A World Reborn - One Last Chance
The Pokémon were gathered around Sceptile's pyre, saddened by this loss. Though the adults were accustomed to death, this was the first time any of the kids saw it. They gathered several branches and arranged them in a bed with a spiral base for Sceptile to lay on. The Pokémon circled the pyre, waiting for the actual cremation to begin.
Myu came up with a large branch in one paw. He held it out to Charizard, who let out a small flame to ignite the torch, his two children, Charmander and Treecko, at his feet.
"Death is a natural part of life," Myu began. He tried to sound as if he had rehearsed this but was actually making it up as he went. "We all try to fight against it, but inevitably, it finds us one day. Today we lost one of our own to death, and while tragic, it should by no means be a sad occasion." He paused under the pretense that he was letting everyone absorb his words but he was actually trying to figure out what to say next. When the words came, he continued. "While Sceptile's body is dead, her soul will continue on, and her memory will survive in us, who knew her best. In another life, Sceptile was a victim of cancer, a deadly disease that would have ended her, but I gave her a new life and ended that threat. None of us expected to say goodbye to her today, but we will celebrate her life, and rejoice that she is now in a happier place." Another pause, and Myu focused on Sceptile's body. "We burn your body, so your soul can go to the next world. May you find happiness in the endless plains and know no sorrow as you rest in peace." Another pause, and Myu addressed the crowd once again. "From dust she came, to dust she will return. We continue the cycle of life and death and remain confident that one day we will see her again when our time comes. Until that day…" he touched the torch to the spiral, lighting it and setting the pyre ablaze, "As above, so below. In Archeus we trust."
"We trust," the other Pokémon echoed. They looked on as the pyre burned, and Sceptile's body with it.
"She didn't have to die," Lucario spoke up. "The humans must pay for what they've done."
"And they will," Myu said calmly. "I want you to gather Charizard, Pidgeot, Infernape and Pikachu and bring them to my hollow later today," he instructed Lucario.
Later that day, the five Pokémon were standing in Myu's home. The Mew was staring into the stream of water that went through his hollow.
"Why are we here Myu? What do you need from us?" Pikachu asked.
"I've been thinking about it for some time, and I realize that humans will never change. It's best if their race is gone for good," Myu said, never once taking his gaze off the flowing water.
"So, when do we attack?" Charizard asked, punching one clawed fist into his hand.
"We do not. I will not approve of any action that results in bloodshed," Myu stated, shocking everyone present. "I have found an alternate method, and you five are ideal for this task."
"Which is what?" Pidgeot asked.
Myu turned away from the stream to face them. "You five will go out and gather materials to build a powerful talisman. Once it is finished, it can be used to destroy the humans."
"So, you need us to get some things from around the forest?" Charizard questioned. "Why not ask everyone to help?"
"These materials are not in the forest, Charizard," Myu answered. "They are much further away."
Lucario thought it through in his head before realization struck. "You mean, outside outside? As in past the mountains outside?"
Myu answered with a nod.
"But I thought it was dangerous to be out there for too long?" Pikachu questioned.
"With the proper supplies, it can be safe." Myu stretched his arm out and a bag made of leaves flew to him. "In this bag is a type of moss that absorbs radiation. Eat it every day, and you will be safe." The Pokémon looked disgusted at the prospect of eating that. "It's the only type of plant that can be safely digested to protect you from the radiation. I've sorted it out into portions for each of you. Take one portion a day. There should be enough for your whole trip, but if you start to run low, return immediately and I will provide you with more. There are also enough berries in here to feed you and packets of water to keep you hydrated." He handed the bag to Lucario, as it was tailored specifically for him.
"How will we know what to get?" Lucario asked.
Myu held up a crystal fragment suspended by a string. "This crystal will be your guide. It will glow when you point it in the direction of the necessary object. The closer you are, the brighter it will glow." He placed it around Lucario's neck. "You are key to this. Your powers will allow you to forge the materials into the talisman."
"I will not fail you, Myu," Lucario assured.
"I know," Myu said.
"Well then, I guess Pidgeot and I are transportation," Charizard said. "Get on, Lucario. Pidgeot will carry Infernape and Pikachu."
The three land-based Pokémon hopped onto the backs of the two flyers and took off.
"Safe travels," Myu wished. "And be wary. Radiation is the least of the dangers out there."
Charizard and Pidgeot flew their passengers away from the Tree, heading for the mountains that surrounded their land.
"You're sure we can just pass through?" Charizard asked, the blue sky beginning to turn orange and the desolate landscape now visible.
"Myu said his barrier is for the humans and their weapons only. It doesn't keep us from passing through," Lucario answered.
"Good, because I don't want to smack into an invisible barrier at the speed we're going," Charizard said. They continued to fly, the mountains now under them when Charizard suddenly stopped going forward and hovered. Pidgeot stopped when she realized Charizard wasn't beside her.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing. It's just… we're really leaving. For the next several days, we're going to be out there, beyond the trees and rivers we call home. We've never really left this place since Myu saved us except one time, and that was only for a couple hours," Charizard said. When he said that, the full meaning of what they were doing hit the others.
"Wow, you're right," Pikachu said. "For twenty years, all we've known is the Tree of Beginning and the surrounding forests, and that is all our children know."
"I wonder how the outside world has changed," Infernape said. "How has twenty years changed the world as a whole?"
"Only one way to find out," Lucario said. He held up the crystal necklace and started pointing it in random directions to find out where they needed to go. Eventually, the transparent crystal glowed a faint blue, and Lucario pointed Charizard in that direction. "That way."
Charizard nodded before flying off, Pidgeot following behind him.
Seema was furiously packing up her things, placing them in a leather bag. She was only going to take what was necessary to survive out there, long enough for her to reach the Pokémon's land, where she was going to remain.
After she saw Harold shoot Sceptile, she just couldn't stay there anymore. She didn't really agree with Myu's belief that all humans were vicious and beyond redemption, but in Harold's case, she couldn't argue with her old friend. She hoped he would understand her reasons for being there, as she couldn't really go anywhere else.
A knock on her door made her pause. "Come in," she said. Mike walked into her room. "What are you doing here?"
"Mostly to see what you are doing," he responded. He noticed that most of her clothes were missing, and the leather bag she had was rather full. "Don't tell me you're going to leave. Humans can't survive outside."
"There is one place we can safely live," Seema said, resuming her packing.
"And after everything that's happened, what makes you think they will help you?" Mike asked, knowing where she was going.
"Their leader and I have a… special connection. I know I can convince him to let me stay," Seema said, a hand fingering her pocket and the crystal it held.
"You really think that?"
"I know. I won't accept anything less," she said.
"Then, perhaps you could take us with you," Mike asked hopefully.
Seema gave him an odd look. "Who is 'us'?" He couldn't be simply referring to his kids, could he?
"I've asked around, and there are several others who want to take Myu's offer to change, but they don't want to do it here," Mike explained. "Take us with you to their home, if you think you can convince them to let us live with them."
"I have my ways," Seema said with a smile before slinging the bag over her shoulder. "So, how many are we talking about?" She opened her door and found a rather large crowd standing in front of her. People of all ages and walks of life stood there, anxiously looking at her.
"One hundred thirty-three," Mike said.
"Okay, this might be pushing the limits of generosity, but I guess it's better than nothing," Seema said. "A crowd this size won't be easy to sneak out during the day, so we'll wait and do it at night. Also, we'll need to lose the guns. They hate that weapon more than us and if they see even one of them, they'll never let us live with them."
"Okay," Mike said. "I'll be sure to tell them that. No guns."
Judas wasn't so sure his father's idea of trying to live with those animals was a good idea and bringing along over one fourth of the base was a bad idea. They were the last of humanity, and they couldn't afford to lose even one more person. He walked through the base to find Harold, finding the former colonel inside the room with the radio, someone else working on it.
"What is it, Judas?" the army man asked.
"It's my father and Seema, they're planning on taking a lot of people to the land where those animals live," Judas said.
"What? Why?" Harold asked, shocked and betrayed.
"They think they can offer a better life," Judas answered.
Harold mulled this over in his mind, weighing his options. "Any idea how they plan to get to them?"
"Just that they're leaving tonight," Jarret said.
Harold pondered over that. The mountains were surrounded by an impenetrable barrier, so how could they get to the forest on the other side. Unless… of course! A tunnel through the mountains. That could prove useful. He turned to Judas. "I want you to go with them, but take this with you," he handed the young man an old hand-held radio. "Don't change the dial on it, and use it to report back with anything you find."
"Why? Aren't we trapped outside?" Judas asked.
"Not for long. We've managed to contact a military base. There are other survivors." He let that sink in before continuing. "Reports are still coming in, but from what we can determine, U.S. bases all over the world managed to survive, and several other countries also have military installations that survived. In a few weeks time, we're going to guide an attack on their place, and I want you to give us any useful information you find. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Judas said.
"Well, congratulations, you're a soldier now," he said, shaking the boy's hand.
Later that night, Seema stood at the head of the crowd of 133 humans, guiding them past the patrols and guards so they could get out of Fort Riley. Seema was certain that Harold wouldn't let them leave willingly, so sneaking out was the only way they could leave without being forced back.
"You sure we can get past all the guards?" a boy asked her.
"If we stick to the shadows and remain very quiet, then yes," she told him. She ran ahead and motioned for a group to follow. To make sure they all got out, they agreed to be split up into groups of twelve, and Seema was leading the first group. She made sure no one was looking before continuing on. This went on several times as they made their way out of Fort Riley, with the other groups following. Once they were safely outside they regrouped, and Seema lead them onward.
They reached the ruins of Manhattan, and only then did they allow themselves time to rest. They found several destroyed houses and buildings and set up a makeshift camp to spend the rest of the night.
"Well, we got out of there okay," Mike said.
"I'm not going to feel safe until I see the endless expanse of forest beyond those mountains," Seema said, pointing to the mountains that were visible in the distance. "We'll need to leave early in the morning to make sure Harold's men don't find us."
"And if they figure out where we're going?" Mike asked.
Seema smirked. "They don't know what I know. Trust me, once we're past the mountains, we'll never have to worry about them again." She stood up and walked away. She only hoped that Myu hadn't had the tunnel collapsed or closed already, in which case, they were screwed.
They packed up early the next day, and by late morning they were at the base of the mountains.
"So now what?" Mike asked.
Seema scanned the mountains for her target and found it right where she left it; a hole that went into the mountains a few meters up. She led her quarry toward it, advising them to be careful. Many of them had brought flashlights, so they used those to light up the dark tunnel. As they walked, Seema heard several comments about the change in air quality, and some noted that it was actually warmer than they thought.
After almost an hour of walking, they spotted a light at the end of this tunnel. Encouraged by the end of this, they all sped up. Finally, they exited the tunnel, walking out onto the slope of the mountain. All the kids gasped at the sight, as there were trees everywhere they looked, and beautiful blue sky that few humans had seen in twenty years.
Seema breathed in the fresh air, glad to have it back in her lungs again before climbing down the slope of the mountain. They reached the bottom and continued on into the dense foliage. Seema asked one last time to make sure no one had any guns, even going so far as to have everybody checked. This was a delicate situation, and she had to make sure there were no misunderstandings. When a thorough search came up empty, they pressed onward.
Eventually, somebody said they spotted a bird, but when everyone looked in its direction, it immediately flew off. Seema didn't know if it was a natural animal or a Pokémon, but either way, she knew that soon the inhabitants would be coming to them. She requested that everyone come to a halt, thinking it would be better if the Pokémon came to them.
Her theory was correct as a couple hours later, a large group of Pokémon surrounded the relatively small group of humans. Seema stood up and raised her hands, hoping they understood the gesture.
"You never said there was this many of them," one of the women said.
"This is only part of them," Judas noted. "Wait till you see 'em all."
"Quiet," Seema whispered. "They can understand us."
"Seems Humans don't understand the concept of 'don't come back'," Feraligatr growled. "Maybe its time we send a message to them."
"I don't think Myu would approve," Zoroark cautioned.
"Myu isn't here," Feraligatr growled. "They shot my son, they killed Sceptile. They are past the point of redemption."
Feraligatr started to advance to them, and Seema was panicking inside. She didn't know what Feraligatr said, but the tone and posture were good indicators. She needed to find someway to convince this one that they weren't a threat. Then she remembered the crystal Myu gave her. She pulled it out as fast as she could without seeming threatening and held it up to Feraligatr.
The blue reptile looked at the glowing stone in the female's hand. How did she get that? Then he remembered a female that Myu had allowed amongst them for a night. Was this the same human?
Seema held the crystal out for all the Pokémon to see. They backed away when they realized it was from the Tree of Beginning.
"That's impossible," Feraligatr breathed.
Zoroark was also stunned. Myu needed to see this. She fired a pulse of purple-black rings in the air, which exploded once they reached a certain altitude. She knew Myu would see it and teleport to them.
Feraligatr had managed to come out of his stupor and growled. "You dare carry a crystal from the Tree of Beginning?" he asked, though he knew the humans couldn't understand him. "You will pay for your kind's transgressions." He growled as he advanced. The humans backed up in fear, frightened by the threatening tone.
"Enough!" The telepathic word startled everyone who heard it. They all turned to see Myu floating behind Feraligatr, a scowl on his face.
"Myu," Seema said. She was glad to see him until he looked at her with the same scowl.
"Myu, these Humans…" Feraligatr began, but Myu cut him off.
"They are unarmed Feraligatr. I will not permit the death of a defenseless creature. Human or otherwise," Myu said verbally. Feraligatr backed away, his head hung. Myu turned to face the Humans. "What are you doing here?" he demanded telepathically.
"I came here in the hope I could live with you," Seema answered. "And I brought others who want the new life you promised."
"That was offered before. Now I do not permit your kind within my boarders. I demand that you all leave," Myu stated, earning nodes and murmurs of agreement from the Pokémon.
"Wait, but we've risked everything coming here, give us a chance!" a human begged.
"We can't go back," another said.
"They're right. Harold probably knows we've left by now. He won't like that we're here," Seema said.
"Perhaps you should have thought of that before you left," Myu said.
"Myu, please, give us another chance," Seema begged.
"Your final chance died with Sceptile," Myu stated. Nearly every Pokémon there agreed, shouting at the humans to leave for good.
"Myu, wait," Seema said before Myu could say anything else. "You told me you gave your children a new life because they accepted it and were willing to learn. Well, everyone here wants to start over, and we are willing to learn from you to be a better people." She hoped that would convince Myu, but just in case… "Sceptile would have wanted us to be given another chance."
Myu was at first mad that she would dare say that name, but it quickly dispelled when he realized she was right. Sceptile was the only one who opted for unity, and if she was here, she would tell him to give them one more chance. He focused on Seema's mind and searched it for any deception on her part. As he scanned it, he found Sceptile's last words. He almost shed a tear at them. Seema didn't understand what Sceptile meant, but that was because the message wasn't meant for her.
It was for him.
No hate. That was one of Myu's most recurring lessons, to let go of anger and forgive for their actions.
"One," he said simply.
"One what?" Seema asked.
"One last chance," Myu explained. Many of the Pokémon didn't like that and made their displeasure known. "Silence!" Myu exclaimed. "Sceptile would have wanted it that way, so I will give you one last chance in her honor." Many of the humans cheered up at that. "But make no mistake, this is your last chance. Betray my trust again, hurt any of my children, and there will be no mercy, no forgiveness. You will be banished and may never come here again."
"Okay," Seema said after a tense moment. "I promise; we will not betray you."
Myu nodded and gestured for them to follow him. He flew through the forest, making sure the slower humans could keep up. When they reached the Tree, they marveled at the sight. None of them had ever seen anything like this before.
"You shall sleep here, under the Tree of Beginning," Myu told the humans. He placed a paw on the ground, and the terrain altered to create alcoves for the humans to rest in and elevated some rocks to create tables and grew moss on some to create beds. "This is where you will stay. Under no circumstances are any of you to enter the Tree. Only my children are permitted."
"When can we enter the tree?" one of the humans asked.
"When you prove yourselves worthy," Myu answered.
As the humans spread out to make sleeping arrangements, many of the Pokémon were baffled as to why Myu was even letting the humans remain here.
"I don't get it Myu. Why are you letting them be so close to us?" Feraligatr questioned growling.
"After all they did and you don't punish them?" Zoroark asked. "And if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were developing feelings for that one female."
"Hmm, that reminds me, have you figured out the answer to my question?" Myu asked.
The Pokémon sighed, remembering that Myu refused to answer anything else until they answered his question.
"No Myu, we still don't know what the best way to defeat your enemy is," Zoroark answered, head bowed, the others mirroring her.
"The best way to defeat your enemy… is to make them your friend," Myu said.
Many of the Pokémon were puzzled by that. How did that defeat your enemy? But the more they thought it over, the more it made sense, until it clicked in their minds and suddenly, it did make sense.
Zoroark saw that one human was struggling with the bag they brought, trying to lift it up and place it on the table. She glanced at Myu, as if to ask permission, which the Mew responded with a nod. She walked over to the human and helped them lift the bag onto the table.
Slowly at first, more Pokémon helped the struggling humans with the few possessions they had, some Pokémon even brought a few berries with them to show their kindness.
Myu smiled as eventually, every Pokémon present was assisting in some way. They weren't allies yet, and they had a long way to go before they were friends. But for now, they were assisting, and that was enough for him.
Meanwhile, over a thousand miles away, a group of five Pokémon were nearing their destination. They had to land in the remains of a human city for a night, but the next morning they were in the air, and by midday, they could see the ocean. Lucario's crystal glowed brighter as they drew closer, and before long, they could spot the towering remains of skyscrapers.
"Is that where we're going?" Charizard asked.
Lucario held the crystal and pointed it at the city, and it glowed brighter. "Seems so Charizard," Lucario said.
"Wonder what this place was," Pidgeot said.
"There were hundreds of costal cities, and we've been traveling east this whole time," Pikachu informed.
"How many of those cities were on very long stretches of land?" Charizard asked out loud.
"What?" Lucario questioned.
"Look at it, it stretches on for miles into the ocean. It also seems that the only thing that connects it to the mainland is several bridges," Charizard pointed out. The description sounded familiar to Lucario, but he wasn't going to jump to conclusions. That was until Pikachu spotted a very familiar landmark.
"Hey, that small island to the west of it, there's something very familiar on it." They managed to reach the island in question and circled it, and Lucario was the first one to identify the large green melted figure.
"That's the Statue of Liberty," he said solemnly, and then the name of the city struck all their minds, but Lucario was the only one to say it. "New York City. I'm home."
End of Chapter 4
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