The Rescue
This part is dedicated to all those who think flying on Lugia's back must be fun. Maybe it would be…but not if it's in a hurry!
On my back! Lugia said. Lawrence climbed up, and had barely got on when Lugia took a leap into the air and spread his wings. Lawrence was rocked back, then forwards as Lugia sprang into the air. He threw his arms around Lugia,s neck, shut his eyes, and hung on for dear life. It didn't help when Lugia speeded up, obviously going as fast as he could. It was like being in a very fast car in the dual carriageway of a motorway, with one important difference: Lugia was not equipped with a seatbelt! Lawrence clung to Lugia's warm feathery neck, wishing dearly that the trip was over.
Soon it was, and Lawrence gratefully slid off Lugia's back. But he didn't have time to recover: he set off at full pelt to his machine. He used his remote to open the door and lower his chair to the bottom level. He threw himself into his seat, stabbed a button to take him to the control centre, and took off. The legs retracted, the propellers began to spin and the machine rose into the sky.
One of the Lugias-the one which had transported him there-was flying by his side: as he watched, the other came up and joined him on the other side. Together, the three of them headed for Cyrill's machine.
What weaknesses do these machines have? You own one: you must know its shortcomings. One of them asked
Inertia's a big one. said Lawrence as his hands flew over the controls, pushing buttons and flipping switches. This thing's so big and so heavy that it's slow to change direction. It can't change it's direction of flight that suddenly, and turning would take forever. Unfortunately, this was foreseen, so it has directional thrusters and has no real front-the circular design is deliberate. But it can't rise of fall suddenly. It's size is another thing-it's less strong because of the open space that is the exhibition hall.
What would be the best approach to take with dealing with it? We want to rescue Lu and disable his machine so it cannot endanger us or the birds. However, we do not want the human inside damaged, angry as we are.
I'd say speed followed by brute force is your best option. He could see the situation on his display board-two of the stylised figures representing the machines one flanked by two equally stylised Lugia figures . One of the machine icons was making for Ice Island, representing Cyrill's progress. The second shape flanked by Lugia icons, representing his machine, was in pursuit and closing. They were fast approaching Cyrill's machine. Now, let's get his attention, shall we? he thought to LugiaHopefully this'll take his attention off you, the birds and Lu! Lawrence lowered his machine's weapons from it's belly, and let fly with some ice balls. They hit Cyrill's machine, and certainly got his attention. His machine shuddered from top to bottom and one of the ice balls hit a minaret square on. The minaret shattered.
The Lugias didn't give Cyrill a chance to change direction, power up his own weapons, or even call Lawrence to find out what was going on: They both arrowed towards the machine. One struck out at the top, crushing all the rest of the minarets and shaking the machine from top to bottom: the other body slammed the side, cracking the side and shattering the windows. The first swung its tail as the second body slammed again: the cracks grew. The second gave off body slamming and flew back, then turned to face the machine as the weapons emerged from its belly. Lawrence, seeing the danger of this, knowing the various weapons and catching equipment the guns could fire, aimed a barrage of ice balls at Cyrill's weapons.
The Lugia in the meantime turned and aeroblasted the cracked area of wall. This was obviously more strain than the structure could take, and the cracked wall shattered. The Lugia flew for the machine, grasping the edge of the hole that had been left, and reaching in. It withdrew from the hole, and it was holding the trapped Lu in its jaws. One bite from the jaws and the youngster was free as the shapes snapped. At this, both Lugias left the machine to splash down near Ice Island. As the machine splashed down the control centre as it was programmed to do separated from the main structure. The control centre was now both lifeboat and prison for Cyrill until he could be rescued, probably by Lawrence. Lawrence himself planned to leave Cyrill in there a few ours to teach him a lesson: see how he liked being cooped up and left for ages!
As the main part of the machine began sinking, there was an exodus of Pokemon: all the birds that could fly were doing so. The Doduos and Dodrios ran to the top of the machine, which stopped sinking as the water near Ice Island was relatively shallow. The Vulpixes and Ninetales joined them: the Vaporeon was in its element, and swam for Ice Island. With a blast of fire the Charizards blasted out of the hole, one after the other and the Charmanders and Charmeleon joined the others on top of the machine. The Squirtles, Wartortles and the Blastoise followed the Vaporeon's lead but headed for the open ocean rather than the island. Soon all the non-flying non-swimming pokèmon were sitting or standing on the ruined structure and Lawrence sent a radio call to Shamouti Island to send several large boats and a Nurse Joy.
The Lugias had sank beneath the waves with their child and Lawrence just hoped Lu was okay. He set a course for the satellite island, and rummaged in the extensive cupboards of his machine. A full restore! Just the thing! The machine landed and he found some oxygen tanks and lead weights from another cavernous cupboard, and strapped them on. He pushed out his boat from the island's beach, and set course for the approximate area where Lu had first taken
After a while he found the entrance to Lugia's cavern and went in. Pulling himself out, he saw the two Lugias curled up on the nest with the weary and frightened Lu between them. Lu was the first to spot him.
Laurie! he cried in greeting. The two adults turned their heads his way.
Thank you for your help. one said. Come over-Lu has been asking about you since we got him down here. Reassure him you're alright. Laurie made his way over taking off the lead weights and oxygen tanks.
Lu, I'm fine! It's you I'm worried about! He waved the bottle of full restore. Here, I have something for you!
What is that? one of the adults asked sharply.
It's a restorative I had on me. It should make him feel better. Lawrence explained. He picked his way over. One of the adults reluctantly lifted its wing as he approached, exposing the rest of Lu's body. Lawrence sprayed Lu liberally with the full restore, and he perked up.
I feel better! he said, and indeed he sounded more his chirpy self.
Lu, before you come up to see me in future, check it's alright with me first! he told him.
I will. said Lu.
Stay a while until he sleeps. one of the adults said.
Sure. I have to rescue Cyrill sometime, but he can wait! Lawrence said. He's safe enough where he is, in every sense of the word!
Lawrence sat by Lu until he went to sleep, and then picked his way back over to his diving equipment. Spotting something long and white in a corner, he went over to investigate. It was a large white feather, easily as long as he was tall, square at the end. He lifted it up-it was very light-and pulled it to where the two adults could see it.
Do you need this, or could I take it please? he asked.
It is one of mine. one of the adults said. It dropped from my wing the other day. I have no further use for it. Please do take it if you wish.
Thank you! said Lawrence. He put on his belt and oxygen tanks, and as he lowered himself into the water he heard one of the Lugias call Come again sometime soon!
Clutching the monstrous feather carefully, Lawrence swam slowly to the surface following his anchor line. He deposited the feather in the boat, and climbed on himself. He sat recovering for a moment stowed the gear, and started the motor. He headed back to the satellite island and took the feather into the exhibition hall of his machine. For a good hour he fussed about, working out where to put it, finally deciding on a place. Then he called his chair, which ascended to the control centre, and called Cyrill on the radio: that would still be working.
"Cyrill?" he called.
"Lawrence? I'm stuck in here bobbing about on the ocean. I get seasick, please rescue me! I need the toilet!"
Lawrence's finger hovered over the reply button as he thought. Depressing the button an evil smile spread over his face as he replied.
"Okay Cyrill, but you'll have to wait a couple of hours at least. I've got a problem with the engines. Just try to hold on…..."
