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Part 7
"This is it," Phoenix whispers, taking careful steps towards the rocky cliff edge.
"This is what?" Austin asks, cocking his head to the side, curiously watching Phoenix.
"The Cerulean Cape," Ferra answers for Phoenix, "haven't you ever heard of it?"
Phoenix stares silently out at the sea, as if he cannot even hear their conversation.
Austin peers over the cliffside and shakes his head. Then he blinks as if he is remembering something, "Oh wait, I know. My parents once told me about this place. Said it was a romantic spot or something."
"This is where my dad proposed to my mom," Phoenix chimes, finally free from the spell that had held him captive.
"It is?" Austin asks, surprised.
"Yeah," Phoenix nods, "after dad returned from fighting Team Rocket, they confessed their love and dad proposed to mom a few months later."
"I was never told that story," Austin whispers thoughtfully to himself.
"What was that?" Ferra asks, furrowing a brow at the younger boy.
"It's just that I-um," Austin fumbles his words, searching for his explanation, "well, none of the websites mention it."
"Good," Phoenix chuckles to himself, "I would hate to see this place overpopulated. It's meant to stay quiet and relaxing.
Phoenix closes his eyes and breathes in the salty air. He had never had to wonder why his mother loved the ocean so dearly. Though he loves all Pokemon types with equal passion as his father did, his heart yearns for the ocean in a similar fashion as his mother's. It is beautiful and unpredictable; fierce and unforgiving, yet calming.
"Do you see that lighthouse?" Ferra asks, pointing across the sandy beach towards another steep cliff where a tall building sits at the very top.
"Oh yeah," Phoenix ponders momentarily, "that's Bill's lighthouse. The renowned Pokemon Researcher."
"Bill's lighthouse?" Austin asks, staring at the structure.
"Don't you know anything?" Ferra asks, annoyed.
"Well, sorry!" Austin argues, "I've never travelled this far north of Cerulean!"
"Hey, guys," Phoenix breaks up their argument, "Iet's go see if he's home! I have some questions about those pictures I took in Mt. Moon. If anyone can help - it's probably him!"
With the words still ringing in his friends' ears, Phoenix is already barrelling down the cape towards the beach leading towards the lighthouse.
"Hey!" Austin screeches, "don't leave me with her!"
Ferra frowns angrily and flicks him on the forehead. Then she dashes after Phoenix. When Austin recovers, he shakes it off and follows.
At the base of the cape, the two are unsurprised to see Phoenix in a battle stance facing off against a wild, yellow bird Pokemon.
"I was hoping that I would find one," Phoenix grins, pulling out a Pokeball.
"A Psyduck?" Ferra asks, confused. "You've always wanted a Psyduck?"
"I watched mom battle with her Golduck," Phoenix explains, "definitely a Pokemon I want on my team!"
"He is like her favorite Pokemon!" Austin says eagerly.
"He was," Phoenix corrects him automatically.
"Right," Austin hangs his head at his mistake.
"Anyway," Phoenix throws the Pokeball, "go Pichu!"
"Pichu Pichu!" the tiny yellow mouse squeaks.
"Psyduck," the yellow duck takes a fighting stance and narrows its eyes.
"Pichu," Phoenix orders, "thundershock!"
"Pi Pichuuuuuuu!" It yells its name as it releases its attack.
The Psyduck is surprised by the electric attack and knocked backwards.
It lifts its head and reveals glowing blue eyes.
"Uh oh," Phoenix scratches his neck.
Psyduck releases a powerful psychic attack that throws Pichu backwards into the sandy ground.
"Are you alright Pichu?" Phoenix asks.
"Pichu," it shakes the sand out of its fur.
"Try a quick attack," Phoenix encourages.
Pichu charges towards Psyduck, but the bird doesn't move. Pichu slams into it, but merely bounces off.
Then, Psyduck cracks a smile. The bird bursts out into a belly laugh and begins to roll on the ground over Pichu's attempted attack.
"PICHU!" the little mouse squeals, offended by the wild Pokemon.
"Hold on, Pichu!" Phoenix tells it while watching closely.
Then he pulls out a new Pokeball and casually tosses it at Psyduck. The yellow duck is absorbed into the ball. It wiggles once, twice, and then stops.
"Did you just catch Psyduck with a laugh attack?" Ferra asks, trying to hold in a bout of laughter herself.
Phoenix watches the ball. When it disappears, transporting back to the Oak Laboratory, he can't help but burst into a fit of laughter followed by his friends.
Pichu, however, is not entertained. It huffs at their wackiness.
"I'm sorry, buddy," Phoenix wipes at his cheeks to remove tears that formed in laughter, "but your physical attacks will become much stronger someday when you're a Pikachu. Even more if you want to be a Raichu.
"Chu," Pichu jumps up and down.
"You'll get there," Phoenix assures it, "it just takes time."
When the trio finally arrives at the lighthouse doors, signs of the impending dusk are quickly appearing.
"This place looks like it's a thousand years old," Austin comments as he looks up at the large wooden door.
"It is pretty old. Maybe one hundred or two," Ferra corrects him.
"Know it all," Austin mumbles under his breath.
"I heard that!" Ferra bites back.
Knock Knock Knock Phoenix interrupts their fighting by simply knocking on the door.
"Who's there?" a voice is heard from a speaker near the door.
"Hello," Phoenix greets through the speaker system, "my name is Phoenix Ketchum and I was hoping to talk with Mr. Bill. I need some help with solving a sort of mystery."
"Ketchum, you say?" the voice responds thoughtfully.
A rumbling is heard inside and the large wooden doors begin to open.
A green-haired man dressed in a curious purple suit appears in the doorway.
"Young master Ketchum," the man exclaims, "it is wonderful to see you once again."
Phoenix looks strangely at the man, "have we met before?"
"Oh, pardon me," the man waves a hand sheepishly, "of course, you don't remember. You were merely a boy when I saw you last. I suppose we ought to become reacquainted. I am BIll, the Pokemon researcher."
"It's nice to meet you again, Bill," Phoenix shakes his head, "Sorry I don't remember."
"All is well," Bill waves again as if to say it's no big deal. "Who are your friends?"
"Oh right!" Phoenix chuckles, "this is Ferra. You might have met her father, Brock. He traveled with my dad for a long time. And this is Austin."
"That's right," Bill snaps his fingers, "I remember Brock as well."
"The reason that we came up this way is that I stumbled onto something strange and I was hoping you would take a look at it." Phoenix requests.
"Of course," Bill motions them inside, "anything for the son of Ash Ketchum."
Inside the lighthouse, the trio finds themselves in awe of all the technology placed against the walls. Many scientists sit and work furiously at their computers. Most don't even realize there is company.
"Will," Bill calls over to a young man in a lab coat near a computer in the middle of the room.
The young man sports short cut brown hair and a piercingly bright smile.
"This is my son, William the third," Bill introduces, "Will, this is Phoenix, Ferra, and Austin."
"It's a pleasure," Will greets the trio with a friendly nod.
Phoenix is happy to meet the young man -that is- until he notices his blue eyes' gaze resting on the one thing that could make him cringe inside; Ferra.
Will bypasses Phoenix and extends a hand to Ferra, "it's certainly an honor to meet you, gorgeous."
The comment is enough to cause Phoenix's eyes to widen in horror and a jealous burning feeling in the pit of his stomach to form.
"You as well," Ferra smiles politely back.
Her response causes his heart to falter. She had just admitted to loving him days before. Could that change so easily? Would his cautious approach be too slow for her? Could a charming stranger sweep her off her feet?
However, Ferra, being his best friend of sixteen years, notices his discomfort and reaches her slender hand out to enterwine her fingers with his.
"But you should be even more honored to meet Phoenix," Ferra smiles apologetically at the handsome young man, "he is the son of Ash and Misty Ketchum."
Will nods quickly when he realizes that Ferra is taken and turns towards Phoenix, "you don't say?"
"She speaks the truth," Bill nods in agreement, "I met him when he was a boy."
"Well, then," Will grins, "it really is an honor to meet you!"
Will extends a hand to shake Phoenix's hand. Phoenix allows his formerly ill feelings to fade as he shakes the hand of a new friend.
"And I'm Austin!" Austin exclaims, making sure he isn't forgotten.
"Of course, of course," Will laughs, "nice to meet you too."
"What is it that we can do for you, Phoenix?" Bill finally asks.
Phoenix pulls out his phone and scrolls through his picture gallery.
"I fell into a cavern in Mt. Moon," Phoenix explains, "and I wound up in a strange room with markings on the walls. I took pictures of them so I could ask someone like you about it."
Bill peers at the first picture curiously then asks, "do you mind if I?"
Phoenix hands the phone to Bill. The researcher presses a few buttons and suddenly the pictures appear on large screens above them.
"Remarkable," Bill says while scanning over the pictures.
"This is just like the Obsidian Prophecy," Will comments, eyes wide while he stares at the screens.
"Exactly," Bill confirms.
"I saw something like this before," Phoenix says. "In the Rock Tunnel with my dad."
"Yes," Bill nods his head, "it's something that's been on the backburner for a while. Professor Gary Oak headed up the expedition. He consulted me on it a few times. Since your father passed away, we haven't felt the need to explore it again."
"What did my dad have to do with it?" Phoenix asks.
"From what we know, the prophecy speaks of the coming of darkness, a foul entity that devours souls, as well as a Pokemon of light. A soul powerful enough to overcome the darkness. The Pokemon that is carved into the cave wall in the Rock Tunnel appears to be a Raichu. Thus we believed the prophecy to involve your father and his Raichu." Bill explains. "However, with Master Ketchum lost and his Raichu a normal Raichu once again, we have no idea what the prophecy is referring to."
"Can you read it?" Phoenix asks, referring to the wall.
"I'm not familiar with the language used," Bill shakes his head, "but the computer might be able to decode it given enough time."
"Why did you call it the Obsidian Prophecy?" Austin asks randomly.
"The parts of the prophecy that we can understand speak of a perfectly round piece of obsidian," Will answers, "that is said to contain the souleater."
"Perfectly round piece of obsidian?" Phoenix's skin crawls when the jigsaw in his head pieces together, "uh oh."
The group turns to look at Phoenix as he rummages through his backpack and carefully pulls out the pure black, perfectly round object that he found in Mt. Moon.
"I hope this isn't what I think it is," Phoenix groans as he holds it out to Bill.
"Good heavens," Bill reaches out and takes it from Phoenix carefully. "If it is, it needs to be locked away immediately."
"If the wrong hands were to get a hold of this…" Bill pauses to think, "then the entire world would be in danger."
"We've just been carrying that thing around with us for days?" Austin asks, bewildered.
Bill turns the object around carefully and observes its perfect curvature.
"Devin," Bill calls one of his scientists over, "I need a safe box immediately, and prepare the vault."
"Yes sir," the scientist, Devin, nods and runs off.
"I'm going to take a scan of it, and then set it up to take readings from inside the vault." Bill informs them. "I have a feeling that this prophecy is bigger than just a legend."
"What's going to happen to it when you're finished?" Austin asks curiously.
"The obsidian stone will be studied and then sent to a secure location," Bill explains, "I have friends in the government who will know where it can exist safely."
"The idea is that it will never have an opportunity to fall into the wrong hands," Will says.
"That's a good idea," Phoenix nods in agreement.
"Thank you for bringing it here to us," Bill says, "someone would have eventually found it in Mt. Moon."
"I wonder if that's why Team Rocket was at Mt. Moon that day," Ferra wonders aloud.
"You mean when they attacked outside the entrance?" Phoenix asks.
"Maybe," Ferra shrugs.
"Luckily we don't have to find out," Austin laughs.
Suddenly, a clock begins to sound. The chatter in the room multiplies as the scientists begin to shut down their systems and converse with small talk.
"What does that mean?" Austin asks.
"End of the work day," Bill explains, "most scientists will leave and go back to their homes, while a few live here at the lighthouse."
The group watches as most of the scientists file out of the lighthouse, waving goodbye to Bill on their way.
"Hey, do you three need a place to stay tonight?" Bill asks. "We have a spare bedroom."
"I wouldn't mind," Ferra shares her thoughts.
Phoenix nods in agreement, "that would be really nice."
"Sure," Austin chimes.
"Wonderful," Bill smiles, "but first, we eat."
"And then the creature was so close, we could almost see its details. All I could tell was that it was built like a Dragonite. I concluded that it must be related," Bill tells the teens a story from long ago, "but there was a group of bad people, from Team Rocket, who blasted it with bazookas. It left after that. I didn't hear from the creature for a very long time. That is, until I figured out how to explain to it what had happened that fateful night. I created a series of cries from Dragonites that told it that it wasn't I who attacked it and that I just want to be its friend."
"That's terrible!" Ferra exclaims dropping her fork, "how dare Team Rocket interfere like that."
"I have long let that go," Bill smiles warmly, "my friend has been communicating back to me for years. I just hope someday it decides to try trusting me again."
"I would love to meet a Pokemon like that," Phoenix imagines, while playing with the broccoli on his plate.
"Me too," Austin agrees.
Ferra yawns and stretches her arms.
"You tired?" Phoenix asks, watching her closely.
"Yeah," Ferra nods lightly, "I didn't sleep well last night outside. It's hard to go from a bed to sleeping bag."
"Makes sense," Phoenix acknowledges, "I couldn't sleep much either. Been having strange dreams.
"Did you say you slept in the forest last night?" Bill asks curiously.
"Yeah, why?" Phoenix asks.
"They say there is a phenomenon that some humans and Pokemon may have strange dreams when they are nearby a legendary or mythical Pokemon." Bill shares with them.
"You think there is a legendary around?" Austin asks. "That would be so neat!"
"There's a rumor that there have been a couple of legendaries that moved into these forests over the last twenty years because of the increase in strange dreams." Bill explains.
"Have you ever seen one here?" Ferra asks curiously.
"No," Bill shakes his head, "it's very possible they are just rumors."
Ferra yawns again and then leans against Phoenix.
"How about I show you to your room?" WIll asks.
"That would be great," Phoenix smiles in response.
The trio helps clean up their dinner plates and put away the extra dishes before following Will down the hallway to the spare bedroom.
"It isn't much," Will explains as he opens the door and turns the light on, "I'm sure you will figure out your sleeping arrangement."
Before them are two full size beds.
"Dibs," Austin says as he jumps onto one of the beds.
"You're going to have to share it with me," Phoenix rolls his eyes.
"Nah," Austin shakes his head, "share with your girlfriend."
"Austin!" Phoenix barks, "you're sharing with me. That's the proper solution."
"The bathroom is right across the hall there," Will tells them quickly, "have a good sleep."
Will snickers as he leaves the room. Ferra sets her bags on the second bed.
"I don't want to share a bed with you!" Austin shrieks.
"You think I want to share a bed with you?" Phoenix asks, throwing a pillow at his head.
Meanwhile, Ferra just giggles and readies her bed.
"Just shut up about it," Phoenix rolls his eyes.
"Fine," Austin mumbles as he grabs his bag and leaves for the bathroom.
"I'm starting to think having a little brother would be annoying," Phoenix scoffs half annoyed and half playfully.
"It is," Ferra confirms, "but you gotta love them."
In the dark room, Phoenix's eyes rolling can almost be heard. They had gone to sleep two hours ago, but he had been awoken by his younger companion sleeping sprawled across the bed diagonally, much too close for Phoenix's comfort.
"Austin!" Phoenix hisses and pokes the boy, "go back to your side of the bed.
"Mom," he mutters in his sleep, "I don't want to feed the Pokemon. Let me sleep."
"I'm not your mom!" Phoenix groans.
"Raichu use psychic!" Austin dreamily throws his arm out and jabs Phoenix in the face.
"What a kook!" Phoenix grunts as he slips out of the bed and onto the floor.
He pulls a blanket and pillow down and makes a bed for himself on the floor. However, the floor is much colder and harder than he had expected. Maybe sharing a bed with Austin was better.
Phoenix turns over and tries to get comfy again. However, immediately, he knows it isn't going to work. He sits up and collects his items, muttering to himself. He stands and moves back towards the bed where Austin has now thrown his arms and legs out in both directions. He shakes his head at the sight. He wonders if Ferra is awake to hear him moaning and groaning.
"Ferra?" he asks as he turns towards her bed. He receives no response.
She must be sleeping. He concludes.
He squints his eyes in an attempt to see better. The moonlight reveals her slender body curled up against the wall. She's barely using that bed!
He steps closer, holding onto his pillow and blanket. I'm sure she wouldn't really mind. She wants me to sleep well and Austin sure isn't helping.
Then he gently places his pillow at the top of the bed and leans over to crawl onto the bed. It creaks slightly so he freezes. If I'm so sure she would be fine with this, why am I sneaking?
However, sleep calls to him, and he carefully lowers himself onto the bed -as close to the outer side as possible. There. We've slept in the same bed before anyway. No big deal.
"Phoenix, can you grab the basket?" Misty asks her son.
"Yep!" he agrees, pulling the basket out of the trunk of the suv.
"Where are we going?" River asks as Misty hands her a blanket to carry.
"Somewhere very special to us," Misty smiles lovingly and runs a hand gently over her young daughter's face.
"Hurry up!" Ash calls from up the hill where he and Raichu stand. He is carrying a large umbrella.
"Coming!" Phoenix yells as he runs after him.
Misty closes the trunk and uses a fab to lock the door. She carries a familiar red bag filled with sunscreen, and a cooler with drinks.
"Boys," River says sassily, rolling her eyes.
Misty giggles at her daughter. She is four going on sixteen.
"We better follow, River," Misty says as they start walking up the incline.
"What is this place?" Phoenix asks at the top of the hill, looking out over the ocean.
"This is the Cerulean Cape," his dad answers.
"It's so beautiful!" River screeches, running towards the cliff edge.
"Don't get too close to the edge, sweetie," Misty warns.
"Let's set up the blanket here," Ash jams the umbrella's sharp end into the ground. It takes some effort trying to balance and kick it deeper.
Misty helps River unfold the blanket and spread it underneath the umbrella.
"It's really cool here," Phoenix says, "but why did we drive all the way out to Cerulean just for a picnic?"
"Well," Misty begins to explain, "this is a very important place for your dad and I."
"Even before we were dating, we would come out here and talk," Ash chimes in.
"There have been a lot of good things that happened here," Misty smiles up at her husband, "and some not so great things not too far away."
"Let's sit and pull out some grub and talk," Ash nudges him towards the blanket.
The family of four sits down together and begins to share the sandwiches, grapes, string cheese, and juice boxes.
"So this is where your dad proposed to me," Misty shares once everyone is eating.
"Like to marry you?" Phoenix asks.
"Yes," Ash confirms, "and about a mile… that way. That's where we took down Team Rocket. And where I almost died."
"You almost died?" River squeals in surprise.
"You know how daddy has a metal leg?" Misty asks carefully, "well, daddy was hurt really badly. He is lucky to be alive."
"I never really thought about that," Phoenix ponders.
"Look kids," Ash begins, "there are going to be a lot of bad things in life, but also, a lot of good things. It's important that you focus on the good things. If I had dwelled too long on losing my leg, I might never have married your mother or had you two."
"That's true," Misty agrees, "and you two are the best decisions that we ever made."
"Did something bad happen?" Phoenix asks curiously, "is that why we're here talking about good stuff and bad stuff?"
"No no," Misty shakes her head.
"It's just that…" Ash begins, but pauses, searching for the right words, "life has a way of throwing curveballs. We are really happy right now, and I want us to stay this way. But, anything could happen and things could change. It just seems like something we should talk about since you're getting older."
"Yeah, I suppose," Phoenix shrugs.
"You know your mom and I love you very much, right?" Ash asks, putting his arm around his son and pulling him into a side hug.
"Yeah, dad," Phoenix smiles and nods, leaning into his father's warm embrace, "I love you too."
Phoenix: Charmeleon, Fletchinder, Luxio, Mankey, Pichu, Sandshrew, Kabuto, Psyduck, Oddish, Rattata, Nidoran
Ferra: Alolan Vulpix, Cubone, Clefairy.
Austin: Charmeleon, Bellsprout, unknown
I hope you are enjoying it! I've thought of a new, improved plot, so I'm still ironing the details in my outline. It is going to be really good. :)
We are finally experiencing some of the actual plot rather than just the backstory!
Question: Do you like the title 'Rise of Phoenix' or would 'The Obsidian Prophecy' be a better title? I didn't have a name for the prophecy until this chapter came up, but I kind of like how it sounds. Might attract more readers. Let me know your thoughts. Be aware the title might change.
The souleater in my Obsidian Prophecy is inspired by Alduin from Skyrim, and the past piece was inspire by Dr. Who's quote "The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don't always spoil the good things and make them unimportant."
Thanks for reading!
Love, Alert, Review!