CHAPTER FOUR: STARLIT PEAK
"What exactly are shards?" Tepig asked.
"I told you I cannot reveal their importance!" Shaymin replied, as he drank his juice prepared by Audino. "But there is a legend. These shards are weapons of an ancient legendary Pokémon. It is said that he used them against a great evil."
Suddenly, I had a splitting head ache as I buckled to the ground. The real world faded as a vision flickered on like a television receiving weak signals. I fell to the floor as my vision took clarity and the real world was blocked out.
My vision was similar to the dreams I was having. The figure in my dreams became clearer.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I am… Mesprit." The voice said.
Suddenly the vision faded into complete blackness. When I woke up, I was lying on my hay bed as Shaymin and Tepig paced across my room. When Shaymin saw that I had woken up, he stopped pacing and helped me up. I swatted away his helpful limb as I struggled to get up on my own.
"What happened?"
I told them everything.
"You need to visit Gothitelle. She will know more."
I remembered Tepig telling me about the elders and Gothitelle and how she was never around.
"Gothitelle spends much of her time on Starlit Peak, a mountain surrounded by the dangerous Stormy Plains. It is a long journey, but you must go. You must travel to find the truth."
"And how come you never mentioned that she used to be a human?!" He said, directed at Tepig.
"well, was it important?"
"Of course! This has happened before. A Human turned into a Pokémon, causing the world's balance to be upset. Maybe history is repeating itself. You must seek the truth about your past. Go forth!"
That night I pondered Shaymin's words. According to him, if I visited Starlit Peak, I could have many of my questions answered. He had also mentioned that I must make the journey alone. I decided to leave at the break of dawn. All night sleep eluded me, which was frustrating, as I wanted to meet with Mesprit once more. I gave up all hope as the sun peeked over the forest horizon. I carried the team tool box, stocked with a few provisions and made my way to Stormy Plains. The stormy plains were vast plains that surrounded Starlit Peak, and a perpetual layer storm clouds lay overhead. The plains experienced heavy rains along with thunder and lighting. It was said that Starlit Peak was located directly in the center of the storm, where there was utter calm. Gothitelle often looked through this 'Eye of The Storm', her third eye, towards the star strewn skies and told the future of Pokémon.
As I trudged across the marshy plains against the cold biting rain I encountered some foes such as Swanna, Quagsire, Lombre, and Castform. Gradually, the mountain loomed up ahead. When I reached its foot, I found a cave leading to a maze of underground passageways. A rock partially covered the entrance, allowing for access. A small Pokémon had its tail stuck under the rock and was trying to free itself. I extended two vines and pulled. The Pokémon was freed.
"Hello, I'm Oshawott. Nice to meet you!" I shook his hand and was about to make my way in when his eyes widened with terror.
"You don't wanna go there! Cave-ins all over the place! And the river emerges from the tunnels of the mountain into a thundering waterfall on the other side is raging and fills up many of the caves. You can't cross here!"
I told him I didn't want to cross, but instead I wanted to make it to the peak. He looked at me like I was mad. "Only I water Pokémon will survive in there!"
I shrugged and once again attempted to move onward.
"Wait, I'll come with you."
I explained the nature of my visit and that I must visit Gothitelle alone.
"Fine, you go onward, but I'll wait for you right here!"
I tried to tell him it was fine, but I didn't have the patience to counter all his protests, so I finally gave in and went ahead.
The way up to the peak wounded its way in and out of the mountain. As I emerger to the outer paths, I could see the thick storm clouds closer. A clear ring was defined in the spirally arranged clouds. This ring was exactly over the peak and from where I was I couldn't make out was within it.
The caves were dotted with Pokémon such as Rogenrolla, Ferrothorn, Aerodactyl, Skarmory, Klink, Magneton, Probopass, Tirtuoga, Armaldo, Relicanth and Carracosta. The water Pokémon dwelled in several pools. The walls were covered in minerals that refracted the light from a few glowing flowers to give several colors. As I gained height, a thundering sound grew louder. When I entered the next tunnel, I realized my way was blocked by a rushing stream that ran across my path. I wondered what to do. Finally I decided to use the VineShot to swing across the river's width.
The next time I encountered the river, was when it joined my path from a side tunnel. I looked ahead at the path I needed to go, filled with water that would probably pummel me to pieces. I pulled out the VineShot and swung from one stalactite to another, my three pronged tail briefly dipping in water. All I could do was hope I would have places to aim the vine at. I realized I had hoped to soon as the vine extended uselessly in the air before the end crashed into the flat ceiling and I fell towards the water.
I felt I had been body slammed with tremendous force as the water launched me into the air before it cascaded into a large rock pool at the foot of the mountain. I had reached the waterfall. As I flung through the air everything seemed to slow down. The ground didn't rush up as fast. I looked at the storm clouds and the slow falling torrent of rain. My brain worked at hyper speed as I looked at my options. I quickly observed a rock jutting out from the mountain a foot above the mouth of the waterfall and aimed my VineShot. I swung forward back into the cave and as I reached the end of the oscillation, I swung back and landed softly on a platform to the side of the waterfall.
The platform was a road that curved around the mountain towards the peak. It was strewn with glittering dust, the same colors as the mineral in the caves. It looked like a multi-colored sky beneath my feet. I slowly climbed up to the peak. The first thing I noticed was the sky. Thousands of stars were littered across the sky as if all the stars hidden by the cloud cover had moved over and were concentrated in a single ring. The edges of the ring were tall storm clouds giving the impression of viewing through a gigantic monocle in the sky. At the center of the peak which was in fact a small crater, was a circular pool that was a foot deep and almost as wide as the peak crater. The pool was still as glass. I soon guessed that it served the purpose of a reflecting pool, as a tall black Pokémon was peering into it.
"The stars always tell a story." She stated. I stood across the pool from her and waited.
"They tell me a strange tale about you." She said, followed by another pause. Gothitelle a tall slender body with what appeared as several layers of petticoats, which in fact were part of her body. From her head where ears were supposed to be, there radiated several disc like structures that resembled hair. Her eyes were mysterious and her expression was absolutely neutral.
"Your life… is long. Too long." She peered once more into the pool. Then she directly looked at the stars and looked back at the pool. As if she had arrived at some conclusion, she looked up with a somewhat satisfied look in her eyes. She bore them into mine as she said, "You were a human, yes?" A pause followed, but she didn't seem to expect an answer.
"And you have lost your memories."
I started getting annoyed. First she began by talking in riddles about stars, then she stated the obvious. I deferred from interrupting her, hoping her next revelation would be something useful.
"I have come to a conclusion. Though the stars tell of an unusually long life, you tell a different tale." Then pausing for buildup, she revealed with a triumphant stare, only her eyes deceiving any emotion, "You are not from our time."
This time she was waiting for a reply, but I had none. I stood there, speechless. I tried to fit some pieces together, but I couldn't. Finally I turned to Gothitelle and asked her for further information.
"You are from another time, whether from the past or the future, I do not know. The stars also speak of a great danger, and of a Pokémon of darkness that approaches you, and threatens your life. You must survive, for if you are from the future, you will throw the future of the world into eternal peril. You play a grand role in the fate of the Universe, little one." I waved away my flicker of annoyance at being called 'Little One' and focused my mind on the rush of revelations. A Pokémon of darkness was coming for me and was about to threaten my life. I had to survive that, not for me, but for the universe, which I also had to somehow prevent from meeting a grim fate. And here I thought I was an insignificant person who had become a Pokémon and lost her memory due to some kind of accident.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew. A small white object zoomed past me and struck Gothitelle and zoomed back behind me. Gothitelle fell to the floor unconscious. I ran towards the descending path and saw Oshawott cowering in the shadows. I questioned his presence.
"After you left, I thought should follow you in case you fell into any sort of… trouble." As he said this, his white cheeks turned red, as he avoided eye contact.
I was touched by his concern but was still trying to figure the origin of the white object. I asked him if he seen anything go by.
"No I didn't…so er, what did she tell you?"
I considered for a while whether to tell him or not. I decided that it could lead to no harm.
"Oh, that's it?" He asked, not able to hide his disappointment. I gave him a suspicious look.
"I mean, er… shouldn't we check on Gothitelle?" He waddled to the top and around the pool to Gothitelle. Suddenly, a strong wind blew as the storm clouds closed in and the clear ring began to grow small. "What is happening?" Oshawott asked, as he began to panic. The clouds rumbled and heavy rain disturbed the reflecting pool. I was almost thrown off the cliff before a small white cloud carried me back to the peak. Two strong blue arms threw me roughly back onto the peak. Oshwott began to rise in the air as winds carried him upward. From behind him, a tall Pokémon flying on a small white cloud with a green body rose, apparently controlling the winds. He had a long purple tail and a white hair on his head and face. He grinned maliciously as he reached his arms forward and held Oshawott. I was surprised with the delicacy with which he held him, considering that the blue arms behind me had treated a lady so disrespectfully. I spun around and saw a similar Pokémon with a blue body and a black spiky tail. Both the Pokémon laughed as they began to circle the peak. The green Pokémon, Tornadus, started revolving his arms as a strong gale was generated. I was instantly blown off the peak. The blue Pokémon, Thundurus, thrust his fist which met stopped me in my trajectory. In that one swift motion, bolts of lightning descended from the storm clouds and surrounded his arm. As his fist make contact, a shock rattled through my body and I teetered on the edge of consciousness. The force of the punch threw me back into the crater as the two Pokémon resumed their circling as if they were sizing their prey. I shivered with fear and in awe of their tremendous power.
I glanced at Tornadus in time to notice Oshawott being launched into the air directly at me. His eyes had a mad glint in them. Suddenly, as Oshawott made contact, a black energy radiated from him and turned into an explosive pulse as I was thrown back across the crater. Oshawott landed on his feet as Iay on the ground, my eyes threatening to close. I peered at the distant horizon and saw the first few rays of sunshine emerge from behind the mountain peaks. Once more he charged at me and swiftly drew a slash across me with his small white shell, creating a momentary dark line in the fabric of space. I writhed with terrible pain that made my eyeballs roll back into my head.
Finally Oshawott waddled up to me and let lose a pitch black Shock wave. I felt dazed as I experienced a splitting headache and an unexplained will to throw myself off the peak. As I clambered to the peak to escape from Oshawott, the black haze cleared, and Oshawott had disappeared. In his place a black Pokémon stood. The Pokémon had a fox-like body with black fur streaked with red. His eyes had an evil spark in them as he bounded up to me. He raised his head as if he were sniffing blood, and then howled loudly as the clouds parted, revealing the setting moon. Tornadus and Thundurus were bobbing in the air, patiently waiting.
"I will have your hide, you pesky little girl!"
I noticed the use of the word 'girl'. This Pokémon knew me, even though I didn't know him and he knew I used to be a Pokémon.
The Pokémon called Zoroark threw his head back and laughed loudly.
"The poor little girl had her memory erased! I thought that was enough… you had forgotten everything, and you would leave the Shards alone. But no! you had to collect them, as if a subconscious force that triumphs your memory drives you to do it. Well, no longer! I will take care of you, and then I will drink your blood!" He said.
The Pokémon laughed again. As I trembled with fear, I tried to stand still and act brave. However, Zoroark seemed to be able to sense fear, as this did not bother him in the least. Suddenly he charged at me and pinned me against the wall of the crater. He pinned my body down with the second claw. He drew near until his snout was almost touching my nose. His eyes were full of hatred and his heckles were risen. A deep rumbling sound emerged from his throat as he snarled aggressively. The moment he snarled, a force emanated from him. I squirmed in pain and tried to free myself. The moment my power had been drained to the limit, I felt a surge of power and a memory return to me.
My mother's face came into view. She was a woman with a face that could have you transfixed. She wasn't especially beautiful, but a strange aura surrounded her that drew you towards her. I told her about a bully that was troubling me in school. "Remember, Sera, you will always have greater power in times of greater need. For example, look at little Ivy playing in the garden. She has a special ability called Overgrow that gives her great power when she is hurt! Believe like her; believe that you too have Overgrow!" The memory faded as reality hit me.
I closed my eyes as Zoroark rambled about how I must be stopped, and about the danger of eliminating the darkness that contaminated the shards. I opened my eyes and concentrated on the rays of sunshine. I began absorbing solar energy. Though I didn't know how to use Solar Beam, I knew I could use this power to attack. That combined with my renewed vigor from Overgrow, I felt any move I used would be greatly I empowered. Zoroark readied his Snarl once more, but I suddenly used great force to free myself and he was caught off guard. Zoroark stumbled backwards but immediately steadied himself. I unleashed all the energy I had collected into a ball and with a fluid movement I slammed my tail into it, sending it towards Zoroark. Tornadus and Thundurus roared, and made to attack me when Zoroark stopped them.
"No! I must have this. This pesky brat thinks she can defeat me! Well I teach her different." Tornadus and Thundurus backed away as Zoroark bounded towards me with a great velocity. He leaped into the air and let lose a Dark Pulse. I felt reassured by the fact that it was dawn, and Zoroark's time of greatest power had passed. The dark pulse hit me, and I threatened to break. At the last moment I composed myself. I was completely exhausted, but my Overgrow had only heightened. I gently rose and collected all the power inside of me. Instead of attempting an Energy Ball, I twirled forwards towards Zoroark. Zoroark readied another Dark Pulse, but as my tail made contact with him, energy flowed from him into me. He seemed to grow weak, as I grew stronger. I realized I was using Giga Drain. Zoroark stumbled. Before he could regain his composure, the floor of the crater split down the middle. The mountain began to rumble as the fissure grew wide. Zoroark teetered on the edge of the Abyss. The ground spit with one final burst as a tall Pokémon zoomed out. He was similar to Tornadus and Thundurus and floated upon a cloud. His body had an earthy color and his tail was brown with red bumps. Landorus slammed his tail onto the ground near Zoroark who was thrown off due to the force.
"You are going to regret this!" He boomed at Thundurus and Tornadus, his loud baritone filling the atmosphere. "Be gone, before I deal with you myself!" Tornadus and Thundurus looked at each other and back at Landorus. With an angry glare they flew off into the distance.
"NO!" screamed Zoroark. Landorus slammed him once more with his tail and he was flung off the mountain. I had been holding onto consciousness till then and gave in.