After the Storm - Part 36 DRAFT
Just like the title says, this is just the draft of the chapter. This chapter is nowhere near finished, I want to add more to it. The reason I'm posting unfinished work right now is because it's been... god knows how long since I last updated the series. I haven't given up on the series, I don't want to give up on the series, but I've just been very busy with school (especially given the fact that I'm not performing well) and stress and all that junk.
It's almost over though. It's finals week right now so I guess I'll soon have more time to work on my stories.
Also, if you like the series, please do show your support by adding this story to your favorites, leaving a comment, or just messaging me. I want to know how many people actually appreciate these kind of content and the support helps motivate me to keep working on it.
Jason and Sarah were walking down the streets of the Military District, both with worry in their minds. Earlier they saw the three fugitive brothers on their way out of the Academy with Charlie and an Infernape escorting them, but they weren't going down the same road as them and lost sight of them eventually. The Riolu stopped for a moment and looked back to the Academy, gazing upward at where the Charizard's office should be, the Kirlia soon followed his gaze.
"What's wrong?" asked the Kirlia.
"Nothing." Jason replied. "It's just that there's no explosion from the room yet, so that's gotta be a good sign that they aren't fighting."
"They could be fighting," The Kirlia added. "Just not as destructive as you expected."
The Riolu hummed, considering what the Kirlia had just said. "Then it's a sign that Mr. Ignatius isn't trying to kill Mr. Joseph yet." He said as he resumed walking and the Kirlia following suit. "By the way... why were you so insistent on releasing those prisoners? We could've used psychic types to probe their minds the same way you did while keeping them locked up. And how did you know that they had information?"
"You should know that my specie and its evolutionary line are sensitive to the emotions of others." The Kirlia said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "While I was staring out my window last night, I saw them running into an alley. From our apartment, I used my psychic powers to study them. From there, I knew that they had just escaped from prison. But what really got to me was that young Scrafty. Unlike his older brothers, he... he really wants a second chance." The Kirlia's gaze lowered. "I could feel his fear, his pain... I want to help him get away from it all.
"I would mind if his brothers were arrested, they're the ones keeping him in a life of crime. But the Scrafty cares about them too much, and his brothers would rather they all go down together anyway." The Kirlia paused. "Look, I don't know your military protocols... but I'm just glad the Scrafty received a pardon."
"I'm just a recruit... I haven't even properly graduated into a cadet yet," Jason said. "I don't know all there is to how the military operates yet." He paused. "Still... given that these dudes are the same guys that I arrested a few months ago... with bullets flying everywhere... it's not really something that I like going back to. No matter what Charlie says about what happened that day... I was scared... terrified even. I didn't stop and think that these are just Pokemon trying to get through life... that they got the short end of the bargain... I don't even know half of what I'm saying anymore."
"It's alright..." the Kirlia said reassuringly. "I'm not one for words either when I'm feeling down. Thanks for opening up to me like that."
"Why?"
"Why what?" the Kirlia asked. "Why am I not one for words or why am I thanking you?"
"Why are you thanking me? I just... babbled... about what's in my mind."
"It lets me know that you trust me." The Kirlia replied with a smile. "I'm glad that you trust me like this."
The Riolu chuckled. "Well... first impressions are important when befriending my specie given that our aura can pretty much tell what kind of person you are."
"You arent' worried that I'm a mole just trying to gain your trust?" the Kirlia asked with a grin.
Jason looked at Sarah in the eye with a stone-cold expression. "You want me to think that?"
Sarah's heart almost skipped a beat when she felt Jason's mood suddenly turn cold. She was only trying to make a joke, she didn't expect Jason to react like this. "Well... no... but--" Sarah's panic quickly dissipated when the Riolu started smiling again.
"As far as my mom told me, double agents and moles would do well to avoid Lucarios and psychic types." Said the Riolu. "I'm not sure about dark and ghost types though... I'm fairly sure they can sense treachery as well... and I know less about fairy types... you're about the first fairy type I've ever interacted with and you're not even pure fairy." Jason paused, seemingly (and truly) lost in thought. "Anyway, back to the question. Um... I guess that I'm not that skilled yet to discern whether you're truly honest or not... but hey, what can you get out of me anyway? I'm not knowledgeable of the comings and goings of the district, the dos and don'ts..."
Jason went on, adding more paired terms, and the Kirlia couldn't help but smile at the fact that Jason was acting so childish about it. She didn't know whether this is a good thing that Jason's relaxed about it or a bad thing that he isn't taking it seriously.
"... my point is that there is literally no point in gaining my trust." Jason finally finished. "Any spy would do better trying to get close to people with actual authority."
"Alright, if you say so."