(WARNING, THIS IS VERY OLD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK)

(This is a one-shot of an already existing story, "Frenzy". If you have not read it, please do. There are spoilers!)

(There's also a bit of mature content in this chapter. You've been warned..!)

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     THIRD PERSON

     "One...two...three...four...five..." A feminine voice hummed gently as a group of Pokemon gathered inside of what seemed to be a very large living room.

     "I don't get it..." A Zoroark huffed with a gentle shake of her head. "Not a single murder has happened and we've been here for at least a week..."

     "Six...seven...eight...nine...ten..." The feminine voice continued.

     "What does she expect us to do?" A Weavile hissed.

     "Kill each other. Ain't she threaten to kill us all if we don't?" A Sceptile rolled his eyes. "It's clear that no matter what, one of us will..."

     "Eleven...twelve...thirteen...fourtee-"

     "Can you quit that?" A Toxicroak rose off his seat to glare harshly at an Absol.

     "S-Sorry..." The Absol huffed, beginning to sit on her haunches. "I just realized that counting could help in these situations."

     "It helps if you'd like to go insane." A Manectric spoke firmly.

     It was clear that everyone gathered in the living room are here against their will. If anything, it's something much more serious than that. A murder game of some sort, hosted by a mastermind.

     They call it a 'frenzy' of sorts, with constant bickering and threats lingering around the air.

     However, there was something different about tonight.

     "Maybe if everyone would shut the fuck up for one minute!"

     And there went all the serious tension.

     "What do you want, Inu?" Kanom croaked.

     Inu gently placed a finger against her jaw, smirking widely. "I've never seen you so angry. That's a welcome change."

     "Strange..." Galant gazed at the Infernape with an amused gesture. "Why does today feel so different?"

     "No clue..." Alice heaved a long sigh and trotted across the living room with a small smile. "But how about we switch the mood? Since today feels so 'different' to all of us, we should be positive!"

     "No." Vince crossed his arms. "Oh ya, definitely a great time to be positive."

     "Maybe Alice is correct." Leon stepped closer to the middle of the living room. "We should try our best to be positive."

     With an awkward silence practically slicing the stagnating air in half, everyone seemed to hesitantly nod in agreement about the idea of becoming accustomed to their living conditions.

     "How is this even going to work? What is stopping Sam from just murdering someone for her own entertainment?" Galant interrupted with doubt in his voice.

     "Hm..." A different voice hummed. "How about we have a break then?" Sam, out of the blue, was just in the room with everyone else.

     "What the hell?" Inu shrieked, stepping away from the Braixen. "Wait...what the fuck did you just say?"

     The Braixen shrugged. "I dunno...I've just done this whole thing before so many times. I just kinda want to...have a break." Sam yawned. It almost seemed like no one believed her.

     "Honestly, can we go back to murdering? This side of her is so weird..." Rayne narrowed her eyes in disbelief.

     "Please," Laker huffed.

"I don't know," Leon began with a gentle smile. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is very nice of her to offer this..."

     "Yeah, but what you don't get is that she brought us here to die, dickhead!" Inu poked the Lucario's shoulder with her finger.

     "She clearly seems bored of all of this," Alice managed to speak up and gazed at the Braixen, who was already laid down on the couch.

     "Do what you want...I don't really care," Sam smiled gently at the group.

     "Can we be friends then?" Leon stepped up to offer the Braixen.

     "Friends?" Sam tilted her head. "I haven't...heard that in so long..."

     "You should try it..." Grace whispered soothingly. "It's very nice..."

     "Alright...fine," Sam sat up on the couch and nodded with a gentle smile. "But just be warned, I'm still a little...unfiltered."

     "Nice..!" Grace smiled at her answer. "I'm going to write this down in my journal!" The Eevee grinned widely and trotted away into her room.

     Loki's POV

     As much as I'd like to take this opportunity without taking anything for granted, I find it hard to believe that Sam could undergo such an intense change with herself. Was she sad about what she was doing? I guess I'd have to find answers elsewhere.

     "Hello..." A very gentle voice whispered to me from the garage I was in. Instinctively, I jerked back. I saw a very calm and reserved Braixen smiling politely at me from the darkness of the garage. "I'm sorry to startle you...I forgot you don't know me yet..."

     "What the..." I exhaled and rose to my legs, gazing intensely at the Braixen. This wasn't Sam, there was something a lot more innocent about this Pokemon.

     "I'm Sammy, Sam's sister..."

     "Sammy? Sam? Wow...that's weird..." I chuckled.

     "You could just call me by my other name...Laura..." Sammy looked up at me with apologetic eyes.

     "It's fine...I'll call you Sammy," I nodded to her. "Why are you here? You don't look as insane as Sam used to be."

     "Used to be?" Sammy giggled. "She never was. Our mother desperately wanted to continue her legacy on the killing games and made a machine that could turn anyone into a lunatic and continue the frenzy that is this game."

     "What?" I gasped. "So you're telling me everything she said wasn't true?"

     Sammy nodded, her gaze scrolling around the room.

     "Then...where are we?" I followed her gaze, thinking she was looking at something behind me.

     "Oh, we're in one of the largest forests on this planet," Sammy stepped away from me to press the garage door button. A shuffle was heard from my right as the door slowly rose open. "It's why no one came to help."

     "No wonder..." I sighed with relief. "At least this whole killing game isn't happening anymore."

     "Yeah...I'm glad as well. We got really lucky..."

     "Really lucky."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Leon's POV

     "So...you are not sure about how you started this? You have no recollection about it?" I tilted my head at the Braixen. Sam and I were alone in the living room, just talking about how she even got here. Everyone else seemed to go outside and scatter across different rooms.

     "Yeah..." Sam answered flatly but chose to continue as she herself wasn't satisfied with her answer. "Sammy, my sister who was forced to help me behind the scenes, said I was completely insane in the head after our mother injected something into my brain."

     "And your mother. Does she specialize in any kind of scientific research or experimenting? There is no way to control one's brain like that unless you're a professional."

     "She's done it since she was a kid. No wonder it worked so well," Sammy shrugged. There was something off about her emotions when she said that.

     "I'm sensing you're getting sad about this whole thing," I rose to my legs and offered her my paw.

     With a gentle smile, she gingerly curled her paw around mine, rising to her legs.

     "Sure..." Sam chuckled. "I'm sorry if I was crazy..."

     "It's okay..!" I nodded in affirmation. "I know you didn't mean to..."

     Before she could let go of my paw, I gently stepped backward and tugged her along with me.

     "We should go outside..." I offered. She was slightly hesitant, but after realizing I was no harm to her, she seemed to immediately walk with me.

     After reaching the front entrance, I pulled the door open and...

     "Leon, Sam!" Talus cheerfully greeted us. The midday Lycanroc paced over to us with a smile. "You should join us...we're just talking..!"

     "Sure thing," Sam agreed to the idea.

     To be honest, it was quite relieving seeing Sam be herself again. I think she has a great personality without being insane.

     THIRD PERSON

     "So you had a fake accent this whole time?" Lancer tilted his head at the Machamp. He snickered and shook his head. "Wow, I really fell for it."

     "Well, no!" Gruta chuckled. "I still talk the same...I just don't use 'Gruta' in front of everything!" The Machamp smiled politely. "I only used it to be less of a target."

     "That's...pretty smart..." Aubra giggled. "I wouldn't know what to do in situations like these if I h-had my life on the line."

     "If we still were in the game, I'd probably live," Lancer smirked widely. "I'm too powerful!" The midnight Lycanroc placed his paw against his chest with pride.

     "Yes, you are!" Talus immediately agreed with his brother's statement.

     "You all really think about that?" Rayne seemed to scold the four Pokemon grouped around the grass. "I thought this was 'too scarring' for you all."

     Gruta paused to gaze at the Manectric.

     "Actually, I think Rayne would live. People would be too scared to kill her." Gruta folded his arms.

     "Yeah but everyone's scared of Rayne," Talus whined.

     "Not me!" Laker, from somewhere in the area, cockily called. The Weavile slowly stepped closer and leaned his head against the Manectric's face. "Isn't that right, Rayne~?" He teased.

     "You're so lucky—" Rayne cut herself off and nudged the Weavile away while walking in the opposite direction.

     Laker, who seemed hopeful for an answer, desperately followed the Manectric.

     "Wait! I'm lucky because why?" Laker pleaded. "Please say it!"

     Leon seemed to laugh in amusement at the two Pokemon leaving the group. Sam only smiled as she watched them walk away.

     "Everyone!" Loki raised her paw in the air to wave at the group. She seemed to bring a new face to the area. "This is Sammy, Sam's sister. Don't worry, she's one of us."

     Everyone seemed to collectively wave and smile at the younger Braixen.

     "Thank you," Sammy chuckled.

     "Hey, jackal..." Sherwood sternly grumbled from behind Leon, playfully tugging the fur behind his neck.

      "Ow..." Leon sounded. He turned around, and upon noticing the Sceptile was smiling, he also smiled. "What is it?"

     "I took the time to make y'all food," Sherwood bit his claw. "Ya'know...to make it up for you...and everyone."

     Leon seemed to grin with absolute joy upon hearing his words.

      "I really appreciate that, Sherwood."

     "I still kinda hate you."

     "I needed something to e—"

     "Nope!" Sherwood crossed his arms. Suddenly, a crease of laughter left our lungs.

     "Ah, alright." I took a relieved breath after laughing. "We'll agree to disagree then."

     "Come inside, y'all. There's food." Sherwood waved his talons in the air.

     "Food?" Lancer tilted his head. "I'm down."

     Following Lancer followed practically everyone else. Everything seemed to be going fine...until...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     "When did you know how to cook, Sherwood?" Inu seemed to scarf the food down her throat. "It's somehow really good."

     "Somehow?" Grace scoffed playfully. "That's mean."

     "Just being honest," Inu shrugged and grinned widely at the Eevee.

     "Ah, I realized something..." Sammy took the last bite of her oran berry. "You all want to leave this place, right?"

     A gentle wave of silence overcame the room. With hesitant gazes being thrown left and right, it was safe to assume people needed time to think about that question.

     "I say we wait until we reach a fitting conclusion," Galant rose from his seat and smiled confidently at the group.

     "Yeah, it feels like a few of us think we're safer here," Grace kneaded her chair as she sheepishly grinned at the group gathered around the table. "I also kind of like you guys..."

     "Awe, well that's nice, isn't it?" Kanom frowned, glaring at Sam with a gentle glare. "Some things didn't go to plan."

     "Yeah..." Laker shrugged. "I'm actually...kind of glad things went...right?"

      "You don't deserve to be here," Kanom crossed his arms and rose off the table.

     "What...does that mean?" Sammy tilted her head and gazed quizzically at the Weavile.

     "I dunno..." Laker shrugged and rose off his chair to smile at the rest of the group. "We should just stay here for the night, hows that sound?"

     Everyone seemed to be on the same page when it came to staying in the mansion. At first, it seemed like a mansion filled with despair and dread, but after what happened with Sam, things started to look brighter.     It only took an hour to gather everyone inside of the mansion and lead them to their rooms. Some people decided to sleep in the same room, not only because of comfort but just to talk. You never know if you just need someone to talk to.

     In one of the rooms, a Machamp laid carefully against the bed, which seemed to be too small for him. 

     "So...from what you're sayin' it should be easy to tell you didn't have an accent?" Sherwood smirked and crossed his arms. "It was hard as all hell to figure that out."

     "Really?" Gruta—who wasn't speaking in his 'usual' accent—scoffed. "I thought I did terribly."

      "Everyone was too busy trying to survive than focus on your accent, Gruta," Sherwood paused to think about something, which caused him to laugh lightly. "Especially when you butcher my name on purpose."

     Those words ignited a hearty laugh from the Machamp, who sat up on the bed to smile at the Sceptile. "Yeah, I remember doing that."

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      Sam's POV

     There's something so confusing about what happened to me today. Laura told me about everything that my body did. She was in tears of joy and couldn't let go of me. I just don't understand. Why would Mom force me through such a thing?

     I don't even want to call her by 'Mom' anymore...Anna should suffice.

     "Hey...are you alright?" Leon nudged his paw against my cheek in a friendly manner. 

     "O-Oh, yeah..!" I quickly replied. I was flustered, of course. There was a guy in the same room as me...completely locked in. "Leon...I have a question..."

     "Yes?" The Lucario tilted his head, a gentle, caring smile shooting in my direction.

     I paused and immediately smiled back. "Why don't you ever use your sensors?"

     "It'd be rude to read people's thoughts without permission," Leon scratched the back of his head. "Although I can, if you want."

     "Go ahead...I want to see how it looks like..." I giggled, pacing away from him and planting my back against the bed. "I'm so tired...and I forgot to fix the vents in the mansion..."

     "Is that why it's cold?" Leon nodded to my affirmation and let the appendages on the back of his head rise into the air. After a few seconds, they immediately rose higher. A face of concern washed over the Lucario's face when he jerked away from me to glare through the wall. "There is...a group of Pokemon coming."

     "What?" I immediately leaped off the bed. "Where?"

     "I have no clue, but they each have threatening auras except for one...who's a Lucario."

     "A Lucario?" I gulped. "Oh no...this can't be good."

     "Do you know them?" Leon sighed and dropped his sensors. "I have to stop using aura or else he'll detect me. Arceus, what is going on?" He turned to me.

     If what I'm thinking is true...they have come to pick me back up. They realized the machine has stopped working and that my true personality has been revealed. Almost like it was muscle memory, I curled my paw around the Lucario's wrist.

     "Please, you have to help me...I don't want to go back to them...I'm sure Sammy doesn't either..." I gazed upon his worrying, scarlet eyes.

     "I understand..." Leon pulled away from me with a smile. "Stay here...I got this."

     With a nod, I saw him begin to leave the room.

     "Wait, Leon..!" I called.

     "Yes?"

     "Please...don't hurt the Lucario too much..."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     THIRD PERSON

     "Are you sure about this, Mother?" A tall, darker-furred Lucario stopped at the front door of the mansion. "There are a lot of them in there."

     "Yes, I am," A Delphox grimaced. "How dare she..."

     She was accompanied by a large group of Corviknight—the best possibly suited for combat and bodyguarding. She truly came prepared.

     "Hydra, knock down the door," Anna commanded, raising a large wooden staff directly in front of her.

     "Alright..." Hydra almost reluctantly stepped forward and slammed down the door with his legs. 

     A crowd of Pokemon were gathered at the front door, almost waiting to attack the oncoming group.

     Upon reflex, Hydra stepped forward and raised his palms to release a powerful wave of energy, knocking a few of the crowded Pokemon off their feet.

     "What are you all doing?" The tall Lucario's voice echoed through the building. "You're going to get yourselves hurt."

     "We're getting hurt?" Inu slowly rose to her feet and snarled at Hydra. "You're gonna get hurt if you don't back off! We know what you're here for."

     "You do?" Hydra tilted his head until his eyes landed on Leon. "Ah, that's why."

     "Why must you take them? Isn't it easier to just talk this through?" Leon stepped forward and offered.

     Hydra frowned. It almost seemed like he was about to agree with Leon until his eyes landed back on his mother. "I...can't."

     "Hurry up. I want her here immediately or else everyone here dies. I will make sure of it." Anna slammed the wooden staff against the floor, brightening the area.

     "Big deal," Vince shrugged. "I don't mind giving dying a chance, I already have!"

     "What?" Grace tilted her head at the Greninja. "No, you...haven't?"

     "I don't want to deal with this," Hydra snarled and swiped his hand across the air, a large bone staff—one radiating with blue aura—emerging from thin air. The Lucario twirled it around for a few seconds before pointing it at the crowd. "Please just make this easy for the two of them."

     "Fine..." A gentle voice called from the unwilling crowd. 

     "Sammy?" Loki gasped and neared the Braixen. "I told you to say inside the room..."

     Sammy, who didn't really seem to care about the situation anymore, slipped through the crowd to face the Lucario.

     "If you wanted to see us so badly you shouldn't have made such a fuss about it." The monotone Braixen scratched her head.

     Hydra's expression seemed to light up ever so slightly.

     "I'm sorry, Kit-kat..." The Lucario frowned after realizing what the Braixen had said. "Did you at least miss me? Just a bit?"

     "What is going on..?" Talus whispered to his brother.

     "No clue...but they know each other pretty well..." Lancer whispered back.

     "Everyone." Sammy turned around to face the crowd. "This is my brother, Hydra..." Suddenly, she shifted to turn and face the Delphox. "And my mother, Anna."

     "Where is Sam, Laura?" Anna folded her arms sternly. 

     "Right here." Sam did the same thing, stepping through the crowd to gaze at the two. "What do you want?"

     "Dear, you already know you're not supposed to be this way..." Anna dropped her staff to finally smile gently at Sam. "This isn't your true form..." Slowly, she stepped closer to the Braixen. "Don't you want to be happy again?"

     Sam instinctively stepped back, gulping nervously. "A-An—" She cut herself off before shaking her head. "Mom...I don't want to go back...not after realizing how terrible it was..."

     Anna frowned and leaned away from the Braixen to shake her head. 

     "You said that before you put on the helmet."

     "And she still hated you equally after she put it on," Sammy remarked with a serious sigh.

     "Shut up, Laura." Anna snapped, rising her staff from the ground and pointing it at the Braixen. "This doesn't concern you. Your job is to help your sister."

     "It's all I ever do!" Sammy hissed, her demeanor completely changing. "Maybe if you weren't such a bad mother I'd actually have a good life now!"

     "That's it!" Anna stomped forward and clenched the Braixen by the throat, squeezing as tightly as she possibly could. "You want to be brave!?"

     Just before everyone thought things couldn't be less predictable, Anna was struck on the back and launched against the wall by a fierce attack. There was the assailant, Hydra, panting ruthlessly in front of his sister.

     "What have you done?" Sammy coughed, her body leaning against her brother.

     "Are you alright?" Hydra curled an arm around the girl. "I-I know what I did...I'll regret it, I'm in adrenaline right now..."

    "Desmin...you're so dead..." Anna hissed as she rose to her feet and pointed at the Lucario. "Get him, now!" She commanded.

     The group of Corviknight gathered outside hesitated to attack the Lucario, which gave him ample time to speak once again.

     "Laura, get out of here. You too, Jase..." Hydra turned his head to Sam, offering her a gentle smile. "Please, stay safe..." He pleaded as both Sam and Sammy grouped behind the crowd of Pokemon.

     "What's the stalling for? You have a target!" Anna hissed loudly.

     Upon hearing those words, all five of the Corviknight flew in to slam their metal wings against the Lucario. Taking hit upon hit, Hydra could only let out cries of pain. He didn't try to break out, even if he could, he regret what he had done.

     "Get the fuck off him!" Loki hissed at the top of her lungs and charged a Night Slash. Once she neared the horde of Corviknight, she sliced one's chest open, causing a large splatter of blood to paint the walls a new color. 

     "Shit..." Sherwood, who almost felt like he had to intervene because Loki was, stepped forward and prepared a Leaf Blade. Upon nearing another one of the Corviknight, he slammed the blade against their face, launching them across the room.

     Due to the two Pokemon stepping in the fight, the remaining three Corviknight backed away to realize slowly but surely, everyone else in the room stepped in to fight for the fallen Lucario.

     "So...what's the plan?" Leon crossed his arms.

     "Again...kill them!" Anna snapped once again, the air filling with her hopeless hissing. 

     This time, only one of the Corviknight flew forward to attack the Lucario, and due to this, Gruta ran forward and clutched the metal bird with all four of his limbs. The bird struggled under his tight grip, but to no avail, they were reeled back and tossed across the front door.

     The remaining two Corviknight seemed to glare at the Delphox for any further commands.

     "Kill them! I swear to Arceus if you don't kill them right now I will!" Anna backed up further away from the crowd.

     A few seconds of silence and preparation before...

     The two last Corviknight flew in the opposite direction of the mansion, presumably retreating.

     "Where are you two cowards going? You're not done! You're not fucking done!" Anna cackled, her crooked grin staining her features. A deep shiver trampled across her spine before she glared at the crowd and silently paced outside the mansion. The Delphox sprinted aimlessly, screeching loosely at the top of her lungs. Her screaming grew fainter until...

      It was gone.

     "Is he alright?" Leon approached the other Lucario. 

     "He'll be fine..." Aubra reassured. "I-I'll heal him..." The Absol smiled politely, aiming her head-blade near Hydra's chest. A gentle pink aura soothed the bleeding wounds rather quickly until they were unnoticeably gone.

     "How do you feel?" Leon wrapped an arm around the Lucario's back, allowing him to sit up.

     "I'm fine...I really appreciate it..." Hydra heaved a relieved sigh. "I appreciate you all..."

     "Anytime..." Lancer smiled. "Even though I...didn't help much..." He scratched the back of his head nervously, earning a gentle chuckle from the tall Lucario.

     "Are my sisters safe?" Hydra tilted his head. 

     From the crowd came two Braixen on the brink of tears. Sam and Sammy both wrapped their arms around the tall Lucario, holding him tightly.

     "D-Don't you dare scare me like that..." Sam shuddered.

     "Wait...so you guys pretended to be serious and not care?" Galant gently placed his blade against his chin.

     "Yeah...otherwise she would have used that against us..." Sammy wiped her eyes.

     "That's...smart...I will say." Alice grinned, leaning her head against Loki's waist. "I wouldn't have thought about that. I would've just cried like a baby."

     "It was hard not to cry, I will say..." Sam slowly let go of Hydra, along with Sammy.

     After not seeing their brother and mother for years—and only because the killing game cycle was ended—the two Braixen sisters had quite the experience.

     However, it's a bad and good reunition. It's always the littlest of good things one should appreciate, no matter how overwhelming the bad could be...

     "Hydra...to answer your question..." Sammy turned to the tall Lucario and smiled. "I did miss you..."