Thanks for the Memories, Part 16

Part 16: The Best Memories We’ve Ever Had

“So, yeah. They don’t tolerate warlike people very well,” said Psyme. “And don’t worry. While you two were unconscious, my husband and I explained everything to our people. You won’t have to worry about being hunted down and burned anymore.”

Amy sighed in relief. “Thanks, Mrs. Psyme!”

“And Mr. Blune, too,” added Chikorita.

Blune chuckled. “It’s quite all right. Anyway, back to our story.”

“While they were landing, apparently, they received a transmission from one known as the Goddess Reshiram.”

Chikorita interrupted. “Oh yeah…where is she, anyway?” She looked though her bag, only to find that the Light Stone wasn’t there anymore.

“Ah, yes…I returned her to this gentleman named Estoc, where he brought her back to the top of this place called Monochrome Tower,” said Blune. “Then he stuck her in a column of ice or something. Quite peculiar, really, but I suppose that is their culture.”

“Speaking of Estoc, he was the one who, on Goddess Reshiram’s orders, stopped Ligray and Rigley’s ship and forced them to crash-land into the Sandsong Desert. In addition, since our small two-man ships require intense usage of our brain waves, Estoc’s violence resulted in severe brain damage and subsequent memory loss for our children. And not only that, but as they wandered through the desert, lost and alone, they were attacked by many creatures known as Krokoroks, a Skorupi, a Krookidile, and a Mandibuzz. As we could see all that was happening through their eyes, it was quite a horrifying time for us.”

“Yes, honey. Extremely horrifying. Especially for you!” joked Blune.

“Oh, darling!” laughed Psyme, before coming back to the story. “So we ordered O-Bem and O-Beema to remain in orbit around the planet to keep an eye on them in case anything happened to them again. But then we saw…you two. We knew about you two and how you did your best to help our children learn about everything in Tao Village. I must admit, it was very informative for us, too. But that’s beside the point. The point is, you two are very, very nice, and we’re really grateful that you’ve been such good friends with them this whole time. Thank you.”

“Ah yes. We are very grateful. If it weren’t for your kindness, we might have gone so far as to believe O-Bem and O-Beema’s allegations about how war-like your planet really is,” explained Blune. “Honestly, please accept our deepest apologies for all those times you got hurt here.”

“No, no, it’s okay!” said Chikorita.

“Aw, it’s the least we could do!” added Amy. “Just one question, though…why did they attack us last summer with the fireworks and everything?”

Psyme answered, “Ah, yes…they told us they were doing it to maintain Ligray and Rigley’s military discipline, but it appeared that they were also doing it to plant bad memories in their heads so they could selectively erase all the good ones, leaving just those. Like what happened to Ligray, and why she attacked you two back there.”

“Ooooh…” said Ligray. “That makes sense. Ugh…those sneaky…”

Right then, a Beheeyem scientist rushed into the room. “High Commanders Blune and Psyme! We just found out something really important!”

Blune turned to them. “What is it?”

“We were examining their DNA—” He pointed to Amy and Chikorita. “—and the residue left over from all their attacks, both on this ship and back on our planet, and if what the scientist on our planet say is true, then the 16 other elemental configurations of molecules could very well give our environment the strength it needs to support our cities…and even revitalize it!”

“WHAT?” shouted Blune.

Amy and Chikorita didn’t understand a word.

“Yeah! It sounds crazy, but I think our world was simply suffering from an overabundance of Psychic-compatible molecules! The reason Planet Portania is so vital and healthy is because it has a balance of all 17 of these elemental molecules!”

Blune was floored. “So does that mean that if we allowed the creatures on this planet the opportunity to immigrate to Planet Paion—minus the Psychic types, of course—does that mean…?”

“YES! Just say the word, and we can do it!”

“All right!” The next moment, Blune flew out the door with the scientist to make the announcement to everyone in the fleet.

Ligray was also stunned. “Oh my gosh, that’s so…wow, I mean…um…”

Psyme asked her, “So, Ligray and Rigley? What are you planning on doing now?”

“I want to keep being a Rescuer and doing awesome things! I’m way better at it than I ever was in military school,” said Rigley. “But…I kind of wish I can stay with you too, Mom…I mean, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you and Dad…”

Psyme hugged Rigley gently. “It’s okay, Rigley…Our flagship will remain in orbit, so you can live here and go down there whenever you want to do Rescue jobs.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

“Wait…” said Amy. “You guys don’t need to stay in our house anymore?”

“Yeah…I really want to be with Mom and Dad again. I never knew how much I missed them. But we’ll visit! You know, as a team! Right, sis?”

Ligray looked at the floor. “I…I don’t think I can do this anymore. This Rescuer business, I mean.”

“What do you mean, sis?” asked Rigley.

“You know what I mean. I was the best at military school. THE best. Just because I’m really good at showing no mercy to enemies doesn’t mean I’d make a good Rescuer. I can’t do this with all that guilt on my mind. And what I almost did to Amy and Chikorita…”

“That’s not your fault!” exclaimed Amy. “That was O-Bem and O-Beema! They made you do it!”

“Still…” she sniffed. “I’m a disgrace to everyone in the guild. I honestly think the best way for me to make up for that is to help Mom and Dad out with their job. Then maybe they won’t be so busy, AND we could save our home planet, too. I can’t just sit around here waiting for random missions when my home planet is in danger. You know what I mean?”

“I guess so…” said Amy. “I’m going to miss you, though.”

“Me too,” agreed Chikorita.

Ligray smiled. “You know, Rigley…you told me that you were sick of always being stuck under my shadow. That’s still true, isn’t it?”

Rigley tried to respond, but couldn’t think of a way to say anything without it sounding harsh. So the words hung in midair, unable to get out.

“Well, don’t worry. I’m letting YOU lead this team now. You get to be the one who does all the cool stuff. You can make a name for yourself. So don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

Psyme smiled. “Do your best, Rigley. We’ll support you no matter what you do.” Then she turned to Amy and Chikorita and said, “We’re terribly sorry about the injuries you two had to endure during your time on our planet, what with the O-Bem and O-Beema nonsense and all. If you ever want to visit again, just let us know, and we’ll be sure to give you a proper introduction.”

“It’s okay, Mrs. Psyme! I’m just glad everything worked out okay,” said Amy.

“Yeah, and your doctors are really nice! I didn’t feel a thing!” added Chikorita.

Psyme then turned to face the door. “…I guess this is good-bye, then. For now. You two still have to return to your homes, don’t you? The hangar’s this way. Follow me.”

As the five of them floated (with Rigley helping Amy and Chikorita) down the hallways of the ship to the room with the perfect spot to leap off of to the surface below, Amy thought back on everything that happened.

Chikorita was surprised to see a great big hole opening out into a sheer drop to the continent below. “We have to jump down THAT?”

“No, no! Rigley can help ease you down,” said Psyme. “Again, forgive me for forgetting about your lack of antigravity cores.”

They gazed down below, and Amy realized that this was the best time to say whatever she wanted to say to them, because she could feel that it was one of these moments where she would never get a chance again. Well, maybe she would, but she wasn’t taking any chances, just in case.

“You know what, guys? I don’t regret any second of this whole thing. I’m glad I got to meet you guys…I’m glad I got to go into space for the very first time…I’m glad I got to help you finally get your memories back. Thanks for the memories. Heh. You know what I mean?”

“Yeah…thanks for the memories. They were the best memories I’ve ever had,” said Ligray.

“And me too. As for me, they’re ones I never want to stop having,” said Rigley.

They hugged, as Rigley knew it would probably be the last time his sister would ever have anything to do with the people of Tao Village.

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Part 16 of 17. This epic story takes place between Event 4 and Mission 5, regardless of the actual amount of time that passes between the two events.

Summary: Ligray has been abducted...by aliens! In order for Rigley, Amy, and Chikorita to rush to her rescue, they have to find some way to get into outer space. But when they do, they find that it's way beyond an ordinary rescue mission as their lives are jeopardized, and deep, dark truths behind Ligray and Rigley's memories, their home planet, and their real purposes are revealed...

This is the real event behind why Ligray will no longer be a permanent part of the team. Cue sad music...!

Team Elgyem (LGM) the Rescuers, and
Team Pecha the Merchants: