Author's Notes
Chapter 13 here. Life has been rather unkind lately. But, well, I guess when you like doing something, you find ways to make room for it. So here's the next chappy. Prepare for a shift from the usual characters.
I don't own pokémon. But aside from the ten plus Shih-tzus, we also have a Bichon Frise, the white furry toy dog with afro hair. Perfect pet for Flint. :D Maybe they could turn it into a Fire type. But, oh no, there are already two canine Fire lines (Houndour-Houndoom and Growlithe-Arcanine). Maybe an Electric type? But there are already fluffy Electric types: Mareep and Flaaffy...
I think too much. :D
- x x x -
CHAPTER 13
A hand leaned on the side of the bark of one of the myriad trees of Coast Woods. It belonged to a person cloaked in the murk of midnight and the foliage of the forest, his emerald eyes watching another figure crouched in front of a sleepy inhabitant of the woods. The Farfetch'd quacked and crooned its unintelligible words to the figure, who, seemingly satisfied with whatever he had collected from the bird, suddenly disappeared like an illusion in the shadows.
The boy removed his hand from the trunk and walked towards the place where the object of his observation had been. Why had that person been out here at such a late hour of the night? All to converse with some Farfetch'd? For what reason? It made no sense to him.
[We should go.]
The boy turned and regarded the Ledian. He nodded, then vaulted to the nearest tree branch, which was a good ten meters from the ground. He soared through the vines and boughs like a Mankey. He didn't need to see the trees; after all, he could feel their life forces in the same manner that he could distinguish that a plant was alive, while rocks were not. Behind him Ledian followed, the sound of its fluttering wings blending with the chatter of the forest: twigs cracking, leaves rustling, and pokémon calling.
After a few minutes he landed on the ground, where its maw beckoned him to enter. Coast Cave. Undeterred by the devouring darkness inside he went into the opening, with Ledian hovering close by. It would have been dangerous and unintelligent for a normal person to travel these tunnels at night, much less without any form of illumination, but he was no ordinary person. He knew where to go. That familiar brightness hiding behind this labyrinth of passages would always reach for him and lead him.
He felt something brush his mind, a sensation akin to a pet Growlithe being stroked by its master, and stopped in his tracks. As always, he was being monitored. There was no escaping that fact. He shuddered and trudged on in a seemingly haphazard manner, turning lefts and rights at forks in the paths without so much as a fleck of hesitation. Until he reached a dead end with vines and other flora covering the wall.
[Do you think he's alright, Ledian?] he asked his bug companion.
[He should be,] Ledian replied, its upper four arms folded over its front. [Otherwise I am going to get very violent.]
The boy waved his hands over the plants, which parted as if controlled by strings. He went into the new opening and found himself in a large, poorly lit chamber with a high ceiling that seemed to end in darkness. Like graves futilely reaching for the sky, stalagmites jutted from the ground and posed a danger to anyone careless enough to totter into them. A rumble echoed in the distance and threatened to herald the arrival of a tremor. He shuddered. All that digging had taken its toll on the cave; some parts of it had already collapsed as a result of the excavations. Not only this; one would think that the Clan had learned its lesson when, during an excavation aided by Ground pokémon that knew Dig, some of their henchmen had been buried alive due to a cave-in.
The boy spotted a man, his features smudged by the blackness, sitting on a dilapidated wooden chair. Ledian grabbed one of the candles sitting sullenly in the corner and fluttered over to him, who turned at the sight of the newcomers.
"… Is that you, Guido?"
Guido answered with a squeezing hand on the man's shoulder. Now that the candle illuminated the other's features, he saw things that he never wanted to see in this man: disheveled black hair, dark eyes covered in a haze of fear and worry, and a build that seemed to be clinging to his bones. His brown shirt was covered with soil and mud, and his one functioning leg seemed ready to join the other in its uselessness.
"Dad."
He wanted to cry. If only he weren't so powerless…
"I assume you're ready for tomorrow's activities," an irritating nasal voice said behind him.
When Guido turned to face the psychic, his face was as impassive as a rock. He had grown to hate that nasal voice, that long, stick-like nose, and that pointy chin. But he knew enough not to show disdain for the repugnant schemer; after all, it was never wise to cross Dennison. Despite knowing this, he chose not to answer. Instead he hurled dagger eyes at the pokémon beside the wretched man, an Alakazam that gazed back with as much emotion as a piece of paper.
"Leave my son out of this—"
Dennison laughed, an ugly sound that echoed in the wide, dark chamber. "I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter, Mr. Redspike. Neither does Guido. There is nothing the both of you can do to reverse your current situation. After all, I am in Guido's head, monitoring all his actions to make sure that he does nothing to jeopardize the Clan's preparations. I may not be powerful in telekinesis or telepathy as a psychic, but there is no one better than I am when it comes to lodging my consciousness into the minds of others. It makes supervising so much easier, wouldn't you say?"
Guido replied with a stony silence, prompting Dennison to snicker. An arrogant laugh that was immediately interrupted by a belligerent voice.
"I still don't understand why you had to bring a wielder in this whole operation," an old man with a weather-beaten face and a tan calotte on his head snapped. Guido regarded the newcomer from the corner of his eye. As always, the old man had his fishing rod in hand, and he looked ready to use it in the same manner as a sword.
"What aspect of it continues to fail your understanding, Cassius?" Dennison asked, a dangerous edge appearing in his voice. Guido protectively stood in front of his father in case an exchange of blows erupted between the two Consable Clan generals. Ledian wasted no time in setting up a Reflect.
"You don't fix what's not broken!" the elderly fisherman growled. "We've been doing this the old way for years, and we've never been caught by those gutless excuses for policemen. Why use this—this child?" Cassius shifted his ire at Guido with a shaking finger in front of his face. "He's still wet behind the ears!"
"I have no wish to discuss what we have already debated upon previously," Dennison firmly said. "This operation must be flawless, as it affects the future of the Consable Clan. Hotnoser has already bungled by being caught, and I am taking no more chances. We do not need your services for this, Cassius."
"So that means that I can keep all this money I stole from that dratted pokémon contest for my personal consumption," he spat, his fishing rod pointing at a stocky metallic box a distance behind the chair where Guido's father sat. "As well as the prize money from that fishing competition early this morning. It has always been my role to procure funds for whatever projects the Clan has in mind, Dennison, and I do not appreciate being shafted like this!"
"Shafted? Dear me, you exaggerate. We are simply making wiser use of the resources at hand."
The old angler snarled before raising his fishing rod to strike at Guido's father.
Guido's eyes flashed a virulent green. Leafy tendrils erupted from the ground to wind themselves around Cassius, particularly the hand holding the rod. More snaked around the old fisherman's entire body. He cried out, dropped the rod, and fell with a thud. Cassius struggled and sputtered, but the vines were obstinate.
"I can't say you didn't deserve that," said Dennison with a derisive sniff. He moved to clap Guido on the shoulder in amused approval, but the youth flashed his smoldering eyes at him. The hand stopped in mid-air. Dennison frowned.
"You seem to forget that any rash actions can result in… regrettable consequences." A Consable henchman was suddenly behind Guido's father. The darkness was very proficient in obscuring vision, but even it could not hide the knife pressed against Dad's throat. Guido looked away.
"I'll do what you want."
Silence. And then, "Good boy."
Guido didn't need to glance at the other's face to know that he was smirking. The intensity of Dennison's arrogant grin scorched his nape. So did Cassius's hatred. As the clan henchman with the knife cut through the vines binding the fisherman, Guido made to leave, but he suddenly felt that caress in his mind again and quivered. Behind him, Dennison laughed.
"You've discovered that there is no way to escape my hold, have you?" the psychic said softly, his voice so hypnotic that Guido almost craved to give in to it. "I hope I don't break your spirit; after all, I do enjoy your occasional bouts of defiance. Just remember that if you do anything that places our operation in danger, I will know, and your father will pay for it." Dennison paused, probably to let the effect of those words sink into him. Guido stood his ground against the tears welling in his eyes. "Of course, if you get yourself stampeded on or beat up by a mob for being caught, then I leave your mind. I will monitor your every action, but that doesn't mean that I will have to endure such stupidity, now does it?"
"I understand." He was proud of his voice, at least, for being so steady. Wondering if he should tell Dennison about a new development that might indeed be a problem for the Clan's plans, he found himself gazing at his father.
"My older brother's here."
"You didn't tell us anything about an older brother." Dennison's voice betrayed no emotion, but Guido still had to suppress a flinch.
"I'll throw him off track."
Again, Guido felt the intensity of Dennison's attention. "You had better. I'll be watching."
"I'm going to Ochre, now, to see my mother. I'll be back before dawn."
Dennison offered a mock bow. "As you wish."
[Dad… I'll be back soon, I promise. I just want to make sure that Mom is alright.]
"Be safe, son."
Ledian hovered to its trainer and sat on his shoulder. Guido teleported the two of them to the entrance of Coast Cave, after which he vaulted to the nearest branch and sat down, heaving heavy breaths. He wrapped his arms around the Bug-Flying pokémon and leaned his forehead against the other's plushy body.
[Why didn't you tell Skye about all this?] Ledian asked. [You were already there a while ago. What changed your mind?]
Guido's arms around Ledian tightened. [He'd be able to help, wouldn't he? He's such a strong wielder and a powerful trainer.] He looked up at the few stars peeking from in between the leaves and branches, which had been painted dark by the night. [But… No. I… I wouldn't want to place all these problems on him. I don't want to involve him in such a mess.] He stroked Ledian's head absent-mindedly as he recalled his friend's ever-smiling face. [It was wrong of me to visit him a while ago, to think that he'd be able to do something. Dennison would know, and the Clan would go after him and his family. I… I don't want that.]
Ledian fell silent. The sound of rustling leaves and cracking twigs seemed magnified. Guido shifted his gaze to the maw of Coast Cave and wondered, not for the first time, if he could do anything to save his father. He didn't even care if he got injured or even killed in the process; he'd do anything to save Dad.
[What do you intend to do about your brother?]
Daith. Guido's hand unconsciously fingered one of the shiny green studs on his ears, the one on his right. Indeed, what did he intend to do about him?
[We'll see. I need to visit Mom, first. Are you ready to go, Ledian? This won't take long.]
[Are you teleporting again? You're pushing yourself too hard. I suggest a quick rest once you get home. Maybe a one-hour power nap? Though if I had my way you'll be sleeping until morning. Maybe I should get Jumpluff to spray you with Sleep Powder.]
Ledian's attempt at humor failed to bring out a smile. [I'll spray right back. Now come on.] He closed his eyes and pictured their home in the desert village: a small, box-like stone and wood structure sporting a planked porch in front and decrepit wooden shutters over the windows. There was no roof on top, just a stone flat like any other house in Ochre that was perfect for star-gazing at night, a pastime that he often did with his brother before he left the village around eight years ago. A few scraggly weeds and desert flowers surrounded the house like desperate stragglers.
When he opened his eyes, there stood the Redspike residence. He gasped as the cold desert night bit deep into his bones. He suddenly felt like he had gone for a month without food. The sandy ground rushed up to meet him, and it took a while before he realized that he had fallen, and that Ledian was pushing him up with all of its might.
[I knew this would happen,] the Bug-Flying pokémon said with a sigh. [What do you expect when you don't sleep and eat well for a whole two weeks? You got lucky when you were fed a decent meal at the Andies pokémart. Can you at least make it to the door?]
Guido nodded feebly. Unfortunately, his feet felt a hundred times heavier, and Ledian seemed to be expending all its energy in just keeping its trainer from falling. Fuzzily realizing that this was going nowhere fast, he released a mental projectile into one of his pokéballs. Out popped a shaggy yellow creature with a gaudy headdress that belonged more in a festival than in a vast expanse of sand and sky with barely any signs of life. The Ludicolo turned around, saw him, and immediately lifted him onto its green arms. Ledian, relieved of its burden, proceeded to the porch and opened the door. Ludicolo followed inside and placed its trainer on the sofa before turning the lights on.
[Pooped out from partying all night, huh?] the Water-Grass pokémon cheerfully quipped.
[I wish.]
"Guido? Son? Is that you?"
A plump woman with hair tied in a neat bun burst out from the door opposite the living room. She had a thick, brown, wool jacket covering her night dress, and there were numerous lines on her furrowed forehead, as if she had spent the previous nights worrying and crying. Which she probably had done.
"What happened? Did they… did they… work you too hard?"
"No, Mom. I just need… a little nap, and I'll be good as new… I have to get back to check on Dad."
Mom fidgeted before asking the question which she always dreaded asking. "How is he?"
Guido inhaled a long one to steady his nerves. "He seems alright. I'm giving him a bath tomorrow before… before I get to work."
Mom bit her lower lip. "Work…" She seemed unsure about what to make of that word. "We will weather through this, somehow. Be careful, Guido. Keep safe, because I don't think my heart could take it if I were to lose another son."
"I'm going to sleep now…" [Would you two mind staying out for a while?] he mentally asked Ledian and Ludicolo. [Having you out will calm Mom down a bit. You don't have to worry about waking me up—]
[I know,] Ledian said. [You have your own body alarm clock that lets you wake up whenever you need. I still wonder how you do it.]
Guido nodded before he welcomed sleep, the only time that he couldn't feel Dennison's presence. Blackness engulfed him, and thankfully, there were no dreams.
- x x x -
Daith sipped his tea. It was already past midnight, yet the restaurants didn't seem to have any intention of closing yet. Which was good for nocturnal tourists like him, whose quest for slumber would only prove futile. He brushed his hand through his messy mop of black hair and idly wondered if he should order another cup of Meganium tea.
Luckily for him, the café he had chosen to while away his time was peaceful, with only the occasional titters from a particularly noisy bunch of teenagers disturbing the quiet. He took a long drag from his cigarette and lazily blew the smoke out. His table was small and round, suitable for only two people, much like the other tables found in The Roserade, and it had a wide umbrella to offer refuge from a searing sun. The spot he had picked offered a view that would have inspired numerous paintings had it been daytime: an unruffled ocean that stretched forever into the horizon. Soft blues music played out from a radio, and it furnished the place with the perfect ambience.
Beside him, a serpentine form lay coiled and gave the appearance of careless relaxation. Just a façade, of course. Arbok may seem indolent now, but woe to the intruder who dared provoke it.
His mobile phone trilled, the imitation of a cantankerous Chatot. Not for the first time, he wondered why he had let his friend Aaron convince him into buying it. He looked at the screen and could not stop a wry smile. Speak of the devil…
"Yes, Aaron?"
"Hey Daith!" How could the Bug master remain so cheerful at this time of the night? "How's the Fair? Did you get me a Bug pokémon that can't be found here in Sinnoh?"
Daith smiled. Aaron's youthful exuberance can be so infectious, sometimes. "Not yet. Don't worry, I'll get you one. I'm thinking of catching a Venonat in Coast Woods up north, or perhaps a Ledyba in the grasslands just outside. Maybe both."
"Great! When will you be back?"
"As soon as I get to meet my brother—"
"My fellow Bug enthusiast, right? Did he like the Kricketot I caught for him? You told me that he likes training them young, so I got one at Level 3 just north of Sandgem Town. How is the little bugger now?"
"It's already evolved." Daith wouldn't be surprised if it was already strong enough to challenge Aaron and the rest of the Sinnoh Elite Four. That was his brother for you. "His Lombre has also evolved, thanks to the Leaf Stone you found and gave me."
"Is he as strong as you? My gosh, but you're the first ever to obliterate us with just a team of Poison types. Goodness knows that we haven't had much of a challenge in the past few months, and we're all itching for a good battle. Even mild-mannered Bertha! Any possibility that this brother of yours can be shipped over to Sinnoh?"
Daith laughed. The other elites had always commented on his quietness, but it was the Bug master who seemed to know how to tickle out the laughter in him. "I have to find him first, Aaron."
"Aww… Alright. Well, I'll see you when you get back. But if you take too long, even Flint's going to start wondering, and the next thing you'll know you'll be hauled back here by the scruff of your neck. Have fun at the Fair! Bye!"
"Goodbye."
He returned the mobile phone into his pocket and took another drag from his cigarette. Where was Guido? Daith made it a point to visit the Pokémon Fair every year, and he usually ran into his younger brother on the first day. Maybe he should go back to Ochre and—
He was out of his mind if he allowed himself to do that. Besides, what was the point in dredging up bitter memories? The very thought of his parents was still enough to curdle his insides.
"Would you want anything else, sir?" a waitress balancing four cups of coffee on a tray asked him.
Was he going for that extra cup? Perhaps not. "No thank you. I'll be going back to my hotel in a while."
"Alright, sir, just call me if you need anything else." She whirled around to cater to the other customers, but too fast, and ended up tripping. Daith caught her hand in time but immediately knew that that tray of coffee was done for. Forgetting to check if anyone was looking, he sent forth a telekinetic force and balanced the tray back onto her hand. The cups clinked, but not a single drop of coffee was spilled.
His eyes flashed an iridescent green. Visions invaded his head. This girl was from Sinnoh! Daith's surroundings crumbled into nothingness and were replaced by a new scene: an unfamiliar living room with a red rug, marble-tiled floors, and Floatzel statues in each corner. Probably a mansion. He saw a middle-aged man with a firm jaw and hard eyes, and a slender woman with a petulant mouth, both scolding a younger version of the waitress for bringing an injured Shinx to a Pokémon Center. She screamed back at them and bolted out the door. The scene faded into another one: the docks. He recognized the city as Canalave, which was found in the westernmost part of Sinnoh. The girl stomped to the gangplank with a backpack and—
Daith quickly let go of the waitress's hand. Stupid retrocognition. It would sometimes act up without his permission. He had a better hold on it now compared to eight years ago, but sometimes the silly psychic ability would go off on its own.
And what about that imprudence with the tray of cups? What if someone had seen or recognized a telekinetic? The last thing he needed right now was to be driven out by an angry horde like some dangerous beast. He averted his gaze from the waitress and took a lengthy drag from his cigarette, only to find out that it was almost gone.
"Um…" The waitress seemed unsure of what to say. "Thank you." Daith simply nodded as he shook out another stick.
[Humans are sometimes more dangerous than us pokémon,] Arbok offered as the waitress, still in a daze, left.
[Tell me about it.]
His thoughts went back to his little brother. Again, he felt uneasy. He touched one of the round red studs on his ears, the one on his left, as if it had the power to magically reveal Guido's location to him. He had never felt this apprehension before… Had something happened to his brother?
His mouth tightened. He certainly hoped not. After all, Guido meant the whole world to him.
[He's fine, right, Arbok?]
The Poison pokémon was silent before answering, and Daith had a feeling that he would get the same adage that it told him every time he wallowed in uncertainty. [Trust your instincts, Daith.]
He sighed. [Forget I asked.]
- x x x -
Author's Notes
Thanks for reading! Why not drop a review? They do help. :D