Chapter 1: Legends of Water

The Circus backstage was dinghy, an opposite of the bright, almost too happy spectators area. The back was where violence happened; its dirt was khaki brown from the bloodsheds. The tent itself was faded, it's fabric looked tired and worn from happenings beyond its folds.

Almost no light filtered inwards and the Pokemon were usually paralyzed from the Thunder Waves of the Ringmasters Magneton. If they didn't obey the Sleep-powder was thrown over them. The harshest punishment was Poison-powder. It brought great suffering, and huge black patches in which the fur usually falls out.

Georgia was cleaning the dirt around the latest bloodshed. It was the nightly seven o'clock show and she could hear the crowd buzzing with excitement as a Raichu did a magnet act. The crowd roared suddenly and the electric mouse was brought back in. Spark's eyes were fearful, his large yellow cheeks were buzzing from unwanted electricity. When he saw Georgia his tense expression relaxed a little and he stumbled over. The Ringmaster had lost all interests with Spark. He was talking, no, muttering to a tamer.

"Have you cleaned up the 'dary." He hissed.

"Yes. She's ready for the stage. 'ad to sedate her to get her gentled. Ya may need a person to sort of calm her. You know, a bonder." He glanced at Melanie. "She seems ta have a way with tha' Pokemon. Make it all the ones that are 'ere." He was looking malevolently at Spark as he said this. Georgia felt a flash of hot fury towards the greasy man.

"Bring it out." He commanded. Immediately two tamers wrestled out a Pokemon.

::Let me go puny humans!:: Shrieked a voice. Georgia felt her mouth fall open in astonishment..

The Suicune was standing with the tamers, her fierce red eyes blazing. There was a thick, oily leather muzzle strapped around her soft nose. On her back was a cheap, rusty steel plate that curved up into the shape of a saddle. A bridle made from the same material as the muzzle was hanging from one of the tamer's hands. He was clutching it rather tightly, as if it was a painkiller.

"Did you know what that sad excuse for a Legendary Pokemon just did?" He moaned. Not waiting for an answer he answered his own question. "It just bit me as I was putting the muzzle on!"

::I am a She, buddy.:: Snarled Suicune. She gathered herself together, and tucked in her head. She swiped her head around, trying to rid herself of the foul muzzle.

"Don't push it, Sui." Whispered Georgia. "He'll punish you!"

::You can hear me?:: Exclaimed Suicune in astonishment.

"Of course! Who couldn't?" Georgia hissed angrily. She glared at Suicune.

::No one can understand a Legendary Pokemon's Speech.::

Georgia blushed and scooped up the battered Raichu. She scurried away across the floor and the sharp stones dug into her callused skin on the bottom of her feet. Suicune watched her with huge, wild ruby eyes. The Tamers crept up alongside. In a flash, they were wrestling her head into the bridle, the rusty bit digging into the side of her mouth.

::Ouch!:: Suicune yelped.

Georgia winced, but didn't dare to look backwards. The Legendary thrashed helplessly. After five minutes, there was a disturbed hissing from the crowd. The Suicune was put near a large block and a brightly dressed woman mounted. She yanked the reins, and Suicune found herself walking forwards daintily.

::You foul thing! I will personally go to Ho-Oh…:: Suicune faltered.

She was steered brutally into the ring. Georgia watched helplessly from the cages. She ran quickly around and slipped through a hole in the great faded wall into the audience. She could hear Suicune scream with rage as the person on her back made her do amusing acts. Georgia heard the crowd gasp and laugh at the lady and the Legendary. They were praising her for taming such a magnificent beast. Georgia felt her trust in her own race dwindling harshly. Suicune was led back into the circus and the crowd sighed and applauded. Georgia slipped back through the hole to see the Suicune forced into the cage, wearing the muzzle. Furiously, she screeched a howl. The audience stopped whispering. Everything was stunned silence.

Suicune yowled. The audience broke into murmurs. Then, the next act went on, and the Suicune was pushed to the back of their minds.

Suicune clawed at the leather strap. It clung savagely. Bending her huge head down, the Pokemon ripped the muzzle off furiously. It opened its mouth, and a beam shot out. It glanced harmlessly at the steel bars.

"Suicune! You can't escape like that!" Georgia rushed up.

::Watch me.:: Suicune roared. She sent another beam hurtling, and the bars bent a little.

::Watch me puny humans!:: Suicune bellowed. This time, a blasting wind roared into the bars. They shattered, and Suicune leapt out, and scooped up Georgia. She clung on as the Suicune flew around, blasting the bars. One after another the Pokemon were freed, and they stampeded towards the exit.

"Get them!" Bellowed one of the Tamers, and tried to catch the furious Legendary. Suicune pulled her head free and barged into the crowd. The Pokemon followed and Suicune let out one pure, high note. The legendary's eyes glowed and the Pokemon and Melanie floated upwards and they were running along thin air.

"Suicune! Where are we going?" Georgia rasped.

::Freedom. Home.:: Suicune managed to shout into Georgia's head. Then she was engulfed by hate again and Georgia withdrew her contact. Suicune leapt out of the stifling tent into the cold night air. Georgia had never been out of the Circus tent, except for when they had shifted towns. The night sky was dotted with pinpricks of light, stretching far and wide.

Georgia looked in wonder as they flew. Suicune was leaping gracefully through the air, and sinking slightly. Her paws sunk into the earth and she drove the Pokemon a smart pace before settling into a smooth rocking rhythm. Georgia felt her eyes droop and she was sleeping soundly. Suicune rocked on.

Georgia woke to a pink sky. She was lying on a bed of grass, with the injured Pokemon all around her. Suicune had vanished.

"I should have never chased a Legend…" Sighed Georgia. She patted Sparks on the head and went off for the high rock nearby. Sitting on the edge, she looked at the rising sun with interest. She had only seen the soft moon, never the bright glary and warm Sun.

::Freedom.:: Came the familiar voice. Suicune had appeared behind Georgia.

"You! Where have you been?" Georgia looked up at the Legendary. Suicune looked as if it had come out of the pages of the storybook now, and had never been through the horror of the circus.

::I have been…around. You sleep too long.:: Suicune replied.

"Where exactly?" Georgia smirked.

::Somewhere! Honest. Now, stop calling me Suicune and start calling me Avalon.::

"Avalon? Is that your name?" Georgia queried.

::As you humans like to say, 'dur'. We are going to travel Johto. On my travels, I have picked up various objects from…around. I think they may come in useful. And, on the circumstances that you will release me often, you may use this ball.:: She nudged a pure white ball towards Georgia.

"Okay. What should I do to catch you?" Georgia picked up the ball and quizzically tilted her head.

::Just…Throw it towards me. I won't fight.:: Avalon shuddered.

"Okay. But don't go all silly on me." Georgia threw the ball gently so that it bounced off the beast. It swallowed up the Pokemon and dropped. It wobble a bit before settling into stillness. Georgia picked it up and threw it again. Suicune appeared in a flash.

::It isn't that bad. But don't leave me in there too long.:: Threatened Avalon. She picked her way delicately down the rock and bounded into the woods. Almost immediately, she seemed to ram into an invisible wall.

::OUCH!:: Avalon yowled. She tipped around dizzily, and fell to the ground.

"These must be Pokeball Boundaries." Laughed Georgia.

Hazy Aurora: There you have it. Another chapter. And hopefully this won't be the last. Please remember to Review, and until next time,

Peace! /