Dark Sun ch 17

Manipulation

Mikazuki slowly regained consciousness.  Her eyes flickered as she tried remembering what had happened.  After a few minutes, her memory still in a haze, she got up and examined her surroundings.  She was in a small cave, a single opening leading in a tunnel.  Crystals were hanging on the walls, giving off low, blue light.
-Where am I?  the Umbrespeon asked herself out loud.  What happened?
-You're at my place, a voice answered.
Mikazuki turned quickly turned around.  She was surprised to see another Umbrespeon staring back at her.  Behind him, a Tyranitar was standing, immobile.
-Mister Nocturn?  Mika asked after recognizing the black Pokémon.  Why am I here?
-We saved you, the male Umbrespeon replied.
-What?  But...
-You were in danger with your family.  We took the liberty to save you.
-W-what?  No, that's not true!
-What do you think Mikazuki?  Your family hated you and tried to get rid of you, of course you were in danger.
-N-no... Mommy and daddy never did that...  I know they didn't!
-Your Umbreon uncle is manipulating your memory.  Lust here can fix this.
-No!  Uncle Shadow's not mean!
-It's natural you'd think this.  Lust, free her.
The Tyranitar, a sadistic smile on his lips, walked to the young bipolar Pokémon.  Mikazuki backed away from him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
-Don't touch me!  Mika cried.
-Stop struggling, the Tyranitar ordered as he put a hand on Mika's forehead, holding her into place.
Despite trying to struggle, Mikazuki started feeling a growing numbness in her limbs.  She tried to free herself from the Tyranitar's grip, but she wasn't able to move.
-That's better Mikazuki, Nocturn said.  Let Lust help you.
-N-no...  I'm scared...  Mika cried.  I want my mommy and daddy...
-I promise everything will be alright.
The armor Pokémon focused and used his powers.  Mikazuki's head was filled with images of her family hating her, beating her and rejecting her for what she was.
-No... that's not true...  Mika cried.  They're not mean...
-They have been manipulating you, Nocturn said.  They have been lying to you for the past year.
Fake memories of her mother rejecting her, of her father yelling at her for nothing, of her cousins mistreating her continued to play in her head at a point where all she could do was weep.
-Stop...  that's not real...  mommy and daddy aren't...  the Umbrespeon stammered.
"Her mind's stronger than I thought" Nocturn told himself.  "No matter, Karan will have her at our feet in no time."  While the Tyranitar showed lies to the child, Mika only thought about a simple sentence her parents always told her: "We have always loved you Mika, and we always will".
-Mommy... and daddy... love me... Mikazuki managed to say.  And they... always will...
-What about the time you almost died?  Nocturn asked.
Mikazuki started shaking as the memories quickly returned to her.  Her first kidnapping, her imprisonment, her almost death, it all came back.
-Why?  the young girl asked.  Why me?
-They are afraid of you Mika, Nocturn said in a smooth voice.  They are afraid of what we are: stronger.  We don't deserve this fate.
-B-but why?  Didn't d-daddy try to save me?
-Mika... your father is the one who arranged this.
Mikazuki's eyes widened at what the other Umbrespeon said.  The armor Pokémon took advantage of the situation to manipulate Mika's memories, altering them to fit the ones he had implanted.
-N-no!  Mika yelled, her head aching.  Daddy's not like that!  He wouldn't hurt me!
-But he has Mika, just like your whole family did.
-Stop... please stop!
Mikazuki's eyes started glowing pink.  Nocturn and Karan could feel psychic tension starting to build up inside her.  Knowing they only had seconds to go, Nocturn knew he had to make the young unstable Umbrespeon stop before she would blow up the cave.
-I can help you, the Umbreon told the younger one.
Mika stopped building up energy, surprised by Nocturn.  She stared at him with her wet eyes, silently asking him what she should do.
-Was... was it all really a lie?  she asked.  Have I really been hated like this the whole time?
-I'm sorry, but yes, Nocturn lied.
-By Oni?  Marik?  Koneka?  Uncle Shadow?  Mommy?  Daddy?  Everyone?
-I'm afraid so...
-...But...  why?
-I don't know Mikazuki, Nocturn continued.
Karan let go of Mika's head and went back behind Nocturn.  The young bipolar Pokémon just sat there, gathering her thoughts.  She couldn't stop tears from falling from her eyes at all the fake memories Karan had implanted in her head.  Nocturn went closer to her and embraced her in a hug.
-I can help you, he whispered to her ear.  I can help you have revenge.
-B-but I don't want to fight... Mika cried.
-As long as they don't understand who you are they won't respect you.  You need to show them you're not afraid of them, and create the opposite.
Mikazuki didn't say anything, feeling safe in the older Umbrespeon's embrace.  Nocturn wiped Mika's tears from her eyes and looked at her.
-Bolt, doesn't deserve a daughter like you, he said.  Let me be your father.
-Y-you mean it?
-Every word.
-Thank you... daddy...
Mika settled her head on Nocturn's shoulder as an evil grin drew itself on his lips.  His vengeance would finally be able to be set in motion.