The Children Are Hunted

Thomas laughed at that. He was beginning to feel a little better. Time to stop wallowing, and move ahead. He owed it to everyone that had been hurt or killed because of him to make each day better than the last. He would never forget what happened. It would probably hurt for the rest of his life, but he had to move on.
"Heh, if I said that about him, you'd probably have my head! I've messed everything up, but I have to leave the past in the past. All I can do is learn from this, and make sure it never happens again. Zaria, you are wise beyond your years! Thanks for everything!" Thomas said. He leaned back and looked at the ceiling, his old smile beginning to creep back onto his face. He slipped the ring on his finger. To his surprise it fit him perfectly, as though it had been made for him. Amber squeeked at him, and he pet her as well as Doom. Razor cooed again, and stuck her head under her wing. Vulpix shifted again, getting even more tangled in the blanket. Esper put his head down, and went back to sleep. Thomas grabbed Deluge by the tail and pulled him across the couch. He didn't wake up, surprisingly. That Squirtle could sleep! Thomas sat like that, and waited for everyone else to wake up.
 
The Listener. Shauntal and Yamask!

Holy Goodness, Fuyu and Nideous have been hard at work!

Shauntal looked at the boy. He had been through a lot. His hair was soaking wet as was his clothes. He was shivering; goosebumps all over his small body, yet he was smiling. He was playing with Yamask who was singing a song of joy. How could he manage such joy? Lugia had left to be with the rest of her kind, and Shauntal, though saddened by her leaving, wished her well on her way.

"So, tell me about yourself Shauntal! Who are you?"

Startled by his question and sincerity, she formulated an answer, "Umm... I'm from Dublin. I'm here because I'm a.."

"Trainer. You're a trainer?"

"Yes! I'm a trainer. So, let's go. I've been exploring this island with Yamask."

Mark followed her and stopped briefly. He fell to his knees and began digging through his bag. He proceeded to take out a small, red computer like object. He took three pictures of Yamask, one of the front, one of the back, and another of the side. Then he began to type simple observations like Yamask's color and his behavior.

"What's that? That in your hand, is that some sort of computer?" Shauntal asked, wondering if it could be useful for the RDM.

"Oh, this? This is my Pokemon Database. Or my PokeBase. I record information on my Pokemon friends, like my Ducky. Ducky!"

The small Duck came waddling towards Shauntal and jumped into her lap. Mark was concentrating on Yamask and Shauntal took this time to listen to Ducky. Her eyes glowed a light purple and she smiled.

"Wha-what? I can talk again?"

"Yes, I have this strange power that I can talk to you, even after you partner with a human. Would't you like to talk to someone without having me near you? Being free, being your own person."

Ducky looked down and took this into consideration, "Nope. No way, not at all. Mark, this guy, is my friend, oh yes, he's my friend, my pal. I eould never leave him, no way no how."

Shauntal had never heard this from a Pokemon before. She stared deep into his eyes. He was telling the truth? There was one other test she would conduct before she would fully trust this Ducklett's answer. But Mark beat her to the punch.

"How about a battle? With Ducky and Yamask?"

"The Ducklett? Oh yes, sure. But, do you have more Pokemon friends with you?"

"Umm...yeah. I have my Ducky, Gligar, Volcan, and Fighter. So how about, Ducky, Gligar, and Volcan versus your Yamask and...?"

"I have two more associates traveling with me. We should be able to find them soon."

"Find them? They don't stay with you?" Mark questioned her methods but didn't much care.

"No. Imprisoning Pokemon is wrong. erm- they like floating away." From behind her came a balloon creature Mark recognized as Drifloon and then a strange squid like creature. It was pink. Maybe it was in his database. Yes, a Frillish. This would be fun. He had never faced off against Ghost Pokemon.

Shauntal vs. Mark. Next.
 
Zaria giggled. "I can't hate you for telling the truth." She spun herself around. "And you're welcome."

"Oi, who's laughing at my boyfriend?" Ash slurred cheerily as she walked in.

Zaria choked. "Ash, Mickey will kill you if you say that!"

"So what?" the seventeen-year-old replied, going to make breakfast. "Morning Thomas. Your head feeling better?" Doom ran up in greeting, licking her fingers. "Stop that you silly pooch!" She laughed. "Go wake your master. If I know him he hasn't eaten in a while." Doom barked and bolted into the other room. They all heard a yelp. Zaria giggled again.

(Never leave us to our own devices Roserade. You left an inch and we took a mile lol.)
 
Thomas laughed as Doom ran off. Marcus walked into the room rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
"What's going on? What time is it?" he asked sleepily. Clefairy bounced into the room, followed by a very tired looking Magby. They heard a muffled cry.
"Help! It's trying to eat me!" Vulpix yelled. He was stuck in the blanket.
"What? You aren't being eaten, you're stuck in the blanket!" Marcus said. He sat down and leaned his head back. Thomas smiled. This was his family now. He didn't share blood with any of them, but there was more to family than blood.
"Oh... Get this thing off of me!" Vulpix said. Thomas sighed and went to save him from the evil blanket that was trying to consume him.
"Stop moving! This is hard enough with only one hand!" Thomas said. Amber walked over, and sensing a new game, began pulling on the blanket.
"Hey! Cut it out! He's bad enough, but I don't want to fight with you too!" Thomas said. He pushed her away, but she was right back.
"Can someone grab her? She's not helping things!" Thomas said.
 
Ash laughed, lifted Amber off to drop her on the floor and carefully untangled Vulpix from the blanket. "You have to not panic when you have one of those on, or you get stuck and they eat you," she told him with a wise grin on her face. She placed him back down on the floor and went back to the kitchen. "Any requests on food?" she called cheerily.

"Something that's edible?" Zoran asked cheekily as he walked in, washed and dressed. His hair was plastered on his face, still wet. His arm was bandaged again and Doom was running around him with a grin on his face. Sparx gave Volt a soft purr of greeting, curious to see what he would do. Cody instantly went outside, wanting to go create a mud puddle. Ash threw a comb at him, which he caught and put to use. "Thanks Ash!"

"You were supposed to get hit!" she retorted but laughed, carefully flipping a pancake.
 
"Morning, Zoran! And I could eat almost anything!" Thomas said. Volt instintly shot up and growled out his own greeting. Thomas smiled at them, those two were so obvious! Marcus had fallen asleep on the couch, with his Magby curled up in his lap.
"Should we wake him?" Thomas asked. Vulpix answered that question for him. He strode over and nudged him with his nose.
"Hey! You just got up! Don't go back to sleep, or you won't get any food!" Vulpix said. Thomas shook his head and walked over to see what he could do to help in the kitchen.
"Need a hand? Mind you, I've only got the one!" Thomas asked with a grin. Esper pushed Deluge off of the couch to make room for Zoran to sit down, because he wasn't going to move! Esper let out a soft meow at Zoran. Thomas froze and stared at him. He had never heard Esper meow before! Hiss and growl, yes, but never a meow!
 
Ash glanced at him and grinned. "If you could get out plates and silverware, that'd be great. Just be careful and talk to Deena if you want your bandages changed." The Audino saluted at this. Zoran smiled and sat down, reaching over his bandaged arm to pet Esper's head. "Are you trying to tell me something little guy?" he asked affectionately. Sparx made a sound akin to laughter at Volt and walked over, purring loudly. Ash smiled and she pulled out some fruit to place on the table.
 
Thomas smiled and got everything out that he was asked to. He set the table as he had been drilled to in 9 years of his life, with everything set just right. Volt whined happily at Sparx when she came over to him. Deluge popped out of his shell and cried out a greeting at everyone. Razor pulled her head out from under her wing and glared at him. Amber, ever the jelous one, jumped up on the couch and shoved her head under Zoran's hand, thereby pushing Esper off the couch. Esper hissed at her, then walked off to sulk in the corner. Marcus grinned at him.
"If you really want attention, Come here, and I'll pet you," Marcus said.
"He'd rather nurse his injured pride!" Thomas said, finishing up the table. He scratched absently at the cast on his arm. It had been a week since he had broken it. Only three to go! Although, he had messed up the cast quite a bit. He might have to go for another four or five weeks. He'd deal with it somehow. At least Amber was behaving, kind of. Vulpix sat on his cushion and watched the scene with a bemused expression. As though he'd never seen anything like this before.
 
Regis Tracks! Mark Follows!

Regis had been hard at work tracking down the two Child Trainers he had recently located. He had heard that both of them have two or so badges. The two gyms had been some of the weaker gyms. They would never make it past the gym in Stonehenge. He would make sure of that. After some...rearranging, he had made it so that the real gym leader had taken a slight vacation. He would meet them there, maybe trap them. He would see their potential, maybe see if their powers had been activated yet. It appeared that Mark's had, some kind of strengthening technique. But, more on that later. He kept quiet as he watched the two children talk and laugh. Look at them, so close to those dangerous Pokemon. The whole world would thank him for his services soon.

His Swellow, the only cretin he thought suitable for his presence, flew out over the unsuspecting kids. They wouldn't know what would be happening for a while now. The Swellow tucked in its head and began to attack with an Aerial Ace. Zoran and Thomas. They'll be in the AAPM soon enough. The Swellow would be marking them with a tracker.

"Let's see how you fare against Swellow." he whispered to himself from the safety of his underground lair.

*************************************************************************

Ducky fell to Frillish. Shauntal laughed as the small duck flew to the ground. It had been a tough battle, but she had easily pushed his defenses away. Now, it was time for the next Pokemon, a Gligar. Let's see how it would do against her Yamask.

"Yamask, dear friend, will you please battle Gligar?" Shauntal questioned. Yamask nodded and began to battle.

"Okay, Gligar, let's do this! Start with a Bulldoze attack!"

Gligar's claws glowed white as he went in for an attack. Yamask beacame transparent and dodged the attack. Then, it shot out a Shadow Ball that hit Gligar straight in the face. But the Gligar wasn't finished. He shook off the attack and pulled out his tail that shout out Poison Sting. Yamask sent them flying back with Ominous Wind. Then, Yamask created a Ball of grass Energy. He sent it flying towards Gligar. But, just as it was about to leave Yamask, Gligar fired off a Sand Attack that blurred Yamask's vision, sending the ball straight up and onto Yamask. Yamask was irritated, but Shauntal could tell it was having a good time. The strange part was that so was she.

"Gligar, use Quick Attack!"

"Yamask, please dodge it!"

Yamask considered her offer and proceeded to move out of the way. Gligar slid past him and held out his glowing claw, a Bulldoze attack just for Yamask. Then, Yamask stared straight at Gligar. Gligar began to tremble at Yamask's hex attack and tried to push away. Yamask, happy to oblige, sent a Shadow Ball to push him against the wall. Gligar was upset by the attack and went to Bulldoze him. Gligar's eyes glowed a tint of yellow as did Mark's and he slammed into Yamask. Yamask, who had taken a strong hit, fell to the ground. Yamask was done. But it began to glow a bright white color. Gligar could barely look into it.

"Whats going on? Yamask, are you okay?"

"It seems that Yamask is changing into something." Mark pulled out his small red computer and began to take pictures, but all that came out was a blur of yellow and black. Yamasks mask began to grow into a sarcophagus and his shadowy body instead became arms. Cofagrigous was born. It echoed a loud roar and went back to Shauntal. Shauntal realized that Yamask had never spoken, and neither did Cofagrigous. Had it- had he chosen her for a partner? She held out her arms and hugged the big Pokemon.

"Hi, Cofagrigous. Are...are you my partner?" Cofagrigous laughed and looked at her with sincere eyes. Cofagrigous and Shauntal were so happy that they began dancing and failed to notice Mark's vacant expression. Something had flung out of Shauntal's pocket and onto Mark. It was a PDA, and it said RDM important message at the top. Mark turned to run and Shauntal sensed something was wrong.

"Where are you going?"

"You work for the RDM!! Y-you are as bad as the ones who trapped me here. Leave me alone!" Mark tried to leave but was greeted by the edge of the Forever Ocean.

"Yes. I work for Agatha of the RDM. But, I don't think I will anymore. I've decided to travel the world with Cofagrigous. I'll see so many new people and places."

"Then you see that humans need Pokemon just as much as Pokemon need humans. Without us, how would they change? See, Yamask changed into Cofagrigous because of your support, Shauntal. So please, is there anyway off this island?"

"Yes. Follow me. But before you do, I want you to have this." Shauntal handed a Mark three small objects. They were Pokeballs. "One of them has a Pokemon inside, the others do not. You have great potential to go far in this world. I'm going to challenge the gyms as well. Hopefully, we will meet up some day. But, I must escort you out of here before Agatha catches wind. She already knows of your friend Clair and has sent in agent-"

"Clair! They have her? She works for the AAPM and doesn't care about me."

"But she has traveled a great distance just looking for you. She doesn't want you hurt. And now, Garet, a great Agent is being sent to capture her."

Mark was silent. "Then. I must confront this Garet. I have to save Clair."

Shauntal looked at him, "But, there is a Gym near here. It's in the Indonesian Peninsula, if I remember correctly. Go there. This Clair seems to be quite capable. She should be able to hold Garet off. At this gym, one of my friends is there. Tell them you are sent by Shauntal, and they should help you find Clair. Now come, there is a plane right here."

It was a small plane, maybe big enough to hold one person. Shauntal went over to the set of controls and plugged in some coordinates. "Here, these should take you near the gym. Beware, that leader is tough."

"Are you not coming with me?"

"No, if somebody sees me with you, they'll hate us both. They'll be after you for now. I'll tell them you were never found. Now, go. I must tell Agatha of my...resignation."

"Please, come with me."

"No, I can't. Now go!"

Shauntal's small body was the last thing Mark saw of her, as the plane took off. He waved good-bye. Maybe, forever.
 
Zoran blinked in bemusement, then pet Amber. Zaria floated over to pet Esper, hoping that would soothe his nerves. Zoran glanced at Vulpix. "This is how it could be sometimes. You don't have to be a part of one of our teams but... you can stay with us if you want."

"Thanks Thomas!" Ash called, plating some of the food and turning off the stove after finishing the eggs. She placed the food in the middle of the table and grinned, going to place food for the Pokemon on a smaller table. Doom, knowing his place sat down and barked. She laughed and tossed him a piece of chicken. He whined merrily.
 
Thomas grinned. He hadn't set a table in a long time! He was pleased that he had remembered it well.
"Hey, no problem! I was trained how to do this. They are very big on doing things the proper way down in Georgia! And I learned to aoid that belt quick!" Thomas said with a cheerful smile. Vulpix looked at Zoran. He looked a little worried.
"Um, you sure you wouldn't mind me tagging along? Just from me being there, you'd become a target of the RDM!" Vulpix said.
"I thought you were a part of the RDM?" Marcus said.
"After what I told those people, not anymore. The RDM doesn't take well to traitors, even ones that don't want to betray," Vulpix said sadly.
"I don't mind you coming along! You're our friend!" Thomas said with a smile. Vulpix smiled at him. At that moment, Esper sat up and started growling. He was staring out the window.
"What's wrong now, Esper?" Thomas asked. Esper never did anything without a reason. Esper sent out a warning to everyone in the room that could recieve him. It wasn't that coherent, but Thomas got a message about some unknown danger.
"What is going on? What are you trying to tell me!?" Thomas said.
"What's wrong with him?" Marcus asked. That boy was about as psychically honed as a brick!
 
Zoran stood up, glancing outside. "I don't care if I am a target," he told Vulpix. "If I turned my back on someone because of fear, I'd be alone. So they can try all they want." He stretched, not even noticing his arm bleeding again. "I'm gonna go check outside. Thomas, Ash do me the courtesy of staying here. Sparx, Doom." The two Pokemon jumped to their feet, following him. "No matter what you hear, don't come out. Better only one of us gets caught if that's the issue."

"Wait Zora!" He turned and caught a Pokeball. Ash grinned. "Took me forever to get that guy! Use him well."

The teen grinned. "No problem." He shut the door behind him.
 
Thomas stood as though he was dumbstruck. He looked out of the window. He didn't see anything outside, just a bird circling overhead. Esper continued growling. Volt scratched at the door. Thomas made a snap decision, one he hoped he wouldn't regret later. With Esper and Volt hot on his heels, he opened the door and followed Zoran outside.
"Thomas!" Marcus shouted, getting to his feet, but Thomas was already out the door.
"You are not leaving me behind! You can barely stand! Whatever Esper sensed, we can take it together!" Thomas said defiantly. Zoran was stubborn, he hoped that he would be listened to. Esper was still looking around and growling.
 
"You need to go back inside," Zoran warned. "Or I can't promise your safety." I can't promise I won't kill you... He gritted his teeth. It hurt. God... he only used this thing a few times... yet it already wanted more... "Ash, grab this guy and keep him safe!"

"Roger that," the woman replied, taking Thomas' free arm and pulling him back. "Come on give it up. He doesn't need to stand to do this."

"Come on before you get really hurt," Zaria pleaded, gesturing for the Pokemon to come back inside. "Zora, be careful!"

"I will be," he told her, not looking away from the sky. He closed his eyes now, forcing both of his hands into fists. Cody had been called back, in his Pokeball next to the new one. "Go back inside Thomas," Zoran ordered. "Or I swear to God I'll throw you back in there. This isn't your fight."
 
"Isn't my fight? How is this not my fight?" Thomas asked. He couldn't hold himself there, as Ash was far stronger than he was. He was dragged back inside. Esper walked into the building, as Zaria was fussing at Volt. Volt eventually gave in, and walked back inside. Inside, Thomas was ballistic.
"What is going on?! How is he supposed to fight!? This is crazy! Tell me what is going on!" Thomas said, fighting free from her grasp and falling to the floor. He yelled out as he landed heavily on his arm. He gathered himself up, and held his arm. Volt walked over to him and sat down. His eyes were gleaming with worry. Esper was sitting by the door, not moving to go anywhere. His eyes were glowing violet again. He soon found Zaria's mind and sent his worry and his confusion. He sent what he had sensed last night, and was wondering what was going on.
 
Zoran sighed with relief as the door shut again. "Okay... time to let go..." That was when the shadows began to bubble, the noises of endless babbling voices in his ears. "What's the emotion... oh right... hatred." His heart thudded loudly in his ears as the bubbling turned to rising and fury. It was burning, the negative emotions were burning his chest. He returned his Pokemon as his heart began to ache once more. "Aah..." It hungered... but it had to wait. The enemy would not fly any closer. It had to come down and be torn apart. It had to... That was what prey did...

Inside Zaria began to shake. "No...No...No..." Her eyes were wide and she was paling, for a ghost. "I don't want this... I don't... I don't want him to hurt anyone..." She sent images into Esper's mind without thinking: the images of murder, of a shadow, of blood and pain, of death, and her brother murdering them all. They were in the base, where Thomas was. There were people charging at them, trying to catch them... and then they were dead, on the ground, strangled or destroyed. Her brother was in the middle, unharmed but tired-looking, with a blank gleam in his eyes as he walked on. His shadow flickered without candlelight and shifted around him.

Ash finally spoke, wincing as she too, saw the images. "Do you know why the AAPM are after you and Zoran?"
 
"No. I don't. You seem to, why don't you tell me," Thomas said, his voice burning with barely contained anger. His eyes gleamed. Esper, to his credit, didn't pass on what he was feeling to Thomas. Thomas had already been through enough. Instead, using Zaria as a stepping stone, he sent his mind out to Zoran. The same way he had shown Zaria to follow his bond to Thomas, he now followed her bond to Zoran. He was shocked at what he found (I'll let you explain that, although I have a pretty good guess.). He pressed onwards, reaching deeper into Zoran's mind than he had anyone elses, save for Thomas. He couldn't stop Zaria or Zoran from seeing what he was doing, but they were the only ones who knew. He sent his power, his support, and most importantly, his control to Zoran. He was using his energy up fast, but didn't care. Thomas needed him to save his friend from himself. Esper couldn't drive it away, but, if Zoran accepted his help, he could put up barriers and shields to try and block it out. He just had to act fast. Or there may be nothing left this time. Esper had been to focused to really scoop out what had happened the first time it happened. But last night he had been watching. And he was ready, or so he hoped.
 
The shadows twirled and bled, screaming death calls and howling for blood. He wanted blood and death, destruction, revenge, the negative emotions were singing so kindly. Images of killing, of his own two hands attacking filled the boy's head. Zoran floated amidst them. he disliked it, this power, but it was necessary. He had to protect the others, if he didn't, he would be alone again, like back then. His shadow purred and sang, telling him to kill, to attack, like the good monster he was. He was a monster, didn't see how he could be anything else. Aah...

Esper's power surged through the shadows. He was trying to seal it away. No... don't seal it... it'll be gone if you do... I'll be all gone... Stop it. Zoran coughed, as they rose and rose, covering his head. Don't... Esper don't... it's okay... I need to master it... I need to get stronger... He tried to resist. They began to shy away, afraid. He never exerted a will before... he simply just let himself be stepped on, used, controlled. He was just a tool for the shadows, not the shadows his tool. He had no right to fight back...

Ash stared him down, unafraid of his temper. "I don't know why. none of us do. But we have guesses. Zari told me everything she had heard and knew about this journey that was going on. You've been hunted for something. Pokemon are one thing, another could be how much they trust you, like Vulpix here. But the third reason was one we didn't believe... until today. She looked out the window and nodded.

"The third reason is power." Zaria was crying, very quietly. She tried to send Esper energy but her own heart was in pain. "You have power Thomas. You and Zoran have a special power that they want. And Zoran's is darkness. He can use darkness, good or evil, as a part of him. But... but he can't control it. It's not in his nature to control or... or to fight back or anything! He just lets people use him, do whatever they want. He always has! So..."

"He's been using it with his suppressed emotions," Ash said quietly. "But almost all of the emotions he suppressed are violent ones, full of hate and hungering for pain and destruction. So he's in trouble. That's why he kept you here, so you wouldn't die. It doesn't care who you are; it just wants everything to die brutally." She sighed. "He never mentioned it because he didn't want you to know until he could control it... it's a lonely power. I don't know what yours is but I have a feeling you may not want to try finding out the way you are now."
 
Esper was amused. Zoran had completely misunderstood his intent, and so he did the best thing possible. Esper knew if he tried to seal it away, it would come back one day. Esper couldn't risk that. Esper continued what he was doing. He continued blocking it, taking it's assault on his mind while Zoran gained his own strength. Esper knew he was in deep, and if Zoran failed, not only would Zoran be consumed by this darkness, but Zaria would fade away. And Esper, who was to deep into this struggle that he was unable to pull out would lose his mind. Not that he would go crazy. It wouldn't be that kind of mind lose. He would be gone, just a useless husk. Thomas would be devestated by this. No, he was fighting back with everything he had. He felt a flicker of newfound power. He was desperate and grabbed it. That gave him new strength. He was connected to Zoran. He tried to use the Words.
It is at the root of your being. But it is yours to master. All I can do is shield you from it until you are ready. I'm not strong enough to seal it. Even if I was, it would come back one day and destroy you. You will fight it, control it, master it. But to do that you need to be in control of yourself. The others know this, but you don't seem to. Stop hiding your feelings! You have to own this power! It will take everything you have, the good and the bad. Now stop fighting me! Let me shield you while you get ready!

Thomas forgot his anger for a moment. He knew very well what he could do. He could make people do what he wanted, but only to a limited extent. There was more there, and he felt it. He had always felt it, but could do nothing to use it. He had to try! He could guess what Esper was doing. If Esper hadn't done anything, this would probably have passed, and happened again and again, each time worse than the last. This was a horrible gamble, and Thomas knew it. He was going to do something. Vulpix stood up. Thomas nodded to him.
"... I understand. And knowing that, I'm going to tell you something. I've always known I had power! I couldn't use it before, but I believe I can now. Zoran needs help right now. Shutting everyone out isn't the answer. He needs people who care about him to strengthen him. I know I can defend myself. I'm going out, whether you like it or not. You won't stop me. I will help him with this. If I don't try, then how could I have ever been his friend! This will keep happening if we don't help him get control now!" Thomas said. Volt and Deluge and Amber stood in front of him, ready to fight if they had to. Razor trilled in distress. Thomas stared at her, no longer angry, just worried. Marcus opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it.
 
Zoran shook his head again. He had controlled his power once, he remembered that. But that had been before... could he do it now? If he didn't he would die. Did that even matter? He guessed it did, Zaria would leave. Ash and Mickey would be by themselves and the others would be sad. Shouldn't he fight back for them?

"No Zora," Zaria wailed. "No that's not right! You have to live for your own sake too! Please! I know it's a weird thing because that's not what we were taught to do but you have to try! Please! You can't just let yourself be used anymore!" Ash smiled bitterly and opened the door, so Thomas could leave. She saw Zoran on the ground. His arm was bleeding and black was pulling at his body, staining it.

"Zari... ssh... it's okay. I won't lose. I won't..." Zoran was tugging on something, yanking, causing them to fall back. "I want to protect them from myself. They're my friends..." Caught, tied up, Zoran found himself laughing. "I forgot... I forgot this emotion... this hope thing. Ahah... I can be here... can't I?" He let go so Esper could do whatever he was planning. The power was beneath his fingers, his heart. Zoran reached out to it but it burned. "I... can live right?"

You aren't allowed to exist, the shadows hissed. You don't remember... but you were the one who set the fire. You were the one who watched your sister die... what kind of person who does those things deserves to exist? That was true, he kind of remembered that. That was why you took that punishment every day right? You just let those stupid brats use their Pokemon on you? It was repentance and you haven't done enough yet! His whole body burned. His hand fell away. He wanted to try again at gathering the power but... most of his energy was gone now. Could he... should he? He wasn't sure now.
 
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