Cyrill.
"Hello, Cyrill, I'm kind of busy at the moment." Said Lawrence, looking up at the two adult Lugias
"I've been asked by your parents to bring down your new machine, I'll be bringing it tomorrow. Tell the islanders so they don't throw a knicker fit, would you?"
"Ok, but I have to go. Goodbye!" He switched off the radio. He turned to Lu.
Look, I have a friend coming, his name's Cyrill. He's okay most of the time but he wouldn't hesitate to capture you, so I'd advise you to stay away. I'm getting a new machine delivered, and with your parent's permission, I'll take you up in it some point. But just remember: while Cyrill's here, stay away from him!
Okay. said Lu. He looked up at his anxious parents. Can I go in Laurie's machine when it comes? Can I? Can I?
Okay, but don't let him do anything to you that you don't want him to. If he tries to imprison you, you aeroblast him. We've taught you how to defend yourself, do it if you have to. They looked at Lawrence. Remember, we'll be keeping an eye on you!
Keep my son safe. said the other, Then first one, than the other, folded their wings and dived beneath the waves.
Lawrence breathed out. Well, that didn't go too bad, considering. Lu was looking up at him.
W-was it really you who did all that stuff to Dad and the birds? It was clear he was having trouble equating his friend Laurie with the monstrous figure he'd imagined in connection with the bird incident. Lawrence hung his head.
Yes, I'm afraid it was. I'm older, wiser and better behaved now. He reached out, and stroked the top of Lu's head. Befriending you has made me a far better and nicer person than before.
Mum and Dad at least are letting us meet now. Perhaps they'll let me bring you home some time. Then I can show you how I've arranged my collection!
I'd like that. said Lawrence. But I don't think I can hold my breath as long as you!
I'll take you down fast enough so you can! said Lu. I can swim very, very fast!
Okay, I guess I'll trust you. said Lawrence.
Let's go now! said Lu, dropping into the water. Lawrence looked down at the eager youngster, shrugged, and took of his over-clothes.
Why not? As long as your parents don't mind.
Nah, they'll be okay. Lu assured him.
When Lawrence was clad in just his underwear, he slid into the water next to Lu. Lu swam over, extending his wings.
Okay, grab on and take a deep breath! Lu said. Lawrence did as he was told, taking a firm but gentle grip on the curve of Lu's shoulders and inhaling deeply. Then he descended beneath the waves as Lu took off at a fair speed.
True to his word, Lu took Laurie down to his home before Lawrence felt need to take another breath. Lawrence pulled himself out of the water and looked around.
The walls seemed lined with a phosphorescent plant, and far, far above rose the roof, which had cracks in it through which daylight filtered, so although dim, the cave was lit. A dark shape at one end shifted, and the silhouette of a head on a long neck rose from it. For a moment, two eyes glowed neon-blue, and a think-voice said Lu, do you think this is wise?
I promised I'd show him my feathers! said Lu. It'll be allright! Lu led the way towards the silhouette, and as they passed it, Lawrence saw it was one of the adults, lying on a pile of seaweed and feathers. The adult briefly stroked its head down Lu's side as they passed, then curved its neck around on its body in a very swanlike way, watching them depart. Lu took Lawrence up a moist and dark passage, instructing him to hold on to his wing. Then he had to climb an almost vertical cliff, with Lu flying just below him lest he fall, but luckily his searching hands and feet found plenty of toeholds and handholds. Then he had to pull himself forward on his belly to look down a hole.
There on a natural platform, lit by the light from a long slash of flame in the middle, lay all the feathers. It was very still in the cavern, with barely a breath of wind. The feathers all seemed to be held down by a small gobbet of sticky substance, which Lu told him was gathered from inside certain rare shells. Lawrence noticed another light source from another side, and turned his head to see a brightly shining spear of light on another slightly higher platform.
Feathers Dad gathered on Fire and Lightning islands. Lu said. They fell off Moltres and Zapdos. Like all birds, they moult feathers all year round.
They're beautiful, Lu! exclaimed Lawrence.
The shells are a bit further up. Lu said, and indicated that Lawrence should continue climbing.
It was a lot easier, with the light from the two brightly-glowing feathers, and soon they reached another platform, upon which an amazing array of shells were displayed. Off to one side was a smaller display, of pearls. Three black pearls, one large and two slightly smaller, occupied pride of place in the middle. Lu reached over with his long neck, and picked up one of the black pearls. He deposited it in Lawrence's hand.
I collected this for you ages ago, but kept forgetting to bring it. said Lu.
Thank you! said Lawrence. He gently put it back in place. Bring it next time you come-my underwear has no pockets!
Okay. said Lu. Climb onto my back, hold onto my shoulders, and lay out along the top of my body.
Uh-okay, but why? asked Lawrence, as he complied.
We've got to get down! said Lu, and launched himself off the platform into empty space!
Lu, I'm too heavy for you! cried Lawrence. He felt Lu spread his wings.
Don't worry! I'll glide! Anyway, we can have a soft landing! Trust me! Lawrence couldn't watch and squeezed his eyes shut as they dropped down past the feather display. He fancied he felt their descent slowing, but did not open his eyes.
Hold your breath! cried Lu, and that was all the warning he got before he felt them drop into the water. He held his breath and felt Lu using powerful strokes of his long wings to propel them back to the surface. He let go of Lu, stroking up himself to avoid weighing Lu down.
He and Lu both reached the surface at about the same time. Swimming to the side, they both pulled themselves out of the water. One of the adults had come over to the side.
Lu, you go to your mother and have a rest. I'll take your friend back to his boat.
Aww, do I have to? Lu asked.
You've shown him your feathers and shells. You're tired and need a rest, you can see him another day!
It's okay, Lu, as soon as it's safe, I'll show you my things. You go and rest, and it'll soon be tomorrow. I trust your parent.
Okaay. said Lu reluctantly, moving over to where the parent on the weed and feather nest had extended a wing. He climbed up onto the nest, and the wing was carefully closed and lowered over Lu.
Climb on. said the first parent, crouching by Lawrence. Lawrence clambered on.
Hold your breath. Then the adult took a dive into the water.
It broke water right beside his boat, and Lawrence was able to climb off Lugia's back and straight into his boat. The Lugia trained one eye on him.
I suppose I will be seeing you again someday. Then it sank back beneath the waves. Lawrence dug a towel out of a drawer, dried himself off, and redressed.
The next day, he went to visit the headman of the island. He told him that Cyrill would be bringing his machine, and the headman said " I will need to discuss this with you. Meet me at eleven tomorrow." Lawrence nodded. He got back in his boat, and went to meet Cyrill by the edge of the island.
"It's good to see you again, Lawrence!" said Cyrill jovially. He was a smaller man than Lawrence, with a thick head of neck length black hair, carefully layered. It gave the illusion of more height than Cyrill actually possessed. The darkness of his hair provided a sharp contrast to the bright yellow silk shirt and bright red silk trousers Cyrill was wearing. "How is your collection going?"
"I've started a collection of shells and feathers." Said Lawrence. "I'm not so into collecting living things as I was. Too much trouble. You've had to bring me the new machine my parents had built for me because my old one was trashed by the birds! What about you, old friend?"
"I'm doing well! I've obtained several rare Pokemon. I have all five of the eevee evolutions, as well as a Delibird, and a Skarmory. The eevees are displayed in the same case, and the birds take pride of place in my aviary. On the non-living side, I collected several rare works of art for my gallery." Cyrill dropped an electronic key into Lawrence's hand. "Anyway, there's the key to your new machine. I hope you're not as careless with it as your last one." Lawrence watched Cyrill till he turned the corner, then got back in his boat and headed for the island Cyrill said he'd left the machine on. When he got there, he got his feathers and shells out, and spent the entire afternoon arranging them in cabinets of a size Lu could look into. Then he got it airborne, and headed for the open sea.
Lu? he called. You can come into my machine, Cyrill's gone now, it's safe! Lu turned up in five minutes. Lawrence already had the bulb at the bottom of the machine open. Lu saw the opening as the invitation it was, and flew up and was met by Lawrence in the large display chamber.
Here you are! I remembered this time! said Lu, dropping a black pearl into Lawrence's hand.
Thank you, Lu! said Lawrence. He extracted a white satin cushion from a storage drawer, placed it in a display case, and gently set the black pearl on it. He then took Lu to see his feather display. Lu's own donated feather was set on a deep purple pedestal in pride of place at the centre. Then he took him to see his shells, and then showed him his trading card collection, sadly depleted from what it was, although Lawrence was planning to rebuild it. Then he took him through to his resting-room, which had beanbags and cushions of various sizes scattered about. Lu put about three together and then flopped down on them, and Lawrence found one of a size to accommodate his large frame, and threw himself down onto it. He was near a window, and peered out of it. Down in the sea below, he saw a long-winged form swimming just below the surface. One of the parents was keeping an eye on him.
Lawrence went and brought some fresh shrimps, crabs, and fish from the fridge for Lu, and some fresh chilled fruit for himself.
So where's your friend Cyrill now? asked Lu.
Back on the mainland by now, out of harm's way I should imagine! said Lawrence, little realising that Cyrill had gone no further than the next island.
A few hours later, Lawrence suggested that Lu leave, as his parents would be getting concerned.
Can I come back soon That fish was delicious! Lu said.
Of course you can! I'll let you back in tomorrow, after I've had my talk with the village's headman, OK?
Ok, I'll be watching and waiting for you! Lu said. He flew down to join his watchful parent in the sea. Lawrence watched until he'd gone, and then flew his machine back to Shamouti. He had that appointment with the headman the next morning.
He turned up on time at the hut, and spent the next half-hour explaining to the headman that his parents had had the machine built along the lines of the original, not realising that the guns and capturing mechanisms would not be needed. He offered to leave the weaponry with the islanders as a gesture of trust. The headman nodded, and offered Lawrence a cup of tea. He accepted, after checking the time. It was 11.35.
At 11.20 the same day, Lu was watching the skies eagerly, waiting for Lawrence's machine to come. He'd enjoyed the fish the day before and was hoping for some more. He saw a familiar mechanism come into view from one of Shamouti's smaller satellite islands, and joyfully flew up to meet it. As he approached, the bulb at the bottom opened, and Lu angled up towards it. It was a shame that he hadn't approached it from above, or he might have noticed the main difference between this machine and the one he'd entered before: it had minarets on the top. As it was, he flew up towards it, little realising that it was not Lawrence's hand on the helm.
When the weapons at the bottom spat blue triangular shapes at him, he was so surprised he didn't even cry out. When he was drawn in through the bottom, and came to rest, still ensnared, in the large hall, he got his first look at Cyrill, who, upon seeing him, simply smiled, and left the room.
