(Note: First impressions are never the best. I really hope you realize that...
This entire chapter takes place in Johto. There's no connection to Orre, at least, not yet. I can tell you it gets a lot better when it does, though, in case you get tired of this.)
Chapter 1 - The Beginning Days of Flight
"September 16th, Lake of Rage, 6:30, evening..."
Celebi resumed her tasks the very next day, now carrying a light brown egg in her long arms. It shone in the blood-red sun, reflecting a small white stroke across its surface, looking as if someone had painted it on with a small brush. Its important look attracted many eyes from the trees surrounding them as the legend flew, each secretly wanting the beautiful egg to themselves.
Its deliverer, on the other hand, looked nothing like the burden. She hadn't rest since the night before, and struggled to keep herself in the air. Her antennae drooped, and her shoulders sagged with the weight. Twice, she had almost flown straight into a tree while resting her eyes, and cursed when their branches had successfully scratched her skin during the dodge. The legend really couldn't care less if she dropped the egg when doing so. Besides, it wouldn't be her first loss anymore.
The lake could now be seen behind the few trees ahead, shining like the egg with the warm red. The sight made her even more tired, and she yawned, finding a place to sit on a nearby tree branch. The water was dotted with small light blue dots, marking the heads of the native Woopers. The bobbed up and down, giving an occasional "Paaaah..." with oblivious expressions on their faces. No enemies, no worries. Celebi longed to be one of them.
The Lake of Rage, it was called. Years ago, a sinister organization had upset the inhabiting Gyrados, causing them to go on rampage. The evildoers were stopped, though, and the dragon-like Pokemon were removed from the lake. It was now one of the most peaceful places in the region of Johto.
Celebi glared at the egg in her lap, frustrated at knowing she had to continue on for an even longer distance. Her friend had given her such a nice complement the previous day, and now she hated it. She wanted to crush the shell in her hands and rip the life out.
All a side effect from fatigue, of course.
She lifted herself up and flew over to the shoreline. It was hot, and she decided now would be nice time for a break. The legend peered into the water, and narrowed her eyes at the reflection. She looked terrible! Good Arceus, it just keeps getting worse!
Something snapped a few yards away, coming from her left. Celebi jumped and bolted up towards the trees, dropping the egg into the lake before hand, of course.
She cursed as it began floating away towards a few curious Wooper. But there was no time to go after it. Whatever was approaching was coming fast.
Grinding her teeth, the legend covered herself in the protection of the tree's leaves, eyes blazing down in sheer anger at the ground.
I swear, I'll kill whoever that is... haven't used Psychic in awhile.
The brush began rustling, drawing a straight line across the ground, until it finally opened up and a boy about the age of thirteen emerged from them. He panted heavily, stopping short before looking back behind them, then taking off again as another snap sounded.
Drat! I missed.
But she wasn't at complete loss yet. There was indeed someone– or something– approaching from the same direction the other kid had exited from. Perhaps this one would be a lot better target.
Celebi gagged and dug her claws into the branch's soft bark. Something smelt absolutely terrible. It didn't take her too long to figure out what was coming.
A blob of slime crawled out of the brush, mouth gaping stupidly as it looked around in confusion. Grimer. She hated Grimer. The poison Pokemon was one of the dumbest creatures alive, the only thing making up for it being their strength. A sort of bully-like Pokemon. Celebi had prayed to Arceus at times simply to ask why in the world it had created such a thing.
Whatever, she thought to herself. This'll be fun to damage.
But as soon as she began to issue the next Psychic, the bushes rustled again, and another boy stepped out, about the same age as the first. Celebi eyed him dangerously from behind the leaves.
"Grimer! What the hell are you doing?!" he raged, flicking back his dark bangs. "Get in there and teach that rat a leason!"
The poison Pokemon flinched at the scolding, one eye slowly sliding down its slimy body. Celebi snickered to herself. Maybe she didn't have to do anything after all. This kid was doing a fine job with the Grimer, and simply watching sounded refreshing.
The sludge pile gave a muffled growl, then tore off into the direction the first kid had also taken. Celebi gave it a few points for its quick speed, which was better than some of the other Grimers' she had seen before. Its trainer lingered for a moment, glancing around the area in silence. Celebi almost thought he had seen her, but he took off shortly afterwards.
Now things would get interesting. Celebi pulled herself up, and raced after them overhead, forgetting about the egg that was now in the middle of the vast lake...
She first followed Grimer's lead, but soon got bored with it and sped up in search for the first boy. He wasn't hard to spot, her haven't the advantage of height, and the legend soon caught up with him. He had traveled away from the lake into the woods further, and had arrived at a clearing. It vaguely reminded Celebi of the night before.
He pressed through it, which she found somewhat stupid. If he was trying to hide, he was doing a terrible job at it, unless...
A few trees were scattered throughout the clearing, and he was speeding towards one. Then, finally reaching it, he lifted himself onto its branches and got into a position rather similar to her own. Celebi raced for it, then quietly flew in behind him. He stared straight ahead at the place he had entered from, waiting for the Grimer to appear. Deciding there wasn't much else she could do without making herself noticed, Celebi watched as well.
Moments later it appeared, but for some reason, never left the tree line. It gave off another stupid cry, trying to sound threatening but failing completely. Celebi longed to shove the kid off the branch, just to see what would happen. She knew she could do it, too. He was so... weak-looking. And it'd be funny.
The other trainer had arrived behind his Pokemon, now, and scuffed it on the head to shut it up. He, too, never stepped into the clearing. Celebi could only guess that this had happened many times before, and by experience, well... they either never thought to look in a tree, or this kid was good a hiding.
"Dammit, Kite!" the Grimer trainer yelled. "Don't think you can keep hiding forever!"
Celebi widened her eyes, wondering if she had heard right. Puzzled, she glanced down at the boy in front of her, only now studying what he really looked like.
He had spiky red hair and green eyes. His apparel consisted of a black, long sleeved shirt with a yellow jacket, a blue headband, and a pair of goggles around his neck.
Something clicked in Celebi's mind. She slowly backed away, careful not to brush against the draping leaves above and around her. Help, she wondered. I must find help...
The legend took off, lost in her own thoughts.
The Grimer's trainer pulled out a small white and red capsule from his belt, and pointed it at his Pokemon. A flash of light, and the sludge Pokemon was returned inside the ball. The trainer glanced around the clearing again, then turned and walked back towards the lake.
Kite waited. There was always the chance that they would return. But after a good, long ten minutes, he decided otherwise, and began to descend from the tree. The entire time he was there, he couldn't help but feel as if something was behind him, watching.
But he pushed it away, and began to trudge back towards the tree line, and to the lake.
The Lake of Rageit was called. He could relate to its name.
Pokemon... useless...
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The next day was completely normal. Kite attended his school in Mahogany Town, which he was late for, and failed another assignment.
"It's a school about Pokemon," he said as his teacher flung the graded work onto his desk. "What idiot's gonna care about what berry cures what in real life? One that camps for a living?"
"Then I'm assuming you already have your career planned out?" she replied dryly. She was old, and perhaps the person that Kite hated most, next to Kaze.
The Grimer trainer sneered from across the room, enjoying every moment. He was the one who reported Kite late, after all. Being late for class resulted in ridiculing quizzes given at random. Kite was pretty use to it by now. He couldn't remember the last time he had answered one right.
This was what was occurring now.
"What berry cures poisoned Pokemon?" the teacher had asked.
Kite retaliated with his comment. Who really cared? Pokemon training was a waste of time. Anyone could do it.
"Except for you, obviously," Kaze yawned. "It's a Pecha berry, by the way."
"Good job, Kaze," the old lady replied. "Extra credit will be given."
The entire class cheered in amazement. Kite simply shrugged.
"Yeah, good job Kaze. You named a berry. Can you do that with a pinecone, too?"
The dark-haired boy's triumphant look faded into rage. "Look who's talking."
The teacher called for homework, and the class crowded over to her desk. Kaze took this chance to address Kite, who had nothing to turn in in the first place.
"Too bad you can't use those smart remarks after class."
He cringed. It was true, he couldn't. This was why Kite took full pleasure of taking his small revenge in the middle of the day, where Kaze couldn't use his Grimer. However, as soon as the school let out, it was back in defense mode.
Hours later the bell rang. The students rushed out of the building, gathering with friends and getting into various discussions. Kite usually sped ahead of them to get away from the place as soon as possible. But today, his teacher stopped him. He flinched as Kaze shot him a threatening look and went ahead, grabbing a Poke Ball from his belt.
"I've lost count of how many times you've failed to return your work," the woman said after everyone had left. " I see no other way for punishment besides, let's see..." She pulled out a few of her own books from the wooden desk and flipped through them. "Pages one through twenty-seven in Regions of the World, nineteen through thirty in Cities in the Regions of the World, and also, since you seem to need it, eleven through forty in the Berry Foundations book. Oh, and I'd like a report on that."
"That's insane!" Kite cried. "No one could do that in one night!"
"Then I'd suggest you'd get to it."
"No way!"
Her piercing stare hardened, causing him to fall silent.
"If it's not finished, there will be far worse consequences. And you'd better not damage those books, either." She smiled. "It's not like you could pay them off, anyways."
Kite tore the books away from her and shoved them into his bag, before storming out of the room.
Mahogany Town was peaceful that day, almost all of the students already home. Kite's own house was closer to the lake, which meant walking through a route everyday. Luckily, it looked like Kaze had already left as well, until he caught sight of a group standing on the opposite end of the building. As if on schedule, Kaze broke through the middle of it, Grimer right behind him.
"Hey, hey! D'you remember what that berry was called yet, wretch?"
Kite considered the distance between them. If he could make it home, there would be nothing Kaze could do, nor his Pokemon. Getting there fast enough was the key, and it didn't take much effort, seeing that Grimer wasn't particularly fast in the first place.
"Yeah, I think so," he replied, eyes glued to the route entrance.
"Ah, good," Kaze said, "Cause it might help after this! Grimer, Toxic!"
Kite barely dodged the puddle of poison that suddenly formed beneath him, and dashed towards the route. Grimer gave a dull cry, then pursued after.
Kite had been through this millions of times. Even if he didn't make it home, he could always loose Grimer near the lake. For some reason, the Pokemon was afraid of it, and gratefully retreated once it lost sight of him.
The route flew by, and soon the water became visible through the trees. He paused, and glanced behind him. Usually, he was aloud a short break at this part thanks to Grimer's slowness. However, something seemed off. He could hear it still coming, loudly.
He chose the right side of the lake to travel this time, yesterday's being the left. No doubt would it slow now. It had just gotten an early start.
But he continued to hear its grunts, almost directly behind him the entire time. Why was it faster? It should of at least stopped to figure out which way he had gone. Perhaps running closer to the water would help.
Running against rocks only slowed him though, and he had to put enormous effort in to prevent himself from falling. If he were to accidentally step on a wet rock...
Too late. He drew too close to the lake shore, and fell against the shards. Ignoring his pain, he struggled back towards the trees and threw himself behind one, gripping his arm in pain. It was bleeding; he could feel the warm blood through his hand.
The poison Pokemon appeared soon after, but fortunately was too late to see Kite hide. It glanced around, oblivious to the blood in front of it staining the rocks. The tide drew in, and Grimer backed away at it, eyes torn away from the trees where Kite was sitting.
But Kaze appeared, and Kite knew if he saw the blood he could pinpoint his location immediately. Luckily, the tide from before had washed it away, and the trainer gave up.
"Well, Kite," he said, mostly to himself. "Wherever you are, don't forget about the tournament tomorrow. Grimer and I have been training for the past few months for it. There's no way we're going to lose, once Grimer... well, I don't want to spoil it." He walked away back towards woods. "Let's go, Grimer."
The tournament. He had forgotten all about it. But what was Kaze talking about? Once Grimer what?
Kite slowly glanced out from behind the tree. They were gone.
He examined his arm, and cursed. Scrapes ripped across it, even through his long clothing. Using the tree for grip, he pulled himself up.
The lake shimmered in the afternoon sun once more, and he hated it. That, and everyone he'd even met. Kaze, his teacher, the students... Pokemon.
They were the cause of that event... they were the cause of everything.
Kite ripped his school bag away from him and began pulling the books out, throwing each one forcefully into the water. The Wooper popped their heads up to watch the commotion, seeking out food, but dove back under once the bag had been thrown in their direction. Kite watched them go, fighting to catch his breath. His vision was blurring, and he cursed himself for letting himself cry. He'd kill them all, one way or another.
Something rustled from above. He spun around, and narrowed his eyes at the newcomer. A Pidgey. One of the dumbest Pokemon alive. It starred back down at him through dark brown eyes, head tilting in confusion. Kite bent down and selected a rock, before hurling it at the bird. It simply sidestepped the attack, then returned to its place on the branch, clicking its beak sadly.
"What a shame," it chirped. "Finding pleasure in throwing stones."
Kite fell back in shock, eyes wide. "You... you..." That wasn't possible. "W-what?!"
"Huh, that is weird." The Pidgey blinking a few times, then proceeded in preening itself. "I didn't know humans could communicate with us. 'Guess it's a rare thing."
"But... no, you're some sort of parrot then!"
"A parrot?" the bird squawked, looking thoroughly ashamed. "What sort of insult was that?"
"Well, you can't talk!" Kite shot back indignantly. "You're just some stupid Pokemon!"
The bird sighed. "I could say the same." It then lifted into the air and flew down to the ground in front of him. Kite quickly stepped back.
"What? Are you scared of me?" it asked.
"No!"
"What about them?" It nodded towards the Wooper. They had surfaced again, enjoying the summer sun.
Kite shook his head. What was he doing here, talking to some bird? It just sat there, still staring at the tiny blue Pokemon. Now that he thought about it, it had flown down in an awkward manner, its wing stretched motionlessly at its side.
"What happened?" he managed to ask.
"Broke it."
Kite sighed. He knew that in the bag around is waist– different from the school one he had tossed into the lake– there was enough bandage material to wrap the wing. There wasn't really any reason to hate this particular Pidgey, anyways. He reached into it and pulled them out.
"Um, I can..."
The bird looked up, a bit surprised at the change of heart. "Well, go ahead, of course!"
Finding a straight stick, Kite proceeded to bandage the broken wing. He studied the bird while he went. It was so small. Grimer was at least three times its size. The sludge monster could probably eat it in one bite.
With the bandage completed, the Pidgey stretched its wing out in front of it, marveling the sight.
"Oh, thank you!" it chirped, looking up at him with shining eyes. "I swear, I'll repay you some day!"
Kite nodded, highly doubting it. What could this small bird possibly do to help him in any way?
"The sun," it continued, glancing at the sky with a worried expression. "Things come out at night. Ekans, Arboks, you name it. I gotta go now."
It turned and flapped up to the branch again. Kite had already began walking at the thought of the snakes.
"Um, wait."
He stopped, and looked back at the Pidgey. It was smiling happily, its new wing closed at its side.
"My name's Claymore!" it said, as if presenting some kind of expensive new gift.
"Pokemon can have names?" Kite asked in confusion. He had never heard of that before. Probably because the other kids he knew weren't creative enough to give their's any. But a wild Pokemon?
"If they want."
"Oh. Well, okay then."
He turned and walked away.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The tournament was indeed the next day, and Kite had forgotten about the Pidgey completely.
The entire school was outside, everyone chatting happily about the same thing, Poke Balls in hand.
"I've given my Furret a ton of Proteins," a girl said smartly to her friend. "It raises its attack power to its maximum."
"I know," her friend replied, nodding towards his Raticate. "I've given mine some as well. There are a ton of items like that, each able to increase something, such as attack, defense, speed..."
So that was how Grimer was faster. Kaze had used speed-increasing items on it. Wonderful.
Kite pulled away from the conversation and walked towards the front of the school. An arena was drawn on the pavement, most likely by chalk. A bell sounded from somewhere, and the students began swarming around the stage. He pulled away from them, greatly not wanting to be caught in front.
A teacher began explaining the rules on an microphone, having a bit of trouble talking over the excited children. Kite mostly ignored it, especially when it started announcing the contestants. Maybe he could just leave for today. No one would notice.
"– will be facing Kaze and Muk!"
Muk?
Kite averted his gaze back to the arena. He couldn't of heard right. Through the sea of students, he caught sight of Kaze waving haughtily in the middle of the arena. Behind him stood the biggest Grimer he'd ever seen. Its eyes were narrowed, hands bulkier and even more mass than that of the old Grimer. Its mouth gaped open as always, this time rivaling its trainer's own height.
Grimer had evolved.
Panic swept through Kite as he stared at it. There would be no getting away. He began to shake slightly.
"Begin!" The teacher's call snapped Kite out of his trance. He glanced around, trying to who it was Muk was facing. Perhaps they could beat it.
"Mareeeeep!"
A flash of lightning covered the stage. Kite saw Muk flinch a little in the light, but it immediately recovered and readied itself for its own attack. Kaze pointed cooly at the opponent.
"Muk! Sludge Bomb!"
The massive Pokemon roared defiantly at its foe. A large ball of slim began to ooze out of its palm, then crystallized into a boulder-like mass. A second later, Muk flung the ball with a surprising force at the Mareep, and the Wool Pokemon had barely any time to react as it crashed into its side. It immediately collapsed on the ground and fainted. Cheers rose up in the crowd, but Kite could not hear anything because of the fear that was welling up inside him. It wasn't the stupid, slow Grimer anymore. It was Muk. Muk.
He backed away into the crowd even further now, hardly caring as he rammed into a few of the students. They screamed out at him, but he continued on anyways, trying to get away. Far away.
"No students are permitted to leave during the tournament!"
Kite froze at the words. The intercom teacher had noticed him, and she wasn't the only one.
Kaze smirked as he spotted him. "Yeah, you wouldn't want to miss this!"
"Actually, I think I would." Kite continued on, fear driving him against the screaming teacher's orders. You'd think these idiots would do something about this...
"Oooh okay, you want to experience it first hand then!"
Someone screamed, but Kite knew all too well what had happened. Muk had charged straight into the crowd after him, knowing it could not fail its master once again. Kite summoned all of his strength as he sped off from the screaming crowd, and the rapid-like Muk.
He had soon found the same route he had always taken, and raced across it. Now that it evolved, it would be a lot smarter. He had to take a different path. Twisting through the brush and trees, Kite listened for the pursuit of the poison Pokemon behind him. It never came, and a great relief rushed through him. Maybe it wasn't smarter after all. Maybe it had become a lot stupider... and a lot slower, too, despite the items.
He had reached the shore, its water glistening in the morning sun. None of the evening Woopers were out yet, making the surface look bare without them. Taking a shaking breath, Kite sat against a tree. He had never taken this path before, so that was good. It was probably wondering around the opposite end of the lake by now...
Something snake-like suddenly wrapped itself around him. Kite cried out in surprise as he was lifted off the ground. All he could see for a moment was the sky, then he was rammed down hard on his back against the ground. Staggering to get up, Kite felt his heart drop as he noticed Muk looming over him. Kaze was no where to be seen.
He could not move nor breathe. He had never been exactly afraid of Grimer; it only annoyed him and caused his hatred of Pokemon to rise every day. But this... he could only stare.
Muk raised its massive arm again and lashed down at Kite, knocking him aside in one glance. He slowly pulled himself up again, but could not get himself to run. Another knock to the side and he felt himself land onto the rocky shoreline. The shards cut into him like glass again, and he could not pull himself up on the wet stones. The waves washed over him as he painfully looked up again. Muk was sliding towards him. Death was sliding towards him.
Perhaps Kaze would stop his Pokemon. Would he really risk being accused for killing someone? The whole school had been witnesses, after all! Besides, he had no reason to kill, right?
As soon as Kite had thought it, the trainer stepped out from behind the trees. His expression did not change though. He looked exactly like his Pokemon– wild and insane for killing.
"Yes, I think that's exactly how the Mareep looked before it fainted," Kaze jeered. The same rage burned inside Kite, and he now felt somewhat sorry for the Mareep. But he couldn't do anything. Muk was now directly above him again.
"Muk, finish him."
Kite felt himself being lifted again, and for some reason, being dragged into the deeper part of the lake. Only when he was plunged under the water did he know what was happening. The old Grimer had lost its fear of water. It was drowning him. He had no energy to struggle. Only to fight to hold his breath, but for what point? No one was around, nor did anyone care. He felt his vision blacking out.
Muk jerked suddenly, though did not lose its grip. Kaze was shouting as well. Kite focused from under the water. Something was smashing against Muk, but was easily thrown off by the poison type's free arm. The arm then dealt a heavy plow against it, and the attacker plunged to the water, before suddenly bursting into a mass of light. Kite could not keep his focus on it any longer. His vision had now completely blacked out. A few moments later, he lost feeling.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Get up!
Something was prodding him. Kite ignored it, until the prods became sharp pecks. He slowly opened his eyes. The evening sun blazed against the lake as it always had done. The silhouettes of the tiny Woopers were bobbing happily in the water. He painfully pulled himself up, wondering why he was wet.
"You're okay!"
He spun around, nearly falling as fatigue gripped him. A large bird stood beside him, its head feathers sticking up in excitement. Kite collapsed to the ground as he realized who it was.
"Claymore..."
"Yep!" the large bird squawked. "Aah, you've been out for awhile. Ha! That Muk probably will be too!"
"M-Muk?"
"Yes. But that pile of crap doesn't stand a chance for me, now that I've evolved! My wing's even better too!" Claymore stretched his healed wing proudly. The wingspan had lengthened by feet now, giving the once-little Pidgey a huge update. But Kite could not feel any sort of emotion at all. There was no relief of being alive. He did not feel like getting up either.
Claymore continued to chat fiercely about his epic fight against Muk, but Kite had fallen asleep long before it was over. He woke to another sharp peck.
"What?" he growled.
"You're just going to sleep out here?" the Pidgeotto asked.
"Yes."
"But..."
"But what?"
"What about your, er, people?"
"What?"
"You know, family?"
"Oh, uh... I don't know. I gotta go, actually."
"Eh? Eeeeh? What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
"Huh?"
"Shut up!" Kite rose and stumbled away. Claymore nervously flapped after him.
"Uh, wait, I didn't mean–"
"Forget it." He continued on, acting oblivious to Claymore's presence, and only stopping after they had reached a small house at the end of the trees.
"Ooh, so this is your house?" Claymore asked, looking around. Kite swept past him, opening and heading through the door. He shut it as the Pidgeotto began following after him, and Claymore was only successful in stopping the door by shoving his wing in the way.
"Get out!" Kite yelled. Claymore looked extremely hurt.
"I-I'm sorry," he began, "if I offended you..."
"I don't care!" Kite seized a knife that was lying on a nearby desk, still holding the door. Claymore bristled in fear, but did not move.
"Why can't I know–?"
Kite plunged the knife down, aiming for Claymore's head. The bird screeched in surprise, but the knife did not meet his feathers. Instead, Kite felt something slam down hard on his back,
fell to the ground, his sight momentarily gone. It returned a few minutes later to see Claymore standing there, a snake in its mouth.
"They're really easy to kill when you're bigger than them," he chirped, throwing the dead Ekans down. Kite backed away from it.
"Ekans?" he repeated distantly.
"Yah, it seems like everyone wants to kill you today." Claymore yawned, then backed out of the door. "I guess I'll go now. It's pretty late." Then he took off, leaving Kite sitting there with a dead corpse. He stared at it for a minute.
"Pokemon... they're not suppose to..." He caught himself.
Maybe I was wrong all along...
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Kite awoke the next day hours after noon. It was a weekend, but that was not the only reason he felt a bit of excitement. He had to find Claymore and apologize.
Stepping outside, he ran towards the lake, yesterday's happenings coming back to him. There was a Pokemon that he didn't absolutely despise, and that one could take down Muk. A sort of lost happiness burned within him.
Claymore was in the exact same tree that Kite had first seen him in. The Pidgeotto simply laughed as he apologize, and remarked at how stupid Kite was.
Kite did not take this as an insult, and completely agreed with him. "It isn't your's, or really anyone else's fault I guess, besides them."
"Ah, there's no way that thing can knock me over!" Claymore chirped. "I'll take it on as many times as it comes at me!" He paused, thinking something over. "By the way, why was it chasing you?"
"It's a long story..." Kite mumbled, but something urged him on. "I guess you have the right to know."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
A few yards away, Kaze sat glaring at the Pidgeotto from behind the trees. Muk stood behind him, not daring to move in case its trainer took even more anger out on it. The boy growled angrily, then spun around and went back into the trees, Muk trailing behind him.
Some Pokemon... and I thought Pidgeys were stupid...
He smiled as they arrived at a lone house outside the trees.
"Such a Pokemon should be mine, no?" he asked himself, digging into his pocket. He retrievied a Poke Ball from it and threw it, unleashing a small red Pokemon. It clawed the air in excitement, shooting small embers from its yellow mouth in the process. "Magby, Flamethrower."
The little Pokemon puffed up its chest and unleashed a whirl of flames, aiming at the house. It was soon engulfed in the fire, and unable to hold itself up, fell to the ground in an explosion of heat. Kaze wordlessly recalled the Magby, then headed off into the brush. Muk followed silently behind.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Claymore had seen the smoke a few seconds after the house was inflamed. He eyed it for awhile, then finally felt the urge to point it out. "Eck, is that smoke?"
Kite sped off without a word, praying that the target was not what he thought. Only then did Claymore realize what had happened.
And it was. He stood there, trembling as he watched it fall. Everything. It was gone. Claymore flew up behind him, and also froze as the inferno grew. He could find nothing to say.
Something snapped behind them. Claymore was the first to react, and screeched in rage as Kaze stepped out, acting as if nothing had happened at all. Muk oozed behind him, glaring at the Pidgeotto. Claymore returned the stare. Kite had now turned as well, feeling nothing but the same pure hatred against the trainer. Kaze simply folded his arms.
"Sup?"
"Sh-shut..."
"What was that?"
"Attack them!"
Kite knew Claymore was not his own, but the Pidgeotto willingly obeyed anyway. He efficiently dove and slammed himself into the Muk. The poison Pokemon reared back at the blow, shocked at the quicker movements.
"And I thought I was going to have to ask," Kaze said lazily. "Well if you insist. Muk!"
Recovering, Muk began to form the same large sphere in its hand– the same move that was used on Mareep.
"Sludge Bomb!" Kite informed, and Claymore soared up into the air and out of the Muk's aim. The bomb missed, and taking full advantage of the failure, the Pidgeotto dove down again and began raking the Muk with its sharp talons. The poison monster roared in fury, and slowly raised up its large arm, preparing for the right moment, and...
The was a sharp crack as the arm landed down on the bird. Claymore toppled to the ground, a few of his feathers flying into the air in a trail. He struggled back onto his feet, panting heavily as the Muk advanced towards it. Kite stood there, panicking and having no clue what to do next.
But suddenly, Kaze called off his Pokemon.
"A Pokemon such as that should not be wasted," he explained, pulling out something from his bag. A blue and white metal sphere gleamed in his hand, the blue side baring red markings on top. "It's a Greatball," Kaze said, turning the blue side over to face the fallen bird. He threw it.
Kite suddenly caught on, but was far too late. Claymore disappeared in a burst of light, until only the small ball was left. It swerved a bit, the Pokemon inside desperately fighting to free itself. Then in stopped. Kite silently stared at it. A few of Claymore's feathers were still drifting slowly in the air, falling around the stilled capsule. He mindlessly grabbed one, gazed at it for a moment, before clenching it in his fist. After the satisfying silence, Kaze broke out into a roaring laughter.
"That Pokemon was never yours!" he choked, trying to catch his breath. "It was fair game. Heh, did you seriously think it would be free forever? Well, maybe it would have been..." Kaze gave a dramatic pause. "... if you'd of never met it in the first place."
Muk roared stupidly at this, causing Kite to back away. It was true, Claymore was never his.
"Wow, is that why you hate Pokemon?" Kaze went on. "'Cause you know they'd be doomed if you did like them? Ahahaha!"
Kite backed away further. He was defenseless, and this would be the only time to run. He couldn't freeze up as he had done before, unless he wanted to die, but then what chance would Claymore have then? What chance did it have in the first place?
Kaze's laughter died down. "You know, maybe we should put the other Pokemon you'll ever meet out of their misery." Here it was.
Kite was on the other side of the lake in seconds, his body screaming in protest as he raced on. There would be no hiding this time, only running. If he died from exhaustion, so be it.
A tree appeared in front of him, and he swerved away from it. Muk, however, ungracefully rammed into it, but quickly pulled itself together and continued in pursuit. That and many other quick-dodges occurred, and Kite soon felt himself slowing down. Muk never slowed its pace. He could hear the Pokemon directly behind him, though he didn't dare turn around to confirm it. Relief washed over him as the trees began to part, and quickened his speed with the rest of his little strength. It was suddenly harder to run though, and looking down, Kite saw that the ground was now covered in sand.
What the...?
He did not slow though, even when he could no longer hear his pursuer behind him. Only after a minute of it went by did Kite actually glance behind him. Muk was yards away, roaring at him in protest. He began to stop.
What are you doing? Scared of dirt?
But the Muk did not come after him, and instead turned and crawled back into the trees, and disappeared into the shadows. A familiar scene. Kite waited a few minutes, then collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. He laid there for a bit, only thinking of what a traitor he was for leaving Claymore. I must go back...
And do what? There was no way he could take out Muk without a Pokemon. But how would he manage to catch one? He had no money for a Pokeball. And where was he anyways? Johto did not consist of sand.
Kite opened his eyes and looked around. He was on what seemed to be a large road made of nothing but the white sand, with an ocean surrounding each side. Palm trees lined the road, swaying slightly in the cool wind. He had never heard of such a place existing in Johto, if this was Johto at all. It was nice though, and he stood up. Perhaps I should take the road.
There really wasn't anything to lose, but the guilt of Claymore was still clinging to him. No. I can't do anything now.
It was official. He set off down the beach-like road, staring back a few times in case Muk was to return. He soon lost sight of the forest as the road continued on its long stretch.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"I've been on this road for hours..." Kite sighed to himself. It had only been about twenty minutes, but his fatigue had caused him to walk slower than usual.
" ...veeee..."
Kite perked up. He could of sworn he had heard something. But after a moment or two, the noise did not sound again, and he trudged on.
" ...eeeeeveeee ...!"
The noise had been loud enough to pinpoint. Kite glanced out into the ocean, and quickly rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
A small brown dot was being swept around by the rushing waves, becoming completely plunged by them a few times, then bobbing back up again. It gave out a few more faint cries, then fell silent as a larger wave engulfed it.
"You've got to be kidding me..." Kite stared at where the Pokemon had vanished, then with a frustrated sigh, raced into the ocean, struggling to keep himself above the waves. Here I am, going to die because of a stupid Pokemon. Just wonderful!
Kite suddenly felt his fingers brush off of something furry. Grabbing it, he pulled both himself and the creature out of the water and staggered onto the land again. Then, he thrusted himself onto the ground, wanting more than anything to sleep here, but rolled over instead to inspect the Pokemon.
It looked like a normal fox, except its fur color was dusky brown instead of gold, and had a thick white mane running around its neck. It was unconscious, but alive. For now.
"What the heck is a fox doing in the middle of the ocean anyways?" Kite mumbled to himself. He had no time to think though; it would die if not seen to. Grasping the Pokemon in his arms, he continued his walk down the road. The further he went, the brighter the blazing sun got. It's like the world hates me!
A few more yards of painful staggering and panting, Kite finally saw what seemed to be heaven to him.
At the end of the road was a town. Right smack dab in the middle of the ocean. He picked up his pace once again.
It slowly grew in the distance, until he finally found himself standing in front of a sign, gasping for breath and shaking from dehydration. "Gateon... Port..."
He collapsed before he even had time to drop the Pokemon.
(Note: Looong. Okay, now it gets better.)
