OK, I have not updated in a long time. But here is the next chapter
thingy. Please please please please please read and review, even if its to
just say that you hate it. Oh, and I don't own Pokemon.
Not bad, my child!
Strange One opened his eyes.
Where was he now? He blinked slightly, looking around. He and the Abra stood on the seashore, overlooking the dark blue sea. Serene waves lapped lazily at the waters, and the mid day sunlight glinted off the waters. He suddenly became aware that he remembered where he was.
He also became aware of the full sunlight falling on his back, and shuffled uncomfortably. He felt too exposed. And it was a little too hot here for his liking. Looking around, he spied a rock ledge that convieniently overhung, making a nice shady spot. Now if he could only-
Suddenly, Strange One blinked as he looked around. Suddenly, he had appeared under the ledge. He was still mimicing Jasauq's teleport ability.
He turned to Jasauq, who had followed his suit and retreated to the ledge..
This is where I first came ashore after escaping...that means... Now it made sense. The laboratory was on an island.
A volcanic island, by the name of Cinnabar, to be more specific. Jasauq opened his eyes slightly, gazing over the water. Very pretty, isn't it? Unfortunately your destination lies due south of here, across these waters.
No problem, said Strange One confidentally. I swam across there once, and that was when I was half-dead from exhaustion. Or, I could always just teleport there-
I would advise against that, Strange One. The Abra closed his eyes again. You had me with you to guide you here. It is unwise to teleport someplace you cannot see if you are still unexperienced at it.
Can't you help me again?
The Abra shook his head. Unfortuantely, I cannot. I have little distinct knowledge of the island, other than its basic location. We could possibly teleport directly into harm, which would be most unfortunate. Besides, I am needed elsewhere.
Strange One blinked.
With a grin, the Abra clarified. I need to guide Tall One and your family to a safe place where the humans will not find them. I have great confidence in you and your abilities, Strange One. Thus I believe fully in your ability to prevail without assistance. Tall One, unfortunately, has many in tow, some of them very young, and will need my help. Then the Abra blinked slightly. And one more thing, my child. I might inform you that the teleporting power that you now posess is temporary. Any ability that you mimic will only last for about 24 hours before it fades. The mimic ability, however, will remain. Remember this.
I understand, Jasauq. Tell Tall One that I'll do my best...and tell Tumble that I'll be back soon. Good luck!
The old Abra watched as the small blue figure ran along the seashore. Setting his sights along the horizon, Strange One strode bravely into the surf until the water was over his head. After this occured, he kicked out from the shore, swimming strongly. Jasauq waved a talon in farewell.
Good luck to you as well, young one.
*****
Watson cursed loudly as he stumbled over another exposed root.
How he hated the outdoors!
Forests were the worst. There was always something twisty hanging overhead for one to accidently walk into, or something gnarled underfoot to trip over. Not to mention the constant annoyance of noise, insect bites, and the occasional occurrence of falling branches.
One of the trackers that accompanied him looked around.
"It's got rather quiet suddenly. You noticed that?"
Another one agreed. "Yeah, all the Pidgeys've stopped singing, and we haven't even seen tail or nose of a Pikachu at all today."
Watson sneered. "They're probably frightened half to death by your ugly mugs. Now be quiet, I need to concentrate!"
He tried to keep one eye on his scanner and one eye on where he was going. So far, he had only located residual Ice power, proof that the test animal had been living in the forest for quite some time. These residual traces appeared as dim white glows on the otherwise dull green screen of the scanner. When he neared the actual test animal, it would shine forth like a beacon.
Watson grinned. And that beacon would lead him straight towards the creature.
THUD.
Several of the trackers sniggered as Watson lay splayed out flat on his face on the ground. Pulling himself upright, he scowled at them. They only laughed harder. Picking up the scanner from where it had fell, Watson breathed a sign of relief. It wasn't damaged, thank goodness.
They continued in this manner for quite some time, until they abruptly ran out of forest. Watson stood blinking confused at the setting sun. By his hasty calculations, they were now in the southernmost fringe of Viridian. They had managed to go right through the blasted forest, without a single sighting of the test animal. Other than the faint Ice trail, they had nothing to go by.
Then Watson did a double take. The trail led out of the forest. That could only mean-
He groaned aloud, and one of the trackers raised an eyebrow.
"What's up, doc?"
Watson shook with fury. "The test animal...it's left the forest. We've lost it again. Blast!"
The tracker scratched his head. "So, we follow that scanner doo- hicky of yours. It's bound to lead us straight to the test animal eventually, right?"
Cracking his back, Watson groaned again. Oh, how he wished that the animal would of just stayed put. Now he was in for a long, and most likely tiring, chase. Watson hated chases. "Er, guess we'd better start at it then," he said unenthusiastically.
"Yep. Hm...can't help but wonder where the little bugger's going though..." mused one of the trackers.
"Who cares, dimwit? It's just a dumb animal, anyway. And the sooner we get going, the sooner it'll be back in a cage where it belongs."
*****
At the moment, Strange One had no idea that there were bad people following him. His entire focus was mainly on the still-distant land in the ever-darkening horizon that marked his destination. Cinnabar Isle.
Strange One was a good swimmer-part of which was probably due to his being an Ice-type, coupled with the fact that most Pikachu are good swimmers instinctually. Certainly being an Ice-type made him quite bouyant, as Strange One found out.
Unfortunately, Strange One was not the only one afloat in the sea. In the distance, many pairs of aqualine eyes glared at him, and the waning sunlight glinted off of a dozen dusky red jewels. Silently, they all sped off towards the lone swimmer, moving into a well-practiced circular move.
Strange One had no real warning, all of a sudden, a dozen identical explosions of water occured, in front of, to both sides, and behind him.
"Pika?!"
Squinting in the waning darkness, Strange One tried to identify the ambushers. They were about the same height as Strange One, although larger around. They resembled a cross between a squid and a jellyfish, and by the looks in their eyes, the worst part of both. Each bore a small red jewel set in its forehead.
The twelth of them was much different. It loomed five times taller than Strange One, and boasted two huge red jewels on its forehead. Withdrawing one of about 40 tentacles, it made a gesture at Strange One.
"TENTACRUEL!!" This translated more or less to a warning:
Go from here! These are our waters!!
Strange One floated, treading water with a confused look on his face at the violent reception he was receiving. I am only passing through, I beg your pardon for trespassing.
Tentacruel suddenly loomed over Strange One, leaning close with a furrowed brow as it regarded the loner critically. After a moment, it boomed again. Who are you?
My name is Strange One, and I am only passing through.
The bi-jeweled water creature loomed even closer. What is your species? it hissed dangerously.
I am called Pikablu, I was once taken to Cinnabar-
You?! The Tentacruel guffawed. You. You were the one that came by here a year ago. We thought as much. You are the laboratory experiment. You are a mistake.
That's not true! Strange One called out angrily, his cheeks sparking with temper. I have as much a right to life as any!
Drawing back at the electricity, the ring of Tentacool that surrounded him suddenly began to close in on him at the whim of its leader. The leader spoke. You are a mistake. Those such as you bring destruction and chaos to our world. And therefore you must not be allowed to survive.
Strange One had been sentenced to death.
He suddenly found himself floundering in the water, pushed down by nearly a dozen of the murderous jellyfish creatures. Tentacles lashed across his face, leaving a raw trails that burned. They were Poison.
Stung nearly to death, and nearly knocked unconcious from the floggings, Strange One's temper blew over, and his power unleashed itself with a crackle of electricity and a blast of ice.
A dozen voices cried out, as they were first pinioned by freezing ice and then electrocuted by raging thunder. But it was not enough. Tentacles wrapped about Strange One's limbs and neck, entangling him in every way possible. They were going to submerge, and bring him down with them.
With blurring eyesight, Strange One could just barely see Cinnabar's dusky shores before he was dragged totally underwater. He closed his eyes, stinging from the salt water. Images of his family and friends flashed in his mind, as he was certain he would never see them again.
Tall One, I've failed you, he thought sadly.
But a tiny voice inside his mind refused to give up. No! It yelled. I'm not going to give up and die like this! It's just not fair! Tall One, Tumble, who will help them?
Too late...submerged...can't breathe...strangling...
No! I was given power, remember! Teleport! Teleport!
What?! But that was dangerous, Jasauq had said.
The small voice would not give up. If I stay here, than all is lost for sure, it said. It was a chance. Teleport!
And so, Strange One, desperately tried to remember that far dusky shore he had seen, and concentrated.
The assassins' tentacles closed in on nothing as he disappeared. They stared, confused as to what had happened.
Strange One struggled up onto the shore. Luck had been with him, and he had emerged in a desolate, uninhabited stretch of beach. With rheumy, salt-rimmed eyes, he stared, trying to see through the darkness that had totally claimed the horizon. No use. He was just too weak.
As the Pikablu collapsed, his rapidly failing eyesight caught a flash of something.
Red eyes?
Too late. Unconsiousness overcame the weary traveller completely, leaving him to the mercy of the exposed tideline.
Not bad, my child!
Strange One opened his eyes.
Where was he now? He blinked slightly, looking around. He and the Abra stood on the seashore, overlooking the dark blue sea. Serene waves lapped lazily at the waters, and the mid day sunlight glinted off the waters. He suddenly became aware that he remembered where he was.
He also became aware of the full sunlight falling on his back, and shuffled uncomfortably. He felt too exposed. And it was a little too hot here for his liking. Looking around, he spied a rock ledge that convieniently overhung, making a nice shady spot. Now if he could only-
Suddenly, Strange One blinked as he looked around. Suddenly, he had appeared under the ledge. He was still mimicing Jasauq's teleport ability.
He turned to Jasauq, who had followed his suit and retreated to the ledge..
This is where I first came ashore after escaping...that means... Now it made sense. The laboratory was on an island.
A volcanic island, by the name of Cinnabar, to be more specific. Jasauq opened his eyes slightly, gazing over the water. Very pretty, isn't it? Unfortunately your destination lies due south of here, across these waters.
No problem, said Strange One confidentally. I swam across there once, and that was when I was half-dead from exhaustion. Or, I could always just teleport there-
I would advise against that, Strange One. The Abra closed his eyes again. You had me with you to guide you here. It is unwise to teleport someplace you cannot see if you are still unexperienced at it.
Can't you help me again?
The Abra shook his head. Unfortuantely, I cannot. I have little distinct knowledge of the island, other than its basic location. We could possibly teleport directly into harm, which would be most unfortunate. Besides, I am needed elsewhere.
Strange One blinked.
With a grin, the Abra clarified. I need to guide Tall One and your family to a safe place where the humans will not find them. I have great confidence in you and your abilities, Strange One. Thus I believe fully in your ability to prevail without assistance. Tall One, unfortunately, has many in tow, some of them very young, and will need my help. Then the Abra blinked slightly. And one more thing, my child. I might inform you that the teleporting power that you now posess is temporary. Any ability that you mimic will only last for about 24 hours before it fades. The mimic ability, however, will remain. Remember this.
I understand, Jasauq. Tell Tall One that I'll do my best...and tell Tumble that I'll be back soon. Good luck!
The old Abra watched as the small blue figure ran along the seashore. Setting his sights along the horizon, Strange One strode bravely into the surf until the water was over his head. After this occured, he kicked out from the shore, swimming strongly. Jasauq waved a talon in farewell.
Good luck to you as well, young one.
*****
Watson cursed loudly as he stumbled over another exposed root.
How he hated the outdoors!
Forests were the worst. There was always something twisty hanging overhead for one to accidently walk into, or something gnarled underfoot to trip over. Not to mention the constant annoyance of noise, insect bites, and the occasional occurrence of falling branches.
One of the trackers that accompanied him looked around.
"It's got rather quiet suddenly. You noticed that?"
Another one agreed. "Yeah, all the Pidgeys've stopped singing, and we haven't even seen tail or nose of a Pikachu at all today."
Watson sneered. "They're probably frightened half to death by your ugly mugs. Now be quiet, I need to concentrate!"
He tried to keep one eye on his scanner and one eye on where he was going. So far, he had only located residual Ice power, proof that the test animal had been living in the forest for quite some time. These residual traces appeared as dim white glows on the otherwise dull green screen of the scanner. When he neared the actual test animal, it would shine forth like a beacon.
Watson grinned. And that beacon would lead him straight towards the creature.
THUD.
Several of the trackers sniggered as Watson lay splayed out flat on his face on the ground. Pulling himself upright, he scowled at them. They only laughed harder. Picking up the scanner from where it had fell, Watson breathed a sign of relief. It wasn't damaged, thank goodness.
They continued in this manner for quite some time, until they abruptly ran out of forest. Watson stood blinking confused at the setting sun. By his hasty calculations, they were now in the southernmost fringe of Viridian. They had managed to go right through the blasted forest, without a single sighting of the test animal. Other than the faint Ice trail, they had nothing to go by.
Then Watson did a double take. The trail led out of the forest. That could only mean-
He groaned aloud, and one of the trackers raised an eyebrow.
"What's up, doc?"
Watson shook with fury. "The test animal...it's left the forest. We've lost it again. Blast!"
The tracker scratched his head. "So, we follow that scanner doo- hicky of yours. It's bound to lead us straight to the test animal eventually, right?"
Cracking his back, Watson groaned again. Oh, how he wished that the animal would of just stayed put. Now he was in for a long, and most likely tiring, chase. Watson hated chases. "Er, guess we'd better start at it then," he said unenthusiastically.
"Yep. Hm...can't help but wonder where the little bugger's going though..." mused one of the trackers.
"Who cares, dimwit? It's just a dumb animal, anyway. And the sooner we get going, the sooner it'll be back in a cage where it belongs."
*****
At the moment, Strange One had no idea that there were bad people following him. His entire focus was mainly on the still-distant land in the ever-darkening horizon that marked his destination. Cinnabar Isle.
Strange One was a good swimmer-part of which was probably due to his being an Ice-type, coupled with the fact that most Pikachu are good swimmers instinctually. Certainly being an Ice-type made him quite bouyant, as Strange One found out.
Unfortunately, Strange One was not the only one afloat in the sea. In the distance, many pairs of aqualine eyes glared at him, and the waning sunlight glinted off of a dozen dusky red jewels. Silently, they all sped off towards the lone swimmer, moving into a well-practiced circular move.
Strange One had no real warning, all of a sudden, a dozen identical explosions of water occured, in front of, to both sides, and behind him.
"Pika?!"
Squinting in the waning darkness, Strange One tried to identify the ambushers. They were about the same height as Strange One, although larger around. They resembled a cross between a squid and a jellyfish, and by the looks in their eyes, the worst part of both. Each bore a small red jewel set in its forehead.
The twelth of them was much different. It loomed five times taller than Strange One, and boasted two huge red jewels on its forehead. Withdrawing one of about 40 tentacles, it made a gesture at Strange One.
"TENTACRUEL!!" This translated more or less to a warning:
Go from here! These are our waters!!
Strange One floated, treading water with a confused look on his face at the violent reception he was receiving. I am only passing through, I beg your pardon for trespassing.
Tentacruel suddenly loomed over Strange One, leaning close with a furrowed brow as it regarded the loner critically. After a moment, it boomed again. Who are you?
My name is Strange One, and I am only passing through.
The bi-jeweled water creature loomed even closer. What is your species? it hissed dangerously.
I am called Pikablu, I was once taken to Cinnabar-
You?! The Tentacruel guffawed. You. You were the one that came by here a year ago. We thought as much. You are the laboratory experiment. You are a mistake.
That's not true! Strange One called out angrily, his cheeks sparking with temper. I have as much a right to life as any!
Drawing back at the electricity, the ring of Tentacool that surrounded him suddenly began to close in on him at the whim of its leader. The leader spoke. You are a mistake. Those such as you bring destruction and chaos to our world. And therefore you must not be allowed to survive.
Strange One had been sentenced to death.
He suddenly found himself floundering in the water, pushed down by nearly a dozen of the murderous jellyfish creatures. Tentacles lashed across his face, leaving a raw trails that burned. They were Poison.
Stung nearly to death, and nearly knocked unconcious from the floggings, Strange One's temper blew over, and his power unleashed itself with a crackle of electricity and a blast of ice.
A dozen voices cried out, as they were first pinioned by freezing ice and then electrocuted by raging thunder. But it was not enough. Tentacles wrapped about Strange One's limbs and neck, entangling him in every way possible. They were going to submerge, and bring him down with them.
With blurring eyesight, Strange One could just barely see Cinnabar's dusky shores before he was dragged totally underwater. He closed his eyes, stinging from the salt water. Images of his family and friends flashed in his mind, as he was certain he would never see them again.
Tall One, I've failed you, he thought sadly.
But a tiny voice inside his mind refused to give up. No! It yelled. I'm not going to give up and die like this! It's just not fair! Tall One, Tumble, who will help them?
Too late...submerged...can't breathe...strangling...
No! I was given power, remember! Teleport! Teleport!
What?! But that was dangerous, Jasauq had said.
The small voice would not give up. If I stay here, than all is lost for sure, it said. It was a chance. Teleport!
And so, Strange One, desperately tried to remember that far dusky shore he had seen, and concentrated.
The assassins' tentacles closed in on nothing as he disappeared. They stared, confused as to what had happened.
Strange One struggled up onto the shore. Luck had been with him, and he had emerged in a desolate, uninhabited stretch of beach. With rheumy, salt-rimmed eyes, he stared, trying to see through the darkness that had totally claimed the horizon. No use. He was just too weak.
As the Pikablu collapsed, his rapidly failing eyesight caught a flash of something.
Red eyes?
Too late. Unconsiousness overcame the weary traveller completely, leaving him to the mercy of the exposed tideline.