Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: The Phantasmagoria

Chapter 30

Castaways

Distant, echoed shouts of other inmates carried across the cell grounds, followed by loud bangs of fists meeting the iron bars and commanding barks of patrolling correctional officers.

A young man clad in a red jumpsuit received no verbal lashing as he quietly sat by his lonesome on a metallic bench in his cell. He wrung his hands together, repeatedly clenching them and then opening them through fresh bouts of anger, visible bruises, and purplish markings adorning his knuckles.

His narrowed gaze remained upward, fixated on a barred window near the ceiling of his concrete confinement. The mere glimpses of the outside world he could see were patches of grass nestled up against the glass, and a single white wallflower erected proudly over the endless blue skies. He watched every movement of the flower as its petals slowly swayed in an invisible wind.

He did not react when the sounds of boots stomping next to his cell got louder and louder. There was an unseen jangling of keys to his side, the door to his cell swinging open with a shriek. Only then did the young man pan his face down to look at the stern and wrinkled expression of the uniformed man beside his cell.

"You're up."

Liam was ready to get this over with.

Cold handcuffs were latched around his wrists as he exited his cell and was swiftly escorted out of the holding grounds through a flight of stairs. The dreary, dirty cages he once knew of were soon replaced by clean, sterile hallways that led him further to his fate. The only company by his side was the officer, his jumbled, murky thoughts, and the noise of his rattling handcuffs as he marched forward, his unblinking gaze staring straight ahead. Only a few halls and rooms did he have to cross before he finally arrived. The correctional officer stopped before a large wooden double door, fishing for the right key on his belt before inserting it into the door and twisting it unlocked, opening it right away.

"Go in."

Liam walked in not a second later. The courtroom proved less intimidating than he once thought, more modest in size than the ones he has been in before, yet the smell of mildew and stale air was something he always detested. Benches surrounded his narrow strip of dark gray carpet, only seated by a few people sticking to the back row that looked at him with apathy. He did not return their looks as he kept walking forward until he was before the judge's tall podium, standing still and staring up at the black-robed person seated on the bench.

The judge, an older woman with short, silvery rose-colored hair, returned the young man's blank stare with her own quizzical one. She waited for the bailiff at the far end of the room to close the double doors. Once the entrance was locked once again, she began sorting through the stacks of paperwork on her podium's desk, only speaking once they were fully scrutinized through her thin reading glasses.

"If everyone is situated, the court can move on. We have CA20061628598. Today's date is June 17th, 2006. Inmate, please state your full name."

Liam inhaled deeply. "Liam Gaspard Shaw."

"Shaw…" The judge appeared perplexed as she looked down to thumb through her papers again. "Hm. It appears I wasn't wrong, and nor were the familial documents I see here in the background check. Your father was Robert Shaw, and your mother was Angelica Reyes."

"Yes, your honor."

The woman removed her glasses and set them on her desk. "As a matter of fact, I recently finished sentencing a few of your father's accomplices just a few months ago. I've never seen a story quite like this in our state, and the chaos all those years back when it imploded." Her head shook. "You must've been in those trials before to testify. Haven't you, Mr. Shaw?"

"Six years ago I was, your honor."

"You were thirteen years old at that time, then. I can only imagine how difficult that was, especially given the circumstances in which you endured during that time." Liam could tell there was disappointment lurking within her stare. "I was hoping I would never see you in handcuffs one day."

Silence fell upon the courtroom, their exchange replaced by stifled coughs and the ringing keys of the active stenograph.

The judge cleared her throat as she shuffled her papers again. "Well, I wish to not stall the court any longer. We shall proceed with the hearing." She slipped her glasses back on and began to read off her documents. "Mr. Shaw, you've been accused of Assault and Battery in the second degree; this carries a maximum sentence of three years in a state prison, and a fine of up to two-thousand-five-hundred dollars. The victim's name is Sean Erickson Wright, who will not appear for this hearing, as he is still recovering in the hospital. I understand that we have a few witnesses subpoenaed for a later court date, but I will read off one witness statement now for the court to hear."

The woman flipped through numerous pages until stopping at one in particular.

"Ah, here we are. A witness states they saw you - Mr. Shaw - engaging in an argument with the victim - Mr. Wright - near the entrance of a pharmacy you had stepped out of earlier. According to the witness, Mr. Wright appeared to be slightly inebriated at the time of this encounter, and that this argument between you and the victim went physical after some time. It's claimed that you struck Mr. Wright multiple times in the head, who then fell to the ground as you proceeded to severely kick him several times in his stomach and chest region. Other witnesses then immediately moved in to pull you away from Mr. Wright as he stopped moving and responding shortly after the attack, according to paramedics. They then say that you were very hostile and resisted their attempts to ameliorate the situation, but that you became calm and were cooperative with police when they arrived and drove you to CCDC." She pulled away the papers from her face. "Are you ready to enter a plea at this time, Mr. Shaw?"

"Guilty, your honor."

The judge glanced over to her right to make sure the stenographer heard his words. "The court does accept this plea. However, before we move on to the matter of bond, I did have a few questions regarding yourself and the victim." She removed her glasses again, crossing her arms on the podium. "This argument between you and Mr. Wright, can you tell me what exactly it entailed?"

"He-" Liam flexed his digits, his blistered knuckles forming tightened fists from sheer anger of remembering. "He said… awful things about my family, my father specifically, your honor. He recognized me, came over to me, spewed his garbage, and I stood for what I believed."

"I understand that Mr. Wright and his family were personally affected by your father's actions in the past, which is why I assume this encounter occurred in the first place."

"Yes, your honor."

"Can you tell me why you decided to assault Mr. Wright?"

"I…" Liam paused momentarily. "I wasn't gonna stand around and let him say all those things about my family, so I acted. I know I had a lot of feelings within me at that time, and I just… I vented them on him, your honor."

"Do you regret what you did to the victim?"

"... No."

The judge laced her fingers together as she mulled over his words. "I won't sugarcoat it, Mr. Shaw. I understand your emotions weigh heavy even after all these years, but that does not excuse your flagrant attack of this man. This is an act that goes on records, and can follow you throughout your life."

"I know, your honor."

She pursed her lips. "Seventeen years I've been on this bench, and I've sentenced many young men such as yourself to what I believed was their inevitable fate. You've seen what it's like in your brief time, Mr. Shaw, haven't you?"

"I have."

"The men that occupy these cells, they're rejects of society. Those who have lost control over their lives; that's why they're there. Not to just rehabilitate them, but to cast them away like scraps off a plate. Now tell me, Mr. Shaw, do you wish to become one of these men?"

Liam considered his response, averting his gaze from her. "… Your honor, every day of my life since my mother died has been a nightmare I could never wake from. It feels like I'm still in it. My life before all of this… it was absolutely perfect. I keep reliving it over and over in my head, but it's never the same; it's gone forever now. It was all there once, but it's gone now." He wetted his lips, eyes closing. "When I think about what I am now that it's all over, I don't really see a person anymore. Because really… I died all those years back, with them."

The court was silent yet again as the judge absorbed his words.

"Mr. Shaw, do you want freedom from yourself? Do you want to be separated from what happened in the past, to what happens now? I realize that you think this is where it ends - many who enter my court think that - but ultimately the terms of your sentence are up to me."

"…"

The judge unhooked her fingers. "I wish to speak more in private after this hearing is finished, but we will proceed normally." She grabbed her papers. "I don't see any priors, nor any outstanding warrants, and I see that…"

The woman's monotone voice faded as Liam withdrew his attention from the courtroom around him, waiting for it to finally be over as he shut his eyes.

Fast, cold, yet invigorating was the sensation he felt.

A deep blue pickup truck flew down a dirt road, a trail of dust and tire tracks left behind in its wake. The hand of its driver was extended out of the open window, palm splayed to catch the rapid winds at such a speed the vehicle was traveling. The truck then took a right, the barren road transitioning into rough gravel that ground under its spinning wheels. The truck came to a sudden stop near the hills of tall, green grass and cattail that bordered the trail. Not a second later, the sole occupant of the vehicle stepped out.

Liam raised a hand over his face to combat the sun's powerful rays. The humidity in the air clung to his skin as he pocketed his car keys and made his way around the truck, stepping off the gravelly road and descending the hill. Dew-covered shrubs and other wet foliage were pushed aside as he wandered deeper into the forested region. The sound of running water beyond the trees drew him further in, and it was not long before he uncovered the source.

A creek split across the forest in multiple streaks of clear streams that connected to the grander body of water in the distance. River rocks not buried beneath the flowing current propped themselves up as water surged around them. The tall trees and their leaves provided a natural canopy over the area, strips of light cascading from its openings down onto the river. Liam felt his breath stolen by the sight as he walked slowly as if to not disturb the tranquility. He stopped near the ridge of the creek, shoes halfway steeped into the water.

Six years had passed since he first came to Lake Jocassee, even if he was finding it hard to believe.

For a long period, Liam simply stood and watched the white water rush downstream. He eventually began following its journey by walking beside the creek. His wandering gaze tracked each rustle or animalistic chirp of his surroundings, content to just watch and never interfere. Despite recent events fogging his mind, there was a small smile across his face. His small hike would end as the splintered creek merged into the greater lake, the trees ahead parting to a vast basin that shimmered in the daylight. Liam came to a stop again, taking the time to soak in the view.

Of course, that was not all he wanted to do.

His knees cracked as he bent down to pick up a handful of discolored rocks alongside the river. He brushed away any stones that were either too jagged or heavy, being left with a decent amount of flat, round ones. Clutching them, he sized up the body of water before him before taking a single stone. His wrist flicked as the stone flew from his hand and across the water, creating large ripples that kept pushing the stone upward until it inevitably met its fate deep in the lakebed.

Fourteen skips.

Spurred to keep going, he reached down to grab another bunch of rocks, only stopping his collection as something in the distance caught his attention. A small rowboat was being paddled across the surface of the lake - two hazy figures occupying it - a small figure, and a larger one. There was no doubt in Liam's mind of what that pair was as he watched them gently cross out of sight.

Something about the view now felt ruined - desecrated.

Liam gripped the sole stone in his grasp, dropping it once it felt like all his frustration was poured into it. He lingered in these new yet very familiar feelings as he breathed a sigh. A hesitant hand then rose from his side and dug into the pockets of his jeans, retrieving a small slip of folded paper. Breaking its seal, he straightened it out before reading its printed font, scoffing a second later.

'Charleston Counseling Office: (843-87-'

Liam scrunched the paper together as he avoided reading the rest, yet tried not to tear it. After all, it was his sentencing that the judge of his case gave to him, and one he was obligated to commit to. He shoved the paper back into its pocket, knowing he would have to deal with its ramifications later. As for the present, he decided to stay a little longer, enjoying this brief moment of respite among nature.

In just a while, he would be back on the road again, back to see what remained of his old home.

Blue and yellow curls danced around Liam's vision as they began to ebb back into his peripherals.

The Riolu's body rustled back and forth atop the galloping Mudsdale as he stared off into the distance, aghast at the memory burned into his mind. The angered quaking in a paw of his alerted him back to reality, reaching down to place his other on top to settle its movement. Wetting his lips, Liam returned to gripping the sides of the saddle, trying to make sense of what he saw.

Two quadrupedal silhouettes contrasted against the setting sun as they dashed toward the town of Sanctus. The rough sands that their hooves pounded gradually shifted into patterns of orangish cobblestone. They maneuvered around various Pokemon that gathered in the streets, the intensity of the crowds increasing as they went further into the town. Liam could hear the heart of the protests raging away in the town square ahead - just as they were when they arrived first here - yet his attempts to get a glimpse of it in action were ripped away as the Mudsdales' cut across the street and into an alleyway to avoid entering the square. After a few minutes of gently riding through the alleys in between homes and market stands, they finally arrived at their destination.

The Grit Ruins Excavator headquarters was bustling with action; the Mudsdales' stationed were affixed with carriages, patiently awaiting instructions as they always did. Guild members and a sparse amount of Excadrill's workers also assisted with hauling boxes of goods from the main building to the carriages loaded with cargo. The two late equines trotted over to their kin and stopped as the Riolu and Lucario leaped from their saddles, Liam letting out a sigh.

The expedition was really coming to an end, and they would soon return home.

Upon their arrival, Scizor and Garchomp immediately stopped what they were doing at the sight of them. The sand shark was the first to speak as she stomped over loudly, tail whipping behind her with a scowl staining her features.

"You mind telling us what the deal was with you straying off the path?" she barked at Jackson as he strode towards her. "We didn't know where the hell you were, and you didn't even say anything on your ELE! Me and Scizor had to pick up the slack and get everyone else to work on the carriages!"

"I see that you managed fine," Jackson said calmly, aiming to move past the dragoness. "Now, if you'll excuse me-"

Garchomp positioned herself in front of the Lucario. "Woah, woah, woah, you're not just gonna up and wander away again without answering some questions. Scizor and I deserve at least that much, you think?"

Scizor realized where this was going. "Garchomp, we can discuss this later-"

"No. I know there won't be a later with him," she said, glowering at him. "All that shit back at Regi Castle, with you freaking out over those 'artifacts' and not saying a damn word to us. So tell us, what's so important about 'em to make you act like that, huh? You're not ignoring me this time."

Liam quickly realized this was not a conversation he wanted a part of as he took a step back. Jackson, however, chose to stand his ground.

"I don't need to tell you anything," the Lucario spat. "Your team and the rest of my guild will know in time the developments we have made - that is final. And so will the Council be informed of our progress; not when they have the chance to strike it down, but when we fulfill what's needed to be done."

Garchomp leaned further in, baring her wicked sharp teeth at him. "'What's needed', huh? You'll just lie and hide secrets from them like the rest. Why don't you cut the act and tell us what's really happening here?"

Jackson went silent, flicking his gaze up and down the dragoness' imposing form as he slowly approached her. "When the Pokemon of Celestic realize our intentions, and when the entire world knows that our goal is legitimate. When the threat of the Mystery Dungeon and the ley lines vanish - and the world is saved - your questions, yours and the Council's concerns…" He stopped inches from her, eyes narrowing. "... No one will care."

Jackson pushed past Garchomp before she could utter another response. It took her a massive amount of willpower, along with the red pincer of Scizor blocking her, to not stomp after the Pokemon, instead resorting to growling obscenities under her breath. Meanwhile, Liam appeared quite troubled after listening to their argument, swallowing the lump in his throat, and finding the courage to speak up.

"Uh… Mrs. Garchomp? Am I allowed to know what's going on between you and the Guildmaster?"

Garchomp's head snapped towards Liam, producing a small yelp from the Riolu. She formed a bitter smile. "Didn't see you there, Liam - just Garchomp. And yeah, I guess you know already I'm pretty damn upset with your Guildmaster." She waved a talon at Scizor's stuttering attempts to stop her. "It's okay, Sciz, not like he didn't hear it."

"Do the others know?" Liam questioned.

"It's…" Garchomp sighed. "Look, it's pretty private stuff, and I made the mistake of being a loudmouth; blame me for being partners with two of 'em." A chuckle broke her sour mood. "Don't tell your guildmates this, but I have issues with your Guildmaster. He's a pretty secretive guy, and he's preventing us from knowing crucial information about this expedition's discoveries. Why? Only Arceus knows… I just wish your Guildmaster was like he was when my team originally met him; this would go a whole lot smoother."

Liam frowned at her claim, knowing full well how the Lucario acted. "Will this affect things when we return to the guild?"

Garchomp shrugged, "I'm not a Psychic-type, so I can't predict the future. It may if your Guildmaster refuses to share what he knows, or if the Council finds out about our little 'scuffle' with that mercenary clan." Scizor gave her a look that said everything, to which she nodded. "We can talk a bit more on the carriage ride, but you should regroup with your team. Gloria's been pretty worried that you vanished without a trace, so I'd check up on her."

Liam bit his lip. "Oh yeah, I should do that right away. She, uh, gets like that if I'm gone for too long."

Garchomp laughed again. "She's a fighter, that one. Plenty of moxie in her, and I knew doing a little training with her would draw that out. You two make a great pair from what I've seen and heard. One day you could be like my or Scizor's team."

Liam puffed his chest. "It'd be a real honor to be seen like that, Mrs- er, Garchomp."

Garchomp winked and turned to lumber away. "Keep at it and you will."

Scizor would offer the Riolu a hasty bow as he followed her.

Liam knew what was required of him as he spun on his heels and began marching toward the double doors of the large wooden structure. He swerved around Gurdurr and Drillbur carrying crates and other supplies until he ended up in the foyer. A quick survey of his surroundings proved no sign of her, only fellow guild members packing their belongings, so he took the creaky stairs up to the hallways that connected their rather brief living quarters. It was only around ten seconds of moseying around the halls until he heard the soft voice of his partner.

"Liam!"

He glanced down the hall to see the Vulpix herself nearly barreling towards him. He took a step back just in case as she stopped mere inches from him, a very relieved expression dancing across her muzzle as her plume of tails wagged behind her.

"You're back! Everyone said they saw you and the Guildmaster broke away from the group," Gloria said, forming a frown. "Why did you do that? You made me really worried…"

Liam scratched his neck with a paw. "Yeah, sorry about that. I was checking on the Guildmaster and stuff."

"Is, um, something wrong with him?"

"Nah, we… talked about things."

"Like what?"

Liam bit his tongue as he went quiet. He wished that he had the strength to tell everything to her, to make her understand his inner strife, especially after what the Guildmaster told him. But he could not, and it tore him up inside that he was going to continue lying to her face again.

"… Nothing. Just stuff about the expedition and our team." He smiled widely. "He said that we're doing great so far, and we might have some special jobs just for our team when we get back!"

"Really? That's amazing! But…" Gloria dropped her smile. "But I really wish you would stop wandering off, especially during important missions."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I won't do it again without telling you."

"... Can you promise?"

"I, uh, well-"

"Sis, you can't make guys promise on stuff like that," a suave voice rang. "It's in our nature to disobey." Roark came strutting down the hall as best he could with his bandaged leg. A smirk was plastered across his muzzle as planted himself between the pair, an arm latched on Liam's shoulder. "I see you're back, blue boy. Tell me, were the cacti and piles of sand fascinating up close?"

Liam snorted. "I wasn't just sightseeing, Roark, but yeah, it's very pretty out there." He waved his paws around. "You got miles of undisturbed nature to explore; plus riding on those Mudsdales' is really fun!"

"Boooring," Roark said, emphasizing by pretending to yawn. "I'll tell ya what's really interesting - going back home for a nice nap and then getting our reward for diving into this sandpit."

"Reward?" Gloria asked with a tilt of her head. "Who said that?"

Roark looked over both shoulders before leaning back in to speak. "Word around the ole grapevine is that our favorite slacker - Charizard - leaked some little info that Scizor and the grumpy guy in charge told him." His smirk grew. "Turns out the guild is getting a quick vacation over in that Eden Theater place."

Liam exchanged a look of surprise between Roark and Gloria, who appeared even more intrigued than he was. Almost an entire year had passed since they attended its premiere, and despite their encounter with Magmortar, the whole event was very exciting to be present for.

"Uhuh, and that's not even the best part," Roark continued, "'cause it looks like we lucky 'mons get the full package for a day. Bar, personal suites, private theaters, did I mention the bar? All free. And this time there's no pyromaniac with cannons for arms trying to torch you, so consider that a plus," he finished with a wink.

"This is great!" Gloria exclaimed, a glint in her eyes. "I hope they have any of those new 'films' to show. Oooh! And I wonder if they could adapt some famous plays, too! Like 'Taming of Fire' and 'Meloetta's Last Ballad'!" Giddiness was very apparent in her voice as she tugged on her scarf and necklace.

Roark held up his claws. "Hey, you didn't hear this from me." He shot Gloria a look. "And I know you're excited, sis, but don't make me drag you from that theater like I have to with your books sometimes."

A roll of the Vulpix's eyes spurred a chuckle out of the Zoroark as he frazzled the tuft of fur atop her head.

"I'm able to control myself just fine," she huffed. "It's you that I'm worried about… All that drinking; it's unhealthy."

"And so is your Pokepuff addiction," Roark shot back, chuckling. "You'll understand my reasons when you reach my age, sis." He glanced towards an amused Liam. "Tell your team leader I'm right."

Gloria stamped a paw on the floor and gave her brother a stern glare. "Tell my brother he's wrong, Liam."

Liam blinked, before breaking out into a laugh. "You two…" He smiled and shook his head. "You two are amazing."

"Hey, I already know that," Roark said as he tapped the nose of Gloria, causing her to scrunch her muzzle. "Sis just needs a little more coaching in her ring to accept that, and I shall provide."

Gloria let out an exasperated sigh.

Liam opened his mouth to say another remark, yet a lump forming in his throat after remembering recent circumstances forced it down. He attempted to swallow it, to no avail. "I, uh… need to get some air. Is that okay with you guys?"

Roark scoffed. "You're telling me you didn't get enough of the desert already?" He shrugged. "Go ahead. Just don't run off before we leave, or else sis will go ballistic again."

"I wasn't 'ballistic' - just worried," Gloria mumbled softly.

Liam began walking down the stairs. "I'll meet up with you both at the carriages."

Once the Riolu was out of sight and earshot, Roark leaned in to whisper something to Gloria.

"Have you noticed anything about 'em? His eyes were a little puffy and red, and you know what that means…"

She absently twirled the centerpiece of her necklace with a paw. "I didn't want to be, um, intrusive or anything. He's gone through a lot of change in such a small amount of time, but I hope it's something we can help with, and that he can tell me about anytime."

"You said he's been staring into space and stuff a lot more, right?"

"Yeah, daydreaming. Like, sometimes he's awake, and then he's unresponsive. I don't know if that's related to his amnesia."

A chuckle flowed out of the Zoroark. "Don't worry so much about it, sis. Sometimes I also clock out of reality, so give the kid a break."

"… I just hope it's not something bad."

Roark didn't respond as he furrowed a brow, attempting to dissect this mystery. Through this mental trial, an idea began to take shape in his mind.

'Geez, how long is this ladder…'

Liam's paw grabbed onto what appeared to be the last plank of a ladder as he ascended up it. He was immediately hit with a warm and dry breeze once he emerged from the small trap door and onto the roof of the large wooden structure. From here he could see all of Sanctus Town and its aged clay buildings from a vantage point.

Liam took a deep breath and relaxed his frayed nerves. He gripped his head with both paws and attempted to hold steady the mind that caused him so much trouble inside. Stumbling over to the railing that boxed in the roof, he shoved his thoughts aside and took in the view instead. The sky had turned a vibrant purple with an orangish hue that was slowly being consumed as the sun retreated further - stars that began to be visible and were ubiquitous. While the beauty would have entranced him any other day, Liam's gaze was glued to something else occurring in the city.

The protests.

Tiny cinders and columns of gray smoke from lit fires wafted past him, combining with the loud cries filling the air around Sanctus Town, originating from the town's central square. Crowds of civilian Pokemon and scores of both local and Council guards partook in a standoff, the latter of which staking behind makeshift cover. The two sides would clash every now and then, tiny objects or stones launched at the guards, who retaliated by smacking away any Pokemon that got too close to them.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?"

Liam spun around at the voice's introduction.

The Lucario pulled himself out of the latch as he too walked towards the roof's railing. He peered out into the chaotic streets. "... This is the fate of all civilizations, kid." His unblinking stare found Liam. "Rise. Control. Power. Unrest. Unraveling. Collapse. Decay. Repeat. Humanity's no different, and neither is the Council."

Liam rested his arms on the railing. "So many Pokemon out there in the town that are just barely surviving. We all saw it throughout the expedition. The help they need isn't coming, and if it is, it just isn't fast enough."

"These Pokemon. They're cast aside, their pain intended to be unseen by all," Jackson said. "But they'll be the beginning. It took one action to cause this uproar, and it'll only take one spark to light the fire of something different."

Liam gave him a confused look. "You really think that?"

"I know so." Jackson turned. "Come on. We're leaving."

Liam's attention flicked between the Lucario beside him and the raging protest. Of what he had seen so far of this 'Pokemon world', it seemed so peaceful and beautiful, yet this event and many others showed him it was from that ideal perception he once had. So many emotions inside him festered that he didn't realize a paw of his was trembling in anger. He halted its movement and looked up at Jackson - concerned - as if it was out of his control.

"… Guildmaster, do you remember what you were like before your memory was returned?" Liam remembered the painting of Team Moonlight he had seen earlier. He bit his lip. "Garchomp said something to me about when she first met you; that you were a lot different."

Jackson let out a puff of air. "Oh yeah, I was different. I wasn't the man that I was now, not even close. I thought more - docile, less authoritative, naive - a blank slate." He looked at the Riolu. "A lot like you."

A pit grew in Liam's stomach as he watched Jackson walk back to the ladder hatch.

"Guildmaster."

The Lucario stopped.

"I woke up in this world thinking I wanted to get my memories back, find out who I was, and see my family again because I felt empty and lost. I got that wish, and it felt like freedom to know that I really existed once. But… ever since Celestial Mountain, it felt like whatever- whoever I was before this, they're coming back. And I can't do anything to stop that from happening." Liam found it hard to say his next words. "I-I'm not scared, but what if gaining all my memories back will change me like it did to you?"

Jackson went silent as his orange paw ring flared. "You should be scared."

The Lucario dropped into the hatch and began climbing down the ladder as Liam bored into the roof's tiles. He threw a glance behind him at the protests, then to the hatch. Tightening his paws, he fought off the reluctance to stay and followed after his Guildmaster.

Down on the ground level of the Grit Ruin Excavator building, the guild members had just finished loading the carriages, and now were boarding themselves. Scizor marched around, a clipboard in his grasp as he inspected each of the cargo collected. Once everything was accounted for, he fluttered over to his carriage and awaited his Guildmaster's command for them to leave.

"Sciz."

The Bug-type glanced over his shoulder to see Garchomp stomping over. "Garchomp. Is there anything on your mind before we return?"

"Yeah, and I need a solid answer." She stopped near the carriage and hooked a talon over its railing. "You remember what I said I wanted you to do after the expedition ended?"

Scizor seized up but nodded. "... I do."

She leaned in. "Listen. I know you're hesitant since he's your friend and partner, but this is beyond that now. He shouldn't be in charge in his state of mind, and not when he's withholding information from you and Charizard."

"I understand, Garchomp. I only hoped there was another way around this."

"Trust me, I wish there was, too. But with the way things are now with these 'artifacts' and-" She stopped to look around and make sure no guild members were eavesdropping, before dropping her voice to a whisper. "-and the Alignment being involved more than a millennium ago? I got a bad feeling about all of this."

"We'll overcome, Garchomp. In time, I believe we will figure out all the secrets that keep us from accomplishing our goal here. Our discoveries here prove that."

She scraped her talon alongside the wood. "Well, I'm glad you're in good spirits about things, but we need to resolve things with Jackson first."

"... I'll do it. I'll confront him, and I'll see if I can make him step down, if only momentarily as we decide our next move."

Garchomp tried to grin, but it faltered. "It's only so long 'til the Council finds out what we've done. Your guild will have to reveal your findings, and who knows what happens after that."

"What will your team do now?"

"Aggron, Tyranitar, and I'll be taken back to home base by the Mudsdales', but we won't be there long. Missions to catch up on, meetings to attend, though I'm sure the Council will come to question us soon on our involvement." She shook her head. "Fucking Jackson roping us into this mess…"

Scizor lowered his gaze. "I'm very sorry that your team was pulled into this."

"Nah, don't be. I made my decision to take part in this; we all did." A talon tapped Scizor's shoulder. "And I hate to admit it, but Jackson was right. My team… we haven't done our best in helping your guild, but I want to change that starting now."

"Your team has done so much for us already, Garchomp. But thank you, we will need as much help as we can get."

Garchomp stepped away from the carriage. "We'll keep in contact with each other. And let me know if- when Jackson decides there needs to be new leadership." She flashed him a grin. "I know you've got what it takes, and everyone in the guild will see, too."

"... Thank you, Garchomp."

As she lumbered back to her own carriage, Scizor's head fell back against the wooden railing. He closed his eyes, dreading a moment in the future he had no choice but to do.

Minutes passed, guild members happily chatting away with each other before a single shout from a Shiny Lucario seated them and kickstarted the guild's exit. The Mudsdales' formed a solid line of carriages that gradually filed through the streets. Once they poured through the town's entrance, the hooves of the equines began to pound the dusty trails with all their might. The setting sun highlighted the guild's form as they vanished into the desert - their journey home now realized.

In the absence of their wake, all was still in the town of Sanctus in the eyes of any onlooker. It was as if time stopped for the small settlement until it happened.

BOOM.

There was an echoing shot of gunfire, then another.

BOOM.

More shots filled the air with devastating bangs as the sky became lit with the expulsion of elemental energy erupting from the town's central square - the spark now lit.

Her lantern flickered.

Particles of dust and ash floated around the small chamber of solid sandstone. Darkness desired to be her only friend as it encompassed all corners of her vision, closing further in as her only source of light began to dim with each passing second. She would have counted the seconds until it went, but even that she was incapable of.

Her lantern flickered again. Its flame went out permanently.

Mew stared up at the ceiling, too weak and consumed by sickness to do anything but. Her searing headache robbed her mind of any lingering thoughts. She had tried to close her eyes and sleep away the inevitable, but her pain was too sharp, too constant. She was grafted to her bed for an amount of time that alluded her, but it was pointless to think about it.

All she waited for was the release of death.

As time passed, her blistering headache only seemed to create more pain for her. She felt as if this was the end, and readied herself for it. Her pain grew to a climax that threatened to tear her up inside; she desired to scream, yet no words would come out as she was engulfed in a shadow.

Darkness.

Mew slowly opened her eyes to the view of inky black all around her. She miraculously found there to be movement in her limbs as she shakily held them up to her face - flabbergasted. She whipped her erratic gaze around the silent, limitless space she found herself in. A sense of claustrophobia settled in as she did not dare move. In the blink of an eye, a grassy floor expanded from nothingness and began to eat away at the darkness. Tall trees and bundles of colorful flowers budded and blossomed instantaneously. Patches of vibrant pinks, oranges, and whites filled in the gaps like splotches of paint on a canvas, illustrating the perfect backdrop of the morning sun that peeked over the forest. The sound of water, wind, and rustling leaves were constant.

Mew was paralyzed - one moment she was at the brink of demise, and now she was at the center of an almost mystical landscape. She finally found the nerve to move, floating slowly around her surroundings, as if she would shatter the world if she went faster.

"Hello."

Mew recoiled at the introduction of a silky, female voice emanating throughout her mind. Her head snapped in all directions in hopes to spot the originator.

"H-hello?"

"I am happy to see another Pokemon… It has been quite some time."

Mew swallowed, "W-where am I? Am I… dead?"

The disembodied voice fell silent for a brief moment. "You were caught between both extremes - life and death. Your soul has fallen into a web, now under my embrace."

Mew failed to come up with a response. Her instincts to study her surroundings got the better of her as she flew over to a fern dripping with dew. She touched it gently, a drop of water landing on her paw. She was surprised by how real its leafy texture felt, and how the trickle of wetness slid down her fur.

"... If I'm not dead, then what is this place?"

"Beautiful, yes? It is but one of infinite possibilities, one of many iterations."

Mew drew back in shock as the sight of numerous landscapes appeared and disappeared in an instant within her vision. Bountiful illusions enticed her instantly, though she had not the slightest clue of why. When the visions receded, she felt herself longing to see them again, troubled by these new feelings.

"What did you just do to me? W-what were those places you showed me? And who even are you?"

"You are a curious one, but there is someone I wish you would meet first."

The trees in front of Mew groaned as they were effortlessly shoved aside, obscuring thickets and other greenery slipping away into the grass. A path was created that was free from any obstacles, lined with white wallflowers that danced in the wind. A shining light up ahead intended to persuade Mew into reaching it. Hesitantly, she fulfilled the voice's directions and began to glide across the grassy path. The beacon of light she flew after would increase in luminosity as she got closer. It blinded her, enveloping her vision in all-encompassing white. When the light receded, she found herself staring at a familiar figure.

Victini.

Mew's eyes grew wide as she rushed over to the Pokemon, colliding into his chest and wrapping her arms around his torso. He accepted the unprompted hug and held her close as her fresh tears stained his fur.

"V! Please, please tell me, please," she whispered, "please tell me this is really you."

"It is, Mew. It's me."

Mew reluctantly removed herself from the embrace, wiping away her tears. "I'm s-so glad to see you, V. I've… I've been so alone without you, and I've tried so hard to continue our work, but everything went so wrong, and-"

"Shhh," Victini hushed her, his voice strangely soft and soothing. "It's okay, Mew. Everything is going to be all right now."

Mew steadied her emotions with deep breaths. "Do you know where we are, V?"

Victini extended a paw forward. "I'll show you. Grab my paw."

She accepted the offer and gripped his paw as he pulled her further down the path. The landscape around them warped again as fields of tall, golden wheat rose from the inky shadows, the sky now a rich shade of orange. Strange animalistic chirps could be heard among the strands, mixed in with choirs of soft, echoing voices that sang and cried out to them. They followed a trail of fallen golden leaves through the seemingly endless fields of grain.

"Ah... Nice, isn't it?" Victini asked as he walked. "Do you feel relaxed? I always feel very relaxed in this place."

"What is this place, V? How come we're in it?"

"Look around you, Mew. It's pure magic, pure bliss. No fear, no hatred, nothing that could harm you or me." Victini inhaled in the pleasant aroma around them. "Sometimes I don't want to leave... ever."

Mew felt lost, "What do you mean by that? You didn't answer me…" Neither the 'voice' nor Victini seemed inclined to give a straight answer, and it only served to confuse her more.

"… Mew, have you ever felt like your life wasn't fair?"

She was caught off guard by his sudden switch in demeanor, unable to form a response as he continued.

"I mean, what have either of us really done with our lives that was accepted? That wasn't required for us to do? We were born under the grasp of other Legendaries, dictated that we should live and die under our banner of worship of Arceus. We were never allowed the life of a normal Pokemon, never allowed to really live. Our dreams of escaping our duties and running away to start a new life... were just dreams, and could never be ours. We never lived our lives, Mew, we lived the lives of others."

"No… Don't say that," she mumbled. "You can't really tell me you think that." Her memories of the energetic and positive Pokemon did not match the Pokemon in front of her.

"All our work to save the world was all for nothing in the end. Our accomplishments and goals never mattered; only if it benefitted those in power. The king of Celestic, the Legendaries greater than us… they're all the same. They never cared about the Pokemon of the world, only themselves. But they have no power here, no sway over our lives. We're free, Mew, free from their evil, their hate, their control over us."

"You're not making sense, V. This isn't like you at all."

Victini calmly turned around, a relieved expression across his face. "Oh… I'm done, Mew. I'm so done with being the servant. I'm done being the 'hero', and I'm done living their lives."

A thick fog rolled in over the field as Victini began to walk forward. He stopped and kneeled to pluck a white wallflower blooming out of the ground before stumbling into the misty cloud and vanishing out of sight.

"W-wait up!"

Mew wasted no time flying after him. She entered the barrier of fog and was immediately assaulted with blankets of vapor that shrouded her perception. She flew further into the murky and barren landscape, desperately searching for her lover.

"V! Can you hear me? Where are you?!"

"You are quite the perceptive Pokemon, understanding my lines. You had given up your life in pursuit of which you did not understand - an admirable trait for someone so young."

"What do you-" She scowled. "Where's Victini? Why is he acting so strange? And who are you?!"

Mew gasped in shock as the earth around her began to quake violently. She gawked as an impossibly tall mountain rose from the ground, piercing the fog with its might.

"What you uncovered in the heart of Celestial Mountain stirred the search for answers within you. Even following major setbacks, you marched forward into the unknown."

The terrain shook again as a fortress of pure sandstone shot out of the ground beside Mew. She instantly recognized the massive structure as Regi Castle.

"Your desire for knowledge brought you here, and your fate was sealed within its ghastly chambers. Yet your soul endures."

"You said that before. My… soul?"

"Lives on. Your harps were hung from the willows when the tendrils of death unfurled, but your very being has been preserved by me."

"Preserved by…" Mew mouthed before she shook her head ferociously. "Enough with the convolution already! Give me a straight answer!" she shrieked, on the verge of tears. "What is this place?!"

"… You wish to see. Very well. I will show it to you."

The dense fog surrounding Mew dissipated and left behind a dark void of nothingness. In the blink of an eye, she was in yet another almost ethereal environment. A crisp, verdant grassland was where she found herself, accented by rolling hills of green and cold, harsh winds that occasionally swept through. Darkness ushered in over the near featureless plains, yet a small yellowish light could be seen fulgurating in the distance as Mew squinted her eyes at it.

To her, it looked like a campfire.

Mew enacted on her curiosity and flew over to investigate. As she got closer, a gasp escaped her at what she saw. A Pokemon was seated down on a wooden log, deeply staring into a crackling fire before him, shadows dancing behind it - Victini. His inattentive stare into the campfire was stolen as Mew drifted over to him, alleviated at his presence.

"V, it's you again…"

Victini's stare drilled into her - elated yet exhausted. "Mew… It's really you." She noticed the more natural tone in his voice. "I thought I was seeing things, but I guess I wasn't… heh."

Mew tilted her head. "But we just talked - don't you remember? You said all these things about our lives; stuff I've never heard you say before."

He gripped his head, wincing. "... Sometimes my mind feels cloudy, and I can't hear my own thoughts or say my own words. I blank out, and I think it's because of this strange place."

"Do you know where we are?"

Victini went silent but slowly nodded. "Yeah, I do. Tell me, before you arrived here, did you ever have a really wicked headache?"

Mew blinked, now remembering the painful sensation ailing her mind while she was on her deathbed. "I did…"

"Before I was brought here, I had such a really bad headache while recording my notes through those Projection Crystals." He sighed. "I thought it was just a migraine from overworking and stress, but I didn't realize what it really was before it was… y'know."

The gears in Mew's mind began to turn as a horrible realization sprouted within her. "I remember that crystal; you were in so much pain, but you tried to detail your thoughts, and then that shadow formed you. That must mean…"

"Exactly. You and I experienced the same headaches, and now we've been engulfed by a forming magnagate."

Mew's heart sank.

Victini continued as he returned to stare into the campfire. "When I came here, I heard a woman's voice. She spoke to me as I wandered around this weird place, like she was encouraging me to keep exploring. I tried finding her, but it was pointless. But it didn't take long for me to figure out where I really was."

"But… How are you so sure we're inside a magnagate?"

"Look up."

Mew heeded his words as she peered upward, a chill racing across her spine at what she saw.

Glowing lines of solid orange energy fluctuated and pulsated among the pitch-black skies. The largest splintered off into more criss-crossing lines that birthed even smaller curls and wavering strands. Each line was connected to another, and all intersected at one point - the core. Its light was intense, blinding those who looked too long. It hummed an eerie frequency for all to hear, mixed in with the sounds of flowing water, sharp wind, and rustling leaves.

"... It's the ley lines," Mew uttered with a horrified expression. "So we really were-" She did not have the strength to finish her sentence.

Victini grinned as he pointed up at the sky. "Look! It's exactly like I thought! All of these lines come from a single coordinate. They all feed information and energy to each other to expand." His grin faltered. "And, well, you and I were caught in it while it expanded."

Mew's breaths were shaky as he tried to control her emotions. "I-is this where the Pokemon in the dungeons come from? Those miners we tried to save, they have to be trapped here with us as well."

"Look around, Mew."

Her gaze swept through the grasslands, spotting multiple Drilbur wandering the fields aimlessly, some pointing claws at the anomaly above them in both awe and fear. As she looked closer at their surroundings, she noticed parts of the land that were in stark contrast to the grassy plains - forests of pine, a snowy tundra, barren deserts, rocky cliffs - all fractured off the mainland and drifting over a sea of the infinite void.

"They were caught in the forming magnagate as well," Victini said. "All of us - we're in some state of quantum loop - a limbo between life and death, like the voice told me when I arrived. Once we're here, the ley lines must send 'information' of us back to the magnagates above it and project a physical recreation of us - just like the land they consume and then 'dungeonize' when we enter a magnagate. That would explain the attacking Drilbur in the magnagate we found." He flashed his signature 'v' sign, withholding another smile. "I came up with a name for this phenomenon! 'The Apparition Effect'. It would've been great to tell you all this during the project, but… it's too late for that, I guess."

Mew managed a small smile as she floated closer to him. "You're so smart, V. If only you were still around, maybe we could've put an end to all of this. I wouldn't have any nights where I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, think. We could've left our research behind and ran away. It would just be so-"

"Hey, hey, it's not the end, Mew," he interrupted. "It never is. You gave it your best - I know you did - and I know there'll be Pokemon that'll solve what we couldn't."

Mew was mere inches from him. "I just… I'm just so happy to hear your voice and see you again, V. I don't care what happens to me, as long as we're together through this."

Victini glanced up at her as he held out his paw for her to grab. She obliged, both of them holding each other for support as they stared into one another's hearts. "… I don't know, Mew. This place is so crazy, and I'm not sure if it's real, or if I'm even real," he admitted, but offered her a genuine look. "But I don't care about that now. No matter what happens to me, I want you to know… I love you, Mew."

She sniffled, gripping his paw tight. "I love you too, V."

As if on cue, a cold gust of wind blew through the grasslands, snuffing out the warm blaze of the campfire and sundering the region into abject darkness. Mew no longer felt the warm fur of Victini as he vanished with the wind. Now all alone, Mew turned to see that a particular object was lying in the remnants of ash and dying embers of the campfire.

A Pokemon egg.

A warmth grew in Mew's chest as she stared at it, her thoughts dashed away as captivation took control. She slowly floated over to it, gently picking it up as she felt its lifelike texture, sensing in her paws the thump of a heartbeat from within its life-giving shell. Mew did not know why, but she knew deep inside that this was her egg - her child.

"I can see, feel, and hear the love you share with each other. Lovers that were cast away from each other, now reunited in a promised land; free from hate, evil, corruption, and entropy. I have seen your deepest desires, and one was most prominent above all - motherhood."

Tears streamed down Mew's face as she clutched the egg close to her chest and looked over her shoulder - terrified. "… What are you?"

Silence reigned momentarily over the grasslands. "I… I am the future of this world."

Mew flinched as the egg she held began to gradually disappear. She desperately tried to keep hold of it, to no avail.

"But this promised land is but an illusion of the mind. A painting that you can only appreciate, yet never live within its perfect colors."

Fear strangled Mew's heart as the grassy plains surrounding her faded, replaced by dreaded walls of sandstone. They formed a perimeter around her, a maze-like structure of rooms and winding corridors encasing her in like a tomb.

"I take no pleasure in what happens to you. It is beyond even my control. But do not be scared, as there is a light at the end. And you shall see it when the time comes…"

Mew wanted to scream as an alien sensation brute-forced its way into her mind. She could not control her own body as she felt vestiges of her soul being ripped out of her, eyes dulling and turning blank and lifeless. A pressure in her vacant mind told her to move, to wander, to attack anything that moved, and she obeyed.

"March, little soldier, until paradise is born."

When we remembered Zion; we were cast away from holy grounds. We wept by the rivers, we yearned to return.

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Next Time:Tranquillitas Ante Tempestatem