6 The Hunter Strikes
Waiting outside the cottage beside the hunter, Dokoto stood with its head held high, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to please its master. This was something new to the dog. From the time it had first been born, Dokoto had never felt such intensity from its master. There was some purpose driving the hunter now, a goal burning within him that overshadowed all others, including his very survival. The dog could not understand this drive, but that wasn't important. All that mattered was the goal and Dokoto only wanted to help its master fulfill this purpose. With a supportive growl, it pressed its head up against the hunter's side. Lupus reached down with his disfigured hands and scratched the hound behind the ears.
"Good boy," he whispered. "Do not attack unless I call for you."
He turned back to the cottage, with an impatient glare. Why was it taking so long?
"If you are in there," he shouted angrily, "then come out now!"
With the squeak of a rusty hinge, the door opened. Lupus watched calmly as an aged figured appeared at the threshold, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. He stepped lightly off his small porch onto the grass and shook his head. He eyed the slayer with the patient look of one who has grown accustomed to the hastiness of youth.
"Hmm, hmm," he muttered, apparently to himself. "What's this? Someone yells at me from my front lawn. How vulgar. What is the world coming to, if common courtesy is so alien to our youth?"
His voice became more direct as he addressed Lupus. "Are you aware that it is rude to shout at your elders, young man? You should at least have the civility to knock at the door. We were just eating dinner, now, you know. If you'd been more polite, I might have invited you in to sit with us. It's a lovely meal."
Lilly felt her stomach sink into her legs at the sight of the stranger as she and the others crowded around the door, peeking out at him in confusion. She could feel the ill intent of the stranger directed toward her grandfather, an incomprehensible desire to do harm that drained the color from her face. As she stared into the hunter's face, an overwhelming sense of infinity came upon her, a timelessness that expanded beyond the normal comprehension of man. What could he want? What was he?
The hunter's eyes narrowed. "The day of judgment is at hand," he declared. "Are you prepared to face it?"
Lotus's expression suddenly became very distant, his eyes widening in a mixture of terror and annoyance. He stared blankly, his gaze focused on some horror only he could see.
"Jury duty again," he mumbled loudly. Turning back toward his home, he said, "No, I've no time for that. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, but I can't help you. Good night."
Lupus tensed up, his eye twitching. The sword slid from its sheath with a sharp ring. "You would mock your executioner?" he growled.
The old man hesitated in the doorway, letting loose a heavy sigh. Clicking his tongue, he turned back to face the slayer, an unconcerned look on his face.
"Executioner?" he repeated doubtfully. "You shout at me from my lawn, demanding that I come out to see you, and you tell me that you are my executioner? Not only are you exceptionally tactless, but you are a fool as well. Do you know who you are talking to?"
Lupus grunted. "You are a sorcerer," he replied. "I need no further information. I am Lupus, the hunter, and you are my prey."
The name struck Lotus as a physical blow, staggering him. His foot inched back a step and fear crept into his eyes. Steeling his expression, he tilted his head toward the door and whispered to his granddaughter.
"Get my pouches," he instructed. "Quickly."
As Lilly disappeared into the house, Lotus stepped slowly off the porch, his eyes never leaving the slayer. He planted his feet on the ground, positioning himself in the best possible stance to evade his opponent's attacks until he could get his components. Lupus growled, recognizing his victim's movements.
At once, the assault began. Lupus came forward with such speed that it was all his prey could do to fall clumsily out of the way of the blade. The next jab sank into the earth between Lotus's right arm and torso, barely missing the flesh. The old man's leg shot up abruptly, catching Lupus on the hand and knocking it away from the weapon.
Lupus, too focused on his attack to be surprised by his aged opponent's dexterity, twirled with the blow, catching his sword with his other hand and bringing it down on the rebound. A gash appeared on Lotus's left arm as he was rising to his feet, blood splattering on the ground as he fell back again.
The next blow would have killed the sorcerer if the hunter hadn't been forced to pull it off to avoid the thunderbolt that came between them, landing several feet back. He twirled to face the interloper, fire burning in the forest of his eyes. Ash and Pikachu stood before him, prepared to attack.
"Don't interfere!" he roared.
"Leave him alone," cried another voice that matched his own for furry.
As the slayer's attention shifted to the young girl his eyes widened in shock. He stared at her in disbelief, his mouth gaped open beneath his collar, his sword falling from his hand. The small face with its round cheeks, the tousled, auburn hair, the innocent green eyes; it couldn't be! His throat constricted and a strangled gasp escaped from him. In his stupor, a single word stumbled its way from his mouth.
"M-Morgan?"
"Morgan?" Ash repeated, looking back at Misty.
Misty stared back at Lupus with a blank expression. She had expected to face the hunter's anger, steeled herself against the coming rage, but this strange reaction stole the words from her mouth. She stared back, too stunned to move.
Immediately, the realization of what he had just said dawned on the hunter. He grasped his head with both hands, closing his eyes and shaking it violently to drive away the memories that haunted him. He muttered to himself in a quiet, shaky tone, choking on his words.
"No, it's not her. It can't be her."
Several agonizing seconds passed before Lupus finally regained his senses. Bending down to retrieve his sword, he shot Misty a stern glance, but his conviction seemed to have weakened.
"Stay out of this if you don't want to get hurt," he warned, pointing his blade at the two of them.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed Lilly rushing to her grandfather. Turning, he charged in to intercept, only to be cut off by a second thunderbolt, leaping straight up into the trees to evade it. He shot Ash a warning glare, only to have it returned with another. With a quick glance, he saw the sorcerer strapping on the belt of pouches, while his granddaughter ran back to the safety of the house.
A low growl of frustration rumbled in his throat. He didn't have time to waste on a kid, not now that his opponent had armed himself. Seeing the boy's pikachu, he realized the simple solution. He called to his companion and pointed at the electric rodent.
"Deal with them," he ordered.
Lupus didn't bother to watch Dokoto fight. He had other things to worry about and he was confident in his dog's abilities. Hopping down from the tree, the slayer stalked toward his prey. In his hand, Lotus held a wand of pink and white coral, pointing it at his attacker. Lupus' eyes narrowed as he lifted his blade, aiming the point for his prey's heart.
---
Dokoto growled furiously at its opponent, teeth bared. Pikachu stood unflinching as the houndour slowly advanced toward it. It understood that if it failed, Lotus could die and it was determined to protect its friends. It could sense its opponent's own determination, however. Dokoto didn't care who it faced, it only knew one thing; this creature was in its master's way and that made it angry. The two pokemon's eyes met with resolution.
"Ready?" Ash asked.
"Pika!"
Dokoto struck first. An eerie blue light emanated from its eyes just as the gaze of the two creatures met. The order to attack never registered in Pikachu's mind. All it could see was the demonic glow of Dokoto's eyes and all it heard was the dog's cruel snarl. Under that fierce glare, an icy wave of terror seized hold of Pikachu's heart and it shrank back, cringing with fear.
Dokoto's roar shook the forest as it charged forward. Panicked, Pikachu tried to flee, but Dokoto's teeth sank into its neck. Ash cried out in rage as he watched his dear friend thrashed about violently by the houndour's powerful jaws, squealing in pain.
Dokoto tossed the pokemon to the ground. Pikachu struggled to rise to its feet, but the hound rushed forward relentless, placing its head under Pikachu's body and throwing it into a tree. Pouncing on the lightning mouse the moment it hit the ground, Dokoto pinned it, chomping brutally on it repeatedly.
"Stop it!" Ash demanded, rushing the dog.
Dokoto snapped its head toward him, flames spewing from its open mouth. Ash ducked, allowing the attack to overshoot him, the flames passing perilously close. Dokoto growled at him, then looked back to Pikachu. Lifting its paws from the mouse, the dog sniffed it curiously. With a satisfied snort, the houndour turned from its opponent and trotted away.
Ash stumbled forward, dropping to his knees as he reached Pikachu. The pokemon lay still, bleeding heavily from its numerous wounds, its breath shallow and labored. Unbridled tears rolling down his cheeks, Ash gently lifted his friend and cradled it in his arms.
"Pikachu," he sobbed. "Say something."
Pikachu remained silent.
"Take it inside," Lilly ordered him urgently. "We have to stop the bleeding."
Rising to his feet, Ash rushed toward the house, his friends following close behind.
---
Lupus charged, his sword leading him on. At the sorcerer's command word, a volley of spikes leapt from the wand, whistling through the air toward the slayer. Moonlight and sparks danced on the steel of the hunter's twirling sword as each spike clanged against it. The wand offered little resistance as Lupus's blade passed effortlessly through it, bursting into an explosion of light. Lotus ducked to the side moments before the second strike came from overhead, reaching into his pouch for his next spell's components.
The hunter's third strike stopped before it fell, interrupted by the brilliant flare that struck him directly in the face. The shock and pain caused him stumble back, blinded and dazed, covering his eyes with his free hand. Lotus had hoped to use the slayer's blindness to distance himself from his attacker, but Lupus had dealt such spells before and recovered from the surprise quickly. Without his sight, he focused on the sound of his prey's retreating footsteps.
Lotus had not expected the attack so soon. Caught off his guard, he felt the sword slash across his back, drawing a long red line. Gasping in pain, he stumbled forward, barely managing to dodge the next blow. The third attack tore a hole in the front of his robes, only just missing his flesh, and he fell back against the tree.
With a triumphant shout, he thrust the sword forward, smiling as he heard the old man cry out in alarm and felt the blade sink into the tree. The smile faded when the sound of retreating footsteps reached his ears.
Growling, he tugged at his sword, but it held fast in the bark. Pressing his foot against the trunk, he pulled with all his weight. Still the sword would not come out. With a frustrated roar, he hopped forward, pressing down with one leg and smashing his other foot into the tree, pushing the blade further into the tree as he did. The trunk shuddered, snapped and toppled backward, releasing its grip on the weapon.
Lotus stared at the slayer in horror. How could anyone have such strength? It wasn't humanly possible! He took a step backward as the Lupus turned on him, once again opening his eyes.
Lotus's hand went to his belt; Lupus's raised the sword. The hunter struck, rushing forward with redoubled tenacity. Lotus threw out his hand, shouting the words of a spell. Time slowed to a crawl as the sword began to fall, gleaming coldly in the moonlight. Lotus saw every inch of movement with perfect clarity, as though the swing were passing through water. The crackle of building energy preluded the strong scent of ozone, magic growing in the sorcerer's hands as he finished the incantation. A sparkling golden beam leapt from the sorcerer's hand, its force throwing him to the ground. Lupus knew instantly what it meant, but, too close to evade, could do nothing but watch.
The burst of energy struck the hunter on the chest, blasting the air from his lungs. The force of the beam lifted him from his feet and launched him like a bullet exploding from the chamber of a gun. Hurtling through the air, his head struck the branch of a tree, sending him into an erratic spin, his sword falling from his hand. He crashed into the hard earth, rolled until he struck the trunk of another tree and sprawled out limply on its roots, two hundred feet from where the beam first struck him.
Lotus rose to his feet with a heavy sigh. He stared dazedly at the flaccid body of the sorcerer slayer, not sure what to do next. He felt his mouth dry up as he watched Dokoto race to its fallen master's side. The dog gently nuzzled Lupus's body with its nose, whimpering pleadingly.
"You did it, Grandfather," Lilly shouted, the flood of relief turning to joy as she rushed to him. "You . . ."
She stopped short when her grandfather turned to her, covering her mouth with a gloved hand. She had never seen Lotus look so pitifully weary. The weight of every single year of his long life pulled down on his face and his shoulders sagged crestfallenly. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
"What's wrong?" Misty asked, approaching them.
"I just killed a man," Lotus muttered dejectedly, his voice quivering. "And I have no idea why."
He stumbled weakly toward his granddaughter, wrapping his arms around her. Lilly returned the embrace, allowing his tears to drip onto her shoulders.
"What drives someone to such reckless violence?" the old man sobbed. "Why did I have to do this?"
Ash stared at them in confusion, holding his bandaged pikachu in his arms. He started to speak, but Brock's elbow struck him in the ribs, halting his words. He stared up at Brock indignantly, but seeing the older boy's stern glare, he realized the mistake of asking anything at the moment. He let the old man weep, waiting with uneasy silence. When Lotus at last finished, he straightened up and cleared his throat.
"You'd best go back inside now," he said to the others. "It's getting cold outside."
The others started back toward the cottage. Lotus remained where he was, facing Lupus's prone body in pensive silence. He had never killed anyone before. Even though he had only been defending himself, he still found it hard to accept what he had done as necessary. Might there have been another way? He wondered for a long moment if he could have stopped the fight somehow, though he knew that there would have been nothing he could have said to halt the hunter. With a dejected sigh, he turned his back to his fallen opponent and started back to the cottage.
"Farewell, Lupus," he said. "For whatever reason, the legacy of the hunter is at last ended."
"Not . . ." murmured an angry voice. "Not quite yet."
Stricken with horror, Lotus whirled around to see the body stirring. Lupus's hand clenched over the grass as the hunter struggled to raise his head, glaring at his prey furiously. Slowly, he rose to his knees.
"You haven't won," he growled.
The others stared, overwhelmed by the sight they beheld. With some difficulty, Lupus stood.
"How?" Lotus gasped. "No one could have survived that!"
Lupus took a step forward, but his knees buckled and he nearly fell back to the ground, catching hold of a tree to stop himself. Leaning against the tree for support, the hunter fought off the dizzying pain assaulting his body. Lotus watched the slayer's struggle to remain standing, sighing wearily.
"I am amazed by your determination," the sorcerer commented, "but you're greatly injured. You must realize that you can't win now."
Lupus ignored the old man, the pain slowly fading. Straining a little, he relinquished his hold on the tree, stepping away from his support.
"I have no desire to kill you," Lotus stated. "If you're being paid to do this, it's not worth throwing your life away."
Lupus growled softly, his eyes aflame. "You think I do this for money?" he hissed.
"What then?" Lotus asked. "For the challenge? Do you think this is fun?"
"I take no pleasure in killing!" Lupus roared. "Do not presume to understand me. People like you could never grasp my motives."
Lotus sighed again. "Whatever the reason," he replied, "you can't win."
"Can't I?"
Lupus's hand slipped beneath his cowl. Lotus strained to see the hand-sized device the hunter withdrew. Lupus raised it and the sorcerer saw it clearly. Straw-shaped with a rounded end, he recognized it immediately. He felt a rush of air pass by very close to his head. A tiny needle stuck into the tree behind him.
"You didn't think that I wouldn't be prepared for this eventuality, did you?" Lupus sneered.
Removing another needle from his cloak, Lupus tipped its edge in the toxin stored in his weapon's handle and reloaded it. He lifted it up again.
"It takes effect the instant it enters the blood stream," he explained. "It causes first paralysis, then fever and unconsciousness follow within minutes. After a few hours, the body's vital functions begin to shut down until the heart stops beating. Even if you have the antidote, a paralyzed, unconscious man is easily enough dispatched."
Lotus shifted his feet and prepared to make his move. His hands inching to his pouches, he prepared to cast another spell, but a flash of black and brown cut him off as Dokoto came down on top of him.
He saw the hunter move toward him, retrieving his sword as he passed it. He struggled to push the dog off of him, to reach for his pouches, but Dokoto's teeth found their way into his arm.
Hearing her grandfather's cry of pain, Lilly turned to her Murkrow.
"Help him!" she ordered.
Obeying its trainer's command, the bird leapt from the branch and flew toward the hunter.
Standing over his prey with a cold glare, Lupus raised his weapon. Making a last, desperate attempt, Lotus pressed his thumb and forefinger into the joints of Dokoto's jaw, forcing its mouth open and prying his hand out. Exerting all of his strength, he rolled onto his side, throwing the dog off. Lupus's booted foot connected with his shoulder and then came down on his chest, pinning him. Lupus raised his sword.
"Die."
With a loud caw, Murkrow came down, raking its talons across his face. Lupus stumbled backward, swinging at the attacking pokemon. The bird dodged the strikes, continually clawing back at the hunter's face. Enraged, his fist clenched over his dart shooter, hitting the trigger. Released, the spring shot forward and expelled the dart from the chamber. Lotus's head twisted to the side, watching the stray needle drill its way through the air. His face contorted with horror as he realized its trajectory.
A sudden, horrible silence fell over the forest. Togepi tumbled from Misty's limp fingers as she dropped, the needle embedded deeply in her chest.
