Ouch, has it really been that long since I've updated? Sorry guys, school has been swamping me. I have a lot more homework and extracurricular activities now. I'm trying to juggle all of this, so try and understand. I really, REALLY, hope that I never update this long again, but I'll only type when I have the time.
Again, big thanks to all my reviewers! (If you even read this) xD
Chapter 11
"What do you mean they escaped?" Sylvia asked. Her cold black eyes were not devoid of emotion. They reminded the General of the black holes of death.
"They were all bound and gagged. We even stripped them of their Pokemon," The General said. "Then, suddenly, there was a blinding white flash of light, and they were gone."
He shrugged nonchalantly, as if it was an unimportant mistake. He'd try again the next time.
"Give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't dispose of you right now General."
The General licked his lips before smiling a white toothy grin.
"Because I know what your eight Legendaries look like, madam," The General said. His voice was smooth, not at all touched by any fear. "And I believe your time is nearly up. The Eclipse is nearing and you are nowhere near capturing them as I was."
The toothy grin impossibly stretched wider.
"With all due respect madam," The General said. "I believe you need my help."
Sylvia's teeth clenched together. She made a mental note to punish the General later.
"If you can get me at least one Legendary General," Sylvia said. It took nearly every ounce of her control to not reach for the Salamence in her desk drawer.
"I will triple your pay and grant you a new Pokemon," Sylvia said. "Do I make myself clear?"
The General inclined his head in confirmation before standing up and walking out of the woman's office.
Suicune growled angrily at the mention of Edrik. Confusion overtook May.
Is this true? May asked Suicune.
Indeed, Suicune responded. Edrik had betrayed our secret to the Dark Warriors. Fascinating how Rayquaza's chosen host was his descendant though.
He never told me… May thought helplessly as Drew was helped on his feet by the guards. They snapped a pair of metal handcuffs onto his wrists before leading him away.
Drew's emerald eyes flashed to look at her. She could see the disappointment and regret sparkling in them. He was forced to look away when the guards dragged him out of the room.
Some secrets are best left unknown child, Suicune said as May sank to her knees in exhaustion. She felt the lack of sleep hit her like a bucket of ice cold water. She slumped forward and gratefully allowed the sleep to carry her away from reality.
May blinked her eyes open. She was in a small bed with blank white sheets covering her. She grimaced as she shifted her sore legs. The muscles felt underused and cramped.
What happened? May thought tiredly.
Sleep overcame you.
Woah! May thought wildly. She shot up in her bed, looking for the unknown voice. Her heart hammered against her chest violently as her eyes swept the room.
Have you forgotten the most recent events child? Suicune asked, amusement trickling in her voice.
Oh yeah… May thought unconsciously. How long have I been asleep?
May stretched her arms as Suicune replied. Two nights, I believe…
What? May thought in alarm. I was asleep for over two days?
Your mind was stressed from the night's events, you needed rest, Suicune said. It is understandable.
What happened to Drew? May thought. Her heartbeat quickened as thousands of possibilities ran through her mind.
He was arrested and is in solitary confinement, Suicune reassured her. Under normal circumstances, he would have been executed. However, since Rayquaza refuses to allow this, Jarvis believed it would be best to keep a watchful eye over him.
What about Misty, Dawn, and Leaf? May thought as she jumped out of bed in a hurry. Her legs nearly crumpled as they struggled to straighten. May leaned against the bed to wait for her legs to get used to her weight.
Peace child, Suicune said. They, too, have won the respect over the Resistance. They are merely asleep, much like you were only seconds ago.
Is Drew still asleep? May thought. I need to go see him.
May heard Suicune's amused chuckle. Rayquaza is furious. I can sense his anger, even from this distance.
So he's awake? May tried to confirm.
I believe so, Suicune replied. It's hardly unlikely that your friend can rest under the Leader of the Weather Trio's anger. He is not one to be trifled with.
"Same with Drew when he's mad," May muttered as the door to her room creaked open.
"Ah," A familiar deep voice greeted. "I see you've awakened."
A warm, mouth-watering aroma floated into the room. May eyed the bowl of stew in Jarvis' meaty hand hungrily as he shut the door closed.
A small smile tugged on the corner of his lips as he offered the tantalizing food to May. She wordlessly accepted it and began to devour the chunky stew in hurried gulps. The bowl quickly emptied and May stifled a burp to hide her content stomach.
"Our leader requests your presence in her office," Jarvis said. May didn't answer him. Annoyance started to build inside of her, much to Suicune's confusion.
What angers you child? Suicune asked as May huffed in annoyance.
I don't trust Jarvis, May thought. I don't want anything to do with him. He's big and mean!
Suicune chuckled at May's child-like anger. He merely wishes to help us. He is the Commander of an army of hundreds of men and women. He needs to protect thousands of innocent lives while train his soldiers to their full extent. He needs to inspire and motivate his men each day in order to keep stability. In a way, his job is much harder than yours.
I never thought of that, May thought.
It often helps to look further than what your eyes are used to seeing.
I'll try to remember that, May thought sarcastically.
"Is something troubling you?" Jarvis' loud voice jarred May out of her thoughts.
"No," She said. "Can I go and see Drew first?"
"You wish to see the vermin?" Jarvis asked, surprise edging his voice. May bit her tongue to hold the insult she wanted to say.
"Drew's not 'vermin,'" May said behind clenched teeth.
"My apologies," Jarvis said. May was a bit shocked to hear genuine regret in his deep voice. "However, I have orders that none but the warden and soldiers may visit him. Perhaps you may convince our leader to permit you to do so once you have seen her."
Should we go? May thought automatically. A part of her still didn't trust the people of the Resistance. They had been nothing but hostile and judgmental to them.
I believe we should, Suicune replied. Let us finally meet her.
May nodded at Jarvis and the door groaned in distress as Jarvis opened the door for her. May wordlessly walked out her room. She discovered that she was standing on one of the ledge that had been ingrained to the side of the monstrous mountain. The chilly morning air tickled her exposed skin and a cloud of breath escaped her lips. Curiously, May craned her head past the security railings and looked down. The people milling about below her were almost indistinguishable. May looked above her. Although the mountain opened to the sky above, the stony walls impossibly rose even taller as if they were reaching for the clouds.
Jarvis was waiting for May patiently next to a hole in the wall, a tunnel, May realized. The tunnel rose and stooped as the two trudged in the well-lit passageway. They turned a corner and May saw a silver door on the rocky wall. Jarvis pushed a button built besides the door before it opened. A large metal room greeted her and Jarvis beckoned for May to step inside.
"What is this?" May asked skeptically as the sole of her shoe clanked against the silver floor.
"An engineer of ours constructed this for our purpose," Jarvis explained as he followed May. Even with Jarvis in with her, a group of twenty men could easily fit in them with them. Jarvis punched something in a number pad besides the door inside the elevator.
"Ingenious, he is," Jarvis continued as the metal door clanged shut. "The elevators will take us to any section in the Resistance that would normally take minutes on foot. It took many years to build all of the elevators."
The elevator whirred to life and suddenly shot backwards. May cried out in surprise as she almost lost her balance. She clung onto a safety bar at the side of the elevator just as they dropped seven stories.
When the elevator finally came to a stop, May and Jarvis walked out of it to a different tunnel. The air was considerably warmer, but still cool, as Jarvis and May walked out to a ledge. After walking inside another tunnel, they quickly came upon a stony door. It was nearly invisible, and May would've walked right past it if Jarvis hadn't stopped in front of her. He grabbed the smooth handle and opened the door to give him enough space to stick his head in there. He spoke in a low voice before retracting his head and facing May.
"She is waiting for you."
May reached forward and gripped the handle of the door and pulled it open. She was pleased to find that the door wasn't heavy at all. She walked inside and blurted out the first thought that came to her head.
"You!"
The blue-haired girl May had seen days before smiled wryly as she silently acknowledged May.
May's sapphire eyes had widened in surprise. "You're the leader of the Resistance?" A small part of her consciousness registered Suicune's surprise as well.
"That I am," The blue-haired girl replied as she returned her attention to the documents on her desk.
"You're the same age as me though," May protested. "More or less."
An amused glint shimmered in the Leader's eyes as she looked up to meet May's gaze.
"Yet I've been raised and trained to take on this very position since I could walk," She replied nonchalantly. "Age and size do not matter if one is best suited to lead."
She's got a point, May told Suicune.
"But please," the Leader said, waving her hand in the direction of the wooden chair across her desk. "Take a seat. May I offer you a drink?"
"Water would be fine," May said as she sank into the chair. The Leader nodded and spoke into a small, almost invisible intercom to her left. She pushed the small button.
"Send a glass of water to my office please."
A mere few seconds later, a small bell chime echoed in the room. A teenager let himself into the Leader's office. He set down a glass of ice-cold water in front of May before quickly retreating from the room.
May heard Suicune chuckle in amusement.
What is it now? May asked in puzzlement as she reached for the glass of water. The cold smooth crystal felt good against the palm of her hand. It was even more refreshing when she took a sip to soothe her dry throat.
Suicune ignored her as the Leader started to talk.
"Welcome to the Resistance," She said. "My sincerest apologies about the horrible predicament you and your companions faced yesterday with Jarvis. He will be punished for disobeying my orders."
"Oh no," May said. "It's fine really." She felt somewhat guilty for him all of a sudden.
The Leader shook her head. "It is more of an issue of authority rather than for your sake. Anyways, your presence in the Resistance is most fortunate. We were recently planning an invasion on the city of Petalburg. Our spies has informed us that if we do not act now, the Dark Warriors may become invincible."
"Ouch," May murmured under her breaeth.
"As it is," the Leader continued. "You and your friends will need training before battling. You may rest for the next week or so, but then you will be required to report to the training stadium."
May nodded in confirmation. "Is that all?"
"One more thing," She answered. "Despite our best to quell them, rumors have sprung about the Resistance that the eight Legendaries have finally arrived. If these rumors prove themselves to be true to the public, you and your friends will never find a moments rest during your time here.
Everyday, people pray and worship Arceus to guide them and bring fortune upon them-"
"And since we're the messengers of Arceus," May started, catching on quickly. "Why not take the messages to us to send to him directly? That's ridiculous!"
"You must understand May," the Leader started. "Humans will try anything in order to lessen their pain. This year alone, our food supply has been cut into nearly half because of all the spies and traitors in here. Many people have even left, thinking life under here is no better than under the rule of the Dark Warriors. It's easier to ask the Creator for a simpler life."
Again, her wisdom speaks, Suicune remarked. Why blame yourself for your misfortunes when you can blame he who created everything?
"Another thing," the Leader said, interrupting May's thoughts. "As you may have noticed, I continuously mention the topic of spies. It has become a serious issue for the Resistance, and despite our best efforts, we could only track down and remove a portion of them. You are, of course, free to do what you will during your time at the Resistance, but I suggest that you should never be alone while dwelling in the long corridors riddling the mountain's wall. You are of great value to the Resistance and the loss of you will be most devastating to our cause."
Annoyance started to bubble inside of May.
It's like we're trading cards or something! May thought bitterly. Wouldn't want to lose the holographic limited edition Suicune one!
Peace child, Suicune said calmly. She means no disrespect.
"I have taken much of your time," the Leader said. "And I must return to my work. Perhaps another time; you may visit me anytime you wish. Merely inform Jarvis and he will guide you to me."
May nodded and smiled politely. "Thank you for everything."
"I expect you to repay me by helping to overthrow the Dark Warriors."
May flinched, before nodding in respect. She automatically turned around to let herself out. Jarvis turned his head as May emerged and nodded politely to May before following her.
"Uhh, Jarvis," May started. "I can take things from here; I just want to walk around by myself."
Jarvis nodded understandingly. "There is a small garden behind the mountain next to the training stadium."
"Sounds great," May said. Jarvis guided May to the elevator and told her which numbers to press to access the garden. She watched as Jarvis' face slowly disappeared behind the metal door.
If memory serves right, Suicune said. The Leader did advise you to have someone with us at all time.
It's just a small walk, May reasoned. We can take care of ourselves. Besides, the Leader only wants us safe so we can help her get rid of the Dark Warriors. There was annoyance dripping out towards the end of her sentence.
Yet I sense that her intentions are pure and well, Suicune mused.
How can you tell? May wondered.
Human senses are incredibly weak, Suicune said as May snorted in amusement. The elevator made a wide turn, and May was momentarily pinned to the right wall. On the other hand, Pokemon, particularly Legendaries, are able to sense one's aura. Some Pokemon immediately take a liking to a human because of so, while others shy away from those that they see to have corrupt intentions.
May dimly remembered the first time she had received her Torchic. The Dark Academy only allowed several minutes for the Pokemon to be acquainted with their new trainers. The Chick Pokemon had immediately warmed up to her, rubbing its fluffy head against her leg affectionately. It chirped happily as May reached down to pat its small head. Afterwards, the Dark Academy snatched away it away. May didn't see the Pokemon again until a couple of days later when it had been forced to evolve into a strong Blaziken.
Suicune growled in anger at May's memory. How degrading it is to have to evolve forcefully!
The Academy said that was how they made Pokemon stronger, May recalled.
Suicune scoffed. Perhaps, but engineering one's strength and intelligence is begging to have many complications. So you can see the darkness of this atrocity, imagine taking a human child out of pre-school and thrusting them into the difficult world of adult human politics. Try applying for a job when you can't even read!
May bit her lip unconsciously. She had never heard Suicune so angry before. Another reason as to why we are here, She quietly acknowledged.
One of many, Suicune agreed.
The elevator came to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing May forward. The elevator door opened and May stepped out of it. This tunnel was very short; she could see the grass and the flowers waiting for her on the other side. Jogging along forwards, she slowed to a paced walk as she entered the small garden. The sun was shining brightly and a light breeze blew occasionally to stifle the heat. May was a bit surprised and pleased to see some Caterpies and Beautiflys around the garden. As she began to walk forwards, her eyes fell upon a row of rose bushes and her heart started to hammer against her chest as she was reminded of a certain someone.
"Hey, you!" A voice shouted behind her, disrupting the tranquility of May's walk.
She turned around to see a boy with a cap jammed on his head backwards waving at her, trying to capture her attention. His clothes were simple, yet there was no doubt that he was impoverished. He grinned cheekily as he ran up besides May.
Is he a spy? May asked Suicune. Her hands balled themselves into fists automatically and she tensed as the boy neared her.
I cannot tell, the Legendary admitted. Sensing one's aura is a complicated skill to master. The answers are not always easily visible. Keep your mind clear; he may be an enemy or a friend.
"Remember me?" The teenager asked. "I gave you a glass of water in Marina's office."
"Marina?" May asked confusedly. She remembered receiving the glass of water, yet she didn't know whether it was him who delivered it to her.
The cheerful look on the boy's face quickly soured. "Oh yeah," He said. "Calling the Leader by her real name makes her less intimidating."
"It makes her more human," May admitted.
The boy chuckled. "Right." He reached into his back pocket and fished out small piece of paper rolled into a scroll. It was tied with a small pink ribbon to hide its contents. "Anyways, could you pass this on to her?" The boy asked. "If you had a meeting with her, you'll always be able to reach her. The other inhabitants of the Resistance aren't as lucky."
May eyed the scroll warily. It could be poisoned or lethal if opened.
What do you think? May asked Suicune.
Suicune yawned tiredly, a purr rumbling in her throat. You cannot always rely on me to make decisions for you, child. Trust your instincts and follow your heart; the path will be clear.
It wouldn't hurt if you helped me out once in a while though, May retorted.
Suicune's eyes were wide and emotionless. Not this time young one. Whatever occurs will weigh on your shoulders.
On that happy note… May thought as she looked at the boy.
"Who should I say it's from?" May asked.
The teenager scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Uhh, see, I'm not supposed to be even communicating with Marina. A lowly kitchen boy and the powerful leader of the number one rebellion group in Hoenn are on two different statuses."
"And why do you think I'll help you?" May asked. She had growing suspicions, but she wanted to hear what the teenager's excuse was. Her sapphire orbs glinted understandingly, not going unnoticed by the youth standing before her.
His face quickly turned to different shades of red as he looked away in embarrassment. "I mean, we've met- met once or twice, I'll admit." He spoke slowly, as if he was taking extreme caution over his next words. "B-but, I mean… well-"
"What's your name?" Her voice was gentle at having finally understanding the poor boy's predicament.
"Uhh, Jimmy," He stuttered. His face was still the shade of a Tomato Berry. May reached forward and gently pried the scroll out of the stiff boy's flaming hand.
May smiled happily. "I'll deliver your message," May said. "But I'm going to be saying who this is from, even if you two aren't meant to be seen together."
May started to walk away briskly as Jimmy stammered his protests. But she was already out of the garden, hidden in the half-light of the tunnel. She gripped Jimmy's note tightly, but not enough to crush the perfect cylinder shape of the scroll. She reached the elevator and hurried inside of it as the door slid forward. She took one glance at the number pad and shook her head in puzzlement. She pressed the first five numbers that popped in her head as the elevator began to move towards the set destination.
We should bring a guard or someone who knows this place with us next time, May thought as the elevator started to climb the side of the mountain. She felt Suicune agree with her.
After several minutes, the elevator door opened and May saw that she was in an unfamiliar corridor. She stepped into it curiously, looking for anyone that might help her reach the Leader's, or Marina's, office.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be here!" A booming voice echoed in the narrow hallway. May jumped in surprise as someone loomed over her.
"Uhh, yeah," May stuttered as the guard nearly shoved a large gun under her nose. "Can you tell me where the Leader's office is?"
"Unless you have a personal invitation or a member of the Elite Guard to guide you there, that information is classified."
"What is all this ruckus?" A familiar loud voice resonated from the interior of the tunnel. Jarvis thundered over and saw the confrontation.
"At ease boy," Jarvis rumbled. The guard retreated and bowed respectfully to him. "Go back to guarding the prisoners, I'll deal with her." The guard nodded and immediately rushed into the deeper confines of the tunnel.
Jarvis turned to May and looked down to meet her eyes, or the top of her head.
"You are not allowed here," Jarvis said. It was more of a statement rather than an accusation. "This corridor had been given a special elevator number; no outsider could have possibly guessed it."
"Well, I did," May said in bored tone. "Can you tell me what the elevator number is for the Leader? I want to speak with her."
Moments later, May popped out of the elevator again and retraced her steps from the last time she was in there. By now, the sun was shining directly into the Resistance from the massive crater above. May would've normally shielded her eyes from the white light, but Suicune helped adjust them so as not to blind her.
May reached the Leader's door and was somewhat surprised to see two soldiers guarding the door. They hadn't been there this morning
"Name?" One of them asked.
"May…" She was starting to get a little annoyed at all the security in the Resistance. But she understood the necessity.
One of the guards disappeared inside the room while the other glared threateningly at May. A few seconds later, the guard popped out and nodded approvingly to May.
"You may enter."
The guard opened the door for May, and she walked inside with the guard hovering over her. The brunette saw the Leader at her desk, studying a map of what seemed to be structural design of Petalburg City. The blue-haired girl looked up.
"May I help you?" She asked politely.
May held out the slightly crumpled message from Jimmy. The Leader took it curiously as May explained.
"A guy named Jimmy told me to give this to you."
The Leader made a disgusted face as she immediately threw the note into the trash bin besides her desk.
"I have no time to read anything that the kitchen boy has written," She said in a somewhat annoyed tone. "If that is all, then I will have to politely ask you to leave."
May smirked in amusement before walking towards the door. As the door behind her nearly closed shut, May looked back and caught a glimpse of Marina reaching into the trash bin. There was a light pink blush highlighting her face as she picked something up.
As the guards ushered her away, May forced herself to remember that the Leader was still, after all, a teenager.
Drew's Point of View:
Insolence! Treachery! How dare these fools keep us confined in these cages like Pokemon!
You are a Pokemon, Drew pointed out to Rayquaza. He growled in protest.
I am a Legendary Pokemon, a messenger of Arceus himself.
But you're still a Pokemon, Drew said in a matter-of-fact tone. He didn't really mind the cell he was locked up in. It was a rather comfortable place to be in, considering that he was a "criminal.". He was given all the benefits of a regular member of the Resistance. He could order and eat whatever he wanted, he could read any books from their library, and play any of the video games they actually had. But the one thing he didn't have was freedom. He was locked all day and all night, and the only people who had visited him so far were prison guards.
Speaking of which, a guard trudged into view. Keys jangled in his hand as he unlocked the door to Drew's cell.
"You have a visitor," He said. Drew's eyebrow quirked in curiosity as the guard opened the door for Drew. A brief image of May flashed into his head, but he quickly batted it away before Rayquaza could see it.
Too late; The Sky High Pokemon chuckled in amusement. You find her to be rather attractive? Am I wrong?
No, I mean yes! Damn it! It was impossible to keep secrets from Rayquaza. It was so frustrating and embarrassing at the same time.
Rayquaza made a coughing, almost hacking, noise that Drew guessed to be laughing. Tis why you bestowed upon her all those roses? They are the symbol of love to you humans, correct?
Shut up, Drew growled in his head. The Leader of the Weather Trio laughed again as Drew turned a corner to the visitor room. His heart fluttered hopelessly at the thought of seeing May. Disappointment washed over him as he saw Ash waiting for him at one corner. He saw sitting in what Drew was reminded of a table from the Dark Academy's cafeteria.
The guard allowed Drew talk to Ash alone.
"You got five minutes boy," He said. Drew nodded understandingly and he strode over to Ash confidently. His infamous smirk was already on, hiding his displeasure.
"Hey Drew," Ash greeted as Drew took the seat across from him. He nodded in response and waited for Ash to start.
"Uhh," Ash started. "Just wanted to see how you were doing. You know, getting arrested and all."
Drew shrugged indifferently. "It's not so bad. How are the others?" How's May?
Ash chuckled. "Gary's alright. He's having a hard time not showing off once he realized there was a training stadium here. And Paul's… Paul. He doesn't leave his room often, and when he does, he's almost always in the library."
Drew nodded. "What about the girls?"
Ash shook his head. "I don't know; I haven't seen them since we got separated." There was a hint of worry in his voice, but Drew ignored it.
"So…" Ash began awkwardly. "Your ancestor was really Edrik the Great?" It was the title the Dark Warriors had spawned. They had learned how Edrik the Great was one of the greatest warriors in history, effectively eliminating thousands of humans and Pokemon.
Rayquaza growled angrily at the mention of Edrik and Drew's stomach churned. He felt a little sick.
"I don't want to talk about it Ash." There was a sudden coldness to his voice.
"I'm sorry." The two sat in silence for some time before the guard quickly announced that Drew's five minutes were up. The two friends rose to their feet at the same time.
"We're still your best friends Drew," Ash said with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Nothing can ever change that. Just a little something that Gary and Paul wanted to tell you."
Drew nodded slowly. "See you around Ash." Without looking back, he trudged over to the waiting guard. He didn't even try to conceal the sadness from his face.
You are disappointed that Suicune did not visit you, Rayquaza said. He didn't word it like a question.
Not at all, Drew responded. There was a hollow feeling in his heart. It was like a part of him was missing; and he was always reminded of it.
Rayquaza didn't speak again and he allowed Drew to wallow in his thoughts and misery.
Would she ever visit him? Drew wondered. Most likely not. He was doomed to be locked in his cell forever, or at least until the Resistance fell. Before, May had been angry at him. But now that one of his biggest secrets had been uncovered, he couldn't possibly guess her reactions. Drew sighed as the barred door to his cell slammed shut with a loud clang! He fell onto his small bed tiredly and allowed the sleep to drift him away from reality.