Tracks of Light
Chapter 21 – Data Complete
Ravio woke to the startled shouts of nurses and visitors pacing about the tents. Everything about him felt foreign, the lack of his armor, the softness of the bed he lay upon, the cold sweat on his chest. He found himself staring up at pale faces. He didn't nearly die, did he? The young boy pushed himself to a sitting position to get comfortable.
"What..."
"Are you all right?" Kira asked tersely. Ravio nodded slowly. He was conscious, that was for sure.
"Why am I here?" Ravio asked. "I was sure I was walking in the forest..."
"We found you at the gates of Cocona Plaza," Ben told him. "You've been missing for almost a week."
"A week?" Ravio frowned. "But... how... I can't remember anything about being away for a week."
He decidedly wrestled the bedsheets off himself and clambered out of bed. Everyone flinched to make him stay.
"Ravio, get back in the bed," Tanvir said.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, grabbing the glass of water from the table. "I'm perfectly fi-"
A shatter of glass hit the floor, with Ravio staring in shock at his wet empty hands. And he didn't even pick it up yet.
"How did I break that?" He asked. Tanvir and Kira looked at each other uneasily and took deep breaths.
"This will take some time to explain."
With Ben's assistance, Ravio listened closely to Kira and Tanvir's story. It would have been easier if Kate were around, but she was with the temple oracles now in some discussion regarding the Dark Temple.
"Kate will tell you the details later," Ben ended his explanation. "But she said you can't leave the tent until we know how to deal with you."
"That's... not helpful," Ravio slumped. "And you cleared the primary temples without me? I feel... a little useless."
"No, you're not useless," Kira reassured him. "You were training hard for the past year, and you were very good at keeping up with everyone at the beginning. I'm sure Miss Katrina and the head oracles will let you fight again in no time."
"Yeah," Ben agreed. "I'm surprised you didn't do anything too serious when you came back. All we should worry about making sure you don't break anything by accident. It comes with the job."
"Well, no more glass for me, then," Ravio shrugged. "Though... can I break a rock with my hands?"
"Easily," Ben frowned. "So you better not touch anything... or anyone."
"Oh," Ravio frowned, and he held onto another glass cup, and with great gentleness, he lifted it. Ben wasn't sure if the boy was doing that out of defiance, or just curiosity.
"Well, at least you know some amount of control," the Ranger remarked as he left the tent to do something else.
Ben approached Kate as she exited the head oracles' tent. The woman gave him a respectful nod and allowed him to walk beside her to the medical tent.
"Has Ravio woken up?" she asked, her voice rather eager.
"A few hours ago," her student answered. "He broke a glass cup, too. He's still there, like you asked."
"Good," Kate said. "Ben, do you remember what I taught you back when you were still a first year at the Academy?"
"Before... or after...?" Ben hesitated while deep in thought. "Wait, after you saved Almia... yes, I remember. Keith retaught me everything after I graduated, too."
"That's good," She sighed in relief. "Ravio will have to learn to do this soon. Coincidentally, I've taught him some basic techniques on controlling strength when I was helping him train a year back."
"That explains why he didn't break the second glass of water," Ben said. "So how are we going to teach him?"
"Not me," Kate said. "You are teaching him, Ben."
"O-oh..."
The Ranger readily accepted the assignment, even though he wanted to burst at her. He never taught anyone before, and he was confident that he was never adept at speaking to young children, let alone people. Well, if he thought about this harder, Ravio was only a few years younger than him, so they were the same age, ah, forget it. Ben was left in an inextricable mess when they reached the medical tent.
"So... I am supposed to punch until I stop landing bruises on you."
"Pretty much, I guess."
Ravio and Ben were sitting in a clearing out in Teakwood Forest. Despite Tanvir's protests, Kate suggested that they work together over in the forest than in the plaza to avoid attention and potential collateral damage. For extra measure, they sent several temple oracles to keep watch on the two as they left.
Ravio stared at the Ranger uneasily.
"Ben... that's not going to hurt you, is it?"
"No, it's not," Ben sighed. "Let me show you, I guess."
He took a knife he borrowed from the armory, and made a clean cut on his arm. He watched Ravio wince at the blood spilling from the wound, but was astounded when Ben wiped away the blood and revealed that the wound closed itself and looked like it had never been cut. Ravio looked at his own arms, wondering if he could do the same.
"You don't have to worry about me," Ben smiled uneasily. "They'll heal in no time."
"O-oh... okay," he said, as he readied to fight. "I... I guess I can't hold back."
Ravio drew back his sword and stood by while Kate clapped her hands, satisfied with the results of one week.
"You've improved," she said. "You're like a head oracle, except a bit faster."
"Thanks," the boy smiled, joined by Ben. "I don't see why I need to use weapons, though."
"Think of it as a closer bond with Pokemon," Kate said. "Think of it as if you are a Pokemon. It would be nice to form a bond with Pokemon by fighting alongside them, right?"
"Oh, that makes sense!" Ravio smiled. "
"So, how's the kid?"
Everyone turned around and saw the temple oracles gather around, their armor clinking at the joints. They looked more armed, with weapons of their own besides their Pokemon. Ravio had never seen the temple oracles dressed so seriously before, and he easily could tell what would happen in the next hour.
Celebi rejoined him at the center of the clearing, and it rested comfortably on the shoulder plate of his armor. The time traveller had recovered well, and it was inseparable from the boy again, only unless Kate asked politely to let him focus on his trhe was dying to ask.
"We're finally going to the Dark Temple?"
"Not exactly," Dasios confirmed. "While you were practicing, we had to clear the temple ourselves to fasten the pace."
"But, we have saved the best for the last," Fiegos grinned. "All but one of the floors have been cleared in the Dark Temple. That's Sabios's place."
"Sabios..." Ravio repeated the name with venom. He had learned of the suspicion surrounding his uncle, that his uncle was the one who gave him lack of control over his unlimited strength, but it made him wonder... If Sabios was the enemy, why would he try to make Ravio stronger? However, he couldn't assume that Sabios had done this to him, even if the man had taken questionable actions before. He hoped his memory will improve afterwards.
"So when are we leaving?" He asked Kate and the others.
"About now," Brotos answered. "Everyone is lined up to take on whatever's in that last door of the temple. We should hurry."
Ravio's mind was in a livid state, as he rolled over, barely missing an erratic barrage of dark attacks thrown his way. Only the strongest were allowed to go up, as the journey through the final floor had worn down three quarters of their party. Dasios and Brotos were left behind to take care of the others, so it was only the Rangers, Pagos, and Brotos with him.
He could hear Pagos shouting at him to step aside for a bit, but it was so faint, perhaps he could accept it as if he never heard the Ice temple oracle call to him. He got up and made his way over to the Duskinoir, ignoring the shouts of the head oracles.
His light feet carried him through the rain of attacks, his eyes twinkling as everything around went slower than usual. He saw the proud smiles of both Miss Katrina and Ben and he gave a bounding leap, with Celebi cheering him, covering his sword with its own special brand of aura.
They sliced through the body of the Duskinoir, and the Pokemon, intact but screaming in agony, clutched its head as it broke from its control. The head oracles and the Rangers combined captured the calmed ghost Pokemon.
Once the dust settled, they faced a man in gold armor, engraved elaborately with runes and foliage motifs that he could recognize. Ravio had never seen anything like it, and he was safe to say that this man was not good news.
"You're done, Sabios!" He shouted, his sword directed to the man. "Take us to Ellios!"
"Ellios, you say...?"
The voice appeared from behind them, everyone turned and saw the robed man. Brotos, ever the more spirited temple oracle, wanted to jump at the traitor, but Pagos held him back.
"Sabios, so you are here," Pagos grimaced.
"And indeed I am, young Pagos," the man returned with a mad smile. "I am honored that you attempted to break into my own property."
"It was not yours to own," the ice temple oracle reminded him. "It is of all the people. And I believe you were the man who taught me that."
"Wait..." Brotos frowned, and he turned back to the golden armor. "If you're here, then who is the man in the golden armor?"
"Yeah!" Ravio shouted back. "Who is he?"
Sabios burst into a fit of laughter.
"Oh, don't you know?" He sneered. "That man is the very man who leads all of the temple oracles of this island! He is Ellios, your own father!"
Ravio stopped and looked back at the golden stranger, his helmet removed, and the boy was in a state of fear and anger. He was looking into the gaunt face of the great head oracle..
"Dad...?" He croaked, but he was ignored. Ellios gave his son a reprehensive glance and headed towards a slab of stone that became a doorway to light. He disappeared promptly, leaving everyone in a longer state of shock.
"Dad!" Ravio desperately ran to the disintegrating door, but was met with a slab of rock again. Sabios laughed at the boy as he crashed head first and crumbled to the ground. Ben cried out his name and was helping him up, but he brushed away the Ranger's helpful arm.
He got up and found Sabios closer in proximity. He didn't question how the man got so close, but he charged forward, with all his strength, but he was met with great resistance. Sabios didn't move very much from the impact, and the armor was protecting him quite well. The old man returned with an unflinching grasp on the sword. With little effort, he bent the sword out of shape, rendering it useless. Ravio gasped, realizing what Sabios was.
"Y-you, too?!"
"Of course," Sabios smiled. "You're like me now, little Ravio. I am the one who force fed you that stone!"
"So it was true!" Brotos roared. "How dare you do that to Ellios's son! What were you trying to do?"
"I planned on making him my pawn," the dark head temple oracle laughed. "He was supposed to be my apprentice, after he fell to ruin after massacring all his dear friends, companions, and villagers. He was to come to my arms and ask for help."
"You didn't count on us being there," Kate spoke up. Sabios grimaced at the woman, as if she were something disgusting.
"I did," Sabios spat. "I don't know who you are, but you and your charge were to die at the hands of Ravio."
"That's bad news," Kate stepped forward. "Because there isn't two of you, but four."
"I was aware," Sabios said, and pushed Ravio away. "But everything is already in order. Ellios is completely lost from this world, and the gods will bow down to me. and only me. And I must leave to take care of some loose ends. Feel free to follow me, but be prepared to meet your fate."
In a flash, Sabios was gone. Ravio wildly looked about to find the traitor, and looked at Kate.
"Miss Katrina!" He demanded. "I'm going to get him!"
"No, you won't," the woman said sternly. "We're pulling back. Our work here is done."
"But-"
"Ravio."
The boy turned to see Ben, who was just as cold. Feeling the pressure from everyone around him, he settled down and followed closely after them.
Ravio sulked in his tent, with Celebi soothing him with its song. He was angry, and betrayed, that his father would fall into Sabios's trap from words. He was not happy that they couldn't go after them sooner. He understood that the oracles needed a strategy, so he had laid back quietly. It still made him upset.
"Ravio?"
The familiar voice of his teacher caught his attention. Not wishing to upset her, he burst out of his tent, and stood as stiffly as a board.
"Yes, Miss Katrina!?"
"You're very loud."
"Oh..." the boy's cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. He spotted Ben coming their way to join.
"Ah," the Ranger smiled. "I thought you'd be asleep by then."
"Well, I should be," Ravio smiled sheepishly. "I can't sleep."
"You're energetic tonight," Kate smiled. "But I would like to talk with you before the next morning."
"Why?"
"Because Ben and I will be gone by then. If you haven't known, our time here has run out. We can only stay for so long."
"You'll be gone?" Ravio was surprised. "But aren't you going with us to the Temple of Light? You two are some of the strongest people here!"
"That won't be necessary, Ravio," Kate said. "You have the rest of your friends and family to support you. You've been spending so much time with us that you've forgotten that you have others who are close to you."
"You're right..." Ravio looked away. "But we might be not as strong."
"Uh, Kate said you should have trust in your friends," Ben said. "You've learned a lot, and you've grown a lot. So did they. I don't think it's okay to underestimate their strength."
"Yes," Kate placed a reassuring hand on Ravio's shoulders. "You've learned all that we can tell you. Someday, Ravio, when you obtain true wisdom and courage, I believe you can be as great as the Pokémon Rangers, like Ben."
"Great? Me?" the armored boy was bashful, pushed further by Celebi's teasing. "Heehee... You really think so?"
"You need courage and focus even more than before," Kate laughed. "But you'll be fine. You've changed a lot since I first saw you."
"And so have you," Ravio blinked, confused. "How come you changed? You used to talk very little. You didn't even smile as much."
"Because this year I met people who reminded me that I can't be alone," Kate said. "The time I met you, I worked by myself, and I didn't want to talk to anyone. I felt that whatever I was doing, I could do it alone. I was proven wrong later on."
"That's a good improvement," Ravio smiled. "I guess it's only right that you go home now. We need to go back to normal and improve ourselves."
"That's good," Kate smiled, and she walked past him, with Ben following behind her. "This is goodbye, and I hope your father will be fine by the end of your battle."
"Goodbye...?"
By the time Ravio turned around, Celebi hummed its mournful farewell song and his two teachers, friends, and companions were gone. [1]
With a loud thud, Ben and Kate landed on the rubble of the temple ruins on a warm evening. They looked around for anyone in sight, and without question, they headed towards the main village square where they could hopefully find Kate's little brother, waiting for them. Ben felt tired again, after having withstood the effects of lingering too long in the past, and he could feel his muscles aching for the first time in months. In truth, he didn't feel as physically tired before when he only did menial jobs back in Almia.
"So we're finally done?" Ben asked as they stepped out of the ruins and into the main dirt road in Teakwood Forest.
"Yep. We're not going back now. We have enough information for Leanne and Nema. I'm going to store our new information into the database."
"Ah," Ben remembered. Leanne was still doing research on the ruins. But was this mission for Kate's own purpose?
"I have to ask," Ben said as he followed closely behind the ex-Ranger. "Why did you have so much confidence that Ravio will win?"
"Do you remember the song of the Three Beasts?" Kate interrupted him. "There are three versions but they're all the same."
"With his own two hands," Kate narrated. "A great hero of legend defeated an evil man of power, dethroning him to become a King, a link to Pokemon and the people. His lineage has faded into obscurity due to mixing with those of other regions. By now, or fifty years ago, the only trace left with such royal blood was a noble family, but they eventually were lost to history as well, save for one final man who perished five years ago." [2]
Ben didn't know what Kate meant, only that Ravio could be involved in their issue about Black Water. He didn't think much of the rest of the story as they carried their weary bodies back home.
NOTES:
[1] I could have extended the past arc with Ben and Kate assisting Ravio with taking on Arceus and Ellios at the same time, but this would disrupt some plot devices that have not been introduced clearly into the plot (e.g. Golden Armor, full depth into Steelhead), and Ravio's role as a character is more active instead of waiting for Ben to finish the temples. He's a big boy and can take care of himself. The other characters, such as the head oracles themselves, should also be actively part of the cause.
[2] I am very poor at foreshadowing, am I? Basically Tobias is somehow related to Ravio, but very distantly.
A/N: And we're done with the past arc, all wrapped up in short spurts. Now we can move along with actual plot! :D