Chapter 2: The Calm

Elegant notes streamed forth as Platinum ran her fingers through piano keys in a song. The other girls clapped gaily as the pretty tune came to a halt. Yellow admired the cultured young woman's composition, despite it being quite impromptu. The little soundproof song room was never so crowded.

"What shall we do now?" Blue drawled, fiddling around with a pair of drumsticks. Humming to herself, she struck both snare drums and a cymbal before flipping her drumsticks in the air with a flourish. The slender wooden poles clacked on the floor as the brunette's hand missed the catch. "Whoops!" she giggled and made a face.

Yellow tickled Chuchu's ears with her fingers. "It's not much fun if we do nothing." She gave into a rare pouty moment and sighed, having been coaxed into singing a little bit not too long ago, and laughing along in good fun.

Crystal nodded and strummed the guitar in her arms randomly. "I can't think of any more "songs" to play...my fingers are tired!" She laughed and stretched her hands out.

Blue smiled shrewdly and ticked the performances off with her fingers. "There was me...Yellow...Crystal and Platinum. All we're missing is you, Sapphire!" Ditty morphed into a huge white glove doing a thumbs-up posture.

"I'm sure it will be lovely," chirped Yellow. Chuchu and Pich squeaked in agreement.

"Sapphire can do it," cheered Platinum, sitting at the piano.

"Don't keep us waiting!" Crystal joked. Chumee mewed and blew kisses at her.

Sapphire smiled, very flattered. She was not one to just sing, as she regarded it as wishy-washy before. However she felt that she could not say no to a little merriment and accepting that she was not all stone-tough.

"All right," she admitted, her face flushed. "But I haven't sung in awhile. I'm sorry if I'll drive you guys to tears." The others laughed.

Taking a deep breath, Sapphire began to sing.

"Nothing is better than a nice meal on a sunny day." proclaimed Diamond.

Their appetites were indeed satisfied by their late lunch, and now they were helping themselves to desserts. Banana splits, sundaes, and parfaits were sitting on the table in their glasses. Fresh fruits and ice cream were eaten in healthy amounts. Numerous smaller Pokémon fed on chilled Pokémon berries and treats beside their trainers' tables.

"I agree," nodded Red, helping himself to a chunk of banana smothered in cream. He and Green were sharing a huge banana split in a glass boat, with Diamond and Pearl. Green said nothing, but the look of content was there as he licked his lips clean of vanilla.

"There was a recording studio we should go to after this, is that right?" Gold burped, his mouth smothered in syrup. Silver coughed discreetly at his friend's manners, spooning ice cream from his own sundae. The others laughed.

"Yes, Gold." Ruby daintily ate a cherry from the top of his parfait. "We should head over there when we're finished." His tissue flew back and forth to dab at his lips every once in a while-of the group, he was the most rigid in table manners.

"Do you guys want to play around there? A recording studio must have instruments," mused Gold. "I took piano when I was a kid, but I learned how to use turntables because I wanted to be a DJ at Goldenrod." He fondly recalled meeting his idol, DJ Mary, there once. "Who here knows guitar?"

Two had their hands raised - Green and Ruby. Dia, who looked quite embarrassed when he confessed he had singing lessons at his mother's urging.

"Hey, at least we won't come out the studio with our ears bleeding." joked Gold.

"Not necessarily," interrupted Pearl. "The girls might be tone-deaf, for all we know."

"Blue sings nicely." Silver said. "I hear her sometimes in the bathroom."

"Well, I bet The Lady would try," Pearl said defensively, referring to Platinum, "even if she couldn't do it, so watch out."

"I dread...what will Miss Wild Child do there?"

Everyone else looked around toward Emerald and Ruby.

"Honestly," Ruby said, "I haven't heard her yet, and I fear the day I do."

"Maybe she has an okay voice," offered Dia. "Or good at playing some instrument."

There was a deafening quiet, save for a stray breeze afloat in the air.

Gold took this in stride: "I bet all of you 20000 Poké that Sapphire has a gorgeous voice!"

There was silence.

Then Red spoke, cautiously. "...This is just a joke, right?"

It was true that Gold was quite wealthy, wealthy enough to plate his Pokéballs with a layer of gold...but this was his gambling nature rearing its head. He did have his mischievous face on, eyes shining with confidence. He cockily flicked his goggles with one of his fingers.

"All of you doubt, I see," the Hatcher replied. "I simply am sure of my opinion!"

"...Fine!" shouted Emerald in conviction. "I bet that she does NOT have a gorgeous voice!"

There was even more silence.

"Ohohohohohoho..." sniggered Gold. "And what will your wager be, my little buddy?" He was standing, rubbing his hands in anticipation.

Emerald firmly thrust his hand into one of his deep pockets, got a huge bottle of sticky substance and set it on the table, standing up as well in his platform shoes. "My entire bottle of hair gel right here!" he said proudly, giving the container a tap with his glove.

More silence.

"You're on!" Gold grinned wide enough to put a Croagunk to shame.

Sapphire's voice better be average to break this bet even.

Even from outside the booth Blue got the chills. Inside the booth was a voice so...strange...that the senior girl had to pinch herself.

Platinum was trembling, her eyes wide. Chuchu and Pich were suddenly quiet, ears pricked up. Ditty and Chumee were silent, watching.

Crystal seemed breathless-her own skin skittered at every note.

Sapphire lost herself when she sang. Her eyes were closed, face flushed and breathing hard before every line. Her strange accent softened as she sang, and her rough tones seemed different with the style she used. It was simple, and unrefined, and from the heart.

Beyond that sound booth not a single thing stirred. They too were under that silencing spell.

No one said a word when Yellow's face crumpled with emotion.

"Here we are!" Pearl said most cheerily, pointing at a modest building at the center of Hearthome.

It was a uniformly brick-red place, a bit shabby but clean. A nicely polished sign reading 'Mirrors Recording Studio' was to the left of its humble entrance. A few berry plants and trees hid it partially from view.

The other boys followed Pearl's gait steadily, with sleepy Dia trailing behind once again. Alongside the boys were their Pokémon companions - Beh, Chatlord, Pika and Bonsly.

"Hurry up," their blond guide called, his bright orange shirt standing bright in the sun. "The heat'll fry you like eggs!" He was already arranging for their group by the time everyone else poured into the lobby.

"What do you think about this canny wager, Green?" Red whistled low as he asked his rival and friend. He ran his fingers through his messy black hair, crimson eyes bright and questioning. "Seems a bit too hazy to make any good bets, eh?" The boys waited at the sofas and couches of the lobby as Pearl and Diamond asked for Platinum's recording room.

Green nodded, his sharp features curious as well. "Gold seems to be getting himself in a load of trouble today. Still, I am quite interested in this turn of events. Who knows what Sapphire has to offer?" A gentle smirk graced his cool face. "She did idolize you during your early Champion days, and it drove her to become a 'beastly girl'."

Red sputtered and laughed, flattered. "I wouldn't say 'beastly'. Sapphire is a strong-willed girl. It was her own volition to become a Gym challenger, you know. And she did succeed on her own terms. Like that 80-day challenge with Ruby."

"True," said Green. "Her rival is quite...questionable, though. Gym challenges and Contest challenges don't offer the same caliber."

"Ruby is a strong trainer, of course." The Champion suddenly became quiet, analytical even. "He has this kind of...brutality..."

"...Oh, really."

Red nodded, gazing toward Ruby. The young trainer was sitting primly, exuding an elegance bred from his nature. His hands were busy with a needle and thread, sewing a bit of fabric into a clothing item. Silver and Emerald watched, flanking his sides. A little trickle of discussion was amongst them.

"Don't you use a thimble, Ruby?" the red-maned boy asked, watching the tiny metal pin flash between threads.

"Not much, Silver." the capped boy replied, counting his stitches carefully.

"Don't you hurt yourself with that thing?" Emerald inquired, eyeing his bare hand.

Ruby smiled. "Yes, but I guess my fingers are used to it."

He stuck his needle on a rough spot on his finger as an example: Emerald jumped a little. Ruby drew the needle back, showing no wound from his digit. "See?" He continued sewing his little cloth scrap. "Some of the skin has become thick - oh..."

The little blonde boy winced as Ruby accidentally pricked his finger and blood dropped onto his lap.

"Yes," the Champion reaffirmed. "Have you ever seen him angry? I mean, really angry."

"When we confronted Archie last time at the Frontier, yes. We all were." Green replied pointedly.

"Look at his Pokémon!" Red urged. "That kind of battling prowess isn't for Contests. He has to be near-demonic in battle."

"Still, he is the son of Norman, an excellent strategist." the Gym Leader cut in. "His temper should not get the best of him with his training. Otherwise he is nothing short of mannered, if a little haughty."

The brunette paused, and unearthed a sarcastic gasp - almost melodramatic in tone. "Don't tell me - you're worried about being replaced?"

Red stuck out his tongue, and punched Green on the arm. "Hey, I'm not that egotistical to cling onto that! I have this feeling that Ruby is more fearsome than he lets on. I mean, it's just a feeling..."

Red and Green were broken from their conversation when Gold came running, pale-faced and exhilarated. His soot-colored hair was in wild disarray, arms and legs flying. Alarmed, the other trainers immediately got to their feet at his giddy words:

"Guys - Platinum's recording room - hear - NOW!"

Sapphire was very much surprised when her song was met with glassy eyes.

"Yellow!" She stumbled away from the microphone and readied herself to pour out a dozen apologies.

"W-what happened, Yellow? I'm so sorry if it was me, I-"

The young blonde woman shook her head, a shaky smile emerging from her delicate face. "N-no, Sapphire, nothing like that." She seemed embarrassed at her outburst of emotion. "Your song was...beautiful."

The brunette girl blinked. Beautiful? She looked around the room for confirmation.

Blue was gushing on and on about her voice. Words of praise streamed from her mouth as the senior squeezed Sapphire in her arms.

Crystal seemed breathless, unable to say anything other than "...Wow!" She seemed unusually giddy, and that was strange for her.

Platinum was silent, too awestruck to move: her shining eyes were enough.

"R-really?" the wild child stammered, mouth agape. Her unrefined speaking style re-emerged, and the "angel" became a fallible mortal again. Her cheeks turned a shade of tomato red. "I-I never knew I could...I mean, I used to sing like this as a little girl..." Her chest was heaving from the song - her heart seemed to take flight with every note. "But…I didn't know it was that big a deal!"

Blue looked at her junior with great pride."You have been given a wonderful talent. Don't let it waste away!" She sniggered at Sapphire's pleased but confused face, thinking of something great.

"Oh, I wonder how the boys will react to our "wild girl" now'?" Blue smiled saucily alongside her as the other three girls giggled.

Suddenly, the door slammed open.

"AHA!" Gold's triumphant face appeared, his index finger high toward the ceiling in victory. "I win! Take that, you shrimp! Hand over the hair gel and let's see your hair down!"

His manic face was alight with the glow Crystal knew all too well - the joy of gambling. His victory pose beyond the doorway gave the girls a shock and something to stare at.

Beyond the door was Emerald, his eyes wide and jaw slack. His hand extensors were trembling as Gold proceeded to perform a silly jig. His bright eyes were transfixed on Sapphire, who promptly reddened. With the other boys behind him, he raised a shaking hand extensor toward the brunette trainer.

"Y-you...!" His words were broken, lips speechless.

Green and Silver were able to push Emerald to the side for the others to pass; the small recording room was becoming very crowded. As everyone looked for a seat, Ruby laced his fingers together and watched Sapphire pointedly.

She was acting strangely meek now - her usual bravado and fire was somewhat dimmed. She tried to sit down somewhere, to disappear from view. However (to her dismay) there were no chairs left; she merely shrugged and sat on the carpeted floor.

A few awkward empty beats later, Yellow coughed. Everyone laughed.

"Those singing lessons really paid off, Dia my man!"

Diamond flushed, looking mollified but pleased. His turn after the spin-a-bottle proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Gold went so far as to comically stamp and whistle with his fingers. Pearl was mightily impressed with his talented best friend.

It was late afternoon now, and the midday heat cooled slightly. The sign of Amity Square loomed overhead, its bright colors enticing to passers-by. Their walk toward the Summit was a little hurried, in case they might be late.

The sleepy-eyed trainer beamed, walking along in his Persian-easy gait. "Thanks," he said, and made a funny mock-curtsy as the others laughed. "I am surprised by all of this, myself." His Munchlax hopped along behind him, nodding along.

The babble continued into topics: what dishes would be for dinner, who would be at the Summit, and what would be discussed.

"You know, I wasn't able to hear Sapphire sing." Dia whispered to his companion, looking cautiously behind him as the other junior trainers trailed behind them. Gold continued to rub his winnings in Emerald's face, playing around with his own black hair with gel. Emerald was stumbling along, unable to get over his loss...and looking miserably embarrassed.

Pearl thought for a moment before replying: "Yes, that makes it even more curious! But not now, we have a summit to attend." He jutted his chin toward the entrance and slipped his hands into his pockets. His pale orange eyes saw the heavy graying rainclouds and flash of lightning.

"We'd better hurry, it looks like rain."

There was a rumble at the beginning...no, a kind of stirring from within the waters of the ocean...

The scaly body writhed and thrashed about with agony as the Pokémon felt a harsh, acid sensation ripping its body. The waves churned into whirlpools at the sheer power of its thrashing movements. Other water Pokémon swam away from the terrible power. A mark, it all started with a mark...

The Pokémon tried crashing itself into rocks, even biting itself to numb the skin. Rough scars and gouges did nothing to dim the ominous crimson glow of its pain drove it out of its mind; a relief, yes a relief was possible! The Pokémon fought to keep its senses - the goal seemed to be in a human dwelling not far from the area.

Fangs snapping, the creature burst out of the water in a spray of saltwater. Into the darkening skies it sprang, rippling itself like a snake Pokémon winding through water. The scent of soothing prey rang clear in the air.

Yes, it called like a lure. There is prey for you...yes, hunt for it and you will be healed!

Wild Wingull flew off, away from the maddened Pokémon and squawking when they saw the glowing red marks of circles and lines-the marks of the ocean ruler's wrath. The other sea creatures cried and swam away, sensing a sudden danger.

With a horrible bellow, the possessed creature flew off to the northwest. The chapelette roofs were just in sight.

TBC…