Sorry about the wait took me longer than expected (at least not a whole year this time though right?! XD) but yeah here it is some time before they head and then the set up for chapter 11.
I own it not, but fanfic I shall claim~!~!~!
Wavy green mist swirled as it surrounded Sora in her dream like it had many times before, not that many times but a lot more than it has in just about anybody else's dreams. She looked around, waiting for Gardevoir to come and talk to her like she usually did during these dreams.
"…" She stood there in silence, tapping her front right paw; she sat down with a small huff. "You really like to take your time don't you?" She turned her head and saw Gardevoir, "… Gardevoir…" Once the flashing of her form stopped Gardevoir smiled.
"Yes, well I'm a lot busier than you'd think, at least for a being with no physical form that is." They both giggled then Gardevoir spoke in a more serious tone, "It's tomorrow, isn't it? That you take to that underground dungeon to save the A-team."
"You bet, but they make it out to be one heck of a challenge, even I'm worried, and THAT'S saying something. I really wonder if everyone will be alright down there…" Gardevoir gave Sora a smile to boost her confidence.
"You will be fine. I am certain that you will succeed, Sora." She hugged Sora, "I'm behind you 100%. Please, go with strength."
"I wouldn't ever even think of leaving that behind, thanks. I'm feeling better now, I'm going to go down there and give it my all!" Sora looked curious, "By the way… Have you been underground at all? Or do you know what Groudon looks like?"
"No… I'm sorry to say that the only time I saw any rendition of Groudon was in a book of yours in your human life, I'd imagine it's turned to dust by now after so many years…" Sora whimpered, "I'm sorry, but I do remember it was large in size and mostly red."
"… I remember that too, but how large do you think it is?" She tilted her head.
"I'd imagine from the diagram that it's easily larger than your home… and then some…" Gardevoir looked worried.
"Oh wow really? Geez, I couldn't remember the exact details of its description. I guess I've really got my work cut out for me, but then again I'll have plenty of back-up, Mines not the only team headed down there we have a game plan to meet up and take him on all at once."
"Then good luck and come home safely, your role is coming to an end, little by little…" She seemed downcast.
"Hold on, what? You mean I have to go or something?" She whined.
"You became a Pokémon in order to fulfill a certain role… and that role brought you here." Gardevoir began fading. "Now, that role… is finally drawing to its conclusion."
"Wait, answer me! Does that mean I have to leave!? What is my role!? What am I here to do?" She flailed about, not wanting to leave her new friends behind.
"When the time comes… I think I can tell you when this adventure is finished, Au revoir." With that she vanished into the mist.
"Don't you be going French on meee~!" Sora yelled and woke up. The next morrr *Yawn*ning. Sora felt compelled to narrate after stretching her front legs out. She popped her back like a cat waking from a long nap. The sun was only just coming up and Pika wasn't outside just yet. "I'd better clear things up with Pika, I was too harsh on him, and he was just trying to help… I've just got to make it clear that Gengar isn't THAT bad… He just needs to get his priorities straight." A purple figure was suddenly in front of her shaking her away from talking to herself any further.
"I heard what you said from outside and came in." He rubbed the back of his head looking sheepish.
"Oh well that's fine Ekans, what did you need?" She sat down to listen.
"First I want to say you're right about Gengar… He's just been acting weird for a while and always seems like he has something on his mind." Ekans looked sad, more than just sad it looked like he'd been crying.
"Ekans… you look like you haven't been sleeping well." Sora asked concerned for his health.
"Oh Gengar kicked me out after you and Pika got back from being fugitives," He looked away for a second, "I've been living with Mama Kangaskhan, except last night was the first night I spent home."
"Oh… I'm not sure what to say, but sorry." She hugged him, "So what did you mean by Gengar acting strange? I was gone right after the issue of his running me out of town, and didn't even see him before that." She sat back to let him talk.
"He told us about you being human and at one point just stood there thinking for a long time, he scared us when he suddenly yelled at someone to shut up, but no one was talking…" His face scrunched up in worry and confusion.
"Okaaay, not weird at all... what else?" She inched forward, clearly interested in this new development on Gengar's strange behavior.
"I think he was scared when finding out you were human because he was a little on the twitchy side." He looked sad about his friend acting this way. "I tried saying it was going too far, but he insisted that…that we run you out of town, before you ran him out."
"WHAT?!" She was confused more than a cat chasing a dot that blinked out of existence, "Why the heck would I have done that? I mean even now I don't think I could turn the town on him or anyone else for that matter."
"Because you were human, and he came from a place with humans." He told her, "He even had a trainer… he doesn't talk about her very much, but from what he has told us… she…She wasn't …" he seemed conflicted, "Gengar's unlike other ghost types, he's more physically real." He explained.
"… He did bleed before… I never even gave it a second thought at the time but… that's right, a normal Gengar wouldn't bleed, or any ghost Pokémon for that matter, go on." She finally backed off, she could see now that this was too serious for her to be pushy.
"Well, she found him not long after he hatched and she really was cruel to him, a few months after evolving into Haunter she said that he was useless to her. She didn't release him from his poke ball and threw him inside it into a river saying he was weak and left him… that was the last he saw of her." Sora had stood up and was livid at whoever this faceless monster of a woman was, she sat with a thump and looked torn.
"Wow, so that's why he doesn't swim… or like humans… I'd be pretty damn scared of people too… But at the same time it wasn't me who did it… and I'm not human right now, I'm an Eevee, but still I-I just can't believe…" She looked at Ekans. "I've got to talk to him, is he home?"
"No, we all got into a fight last night and he left… Well Medicham kicked him out and he didn't come back… But isn't there a mission? I'm sure Gengar will still be here when we get back."
"I know, I know but still, if I could at least say to him that when I get back we should talk-" She stopped, "You said we… Did you want to come with us Ekans?" he nodded, "Alright you can come with, but only if you help me find Gengar." He nodded and they rushed out knowing they didn't have time to dawdle. They ran right past a dazed Pika who was just arriving.
"Give me a little time Pika gotta take care of some business!" She yelled back to him, "Also Sorry about yesterdayyy~!" She turned a corner with Ekans and left Pikas sight. "So where do you think he is?"
"He could've gone back home after I left." He suggested.
"Sure take me there." He went a little ahead and took her down the path that would lead to the clearing by the river and stump, but took a turn hidden in the bushes to the left. "Here we are." He said going up to the door of a light brown dome.
Sora whistled, "Wow… your base has a real DOOR, and it's not one of your heads after a cabbage patch kid grenade went off all over your face!"
"Um, Sora?" He opened the door and beckoned her inside.
"Right we're doing important things!" She skipped quickly in and saw it was actually quite… Dare I think it…? It's actually a swanky place.
"Ekans? Sora?" Came a voice, "What are doing here? I thought you were headed underground." Medicham asked them.
"We are, has Gengar come back at all?" Ekans asked while Sora couldn't help but be distracted by the great design of their home.
"No, and I haven't left, so he couldn't have come by at all, why?" Medicham crossed her arms looking annoyed.
"We're looking for him, Ekans here decided to tell me about his old trainer." He looked down, feeling guilty.
"WHA-! Ekans we told him we wouldn't tell anyone else about it!" Her arms came uncrossed and her hands balled up into fists as she tromped up to him.
"Medicham, she was nearly killed because he hated a totally different human; I had to tell her so she wouldn't hate him… It's not his fault that he's got a fear of humans, and you saw those injuries." He looked at Sora.
"Honestly, I was already thinking about apologizing for that… You didn't need to give me that as another reason though it certainly helps me understand better why he did what he did…"
"I guess that's an ok reason, still we made a promise to not tell anyone Ekans." Medicham sighed, "We're fighting enough as it is without breaking such an important promise."
"Ekans Mentioned you guys were fighting earlier too, what happened?" Sora stopped looking around and paid full attention to Medicham.
"Yeah, well after you came aback and Ekans went all goody we kind of got angry with him, I hate to admit it, but I really got peeved at him. Gengar kicked him out and he's been staying with mama Kangaskhan since, last night was the first he spent home, and I kicked Gengar out last night. Why are you looking for him exactly?" She asked.
"Well, because of what I told Sora she wants to talk to him and at least tell him that she has a few things to say to him after we get back from fighting Groudon."
"I don't know, he seemed pretty angry last night maybe you ought to wait a couple days for him to cool down, who knows what he could do if you talked to him right now." Medicham sat down and put her fingers onto her chin.
"Well, maybe you're right, but I should still make sure where he is and let him know I plan to talk to him some time before heading down there, because I will admit this… Gengar's right about it being dangerous, I'm just not so quick to turn tail and leave Alakazam and his team down there to face Groudon all alone." She started heading for the door, "C'mon Ekans, We don't have much time before everyone meets in the square to start the trek down." They walked out, Medicham telling them good luck with the search and the underground dungeon.
"So where do we look now?" Ekans asked.
"You go check the stump by the river I'll go look for him over at the hot-springs." Sora suggested after giving it some thought.
"The hot-springs? You know about them?" He tilted his head in wonder, but a knowing look from Sora made his eyes go wide, "Gengar took you to them, didn't he?" She nodded. "Wow, and here I thought he wasn't going to show them to anyone ever… The three of us found them and it's been one of our hangouts, we haven't gone together for a while though… when did he show them to you?" They started leaving back down the path again.
"Hmmm," She thought for moment, "Oh, yeah, it was back when you guys tried to steal our missions and I put a fake one in there and," she blushed, "I kissed Gengar on the cheek, yup I remember. It was on the same day as that, and it was because the river was cold and we found out I was a shiny Eevee!" She giggled.
"Oh, so that's why you were silver the next time we saw you, I always did wonder about that, and he took you there because the river was too cold for you?" He looked at her, slightly disbelieving.
"It's true, the river's coldness was out to get me, but Gengy took me-" She stopped in her tracks, "…" Her face gave it all away, she was confused but she was also a little… happy? This thought made her feel even more confused.
"You just-" Ekans had to turn around to look at her because of her sudden halt.
"I know…" She couldn't help but sit and try to let it sink in.
"We don't have much time Sora, I'll go check the hot-springs instead because they're further away, and you go check the stump… He'll be more likely to be there anyway…" He slithered away to leave Sora to her thoughts. Could this be it? Am I really forgiving him? Is it because I might not come back after my role is done? Or even because I might not get back from fighting Groudon even? Just then Sora remembered a bit of lyrics from a song saying it out loud.
"If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late… would you forgive your enemies?" She seemed to be asking herself this question. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. Her eyes snapped open as she called out, "Yes!" She ran to the stump back down the path and to the left out the bushes, leaping and bounding to it.
"Hello?" She couldn't help but sound nervous when she finally got there, "Gengar?" she looked around and finally went to look behind the stump, nothing but mud, she turned around saw him sleeping under a tree, "It must've rained last night, he slept out here… alone in the rain…", looking past the injuries she saw he looked peaceful as his chest rose and fell. He was on his side, his back against the strangely shaped tree's trunk; it looked like he fell asleep sitting up then slid down whether it woke him up and he didn't care or just slept through it wasn't apparent.
She decided to curl up on the stump for a little, she knew she was running out of time, but she could always meet them at the entrance instead, she just couldn't stand to wake him. She was also afraid of what his reaction would be to her being there, but it wouldn't be any better to look like a creeper watching him in his sleep when he wakes up.
"I know…" she hopped down next to him, "Just like when we met, and the time after that… and again when he tried to sneak up on me." She giggled a little before breathing in; she poked him a few times first until his eyelids moved a slight she stood herself up and put her paws on him to hold herself up. "Boo!" It wasn't an overly loud yell, but it was enough to make him jump up to a sitting position. She fell back from the force and made an oomph noise.
What Gengar did next surprised Sora as she lay on her back rubbing her head where it hit a rock on the ground (Little did she know that was the same rock she had kicked around seeing it as Gengar, it had returned… FOR VENGEANCE!), he ran and hid behind the stump, with his ears folded back as he glared at her from over the edge when she got up and hopped up to look over it. She placed her paws on it after landing and folded her own ears back and looked at him with wide eyes. She brought her paws up to the sides of her face and push her hind legs on the stump to stay up, using her claws to stay up, staring at him.
"What do you want?" He said harshly.
"Ironic isn't it... that I scared you, a ghost type, when you should be scaring me right?" She made a poor attempt at giggling. She lifted a paw forgetting it was holding her up and lost her balance and fell down again. "Spaghetti monster I'm such a klutz all of a sudden." She grumbled.
"Shouldn't you be heading to that underground dungeon?" He growled looking at her from over the stump, ignoring her irony is funny thing from before.
"I will be." She answered getting up and shaking off some dirt, "Just not right this moment is all."
"Then what do you want?" He walked around and poked her in the chest accusingly, "Here to get in one last hit or something? Well touch luck I'm outta here!" He was furious… but Sora could see that he was about ready to break down. He had a bruise under his eye she didn't remember inflicting, and remembered that he got in a fight with his teammates.
All of us are just hitting him, even though he's only acting out of fear… and I realize now that there was so much I could have done to prevent all this… I should've told him I was human from the beginning, She hung her head thinking , I should've answered his questions about when he was blacked out, that's why he followed me when I went to see Xatu… That has to be the reason. Gengar turned, Sora's mind had been distracted by her thoughts, but when he started walking away her head snapped up.
"Gengar wait!" He didn't stop, ignoring her completely, she looked down, he was nearing the edge of the clearing when she sprinted to him and put her head on his back, gently nudging him, she hadn't noticed at first, but she had started crying, "… Don't leave… G-gengy." His eyes widened but he didn't turn around, he stopped his foot from taking another step, placing it back where it was. "I never answered your question," She took a deep breathe, still keeping her forehead on his back, "About what happened when you blacked out? It's why you followed me through the Great Canyon, isn't it?" He nodded, not trusting his voice, and gulped.
"You looked like you recognized my singing voice… and- and you… looked terrified, and I was too embarrassed to tell you what happened before and that's why I left…" She shifted nervously, not wanting to say the truly embarrassing part; she backed away and sat down.
"But… none of that sounds… embarrassing…" He finally turned around, "Is that all that happened?" He sounded almost guilty that he had even followed her just for that, and for the things that he did after hearing that she was human. Just because of that?
"Well, that's not… all that happened it's just that I really don't think I can get myself to tell you… what else happened…" She was still turned away, playing with the dirt with her, nervous.
"Th-that's not all? Then what else happened?" He asked sounding unsure if he even wanted to hear it.
"W-well… I- I think I should say that at the time I… I was… well what… happened… is that I-"
"He wasn't at the hot- springs any luck… here-?" Ekans "I take that as a yes…" Ekans and Gengar locked eyes, "Sora I just saw Lombre, he said we'd better get to town, everyones waiting on us." Sora looked at him at Gengar at him again, He can wait... she thought.
"Sorry Gengar but... yeah I promise I'll tell once I get back! Cross my heart hope to fly stick and cupcake in my eye!" She took off with a very confused Gengar standing there, and a VERY confused Ekans Following behind her, when he caught up and Sora was Sure Gengar was out of hearing range she caught her breathe she had been holding and spoke.
"As much as I hate to say it… thanks Ekans, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell him about kissing him when he blacked out." Ekans stopped so quickly he skidded on his belly and got all tangled up.
"You WHAT?!" He untangled his self in a rush only to fall over again.
"Don't say anything okay; we've got business to take care of." Sora cursed at herself, "I wish it was that easy to tell Gengar about it, when we get back I need you to make SURE I don't back down from telling him though, no matter what I say or do to get out of it. Got it?" He nodded, not fully knowing just how hard this task would be. When they arrived Pika was standing at the edge of the crowd tapping his foot impatiently.
"Sorry about yesterday Pika." Sora jumped next to him with Ekans slithering to the other side of him next to Lombre to listen to their plan of action.
"I thought you'd still be mad at me," He looked around, "You're not mad at me?"
"No way, you were just trying to help, but I have to say something Pika, new evidence has come to light that Gengar isn't all that bad." Pika glared at her instantly. "Whaaat? Look Pika I can't tell you yet but please trust me when I tell you it's only because he's scared of humans and for good reason too, Ekans told me all about it. But it's not my place to tell you so just try not to be mad, let's just do the mission and save the A-team then we can talk about it, okay?" He just gave her the same suspicious look for a while, mulling it over before hanging his head sighing.
"Fine, but this reason of yours better be good." He pointed at her she nodded quickly with a toothy grin.
"Believe me Pika it's a very good reason, you won't regret this, I promise, thank you so much for your support~!" she hugged him, squeezing him making it a little hard for him to breathe.
"Sora- Can't- Breathe!" He struggled.
"Oh sorry!" she let go, "Let's go up and get this done." Ekans and Pika looked at each other before following Soras into the crowd, they made to the front to find Shiftry and Blastoise discussing something, they noticed them and stopped talking. "Sorry about the hold up, now that I'm here are we heading out?" Sora sat next to them.
"Yes, we almost thought you weren't going to make it, what was the hold up?" Shiftry wondered.
"I'm not going to hold back, I was looking for Gengar," everyone seemed to stop what they were doing and looked at her like she was crazy, "What? Why is everyone giving me that look?" She knew why, but she couldn't help but ask.
"Well, maybe it's because we all think you're crazy for going out of your way to try and talk to him?" Blastoise stepped up and crossed his arms, "Especially when we're all here waiting on you so we can rescue The A-team and stop Groudon from waking Kyogre and duking it out with us right smack dab in the middle of them."
"Look I know you all think he's not worth it, but Ekans here told me some pretty shocking stuff about him, things I'm not able to share. If you knew what it was you wouldn't want anybody talking about it either, let's just say someone, a human in fact, did something really really REALLY mean to him okay?" they all gave her an incredulous look. She sighed, "Look I get that you don't trust him, I'm still having a hard time trusting him, but you trust me don't you?" They continued to look at her, expressionless, "I'm just trying to understand him better, and you know all that pent up rage I had against him… After what I did yesterday… it's just gone. There were mistakes I made and it took me this long to figure it out that some of what happened really was my fault."
"She has a point, I trust her because she saved my life." Shiftry stepped up, "Even if I really don't think he deserves it, if she wants to try standing up for Gengar I'm right with her."
"But, we can discuss this after we defeat Groudon right guys!" Sora called and they all cheered, they left down the path towards the underground dungeon Sora, Pika, and Ekans teaming up for the battles ahead.
Gengar walked up and opened the door to his base and found Medicham pacing back and forth with a worried expression. When he closed the door she finally noticed him with a jump.
"Oh, Gengar," She said still looking worried, "Ekans and Sora were here looking for you earlier-"
"I know…." He sat down after grabbing an Oran berry out of a large flat wooden bowl, which he carved himself, sitting on a small table…. (A table that looked to be made of MAHOGANY~! Except it wasn't… I just like Mahogany… MAHOGANY~!) She looked at him wide eyed.
"And you're not angry at Ekans? ...At all?" She sat in a chair across from his, folding her hands over her lap.
"No, why would I be?" His eyebrow went up as he ate the last bite of his Oran berry.
"It's just that I thought you'd be angrier at him for telling Sora about your trainer. But if you're not-" Gengar suddenly swallowed the Oran berry down the wrong throat and choked on it, his eyes bulging. Medicham nearly flew behind his chair and used the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the piece and it went flying.
"HE WHAT?!" He yelled, not even bothering to catch his breath by this time Medicham had realized her mistake, they hadn't even told him about it, and she just did.
"I- I Thought they told you." She mentally slapped herself for opening her big mouth.
"HE WHAT!" He yelled again, "I can't believe him, he went and told her about that?!"
"He was only trying to help you Gengar, he didn't want Sora to be mad at you, and he can't stand seeing the other Pokémon hurt you anymore!" She marched right up to him and looked him dead in the eyes, "Mama Kangaskhan told me that he's been crying himself to sleep at night because he's worried about you Gengar." Her eyes softened, she just wanted him to see just how much he meant to her and Ekans as their friend, no even more than a friend, because whether or not he realized it, he raised them; Ekans was still being raised considering his age. He was the closest they had to a parent…
"What's there to be worried about, I'm fi-!" She cut him off, angry that he'd even say something like that when there was clearly something wrong with his mental state of mind.
"No Gengar, you're not fine, you yell at someone to shut up when no one is talking, you scream in your sleep, you black out all the time and when you come to you don't remember a thing." Medicham sat down, feeling frustrated she covered her face with both hands and hung her head. "Gengar you haven't even seen that woman in four years do you realize that? Four whole YEARS have gone by? Obviously not because here you are, still living your life based on the moment when she threw you away-!" A crash stopped Medichams rant she stood and her head snapped up to look around for the cause, Gengar had turned angrily, purposely flipping over the small (and definitely not mahogany) table in the process. The berries that had been sitting in the bowl were now scattered on the floor.
"Gengar!" Medicham yelled after him as he swung open the door, rushed out and slammed it before she could say anymore.
"Ok we're heading down in teams of threes and fours. Now according to Mama Kangaskhan there's a statue of hers a few floors up from Groudon's level, we'll meet up there and when we've got enough to take him on we attack full force and our top priority is finding Alakazam, Charizard, and Tyranitar and getting them out of there. Anyone here have any questions?" Blastoise asked, everyone seemed to look around at one another.
"I do!" Called someone in the front, everyone's attention was on him, "When do we get started." Ekans smirked, slinking forward, looking ready to do some rescue work. Everyone smiled right with and laughed jovially.
"Right now!" They all marched in and took different paths as the time passed they lost sight of more and more teams as they took alternate routes to find the statue and meet up. They all helped one another out as best they could so they'd have as much fighters by the end as they could and even when they failed they re-entered almost instantly.
The townsfolk and store owners were temporarily based outside the dungeons entrance in a camp making it so they could get right back to the mission. Everyone was doing their part to help save the team that went to face Groudon alone, the Team that went down there to protect them. Sora smiled thinking about how everyone was doing their best to help.
Pika and Ekans were walking behind her watching for enemies so far they had been lucky enough to avoid getting into any tussles with groups of Pokémon, but one or two would find them and attack without hesitation. Floor after floor seemed forever… especially since by this time they had only made it past the first four. Sora was humming then stopped when they walked a flight of stairs, taking them to the fifth floor. She smiled evilly, and then suddenly looked overly bored.
"Are we there yet?" Sora groaned, looking back at Pika, "This place is dark and booring~!" She yawned even though she wasn't at all sleepy…
"Sora if we were there by now YOU'D be the first to know…" Pika answered pinching the bridge of his nose in aggravation; she had been asking the same question every time they reached the next floor.
"And how do you suppose that?" she asked, fully knowing what he'd say, this time even choosing to say it at the same time in mocked Pika voice.
"Because you standing-" Pika stopped, "Ahead of me." Sora continued on her own and giggled, "Yeah yeah, I know I'm just messing with you." This was a new development it this repeated discussion. Sora went on humming. Pika shaking his head, smiling thinking about her strange antics. Ekans poked Pika shoulder with his tail tip.
"Is she always like this?" He asked, a curious light shone in his eyes.
"Yeah, pretty much all the time, well maybe not ALL the time, but almost." He smirked at the poison type who smiled back. The small team made their way past plenty of enemies, catching up and even joining with a few of the other team, slowly as they got closer the group grew and would branch off to find the stairs then find each other to lead everyone to the next floor.
Before long they found themselves reunited with Shiftry and Blastoise's Teams in the safe room that held the statue of Mama Kangaskhan, waiting for the last of the teams and even going back for a couple they all went ahead together, having finally made it past the statue.
"Wow, this place must go down for miles…" Ekans looked up at the ceiling, imagining what must be up on the surface above, them… Then he made the mistake of thinking about all the dirt rock and lava collapsing and crushing them all, making himself whimper.
"What?! What is it?!" Sora freaked out, not knowing what made the sound.
"This place isn't going to *Gulp* Crash down on us… right?" He was visibly sweating at this point.
"Oh, is that it? No, it's not likely to Ekans." She patted him on the back to calm him down, "Wouldn't you think the creator of land masses would know what he's doing living down here? Why would he live down here knowing it had a high chance of collapsing? He wouldn't construct something so faulty, he MADE the land masses Ekans, I'm pretty sure he knew what he was doing when he made this place." She laughed.
"Either that… or he knew he'd be fine." Sora's laughing stopped and she looked at him, "Maybe he knew he wouldn't get crushed by it all because he's that strong and bulky…?" She glowered at him for a second…
"…Ekans…" She finally looked forward and spoke, "We REALLY gotta work on your confidence…" She muttered under her breathe, but just enough so he'd hear.
"What? Why? What's wrong with it? I'm just being realistic…" He pouted.
"Well how about this, no matter how confident you are in your strength, you still wouldn't want to live in a place that crashed down on you. Besides, Groudon's not immune, it would still hurt, survive or not you wouldn't miles of dirt, rocks, and boulders to fall on top of you."
"Oh… I guess that makes sense… But you didn't answer my question… What's wrong with my self-esteem?" He tilted his head, looking absolutely adorable.
"It needs more exp to level up…" She said, sounding a little sarcastic.
"…I don't get it…" His eyes bulged a little in confusion.
"That's means it's low…" He stared at her still looking confused, "You're not all that confident, and I can tell because you're paranoid about a lot of dirt falling on us... Here... in the home of Groudon, who really wouldn't make a home in a place that would fall on his head… It also sounds like an excuse to leave and not fight him." she looked at him, completely serious about his panicking to get out of fighting the legendary ground Pokémon.
"Oh… I guess I am a little scared to fight him." He looked down, feeling a little ashamed.
"Don't feel bad Ekans, we all are…" She looked around giving a hint for him to look as well, when he did and the first time Ekans noticed it. The worry showing in their eyes, their racing hearts, the fact that they had been the only two speaking out of all the teams, even Pika was unknowingly fiddling with his hands nervously, Shiftry's leafy fans were shuttering, and Blastoise was cracking his knuckles every few seconds. Everyone was scared to face Groudon, but they still marched forward, Oran berries and spikes at the ready, scarfs of all kinds adorning their necks to be at top form so they could take back Team A.C.T. and put Groudon into his long slumber.
"Wow, I hadn't even noticed…" Ekans nearly whispered, not wanting anyone to jump from fright.
"Yeah," She looked at him again, "My teeth were chattering before you even said anything, and when you did I nearly jumped out of my fur, and I'm right next to you." She giggled a little, though it was slightly strained and awkward, sounding almost forced.
"Even you?" He looked at her in disbelief, almost stopping, "I didn't think you'd be scared, you're really frightened then?" He looked skeptical somehow, always seeing her as confident, funny, and maybe a little naïve.
"Yeah, I'm completely terrified really… I mean it's not like I'm immune to fear or anything. I know it sounds cheesy but being brave isn't a lack of fear, that's stupidity, TRUE bravery is when you do it despite your fear…Everyone here knows that, and simply by being here we can see that they have that bravery. I've got to help. I know it seems like I'm picking favorites, I'm not saying I don't care about saving Charizard and Tyranitar… But I've got to get Alakazam outta there so we can head up and find out just who we were to each other as humans…" She felt guilty and it showed in her features.
"No one here thinks that Sora, it's understandable why you've been thinking about Alakazam more, given your situation…" He smiled as best he could, "It'll be fine, I'm sure of it."
"You really think so?" She folded her ears back.
"I really do." He smiled an even bigger grin.
"Okay, I guess you're right and MAN does our conversation sound so corny, like it's straight outta some Disney movie~!" she perked up, laughing at his confused face, "You're so funny looking~!" She took off to the front to avoid his questions when he started to talk.
"Wait! What's a 'Disney Movie?'" He slithered after her frantically, "And what's so corny about our conversation?" He chased her, desperately wanting answers. "Wait come back!" He was chasing after her when she suddenly stopped; they were a quite a ways ahead of everyone, who were all very confuzzled at their antics. He tried to stop but tripped over his own body and slammed into her, she got up, ignoring him, and just looked ahead. "What the heck is a Disn-" Sora shrieked.
"No!" She nearly screamed, Ekans kept his eyes on her, scared to see what had caused her to yell like that; she was starting to cry and rushed forward suddenly, frantic. Then he saw what she did and knew instantly why she had gone from messing around to absolute horror. "Charizard! Tryanitar!" She yelled, but only one them responded with slight movement. Tyranitar sat himself up against the wall, crimson shining on his brow. Some of the blood on him was fresh most of it was somewhat dried and just beginning to scab; a cut on his chest was especially raw and could easily be already infected.
Before this point Ekans fear was plain and simple, but now it flowed through him in droves, like waves crashing on him. He couldn't move an inch, all he did was watch as Sora nearly flew to Tyranitar's side, trying her best to push down her own fear of the one who they knew did this to them.
"T-tranitar, what… how did," She took a deep breath and struggled with shaky paws to get an Oran berry out for him, "H-hh-h-ere." She went to hand it to him but he didn't reach for it, he was too weak to lift his arm, she nearly slapped herself, feeling guilty, "Ju-Just open your mouth."
"If you're here… for what I think you are… You might… want to save that…" He struggled to talk, wincing, "Besides, If you're gonna… help anyone… help him," He looked down at Charizard, who was unconscious on his stomach, his tail flame flickering, Sora noticed it was smaller than she remembered.
"O-okay, but I still want you to eat one," She gave him the Oran berry who, in order to speed things up opened his mouth, slowly chewing because of the pain in his jaw.
Sora approached Charizard silently, nudging his head to try and wake him, she couldn't give an Oran berry until he could chew, but it wasn't working.
"Wh-what do I do?" She panicked, "I've got to wake him up somehow…" Her thoughts were rushed as she tried to think of something, "I know!" she suddenly yelled as Tyranitar stood, finally able to move, "Ekans get the others, we ran pretty far ahead… and T-Tyranitar, can you help me get Charizard on his b-back," she was breathing heavily, trying to calm herself.
"I can try, I dragged him out here before collapsing myself, Alakazam told me to get him away before that- that THING put his flame out…" Sora flinched at him saying it was a thing, it was that tough…
"W-well we, we need to get him on his back, then I can get some of the berry juice in him… I hope…" She used her head to push him to flip as Tyranitar placed his feet and tried flipping him with her. He was still weak and when they thought they couldn't get it done Blastoise seemed to appear out of nowhere and with great but gentle strength they got him on his back. Everyone stood back to not get in the way in such a narrow passage, many felt useless and looked away, horrified.
"A-alright, n-now we just have to lift his head to make sure it doesn't go down the wrong throat…" she looked panicked and finicky still, visibly shaking. Blastoise reached towards her, palm up, offering to do it, she looked at his hand appreciatively and handed him the berry. She stood back while he lifted Charizards head up and crushed the berry, the juice dripping into his mouth, He must've woken up at some point because they could she he was swallowing it gratefully. Sora couldn't help but cry, seeing him and Tyranitar in such terrible conditions. Tyranitar put his hand on her back, something snapped in her and she looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. She marched forward, towards where she knew was Alakazam... fighting the one who did this…
"Groudon…" she glared, her fear making way for vengeful hate, the others were busy, trying to help Charizard and Tyranitar. Sora… Sora would be sure to get in a few goods hits for them… She hoped she wouldn't be seeing Alakazam in that state… but she knew she would… it was inevitable.
"How… how could this…" Ekans could hardly speak at first but then suddenly he burst out, "How did this happen!?" Everyone was doing what they could and staying back if they couldn't do anything, but they were too shocked to go and face Groudon, or to notice the little Eevee who had. Ekans was coiled up, Pika looking numb at the sight of the bloody and beaten Pokémon, hurt by the Pokémon he was there to face… He had a sick feeling in his stomach, he imagined himself like that, but who was kidding, he would end up ten times worse, they were bigger, stronger and way more experienced than he was… He wouldn't stand a chance...
"I don't know Ekans…." Pika shook his head, he looked around, "Wait," he said shaking, "Where's Sora?!" He yelled, and everyone glanced around. Shiftry thought about what she must've done, gone back out of fear? No… His eyes widened, knowing her she would've…
"She's gone ahead without us to face Groudon!" They all freaked out at what Shiftry suggested, "Quickly, we have to get there before she gets herself killed, Octillery, stay here!" He yelled.
"I'll lead you there, but be careful that Groudon is a demon…" Tyranitar went first, Golem helping him walk by letting him lean on his back, going as fast they could. Tyranitar stared in disbelief at the path that led to Groudon… It was blocked by giant boulders.
"I-I don't understand it's through there… but it was clear before… what… what happened?" It didn't take long for them to figure it out. Pika found Sora's Gengy doll sitting beside the rubble, he showed it to everyone, unwilling to say anything. They all knew it was hers, mostly due to Pikas reaction to finding it.
"He blocked it… Sora must've got in… and that Groudon blocked the path…. It must know we're here… but why wait until Sora got in if it knew we were here!" Ekans yelled, now his fear was for Sora's life instead of his own, "Why?!"
"We don't know… look!" Pika pointed up at the top of the cave, a small opening could be seen, orange light from Groudon's lair shining through it, none of them, not even Ekans could fit in to get through, but maybe they could try to see inside, or hear Sora and Alakazam inside.
"I'll get up there and check if I can see anything," Pika said climbing up to the small hole, "I can't see much, but I think I can hear… lots of crashing like rocks, it's attacking them, I can see Alakazam now! He's gone now not much peripheral vision…" He didn't need to say anything as they all heard Sora screaming… "C'mon!" He yelled jumping down, lets get this outta the way!" he demanded, determined to get in and help, he didn't care about getting beat up anymore. Sora was in there, GETTING beat up. They heard crashing right up against the already large blockade.
Pika scrambled back up to see what was going on, all he saw was one deadly amber colored eye. Groudon backed away, grinning evilly as he tossed a huge rock onto his side of the pile nearly tripling the size. Sora yelling at him to stop was cut off, and an eerie silence followed.
"There's no way," Pika turned away from the hole and slid down, "There's no way we can get there in time now…"
"What did you see?" Blastoise asked, not wanting him to say what he thought he was.
"Groudon… I saw it putting huge boulders the size of his head in our way…" Pika came back down, "We're stuck here… He's got them trapped in there with no way out… and we can't-" He was cut off by Golem who lifted one of the larger boulders and heaved it away, breaking it once he had it where it wouldn't cause the blockade to become worse. Everyone started following his example as best they could, Pika and Ekans looking at them, "We'll be too late…" Pika said.
"We will be with that attitude…" Shiftry said lifting a boulder, "We can't just give up because it's tough, Sora didn't give up on Saving me from that Zapdos, so I'm not giving up on saving her from Groudon…"
"This is different Shiftry! She just played a game with him; I saw the look on Groudon's face… He's not playing around…" He looked sadly at the Gengy doll, actually feeling sorry that Gengar didn't even know just how close they all were to losing Sora and Alakazam… and how right he was in saying that this was a suicide mission.
Medicham found Gengar in the first place she looked, at the stump by the river like always, she walked up sat down next to him, he looked away from her trying to ignore her.
"Gengar…" She tried to find the words, "I'm sorry for bringing that up, but really Ekans just want's you and Sora to be friends again."
"What makes you say we were friends in the first place," he glanced at her, "What gave any of you that idea."
"Hmph, oh please, you know very well what, we both saw you blushing, and we assume it was the day you met her you came home all quiet, then you suddenly want to bother some no name rescue team? Out of nowhere?" She looked at him, "You look surprised, we could tell for a while that you had a thing for her, have one even." He stopped her there.
"Whoa, let's not go there Medicham!" He got up looking all bashful, "That's not true…"
"Oh yes it is, or else you wouldn't be so torn up about all this. You know… ever since I met you I have NEVER seen you look the way you did when she kissed you on the cheek," He turned redder, "Yeah that's right," She smirked, "Don't you think for even one second that I forgot about that or the look on your face afterwards, you were red the whole way back home, and then some!" She laughed at his attempts to deny it all.
"So what if I do? So what if I was? So what?!" He yelled, but the seriousness of it was lost because his voice cracked in a few different places.
"So what?" Medicham couldn't stop laughing, "So? WE saw how happy you were then and want that for you Gengar. I bet you that Ekans is buttering her up for you right now, in that underground dungeon!" When she said that, they couldn't help but get an ominous feeling that this wasn't true. They looked at each other, worried about what was really going on, while Sora was fighting for her life.
Okay ... yeah I can be real mean to the characters but omg T0T Charizard I soyyrereryerrtuye bleh ...
So I was gonna back it up to before Sora got in and show the part where Groudon blocked the path and you'll see why... why she's screaming... omg I'm fan girling everywhere~!~!~!~!