CELESTIA

Chapter Twenty-Six The Art of Guilt

"Lucius, you have to challenge the gym leader now because it's getting late and the gym closes early today. I will watch over Celestia," Sophia told Lucius who was staring blankly at the corner of the room. Lucius sighed, he wanted to challenge the gym right then and leave the next day so that the police don't catch them when they arrive, or challenge the gym tomorrow and let the police find Celestia and capture her. It was a tough decision but Lucius knew he had to make the right choice.

"Yeah, you're right, Sophia," Lucius finally responded after a long while of silence. He took his pokémon and prepared to leave. "Take care of her, please."

"I will. Good luck, love," She gave him a warm embrace and a kiss before he left.

Meanwhile Prince lowered his head to touch against Celestia's. He remembered the first time they met on the boat, bumping into each other and he had to hold her head and cast Hypnosis just to calm her down from crying.

"If only I could do it just to make you feel better again," he whispered before planting a small kiss on her forehead. "Please wake up. Your big brothers and your master need you."

Entering the gym, Lucius was full of grief and fury at the same time. Only Fang fought through the gym's trainers since their attacks could do nothing against him. Lucius was brutal during his battles, only because of anger and battling was probably the best outlet for him. So far, Fang, too was merciless for he felt Lucius's grief. He could see it in his eyes which greatly affected his performance in battle.

The gym challenge continued without mercy. All the pokémon that the gym trainers threw at Lucius were all met with Fang's jaw power and strength. Lucius watched with a cold look in his expressionless face. He wasn't feeling any remorse, he never said anything before, during and after every battle he encountered. All he could feel was anger at himself for not being able to help Celestia and anger for Shadow for hurting her. So much for the promise Lucius made that he will make it up to Celestia.

A couple of hours later, Lucius returned to the Pokémon Center. His gym battle with Tate and Liza ended in but a blur. All he could remember was having Fang and Razor demolish their Solrock and Lunatone in a few turns, and the trembling twins handed Lucius the badge. Fury wasn't the answer to everything but for Lucius, it made everything easy.

"How's she doing?" Lucius asked.

"Still unresponsive," Sophia answered sadly. "Nurse Joy instructed us to just observe her while patiently waiting."

"Thank you, Sophia. Let's head back to the inn. There's a PC in our room and I can check on Celestia from there," Lucius said while holding Sophia's hand tightly. "I just hope she'll be alright."

"I'm very sure she will. Celestia is a very strong pokémon after all. Have faith like how she does with you in every battle you guys encounter," Sophia did her best to cheer him up as she prepared everything so Lucius and Sophia could retire in the inn.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," A small smile finally appeared in Lucius's face but it still wasn't enough. He can't get his mind off Celestia's condition.

"Sometimes I wonder how Celestia will be as a human," Sophia suddenly thought out loud. Hoping that by changing the subject, Lucius will feel less negative. "And how she'll look like..?"

"If Celestia were human," Lucius gave it some thought. "She would look beautiful and she would be sweet and would be happy to be around other people and.. Not living in torture or hiding anymore.." Sophia immediately embraced him.

"Don't worry. We have proof that Celestia is not the pokémon who she was before. She never was, in fact. We can defend her," Sophia said.

"Yeah. Thank you, Sophia. You've really kept me at ease," Lucius returned the hug and once they reached the inn and into their room, Lucius sat down and placed Celestia's poke ball on the table in front of him. He looked back at Sophia who was preparing for bed. Once she sat down, she pulled out her earphones to listen to music while relaxing.

Looking back at Celestia's poke ball, Lucius placed Shadow's poke ball beside hers. Celestia was still sound asleep and Lucius turned to Shadow with anger in his eyes.

"Why did you do it, Shadow?" Lucius asked.

"You told me yourself, master!" He telepathically said. "Show your opponents no mercy!"

"She didn't even fight you!" He yelled. "She teased you! It wasn't an act of insult!"

"But.." Shadow stammered.

"Are you even regretting it?"

"I am, master.." Shadow replied, hanging his head. "I wish she could wake up so I could atone for what I've done.."

"Good thing you feel that way, Shadow."

"Can you forgive me for this, master?"

Lucius wasn't looking at him anymore. He took a moment to think before glancing back at Shadow. "Only when Celestia wakes up."

"I understand, master.." Shadow replied, still hanging his head.

"I will retire now. We have to leave tomorrow," Lucius told Shadow. "Get some rest Shadow, and look after Celestia while you're at it."

"As you wish, master," He replied and Lucius nodded before making his way to the bed where Sophia was still listening to music. He lay down beside her.

"We should get some sleep, dear," He reminded her. "Sootopolis awaits us tomorrow."

"Alright. Good night, love," She pulled out her ear phones, set them aside, gave Lucius a quick kiss and just cuddled with him until she and Lucius fell asleep.