Chapter 13: The Way Awakens!
Current Location: Unao
Residents: Kalamazar, Gothitelle, Reuniclus, Elgyem, Meowstic Twins, Mr. Mime and Mime Jr., Xatu, ?, ?.
Light poured in from the giant stained glass window, which depicted several Legendary Psychic-Types all in a violet glow.
This reflected well on the library, a place of peace and tranquility. But with its mural floor of ancient stories and the white marble stone bookcases, you would think the building was more like a church. Except for the fact that the tables and chairs were floating, and that the books were organising themselves with a soft blue glow.
Sitting on one of the floating chairs was a Kirlia, her non-existent nose buried in a book about location diversity within the world. She wore a pearl white scarf around her neck, though different to Elin's in the fact that it was a neckerchief, with a blue diamond-shaped pin in it. But the most noticeable thing about her was that she did not have a tutu like regular Kirlia, instead the white lines folded down to her feet and curled around behind her, giving it the appearance of a lab coat.
The library was probably her favourite place here. Nobody to bother her, it was nice and quiet, time to think, ponder, assume, and of course, read. She had burned her way through several generic books about the world and its history, and was about to move onto more specific subjects...perhaps how Types actually worked.
As the librarian, a Gothitelle, organised the area with Psychic (evident by her glowing blue eyes), another Pokemon then plodded into the library, carrying a book titled 'Unao's Myths and Legends' under his arm. He was a Drowzee, with a little quiff-like patch of fur sticking up from the top of his head. Instead of the creepy, doopy look most Drowzee's had, his eyes were wide awake and filled with joy. He wore a neat dark purple coloured velvet bow tie with a round stone in the middle that looked suspiciously like a red eye.
He went to call up to the Kirlia, but froze when he felt the Gothitelle's psychic gaze bore into his back. He coughed nervously before taking the stairs up to the next level, then as carefully as possible, sat himself down in a floating chair near Julia, but not too close.
"Hey, Julia." He whispered.
"Hello, Sebastian." The Kirlia replied, eyes still glued to her book.
'At least she's making an effort to talk this time...' The Drowzee thought. "Um...listen, apparently Xatu foresaw someone coming here, I...think it was a Pawniard."
"Mm-hm?" She questioned, though obviously not interested.
"Yeah...she said that...well, she said that it was gonna bring bad news with it." Sebastian continued, only for Julia to keep reading. "So...I was kinda thinking maybe we should be there to greet it? You know, see what the problem is? Maybe help out?"
"No, thank you." Julia dismissed him.
The Drowzee huffed. The Kirlia truly was a mystery to him, ever since they met she had been buried in books. She didn't like crowds, heck, didn't like socialism full stop, the only thing he could see she loved was science, yeah, she adored Hammerspace. The only reason they were acquaintances was because they were both-
"HELLO!?" He was broken out of his train of thought by a loud shout. "IS THIS UNAO!? IS ANYBODY HERE!?"
"Oh, geez!" Sebastian muttered. "Who was that!?"
Julia, meanwhile, narrowed her eyes in dissaproval at the shout. "ANYBODY!? PLEASE! IT'S AN EMERGENCY!" She scrunched her face up in annoyance. "SOMEBODY!?" Welp, that was that. She closed her book forcefully, teleported down to the ground, and walked out of the library hurriedly.
"J-Julia! Wait for me!" Sebastian panicked
Quest Life
Trust me, when I got to Unao, I fell flat on my face after tripping over in shock.
The streets were paved with neatly laid out pearl white tiles that were smooth on the feet. The houses were very mythical looking; having curved around roofs with crystals balls on the top, made out of purple, sky blue and pink cloth (yes, cloth. Cloth houses.) with intricate constellation patterns over them. But that wasn't the major thing about them, oh no...
Thry were floating! All of the buildings glowed a faint blue and were floating! Very calmly, like resting in a sea, and if any weight were to be applied they would tilt that way. At the very back of the town, but in plain sight from the entrance, was what looked like a big grand hall, twice as long as the other houses, but still made of the same cloth, with a picture of a sun crossed with a moon hanging over its doorway.
Of course, I told myself I didn't have time to admire the scenery, and began calling out for help. It was like this place was empty! The only Pokemon I had seen coming in was that Xatu wat hing me, and even it had flown off!
I then stopped as I finally heard sounds of Pokemon life; footsteps. I looked to my right to see a Kirlia walking out of a very tall cloaked building. Her skirt was much longer then a normal Kirlia's, looking more like a lab coat actually.
"Thank Arceus I'm not alone." I breathed in relief. "Listen, I need you hel-"
BAM!
Next thing I knew I was face down...I think I got hit by a book.
"Please stop being so loud." She said.
"Ouch!" I sat up and rubbed my helmet. "That actually hurt, y'know!"
"Your a Steel-Type and you got hurt by a book?" She asked.
"Um...yes?" She fixed me with an analytical view.
"Do you have a mouth behind that mask?" She asked me.
"I...never thought about it?" I admitted.
"Julia! Hold on!" I then noticed a Drowzee with a quiff of hair stop next to her...and that was a weird bow tie. "Ah...hello. Nice to meet you. You must be the Pawniard that was coming. Well, my name is Sebastian. Sebastian Henderson. And this is-"
"Julia Belaya." The Kirlia interrupted him, with a small smile...I didn't like the look behind her eyes she was giving me. "It's nice to meet you." She then poked herself between the eyes for some reason.
"We don't wear glasses anymore, remember?" Sebastian said.
'Hmm...a reflex thing.' I thought as Julia ignored the comment. 'In that case...'
I took out Hoopa's ring and stared at the two of them through it. "Woah, okay, what is that?" Sebastian asked.
To be honest, I wasn't surprised when I saw they were human.
In place of the Kirlia was a young woman with, admittedly worrying, sickly pale skin and a thin physique. She had dirty blonde chin-length straight hair with side-swept bangs, dark brown narrow eyes and blonde eyebrows and eyelashes. She wore a beige turtleneck underneath a long white labcoat with two big pockets, black trousers with a dark blue belt, shabby grey sneakers with blue laces, and small ruby earrings on either side of some square-framed glasses.
And instead of a Drowzee, I saw a guy with straight, light blonde hair that was tied back in a ponytail that reached to about half way down his back. He was also pale, but with blue eyes and a face full of freckles. He wore a purple argyle sweater vest over a long sleeved white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows along with plain black trousers, smart brown shoes and thin framed glasses.
"Nice to meet you, humans." I greeted them as casually as possible.
Well, Sebastian looked like he'd seen a Ghastly before he clamped a paw over my non-existent mouth. "H-How do you know that!?"
"Same predicament. Plus I looked through this ring." I held it up for emphasis.
"This ring?" Julia asked, holding it. "How does it work?"
"Th-That's not the issue right now!" He began nibbling on the ends of his fingers nervously. "I was seriously worried we were the only two here. But still! You can't just say that out loud! What if somebody hears you?"
"I don't see anybody." I pointed out.
"That's because everybody is hiding inside because Xatu said you brought bad news!" He spoke quickly, having to take big gulps of air afterwards.
"Bad news?" My eyes widened as I remembered. "I did! Listen! Quester's Outpost has been taken over by a bunch of Scraggy's! I came here looking for help!"
"Quester's Outpost?" Julia echoed. "That town south of here? Why would anybody want to take it over? Maybe because its a popular location with Questers? To ambush them?" I then realised she was talking to herself.
"Ah, you must be the Pawniard Xatu informed us of." I spun around to see a Reuniclus floating behind me. "It's okay, everyone! It's not an emergency!"
As soon as he announced that, more Psychic-Types emerged from the houses. I could see an Elgyem, a male and female Meowstic, a father and son Mr. Mime and Mime Jr., and the Xatu from earlier.
"Thank..." "Goodness." The two Meowstic spoke together.
"It is highly unlikely for us ever to recieve an unorthodox negative prediction. Please excuse our cowardly actions." The Elgyem said.
"To be honest, we're more researchers then fighters." The Mr, Mime said as his son peeked around from behind his leg.
"Sorry about that. False alarm." Xatu said.
"We didn't mean to come off as rude." Reuniclus said. "On to the matter at hand though. Kalamazam has granted you an audience with him."
"Who's that?" I asked Sebastian.
"He's basically the leader around here." The Drowzee whispered. "He's also the reason why the buildings float."
"Wait, he's making this entire town float like this? Constantly!?" I gaped.
"If you will come with me. Julia, Sebastian, you are also welcome." Reuniclus offered, and the three of us followed him.
I felt a dark feeling bore into my back, and I looked behind to see Julia, quite a few steps behind us, deliberately away from the crowd. "J-Julia? You okay?"
"I'm fine." She told me in a soft tone.
'Why do I feel like she really hates me?' I thought as we continued walking.
We entered the big grand hall, and Reuniclus bowed. "Kalamazam, I have brought the Pawniard."
I'll admit, I wasn't surprised to see an Alakazam sitting there, cross legged on a luxurious red pillow, with pink smoke drifting from the two pipes standing either side of him, that looked like little Lampents. He had his eyes closed in meditation, and a soft blue light constantly surrounded him.
He didn't say anything, so we just stood there for an awkward moment, at least giving me time to look around. Maybe this place was actually a museum. There were multiple ancient looking artifacts sitting on pedastals, and tapestries depicting ancient and Legendary Pokemon covered every square inch of the walls. I noticed Julia studying everything intently out of the corner of my eye.
"I foresaw your arrival, Elin Ray." I looked forward as Kalamazam opened his eyes, which were also glowing blue. He spoke calmly, as if he had all the time in the world. "I am glad we are able to meet."
"Nice to meet you too." I waved.
"You don't greet someone like him so casually!" Sebastian said.
"So, your the one making all the buildings float?" I asked.
He nodded. "It keeps me in a constant state of focus and calmness, allowing me to hone my sight and foresight. But, we are getting off course. You have come here on the matter of your allies at Quester's Outpost, have you not?"
"Yes!" I said. "Please! My friends are trapped and need help!"
Kalamazam nodded. "I understand. However, I will tell you that you will find no help here. The Pokemon of Unao are no more then peaceful researchers, they cannot fight against the threat to the Outpost."
"What!? But then-?" Kalamazam raised his hand to silence me.
"Do not fear. Their future is not one of defeat. I see that they will overcome this challenge against them, even without assistance."
"Really? You can see something like that?" I sighed in relief. "I'm glad."
He nodded. "Your journey here was not one in vain, though. You have another matter you need my guidance on."
"You mean..." I took out the Clock Compass, which was still spinning erratically.
"What is that?" Julia suddenly took an interest in it.
"The Clock Compass. That which points towards the Key Shards." Kalamazam nodded. "I study many lores, I understand their history."
"So, can you direct us to the next Key Shard?" I requested.
Alas, he shook his head. "The Key Shards are ancient and mysterious treasures, they escape even MY sight. In contrast, I may be able to help you narrow your search. Come with me." He then floated off of his pillow and over towards a wall.
As I followed him, we passed what looked like an old vase covered with rock. I don't know why it stood out to me from the rest of the old stuff, it just did.
I returned my attention back to Kalamazam, as he floated in front of a tapestry depicting a large temple of some kind. "Thousands of years ago, this temple, known as the Temple of Enlightenment, was the greatest building in all the world, resting in the Psychic Sands. Those would come here to give praise to their various Gods, be it Arceus, Giratina, or others."
'Giratina is treated like a God?' I thought.
"Alas, one day, they say that a meteor stuck the temple." Kalamazam continued. "It is told that the Gods became angry with the defiled temple, and buried it beneath the sands for all eternity."
"You don't truly believe a God did that?" Julia asked.
"I do not think so. But the fact remains that the Temple of Enlightenment is no longer visible to us in the Psychic Sands." Kalamazam said as he floated back to his cushion.
"So, wait, your saying that the Key Shard has something to do with the Temple of Enlightenment?" I asked.
"I have researched the temple extensively. It was said to have had many treasures and relics within its walls. If a Key Shard is indeed within the Psychic Sands, it would be within the temple." Kalamazam confirmed.
"Great, now I just have to find a buried temple." I muttered.
"Reuniclus, could you give this Pawniard Artifact 23B, please?" The Alakazam requested.
"23B? Of course." The Reuniclus floated away for a second, before coming back with a little stone doll which looked like a Baltoy.
"What's this?" I asked.
"It's a relic we unearthed. We strongly believe that it is tied to the Temple of Enlightenment, perhaps even an entranceway for it." Kalamazam explained. "We have never tried anything with it before, but, I entrust it to you now, Elin Ray, confident you will put it to good use."
"I got it, find the temple. Thank you, Kalamazam." I nodded.
He bowed his head. "You are all free to leave." Reuniclus, Julia and Sebastian left, and I turned to go as well. "Elin Ray." I looked back at him.
"I see a path full of trials you must walk. It is full of injury, and heartbreak. But know that you must persevere down this path, for along it, you shall discover a great power within yourself, which will decide the fate of this world."
I thought about what he said, then silently left.
"So, what are you gonna do now?" Sebastian asked me.
"I'm heading back to Quester's Outpost." I told him. "If they're gonna be okay, then I have to rendezvous with them as soon as possible."
"Well, we were thinking about coming with you, seeing as we have...similar backstories. Right, Julia?" Sebastian said.
The Kirlia gave both an uncomfortable look at the thought, then a small glare at me, then put on a small smile. "Sure, I'd like to see the diversity between them all. Maybe there's a pattern I could find. Besides, there's a new world out there to explore."
"I was gonna ask you guys to come with me anyway, so, welcome to the team." I approved them.
"There you are!"
The three of us stopped as a familiar voice shouted out across the town.
Standing in front of us were three hooded figures.
"I can't believe my luck...seeing you in my home turf! It must be fate!" The middle hooded figure growled.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
The supposed leader chuckled. "You forgot me already? That stings, Elin." They grabbed their cloaks and threw them off, and my eyes widened in shock.
"Your...Your that Sandile I first fought!"
"The name's Da Croc ya shmuck!" The Sandile snapped. I recognised him from his Teeth Neckerchief wrapped around his neck.
"And, hold on, your that Ferroseed from Petal Path!"
"It's Spike, moron!" He raged at me. He was wearing what looked like a silver ring with a green pearl in it around one of his spikes.
"And your...!" I paused as I stared at the Inkay with a black spike tattoo circling around its right eye. "Actually, I don't know who you are."
"Name's Blinck." He said. "You must be this Pawniard Croc's been talking about."
"Me and Blinck go way back when we were up and coming Rogues." Da Croc explained. "He owed me a couple of favours."
"That Inkay was hanging around town a few days ago, then is disappeared." Julia thought aloud.
"Sorry, Elin, do you know these guys?" Sebastian asked.
"We go back a bit." I figured. "What are you going here?"
"Isn't it obvious!?" Da Croc growled. "You humiliated me back in Oreace! So now, I've been gathering a team of my own! And we're gonna take you down!"
"Oh yeah?" I swung my arm in circles. "I beat you once, I'll do it again! Let's have a 3-on-3 battle!"
There was a pause, before the three Rogues started snickering. "Are you sure about that?" Spike asked.
I was a bit confused for a moment, until I turned to see Julia wayyyyyyyyy behind me, and Sebastian just straight up gone. "Hey! What the heck, guys!?"
"I only know Psychic-Type attacks, and two of them are Dark-Types, with the third being a Steel-Type." Julia called. "We're pretty disadvantaged here."
"Even your weak against that Sandile's Ground-Type, Elin!" Sebastian's voice rang out surprisingly close, when I realised he was standing behind me.
"Oh, come on!" I cried.
"Looks like its 1 vs. 3." Blinck cackled.
"I get first dibs." Da Croc ordered. "Here I come, Elin!" He suddenly burrowed his way underground.
"Oh shit! Dig!" I began running around, with Sebastian tailing behind me. "Sebastian! Do you know any non-Psychic type moves!?"
"I know Headbutt, and Hypnosis doesn't count!" He told me.
"Good! You take the Inkay!" I told him.
"I guess since we're fighting!" He panicked before we split up.
I took a diving leap as Da Croc burst out of the ground, with me just barely avoiding the hit. "Mud-Slap!" His tail glowed a grimy yellow as he swung it back and forth, launching blobs of mud at me.
I back stepped away from the attack and crossed my arms, making my claws glow white. "Metal Claw!" I jumped up towards him holding my blades back.
"Bite!" As I swung with my right dagger, he bit down on my attack, causing white sparks to fly everywhere. I quickly slashed him in the side with my left dagger, sending him plummeting down, but he used quickly recovered and used the momentum to his advantage and Dig again. As soon as I landed, he burst up and hit me in the stomach, sending me flying back.
"Headbutt!" Sebastian launched head first up towards Blinck, only for the Inkay to flat out of his way and grab his leg. "Oh no..."
"Fouuuuuuuul Play!" The Inkay playfully tossed him into the ground, making him cry out in pain as his back hit the floor.
"That hurt...that really really hurt..." He groaned.
"Pin Missile!" Spike spun around, launching several white needles that hit the Drowzee in the stomach, sending him tumbling away.
"I...am not...cut out for this..." He grunted as the two Pokemon advanced on him.
I landed and quickly jumped back up on my feet, wincing from the pain and realising that I was standing next to Julia. "Come on, you may only have Psychic-Type attacks, but there must be SOMETHING you can do!"
"Protect me, I have a plan." She stated.
"Uh...okay?" I stood in front of her as Sandile leapt at me with another Bite, and I blocked it with Scratch.
"Tackle!" Spike threw himself at Sebastian, but Julia's eyes glowed, causing the Ferroseed to freeze in midair. "Huh?" Suddenly he swerved across the sky and barreled into Blinck, sending the Inaky flying before hitting Da Croc next.
"Gah! Those spikes hurt!" The Sandile muttered through gritted teeth. "Damnit Spike! What in the Distortion World are you doing!?"
"It's not my fault! I can't control myself!" The Ferroseed whined as it smashed itself into the ground.
"It's that Kirlia! She's using Psychic!" Blinck cried before he got smacked across the face by the Grass/Steel Type again.
Da Croc glared at Julia, but I stood in front of her protectively. "Oh, so THAT's how it is, huh? Well let's see you block THIS! Sand Tomb!" A small sand tornado emerged around us, and we were battered with stones and sand.
"Ack!" I coughed as me and Julia had to shield ourselves.
This caused Spike to stop floating and land head first in the purple sand. "Finally!" Blinck sighed. "Now to deal with you!" The Inkay and Drowzee faced off once again in an epic showdown.
"Hypnosis!" They both launched a wave of purple rings at each other, but thankfully Sebastian had Insomnia, so only Blinck fell asleep. That left Sebastian free to Headbutt the Inkay into the ground like a nail, defeating him.
Truly legendary.
"H-Hey! I did it! Ow! My head hurts! But I still did it! But still, ouch..." The Drowzee mumbled.
Meanwhile we were still trapped in the Sand Tomb. "How do we get out of this!?" Just then I felt Julia grab my arm. "Hey, what are you-!?"
We were then outside of the Sand Tomb, and I felt like I had just been on a rollercoaster, as in I felt like I was going to be sick.
"I used Teleport." Julia told me. "I didn't think it would work with you being part Dark-Type, but it turned out alright."
"Yeah...thanks..." I forced the vomit to the bottom of my stomach.
"Elin!" Unfortunately, Da Croc wasn't done as he burst out of the ground with his tail glowing. "Take this!" He launched more mud blobs at me.
I jumped up towards him and spun around the blobs as my dagger crackled with dark energy. "Feint Attack!" I gave a feint swing, then uppercutted him underneath his mouth, launching him upwards. It was then that the dark energy spread throughout my dagger and lengthened it, and I smirked, realising what it was.
"Night Slash!" I slashed him across the back, making him land defeated on the ground whilst I landed neatly.
On that note, Julia walked over to Spike and lifted him out of the ground with Psychic.
"...Uhhh...truce?" He requested.
"No." The Kirlia denied, before smashing the Ferroseed multiple times inbetween the buildings and the ground with force to rival Genocide Sans, the multiple hits taking its toll and leaving the Pokemon a blithering loser.
"I guess that counts as our win." I said.
"Grrrr..." Da Croc growled. "This isn't over, Elin Ray! I'll defeat ya if its the last thing I do!" He then burrowed into the sand, taking his accomplices with him.
"Thanks, you two were awesome." I thanked them.
"Heh, I didn't even realise I could do that." Sebastian admitted, straightening his bow tie.
"It all comes down to thinking." Julia nodded. "I suppose your forgiven now, Elin."
"...You were still mad at me from the whole shouting thing?" I thought aloud.
"Pretty much." She replied honestly.
"Ah! Books! That reminds me!" Sebastian quickly hurried into the library.
"Well done! Well done!" I turned around to be met with Reuniclus. "You were splendid out there against those Rogues. Here, I want you to have this as thanks." He handed me a small purple ball with the number 65 on it.
"Thanks for...what is this?" I asked.
"Ah, it's a piece of Technical Candy!" Reuniclus told me. "Candies are similar to Gems, except you use them when your not in a battle. Technical Candies make you instantly learn a new move once you eat them!"
'So it's like a Technical Machine.' I thought.
"Okay, okay, I'm ready!" Sebastian came back aout with a brown satchel slung over his shoulder, filled with books. "Just some stuff for the road."
"Let's get moving to Quester's Outpost, then!" I said.
"Safe travels!" Reuniclus waved as we set off.
"So, care to tell us what it is exactly your doing?" Julia asked.
"I guess I have to tell you." I said, beginning to explain our tale.
Here's the next chapter! And it didn't take forever this time! Yay, OPFan37!
So, yeah! This chapter we're introduced to two new OC's! The analytical and antisocial Kirlia, Julia Belaya was created by Kamico-chan! Whilst the nerdy and rational Drowzee, Sebastian Henderson was created by Hauchen! Give a big hand for these two!
Of course, remember, since I'm so nice, I'm still accepting OC's, but my standards have been set pretty high now, so if you still want to get in, your gonna have to wow me!
Now it's time for the...
QOTC: What do you think of our two new Psychic-Type heroes?
Next chapter, we'll see how the gang back at Quester's Outpost have been getting on! See you then!