A/N: Okay, sorry about the long wait! I hate writer's block :( Expect more next month! See ya then!
AJ could barely believe what he was hearing. This man, calling himself the leader of Project Zero, was asking for help. His help. If he used to be the chief of the Silicon Movement, he couldn't afford to guess his motives. Evan was all too suspicious for his liking, even if his tale was true.
"I can't say I approve." Sarah replied over the phone, her brow furrowing. "This is too convenient for my liking."
"There is no need to rush your choices." Evan gestured to AJ, "Besides, I was directing my question at these four specifically. Of course, any help you can offer is wonderful."
"Really..." Cheren folded his arms. "I don't know. His ideals are sound, but..."
"You fear I might trick you." Evan finished. AJ's eyes shot to Evan as the scientist continued. "Given your memories, I would be wary of me too."
"Gah!" Melody shouted, backing away several steps. "You'd be a lot more convincing if you weren't so damn creepy!"
"You think I'm creepy..." Evan cast her an innocently puzzled look. "It's because of my ability. You are suspicious of my foresight."
"That's not helping!" Melody shook her head, clearly getting upset.
"Melody." Cheren put a hand on her shoulder, and she shot her angry gaze at him instead. "I don't think we should answer that right away. We've got other problems to deal with."
"Like that damn Haunter!" She blared back, "I want to kick its ass!"
"It told us to come here, right?" Cheren grabbed his chin, seeming to contemplate something.
"I'd help you, but we've got a major problem." Sarah replied, "Leo got attacked by a Pokémon on our way back to town."
"Again?" Eeveen grabbed the phone from Evan, "Is he alright?!"
"We...don't know." Sarah's face fell and she seemed visibly upset. "Last I knew, Tornadus knocked him off of Chikosu. They're both missing."
"Tornadus! As in Tornadus, the god of wind?!" Cheren's shock was shared by AJ and Eeveen, and they both exchanged looks.
Melody simply seemed to get even more sullen, and she lowered her head solemnly. "No way...!"
"We were just about to go search for him. It's going to be difficult since Tornadus has been whipping up this storm..."
"Why didn't you mention any of that earlier?!" Melody yelled again, "We could've sent for help!"
"We can't waste time. Tornadus is not a Pokémon to take lightly." Cheren grabbed the phone from Eeveen. "I'm sorry to be abrupt, but I need to rally a search party. I should call the police."
"Sounds good. I'll do everything I can from here."
"May Arceus be with you." Evan's parting comment earned a strange look out of Sarah, as if she were just slapped. She abruptly hung up the phone, turning away from the screen in a start as she did. Evan seemed just as surprised as everyone by her reaction. "Was...it something I said?"
Leo was starting to get concerned. It had to have been several hours since he awoke in the forest, but there still was no sign of anyone. The storm hadn't let up either, and he was completely drenched. Even Chikosu seemed upset, and the dragon kept trying to take off. Each time, he could barely even flap his wings before collapsing again. After the third attempt, Leo couldn't stand it anymore.
"Chikosu, that's enough." The Flygon buzzed questioningly at him, cocking his head as he looked Leo's way. "Stay down here. You'll hurt yourself again." Chikosu buzzed again, looking up at the sky with a longing look in his eyes. Leo sighed, putting a hand gently on his neck. "Let's focus on shelter." The Pokémon looked at him for several long moments, then nodded reluctantly. Leo couldn't blame the poor dragon for wanting to get away. There was no way he could manage it with his wing in that state though. Rustling in the shrubs caught his attention, and Leo shot a glare at the brushes.
"Dammit. Not now..." He growled at his unseen foe, "We gotta run for it, Chikosu!"
No sooner did he speak than the Pokémon emerged. A rather large, green frog leaped out of the grass, croaking. It landed square in front of Leo, glaring at him angrily.
"Toed...!" It croaked, flexing the yellow spiral on its belly as it stood to its haunches.
Leo shook his head angrily. A Politoed: talk about bad luck! Leo knew the defiant dragon would probably not listen if he tried to fight. That made strategy nearly impossible. There was no way he could risk Chikosu getting further hurt anyway.
"Chikosu! Let's go!" He spun on his heel and bolted, a lumbering Chikosu galloping behind him. He could hear the croaking frog bounding behind him, ribbiting angrily as it pursued him. Leo knew he had to lose the Politoed. Though his legs still hurt from his crash-landing, he willed himself onward, ignoring the tree branches scratching at his face and ripping at his rain-soaked clothes. As he fled, he suddenly recalled the Houndoom attack with startling clarity. The crunch of paws on dirt, the snarls of the furious mother Pokémon, Amber's screaming in his ear: all of it came rushing back to him in a flood of deja vu. He could remember that day now: the day he was nearly killed. The fright of that day returned anew, and the old injury in his shoulder throbbed painfully. His panic intensified and Leo ran harder still, crashing through the foliage in desperation.
He wasn't sure how long he sped through the forest before he had the sense to look behind him. When he did, he skidded across the wet grass, surprised at what he saw. Chikosu was actually fighting as he ran, kicking a wad of mud at the angry Politoed. This knocked the frog back, but it quickly hopped back into pursuit, unrelenting in its chase. Chikosu spun and stopped in front of Leo, looking over his back at him. Chikosu's attack gave Leo an idea. If he could blind that frog enough, he could easily escape.
But was Chikosu up for it?
The dragon lowered his head, buzzing at the Politoed defiantly. Leo thought fast. A Sandstorm should be the perfect cover, assuming it would work in all this rain. Could he still do that with his wing broken though? Better not take chances. A Mud-Slap would work alright.
"Blind it with a Mud-Slap!"
The Flygon nodded and kicked another mud-ball at the frog. The Politoed leaped into the air, disappearing above the treetops and dodging the mud. Leo only had time to look up before it was upon him. The Politoed landed squarely on his head, knocking him to the ground painfully. It kicked off of his body and vaulted over Chikosu, landing in front of the dragon. Leo cursed in frustration, standing to his feet. This thing was wily! Well, two could play at that game!
"Chikosu! Supersonic!" He screeched loudly, causing the Politoed to cover its head and croak. The angry frog puffed its throat, glaring back at them. Then, it started contorting the spiral on its stomach, undulating it in a mesmerizing way. "Watch it, Chikosu! Don't look!" Leo closed his eyes, trying to avoid getting hypnotized himself. He made a point of waiting several moments before he opened his eyes again. He gasped in surprise; Chikosu had fallen sound asleep.
"No, dammit!" He shook the dragon, trying to rouse him, "Wake up!" His only response was a loud snore and Leo shook his head. He'd underestimated the enemy, and now he was defenseless. The Politoed ribbeted and hopped towards him, balling its fists for an attack. Leo dove behind a tree, desperate to evade the attack. The Politoed's punch went wild, and it crunched into the tree just behind him. Leo could only stare helplessly as it rushed around the tree and squared another punch. He ducked again, this time charging shoulder-first into the Pokémon. His sudden attack surprised the frog, and it leaped away.
What the hell am I doing?! I'm fighting off a Pokémon by myself...!
"Come on!" Leo grabbed a rock and threw it at Chikosu. "Wake up!" The Flygon opened his eyes, yawning and rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Chikosu, help me!" Chikosu's eyes flashed, and he screeched, standing up and slapping the Politoed with his tail. The hit flung the frog deep into the trees and away from Leo. He stood there for several moments, making sure it wasn't going to come back.
Satisfied, Leo finally allowed himself to relax, slumping down in a weary heap. He was thoroughly exhausted. Chikosu seemed tired too, and he laid down next to him, curling his tail around Leo. He smiled at the dragon and stroked his back.
"Thank you, Chikosu."
Chikosu surprised him by hugging him and buzzing comfortingly. He chuckled and stroked Chikosu's head-tufts. He didn't have Flare with him, and it bothered him. Chikosu's affection was quite charming, and he grinned in relief. Maybe, just maybe they'd make it out of this place yet.