Chapter Seven

~Smoke and Mirrors~

Smoke lingered in the air as the echoes of the gunshot were drowned out by the ocean. A pink carcass slumped to the floor, blue blood oozing from the wound in its head. The useless Slowking was dealt with appropriately. I clutched my throat, gasping. The effects of its attacks still lingered but I expected they would heal.

Anything of use had already been taken from this island. I had no need to stay. The disgusting creature that lay dead at my feet, its purpose served. It taught me a few useful things for which I am somewhat grateful; talk of my defeat was never something I enjoyed but, in truth, I am grateful to finally have answers from analysis that has plagued me for years. The only thing that mattered now was that my goal was closer than it had ever been.

Making my way down the perfectly shaped stairs on the cliff face, I boarded the boat. I was going to have to set sail for Kanto sometime but without that grunt to pilot the vessel, I was stuck at the helm all night. The geared whirred to life as the slow acceleration along my PokeNav's designated path commenced.

I let my mind wander, eased into its musings by the gentle rocking of my barge. What would happen if the Ice treasure never did re-awaken its power? Did it matter? By the sounds of that Slowking's ramblings, I could find the birds in their new nests without any need for these orbs. They were interesting thoughts: the small spheres that aided my defeat so readily were now either in my power or obsolete.

It was not long before I became caught up in my own ambitions. Perhaps I'll capture Articuno first. She managed to evade me last time but only just. Then, with the power of the three at my command, Lugia would soon fall. But how best to punish the king for his impertinence? Oh my revenge would be sweet.

"Sir? Sir, can you hear me?" I turned my attention to the PokeNav now buzzing on the control panel. I hastily pressed the 'speaker' button, recognising the voice.

"Yes? I can hear you clearly. What do you need?"

"We've just received word that west branch has fallen," the drawling voice came over the small yellow device. This captured my attention.

"Really? How so? What happened?"

"I'm not certain, sir. I just got the call earlier. It would seem that a particularly gutsy teen has declared all-out war on us." A black vine encircled my heart. I gazed out at the ocean as though my foe stood on the waves.

"I believe you know what I am about to say." My voice had adopted a cold monotone.

"You wish us to track him down?" The reply was oddly nervous. Why did he always get cold feet when I asked this?

"That's a good start. When you find him, make him regret living." I shocked myself at how evil I could become.

"Will do, sir. And what shall we do about west branch?" Always the planner, I thought.

"I am currently on an expedition. Upon my arrival at HQ, I shall assume control of operations. Prepare the Kyogre. And…" I paused to think. "…Contact the twins."

"Aye sir. Out." The static of the communication died out. As soon as one part of my life came together, another fell apart. I tried to force the thoughts of my colleagues and employees from my mind. Their fates were of no consequence now. All that mattered is all that has ever mattered: bringing Lugia to its knees.

Having decided to get some rest when I arrived at Kanto, I slept through most of the morning. I had retreated to the lounging area of the ship, not brave enough to face the late brute's bed. It was relieving - exhaustion had taken over my mind, preventing any sort of dreams.

But the realisation of another problem struck me: I had no idea of where I was. All I knew was that this was some island off the coast of the mainland. I saw the Pokemon gym, which made me wonder why such a small area would be blessed with its own gym.

"Wahaha! Welcome! You certainly did arrive in a different manner to most people that come here," a voice called from the gym. What the…? A man with long blonde hair and small sunglasses was standing atop the gym.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't aware there was a code for coming here."

"If only there was," the man replied with a wink.

"Can you please tell me where I am?" I asked. This was as good an opportunity as any to get my bearings.

"You're on Cinnabar Island, of course." The man slid to the foot of the roof before letting himself fall onto a curiously placed trampoline. "Helps with getting down," he commented, noticing my bewilderment.

"Ah, of course. How silly of me," I muttered.

"You tourists are a funny bunch. So I take it you're not here for the Volcano badge?"

"Alas, no. I'm a collector of Pokemon, not a trainer nor a battler."

"Is that so? In that case, there's no need for this guise." The man shook his head, sending the locks of blonde hair falling to the floor. I blinked at him in amazement.

"I'm Blaine," he introduced, extending his hand, taking mine and shaking it. "I'm a gym leader in the Kanto Pokemon league. I just like to test the trainers before I battle them."

"Seems fair," I assessed, not entirely certain whether this was my genuine opinion or a forced one. "Would you care to join me for a drink? I've never actually been in Kanto before and am finding this a bit overwhelming."

"Why of course!" Blaine cheered, patting me on the shoulder. "You seem like a decent fellow so I'd be glad to help you out." He led me by the shoulder to the Pokemon centre. There were a few seats outside and he fell into one that surrounded a table. I took the section of the bench opposite him.

"So what brings you to Kanto?" Blaine asked. "You are clearly no mere vagrant," he added, eyeing my extravagant robe which, admittedly, was becoming more tattered by the day.

"I'm in search of some particularly rare Pokemon. I've been told they're now residing somewhere in this region but no clue as to where they are specifically." I might as well be honest with him if he can help.

"Hm," my new friend mused, stroking his chin. "There are some legends of rare Pokemon here. Whether they're true or not has never been proven."

"Oh? Perhaps you could indulge me? Anything is better than nothing, I suppose." I threw him a smile. Had to keep him amicable somehow.

"Hi guys! I was like, um, wondering if you's'd like anything to drink?" A girl wandered over to our table, clearly too happy for her own good.

"I'll have a Liechi and Ganlon berry smoothie," Blaine informed the waitress who eagerly wrote down his order.

"Right y'are, mister gym leader," she confirmed, throwing him a wink. She turned to me, "And for you?"

"I suppose I'll have the same."

"Okay then!" She skipped away. Yes, definitely too happy for her own good.

Peeling his eyes off her retreating form and turning his attention back to me, Blaine continued. "Well, there have been reports that this very island was home to the greatest Pokemon to ever live." A lump grew in my throat. Have I been chasing the wrong prize?

"Do go on," was the only encouragement I could muster.

"There are books…journals in the mansion next to my gym that discuss the process of cloning a Pokemon known as Mew. However, the scientists infused elements into the clone to heighten its psychic powers and this made the clone, Mewtwo, violent, unstable and extremely dangerous." Blaine's voice was sombre. Guessing his age, I assumed he had witnessed this firsthand.

"I would like nothing more than to investigate that. However, that description doesn't match the Pokemon I'm looking for. I'm looking for three of them. Birds. One of Fire, one of Lightning and one of Ice." The fact that I spoke nothing but truth scared me a little.

"Ah, yes. I've heard tell of those Pokemon before. Again, nothing but rumour and speculation, however."

"Please, rumour and speculation is more help than you can imagine," I urged. I had to hear this information.

"So here are your drinks, guys." That incessantly cheerful voice boiled my blood as two identical drinks were placed carelessly in front of each of us. Blaine thanked the girl while I sat in silence; she interrupted us at the most inopportune moments. Pathetic tramp.

"Well," Blaine started, sipping his drink. "There is one piece of lore from a couple of years back that may be of some use to you." My heart skipped a beat. Another step closer.

"Oh really? Perhaps you could tell me?"

"I could do better than tell you. I can show you," he said with a smile at his own ambiguity. He was an especially peculiar man.

"How so?" I was getting impatient with his constant evasion of the facts.

"The man's journal. The explorer, I mean. He went searching for the trio but he was killed on his expedition," Blaine explained with a frown. "The journal is kept in the research centre. Though it's more cryptic than I am, I'm afraid. He seemed to fancy himself as a riddler of sorts." More mind games? I grow weary of this.

"Please take me to this journal immediately," I requested, rising to my feet.

"But our drinks?"

"Some things are more important." Again, my honesty was startling me. There was something about this man that beckoned veracity. He complied and left his chair.

"Of course. This way," he instructed, taking me to the building adjacent to the café. It was a very clinical building. The place was so sterile so as to have almost no smell. I had already come to associate this lack of scent with science, having inhabited a lab for some time prior.

There was a glass case on the wall that housed a tattered book. There was an untidy scrawling across each page that was almost unreadable. Thankfully, some naïve scientist had deciphered the text and placed a printed word version next to the document itself.

"Hello, Blaine. Back again?" a short man clad in a pearly white lab coat greeted my companion.

"Ah yes but I've since given up my aspirations. I'm educating my friend here. He has an interest in rare Pokemon."

"Then you've brought him to the right place. We have rare Pokemon out the wazoo!" I cringed. That type of language lent itself to the lower echelons of society. I moved to the case, disregarding the scientist and Blaine's banter.

Fire. Ice. Lightning.

For so long. The great game of hide-and-seek. Once we had found them, their nests changed.

Nature balanced on their fickle minds. No tropics without Three; no power without Two; and cruelty with One. Follow the path lit by the disturbance.

At last I found them again.

Go to where the sea is naught but stormy. Should your heart be cold, venture into the ocean.

Go to where the turbine spins more than before. Should your soul desire power, follow the water's edge.

Go to where victors' ends are met. Should your body need warmth, the darkness of death and conquest hold the answer.

I was dumbfounded. All the answers were here. This piece of paper was my ticket to finding Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno. I only had a need for someone to crack this code.

"Blaine…?" I called to break the leader from his conversation, leaving a researcher to awkwardly excuse himself.

"Yes?"

"You said you had aspirations."

"I did. Why do you ask?"

"Why did you end them?"

"These Pokemon were too powerful. Every time I got close to one, my Pokemon refused to go on. They knew what was waiting for us and wanted no part of it."

"Your badge is the Volcano badge? You're a Fire-type trainer?"

"Indeed I am. Red hot and ready!" There was immense pride in his voice.

"Can you imagine what the Legendary Titan of Fire would bring to your gym? The respect you would command with it as your partner. You would be a God." The ageing man thought for a moment.

"You're right. But I can't continue, my Pokemon won't."

"Mine will."

"And in return?"

"Help me find them."

"Deal."