Pokémon Fool's Gold | Orre & Galar Fanfiction

Chapter 80: The Grand Master's Last Words

Alfie found himself staring at his son's back. 'Which is exactly why...'

Everyone tensed. The remote clattered to the floor. A battery rolled out.

'I do believe you guys. And why... I can't... let you down... like he let me down.'

Lyndon's foot smashed the remote before he faced Anabel. 'I'll hand myself in.'

'This is all my fault,' Alfie interjected, 'He never would've got so involved with Cipher if it weren't for me. Trust me. I kept every letter he sent.'

He didn't cry like he did in his movies. His suppressed sobs were silent. As violently as they shook his shoulders, his voice was steady.

'I'm the problem. Punish me. Send me back to jail. Let him be with his grandson. If I'd taken that path... instead of repeating history and acting like my own abusive father... none of this would have happened. The cycle has to be broken. Or Lyndon will be right. Orre will be a land of misery and broken homes forever.'

'Mr. Addison...'

Chief Sherles was solemn. 'Your son has already continued that cycle.'

'He doesn't have to. That's not him. His heart is purer than mine could ever be. He was never jealous or hateful... because he was stronger than I could ever be, too. I didn't have it in me to turn out alright. Lyndon always did... until I took advantage of that. Please get him therapy. Not a jail cell.'

'That was already my intention.'

Anabel gestured for Looker to help Alfie and Sherles back onto Latios. 'This is an international issue... and I'm afraid I'll be overriding your decision, Chief Sherles. Lyndon... I trust you. Please take your time returning to the mainland with your loved ones. We will be there to meet you, to ensure you get the help you need... but I see no reason for you to be taken into police custody.'

'But... even I think I should pay for what I've done...'

'I'm sure you will... because I'm sure you'll take steps to reverse this damage regardless of whether or not you're assigned community service.'

Archie nudged Lyndon. 'Tell me, scamp... you judge me for what I did to you, not what I did to Hoenn.'

'Archie... I forgive you. Anyone... would have backed away from me. I was dangerous...'

'Well, I don't deserve that, but aye. You don't think I should be punished for what I did with Kyogre. You don't think Courtney should be punished for her role in Team Magma or going and doing what you did, trying to destroy the world.'

Courtney's lip wobbled. She burst suddenly into unexpectedly noisy tears.

'Don! Waahhh! I'm sorry! I never told you how – how much I love you. Uwahh! I'm sorry! And I'm not judging you. None of this is your fault!'

'No, Courtney... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't put the past behind me. But... for what it's worth... I don't feel so... so heavy anymore. Maybe... maybe what I needed all along...'

She dabbed at his eyes with her Team Magma handkerchief. 'Maybe I needed... Laila to forgive me. But... I didn't realise that was unnecessary... because that wasn't her. She never would've blamed me. She'd never have blamed you, Jamal. She would've blamed the person at fault... and that was Gretchen. I don't expect you to accept, Courtney... but if you want to start again...'

'Of course I do!'

'And Trip... I'm sorry you found your dad like this. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from Gretchen... I'm sorry I... I have to apologise to Wyatt.'

'Dad, I don't care. I never would've expected to say this... but the one thing I knew, from the moment I first saw you on the screen with those photos in your office, was that you loved me. And that's all I want. We all have our faults.'

'Professor Mesquite...'

'Forget it, Lyndon.'

Jovi smiled. 'I was pissed at first. But you know why you were able to catch the Swords of Justice? Because they knew you were that sweet kid I trusted. They knew this wasn't you. Perhaps they knew this temporary hurt will lead to a better Orre. Sometimes darkness has to come to make way for the light.'

'I don't know about me being a sweet kid, but... Cail, it's not your fault and it's not yours, either, Lon. Thanks for being there for Trip. I think you've got yourself one of your greatest achievements there in my boy.'

'Yup. I sure have!'

Lon ruffled Trip's hair. 'I can't wait to see him play for Orre Prospectors one day. Not just because it'll be awesome... but because I look forward to sitting there in the VIP box with you, Lyndon. You don't have to cheer Trip on in fear anymore.'

'Me too, Lon. Lumir... I had you half figured out. I knew you didn't really believe in my mission. But I thought you were a sentimental wreck like me. I thought you hoped Ardos wasn't a total psychopath. And I wanted that to be true for you... so I stupidly pursued their dream for both of us. I'm sorry.'

'I owe you an apology, Grand M... Lyndon. I lied to you. But... even so... I hope you know I genuinely respected you. You were a father figure to me in the most unexpected place... and I'll appreciate that forever.'

'You were incredibly brave, Lumir. From tricking your scary ass dad all those years to defeating him in that tunnel... gosh, I was scared of Ardos!'

'I couldn't have done that without your guidance. I hope we can stay friends.'

'Of course we can. Thanks for looking out for Trip. I'm sure he agrees you'll always be welcome in our home.'

'And you two in ours.'

'Mom... Willa... I'm sorry. If I'd had the balls to... admit that I'd joined Cipher... to not distance myself... none of this would've happened.'

'It's all over now, Lyndon. It's behind us. I just want you to know I love you. And if fucking Alfie Addison can show up and say he's sorry, anything can happen!'

She took her son's hand. 'Let's get you home. Where you belong.'

'Wait...'

He took out his P★DA. 'There's one more thing...'

No-one was sure what to expect when he loaded his Cipher Admin app. He pressed 'announcement.'

'This is... was... your Grand Master, Lyndon. I don't know how many of you will even see this... but Cipher is done. Forever. Ardos is dead. Alfie and my Admins are rightfully locked up. And... I have an apology to make. I may not have been directly responsible for the way you were recruited... for how Verzant or Brynlee duped you, or how Znider terrified you... but I never took the time to find out. I was so wrapped up in my own head, I didn't even think of checking how my Admins were acting on my orders. I was horrified when I heard about the lab, but I didn't immediately fire Znider like I should have. For those of you who were duped or afraid... no matter what you did under my command... I hope you'll be able to live your lives free of guilt. I take full responsibility and I'm sorry. I know many of you were led to believe you were doing the right thing... helping Orre... and whilst I'm obviously unfit to lead anyone, I hope maybe... you'll use that passion to fight alongside me for what's truly best for Orre. You don't have to work with me. But that's what I'll be fighting for from now on... and I hope you'll fight for it too.'