I'm glad at least someone is enjoying it haha :D Your replies mean a lot. Thank you 3 =)

As an aside: when I originally wrote this I actually got confused between Ice and Lightning Island. Ice Island is the one with the spear in the middle, not Lightning. Although it doesn't matter too much for the continuation of the story, I thought I'd point it out in case there be trolls afoot.

Chapter Three

Thunderstruck

"So this is Lightning Island?" I asked absently as I surveyed the mass of land before me. We had arrived at the island barely five minutes prior, and neither of us had spoken a word since.

"Aye," he responded; his gruff tone was beginning to irritate me - there are few people I can stand to bear for more than twenty minutes. Captain Jeffery Patrick was engaging himself in anchoring the boat, no doubt in an attempt to spend as little time with me as possible. Rather than being insulted, I was mildly grateful. His company had long ago become oppressive. Just a pity I needed him to aid my search.

"Did you find anything here?" I asked, stepping off the boat; the sand, soft from the ocean, depressed under my feet. The island was a rather gloomy place: it had no vibrancy or colour of its own and, in the night, the entire island was consumed in a dark hue. Rocks littered the beach, lining the entire coastline; and a slight elevation rose to the centre, where a pillar stood, reaching into the heavens. So this was the nesting place of the legendary Zapdos? I caught myself mid-question. I already knew this; it was different being here on foot. Suddenly things were real. Before they were mere pawns but standing on the same ground as the bird was somewhat…visceral. More real.

There is something here, I can feel it. I knew, somehow I knew, my goal was here. This was the beginning of my triumphant return to glory. Nothing would ever stand in my way again. I would not be beaten: all obstacles would either move aside or be crushed under my heel like the pathetic bugs they were. My gaze lingered upon the weary-looking sailor finishing up his works with the boat. I had but one question left: Where was the answer?

I struggled to keep my excitement at bay; it bubbled to the surface with a nervous tension. It was not common for me to be overcome with emotion of any sort, but today was a different case. Since my defeat, I have become weak, it seems. My hands shook slightly, balled into fists, as I scanned the island, looking for any sign of a cave, a cavern, anything.

There was a small nook in the cliff-face a short way along the shore. I began to clamber over the rocks, neglecting my companion.

"Oi! Where're ya goin'?" the brute called after me, noticing me leave. His speech was made incomprehensible to me due to my frenzied state. I had to find the secrets of Lightning Island and I was not going to be stopped.

Rocks scratched and tore at my clothes and skin. Small droplets of blood were quickly joined on the ground by tattered silk and cotton. None of this mattered, however, as I was as close to my future as ever before. Vaulting over the final boulder, I fell into the small cavern. My excitement fled me; my vigour deserted me. I had leapt into a hole. This was nothing but a small hole in the side of a cliff!

"You!" I called to the sailor, who was running to catch me. "You! Assist my escape from this wretched pit immediately!" The Captain was hasty in his helping me. I was pleasantly surprised at how compliant death threats made people. I dusted myself off, looking around frantically again. There had to be something; how could I be so close and fail?

My eyes finally came to rest upon their goal; they had found what I was searching for. There was no hole in the side of the cliff, no cavern on the shore, no pit. Lightning Island held secrets, treasures, and I knew where they were. I observed the central pillar of the island. It was immense, seemingly extending forever. It easily penetrated the clouds; the peak was shrouded. How trite… I mused.

"Go! Rhydon!" I bellowed, throwing a Pokeball to the foot of the pillar. The Pokemon carefully rose to its feet, stretching its rock form. A roar swept across the island as Rhydon opened its mouth, revealing two rows of teeth as strong as its hide. The Pokemon waved its stone tail and flexed its fingers, stomping the ground, making it quake.

"Rhydon, Horn Drill!" The monster released another roar as it spun its horn. The air around the appendage spun with it as the speed increased. With speed alarming for its build, Rhydon plunged its horn into the rock-face of the massive pillar. I allowed a satisfied smirk to grace my face, watching my Pokemon lead me to my glory.

"Oi! I thought you said you never had a Pokemon?"

"You are naïve, aren't you?" It was not a question, but laden with exasperation all the same. My smirk widened as I watched the indignity dance across his face.

"Oh! Well, shut it, you!" His voice was laced with genuine anger, something that amused me.

"You will do as I say, not the other way round." I smiled, knowing I was in complete control.

"What else didya lie about?" he questioned, changing tact.

"Oh, you do catch on quick. I assure you, you know nothing of the real me." The seaman narrowed his eyes, obviously berating himself mentally for being so foolishly trusting.

"Fine! But I still want my money!"

"Of course you will be paid," I laughed, unintentionally disguising my sarcasm.

"Good." He sat on a nearby rock and placed his head on his palms, watching Rhydon. I turned my attention back to my drilling operation to see Rhydon making very little progress.

"Rhydon!" The beast turned to face the speaker. "You are not being successful. Do not be so pathetic and drill through!"

The behemoth roared again, irate that it would be spoken to in such a manner. I threw more small insults at the Pokemon, increasing its ferocity.

"Why do I insist on associating myself with such weak Pokemon?" I sighed. The Rhydon snapped. It could not contain its rage and leapt at me, landing barely two feet away. The monster screeched again before levelling its glare on me. I looked into its eyes, smirking at the evil rage that had consumed them. I was successful.

"Drill," I commanded but the Pokemon refused, roaring again. Nodding, I pulled a small electronic wand from my robe and poked the Rhydon viciously in the stomach. A spark of energy shocked the Pokemon, calming it – or, at least, instilling the understanding that I was its owner back into it.

"Drill," I said, a little more assertively this time; the Pokemon submitted, obeying my instructions and returning to its work.

"Good boy," I commented quietly, watching the Rhydon assault the stone with renewed power and intensity.

I let out a yelp of pain, leaping into the air. My ankle felt as though it had been hacked with a knife. Looking down, I saw a Krabby scuttling across the rock I stood on. Anger coursed through me. How dare that pathetic creature touch me? I thought. Reaching down, I stabbed the crab with the small wand, electrocuting the pest.

After a short while, Rhydon had broken through the wall; and I summoned the beast into its ball. After the red light from the capsule dissipated, there was total darkness. Night had fully set in and even the moon could not penetrate the darkness.

I had to carefully trek over rocks to reach the opening. My excitement was brewing once more…soon I would have what I needed. I obtained a few more cuts and abrasions but nothing that could deter me from reaching my objective. I reached the opening. It was small but large enough for me to make it through. Eagerly, I climbed into the shaft of the pillar.

Falling to the floor as an exit, I took a moment to gather my wits and suppress my anticipation. I was in the centre of the pillar; the stone walls appeared scorched. I suppose that the Legendary Zapdos' electricity would have to have been the culprit. No other Lightning Pokemon was powerful enough to cause such markings. I was sitting on a ledge, overlooking the middle sand floor.

I continued looking; searching for any defining feature but it was to no avail. This structure was as dull inside as it was on the outside. There was no statue, no chest. I took a small glass orb from my robe. The small power inside it was still nowhere to be seen. I had failed once again.

How could I have been wrong? I have the Treasure of Lightning Island, but it is powerless. Am I missing something? Wh-

My thoughts were interrupted as the orb flashed, causing a yellow light to linger in the chamber. I looked at the treasure in my hand: still dormant. A small yellow object glowed on the floor; I only noticed it through the orb and immediately leapt onto the sand to retrieve it. My heart was beating furiously. This was it. I frantically cast handful after handful of sand away and revealed a small spike glowing with a yellow hue.

My excitement became shock and grew as the light radiating from the spike deserted it in a flash of blinding, golden energy. I threw my arm over my eyes to protect them and cautiously removed it. My eyes widened, my heart almost spilled from my mouth as my excitement overflowed; there was a small bolt of lightning inside the glass orb and warmth radiated from it.

A single tear fled my eye as I rose to my feet. I shrugged it to my shoulders, removing any trace of emotion from my face and climbed through the opening once again.

"Did ya find anythin'?" The inevitable greed was not hidden well in his voice.

"No," I answered sadly. "Nothing in there. Perhaps it will be on Fire Island. Shall we set sail?" I must be a natural born thespian as the sailor gave me a sympathetic look and started toward the ship, his shoulder slumped. Whether because I failed to find something or he would not be able to get a share is a mystery for the ages.

I stepped onto the boat, maintaining my stone-faced façade; the orb still clutched in my hand underneath the fabric of my garments.

"Maybe next one, mate," he said, placing a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. It was hard for me not to protest but I continued the act. I did wonder, however, why he was now being so kind, so compassionate. No doubt, there was something to gain.

"Fire Island'll have something, it'ill, I'm sure."

"Yes…"

If Fire Island holds the same rewards as this island, it will not be long before the ultimate prize, Lugia, will feel my wrath.