CHAPTER 8

LEAF POV.

I shivered as a chill ran down my spine. I was never the one for graveyards, so much so that I hadn't even attended my mother's funeral. I had always believed that at night the dead would rise and eat me alive. I know it sounds childish but you cannot blame me after what happened with my father that night. I took a lollipop out of my pocket and licked it. Ah, the sweet taste made my buds tingle. How long had it been since I last had my candy?

I savored the flavor to distract my mind from our situation. Misty was patting my back and every once a while May and Dawn would look back at me with a comforting smile. The guys would give me confused glance. I huffed and stopped "I am scared of graveyards alright. So stop giving me those looks." I scowled. I did not want them to pity me or treat me like a baby.

Suddenly May stumbled on something and was about to fall when Drew caught her. "How clumsy can you get, June" he sighed. May glared at him and shoved his hands off. She then bent down to have a better look at what had caused her to almost fall. By now everyone was looking at May.

"What?!" May gasped and fell down in front of the gravestone. Drew bent down to May and all of us came closer. "L-Leaf" she stuttered, pointing to the gravestone. Even though I did not want to look closer I knew it was something important or May would not be looking so scared. I caressed her hair in comfort and looked closely at what was engraved on the stone.

Sacred to the Memory of
Elizabeth Green
July 1970 – January 2002
Loving wife to Eddie Green
and a Caring mother to
Leaf Green…
REST IN PEACE

Tears were streaming out of my eyes by the end. I was so shocked that I fell to my knees scraping them and did not even notice. Dawn and Misty were by my side in a second stroking my hair. I was going numb. What was my mother's grave doing down here? Why did I have to see it? What happened to my mum in afterlife? Why was this happening to me? All these questions ran through my mind and I started crawling backwards. But someone caught me. He held me not complaining and letting me cry my eyes out.

The soft fabric of his t-shirt would rip if I clutch him any tighter. I did not know how many minutes have passed but I could hear some mumbling. "Let us get out of here." a calm but firm voice declared from above me. "We can go to the forest and rest." Someone said in a gruff but low voice. "I don't think she'll be able to walk, she can't even hear us I guess."

Of course I could hear them. Why would they talk about me like that? Am I looking that bad? Am I looking so out of it? I sniffed and that is when strong arms wrapped around me. He lifted me up bridal style and started to walk. I looked up, my vision blurred. I wanted to tell him to get his hands off me but his expression shocked me. He was not smirking or being playful, not taunting or flirting. He had his eyes set ahead and jaw tightened. His face showed determination and concern. He looked so serious, not at all himself.

I knew this was a rare moment and a genuine one too. And I was feeling so tired right now, like I had been drained of all my energy. I rested my head on his shoulder shutting my eyes close. And as I drifted into dream-world I had only one question in mind. Can Gary Oak really be sweeter than my candy?

DAWN POV.

What had happened to Leaf? Obviously it was a big shock that her mother's grave was rotting in this place. But why was she so scared of this place. I know she was scared because of an incident that happened years ago when her mom died. It had something to do with her dad. But I did not want to force it out of her. We all had some secrets, dark secrets.

I shook my head to clear it of all thoughts. Why am I thinking about it again? I sighed and walked ahead just behind Paul. We had crossed that huge graveyard and were now travelling through the forest. May was keeping herself warm by raising her body temperature and held Misty's hand. Misty was scared expecting bugs to pop out of the dead trees and start crawling on her. She was so scared of bugs and insects in general. Ash was walking silently, abnormally silent. Drew was walking just ahead of Gary, fully prepared to help Leaf if Gary got exhausted.

"Stop!" Ash whisper-yelled. His ears twitched and he wrinkled his nose. He started walking sideways sniffing the air; Drew followed him stroking a rose in his hands. "What? Where are you guys going?" Misty asked but suddenly stiffened. "Mist! Hey, snap out of it Mist." May shook her but Misty closed her eyes and pursed her lips she started following Ash and Drew beckoning us to follow.

Paul growled and jumped in front of the three of them stopping them from going any further. "Where do you think you are going?" he snapped tripping Ash and Drew. He shook Misty awake and out of her trance. "We need to find shelter, there is a storm coming." Ash said in a low voice. "I don't believe I am saying this but for once I agree with Ash." Misty commented. "And trust me when I say this it is not normal, I can sense the rain but it is something different not pure at all."

"I know where we can rest for tonight, or today…. Agh Whatever" Drew said dusting himself getting up. "Follow me you guys." He flicked his hair and started walking.

Oh I wonder when we will stop walking. What has it been, about an hour on that endless staircase then another in that graveyard and now we have been walking in this forest for about half hour. Wait did I just call this place a forest, oh no not at all. This is not a forest; all the trees are practically dead here and now they start to have an eerie grey glow around them. Some of their barks are even leaking a sticky paste like thingy which is a sickening green in color. No wonder I'll puke. I held a hand to my mouth and clenched my fist on my leather jacket. Misty, Ash and Drew were walking ahead at a fast pace. Gary was still carrying Leaf with sweat beaded on his forehead. Whoa, the boy must be strong; it's almost been an hour since he was carrying Leaf. May was beside Paul who was right behind Gary talking to him in hushed voice. I was walking in the rear when I started to feel bile rising in my throat.

God, this smell was killing me. How was everyone so comfortable? Could they not smell or what? Or maybe a new theory, I had the nose of a dog. I wrinkled my nose and gulped the bile down.

"We are here." Drew stopped in a huge meadow spreading his arms wide. It was like a plain circular field with the trees along the border glowing darker and darker, they even had some leaves. In the centre was a huge tree. And when I say huge, I mean HUGE. It had a thick trunk with close packed leaves. It was like an umbrella shading quite a large area. This was the only tree which looked alive, and I guess this was giving life to the rest around it.

"Oh man." Ash groaned and looked up, at that moment thunder cracked. "Quick, we need to rush." Misty pushed us towards the tree's shade. We all ran and it suddenly started to pour. "Ouch." May shrieked as a few droplets hit her face. "It burns, guys. Like acid on my skin." She whined.

My head was getting heavier, and I could smell the burning acid more strongly. So this is what made me want to vomit. There were a few yelps and shrieks and a series of Ouch's. Ash reached under the tree grabbing Misty and May along, Drew soon followed dragging Gary who was more intent of shielding Leaf from the blasted acid rain. Hah, acid rain, literally. I smiled at his sweet actions but my vision was blurring as the downpour increased. My bare legs were going numb and my face was stinging. I wanted to just lie down here and go it sleep, it sounded such an appealing idea.

No Dawn, snap out of it, just a little more, you are almost there. I reached ahead for my friends as I stopped completely, with one arm shielding my face. "P-Paul." I croaked as he was the closest to me, but getting farther and farther. I heard whispering winds, as they carried a mysterious voice. My eyes widened and I thought I was just hallucinating when I heard a familiar dangerous yet tempting laugh.

I collapsed with that sweetly dangerous laugh ringing in my ears.

PAUL POV.

This rain was quite bothering, stinging like little needles on my face. But this minor pain was nothing I couldn't handle. It was almost like it wasn't there, nothing compared to the pain that thing caused. My face darkened at the thought of my mother. The guys knew about my past, actually we all knew about each other's misfortunes when we were kids. I was thinking this over and over, I had almost reached the shade when I heard a small voice say my name.

At first I thought that it was just me imagining but then the voice was so dry, like the person was desperate, making a lot of effort just to say my name. I whipped my head back to find troublesome standing in this cursed rain, not moving an inch, just reaching a hand towards me. I thanked Arceus for my quick reflexes as I reached and caught her by her shoulders before she hit her head on the ground. I looked down my wet bangs dripping and I could tell she had lost consciousness.

I sighed, thinking, Ah Troublesome, as I got her under the protection of the tree. "It has only been a few hours and we are dropping like this." Misty commented. "That rain wet my spikes." Gary whined shaking his head like a dog spraying the rest of us. At least the boy is back to normal. "I know right." Leaf sat up rubbing her eyes. "My braid feels like it weighs pounds." She squeezed her long plait.

We all gave her weird looks. "Hey, when did you wake up?" Ash had his jaw dropped like an anime. Leaf rubbed her head a little sheepishly and replied "Uh, around 15 minutes back or so." Gary shocked but still smirking asked "And you didn't let me know, why?" Leaf turned to him and shrugged "Didn't feel like it." She smirked when Gary's smirk widened "So you liked the experience in my arms, huh Babe." It was more of a statement than a question. I had expected the girl to deny him and push him away. But only half of it came true. She did push him away but not before pulling him by his chain and whispering in his ear "Maybe, maybe not."

I rolled my eyes and turned away from the blushing face of my friend as the others laughed. But I mentally smirked at the thought that this girl sure knew how to put Gary straight. Troublesome stirred beside me groaning, she sat up her eyes still shut. May pounced on Dawn hugging her tight, both of them falling down in the process with May laughing. "You are awake and fine Baby Doll." She squealed.

Dawn smiled rubbing her head and held onto May's nose shaking it. "And you are hungry Flame Ball." She mocked. All of the girls were laughing and us guys were smiling or smirking. Ash whined "I am hungry too." May and Ash pouted and Ash looked at Misty with puppy-dog eyes who patted his head and scratched under his chin making faces.

Leaf and Dawn rolled on the floor with laughter while May was engaged in a huge argument of insults laughing none the less. Gary was teasing Ash calling him like a dog and Drew was telling him to wag his tail. I smiled at their silliness and shook my head. This teasing, crying, laughing and complains for food went on till the rain stopped.

"Can we pretty please now cook something to eat, pretty please with a cherry on the top?" May asked.
"Even I am feeling hungry, but what to cook?" Leaf asked.
"What do you mean by that? You were supposed to bring something." Drew spoke.
"Well excuse me for being too busy training that I forgot about it." Leaf retorted.
"How can you forget about food Leaf?" Ash asked horrified.
"It is not my fault." She defended.
"Please don't joke about this, it is serious. Leafy you were supposed to pack the ingredients." May whined.
"Really, you too May." Leaf commented clearly annoyed.

I picked up a berry from the ground beside me and threw it at them. They turned to me irritated but Ash was jumping in joy eating the fruit. "Where did you get that from, huh Paul?" Drew asked. "If you idiots would stop arguing then I would tell you." I waved off. Everyone fell silent, not uttering a word and I smirked. Then I got up and motioned for them to follow me, I led them around the tree, yeah the tree was so big that walking to its other side took two minutes. There what they saw had them quite surprised.

Troublesome stood with Carrot-top arranging some raw ingredients on a clean sheet spread over a flat rock. Gray was setting the woods in a cone shaped structure. When they saw us come they smiled and troublesome took Leaf and Drew by their hands leading them towards their make-shift cooking table. Misty ordered May to make a bonfire and Gary and Dawn were given the responsibility of keeping Ash and May away from Food. I went to Misty and we sat down on a log.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked
"You are the most sensible of the group, so I thought we could make plans on action together." Misty said confidently. I smirked at her compliment and nodded agreeing to help her. She took out some maps Girantina had given her. They were old and yellowing with age so she handed one to me and spread them carefully.

I have to admit Carrot is quiet smart, she explained to me how beyond the forest is supposed to be a city. I was not very shocked, I mean if there can be magical forests and literally acid rains then there could obviously be a city full of vampires, werewolves, kitsunes, witches and other creatures of the night. By the information Arceus had given the two of us we knew that every night the whole town along with the elite eight of the devil king would be partying at the Royal Club, the club of the king in town. Also tomorrow night was the devil's party, so he was bound to be there.

"Any ideas on how to start?" Misty asked
"I think we should first face the elite 8, but before that we need to know the basic information about them, like who they are and how they look and what powers do they have." Paul tapped his finger on the map. "And the best place to start would be here." she looked down to see me tapping the place, which when read clearly was the Royal Club.
"Do you think it is a good idea to go between so many monsters, exposed?" Misty asked
"No, no I don't. But do you have any better ideas?" I asked, an eyebrow raised and she shrugged.
"I guess you are right, and I have the perfect plan on how to start." She rubbed her hands together looking at me wickedly, and I returned her look. We fist bumped and left for dinner.

ASH POV.

"Detective Rose, what do you think Shadow and Aqua are conspiring against us?" I asked May secretly. She raised an eyebrow then played along "I have no idea Detective Sky." She whispered back. "And why won't Miss Platinum and Mr. Psycho let us go." I asked.
"Hey, what the hell? I am no psycho." Gary growled. "Why do you think we were calling you that, huh Gary?" May asked innocently.
"Only Dawn and I are here and I suppose I am not 'Miss Platinum' now am I?" he more like stated
Ash and May were pretending to think seriously, "Maybe be you are, Gary." Ash said with a poker face.
Gary growled playfully and chased Ash around when May got up and tripped him. Ash and May laughed but soon felt a gust of air lifting Gary.

Now Gary was standing, smirking and Dawn floated beside him. May and I stood together in prepared to battle. May being the hot head sent small balls of flames and I let loose an electric bolt. Gary just stood his ground when his eyes started to glow a sinister violet and both the attacks stopped in mid air glowing violet. Dawn swiped her arm and a very strong gust of wind blew the attacks into nothing.
Now Dawn created a small tornado and sent it our way. May prepared a huge flame ball and the attacks collided exploding. The only advantage we had was that Dawn's wind could not be controlled by Gary, so they were not exactly a good team. But boy was I wrong.
Taking advantage of this May's flame ring and my electric ring were combined and sent their way. We watched happily completely sure that we would land a hit. But we missed the small smirk playing on Dawn and Gary's lips when the ring started glowing. Gary had his hand raise because it took some effort, we thought he would redirect it or something but he just stopped the attack and modulated its shape. After a few seconds our former ring was a sphere and the shocking thing was that Gary was making it grow in size. But at the same time Dawn had another sphere of thick Air around it that was shrinking in size.
When the two spheres pressed against each other, a wave of energy was released and the attacks exploded in showering glitter.

All of us looked at this in awe and Dawn jumped up and high fived Gary. Misty gave us a praising look and Paul patted Gary and Dawn's back which caused Dawn to stumble a little. Leaf and Drew had quite similar reactions but before I could be hugged I rushed to where the delicious food was prepared. We all laughed and had dinner, chatting away with no care in the world.

That night was the only peaceful night we had where we faced no trouble sleeping. But who knew that the future would bring dark surprises and DOOM?

The next chapter is for Lectro Underground, my reviewer who always encouraged me to keep writing. I have no idea if you will like it or not but I can only hope you do.
thank you to all those who read.

Hint to chapter 9:-

He traced the lines of my back; it gave me a very tempting feeling….. Paul was enraged at the sight before him. He did not know the reason so he just named it protectiveness over a dear friend….. Leaf knew who they were and it shocked her. When she turned she found the elite 8.

Read and review …
love you all
P.O.D.