Hey there everybody! Bet you didn't plan on hearing from me quite this soon did you. Anyway, I got a chapter done and managed to be at a place with wifi so I figured I'd post it while I have the chance. Now then, it's about time to see who called Lyre out isn't it.
On with the chapter.
"I'm shocked you actually heeded my call." Lyre narrowed his eyes towards the other figure in the dim alley. Violet eyes burned into his, no hint of malice. Lyre didn't trust her.
"Look Dakuta," he said, "you better speak quickly. I have things to do." Dakuta nodded. Blue was nowhere to be seen. 'Either he's hiding or...or Dakuta's trying to show she isn't here to kill me.'
"How is the sister?" Dakuta asked.
"Fine. Thanks for asking." No way was he telling her anything. Her face shifted as if she were frowning but with her mouth covered it was hard to tell. "Why are you here."
"Tryus," she said, "I know where he's heading next." Lyre perked up. This was good information, but could he trust her word.
"Why made you think that I'd trust anything you say," Lyre said slowly, "You work for Tryus." Dakuta sighed.
"I may work for him," she said, eyes burning, "but not of my own desire. I would just as quickly end his life. Besides, you have no other leads do you. " Lyre watched her for a moment and crossed his arms.
"Alright," he said slowly, "let's say I believe you. Where is he headed?"
"To a place called the Isle of Ancients. I don't know where it was, I only heard the name. That is where he is going. He is on his way now." A shout from somewhere made Lyre turn his gaze. When he looked back the mysterious girl was gone. He looked around for a bit, unable to find any trace of her.
'Well then,' he thought, 'I'd best head back and research this Isle of Ancients.' He hurried back, clambering up into his tree and settling the book into his lap. There was no table of contents in this book, so he was forced to skim the pages until the name caught his eye. Rebecca had scrawled a note beside it. 'Potential Target' it said. He looked at the passage, gaze serious but also curious about this new piece of information.
'The Isle of Ancients,' The book read, 'is believed to be a large, nearly impenetrable island off the coast of Morime Port. The coast of the island is covered in thick vegetation, and a thick force field forged from some form of powerful energy makes passage impossible due to the physical and mental strain on both people and Pokemon who try to pass through it. What lies on this island is unknown, though one scientist who claimed to have reached the island stated that he saw some form of strange rock formation covered with undergrowth and what appeared to be gemstones imbedded into the surface. What this structure is, if it indeed exists, is unknown.' Lyre stared at the page, biting his lip gently. For once...they had no idea of the beast Tryus was going after.
"Lyre!" He looked down, seeing Seeca staring up at him. "You hungry? If so, Nurse Joy made some dinner." He shook his head, slipping from the tree and handing Seeca the book.
"I need to check something out," he said, "You stay here with Arion and finish eating. Then meet me at Morime Port. We have a lead."
"Lyre, where-"
"Just meet me there," he said, snatching a Pokeball from his belt and slinging his bag over his shoulder, "I'll explain more there." He released Jet, quickly placing Storm back into his Pokeball before slipping both onto his belt and mounting his Pokemon.
"Lyre wait," Seeca said, clutching the book to her chest, "this is a bad idea. I can feel it." She looked away, eyes almost sad. "I know I can't stop you...but at least tell me what you're checking out."
"There's an island off shore," he said, "called the Isle of Ancients. Read the legend and meet me there. That's our next destination." Before she could say more Jet dove into the sky. Lyre felt his eyes burn as the wind struck him, vaguely recalling he hadn't put on his goggles before going into flight. He pulled them out, releasing the Flygon long enough to flip his gazer out of the way and slide them on.
Jet flew faster at his urging, only stopping on a cliff ringing one of the mountains throughout the region to catch his breath. Once recovered the Pokemon burst through the sky once more, tearing through wind currents as if they were nothing, flying so fast that his wings angled back and his tail whipped out behind him. Lyre crouched low against Jet's back, a deep frown marring his face as they tore towards their destination. It reminded him of the days before joining Rebecca and Arion. The days when he tore across the region on Jet's back to purify Shadow Pokemon. His left hand clenched, feeling icy metal chill against his skin. 'There can't be much more to this,' he told himself, 'then everything will be normal again. I can go back to what I do best. Everything will be okay.' He kept repeating that line to himself, saying that he was only on this journey for Celebi. Yet the further he grew from Urinius City, the heavier his heart weighed on him. Seeca's words echoed in his ears, haunting him. "It means I'm sorry." He grit his teeth, shutting his eyes tightly. 'Sorry for what? Why is Rebecca subconsciously apologizing? What does she know?!'
It was nearly midnight when he reached Morime Port. Jet staggered to a stop, panting and wings trembling from exhaustion. He apologized to his Pokemon, placing him back into his Pokeball. He ran along the empty streets, finding an inn with an open window on the first floor. After ensuring the room it lead to was empty he climbed in, collapsing on the bed in the corner. Questions swirled in his mind, keeping him awake. Suddenly he felt like he had the first time he'd left Celebi's forest with Storm, a lost child again. He rolled onto his stomach, burying his nose into his scarf. He'd been told by Celebi that she had found him with it on, and it felt like the only tie to his past. He sighed, too restless to sleep but unable to do anything else. 'Just one night,' he said, 'then you can do something useful. Just one night.' He lay there, wide awake, until morning broke.
Lyre was up the moment the sun rose, racing from the inn and bringing Jet out again. Together they continued their flight east, over the ocean. It took nearly another hour before a large island came into view. Trees covered the coast, cliffs stretching down into the water. Lyre angled Jet closer, shocked when the Flygon slammed into an invisible shield, pushed away by an unseen force. Jet pulled back, giving a small noise of concern. "We have to get in there," he murmured, "Jet, do you think you can push through?" Jet turned his head, nodding. Lyre braced himself. "Do it buddy."
Jet backed up, zipping towards the barrier. He slammed into the wall of energy, ripples forming along the invisible surface. Jet shot a Dragon Breath at the barrier before ramming his body against it again. The barrier gave, Jet's head starting to push through. "C'mon Jet. You can do it." Wings beat faster as Jet pushed. Lyre clutched Jet's back, feeling something pressing down on his body as Jet forced his way through. It squeezed him, forcing the air out of his lungs. He gasped, groaning as his head throbbed. He felt as if he was being squeezed in a vice. His vision blurred as Jet finally broke through, shooting towards the ground at an incredible speed. "Jet! Pull up!" The Flygon didn't reply, hurtling through the ground. Lyre pulled himself, seeing Jet's eyes gently closed. He swore and yanked Jet's Pokeball free. He returned the Pokemon, hurtling towards the ground in a tumble of limbs. He slammed into the ground and lay there, groaning.
'I have to get up,' He told himself. His body protested, not moving a muscle despite his protests. 'damn it! What happened to me...' His eyes drifted half-closed. A figure passed close to his face, saying something to him. He ignored them, shutting his eyes. 'I can't move...' He gave an inward sigh, feeling as though his chest was collapsing. 'Am I...am I going to die here?'
'Something's wrong Arion.' Arion jumped at the sudden voice in his head, grateful that Seeca had retired to her room for the night. He himself was seated in Rebecca's room, now that his aunt had allowed him back in.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
'My eldest sister,' the voice said, 'has been keeping an eye on Lyre. Something bad is going to happen to him. He shouldn't have gone off on his own. You need to get to him quickly.'
"What?" he asked, "we have to go then."
'Hurry, Arion.' He jumped up and ran to Seeca's room, barreling in without even knocking. Seeca sat up, staring at him with wide eyes.
"What's wrong Arion?" She asked, sitting up and setting the book Lyre had given her earlier aside. He took a deep breath, steadying his pounding heart.
"We have to go now," he said. She stood, a concerned look on her face.
"Arion? What do you mean we have to go now?"
"I know I said we should wait until morning to go after Lyre, but I've got a bad feeling. We need to go now." She nodded.
"Le's go then," she said, "Legend will get us there as fast as he can." Arion nodded, hurrying out of the Pokemon Center after Seeca.
'Be alright Lyre,' he mentally pleaded, 'please...I can't risk almost losing another one of you guys.'
So then, how was that? Lyre always gets into trouble when he takes off doesn't he. And who is this figure he saw? You'll have to wait to find out. Sorry about that. I promise I'll update as soon as I can guys!
I'm do glad people like these stories. It makes me happy. And I hope these stories bring you through a roller-coaster of emotions. If not...then I'm not doing my job right.
I'll see you later! Bye everyone!
