Of Phoenix Feathers and Dragon Wings
Ch3
Disclaimer: I don't own Lugia and co. Which is probably a relief for them…
~~Hiiii! It's me again^-^!! I'm currently super bored, and in the midst of studying for a big Physics test that I will probably fail. Didja ever notice how the tests seem to be pretty far away until the night before the first one, and then you realized how little you've studied, and how many there are in a week? I mean-my teachers crammed like seven of them into five days!! How can they do that.??! It's torture I tell ya!! Anywayz…ignore my ranting…I'm just…bored…and…bored…and…bored…~~
A/N: Since we've been starting off with L&H for the past two chaps, lets have a change of pace and head down to Victory Road shall we^^?
pinkdragonflame: *speaking into Ridiculously Large Microphone* Aloha from Victory Road! Here, you will find the finest assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables in Kanto!
**Scene switches to Erika, who is selling flowers to a Golem.
Erika: And make sure to water them thrice a day, Golem. They're very sensitive, you know?
Golem: Goooolem! Gol! Golmmm!(Sure thing! I've got a cousin who's a Staryu)**
Erika: Good^-^!**
pinkdragonflame: I said 'fruit and vegetables', not flowers…-_-;;
Erika: Oops^^…sorry…
pinkdragonflame: Never mind…
(Suddenly, a weird squawking sound is heard)
Moltres: WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING??!! I DIDN'T TORCH NO TIN TOWER!!!! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE TIN TOWER IS!!!! OJ: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. *crams Moltres into a Master Ball* Now stay in there like a good criminal until we get to the station.
pinkdragonflame: oO Riiiiight…anywayz, *holds up mike and charges forward* on with the fic!
~~Soooo…where'd we leave off? Oh yeah…The Wise Trio call a meeting-thingy ne? And Lugia and Ho-oh spend yet another day bashing each other up. We'll just move on from there…and for once, we'll start off with a human^^!!~~
-Ash-
"I choose you!"
The trainer before me hurled the pokeball forth with surprising dexterity, portraying experience that betrayed his age. I watched, unruffled, as the electric pokemon appeared in a flash of light.
"Rai!"
A Raichu…it wouldn't be much of a match for-
"Bulbasaur! Go!!"
"Bulbaa!!"
The two pokemon circled each other warily. I narrowed my eyes, noticing the expression on the Raichu's furry face. It was smiling. Almost as if it couldn't care less about the battle! What was going on??
"Raai!!" Before I could react; before I could even register the fact that my Bulbasaur was in danger, it struck. Landing a Mega Kick neatly on the side of my Bulbasaur's head, it followed up with a series of tail lashes, finishing with a perfectly timed Thunderbolt.
I blinked. It had all happened so fast…Bulbasaur didn't have a chance…
"Bulbasaur…good job…return…" The words seemed hollow and empty, even to me…I couldn't accept the fact that I had lost…
Oh well…it was just one round…I tried to assure myself, you'll beat him next time…The trainer-Uyu, he called himself-recalled his pokemon too.
"Great battle." He said easily, "Are you ready for the next one?"
Brown hair…green eyes…and the typical training attire that so many wore…he had seemed like your everyday Johto Champion wannabe. I thought that an easy victory was at hand when I challenged him…
Perhaps I was wrong…
No! I will not lose!!!I pushed back the messy black curls that hung over my ears.
"I choose Squritle!"
"Squirtle squirt!"
The turtle pokemon appeared with a cry. It looked cute, but I alone knew it's true potential. It was a winner.
Uyu just grinned.
"Anrui!" He called, releasing his next fighter.
It was a Vaporeon. Anrui was a Vaporeon, and a pretty high-level one by the looks if it.
"Vaaapooor…" It ruffled its fins, staring at Squritle imperiously. The latter responded with a Water Gun, but it never connected.
The water-based relation of Eevee merely sidestepped, bringing its tail around with amazing speed.
I winced at the sickening THWAK that emerged when the blow connected. Squritle…
But there was no denying it…I, Ash Ketchum, future Pokemon Master, had just lost two pokemon to a village nobody.
I recalled my pokemon with a frown. What was I doing wrong? Squritle and Bulbasaur were two of my best…and yet they had fallen…
My gaze fell on the pokemon that stood beside me. Squirtle and Bulbasaur were powerful, but they weren't the most powerful. He could do it for sure…
"Go! Pikachu!"
The mouse-like pokemon leapt forward immediately, cheeks glowing and teeth bared. A warm sensation stirred from deep within…he wants to win…for me…
"Pikapii!!"
"I saw this one coming…" Uyu said confidently, "Go get 'em, Akari!"
The Charmander at his side instantly charged forward.
"Chhaaaaarrrr!!"
"Pikachu! Look out!" The words tore themselves from my throat. We couldn't afford to take any hits at all! "Agility!"
I watched in satisfaction as the pokemon became nothing more than a yellow blur. Now I've got him…
But the Charmander didn't seem remotely intimidated. It just stood there, as if admiring the impressive display until suddenly-
"Wha-!" I stared in disbelief. It had gone; vanished into thin air! Had Uyu recalled it without my knowing?
"PIKAA!!!"
I froze. No way…it couldn't be…
But it was. Akari had re-appeared, and was looking very pleased indeed. Next to it lay an unmoving bundle of fur that could only be…Pikachu…
"Pikachu!!!" I yelled, running to his side. "Are you okay?? Speak to me buddy?"
Nothing…he was totally out of it. As I gently lifted the limp body into my arms, realization hit me: Akari hadn't turned invisible; it had just moved too fast to be seen…but…how was that possible? Unless…
"You have a secret stash of Rare Candy, don't you?" I accused.
"Huh?"
-Ho-oh-
This is not good…this is SO not good…
I wiggled my toes around in my "sneakers" as Sam called it. I had been walking around in Goldenrod for hours on end, and my feet were killing me.
It had been forever since I had last been in my human form, and I had completely forgotten what it felt like to be viewing the ground from below a height of six feet. The new sensations of hair and arms also puzzled me…how in the heck was I supposed to get around without drawing attention? Besides, people were such ungainly creatures… flying was so much simpler. And less time-consuming…
And less painful…I reminded myself, rubbing the multiple bruises that I had attained while trying to master the control over my new, or rather, old body. Why couldn't they just have wings?
"Ho-oh, I presume?" A voice whispered in my ear. I tried to turn, but only succeeded in getting my legs tangled and falling heavily to the ground.
Of all the humiliating things…
"Yeaw." I replied somewhat thickly, hauling myself to my feet. The prospect of speaking through a mouth instead of a beak would definitely take some getting used to…
The speaker was a man, probably in his late twenties, with dark brown hair and soft gray eyes. He was wearing a cloak of some sort, and had the image of a Dragonite printed on one sleeve of his crimson shirt. It seemed oddly familiar…
Hang on…he shouldn't know…no human knows... I gulped, suddenly afraid. "H-howdchu-"
The man just smiled. "Everything will be explained in due time. Come with me. I think you could use my assistance as much as I could use yours."
I just stared blankly. Go with him? No way! Yet, I need his help…and…he does seem kind enough…maybe even trustworthy…
Darned conflicting conscience!!
Oh heck…I finally decided, nodding, if he tries anything funny, I'll just morph back and fry him…
"I'm afraid I don't have any other form of transportation. I trust that you won't mind a short flight…" With that, he released a large, dragon-like pokemon. It peered down its rounded snout in curiosity, fanning the turquoise wings.
"Am I to carry the flame-headed one?" I heard it ask.
Flame-headed??! Of all the-"Yes, you are to carry him." The man merely laughed at the comment, "And be nice; he's more important than he looks."
*BEEPING* RIGHT!!!
The Dragonite grunted it's understanding, then extended a claw to its trainer, who grasped on and was lifted to a spot at the base of the creature's neck. I followed suit, abruptly realizing how far away the ground seemed…
Then, without warning, it spread its wings wide and leaped into the air. The sudden start surprised me, and I found myself hanging on for dear life.
"Ooooh no…" I squeezed my eyes shut, willing my stomach to stop lurching along with the pokemon.
"What's the matter? I would've imagined that you had no problems with flying," Came the voice from behind.
Yeah, I didn't…when I was the one doing it!!! This was nothing sort of a nightmare!!
"Me no haf waiings," I managed to squeak, before a sharp turn had me cowering in fear. What if I fell? Humans weren't exactly the most talented of fliers…
A pair of strong arms encircled me, and I was shocked enough to look up.
What the-"It's alright. You won't fall. See?"
I blinked. He was…protecting me…
No one had ever done that before…
As a child…I had spent most of my years wandering around…without a family or even friends …
As a pokemon, I had Sam and the others…but who was I to them? Just another face in a world where power decides your future…
No one had ever…really been there for me…not even when I needed them the most…
Not when I laughed…not when I cried…not when I…killed…
I had become so used to fending for myself that I had forgotten what it meant to be loved, and to love in return…
And now, I was being taught by a complete stranger.
-Reicho-
So…Ho-oh had found a helper, which was probably as fortunate as it was ironic. A Guardian having to depend on the Guarded…how utterly pathetic…
With his currently dulled knowledge of the ways of Man, it was surprising that he had managed to figure out that he had five fingers, let alone feet. The speech would also take time to perfect…but then again, the Fiery One had always been a fast learner. He'd pull through just fine.
The other, though, worried me…
Lugia had drawn himself away from people long before I, or any of the other Guardians for that matter, had even approached him. He'd suffered greatly at the hands of what was meant to be his mother, and as such, developed a deep sense fear-maybe even hatred-for the other kind. It was an impression so deep that not even Erisuu, with her sweet, comforting words could erase it. Though the Guardian of Happiness had been severely distressed by his plight and tried to numb the sadness with carefully chosen lines, I knew from the start that he would have to face it eventually. No use living in the past, especially if you had nothing worth holding on to. I confronted the would-be Legendary a few days later, presenting him with a knife, and announcing that he had two choices: Either to accept what happened, let go, and move on with his life. Or to end everything with one easy stroke, and find comfort in death.
You could probably guess which option he chose.
Less that a week after that, the newly recruited Sea Guardian was instilled, and given a proper place beneath the stars. He appreciated the blunt courtesy that had been offered, and gave the post his all, saying that he would never allow anyone to suffer the way he had. But the scar never faded, and probably never would…
That combined with the event at Blackthorn…
He can't trust them…he won't…and that will complicate things a bit…I furrowed my eyebrows, thinking hard. Ho-oh had managed to somewhat accommodate his guilty feelings, but the dragon hadn't. He was far too susceptible to emotional hurt than it was good for him…and worse still-he didn't know how to handle himself when it came to such situations!
"Weak…" I murmured absently, fingering a jet-black lock that had managed to loosen itself from the bun at the back of my head. That was my description of most things-weak, pathetic, and not worth my time. Even if it wasn't entirely true, it certainly managed to uphold my cold image, and the reputation of the Guardian of Fate as a whole. Of course, that sent Orai barking at me a lot more than it was necessary, him being the honest Truth bearer that he is…
Sometimes I hate this life…if you could call it one, that is…
Anyway, Ho-oh had been turned back into a red haired, crimson-eyed, scrawny twig of thirteen, and- better still-had found an ally in Lance, the Dragon Master; Champion of Johto.
He may not have had brains, but he certainly had luck-I'll give him that. Lugia, on the other hand…
He must find an aide…he cannot do without it…but he will not do so by himself…perhaps…just a prod in the right direction…
I closed my eyes, channeling my powers such that they flitted just beyond the reach of inquisitive Psychic minds.
Sorry old chum…but you can't fail us; not this time…there's too much at stake.
-Lugia-
The image in the still waters of the pond stared back at me sadly; the silver bangs fluttering slightly in the wind. How long I had stared into that horrible mirror of my past, I will never know, but what I did manage to register was that one minute I was standing alone, and the next, had come face to face with the "^^"-looking features of the Water Guardian himself.
"Heeeeya!" The oversized dog beamed, completely overlooking the fact that I had been fighting back the urge to scream and run for my life. "How's it going?'
I grunted angrily. There was a typical Suicune-style entrance for you-subtly dramatic; cheesy greetings…he hadn't changed in the least. Then again…when was the last time I saw him? Twelve hours ago? How much was a guy supposed to change in that amount of time?
Get a grip, Lugia…you're freaking yourself out…"Whadaya want?" I snapped, averting my gaze in a nanosecond. I hated it when he put on that "I-am-so-kwaii-so-tell-me-what's-up" look. Mainly because I could never resist…
"Reicho told me to make sure that you were getting on the right track," He smiled, undaunted, "says he wants you to make a friend. Fast."
"A friend? With a human? You feelin' alright, oh great-and-powerful herald of good news? I don't even have friends that are pokemon."
Suicune looked thoughtful as he lay down where he stood. Right on top the water's surface, that is. Freaky…
"Ho-oh's your friend." He commented, licking his paws in apparent unconcern. "And…so am I," He added as an afterthought.
"That's different," I growled vaguely. "Besides, we're more of acquaintances…not-well…you know…"
"Ahh…" He didn't sound in the least bit convinced. "Better change that soon though; the guys at the top are getting pretty restless. They think something's coming up soon…something big…"
"Whatever it is, I sure they can handle it," I retorted, refusing to budge an inch, "the Guardians always do. It's their job."
"But you forget…we're Guardians too…" He seemed distracted…distant…almost…worried…
Suicune was never worried.
"Whatever…" I mumbled, turning to leave. "Tell the shrimp-head that I ain't doing it. I can get along just fine on my own, thank you very much."
"You're strange, you know that?"
I halted, the words ringing in my ears.
"What?!!"
If it wasn't for the fact that he was a well-respected keeper of peace and tranquility in this world, I would've gutted him on the spot.
"You're…strange…" He repeated, cocking his head slightly, "You were tortured by them, hated them, then vowed to protect them and hated them some more! Yet you must've loved them to agree to such a mission. Reicho saved you, and you would probably give up your life for him…yet…you refuse to perform such a simple task for his sake…you're a puzzle, Lugia. A puzzle that I just can't seem to figure out. I can only watch out for you, and advise you, and guide you on your way. But I suppose that no one can possibly control your decisions now, can they?"
I grinned wolfishly. "Nope. Not anymore. And I only agreed because of the free cable…"
"If you say so…take care of yourself then?"
"Don't I always?"
He smiled warmly. "Often enough…"
And then, with a flash of blue and an odd tinkling sound, he was gone.
~~Lugia: An "odd tinkling sound"? That's just so corny…
Ho-oh: *chugs down 25l bottle of Coke* Makes him sound like Tinkerbell.
pinkdragonflame: *mental piccy of Ho-oh in a sparkly tutu with frilly tape-on fairy wings* Hmm…not bad…
Ho-oh: You're kidding…
pinkdragonflame: ^^ *envisions cute lil wand with a huge star at the top*
Ho-oh: Please be kidding…
pinkdragonflame: ^_________________^
Ho-oh: *brandishing empty Coke bottle* I'm warning you-I'm armed!!!
pinkdragonflame: *morphing into Pinky, the Giant Pink Dragon of Doom* So am I…*bares teeth*
Ho-oh: I'm not afraid of some oversized gecko!!! *grabs Lugia and uses him as a poke-shield*
Lugia: -_-;; The courage you display never ceases to amaze me…
pinkdragonflame: Stay tuned, pokefans^^, I'm sure he'll be more than willing with a little persuasion…*sharpens claws*
Ho-oh: oO Eep!!~~
Okay…before I end, I'd like to thank fire fox and Laura & Jap Dragon for reviewing^^ *hands fire fox a Ho-oh plushie, and Laura & Jap Dragon a Lugia plushie*
Also, thankies to the ppl who (actually) read this^^ *drives truckload of muffins over to sal's fic* Keep at it okay? It should get more interesting sometime in the near future…*twiddles thumbs*
Muahahahaha!
The end (again again).
For now.
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