The Children Are Hunted

Zaria and Alyss shared a soft laugh. Mickey grinned weakly as he carried Bryan to rest on the couch. Still, the boy's expression didn't change, eyes frozen wide with his mouth open. The rest of him, barring bits of clothes and tufts of hair was covered by blood chains. "No, I'm no hacker but I'm pretty sure that there's some dude in the world who is. Or something." He turned as a seven-year-old girl dropped out of the sky again. In her arms was a toddler. "First door on the right Cerise," he told her without looking up. The girl nodded silently, walking past them and shutting the door.

Alyss smiled and shook her head. "You'd better before you lose it," she mumbled. Zaria burst into giggling. Even Alyss was making fun of Thomas now!

~~

Zoran kept walking. He wasn't angry, no that took effort. He was past any form of rage or exhaustion. He was numb. That's it; that's what he was. Numb. Then hatred pulsed through it with betrayal. He gripped his head, trying to calm down. Oh screw it, he was royally pissed off. That woman.. damn her! She always got under his skin. Even now that her brain was stuck in its own personal hell, even now that his friends were a little safer and that building was on fire, even now that he took that dumb controller off of Bryan... god damn her.

He was being tugged in some direction. He didn't know where, didn't quite care. All he know was that he was supposed to go that way. Someone or something was calling him forward and he wanted to answer. Just like that dream... where that voice called him, except that had been...

Zoran shook his head and took a few deep breaths. He couldn't even be sure it was her. His mother's voice... he hadn't heard it much at all in his life and not at all in the past five years. She couldn't be alive. He had seen her burn... hadn't he?

You two are the Children of Dawn, my Children of Dawn.

Zoran scowled and kept walking. He had someone to find. Dora's Pokeball shook in silence. She was about to evolve.
 
Leo frowned as he looked at the damage. Someone, or something, had broken through the large door. Whoever had broken the CT out was pretty strong, or it had something to do with the CT's power.

He turned as several humans came into the room. "Get him!" one shouted. They all sent out a Pokemon each, varying in species. They knew the importance of keeping Leo a prisoner, didn't they? Simply running wouldn't be a good idea, as these Pokemon would just chase him. Yet, Leo didn't like the odds of one against several, even if he was more experienced.

The AAPM guards turned as one of them screamed in pain. The Ponyta had set his shirt on fire. Leo grinned as some more Pokemon, without any humans, came in and started attacking the other guards. Looks like the Machop and Ponyta found others who don't like humans, he thought. If they'd managed to gather others, then they had a chance at doing more here.

The Lucario slipped out the hole in the door, finding himself outside with trees on every side, except for the building behind him and the sea to the right. He spread his Aura-sense, looking for the CT's Aura. Unless he'd flown away, he shouldn't be too far. Once he'd sensed it, Leo withdrew his Aura-sense and began running into the woods.
 
Thomas raised his eyebrows and looked in Alyss's general direction.
"Not you too! You wound me!" he said, pressing his hand dramatically over his heart. Esper snorted with laughter. He felt something echoing in his mind. He took a moment to identify it. It was pure hatred. It was coming from his conection with Zaria. That was odd. Why was she feeling so strongly? He glanced over at her. She seemed her usual self, still poking fun at Thomas. It couldn't be coming from her, but it was echoing through the link they still shared. Then it hit him. Who else was she linked with? There was only one answer. But, how had he picked it up? Maybe... Maybe he could always do that, but he hadn't been able to hear because the rest of the emotions he got were stronger and more prominent because he had picked them up directly. An interesting theory. He decided to test it.
"Zaria, Is your brother alright? I think I'm picking up something from him through you. Do you feel it too?" Esper asked. He hoped she had heard him. He wasn't too sure of anything he could do right now. Van looked at Thomas, intent on joining in on the joke.

"Wow, and I thought you liked her. Or, maybe you're scared of what she'll say? I've never thought you would be as big a chicken as..." he said, and then his voice trailed of. He wanted to say as big a chicken as he was, but he wasn't a chicken. How could he be? He had stood up to all sorts of dangers without fear. Something wasn't right here. He should stop doubting himself. And he should stop doubting his friends! Everything was fine! He shook his head and grinned at Thomas nervously. Thomas was laughing right back.
 
"He's a chicken," Mickey agreed innocently. "Should we put them in a closet together and see what happens?"

Zaria sobered slightly. She could hear Esper just fine and she could feel her brother's hatred. It was strong, much too strong to be held down. She looked down. That woman was like that. She made her brother hate and now she had made him question. He was thinking things he didn't want to; purely evil instead of chaotically good. It was wrong but... what could she do? He had the right. So she looked at Esper and spoke to him alone. "No Esper. Zoran's not all right. But I can't tell him it'll be okay because it won't." Mickey glanced at them and away. He couldn't hear but he did know. His mother had told them it all just before. And now it had hit Zora like a ton of bricks. It was too much for even him. No wonder Esper could sense it.
 
"Don't we'd never get them out!" Robby said with a laugh. Van laughed as well. Thomas smirked.
"What do you people want from me?" he asked, with humor in his voice.
"What do you think!" Marcus said. Thomas burst out laughing. They were all nuts!

"Even if it won't be alright, he still needs support. If I can pick that up, then it is very powerful. I'm worried about him. Do you know how to project emetions? I would, but I'm having difficulties. If you don't I can teach you. It isn't hard, and you seem to be able to pick up other people's feelings. And if you can pick them up, you can send them out," Esper said, listening with half an ear as the others laughed.

Trigger landed. He was tired. Winny and Van were nowhere to be found. He hoped they were safe, and that they were very far away. He sighed. Agatha would be wearing his beak by morning. He had lost the CT. He had lost another Devisor. Maybe he should just take off and fly as hard as he could. Damn that fool! If Garet had told someone that Esper had been an empath, this would not have happened!
"Trigger Hawkeyes? Merin is looking for you," Trigger heard.
"Thank you," Trigger said. He turned around and flew toward where Merin was. He hoped the Alakazam had a plan, because he sure didn't.
 
"Aw but it'd be fun," Mickey cracked and grinned, sitting down. he was proud to be nuts. Dratini popped out of his shirt again, looking around. Then it ducked back in. "We want you to fall in love like a good little boy." Alyss giggled.

Zaria shook her head. "I've tried. They just keep disappearing or being blocked. It's not him and it's not the shadows. It's like some outside force is keeping everything away from him... like they don't want him distracted. They want something... and he has to find it. I dunno... maybe it's something he can unlock. Who would...?" Then she knew. "Theo's blocking me from him."
 
"Damn! And there's not a thing I can do to help! Curse that Merin person!" Esper said with venom in his tone. He was angry. He couldn't help it. He hoped Zoran would be able to deal with it himself. If only he hadn't let his guard down! No, he hadn't let his guard down. Merin had blasted through it. Esper cursed him again. He would have had the power to get through! But as it stood, what could he do? He almost wanted to go after Zoran, but that would leave Thomas alone. After what had just happened, Esper didn't want to leave Thomas again. He would not let anyone else come between him and his trainer. Esper would let the whole world burn if it would keep his trainer safe.

Van laughed loudly at this. He grinned at Thomas, who was still laughing aloud.
"Are you sure you want that? Because it would be murder trying to deal with those two lovebirds afterwards! They's be worse than Ash and Zor!" Van said. He grinned at Thomas.
"Whatever, Vulpix!" Thomas said with a laugh.
 
"Yes," Mickey said somberly. "Because then I wouldn't feel bad for beating him up." Then he laughed, breaking the seriousness of his words. Alyss sat down now, still giggling as she began to play with Arca.
Arca pawed at her fingers as she pulled them away.

Zaria sighed. "I think Theo's just making sure Zoran keeps looking for the CT. He's probably curious about what kind of person they are. He's like that." She looked sadly down at the ground. "Zora will be all right in a little while I think. Theo will leave after that."

~~

Zoran knew what Theo was doing and he honestly didn't care. It was that or the guy followed Asha. If that had happened, Theo would know about Robby and Marcus. And he'd be able to take Thomas, especially with Esper down. Not to mention that unconscious kid, whoever he was. So it would be better if it was him. Theo would leave soon. He may be able to subdue the shadows but they always fought against being pulled down. It left the man with a wonderfully bad case of headache and illness if he kept this up for another ten minutes.

The boy smirked to himself then gestured to his shadow. Obediently, it pulled Mickey's mother from where she had been. He smiled vindictively at the sight of her with actual fear in her eyes as she looked at him, not the contempt she normally gave him. "Wow ma'am," he told her. "You've survived this so long. People usually break into messes by now."

"Like Bryan?" she asked coldly. "He and his brother were innocent you know?"

Zoran shrugged. "It's temporary while we fix your brainwashing. So he's a little quieter. I remember him being quieter than Zeph. He wasn't like his brother; he just did as he was told. And Zeph wasn't innocent. If you had seen what he did to Silas even someone as foolish as you would know that." He released her and the shadow retreated.

"WHy hasn't your backlash hit?" she asked, not noticing her freedom.

Zoran laughed. "My backlash never ends," he told her. "So how could it even start?" He walked away coolly, a little of his fury gone. "Say hi to Theo for me," he called playfully. "His days are numbered."
 
Garet yawned as he left the room. That had been one of the longer reports he'd had someone write down, since he didn't have hands of his own. Talking that long usually made his mouth tired of talking. Why do we need reports, anyways? Garet thought, walking down the hallway. Oh, wait. To let others know about a Pokemon empath, for example. He ignored the repairs and medical units that he passed, vaguely wondering who'd be in more trouble: him or Trigger?

Probably Garet, especially once he confronted Agatha with a few questions. It seemed that the only human Deviser in the RDM knew things that no other Deviser knew.

The Arcanine made his way towards Agatha's usual office. If no one stopped him, he'd walk right in with his questions.
 
"Heh, you guys are nuts. Fine, I'll go ask her out, later. Things are a little crazy right now, and I'm vulnerable. And there is no way I'd bring any of you along with us," Thomas said. He didn't mind the teasing, especially because they were right. He tossed Esper's new pokeball into the air.

Van walked around the room and sat down near the couch. He was a little more relaxed around his friends than he had been a moment ago. The crazy paranoia inducing thoughts were still there, but he tried his best to ignore them. It was difficult. Everytime he'd start warming up to his friends again, they'd sneak back and torment him. What a nightmare!
 
"It's cause things are hectic that you should ask," Mickey told him wisely, grinning as Alyss entertained her Glaceon. Dratini almost wanted to play but Arca was cold! No way! "And don't worry, I am not getting near that date."

Alyss shook her head no, looking innocently grossed out. She quietly reached out and pet Vulpi before leaving him alone again. She had noticed him and figured she would say hi.

Zaria blinked and tilted her head just so. "The block is gone. I think Zora's okay... kind of. He's laughing about something." She looked up at Ash, who was still dead to the world. "God you're so much better when you're sleeping," she told her, looking amused. "I don't have to worry about things blowing up right now.
 
"That's good. I'm glad he's doing better," Esper said as Thomas laughed at the others.
"Mickey, Why should I ask now? Look at me! I can't see at all, I can't fight, and I can't use my pokemon! How would I protect myself if the RDM or the AAPM come after me again? Once I'm able to use the light again, then I'll ask her out. Or at least when I can see well enough to run like hell if things get dicey!" Thomas said. Van enjoyed Alyss petting him, and lay down when she stopped. He huffed a little. Robby reached down and picked Van up.
"Don't worry, little dude, I gotcha covered!" Robby said as he began petting Van. Marcus smiled and leaned back again. They were all going to be alright.

Trigger landed again. How was it his fault they got away? It's not like he was the one who forgot to tell people that important detail. Nevermind the fact that if it had been him, he would not have thought it was that important. Oh well. He had new orders anyway. He took off into the air, loving the feeling it gave him. He was only truly free while he was flying. He belonged up here. This was where his life should be. Not for the first time, he wandered whether he should leave the RDM. No, what else would he do? Where would he go? He discarded the thought. As powerful as he was, the RDM would not let him leave without a fight, and even if he won, he would be pursued to till the end of his days. He flew toward the RV, and he hoped Winny and Van had not gone back to them.
 
"Aw," Mickey teased. "Is Thomas afraid of women?" He clapped him on the shoulder. "You've been around Ash too long mate." Sneasel snickered from his spot up on one of the cabinets. "There are plenty of nice girls around for boys like you. When she ain't so annoying, your girlfriend's one of them."

"I dunno," Zaria mumbled. "He usually doesn't laugh when he turns someone into a quivering mess or-" She gestured to Bryan. "Like that. Which he says he's done twice now today." Alyss blinked at Vulpix in confusion and Arca took this moment to tackle her with affection. Alyss giggled before pausing. Was Trigger coming back? She couldn't be sure.
 
"Don't ask Ash how many people I did that to today. I can't even remember," Esper murmered to himself. He watched the others all laughing and joking. His head still burning from that mental attack.
"Oh, shut up!" Thomas said. He heard the Sneasel snickering at him and added, "you too!"

Winny sat and quietly observed all this. She smiled faintly at the humans teasing each other. Why did she feel at peace with them? Well, just like pokemon, there were good humans and bad humans. She vaguely wondered which one she fell under. Probably bad. No one could mess their best friend up like that and be good. Well, nothing she could do now except be the best she could. The past was the past and the present was the present.

Trigger landed silently on the roof of the RV, still trying to decide what he should do. He sighed, placed a tracker and flew off. He couldn't do it. Not now. Not while they were still recovering from their wounds. He just couldn't make himself go and recapture that CT. The hell with what Merin wanted. Merin wasn't his boss! Right now he was still under orders from Garet, and they had been rather vague about the time to do this. He knew he was going to catch it hard from Merin, who would likely get a higher authority to order him to do this, but by the time that was done, maybe the situation would change.

(OOC: Give that bird a medal!)
 
"I don't want to know," Zaria told him coolly. "Still... I think my brother's losing his sense of moral judgement." She shrugged. "Oh well." She looked at Winny. "You are allowed to enjoy yourself you know."

Mickey laughed. "I knew it!"

Alyss felt Trigger leave. Something told her he was confused. He was a very honorable bird, she knew. That was why they were friends. Smiling to herself, she grinned at Vulpix and reached out to pet his head.
 
"Well, he's got Thomas as a moral compass. Poor guy always follows his heart. He's effected you and Zor more than either of you realize, you know. And I'm glad you don't want to know. It hurts me to think about it. At the time, I just saw them standing in my way. Now, I realize they were just doing their jobs, and I don't like what I did to them," Esper said. He glanced at Zaria, wondering what she was thinking. He hated this! He hated not knowing anymore! It was terrifying, not hearing everyone. He didn't even hear Thomas and Zaria, and they had a powerful connection with him! He felt their presence, but that was all unless they chose to share it with him.

Winny glanced over at the ghost-Zaria. She was going to have to make a concious effort to learn their names. She watched Thomas shove that boy-Mickey playfully.
"Hah! Eat me!" Thomas said. Robby whistled.
"Bad choice of words, bro, cause he may take you up on that!" Robby said with a smirk. Contrary to what Zaria had said, she was enjoying herself. But she had settled into a dynamic, and this group had a different one. It was clear they all cared deeply for one another, and they were willing to put up with quite a bit. They were very at ease, and the playing she was seeing would have sparked a fight at the base. But, she didn't know how to get in on the joke. So, she sat back and observed them go at it. Van was now going pet by the girl with the wings, Winny still hadn't caught her name, and she didn't feel like asking, and by Robby. The little fox was loving it too, though he pretended to not care.
 
"Yes," agreed Mickey, looking at his Thomas's neck with a playful hunger. "I used up a lot of blood earlier. And Ash is out cold and Zora's not here! Your blood is mine for the taking." At the end, Mickey cracked up. HE couldn't keep a straight face.

"I know," said Zaria softly, sadly. "I know." Her fists clenched. "I hate that woman." It seemed like a random statement but she was beginning to understand Zoran's fury now. She was hearing what he had learned and it was sickening. "It's wrong what she does. Completely." She shook herself, forcing the memories away. She didn't want to think badly of her parents. She didn't, not now that they were gone. But... if this whole thing was their fault... She shook her head, trying to clear it. But the thoughts hurt and it was sad she couldn't find a way to express them to Esper, who she knew was getting them.

Alyss looked at Winny curiously, still petting Vulpix. "Do you want to come over here?"
 
Esper accepted the thoughts and the pain without a word. He didn't know she projected this badly! Maybe he would have to teach her some control over her latent psychic abilities. But first, his mind would have to recover from the attack. He lay down and quietly digested what he was seeing from Zaria.

"Try it and Esper will stop you. He's very protective of me, you know. Heh, you already knew that," Thomas said, also cracking up. Marcus looked at them. What a pair of jokers they were. He got up and stretched out. He was a little tired after all this exciment. He walked to the kitchen and poured himself some water. He went back to his chair and began drinking it. What a group.

Winny looked over at the girl. She seemed sincere, and Winny could not pick up any malice towards her. She shrugged.
"Why not," she said as she ambled her way over. Van looked at her.
"Why do you always do that?" he asked. Winny smiled at the joke the two of them shared. It had happened when she first met Van. And they had kept it going. So she answered with the answer he knew was coming.
"Why not?" she said with a grin.
 
Mickey snickered. "Just you guys try mate." Alyss blinked at Vulpix and Winny innocently and let Arca purr on her lap.

Zaria shook her head. "Sorry... it gets like this when I'm..." She didn't want to say tired but that was the only word she could think of. "Low on power." She shook her head again. "I...It... It's our fault... the Dawn Project is..." She couldn't use words so she gave up and sent a few images to Esper, pictures from Zoran's hazy, locked up memories.

His mother smiled down at him, a goddess in human form. The smile was scary and kind. She pushed his small body forward and he accidently tumbled into the dirt. The child didn't cry out, just got back up, blinking in pain. A soft bark from nearby signaled his Pokemon's distress. Young as he was, even Doom knew when things were bad.

"Come now," she told him. The boy obeyed in silence. But the order meant something entirely different. She rested her hand on his head as he walked back over to her slowly, carefully. Something in her eyes changed and the child screamed. Something, shadows, black and full of innocence and power, began to force itself from the child.

"Quiet," she ordered firmly and the boy obeyed, pain giving way to sadness. "Good boy. Don't cry out like that. You are fighting yourself when you do. Do not run away from who you are. You are to seek." She looked down at him, through him again. "You are to find. You are to grow. You are to be Chosen. You will bring about the Dawn, child, you and the one who waits to be born."

Zoran shrank under her words, under her stare. "Theodore will teach you child, because I am no good at it. He will bring it about, the heaven for all of your kind." The boy's head tilted. The woman sighed. "This is why that man is foolish. I told Theodore it was mine to run. That man is too greedy for his own good." She walked away and the child sat there with his pup. Moments later, the child was engulfed in shadows.

(OOC: Been waiting to write that)
 
Damn Words. Damn Merin! Esper would have been able to do what he so desperately wanted to do. He wanted to provide her comfort and strength and support! But, how could he do that if he wasn't able to project his empathy! He had no choice but the Words, and he never had the right ones.
"How is that your fault? You are drained, and tired. And as for what you've shown me, I can not find the Words to say what I want to say. I just want you to know, that I am here. I will always be here for you two, the same as Thomas. He is my partner, but you are also very important to me. I just wish right now that I was in better shape so I could show you what I mean without having to trip over these clumsy Words," Esper said. He put force into those words, to reinforce their meaning. He couldn't use empathy to help, but he could make his Words stronger. He walked over until he was right next to Zaria and lay down purring. If his words didn't get through, then this certainly would.

(OOC: I can tell. And yes, words is a proper noun for Esper.)
 
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