Vokteren: Finally I've started the next chapter. It's been way too long
between updates.
Pikachu: Sure thing. I hope you sit comfortable, because we've got twenty- three reviews.
Vokteren: Really? I have to make the answers short then. Never thought I'll say this, but I think we've got too many reviews.
Ice-Phoenix-Chan: Not quite right. But I know who you mean and I'll let it slid this time, and probably many other times( Don't be afraid of Aspen. It wasn't her, but the stones that did it. Or was it something else? At least it wasn't Aspen's fault that Rainbow got all those wounds. Sorry if you don't like me using your full name, but I have to because of the rules of formality. It is all right, right icy-chan?
Procne: You've got keen eyesight and good detection skills. Or I was horrible at showing it. Yes, I wanted it to seem like that voice was tired of being there and wanted to get over with this. The thing with the gemstones was original? Wow, I made something original.
MiraiEvo: Yes, one really has to wonder. Thanks for liking my story.
Anonymus1: Thanks for liking it.
Anonymus2: Yes she is an adept now.
Anonymus3: You'll find out.
Anonymus4: Yes. It was really about time that the reunion took place.
Anonymus5: It was suspenseful? Then I didn't fail after all.
Anonymus6: Perhaps. I'm not sure if I'll bring them back, but I might.
Anonymus7: You can wonder. I'm not going to tell.
Anonymus8: Check the next chapter. Sorry if I sounded mean.
Anonymus9: I'm planning something special to happen with the pokemon and their adept power. Wait and you'll see.
Anonymus10: Yeah, but they didn't know that Jenna and the others hadn't already been there.
Anonymus11: Because I'm not a fan of Mudshipping. The only Mia pairing I, and Pikachu, like is Mia/Ivan. Besides Jenna/Isaac is a canon pairing.
Anonymus12: It may appear so at the current point.
Anonymus13: Yes, Spirit was at Air's Rock. The next chapter shows who Rainbow lost.
Anonymus14: Not going to tell yet. Try to find it out for yourself, or wait until I tell it.
Anonymus15: You think so? I'd never use demon as a synonym to Shadow. What is a demon by the way?
Anonymus16: I must have done a horrible job if I've made Shadow look evil. And yes, Shadow is Nightmare's "master".
Anonymus17: The romance story was good? Then I'm not THE most horrible romance writer after all.
Anonymus18: Still think Shadow is evil? I hope I can convince you that he isn't evil.
Anonymus19: Who do you think she is? You just have to wait. I won't spill the beans yet.
Anonymus20: So you think she sounds like a weakling? To answer your question, Emerald Tears is meant to be "weak" in the term of strength. Emerald Tears is used to soothe and calm a living beings mind. It also holds healing capabilities. Emerald Tears is tender, smooth and caring. It isn't supposed to be "strong".
Pikachu: All those reviews and we still haven't started the story. Well get to it now.
Vokteren: I wonder who gave those twenty reviews. Could it be that friend of yours? AD?
Pikachu: No, I don't think it was him. The reviews don't have his style of writing.
Vokteren: Anyway, we'll start the story now. Sorry for holding you so long.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ [Telepathy] (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note)
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Torchic was still cold. After she tried to touch the "key of ice" as it was called, she had been shivering and sometimes passed out of the cold. None of the others knew what to do. Her body temperature had stopped dropping, but it was a miracle that she didn't die from it. Even when Garet tried to heat her up with his fire psynergy, the temperature didn't rise. Instead, the fireballs disintegrated when they came close to her. They had traveled to the ship and discussed their next course of action, and eventually they had decided that they where to travel towards Tundaria, where the last piece of the trident was hidden. While the humans had discussed, Skitty, Pikachu and Vaporeon had gotten Torchic to her room. Now she was lying in a bed, wrapped in many woolen clothes. However they just couldn't get her warmer. Isaac and Mia were standing outside Torchic's cabin after having visited her.
"I'm worried about Torchic, Isaac. Her body temperature is stable, but it is way too low. She won't last long in her current state." Mia said.
"I'm worried too. I wonder what could cause her body temperature to fall like that. I remember what you said, about that ice key of yours. But still, why is this happening?" Isaac replied. He was just as worried about Torchic as the others on the ship.
"I wish I could tell. One thing I've noticed with her is that her level of psynergy is rapidly decreasing. I wonder if that could have something to do with it." Her eyes were beginning to water.
"Perhaps. I pity Skitty, Vaporeon and Pikachu. They are really worried about their friend. I just hope that Ivan can find a way to cure her from this frost bite." Isaac gently stroke the tears away from Mia's face. He couldn't watch a girl crying.
Mia turned towards the closed door that led to Torchic's room. Inside there, Vaporeon, Skitty and Pikachu were watching over their dear friend Torchic. It pained her, not being able to help them. She turned back to Isaac, but before she could say something, she heard Garet shouting from the upper deck. Isaac and Mia headed up to Garet who was the one to currently steer the ship.
When Garet heard Mia and Isaac, he turned to them without letting his hands of the tiller. "Isaac, Mia. Can you see that town over there?" He was pointing towards a rather large town that wasn't too far away. "Do you know what town that is?"
"No, I don't. Do you know the name of that town Mia?" Isaac turned to the female healer.
"No, I don't know either. I'll go and get Ivan. I'm sure that he knows what town it is. He is the one who is in charge of navigation after all." Mia turned and started running toward the door that led into the ship. However just as she reached it, it smashed open and hit Mia straight in her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mia. I didn't know you where there." Ivan kneeled down beside Mia who was holding her head from the hit she got from the door. "I heard Garet shout and hurried up. Are you all right?"
"Don't worry Ivan. I'm all right. It didn't hurt that much." Mia got back on her feet with the help of Ivan and Isaac. "The reason Garet shouted was because he found a town, or rather a city, to the southeast and he wondered what the name of that town is." Mia pointed towards the town.
"That one? According to what I remember from the maps, then that should be Alhafra. It has a port and is a pretty big town. I would advise you to stop there. We're running low on supplies and it would be nice to sleep in a bed that doesn't rock."
"Yeah, it sounds tempting. I guess it can't hurt to stay one night at an inn. It could be good for Torchic too." Isaac said.
"No. Torchic stays here. She shouldn't be moved around too much. Besides, it won't necessary be better for her on land." Mia was sure in her decision.
"Okay Mia. You're the healer, but what about the other three? Do you think they should stay here?" Ivan asked.
"You could try to get them of the ship. If I know them right, then they won't leave Torchic, and neither will I. I'll stay here too in case something happens." Mia said.
"Ok. I won't ask them then. Are you sure you want to stay here?" Ivan asked.
"I'm sure. You three can stay in the town and I'll stay behind here with the four pokemon." Mia smiled at Ivan.
"If you really want to stay behind, then we won't stop you. Garet. Head towards Alhafra." Isaac said to his red haired friend.
"Ok Isaac. I'll let you know when we have arrived." Garet turned the tiller and rearranged the course of the ship. They would reach Alhafra by nightfall.
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Garet maneuvered the ship onto the dock on the east side of Alhafra. Ivan, Isaac and Vaporeon were standing on deck while the last four was inside the ship. Vaporeon had been "voted out". Pikachu and Skitty had decided that Vaporeon was to accompany the human males. And being the smart pokemon he was, he had agreed. If he had learned one thing from his friendship with Skitty, then it was never to argue against her decisions. Vaporeon was to hide in Garet's backpack while they were exploring the town. Ivan was pretty excited on visiting a town, and even Isaac had to admit that he needed a short break from all the traveling. When they arrived at the dock, they were greeted by a man with a round, plump face, wearing green and purple clothes. He was obviously the mayor of Alhafra. On the other side of the dock, a wrecked ship lay. They could see it even though the last rays of sunlight fell in the ocean ten minutes ago.
"Welcome to the city of Alhafra." The mayor said. "What brings you here?"
"We seek a place to stay for the night. May I ask you for permission to dock our boat here for the night?" Isaac said, trying to sound noble and important.
"I may allow you to do just that. But it costs." The mayor finished with a greedy smile.
"How much?" Isaac answered nonchalant.
"One hundred thousand coins." Greed shone from the man's small eyes.
"Okay. Ivan, may you be kind and fetch enough coins?" Isaac gave Ivan a look that said "don't question me now. I'll tell you later."
Ivan got the message and went inside the ship. Two minutes later he returned with a bag full of coins. He gave the bag to the mayor who counted up one hundred thousand coins. "Welcome to Alhafra. I hope you enjoy your stay." The mayor moved out of the way so that Isaac, Garet and Ivan could go into the town. After they had left, the mayor skidded towards his mansion like a school girl. He could milk a lot of money from these travelers.
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"Why did you give in to that price? If you had argued, we would surely have gotten some kind of discount." Ivan confronted Isaac as they traveled through the town.
[I must agree on that. That price was outrageous. I had to get a grip on myself in order to not gasp of shock.] Vaporeon said from inside Garet's bag. Thanks to his telepathically abilities, no one other than his three friends could hear him.
"Two reasons. One, that man was greed himself. He wouldn't give us a discount if his life depended on it. Two, have you seen the state of this town? Look around you." Isaac pointed around, and he had a point. Many buildings were wrecked to pieces and people were working hard, trying to get some houses back in order. Children were crying in the streets from hunger. Their mothers couldn't do anything for them. There was hardly enough food to keep all the villagers in working state and no one had time to care for other than the smallest children. This village had really felt the effects from the tidal wave.
"I see." Garet said with a voice that held a sad undertone. "But do you think the mayor is going to share anything with his village?"
"Not unless he has too. But I believe he has to do that once. Unless he is more coldhearted than anyone I've ever met then he will do it in order to sleep well at night." Isaac was disgusted with the greed this mayor fostered.
They had walked towards the part of the town that had gotten away from the wave with minor damage. This part of the town was empty of most people, however Ivan could hear a faint crying and someone speaking in a soothing voice. Ivan decided against pushing the conversation any further and instead he nudged Garet and Isaac and pointed towards where he heard the sound from, and at the same time he put a finger over his mouth, showing them that they had to be quiet. Isaac and Garet stopped and listened. They were barely able to hear the crying through the sound of working in the damaged part of the town.
"Can you hear it?" Ivan asked.
[Hear what?] Vaporeon couldn't understand why Garet had stopped.
"The sound of a child crying." Garet answered for Ivan.
[Really? Shouldn't we check it out then?] Vaporeon urged the others to look. He was curios of nature and wanted to find out more about this. Who was crying? And why?
"Just my thoughts." Isaac said.
Ivan and Garet agreed too and started following the sound. When they arrived they found two children, one girl and one slightly bigger boy. The girl's eyes were red with crying and the boy did his best to comfort her. They both had ragged clothes and the girl held a tattered doll. They looked really miserable.
The girl had black hair and pale skin. She was about the same size as Ivan's waist and her eyes seemed to sparkle blue when you saw her eyes through the veil of water. The boy was half a head taller than her. He also had pale skin, but his hair was sandy brown. He had a sad smile on his face, and clearly had a hard time comforting the girl.
"Please don't cry sis. You know you make me sad when you cry." The boy, who obviously was the girl's brother, did his best to comfort his weeping sister.
"Sob, sob. I'll try big bro. But I'm so hungry, and miss Lila too. Look how thin she's gotten." The little girl pushed the doll into his brother's face. He gently put his hand on her arm and with a slow motion he put it to his chin.
"I know sis. But crying won't help. How many times do I have to say that?" The boy's eyes were starting to water.
"Excuse us." Isaac's sudden interruption made both of them literally jump. "Sorry if I scared you, but it seems you have trouble."
"Everyone in this town has trouble. That tidal wave was really dangerous and destroyed many homes. That was what mommy told me, and she said that I'm not allowed to speak to strangers." The boy said, trying to sound adult.
"Your mother is a wise woman if she says that. It is quite right that speaking with strangers can be dangerous and is not to advice. You can trust us however." Ivan tried to negotiate with the boy.
"My mommy always says not to trust strangers because they can do all sorts of mean things to you." The boy stood and looked Ivan and Isaac in the eyes.
In the mean time Vaporeon had gotten tired of being inside a stuffed bag and climbed out. He saw Ivan and Isaac talking to the boy, with Garet standing behind. Vaporeon let the others speak with the boy. He wanted to get to know the girl who had started sobbing again since her brother was busy talking with Ivan and Isaac. However when Vaporeon nuzzled the girl on her head, she stopped crying and instead started looking at Vaporeon.
"Nice doggie." She finally said as she gently stroke Vaporeon's scaly skin. Vaporeon found this really comfortable and laid his head to rest in the girls lap. "Look bro. Look at this cute doggie. Do you think we can keep it?"
"Hmm?" The boy turned towards his sister. "Wow, what a cute dog." He had completely forgotten the two strangers that he had been talking with. "I wish we could keep it, but we can't. Mom says that we don't have enough food."
"What? Poor you." Garet was shocked by the fact that these children barely had enough food to keep themselves alive. Before the others could do or say something he had opened his bag and pulled out a large bread. "Here." He said as he showed it to the children.
The two children looked from the bread to Garet with puzzled looks. "Are you giving it to us?" The boy finally dared.
"Of course. I couldn't live with myself if I left you two starving." Garet smiled at the two children. "Take it. I beseech you."
"Beseech?" The children had never heard such a word. Ivan and Isaac were surprised too. They had never heard Garet using a word like that.
"Plead, beg and ask. Beseech is all that. Now, please take this bread with you. Please?" Garet did really mean this, and Ivan and Isaac could see that this was important for him.
"Okay, if you really want us too mister." The boy and the girl were utterly confused.
Garet smiled and laid the bread in the boy's hands. He was barely able to hold the oversized bread so his sister had to help him. Garet scooped Vaporeon up, into his arms and carried him, right before he turned a corner and disappeared out of sight, he smiled at the two kids. Ivan and Isaac stood like stunned for a second before they ran after Garet.
"Garet, why did you do that?" Isaac asked his childhood friend.
"That is a secret and is going to stay a secret." Garet grabbed Ivan's hand as he raised it up towards Garet's head. "And don't you dare mind read me Ivan. Understand?"
Ivan merely nodded as Garet walked of with a sleeping Vaporeon in his hands. Isaac was also confused by his friend's behavior, but decided to let it slid. However before he followed after Garet, who was far ahead of them by now, he turned to Ivan. "You're not to read his mind Ivan." He said blankly before running after Garet.
"How did you...?" Ivan tried to ask.
"I've been with you for quite some time now. Besides I think even Skitty could guess that. You're way too predictable in a usual conversation." Isaac didn't turn as he spoke to Ivan.
In response to this, Ivan merely sighed, before he started running after the two older boys. When he finally caught up with Isaac and Garet they were standing outside the town's inn. "Do you think we should we get early to bed?" Garet asked.
"Why not? I don't think we can do much here anyway." Ivan said. "Isaac?"
"I agree too. We better get some rest. Tomorrow we might get something done, if we are able to, considering the state this town is in." Replied an obviously tired Isaac.
Ivan opened the door for them and they entered the building. Garet headed to the man who seemed to be the inn's owner, a stout man with slightly brown skin, white clothes and an aura of ownership. "Do you have any spare rooms left?" Garet asked. The man just nodded in response. "Good, can I get a room for four?"
The man looked at the sleeping Vaporeon before looking back at Garet. "Dogs, and especially ugly ones, aren't allowed in the inn."
Garet was about to object, but before he could Isaac shot out a hand holding a purse of coins. "Is two-hundred coins enough to let us sleep here tonight?"
The inn-keeper greedily grabbed the coins. "I'll give you my finest room. Mandy will take you there. HEY MANDY." The man shouted towards a young girl with black hair, sky blue eyes and white skin. She wore slightly ragged clothes that once had to have been white, but where now grey of dirt. She had a tired expression on her face. "Take these fine men to our finest room. NOW"
Mandy went over to Isaac, Ivan and Garet. "Please follow me" she said as she walked towards some stairs in the back of the room. On the second floor she showed them to a room with an excellent view of the city. It had in fact windows to the north, south and east, meaning they could see the ship. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay." Mandy made a quick bow before she left the room and closed the door.
They quickly got to bed because of the overwhelming tiredness and the cozy looking beds in the gorgeous room they had gotten. It didn't take long before they all where fast asleep. However, two hours later, Garet woke with a start. He had a strange dream, and now he knew what he could do for little Torchic. He got up and headed towards a window in the south end of the room. There he could see the Yampi desert. Tomorrow he had to take her there. If not, she would die.
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"What you tell me is truly amazing. I wonder why it happened." Aspen could hear a male voice speak. She tried to open her eyes, but she just couldn't.
"That is why I got hold of you. I need your help with this." Aspen recognized this voice as Rainbow.
"But why me? Why not Song or Shadow? I'm sure even Nightmare could be more of help here." The male voice said.
"Song is stuck at Magma Rock since the apparently chosen ones haven't arrived there yet, and Nightmare is sulking and won't help me without speaking to Shadow first." Rainbow answered.
"And Shadow?" the other person asked.
Aspen could hear Rainbow sigh before answering, "Shadow is gone."
"Gone?" The other voice said, alarmed.
"Plain gone. Nightmare could only tell me that he disappeared right after he had told Shadow what had happened to him. He still refuses to say what happened to him though. Anyway, Nightmare had no idea where Shadow went. He only knew that he isn't in this world. He suspects that he has headed back to our home world, but he doesn't know where. I can't search for him either. If Shadow doesn't want to be found then you won't find him." Rainbow sounded bitter, and apparently the boy heard the tone too.
"Rainbow, please calm down. I'm sure that Shadow has his reasons for not telling us." He spoke in a calm soft tone.
"But why can't he realize that we are his friends and that we're here to help him through his hardships? He can't continue with this keeping to himself attitude. I want him to understand that I'll help him with every problem he has." Rainbow sounded like she was about to cry.
"I know. But just give him some time. I'm sure that he'll realize it sooner or later. Right now, the only thing we can do is hope that he'll come back to us and give us a chance to show him that we care about him." The boy spoke in a serene tone.
Aspen felt a bit bad for eavesdropping on this conversation and tried to signal to the two persons that she was awake. She tried to say something, but it only came out as a soft moan. However, she heard that the two others heard her moan. She could almost feel them rise to their feet and head over to her. She felt a slow stroke over her eyes and suddenly she could open her eyes easily. She saw straight into the face of a young boy. His skin was brownish, with black eyes and black hair. He wore a headband made out of something that looked like yellow cloth. He wore a white shirt that stopped at his elbows, revealing weak looking arms.
"Have you slept well?" Aspen turned to see Rainbow kneeling on her other side. She could see that they where in a cave of some sort. She could hear a thunder coming from the outside.
"Yes, I have. Care to tell me who your friend is?" Aspen sat up.
"Sure. Aspen this is Spirit, Spirit meet Aspen." Aspen and Spirit shook hands.
"Spirit? Funny name." Aspen giggled a bit.
"You think so too?" Spirit answered in a humorous way.
"Rainbow, what where you two talking about right now?" Aspen turned to her friend.
Rainbow gave Spirit a look that made Aspen feel even worse than she already did. "How much did you hear?" She finally said.
"I heard everything from where you told Spirit something he called truly amazing." Aspen shifted uneasily.
"Okay. What I told Spirit was what happened in the forest. I also told him about how I discovered that when you fought of the control over you cast by the green gemstone, something evil left it. After that I scanned it and found out that there is still something evil in it. I didn't dare touching it since I'm unsure about how I might react to it. After that I tried to get help from my four friends, but Spirit was the only one I got hold of that could help me investigating this." Rainbow spoke in a rather hurried voice.
"What happened in the forest. You mean that it wasn't just a nightmare I had. What happened in the forest was me harming you and a beast. I had no control over myself." Aspen looked down on what she was sitting on. Leaves made into a primitive bed so she could lie comfortable. The fact that she had almost killed Rainbow, and that she was now taking care of her was too much for Aspen She broke down crying.
"Dear you, what is it?" Spirit softly stroke his hand across her chin.
"I almost killed Rainbow, and I enjoyed watching the beast squirm and struggle. I was coldhearted and cruel. I was evil." Aspen stuttered out between sobs.
"It wasn't you. I know it wasn't you. You regained control over your own body from a force so powerful that most people would die from trying to resist it. You weren't harming me; you saved a life that day. You didn't almost kill something." Aspen looked in Rainbow's eyes and saw that she truly meant what she said.
Rainbow and Spirit sat there and did their best at comforting Aspen. After Aspen had cried her sorrows out, she got her act together and rose up to her feet. "The evil in those stones are going to pay for controlling my body like that." She said in a firm and angry voice.
Spirit watched her head over to the chest containing the stones, before she whispered to Rainbow "Does she always have such mood swings?"
"From the short time I've known her, yes. Anyway, we should help Aspen study these stones. I'm curios about who created them." Rainbow answered as she got to her feet. "You are going to help us right?"
"Of course. Let's start." Spirit joined Rainbow and Aspen as they tried to find out exactly what these gemstones was.
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Pikachu: Finally finished with chapter twenty one. We're really sorry for the way too long delay. Here comes the quiz and quiz answer.
Quiz answer: The thief and ceremony holder is none other then Akafubu.
Quiz: If you compare the dialogs I and Vokteren have in each story, then you'll find something in the earlier that can't be true when you compare it to the later ones. Can you find any of these fakes? You get one point per fraud you find. There is at least one.
Pikachu: Sure thing. I hope you sit comfortable, because we've got twenty- three reviews.
Vokteren: Really? I have to make the answers short then. Never thought I'll say this, but I think we've got too many reviews.
Ice-Phoenix-Chan: Not quite right. But I know who you mean and I'll let it slid this time, and probably many other times( Don't be afraid of Aspen. It wasn't her, but the stones that did it. Or was it something else? At least it wasn't Aspen's fault that Rainbow got all those wounds. Sorry if you don't like me using your full name, but I have to because of the rules of formality. It is all right, right icy-chan?
Procne: You've got keen eyesight and good detection skills. Or I was horrible at showing it. Yes, I wanted it to seem like that voice was tired of being there and wanted to get over with this. The thing with the gemstones was original? Wow, I made something original.
MiraiEvo: Yes, one really has to wonder. Thanks for liking my story.
Anonymus1: Thanks for liking it.
Anonymus2: Yes she is an adept now.
Anonymus3: You'll find out.
Anonymus4: Yes. It was really about time that the reunion took place.
Anonymus5: It was suspenseful? Then I didn't fail after all.
Anonymus6: Perhaps. I'm not sure if I'll bring them back, but I might.
Anonymus7: You can wonder. I'm not going to tell.
Anonymus8: Check the next chapter. Sorry if I sounded mean.
Anonymus9: I'm planning something special to happen with the pokemon and their adept power. Wait and you'll see.
Anonymus10: Yeah, but they didn't know that Jenna and the others hadn't already been there.
Anonymus11: Because I'm not a fan of Mudshipping. The only Mia pairing I, and Pikachu, like is Mia/Ivan. Besides Jenna/Isaac is a canon pairing.
Anonymus12: It may appear so at the current point.
Anonymus13: Yes, Spirit was at Air's Rock. The next chapter shows who Rainbow lost.
Anonymus14: Not going to tell yet. Try to find it out for yourself, or wait until I tell it.
Anonymus15: You think so? I'd never use demon as a synonym to Shadow. What is a demon by the way?
Anonymus16: I must have done a horrible job if I've made Shadow look evil. And yes, Shadow is Nightmare's "master".
Anonymus17: The romance story was good? Then I'm not THE most horrible romance writer after all.
Anonymus18: Still think Shadow is evil? I hope I can convince you that he isn't evil.
Anonymus19: Who do you think she is? You just have to wait. I won't spill the beans yet.
Anonymus20: So you think she sounds like a weakling? To answer your question, Emerald Tears is meant to be "weak" in the term of strength. Emerald Tears is used to soothe and calm a living beings mind. It also holds healing capabilities. Emerald Tears is tender, smooth and caring. It isn't supposed to be "strong".
Pikachu: All those reviews and we still haven't started the story. Well get to it now.
Vokteren: I wonder who gave those twenty reviews. Could it be that friend of yours? AD?
Pikachu: No, I don't think it was him. The reviews don't have his style of writing.
Vokteren: Anyway, we'll start the story now. Sorry for holding you so long.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ [Telepathy] (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note)
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Torchic was still cold. After she tried to touch the "key of ice" as it was called, she had been shivering and sometimes passed out of the cold. None of the others knew what to do. Her body temperature had stopped dropping, but it was a miracle that she didn't die from it. Even when Garet tried to heat her up with his fire psynergy, the temperature didn't rise. Instead, the fireballs disintegrated when they came close to her. They had traveled to the ship and discussed their next course of action, and eventually they had decided that they where to travel towards Tundaria, where the last piece of the trident was hidden. While the humans had discussed, Skitty, Pikachu and Vaporeon had gotten Torchic to her room. Now she was lying in a bed, wrapped in many woolen clothes. However they just couldn't get her warmer. Isaac and Mia were standing outside Torchic's cabin after having visited her.
"I'm worried about Torchic, Isaac. Her body temperature is stable, but it is way too low. She won't last long in her current state." Mia said.
"I'm worried too. I wonder what could cause her body temperature to fall like that. I remember what you said, about that ice key of yours. But still, why is this happening?" Isaac replied. He was just as worried about Torchic as the others on the ship.
"I wish I could tell. One thing I've noticed with her is that her level of psynergy is rapidly decreasing. I wonder if that could have something to do with it." Her eyes were beginning to water.
"Perhaps. I pity Skitty, Vaporeon and Pikachu. They are really worried about their friend. I just hope that Ivan can find a way to cure her from this frost bite." Isaac gently stroke the tears away from Mia's face. He couldn't watch a girl crying.
Mia turned towards the closed door that led to Torchic's room. Inside there, Vaporeon, Skitty and Pikachu were watching over their dear friend Torchic. It pained her, not being able to help them. She turned back to Isaac, but before she could say something, she heard Garet shouting from the upper deck. Isaac and Mia headed up to Garet who was the one to currently steer the ship.
When Garet heard Mia and Isaac, he turned to them without letting his hands of the tiller. "Isaac, Mia. Can you see that town over there?" He was pointing towards a rather large town that wasn't too far away. "Do you know what town that is?"
"No, I don't. Do you know the name of that town Mia?" Isaac turned to the female healer.
"No, I don't know either. I'll go and get Ivan. I'm sure that he knows what town it is. He is the one who is in charge of navigation after all." Mia turned and started running toward the door that led into the ship. However just as she reached it, it smashed open and hit Mia straight in her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mia. I didn't know you where there." Ivan kneeled down beside Mia who was holding her head from the hit she got from the door. "I heard Garet shout and hurried up. Are you all right?"
"Don't worry Ivan. I'm all right. It didn't hurt that much." Mia got back on her feet with the help of Ivan and Isaac. "The reason Garet shouted was because he found a town, or rather a city, to the southeast and he wondered what the name of that town is." Mia pointed towards the town.
"That one? According to what I remember from the maps, then that should be Alhafra. It has a port and is a pretty big town. I would advise you to stop there. We're running low on supplies and it would be nice to sleep in a bed that doesn't rock."
"Yeah, it sounds tempting. I guess it can't hurt to stay one night at an inn. It could be good for Torchic too." Isaac said.
"No. Torchic stays here. She shouldn't be moved around too much. Besides, it won't necessary be better for her on land." Mia was sure in her decision.
"Okay Mia. You're the healer, but what about the other three? Do you think they should stay here?" Ivan asked.
"You could try to get them of the ship. If I know them right, then they won't leave Torchic, and neither will I. I'll stay here too in case something happens." Mia said.
"Ok. I won't ask them then. Are you sure you want to stay here?" Ivan asked.
"I'm sure. You three can stay in the town and I'll stay behind here with the four pokemon." Mia smiled at Ivan.
"If you really want to stay behind, then we won't stop you. Garet. Head towards Alhafra." Isaac said to his red haired friend.
"Ok Isaac. I'll let you know when we have arrived." Garet turned the tiller and rearranged the course of the ship. They would reach Alhafra by nightfall.
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Garet maneuvered the ship onto the dock on the east side of Alhafra. Ivan, Isaac and Vaporeon were standing on deck while the last four was inside the ship. Vaporeon had been "voted out". Pikachu and Skitty had decided that Vaporeon was to accompany the human males. And being the smart pokemon he was, he had agreed. If he had learned one thing from his friendship with Skitty, then it was never to argue against her decisions. Vaporeon was to hide in Garet's backpack while they were exploring the town. Ivan was pretty excited on visiting a town, and even Isaac had to admit that he needed a short break from all the traveling. When they arrived at the dock, they were greeted by a man with a round, plump face, wearing green and purple clothes. He was obviously the mayor of Alhafra. On the other side of the dock, a wrecked ship lay. They could see it even though the last rays of sunlight fell in the ocean ten minutes ago.
"Welcome to the city of Alhafra." The mayor said. "What brings you here?"
"We seek a place to stay for the night. May I ask you for permission to dock our boat here for the night?" Isaac said, trying to sound noble and important.
"I may allow you to do just that. But it costs." The mayor finished with a greedy smile.
"How much?" Isaac answered nonchalant.
"One hundred thousand coins." Greed shone from the man's small eyes.
"Okay. Ivan, may you be kind and fetch enough coins?" Isaac gave Ivan a look that said "don't question me now. I'll tell you later."
Ivan got the message and went inside the ship. Two minutes later he returned with a bag full of coins. He gave the bag to the mayor who counted up one hundred thousand coins. "Welcome to Alhafra. I hope you enjoy your stay." The mayor moved out of the way so that Isaac, Garet and Ivan could go into the town. After they had left, the mayor skidded towards his mansion like a school girl. He could milk a lot of money from these travelers.
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"Why did you give in to that price? If you had argued, we would surely have gotten some kind of discount." Ivan confronted Isaac as they traveled through the town.
[I must agree on that. That price was outrageous. I had to get a grip on myself in order to not gasp of shock.] Vaporeon said from inside Garet's bag. Thanks to his telepathically abilities, no one other than his three friends could hear him.
"Two reasons. One, that man was greed himself. He wouldn't give us a discount if his life depended on it. Two, have you seen the state of this town? Look around you." Isaac pointed around, and he had a point. Many buildings were wrecked to pieces and people were working hard, trying to get some houses back in order. Children were crying in the streets from hunger. Their mothers couldn't do anything for them. There was hardly enough food to keep all the villagers in working state and no one had time to care for other than the smallest children. This village had really felt the effects from the tidal wave.
"I see." Garet said with a voice that held a sad undertone. "But do you think the mayor is going to share anything with his village?"
"Not unless he has too. But I believe he has to do that once. Unless he is more coldhearted than anyone I've ever met then he will do it in order to sleep well at night." Isaac was disgusted with the greed this mayor fostered.
They had walked towards the part of the town that had gotten away from the wave with minor damage. This part of the town was empty of most people, however Ivan could hear a faint crying and someone speaking in a soothing voice. Ivan decided against pushing the conversation any further and instead he nudged Garet and Isaac and pointed towards where he heard the sound from, and at the same time he put a finger over his mouth, showing them that they had to be quiet. Isaac and Garet stopped and listened. They were barely able to hear the crying through the sound of working in the damaged part of the town.
"Can you hear it?" Ivan asked.
[Hear what?] Vaporeon couldn't understand why Garet had stopped.
"The sound of a child crying." Garet answered for Ivan.
[Really? Shouldn't we check it out then?] Vaporeon urged the others to look. He was curios of nature and wanted to find out more about this. Who was crying? And why?
"Just my thoughts." Isaac said.
Ivan and Garet agreed too and started following the sound. When they arrived they found two children, one girl and one slightly bigger boy. The girl's eyes were red with crying and the boy did his best to comfort her. They both had ragged clothes and the girl held a tattered doll. They looked really miserable.
The girl had black hair and pale skin. She was about the same size as Ivan's waist and her eyes seemed to sparkle blue when you saw her eyes through the veil of water. The boy was half a head taller than her. He also had pale skin, but his hair was sandy brown. He had a sad smile on his face, and clearly had a hard time comforting the girl.
"Please don't cry sis. You know you make me sad when you cry." The boy, who obviously was the girl's brother, did his best to comfort his weeping sister.
"Sob, sob. I'll try big bro. But I'm so hungry, and miss Lila too. Look how thin she's gotten." The little girl pushed the doll into his brother's face. He gently put his hand on her arm and with a slow motion he put it to his chin.
"I know sis. But crying won't help. How many times do I have to say that?" The boy's eyes were starting to water.
"Excuse us." Isaac's sudden interruption made both of them literally jump. "Sorry if I scared you, but it seems you have trouble."
"Everyone in this town has trouble. That tidal wave was really dangerous and destroyed many homes. That was what mommy told me, and she said that I'm not allowed to speak to strangers." The boy said, trying to sound adult.
"Your mother is a wise woman if she says that. It is quite right that speaking with strangers can be dangerous and is not to advice. You can trust us however." Ivan tried to negotiate with the boy.
"My mommy always says not to trust strangers because they can do all sorts of mean things to you." The boy stood and looked Ivan and Isaac in the eyes.
In the mean time Vaporeon had gotten tired of being inside a stuffed bag and climbed out. He saw Ivan and Isaac talking to the boy, with Garet standing behind. Vaporeon let the others speak with the boy. He wanted to get to know the girl who had started sobbing again since her brother was busy talking with Ivan and Isaac. However when Vaporeon nuzzled the girl on her head, she stopped crying and instead started looking at Vaporeon.
"Nice doggie." She finally said as she gently stroke Vaporeon's scaly skin. Vaporeon found this really comfortable and laid his head to rest in the girls lap. "Look bro. Look at this cute doggie. Do you think we can keep it?"
"Hmm?" The boy turned towards his sister. "Wow, what a cute dog." He had completely forgotten the two strangers that he had been talking with. "I wish we could keep it, but we can't. Mom says that we don't have enough food."
"What? Poor you." Garet was shocked by the fact that these children barely had enough food to keep themselves alive. Before the others could do or say something he had opened his bag and pulled out a large bread. "Here." He said as he showed it to the children.
The two children looked from the bread to Garet with puzzled looks. "Are you giving it to us?" The boy finally dared.
"Of course. I couldn't live with myself if I left you two starving." Garet smiled at the two children. "Take it. I beseech you."
"Beseech?" The children had never heard such a word. Ivan and Isaac were surprised too. They had never heard Garet using a word like that.
"Plead, beg and ask. Beseech is all that. Now, please take this bread with you. Please?" Garet did really mean this, and Ivan and Isaac could see that this was important for him.
"Okay, if you really want us too mister." The boy and the girl were utterly confused.
Garet smiled and laid the bread in the boy's hands. He was barely able to hold the oversized bread so his sister had to help him. Garet scooped Vaporeon up, into his arms and carried him, right before he turned a corner and disappeared out of sight, he smiled at the two kids. Ivan and Isaac stood like stunned for a second before they ran after Garet.
"Garet, why did you do that?" Isaac asked his childhood friend.
"That is a secret and is going to stay a secret." Garet grabbed Ivan's hand as he raised it up towards Garet's head. "And don't you dare mind read me Ivan. Understand?"
Ivan merely nodded as Garet walked of with a sleeping Vaporeon in his hands. Isaac was also confused by his friend's behavior, but decided to let it slid. However before he followed after Garet, who was far ahead of them by now, he turned to Ivan. "You're not to read his mind Ivan." He said blankly before running after Garet.
"How did you...?" Ivan tried to ask.
"I've been with you for quite some time now. Besides I think even Skitty could guess that. You're way too predictable in a usual conversation." Isaac didn't turn as he spoke to Ivan.
In response to this, Ivan merely sighed, before he started running after the two older boys. When he finally caught up with Isaac and Garet they were standing outside the town's inn. "Do you think we should we get early to bed?" Garet asked.
"Why not? I don't think we can do much here anyway." Ivan said. "Isaac?"
"I agree too. We better get some rest. Tomorrow we might get something done, if we are able to, considering the state this town is in." Replied an obviously tired Isaac.
Ivan opened the door for them and they entered the building. Garet headed to the man who seemed to be the inn's owner, a stout man with slightly brown skin, white clothes and an aura of ownership. "Do you have any spare rooms left?" Garet asked. The man just nodded in response. "Good, can I get a room for four?"
The man looked at the sleeping Vaporeon before looking back at Garet. "Dogs, and especially ugly ones, aren't allowed in the inn."
Garet was about to object, but before he could Isaac shot out a hand holding a purse of coins. "Is two-hundred coins enough to let us sleep here tonight?"
The inn-keeper greedily grabbed the coins. "I'll give you my finest room. Mandy will take you there. HEY MANDY." The man shouted towards a young girl with black hair, sky blue eyes and white skin. She wore slightly ragged clothes that once had to have been white, but where now grey of dirt. She had a tired expression on her face. "Take these fine men to our finest room. NOW"
Mandy went over to Isaac, Ivan and Garet. "Please follow me" she said as she walked towards some stairs in the back of the room. On the second floor she showed them to a room with an excellent view of the city. It had in fact windows to the north, south and east, meaning they could see the ship. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay." Mandy made a quick bow before she left the room and closed the door.
They quickly got to bed because of the overwhelming tiredness and the cozy looking beds in the gorgeous room they had gotten. It didn't take long before they all where fast asleep. However, two hours later, Garet woke with a start. He had a strange dream, and now he knew what he could do for little Torchic. He got up and headed towards a window in the south end of the room. There he could see the Yampi desert. Tomorrow he had to take her there. If not, she would die.
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"What you tell me is truly amazing. I wonder why it happened." Aspen could hear a male voice speak. She tried to open her eyes, but she just couldn't.
"That is why I got hold of you. I need your help with this." Aspen recognized this voice as Rainbow.
"But why me? Why not Song or Shadow? I'm sure even Nightmare could be more of help here." The male voice said.
"Song is stuck at Magma Rock since the apparently chosen ones haven't arrived there yet, and Nightmare is sulking and won't help me without speaking to Shadow first." Rainbow answered.
"And Shadow?" the other person asked.
Aspen could hear Rainbow sigh before answering, "Shadow is gone."
"Gone?" The other voice said, alarmed.
"Plain gone. Nightmare could only tell me that he disappeared right after he had told Shadow what had happened to him. He still refuses to say what happened to him though. Anyway, Nightmare had no idea where Shadow went. He only knew that he isn't in this world. He suspects that he has headed back to our home world, but he doesn't know where. I can't search for him either. If Shadow doesn't want to be found then you won't find him." Rainbow sounded bitter, and apparently the boy heard the tone too.
"Rainbow, please calm down. I'm sure that Shadow has his reasons for not telling us." He spoke in a calm soft tone.
"But why can't he realize that we are his friends and that we're here to help him through his hardships? He can't continue with this keeping to himself attitude. I want him to understand that I'll help him with every problem he has." Rainbow sounded like she was about to cry.
"I know. But just give him some time. I'm sure that he'll realize it sooner or later. Right now, the only thing we can do is hope that he'll come back to us and give us a chance to show him that we care about him." The boy spoke in a serene tone.
Aspen felt a bit bad for eavesdropping on this conversation and tried to signal to the two persons that she was awake. She tried to say something, but it only came out as a soft moan. However, she heard that the two others heard her moan. She could almost feel them rise to their feet and head over to her. She felt a slow stroke over her eyes and suddenly she could open her eyes easily. She saw straight into the face of a young boy. His skin was brownish, with black eyes and black hair. He wore a headband made out of something that looked like yellow cloth. He wore a white shirt that stopped at his elbows, revealing weak looking arms.
"Have you slept well?" Aspen turned to see Rainbow kneeling on her other side. She could see that they where in a cave of some sort. She could hear a thunder coming from the outside.
"Yes, I have. Care to tell me who your friend is?" Aspen sat up.
"Sure. Aspen this is Spirit, Spirit meet Aspen." Aspen and Spirit shook hands.
"Spirit? Funny name." Aspen giggled a bit.
"You think so too?" Spirit answered in a humorous way.
"Rainbow, what where you two talking about right now?" Aspen turned to her friend.
Rainbow gave Spirit a look that made Aspen feel even worse than she already did. "How much did you hear?" She finally said.
"I heard everything from where you told Spirit something he called truly amazing." Aspen shifted uneasily.
"Okay. What I told Spirit was what happened in the forest. I also told him about how I discovered that when you fought of the control over you cast by the green gemstone, something evil left it. After that I scanned it and found out that there is still something evil in it. I didn't dare touching it since I'm unsure about how I might react to it. After that I tried to get help from my four friends, but Spirit was the only one I got hold of that could help me investigating this." Rainbow spoke in a rather hurried voice.
"What happened in the forest. You mean that it wasn't just a nightmare I had. What happened in the forest was me harming you and a beast. I had no control over myself." Aspen looked down on what she was sitting on. Leaves made into a primitive bed so she could lie comfortable. The fact that she had almost killed Rainbow, and that she was now taking care of her was too much for Aspen She broke down crying.
"Dear you, what is it?" Spirit softly stroke his hand across her chin.
"I almost killed Rainbow, and I enjoyed watching the beast squirm and struggle. I was coldhearted and cruel. I was evil." Aspen stuttered out between sobs.
"It wasn't you. I know it wasn't you. You regained control over your own body from a force so powerful that most people would die from trying to resist it. You weren't harming me; you saved a life that day. You didn't almost kill something." Aspen looked in Rainbow's eyes and saw that she truly meant what she said.
Rainbow and Spirit sat there and did their best at comforting Aspen. After Aspen had cried her sorrows out, she got her act together and rose up to her feet. "The evil in those stones are going to pay for controlling my body like that." She said in a firm and angry voice.
Spirit watched her head over to the chest containing the stones, before she whispered to Rainbow "Does she always have such mood swings?"
"From the short time I've known her, yes. Anyway, we should help Aspen study these stones. I'm curios about who created them." Rainbow answered as she got to her feet. "You are going to help us right?"
"Of course. Let's start." Spirit joined Rainbow and Aspen as they tried to find out exactly what these gemstones was.
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Pikachu: Finally finished with chapter twenty one. We're really sorry for the way too long delay. Here comes the quiz and quiz answer.
Quiz answer: The thief and ceremony holder is none other then Akafubu.
Quiz: If you compare the dialogs I and Vokteren have in each story, then you'll find something in the earlier that can't be true when you compare it to the later ones. Can you find any of these fakes? You get one point per fraud you find. There is at least one.