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"So how should we do this?"
It's the first question on everybody's mind regarding the little one. She's almost sure that Beth, Ann, and Lee are going through a similar thought process. She's far too little to leave on her own.
"Well, consensus and logic would dictate that the most straightforward option would be to put her into the government system for adoption." Ann's voice chirped. Ever the voice of sense.
"You saw the dream as well I, there's no mistaking that posture." Lee cut to the chase. It had always been one of his defining factors. Sure, he tended to use those proverbs and beat around the bush with mysticism but when push comes to shove, Lee was a Taurus in a china shop.
Maybe she needed to lay off the proverbs and phrases. They confused her sometimes.
"I believe that if we are to do anything, we should take the child to the elder. They will know what to do." Beth said beside her.
"Any objections?"
Hands rubbed against each other quickly as Ann and Beth both murmured to themselves. The Elders were cryptic ones indeed. They were some of the few Pokémon who seemed too powerful for humans to attempt to capture yet seemed fully willing to comply with the humans. Paradoxical as they were, it seemed fitting that they chose one of the farthest trees as a housing. The Jacket's nest isle. One of the largest trees in the region featuring bark so rugged, it was akin to a rock. The tree was the host to one of the more isolated islands, said to be the host of one of the Hero's first great battles.
Visiting them one would be an arduous task, though the 4 had the luxury of doing so due to their respective positions.
"I found the girl, I sho-"
A chorus cut her off, " You better not say go alone", " You are seriously deciding that going alone is a reasonable decision, especially given the circumstances", and "We travel as one."
"I figured as much. Alright. We go as a group then."
Silence filled the room as each occupant likely thought about the decision. Hers were firmly stuck on her political duties. As an ambassador of Tortilse to the Jiada region, her duties were first most on dealing with the relations that the two areas had.
This discovery, this child then... It could have a lot of ramifications. Someone who had memories of old, a child who predated the Pokémon. Someone who had the memory of the Hero. History and culture were both at stake here. Yet for the others, they too had a status quo to maintain. Lee as a warrior and protector of the city, Ann as one of the chief networking engineers. They had important jobs that weren't easily abandoned.
But this child was far more important. If Arceus were to deem fit that she venture into the abyss to find this girl, Lisa, then she must carry forth with the rest of their trials.
"Ann, warn the league and the Isle that we will be on leave for the better part of the month. Lee, prepare yourself for the journey. I will take care of the affairs on the island. Beth, if you would be so kind as to prepare our things?"
The three stood at attention before giving their associated respects "At once my queen" before Ann and Lee departed.
Staring once more as the child slumbered, she felt…not compelled like before in the cave but the action, the need was there all the same. Maybe it was due in part to her body's response but this child, this small child. She could only look in wonder. The sight of a child, one whose radiance that could not be felt by others. Yet she was so small, so innocent. So vulnerable.
"I do not know if the Elders will decree otherwise little one but rest assured. You will be kept safe. I swear it."
Looking around the room, she could only see the grinning face of her maid. Frazzled and mysteriously warmed, all she could do was gently kiss this child. Her child.
Little time had past since the queen had ordered us to depart. Ann had dealt with her colleagues. They knew enough of the network to keep it running while she was away with us. Beth had consulted with the island's officials. There was outrage of course, much to Ann's ever abundant chagrin.
There was a loud sound, akin to someone imitating a balloon being filled by a water fountain.
"You can't just up and leave! I implore you to think about the implications here! We're already struggling to deal with the increased desire to visit the isle due to the championship season being over!"
He's an elderly gentleman, something about one of his ancestors' part of the exploration group that discovered the isle. Despite the situation, he seemed capable enough. Not calm like water, but he had the attitude of a tree. Resolute.
A rather annoying tree but still a firm one.
He could feel the retort from Beth. The tirade that was about to spew from Ann's busy mouth when his queen cut both of them off quite simply.
"You haven't heard our piece on why we're going. It's important Van Mill."
"What is more important than your duties on this island? The citizens and the league are already out of sorts when you got injured, now you tell me you have some important business with the elders? For what?! A child."
He moves too much or at least too much for someone his age. He does not see the chop with his arms, but it's audible in his words.
His queen speaks once more. "Van Mill, I implore you to understand the situation. Yes, there is the issue of my previous absence that still needs to be accounted for I understand, but this ties into that."
"A child. A child ties into you being locked in the hospital ward for a few days. What kind of-"
Chittering, the kind that would send most others skin crawling. "She's from the before times."
"I beg your pardon?!"
There's that voice again. Loud and unnecessary.
"I looked into her memories; she has a memory inputted into her. The hero is there. She's from the before times, we're sure of it"
Pindrops. Saucer cracking onto the floor, little pieces of china bouncing in an angry raucous.
"My word. That is…quite the bomb shell you have just dropped."
His demeanour is different; his voice is quiet. Aghast. Good.
"She…that….but…"
Coughing to return the attention, as it always should be, back to herself. His queen speaks once more.
"We will visit the isles. The trip shouldn't take long, it's the after part I'm worried about."
The child, she's here too. Curled away beside my queen. I can't see her, I can't see much of anything. Yet he feels her. Feels her light next to his queen. Beth has told him much, described the aura of light around the girl that she sees sometimes.
He can't say for certain that it's there that luminesce, but he can say for sure that he feels it. It's warmth.
"Lee will keep me safe. Ann will show the Elders what we saw. Beth will go because we go as one."
It's not up for debate, as many things are not with his queen.
There's not much to say left. The council has been informed. The tree, the isles. They know something is going on. They depart.
Travel was going well. The trip has been made on foot. They would have flown/swam there but the child seems scared. That will change soon hopefully. There's not much to say as they travel. The four of them can communicate whenever they wish internally and externally. The child though, she's inquisitive yet quiet. Odd for one so young. He feels for her.
Lost in time, with no family. She can speak, people can understand her. But they do not understand her. Cries for help that no one can silence. Not that we would want to. She should cry. Cry for the things that she would not have again. Family. Friends. Life.
It would shape her, they could only hope to shape her into something strong. A blade that could cut through the roughness of life.
As it stands though, the girl was calm. She was abrasive towards the others. He was not hurt by this (he was) yet it made sense. Himself and Ann, they were not regular. Beth's wings and hair made her stand out just the same. His queen though, he was glad. The girl loved his queen like the rest did. Yet she loved her different. Beth loved his queen for her will. The ability to lead and take charge. Ann loved his queen for her mind, her ability to sway and persuade. He loved her for her spirit, the abode that never wavered despite life eroding it.
The girl though, she loved her like a child would love their mother. His queen had noticed it surely, though the others would need more time.
If this child would be his queens then, then it would be his own. He would raise her right. To honor, to protect, to better herself day after day.
That he promised.
A promise he would have to keep starting now.
"Someone approaches. Protect the little one."
He rushes forward, the calm steeling his adrenaline into valves and muscle, ready to pounce, strike, protect. Ann's far away now, hovering up. Beth is as well, far back. HIs queen has already bounded away. Quicksilver wings sore from the abuse her body had undergone. Yet her bees, the little ones buzzed around her violently. She would not be harmed, the same as the child.
Pain. A mass as big as his body rocks him off the ground, skidding across water. Instinct and training force him to jut his arms forward, talons stabbing into the ground to give him purchase.
They're heavy. Big. Churning wings make tremendous amounts of noise. Loud exhales and grunts. Their body is carrying a lot of weight. Bones and ligaments crack in intimidation. It has bones. It has conscious thought.
It's closer to his queen than he would like.
Heavy footsteps. He can feel the ground shake, the water rippling. He needs to go faster. Water builds up in his body. Plates open outward as pressure builds. He needs to keep his feet grazing the water to give him a sense of where he's going. Water jettisons out of his arms, his back. Four lower arms steer him, give him balance.
He's curving around, like a ball on a string, towards the pivot. His queen. He cuts the gas just in time to block a heavy jab. His feet planted in time to take the swing and swing he will. Around and around as his left plates smash into it's face just as he comes down with his other hand, venomous talons in an overhead swing.
Nothing. No effect.
Steel armor. Audible wings. Claw.
Claw?
They grasp one of his arms tightly in a vice. Water bursts from his opposite elbow to land a blow in an attempt to make him let the fuck go.
It does, pincers grappling into the underside of his arm give way to open air. It's incredibly pai-no. Calm. Frustrating. It's frustrating.
It's frustrating that this fucker didn't go down in one shot.
He's getting rusty.
The little one needs better protection then that.
He'll have to work harder, way harder for that.
Energy collects in his limbs once more, a rippling aqua blade around his plates and a silver tinge around his talons. He centers his mind, focuses his will and charges once more. He gambles. One hand swings upward. It's caught in a vice grip.
Good.
His second arm swings. It's caught.
Jackpot.
He must be smiling because his opponent has realized their folly. No matter. He has been caught. Lower arms reach forward in an x, slicing his foe in the chest. A scream of agony is his reward.
No blood. No viscera. His thoughts of the enemy are confirmed. Steel type. Claws mean his selection is even smaller. Claws that dig under and over.
Scizor.
Pressure builds in his forearm once more while his summoned weapons dissipate. Immediately, he let's loose two torrent fueled punches coming towards each other, his legs reaching forward pulling his center of gravity off kilter. Does this one have experience?
No.
The two swings are off mark by quite a bit. A claw grips the top of his plates and lurches downwards. His legs had already brought him to a tipping point and his opponent intends to be the force that moves the lever.
His body tilts downward but he still has a surprise. His four lower arms catch his weight, talons poking deep into damp soil as he brings the unharmed hand up with a jet of water.
It's a devastating blow to the gut that forces his opponent off the ground and away, his skidding body creating the necessary ripples to feel the motion. In an instant he's bursting towards him. His knee catches onto the downed foes crotch. It's covered by that same exoskeleton that he had been banging and slashing at all fight. His forearm plate smash against their chest, preventing an escape. His talons press into the neckpiece, a threat.
"You have lost. Forfeit."
Their chest rises a bit underneath his pressure. A sigh.
"Man, for an old geezer you hit hard."
"Forfeit."
"Fine, fine. I forfeit."
There's a masculinity to his voice, deep and aggressive. It's scratchy though, something he'd expect to hear from a singer than a combatant. The elders have swapped guards again. Someone much younger and ruder.
He'll never understand those elders.
He releases his pressure and stands up over his foe, one arm extended to give the younger man a help up.
"Man didn't expect to see an old guard around here so early. What do you guys want with the elders anyways?"
His queen speaks for the first time.
"We come with a child."
There's a choked breath as the elder's young guard guffaws in laughter.
"You came with a child?! Holy-"
"Language." His queen cuts the crass man off before he can say anything rude.
"Holy fucking shit!" Never mind, he's still crass. Just a switch to their mother tongue, one that the child doesn't understand. "I can't believe it. You old fucks had a kid! I can't believe you even got it up, let alone managed to use it. Don't you pricks have a stick up your ass to create that prim and proper straightness. Or did you use that shit to get off?"
Pearls of tears follow peals of laughter as the younger guard continues to laugh hysterically at the five. The little one seems distraught. Very distraught. Unsure of the noise. He's sure though, sure that he's about to step on the mans throat again to stop that incessant laughter when-
"My, my is that you Anthony?" It's not who he expects to speak. Of all the people, it's Beth. "Do you still talk to your mom? I haven't talked to her in ages."
That saccharine overtone. A candy veneer to coat poorly hidden disdain
"I wonder if she knows just exactly what kind of language you're using, especially on your elders."
"No..now now. We don't ha-have to go th-there. Right Auntie Beth?" People wonder why Beth is the favourite of his queen's 3 loyal subjects. This is why.
"Now be a dear and let us through." Cowed in an instant. He's in love as he has been with all 3 of them for so long.
"Honestly I still don't understand this need of traditionalism with you guys, no offense Lee." There's none taken. His silence speaks enough for him as the firefly continues. "Seriously, we live in the modern age! Ann has psychic powers. We can create literal stop points via digital space time. Do we really to travel on foot into a mystical tree island that's already inside of a remote island?"
No one answers. They've had this conversation thousands of times. It's more of a ritual than anything. Speaking of rituals….
Voices croon around them "Who comes to this island, home to the elders."
"We five come to the island, visitors from the far-off land." His queen speaks once more, her voice loud and confident in the face of required mysticism.
"What purpose do you 5 have here?" The voices are distinct, as they always have been. One masculine, one feminine.
"We bring a child, Lisa."
"A child? We did not think you would conscript one so young nor did we hear news of an egg laying."
"The child is not ours nor are they a conscript."
"Then why do you bring it before us?"
"I will show you. Please open your minds."
"We acknowledge this request, proceed with caution."
"Ann?"
"Of course, my queen."
"We see. That is quite the discovery."
She cannot even believe these two gigantic elders. Quite the discovery? QUITE THE DISCOVERY? There's a child who has connections to the past. The before times! Before even Pokémon! She's surprised the damn things aren't even knocked over by the kids energy levels!
Stupid kid needing her to wear an energy dampening shield. An. Energy. Dampening. Shield. The kind of shit Machamps had to wear to make sure they didn't hulk out and destroy stuff. Here she is needing to reverse engineer that shit (thank you dark web!) and than needing to wear contact lens versions to see properly.
Least it makes her eyes look cooler. Well cooler anyways. She's got the coolest eyes out of the four if she does say so herself….okay her queen does but that's beside the point. Where was she?
Oh yeah. Stupid gigantic elders. The frigging things should feel her energy. They might not be psychic types like she has she remember reading something about their mystical ultra dimensional energy or whatever. That must make them sensitive to such immense forms of energy.
Or maybe instead of being sensitive….they don't notice the energy since it's so small compared to them.
It would make sense in theory; they are quite large beings with ultra beast energy (had the scientific community been that lax that day? Ultra Beast. What simplistic naming for a phenomena of this level. Their naming scheme to make things accessible to the public was rather simplistic overall. A grand demonstration of powerful abilities catalyzed by condensed energy? Z moves. The ability to alter reality at local level and create the perception that Pokémon were much larger, to a point where the alteration can make certain changes forms? Dynamax and Gigantamax. Speaking of the elders….
"The child has an amount of energy around it not unlike our own."
Yeah that's putting it…wait what.
What do you mean not unlike your own? It feels very different. It's almost tangible. It knocked her out the first time she felt it and she's pretty damn sure Lee felt it. Lee's blind and he felt it. It's inconceivable to her how Beth was able to deal with it considering her abilities…
Experiments for a later date.
"That is why we come to you elders, for your advice on the child."
She's positive that Ellie is cool, calm, collected, and close to catastrophic cursing right now. Okay maybe that last bit is here secretly hoping and projecting but that's beside the point.
"What advice do you wish to gleam from us?"
"Surely you see the impact a child from the before times poses. A child who is that connected to the past is important to understanding our place."
"We acknowledge their importance, yet you seem to have come here for a separate purpose."
Maybe they are psychic type. Wait no….she's pretty sure when they did the dex tests on the two, they were actually more akin to fighting types. Then how…why…
"The four of you are quite obvious, despite your intentions. We saw the maturation of the guard and have seen you all grow sturdy throughout your time. Yet, you are still simple."
She was not simple are you kidding? Simple. Simple?! She was half tempted to show these elders the butt kicking of a lifetime!
"Refrain from your anger, that was not meant as an insult." Guess everybody was just as peeved as she was at that. "Just merely how you are. The four of you are simple in mannerism. Alike. Similar. Predictable. You came here to visit us not about the child but whether or not you should feel guilty for raising a child."
Nope. Nuh uh. These interdimensional bugs must be psychic types. No way in H-E-Double Honedges were these guys not psychic types. Well okay maybe…they are a bit more right than she'd like to admit. Still though, it's not like all four of them…no that's not true either. She knows for a fact that her queen would love to raise the child. Lee's been guarding both much more fervently than he would if it were just the queen (and isn't that saying something). Beth…
Beth? "You know, everybody here has been saying the child or little one or kid right? She has a name. We know her name. It's Lisa. Please use it." Yup, there's Beth. Right on queue, or well not specifically on queue. She can never guess when it's going to happen, but she can tell it will. The way her wings flutter as she's getting antsy. Her toe tapping on the ground in a rapid rhythm.
Oh, her queen is paddling her tonight for that.
"Our apologies." They can apologize? They understand that feeling? Shame and regret? "Lisa. She has power and you understand that. She has connection to your history and your land. This land we have helped build, and that you have been raised by, would benefit from her being under our care."
Nobody else wants to chime in?
Arceus man.
"So, what makes you think we can take care of the kid?"
"Ann!"
"What? I'm just asking a question."
A feeling of odd proportions. Like some kind of ancient rust smell entering into the nostrils pauses everyone. She can see Lee straighten. Her queen is scared. Beth…stop bouncing and jittering.
"The matter you speak of is why we think you can. That you are asking for the ability to do so. You would not do so if you didn't believe you were qualified. So now we ask of you. Why are you still here?"
Well, damn that's about as noncryptic of a shut up she can imagine those two giving. She's thankful of the opportunity to leave. The roach's scent was starting to really mess with her…..and the mosquito's biceps….
Arceus after this malarkey they're in for a long stay in her queen's bedroom aren't they. Fuck. She could use one of those right now.
The 5 start to exit out. The cavern has always confused her. It's a very awkward structure for her. The rock like wood should be reflective enough for her radar, yet it's spongy. It absorbs her waves. It messes with her perception of the place when it surrounds the cavern of this little hideaway. Well aside from the giant hole in the top of this small little portion of the island. The lights shining through rather wonderfully. She wonders once more what Lee sees through those defunct optic sensors of his. The little sandy trail they must follow is another asinine part. It wavers, bends, and it's not of a trail as it is a wasteful precaution of time. Yes it does create that ambient travel into another world aspect…but when half of it stops and you reach the shore line (is it really a shore if it's always connected to another land mass) it just becomes a piss poor battle field for their "guard" to showcase "honour" and "tradition". No offense to Lee of course (she's pretty sure she's said it before, but this is one of those things she can't leave it alone.)
Regardless, they're out of the island. None of her hive have reception. She does, thank the lords. Barely any…but it's enough for her eye lights to ring.
"You got signal red?"
"Course I do Beth, course I do."
"Well then, call the council. While you're at it, call the government. We need to get some adoption papers."
"Of course, my queen."
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