Chapter Two
Call of the Wild
Hatsuhana Haru, known to her friends as Haru-chan, worked diligently at her garden, her Kireihana helping her. Her long, green hair reached to her waist, and her hazel eyes were accentuated by her forest green work shirt. She also had a pair of blue jeans. Her skin was dark from exposure to the sun. Her Pokémon swished musically, her skirt of green and yellow petals rubbing together, similar to a cricket's wings. Her light green skin was crinkled in a smile.
She had grown up in the simple Japanese town of Choumei Town, and spoke both Japanese and English. Soon, she would be relying on that second language more than ever.
She hummed while digging holes and planting the seeds. She didn't notice when another voice took up her tune-Kireihana did that often.
But when she looked up to smile at Kireihana, she saw something entirely unexpected.
A Pokémon was hovering in front of her, smiling gently. She-Haru knew instinctively that she was female-was incredibly graceful, with long, green feathers. She had two antennae, and the most beautiful blue eyes. She glowed a soft, forest green.
"Celebi!" she chirped.
-Hello, Haru-san.-
"How...how do you know me?!" Haru exclaimed, backing away. "What do you want?"
-I know many things. I can time travel. You are the one I was destined to rescue.-
"Re...rescue? You want to rescue me? From what?"
-There isn't much time! You must trust me!-
"Well...I've never seen a Pokémon hurt someone...but I've never seen a Pokémon like you before, either. What exactly are you?"
-My name is Celebi. We must hurry!- She sounded indignant.
"Okay...I think I can trust you. What do you want me to do?"
-Just recall your Pokémon and close your eyes. The others need you.-
"Kireihana, come back." Haru said, recalling her flower Pokémon. She closed her eyes. "Okay...do your thing, Celebi."
"Celebi..."
-Hold on...-
Wind whipped her face, and her eyes popped open involuntarily. And she realized why Celebi had told her to close her eyes. All she could see was blue and green light, and white streaks that flashed around, making her vision tremble and her stomach flip. She closed her eyes again, and fought against the waves of nausea.
The light faded after a moment, and she was in a mountain range. Above her, a battle was raging. Two massive bird Pokémon were launching attacks at a smaller, agile figure that was crazily launching black attacks that were only visible when they crossed a star. A flash of red fire caught her attention. A girl was falling, trailing fire that looked almost like wings.
The fiery wings slowed her fall enough to keep her from dying upon impact-but she wasn't in good shape after she landed. Celebi floated over her, and cast a gentle light over her body. Various injuries sealed up, but she wasn't fully recovered.
-I can't heal her all the way at night.- Celebi sadly stated.
She groaned, and sat up. First thing she saw was Celebi. "Whoa...another trippy Pokémon...you're Celebi, right?"
-That's right!- Celebi chirped, nodding.
Haru was amazed. "You...you know this Pokémon?"
"Well, no...but you see those two?" She pointed up at the three figures fighting. "The big ones are Ho-oh and Lugia, two Legendary Birds. Ho-oh told me about Celebi.
-Lugia is up there?!-
"Yeah, he is." the girl confirmed. "By the way, my name is Phoebe." She stuck out a hand.
"I am Hatsuhana Haru."
"Uh....huh. Right." Phoebe muttered. "So, um...what element are you?"
Haru was puzzled. "Element? What do you mean?"
Celebi interrupted. -The reason I summoned you here is because-well, there isn't enough time to fully explain it. But you can channel elemental power. Mostly Grass, but you have the potential for very small amounts of Ground.-
"Yes...but why should I believe you?"
-You can use elemental power much like a Pokémon. You must help the two Birds!-
"How?" Haru asked. "I am quite confused."
-Just...just...imagine...imagine...do you have a Grass Pokémon?-
"Yes, I do." She pulled out Kireihana's Pokéball. "Would you like me to summon her?"
-Yes!-
"Kireihana, come out." The flower Pokémon materialized, humming happily. Then she saw the strangers.
"Bell? Bell!"
-Are we fighting, Haru?-
"No, Kireihana. Celebi has requested your presence."
-Now. Kireihana, what is your most powerful attack?-
"Bell...bell lo som!"
"Petal Dance...why?"
-No time for questions. Haru. Imagine you are Kireihana. You have seen her Petal Dance technique, correct?-
"Yes, I have, Celebi-san."
-Then imagine yourself using that attack.-
Haru closed her eyes, and pictured petals flying from her outstretched hands.
A rush of energy filled her, then vanished. She opened her eyes.
A few small petals were on the ground around her. "It didn't work?" she asked disappointedly. Then, a rush of energy filled her, making her feel as if her skin would explode at the slightest touch. Since her eyes were open, she saw the tornado of multicolored petals surround her, then leap into the sky. The massive birds parted, and the tornado engulfed the dark figure between them.
"That answer your question?" Phoebe giggled. Haru smiled, but then a third burst of energy rushed through her, leaving behind a dizziness that she hadn't felt before. Her vision fogged, and her brain slowed to a sluggish crawl.
"Okay...Haru? Haru?"
Phoebe's worried voice penetrated the dizziness, and Haru's vision cleared. Her thought speed returned to normal.
"What was that?" she asked. "I was so dizzy..."
-Petal Dance confuses the user after a few bursts of incredible power. Didn't you know that?-
"I...believe I did not. We do not battle much in Choumei Town, at least with Pokémon. Thank you for informing me."
-Don't mention it.-
"I won't." she replied, giggling.
"That's not gonna be enough," Phoebe warned. "Look. Mr. Bad Guy is coming down here."
Celebi dropped any levity, and began glowing brightly. -Mr. Bad Guy is gonna have a fight on his hands.-
"Um...Haru isn't exactly very strong, offensively, and my energy is drained. I only have one Pokémon, too."
"I have another Pokémon." Haru pointed out.
Phoebe sighed. "Bayleef, come out!"
"Doduo, appear!"
A large, yellow Pokémon with a "necklace" of petal buds and a large leaf on his head appeared, followed by a bird with two heads.
-Haru-san, I would advise against Petal Dance. Have you seen a Razor Leaf attack before?-
"Of course I have. Choumei Town is home of the foremost Grass Pokémon Research Facility in ."
-Good. Visualize that. And try not to hit Phoebe.-
"Very well."
The figure landed lightly right then, seemingly having come to his sense. Ho-oh and Lugia were busy fighting off a swarm of creatures made of nearly-invisible shadow.
Haru rolled the sleeves of her work garment. Phoebe clenched her fists.
"Ah hah...you seem to have acquired a few human followers, Celebi." he laughed. "But they have no chance against me."
"We'll see!" Phoebe shouted. "Bayleef, Light Screen!"
"Baaay!"
"Right away, Phoebe!" A golden dome covered all of them save the dark figure.
-Hijou, your time is up!- Celebi "cried".
"Hijou?" Phoebe and Haru asked simultaneously.
"That's my name now," he growled. "Dark Mist!"
A wave of mist rolled over the dome, blocking out what little light the moon and stars gave. Celebi was the only light source.
Phoebe used a bit of power to make another light. -Don't waste your energy, Phoebe.- Celebi ordered. -I'm better than that torch.-
Phoebe nodded, and doused the feeble light she had conjured. The mist slowly faded away.
Haru pointed at Hijou, and shouted a wordless cry. She focused her mind, visualizing a flurry of razor sharp leaves.
"Aah!" Hijou yelped. He blocked with his arms, and the leaves had sliced his arms, making them bleed in several places. "Aah...you're...stronger than I thought..."
Celebi was glowing brighter and brighter. -If only it was daylight...- she whispered into Phoebe and Haru's minds. -I would be charged by now.-
In the sky, Ho-oh and Lugia had disposed of the shadow creatures, and were weaving an intricate pattern of flames and psychic light. Phoebe could only guess what it was for.
"Bayleef! Body Slam!" Phoebe commanded.
"Doduo, use your Drill Peck attack. Kireihana, call up a Petal Dance." Haru said calmly.
Bayleef charged at Hijou in tandem with Doduo. Kireihana distracted the dark man with a flurry of high speed petals, until-
-WHOOMPH!
Bayleef slammed Hijou into a nearby mountain, and backed away nimbly as Doduo rapidly pecked him with both heads.
"Argh!" he groaned. He slowly got up, badly beaten. He had enough energy to fade into the night, though.
"Is he gone?" Phoebe asked. Then, she realized. He's evil. Dark element. FAINT ATTACK!
"Bayleef, look out!" she screamed, as Hijou sprang from the shadows, kicking up at her Grass Pokémon, then fading back and doing the same to Doduo and Kireihana.
The two Birds were finished with their tapestry. It shone brightly for a moment, then beams of light and fire arced down into Hijou.
"Noooo!" Hijou screamed. His pain seemed to take over his mind, and he again lost control.
With that, a wave of dark energy billowed out from him. Lugia screamed in pain, and Ho-oh attempted to fly upward to avoid the evil energy.
Haru couldn't waste any energy worrying about the birds, because the attack hit her right then, taking up all of her attention. A wave of icy cold seared her, seeping heat from her body. Then the cold was vanquished by a fury of heat. But not good heat. A fever raged through her body, leaving her weak and fragile. Then, sensation vanished, and she floated in a void of nothingness. Absolutely nothing existed-even her.
When she came to, she was screaming and screaming, and couldn't stop. A hand covered her mouth, but the screams still came out.
"Haru! Hush! We aren't safe!"
Her voice got through Haru's panic, and slowly her screams subsided. It was daylight now. "What...happened?" she gasped, throat raw.
-Hijou used a very powerful attack. It's known as the Dark Bomb. It was designed to wreak havoc on your nervous system.- Celebi explained.
"So...so that's why...why I felt so awful..."
"Actually, you probably didn't feel." Phoebe said unhelpfully. "Ho-oh said that it causes pain, then cuts all sensation. I don't remember it myself, but..." She trailed off.
"I do not remember much, either. Celebi, why are you so calm? You are part Psychic type, no?"
-I was not hit. The attack only goes out so far. Lugia was the worst affected.-
Haru looked around, and saw Ho-oh perched on a rock, feathers dim. Lugia was sprawled along the ground, still unconscious.
-I have a mental shield around Lugia. His psychic powers are strong, and he would be broadcasting his pain, otherwise.-
"That's bad." Phoebe said dryly.
"Yes."
"Well...I would like to know what is really going on." Haru pointed out. "Could you explain?"
-Very well. Ho-oh, correct me if I am wrong.-
-Certainly, Celebi.-
-We are the three "Light" Guardian Pokémon. I am the Guardian of the Land, Ho-oh is the Guardian of the Sky, and Lugia of Sea. We keep each other in check, so the sea does not destroy the land, and the land does not invade the sea, and the sky does not destroy either. We are immortal, in a way. We cannot die, but we can be hurt, even killed.-
"Die and killed certainly sound the same." Haru interrupted.
-Let me clarify. We cannot die of natural causes. But if someone has the express intent of destroying us, we can fall and die.-
"And that's...bad." Phoebe, with another understatement.
-Yes. If one of us were killed, our element would go wild, destroying the other two, effectively wiping out this planet. If two were killed within a day of each other, the final element would take over, wiping out two thirds of the planet's life.
-If we were all killed within a day, three "Dark" Guardians would take over, and a Dark King would rule the planet. A very bad thing.
-Hijou is attempting to be that Dark King. He believes he is the one who will be chosen if we are killed. I am afraid Lugia may be on the verge of death.-
"We can't let that happen! If the sea receded, there wouldn't be any more water!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"You are the master of the obvious, aren't you?" Haru said sarcastically.
"Yep. I'm famous for it back home." Phoebe replied.
"Back at the subject at hand...what will happen to Lugia-san? Can we wake him up enough for him to use Recover?"
-I'm afraid he's fainted. Unless one of you has a Revive on you, we have little choice but to wait for him to come around on his own.-
"Hmmm...my Bayleef knows Synthesis, and Starmie knows Recover, but that's all the healing stuff I have." Phoebe said sadly.
"My Kireihana also knows Synthesis, but I have no healing medicine. My village does not encourage battling; we only compete every three months on the Solstice Festivals." Haru added.
-Well, then, one of you must go get some. The town of Soyokaze is near.-
"Soyokaze? Famous for the Flying trainers? I'll go!" Phoebe said excitedly. "That's where I got my Starmie. Plus, I need to heal my Pokémon anyway."
"Good. I do not know of this...Jensi...town." Haru said. "Where are we, by the way?"
-When I took you, I transported you four years into the future. In this time, you are dead.-
"Time travel? Isn't that impossible?" Phoebe asked, right on top of Haru's "I am dead? Why is that?"
-I am the time travel Pokémon, Phoebe. And, Haru-chan, your people discovered that your gardening skills were actually Grass type elements moving through you. They believed it was witchcraft, and had you tried and executed.-
"My...people...executed me?"
-Hijou has been negatively influencing this world for three years now. His evil has warped people's minds.-
"I still...cannot believe that...my people are so violent..." Haru trailed off.
"Don't worry, Haru." Phoebe smiled, putting an arm around her. "It'll come out in the wash. I'll be back soon. Take care, all!" With that, wings of fire flickered around her, then fizzled. "Drat. I'll have to walk." She started trekking. "Uhm, Celebi?"
-Yes?-
"Which way is it to Jensi?"
-It is right through that pass.- Celebi laughed, indicating a small valley trail in the opposite direction.
Phoebe smiled sheepishly, and started walking that way. "Okay...bye for real!" She waved again, and marched off.
