literature

Matthew's Trial Chapter 12

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Matthew was led into a cold white walled room devoid of anything save for a large metal table in the center with dozens of leather straps on it. At the far end of the room facing the table was a window with thick black curtain covering it. Matthew assumed this was so that family could be with the condemned in their final moments.

Calcifer angrily indicated the table as the guard prodded him along. Matthew willingly let himself be placed on the table as he turned and saw Sophie, the Chansey who had been so kind to him before, approach and tighten down the straps on his body. When she was done she leaned down over his head and whispered in his ear. "(I'm sorry Matthew.)"

Matthew looked her in the eye before answering. "(Don't be. There was nothing that you could have done to stop Calcifer. Just know that I appreciate your kindness and I ask that you show the same to my family when they take my body.)" Sophie nodded and moved off to the side as she slid several IV needles into Matthew's wings and taped them down.

Once this was all finished Sophie moved off to the side as Calcifer stepped forward. The curtain over the window at the far end of the room opened and Matthew could see Jenna and his family sitting there. Watching and waiting for the inevitable with looks of horror etched into their faces. Calcifer approached and stood next to Matthew as he looked down at him with menace in his eyes. "(So this is how the great Matthew finally meets his end. Pumped full of poison like a common criminal. How pathetic. I had hoped that we could have battled one day but I suppose that I can settle for this.)"

Matthew glared at Calcifer. He knew that if he was just a bit more impulsive he would have tried his damnedest to peck the Arcanine's eyes out before he died. As it was he couldn't keep himself from uttering what came from his beak. "(Go to hell.)"

Calcifer grinned. "(After you. Shall we move this along?)" Calcifer took a step back and nodded at the guard who pushed a button on the wall that raised the table so that Matthew could better see Jenna and the others. The tears that he had held back for so long finally came to his eyes as he looked at their faces. They were afraid and he didn't blame them in the slightest. He noticed that Jenna had returned Sibelius and he felt a slight jolt of relief run through his body at this. The last thing the already emotionally disturbed Chatot needed to see was his uncle's death.

Calcifer stepped forward and stood in front of the glass. "(If the convicted has any final words he may say them now.)" He turned to Matthew, hoping that the damned bird was going to keep his beak shut. Unfortunately for him Matthew was not going to go out silently.

He opened his beak and began to speak.


........................


Governor of the Sinnoh region Patrick Hock was just sitting down to dinner with his wife when his butler glided up next to him.

"Sir I'm terribly sorry to bother you but there is someone here who wishes to speak with you. I informed him that you were eating dinner but he was most adamant that he see you immediately."

Hock looked up at his butler in mild annoyance. "Did he give you a name or any other information?" His butler nervously rubbed his hands together at the question.

"He said that it involved a Mr. Hargreave and that he had information that pertained to a certain trial that apparently occurred several days ago. However, he would not elaborate further. I recalled sir that Mr. Hargreave donated generously to your reelection campaign and therefore deemed it relevant to inform you of this."

The mention of Wilson made Hock's eyes get wide and he quickly stood up from his seat. "Bring him to my office. I'll meet him there in a minute." His butler nodded and headed off as Hock apologized to his wife and went to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face before straightening his finely tailored suit and heading to his office.

What he saw when he entered was not what he had expected at all. A giant of a man in his early twenties was leaning against his desk looking through a thick folder of papers. Standing next to him as a powerfully built Sceptile with a hideous scar crossing over it's left eye. At the sound of the door opening both human and Pokemon looked up. Hock found himself staring into deep blue eyes that carried a glacial chill. Hock looked at him uncomfortably as he closed the door and stepped around so that he had a better view of the two.

"Might I inquire as to why you barged into my home in the middle of the night while I was having dinner?"

Sam stood and held up the folder he was holding in his hand. "It regards this. And the execution of Sinnoh League Champion Jenna Canelli's Honchkrow, Matthew, that is set to take place any minute now."

Hock nodded as he went around and sat at his desk. "Yes I read about it in the paper. Terribly sorry to see that happen to the Champion but even she and her Pokemon are required to obey the law. And frankly from what I heard this Honchkrow of her's needs to be put down."

Sam clenched his jaw to keep himself from saying something he would regret as he slowly regained his composure. After a few seconds he opened the folder and pushed it towards Hock before pulling out his phone and playing back the recording of Wilson's monologue, ending it before it got to the part about Zorro. While he still had no idea how much the Mothim was involved in this he thought it best to keep his name out of it until he had more information.

Once the recording ended Hock stared dumbfounded at Sam. "Where...how did you get this recording and this information?"

Sam pulled the folder back. "Not important. What is important is that you just heard evidence that Wilson Hargreave is guilty of tampering with the results of that trial and that he has been running an underground Pokemon fighting ring and organ smuggling business. So I would suggest that you call the prison and have them suspend that execution until further notice."

Hock just continued to stare wide eyed for several seconds before slowly getting to his feet. "These are very serious accusations. Not to mention depending on where this information came from it could very easily have been falsified. For that matter Wilson Hargreave is a fine upstanding citizen and a well respected resident of the Sinnoh region. I find it difficult to believe that he had anything to do with manipulating that trial. For that matter-"

Sam's fist came down hard on the desk. Papers and other items went flying through the air as he leaned in close and glared at Hock. "You're ignoring all of this evidence!? Including his vocal confession which you could very easily have checked. On the grounds that Wilson Hargreave is a good, upstanding citizen? Bullshit!"

Hock seemed taken aback by Sam's outburst but quickly regained his composure as he stood up. "I think that it's time for you to leave. Otherwise I'll have my security throw you out. I'll see you to the door." Hock walked over to the door and opened it. Sam didn't move. Instead he held up the phone and tapped it.

"I walk out that door and I'll bring this straight to every newspaper, radio, and TV station in the Sinnoh region. They won't care if it's real or not. To them is one hell of a juicy story. Rich kid actually son of legendary crime boss. Illegal fighting rings run without authorities knowledge. Champion's Honchkrow executed based on fraudulent trial. Governor Hock accepts two million in campaign money from Wilson Hargreave."

At the mention of the last one Hock's blood ran cold as he slowly turned around. "Are you...blackmailing me?" Sam gave him a humorless smile.

"Absolutely."


.........................


Matthew took in a deep breath before he began to speak. Wanting every word he said to be fully understood by all present.

"(My friends. My family. My master. I'm sorry that it has all come down to this. I'm sorry that I have failed you. I was supposed to protect you all and I failed. I have shamed our home and our family by my actions and for that I am truly sorry and fully willing to pay the price. And yet at the same time I do not want any of you to mourn me. I wish for all of you to move on and continue to look towards the future and continue to live your lives. Not letting the grief of my death weigh you down as an anchor but instead accepting it and letting it wash over you and eventually dissipate until all that remains are the happy memories that remain.)"

Matthew took in another breath.

"(Veruka. You are one of my most treasured friends and I have enjoyed our times together. Speaking with you about love, leadership, and friendship have been some of the most cherished moments of my days these past few years.)"

"(Leopold. My rival, friend, and teacher. While our lives and personalities have at times collided I have always considered you to be like a brother to me. I will miss your company and your friendship.)"

"(Zorro. We have both made mistakes in our lives. I should never have been so rash with you and I am truly sorry for taking your wing. It is a pain that I have carried for a long time now and I wish to finally say, I'm sorry.)"

"(Marlowe. My brother. My blood. You have been a truly wonderful companion throughout my life. Your son has been a wonderful nephew and has brought both of us much joy. Do not lose hope in your ability to raise him. You are a wonderful parent Marlowe. I am sure that everything will be alright. And Sibelius. If you can hear me. Thank you. For letting me see the world as you do. With the innocence of a child.)"

"(Jenna. My master. You took care of me when I was sick, held me when I was in pain, brought me from the brink of darkness back into the light, comforted me when Angel died...I can never repay any of this in full. All I can say is thank you for giving me such a wonderful life at your ranch. I will miss it dearly.)"

Finally he turned to Elizabeth who had tears streaming down her face as she pressed her claw against the glass. As though she could almost touch Matthew's wing.

"(Elizabeth. My oldest friend, and the greatest failure in my life. I am so sorry that I was too blind to see your love for me sooner. I am sorry that I could not give you the affection that you so desperately wanted. I was simply too engrossed in my own grief over Angel's death to see it. I don't know what to say. Words seem empty and hollow. An improper method to convey the level of sorrow I feel over how I have failed you. All I ask Elizabeth is that you don't give up your life. Don't stop living because I am gone. Elizabeth...I love you. Now please… let go.)"

Matthew brought his head back around and took one final look at his family. For that was what they were. Not separate friends and relatives but together they were his family in the truest sense of the word.

"(My family. Thank you for everything. Your honesty. Your kindness. Your love for an old bird who didn't deserve any of it. Thank you. Thank you.)"

Matthew laid his head back.

"(Angel, I'm ready.)"

Calcifer scowled and walked over to the side of the room where he slammed his paw against a button set into the wall. Clear liquid began to flow through the IV lines and into Matthew's body.


.....................


Hock paced nervously in his office as Sam sat behind his desk. Enjoying the power that he now held over the aging politician. After a good minute he stopped and looked at the trainer with his muddy boots resting on his desk.

"You know that I could have you arrested for this?"

Sam just shrugged in response. "Go ahead. Not going to stop me from revealing this information at my own trial. Just give me a more public place to reveal all of it. What you need to ask yourself is, are you willing to trade your entire career just to see Jenna Canelli's downfall?"

Hock thought about that for a minute as he returned to pacing. Sam nervously looked at his watch again. They had minutes at best. Assuming that Calcifer didn't push up the time.

Hock suddenly turned and looked at Sam. His eyes had the look of a man who knew that he was beaten and yet was trying to come out of it with some dignity left intact. "(Do I have your word that if I order the suspension of this Honchkrow's execution and order a thorough inquiry into the trial that that information will never see the light of day?"

Sam nodded as he got to his feet. "You make that call I disappear and you never hear from me again. You have my word on that. In fact to sweeten the deal I'll even let you keep the hard evidence." Sam dropped the folders on the desk. "I'll keep the recording as insurance and you now have some leverage that you can use against Wilson. Pretty damn fair deal if you ask me."

Hock nodded nervously, "Yes. Yes it is."

Sam indicated the phone on his desk. "Make the call."

Hock took one last look at the folders on his desk and then at Sam before picking up the phone and dialing the prison. "This is governor Hock. Stop the execution!"


.......................


The first IV bag of poison had just drained into Matthew's wing. It felt like it was on fire and that fire was quickly coursing through his entire body. He could feel his vision begin to cloud as darkness swept over him. He wasn't afraid. Soon the darkness would totally engulf him and he would be at peace.

The second bag was just beginning to drain when suddenly the phone on the wall rang. The guard quickly snatched it up and after listening for a second his eyes got wide in shock as he quietly whispered. "It's too late." He dropped the phone and ran over to Matthew. Tearing the IV lines from his wing. Blood and poison flowed onto the floor in equal measure as Calcifer charged over and slammed the guard against the wall.

"(Just what the fuck are you doing!!!)" He yelled. His collar translating so the guard could understand him. The guard looked up at Calcifer with terror in his eyes. "The governor just called and order the execution suspended sir!" Calcifer's eyes got wide in shock as he threw the guard across the room before rearing on Matthew. "(To hell with it!!)" Calcifer started to charge up a fire blast to finish off Matthew as Jenna and her Pokemon crowded against the armored glass. Unable to break through and save Matthew.

Just as it seemed like Calcifer was about to kill Matthew he suddenly froze as a sweet melody played throughout the room. He turned to see Sophie using sing. His eyes bulged out in nearly uncontrollable anger and he started towards her but before he could take a single step he collapsed to the ground, fast asleep.

Sophie didn't waste time and rushed over to Matthew as she began to try and save him as the poison coursed through his system, shutting down all his major organs. She turned to the guard who was just getting to his feet and pointed at Matthew while gesturing wildly. The guard got the message and ran off to get help while Sophie felt Matthew's pulse.

It wasn't there.

She placed her ear next to his beak and didn't hear any breathing. Her eyes got wide as she removed the restraints on Matthew, letting his body fall limp on the table as she began CPR.

"(Damnit Matthew you didn't survive Calcifer just to die now! Come on breathe!)"


............................


In the observation chamber Jenna and her Pokemon were all pressed up against the glass calling for Matthew. They had witnessed the events with a mixture of fear and something that none of them had felt in what seemed forever. Hope.

However, when Sophie started doing CPR their fear returned. Elizabeth in particular seemed to be losing it as she clawed at the glass to get to Matthew. Next to her Zorro's eyes were wide in fright as he watched the situation unfold. The Mothim twitched his legs nervously as he wrung them together. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't live with this. Not with what he was seeing. He flew up, placed his head against the glass and cried out.

"(MATTHEW PLEASE DON'T DIE!!!! I'm sorry!! I didn't mean to betray the family but I just...)" Zorro trailed off as he wailed loudly.

Everyone looked at him in shock before Elizabeth turned and lashed out at him. Her claws clamping around his neck, "(VHAT ZE HELL DID YOU DO!!!!)"

Zorro looked at her with glassy eyes. "(I manipulated the trial using my powers.)" Zorro was in shock as Elizabeth held him. Her expression changed instantly from fear for Matthew to overpowering rage against Zorro. "(YOU BASTARD!!!)" She tightened her grip on Zorro's neck but before she could do any damage Leopold and Veruka had managed to separate them.

Leopold did his best to control Elizabeth as Veruka took Zorro and left the room. Knowing that so long as he was present Elizabeth wouldn't be able to calm down. "(Damnit Elizabeth control yourself! Matthew is in there dying. The last thing he would want would be for us to be attacking one another! Zorro will pay but right now we need to concentrate on Matthew!)" Elizabeth slowly calmed down as her anger was once again replaced with fear as Leopold slowly let her go.

She looked into the room at Sophie who continued to work on Matthew as several orderlies came in and injected him with a variety of syringes. They shocked him with a defibrillator, injected adrenaline right into his heart. Sophie went back to her CPR as the orderlies just shook their heads. Finally almost ten minutes after the poison had first been injected into his heart Sophie stopped and looked into the room at Elizabeth who was pressed up against the glass. Her claws leaving lines in the glass as she stared wide eyed at Matthew.

Sophie looked down and slowly shook her head.

Elizabeth's eyes nearly bulged out of her head before she let out a primal cry of anguish and fell to the ground. Her world shattered into a million pieces by a single revelation.


Matthew was dead.
WAIT!!! 

Before you all prepare to kill me for this please just read what I have to say. Alright first I would like to point out that this IS NOT the final chapter. There is still one more chapter to go. This was supposed to be part of chapter 11 but chapter 11 was already getting ridiculously over sized so I broke the final scene off into chapter 12. 

Now with all that said let me explain my choice in this to...well frankly kill Matthew. 

This story originally began as something far more simple than what it became. It was never meant to be this long or complicated and over the years, that's right I said years, of working on it I realized that I had become far too used to ending most of my stories with a happy or semi-happy ending. So I'm going to try something...a little different here. I won't go into detail or...for that matter give out any information here as you will all just have to wait for the final chapter to be posted but rest assured that I think you will all enjoy it. Some of you maybe more than others. Some of you less. Just wait and see. 

With that said I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. It's been a fun ride with this story but I'm looking forward to finally closing the book on it. 

Also thanks again to :iconaxel230: for his editing work on this chapter. 

One more to go. 

Chapter 13 and Epilogue: snowhawk7.deviantart.com/art/M…

Pokemon (c) Nintendo 

Random Doom (c) :icontamarinfrog: 

Sam (c) Me 
© 2016 - 2024 SnowHawk7
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pokediginut's avatar
One small thing, instead of Matthew saying "Go to Hell" it would have been more badass for him to say "I'll be waiting for you in hell" and then Calcifer frowns at him annoyed at his final defiance

But yes this wasn't a very dark chapter

I will say however that you certainly didn't not have to rush and defend yourself in the authors note. As an author you stand by the word's you've written. You can be open to criticism but not like put up a literal Flame Shield