Pokѐmon Journey IV: Eira's Adventure
Chapter 21: The Trouble of Team Galactic
Eira's Point of View:
I had come to later the same night that I'd fainted from the metal sound attack from Bryon's final pokemon. My friends had rushed me to the pokemon center, but since this had happened quite a few times when people faced off against Bryon, no one thought much of it, not even me when I woke. I was checked over, my ear drums were fine, and I felt relatively okay. We took little time after that getting ready and then headed over to the library in town to meet up with Professor Rowan.
Casey was worried but also excited to see the professor. He had many things to discuss with the man from all that he had experienced, but what bothered me the most was what the man truly wanted to talk with us about. It was very strange for him to just call us out of the blue in order to speak with us. He didn't feel that it was necessary most of the time to pull us away from our journey and our task with the pokedex.
So I was more than worried.
The library was located just a short distance behind the gym, which honestly surprised me since the gym had so many accidents with fire and battles that it could be dangerous to have this happen to the building. However, Cameron has assured me that it was fine. I had no choice but to believe him.
We made it inside the building and made it up to the top floor. Up there was the professor who seemed to be waiting upon us. His eyes were hard, and I did not like that sign.
My friends seemed not to notice that. "Professor!" Parker waved his hand to the man. "What's up? Haven't seen you for a while. Things okay back home?"
"I believe that would depend on the area you speak of." The professor took a seat and motioned for us to do so as well. "I have been contacted by a man named Looker who had a message for the three of you, and I have my own thoughts to add to this as well."
"Okay…" Parker sat first and I next to him. Cameron dared to sit next to the professor with Cleffa in his arms. She scowled up at his face and tried poking him, which did nothing but cause a worried gaze to fall onto her.
"What's going on Professor?" Cameron questioned.
"It seems that all three lakes around the region have been shut down for biology research as of a few days ago. I was on my way to do some research about the pokemon at the Lake Verity when I was stopped and cut off from the area. Normally I wouldn't have an issue with this sort of thing happening, however…" The professor folded his hands and leaned on them, looking grim. "There are no researchers that are doing a study now that we know of, and I've contracted all that I can think of and they all have made notes that during these early cold months, nothing should be going on."
"You believe this is the work of Team Galactic?" I questioned him softly.
"I do Eira," he nodded. "I need you three to deal with the lakes; it seems that all three of them have been blocked up. I believe it would be in our best interest if you all split up."
Cameron nervously looked up at him. "Professor, I see where you're going… but I don't think-"
"Nonsense Cameron, you'll be fine. You shall handle Lake Valor. Parker, I trust with Lake Acuity near Snowpoint City."
"Got it, Professor!"
"And Eira, I wish for you to handle Lake Verity." I nodded slowly to the man. "Because it is so close by, I wish to go with you and investigate if you wouldn't mind the company?"
I shook my head at him. Of course it wouldn't bother me. I've never had issues with the professor beforehand other then when I'd first met him when he had allowed me to meet Bubbly for the first time before she became one of my most valuable members of my team.
A sudden tremor then caused me to scream out. The entire world around us shook and we were all quick to fall off our chairs. Parker was quick to dive for me and pull me under the table we sat at with the professor and Cameron joining us as well. Cleffa was screaming and Bouncy was holding tightly to the egg before me in a protective manner, using her body to protect it from the floor.
"Everyone hang on!" Professor Rowan cried out as we all hovered under the tables and grabbed onto the legs to stay at least somewhat upright. I clung in fear to Parker, my egg and Bouncy. The four of us tightly wrapped up together while Parker dared to hold a table leg for all of us.
Slowly, the tremors softened up before the land was still once again. My companions all breathed out heavily as we clung to each other and waited for another quake, but none came.
"Is it over?" Cameron clutched Cleffa in his arms while her screaming soon turned to quiet sobbing in his chest. We slowly moved out from under the table to see that most of the building seemed to be intact other than a few knocked over shelves and some loose books on the floor.
"I think so…" Parker slowly let me go, but I still hovered close, the fear still aching throughout my body. Parker saw my arms shaking and helped to pull me out. "Come on Eira, it's okay now."
"Parker is right; it seems that the earthquakes seem to be over with." Professor Rowan stood from his spot and the rest of us quickly followed suit. Parker kept a warm arm around me and I was grateful.
We were suddenly cut off with the television in the library went off, sounding over the loud whispers in the room. A reporter then appeared just south of what seemed to be a forested area that was aflame.
"This is Mindy Howl reporting live form Lake Valor! We have been cut off to the lake for some time now due to environmental research, but it seems a massive explosion has just taken place here! Rescue teams are on their way, but it seems now that Team Galactic has decided to strike! Everyone please remain calm and lock your doors and windows if you're in the area! The IPHP League will be here soon enough to handle the problem."
"But they're scattered throughout the region!" Parker exclaimed as he starred at the screen. "How are they all going to get there in time?"
I knew what needed to be done. Team Galactic was there and causing trouble. I couldn't just sit down and do nothing while pokemon could be hurt… and the legendary pokemon of the lake… is that what Team Galactic is truly after?
"Eira?" I pushed myself out of Parker's arm and rushed down the stairs then to leave the building before I called out Elecky. I couldn't fly, so I'd have to rely on her speed.
"Go Elecky! As fast as you can!"
"Lux!" I grabbed onto the back of her and Elecky was off. She raced over land and jumped over rivers, making quick time of the land that stood in our way.
HalloweenWitchHalloweenWitch
Elecky has us across the entire region in record time. We finally made it to east edge of Pastoria by the time she had run out of energy. When we had reached there, I returned her to get some rest as well as call out my other two pokemon, Magma and Bubbly. The two of them ran beside me as we hurried to the entrance the lake. I could see that there were some men guarding it as well as police and Aaron and Levy, the first of the IPHP League to show up who were ordering the police around.
"We can't slip through that… they'll know…"
And then my mother would too…
"Em!" Bubbly pointed to a thin path in the woods next to us that was just big enough for me to squeeze through. It was very narrow and the trees thick and matted. But it was a path, away from eyes and all, and that's what mattered.
I returned Bubbly and Magma for a moment as I raced to go through the entrance of the narrow path we found. It was small, and I wasn't able to run through it in fear of hurting Bouncy or my egg, but I weaved my body in and around the thick limbs and roots that were in my way.
It didn't take long to come to an opening in the lake before I gasped at what I could see. The normally spring fed lake was nearly dry. The explosion took up all the water and the pokemon that lived in the lake were all scattered and lying, stuck and harmed on the hard rocks on all different levels of the lake. I noticed a magikarp was the worst of them, unable to move at all. They bobbed and jumped in the air before lifelessly lying on the ground.
I turned my head to see the massive operation of Team Galactic's going on as they seemed to be moving many trucks and containers out of the area. I narrowed my eyes at them before I turned my head to my two strongest.
"Get them." My two powerhouses raced forward and before the evil team knew it; my pokemon had plowed right into the heart of their operation. Screams were quick to fill the area as I watched from the sidelines for a few moments before calling out Elecky once more. She had her breath back and she seemed rested enough. She understood exactly what I wished as she lowered herself so I could sit on her back while she walked through the battlefield. She moved us closer to where the cave sat in the middle of the late, which, now, without the water looked much more like an isolated mountain within a crater.
Elecky moved down the crater before climbing up to the mountain and walking us inside the cave. It was dark inside, and certain patters seemed to appear on the floor from where the water flowed in certain directions to make what appeared to be symbols in the light.
"The mission proceeded without a hitch. Cyrus will be quite pleased…" I looked up ahead to see a man standing in the middle of the cavern. He was dressed in a more unique suit then the other three commanders I'd met had wore, his seemed more thicker and almost armor like, but the distinguishable colors of grey, black and silver were still there and a symbol of the organization on his chest. His hair was a rich blue color, which seemed to be pointed in two spots. It reminded me of a pincer's horns in all actuality.
"And who might you be?" The man had turned around since I had walked in with my pokemon and was watching me. His eyes were dark in color, a darker grey like that stared at me coolly while my fiery gaze met them. "Ah, so Cyrus' daughter decided to come and put a stop to our little plan eh?"
I didn't respond to him, but much like the other three commanders, they had much more of a demanding and aggressive attitude toward others who got in their way. They were also associated with my father.
"Not much of a talker as well, in that retrospect you resemble him quite well, your personality anyway, your looks most defiantly stream from your mother. My, my," the man gave a grin. "Does she know about this?"
Again, I was silent; then again, I'd never really spoken much to the people who caused all these problems. I don't believe I spoke much even in battle to them other then commands to my pokemon, so why should I feel the need to respond to them?
"I'm assuming not, but that just makes it more fun for the rest of us, eh, Eira?" He chuckled. "Just because you're Cyrus' daughter means nothing. Did you know he hasn't spoken a word about you since I've worked for him? And that's been nearly eight years."
He was taunting me, seeing if he could get a reaction of some sort to get me to retaliate. I refused to give into such scum. He watched me as I stood tall and silent before I watched him laugh.
"You really are like him! Taunting and insults do nothing for you!" The man held his chest as he continued to laugh. "Oh if only you were on our side, things would be so much easier." He stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes. "Then again, I doubt you'd want to be associated with that woman…"
"That woman…" I looked away from him as I thought it over before only one person came to mind. "Rose Agustino…"
"Bingo." He grinned before shaking his head at me. "You would have most certainly been higher in rank then myself, but lower than your father and her. Rose even went as far to nearly kill Jupiter one time for being incompetent before that woman…" the man sighed. "If only she's paid attention… because of her stupidity, not only did she make our lady friend mad, but she also lost to you in Eterna. Mars also failed against you in Valley Windworks. I'm here to end that cycle Miss Helaine." He pulled out a pokeball from his pocket. "I'm who you would call Saturn, I am the only of the commanders you've yet to face, however, I will be the last. No longer will you shame our organization!" He tossed the ball. "Go Toxicroak!"
I blinked; unimpressed as he threw out his pokemon that was a poison and fighting type. He had no type advantage against me, but neither did I. It didn't seem to be that strong. Pokemon normally used by these gangs only were intimidating rather than strong. I was not worried in this case.
"Elecky, enjoy yourself." My electric type was sparking as soon as I stepped off her back. She roared before charging at the pokemon. Her teeth bared and sunk into the pouch that hung below its chin. The pokemon screeched out as Elecky used the tender spot to throw it around, much like a rag doll.
The pokemon was chucked to the floor before Elecky began to make her way closer to the opposing pokemon and its trainer. Saturn's eyes widened as he watched my pokemon before looking at me.
"Merciless… just like him…" Saturn clenched his teeth before returning his pokemon, he had failed much like the other commanders had. "But I did my job, not only was the pokemon of this lake captured already and transported, but we've already got set up at the other two. Mars should be capturing the pokemon of Lake Verity as we speak."
My eyes widened as I started him, stunned. Had I come all this way only to be too late? Did they actually win? Even if I was stronger than them?
"Sorry Miss Helaine, but it's our win this time." Saturn grinned before something slammed into the wall of the cave and made another entrance on the other side. "See ya!"
"Wait!" I couldn't reach him in time, and neither could Elecky. A psychic type pokemon grabbed Saturn and teleported him away. I clenched my fist before I hurried out of the cave.
When I made it outside I could see that my other two poekmon had quickly disposed of the members that were gathered here at the lake, all of them knocked out and my pokemon hanging over them in case they woke up and tried anything on their watch. When seeing me, my pokemon rushed over, but upon seeing my face, things turned grim between us.
"I have to call Parker… hope that he's still near the lake…" I quickly pulled up my poketch and started pressing buttons, hoping I could reach Parker in time…
Parker's Point of View:
Eira had taken off a long time ago. I was worried for her, but there wasn't much I could do. Cameron didn't feel confident in himself to protect the professor with his team and the professor needed someone to take him back to the lab. I was the strong trainer for that job.
I knew Eira could handle Team Galactic on her own, I also knew her pokemon wouldn't let anything happen to her, but I still couldn't help but worry… she was still just trying to come out as a trainer, and as a person. It was so hard for her to act around others, and I will admit it, it reminds me of when her father was around, the way he acted, that's how she acts1. It makes me worried that she'll take on some of his current traits after what happened to him in the accident…
I led the professor and Cameron back to the lab in Sandgem Town. It would have been quicker if we had more than a pokemon or two that could carry us. I had ponyta who could have carried me, and Cameron had monferno, but the professor is a full grown adult, and he has a bit of a belly…
That would not have ended well… if the pokemon were a bit bigger, then maybe…
I paused on the road. I was just leaving the lab to head to Lake Valor to help Eira when it was her who was calling me in the first place.
"Hello? Eira? What's wrong?" I barely gave my best friend a chance to answer.
"Parker… its Team Galactic… they already have the pokemon of this lake…"
"What?" I stopped in my tracks. "Eira? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine… I was able to stop them from moving their things… but the commander here, a man by the name of Saturn… he already achieved his mission. Parker," I heard her breathe in heavily. "They're after the pokemon of the lakes, Saturn said that Mars is at Lake Verity. Please, I don't know if I'll make it in time… please stop her!"
"You got it Eira!" I called out ponyta and jumped on her back. I closed off the call and gently hit her sides with my heels. "Let's go!"
Ponyta took not time at all to face over the single route that stood between me and the lake. She jumped over pokemon, dashed through the grass and pushed herself to her limit. As she raced, I could feel her body burning hotter than normal. She cried out as she continued to run before I felt her entire body begin to shift under me.
A bright light came over my fire type. I gasped as she continued to run with me on top of her while he closed in on the lake. I could see the grunts just beyond the glowing edge of my pokemon. She grew in size and a horn pocked out of her forehead before I noticed her gallops became longer. She suddenly doubled her speed before I felt the light release and my pokemon revealed to me she had evolved into a rapidash.
"You're so cool girl!" I brushed her main and she cried out just before she trampled over the grunts that stood guard at the entrance. They screamed out as Rapidash's hooves crushed into their bodies before she continued on.
It didn't take long for the Galactic grunts in the area to notice was here and throw out their pokeballs. I whipped out mine as well to show my newly evolved pokemon just for this occasion.
"Alright, Torterra! Staraptor! Snorlax! Flotazel! Let's go!" All of my pokemon were quick to come out of their pokeballs and cry out at the crowd of grunts before rushing forward to take them on. Rapidash was the only one to remain with me.
I'd been training for a long while, and a majority of my most recent training and battles Eira had not seen, so she hadn't see the accomplishments I'd met. Torterra evolved when I battled my master, Crasher Wake, who also gave me Flotazel as a buizel. Staraptor evolved during the Grand Festival when Eira was training for her matches and I would go off on my own. Snorlax had evolved from my latest gym match with Bryon who I need the high defense to handle his team. I'd saved all the data for the pokemon I didn't know about.
Torterra, the continent pokemon and the evolved form of grotle. Some pokemon are born on a torterra's back and spend their entire life there. Groups of this pokemon migrating in search of water have been mistaken for "moving trees". There are no known torterra nests in this region.
Staraptor, the predator pokemon and the evolved form of staravia. It never stops attacking even if it is injoured. It fusses over the shape of its comb. It has a savage nature. It will courageously challenge foes that are much larger. There are no known staraptor nests in this region.
My team was stronger now; I bet I was even close to beating Eira!
But that could wait… Team Galactic was the issue here right now. Past all the bodies of the defeated grunts, I could see Mars cursing under her breathe. She had her trusty partner of a purugly at her side that hissed and snarled at me.
"You again?! Of course you would be here…" Mars hissed. "I guess that's better than the girl, at least I'll have a good shot of defeating you before she gets here."
"You're not even worth Eira's time." My eyes narrowed and I was surprised to hear the darkness in them. "I'm dealing with you, you witch!"
"How rude!" She huffed and turned away from me as I stalked forward on Rapidash's back.
I gritted my teeth. "Where's the pokemon of the lake?"
At that, she smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Guys, get her!" My voice rang out and it was quick like that my pokemon surrounded her. Flotazel grabbed the woman's arms to keep her there while Torterra crushed her pokemon into the group. It screeched, but Mars hardly batted an eye while she glared at me. I hopped off of Rapidash and stood before her.
"You think this will intimidate me?" Mars spat at me, hitting my face. "I'm not afraid of some little boy and his girlfriend! Cyrus' brat is so hard to deal with! And he won't give us the order to just kill you all off!"
I reacted.
My arms surged forward and grabbed the front of her, my eyes narrowed, filled with fury. Finally the woman seemed to fear what was before her. It was not a man or a child; it was someone who had suffered. Someone that was angry and needed a way to let out that pent up energy.
"Never insult Eira again." My words would have chilled me, frightened me even if it wasn't for the fact I was so focused and angry with this woman. "You're worth nothing to her."
"Let go of me!" She fought back as I held her there, but my arms would not give. "Why are you so strong?!"
"Because Eira is everything to me2, something that heartless people like you wouldn't understand." Mars stilled as she watched me fearfully, no longer fighting. "I would do anything for her, obey any wish, and crush any opponent. She doesn't need to face you, but its people like you that messed her up in the first place. Why she's so withdrawn, why she won't talk to people or trust others… why she can't be like she used to be!"
I chucked the woman to the ground and grunted as she landed. She fell on her side, holding it gingerly as she looked back up at me with wide eyes. I clenched my hands at my side, controlling myself.
Eira wouldn't be pleased if I lost control and hurt someone… she thinks so highly of me… when really… I'm just a possessive freak…
"Why in hell would you go so far for such a weak, scared and annoying little girl?!"
"Eira is none of those things, bite your tongue." My tone caused her to flinch. "And didn't I tell you already? Eira is my everything. My best friend, the only one I can truly rely on besides my pokemon. She is the love of my life, and no matter what she chooses, I'll be there for her."`
"Too bad she's not here to listen to your undying love for her." She grinned and shifted to get her hand under her side. "You really want to know about our operation? We're stealing the legendary pokemon of the lake to create an item to control even more powerful pokemon to realize our dream! A new world unlike this one!" She coughed into the snow. Red seemed to dripped from her mouth. Had I hit her that hard? "But we have one left, and Jupiter is getting it now. Although with that snow storm, all of us will be slowed down, even you brats wouldn't be stupid enough to travel in it."
Mars ripped something from her belt there, a smoke screen ball of sorts. Before I could move to stop her, it exploded. I coughed as soon as some of the dust made it into my mouth, but the smoke cleaned in an instant with the lake's breeze rushing over us. When I looked again, the woman was gone…
She'd gotten away…
"Parker!" I turned my head then to see the Professor and Cameron rushing up behind me. They must have just gotten here.
I sighed and sucked in a breath to suppress all the negative energy inside my body. I'd always been suffering, must like Eira had. To see her go through everything made me suffer as well, because I felt so helpless and unable to do anything… and when Mars started to speak… I just snapped…
I couldn't let others see it, this anger… I knew it would go away one day, when Eira was back, really back, but until then, I have to hold it in… and keep trying, for her…
"Are you alright Parker?" Professor Rowan placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Of course I am!" I grinned up at the man. "Mars was nothing! But she got away… and the pokemon of the lake is gone too…" I sighed. "Sorry…"
"Eira just called us after she got to you. We hurried over, but we were late too…" Cameron glanced to his feet. "Eira will be devastated."
"Fear not Cameron, there is still one more lake where a pokemon is safe yes?" Professor Rowan told us. "Journey to Lake Acuity and save the final pokemon, no matter what. Meet up with Eira in the mountains, I believe that would be best."
"I'll call her and tell her we're on the way." I looked down to my watch and I sighed.
I'm sorry Eira… I couldn't save them… I let my anger take control… something even you haven't seen…
Eira's Point of View:
I sighed for the millionth time that evening while I waited on Cameron and Parker within Mr. Coronet. Besides splitting the entire region in half, it also served as a path way to arrive at the northern routes normally coated in thick snow. The only time of year that they see spring is in late spring to early fall. I waited by the entrance to the snowy plains while I waited for my friends.
In the time that I had to wait, I thought back much to what Saturn had told me. Was I just like my father? He was so different when I was little to now… would I become like him in time? I was fearful of that. I knew that I had issues with people, busy places and my own insecurity, however, I was still kind to my pokemon and to my friends… would that change in time? Do I have to worry about become a dark, emotionless monster such as himself?
What truly happened to him all those years ago…?
"Eira! We're here!" I looked up to see the two of them approach me. I rose from my seat on some cold rocks and nodded. The two of them came close and Parker hugged me as soon as he arrived at my side.
"Parker…?"
"I just… needed that after today." He pulled back and I saw a rare look in his eyes. Sadness, anger, regret… it was rare to see any negative emotion when it came to my best friend. To read so much in his dark eyes meant that he must have had an emotional experience at the lake, much like I had.
"You're upset…" Parker sighed as I reached up to touch his cheek lightly. He placed a hand of his over mine, holding it there.
"That Mars… she really got to me Eira… I beat her easily, but her words… it took all I had not to do something I would regret… but she got away…"
"It's okay Parker…" I pulled him in closer and I buried myself into his chest. "We'll get them…"
I felt his arms wrap around me before his head fell on my free shoulder. I could feel Cameron's stare on us as we calmly stood there, embracing each other. I turned to Cameron and he looked away before I could see him watching, and he turned his attention to Cleffa.
"Alright girl, I gotta return you to your pokeball-hey! Don't give me that look!" I pulled away from Parker to see Cameron fighting with his pokemon. "It's too cold for you to be outside, even on the inside of my jacket, you'll freeze. You'll have to wait inside you pokeball until we make it to the travel's hut halfway down the route."
"I hope my egg will be okay…" I looked down to the small blue egg in my arms. "I don't want it to freeze…"
"Bun!" Bouncy was quick to hop into my arms and wrap her body around the egg from the outer side, the edge of my jacket. "Bun bun bun!"
"Bouncy… you'll freeze!"
"She'll be off a little better then Cleffa will Eira." Cameron patted my shoulder once he had dealt with Cleffa. "Bouncy has thicker wool like fur on her body in a lot of areas to keep her warm, and you can use both your scarves to make as many layers around the two of you as you want to keep her and the egg warm."
"Alright…" I turned to my best friend. "Parker? Will you help wrap us up?"
He smiled at me. "Of course I will. Hang on there Eira, I'll get you guys all covered."
It took him only a few minutes in order to get myself and Bouncy all wrapped up for the trip to try and prevent much of any cold air to make its way through the scarf that was wrapped around my neck Arceus knows how many times. Once I was set, my two friends checked their own clothing before we dared to make our way out into the snow.
Witch's Note:
Oh boy, here we go! So now we have an underlying issue for both Eira and Parker! Eira's worried about becoming like her father and Parker has been suffering all these years for not being able to help Eira in the way he wanted! Is this going to make things harder for them? Will they ever talk about it between them? Will Parker ever admit his feelings to Eira? Does she feel the same way?
You'll have to keep reading to find out!
Everyone! Please don't forget to Review and Send in Questions! We're getting closer to the end of the story! Only about twelve chapters or so left! We're getting there!
Love you all and see you next week!
Halloween Witch