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What Lies at the Core	By : Twill Category: Pokemon > General Views: 6203 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. I'm not worth anything so don't sue.

Chapter List
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Sweat stung the welts that covered her body. Her eyes fixed on the small green pokemon, desperate to find any indication of where his next attack would come from. Rel lunged, but it was too late. There was little more than a blur before pain blossomed against her ribs from yet another bullet seed. She grunted but kept moving. If she stopped, it would only hurt more. She had to focus.

It shouldn’t have been an issue, the Treecko that stood before her was a first stage evolution. Even if he did have more practice fighting then her, the raw difference in power should be more than enough, but every time she moved in, the grass type would be gone in a flash, his retreat covered by those damned seeds. Rel darted in and was again forced back by a bullet seed. Her fur ruffled as the attack passed.

And then there was Alex. He just watched as his pokemon pummeled her, not saying a word. Her fists shook. Useless. And now this tiny pokemon was walking over her. She would hit him at least once.

With every ounce of focus she could manage, Rel launched one more attack. Her clawed feet dug into the ground, finding hold in the soft earth and driving her angular body forward. She saw it, the blur speeding towards her, could already feel the sting of it connecting with her flesh. And then she melted.

It wasn't an illusion, or it wasn't one she conjured mentally. Alex had forbid using her powers for this fight. But as the attack came, the shadows came to her aid. Shade from the trees around them devoured her body, wrapping her in their deceptive embrace. Shadows delivered her to Treecko's side. Her eyes gleamed as she balled a fist and drove it into the stomach of the Treecko who never saw it coming. The grass type crumpled to the ground.

Alex moved for the first time since they'd started. “Good.” He threw a bottle of water to her and went to check on his pokemon.

Rel snatched the bottle from the air before stalking off. The grass cushioned her as she dropped to the ground and pulled the cap free with more force than necessary. Good work? It was a Treecko; she should have crushed it.

Cold spread through her body as she drank. She pulled gulps between each panting breath, the fight having taken most of her energy. After draining most of the bottle, she let herself fall back onto the soft grass of the meadow. Clouds drifted in a languorous dance above as she accepted the stinging pain. Each welt on her body deserved, a mark of her inability, but she had done it, in the end. A laughable sentiment.

Air hissed through her clenched teeth. This was a different kind of pain though. Her limbs ached from being forced to perform, the welts burned as sweat stung them below her fur, but she reveled in the feeling.

Whether it was the adrenaline that coursed through her body, or the sense of purpose, she couldn't tell, but this wasn't the same senseless violence; it had purpose. Maybe Alex was right. She focused the pain and anger into a single point in her mind, towards the one truly responsible for everything. One day she would see him again. Until then, she would use the pain, let it fuel her, hatred to drive her, anger to focus her.

Mewtwo was the most powerful being on the planet, the one who had shaped the world, freed the pokemon, the one who had destroyed her and abandoned her for dead. Somehow, she would find him again. She would show him what he had done. That single thought lit the fire behind her eyes. She would hurt him, watch as she took everything from him, just as he'd done to her. Somehow.

“Zoroark.”

Rel snarled as her eyes snapped to human who approached. “What?” She forced her eyes shut and took a deep breath. Mewtwo was the focus for her anger, not Alex. “What?” she asked in an even tone.

Alex eyed her for a moment before continuing. “That was good, you know feint attack now.”

Rel snorted and looked away. “Good? I could barely even touch him, and he's only a Treecko.”

A smile crossed the human's face. “Oh, I wouldn't say only a Treecko,” Alex said as he crouched down to pat his pokemon on the head. “While I still had to a get a region issued starter pokemon, I had a few connections that gave me a hand. This little guy is a bred fighter. There's not much that could take him down, and once he evolves, he'll be on hell of a pokemon.” The little green lizard preened itself at the praise.

“So don't worry about it, he had the advantage.”

“I don't need your pity, human. Leave me alone.” Rel lay on the grass, still breathing heavily but refusing to look at Alex. Eventually he seemed to take the hint and leave her be for a time. She knew what he was doing, knew, but couldn't bring herself to be angry with him. She could already feel the differences within herself. There was no love between them; she could see it in his eyes too, but they each saw what could be gained. If he found out just how strong her abilities with illusions could be – well, she'd just have to wait and see.

Rel pulled herself back up to a sitting position with a grunt. It would take time, even for such minor injuries, to heal. With one last swig she finished the contents in the bottle and placed it aside. The leafy walls swayed gently in the breeze all around her. As far as she could tell they were deep into the forests east of Rustboro. They had been traveling for a few days now, taking intermittent breaks to try to work her into a semblance of a fighter. Today had been her first real success, pitiful as it was.

Fighting had never interested her – Rel – back in Unova, but after seeing the world for what it was, she saw no other path. So much of the laws surrounding battles back in Unova made sense now. The limits, the regulations, it was all just so Mewtwo could control them, to ensure he would never be threatened. Well as far as he knew, she was dead. They would not meet again until she was ready, no matter how long that took.

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Alex set about constructing the small tent he bought for traveling. Living out in the wilderness had been quite a change from the cities he grew up in, but he adapted quickly, though one thing that wasn't settling quite as nicely as he'd imagined. He shot his gray furred pokemon a quick glance from the corner of his eye as he unfolded a section of nylon.

There was something wrong with her. While she could talk, a surprise in itself, she didn't act like any pokemon he had ever encountered before. Sometimes he almost thought he was dealing with a human. Unstable or not, she was sharp of wit, and he could see the understanding beneath those heated eyes when he spoke with her, something other pokemon lacked. It was unnerving to say the least. If she could tell he was trying to manipulate her, what would she do about it?

And that was really what it all boiled down to, predictability. He had no idea what she'd do at any given time. One moment she'd seem almost friendly, and the next left him wondering if he'd wake up in the morning. He hid his fear well, but if she caught on...

Maybe he should just sell her, no matter how much potential she might have. The fact that she could disguise herself so well was incredible. Impersonating someone to such a degree could have gotten him, well, it didn't matter anymore. But if he found someone insane enough to deal with her, quirks, well, she'd be worth millions, if a price could be named at all. For now he'd just have to keep an eye on her. She learned quickly, and if he could get her to use her illusions while fighting, nothing would stop her.

He inserted the last pole and stepped back, checking one last time to make sure everything looked right. Treecko returned and dropped a pile of sticks nearby.

“Thanks,” Alex said with a grin. Things had been much simpler just a short time ago. Now he could already feel his old life slipping creeping back. With a sigh he began to work on getting a fire started. Maybe he'd look for a fire type next, that would make this much easier.

A few failed attempts later and he had a small blaze crackling a short distance from his tent. It wasn't quite full dark yet, but had he waited for that, there would have been no guarantee of a fire at all. Besides, with what he'd put Zoroark through, she'd probably be asleep soon.

The three of them gathered around the flames, and Alex broke out the travel rations. It wasn't much as far as taste, but they were light and wouldn't spoil. Treecko didn't seem to mind, and so far Zoroark had yet to complain. After a time, his gray furred pokemon came to join them as well. Zoroark approached, keeping a watchful gaze over him and her surroundings. She always seemed careful when around him, like she was waiting for him to attack.

He held out a portion of food which Zoroark took before retreating from the silent exchange. There was no use in trying to engage her in conversation. She wouldn't even use his name. At times it seemed like she wanted to speak. The other day he'd caught her with her mouth half-open, on the verge of speaking, but once she noticed him looking, she returned to pretending he didn't exist.

It could just be him of course. He had no idea what to do with her. Whatever ordeal she'd been through before he found her must have really messed her up. He'd seen people who beat the shit out of their own pokemon while working for his father, and those pokemon would still die for their trainers. Either way, he didn't know what to say. All of his father's great parenting had never included kindness or understanding. She'd get over it eventually. For his sake he hoped so.

Flames danced in the pit before him, throwing shadows across the surrounding trees below the ever darkening sky. Treecko was already curled up and half asleep. He should probably return the grass type; they were never fond of the absence of sunlight, and he seemed to prefer the comforts of the pokeball at night. Zoroark too had curled up near the flames, her flowing crimson mane spread over her like a blanket. The food he'd given her lay half eaten on the ground beside her. Maybe he shouldn't push her so hard.

He couldn't deny that she was an impressive pokemon. Those hard angles and predatory claws made her look like a living weapon. Once he had her trained, he'd be unstoppable. Neither his father's goons nor his other enemies would be able to do a damn thing about it. He could live as he wished, and show his father that he didn't need to be part of their corrupt business to carve out his place in the world. Right then, all of his goals seemed within reach. It would take time, yes, but once he made his name known, he'd sweep through the region. He would be champion, and they would fear him and the power he wielded through Zoroark.

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Rel launched herself from the ground to slash at air. The night chill licked at her sweat-damp fur as her chest heaved. There was nothing there. Rel sank to the ground, trying to catch her breath as a familiar feeling tightened her chest. Dreams offered no sanctuary from her past. They had been waiting for her.

Hatred warred with self-loathing as her body shook against the cool grass of the now silent meadow. A slight soreness lingered from training, but now, on top of that, she could still feel that monster's touch against her skin. A quiet sob escaped her lips as she curled up on the ground. Little light made it through the canopy of leaves above, and Rel let the darkness hide her.

She had tried to think up a reason, any reason, no matter how much of a stretch as to why someone would do that to her. No one would just hurt another being, not like that, not for no reason. Rel dug her claws into the hard earth. It had to have been her fault, something she'd done. There was no other explanation for it. Her red claws rent the earth, tearing out pieces of sod and grass in her frustration. If only it had been her own throat she could tear open. Rel squeezed her eyes shut.

Tears leaked into her fur. This was the weakness she had to crush out of herself. Emotions controlled her, and they would only hinder her ability. Tension burned her muscles, almost unbearable. She wanted to scream, to tear the forest down around her. She tried to control her breath as her pulse only quickened. Violence stormed within her; the hatred and disgust for herself and the entire world threatening to escape from her body.

Pressure built within her. Her eyes began to glow, and the light spread. Crimson energy crept along her body and cast a red glow across the ground. It grew until her presence washed the night in blood. The storm screamed to be unleashed as her body shook in an effort to control the energy. It gathered in her arms; she couldn't control it. A brilliant crimson field surrounded her for just a moment, and then exploded. Dark energy whipped at her surroundings, throwing embers from the fire high into the air in a glittering column. She did her best to focus it away from the tent where her owner slept, but the shock-wave still ruffled the light fabric. The main blast however crashed into the forest beyond. Rel slumped to the ground.

Night daze had been known to manifest to those of her kind under situations of great need, and some had even mastered the ability through practice, but she had neither. With the sudden surge of power, her body felt drained of the violence that had filled her. She breathed. The iron bands that crushed her chest were gone, and she felt empty. Hatred still smoldered in the pit of her stomach, the heat that warded away the chill of submission; the only thing that made her carry on.

Rel watched the fleeting patches of sky above as the leaves swayed with the wind. She watched for a long time. Alex hadn't awakened during her outburst, or if he had, he remained in the tent. Sleep was beyond her reach, and she had no desire to dream again, even had she been able to calm her racing heart, so she just waited for the sky to lighten. The forest began to produce noise as its inhabitants woke to the rising sun. Rel just lay and watched.

Alex's voice, ambitious despite the yawn, broke the peace of the morning. “You're up early. Ready to train again today? I think if you-”

“I want to leave.” Rel didn't move from where she sat, examining the treetops.

“What? You have somewhere you need to be?”

“I just don't want to be here. We should leave.” She could feel his eyes on her back, yet he said nothing. Rel returned to her thoughts as she felt him walk away.

The sounds of Alex breaking down camp drifted to her, and it wasn't long before he was back, offering her a packet of food. With that, the two of them, and Treecko, headed back to the main path and further away from the city behind them. The packed dirt they traveled was pitted with small holes ready to snag the feet of unwary travelers, and Rel was finding it more difficult to navigate than she should. Fatigue pulled at her limbs, each step a danger. The sun had barely crested the horizon.

She needed a distraction. “Why are you doing this?”

Alex cocked his head but continued walking. “Doing what? You're the one who wanted to leave.” His tone was always distant and cold when no other humans were around.

“All of it. Dealing with me, wanting me to fight. Do you humans get paid to force pokemon to battle?”

“Force? Regardless, no. I don't do it for the money, though some do.”

She waited for more, but the silence stretched. A protruding root snagged her paw and she almost fell, barely catching herself with an awkward lunge. Each breath of spring air was a labor.

“So why then?”

“I thought we weren't asking questions.”

Fine. She didn't care anyway; once he wasn't useful anymore, she'd leave. The silence drove her to brooding as she tried to not fall on her face from exhaustion.

Her aimless thoughts coalesced into him and his dragon. Fists trembled as she squeezed her eyes shut until another dip almost sent her sprawling. A low growl rumbled in her throat. No. Mewtwo. This was his fault. It had to be his fault. She embraced every dark thought and focused them at the psychic monster. She had to be stronger, accept what had happened and use it. The crucible he placed her in would forge the weapon that ended his reign. Alex would help her or die as well.

Rel collided with the back of Treecko and glanced up to see the dimming sky above. Her fur was heavy with dirt and sweat, her limbs pulled towards the ground below. She could barely remember how they'd even gotten here. Her mind begged for sleep.

She watched as Alex and his Treecko set about making camp, but Rel sat down with a hard thump on the grass. She hugged her knees close. Her eyes adjusted slowly in the fading light, but she could barely keep them open. She took a deep breath as her eyes slid closed. A faint smile twisted her muzzle, too tired to dream.

Pleasant warmth woke Rel. Sunlight shone down on her through the trees above, and the radiant heat of an old fire warmed her side. She lay sprawled in the grass, her limbs and mane fanned out around her. She jerked upright and glanced about, her hand giving a slight tremble. No one was around.

No food lay out for her, and Alex's pack must have been inside the still tent. With nothing else to do, Rel sat huddled in on herself and waited. Growing up in the city, Rel had never spent much time in forests. Once she may have even enjoyed the vibrant colors and warm, floral air. Now it seemed to mock her, pure and untouched by the corruption these humans spread, unlike her.

A rustling came from behind. “You passed out as soon as we got here. This place okay with you?” There was a subtle taunt in his voice, but she ignored it.

“It's fine” she said, not bothering to look over her shoulder. Rel forced her body to remain still as she felt his footsteps approach, but he only held out a packet of food which she accepted, her claws tearing the waxed paper. She wasted no time in shoving the dry, tasteless meal into her mouth. The night had caught her up in sleep, but she had missed dinner. She didn't thank Alex.

The human took a swig of water and handed her the bottle. “So, are you ready to get back to training? We're almost to Verdanturf, and after that it's Mauville, and my next gym fight.”

“Sure.”

“Are you able to use your illusions in battle?”

Rel shrugged while taking a large gulp from the bottle.

“Well I thought you could practice that today, and go easy on the water. We're almost out.”

She shot him a glare but replaced the cap. Easy for him to say when he didn't do anything but watch her work. She ate quickly regardless; the exercise helped take her mind off things.

Alex had them squared off in the middle of the grassy field that made up their camp. “I'll give you a moment to create an illusion. Once you're set I want you to dodge Treecko's attacks, but keep the illusion up. Don't let it falter.”

Rel stared as he bent down to talk to Treecko in a hushed voice. Dodge attacks while maintaining an illusion? She almost conjured the Zangoose, but decided on a copy of herself instead. Maybe the lizard would get confused. That and she needed to focus, not dwell.

“Begin,” Alex called out from the side, and Treecko wasted no time.

Rel dodged the first bullet seed, but her Zoroark copy wavered. She firmed it in her mind when a seed cracked off her wrist. Rel cursed, both in pain and at her Zoroark disappearing.

Alex's shout cut through the morning air. “Dodge, and your illusion is gone.”

A growl rumbled in her throat. Like she hadn't noticed. Rel cleared her mind, and once more a Zoroark appeared beside her. She watched for the next attack. Dodge. Her illusion wavered, the Zoroark distorting, becoming translucent in places. Dodge. Waver. Dodge, it held firm. Dodge. Waver. The impact caught her mid step, throwing her into an awkward half-spin, her illusion gone.

“Again.”

Rel gritted her teeth. This was useless; she was useless. The attacks never ceased. One by one, bullet seed either grazed her skin or found its mark in her flesh. Welts piled up, each drop of sweat a stinging reminder of failure. Each attack sent her in a blind dash to avoid the painful seeds while trying to keep her imaginary Zoroark companion solid.

“Enough.” The sun blazed high above as Alex called a halt.

Rel panted, the sun's rays seeking out her dark fur. Shaking legs brought her to the bottle of water from before. She upended the bottle, savoring the lukewarm liquid.

“Thirty minutes, then you can start again,” Alex said.

“More? I can barely-”

Alex cut her off. “You think you can maintain it perfectly then?”

“No, I didn't-”

“Then yes, more.”

Rel met his gaze, his cold, expressionless eyes. Sweat matted her fur, her muscles screaming protest, but he was right. Her weakness wanted rest, the weakness she had clung to her entire life, the weakness others exploited to take what they wanted from her. She would shed that pitiful reminder of her past.

Rel stood opposing Treecko once again, her illusory Zoroark companion stoic at her side. It didn't last. Seeds came harder and faster, the tiny projectiles pelting off her skin, her fur not nearly enough to soften the blows. Her illusion didn't survive the first three attacks.

She stopped moving, and focused the image in her mind, willing the illusion into being. Her body took the attacks.

“Dodge,” Alex yelled from across the field.

Rel ignored him. She gasped against the pain but maintained the illusion. The attacks increased, harder, faster. She couldn't take it, seeds continuously drilling into her chest and limbs.

“Stop,” Rel cried out. She dove to the side to escape the onslaught, but the attacks followed, striking her back as she rolled in the tall grass. “Stop,” she whimpered. The attacks ceased. For a moment Rel simply lay there in the grass. She clutched at her burning chest, but each movement set her skin ablaze, welts covering her chest, arms and legs.

“That was stupid,” Alex said. She hadn't even noticed his approach.

“Dodge them, don't sit there and take it like a fool. Now get up. Create your illusion.”

Rel quivered. Each movement stoked the invisible fire that engulfed her body, each bead of sweat, each gust of wind that ruffled her fur a fresh dose of fuel. Claws dug into the ground as she pushed herself back to her feet.

Her voice was hoarse. “I can't do it.”

Alex didn't seem to care. He said nothing as his back receded towards where he had watched from, watched as each attack beat her down.

“Begin.”

Rel had just reformed her illusion as the attacks resumed. Her fur ruffled as she felt the seed graze her flank, but her movements faltered. Muscles surrendered to fatigue, her limbs held to the ground by unseen hands, pulling her downwards. The second shot barely missed as well. She didn't even know if her illusion held together. Another crack reverberated through her body as the dense seed slammed into her hip.

She grunted and fell to her knees, grasping where the attack had struck bone. “Stop.” She shied away from the next attack, but it hit square in her chest, the air she struggled for driven from her lungs. The next took her in her shoulder. Neither of them relented. The shadows beckoned, and she accepted their welcoming embrace. The pain stopped, her body reinvigorated as the penumbra set her upon Treecko.

Blood-red claws gripped the surprised pokemon and lifted him from the ground. She struck like a Seviper, one fluid, precise motion as she drove the creature into the tree behind, the pokemon's head bouncing from the rough bark.

Dazed but undefeated, Treecko reacted quickly. His body began to glow in her grip, but she didn't give him the chance. She slammed his small frame into the tree once again, his body falling limp in her claws. Again she bashed the pokemon against the hard wood, her hands guided by the deranged anger that controlled her. A weight collided with her back, and Rel roared as metal bit into bone.

The grass pokemon fell from her grip as agony pierced her shoulder. The burning was nothing compared to this new, penetrating anguish. The weight forced her body against the tree, an elbow to her back. The knife was wrenched from deep within her shoulder.

Alex snarled behind her, his voice cold, murderous. “Move and it goes right through your heart.”

Rel froze. She felt the point on her back, digging into her flesh with each gasp of breath. One thrust and she'd be dead in a matter of heartbeats. A growl rumbled in her throat, her face pressed against rough bark. Pain and heat spread from her shoulder as the wound bled into her fur. She could feel his breath against her fur as he spoke close to her ear.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

The knife pressed deeper into her body, the razor tip slipping into her skin. Rel remained silent, fangs bared as Alex pressed her against the tree.

“You think that just because we're not as advanced as your country we're not worth anything? That you can just come here and kill whatever inconveniences you?”

No, that wasn't- She didn't- Light blinded her as something cracked off her skull. The world spun; she grunted against the ground.

Alex's hand buried itself in her mane, knife drawing a thin red line in her throat. “So why then?” His grip tightened, tearing at her fur.

“No,” Rel whimpered.

“No what?” His body pinned hers. She could feel his weight restricting her breath, iron bands crushing her chest. He straddled her stomach, face inches from hers. Concrete walls closed in around her, the screwdriver in his hand red with her blood. He was going to keep hurting her, and then he was going to take her.

He struck her head with the knife handle again. “Should I end it here before you do go and kill one of us?”

She could feel blood, her blood, warm on her temple, the fur around her eyes wet with tears. They had done this to her; she wasn't a murderer, didn't want to be. Laying there, pinned beneath a human once again, Rel fled. Her body belonged to Alex; she could do nothing about that, but her mind found an escape. It fled to where a young Zoroark girl had locked herself, away from those that wanted to hurt her. The forest was gone, the humans were gone, the pain was gone.

She was in Unova again. Her feet pounded against the sidewalk as she ran. Tears turned the world around her to an indistinct blur, but she knew where she was going. Fully evolved pokemon shouldn't cry like this, but she didn't care as she fled down the street, ignoring those around her. Once in range, she signaled the door.

She tried to scrub the tears from her eyes as she waited. “Seon,” she choked out as the door opened, and she threw herself at him, dragging both of them to the floor. The door slid closed as she sobbed into his chest.

“Oh Rel, I'm sorry. What happened?”

His fur was soft against hers, and his arms wrapped around her quivering body, squeezing her tight. He was always there for her, the older brother she didn't have.

“I told him, like you said I should. I told him – that Aiella said I looked just like my mother – but he-” Her voice gave out, muffled in Seon's gentle fur. “I'm never going to speak to him again.”

“Don't say that, I'm sure he didn't mean it, it's probably just tough for him too.”

“I don't care. He's never seen me as anything more than the reason my mother died.” Rel sank her claws deeper into her friend's fur, desperate. “I hate him.” She sniffled, but she could already feel her eyes drying, though the fur of his chest was now damp against her face.

Seon smoothed her mane. “Do you want to stay here then?”

Rel nodded against his chest.

“And how about we get off the floor, you know how grandmother gets.”

With a giggle and one last squeeze, Rel moved off of Seon. He could always get her to smile, and she loved him for that.

Rel threw her arms around him once more as soon as they were standing. “Thank you,” she whispered into his fur. They would always be together. Always.
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What Lies at the Core