Chapter Four
Poochyena stood awkwardly, still becoming accustomed to having three legs instead of two. It seemed impossible to balance, especially on the frozen floor of Regice's cavern. Yet ever since the pain in his leg became less intense, he had been asked by Regice to begin walking. So despite the cold and the dull throb in the stump where his leg had been, Poochyena continued to practice walking.
Life had changed so much for him these last couple of days. The things which he had taken for granted in his past life were now long gone. The walks with his trainer in the park back in their home town, the tender pokechow which he was served every morning, and the constant love and affection that was always present. Everything was gone. He had not left the cave for three days now. The only food he had eaten was raw fish brought to him from Regice's other subjects, and his stomach was still adjusting to partaking of real flesh. And although Regice watched and protected him, there was no love between them. Poochyena felt that because Regice was such a noble and great pokemon, there was no possible way that he could love one such as lowly as he.
As Poochyena continued to limp around the cave, his Master watched him with patience. Regice was exhausted, for he had been conversing with his brethren for the last three days straight. He was disappointed as well, for he still did not know what to do. Regirock and Registeel had both decided that more would have to be learned of the evolving humans before any involvement could be made.
Today, however, their first move would be made. Regice opened his mind once again and connected with his trusted friend. Your practicing is bearing fruit, he spoke to him. And because of your now refined walking abilities I must as one favor of you.
Poochyena stopped walking, sliding a little on the ice, and then turned to Regice. He turned his head upward and howled. (I shall do whatever my Master asks of me!) The small dog then slipped and fell on his face. Embarrassed, Poochyena got to his feet and put his tail between his legs.
My young friend, there is no need to be ashamed. Regice thought to him. Many times does the newborn stumble before the art of walking is perfected. Poochyena looked up at Regice and nodded, still with his tail between his legs. Regice continued. On the other side of the island there is an ancient burial ground where the pokemon of this island take their dead. This is a rather sacred location which is governed by a servant of mine, a Gengar that goes by the name of Hagroth. I require his presence immediately, and I ask that you call on him for me.
Poochyena nodded his head, and then barked and whined ever so slightly. (I will go Regice, but I do not know the way). His claws were now gripping the ice very tightly, so there would be no chance of him slipping.
Regice replied. As you leave this cavern you will see a tree off to the right. In that tree will be a Pidgey. Tell her that I sent you and she will be happy to show you the way. Poochyena bowed, and then began to stumble out of the cave.
Slowly the small dog stumbled out of the chamber and into the long tunnel, his mind focusing on his mission. However, as he remembered how long the journey to the surface was, his mind began to wander onto other subjects. Poochyena realized how much he had changed in the last few days. Before his master had turned on him he was a playful, happy puppy without a care in the world. But now, now that he lived in a world of Ice, things were different.
Poochyena's mind had become focused and hard as flint. He never laughed nor cried, but was completely serious in everything he did. There was no time for fun anymore, because that only got in the way of more important things. It was time to grow up, time to take the responsibility that had been given to him. The world was changing, and it needed its leaders to be strong when they relied on them. Poochyena knew that if the world called upon them, he would not let them down.
Before he realized it, Poochyena had reached the tunnel's exit. Stepping carefully over an outcropping of rocks, he looked up on the sun, a sight which he had not seen these last few days. He sniffed the air, the clean air that was not cold, but was warm and filled him with energy. The small dog shook in the sunlight as well as he could, balancing on his front leg awkwardly.
As he absorbed the sunlight, Poochyena noticed the tree that Regice had mentioned to him. He trotted over as best he could and looked up into the tree. As his Master had said, there was a bird up in the tree.
This bird was preening its feathers. It was a tawny color, and a little chubby. I wonder how such a creature could fly, thought Poochyena as he gazed upwards. The bird didn't even acknowledge his existence. Poochyena hunched back on his hind legs and barked five times at the top of his voice. (Are you the Pidgey that knows the way to the islands burial ground?)
At the sound of the loud bark the bird nearly fell out of the tree. After fluttering to right itself, the Pidgey looked down at Poochyena and started screeching in an annoying voice. (What in heavens name you think you do small doggie dog?)
Poochyena was taken aback. Not only was this fowl grammatically dim, it was also very rude. The small dog kept his eyes on the bird and narrowed his eyes. He growled deeply towards the bird. (I was sent here by Regice, Master of the island, and I demand that you take me to the sacred burial grounds.)
The Pidgey sat up straight at the sound of its Master's name. After a moment of thought, the bird began to tweet. (I is most sorry, yes I am. What mister big kingy kingy says little Starlinc do, yes she does.) And with that the little Pidgey jumped off the branch she was sitting on and fluttered to the ground. She then waddled over to Poochyena and looked him over, and then chirped. (What your name is silly doggy dog?)
Poochyena looked sadly at Starlinc. He had not been called by his real name in days. It was time for it to be spoken again. The dog barked once. (My name is Simon.) As Poochyena spoke his name he realized that even though legally that was his name, he no longer felt as Simon felt.
Starlinc, obviously oblivious to Simon's emotions, began to hop up and down and chirping excitedly. (Simon is a fantacular name yes it is. We is going to be bestity best friends. Come on, we go now to buried grounds, yes. Master commands and little Starlinc do. Follow me little Simon!) Starlinc, forgetting that dogs do not have wings, immediately jumped into the air and flapped excitedly.
Simon, who was still getting used to walking, tried to keep up, but to no avail. He sat on his haunches in anger. However, it wasn't long before Starlinc was back and tweeting like mad. (Why come you not follow Starlinc? Starlinc go slow for you to come catch up yes.)
The Poochyena looked up at the bird as she was fluttering around like mad and started to growl. (You fool! I have no wings. How do you expect me to fly?)
Starlinc alighted upon a branch on a nearby tree and began to tweet. (Oh silly Starlinc, yes I is. Too bad for you, can not fly with us birdies. Come follow again, yes, I will go slow.) Starlinc then started hopping tree to tree, fluttering as needed. Simon let out a sigh, and then started trotting after her. It was very awkward trying to run, but it was a lot easier on the soil rather than on the solid ice.
As they went along Starlinc started singing in an off tune, annoying voice. (La LAAA! We go to the buried grounds we do. La la la! And through the happy forest too. Fa la la. LA LA!)
The song was so irritating that after five minutes Simon barked angrily. (Stupid animal! Why do you have to sing that song? It is driving me bonkers!)
Starlinc stopped singing for a second to let out several squawks. (I is happy, yes I am. I do like to sing my songs for every people in the forest. You no happy, why not you is?) After she stopped squawking Starlinc began singing again, not expecting an answer to her question. However, the question struck Simon to the core. Why wasn't he happy like he used to? Why was he becoming aggressive to those who were pleased with life? Simon lowered his head in shame and continued to trot on, following Starlinc's song rather than actually watching her.
Suddenly, Starlinc stopped her song. Simon looked up and saw her sitting on a branch looking forward. He couldn't see anything through the foliage, so he barked silently up to Starlinc. (What is it?)
Starlinc jumped down from the branch and fluttered down to the ground. She started chirping quietly to him. (We have come to the scary place. We is going to be really quiet now.)
Poochyena barked quietly again. (Is this the sacred burial ground?)
Starlinc let out a quiet squawk. (No, this is the scary human place where mean scary things come. We be quiet so much that scary things don't see us.) Starlinc stayed on the ground with Poochyena and waddled next to him.
They had gone about one hundred feet when Simon stopped abruptly. His nose picked up on something that he had only smelled three days ago. It was then that Simon realized where he was. He put his nose to the ground and sniffed. Ash! This was the place where he had been chased by his former trainer. Simon looked up at the trees and sure enough, there were scorch marks across the branches. It was a miracle that the fire didn't spread, and the forest seemed to be healing very quickly.
As the two pokemon stepped into the trail were the ash lay, Simon looked down towards the complex. The day was getting darker, which was all the better for him because his eyes were accustom to the night. He could see the entrance to the compound about half a mile away. Feeling a shiver go through his spine, Simon urged Starlinc on. The sooner they got to the burial grounds, the better.
After another hundred yards, Starlinc flew up into a nearby tree and looked around, scouting the area. She then gave a loud tweet and continued to fly in the same direction as before. (No one can I see, so we is going again.)
The rest of the journey passed without event, Starlinc continued to sing her off tune song, making up words as she went, and Simon just trotted after her, getting more used to the lack of his front leg. It was nearly nightfall as they reached the burial grounds. It was like nothing that Simon had expected.
Simon thought that it would be a field littered with bones, but to his great astonishment it was just a field of grass. A perfect circle of grass to be precise. The trees formed around it but they didn't intrude upon the field. There was a slight breeze blowing over the grass, making it move like waves on the ocean.
Starlinc started to tweet quietly. (They is coming soon. Yes they are. Watch the sun, yes, the sun is bringing them!) Simon didn't even want to try to understand what Starlinc was saying, but nevertheless he turned his attention to the sun, which was just setting below the horizon. Slowly it sunk lower and lower, until finally it disappeared.
The second the sun was gone, a thick mist began to flow from the trees into the field. The fog touched Simon and Starlinc and sent shivers through their bodies. Starlinc jumped into the air and flew into a nearby tree. Simon could see her trembling and watched her put her head underneath her wing, evidently trying to hide from the scene before her.
The mist oozed into the field and began to swirl. Simon could see it clearly, for night gave him power. As the fog swirled, voices began emanating from within. It was a deep chant that sounded like the wind itself. Even though it was very faint, Simon understood every word perfectly.
The Night has come, the darkness reigns,
Releases us from daylight pains.
For unto us the power is given
To continue past the time of living.
Life is gone, and now we play
With bones among the rocks and clay.
We are neither good nor bad,
Mostly tricky and a little sad.
We can never do our best,
For then we would be forced to rest.
So now we must continue on,
And watch the bones of those who are gone.
Love and Life are things so frail,
But Death and Darkness never pale.
Slowly a moan came from the fog and it dissipated, revealing spirits of those who had passed on. Simon saw every ghost he had ever known, and even a few that he didn't. There were Gastlys, Haunters, Duskulls, and Shuppets. There were also small ghosts that had red pearl necklaces and flowing hair. They also sang with deep shrilly voices. Simon had never seen them before, and wondered what they were.
Suddenly all of the ghosts turned towards the center of the field and bowed down. The rest of the fog had gathered there and was beginning to swirl violently. Simon squinted, trying to see through the mist. However, he didn't have to wait long. Soon it erupted and there, standing where the fog had been swirling just moments before, stood a terrifying ghost pokemon. It stood with arms stretched out above the other ghosts as if absorbing an unseen power from them all. It was a dark purple color, with a horrifying grin. Its eyes glowed brightly, taking in the chanting and power that was all around it.
It was Hagroth, the leader of the Dead.