Hi everyone and welcome to the chapter 23rd of this fanfiction.
I'm sorry it took so long to update. I'll try to be faster next time. Don't forget to read the "IMPORTANT" section at the end is very... important XD.
Let's lose no time before going to the TIME WITH REVIEWS section!
12courtney12: C'mon there's no need to apologize. Your review was sincere... I know that this one of the most terrible Cliffhangers to come up with. You'll find out what happened t him very soon. Thanks for reviewing (twice).
novaking2832: He's dead. He's totally dead. No one could've survived that, but is Ruby we're talking about... So is he dead? You'll find out quite soon. Thanks for reviewing again!
comisure: I'm glad you liked it. And I'm very happy to know that someone feels that I'm improving. It's hard to write them when there are a lot of people involved, so this is a great motivation. THANKS!
GUEST: No need to thank me... my pleasure XD I'm glad you liked it.
THAT ONE GUEST: I'm glad you feel like that. NOw you won't have to wait anymore.
Ultrawolfie: Don't worry, I know it's not flaming. I expected this kind of reviews when I posted the chapter so it's okay. I know that I sometimes do that and I know that if I wasn't the author I would be mad at the writer sometimes, but this helps me leave people intrigued even in the middle of the chapter so it's a great tool to have XD. Thanks fore you review and encouragement!
RionaCremisi: I'm very happy to know that you've grown attached to it, it means that I doing a good job somewhere. Here I'm laughing a lot with the description of yourelf reading the chapter... As for Platina(This will be her name in this ficbecaue I believe that it's more feminine and it fits her personality better), Dianomnd and Pearl this is not theire first appearance. They mad thire debut in the 5th chapter, but they, purposely, never said their names. They won't have that much f an impact in the story further than this chapter. I said that they wouldn't be that important and I'm mantaining it. As for Black and White... maybe they'll make an appearance, but nothing important. I'm still pondering this and if I get an excuse to put them in, I'll do it. Thanks for your long review.
PD: Flash bombs are better. XD Why don't you use crimson flash bombs... it seems like a good combination to me XD.
And here ends the TIME WITH REVIEWS... I have to thank you guys again for them. I never expected them to have that many, plus next chapter we will pass the 200k words... You're all awesome!
Before we start LC5 has some information for you!
LC5: Yo, what up people of the internet, LC5, AKA the Editor, is here. I have been Playing the new Smash Bros game recently, and I noticed something, I wreck with Yoshi. That has absolutely nothing to do with this. I am here to state the matter of MY story really quick. I haven't updated recently, and don't panic people who don't read my stuff, I have one coming out soon, it's just that: 1, I've been busy. 2, I've been going through school. And 3, I've just been insanely lazy lately. But I do have a new chapter coming soon. And I also am still working on THE VIRTUAL POKEMON LEAGUE!
DISCLAIMER: You can't make me say it.
LC5: Say it clone.
Clone of LexClone5: I don't wanna.
LC5: Damn it man, I cloned myself so I don't have to do the disclaimer again. And then I cloned myself a few more times because it got fun.
Clone: Define "Few".
(Enter Army of Clones)
Clone Army: "DISCLAIMER: Rubyspe and LexClone5 DO NOT own Pokemon or Pokemon Adventures/Special. Get over it, because they wish they did."
LC5: Thank you Army.
ONWARD TO YOUR NOT-SO-REGULARLY SCHEDULED FAN FICTION!
READ and ENJOY!
Chapter 23: Between fire and smoke
Sapphire's POV
-RUUUUUUUUUUUUUB!
That was the only word that escaped my mouth as I was watching the building fall to the ground in front of my eyes. I couldn't believe the sight that was in front of me, and one part of my mind was wishing that this was just a nightmare like the one I had in the morning. I could feel my eyes start to wet and without being able to keep myself from it, some tears fell from my eyes.
-Rub?- said Malcom in a mocking tone- Is he the one who was competing in the contests? Well, that's too bad…
-SHUT UP!- I yelled at him.
-Quite protective aren't we?- he said mocking again- Was he that good of a friend?
-I SAID SHUT UP!- I yelled again- DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HIM! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HIM!
-We do… In fact we know quite a lot from him…- said one of the other grunts, a orange haired girl- The same as you. We know that you use to hang out with him even though he is just a newbie in the Academy. We also know that he is often laughed at by almost everyone because how much of a weakling he is.
-SHUT UP!- I growled again, but I was not alone this time, Yellow had shouted along me and I saw Silver tightening his grip on the girl in his arms in anger.
-Cool it Sapphire, we can't allow them to get to us that easily- said Green, from my right side. He had his fists clenched too.
-But we have to go and help him- I said almost turning before he grabbed my wrist to prevent it.
-Not now Sapphire… with only the three of us, will not be able to win this. We have the disadvantage in this battle. We have 9 pokemon vs. 10 plus the one they still have- he said- and they are 5 commanding them, we need you.
-But Rub…- I said almost sobbing- He needs help.
-No. He. Doesn't!- he said closing his eyes for a second, a pained expression evident in his face- I'm so sure that he was able to get away from there before it crumbled. Look there are a lot of people outside, I'm sure he is one of them.
I then looked at the place he pointed and sure enough I could see a lot of people scattered all over the place. I could say that more than 200 people were there, but… Kimberly always said some things about me… One was that she had yet to meet a girl more willing to train than me, and the other… is that my intuition is very good. I didn't want to believe that my hunch was right at the moment. I looked at Green who had that same pained look on his face, but then said some words that gave me some hope. Some words I trusted to be true with all my life.
-He is strong enough to come out of this...- he said- He has to be…
-He has to be…- I agreed with him and then I looked at our immediate enemy.
-Well… you will grief your lost friend after we are done with you- said Risen between laughs- If you're still in a condition to do so, that is.
All the rage I had accumulated through the last days, all the emotions I was holding inside me, all that worry I was feeling at the moment, all the FEAR I was feeling at the moment… Exploded in anger towards our enemy.
-Toro use Sky uppercut! Dono use Defense curl and then Roll out on those Camerupts! Rono Take down!-I commanded my pokemon with only one thought in my head… "THEY WERE GOING TO PAY!"
Sam's POV (before the explosions)
I was finishing to put my things into my purse. I was all alone in the waiting room after Rub had gone to meet with the Dexholders. A smile came to my face when I remembered all those times I had bothered them. First Green and then Red, who were in my class. I spent weeks stalking them like a crazy fangirl, asking them out. After that I tried to do that with Gold, until Blue had a talk with me… Looking back I have to say that I was silly to think that any of this would finally work out. Due to things like that their group had become the most closed group in all the Academy.
After I packed everything I stood up when I heard some running steps coming towards the room. I lifted my gaze to see who was coming and I was kinda surprised to see that was Rub who came in.
-Huh? You're back Rub?- I asked my contest rival then- Have you changed your mind after all?
Just after he got the last ribbon I had waited for him in the waiting room. When he saw me he approached me and he asked me the reason I forfeited. I only answered with the same words I spoke back in the stage, because they were true. My Breloom was very nervous and unsure of himself after those appeals and thanks to all the dirty tricks the other two had used. On the other hand he was able to make one of them so frightened that the pokemon recalled himself in his pokeball while the other seemed also troubled. Besides I could see that his Swampert had been able to keep its cool even then. He was going to win the ribbon at the end, so I just did what I thought would be the best.
He understood the reason and thanked me, but then I did something that he didn't expect. Showing one of my sly grins I asked if he was free tonight. He was clearly taken back by the offer, but, much to my dislike, he rejected the offer as politely as he could. I felt disappointed, but I hid it well. I knew that this was not the reason he came inside again, but I couldn't stop myself from asking him (and putting him in an embarrassing position again too).
-I'm sorry, but no… I told you what I thought about it before and I still think the same- he told me- I only came back for my Pokeblock case…
-You mean this one?- I said pointing at the other side of the room where I could see one under the benches.
-Yeah thank you- he said after getting it- and as I said… I'm sorry for that.
-Don't worry… It's not your fault I guess- I said then- Have fun hanging out with the Dexholders.
-How do you know that?- he asked surprised that I knew that.
-I spent a lot of time stalking them and I also know that you are quite friends with you- I said then- A lot of people are very jealous of that.
-Oh, I get it now- he said in what seemed an annoyed voice- You only tried to get close to them using me didn't you?
-That's not true- I assured him- I stopped doing that a long time ago.
-Then why?- he asked.
-You also have some good qualities yourself. And I like them- I said then truthfully.
-Oh… W-well thanks!- he said stumbling over his words- but still… I'm sorry, but…
BOOM!
He couldn't finish speaking because suddenly an explosion was heard and the building trembled a lot. I almost fell on the floor due to that, but I was able to stand still. I could hear some terrified yells outside the room then.
-What was that?- I asked scared, but he wasn't able to answer me because…
BOOM! BOOM!
Two more explosions took place. Just after the second one my eyes widened when I saw the wall in front of us burst. Being scared out of my mind I braced myself and closed my eyes unable to do something else when I heard a clear shout from my side.
-Zuzu, Protect!- yelled Rub suddenly in front of me when we were covered in smoke, dust and mostly rumble.
Even then I kept my eyes closed in fear. I heard the sound of rocks colliding with the floor, walls… Some seconds passed before I opened my eyes again, to see that I was perfectly fine. I could see dust, rumble and great rocks all around me forming a circle. In the center of the circle was where I stood and in front of me I could still see a vanishing silhouette of the blue-green barrier that had protected me. I looked around frantically before I spotted a male figure with a white hat on top of his hat running through the exploded wall along with his Swampert.
-And the more I learn about you… the cooler you become- I said in a low voice while trying to calm down. Then I went through the hole and to the lobby.
When I went there, I saw that the place had been already covered in flames and that there were a lot of people trying to reach the entrance door as soon as possible. The fire, smoke and frightened yells scared me to the end where I only wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible. Just then, an explosion came from what seemed to be the electric room. This only added more fire to the amount that was in the lobby. Some cracks appeared in the wall and some rumble fell from it. The place had become anything but stable and people became more desperate to go out of the building.
I myself, was too frightened to do anything more than to go with the flow and follow the people out of there. I looked around ready to spot Rub in the crowd of people who were running to the main doors, but I couldn't see him. "He'll already be outside when I get there" I thought before I entered the crowd trying to get out of the place in what seemed to be a "Human-slide".
Ruby's POV
I was running with Zuzu by my side into the lobby. The sight in there scared me, but not for the amount of fire and smoke that filled the place. What was horrifying is that every single person had succumbed to the panic. A lot of people were running everywhere, there was children crying everywhere and I could see older people also trying to get out too. The doors were packed of people who tried to get out as soon as possible not caring if there was someone hurt or anything like that. I was able to spot people trying to get the children out of the place safely as well as the older people, but most of the people were scared out of their minds.
For a moment I stood there without doing anything looking at the horrible view in front of me. It was the view of the "jungle law"(Editor's note, I'm leaving this the way it is, but if you're confused, it means 'Survival Instinct'), the view of the need to survive, the view of people who would do anything in their hands to get out of a life-threatening moment. It was those cases where everyone was told to not panic, but unlike in movies or even in simulations of the process. The sight of people running one past another, stomping in each other's feet, not caring who or what it was something I never wanted to see again. They looked so much like the people back then. Everywhere I had laid my eyes on, I would see those terrified eyes, those orbs claiming for the events to stop once for all.
Not wanting this to continue for another minute I started to run towards the people and try to calm them down, but I couldn't even get close to the crowd when a wall quite far from me exploded. The explosion threw me across the lounge, but luckily I fell on something not as hard as the floor. Noticing this I just stood up to find that my head had landed lying on top a seven year old boy, or that was what it seemed. I quickly looked at him and he seemed to be in pain, because he was crying and clutching his left leg. I soon noticed a deep purple bruise there and for the sight of it seemed to be broken.
I looked at the boy then and he seemed at the verge of tears.
-I'm sorry, are you okay?- I asked him.
-No, I got lost from my da-addy- he said then- and my leg hurts…
-Where is he?- I asked him- do you have any idea?
-We were in the stands, but when everything exploded I got separated from my daddy.
-Everything's going to be alright, don't worry- I said to him reassuringly- I have to get you out of here first…
I was saying, but then two older boys bumped into us knocking me and the boy down, them also falling to the ground. I suddenly recognized one of them to be Xavier, one of my rivals in the last round today in the contests. He looked at me with a angry glare.
-Get out of the way!- he said pushing me and the boy to the side and getting up to run out of the place- C'mon Ron we have to get out of here.
My anger towards him only rose then and I grabbed him by the wrist preventing him to him from running.
-What the heck do you think you're doing Xavier?- I shouted at him- He's just a kid, he's hurt and you pushed him aside not even thinking about helping him!
-What do you want me to do then?- he asked- I have to get out of here! I'm not gonna die…
He wasn't able to finish his sentence. I believe that the cause was either the smoke in the room got in his lungs or the glare I sent him. I have a hunch that it was the latter because this one was even fiercer that the one I sent him back on the stage, I believe. It's only one of the things I got from my father and not even thinking about it… I used it then.
-Boy, come here- I told the little boy who was at the verge of crying still clutching his left leg- this guy named Xavier is going to pick you up and you're going to get out of here with him, okay?
-What? I'm not going to…- Xavier yelled surprised before shutting up when I looked towards him with the same expression as before- Okay…
-But my daddy is still in there-said the kid almost sobbing- there are lotsa people inside too, more than here.
-Is that true?- I asked to Xavier's friend.
-Yeah, we're coming from there- he said.
-Okay…- I said turning to the boy then- Don't worry, your father is going to be just fine. Now, go!
-Don't go in there- said Xavier's friend- It's like hell!
-I'll be fine- I said- One more thing, I'm not asking a lot if I ask you to help a little, do I? Just do
what you feel like doing to help, but please do something- I asked him and he nodded- C'mon Zuzu we're going.
And with that I left them. Last time I looked at them I saw them going towards the entrance where a lot of people still struggled to get out of the place. I looked to the two entrances at both sides of the reception table, which had a hole on top and was covered by broken bricks from the left side, that lead to the stage, stands and the facilities in there. One of them was useless. Rubble and a pillar had fallen down and was blocking it. The other was not very used at the moment so I used this chance to go in there. That door was also half blocked due to a huge pillar that had fallen and was burning at the top. I was just able to pass the non-existing door before I saw that the place was covered in thick smoke.
All the curtains had fallen down and they were burning. I saw sparks coming from the electric system so that must've been partly the cause there, apart from the explosions that caused that wall in front of us to explode that is. I looked around and I saw all mostly of the wood and plastic-made stands burning also. I could hear shouts and yells from everywhere, and some people pushed past me in their way towards the lobby where I came from.
I started to cough then, all the smoke gathered made it hard to breath in the place. I then looked at a shining sign of an arrow marking a path to the emergency exits. I followed them with Zuzu by my side when I arrived to what seemed to a corner of the building. There was a huge pile of rubble where the door should've been and a pool of a red substance at the base of all that rubble, blood. I tried to look away from there and onto the other.
I looked by my side when I noticed a part of the ceiling falling down and was going to fall just on top of a man. Luckily a person that seemed her daughter pulled him out of the way and saved the man just in time. Looking for people inside to guide them to the main lobby, I found myself in the door I used to enter to that part of the building myself. I had heard an explosion coming from there before, and horrors I prayed to never come true happened when I saw the place blocked by an statue and for the other half of that burning pillar form before. I then noticed people to gather around the place before they figured out that they were stuck inside the building with no option to go out using any preexistent exit.
If panic had already taken place in the Contest's Hall before, this was something indescribable. Just like that people lost all hope because while they were trying to find their children, friends or even the exit… the last way out of the building had crumbled down, and like that their hope sank even lower. People started to cry, run all over the place, even some of them tried to pass through the burning pillars trying to desperately to get out. Some sent out their water types to stop the fire, clearly putting them into great danger. The water never really touched the fire because it evaporated from the heat even before hitting it. Chaos couldn't start to describe the scene in there. There had to be a way to calm them down or else they would die from stomping into each other in an stampede.
I went to the middle of the stage to see if the I could find someone to help me, but then a man ran past me kicking a black tube which was on the floor. When the tube rolled I heard a high-pitch sound coming from only one of the speakers in the large room. I then realized that the tube was the microphone the speaker used to present the show in there so I went directly to pick it up. I was surprised to know that one of them still worked, but I had no time to feel surprise, I had some shouting to do…
-PEOPLE!- I shouted- STOP RUNNING! RETURN YOUR POKEMON!
There was no response to my yelling because no one stopped running or doing whatever they were doing. They were still trying to go out, but had little success with it because the smoke filled air was making breathing a very difficult task for both humans and pokemon. I was starting to suffer from it too because I was coughing more and more. I had to use that microphone effectively or the number of injured people would only rise. Looking around I started to think of ways to save the largest amount of people possible.
I suddenly got an idea, but I realized that they would never listen to my words in their state. If I was an important person telling them what to do, this would be easy because at this moment they would cling into the smallest hint of hope there is… If I only was Red, Green or one of the Dexholders for a moment… Wait, THAT'S IT!
-LISTEN EVERYONE! MY NAME IS RED, AND I'M ONE OF THE POKEDEX HOLDERS!- I yelled and then I heard the yells stop for a moment- I'M ALSO STUCK IN HERE, BUT WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE THROUGH THIS!
After I said this the chaos was not as incredible as before. Some people had stopped running and was looking around trying to find the source of the voice. A lot of people started to gather in front of the fallen speaker just behind the judges table on the stage. That was the only usable speaker and even through the thick smoke I could see the crowd.
-IT'S TRUE THAT WE ARE STUCK IN THIS PLACE. ALL THE EXITS ARE BLOCKED SO DON'T EVEN TRY TO GO THROUGH THEM. IF YOU DO YOU'LL ONLLY WASTE TIME AND ENERGY- I said- THE FIRST YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO PUT SOME WET CLOTHES IN FRONT OF YOUR MOUTHS AND TO ADVANCE AS NEAR TO THE FLOOR AS POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF THE SMOKE.
-But what do we do after this?- I heard a woman yell in the crowd her voice one of pure fear- we'll die sooner or later.
-MY FRIENDS ARE ALL OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, SO THEY WILL SAVE US- I said- WE ONLY HAVE TO BE ALIVE UNTIL THEY DO. THEY ARE ALREADY TRYING TO DO THAT. THE PLAN IS VERY SIMPLE AND I ASK EVERYONE OF YOU TO TRUST ME. IF YOU CONTINUE LIKE BEFORE, YOU'LL DIE IN MINUTES.
-What do we do then Red?- asked a man then with a frightened tone.
-WE HEAD AND LOCK IN THE ONLY ROOM THAT HAVE WATER IN THE BUILDING, THE RESTROOMS. THEY ARE LARGE AND THEY CAN ACCOMMODATE A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE WILL HAVE TO BRING THE INJURED ONES INSIDE THERE AND STAY THERE UNTIL THEY RESCUE US- I told them- WE HAVE TO HOLD UNTIL THEY RESCUE US, THERE'S NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO NOW.
-So we help the people enter there and we stay there?- asked a teenager then.
- YEAH, AND WE HAVE TO HURRY UP- I said- THE ONES WHO ARE OKAY WILL HELP ME WITH THE INJURED PEOPLE, BUT DON'T USE YOUR POKEMON. THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF POKEMON ARE USED TO CLEAR AIR AND WOULD DIE FROM THE SMOKE. THE ONLY ONES ALLOWED TO HELP ARE THE ONES WHO LIVE IN AREA WHERE THE AIR IS USUALLY POISONOUS OR THEY LIVE IN WETLANDS. WHILE INSIDE THE RESTROOMS, YOU MUST TRY TO MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS POSSIBLE, THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.
And surprisingly I found a lot of people shouting, but it seemed more of a war cry than a terrified yell. I threw the microphone aside and I went to the last place where I saw an injured person. She was just next to the door where I entered from. When I arrived there I saw an unconscious woman with her leg buried in rumble and blood falling from her head. I checked her respiration and she was alive so I told Zuzu to grab her while I helped him carry her. Just then the ground shaked a little and a great noise came from the other side of the wall, from the lobby. I went to look there and through the fire I saw that part of the ceiling had fallen just in front of the main door. Then I saw a man crawling away from it… he seemed to be alone in there and it was just as trapped as us. I saw his frightened face so I called for him then.
-Hey- I shouted at him- Are you okay?
-I'm trapped, help me!- he pleaded- the fire is gonna kill me!
-Are you okay, can you walk?- I asked.
-Yes I can… who are you?- he asked me not looking away from the fire that surrounded him.
-I'm Red, the Pokedex holder- I told him- Is there anyone else in here?
-RED? Oh my… help me! The ceiling fell when I was about to go out. It caught some people under it and I assume that they're badly injured or even…- he said before pleading again- help me please.
-Of course I'll help you, but you have to do something when you get outside- I told him, this was a very important thing.
-Wha -cough- whatever, Red- he said then.
-You have to search for Blue, Silver, or the Dexholder who is in charge of this building. If not, tell the police or anyone…- I started- You have to tell them this… All the people will be gathered in the bathrooms. There's fire and smoke everywhere, and there are a lot of injured people. They have to hurry or we'll all die. I'm helping the injured ones to go to the place, but they have to hurry. Is that clear?
-Yeah, I heard your speech -cough- before…- he said- I will tell them for sure.
-Okay now, you'll have to be quick. I -cough- will send one pokemon and she's going to open a path for you to go…
I then got Ruru's pokeball and I let my psychic type out. As soon as the Kirlia was out her horns glowed instantly a deep shed of red signaling that she was feeling a lot of the emotions of the present people in the building. She seemed pained from that, I could see it clearly.
-Ruru you have to be quick with this- I said- I want you to Teleport yourself at the other side of this wall and then use Psychic with some rubble to let the man that is there escape. It's very important so please give your best effort. Then return to my side and I will let you rest. This smoke is not good for you and all those feelings aren't either.
When I ended telling her what to do she nodded and disappeared in a blur. Seeing this I got to Zuzu's side and started to carry the woman with our combined effort. We were heading to the closest bathroom we could find. After two minutes Ruru teleported by my side again and informed me that she was successful. I thanked her great effort and recalled herself in the safety of her pokeball. After some minutes we were able to reach the place we were heading to and I entered the room. I then saw that this room was already packed of people tending to the injured ones. I left the woman there and a little boy came running towards her as just as she saw her. Not waiting for more I went outside again to find more people.
As minutes passed the building was losing every single sign of its previous stability. Parts of the ceiling was falling everywhere and the inner walls were also crumbling down. The first rest room where I left that woman was packed full so everyone was bringing the people to the others. Due to all the damage that the fire had caused, one restroom had its door blocked from outside so no one could go there anymore. The smoke wasn't gathering as much as before at the building due to the holes in the roof, but it was still difficult to breath there. When I picked up the third person I finally acknowledged the amount of stress that my body had suffered.
I had been in there coordinating for a lot of time and the previous days hadn't been quite quiet either. My body was moving slower than before and I had to struggle to carry the man even with my pokemon's help. In this situation is where Zuzu's fins became the most useful item. Using them as a radar we could find people quite easily and due to his strength he supported the main part of the man's weight. When we finally left him in the third room we found I heard noises coming from the other side of the wall that led to outside the building. Seeing this I felt a great wave of relief. This whole hell was going to end in minutes, or less because a great crack formed on the wall then and I could hear Red at the other side commanding his Poli to use Focus Punch again.
Just then Zuzu pulled my jacket and pointed at his fins again. I knew what this meant that he had sense more movement outside the rest room. I looked back where the noise was getting more and more clear each second and then towards the door that led to hell. I knew that a lot of time had passed until the fire appeared inside so the building had to be very weak at the moment. I closed my fists again and I opened the door silently towards the burning hell. Panting and moving slowly I got out of the room. Zuzu looked at me with a look that was full of worry then, but I smiled at him.
-It's not your fault… I told you to point me every -cough - time you sensed someone. Now where is this person?- I asked him, but when he pointed at the direction I felt surprised…- He is somewhere up the stands?
Diamond's POV
I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was blurry still, but it became clear as seconds passed. I started to move when I noticed a wet piece of cloth on my forehead. As I tried to move, I felt a sharp pain around my stomach. Just then I started to hear some noises, or voices. I could recognize the both of them everywhere. Those were the voiced of my childhood friends Pearl and Platina Berlitz or "Missy". When I took the piece of cloth from my head I saw that it was a wet handkerchief with the Berlitz symbol on it.
-I'm just saying that maybe wasn't a very good idea to head towards this bathroom- said Pearl's voice.
-I know, but what more could we do… We had to help Dia- said Missy then.
-Why the loud voices- I asked. I'm not one to complain that much, but my head was hurting like hell.
-Dia!/Diamond!- shouted my two friends then.
They all started running towards me. Pearl was the first to arrive and hugged me tightly then. I hugged back then. I looked at my female friend and she was just on her knees smiling at us with that angelic face of hers.
-I'm so glad you're okay- she said then when Pearl broke the embrace.
-What happened to me?- I asked them.
-You don't remember?- asked Pearl then and I shook my head in denial- You got hit by some rubble while we were trying to escape from the fire. You fainted and you were injured in your ribcage and head where two bricks hit you.
-Then we heard Red speak through one of the speakers and say that we needed to bring the injured ones to the rest rooms where water is available- said Missy then- So we brought you here. What we don't know if they will find us now. We are up the stands since it was the closest place to go.
-How long I've been out?- I asked then.
-20 minutes, but things has not improved much… We have prevented the smoke from entering here putting our wet jackets at the door holes- Pearl said- but we've got to go out of here quickly.
-Let's go then- I said- I'm okay now, we can go…
Then I stood up with Missy's help. My ribs hurt so much I was having trouble doing it so I had to put my arm around her to steady myself. She did the same to help me be able to walk. Then Pearl headed right to the door, but he wasn't able to arrive when the door broke due to a pillar falling on it. The pillar was covered in flames and occupied most of the path so we couldn't get out. The fire quickly spread through it and towards the furniture inside the room setting the whole place on fire in a matter of minutes. I looked at my friend and they were stuck in the same place still. Too frightened to do anything. I took out one pokeball then, but I never got the chance to use it because Missy spoke.
-You can't Diamond!- she said- Your pokemons will die from the smoke. They're not used to fight in these conditions and they won't be able to do much with their difficulties to breath.
-But we have to use something… if not we'll die in here- I said then- And I won't let you…
-Is -cough- anyone in there?- I heard a voice from outside, it seemed a boy's voice.
-Yeah! We're 3 children inside- yelled Pearl- We are trapped and we can't get out. This place is burning and covered with smoke too.
-Stay away from the door, I'll open a path!- the boy said and after that he just shouted one command- Hydropump and then use Rock Smash!
With that we all backed down from the door and we heard a "crack". Just then I saw a figure come through the smoke… due to it I couldn't see the person very clearly so I got in front of Platina defensively.
-Who are you?- I asked the boy who stopped in his tracks.
-It's not really the time to do this boy- he said- you're smart and cautious, but we have to hurry… this place won't last very long…
-No, tell me who you are first- I said.
I couldn't be to confident about anything at the moment. He could be one of those bounty hunters that were after Missy for a ransom. This almost happened before, but luckily the police stopped them, but now I was the one protecting her. As I said this the building started to shake violently. Huge cracks appeared in the walls and ceiling.
-I'm Red!- he said- I can't prove it or anything, but that's who I am… Now follow me –cough,cough- we don't have time!
-Diamond… I believe him…- said Missy by my side- Look he's got red eyes…
-Okay then what do we have to…- I wasn't able to finish the sentence because then the floor between the boy who claimed to be Red and the three of us cracked open.
I looked around to see the building almost split in half in the same direction as the huge crack on the floor. The crack was amazing in size, almost a car could be able to fall through it. Then the boy shouted again.
-Do you guys believe in me?- he asked- If you want to live, you'll have to do it. Jump inside the crack!
-What?- yelled Pearl.
Then I noticed something weird about Red. He was wearing something on his head, but it wasn't a cap. In fact it seemed more of a white hat. I stopped my train of thought then and grabbed Pearl's wrist with one hand and Missy's right hand with my other. After one last brief glance towards the boy who was walking towards the other end of the crack and sighing soundly… I jumped in with them.
Green's POV
-Green we have to end this now!- Sapphire told me while fighting by my side.
Things didn't look very nice for us. We all had lost one pokemon except Yellow who was still fighting along her two Pikachus. Silver's Weavile had fainted, the same as Aero and Rono. They all were able to put a good fight, but a Destiny Bond was the end for Sapphire's steel type and a lucky Guillotine by their Crawdaunt knocked out Red's flying type. Luckily their numbers had decreased a lot. We were now fighting a 6 vs. 5 match, but there was one problem. Dono had only resisted this much using Endure and with one more hit he would be finished. Both Pikachus were very tired too, but that was the case with all of our pokemon. Bull had suffered a lot to defeat the Hitmolee and Charizard had been fighting for a lot of time. Toro was still good to go, but she had received some water type attacks in the crossfire.
Their situation was better because their pokemon were all in a good shape and each one was controlling one of them. Malcolm was using his last pokemon being a tremendous Metagross. One of the girls was using the Crawdaunt, while the other had a Camerupt out. The bronze belts had a Quagsire out and the Tyranitar. Every single one of them was a very strong pokemon so we were having a hard time with our pokemon. Event that fact we were going to win…
-You're right Sapphire… Charizard use Wing attack on the Quagsire!
-Water gun to the lizard!- yelled the man and the attacks collided. Charizard was able to cut through the attack with his glowing wing, but received a lot of damage from it too.
-Pika Iron tail on the Quagsire too! Chuchu Thunderbolt the Crawdaunt!- yelled Yellow.
-Metagross use Meteor mash with that elephant!- yelled Malcolm- then Psychic on the Blaziken.
-Dono use Endure again… the use Mud shot!- I yelled, but this time I wasn't so lucky and the attack failed. The Meteor Mash knocked my pokemon out- Blaziken use Flamethrower to it!
-Tyranitar fight that Iron Tail with Dragon Claw!- yelled the guy at the right.
-Camerupt use Eruption!
-No you won't…. Bull use Hyperfang on it before he does!- and doing some damge the attack was stopped in half. Not completely, but it did less damage than what would've happened.
After this round of attacks we were even in numbers, but not in stamina… We had an agreement in what to do in this cases a kind of emergency plan.
-Green, I'm going to disobey the rules… - Said Sapphire then- I'm sorry… .
-No don't… stick to the plan! We can win this without…- I stopped talking to her when I saw her face.
Her eyes were almost pleading me to stop this already, to finish it already. I saw the worry in them, the worry she had for our friend… I knew that my concern was huge too, but hers seemed almost unbearable. It reminded me so much from the face she made when she got of Pilo that day 5 years ago. I couldn't deny her this and I didn't want to either. That wasn't the time to be cautious… That was the time to end this.
-Okay! Yellow you too!- I said- Silver stay aside.
-Hell no! Bull use Screech! Full power!- he said with a smirk- Now you can proceed.
The Screech affected both trainers and pokemon creating a perfect opening for our attacks to hit. I held my hand up with three fingers in the air starting the countdown. 3…2…1…
-Bast Burn!- me and Sapphire yelled at the same time.
-Volt tackle!- yelled Yellow to her two rodents.
Two things happened while they were still recovering from the previous attack. The two Pikachus started running towards the foes at great speed while covering themselves in yellow sparks. As they got close to their targets they moved to be running side by side while the energy around them rose extremely. The other was that both fire types released their best attacks at the same time. The two powerful beams went straight towards the enemies until they clashed with each other. Surprisingly the two attacks fused and the beam grew a lot stronger than before.
BOOM!
That was the sound that created the four attacks colliding at the same place with the 5 foes there. A huge cloud of smoke appeared then and I heard the cries of the pokemon too. Those four attacks had been our best combination so far and I was so sure that they were all fainted by now. When the smoke began to clear I stepped forward to get close to them, but then I saw a cloaked man by the 5 people.
-Disappointing… simply disappointing…- he said towards the ones on the ground- I should erase your memories right now, but then I would have to pay for your incompetence.
-Who are you?- I asked to the man then.
-You don't need to know- he said- But don't worry… we'll see each other again. Grumpig, Teleport!
And just like that all of them disappeared from their place. When the smoke cleared completely Silver picked the girl again from the ground and Yellow came by my side. She pointed at Sapphire who was yet running towards the fallen building. I nodded to her and we ran all ran after her. We arrived there no more than a minute after that and we found Crystal who had finished taking care of someone. When she and Emerald saw us they joined us to the front of the ex-Contest's Hall where Red, Gold, and Blue were there trying to extinguish the fire completely.
When we arrived there I had no time to ask anything before being cut by Sapphire.
-Red! Blue! Gold! Are you okay? Where is…- she yelled, but wasn't able to continue…
What cut her speech was the look on all of their faces. They answered her question completely. Sapphire then fell down on her knees and I could see tears falling again from her eyes. I looked around only to see 7 sad faces.
-I'm sorry Sapphire- started Red- We couldn't find him. We were able to take almost everyone out before it crumbled, but we never saw him.
-This can't be true…- whispered Crystal then when Emerald held his "sister's" hand tightly.
-I'm so sorry...- said Blue then- We couldn't do anything for…
-SWAMPERT!- was the yell that surprised everyone in there. It came from the other side of the building.
Blue's POV
-We have to go and see what is that…- said Yellow sadly- It's our job.
-Yeah- I said while we started to go to the place where the sound came from.
We were going there with an absolute silence. Silver joined soon after leaving that girl with the doctors. I was holding Sapphire's hand while walking. I could see that she was very sad, and was struggling to stop crying. Emerald was at the verge of tears too and Crystal was walking with an arm around his body. All this changed when we could see where the sound came from. There was a massive hole on the ground and there were three people outside. They were the same children that sat in front of us when the contests took place. The black haired guy was sitting up.
Seeing this Red and Green rushed to the place when we arrived there at a slower pace. Red shaked the blonde guy until it woke up while Diamond, I believe it was his name, did the same with the girl. When they all had woken up they looked surprised at us and then turned towards Red.
-Thanks Red… without you… we wouldn't be alive- said the girl.
-Yeah, thanks for that- said Pearl- you were amazing!
-Sorry for doubting you… you're awesome- said Diamond- You all are!
-Doubting me? What did I do?- asked Red- I don't understand anyth…
-PLATINA!- was a yell that came from behind us then.
I looked back only to see that it was the man that was yelling at the officers before. The girl looked up and smiled warmly.
-Father!- she shouted and lunged herself into his open arms.
-Oh my god Platina… I thought I lost you- I heard Sapphire start to sob again at that- Are you okay? Are you okay Diamond, Pearl?
-Yes, we are sir- said Diamond before clutching his stomach in pain.
-Diamond got hurt inside- explained Platina- before Red saved us.
-We'll go to my nearest hospital right away then- said the man before looking towards us, he approached us and talked- I can't thank you enough for rescuing my daughter and her two friends. I owe you that much that I could never pay you.
-We didn't really do that much- said Sapphire then sadly.
-Don't be so modest. You're heroes .You all deserve everything in this world- he said then giving us a card- this is my number… If you ever need something just call me and I'll do my best to help you. Now I must go to the hospital with these three- he said before turning once again- And thank you so much.
With that the man left while the three kids turned and waved and thanked us aloud one last time before leaving the 9 of us there. I looked at our surroundings once again while we were walking back and again we all were in silence. Not a word or a sound apart from the rustling our feet did with the burned grass was made. This lasted until another sound was made, but we never did that sound.
-SWAMPERT!- was the shout again and we all turned to see where it came from.
Not surprisingly we could see a blue pokemon get out of the hole where we found those 3 kids before. I looked at the pokemon curiously because it seemed to be holding something in his arms, and it seemed something quite big. I then noticed Sapphire's eyes widen at the sight. She rubbed her eyes twice before I saw a tear fall down her face before stopping. She he only said two words that put us into action.
-I-It's Rub…- she said.
Those were the words that made everyone run towards the place. Sappphire was the first to arrive, but stopped a little far from him. Then all of us surrounded the pokemon, who was Zuzu and the boy in his arms. I looked at him and saw that he had his clothes torn a little. His had had some burns at the top and left a little of black hair to be seen, but not much. His trousers' knees were totally torn and he had some burnt marks in his left arm, but nothing too serious. Green then checked his pulse and sighed.
-He's alive, but he's unconscious. We should bring him to the hospital now…- Green said then.
-I'll go- said Red- I'm borrowing your Mantine Emerald.
-Sure- he said.
-Don't you want to go Sapphire?- I asked her then.
-I'm sorry. I just… can't- she said then and suddenly started to run away from the place.
-What the matter with her?- asked Gold- Where is she going?
-I'll follow her and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid- I told them- she is just… reminiscing to many things I suppose. Come to my apartment when you're finished I'll prepare something to eat.
-Okay!- they said when I followed Sapphire, who was heading towards the Academy.
I followed her and she stopped just in front of her old apartment. Seeing her standing there I went and pulled her into a comforting embrace. When I broke it, I led her towards our place to sleep. As soon as she entered I told her to go to sleep and that I would wake her up when the boys arrived. She nodded and entered what was her room and I left her there. I went towards the kitchen to prepare something before the others arrived. I knew she wasn't sleeping because I kept hearing sobs and sniffles all the time.
After half an hour I heard a knock on the door and Green arrived. I heard Sapphire's door shut after that indicating she had checked who had entered. I then went towards him and I hugged him strongly. I also needed the comfort. I had been of the people in charge of the building and still I was unable to help the only friend I had in there. The one I vowed to save.
-How are you?- asked Green in a worried tone.
-I could be better… I wasn't able to help him Green- I said- I don't know how he survived, but I couldn't help him do it. I promised to Sapphire that he would be fine, but I couldn't do anything. I felt so useless…
I couldn't continue because my mouth got covered by his. It was a sweet comforting kiss the one he was giving me. For a moment I forgot all the problems. The kiss lasted for half a minute and when he broke it he smiled.
-I also felt useless, but he's alive. Injured, but alive nonetheless- he told me- You helped a lot of people in there so don't dare to talk down of yourself.
-Thanks Green… I really needed it- I told him hugging him one last time.
-I'm only returning the favor my girlfriend did to me, so anytime Blue…-he said smiling- How is she?
-She's worse than I was. I let her sleep in her room, but it's clear that she couldn't fall asleep- I said- I've heard her cry a lot.
Then I heard two knocks on the door and when I opened all the other Dexholders except Red entered the room. I could see a lot of emotions in all the faces there. Feelings of joy, worry, anger and sadness were present in each face.
-How went the things I asked you to do?- Green said.
-We tied everyone of them down with the help of the officers- said Emerald.
-The firefighters extinguished the fire completely and they'll start looking through the rubble tomorrow morning- added Silver.
-And the Police said that they would deliver those grunts to the Association when they got there- Gold said.
-I explained everything to Prof. Oak- said Crystal- What about you?
-I talked with the Pokemon Association and they want to meet us to discuss the issue with those grunts- Green said.
-Okay, but this time we'll all be going there- I said- This way we will be able to explain everything better to them.
-It's a good idea-Green said- Now we better end preparing our meal.
-Sure- some of them said as me, Yellow and Green entered the kitchen and continued to make sandwiches and make a great salad.
Gold, Silver and Emerald were setting the table up while Crystal talked to Prof. Elm explaining him what had happened on the sofa. Just then there were two knocks more at the door and I went to open it, but I found out that someone had beat me to it. Not surprisingly Sapphire had been the one to open the door and found Red standing there. She looked down before speaking.
-I-Is he alright?- she asked as all of us paid attention to the conversation.
-He's fine. He had some bruises and burns, but nothing too serious- Red started to explains smiling weakly- He breathed in a lot of smoke though. That and the fact that he was exhausted made him to lose consciousness. He will spend the night at the hospital, but tomorrow he will be able to continue his life normally.
-That's good… to… hear…- said Sapphire as she fell to the ground.
-Sapphire!- yelled Yellow running to her side.
I then picked her up and I saw that she was sleeping. She had clear marks of tears down he face.
-Don't worry, she just asleep- I told her- she's had quite some rough days. She's just exhausted. Crystal, help me bring her to her bed.
-Sure- she said putting one arm below her shoulders and helping me bring her to her room.
When we had done that we closed the door and went towards the table to eat something. We had a meaningful conversation then. Some hard thing were discussed. After finishing our meal we decided to let the day end then once for all. After saying goodbye to my companions I left a plate on the table with the remains of the food for Sapphire, she would be hungry when she woke up. Just like that another day ended in my life, one that I would never want to experiment again.
28h of October 7:36 am
I woke up at the sound on my alarm clock again. After the events of the previous day, I realized that I still had to go to the Academy to start the first day after the exam's period. I lazily stood up before recalling all the events that took place from that Friday to this right time…
I went out of my room to check out on Sapphire, but what I found surprised me… She wasn't there.
So that's the end of this chapter.
This chapter was hard to write for two reasons: 1- I tried to created a chaotic situation, trying to make it believable. I'm quite pleased with the result and I hope that I accomplished that. 2- I could write for a short amount of time each time because university has started full power this year. I hope that I'll get the hang of it quickly and start having more time to write.
-IMPORTANT! The next chapter will be an explanation one... This is the chapter where you'll learn the 90% of the plot of this story. I have beeen leaving some things here and there, but in this one there will be a major explanation.
IF you want to guess this will be the last opportunity (I'm planning a prize for the one who guesses it better). I don't mind if you want to PM me or leave a Review to enter this... let's say it contest. I will not comment the part of the Review regarding to the guessing of the plot and I will name the winner.I won't be taking into account, for this competition, GUEST reviews. I can't contact you so it's impossible for me to know who's behind it, I'm sorry.
After saying all this I only have to thank you guys and LC5 before the usual... RIEVIEW and STAY TUNNED!
