by Yami
Part II
- - - - -
"Give me back my Pikachu!" The voice of a young Pokémon trainer, desperate and angered. He's running swiftly in the persuit of a rising hot-air balloon, trailed by his friends. "Chikorita, go! Use razor leaf on that balloon!" A Poké ball flung from his hand. In a flash of red light a small green Pokémon with a leaf poised on its head appeared ready to attack. It swung its leaf and dozens of razor sharp ones flew up threw air and pierced the side of the balloon. As it came towering down, screams could be heard followed by a loud crash.
There they were, Jessie, James, and Meowth, stuck in the very same situation they have found themselves in for years. The Pikachu was trapped in a oddly shaped cage attached to a long cord. "Pika-pi!" Its trainer and his friends were close at hand.
"Ohhh, those twerps always ruin everything!" Jessie complained, trying to think of a means of escape. Of course, she knew it would inevitably end with a one-sided Pokémon battle.
"Ash!" called a voice. "Ash, wait for us!" It came from a red-haired girl with suspenders running next to a squinty-eyed guy with tall, pointy hair. Misty and Brock.
"I've got to get Pikachu!" Ash replied, hardly heeding his friend's cries. He reached Team Rocket and ordered his Chikorita to get ready. "Alright, Team Rocket. Hand over Pikachu!" Ash had reached the clearing where Team Rocket's balloon had crashed, Brock and Misty close behind.
Without notice from any below, a light shadow passed overhead, swiftly and silently. The wind began to pick up slightly.
"Back off, twerp!" cried Jessie. "Pikachu's safe with us! It'll make a handsome present for the boss!" Then she added towards James, "Not to mention a nice bonus." At Jessie's speaking of Team Rocket's boss, Ash became infuriated.
Again the shadow passed and a sharp breeze blew. This time Meowth noticed and looked up, yet saw nothing.
James broke Meowth's thought. "You're not getting anything but a Pokémon battle!" Jessie sighed in her mind and agreed by prepping a Poké ball. "Victreebel, I choose you!" "Arbok, go!"
The shadow passed once more, this time much darker and closer to the ground. The wind blew audibly and shook the trees around them. As Arbok and Victreebel posed in front of the hardly compareable Chikorita, Jessie and James also became aware of it this time. Ash did also, but ignored (or didn't realize) any significance it had. "Chikorita! Vine Whip!" But before Chikorita's attack could get any distance, the shadow passed again, sweeping up the dirt beneath it. A shrill cry followed by a flash, and Chikorita was down.
When the dust cleared, there hovered a Farfetch'd, leek in its mouth. "What?!" Ash stepped back. Before he could piece together what had happened, the shadow passed just as low as before, but without the intense wind. There the dark shadow stayed, and a swift figure fell from a few meters in the air with a small flip, landing gracefully and staying low to the ground, rose slowly. The shadow passed and the sun shone down.
"Destiny?!" Ash's voice was so timid, he was hardly audible. By now Misty and Brock had caught up to him, and both of them were just as amazed. It had been months since they had seen this young girl; never before had they seen her like this though. Dressed in a Team Rocket uniform she silently beckoned for her Farfetch'd. Jessie and James backed away to where Meowth was standing. Arbok and Victreebel had left the center of the clearing as soon as the shadow first passed low to the ground.
With a spark of delight from the reaction her presence erupted, Destiny smiled and spoke with a flame of diligence, she declared, "I'll handle this."
-
The battle ensued, but it didn't last long.
"Chikorita!" Ash cried, "Tackle it!" Chikorita charged at Farfetch'd, now low to the ground. Farfetch'd dodged the attack with less than a thought. Then it came back at Chikorita with its own tackle, easily twice as powerful. Chikorita fell but rose again with encouragement from Ash. "Try Razor Leaf!" It was no good. Farfetch'd flew up and around anything that came near it with a speed well surpassing its opponent. It came back with a Slash attack a knocked Chikorita back into a tree trunk. Again it rose to its feet, but before Ash could order another move, Brock broke in.
"Ash! Look at Destiny. She hasn't ordered Farfetch'd to use a single attack! Its too strong for Chikorita! Call it back!"
"But who can fight it?" Ash knew Pikachu was his only chance against this powerful flying-type. He looked over towards Pikachu: it was still in the cage, unattended. The Team Rocket trio had forgotten about it, so caught up in the display of Farfetch'd's skill. Destiny saw where Ash's attention had veered. To his surprise she walked over to the cage, lifted it and released Pikachu from it. Sounds of shock and confusion came from everyone.
Chikorita was struggling to stand, so Ash called it back and met Pikachu as it ran towards him. After a small reunion, they resituated for battle. Destiny's expression changed. It lost its flair. All that was left was the fair and contemplative face that first captured Ash's thoughts. The fire in her eyes suddenly extinguished as they met his. She then spoke to Farfetch'd and gave it her only order, "Finish this."
Farfetch'd sprung into action. Anything that the onlookers had seen until this point didn't even compare. It swept over the ground and furiously kicked dirt up into the air. It made a sharp jolt and flew straight upwards, creating a small burst on the ground. It flew directly into the sun's path, as to block it from sight. A few moments later it stormed down with even greater speed than before. Farfetch'd hit Pikachu with an almost firelike strike.
Immediately after the blow, Destiny turned and walked away. Farfetch'd followed. Ash began to run after her. "Hey!" he yelled, "Come back here!" She stopped and turned. Then with a sly smile, she bowed and said with the same fair and kind tone he once knew, "Farewell Ash." Farfetch'd flew directly over her with its leek poised between its feet, like a bar. "Until next time." She grabbed the leek and Farfetch'd flew away with its same speed.
As he watched her ascend the shadow returned. Now he could see the silhouette of a larger bird as Destiny mounted. As soon as the shadow passed, he heard yells from behind him. When he ran back to the clearing, Team Rocket was gone. The silhouette and Destiny had escaped, and she took Team Rocket with her.
Ash's fury returned as he kicked a rather large stone a descent distance. "I still don't believe it," he muttered to himself angrily.
Brock came to his side and spoke to him in a reassuring tone saying, "Forget her, Ash." He couldn't believe what Brock was saying: forget a girl? Could Brock even imagine doing that? "You couldn't have done anything back then. She's only doing what she's supposed to now."
Ash didn't want to hear any more. He walked back towards the road they had been traveling on before Team Rocket showed up. Misty tried to sympathize, but he ignored her, if he even heard her. He didn't want to speak to either of them. He whispered to himself and only Pikachu, who had slowly been walking by his side, despite its injury could hear him say, "It's not fair...... for her."
- - - - -
"Pidgeot, go!" A Poké ball flew up into the air and with a burst of white light, a red beam appeared and formed the shape of a giant flying Pokémon. It cried in delight of the fresh air around it, waiting for a command from its master. "Pidgeot," Destiny's voice was soft and warm-hearted, "I need to ask you a favor." Pidgeot loved its master. She had always been kind and gentle towards it, even when it was a small Pidgey. It took any and every oppurtunity to please Destiny, in or out of battle. A favor was nothing to ask of this creature. It was always willing to help.
"Do you see that valley and the cliff wall down there?" She pointed to the inner wall, opposite of where they were standing. It was darkly overcast, even in the bright mid-morning sun. Destiny had slipped out from the towering Team Rocket base early every morning. At least, ever since the incident in the forest. Now she pointed farther down the wall to an especially dark spot. She came closer to Pidgeot to direct its keen sight. "Do you see that cave?" Pidgeot looked hard into the shadows. After a few moments it located the cave, the darkest spot on the wall. For a brief moment Pidgeot thought it saw a small glimmer come from the opening, but it passed quickly and thought nothing of it.
"I want to go down there. I need to see what's in that cave." Pidgeot gave a shrill cry at the thought of going close to the cave. Destiny pet its head tenderly and said in a soothing voice, "I would never want you to get hurt, that's why I didn't want you bring me down to the forest a few weeks ago. I didn't know what to expect from that light..." She trailed off for a moment and her face turned grim. A chill ran through her. The thought of that blue light had filled her mind for almost three weeks now. She shook off the feeling and her face lightened again. "If you don't want to go, I won't make you." Despite its growing anxiety and all the while sensing its master's fear, Pidgeot would not have let Destiny go without it. It let out a confident chirp and lowered itself to allow Destiny to mount it. She climbed onto her old friend's back and whispered "thank you" into its ear as they took off.
Out of the sight of the two airborne travelers, the glimmer passed again; a blue light, like ominous eyes watching as they came nearer.
-
Back at the base, Meowth is wandering the halls. I wonder where Destiny is. He passed by her room one last time. He had been looking for the past hour and was about ready to give up. As he turned down the hallway that led to her room, he could see the door was partially opened. It was letting out a slim stream of golden light, revealing the swirling dust in the air. Meowth came closer to the door as quietly as he could and listened; he could hear the patting of light feet and that whoever was inside was rummaging through Destiny's belongings.
Just then, a shadow disturbed the stream of light. Meowth saw it was a small creature and dived inside. He grabbed the creature and rolled across the floor. They hit the bedpost and Meowth lost his hold. Something smacked him on the head. As he looked up soothing his head he could only see a blurry figure in front of him. After a moment the image became clearer. It squawked sharply and he identified the creature immediately. "Farfetch'd! What're you doing here? Why ain't you with Destiny? (And why'd ya have to hit me so hard?)"
Farfetch'd looked down and fiddled with its leak. It mumbled something in its own tongue, but of course Meowth could understand it. "< I don't know where she is. She left this morning and only brought Pidgeot with her. See? All the others are still here. >"
"Dat's weird. Destiny'd never leave her Pokémon alone, not here."
"< She trusts me to guard them! And I was, until you came in and attacked me! >"
"Uh, yeah, sorry about dat, bud. I didn't mean ta attack ya. I've just been looking for Destiny and I was startin' ta worry. I wouldn't want not'in' bad ta happen to her..."
"< She'll be fine. Pidgeot will keep her safe. >"
"But ain't ya still curious...?" A thought popped into Meowth's head and he gasped. Farfetch'd let out a distressed cry and ran over to him. Meowth looked especially concerned. "Do ya think she went back down there?"
"< Let's go. >"
"What d'ya mean 'let's go'? We can't leave! Dey won't let us outta da base now, not wit'out a human wit' us!" Farfetch'd ignored Meowth. It loved Destiny with all its little heart. She helped him when he was alone, abandoned, innocent, when he was young and helpless. It swore to always make sure she was safe. It cared more about her than she could ever know.
It gathered Destiny's Poké balls in a pillow case, pried open the window and stood on the ledge. "< Come on, you're coming with me. >" Meowth didn't dare object. He walked over to the window, and before he could climb up to the sill, Farfetch'd grabbed his shoulders with its feet and flew off towards the vale.
-
Pidgeot flew with swift gusts. Pidgeot reached the cliff wall far to the right of the cave opening. It fleeted closely beside the wall, hastening to reach their destination. No words passed between it and its master until they reached the area darkest on the wall. Above the cave was the broken ledge where Destiny had fallen and the mark left by her dagger. She could see the elements had not weathered anything away anywhere near this spot; it was isolated, entirely consumed in shadows.
She was let off at the threshold of the cave. Here she told Pidgeot to wait, but not to travel far. She may need its help at any given moment. Pidgeot sat itself on the ledge and refused to move any further.
There Destiny stood for a few moments, trying to prepare herself for whatever lied ahead. She pulled a wide stick she'd picked up before they left, wrapped a cloth around the top and lit her torch. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She silently and motionlessly tried to reach out for help, any guidance for her to take. Nothing. Slowly, she opened her eyes and adjusted them to the ever-growing darkness.
She stepped forward. Just then, an icy wind blew up at her from all directions. She felt herself leave the floor of the cave for a moment, suspended in mid-air. The wind was painful, but she could not cry out. Her voice was stifled by the cold; she could feel it freeze in her throught. Completely frozen in place, she could feel a presence in her mind; the same presence as was in the forest. A voice, the same daunting voice, the one that had haunted her for years called out to her: now... The wind blew past her and she fell to the ground. Her mind was dizzy from the presence again. This time she gave herself a chance to recover.
Once the feeling had passed, she stood up, picked her torch up off the ground and set out into the depths of the cave. The first time she had looked into it, it seemed shallow, but now she could see that the shadows had deceived her. The cave had a long and generally straight path. It was about seven feet tall and four feet wide. At any given time, Destiny could only see a few paces in front of her. But that didn't keep her from traveling farther inside.
-
Destiny lost track of how much time had passed. She had been walking constantly, only daring to rest once. The path was steadily leading uphill and the air was getting cooler and cooler as it rose. She was amazed at how far this path actually led, and every step of the way her anxiety grew heavier until it felt like it was pushing against her all the way. To her it felt that the presence she had felt before was rising as well. She had an overwhelming feeling that eyes were watching her every step, her every movement. She never looked back. She didn't want to know what was behind her.
There was another long passage of time. She couldn't feel time's presence in this darkness. It wasn't there. Only she and him were there. His gaze was beating heavy on her. The temptation to turn back was growing, but she fought it. She continued forward.
The voice returned, but this time not in her mind; it came from all around. From in front of her it began it laugh, growing and rolling towards her. It swept past more chilling than the wind. It grew loudest as it met her face, but was gone as soon as it came. The presence did not stay. It passed straight through her and dissipated, continuing to flow through the cave to meet the air.
Destiny discovered that she had stopped while this occurred, but when she tried to continue she found a wall; the end of the cave's passage. She looked around her and saw a small opening above her. It would be hard for her to climb it; her torch couldn't reveal any form of ladder, nor could she see another opening. After resting on the cave floor for some time, she decided to try and scale it. She did not want to face that voice again.
Leaving her torch on the ground, she reached for the opening. With a small kick against the wall she wedged herself inside the new passage, and she began her upward climb.
-
Her climb was slow and difficult. Many times she had to stop and rest, but never for too long. It was hard to stay in place and to climb. She looked down and noticed the distance she had climbed was hardly any at all. A few meters, no more. She reached out above her, foolishly hoping to feel a surface of some kind, a door or latch, anything at all. To her amazement, that is exactly what she felt: there was a small wooden door, two feet wide on each side, only slightly smaller than the passage itself. She climbed closer to it and groped for a latch. There was a small piece of metal attached to a piece of string. She pulled it out of place and pushed up. It wouldn't move; something was probably on top of the door.
Without much time to think, she looked down and saw the torch's light. All at once, it suddenly extinguished itself. Then she heard it, the voice. It was mocking her, taking away her light, trapping her in this space. Or so she thought. She finally made out the words it spoke. hurry... get away..... now! go!! She felt a sudden vigilence within her and she pushed. Through her exhaustion, the door moved with the utmost ease. An intense light burned her eyes. She grabbed the edge of the ground above, gasping for the fresh air and pulling herself to freedom. She didn't receive either. She was below ground still; she was inside a dark room with metal panels along the floor and wall. A spotlight was focused soley on her. She sat up and closed the door as fast as she could.
The other lights in the room flashed on one by one. She was in the hidden room inside the base; inside her father's office. Still recovering from the light she could hear footsteps approaching her. A hand reached down and a voice to match it spoke.
"You should be more careful, my dear. There are dangerous things in that vale. Your pressing curiosity shouldn't be any reason for you to risk your safety. Come, you should rest, you've been gone all day. I'll have a meal sent to you soon." She looked up to see Giovanni looking down on her. He had a slight smile on his face. Whether it was from relief or out of spite she couldn't tell, but suspected both. She took his hand and was carefully pulled to her feet. For the first time in years she felt comfortable in her father's grasp.
He spoke again, this time in a low voice, intended only for the two of them to hear. "You've discovered an old passageway, a short route from the bottom of the valley. It was built by Team Rocket many years ago as an entranceway. You took the second half to the bottom a few weeks ago, when you traveled at night?" Destiny kept silent and looked away. A caressing hand touched the side of her face and turned it to face her father. Her father's hand? He seemed different to her. "You should tell me all that you have discovered soon, but do not speak more of it to anyone else. There are great dangers coming, Destiny. I don't want to see you get hurt."
He then led her out of the room, his hands gently clasped around her arms. He turned the lights off behind him. Before he closed the door, Destiny turned up towards him and spoke almost fearfully, a voice and words that left them both wary: "Neither would I."
-
When Meowth and Farfetch'd reached the cliff, they were met by Pidgeot. It explained briefly what had happened to Destiny up until he left her at the cave entrance. Farfetch'd was insistant on following her inside, but Pidgeot told it that it would be impossible. After she had been gone for some time, Pidgeot had gone down to look into the cave. It was halted by a fierce sound, almost that of something laughing. When it tried to look, there was nothing to see. The cave was gone.
- - - - -
The torch still rested on the cave floor. It sat, still and alone. Then, in an instant, the flame it once carried sparked back to life. It's embers flowed in all directions, like a constant explosion. It was lifted from the ground without any aid and its flames spread even further. The flame then burned blue and a smoke rose from it; blue smoke. Blue smoke indeed. Soon, soon you shall see. Hmm... it has been too long, hasn't it? I will regain what was mine by taking away all that you hold dear. I only need her to destroy you...
..... soon .....
- - - - -
