Strength to Do What One Deems Right

Everyone who was present was surprised to hear you raise your voice and speak like that. You stood up from where you were sitting, staring at the Gardevoir in anger.

“Whoa, Rai-“ Rachael got out, standing up and was about to approach you, but Neku held her arm.

“No, let him.” Neku stated, watching you.

“What you and the others allowed to happen, the lives that were lost here was horrible. No doubt you feel guilt about it, but to say that you should die and that sacrificing your life for me is something I never asked for.”

Melanie opened her mouth to speak, but you cut her off.

“NO!" You called out. “Many lives were lost in her crazy idea. Haven’t enough died tonight? You made it so that we have made it out of there in one piece, but you just want to give up here?! What about others who are still suffering?!” As I speak, my tears start to form and fall down my face. “We’re all suffering, but we fight because we have the strength to stay alive for the sight of tomorrow?! If you’re willing to give that up, what’s the point of what you did?! Your life is also precious Melanie!”

The Gardevoir stares at you, amazed at how fierce you speak about my actions. Even after knowing everything, you would want her to survive.

“Melanie…” The Exeggutor muttered, getting her attention as she saw him looking at her. “You made the decision to act against her. We all would’ve just moved on otherwise. That had strength… strength none of us would ever have.” She saw everyone looking downward in shame, and acknowledged that he was right.

“I must admit that I’m not as kind. The action was monstrous, so much so that I can’t just forgive you…” Terrence stated, looking at the Gardevoir calmly.

“But it was because of you that we found out and prevented the terrible situation, and with that we also wouldn’t wish for you to die.” Gloria stated, holding their children.

She felt her hands trembling as she looks at the fire. “But… I don’t know what to do. How can I live knowing what I allowed?”

“I feel that answer can only be found by you.” You answered, wiping my eyes of the tears.

“And even if Valorie was dealt with, others who still believe in her idea would just start all over at the church and-”

“That won’t be necessary.” The Darmanitian stated to her. “The church has gone up in flames.” That got a look of shock from everyone sans you, Neku and Felix

“Wait what?” The Girafarig asked, taken back at the news.

“It’s true. Neku was in the kitchen setting rags and every flammable object he could find before setting it alight.” The fire type explained, everyone’s eyes falling onto the Zoroark.

“Neku, is what he’s saying true?” The Buneary asked, her face basically hoping that it wasn’t, but it would be for naught as he nodded his head.

“He’s right. I did.” Neku responded calmly, getting a gasp of surprise from the majority of those present. The Buneary was silent upon hearing the news for a second before regaining her composure enough to say. “Y-you set fire… to a holy place?!” Rachael repeated, looking flabbergasted at the fact. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” she asked as he stares at her, not making any motion to mention or give an idea that it was done with your permission.

“I can understand Valorie needing to be stopped, but this?! Why would you do that?!”

“Because it was the best way to ensure those who still believe in Valorie’s insanity would never be able to sacrifice more innocent lives.” You spoke out finally, now getting the attention from them.

The buneary stares at you with a bigger look of shock, “H-huh?” She stuttered before adding. “You knew he was going to do this?”

“He gave me the idea, and I let him do so while warning the others.” you explained yourself, seeing everyone stare at you with looks of shock.

“That was a holy place! A house of god! How could you allow him to commit such a horrible act?!” Rachael demanded, outraged at your compliance.

“THAT was horrible?!” You asked her, “What about all those bags you saw in the crypt?! What about the fact that she harbored an infected Pokémon right under your nose?! What about how me, my sister, and Terrence and Gloria’s children would’ve been sacrificed to it if you all didn’t get there in time, just like all the others, including children?!” You pointed out.

“But it was exposed, and Valorie paid the price.” She pointed out, but you shook your head.

“Someone else could’ve took her place and nothing would’ve changed. This way, they can’t convince others to stay in a burned down church!” You stated firmly to her.

The Buneary opened her mouth, but nothing came out of it, too stunned for words to come out. Instead, she just went back to the fire, not looking at your direction.

You looked downward from that. What you allowed wasn’t pleasant, but you couldn’t risk it starting up again, starting to think back what your father once said to you.

**Flashback-8 years ago**

A door slowly opened as someone peeked inside, looking left and right before it opened further. It was revealed to be a Pikachu who opened it. Your body was covered in dirt and bruises, telltale signs that you got into a fight. It looks like the coast is clear as you headed towards your room.

“You arrived pretty late today.” A voice spoke out, making you flinch as you turned to the direction and saw a Raichu coming from behind a wall; your father.

“Well, you’re here now.” He stated, walking over to the dinner table and sitting down. “Take a seat.”

“L-look, Dad, it’s nothing to really worry about, so let me just-“

“Take a seat, my son.” He stated firmly, staring at you. You sigh in defeat as you do as he said. Now closer, he looks you over. “Another round of coming home bruised? That’s the second time this week, and the fourth week in a row. Even you have to know this is becoming a pattern, and you know that I know why you’ve been coming home bruised and late.

You gripped your paws into a fist as your father practically read you like an open book. “The only thing I can’t understand…” his eyes bare themselves at you. “Is that why you continue to allow them to bully you despite you being capable of fighting back?!” He asked you, frustrated, but not raising his voice.

Your tail twitches uncomfortably at his questioning. Knowing your dad, you can’t fool him. “I don’t want to fight.” You told him. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, and I believe they will grow bored about picking on me.

He doesn’t say anything, but he does shake his head, “This has been going on for weeks. They won't tire anytime soon.” He explained, standing up and walking to the chair next to you. “Do you know why I joined the guards?”

You shrugged your shoulders in response.

“Well it’s not because I like to fight. In fact, I dislke it.” He reveals that fact to you. That got your head to go up and look at him in confusion. “So why did you become a guard?”

“Because there are those here who made Aurora their home, and I wish to protect them.” Your father answered, staring in your eyes.

You look surprised at that. “Even if it means needing to fight?” You asked him and he nods, placing his paw on your back.

“Rai, there will be times where you’ll be faced to do things or make choices that you would rather not make.” He stated, looking at you.

“I will?” You asked nervously and he nods.

“Even so, as long as you do what you deem to be right, then you can’t go wrong.” Your father said to you. “Do you understand what I'm saying?”

You stare at him for a good minute before a smile formed on your face. “Yes, I understand dad. Thank you.”

He nods with a smile of his own. “Good, now get washed up and lay down on your bed to rest and recover.”

You got up and pushed the chair back under the table before heading to your room.

**End Flashback**

You were quiet when your memories of that moment ended. ‘Burning down the church was bad, but allowing it to potentially be used to trick others would bring more casualties than it being gone.’ You thought, believing it to be the right call.

It was then you noticed Vargus and Nina walking up to you. “Hey, you two need something?” You asked them.

“Well, I…” the Croconaw rubbed the back of his head, “You really allow him to do that, I have to say, I’m rather shocked.”

“I have to agree, it’s pretty ****.” The Vulpix admitted.

“Yeah, I know. I don’t blame you for being angry, but-“

“We’re not actually angry.” Vargus pointed out, surprising you.

“We find the actions rather ****, but with what they done, I see it as a lesser of two evils.” Nina explained. “We really mean that.”

You nod your head, “Well, I appreciate your honesty. Even if you disagree.”

“Even Rachael?” Vargus asked, “She seems disturbed, and I heard you two are friends.”

You look back at the Buneary, who was still standing by the fire, gripping her paws anxiously. You decided to give her space for now.

Just then, you felt your stomach growling strong inside, making you wince from the ache it was giving you. After the incident with the Greninja, dealing with a Garchomp, then the whole church situation, you never get a chance to eat.

“I’m getting a bit hungry, Rai.” Kate muttered, sitting next to you.

“Me too Kate. Everything happened so fast, I never asked them to gather food…” you admitted, not knowing what to do considering you don’t have enough ingredients for even a simple stew.

“Well, about that…” Felix stated as the next thing you know, you see some of the Psychic types approaching you, handing you a few bags of ingredients.

“What’s this?” You asked, seeing the various stuff within.

“You asked the Zoroark to warn us and help us get out, even after knowing what we allowed. It’s not much, but we wanted to repay your kindness.” The Mime Jr explained.

“No need to worry about us. We want to give this to you.” The Girafarig said assuringly.

You smile in gratitude as you accept the provisions. You look at the fire before you take out your cooking kit and started to cook.