Chapter 20;
.............death wish
---------
Jarre stood with absolute terror as he watched Zanna lunge again and again. It was monstrous just how much of an animal she was in this form. The Torchic sensed the dramatic change in her aura. It was beginning to lose its calmness, now turning into malice. I can’t take much more of this, Jarre thought sullenly, closing his eyes as not to see the fight. A small gurgle came from beside him and the Torchic twisted his head round slightly.
The Elekid’s face was in pain, eyes scrunched and teeth gritted. He couldn’t help but feel some sympathy towards him. Jarre sighed. Well that’s what you get when you try to be a hero. He turned his head away only to be startled by a high wail a moment later. Heart beating rapidly, Jarre saw that Rye was now bent double trying to clutch at his back which had turned a flaming red. The Torchic tried to gasp, but no sound came out. Another scream pierced the air, and this one was more recognisable.
“Zanna!” Jarre shouted in horror. He turned just in time to see Scythe’s jaws crunch down around her. Zanna’s confused gaze was now contorted in anguish, like Rye’s. But before he could even move a talon, the dark Absol threw Zanna across the room. She landed with a sickening thud and stopped cold. Not a single hair on her fur moved. “No…” Jarre whispered, tears in his eyes. “No! It-can’t be!” But it was true, he could see. Zanna was dying. Her breathing slowed and heaved in uneven bursts, and as her eyes closed, the white colour on her fur receded, leaving him no doubt that if she was not dead she was at least very badly injured.
He turned back to Rye immediately. The Elekid was still in immense agony, even more so now, it seemed. The fur on his back had changed to a darker hue of red, leaving it almost looking black. “Wha-what’s happening?!” The Torchic managed to choke out.
“Arrrghh!” Another scream erupted from Rye’s mouth, filling the room with a chilling essence.
Codan had now looked up, tears no longer on his face. Zanna’s scream had awoken him, and though Balian had tried to stop him, the Dragonite just crushed through towards the Pikachu. Balian now stood motionless by the center of the field, wings crossed. His sharp eyes were narrowed in disdain as he watched Codan attend to Zanna.
Kraal and Marilai were now back in action, both trying to fend off the dark Absol. Jarre snorted. At least Raze was rendered helpless for the time being. Wait, where was Quoll? It took a moment for him to realise that the Pidgey had left her perch.
“Oh, no!”
“Wah!” Jarre jumped at the sound of words behind him. The tiny Pidgey looked up with embarrassment.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” She looked up at him with large brown eyes.
“Uh, it’s okay,” the Torchic stammered back. “What are you doing?” Quoll didn’t reply, instead running a wing lightly across Rye’s back. For a second or so his struggles ceased, only to be doubled later. “Wait!” Jarre shouted. “You’re hurting him!” Quoll met his gaze calmly for the first time since he’d seen her.
“No, I’m not. I’m relieving the pain. This Elekid has been affected with Shadow Energy.”
Jarre clicked his beak in confusion. “Shadow Energy?”
“Uh huh,” Quoll nodded whilst moving her wing back and forth across Rye’s back again. “He was attacked by a Weavile earlier, right?” Jarre inclined his head slowly, unable to do much more other than stare. “Well, I recognised the mark on its left claw. It was one of the Hunters.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Jarre muttered sourly. “They always show up wherever Raze and Scythe are.” Quoll watched Jarre with interest.
“You know about the Hunters? Well, do you know that they’ve been inflicted with Shadow Energy? This special energy is like poison to whoever it’s brought down on. You see that dark Absol?” The small Pidgey watched as Jarre nodded in disgust. Quoll smiled faintly. “Do you want to guess how she became like that?” She paused for dramatic effect as Jarre gasped.
“No way! That…poison, turns Pokemon dark?!” Quoll lowered her eyes slightly as Jarre stared at her.
“Yes, your friend here has been inflicted with it. If the poison spreads to his heart, he won’t be much of the Pokemon he once was.” Jarre didn’t bother to point out that Rye was definitely not one of his friends.
“You never know,” he replied sarcastically. “That could be a good thing.” Quoll’s wing faltered in surprise and the Torchic saw Rye flinch again. “I didn’t mean it!” he said hurriedly, flustered by the way Quoll had taken his sarcasm. The Pidgey shook her head slowly in annoyance. Jarre watched her carefully. “So how do we stop this poison from reaching his heart then?” An awkward silence stretched around them. Jarre raised an eyebrow and waited for an answer. Quoll stopped brushing Rye and narrowed her eyes in pain as he winced.
“We…we can’t,” she murmured slowly. “There’s no known cure other than the inflicted Pokemon’s defiance.” The Torchic staggered back, shocked by this news.
“So he will turn dark…unless he’s strong enough not to?” Jarre waved his wings around frantically. “Bu-but that’s insane! He’ll never make it! Look at him!” He bent over Rye in terror for once, rather than bitterness. He glanced up just in time to see Quoll shake her head. “What?” he murmured, though he was sure he’d regret asking.
“The body will continue to suffer,” she muttered in a whisper, “but it’s the strength of his spirit that determines the outcome. As long as he can push away the poison, it should be fine. But now…” The Pidgey looked down at Rye anxiously. “It’s not so good. I saw before how he kept the poison at bay, something must have triggered it.” Jarre’s eyes widened as he turned to see Zanna, limp and helpless, within Codan’s arms.
“Oh no…how long does he have?” the Torchic uttered in despair.
“Well if he keeps going at this rate,” Quoll answered softly, “not very long. I’d wager no more than a few days at most.” Jarre raised a wing to his mouth to stifle a small scream.
“He won’t make it,” he answered Quoll’s quizzical look.
“No, he might, if he can…” But the Pidgey trailed off as Jarre walked away from her. He was too deep in thought to care. If the spirit’s not strong enough – here he glanced at Rye vaguely – then he will succumb to the poison, resulting in him turning into a dark being…oh great. Jarre threw his wings up in despair. We have no hope. He eyed Zanna in terror. “If she…if she…” Somehow he couldn’t bring himself to say ‘dies’. He took a deep breath and tried again. “If Zanna dies,” – he cringed at the word – “then we’re doomed.”
He sank back into thought again. I’ve seen it from day one how that Elekid reacted to her. No wonder he wanted her to stay away…the pain she’s putting him through must have been enough. No, he shook his head, that wouldn’t be why. He said that because it would keep her safe. At least he realised it sooner than later, he s******ed. So right now, the only way to save Rye would be by saving Zanna. He peered at the unconscious Pikachu from behind a wing. “A few days…” he murmured. “Rye’s as good as gone…and there’s no definite possibility of even saving Zanna.” The Torchic shuddered and then raised an eyebrow. “Why is it that I always get dragged into these things?”
***
“Don’t fade…could you at least try to stay alive?”
I snorted at the concern in Rye’s voice. “What do you care anyway? You didn’t want me to protect you.”
“And that’s enough to make you die?!” His tone rang shrilly through my mind, however hard I tried to block it. “Heh, I’d have thought you were smarter than that.”
I almost shouted back. “Are you calling me stupid?!”
“It would be an improvement.” Rye’s voice murmured through my mind. I frowned inwardly.
“You’re not usually like this…why are you acting so mean?” For once he didn’t reply. “At least I know how to make you shut up,” I laughed.
“I was thinking,” Rye responded calmly. “And…I don’t want to answer you.”
I sighed. “Fine then, but I don’t know if I can hold on for much longer. I feel so…heavy…” In my mind, I saw Rye’s face cringe in pain. “What…?” I asked slowly.
He shook his head. “Every moment part of you gives in…” he trailed off as another wave of pain hit. I widened my eyes in understanding.
“I’m hurting you, aren’t I?” I saw a faint smile appear on Rye’s face.
“I don’t mind, really. At least that way I know you’re still alive.”
I ignored him and shook my head. “If I do this to you now, what will it be like if I…” I imagined dragging a paw across my throat and saw Rye shudder. “I thought so,” I whispered. “If I’m gone…then you go too?”
“I’m poisoned,” he replied flatly. Even if I make it, I could end up dark, like Scythe. The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone.” My stomach lurched inwardly.
“You’re poisoned?! How come you never told me before?” I saw Rye shrug and then wince.
“I didn’t think it was necessary. I didn’t want you to worry needlessly.”
I gave a deep sigh. “Well good job telling me now. It certainly wasn’t the best choice you could have made.”
“I know…”
That was all that I heard before our connection broke. I twisted in my head. Where did he go? I heard a faint scream from deep within my mind and I scrambled to stay awake. “No!” I shouted. “Don’t do this!” Another scream answered me. “Let me help you!” I growled.
Rye’s soft chuckle echoed around me. “I-I’m-” But he didn’t finish.
I felt a ripping from deep within me. “The pain!” I convulsed and winced at the tugging feeling that began to slow. A moment later, I was alone. Completely and utterly alone. He had severed our link.
***
Jarre watched as the look on Rye’s face changed over and over again. It finally settled on an expression of immense agony. The Torchic looked up at Quoll. She seemed to understand these things way better than he did. “What now? What’s happening?” He noticed the Pidgey hesitate as she glanced at Rye’s face.
“He-he’s cut himself off from the Pikachu,” she said gently. Jarre raised an eyebrow.
“What does that mean?”
Quoll sighed. “It means that he declined her offer of help. He’s killing himself to save Zanna.” The Torchic uttered a silent gasp.
“Z-Zanna was trying to help Rye?”
“Yes,” Quoll nodded. “They had a mental link. When one was unconscious and in pain the other would feel that pain. But they were also stronger together.” She stopped and stared at Rye. “When he knew his pain was stronger, he cut off the link. I don’t think he’d jeopardise Zanna’s life like that. But even though Zanna’s now better off, he…has less time. The chance of Rye now making it out alive is very slim.”
Jarre cursed quietly to himself before turning to Quoll. “I need to do something, can you look after Rye?” The confused Pidgey nodded as Jarre bolted off. Groudon! he thought hastily, I need you here! Crush Balian, kill Scythe and murder them all! The small bird didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that now came down his face, just as he didn’t care that he was shaking on his talons.
The beast took a minute to respond. I have driven most of them off, but if I help you, you could be at risk of an attack, however small.
Let them come, Jarre seethed. Just help us. Now. He cut off the link and strode back to Quoll who looked slightly scared at the expression on the Torchic’s face. “Groudon’s coming,” he hissed to her. “I’m going to gather everyone so we can leave when he gets here. Keep an eye on Zanna for me.” He glanced down at Rye. “If he manages to wake up, he’ll wish he’d never been born.” He stalked off, leaving a confused Quoll to stare after him.
***
Jarre took the quickest route to the hospital wing. If they were going to evacuate, they needed everyone; Lani included. When he walked through the door however, he was surprised to find the Houndoom awake and sitting. “Little one,” she murmured, “where is everyone? Balian-”
“Has launched an attack on the PRA,” Jarre finished for her.
Lani lowered her eyes. “I thought so. He was the one that poisoned me…is everyone else alright?”
Jarre closed his eyes and ignored her question. “How come you’re awake? And…sitting?” The confused Houndoom gave a faint smile.
“Temporary poison, it seemed. Even Balian could not kill me. I still worry for him. Funny, isn’t it?”
“Insane,” Jarre muttered under his breath and then turned to her with a frantic look. “If you can walk, I need you to escape. Groudon is coming to crush these monsters and I need everyone out before he does.” Lani didn’t bother to ask anymore; she’d caught on pretty quickly to Jarre’s sinister mood.
The Torchic led Lani out into the hallway and stopped just before they rounded the corner into the main room. He glanced at the Houndoom who looked back questioningly. Jarre sighed. “Balian’s out there. I need you to avoid him and Scythe at all costs. Head towards Codan who has Zanna,” he made a quick motion with his wing when Lani went to speak. “Tell them to get Kraal, Marilai and Quoll. If Codan can, he can carry Rye as well. Once everyone escapes, I’ll follow.”
Lani spoke rapidly after trying hard to remain silent. “You don’t really think he’ll let us escape, do you?”
Jarre snorted as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course not. That’s why I’m going to hold Balian off.” Lani stood speechless. It took her a minute to regain her voice.
“But-he’ll kill you!” Jarre lowered his head before turning to look around the corner at all the carnage.
“If it’ll help everyone escape, I’ll gladly give my life. Just make sure that you all get out safely. I don’t want to die for nothing.” He tried to smile, but was only successful in creasing Lani’s brow. The Houndoom walked up to him and prodded the bird gently with her muzzle.
“Thankyou, little one. Stay safe.” She cast him a last glance before bounding out towards Codan.
***
The large Dragonite cradled Zanna weakly within his paws. Funny how I’ve become so attached in this short time that we’ve known each other. He stared at her for a moment longer before turning his gaze towards Rye. He’s already risking his life for her. I wonder why it is that everyone’s drawn to her like she needs protecting? Codan shook his head slowly. “But danger is also drawn to her…why?”
“Because she has what they want.” Codan whirled around to meet a set of dark brown eyes.
“Lani! You’re awake! How?!” The Houndoom smiled gently and gestured towards Balian.
“It seems our friend isn’t the heartless killer we thought. It was only temporary poison.”
“That’s great!” Codan beamed, embracing Lani. When he stepped back, however, the Houndoom had an eyebrow raised. “What? Oh no! I mean it’s great that you’re alright!” he stammered, colouring in embarrassment.
Lani giggled. “Oh, I knew what you meant. I just like teasing you.” Codan chose to ignore the remark and turned back to Zanna. “Is she okay?” Lani whispered. “What happened around here?”
“We were invaded,” Codan answered, shaking his head. “Deoxys’ forces came in large numbers. It was only through everyone’s help that we survived this long.” He took a moment to pause and then continued. “Jarre awoke Groudon who chased mostly everyone away. Only a few stayed. Balian, over there-” he nodded to the penguin “-and Raze and Scythe here, though Raze is out now. I’ll explain later,” he added, seeing Lani’s confused expression.
“What about Zanna?” she repeated. “And where’s that Elekid…Rye?”
Codan closed his eyes wearily. “Zanna was…captured by Arc, a team-mate of Scythe’s. Rye and I got there just in time to save her. The Elekid brought her here, and as far as I saw, was protecting her, but…” he trailed off.
“What?” Lani pressed gently. “Codan?” The Dragonite glanced up at her.
“The Hunters came. Rye lasted as long as he could, but even he wasn’t strong enough.” He gestured towards the scarred Elekid lying across the room.
Lani gasped in horror. “Is he…”
“No,” Codan replied, “just badly injured. Zanna became…enraged. She took on Scythe; however, the outcome wasn’t so good. If we don’t get her out of here soon, she could die. And, wait…where’s Jarre?” Codan froze as Lani lowered her head.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” she replied gravely. “You see…”
***
Jarre tried his hardest to keep a calm composure, but it wasn’t easy when your insides were crawling with fear. “Easy, take a deep breath…” he commanded himself slowly. “Show no fear.” His beak turned up in a grimace, Jarre took the last few steps before halting in front of Balian. The steel penguin looked down with an icy glare.
“Long time, no see, Jarre. I’ve been waiting for you.” Balian’s beak curled into a malicious grin which the Torchic didn’t reciprocate.
“Watch it, Balian.” Jarre mimicked his first words again. Balian grinned wider and gestured to Scythe.
“Why? With her on the loose and your friends dead, what is there for me to be afraid of? A petty murderer like you couldn’t even leave a scratch on me.” He emphasised the last word.
“Ex-murderer,” Jarre growled. “Unlike you, I’ve mended my ways. It was a dark time…they can’t blame me for it.”
“Ah,” Balian sneered. “But they do. Rye has seen to that; the way he constantly follows you to protect that precious rat-” he spat towards Zanna “-I wonder how long it will be before he finally snaps. I’d wager not very long, if he ever wakes, that is. Rakai made sure he was badly inflicted.”
Jarre’s eyes widened. “You planned it! You planned it all along! You’re a monster, you know that? Lucky for you Rakai’s dead!” Balian raised an eyebrow as he glanced towards Rye.
“Rakai?” he crooned. “Oh no, he is long gone. The Weavile you killed was merely a decoy. And you know I’d hate to say I told you so, but-”
“SHUT UP!” Jarre shouted. A snort of flame erupted from his nostrils. “Leave now and perhaps I won’t kill you. I’m a little rusty, see, so if your death is horrible and slow, please forgive me!” The Torchic’s voice ran with malice and Balian could see that it was no bluff. He took a moment to gather himself as Jarre inhaled a deep breath. “Right here, right now. Just you and me. Like old times, eh?” His beak twisted slightly and Balian sneered.
“You want me to just let them go? How stupid do you think I am?!”
Jarre raised an eyebrow. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
“Arrgh!” The Torchic deftly dodged the wing that came towards him.
“Oooh,” he teased. “Who’s rusty now?” Balian hissed and lunged at the bird. Jarre shot a flamethrower from his mouth and just managed to escape the penguin’s metal claws.
“Don’t flee!” Balian called manically. “Fight me, Jarre! Which one of us is stronger?” He trailed off in a hysterical laugh as he scraped Jarre’s stomach. The Torchic gave a small yelp and doubled back.
“I’m not afraid! I have something to fight for, and you’ll never get them!” Blue hot flames surrounded Jarre’s body and licked at the air hungrily. Balian shielded his eyes momentarily.
“What?!” From within the ball of flames, Jarre glared at the penguin with loathing.
“Coward,” he hissed. “You don’t know anything of true friendship. I fight for those I love. You can never get me!” At that moment the flames lashed out at the penguin, engulfing him with ease. While Balian screamed, Jarre laughed. It was his very laughter that echoed through the room, and the same laugh that stopped almost as abruptly as it had begun. The Torhic’s eyes fluttered as his breath was knocked from him. The flames dissipated until a cool, almost icy-cold, feeling replaced them.
As soon as he could breathe again, he looked down at the ground far beneath him. Balian’s charred body glared up at him from where it crouched, smiling. Smiling? Jarre tried to turn his head, but found that his neck was stuck, and the cool feeling around him grew tighter. The force that crushed his windpipe was attached to a tentacle, which led to a body, then a face. A face which was the last thing he wanted to see right now; Deoxys.
“Hello, whelp,” the creature greeted him. “Pleased to see me?” Jarre growled in reply, but was cut short as he spluttered to breathe again. “Oh my, I was hoping for a warmer reception,” Deoxys crooned. “It’s not nice to ignore old friends.”
“We were never friends,” Jarre spat. “And I don’t plan on changing that.”
“Really now?” Deoxys turned to look around the room. It was only then that Jarre realised almost every one of his friends had escaped. All but one.
“Zanna!” he cried, struggling to move. “No! What are you going to do to her?!” Deoxys pulled Jarre close enough so that he could whisper into his ear.
“I’m going to take her with me, and then take back what should be mine. When I’m finished, she’ll wish she was dead!” He grinned wickedly as he turned Jarre’s head to face her. “And the best part will be knowing that you suffered, watching her being tortured, sliced and then…murdered!”
“No!” two howling voices screamed in unison. The front of the building then erupted in a loud crash. Smoke filled the room and surrounded Deoxys. Jarre took this opportunity and bit hard into the icy flesh that bound him. He vaguely heard Deoxys curse in pain as the tentacle withdrew. The ground rushed up to meet him much quicker than expected. The bird landed off-balance and tumbled across the harsh gravel before something cold hit him. Oh no, he thought. Not Deoxys. Not again…But as the haze lifted and he glanced up, two ruby-red eyes met his.
“Jarre,” a deep voice murmured. “Stay behind me!” The Torchic hastened to obey as Groudon set itself into a fighting pose. A sharp hiss came from across the room.
“Groudon!” Deoxys hissed. “Don’t be a fool!” He moved and changed rather abruptly. More tentacles flew from his body and whipped around him.
“His Attack Form…” Jarre whispered. This was going to get ugly. Balian cowered behind Deoxys, smirking. Scythe was attending to Raze who was still unconscious. Jarre noted how the Absol was back to her normal black self. What he couldn’t take his eyes off, though, was Zanna. She was now clutched tight within Balian’s wings, not that it would have mattered. She was that close to death that it wasn’t funny. The steel penguin gazed at the white mark on her tail and uttered something that was incomprehensible to Jarre. He tried to take a step forward, but Groudon stopped him.
“No, you can’t risk your life for her. Look what happened to the Elekid. Leave this to me.” The Torchic wavered for a moment but then nodded, taking a few steps back. Deoxys glared at the dinosaur with utter hatred.
“You chose the wrong side,” he hissed savagely. “The side of the condemned!” He didn’t even wait for an answer. Tentacles raised, he lunged towards Groudon who braced himself for the impact. When it came, he wrestled with Deoxys, shuffling a few feet back while trying not to crush Jarre.
“Demon!” he growled. “I’ll send you back to where you came from!” Groudon pushed against Deoxys and hurled him across the room. The blurred figure was quick on its feet and twisted in mid-air, touching the ground lightly and sliding back against the gravel. Deoxys gave a small hiss before he bolted forward again, this time changing to his Speed Form. Groudon lifted his head in fear, claws raised in defense.
Only a blur could be seen now, racing ever closer to the two Pokemon. Jarre doubled back from behind Groudon and eyed Balian. I need to get to Zanna! But that was easier said than done. Deoxys would crush him if he tried to move even an inch. He’d have to get his timing right.
Groudon rumbled and hissed as Deoxys collided with him again. The two were sent sprawling backwards across the rough dirt. Twisting with rage, Groudon found Deoxys' neck and bit into it savagely. The space Pokemon cried out in anguish before lashing out at Groudon’s head. The dinosaur recoiled, irritated by the whipping heat that spread across him. Jarre watched in amazement and terror as the two kept lashing out, snarling and growling intensely. Deoxys then switched to his Defense Form and managed to slam into the side of Groudon’s face.
A horrible crunch was followed by a wail. A bone had just been broken. Groudon clutched at his jaw in agony before releasing a pure jet of fire from its mouth. Deoxys barely dodged the attack in time. The shockwave burned the Pokemon’s tentacles as a result. He changed back to his Normal Form and cradled an injured arm, glaring at Groudon. The massive dinosaur shook with rage. “Jarre,” it hissed. “In a moment you’ll have your chance to get Zanna. I will distract them for as long as I can, but…” He closed his eyes briefly. “I won’t be able to for long. Take the Light…and run!”
Jarre was about to protest when, to his shock, Groudon lunged forward not at Deoxys, but Balian. The steel penguin toppled and screamed beneath Groudon’s ripping claws. Zanna was tossed aside like a doll and rolled until she was just inches from Jarre’s talons. The Torchic hurried to her side and bent to drag her away, but something made him look back up. Deoxys and Scythe had locked onto Groudon’s movements. Both lunged for the dinosaur and both snarled with pleasure as its pitiful wail rose to a gurgle. Jarre closed his eyes and covered them with a wing before dragging Zanna carefully away towards the now half-broken entrance.
It made him sick to leave Groudon like this, and when firm paws took hold of Zanna, he tried to run back in to help him. Lani was the one to hold him back. “No, little one. He sacrificed himself for the good of the town – the world, even. Don’t make him regret that.” The tears flowing freely down Jarre’s cheeks didn’t stop, but his struggles lessened until he fell to the ground in a sodden heap.
His last image of Groudon was not that of a struggle, for Deoxys and his followers had made sure of that, but of a small smile that stretched across his jaw until is reached his dull, red eyes. As Jarre gasped for air, a gentle voice filled his head. We may make a warrior out of you yet...Always protect those you love, as I did for you and your kin…
The Torchic’s face creased with pain as the voice died away. Lani tried to comfort the sobbing bird, but to no avail. “Groudon believed in me…believed in us,” Jarre wailed. “Let’s show him that he was right!” The small words he’d uttered had given everyone courage. Lani smiled, Codan held Rye and Zanna tightly, and Kraal, Marilai and Quoll looked at each other in amazement.
The Torchic stood up brusquely and wiped the last few tears from his eyes. “If we have to flee, then so be it. But now Deoxys knows…we are not to be messed with! The next time we fight, it’ll be to the death…and it’ll be his!” Jarre’s voice was laced with ice, but it was also strong. The quietened screams of the dinosaur faded into the distance as he turned to the others. “Let’s go. This isn’t over.”
“But where?” Codan asked slowly. “We have nowhere to go.” But this only made Jarre shake his head. Though his feathers stood on end, he held his head high.
“The Marble City calls. You,” he turned to Kraal and Marilai. “You shall lead us to the Missionary. It’s time Deoxys learns what happens to those who cross me.” No one said a word while the two dogs led the way, but the glint in Jarre’s eyes and the smirk on his face said it all.
This war is far from over!
~*~
E N D..O F..P A R T..O N E :..U P R I S I N G
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