Chapter 6: A Beast and a Capture (Emma)
Back sore. Throat itchy. Sheets under me damp, salty smell. I opened my eyes a little; bright white light was comin' in from the window, another cloudy mornin'. The blankets were messy by my feet, my blouse, skirt and underwear was all in a pile next to this queen-size bed, and I could barely see the top 'a Dragon's Claw from the window.
I took a breath and sat up, little pins pokin' at my back as I did, and touched my hair; it was even more knotty than yesterday. This bedroom on the second-floor 'a the staff buildin' was real small; just the bed I was in and a night-table, no furniture. The door in the far corner was closed, locked too, thankfully. On the table on my right was a water bottle – a plastic one, not opened yet – and a little digital clock that said, "7:26 A.M. March 25th, 0215."
"Oh," I muttered under my breath. "Missed my walk with Yorick. …Guess he knows why."
I picked up the water bottle and crackin' it open, takin a little sip. The water was cool, finally makin' the itch in my throat feel better. I grabbed the pile 'a clothes from the floor and picked my panties out, puttin' them on again.
Wood creaked under the last couple stairs as I stepped down, stopped by the front doors. I smoothed out my skirt and blouse for wrinkles again and looked back. Two flights 'a stairs wound up and down, one on my left and one on my right. Back 'a me was a wooden front desk, no one sittin' there, papers and folders all over. Behind it was a little livin' space; two couches in front of'a big table, chairs, a red rug on the hardwood floor, big window on the other end 'a the room. Doors on either side, smaller tables next to them. The one on the right was open, and a hall just past it.
"Testing, one two three, sibilance," Yorick's voice came from speakers outside. I looked down at my clothes; still a bit wrinkly, it'll have to do. I took a big breath, then I turned 'round and pushed one 'a the doors open, steppin' out.
Campers were already in a big group in front 'a the stage by the clubhouse. Only three or four more was comin' outta the cabins, and they scampered to the crowd. Some 'a the staff was lined up behind the wood stage; their green uniforms had bright green G's on the shoulder now. Yorick was standin' right in the middle 'a the stage, fixin' up the microphone stand, also in uniform. He looked by the staff buildin' and saw me; a little half-grin was on his face.
My heart leapt up, and my shoulders rose with a big breath, nearly by itself. I smiled again and looked back at him, even after he started watchin' the crowds again…
"Emma!" Ruva popped up next to me, starin' with those big, crazy eyes 'a hers.
"Oh," I shook my head, shoulder's droppin'. "Hey, Ruva."
"I've been lookin' all over for ya! Where was ya last night?"
"…Well, I was-"
"Oh you was talkin' to Yorick? About Team Gamma?"
"Yeah… We were talkin' a bit."
She turned 'round, and we started walkin' to the crowd a people. At the edge 'a the group, two more guys were listenin' to a third ramble.
"Ain't it awesome?" Ruva bounced a bit. "It makes so much sense when he talks 'bout it! Like, how else are we gonna get anythin' done with Parlaiment standin' in our way?!"
"Yeah, I dunno…" I nodded and closed my eyes.
"Ruva," Blake's voice spoke easy. I opened my eyes again and looked back; Blake was right behind us, wearin' the same jeans, shoes and hoodie, just a plain blue tee this time.
"Oh hey Blake!" Ruva turned 'round all the way.
"You know, Matt had a few questions on Team Gamma if you'd like answer them," Blake pointed at the other side 'a the crowd. Matt was standin' with a group 'a guys, and he was waivin' at us.
"Oh boy!" Ruva jumped up and down. "Come on!"
"We'll be right there," he put his hands behind is back. Ruva turned and ran across the court, burstin' into Matt's group.
"Thanks," I said quietly, rubbin' my forehead.
"Don't mention it," Blake answered. "She's still in Gamma's fan-club, I see. Any word from Yorick?"
"Nah, he was… a little vague. Nothin' we didn't know before."
"Hmmm… We'll figure it out soon, don't worry. She won't be like this for long."
I took a big breath, and let it out real slow, lookin' at the grass right in front 'a us. Blake just crossed his arms and looked over, to the mountains behind the clubhouse.
"May I have your attention, please," Yorick's voice came from the speakers again.
The chit-chat stopped around us, and everyone looked at the stage. Yorick was standin' in the middle and over everyone else, microphone in front 'a his mouth.
"…We have just a few announcements on this fine morning," he said to the mic. "First, the staff and I would like to remind you-"
A loud, echoey roar drowned out the speakers. Everyone looked off to the mountains by the clinic, but we couldn't see nothin'. The roar rang on the hills and faded back to quiet.
"…Wonder what that was," Blake whispered.
"I got no clues," I whispered back.
"Hmm," Yorick turned to the people. "First, the staff and I would like to remind you to stay on camp grounds at all times. My salamences are here for your safety, and while they are very well trained, they may be… slightly, more aggressive than necessary, should anyone stray too far."
"Yeah, no shit," Blake mumbled under his breath.
"Blake," I made a glance at him.
"With that out of the way, I will briefly go over today's schedule," Yorick reached for his back pocket and pulled out a notecard. "For today only, the Claim Jumper will be open for-"
Another loud roar from the mountains, echoin' to quiet. Campers and workers looked off, then at each other. Yorick stopped again, glancin' back at his closest staff member and waivin' him up. He rushed up the stairs and stopped ay Yorick's side.
"Prep two salamences, I want eyes on the north mountains in sixty seconds," Yorick said quietly. His staff person nodded and jogged off stage, startin' down the lake path as Yorick came back to the mic.
"The Claim Jumper will be open for extended hours today," Yorick kept goin'. "After dinner, there will be a very special presentation during Camp Council, so do not miss it. The rest of the day is yours to spend; all other activities are open as usual. Thank you for your time, you are dismissed for breakfast."
People started spreadin' out, most headin' for Dragon's Claw, some headin' for the cabins, some headin' for the Claim Jumper loomin' over the clubhouse. I took a couple steps ahead, to Matt and Ruva, but stopped and looked back; Blake hadn't moved, his arms still crossed, starin' off at the mountains.
"Blake, what are ya doin'?" I turned and walked back, stoppin' in front 'a him.
"…Something's not right," he answered, lookin' off still.
"Well, I mean, people are-"
"Aside from that. …I can't, really explain, it's-"
He froze, eyes goin' wide. His arms tensed up and he blinked.
"Blake?" I asked.
"…We've got INCOMING!" Blake shouted and pointed behind me.
"What the hell is that?!" another camper yelled.
I swung back and followed Blake's point, where a black and blue dragon swooped down and landed on top 'a the Claim Jumper with a loud crack 'a metal. The ground shook and dust flew from the swing. Campers froze right where they were and watched, Yorick and his people looked up, grabbin' for the pokeballs clipped on their belts.
The speakers made static as the dragon stood on the Claim Jumper, steadily lookin' through the people closest to the clubhouse. It looked like a charizard, but it's scaly skin was black and blue, not orange and cream. Bigger than any charizard I've seen before. It spread its blue flayed wings, broad, spiked shoulders risin' and fallin' with a breath, blue fire pourin' from its mouth. Claws on its three-toed feet gripped metal on the roof and bent it, long tail swingin' back and forth like a pendulum, draggin' a blue flame at the end. Three claws on each its hands curled into fists as its glowin' red eyes focused on the staff, then the campers in front 'a the stage…
The black charizard looked straight at me. My skin went cold. It squinted just a bit, and its thin lips curled as it bared teeth; huge, white spikes bigger than my hands.
"…campers," Yorick's voice came quiet from the speakers. "Please seek shelter in the nearest-"
The dragon snarled and snapped at the sky. A crack 'a thunder rang, a flash near-blinded me and air knocked all us to our backs. The clouds had gone black and wind and howlin'. A flamin' rock slammed into the middle bell with a terrible clang, wood splinters goin' everywhere. Another one smashed the blacktop in front 'a me, nearly singed my skirt. More crashed into side 'a the stage and the clubhouse and the court 'round us. People screamed. My ears were ringin'.
"Get inside, NOW!" the speakers shouted, Yorick's voice.
Campers got up and scrambled. Their horrified screams stuck me to the road. The black charizard watched people run into each other and to the cabins. Then turned to Dragon's Claw and fired a huge, blue, star-shaped flame blast from its mouth. It slammed into the side 'a the building and exploded with a blinding light. Some people flew back and tumbled on the blacktop. Others stopped in their tracks, they turned and ran fast as they could.
"All staff, defensive positions!" Yorick said as he jumped back onto the tilted stage. He grabbed a pokeball from his belt and pushin' its button. In a big flash 'a light the pokeball opened. A jolteon appeared next to him. It looked up at the charizard and growled, standin' tall to Yorick's knee at its shoulder, sparks runnin' across it's yellow spiky fur.
"Are you just gonna sit there or do you wanna live?!" Blake stopped in front 'a me, grabbin' my hand hard and pullin' me up.
I shook my head and got to my feet quick as I could. Another rock blew up right by us and nearly knocked me down again. We stumbled back towards the staff buildin'. More screamin'. It was deafenin'.
"All salamences are inbound!" a raspy voice shouted.
"Good!" Yorick's deeper voice shouted back. "Attack formation, delta foxtrot!"
"Copy! Delta foxtrot!"
Blake stopped in front 'a the double doors and looked back up. I bumped the door and looked up too. The black dragon slowly circled above the middle court. It barely flapped its wings, like it was held up by somethin' I couldn't see. Little yellow bolts 'a lightning hit the dragon from below, pepperin' its gut. It looked down and saw Yorick's jolteon, firin' thunderbolts from the stage. Then it just sneered and looked back to the sky.
Six salamences whooshed past the charizard with gusts 'a wind, one after another. The black and blue beast turned and watched them fly to the mountains past the clinic. Yorick's dragons circled back and shifted 'round into a v-shape, one with a blue arm band in the very front, two on either side, and one with a green arm band right behind 'em. The charizard snarled again.
The salamences swooped in and fired dragon pulses, six purplish beams shot outta their mouths aimed right for the charizard. The black dragon raised a wing and blocked 'em all, didn't even flinch. Then it turned and fired back with it's own purplish beam. It hit the blue-band salamence square in the chest and the middle-right one's wing. They slammed into each other and fell behind us. Three others split up and flew away, and that green arm-banded one went high. It tucked its head and dove for a headbutt. But the charizard caught it by its snout with one hand and stopped it dead in the air. The black dragon punched the green-band salamence in the side 'a the head, then got next to it, grabbed its neck and drove it straight for the courtyard. They landed right in the middle with a big blast 'a dirt. The salamence's body juddered once then went still.
Dust settled down as the black charizard lumbered outta the hole in the courtyard, facin' away from us. Blue fire was still comin' outta it's mouth. Seven adults in staff uniforms ran out from near buildings and surrounded the dragon. They each opened a pokeball; seven exploud pokemon appeared next 'a them, bits 'a ash fallin' on their smooth purple skin as they stomped the ground with their big feet. Yellow ends of their tube-holes flared up on their heads. Big ol' mouths opened and closed a bit. Each exploud stared at the charizard in the middle. The dragon steadily looked at the pokemon and people on the other end, then the ones on my right. Its head swept around slowly until it stopped half-way; glowing red eyes gazed right at me. It snarled again. Then it turned 'round. Took a step closer. Then another.
"Emma!" Yorick's voice shouted. "Get inside!"
"Yeah, time to go," Blake mumbled under his breath. He grabbed one 'a the doors behind me and pulled it open, held it for me.
I darted in and grabbed the right-side railing. Wood clicked as I went down the stairs fast as I could. Big bellows from the explouds shook the buildin'. A huge roar answered. I stopped half-down the stairs to cover my ears and look back. A blindin' blue fireball smashed through the door as Blake dove past me and fell down the stairs. He crashed to the wall on his right shoulder but got back up quick, turnin' 'round for the next flight down. I ran after him.
"Blake, you okay?" I hopped down the last couple 'a stairs. "That dive had 'a hurt."
"I'm fine," Blake stopped in front of a wood door, rollin' his arm. "You?"
"Yeah," I nodded and stopped next to him. A blast from outside shook the place, and I barely heard a deep whimper. Then a dragon's roar.
"Good," he tried the door handle with his left hand, wouldn't budge. "We have to keep moving. The fires from that fire blast are gonna burn this place down, so we need a back exit. Stay close, now."
Blake took a step back, and kicked the door right on the handle. It cracked loudly and swung open, leadin' to a hall that went both ways. He went in and started right. I followed him through the doorway.
The hall was kinda dark, just a few yellow lights stuck above, lightin' the wood walls, floor and ceilin'. Pairs 'a big, metal doors went all the way to the end 'a the wing, three on a side, each with a little slit to see through. I looked back; three more pairs 'a doors goin' the other way. Ahead was a rickety, metal spiral staircase, leadin' back up.
"…Blake, what are these doors?" I slowed down, hearin' the wood creak with each step. Another scream from outside, this time a person's.
"Not sure," he said quietly, stayin' just ahead. "The door to this hall was locked, though. Staff-only down here."
"…Yeah, Yorick said this was staff-only when I talked to him earlier. But he also said this's where Ruva was."
Blake stopped, right next to the middle pair 'a doors. He looked to the one on the left. Then he reached up to a little slide at his eye-level, slid it open and peered in.
"…the Siphon device…" he mumbled.
"Siphon device?" I walked up next to him. "What's that?"
"…Look for yourself," Blake stepped back. I went right up to the door, standin' on my tippy-toes to see into the little hole.
A little shiver crept up my neck. Inside was a boy my age, strapped to a big metal table in a dim-lit room. He was just in a pair 'a black boxer briefs, his muscly body covered in sweat, his short, red hair was all messy. Eyes closed, mouth open, breathin' heavy by the looks 'a it. Two little pads were stuck to the side 'a his head, and wires ran from the pads to a metal box as big as a fridge. It was all black metal, had a bunch 'a buttons in the middle, and painted on the front was a yellow snake with red eyes, makin' an "S" with itself.
"That metal crate is a brainwashing device, designed by Team Siphon," Blake said. "It modifies the thought patterns of its victims with artificial psychic energy."
"…Is… Are, you sure," I looked at Blake.
"Certain. Redwood has contacts in the police, and he's told me about some of Siphon's lesser-known endeavors."
"…So, that means," I turned back to the door, makin' a breath. "That means Yorick, he-"
"Look, what Yorick did isn't important right now," Blake turned 'round and took a couple easy steps along. "What's important, is staying as far away from that mega charizard as possible."
I made another breath, then closed my eyes. Then I turned and started after-
A blast behind us rocked the whole place really hard. I jumped and looked back, where the hall by the door was blocked by thick black dust. I took a few steps back, bumpin' into Blake a bit, who also had stopped and turned 'round.
Bits 'a dirt and ash swirled with a puff 'a wind. Wood creaked, then snapped, splinters flyin' out at us. A pair 'a glowin' bright red eyes opened, fallin' over my shoulder, then right on me. Blue light glowed through the dust, and a deep, low growl made the doors shake.
"…I fucking hate my mouth," Blake muttered, turnin' round and runnin' down the hall. I ran after him fast as I could, wood shakin' with each step I took.
The beast roared, so loud that it shook my eyes. Blake got to the stairs and ran up, two at a time. I grabbed the railing and got goin' up one by one. They made loud metal clicks with our steps.
"Come on!" Blake looked back at me. "No time to- GET DOWN!"
He grabbed my shoulder and pushed me into the stairs. I banged my wrists hard on the metal, which got real hot real quick. The whole room started glowin' bright blue. I looked down between the stairs; a huge blue flame was spittin' outta the doorway, bendin' up and to the ceilin' off the wall. Bright white in the middle. I wasn't even touchin' and it still blisterin'.
The blue fire cut out from the doorway. It stuck to the back wall and kept the room hot. Little blue embers covered the ground and started sparkin' on the wood. Blake got back to his feet and started runnin' up again. I stood up as fast as I could and followed him 'round the stairs.
Blake hopped up the last metal stair and stopped on the wood stair, brushin' ash off his coat. I stopped next 'a him, and tried to make a big breath; hot air itched at my lungs, and I coughed real hard.
The room was small, and there was nothin' in it expect the stairs behind us and a little hall ahead, which went left back towards the lobby. On our right was a door, but it was completely on fire with the rest 'a the wall. A little "Exit" sign was still glowin' red over the door, but it sparked up and went dark.
"Guess we ain't-" I coughed again, "Ain't goin' that way."
"Guess not," Blake muttered. "Come on, back to the lobby."
He marched to the hall. I jogged a bit to catch up as we went 'round the corner, and started passin' a whole bunch a wood doors. Some were open; beds and night-tables, all made neat.
Fires were cacklin' behind us. Wood snapped somewhere. A voice was shouting ahead, quiet from here. A man's voice. Deep tone.
"…Emma!" he shouted again. "Can you hear me?! Emma!"
"Yorick! Yorick!" I shouted and ran ahead 'a Blake. He stopped for a sec, then kept marchin'.
I jogged through the door and stopped in the lobby. The table that was in the middle was gone, and I could only see half the flamin' couches through thick black smoke that blocked my view 'a the back window. A big ol' hole sat where the desk was, too big to jump over, cuttin' us off from the front doors. I could see straight down to the basement, stairs and all.
"Emma!" Yorick rushed through the front doorway and slid to stop in front 'a the hole. Two shorter guys in staff outfits stopped next 'a him.
"We're okay!" I waived at him.
"Thank Arceus," he made a big breath. "Where's Trotsky?"
"Right here," Blake walked past me and stopped. "How do we get out of this building?"
"Down the hall," Yorick pointed to the other door. "There's an exit on the opposite wing. Hurry, we don't know where that charizard went."
"Understood," he nodded, starting for that other door. "Last I saw, it was-"
A huge, scaly three-clawed hand came outta the smoke and grabbed Blake by his hood. A black and blue charizard with red eyes stepped outta from the smolder, then it flung Blake to the table which blew to pieces. He slumped to the ground. A loud high shriek rang in my ears. The dragon turned and glared at me. I put a hand over my mouth; the shriek was mine.
Hollow pop 'a wood, its head flinched forward. Then it snarled and turned. Blake was standin' again. He flipped a splinter in his hand. The charizard stood tall. Flapped its wings. Eyes shook when it roared again.
"Bring it on, big guy," Blake growled.
It bent its knees and launched at Blake. Right hand came back and claws swung. But Blake ducked low, they went over his head with a whoosh. He swung up with the board but it leaned back and missed. Then Blake jumped up and kicked it right in the neck. It hissed and stumbled back a bit.
"Don't just stand there!" Yorick turned to his people. "Get to them!"
They turned 'round and sprinted out. Yorick stayed and watched Blake, who stood and waited. The dragon raised to full height in the middle 'a the room. Then it chuckled and started marchin' up to Blake.
When it got close Blake wound up and swung his splinter. The dragon blocked it with an arm and it smashed to pieces. Then it lunged and grabbed him by his neck, pinnin' him to the wall and liftin' him up. I heard him gasp and he started flailin' and punchin' and kickin' with everythin' he had. He smacked at the charizard's arm and shoulder. It didn't even blink.
The beast clenched its free hand. Then it shot into Blake's gut, he shouted and doubled over. It chuckled again and dropped Blake, who fell to his hands and knees and grabbed for his gut. The dragon turned 'round and its cold red eyes were on me again. My feet were stuck to the ground. I couldn't breathe. It took a step closer.
"Emma!" Yorick's voice shouted. "Run! Back the way you came!"
"Emma…" Blake barely looked up.
"Trotsky! My men can't get there in time! You have to get up! TROTSKY!"
But Blake only groaned again, fallin' back down. The dragon took another step closer. Then another. Its wings opened up and it backed me into the wall. Nowhere to run.
"…Yorick," I barely said.
"Emma!" Yorick shouted even louder. "Go! GO! For Arceus sake, please-"
The dragon snarled and reached out. Its massive claws grabbed under my armpits and squeezed tight. I barely felt my feet leave the ground.
"EMMA!" Yorick shouted as loud as he could. The beast stuck me to its shoulder. I saw Yorick's eyes; wide and teary.
"YORIIIIIIIIIIICK!" I screamed at the top 'a my lungs, squirmin' as hard as I could to get free. With one more low growl the dragon pushed me up on its shoulder and started walkin' away. Yorick dropped to his knees as he disappeared behind the smolder.
