Updating as fast as I can—school already sucks and I've only been back for two days. T_T
Tell me what you think, as always!
OH AND FOR THE OXYGEN MASK B.S.—IT'S LIKE THE RED THINGS IN THIS LINK (.com/watch?v=F8F1Vw0hPSE)
XXX
Story Start:
The counselors and campers alike stayed with Misty and Ash to help compensate for the wreckage of their home. Scrubbing the horrid images off the walls were one thing, but a lot of money would be put into fixing windows, reconstructing the ceiling, and replacing the furniture that had been destroyed by Team Orion. Cameron, so eager to get into the fight, took extensive notes and pictures of the paintings before they were washed away.
"Look, Yanmega. Have you ever seen any pokemon like that?" He pointed to the largest depiction that had been scrawled over the enormous hearth. The abomination now had its head tilted towards the moon, and its clawed arms were outstretched to the celestial bodies above it. Humans and pokemon were running frantically, and most were lying in bloody heaps at its feet. Beams of light from the moon, and the three planets leading up to it, cast their power on the pokemon. On a hill in front of it were a group of people dressed in black, and at their sides were assorted Bronzor and Raticate. Upon inspection the Yanmega buzzed in confusion. Cameron touched the red paint and pulled his fingers back at its wetness. He smelled the substance and almost gagged.
"What is it?" Hunter noticed Cameron's study and fell next to him. He gingerly licked his pointer finger and spat the red matter out.
"B-blood!" He shouted. At the word's mention everyone's head whirled around.
"They've painted their prophecies in blood!" Cameron lost his normalcy (calm and reserved) and had to be settled by Hunter. Tarkov skeptically ran his hand over the "blood" and tasted his reddened fingers.
"Hm, it's pokemon blood. Most likely from a dark type." Suddenly getting an idea, he walked to another "masterpiece" and touched the red areas. Every taste, he deducted, was from a different type of pokemon. When he counted the paintings there were seventeen.
"So this can mean two things: One, they're conducting crude experiments on pokemon and drawing their blood, like some sort of black magic. Or two, they're mercilessly slaughtering pokemon in a possible sacrificial manner." Vick quipped.
Talia clapped a hand over her mouth—hurting pokemon was tantamount to a capital crime in her mind. Berane noticed her shock and placed a hand on her back, and upon the contact she turned into his chest.
"Is everyone okay? No injuries?" Hiro rose just then, and his right arm fell limp at his side.
"Something bit me." He groaned, removing some of the black bracelets to reveal a festering wound. Cameron instantly inspected the injury and looked up in horror.
"These bite marks aren't from any pokemon I've ever seen." His statement was just above a whisper, but in the stunned silence of the hall his words were heard.
"What do I do?" Hiro gasped, sitting down quickly. Hunter came with a small first aid kit and sprayed an antiseptic on it. Hiro screamed at its contact and she stopped.
"Don't touch it! Stop touching it!" He drew back his arm and looked at it. The bite marks were purple and oozed slowly, and the skin around it was raised and itchy. Kame's Swablu flit to Hiro's side and began patting it with its cottony wings, trying to clean the gaping sore. When it was finished the appendage was slightly more presentable, but still gruesome. Hunter decided then that bandages would have to suffice—and wrapped it multiple times. Kame helped her friend up off of the floor and the campers began trudging towards the foyer.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum."
"Hunter, please don't fret. We've got the money to fix it, we're just glad that no one was hurt. Please get back safe." Misty ushered the group outside and bid them farewell. Ash looked up to the sky in fear—all the troubles of his past, whether it be battles with legendaries, or run-ins with other evil organizations, there was always a way to pull through. But never had he seen horrors similar to those of Team Orion's. He glanced upward at the full moon—and the three stars to its right. They were in a zigzag pattern and seemed to be able to form a perfect line.
"Orion." He mumbled.
"What did you say, dear?" Misty asked.
"Orion! Orion's Belt! The constellation! Misty, something's going to happen when those things align with the moon!" He shouted so loud his wife almost jumped out of her skin.
"Where were you when we figured this out earlier?"
Ash Ketchum looked back and tried to remember.
"Ah, I was in the bathroom."
"Joy."
XXX
Ever since that fateful night at the Cerulean Mansion, the sun had not appeared in the sky. Despite the hot summer climates its rays didn't penetrate the camp. Hiro's arm had almost completely healed—yet left a sinister mark on his olive skin. The teeth marks had almost shifted—it seemed—and they now formed a spiraling pattern on his arm. The marks were deep and purple and refused to heal.
But soon the eerie sense of fear had dissipated—and the normal routine of Camp Catchem'all had resumed for the time being. Many had spent the last nights sleeping early, writing home in a panic, and always accompanied each other.
"IT'S BACK TO CAMPING, LADIES! MEET IN THE MESS HALL AT ELEVEN THIRTY FOR FURTHER DIRECTIONS!" Tarkov had obviously been granted his PA privileges back, for the ex-general's voice seemed to lift the mood of the campers.
In the mess hall, Cameron had rearranged the wooden tables and crude blackboard into a primitive classroom. On the long serving table that now acted as a teacher's desk, were multiple pokeballs and a large tank of water.
"All right guys, class starts now and ends at one o'clock. So take out your notes and listen up!" Yanmega was perched on a chair a few feet away and buzzed at Riley, who was lagging.
"I plan on covering water types today, to give you a basis of knowledge for when we camp at the rivers and lakes. The first thing we need to know, obviously, is that water types are hydrophilic. And sadly, for many types of water pokemon, battling on land is giving you an extreme disadvantage, despite moves like Water Sport. For coordinators, water can be a beautiful element to any routine—adding shine and splendor to any pokemon. When used in contests, Water-type moves typically become Beauty moves, but can also be any of the other four Contest types. Breeders—we know basic water pokemon can dually switch from gills to lungs—in the case of Magikarp, Goldeen, Seaking, Lanturn, Octillery, etcetera. And being the most versatile of the seventeen types, there are ninety two species within water pokemon. Lastly, for trainers, a water type can add a well-rounded element to any team. Defensively, the Water-type is very strong when combined with high defensive stats. Every Water-type, with the exception of Magikarp, can use Ice-type moves to counter Grass-types, and Electricity is the only true threat to Water-types. That isn't the case if the Pokémon in question are part Ground like Quagsire, Swampert, Whiscash, and Gastrodon, in which their Electric weakness is nullified but their Grass weakness is more effective. Water-types often have the most balanced attributes, usually coming with decent Attack, Special Attack, and Defense stats, but below average Speed." He picked up a blue pokeball while the campers jotted down notes—and released it in the large tank. Inside was a Huntail—and its slick scales shone whenever it changed direction.
"Can anyone tell me about this pokemon?" Cameron asked.
Magden raised her hand and answered his question correctly.
"Good. Huntail is one of the final forms of Clamperl, and from this we also see dual-evolution…"
The lesson carried on to include one on one interaction with Feebas, a Milotic, numerous Magikarp, and a Wartortle. Cameron asked the campers to bring out their water pokemon, if any, and to report to the river down the mountain. Once the campers/water types were assembled, Cameron immediately prompted them into the river. Eager to get out of the muggy heat, the trainers complied.
"Today's challenge is to master the art of battling water types, and to do this we're going to the underwater stadium." Cameron tossed the backpack full of oxygen devices on the ground and they were eventually distributed. The devices were small, had two red handles on the sides, and fit in the mouth like a moldable retainer.
"Bite down on the mouthpiece until you hear the fan start—but it's very important that you don't bite down again or the oxygen converter will not work." Cameron bit on the red plastic and the tiny rotors whirred to life. He leapt into the lake and swam next to his Kingdra, who gracefully sliced through the river's soft current. Riley, detesting water in its many forms, had to borrow a Croconaw from Cameron's lesson pokemon. Stripping to his boxer-briefs and breathing deeply, he entered the water. Kai followed behind him, laughing silently with her Buizel. Magden practically strutted into the water, splashing the already-angry Riley with her Feraligatr's hydro pump. Riley feinted as if he was going to shove her—but before he could even execute the pseudo-attack AC had stepped in front of her.
"Not a chance." He growled, low enough only for Riley's ears. Taken aback, he waded into deeper waters. AC had paired with Madgen, for her Feraligatr was such an enormous thing that if sufficed for both trainers. But due to Cameron's insistence he was forced to parade a Magikarp. Tyler pulled a pair of goggles over his face and let Ambria, his Vaporeon, out for a swim. Kame and Emily also borrowed pokemon—and from the basket they had chosen Finneon and Lumineon. Alex sported her Floatzel, Water, who was always eager for a battle. In her wake was Mark with his temporary Cloyster. Hiro was set with his trusty little Mudkip, and James had pulled a Carvanha from the depths of Torvenal's stash. Venice sunbathed idly on the back of Blaster, her Blastoise, and Daisuke's Sharpedo craved the river's flow. Jessica's Golduck was swimming alongside her. The Delafuente twins asked to borrow water pokemon as well, and from the depths of Cameron's bag were a Starmie and a Corsola. Talia and Berane had picked both genders of the Shellos, and chomping on their air supplies, the couple jumped in the cool stream. Cameron directed the C.C. campers downstream for a mile, and turned sharply with his Kingdra. They dropped lower and down into a small tunnel. In addition to the cool temperature, the water was surprisingly clear, and every camper could be distinguished as clearly as day. The path they swam along was leading into a small tunnel, and the Lumineon and Finneon's scales glowed brightly in the darkness. On the other side Cameron swam to the bottom and opened a satchel on Kingdra's back. It fell to the floor with a loud thud and inside it were aqua socks. He placed a pair on his feet and he slowly drifted to the bottom until he stood.
"Grab a pair, everyone! We're going to tag battle, so partner up!" Everyone was shocked at the technology of the converters—and tentatively began speaking.
"Okay, who wants to go first?" Cameron placed his hands on his hips in disdain when no one volunteered.
"Fine then. Hiro, since you're looking off into space. And Hansen—just because you need a little change from fire." The two trainers fist bumped before wading over to the ring. It had been laid out in thick, slimy rope and the center ring was lined in rocks. Hiro's Mudkip and Riley's Croconaw tread water excitedly, eager for the battle.
"What's with the long face, Takeshi? You and Kai, step up!" His Kingdra gently nudged Kame in the back. She never wanted to battle Hiro; she never wanted to inflict pain on him and his pokemon. Kai, on the other hand, was always eager for a chance to prove how good she was. Kame's Finneon swam circles around the battle-ready Buizel.
"Ladies first!" Riley cooed, and Kai rolled her eyes.
"All right, Buizel! Use Aqua Jet!" Buizel gathered a torrent of water and began barreling towards the Croconaw.
"Dodge it and use Bite!" the crocodile opened its gaping maw and waited for the exact moment to pivot, grab, and clamp onto Buizel's floatation-device neck pad. It cringed but thrashed for a few moments until it was free. Kame meekly ordered a Silver Wind from her Finneon—whose wing-like fins shone brightly before heading for Mudkip. The mudfish pokemon waited for new commands. Hiro snapped his fingers and Mudkip propelled itself out of harm's way using the large tailfin at its rear. It turned sharply, and with another crack of Hiro's fingers the Mudkip shot a Hydro Pump at the Finneon. It was pushed around thirty yards away and was dizzied by the blast. It countered with Pound and Mudkip was caught off guard. Riley's Croconaw abandoned the Ice Fang it had planned for Buizel and targeted Finneon. The poor "Beautifly of the sea" was frozen solid.
"Status changes like sleep and ice are deciding factors for victory! We've got a lot of battles to go through, and you're all playing by my rules today." Cameron called, returning to a lawn chair he seemed to have produced from thin air. Kingdra laughed under its breath as the ice-block of a Finneon clinked against the bottom. With one enemy felled, the Mudkip and Croconaw turned its attention to Kai's Buizel. Upon her request it attacked fiercely with a set of Sonic Booms, both of which landed their target.
"Croconaw, hold Buizel down!"
"And Mudkip, use Rock Tomb!" The tiny pokemon plunged its head fin into the ground and heaved, burying the Buizel in a pile of rocks. When Kai unearthed her poor pokemon it had fainted.
"Victory to Hansen and Taminama!"
XXX
Magden and AC completely decimated Jessica and Tyler—and Talia and Berane lost to Daisuke and Emily due to status changes. Alex and Mark came out victorious, and their pokemon managed to defeat the Delafuente twins. James had to fight Venice—and the Carvanha he had taken from Cameron proved to be unstoppable. Utterly shocked, Venice called back Blaster and began to brood. Once everyone had received a chance to battle with a water type, Cameron collected the weighted water socks and the campers began to float to the surface. After a short trip upstream they emerged from the depths slowly, so as to not get lightheaded. Everyone's oxygen converter was returned as well, and after drying off in the hot summer sun (which had finally made an appearance) they headed back to camp for dinner. The sun blazed over the peaks of Mt. Moon, igniting the sky in a fiery inferno. Its scorching red glare felt good on Riley's back—as the wet, cold waters of the river had perturbed him for the entire afternoon.
"Dinner is in ten minutes, campers. And Hunter, please come see me in my office immediately." Vick's suave voice resounded through the loud speaker, and an enraged growl could be heard through the PA system. It was assumed he had left the button on, for the entire exchange following Vick's summoning could be heard out of the speakers.
"What did you call me here for?"
"Hunter, darling, I was just wondering if you'd like to be my company on the night hike today."
"No."
"No consideration?"
Aloud clanging could be heard, and following the noise it sounded as if glass was being broken.
"Vick, did anyone ever teach you about personal space?"
"Baby, all I know is that personal space is a myth. There's nothing better than being close to you."
"Come closer, I dare you."
"Don't say you didn't ask me—AHH!"
A severe buzzing blared out of the speakers and the feed cut short. Hunter stalked out of the counseling building holding Tarkov's rusted clippers. Vick stumbled out a few moments later clutching his head. The vibrant pink locks that had been so carefully gelled were gone. The only thing that remained was a few centimeters of pink hair and some bald spots. Satisfied, Hunter joined the rest of the congregation and helped herself to some spaghetti, the main attraction on the night's menu.
Vick, realizing the entire camp had witnessed his small misfortune, did not make it to dinner that night.
XXX
"Wanna make like Lady and the Tramp?" AC whispered, twirling a mound of spaghetti onto his fork. Magden looked up from her food and sighed loudly.
"No, you mangy mutt, the idea of your lips touching mine, even if it's through the romantic cliché of sharing a spaghetti noodle, is not appetizing to me." She spat.
"Woo, AC! Gonna need to call a fire department for that burn!" Tyler shouted, and Jessica couldn't help but giggle as well. AC shrugged and dusted off his shoulders.
"She'll come around, just wait. No one can resist me." Magden rolled her eyes very conspicuously and AC laughed again.
Meanwhile, Alex and Mark had finished their meals and decided to take a short stroll in the moonlight. Or lack of it, because the moon was new. The sky was dark and the usually bright stars were a bit dimmer.
"I don't really care for Italian." Mark said, trying to break the silence that had fallen between them. Alex nodded and pulled her jacket closer to her.
"Italian is okay, but I can't stand Chinese food." She replied.
"Are you crazy? Chinese food is the best!" Mark yelled, and a nearby flock of Spearow flew out of the tree they had been perching in.
"Stop yelling, doofus, you're scaring the pokemon!" Alex laughed. Mark cut in front of Alex and got close in her face. He looked up between his eyelashes and breathed slowly.
"Do I scare you?" He whispered.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Alex asked, taking a step back and looking her friend in the face. Did he get a bad case of Hypnosis from the Milotic?
"I asked, 'Do I scare you?'" Alex shook her head no and gave an unsure smile. Mark suddenly lunged for her and she flinched, gasping sharply.
"You liar! You are scared of me!" Mark's face was an exaggerated expression of shock and the girl scoffed.
"Just wait, Markus Pearl."
"Until what? You cry on me?" He poked her playfully and he batted away his hand.
"No, for this!" Alex launched herself airborne and collided with Mark's stomach. The couple suddenly began tumbling down a grassy hill and landed (rather awkwardly) at the bottom. Mark kept completely still as one solitary fact dawned on him: Alex Cesarini was on top of him. Yet this did not alarm him, or excite him, it merely was a comforting feeling. Mark loved human contact and this was more than enough to suffice. Alex stared at Mark with happy eyes, and made no effort to start to get off of him. Mark reached up and pulled bits of grass and plants from Alex's long brown hair, and Alex gently wiped the mud from Mark's cheek.
"You're really pretty, Alex." Mark mumbled.
"You can't even see me! There's no light." She laughed. But Mark shook his head and smiled.
"I don't have to see you to know."
Alex's heart skipped a few beats. Markus Pearl had actually called her pretty.
XXX
"Sari, do you not understand the importance of this mission? The disaster at Cerulean Mansion is extremely embarrassing, and has turned our reputation to shame! What do you have to say for yourself?" The Zangoose man said. Sari shrugged and stared off into space.
"I don't even know anyone in the organization. The first time I saw them was the night of the raid. How can I expect to be good at being evil if I don't even know my accomplices?" She whined.
The man with the Zangoose nodded in reluctant agreement and called a brief meeting. Nine people eventually filled the conference room of Team Orion. The low-ceilinged space looked like a cave, and black marble covered every surface. Zara the Zangoose perched herself on a ledge above the meeting and looked upon the members with calculating eyes.
"Because Sari has identity issues, I've called you all here to introduce you. Yet I apologize beforehand, Ms. Iralla, for I cannot reveal our true identities to you. But I am willing to divulge our codenames to you. You probably do not know this, so I am explaining it to you now. The stars that make up the constellation of our namesake, Orion's Belt, have nine bodies in it. I am Betelgeuse, the brightest and largest star in the constellation. Therefore, I am leader. And around the table we have Rigel, my second in command, the second brightest star. We have the sisters, Bellatrix and Mintaka, who are ruthless in battle and as lustrous as the stars they are named for. Alnilam and Alnitak are at the far end of the table, and Saiph and Hatsya are the people to your right. Together, we embody the picture of the great hunter Orion, and it is said that this hunter possessed an all-powerful pokemon."
Sari sat with her mouth open.
"You guys are a bunch of cult followers! Crackheads!" She shouted.
Betelgeuse rolled his eyes and slammed his hand on the table.
"We are trying to revive and strengthen Orion's pokemon. The beast became too strong for a hunter as great as Orion, and using the power of the legendaries he sealed it within the earth." Betelgeuse explained to a skeptical Sari.
"So you're telling me this great, mortal, hunter had an all-powerful pokemon, and it grew too strong to handle so he sealed it in the earth? Isn't that kind of a load of bull? Where is your proof?"
"Why else would Arceus create a picture of him in the sky? Why else would the place he lived, our headquarters, be teeming with a power we can't explain?" To prove his point he dropped a pen he had retrieved from his pocket. Before landing on the table the pen stalled, floating in midair.
Sari was extremely convinced now.
"Can I have a star name, too?" She asked.
"Hm. I like Sari, but I guess to be official you can be the smallest star, Meissa. You form Orion's head."
"Well damn straight I do, I'm the brains of this operation."
XXX
Sorry to take so long, but this little filler is all I can crank out of my test-exhausted brain. I hope you like it, so tell me what you think.
Thanks for waiting my lovely readers.
-Katie