They of the Sun

Chapter Thirty-Two: Through His Eyes

gladion

     "Silvally, Protect!" He's on edge, the way his mane ruffled and his attacks became sharper than before. Our breathing was in sync. I never imagined I'd have to come back here. 

     Aether Paradise. It was anything but what the name suggested. None of the Alolan people could tell you that, though. Day in and day out, visitors came to check out the Conservation Area where they held seminars to teach young kids and Trainers about Pokemon. A fun little vacation to take their kids on. None of them knew what went on in the sterile, white-walled Labs. Creatures that were no longer viable to be thrown back out into the wild or to be used in battle were... I flinched at the thought. I had lived here. I hated being here. 

     Stupid. 

     "This test is for Cyra and Cyra alone."  

     Stupid Nanu.  Lillie was in trouble and we had no time to waste, but they wanted to play their stupid Trial games. While the Tapu had chosen her... her battle strategy was unpredictable. I guess it was fitting. There wasn't much hope in me for her to get it over with easily against the Kahuna and a Captain. I had never expected her to leave the safety of the Trainer's realm to join along Guzma and Plumeria. Not in a thousand years of a Jirachi's slumber. It was in the past now. Done and over with. 

     "Flash Cannon!"

     As we ran through the dock, I'd cover my face when Silvally would pause to charge an attack aimed towards Lusamine's lackeys in their uncomfortably white uniforms. Each the same as the last. At one point in time they had served as protection to me and my sister. They played with us, taught us with Faba and Wicke. Now I couldn't tell who was who; it made me feel better as they and their partners were knocked out. I knew they recognized me, the way their eyes went from fuzzy confusion to the shock of recognition.

     There was a loud rumble ahead of us, several grunts blocking the path to the elevator. I halted to stare at the two boys challenging them. Last I had seen of them was in Ula'Ula meadow as the dark-haired one handed me a beaten up Trial Charm, the glass shimmered softly in the foggy flower field. Yellow seemed to match the fight in her eyes. 

      "Tell her... She left this.Even if she doesn't see it, we're her friends... I believe in her." 

      "Your faith is misplaced."

      "Incineroar! Clear them out!" 

      Flames sent the Aether grunts scrambling towards the safety of the boats and water. I watched as the two high-fived happily with one another while a Primarina set out the fire. It seemed like I was intruding on something... Lillie mattered more and I could save these idiots the time. We were here for the same reasons.

      "Hey!" 

     Their expressions were the same as the grunts when they turned to face me. Except instead of  disbelief, Hau smiled as he shouted my name, "Gladion!" 

      "Boy, are we glad to see you!" Hau said. "We have no clue how to work this thing! And the grunts keep coming."

     Sen stared down at the module on the open elevator platform, biting his lip in thought. His eyes, darker than the depths of the ocean around us, raised to meet mine as I approached. They asked the question before his mouth.

      "Cyra?"

      I shrugged my shoulders- for some reason I didn't want to see the disappointment on either of their faces- putting my access code into the system without a thought except of where to look. Mother was usually tied up with her experiments, overlooking the scientists. She didn't give a Rattata's ass about the Conservation Area. I was confident Wicke wouldn't have erased my access. She was the one who had helped me slip away with Silvally two years ago after all, unbeknownst to the rest of Aether. Except... 

     Welcome, Master Gladion. 

      "I don't know."

     "Wait?! Master Gladion?" 

     "I'd rather not talk about it." Having to say I abandoned Lillie and my mother, no matter how out of touch with reality she's become, was a disgrace. I have my reasons they would never understand. Silence filled the darkness of the elevator shaft. A light would flicker across our faces every so often.

     "I really hoped," Sen said softly, "she would come."

     "I already told you," I sighed. "You're looking for hope in an empty place."

     Another pause. 

     "I believe in her!" Hau stated, a wink of smile on his lips was visible when the light passed by. "My grandfather knows to trust the Tapu in their choices... I want to follow in his footsteps. I trust Tapu Koko." 

     I kept my mouth shut. Who was I to ruin someone's childish fantasy? They hadn't seen the world through my eyes. He could follow in the footsteps but even then, he wasn't guaranteed the position. The Tapu were fickle. And most likely self-serving. 

     Glaring light hit us in the face as the platform jostled into its place in the underground labs. Silvally growled at the figure approaching us. Guilt was a part of my conscience as this was probably terrifying for him to be here. I put my hand on his head to comfort him. Their weapon would backfire on them as he was no longer restrained. I was no longer a scared kid, trying to run away to solve my problems. We've grown.

     "Well, looky here," Faba's voice still made me want to deck the ever-living shit out of him. And the shifty little Hypno at his side. "It's the little thief. Like sister, like brother. Come back to return what you've stolen, child?" 

     "Actually, I'm coming to get the rest," I smirked, signaling for Silvally to step forward. Faba's smug look fell into anger as he saw his own creation standing before him. I thrived on the jealousy of knowing I could accomplish something he couldn't. 

    "The Arceus Seal!" he growled, narrowing his eyes. "How could a little brat like you ever release Type: Full's potential?"

     "Something you'll never have," I stated, not breaking eye contact with him. I've known Faba since I was little; he'd back down at any sign of a real challenge. He was still the same coward he's always been. "Strength."   

     The discomfort grew on his face as he weighed his options. He loved the research almost as much as Lusamine did. It didn't matter to me what his choice was. He was still in my way. 

    "Silvally!" I commanded his attention, "Thunder Fang!"

     My partner wasted no time as crackling electricity gathered in his maw, ready to strike at the old goon in a heartbeat. Faba wouldn't even have the chance to command his Hypno. The panic in behind his disgusting green glasses was refreshing; for the last two years I'd received nothing but looks of annoyance from lowly Skull grunts and the weird wide-eyed, determined stare from Cyra. Like she was ready to bite my head off. Sometimes I wish she would. Who cares. 

     I raised my hand just as Faba raised both, one holding a disc of many colors. "W-wait! I.. I have something you need. You're after strength? This"- he flashed the disc towards me-  "will help Type: Full be what it was always meant to be." 

     "It's Silvally," I stated sharply. He had my interest. But there was no way, he was being spared. Sparks from Silvally's maw kept the silence at bay. "I guess I'll have to take that, too." 

      "Gladion, wait!" 

     Sen's cry was too late as I had already snapped my fingers; Silvally pouncing forward. I didn't have to say anything to let the Pokemon know it was only intimidation. I trusted him to know. Faba dropped the disc in a feeble attempt to protect himself. Adrenaline moved my body as I rushed to grab the dropped item, continuing on past towards the labs ahead. Knowingly, Silvally skidded to a stop, putting himself between Faba and I. The fury in the old man's eyes was priceless; I'd give anything for a picture. My childhood had consisted of his know-it-all sneers. This expression suit him better. "C'mon, guys. Let him get his back up." 

     Sen and Hau looked at one another as if to confirm with one another it was alright. I wonder if this is how she had felt? An outsider, peeking in through their own eyes. I turned away to continue on with or without them. I disliked to admit I understood her reasoning for her actions. It's not any of my business, though. 

     "Just you wait, brat!" Faba spat, "you have no idea what you're up against." 

     I scoffed at his empty threat, but the worry lingered in the back of mind. I doubt Lusamine has gotten that far. 

---

      "Soo, what do you plan on doing with those?" Hau inquired about the PokeBalls I held in my hands. Silvally gave them a curious sniff, seemingly asking the same question. They were the other two I couldn't get my hands on two years ago. Created right along side him, went through the same experiments. They have been trapped here for too long. I tilted my head before shrugging and tucking them away with the rest of my team. 

     "I can't release them and I can't keep them," I said, "I'm not really sure."

     "And Lusamine had them created?" 

    "Something like that," I said without much thought to continue the conversation. The ride back up to the ground floor felt much longer than the one down. I could hear the far off rumble of thunder even below the surface of the ocean. It left me with time to sit in my mind. The thought had looped through of what I could possibly say to Lillie. How could I look her in the face and say tell her 'Sorry, sis. I ran off to protect you.'

     How dumb did that sound?

    I twisted the ends of my uneven bangs. I should have stayed, instead of letting her suffer in the hands of our mother alone for two years. Although, she did manage to take the Cosmog Lusamine had guarded to perfection. She kept herself hidden for months. How much did she need me now? If it all? 

     "We've got trouble," Sen whispered as the platform stopped. Standing in a line was an odd barrage of Aether employees in their crisp uniforms and between each one stood smirking lackeys with a rainbow R emblazoned onto their stark black clothing. I did not recognize them in the slightest. 

     "And make it double," Hau mumbled as his smile tensed. "Holy Milktank, there's a lot of them."

     Glancing down to Silvally, I nodded, reaching for another Pokemon. "We can take them."

    "No," Hau grabbed at my arm directing my line of vision past the ones in front of our eyes. The whole of the building was salt and peppered by the grunts. The door to the place I used to call home seemed to zoom further away. Faba's gargled laugh filled the room from the intercom. 

     "I warned you, young Master Gladion," I could tell the blasted bastard was beyond pleased with himself, "This isn't even the full extent of what I have up my sleeve."

     "Like you run the show," I yelled, frustration egging me on. "I'll take every one of these pathetic lowlifes down and then-"I turned to face where he stood in an overlook room, jabbing a finger in his direction as thunder rumbled again- "I'm coming for you!" 

     Before I could get one foot in front of the other, two hands landed on each of my shoulders. One was too big and rough to be Hau's, the other too small and delicate to be Sen's. Neither had alerted negative attention from Silvally. 

     "Don't worry about that, kid," Guzma's voice was calm and assuring, he smiled down at me. The bags underneath his eyes were darker than ever. It didn't take away from the glimmer of hope in his typically bored expression. I furrowed my brows at him. "You've got better places to be."

    Behind us poured in the skeletal uniforms and clinking of faux silver chains that I had grown so accustomed to. Something had put a fire in their eyes, smug smirks splattered on even the shyest of them. They seemed even more out of place. There was relief in their presence.

     "So get a move on, numbskull," Plumeria said, with a tone of agitation, shoving me forward. Our fight had been left unfinished and I'm sure she had nothing kind to say... What had happened for her to leave Po Town with her makeup dripping down her face? I mimicked Sen's pointless question to them, wide-eyed at them being here. Her fight against a Trial Captain and a Kahuna couldn't have been done that fast. No way in the Distortion World!

    "Cyra?" 

    "Banette, Sneak them across!" Another, childish and less familiar voice rang out to cover mine. Again, I didn't have the chance to move as darkness stretched its chilling arms around us. I caught sight of sandled feet and a dress made of mismatched purple fabrics. Sen let out a gasp of surprise while Hau closed his eyes tightly, unsure of what was happening. Spat out into the bright light, we let out groans of pain. We were no longer inside the main building, but behind it in the stretch of a white rose garden leading to the place I had no interest entering. Not ever. 

    Lillie. 

    She was the only reason. 

    Promptly, I was aware of the pair of heeled shoes not far away. The heaviest of rocks descended into the pit of my stomach. The scent of the flowers was nauseating. I shut my eyes as I heard a voice that at one point had brought me comfort, love, and safety. 

     "My! How you have grown, Gladion." Lusamine said, her voice getting closer. "You definitely take on after me... Lillie is more of her father. It's been a long time since either of you have come home."

     I could break my teeth with how hard I wanted to clench them together. She was right there. After all these years, I figured I could hold myself together. Sharp nails dug into my jaw as she forced me to look directly into her eyes. Lillie would have looked away; I made sure she knew I wasn't into her Taurosshit games anymore, glaring into her eyes. The same vibrant green as mine. I hated it. I hated everything about this place. "But I figure out of my two children, you're not here to celebrate today with your dear mother."

     I could hear them shift uncomfortably behind me, unsure of what to do or if they should intervene. They hadn't connected the dots between Lillie, myself, and this bitch. I was shoved back to the ground as she backed away, throwing a venomous look over her shoulder. Reality began to alter as she walked away, breaking and reforming itself.

     "You won't stop me when I'm this close." 

     Various shades of purple rippled into existence before us, feline-like and bipedal. It hovered just a few inches above the ground. Its eyes glimmered like ice; colder than the peak of Lanakila. It exuded the same pressuring aura as Lunala had. 

    "What is that?" Sen breathed, wearily reaching for a Pokemon. I shook my head as Silvally put itself between it and us. The same blank glare sat between the two. For a brief second, sympathy seeped in. It was no natural occurrence... It had no control of that. It didn't last long as my heart joined my stomach in the deepest pits of my bowels. Psychic energy unlike any other surged through the air, charging around its body, causing the wind and dirt in the garden to shift and flow in controlled chaos. The Pokemon's eyes locked onto mine, sending the clear message. 

    It was not to be messed with alone. 

    A shock wave pushed us back, the attack releasing in a sharp blade of raging violets and blues, bending light around it as if it were the heat simmering up from hot pavement. Hau's hollering and Sen's late warning to move sounded as if they were beneath water, muffled and warbled in my ears. Almost as if thunder was ringing in my head. My voice called out for Silvally to raise a shield in desperation. This is the sort of panic I had felt as a child, worrying the sort of trouble I'd be in for what I had done. Except the stakes where much higher than a spanking. The years of training where all that kept me from curling down into the fetal position. 

     There was no remorse, zero hesitation in the creature's disposition.

    Through my eyes the world seemed to slow as ghostly lightning struck in front of us; thunder sounded as if it were a war cry. The psychic wave of energy rolled outwards and away into the never-ending expanse of ocean. A Decidueye unfurled it's wings with crackling energy as a figure rose up from the purple-hued portal opening from the ground. In the sky above a streak of lighting made its way to Melemele. Her hat was gone to reveal her short, disheveled locks. The golden spark of her fighting spirit drew in the attention; the very same that had called upon Tapu Koko. Her cares were outside of herself. 

      "I'm late," Cyra said with a well-placed devilish grin,"Sorry."