A bright and fresh day came to the town of Camphrier. Everyone was either preparing for the next contest, or doing whatever suits them. Emma meanwhile, was training with her Eevee and Riolu. She made commands such as 'run in place', 'control attacks', and 'watch breathing'. Indeed, getting stronger for Emma was the first step upon doing what she wants - needs to do.
"Linde! Use your Swift attack!" Emma commanded her Eevee. She hadn't really practiced with her Eevee ever since receiving it, so she figured now it would be a good time for some bonding with it. Eevee was sassy, and remained cautious of Emma, until she realized how Emma encouraged her to constantly keep her power strong, and how she got awarded by doing it. Love and compassion were... foreign for Emma's Eevee, but it was a feeling she could admire. Linde the Eevee did as instructed, and released her Swift attack in the air, controlling it by making the stars circulate the air.
"Now, Kagura! Use your Copycat!" Emma then commanded her Riolu. Copycat was a recent move her Riolu had learned prior to the battle of Lumiose. Kagura focused her senses, remembering every action, movement, and ability Linde the Eevee made prior to her swift attack. Once her senses were sharpened, Kagura made the exact same movement as Linde, thus performed her own Swift attack to the air. The stars collided with each other, creating a big flash and starry explosion that illuminated the air.
"Good!" Emma complimented her pokemon. "If we keep up graceful and skillful movements like those, it will create strength and power! Soon we won't be left behind anymore, right?" her pokemon cried in agreement. Her Riolu then approached Emma, seemingly holding something behind her back. She got it out, revealing a flower it seemingly picked up while the two attacks collided. Emma keeled down, picking it up.
"This is lovely! Kagura, thank you... I needed something to cheer me up..." Emma thanked, followed up with a quiet sigh. She then looked up towards the sky.
Grandpapa... you said that I need to follow what I want to do. Now I finally decided: as a detective, and as a trainer, I have to get stronger. Stronger to protect everyone. I don't want to see that again... I don't want to see my companions suffer again.
"T-there she is!" then called a voice from a little afar. Emma and her pokemon turned towards where the commotion was coming from. There seemed to be a crowd forming in front of what it seemed like a rustic church. Emma and her two pokemon went up to the crowd, hearing a lot of cheers and admiration along the way. Soon, she saw her. A woman was facing the crowd. She has light skin and brown hair that is braided into two hoops at the sides of her face and down into a long ponytail that reaches the ground and is fastened with a jeweled orb. Her long white dress was her most striking feature, as it also had black and gold patterns. Emma could feel it to her very marrow: she seemed like a woman of an elegant, graceful demeanor.
"Madame Elraine!!" the crowd cheered for her. Apparently, the woman was named Elraine, and she was adored and loved by the crowd. Emma could almost recognize her... as if she was someone she saw on the news from T.V once upon a time. Elraine calmly raised her hand, waving a greeting to the crowd, wearing a gentle smile.
"May your happiness be ever eternal," Elraine greeted. "No matter how far apart we are, no matter who you are... I'll always be watching over you, looking after you. Thank you, all." The crowd cheered louder for her, as Elraine responded with a bow.
That's right... Emma thought to herself, upon remembrance.
I remember seeing her on many news segments; Madame Elraine is a priestess of the Holy Order. She takes joy in granting happiness to people, and wishes to create a world where everyone is happy. She took part in many events around the world for charity, and donated her wealth towards the needy. Thus, everyone loves and admires her... but who would of thought that she would visit here of all places?
"She brings luck to everyone!" One of the people in the crowd admired, who Emma had overheard. "Maybe her arrival is why the Relicanth has shown up?"
Relicanth...? Emma questioned.
"That's right!" another continued. "I heard the Relicanth all shown up towards the Perfum Palace nearby for us to see, can you believe it?!"
But Relicanth aren't native to this part of the world... Emma then thought.
Why would Relicanth pop up around here? Hmm, curious. Maybe I should pay a visit to this Parfum Palace...
Detective Kuzunoha in:
**The Relicanth Caper**
The Parfum Palace. The Parfum Palace was once the home of the king of Kalos, and has the fitting style for a regal man. Many statues honoring the knights and Pok?mon who fought in the 300-year-old war are on display inside, including those of a Bisharp general, which once lead a legion of Pawniard into battle. The entrance hall also contains a statue of Milotic, said to be the most beautiful Pok?mon in the world.
Emma arrived past its front gates, right in front of the large mansion. There, she was greeted by a male, who took a bow to greet her. "Good day, miss!" he said in a refined tone. "Welcome, to Parfum Palace. I am Siegfried, humble servant of this estate. Do you have business?"
"I heard that you are housing some Relicanth here," Emma replied. "Is it possible to see them?"
"Of course. Step this way," he answered, opening the front mansion door, allowing Emma to walk him with him escorting her. The mansion was as large inside as it was from the outside. The palace is filled with numerous rooms, paintings, and antique artifacts. On the second floor, there is a hallway decorated with wall-sized mirrors. The hallway leads to the balcony, which offers an overview of the palace's gardens.
Emma was led to the garden itself, preceded by a bridge which also contained statues of Reshiram and Zekrom, two Legendary Pok?mon from the Unova region. Soon Emma came across a large pond which was almost as big as a lawn. There, she saw it: Relicanth was splashing in and about the water.
"These are Relicanth indeed..." Emma pondered. She then turned to Siegfried the butler. "But Relicanth are not native to this part of the region, are they not? How did they come here?"
"Yes, it's quite tale to be sure," Siegfried began. "You see, nearby is another castle, Shabboneau castle which is surrounded by a moat. One day, the young lady and I suddenly saw all those Relicanth, swimming in the castle waters - it was the most surreal event! So much so, that the young lady has claimed them as their own. So, we brought them here."
Then... was there an access point from Shabboneau Castle? Emma thought to herself. She then turned back to Siegfried and slowly shook her head. "...But, surely they don't belong here. They must be returned at once!"
"
Absolutely not!" replied a sudden shout. Emma turned to meet a young girl, seemingly a pre-teen, who dressed in all pink. She also had red hair, and a purple fan she used to elegantly covered her face. She then closed up her fan, revealing her face in full.
"Princess Allie...!" Seigfried greeted, taking a bow. "This guest has been wondering about the Relicanth, you see, and..."
"
Silence!" the princess sharply commanded. She then turned to Emma."What's this rubbish I hear about 'returning the Relicanth'? I have already claimed them for my own, thus they will remain here!"
"But, they won't be able to survive here!" Emma pleaded. "Relicanth survive on ocean's salt water, and the pH of the waters around here aren't optimal enough for them!If you leave them here... they could all die..."
"Then I will simply bring the ocean they like to us!" Princess Allie responded cockily. "I'll... I'll pay someone to do it! My wealth should be enough for that!"
Emma shook her head, kneeling down to face the young, spoiled princess. "Princess, listen..." she addressed in a calm manner. "I don't know why and how the Relicanth decided to come here, but this isn't their home! All the wealth in the world won't change that. Wouldn't you prefer if Pokemon became happy where they belong?"
Princess Allie turned away and pouted. "They'll be happier with me!" she insisted. "Hmph! You seem quite confident being the only one who has that opinion, where others have enjoyed coming here to see them!"
"...Dear child, I'm afraid I must agree with the young lady here," then responded another voice. This time, it seemed much more... gentle. The company looked to see it was none other than Elraine, the famous priestess. She apparently had the same idea to visit the palace to see the Relicanth as well. She had a gentle, sweet smile as she approached and greeted the company.
"M-Madame Elraine!" Siegfried greeted, taking another bow. "To what honor do we have for having you visit us?"
"I too have known of the Relicanth that has ventured upon these waters," Elraine explained as she glanced to Emma. "And as the young woman here explained, they simply do not belong here. I am also curious to how they ventured here in the first place. Might we have a look at this... Shabboneau Castle? Perhaps we can find some clues around there."
She then fully turned to Emma. "Isn't that right, Detective Emma Kuzunoha?"
"You... know my name?" Emma asked with shock. Elraine responded with a gentle nod.
"I've seen your prowess upon the news. I must say, I'm quite impressed of your work, and with someone so young as well..."
"Er, thank you," Emma thanked shyly, giving a small blush.
But... I can't exactly call them accomplishments.
Elraine turned to the young princess and her butler. "Now, what say you? Care to accompany us?"
The princess stood in thought. Finally, she opened up her fan once more. "...Very well," she eventually agreed. "Siegfried! You are you to accompany us. Understood?"
"Yes, Princess Allie." he agreed gracefully.
***
Shabboneau Castle. It became quite a tourist spot ever since the basement opened up, and how the Relicanth came upon the moat's waters. Emma and company arrived at the Castle entrance, and ventured on inside. At the princess's request, the tours were to be put on hold for a while, until the Relicanth mystery became figured out. The princess probably wanted to prove that there was nothing really wrong with the environment around here for the Relicanth, but Emma for now, wanted to know where they had come from.
Emma noticed something strange; the water seemed to suddenly stream from one peculiar direction, quite different from where the waters normally streamed from the nearby lake.
Is that... a tunnel? Emma thought to herself, seeing this phenomenon. she went around the land, watching the moat's waters, until she saw the tunnel in question. The others went after her, as soon another Relicanth popped up from the tunnel.
"So, this is where they've been coming from..." Emma said, observing. "Where does that tunnel lead to?"
"That leads to the basement of the castle," Siegfried explained. "The basement had been recently opened to the public, you see. After quite a number of years, the basement walls had been opened, and has been quite a popular tourist attraction! Quite remarkable, really."
"Enough floundering!" Princess Allie demanded. "Show us to this basement at once!"
Seigfried nodded, leading the way inside the castle. The castle itself wasn't that interesting to most. It had rustic walls with old furniture. It seemed to be covered in dust, perhaps preserving that historic feel. Emma could remember watching a documentary about Shabboneau Castle, which all of this felt... familiar to her.
Soon Emma came across a portrait. It seemed to be a young woman wearing a formal dress and a crown, alongside her was a tall, blue-dog like pokemon. It looked like Riolu, but it was definitely taller, and slander.
That's a Lucario... Emma thought to herself,obvserving the portait.
The others stopped to turn to Emma. Lady Elraine approached Emma, then turned to view the portrait for herself. "That is a portrait of the hero-queen Terra, alongside her faithful partner, Lucario," Elraine explained. "Long ago, there was a terrible war in a far away region. Lady Terra and her Lucario fought long and hard, eventually bringing peace to all, and thus, hailed as a heroine."
So she also fought for peace... Emma thought. She then turned towards the ground, with a sigh of guilt.
She must of been very strong, to hold on to the belief that there can be peace. But me? I just... gave up. What made her so strong to keep fighting? How can I... be that strong?
Elraine turned to Emma and smiled. "Truly, fighting for peace is a tough feat," she explained, as Emma then turned back towards her. "Did you know? Lucario and Riolu are not like most pokemon. They both have the power to read human emotions, and amplify their power according to their own aura. When the bond between human and Lucario or Riolu becomes strong enough, not only will the pokemon's power increase, but it can appear to the human that they can communicate with their partner pokemon, even though the pokemon do not converse the same language."
Is that why Kagura and I can communicate so well? Emma then thought.
Come to think of it, all we really need is a glance, and we can read what we're both thinking. Kagura knows me so well... as if we were close friends for years, but we've only known each other for a short time. Is that the bond we both share...?
***
Shortly after, the group continued their trek though the castle. Soon they encountered and went down through the old basement. The basement itself was quite spacious, with many antiques laying about old furniture. These antiques must be worth a fortune, Emma thought upon seeing them, but perhaps all the more reason to leave them here for historical displays.
Soon the group saw a strange tunnel, that jotted out through one wall of the basement. Curious, the group went inside, and through the tunnel. The tunnel became wider, and more spacious as the group continued on, until eventually, they saw an even bigger spacious opening. There was a stream that flowed from outside; through a big hole in the wall they saw. There, they soon saw Relicanth, jumping through the waters, inside the room. Emma peeked through the wall to see there was a large body of water which stretched even further than what she could see into unknown territory.
"So this is it..." Siegfried observed, seeing the enviroment. "The Relicanth must of came through the large body of water of this unknown territory..."
"There might of been a storm from afar which led them astray from their original path," Emma added. "Then they could of been led to the rapid waters around here, to this castle. Thus, they've be led here by a total accident. Remarkable, as that sound."
"Wonderful..." Elraine said with a joyous tone, observing the aquatic rock-fish pokemon.
"So they didn't mean to come here? They were led here because they had no choice in the matter?" Princess Allie asked, fanning herself calmly with her fan. "Then... then they really wanted to just go back home..."
"Magnificent..." Elraine then said, continuing to observe the Relicanth. "Simply... magnificent."
"Indeed," Siegfried agreed. "Princess, if I may? Perhaps the Relicanth would indeed be happier if they return to the waters that they call home. As the detective says, they might not survive for much longer here. Perhaps we should organize our staff to send them home, and visit them periodically?"
"Well..." Princess Allie began to say. She stopped fanning herself, and closed her fan completely. "We should--"
"
Simply beautiful..." Elraine continued on. "Relicanth... These endless Relicanth..."
"...Lady Elraine?" Emma called out to the distracted mistress. Elraine kept on watching them appear. Soon, she let out a soft giggle. The giggle turned into a modest chuckle. Then a full on loud laugh.
"Yes, truly the Relicanth do not belong here," she laughed. She then turned to face the group. "Because they now all belong to
me."
"...I beg your pardon, milady?" Siegfried questioned solemnly. "They now belong... to you?"
"But of course," Elraine replied, in a more and sudden... strange sinister tone. "Such creatures do not deserve the gaze of imperfect beings, like the public. Only I can care for them in a goddess' protection."
"What... What are you talking about?" Emma then asked. "I thought you wanted to send the Relicanth back home as well?"
"Please," Elraine retorted, gazing upon the gushing water, and the Relicanth swimming through it. "Why go home when you can be cared for by a
goddess? Once I acquire all of these pokemon, the real treasure will finally be opened to me."
"Real... Treasure?" Princess Allie then asked. "What is this,
'real treasure' you speak of?"
"Very well. I shall tell you," Elraine responded, turning back to the group. "A certain legend in Hoenn speaks this: if you bring forth a certain Relicanth, and a pokemon called Wailord, a mystic door will open, revealing the way... to ancient, yet beautiful golem-legendary pokemon." She then walk to the side a bit, gazing to the wall along the way. "I have a Wailord already in my grasp, but not Relicanth. I've had to pry this Wailord from its family, however. Unfortunately, the family put up a skirmish, so as imperfect beings they are, I had to.. eliminate them."
"You...
eliminated them?" Princess Allie repeated, after a collected gasp from the three. "How could you...?"
"L-Lady Elraine?" Siegfried called out to her. "But, I thought you were the central voice of peace and kindness to all beings! The idea that you would harm pokemon to follow a legend is..."
"Don't be a fool," Elraine suggested, in an emotionless, yet a growing evil tone. "Imperfect beings have no place in the eyes of beauty. I have already cast aside and sacrificed thousands upon thousands to claim my perfect beings."
"You... Are you
insane!" Emma shouted. "You would sacrifice any and all, just to get what you want? What about all the talk of peace and love you always shared with the world? The kindness you gave to those who need it--"
"All useless," Elraine quickly responded, with Emma replying with a quick pain, seemingly through her heart. "Do you think I really care who suffers? Who burns? Who drowns? Who gets crushed? No. That was all merely a facade, for me to gain the public's heart. Now, they all are eating out of the palm of my hand, ready to get me all I desire within moments. I can dispose of them at anytime, grovelling at my feet as I slowly crush whatever beauty they hold on of value to their hearts."
"You're a monster..." Emma called her, in a sheepish tone. "How many people have trusted you? Loved you? And you're taking advantage of all of that... Even I thought you were a role model to follow..."
"
Enough," Elraine commanded. "Step aside. Or else face the wrath of Elraine... of the Emerald Dragons."
"You're with the Emerald Dragons?!" Emma asked in disbelief. "Then you wish to claim all of these Relicanth, and dispose of the ones you don't care for to the highest bidder? Even if that bidder could cause them to die..."
"That's not important," Elraine retorted. "Step aside, I said."
"Never! I won't let you do as you please!" Emma stated. "Elraine... you're reign of terror ends here!"
Elraine let out a disinterested sigh. "Detective Kuzunoha, was it? As I said, fighting for peace is a difficult effort," Elraine said. "Why bother this struggle? The peace you imagine... will never come true. It is only a pretty dream you think of, to justify your own brand of justice. Why fight for people who don't respect you? Why stand up for people don't trust you? Why risk your life for people who don't like you, for who you are and who you represent?"
Emma made a pained face. Her questions... hit the mark. She knows all too well the people she talked about. And what they think of her...
***
Like that time in Santalune Forest:
To be frank, it'd be appreciated if you kept your advice to yourself. I don't have any intention of dyin'... and you don't have any inkling of what my goals are, nor if there'd be anyone to miss me either way."So, **** off, Kuzunoha.
And that time in Santalune City:
A fool who blindly follows the very same evil she's trying to prevent has no right to preach to me about justice! Tell then, what is justice? How do you work towards a peace with an endless cycle of hatred?
I KNEW I couldn't trust you... you insufferable *****! See where your so called 'justice' led to? You're just like... those criminals...
Even that time... in Lumiose City:
What's gotten into me? What's gotten into me is maybe I'm tired of always having to struggle from behind while you keep on showing how amazing and what a prodigy you are! Maybe I'm tired of you checking up on me while at the same time deciding to just rub it my face how amazing of everything you are! And then when you try to console me, it's some 'Hey, smile! It's okay, you only almost got him killed!' Tauros ****!
Just... just go away. If you really want to make things better then just... just take your smug attitude and go away...
Emma clasped her hands together, looking on the ground. Elraine turned towards her to address her once more. "Why create... when it will only be destroyed? Why cling to life... knowing that you will have to die? None of it will have meant anything once you do."
Emma looked up from the ground, calmly shaking her head. "...We all have to live to protect what we hold dear," Emma responded in a calmer tone. "As long as you have that, you can find the meaning on your own. That's what I learned, from each my companions."
"To fight to hold what's dear... huh," Elraine repeated, with a disappointed expression. "Such impudent wisdom." she then got out something from her robe - a pokeball. She then threw it gently, as it touched the ground. It then opened, releasing a large, blue-dinosaur-like pokemon. A Nidoqueen. Her Nidoqueen roared, upon its arrival. "...That means nothing to me."
Emma grunted, as she got out, and threw a pokeball of her own. The pokeball opened, releasing her Riolu upon the field. "Now Kagura! Force Palm attack!" Emma then quickly ordered. Her Riolu swiftly ran up to her foe, attempting to deliver a Palm-strike from her paw. The enemy Nidoqueen however, managed to effortlessly swat it away.
"Thunder Punch." Elraine calmly ordered. Her Nidoqueen quickly made a fist, as it became covered in a light-blueish aura. The attack collided with the staggered Riolu, causing Riolu to be knocked back a few feet, hurdling towards the ground.
"Kagura!!" Emma called out to it, worried. She keeled down to see it was alright, as Elraine's Nidoqueen stood in place.
"
This is the power of Riolu?" Elraine remarked. "Perhaps it's been tainted by such an imperfect being as yourself, Detective."
Emma gritted her teeth. But all of a sudden, another pokeball was thrown. This time,the pokeball opened, revealing a medium-sized dog like pokemon, who was seemingly groomed all pink. A furfrou.
Princess Allie then went up to the battle field. "I will not allow you to harm those Relicanth!" she declared. "How dare you call them imperfect! I once claimed them, so they are all perfect in my eyes!"
"Annoying pest..." Elraine mocked. With a snap of her fingers, Her Nidoqueen charged rightin again. Princess Allie's Furfrou charged in against it in turn.
"Now, Tackle attack!" the princess commanded. Her Furfrou kept charging in, making sharper movements as it started to collect speed towards the enemy Nidoqueen.
"Thunderbolt." Elraine responded with little challenge. Her Nidoqueen stopped, charging sparks of electricity from the horn upon her head. It released the energy, releasing a strong electric blast towards the Furfrou. The attack made contact, striking the Furfrou, causing it to be blasted back towards the princess, colliding with her, sending them both to the ground.
"Now, finish them off with Hyper Beam!" Elraine then commanded. Her Nidoqueen charged up energy from its mouth, quickly releasing a powerful energy beam towards her foes. Princess Allie held on to her Furfrou, anticipating the blast... but was confused that the attack never came when the blast seemed to hit. She then looked up to find... her butler Siegfried took the blow.
"...Prin...cess... thank... goodness you're safe..." he gasped. He was breathing hard, while his arms were both stretched out. He then slumped over, laying on the ground, not saying another word.
"S-Siegfried!!" Princess Allie called out for him, distressed. She was kneeling over to him. As she saw his seemingly lifeless body, tears slowly started to roll from her eyes. "Siegfried... I... I... open your eyes...! ...Please..." she then layed her head upon his battered body, crying even more tears.
Emma watched on in horror, and in deep sadness. She saw her Riolu desperately try to get up, but slumping back down each time, due to injury.
Why... she thought dishearteningly.
In these moments... Why is it always in these crucial moments... why... can't I do anything?
She clenched her fists as they sat on the ground where she keeled.
I'm... not strong enough... not for father, for mother, for grandpapa, for all my classmates... not for Sayo... or for... she reared her head in defeat.
Avril... I'm so sorry. she closed her eyes. Hope escaped her. There was nothing left... nothing.
***
Don't, give up...
A sudden call flew open her eyes. Everything around her gave off a peculiar indigo light. It was like... she was in another world. She then saw her Riolu, laying on the ground, looking up at her. Emma crept closer to her.
Emma... don't give up.
Kagura...? You're... talking?
I have always known it, from the first time I've met you. You and I, are one of the same.
We're... the same?
I know your feelings. I too share your feelings about the world, and for life. I experienced them first hand myself, cherishing each moment of the peace this world brings everyday. But it is because you cherish life and peace, that you must protect it.
I do..
It is your faith in me and yourself that allows me to grow even stronger. As long as you have that hope, myself and all your pokemon friends will never abandon you.
Emma then looked around; the figures of all her pokemon surrounded her in this mysterious space. Vida the Budew, Kaen the Arcanine, and Linde the Eevee. They all cried, feeling the same way. Emma viewed each of her pokemon. Her friends. She then smiled towards each and every one of them.
Of course... how can I have missed it? At first, I thought Elraine and I went through the same experience, but she chose a different path, so I truly thought she had strength. I really did... but that's not what strength is. True strength isn't something to obtain in normal effort. To be genuinely strong... you have to fight for those who are precious to you.
Stronger... I want to become even stronger. Stronger to protect everyone. I don't want to see that again... I don't want to see my companions suffer again. I won't let my friends be hurt ever again!
A bright light started to form, causing Emma to close her eyes. As the light fade, she found herself in the same battlefield again. She then stood up, after seeing her Riolu back on her feet. "Kagura..." she said to it. Kagura made her usual bark in response. Was that a dream? Or something more... Emma could only wonder, but it was just what she needed.
***
"You still want to go on?" Elraine could only question. "Such an imperfect creature like your pokemon is not worth the effort. Very well, I will now rid the world of that fifth. Hehehe... such a pathetic creature, it's laughable."
"Don't you dare laugh..." Emma started, in a quiet, forward tone, all the way on her feet. She clenched her fists, as Riolu prepared a battle stance. "Don't you dare laugh...
at my friend!!"
Kagura made a sharp battle cry, as it then started to glow. The blue light it enveloped was extraordinary. Elraine watched in surprise as the pokemon started to grow. Princess Allielooked up, to see the sudden light too. Kagura grew dreadlocks, spikes on its back ankle, and even grew larger by each second. Soon the light grew brighter, as it dispersed. A new pokemon stood right beside Emma, battle ready.
Kagura the Riolu, evolved into a Lucario.
"I've been listening to you go on and on. Just shut your
damn mouth already, you degenerate fool!" Emma demanded. "The only imperfect being here is
you. People like you who disturb peace... I'm
done playing nice!"
"
Silence!" Elraine ordered. "Nidoqueen! Ice Punch attack, now!" Her Nidoqueen gathered the same movement as her Ice Punch before, heading straight for her newly evolved enemy.
"Kagura! Force Palm attack!" Emma responded. Her new Lucario charged right towards the Nidoqueen, responded to Nidoqueen's Ice Punch with a Force Palm blast. The two attacks collided with each other, leaving a mini-blast which knocked the two back, still on their feet. Nidoqueen however, got the worse of it, gotten paralyzed by the Force Palm Blast.
"Now, Copycat!" Emma then called out. Her Lucario glowed a light--blue aura, trying to contrast each and every of Nidoqueen's movements before her attack hit. When it was done, it jumped up, clenched her paw, hurling herself straight towards the enemy. It then hit the Nidoqueen with the same Ice Punch it delivered before,causing Nidoqueen to tumble to the ground.
This can't be possible... Elraine thought in disbelief.
How...? Where did all this strength come from?
"Elraine..." Emma addressed to her. "Do you know why birds fly? Birds want to fly, so they soar the skies. Even if there's no reason to. Even if their wings break, and even if they die. They don't do it for humans or anyone else. Birds just want to fly, so they fly in the sky! You and the rest of the Emerald Dragons have no right to crush the dreams and desires of pokemon!"
"And you honestly think dreams should exist for everyone?!" Elraine asked in a more desperate tone. "I too had dreams, and for what cause? For them to be crushed as well?! Fool! I'll show you what happens to those you cling to a false sense of hope! Nidoqueen! Hyper Beam!!" Her Nidoqueen stood back up, and charged forward. It then released a powerful beam from it's mouth, like from before.
"Kagura! Show them your new powers! Aura Sphere attack!" Kagura the Lucario focused her power aura power. It concentrated its power upon a single point, right in between her two palms she uses to concentrate the aura under. It was all concentrated into a ball, which she then released her power, right towards the Hyper Beam attack. The attack collided with the blast. As at first the Aura Sphere attack was pushed back a little bit, its power soon increased with Kagura's aura, powered by Emma's emotions. The Aura Sphere pushed back the blast, until it finally collided with the Nidoqueen, causing a big explosion from the blast.
Smoke came around from the aftermath. As it started to clear, Emma and Princess Allie both saw Elraine, right underneath her Nidoqueen's knocked out and motionless body. Emma and Kagura both walked up and approached her. Elraine had a small amount of blood dripping from her forehead. She chuckled, as she then slowly raised her head to look upon her victorious foe.
"...I... see... To think that I was defeated... by a miserable creature..." Elraine stingily commented. She then slowly lowered her head to lay it on the ground. "Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from... and where... do they go...? It looks my heart... will never know... true perfection... and beauty... again..." she then stopped moving, seemingly knocked out.
Emma could then see something shining - it was Elraine's broach, which fell out from her dress. She picked it up. On closer inspection, it seemed to be a locket of sorts. She opened it, and there, she saw Elraine, seemingly younger. There was also two men - one slightly older, and one who seemed to be a young child. It might of been Elraine's family.
...That's why you put so much meaning onto beauty... Emma calmly thought to herself.
It was your broken heart. You tried to fill it with your fantasy of beauty and perfection...
She then clenched Elraine's broach, and looked up to the hole that led to the sea. "I will never allow such misery to be repeated again. Ever."
***
The police went by the castle several moments later.They took Elraine and her Nidoqueen in a police van, while Siegfried, the butler, was hoisted in a hospital van. One of the police officers came to salute Emma, who stood nearby. But the conversation was cut short, by an incoming Princess Allie.
"How.. How is he?!" she asked with vigor. Emma knelled down to gently place her hand on her shoulder.
"His injuries are serious, but not life threatening," Emma explained. "He'll be just fine after some treatment."
"Detective... thank you..." Allie thanked, rubbing her tears from her cheek. "Siegfried is special to me. He was the one who always played with me whenever mother and father were always busy to. And they were constantly busy, so, all I really had was him."
"I know that feeling all too well, Princess," Emma explained, with a modest smile. "But don't worry. He's going to see your smile again soon."
"Thank you..." the princess thanked once more. "And the... Relicanth?"
"The police are going to help round them up, and take them back to where they belong," Emma explained. "An expert should be able to find the right environment for them. They'll be okay as well. "
"Yes... that's for the best," Princess Allie finally conceded. She then got out a small, fancy box, and presented it to Emma. "Please, I want you to take this." she opened it, and inside, it seemed to be a small container with a strange pattern.
"...What is this?" Emma asked. It was a peculiar sight to be sure. Allie looked up at her.
"It's called an 'Odd Keystone'. Well, I called it odd. The pattern is what one would call odd, no? But at any rate, it's one of my favourite treasures, and I want you to have it. I insist! In fact, I order you to--"
"Alright, Alright!" Emma giggled, accepting the gift. "I'll treasure it, thank you."
"By the by, did you know?" Princess Allie started. "There's going to be a contest in town. It'd be... lovely if I can see you on there."
"A contest, huh..." Emma pondered. "I heard there was one in one of the towns I previously visited, but couldn't participate because of work. Maybe I will, this time. It'll be my first time, sooo you can watch me, to see how I perform."
"I expect only perfection from you, from the woman who saved my life!" Princess Allie announced with a pout. "I will not forgive you for anything second rate!"
"Alright," Emma agreed. "I'll continue to do my best. I promise."
CASE COMPLETE!
---
Obtained!
Riolu evolved into Lucario!
Force Palm | Copycat | Aura Sphere | Quick Attack | Foresight
An Odd Keystone!