Chapter 88:

Containment Breach

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"So how'd you sleep?" Hylla asked.

Seeing her familiar face again I sighed and opened the door wider and lowered the gun behind my back.

The purple-haired girl raised an eyebrow when she spotted the silver gleam of the gun. "Y-you were about to shoot me?"

I stared at the gun I had not so subtly hid behind my back. The fact that it was shining silver didn't really help at all. Hylla's eyes fixed on the gun with an almost lost look. She did look rather tired.

"No," I tried, "I just thought…"

"Thought what?" Hylla sighed, sounding more tired than shocked at the fact I almost shot her. "You thought that maybe one of the experiments escaped the facility and traveled through the forest and proceeded to knock on your door?"

"Paranoia." Fay coughed from inside the room.

"Well, thanks to you I've experienced a very traumatic event," I sarcastically replied. "You can't fault me for being a bit paranoid."

Hylla answered my glare with my smirk, "Nice try guilt-tripping me but we both know you have a tendency to throw yourself at danger." She brushed her hair aside. "If I didn't ask you to go in, you would have done it anyway. Right?"

I stared into Hylla's eyes and was met with an unwavering certainty. There wasn't a triumphant tone to her voice, instead she acted like she had merely stated a well known fact which made it even worse.

My fist balded as I had the urge to hit her in the face, or hit the wall or scream at her.

It's not like I'm a violent person, far from it but I do get frustrated at times, and that frustration needs an outlet. I mostly kept it inside. However I could already imagine how good it would feel to lash out.

The only reason I didn't do that was because she was right and I knew it. Lashing out would only further prove her point. So, instead of doing that, I tried to calm myself down. Trying to think logically which made it all the more clear that the way I've been living the past months was not healthy and it was partly my fault.

The point is; I don't really know how to deal with this issue myself. There is a difference between knowing you have a problem and knowing how to fix it. Something I struggled with before.

I do know that punching Hylla or the wall won't help. No matter how tempting it is...Maybe I should call that number the doctor had given me last night.

"You know, I suggest doing something nice and just relaxing for the next couple of days." Hylla shared with me a small smile. "That should keep the memories out of your head.'

"I'm not that traumatized." I frowned.

"Then let's keep it that way," Without asking she stepped into the room, leaving a trail of red blood steps on the floor.

I really hoped that whoever cleaned this room later didn't think I was some serial killer. Hylla either didn't notice or didn't care about the footprints she left behind. The trail went all the way to my bed where she stopped right in front of Luna and Fay.

"Glad they are alright."

She knelt down in front of the two and started staring at them with an intense gaze. This continued for 10 seconds in complete silence which made me wonder if she had lost it.

Fay visibly became uncomfortable under her leering gaze but didn't break the silence. Luna just stared back, not really caring that much about Hylla's stare.

"The Riolu is named Fay," I eventually said when it became a bit too weird. "And as you may have noticed, Luna evolved."

"Kirlia." Luna nodded.

"Yeah I noticed." Hylla got up from her spot. "I am just really glad they made it out alive."

{Of course we made it out alive.} Luna scoffed indignantly.

Hylla gave the Kirlia a serious nod as if she understood Luna before turning to face Fay. "And you really should be glad your trainer was smart enough to put you back in your Pokéball."

Fay nodded back, a bit awkwardly and didn't bother to say anything. It hadn’t been my idea really, rather Project Z's but I didn't bother to share that small detail.

"So…how is the Red Orphanage situation going?" I asked when Hylla's stillness became a bit too much. Around half a day had passed, in my eyes enough time for the League to gather more intel.

"You've seen the news?" Hylla asked. It sounded like a question but she didn't wait for a response. "The league is trying to maintain a professional image."

"What do you mean by 'maintain'?" I narrowed my eyes. "Aren't the Leagues professionals?"

Hylla shook her head, "We are still human Dust." Something in her voice broke, "The truth of the matter is that we have no idea how to deal with this shit. There isn't really a textbook to follow when it comes to the things we find down there."

"Just lock the place up," Fay thought out loud.

"What would you suggest we do?" Hylla asked me, she sounded genuinely curious..

"Uhm, recontain everything down there and find out which of them can safely reintegrate into society or the wild. That sounds like a start."

"Good plan!" Hylla sarcastically cheered. "The only problem is step 1, containing every Pokémon down there." Hylla sat down on the bed with a deep sigh she sunk into the covers. Just looking at her tired eyes made me feel miserable.

"You can't contain the Pokémon inside?" I asked.

"The team we sent in this evening didn't come back." Hylla swallowed. "The rescue team went in but cut contact after 5 minutes."

Goosebumps chilled my skin. "What?!"

Hylla shrugged.

"I thought they were trained and armed to deal with that kind of thing."

"They were trained to deal with normal rogue Pokémon." I swear Hylla's eyes blurred. "But they weren't prepared to deal with the things down in A2."

"But you had the files with information and layout. They should have helped you with breaching that place."

"I thought that as well." Hylla snapped. "That's why I tried to clear out the building in the first place but things didn't exactly work out, did they?"

"What happened?"

"Oh, you know. Most of the experiments escaped their cells after you left." Hylla's eyes were like two blazing storms of anger, luckily they weren’t directed at me. "Despite that the League wanted to know what else was on the director's PC." she heaved a dry laugh. "Not that they'll find it out now, the entire place became a giant deathtrap and the League changed their orders."

Despite me standing next to her she began speaking louder. I let her, I didn't feel like stopping her from venting. Somehow her complaints made me feel a little better which, I do know, is a horrible thing to think but I was just really glad I made it out before shit hits the fan. I was also really glad I wasn't in Hylla's position.

I gave her a sympathetic nod, "The League still wants to break into that place?"

"No, now it is the opposite. None of the experiments are to escape. Right now all the entrances are just sealed up while we wait for a more permanent solution."

Behind Hylla's back I saw Project Z's eyes widening. She was sending me a shocked expression and was miming something I couldn't make out.

"Permanent solutions," I said. "You don't mean-"

"Yes, a kill order has been issued for every single Pokémon inside. A Victini Bomb will be detonated soon to make sure nothing escapes." Hylla rubbed her eyes and grimaced.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"What, that's crazy!" I hissed. "There are innocent Pokémon inside, victims. Not all of them deserve to be blown to ashes."

Froslass and Project Z both saved my life, they couldn't be the only reasonable Pokémon down there and that Ditto, surely it doesn't deserve death. My heart clenched as I thought of the possibility.

"Dust," Hylla looked me in the eyes. "You are incredibly lucky to make it out alive in the first place because some of the things down there could have killed you with a single look.

"You are joking." I looked past Hylla at the Zorua, wondering what she thought. Project Z did something I would consider a shrug.

"There is a Dusclops wandering the facility that causes instant death the moment you look at it." Hylla took a sharp breath. "And as if that isn't enough, Galactic also keeps multiple man-made diseases down there. The League doesn't want this place to become a second Celebi's Forest so we go for plan B, kill everything."

I looked for a sign of a smirk, a playful glance in her eyes. Anything that would tell me it was a joke, a big lie. I found nothing.

"So, yeah. I hope you slept well because I didn't," she yawned and stared at the bloody footprints on my floor like it was the first time she noticed them.

"Well fuck," I said, "I thought my life sucks, guess you take the crown now."

I didn't actually believe that but it atleast got a laugh out of Hylla. "Oh yes. I kind of want to trade right now. You feel up to taking my job?"

"No way in hell." I shook my head. "Sorry, but I'm not going near that place ever again."

"Hehe," Hylla slumped backwards, her long purple hair spreading out over the blanket. "Luckily I'm no longer in charge after tonight's fiasco."

"You got replaced?" Or rather, demoted.

"Yes, actually, talking about jobs. The League has already offered you a job but I took the liberty to turn it down for you." Her eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Trust me, you don't want to work for the League right now. Besides, I think you've had enough adventure for now."

"Certainly."

"Great." Hylla closed her eyes and laid still for a good 10 seconds. It was bright outside and the lights were still on inside my room. It was basically noon. Guess Hylla hadn't had the time to settle down yet.

"For what it's worth, I do feel bad for sending you in there. You shouldn't have seen all of that."

"It's fine." I said, this time meaning it. "I thought it was a small favor, didn't expect it to escalate that quickly."

I sat down next to Hylla, getting tired of standing on my feet and my bed did look rather soft.

Hylla hummed agreeingly when she noticed my weight on the bed. Before I knew it Luna had moved from one side of the bed to mine and nestled herself in my arms like a newborn baby.

Project Z turned to face Fay and gave her puppy eyes.

"No." Fay coldly replied.

I idly began playing with Luna's two horns while humming the melody of a song. I somehow felt very much at peace with myself, the urge to kick and scream was still there but it had subsided.

Maybe it was Luna lying in my arms. Maybe it was our conversation. Whatever it was, it made me feel much better

I closed my eyes and for a short moment I could almost believe that things would become better and that I passed the biggest hurdle. Make myself believe I was just chilling with Luna while the wind blew through my hair.

No more blood. No more mysteries. No more monsters.

Just peace.

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It was the sound of a camera lens shutting that made me stir from my sleep.

What happened?

Oh shit, I fell asleep. My eyes focused and I began scanning the room for the girl whom I had fallen asleep beside. I didn't have to search long. The girl was sitting on the desk resting her feet on the chair, looking at her phone.

"Oh please, you can keep sleeping if you want." Hylla said without looking up. "You looked so peaceful. I decided to let you keep sleeping." A smile curled up on her lips.

She raised what I thought was her phone, but was actually a photo. It was a picture of me sleeping with all my three Pokémon curled up against me. Hylla waved the photo like the ink was still drying before tossing it onto the bed at my feet.

"You should keep it," Hylla said.

"I was just tired." I groaned as I subtly tried to shift my body. Trying to keep my Pokémon asleep. Which didn't work out.

"Uh?" Fay's eyes opened.

"Kir?" Luna softly whispered and stirred.

Fay's eyes drifted up and she saw me. She flustered and almost explosively jumped off the bed. The sudden movement woke up Project Z. She started to move as well.

"Morning already?" The Zorua muttered with a raspy breath. "Someone bring me a cup of coffee."

I grimaced as my eyes drifted towards Hylla. Knowing she definitely must have heard Project Z's speech.

To my surprise, Hylla's face remained impassive. She raised an eyebrow when my eyes passed hers. "What, thought I didn't know?"

I remained silent. Fay watched the staredown from the corner of the room, nervously fiddling with her claws.

"Know what?" I tried to play it cool.

"That the Zorua can talk." Hylla rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I knew that from the start."

Project Z chose the best moment to talk.

"Uhm, what is going on?" She focused her red eyes on me. When I didn't answer she took the time to look around. Her gaze stopped when she saw Hylla sitting on the desk. The gears began turning in her head.

"Uhm, Zo-Zorua?" She nervously spoke. Trying and failing to look inconspicuous.

"That's just sad." I muttered.

"Indeed, the Skitty's out of the bag." Hylla informed Project Z.

"Oh well, I tried." Project Z sighed before a grin etched itself onto her face. "Look away Dust, we can't leave any witnesses."

Hylla's hand shot towards her pockets.

"She's messing with you!" I quickly got up, throwing Luna off me and raising my hands towards her. "She is harmless."

Hylla scowled, took a second look at the Zorua who was grinning with a mad smile.

"That...that was an incredibly stupid thing to say." Hylla warned, her eyes no longer smiling.

"I know!" Project Z cried out, her voice rising in pitch. "But you know the poor boy can't help it!"

Hylla stared at Project Z. Her eyes were just mesmerized by the sheer absurdity of the situation. Then Project Z started to laugh out loud, her tiny body producing mad cackles.

Hylla turned to face me with a disappointed look. "Why are your Pokémon like this?"

"Hey!" Fay protested loudly. Hylla's gaze shifted to the blue Riolu and she shrunk back to her corner.

{What is going on?} A now awakened Kirlia asked while Project Z continued to throw her laughing fit.

I shrugged, "Dunno, they come to me."

Hylla shook her head.

Project Z managed to pick herself together again. She stopped laughing and smiling altogether in fact. Something that looked rather creepy "Okay, how did you know I can talk? Did Dust tell you?"

{Hylla knows now?} Luna tilted her head. {What did I miss?}

"Project Z spilled the beans." Fay hissed, "now stay silent. I don't wanna miss this."

A small smirk appeared on Hylla's lips. "Actually Dust tried to hide it."

She fixed her purple eyes on me. "You really thought I wouldn't notice it if one entry on the specimen list would go missing."

I shrugged again. "There were like a hundred of them. Surely one of them wouldn't be missed."

"Hold on!" Project Z said. "When did he delete my entry?"

"Yesterday after our battle with Froslass," I said, "I copied and delivered all the files but deleted yours."

Project Z looked at me, her eyes showing no trace of humor or jokes. With a low voice, barely above a whisper she muttered. "Why?"

"Well, after getting to know you a bit better I thought you deserve your freedom, so I deleted all the files containing information about you. So you'd be completely free, no strings and past to hold you back." I smiled, thinking it had been a pretty nice thing to do. "Of course I didn't expect you to join me later."

"Tear-jerking." Hylla dryly commented. "But you forgot to wipe the logs on the drive as well. Really messy Dust. I retrieved her files within a minute."

"In my defense, I was exhausted and had been running away from a very hostile ice queen." I bit my lips in annoyance because Hylla had seen through my bluff. "So, what now?"

"Well, I already told you that the League doesn't want a single experiment to reach the surface."

Project Z's body stiffened.

"However," Hylla continued, "After seeing the 'escaped' specimen for myself I decided against it." A playful glint flashed in Hylla's eyes. "I took the liberty to wipe the files clean from the records, considering I do owe you a favor." Hylla winked at me.

"Well, thank you." I gave her a grateful nod. "You had me stressing for a second."

"Yeah, your face when the Zorua talked was on its own worth it." Hylla grinned. "Though I really do hope you know what you are doing."

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

"Yeah, I'll manage." I reassured Hylla.

"Now because a talking Zorua is quite rare in Sinnoh, I retrieved some documents." She tossed a letter onto the bed. "It's a report from a breeder in Unova who will swear that this Zorua had been raised there. That way no one will be able to connect her with the Red Orphanage."

I read the documents, seeing a lot of words and terms I didn't understand and have never heard of. I only knew that whatever Hylla had done was illegal as shit.

"How?"

Hylla shrugged. "I have connections, anyway, now I returned the favor I really should go."

"Already?" Project Z scowled.

"Affirmative," Hylla reluctantly got off the desk. "I still have a lot of work ahead of me. The people behind the Red Orphanage still walk free."

"If you need help-"

"I won't bother you next time." Hylla suddenly engulfed me in a hug. It was so unexpected that I definitely let out an eep.

"I think you should stay out of trouble for now." She whispered into my ear.

As she said that I thought of the Sinnoh Knight festival I had planned to visit. The looming threat of Dialga and Palkia ripping space and time apart. Somehow I doubted I could stay out of trouble for too long. Fate wouldn't have it that way.

"I'll try." I groaned, my chest crushed.

"Liar," Hylla muttered as she released me. Then her eyes turned cheery again. "Well, see you around?"

She turned to the door, leaving behind a trail of rust-red footprints on the floor.

I waited until her footsteps were out of earshot. Still, a bit surprised from my rude awakening I gazed around the room.

Red footsteps were everywhere.

Wonder how I am going to explain this.

{DUST!}

The Kirlia was standing on top of the bed. Her skin was slightly colored red but not because she was flustered. Her gaze was murderous.

{Can someone tell me what the fuck happened!?}