Finally we're here. Final part.
Disclaimer: Pokemon ain't mine! So quit asking!
TIME TO BRING OUT THE HEAVY FONTS!
Treading in Darkness
Part 5
Ash kept a careful eye on Lugia as Lapras tried to find a way onto the island.
"So... we meet again?" he asked softly, his heart beating the speed of a magnet train.
Misty watched him. "Ash..."
He whirled around, startled. "What do you want?" he snapped, the fear rising in his voice as the waves rose around him at the same speed. Dark clouds stormed above him. He was trembling.
She smiled faintly. "We're almost there."
Lapras whined, trying to dodge the churning dark water, rising to her face. The closer they got to shore, the higher the chances of being swallowed by the tide. Lugia kept throwing fragments of the cliff behind him, creating havoc in the water.
"Yeah," he murmured, his eyes set on the shore ahead of him, not knowing what else to say.
Pikachu growled low under its breath. Frustration pounded against disaster in its mind, almost there, almost there.
Lapras dove onto the beach, panting with the burst of speed against treacherous waters. Pikachu hopped off and began running up a pathway created by feet placed into it again and again throughout centuries.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried, ready to take off... but Misty caught his hand as Brock slid off Lapras.
"Look," she whispered in surprise, pointing up at a girl standing on the tip of the cliff.
She looked vaguely familiar to Ash. Her amber hair was gliding across the breeze, a silky white dress that fell just below her knees, drowned gray by the night sky, coated a slim body, and a tiny porcelain flute was clenched into her hand. Her eyes were closed, as if searching for something.
"Is it Melody?" he questioned, fixing his umber eyes on her.
"No," Misty answered in an almost inaudible voice. "Her hair is too light. Who is that behind her?"
A bluish shadow behind the first girl showed to be another, but too far away for Ash to see.
"I don't know," he confessed.
Misty stared. "Now she's lifting up her flute... and is about to play..."
Confidence flooded through Harmony as she pressed the miniature hole through her lips. She would never be afraid again, no matter what life brought her. The breeze reassured her, her hair gently riding on it.
The notes flowed easily, smoothly. Sweet pleasure and sorrow bled through each one. She was reminded instantly of a pure white, peaceful and all knowing. She felt like dancing, taking each note as a graceful step.
By the fifth note, she opened her eyes and gazed at the silver stars. The stars knew more than she did. Within the stars laid everlasting truth. Indigo sky reflected in her dark eyes.
Suddenly, Lugia began floating upwards, glowing a silver color and shadowing the sky. Awe ran through Harmony. She almost stopped playing, except she didn't.
Lugia floated to the tip of the cliff. Harmony sensed she was to get on. Cautious steps led her onto his back. She stood still, feeling him breath to the rhythm of the notes. A thrill of peace ran through her, causing her to shiver.
Still the melody continued. A quick rainbow flash struck beside her, then Ho-oh's image fell in beside Lugia's. She smiled, closing her eyes, instinctively knowing she wouldn't fall.
Slowly, Mew appeared below Lugia in the same way that Ho-oh did, followed by Entei. Moltres became to the right, leading in Raikou and Zapdos. Celebi slipped in next, then Articuno. A gap, then Mewtwo flashed in. She didn't have to open her eyes to know they were there... she just knew.
Sunnie stepped to the end of the cliff, hanging over the beach. A dancing step took her off, except she didn't fall. With a blur of azure winds, sleek diamonds and blue fur threaded across her human skin. She stepped into her place, right where she belonged.
Harmony was filled with energy the instant Suicune fit in. It pulsated through her blood. She reviewed the colors in her mind. Pink made her feel light, airy, and free. Red created passion; orange fire. Yellow was bright and wise. Green was filled with life and magic, and blue was intensity and variety. Purple was courage... and white was purity. Yes... there were all there.
Energy poured forth from each one below her... beams of rose, crimson, orange, sunshine, forest, ice, ocean, and lavender shot out from each pokemon into the horizon.
She wondered what Ho-oh and Lugia would do as she played the song over again.
Ho-oh soared just above all of the colors. As he passed, the colors began bleeding into each other.
Gently, Lugia dropped down and as his body touched the rainbow, it started to become solid, shimmers of silver tracing the surface.
Suddenly, she found herself standing on it, surrounded by a group of people that she recognized. Sunnie was behind her, touching her shoulder. Lugia--no, Substorm--stepped forwards and took her hand.
"This," he murmured in a tranquil, sure voice, "Is your life path, Harmony. You can do anything you want now. Your life will never be controlled by fate again... it is up to you to create happiness for yourself and Harmony for the world."
She smiled a little, glancing at the glass rainbow below her feet that stretched on for infinite in either direction. "Are you sure? Is this real, or is it a dream?"
Sunnie gave her a little push forwards. "Why would we ever lie to you, Harmony?" She smiled. Harmony suddenly realized she looked older... about 22 years old. Tranquility lit her face. "You have done so much for us and for the world. Is there any reason you should not have what you deserve?"
Harmony looked a little troubled. "But what about the rest of the world? Can't they share my happiness?"
Valicano grinned, her fire-red hair flipped across her face casually. "Don't worry about that, Harmony. That's our job."
Harmony smiled. "Thank you," she mouthed, filled with joy. Her heart pulled her forwards across the millions of hues at her feet.
Stepping forwards to meet her destiny, she picked up the flute again and pressed it between her lips and began playing her life song. She began fading into the horizon, a million colors reflected across her body where the sky met water met earth and the shades of so many lives and emotions melted away, finally free.
Ash was so stunned he hadn't even realized Melody had snuck up behind him. She touched his shoulder gently and he jumped.
"Hello, Ash," she murmured assuredly. "How have you been?"
He looked her over in surprise. "Melody?" he questioned, his eyes glimmering from the reflection the rainbow above him.
"Yup," she agreed. "Told Misty?"
He stared at her as if she was crazy. "Told her what?"
"You know," she whispered, smiling. "She wants you to tell her."
He looked blank. "Not now. Not anytime soon, either." He cut off there and stared back at the sky above him.
"Alright. Just my advice," she mumbled, sitting back to look up at the colors above her.
She was finally proud of her baby sister.
Giovanni was laughing hard in his room. He watched the rain fall, not even bothering to keep track of the screen that showed him his new pokemon. Persian purred, its tail flicking angrily.
He had done it. He had done it! He had done what no one was able to do before, what no one else could think of doing... he made the legendary pokemon all his and the world was his! Laughter shook him with a wildness and youth he had never felt, even in his childhood. He laughed and laughed and laughed.
Suddenly, the rain stopped. After a second, not a drop appeared in the sky. The pale moonlight began filtering across his black room.
He stood up, worried. What if something went wrong? He turned to the screen to see what happened.
It was completely blank.
He cursed, and then began to cry tears of frustration. His greatest dream was stolen from him. Lost in the mess, Persian accidentally got in the way and had its tail stepped on. It flew out of the room, yowling.
He didn't understand what had happened on the island, but whatever it was, it had released the legendary pokemon from his grasp. In a desperate attempt to think he was wrong, he tried to telepathically command Lugia to listen to him.
No response.
He groaned, feeling hot tears run across his cheeks. He sank to the floor, sobbing for breath.
He had lost when he was sure victory was his.
The moon wrought crazy shapes across his bent face.
He had lost. He had lost. The words insisted themselves in his mind, repeating over and over again.
He had lost.
Harmony picked up some uncertain pasta with the tongs and placed the gently on her plate. "This should be interesting," she muttered to herself, grinning.
"What a beautiful girl," remarked a female tourist to Rhapsody, watching Harmony. "She's so graceful and talented. And smart, too."
Rhapsody nodded. "She's brave, too. And she helps out with the dishes after dinner--that's what's important!" The two girls both laughed.
Harmony heard them laughing and smiled at their happiness.
Her smile melted at the next food on the salad bar. Carrots. YUCK. She hated carrots. She paced them quickly.
Sunnie fell in beside her, once again at the age Harmony was more familiar with. She picked up the carrots with the spoon, not just once but over and over again.
Harmony laughed. The carrots matched her hair. No wonder she liked them so much!
Sunnie grinned, realizing Harmony was watching her take tons of carrots. "Okay, so I like them." She gave Harmony a little nudge. "Don't you know that?"
Harmony laughed. "Of course I do. I just didn't know water dogs liked carrots."
Sunnie shoved her. "All dogs like carrots! Duh." She began grabbing her weight in sliced up cheese. "And cheese! Mmmm." She licked her lips hungrily.
Harmony giggled. "You're so weird! Quit scaring all the other poor people at the Festival!"
Sunnie looked puzzled. "What's wrong with scaring tourists? I thought we were trying to get rid of them."
Sunnie looked just like a confused puppy. Harmony laughed again. "No, of course not. `Tourists keep you alive, little missy,'" Harmony imitated, her voice going creaky to mimic the village wise woman. She laughed and sat down at an empty table.
Sunnie followed her. "It's funny how the minute you got ready to play your flute, it turned midnight. It's as if time wanted you to play right on the legends day."
Harmony shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. It doesn't really matter." She dove into the pasta, which surprisingly tasted pretty good. "Everything turned out even better than okay, and that's what counts."
Melody pulled up a chair alongside them. "Hey, little sis, ready to go help the Chosen One get the spheres of fire, ice, and lightning?"
Harmony groaned, trying to hide her happiness. She was glad Melody was back to being her sister. "I don't want to go out again," she whined, "Especially after I did all the saving myself."
"No, I'm just kidding. You don't have to do anything. I already placed the spheres where they belong." Melody tousled Harmony's hair. "Anything for my little sister," she added, smiling.
Harmony laughed. "Thanks a lot."
A slick-looking Thunda slid over to their table. "Is it too much to ask the fair Harmony for a dance?" he asked, pretending to be romantic.
Harmony giggled. "Go dance by yourself... I'm talking! To them!" Sunnie grinned.
Thunda pretend to look crestfallen. "Fine. Suit yourself." He walked away, instantly looking powerful again.
Melody looked at the bamboo clock behind them, then nudged Harmony with her elbow. "Hey! You're up!" When Harmony looked confused, she hissed as all the voice around them fell to a whisper, "Go play your flute!"
Harmony nodded and stood up. Silent steps led her to the center stage. Somewhere in the audience, Ash screamed, "GO HARMONY!" She smiled in response, then closed her eyes, focusing only on her flute.
The rainbow ran to her again, weaving in and out of her body and soul. Tranquility leaked through her mind.
Each second hung like a darling teardrop on a crying cheek, seeming to last forever. The audience became mute, fixed on her.
She picked up the flute. The notes slid through, gliding through the air natural ease. The age-old melody became fresh in her mind again.
Her rainbow rode out the door, across the wind, through the ocean, dancing among the stars. It was a part of everything. She felt her audience, including her new friends, slip into peace. It was all part of the song.
She played it without effort, because it came from her and didn't need to be found. She felt everything blend together around her. There was no difference between them... they were just different hues of light.
And she strung the all together, like colors in a rainbow, because that was her duty and purpose. It was so natural. They belonged together. A life devoid of all colors but one is flat. One color is meaningless without the others, except white because it is all the colors, and black, because it is none of the colors.
Everything was the same, just different colors. They belonged together. And she brought them together.
Because she was Harmony.
Alright! How was that? Like the ending?
I must have set a record... wrote a whole part (even more--the last part) of TID in just one day! Then again... I haven't done anything else XD
And yes, this series will be continued. However, it will not be the same characters exactly (ie--no Harmony, although the legendary pokemon make a comeback), obviously the plot will be completely different because this one's all used up, and it WON'T be posted on fanfiction.net. I'm creating a site that'll be open in May (hopefully before) and the legendary will play a big part, although the beginning doesn't show that they will. It's going to be really neat! Check out my profile in May (or bookmark [1]www.geocities.com/pokemorphus) and you can get the opening of the site!
TID has been my sole story writing practice until recently... so kind of excuse any mistakes that come up, I have improved since then! I will NOT edit it because it shows how I wrote way back when.
Have fun reading and see you at [2]www.geocities.com/pokemorphus!
~Suikun
References
1. http://www.geocities.com/pokemorphus
2. http://www.geocities.com/pokemorphus
Disclaimer: Pokemon ain't mine! So quit asking!
TIME TO BRING OUT THE HEAVY FONTS!
Treading in Darkness
Part 5
Ash kept a careful eye on Lugia as Lapras tried to find a way onto the island.
"So... we meet again?" he asked softly, his heart beating the speed of a magnet train.
Misty watched him. "Ash..."
He whirled around, startled. "What do you want?" he snapped, the fear rising in his voice as the waves rose around him at the same speed. Dark clouds stormed above him. He was trembling.
She smiled faintly. "We're almost there."
Lapras whined, trying to dodge the churning dark water, rising to her face. The closer they got to shore, the higher the chances of being swallowed by the tide. Lugia kept throwing fragments of the cliff behind him, creating havoc in the water.
"Yeah," he murmured, his eyes set on the shore ahead of him, not knowing what else to say.
Pikachu growled low under its breath. Frustration pounded against disaster in its mind, almost there, almost there.
Lapras dove onto the beach, panting with the burst of speed against treacherous waters. Pikachu hopped off and began running up a pathway created by feet placed into it again and again throughout centuries.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried, ready to take off... but Misty caught his hand as Brock slid off Lapras.
"Look," she whispered in surprise, pointing up at a girl standing on the tip of the cliff.
She looked vaguely familiar to Ash. Her amber hair was gliding across the breeze, a silky white dress that fell just below her knees, drowned gray by the night sky, coated a slim body, and a tiny porcelain flute was clenched into her hand. Her eyes were closed, as if searching for something.
"Is it Melody?" he questioned, fixing his umber eyes on her.
"No," Misty answered in an almost inaudible voice. "Her hair is too light. Who is that behind her?"
A bluish shadow behind the first girl showed to be another, but too far away for Ash to see.
"I don't know," he confessed.
Misty stared. "Now she's lifting up her flute... and is about to play..."
Confidence flooded through Harmony as she pressed the miniature hole through her lips. She would never be afraid again, no matter what life brought her. The breeze reassured her, her hair gently riding on it.
The notes flowed easily, smoothly. Sweet pleasure and sorrow bled through each one. She was reminded instantly of a pure white, peaceful and all knowing. She felt like dancing, taking each note as a graceful step.
By the fifth note, she opened her eyes and gazed at the silver stars. The stars knew more than she did. Within the stars laid everlasting truth. Indigo sky reflected in her dark eyes.
Suddenly, Lugia began floating upwards, glowing a silver color and shadowing the sky. Awe ran through Harmony. She almost stopped playing, except she didn't.
Lugia floated to the tip of the cliff. Harmony sensed she was to get on. Cautious steps led her onto his back. She stood still, feeling him breath to the rhythm of the notes. A thrill of peace ran through her, causing her to shiver.
Still the melody continued. A quick rainbow flash struck beside her, then Ho-oh's image fell in beside Lugia's. She smiled, closing her eyes, instinctively knowing she wouldn't fall.
Slowly, Mew appeared below Lugia in the same way that Ho-oh did, followed by Entei. Moltres became to the right, leading in Raikou and Zapdos. Celebi slipped in next, then Articuno. A gap, then Mewtwo flashed in. She didn't have to open her eyes to know they were there... she just knew.
Sunnie stepped to the end of the cliff, hanging over the beach. A dancing step took her off, except she didn't fall. With a blur of azure winds, sleek diamonds and blue fur threaded across her human skin. She stepped into her place, right where she belonged.
Harmony was filled with energy the instant Suicune fit in. It pulsated through her blood. She reviewed the colors in her mind. Pink made her feel light, airy, and free. Red created passion; orange fire. Yellow was bright and wise. Green was filled with life and magic, and blue was intensity and variety. Purple was courage... and white was purity. Yes... there were all there.
Energy poured forth from each one below her... beams of rose, crimson, orange, sunshine, forest, ice, ocean, and lavender shot out from each pokemon into the horizon.
She wondered what Ho-oh and Lugia would do as she played the song over again.
Ho-oh soared just above all of the colors. As he passed, the colors began bleeding into each other.
Gently, Lugia dropped down and as his body touched the rainbow, it started to become solid, shimmers of silver tracing the surface.
Suddenly, she found herself standing on it, surrounded by a group of people that she recognized. Sunnie was behind her, touching her shoulder. Lugia--no, Substorm--stepped forwards and took her hand.
"This," he murmured in a tranquil, sure voice, "Is your life path, Harmony. You can do anything you want now. Your life will never be controlled by fate again... it is up to you to create happiness for yourself and Harmony for the world."
She smiled a little, glancing at the glass rainbow below her feet that stretched on for infinite in either direction. "Are you sure? Is this real, or is it a dream?"
Sunnie gave her a little push forwards. "Why would we ever lie to you, Harmony?" She smiled. Harmony suddenly realized she looked older... about 22 years old. Tranquility lit her face. "You have done so much for us and for the world. Is there any reason you should not have what you deserve?"
Harmony looked a little troubled. "But what about the rest of the world? Can't they share my happiness?"
Valicano grinned, her fire-red hair flipped across her face casually. "Don't worry about that, Harmony. That's our job."
Harmony smiled. "Thank you," she mouthed, filled with joy. Her heart pulled her forwards across the millions of hues at her feet.
Stepping forwards to meet her destiny, she picked up the flute again and pressed it between her lips and began playing her life song. She began fading into the horizon, a million colors reflected across her body where the sky met water met earth and the shades of so many lives and emotions melted away, finally free.
Ash was so stunned he hadn't even realized Melody had snuck up behind him. She touched his shoulder gently and he jumped.
"Hello, Ash," she murmured assuredly. "How have you been?"
He looked her over in surprise. "Melody?" he questioned, his eyes glimmering from the reflection the rainbow above him.
"Yup," she agreed. "Told Misty?"
He stared at her as if she was crazy. "Told her what?"
"You know," she whispered, smiling. "She wants you to tell her."
He looked blank. "Not now. Not anytime soon, either." He cut off there and stared back at the sky above him.
"Alright. Just my advice," she mumbled, sitting back to look up at the colors above her.
She was finally proud of her baby sister.
Giovanni was laughing hard in his room. He watched the rain fall, not even bothering to keep track of the screen that showed him his new pokemon. Persian purred, its tail flicking angrily.
He had done it. He had done it! He had done what no one was able to do before, what no one else could think of doing... he made the legendary pokemon all his and the world was his! Laughter shook him with a wildness and youth he had never felt, even in his childhood. He laughed and laughed and laughed.
Suddenly, the rain stopped. After a second, not a drop appeared in the sky. The pale moonlight began filtering across his black room.
He stood up, worried. What if something went wrong? He turned to the screen to see what happened.
It was completely blank.
He cursed, and then began to cry tears of frustration. His greatest dream was stolen from him. Lost in the mess, Persian accidentally got in the way and had its tail stepped on. It flew out of the room, yowling.
He didn't understand what had happened on the island, but whatever it was, it had released the legendary pokemon from his grasp. In a desperate attempt to think he was wrong, he tried to telepathically command Lugia to listen to him.
No response.
He groaned, feeling hot tears run across his cheeks. He sank to the floor, sobbing for breath.
He had lost when he was sure victory was his.
The moon wrought crazy shapes across his bent face.
He had lost. He had lost. The words insisted themselves in his mind, repeating over and over again.
He had lost.
Harmony picked up some uncertain pasta with the tongs and placed the gently on her plate. "This should be interesting," she muttered to herself, grinning.
"What a beautiful girl," remarked a female tourist to Rhapsody, watching Harmony. "She's so graceful and talented. And smart, too."
Rhapsody nodded. "She's brave, too. And she helps out with the dishes after dinner--that's what's important!" The two girls both laughed.
Harmony heard them laughing and smiled at their happiness.
Her smile melted at the next food on the salad bar. Carrots. YUCK. She hated carrots. She paced them quickly.
Sunnie fell in beside her, once again at the age Harmony was more familiar with. She picked up the carrots with the spoon, not just once but over and over again.
Harmony laughed. The carrots matched her hair. No wonder she liked them so much!
Sunnie grinned, realizing Harmony was watching her take tons of carrots. "Okay, so I like them." She gave Harmony a little nudge. "Don't you know that?"
Harmony laughed. "Of course I do. I just didn't know water dogs liked carrots."
Sunnie shoved her. "All dogs like carrots! Duh." She began grabbing her weight in sliced up cheese. "And cheese! Mmmm." She licked her lips hungrily.
Harmony giggled. "You're so weird! Quit scaring all the other poor people at the Festival!"
Sunnie looked puzzled. "What's wrong with scaring tourists? I thought we were trying to get rid of them."
Sunnie looked just like a confused puppy. Harmony laughed again. "No, of course not. `Tourists keep you alive, little missy,'" Harmony imitated, her voice going creaky to mimic the village wise woman. She laughed and sat down at an empty table.
Sunnie followed her. "It's funny how the minute you got ready to play your flute, it turned midnight. It's as if time wanted you to play right on the legends day."
Harmony shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. It doesn't really matter." She dove into the pasta, which surprisingly tasted pretty good. "Everything turned out even better than okay, and that's what counts."
Melody pulled up a chair alongside them. "Hey, little sis, ready to go help the Chosen One get the spheres of fire, ice, and lightning?"
Harmony groaned, trying to hide her happiness. She was glad Melody was back to being her sister. "I don't want to go out again," she whined, "Especially after I did all the saving myself."
"No, I'm just kidding. You don't have to do anything. I already placed the spheres where they belong." Melody tousled Harmony's hair. "Anything for my little sister," she added, smiling.
Harmony laughed. "Thanks a lot."
A slick-looking Thunda slid over to their table. "Is it too much to ask the fair Harmony for a dance?" he asked, pretending to be romantic.
Harmony giggled. "Go dance by yourself... I'm talking! To them!" Sunnie grinned.
Thunda pretend to look crestfallen. "Fine. Suit yourself." He walked away, instantly looking powerful again.
Melody looked at the bamboo clock behind them, then nudged Harmony with her elbow. "Hey! You're up!" When Harmony looked confused, she hissed as all the voice around them fell to a whisper, "Go play your flute!"
Harmony nodded and stood up. Silent steps led her to the center stage. Somewhere in the audience, Ash screamed, "GO HARMONY!" She smiled in response, then closed her eyes, focusing only on her flute.
The rainbow ran to her again, weaving in and out of her body and soul. Tranquility leaked through her mind.
Each second hung like a darling teardrop on a crying cheek, seeming to last forever. The audience became mute, fixed on her.
She picked up the flute. The notes slid through, gliding through the air natural ease. The age-old melody became fresh in her mind again.
Her rainbow rode out the door, across the wind, through the ocean, dancing among the stars. It was a part of everything. She felt her audience, including her new friends, slip into peace. It was all part of the song.
She played it without effort, because it came from her and didn't need to be found. She felt everything blend together around her. There was no difference between them... they were just different hues of light.
And she strung the all together, like colors in a rainbow, because that was her duty and purpose. It was so natural. They belonged together. A life devoid of all colors but one is flat. One color is meaningless without the others, except white because it is all the colors, and black, because it is none of the colors.
Everything was the same, just different colors. They belonged together. And she brought them together.
Because she was Harmony.
Alright! How was that? Like the ending?
I must have set a record... wrote a whole part (even more--the last part) of TID in just one day! Then again... I haven't done anything else XD
And yes, this series will be continued. However, it will not be the same characters exactly (ie--no Harmony, although the legendary pokemon make a comeback), obviously the plot will be completely different because this one's all used up, and it WON'T be posted on fanfiction.net. I'm creating a site that'll be open in May (hopefully before) and the legendary will play a big part, although the beginning doesn't show that they will. It's going to be really neat! Check out my profile in May (or bookmark [1]www.geocities.com/pokemorphus) and you can get the opening of the site!
TID has been my sole story writing practice until recently... so kind of excuse any mistakes that come up, I have improved since then! I will NOT edit it because it shows how I wrote way back when.
Have fun reading and see you at [2]www.geocities.com/pokemorphus!
~Suikun
References
1. http://www.geocities.com/pokemorphus
2. http://www.geocities.com/pokemorphus