Chapter Text
Two months, and yet they haven’t done any progress.
As the Meowth looked at the ground far below him, his fur shivered violently, both from the cold air and his mild fear of heights, he always knew that the island was big, but it was like a whole region instead, filled full of villages and towns that contained citizens that lived their lifes peacefully, not having to survive.
“Hey feline! Found any information yet?” Commanded the Pidgeotto, who didn’t even look at him, Matthew looked at Pidgeotto before then looking down on himself. “No Poe, we hadn’t have any information.” He answered, as the growling of Togepi’s stomach caught his attention.
He watched with guilt as she squirmed from the pain of malnourishment, her skin looking pale, and even her egg shaped body looked brittle and could easily snap, Matthew always wondered how Saul always gets the apples and berries. “Stupid meanie always saying that we aren’t working hard enough, even though he gets to sit on his butt all day, talking about how much he misses his daughter, why not my daughter?…”
He’s guilt comes more obvious as it looks like Tessa was visibly getting more pale, they aren’t going to survive any longer if they keep having this diet.
“Don’t worry Tessa, if we work really hard, we’ll get-“ Matthew’s comforting words get cut off.
“SHUT IT YOU PRICKS! Be thankful that you’re even being kept alive, plus my wings are getting tired from having to carry you lot…” Threatened Poe, changing his direction for a split second to get his point across. “And call me Commander from now on, or else I’m telling Saul that you scratched one of our higher ranks.”
Matthew held onto Poe, his fear of punishment getting over him as he starts to heavily breathe, his lungs constantly working to keep him conscious. “Ugh…. I can’t keep doing this anymore, I’m gonna die either way…” His mind spiral, wondering if he’s ever gonna get out of this nightmare, but he constantly reminded himself that people always had a happy ending, even if they are at the lowest point of their lives, but he now wondered if that’s ever true at all.
but as his awful thoughts have finally died down, so does his heavy breathing as poe softly landed on the ground next to the mouth of a cave, with moss that invaded its surface, and pointed spikes that make it look like the mouth of a predator, caves are usually for Pokémon that don’t have enough coins to buy an actual home, but a cave is still a home, somewhere that they can stay for warmth, for safety…
“Good luck talking with him you too.” Poe’s serious voice sounded as sharp as needles, Convincing both Matthew and Tessa that they were in serious trouble, and are definitely gonna receive manipulative comments like: “YOU’RE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THEM! FAILING EVERYTHING THAT I TELL YOU TO DO, YOU WORTHLESS BLOODY KIDS CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT!”
Matthew’s fur shivered again as he gulped, lifting his grip off of Poe and jumping off, before going to the other side to wrap his paws around Tessa, who calmed down after feeling her friends warmth. “We’re just kids… why does he expect all these great things from us?” Matthew wondered, he hesitated, before ever so slowly going inside.
Inside was anything you expect from a master that clearly doesn’t care for its subjects, all of the young Pokémon were constantly scrambling to prove their theories across the tables, writing down any information they could possibly find, there were some posters here and there about learning their alphabet, as that was what they used to do before he went insane, it was chaos.
Matthew slowly walked deeper into the cave, he could feel some of the Pokémon eyeing him, feeling their gossip, their insults, but it was nothing compared to the scolding that he’s about to receive.
“Matthew…” A deep voice called out, before a large figure appeared out of one of the passageways, the dark parts of the cave covered his form, it was undeniable, it was indeed Saul, everyone in the cave stopped in their tracks, half of them look at him, while the other half looked at Matthew, who’s fur was faintly covered in sweat. “U-u-uhh… Y-yes m-“ Matthew’s speech cut off on its own, clearly not having the courage to speak up.
“Ugh… let me guess, you didn’t find any information on my daughter again…” Questioned Saul, his sharp eyes piercing into Matthew‘s, who couldn’t help but shake at the site of him, feeling the growl shutter deep into his bones.
“N-no…” Matthew answered, eyeing him and the rest of the Pokémon, it’s weird to say that they are really good at standing completely still, like they think that somehow he will not see them. “B-but master Saul! If you would just give us a bit more-“
“GAHH!” Roared Saul, the loud piercing echo continued as he grabs a table and smashes it straight into the ground, it’s weak form breaking into multiple pieces, before he grabbed the leg and tossed it across the cave, nearly catching one of the Pokémon’s neck.
“I AM TIRED OF YOU DAMN KIDS ALWAYS FAILING AT ANYTHING THAT I TELL YOU TO DO! I DON’T KNOW WHY I CONTINUE TO LET YOU LIVE IN THIS CAVE IF YOU WILL PROVIDE NOTHING TO ME!” Saul threatened before clutching his throat, even a strong figure like him could still hurt his vocal chords.
“I-i…” Matthew stuttered, before stepping his paw down in front of him. “I-i don’t care!” He shouted despite the hesitation holding him back, but he knew he screwed up the second all of the Pokémon audibly gasp, and Saul’s instantly snapped his eyes straight at him, he could feel his fur tense, like it’s telling him to run away.
But… instead of the usual yelling like he expected, Saul simply chuckled. “Wow… I can tell you’re really bold, but there is a line you know.” Saul said with very unusual calm voice.
“H-huh? W-what? W-WAIT NO NO NO N-“ Matthew was instantly cut off the second his Paul’s claws connected to him, cutting deep into his skin and across his entire body, he instantly felt his nerves severely react to the scars, and all he could let out was a blood curdling scream as his blood soaked his fur, nobody moved a muscle, even the water deep in the cave hesitated, before a commander broke that cycle.
“S-SAUL! he’s just a kid! You can’t expect them to do everything that you tell them to do!” Said the Dragonair, her coils wrapped around itself.
“GET THIS FELINE OUT OF MY SITE!” Ordered Saul, saying it as if the name of cats was poison, Matthew felt two guards pull him upward and then towards the mouth of a crumbling passageway, he wanted to protest, scream, do anything to get his voice out, but his vocal cords withered out due to his uncontrollable screaming.
Tessa cried hopelessly as she watched her friend receive a life-threatening scar as well as being sent away deeper into the cave, knowing that Matthew will rot away just like the rest of the disobedient Pokémon, Saul looked at Tessa, wondering if he should slash her as well, before his thoughts were interrupted.
“Saul! I have something important to tell you!” Cried out a Pachirisu as he ran into the cave, stopping right in front of him, Saul’s eyes widen. “Did you found out any information about my daughter?!” Saul said, but the Pachirisu shook his head. “No… but I think we might’ve found out who your wife might be…”