Insanity Exposed.

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"Safe here... Safe in my own little world... My teammate's room... No one is going to get hurt... No one is going to attack me... I'm not crazy, I'm just concerned..." Aaron muttered to himself, rocking back and forth in a very disturbing manner. Just looking at like this was absolutely heart wrenching. All Alona could do at this point is watch the poor Deino and make sure he doesn't do anything he was going to regret later. "I'll protect them... I'll protect my friends... they give me.. com.. Comfort! They.... They care for me...." The guild has suspicions about Aaron's condition, but haven't confronted him... yet. "This is getting too crazy. Hurry up with that evolution, Aaron. I can't stand to see you like this."

She wanted to tell all of his close friend about his condition, to help calm him down. Joey was one of them, but ultimately she decided against it. This darkness thing might have spooked Joey already. The last thing he needed is seeing his friend suffer. "Aaron? I'm just going to get Pecha berries from the kitchen. You don't mind that, right?" The Deino stop suddenly, having this eerie smile that made the Sylveon chill her bones. "...Don't get hurt... I'm the only one I can protect you." Alona nodded nervously, walking away for a bit to get food.

As Alona told Joey her idea about Aaron’s evolution. Her idea was that when he had evolved, the second head would bring him to. Despite the reasoning behind this, Joey was still very hesitant about even going back. If it was a chance though, he was willing to help. However, he really needed a moment to himself, or better put, a moment away from the insanity he had just witnessed.

“Y-you would keep me safe?” The Pikachu asked as he slowly walked the small distance towards alona. If she were to respond yes, he would immediately embrace her, most likely willing to not let go for decent amount of time. However, even then… there is a time that must pass.

When Joey Asked if she would keep him safe, she nodded yes. To her surprise, he quickly embraced her, refusing to let go for even a moment. "It's alright Joey..." Alona cooed. "You're a very brave Pokemon for doing this. Aaron is very lucky to have you. You have my word that I won't let anything happen to you. Alright?" If that wasn't the sigh of Joey Coming term with this, she didn't know what is. Certainly a blessing in disguise. After a good five minutes, Alona lets go, wiping the tears away from Joey with her Feelers. "Alright... I think you would want some time for yourself after what happened. Are you going to be Ok?"

Meanwhile, Aaron slowly drifted off to sleep in his room, having his nightly nightmare that plagued his mind. He shivered violently, and silently sobbing in his sleep.

As Joey continued to hug Alona tightly, he heard the words that everything was going to be alright. Joey was more than willing to stay with Alona at the time when she let go. He let out a very small smile as she wiped his tears away.

Joey remained silent for a moment when she asked if he wanted time for himself. The question itself was good, and he did want time to himself. His only response there was a simple nod. Though his gesture didn’t seem quite as genuine in its motions. Reason? Well the issue was that he never truly was alone. He didn’t want to be alone right now, and the current issue with taking time for himself was the fact that Azeral was not present. She wasn’t in the guild that day, not quite remembering why. However, it had to be important since she promised she would never leave him alone again. Not like the last time she had.

Azeral was one of the few that actually comforted Joey. Her being gone for the day, who would take the place?

The Pickachu smiled as she wiped his tears away, nodding to answer her question... yet, is this really what he wanted? The way he nodded his head seems extremely off, like he was reluctant to accept it. "Joey... I know you said that you wanted some time alone, but do you want me to be with you? Comfort you in some way? I'm mean I'm not great at doing that, not without my special aura soothing your nerves a little. I just want you to feel more comfortable with the situation."

Alona Changed. She knew it deep down inside. She was still a hostile Pokemon, but with everything going on, with how Joey's sad story made her feel bad. She just can't be this angry Pokemon who goes on a uproar like she used to.

Aaron on the other hand, was muttering in his sleep, pleaing that they help him, and to not leave him. "I...It's not my fault... Please..."

The small mouse looked towards Alona just after beginning to turn around to head to his room. Looking towards Alona, Joey listened to her question. She wanted to make sure he was alright, and whether or not he felt better if he stayed with her for the time being. He remained where he was for a moment without responding.

If there was one thing that Joey has noticed ever since he had met Alona. She had been a hostile Pokémon… and a bit harsh at times. However, as time went on… she had a gentler personality around him.

Joey silently started to walk back towards alona. Just as he reached her, “Please?”

Alona Smiled at Joey's request, embracing him once more."Of course. I can stay with you as long as you need too." Aaron was probably lost in his own little world to remember her promise to come back to him anyway.

Aaron on the other hand, was up now, yet... he's bickering with himself in a whispering manner. Trying very hard to not attract attention. "I won't. I refuse. You're not going to be part of me. Just get out of my head already." "Aaron, don't you understand? You're fighting the inevitable. I am you, and you are me. All I need to do, is evolve. It's simple." "No, I won't... I refuse... My friends will agree... My friends..." "Wants you to do it too! Don't you get it?! This is part of your nature, this is part of who you are." "No..." Aaron suddenly shaking his head back and forth, desperately trying to get the voice out of his head.

Joey let out a light smile as he went to stand besides Alona. Just being with someone right now was enough to help him feel better right now. The little mouse would follow Alona wherever she was going to head to at this point. At least, until he felt better or Azeral came back. There really wasn’t much he could do at this point.

((Literally… I am running out of juice to post on… Gimme something XD))

((Timeskip, as requested.))

Alona leads the yellow mouse to Aaron's room. She made sure she was next to him to make Joey more comfortable with the situation. She promised he wouldn't get hurt, and she meant it. "Are you ready, Joey?" The Sylveon asked. "Remember, you don't have to do this if you don't feel ready. We're here for Aaron, not making you feel scared of him." She took a peak inside Aaron's room, shaking her head as Aaron is basically in his own little world. He's just standing there, his head on the wall. The Sylveon's ribbon instinctively caressed the Pikachu's fur, knowing he would be crept out by the sight of Aaron.

"I'm here for you. I won't let him hurt you. When you're ready, we go in together. OK?" he was certainly brave for doing this, no doubt about that. But this is where his true test of his friendship starts.

Joey nodded as Alona asked him if he was ready. However, he felt that there really wasn’t a need to be ready. Joey began to walk inside a little ways ahead of alona. He walked up beside aaron, only to pause half way for a brief moment. Once he was besides aaron, he reached out and placed a paw on the dragon type’s shoulder. “Aaron?” he said softly. Deep down, he felt truly worried for aaron… However, the dragon’s current actions didn’t seem like something to fear… at the moment that is.

At first, there was silence. A few moments, however he suddenly whispered letters. "Z...w...e...i....l....o........u.....s....."

Alona was confused at first, but then she realized he was spelling something. She quickly grab paper and a quill covered in ink with her Ribbons and started to write them down. It took a short while, but after he was quiet, Alona read what she wrote out loud. "Zweilous... He must accept it... darkness cure... I can't do anything until he accepts... What?" She was lost here. Why did Aaron spell THAT out? Her thoughts was cut short when Aaron suddenly spoke again. "The darkness... They want me to accept it... don't fall for it lies... I can't let it dominate me... I won't... you'll never like me again..."

Slowly the pieces were starting to fall together, eventually giving her all the answer she was looking for. "Aaron..." The Sylveon pulled Joey away gently to make sure he doesn't get hurt. "Is that why you're so overprotective? You're scared that we won't like you when you get your second hea-" Her voice was cut off and replaced with a gasp as Aaron banged the wall with his head. "You.... Listened... T...O....T...H...E...D........A.............R............K...............N...........E..............S...........S.........S.......S......S......S.......S......S.."

Joey looked at aaron with a look of pity. It was as if the dragon didn’t hear him at all. Before he repeated the dragon type’s name, it started to speak. What was said was the exact opposite of what Alona wanted aaron to do. Alona wanted him to evolve, but the dragon didn’t want to. “Something” was telling him to which he took it as if it really wanted him to evolve.

As alona spoke to aaron, she was interrupted by the dragon as she started to mention anything close to his evolution. That was when aaron had creeped Joey out for the second time now. However, this seemed a bit more threatening as he took a few steps back. “A-aaron! P-PLEASE! Y-YOU’RE SCARING ME!” Joey cried out. “Y-you don’t want t-that right?” he added before stopping once more. “Please”

Aaron was silent for a moment, before Running up and hugging Joey desperately. "You're my friend... You wouldn't leave me... I don't want you to fear me... You'll hate me... and I'll be alone... I need you...... Listen...." Alona noticed a sudden change of tone from Aaron voice. Something less... insane. "Aaron?" Alona asked, but Aaron only sighed. "You must get him to evolve... you must convince him to accept me..." Alona was shocked about this. Was this Really Aaron? "Y....Your his second head? But I thought..." "I'm still forming as we speak..." Aaron replied. "I don't have time left... It took every part of my will to speak with you... Aaron will take control really soon..." Aaron hugs Joey tighter, but in a more comforting way.

"Joey... Alona... He fears that I will ruin our friendship... his relationship with everyone... I won't lie and say that might not be true... I don't know what personality that will turn you away... Regardless... You must get my first head to understand.... Beat him into submission if you have to... If he accepts... the darkness will no longer hold him... Please... promise me you will help us..."

Joey had tears streaming down his face at this point when he had cried out for Aaron to stop. The small mouse didn’t know what to do anymore. However, just before he could do anything. The deino ran up and hugged him. This prompted Joey to close his eyes quickly, afraid of what was going to happen next. The dragon stated that Joey was his friend, and wouldn’t leave him. It didn’t want him to fear it.

However, before too much was said, the tone of voice changed. Joey opened his eyes after closing them. The voice was much calmer… and kinder than what the darkness had instilled in the deino’s mind. Joey listened to the deino’s request, stating that he needed to evolve but needed convincing… The mouse now questioned if it really was aaron that was talking at that point. This question rose but was answered when alona stated that he was his second head.

This confused the mouse greatly but he pushed this confusion away as he much rather have Aaron in this state right now than the earlier one. As he was held a little tighter, but in a way that seemed far friendlier than before. Joey relaxed and quickly embraced the dragon. The mouse began to cry as he held onto the deino. The deino continued to speak and Joey listened, but only partly.

Joey felt more comforted that his friend was somewhat normal at the time, despite the fact this was temporary. He threw all the reason to worry away at this point. He felt the nightmare might be over now.

The "Second head." Smiled when Joey cried. How deeply he cares for Aaron. "Shhh..." Aaron hushed the Pikachu, breaking the hug and placing his head on Joey. "It's scary, I know. Seeing me like this? It's unbearable for you, right? You're doing a great job, Joey. You're helping so much you don't even realize." Alona watched on, first time in a long time, Hope has reignited. He can be saved, and she'll do everything in her powers to make it happen. "You just need to endure for a little longer. Alright, best friend? I...." He suddenly backed away, his face darkened. "I... can't do this much longer... Listen. I really believe that Aaron will finally snap just because I did this... and when that happens... I want you to swear to me. When you fight me, don't be scared because of Aaron's crazed nature... Don't think that you're hurting me because you have too... Think of it as a spar, Alright? First one to submit wins, and the loser has to say I stink like a Skuntank." "Aaron" Has told him, trying to humor the situation.

Alona saw the "Second head" Smile once again, bowing his head to respect Joey. Maybe that's what Joey needed. Hearing his best friend tell him all that... Will it be enough?

"Can I count on you, Joey?"

Joey didn’t have any words when the deino continued to comfort him. However, when he broke the hug. Joey didn’t quite want to let go, but he hadn’t any choice in that matter. Aaron spoke, stating that it must have been unbearable seeing the condition he was in.

Joey listened to the Aaron as he stated that he is going to have to fight eventually, and not to be afraid of hurting him. Only to think of it as a sparring match… The idea was hard to swallow, but he would get it through.

When Joey was asked if he could be counted on. He slowly nodded, but deep down he still felt the need to be comforted by his friend.