(A/N) Kaijuu/pokemon aren't my creations, and I'm not getting any money for it. Paws off my original ideas and characters!

The Adamant Key

Chapter nine: The Temple

by Trivnar Silversword

Scucca sighed. "Why do we want adamantine? I thought it was obvious. The Free Riders would like to make weapons out of it. Just think; weapons that would never break, never have to be sharpened, never rust. The ultimate suit of armour that would block any blow."

Rowan frowned. "But that only works if you're the only one with the metal. If your opponent has adamantine armour, then you wouldn't be able to defeat him in fair combat, even with your 'ultimate weapons'."

"Who said we were going to share?"

"You wouldn't be able to keep it secret for ever." She shook her head. "I expected better of you than this."

"Well, what would you do if you could make adamantine?" Scucca challenged.

Rowan turned the idea around in her head, thinking it through carefully. Scucca would know if her answer was not truthful and heartfelt. Truth be told, she was curious as well. What would she do?

Her first thought was to hide Kepa away somewhere where he would never be found and where adamantium would never be know to the world. But the recent events, especially the sensation of letting that cool energy slip through her fingers, struck a deep chord within her soul.

"First and above anything else, I am a Healer. I would say that I'd destroy it, and not let anyone create any weapons, but that is not the answer. Humans... will keep killing each other, whether it's with a wooden stick or an adamantine sword.

"I think... I'd give it to everyone. That way, it would have the potential for good or evil, as does the human soul." Rowan nodded abruptly, suddenly sure in her conviction. "Yes, that would be the only way to set things in balance once more."

"So is that what you would instruct your friend Kepa to do? Suddenly stop running and shout his secret to the world?"

"Yes."

The week allotted by Tyuru simply flew by. Rowan learnt more in that week than she had in many years of trading. She learnt how to put a tent up and down, how to comfortably ride a tauros, how to scout and how to act as a rearguard. She learnt how to use a bow, in addition to several new tricks with daggers. To her surprise, Tyuru taught her how to direct Makina, the black scyther, so she would be the most useful during battle.

And always, the healing lessons with Scucca. Each day found her gift growing and becoming stronger. Eventually, she could control the healing energies without Scucca's help and decide to what extent she would heal, so she wouldn't wear herself out.

The blossoming of her gift parallelled with the tempering of her spirit. She did not notice herself changing, but the Riders Scucca and Galatea did and shared many a secret smile over it.

The healing lessons had an unfortunate drawback. Since Scucca was so much around her, he became more and more sensitive to her. By the end of the week, he would think his thoughts at her and speak mind to mind.

Rowan? Good morning. It's been a week, as I'm sure you know. Tyuru is waiting for you. Come to his tent as soon as you eat.

Right. I'll get there as soon as I can.

As if she could eat with her stomach in knots. Pushing back her blanket, she leapt into her clothes and dashed out to Tyuru's tent.

He was busy, as usual. No one ever stood around doing nothing in the Free Riders. The leader was fixing one of the younger Riders' bow, which had split due to dry wood and improper care. Makina stood next to him, as did Scucca. The scyther greeted her happily. Ever since Rowan had healed her wounds, the Kaijuu was quite friendly towards her. Scucca acknowledged her with a flick of his eyes.

"Healer Rowan, my second has informed of your remarkable progress in the domain of touch healing. Therefore, I am quite willing to admit you into the ranks of the Free Riders."

Rowan tried to swallow pas the lump in her throat. "And if I refuse?"

Tyuru's eyebrows rose. "If you refuse? You will be kept here indefinitely as a prisoner."

Rowan nodded; she had expected as much. No matter, she had already made her decision the night before. I'm afraid I'm going to have to reject your offer, Tyuru." she said softly.

This time he frowned. He had not expected this. He glanced at Scucca, who inclined his head slightly, showing that he had already been aware of her choice.

"Very well. Makina, escort the healer back to her tent.'

Rowan turned on her heel and drifted back through the tents. She knew that Scucca had known her choice the minute she had decided herself, but she had kept her plan carefully shielded away from him.

Makina led her to her tent, where Galatea was waiting. The Rider's mouth was a thin, tight line as she held the tent flap open. Rowan obediently obeyed, entering by the flap and crawling out under on the opposite side. The success of her plan depended on whether or not Tyuru would tell the others of her choice. Rowan suspected it would take awhile to get around.

She strode quite boldly through the camp, nodding in a friendly manner to the Riders she saw. They assumed that she had chosen to stay, and grinned back at her happily.

Lengthening her stride, hoping she didn't bump into any one who knew, Rowan turned to where the tauros were picketed. One Rider leaned casually against his mount, guarding the others.

"Mind if I go out for a ride?"

"Hey! You decided to stay! I"m glad; your talent is most useful. Take any mount you want, we're not going anywhere today."

Rowan flashed him a smile. "Thanks. It will be nice to go out without a chaperone, for once."

She chose a tauros at random and vaulted onto its broad back. She rode away slowly, but the minute the tents were out of sight, she pulled the tauros to a stop below a tree.

"Whoa! Now listen up. I'm going to leave your back and you're going to start running north until you can't run any further. After that... you will be free to choose your own path. I'm giving you your freedom."

Rowan grabbed a tree branch and pulled herself off the Kaijuu's back. The tauros obeyed the strange orders at once, bolting off at a dead run. Rowan allowed herself a satisfactory smile as her false trail ran off. Now, would they buy it?

Not long after, a band of Riders, led by Tyuru and the haunter dashed past her tree.

"She took off like a bat out of hell." Tyuru commented, studying the tracks. "Come on, we can still catch her!"

Cheering they dashed off. All but one.

Scucca dismounted and looked straight up into the tree she was hiding in.

"A pretty good plan, I'd say. All the more impressive because it worked. Tyuru is not

easily played for a fool. He'll be storming mad once he realises what happened."

Rowan slowly climbed down from the tree. "It didn't really work, if I couldn't fool you."

"Oh Rowan! I've been an empath all my life. I have complete mastery over my gift. I can tell when someone is hiding something, and how to find out what that something is."

Rowan looked down, feeling for all the world like an unruly student being lectured by a teacher.

"I guess trying to fool you was a bit... ambitious."

Scucca chuckled good-naturally. "Aye, that it was. Now, I have something for you, before you go."

Confused, Rowan watched as the empath removed a long and narrow bundle which was tied to the tauros' saddle and passed it to her.

"What is this?"

He grinned. "Open it and see."

With trembling fingers, she loosened the brown cloth and let it fall open. A beautiful longbow and quiver lay admits the folds. It was carved from a dark wood and polished to a high sheen. The tips and handgrip were inlaid with silver. The quiver was fashioned so it would hold the bow, as well as a dozen green-fletched arrows. A pattern of dancing flames was stitched around the edge of the quiver in silver wire.

"I know Healers don't have much use for weapons, but your adventures with Kepa seem to have been filled with hazards. I hope you will find good use for it."

Rowan ran a hand over the beautiful workmanship. "B-but why?"

"Why am I letting you go? I admire you Rowan, admire your courage and spirit. Even if your goals are different, I understand the motivation behind them. That is what is the most important, is it not?"

She smiled, understanding. "Thank you. For everything."

He nodded. "Now go, before they find you here. I wouldn't be able to protect you."

Rowan buckled quiver and bow over her back and vanished into the trees. Scucca stared at the spot in which she had vanished long after she had gone, sorting through feelings and memories.

Thavron pulled Coal to a stop and gestured at the path ahead of them. "This was the way I came to reach the Temple. I do not know if it will still lead you there or not."

Kepa, sitting behind Dace's neck, nodded slowly. They had left the trees, following trails that reached higher and higher on the bare rock at the base of the Mountains of the Sun. The mountains themselves towered over them, their peaks lost among clouds. Kepa dared not guess how tall they were, doubted even that it was possible to reach their summits.

The trader looked at them impassively. "This is the path I followed to reach the Temple. It is said that no one will find their way there twice. Therefore, this is where I will leave you. I will go look for Rowan."

Somehow the thought of Thavron rescuing Rowan by himself angered Kepa. It should be him rescuing her! He forced the thought out of his mind. No. It's right. They are both humans after all.

Kepa followed the path with his eyes, up the mountain side. It wasn't much of a path, more like an area in which the boulders were sufficiently low that one could step over them. It looked like a hazardous trek, especially for one in his condition. However Kepa nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for bringing me this far, Thavron, and for tending my wounds."

He was about to climb down from Dace's back when the entei spoke up.

– You need not move, Kepa. I will take you up the path to my birth-place.-

-You would take me there? But don't you follow Thavron?-

-I go where I wish too. Many, many years ago I decided to travel with this two-leg. I have missed my home; it would be good to see my friends again.-

Thavron had watched the exchange in curiosity, not knowing what the Kaijuu were saying.

"Uh..." stammered Kepa, not sure how Thavron would react. "Dace says he would go with me."

"Vaaaa-poooor!"

"Mist too."

Thavron sighed. "This is where we part then, old friend. I will miss you. Good luck with your journey."

He turned Coal around and started back down the path. Kepa, Dace, and Mist watched him until he turned a bend and vanished from sight.

-Well, looks like it's only a group of us Kaijuu who are going to seek the Temple.- Kepa commented.

The entei rumbled in agreement and started up the path at an easy trot. Kepa lay back down on the entei's back, twining his hands in Dace's fur so he wouldn't fall off.

Rowan should be here. She was the one that thought of this plan. For some reason the loss of the sea-green eyed young woman who had travelled at his side saddened him. Strange... he had never cared much about who he had travelled with before... But Rowan was... different somehow.

He smiled, remembering her ordering him to run off a cliff, her tender concern while bandaging his wounds and the pleasure of bandaging hers, the feeling of having to protect her. It seemed so long ago now.

A sudden step of Dace's jarred the blaziken and sent white hot pain stabbing down his back. His world swam before his eyes, then, mercifully, went black.

Hunger woke him late that afternoon. They had made a fair dent in the path ahead, a fact driven home by the chill in the air. Thankful for his thick fur, he pulled himself back up into a sitting position.

-How much longer?-

-Not long at all- replied Dace. -A friend has been keeping an eye on you for quite some time. He will catch up to us at dusk and take us directly to the Temple.-

-Your friend is a Kaijuu?- Mist asked curiously.

-Of course. You are going to be amazed at the wonders you will see, little one.-

Mist turned her sparkling eyes towards the mountain directly ahead of them. -I can't wait!-

Dace had indeed spoke the truth, for as dusk fell, a pair of fox-like eyes appeared in the failing light. They were the same eyes who had already spied on Kepa, as well as Loth's ditto.

Dace stopped and dipped his head to his paws in a graceful bow. -Katsumi. It has been a long time.-

Indeed it has. Too long, some say. I am glad our wandering entei has returned. Loth had laid an ambush for you ahead therefore I have been instructed to lead you there directly.

A kadabra stepped forward. Instead of holding his spoon, it was threaded on a silver chain that hung around his neck. He also did not bear the three red stripes on his belly. Two red stars were tattooed on his palms, and a red crescent moon stood out in the middle of his forehead. In his mustaches were two small braids.

Kepa found his gaze drawn in by the crescent moon on Katsumi's forehead. In the back of his mind, a small voice told him it was rude to stare, but he could not tear his gaze away. The red crescent filled his vision until it was all he could see.

Welcome to the Temple of the Ancients!

Kepa found he could look away, which he did quickly, then twitched in surprise. Dace now stood in a cobbled square, with tall stone buildings rising all around him. They were all made from simple grey stone, but every visible surface had been covered in stunning carvings. They varied from ancient runes of protection to stylised Kaijuu. Trees were carved in the cobble stones.

Katsumi followed his gaze in amusement. Every single Kaijuu has a stone bearing his or her species somewhere in the Temple. This is the Earth Courtyard.

Kepa regretfully turned his gaze from the buildings and, for the first time, noticed the bustling activity of the Temple. Ancients stood everywhere, talking with Kaijuu and humans dressed in green robes. A mew was perched on a carved arch and studied the new arrivals. Suicune pups chased each other through the courtyard and into one of the buildings. Overhead a moltres soared past in a swirl of flame, a red robed human barely visible on his back.

"This place... it's incredible!"

The kadabra was obviously enjoying the effect the Temple was having on Kepa. There are four more courtyards: Fire, Water, Wind, and the biggest of all, in the center of the Temple, the courtyard of Light and Darkness.

Dace, your accommodations are in the same place as before. You can leave Kepa and Mist in my care, I shall take care of them.

-I'll see you later,- boomed Dace, then left the courtyard by passing under the mew's arch.

I will take you to the Fire Courtyard, where you will stay as long as you are with us. Mist, this dragonite will lead you to the Water Courtyard, which you will probably prefer to the Fire.

Kepa and Mist said their good-byes, then followed their guides to the separate courtyards. Upon entry of the Fire Courtyard, whose cobblestones were carved with the pattern of flames and had a red tinge, Katsumi left Kepa in the care of one of the red robed humans.

Gwyn here will help you settle in. I will come back for you later and you will meet our leaders.

"Welcome to the Temple!" grinned the girl. "First time here, I gather. Like most of the humans you'll find here, I am part Kaijuu. Ninetails, to be more precise."

Kepa blinked in surprise and looked at her more carefully. Indeed, two fox ears peeked out from a mane of silver hair, exactly the same sheen as a ninetails. A tail-tip protruded from under the edge of her robes.

"When you meet with our leaders, they will most likely explain about our life here, so you'll have to content yourself with knowing that the humans here are dedicated to helping and protecting the rare Kaijuu know as the Ancients."

"So this temple is a haven for the Ancients?" Kepa asked.

"Not just the Ancients, but any Kaijuu who needs a place to call home. See, look!"

She pointed to a charizard sleeping in a corner of the courtyard. A boy and a espeon were leaning against him.

"The charizard is Cinder, the boy Namir and the espeon Windsong. They are my best friends!" She smiled tenderly and Kepa was forcibly reminded of Rowan.

"Here, you sit on this bench and I'll get someone to look at that wound. Back in a flash!"

Gwyn vanished in a flurry of red. Kepa relaxed on the bench, content to sit and watch the bustle around him. His back kept twinging from the exertion but the blaziken was too immersed in wonder to pay attention to it. He soon lost track of the rare Kaijuu that passed through the courtyard, playing, discussing and working.

Gwyn returned with the mew in tow. Kepa assumed it was the same one who had been sitting on the arch, as the pink Kaijuu was so elusive.

"Pearl will take care of that, no prob. Infection is no match for her powers!"

Pearl hovered in front of his back, purring sympathetically.

This must have hurt... a scyther inflicted this wound... no, a black scyther! How peculiar! I am going to draw some of your energy to help heal this, so you will be exhausted afterwards.

"I am ready."

"Mewwwww"

Kepa's energy just seemed to drain away, as if someone had poked a hole into him.

"Ugh." He slumped, and would have fallen over if Gwyn hadn't held out a hand and supported him. She twisted to peer over his shoulder. The wound was now naught but a thin scar, running down his back.

"Good job Pearl! You don't think you could 'port us into an empty room? I don't think he's up to much of anything."

"Mew, mewwww."

Kepa closed his eyes and opened them on a airy room. They were on the top floor of one of the buildings, overlooking the courtyard. The room had three windows but no glass and a light breeze blew through the openings. Gwyn helped him over to the low bed. Within seconds, he was asleep.

When Kepa awoke, he had no idea how long he had lain in bed. He stretched, and found that he felt better than he had in days. Walking to one of the open windows, he peered down, then jumped. His legs compacted upon impact, absorbing the shock. Kepa grinned, immensely pleased with his recovery.

"Kepa Nur!" He looked to his right and saw Gwyn rushing towards him, robes pulled up around her knees with one hand and cradling an abra in the other.

"Thank goodness you're up! You've been asked for by Ismitta and Moonwind!"

"Who are Is-" he started.

"No time for that! Inali take him there!"

Kepa glanced at the abra, then blinked and looked more closely. The Kaijuu's eyes were wide open, deep black pools. A crescent moon stood out on her forehead.

Then the world tilted and he was standing in a different courtyard, alone. The cobblestones were marked with the divided circle of yin and yang. A lifelike lugia statue filled the center.

"This is... the Courtyard of Light and Darkness!"

- That is correct,- chimed a beautiful female voice. - I am Ismitta.-

Kepa started as the lugia statue came to life and stretched her neck towards him. A human male stepped out from under her wing. "And I am Moonwind."

The blaziken realised that he was a lugia-human hybrid, a rather interesting mix.

- We are thrilled to meet one who has evaded Loth for so long. But you have suffered great losses as well, and for that I am sorry.

- Here in this Temple, under our watch, live most of the Kaijuu with exceptionally strong powers. We have hidden ourselves here for we are few, and only together are we truly strong. We would be content to let ourselves drop into legend but such will not be our fate if Loth prevails. As you know, she seeks adamantium, the invincible metal of which you are the only known forger.

- With adamantium, Loth plans to create a receptacle in which she will pour all the strength of the Ancients. Any other metal would break under the strain. A very strong and formidable kaijuu named Viridian has already created a machine that would make such a procedure possible. This machine has been tested with lesser Kaijuu and it works.

- At her side fight a hoard of faithful Kaijuu, who have been corrupted into following her. In this hoard are also Lorelei, who is originally from the Temple and ... my mate, Astennu. They must not be allowed to obtain adamantium, Kepa Nur.-

Kepa was silent for a long moment as he processed this information. "How do you know all this?"

Ismitta's laughter was light and clear as a bell. - My powers are beyond your comprehension, lesser Kaijuu. I know more than you give me credit for, Kepa Hokoro!-

Kepa gasped and would have blanched, if he were human.

Moonwind stepped closer to the blaziken. "Loth is ready, all except for adamantium. She will make her move soon. Simply know that Ismitta and I are completely devoted to protecting the Ancients. Even to the point of removing the threat."

His stern gaze made it completely clear what 'removing the threat' entailed. Kepa swallowed nervously.

- I believe that we have given you plenty to think about. Katsumi will take you back to the Courtyard of Fire.-

The kadabra teleported into the courtyard and bowed to the two leaders. Kepa found his gaze drawn once more to the crescent moon on his forehead.

"Say... you're not related to that abra that brought me here? Inali?"

She is my daughter.

They were once more in the bustling Courtyard of Fire.

Lorelei is her mother. With a flick of his fluffy tail, he vanished.

Kepa groaned and flapped down on a stone bench. If only Rowan had known what kind of a mess she had sent him into. No, who was he kidding. This mess was completely of his own forging.

"Damn."

(A/N)

Kaijuu

-Suicune: dog like, with blue fur covered in white squares. Has a thick purple mane and twin, ribbon-like tails. Element - water

-Moltres: a swan-like bird, with wings and tail of fire. Element - fire

-Mew: a small, cat like kaijuu. Has pink fur and very large hind feet, as well as a long tail, thin at first then thickening. One of the rarest kaijuu, mew is reputated to be able to control all the elements. Element - psychic / all

-Ninetails: a fox like kaijuu with white or pale yellow fur and nine tails, the size of a wolf. Element - fire (vulpix - ninetails)

-Charizard: a kaijuu who ressembles a dragon, with a flame on the tip of the tail. Orange in colour, with a cream underbelly. Element - fire

-Espeon: a small cat, with short lavender fur and eyes. Has a thin tail that forks into two at the tip, very long ears, and very long tufts of fur on the cheeks. Also has a red jewel in the center of the forehead. Element - psychic

-Abra: Fox-like, stands on two legs, and is coloured tan with a darker brown exoskeleton. Its eyes are almost always closed. Element - psychic (abra - kadabra - alakazam)

-Lugia: a very large bird-like kaijuu with silver feathers. Has odd wings ending in digits and a row of dark blue spines down the back, as well over the eyes and on the tip of the long, thick tail. Long draconic neck. Can both swim and fly, although spends most of its time in the water. Element - water / wind