**WARNING, THIS IS A TEST CHAPTER, INFORMATION WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:**
Hey guys, thanks for reviewing. You make it all better. So, in the spirit of spring love, I'm making this a tiny little filler that looks deep into the relationships of all the C.C. characters. I MIGHT even go into 1st person POV, just for this chapter. It'll be bothersome to constantly have to label POV when I change, but I'm going to try anyway. I want to give these characters true voice and feel, more so than my usual 3rd person style. So here it goes, everyone. Warning you now, 1st person is NOT my thing, sooooo yes. Deal with it. Haha. Heh. Muahah.
Thanks to A Half-Empty Glass, WolfSummoner93, sjshark23, Legendary Fairy, Miss Kiko, Ein Storm, HollyWrites, and Mangafreak7793 for reviewing. You guys help me out so much, and thanks for being loyal 333
Okay so this was just a tiny teaser/tester chapter. Im willing to make it into two parts, but if you guys don't like the first person, I'll probly just do the second part of the chapter and then switch back to third… Soo lemme know what you think!
Much love, Katie.
XXX (Hiro)
I decided not to partake in the sake shenanagins the night before. As much as I'm always game for drinking, I knew they'd go overboard and get in trouble. I remained at the table beside Sid and Johnny, who spent the rest of dinner pulling roe from his hair.
I felt kinda shitty, first of all, because Kame hadn't said anything to me since…well…before I went with the others to the Seafloor Cavern. It was very unsettling. I'm not too sure what I've done now, but it's obvious she doesn't want to talk to me.
I wanted more than anything to touch her new hair style; it looked soft and probably smelled sweet, as she always did. But her gaze was locked on her food, and Venice's eyes were locked on me. My questioning look did nothing to deter her glaring, so I mentally flipped her off and reminded myself never to give her love advice again. Besides, she had food in her teeth and I didn't want to spoil any possible future embarrassment.
"All right, everyone! Listen up—listen, Sid, or it'll be a world of hell for you—tomorrow morning we've got a surprise for you all. So get some well-needed rest and meet back here in the morning. Understood?" After Melody got enough head-nodding and "yes'ms" to her liking, she dismissed us to our rooms. Jolteon trotted behind me, ever loyal, small claws clicking evenly on the wooden floors. I entered the room I was sharing with James, Riley, and Joe and pulled my backpack out from the tiny closet I had claimed. There were plush futons stacked in the large closet—so I grabbed one and some sheets with a blue pattern all over it. My movements were awkward at best, it didn't really help that my hand felt like it had been crushed by a Snorlax.
It was strange, having a plate in my hand. I could feel it if I flexed my fingers—the thick titanium felt so foreign beneath my skin. There was a crescent-shaped scar over my thumb a couple of inches long. Jolt noticed me studying it and gave it a lick, shocking me slightly as he always did. I playfully pushed him away and he landed with an "oomph" in the blankets. We stared at each other for a moment, and then his barking chuckle broke me into laughter.
Joe poked his head into the room and threw a towel at me.
"Come to the hot spring! Everyone's going, and I think they're going to start a round of truth or dare!" Joe gushed excitedly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, but complied and grabbed a pair of swim trunks. I just wasn't feeling the speedo tonight. Usually, I enjoy making people uncomfortable with my personal display of man-junk, but I guess Kame's coldness toward me has taken it right outta me.
This fact is doubly disturbing, as nothing really ever gets to me.
The younger trainer waited for me in the hall, stamping his foot impatiently. Over one arm was his green beach towel, and on the other was his trademark orange sweatshirt. I came out shirtless with my white towel.
"Do you know where the spring's at?" I asked, folding my arms. Joe gave me a withering look and walked down the hall in reply.
"Y'know, I know you think I'm Fortuna's dorky kid cousin, but I'm smarter than I look," he assured me. I chuckled quietly and he turned on me. "Well I am! Fortuna even said so, and I know you take her word into account. Maybe a little too into account, if you know what I mean." A knowing smirk splayed across the kid's lips and I could've easily smacked him. We were right by the girls' rooms, and the last thing I needed was another insecure breakdown in case they heard anything. So I bent over and made sure he was staring in my blind eye. This always unnerves small children.
"Listen, punk. I know you're a smart little shit, and right now you know exactly where we're standing. Why you chose to say that in an unnecessarily loud voice is beyond me, but just know I'm onto you," I hissed angrily. Joe was fixated on my blue eye and he nodded slowly. "Don't piss me off. I'm supposed to be the nice guy, remember? This nasty streak in me isn't supposed to come out often. Ever, actually. I make it a point to be laid back. Don't make me nasty, Joe." My warning clearly reached him, as he nodded once more and pivoted to lead me to the springs. We didn't speak the entire way.
The hallway changed from wood to tile and I knew we were entering the communal locker rooms. The smell of the spring was warm, clean, and the air was heavy with steam. Setsuna was standing at one of the open lockers, stowing her laptop away and pulling a white rash guard over her one-piece. Even with her new-found emotions, she doesn't want anyone to see the nodes protruding from her back.
And I don't really blame her. I can see them through the white shirt, irregular, angled, and undoubtedly painful. As if she heard me thinking about her, she turned with her icy eyes and met mine.
"Is Reiji still in the mess hall?" she asked, half-hoping he'd be with me and not with Riley and James. I shook my head apologetically and watched her face fall.
"Oh. Thanks anyway, Hiro," she mumbled, closing her locker softly. I shuffled past her and out into the hot spring. The place was paved with smooth white stones, lining the spring and walls alike. There were rows of long wooden benches against the eastern fence, and a wooden patio cover that rested above the pool. A majority of the campers were already in the water. Kame was on the opposite side of the shallow spring, absently playing with the water in front of her. She was wearing that blue bikini that complements her good eye.
She looked up briefly to see who had entered the room—and when her eyes caught mine she quickly looked away. Instantly I was angry and confused, still unsure of why I was being basically shunned. Venice saw Kame look down and furtively snapped her gaze to mine and glared again. It took all of my self control not to scream at her and make a scene.
"What's this? Hiro's not wearing a speedo?" Berane said, incredulous. I rolled my eyes and slipped into the spring. The water's temperature was perfect, and I couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped me. Kame snuck a look at me and our eyes met for a moment. I gave her a small smile and she looked away again. My stomach twisted sharply.
"I couldn't shock you all again after the week's events," I joked. Trying to make light of a terrible situation has always been a penchant of mine. The tension diffused and casual conversation resumed again.
"I wonder what tomorrow's surprise will be!" Talia said. Excited discussion about what the counselors had in store for them began, and I took to staring at Kame. I already knew that the counselors were planning on bringing Kaiya back, but I decided not to spoil the fun.
"If it's Tarkov in a speedo, I'm quitting tomorrow!" Joe laughed. This caused another round of giggles. Then, after a while, it was Setsuna who suggested Truth or Dare. Sid gave a low whistle and laughed.
"Bloody hell! Didn't think ye had it in ye, Setsuna! I'll go firs', then!" Sid looked around the circle of campers, mentally choosing his victim. "All righ', Talia! Truth or dare, love?" Talia swept her hand through a patch of bubbles and thought for a moment.
"Dare." The resounding "oohhh" from the crowd make the platinum blonde blush slightly. No one really expected her to pick dare, myself included.
"Brilliant! Let's see now…snog Berane in the middle of the pool, eh? For, let's say, thirty seconds?" Catcalls and whistling only intensified Talia's embarrassment as she waded from her spot on the perimeter into the center of the pool. The Martino girl was only comforted by the fact that Berane was blushing just as much as she was.
They met in the middle of the hot spring and Talia tilted her head back slightly. Berane placed his right hand, his only hand, on her neck beneath her long hair. He was careful to keep his casted stump above the water. Their lips met gingerly at first, and then grew hungry for more. The couple was oblivious to the catcalls and whistling we were doing.
"Oi! Let some of us have a go, eh? Yer hoggin' the limelight!" Johnny snorted. He grinned when the blushing couple finally parted, revealing his grimy, degenerated teeth. All of the girls seemed to shudder at the thought of hooking up with Johnny.
I don't blame them. If I were a girl, I'd be grossed out too. Who'd want bits of whatever Johnny ate mixed in during the spit swap?
Sick.
XXX (Kame)
Hiro didn't even say anything about my hair. Or my makeover. He's barely looked at me the entire night! So, here I am, forced to watch Joe lick Sid's armpit. It was disgusting, considering his complete lack of hygiene. I swear his hair sticks up on its own, probably cemented with sweat or something equally nasty.
"Kame, truth or dare?" Joe asked me. I was caught off guard, first of all, as I was torn between vomiting at Sid's armpit or glaring at Hiro. Second, I stumbled over my words.
"Uh, truth?" I finally managed, cheeks burning. I was glad we were in hot water, because as I looked around everyone's face was kind of flushed. I relaxed a little and waited for the awkward question I expected from the fourteen year old.
"How far have you gone with Hiro?" Everyone screamed at the audacity and I felt my face burn hotter. Hiro's mask of composure hid whatever he thought of the question.
"Just kissing is all," I replied coldly. This cut off the laughter and I realized I made an awkward cloud of awkward over everything. Oops.
"Well, it's your turn now, darling," Venice nudged me with an elbow and I felt my mouth asking Setsuna truth or dare. She replied dare, and I told her to go an entire day without her laptop. The group gasped collectively and Setsuna warily accepted, her face paling. The game continued and I zoned out again. I just had no desire to be in the spring anymore. So, without really saying anything to anyone, I clumsily climbed out of the pool and reached for my robe. I hurried into the locker room afterward.
Stopping at my locker, I fumbled with the latch and flung it open, nearly hitting Hiro in the face. I didn't even hear him come in. I reached in the cubby to grab my bag and Hiro's bad hand caught my wrist. I looked up with what I thought were hurt eyes. All I could register on his face was the mask. I pretty much realize I've probably either confused him or hurt his feelings.
"Kame, what's wrong?" His voice was soft and smooth, and I fought the ridiculous urge to cry.
"I…I…" The words wouldn't form. How childish is it to feel unliked? To have to admit that I feel that way?
"Kame, you can tell me anything...I want to know what's bothering you," he assured me. Hiro took my shaking hands in his. I bet it was painful.
"I feel like you don't like me anymore, Hiro," I whispered. His blue eye narrowed at me and his mouth opened a little.
"Kame, what little time I have to spend with you you spend worrying that I don't care for you. It seems like you don't even trust me," he sighed. He let my hands drop and they sank to my sides like stones.
"It's not that I don't trust you," I began, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I just worry about your flirtatiousness. I worry that when I'm not around, that's all you're doing." Instead of the mask that usually hid his emotions, he let the discontent creep across his features.
"That stings, you know. I've explained that being flirtatious is in my nature. But now I'm not so sure I can convince you of my feelings. Maybe I should just give you space to figure out your own." The words were daggers in my heart. After gently touching my hair, he turned, scooped up Jolteon, and walked out towards his room. I could only stand there, numb. A single sob strangled itself in my chest and came out as a squeak. Altaria let himself out of his pokeball and wiped my tears with his cotton-like wings.
"You heard the entire thing, didn't you Altaria?" The blue Pokémon dipped his head once. I let myself cry freely, as I was still alone and couldn't hold it in a moment longer. So I did the most logical thing and ran to my room, where I peeled off my wet swimsuit, struggled into my jammies, and buried myself in a fortress of pillows and blankets and cried my eyes out.
XXX(Setsuna)
Ever since my emotions have come back, my world has been full of burning sensation. Hot, violent feeling that sometimes overwhelms me. Now is one of those times. I quietly excused myself from the ridiculous game of truth or dare and was half-tempted to seek solace with my laptop. But, according to my quick calculations, if any of the campers were to see me with my laptop I would be subjected to endless ridicule. So I settled with a book. I felt hopeless and abandoned for some strange reason. I could feel what felt like depression creep from the pit of my stomach into the hollows of my heart.
When I asked Venice about it later, she assured me it was merely a mood swing, and that they were completely normal. Since I was unable to research them on my computer, I had to suffer and believe her words as truth, a practice I never involve myself with. So, to quell my obsessive tendency to overanalyze, I got up to search for Reiji. No doubt he had gotten himself inebriated with James and Riley. I only hoped that they had the mental capacity to hide their intoxication from the counselors. But I knew better, and fully expected them to be in trouble once morning came.
I walked to the dining hall and could hear Tarkov roaring from the hallway. My brain knew his screaming was supposed to be scary, so I used to be able to at least sympathize with the campers who were the target of our counselor's "lectures". But now, with my new ability to feel, I could not stop the fear that came when I heard him shriek. If I thought I was sympathetic before, I was surely feeling bad now.
"You better GET YOUR ASS TO BED RIGHT NOW, BEFORE I MAKE YOU PAY FOR EVERY LAST DROP OF ALCOHOL YOU SWIPED, HANSEN!" I had no trouble hearing Tarkov through the wooden walls. He must have thrown Riley onto the floor, because following his attack was a loud thud that could have only been a body. I could barely make out Reiji's polite request to walk behind them. I heard the door slide open and I jumped behind a pillar. I don't know why I didn't want to be seen, but something in my gut told me to stay out of sight. So I obliged. I watched Reiji stumble and cough all the way to his room.
Tarkov exited the boys' dormitory and strode right past me. I made the mistake of sighing with relief until he turned on his boot.
"Excuse me, Setsuna, but I can't help but assume you just witnessed that entire exchange?" Tarkov's voice was surprisingly soft, which, instead of calming me, sent my brain into a state of panic. This could only be bad. I could tell he was composing a lecture of my own in his mind as I fumbled for something to say.
"I'm sorry, sir, I did. I just wanted to make sure Reiji was okay," I said shakily. Tarkov's twisted grimace relaxed and an expression of pity replaced it. Okay, now I was seriously confused.
"So you also know about his condition?" he whispered. I nodded. Tarkov swallowed a lump in his throat.
"Yes. We were recently informed of Reiji's illness. You realize he will succumb to it soon, don't you?"
"I do. His coughing is getting worse. The blood will fill his lungs and he will drown." My voice broke on the last word and hot tears pooled in my eyes. The most embarrassing thing about emotions, especially ones you're unsure of, is that they're readable by everyone with suitable eyesight. So I wiped them away futilely and didn't meet my counselor's gaze.
"Go on, then. I didn't see anything," Tarkov sighed. He put a callused hand on my shoulder, possibly a gesture of comfort, and walked toward the counselors' rooms. I tiptoed to where the old general had just exited. The door slid open soundlessly and I let myself inside. Riley was sleeping closest to the door, and I was half-worried his snoring would wake the entire room. Beside him was Joe, whose orange hoodie was tangled hopelessly in his limbs. His Rattata was nestled in the crook of Joe's elbow. I was sure to step carefully over Hiro, who was mumbling, and finally found Reiji. His breathing was haggard and heavy. I crouched to sit next to him on the floor and I placed my hand on his back. His heart skipped beneath my touch.
"Why won't you let anyone help you, Reiji?" I asked quietly. Fearful tears welled in my eyes and I couldn't muster the strength to wipe them away. "You're always the first to volunteer to help others, but you'll never take help from anyone else. Don't you understand that we need you? And that you might need us, too?" Reiji let loose a cough that shook his ribs and shifted uncomfortably.
"I've wanted to say this for a long, long time, but I've never had the courage. And now, with my emotions, I can truly understand these thoughts that have been clouding my mind. Even though I'm almost positive you're asleep, I have to get this off of my chest before I lose the chance," I paused, listening closely for signs of consciousness. "I love you, Reiji. So please, don't leave me. Let me help you." A tear fell onto his cheek and Reiji stirred, rolling over to see who I was. I was sure he was drunk still. When he removed his face from the pillow, I noticed a puddle of blood that had pooled there. He was bleeding even in his sleep.
"Setsunaa, what are you doing here?" Reiji whispered incoherently. He wiped his bloody mouth with the sleeve of his white shirt, leaving a rust-colored stain on his wrist.
"I was here to make sure you're okay. Did you by chance hear anything that I said?" Reiji shook his head a little too quickly for his state, making blood ooze from his nose.
"Look at you, Reiji. You're dying." I said it with such finality that Reiji actually flinched.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
"How do you think? Look at yourself! You bleed constantly, you mix your own blood in your medicines, and you cough so hard you're nearly close to tearing lung tissue! Reiji, you need to let us help you with this!" My voice was harsh and cruel. I did this purposely, but felt bad the moment I saw Reiji's face turn into one of pain.
"Setsuna, you know why I didn't want anyone's help? Especially yours?" I nodded. "Because, Setsuna, I know how hard you struggle with your own problems, and the last thing I wanted was to add something to your plate. I didn't want anyone to worry about me when there were bigger things going on around here," he sighed. My heart twisted at his altruism, and especially so after he took so much care to make sure I wasn't overwhelmed by his illness.
I said nothing and took his hand.
XXX(Kai)
I cannot escape the darkness that has tainted my mind. I can feel it in my blood, in every singular cell. Sometimes, the pain is only a dull ache. Others, it is so sharp and apparent that I lose consciousness. But this is only collateral, seeing as I have already lost the ability to control my own actions.
When the darkness takes over, it is as if I am dreaming. I can see through my own eyes, hear and touch and taste and smell, but these actions are not my own. I am a mere puppet, a slave to the tainted spirit that sometimes wrestles control from my grasp. I am too weak to move my body, but not too weak to speak. So the evil has a voice, at times.
The doctor taking care of me has informed me that I will be released from the hospital and taken to where the camp is currently stationed. This should please me, but I cannot find a single shred of hope or happiness in my body.
"But Doctor, all of my friends will see me this way," I moan. To my complete misfortune, one of the nurses installed a long door mirror for the previous occupant of my hospital room. Every day I get to watch how my body deteriorates.
"Not to worry, Miss Kaiya. They are aware of your condition and should react accordingly. The campers, from what I hear, are very worried about you," he replied formally, jotting down notes on the clipboard attached to my bed. I swallowed the despair crawling up my throat and looked at him hard.
"If anyone screams, then what do I do? Pretend I don't hear it?" I let the anger flood my voice and the doctor looked surprised. I usually talk in nothing but monotone, in fear of giving the evil enough energy or emotion to control me. The Doctor said something noncommittal and patted my festering leg.
"Not to worry, Kaiya. This outing will be good for you, I promise." I scoffed and rolled my purple eyes. I had been in the hospital for so long that my pixie-style black hair was now to my shoulders. A nurse came in every other day to wash it and yank it back into a small ponytail. I thanked her every time, but I could see the disgust on her face. It was not easy looking at me, I knew, so I had to be gracious about people touching me.
The marks on my skin were green, raised, and abhorrent. When people came near, the evil sensed fresh flesh and shone brilliantly, trying to escape my skin and latch onto the healthy life nearby. Times like these I grit my teeth and bear down, barely containing the mass of malevolence.
A nurse came in with a wheelchair and helped me into it. It would be the first time I would be leaving this cell-like room in a long time. The nurse wheeled me to the roof, where a sharp-looking helicopter was waiting for me. The dawn's sunlight on my skin seemed to enlighten me, strengthen me. I could feel the darkness shrinking away from it.
Curious, I turned to face the north and quietly prayed for Suicune to save me. I felt a chilly breeze caress me, and then nothing. With a sad sigh I realized that I have been abandoned by the creature that had marked me.
The helicopter took off with me inside and the pilot told me we'd be there in a half-hour.
I only hoped Riley still found me beautiful.
XXX (Riley)
I woke up with a ridiculous hangover. The kind where you still sorta have the spins and just the thought of alcohol almost makes you puke. James looked like he was in the same boat that I was.
"Morning, dude. You look like crap," I chuckled.
"I'm still drunk," James slurred. Just then Vick threw open the door and ordered us all to get dressed and ready.
"Get up, guys! There's a big surprise down in the dining room, so you all better look nice. Especially you, Hansen," he growled. My foggy brain barely realized he was talking to me.
Getting clothes on was a whole nother challenge. I fell twice after sticking both my legs into one pant hole. It sucked, to put it simply. Hiro was watching me with dull amusement.
"What's up your ass, man? You've been depressed since like, five minutes ago!" I exclaimed. Hiro sighed, that small, angsty thing he did when he had girl problems.
"Kame?" Joe asked. Hiro nodded and explained what happened.
"I'm kind of mad, honestly. She doesn't trust me with anything anymore! Not even my feelings, which I've taken great care to express so explicitly before," he mused.
"But you two are still…" Reiji broke off to wheeze thickly. ''…part of the prophecy, aren't you?" A wet cough followed as he rose to get dressed.
"Yeah, we are. That's something completely beside this weird misunderstanding, though. I won't let the fate of the world depend on some girl and her suspicions." Hiro knotted the bandana around his forehead, choosing to leave his fauxhawk down for the day.
"Atta boy," I chimed in. "Get over that girl. She's your complete opposite, man. Shy and anxious? Puh-lease!" Hiro smirked his signature smirk and walked out of the room with Joe and Jolteon in tow. Reiji, James, and I soon followed. Once we reached the mess hall we realized we were the last ones to arrive. Everyone was seated and eating except for a few stragglers. Tarkov waved us over to a table that was directly beside the counselors'.
"You little sneaks need supervision now, that much is clear, and if I catch you swiping anything from the kitchens again, I'll have your head on a plate," he snarled. I raised both my hands, palms up, in a gesture of aloof submission. We shuffled to the buffet to grab the usual bacon and eggs and sat down to eat. Hiro was halfway through his second cup of black coffee when Kame came in the doors. She looked pretty good, which is saying something, because I don't really find her attractive. But that wasn't what everyone was gawking at.
"Ey, Sid! Ye said ye'd save two seats fer us!"
It was the fact that Kame was holding hands with Johnny Rotten. Johnny Rotten, of all people? The orange haired, dirty-mouthed musician who's as foreign to this region as his teeth are to toothbrushes! Johnny pulled his fingers away and instead opted to put his arm around her. It seemed as if every pair of eyes were glued on them.
The moment the couple sat down, all those eyes immediately swiveled to Hiro. The half-blind boy was gripping his mug so tightly his olive knuckles were white.
"Ignore it, man. He's got your sloppy seconds," I hissed. Hiro didn't acknowledge me and simply sipped his coffee. James, who was sitting across from Hiro, threw Johnny a dirty look.
"What's that phrase you always say, Riley?" he began. "Ah, that's it. 'Bros before Hos', right?" James grinned widely and Hiro finally broke his stoic state. The triumphant boy swept his brown hair from his face and narrowed his blue eyes in Johnny's direction. Hiro sighed and looked at Jolteon.
"Well Jolt. Should we be mature men about this or should we play hardball?" Jolteon bristled with electricity, slightly shocking Hiro's tanned skin. The half-blind boy laughed.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. We'll play hardball."
"Attention Campers! We've got a very special treat for you today!" Hunter stood up and walked toward the open space by the buffet tables. Her long green hair was swept into a loose braid today, which coiled over her shoulder like a snake. My mind wandered to dirty places as I tried to not stare at her boobs. Hiro caught me looking.
"I know, man. It's like she bought a smaller bra or something!" I clapped my best friend on the back.
"There's the Taminama I know!" Hunter must have heard me, because two seconds later she was lecturing me.
"Sweet Arceus, Hansen! Can't you pay attention for a single moment? This whole thing is centered around your interests!" This shut me up. What the hell made me so special? I stole a glance at Hiro, who smirked cryptically.
Itachi rose from his seat and walked out of the mess hall. He returned shortly with someone in a wheelchair. From my space on the opposite side of the room, I couldn't tell who it was. The figure was slouched and obscured by the oversized hood of a purple sweatshirt. The figure moved in the chair and seemed to be facing me.
"After a long awaited rest, we've decided to bring back one of our fallen campers. Let's welcome back Kai!" Melody began a round of applause that quickly turned to excited cheering. I felt my heart nearly leap out of my chest. My legs wanted to move on their own, apparently, because before I could realize what I was doing I was crouched beside her, grabbing her hand. Her skin was freezing and sort of clammy but I could've cared less.
"Riley?" her voice was scratchy and weak. She pulled her hand away to draw the hood of her sweatshirt. When her face was finally revealed, the only thing I could register was her beauty.
"Kai…it's so good to see you," I said, kissing her cold fingers.
"Do you really mean that?" she asked. Large tears formed in her eyes and she flinched when I tried to wipe them away.
"Of course I do, Kai. Why would you ask me that?" Our conversation was quiet and I was vaguely aware that we were being watched. Kai merely shook her head and smiled at me.
"I just didn't want you to be afraid of how I looked," she muttered. Kai gripped my hand and looked around the room to greet everyone. Sensing our private conversation was over, everyone rushed to circle around the object of my affections.
XXX(Betelgeuse)
Ever since the moment we secured Kyogre as our own, I have not been able to shake the triumphant feeling from my mind. We need only one more piece of the puzzle before we begin the rebirth of the world.
I sat in our headquarters, absently petting my beautiful Zangoose. Before me, in metallic pokeballs, sat the three Terrors, and the rulers of the land and sea. I only needed the sky.
Rigel knocked twice and let himself in.
"Superior, we must make our move toward the Sky Tower soon," he began, pulling out a seat across from me at the meeting table. He pulled a pen from his pocket and let it float in the strange gravity while he fished for his notepad. "Soon, the rivalry between Groudon and Kyogre will become too great for even you to control. They are balanced by Rayquasa, Superior." He scratched the back of his head as if uncomfortable with sharing such information with me.
"Understood, Rigel. Excellent observation. See to it that the other Orion members are mobilized within the hour. Our trip should only take a week or so," I ordered. Rigel nodded and left the room.
Alone again, I walked over to the safe I had hidden in the wall and spun the dial to its correct combination. The latch slid open with a satisfying click. Inside were the scrolls I needed to summon Orion's great beast. These scrolls were the blueprints to the new world I was to create. The world I am destined to lead. I grabbed the scrolls and laid them upon the table. They were on brown crunchy parchment and labeled in roman numerals. I picked up the first scroll that told the legend of the beast.
"Xara, would you like to hear a story?" My sweet companion leapt onto the table, sitting tall at attention.
I cleared my throat and began reading the ancient texts.
"'Long before catching and training Pokémon became commonplace, there was a single man who tamed the most dangerous creature that has ever existed. This man's name was Orion, and he was called the Hunter. Before man and Pokémon were friends, they were at war. The Pokémon were led by a foul beast with skin as tough as leather, horrible spines covering its body, hungry, empty eyes, and a soul as black as its coloring. The humans were led by Orion himself.'" I paused to run my hands through Xara's black and red coat.
"'When these two titans clashed, the world was nearly split in half. Each with a power so immense and ancient, these two beings fought for an entire month without tiring. And finally, after so much bloodshed and destruction, Orion severely wounded the horrible beast. With a piercing cry the beast fell to its knees and begged Orion for mercy. The only way the Hunter would let the Beast live was if the beast allowed him to catch it. Fearful for its life, the Beast complied.
"'With the horrid creature finally tamed, the war was deemed over by Orion. It was only then that man and Pokémon could be on agreeable terms. Instead of training the Beast, as Orion had originally planned, the Hunter trapped the Beast far beneath the earth in the hopes that it would never be released again.'"
I looked up from my reading and saw Meissa at the door with Aaron in tow. I sighed loudly.
"What do you idiots want?" Meissa slid open the door and swayed slightly as she entered. I could tell the gravity in the room bothered her. The girl's caramel-colored skin looked pallid and her hair was limp.
"Superior, we were wondering when you were going to join us for dinner. Mintaka cooked and she won't allow us to start without you," she said. Her eyes raked over the open scrolls and I resisted the urge to strike her. How dare she lay such unworthy eyes upon the scrolls of Orion?
"I shall be there shortly. Now be gone!"
XXX(Berane)
Losing my hand has singularly been the shittiest thing that's happened to me. I used to think the whole 'phantom limb' thing was a myth, but now I realize it's something I must live with every day. I've lost count of the times I've reached for something with my bloody stump and forgotten that I no longer have a hand there. It's maddening.
Talia definitely makes it better, but nothing stops my frustration. It's especially embarrassing when she forgets and tries to grab the hand that doesn't exist anymore.
The reunion with Kai was nice. It was one of the only good things that came out of this past week. And the madness is only beginning. We checked out of the inn and loaded the bus to move on. Kai was transported via helicopter and Riley went with her. It's the happiest I've seen him in days.
So we were on the road again. Melody was behind the wheel, thank Arceus, because if not it would've been Vick, who cannot drive to save his life. The weather outside was blistering, and countless complaints rang throughout the blackened bus. Tarkov was sleeping in one of the front benches with small earbuds shoved into his ears. Upon closer inspection I realized it was playing Russian opera. Yeesh. In the seat next to me was Hiro, who had requested the space given the fact that Talia and Kame were already walking together. He really didn't want to have any sort of interaction with her.
But whatever, Hiro's business is his own and I don't mind sharing the seat with him. When he's upset he's pretty quiet, which always works for the reserved type like myself.
"Our next stop is Pacifidlog Town," Itachi said, scanning a map before him. "Then we'll take the ferry to the Sky Pillar." His words were somber and heavy with dread. Joe, always curious, leaned over the seat to have a better look at the map. His Rattata poked his head out of Joe's backpack to rest on the black-haired boy's shoulder.
"Aren't we supposed to be picking up Fortuna?" Joe asked Itachi. "She called me on my Poketch last night!" At the mention of Fortuna, it seemed as if everyone looked from Hiro to Kame. Kame's features twisted into discontent and Hiro simply smirked. The very same smirk that has mocked many a man and charmed many a girl. Kame narrowed her eyes and glanced out the window. Itachi looked at his baby sister strangely and assured Joe that they would indeed be grabbing Fortuna. Well, hell. This should be very interesting. The palpable tension in the bus was finally broken by the chime of Melody's cell phone. She fished it out of the pouch of her skirt and answered it.
"Melody Kirkland speaking…yes…Miracle? Well, thank you for double-checking, but my colleague was supposed to arrange to have Miracle cared for until further notice." Melody glared at Vick viciously. "If you could have that orchestrated I'd be grateful. Thank you, and keep us updated on her condition. Goodbye." She snapped the phone shut and practically threw it into her bag on the floor of the bus.
"Are you serious, Tatter? You forgot to extend Miracle's stay in the hospital?" The pink-haired counselor shrugged and apologized before Melody could criticize further.
"You're lucky we've still got a ways to go, Tatter, or your ass would be gra—" And that's when the flash cannon struck the bus. My eyes were instantly blinded by the blast, which hit Hiro and I's window. We were thrown across the cabin and into Itachi and Joe's laps. My stump of an arm struck the metal roof and I screamed in agony. Melody swerved dangerously on the little two way road, nearly striking another vehicle head-on.
"What was that?" Venice shrieked.
"Look! It's them Orion blokes!" Johnny shouted, gripping his bench for dear life. Everyone looked out the left-hand side of the bus to see Saiph riding his Flygon, the twins on matching Pidgeots, and, leading the way, was Mintaka and her Metagross. Tarkov was rocked from his nap and found himself thrown into an absolute clustercuss.
"CHRIST, MELODY! WE ARE HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE CLIFF PATH!" He roared. And he was right. We were ascending up the small winding path that would lead us along the coastline and into Pacifidlog Town. If they hit us on this road, there were only two places our bus could go. Smashing into the Cliffside or crashing into the sea. Both options were equally dismal.
Saiph loaded his bow and let an arrow sail. It missed the back left tire by inches.
"We gotta get people out there!" Hunter growled. She grabbed Setsuna and tossed her into James so the bench would be open. Melody took a sharp turn and our counselor almost lost her balance.
"Stand back!" Hunter warned. She held onto the emergency hatch built into the ceiling and yanked down hard, nearly hitting Sid in the face with the detached door.
"Sorry, Sid! Tropius, let's go!" She threw her pokeball through the hatch and Tropius emerged swiftly, stretching his leaf-like wings in the ocean air. Hunter pulled herself up and onto the roof, jumping onto her companion's back.
The look on her face was feral. I had seen that look only one other time. Long ago, when my father would take me out to camp in the forests, we'd always have to watch out for Ursaring and their young. One night, an Ursaring and her cubs were threatened by a pack of Houndoom. The fierce expression on that mama bear's face was one of sacrifice and the raw desire to protect her young. I realized now this was the way Hunter looked when she feared for our safety.
XXX(James)
"C'mon Jet! It's time to end this!" I was boosted onto the roof with help from the Brits. Jet the Garchomp scooped me up and took to the skies, sliding through the air like a bullet. I was soon joined by Hiro and his Charizard, and Johnny, who borrowed Miracle's Dragonite, Drake.
Hunter looked relieved when she saw us. I snuck a look back at the bus, afraid that if I did look, I'd see it careening off the cliff and into the rocks below.
"X-wing, Jet!" I decided to first aim for the twins, whose speed and synchronization proved to be an extreme advantage. The only difference between Orion members and us was that the Orion members weren't afraid to use weapons on people or Pokémon. So when Jet successfully clipped the wing of Alnitak's Pidgeot, I can't say I was surprised to feel the hot slice of her dagger in my arm. Luckily it only nicked me.
"You tore my Johto bomber jacket! My pilot jacket! This is pure leather, mind you!" I shouted, cutting back with Jet to avoid an arrow from Saiph. Hiro had engaged the archer with Charizard and what appeared to be the fire extinguisher from the bottom of the bus.
"What the hell are ya doin, mate?" Johnny yelled. Hiro ignored the orange-haired Brit and ordered Charizard to swoop closer.
"Flygon, Solarbeam!" A brilliant beam of energy bulleted toward Hiro.
"Charizard, dodge it and get closer!" he shouted. The half-blind boy leapt from Charizard's back and landed gracelessly onto Saiph, trying to wrestle the bow from his hands. Saiph came in from the left with a wicked hook and Hiro was blindsided. Literally. But the boy was not deterred. As they struggled, I couldn't help but notice the fire extinguisher was now strapped to his back, obviously for some later purpose.
I'm still trying to figure out what Hiro plans on doing with a fire extinguisher, but I have bigger things to worry about. Like the fact that the Solarbeam originally intended for Hiro missed him and hit the bus directly where Venice was sitting.
Or the fact that the bus just rolled off the road and was free-falling.
Straight toward the rocks.
Straight towards death.
XXX