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“Au revoir, my friend!” L turned around and bid farewell to Harmony as he planned to set off on his new journey.
“Wait! Lys– I mean, L!” Harmony reached for him and grabbed his arm, “Wait. I want to ask you for a favour.”
“Hmm?” L turned back, “And what would that be?”
“There's… There's someone I want you to meet.” The trainer began as she returned Zygarde back to its ball, “Someone wants to talk to you personally.”
“Oh!” L felt nervous, a lot of people he thought would want to talk to him, are people who do recognize him and were (justifiably so) angry at him. He could only apologize to people like that as he could barely remember anything still, “Are you sure?”
“Yes!” Harmony smiled at him, as she realized what he was thinking. “He… he has something crucial to say, and I think you should at least listen to it.”
L paused. He didn't know what to say at first, especially since it came from Harmony herself. She had every right to hate him as she was from Geosenge Town, where the Ultimate Weapon that he fired, which led to everything here now. She managed to sort out her own feelings about it and now she's here telling him about someone else.
“I… I suppose I should at least hear him out.”
“YES!!” Harmony pumped her fist into the air, “I'll call him right now! Hold on!”
Her rotom phone pulls out to immediately call him.
At the Rust Syndicate building, Corbeau's phone flew out of his pocket to show him the incoming call.
“Hmm? Harmony?” He saw her request for a video call of all things, he answered the call. “What could she want at this time? She knows I'm busy…”
“Hey Corbeau!” Harmony cheerfully greeted him. Corbeau does smile back as he does in his own way miss her and was delighted to see her again, especially this happy.
“Sorry for the bother, I know you're busy.” She began apologetically, “But… there's someone… someone important, that I want you to meet.”
Harmony gestured to her rotom phone to move slightly next to her. And the phone revealed someone that made Corbeau froze on the spot.
And Philippe was quick to notice, “Something wrong sir?”
“Harmony…” Corbeau managed to say, “Give me an hour…”
Harmony beamed in response, “All right! See you then!”
After she hung up, Corbeau quickly stood up and told Philippe, “Philippe, bring in the next appointment ASAP, I don't care what they say, we need to have that done in the next hour.”
“Sir…” Philippe understood, “Was that?”
“Yes…” Corbeau answered him, “It seems we finally get our opportunity that we've been asking for.
“That’s good!” Harmony was glad as she returned her phone back into her pocket. “I knew he would say yes!”
“That man…” L began, “He was one of your allies yes? During Ange…”
“Yeah…” Harmony knew that was his answer, “You really don't remember him, don't you?”
L took the hint and was nervous again, “Was he someone I knew from my past?”
“It's a bit of a walk to the Syndicate's office.” Harmony offers, “I can tell you along the way. So let's get out of this Wild Zone.”
L nodded and followed her out.
Harmony began telling him what she had heard about Corbeau’s story. She knows she shouldn’t but, circumstances right now would tell her that this would be necessary. She continued on how Lysandre gave him a lot of aid, in both just to support him and in his business ventures, and how it led him to eventually becoming the head of the Rust Syndicate. An organization dedicated to protecting and improving Lumiose City even if it meant using underhanded methods.
“There are indeed some things that require… a more forceful approach.” L agreed as he recalled whatever hazy memory he had, “But there are times where I do wonder if it can go too far.”
“It can be yeah…” Harmony added, “But I don’t really think Corbeau would ever let himself or anyone do that.”
“I see…”
“He has a Gyarados too by the way…” Harmony added, “He uses poison type pokemon and poison moves.”
“But Gyarados…” L was surprised as it didn't make sense to him…
“Isn't a poison type nor able to know any poison moves yeah…” Harmony smiled hoping he understood what she meant. “Kinda like yours. Well except he has a Mega Scolipede instead…”
L didn't have anything else to say about it. His Gyarados was from his old team. That part he does remember and he could mega evolve it too. But he wondered to himself if that was intentional on Corbeau's part…
“Here we are!” Harmony announced as they arrived in front of the Rust Syndicate building. “Looks like we’re a bit early though…”
The trainer waved at the grunts that were posted by the door, and they in turn waved back as they gave her a smile.
“You seem to be friendly with them…” L commented.
“Yeah, they’re not as bad as some people claim they are…” Harmony responded, “Wait until you meet their boss though…”
“Corbeau, was his name right?” L continued, “Hmm… to be honest I still can't recall his name from my memories… Even though I wish I could…”
“You don’t have to…” Corbeau interrupted them as he stood by the entrance with the grunts already greeting him with their bow. “Lysandre…no– L, It’s good to see you again… After so long…”
L saw the man in front of him. Despite his stature, he exuded a commanding presence that he rarely saw in anyone… It… reminded him of something… a feeling from long ago… He couldn't describe it yet…
“It hasn’t been an hour yet, Corbeau…” Harmony commented as it interrupted L’s thoughts, “Are you really that excited to see him? You never were that excited to see me.”
The trainer left a chuckle and stuck out her tongue playfully and the mob boss simply glared at her for a second that immediately shifted to a soft smile. L concluded immediately that Corbeau must harbour some deeper feelings for her. Especially for the way Harmony had lightly teased him.
“The appointment ended a little early..” Corbeau lied, he didn’t really entertain the guest, he was too anxious so he immediately had it rescheduled, “So I came to see if you two have come. And good thing I did… Come in.”
Corbeau gestured to his guests to enter the building and into his office.
“Feel free to sit on the couches.” He offered as he turned to Philippe who was surprised by their guest, “Philippe, please fetch us some tea if you could.”
“Uhh… Yes!” Philippe managed to utter from his surprised state as he walked towards the door, “Of course, boss.”
“That wouldn’t be necessary…” L tried to dismiss their hospitality as he felt that he didn’t deserve it. As he still couldn’t remember him… “There is no need to fuss over me…”
“Please, I insist…” Corbeau added, “At least even some water would do some good.”
The boss nodded at Philippe who understood the assignment and quickly left the office.
The whole room fell silent as neither of the two wanted to start the conversation.
So Harmony started it for them by sitting on one of the singular couches closest to Corbeau’s desk, “Have a seat L… They’re real comfy.”
“Thank you…” L said softly as he sat on the other singular couch next to Harmony’s
“Told ya I’d help you out with this…” Harmony bragged as she waved at Corbeau to join them.
“And so you did…” Corbeau sighed as he felt the weight off his shoulders as he sat on the sofa opposite to them, “I just didn’t expect it to be now.”
“I brought some refreshments, boss…” Philippe came back with glasses of water and tea and placed them on the table. He then walked behind the sofa and stayed in his position behind Corbeau.
“Thank you…” L smiled at Philippe as he took the glass of water and drank it.
“You’re welcome… Lysandre, sir..” Philippe began as he gave a smile, “It has been a long time since we've seen you…”
Corbeau shot a glare at Philippe who just responded with an apologetic smile.
“Of course…” L sets the glass down back on the table, “Though, I must sincerely apologise to you both… as my memories of my past have been foggy.”
“Like I said, I didn’t expect you to.” Corbeau responded as-a-matter-of-factly “It has been long before we last spoke. Longer than before you fired the Ultimate Weapon…”
L frowned but expected it. Now it was Harmony that shot a glare at Corbeau.
“Don’t expect anything Harmony.” Corbeau responded to the glare, “You of all people should know that…”
Harmony only sighed to herself. She knew he was right.
“Harmony has shared a bit about you,” L began, “and how I was a part of your life as you were growing up…”
“She did, did she?” Corbeau once again looked at Harmony who only responded with a smile and a shrug back at him. “Well unfortunately… she did not tell you the full story…”
“She didn’t?”
“I didn't?”
“I was merely an orphan living in the streets Lumiose.” Corbeau began, “All alone in the world, with only whatever rags I could find to wear and a Venipede as my only friend…”
“That is until you showed up… You apparently heard about a child who was being a menace around your signature cafe. At that time, I didn’t care for whom that place belonged to, I only knew that it was the best place to scrounge up leftovers and even some money if I was lucky. I could barely even see you as eyesight was that poor. So to you I must have been glaring like a wild Arbok. But even so… you said that day… that my eyes seemed to have a fire that burned eternally…”
Corbeau continued to tell his story. L listened intently and used it to try to remember anything about the man in front of him.
Images of memories still weren't forming and yet there were sparks… Sparks of emotions that he felt that seemed to be from long ago. Was it— relief? Pride? It wasn’t even self pride. It was towards Corbeau if anything. Feelings came forth in place of images from memories.
“As I said before for the third time…” Corbeau continued as he kept his composure, “You don’t have to remember. It has been so long since we spoke properly after all… So there is no need to push yourself in remembering, I’d rather have you remember it naturally if anything. Who knows, maybe this is a way to see things in a different perspective.”
“I sincerely apologise…” L was deeply saddened by his inability to remember.
“But… as much as I want things to be different…” Corbeau continued, “I’m still unable to forgive you for what you did five years ago… not just to me but to everyone in Lumiose… Geosenge… and the entirety of the Kalos Region.”
“I know…” L has already heard that many times. He expected that reaction, despite not remembering most of it all.
“But!” Corbeau suddenly spoke louder, startling L and Harmony, as he looked at Philippe, “There is one more thing… Philippe, let them in!”
“Yes, boss!” Philippe pulled out his rotom phone and pressed a few buttons. Within minutes, almost every grunt in the Rust Syndicate poured through the office (that can fit) and surrounded them.
“Mr. Lysandre… no… L!” Corbeau began as he bent his knees, clasped them with both hands, and bowed at the same time to L, “As the boss of the Rust Syndicate, as a trainer, as myself…”
“Thank you… Thank you for everything you’ve done for me! And thank you for everything you've done for Lumiose, and to the Kalos Region and the people in it!”
“Thank you!”
“Thanks!”
“Thank ya, sir!”
All the grunts said their gratitude in one way or the other as they bowed like Corbeau to L.
“I humbly thank you for everything as well sir…” Philippe said as he did the bow as well.
Harmony didn’t say anything else but copied everyone else and did the same bow. She was just way too impressed to ruin any moment.
“I swear….” Corbeau began again while he was still at his pose and everyone else fell quiet as they heard him start. “I swear… to ensure that the beauty of this world will continue to flourish and as the boss of the Rust Syndicate, that I will continue to clean up anything that becomes dirty so it can show its true beauty!”
“Because… I… I wouldn't be able to be here now if it wasn't for you….”
“I….” L tried to say something but words failed him. Tears began to well in his eyes. “I thank you…”
“I still cannot remember you…” he continued as he blinked to try to wipe away the tears, “But I… I am grateful that back when I was still just giving… that it yielded something quite beautiful. I… I just wish I would have seen that before everything that had happened.”
“It's all right…” Corbeau straightened himself up, and extended his hand to L, “We shouldn't let our regrets of the past eat us up, and instead use it as fuel to continue on forward.”
“Well said…” L grasped his hand and shook it.
The grunts began to cheer happily and clapped.
“Well, you are always welcome to stay here at the Rust Syndicate building for as long as you like, until you want to start on your journey again.” Corbeau offers as he knew that L wouldn't stay for long, now that everything has been settled in Lumiose.
“That wouldn't be necessary…” L shook his head, “But thank you for the offer.”
“Heh… I knew you'd say that…” Corbeau turned to walk to his desk and pulled out a small envelope from one of the drawers. “Then here, at least take this.”
“What is it?” L asked as he took it and opened the unsealed envelope.
“Its details…” Corbeau smirked as he started to explain, “About a certain someone… someone that you, of all people, should remember eventually…”
Putting back Corbeau’s business card back into the envelope, L pulled out the paper and unfolded it.
What he saw made L’s eye open wide… and even his closed one to open slightly.
“I've kept tabs with him…” Corbeau explained, “Ever since that day, five years ago… At first it was just general surveillance, but more information kept on piling up about you and him, so I just kept on it.”
Harmony went closer to see what caused L to react like that.
Amongst the papers, was a clipped picture of a man that L knew… he knew very well..
“Au… August… Augustine….” L muttered as the tears once again started to flow out of his eyes, hazy yet familiar memories forming in..
“He’s…”
“Professor Augustine Sycamore… he was the main authority when it came to Mega Evolution studies.” Corbeau continued, “And he was, no… he still is a very close friend of yours.”
L’s tears began to flow harder as he shakily grasped the papers on his hand harder… “Augustine… Sycamore…”
Corbeau's expression softened, “Like I said we kept tabs on him. That paper shows where he is currently, as of yesterday at least. I can't guarantee what he is doing now or where he is now. But if you need a destination, I'm sure this would at least give you a guide.”
But before Corbeau could continue, he felt a warm hand on top of his head.
“Thank you…” L spoke again as he patted Corbeau on the head ever so gently, “Thank you for this…”
Corbeau didn't say anything. The unexpected action had caused him to freeze on the spot. His eyes were still wide open.
“Hey!” Young Corbeau reacted as he felt that hand on his head the first time. “What are you doing?!”
“It seems you're not familiar with this.” Lysandre found it amusing as he ruffled Corbeau's hair, “I just gave you a pat on the head. It’s a compliment! It means that I have seen and recognized your will to live, despite having nothing but the clothes on your back and your Venipede friend. You, little one, have quite a wonderful spirit! It's something that is quite rare these days… It is as if your eyes contained a fire that burns eternally!”
Tears began flowing out of Corbeau’s eyes while he still kept the shocked expression on his face. His own memories came back to him as he continued to cry silently.
“Boss?!” Philippe was shocked to see him react like that.
“Corbeau?!” Harmony said out of concern, “Are you okay?”
The rest of the grunts were shocked too as they began to mutter their own concerns.
“Oh my!” L immediately retracted his hand when he realized what he just did. “I… I apologize… I don't know what came over me! It seems I just acted on my own without thinking…”
“Did you remember something?” Harmony quickly asked him.
“No….” L replied as he looked at his hand. That feeling again came back. Stronger. That sense of pride towards Corbeau after what he did for him. That act of gratitude… that envelope he gave him…
He felt… proud of him. Very proud of him…
His hazy memories… still can't conjure up past images of memories of him with Corbeau, but he still felt that old pride and confidence towards him. That was it.
“Thank you…” Corbeau finally said to him. Tears continued to come down from his face. He pulled out his glasses to rub it away. “ It's good to know. It's good to know that even after everything, you're still there…”
“The Lysandre that saved me back then… never left…”
Corbeau was confused at first. He reached out to touch his head. He wondered why would a rich man like him would even do anything for a street kid like him. Let alone pat him on the head as if he was… well… proud of him?
Why would he be proud of him?
“Do I really need to repeat myself?” Lysandre chuckled as if he read his thoughts. “I just believe that you have the potential to do something beautiful to this world…”
“I do?”
“Of course! Why wouldn't I be wrong about that?”
L then recognized it again and repeated his action. He patted Corbeau on the head again. “Thank you… My memories are still faded but this sense of pride towards you seems to have come out. I am grateful to remember that even back then, I was more than just a villain.”
Corbeau nodded in response, “If you ever need anything, my contacts are in that card.” He referred to his business card that he snuck into the envelope. “And we'll do our best to help you out with anything.”
“I shall keep that in mind.” L smiled.
“Then I suppose I won't keep you here for long.” Corbeau waved his hand to tell his grunts to move aside. And they all followed suit.
“You're gonna let him go already, Corbeau?” Harmony asked him without any intent of changing his mind.
“Lysandre always had something to do. He always wanted to keep on his dream of making a beautiful world.” Corbeau replied, “I can't stop him. No one can.”
“But for now…” L looked at the envelope and tucked it back into his inner jacket pocket, “It seems there is someone I need to meet…”
“Thank you. It was good to see you again…”
“Likewise…”
L barely got any proper memories back to him after that emotional visit. But, what he got instead was a sense of great fulfillment.
And a goal…
To see the man he cared so deeply for…