Disclaimer: In case it's not already obvious, I don't own Pokémon. Anyways, Enjoy!
Chapter 2- Lost Girl
-Black's POV-
"White!" I cried out desperately for the millionth time, a sickening clench knotting in my gut. Still, I heard no reply, only the booming of my shrill voice echoing against the never-ending trees. I smacked by reddening face with my palm, a lump rising in my throat. What had I done?
I'd turned my back for half a minute, and she'd disappeared off into the forest. "Don't worry, Black, I'll just be two seconds, I think I saw some Pecha Berries over there," she'd chirped, before dashing off behind the giant oak trees. I'd tried to tell her this was no time for picking berries, but had she listened? Of course not- perfect little princess White didn't listen to anybody…
I wiped the beads of sweat off my forehead. The sight of the tall, coniferous trees encircling me all around was making me physically sick- a grim memory from my childhood I longed to forget- but the fact that this particular event involved me failing White once again made me want to lose my lunch altogether. If I'd lost her in these woods, I honestly didn't think I'd be able to take it, but the fact that knowing that somewhere in this forest, Team Plasma thieves could quite possibly be lurking made the whole thing that much more unbearable. I could only imagine what they would be capable of doing if they found her before I did… My breathing becoming heavier as panic set in, I took several wary steps through the forest-path, deciding it was my responsibility to find her.
Team Plasma. Their name reverberated through my mind like a bell, bashing against the sides of my head callously. From that very first second Cheren, Bianca, White and I had laid eyes on them, back in Accumula Town, I'd known we'd be seeing a lot more of these thugs, who lectured on about 'Pokémon Liberation', claiming that Pokémon didn't want to be used in battles anymore. They'd seemed suspicious to me at the time, and my assumptions had been confirmed when, two weeks later at the Nacrene City Museum, we'd caught them stealing a valuable exhibit, though they'd bolted before we could do anything to stop them. The four of us had offered to help retrieve the artefact, of course, with Bianca and Cheren scouring the city and White and I searching through Pinwheel forest, a murky, maze-like woodland en route to Castelia City. How freaking ironic; I come here to find those brutes and end up losing White.
Pinwheel Forest was a complete maze, trying to find that airhead would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. I swallowed the hard lump that rose in my throat at the thought of one of those fashion-car-crash clowns getting to her before I did. Who knew what those weirdoes were capable of? Something told me I had reason to be worried. Which, I most definitely was.
I moaned as I trudged through the mud, twigs and stones piling up in my shoes. I called her name out a final time, but heard nothing in reply. I felt my cheeks quickly boiling up. Oh sweet Arceus, if I'd lost her… what if she'd gotten hurt again, or something worse? I swallowed hard once more and trekked on, keeping an eye out for any of those damned Plasma grunts.
I'd imagine she was freaking out right now. She could be a bit of a baby sometimes- although she put on a bit of a badass attitude at times, like she didn't care, I knew all too well she didn't like being on her own. It was the same when we were younger, she'd always followed me around everywhere because she said she got 'lonely'. It did my head in most of the time, but after that accident in the woods, everything seemed to change. "As her big brother, it's your duty to protect her…" Mom had always told me. I felt my head pang at the memory. I'd certainly had my work cut out for me with White, because she was always in need of protection, whether it was from something as simple as tripping over a step, or something as serious as a creep trying to talk to her…
I clenched my fists at the niggling thought of that weird guy from Accumula, N. What the hell did he think he was doing? I bit down anxiously on my lip. There was something off about him, something just not right. The way he'd demanded White let him speak with her Pokémon, it made my blood boil... Naturally, of course, White had said she didn't mind, but that's just White for you. She was probably in love with the guy for cripes sake! Well, I'd be damned if I let that weirdo get close to her, that was for sure. There was something odd about him, and whatever it was, I knew we couldn't trust him…
"HALT!" a stern voice bellowed suddenly from behind me, yanking me straight out of my thoughts. Skidding to a halt, I turned on my heels, only to see the ugly face of a Team Plasma grunt standing behind me, a pokeball gripped in his hand and his tasteless, chain-mail knight uniform shaking with every slight movement. "Hand over your Pokémon, you insolent child!"
"Hey, you!" I yelled back arrogantly, overlooking his pointless demand as a scowl snuck onto my face. "You've got the artefact from the museum, the one the gym leader sent us to get back, haven't you?"
The grunt's face turned a ghastly pale as he quickly retreated, realising he'd picked a fight with the wrong guy. "Of course not… I… We…"
"Hand it over!" I ordered, edging threateningly towards him, hostile eyes beaming irately into sunken ones.
"Ooh boy…" he whimpered, tugging nervously on the neck of his tight uniform. "…o-on closer inspection, y-you look kinda tough…" He glanced all around him, searching frantically for a place to flee to, before finally dashing off past me, his heavy outfit clinking as he moved.
"Come back here!" I shouted, vigorously giving chase as his figure disappeared into the fading distance.
Although the forest was pretty foggy, and the floor was rocky and very un-level, I managed to easily keep my balance as I ran, even succeeding to grab my Timburr's pokeball from my bag as I did so. That was another difference between White and I- I had the basic composure and stamina it took to run 10 feet without tripping over or fainting from exhaustion, whereas she couldn't (and wouldn't) to save her life.
I caught up with the grunt easily, who eventually came to a stop in a clearing, his face a violent red as he panted hysterically, hands resting on his knees. Team Plasma really ought to send their employees on some sort of training course, I thought, leering at the pathetic excuse for a minion.
"Hand over the tablet!" I bellowed furiously, trudging through the soggy floor of the clearing until only we were separated only by a few feet. The grunt was biting his lip, desperately searching for another escape route as sweat rolled in oily rivers off his flustered face. Wheezing out rasping breaths, he staggered backwards against a tree.
"I don't have it!" he insisted, his face burning as I swaggered forwards with a conceited look on my face, tossing Timburr's pokeball playfully up and down in my hand. I had him right where I wanted him, and he knew it.
"If you don't hand it over, I'll make you hand it over…" I threatened viciously, teeth ground together in a painful clench.
"That won't be necessary, you stupid kid!" a woman's voice suddenly barked, as a group of about half a dozen or so Plasma grunts abruptly emerged from between the thick trees across from us, pokeballs clutched in each of their hands. My eyes narrowing, I quickly dipped my hand into my bag, cursing aloud when I realised the only other Pokémon I had with me was my newly-caught, half-fainted Venipede. I was outnumbered, big-time. Crap.
-N's POV-
The dense fog was quickly becoming thicker as I trekked through the desolate forest, hands planted deep within my pockets. An eerie aura seemed to hang over the surrounding, silent woodland as I passed, with not so much as a Sewaddle to be seen peeping its head up from beneath the thick undergrowth at my feet. Shivers running down my body, I exhaled an icy breath, watching as visible, silver puffs drifted upwards, forming intricate patterns before eventually dispersing into the chilly, autumn air.
For the last few weeks, I'd occupied my spare time by drifting from town to town, eagerly awaiting calls from Father that plans had been decided and it was time to commence research on how best to gain power over the minds of Unovians, thus convincing them to liberate their Pokémon. So far, I'd heard next to nothing from him as I explored strange cities, confusedly studying the cultures and habits of civilians living there, until eventually, I received a message.
Father had told me to meet with Sage Gorm in the depths of Pinwheel Forest, to confirm that he and his grunts had successfully obtained the correct artefact that was needed for our plan. I moaned disgruntledly, slouching further as I walked. I didn't like Sage Gorm, or any of the other sages for that matter. They'd been downright nasty to be when I was a child, yet now they expected me, even though I was their superior, to treat them with the utmost respect, as if they were they were the ones still charge of me. Shaking away the childish thought, I in-drew a quick breath. That was before, I told myself sternly. I was just a prince back then, but now I'm a king. I'm their leader now.
My train of thought was abruptly interrupted as, through the vision-blurring fog, I began to notice the faint silhouette of two oddly-shaped figures slowly edging closer. Curiosity taking over me, I cocked my head, squinting in an attempt to see through the dense greyness shrouding the forest. Deciding moments later that it was pointless trying to see, I silently began to glide ahead, being cautious not to draw attention to myself as the figures neared.
Their shapes became clearer as I moved through the trees. A Blitzle, I realised as I observed them, trotting along beside its trainer, a teenaged girl. The girl was shivering, and stumbling awkwardly over her feet as she staggered across the rocky ground. It wasn't until we were mere metres apart, however that my eyes widened, realising exactly who she was.
White had a look of utter terror on her pale face as she pushed onwards, her sparkling blue eyes filled with uncertainty. She was rubbing her bare, goose-pimpled arms, which I was sure must have felt like ice, as it was freezing in Pinwheel Forest, and all she was wearing was a tank top and a short-sleeve cardigan. Something must be wrong, I figured, as I watched her through the trees. She wasn't supposed to be here, only Team Plasma members were supposed to be here…
Suddenly, her foot became trapped underneath a large root, pushing her body forwards towards the jagged, rocky floor. A strange feeling pumped through my body and my heart began to race as I watched from behind a cover of trees, realising I'd never been in a situation like this before. Before I could stop, it seemed my body had already decided on what to do, and involuntarily began darting forwards, suddenly yanking her forearms and holding them high as her body stumbled to a stop in front of me, her feet swinging just above the ground as she dangled within my grasp, cerulean eyes widening to the size of dinner plates as she caught sight of me.
What had I just done? Sage Gorm would go crazy if he saw me with some girl! I bit down hard on my lip as the consequences of my actions sunk in. She shouldn't know I was here, she shouldn't be here herself! I had to get her out of here before any members of Team Plasma noticed her…
"Hello, White," I whispered blankly, unable to think of anything else to say, as she blinked, adjusting her gaze. "Are you ok?"
"Y-you!" she yelled, her mouth flinging open as she registered my face. "Y-You're that guy from Accumula! Are you freaking stalking me?"
"I'm not stalking you…" I sighed, amused at her reaction to my heroic rescue. "I just saved you from a possibly fatal accident…" I chuckled, a cheeky glint in my eyes.
Her face slowly turning a dark crimson shade, she glanced quickly from me to her suspended feet, before finally up at where I was had her arms gripped between my fingers. "Well, thanks, and everything, but could you kindly… um… let the hell go of me!"
"Okay," I laughed, suddenly releasing my grasp on her arms. Shrieking wildly, she instantly catapulted to the floor, landing on her behind with a forceful thud.
"OW!" she yelled up at me furiously, her aquamarine eyes narrowing. "So much for heroically rescuing me!"
"Oops…" I mumbled, laughing under my breath. "My fingers slipped…" She grunted angrily, pouting as she scampered to her feet. "Maniac…" I overheard her whisper.
I grunted, folding my arms across my chest. "Now, why would someone like you be wandering alone through here?" I lectured, hiding my smirk with the visor of my cap as she brushed muck from the forest floor off of herself. "There could me any kinds of dangers lurking in these woods, you know…"
"You mean like stalker perverts? Oh Arecus, now what would I do if I met one of them?" The mocking tone in her voice puzzled me, as she whisked several strands of wavy, chocolate-brown hair behind her ear. "And as a matter of fact, I'm not alone, actually… I'm with Black." She glanced behind her, squinting as she scanned the nearby trees, as if looking for someone. "Well… I was with Black…"
"Black?" I grumbled, arching an eyebrow. I hated the thought of her wandering in the woods with that awful 'friend' of hers- he, along without those other two morons, was a threat to my plan for Pokémon liberation.
"Yeah… so you should really leave, like, pronto, before he comes back and beats your ass for stalking me…"
I frowned irritably, my brow furrowing as I avoided her gaze. There it was again, that pang of jealousy in my stomach whenever I thought of the two of them together... White, noticing my discomfort, chewed her lip guiltily.
"Well… um, sorry for how he treated you back in Accumula…" she uttered, rubbing her bare arms sheepishly. "…my stupid brother can be a little rude sometimes… I hope we can… you know, be friends or something…" Her face taking on a strange expression, se huffed. "What the hell am I saying? I don't even know you! Goodbye!" She was about to turn and exit abruptly, before I caught her by the arm, immobilizing her.
"Brother?" I asked her, a wave of relief washing over me as what she'd just told me sunk in. He was only her brother. Nothing more.
Wait- this was bad, I soon realised. He was her brother, so he would want to protect her. He wouldn't want to let her join me; he would put up a fight. And Team Plasma didn't need any unnecessary fights…
"Um…yeah…" White mumbled, squirming out of my grasp awkwardly and flashing an incredibly uncomfortable look. Rubbing her freezing hands together to gather warmth, she took several wary steps back.
'Pardon me, Sir… who are you and why must you incessantly be touching my trainer?' a melodic voice suddenly questioned me from below. I glanced downwards, to notice White's Blitzle sniffing curiously at my leg. The tiny black and white zebra looked up at me with a sparkle in her onyx eyes, and I smiled warmly back at her.
"Hey there, girl! I'm N," I greeted her, bending down to stroke her soft fur. She neighed, realising I was friendly and nuzzling against my cheek lovingly.
'You're okay, I suppose…' she neighed. 'Not as good as my White, mind you. Nobody's better than her…' It was hardly a surprise to me. I knew that White had a gift with Pokémon, that she was able to bond with them almost instantly.
"This one loves you too," I informed her, as she stood, watching on confusedly. Her big, sapphire eyes widened in amazement at my words.
"Oh? So you can actually hear what she's saying…?"
"Clear as day. Communicating with Pokémon has always been my talent…"
Blitzle neighed softly. 'I suppose I wouldn't mind too much if you started sticking around.' She kicked her hoof against the rocky floor, an evil glint smouldering within her eyes. 'But mark my words, N; I may be small, but if you dare hurt my precious trainer, I will have no mercy for you... because I will always stick by my best friend."
I sighed, tousling the tiny Pokémon's mane and pretending I hadn't just heard that. These two had no idea what was to come, the impending separation of people and Pokémon Team Plasma would son enforce. But they didn't have to worry- if White joined Team Plasma, which I was sure I could convince her to, eventually, they wouldn't have to be separated, for she and her Pokémon could live in my castle in peace once the liberation took place. There wouldn't be need for Team Plasma to be separated from Pokémon, because Team Plasma knew this magnificent creature's true beauty and how to care for them properly, unlike those awful trainers, Black among them.
"What's she saying now?"
"She says she wants to stay with you forever," I mumbled half-heartedly, not exactly lying.
It was then I snapped back into the reality of my current situation and remembered my objective- to meet with Sage Gorm. I had to find him soon, before anyone realised I had been with White- I could only imagine the fierce scolding I'd get from Father if someone were to see me ignoring my duties…
"I really should be going now…" I declared, rising to my feet and taking a few unsteady steps off in the direction of the forest path. I didn't want to leave White, but duties were duties, and I was sure she could look after herself. After all, she had her Pokémon with her to protect her…
"Wait!" she called shrilly after me. I paused, spinning round to face her. Her face was an insipid pale colour, her beautiful eyes sunken and her pink lips dry and chapped. Her bare arms were dotted with visible goose bumps as she stood, shaking, in the middle of the chilly woodland.
"Is something wrong, White?" I questioned.
She bit down her lip anxiously, linking her fingers nervously behind her back. "Ah… I… um…" she stuttered, swallowing the lump in her throat and in-drawing a heavy breath. "I… lost Black…"
I blinked rapidly. "You… lost him?"
"Kind of… he was right there one minute, and then… he disappeared." She rubbed the back of her neck casually, Blitzle offering its reassurance by snuggling comfortingly against her leg. "I don't want to ask you this, but… do you know the way out of this place? You're the only other human around for miles, and if you could just help me find my way out of this maze I might be able to find him…"
I swallowed, my eyes widening at the thought. I was really supposed to get to Sage Gorm and the others as soon as possible, but how could I leave an innocent young girl there, stranded in the middle of a freezing forest, in the state she was in? She gazed at me with sad, cerulean eyes, upper lip quivering, forcing me to rebel against my better judgement.
"Well…" I started, stopping to glance quickly at the nearby trees, checking to make sure no members of Team Plasma were in sight. Exhaling deeply, I carefully took hold of her icy-cold hand. "Come with me."
She and Blitzle followed me as I led them further into the woods. If I remembered correctly, this trail would lead to the main road back to Nacrene City, where she could most likely manage to find her brother on her own after that. Brushing a thick, conifer branch out of our path, I sighed, wondering if this was really a good idea.
"W-where are we going?" she asked after several moments. Her hand was still in mine as we passed through the forest, twigs and leaves crunching beneath our shoes as we went.
"I'll lead you to the main path. I'm sure you'll be able to find your brother from there," I explained, focusing on the route ahead. She mumbled a soft "oh" in response.
Soon, I began to notice the grey outline of several shady figures through the trees the distance. The fog was still thick, so details were blurred, but they were definitely humans, and also- I noticed as we neared- small Pokémon. Muffled voices could be heard now as we approached. Maybe it was White's friends?
I skidded to a sharp halt when the figures came into full view. My servants, I realised, battling in a clearing along with a young boy; none other than Black. A sudden pulse of terror coursing through me as I imagined the repercussions that would occur if my servants saw me with White, I plunged into the nearest bush, dragging the startled teen along with me. I couldn't let her see me with my servants, at least not yet. It wasn't time for her to learn the truth about who I really was.
"Don't move!" I whispered to her in warning, as she gawked at me, a look of bewilderment on her face. Fidgeting out of my grip, she peered through a gap in the branches, struggling to get a better view of the events unfolding in the clearing. When she realised it was her brother, her body tensed.
"No!" she murmured sharply, knocking back branches of thick leaves from her face as she noticed her brother's Pokémon pitifully struggling against the attacks of the Plasma members. "I have to help him!"
"White, no!" I exclaimed, trying hopelessly to restrain her, but before I could reach out to grab her, she, along with Blitzle, had already plunged from the bush, tumbling madly and landing with a violent thump in the middle of the clearing. Every battler in the clearing stopped to stare at her as she frantically scrambled to her feet; Black sighing in relief, the grunts groaning arrogantly.
"White!" Black called, his face creasing in anger as she and Blitzle scampered to his side, ready to fight. "Where the hell have you been? You scared the crap out of me!"
"I'll explain later!" she yelled back, as several grunts moved in closer, their Pokémon before them, angered and pumped for battle.
I remained silent as they commenced combat, quietly peering out through the leaves, invisible beneath a layer of foliage. I knew I could end this battle easily myself, sparing White and her Pokémon from harm, but that would blow my cover, and it wasn't time for White, or Black, for that matter, to know the truth about me just yet. Besides, it was about time I saw for myself exactly what kind of trainer she really was… Propping myself into a sturdier kneeling position by balancing on the toes of my trainers, I focused my gaze on the brunette ahead of me.
I was astonished at how valiantly Blitzle fought for her. I'd honestly never seen a Pokémon so loyal to its trainer before, who put so much energy into every blow, who delivered every hit with precision and agility. It was as if White could tell what Blitzle was thinking- never pushing her too hard, withdrawing her when she knew she was getting tired. She had a strong, though young, bond with this Blitzle, that fact was unmistakable. Without a doubt, White would be a stellar member of Team Plasma, unlike any other. The only problem now was getting her to realise it…
I glanced at Black. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead, his fists clenched as he fought defiantly. Strain was getting to him now as he ordered his next move to the small Venipede before him. No- he didn't understand Pokémon as well as White did, that much was evident. Looking at him now, the resemblance between the two was clear- both had dark hair (although White's wasn't as unkempt and wild) and similar facial features. I felt a bit idiotic for jumping to conclusions before.
Although Black didn't quite understand Pokémon like his sister did, one thing was evident; he was incredibly headstrong. This was worrying for Team Plasma, as headstrong, arrogant trainers were what caused problems for our plans. I knew that his determined, ignorant spirit would also mean he wouldn't want White to join us either, which was even worse.
"My lord, is that you?"
I jumped at the sound of a man's frisky voice bellowing from behind me. Biting my lip anxiously, I slowly twisted to meet Gorm's gaze as he stared down at me from his position on his feet, an un-amused look on his wrinkled, old face. I didn't like these positions- too many memories from when I was young, and the Sages would scold me and punish me for speaking out of turn. Breathing in sharply, I swiftly rose to my feet and stared right back at him silently.
"Your highness, do you happen to have any specific reason for hiding in that bush?" Gorm queried, his sharp eyes beaming into me cruelly as he stroked his silver goatee.
I cleared my throat and folded my arms defensively. "I was examining something," I stated plainly.
He arched a bristly eyebrow suspiciously. "You were examining something? And might I ask what that something was, your majesty?"
"It doesn't concern you," I told him smugly, mimicking what Father always said to me. He crossed his arms and scowled beneath his thick facial hair. There was silence for several moments.
"Where is the item from Nacrene's museum?" I queried him, referring to the objective from earlier.
Gorm grunted irritatedly, thick lines etching onto his face as he did so, and stopped to glare out at the unfolding battle in the nearby clearing. "Those useless idiots took the wrong exhibit! The item they acquired has absolutely nothing to do with the legend at all! Worthless fools…"
I sighed, and stared back out at White. She was fighting alongside her Oshawott now, and winning, if her gleeful cheers were anything to go by. A tiny smile tugged at my lips, as I slowly turned and began ambling off in the direction I'd come, hands buried in my pockets.
"Sire?" Gorm called, a baffled tone in his voice. "Where are you going? What do we do now?"
"We move on. The information we're searching for isn't here. I'm continuing on my journey, to gather more information. When I've acquired sufficient knowledge, we'll return to the castle and plan. That is all."
Gorm's frantic calls blended into oblivion as I trudged on past the trees. Castelia City wasn't far now, and I was sure there would be some sort of library there, where I could further my research on the subject at hand.
As the spires of SkyArrow Bridge came into view, I sighed heavily, stopping to take in the beauty of the scenery. Constantly planning our next strategy was tiring, and every now and then I just needed to stop and stare at nature, free my mind of stressful thoughts. Because sometimes all that was needed to relieve stress was a breath of fresh air.
