Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 76: Lasting Effect

Holly's Cinderace was discharged from hospital in a wheelchair. Its distant relative, Abbey's Cinderace, pushed it. April once broke its legs. It knew exactly how its friend felt. Gardevoir reached the hospital, where it received an urgent blood transfusion, moments before it bled to death. Its throat was stitched back together. It wouldn't be battling for a long time, if ever again.

A ward was filled with injured Shadow Pokémon. Lumir, Hop and Michael took it in shifts to help control them, but the doctors still struggled. As soon as the battered Pokémon regained energy, they attacked, no matter how much pain they were in.

The two Cinderace and their Trainers joined Alfie and Kazuki at Magnezone's bedside. Lyndon was helping Pierre retrieve data from Cipher's systems. All that remained recognisable about Magnezone was its eyes, but they almost weren't, because they were so painfully frightened.

Kazuki knew, deep down, it would be cruel to keep it alive. He still couldn't bear to tell the doctor he was ready to have it euthanised. Losing two Pokémon and his mother within two months was too much.

'Grandpa...'

Alfie tried to smile. 'Yeah?'

'I'll stay with Magnezone, obviously, but... is there any chance... you could... tell the doctor...? I can't... I can't do it...'

'Of course I will. Dad will come back if you need him, Kazuki.'

'No. I can't keep... sitting here... forever.'

He feebly reached for Magnezone's deformed magnets.

'I'm so sorry, buddy...'

As pained as Magnezone was, it was clear it didn't blame its Trainer. It was bittersweet when its fear faded to relief as Alfie stood to speak to the doctor. Tears spilled down Kazuki's cheeks. He didn't feel Holly squeeze his hand. He glanced up at Abbey. The previous year, her Meowstic was diagnosed with terminal cancer that left it in relentless, agonising pain. It took weeks for her to agree to euthanise it, but then she felt cruel, because she allowed it to suffer longer than it needed to.

'His eyes were just like that. But he didn't blame me. Magnezone doesn't blame you. They're just glad you're here.'

Kazuki held on to Magnezone until long after the life faded from its eyes. He wasn't the type to hold a dramatic funeral for his Pokémon. Clover left work early to drive him straight to the crematorium. The ashes were sealed in an urn beside Walrein's on the coffee table when Alfie, Abbey and Holly joined them at their apartment that evening.

Aiko and Yan checked in, but Kazuki told them to go away. Like Lyndon, he wasn't fond of big gatherings. Three relatives were plenty and they were expecting another guest. The distant Phenac Stadium's walls were taking on the sunset's deep orange when the knock came. Clover let Orvil in. He looked exhausted.

'I'm so sorry about–'

'No need to be polite,' Kazuki interrupted, 'I'm in a foul mood. Let's get on with it.'

'Well, I'm basically just here to ask if you want to press charges for Magnezone and Walrein.'

'Against Theta, yeah. She killed both of them.'

'And the Grand Master?'

Kazuki blinked. He looked baffled.

'Jamie?'

'Yes.'

'Why? Just because he was the Grand Master? Those chicks weren't there to work for him. They were there to kill him. And they might've done without...'

Kazuki hadn't considered it that way until he said it.

'My Pokémon's sacrifices.'

'I just have to check because, obviously, that situation wouldn't have existed without Jamie.'