Lash's Journey - Chapter 3 - Part 2

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by scorpianpp

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Lash's Journey

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Raw, Primal, Angry
Her hair, once dark, began to shimmer, turning silver under the moonlight. Her eyes glowed a blinding white, and her claws extended, sharp as daggers.

Silver Diamond
Lash bared her teeth, her eyes glowing even brighter.

Blindsided Bitch
With an earth-shattering roar that tore through the night, Lash lunged forward, her transformation complete. Her powerful claws dug into the pavement as she sprinted toward Asmodora, her silver hair flowing like a storm behind her. Asmodora turned, eyes wide, but it was too late. Lash was upon her, her anger unleashed.

Lash bellowed, her voice distorted with power, her glowing eyes piercing through the darkness.

Asmodora tried to strike, but Lash was faster now—much faster. With a single swipe of her claws, she knocked Asmodora off her feet, sending her crashing into the wall. Arthur slumped to the ground, dazed but conscious, his eyes filled with shock at the sight before him.

Lash stood tall, her chest heaving, claws dripping with power as she stood between Arthur and his attacker. Her transformation had taken over, and the primal force within her was now fully awake.

Wrong Weight Class
Asmodora's back slammed against the wall, pain shooting through her body as she struggled to get up. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and everything seemed to blur for a moment. When her vision cleared, her heart nearly stopped. Where a woman had stood moments before, Lash had transformed into something monstrous—towering, silver-haired, and snarling, with sharp teeth bared in a fierce display. Steam rippled around her, curling off her body like heat from an engine.

Asmodora's pulse quickened, fear seeping into her bones. She could feel it—this wasn't just an opponent anymore. This was a force she couldn’t overcome. She couldn't win this fight.

Asmodora groaned. "What… what are you?" she spat, wiping blood from her mouth.

Backup's Backup
Arthur’s ears rang, a dull ache he couldn’t shake. The blocks he used to nullify the green haired woman's strikes only held up for so long, and their repeated use always wore down their effectiveness. Lifting his head, he saw Lash—fully transformed—glaring at the Houndoom girl. It was a potent display of dominance, the kind that made weaker foes realize that defiance might cost them their lives.

He looked on, awestruck. There was a glow to Lash he’d never seen before; the mark on her forehead shimmered, almost metallic. As he stared, he caught sight of shadows moving in the street’s dark corners, creeping closer toward the entwined pair across the wall.

“Look out!” Arthur shouted as three other Houndoom leapt from the shadows.

Ruh-Oh Raggy! MOVE!
To Arthur, it was as if one second Lash was glaring at the green-haired girl, and in the next, she had somehow always been facing behind her, mouth open in a fierce roar. But this roar wasn’t like anything he’d ever seen—or heard. Roars weren’t supposed to emit light. Yet here she was, a fierce, blazing glow spilling from her open jaws, illuminating the shadows as if her very voice carried its own fire.

Mightyena Used...
It took Arthur a moment to realize that Lash wasn’t roaring at all—and this wasn’t light. This was concentrated energy, raw and dangerous, building with a force that seemed ready to break loose at any second. And he knew it wasn’t going to stay contained for much longer.

The Houndoom behind Lash must have felt it too, that gut-wrenching instinct screaming danger—but they were already locked in motion, still charging forward. Arthur could see the fear igniting in their eyes, the frantic attempt to pivot, to reverse course, to escape what they were now certain was coming. But it was too late. There was no time.

Arthur’s inner voice screamed, a silent, desperate plea clawing its way to the surface. Help them, someone—anyone—save them!

This wasn’t a movie. There would be no getting up and walking away from this. Hyper Beams were forbidden by law outside of the arena, banned for their devastating force—for the havok they wreaked on the user as well as the receiver. But Lash...

Gardevoir used Teleport
...was Lash. Arthur squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself, hoping to shield his mind from the carnage he knew was coming. Just as he turned his head, trying to block out the scene, a familiar noise reached his ears from behind—a low, resonant hum, unmistakable and comforting. His heart leaped. He knew that sound!

Hyper Beam
Arthur's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding as he recognized the familiar form stepping out of the shadows. There, standing between him and the oncoming chaos, was someone he never expected to see. In an instant, she moved in front of Lash, her hand raised with unwavering resolve, fingers glowing as a shimmering barrier formed in her grasp.

Gardevoir used Disable on Lash
Time seemed to slow as the powerful energy of Lash’s attack collided with the barrier, the light refracting and splitting across the shield like sunlight through crystal. Arthur could hardly believe it—she was here, and she was stopping it.

The woman in green stood firm, her body tense as the force of Lash’s attack crashed against her barrier. She gritted her teeth, every muscle straining to keep the shield intact, but her stance was unyielding, even as her legs trembled beneath the pressure. The sheer force of energy rippled through her, and Arthur could see the faint waver in her expression—a hint of struggle—but she held her ground, refusing to falter.

SLEEP!
The light grew blinding, casting her figure in a surreal glow as she absorbed the brunt of the blast.

Lash exhaled, her breath crackling with raw energy, and Arthur’s heart pounded as he saw those ominous sparks flicker around her lips once more. How can she? She just fired a beam! How can she already be charging another?! The realization hit him like a jolt, and he could feel his pulse race with dread.

The woman in green held her ground, breathing steadily as she stared directly into Lash’s blazing gaze. In that split second, her own eyes flashed, an intense, piercing light emanating from within them. The flash seemed to cut through the tension, creating a pulse in the air that Arthur could almost feel pressing against his chest.

<Lash feels a voice shoot into her head, a command, she is compelled to obey.>

Mightyena has Fallen Asleep
Lash staggered, her fierce stance faltering as the shock hit her, sending her stumbling back. The green-haired Houndoom seized the moment, springing forward with an agile leap that landed her squarely among the other Houndoom in the narrow alleyway. They stared at her, a mixture of confusion and fear flashing in their eyes.

Mightyena has Fainted
Meanwhile, Lash tried to steady herself, her arms lifting instinctively to shield her head as she struggled to regain her balance. But the disorientation was too much, and despite her efforts, she toppled over, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

Mightyena is no longer Confused
As Lash hit the ground, the tension in her body melted away, and her breathing slowed. Arthur watched in amazement as her form began to shift, her fierce, transformed state gradually fading. Her fur softened, the sharpness of her features dulled, and the mark on her forehead lost its metallic gleam. Before his eyes, she reverted to her original form, her powerful aura receding, leaving only the familiar, quiet presence he recognized.

The alley was silent for a moment, the Houndoom around them watching with wary eyes as the once-mighty figure of Lash now lay, her form softened by sleep, like the calm after a storm.

Don't Piss Off Big Momma
The green-haired Houndoom started to walk towards Lash but halted in her tracks, her ferocious growl stuttering as she met the gaze of the woman in green. Her pupils shrank, fear flickering in her eyes as she sensed the pure, seething wrath that radiated from the figure before her. It was unlike anything she'd encountered—this wasn’t a challenge, it was judgment.

The voice filled the alley, vibrating through the minds of everyone present like a relentless storm, demanding obedience. "Who was it that dared to harm the boy? Why does he bleed?" The voice seemed to reach into the core of each listener, forcing them to confront their own actions under her unforgiving scrutiny.

The green-haired Houndoom finally tore her gaze from the woman in green, glancing at the blood trailing down Arthur's face. But the moment she looked back, she felt the full intensity of the other woman’s bloodthirst—a look so raw and unmasked that her own attempts at ferocity paled in comparison. Her lips parted slightly, caught between fight and flight.

Houndoom used Smokescreen
The green-haired Houndoom's voice rang out, sharp and unyielding. "Nergali, exit! Now!"

At the command, Nergali’s head snapped up, her pointed ears pricking with alertness. She inhaled deeply, and then with a ferocious exhale, bellowed a dense cloud of thick, white smoke, pouring from her mouth like a burst dam. The air filled instantly, choking with the pungent, gritty scent of burning charcoal.

The smoke spread, swirling and expanding, clouding the narrow alley until even the faintest outlines became obscured. The world around them became a shrouded maze, the smoke twisting like tendrils that clawed at visibility, swallowing Lash, Arthur, and the mysterious woman in green in its embrace.

Arthur, Help Her! Traitor!
he woman in green sighed, frustration lacing her breath as the smoke continued to billow through the alley, obscuring any hope of tracking down the escaping Houndoom. She turned her attention to Lash, who lay sprawled and unconscious on the ground. Just as she moved closer, Cast stirred, wincing as she pulled herself up.

"Arthur, stop her! She’s going to hurt Lash!" Cast’s voice was weak, but the panic in her tone was unmistakable.

Arthur turned, relief flashing across his face. "Cast, you’re awake. I was worried you—"

"Arthur! LASH!" Cast’s voice rose, almost pleading.

He raised his hands, attempting to reassure her. "Cast, it’s fine. We just need to make sure you—"

"Traitor! Do you even care? She’s going to kill her!" Cast spat, her voice cracking in desperation.

Arthur placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her. "Cast, my mother’s just making sure Lash isn’t too hurt," he explained softly.

Cant Really Stop Her When Shes Like This, Ya Know?
"WAIT, WHAT DID YOU CALL HER?" Cast said, slowly turning her attention to the glowing woman - taking some comfort in the way Arthur seemed to be at ease at the moment.

Truth Bomb
The woman in green smirked as she approached, her gaze shifting between Arthur and Cast with a glint of admiration. “I can see why you’re so taken with her, dear,” she said to Arthur, her voice warm and almost teasing. “She’s quite something. Definitely gave me a run for my money—I haven’t felt power like that hit me in years.”

Cast blinked, trying to process the woman’s words through the haze of pain and confusion clouding her mind. She focused on Arthur, hoping for some reassurance, but Arthur seemed flustered, a faint blush coloring his face as he glanced at Lash, unconscious on the ground.

“Mom, please,” he muttered, embarrassed. “This isn’t the time.”

“Oh, don’t be shy about it,” she replied, amused. “She’s impressive—and she’s lucky to have someone so loyal by her side.”

Arthur glanced over at Cast, watching her face twist in confusion as she tried to piece together what was unfolding in front of her. She looked at the woman in green, brow furrowed, clearly struggling with the puzzle in her mind.

"But Arthur... You're human... and she's..." Cast's voice trailed off, uncertain. "What are you exactly?"

Oh... My goodness... How do you keep finding these women? There's two now? I didn't realize I had raised such a lady's man." The woman in green chuckled softly, an amused glint in her eyes. "Oh, dear, I’m a lot of things. Let’s just say... I’m as much a part of this world as you are.” She looked at Arthur, a knowing smile on her face. “But labels aren’t always what matter, are they?” You can just call me Lucky, it's short for Lucretzia.

Arthur tried to hide his awkwardness, but Cast’s bewildered expression only deepened, clearly unsatisfied with the cryptic answer.

Cast sighed, rubbing her temple as she tried to process everything. “My head hurts enough for now. Talk about this later... I just need sleep.”

“Oh, no, you don’t, dear,” Lucretzia said gently but firmly, stepping closer. “You might have a concussion. Sleep can wait.”

Cast groaned but didn't argue, glancing at Arthur with a look that said, Please make this simpler. Arthur offered a sympathetic shrug, knowing all too well there was no easy way out of a situation once Lucretzia had her mind set.

You Awake Sweetie?
Lash, Arthur, Cast, and Lucretzia finally arrive back at the hotel Arthur booked—a dingy, narrow space that barely meets their needs for a night’s rest. The lobby is sparse and the halls have seen better days, but all they need is a place to recover from the events of the day. Cast has a large bruise forming on the back of her head, a harsh reminder of the blow she took after underestimating the smaller Houndoom. Lucretzia, ever the caregiver despite her stern demeanor, guides her carefully to the edge of one of the two small beds in the room and helps her settle in.

Arthur follows, carrying a still-sleeping Lash in his arms. Lash, under the lingering effects of Lucretzia’s Hypnosis, has yet to stir, her body still heavy with exhaustion. Arthur carefully lays her down on the bed opposite Cast's, ensuring she’s comfortable. As he steps back, he notices Lucretzia smirking, eyes glinting as she glances between the two small beds. She leans against the doorway with a knowing look, making a quip about Arthur possibly needing to share a bed with one of the girls.

Cast snorts, shooting Arthur a smug grin. “Right, like he’d actually have the guts to try something.” She laughs, but her bravado slips just a little as Lucretzia’s expression shifts.

With a slow, almost predatory grin, Lucretzia crosses the room and leans close to Cast, her gaze locking with hers. “I’m sorry, dear,” she says, voice low and almost too sweet, “I must not have heard that right. Mind saying it again?” It’s obvious from the intensity in her eyes that she heard Cast perfectly well. The sudden weight of Lucretzia’s presence presses down on Cast, and for a brief moment, she feels the same intimidating force Arthur radiated back when he fought her—a power that demands respect. Cast gulps, her earlier confidence slipping.

Arthur, standing by Lash’s bed, shakes his head, cheeks slightly red. “Not the best time for jokes, Mom,” he mutters under his breath, doing his best to defuse the tension.

Then, from the bed, Lash lets out a groggy sigh and shifts a little, slowly opening her eyes. “Best sleep I’ve had in days,” she mumbles, sounding dazed but content. Arthur and Lucretzia exchange a quick glance, momentarily relieved that at least Lash has come around, and a faint smile even tugs at Arthur’s lips as he watches her slowly wake, blissfully unaware of the scene that had just unfolded.

As Lash blinks awake, her gaze lands on Lucretzia, who greets her with a sly smile. “Ah, she’s awake,” Lucretzia murmurs, her tone as smooth as ever. Lash’s eyes narrow slightly; the voice is oddly familiar, stirring a vague memory in the back of her mind. Then it hits her.

“You’re the woman from the phone… Arthur’s mom,” Lash says, piecing it together aloud. Lucretzia’s smile widens, clearly impressed. “Quick on the uptake. I like that.”

Cast watches with a smirk, fully aware of Lucretzia’s identity but amused by Lash’s realization. Arthur, unfazed, stands nearby, hands in his pockets, as if he’s seen this whole scene unfold countless times before.

A Special Type of Animal
Lash’s eyes flickered with curiosity as she stared at Lucky, the wheels in her mind spinning. "Wait..." she trailed off, her brows furrowing in confusion. She paused, her thoughts running a little faster than her words. "How did you know to come to us in the first place?"

For a moment, Lucky's expression shifted, becoming more serious. She turned to Arthur, her gaze sharp yet tinged with something almost maternal. Arthur met her eyes, his face reflecting the same bewilderment Lash felt. He had no idea what she was referring to. After a long sigh, Lucky finally spoke.

"I thought you had regained some of your control, Arthur," she said, her voice a little more measured. "But it seems you didn’t even realize it. You did it—without even knowing you did it."

Arthur’s confusion deepened, but then a spark of understanding lit up in his eyes. "I did?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and wonder.

Lucky nodded, her smile soft but tinged with a quiet disappointment. "Yes, you did. But it’s okay. It’s just baby steps. At least we know it’s still there." She paused for a moment, the weight of the situation sinking in, before her expression shifted to something more hopeful. "This is a good sign, Arthur. It shows your abilities haven’t completely faded."

Lash, still a little lost, turned to Cast, who shared her confusion. Both of them looked at Lucky, waiting for more of an explanation. Lucky didn’t disappoint.

"Humans are a special type of animal, no matter what species of ‘Mon they mate with they always end up with a human child, it’s just how they work. However that doesn’t mean they don't come with the perks of having a ‘Mon lineage. Arthur is half-Gardevoir, which means he has the potential to tap into abilities that are a part of me, too," Lucky explained, her voice steady but with a note of pride. "Telepathy, telekinesis, even teleportation—all of those things should be within his reach, eventually. He just has to remember how to access them."

Arthur’s expression shifted from uncertainty to something more akin to relief and excitement. "I thought... I thought all of that was gone for good. I didn’t think I could still do anything like that," he admitted, the realization settling in like a weight lifting off his chest. "I didn’t even know I still had it in me."

Lucky's smile became softer, more reassuring. "It’s always been there, Arthur. It’s just been dormant. Your powers were never fully gone; you just lost the connection to them. But that connection is still alive, waiting for you to access it."

Arthur nodded slowly, a sense of determination beginning to build within him. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of hope regarding his psychic abilities. "I want to get them back. I want to learn how to control them."

Lucky's eyes glinted with approval. "That’s the spirit," she said, her voice warm and encouraging. "You’ll get there. It’s a process, but we’ll take it one step at a time."

Lash, who had been listening carefully, blinked in amazement. "So, wait, Arthur really can do all that stuff? Like, telekinesis and teleporting?" Her voice was a little breathless, caught up in the magnitude of it all.

Arthur gave her a sheepish grin.

Then Lucky, sensing their curiosity, continued with a more matter-of-fact tone. "And as for me, I can teleport—always have.

Lash quickly cuts in, her excitement bubbling over. "Wait, can you take us home?"

Lucky gives her back a sad smile. Unfortunately that’s not how it works - I can only teleport to the two spots I’ve attuned and I need to be there to do it. But because I attuned Arthur as my teleportation point, I can teleport directly to him at any time. I can either jump to my home or to Arthur. Those are the two places I can go. It’s a connection we share, and it’s how I was able to come to you all when Arthur unknowingly reached out to me.”

Lash, still processing everything, looked between Arthur and Lucky, trying to wrap her mind around it all. "So, can you teach him how to use all this stuff?" she asked, her voice full of genuine curiosity.

Lucky shook her head with a knowing smile. "I can’t exactly teach him, Lash. Abilities like these are like a leg or an arm—you have to figure out how to use them on your own. I can guide him, sure, but in the end, it’s something he needs to discover for himself."

"Aww, that’s it!" Cast shouted, realization dawning. "That's what I felt when I hit you! You didn’t block my attack with your own strength— that was some kind of ability! You nullified my kick!" A sense of pride returning to her, Cast grinned, realizing she wasn’t a weakling after all.

Just A Moment Of Your Time
Lash shifts, trying to push herself up from the bed, but Lucretzia’s voice cuts in, low and authoritative. “Wait, Stay right there, dear.”

The command is so firm that both Arthur and Cast go still, a flash of surprise crossing their faces. “Mom, what are you—” Arthur starts, but Lucretzia silences him with a single look, one he knows all too well—a warning that she’s in control here and that he’d best keep quiet.

“Sorry, sweetie,” she says, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes, “but your friend and I need to have a quick chat.”

Arthur shifts uncomfortably, shooting a glance at Cast, who’s watching with wide eyes, while Lucky leans forward, her gaze fixed intently on Lash, a subtle yet undeniable edge in her tone.

Uploading Data
Lucky’s eyes begin to glow with an intense, emerald light that quickly spreads to Lash’s own. The two stand frozen in place, staring straight at each other in complete silence. Cast shifts nervously in her seat, glancing between them.

Arthur places a reassuring hand on her arm. “They’re just communicating telepathically,” he murmurs, his voice calm. “Mom can do it when she’s close by, though it’s not my favorite way to talk with her.” He gives a small smile, though his gaze doesn’t leave Lash. “She just wanted to keep this between the two of them.”

Cast gives Arthur a wary look but nods, watching as the glow fades from both pairs of eyes. Lash blinks, as if coming back to reality, and his mom's expression softens, a hint of satisfaction in her smile as she studies Lash.

Mindscape
Lash’s eyes widen in excitement as she looks back and forth between Arthur and Lucky, her whole face lighting up.

“That. Was. Amazing!” she exclaims, practically bouncing on the bed. “Oh my gosh, Arthur, she—! "

"I know!” said Arthur

Her words tumble out, barely containing her awe. “And we were just—”

“I know,” Arthur says, a hint of a smirk breaking through as he watches her.

Lash’s excitement bubbles over as she struggles to find the words. “I was here, and then I wasn’t here, and I saw… so many things!” She gestures wildly, her eyes still wide with amazement. “This is—wow—I don’t even—WOW!”

Arthur chuckles softly, watching her take it all in. "Yeah, that’s… pretty much what it’s like with her," he says, giving Lucky an affectionate, albeit exasperated, look.

Lucky folds her arms, clearly pleased with herself. "Glad to see someone appreciates my talents," she teases, raising an eyebrow at Arthur.

Lucky raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by Lash’s enthusiasm. She glances at Arthur with a knowing smile and gives a little shrug, as if to say, Young People…

Does Not Compute
Cast squints, trying to make sense of what Lash is saying. "You’re telling me you saw all of that in just 20 seconds? Doesn’t make any sense."

Lash blinks, clearly confused. "We were gone for hours. I saw so many things, experienced so much..."

Arthur nods, understanding the situation. "Time gets... dilated inside the mindscape. It’s hard to explain. When my mom does that, everything stretches. Moments feel like they last forever, even though only a few seconds pass outside."

Cast looks between the two of them, bewildered. "Dilated?" she repeats, still struggling to grasp the concept. "That doesn’t make any sense to me."

Lucky, watching the exchange with a slight smirk, shrugs. "Time is just a perception," she says lightly. "It’s different when you’re inside the mind. The outside world moves at its pace, but in here, things can feel like they stretch or compress.

Arthur turns to Cast, offering a small explanation. "It’s like being in a dream, where time doesn’t make sense. You think you’ve been there for hours, but when you wake up, only a few seconds have passed."

Cast shakes her head, still lost in the idea. "I’ll take your word for it. My brain’s not wired for this."

'Help Me'
Lucky tilts her head, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Speaking of your brain," she says, her voice dripping with a playful edge, "I wanted to take a better look at it, but this room feels so cramped. I have such a nice guest room at my place. You can rest there while I do a thorough check-up. I live right next to a Center, too, so it’s quite convenient."

Arthur raises an eyebrow, confusion flickering in his expression. "What are you talking about? We never had a guest—are you talking about my room?"

Lucky’s smile widens, her eyes glinting with mischief. She leans in slightly, her voice dropping low with an almost teasing tone. "What room?" she asks, her words dripping with a subtle challenge.

Arthur’s face falls slightly, and he gives her an incredulous look. "Mom..." he mutters, half-sighing, half-amused.

Lucky chuckles softly, clearly enjoying the moment. "It’s a joke, dear. I’m just saying, your place is a bit... cramped for guests. If she’s going to stay with us for a bit, she might be more comfortable at my place."

Lash looks at Arthur, her curiosity piqued. "Is your house close by?" she asks, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Arthur shakes his head, giving her a half-smile. "No, it’s back where we started—Lumiose City." He pauses for a moment, his tone softening. "But my mother could teleport you there, Cast, if you’d rather stay with her for a while. She can always teleport back to me afterward."

Lucky smiles, a knowing look in her eyes as she glances at Cast. "It would be no trouble at all," she says, her voice calm and reassuring. "You'd be quite comfortable, and I’ll make sure you get plenty of rest."

Cast looks between Arthur and Lucky, her brow furrowing in thought, unsure of the offer but feeling the weight of her decision.

Cast shifts uncomfortably at the mention of teleporting. She’s still not used to it, the thought of being whisked away without warning making her uneasy. But before she can voice her reluctance, Lucky interrupts with a soft, but firm tone.

"Now, dear, I won’t take no for an answer. How are you supposed to protect your friend if you’re all banged up?" Lucky says, her eyes glimmering with that same unshakable confidence. She starts to walk over to Cast and as she does she turns to Lash and Arthur before placing a hand on Cast’s shoulder - very obviously tensing up due to the hair starting to bristle.

A low hum can be heard as Lucky says” Don’t do anything I wouldn’t dear, she says to Lash and gives a wink to Arthur. Cast mouthed something out to Lash that could only be “Help Me” but Lash waved a finger at her, ordering her to rest.

Questions
Lash and Arthur blink a few times, their minds processing what just happened. When they finally come to their senses, they realize that both Lucky and Cast are gone.

I wanted to ask before but what did you mean when you said you thought your powers were gone? Lash asked. Arthur went silent for a moment and then quickly asked "Wait before that what did my mom talk to you about?"

Lash’s voice falters as she continues, trying to make sense of what she’d experienced. "She showed me... the transformation I went through—the power I almost unleashed. The force that I was about to let loose on everyone around me... I felt it, Arthur. I felt the weight of it, the way it surged up like a tidal wave. It was... terrifying." She shudders slightly at the memory.

Lash looks at Arthur, her expression still unsettled. "I don't even remember what happened during that time... when I... changed. It was like I was there, but I wasn't. It was like I was watching from somewhere else, but I couldn't control it."

Arthur, sensing the depth of her confusion, frowns. "You didn’t just change physically—you became... something else. But what Lucky showed you... she saw it from her perspective, right?"

Lash nods slowly. "Yeah, she showed me what I did. Everything I don’t remember. The transformation. The power. It was like I was a completely different person, but not. The force I was about to unleash.."

Arthur watches her closely. "That mark on your forehead?" he asks gently. "Did she say anything about it?"

Lash touches her forehead, as if it might hold the answers. "She told me it was connected to... whatever happened to me. She could feel it, like the power coming from here." She trails off, her mind still struggling to process it all. "It wasn’t just a physical change. It was like everything inside me was different. But I wasn’t the one controlling it. It felt like I was about to tear everything apart if they gave me a reason."

Arthur remains silent for a moment, then speaks carefully. "You weren’t yourself at that moment, Lash. You were out of control. But what Lucky showed you... maybe that’s a way to understand what you went through. She can see things from a different perspective, and she saw the change from the outside. We can use that to understand what happened, and how to prevent it from happening again."

Lash shudders slightly, the memory of that primal shift still haunting her. "I don’t even know if I can control it... but at least now I know I didn’t do it on purpose. That’s something, right?"

Arthur nods, his voice soft but firm. "Yeah, that’s something. We’ll figure it out, step by step. And you’re not alone in this. We’ll find a way to help you control it, to make sure it doesn’t take over again."

It's Dangerous Out There - Take This
Lash takes a deep breath, her voice trembling as she tries to put her emotions into words. She pauses for a moment, her eyes far away as if she’s reliving the moment.

"I was so scared," she begins, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I saw the blood on your face, Arthur... it felt like the world was closing in around me. Everything went numb. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything. I was just... there, watching. You were taking hit after hit, and I was just restrained. I couldn’t help you. I couldn’t help my friends. And I... I was terrified."

Her hands tremble slightly as she wipes away a stray tear, but she can’t stop herself from continuing. "You didn’t deserve that, Arthur. None of you did. But there I was, just... frozen. I should’ve been able to protect you all, but instead, I felt so... helpless. Like I was just waiting for everything to fall apart, knowing there was nothing I could do to stop it. The fear just... kept building, and I couldn’t even scream or run to help. And then when I saw them hurting you..."

Lash chokes up, her voice cracking with raw emotion as she hugs her knees tightly. Her body shudders, the weight of those helpless moments crashing down on her all over again. "I didn’t want anything to happen to you. I didn’t want you to suffer, not when I should’ve been fighting right alongside you."

She looks up at Arthur, her eyes swimming with emotion, filled with guilt, fear, and something else she can’t quite understand. "You don’t even have to help us, you know. You didn’t bring us here on purpose. You didn’t have to get involved. I should’ve been able to take care of it myself, to protect you all, but instead..." Her voice falters, and her breath catches as tears begin to fall freely down her face.

Arthur is silent, his heart aching at the sight of her pain. He moves to sit beside her, gently reaching out to touch her shoulder in a comforting way. He doesn’t know the right words, so he just stays close, offering his presence. He can feel the depth of her emotions, the storm inside her as she tries to process what happened.

Lash turns to him, her face crumpling as the floodgates open. "I was so scared, Arthur. So scared of losing you. I couldn’t even think. And then I..." Her words trail off, but the silence is heavy between them.

Arthur, unable to watch her break down like this, reaches for her, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Hey," he whispers softly, his voice filled with quiet reassurance. "You don’t have to carry this alone. We’re all in this together. You did what you could. And you weren’t helpless. You’re stronger than you think."

Lash’s sobs subside a little, but the weight of everything still presses on her chest. She feels torn, a jumble of feelings swirling inside her—relief, guilt, fear, gratitude. Everything she’s felt in the past few minutes comes crashing in, and she doesn’t know how to sort through it all. But then something unexpected stirs inside her. The warmth of his touch, his calming words, the connection they’ve shared through everything, it all just... clicks.

Before she can fully understand what she’s doing, her lips find his. The kiss is soft at first, hesitant, like she’s unsure if it’s even real. But the moment it happens, something inside her releases—her fears, her guilt, all of it flowing away, replaced with something new. Something that feels more right than she could’ve imagined.

Arthur freezes for a moment, surprised by the kiss, but then he relaxes into it, responding gently. His hand moves to her cheek, cupping it with care as he deepens the kiss slightly. There’s no rush, no urgency—just the quiet acknowledgment of everything they’ve been through, the bond that has formed between them despite all the chaos.

When they pull apart, Lash’s eyes are still filled with tears, but there’s a softness to her expression now, a sense of release. "I don’t know what just happened," she says, her voice shaky. "But it felt like... I needed to do that."

Arthur nods, his voice low and comforting. "You don’t have to explain. Sometimes... things just happen the way they’re meant to." He wipes a tear from her cheek gently. "You don’t have to carry everything on your own, Lash."

Lash gazes at him, her heart still racing but feeling a little lighter. "I’m sorry... for everything," she murmurs.

Arthur smiles softly, pulling her into another gentle hug. "You don’t have to apologize. We’ll get through this together."

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