Nine-Sixteenth
Anonymous Author
- 53
- Posts
- 12
- Years
- Somewhere
- Seen Sep 24, 2012
Chapter 40: Trials
Spoiler:
Placed onto the wet grass, a lamp flickered on and lit the night atmosphere with its soft glow.
Glimmering against the light, a great body of water was revealed.
"Lake Acuity…"
Sabrina crouched and sat near the lake's edge. Her fingertips slipping pieces of frost off the blades of grass underneath her. "I wonder what it is we're supposed to find here…"
The Psychic could already find the answer in one of her companions, though she kept silent to allow them to contribute their thoughts. Be considerate. a voice echoed in her mind.
"Uxie. The legendary Knowledge Pokémon is said to rest within the lake." Domino stepped forward and observed their surroundings. "Team Galactic managed to capture the pokémon in the past with the help of Hunter J. Though according to the reports, Ash and his team managed to free it from their grasp…"
"Th-Th-Th-Th-That's'ssss g-great an-an-and-d a-all! B-But h-how a-are you guys k-k-k-keeping so warm?!" Casey hissed with chattering teeth. "I-I-It's f-reeezzzziiinng out-t h-here!!!"
Sabrina removed her red coat and wrapped it around the shivering girl.
"W-W-Won't you be cold???" The baseball fan shook the last traces of discomfort from her body.
A breath of white fog released from the Psychic's lips. "I prefer cold."
Casey shook her head, not understanding the woman's inhuman tastes. With a sigh, she brought up a question she had been wondering since their arrival. "Couldn't we have gone to a hotel before coming here?"
"You're not curious to see your past?"
"Of course I'm curious! I just… well… you know, would prefer to come here at godly hours."
"The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can relax." Sabrina's eyes turned and focused towards the shimmering waters. "…I don't think I'll be able to rest easy until I find out who this Quinn was…"
Domino dipped her fingers into the lake. "Same. But I assume we'll have to bring out the legendary pokémon from in here… and I would have no idea how to do that."
…
Casey tapped her chin. "Well… what kind of pokémon is it?"
"According to what was observed… it'd be safe to assume it's a Psychic Pokémon."
"Perfect! That means Sabby here ca–"
Sabrina's sigh interrupted her suggestion. "…I can't."
She shrugged. "I sense nothing from the water. No thought or emotion… other than a few Water Pokémon. Nothing else."
"Great." Casey threw a rock into the lake. "Dead end… Maybe we should've asked N more questions?"
"We should've asked the Leanne woman more questions as well." Domino mentioned. She played with the device attached to her hip.
"Weren't you the one that asked her if she didn't have anything else to tell us about this mission?"
"I did. But I assumed it would've been far more obvious by the time we reached the lake…"
The baseball fan laughed. "What? Did you think it was just going to light up and we would've been told everything?"
Domino looked away in embarrassment. "It could've happened. It's not a dumb idea… compared to what else you've faced in this adventure of yours."
"Yeah, I guess."
…
…
"You wouldn't happen to have any answers?" Sabrina looked towards Casey in curiosity.
"Er…" She shifted her posture uncomfortably. Why is she looking at me like that? "…maybe if we shock the water?"
"No. I did not mean for a suggestion. I meant an answer." The Psychic's face turned serious.
"…I don't really know what that means."
"I believe you do. You know that I don't know the answer. And you're making sure I never find out."
Wh-What?? What's with her??
Casey inched away in slight fear. "I-Is something up, Sabby? You're acting funn-" She bumped into something.
Looking behind, she flinched at the sight of Domino.
H-How did she get behind me?? "Er… can I help you?"
"Can you?" The former Rocket Agent raised a brow. "We know you know something."
"…I s-seriously have no idea what you two are talking about."
"I know you don't." Sabrina leaned quickly towards Casey, placing her hand onto her forehead. "But someone inside you does."
…
The young woman's consciousness and eyes turned blank as the Psychic's power overwhelmed her.
Thank you for your assistance, Domino.
Call me Dominique. I'm tired of that name… Domino nodded and walked off. I'll leave you to your work.
…
Breathing in, Sabrina relaxed her body and thoughts.
Exhaling, she released herself into Casey's subconscious.
…
Come out… I know you're in there.
…
I felt you reading my mind since we first entered the train station. I know I was not mistaken.
…
Barricade yourself from me as much as you want. You cannot keep me out.
Sabrina twitched, sending a surge of Empathy through her arms.
Casey's body convulsed in reaction.
COME OUT.
Like a wave crashing against rocks, Sabrina's mental and emotional energy shattered against a solid wall of power. What! What is this…
The wall curved in, surrounding the Empathic Psychic's conscious power.
A MENTAL TRAP!
Sabrina backed her energy away as fast as she could, only to find it trapped against another wall. No…
The barriers closed in quickly, giving her no time to find an alternate exit. NO!
Her heart and mind panicked as they knew the consequences of being captured in the trap.
A voice echoed around her in protection, Breathe slowly, Sabrina…
Shocked by the voice, the walls retreated immediately.
The Psychic smirked. Fear is quite the weakness.
She speared forward with her thoughts and caught the escaping power with a spinning net of focused emotion. The opposing energy struggled to break free.
Now you're the one trapped. How does it feel?
Portions of itself that weren't yet bound exploded into a whirlpool of force.
You cannot intimidate me. REVEAL YOURSELF.
She wrapped her Empathy tighter around the power and tore it from its control.
A blast of cold fury roared out.
"AH!" Sabrina was forced out of the mind. She stumbled back a few steps and strained her eyes into a threatening glare.
Casey's eyes glared back.
"You're quite powerful…" a voice Sabrina barely recognized hissed from the girl's lips.
She didn't allow it any advantages by showing surprise. "…who are you?"
"You already know. Now you must answer me something."
Sabrina straightened her posture. "If I already know, then you did not answer me. What would you offer for my answer?"
"I shall answer a question for you."
…
"Fair enough." Sabrina nodded. "The answer to your question is no… It was not Sato that protected me."
Casey's eyes looked away. "…but the voice…"
"Ash's. A reincarnation of Sato."
"Reincarnation…?" The young woman stared into her Sabrina's eyes in curiosity.
…
…
"Let me hear it again."
"That was not part of the deal."
…
…
"Very well, you may ask your question."
Sabrina approached her. "Why do you hide? How long have you stayed hidden inside her?"
"Those are two questions."
"And I shall let you ask one more question."
Casey's eyes lit up. "I hide to watch safely. I know not of this world or its alliances. I know not who to trust. And I have no real sense of measurement in this realm… so I do not know how long I have been hidden. I do not even remember becoming conscious."
The baseball fan frowned. "Now answer me… why is Sato's voice in you?"
"I created a bond with Ash. Though his body is currently vacant, a portion of his heart and mind finds sanctuary in me. In return he gives his support and protection."
"…a bond…"
Emotions of nostalgia and pain filled inside Casey's mind.
"…can you assist us, Quinn?"
"…you need me to call Uxie here… yes?"
Sabrina nodded.
'Quinn' frowned. "…if I do, you must heed my words."
…
"Very well. What warning do you carry?"
Casey's unconscious body walked towards the water's edge.
Her sad eyes gazed into the night sky.
"…becoming me will not fulfill your wishes."
_________________________________________________________
"I never expected to there to be a building hidden underneath the lake."
"It is not within the lake. This is Uxie's world. The lake is simply a gateway to its world."
"Thank you for letting us into your home."
The legendary lake guardian nodded towards the Psychic's bow. "Uxie…"
Surrounded by metallic yellow lattices and marble white pillars, the three guests stood in quiet respect. Glass walls formed by hundreds, if not thousands, of interlacing pyramids sheltered them from a never-ending void of white.
Inspecting their environment, Dominique noticed there was a lack of anything else. No doors. No objects. No comforts. "Rather barren for a world."
"It's simply an illusion." Casey responded, her voice still not her own. "Nothing exists in this world, only thought. And thought takes shape."
"Thought, you say?" Dominique grinned. "Let's try something…"
…
"You won't succeed." Sabrina sighed. "This world is Uxie's, not ours. We have no power here."
The former Rocket Agent grunted in disappointment. "That's a shame… So, Casey, how do you know Uxie?"
"…Casey?" The girl shook her head. "That is not my name. She does not know Uxie. I do."
"She's Quinn." Sabrina reminded.
"I know who she is. But as far as I'm concerned, she's using Casey's body – so it's only natural to call her by that name."
"I am not using this body… I am… trapped, here."
"Trapped?"
"…it does not feel like my own body. And I am not here of my choice. I do not remember how I got in here."
"Wait." Dominique folded her arms and frowned. "Do you even know that you died?"
Casey's eyes widened. "DIED?!"
In a panic, the girl ran up to Uxie and grabbed it by the head. "UXIE! REVEAL TO ME WHAT HAS OCCURRED!!!"
"Uxie…"
The Knowledge Pokémon nodded. A flash of white energy swallowed Casey's body.
"QUINN!" Sabrina reached out into thin air. The girl had vanished.
…
"I suppose she didn't technically die." Dominique shrugged. "Poor choice of words. Silly me."
The Psychic was ready to lash out at the young woman… though she felt a strange disconnection.
"Wh…what?"
"Your powers will not work here…" a disembodied whisper hovered in the air around them.
"Who's there." Sabrina reached for her poké balls… only to find that those had disappeared as well.
Uxie drifted towards them. "I choose what can and cannot exist in my realm… do not worry for your friends, they are safe."
"That thing can speak??" Dominique stiffened. "…and friends?"
She felt around her hip. "WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY DICE?!!"
"He is safe. I will return your friends once you are ready to leave my home." Uxie softly landed to a sit. "I simply cannot risk any of you harming my world. It is a fragile thing."
"Where did you take Quinn?" Sabrina asked with narrowed eyes.
"I only took her where she wished to be… I myself do not know where that is. The mind often wanders to places others can never follow…"
"And what of us? What are we supposed to do here?"
"I will take you where your mind knows, but you do not…"
"What does that mea–" Dominique disappeared in a flash of white.
Sabrina took a deep breath in and closed her eyes… prepared to face whatever challenges faced her.
A soft feeling of wistfulness overtook her.
…
…
_________________________________________________________
"Quinn."
…
"Hey Quinn!"
"Wha-What??"
Sabrina opened her eyes.
Bright sun. Leaves falling slowly to the grass below. A large canyon decorating the landscape.
…and a man with a familiar face.
"…Ash?"
"Huh? Ash?" The man tilted his head. "Are you having those visions again, Quinn?"
"Quinn?" Sabrina looked down. A uniform of black and gold covered her chest and legs. Rotating her wrist, she noticed her nails were painted gold as well. "…I'm Quinn…"
"Yeah, you're definitely having those visions again." The man patted her on the shoulder. "Tell Uxie to cool it on the prophecy stuff. I'll make sure it doesn't happen."
Tilting her head up, she gazed into the man's eyes. "Then you must be Sato."
He flinched. "S-Sato?? I think that's the first time you actually called me by my name! Usually it's just 'Aura Guardian' or 'Aura'… you feelin' okay, Quinny?"
Sabrina blushed at the nickname, though she wasn't sure why. "Qu-Quinny???" She sent a psychic jab at him. "Don't you ever call me that!"
Sato laughed playfully as he pushed the mental attack away with a touch of Aura.
"What did you wake me for?" she huffed as she adjusted her hair and clothes back to perfection.
"You told me you had to leave in an hour." He shrugged. "And I've been waking you up every five minutes since that hour has passed… you're about ten minutes late."
Quinn looked away, depressed. "I don't really want to go back…"
"But you said this one's a big meeting."
"…I'll make up an excuse."
"Not this again…" Sato slapped his hand to his forehead. "This is your third time this month!"
"They'll believe me if you just…"
"No no no no no. No way. I'm not doing that for you again."
"Just one! One small one!"
"Quinn, last time you made me hit you with an Aura Sphere – that mark stayed on you for a week!"
"I don't care. Just do it."
"You do care! Every day we ran into each other, you had a new color of make-up trying to cover it! You looked like you were growing a rash!"
"…I won't hide it this time, then."
He sighed in frustration. "You told me yourself that it was the most uncomfortable week you had. Told me it itched like crazy."
"…hmph." Quinn stood and walked to the edge of the cliff.
"Wh-What in the world are you doing?!" Sato attempted to grab her arm, only to be forced back by an invisible wave of power.
"I'm one of the top agents for Team Rapture, Aura. They don't believe anything can make us late for a mission briefing other than a critical physical injury, or if we end up running into you and your team."
"So you're going to kill yourself?!"
She turned and raised her brow. "No. There's a ledge…"
Sato sighed in relief.
"…halfway down."
"Quinn! You can't be serious!" He tried to approach her, only to find his body refusing to move. "Quinn. Don't do this."
"The organization's doctors are the best of the best. I can't fake an injury. It has to be real."
"Why are you even doing this?!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!!!"
…
…
Quinn fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands. "I don't want to go back… don't make me…"
Freed from her control, Sato crouched down to her level. "Quinn…"
"No. I know what you're going to say."
"…you can come with us."
"You always say that."
His hand moved the hair from her eyes.
He placed his forehead softly against hers. "And I always mean it."
"…Sato…" She turned away.
…
Wiping away her tears, Quinn stood. "I have to go now."
He frowned. "…you really don't have to go back if you don't want to."
She shook her head, knowing he was just forcing her to choose for herself. However, necessities often outweigh the promises of a choice. "If I stay, then I can't help you. Your team needs me."
"Can I at least tell them yet that you've been helping us?"
"You do and I'll kill you myself, Aura."
Sato stood and scratched at his head. "Why? We've been doing this for months now! They honestly have a right to know where I've been getting all this information from."
Quinn pointed to her forehead. "I can't protect all their minds from any Psychic Spies, Sato. It's only our bond that keeps you immune to them, remember?"
He sighed. "…when will I see you again?"
"We'll see each other on the battlefield."
"…I meant as friends…"
…
Friends… is that all you see me as? "…when I have more information for you."
Quinn turned and walked towards her motorcycle.
"Be careful… I'll miss you up here." Sato pointed to his head.
"You too. I'll miss you here." She pointed towards the center of her chest.
The two smiled at their exchange. A gesture of their bond – childishly put, but seriously felt.
Hopping onto her prized vehicle, she let out a long sigh. "Go back to your team, Sato. They might get suspicious."
…
No answer. The man had already disappeared.
The world around her had disappeared.
And when she finally remembered her name, Sabrina found herself transported to an entirely new area.
"…Sato." she whispered. Her emotions sank.
She placed her hand softly against her chest.
"I know you're still there."
The Psychic stared ahead, analyzing her surroundings. Walls and corners, paths and dead-ends. A labyrinth made of ancient rock.
Sensing inwards, she felt no traces of Psychic or Empathic energy within herself.
"…still handicapped. I will have to find the exit without them."
With a nod to her objective, Sabrina began her journey through the maze.
_________________________________________________________
"WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!!!"
"I will not allow you to leave."
"ARE YOU INSANE?! THE PLACE IS CRASHING DOWN!!"
"And if you go perish in it, then I will have accomplished my mission."
Sato grit his teeth. "You realize you'd die too, right?!"
"My life belongs to Team Rapture. As long as it lives on, so will I." Quinn adjusted to a battle stance.
A blast of psychic energy spiraled towards Sato.
He altered its course with a flex of his Aura.
Three spears of dark purple flew towards his head.
"Hraa!" The Aura Guardian shattered the attack with a shield of blue.
A second blast crashed against the barrier, causing Sato to flinch.
"Vulnerable."
Sato's eyes widened, noticing the voice had come from behind.
Three kicks. Two for the back of the knees, a third to the back of his head as he crumpled to the floor.
His bodyslammed forward into the ground.
A finger pressed against his head. He could no longer move. "Wh…what??"
"We've studied you, Aura Guardian… you're very effective with your powers." Quinn sent an illusion of pain to spread throughout his body.
He screamed out. Tears running down his eyes as his body shook in agony.
"…however, that's the only thing you're effective with." The Rapture Agent flung her hair to the side. "Without your precious lucario or teammates, you're quite weak."
Sato smirked. "Vulnerable."
Quinn's arm stiffened. "…WH-WHAT?!"
She tried pulling her arm, only to find her entire body covered in a mist of blue and white.
Sato rolled over and grinned at her. "There's more than one way to use Aura, y'know."
"How did…" The Psychic's eyes narrowed. "Tell me how I was not able to read your intention."
"As far as I can tell…" The Aura Guardian grunted as he lifted her stiff body onto his shoulder. "I don't think you Psychics can read intentions. I think you can just read thoughts. And me? I don't really think things through."
She growled in irritation. "…where are you taking me."
"Out of here."
"Put me down! I do not want your assistance!"
Sato began limping towards the exit. "Well I want to give you my assistance! So cry me a river."
"You fool! I'll just kill you once I break free from this! It doesn't matter what you do, I will keep hunting you! You're a sworn enemy of Team Rapture! Team Rapture wants you dead! I want you dead!"
He laughed weakly in response. "You sure? I don't think you really know what you want."
"You dare tell me what I know and do not know?!" Quinn attempted to access her powers, only to find it unresponsive. "Why… Why is it not working?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!"
"Calm dow- whoah!"
The ground shook, toppling the two to the floor.
"Ow… geez…" Sato crawled towards the Psychic. "I told you this place was dangerous…"
His hand touched her shoulder.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!! GET AWAY!!!"
The Aura Guardian flinched. "What is wrong with you?! I'm trying to help!"
"WHY!?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why… You know I'll kill you. I will!"
…
Shaking his head, he lifted her back onto his shoulder. "Come on, just a little more until the exit… I promise I'll stop touching you once we get out of here."
"Stop it… Stop this! I don't want your help!"
…
"I saw you crying in front of the mirror, Quinn…"
"…what?"
"…you haven't asked once why I was here… by myself." Sato's eyes went dark. "I came here to kill you, Quinn."
Her eyes narrowed. She struggled to find a way to break from his power.
He continued, "You think you're hunting me? I was hunting you, Quinn. …after what you did to Pikachu… I thought I'd never forgive you."
…
"…but after seeing you cry… I knew you didn't mean it. You didn't want to do it. You were just following orders…"
"You don't know that. I did mean it. Pikachu was a threat to our mission. He had to be disposed of."
"You called him a 'he', not an 'it'." Sato smiled. "You definitely didn't just see him as an objective…"
…
…
"…I am… sorry." Quinn fought herself to say those three words. "…no one should ever lose their best friend. Not like that."
"And no one should follow orders they don't believe in."
Kicking the door, their exit swung wide open.
The night air welcomed them, causing Sato to shiver.
Stepping into the moonlight, he placed Quinn on the patch of grass that decorated the front of the facility.
With an exhale, he released her from his control.
Quinn moved uncomfortably, staring at her hands and fingers as she flexed her muscles back into usefulness.
The door they had emerged from collapsed, as concrete and iron tore itself apart from one another.
Sato whistled. "Looks like we got out of there just in time."
"…th-thank you, Aura Guardian…"
"You can repay me by doing me a favor."
"…hm?"
"Leave Team Rapture."
Quinn's eyes widened. "…wh-what?"
"Leave Team Rapture." he repeated. "They're screwed up, Quinn. They're screwing you up. You don't seem like a bad girl, but they're trying to make you into one. Leave before you actually convince yourself that you are."
"…but… Team Rapture is… it's my home… my family… who I am…"
Sato scratched his head. "I don't know if you actually mean that or if they brainwashed you to believe that. But… there are better homes. Better families."
She looked away, feeling the most unsure she had ever felt in her life.
"…if you want. You can come with us…"
Her eyes looked up at him in confusion.
He gave a nervous smile. "It would take some negotiating, but I'm sure I can convince Farron and Ramie to letting you in."
…
Quinn stood and bowed towards him. "I thank you for the offer, Aura Guardian. But I cannot abandon my position. I may be of more harm to your team than help."
He gave no response, only eyes of concern.
"…but that doesn't mean I cannot help." She adjusted her hair and clothes back to perfection. "I can still give you information on anything you need."
Sato's face lit up. "R-Really? I have a thousand questions!"
"Not now. Not here. And not for any of your questions." Quinn raised a finger and pointed at herself. "I will give you information I believe you'll need. I will give it to you when I feel like you need it. And for every detail I give you, you must do me a favor."
"…and that would be?"
"You must teach me."
"Teach you?"
Quinn nodded. "You say there's more than one way to use Aura. You used yours very creatively. Perhaps I can sharpen my Psychic abilities in the same manner."
Sato blushed. "That's a real compliment. Well… I accept!"
He held out his hand and grinned.
She eyed him with a frown. "You said you wouldn't touch me after we reached the outside."
"And you said you'd kill me the instant I freed you."
"I can still do that."
"And I can still touch you. Which would you rather do?"
…
"…very well." Quinn shook his hand unwillingly. "But don't you ever pick me up again."
"I won't if you won't try to kill me again."
"I can't make any promises."
"Then neither can I." He laughed.
With a second bow, Quinn released her grip and walked away.
She reached her motorcycle and pulled a key from her pocket.
"Come on, Dice… let's get out of here."
Twisting her wrist, the machine roared to life.
The roar shattered the world around her…
…
…
Dominique found herself standing in a small room.
"A memory of Quinn's?"
Surveying the room, she found a metal door, a wooden cabinet, a glass clock, and a plastic toolbox.
"…and what is this supposed to be? Her room?"
She approached the door and turned the knob. It jammed.
"…locked."
A yellow note on the side of the doorknob caught her eye.
Written in black marker, the number "64" and the letters "far" were the only details found on the paper.
…
"Great. A puzzle room." Dominique sighed. "I hate these things…"
Glimmering against the light, a great body of water was revealed.
"Lake Acuity…"
Sabrina crouched and sat near the lake's edge. Her fingertips slipping pieces of frost off the blades of grass underneath her. "I wonder what it is we're supposed to find here…"
The Psychic could already find the answer in one of her companions, though she kept silent to allow them to contribute their thoughts. Be considerate. a voice echoed in her mind.
"Uxie. The legendary Knowledge Pokémon is said to rest within the lake." Domino stepped forward and observed their surroundings. "Team Galactic managed to capture the pokémon in the past with the help of Hunter J. Though according to the reports, Ash and his team managed to free it from their grasp…"
"Th-Th-Th-Th-That's'ssss g-great an-an-and-d a-all! B-But h-how a-are you guys k-k-k-keeping so warm?!" Casey hissed with chattering teeth. "I-I-It's f-reeezzzziiinng out-t h-here!!!"
Sabrina removed her red coat and wrapped it around the shivering girl.
"W-W-Won't you be cold???" The baseball fan shook the last traces of discomfort from her body.
A breath of white fog released from the Psychic's lips. "I prefer cold."
Casey shook her head, not understanding the woman's inhuman tastes. With a sigh, she brought up a question she had been wondering since their arrival. "Couldn't we have gone to a hotel before coming here?"
"You're not curious to see your past?"
"Of course I'm curious! I just… well… you know, would prefer to come here at godly hours."
"The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can relax." Sabrina's eyes turned and focused towards the shimmering waters. "…I don't think I'll be able to rest easy until I find out who this Quinn was…"
Domino dipped her fingers into the lake. "Same. But I assume we'll have to bring out the legendary pokémon from in here… and I would have no idea how to do that."
…
Casey tapped her chin. "Well… what kind of pokémon is it?"
"According to what was observed… it'd be safe to assume it's a Psychic Pokémon."
"Perfect! That means Sabby here ca–"
Sabrina's sigh interrupted her suggestion. "…I can't."
She shrugged. "I sense nothing from the water. No thought or emotion… other than a few Water Pokémon. Nothing else."
"Great." Casey threw a rock into the lake. "Dead end… Maybe we should've asked N more questions?"
"We should've asked the Leanne woman more questions as well." Domino mentioned. She played with the device attached to her hip.
"Weren't you the one that asked her if she didn't have anything else to tell us about this mission?"
"I did. But I assumed it would've been far more obvious by the time we reached the lake…"
The baseball fan laughed. "What? Did you think it was just going to light up and we would've been told everything?"
Domino looked away in embarrassment. "It could've happened. It's not a dumb idea… compared to what else you've faced in this adventure of yours."
"Yeah, I guess."
…
…
"You wouldn't happen to have any answers?" Sabrina looked towards Casey in curiosity.
"Er…" She shifted her posture uncomfortably. Why is she looking at me like that? "…maybe if we shock the water?"
"No. I did not mean for a suggestion. I meant an answer." The Psychic's face turned serious.
"…I don't really know what that means."
"I believe you do. You know that I don't know the answer. And you're making sure I never find out."
Wh-What?? What's with her??
Casey inched away in slight fear. "I-Is something up, Sabby? You're acting funn-" She bumped into something.
Looking behind, she flinched at the sight of Domino.
H-How did she get behind me?? "Er… can I help you?"
"Can you?" The former Rocket Agent raised a brow. "We know you know something."
"…I s-seriously have no idea what you two are talking about."
"I know you don't." Sabrina leaned quickly towards Casey, placing her hand onto her forehead. "But someone inside you does."
…
The young woman's consciousness and eyes turned blank as the Psychic's power overwhelmed her.
Thank you for your assistance, Domino.
Call me Dominique. I'm tired of that name… Domino nodded and walked off. I'll leave you to your work.
…
Breathing in, Sabrina relaxed her body and thoughts.
Exhaling, she released herself into Casey's subconscious.
…
Come out… I know you're in there.
…
I felt you reading my mind since we first entered the train station. I know I was not mistaken.
…
Barricade yourself from me as much as you want. You cannot keep me out.
Sabrina twitched, sending a surge of Empathy through her arms.
Casey's body convulsed in reaction.
COME OUT.
Like a wave crashing against rocks, Sabrina's mental and emotional energy shattered against a solid wall of power. What! What is this…
The wall curved in, surrounding the Empathic Psychic's conscious power.
A MENTAL TRAP!
Sabrina backed her energy away as fast as she could, only to find it trapped against another wall. No…
The barriers closed in quickly, giving her no time to find an alternate exit. NO!
Her heart and mind panicked as they knew the consequences of being captured in the trap.
A voice echoed around her in protection, Breathe slowly, Sabrina…
Shocked by the voice, the walls retreated immediately.
The Psychic smirked. Fear is quite the weakness.
She speared forward with her thoughts and caught the escaping power with a spinning net of focused emotion. The opposing energy struggled to break free.
Now you're the one trapped. How does it feel?
Portions of itself that weren't yet bound exploded into a whirlpool of force.
You cannot intimidate me. REVEAL YOURSELF.
She wrapped her Empathy tighter around the power and tore it from its control.
A blast of cold fury roared out.
"AH!" Sabrina was forced out of the mind. She stumbled back a few steps and strained her eyes into a threatening glare.
Casey's eyes glared back.
"You're quite powerful…" a voice Sabrina barely recognized hissed from the girl's lips.
She didn't allow it any advantages by showing surprise. "…who are you?"
"You already know. Now you must answer me something."
Sabrina straightened her posture. "If I already know, then you did not answer me. What would you offer for my answer?"
"I shall answer a question for you."
…
"Fair enough." Sabrina nodded. "The answer to your question is no… It was not Sato that protected me."
Casey's eyes looked away. "…but the voice…"
"Ash's. A reincarnation of Sato."
"Reincarnation…?" The young woman stared into her Sabrina's eyes in curiosity.
…
…
"Let me hear it again."
"That was not part of the deal."
…
…
"Very well, you may ask your question."
Sabrina approached her. "Why do you hide? How long have you stayed hidden inside her?"
"Those are two questions."
"And I shall let you ask one more question."
Casey's eyes lit up. "I hide to watch safely. I know not of this world or its alliances. I know not who to trust. And I have no real sense of measurement in this realm… so I do not know how long I have been hidden. I do not even remember becoming conscious."
The baseball fan frowned. "Now answer me… why is Sato's voice in you?"
"I created a bond with Ash. Though his body is currently vacant, a portion of his heart and mind finds sanctuary in me. In return he gives his support and protection."
"…a bond…"
Emotions of nostalgia and pain filled inside Casey's mind.
"…can you assist us, Quinn?"
"…you need me to call Uxie here… yes?"
Sabrina nodded.
'Quinn' frowned. "…if I do, you must heed my words."
…
"Very well. What warning do you carry?"
Casey's unconscious body walked towards the water's edge.
Her sad eyes gazed into the night sky.
"…becoming me will not fulfill your wishes."
_________________________________________________________
"I never expected to there to be a building hidden underneath the lake."
"It is not within the lake. This is Uxie's world. The lake is simply a gateway to its world."
"Thank you for letting us into your home."
The legendary lake guardian nodded towards the Psychic's bow. "Uxie…"
Surrounded by metallic yellow lattices and marble white pillars, the three guests stood in quiet respect. Glass walls formed by hundreds, if not thousands, of interlacing pyramids sheltered them from a never-ending void of white.
Inspecting their environment, Dominique noticed there was a lack of anything else. No doors. No objects. No comforts. "Rather barren for a world."
"It's simply an illusion." Casey responded, her voice still not her own. "Nothing exists in this world, only thought. And thought takes shape."
"Thought, you say?" Dominique grinned. "Let's try something…"
…
"You won't succeed." Sabrina sighed. "This world is Uxie's, not ours. We have no power here."
The former Rocket Agent grunted in disappointment. "That's a shame… So, Casey, how do you know Uxie?"
"…Casey?" The girl shook her head. "That is not my name. She does not know Uxie. I do."
"She's Quinn." Sabrina reminded.
"I know who she is. But as far as I'm concerned, she's using Casey's body – so it's only natural to call her by that name."
"I am not using this body… I am… trapped, here."
"Trapped?"
"…it does not feel like my own body. And I am not here of my choice. I do not remember how I got in here."
"Wait." Dominique folded her arms and frowned. "Do you even know that you died?"
Casey's eyes widened. "DIED?!"
In a panic, the girl ran up to Uxie and grabbed it by the head. "UXIE! REVEAL TO ME WHAT HAS OCCURRED!!!"
"Uxie…"
The Knowledge Pokémon nodded. A flash of white energy swallowed Casey's body.
"QUINN!" Sabrina reached out into thin air. The girl had vanished.
…
"I suppose she didn't technically die." Dominique shrugged. "Poor choice of words. Silly me."
The Psychic was ready to lash out at the young woman… though she felt a strange disconnection.
"Wh…what?"
"Your powers will not work here…" a disembodied whisper hovered in the air around them.
"Who's there." Sabrina reached for her poké balls… only to find that those had disappeared as well.
Uxie drifted towards them. "I choose what can and cannot exist in my realm… do not worry for your friends, they are safe."
"That thing can speak??" Dominique stiffened. "…and friends?"
She felt around her hip. "WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY DICE?!!"
"He is safe. I will return your friends once you are ready to leave my home." Uxie softly landed to a sit. "I simply cannot risk any of you harming my world. It is a fragile thing."
"Where did you take Quinn?" Sabrina asked with narrowed eyes.
"I only took her where she wished to be… I myself do not know where that is. The mind often wanders to places others can never follow…"
"And what of us? What are we supposed to do here?"
"I will take you where your mind knows, but you do not…"
"What does that mea–" Dominique disappeared in a flash of white.
Sabrina took a deep breath in and closed her eyes… prepared to face whatever challenges faced her.
A soft feeling of wistfulness overtook her.
…
…
_________________________________________________________
"Quinn."
…
"Hey Quinn!"
"Wha-What??"
Sabrina opened her eyes.
Bright sun. Leaves falling slowly to the grass below. A large canyon decorating the landscape.
…and a man with a familiar face.
"…Ash?"
"Huh? Ash?" The man tilted his head. "Are you having those visions again, Quinn?"
"Quinn?" Sabrina looked down. A uniform of black and gold covered her chest and legs. Rotating her wrist, she noticed her nails were painted gold as well. "…I'm Quinn…"
"Yeah, you're definitely having those visions again." The man patted her on the shoulder. "Tell Uxie to cool it on the prophecy stuff. I'll make sure it doesn't happen."
Tilting her head up, she gazed into the man's eyes. "Then you must be Sato."
He flinched. "S-Sato?? I think that's the first time you actually called me by my name! Usually it's just 'Aura Guardian' or 'Aura'… you feelin' okay, Quinny?"
Sabrina blushed at the nickname, though she wasn't sure why. "Qu-Quinny???" She sent a psychic jab at him. "Don't you ever call me that!"
Sato laughed playfully as he pushed the mental attack away with a touch of Aura.
"What did you wake me for?" she huffed as she adjusted her hair and clothes back to perfection.
"You told me you had to leave in an hour." He shrugged. "And I've been waking you up every five minutes since that hour has passed… you're about ten minutes late."
Quinn looked away, depressed. "I don't really want to go back…"
"But you said this one's a big meeting."
"…I'll make up an excuse."
"Not this again…" Sato slapped his hand to his forehead. "This is your third time this month!"
"They'll believe me if you just…"
"No no no no no. No way. I'm not doing that for you again."
"Just one! One small one!"
"Quinn, last time you made me hit you with an Aura Sphere – that mark stayed on you for a week!"
"I don't care. Just do it."
"You do care! Every day we ran into each other, you had a new color of make-up trying to cover it! You looked like you were growing a rash!"
"…I won't hide it this time, then."
He sighed in frustration. "You told me yourself that it was the most uncomfortable week you had. Told me it itched like crazy."
"…hmph." Quinn stood and walked to the edge of the cliff.
"Wh-What in the world are you doing?!" Sato attempted to grab her arm, only to be forced back by an invisible wave of power.
"I'm one of the top agents for Team Rapture, Aura. They don't believe anything can make us late for a mission briefing other than a critical physical injury, or if we end up running into you and your team."
"So you're going to kill yourself?!"
She turned and raised her brow. "No. There's a ledge…"
Sato sighed in relief.
"…halfway down."
"Quinn! You can't be serious!" He tried to approach her, only to find his body refusing to move. "Quinn. Don't do this."
"The organization's doctors are the best of the best. I can't fake an injury. It has to be real."
"Why are you even doing this?!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!!!"
…
…
Quinn fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands. "I don't want to go back… don't make me…"
Freed from her control, Sato crouched down to her level. "Quinn…"
"No. I know what you're going to say."
"…you can come with us."
"You always say that."
His hand moved the hair from her eyes.
He placed his forehead softly against hers. "And I always mean it."
"…Sato…" She turned away.
…
Wiping away her tears, Quinn stood. "I have to go now."
He frowned. "…you really don't have to go back if you don't want to."
She shook her head, knowing he was just forcing her to choose for herself. However, necessities often outweigh the promises of a choice. "If I stay, then I can't help you. Your team needs me."
"Can I at least tell them yet that you've been helping us?"
"You do and I'll kill you myself, Aura."
Sato stood and scratched at his head. "Why? We've been doing this for months now! They honestly have a right to know where I've been getting all this information from."
Quinn pointed to her forehead. "I can't protect all their minds from any Psychic Spies, Sato. It's only our bond that keeps you immune to them, remember?"
He sighed. "…when will I see you again?"
"We'll see each other on the battlefield."
"…I meant as friends…"
…
Friends… is that all you see me as? "…when I have more information for you."
Quinn turned and walked towards her motorcycle.
"Be careful… I'll miss you up here." Sato pointed to his head.
"You too. I'll miss you here." She pointed towards the center of her chest.
The two smiled at their exchange. A gesture of their bond – childishly put, but seriously felt.
Hopping onto her prized vehicle, she let out a long sigh. "Go back to your team, Sato. They might get suspicious."
…
No answer. The man had already disappeared.
The world around her had disappeared.
And when she finally remembered her name, Sabrina found herself transported to an entirely new area.
"…Sato." she whispered. Her emotions sank.
She placed her hand softly against her chest.
"I know you're still there."
The Psychic stared ahead, analyzing her surroundings. Walls and corners, paths and dead-ends. A labyrinth made of ancient rock.
Sensing inwards, she felt no traces of Psychic or Empathic energy within herself.
"…still handicapped. I will have to find the exit without them."
With a nod to her objective, Sabrina began her journey through the maze.
_________________________________________________________
"WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!!!"
"I will not allow you to leave."
"ARE YOU INSANE?! THE PLACE IS CRASHING DOWN!!"
"And if you go perish in it, then I will have accomplished my mission."
Sato grit his teeth. "You realize you'd die too, right?!"
"My life belongs to Team Rapture. As long as it lives on, so will I." Quinn adjusted to a battle stance.
A blast of psychic energy spiraled towards Sato.
He altered its course with a flex of his Aura.
Three spears of dark purple flew towards his head.
"Hraa!" The Aura Guardian shattered the attack with a shield of blue.
A second blast crashed against the barrier, causing Sato to flinch.
"Vulnerable."
Sato's eyes widened, noticing the voice had come from behind.
Three kicks. Two for the back of the knees, a third to the back of his head as he crumpled to the floor.
His bodyslammed forward into the ground.
A finger pressed against his head. He could no longer move. "Wh…what??"
"We've studied you, Aura Guardian… you're very effective with your powers." Quinn sent an illusion of pain to spread throughout his body.
He screamed out. Tears running down his eyes as his body shook in agony.
"…however, that's the only thing you're effective with." The Rapture Agent flung her hair to the side. "Without your precious lucario or teammates, you're quite weak."
Sato smirked. "Vulnerable."
Quinn's arm stiffened. "…WH-WHAT?!"
She tried pulling her arm, only to find her entire body covered in a mist of blue and white.
Sato rolled over and grinned at her. "There's more than one way to use Aura, y'know."
"How did…" The Psychic's eyes narrowed. "Tell me how I was not able to read your intention."
"As far as I can tell…" The Aura Guardian grunted as he lifted her stiff body onto his shoulder. "I don't think you Psychics can read intentions. I think you can just read thoughts. And me? I don't really think things through."
She growled in irritation. "…where are you taking me."
"Out of here."
"Put me down! I do not want your assistance!"
Sato began limping towards the exit. "Well I want to give you my assistance! So cry me a river."
"You fool! I'll just kill you once I break free from this! It doesn't matter what you do, I will keep hunting you! You're a sworn enemy of Team Rapture! Team Rapture wants you dead! I want you dead!"
He laughed weakly in response. "You sure? I don't think you really know what you want."
"You dare tell me what I know and do not know?!" Quinn attempted to access her powers, only to find it unresponsive. "Why… Why is it not working?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!"
"Calm dow- whoah!"
The ground shook, toppling the two to the floor.
"Ow… geez…" Sato crawled towards the Psychic. "I told you this place was dangerous…"
His hand touched her shoulder.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!! GET AWAY!!!"
The Aura Guardian flinched. "What is wrong with you?! I'm trying to help!"
"WHY!?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why… You know I'll kill you. I will!"
…
Shaking his head, he lifted her back onto his shoulder. "Come on, just a little more until the exit… I promise I'll stop touching you once we get out of here."
"Stop it… Stop this! I don't want your help!"
…
"I saw you crying in front of the mirror, Quinn…"
"…what?"
"…you haven't asked once why I was here… by myself." Sato's eyes went dark. "I came here to kill you, Quinn."
Her eyes narrowed. She struggled to find a way to break from his power.
He continued, "You think you're hunting me? I was hunting you, Quinn. …after what you did to Pikachu… I thought I'd never forgive you."
…
"…but after seeing you cry… I knew you didn't mean it. You didn't want to do it. You were just following orders…"
"You don't know that. I did mean it. Pikachu was a threat to our mission. He had to be disposed of."
"You called him a 'he', not an 'it'." Sato smiled. "You definitely didn't just see him as an objective…"
…
…
"…I am… sorry." Quinn fought herself to say those three words. "…no one should ever lose their best friend. Not like that."
"And no one should follow orders they don't believe in."
Kicking the door, their exit swung wide open.
The night air welcomed them, causing Sato to shiver.
Stepping into the moonlight, he placed Quinn on the patch of grass that decorated the front of the facility.
With an exhale, he released her from his control.
Quinn moved uncomfortably, staring at her hands and fingers as she flexed her muscles back into usefulness.
The door they had emerged from collapsed, as concrete and iron tore itself apart from one another.
Sato whistled. "Looks like we got out of there just in time."
"…th-thank you, Aura Guardian…"
"You can repay me by doing me a favor."
"…hm?"
"Leave Team Rapture."
Quinn's eyes widened. "…wh-what?"
"Leave Team Rapture." he repeated. "They're screwed up, Quinn. They're screwing you up. You don't seem like a bad girl, but they're trying to make you into one. Leave before you actually convince yourself that you are."
"…but… Team Rapture is… it's my home… my family… who I am…"
Sato scratched his head. "I don't know if you actually mean that or if they brainwashed you to believe that. But… there are better homes. Better families."
She looked away, feeling the most unsure she had ever felt in her life.
"…if you want. You can come with us…"
Her eyes looked up at him in confusion.
He gave a nervous smile. "It would take some negotiating, but I'm sure I can convince Farron and Ramie to letting you in."
…
Quinn stood and bowed towards him. "I thank you for the offer, Aura Guardian. But I cannot abandon my position. I may be of more harm to your team than help."
He gave no response, only eyes of concern.
"…but that doesn't mean I cannot help." She adjusted her hair and clothes back to perfection. "I can still give you information on anything you need."
Sato's face lit up. "R-Really? I have a thousand questions!"
"Not now. Not here. And not for any of your questions." Quinn raised a finger and pointed at herself. "I will give you information I believe you'll need. I will give it to you when I feel like you need it. And for every detail I give you, you must do me a favor."
"…and that would be?"
"You must teach me."
"Teach you?"
Quinn nodded. "You say there's more than one way to use Aura. You used yours very creatively. Perhaps I can sharpen my Psychic abilities in the same manner."
Sato blushed. "That's a real compliment. Well… I accept!"
He held out his hand and grinned.
She eyed him with a frown. "You said you wouldn't touch me after we reached the outside."
"And you said you'd kill me the instant I freed you."
"I can still do that."
"And I can still touch you. Which would you rather do?"
…
"…very well." Quinn shook his hand unwillingly. "But don't you ever pick me up again."
"I won't if you won't try to kill me again."
"I can't make any promises."
"Then neither can I." He laughed.
With a second bow, Quinn released her grip and walked away.
She reached her motorcycle and pulled a key from her pocket.
"Come on, Dice… let's get out of here."
Twisting her wrist, the machine roared to life.
The roar shattered the world around her…
…
…
Dominique found herself standing in a small room.
"A memory of Quinn's?"
Surveying the room, she found a metal door, a wooden cabinet, a glass clock, and a plastic toolbox.
"…and what is this supposed to be? Her room?"
She approached the door and turned the knob. It jammed.
"…locked."
A yellow note on the side of the doorknob caught her eye.
Written in black marker, the number "64" and the letters "far" were the only details found on the paper.
…
"Great. A puzzle room." Dominique sighed. "I hate these things…"
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