The Church’s Downfall

(CW: contains attempted suicide. Reader’s discretion is advised)

The Gardevoir felt the warmth of the flame moving to her hands as she stared into it, her eyes filled with remorse.

“As Neku said, the church wasn’t like that before…” She spoke softly, looking at the ground for a moment, probably to steel her nerves to continue, “The church was truly a safe haven. We were able to provide enough food, manage the surroundings to ensure no infected entered, we even allowed those who entered the church to stay if they had no other means of safe location.”

“It was all thanks to father Reynald.” One of the psychic types; a Mime jr. responded. You look downward as you think about the infected Slowking you encountered.

“The Slowking you saw in the pit was the head priest in case not all of you know.” The Mine jr. pointed out. “He was a great Pokémon. Always staying calm and focused on the situation he sees in front of him.”

You all sat there in silence, listening intently as the church members told their tale. It was clear that they had substantial gratitude towards their former head priest, which you saw their faces grew more sorrowful as they continued.

“He would task us with escorting those who wished to go to either the survivor camp nearby or we would scout around the area for any survivors and offer them sanctuary at the church. Danger was there, but we were coordinated. Though one day, Valorie was escorting a family with one being pregnant. Her water broke and the female was groaning, and there was a large number of infected that were wandering about.” The Darmanitan spoke, gripping his large hands tight in a fist. “There was no way they would’ve made it back before she would lay her egg. So he…” he paused, unable to finish the sentence.

You were taken back as it wasn’t hard to think about what happened next.

“No way…he really did that?” Vargus asked, completely in disbelief.

“Slowkings are known to be very intelligent. No doubt it was aware that he could become a potential victim. For him to do that, he must’ve had confidence that someone could lead the rest through it.”

“Wow, I guess Valorie broke under pressure from it all.” Felix stated, closing his eyes.

“It wasn’t Valorie who was intending to watch over them…” Melanie muttered gripping her dress. “It was supposed to be me.”

You and the others sans the church members were taken back at what the Gardevoir admitted.

“He stated that he saw great potential in me and tried to encourage me to have faith in myself, but… everything was happening so fast, and when I heard the head priest hadn’t returned everyone started looking at me to decide what to do…” she muttered, tears running down her face. “I knew what I needed to do, what was needed to say, but I… I couldn’t get the words out.” She wiped her face. “Then Reynauld returned, at first we had relief, but then we saw he was infected as well. Everyone freaked out and I quickly subdued him with my grass type moves.”

You look at all the others, their heads low after having to recall the terrible incident. Your heart goes out for those who suffered the moment.

“We all wanted to know what will happen next, then Valorie got up, stating that he came back because of us. Even after what happened, he thought of them. She stated that he wanted to fight against the infection and keep us safe. It was then that things started to change. We no longer housed survivors, we added the pit in order to house him, and…”

“And you started looking for survivors to sacrifice to him.” Nina finished their sentence.

“It was horrible, but she would state it’s for keeping all of us safe from infected coming here, that what we do is to ensure the safety and security of the church and those who stay in it, us and survivors present. A few believed her, but we all know it was just an excuse, a myth we wanted to believe in.” The Girafarig muttered in shame. “We tried to explain that this was madness and folly, but she was completely consumed with the idea and she would always say if we didn’t like it, we would leave.”

You gritted your teeth, the nerve of her to say that to them considering all they went through.

“We’re cowards. We couldn’t fathom the idea of making it outside, so we just swallowed it down and did what we did.” The Girafarig said, “Though we couldn’t forget what we allowed, especially Melanie.”

“Melanie?” Kate asked, looking confused as she looked at the Gardevoir, still looking miserable.

“I couldn’t sleep, any food I ate tasted like dirt, and the guilt was eating me up on the inside. I can’t even look at myself in a reflection without twisting away in shame.” The Gardevoir shakes her head, “The lengths we went through is inexcusable, and when I found out she was taking the Pachirisu…”

*Earlier*

“Valorie please! Not her!” Melanie begged desperately, standing in front of the Medicham who is carrying a Pachirsu in her arms.

“The father is getting hungry, and this girl is pretty much alone in this world now.” Valorie explained, looking at her sternly. “But we’ll need more than just her to satisfy him though.” She said to herself, no longer paying attention to Melanie.

“That’s not true!” The Gardevoir insisted. “Her brother is out there. He could still-“

“You know how dangerous the world is now!” Valorie called out to her. “You seriously think a Raichu can make it out to this place by himself?!” She stated, shaking her head. “If he does somehow show up, he’ll be just like the other infected.”

“N-no…” Melanie muttered, not wanting to believe something like that would happen considering the look you had in your eyes.

“This is for the sake of keeping us safe. If you don’t like it, I’m not forcing you to stay here.” The Medicham reminded her. “Feel free to leave if you don’t like it.” She proceeded to walk off, carrying Kate with her.

Melanie's head lowered down to the ground, her eyes darkening with despair as she stood there.

“Going outside…” Melanie muttered softly to herself. “Maybe it is better off that we go out here. After what we did and allowed...”

*In the present*

“How can she and those who support her sleep at night knowing what she was doing?!” Vargus growled, slamming his fist into the floor.

“This pandemic doesn’t just affect those who turn into infected. This affects other non-infected in other ways.” Nina said solemnly, though is holding her tail a bit in an effort to comfort herself.

“What happened afterwards?” Neku asked, looking at the Gardevoir. “What did you do when she wouldn’t listen?”

“I…” Melanie held her hands together as she said. “I was going to end my suffering… once and for all.”

Everyone gasps in response to what she just said to them.

“End… your suffering?” Rachael asked, looking horrified at the meaning.

“C-Come on now, that’s not funny. Good one though, hehe…” Vargus stuttered, sweating a bit.

The Gardevoir was quiet, which made the Croconaw stop laughing.

“How would you end your suffering?” Kate asked, looking confused at what she meant by that. You wrapped your arms around the Pachirisu, holding her close to ease your discomfort. “Rai, are you okay?”

“I just… need you close to me.” You answer as the Gardevoir continued her story.

*Earlier, after her talk with Valorie*

Melanie was standing on top of one of the church’s walls, looking down at the ground outside. The Gardevoir’s eyes were dull with despair as she looked down and saw a couple of infected Pokemon lurking around the area, searching for victims. Food, pleasure, one can never know until it’s too late, but at the moment, Melanie didn’t care.

“Whatever happens to me… will be my penance for what I allowed…” Melanie stated as she started to gather her psychic energy to teleport herself near them. As she does this, she heard the thoughts of the other psychic types in the church.

‘Sheesh, such a reckless one, banging at the door like that!’

‘Well the curfew was almost up, so I could see he was ****.’ A different thought popped up. ‘I didn’t expect others though.’

‘But still. That Raichu could’ve handled it much better than that.’ That last thought disrupted her concentration as her face moved upwards.

‘A Raichu… made it here? Could it be?!’ Melanie went to the nearest stairwell to confirm if what she heard was true and if it’s the same Raichu she met.

*Present*

“So that explains why you were so surprised at seeing me and why you teleported where you stand.” you said, recalling how fast she teleported before you could finish your question.

“I must admit, I truly didn’t expect you to make it here with how perilous the outside world has become. For you to arrive at that moment, I believe Arceus was watching over you.” Melanie said, having a small smile on her face.

“Well, if it wasn’t for the Nidos and Rachael, I most likely wouldn’t make it.”

“You’re too modest Rai.” Felix stated as the Gardevoir continued to explained what happened next.

*Earlier, moments after meeting you*

Melanie teleported to a room where she knew Valorie was located. As she approached the room, she can hear the Medicham speaking.

“To think he would actually make it all the way here…” she stated before sensing and seeing Melanie at the passageway.

“You need to let her go.” Melanie stated matter of factly.

Valorie sighed in annoyance, “This again Melanie? I thought we talked about this, I thought we said-”

“You know he made it, Valorie. You can’t sacrifice her.” She insisted. “We’ll figure something else out.”

“There is no figuring out. If he asked, we say that we had a break in and an infected got her and we couldn’t stop it.” Valorie explained, but Melanie didn’t look convinced.

“You don’t seriously think he’s going to buy that, do you?”

“You want us to lose the only place that’s keeping us safe from the outside dangers?! Unfortunate circumstances happen a lot especially with this chaos!”

“Rai may look naive, but he’s not stupid.” The Gardevoir shakes her head. “There’s no way he’s going to accept that excuse.”

“Wait! Hold on. That Raichu’s name… is RAI?!” Valorie started to snicker in amusement. “What parents name their child part of the Pokémon’s name?” She calmed herself before jolting for a moment and went quiet. Melanie can tell someone was communicating with her telepathically. She tried to see what she was listening to, but Valorie blocked her attempt. The only thing Melanie could see was the Medicham’s face sporting a smile as she looked at her.

“Looks like that Raichu friend of yours stuck his nose somewhere he shouldn't have.”

“What?” Melanie asked, confused.

“He entered the crypt and got caught. Guess this solves both our problems.

“You can’t be serious?” Melanie asked, looking shocked at how stubborn she is going with.

“It’s out of our hands Melanie. We must ensure we don’t lose this place.” She stated, “And again, you’re not **** to stay here.” She then left the Gardevoir alone.

Melanie was at a lost for words, even after telling her what she did, she now plans to sacrifice their lives just to save their own?!

When she had that thought, her determination manifested. At this moment, nothing else matters. Not the church, not the other members. All that was in her mind was a goal she set her mind on.

“I let many innocent lives be lost to save ourselves, including families… I’d sooner give up my life before I let one more family be destroyed!” She started walking out of the room as well.

She needed a plan to get the two of you and she needed help before she remembered the Zoroark she saw among the group with the girl. If anyone could help her, it’s them… if she can convince them. She arrived at the door and opened it, only to find who she was looking for and the tense situation he was in.

*Present*

“And that’s about it.” Melanie stated, finishing her tale. “After we had our… talk, we headed to where the incident was taking place.”

Neku was making sure the fire stays lit, “We were lucky she showed us where it was located, otherwise it might’ve been too late.”

“To think she said that, and how easily we just brought it when they said you were with her.” Felix shakes his head.

“Except Rachael.” Nina pointed out, looking at the Buneary. “She saw through their lies.”

“Not that hard when you've been friends with said Pokémon for years.” She responded and you smiled at the fact.

While everyone appreciates the fact that they got out of the situation alive, Melanie just stares at the flames with a long distance stare which Neku took note of.

“For someone who barely escaped ****, you look miserable.” The Zoroark said.

“That’s because I’m not…” Melanie said softly, which got the attention of everybody at the site, even Terrence and Gloria.

“What? Why not?” Kate asked, staring at her with wide eyes.

The sight just hurts Melanie internally even more. “The only reason I acted at that point was because she was going to sacrifice both of you, but I should’ve acted when she first suggested this in the first place. Instead…” she gripped the fabric of her robes, “I did nothing! What can I possibly say to that?!”

Nina looked at the loathing Gardevoir, “You say you’ve ended it.” She stated sympathetically.

“And what good is that for?! They’re still gone!” Melanie shouted, tears running down her face. “I should’ve stepped up when you all needed it, but I just stayed quiet.

“Melanie…” Rachael muttered, not knowing what to say as you meanwhile, just kept your head down.

“For what I’ve done, giving up my life to save you all was the only way I can possibly atone to everyone who perished due to my cowardice, the only way I can redeem myself in front of Arceus! Now I-“

“Screw you and your martyrdom bullshit!”