Chapter 12: Failure
Hailey wasn't sure when exactly she blacked out under the water. It'd all happened so fast: the dizziness, the burning lungs, the black spots. All she knew is that Blue had resurfaced.
The only sounds that she cared to listen to were the serene sounds of the rolling waves as they slowly traveled to the nearest land mass. It reminded her nothing of Unova nor her home in Blackthorn. Sure, in Unova they'd had a beach, The Yellow Beach to be exact, but the King let no people enter the beach so the Krabby and Wingull that migrated all the way from Kanto and Johto could live in peace. This was the closest Hailey had ever been to going on a beach.
Giving a sigh, Hailey finally sat up, rubbing the salty residue from the dried sea water out of her eyes. Blue was clearly tired, but showed no signs of giving in as he glided through the water. Lilly was balancing as best she could on the skinny area of dry scales in a desperate attempt to keep her paws dry just behind Hailey, her locket still dangling from her neck. Hailey's gaze turned to her waist, pleased to see her belt and other Pokémon sitting safely inside.
Hailey began to absent mindedly rub Blue's neck, not knowing what to do next. She looked to the sky, seeing orange and purple blended into the clouds surrounding a setting sun. Either she'd been out for a day, or she'd only been out for a few hours. Either way, Hailey was still lost at sea. Blue was Hailey's only Pokémon that could swim or fly, so after Blue can't go on, Hailey was basically screwed. Or am I? Hailey reconsidered, looking to Hart's poke ball. His fur will surely be buoyant enough to float.
With most of her fears of running out of Pokémon to swim after Blue for the time being gone, she looked at her arms to examine the glass cuts that the submarine's window had given her. The ocean water had washed most of the blood off, leaving a sour stinging feeling on her right arm, which had taken the brunt of the damage. However, some of the blood remained caked and moist on her cuts. Hailey cringed away.
Blood was never her thing.
She sighed, "Blue, what are we going to do? Do you know how to get to any land from here?"
"Air…" Blue responded, shaking his head.
"Can you fly… oh." Hailey stopped when she saw the small fine feathers Blue's winged head were still sopping wet, hanging limply off the side of his head.
Blue gave a snort of frustration, his wings flapping but to no avail. Hailey faintly smiled. Blue never liked looking helpless, he was the type who always wanted to be in control; always be the best and strongest Pokémon in existence. He'd even battle Arceus on his own to prove himself; it was that simple determination that often back fired on Blue in battle, and in his current situation.
"Buddy? You mind if I let Hart take over for a while so you can take a break? Perhaps your wings will dry faster without water splashing them every five seconds." Hailey asked, knowing asking Blue to take a break was a long shot.
"Dragon!" Blue snapped, looking very offended and appalled by Hailey's request.
"Gla! Glaceon!" Lilly pleaded, struggling to stay on Blue's slender form.
Blue ignored Lilly and kept slithering through the water more fiercely than before.
Typical Blue. He either doesn't do what I ask him at all, or he goes all out and drains all of his energy in one move to prove himself.
Hailey sighed, I hope Clair and everyone else are okay… Team Plasma better not hurt them.
XXX
Back in Blackthorn…
Officer Jenny nodded as Clair spoke, filling out her report on Hailey Lynn Colburn.
According to Clair, Blackthorn City's gym leader, the seventeen year old had been missing for two days and five hours and disappeared on February fifteenth around five thirty pm with her Glaceon, Dragonair, and Arcanine.
Officer Jenny was sure that the girl had a fourth Pokémon by the way Clair was talking, but she never told her. She planned to interrogate her more on the fourth Pokémon's identity later though, after her officers and Growlithe search the town and all surrounding routes.
Another young girl, Lara, had also lent her Pokémon, Stunky, to the police force to assist with finding Hailey. If the officers sweeping the area come back with nothing, she was calling the Pokénews Station.
XXX
Storm's POV
If the sinking of his submarine wasn't humiliating enough, Hailey had escaped with all four of her pokemon.
What am I going to tell father? 'Oh sorry, Father, not only did I lose our target and a possible lead, but I also lost a multimillion dollar submarine in the process.' Oh dear Arceus he will not be happy. Storm thought miserably as he stroked Moku's head.
Luckily for Storm and his followers, multiple amphibious helicopters and small boats were stored in case of something like a major leak happened. He and the other Plasma grunts and admirals had arrived yesterday, but the King was unavailable to speak with his son yesterday due to meetings with his scientists. Storm was just going to speak to him of Hailey's destructive escape and the sinking of his submarine today.
Storm took in a deep breath as he went into the throne room, which had been miraculously restored from the final battle that'd taken place between his father and Touko.
He gave another sigh and stopped petting Moku.
"Don't worry, boss. It'll be okay." Moku assured.
Storm couldn't help but glare at his life-long companion. "This is your fault, you know that, right? If Glaceon wasn't set free, Hailey and Arcanine would've been separated and contained. Then I wouldn't be in this situation."
Moku gave a guilty whine and stared at the ground in shame, his tail going in between his legs. "Sorry, boss…"
Storm didn't respond to his Pokémon and stepped into the room. His father sat atop the large gold throne, his head adorned with his jewel studded gold crown; his Reshiram towering over the throne looking at Storm in distaste. A pain of stern looks glared down at Storm.
The King looked rather disappointed.
"I didn't think you'd let a girl get in the way of your mission, son."
Storm's eyes widened, "no, no father, that's not what happened! The grunt that patted her down missed a poke ball that was in her pocket and-"
"You lost a prisoner that was to be executed years ago, and that potential prisoner may have known of the whereabouts of her brother as well. You also sunk my favorite submarine in the process!"
"That was actually the Dragonair, father."
"Don't go blaming this on a Pokémon!"
"But it's true, he smashed through the big window in the break room and-"
"Storm, I don't care if you're my son. I'm going to be hard on you no matter what. I didn't let a girl get in the way of the destiny of my Unovian Rule, why, I killed her! I had Reshiram burn her and Zekrom to cinders! I had to sacrifice so many lives, not just her life, but fractions my own working force perished while I took Unova over! You do know that her life will most likely have to end as well. This Hailey may be your Touko. In order to keep balance, you may be the one to kill her. I didn't earn my place on this throne through inheritance, Storm, no, I killed and conquered and even suffered a little to earn this crown. I expect nothing less from you, do you understand? Now get your butt back out there and bring her back for her execution."
Storm slowly nodded, shame burning his blood. "Yes… father. I will not fail you again."
XXX
Hailey's POV
Hailey sighed in exhaustion. She had finally managed to wrestle Blue back into his poke ball and was now riding on Hart as he doggie-paddled through the water. He seemed to be enjoying himself, he'd always like water.
Well at least one of us is enjoying this. Hailey thought, steering Hart to the right.
"Is this the right way?" She asked.
"Stout!" Hart barked, sniffing the air before looking back to Hailey with a look of confidence.
Hailey gave a sigh of relief, "great!"
Hart whined his excitement, paddling faster than before. It was funny that Hart was so upbeat even after Hailey's recent encounter with Team Plasma, he acted as though it never happened. But Hailey wasn't about to spoil his good mood.
She had to admit that Hart was much more comfortable than Blue though. He was much broader and fluffier than Blue was, the only down side was that he smelled like wet Lillipup.
Lilly was much happier too, curled up in his fur while she took a nap.
Hailey spat out a wad of his wet fur and gagged, "stupid wind."
She turned to the sleeping Lilly.
"You're lucky," she muttered. "No big, gross, wet, smelly wads of fur fly at you, you're welcome."
Lilly's ear twitched in response, her tail covering her face. While picking strands of Stoutland fur from her tongue, Hailey watched the sunset; an odd thing to do while you're picking hair out of your mouth, but it was still semi-relaxing.
She gave a sigh, "I hope we reach land soon."
XXX
She had dozed off a few hours after the sunset, and Lilly had awoken from her nap, staring at the many stars. It was nice to be away from the night lights that choked out the star's shimmering beauty. And it was cold too, just the way Lilly liked it.
Hart was faring well too, his thick fur keeping most of the cold and water away from his skin. He'd taken a few naps as well throughout the night, his buoyant fur keeping them afloat without Hart even having to be awake.
Lilly's stomach rumbled. She sighed. Lilly usually ate around dinner time with Hailey, she'd even made Hailey get another chair for the dinner table so she could sit and eat with her and all the other gym trainers. Hailey's other Pokémon usually ate a little later though around seven 'O clock or something like that.
SPLOOSH.
Hailey's hand slid into the water in her sleep, her head hovering only inches from the water with her stomach facing the stars. Lilly's eyes widened, gripping a flap of Hailey's sweat jacket in her teeth, hauling her back on the middle of Hart's back. She sighed in relief, flopping down next to Hailey. Lilly yawned, about to go back to sleep.
"Stout!"
Hart's surprised bark jerked her back awake. Lilly got to her paws and carefully made her way towards Hart's face.
"Ceon?"
"Stoutland!"
Lilly squinted her eyes into the distance, not wanting to believe what Hart had told her. Her tail drooped and her heart sank.
XXX
Storm's POV
"She's still most likely in the ocean, Sage Gorm." Storm conformed, picking grunts and admirals to accompany him on his voyage.
"Master Storm, are you sure an amphibious helicopter wouldn't be better? It'd be faster than a vessel." Gorm suggested, hoping to sway his decision.
"The girl would be much too small to spot from above, and if we fly too low the waves will knock us down. A ship is the safest way." He insisted.
Gorm sighed, "as you wish, Master Storm. Will your Zoroark be accompanying you on this voyage?"
"No. He cost me the mission last time so he will remain here. I assume he will be well cared for during my absence? I should only be gone a few days if even."
"Of course, Master Storm. Zoroark will be very well cared for." Gorm assured, casting the ashamed dark type a glance.
"Boss… Boss please let me go. I promise I'll be good this time!" Moku pleaded, wagging his tail and giving Storm the eyes, even lifting his right forepaw for a cuter affect.
"No, Moku. This is your punishment, be glad I'm not doing any worse to you." Storm said gruffly.
Moku's tail wag stopped abruptly, slinking out of the room with his head hung low. He turned to his new ship crew.
"Come on, we need to get out there before she runs out of Pokémon that can swim and drowns."
XXX
"We're all set, Master Storm." A grunt saluted, getting back on the ship.
Storm nodded his acknowledgement, nearing the ship.
"Wha!"
Storm froze. He recognized that voice. Some of the grunts already on board seemed to have heard it too. Storm motioned to them to follow him. The nodded wordlessly, climbing off the ship and following their leader.
XXX
Hailey's POV
Hailey woke up to a faint darkness.
"Any land yet?" Hailey yawned, scratching the back of her neck.
"Stout!" Hart responded, snapping the sleepy feeling right out of Hailey.
"Really?" Hailey responded, his response peaking her interest.
"Gla…" Lilly mumbled nervously, visibly shaking.
"What's wrong? We found land…" Hailey's voice trailed off when she saw a familiar sight: a barely visible gray castle shrouded in clouds and the darkness of the night.
"H-Hart, why on earth would you bring us here?!" Hailey stuttered, unable to believe that she was back in the wretched region of Unova.
Right back to square one.
She exchanged nervous glances with Lilly as Hart got into shallow water only steps away from the Yellow Beach. Hailey had to admit though that the beach was much longer than she expected, and much prettier as well. The moonlight shimmering on the water's surface just complimented the beach's appearance further. Hart eagerly came ashore, his tail wagging faster than I thought was possible.
"Well at least we're not dead… yet." Hailey sighed, loosening her grip on Hart's fur.
Big mistake.
Hart shook his fur out, flinging Hailey and Lilly off his back and onto the sand.
"Wha!" Hailey yelped, landing face down on the sand, immediately spitting sand out of her mouth.
"Come on! First your wet fur, and now sand too? What did I ever do to deserve that?"
"You escaped."
Hailey's blood ran cold, her head slowly turning to see Storm's figure in the darkness, accompanied by several other grunts.
Fudge. Well I'm screwed. She thought, instantly scooting back to Lilly and Hart, her eyes wide in surprise and fear.
"Looks like we won't have to set sail to look for you after all." Storm grinned.
"Master Storm, shall I tell the others to unload the ship?" A grunt asked.
"That would be nice." Storm approved, sending the grunt off.
"Land…" Hart snarled his warning, standing over Hailey.
"Wha! Hart y-you're getting me all wet and now there's salt water in my eyes!" Hailey complained, wincing as salt water dripped into her eyes and rewetted her hair.
Despite their situation, Lilly couldn't help but snicker.
"Jerk." Hailey muttered, lightly punching her on the shoulder.
"Now, don't make this harder than it must be. Return your Pokémon and allow us to contain you."
"I can't return Lilly. I lost her poke ball on the submarine." Hailey responded honestly.
Storm cursed a little under his breath. "Well I'm never getting that back."
"It was never yours to have in the first place." She countered, putting an arm around Lilly's shoulders.
"Don't try with me, Hailey. Just obey and maybe I'll delay or maybe even cancel your… execution."
Hailey flinched at the word 'execution'.
"I don't believe you." She whispered.
"I've learned not to trust you people in my first ten years. I still have horrible scarring on my back and legs from whippings and electrical burns from tasers because of your father's horrible and incredibly stupid rules and empty promises. I don't care if you kill me. It won't change anything, if anything, my death will just make your citizens hate you and disrespect you Plasma Freaks even more than they already do!" Hailey spat, glaring through her fear.
A vein bulged from Storm's forehead.
"Take it back." He commanded.
A voice inside told Hailey to obey.
Hailey ignored it.
"No. Why should I?" She challenged.
Storm's fist landed a blow on her jaw, squeezing a yelp of pain out of Hailey's mouth. Hart swatted Unova's prince away from Hailey with his paw, knocking him over.
"Stout!" He snarled.
Hailey bit her lip and closed her eyes as a few stubborn tears forced their way out of her eyes. She choked back a louder cry of pain, not wanting to give Storm the power and satisfaction of hearing her cry. Lilly silently licked the tears from her cheeks. Hailey patted her on the head as her thanks.
"Master Storm! Are you alright?" A grunt asked, helping his prince back onto his feet.
"I'm fine." Storm replied, glaring at the three.
Hart glared back, his lips drawn back into a snarl. Lilly however, for once did not glare. It was weird, almost as though being back on Unovian soil drained her confidence and as Lara would say, 'spunk.'
"Gla… Glaceon." Lilly cried, looking sadly at Storm.
Storm's expression saddened. "I'm am doing this for the greater good, Glaceon."
Lilly shook her head. "Ceon gla…"
"You must believe me-"
"Gla!" Lilly interrupted, a darkened sorrow in her gaze that Hailey had never seen before.
Storm stared at the ground guiltily, clenching his fists. Hailey rubbed her face and watched them silently, she had no idea what Lilly was saying, but whatever it was had surely gotten to him.
"I… I am sorry. I will try my best for you, but unless father approves, I can stop nothing. I do not intend to be foreseen as a monster, but a hero. I will try to be your hero and stop it, I promise." He whispered.
Even in the dark of the night Hailey could see Storm's newfound sorrows almost perfectly, something she thought wasn't' possible to be seen in the eyes of a member of Team Plasma. Perhaps it was all in her head? It could all be fake or nonexistent; a trick of the night.
Lilly buried her face in Hailey's shoulder. She tentively stopped touching her swelling and probably bruised jaw and began to stroke her fur. No one dared to speak. In the deafening silence, Hailey pulled a poke ball from her belt - Hart's poke ball - and returned him much to Hart's shock. The comfort of Hart's loyalty and protective nature was gone now, leaving Hailey alone with only a semi-traumatized ice type for company.
She closed her eyes and tried her hardest to tune out the sound of shoes on sand as grunts approached her and tied her arms behind her back, this time not with rope but with some kind of electrical cord. She felt the cool and comforting feeling of Lilly taken away, but she didn't want to watch. Hailey winced as her poke ball belt was stripped from her waist.
I went too far… I should've just played nice or brought out my other Pokémon, but no. What did I do? I challenged their prince. Not my smartest move. She thought as grunts forced her to her feet.
It's over, I failed.
