Sunday, May 14th, 1989

The morning sunlight broke through the blue curtains. Oh, no, please, no, don't, James thought as he felt his stomach churn, and he gagged, vomiting on the blanket.

"Oh, H-... James, are you okay? Don't worry about it. I'll change the blanket, okay?" Sergeant Sutton's voice was calm and soothing as he scooped up the blanket and dumped it in the washing basket at the end of the room. "No school for you, rest."

James looked around the room, seeing the soft blue walls and little white stars that had been painted on them. The wooden panels lined the walls. The wooden floorboards shone as they covered every inch of the house.

"Where is Okta? Is she okay?" James shouted, jumping up from the bed.

"Your onix is at the healers. She was badly hurt, as were you. Your broken collar looks more swollen than before. You need to be more careful. We can go see your onix after you have eaten something," Sergeant Sutton whispered, sitting James back down.

"What about Tomilson? Is he okay?" James asked.

"He's fine, just asleep on the sofa. What do you want to eat?" Sergeant Sutton said, offering a hand to James.

James reached over and took the hand, and with a sniffle, he said, "Don't know... I don't want to eat anything yet. I just... want to see Okta..."

Sergeant Sutton nodded at James, helped him up onto his feet and walked down the stairs into the living room.

James glanced over at Lieutenant Tomilson, who was resting on the sofa.

"I just need to feed my pokémon first. My electabuzz, my fearow, and my carvanha. My other pokémon are at the healer resting." Sergeant Sutton reached into the kitchen cupboard, pulled out a bag of berries, and placed them on the kitchen counter. He moved so James could see he had rawst berries, lum berries and perism berries. He quickly grabbed a knife from the drawer and began to chop the tops off, allowing the leafy stalks to flop down onto the wooden countertop.

"Can I help?" James whispered and walked closer to the wooden counter. "I've never made pokémon food before..."

Sergeant Sutton smiled and stepped back. "Of course. Just be careful not to hurt yourself on the knife. Here. Hold the berry with your hand. That's it." Sergeant Sutton took hold of the knife and placed it in James's free hand, gripping it tightly. "And slowly cut."

The sound of the knife slicing through the tough lum berry made James smile. The chopping sound of the knife hitting the board underneath echoed a little in the kitchen. "These berries are really tough... and they are really small compared to durin berries."

"You can have a bit if you want, James. I'm sure the pokémon won't mind, and it might make you feel a little bit better. Lum berries are good for curing a lot of sicknesses." Sergeant Sutton nudged him as he began to chop up the rawst and persim berries.

"It isn't bitter..." James said.

Sergeant Sutton let out a little chuckle. "Not all foods are bitter. Although, it can be difficult to get non-bitter pokémon food from the Happy Gastrodon." He walked over to the tank in the corner of the room and tipped the sliced perism berries in.

The carvanha emerged from the small cave inside. Flashing her rough, red and yellow scales, she chomped down on the berries.

James looked down at the ground as Sergeant Sutton continued to feed his pokémon. It's all my fault... I'm a bad trainer.

"Right, come," Sergeant Sutton said, nudging James. "Lieutenant Tomilson will wake up soon, no doubt. So, we don't want to take too long."

With a sigh, James nodded. "Sutton? Thanks for not being a jerk... for once," he said as Sergeant Sutton flagged down a sawsbuck coach, and they hopped inside.As the coach started to move, the sound of the wheels bumping along the cobblestone road filled his ears. Slowly, but surely, the coach made its way down the streets of Fehahra. James saw the unfearful expressions of the citizens. Those who had not bared witness to the battle of the night before, not that he could remember it all himself.

After ten minutes of riding on the bumpy street cobbles, the coach pulled up outside Chansey and Wares, and they both stepped inside. Sergeant Sutton sat James down on one of the red leather seats while he went to the desk.

James leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His legs bounced nervously as the healer disappeared through the swinging door and went out the back to collect his onix. The sound of the air vent blowing the cool air into the building was almost deafening, and the seconds ticked by more slowly than ever. After a few minutes, the healer returned to the room, holding a tray with four poké balls inside. James reached over and picked up his onix's poké ball and stared at it.

"Kid, I don't know what you did to your onix, but she took severe damage. Her horn is broken, and most of her boulders are wonky, crumbling or broken. I've managed to patch up a lot of the worst spots, but some are irreparable. Who would want a golden onix?" the healer rambled.

James growled back at him. "I want her! I love her to pieces!" He could feel nausea creeping back into his throat. James quickly took Sergeant Sutton's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"If she ever takes more than 80% damage to her health again, I am afraid she will never be able to evolve. She has to use 20% of her health points to keep her body together. I assume you understand what health points are." The healer pushed his glasses up onto his face, turning to Sergeant Sutton. "As for you, you are lucky your pokémon are tough as can be, although your volcarona's mega stone is now chipped. You will need to replace that."

James's eyes started to water, and he felt his heart turn into an empty pit. His shoulders sank, and he stared at the floor. Okta is hurt. I am a bad trainer. I am a bad person.

James, use my power to drain another pokémon. I can heal her.

James shook his head.

"You don't want breakfast?" Sergeant Sutton asked.

James glanced up at Sergeant Sutton and shook his head again. He pressed his poké ball against his chest and hugged it tightly. His hands were still shaking from hearing the bad news, and he felt sick.

Sergeant Sutton placed his hand on James's forehead and muttered in Elkrat, "Damn hypnosis after effects." Sergeant Sutton raised his arm to call a coach over. A coach driver nodded at him and pulled over.

The open-topped carriage door opened, and Lord David stepped out. He pushed against James with his cane, knocking him out of the way as he stepped off. "Colran children have no manners. I should beat them into you, but I am running late."

"Asshole..." James muttered as he watched the figure walk away.. "Who was that?"

"No clue... but whoever he is, he obviously has something stuck up his arse..." Sergeant Sutton muttered, making James laugh a little.

The Lord cussed under his breath, turning back one more time to see the two standing there. "I'll deal with you two later, he muttered." Lord David flung his blue jacket over his shoulder and walked along the road and down an alleyway. He noticed the wonky sign on the edge of the wall. Raticate's Stand, pfft, typical shitty naming. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. Like I thought. No one showed. Colran children... I will flog the entire school, no, schools... wasting my time. He grunted and swivelled to leave. His boots grated against the cobblestone path.

The sound of an elasticated string being pulled back caught Lord David's attention, and he turned around to face the sound. As he did, he felt his shoulder being pulled back and a sharp pain shot through his body. Instinctively, he grabbed his poké ball and tossed out a mightyena in front of him. He let go of his wound and staggered, reaching down for his sword. However, before he could, an arrow pierced through his mightyena's cheekbone, and he felt a sharp piercing feeling in his chest. His legs gave way, and he fell back against the alleyway wall. Lord David stared at a man pressing the sword into his chest. The man was dressed in all green—a Colran Lord. Lord David tried to move his right arm, where his holo device was, to get a better recording of his attacker, but the man's face was covered with a black mask, and his cap covered most of his hair except a small tuft of black fringe thathung out.

"W-why?" he gargled out as he let out his last breath.

As Lord David's body slumped against the wall, the masked vigilante heard voices. He ran up to the wall and vaulted over it, disappearing into the back alley.

Moments later, Master Guardsman Antonio Hamilton slowly walked around the corner, looking back at the man behind him. His lips trembled, and he looked down at his hands.

"Your job is straightforward. This runt cannot compromise your mission in the slightest. Do you understand?" the man said.

"I understand that. I am using him to get answers. I need to know why they are interested. You and I both know someone else is pulling the strings." Antonio Hamilton pressed his fingers against his head. I still feel nauseous.

"You are becoming attached, and I simply cannot allow that." The Master Captain from Kilgor pushed his blond hair out of his face and pressed his glasses back up. "It is distracting you. Do I need to take drastic measures?"

"N-no, sir. Sir, with your permission... I know it is a lot... but after the war, my job is done..." Antonio Hamilton rubbed his arm.

"Antonio, I will review your case in court after the war. Do not contact me again." Master Captain and Interrogator Mainstenhill stepped around the corner into Raticate's Stand. "Oh, my... well..." He adjusted his glasses again. "Best get to work... soldier...."

"Fuck!" Antonio Hamilton narrowed his eyes and focused on becoming the persona he had worked so hard to create once again. He rushed over and scoured over the Lord on the floor. He's dead...

Meanwhile, a knock at Sergeant Sutton's door scared the life out of James, making him grip the reading book tighter than before. He sat up on the sofa and rubbed his eyes. Ugh, I feel like shit, he thought as he looked around for Sergeant Sutton to open the door. However, silence filled the room, except for the sound of bubbles popping from the carvanha tank at the end of the room.

A second knock rang out, and James got up on his feet, placed the book on the small table and walked over to the door. James pressed his eye against the little peephole to see who was waiting on the other side. Ugh! What does Captain Smart-Arse want? He opened the door and scowled at Captain Bourbabel, who was waiting on the other side.

"Good evening, James! I hope you are feeling much better," Captain Bourbabel said, rubbing his moustache.

James muttered, "No. I was asleep. Sutton isn't around, so come back tomorrow or something..."

"Sorry to have woken you. Actually, James, I was looking for you." Captain Bourbabel leaned against the door, looking at James, who groaned loudly. "It's about that Lady. Lady Valko Smith, the one who attacked you with the electric stone."

"She hurt Okta really badly..." James said, scrunching his fist up.

"And hurt you and Lieutenant Tomilson... and with a body being found maybe an hour ago, we need to get to the bottom of this. So, we want you present at the interview to confirm her identity." Captain Bourbabel looked at James, who let out another groan. Captain Bourbabel straightened up and crossed his arms. "It will only take half an hour, and... if you do, you can stay out an extra half an hour after curfew to make up for your lost time. How about that?"

"Wait, really?" James said, with a grin on his face. His stomach churned, but the thought of being able to break the rules fought back against the rising nausea. "I mean - fine..." James scowled. "But tomorrow, I want to stay home and sleep. I don't feel well still... Can I get dressed in peace?"

"Yes, James." Captain Bourbabel nodded, noticing the book that Lord Orag had given him was on the small table. He closed the door behind him, leaving James to his own devices.

Sluggishly, James reached over and pulled a white shirt on over his head, messing up his bed-head even more. He grabbed the underwear and trousers that Sergeant Sutton had brought over from the Brysons while he was asleep, and pulled them on before quickly tying up his lightweight shoes. He put the clothes he had been dressed in down on the bed. James opened the wooden bedroom door and slowly came downstairs, yawning as he did. He scooped the book up in his arms and looked at Captain Bourbabel.

Captain Bourbabel looked over at James, and with a sad smile, he said, "You look exhausted, James. How about instead of staying out later tonight, you do it when you feel better? I promise I'll give you the written letter for it."

"Can I go home with Lieutenant Tomilson tonight, please?" James whispered. "I'd really like that." His eyes drooped, and he took Captain Bourbabel's hand.

"Hmm? Oh, of course you can. If Lieutenant Tomilson is able to take you home, then I don't see the prob-"

"I want him to be my dad... like my forever dad. I know that sounds... since he's not been close with me until you got here, but he's nice and stuff."

Captain Bourbabel's expression softened at the sound of James's tired but attached voice. I think he'd like that too. You two have a lot in common – I just would want to understand his motive... up until recently, he's always been very distant – at least according to Sutton. Every time I've tried to get a read on him... I've been bombarded with thoughts – it isn't uncommon for people to be bombarded, but it's very crowded... Captain Bourbabel nodded at James, breaking away from his train of thought. "I think he'd want that too, James. Come on, let's get moving."

"Fly?" James whispered.

"Yes, James, we can fly," Captain Bourbabel responded. He reached into his small satchel and pulled out the goggles and handed them to James.

The flight wasn't long, but to James, it was a thrilling adventure, but as the office building's main door loomed, he felt a sinking sensation in his stomach. He watched as Captain Bourbabel tucked the goggles away, and began his descent down the stairs before following after.

As the cell door creaked open, James couldn't help but feel a sense of numbness engulfing his chest as he cautiously surveyed the dimly lit room. The rough, dented bricks and ominous metal chains hanging down from the wall painted a stark contrast to the familiar cells he and his friends had been locked in after their shenanigans. This was an entirely different, more foreboding environment.

Captain Bourbabel gestured to the seat nearest the door as Sergeant Sutton and Lieutenant Tomilson took their seats.

James felt Lieutenant Tomilson squeeze his arm and saw him mouth the word, "Breathe". Once more, the door creaked open, and Lady Smith was being forcefully pulled into the room by the soldiers. She was pushed down into the seat opposite the group, but she didn't put up a fuss.

"Oh, like, hi! Hey! It's the cute blond guy!" she said, with a grin on her face, staring at Sergeant Sutton. She jingled the handcuffs excitedly. "I remember you. You totally put up a fight. I've like... never seen a volcarona do that before. For a soldier, you are real, like, strong and buff. You know, maybe, like after the war, you and I could go on a date?"

Eww, gross, James thought, shuffling in his seat. The door opened once more, and Lord Orag stepped in, catching James's attention.

Lord Orag casually waved his hand, dismissing everyone's attempts to be orderly and respectful towards his rank in an effort to ensure everyone stayed seated. "I will conduct the interview with you," he said to Captain Bourbabel. "James, once you are done, you may leave with Lieutenant Tomilson."

"Actually, sir, I have some questions of my own – after all, she hurt my foster child..." Lieutenant Tomilson scowled, crossing his legs and leaning in his chair. His hair stood on end at the back as his cold demand carried through the enclosed room.

"Very well." Lord Orag nodded and leaned back in the seat. "Let's begin." He looked at James, who was playing with his shirt and still looking incredibly groggy. He had bags under his eyes and a sad expression on his face. "James, do you recognise this woman as the woman who attacked you the other night?"

James nodded, trying to look away. Please let me go home. I really want to sleep... He twitched in his seat and whispered, "Lord Orag, I really don't feel well. I want to go home. I really, really want to go home. Lieutenant Tomilson, can we please go home?" James twitched again.

Lord Orag looked over the table, his expression softened, and he knelt in front of James's chair. "James, if you really don't feel well, I can take you to Lord Ikur, and he will tuck you up in one of the beds, okay? Would you like that?" He rubbed his forehead where his curly brown hair rested. He placed his scarred hand on James's forehead. "You do still have a fever..." He turned to the others. "I am going to take the boy to the bay. That way, he can rest while we interview. Come on, James. Watch your sore arm there."

The room spun as James stood up and wobbled on his feet. "I really want to go with Tomilson... please?"

He took a deep breath, got up from his seat, and took James's hand. "Jamie, I need to do work right now, but I promise as soon as I am done here, we can go home. We can have roasted qwilfish if you want, and if you are feeling better, I can get us tickets for a sports match. Would you like that?"

"Yes, sir." James wrapped his arms around Lieutenant Tomilson and hugged him tightly. He listened to the man's heartbeat through his shirt. Calm and collected as always. "Um... sir?"

"Jamie?" Lieutenant Tomilson answered, pushing the hair out of his face. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm going to take the best care of you. I promise."

The moment hung in the air until Lady Smith blurted out, "Aww, that's, like, totally cute. Except you know he is totally the enemy, kid. When we take back the town, you should cuddle a Colran soldier because that would be, like, way cuter." She smiled and pushed her wide-framed glasses back up her face.

James looked away as Lord Orag nudged him. "Okay..." James said and followed him out of the interrogation room. His eyes were fixated on the staircase. Step by step, he eased his way down until he reached the landing. With one last look at Lord Orag, James said, "Okay, I'll wait here..."

"Alright." Lord Orag looked around the med bay. "Hmm, Ikur must be out. Behave." He ruffled James's hair and disappeared back up the stairs.

With a deep breath, James walked over to one of the seats in the waiting area and sat down.

"J-James?" Kitiku said, rubbing his arm. "Um... A-are you okay?"

James glanced up at his best friend, and with a smirk, he said, "Hey, Kuti. Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little sick, that's all."

"So, um... they caught L-Lady Smith... that's good..." Kitiku whispered, crutching over and sitting next to James. "Is your arm okay?"

"Huh? Oh, I guess. Having a broken collarbone sucks. What about your leg?" James asked. Footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and James looked up.

"James!" Lioa shouted, rushing over to him. "What did those Elkran twats do to you? Oh, right, they caught one of our Ladies. Rotten Elkran scum. We kinda snuck in to come and see you." Lioa gestured to Andrew.

Why can't everyone just leave me alone? James thought, looking at his friends.She tried to kidnap me... and give me back to that man. I... I just want to go home with Lieutenant Tomilson...

"Lioa, this isn't a good idea..." Andrew whispered. He tugged on his scarf nervously before adding, "Vesit will be so mad and will send us to time out if he finds out we snuck out..."

Kitiku nodded frantically.

"Don't be such twats, both of you. Come on, we can bust her out of here. Then, we'll be heroes for Colran. They were taking her back to a cell as we came in. The cells are on the next floor. Come on!" Lioa said in a loud whisper, grabbing James's non-broken arm and taking his gurdurr's poké ball into his other hand."Li! Stop!" James shouted as he was dragged down the stairs. "Kuti, Ano?"

"S-Stop it, L-Lioa..." Kitiku said, shaking as he followed them down the stairs.

"Wait for me, Lioa!" Andrew called out, pushing past Kitiku. However, the slight shunt was all it took, and Andrew looked back at Kitiku, who had lost balance on the steps with his crutches.

The sound of wooden crutches hitting the floor at the base of the steps echoed in the cell block, followed by the sound of groans from the teens, who had landed on top of one another.

"Did you have to?" James mutters. "Oh no..."

Lioa looked at James with a smirk. "This is great. Ruskou, break down the door." Lioa said as his poké ball, which had escaped his grip, opened. His gurdurr appeared in front of them. "Do it!"

The large gurdurr pulled back his muscular arms and slammed them into each of the cell doors, bending them at the hinges and crumpling them.

Lady Smith climbed out from the broken cell door and looked at them. "Thanks, 'kay?" Her light-footed steps and sprint made her nimble enough to squeeze past the teens as the other prisoners began to escape their cells.

"Li! She works for Hanson! We have to stop her. Come on!" James replied, hurrying back up onto his feet and sprinting up the stairs.

"James, wait up!" Lioa called, chasing after him. "Don't be a traitor! Come on, Rew-Rew!" he shouted to Andrew.

Kitiku hobbled after them on his crutches. This isn't a good idea...

Lady Smith ran out onto the street, and she glanced around, looking for her next move.

A haxorus's jaw chomped down on Lady Smith's shoulder, and a sword slashed across her chest. She fell to her knees, and her body went limp, thumping against the floor.

"Arrest the Colran scum, and execute them immediately." The swordsman's voice was deep and crackling, and his red hair flopped down as he held his sword forward, now pointed at James.

"No! Lord Interrogator, these are just children, they... they had nothing to do with this..." Captain Bourbabel said, glaring at James, Lioa, Andrew and Kitiku. His eyes filled with rage.

"I will not stand for your insolence!" Lord Interrogator Clavouro shouted, refusing to lower his sword—a slight smirk on his face. "Grab them. And you, show me where the electric stone is."

Lord Interrogator Clavouro just instantly killed someone who had caused the others some difficulty. Is he really that much stronger than the others? With a hint of malice in his voice, could be someone to avoid?

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