Chapter Text
The word about the sigils finally dying down spread rather quickly. The prisoners around the castle already began rebelling against the guards, going all out against them, releasing their frustration for all the stress this place has caused.
Including Jay and Nancy, who were breaking through the guards in the Garden as they headed to the front courtyard, while Valarie, Saki and Braixen went ahead to regroup with Adam. Mother and daughter Teamwork was astounding. One protecting the other as they broke through the guards. Even if Nancy’s Sylveon was way stronger than any of Jay’s Pokemon, the teen’s help was more than welcome.
– – – – – – –
While hell broke loose, a guard hastily barged into Neved's room. Considering the noises that could be heard, the Xen executive was already well aware of the chaos going on.
“Sir, the S.S. Oceana prisoners have been freed!” The guard reported, “Not only that, but the prisoners on the lower levels have been released too, including Aelita.”
The man frowned. “...Where is Emma?”
“I don't know. None of us have seen her for a while.”
“ Gather the guards and protect the castle. I'll make my way to the castle's pinnacle.”
“Yes, sir!” The guard saluted, before darting away.
– – – – – – –
Jay and Nancy successfully reached the front courtyard, expecting more guards. Instead, they were greeted with a familiar face.
“Augustus! You made it out okay!” Nancy ran up to the man.
“Oi, Nancy. Glad you’re ok too!” The man greeted, before noticing the teen beside her. “And by the Gods, is that Jay? What a momentous reunion it is!”
“It’s good to see you, Augustus!” Jay greeted back. “Do you need some help?”
“Ah, do not worry, dear. I may not be a youngin, but I can still fight!”
“No fighting for you, sir!” Nancy interjected. “We have a ship you need to sail for us!”
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case…” Emma walked in, with a concerned look. “the Key Neved gave me earlier. I had a feeling, but it isn't for the ship that's docked down by the pier.”
Jay frowned in concern.. “Couldn’t we hotwire it?”
Augustus shook his head. “Nay, I’m afraid it will take too long. We’d be swarmed before we could even lift the anchor.”
Nancy and Jay looked concerned. “...then what are we going to do now?” Jay questioned. She knew the plan wouldn’t be without any miscalculations. That would've been too good to be true. And yet, she held onto hope that everyone somewhat would’ve made it without these setbacks.
“Emma!”
A familiar voice called from afar, catching everyone's attention. The group took notice of Neved on top of some stairs, showing off a key on his hand that was latched to a string on his neck.
“This is what you're looking for, correct? If you wish to gain access to my ship, you better make your way to the pinnacle of Blacksteeple Castle.” He began to walk away. “Make haste. Your time is running out.”
Without wasting time, Emma began to head toward the castle. Nancy hastily ran up to her, holding her by her arm. “Emma, you're not actually going to the pinnacle, are you?”
“I'm getting that key, no matter what,” Emma affirmed, “Neved won't let us leave. He's in the way. I knew it would come to this eventually.”
“In that case, let me come with you,” Jay requested, “We’ll get the key. Mom and Augustus will gather people and escort them to the ship. How does that sound?”
“Just be safe you two, okay?” Nancy stated. “And Emma... If it comes to it, don't forget what we talked about.”
“...It won't come down to that. Don't worry.” Emma stated, beginning to walk away.
Jay followed along, not before exchanging one last glance with her mother before getting inside, where the chaos was a lot more than outside. Trainer and guards fighting one another, with the former letting all out.
Some guards were knocked out. Either by other Trainers or pokemon themself, like one Happiny, who managed to knock out about ten guards by themself.
‘How did that even happen??’ Jay questioned herself in disbelief, as she passed by that happiny, who looked proud of themselves. But that look of confusion shifted into concern and dread the moment she saw a Vivillon with translucent crystal blue wings fighting alongside a trainer.
‘No. This time won’t happen. We’re all going to make it. Every single one of us. ’
“Aelita said she would help with the rebellion within the castle,” Emma announced, bringing Jay back to reality. “We should meet up with her and make our way to the pinnacle.”
Jay’s eyes lit up. All of her previous worries vanished in an instant, replaced with a new sense of hope. “Gotcha! The three of us will be more than enough!”
They kept running toward the higher floors, until the two reached Neved’s room. Jay dashed forward the moment she spotted a certain purple-haired friend. “Aelita!!”
Aelita's eyes widened as she saw Jay dashing toward her and ultimately embracing her dear friend, who slowly returned the embrace as if she was reluctant to do so. “Jay.. I ... didn't want you to see me like...this.”
“I don’t care about that– Are you alright?!” Jay asked, looking at Aelita with a look mixed with worry, happiness and relief.
“Y-Yes, I'm okay! Thank you for asking.” Aelita replied, taken aback. “It's been rough, but I can keep going.”
“I’m glad!” Jay replied with relief. “I promise to not let anything bad happen to you ever again.”
Aelita chunkled. “Thanks, Jay.”
“What were you doing here?” Emma questioned.
“Oh, Yeah. I heard Neved talking about having the Key of the ship, so I tried to look if he had a spare one. Sadly, I didn’t find anything.”
“I don’t think he has any in here, unfortunately,” Emma replied, “This is why we should keep going. Time is running out.”
– – – – – – –
Not long after the three of them reached the pinnacle of the castle. It was a large room, with several statues representing an unknown woman stationed around it. Chill air that blew through a big gap on the roof as they walked toward a throne on the other side of the room, where Neved stood.
“So, you’ve come. Do you know what the price to pay for treason is?” The man stated, glaring at Emma.
“Neved, this isn't a game. Give me the key. Now,” Emma demanded.
“No.”
“Neved! Do you understand what you're subjecting the people here to if you don't?!” Emma's voice shook. “How can you sit there on that throne, fully knowing what our fate is to be? The passengers of the S.S. Oceana, the people of Akuwa Town. All will be lost to your Leader, Madame X. Please, do the right thing! I'm begging!”
Despite Emma's words, the man showed indifference. “I'm aware. It's all for the sake of my daughter. The lives of strangers, or the life of the one person that matters to me most? This is a sacrifice I'm willing to make for her.”
The man stood up. A pokeball was in his hand. “But enough chatter. We all know this will end with. I've chosen my path. I know my answer. And for you all, I chose death.”
“Think wisely, Neved!” Jay warned, as she sent out her Eevee. “You are one against the three of us. Are you really sure you want to do this…?”
“Nothing stops me from sending out my entire team. They are strong enough to hold their ground.”
“Jet!” As Jay instructed, the Eevee leaped forward at high speed, almost disappearing on sight.
Neved backed up as Jet tackled him on the chest, before hastily returning by Jay's side, holding a small metallic object between his teeth. “Got the Key!”
“Great Job, Jet,” Jay praised.
“I don't want to damn your daughter to her fate, Neved. but this isn't right,” Emma stated, “Whatever you think the solution is...It's not what this is.”
Neved’s eyes averted.. “And what do you know? You know nothing. All of you are ignorant of our situation.”
A loud screech coming from above echoed through the area. A big red and black avian shaped like a “Y” descended toward the group.
Neved went pale. “S-She's here? So early?”
– – – – – – –
At the docks, while everyone was boarding the ship, Robin and Judith remained on land observing the castle with a worried look, especially Robin. He looked like he was waiting for someone.
“Hey, you two,” A blue-haired man called, "It's not safe to stay here. You better get inside.”
“We’re coming! Judith replied. “C’mon, Robin. Let’s go. Jay will be back soon.”
Robin’s eyes narrowed as he kept observing the castle with no intention to avert his eyes. Something wasn't right.
‘Don’t tell me…?’
His eyes widened, bolting away toward the castle moments later, ignoring Judith calls.
He accelerated, sprinting faster and faster as he ran inside. His body began to glow a light blue light, growing and changing shape. As he did,sparks of electricity bolted from his body, accelerating even more.
– – – – – – –
A masked individual jumped from the red and black avian’s back as it landed. Their face was fully covered by a black and red helm and mask with the resemblance of a dragon-creature, with a green diamond on the top of it. They wore a suit of a similar color with a red cloak attached to it.
A sense of dread ran down Jay's spine as her eyes laid on the sword they were carrying. “Is this person…?”
“Madame X,” Emma paled.
“I put you in charge of my castle, and this is what you have to show?” Stated the woman, glancing at the man. Even with the mask on, Jay could sense her irritation. “A disturbingly incompetent display, but I suppose I didn't expect anything more from you to begin with.”
Neved bowed his head “...Forgive me.”
“These children..? These are the ones that gave you this much trouble?” The woman stated, glancing at the three. “Hm...But these aren't ordinary trainers.”
The woman glanced at Aelita. “Aelita from Sheridan Village. The Shadow of her former self.” Then glanced at Emma, who stepped back intimidated. “The Mystery girl, Emma, the one supposedly on her way to Neverwinter.” she finally glanced at Jay. “Jay. The one I've heard so much about. You were the one who inspired me to give this wretched castle a purpose. I suppose one would call it fate that we would encounter each other like this.”
“...Stop talking about us like you know who we are,” Jay hissed
“ Guys...We can't be here right now. We have to go.” Emma stated, with a shaken voice.
Madame X drew her sword. “Go? No, that can't happen. This is your final stand.”
The big Avian let out an intimidating cry, ascending above the trio. Jay shut her eyes close as the Pokemon began to charge a dark energy ball. Her heart and her thoughts raced. She couldn't do anything else but wait until the end.
The pained cry of the avian pokemon forced Jay to bolt her eyes open, widening in shock as a blur of electricity landed on the ground, revealing a white bipedal hare with lightning shaped markings on his red hips and black tuff above his long ears.
“Robin?! You ev-”
“The Tera Orb!! My electricity needs to hit harder!” the Cinderace requested.
“Y-Yes, of course!” She hastily pulled out her Tera orb from her bag. “Guys, stand back!”
A breeze began to blow from the orb moments before Jay threw it at the Cinderace. Crystals engulfed him, shattering shortly after, revealing a crystal shaped light bulb on top of Robin’s head.
Neved eyes widened. “Terastallization?!”
Robin surrounded himself with static electricity, bolting at extreme speed towards the avian Pokemon, crashing onto it. The avian cried in pain as it tried to dodge the blurs of electricity that kept coming toward them from various directions. bouncing from the floor and walls. But the blur was so fast even for human eyes.
“What move is he using??” Questioned Aelita “It looks like Extreme Speed. But with those sparks, I don’t think it’s quite it.”
“Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s working as it should even with the Terastallization boost…” Emma stated, trying to follow the blur of electricity bouncing around. “That thing is a legendary Pokemon, after all…”
The legendary beast glanced at its trainer, who gave them a silent nod. At that silent command, the beast flew up and flared an orange-colored sphere of light toward Robin’s trajectory, landing the hit and crashing him into the ground. The crystallization around his body disappeared.
“You may be fast, rabbit.” the avian cried out, “However, your movements were predictable.”
“Robin, are you okay??” Jay asked as she ran up to him.
The Cinderage got back up, out of breath. Flames began to emerge from his body circling around him, shiting into a vortex of fire soon after. “I'm not. Letting you die!” Still inside the vortex, he rushed toward the masked woman.
“Wait, Robin! Dont-”
Being surrounded by a tornado of fire was not enough to protect him from a swing of the Xen leader's sword. As the blade lacerated the pokemon body, Jay yelped in pain, gripping her own chest.
The tornado of fire vanished in thin air the instant Robin crashed back on Jay's side. Her heart sank as her eyes laid on the deep cut through his chest.
“No, No, No!!” she cried out in desperation as she kneeled and held the unconscious and bleeding rabbit between her arms. “Robin, Please… don’t..”
“Never would've I expected to see a Bond Phenomenon activating,” Madame X remarked, walking toward the trainer, “I wouldn’t be surprised if your ability to understand pokemon speech helped trigger such an extremely rare phenomenon. But this shouldn’t matter now.”
Jay glared at Madame X with noticeable fear in her eyes as the leader drew closer with a blade ready to slash.
“Jay!!” Emma shouted, rushing in front of Jay moments before the sword struck. Jay and Aelita watched in horror her friend collapsing on the ground with a severe laceration on her back.
Her body began to glow a white light for a brief moment, revealing a long-haired blonde girl laying on the ground in Emma’s place, stunning everyone present.
“It cannot be...” Madame X stated, in disbelief.
The girl lifted her head up. “Ugh, that did not feel good at all.”
Jay’s eyes widened as she saw the girl's face, albeit slightly older than how she remembered. “Melia?!” Her friend was right here. Alive. How was that possible??
“ Huh?! wait, no…”
“I knew it. I felt it. Our bond did not dissipate,” Madame X affirmed, “When I was told of your death, I had no choice but to believe it. however, I knew deep within my core, that you had not left this world.”
“That's... Impossible.” Neved stated, in disbelief. “Zetta said-”
“Zetta is absent. So is Geara and that traitorous Professor. What I see before me is physical proof that things have not yet ended for us. I've long awaited this day, and now it has finally come!”
“I've done the same but it won't be the conclusion you're looking for,” Melia replied, before glancing back at Jay. “I came to this island to rescue my friend.”
“Y-You came for me??” Jay's emotions ran wild, as she was not exactly sure how to feel at that moment. One part of her was relieved and beyond happy that her friend was alive, but another was still extremely worried for her bleeding Cinderace in her own arms within a dangerous situation.
“Of course! I would never abandon you, Jay. No matter what circumstance. Through time, space… You are my trusted friend and I won't ever forget what you've done for me.”
Jay smiled briefly. “Thank you…”
“Don't thank me yet. We haven't gotten out of this.” Melia glanced back at the Xen leader. “She's still a threat, and I'm not sure how we're going to deal with it.”
“Uncertainty is a weakness. When you hesitate, you lose everything.”
The Avian dove down toward the group, letting out an intimidating cry. Only for that cry to change into a pained screech as it crashed down on the ground, shocking everyone present.
“What?!” Madame X shouted as she turned toward her unconscious Yveltal. Multiple energy-shaped arrows were implanted in its back. “Who did-”
The answer did not wait to come, as a black and green canine-looking pokemon landed beside the avian.
“I’ll hold her as long as I can!” The canine barked. “Run!!”
With no hesitation, The trio began to run for their lives. With Aelita now holding the unconscious Robin, it wasn’t hard to keep up the running pace.
“Where to go??” Aelita shouted as they reached a balcony with no other way to run, but back inside.
Jay paled at the sound of a dog yelp comin from behind. “She’s… she’s coming!!”
“End of the line!” Madame X shouted as she ran up to them, generating a strong windwave that blew the trio down the tower.
Jay's mind and heart raced as the ground came closer and closer. Was this truly the end? Just when she reunited with her mother and Melia?
“Jay and Aelita, you stubborn sacks!” A familiar voice scolded, getting the group attention. She and her friends found themselves levitating about ten meters above the ground. A purple aura surrounded them. “I tried to warn you, but you two wouldn't listen!”
“Nim!” Aelita called, as the girl appeared, levitating before them.
“Aelita, you look insane. What happened to you?” Nim questioned, as she glanced at her messy hair.
“Uh... A long story. I'll tell you about it later,” Aelita replied, “We need to escape! We’re been chased down by a Xen dictator!”
“Roger that!” Nim replied, levitating them safely on the ground. Rain oddly poured down.
– – – – – – – –
As the quarted reached the docks, Jay couldn’t help but notice how things were quiet around the castle ever since they’ve landed down. “Did everyone make it to the ship?”
“Even if they didn’t...Can we risk not leaving immediately?” Aelita wondered.
Melia frowned, looking back. “I don't think so.”
“Oh, thank the heavens, you all made it out alright!” Nancy stated as she walked up to the quartet. “Everyone's already on the ship. We're ready to go whenever.”
Nim rushed toward the ship. “Don't have to tell me twice!”
Aelita followed along with Robin still in her arms. Jay glanced toward them, begging Arceus and any god out there that Robin would make it. She wouldn’t have forgiven herself otherwise. Not when everything that happened in this place was indirectly her own fault. Or so this what she was told.
“Who's this I wonder?” Nancy questioned, looking at Melia. “I wonder, is this Melia? The name Emma told me was her true name?”
“H-Hello, turns out I was hiding more than just my name.”
“No need to worry. I figured you were-” A loud and sudden noise startled the trio. “..What was that??”
“It's madame X! She’s pretty close too.” Melia replied, as her voice shook with worry.
Nancy paled. “Madame X… no, she won't just let us leave. Not without…” she glanced on the side. “Jay, Melia...Please get yourselves on the ship. When you do, tell Augustus to get everyone out of here immediately.”
Jay's eyes widened. “Wh-What?! We can all escape if we just leave right now!”
“No, she'll follow us to the ends of the earth if she gets the chance. I won't give her that chance.”
Jay's heart sank on the deep end yet again. “No! Please, no! Not again!” She begged, “This time-This time you won’t…”
“Jay, I understand your feelings, but I've made my decision,” Nancy replied, caressing Jay’s hair as tears streamed down the teen's cheek.
“No!!” Jay shouted, “I won't allow it!!”
“Jay, listen. I want to let you know that I’m so proud of you to have come this far. I’m glad you have lots of friends you can rely on. So please, run along with them to safety.”
“Jay... I understand how you feel, but we can't stay here any longer.” Melia, stated, with sadness in her voice. “Your mother has made up her mind.”
“I… Alright.” Jay glanced at her mother one last time with pain in her eyes before reluctantly rushing on the ship along with Melia. She begged for a miracle, both for her mother and Robin.
– – – – – – – .
When Madame X finally reached the docks, no one was there except Nancy and her Sylveon waiting for her.
“This is what they've left behind? This soulless disgrace?” The Xen Leader scoffed.
“I know you didn't just come here to talk. Madame X, I won't let you leave these docks!” The woman replied with conviction. “Hope!”
“Sylv!!” The Sylveon cried out, as she summoned a big barrier between her trainer and Madame X. With walls on each side, the leader wouldn’t be able to get around the barrier.
“And you expect this to hold me?” The leader questioned.
“Of course not, but It'll buy the time I need to get everyone off this horrible island.”
Madame X drew her sword.“ A challenge well accepted.” She launched toward the barrier, swinging her sword toward it. Despite the strike, the barrier was still intact. Not even a single scratch laid on it.
“My Sylveon’s Reflect is strong. We've trained in secret deep below the castle,” Nancy explained, “All for this moment where I would sacrifice everything for Jay. Because my love for them far exceeds my fear of death.”
“Fear has completely left, you say? That's utter nonsense.” A crack appeared on the barrier as the leader slashed her sword once more. Nancy flinched, taking a step back. “Even when someone makes the ultimate sacrifice, fear riddles a person to their core.” The crack expanded as she slashed the same spot. “That is because fear is what drives humans to survive. Without it, we'd be nothing but souls lost to the wind.”
With each slash, a shiver ran throughout Nancy's spine. Her heart raced, accelerating as the crack kept expanding. “I don't...want to die!”
She ran away, followed by her Sylveon. Her fear grew stronger as she heard shattering coming from behind.
A Pokemon cry caught her attention. A golden Togekiss. Hearing the noises behind her, it sounded like the pokemon fired some attacks at Madame X as it tried to slow her down.
But Nancy couldn’t look back. She had to run forward, to leave these docks. To get on the Togekiss that had just landed for her and her Sylveon to get on.
‘I've done everything I could for them. Jay… I want you to be happy above all else. I thought this was because of her… But I realize that it's because of me. This is what I want.’
A deep pain passed through the woman's chest.
“Jay... this... is what's best... for you.”
Her eyes closed as she fell on the ground. The last thing she heard was the cry of the Sylveon on top of the Togekiss' back.
‘Goodbye.’
* * * * * * *
Jay's world shattered.
The woman she called mother, the one she looked and held hope for, was now gone.
Her hand grip on her shirt. Her shattered heart raced at a fast pace, fast as her heavy breaths.
Everything hurt like a sword piercing through her body. She kneeled to the ground, as her trembling legs lost strength.
Her mind repeated a single sentence over and over like an old record. ‘I did it again! I did it again! I did it again! I did it again! I did it again! ’
Again..?
Her sight blurred from the tears running down her face. A purple blur approached her. Their voices were faint.
She gave one last glance toward the docks, before everything went black.
– – – – – – –
The Masked woman observed the Golden Togekiss flying back toward the sailing ship, carrying the woman’s Sylveon along with them.
‘This is the reality of your existence. Domination and fear reigns supreme. Childish things such as "love" have no bearing over raw strength. Although futile, I must say I'm impressed.’
She placed her sword back in its sheath and began walking away, passing by the lifeless body of the woman that her sword struck down.
“Our path will cross again. But know that your doom has already been written. The game has been set, and I've already won.”
To be continued…