Child of Thorns - A Pokemon Sinnoh Reimagining

"I still don't get how a Pokemon that small can be so devastatingly strong."

Cynthia and Cyrus sat next to each other on one of the many benches sprinkled through the park just outside Sunyshore, enjoying a cold popsicle and watching as Devias absolutely demolished every single wild Pokemon that came to challenge her.

A single Sweet Scent was all it took for the Pokemon of the surrounding wilderness to come straight at them. At first, Cyrus had to admit, he thought they were about to die. A stampede of Magnemite, Chatot, Wingull and Luxio came upon them in an instant, but were just as quickly repelled by the Togetic's incredible skill and speed. She was like a blur. Even the Luxio could do little but look all around in panic as Devias buzzed through the battlefield at lightning speed, her enemies dropping one by one around them.

And, judging by the casual, relaxed look on Cynthia's face, this was par for the course for them.

"Her body may be small, but her Spirit is that of a colossus," explained Cynthia, giving her popsicle a lick. "And in battle, that is all that matters."

"Right…"

Cyrus had heard people from Celestic had two things in common. One, they all possessed those striking, stormy grey eyes and two, they all seemed quite taken by the concept of Spirit. He'd read about it once or twice, studied the theory and all that, but couldn't quite understand what was so special about it. It was just another way to classify the soul, wasn't it?

Who knew. Maybe people from Celestic were just weird in general.

"Aren't you worried she'll get tired, though?" he asked. "Your fight with the Gym leader is only an hour away."

Cynthia smiled and waved her hand. "Nah. Come on, don't tell me all that fighting and brawling wouldn't get your blood pumping for the real fight ahead!"

"I… no, I don't think it would," he frowned, confused. "I'm… not a trainer. Murkrow and I don't really like fighting."

"Yeah… I sort of figured."

Cynthia leaned back on the bench and let out a disappointed sigh, turning to look at him. As soon as their eyes met, Cyrus felt a shiver down his spine.

"It really is a shame," she whispered, nibbling on her popsicle. "If you were, you could evolve your partner a lot earlier… I've never seen a Honchkrow but I've heard they're incredibly fast and capable fighters."

"A lot…?" Cyrus blinked a couple times, shaking his head. "I… I'm not planning on evolving him. Ever."

"I… really?" She frowned at him. "Why? Honchkrow are much stronger than their unevolved form. He'd be able to protect you much more efficiently."

Cyrus shook his head. "That's… not true. And besides, what if something happens to me and he has to go back into the wild? It'd be worse for him."

"What?" Cynthia looked absolutely appalled. "Why would it? He'd be faster and stronger than before!"

"Murkrow have a much higher life expectancy than Honchkrow, didn't you know that?" he frowned. "Murkrow live in big groups. They help and protect each other and they fight together against whatever threat comes to them. When together, they are some of the most long-lived flying Pokemon out there. In comparison, Honchkrow are lonesome, aggressive and very competitive. It's no wonder they live half as long once they evolve."

Cynthia's eyes went wide. Not because she didn't know that information, but because she couldn't possibly agree less with what she'd just heard.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think a longer lifespan equates with a life well-spent," she argued. "Honchkrow do leave their group once they evolve, yes, but isn't that true of most species? Don't we all, too, leave the safety of our family once it's time to go out into the world?"

"That is not the same," said Cyrus, his voice getting heated. "A group of Murkrow isn't a family, it's a community. And who are you to say their lives are worse or less fulfilling? What, just because they don't go around fighting everyone they meet that means they've wasted their existence?"

"Well, I know I'd be pretty bummed out if I died without ever leaving the safety of my own home," Cynthia spat back. "I'm sorry Cyrus, but I don't see how a life spent under a blanket of absolute safety can be compared to one full of excitement and adventure."

"What's so bad about peace and contentment!? Isn't that what life should be?" he said. "What's wrong with relying on others? Sure, it might not be the most exciting thing in the world but why are you so dismissive of people who just want to live their lives in peace without constant, pointless conflict!? Don't we have enough of that already for Mew's sake!?"

A heavy silence fell on the park around them. It took Cyrus a moment to realize just how loud he'd been. Heat rose up to his cheeks and he looked away, gulping. Even Murkrow and Devias had been put off by his sudden outburst, the latter already done with beating every wild Pokemon in the vicinity.

Cyrus closed his eyes and sighed. Great, just what he needed. One of the only friends he'd been able to make so far and he ended up yelling at her on their second day together.

"You know… that's a fair point."

He opened his eyes, blinking a couple times, then looked over to Cynthia. She didn't look irritated or offended at all. She just kept nibbling at her popsicle, seemingly in deep thought.

"I…"

"I knew I was right to invite you along, you really are a treat to talk with," she said, shining him a bright smile. "We should do this more often!"

As he heard that, a single thought came to him.

What the hell did I just get myself into?

"You can't be fucking serious."

"I'm afraid we are, Pyx."

She didn't know what she expected her companions to say when she got back to base, especially after her 'brave' display against all those trainers. Congratulations, perhaps. Cheers and compliments for sticking it to the man. Maybe, in the worst cases, a couple shaking heads and advice that she should be more careful the next time.

What she didn't expect, though, was to hear those two words.

We're leaving.

"Wh–" Pyxis gesticulated wildly with one hand, unsure of what to say. "W-why? What do you mean you're leaving!?"

"Pyx, hey…" Orion put a tentative hand on her shoulder. "Let's just hear her out."

She shook her head, confusion and anger swirling inside of her. Meanwhile Caelum, the one delivering the message, stood in front of her with folded arms while the three other remaining grunts in her group stood back and watched from afar. Caelum was one of the oldest members alongside Pyxis and Orion, all of them joining Team Galactic the same day, through similar circumstances.

"We've been talking about it for a while," said Caelum, letting out a sigh. "But what we just saw on T.V…. just what the hell where you thinking, Pyx? Of course we're leaving."

"W-what does that have to do with anything!?"

"You screamed that you were part of Team Galactic in front of a bunch of cameras!" Caelum pointed out, throwing one hand up. "I was sure you were about to be arrested. Hell, it's a miracle you weren't!"

"Now, come on, Caelum," said Orion, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "That's…"

Pyxis shook her head. "It was… just something I said in the heat of the moment, okay? And if I had gotten arrested… well that's my problem."

"No, it is all our problem, Pyxis." The use and emphasis on her full nickname felt like a slap to the face. "Putting aside the fact that you're my friend, what do you think would've happened if you had gotten arrested? You know where we hide, you know all our real names… you could've led them to the rest of us!"

"I… I would've never…"

"It doesn't matter what you would've wanted! Lucian is a psychic-type specialist, he could've easily gotten the information out of you!"

There was nothing she could say to that. Pyxis gulped and looked away, trying to think of a retort, of a way to defend herself, but found nothing. Caelum was right.

"I… fine, I didn't think of that. I'm sorry." It hurt like a bitch to say, but it was the right thing. Still… "But I swear it won't happen anymore. You don't have to–"

"That's not the only reason we're leaving."

Pyxis blinked quickly, stammering. "W-what?"

"What… do you mean?" asked Orion, frowning. "What is this about, Caelum?"

The tall girl looked down for a few long seconds, unable to meet their eyes. It was only after taking in a deep breath that she could get the words out.

"Pyx, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but… come with us." She looked Pyxis straight in the eye as she said that, voice turning uncharacteristically soft. "Our fight here is done. We don't gotta be part of Team Galactic anymore."

It took a second for Pyxis to process what she'd just heard. At first she laughed. A short, dry laugh that she expected would be followed by Caelum's own, like she was just playing a joke on her. When the laugh didn't come, the smile dropped off Pyxis' lips.

"What are you talking about?" she repeated, her voice a whisper. "We're not done yet. We still have to–"

"Kill that Inyssa kid, right?" Caelum cut her off, voice turning sour. "Yeah. That's the thing."

Caelum slowly looked over her shoulder, toward the rest of their companions, then closed her eyes and let out a sigh. When she spoke again, she sounded… almost hesitant.

"That's… the one line we all agreed we're not gonna cross," she said. "Sorry, but we're not killing an innocent person."

"I… innocent? Innocent!?" The word came out high and sharp. Her eyes went wide. "She's–!"

"A spoiled, stupid rich kid, I know! Trust me, we all hate'em as much as you, but that doesn't mean we wanna fuckin' kill them all!"

Pyxis let out a sound halfway between a snort and a gasp of indignation, shaking her head. "D-did you forget she's the one that killed Auriga!?"

"No, I didn't," Caelum muttered through grit teeth. "She was my friend too. But from what I heard, that was an accident that happened while the girl was trying to escape from being kidnapped. And as fucked as it was, it doesn't sound like she was in control of herself at the time."

"That's bullshit!" bellowed Pyxis, throwing her fists down. "She tried to do the same to us near Snowpoint!"

"I was fucking there, Pyxis, I don't need you to remind me what happened," hissed Caelum, patience starting to thin from her voice. "The girl was delirious and half dead. And even then, she didn't actually go through with it. She could've killed us all, but she didn't. And now you want us to do what she couldn't… and you're pretending it's the right thing to do?"

"Wh–No, t-that's…" Pyxis could barely form the words, heat starting to overtake her completely. She sharply turned her head to Orion. "S-she's not… it's what we have to do, right!?"

Orion froze at the question. He opened his mouth, as though intending to say something, but closed it soon after. Pyxis felt a pit in her stomach.

"O-Orion?"

Beside her, she heard Caelum sigh.

"We don't wanna kill anyone, Pyx. And deep down… I'm pretty sure you don't want to either. And if you do… then I don't think you're the same person I remember becoming friends with."

Pyxis froze, eyes widening. Her face looked as though Caelum had just slapped her across the face.

"I… it doesn't matter what I want," she said, voice wavering. "We have to complete the plan. The boss…"

"Fuck the plan," shrugged Caelum. "And fuck the boss."

"But…"

"You think we joined Team Galactic because we agreed with his bullshit crazy plan? We didn't even know the plan existed until much later!" she exclaimed, letting out an ironic chuckle. "You think we... we joined him 'cause we wanted the human spirit to be erased or whatever? No! We joined 'cause he gave us food, shelter and a platform for us to stand on at the same level as trainers! So we could change things! So people would finally start listening to us and realize how fucked the Association is! And we got that!"

Pyxis shook her head. "That's not enough. Just some protests and social unrest isn't gonna be enough to change anything, we have to do more!"

"We took down the Champion!" Caelum raised both hands up, like she couldn't believe Pyxis wasn't getting it. "The League's reputation is fucked beyond repair and we got half the fucking region on our side, what more do you want?"

"I want change!" Pyxis rebutted. "Real change, not just a passing fad that everyone's gonna forget about in a few months. You know that's what'll happen, Caelum. And when things go back to normal, we'll all regret we didn't take this chance to actually do something!"

"There's no magic cure for all this, Pyx! You can't just expect a bunch of legendary Pokemon and one asshole commanding them to solve all our problems while you sit back and kill innocent people! We have to do this right. We have to–!"

"What!? Throw away everything we've worked for!?" yelled Pyxis, indignant

"Yes! If by that you mean Team Galactic then yes!" Caelum's cheeks grew red as her voice got more heated. "We don't need the name anymore. Team Galactic hasn't been what we thought it was for a long time now."

"Wh–since when!?"

Caelum shook her head in disbelief. "Um, how about since Mars went off on her own and ordered an attack on civilians in Veilstone!? Or maybe since the boss did the same in Celestic? Or since we kidnapped an innocent girl and tried to fucking brainwash her, then we tried to kidnap her again and almost killed her and her friend? Or hell, how about the fact we were apparently planning to make Mt. Coronet fucking erupt all this time and none of us knew about it!? Why would the boss hide something like that from us unless he knew it was something to be ashamed of!?" She took a step forward, her expression like a storm. "You have to know I'm right. Team Galactic was never about us or what we wanted, it was about the boss' crazy fucking delusions."

"T-that's not true," muttered Pyxis. "We–"

"We don't fucking matter to him! H-here, here, lemme ask you something." She took a moment to breathe, face still red, and looked Pyxis straight in the eye. "Why do you think we got left behind? When the boss went off to Mt. Coronet he didn't take us, his most loyal grunts, he only took Jupiter and all the strongest trainers Team Galactic had, almost all of them the ex-convicts from Stark-prison. We weren't useful enough so he left us behind to do his fucking cleanup."

Pyxis opened her mouth to retort, but no words came to her. It felt like something cold and sharp clawing at her throat, freezing her up. She didn't want to hear Caelum anymore, didn't want to…

Caelum seemed to notice too, the heat and anger in her expression softening a bit. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing.

"…Why do you think all the other squads that didn't go with the boss quit too?" she asked. "We're all in the same boat. We stuck with Team Galactic 'cause we knew it was the best chance we'd ever get at changing things. But… we're better than that now. You know we are."

Then, she did something Pyxis didn't expect. She took a step forward and, breathing in deep, shone both her and Orion an honest smile and placed one hand on each of their shoulders. Orion pursed his lips. Pyxis wanted to step away from her touch, but she felt stiff, frozen.

"We don't need Team Galactic, we don't need the boss and we don't need magic to get through this. We'll do it on our own, relying on each other like always. If change is gonna come, then it's gonna come through us as Sinnohans, not as members of Team Galactic." She looked from Pyxis to Orion and then back to her. "And we're gonna need the two of you. Pyx… you got a passion in you that could melt through mountains. I've never met anyone like you. And Orion…" She let out a small chuckle. "I'm gonna need you to rein her in when she tries to do something really crazy. You're good at that."

Despite himself, Orion couldn't help but smile as well. Pyxis knew him well, knew every twitch and gesture of his body, and barely needed to look at him to feel his tension evaporate at Caelum's words. She grit her teeth.

"I…" Orion hesitated for a second, then looked down at her. "Pyx… maybe she has a point."

It took a second for Pyxis to be able to speak, and when she did her two words came out coated in poison and bitterness.

"…You too?"

"Py–"

She forcefully moved her shoulder back, throwing Caelum's hand off her and earning her a look of shock and hurt. Not that she'd know. She couldn't bring herself to look at her.

"Fine. Go," she whispered. "All of you. Orion included."

Before any of them could reply, she raised her hand in front of her, showing off the screen of her Poketch.

"An hour ago, I got a message from Rachel, our informant in Solaceon. She saw Inyssa and Ursa. Said they were heading to Hearthome. I was going to bring it up before, but… well. That was when I thought I could rely on all of you."

Caelum frowned, lips pursing. Orion tried to grab onto Pyxis' shoulder but she shook him off too.

"Pyx, come on," he pleaded. "We don't have to do this."

"You're right. We don't have to do anything. I'll take care of this, since I've been carrying this whole fucking team all this time anyway."

"If you think I'm letting you go against them alone–"

"You chose your side already," she spat out, shooting him a sharp glare. "Same with Caelum, and everyone else. So go. Waste your time. I'll be here getting actual results."

There was a moment in which Pyxis thought Caelum would actually take a step forward and slap her across the face, but she simply shoot her a cold glare, then breathed in deep and relaxed her shoulders. A few more seconds passed before she spoke.

"This is your decision?"

Pyxis felt something cold and uncomfortable in the pit of her stomach. Caelum didn't sound angry or disappointed, just… sad. Her expression was mirrored by the rest of the group behind her.

"…Yeah."

Caelum closed her eyes for a moment, as though she were waiting for Pyxis to change her mind, but finally she gave a short nod and turned away from her.

"Alright," she said. "If at some point the old Pyx rears her head up and you change your mind, just call me. We'll welcome you with open arms."

Pyxis said nothing, didn't move or relax her tense fists and shoulders for a second until Caelum and the rest of the group closed the door behind them.

As soon as the distant, blurry shape of Hearthome city came into view, Inyssa and Metchi steered away from the main path and hid within the surrounding forest as they approached. Steven flew near them, though never above the tree line. They didn't want other Pokemon to see him, and he'd gotten pretty good at flying through thick forests without making any sound thank to Maylene's training. Thanks to his Keen Eye ability, they were able to stay away from trouble and approach the city without anyone noticing them.

"Alright, I can kinda see the town gates from here," muttered Inyssa, her eyes glowing a bright gold. Uxie's abilities were coming in pretty handy. "So, about our plan…"

Metchi shrugged, hands in her pockets. "Don't you worry. I've got a two-step plan that'll get us inside no problem."

"…Right. And what would that plan be?"

"Step one, we take care of the guards," she said, doing air quotes on those two words. "Step two, we go in. It's brilliant."

"I-I…" Inyssa shot Metchi a glare usually reserved for Barry whenever he came up with an idiotic plan. "How have you survived this long?"

"Niss, if there's one thing I've learned is that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. Ergo, you're either the one with the plan, or the one doing the punching," she explained, one finger raised. "I know which one I'd rather be every single time."

Inyssa rolled her eyes, giving a little shake of the head. Dear Synn above. She'd traded an idiot for another idiot.

"I might as well try to teleport us both in," she said. "If it works, good. If it doesn't, we go with your plan of resorting to violence."

"Sounds like a good compromise to me."

"Hmh," she muttered. "Let's see how close to the city we can get with–"

She stopped in her tracks, eyes going wide. It took Metchi a second to realize she'd stopped walking, looking over her shoulder with a frown.

"What is it?"

"I…" Inyssa squinted, trying to make sure what she was seeing was right. "The guards… they're not there."

"Wh–"

Metchi turned around sharply, trying to peer at the gate leading inside the city, though it was a bit too far away to make out.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I can't see shit."

"Well I can, and trust me, they're not there," insisted Inyssa. "No Pokemon either. It's just… empty."

They stood there in silence for a few seconds –Steven flying in circles above them– thinking of what to do next. Inyssa tried to consider all the possibilities. Maybe they could send one of her Pokemon forward to investigate while they sneakily approached from–

"Oh well. Don't mind if we do."

Metchi headed forward before she could say anything to stop her.

Or… we could just do that, frowned Inyssa. Ah, what the hell.

With a flick of her wrist she produced Steven's Pokeball and returned him to it, then followed behind Metchi. They trotted over to the entrance as fast as they could, fearing that maybe the guards were on their break and would return soon. And yet… in the two minutes it took them to reach them, no one appeared.

Even as they walked up the road and passed through the gates, there was no one, human or Pokemon, to greet them. Not too far away they could see the street leading to the city, and could hear the distant murmur of people walking through the street.

They looked around one last time, looking for any sign of life near the gates, but found nothing. Inyssa felt something cold and uncomfortable drop down her stomach.

"This… doesn't feel right," she muttered.

"Hey, don't look at a gift Ponyta in the mouth," shrugged Metchi. "Come on, gotta mix in with the crowd before anyone notices us. You lead the way."

Inyssa nodded absentmindedly, brow still furrowed in distrust.

"Yeah… maybe Fantina knows something," she said. "Let's go."

They went their way, disappearing into the maw of the city, leaving it as still and deserted as they thought it to be a few minutes ago.

And yet, if they'd looked a bit harder, if they'd walked around the gate more, they would have noticed three people behind one of the concrete walls. Two of them were men dressed in guard uniforms, a cloth tied around their mouth and their arms and legs tied together. They fought and struggled, but were unable to free themselves from their binds.

Near them stood the third person. A tall, redheaded woman with a hawk-like face. She looked toward the street Inyssa and Metchi had walked through, eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

The light behind them was barely there. They were the eyes of a dead woman.

"One for you," she whispered. "Now one against."

"Why did you let that girl go?"

Lucian closed his eyes and sighed before looking up. Sarah stood in front of him, hands slammed against his desk.

"That's a foolish question to ask. Isn't it obvious?"

Her face made it perfectly clear she didn't appreciate the attitude.

"There's a time and a place for saving face, Lucian, and this is not it!" she spat through grit teeth. "That girl was seen multiple times near Team Galactic activity, both in Veilstone and near Snowpoint. She's clearly a high-ranking member! So let me ask you again; why in the fuck did you not arrest her!?"

"Sarah…"

"You know I just came back from the memorial, where I praised you and put you as the example for all other Association members to follow," she kept going, tone heated. "But I guess I spoke too soon."

Lucian rested his elbows on the desk, rubbing at his temples with a look of pure exhaustion on his face.

"The Galactic members left behind… are no longer a threat. At least not in the way you think they are," he explained. "Right now, there are three current threats we need to take care of. One, the actual bulk of Team Galactic currently deep within Mt. Coronet. Two, the lava still pouring from the mountain itself and the massive environmental damage its caused. And three, the severe social unrest caused by the previous two." He took a deep breath, then continued. "Cynthia and her team are taking care of the first. Our rangers and the bulk of our trainer force are taking care of the second, and we must take care of the third. That is all there is to it."

Sarah scoffed. She shook her head as though she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"So that's it, then?" she asked. "We're just… letting them go. After all Team Galactic has done, we'll just let the bulk of them walk free?"

"There are more important matters to attend to," emphasized Lucian, impatience starting to show in his tone. "Once those are dealt with–"

"By then we won't be able to find them anymore!" Sarah let her fist fall against the desk. "They'll be indistinguishable from all the other civilians clamoring for our heads!"

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "And shouldn't that tell you something about what our priorities should be?"

Sarah stilled at that, her mouth opening but no words coming out.

"I…"

Then, Lucian did something Sarah had never seen him do before. He took out his glasses, letting them rest on his desk, and looked her straight in the eye. There was a hint of softness to his usually inscrutable expression.

"Sarah, I know how hard it must be. After what happened–"

"Don't you dare."

Lucian sighed. "Sarah… I don't think you're in any capacity to keep working at the moment." He shot her a pleading look, concern clear in his face. "Go to your son. Spend time with him. Give yourself time to grieve. Please."

Sarah's lips pursed into a thin line, her nose scrunching up. It took her a few seconds to force her voice out.

"You mean like you're currently grieving Argenta?"

Lucian frowned. "You know that's different."

She scoffed, then stood up from leaning against his desk and turned toward the door.

"Sarah…"

She made it to the door before turning around, her voice more poison than anything else.

"I don't care if you suspend me. I don't care if you don't pay me for this," she said. "I'm going to do my job."

Lucian did no such thing. He simply leaned back against his chair and sighed as the door of his office was slammed shut.

Fantina's… house? Castle? Manor? Gothic architectural nightmare? Felt just as cold and strangely expansive on the inside as last time she'd visited. Only exception was that there were no trainers posted at the entrance, and no one was there to greet them as they pushed their way inside, the door creaking shut behind them.

Inyssa and Metchi stood there in the dark, cold grand hall, unsure if to proceed or call out to someone or what. They exchanged a quick, hesitant glance.

"It's… so fucking cold and creepy," muttered Metchi. "Talk about being dedicated to your aesthetic."

"Yeah… that's Fantina, alright."

"This is what happens when goth girls amass too much money and power. Trust me, I've dated a few and if they had the means they'd absolutely get themselves a place like th–"

It happened in an instant. A stark, shining figure phased through the ground, materializing in front of them and throwing her hands to the side.

"BOO!"

Both girls jumped back in unison, eyes shooting wide like plates.

"F-FUCK!"

"SON OF A BITCH!"

By the time they both confirmed they hadn't actually suffered a heart attack, the identity of their assailant became clear. Before them stood… well, floated Vi, laughing herself to tears, hands over her translucent stomach. She looked a lot more… substantial than last time. Not that Inyssa could be sure, what with being busy trying to swallow her heart down to her chest.

"Vi… what the fuck?" she whispered, short of breath.

Metchi laughed, though it was clear she'd been just as surprised. "This… this the ghost friend you told me about?"

"That would be me, yes!" Vi made a peace sign next to her face, sticking her tongue out. "Man, it's so good to see you! I was so excited when I heard you were coming. And it's great to meet you too!" she said, turning toward Metchi. "Name's Vi!"

"Er… Metchi. Pleasure's all mine," she said, a slight red tinting her cheeks.

Inyssa raised an eyebrow. "You're… certainly in high spirits compared to last time." There was a moment of silence. Both Metchi and Vi glared at her. "…No pun intended."

"Yeah, well… let's just say a lot happened," sighed Vi, her smile somewhat visible through the mist that was her ethereal body. "Fantina's been a huge help. And speaking of that…"

Vi looked over her shoulder as though expecting something, and sure enough, a second after the huge doors facing them upstairs shot open, and two women came trotting through them.

"Niss!? Oh, you're here, thank goodness!"

Inyssa froze on the spot, a mix of panic and apprehension taking hold of her. She saw with wide eyes as Johanna and Fantina came down the stairs, the former almost running toward her with her arms to the side.

She knew what was about to happen, but couldn't bring herself to say anything or stop her mother. That… horrible feeling, that nausea that rose up her stomach whenever someone touched her… would it happen with her? Would it happen with… Barry?

The horror she felt at the idea was such that she decided not to move, and simply closed her eyes in preparation as Johanna pulled her into a tight hug, her arms enveloping her whole.

She stood there, every muscle in her body tense as steel, waiting for the nausea to come.

But it never did. Instead, something worse happened. She felt the electric pulse behind her eyes as they flashed gold, and in an instant a flurry of images and memories flashed across her eyes.

A sound she didn't know she was capable of making passed through her lips. She felt her muscles start to shake.

"N-Niss?" asked her mother concern in her voice.

"Inyssa…" she heard Fantina whisper. "Are you… alright?"

She couldn't find the words, couldn't say anything. A flood of… something sharp and cold and expansive as winter itself crashed into her with such strength that it felt as though she'd been hit in the face with a hammer. Without a second thought, she wrapped her hands around Johanna and hugged her so tightly she almost squeezed the air from her lungs.

"N-Niss!?"

A sudden, powerful rush of images and sensations crashed against her mind, shaking her to her core. It felt like everything that had happened that night was constricted into a single second as it passed through her eyes. Shadi's cruel smile, the shadows turning into wings around her, the flash of the thunder as it fell upon them, the sight of her sister's eyes, wide and unseeing. The fear in her eyes as she vanished into the shadows, blood dripping from her wounds…

I-I…

Inyssa almost crumpled. She could barely keep herself standing. All she could do was bury her face in her mother's shoulder and hold her as something inside her came undone. Her whole body shook like she was in the middle of a blizzard. The words pouring like tears from her mouth were almost unintelligible amidst the sobs wracking through her.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry. I'm s-so sorry…" Her voice came out a weak, broken mess. "I w-wanted to bring her back… I w-wanted… I couldn't d-do it. I w-wasn't strong enough. I…

"I'm so, so sorry."

That's the last thing she could get out before she broke down into shaking, loud crying, her hands still holding onto her mother as though they were the only real thing in the world.