Team Wildfire: Darkrai Returns
Chapter Five: Leaving the Nest
*Thank you SunnySummer77 for helping me with the title. Happy New Year, everyone! Be sure to rate, review, and share!
Blastoise: Enough talk! *pops cork from a bottle* LET'S PARTYYYY! \^O^/
*Delphox's p.o.v*
Hydreigon, Chandelure and I left the hospital after getting the wound Darkrai left on my face treated. A cloth bandage covered my left eye. The Chansey nurse who treated me was shocked at the wound and wondered what Pokémon could've done it. I lied and told her that it was a rogue Ursaring in Tiny Woods. Though the Chansey was skeptical that an Ursaring could do that much damage, for the sake of others' safety, she made note of it and said she would alert Elder Slowking to the possibility of rogue Ursaring in the area. I felt bad for lying but it had to be done to prevent any trouble from mentioning Darkrai's name, either from the townspeople or Darkrai himself.
"Do you feel any better, Delphox?'' Chandelure asked as we made our way back to our base in the Lost Mountains region.
"Yes, thank you, Chandelure,'' I said trying to smile. My face still stung but the pain was slowly going away thanks to the mashed Oran Berry the nurse placed on my face. However, another Chansey had to restrain me as the other placed it on my face as the pain was so severe and the wound was still fresh. The nurse told me that it was possible that I would become blind in my left eye unfortunately. All because I decided to try and kill Alex and her father.
"What's wrong, Delphox?'' Hydreigon asked looking at me with concern in his black and red eyes. I swallowed nervously before speaking up.
"I-I've been thinking,'' I began. "We've been at Darkrai's service for twenty years ever since we were young children. We were all orphans at the time and Darkrai took us in and raised us not like children, but as servants.'' We entered the mountain range. "We've had to put up with his abuse for all that time whenever we displeased him. There was no love or forgiveness or compassion, only hate, anger, and abuse.''
"What are you getting at, Delphox?'' Chandelure asked curiously as we neared our cave base.
"I'm suggesting that we…um…'' I said before gulping nervously. "Stop working for Darkrai." Chandelure and Hydreigon's eyes went wide at the almost inaudible remark.
"Are you out of your mind, Delphox?!'' Hydreigon practically shouted. "We can't qui-''
"Be quiet!'' I hissed fearfully as I quickly closed Hydreigon's mouth. I looked around like how a rabbit searches for nearby predators. "HE might be listening.'' Hydreigon nodded understandingly and I let go of his jaws.
"Why would you suggest that?'' Chandelure spat flabbergasted.
"I'm tired of living in fear of Darkrai, guys,'' I said frustrated. "I'm tired of the abuse and the threats and the terrible deeds we do for Darkrai. I want us to quit working for Darkrai and start a new life.''
''But Delphox, if we quit, Darkrai will surely hunt us down and kill us all!'' Hydreigon responded.
"YOU LIKE WORKING FOR AND LIVING IN FEAR OF DARKRAI?!'' I screamed getting in Hydreigon's face causing him to back up in surprise of my outburst. "YOU LIKE LIVING IN DECEIT, FEAR, AND WICKEDNESS WHILE OTHER POKEMON MAKE A LIVING IN DECENCY?!'' Hydreigon and Chandelure stared at me in shock and fright. Tears filled my right eye and I turned away from the others. "I'm TIRED of this way of life, guys! I can't go on living like this! And I'm doubly sick of living in fear of Darkrai and the nightmares he caused me! If this goes on any longer, I think I'd rather kill myself!'' I placed my face in my paws and sobbed.
"Delphox…'' Chandelure spoke up. I turned my head towards him. "I-It's a risky thing to do, quitting our work for Darkrai, and we may very well be killed...'' Chandelure paused for a moment.
"But as your friends, we're with you every step of the way,'' Hydreigon said smiling a small smile. I smiled a large smile.
"R-Really?'' I said drying my tears.
"Of course,'' Chandelure smiled.
"Oh, thank you!'' I yelled happily as I threw my arms around my two friends. Chandelure and Hydreigon embraced me back and nuzzled me. "You're the best friends a Pokemon could ever want!'' I looked around once more for any sign of Darkrai and leaned in towards the others to whisper. "But, let's wait for the right opportunity to quit, okay?''
''Gotcha,'' Chandelure and Hydreigon nodded. I then heard a rumbling noise.
"What is that?!'' I exclaimed startled praying secretly it wasn't Darkrai.
"Sorry, I'm hungry,'' Hydreigon chuckled embarrassed.
"Oh…'' Chandelure and I said dropping sweat before proceeding to laugh it off.
"Come on, I'll make us dinner,'' I offered. I've been the leader of our team and the primary care giver of my friends ever since we were orphaned. I promise to protect my friends. NO MATTER WHAT.
*Anthony's p.o.v*
After Alex and I were saved from the river, my team and I went back to our base to clean it up and to get me dry. I still felt weak from being submerged in water and Gardevoir dried my body off. Lucario, Zoroark, and Blastoise cleaned the base. Their sweeping sent dust flying into the air. Some of it got into my nose and caused me to sneeze repeatedly and my nose to run.
"Here, let me get that,'' Gardevoir said in a motherly tone. She grabbed a piece of cloth and wiped my nose.
"Thank you,'' I said smiling. Gardevoir's face reddened and she looked away smiling shyly.
"Sure, anything for a teammate,'' she said quietly. I made note of it in my mind but moved on to another topic.
"If there's one thing about cleaning, it's the dust that get's into the air,'' I stated. "I've always been mildly allergic to dust.''
"Well, the base certainly hasn't been kept in great shape all these years while we were gone,'' Lucario responded while sweeping the dust outside.
"I hate cleaning just because it's so tedious,'' Blastoise spat as he cleaned the windows.
"Yeah, I remember how hard it was to walk around in your room when we were kids,'' Lucario teased.
"Shut up!'' Blastoise snapped as he continued cleaning. Gardevoir and I chuckled and shook our heads at the humorous moment.
"Those two, they never change,'' I said.
"Shut up!'' Lucario and Blastoise shouted.
"Yep, the more things change, the more they stay the same,'' Gardevoir giggled. Lucario looked at her and turned away smiling a small smile and blushing slightly. Blastoise just snorted and resumed cleaning. I then heard the pitter patter of footsteps outside. I looked towards the door and saw Alex and her friends Charmander and Helioptile.
"Hi, dad,'' she said happily.
"Hello, sweetheart,'' I said smiling. Alex and her friends entered the house. "How are you?''
"Pretty well, just getting prepared for our first rescue mission tomorrow,'' Alex answered sitting down on the ground. My eyes widened in surprise.
"You made a rescue team?! That's great!'' I beamed proudly. "What's the name of your team?''
"Uh…Team Olacronon,'' Alex said embarrassedly. The others and I stared at Alex confused.
"Who or what is an olacronon?'' Zoroark asked cocking his head.
"The scientific name for an elbow,'' Alex said. "I'm not the best at picking names. But, the others like it enough.''
"Yeah…everyone except Starly,'' Charmander stated.
"Speaking of Starly, where is he?'' Lucario asked.
"He's back at our base,'' Helioptile replied sadly. "He's still upset over…personal issues.''
"He seemed to be pretty hostile earlier towards Anthony and Alex, what was wrong?'' Gardevoir inquired possibly hoping she could do something about it.
"He's…not very trusting of humans,'' Charmander forced out while rubbing the back of his head.
"But why?'' I asked raising an eyebrow.
"We should let Starly tell you himself…when he's ready,'' Helioptile responded. I nodded understandingly.
"So, what's the mission you're going on?'' I asked changing the subject.
"I have the letter right here,'' Helioptile said pulling a piece of paper out of an exploration kit. Helioptile unfolded the letter and cleared her throat.
'Help! Our dear daughter, Neva, has run away from home and is now missing! We believe she's trapped in Haunted Cave. Please, find her and bring her home safely! We miss her gravely!
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Eon'
"A rescue mission, huh?'' Blastoise observed. "Good luck with that.''
"You're fully prepared, right?'' I asked worriedly.
"Yes, dad,'' Alex responded obediently.
"You have all the items you need? Orbs, berries, medicine, and such?'' I asked further.
"Yes, DAD,'' Alex answered getting somewhat annoyed.
"Just making sure, you can never be too careful in a dungeon,'' I lectured. Alex crossed her arms annoyed and looked away from me. I crouched down and nuzzled Alex lovingly. "You know I'm just looking after you, right?''
"I know,'' Alex smiled. "That's a father's job after all.'' I chuckled and kissed Alex on the cheek.
"You can do it, I know it,'' I said encouragingly. "You're a strong and intelligent girl.''
"Dad, stop it! You're embarrassing me in front of my friends!'' Alex said as she blushed.
"Well, I must be doing a good job at being a parent!'' I laughed.
"Aw, phooey!'' Alex said annoyed.
*Larraine's p.o.v*
I was sitting in the living room reading a book on names for boys. It was about seven o'clock at night. Meanwhile, Alice was in her room doing her school work. Anthony has been gone for a long time, I thought. Where is he? There was a knocking at the door. I opened the door only to see Napoleon.
"Hi, Larraine. Is Anthony here?'' he asked.
"No, he's been gone all day,'' I said worriedly.
"What? Did he leave a note or anything?'' Napoleon asked astounded.
"No, I'm getting worried that something happened to him,'' I said getting more worried.
"Calm down, Larraine, I'm sure he's just busy looking for Alex,'' Napoleon consoled. "But, that is concerning. Let's go look for him…and Alex for that matter.''
"Okay,'' I said putting on my coat. Alice was coming down the stores behind me. "Alice, I'm going to go look for your father with uncle Napoleon. Will you be okay here by yourself?''
"Sure, I hope you find him and Alex,'' Alice said hugging and kissing me. ''Good luck.''
"Let's go, Napoleon,'' I said gesturing for him to follow me.
"Right,'' Napoleon responded. We then made our way out of town on our mission to find my beloveds. I hope you all are all right, sweetie, I thought to myself. You and Alex.
*Neva's p.o.v (the previous night)*
My name is Neva, an Eevee. I lived in the Evolution Forest for as long as I could remember. My parents and all three of my older siblings are Vaporeon. However, my dream, along with being apart of a rescue team, is to be a Glaceon. Ice is my favorite element after all. However, my parents, in their selfish pride and for the sake of our family tradition, want me to be a Vaporeon. Tonight, we were having yet another argument over this subject.
"NO! I REFUSE TO BE A VAPOREON!'' I screamed at my parents. The Water Stone on the table sat there seemingly staring at me all the while.
"Young lady, do not shout in the house!'' my father, a Vaporeon, scolded.
"You WILL be the form that our family has been traditionally whether you like it or not!'' my mother, also a Vaporeon, said angrily.
"Well, have you ever thought that people want to create their own destinies and not follow the crowd?!'' I shouted. "I've already told you, I want to be a Glaceon!''
"Water is the best element and as a result, Vaporeon is the best Eevee form so you WILL follow our traditions!'' my father snarled his deep blue eyes turning angry like a savage storm at sea. He picked up the Water Stone and charged towards me to make me evolve. I had to act fast. I ran right out the front door.
"NEVA!'' my parents yelled simultaneously. I ignored them and ran straight into the woods surrounding the small community of other Eevee families (earning it the name Eevee Village). I hate my family! Them and their selfish pride! I thought as tears started to stream down my face. Whenever my parents brag about how great Vaporeon is to the other members of our community, I feel embarrassed and ashamed to be apart of their family. I'm never going back to them as long as I live! I'm going to become the Pokémon I want to be AND join a rescue team as well! I began to slow down to catch my breath. My heart was beating rapidly inside my chest. I looked behind me and didn't see anyone coming after me. However, I heard my parents begin to call for me. Oh no! I have to keep moving! I just KNOW they'll ground me for running away! I thought panicking. I began running again when, suddenly, I fell through the ground. I hit the ground and felt my left front leg bone shatter causing me to scream in pain.
"MY LEG!'' I screamed.
"Aw, did the little Eevee break her bones?'' a deep, chilling, sinister, male voice said. I looked around as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. It looked like I was in some kind of cave. There were piles of gold coins and other treasures scattered throughout the area. I could hear water droplets hitting the ground somewhere. At the end of the cave, I saw a gold and blue coffin. A small mask was at the top of it.
"Who said that?'' I said startled.
"I did,'' the voice said again. The coffin then began to levitate slightly off the ground and became outlined in black. Four ghostly hands attached to long arms about five feet long sprouted from the coffin. Then, two piercing, red eyes and a toothy smile appeared revealing the coffin's true form, a Cofagrigus! "Trying to steal my treasure, are you?''
"No! I fell down here by accident!'' I pleaded.
"I don't believe you!'' the Cofagrigus snapped. "All thieves shall be punished forthwith and forthright!'' Cofagrigus then opened up and his ghostly hands grabbed me.
"No! Let me go!'' I screamed attempting to escape Cofagrigus' grasp but to no avail. The arms then pulled me into Cofagrigus' body and everything went black.
TO BE CONTINUED…