Author's Notes: Wow, been a long time, hasn't it? I apologize for the huge wait--I've been working hard on this story, though, and I guarantee that from this point on updates will be coming much, much more frequently! I'm sorry that all I have to show for these months is a somewhat filler-ish chapter, but I assure you that more interesting updates are coming soon. Thanks to everyone who's stayed interested in this story despite my erratic update schedule and long delays.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Flight
"Very well, then. You may go. I must think on your report in private."
Varnello glanced up at the massive desk before him, at the old, grim-looking human seated on the other side. The Master of the temple appeared even less amused than normal, his face drawn into a brooding scowl and his chin resting on his interlaced hands, elbows planted on the highly polished desktop.
The desk itself was quite a monster, Varnello noted with distaste. Great and sprawling across almost the entire width of the room, it was heavily carven with fanciful scenes of pokémon and humans frolicking, fighting, and generally parading across its vast expanse. There was a great deal more space on its broad and shiny top than was remotely necessary even for the considerable work with which the Master had to deal. The desk's opulence was a perfect compliment to the massive windows to its left, which afforded an excellent view of Saltmarsh stretching out below the great tower of the Psychic Temple. Sapping heat from the room in Waytar's long, harsh winters and trapping it inside during the brief summer, the great glass expanse was an uncomfortable and totally unnecessary show of wealth. The thick carpet into which Varnello's hands and feet were currently sunk was more agreeable to the alakazam, but nevertheless an extravagance.
His gaze still on the Master, Varnello thought that the human himself, in his luxurious high-backed chair, was nothing more than an extravagance himself--an unfortunately necessary concession to Waytar's always-troublesome human population. But there the man was, so assured of his position and of his power, scowling down at the alakazam crouched before him as though he was some sort of superior.
Well, let him have his delusions, Varnello thought. They kept him happy and tractable. The alakazam's eyes traveled to the xatu that stood behind the Master's chair, flanking him. Each had one wing raised so that the appendages crossed behind the huge chair and framed the Master. Of course, the two attendants—siblings, actually, from the same clutch—were perfectly motionless, looking rather like exquisitely lifelike statues or, perhaps, unusually lively corpses.
The power behind the throne, Varnello thought, literally. It was before them he debased himself and to them that he reported, in truth. Let the Master think it was otherwise. The true Masters would influence the human to the correct way of thinking so subtly that he wouldn't even know that the thoughts and schemes weren't his own.
As he kept his eyes trained on the two xatu, he had the strong impression that they wanted him to look away again. It was neither a verbal command nor a mental one, but Varnello understood and obeyed, returning his gaze to the carpet again as was proper. The whole train of thought had taken only as long as it took for him to flick his eyes up at the Master and then back down again, and the slow-witted human, of course, hadn't noticed.
Yes, Master,Varnello said to the man, repressing the urge to make the honorative plural. Then, rising with his eyes still averted from the man behind the desk, he turned and walked slowly from the room. Weariness dragged on him, and he was looking forward to a chance to rest at last. His journey to reach the temple had been long and difficult but, as always, he'd been obligated to report first and attend to his own needs later. Now, at last, he'd have the chance to relax, recover, and nurse thoughts of sweet revenge.
Where are we?Accemenla asked as she began to shiver, folding her arms in a gesture that was equal parts imperiousness and response to the cold.
Tobias merely shrugged. "Somewhere between Salt Bay and Saltmarsh. About a third of the way to Saltmarsh, maybe."
Did you saySaltmarshAccemenla hissed, a shudder that had nothing to do with the cold wracking her body. What on earth would possess you to want to go there?
"Look, it's the closest city, all right? I'm really not in the mood for argument," Tobias said bitterly. He was cold despite his massive new coat, primarily because his legs were soaked.
I don't believe you understand, Accemenla said icily. You can't go there. Hear me? I don't care why you're headed that way, but make a change of plans or something. Going to Saltmarsh would be stupid, even for you.
"Oh yeah? And I suppose you'd rather spend a couple weeks or so out in the middle of this?" Tobias asked, gesturing to the landscape in general. Accemenla allowed her eyes to briefly flit across the scenery, taking in the tall, browning grasses and reeds, the muddy little islands rising among the subtly flowing waters that stretched on as far as the eye could see in all directions.
Yes, she said. No contest.
This was not the answer Tobias had expected. For a second he just stared at the tarsix in exasperated disbelief, then sighed. "Well, I'm sure not," he grumbled. "Look, I just let you out for dinner. Like I said, I really don't feel like arguing right now." He reached into his outsized coat and withdrew another chime, ringing it to call up Chevron.
Though outwardly she remained haughty, Accemenla's mind was whirring away on fear-greased wheels. Her fur was still wet from the battle in the Water Temple, and a slight wind rushed across the great marsh, cutting right through to her skin. It was laced with faint, tingling traces of free energy, but the tarsix was in no mood to appreciate the delicious feeling of power running through the air.
Oh, that's too bad, she sneered as Tobias released Jinx. You can go on to Saltmarsh if you want, but I'm not—what happened to him
Jinx was a wretched sight, totally soaked and obviously exhausted. His red eyes rolled around to give Accemenla a glare, but otherwise he didn't even respond to the tarsix's question.
"Uh, that sesstra," Tobias replied, remembering that Accemenla had been in her chime during Jinx's battle.
Well, aren't you going to fix him up or something? the tarsix asked impatiently.And come to that, I could use a bit of healing, too. Her body ached from the pounding given it by the sesstra, and glancing down she could see a spectacular bruise forming where the tentacool had grabbed her leg in a death grip. Chevron, standing off to the side, nodded in agreement.
Tobias flushed and didn't meet his pokémon's eyes. "I don't really have anything for you guys," he admitted. "I used the last of my healing stuff on that slipstri, and I haven't bought any more since. You guys are just going to have to heal on your own. I'm really, really sorry."
Oh, this just keeps getting better and better, Accemenla snarled, and even Chevron looked betrayed. Jinx just ruffled his feathers a bit, creating a small shower of water. He appeared to be in an even worse mood than before, Accemenla noted. Well, not her problem; they stayed away from each other as it was, and she was quite content with that.
Tobias ignored them both and released Igneous, the magmar's presence instantly warming his direct surroundings, a pleasant contribution to the oppressively dark and damp atmosphere. "Think you could get a fire going for us, Igneous?" Tobias asked wearily, tired out by arguing with his perpetually recalcitrant tarsix and by the unpleasant environment and still more unpleasant journey that lay ahead. At the moment, he didn't really feel like contemplating the far-reaching consequences of being discovered again—right now, he just wanted to be concerned with getting warm, getting food, and getting out of this accursed marsh.
Igneous looked dubiously at the pitifully small, very wet pile of wood stacked forlornly in the middle of the little island Tobias had chosen to spend the night on. The ground sizzled slightly beneath his feet, faint wisps of steam curling up around his toes as the natural heat of his body cooked away the water in the earth. Shrugging, he bent over and coaxed a fire into existence, a weak little blaze that sent up clouds of greasy and unpleasant smoke. Tobias and the other pokémon all crowded around it eagerly, however, just thankful to have a little heat and warmth.
"Well, we have plenty of food, guys," Tobias said after a little while, trying to sound cheerful. "Pretty much whatever you want. As long as it's something that comes in a can, anyway." He dragged his bulging backpack over to his side and overturned it, dumping a clunking pile of cans onto the peaty earth next to him.
Got any canned intelligence, there? Accemenla asked sarcastically. I really recommend it. Tastes delicious. They even say it can prolong your life…
Tobias didn't respond, just despondently grabbing some tuna and pulling back the tab on the top of the can. He now desperately wished he'd thought to bring some crackers or something. The three pokémon and their guide ate their meager meal largely in silence. Strange cries echoed out across the marshes occasionally, and the wind sighed through the tall grass, but conversation was decidedly missing. At last, everyone had finished, Igneous had absently gathered up their empty cans and was melting them down between his paws, casually dripping liquid metal back and forth between them, and Accemenla decided to speak up.
So why the sudden rush to Saltmarsh without any chance to stop and heal us, huh? I can only hope there's method to your madness.
Tobias shrugged and looked away. "I don't really want to talk about it, all right? I'm just in a bit of trouble again, that's all."
Well, I'm sure that starting a fire that produces quite a bit of smoke and is doubtlessly visible from several miles away is a good way to begin your escape from whatever-it-is, Accemenla replied nastily.
"I don't think it matters," Tobias said gloomily. "It's sort of hard to hide out here—all they'd have to do if they really wanted to find me would be send some flying pokémon out, or a psychic-type or something. Besides, it's not like I'm the only trainer out here at this point; they're probably still looking for me around the city."
A valid point, Accemenla conceded. I'll agree that not many people would expect you to be stupid enough to go fleeing off to Saltmarsh. The tarsix knew very well that they were probably the only guide-group making the trek through the marshes at this time of year, and indeed, there were no other telltale plumes of smoke visible over the rolling hills and valleys of reeds and grass. She knew why the fire didn't matter, why they weren't following, and she thought he knew it too, or at least suspected, for all his ineptitude. He made no response to her last statement, instead just getting out his bedding.
Fool, Accemenla murmured to herself.
Quiet descended upon the marshes, the chilly weather a deterrent to the life that would ordinarily be filling the darkness with songs, cries, and distant rustlings and splashes. Chevron nuzzled up to Tobias, and the boy sleepily put his arm around the linoone, the two of them huddling together to keep warm. Igneous, ever solitary, just tended to the fire, with Jinx sitting as close to it as possible with wings outspread, drying them by the flames. The bleak landscape suited Accemenla's mood perfectly well, and the cutting wind made her give a bitter grin; there was that same tingle of energy. It was everywhere here, something so ubiquitous that it ordinarily went unnoticed. After her long time in Johto, it was invigorating, to be immersed again in such power, something she'd been missing all the time she was away and never been able to put her finger on. That the clumsy oaf of a human couldn't even sense it only made it seem all the sweeter.
The tarsix's smile faded, replaced by a dark, grim expression. Couldn't sense it, yes—destroyed it, even. In the air around the boy was a dead zone, not a glimmer of free power sparking through the atmosphere, as though he were some sort of black hole, pulling it all in and letting none of it out. She glanced back at him scornfully. He lay there innocently enough, snoring gently, the linoone sprawled across his chest drooling heavily on his sleeping bag. As though sensing her thoughts, Jinx shot a glance her way, red eyes glimmering with reflected fire. His upraised wings cast long, wavering shadows across his slumbering guide. Perhaps it was just a trick of the light, but to Accemenla, it seemed the bird smirked.
Teeth bared in a grimace, Accemenla turned away again and raised a paw slightly to let the wind play through her long, delicate fingers, teasing swirling tendrils of energy from the breeze. Maybe, she conceded, maybe he really didn't know anything, was just wandering aimlessly in hopes of finding this "normal life" he seemed to covet.
Give him the benefit of the doubt, then, Accemenla decided. She paused her gentle weaving of the wind as she felt the murkrow's eyes upon her. Innocent he was, maybe, and oblivious. But the darkness… the darkness was not.
Getting up without a backwards glance, she started off into the marshes, into the cold and the solitude.
The trip through the marshland was a long and unpleasant one. The cold only worsened, and Tobias took to keeping Igneous out as much as possible, not only to compensate for how much the magmar ordinarily would have to be kept in his pokéball but also for the simple warmth of his presence. In the literal sense, that was, not the metaphorical—the fire-type was quiet and unassuming, and though he hovered near Tobias's side agreeably enough, he rarely spoke and seemed extremely distant.
In truth, Igneous disliked walking through the marshes; the damp wearied him, sapping his natural fires, and he had to watch his footing carefully, to avoid stepping into the brackish water as much as was possible, while at the same time staying away from the tall marsh-grasses. They were dead and brittle, rattling hollowly in the melancholy wind, and a moment of carelessness could see the entire marshland going up in a great blaze if he brushed too close to them.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere of the swamps and the worsening weather, however, Tobias's spirits actually improved over the course of his journey. No sign ever came of pursuit or any attempt whatsoever to locate him, and this reassured him that he was either too unimportant to be worth chasing after or that, through some twist of pleasant fortune, he had managed to confound his pursuers by choosing to escape out across the desolate marshlands. Though the arena was harsh and unfriendly, the relative quiet and solitude was oddly soothing, giving Tobias plenty of time alone with his thoughts. All the while, the burden on his back only grew lighter and lighter, and the ground gradually less soggy and miring as Saltmarsh drew nearer.
In some ways, the cold was an ally as well, for by now most pokémon of the marshes had migrated on to Waytar's southern islands or gone into hibernation for the winter, leaving few threats for Tobias to contend with. Without any healing items for his pokémon, he was reluctant to engage in any training at all, and for the most part wild pokémon left him alone. His own pokémon could roam fairly freely without worry about being attacked, for by now they were more powerful than most wild creatures in the area, although Jinx soon grew to detest the marshland for its flat blankness and distinct lack of gaudy items to pilfer. The murkrow would sometimes ride along on Tobias's head or go winging off across the endless fields of brittle grass, in search of whatever mischief he could find, but increasingly spent time sulking in his chime. This, along with the fact that she was no longer so pained by the daylight as she was in Johto, encouraged Accemenla to remain outside more.
The only real spot of excitement on their trip was when Tobias, unwary, failed to avoid the haunt of a skairon and was attacked by the large bird pokémon. Standing stock-still amidst the dying reeds, the predatory pokémon had been invisible to Tobias's casual eye as it watched the subtly flowing water below with hungry intensity, waiting to spear some unwary prey with its wickedly long, serrated beak. Why it hadn't gone south Tobias didn't know, for it was surely wanting for food at this time of year and therefore all the more inclined to attack a lone guide out of desperation.
Fortunately, Igneous was stalking along at Tobias's side and quickly stepped in to halt the bird as it rushed for the boy, huge wings spreading as it prepared to take to the air. It pulled up short, however, as the unfamiliar pokémon challenged it. The alien heat radiating off Igneous' body made the bird nervous, and its head weaved back and forth at the end of its long, snake-like neck as it observed the magmar. Tobias, after spending a moment recovering from the shock of having the large, intimidating pokémon suddenly rush at him, settled his pack more comfortably on his shoulders and actually grinned for the first time in a while. An actual wild pokémon battle—it seemed like a long time since he'd last had one. He'd have to be careful, though, since he didn't have any way to heal Igneous if he got badly injured.
"Okay, try an ember, Igneous," Tobias said. The attack was weak, but it could be performed at a distance, and Tobias wanted the magmar to stay out of the range of the skairon's wicked beak.
The command surprised Igneous a bit, as the attack wasn't one he'd been called to use in a long time. Nevertheless, he obligingly spat a streamer of glowing sparks at the skairon. The bird pokémon easily dodged the attack, hopping sideways on its tall, slender legs, then opened its beak and let out a horrific noise that drowned out the sizzle of embers dying in the brackish water. Igneous and Tobias both were forced to cover their ears as an awful, drawn-out shriek rose up from the bird pokémon, its wings spread again and the crest of black, dagger-like feathers running down the center of its skull standing on end as well. The screech was cut off with a sharp clack as the skairon closed its beak again and dove forward, lashing out before Igneous could react. A series of quick, abrupt jabs left bleeding wounds in the magmar's chest, then the skairon danced backward as Igneous took a belated swing at it. Skipping lightly from foot to foot, the bird watched carefully to see what the magmar would do next.
Grunting, Igneous put a paw over the wounds left by the fury attack. They were already cauterized, the blood that had dripped from them burnt away to nothing. Without waiting for a command, he blew a streamer of black smoke from his bill, which rapidly expanded into a dense, choking cloud that hung in the air around him and threatened to engulf the skairon until it retreated again.
The smokescreen was less effective at hiding Igneous than it might have been for some other pokémon, for the fiery glow of the magmar's body lit up the cloud from within, clearly indicating where he was. Nevertheless, the skairon was cautious and, what's more, felt it knew how to deal with the technique. Unfurling its wings, which were lined with curved, sickle-shaped feathers, the skairon started whipping up a breeze to disperse the smoke.
It had barely begun, though, before Igneous shot out of the cloud at a dead run, slamming a blazing fist into the skairon's midsection even as it was trying to dodge. The bird squawked and staggered away, stabbing at random with its long beak as it tried to get its bearings back. Igneous persisted with the attack, launching punch after punch at the struggling skairon and keeping it off balance. Though its serrated beak would occasionally hit home, Igneous ignored the blows entirely and kept on attacking until at last, smoldering and humiliated, the skairon managed to break free. Without waiting to see if Igneous would pursue the battle farther, it ran in the opposite direction, wide wings flapping until it was able to haul itself awkwardly into the air and depart.
Igneous merely watched it go, then turned around and walked back to Tobias through the lingering smoky haze. "Umm, good work, Igneous," the boy said, slightly unnerved despite himself, not to mention a bit embarrassed—he'd been too wrapped up in just watching the battle to even get a command in edgewise after the first. Still, it was good that Igneous was proficient at battling on his own; wasn't that what Tobias was supposed to be guiding him towards, anyway?
A bit uneasy for reasons he couldn't describe, Tobias led the way onward, and the magmar followed without question, silent and stoic as ever. If his victory meant anything to him, he gave no sign.
At last, the skyline of Saltmarsh city was faintly visible on the horizon, and when Tobias made camp for the night, he felt as though he were sleeping in the city's shadow. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened on the trip through the marshes; maybe he wasn't really being pursued, then. Perhaps they'd finally realized he wasn't important enough to be hounded. Sustained by that cheerful thought, Tobias went about his work with a happy will.
Even Accemenla seemed to be in a better mood. She'd stopped complaining of late, anyway, and had actually taken to sticking closer to Tobias rather than wandering off as she usually did. She was quiet, yes, but Tobias found silence infinitely preferable to constant nagging and ridicule.
The next morning, the tarsix watched him as he packed up camp for what he hoped would be the last time in a long time. Igneous had been returned to his pokéball; this close to the city, Tobias didn't want to risk keeping him out. Without the magmar's comforting heat or the warmth of a fire, the chill of the season was even more pronounced, but it couldn't dampen Tobias's spirits. Jinx, too, had been relegated to his chime; Tobias didn't think that keeping the murkrow out with him would be wise, in case anyone recognized a boy and a murkrow as matching the description of a certain troublemaker.
Are you really sure you want to do this? Accemenla asked abruptly, and Tobias paused in rolling up his sleeping bag, startled.
"Well, yeah. We've been through this already, haven't we?" The tarsix merely kept her eyes fixed on him in an earnest stare. "Look, don't give me any more grief, okay? I don't want to hear it." And, surprisingly, she didn't. Tobias set off again with her trailing along behind, and soon enough he had forgotten the matter—or simply buried it deep enough beneath his relief that he no longer really noticed it.
It was a little after midday when Tobias finally found himself in the city, a bit stunned by the clamor of life around him after having been out in the marshes so long but nevertheless grateful to have arrived. Whatever uneasiness he'd harbored deep and unacknowledged in his heart had been banished by the pleasant anonymity he'd found in the city streets. No one looked at him edgewise or, indeed, paid him any attention at all. The people were all hurrying about on their own business, and if they weren't particularly friendly, they weren't openly hostile, either.
Wandering in the general direction of the Psychic Temple, Tobias was guided by the vague notion of explaining his case, showing the Psychics that they didn't need to fear him, after all. Or perhaps he could just try earning a medal, if they didn't recognize him and his wariness turned out to be nothing more than paranoia. He assumed that the temple must be the huge tower that jutted up from the center of the city, watching over the people and pokémon below, and it was towards this that he headed.
"See, Accemenla? This isn't so bad, is it? What did I tell you?" He called without looking back, smiling up at the tower instead.
There was no response.
Tobias paused and turned to look around. "Accemenla… ?"
The tarsix was gone.