"Not funny guys!" Steel yelled at the onlookers and while Janine was looking at the scene with a concerned face, Copper and Blue couldn't stop laughing.
The silver shell that was Knucker the pupitar was chasing Steel around the otherwise empty battlefield. Steel's breathing was becoming very heavy and his legs were tiring from having to constantly dodge all the boulders Knucker was throwing at him.
Blue's alakazam was waiting on the sidelines, ready to destroy any rocks Steel didn't dodge in time but it had been slow enough times to keep Steel running.
"Come on Steel! After all those years in Mount Mortar you need some exercise!" Copper called back and Steel would have retorted if his lungs hadn't been devoid of breath.
"If you don't work this out you'll never be able to battle with it!" Blue yelled encouragingly but Steel found it hard to see the good sentiments when the older trainer was barely able to speak through chuckles.
Steel wheeled around and tried facing the attacking Pokémon but had to bring his arms up to protect his head from the shattered boulder.
"I got your back!" called Blue and Steel caught his breath.
He raised his hands as a sign of peace and spoke in a calm voice, "I'm not going to hurt you. I just..." Steel interrupted himself with an involuntary yelp as Knucker charged but it stopped suddenly. He was glowing with psychic light and Steel looked back to Blue whose alakazam had its spoons raised to indicate power.
Steel eye felt like his eye was twitching with anger, "Why didn't you do that at the start!?"
Blue chuckled, "I gotta have fun sometimes."
Steel sighed and turned back to the aggressive Pokémon, "I'm your trainer now but I promise I won't hurt you."
Knucker met Steel's eyes with rage but Steel met his with kindness and the two were still and silent. Steel's eyes were watering from the prolonged exposure but then Knucker broke away.
Steel smiled, "That'll do for now." Steel held the pokéball up to the frozen Knucker and he disappeared in a red flash into the pokéball.
Steel was turning back to face the others when all of a sudden every other light flickered and the white transformed into red. Janine and Blue seemed to brace a bit and looked up at the red lights tensely.
"What's happening?" Copper asked the two. In the strange mix of red and white lighting her rust-coloured hair looked like fire. Blue looked back at her while Janine looked away at the floor.
"Falkner." Blue said simply and the two teenagers gasped, "He controls all but a few cities in Johto and even though the situations not as bad in Kanto he still controls a lot of it so he has to pass the Indigo Plateau every so often." Blue elaborated, "He mustn't know we're here but never passes without attacking the ruins."
Steel nodded in understanding, "So it's a warning to make sure no-one accidently alerts him that we're here."
Janine nodded and insisted that they continued the training. Janine and Blue were very interested in the state of Copper and Steel's Pokémon considering they'd only had them a short while, excluding Lore, and wanted to help them become stronger.
Steel was enjoying the time spent with them and his Pokémon despite the number of rocks being thrown at his head but Steel was getting constantly distracted by the thousand thoughts clogging up his mind.
He was confused by all that they'd explained to him, such as how anyone could unleash such devastation on an entire continent, but there was also the fact that after over ten years of waiting he'd discovered that his dad had been lying to him and he now had a mother.
Karen seemed just as unsure about how to react to it as he did. They hadn't really talked to each other since then but Steel had kept that picture of them in his jacket.
Steel shook himself out of his daze and turned back to Copper who was dealing with Belinda. Steel couldn't help but feel that she would have dealt better with the raging pupitar than he was currently doing so.
Belinda was very beautiful but Steel noticed a pang of sadness in Copper's eyes whenever she looked at the dragon. However they worked together well and soon Belinda trusted Copper wholeheartedly. Steel couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
"Dragon tail!" Copper yelled and Belinda's tail whipped around gracefully and crashed into the target.
After what seemed like a tense age but was more accurately only fifteen minutes, the red lights finally flickered back to white.
Everyone's eyes darted quickly up to the lighting before looked at each other.
"I must go and see Clair now." Janine explained hurriedly before sprinting out of the room along with her venemoth.
Blue sighed, "I gotta go too." he paused as something occurred to him and then turned to face the two younger trainers, "Do you guys want to go outside with me? I'm supposed to assess the damages but I think you too will enjoy the view."
It was a chance to go outside again so Steel and Copper agreed to go. Blue showed them the way to an emptier part of the city with a door similar to that at Clair's tunnel.
Sitting in a chair next to the door with a golem by his side was Brock. He looked up to Blue and quickly down at the screen in his hands.
"It's all clear. The last ones left a few minutes ago." Brock told them. The rock-type specialist got out of his chair and stretched stiffly, "It's Whitney's turn anyway, thanks for reminding me." Without waiting for a response Brock began walking off and Blue approached the door.
Steel watched him press a green plant-like badge to the door and the metal door swung open. Blue walked forward and the two followed him through a short staircase and corridor up into an open space.
Steel's eyes widened at the breathtaking view. From the Indigo Plateau he could see the vast ocean and the beautiful sunset. The colours were distorted and skewed from having to shine from behind the Everstorm but the lack of defined shape seemed to make it even prettier, like a watercolour painting.
The ocean was alight with red, orange and purple and the regions either side looked tiny. Steel tore his eyes away from the horizon and focused on Kanto which was on the left. It looked about the same size of Johto and Steel couldn't see much more than that at the time but it interested him to think that there was practically another world just to his side yet he'd never visited it. Steel found himself wondering what the other regions were like, Sinnoh, Kalos, Unova and even Hoenn. The people there were going on with their lives unhindered while everyone Steel had met had been weighed down by the threats looming over them.
Steel turned around and saw a mass of craters and scorched dirt, the grass had been long since destroyed. Rocks were scattered all over the place but there were a few larger blocks of rubble which had somehow avoided being obliterated.
Steel quickly scanned the area and found himself unable to place where they'd come out. He was sure that there hadn't been anything in its way but he could find it. Copper noticed him looking around with a lost expression on his face and pointed out a patch of seemingly regular earth.
"I think it's camoflague." Copper guessed, "That would explain how they've remained undetected all this time."
The sound of Blue's muffled yell broke the calm and the two ran over to him but halted abruptly as he ordered them to stop.
"What is it?" Steel asked nervously. He was frozen as if in the middle of a minefield but followed Blue's gaze downwards and saw that he was standing near a group of scattered metal. Steel recognised them as badges and gave Blue a confused look, silently asking him to explain.
"Falkner may not know that we're here but must assume that we visit. He leaves these badges as a message for us." Blue said bitterly as he glared at Violet City in the distance.
There was a small pink heart, two circles and a thin green flower, "Wait," Copper began, "Isn't that your badge?"
"It was Red's. The elite four and champions don't have gyms of their own so they usually use badges from gyms they've beaten." he pointed to the soul badge and the marsh badge and listed their trainers but then he hovered over the final one.
It was half red and half black with small black dots on the red side. It looked familiar to Steel and Copper but neither of them could quite place where they'd seen it before.
"That's the hive badge."
Copper's eyes widened in horror as she finally pieced things together and a moment later Steel joined her. It shouldn't have been a surprise but Copper had vainly hoped that after ignoring Bugsy for so long Falkner would continue to ignore him.
Blue looked around the ruins quickly, "There doesn't seem to be any problems here." Blue's face was like stone when he said, "And we better tell them."
They all went back inside and Steel wondered why he didn't feel as upset as he should have. He felt no tears, just a certain heaviness to his entirety from the guilt of it pretty much being his fault. He'd been the one to get Bugsy out of hiding when he almost burned down Azalea with Jolie.
That leaves only Blackthorn, Mahogany and Cherrygrove not under Zephyr control, Steel thought sadly and Copper caught his depressed look so she smiled at him despite there being no real reason to.
Clair resisted saying, 'Maybe it was too early to cross out his name' because of Copper and Steel being in the room but thanked them for informing her. It occurred to her as well how few cities were under Falkner's control in Johto but didn't want to worry them.
Within days the message was spread among the League members of Bugsy's death and Clair walked up to the security room to do the footage check of that week with a weighed down mind.
Brock had only just opened the door to his room when he got a message from Clair. He sighed and read the note which was basically reprimanding him for leaving his station for three whole minutes that day where Blue had gone outside. He rolled his eyes at it then noticed the order at the bottom of the quick rant telling him to inform Whitney of her turn guarding the entrance.
Brock strolled down the city's corridors to where Whitney's room was. He didn't understand why she seemed to get the least shifts out of all of them when Bruno, who was at least a decade their senior, got the same amount as everyone else.
Brock barely saw Whitney so he was a bit nervous about knocking on her door, usually Janine was the one to call on her because you never knew when she was having a crying fit or not.
He rapped on the door lightly, "Whitney? It's your shift by the entrance." he called. He tried the door to notify her but then yelped slightly when the door opened, having not expected it to be unlocked.
Brock regained his balance and glanced around the room, confirming that no-one was there. If it had been anyone else he would have assumed they were out somewhere but Whitney preferred to stay in her room so he flipped on the light and investigated further.
All the rooms in the Indigo City start out the same but from a simple bed, desk and tiny bathroom in the corner the citizens could decorate as they wished. Whitney's bed was a mass of pillows and comfort while her desk was covered in photos.
Brock stared in horror at the several pictures of her when she was younger and several people who were now dead such as Pryce. No wonder she cries so much, Brock thought, with all the living in the past she does. He saw a face down frame and picked it up. It was a picture of Whitney, Janine and Falkner all smiling and Brock almost dropped the photo. He gingerly put down the frame and frowned.
He looked away from the pictures and back to the bed where a piece of paper was neatly folded on the duvet*. Somehow dread had been growing inside Brock's mind at the sight of the overly plush room but that little piece of paper sent it skyrocketing.
He edged towards it and straightened it out so he could read it properly. There were several dots of slightly darker paper scattered across it where Brock guessed tears had fallen. Unsurely, he began to read.
I want to write 'To whoever's reading this' but since you're the only one who bothers to see me, I'm guessing that it's you (Jan) who's reading this.
I wonder how long it'll be before anyone notices I'm gone but you won't want to hear my self-pity after having to bear it for so long. All that matters is that you won't have to deal with my whining any more.
I so sorry Jan but I can't stand it any longer. You guys are so brave in living here but I understand now that all I did was hide under my blanket. I'm no use here and not even you'd deny that if you knew I wasn't listening so I've decided to try and help.
I know Johto's too dangerous so I'm going to at least help in Kanto. Falkner's out there and I know he hates us now but you always told me 'Life's worthless without the risk' and why should I value my life above Koga's or Red's or Will's?
I don't want to fight him but if Morty or Bugsy can evade him I should be able too but that may be too optimistic. If I die then at least I'll have done something.
I love you guys but this is important to me. Clair and all won't understand but I hope you will but if you don't it doesn't matter anyway.
*Whitney*
Brock didn't feel right reading it. This was for Janine, not him, but he couldn't believe it. When Will had run away and only his Xatu had returned the League had been in shock. They didn't want anyone else to die. Why couldn't Whitney see that?
He sprinted out of the room, clutching the letter in his hand, and racked his mind for places where Janine could have been. Brock ran past lots of people but didn't stop until he was sprinting into the gym where Janine was usually training with others.
But all he saw was Blue and a bunch of other trainers along with their Pokémon. All eyes fell on Brock who was breathing quite heavily from the long run.
"Do you know where Janine is?" Brock asked Blue but Blue shook his head.
"Probably in her room. Why?"
Brock's reply only came after a pause as he was trying to remember where Janine's room was while formulating an answer, "There's a League meeting in ten minutes."
Blue sighed exasperatedly at the news but waved Brock away to show he'd acknowledged the announcement.
Brock began sprinting in the opposite direction to Janine's room, informing any other's about the meeting on his way. This was a big problem that they'd have to discuss.
Janine's head was in her hands, "I can't believe she ran away." the letter was in front of her and the entire league was sitting around the table in the meeting room, "If only I'd..." she started but Clair cut her off.
"This isn't your fault Janine. You're the only person who shouldn't be saying that."
"But what do we do? Track her down?" Blue asked.
Clair shook her head, "If her only chance is not attracting attention then that's the worst thing we can do."
"And she's got at least four days head start on us. Tracking her down when the range is 'Kanto' would be almost impossible to pull off without one of us being killed." Karen reasoned.
"How do you know it was four days ago?" questioned Bruno.
"She mentioned Bugsy evading Falkner and we all found out that wasn't the truth four days ago. Not to mention the fact that no-one's seen her for several days."
Karen looked to Janine and Janine nodded solemnly, "I haven't checked up on her for at least five." she admitted miserably.
Clair clenched her fists, "I didn't want anyone else to die."
"None of us did." Misty agreed.
"But we can't go out there to look for her without attracting unwanted attention." said Brock.
An idea formed in Blue's mind, "We can't." he mumbled before he could stop himself. The idea was too dangerous to even consider.
Karen and Janine caught his meaning and gave him stern looks, "It's far too dangerous. No citizen should risk their lives if all we do is sit here." Karen pressed.
Clair caught on too and Blue raised his hands in protest to stop her from yelling at him, "Sorry I said it. I was just thinking aloud."
Clair crossed her arms, "It's especially dangerous because they would do it. They've already done enough and they deserve their place here so no-one can even suggest it to them."
There was a silence as the last option they had was shot down. All they could do was wait and Clair had to stop herself from slamming her fist on the table. 'Wait'. It was amazing how quickly someone could hate that word but then again, she had had to face it as her only option for far too long.
Janine didn't want to do it at all. She hated the idea and would have done anything else if there had been anything else to do. She'd lost Falkner to hatred and her father to death. Janine wasn't sure whether she could handle losing her best friend too. Karen would hate her for it but in a way Janine believed that she'd understand her as well.
Janine had finished explaining the situation to Copper and Steel and waited anxiously for their reply.
"Of course I'll help." Steel said too quickly for Janine's liking.
Copper noticed Janine's worried face behind the ninja mask and folded her arms, "Do you want us to or not?" Janine's eyes widened at Copper's brashness, "You know that two teenagers won't attract much attention right? Especially since a lot of people think we're dead."
Janine nodded, "But you mustn't agree because you feel forced to." Janine groaned internally at her foolishness. As if they wouldn't feel pressured at this point.
Steel shook his head, "I would have volunteered even if you hadn't asked. If I can help then I'll do it, I promise we'll find her for you."
Copper paused slightly but then smirked, "And as if I'd pass up the chance to fight some more Zephyrs."
Janine frowned, "You shouldn't engage in any fights if you can. We don't want either of you two to get injured."
Copper help up her hands dismissively, "I was joking." Sort of, Copper added mentally.
Janine still didn't look sure and she was certain that she'd be feeling guilty every moment they were gone but forced herself to make the effort to save her friend. Janine pointed to Morty and Oak's pokégears on the two teenager's wrists.
"My pokégear's number should be on both of yours. If you need any assistance I'll help." Copper nodded but felt that she wouldn't be utilising that fallback in the near future.
Janine helped the two prepare quickly before making sure that their exit was unhindered by choosing to station herself in the security room that night.
The fog badge worked on the door so very soon the Copper and Steel were walking out in to the chilling air of night.
The sky looked just as beautiful at night as it had at sunset. The sky looked like a black fabric inset with a thousand little diamonds but Copper and Steel were both aware that they had to get away from the plateau before Clair or someone walked in on Janine in the security room.
Steel felt truly sorry for Janine and couldn't imagine if something happened to Copper. The though sent fear racing through him so he tried taking his mind off things by throwing out Lancer and shooting off into the air.
The howling wind quickly drowned out the terrifying thoughts and he began flying over Kanto. At night the ground looked exactly like the sky except the darkness was the shadows and the jewels were the little lights from houses and streets.
Steel quickly ordered Lancer to stop as he suddenly remembered something. Conrad...
He looked guiltily back to Copper and darted back to her. She smirked at him to stop herself from looking sad and looked to Lancer.
"I can't fly Steel." she reminded him, "We're gonna have to climb down like regular people."
Steel winced at his stupidity and recalled Lancer. 'So far so good' as the saying goes...
*Duvet – I think it's also called a comforter or a quilt
Welcome to the third and final Volume of Pokemon Rust! This will be another adventure with Steel and Copper so it won't be as disjointed as Volume Two.
Now they're adventuring into Kanto in their mighty quest to find Whitney! (I love melodramatics)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter so please review with any comments, suggestions or questions for the series! :D