Lengths One Will Go

Not wanting to risk getting hit from unique counters, you rush towards the Slowking, arms surging with electricity as you notice a white reflective glow coming from him. You were worried before you remembered that it was a sign of Mirror Coat, which reflects special attack moves. Clearly he wasn’t expecting that as the blow struck him in his face, knocking him back and slumped a bit, getting worn down from your attacks.

It was then that you remembered that Mirror Coat was a Psychic type move. How would he be able to use that if the talismans were present. You remember your friends must’ve messed them up above. You were caught up with your thoughts before you noticed his Psybeam firing. You barely raised your arms up to defend yourself as you were knocked back, but you rolled into the impact before getting back up.

You were panting a bit as the battle wore you down just as much. You then saw various attacks bombarding the infected priest before you looked up and saw Rachael, Nina and Felix covering you.

“Rai, get on the plank! We’ll lift you all up!” You heard Vargus’s voice from above.

“Get them on first!”Before you finished your sentence, you saw the Slowking’s eyes glow as his whole body started to shift. In the next moment, the Slowking vanished, you looked around, making sure not to let him get the upper hand on you or anyone, but nothing else happened after a few seconds. “Did it… teleport away?”

“Come on, Rai! We got to get you all out of there!” Felix called out to you, snapping you out of it. You made it onto the plank as you felt it slowly lift back up as you untie your sister, James and Margaret as it does.

It takes a few seconds for the plank to rise back up to where you all used to be prior to being lowered down. You and the others went and checked on the kids. “Kate! Are you okay?! Wake up!” Rachael stated, rushing over to check on her.

The Pachirisu muttered, her eyelids opening. “R-Rachael…?” The Pachirisu muttered, soon able to open them again. “O-Owww…”

“You’re not seriously hurt are you?” You asked in concern

“I-I think I can stand.” She tries to do so shakingly.

“Here you go.” The Buneary handed her an Oran Berry.

“Th-thank you.” She takes one and bites in it, “Thank you too Rai.”

“I’m your brother, I won’t let anything happen to you.” You stated as you thought about James and Margaret and got the Oran berries for them from Rachael.

The parents were looking over their battered, but awakening children as you approached. “Here. This can help with the soreness.”

“Rai, what happened down there?” he stated, approaching you and grabbing you a bit roughly. “How did they get hurt like that?!””

“T-The Slowking down there!” Margaret cried out, moving to hold her father’s arm in order to keep him from holding you like that. “He protected us, and that Slowking attacked us!”

“What?” James stated, looking towards his daughter.

“The Slowking… was going after him…” James muttered, him and his sister taking the Oran Berry from you. “He would’ve tried eating him like how that Garchomp tried to before… He saved us before, I couldn’t let him get hurt like last time…” you muttered, tears running down your eyes. “But… them he roared, and the wave…” he muttered, still shaken by what happened.

“I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” You stated, extending a paw to the male Nidorian. “Thank you for saving me. You’re my hero.” James smiled and took your hand and shook it.

Gloria listened and walked over to Terrence. “I’m glad you all are not seriously hurt.”

“Just wished they didn’t get hurt in the first place, but then it could’ve been worse.” He ease his limbs on you. “I thank you again for protecting them.”

“No, it’s my fault. If I realized it sooner and went to you all...” You stated looking down, feeling bad that they were all in danger.

“Hey now, we all managed to keep that from happening.” Vargus stated, trying to be positive.

“Maybe we could’ve stopped it together if you brought it up, regardless of what happened, we still managed to uncover the truth and got here in time.” Rachael pointed out.

If it wasn’t for you Rachael, we would’ve beenen none the wiser.” Nina stated, moving to you and placing a hand on your shoulder. “And you protected them with all you could.”

“You did good, Rai. More than you can say for those who promised safety and security.” Felix stated trying to comfort you. “We’ll have to be careful who we trust and what people say.”

“Be thankful you were able to save them, it really could’ve been worse.” Neku stated.

“Everyone…” you muttered, touched by their words. You felt someone hug you and see your sister.

“You still protected us with all you could.” Kate said to you. You look at your sister and take a deep breath, rubbing the tears out of your eyes with a smile.

“I’m glad you’re uplifted again, but we still have some important matters to deal with. Like getting out of a church full of sacrificial cult like church members!” Gloria stated as his husband lowered you to the ground.

She’s right, everyone’s right. They’re still in a dangerous place, you can’t let your guard down until everyone’s out of here. As you got up and looked around, you were confused at one thing. “H-How did you beat all of them? You were out-numbered.”

“Most of those who supported her was due to fear of the infected outside.” Melanie explained, “Once they lost the upper hand, they started running back either to the church or to the hidden exit.”

“Hidden exit?” You asked her.

“It was made with intent of fleeing in case the infected or whatever reason, we lose the church.”

“In that case, we need to reach the exit before they do and potentially destroy the exit.” Rachael explained, going to check up on you. “I know we’re all still overwhelmed with what happened, but we must push through.” She handed both you and Kate your bags.

“Y-Yeah, I’m still here.” you stated, taking a deep breath. “And… thank you… All of you for saving us.” You then recalled what she just said, “Destroy the exit? Why would they do that?”

“Well…” Rachael was about to answer before Melanie did it for her.

“It’s the only chance we have to escape alive.” Melanie revealed.

“What?!” You and the kids exclaimed.

“Melanie explained that there’s a large herd of infected approaching the church.” Felix explained, “Soon the church will be overrun with them!”

You start to dread what will happen when they breach and they don’t make it before feeling something on your shoulder and saw the Croconaw at your side. “We gotta look after each other. That’s how we’ll make it.” Vargus stated, moving over to give you a hug in response.

“Wh-whoa, what is this?” You got out surprised as you felt the Croconaw’s thick arms wrapped around your back.

“I promise myself I would give you one the soon as I saw you.” Vargus stated with his usual grin.

“You’re lucky the battle situation had passed.” you answered, chuckling a little as you managed to get him to drop you.

“I’ll lead you all down the path. Let’s get going.” Melanie stated as the Gardevoir started to head towards the one of the other tunnels with the rest of the group following through.

You take a step forward, but then paused as you look back at the pit you and the kids were in. You stare at the large hole as flashes of the multiple bags in the discard pile. Soon you thought of Valorie smiling at you before all of this had happened, the Nido family, seeing the Slowking, the surf attack that knocked out the children. You felt sick to your stomach as you collapsed onto one knee, holding back the urge to throw up. It took you some time to get your bearings before you moved your head forward to see a pair of familiar black fur and red claws.

“N-Neku?” you asked, looking up to see the Zoroark.

“We can’t let what happened to you all happen again. That’s what you were thinking right?” He asked looking at the pit as well.

“N-No, I was just-”

“Don’t bullshit me. I can tell from your eyes.” He said before adding. “Don’t feel bad about thinking that, because you’re right.” he added quickly, which caught you off guard.

“Wh-what?” You stuttered, getting up and looking at him.

“If there are those who’s willing to sacrifice children to save their own skin, they’re clearly not going to be stopped by just beating them.” Neku explained, looking you in the eye. “We clearly can’t stay here and watch this place, and we can’t permanently stop all of them even if you’d go along with that method.”

“So… what are you suggesting?” You asked, looking a little worried about his suggestion.

“We burn the church to the ground.” He answers.

You jolted back at his suggestion. Burning a house of god?! That is unfounded! It’s horrible, it’s unspeakable. It was then you remember all that has happened and what Neku told you. Valorie would continue to not only manipulate the Pokémon helping her, fear or following her, but those who are seeking shelter and safety. You can’t allow more to become victim to her deception.

“Never mind. It was a horrible idea to suggest, let’s just-”

“Do it.” You said to him.

It was Neku’s turn to be surprised as he looked towards you.

“Rai, you heard what I said? I said ‘burn the church down’.” Neku said, more to make sure you understand what he suggested.

“You said it yourself. This won’t stop even if we beat them, and we can’t just take care of some problematic Psychic types and we can’t stay here to do that. What you suggested is terrible, but I decided that what’s happening now is even worse, so I hope Arceus can forgive us.” You stated, eyes burning with resolve.

Neku stares at you for a moment before nodding his head, before starting to head off.

“Neku, if there are those still at the church, let them know what you’re doing so they can potentially escape.” You told him. “Even if they’re psychic or not, I don’t want to risk innocent being trapped here.”

The Zoroark stared at you before heading back towards the church. You take a deep breath before you take a step before feeling something underneath your hind paw. You lift it up and noticed children medicine on the floor. “Well this could help with Kate in case she gets sick.” You said to yourself, reaching down to pick it up, only to realize that it was empty. “Drat!” you cried out before you headed to join the others in escaping.