Ch. 36: The Light At The End
Although neither Malik, Athaliah, or Xenos knew it, the night had passed with a cold wind that seemed to diminish almost any warmth. Xenos and Malik, being so similar, both managed to find comfortable surroundings to make camp, while Athaliah had a slightly different plan. She had her Kingdra make a make-shift water bed, and she used a mixture of food and some clay-like dirt that she dug up for the outer layer. For the final touch, she made Starmie use its psychic ability to harden the now frozen bed.
For most of the night, the three trainers slept decently, with only Malik being disturbed by strange noises every few hours. He had found a gathering of smooth rocks, and had Scizor and Umbreon crush them into an almost perfect powder. It wasn't his first choice, but the cave had offered little else to choose from, and for the most part, his sandy dwellings made for a comfortable sleep. The only problem he now faced were the wild Pokémon lurking in the shadows.
Xenos had it a bit easier than the others, for he had used Arcanine's fiery breath to smooth a portion of the ground into a glassy substance, and had Espeon use its psychic power to make the glass unbreakable with a barrier. It was solid, and hard, but with the added blankets Xenos had kept with him, his bed was by far the most comfortable. In his area of the cave, there seemed to be not only a shortage, but a general lack of wild Pokémon or trainers, and he remained undisturbed for the entire night.
Although Malik's make-shift bed was relatively comfortable, the cries of wild Pokémon near him were making sleep almost impossible to achieve. It wasn't until about six hours passed by that he thought of a plan to gain sleep. Filled with the sudden energy of excitement, he reached for his bag and sent out Kadabra. The grayish-brown psychic Pokémon showed signs of drowsiness, and as it lazily yawned, Malik scowled slightly.
"Kadabra," he said in a stout tone, "I need you to put me to sleep with some hypnosis."
At first Kadabra looked at him, opening only one eye to do so, then it fell asleep. Malik was so tired that his anger got the better of him for a moment, and he almost snapped. He wanted to yell, or throw something at Kadabra, but then his energy flickered, and he remembered that he could sense its aura.
He closed his eyes slowly, and for a moment, he thought he would pass out, and then he saw it. Kadabra's aura was an intensely bright blue, and although it was asleep, the psychic Pokemon's aura was shining incredibly bright. Malik channeled his thoughts, portraying himself asleep, and attempted to invoke Kadabra's consciousness to interpret the image. For a moment, there was a feeling of understanding, but then an image returned to Malik.
At first, there was only a bright whiteness all around, and then Malik was standing next to Kadabra, or so he thought. Malik could see Kadabra, and then he looked right. He couldn't believe his eyes, but he was now looking directly at himself. He was clean and dressed, and was also in the midst of a battle. Kadabra was up against another trainer, and when Malik looked over, he saw Machamp and Giovanni Jr.
Malik stepped back and rubbed his eyes, and for a moment, he didn't know what to think. Retracing his steps, he almost thought this was a vision, but then he realized it must have been a dream, and he had somehow entered it. Both Pokémon showed the obvious signs of a fierce battle, but Machamp looked a bit healthier than Kadabra. In a fetal attempt to end the fight, Kadabra fired a beam of psychic energy at the four-armed Pokémon. However, having just enough energy left, the fighting Pokémon dodged the attack, then rushed at Kadabra and tossed it up in the air.
The vision began to shake, and Malik was back in the cave, with Kadabra waking up sleepily. Malik smiled, and just when Kadabra woke up, he realized what it meant. He looked over at his Pokémon happily, and began to speak in a soft voice:
"You know something," Malik said, "Even though you're one of the toughest Pokémon I've ever met, you have the most anxiety I've ever seen."
Kadabra merely snuffed at Malik, too proud to admit that its trainer was right. Kadabra, although it was powerful, was worried that it might not be strong enough to defeat Giovanni Jr., and as a result, it was now suffering from these nightmares. Just when Kadabra snapped out of its thoughts, Malik was already in front of it.
"Don't you worry," Malik said softly, placing a hand on Kadabra's shoulder, "I know just the thing."
Malik revealed a small silver spoon, however, unlike the other spoon Kadabra held, this one was engraved with an 'M' on it. Malik handed it to Kadabra with a smile, and the psychic Pokémon seemed caught off guard. Malik took a step back, smiling, and spoke again:
"I was saving this for when you got a little stronger," he said a bit more firmly, "but if you're ready to evolve, I can make that happen, old friend."
Kadabra's eyes watered, and it was filled with a mixture of excitement, and happiness. Malik may not have been a psychic, but Kadabra was convinced that Malik shared a true understanding with his Pokémon. Nodding in agreement, KAdabra took a step forward, and crossed its arms firmly. As it bowed its head in meditation, Malik pointed his hands, and began to glow white with energy.
For a moment, the energy merely gathered in Malik's arms, but then something strange happened. He felt the other energy forces moving through him, and they were violent. Their auras suggested that they intended to corrupt Kadabra, and not invoke the evolutionary phase, and Malik fought it off as best he could. His aura flared from white to red, and then to blue and gold. He became lost in the torment of controlling it, and felt his grip on Kadabra's aura shift slightly.
Suddenly, the gold aura was gone, and for a moment, Malik thought it had left him, but then he was able to open his eyes. What he saw was expected, yet he was still in complete shock at the sight. Where Kadabra once stood, Alakazam was in its place, and both spoons bore a lightning bolt shaped eye. His face grew wide with a smile, but as he rushed to hug his new Pokémon, it glared, and shoved him back with psychic energy.
Confused, Malik scowled once again, and then returned to his original plan. He layed down on the sand bed he had made, and stared at Alakazam. For a good ten minutes, neither of them moved, and they were both just staring each other down. Finally, growing weary of this nonsense, Malik stood up, walked over to Alakazam, and glared at it deeply.
"I don't know what's gotten into you," he said angrily, "but you've got until the count of three to do as I say, and use hypnosis on me, or you can find a new trainer!"
Malik counted to one, but Alakazam remained still. Then on the count of two, Malik reached for its poke ball, and Alakazam grew nervous, but yet again refused to move. When Malik got to three, there was a deep anger in his tone, but his emotions, from what Alakazam could tell, showed no signs that he was bluffing, and before Malik crushed its ball, he was put to sleep in an instant.
The following day, both Xenos and Athaliah were awake, and had slept through the entire night peacefully. Malik, however, was still completely unconscious, and luckily, Alakazam had loyally returned to its ball. Although it didn't understand why, Alakazam had felt an extreme defiance towards Malik, but had no idea as to why.
Athaliah and Xenos both started their day differently, yet both of them were completely energized and well rested. Xenos had slept until a little after noon, and being the excellent cook he was, he had Arcanine start up a fire, and he made a delicious brunch. Athaliah, however, had brought for that was already prepared, and wasted no time in continuing on her venture through the cave.
Xenos was plopped down on a soft boulder, and as he carved his way through the delicious steak and eggs he had cooked up, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious. It had only been a day since the group entered the cave, and although he was the first one in, he knew he might not be the first one out. As the thought of losing the race he and the others were having settled in, he scarfed down his food, and set out once again in the hopes of leaving this cave as fast as possible.
Athaliah had walked for a few hours now, but as soon as she began having trouble seeing, she knew she was venturing deeper inside of the cave. With only Starmie to guide her through, she carefully scoured for a path that led to a brighter part of the cave. She walked for a few hours, but the only thing she had managed to find were a few dead ends, and a path blocked by a even more walking, she was beginning to grow frustrated, but then she ran into a familiar face.
Xenos had left a little too quickly after eating, and he could feel his sides cramping up. However, he was used to walking cramps off like a bad hangover, and he continued on. Blaziken was still poisoned, and so instead of searching for an exit, Xenos set his sights on any berries or plants he could use to conjure up an antidote. Most poisons contracted in battle weren't fast acting, and he was familiar with a multitude of plants and berries he could use to make the fire bird feel better, and even recover.
A few hours of walking, and still Xenos had found nothing but a group of Zubats and Golbats fluttering about. Suddenly, a cold breeze blew past him, and he saw what looked like a female standing before him. At first, he couldn't make out the figure in the dim lighting of the cave, but then he recognized the girl.
From a few feet away, Xenos and Athaliah could barely see eachother, but after a year of traveling together, they both knew when they spotted each other. Ironically, Athaliah wasn't the least bit surprised, but Xenos was in complete shock. He hadn't expected to run into Malik or Athaliah until he made it out of the cave, but it seemed that fate decided to pit them against each other sooner than expected.
"So," Athaliah said loudly, "Finally used that small brain of yours to venture further into the cave, eh Xenos?"
"You're one to talk," Xenos said just as loudly, "Or maybe you're just lost, and I was tracking you down!"
"No," she replied as she glanced at her nails with a smirk, "You're not that smart!"
"Careful ow you talk," Xenos replied with an even bigger smile, "because Malik isn't here to protect you anymore, and I've been itching for a good battle."
"Well then" she replied happily, "Why waste anymore time? Go, Swampert!"
"Good point," Xenos shouted, "Go, Espeon!"
The two Pokémon came out snarling, and the energy among the trainers and their Pokémon was vibrant and fierce. Xenos and Athaliah weren't the kind to waste time on theatrics, and both attacked head on. Swampert managed to make the first move, and it fired a massive spray of water at Espeon. The fork-tailed cat's eyes glowed with a bright pink aura, and it grasped the water with some difficulty.
"Not so easy," Athaliah said proudly, noticing Espeon struggling to stop the attack, "When you're up against a pro, huh Xenos?"
"Just wait," Xenos replied, "There's more to psychic type Pokémon than just petty strength! Espeon, use future sight!"
As Espeon struggled to deflect the powerful water being fired at it by Swampert, its eyes began to glow a bright purple color, and then the energy evaporated. Finally, Swampert ceased its attack, and Espeon was able to relax a bit. Although it hadn't taken any damage, Espeon had spent a greater part of its energy in stopping the attack, and it was panting slightly.
Athaliah smirked, but so did Xenos. Swampert was eager for more, and rushed at Espeon fast and hard. Espeon was still panting, but on command, it recovered its energy rapidly. Swampert was caught off guard by this, and just as it attacked, Espeon sent it flying back with a wave of psychic energy. With precision timing, the future sight attack slammed Swampert hard to the ground, and it was now struggling to get up. Espeon's tail twitched, but before Xenos could give the final attack, Espeon teleported to Swampert, and slammed into it hard.
Finally, the massive mudfish went down, and Athaliah was forced to recall it. Although Xenos had won the first round, he was still at a great disadvantage, for Athaliah had a team full of water type Pokémon, and only two other Pokémon were different types. He knew that her Pokémon were well trained, but he had done some training of his own, and the only question that remained now was whose Pokémon were better.
Athaliah wasted no time in pity, and sent out Mightyena. Espeon was indeed powerful, but it was no match for the dark power of Mightyena. He was forced to recall his psychic Pokémon, and instead sent out Arcanine. The massive, striped dog came out howling, and once it noticed Mightyena, it howled loudly. The echo of the howl reverberated through the cave, and the cave walls themselves seemed to tremble.
"So," Xenos said aloud, "That little puppy of yours finally ready for a real battle?"
"Oh sure," Athaliah replied, "Just as soon as we find a real trainer. Do you know any?"
"Grr, I'll make you choke on those words soon enough! Arcanine, use flamethrower!"
"Mightyena, use hyper beam," Athaliah commanded.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks, and they were evenly matched at first. Both dogs put forth an excessive amount of force, and for a moment, Mightyena gained the edge. Arcanine finally side-stepped, and dodged the hyper beam blast. The beam fired into a cave wall and destroyed it almost completely. However, both Xenos and Athaliah were too focussed to notice the exit they recently made by accident. On command, Arcanine lunged forward from its side-stepping position, and bolted for Mightyena.
Arcanine's speed was impressive, even for an experienced Pokémon, and Mightyena had a hard time tracking it. Just before the attack landed, however, Mightyena stepped forward once, and bit down. Mightyena managed to catch Arcanine's leg. Biting down hard, Mightyena managed to snap a bone, or at least fracture one. Arcanine roared out in pain, but instead of flinching, Arcanine's rage grew tremendously.
Before anyone knew what was happening, Arcanine exploded in a massive wave of fire, and the air around it began to burn red hot. Mightyena refused to let go, even when Athaliah ordered it to. She and Xenos could now tell that Arcanine was over-heating from sheer rage, but Mightyena's pride was keeping it latched on. Arcanine glared down at the dark Pokemon, but instead of pupils, its eyes were completely glowing red.
Mightyena realized what was happening much too late, and Arcanine finally exploded in a fiery blaze. Luckily, Arcanine used what little was left of its rational mind to avoid burning the trainers, but the space in-between them was engulfed in a massive, flaming ball. The flames swirled like the inferno they resembled, and the light issued throughout the cave as far as the tunnels permitted. Mightyena tried its best to avoid the attack, but there was nowhere for it to run, and its was trapped. With one final mighty roar, Arcanine stomped, and the flames twirled even more violently.
Although he was proud of Arcanine for winning, Xenos hadn't anticipated the outcome of this attack. As the attack ceased, and Mightyena collapsed, Arcanine collapsed as well. The exhaustion from using up so much power had taken its toll, and the two Pokémon were downed. As both trainers recalled their Pokémon, there was a silence as they now knew the battle wouldn't be as quick as they wanted.
Meanwhile, back where Malik was unconscious, a certain group of wild Pokémon were growing a little too curious, and he was quickly surrounded. For almost the entire day, Malik had remained unconscious, but his mind quickly became a cluster of nightmarish images, and he was slowly tormented.
The visions rushing through his mind were horrifying and tragic, and as he relived each terrible memory he held in his mind, he was trapped even more. On the outside, he was merely just another victim of Gastly and Haunter's nightmare technique, but inside, things were even worse. Visions of those close to him perishing, the memory of his brother and father, and even a random, screaming woman, all ripped through his mind like a hurricane.
He jolted up, finally awake, but something was odd. He was outside the cave now, and Xenos and Athaliah were shaking him roughly. Athaliah's face was riddled with terror, and soaked by tears, while Xenos was more firm and concerned. As Malik sat up, they finally released him, and he tried to contemplate what was happening. He looked around, taking note of a bushel of sitrus berry trees, and the front gates of the Indigo Plataeu, and his confusion sank in.
"How..." he muttered in a weak voice, "How did you guys find me?"
"Umbreon," Athaliah uttered faintly, "Whatever this was, when it started, Umbreon sought us out in the cave."
"When we found you," Xenos said, "You were screaming things...terrible things. Do you recall any of that?"
"No," Malik said shaking his head no, "I remember having Alakazam put me to sleep, then darkness. That's all I can remember, honest."
"Well," Athaliah said, "Maybe it was just a nightmare. We should get going."
They walked from the hole Athaliah and Xenos had made in the cave during their battle, but now there was nothing around them save for a thick forest. The trees were so dense and close together that the group had to walk single file just to get past them. They finally came to a small clearing, and an odd sight befell their eyes. It was a sign post, and the writing was ancient.