.

The air of the forest felt heavier than usual, and the Wartortle struggled to breath in it. He couldn’t stop fidgeting as he opened his satchel. He took out an Oran Berry and nibbled on it. For some reason, even the taste of it was off. It was so bland, flavorless even.

"Can't even enjoy a last meal."

Hesh looked down on the satchel, tugging on it. It was considerably smaller than the one that Orion was carrying, but it was still light and could carry plenty of food.

It was the last thing he had from First Sergeant Tullio to remember him by. Hesh could feel his eyes water again.

"I screwed up, everyone. I had one job and I screwed it up." He laughed. "It's okay, though. I'll be joining you all soon."

Hesh widened the satchel to view its contents: two Sitrus Berries, three Oran Berries, one Pecha Berry and one Rawst Berry. He also noticed several Iron Thorns tied up in a bundle with a piece of jute twine. He pricked one of his digits on a thorn, admiring its sharpness. While an Iron Thorn normally functioned as a throwing weapon, it could probably work as a makeshift knife.

"I guess it's better than nothing. Maybe I can poke out a Shadow's eye and just run. Hmm?"

The Wartortle's ears flittered as he heard someone shouting from far away. He couldn't discern what they were saying, but the voice sounded familiar.

"Orion?"

The voice shouted again. He sounded furious. Hesh placed one of his claws in his mouth and gnawed on it.

He'll kill me for sure if he finds me. Should I even bother going back?

At the corner of his eye, Hesh saw someone, up a slope, standing behind a tree. The creature had thick spines on its back and massive shovel-like claws. Wait a minute…

"Javil!?"

As soon as Hesh called the name, the mysterious figure scurried away. The Wartortle rubbed his eyes, unsure if that was his old friend he just saw. Hesh had known by now that there were predators lying in wait in the forest. Could it have been another Uncivilized? Or another Shadow perhaps?

Against his better judgment, Hesh crept up to the area where he last saw "Javil." Struggling along the way, he scaled the hill, feeling the weight of his shell and satchel pulling him back. When he reached the summit…

Nothing. Not even footprints in the snow.

“Am I losing it?” Hesh asked himself. From where he stood, he appeared to be entering the depths of a thicket, where he could barely see any light peeking from the treetops. Further ahead, he could hear faint voices. “Something's not right. This is a mistake. I gotta find Orion.”

When the Wartortle turned around, he felt a sudden dizziness overwhelming him. He fell to his knees, clutching his head. His vision of the forest dimmed and warped. Everything began to melt into a pool of red and black. He heard someone calling his name, like a distant echo. Hesh shut his eyes.

Before long, he felt the ground below him moving. He no longer felt the cold embrace of snow. But instead, something wet and sticky.

Hesh’s eyes snapped open. His pupils expanded and his breaths quickened into an intense pace. He was no longer in the forest.

"W-w-what!? WHAT IS THIS PLACE!?"

As he repeatedly uttered "no" to himself, he scanned the place around him. The snow-covered trees had disappeared; in their place were pulsating tendrils, which were slightly undulating. Hesh couldn’t tell if they’re some type of bizarre plant… or something else entirely. In his panic, Hesh fell as he noticed that the ground behind him no longer existed; instead, there was an endless void.

Surrounding the area, hundreds of thin strands of a fleshy substance remained rooted to the ground as they stretched out for the sky. To Hesh, it looked like they were suspending the area in midair somehow, like an island floating in the sky.

The sky was an opaque mixture of black and mauve. The clouds moved at a lightning pace. The ground was red and fleshy; it seemed to inflate and deflate at will, like a breathing creature. A red liquid seeped between the crevices of the ground. And imprinted on its surface appeared to be distorted, moving faces of random Pokémon, all frozen in place with an agonized expression.

Feeling breathless, Hesh cried. "Anyone! Somebody! GET ME OUT!”

Just then, Hesh kept silent as he could see gargantuan red eyes flip open from far away. The eyes lacked pupils, but were noticeably bloodshot. They seemed to be massive enough to part the clouds themselves. They blinked and stared at the tiny, insignificant Wartortle.

Hesh sat down and hugged his knees, curling up in a ball. “Please… someone… I don’t want to be here…” He quivered as he felt the hot tears falling and his nose running. “Dad… Orion… somebody… please save me…”

The Wartortle blinked several times. The next time he opened his eyes, he saw a dark figure watching him. It was a small creature, but he felt that he had seen that shape before: short, two-legged, birdlike. The patterns on its face seemed to resemble a mask.

“J-Julia? Is that you?” asked Hesh.

The creature stared at him for a moment before moving deeper into the “forest.”

“Wait! Come back!” Hesh forced himself back up and sprinted after the creature. “You gotta help me! How do I get out of this place!?”

When Hesh entered the “forest” of tendrils, he was unable to find any sign of the bird Pokémon. The tendrils seemed to react upon his arrival, as they billowed and dripped a bloody substance from their branch-like tips. At the apex of each, a bloody eye arose. The Wartortle couldn’t bring himself to take another step forward. There was no knowing what would happen if he tried.

Another dark figure appeared at the end of the path. This time, it had a body covered in grass and leaves.

Hesh recognized the tall head of hair, the thick eyebrows and the flail-like tail. “Sarge! Is that really you!? What are you doing here!?”

The Simisage smiled at him and gestured for him to come forward. The tendrils shifted back into their original state, as if they’re forming a path for the Wartortle.

Hesh trembled as he took a few steps forward. The tendrils didn’t react to him at all. Up ahead, the Simisage resembling Tullio nodded his head and walked away.

Hesh felt that something terrible was about to happen. He felt like he shouldn’t be here. And yet, he had no choice. He didn’t see any exits. This world was beyond his comprehension.

A few moments later, Hesh stumbled upon an eerie sight: Shadow Pokémon. Standing. Unmoving. The hideous creatures didn’t even seem to notice the Wartortle as he continued to creep forward. At the last second, Hesh came to a stop and backed away.

A wall of blue flames ignited on the pulsating ground behind him. When Hesh tried to step over it, the flames erupted and shoved him away. Hesh lurched forward and tumbled to the ground. A thick, sticky substance splashed on the Wartortle’s face, much to his horror. When Hesh sat up and frantically tried to rub it away, he noticed that he was being watched.

All of the Shadow Pokémon in the area turned towards him, glaring at him. They did not make any noise or even move. The creatures tilted their heads towards the sky, watching a small creature descend.

Hesh looked on, unable to pull his eyes away. The one thing that stood out to him the most about this creature was its wide, crooked smile. Its sharp and jagged teeth resembled those of a Sharpedo’s. Its dark body appeared to be covered in blood stains. A hazy aura erupted from its body.

To Hesh, it looked just like the ghost Pokémon, Gengar. But something was off about it. He had never seen a Gengar give off such an aura of malice before.

The Shadow Pokémon all bowed their heads in unison.

The Gengar’s grin widened. It spoke in a deep, raspy voice. “Welcome, everyone! So good of you to join me. Such an interesting crowd tonight.” The creature’s red eyes scanned the modest group of Shadow Pokémon. For a moment, he looked at Hesh.

The Wartortle’s breaths grew even more chaotic. He tried to look away or blink. But for some odd reason, he couldn’t pry himself away from the Gengar’s malicious gaze. He could see the Gengar’s pupils narrowing like a reptile’s.

The Gengar sighed, seemingly pleased. “Ahh… a mix of Civilized and Uncivilized Pokémon, all together in perfect harmony. Some of you lived in the wilderness throughout all your lives. Some of you were once soldiers of the Peacekeepers. Some of you were just poor fools who got caught up in this futile war!” He gave a wheezing laugh. “Alas, who you were before no longer matters. You are Shadow Pokémon now. And you are the soldiers of the most fearsome army in the world!”

The Shadow Pokémon growled, squealed and snarled. A cacophony of ungodly noises. To Hesh, it seemed like it was the closest thing they could do to cheering.

Shadow Gengar continued his speech. “When the humans left this world, the Hevalkites took the pieces they left behind and attempted to create a new civilization. A world of human conveniences, in which all Pokémon coexist. No one had to hunt or worry about being hunted.” His grin twisted into an odious frown. “Such a BORING and WASTEFUL world! What’s worse… these so-called ‘Civilized’ Pokémon look down on the wild Pokémon. Calling them ‘Uncivilized.’ Some of you know this feeling already.”

The majority of the Shadows erupted in fury, hollering and roaring in agreement.

“Simply because they don’t eat meat,” the Gengar continued, “these Pokémon believe they’re good people! What they didn’t realize is how much they borrowed from humans. With bodies of government come power and corruption. With money and material possessions comes greed. Who needs friends when you can lazily go through life while others get your food for you? Why seek a mate to woo, when all you need to do is buy a slave and plant your seed in her? Why allow nature to take its course, when all you need is already given to you on gold plates?” The Gengar exhaled, looking more agitated. “The war resulted in families being torn apart and Pokémon losing their homes. Many children were orphaned as a result. But who cares for those little shits, right!? How dare they survive when they should be giving their lives to a worthless cause!? How sickening!”

The Shadows groaned. Hesh interpreted it as their way of showing sadness.

“Being a ‘Civilized’ Pokémon means forming attachments. To your wealth, to your blood relatives and to those who you may call ‘friend.’ But once you lose them, that’s it. Your life no longer has any meaning or value. These Pokémon forgot the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of a simple life! Being a Pokémon was about who was the strongest and the most clever! We were born to fight to see who would come at the top of the food chain! There were none of these frivolous pretenses of ‘morality’ and ‘friendship!’ No, this is simply what nature intended!”

The Shadows cheered once more.

“And that’s where this war comes in. We were brought here to put an end to this war and start a new age of Pokémon! How we once were, before the humans corrupted us!” The Gengar shook his head, clenching his teeth. “The Serapíans saw through the charade of the Hevalkites. Alas, those stupid lizards viewed us with disgust. And that’s why they must all be wiped out as well.” At the palm of the Gengar’s hand, a ball of blue flames was born. “The Hevalkites and the Serapíans will be the first to fall to us. Every single one of them must die or join us. And then, we can head on over to the rest of the world. Very soon, we’ll overwhelm our enemies. The taint of humanity will fade away. And we’ll return back to our wild state, how we were meant to be!”

The Shadow Pokémon erupted in the loudest cheer that Hesh had ever heard from them. The very sight of this scene caused his thoughts to swirl and spin into bewilderment. Was this really how his life would end? Being stuck in a nightmarish world with nightmarish creatures talking about conquest?

“Most of you have known this to be true,” barked Shadow Gengar. “But the question is… does our guest agree too?”

Hesh gasped as all of the Shadow Pokémon turned towards him. The Wartortle stumbled back as the Shadow Gengar approached him.

“Kee-hee-hee. It’s okay. They won't harm you unless I tell them to,” the Gengar said as his grin expanded. “Aren't they magnificent? Perfectly ruthless soldiers at my beck and call. A fighting force worthy of taking this rotten world away from those awful Hevalkites and Serapíans. I sense a great potential in you, young Peacekeeper. You know that feeling of loss very well. The despair that clouds your thoughts. You can’t even bear to complete your task now, do you? You know the end is coming.”

Hesh didn’t say a word. He had no idea how to respond to anything happening at the moment. How did the Gengar know about what he was feeling and about his task?

“Why not just let it all go? It’s pointless, right? You’re just a grunt in the army. A tiny Wartortle in a massive world of giants. What if I tell you that you no longer need to feel this way?”

“H-huh?”

The Gengar raised his hand. A black, glowing orb of energy appeared. “I am the Soul Keeper. I am the shepherd of the lost souls in this horrific war. I guide the Shadows to greater power and purpose.”

Behind the stout creature, three Pokémon materialized from black smoke: a Sandslash with wrinkled skin and a crooked neck, a headless Hawlucha and a burned and bloody Simisage whose ribs were exposed through his broken skin. Javil and Tullio smiled.

“G-Guys? B-but… you’re…” Hesh was unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Victims to the vices of the Peacekeepers,” said Gengar. “Stationed in the middle of nowhere to fight a pointless war. It’s truly criminal, wouldn’t you say?”

Hesh nodded hesitantly.

“What if I were to say that you could see them all again, restored to their original selves?”

“W-Wait. You could do that!?”

The Gengar got close to him, enough to the point where Hesh could see the creature’s bloodied tongue through his fangs. “But of course, my child! That was why I was originally summoned into this forsaken world. To bring back those who lost their lives. And to give purpose to those who turned up lost.”

“W-well…” Hesh stared at the likenesses of his fallen comrades. Their bodies twitched at an unnatural speed, until their auras consumed them. Hesh considered the Gengar’s offer. But was he telling the truth? Would his squad members revive, back to their original state?

Shadow Gengar shook his head. “Hmm-hmm. Perhaps you need a demonstration on the extent of our power.” He glanced in another direction. “Come forward, my new disciple! It’s time to transcend.”

A familiar figure stepped out of the darkness, giving his usual sneer at Hesh.

“G-Geris?” Hesh froze up.

“Oh, happy day! It’s you again,” snapped the Croagunk, emitting an annoyed croak. “Why don't you just drop dead already? Gengar, why is he here?"

Sulking, Hesh responded back. "Geris, I hated your guts. Always have. You were always dipping your hands into our supplies and talking shit about others behind their backs. You always thought you were better than others, but had little to show for it. You took but never gave back. But for you to go this far…”

Geris puffed up his cheeks, giving the Wartortle a murderous look. "For fuck’s sake! You stupid kid. How many times do I have to explain it to you? The strong survive and the weak perish! The Peacekeepers are not heroes! They're losing this war! You’re certainly not a hero, and never will be! Had you taken my advice, you wouldn’t be here bawling like a baby!” He stamped his feet. “To think you’re the son of the general too. I’m surprised he wasn’t ashamed of having a son like you!”

Hesh gave a defiant smirk. “At least he was proud of me for trying to do good. Your dad signed you up for the Peacekeepers because he didn't want to deal with a little shit like you anymore."

Hesh felt a swift impact on his face as Geris delivered a brutal kick. The Croagunk furiously puffed his cheeks to the point where his skin was transparent.

"Now, now," said Shadow Gengar. "It's time to leave behind past grudges."

Geris spat out a wad of acid on the ground, making a hissing sound. “Fine.” He gave a demanding look. “Do it.”

As Hesh pressed on his cheeks, wincing in pain, he saw a massive dark aura rising from Geris. The Croagunk screamed in anguish as his body contorted into different positions. His torso stretched into a lankier frame, growing to over half of his original height, and his limbs thickened with noticeable muscles. His fingers and toes grew longer and experienced a change in color. When the screaming stopped briefly, the creature rose up and roared, causing his aura to flare up. Geris looked down, tightening his fists and marveling at his new build.

“Such power,” he spoke in a much deeper voice, croaking in ecstasy. “I feel like I can destroy anything in my path!”

Shadow Gengar descended before the creature, his sinister grin unwavering. “Now you have nothing to fear. Now you have nothing to think. Follow your selfish desires. Follow your natural instinct. Kee-hee… after all, you’re just an animal. It’s much easier than trying to think.”

“Yes… how it must be...” Geris bowed his head.

“Discard your old self. Now is the time to look forward to a new world! From here on out, you shall be known as Shadow Toxicroak.”

The creature known as Shadow Toxicroak rose up, towering over his master. He turned towards Hesh, who looked on in horror.

“G-geris. What have you done?”

The Toxicroak crowed. “What I should’ve done a long time ago. This is the natural order of things.” Before Hesh could get up, Toxicroak lunged towards him and kicked the Wartortle away. The force sent Hesh crashing into one of the tendrils, which swerved back and forth upon impact.

"You still want to fight me?" shouted Shadow Toxicroak, shaking his fists. "Where was all that bravado before? Weren't you going to kill me!?”

As Hesh forced himself back on his feet, Shadow Toxicroak lunged at him and punched the Wartortle’s torso. Hesh felt himself being pushed back once more and lied on his back. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. When he looked at his torso, he noticed a piece of his shell had broken off. Off to the side, he saw his satchel laying, its strap broken.

Shadow Toxicroak lumbered over to him, chortling. “That’s what I thought. Just a bluff as usual.” He raised his fist at Hesh, revealing a sharp red claw that oozed out a dark substance. “Finally. A chance to put you down. Sleep tight!” When he pulled back his fist to deliver the finishing blow, somebody called out to him.

“Enough!” Shadow Gengar hovered next to his disciple. “That’ll do, Toxicroak. I have plans for this lost child.”

Toxicroak glared at him. “You’re joking. This weakling?”

“Oh, I assure you, this is not one of my japes.” Shadow Gengar’s pupils narrowed as his smile widened. “In fact, today is a special occasion! Our guest of honor is coming very soon.”

“W-what?” Dumbfounded, Toxicroak retreated.

Gengar’s gaze turned towards Hesh, who was struggling to stay conscious. After a long journey fleeing from the Shadows and getting harmed in the process, the Wartortle could only wish for the end to come soon.

“It’s only a matter of time before your pathetic societies will crumble,” boasted Shadow Gengar. “Our new world has no room for the weak. Why not save yourself the trouble and submit to our cause?”

“W-What?”

“You already came this far, after all. Why not get revenge on those who placed your allies in an inescapable, perilous situation? The Sol Council, the very core of the Peacekeepers’ corruption. Even your father could not defy their tyranny. You know this to be true, Private Hesh.”

“H-H-H-How did you know my name!? How did you know all this!?”

Gengar hovered over Hesh, further pressuring the Wartortle. “Oh, I know a great deal about you. And your new friend as well. Think about it. Really think about it. Provided you have the power to crush your foes, we Shadows are one single family. You’ll never have to feel pain or loneliness again. Everything that had hurt you before… none of it will matter!”

Hesh sat there, considering the Gengar’s offer. He went through a whole week repelling Shadows at Vera, only for his entire company to be wiped out. Before that, he was training for about a month at Lusang alongside his platoon, where he first met Javil, Julia and Tullio. All that time going through training exercises and bonding with his new platoon comrades… wasted.

And the very same monsters, who took away the lives of his friends, decided to offer him to become a Shadow Pokémon. By common sense, he should not accept this offer.

“Make your decision wisely.” Gengar chortled under his breath.

On the other hand, what was the alternative? What if Hesh decided to decline this offer? He couldn’t imagine what Gengar would do to him if he said no. The Wartortle still sat there, gasping repeatedly, unable to come to a decision. He remembered how Lexi attempted to turn him into a Shadow before; how the transformation itself caused him intense pain and drove him to madness. He never wanted to go through that again. He also remembered what Orion said before.

Once the transformation’s started, there’s no going back.

Had Orion not defeated Lexi, Hesh would become a Shadow for sure.

Hesh murmured and yelped to himself. His thoughts raced and joined together into a cacophony of panic.

What should I do!?

I can’t betray the Peacekeepers!

But I failed them all...

I can’t become one of them!

Why am I so stupid, stupid, STUPID!?

But if I don’t join them… what will happen to me…?

I’m useless...

Shadow Gengar’s voice dropped to a low hissing sound. “Ahhhh… he’s here…”

Hesh heard wet, rapid footsteps approaching. The group of Shadow Pokémon stirred from their brief moment of pacification, entering into a violent frenzy. Just then, a white-furred creature enveloped in dark energy landed in the middle of the group.

“O-Orion?” Hesh said in a weak voice.

As the Shadows closed in on their prey, the Absol bellowed and expelled the dark energy from his body. The force of the attack killed a few of the Shadows on impact, while repelling and scattering the others.

“Hesh! Get away from them!” barked Orion. “We have to leave!”

“Orion…” Hesh tried to crawl towards the Absol, but some mysterious force was holding him back. The Wartortle couldn’t move!

Orion quickly pulled his eyes away from Hesh and focused on the remaining Shadows. Several smaller creatures—consisting of many Poochyenas, Shinxes and Houndours—scrambled and all rushed in at their target. Still feeling the effects of the Quick Seed, Orion darted around the bizarre forest, evading and slashing his targets. Unable to outpace him, the frustrated Houndours and Shinxes combined their efforts and unleashed a flurry of flames and bolts of electricity. Despite outnumbering their target, the Absol either dodged their attacks or took them head on. Orion retaliated by ejecting several orbs of dark energy at his targets, making short work of them.

A few Shadows remained.

A Shadow Sneasel raced towards the Absol and wildly swung its claws. Orion parried the attacks with his horn and waited for an opening. The Sneasel raised its claws and swung overhead. Orion caught the attack with his horn, then swung his own claws at the Sneasel’s face. Clutching its wound, the creature cried out in pain and scampered away.

The fleshy ground convulsed as a Shadow Ursaring lumbered towards Orion. The massive beast swung its bulky fist at him. Orion narrowly avoided the attack as he snaked past the Ursaring. As the Absol prepared for a counterattack, he stopped dead in his tracks as an appalling noise filled his ears. A Shadow Misdreavus floated nearby, emitting a deafening screech comparable to a madwoman, causing the other Shadows to stop attacking.

Hesh folded his ears down, attempting to mute the noise—to no avail, as it felt like it’s rattling inside his head.

Orion lurched himself into the direction of the Misdreavus, collecting dark energy into his horn. With a startled expression, the Misdreavus drifted backwards to evade the Absol. Orion accelerated to catch up to his foe, then swung his horn. The Misdreavus emitted a sorrowful shriek when the attack made contact. In an instant, the Pokémon’s spectral body disintegrated.

Orion turned around to face the other Shadows, seeking the Shadow Ursaring. Just as he was about to break off into a sprint, another adversary tackled into him. The Absol grunted as he plummeted to the ground. Attempting to shake it off, Orion forced himself back on his feet, only for the Shadow Ursaring to slam him back into the ground.

Orion yelped in pain, as the force of the attack knocked the breath out of him. The Shadow Ursaring pressed down on him with both of its paws, preventing his escape. Stubbornly, the Absol tried to swipe at the beast’s paw with his horn, but another figure slammed his head to the ground. It was Shadow Toxicroak.

“Well done,” said Shadow Gengar, clapping his hands. “Hold him down. And don’t kill him just yet. I have special plans in mind. Kee-hee-hee!”

Hesh, in a daze, watched as the two Shadow Pokémon tightened their constraint on the Absol. Orion gnashed his teeth in an insolent manner and snarled at his captors, pushing against the ground to force himself back up, to no avail.

Gengar approached his new prisoner, looking more gleeful than before. “I see that you have become quite the seasoned fighter. It must have taken the lives of many to become this skilled. After all, you had no one to rely on but yourself. No one can be trusted. Isn’t that right, Orion?”

The Absol snarled even louder. “WHAT!?”

“Yeeees, my Absol friend. I know you all too well. You’ve grown up to be quite the killer.”

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!? WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT ME!?”

Shadow Ursaring and Shadow Toxicroak tightened their grip around the Absol, placing immense pressure on his slender body and skull. Toxicroak grinned as he jabbed at the Absol’s stomach wound, causing it to tear back open. Orion groaned as he endured the pain.

“Nobody did,” answered Shadow Gengar. “As it turns out, I happen to know a lot of things. Including your sad little life story. And what you went through to get to where you are today. But alas, none of it matters now. I’m here to take back what’s mine. And don’t forget… you asked for it.”

Hesh, feeling helpless, listened to the Gengar’s words. He didn’t understand what the devious ghost Pokémon was talking about, but it seemed that the Gengar had met the Absol before. And Orion had something he wanted. But what, exactly?

Shadow Gengar turned towards Hesh. “See this murderer? He came all this way to find you. Just so he can put you out of your misery. Are you going to let him do that?”

A disembodied voice echoed in the area, sounding exactly like the Absol. “I swear, I’m gonna murder you, kid…”

Hesh's eyes widened.

“HE’S LYING!” Orion snapped, squirming once again to break free. “DON’T LISTEN TO A WORD HE TELLS YOU! EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS A LIE!”

The response caught Hesh off guard. Orion, this Pokémon he had known for a few days as this cold and stoic mercenary, was breaking down right before him. Hesh could see the fear and distress in the Absol’s eyes, and his individual strands of hair standing up. A sight that he never thought he would ever witness.

“Can you hear the desperation in his voice, Hesh?” asked Shadow Gengar. “He wants you to believe him, but he was planning to betray you from the very start. I don’t blame him, though. He’s just like us. Unwanted and discarded into the wilderness. Left to die while the Hevalkites and SerapÍans have their little war.” The ghost shook his head. “Unfortunately, your friend is beyond saving. He’s a thief and a murderer. Shortly before he met you, he murdered a band of Darkrai worshippers. And when your food runs out, he plans to kill you.”

Orion floundered about as his captors struggled to keep him still. “HE LIES! I NEVER THOUGHT TO BETRAY YOU! THAT GRIMY SHADOW IS FEEDING YOU LIES!”

“Be quiet!” the Shadow Ursaring yelled as he punched Orion’s head.

Gengar continued to pile on the pressure. “Oh, just admit it! You wouldn't want to see another Absol again after you finish your little job, correct? It's okay. I'll make him disappear for you. After I'm through with him, you can forget that he even came into your life.”

Hesh couldn’t help but pity Orion’s disheveled state. Even as the Absol bled out, he continued to fight back against his captors, receiving blows to his head and stomach in return. The Wartortle looked into the Absol’s tired eyes, noticing his pupils dilating.

“No…” Hesh muttered. “That’s not how I feel at all. He’s… he’s my friend…”

“How long are you going to keep up this lie!?” Gengar demanded. “You know he isn't trustworthy! Why even bother with him anymore? This is your life after all. Why not sacrifice him for the greater good?”

“S-Sacrifice? You’re sacrificing him?”

Shadow Gengar groaned, frowning. “How about this? I'll grant you the power to eliminate him. Power to surpass him and all your peers. Power to surpass even your father. You'll be in charge of your own destiny! You won't have to whimper for favors from the Creator anymore. The rest of this journey will be a piece of cake!”

Panting, Orion responded in a broken voice. “Don't listen to him. He's trying to make you into a Shadow. If you do this… you'll lose everything…” The Absol screamed in agony as Toxicroak slowly tore through his stomach with a single claw. He felt the venom rushing into his body, as if his whole body lit on fire.

Gengar shrugged. “What a liar, am I right? Don't listen to that murderer. I can make you far more powerful beyond your wildest dreams. You'll be larger than the Peacekeepers! You'll be part of something greater! And all you need to do is kill him.”

Hesh fiddled with his claws, anxiously glancing at Shadow Gengar and Orion. He noticed Tullio’s satchel lying on the ground and gawked at it for a moment.

Yes… of course...

"I decided." Hesh stood up with a stern expression. "Hold him down. I got something I can use." He walked over to the satchel and pulled out the bundle of Iron Thorns, then began to bite off the jute twine.

"Hesh!" Orion tried to move, but he no longer had the energy to put up a fight. The Shadow Ursaring and Shadow Toxicroak tightened their grip on him once more. The Absol's fate was sealed.

"Wonderful!" Shadow Gengar clapped. "Just wonderful! An excellent weapon of choice. Now, finish him."

With an Iron Thorn in hand, Hesh approached the disabled Orion. The Shadow Pokémon watched with a mix of agitation and anticipation. Hesh raised the thorn and pointed the sharp end at Orion.

"Hey…"

The Absol responded with a mortified glare, unmoving. Hesh was used to it by now, but he knew something was different about it. Instead of the usual demeanor of annoyed or impatient, it was the look of someone about to descend into madness. Hesh figured that the Absol would want to skin him alive at this moment.

Hesh continued to stare him in the eyes, which were looking more glassy by the second. "I'm sorry for everything. I know I'm a pain to deal with. But only one of us can get out of here alive."

Orion hissed. "Don't explain yourself to me… I already know what's coming…"

Hesh took a deep breath. "Please forgive me for what I'm about to do."

Eyes closed, Hesh raised the Iron Thorn and punctured his target.

“ARGH! FUCK!”

Shadow Toxicroak raised his hand, with the thorn poking through his palm, and stumbled back.

Hesh sprinted towards him. WIth a leap, he tucked his limbs into his shell and spiraled like a Hitmontop.

“YOU LITTLE SHIT! I’LL KILL Y—!”

Shadow Toxicroak was cut off as Hesh impacted the side of his head. Toxicroak fell to the ground, clasping on his head, blurting out curses.

With his head free, Orion crunched down on the Shadow Ursaring’s arm. The beast yelped and released his grip on the Absol. Feeling an intense burning inside his body, Orion limped away.

With Toxicroak incapicated, Hesh scuttled over to his satchel.

Gotta heal him… Gotta heal him…

When Hesh arrived, the satchel suddenly caught fire.

“No! No! No!” Hesh doused the flames down with some water, but they erupted into an even larger blue flame. “Damn it! Why doesn’t this ever work!?”

Hesh held his breath and reached inside, suppressing his desire to scream. The flame licked and smoldered his hand as he snatched a blackened Sitrus Berry. Then he tossed it over to Orion’s direction. “Orion! Hurry and heal yourself!”

With a dazzled expression, Orion glanced at the burnt berry and snatched it away. As he chomped on it, he tasted the intensely bitter skin and the piping hot pulp. The contents burned his throat as he swallowed, but the energetic properties of the Sitrus Berry still worked. Orion felt a tinge of relief washing over his body.

“You slippery bastard,” Orion growled, giving a genuine smile. “Well done.”

Even as Hesh’s hand throbbed in searing pain, the Wartortle beamed at the Absol. “Yeah… no probl—AHHHHHHH!” Hesh screamed as a thunderbolt struck him from behind, causing all of his nerves to flare up at once.

Overhead, Shadow Gengar discharged electricity from his stubby hand. Orion reacted with a Shadow Ball. With a cocky grin, the Gengar vanished to dodge the attack.

Hesh collapsed on the ground, smoke emitting from his charred flesh.

Orion ran over to his companion. “HESH!” At the risk of feeling the sting of multiple static discharges, Orion reached a paw out and shook the fallen Wartortle. The Absol’s eyes widened. “No… kid... but…”

His breaths grew shaky. He didn’t know what else to do.

“What a shame,” rumbled a disembodied voice. “So, so close. That boy had such inner turmoil, which you ignored, Orion. Perhaps you should have killed him out of mercy. Then you wouldn't have to put him through all this torture. All you did is prolong the inevitable. Another innocent life snuffed out painfully, because of your negligence.”

The voice snickered in a guttural tone, developing into a fully deranged cackle.

Orion seethed with the ire of an outraged Garchomp. This opponent was toying with him. “WHERE ARE YOU!?” He turned around, expecting Gengar and other Shadows to be waiting for him.

No one.

The Shadow Ursaring and the Shadow Toxicroak were nowhere to be seen. Not even the Gengar. All that remained were the smoldering remains of the Shadow Pokémon he vanquished earlier.

Orion heard a low creaking noise. At the corner of his eye, he saw a large object headed straight for him. He sprung away to avoid it.

The fleshy ground rumbled as the object slammed. It was one of the odd tree-like tendrils in the area.

Orion tilted his head side to side, noticing that the other tendrils were reacting to his presence. He darted around as the tendrils attempted to bludgeon him, swiftly dodging each strike. When he meandered into a more open area, a burst of blue flames zoomed in front of him and singed bits of his fur.

“Now we have no one to interrupt us.”

Orion pivoted his head to the left, noticing Shadow Gengar holding a burning blue orb in his palm. The portly creature raised his hand to aim and launched the fireball. Orion sidestepped to dodge and rushed towards his opponent, his horn emanating fiery black energy. He lashed at his target.

Levitating, Gengar glided toward the rear to dodge. “Try again!” With his other hand, he fired multiple electrical darts, striking the Absol.

Orion felt his nerves flaring up as the electricity traveled through his body, agitating his recent injuries. The pain overwhelmed him, bringing him to a stop.

Shadow Gengar landed on the ground some distance away, howling with laughter. “What’s wrong, Shadow hunter!? Does it hurt? Do you hate me, now that I killed your only friend?”

Orion made an effort to ignore the creature’s jeers, as he drew dark energy into his maw. He projected all his fury and antipathy into this one Shadow Ball attack.

Noticing this, Gengar responded by forming an electrical discharge with both of his hands. The crackling discharge took on a blackened appearance and formed into a spiraling cross shape.

Orion waited until he felt immense pressure and a searing pain in his mouth, then unleashed the enormous Shadow Ball. Gengar, in kind, fired off a massive black thunderbolt.

The two attacks crashed into each other, setting off a fiery explosion.

The force of the explosion pushed Orion back. Exhausted, he wheezed as sweat trickled down his face and through his paws. He refused to ease his battle stance, knowing that his opponent wasn’t finished. But he knew that he had pushed himself beyond his limits; the burning pain inside his body never stopped, and it was only a matter of time before Shadow Toxicroak’s poison would claim his life.

I have to end this quickly… I can’t die here…

Without warning, Orion’s pain shot up in intensity. Spectral energy engulfed him, seeping into his gashes. Unable to move, he yowled in pain.

“You possess such seething, agonizing hatred within you,” said Gengar. “You understand the cruelty of this world. How the other Pokémon turned their backs on you and your kind. You yearn to be accepted. You are very strong and are more than fit to join our numbers. And yet, here you are, THROWING A FIT OVER A STUPID, COWARDLY WARTORTLE!”

Orion shot a vile scowl at him. “GO TO HELL!” With a frustrated roar, the Absol bolted towards his opponent. Gengar, once again, drifted away from his opponent with a smirk.

“NOT THIS TIME!” Desensitized to the pain in his legs, Orion pushed himself forward as he pursued the speedy ghost Pokémon. His horn set ablaze with dark energy and he prepared to strike. Aghast, Gengar’s smile vanished.

Howling a fearsome battle cry, Orion swiveled his horn in a whipping motion, each swipe cleaving away a piece of Gengar’s spectral body. With one powerful strike, the Absol sliced through the creature’s torso.

Shadow Gengar collapsed on his knees, as his aura billowed violently. “You…”

Silence.

“W-Wonderful…”

Orion stared down his opponent, waiting for the inevitable.

“YOU WERE WONDERFUL!” Gengar flew into a frenzied outburst of laughter as his form gradually evaporated. Even as the creature faded away, his mad laughter echoed throughout the realm.

Orion was stunned. He didn’t remember the last time a Shadow Pokémon made his heart pound this intensely.

The tendrils of the twisted forest flagellated in aimless patterns. Orion’s view of the realm blacked out.

---

Orion’s eyes flipped open. The nightmarish realm no longer existed; in its place, the snowy forest. The thick clouds above dissipated and the snowfall ceased. The Shadow Tempest was no more.

A persistent soreness lingered throughout Orion’s whole body. For the first time since he set foot in this forest, the temperature made him quake. Everything felt cold. His breaths, strained. He watched as his stomach gash dripped out blood.

Where is it…?

Orion scanned his surroundings, trying to remember where he placed his satchel. Once he saw the familiar shrubbery, he shambled over. With his teeth chattering, he undid the straps and gobbled up an Oran Berry. One more left. Without hesitation, he peered at his last Pecha Berry and chowed down.

The Absol felt a scintilla of relief. The berries’ healing properties were not enough to alleviate his more severe injuries. He barely escaped with his life, but he suspected that this mattered little. He failed his mission.

Worse, he failed to protect his one ally.

“Fuck… it wasn’t supposed to go this way…”

Orion examined the area once more and found an immobile Pokémon lying in the snow. He recognized that wavy blue tail anywhere. With a downhearted expression, he grabbed his satchel and shuffled over to his fallen comrade. His heart pounded as he anticipated the Wartortle’s fate.

“M-M-Muh… M-M-Muh…”

Orion recoiled in awe. “Y-You’re alive… you’re actually alive…”

Hesh quivered in the snow, eyes closed, like a newborn, murmuring unintelligible words. Orion could hear him struggling to breathe.

“Come on.” Orion yanked out the last Oran Berry. “Don’t you die on me now.” He stuffed the round, blue berry into Hesh’s mouth. With one paw, he pressed the Wartortle’s lower jaw to force him to chew. Out of impulse, Hesh swallowed the contents.

Orion abruptly exhaled. “Okay… okay…”

Hesh’s breathing steadied a bit, but his limbs continued to twitch. Paralysis, Orion thought. Damn it! I don’t have any Cheri Berries left. Knowing he would most likely have to carry Hesh the rest of the way, Orion lifted Hesh with his teeth. Then he set the Wartortle between his shoulders.

I have to hurry… Emerald Valley has to be close by… It has to…

Once again wearing his stern countenance, Orion traipsed through the snowy environment with his partner intact. A trail of his blood trickles followed.

---

Author’s Note: there's a horror game reference. Did you find it?

 

[System Error]

What are movies?

Those old things from humanity! A trope that might've survived in writing anyway...

Nightly post-clean read goes here.
- All these hardcore content warnings, and then you have INTENSE ARGUMENT.
- Nothing like a super death sky to set the mood.
- Huh, magical bodywear that prevents poison. I assume that's some Mystery Dungeon thing.
- Cold blooded walking in snow...gotta be a thing.
- Well that was a rude fox. Knew how to speak though. Must've been one hungry Eevee. And curious that it was out and about in Shadow territory while now being a Shadow.
- Hey, an old character! Why am I seeing death flags go up?
- This is looking awfully sus right about now, a total amoongus moment. This has temptress written all over it.
- Luckily, Hesh has a brain.
- They can disguise themselves now?? And this is much more talkative than previous ones. Wonder how she was selected to be one of the Ascended Shadows?
- I wasn't wrong about the death flags it seems, it just happened in a different sort of way.
- And just healing from that. Seems that if the inflicting Shadow is killed on the spot the injury can just heal.
- Well Hesh is breaking already. Why do I get the feeling he's going to become the Law Hero? If not him, someone we haven't met yet.
- And here comes the jerk Croagunk. Probably another Shadow at this point given he's spouting similar things.
- And the Darkrai Cult is coming into the picture, it seems. Guessing it's that based off their sinister talk and knowing Orion.

The plot continues to move right along. Not much to say in summary. Looking forward to what's next.

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Oh neat, you got through chapter 7! Though I can't help but notice that you didn't mention anything from chapter 6. Did you accidentally skip it or have nothing to comment on? :/

Those old things from humanity! A trope that might've survived in writing anyway...

Maybe. But will it still work, I wonder.

- All these hardcore content warnings, and then you have INTENSE ARGUMENT.

YES! THE WORST ONE OF ALL!

- Huh, magical bodywear that prevents poison. I assume that's some Mystery Dungeon thing.

Yep, that's PMD.

- Cold blooded walking in snow...gotta be a thing.

And funnily enough, always handwaved in anything portraying cold-blooded Pokémon going through cold areas. Especially in PMD when you're playing as a reptilian/amphibious starter. Guess we can't have that pesky "realism" mucking up our snowy adventure.

- Well that was a rude fox. Knew how to speak though. Must've been one hungry Eevee. And curious that it was out and about in Shadow territory while now being a Shadow.

Curious indeed.

- This is looking awfully sus right about now, a total amoongus moment. This has temptress written all over it.

A M O O N G U S

- They can disguise themselves now?? And this is much more talkative than previous ones. Wonder how she was selected to be one of the Ascended Shadows?

For the assets. That lizard has brains.

- And just healing from that. Seems that if the inflicting Shadow is killed on the spot the injury can just heal.

Well, the curse part anyway. But any victim of a Shadow who already went through the transformation was already a goner. So if Hesh did become a Shadow, taking out Lexi won't affect him anymore.

The arm's still gonna hurt though.

lol, you're almost caught up to my current progress! Sure would be a shame if I were to... post again...

 

[OrionTheAbsol]

Chapter 9 - Lost Child

Content Warning: Religious themes, blood, strong language, minor suggestive scene

Author's note: chapter uses guest characters created by other users with their permission​

---

Slumbering.

Falling.

Drifting.

Hesh could no longer feel or hear the outside world. He couldn’t even remember what it was like to stand on green, luscious grass. Or what it felt like to take a bite out of an Oran Berry. Everything around him was shrouded in a thick blanket of fog. Before him loomed a vast river, coursing at a dwindling pace. A hazy figure waited beyond the stagnating water, speaking in a gentle female voice.

“Hesh…”

The Wartortle remembered this voice well. Someone he hadn’t heard in a long time, but he couldn’t recognize her face. “Ma?” He pushed himself to move forward but his body wouldn’t respond. “Ma, is that you? Please, wait for me!”

The figure called out to him. “It’s not your time yet, son. The world is still in anguish, and there’s still so much left for you to do. Your friends are counting on you.”

“B-but… what else can I do? I’m a poor soldier. I can’t save anyone. I couldn’t even save you.”

“But you have saved someone, son. The drifter who was traveling with you.”

“Who? You mean Orion?”

The figure drifted further away into the fog. “He’s counting on you, son. Your fallen comrades are counting on you. Please, reach the valley safely…”

Hesh tried to push on, but he could no longer see his mother. “Ma! Don’t leave yet! I need to see you! Please! MA!”

---

Hesh roused from his unpleasant slumber. With a long yawn, he stretched out his arms and shuffled his feet.

“Ow…”

The Wartortle felt numb and rigid everywhere, as scathing pain lingered in one of his arms. He couldn’t even feel his fingers or toes. Alarmed, Hesh tore his eyes open, greeted by murky vision.

“Welcome back to the real world,” whispered a surly voice.

Perched across him was Orion, lying on his stomach with his front paws folded under. A campfire crackled between the two Pokémon. Though the Absol tried to appear relaxed, Hesh could hear him straining to breathe.

He looked far worse than before; bits of the Absol’s fur were burned off, forming patches of indigo skin. His face was swollen from the times when those Shadow Pokémon were pummeling him. The barren ground next to him was stained with a bit of his blood.

“W-What happened?” asked Hesh, struggling to get up. His body felt heavier than usual. “Where are we? What happened to that Gengar?”

“Ugh… just can’t stop with the questions, can you?”

Hesh stared at Orion for a moment, trying to comprehend what just happened. “Are we… alive? That… That wasn’t all a dream, was it?”

Orion strained himself to get back on his feet and limped over to the Wartortle, just to tap him.

“OW!” Hesh flinched as his nerves shot up. “What’d you do that for!? That stings!”

“For one thing, that was your punishment for running away. And also, no, that was all real.”

“Oooohhh… I don’t like this… I really don’t like this…” Hesh tried to touch his face and feet. “Feels like my whole body is buzzing. I can’t even feel my butt.”

“I’d offer you a Cheri Berry, but we’re all out. In fact, we’re out of food.”

Orion returned to his spot, slowly setting himself down. Hesh could tell that the Absol was also in a tremendous amount of pain himself.

“Man, you’re looking worse for wear,” said Hesh groggily.

“Same can be said of you. Your arm. Your leg. Your neck. Your hands. Even your shell. You were also crying in your sleep.”

Hesh groaned. “You’d cry for your mother too if you’re finally seeing her for the first time in years.”

Orion slouched. “Ah. Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Hesh was uncertain but he noticed a change in the Absol’s demeanor. Though some of his aggression remained, Orion was noticeably more mellow. Hesh turned his attention to the blood staining the snow. “You’re bleeding again.”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t ‘yeah’ me. This is serious. It looks infected now. Your skin is changing color there!”

“...You don’t have to worry for me. I’ll be okay.” Orion tried to give a reassuring smile, fangs showing, but his attempt only made him look meaner.

“Pfft. Not worry?” Hesh leaned forward. “After the crazy shit you did? I’d be anxious as hell if I had family like you!”

“Hehe… somebody anxious for me… I guess that’s a first.”

"I'm being real here! You might actually die if you keep that up."

Hesh felt a few drops of water splashing on his face. When he looked up, he saw the hefty branches of a tree hovering over him, where the snow was melting.

"Are we even in the same forest?" asked Hesh, taking in his surroundings. The place was darker than usual, though he noticed a half-moon clinging to the sky. Some of the trees were missing bits of their bark too.

"Of course. I just took us even further north."

"Why is everything melting then?"

"You didn't notice? The Shadow Tempest is gone. The weather here is just returning to normal, to how it should be."

"Huh." He glanced at Orion. "So does that mean the Ascended Shadow—I guess that Gengar—is dead?"

"As dead as a ghost can be."

Hesh heaved a sigh. "Good. That thing scares me. I don't know what it is aside from his creepy appearance, but something about him ain't right."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, from everything he said about Civilized Pokémon and how we supposedly act like humans. Something about a ‘new age.’ And he claimed he’s the ‘Soul Keeper’ and how he can bring the dead back to life. And sometimes, it’s like he can see into my head! Then he wanted me to sacrifice you for something! I don’t know, he’s going on and on about all this crazy shit!”

“Get a grip on yourself.”

Hesh gripped his forehead, much to Orion’s chagrin. “It felt like I was about to go insane. You missed most of that.”

Orion shook his head. “Don’t be enticed by what the Shadows tell you. You can’t trust their word on anything. Their main concern is their own preservation at the expense of others.”

Hesh nodded. “Yeah, I figured as much. Seems like a lot of his—I guess his ‘recruits’—were Uncivilized that despised the Civilized. But Geris… was one of us. He called himself a patriot for the Peacekeepers. But I knew he was a fraud. That slime has always been more dishonest than a Mandibuzz.” He breathed out. “Oh yeah. How did you manage to find me?”

Orion pulled out a torn, bloodstained blue ribbon from his satchel.

“Oh! I was looking for that!” Hesh extended his arm but flinched back into his original position. Orion tossed the ribbon over to where the Wartortle could easily reach for it. Hesh pressed it on his hands. “I don’t know if you met her, but this belonged to one of my squad mates. She was a Hawlucha named Julia. That Houndoom you fought before was the one who took her life.”

Orion nodded with a dour expression.

“My squad members, and the rest of my company for that matter, are all gone. It’s just me now. That Gengar promised me that I could bring them back, but…” His countenance soured. “I want to say I’m not stupid, but I certainly wouldn’t trust the Shadows to bring them back. I just… have to accept… that they’re gone…” Hesh’s voice shook and he suppressed his tears, then attempted to shift the topic. “You know, I learned something from all this. You’re… not bad after all.”

Orion gaped at him. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well… you actually came back for me. I figured you wouldn’t want anything to do with me after what I said to you back then…” Hesh exuded a weak laugh. “Hey… about what I said to you… I’m sorry, man. Truly. I dunno what came over me, but… I said some awful things to you. I know you were just trying to help me. I’ve been a mess for a while and… I guess I freaked out. Not really something a soldier should be doing.”

Orion’s expression relaxed. “Hey, kid… I’m sorry too.”

“Huh? You, apologizing? What for?”

“I’m… I’m not good at this sort of thing, but… that Gengar made me realize something. I did put you through too much. And… I don’t know… I guess we lived in different worlds, and I figured this kind of trip would toughen you up, like it did me. I was wrong. All I did was bring you more stress and pain.”

Hesh nodded. “Water under the bridge.”

“Huh?”

“It’s an expression. It means don’t worry about it.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Naw. Besides, um… can I be honest with you?”

“Hmm?”

“When I first met you, I honestly thought you were… really scary.” He crossed his arms. “Especially when I heard stories about you being in some kind of cult or whatever. But you’re not so bad after all. You went through this much trouble to keep me safe and... I really appreciate it. So, thanks, man.”

Orion averted his eyes.

Hesh tilted his head. “Come on, that was a compliment. Do you know how compliments work? You’re supposed to feel… flattered or something.”

“Y-Yes… t-t-thank you…”

Hesh guffawed.

Orion shot a glance at him. “Quiet. There are still Shadows around.”

“Oof, sorry. It’s just… I didn’t think you had a bashful side to you. I guess you’re not used to hearing those kinds of things.”

Orion shook his head. “No. I’m not.”

Hesh sighed. “I guess you met a lot of Pokémon like Geris then.”

“Geris… that Toxicroak that was torturing me.”

“Yeah… I guess you put him down, right?”

Orion shook his head. “I don’t know what happened, but it was just me and the Gengar. I guess that Gengar banished his underlings elsewhere.”

A perturbed expression formed on Hesh’s face. “Damn. If he’s still at large, then…” He shook his head. “You know, I’ve known that Croagunk since I was a kid. He was always picking on the other kids, including me. I guess it was because his dad never paid attention to him. Still, he was someone who always thought about himself and would abandon his allies in their time of need.” The Wartortle’s expression changed. “But not me. I refuse to be like him or those people who hurt you. I may not be that great of a fighter, but I would gladly give my life up for a friend.”

Orion’s eyes widened. “Friend, huh?”

The Wartortle beamed. “Yeah. I hope when we reach Emerald Valley, you’ll think the same of me.” Hesh only saw it for a second, but he could’ve sworn the Absol smiled before he reverted back to his usual scowl. “You know, I’ve never actually been to that city, but there are some people I know who live there.” A bewildered expression formed. “Hey! Actually, here’s a crazy idea! You can join the Peacekeepers there!”

Orion scoffed. “Bringing that up again? Quite the dreamer, aren’t you?”

“Heh. I guess I am.”

“Like I said before, that was never an option for me.”

“But you’re so good at this battling thing! Besides, you deserve better than this.” He pointed at the direction of the Condemned Plains. “All I’m asking is that you take better care of yourself. You deserve better than just working as a single mercenary out in the middle of nowhere. And…” He pointed at Orion’s stomach wound. “You need someone to look out for you. Come on. At least give it a chance.”

Orion breathed out. “Maybe under better circumstances. But your Sol Council wouldn’t agree.”

Hesh hesitated to respond as he had a realization. “Ohhhhhhh! Of course, how could I be so stupid?” He whacked his forehead, followed by an audible “ow.”

“Huh?”

“When Sarge was still alive, he told me a disturbing story about an execution in my hometown.”

Orion’s facial expression darkened.

“I was little back then, and I never saw it for myself. But I heard it was for an Absol. Sorry, I didn’t even consider that.”

Orion averted his eyes for a moment. “Th-that’s…”

Hesh paused. “Was it someone close to you?”

“...Something like that.”

“Oh.” Hesh shook his head dejectedly. “I’ll say no more then.”

With his legs quivering, Orion rose up and yawned. “Well, now that you’re up, it’s time to get going.” He hoisted his satchel over his shoulder.

Hesh nervously eyed the Absol’s stomach wound. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Positive.”

“That’s what you said before too.”

Orion plodded through the shallow layer of snow and waited close to Hesh. “Get on. You won’t get far on your own.”

“O-okay.” Carefully, Hesh hobbled over and pulled himself over Orion’s back, where he could practically feel the Absol’s ribs. The laceration on his arm still stung. “You look like you’re ready to tip over, though.”

“I doubt that you’ll fare much better,” Orion retorted as he was embarking towards a dense growth of woodland.

“Yeah,” Hesh chuckled. “I know. I’m useless.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. If you hadn’t done what you did back there in Gengar's realm, you would lose everything and I'd be dead. You wouldn't be 'you' anymore. You'd just be a mindless servant to that Gengar. But you resisted that temptation. You did good, Hesh. I’m sure your company would’ve been proud of you."

The Wartortle sniveled. “Hearing you say that actually means a lot to me. You know?"

“Alright, kid, let’s not cry again.”

“Heh. Going back to ‘kid?’ And here, I was getting used to you finally calling me by my name. I’m surprised you even remember it.” Hesh tapped his neck. “Huh. I just realized that I don’t have my Pecha Scarf on.”

“It got ruined when that Shadow Gengar fried you. So I got rid of it.”

“Ah. Well, at least it’s getting warmer here. Hey! Where’s my Peacekeeper ribbon?”

“Incinerated.”

The Wartortle whined. “Damn it. How will the Peacekeepers recognize me now? Wait, wait, wait. It’s fine. As long as he’s there, I should be able to enter. Don’t worry, we’re covered!”

“Whatever you say, kid.”

---

In the thick of the tenebrous woodland, the two Pokémon could hear nothing but the light crunching of Orion treading in the receding snow. With every tree they passed, Orion would claw the bark off the trunks. The path before them was obscured by a layer of haze. Although the air felt warmer than usual, Hesh could hear and feel his companion quivering.

“As soon as we get to the valley,” said Hesh, “we’re going to get you checked up.”

“I told you,” Orion snapped. “I’ll be okay.”

“No no no. We already did this your way. Whether it’s high pain tolerance or you have some kind of weird masochistic thing going on… I don’t care. You’re doing too much. You weren’t shivering this much when we first got here.”

“Since when did you grow a pair, kid?”

“You tell me, Mister Mercenary.” Hesh yawned. “It’s very quiet here. Where are the Shadows?”

“Probably scattered,” answered Orion. “Without the Ascended Shadow to keep them in check, they’ll wander off aimlessly.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“For now. Most Shadows don’t coordinate attacks on their own. They just go look for the nearest living thing to kill.”

Hesh sighed. “I hope some of the residents made it out okay.”

Orion grumbled. “I don’t know why you pity the Uncivilized. Like I said, they’re not our friends.”

“I can’t help it, Orion. They’re probably cold, scared and hungry. I can’t ignore that.”

“Let’s save the heroics for another time. We still don’t know how close we are to Emerald Valley. You can sleep some more if you want. I’ll wake you up when we’re close to the city.”

Hesh yawned again, unable to hide his exhaustion. But he didn’t want to rest just yet. “I’m okay for now. Besides, I have questions. I know how much you love those.”

Orion scowled at him. “Again? Really?”

“Really. I mean, what happened just a while ago… I’m trying to make sense of it all, if you don’t mind me asking.”

The Absol heaved a sigh. “Fire away…”

Hesh took a deep breath. “So, Orion. What in the hell was that place even? With all the weird trees and the meaty-looking ground. I don’t even know how I got there, but it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s the stuff of nightmares.”

“The place I told you not to go to, and you went anyway.”

Hesh frowned. “Okay, you don’t have to rub it in. But really, what is that place?”

“It’s a part of the Shadow Tempest. It’s not just any old storm. It’s a realm formed by the thoughts and emotions of the Ascended Shadow. Once you enter the heart of a Tempest, you’re unable to come out until its master is defeated.”

“A-are you serious?” Hesh tried to move, but he only managed to painfully rock back and forth. “Why didn’t you tell me that!?”

“I told you not to go there, didn’t I? I know you would’ve panicked like you are right now. You would’ve cowered and I would have to drag you in here, costing us valuable time.”

Hesh moaned, breathing heavily. “Are you trying to get me killed?”

“No. That was what I was trying to prevent. I was serious when I said we had little food. And now, we have nothing except one bottle of water.”

“So, if you didn’t find me…”

“Yes, you would’ve perished for sure. That realm was designed to be a snare. Anyone who wanders in would either die or become a Shadow.”

“You risked your life to save me from a terrible fate…”

“Yes. Don’t do it again,” chided Orion.

Hesh bowed his head. “Yes, sir. I won’t.”

Orion grunted in response.

“So, Orion, have you met that Gengar before? He acts like he knows you.”

Orion hesitated to give an answer. “No, I don’t think we’ve met. But… something about him… felt familiar.” As he remembered his interaction with the Shadow Pokémon, his stride began to falter. “I don’t know what it is, but I’ve seen that face before. And I think I heard that voice before too.”

“Oh. I was just wondering what all that was about. Now that I think about it… a few things didn’t make sense to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“That Gengar seems to know a lot about us, like he can easily get inside our heads. And for all his talk of trying to change the world, he seemed interested in you. Even said you’re the ‘guest of honor?’ I was confused when he asked me to ‘sacrifice’ you. You were killing off his minions, but he wanted to keep you alive for some reason.”

The Absol’s expression grew envenomed. “Is that so?”

“I think… he was trying to get a rise out of you. I wonder why.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone now. Whatever he had in mind, he can’t put it in motion. He’s dead.”

“Still, it’s worrying. He could’ve had his other Shadows to kill you right there. But he wanted me to do it for some reason. He could’ve easily gotten Geris to do it.”

“Hey. Maybe you’re right about him trying to get a rise out of us. Maybe that’s where he gets his entertainment. He didn’t seem all that concerned about losing a new recruit when he tried to kill you.”

“Well, there was that ‘thrill of the hunt’ nonsense he mentioned earlier. And you mentioned that the realm was formed from his thoughts and emotions? I know ghost Pokémon can be morbid, but… something about that one… scares the shit outta me.” Hesh juddered and shook his head. “Oh, whatever, you’re right. That creep is gone now. I don’t understand how you managed to deal with all this and still survive. You’re really something, Orion.”

“To tell you the truth, I should’ve been dead long ago. And yet, I’m still here. After we’re done with this job, you don’t need to hang around me anymore.”

Hesh was taken aback by the Absol’s answer. “Come on, man. We’re friends now, aren’t we? Don’t do that to yourself. You need some people in your life to keep you in check.”

Orion formed a crestfallen expression. “Those people will consider you a freak, for fraternizing with the likes of me. Aren’t you afraid of them rejecting you?”

Hesh shrugged. “I’m the son of a powerful Peacekeeper warrior. And I can’t even face one Shadow. My work’s already cut out for me. At the rate I’m going, I’ll never measure up to my old man and I’m going to stay a low-level recruit forever. So, fuck it. I’m buds with an Absol now!”

Orion gave an amused glance. “You’re asking for hell, kid.”

“Then let them give me hell!”

The Absol grumbled. “You’re a weird one, trying to fraternize with an Absol outlaw. And you saw me eat a bird. Now I know you’re just making things harder on yourself.”

“I can say the same for you, Mister ‘I’m Fine.’” Hesh chortled weakly. “So, um. How many of those rumors about you are actually true?”

Orion grimaced and exhaled. “Some.”

“Really? Which ones?”

“Not too long ago, I was a member of the Darkrai Sect. They’re a clan of vagabonds who worshipped a god of darkness, nightmares and fears. We referred to him as Lord Darkrai. He’s a god who values strength against adversity, above all else. He also opposed the will of the Creator.”

“So you’re not an actual mercenary then. You’re a homeless drifter that my company’s scouts just so happened to find.”

Orion sighed. “That’s certainly a way to put it. But yes.”

“W-why did you join the sect?”

“I owed them. They’re the ones who smuggled me out of Daem.” Orion sighed. “I hated that damn place. That city may be a part of the Peacekeeper Alliance, but it’s a breeding ground for Asa’i Hara’min outlaws.”

“Wait, the Asa’i Hara’min? You had to put up with them?”

“On a daily basis, when I was one of their performers for the colosseum.”

“Geez, I’m sorry to hear that.”

Orion shook his head. “Anyways, I lived with the Darkrai Sect for a while. The leader wanted to bring Lord Darkrai into the world of the living.”

“Huh? So Lord Darkrai is dead?”

“I guess you could say that. Lord Darkrai had no physical form and he would only appear to you in dreams. But the ritual of summoning him into the world requires sacrifices. So the Darkrai Sect massacred all the villagers of Broma. Our lord also needed a vessel.”

“A vessel?”

“Another sacrifice. But this time, using someone’s own body to take physical form. And the lord chooses who he wants to possess. The clan leader saw me as a potential vessel for our god, but he wanted that honor himself. So that bastard tried to have me assassinated. And, well… I’m sure you know the rest.”

“You killed them?”

“I had to. By that point, all of them became Shadows.”

“What the hell!?”

“I really should’ve known better back then. Besides, this ‘god’ of theirs may not even exist. The summoning ritual failed.”

“So they actually tried it?”

“Yeah. And no Lord Darkrai.”

“That’s insane. Why would they even try such a thing?”

“They wanted to change the world and its cruel ways. But when you think about it, that’s impossible to do. You can’t make peace with the Shadow Pokémon or the dragons. The Asa’i Hara’min won’t go away anytime soon. And the Sol Council won’t abdicate their influence over Hevalkin. If these so-called ‘gods’ exist, they would’ve stepped in already. We can’t win this war, kid.”

“I mean, you don’t know that yet. Gods can exist. They got to. How are we even here then?”

Orion growled. “Okay. Then why does the Creator watch his creations kill each other?”

“Maybe he can’t step in.”

“What do you mean he can’t step in? He’s the Creator, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, but maybe he doesn’t want to interfere with our mortal affairs?”

“Interfere with us killing each other? That sounds extremely helpful right about now.”

“Okay, this conversation’s over.”

Orion sighed. “Sorry, kid. But unless I see them for myself, these ‘gods’ can kiss the boniest parts of my—”

“I said it’s over!”

“Heh.”

---

A peculiarly bright sun rose from the eastern edge of the forest. With his paws numb and mind buzzing, Orion forged on. As his companion snored on his back, Orion felt more feeble than usual. His breaths grew more frenetic and the rest of his body felt cold.

Damn it… how much longer now?

The Absol underestimated the amount of distance they had to travel. He wanted to sprint the rest of the way, but he no longer had the energy to do so. Besides, he wasn’t sure how he could bring Hesh with him without the clumsy Wartortle falling off during the ride.

Orion halted.

“Hey,” Orion blared. “Hey, kid. Wake up.”

Over his shoulder, Hesh released a huge yawn. “Wha? Are we there yet?”

“No, but look.”

Nestled between the shrubbery was a damaged small building made from wooden planks and blocks of stone. The roof had collapsed from some unknown force. Spread across the ground were footprints of various sizes, debris and bloodstains.

“Is that…?” Hesh glanced at the torn flag bearing the insignia of the Peacekeepers. “An outpost!” Hesh budged, but lost his balance and flopped onto the ground.

“Watch it, kid!” Orion scolded. “You’re still paralyzed.”

“I know…” Hesh pressed on the ground and pulled himself up back on his feet. He teetered about until he regained his balance.

“Stay put.” As Orion walked away, Hesh called out to him.

“No, not this time. I’m following you. Do you know how many times I got attacked whenever you leave?”

Orion groaned. “Fine. But don’t wander off too far.”

The two Pokémon moved into the ruins of the outpost, where they could only hear the thuds of their footsteps against the wooden planks. Claw marks and broken supplies were sprawled across the ground and the walls.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” Hesh called out.

No answer.

Hesh lightly punched the wall. “Damn it.”

“Not sure what you’re expecting,” said Orion. “Somebody razed this place pretty good.”

“I mean, if somebody’s here, they must know the way to Emerald Valley then. They can maybe even take us there!”

“Well, let’s hope this city is still standing then. In the meantime, maybe we’ll find something useful here.”

Hesh felt his stomach rumble. “Ugh. Agreed. Let’s look around.”

Orion approached a broken trunk, noticing it was split down the middle. He winced as soon as he got close to it, having inhaled a sour, miasmal odor. When he tipped the lid open, he saw the rotten, pulverized remains of Pecha Berries.

“Damn. I didn’t know Pechas could smell this bad.”

He heard Hesh call from another room. “What was that? Did you find something?”

“You don’t wanna know, kid.”

“Well, I’m going to see if I can find some bandages for you.”

Meanwhile, Hesh wobbled across the room he was in, dragging his feet. He peeked into several boxes and trunks, finding mostly debris and broken weapons. At the corner of his eye, he noticed another trunk sitting next to an aperture. He lifted the trunk’s heavy lid with both of his arms.

“Oh, wow.”

The trunk was crammed full of berries, some of which had gotten too ripe. The Wartortle tried to wave the odor away from his nose. Among the pile of berries, he noticed a tiny red berry.

“Oh, yes! Finally!” He snatched up the Cheri Berry and hastily chewed on it. He coughed as its spicy oil burned his throat.

Hesh heard Orion calling for him. “Hey, kid! What was that noise?”

“We got food, Orion! Get over here!”

The Wartortle laughed like a giddy child as he felt his body gaining strength. The tingling sensation faded away and his joints felt less stiff than before. Hesh stuffed his face with an Oran Berry. The flavor was more pungent than usual, but he didn’t care. Somehow, it tasted heavenly to him.

Hesh glanced at the aperture next to him. A tiny creature stood in the light.

“What the hell!?” Hesh stumbled back as the creature shrieked and latched onto him, gnawing on his neck. The Wartortle grabbed his assailant and began pulling away. “Damn it! I’m not food! Stop!”

Orion walked in, observing the Eevee growling as it tried to chew through the Wartortle’s skin. “Really, kid?” The Absol approached the scuffle and swatted the Eevee away. The small furry creature moaned in pain as it stopped moving.

“Geez, Orion, why so rough with children?” Hesh asked, rubbing the fresh bite mark on his neck.

Orion rolled his eyes and approached the unconscious Eevee. He lifted one of its hind legs.

“O-orion, what are you doing?” Hesh asked.

“Hmm. This one’s a girl. That’s actually quite rare for an Eevee.”

Hesh twirled his hands aggressively. “Okay, but seriously… why even look? That’s just rude.”

The Eevee’s eyes zipped open and she stumbled back on her feet. With her fur raising up, she arched her back and growled at the Absol.

Orion leered at her. “You’re not the least bit frightening.” He bared his fangs and snarled at the smaller creature, deforming his face into something demonic. “You have a lot of nerve following us here!”

The display took the Eevee by surprise as her ears immediately drooped down. When she realized she had her back against the wall, her eyes began to water and she began to whimper.

“Just do what you need to do,” she spoke in a high-pitched voice. “I know how this works.” She closed her eyes and ducked her head down, covering her face with her paws.

Orion eased up his battle stance and glanced at Hesh. The Wartortle shrugged.

“Well?” cried the Eevee. “Aren’t you going to eat me?”

“And why would I do that?” said Orion.

“You’re a predator, aren’t you? You’re bigger and stronger.”

“I don’t live out here. I’m Civilized.”

The Eevee opened her eyes and stared at the Absol. “Cibi…? Civuh…?”

Orion paced about impatiently. “Look, just get out of here before I change my mind.”

“You mean… you won’t eat me?”

“Did I stutter, kid?”

The Eevee glanced at Hesh, who sheepishly waved at her. She faced the Absol once more. “Well, then… are you gonna eat him?”

Hesh gestured at her. “Wait wait wait, I didn’t sign up for this!”

“No,” growled Orion. “No one’s eating anyone here. We got a job to do. I’m giving you one more chance to leave, kid.”

A loud squelching sound broke the tension. The Eevee whined. “But I’m hungryyyy!” She stamped her feet. “There’s no food out here!”

Orion snarled as he walked away. “Oh, damnation!” The walls seemed to rumble from the outburst.

Hesh glanced at the trunk next to him. “Wait, hold on! There’s some food over here!” He snatched a plump pink berry and rolled it across the ground towards the Eevee.

The Eevee stared at the berry and sniffed it. She briefly gave the Wartortle a dirty look before she gnawed on it. “Ahh…”

Hesh was taken aback as he saw the Eevee wildly sinking her fangs into the berry. She tore off the soft flesh and munched on the pulp within, leaving behind a mess on the ground.

“W-wow, you really like Pechas,” commented Hesh.

With her cheeks stuffed, the Eevee barked at him. “More! More!”

“Yea-yeah! Sure! Got plenty more!” The Wartortle tossed a few more berries in the Eevee’s direction. Like a wild beast, she tore apart the berries, snarling blissfully.

Orion shook his head. “Hesh, stop wasting the food on the Uncivilized.”

Hesh seethed, grinding his teeth. “Come on, Orion. Don’t ruin this precious moment.” The Wartortle flinched as he noticed that the Eevee was moving closer to him. She shyly bowed her head down, ears drooping.

“Sorry…”

“U-um, it’s fine. Just don’t do it again. ” Hesh rubbed the bite mark on his neck, covering it.

Orion lurched forward. “Enough of this! You need to go home, kid. Now!”

With a frightened expression, the Eevee scooted back. She stared at the Absol with glistening eyes.

Hesh glared at Orion. “Come on. She’s just a kid. Are you really going to leave her out here with the Shadows?”

“Both of you are testing my patience.”

The Eevee crawled forward. “U-um… can I have more Pechas?”

Orion exhaled. “Whatever. Get your fill, then get out of here. Don’t follow us again.”

The Eevee nodded. “Uh-huh.” She climbed into the trunk and snatched up another berry. She playfully rolled it across the ground before chomping on it.

Hesh chuckled. “Actually, she’s very adorable.”

“Sure, when she’s not trying to eat you,” Orion retorted.

“Say, here’s an idea.” Hesh approached the Eevee, who was snarling as she tried to break open a Chesto Berry. “Do you want to come with us? We’re going to a safe place.”

The Eevee tilted her head. “Safe?”

Orion shook his head. “No, no. You know the laws, Hesh. If they find an Uncivilized in the city, they’ll exterminate her.”

Hesh walked over to the Absol and whispered in his ear. “Come on, Orion. This is important to me. I can’t leave her behind. Besides, do you want an adorable face like that to become a Shadow?”

“If they find out what she is, they’ll kill her, Hesh. Do you understand?”

“It’s fine! I know a guy in Emerald Valley! If he’s around, I can ask him to, um… take her in?”

Orion scowled. “You’re out of your mind.”

“U-um.” The Eevee stood next to the two Pokémon, startling both of them. “Can I come with?”

Before Orion could respond, Hesh answered first. “Yeah, of course you can!”

The Eevee responded with a smile and a tail wag.

Orion snarled in frustration and glared at the Wartortle. “You’re owning up to this. My job is to escort you, not this brat. Take your fill and get this job done. We’re reaching Emerald Valley by sunrise.” The Absol walked off and began to partake in the berry cache.

The Eevee looked at Hesh with slumped ears. “Is he mad at me?”

Hesh nervously twiddled his digits. “Oh, he’s just cranky. He went through a lot yesterday. So try not to bug him too much, okay?”

“Okay…”

“By the way, do you have a name, miss?”

“Sis calls me Yukie.”

Hesh nodded. “Yukie. That’s a lovely name.”

The Eevee giggled.

---

The sun hung overhead, giving a view of the clear blue sky. The remaining snow in the woods mostly dissipated due to the warm weather. The only things missing were the chirrupings of bird and bug Pokémon. For Hesh, it felt like ages since he witnessed such a beautiful sight. The Wartortle inhaled deeply, feeling relaxed for the first time in such a while. “This is more like it. Sun out. No weird swirly clouds. No Shadows. Orion, I think I’m feeling lucky today!”

“Yeah, that’s great, kid.” Orion trudged along with a scowl on his face, as their new companion pestered him. The Eevee attempted to climb onto the Absol’s back, only for him to push her off. “Can you tell your pet that I’m not her steed?” With his satchel packed with some of the ripe berries, he’d rather not carry more load.

“Yukie, stop bothering the Absol. He’s feeling sore now,” ordered Hesh.

“Ad… sore?” Yukie responded, tilting her head.

“‘Ab.’ Like, abs? And ‘soul.’ Say it with me. ‘Absol.’”

“Absol.”

“Very good, Yukie! That’s correct!” He tossed a Pecha Berry at the Eevee and she caught it with her teeth.

Orion grumbled, feeling more irritable than usual. Though he felt a bit more energized from his meal, an intense headache lingered and he was panting more than usual. “This isn’t supposed to be a vacation, Hesh. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re still in enemy territory!”

Hesh moaned. “Come on, Orion. I’m sick of being depressed. Besides, don’t you find her the least bit adorable?”

“No.”

“Tch. Killjoy.”

“More! More!” Yukie demanded.

“Okay, Yukie,” said Hesh. “Here’s another one. Can you say my name? ‘Hesh.’”

“Hash!”

“No, no. Say it with me. ‘Hesh.’”

“Hash! Hash!”

The Wartortle groaned. “Man, I really don’t care for that nickname. Close enough.” He tossed another Pecha Berry, to which Yukie caught.

Orion looked back. “You’re not supposed to reward her if she’s doing it wrong, kid.”

Hesh gave a smug grin. “Okay, fine. Yukie, say ‘Orion.’”

“Oh, rye bread!”

The Wartortle burst into laughter, slapping his belly. “Okay, you gotta admit, that’s actually kinda funny.”

“Shut up, Hash,” snapped Orion.

Hesh frowned. “Ha. Ha. Hilarious joke, Mister Rye Bread. Ow!” The Wartortle suddenly flinched in pain as the Absol kicked a pebble at his face.

---

Yukie curled up on the layer of thick white fur, resting her head on it, watching Hesh trailing behind. With an annoyed frown, Orion pressed on, no longer caring about the small fox-like creature on his back. He was too exhausted to care.

“That actually looks comfy,” said Hesh.

Orion leered at him. “Don’t even.”

“Relax, I’m not.”

The Absol growled.

Hesh beamed. “Awfully nice of you to let her rest there.”

“Yeah, well, it won’t be for long.”

Hesh saw the Eevee watching him from atop Orion’s back, occasionally swatting at the Absol’s blade-like tail. “So, Yukie, did you live in this forest?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I see. Aside from what happened yesterday, it's a pretty nice place here. How did you not get caught by the Shadows?”

“I dunno.”

The Wartortle rubbed the back of his head. “Okay. Um, do you have family here?”

The Eevee’s ears drooped down. “Sis…”

“Oh. You have a sister? Where is she?”

The Eevee’s eyes watered. “Sis… Sis…”

Hesh jumped when he saw the Eevee beginning to weep. “H-hey, what’s wrong? What did I say?”

Yukie’s tears dripped onto Orion’s back, causing the Absol to protest. “Okay, what now!?”

“I don’t know!” answered Hesh. “Come on, kid. You’re making me feel bad now. Please don’t cry. Just tell big bro Hesh what’s wrong.”

“Oh, so you’re ‘big bro’ now?” said Orion.

Hesh grumbled. “Not now, Orion…”

Yukie sniffled as she calmed down. “Sis… went away…”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that, Yukie.”

“I can’t find her.”

“You mean… she’s out there!?”

Yukie nodded. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, what does she look like? Maybe we can go find her.” Hesh noticed Orion casting him a dirty look.

“She’s an Espeon. But her fur is black now.”

Hesh nodded. “Okay, that’s a good start.” He paused. “Wait, black fur?”

Orion suddenly came to a stop, looking at the Eevee over his shoulder. “Yukie, are you sure about that? Did her eyes turn red too?”

“Uh-huh.”

Hesh trembled. “Orion, you don’t think…”

“Another Ascended Shadow,” said Orion. “Hesh, we have to get out of here as soon as possible. If that Espeon is still around, it’ll be really bad for us if she summons another Shadow Tempest here.”

The Wartortle nodded. “Understood.”

Orion glanced at Yukie. “I’m sorry, kid. We’ll look for your sister later. Right now, there are dangerous monsters out there and I can’t fight.”

Yukie responded with a timid bob of the head. “Okay.”

“Just stay with us until the end. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“Good.”

Yukie ogled at the Absol for some time, staring into his bright red eyes. “Pretty…”

Orion bobbed his head back and looked away. “What? Go… go to sleep, kid.”

Hesh covered his mouth, trying to suppress his laughter. “Wow, Orion. A sudden change of heart there.”

“You shut up.”

“And are you actually going red in the face? And a compliment from a girl on his back. Looks like you got yourself an admirer, Orion. What more could you possibly want?”

“Shut up before I kill you!”

Orion snorted in uneasiness as he heard Yukie giggling next to his ears.

---

The sun inched closer to the west as a heat wave began to climb up in intensity. Though Hesh much preferred this type of weather over a frozen landscape any day, he couldn’t help but feel that this was highly unusual. The sudden change in temperature was weird enough. But for it to make him sweat everywhere?

Further up ahead was the edge of the forest. Hesh could see colossal structures rising over the trees from far away. “Am I seeing things? Is that what I think it is?”

“Probably,” answered Orion. “Those look like Peacekeeper guard towers.”

“Gods! Finally!” Hesh sprinted ahead of the Absol.

Orion attempted to pick up speed. “Hold up!”

Hesh came to a stop. “H-heh. Sorry. I guess I can be quick sometimes.”

Orion breathed noisily. His vision was growing blurry. Though the noise didn’t wake up the Eevee on his back, the Absol was nearing his limits.

“Orion, are you okay?” asked Hesh. “Do you need some water?”

The Absol glared at him. “I despise the heat. And I’m still bleeding out.”

Hesh eyed the stomach wound, which still leaked out blood. “Oh, shit. I thought you said you were fine though!”

“It’s not healing… okay…?”

“W-what do you want me to do?”

“Take the kid and go. Reach Emerald Valley without me.”

“W-what!? But why? We’re so close! I can get you help! They can treat you there!”

“No, no… it’s fine… just leave me here… oh…”

“What is your problem!? I’m trying to help you!”

Yukie shuffled around Orion’s fur, releasing a long yawn. “What’s happening?”

Orion panted. “You don’t understand, kid… something’s going to happen if I collapse... No one can be here once it happens... So I need you to go!” The Absol’s eyes widened as he looked ahead. “Oh, shit…”

“What are you talking about?” Hesh protested. “We made it this far! You can’t quit now!”

“Shut up, kid…”

“Come on, Orion, please, just let me help you for once! I already left my company behind! Don’t ask me to leave you!”

Orion nudged Hesh. “No, seriously, shut up. Look!”

Hesh fell silent as he looked ahead. At a clearing was a blue Pokémon with a snakelike body, stretching out towards the sky. The sunlight grew brighter, the heat stronger.

The creature coiled itself back on the ground. It glared at the approaching group of Pokémon, where they could see its lengthy fangs and winglike appendages on the sides of its face. A black bandana with an insignia resembling claw marks was tied around the creature’s neck. A small horn jutted out of its forehead and several scars decorated its body. The creature’s visage curled up into a baleful smirk.

The feathery wings on the sides of its face fluttered, allowing the creature to ascend into the sky. It gracefully glided away.

Hesh was speechless at first, but tried to form a sentence. “Um… was that…?”

“A Dragonair,” answered Orion. “That’s a Serapían soldier.”

“What’s it doing here?”

“This hot weather is no accident. Almost like...” The Absol gasped. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

“What? What’s going on?”

“The dragons are coming! They’re going to wipe us out! Move!”

“Shit! Right now!?”

Yukie jumped off Orion’s back. “Sis…”

Hesh wrapped his arms around Yukie, restraining her. “No, you can’t go back! There are dragons out there! Do you understand!?”

“B-but… Sis…” Yukie relaxed her body in defeat.

A thunderous roar echoed from the south. Several more followed. From the edges of the forest, many dark figures came out from hiding and rushed in towards the south.

“Shadows!” Hesh cried.

“Don’t worry about them!” Orion yelled. “Take the kid and leave!”

Hesh held onto Yukie and carried her over his chest. At the corner of his eye, he saw many hulking figures gliding above the trees from further south. The beasts bellowed and rained down pillars of flames upon the trees and the approaching Shadows. More and more Shadows poured out from the depths of the woods, countering their attackers with projectiles of their own.

“Come on, kid!” Orion bellowed.

As the Absol hobbled over to the edge of the woods, a tall, dark creature jumped out from the nearest coppice and raced towards him. The Shadow Pokémon delivered a swift punch at Orion’s face, hurling him to the ground.

“Orion!” Hesh screamed, with Yukie in his arms whimpering.

“Well, look who decided to show up!” the creature bellowed.

Hesh recognized the Shadow Pokémon as none other than his former comrade in arms, Geris. However, the Toxicroak looked different once again. The bipedal frog’s skin was now pitch black and he had grown even taller to the point where he was almost three times Hesh’s height. His eyes were glowing red.

“Geris…” Hesh uttered.

“I’ve been looking for you.” Shadow Toxicroak seized Hesh by the throat and lifted him off the ground, forcing him to release Yukie. Hesh placed both of his hands over Toxicroak’s massive hand, attempting to loosen his grip. Toxicroak snarled. “I didn’t forget what you did to me, you little shit!”

Hesh could feel Toxicroak’s spit splashing on his face; however, it burned like acid.

Toxicroak glanced at the battle that broke out further south and smirked. “Well, if you won’t freeze to death, how’d you like to get cooked by the dragons instead?”

Hesh thrashed his legs about and strengthened his grip on Toxicroak’s hand.

Toxicroak raised the Wartortle higher up, preparing to throw him. It was then a small creature tackled into the beast’s leg, knocking him off balance and releasing Hesh. When the Wartortle crawled away, he saw Yukie facing the Toxicroak, baring her fangs at the Shadow.

Shadow Toxicroak rose back up and sneered at the tiny Eevee. “What’s this? You think you’re ferocious, little one?”

Yukie responded with another snarl, her face contorting to something more wicked. Hesh sat nearby, stunned by the Eevee’s fearlessness.

Toxicroak boomed with laughter. “That’s pathetic, rookie! Even this little cotton ball is outdoing you! Kya-ha-ha!” With his back turned, Toxicroak felt something sharp sweeping at his leg. The Shadow lost his balance and stumbled away.

Orion raced towards his allies. “We don’t have time for this!” He grabbed Yukie by the scruff of her neck and signalled Hesh to follow him. The Wartortle nodded and trailed behind the Absol.

Orion set Yukie down and dropped his satchel. He rummaged through the contents and poured it all out. Hesh could hear the clacking of wooden coins among them.

“What the hell are you doing?” Hesh asked.

Panting, Orion jolted his head in Hesh’s direction, startling the young Wartortle. “Get in the bag.”

Hesh stared at him. “You’re kidding me.”

“DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M KIDDING!? GET IN THE FUCKING BAG!”

“Okay, okay! Geez!” With a begrudging expression, Hesh stood on the inside of the satchel.

With a side glance, Orion could see Shadow Toxicroak pointing at him. “KILL THEM!” Shadow Toxicroak bellowed, echoing through the woods. “BRING ME THEIR HEADS!” Heeding their master’s call, the Shadows from further south ceased engaging the dragons and stampeded towards Orion’s group.

The Absol glared at Yukie. “You too, Yukie!”

The Eevee nodded with a frightened expression. “Okay.”

With the two small Pokémon attempting to fit inside the satchel, Orion sealed it and hoisted it over his shoulder. The load was heavier than the berries, but there was no other choice.

Orion could hear Hesh’s voice complaining through the satchel. “Pbbbt! Um, Yukie, you mind moving your tail away from my face? Thank you.”

“Sorry…”

“Don’t move, you two,” ordered Orion. “This is the only feasible way I can carry you both. It’s going to be rough. Brace yourselves.”

Orion inhaled deeply and gritted his teeth as he weathered the massive amount of pain melting through his body. He dashed for the next opening of the forest, leading to an open field. Up ahead over the distant mountains, several stone structures towered. Orion could make out the vague outlines of flags waving next to them.

The ground trembled as a horde of Shadow Pokémon followed close by. Orion refused to look back, instead focusing his sights on the cliffs ahead of him. The adrenaline rush was unreal. He felt ill, as an intensely cold sensation spread throughout his body. The wound on his stomach shot out in burning pain. The inside of his chest wouldn’t stop thrashing. His vision grew hazy.

He could faintly hear several horns sounding off at once. The sky suddenly darkened. From the towers, he saw all manner of projectiles raining down from the top: bolts of lightning, columns of flames, hundreds of spiky projectiles.

Orion shut his eyes and grabbed the strap of his satchel.

---

Hesh and Yukie felt like they were suspended in the air briefly before they felt a heavy impact, knocking the breath out of them. Hesh forced himself out of the satchel, gripping Yukie tightly as she sobbed in his chest. He looked at the direction of the Shadows, noticing many burning bodies lying on the ground. More of the Shadows moved away, fleeing from the scene. Further up ahead, he saw the faint outlines of large airborne creatures, burning down the distant forest.

“Gods…” Hesh stroked the top of Yukie’s head, attempting to comfort the Eevee child. Hesh was stunned that this amount of destruction happened in such a short time. “That could’ve been us.”

The Wartortle rapidly turned around when he saw a large group of Pokémon approaching him. At the lead was a tall, black bipedal fox creature with a long mane of red hair. The Pokémon had an unpleasant appearance, wearing a cold scowl, covered in multiple battle scars. A thick black ribbon was tied around its neck.

“Yer lucky we didn’t strike you, boy,” the Zoroark said in a gruff, mannish voice. “Mind telling me what the fuck just happened?”

Hesh squinted his eyes. “Auntie Kee, is that you?”

“Huh? Auntie Kee? Wait, is that you, Squirt!?”

Hesh hugged the fox’s leg. “CREATOR BE PRAISED, IT IS YOU! IT’S SO GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!”

“W-whoa, holy shit, not in front of my subordinates, kiddo!” The Zoroark could hear her troops laughing under their breath. She responded with an evil eye, disquieting them. She knelt down and patted the Wartortle on the head. “How the hell did you get all the way over here? Do you know how far Lusang is from here?" She eyeballed the bite wounds on his arm and neck. "Goddamn, what happened to you? Somebody messed you up pretty good. Tell me who did this to you.” She raised her claws in a threatening manner. “And I’ll tear them another asshole!"

Hesh glanced at Yukie, who appeared to be confused. “N-never mind that. Is this Emerald Valley? Please tell me we’re at Emerald Valley.”

The Zoroark nodded. “Yer here, Squirt. Welcome to paradise and whatnot."

Hesh trembled as he felt a rush of joy and sadness and began to sob.

The Zoroark sighed. patting the back of his head. “Emotional as always. Damn, you've grown, kid. You were just a bubble-blowing Squirtle the last time I saw you. Now look at you. You evolved! Congrats!" She punched the Wartortle in his uninjured arm. "Yer dad must be so proud!"

Hesh sniffled, wiping his tears away. "T-thank you."

"By the way, you might want to quit yer blubbering for a bit, Squirt. Yer friend over there is not doing so hot.” She pointed at the direction of a white creature lying on the ground, huffing for air. A small crowd of Peacekeepers gathered next to the bleeding body, murmuring.

"What is it?"

"Is it Uncivilized?"

"Scary-looking thing…"

Hesh released Yukie and sprinted towards the group. "Oh, shit! ORION!" The Wartortle squeezed through the crowd. One of the soldiers pressed a towel on the Absol's stomach. A small pool of blood formed on the grass. The Absol was hyperventilating.

"No… No…" Hesh shook his head rapidly, covering his mouth.

"He's losing too much blood." The Zoroark soldier walked over to the Wartortle's side, tapping his shoulder. "He's gone into shock. Pray for him. His time might come tonight."

Hesh clasped his hands together and prayed. The unconscious Orion drew in breaths at a rapid pace.

"Please… save him… I know he doesn't believe in you… but please… fight for him…"

Several soldiers wrapped the Absol in a long sheet and lifted him. They approached the trail leading into the mountains.

---

Author’s Notes:

• Yukie is based on user Akina’s character
• Savage is based on user rhazerat’s character
• Keelan is based on user Telume’s character

 

[System Error]

Let's jam through C6 real quick because I totally did overlook it.
- Blood of a legendary soldier? He's Solid Snake?
- Hey a soft side from Orion. Much more meaningful seeing this stand out given later events.
- Awful lot to pay out, but I suppose it has to go in someone's coffers
- Distracted by something...
- Bringing up uncivilizeds...
- Stoicness...the super stoic Absol
- Huh, just a casual stampede with nothing to worry about.
- Didn't think he'd be a scavenger.
- Gotta eat em all!
- Getting serious zombie virus vibes from the shadows.
- And there's one of the recently zombified
- Rip right apart

Now going over to C8 in a bit more detail than earlier.
- A brief look into Orion's viewpoint here. Fancy that bitterness.
- Crazy psychic flashback on Hesh, I think.
- This seems too nightmarish to be the Shadow's work. Heh. See what I did there?
- So this all but confirms the Cult of Darkrai and the Shadows were linked. Thought they might be different factions.
- Well I was not expecting it to be a well-spoken sermon giver.
- Oh, well I guess Hesh is the SMT hero after all, given being placed in this position.
- And here comes a deal with the devil. If he calls himself Dharke Raidou or something I am going to just grin.
- And Geris confirmed to be the Chaos Hero. Getting power in the form of evolution, I suppose. Very early to be going off the deep end.
- I suppose names aren't on Dharke Raidou's specialty list.
- No room for the weak? Yuuup, this is totally the Chaos faction.
- I hope the necklace was left behind and fell apart when the Missy D died. In the sense of a ghost dying
- Dharke Raidou talking like he used to know Orion. Hmhmhm. Well, he was around the Cult before.
- And now trying to go Emperor Palpatine on him.
- For someone who claims to know a lot about deception, Dharke Raidou sure is bad at detecting it. Orion seems to get it too.
- Magical blue ghostly fire...
- Wow, the client of sorts sacrificing himself to save the mercenary. And strong emotion from Orion...
- And we're already in our first boss fight. And he seems to have lost all his air.
- Hmm, maybe this isn't Dharke Raidou, at least not yet. Definitely a big boss of the Kalpa, though.
- Well it seems Orion's heart wasn't the only one pounding intensely there. Wasn't expecting it to just celebrate its own death.
- Looks like they can go Freddy Kruger on you here.

Probably should work on a bit of my own stuff rather than jump into the newly fresh C9 from here, tiredness permitting, but I guess I'll get into that tomorrow night - probably. Man that last chapter was intense. Isn't clear how they came to end up in the nightmare world, but I'm supposing that's something that will be explained later on. Business is picking up though, and we haven't even seen a hint of what the Law faction's plans for the world are. Guessing we're going to be meeting them soon enough, however. Looking forward to seeing more!