Fifteen minutes later, Sumalee, Faulkner, Fury and I were in the elevator of a plush hotel in the South west of the city.
"We're going to battle in a lift?" I said sceptically.
"No, my gym is on the roof of the hotel. It helps when training my birds."
The elevator then pinged the arrival of the top floor and the doors slide open.
"Hey Faulkner. For a Flying trainer, you sure have a funny idea of sky." Fury cracked.
Faulkner strode to the end of the pale blue hallway and opened a similar colored door. "This is the floor below the roof. One of you
will have to stay in my room until our battle is finished. It wouldn't be fair."
The door swung open revealing a rich blue carpeted lounge room with wicker chairs matching blue cushions facing a medium sized
TV. On the walls were pictures of various flying type Pokemon.
"Who challenges me first?"
"You can Suma," I said eyeing the modern kitchen and what snacks it could hold within. "I wanna checkout the easy life this
Gymleader has."
Faulkner fixed me with a steady gaze. "Don't touch anything."
"Yeah, yeah. Good luck Suma." Faulkner glanced at Fury and me one more time and started to shut the door.
"We won't touch." I reassured him. The door closed. "Much." I studied the room more closely. Everything seemed pretty
expensive.
"I guess you earn quite a bit as a Gymleader," Fury whistled.
I made myself comfortable in one of the cane chairs and flicked on the TV.
"Go Pikachu!" said the trainer on the screen. "Thundershock!"
A blast of electricity flowed from its cheek striking its opponent, a Belsprout. The attack did little damage.
"Ha, that puny electric attack won't do a thing to Belsprout. As its roots are in contact with the earth the electricity is grounded,"
the girl explained. "You'll have to find another way to beat me Ash."
Ash! Oh, I remember. They had Ash's adventures animated. This was one of my favourite episodes. It told of how he beat a tough
trainer with his Muk, during the first time he entered the Indigo League. I continued to watch the cartoon, which held
me enthralled.
"Hey Topaz! Come quick." I followed Furies voice to find her in what appeared to be Faulkner's study. A huge bookcase lined one
wall. Volumes of encyclopaedias filled up one shelf and Classic Pokemon Journeys, like Lance the Dragon Trainer and Tracy
Sketchit. Magazine issues of The Pokemon Profile, Highflyers Guide and Pocket Pals were scattered across a huge wooden desk
that was set up in the corner.
But that wasn't what held Fury in awe. I gasped at the sight of it. Inside an elaborate wooden frame was a beautiful portraits of
various birds arranged into a pyramid shape, each had an ambiance that demanded respect. I recognized three of them as the
Legendary Bird Trio of Kanto, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. But who were the others?
At the bottom of the painting in elegant calligraphy were the words.
The Wings of Council
"The Wings of Council," I muttered to myself and my Pokedex reacted within my pocket.
"The Wings of Council. The Wings of Council consists of the 10 Legendary birds said to meet
once a decade to discuss the fate of the world."
"Sounds heavy," Fury muttered as I pointed my Pokedex at the bird in the bottom left corner of the pyramid. The bird winked on to
the screen of my Pokedex displaying its entire body.
Its hawk like appearance commanded power. Its body was turned side on but one could clearly see the small silver stars on the tip
of each feather giving the illusion of the night sky. The effect spread to its illustrious wings that swept behind it, each feather ended
in a jagged point. But the most striking feature was its head, tilted to one side so its eye seemed to see you as a potential meal.
Its hooked beak was that of any predator, made to shred and was slightly open revealing the black chasm of its throat. Completing
its savage appearance was its crest. You know when you stroke a Persian the wrong way? It started like collar at the base of the
neck and as crawled forward, it narrowed until it was like a single row of feathers that ended just above the eyes. I knew it was a
bird of awesome abilities.
"Celestrial, the shadow bird Pokemon. Said that as it flies over the world it brings darkness.
When it moults one of its star tipped feathers, who ever catches it will have their fondest
wish granted. They are thought to be found in the vicinity of Mt. Sable."
"What do you mean, they?" I asked confused.
"Legendary birds are classed as legendary not because they are rare, but because of their
awesome strength. The most powerful, have even been known to escape Master Balls."
Then I guess mines out of the question, I sighed inwardly. I shifted the angle of the Pokedex so its censer was aimed at the
Pokemon beside it and an owl of lavender, lilac and violet replaced Celestrial. Its body leaned forward and wing partly open, as if
ready to flee at any moment, thought it obviously had no need too. Its heart shaped face was of the palest purple imaginable, while
its eyes and beak added startling contrast. Its eyes, even though a painting, seemed to pierce my soul. It saw my greatest
triumphs, my most miserable failures and most embarrassing moments. On its amethyst coloured breast was pentagram in a
shining purple.
"Archimedes, the Wisdom bird Pokemon. Said to be the reincarnation of the oracle of Delphi as
it seems to know the fate of all men and the destiny of the world. Is thought to reside in the
ruins of Alph though none have confirmed the sighting."
"Another dead end," I muttered to Fury who was engrossed in the Moltres the legendary fire type. I shifted my gaze to the next
bird. It seemed more mischievous, than dangerous or all knowing. It was perched upon ancient spear with exotic carvings scrawled
over it. Its body was of emerald green, ruby red and black feathers but was dominated by green, which looked more like leaves
than feathers. Its wings were thrust outwards and bands of green and red followed the contours of the inside of the wing, while the
rest of the feathers were alternating black and green. Its body was a plump green pear with a crimson stripe down the centre. Two
black feathers jutted out of its head so they looked like antennae. Its tail was a glorious thing, plumes of green and red arched
above the legendary birds head then fell away on either side to trail beside its feet.
"Echotrance, the rain bird Poke...."
CRACK! Pain retched through my skull and I fell away into darkness.
Rocket RampantI groaned. Why did I always have to wake up with a splitting headache?
I realized consciousness, and found I was swaying rhythmically by two pairs of hands. My sides strained as my arms were held in
crucifix posture. It reminded me of when my mates and me back home would play washing machine at the public pool. Mel would
grab my ankles and Jess would take my wrists and they swung me back and forth, each time dunking me under and holding me
down longer.
The harsh light hurt my eyes and I struggled to get into a comfortable position but felt I was bound at the wrist and ankles.
" Tobias, she's awake." I jerked up at the cold voice that held my ankles.
"Ahh, Topaz," he smiled a sickly sweet smile that reminded me of Nurse Joy. "I see you returned to the land of the living."
"From the smell, you didn't." Tobias flared and spat in my face. I tensed my shoulder and manage to wipe most of the spit from my
eye.
"What happened to not being stupid enough to try this again?" I said seriously, trying to understand his plan. If he just wanted
Fury he would have left me and nicked off, there had to be something more.
"I said I, not we. I joined Team Rocket and Angel was assigned as my partner and he is as able as I."
"So now with your combined brain power you think you can get what you paid for at a Mind Readers."
This time he dropped me. My head slapped against the concrete and once again my consciousness ebbed away.
This time when I awoke, I was dangling precociously 20 stories above the ground from the roof of Violet Cities Gym. My arms
dangled above, or were they below? my head. The ground spiralled beneath me and I felt ready to taste my breakfast for the
second time that day. One of those people down there better have an umbrella I thought and gulped again. My temples throbbed
as the pressure built up around my ears.
All of a sudden I heard Fury's muffled cry and the vines that that held me yanked me up. I fell to my knees dizzy. I gasped as the
blood drained from my face and looked up to see Angel, a boy no more than 15. His pale white hair fell about face, hanging in his
crystal blue eyes. No light seemed to shine in them. Beware the man without a sense of humour. He was of slighter build than
Tobias, but no less ruthless. It was obvious he had to use brains over brawn. He was patient; he would wait for years if he thought
it would increase the yield of his crop. He had a complex intellect so he could create cunning plans. Dressed in Team Rockets
black pants and jacket with the red R emblazoned upon it, he was anything but an Angel. Beside him was an Ivysaur.
"Now Topaz," Angel said. "We can do this the easy way, you hand over all your Pokemon with minimal fuss, or." He took my
Ponyta tail, holding it up so I had to stand on my toes.
"The hard way." He kicked my feet from under me and for an instant my scalp screamed. Despite his slim body, he was a strong
bastard; his arm didn't give any beneath the weight. I fell to my knees gasping and noticed the others for the first time.
Tobias sat taunting Fury, just out of her flames reach, about the end of her trainer, describing in gory detail. Fury strained at the
end of a steal lead spitting and snarling, flames spewed everywhere but she didn't have the power to make her flames go further
and burn him to a crisp. Sumalee looked mortified, she now had to choose between her two new friends. Maverick wore his usual
happy go lucky grin, his eyes gleamed as he watched Tobias's hair, hypnotized. The only thing keeping from latching on was
Sumalee's firm grip around his middle. Faulkner frowned concocting some sought of plan. A Murkrow fluttered at his side. I had to
be strong. What was one life against so many? I bowed my head hoping a plan would be close at hand. Angel lifted my chin with
surprising hand so I could look into those chilling blue eyes. He might have been cute if we weren't bargaining with my life.
'Will you do it the easy way, Topaz," he said softly.
"Piss off."
"Is that a yes or a no?
"Its a form of recommendation," I threatened.
Angel sighed and his lips twisted into an evil grin. "So be it. I have no qualms about having your brains paint the pavement below."
He leaned over the side of the building and whistled. "You'll have a long time to think about your death before you hit the ground
and, in my opinion, that's a lot worse."
Unfortunately, I agreed.
From the side, there was an audible snap. I jerked my head just in time to see Fury's lead melt through and her lunge at Tobias.
Her nails raked across his face and came away red. Three small red lines across Tobias's right cheek began to ooze blood.
His hands slowly rose to touch the cuts and then looked at his fingertips. The same rage gleamed in his eyes as they did the first
time. But instead of lashing out at Fury, he surged at me, grabbed me by the rope that held my wrists and hurled me over the side.
"Ivysaur vine whip." Just as I began my plunge to the underworld, the Pokemons vines wrapped around my waist and brought me
level with the rooftop. I still hung in midair.
When Angel saw I was safe he snatched Tobias's identical Rocket Uniform and slammed him against the wall.
"You screwed up two of my other missions, don't let there be a third! The only reason I'm with an amateur like you is to show you
the ropes, but at the rate we're going I'll never be rid of you. So, just shut up and watch."
Tobias shoved Angel's chest and he staggered back. He may have been the brains of the group, but he was still no match for
Tobias's raw power.
Angel turned back to Sumalee and Faulkner, the ones who would pay my ransom.
"You see how easily, and eagerly, we can toss this precious little friend of yours over the edge. Are ready to hand your Pokemon
over now?"
"No!"
The words escaped my lips before I knew. I had to do what was right. I sunk my nails savagely into Ivysaurs vines and she
instinctively pulled away, leaving me to fall to my doom. I plunged towards the ground. Wind whipped across my ears and my
Orange League hat was ripped from my head to float away. The floors began to pass more and more frequently until they were only
a blur. I tumbled head over heels uncontrollably. My arms felt like they were being torn from their sockets. All the while the ground
rushed towards me.
I looked up and for a brief moment I saw a brown bullet accelerating across the sky. I somersaulted again and lost sight of it, but
not for long. The blur brandished beneath my out of control body and caught me. I looked down and recognized the brown bird with
the brilliant red and yellow crest. Pidgeot evolved form Pidgeotto. I clung as best as I could to his neck with my knotted hands.
"I can't hold on properly with hand tied," I yelled but the winds carried away the words so I wasn't sure if Pidgeot heard. Pidgeot
heard alright. She executed a perfect barrel roll. I slipped from his back, my arms and legs waving in the air like a dead cockroach.
The ground was growing closer by the second.
WHOOSH. Pidgeot sped past and SNAP SNAP, the bonds were broken. She looped the looped and caught me again. This time I
grabbed onto its wings for dear life. I looked down and saw bystanders looking up at the girl tempting fate.
"Alright," I said sounding like a drill sergeant as Pidgeot and I hovered meters above the ground. "We go in hard and fast, take 'em
by surprise."
Pidgeot bobbed his head and powered straight up. I'd heard Pidgeot could fly up to Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, and never
believed it. Now I did.
There was a deafening crash and everything was silent for a moment. We were flying high above the roof and hovered. If Angel and
Tobias's eyes were saucers, there mouths were satellite dishes. I saw the edges of Faulkner's mouth curl into a half smile, but a
second later it turned to surprise.
"Double Edge!" I yell. Pidgeot dived head first at Tobias and Angel, wings wide.
Angel screamed wordlessly and dropped to the ground, narrowly missing Pidgeot's outstretched wings. Tobias wasn't as lucky and
bore the brunt of the attack.
"Ugh," he groaned as he hit the ground and remained there.
"Ivy," I searched the roof top and saw Angel's Ivysaur standing in front of her trainer, trying to protect him while he recovered. I had
to admire her loyalty to her trainer. She snapped her vines like whips and her bulb glowed. He bulb glowed?
"Solar Beam," I screamed to Pidgeot and she immediately pulled up, but not fast enough. The super focused sunlight scorched
the tip of her left wing and she pitched in midair. I hung on tightly and waited for her to recover.
When Pidgeot righted herself I paused to think. Pidgeot must be at a high level. I frowned. What was Pidgeot's ultimate attack? I
filtered through my memories of my Pokemon Tech class at high school, of Mr Treloar in grade three telling us the basic
Pokemon, of all the passages Ms Vervey had made me write out a dozen times every time I didn't do my homework.
It was.... It was.... It was....
"Mirror Move," I cried remembering. Pidgeot flared her wings and opened her mouth to absorb sunlight. A sphere of energy swelled
until it filled the open abyss of her throat.
"Pidgeooo!" she screeched, clapped her wings together and released the Solar Beam. The shaft of light powered through the sky
and struck Ivysaur between the eyes, which still faithfully guarded Angel. Angel must be a better Pokemon trainer than he is a
human being.
"Thank you Ivysaur," Angel said gently, getting up. Tobias stumbled beside Angel holding his side. When Angel saw this, he
smiled up at me.
"You are a worthy adversary, Topaz. Next time I won't underestimate you. Till we meet again."
He took something from his belt that wasn't a Pokeball, smiled one last time a tossed it to the ground. The ball exploded in a puff
of smoke, covering the Rockets completely. I told Pidgeot to use its gust attack and with a few beats of its wings, the smoke was
gone leaving not a trace of Angel and Tobias.
I murmured a command and Pidgeot brought me in for a smooth landing. I hopped off and stroked her neck.
"Ahhhh!" A force struck me full on in the chest and pressed me to the ground. An enemy?
I opened my eyes. No attack, just Fury.
"Oh gods, your all right. When you went over the edge I was so scared. But that was so amazing how you and Pidgeot just..."
"Yeah yeah," I laughed. "Dying would have completely ruined my plans to be a Master."
I heaved Fury of my chest and turned to see Faulkner's flabbergasted face.
"What?" I asked, not liking the way he was looking at me. Like I'd managed to catch a Mewtwo with a Pokeball.
"You do know that's a wild Pidgeot?"
"I figured it was yours. Besides there's no such thing as a wild Pidgeot," I expressed confused.
Faulkner looked a little Mareepish. "When I first inherited this Gym from my Grandfather all I owned was a Spearow, a Pidgey and
a Pidgeotto. I trained them hard, too hard I guess, because when Pidgeotto evolved she wouldn't listen to me. and I was forced to
release it. Every now and again I'd see her in the fields just below Violet."
"But you still can't be sure this is her," I said still not believing Faulkner could mistreat a Pokemon.
"I'm sure. See the black band behind Pidgeot's eyes, you'll notice their a lot wider then a usual Pidgeot."
"If it didn't listen to you, why me?"
"I've no idea, but from the looks of it she wants to accompany you." Faulkner was right again. Pidgeot pecked insistently at one of
my vacant Pokeballs and managed to pull one free.
"You can't come with me!" Pidgeot looked hurt. "Its not that I don't want you with me, its just I have a Pidgeotto of my own."
Pidgeotto eyed my Pokeballs jealously.
"I think I've a solution to your problem," Sumalee spoke up. She put Maverick down and turned to Faulkner. "By right this Pidgeot
is still yours but she refuses to listen to obey you. By some bizarre coincidence she listens to Topaz. But she can't take her
because Talon will get a case of the green eyed monster."
We both nodded yes.
"Well why don't you trade?"
"But..." I stopped myself in mid sentence. It'll be the perfect opportunity for Talon being trained by the best flying type trainer in
Johto.
"I'll ask him." Talon appeared from his Pokeball as a beam of light. He cocked his head to look up at Pidgeot.
"Whoa, Fury beat that?"
"Not exactly," I said, nervous of how Talon would react.
"Talon this is Faulkner. He's the best Flying type trainer in the Johto League and he's offered to trade for his Pidgeot. I don't really
care about the Pidgeot, though it is a bonus, but I think it would be a great opportunity for you. You'd become a Pidgeot in no time.
What ever your decision, don't let me influence it."
Talon paused to contemplate his choices. "Thanks Topaz, I won 't forget you"
"Nor will I. Keep the translator, I think Faulkner's going to need it," I laughed sadly as Faulkner and I switched Pokeballs.
"Hey!" Sumalee exclaimed, breaking the thick silence between us. "You owe me a badge."
"I owe you both a badge. Sumalee, you defeated Fearow and Murkrow with only your Totodile. As proof of your victory, here's the
Zephyr Badge. Topaz, your ability to Master a wild Pokemon as easily as you did will put far above your rivals. And you saved my
gym and even though you were the one who put it in danger I reward the Badge is yours also." From somewhere in his pleated
skirt he took out two silver Badges that were shaped like a pair of wings.
From her jeans pocket, Sumalee pulled out a small purple velvet bag with gold embroidery put the Wings inside and pulled the
drawstring closed. I accepted my Badge; though I was disappointed I didn't get to battle him, and wondered where to keep it. I
searched my pockets put found nothing but lint. In the end I put it in a spare Pokeball and hoped I didn't forget about it.
"Come Elm's assistant will be at the PokeCentre by now. I started towards the stairs, but I didn't get far. Pidgeot bobbed his head
and scooped me onto her back.
I laughed. "Come on Fury! Pidgeot, reckon you can carry Sumalee too?"
"Pidgeooooot!"
Sumalee barely had time to scramble aboard and clutch my shirt before Pidgeot stepped up to the ledge and step over like the
suicidal maniac I could be sometimes. As soon as we were in the air Pidgeot dropped into a stoop. She folded her wings back so
that we were nestled safely between and just let us fall.
"Yeah!" I screamed as adrenaline pump though my veins. Sumalee just screamed, period.
Again the floors rushed by at a phenomenal speed. And when it looked as if we were going to smash against the pavement,
Pidgeot gave one massive stroke of her wings and we were soaring over the buildings once more.
"Seeya Faulkner! Bye Talon!" I waved good-bye and soon they were nothing but specks.
"That's better," Suma sighed, relaxing her grip on my waist and tightening it on Maverick.
I agree completely. There's nothing I've ever experienced that could have come close to the feeling of floating on the wind. Forget
perception-altering drugs. Forget Hang gliding.
Forget standing on the Mary of the Titanic with Leo Dicaprio holding your arms wide, (forget that anyway!).
Nothing.
The pains of this afternoon and three afternoons before drifted away like the clouds that were now so close. On the wings of
Pidgeot, I made the decision to become the greatest Flying Trainer of all. The Wings of Council would be mine.