The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 53

Warning: This chapter is going to get graphic. And it'll also be a shorter chapter.
Friday, October 20th, 9:20 p.m.
Brimstone Pub (1st floor)

"So, how's she doing?" Wally asked Brendan as he finally came back downstairs.

"She's resting, albeit fitfully. Honestly, I'm more convinced she cried herself to sleep." Brendan sighed, clenching his fist as a gout of fire erupted from it. Fury rose in his chest and he spun around, punching the wall in frustration. "This is such bullshit! What the hell did she do that could justify all of this happening to her!? Why is she being forced to suffer all of this!?"

Everyone looked down, and Brendan didn't have to see their faces to know they all had similar questions on their mind.

"Well... at least there's a silver lining to all of this," Flannery said carefully. "I mean, c'mon, Harley couldn't have survived that, right?"

Ash's friends, and some of the Lieutenants all looked hopeful. Even the Patrons had slight looks of hope, though it was marred by skepticism. Blue, however, was staring straight at the Television, which was still playing the News.

"Hate to break it to you, but you might want to look at the TV right now," Blue hissed, pointing at the screen.

"-to tell, but unless my eyes are deceiving me, a man appears to be dragging himself out of the rubble. Our forces are moving in to assist this individual. He appears to be incredibly wounded a- wait, what's he-"

Everyone looked on in horror as Harley slashed the man open with a Shadow Claw attack. In seconds the military opened fire, but it was as though their bullets were useless, even though several did hit Harley. He then looked up and Brendan could swear he was looking directly at the camera. At them.

"-w-what-what-what's he doing now!? Is he.... Trying to wave at us!? Wait! Get us out-" Harley fired a Shadow Ball directly at the helicopter and the feed went dead. The news anchors were horrified, and completely silent. The attitude in the pub matched, though several people wound up emptying their stomachs or falling to their knees in fear. Others just stood, completely frozen as they tried to grasp what they saw. Suddenly he remembered Claire was down their with them.

"Oh shit, please don't let Claire have seen any of that!" He looked around desperately and saw Wally covering her eyes, and Giri plugging her ears. "Thank Arceus."

Friday, October 20th, 9:20 p.m.
The Hoenn Power Plant

"Ugh... My head..." Harley cursed, looking around in a daze. Everything was dark, but he could hear muffled sounds all around him. He blinked a few times, trying to process everything that had just happened. "I remember Drew... Betraying me... He must've finally understood that I had no plans of sparing Maple..."

The moment he said that name, he saw her in his vision, standing out in the pitch darkness. The more he stared at her, the more his rage grew. That damn smile. Those annoying blue eyes. He could practically hear her voice in his head and he clenched his fist and threw a punch her way. The vision dissipated, and his fist collided with some of the rubble of the Power Plant burying him.

"Damn her..." Harley snarled, feeling rage as his eyes glowed. He gathered up his Energy and clawed his way through the rubble, wincing as he saw the sunlight. The light and the sound of helicopter blades both made his head start pounding. He felt dizzy and nauseous, but he stayed on his feet. He became aware of the soldier heading his way.

"Easy buddy," the soldier said as he approached. "You'll be alright, we're gonna get you out of here and get you fixed up." The soldier approached him and put a hand on his shoulder. In an instant Harley slashed through the man's chest, sending blood spraying everywhere.