Chapter 12: Ice, Ice, and more Ice
I sat on the balcony, waiting for Crystal to come back. She'd only been gone for a day now, but I still worried about her. She doesn't have a poke ball, so she's fair game to anyone who somehow still has a poke ball. "Come on Crys…" I murmured, standing up and pacing.
It was hard enough doing whatever was asked of me here with Crystal here, but without her it seemed nearly impossible. Eating huge rich meals that I didn't know even existed, wearing a fine silk dress that I tripped on all the time, being trapped inside such a small space, the balcony being my only source of real air and light, it was hell. I'd been asked about where Crystal was twice. Turns out Concordia does enjoy my pancake-loving buddy around even if she doesn't act like it. N hadn't really bothered me much, so it was nice and quiet in here, the only noise being the chirping of Pidove outside.
I had been taking note of everything that happened, wanting to memorize the patterns of security so I could pinpoint the perfect time to put my plans into action. I decided to scratch the whole 'be patient' part of the plan, replacing the time consuming part with a more exciting, fast paced one: climb onto the roof from my balcony and find Kyurem. Just have to wait until nightfall, it'll be a full moon tonight so I'll have plenty of light to look into the windows. I thought, picking nervously at my nails. Just have to wait a little longer…
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Crystal had flown through the skies of Unova non-stop for days at a time, not wanting to waste a single moment to travel. She had just reached Driftveil City. (That Archeops better not have been lying if he knows what's good for him.) Crystal growled to herself, nearing the cold storage vaults.
He said the largest vault… She thought, examining the vaults from the air. Easily locating the largest vault, Crystal glided onto the frost covered grass near the vaults. She shivered as the cold quickly bypassed Crystal's new short cream-colored fur. Giving another shiver, Crystal reluctantly went into the cold vault, wincing as the even colder air made her leafy ears and tail wither and wilt. (Alright, now where is stupid Black?) Crystal grumbled, making her way through the icy, dark vault.
As she got deeper into the vault, light eventually preached her eyes, making her squint. Crystal quietly approached the source of the light which was emanating from a huge steel container. Warmth flooded her paws as she placed a paw softly on the steel container. Unable to find a good entrance, she used dig, easily burrowing through the cold concrete.
The steel container was more difficult to break through, but it was well worth it. There was Black: looking scared out of his mind at the sight of me. "Shit! Emboar Team Plasma found us!" He yelled, looking accusingly at Crystal. She rolled her eyes, untying Jemma's letter from her leg, offering it to Black. "What?" Black gaped, shakily accepting the wind-swept letter.
He smiled as he read the letter, quickly finishing it, yet reading it over again. "Oh Jem… still doing your job even when you're prisoner…" He grinned, not taking his eyes from the paper. "So… you're actually Crystal huh? Sorry I freaked out on you..." Black laughed, scratching his head. Crystal sweat dropped, nodding.
"Well let me uh, write back I guess." Black stuttered, looking awkward as he reached for a pencil and paper. As he wrote, Black began to talk to Crystal. "So did Jemma teach you to fly?" (Yeah duh.) Crystal muttered, not liking the fire that burned in the middle of the crate. Black quickly finished the letter, tying the letter to Crystal's leg. He patted her head, "good luck, Crys. Tell her to write back soon." (Of course.) Crystal said with a nod, leaving the vault and taking flight once more.
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Night had fallen, the moon lighting up the balcony. I had changed into my regular clothes, not wanting to sneak around with a big flowing dress pooling around me. I slowly opened the glass doors, tensely stepping out onto the tiled area. My gaze flickered to the gable roof top, then to the railing. I carefully stepped onto the thin gold railing, quickly reaching for the roof for support, only my finger tips able to clasp the roof. I narrowed my eyes, my core flexing as I flipped my bare feet up with my feet. The danger was very real.
If I fell from such a height, I would die of head trauma or I would be broken. If I was caught climbing onto the roof, my balcony privileges would be taken away, and I'd be more heavily guarded. My arms screamed from the effort as I pulled the rest of myself onto the roof. Not wanting to risk falling down the roof, I stayed on my hands and knees as I scaled the roof.
I continued to slowly climb higher up the roof, sweat dripping down my forehead. My face brightened at the sight of a window. Determination glittered in my eyes as I climbed up to the window, only to find what appeared to be a study room. I gave a grunt of frustration, stopping and trying to think where Kyurem would be held. "Well obviously not all the way up here." I muttered, climbing down so I wasn't seen. I slid back onto my balcony. Well the only logical place for Kyurem would be either the base floor or a basement. I decided, heaving myself back onto the roof.
(Jemma!) I heard Crystal call, my head snapped to see my beloved Leafeon flying with a reply note. "Crys!" I gasped, offering my arm for her to perch on. Crystal gladly landed on the crook of my arm. "Oh and perfect timing. I need your vine whip to help me get to the ground." I breathed. Crystal sighed. (Ok, after all, I've only flown nonstop for like four days but sure, I'll help you.) I smiled, quickly untying the note from her leg and stuffing it in my pocket.
(Hang on.) Crystal directed, using her vines to grip the golden balcony railing. I nodded, gripping her torso. We climbed down the castle like I would a mountain, careful not to make too much noise. I let out a sigh of happiness and content as my feet touched dirt and grass for the first time in nearly a month. (Come on let's go!) Crystal shouted, snapping me out of my daydreams. I nodded, following Crystal. "Where do you think you can dig into the basement?" I asked.
Crystal felt around the ground for a while. (Right here seems good.) She decided, burrowing into the ground. I slid down the tunnel after her, not caring about the dirt that became lodged under my finger nails and up my shirt. Soon we hit concrete. Crystal pressed her ear against the concrete, her hearing being better than mine by a long shot. Crystal's eyes widened. (I… I heard Kyurem in there.) She said, looking worriedly at me. My eyes narrowed. "Is anyone else in there?" I asked, my voice a mere whisper. Crystal nodded. (I hear and smell one of their scientists, Colress, and I think Ghetsis is in there too.) Crystal conformed.
I sighed. "Well we can't save him tonight. Let's get back to our room before anyone sees us." Crystal nodded, using her vine whip to lift us out of the hole she had dug. We piled twigs and leaves overtop the hole to make it unlikely that the hole would be discovered. Crystal then used her vine whip to get us back to the balcony as well. I still had about an hour before Concordia or Anthea would serve us breakfast, so I decided to read Black's response. "Geez Black would it have killed you to write more clearly?" I muttered, squinting my eyes as I read his letter.
Dear Jem,
Glad to finally hear from you. I am so sorry you're locked up like this, it's kinda my fault… To be honest when Crystal burrowed into my hideout in the cold storages I thought she was of Team Plasma. She scared the pants off me. I can hear her laughing now… But on a more pressing matter, I have sent my Archeops off to Mount Silver in Kanto to request help from the Champion, Red. I have no clue if he'll say yes or no, or whether or not Archeops will even come back at all. And about Kyurem, just be careful, ok?
Write back soon.
-Black
I couldn't help but laugh at Black's comment. "You actually scared him? I would've thought that he'd be smart enough to figure out that you just evolved!" I snickered, rubbing Crystal's head. Crystal smirked, (he screams like a girl.) I bumped Crystal with my elbow. "Very funny, Crys." I chuckled.
My face grew more serious. "Now, I think you're allowed out of this room so follow Concordia or Anthea depending on who serves us this morning, and try to find the basement. Tell Kyurem that I'm breaking him free. Try to find out about what they're using him for too, if you can." I commanded, knowing that I had to adjust to this new world that was outside of the forest. People order Pokémon around, much to my distaste, but in order to fit in, I must order her around too. Crystal nodded curtly. (Of course.) I faintly smiled at her willingness to do whatever I asked of her.
Is this just how Pokémon are? Their slave-like nature? Is it simply bred into them? Even Crys… and she's been basically free, wild for all of her life up until this point. And people… are they- we just dominate, commanding by nature as well? My mind wandered, not even noticing it when the door swung open. Crystal was practically drooling over the buttery, rich smell of pancakes that she had missed out on for about a week. I sweat dropped at the sight. Concordia faintly smiled, giving us our meal before turning to leave. "I'll save you some ok? Now hurry! Follow her." I growled, nudging her away from the pancakes. Crystal glared at me. (Fine.) She swiftly hurried after Concordia, barely making it out before the door shut.
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Crystal trotted down the marble floors, getting a few odd looks from the grunts that worked in the castle, but other than that she was unaffiliated. Her ears twitched time to time, listening for any news of the ice god. Her sensitive paws were constantly feeling for a floor beneath the ground. Crystal froze when something caught her ears.
"Yep, Oppelcuid City's gonna pay for resisting our authority for so long, the nerve of Iris, keeping her Pokémon, the gym still running underground. She disgusts me." A grunt sneered to another. Crystal gave a shiver of fear. She didn't know who Iris was, she barely knew what Oppelcuid city was. If it hadn't been for all the mapping that she'd seen Jemma and Black and White doing, she would only know of the White Forest. Now she knew nearly the entire Unovian map by heart. She picked up her pace. (I have to find Kyurem…) Crystal murmured to herself, quickly turning frantic. Finally, an elevator came into view.
(Yes!) Crystal beamed, sprinting into the elevator before the doors closed. White had taught her how to use an elevator, well she had taught Jemma how to and she just picked up the skill by watching. Her eyes ran down the brail writing until the letter 'B' and the number '1' came into view. Using her vine whip, she pushed the button. She waited anxiously for the elevator to open. Familiar sounds and scents filled her senses, she crouched down until her stomach swept against the floor.
She slunk around the corner, careful not to make a sound. Her eyes widened. (Kyreum…) She whispered. The powerful ice god was heavily restrained: in some kind of see through metal container, its legs strapped to the floor with heavy duty metal bands, his icy wings strapped against his body, and Kyurem's jaws were tied shut as well. At the sound of Crystal's voice, one of Kyurem's eyes looked in her direction, finally locking on her. (It's you again…) Kyurem emitted a low growl, it sent shivers down her spine. (Y-yes, Jemma sent me. She told me to tell you to hang tight. She's breaking you out as soon as no one's down here. At night of course.) Crystal stammered. (I've hung on for nearly a month of painful experimenting… I can wait another few days.) Kyurem growled. (What are they doing with you?) (Trying to get my power. They want to freeze Oppelcuid city… have them be an example of what happens when you rebel. But in order to get my power, they must make me let them have it. And that's not happening.) Crystal nodded. (I-I've gotta go now.) She breathed, scrambling back into the elevator before Colress noticed her.
Ok, next update's most likely going to be either very short or a little later then I'd like it to be…
