FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-Computer/onscreen text-

"Human Speech"

'Telepathy between characters'

{Pokemon Speech} Example: "Ni nine tai tales ninetales ine?" is what a human would hear. {What do you mean you can't understand me?} is what other Pokemon, and certain humans would hear.

// // = Major Time/Scene Change

* * * = Scene Change

| | * * * | | | * * * | | = End Chapter

Chapter 19:

Battles and war are hell. So much death, blood, destruction. Every time that Jayden thought about the things he had done, it always brought about questions of his soul. Would he be granted a place in heaven, if it existed. Would hell await him? Or were those that believed in reincarnation correct?

It was these strange questions that floated through his mind as he cared for one of his closest friends, and his first lover. The beautiful Zoroark, Zada Blackfur, that had enraptured the human when he had first met her.

Now, she lay on a bed, covered by the dull-colored bedsheets, a damp washcloth covering her forehead. The many wounds she had received, he had bandaged and cleaned and fixed to the best of his ability.

Glancing around himself he looked at the room, in a low-end-no-questions-asked-motel. A small TV rested atop a dresser, dark as it sat there unused. The bed, just large enough for two to lay on, held Zada as she rested, recovering from her wounds.

Glancing in the corner, where the tiny bathroom was, he saw the small pile of blood-stained rags, another jab going straight through his heart. He sighed softly though, quickly pushing those thoughts and emotions to the side. Instead, he allowed his coldly rational mind to take over, so he could care for his friend as best he could.

The gentle knock at the door after so long of a silence made him jump up, pistol suddenly seeming to materialize in his hand. Creeping to the door, he carefully looked through the peephole, eyeing the person that stood just outside his door.

"I got those rags you wanted," the owner of the shabby motel, a short man with greasy brown hair, said, holding up a bundle of towels.

"Leave 'em there, and get ouda here," Jayden said, a thick Brooklyn accent tinging his voice.

"Whatever," the man on the other side of the door muttered, dropping the bundle on the ground with zero ceremony. Jayden just took a deep breath as he watched the man turn on his heel and walk off whistling a soft tune to himself.

Sighing softly to himself after a mometn, Jayden then closed his eyes, bowing his head gently. Looking around with his aura-sight, one of the blessings of having Pokemon, specifically Lucario, blood running through his veins. Ensuring that he was safe, for the moment, he undid all the latches and bolts, cracking the door open just enough to grab the pile.

Quickly stepping back into the room, he closed and redid all the locks, gracefully turning on his foot and setting the pile next to Zada. He watched her some more, blinking slowly as he picked up another rag and dipped it in some ice water, wetting it. Pulling it back out of the bucket, he took the now dry cloth off of her forehead and replaced it with the cold rag.

Sitting down once more in the chair, he resumed his watch, waiting as he always did. Not just for Zada though, but for information that he desperately needed on Aura. So, with nothing else to do, he watched his old friend, occasionally glancing at the cellphone that rested on the night stand.

// //

Six hours earlier:

Gasping and stumbling, Sylva could only hold his arms up to protect himself from the vicious onslaught of shadow balls. All of them cast by the enraged Zoroark, Zada, who took a step forward with every move of her arm.

With a cast of his hands, more leaves floated in front of him, trying to stem the flood of orbs heading at him. Each collision of leaf and darkness caused an explosion of energy and power, cracking and shattering the wooden walls of the building they were in.

Then, with a graceful twist of her waist, Zada leapt forward towards the green-haired man, claws red with power. Shouting out a wordless battle cry, the Zoroark brought her hand down to slash Sylva's body from shoulder to waist.

He would have none of that though, as he refused to give in. Holding up his hands, his blade once again formed, just barely catching the Kitsune-like Pokemon's attack in time. With a twist of his arms, a snarl on his face, Sylva threw away Zada's attack, setting the Zoroark off balance, but also putting himself off kilter.

Spinning around to keep her balance, Zada quickly rightened herself just out of reach of her foe's blade, panting heavily. Falling into her battle pose, she readied her claws once more, shadow seeming to drip from them as they were powered with darkness.

Not to be outdone, Sylva gracefully twirled the blade in his hand, holding it over his head as he did so, both hands on the hilt of the blade. Then, with a powerful grip on the sword, he brought it back down to face with Zada, the point aiming right at the fox's heart as his legs spread out slightly.

A moment of silence passed between the two of them as they faced each other. Both ready to strike, offensively or defensively. Neither of them daring to make the first move, waiting on the other to charge them first.

Suddenly, sirens started to ring through the night, snapping the two out of their battle-trance. Looking around quickly, they gave the each other one last glare, before Sylva suddenly let his sword vanish into the leaves that it was made of.

"I declare this a draw," he said coldly, lowering his arms to his side. With a quick turn of his head, he looked over at Jayden, and called out "let me get my two accomplices please, and I am more than willing to let this die between us."

Zada growled deep in her throat, a snarl forming on her face as she looked over the man before her. When she went to speak though, it was Jayden that cut her off when he said "fine."

Snapping her gaze over to him, the Zoroark's eyes were wide in shock and some anger, before she saw him shake his head just ever-so-slightly. With another sighing-growl, she slowly lowered her arms as well, but kept her claws at the ready.

"Thank you sir," Sylva said with a deep bow, a wince of pain flashing across his face briefly. Then, he held his wrist up to his mouth, and quickly said "extraction team Delta, now if you wouldn't mind."

Both Jayden and Zada moved closer to each other when he did that, cautious eyes glancing around them both, searching the hall. Ever so carefully, still keeping his eyes moving, Jayden slowly set a hand on the Zoroark's shoulder, gently squeezing his hand.

She gave him a thankful look, still breathing heavy, blood slowly dripping from her wounds. It was then, as the sounds of the sirens, police and fire engines and ambulances, grew closer that the two saw the so called 'extraction team Delta.'

Out of the very walls three people, all dressed in leather pants, boots, and coats, suddenly materialized. Standing almost imperiously before them, Sylva waved a hand towards Zada's apartment and ordered "quickly, police are coming. We don't leave footprints," he said just loud enough to be heard.

All three of the people, two men and a woman, had hair black as the night. Also, all of them wore dark shades, covering their eyes as they quickly moved, one man simply phasing through the wall as they quickly gathered up the two fallen men that Jayden had knocked out.

When they came back out, the two men carrying Glaciem and Lustro, they gave a quick nod to Sylva. With a simple nod back, he pointed at the stairwell. "Get them into the van. We have three minutes maximum," was all he said as he glanced back at Jayden and Zada.

With another bow, Sylva stood tall once more, his brow covered in sweat and his almost upper-class clothing spattered in blood. "I bid you both a farewell. And... I truly hope that your Lucario is returned to you sir," he said ominously, looking straight into Jayden's eyes. "She is truly lucky to have you."

Right at that moment, the woman rematerialized behind him, holding a briefcase in her hands. Leaning in close to Sylva's ear, she whispered "we have to go sir," before stepping back. Even through her shades, Jayden could feel her gaze burrowing into him, analyzing him, studying him just as he was her.

"Of course Tara," Sylva muttered in acknowledgement. As he turned on his heel, the woman already going down the hall, the man stopped and looked over his shoulder at Jayden one last time. "I think you will be surprised sometime in the next few days," he said cheerfully, before limping down the shattered, ruined, hallway.

A heartbeat later, the sirens growing ever louder, Jayden looked at Zada. "Are you-" he didn't get to finish though before she collapsed to her knees, a loud, hacking, cough racking her body. "Zada!" He exclaimed in concern, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm-" the Zoroark started, before coughing violently again, a full body shiver passing through her, blood spattering the ground in front of her, "I'm fine," she finished quietly, breathing heavily as she tried to catch her breath.

"Bull," Jayden said softly, throwing one of her arms around his shoulders and helping the Zoroark to her feet. "Anything that you need?" He asked her, glancing back at the apartment to accentuate his point.

Zada just shook her head lightly, breathing heavily still, as she whispered "nothing in there that I need. Nothing that can lead to me," she explained hoarsely, before tilting her head in the direction of the stairs. "Now let's get out of here."

Nodding softly in agreement, Jayden leaned more of her weight on him, and together they made their way down the hall. Maneuvering down the stairs, so as to not cause Zada any more pain, Jayden suddenly cursed and stopped in the middle of the flight.

"Wha-?" Was all Zada got out before she suddenly let out a soft yelp of surprise. Because, Jayden had swept her off her feet, quite literally, and was cradling her in his arms as he started running down the flights of stairs. "What are you doing?!"

"No time to waste," Jayden said with almost a smirk on his face as he started sprinting. In the lobby, he charged towards the door, leaping into the air and spinning around so his back slammed the locked entrance open with his momentum, an arc of glass spreading before him.

With a surprisingly graceful, considering that he was carrying a Zoroark, continuation of his spin, Jayden landed on the sidewalk. Allowing himself a chuckle, he leaned forward and started running again, his boots stamping softly against the concrete ground as he moved.

Letting out a cross between a whine and a sigh, the black fox rested her head against Jayden's shoulder, closing her violet eyes. Together, the two of them vanished into the night, even as the streets behind them were lit up with sirens and flashers, calls of radios echoing out into the dark.

// //

Gunshots sounding out, echoing through the night, is not something heard everyday. Especially by small-town policemen.

"What in the-" A middle-aged officer muttered, looking up from the newspaper he had been reading. Cracking his window open some more, he listened more carefully, coffee cup steaming in its holder by his leg.

As he did that, another burst of automatic gunfire erupted from the night, making the officer twitch. "Damnit," he muttered softly, throwing the newspaper at the deputy in the seat next to him, "Dan, wake up," he ordered shortly, reaching up and clicking the light off.

"Wha-?" Was the sleepy response the officer got as the young man sat up, tilting his cowboy hat up and back. "What's up?" He asked before yawning widely, twisting his neck and cracking it.

Giving a soft sigh at the motion, the officer gestured out to the dark, "gunfire, lotta it." With a grace that only practice and skill could bring, the officer put his vehicle into gear, moving down the road in the direction of the gunshots.

"Shit," muttered Dan as he sat up, fully awake and already reaching into the backseat. Pulling a shotgun and an M4 rifle out, he quickly racked and loaded both of the weapons, setting them across his lap as he looked back into the headlight light night. "How far do you think?" He asked softly, looking over at the older officer.

"About three miles, maybe more," muttered the experienced officer, his window open wide. "Sounds like several different weapons... and way too late for it to be for fun or to target," he finished, tapping at the clock on the dashboard. With a twitch of his nose, his hand took ahold of the radio, quickly clicking it on, "hey Rose, ya there?"

After a moment, during which the officer had lowered the radio slightly, came a staticy reply. "Hey there John," a distinctly female voice answered almost casually, "what's going on?"

"We have automatic gunfire on the main highway here," the officer quickly said, explaining the situation, "me and Dan are going to check it out, but could you get us some backup?"

Just a heartbeat later "of course," came a much more serious reply, "I'll get Greg heading towards you, see if I can get State Troopers there with you."

"Thank ya kindly," Officer John answered, hanging the radio back up on the dash. "Dan, keep your eyes peeled for me, ears open," the older man said, his eyes searching the road.

"Yeah, yeah," the young man replied, setting the M4 style rifle's stock on his thigh, holding onto the front of it, "hope it's nothing major."

"You and me both kid," the older man said darkly, still driving towards the sound of gunfire, "you and me both."

* * *

"Shit, take cover in the vans!" Yelled Craddok as he saw one of his men that had moved up the hill to support the Pokemon up there get taken down by a shadowy blur, blood spurting into the air. "Get moving you bastards!" He hollered again, already moving to take cover behind the overturned, now slightly smoking, van that he'd been in when it crashed.

Shouts of acknowledgment rang out as the remaining men all scattered, some finishing emptying their clips onto the hillside before they moved. Total chaos was starting to rule, and unless someone took command, the entire group was threatening to break apart.

"Jackson, can you get a clear view at who the hell is up there?" Craddok growled to the man next to him, a smaller man with a pair of glasses on.

Taking a moment to glance over top of the van, the mercenary blinked a few times as an eerie quiet descended over what had been turned into a battleground. "Nothing sir," he whispered back, fingering the trigger on his pistol almost nervously, "it's completely dark up there."

"Damn," Craddok cursed softly, taking a moment to glance around the van himself. Taking a deep breath as he returned behind the van again, he called out to the others behind the second van. "Hobbs, Smith, eyes?"

"Not a damn thing," Hobbs muttered, even as a soft wind started to kick up, "there's snow and smoke covering my entire view." The big man finished, groaning softly as he leaned his back against the side of the van again. "I don't know what the hell is out there."

In the silence though, wind starting to howl as she picked up again, not all was motionless. Cowering behind a rock, Rain huddled in on himself, rage and anger coursing through his blood. With his dreadlocks standing out, he watched as the men below took cover, a snarl of hatred crossing his muzzle.

Seeing that they had finally taken cover, many of them reloading, their forms azure and etherial to his aura-sight, the Lucario started to shakily rise to his paws. Shaking himself hard to get what snow had stuck to his black and blue fur off, he slightly spread his legs, bracing himself for a leap.

But, just as he was about to charge back down the hill, ready to slaughter those that had betrayed his trust, his entire body became paralyzed. {What?!} He growled out softly, his muscles tightening and relaxing randomly, making him unable to move from his position.

"This is what happens to those that are our enemies," a quiet voice said, making the Lucario snap his head as quickly as his spasming neck would allow. Standing there, Ghost winced slightly as he stepped forward, his violet eyes almost glowing in the dark as he held his left shoulder.

{What are you?} Growled out the canine Pokemon, his arm tightening as the paralysis prevented him from clenching his paw into a fist. The random clenching of his muscles even prevented the gathering of power for an attack, leaving the Lucario almost entirely at the human-hybrids mercy.

"What I am is not your concern," Ghost said curtly, bringing his hand away from his shoulder, looking at the blood on his palm, "I must admit, didn't expect them to open fire like that." Then, looking over his shoulder, back at Ignis who had crawled over behind a thick tree to use as cover, the raven-haired man sighed softly. "Seems like we underestimated the ruthlessness of your group," Ghost said with an almost wry smile.

Snarling, Rain growled out deeply as he remained paralyzed, leaning forward towards this new foe slightly. "You'd be surprised at what we can and will do," the Lucario spat out in English, before locking eyes with the human, "now let me go, and we'll see who gets fucked up."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Ghost hung his head and shook it softly as he smiled. "That would be foolish of me. And I," the violet-eyed human said ominously, leaning in so that he was mere inches from the Lucario's muzzle, "am not a fool."

"Coulda tricked me," Rain mocked, letting a smug grin come over his features as he licked his lips softly. "Attacking us head on like this, it's only gonna get you killed," grunting softly as he tried to move forward, his muscles preventing him from doing so, Rain finished what he was saying, "preferably by me."

Ghost then smiled even more, reaching out and patting Rain's cheek, making the Pokemon flinch involuntarily, "so much rage you feel..." the man said softly, still looking into the Lucario's eyes, watching as the blue Aura-power softly swirled deep in them. "I wonder, do you know who did this to you?" Ghost asked gently, his hand still stroking the Pokemon's cheek.

"Of course, you did!" Rain growled out, trying to snap at Ghost's hand, his body shaking violently as he did so. "So let me go so I can pay you back!"

"No," Ghost said, almost kindly, shaking his head again. Gently placing his hand on Rain's chest, leaning forward to put some pressure on the Pokemon, "who was it that broke you here?"

"Don't speak of her!" Rain screamed out, his eyes wide in pure rage, as he fought through the paralysis to slam Ghost's hand away, bringing his other around to punch the human. But, his body gave in once more to the restriction, and he froze again, just millimeters away from his target.

Ghost did not so much as move an inch though. Indeed, all he did was blink, and gently place his and over top of the Lucario's fist, leaning in again. "You remember then. Who was it that shattered your heart Rain?" Ghost asked again, leaning in even closer. He could see the rage and hatred in the Lucario's eyes, but something else as well. Something deeper, and even more destructive than anger.

Pain.

"Who was it?" Ghost asked once more, still looking deep into the Lucario's eyes.

{No...} Rain muttered softly in his tongue, his body tensing once more as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get rid of the blur that had come over his vision. {No!} He shouted out, his potency gone, a pleading tone coming into his voice, {no...} he trailed off, hanging his head with his eyes still shut tight.

"Shall I tell you?" Ghost said gently, placing a finger under the Pokemon's chin to bring his eyes back up. "Hm?" Was the small question that Ghost let out as he tilted his head to the side slightly, "shall I tell you who it was that shattered your heart?"

Rain, in mere moments, had been brought down to a level of weakness he had not felt in what seemed an age. His shoulders shook from the force of emotions tearing through his body, but he forced his eyes open to look at Ghost, his eyes filled with water. Unable to even muster the words that he needed to, he shut his eyes once more, trying to keep that last shred of strength he thought he had.

Ghost merely took this as a yes, leaning in closer and closer until he was just touching Rain's ear. "Craddok," was the only thing he muttered, so soft that the Lucario could barely hear it.

That one word completely shattered Rain's world. Snapping his eyes open once more, all the pain in them was gone once more, replaced by the deepest of angers. {What?} Was the only thing the Lucario said, gritting his teeth together as he looked at Ghost in shock, his mind altering everything he had ever done.

"It was Craddok," Ghost said again, standing up and stepping back, looking down at Rain. "It has always been Craddok," the man then said gently, shaking his head slowly. With a sad setting of his shoulder, the man released the Lucario, letting the canine fall to his knees, deep sobs wracking the jackal's body.

{No, no, no...} Rain muttered to himself, staring at the ground in shock, his paws clenching into fists, crunching the snow. {He couldn't...} he continued to stammer, squeezing his eyes closed, {he wouldn't...}

Ghost just sighed softly, nodding his head, even though Rain couldn't see that. "He could, and he would," the man said quietly, taking another step back. Wincing slightly, Ghost then looked at his shoulder once more, lip curling in pain for a moment as his hand took its place over the wound once more.

{Why?} The Lucario asked softly, gritting his teeth as anger, pain, sorrow all flooded through him. All of the emotions roiling through the canine turned his muscles to limp noodles, his bones to quivering pieces of lead.

"Why else?" Answered Ghost, leaning against the rock as he spoke. "To ensure that you served him, and him alone," with a wince, the man reached into his coat with his good arm, pulling out a photo. Holding it towards the Lucario, he let the picture drop to the snow, the distant fires and full moon casting enough light to reveal the picture clearly. "After all, without you, his whole operation would have fallen apart years ago."

The soft flutter of the photo was just enough to make Rain turn his head, still breathing out ragged breaths as he looked upon the polaroid. The sight only made him close his eyes once more, a snarl forming on his muzzle. {THAT BASTARD!} Screamed the Lucario, suddenly leaping to his feet, two azure orbs forming in his hands as he started to bound down the hill at full speed, his dreadlocks flying behind him.

With a soft click of his tongue, Ghost shook his head, licking his lips as he looked at his shoulder once more. "Well, so it begins," the man said softly, bending down to pick up the photo before turning around and walking over to his friend. "Ignis, you alright?" He asked quietly, kneeling in the snow.

"I could be better," muttered the redhead, gasping out in pain as he touched the wound in his chest. Crimson blood tainted the snow all around him, slowly seeping from the three wounds in his torso. With a soft grunt, Ignis moved himself a little, shifting so that he was more comfortable, "damn, didn't think they'd actually shoot," he muttered.

"Heh," Ghost scoffed softly, sliding down the rock to sit next to his friend, "well, the blame's on us, for that one, isn't it?" With a soft sniff, he groaned softly, resting shoulder to shoulder with Ignis. Looking up, he could hear the battle cries of Rain and the other men of the mercenaries, wordless shouts coming from the primal part of the mind. "Think you'll make it this time?" Ghost asked instead, rolling his head to look at Ignis.

Sniffing softly, the redhead shook his head, sighing deeply. "No, I have a feeling I won't make it through this one," grunting, he moved, but a wince flashed across his face as pain shot through him, "feels like they hit a lung, couple of ribs," he grunted out. Sighing softly, he rested his head against the rock he and Ghost were resting behind, breathing deeply. "Still think we fight for something beyond us, Lance?" Ignis suddenly asked, breathing still heavy, sounds of battle and cries of men being killed still raging down below on the road.

Taking in a deep breath, and then letting it out slowly, Ghost blinked several times to get the snow of his eyelashes while he thought. After several long moments, he finally said "I don't know Cameron. I really don't know."

There was no response from Ignis though, making Ghost look over at his friend. "Cam? Ignis?" Asked the raven-haired man, concern starting to run through him. Reaching over, he patted the other man's side; the only reaction he got was for him to softly slide down the rock a little more, his head hanging limply. "Cameron!" Ghost suddenly said, ignoring the tearing pain in his shoulder as he brought two fingers up to Ignis's neck, feeling for a pulse. "C'mon buddy, don't do this to me," he whispered softly, "don't do this."

After finding the jugular though, and not finding a pulse, Ghost was shocked motionless for a moment. His hand seemed stuck in place, still feeling for a pulse, a glimmer of a heartbeat. "God damn," muttered Ghost at long last, finally leaning back and resting against the rock once more. Looking down at his hands he gasped out a breath, remembering to breathe again, clenching his hands into fists. "I'm so sorry," he then said quietly, putting an arm around his friend, pulling him into a deep hug. Then, he turned his head and kissed Ignis's forehead gently, and softly pushed the body back.

With a grunt, he braced his good hand against the large rock behind him, standing up slowly. "Gotta finish what we start. Gotta finish what we start," muttered Ghost, wincing softly as he braced against the snow covered stone. Letting out a long breath, he stood tall, walking over towards the crest of the hill. Gasping out a pained moan, he fell to his knees when he finally reached it, staring at the destruction on the road below him.

"YOU LIED!" Screamed Rain, just barely heard by Ghost, whose eyes were searching, looking for the source of the yell. "You had sworn!" Then, Ghost found him, standing with Craddok on his knees before him, the man's neck in one hand and an aura-sphere in his other, resting against the mercenary's gut.

"I don't know what you're -gack!- talking about!" Grunted out Craddok, nose bleeding as he held both hands to the Pokemon's wrist, trying to wrench himself free. "I didn't lie!" He then gasped out, futilely batting at the iron grip at his neck, "Rain, I can't breath!"

Leaning in close, Rain barked out "you deserve it, you bastard!" Tightening his grip for a moment, the Lucario then spun the man like a rag-doll, slamming him into the van. Over the scream of pain, and the sound of metal breaking, came that sharp, sickening sound of a man's spine being snapped. "I'll fucking kill you!" Rain screamed, his fist becoming engulfed in electricity before he swung, hitting Craddok square in the chest.

"ACK!" The helpless man grunted out, unable to move with his spine broken in several places. Already, he could feel his life ebbing away, and he knew that his life was done for. No matter what happened, he was a dead man, curled up helplessly before the one that he had deceived for so long.

"You killed her!" Snarled Rain, picking up Craddok by the scruff of the man's neck, heaving him and draping him like a towel over the side of the van. "And I'm going to end you," he whispered menacingly, leaning in close and snapping it out right by Craddok's ear.

Gasping, Craddok moved his head, the only thing he really could move, looking at Rain, smiling. "You do that. Because, yeah," he started to say, grunting and groaning out, "I killed that bitch, and brought you into the fold!" He yelled out, almost smiling as he said it out loud.

Rain's eyes went wider than ever before when Craddok said that, a silent roar of inconsolable rage leaving him. With blinding speed that even a Venonat couldn't track, he struck, putting his fist right into the sternum of his enemy. He could feel every break, every crack of bone under his fist, blue power flowing from the contact point. Teeth set, a silent growl that could only be felt left him as he grabbed the now-lifeless body, throwing it away; while Craddok's body was in mid-air, Rain powered an aura-sphere and threw it with full force, sending the body flying limply into the woods.

With a roar of anguish and pain, Rain braced his body and started sprinting into the woods, intent on not leaving any part of Craddok left to even be identified.

And, watching this all from the safety of the second van, was Aura, silent and calm, knowing that the monster that had been unleashed would not harm her or her friends. Watching as the male Lucario charged into the woods, destroying trees and anything else unlucky enough to have been in his path, Aura slowly stood up, hands bound by the chains that led to the control collar on her neck.

Looking around cautiously, she slowly stepped out onto the snow, aura-sight extending as far as possible, giving her almost three-hundred-and-sixty degree sight around her. The only, living, persons that she could see were the Pokemon near her, and Rain, who was rapidly fading into the woods.

Glancing around once more, her sights, once she ended her aura-sight, settled on the Grovyle that had come out to stand next to her. {I think it's over,} she said softly, looking around and sighing deeply. {Liam, can you get these off of me and Kasha?} The female Lucario then asked quietly, tilting her head to the side to stretch her neck.

{Yeah, let me just find the...} Liam muttered to himself, ducking back into the van for a moment, searching through it for the keys in the front seat. {Here!} He called out, once again popping back out, holding the key up in front of him, {damn thing was in the glove box,} he quietly said, shrugging his shoulders. Stepping up to Aura, he gently took her wrist, having her extend her arms for him. With a soft slide of metal-on-metal, the key turned and disengaged the lock, freeing her wrists.

With the chains falling away, she reached up and undid the collar at her neck, giving a soft groan, quietly saying {finally.} When that too fell away, the Lucario gave a sharp turn of her neck, cracking it with a satisfying 'pop' and a loud sigh. {I hate chains...} she started, before her eyes went wide again, a startled {Kasha!} leaving her as she dived back into the van for the Gardevoir.

{Kasha!} She said quietly again, cradling the other Pokemon's head in her lap, gently stroking her cheek, {Kasha...} Quietly, Liam and Violet looked on, both watching as the Lucario comforted the still somehow unconscious Gardevoir with soft words and gentle motions.

It wasn't until a moment later that Violet suddenly snapped her head around, crying out {Umbreon!} Dashing towards the bodies. It didn't take her long to find the black canine though, even with the thin layer of snow already covering his motionless body. {No!} The Weavile whimpered out, dashing over to him, kneeling by his head and lifting it. Even to her, his skin was cold to the touch; and even she couldn't fail to notice the line of blood that followed his trail.

{No...} The dark-type muttered softly, shaking her head, {this can't be happening,} she whimpered quietly, shaking her head once more. {You can't die...not after everything, not now...} she continued to mutter, stroking the canine gently, not feeling any signs, not a single indication of life.

Silently, Liam came to sit beside Violet, looking through watery eyes at the Umbreon as well. Without a single word, he softly placed his hand on the canine's chest, closing his eyes tightly. He could feel the blood that had matted his fur, and but he couldn't bring himself to search for the wound. Instead, with some of Umbreon's blood on his hand as he took it away, he wrapped the Weavile in a gentle hug from behind.

Her composure failed at that simple gesture. Twisting her body, she buried her face into Liam's chest, sobbing and crying, her tears wetting the ultra-fine scales of the Grovyle. With him saying nothing at all, they held each other, him closing his eyes tightly to hold back his own tears.

Only he could hear the soft crunch of boots in snow, making him swing his gaze around. Standing there a tall man dressed in leather and with hair as black as a raven's feathers simply watched the two Pokemon, his eyes glimmering in the fires of the vans.

He too, silently walked over to the couple, his eyes fixed on the Umbreon's body. "Everything has failed..." He whispered to himself, falling to his knees, a trembling hand reaching out to touch Umbreon's head, before lowering over his muzzle and closing his eyes fully, "Umbreon is dead. Cameron is dead. The Mercenaries are crippled but not destroyed..." Hanging his head heavily, a ragged sob escaped him, "even the Irishman is gone..."

"I've failed... I've failed," he muttered, time and again, his eyes fixed on Umbreon. "So much death...all for a cause I never truly believed in..." With another gasping sob leaving him, he let his hands fall to his sides, resting in the dark snow, "I-I have to get Aura," he suddenly mumbled, looking around as if blind, "I-I have to get her back to New York..." he continued, walking right past Violet and Liam without notice of them. "I-I can still fix something...I can still make something right..."

As he walked though, his feet slipped out from under him, an Kalashnikov coming unburied from the snow. Letting out a startled yelp, he braced his hands in front of him, slamming into the snow covered ground hard, pain flaring in his shoulder again. He was simply unable to hold back the scream of pain that tore from his throat, crippling and blinding him. With this last hit to his body and mind, Ghost could only whimper, curling into a fetal position, wrapping his arms around his knees as he continued to lay in the blood soaked snow.

"A-Aura," he muttered softly, whimpering out that word as his mind started to give up. "Aura."

Ghost couldn't even open his eyes when he heard the soft foot pads of Pokemon approaching him. He couldn't move any of his limbs as he felt two sets of arms pick him up. He couldn't move as two voices identified themselves as Sherifs, or as several Pokemon surrounded him with their warmth.

All he could do, was sleep, and sleep deep in the back of the cruiser, Liam, Violet, Aura, and Kasha all surrounding him, refusing to leave his side as two officers drove them to the nearest hospital.

The wreckage that was left behind was, within a matter of forty-five minutes, swarming with officers and State troopers. None had given the one police car driving away a second thought, not even Officers Dan and John as they stared at the carnage, more deserving of a war zone than their peaceful back country woods...

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...I'll say this, and this alone. I feel this is my emotional piece of writing. I know, compared to some, it falls flat. But...*sighs softly* please, leave a comment, a word, a PM even... I want to know your thoughts on the whole story, as there is only one chapter left after this. Only one upload left until this story is brought to its final conclusion....