//------------------------------// // The fate of Vincent Nurem part 2 // Story: Building a Better World: Origins // by Cookie_Girl //------------------------------// “Ready, Heat?” Vincent asked the Combusken, Bit’s ball at the ready. “Anytime,” Heat grinned, fire already seeping out of his beak. Vincent tossed the ball upwards, releasing… Well, it wasn’t a Porygon2 anymore. Sometime between when he’d been told to fix himself and now, Bit had apparently been upgraded to a Porygon-Z. Or maybe this was how he was supposed to be? The program ticked a few times as he took in the surroundings before he spoke to himself. “Scenery suggests outside world, most likely that of Dendemille town...last known records indicate that Fox was breaking in before Delta Protocol 502 was enacted, transferring ownership of myself to-” The program cut itself off and turned around, seeing Vincent standing there with a smile on his face. “Hey Bit. Feeling better?” Bit slowly nodded before looking around again. “Is...this real?” he questioned. “Well, one way to find out,” Heat suggested, half joking as he raised a clawed arm. “One good punch will do,” he joked. Bit, however, didn’t take jokes well. His head rotated around quickly and focused on the unfamiliar, to him, ‘mon. “Combusken, fire/fighting type. Exploiting weakness. PSYBEAM!” “Bit!” Vincent cried out, but too late, as the multicolored beam of light had already been fired. “Oh boy…” the Combusken groaned, before he was blasted back. “I was kinda asking for that…” he groaned, his eyes swirly. “Bit, calm down! That was Heat, the partner of Detective Jonathan Trace, the man who’s looking after us now that we’re out of there. I asked him to be here in case you were...less than reasonable,” Vincent educated the program. Bit ticked a few times before his arms and head hung down. “Apologies, Heat. I...still seem to have a few ingrained protocols to being startled,” the program apologized. “It’s fine. Jon always did say I should watch it with some of my jokes. Well, I learned my lesson now,” he said, still a bit dizzy. “So Bit, are you...well, yourself again?” Vincent questioned. The Porygon-Z considered for a moment, before nodding. “I appear to have found and corrected a vast majority of the errors present in my systems,” he said. “I am willing and ready to serve, Vincent.” “Well, looks to me you got your third Pokemon, kid,” Heat chuckled as he finally shook off the dizziness. “So...is that it? Anything else?” “There is...much within my memory banks that should be shared,” Bit stated. “As well, there were some things that the Doctor deleted off of the mainframe, but not myself. I possess quite a few things that the world should know about, assuming he is behind bars now.” “Oh yeah, he should be this time. I mean, with all the defenses down and the guards immobilized, rounding up everyone in the facility was easy. Plus, we caught Nurem trying to activate some systems instead of running away….though Jonathan didn’t do the arrest,” Heat commented. “Well, he won’t be there for long. With his record, its only a matter of time before he’s...executed,” Heat sighed at the end. “Then it is all the more imperative that the data be shared,” Bit proclaimed, before turning his head around in an exact circle. “Looking for nearest terminal,” he said by way of explanation. “Why? I mean, wasn’t he a total nut case? Why would this make a difference?” Heat asked in surprise. “Data goes back sixteen years,” Bit stated. “The Doctor only became what he is known for after an accident a few years into his seclusion. I do not know what the information precisely is, but all sides of this story must be shared, as the copies on the mainframe were destroyed.” “...alright, we can show this to Jonathan. There is a police station in town too. Its small, but it can still connect with the mainframe,” Heat sighed, before they quickly went back into town. “Alright then, so I’ll see you tonight then. Glad to hear you’ve been finding artifacts that support your research...yeah, I’m doing fine. The kid can be a bit awkward at times, but he’s a strong one. He’ll be just fine. Later,” Jonathan chuckled as he switched off his Xtranceiver. Like he had thought, Alice WAS in Frost Cavern, but her research there was going off without a hitch, so she would be back later in the evening. At that moment, Heat suddenly came running into the room, followed by Vincent, and a Porygon-Z he assumed was Bit. “...something wrong?” Bit merely locked eyes on the nearby computer and floated over to it. “Beginning data transfer,” the program proclaimed, before images started to appear and vanish in rapid succession on the screen. “Once we determined he was fixed, Bit said he had to share some of the information he had, as the Doctor had deleted the copies on the mainframe, but not on him,” Vincent began. “...I don’t get it. What difference could more info on Nurem do?” Jonathan said blankly. With how deep Nurem had gotten himself in...only an idiot would defend him, and nothing short of infernal intervention could save him. “Well, apparently, it goes back to before I was born,” Vincent stated dryly, but perked up a bit afterwards. “And apparently he wasn’t always so bad, but seeing as how I don’t recall that, I’m taking what Bit’s said with a grain of salt...about the size of a desert.” “...okay. I don’t see what harm it could do,” Jonathan shrugged as he turned his attention to the computer. “Transfer complete,” Bit stated. “Beginning broadcast with first deleted record, sharing with all news outlets, and proceeding through deleted records sequentially.” “Wait, what?” Jonathan gasped, before looking at the screen. True enough, the data was being broadcasted. “...I am going to be in soooo much trouble if they find out…” Jonathan groaned. Vincent, out of curiosity, turned the TV in the room on. While the news networks were still running with the story about the Doctor being apprehended, the anchor was suddenly called off the set. “...That’s...not good, I’m assuming,” the boy stated. “I just hope the data doesn’t cause a riot somehow…” Jonathan sighed in resignation. Eventually the anchor returned, just as Bit finished his broadcast. “Uh, this just in,” she said with a nervous smile. “New records from the Doctor paint him in a...well, different light.” “Oh boy...here comes the riot…” Jonathan groaned. A LOT of people were looking forward to the Doctor hanging when the news of his arrest came out. “Apparently,” the newslady said, “The start of his crimes wasn’t something we normally associate with his name. He wanted to save people, one person in particular. His own mother.” “Okay, yeah, real funny, Bit,” Vincent said with an eye-roll. “That’s not the man I know.” “This...we will be showing the recordings...similar to the ones that were received a day prior...but in a very different light,” the newslady was now speechless at what the videos contained. “...Bit, what did you show them?” Vincent questioned, now very serious. “The truth,” the Porygon-Z replied. “No matter how hard it may be to accept, I showed them nothing less or more than the truth.” “Question is, will they believe it? Humans aren’t saints. They’re not above blocking out the real truth to facilitate the truth they want to hear,” Jonathan sighed as the recordings began playing. “...That...that can’t be right,” Vincent whispered as the broadcast finished. “Hit by a stray attack from a Grumpig...lost sense of morality in process...greedy government spurring him on...scary part is it actually sounds legit,” Jonathan sighed as he looked out the window. True enough a small riot had broken out in the streets, people arguing over what they had just seen. “Unfortunately, all that’s done is made things harder on us. It was much easier when everyone thought he was an abomination…” “Easier for me, too,” Vincent said, shaking slightly in rage. “This...It can’t be...but Bit’s never lied before...just...ARGH!” the boy screamed. “Pillow?” Jonathan offered, giving the boy a pillow to scream into. Vincent grabbed the thing and proceeded to scream his lungs out for a good minute or so, before looking up and quirking his head at the human nearby. “Um...did you just say ‘poor kid’ or something like that?” he questioned. “Did I? I think I was too busy trying to wrap my head around this. Honestly, when Fox left us a trail to the facility, I would have grabbed her and kissed her for leading us there. Now…I suddenly feel like the bad guy.” Vincent opened his mouth to comment, but let out a cry of pain and grabbed his head. “Ow. Ow. Oh goodness OW.” He looked up and sighed. “Aspirin?” “I’ll call room service. How often does that happen?” Jonathan said, a worried look in his eyes as he reached for the phone. “Whenever I get really angry,” Vincent replied. “Usually right after I ask people if they said something I just heard too. So you didn’t say that?” That’s when something clicked in Jonathan’s mind. “No...I didn’t SAY it...but I was thinking it. Oh Arceus, I don’t know which is crazier. The fact he did it, or the fact it worked...to a certain extent.” Vincent was now scared as well. “Um. Okay, I’m just going to sit here until the world makes sense again,” he said, bracing himself on the bed. “That...might take a while…” “If ever. I think that operation did more than let you talk to Pokemon. You’ve got the same powers as them too. An Abra at least,” Jonathan sighed, as he ordered some aspirin from the front desk. “...I get the feeling this is going to be a thing that keeps happening, then,” Vincent said, shaking slightly. “I...may need a bottle to take with me, and…” With that, the stress of his tormentor having another side to him, along with the revelation of the true extent of his modifications, was too much for the boy. He passed out shortly afterwards. “Aaand he’s out...so...how much did you guys see or hear?” he asked as the Pokemon stepped into the room. “Enough. Dang, and it seemed so...easy till now,” Howl sighed. “Yeah...why can’t anything be straight forward?” Jonathan sighed, before he got a message. “...guess we won’t be seeing Alice till tomorrow. Looks like she’s found something else deeper in the cavern. Oh well, its better this way I suppose. Wouldn’t want her to get caught up in the riots.” Vincent slowly came to with a wicked headache, and saw a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water nearby. Thankful for whoever put it out, he popped the pills in his mouth and washed them down before pocketing the bottle. “Let’s hope they work fast,” the boy muttered, before he felt something small, furry, and most likely cute, impact his back. “Morning, Vinny!” Vincent couldn’t help himself, he smiled and turned around, grabbing his sister and plopping her in his lap. “And morning to you too, Lucy. What’d I miss?” “I dunno,” she pouted. “None of the grown-ups will tell me.” “Probably cause nothing happened after you woke up,” Echo commented fluttering across the room, right before a plate of warm food was placed next to Vincent. “You’re just in time for breakfast though,” he chuckled. “Ah!” Vincent said, smiling again and picking some of it up before glancing at Lucy. Almost as if on cue, she sat back and opened her mouth while giving off a pleading whine. Laughing, the boy fed both himself and his sister from the plate. “Well, looks like things have calmed down. So us getting out of the city shouldn’t be too hard,” Jonathan sighed. “Good thing Alice decided to come back now. Or else she would have been caught in the riots.” As if on cue, someone started knocking on the door. “Good morning!” came the cheerful voice of a young woman from the door. The knock caused the two siblings to tense up for a moment, before they breathed deeply and sighed. “We are never going to get used to that, are we?” Vincent questioned. Jonathan opened the door, and a young woman promptly pounced on him, causing him to stagger back. “Jonathan! Its been a while!” she laughed as Jonathan tried to maintain balance. “...It’s like she’s an older version of you,” Vincent said, looking between the arrival and Lucy. “Hey!” The Riolu said while crossing her arms and huffing. “I know you’re insulting one of us!” “Oh? Who is this?” the woman chuckled, before patting Lucy on the head, “And what an adorable Riolu!” she laughed. Lucy was startled by the sudden contact, as she’d had her back turned, and jumped right into Vincent’s chest. “Save me, Vinny!” she cried. Vincent merely stroked her back to calm her down while looking up at the woman who’d come in so suddenly. “Either you’re Alice,” Vincent deduced, “or there’s some other lady in his life that he knows well enough to get away with that.” “That’s me. Now that I think about it...you must be Vincent. I bet you’re much happier now that you got away from that horrible place,” Alice nodded, her voice becoming more subdued. “Sorry about that. I was just happy to see Jonathan again after so long. We’ve both just been very busy lately.” Lucy had slowly calmed down by the now calmer tone Alice was using and Vincent’s comforting strokes. She turned around and sat down in her brother’s lap, looking up at the lady who’d startled her. “Wow,” the Riolu commented. “She’s pretty.” “Right then, allow me to introduce you, this is Alice Maximilion. We’ve know each other for years now. And Alice, this is Vincent, and the Riolu is Lucy,” Jonathan introduced. “Its nice to meet you,” Alice nodded. “Likewise,” Vincent said in return. “I’m, um...sorry about yelling,” Lucy said bashfully. Alice just patted her head, having heard the embarrassed tone. “No worries.” Lucy let out a pleased murr at the sensation, even leaning into it a little. “So how bad is it out there thanks to Bit’s broadcast?” Vincent idly questioned Alice. “Could have been worse. People don’t really like hearing that people like Nurem had an actual reason. I have to admit, I nearly dropped an important artifact when I heard the news,” Alice recalled. “Do you think we could get out of here without an issue?” Vincent asked, before turning to look at the one who’d caused quite the upheaval yesterday. Bit was still hovering nearby, silent for the moment. “I don’t see why not. I mean, its not like you sent the data...right?” Alice said. “Not...me directly,” Vincent said, hedging his answer as Bit came out of sleep mode. “...we’ll still be okay as long as nobody blabs that your Porygon-Z is the one who sent that data,” Alice simply said. “Or as long as I don’t talk to anymon,” Vincent snarked while looking over at Jonathan. “As someone seems to think I need to stop doing.” Alice actually blinked...then suddenly she was right in Vincent’s face. “Big mistake, kid,” Jonathan snickered. “You can talk to Pokemon? Fascinating. That makes you the second known case...then maybe my theory was right…” she started to rattle on. Vincent started for a moment, then reached up with one hand and gently pushed on her body to get her to back off. “Talking to them isn’t hard, I’m sure you do it everyday. It’s understanding them that people seem to think is impossible,” Vincent clarified. “And...please don’t do that. I don’t react well to sudden scares.” Neither did Lucy, as she’d returned to hugging her brother over looking at the suddenly strange lady. Alice blinked when she realized what she was doing. “Ah...sorry about that. I tend to do that whenever I hear anything that deals with my research. I’m researching on human and Pokemon origins. Its not easy since most people don’t seem to like the idea that humans and Pokemon might have the same origin,” Alice apologized. “An...interesting idea,” Vincent said, though he didn’t take his eyes off of her. “I wish you the best of luck.” The boy looked over to the other human in the room for a second before looking back at Alice. “She always like this?” “For the last 5 years,” he snickered, earning a light glare from the woman. “...Promise me she won’t do anything?” Vincent asked of Jon again. “Don’t worry. She’s harmless,” Jonathan snickered again, this time it earned him a light smack to the back of the head. “I’m not that bad...am I?” Alice grumbled. “You are when you go into ‘researcher mode’,” Jonathan deadpanned. Lucy slowly unstuck herself from Vincent again, and Bit hovered a little closer to Vincent before nodding at him. “What is your wish, master Vincent?” the program asked. “Okay, first, cut it out with the title,” Vincent said with an eye-roll. “We’re getting you out of that mindset if it’s the last thing we do. And second...you didn’t attach your name to any of the data you broadcast, did you?” The program considered for a moment, before shaking his head in the negative. “I did not. Though I did not censor any information, neither did I think it necessary to take the credit for its reveal.” “Oh, that’ll make things easier on us, then,” Vincent replied, turning back to Jon and Alice. “Plan as I see it is get Bit registered to me, then on to Anistar, and try to limit exposure on the way. Sound good?” “I got a better idea. How about we get out of this town before anyone retraces the source, THEN we get you registered in Anistar. We can take the train anyway...unless you feel like going through several feet of snow,” Alice commented. Bit responded to Alice’s words, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to understand, but counting on Vincent to translate anyways. “In order to break the sequence I used to transmit the data and hide the source, one would require either a super-computer with an assistant not unlike myself, or a network of powerful computers,” Bit said. “Bit says we can take a few minutes,” Vincent translated. “If they ever break through whatever he did and find that it came from here, we’ll be long gone.” “Alright, if he’s sure. I suppose we can take some time,” Jonathan said. “In that case, let’s get you to the Pokemon Center and register Bit.” “There you go, all registered. Thank you for coming. We hope to see you again,” The Nurse Joy in charge of Dendemille Town said with a bow after they finished registering Bit’s Pokeball to Vincent. “My thanks,” Vincent replied, taking the ball back and nodding at the Nurse. He then turned to Alice and Jon and tilted his head. “Enjoying your passenger there, Alice?” Indeed, Lucy had gotten over her fear of the strange lady by riding on her shoulders on the way over. “Why yes, she’s quite light,” Alice chuckled. “And who could say no to such a cute little thing.” Vincent merely smiled and looked up at where Lucy was sitting. She responded by pointing one arm out and commanding Alice to mush again. “I think you’d best give her back, though...unless you’re going our way, of course,” the boy pointed out. “I am. I live in Anistar City, and most of my research data is there,” Alice said. “Ah,” Vincent said with a nod. “Well, you can hold on to her for a little longer then...or give her to one of the others to carry. Me and Sam had her all of yesterday.” “Sure. I don’t mind. She’s not exactly heavy,” Alice chuckled. “We should really get going. The train won’t wait for us,” Jonathan reminded, before recalling his Pokemon. “Oh yeah, that’s right. We’d better hurry,” Alice nodded. In response, Lucy jumped down, then hugged Vincent close, worming in under his jacket. The boy sighed and rolled his eyes, but proceeded anyways. “Just don’t nap in there,” he warned. “No promises. Really warm and snuggly in here,” the Riolu responded. Alice couldn’t help but chuckle at the display, it was really cute. Jonathan also chuckled in amusement, before they headed for the train station. “Enjoying the view?” Jonathan asked, as they rode on the train, going over the scenery. “It looks nice out there,” Vincent commented. “But at the same time, I can still feel the chill through this coat, so...I much prefer it in here, thanks.” “Yeah, it tends to get like that. Good thing they built this railway, or else we’d have to ride Mamoswines to get through,” Alice nodded. “I’m more concerned with proper clothing for me eating up what few funds I have,” the boy retorted. Lucy’s head poked up through the neck of the jacket once he was done talking, and she took in the scenery as well, with a soft sense of wonder. “Pretty...But cold out here,” she said, before ducking back in. “Well...you’ve got some strong Pokemon. One good way is of course…” Alice started. “They’re my family first,” Vincent interrupted. “And it’s going to take a while for me to be comfortable with the idea of sending them out into battle. If ever.” “Well...I can respect that...hey, if I’m not mistaken, wasn’t his mother looking for him?” Alice asked. “Yeah, but last anyone heard of her was in Kanto a couple of weeks ago. It might be a while before she gets back on the grid,” Jonathan nodded. “I see...I know, how about for the time being, if you need a job, you can be my assistant. I’m not asking much. I just need someone to help around my house when I’m doing my research,” she suggested. “Translation: She needs someone to help her make sense of the ocean of papers,” Jonathan snickered again. “Ah, well, nobody’s better at data processing than Bit, now that he’s...sane again,” Vincent said, absently fingering the Porygon-Z’s ball. “Might have to go over what he has in his systems with him one day…” “Its settled then! You’re hired!” Alice chuckled. “Well, more like Bit’s hired, I’m sure,” Vincent said with a laugh as well. “Still, thanks for the help, Miss Alice Maximilion.” “No problem,” Alice smiled, before kneeling down, and saying softly into his ear. “After all, I did say I’d help you sort things out. Especially now that there is plenty of fresh air.” Vincent did his best to control his errant emotions, but he still experienced a moment of surprise as the words struck a chord in his memory. His uncontrollable powers spiked then, gathering Alice’s surface thoughts. What he got was a flash of an image. Of a woman dressed in black with a cavalier hat and a cape. Fox. “We’ll talk more later,” she chuckled, before standing back up. “Glad to have you on the team,” Alice smiled. Vincent was about to say something before his headache hit as an aftereffect of using his power, and he groaned, holding one hand to his head while the other fumbled for the aspirin bottle. “Owww….they never get any easier,” the boy moaned. “Alice, quit messing with the poor kid,” Jonathan chided, before adding, “You okay kid? Don’t worry about what Alice said, she likes to tease people she likes,” he chuckled. “So...heard anything interesting from around here?” Vincent thought rapidly as the pain receded, before going with a vague truth. “Your friend is quite the interesting lady,” he said, not going into details. “I think I’m going to enjoy working with her.” “Yeah, she can be. Especially after you get past her quirks,” he chuckled, earning another playful jab on the shoulder from Alice. “Yes, well, I’m sure she’s going to learn a few things about me very quickly if she keeps it up,” Vincent said with a small smile of his own. After arriving in Anistar, the group separated for a bit, with Jonathan and his team going to the station first, while Alice brought Vincent and his family to her house. It was a sizeable house, but didn’t look all too interesting other than the fact that it was pretty big for someone who lived alone. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home,” she chuckled as they walked in, she then reached out and plucked at an almost invisible string, before plucking it in a sequence. “This is-” “-Interesting,” came two familiar voices as a pair of Spinarak descended from the ceiling. “Spinner, Charlotte,” Vincent said with a nod, passing Lucy off of his shoulders and to Sam’s. He’d let the Scyther out once they arrived in the town, and finally gotten tired of carrying her. “I thought as much, Alice...or would you prefer I use your other moniker?” “Alice is fine when I’m like this,” Alice smiled as she took off her reading glasses. “Now then, shall I give you the grand tour?” Sam blinked before looking at the Spinarak, then at Alice. “Vincent, is she?...” Vincent smiled as well. “Most likely. And while I’m not hiding my talent, I’d like to know if you already told your team. I’m starting to enjoy those faces of shock when they realize what I can do.” “They already figured it out two nights ago,” Alice simply said, as she took out a pokeball, and lightly tossed it, releasing her Liepard, Shade. “I was wondering when you were gonna find the kid, Alice,” she chuckled as she trotted up next to her. “So we’re taking visitors now?” came a mischievous voice as a Weavile, Rascal, jumped down. “Speaking of visitors, they’re already waiting,” he added. “Business?” Vincent questioned his host. “Family, actually,” she chuckled. “Though I wasn’t expecting them to come till later today. Guess mom and dad decided to come early.” “Ah, well, go on and see them,” Vincent urged her. “I’m sure your team is competent enough to show me around. They got me out, after all.” “Hey!” Shade and Rascal snorted. Though the need was quickly unnecessary. “So this is the boy you helped out?” came a voice from the stairs. Turning to the source of the voice, Vincent saw a middle aged couple. The man had short red hair that was slightly messy. His eyes were a light brown color, and he was dressed in what looked like a three piece suit with a dark blue vest and pants and a white shirt with a red tie. His expression was that of confidence and a hint of mischief. The woman on the other hand, had long brown hair that flowed straight down her back, and light blue eyes. She was dressed in a simple, but lovely blue dress with a white ribbon on the front. Her expression was that of a gentle and graceful woman. “So you’re Vincent Nurem. Congratulations on finally escaping,” the man said with a slight smile. “Now now, dear. Let’s not be rude. Its only fair we introduce ourselves. I’m Maria Maximilion, and this is my husband…” the woman started. “Ralph Maximilion,” the man smiled, before turning to Alice. “So, how does it feel to know you finally managed to help bring down old Rupert?” “Quite satisfying...though the recent news has made it a bit...bitter sweet,” Alice sighed at the end. Ralph smiled when he heard that. “You do our legacy proud, Alice,” he smiled. “And take comfort in knowing that at the very least, now he has a chance for some real help. Who knows, they might just be able to bring him back to his senses.” “Assuming he has any senses to come back to,” Vincent snarked, before continuing in a more serious tone. “And I suppose I have you two to thank as well. Alice didn’t learn the things she did to break me out on her own, I imagine. So...thanks.” “Anytime. Since our daughter has seen fit to tell you our secret, allow me to reintroduce myself,” Ralph chuckled, before doing a dramatic bow like someone on the stage. “Ralph Maximilion. The previous Phantom Thief Fox. Alice is both my daughter, apprentice, and as of five years ago, my successor.” “Then thank you,” Vincent reiterated. “Oh, and Bit?’ Bit beeped before speaking up. “Yes, Vincent?” “What do you recall before being forced to flee the server you were in?” The program ticked a few times as he went over the data. “The server was assaulted with various bugs and viruses, which I was in the middle of defeating. Then it was a bucket of water. Then it was an Ice B-” The program cut off as he took notice of Rascal, and two and two started to add up to four. Rascal for his part was whistling innocently, while pointing at Alice. “Traitor,” Alice snorted, much to her parents’ amusement. “I’ll give you three shots,” Vincent said. “Try not to damage their house too much.” In response, Bit’s eyes flickered red as he locked on to Rascal. “Signal beam loaded,” he stated. “Er...did I mention it was Alice’s idea to add the Ice Beam?” Rascal chuckled nervously...right before there was suddenly a Weavile shaped space in the air for a second as he ran screaming like a frightened little girl. Bit darted after him, the first beam already firing out of his beak, and Vincent merely laughed. “Oh, they’re going to get along great,” the boy stated. “I hope so. Then again, the insurance should cover it. Glad I took out insurance for ‘angry Pokemon’,” Alice scratched the back of her head, before wincing as the sound of something breaking could be heard. “So….about that tour?” “Like I said, I’ll walk with Spinner, Charlotte, and…” Vincent trailed off as he looked at the Liepard, not knowing her name. “Shade,” the Liepard supplied. “Spinner, Charlotte, and Shade. You can catch up with your parents, and if I run into Bit, I may or may not reign him in. It’s probably a good idea to let him get a similar Beam attack in on Rascal before too long,” the boy said. “Okay then, run along. Oh, and do try to keep Bit from doing any serious harm. Rascal can be annoying at times, but he’s still my friend. I like them when they’re not at Yveltal’s door…” Alice said, before she and her parents went upstairs. Vincent then turned to the three ‘mon Alice had left her with and nodded at them. “If you would?” he asked. “So, Alice. Was it just me, or did Vincent actually understand what Shade was saying?” Maria asked her daughter. “Yeah, he does. Apparently what Rupert did to him...gave him Pokemon abilities or something. So he’s kinda...a Pokemon/human hybrid now,” Alice explained...somewhat. “That’s possible? Is the boy okay? I know you say that humans might have been Pokemon at one point, but I doubt it would be healthy for a human to suddenly have Pokemon DNA put in them,” Ralph asked, honestly a little worried. “Well...Vincent seems okay...maybe I’ll ask Bit if Rupert did any other experiments like that. For all we know, he’s the only one,” Alice said, nodding in agreement. “Well, I do hope the boy is okay. Now then, enough about that. How have you been?” Maria said, before adding with a sly gleam in her eyes, “And how have things been between you and Jonathan?” “I’ve been fine, and…” Alice blushed at this point. “Jonathan and I are friends, mom. We’re not like that…” “Oh, but you will be,” Ralph chuckled, joining in on the teasing. “All you need is to get a bit closer. Maybe a nice dinner between the two of you,” he said, wiggly an eyebrow suggestively. “That’s right Alice. Besides, we want to see some grandkids sometime,” Maria chuckled, playfully nudging her daughter with her elbow. Alice just blushed in embarrassment. “So, how do you like our humble abode?” Shade asked as she led them out of the entertainment room. “It’s better than anything I’ve seen before,” Vincent said honestly, before he felt the wind Rascal generated as he ran by, and snagging Bit’s tail before the pursuit could continue. “Bit, report. How many beams have you fired?” The program whirred angrily, before calming down just a touch. “Two. I have yet to get a sufficient fix on that Weavile for the third to be risked.” “Ah,” Vincent said, releasing the program at that. “Carry on, then.” The Porygon-Z darted off again in search of Rascal. “He’ll be doing that for a while. Rascal has been through the same training as Alice...albeit not as long. He’s also very good at evading, so Bit might have to either go for area attacks, or go point blank,” Shade commented. “Yes, but Bit’s the one who taught me, so he’ll realize what I just said in about two seconds here, and-” With that, there was a crack of thunder as Bit unleashed Thunder Wave in an attempt to catch Rascal with paralysis. “-he’ll start trying to slow Rascal down,” Vincent finished with a small smile. “Hey! That was three shots!” Rascal shouted while paralyzed. Bit drew close to Rascal while Vincent elaborated to Shade. “Seeing as how I asked him how many beams he’d fired, not how many shots he had used, Bit took it to mean he’s only allowed to fire three Signal Beams, while everything else is fair game. Give him an inch, he’ll use it.” “Ah...gotcha,” Shade commented...right before the sound of pain was heard… “Agh! Foul! I call foul!!” Rascal shouted in between screams. “Account settled...we have exchanged Beam attacks. Might I recommend not doing anything like your previous assault on me again?” Bit’s slightly-angry tones made themselves known after Rascal was done complaining. “Fine fine! Just don’t get in our way, and we have nothing to worry about!” Rascal groaned. Vincent and his family had slowly settled into their new routine around the Maximilion house. For most of them, it wasn’t anything much more than cleaning or helping move things around...mostly moving for Sam, finding things for Lucy, and cleaning what he could reach for Vincent. Bit, however, nearly devoured Alice’s records in one day before presenting her with a series of orderly binders that not only encompassed, but also cross-referenced her research where applicable. The system he used showed her where she was on to something and where she’d gotten a bit too far off the rails. When she saw what he had done, the woman had literally grabbed the Porygon and kissed him on the...beak...mouth...thing, while squeezing the life out of him. It literally took a crowbar to pry the girl off of him. “Enjoy your first kiss, Bit?” Sam snarked. “This unit does not have a mouth to kiss with,” he replied as his pink portions slowly grew even brighter. “Nor a gender, technically speaking.” “Excuse Alice. She was just so happy when you showed her what you did. You just jump started her research by months if not a year,” Shade nodded. “This unit merely followed one of the primary directives: repair and organize all data. Where would you like the digital copy stored within my memory?” Bit questioned while tilting his disconnected head. “Wait. You did what?” Alice blinked when she heard that. “All data is easily transcribed to a digital medium through me,” Bit said. Fortunately, Vincent translated. “Once he was done organizing your files, he probably had a set in his memory just from looking at them, so he did the same thing all over again...or maybe he organized both at once? Point is, your research exists here,” the boy tapped the binders, before tapping Bit’s body. “And here. Just tell him where you want the digital version.” “....” Alice didn’t say a word...before Vincent and Bit suddenly found themselves in a bone crushing hug. “Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you!” the girl said. “If there is anything you want, anything at all, just let me know, and I’ll get it for you. Heck, I’m so happy right now, if you asked me to go catch Arceus, I’d do it!” Bit ticked as he pondered the question, while Vincent had a response ready. “Air!” he gasped, not liking the feeling of his trachea collapsing under her onslaught. Alice let him go instantly. “Sorry.” Vincent coughed a few times before waving her off. “Not...a problem. Just gimmie...a moment.” Bit finally dinged as he came up with something. “This unit would appreciate a terminal for its own use. Mostly for self-maintenance, but also so it can communicate without needing to use Vincent’s unique abilities.” “Bit wants a computer of his own,” Vincent relayed. “I’d get him a Supercomputer, custom made if he wants,” Alice grinned. “The amount of attention that would draw would be most unwise,” the Porygon-Z stated. “However, a high-end model would not go amiss.” “The best would draw too many eyes,” the boy said, slowly picking himself up. “Second-best at best if you really want to repay him and stay off the radar.” “...Shade, I’m going out. Please have them re-file my data today, and please make sure the artifacts are all stored properly,” Alice said, as she grabbed her wallet. She was out the door before they could respond. “...well, its been a while since I’ve seen Alice so happy,” Shade chuckled in amusement. “Bit just did what he does when he sees disorderly data,” Vincent commented before placing the binders on a desk. “Yeah well, Alice hasn’t exactly been having a good time with the scientific community, despite the evidence she’s unearthed,” Shade sighed. Bit ticked a few times as the others put the information away. “Legend states that Mew is the mother of all life, human and Pokemon alike...logic would state that one need only find said Legendary and ask.” “Not so simple. Alice doesn’t really want to bother the Legendaries...not after what humans did to them…” Shade sighed, remembering the artifact that had spurred Alice on so much to prove her theory. Bit went over the recently acquired records he’d been supplied with and actually winced. “A fair point,” he conceded. “Still, at least now she knows where to look in greater detail.” “Yeah. Alice really hopes that if her data is accepted by the scientific community...maybe, just maybe...the world can go back to how it was supposed to be…” Shade sighed as she shook her head. “But then again…that would require freeing Arceus and all the sealed Legendaries. Not to mention the question of whether or not they held a grudge. Its...complicated.” Vincent gave the Liepard a deadpan stare. “Well golly gee, who do you think might be able to understand his point of view out of the ones here? Granted, none of us were held for nearly as long as he’s supposedly been, but I wouldn’t blame him if he did have a chip on his shoulder about humans!” “And that’s why Alice is hesitant sometimes. She wants to help make the world a better place...not bring an angry God down on our heads,” the Liepard deadpanned. “Well the first step would be getting him out,” Vincent commented. “Step two would probably be leave your Pokeballs at home. Don’t need to give him any wrong impressions about why you want him out of his prison.” “Yeah well, to start with, we’d need to find the keys. And unfortunately, those have been missing for some time now. The irony is that previous Foxes have gotten their hands on the Plates, but never kept them,” Shade sighed. “...Why not?” Lucy questioned. “Yeah, something that’s a key to the prison of Arceus sounds like something you’d want to hold onto,” Sam tacked on. “Fox never keeps what they steal. As for why they’re missing...follow me,” Shade said as she walked into another room. Fiddling with a book case, she revealed a hidden room. “Alice has been getting some data on that lately. Its all inside,” she said as she walked in, followed by the Nurems. When they got into the room, they noticed that it was covered in papers and articles. What really caught their eyes was some scribbles Alice had left, saying something about ‘Team Eternity’. “...Oh...kay,” Sam said, reading the articles with a critical eye. “Up!” Lucy demanded, and Sam sighed before putting her on his shoulders. “The point of all this eludes me,” Vincent said, looking at the collection. “Mind summarizing?” “There have been some rumors circling in the underground lately, about a team calling themselves Team Eternity. Alice has been doing some research on them in secret. She found something a little troubling. It seems unlike other evil Teams, they don’t want to use the legendaries. Rather, they want to seal them away PERMANENTLY if possible. Alice is pretty sure that they are remnants of the old civilization, likely descendants of the same humans who sealed away the Legendaries the first time. We believe they’re the ones responsible for the recent disappearance of the Elemental Plates from the grid...or at least any attempts to find them,” Shade explained. “...So they would seal away all the Legendaries...to what end?” Vincent asked in a slightly subdued voice. “Why, to prevent any chances of the world changing of course. The original perpetrators of the seal didn’t have any ‘noble’ intentions...as far as Alice has managed to find, their real motive was NOT to ‘free humanity from the tyranny of the Legendaries’. They just didn’t want anyone stopping them from doing as they please. Why do you think Pokemon are now so...well...slaves isn’t the right word for it for the majority of the world...but they certainly aren’t treated equal to humans,” Shade explained again. “You seem to forget my family,” Vincent said, taking Lucy off of Sam’s shoulders and hugging her close. “I treat them as my equals, because in my eyes, they are.” “I meant in general. The laws governing the world nowadays don’t see Pokemon as being equal to humans. Heck, some of them seem to think Pokemon aren’t capable of making their own decisions with how trainers are blamed for anything and everything, with said Pokemon usually being taken away for...training or something,” Shade sighed. “Then what we really need,” Vincent said, his mind whirling, “Is to raise people who can understand ‘mon like I do, who treat them like I do, without the price tag my views had...and get them into positions where they can make a difference. Legends are nice to think about and all, but anything worth fighting for, you should fight for, not rely on a Legend to change for you.” “What do you think Alice is trying to do? She’s not just chasing after Legends. Heck, if she can help it, she doesn’t want to rely on the Legendaries. She wants people to understand how things once were and present proof that the legends were real. By raising that awareness, she hopes that maybe, just maybe, the world will slowly change. She even has wills ready just in case something happens to her. Especially now…” Shade sighed. “Yes, well, let us try to make sure nothing does,” Vincent said as he cast another look around. “After all, she’s the first one to have shown us such kindness, so we have a vested interest in her well-being.” Shade nodded...before an idea hit her. “And you can. Bit, once Alice comes back with the computer, could you scour for data. Anything and everything you find on Team Eternity will be helpful. Heck, if you can, a few viruses set loose on any of their servers if you find any couldn’t hurt. As it is now, with what you’ve done, Alice will be able to get conclusive data more easily...but when she does, she may come into their cross hairs assuming they’ll try and stop her.” Bit thought about it for a moment before nodding his head. “I can try. I make no promises that I will be successful, but I will at least try.” “That’s all I ask,” Shade nodded. A few days later, Alice was idly reading the paper while on break, while Vincent happened to be reading a book nearby. However, when he looked towards her, he noticed a mischievous grin on her face, before she plopped the paper down and promptly got up. Upon reading the cover story, it appeared that some sort of rare meteorite was on display in the nearby museum. Thinking nothing more about the subject, Vincent shrugged and returned to his book. Later though, that changed when Vincent sat down to watch the evening news with his family. At first, it was a normal news report, when suddenly there was an interruption. “We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special report. This just in, there has been another notice from the infamous Phantom Thief Fox, this time to the Anistar Museum,” the anchorman said, before a copy of the note was shown. ‘The Meteorite will be mine. Phantom Thief Fox’ was what was written on it. “Police have issued a citywide alert, as they prepare to protect the meteorite. Local officer, Detective Jonathan Trace had this to say,” the newscaster said as the screen changed to show Jonathan surrounded by reporters. “As of currently, we are checking for any and all possible infiltration routes throughout the museum. Ideally we would have liked for visitors to not come until after Fox’s latest escapade, but unfortunately, the museum management has insisted that visitors still be allowed as normal. As such we will simply have to adapt,” he sighed. Vincent put two and two together remarkably fast, and got up from his seat to go find Alice. Meanwhile, Alice was down in her secret room under a different section of the house, pulling on her costume, having just stepped out of the shower, her hair now red from the special dye she used to make her hair like that of a natural red head. However, just as she was about to put on her cape, Vincent came running in. “Something wrong, Vinny?” she chuckled. “You’re going out,” he stated bluntly. “Why? You don’t need to steal something like that meteorite.” “Vincent, I don’t need to steal any of the things I did,” Alice said. “Besides, I haven’t gone out for a while. Can’t let the police get complacent,” she chuckled. “So you do this so they can sharpen their skills?” Vincent asked with a soft snort and an eye-roll. “Why do I get the feeling there’s more to it than that?” “Right now? Not really. But in the long run? Definitely. Anyway, you know how the police tend to be a little...slow, right?” she started. Vincent’s deadpan stare answered that question. “Well now, picture this. What would happen if they had to go up against someone who kept pushing them to their limits, while rubbing it in when they don’t succeed?” “You liken yourself to a virus and them the immune system. All in all, not the most flattering of comparisons,” the boy said with a chuckle. “I prefer to think myself an ‘immunization’,” Alice chuckled back, as she put on the rest of her Fox outfit. “But I think you get the point.” “Still, every heist you pull puts you in danger of them one day catching you,” Vincent pointed out. “And...I’d really rather they didn’t. You’re the one that saved us, after all.” “That’s just the risk I run as Fox. I knew that was a possibility since I first took up the title. But don’t worry,” Fox smiled, tipping her hat over. “I have no intention of making it easy for them.” “And I’m sure the Doctor had no intention of being found by anyone with a shred of moral fiber,” the boy retorted, before mellowing. “Just...take care out there?” “Always. And Vincent, know this. No matter what you do, risk is always going to be a part of life. You can’t be afraid to take a gamble when you have to. The only difference is I just happen to take bigger ones more often. But...I have no regrets of becoming Fox. Now you sit tight. I’ll be back later tonight,” she smiled, ruffling his hair, before she turned to leave. Vincent looked at Fox’s team, who had just about left as well, and said one thing to them. “Please take care of her.” “With our lives,” they all nodded. With that, the Fox was out to strike again, and Vincent sighed. He’d just about made a difficult choice...and now he would have to go see Bit. It only took him five minutes to get to the room with his new terminal, and Vincent sat himself in front of it. “Hello Vincent. What do you desire to do?” Bit’s voice called the boy out of his contemplative state, and he asked a simple question of the program. “Are they still waiting?” The response took Bit a few seconds to deliver. “Yes, the court would still accept your words, should you choose to give them. They have yet to decide the doctor’s ultimate fate. There is...far too much for them to go over still.” A pause then, and Bit spoke up again. “You don’t have to do it, Vincent. It must be hard, but nobody would blame you if you kept silent.” “I would,” the boy fired back. “Bit...begin recording.” (the next morning) Once again, the headlines showed that Fox had done the impossible, and despite all the police’s attempts, had stolen the meteorite, only to return it again by morning. However, this time, she wasn’t the only one the news loved. “The news this morning,” the TV stated as Vincent turned it on, “Is full of crime...and possibly punishment? Last night, Phantom Thief Fox did the impossible again, stealing the Meteorite and returning it, but really boys and girls, by this point in time, we’ve come to expect that when Fox makes a promise, Fox keeps it. No, the thing nobody was expecting was little Vincent Nurem not only speaking up...but what he said as well.” Vincent’s voice came from the speakers then. “Despite everything he ever did, if Bit is right, then there used to be a man under that monster’s skin. I pray that you all will listen to my words...and let him live, for now.” The news anchor cut in at that point. “Yes, apparently, the boy says Doctor Rupert Nurem should live for the moment...though the why is interesting.” “Killing him would solve nothing. What would his death accomplish? Whereas if you can find a strong enough Psychic...you might be able to heal him, and then with his life, he might be able to do something, anything, to make up for all the blood on his hands...though at this point, he’s really drowning in the stuff.” Vincent walked off then, heading to the kitchen, as the story finished, at least for the moment. “The boy who survived the Doctor pleads for his survival. We’ll go over what he said and the meaning behind it later, and we’ll call on a few psychology experts to see if he means what he’s saying.” They finished their little snippet with one final quote. “I do this not because it is easy...believe me, the easiest thing would be to be quiet and let him die, and I almost want to. I do it...because someone has to.” “You’re a better man than any of us thought, Vincent,” came Alice’s voice as she stepped into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. “Yes, well, one of my conditions on letting him live was stated plainly just then,” Vincent replied, pouring himself a glass of milk. “The other is far later on than they showed. I mostly rambled a little bit, but the general gist is that he should be allowed to live if and only if they can find a Psychic that can restore his sanity.” “Fair enough. I’d have sent you to a doctor to get examined if you didn’t include that condition,” Alice nodded as she sipped her coffee. “The other one,” Bit said as he floated in, “Was that the Doctor not be allowed within fifty feet of him ever again, even if he should be healed. I have already filed the necessary restraining order in preparation.” “Fair enough. Though if he IS healed, it might not hurt to at least try to reconnect...however little,” Alice sighed. “No,” Vincent emphasized with a shake of his head. “Even if he were to be returned to normal, just the sight of him...it would most likely trigger far too many memories.” “I understand. Can’t say I’m happy to hear that, but I understand,” Alice nodded. “So your heist last night was a success, I hear,” the boy said, changing tracks with all the subtlety of a train crash. “Yep. Just like always. They even had an electrified cage to stop me from getting in AND an array of laser tripwires, but I got around it. Used one of my inflating dummies. Dropped it and let it expand over the cage. As usual, only Jonathan realized I was about to dupe them, but his men aren’t exactly smart. One of them opened the cage while several tried to dogpile the dummy. Locking them back in it was REALLY easy. The challenge was outrunning Jonathan. He and his team have gotten better,” she chuckled, looking like someone who had just enjoyed a roller coaster. “At least you enjoy what you do,” Vincent said with a smile, before sighing himself. “Now if only I had an idea as to where I should go from here…” “Well...there’s lots of things. Its a big world out there. You could travel to the other regions. After all, I go to other regions all the time on my business trips. Next time you can come with me,” she suggested. “That sounds good,” Vincent said idly, “But I can’t be dependant on you forever, Alice. And the one avenue that’s open to me for earning money at this time is also the one I really don’t want to use.” “Well...technically you’re my assistant. And as for work...you could always be a counselor. I mean with what you’ve been through, maybe you can help other people with their traumas,” Alice suggested. “Or you could also work to be a researcher. I’m sure your talent would be useful.” “Call us what we are,” Vincent said with his eyes half-lidded in irritation. “Sam, Lucy, and myself are the most ineffective trio of maids ever. Bit’s the real assistant. Just because I hold his ball doesn’t make his accomplishments mine.” “Well, you get the job done. My stuff is in order, and the house is clean. Sounds like a good job to me,” Alice shrugged. “And if you were anyone else, would you have hired us, much less put up with us?” the boy asked. “I swear, I don’t know how you can just shrug off Sam’s accidents, but at least they’re not as often as they used to be. Factor in Lucy’s energy, though, and her love of heights, and...” “Alright Vincent, I get it,” Alice sighed. “Yes, you’re right. If you all had been anyone who didn’t REALLY need it, I would have looked for more help. But you’re not. The world may be cruel at times, but that doesn’t mean I have to be. Look, I’m not pushing or asking anything. I’m just here so you know that you’ve always got a shoulder to lean on if you need one. Ask Jonathan too, he’s also trying to be there for you too, despite how busy he is.” “Fair enough, and speaking of him,” Vincent said, draining his glass, “How long d’you think it’ll take for him to come looking for me, what with that little stunt I pulled last night?” “Well, seeing as its already about time for them to finish setting up...I’d say right about...now,” she said, and just as she did, the doorbell rang. “See?” “Your house,” the boy said with a smirk. “You can answer it. I have family to go rouse. If I don’t come back, send someone to pry Lucy off my face.” “You know, with how happy she’s been lately, I honestly don’t know why she hasn’t evolved yet,” Alice idly commented as she got up to walk to the door. Bit ticked as he considered the conundrum, before coming to a conclusion: Perhaps...she was only masking her trauma?... As Alice got to the door, she opened it, revealing, as expected, Jonathan standing in front of her. “Morning, Jonathan,” she said pleasantly. “Morning, Alice. Is Vincent here?” Jonathan smiled back. “He’s waking up Sam and Lucy. So if he’s not down in 5 minutes, Lucy probably latched on to him again,” Alice chuckled. “...how is that Riolu not a Lucario yet again?” Jonathan sighed. “I just asked that same question a few minutes ago,” Alice chuckled as she let Jonathan in. Sam walked downstairs and sniffed a few times before making a beeline for the coffee pot. “Mine mine mine mine MINE!” he said along the way. “It has been too long!” “...sometimes I think Sam died and came back a zombie. Only instead of brains, its coffee,” Jonathan deadpanned as the Scyther went straight for the coffee. “So...Vincent?” Both Scyther and Porygon-Z pointed upstairs with an appendage, as the boy’s voice drifted down. “Lucy, I am not a ladd- LUCY! Watch where you’re grabbing while you’re climbing up!” “...the usual?” Jonathan deadpanned. “The usual,” Alice sighed. Vincent came down the stairs, Lucy on his shoulders. Upon seeing the others, she let out a little cheer. “Hiya Alice, hiya mister Jon!” “Lucy says hi,” Vincent translated for her reflexively. “Hi, Lucy,” both of them answered back. “So...Jonathan, to what do I owe the pleasure this morning? I assume it has to do with work, since its not lunch yet,” Alice said. “Yeah...its about Vincent. Vincent and his testimony last night. The people at court want to deal with him further,” Jonathan sighed. “And why would that be?” Vincent questioned as he passed Lucy off to Sam. One really couldn’t look serious with a Riolu on their shoulders. “I said what I meant, and I meant what I said.” He crossed his arms over his chest while looking at the officer. “I was not raised to lie, much like Bit does not, Officer Trace.” “Yeah, but you sure like to dance around the truth,” Jonathan sighed. “Only when you aren’t specific in your questions,” the boy fired back. “However, since nobody forced me to give any testimony whatsoever, the only one doing the asking that night was me of myself, and the most important question I asked before I even began was simple. ‘Do I honestly believe in the words I’m about to say?’” He looked away at that before continuing. “Yes. I honestly believed in the words I said. From the easiest thing being saying nothing, to the hardest thing being my belief that he should be forced to live if he can be healed.” “Well, either way, I’ve been asked to bring you to the court. So that you can testify immediately,” Jonathan sighed. “We better hurry, before one of them blow their top and splatter your dad’s brain when they see you,” Alice called out. “That will be interesting, especially if they take into account the restraining order,” Bit commented. Vincent merely laughed as he considered the words, causing no end of confusion to the humans. They wanted to drag him into a court of law? He’d use their laws against them. “Lead on,” Vincent said, a smile not leaving his face. “Alice, can I trust you to take care of them while we’re out?” “No problem,” Alice smiled. “Well, let’s go,” Jonathan nodded. At the courthouse Vincent walked in and took a deep breath as he saw the man of his nightmares behind the desk of the defense. “Your honor,” he stated from his position near the doors with only a slight tremble to his voice, “Either that man or myself will have to leave, as I have a restraining order against him now.” Vincent pointed at the Doctor with a trembling hand. “I’d highly recommend that, your honor,” Jonathan nodded, putting a hand on Vincent’s shoulder while sending a death glare at the Doctor. “I don’t think Vincent will be able to think straight with...that thing in the room.” “Oh no, Jon, I can think straight. Straight back, but that’s not the point of me being here, I don’t think,” Vincent commented, still shaking a little in fear as he remembered the things he’d been through. “Rather, I think we’re here for something else entire, but I want to see if this court will even follow the law before they ask me to contribute.” “Oh, they will, Vincent. They will,” Jonathan reassured, before sending a quick glare towards the judge too for emphasis. “I’m sure we can all honor Vincent’s wishes. After all, he doesn’t NEED to testify.” “Very well,” the judge said. “Bailiff! Remove the accused for the duration of the testimony!” And with that, the Doctor was promptly seized and led out of the room. Vincent walked forward as Jon directed him to the center of the room, where the witness would testify. “Right, I’m here,” Vincent groused, still slightly shaky at having to confront him so early. “Don’t know why, I said everything I needed to last night.” “Its the procedure,” Jonathan sighed. “Watch your words,” Vincent shot at the detective. He of all people should know! “Sorry. No other way to say it,” Jonathan apologized, realizing his mistake. “Ahem. How about ‘it’s protocol?’” the boy snarked. “...fair enough,” he sighed. “Witness, please proceed,” the judge sighed. “With what?” Vincent said, turning and raising an eyebrow. “Saying more than I did last night? I don’t have a need to, and I meant everything I said. If you want me to clarify something, then clarify what you want me to clarify yourselves.” “Vincent…” Jonathan face palmed. “Clarify your testimony on the accused. Keep in mind that what you say may decide if he lives or dies today,” the judge said sternly, not liking the boy’s attitude. “I was pretty darn clear last night, but if you want me to use small words,” Vincent snarked before breathing deeply, seemingly gathering himself up. “I am going to admit, right now...and really, ever since I was freed from that room, that a part of me, a very, very large part of me, would like nothing more than to be his executioner.” Vincent paused for a second, to let his words sink in. “And really, considering all the lives ended in those labs of his, he does deserve it. I heard their screams and saw them die.” “Your testimony, witness,” the judge said, starting to get angry. “Yes, I am VERY aware of the body count. But we are not here today to discuss that.” “No, we’re here to prod the recovering trauma victim until he snaps, apparently,” Vincent fired off. “Let me talk at my own pace, or I will leave.” The judge glared, before nodding. “Very well, as long as you testify, that is acceptable.” Vincent nodded back and breathed deeply again. “But last night, I asked a friend of mine why they did something if it wasn’t easy and they didn’t have to. They painted a clearer picture for me: that it was necessary, even if it wasn’t easy. It made me realize that even if it would be easier for me to say nothing, I should speak up. That even if it would be easier to condemn him...I should speak up.” Vincent looked at the door where the Doctor had been led away and sighed. “Bit...doesn’t lie. He simply can’t,” Vincent supplied. “So those records, the ones stating that there once was a man under the monster? That’s what I want. I want them to be true again. If...if you can find a strong enough Psychic to undo the damage that was done...then I want Rupert returned from the depths of that madness. There may be a lot of blood on his hands...but killing him isn’t the answer.” “I see. And if I may, this...friend of yours…?” the judge inquired. “Oh, you all know her,” Vincent said with a smirk. “I ran into her last night not long after she issued her challenge. That’s why I asked her why she did what she did.” Jonathan, who had gotten a glass of water, promptly did a spit-take. “Wait, what? You saw Fox again?” “She seems to have taken a real shine to me for some reason,” Vincent mused. “And clearly, if you all failed to capture her, then yes, I find myself agreeing with her: your police do need sharpening until they can actually catch her.” “Can’t argue with him there…” Jonathan muttered under his breath, remembering last night’s fiasco. The judge on the other hand… “And you mean to say that you did nothing to stop her? One of the most wanted criminals in the world?” he glared. It was obvious that he did NOT like this boy. Vincent just glared back. “Let’s see, on my side you have me, a Scyther, a Riolu, and a Porygon-Z that doesn’t understand the meaning of the word ‘restraint’. All of us traumatized and only recently freed. And on her side? Who bloody knows! I’m sure if I had tried anything, she would have had a counter! Plus, let’s also consider that she saved me first. Fifteen years of hell, and she saved me. Where were you? Sitting here on your bench, I bet! You’re damn lucky I agreed to come in here!” The boy, apparently, returned the sentiment. “That is irrelevant. Fox is still a criminal and thus will be treated as such!” the judge thundered, while there was a murmur of agreement from the stands. “Furthermore, while your situation was...regrettable and unfortunate, we also had other things to deal with, and not just a man hunt for a single man. We had to deal with various other criminals, INCLUDING your supposed ‘savior’. And on top of that there were the issues of Pokephilia that kept on coming in,” the judge stated. Nobody noticed Jonathan face palm at that statement, which even he found was bull. “Your incompetence is nearly as criminal as her whole streak!” Vincent shouted back. “The only way his death toll got into the triple digits was if he was paying off local authorities, or if the governments started hiding him!” “You DARE suggest that the government had a hand in this? That we were actually HELPING that monster?!” the judge thundered, as a resounding chorus of angry agreement rose from the stands at the implication. “Let’s fucking ask! Subject sixteen, this is master Vincent! Are you within the court’s systems at this time like I asked you to be?” “Ah crap…”Jonathan groaned. Things were going to hell in an egg basket. There was a pause, and from the speakers, Bit’s mechanical tones rang out. “Indeed I am, Master Vincent. What do you desire?” “Are there any records of the government helping, funding, or aiding the Doctor in any way, shape, or form in your memory?” Vincent questioned aloud. “There are one hundred experiments located within my memory that can be traced back to one official or another,” the Porygon-Z replied. “More as I reconnect with the Internet and start backtracking the money and pictures from the facility. As well, it was an official that suggest the swamps for his lab, and a government-contracted construction crew built the original facility.” While Bit was droning on, Jonathan had switched on his Xtranceiver and made sure to patch it through to the local police force. This was going to get MESSY. “You dare sit there in your ivory tower and claim that you are either the paragon or the servant of the law, when the law has clearly been bent,” Vincent scowled up at the judge. “Do you want me to tell him to start naming names, or will you take it on faith?” The judge on the other hand was now white with anger at this...CHILD’S insolence. “Guards! Get this brat out of my sight!” he roared. Before they took more than two steps, Vincent looked to the ceiling. “Bit, defenses if you’d please!” The Program Pokemon leapt from one of the speakers and hovered over Vincent’s form, his eyes red and cross-haired. “Defenses on-line,” he stated, even though now only Vincent could understand him. “Gentlemen, I really wouldn’t,” Vincent said, idly examining his fingernails. “He’s not to be underestimated.” “Oookay, I think that’s quite enough,” Jonathan sighed, getting in between them. “Vincent, I’ll admit I’m both disappointed and proud of you at the same time. I would think you would know better than to cause a ruckus when we came here for a simple reason. On the other hand, nice work not letting them push you around,” he chuckled. “And as for all of you. I can’t believe you still aren’t accepting the truth when the proof is so glaring already,” he sighed. “They haven’t earned any of my trust yet, Jon, so I felt a trump card was in order. And really, Bit’s a trump card and a half,” Vincent replied, looking up at the Porygon-Z. “Gentlemen, if you want me to keep him from naming any names at all, or more likely, if your superiors do, then you’ll listen to me when I stated the Doctor’s terms for continuing to remain amongst the living.” “What are you doing, officer? Arrest the boy!” the judge growled. “Yeeaaah. I don’t think so. You see, when Bit started droning on, I made sure my Xtranceiver was on. Oh, and I made sure it was connected to every police station throughout the city. Meaning they should be here right about….now!” he stated, right before the doors were slammed open and a SWAT team poured in along with several normal officers. “So yeah, sorry to say, but gentlemen...you are all under arrest.” “Well,” Vincent said, blinking and smiling. “This is a happy turn of events.” “You CANNOT DO THIS to me!” the judge stated, getting up and practically roaring at the incursion into his courtroom. “I AM THE LAW!” “Sorry, but as far as I’m concerned, you stopped being the law when you started trying to deny proof. So yeah, see ya around,” Jonathan said, before he walked up, and cuffed the judge to the table. “...Still think I should trust the law, Jon?” Vincent asked as he pulled Bit down to be more level with himself. Jonathan shrugged. “Your choice kid. Me? I gotta still trust it. What would happen to the law without a few honest folk in it?” “Honest folk like Fox?” Vincent smirked as he turned to walk off. “Just like Bit, she hasn’t lied yet.” “And the sad part...sometimes I honestly trust her more to NOT stab me in the back than my own fellow officers,” Jonatan mentally groaned as he followed the boy out. “So...what happens to him now?” Vincent questioned as they hit the streets once more. “He’ll be put on trial. But with this evidence, odds are he’s not gonna get a ‘Not Guilty’ sentence,” Jonathan just sighed. “I’m fine with him being found guilty,” Vincent said. “But I also want him to live, be healed, and work off his blood debt to society. What the courts need to find is a strong enough Psychic that it becomes a thing that can actually happen, rather than an idle fantasy.” “Here’s hoping. Of course...if he IS ever returned to sanity, I’m kinda afraid that he might go nuts and try to kill himself out of guilt…” Jonathan mused. “It...makes sense, but let’s hope not,” Vincent said. “It’d be hard to find someone as skilled as him to fix the survivors that want to be.” “Good point. Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to those guys...the police in Laverre took them in, but I don’t know much after that,” Jonathan mused. “Let’s hope they kept track of them at least,” Vincent said. “And let’s hope we can find the escapees before they find us.” “...why do you say that?” Jonathan couldn’t help but ask. To him, they seemed harmless enough back then. “Considering that very rarely if ever would they believe me about Bit, and that they all got past him running all the systems?” Vincent commented. “They’re out there in the world somewhere, and I hope we can find them.” “I’ll notify the rest of the police. Just in case,” Jonathan sighed. He liked the kid, but the trouble that came with him...he could do without. “Thank you. I’ll try and remember what they were in a moment…” Vincent closed his eyes and hummed. “A Gliscor...a Gabite...A Rotom...an Eelektrik...and a Sandshrew,” he finished. “Seems simple enough. Any of them we should look out for in particular...or rather, any of them we should call you for help?” “The Rotom should be easy enough to bring in,” Vincent said. “He was just exposed to a plan to make it far easier for him to slip through things...and it worked. The Sandshrew has really, really sharp claws...but she’s a chef, and had a trainer anyways. The Gabite has Kecleon in her, so she can go mostly invisible, the Eelektrik can make EMP’s happen, and the Gliscor…” Here the kid shuddered. “Ookay, I get the picture. Any and all of them, call you. Do they have names? Or even details on how they look?” “Well,” Vincent mused, thinking about the question. “Christine is the Gabite, and she’d be the most obvious one, as she also has a Kecleon’s patterning...but if you look at it too long or draw attention to it, she’ll likely get really mad. Tracy the Eelektrik tended to spark quite a bit, especially when she was practicing her talent. Specter won’t look too different as compared to a normal Rotom, but he did say he felt like he needed to possess the objects they left him...to hold himself together. Mary the Sandshrew is Shiny, but probably found her trainer again by now. And if you find Gregory the Gliscor, keep him away from me. Please.” “Okay, I’ll do what I can,” Jonathan nodded. “...And you may want to call in these guys as well when you find him,” Vincent said with a jerk of his head at the SWAT team leading the judge from earlier away. “That bad huh...:” “He was battle-hungry before...kinda reminds me of Heat, actually,” Vincent said with a small smile. “And then when all the treatments to make him better on nearly every level possible worked...well…” “Too well I’m guessing. Alright. Let’s go back. I’ll alert the rest of the force as soon as I can,” Jonathan sighed. “To be fair, had I the capacity to have warned you some years ago when he first broke out, I would have,” Vincent said honestly. “Oh, and Bit, you can resume normal operations.” The Porygon-Z’s eyes flickered back to being yellow and he stopped eyeing every passerby as a potential threat. He nodded at Vincent twice. “I am glad to have been of service, Vincent.” Jonathan just chuckled in amusement at their antics.