Tonight's broadcast highlights a troubling trend: an increasing number of individuals have gone missing over the past month. We now turn to Newscaster Mark for more details. Thank you, Cameron, and good morning. Recently, there have been unsettling rumors suggesting that Team Rocket may be behind these disappearances. Bianca, can you shed some light on the speculation that has been circulating? Absolutely, Mark. There's been a surge of alarming claims that Team Rocket is abducting people and holding them captive. Furthermore, whispers suggest that they might be conducting inhumane experiments on these individuals, possibly in pursuit of immortality or even more sinister objectives. Tonight, Detective Johnson will confront Team Rocket to determine whether we are indeed on the brink of another conflict.
- The Local News Station of Australia
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Pain, pain is something that all humans will inevitably go through in some period of their life. Whether the moment when their born, or when the said human has reached adulthood. Pain is inescapable, for as pain is the true nature of life.
But, when pain is uncontrollable, so frequent, that's when things have been taken too far. Well, what if I were to tell you that there are people who are going through tortures far then anyone could imagine?
....
The sound of bubbles popping echoed in his ears, a strange symphony that persisted for what felt like an eternity. Alongside the bubbles, he could faintly hear the murmurs of men engaged in conversation, their words indistinct yet present. A groan slipped from his lips as a wave of nausea washed over him. When he finally opened his eyes, the sudden brightness forced him to shut them again almost immediately. Cautiously, he tried once more, this time adjusting to the harsh light more slowly. As his vision cleared, he was met with a shocking revelation: he was in a laboratory. The color of the room was obscured by the strange liquid surrounding him, which resembled water but was tinted a vivid green, reminiscent of something from a low-budget sci-fi film. Yet, as he took in his surroundings, painful memories surged back, flooding his mind. He recalled the suffocating moments of breathlessness and the agonizing sensation of his bones shifting, each attempt to escape the torment only leading to further suffering until he would lose consciousness, only to awaken and endure it all over again. The cycle seemed endless, and though he had lost track of time, the recent memories of his innocent teenage years suggested he had been trapped in this nightmare for no more than a month.
He shouldn't be lost in daydreams; his body has never felt stronger in this torturous environment. Realizing this, the boy summoned all his strength to escape. He pounded on the capsule with relentless force, a futile effort in the past, but this time was different. To his astonishment, he noticed faint cracks forming in the center of the capsule. Hope surged within him, and he clung to it as if it were a cherished toy. Driven by determination, he didn't pause for breath, intent on breaking free once and for all. After shattering the glass, he emerged from the capsule, eyes wide with shock and fear at the scene before him. Just a few feet away stood two men in white coats, their expressions frozen in disbelief. The boy offered a sheepish smile, fully aware of the trouble he was in. "Ugh, hi guys?" he ventured, but instead of a response, the lab technicians screamed in terror. "Help! An experiment has broken free, I repeat. An experiment has broken free!"
In a flash, alarms blared and the once-white walls transformed into a vivid red. Panic surged through Ryden, not only from the looming threat but also due to the shocking reality of his new form. He had become an odd crimson lizard creature, with small, muscular arms covered in red scales and claws extending from what were now his paws. His belly was stark white, stretching down to the tip of a tail that seemed to defy logic. His legs were so short that they resembled mere thighs attached to his body and feet. As he placed a hand behind his head, he felt a horn protruding, raising questions about its purpose. The most bizarre aspect, however, was the flame flickering at the tip of his tail, contained and vibrant, defying the laws of nature in this strange world. Just as curiosity about his transformation began to take hold, the urgency of his situation snapped him back to reality. More men in white coats stormed into the room, weapons drawn. "Don't move, you monster! We have you surrounded!" one shouted, and Ryden found himself frozen in fear, trembling as if caught in an icy storm. Just yesterday, he had been enjoying time with friends, and now he was trapped in a nightmare. How had everything spiraled out of control so quickly?
The weight of the world pressed down on him, leaving him no choice but to retreat into a corner, tears streaming down his face. The menacing figures loomed over him, their smug expressions revealing their satisfaction in his despair. Ryden's gaze was fixed on the towering men, their weapons glinting ominously, causing him to tremble as if caught in a fierce storm. He knew he had to devise a plan quickly, or he would be trapped in this nightmare for eternity, or worse, face an unending torment. Suddenly, an overwhelming nausea surged through him, more intense than he had ever experienced, as if he had swallowed a ticking bomb ready to explode. Just as the men moved to capture him, they halted, sensing something was amiss with him. Unable to contain himself any longer, Ryden unleashed a torrent of flames from his mouth, a fiery eruption aimed directly at his captors. The men shrieked in horror as they struggled to extinguish the flames, but the destruction was irreversible. Though some managed to survive the inferno, their bodies were left irreparably scarred, rendering them powerless against him. As the remaining men collapsed in agony, Ryden stood frozen, grappling with the reality of his actions and the haunting question of whether he could ever forgive himself for what he had unleashed.
It hardly matters now. Even if he escapes his torment, Ryden knows he must eliminate anyone who dares to send him back to that hellish existence. Despite his sorrow and instability, he understands the urgency of leaving before anyone can harm him again. As he scans the area, he spots several other capsules nearby. Realizing he cannot face this battle alone, he strikes one of the capsules with his bare fist. To his surprise, it shatters within moments, revealing a peculiar creature. Emerging from the capsule is a ghostly figure, draped in a tattered purple dress and adorned with ruby tentacles for arms. Its witch-like hat sits precariously atop its head, and three jewels glimmer on its chest, the largest one dominating the others. With yellow eyes and a jagged, cracked smile, the creature surveys its surroundings, confusion evident on its face. However, upon locking eyes with Ryden, its expression shifts to one of dread. "Holy shit. What are you?" it exclaims, retreating from him. Ryden, initially bewildered, soon feels a wave of recognition wash over him. The ghost's voice strikes a chord deep within, stirring memories he can't quite grasp, yet it feels hauntingly familiar, as if he has encountered this abomination before. Just as he begins to lose hope in unraveling this mystery, a sudden realization dawns on him—the voice is echoing back to him from the depths of his mind.
Ryden felt his mind slipping away as he called out, "Leo, it's me, your buddy Ryden!" while gesturing to himself with his claws. The ghost, hovering nearby, seethed with indignation at the lizard's words. "How dare you claim to be my friend? Do you really expect me to believe such nonsense?" Ryden instinctively stepped back, realizing that the ghost was indeed Leo. "Please, Leo, listen! More of them will be coming soon. We need to get out of here!" Panic laced his voice. Leo's response was cold, "And why should I care? You could very well be the monster here." At that moment, Ryden could no longer contain the anger and frustration that had built up over the past three months. He stepped forward, his voice rising. "Leo, for heaven's sake, it's me, your best friend! Just look at yourself; you're no better off than I am!" The words struck Leo, who glanced down at his own form, horrified by the truth in Ryden's statement. Stunned into silence, he struggled to comprehend his transformation. "Leo, come on, help me out of here. Once we escape this hellhole, we can sort out this mess, okay?" Ryden urged.
Understanding the precarious situation they were in, Leo realized that any further delay could prove disastrous. He exhaled deeply, aware that his next choice would significantly impact his life, for better or worse. Acting swiftly, Leo followed Ryden's lead, comforted by the familiarity of the lizard's voice. However, his hesitation cost them dearly as reinforcements descended upon the two teens. With no other option, they prepared to fight back. Ryden summoned all his strength to conjure the flamethrower he had previously wielded, but instead, he was met with a cloud of smoke that sent him into a coughing fit. As he struggled to clear the air, he noticed two guards charging at him with police batons. In a desperate move, he disarmed one guard and seized the baton, kicking the disarmed guard away before focusing on the approaching threat. The clash of their batons echoed as Ryden fought against the larger guard, but his bionic strength proved overwhelming. With a powerful throw, he sent the guard flying. Meanwhile, Leo found himself encircled by six guards, and Ryden gasped in horror as he watched his best friend collide with all six men, only to emerge unscathed.
Leo questioned Ryden, expressing his concern, "But what if the people inside are beyond help? What if they've already succumbed to this corruption?" Ryden sighed, acknowledging the grim possibility. "I know," he replied, "but what if our other friends are trapped in there too?" The thought of his friends enduring similar torment made his heart race with anxiety. Leo paused, realizing the weight of Ryden's words. How could he find joy again, knowing their friends might still be suffering? "Alright, Ryden, you've convinced me. But be prepared; what we might see could haunt us forever," Leo warned. Ryden understood the risks but felt indifferent; his life was already filled with despair, so what more could it bring? He nodded in agreement, maintaining a serious expression. "Let's open these capsules and pray they're inside." As they opened the first capsule, they were met with a surprising sight: a childlike alien creature. Unlike the others, this one appeared almost endearing, with green skin, a white dress, and oversized eyes that mirrored Ryden's. A green hat partially obscured its face, and it was the smallest of the trio, with Leo towering over both Ryden and this peculiar being.
The creature knelt on the ground, using its hands for support as it coughed violently, its eyes squeezed shut while it clutched its neck gently. Ryden took a step closer, ready to speak, but the alien-like being halted him with an unseen force, rendering him immobile. Confused, Ryden noticed a purple ring encircling his body, binding him in place. Just then, the psychic alien lifted itself, panicking as the purple ring dissipated, allowing Ryden to breathe a sigh of relief. The creature gasped and, in a voice reminiscent of a woman's, asked, "Who… who are you two? And what have you done to me?" As Ryden struggled to regain his footing, Leo stepped forward, aware that he needed to choose his words carefully to avoid further alarming the already distressed psychic being. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I understand this is shocking for you, but we're all in danger. If we don't unite now, we risk falling into a forsaken hell once more."
Seeing the desperation and fear in the ghost's eyes, she understood that the male spirit was speaking the truth. But what did he mean by "We are all in danger?" Memories flooded back to her—vivid recollections of being mercilessly electrocuted until unconsciousness finally took over, or the agonizing days without food, only to be served a grotesque pile of slime, supposedly made from dead slugs, as overheard in a conversation. Even more horrifying were the moments when her body was violated and transformed into a grotesque, alien-like form, a stark contrast to her once innocent self. A tear slipped down her cheek as she fought to maintain her composure, grappling with the weight of her traumatic past. How could she possibly rise above the horrors she had endured since arriving at this nightmarish place? Yet, she couldn't afford to retreat into her thoughts just yet; a pressing question lingered in her mind. "Alright, you two win. Just get me out of this hell!" she implored, struggling to hold back tears. Leo and Ryden exchanged worried glances, recognizing her fragile state and searching their fragmented memories for answers. As realization dawned on them, they were struck by the truth of her identity. "Emily...? Is that really you?" Ryden asked, a mix of hope and fear coursing through him.
Emily's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the voices, a haunting familiarity that she couldn't quite place. She remained silent, grappling with the unsettling thought that those she believed lost were somehow still here, enduring the same torment. Her shock quickly transformed into action; without hesitation, she tackled the lizard to the ground, embracing him tightly in a moment of relief. Ryden reciprocated, wrapping his claw around her neck, tears streaming down their faces, a rare sight even for Leo, who typically kept his emotions in check. The trio reveled in their reunion, feeling the warmth of family despite the chaos surrounding them. Even as the speaker ordered his men to retreat from the teens, they wasted no time in freeing their other friends, aware that danger lurked at every corner. Each friend they rescued filled their hearts with joy, yet a wave of disgust washed over them as they confronted the horrific transformations their companions had endured. Among them was Dante, a ghostly figure with stumpy limbs and a round body, adorned with spikes along his back and pointy ears, making him the largest of the group. Then there was Lachlan, a cat-like creature with striking white fur and crimson markings on his paws and ears, complete with bloodshot eyes, massive claws, and a fluffy tail that added to his imposing presence.
Layton was adorned with a coat of grey fur, save for his striking white claws. Interspersed among his fur were vibrant crimson feathers, most notably forming a regal crown atop his head and trailing down beneath his ears. His tail, too, was a plume of crimson feathers, complementing his fierce appearance. He boasted a striking crimson chest plate and sharp teeth, with one prominent tooth jutting out from the left side of his mouth, while a yellow oval mark graced the center of his forehead. In the room, all six tubes had finally opened, signaling the reunion of the teens. However, Ryden's heart sank as he realized his brother was missing from the tubes. Where could he be? Was he even captured? The uncertainty gnawed at him, amplifying his worry over their separation. Determined to find his brother, Ryden resolved to search for him, even if it meant risking his own safety in the process.