Chapter 4
"Freeze, scum!"
The thief stares down the barrel of the weapon at its owner, a tall woman in a dark blue uniform. He freezes, glancing at her curiously.
"Place the girl and the Eevee on the ground, and raise your hands in the air!" she commands loudly. A small red dog barks, hopping around the officer.
"We got em! We got em! Can we go play, Jenny? Please? Please? Please?" It breathes quickly.
"Look, Jenny," the thief says as her eyes widen, "I got no beef with you, but I was attacked in the forest, and these two need help."
Her eyes drift to Lily. The young woman lies inert, covered in soot. She coughs weakly, staring up at the sky.
"...Fine," the officer says, placing the weapon on her belt, "I'll take you to the hospital. But don't think I believe you!"
Adam nods, recalling Sola into her pokeball. He lifts the chestnut haired girl onto his back and starts following the officer as she walks quickly towards a building with a large domed roof. They enter, and a woman with pink hair and a cheery attitude rushes over hastily.
"Oh, you poor things!" the woman cries as Adam places Lily on a stretcher, "Let me take care of you!"
"Joy!" the officer snaps, "They are suspects in the crime of burning down Viridian Forest! Hurry and take care of the girl and their pokemon while I take this young man for questioning."
"Alright. Let me take your pokeballs, please," the pink haired lady asks, placing her hand out. The thief pulls out his pokedex and hands it to her.
"Wait," the officers pauses, staring at it, "is that... a pokedex?"
Navi flies out of it, "Indeed! Now, what do you say to my owner?"
"My deepest apologies," the officer apologizes, "I wasn't aware you have a pokedex. You must be someone pretty special if Oak trusted you with one of those."
"Uh... Thanks," the thief accepts in confusion, "Can you really heal Lily?"
"Yeah," the pink haired woman nods, placing the pokedex in a slot on a machine. The machine whirs to life, lights blinking in a seemingly-random pattern. It dings, and the woman withdraws the dex from it, handing it back to the thief, "Your pokemon are all healed up! Please come and visit anytime!"
The officer ushers the thief outside the building. When he steps out, she slams him into the wall, "Tell me how you came about that Pokedex! Oak only made one, and someone else is supposed to have it!"
"Couldn't this 'Oak'," the thief struggles to say, "have made another recently?"
"No," the officer growls, "Oak is dead."
"I know," Adam rasps. The officer pulls back to let the thief fall to the ground, "I was with him when he died."
"Ah ha! He admits to the crime," the officer self-narrates, "He must be guilty!"
"Look, lady," the thief states, "I just happened upon pallet when it had just been destroyed. I found an old guy in a crater, and he gave me the pokedex. That's it. I tried to save him, but he already died."
"It's true," Navi chimes from the pokedex, "Adam isn't competent enough to murder an innocent in cold blood."
"Hey!" Adam protests, "I would gladly kill any Team Rocket member!"
"They aren't exactly innocent, and you shouldn't admit that in front of Officer Jenny," Navi states.
"Hey," Jenny puts her hands up, "No problems here. So long as they aren't innocent, and you have proof, I'm fine. So, now that I'm sure you didn't kill Oak or set the forest on fire, how about I show you around?"
"Sure," the thief states.
Jenny motions for the thief to follow, and she shows him around. "This is the pokecenter of Pewter Town," she says, pointing at the hospital, "If you ever find you or your pokemon hurt, go to one of these and one of Joy's sisters will help you."
She leads him to a building with a blue roof, "This is a pokemart. Essential for Trainers, you can buy all sorts of good stuff here."
Walking off, she motions at a building with a golden roof, "This is a pokemon Gym. Trainers come to these to test their strength and gain knowledge. The Gym Leader is basically the king of a town or city. No one enters or leaves without their knowledge. You should challenge them."
Adam walks inside, Officer Jenny following. The building in pitch black, except for a small circle of light on the other end of it. "Flint!" Jenny calls, "You've got a challenger!"
"Jenny," a masculine voice calls, "Long time no see! Here to see me kick a challenger's ass?"
"Not today. I have faith in this one," Jenny laughs as the lights blink on. A dark skinned man walks forward to greet her.
"Alright. So kid," the man states, crossing his arms, "think you can beat me?"
"Sure," Adam draws his sword, "First blood wins?"
"Whoa! You got spunk kid," the man chuckles, "I like that. No, we will be having a pokemon battle."
"Pokemon battle?" the thief tilts his head to the side, "What is that?"
"Dang kid," laughs the man, "You been living under a rock? A pokemon battle is a fight between two pokemon. Most of the time, it's just for fun."
"Sounds interesting," Adam rubs his chin in thought, "Alright. Let's do this!"
The man walks to the other side of the field, pulling out a red sphere. "This will be a two on two battle between the challenger and Flint for the boulder badge!" Jenny yells from the side of the field.
"Challenger, release your pokemon first!" Flint yells. Adam nods, taking one of the spheres from the pokedex and tossing it out on the field. Salam materializes, roaring fiercely to the empty room.
"A charmander... I see. Well then," Flint whispers, "I choose you, Geodude!"
He throws his sphere and a pile of rocks appears from a burst of red energy. The rocks tumble about before moving, and two small black pebbles appear to blink. "Geodude!"
"Adam," Navi whispers into the thief's ear, "Have you ever been in a pokemon battle before?"
The thief shakes his head, "I haven't."
"Thought so," grumbles the Dex AI, "Alright. Here's what you do. Call a move that your pokemon knows, and it will attack the other pokemon. Try calling Metal Claw."
"Salam! Use Metal Claw!" Adam yells. Salam rushes forward at the rocks, claws glowing silver as he strikes the pile in its face. The orange lizard backflips away from a counterattack.
"Nice," Flint states, "but can you get out of the hole you dug? Geodude, use Rock Smash!"
The pile of rocks quakes again before moving and smashing several rocks in the area. Salam glances about nervously at the shards of rock scattered about. "Great! Now use Earthquake!"
As the building shakes, Salam bounces around into pieces of rock. Each harms him a little, and as the quake dies down, the lizard is visibly shaken.
"Adam, you should withdraw him. Send out Deoxys," Navi commands. The thief nods and returns the lizard. He throws out another sphere, and the orange alien materializes.
"Ah, a battle. Am I to assume that I am not to kill?" Deoxys questions fluently.
"No killing. Take out Geodude, but do not kill it," Adam states.
"The challenger has swapped out Charmander for Deoxys!" Jenny calls, "Begin."
The alien vanishes instantly. "Geodude, use Earthquake," the gym leader yells. The pile of rocks move to slam into the ground, but are struck out of the air by the alien's quick attack. Geodude flies into the wall, eyes closed in defeat.
"Geodude is unable to battle. Leader Flint, send out your next pokemon."
"Return, Geodude. Go, Onix!"
"Onix, use Magnitude!"
A large snake made of rock slithers about the arena, causing it to shake.
Deoxys blinks out of existence again. "Flint, tell me something. You know every person to enter and exit the town, correct?" questions the thief, "So do you know of a man called Masque?"
"Onix, use Bind!" Flint yells, "It's possible I might have heard something. Unfortunately, I can't seem to remember. Maybe if you win, I will remember."
Deoxys slams into the snake's head. The large rock snake grunts, shaking its head before screeching, sending the alien to its knees. It wraps its body around the alien, squeezing it. "Oh dear," Deoxys states, "What a bind I find myself in."
The thief recalls Deoxys, sending out Salam again. "Metal Claw!" The orange lizard rushes at the surprised snake, lashing out with glowing claws. The snake roars again before falling to the ground.
"Leader Flint has no pokemon available to battle. Challenger wins!" Jenny yells. The thief recalls Salam, walking over to the gym leader.
"Tell me of Masque!" the thief demands, "Tell me where he is!"
"Relax, kid," the gym leader soothes, returning the massive snake, "Have patience. Let's go to the pokecenter and talk there."
Smoke. Fire everywhere. Burning beams falling. Screaming. Scorching pain. Coughing. She rushes through the burning building on short legs. Flames. Thick clouds of smoke. Lungs burning. She trips over a smoldering ember. Pain. Soot covering her skin. Eyes watering. Help! Flee. She crawls weakly. Flames. Searing planks. She whimpers, pulling her knees to her chest. Help. Orange tongues of flame lick at her, threatening to engulf her. She cries, tears drying before they can fall. Fire. Pain. Death.
Weakly, she opens her eyes at the sound of a voice. A man wearing green stares down at her. Her eyes close again. She feels the man pick her up, commanding something to use water gun. Cold liquid soaks her and the man.
"You'll be alright," he soothes the crying girl, "It'll be alright."
Still carrying the girl, the man in the green clothes rushes out of the building. He whispers a word under his breath, his speed increasing.
She coughs, smoke leaving her lungs into the fresh night air. Frantic voices fill the night sky as the girl closes her eyes to sleep.
Screaming, Lily sits up straight, glancing into the worried eyes of her traveling partner.
"Are you alright?" the thief asks her. She hugs him and cries into his shoulder.
"Thank you for saving me," she whispers.
"I couldn't leave you there to die," he replies, rubbing her back, "now could I?"
She sniffles, pulling away, "Nope."
"So..." she whispers slowly.
"So..." he replies.
"Adam," a man calls. The girl stares at the dark skinned man. "You wanted me to tell you what I know of Masque."
Adam pulls away from her. She clings to him, and he replies to the man that he did.
"Masque... A strange fellow. Carried around a pack filled to the brim with masks. He stayed with me and my son for a few days, then left abruptly, saying he had places to be and he wanted me to give something to the one who searches for him. I believe he went northeast towards Cerulean City," the man pauses, stroking his beard, "Hold on. I'll be right back."
The man leaves the two together. "Cerulean City?" Lily whispers, "How long has it been?"
"You say something?" Adam asks, turning to look at her. She shakes her head as the man returns to the room.
"Ah yes, here you are," the man tosses a small green microchip and a small golden ring to the thief, who snatches them out of the air, "I don't know what they are... but they must be important."
The thief stares at the chip intently, and as if acting instinctively, he pulls out his pokedex and places the card in it. He stares at the pokedex before returning his gaze to the man, "Thank you... for everything."
"No," the man states, shaking his head, "thank you! Oh, I almost forgot! When Nurse Joy healed your pokemon, she signed you up for the league. Congratulations, you have won the Boulder Badge."
"You beat the gym leader?" Lily asks in surprise. The thief nods, "Wow, that's impressive! You must be a great trainer!"
"Ha! He won because he let his pokemon battle for him. He called out only two commands. The rest of the battle his pokemon battled for him," the man chuckles, "Might want to be careful, man. Once Pokemon get too smart, they will attempt to overthrow us."
"I thought you called me kid," the thief states.
"You proved your worth when you beat me," the gym leader laughs, "Anyways, your pokemon are healed. Oh, girl. Nurse Joy said she healed your pokemon as well. Take care, Lily."
The man stands before walking out of the room. Adam turns to face her, "You have pokemon?"
"Yeah," she admits sheepishly, "I do."
"...Are you feeling better?" the thief asks.
She nods, "Yeah. I am. Should we get going?"
"Probably. You slept for almost a day, you know," Adam stands, helping her to her feet, "I was worried sick. You were crying and groaning and whimpering, you know. It was really frightening."
"It... it was just a nightmare," she admits. The thief nods, understanding her plight, "It was horrible. I was back in my hometown on the night it was destroyed. Fire was everywhere. The town was burnt to the ground. Only I was saved by someone with quick thinking."
"I'm really sorry," Adam whispers, hugging her. She blinks in surprise, "that you had to go through that."
"It's alright..." she trails off. She jumps suddenly, remembering something, and rushes into the main room of the pokecenter. The woman in pink hair stands behind a desk, jumping when she spots the girl.
"Oh, you're awake! Great," she exclaims, "just perfect! I took the liberty of healing your pokemon for you. You know," the woman whispers, "you are extremely lucky to have him. He saved your life."
Adam walks over, "You get your pokemon?"
"Oh! Adam! Here are your pokemon back," the pink-haired woman smiles, handing him three pokeballs, "and miss, here are yours back. Take care, you two!"
They walk outside. One of the thief's three pokeballs shakes suddenly and releases Sola in a burst of light. "Eevee!"
"Awww!" Lily coos, picking up the creature, "You are still so cute!"
Adam stops suddenly and pulls out the golden ring from his pocket. He tilts his head as if hearing someone speak before placing the ring, which clicks open, on his ear. He nods as it glows pure white. "That's better," the thief states, "Let's get going."
"What is that?" Lily questions, walking after Adam with Sola in her arms, "What does it do?"
"It's just an earring," the thief admits, "It doesn't do anything."
"Alright," she nods. They walk onward in awkward silence. Adam tilts his head every so often, as if listening to unspoken words. Occasionally he'll nod in reply to those unspoken words. Lily observes this strange behavior, but out of respect, doesn't speak of it.
After several hours of this awkward silence, the trio finally happen upon a cave. The thief tilts his head, staring at it. He nods and motions for Lily to follow.
Instead of the expected pitch-black of a cave, the trio are met with bright, almost blinding light. "Why are these light up?" Adam questions. Strange purple bats fly around him. He draws his sword and slices them, causing the damned bats to rest in peace.
"Gah! Stupid creatures," the thief growls, "Remind me of the damned Keese of home."
Adam follows the trail of lights, searching for the culprit. After various bat attacks, he finally chances upon two characters in black garb.
"Why are we doing this again?" the first figure questions. His voice carries, and the thief glares in recognition.
"Boss said he had heard reports of a rare mutation in a pokemon that dwells deep within the cave. He said that the mutation causes any who it touches to lose the ability to attack! Think of how useful that would be! None would stand in our way," the second figure growls, "the way of Team Rocket!"
"Hey," Adam calls angrily, "What do you think you're doing?"
"That voice," the first figure growls, "Bonnie, we recognize that voice."
"Indeed we do, Clyde," the second figure snaps. The two turn around slowly, glaring at the thief.
"You're the bastard who killed our pokemon!" Clyde roars.
"And the bitch who he helped!" Bonnie bellows.
"That's me," Adam chuckles, "You know, I myself am a thief."
"Bull shit," Clyde snaps, "You're too much of a do-gooder to be a thief."
"No, really," the thief laughs, "It's true. Unfortunately, I was forced into it. I despise crooks who steal for fun. I'm afraid I can't let you go."
"...Boss said if we were to run into you again, that we should flee," Clyde growls, "but I want revenge! Lapras, front and center!"
"I can't let you take down Clyde. Vulpix, time to fight!" Bonnie yells. Each toss a strange black sphere forward, and two pokemon materialize from the black energy. The first is a small turtle. Its eyes glow red, contrasting with its black scaly skin. The second is a dark violet fox with three tails. Black eyes glare at the thief.
"We stole them from the daycare," Clyde brags, "It was simplicity in itself. Two new-born pokemon ripe for the taking. It's only natural that we then closed their hearts, creating two powerful shadow pokemon!"
"Clyde, shut up," Bonnie snaps, "and focus. Vulpix, Shadow Tackle that bastard!"
"Lapras, Shadow Beam, on the double!"
The violet fox rushes at Adam, a violet aura surrounding it. He pulls out his sword, using the flat of it to stop the fox in its tracks. He whispers a word under his breath as a black beam of ice races towards him. His ears twitch as his blade absorbs the beam. The thief grunts, not expecting such power. He shakes his head and swings the blade in the direction of the two Team Rocket grunts. The beam, now pure white and double in size, hits the diabolical duo and sends them crashing through the walls of the cave.
He glares in the direction the grunts flew before pulling two spheres from his pocket. "Wait," Lily calls, "You can't steal other people's pokemon like that!"
"We're thieves," Adam retorts, "Why not?"
"Because the pokeballs won't work on pokemon that have already been captured! Try it, and the spheres will have gone to waste."
He curses under his breath, "Damn."
"I detect an anomaly in the fabric of nature," Navi chimes out of the blue, "Adam. Do you own a glowing object from the moon?"
He glances down at his pocket. "I do," he states pulling out a strange beautiful rock. It glows with the aura of the moon, "Why?"
"Tap the two spheres with it and toss them at the Shadow pokemon," Navi commands, "Now!"
He glances at the three objects in slight confusion, but seeing no harm in it, taps the spheres with the Moon's Tear.
"Now, capture the Shadow Pokemon!"
He tosses the two pokeballs at the Shadow Pokemon. The spheres open in a burst of violent blue light, that sucks the two shadows into the them. The Lapras wails a mournful song as it disintegrates, the Vulpix silently glaring. The two spheres click shut and roll back to the thief. He glances at them, seeing that they no longer appear half-white and half-red. Instead, their design is that half is the crystal cyan of the Moon's Tear and the other the volatile violet of the shadow aura. He places them in the dispenser of the pokedex which dings to signify the successful capture.
"That shouldn't be possible," Lily mutters under her breath, "at all."
"It still happened," Adam admits while shrugging. A purple bat screeches and dive-bombs the thief's head, who slices its wings off nonchalantly, "and I want to get out of this damned cave!"
