Village of the Free
*Part 1*
The rain screed down as I wandered along the beach, desperately seeking shelter. Ozmos bounced along beside me, sticking her nose under logs and sneezing sand. Suddenly she whimpered;
"Eon-on." She was nudging something forlorn and bedraggled looking in the sand.
I walked morosely over to investigate. I was so wet and cold that I barely noticed the rain. I could not feel my toes and my fingers were not much better, either. My back was throbbing from the exertion and the cold. It was something the tide had washed in, a small, bedraggled brown shape.
Azriel.
Feeling sick to the stomach, I rushed over and picked up the pathetic bundle. He was still alive, but almost beyond shivering from the cold. I cradled him to my chest and he stirred slightly and whimpered.
"Dragosi!" I called forth my Dragonfly Pokemon. "Please, we need your help, find us shelter."
"Draaa draagosii si." ("It is too wet to fly, but I try, for you.")
I clambered onto his back and Ozmos leapt into my lap. With one hand I clung to the spikes on his head, with the other I held desperately to Azriel. The Dragonfly Pokemon leapt into the air, his wings a blur. The rain doused us both and stuck to his wings, making his flapping decrease. Azriel stirred and whimpered once more. The rain rendered us almost blind and also made it difficult for Dragosi to fly, but he made it some distance before being forced to land in the woodlands.
It was a terrible flight, with the rain pounding down on us and the purple dragon lurched through the vertical river in erratic bursts. Many times I almost fell from his broad back and my own back was left throbbing madly and painfully. I had to close my eyes against the pain, it was that bad.
Dragosi burst through the foliage and crashed onto the forest floor. "Si?" He said tiredly.
"You did well Dragosi," I replied, "take a rest." We appeared to be in the forest. There was no visible shelter, but at least the tree branches protected us from the worst of the downpour. I was shivering by now and desperately wishing I had a fire Pokemon of some description. Ozmos drew herself under my chin. She was soaked as much as I, but still warm. Contrary to some people's belief, Vaporeon are neither cold not slimy. They have teal fur as thick and as warm as an otters, and used for much the same purpose. I dragged myself under the bushed and sat there, huddled up with my hair hanging limply in my face and the Eevee and Vaporeon in my lap. And I thought.
If Azriel had washed ashore, that meant the ship must have tipped or gone down. Which meant Kameron and Captain Robynson must have tried to bail out in the lifeboat, possibly searching for me. Which probably meant they were dead. I felt a lump rising in my throat at that thought, at the thought of finding them lying on the beach as I'd found Azriel. Tears coursed down my cheeks, almost unnoticed for I was so damp already. The little Eevee whimpered, feeling my pain and Ozmos licked my cheek.
"Va por reon," she said, to reassure me.
"Okay, come out all of you that can stand the rain," I called. Florion leapt out enthusiastically. He was a grass Pokemon, therefore, water made him stronger. He nuzzled up to Ozmos and groomed her fur. I hugged them both. "We need to find better shelter," I said. "Are you willing to help me?"
"Va por, vapor reon?" ("What's wrong with here?")
"I don't like the rain," I informed her. "It will make me ill."
"Flori-florion!" Florion had smelt something. He had moved to the side if the area. I squelched over and had an investigate. It was a piece of red ribbon, snagged on a bush. I removed it and studied it. It looked like the sort of thing that might be found about a Pokemon's neck, provided that Pokemon was a treasured pet.
"Flor-flor!" Florion yelped.
I looked up and saw something that whole-heartedly disturbed me.
The trees were covered in ribbons, collars and bandannas, several shattered Pokeballs covered the ground. Florion nuzzled a little collar with a bell on it. The most disturbing thing, was that these did not appear to be randomly placed, but that they had been arranged in the trees. It was almost like an obscure religious shrine.
"Where are we?" I asked.
Florion looked at me and pointed his nose at a trail. "Flori-flori!" He said. And then he darted down the trail. Holding Azriel close, I ran after him. The ground was slippery beneath my feet and they slid from under me, sending me caterpaulting face first into the mud.
"Eevee!" Azriel squealed, as I stood up again, making sure I had not crushed him. He was no worse off then he had been previously. The pain in my back was starting to reach a peek. Waves of agony swept up and down my spine as I walked. Ozmos worried nudged my ankle and whimpered. My pokemon could feel my pain.
After what felt like an eternity, but was in fact probably less than ten minutes, the trail lead me towards what looked like a wall.
A wall! That meant a house or some such place. Which meant, help!
I leaned heavily against the wall, the pain spasming down my back.
"Pidgeeeeooo!" Something squawked from the top of the wall.
I started, and looking upwards, saw a rather large and unfriendly looking pidgeotto staring at me. Its crest was flattened to its head by the rain and it looked thoroughly miserable.
"Please," I begged, "I am hurt and cold and require assistance."
"Pidgeee?" The bird quirked its head at me. "Geooooo!"
I stared at it and it stared back at me. I could not understand it, for it was not one of my Pokemon.
Florion stood up, placing his forelegs against the fence. "Flori-florion flori flori!" He insisted. I think he was trying to convince the bird to let us in.
"Geoooo?" It seemed doubtful.
Azriel stirred in my arms. "Eee veeee, eee preee?" He whimpered.
The pigeon Pokemon looked at him, looked at the forlorn, bedraggled bundle. "Pidgeeeoo," it finally agreed and swooped down before us. I clambered onto its back with Ozmos and Florion, and it flapped back over the wall. On the other side was what appeared to be a village. An old, abandoned village. Some of the buildings were lacking in the roof department, others were little more than rubble. Outside in the puddles, a Marrill and some type of crocodile Pokemon were playing, leaping in the puddles and spraying water every which way. They looked at us new arrivals in puzzlement.
"Marrill, marrill?" (Everything a marril says sounds like a question, ok?).
"Wainoko, wai wai." The crocodilian Pokemon agreed.
"Vapor, vaporeon por por?" ("I'm famished, can we eat yet?" – trust Ozmos…)
"Pidgeeeoooo!" That was very clearly, "stay here."
The Pidgeotto flapped off, somewhat heavily because of the rain. I stood there and shivered.
A moment later a large pink Pokemon came running out. "Chansey, chansey," it sang as it approached me. I was starting to be puzzled by all the Pokemon and lack of people. An idea was beginning to form…
The Chansey put out its arms to me and I handed it Azriel. With the utmost of care, the Chansey placed the Eevee in its pouch (which was oddly empty) and ran off. Once more, I was left standing and shivering in the rain. The Marril and the crocodile (Wainoko?) were watching me with mild interest and Ozmos and Florion were staring at them and saying things like: "Flori-flori," "vapor por." They knew I was hurt and going to become ill if not tended to soon and they were trying to get some attention to me. Unfortunately, the Pokemon seemed in no hurry to do anything.
After an eternity (and by now I was sitting against the wall, for the pain was sending bright flashed behind my eyes), with Florion and Ozmos practically screaming at the two water Pokemon, a Clefable wandered over.
"Yoou en-ter ooour ci-ty hurrrt," it said in a singsong voice.
I gaped in amazement. "You can talk?"
"Ittt noo haaard, wheeen yo-ouu wa-ant too," it answered. "Huu-man no allow-eed heereee!"
"Why not?"
"Thiss vill-age of thee f-reee, no tur-ainer for usss!"
"I am desperately in need of help," I whispered, starting to feel despondent. More despondent. Kameron might be dead and now I was surely going to follow in his footsteps.
"Weee knooow. And youuur Po-ke-monnn care much indeed too youuu. Weee will helpp, but aaat cost!"
"What cost?" I almost pleaded. "I'll do almost anything to be dry again. My friend, my friend is lost at sea and I have to find him. If he lives, I must be with him and if he dies," I paused, wondering. "Then perhaps I want to join him."
The Clefable stared at me. "Spooo-ken like all huu-man. You saaay what you wa-ant not what you dooo. We he-elp you, you he-elp us. Yes?"
I nodded. "But I must receive warmth and dry clothing first. I cannot help you until I have helped myself."
"Tu-rue, weee he-elp youu, youu fi-ind us tu-reatment for Elder? Yes?"
So someone was ill. I could certainly help there. "I shall."
The Clefable stepped forward. "Leaaan me," it said. I braced myself against it and it helped me walk into a building that seemed more-or-less intact.
There were four other inhabitants in the room, Chansey, Azriel (laid gently on a pile of leaves) and another Pokemon, a very strange creature, the likes of which I had only seen once before, in a movie…
"That's Mewtwo," I whispered.
Yes, it is, came the voice in my head (that oh too familiar psychic voice…)
"What are you doing here?" I asked, feeling both in awe and terrified.
This is my home now, the Village of the Free. But alas, I am ill. I fear I shall no longer be of this earth soon.
"That's not good," I said, trying to decide if it was or wasn't. As far as I knew, Mewtwo was evil.
He shrugged and I saw how thin he had got, how his ribs protuded through his short fur and how his skull showed beneath his skin. He was dying.
"Um, didn't you have a Mew with you, when you left? And lots of other Pokemon?"
Yes, he sounded weak, but some of them left me, and others rebelled. I fear I was not too strong a leader, really, once my hatred was quenched. But you are a Trainer young woman, and thus not welcome here. If only I were strong enough to expel you.
"Flori, florion!"
Yes, little one, I know you believe she is worthy. And perhaps you are right. I have learnt that sometimes Trainers are not all they seem. Other times they are worse. How many badges have you won, girl?
That was a faintly embarrasing question. The Chansey had removed all my clothes and wrapped me in some sort of blanket. The other Pokemon here, a Vulpix, had set a fire in the corner of the room and gradually I was beginning to feel warmer and less wretched. My back still ached though.
"I have no badges. I rarely fight."
That is good, Mewtwo sent. You are not a typical Trainer, prepared to make your captives battle to the death for you. My captives were, so I left.
"Giovanni is dead," I informed him, "or as good as, and Team Rocket has disintegrated into a mass of people with no direction." I paused. "An Alakazam sought ruling of Team Rocket and the world and my friends and I destroyed him."
I saw the faintest hint of a smile on the genetically-engineered cat Pokemon's face. Oh, you boast so much, why should I believe you?
"Maki makikiki murr!" Maki sprang from his Pokeball, accusing me of not letting him out now we were dry. He took one look at Mewtwo and cowered back, then did a double take. "Maki kiki?"
Oh, so you have a Makimur, it has been many years since I have seen such a creature. Perhaps you would like to release all your Pokemon. We do not like Pokeballs here.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." I drew out my final two Pokeballs, "Kiki, Dragosi, come on out and meet the others."
"Sii."
Kiki came up curled up and asleep. After a moment she woke up and jumped onto the bed that Mewtwo was lying in. "Makiki," she said, nervously, drawing back somewhat.
Don't be afraid little one, I will not hurt you.
"The Clefable told me you would help me if I helped you. I would be guessing that you wish me to find the cure for your ailment?" I was being bold I knew, but I needed to know.
Yes, the only cure for me is the fruit of a special tree that grows at the top of that mountain. Unfortunately, myself and my companions are unable to journey there for the way is guarded.
"Guarded?"
Once, I had many Pokemon, powerful creatures, with me, but alas, when we settled here, they rebelled and abandoned me for the mountain. They hate me for making them the way they are, despise me. I stay here and rule over these Pokemon, the less powerful who have abandoned their Trainers or been abandoned by their Trainers. They do not know how to live as wild Pokemon, only as people, humans would. It truly is a saddening thing. So I help them.
But unfortunately, some months ago, terror came to our island, which is hidden by mists to humankind, although Pokemon can find it with ease. It came in the form of humans, who had somehow fought their way through the mist with the help of a Halcyon, a legendary bird Pokemon of the sea. Not one of the legendary birds, might I note, but a legend in its own right.
They found their way here and attacked us, using weapons the likes of which I had never seen. Guns that shot a gunky substance… I was hit by one such gun and it did something to my psychic powers.
And because I am a psychic creature, it made me very ill. Like a disease.
Unless I get the fruit of this magical tree, which was planted by Mew and I five years ago, when we first founded this island, I will die.
It will not be a bad thing, not for me.
But I fear for my friends who will be leaderless without me, and weak and at mercy to the claws of the evil Pokemon on the mountain.
Do you see why I need help?
I nodded. I was feeling much warmer now. This was clearly a haven for abandoned Pokemon, the mistreated, the misunderstood. So that was why the shrine in the woods, they had cast off the shackles of humanity and built a miniature temple. And yet they lived in a village, because they were unable to survive in the wild. And they needed Mewtwo.
"And what became of Mew?" I asked. Curiousity, as they say, killed the cat and I seemed to have that particularly personality trait downpat.
I have not seen Mew for four and a half years, Mewtwo informed me. She disappeared one day in an effort to save her kin. Do you know the story of the Mews?
I shook my head.
Mewtwo groaned. I shall tell you, for you are too wet and miserable to travel just yet and it shall make the time pass faster. I may be weak in powers but my psychic speech remains amazingly unaffected. I shall tell you the tale of the seven Mews; and you shall listen with care, for it is a tale unknown to human kind, for they lack the wit to learn it.
Once, many, many years ago, when the world was but a babe, seven Mews roamed the world. They were the most powerful Pokemon of that time, and indeed the most powerful of any time, aside from, of course, genetic freaks like myself.
Each Mew was in charge of a realm – the ocean, the sky, the mountains, the forest, the desert, the wet areas – swamp, rivers, lakes and ponds, and the underworld, the tunnels and caves that lie beneath the earth. And each of the seven sisters was responsible for that realm and the stronger and more prosperous the land, the stronger and more prosperous the sisters were. Not only did each sister have psychic powers beyond the dreams of any of your Pokemon here, but they also had the powers of the realm they commanded. The sky sister could fly and produce clouds, the sea sister could swim deep into the underwater kingdoms and each could assume the forms of any Pokemon found in their realm.
And then, as always, human kind made their way into things and ruined it all.
The forests were destroyed to make way for villages and towns, leaving the forest sister weak and vulnerable, the skies were filled with noxious fumes, the seas were polluted with strange and mysterious chemicals as were the waterways, those that were not drained for farmland. Eventaully, only three of the sisters retained any power, the other four were so weak that they could no longer protect their realms from mankind. Those four made for themselves protective bubbles and sealed themselves away in their realms, until the time would come when power would be theirs once more.
But that was not the end, for humankind spread even further, and deserts were destroyed and polluted, toxic gases reached even the tops of the tallest mountains and the amount of buried toxic waste affected the underworld. The last three Mews sealed themselves away.
And slept.
Some years ago, some explorers came across the first sleeping Mew, in an underground temple. They took samples from her, fur, blood, skin, all whilst she slept for the bubble no longer protected her. From that they created me, but because of their own arrogance, they made me male.
There has never been a male Mew, the Mews are the sisters, the rulers of the realms and so not only was I different in appearance, I was different in my soul. They named me Mewtwo, for they were unoriginal and lacking in imagination.
Experiments were done on me and Giovanni discovered that my masculinity gave me a power beyond that of the original sisters. Their power was passive, natural, whereas mine was offensive and unnatural.
I was used for Team Rocket's foul purposes, until the day I decided to rebel and escaped. The act of my escaping disturbed the water Mew, who had sunk deep into a swamp, to awaken and she immediately sought me out, following the psychic bond we shared because we were, in a manner of speaking, siblings.
The world alarmed her, she hated to see what Pokemon had become, how they were being used for he pleasures of humans and treated as though they were nothjing more than machines.
She grew even more upset when she realised that I, her brother by blood, was following the same path.
Pokemon should not try and be humans, Mewtwo concluded, for we are something beyond humans, something much more acceptable in this world. We do not destroy it for our own foul purposes, we design our lifestyles around it. This the waterways Mew taught me. And so I have abandoned humankind and Trainers and help those here that need me. But I believe that the rest of the sisters have awoken. And I fear that in their naivete and innocence, they may have allowed themselves to be captured by Trainers and thus be used to destroy their own kin. This my Mew companion, my sister, also believed and she went out to seek the six other sisters, to seek them and bring them here where they could retreat from the world again. I fear the most for my sister that is also, in a way, my mother, the underworld Mew, for she has surely awoken now if she has not been killed.
He lay back and Kiki moved forward to rub her head against him reassuringly.
I sat there, open-mouthed, watching my clothes slowly roast over the Vulpix's fire. I had learnt a lot more about Pokemon that day.
I could not sleep. I lay there, worried beyond measure about Kameron. What if he were dead? What if he were alive but I never saw him again? My tears soaked into the hay pallet and Azriel, fairly active now, crawled up beneath my chin and sobbed with me. Maki and Kiki sat at either side of my head and stroked my hair gently with their small black hands. And eventually, eventually, I fell into an unsettled sleep filled with whirlpools and images of Kameron, being snatched away from me and dragged into the depths.
*Part 2*
By the next morning I felt a lot better and the rain had finally cleared. Mewtwo had given me directions to get to the special fruit tree. Both Mew and Mewtwo had put some of their power into the creation of the tree and it was said to be able to restore any ills.
Before we departed, I offered to attempt to heal Mewtwo using my abilities, which had been getting stronger and now worked on Pokemon I was not bonded too (albeit not as well as those I was). He refused.
My illness is psychic and anything you do would be more likely to do harm to yourself. The fruit will work it has to. But, as we are a village of free Pokemon and we wish to remain that way, and also to make sure you do not just run from the island, we shall not send you alone. You may only take three of your Pokemon and one of ours. We shall chose that one as a guide.
I looked at my collection of Pokemon. Dragosi looked tired still, having not yet recovered from the flight in the rain, Ozmos and Florion were all excited and keen, Azriel was still not completely well. And Maki and Kiki seemed to be having a lot of fun leaping from rooftop to rooftop and teasing the residents of the village. I could not obviously break up the couples…
"Is there much purpose in flight?" I asked Mewtwo.
No, there will be no advantage, the Rebels include Charizards and other flying Pokemon. Probably stealth is the best option.
"Ok then, Maki, Kiki, would you two like to come with me?"
"Makimur."
"Makimaki!"
I took that as a yes.
"I don't suppose you'll come with me Florion and leave Ozmos behind?"
"FLORI!" ("No way!")
"Oh well, I guess its you than Dragosi, as conspicuous as you are."
"Eeee veeee?" Azriel bounced over and nudged me in the leg. "Eevveeee!"
I think you have your answer? Mewtwo replied.
"But Az, you're not well!"
"Eeveeee!" ("I'm as well as you!")
"Ok, fine then…" I picked him up. Maki and Kiki leapt onto their usual perches.
And this is your guide. A disgruntled looking dinosaur Pokemon slouched in. It did not look happy in the slightest to be there.
"Chikoo," it growled. The large leaf on its head bobbed as it moved.
Chikorita, you will lead these people up the mountain to the tree.
"Chiko ko ri TA."
I know you do not like humans and I know you want nothing more to do with them, but you know the way and you have been there before.
"Chiko chikorita."
Fine, you shall walk up the mountain, beware the Charizard, the Blastoise, the Venusaur and all the other really nasty evolved Pokemon. Good luck and I thank you whole-heartedly.
Bidding "farewell" to Florion, Ozmos and Dragosi, I set off along the trail to the mountain. It was obvious even from here, bursting from the centre of the island like a maypole. Chikorita slouched along beside us, looking anything but happy.
"Chikkooo," it muttered.
"Maki kiki kimur!" Maki scolded it. It had the strength of mind to look shame-faced before Maki star blazed it.
The trail was muddy, and I was still somewhat in pain. Several times I nearly slipped over and once I did fill in the mud. Chikorita found this highly amusing. Once again, Maki scolded him. Kiki, being a Makimur, scampered through the trees and startled wild pidgeys. All I could see of her on occasion was the white and black markings of her impressive tail. It was cold and my back throbbed. The path wended its way steadily upwards, towards the pinnacle of the mountain.
Around us, trees turned to bushes. Kiki returned from her searching and presented with a wild apple, hard and green. I thanked her profusely and pocketted it. I had needless to say, lost all my belongings and my clothing was worst the wear. Above and in front, I could hear sounds.
"Chiko, chik," Chikorita cautioned. I knew we were reaching the dangerous area. Maki and Kiki both returned to my shoulders and Azriel stopped trying to catch my shoelaces (no wonder I had nearly drowned, I was wearing shoes!). The atmosphere itself changed to one of fear. Even the aplumb Chikorita drew closer to me. It moved off the path and brushed aside a bush with its nose. "Chik!"
"You want us to go in there?" I asked.
"Rita!" It replied. I stared into the gloom. The trees seemed to form some sort of tunnel, which I made my way down.
It was dark and oppressive and I could not stop thinking about Kameron. What was he doing? Was he even alive? And if he was, how ever was I to find him again? I could feel the fear welling up in me. To suddenly realise you've got something and have it ripped away from beneath you. Maki could feel my pain and began grooming my hair gently. Suddenly the ground began to shudder.
"Chiko," Chikorita whispered in fear and Azriel tore through the bushes to where a particularly absurd looking Pokemon had just surfaced.
"Diglett," it said, sounding almost depressed. A moment later, a ballastic Eevee barrelled into it.
"Vee, eee veee!" Azriel shrieked as he clawed at it, forcing it to retreat. Once it had fled back into the ground he pranced around looking most proud of himself.
"Chiko chikorita."
I could not quite understand, but I imagined it meant something along the lines of, "oh damn, now they know we're here."
We started moving with much haste. And suddenly the trees fell away from us. Beyond them, the mountain rose, tall and bare and oh, so very exposed. Sun glinted off the rock faces. It looked hideously barren and disturbed, aside from the top, where all seemed green.
"That's their chosen home?" I asked Chikorita.
The grass Pokemon nodded. And scowled, it appeared it still did not like me much.
"Did you ever have a Trainer?" I asked it.
It nodded. It's eyes narrowed. "Chhiko chikorita ri ta ta." It muttered.
"Makimaki kimurr murr!" Maki insisted.
"Mur!" Kiki agreed.
They were trying to tell Chikorita that I was a good Trainer. It did not appear to belief them. We began making out slow way up the mountainside. We had not got far when Kiki, scampering ahead, called out in alarm. The mountain here was steep, but not too steep for the dinosaur Pokemon could cope, with its hoof-like feet. I scanned about, trying to find some kind of shelter, suddenly I spotted a small, well, let's call it a cave… Grabbing Chikorita, I dragged it and myself into the small cave. Maki and Azriel followed. Kiki crouched at the entrance way and chattered. Peering out we could see a large, reddish-orange shape soaring about the mountainside. I cowered as far back as I could, knowing that Charizards had good eyesight and this "Cave" was more a depression than a true cave.
Chikorita was absolutely terrified, I could feel it shaking against me. And then the Charizard was past.
We sighed in relief. Waiting a few more moments before venturing out again, we made our way back to the mountainside and continued to make our slow way up the slope. Suddenly the ground shook and Kiki shrieked in fear. Azriel cowered behind my legs and Chikorita took a long step back. Standing before us was the Charizard.
"Charrrr!" It snarled.
Chikorita seemed wanting to retreat down the mountainside and Azriel stepped forward, puffing his chest out. He was bold, he was strong. He was about to face a Charizard all on his lonesome.
"I do not come here to hurt you," I said loudly and slowly.
The Charizard lowered its head and glared at me. I felt chills travelling up and down my spine and the overwhelming desire to run away. "Charrrr?" It queried.
"My companions and I merely wish to pass through your terrain. As you can see, we are not exactly dangerous, we are merely travellers."
"Zarrrddd!" It growled, sounding unconvinced.
"Look, if you wish, I shall prove it to you that we are weak. I have here two Makimurs, an Eevee," Azriel snarled and tried to look tough, "and a Chikorita, all of which are ill-equipped to deal with a fine Charizard, such as yourself. Now, we could prove this by fighting a battle, but I fear my companions might be badly injured and I have no wish for that." I nudged Maki with my foot, he grabbed Kiki by the arm and jumped to the ground, behind me. I still had not properly trained then, but at least Maki did like to help me. They started chanting "maki, maki, maki," and twitching their tails in unison. The Charizard looked suspicious.
"Oh, they are just nervous," I said, sounding very nervous myself, "nothing so small could have an effect on you, you beautiful, powerful creature."
"Charrrr!" Charizard did not seem persuaded. It threw back its head in preparation to sending a gout of fire over us. I automatically threw myself over my Pokemon to protect them. Suddenly the world grew very, very hot. Sweat poured down my forehead. And then it was over, we were unscathed, and all we could hear was the Charizard roaring. I looked up to see we were surrounded by a glowing purple dome and the Charizard was batting itself in the face, trying to put out its own fire. Miracles will never cease. I grabbed my Pokemon, the ones small enough to grab and ran past the Charizard before it came to its senses enough to pursue.
Once we had covered a bit of distance, we paused to get out breath back. Chikorita stared at me.
"Chiko, ko," it pondered.
"Maki maki kiki mur!" Kiki said to it. Azriel squirmed in my arms. He wanted to know why he couldn't play with the big orange dragon. He grabbed my hair and sucked it fiercely. I set him on the ground.
I shouldn't have, with a tinge of glee, he spied the leaf on Chikorita's head and went for it, leaping onto the little dinosaur's back. I snatched him up again just in time.
"Come on guys, we've got to get going."
The Charizard circled above us, wary of getting too close. "Did you do that, Maki?" I asked.
Maki looked at me innocently. "Maki, mur?" He replied. ("Who, me?")
A moment later we topped a rise and before us saw a strange lake. It was strange because of its location – a lake on a mountainside? A dry mountainside at that.
"Chiko," Chikorita nudged me in the leg. It was warning me to be cautious. There was very little cover though and we had to pass by the lake. Slowly, keeping close to the cover offered by boulders (pitiful cover, I shall just add) we made our way around the lake.
And then we saw the Charizard above us, circling, a blast of fire struck the ground not ten feet from it, the heated air searing us. We panicked and ran towards the water, another blast of fire scorched the earth behind us and then we were on the shores of the lake. The final blast, close enough so that I could smell singed hair, forced us into the water and suddenly that began to shake around us.
Wavelets bet against our legs with surprising force, so strong that I would have scooped up Chikorita, had I not had my arms full of Azriel. Maki and Kiki clung to my shoulders, chittering in alarm. Something emerged from the water before us and I stumbled back.
My foot slipped beneath me and I crashed into the water and onto my back. Maki and Kiki leapt at the last minute, trying for the shore. An explosion of agony exploded through my jarred spine. Tears sprang to my eyes with the pain. The water was shallow, only up to my ankles and the Makimurs jumped onto my chest.
"Makimur!" One glared at the Blastoise that had just emerged from the water.
"Makiki!"
The Charizard soared over us, its fire searing across the water, sending up spirals of steam. The Blastoise stomped one foot, sending wavelets that lapped over me, making Kiki and Maki squeal in alarm. I tried to drag myself back out of the water but my legs were numb from the cold and the pain.
"Maki makimur!" Kiki insisted, looking at Maki.
"Maki," he sighed in resignation. And suddenly the two of them made a mighty leap from my chest and onto the Blastoise.
"Charrrr!" Charizard seemed annoyed, and swooped down, to be hit by a blast of razor leaves from the Chikorita. Azriel sprang, his little paws scratching the mighty dragon's tail, he managed to grip onto it. The Charizard started to flail madly, trying to shake the Eevee from its tail. The Blastoise sent a spray of water into the air from its hydrocannons. Maki and Kiki clung to its shell as the water cascading around them. Then, in duet, they both leapt up and into the cannons. I don't know what they did in there, but suddenly the Blastoise tumbled over backwards, cascading water over all of us. The Charizard meanwhile swooped lower, trying to dislodge Azriel and accidently hit the water with its tail. It splashed, steamed and then the dragon tumbled to the ground, its tail-flame flickering weakly. Even water was not strong enough to douse the Charizard's tail flame. My Makimur stuck their heads from the Blastoise's hydro pumps and scampered over to me. I dragged myself out of the water. "Is everyone okay?" I asked.
"Makiki!"
"Makikimur!"
"Eeee veee!"
Chikorita just smiled shyly.
"Okay guys, let's get out of here." We picked our way around the fallen Charizard and the Blastoise, which was lying weakly on its back in the water. My back throbbed and my head was starting to split with a wretched headache. We drank a little from the lake, for it was a hideously hot day and the sun streamed down like there was no tomorrow. And then we once again began our trek up the mountainside. I couldn't belief we had managed to fight two of the strongest Pokemon and win. It had to be to do with team work and a feeling of concern for each other.
We were nearly at the top when the third Pokemon found us. You've guessed it, it was a venusaur.
It saw us the moment we saw it and immediately "leapt" into action. It had been sunning itself, much the way any grass Pokemon would on a day like this (Maki and Kiki had been doing so on my shoulders). Two vine whips struck out, the first one caught me about the ankles and I was so tired I had not the strength to dodge. I tumbled over into the dirt. Pain, once again, shot through my back. This was beginning to get tedious.
Maki and Kiki sprang into action, waggling their tails and chanting, but the Venusaur's vinewhip sent them sprawling to. Maki tumbled over the edge of the mountain and Kiki immediately ran over to help him. I was terrified, especially when the Venusaur came charging at us.
Scrabbling madly in the dirt, I tried to regain my footing, but the ground here was slippery and I was so sore and tired. I could not escape. Azriel leapt to his feet and growled at the Venusaur, just at that moment it charged.
"EeVEEE!" The gutsy Eevee shrieked as he sprang at the mighty frog-like Pokemon. I rolled as best I could, finding myself slipping down the slope.
"SAUUURRR!" The Venusaur sounded awfully mad. I hit a rock and felt the jar through to my teeth. As I crawled to me hands and knees, I saw that the Venusaur was preparing to charge at me again. Azriel sat on its back, madly trying to keep his balance and also, it appeared, trying to pull off one of the leaves. Suddenly Chikorita jumped in front of it.
"Chiko!" It shrieked, lowering its head and sending razor edged leaves at the large flower Pokemon. The Venusaur, about to charge, drew back and sent a brilliant beam of light directly at us. We all shied away, I covered my eyes, but it was no good. I was blinded. Suddenly the Venusaur must have hit me, for the world moved beneath me and everything went black.
When I awoke, pain was exploding down my spine immensely, so badly I could hardly move. I forced my eyes open and found myself staring upwards, at the sky. I was lying on a ledge after having fallen about ten feet down the cliff. No wonder I was in agony. Maki chittered worriedly from beside me and nuzzled my cheek. Despite the grogginess in my mind I realised that he must have tumbled from the ledge earlier, but was better off being smaller and lighter.
"I don't think I can stand up," I whispered. Maki nudged me worriedly.
"Makimur," he said sadly. ("Please try.")
Holding onto a rock for support, I dragged myself into a crouching position.
"Makiki!" Maki said happily.
"I'm still down here, boy," I said. "And I 'm not sure how to get up there."
I wondered if the Venusaur was still up there, roaring around trying to get to me. But all seemed quiet. I stared at the cliff face. "I don't think I can get up there," I stated to the world in general.
"Makiki kimur!" ("Sure you can!")
"I wish I had your optimism." I stared upwards. "Well, here goes nothing." It was, after all, only ten feet.
Gritting my teeth, I clutched the rock face and began to slowly pull myself up. A moment later a face peered over the side.
"Chiko?" Suddenly two vinewhips reached down and grabbed me about my waist.
"Makiki!" Maki said happily. "Maki ki ki ki ki ki ki," he began chanting. From up above I could hear Kiki chanting the same. Then Maki jumped up and bit me on the ankle.
"Ow, what was that for?" I cursed, and suddenly I felt myself growing lighter. The climb became easier, because I now had less mass to lift up the side. I reached the top and collapsed. Azriel immediately hobbled over, limping heavily, he nudged me with his cold little nose.
"Maki!" Kiki shrieked, leaping up to him and embracing him so enthusiastically he almost fell over the edge again. "Maki kimur!" She nuzzled his ear.
Chikorita merely stood there, retracting its vine whips and shook its head sadly. "Chiko." I wondered what it was sad about. Then I saw the Venusaur behind us. It too was in a terrible state, for it appeared Azriel had had some success removing its leaves and it was sagging there, injured and wary. I sighed. I knew something had to be done. I walked over to it, holding my hands up so it could see I meant no harm.
"I wish to help you," I said. "For I feel bad for wounding you and your companions. If you had not hurt us, I would not have sought to injure you."
"Saur," it muttered, sounding unconvinced.
But it let me place my hands on its broad nose. I closed my eyes, mindful of the fact that it could do severe damage to me at any moment it chose to, and I concentrated.
My hands began to buzz with energy as I gave some of my energy to the frog-like beast.
Then I collapsed backwards, cushioned by Chikorita who somehow managed to catch me.
Everything went blurry and I knew I had overdone it, knew I had finally healed too much of myself away.
My vision cleared and I found myself still staring into the large eyes of the grass Pokemon.
"Venus-SAUR," it said, not sounding particularly angry. "Ven ven saur."
Chikorita nudged me. "Chiko," it said.
"Are you saying I can pass?" I asked, unbelieving.
"Venus SAUR saur saur!" It nodded.
Oh, how I wished I understood them! However, at least I had the message right.
I patted it on the nose. "Thank you, you majestic powerful creature," and then I found myself a walking stick and hobbled off up the mountain-side.
I may have imagined it, but I think the Venusaur's cheeks turned reddish, as though it were blushing.
Much to my surprise, Chikorita walked close beside me, offering its back for me to lean on. I was startled, why was it being so nice to me? Azriel, seeming to have recovered from his injury followed it along and tried to catch its leaf again. That little Eevee was incorrigiable!
Without further interference, we reached the tree MewTwo had told us about. It was a huge plant, despite the fact that it was high up the mountainside, far from water, it seemed healthy. A single fruit, red in the late afternoon sun, glinted.
I sagged, leaning against the tree. "I guess it's your turn now, guys," I said to Maki and Kiki.
"Maki kimur!" They said in unison and ran up the tree, carrying the fruit down between them, gingerly, as though if they dropped it it would break.
I held it in my hands, the fruit appeared vaguely purplish, almost metallic. It was beautiful. With much care I wrapped it up in some leaves and placed it in my pocket, then I sat back and rested, watching my Pokemon.
Chikorita had fallen asleep beneath the tree, and Azriel, seemingly now obsessed with the dinosaur Pokemon's head plume, was batting it about with one paw. Lazily, Chikorita rolled over, and clamped its teeth onto the Eevee's tail. Azriel yowled and tried to run away, but the Chikorita held on, then let go and nudged the Eevee over with its head. Azriel rolled, bounced back to his feet and crouched low, in preparation for another ambush. But Chikorita was wise to it now. It twitched its tail. Azriel's eyes were irrisistably drawn to the appendage. His tail twitched, much as a cats does before it pounces. And then, he sprung.
At the last possible moment, Chikorita pulled its tail away, and Azriel missed, tumbling into a forward roll.
"Ee Vee," he muttered angrily.
"Chik ik ik ik," Chikorita chuckled.
I smiled and relaxed. It was a long walk home.
* Part 3 *
Strangely enough, that night and the walk home the following day passed uneventfully. The Charizard, now recovered, followed us, watching carefully, but made no move to attack us and I felt we had earned our right to be here. Chikorita looked happy, it pranced and teased Azriel for all it was worth. Maki and Kiki threw the unripe apple Kiki had brought me back and forth across my head and I earned a couple of new bruises to add to my collection. My entire body was pained, but I was oddly jubilent.
We met the talking Clefable at the gates of the village. Florion, Ozmos and Dragosi all ran (or flew) to greet me enthusiastically.
"Thee maaaster, he siickens," the Clefable sang, and hurried off.
I hastened after it, as fast as my bruises would allow.
MewTwo, if it were possible, looked even worse then he had the day before. His eyes were more sunken, his skin paler.
Did you … get it? He asked.
I unwrapped the hallowed fruit and held it out to him. He tried to hold it, but it kept slipping through his fingers. Finally I broke a bit off with my teeth (unhygenic, but it worked) and fed it to him.
As he chewed the piece, I noticed that his skin grew less pallid, less wretched. And by the time he had finished the fruit, he looked, although not healthy, less on death's door.
Thank you Kataryna, he said. For your help and kindness, I shall give you a gift. He reached out one three fingered hand and I stepped closer, taking it in my own. A strange feeling passed through me, sort of like my healing ability, but not quite… I have given you the ability to mindspeak with other Pokemon, he sent, It will not work all the time, but it will work on Pokemon you are not bonded with. I know you are able to understand your own Pokemon, which is more than most people are able. You are a great Pokemon Friend, Kataryna, and I am honoured to have met you.
I smiled, a little embarrassed by the treatment. "I am honoured to have met you too, most powerful Pokemon ever to have lived," I replied, "I cannot help but notice that you have changed a great deal since my cousin Ash met with you, and I like it."
And you too, have changed a lot, Bishurio, and you shall change a lot more. You are welcome to stay here until you are fit again.
"No," I said, "my friend is out there somewhere and he may be hurt, I have to find him." I wondered what the strange term he had referred to me as meant, but decided it was not important. "I shall stay here tonight and we shall depart tomorrow morning."
Then you must tell us a tale, MewTwo informed me.
And so I did.
The next day, I headed back to the beach, a bevy of Pokemon following me. And there I found Lapras, frolicking in the waters. When it saw me it called out to me, "preeee!"
"You're still here!" I exclaimed, "you needn't be."
"Praaaa!"
She likes you, she had a Trainer once, a young man whom she grew fond of. MewTwo, leaning heavily on a walking stick, sent. And she wants you to help track down the Pirates that hurt her, and me and are killing Pokemon all over the Orange Islands. It is a fine challenge you have chosen for yourself, my girl.
"I will stop them," I said. "But what of Kameron?"
He seeks you, just as you seek him, MewTwo replied, you shall be fine. He handed me a small bag, I opened it, it contained all my Pokeballs, some food and a change of clothing. I dared not ask where that came from. Some of your companions are not too fond of sailing the seas, he informed me, so I have returned the Hate Balls, knowing you will not use them for any purpose but security.
"Thank you all," I said, "I am honoured to have spent time with you and I promise your haven will remain safe with me. Come on guys!" Lapras came ashore and we all clambered on, Maki and Kiki perching on her head. Azriel positioned himself near her tail, still eyeing it comically. Florion curled up behind her neck and Ozmos sat primly beside him. And Dragosi recalled himself into his ball. Either he had no love for travelling or realised he was too large to perch and would have to fly.
"Va por!"
"Flori!"
"Kiki makiki!"
"Ee veee!"
"Preeee!"
We all said our farewells and suddenly…
"Chiko, chiko chik!" Chikorita came running across the sand towards us.
She wants to know if she can come with you, MewTwo sent to me. I think she has realised Trainers are not so bad after all. Will you honour her with your company?
"Of course," I replied, feeling jubilant, "welcome aboard Chiko!" I grabbed her front legs and hauled her up to sit in front of me.
Say hello to my sister, when you meet her, was the final message MewTwo sent, as Lapras swam off into the sunset.