The Campagna Adventures

Chapter 18-Death of a Comrade

Phil stared at Denny, "Julian was the sniper casuality? How?"

"The casuality was almost me, Julian knocked me out of the way. Julian took the Aura infused bullet to the heart."

Phil was stunned, Julian had seemed almost untouchable. Julian could move so quickly, and seemed so able. Phil ran inside the Domination base and looked at Julian's motionless body. He just stared, someone he knew, dead. He had not known Julian long, but it had been enough. The Venator was always calm, cool, and collected. It was impossible to make him truly rage. Even though Denny seemed only just be containing his frustration when Phil saved Racheal, Julian was supportive. Phil appreciated this from Julian, especially as Denny's reaction still confused him.

Phil leaned over Julian and closed the Venator's eyes. Then, he lifted his friend's body into his arms, and carried him out. Phil met Denny outside, and saw that Julian's body was the last to be lined on the ground. The remaining men were mostly securing the perimeter, however, a few Guaritore, or healers, were treating the wounded.

Phil turned to Denny, "I'll lead a quick search of the Domination Base, but a thorough search should wait until after a funeral."

"Yes, that would be the best plan."

Phil lead a few men into the base and scoured it for evidence. He found very few documents remaining, mostly damaged ones. However, what they found was important.

"Let's see here, a document about the formation of Team Domination, but no details on the Father. It is a unity of, sweet Absol! Teams Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma, Flare, and Skull. However, the majority of member are Rocket, Skull, and Plasma, with very small amounts of the remainders of the remaining teams listed. Also, actual members of Team Domination are carefully trained. However, a few lackeys have the title of Rifiuti, and are the rejects from training. The Rifiuti have no chance of rising in the ranks and are at the lowest possible point. Next are the Latro, the lowest level of member to pass training. They have opportunities to rise in rank, but very few. Colonellus are squad leaders for the Latro and Rifiuti. However, the rest of the document is missing, probably burned."

Phil then went downstairs and busted down the door he had discovered during his reconnaissance mission. He walked in to find a large lab. Phil noticed several cages and cells on one wall. Some were clearly meant for Pokemon, others for humans. A large, overturned filing cabinent lay against one wall. A few projects mentioned were Project Red Velvet and Project Blueberry, which he had already read about. However, a third one appeared this time, Project Chocolate.

"Are they going for a cake flavor theme? I better check these files, some of the other files mentioned forced evolution, and these copies of Projects Red Velvet and Blueberry are more complete."

Phil sat in the only standing chair, the others were smashed to pieces, and began to read. As he read, his horror grew.

"They-they fused human and Pokemon. Project Red Velvet was a white female, given red wings, originates with Team Rocket, and that is all this document reveals. Project Blueberry was an attempt to recreate Project Red Velvet. This time the subject was a white male, and a forcefully evolved Braviary supplied the Pokemon DNA. The mutant exibited signs of superhuman strength, speed, agility, and endurance. Then we have Project Chocolate the test subject was a black male, if they got the name from his skin color it was extremely racist, and the Pokemon that supplied the DNA was a, well, the document cuts off there. The page was torn, probably in the evacuation, however, I can make out what is either an I, L, or a J."

Phil slid these documents into his bag, and returned to the outside. He found that the rest of the group had already returned to the Monastry, other than Denny and a pair to guard the remains of the base.

Denny spoke, "A warrior's funeral will be held two days from now at the Monastry. A comrade of Julian will come to take us to say farewell."

"Julian and the men we lost certainly deserve such an honor."

"Phil, you single-handedly defeated the first Dark User we have seen in over a hundred years. Most Aura Guardians would have been overwhelmed. I can feel your guilt. Do not blame yourself for Julian's untimely demise, you are most certainly not to blame."

"I didn't react fast enough though, did I? I easily could have reflected some of that Dark Aura Wave that killed our men. I may not have saved them from unconciousness, but maybe from death. Also, I may have left more Guardians concious, letting more men enter the base. That in turn may have allowed Julian to survive."

"Phil, it is not your fault."

"Whatever you say Denny, whatever you say."

Phil and Denny the returned to the motel. Rachael came out to meet them.

"I was getting worried, you were much later than exepected."

"Rachael, we ran into a Dark User, I fought and won against him. However, Julian and a few other men died because of the Dark User, directly and indirectly."

Rachael's hands flew to her mouth, "A Dark User? They have not been seen for over a century."

"Make that three hours ago," Phil replied, "I should get some rest, I need to recharge after that tough fight."

Phil went to bed early, but could not fall asleep. He tossed and turned, trying to settle down. Phil suddenly heard the sound of a Pokeball releasing its occupant. He turned to see Blazer.

"Hey buddy."

'Can't sleep?'

"I still can't accept what happened."

'Julian's death is not on your hands.'

"So I have been told."

'It's true. You were to focused on your own fight to notice, but if you had not stayed to fight Rego Vastator, and we his Pokemon, many more deaths would have occured.'

"You're just saying."

Blazer cut him off, 'No I'm not.'

"Alright, get up here you big large lump."

'That I can agree to.'

Blazer climbed onto the bed, and curled up next to Phil. The weary Aura Guardian soon fell asleep, soothed by Blazer's familiar heat.