REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

AS ALWAYS, DECLAN DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR HIMSELF. Shadows take hold of the knob, turning it carefully before lashing away as the frame opens. He remains close to his desk. Standing, however, in the middle of spraying a desk plant with a squirtle-shaped squirt bottle.

"i am." The boss says. "and for what business do you make this visit?"

The doors close quick after Killian, should he enter. In this fanciful office, the stuffy air hangs above antique furniture. Old-fashioned desk legs. Ornate rugs.

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

Walsh leans forth with each verse Killian reveals. Heavy with interest, the dark silver of his hair hangs past the firm lines of his face.

"Do tell me more." He says.

About Deoxys, the Rocket Boss offers little save for the retreading of old news.

"Only reports of what had transpired in Meteor Falls' warfront. An alien Pokemon emerging from a meteorite, a Megalopolan having some of their limbs absorbed by its flesh before the creature made its escape. How macabre."

Walsh tilts his head, still tied to Killian by his curiosity.

"Is it the same one?"

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

"you believe so."

the rocket boss repeats. he lets the thought linger as if to allow the uncertainty to roll out underneath it like an old rug.

"is it gifting you its power?" walsh asks. "or is it using you instead?"

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

"it is an alien pokemon that presumably possesses potent powers beyond our current comprehension." the rocket boss says.

walsh does not react to killian's shift in tone.

"it would be human folly to assume we know the full breadth of its intentions. of its capacity for destruction. this is true of all pokemon."

although the submarine is stationed within the cave of origin, the lair's natural resonance reminds him of a dive deep into the sea.

"we are in hoenn, admin decker. a region that has faced the possibility of catastrophic geological change at the whims of pokemon throughout history... and that holds true even today." the rocket boss says. "i suggest we do not forget that."

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

"CONCERNING," Walsh's voice creeps across the room like hardening starlight, "should it be a recent memory."

The Rocket Boss narrows his eyes.

"Also concerning, is the matter of your health. If Deoxys is sharing its memory with you," he pauses, "then I worry that it is making contact with your brain."

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

THE ROCKET BOSS FOLDS HIS HANDS TOGETHER. Experts, indeed. Truly, they are. However, when faced with the never before seen in a time where new discoveries are conspicuous and world-altering, how much expertise can one sincerely hold?

"then you're in good hands, god willing." He says. Squinting his eyes, he appears to stare into Killian himself. "perhaps, as you bond with your alien roommate, you'll learn more of its past. of its dreams. its fears. that will be a special directive for you, decker. learn more."

Walsh pauses.

"but do know. i will always remain wary." His glance shifts, then hardens toward Killian's face like the tip of a rapier. "in your quest to know and befriend, i fear you will become vulnerable in matters of the heart- and mind."

Slowly, Walsh rises, as if to signal waves of conclusion.

"anything else?"

Killian Decker

REVELATIONS

KILLIAN X WALSH

"i know nothing." walsh says, voice honed into a steady, grey feather. "nothing but caution and concern for my loyal rockets."

the issue of communication is one walsh is familiar with. darkrai is cold and silent to him; he believes Lulu Flint experiences much the opposite.

"my understanding is limited, i am afraid." walsh says. "perhaps, rather than with words, ask it to use its malleable physicality."

hypothetically, the other solution is to allow full access to the mind. however, the boss does not suggest it out loud.

"good luck."

notions of a promotion begin to crawl.

Killian Decker