Disclaimer: *whizzes quickly by on a Rapidash* I-do-not-own-Pokemon-so
don't-sue-me-AAAH-Slow-down-horsey!
SC: Ah, another chapter. What a glorious feeling!
Pokemon: -__-' Just type!
SC: But why? I must sing! La la-laaaa. . .
Blaziken: Type! Now! Do it!
SC: ;--; Fine!
Blaziken: Pitiful authoresss. . .
~ Sacred Gems ~
Eurico zoomed through the forest à cheval; his stallion looking like a blazing fireball that could tear through anything that got in its way. Allie wasn't far behind; the Rapidash she was mounted on traveled at a break-neck speed and stayed just behind Eurico on the trail. The path on which they traveled was not often used, for tangles of thorns and branches barred the way and stuck out from neighboring trees. These obstacles were no problem for the Rapidash, of course, for they were producing so much heat that the plants were mere ashes before the steeds were even twenty feet away.
The duo rode onward for close to an hour, deep into the heart of the woods. The shrubs they encountered grew larger, bushes denser, and the trees were thickly covering the ground. Yet still the path led deeper into the forest, until Allie thought for sure that no human had come this far in many years.
Soon the trail got rocky, and their noble horses had to slow down for fear of slipping. They traveled up a slight incline, which grew steeper as they traipsed onward. Finally, after what seemed to have been hours, Eurico jerked the reins of his stallion and leapt to the ground once it had stopped.
Allie mimicked him, and followed his gaze up the hill until her eyes met a splendorous sight. Nestled among the trees on the hillside was a radiant temple. Though small and quaint, it also held a regal sort of beauty that there was no word for. It had a sloping, ceramic blue roof, glimmering gold trim which lined the perimeter of the building, towering chestnut columns, and a set of ebony doors which marked the entrance.
"This is where my colleague lives," Eurico said after a moment. "There isn't much to do out here in the forest, so he spends a lot of his time keeping the temple in tip-top shape.
"We mustn't keep him waiting," Eurico implied, and Allie snapped out of her awe-filled state. "The Rapidash will be fine out here alone, so we can go ahead and enter."
He led Allie forward and pushed hard on the onyx doors, and as they swung slowly open Allie felt her awe drain away. The inside of the oriental theme temple was almost medieval in décor. The floors and walls were comprised of slabs of slate, there were torches burning in their brackets on each of the many columns that held up the ceiling, and the air was musty in quality, almost as if the doors had not been opened in many years.
"Welcome to my humble abode," said a voice that was almost as malodorous as the air inside the room. "'Tis not much, but I do believe it suits my purposes."
Allie turned and saw the man from which the voice had come. He was about the same height as Eurico, with skin of a dark tan. His eyes were a glittery dark blue, just like the night sky with its stars. The clothes on his back were simple enough: a plain ivory robe and a turban that hid his hair from view. Something about the way he spoke gave Allie the feeling that this man was some sort of an omniscient being.
"Ah, good to see you, Mythemios, old pal," Eurico said abruptly, giving a short bow. "You remember me saying that I was bringing a friend along? Here she is, the trainer named Allie. Allie, this is the man I spoke of earlier. His name is Mythemios."
"Charmed," Mythemios said deeply, and bowed before her. Allie, unsure of whether she should return the gesture, gave her head a curt nod. Mythemios stood upright once again, and beckoned the newcomers to follow him down a darkened stone passageway.
"This way," his low-key voice said, and he lifted a torch from its place on the wall and strolled silently down the hall. Eurico and Allie hurried quickly along behind him, not wanting to be left alone in the eerie main room.
The hall seemed to lead into the Earth itself, and as it sloped unceasingly downward the air became chilly. Soon their breath began to rise before them in a mist, and just when Allie and Eurico thought that they'd see ice before long, Mythemios held up his hand to stop them.
"In the room which you are about to enter, there is a secret which has been kept for close to a thousand years. You are the first people outside of my family to discover the secret since the days of the Kings and Queens of Europe. It is of utmost importance that you do not share this information with anyone other than those who truly need to know."
"For example, your Pokémon, Allie," Eurico said. "They must be informed later. . . but the needn't be in the room with us, for it would be awfully crowded, I believe."
"True," Mythemios agreed. His expression darkened suddenly as the solemn tone of his words and eyes returned. "Now, we must enter the Chamber of Legends, and relearn the secrets or their power."
Mythemios dug his fingernails into a groove along the wall, and with a slight groan of effort he pried open a hidden door. There was a scraping sound of stone on stone as the door slid out of view. He stepped inside gingerly, and waved his hand for Eurico and Allie to follow.
Once inside, Allie wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm and shivered as she looked about the room. The walls were made of the same slate slabs, although they were bedecked with rows and rows of an ancient text. In the center of the room were four stone pillars, arranged in a square, and in the middle of the pillars was a rectangular pedestal-like object. Allie assumed that it contained a heavy old book, one that would be very difficult to read.
Mythemios commenced to open the rectangular object. He removed the lid and placed it gently down beside him. He muttered a few incoherent words, and suddenly the walls were ablaze with dancing flecks of light.
"It's just like the inside of a kaleidoscope," Allie commented, staring in amazement at the rainbow flurries.
"Almost," said Mythemios. "Come, take a closer look." He motioned for her to move forward, and tentatively she did so. Allie leaned forward and peered into the box, only to find that its contents were unlike what she had imagined.
Resting precariously atop a moth-eaten cushion of navy blue were half a dozen regal gems. Each seemed to be giving off a glowing light, and this light refracted off of the other jewels' many facets. There was an immense garnet, a blazing topaz, a crystal of almost perfect clarity, with only a slight bluish tint to it. A deep sapphire orb lay next to an identical ruby one, a mother of pearl prism grouped with hunks of silver and bronze, and a pale, tear-shaped jade sat isolated in one corner.
"These," Mythemios informed them all, "are the Sacred Gems." He reached inside the glimmering box and removed the hexagonal crystal. Instantly, the glow of the other gems faded, until only the one held by Mythemios was still alight.
"Each gem," he explained, "represents the power of each legendary Pokemon. Care to take a guess at which one this is?" He held up the blue-tinged crystal so Allie could get a closer look.
Studying it with her eyes, Allie noticed a certain familiarity about the crystal. "It looks like the crest of a Suicune. . ." she said slowly.
"Exactly. For you see, many years ago, several centuries, I believe, the legendary Pokemon were a lot more powerful than they are now. They ravaged the countryside, for they possessed so much energy that they could not control it. So, in order to create peace, my ancestors forged these gems out of the purest of substances. Then, they placed a part of the legends' energy inside each one, in hopes that harmony could be shared between humans and Pokemon alike. The history of the gems faded from the minds of people, until their great past was forgotten by all but my family. Here, we have guarded their secrets for many a century.
"However, now that Team Trinity has decided to capture every legendary Pokemon in existence, these Sacred Gems must be reawakened from their mystical solitude. If Team Trinity accomplishes its mission, then all of mankind is in grave peril. Yet, if we possess these gems, then we can stand a fighting chance against their evil ways. If a Pokemon holds one of the jewels in battle, then it possesses a piece of that legend's power.
"For example," Mythemios said, "if you were to give this gem to one of your Pokemon," he held up the crystal once more, "then they would be able to use a bit of Suicune's power. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Allie said finally after having been quiet during Mythemios's long speech.
"This is why we must recover the rest of the gems," Mythemios continued. "If Team Trinity ever discovered the secret of the Sacred Gems, then their reign of terror would be even more devastating."
"What do you mean 'recover the rest of the gems?' Don't we have them all?" Allie inquired.
"No. We only have the gems belonging to a few of the legends. Articuno's, Zapdos's, Moltres's, and Lugia's are each located on the islands where said legends are found. Rayquaza's is atop Sky Pillar. There is a shrine to the Unown somewhere in Johto, and within that shrine is their gem. I believe Ho- oh's is somewhere inside Tin Tower, though I am not positive. Finally, Mew's is located deep within the mountain forest where it currently resides."
"What about Mewtwo?" asked Eurico curiously.
"Mewtwo was only recently created. There is no gem containing his power. That is why," Mythemios said sternly, "he is more powerful than the others. His power is pure, unabridged, and intense."
"Giovanni and the others must be stopped," Allie said suddenly, filled with a feeling of great determination. "I can beat that bozo in battle any day. . ."
"It's not that simple," Eurico interjected. "For us to pull this off we must all work together. And," he added, "we must play smart. Planning and stealth are key aspects for now. Battling we can save for later."
"Yes," Mythemios said approvingly. "Now Allie, here is what Eurico and I have planned out for you: your 'Sapphire' group, as I believe you call it, should go after the gems that we do not already possess. 'Crystal' Pokemon should try and stop Archie from recovering any more legends than he already has. You, Allie, and whatever you have left shall tackle Giovanni."
"I already know all of that," Allie complained, beginning to get annoyed. "I just want to know when we can get started with our mission."
"After we're finished," Mythemios explained. "Furthermore," he went on, "you're going to need these." He reached deep into the box and retrieved all nine of the jewels.
"What?" Eurico cried. "You cannot give those to her! They are valuable treasures, and in the hands of a child. . ."
"I'm thirteen years old!" Allie hollered.
"She is more powerful than either of us!" Mythemios boomed above them both. "And, she is going to need the aid of the jewels desperately if she wants to triumph over Team Trinity!" There was an unquestionable tone of finality in his voice, and Eurico could not find anything to say in response.
"Now, I'm placing each of these gems inside its own bag," Mythemios explained, and from a pocket hidden on his robe he removed several small, velvet sacks. "They can be tied to your Pokemon, so that they do not fall off in battle. Divide them up wisely, for some jewels won't work on certain Pokemon."
"Like a Water-type TM on a Fire Pokemon," Allie compared.
"Exactly." Mythemios handed the individually packaged jewels to her, and suddenly his expression lifted. "Now, why don't you spend the night here? You can take off in the morning," Mythemios sported a cheery attitude, and turned to leave the room.
Allie heard the door slide shut behind her once she was back in the hallway. She followed the light from Mythemios's torch up the passage until they had returned to the main room. Mythemios replaced the torch on the wall and turned to Eurico. "You're welcome to stay here too, if you like."
"Why thank you. I should rather like to see Allie off in the morning," Eurico bowed slightly and went down a different hallway.
"You can spend the night in the Imperial room," Mythemios suggested. He led the way to another set of ebony doors, and pushing through them he revealed a grand archway. Beyond the mahogany columns was a wide room of regal proportions. This room was furnished in the same style as the outside of the temple had: an oriental theme and a sense of balance filled the air. Against one wall was a canopy bed, navy veils draped effortlessly on to the silk sheets of the bed.
"All this is for me?" Allie inquired. She could not believe that she would be allowed a night's usage of the room.
"But of course," Mythemios replied, beaming. "You are our only hope in stopping Giovanni and the others. . . it is the least we can do to give you a pleasurable evening before you depart."
"Thanks a lot, sir," Allie replied, and bowed so deeply her long golden brown hair swept the floor.
"Don't mention it," Mythemios said with a grin. "And enough with calling me 'Sir.' You need only call me by my family name, Mythemios."
"Thanks again, Mythemios!" Allie called as he backed slowly out of the room.
"You're welcome. And now, I shall leave you in peace. You may wish to come to the dining hall in a few hours' time; I hear Eurico is going to cook up something delicious." Mythemios bowed once more, and shut the onyx doors tightly behind him.
Allie sighed and jumped headfirst onto the bed. She lay still for a moment, enjoying the silky smooth feel of the coral sheets. Deciding that she could face the sudden feeling of worry that had lodged itself in her throat later, Allie turned over and drifted peacefully to sleep.
Mythemios pressed his ear anxiously against the door, listening intently for any sounds of movement. Yes, it sounded to him as though the girl Allie had fallen asleep. It wasn't surprising: she had been up for nearly twenty-four hours. He nodded approvingly, and strode swiftly down the hall until he reached the entrance to a room. He opened the door and found Eurico perched upon a hassock in the middle of the room, pouring over a thick volume. His mouth moved slightly as he read, and his face was locked in extreme concentration.
"You know, there's a chair directly behind you," Mythemios noted, jerking his head towards a velvet chair of deep vermilion. "It'd probably be a lot more comfortable than sitting on the edge of your seat."
Eurico jumped at the sound of Mythemios's low-key voice, and the book he had been reading fell to the ground with a snap. He raised his startled eyes to Mythemios's level, and his expression evened out. "You gave me quite a fright there. Next time, do try and be a bit less sudden, okay?"
"Terribly sorry," Mythemios apologized. "But you were so deeply involved in that book that I was afraid it was going to pull you in. What is it that you've got there, anyway?" He looked quizzically at the rugged leather cover of the volume that now lay on the floor.
"This," Eurico replied, picking up the book with a groan and heaving it on his knee, "is an old book from medieval Europe. It was written in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and it speaks references to the old gems."
"But why so interested? Surely you must have a reason for being so serious," Mythemios stated, for he had told the duo everything he knew about the gems' powers and history.
"Just before we left my base to come here, I did a search to see if I could find anything helpful about the Legendaries. I came across an old text, a 'prophecy' if you will, and I believe this old bundle of writing will help me decipher its meaning," Eurico explained. Mythemios gave him a look of doubt, and Eurico commenced to flip through the open book's pages.
"See here," he announced finally. Eurico trailed his finger down the page as he translated and read off the ancient passage. Mythemios bent over to squint at the words and follow along as Eurico slowly read.
" 'These mythic beasts of world renown,
Shall one day be unleashed,
And their colossal powers will be known
'Til the one with the beseeched
Power to triumph conquers all who seek to use
The Mythic Powers for evil.
Aid will be found by collecting the jewels
And wrongdoers sent to the Devil.' "
He finished the passage and looked up at Mythemios. The robed man paused for a moment, then brought his hand up to his chin and began pacing in thought. " . . . The one with the beseeched power. . . " he repeated to himself, and stroked his chin restlessly.
"I believe," Eurico interjected, snapping Mythemios out of his train of thought, "that I know the meaning of some of the 'prophecy.' The first part is of course referring to the Legendary Pokemon."
"Obviously," Mythemios repeated, but Eurico held up his hand.
" ' . . . Shall one day be released and their colossal powers will be known.' This means that these Legends will be drawn out of hiding to have their powers exploited to cause chaos and destruction.
" ' . . . 'Til the one with the beseeched power to triumph conquers all who seek to use the Mythic Powers for evil.' One person alone has the ability to take down Team Trinity with his Pokemon."
"Or, in this case, her Pokemon," Mythemios corrected. "You do think that the girl is the one, then?"
"Of course," Eurico responded. "Remember, she is the girl who captured Suicune. I believe nothing happens by accident, and that fate brought the two of them together for a purpose."
"What about the part that talks about aid?" Mythemios wondered, returning to pacing the floor. "I do not see how gathering the gems will bring about any aid to her conquest, much less who will help her."
"I am uncertain about that part as well," Eurico agreed, "but now is not the time to fret. We must do all that we can to help Allie and hope for the best."
"Agreed." Mythemios halted his pacing and turned his worried eyes to Eurico. "We must have faith and support our young friend through these hard times.
"Now, what say we get started on dinner? I hear you're a great chef when you're not saving the world." Mythemios grinned and extended a hand.
Eurico beamed and took his outstretched palm. "All right. Onward, to the kitchens!" With that, the two dashed out of the room, much as playful children would have.
~*~*~
SC: Ah, the great feeling of having finished another chapter.
Espeon: None of the Pokemon were in this chapter.
Blaziken: More importantly, I wasn't in this chapter!
SC: Later, y'all. The next chappy is mostly Allie and her Pokemon, trust me.
Pokemon: ^__^
Stormfront: May I PLEASE have a shrubbery?
Knights of Ni: Shrubbery! Shrubbery!
Roger the Shrubber: I can sell you a cheap shrubbery!
SC: X/ BE QUIET! I do not want to be pestered.
Stormfront: Y__Y
SC: Okay, now for you readers. Y'all just read, relax, and review (please) while I create another chapter. Tune in next week!
SC: Ah, another chapter. What a glorious feeling!
Pokemon: -__-' Just type!
SC: But why? I must sing! La la-laaaa. . .
Blaziken: Type! Now! Do it!
SC: ;--; Fine!
Blaziken: Pitiful authoresss. . .
~ Sacred Gems ~
Eurico zoomed through the forest à cheval; his stallion looking like a blazing fireball that could tear through anything that got in its way. Allie wasn't far behind; the Rapidash she was mounted on traveled at a break-neck speed and stayed just behind Eurico on the trail. The path on which they traveled was not often used, for tangles of thorns and branches barred the way and stuck out from neighboring trees. These obstacles were no problem for the Rapidash, of course, for they were producing so much heat that the plants were mere ashes before the steeds were even twenty feet away.
The duo rode onward for close to an hour, deep into the heart of the woods. The shrubs they encountered grew larger, bushes denser, and the trees were thickly covering the ground. Yet still the path led deeper into the forest, until Allie thought for sure that no human had come this far in many years.
Soon the trail got rocky, and their noble horses had to slow down for fear of slipping. They traveled up a slight incline, which grew steeper as they traipsed onward. Finally, after what seemed to have been hours, Eurico jerked the reins of his stallion and leapt to the ground once it had stopped.
Allie mimicked him, and followed his gaze up the hill until her eyes met a splendorous sight. Nestled among the trees on the hillside was a radiant temple. Though small and quaint, it also held a regal sort of beauty that there was no word for. It had a sloping, ceramic blue roof, glimmering gold trim which lined the perimeter of the building, towering chestnut columns, and a set of ebony doors which marked the entrance.
"This is where my colleague lives," Eurico said after a moment. "There isn't much to do out here in the forest, so he spends a lot of his time keeping the temple in tip-top shape.
"We mustn't keep him waiting," Eurico implied, and Allie snapped out of her awe-filled state. "The Rapidash will be fine out here alone, so we can go ahead and enter."
He led Allie forward and pushed hard on the onyx doors, and as they swung slowly open Allie felt her awe drain away. The inside of the oriental theme temple was almost medieval in décor. The floors and walls were comprised of slabs of slate, there were torches burning in their brackets on each of the many columns that held up the ceiling, and the air was musty in quality, almost as if the doors had not been opened in many years.
"Welcome to my humble abode," said a voice that was almost as malodorous as the air inside the room. "'Tis not much, but I do believe it suits my purposes."
Allie turned and saw the man from which the voice had come. He was about the same height as Eurico, with skin of a dark tan. His eyes were a glittery dark blue, just like the night sky with its stars. The clothes on his back were simple enough: a plain ivory robe and a turban that hid his hair from view. Something about the way he spoke gave Allie the feeling that this man was some sort of an omniscient being.
"Ah, good to see you, Mythemios, old pal," Eurico said abruptly, giving a short bow. "You remember me saying that I was bringing a friend along? Here she is, the trainer named Allie. Allie, this is the man I spoke of earlier. His name is Mythemios."
"Charmed," Mythemios said deeply, and bowed before her. Allie, unsure of whether she should return the gesture, gave her head a curt nod. Mythemios stood upright once again, and beckoned the newcomers to follow him down a darkened stone passageway.
"This way," his low-key voice said, and he lifted a torch from its place on the wall and strolled silently down the hall. Eurico and Allie hurried quickly along behind him, not wanting to be left alone in the eerie main room.
The hall seemed to lead into the Earth itself, and as it sloped unceasingly downward the air became chilly. Soon their breath began to rise before them in a mist, and just when Allie and Eurico thought that they'd see ice before long, Mythemios held up his hand to stop them.
"In the room which you are about to enter, there is a secret which has been kept for close to a thousand years. You are the first people outside of my family to discover the secret since the days of the Kings and Queens of Europe. It is of utmost importance that you do not share this information with anyone other than those who truly need to know."
"For example, your Pokémon, Allie," Eurico said. "They must be informed later. . . but the needn't be in the room with us, for it would be awfully crowded, I believe."
"True," Mythemios agreed. His expression darkened suddenly as the solemn tone of his words and eyes returned. "Now, we must enter the Chamber of Legends, and relearn the secrets or their power."
Mythemios dug his fingernails into a groove along the wall, and with a slight groan of effort he pried open a hidden door. There was a scraping sound of stone on stone as the door slid out of view. He stepped inside gingerly, and waved his hand for Eurico and Allie to follow.
Once inside, Allie wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm and shivered as she looked about the room. The walls were made of the same slate slabs, although they were bedecked with rows and rows of an ancient text. In the center of the room were four stone pillars, arranged in a square, and in the middle of the pillars was a rectangular pedestal-like object. Allie assumed that it contained a heavy old book, one that would be very difficult to read.
Mythemios commenced to open the rectangular object. He removed the lid and placed it gently down beside him. He muttered a few incoherent words, and suddenly the walls were ablaze with dancing flecks of light.
"It's just like the inside of a kaleidoscope," Allie commented, staring in amazement at the rainbow flurries.
"Almost," said Mythemios. "Come, take a closer look." He motioned for her to move forward, and tentatively she did so. Allie leaned forward and peered into the box, only to find that its contents were unlike what she had imagined.
Resting precariously atop a moth-eaten cushion of navy blue were half a dozen regal gems. Each seemed to be giving off a glowing light, and this light refracted off of the other jewels' many facets. There was an immense garnet, a blazing topaz, a crystal of almost perfect clarity, with only a slight bluish tint to it. A deep sapphire orb lay next to an identical ruby one, a mother of pearl prism grouped with hunks of silver and bronze, and a pale, tear-shaped jade sat isolated in one corner.
"These," Mythemios informed them all, "are the Sacred Gems." He reached inside the glimmering box and removed the hexagonal crystal. Instantly, the glow of the other gems faded, until only the one held by Mythemios was still alight.
"Each gem," he explained, "represents the power of each legendary Pokemon. Care to take a guess at which one this is?" He held up the blue-tinged crystal so Allie could get a closer look.
Studying it with her eyes, Allie noticed a certain familiarity about the crystal. "It looks like the crest of a Suicune. . ." she said slowly.
"Exactly. For you see, many years ago, several centuries, I believe, the legendary Pokemon were a lot more powerful than they are now. They ravaged the countryside, for they possessed so much energy that they could not control it. So, in order to create peace, my ancestors forged these gems out of the purest of substances. Then, they placed a part of the legends' energy inside each one, in hopes that harmony could be shared between humans and Pokemon alike. The history of the gems faded from the minds of people, until their great past was forgotten by all but my family. Here, we have guarded their secrets for many a century.
"However, now that Team Trinity has decided to capture every legendary Pokemon in existence, these Sacred Gems must be reawakened from their mystical solitude. If Team Trinity accomplishes its mission, then all of mankind is in grave peril. Yet, if we possess these gems, then we can stand a fighting chance against their evil ways. If a Pokemon holds one of the jewels in battle, then it possesses a piece of that legend's power.
"For example," Mythemios said, "if you were to give this gem to one of your Pokemon," he held up the crystal once more, "then they would be able to use a bit of Suicune's power. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Allie said finally after having been quiet during Mythemios's long speech.
"This is why we must recover the rest of the gems," Mythemios continued. "If Team Trinity ever discovered the secret of the Sacred Gems, then their reign of terror would be even more devastating."
"What do you mean 'recover the rest of the gems?' Don't we have them all?" Allie inquired.
"No. We only have the gems belonging to a few of the legends. Articuno's, Zapdos's, Moltres's, and Lugia's are each located on the islands where said legends are found. Rayquaza's is atop Sky Pillar. There is a shrine to the Unown somewhere in Johto, and within that shrine is their gem. I believe Ho- oh's is somewhere inside Tin Tower, though I am not positive. Finally, Mew's is located deep within the mountain forest where it currently resides."
"What about Mewtwo?" asked Eurico curiously.
"Mewtwo was only recently created. There is no gem containing his power. That is why," Mythemios said sternly, "he is more powerful than the others. His power is pure, unabridged, and intense."
"Giovanni and the others must be stopped," Allie said suddenly, filled with a feeling of great determination. "I can beat that bozo in battle any day. . ."
"It's not that simple," Eurico interjected. "For us to pull this off we must all work together. And," he added, "we must play smart. Planning and stealth are key aspects for now. Battling we can save for later."
"Yes," Mythemios said approvingly. "Now Allie, here is what Eurico and I have planned out for you: your 'Sapphire' group, as I believe you call it, should go after the gems that we do not already possess. 'Crystal' Pokemon should try and stop Archie from recovering any more legends than he already has. You, Allie, and whatever you have left shall tackle Giovanni."
"I already know all of that," Allie complained, beginning to get annoyed. "I just want to know when we can get started with our mission."
"After we're finished," Mythemios explained. "Furthermore," he went on, "you're going to need these." He reached deep into the box and retrieved all nine of the jewels.
"What?" Eurico cried. "You cannot give those to her! They are valuable treasures, and in the hands of a child. . ."
"I'm thirteen years old!" Allie hollered.
"She is more powerful than either of us!" Mythemios boomed above them both. "And, she is going to need the aid of the jewels desperately if she wants to triumph over Team Trinity!" There was an unquestionable tone of finality in his voice, and Eurico could not find anything to say in response.
"Now, I'm placing each of these gems inside its own bag," Mythemios explained, and from a pocket hidden on his robe he removed several small, velvet sacks. "They can be tied to your Pokemon, so that they do not fall off in battle. Divide them up wisely, for some jewels won't work on certain Pokemon."
"Like a Water-type TM on a Fire Pokemon," Allie compared.
"Exactly." Mythemios handed the individually packaged jewels to her, and suddenly his expression lifted. "Now, why don't you spend the night here? You can take off in the morning," Mythemios sported a cheery attitude, and turned to leave the room.
Allie heard the door slide shut behind her once she was back in the hallway. She followed the light from Mythemios's torch up the passage until they had returned to the main room. Mythemios replaced the torch on the wall and turned to Eurico. "You're welcome to stay here too, if you like."
"Why thank you. I should rather like to see Allie off in the morning," Eurico bowed slightly and went down a different hallway.
"You can spend the night in the Imperial room," Mythemios suggested. He led the way to another set of ebony doors, and pushing through them he revealed a grand archway. Beyond the mahogany columns was a wide room of regal proportions. This room was furnished in the same style as the outside of the temple had: an oriental theme and a sense of balance filled the air. Against one wall was a canopy bed, navy veils draped effortlessly on to the silk sheets of the bed.
"All this is for me?" Allie inquired. She could not believe that she would be allowed a night's usage of the room.
"But of course," Mythemios replied, beaming. "You are our only hope in stopping Giovanni and the others. . . it is the least we can do to give you a pleasurable evening before you depart."
"Thanks a lot, sir," Allie replied, and bowed so deeply her long golden brown hair swept the floor.
"Don't mention it," Mythemios said with a grin. "And enough with calling me 'Sir.' You need only call me by my family name, Mythemios."
"Thanks again, Mythemios!" Allie called as he backed slowly out of the room.
"You're welcome. And now, I shall leave you in peace. You may wish to come to the dining hall in a few hours' time; I hear Eurico is going to cook up something delicious." Mythemios bowed once more, and shut the onyx doors tightly behind him.
Allie sighed and jumped headfirst onto the bed. She lay still for a moment, enjoying the silky smooth feel of the coral sheets. Deciding that she could face the sudden feeling of worry that had lodged itself in her throat later, Allie turned over and drifted peacefully to sleep.
Mythemios pressed his ear anxiously against the door, listening intently for any sounds of movement. Yes, it sounded to him as though the girl Allie had fallen asleep. It wasn't surprising: she had been up for nearly twenty-four hours. He nodded approvingly, and strode swiftly down the hall until he reached the entrance to a room. He opened the door and found Eurico perched upon a hassock in the middle of the room, pouring over a thick volume. His mouth moved slightly as he read, and his face was locked in extreme concentration.
"You know, there's a chair directly behind you," Mythemios noted, jerking his head towards a velvet chair of deep vermilion. "It'd probably be a lot more comfortable than sitting on the edge of your seat."
Eurico jumped at the sound of Mythemios's low-key voice, and the book he had been reading fell to the ground with a snap. He raised his startled eyes to Mythemios's level, and his expression evened out. "You gave me quite a fright there. Next time, do try and be a bit less sudden, okay?"
"Terribly sorry," Mythemios apologized. "But you were so deeply involved in that book that I was afraid it was going to pull you in. What is it that you've got there, anyway?" He looked quizzically at the rugged leather cover of the volume that now lay on the floor.
"This," Eurico replied, picking up the book with a groan and heaving it on his knee, "is an old book from medieval Europe. It was written in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and it speaks references to the old gems."
"But why so interested? Surely you must have a reason for being so serious," Mythemios stated, for he had told the duo everything he knew about the gems' powers and history.
"Just before we left my base to come here, I did a search to see if I could find anything helpful about the Legendaries. I came across an old text, a 'prophecy' if you will, and I believe this old bundle of writing will help me decipher its meaning," Eurico explained. Mythemios gave him a look of doubt, and Eurico commenced to flip through the open book's pages.
"See here," he announced finally. Eurico trailed his finger down the page as he translated and read off the ancient passage. Mythemios bent over to squint at the words and follow along as Eurico slowly read.
" 'These mythic beasts of world renown,
Shall one day be unleashed,
And their colossal powers will be known
'Til the one with the beseeched
Power to triumph conquers all who seek to use
The Mythic Powers for evil.
Aid will be found by collecting the jewels
And wrongdoers sent to the Devil.' "
He finished the passage and looked up at Mythemios. The robed man paused for a moment, then brought his hand up to his chin and began pacing in thought. " . . . The one with the beseeched power. . . " he repeated to himself, and stroked his chin restlessly.
"I believe," Eurico interjected, snapping Mythemios out of his train of thought, "that I know the meaning of some of the 'prophecy.' The first part is of course referring to the Legendary Pokemon."
"Obviously," Mythemios repeated, but Eurico held up his hand.
" ' . . . Shall one day be released and their colossal powers will be known.' This means that these Legends will be drawn out of hiding to have their powers exploited to cause chaos and destruction.
" ' . . . 'Til the one with the beseeched power to triumph conquers all who seek to use the Mythic Powers for evil.' One person alone has the ability to take down Team Trinity with his Pokemon."
"Or, in this case, her Pokemon," Mythemios corrected. "You do think that the girl is the one, then?"
"Of course," Eurico responded. "Remember, she is the girl who captured Suicune. I believe nothing happens by accident, and that fate brought the two of them together for a purpose."
"What about the part that talks about aid?" Mythemios wondered, returning to pacing the floor. "I do not see how gathering the gems will bring about any aid to her conquest, much less who will help her."
"I am uncertain about that part as well," Eurico agreed, "but now is not the time to fret. We must do all that we can to help Allie and hope for the best."
"Agreed." Mythemios halted his pacing and turned his worried eyes to Eurico. "We must have faith and support our young friend through these hard times.
"Now, what say we get started on dinner? I hear you're a great chef when you're not saving the world." Mythemios grinned and extended a hand.
Eurico beamed and took his outstretched palm. "All right. Onward, to the kitchens!" With that, the two dashed out of the room, much as playful children would have.
~*~*~
SC: Ah, the great feeling of having finished another chapter.
Espeon: None of the Pokemon were in this chapter.
Blaziken: More importantly, I wasn't in this chapter!
SC: Later, y'all. The next chappy is mostly Allie and her Pokemon, trust me.
Pokemon: ^__^
Stormfront: May I PLEASE have a shrubbery?
Knights of Ni: Shrubbery! Shrubbery!
Roger the Shrubber: I can sell you a cheap shrubbery!
SC: X/ BE QUIET! I do not want to be pestered.
Stormfront: Y__Y
SC: Okay, now for you readers. Y'all just read, relax, and review (please) while I create another chapter. Tune in next week!