Pueltown Hospital - 31/8/14

-Titan is pacing up and down restlessly outside Omega's hospital room when a doctor emerges, holding a clipboard in her hands.-

Doctor: Mr Cain?

Titan: That would be me.

Doctor: We did everything we could for your Infernape, but she's suffered some serious damage. Severe trauma to the base of the neck, several shattered vertebrae... her spinal cord's been completely severed. If you hadn't brought her here immediately, we would've had no chance of saving her. As it stands, she'll live, but her injuries have rendered her quadriplegic. No motor functions from the neck down. She'll never walk again, I'm afraid.

-The doctor's statement takes a few moments to sink in. Titan bows his head, as if to try and hide his pained expression.-

Titan: ...I... I see.

Doctor: I'm sorry... I understand how difficult this must be for you. If it's any consolation, we can offer your Infernape extensive physical therapy treatments. With luck, she may be able to regain partial motor control in just a few years time.

Titan: ...That is little consolation, but the fact that she remains alive is comfort enough. Thank you for your efforts. May I see her?

Doctor: I'm afraid not. She's still unconscious, and we'd rather she not be disturbed. Come back in a couple days and she should be ready to accept visitors by then.

Titan: I will. Again, you have my sincerest gratitude for-

Ranger: Alright, that's enough chit-chat. Time to get you to go back to where you belong.

-Titan nods, and after a brief inspection to ensure that the cuffs around his wrists are secured tightly he allows himself to be dragged back to the holding cells in Almia's Ranger Base.-

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-Despite the fact that it's still early in the day, the Auric Avenger is currently perched on top of the roof of the hotel, his mask hiding the dark shadows beneath his eyes.-

The Auric Avenger: (It's over. After eight whole years, it's finally over. I got what I wanted. Titan will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and I can live out the rest of my life without having to worry about whatever evil scheme he's cooking up next. I got revenge for all the lives he's ruined trying to carry out his sick and twisted plans. I won.)

-He sighs and looks down at his hands.-

The Auric Avenger: (...So why don't I feel happy?)

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-The Auric Avenger does indeed notice the suspicious-looking figure and sighs quietly.-

The Auric Avenger: A hero's work is never done, it seems...

-He hops across the rooftops before jumping down into the alley, landing behind a dumpster with a soft thud. On any other day, he might've made more of an effort to go in stealthily, but it's clear that he's not entirely on his game at present.-

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-The Auric Avenger takes a step back, evidently perturbed by the figure's lack of Aura but making an effort to conceal it behind his usual bravado.-

The Auric Avenger: ...Waiting for somebody?

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-Unnatural fear aside, the mere mention of his name is more than enough to unnerve the Avenger. He takes another step backwards, his hands going to the Pokeballs on his belt even as he tries to stop them from shaking.-

The Auric Avenger: H-how... how the hell do you know my name? What are you?

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-The Avenger manages to muster up enough courage to hold his ground.-

The Auric Avenger: I... whatever you are, I'm not afraid of you! I'm not going to let you stop me! Not after everything I've been through to reach this point!

-He lunges at the figure, his palm crackling with grey Auric energy.-

Pueltown - 31/8/14

The Auric Avenger: U-urk!

-He's forced to his knees and struggles to get to his feet as he starts to feel the Aura Drain taking hold of him.-

The Auric Avenger: (What is this thing doing to me? Feels like I'm being bled dry... how am I supposed to fight something like this?) What... what are you talking about? What do you want from me...?

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-By this point the Avenger is deathly pale and barely seems to be clinging onto consciousness, his eyes wide with fear.-

The Auric Avenger: No... please, I'm begging you, you don't have to do this... I'll do whatever you want, I'll hang up my mask and you'll never hear from the Avenger again, just don't... don't let it end like this...

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-The Auric Avenger drops onto all fours, his breathing ragged.-

The Auric Avenger: I... I understand. My days as the Auric Avenger are over, I swear... now p-please, just let me go...

Pueltown - 31/8/14

-The Auric Avenger watches, almost transfixed, as the figure disappears, before slowly hauling himself back into an upright position.-

The Auric Avenger: What... what in the world was that thing...?

-He coughs weakly, then sends out Maul.-

Maul: ~...You really need to stop finding situations like this.~

The Auric Avenger: Save it... just get me out of here, please...

-Maul nods and blips the pair away.-

Almia Ranger Base

-blip!-

-Crewe and Chad appear here. Crewe takes a deep breath and heads inside, Chad staying close by-

Vientown Ranger Base

Crewe: Hi. I, uh, I came to visit someone. He goes by Titan? I heard he was being held here.

Vientown Ranger Base

-Crewe immediately runs up to the bars-

Crewe: Yeah, I'm fine, but I think I might not be friends with Lucius anymore. I don't know.

-she gives him a concerned once-over-

Crewe: But that's not important. Are you okay? How's Omega?