Bonus Chapter

Its name was Kyurem. It was a Legendary Pokemon that wielded ice as its weapon.

That is what I learned from the other maidens. We are all together now. Our spirits linger within the cavern where we died, silently watching over the monstrosity that had ended our young lives. All we could do to pass the time was chat or tell the stories of our own deaths.

Mika, a Breloom who had died last spring, had succeeded in hurting the beast before it killed her. There is a crack in its left wing to prove her story true. Her brave spirit fought back against its intimidating gaze, allowing her to strike.

Sera, a Zangoose who had died only a month ago, had also succeeded in wounding the monster. Her claws had left a gash along one of its hind legs. She would've done more damage had the creature not devoured her immediately after the wound was inflicted.

Gracia, a Gardevoir who had died three years ago, had unsuccessfully tried to teleport out of the cavern to escape. The beast had done something to cancel her powers and didn't hesitate to eat her. What it had done, none of us knew exactly.

We continued to tell our stories over and over as we waited for the next victim to arrive. When the Absol appeared, I looked away. I didn't want to see the poor soul that would soon be joining us.

I looked when I heard them cry as the beast appeared. It was my sister, Flora. I began to shout and scream for her to run. She stood there, paralyzed as many of us had been. I realized that it was futile. She could not see me, hear me. I was dead. I covered my eyes as the draconic monster struck.

I embraced my weeping sister the moment her soul joined us. We shared our stories and told her of the monster that had ended our lives. Our cycle of waiting began anew…

.o.o.o.o.

Fifteen years have passed since my death. Thousands of innocent maidens have joined us during that time. We tell our stories and comfort the newly dead. This is our routine. It is all we can do.

I hear her strange cry long before I see her. The Absol, three of them this time, arrived with a weakened Milotic lying across their backs. The village must be empty of maidens by now. Her weak words confirm my suspicions.

"My trainer will come," she hissed. "I know he will."

The Absol place her on the cavern floor and flee. The monster approached, jaws parted. The Milotic freezes upon seeing it, petrified. I can already tell I'm screaming for her to run even though I know she cannot hear me. I close my eyes as it rears back, ready to take the beautiful Water-type's life.

A blast of fire drives Kyurem back, a loud scream erupting from its jaws. The Milotic smiles as a boy, no older than 10-years-old, dashed toward her. With him is an Infernape, who hovers protectively in front of its trainer. Kyurem hisses from the darkness.

The boy stands, smirking. "You must be Kyurem, huh? Just who I've been looking for." He looks at his Infernape. "Flamethrower, Infernape!"

We all watch as the battle rages. Kyurem is powerful, but it is no match for the Fire-type. We soon find ourselves cheering aloud for the boy. When he pulls out a purple and pink sphere, I nearly cry out in joy upon seeing it. A single toss causes it to hit Kyurem's chest, engulfing the Ice-type in white light.

We wait with bated breath as the sphere twitches. Kyurem struggles and fights but to no avail. The sphere falls still. The boy picks it up and cries out in victory. The elusive Kyurem has been captured by a human at long last.

I want to thank the boy, but I cannot. White light erupts around us, beckoning us to it. Many of us obey, floating up into the light. My sister is among them. I am among the last to go.

I watch as the boy heals his Milotic, who smiles. "I knew you'd rescue me," she whispers.

I smile sadly. She is the first maiden to meet that monster and survive. Thousands have died to its jaws yet she lived. I felt envy but also…happiness?

"At least someone came for you," I whisper, a tear rolling down my cheek.

I ascend into the light, leaving the world of the living far behind me. After fifteen years in that cavern, I am finally free. Dead, yes, but free.