Earth, Air, Water, Fire

The lighthouse stood in solitary opposition to the blood-red sun setting on the wide horizon. A harbor bell rang from across the sea, hollow and without echo. Sitting alone on the battered, weathered dock, a lean figure tossed a stone over the water and watched it break the magnificent streams of color reflecting the sky above.

His hair was a brilliant shade of crimson, a striking departure from the rest of his appearance. He was clad in a suit coated with intricate patterns of murky blues and grays, which blended easily with the jetty in the fading light. The only other defining feature that separated him clearly from the beaten stones around him was the gleaming opalescent belt fixed around his waist. A gun jutted out from one side, and on the other three miniature orbs rested, half-red and half-white.

A barely audible rustle to his left was enough to cause his gloved hand to drift lazily to the side of his belt containing not the gun, but the spheres. He removed one, allowing it to expand in his hand. An unseen energy pulsed from it, as if a sentient being were inside, waiting to be released.

"I can hear you." Out of the shadows stepped a second figure, this one female. She was dressed in the same cloudy colors as the man, although her attire was plainer, a jumpsuit of sorts, clearly mass-produced. She, like the man, sported red hair, although hers was a darker hue, as was her skin. A shape half her size skulked behind her, hovering about a foot off the ground, its four wings beating furiously but silently.

"Gabriel, the boy has been spotted." The man stood at once, stepping to the same level as his lieutenant. His grip on the orb grew tighter.

"You're sure it's him?"

The girl nodded. "Stocky, dark hair, green eyes...stubborn disposition. Everything matches up."

The man called Gabriel grinned, a smile that caused his electric-blue eyes to wake up. It was a pleasant enough smile, but the air around him chilled instantly. "Excellent. Where is he?"

"He's right outside the city. As you said, he should be here by tomorrow morning. Amy has the city secured and ready for his arrival. Once he's passed through the second gates, he's ours."

The man nodded, a hungry look in his eyes. "Good. I'm trusting you've secured the western perimeter as well. The last thing we need is for him to escape to the sea route and the surrounding estates, where he has family and other potential allies...or so I am told."

"We have every exit carefully monitored, sir."

The man returned his gaze to the expanse in front of them, his cold blue eyes seeing further than the disappearing sun. "Return to your post, Natalia. And alert me when he arrives. I'll be in the lighthouse, likely. Waiting."

The girl saluted, a gesture he did not return, then opened her mouth, as if to speak.

"Yes?" Gabriel did not turn his head back to his subordinate.

"Nothing. Come on, Crobat." The winged creature flared up, opening its wide mouth to reveal deadly-looking yellowed fangs. It puffed its body, the rubbery purple skin inflating. She grabbed one of its stubby, half-formed feet and turned to say a parting word to Gabriel, but in her three seconds of distraction, the man had vanished without a sound. She frowned, used to his enigmatic ways but still disappointed. "Are you sure we should do this?" she asked to nobody in particular, finally voicing her concern. Crobat clicked uncertainly, looking warily at his trainer. "Don't worry about it," she said to her partner. "I trust him. Let's go." She tugged at her Pokémon and the misshapen silhouette of the two rose twenty feet in the air and glided slowly toward the city overlooking the water.

…...

"Low kick, now! Now, now, now!" Alec Gideon was impatient. His Machop's reflexes were far too slow, and it was for that exact reason he'd lost against Whitney, he just knew it. The short, ash-colored creature was sweating profusely, trying to obey his trainer's orders under the weight of the brace that was pulling at every one of his tiny muscles.

"Machop...Ma..." it panted, dropping to the ground and extending its leg in a feeble attempt at an attack. Alec groaned, yanking his rucksack from the ground and closing the distance between him and his shuddering Pokémon.

"The whole point of the Macho Brace is to make you work, Machop! It's supposed to increase your muscle mass by at least ten percent! And until you show any progress from that pathetic attempt at battle against Whitney's Happiny, you're keeping that on. Now here..." He opened his weathered green bag and pulled out a Super Potion. "Drink this. We'll take a break, but don't think you're getting out of half-hour push-ups. Got it?" Machop nodded wearily, propping himself into a sitting position and taking the medicine with shaking hands. Alec watched his Pokémon sip the potion with a hard expression. Am I being mean to him? he wondered. The boy shook his head. It's for his own good.

Alec Gideon hated weakness, because it was simply not an option in his family. For generations his family had made significant advances in the technological and architectural annals of the Johto region, and each son the Gideons produced was always followed by the question: "Will he live up to his father?" Because of this, every moment of Alec's life had been mapped out for him, to the point where it had all become too much. After three dreadful years of technical school, Alec dropped out and ran away from home a disgrace, with nothing more than the clothes on his back and his family's most precious heirloom, stolen and now hidden in the deepest pocket of his rucksack.

"Now according to the map...Olivine City is still eleven miles from here. We'll make it by nighttime if we include a dinner and our workouts. You done yet?" Machop was not finished with his drink, but he nodded just the same, crushing the orange container and tossing it aside. Alec's sea-green eyes scanned the area. Route 28, though exhibiting signs of civilization with its scrubbed picket fences and neatly laid gravel road, was currently deserted. A baby Rattata, its amethyst fur just sprouting and its front teeth barely protruding from its lips, crawled nervously across the path to its mother. The Raticate locked eyes with Alec and bared her massive incisors, stamping her three-toed feet and snarling. The trainer merely grunted. He threw his bag back over his denim-clad shoulder and produced Machop's Poké Ball. "Off we go." Machop was reduced to a thin beam of glowing reddish light, pulled into his container with a gentle click. The trainer took a deep breath and began again his long trek from Ecruteak City.

He knew he wasn't nearly a strong enough trainer to even attempt challenging Morty, the Ecruteak Gym Leader renowned for his symbiotic (somewhat creepy) relationship with Ghost-types. If his luck had run out against the Normal-type Leader Whitney, it seemed the only other gym his Pokémon might be capable of taking on was the Olivine Gym. He knew that Jasmine, its owner, specialized in the Steel type. The journey from Goldenrod City, which was right in the heart of the Johto Region, to the seaside city of Olivine was long, though; he and his Pokémon had been walking without stop for five days straight, only pausing for brief two-hour naps.

The boy had taken no more than a dozen steps when his Poké Gear began vibrating, ringing at a high intensity that could only mean a phone call. Rolling his eyes, he unhooked the device from his belt loop, expecting another pointless update on the adventures of his barely-friend Tim and his Geodude. The number was blocked on his screen, which seemed wrong to the boy. I'm pretty sure dad said this thing could identify any and all callers, he thought, frowning. He answered hesitantly, waiting for the caller ID to kick in, but instead of lighting up with a live video stream of his caller, as was custom, the screen went blank.

"Alec Gideon?" The voice was male, soft and smooth.

"Who...is this?" Alec was not in the mood to be played with, not having eaten since eleven.

"My identity is of no importance." Of course not. "You have something I greatly desire, and it is my wish that you surrender it without a fight. However, I know of your family and I know the blood that runs through your veins. Cooperation from you is...unlikely. So at least grant me this: Take care of yourself."

Alec was utterly bewildered. He had very low tolerance for wordplay and puzzles.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Show yourself and tell me what you actually want, or I'm hanging up." The man on the other line must have prepared for this abrasive response. Suddenly, the video clicked on; but it didn't display a face. All Alec could make out was a body. Dead or alive, he didn't know. He struggled to keep his face calm, knowing it was possible his caller could see him. "Who is that?"

"This is the person that gave us your number! Be sure to thank her, if you ever meet up with her again." The figure shook and let out a noise that seemed somewhere between a croak and a shrill scream.

Alec recognized it, his heart skipping a beat. It was his best (and only) friend from technical school, Amber Janson. She had called him yesterday for their semi-regular catch-up, and Alec hadn't picked up. The call had seemed harmless and completely arbitrary at the time, but Alec was fast to connect the dots in his head. "Amber!" he yelped.

"I understand this girl was once very precious to you. She will be kept alive until we meet. But until then..." A shadow passed the screen. A large, winged Pokémon, nothing distinguishable other than its cruel golden talons and crimson plumage, plunged into the image and grabbed the frail body ruthlessly. "My Pokémon, unlike me, are very accident prone. So better sooner than later, no?" A click was heard off-screen - mechanical, cold, chilling. "If I were you, I would travel at a slightly faster pace. The choice is yours, of course. When we meet tomorrow-" The Poké Gear went blank.

Alec shook it, sweating profusely. "When? Where? Where are you?" He didn't know whether to be more frightened of encountering this man or...not. He didn't want to think what would happen to Amber if she was left to the mercy of the man armed with both Pokémon and, it seemed, a gun. Should he go to the police? No, only ordinary people need their assistance. This was his problem and he would handle it his way. He produced three Poké Balls, his hands still trembling ever so slightly. The spheres opened, and three small, humanoid figures materialized slowly from the plasma-like energy the balls produced.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears for me. Something's up...something weird. Stay alert. We're going to reach Olivine before nighttime. We have to." The three Pokémon nodded obediently, not questioning their trainer. Alec gathered himself, took a swig of water, and shouldered his bag again. Hold on, Amber. "Let's go."

…...

"Ladies and gentlemen, the S.S. Helen will dock in Olivine Harbor by nightfall. Please be sure your luggage is together for departure. We hope you have had a pleasant voyage and that you enjoy the rest of your time on board. Thank you." A click was heard, and then a short series of beeps. "Lord, this has been a long trip. I'm getting too bloody old for this, Terry. I can't even leave my quarters and walk the deck anymore, not these days. It's hard enough smiling at these self-absorbed asses come meal time, let alone making small talk about their absolutely captivating adventures through the wondrous and magical land of Unova. Give me some of that. What is it, Fuchsia's Best? Looks vintage." Evidently, the captain had not pressed the correct button.

Chase Tang sighed and beat his forehead three times, attempting to clear his head. He couldn't help agreeing with the captain. This has been the voyage from hell. Apart from seasickness, which he had gotten over (after vomiting into the small sink in his cabin three times), the trip had simply lasted too long - nine days now. He had become so jaded by his time at sea he had resorted to frequenting the casino with his companion. None of the trainers aboard the Helen neared Chase's prowess in battle by half, so his interest in training had dwindled and dried. He was sure this pleased Logan, who was always happy to relax and shy away from his rigorous training routines.

Chase was a handsome young man, going on twenty and growing into manhood well, sporting a dark eleven-o-clock shadow on his otherwise fair features. His off-white hair hung loosely about his face, and his eyes burned with an intensity that more than enough females found alluring. If they knew even half of the scars he carried behind his soft amber gaze, it was likely their interest would dwindle.

"No, you're wrong." The speaker was Logan Clements, his partner-in-crime. In the five years since leaving home, Logan had become almost unrecognizable from the carefree girl Chase had first met. Her flowing blonde hair, once waist-length, was cut short to her shoulders now, and although still fair and unbelievably beautiful in Chase's eyes, her face had a hardened, world-weary expression, her robin's-egg eyes distant and veiled. "I'm telling you, it's the third from the top right!" she insisted.

Chase ignored his partner's advice and went with his instinct, flipping the card second from the left. His instincts sucked. With a sinking feeling, Chase stared at the glowing miniature Voltorb that had been hiding under the card and nodded, bracing himself. The red-and-white globe was pulsing angrily, letting out shrill metallic screeches and bulging dangerously.

"You were right, I should've picked the-" Chase's lamenting was cut off by a blinding light and a series of explosions as the game self-destructed. All eyes turned to Chase and Logan's station. Although the conceit of the game was to detonate when the challenger lost, it was still highly embarrassing to admit defeat in such a manner (and to wear the loss in the form of slightly singed eyebrows). The pair didn't say a word, but it was mutually agreed that the game was finished. Logan wanted to finish packing and Chase had spent more than enough of his savings. Before heading back to their room, they decided to allow their Pokémon one final venture around the ship's luxurious promenade deck. As they exited the room, smoke followed them into the hallway.

Logan looked down both directions of the corridor before beginning the thought Chase knew she'd been biting back since breakfast.

"You know that today-"

"I know what day it is. Trust me, I know." Chase wasn't terribly interested in discussing the significance of the date, which Logan seemed to find rude.

"But he was such an important part of your life, Chase. It's really disrespectful to his memory if we...if we don't..." Logan's voice shook a little bit.

"Don't talk to me about 'disrespectful.' Look, maybe I just handle things differently, but I don't want to relive-"

"But we have to! Chase, he didn't want to leave you! To pretend like he never existed, wasn't ever...you just can't! Think of Tracey..." But Logan grew silent. She had seen Chase's reaction to her final sentence.

He began walking slightly faster down the richly-panelled hallway. "Tracey has absolutely nothing to do with Sceptile. Nothing. There's no reason to bring him up. Why do you do this to yourself? To me." Logan's eyes were watering, but this sign of weakness irritated Chase even more. "Didn't Dr. Hume say -"

"He taught me how to cope with grief. That's something I think I'd like to do, Chase, help other people let go. And part of that, part of coping, is remembering the person you've lost fondly, especially on a day like this." They had reached the elaborate mahogany door that led out to the large, open space between the ship's funnels, specifically designated for trainer battles and recreation.

"That's bull." Chase looked briefly at his partner. "You don't celebrate someone's death. Especially not someone who...you know." Chase reached down to his belt and produced six Poké Balls, prompting Logan to do the same. Begrudgingly she released her party alongside his, clearly not satisfied with the blunt ending to their argument. Chase liked solving all his problems by turning to his Pokémon. He kneeled down next to his smallest team member. He was lime-green and serpentine, with intelligent bright-red eyes and a pure white underbelly. He stood on tiny hind legs, but it was clear without the support of his long tail he would collapse.

"Can we…" Logan began.

"Do you know how hard it is, looking in his eyes sometimes? All I see is his father." Chase gently stroked his Servine's smooth head and stood, facing his other teammates. "Alright, guys, we've got til nightfall. Let's let loose!"

"Chase..." Logan's voice was gentle, pleading. He looked at her with a fierce expression that clearly stated, 'Not now.'

"Last one to the pool's a rotted Slowpoke tail!"

…...

"It's too dark to read...Magby, use Will-o-wisp." Alec was getting nervous. Night had fallen without consequence, but he was still worried for Amber. He hoped that the post bearing a battered wooden sign in front of him was announcing his arrival to Olivine City.

A snore sounded out in the night. Magby had fallen asleep in the two minutes since the traveling party had stopped. The miniature cherry-colored creature was curled in the fetal position, his beak-like mouth wide open and emitting wisps of smoke. Alec rolled his eyes. He had a strong suspicion Magby slept only when out of the confines of his Poké Ball, choosing to waste his precious free time inside the orb running and exerting all of his energy on pointless activity. Any time he was actually needed, he was exhausted.

"I swear to Arceus..." Alec produced his water bottle and shook it close to Magby's ear, letting a drop escape onto the ground next to him. The Pokémon's eyes snapped wide open and he sprang to his feet, absolutely terrified, shooting sparks of flame into the night. Realizing he had been tricked again, his demeanor shrank and his bulbous head lowered in humiliation.

"Magby, Mag maa," he apologized frantically.

"I just need to check that we're not lost. Can you use Will-o-wisp to light up this sign?" Alec was trying his hardest to be patient with his Pokémon, but he was anxious. Magby nodded and tightened his stubby hands into fists, emitting a low humming sound as his internal fire lit. His whole body seemed to illuminate translucently in the falling dusk, and with a puffing of his chest he produced the specter-like flames needed to light the sign. They hovered just above Alec's head, blue and purple streaks of excruciating heat to the touch that somehow chilled the surrounding air, making Alec draw his coat a little tighter to his body as he peered at the peeling sign, leaning forward to read it.

His face fell as he read aloud: "Olivine City, five miles. What time is it?" he asked to nobody in particular, producing his Poké Gear and flicking it on. According to the miniature icon that represented his movement on the map function, they were right on top of the massive seaside city. He stared out into the night, his sea-green eyes screwed up in confusion. He could see lights to his right, but couldn't judge how far, nor whether there were enough to make up an entire city.

"Something weird is definitely up." Amber's stricken face swam through his mind. He swallowed. "The light was useful, Magby. You can put it out. Well, we're gonna have to pick up the pace, that's all. Push-ups!" He and his Pokémon dropped to the ground instantly, methodically pumping their arms to get blood flowing freely. Machop finished last, the Macho Brace tugging against his slender muscles. Alec sprang to his feet, pulling his denim jacket straight and giving each of his partners a piece of RAGE candy bar, devouring his portion. "Alright, let's jog the next mile! We're making good time, but it could be better." He took off, leaving his partners to follow in his wake.

…...

Olivine, it seemed, had experienced a blackout. It had been just out of sight, hidden in the gloom of the night. The lights Alec had seen belonged to a small, privately owned farm devoted solely to breeding Miltank and cultivating their milk. The worn travelers had stopped in for a brief pick-me-up, although it was against Alec's better judgment.

The boy stood on the threshold, staring out into the inky black night. "Thanks for the Moomoo Milk, sir. We were running low on supplies, and times being how they are, you know."

Arthur Redding, patriarch of the ranch, shook Alec warmly by the hand. "Just promise me you'll treat your Pokémon slightly easier, Mr. Gideon. That poor Machop was nearly buckling from that dreadful brace." A smile split his scrubby gray beard, revealing several decaying teeth. "Now I'm sure they'll have an opening at the Inn, I'm friendly with the owners. Drop my name if you want a discount. So, you just take care, young man."

Alec turned to leave, but before he could take his first step he felt Mr. Redding's hand on his shoulder, calloused and firm. "Be on alert, too. That call you mentioned...sounds to me like you should enter that city on your guard. Rumor is, Team Skye is gathering strength again, worse than before, and if that was them...just keep your friends close. Goodnight!" He laughed jovially and the cabin door swung shut.

Alec stood in the thick night, listening to the gentle hum of a Ledyba nearby. Impulsively, he grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt. He released an olive-green, horned Pokémon, who shivered slightly from the cold but stared up at her trainer intently. Her horn was the same size as her rocky, sleek body, and peering out from sunken, scarred sockets, her eyes dilated, adjusting to the dark.

"Seems a member of Team Skye was probably behind that call earlier. I want you to keep me company to Olivine. Just you and me, Larvitar, just like old times. You in?" The lizard-like creature nodded, puffing her chest in importance.

The hike to Olivine was long and uneventful, excepting Larvitar's brutal pummeling of a sleeping Farfetch'd in an effort to defend her trainer. Just as Alec's stomach gave a lurch in hunger, a sweeping archway came into focus off to their left.

"Larvitar, look! The gates to the city. Finally." The cry of Wingull could be heard even where they stood. The smell of saltwater enticed Larvitar; she took a step forward, nose extended curiously.

"Larv...tar..." she whispered in wonder.

"Come on, Larvitar. Let's find that inn Mr. Redding told us about." The gate to the city was unlocked and unguarded, which Alec found unusual, but he was too tired to care at this point. Not fifteen feet away from the gate was a towering set of very solid-looking oak doors, also unlocked. Alec shook his head. "Well-protected, this city." Why have walls if you don't bother enforcing them?

With Larvitar's help, he pushed the creaking doors open and the two took in the view of Olivine, a harbor city that extended uphill from the seafront. Not much detail could be picked out from the door; the blackout seemed to be a serious one. The only light in the gloom came from a lighthouse standing alone on a crumbling cliff which jutted out over the water. A rustling sounded overhead as they stepped into the city. Alec glanced at the stone overhang he had just passed under. Perched atop it, still and silent, was a Xatu, its brilliant green down barely breaking the black engulfing the city. Its eyes were trained on Alec.

"Where's the inn in this town?" he asked aloud, not expecting an answer but more to keep the eery silence broken. Xatu spread its patterned wings and soared into the night without a backward glance. Alec looked at Larvitar, who shrugged. "Let's take a look around, then. Even with a blackout, things are too peaceful." Trainer and Pokémon stepped into the unknown, oblivious to the eyes watching their every move.

From inside the lighthouse, Gabriel watched Alec advance into the city that had been awaiting his arrival for fifteen hours. Beside him, head buried under its broad wing, a Pokémon stirred.

"Ready yourself, Mandibuzz. This is the part of the game you'll like. The capture." The vulture's right eye snapped open, glinting in the blazing light emanating from the center of the circular room. It crooned, flaring its wings and lifting its head. Gabriel paced to the far edge of the room, stroking the ancient wall and allowing himself a smile.

"We're so close to the end, now. Ascension is near." His Pokémon screeched hungrily.