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As Leon dove between her and the Ogerpon, Aubre felt her heart twist.
”Leon!” She started with an attempted scold, one muffled in the lines of his tattoo. His eyes were so
worried. He was willing to
die for her, and here she was trying to
make him.
“I didn’t need you to—” Tears pricked at her eyes.
“Why did you—?” Her words end in a sob.
[break][break]
Some part of her wanted to drink in this moment (without the pain). This knightly side of his was always so hidden. If anyone had
looked now, they’d see it too. The
real him.
CRACK! She felt and heard his rib break. Her breath escaped in a worried rush as she sat up beneath him. By the time the water washed over them, she’d given up at any attempt at cleaning. Though it made her shiver, the water helped clear her head.
[break][break]
It lent clarity to just what she’d put him through.
[break][break]
“I’m sorry,” Aubre murmured to her battered husband. But she didn’t say she wouldn’t do it again. Because they both knew
she would. In fact, the doctor would do it again
tomorrow. She saw something in pain, and she’d take any amount of it to
fix that. After their time on the floor, the redhead helped him to their feet. Every bone in her body ached, but those green eyes were
keen.
[break][break]
She noted the layout of the hallway and the Megalopans around them. Her eyes slid across the machinery as she noted all of the
technology on display. It really didn’t make
sense. Why opt for dusty old cells when you had
this?
[break][break]
With notable shyness, she swapped one outfit for another.
“Thank you.” This small bit of gratitude was granted to the guard who’d handed it over. If offered his top, she’d
insist he leaves it on. Still, she
did use her taller husband as a changing screen. She didn’t want to show strangers her—well—
private parts.
[break][break]
Her lips furrowed in worry as Leon offered a look of disgust at the cot. She laid upon it for a moment as he stretched out on the floor. Any attempts to argue went nowhere. But those earlier comments made her think it was more about
pain than not wanting to be beside her.
[break][break]
She tried to find something to say. But all of it felt so
contrite--like a cheap motivational poster. There was no guarantee they were getting out of this alive. Finally, she settled on a simple,
“I’m glad you’re here.” Not in this
hell but with her. She didn’t second guess herself, though. He knew what she meant. When it came to understanding her, there were few people better.
“But you could spread the chivalry around.” Her attempt at humor is as weak as her right hook.
[break][break]
Too guilty to take the high ground, Aubre crawled from the cot to lay beside him. The pillow is laid between their head as the ratty blanket is pulled over them. Her hand pauses above his chest before dropping between them. She tries to find something to say. A way to try and acknowledge the chasm between them is closing.
“Good night.”
When she awakens, it is to an unfamiliar city
A dream?. The bustling metropolis puts her on edge. She’d never trusted cities. And, last she checked, Aubre didn’t dream about them. She chewed at her bottom lip. The strange script around her seems to have rhyme and reason. The doctor felt surprisingly in control—something missing from her typical dreams.
“Where am I?”[break][break]
Another person passes by, and that catches her attention. They're
blue. When they smile at her, shark-like teeth show back. She swallows. The place feels so
loud.
Is Leon here?The absence of Leon beside her feels like a missing tooth. Apparently, however, she’d taken his outfit instead. In place of her typical clothes was a designer’s woman suit. The only sign of color is an emerald blouse.
[break][break]
It’s a welcome change from the shorts and kimono top. But she can’t help but notice that the sleeves are too long. Every few seconds, she finds herself pushing them up again. Still, that mundane issue is almost comforting. After a moment of debate, Aubre sets her course for the tallest building on the horizon. It was visible from all directions, and she hoped Leon would head there for a better look.
[break][break]
"Excuse me--" The redhead's words become a stream of apologies as she tries to weave through the crowd of Megalopans. "Pardon me, sir." Occasionally, one brushes her shoulders. "Can I just squeeze through here." It made her shiver.[break][break]
As she pushed her way forward, it didn’t take her long to find the first of her Pokemon. A familiar blob of pink bobbing in a vat of blue. Her voice fills with hope as she lays a palm against the glass.
“Maggie?” Her voice is soft and hopeful. But as time passes, the tapping turns to slaps. "
Can you hear me?" She clenches her fist.
“Where are you?" But the normally hyperactive powerhouse just snoozes on. She reaches out to ask the nearest Megalopan what the tank was, but they just smile back like she's a child spouting gibberish.
[break][break]
Sure, this was a dream, but so was Father Winter. The ramifications for that
still impacted her.
[break][break]
That’s when she notices
violet cross and
Andrew Fisher. Without the visor, the kingmaker from earlier disappears. Her hands feel sweaty. But she remembers their words as they pronounced
pain for the other side. Because they're not blue, they stand out in a sea of bodies. Unlike
Leon Settentrioné, these two were
upfront about it. Before she can stop herself, the redhead’s striding toward them. There’s a tremble to her limbs but her eyes are clear.
[break][break]
The talk of swindling earns a frown. Suddenly. She is an arm’s length from them. For a moment, she hesitates but no longer. Her lips press together as the barely five-foot girl tries to look
stern.
“You two voted to forsake.” There seems to be more confusion to her last word than anger. Almost as if she can't wrap her mind around it. “
Why?”
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