A Poisoning of the Heart
Alright, a few people did ask for some clarification about the whole police thing. Yes, Serena did indeed hurt the woman with the Eevees. Morgan was arrested, and questioned and so forth. The thing that I seemed to have not done very clearly, however, was that the Alakazam belonging to Jenny used telepathic control. He fixed it so that Morgan wasn't punished, or arrested.
In response to those questioning why nothing has happened with relation to the whole 'corrupt E4' thing, it's accepted that they're the strongest trainers in the region; it's not as easy to just get them for something, because considering how any funding for the police would come from E4-based on structure in games and anime where they are the equivalent of the regions government, it's a balance between police rising to what they stand for, and keeping the funding needed to ensure the region is safe. I'm sorry that this was so long, but I did want to get it clear this time; so hopefully this helps, and please R&R!
XOXOXOXOXO
"Speech"=Talking
Speech=Translated Poketalk
Speech=Telepathy
*Speech*=Thoughts
Morgan yawned, stretching and slowly opening his eyes. The familiar weight of Serena was spread over his stomach and legs, her head resting on a coil. He smiled, gently petting her and looking around. Sprawled over the pillow beside him, body less round and more oval due to being relaxed and spread out, Gerald snored lightly. A large patch of the pillow beneath him was damp, and as another snore rumbled forth a small drip of drool feel onto the pillow.
"Huh… I'll have to be careful when we're in the tent..." He carefully sat up, rolling his arms and stretching again. Carefully moving himself backwards and shuffling his legs out from under Serena, he slipped out of the bed and onto the floor. Yawning, he walked towards the bathroom and entered it before closing the door.
Serena stirred, slowly opening her eyes and blinking sleepily. She yawned, cracking her jaws slightly, before looking at Gerald.
Huh. Still sleeping. She slid off of the bed and onto the floor, pushing the bathroom door open. The shower curtain was drawn, and the sound of running water filled the air along with steam.
Hey, Morgan, can I go get food? The curtain twitched, before Morgan leaned around it and looked at her, hair plastered flat. He grabbed the translator off of the small shelf along the wall, clipping it in place.
"Serena! I've told you not to come in when I'm busy!" She tilted her head slightly, flicking her tongue.
Can I go eat? He sighed, pushing a clump of hair away from his eyes.
"I thought that the steak I got you last night would have lasted a little longer. Maybe until dinner today, even." Serena shook her head, nudging her stomach with the flat of her tail.
Nope. It's soft, raw meat. No hide to get through, and it was de-boned of all but that little round bit in the middle. No trouble for a nights work. Morgan nodded slightly, before flicking a hand at her.
"Fine, go. Just let me shower in peace. And remember the rules." Serena nodded, as he removed the translator and put it back on the shelf. She turned and left the bathroom, opening the bedroom door by hooking a fang against the door handle and tugging. As she passed out the bathroom her tail flicked the door, causing it close behind her. Heading downstairs, she raised her head and smelled at the air, tongue blinking in and out of her mouth.
There were lines of scent within the air; all kinds of meats, and toasts and fruit. Her head moved as she figured out where they all came from, before following the scent trail of food to the dining area. Pushing the door open with her head she quickly found that the room was full of trainers and jumbled conversations.
Ignoring the conversations she slithered over to the buffet, lifting her head up and looking across it. A stack of trays at the end of the table had several rows of plates and bowls beside it; past that, a collection of larger plates and bowls stored varied breakfast items. There were various kinds of berries and fruits stacked in the bowls, the ceramic itself sunk into the buffet and resting upon ice to keep it fresh and chilled.
The plates supported a helping of other breakfast things; there were rolls, small packets containing a few slices of bread in brown and white, packets of butter, various breakfast meats and mini packets of cereal, along with small jugs of milk stored in a fridge.
Huh. Who knew humans were so picky about the stuff they eat… She flicked her tongue out, leaning over the buffet to investigate the plates of meat. She paused, tilting her head as the conversations behind her died down. Shaking her head slightly she worked a fang under the plate of bacon to loosen it, gripping the edge with her mouth and pulling it free, stopping as a hand gripped it on the other side.
"And what do you think you are doing with this?" Serena looked up to see Nurse Joy, keeping one hand firmly on the plate while the other was planted on her hip, frowning down at her. Serena glanced from side to side, flicking her tongue out and pulling a rasher into her mouth, swallowing quickly.
I'm getting breakfast. Joy frowned a little more, tugging the plate and pulling it away from her.
"Your trainer?" Serena nodded up at the ceiling, coiling her body up.
Showering. He said I could go get food when I asked. Joy nodded slightly, before taking a cloth from her pocket and wiping the edge of the plate clean, then placed it back in the buffet.
"Well, you'll have to wait for him, or get someone with arms or psychic powers to help you get a plate of food. I understand you must be hungry, but I can't allow you to pick up and move plates of food with your mouth or tail." Serena sighed, before nodding slightly.
OK, nurse. I'll… Go get someone with arms. Joy nodded, before petting her and turning away and leaving. Serena smiled, before leaving the dining area, heading upstairs again.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Morgan opened the bedroom door, wearing his jeans, rubbing a towel across his head to dry his hair, looking down at a Chansey. He pulled the translator from his pocket, clipping it into place, and smiled.
Uh, sir… You're needed in the dining area… It's rather urgent. The smile slid off of his face, replaced by a look combined from fear and exhaustion. He dropped the towel to the floor, before stepping out and closing the door.
"Let's just get this over with… What happened?" The Chansey turned, leading him through the Centre towards the dining area.
Well, uh, the issue is with your Pokémon… Morgan sighed, nodding slightly.
"What did she do?"
Well, sir, it's not her… It's them… He blinked in confusion, murmuring the word 'they' before turning his head as the sound of shouting became evident.
"Oh, great, now what…" He stepped around the Chansey, running ahead and pushing through the doors, stepping into what looked like an area a bomb had gone off in. Several tables were broken, and shattered ceramic coated the floor. Food was scattered across the floor, walls, and a few even clung to the ceiling. And stood in the centre, was Nurse Joy, shouting in anger at Serena and Gerald. He took a step forwards, jumping and letting out a short cry as a piece of ceramic dug spitefully into his bare foot.
"You! You have some explaining to do!" Morgan looked up, as Nurse Joy strode over, ceramic crunching beneath her shoes; she grabbed his arm, pulling him across the floor towards his Pokémon, ignoring his stuttered attempts of protest and shouts as he trod on ceramic.
"Do you have any idea what these two have done?!" Morgan looked around, sitting on a chair and raising his feet off the floor.
"Uh… Provoking a Voltorb into Self-Destructing..?" Joy glared, poking a finger into his chest.
"I would rather they had. I told your Seviper to go get someone with either hands, or psychic powers, to help her get breakfast, since I couldn't let her use her mouth to handle food that isn't portioned. I came back when I heard shouting, to see the Gulpin sat in the middle of the buffet, handling the food." Morgan glanced at Gerald, who was busy licking his hands.
"Uh… But he does have hands…" Joys eyes narrowed, a sound rather like a growl rising from her.
"He is a Poison type. Handling bare food in a self-service area. Anyone could have ended up being poisoned by mistake. And, to make things worse, they started a fight and one of the guys from here is unable to find his Wingull.!." Serena lifted her head, hissing angrily.
We didn't start it! Joy jabbed a hand in her direction, silencing her.
"Everyone says it was you two."
"Gul. Gulpin ulpi, pi-pin!" Serena looked at him, before turning back.
He says that the only reason everyone says that is because they're annoyed they all lost to two Poisons. Joy opened her mouth to speak, before turning round as a Chansey tugged her skirt.
Nurse..? Some of the Pokémon are showing symptoms of potential toxin-induced haemophilia and tissue necrosis from multiple variations of toxins causing spontaneous amplifications of effects. Joy nodded, before speaking in a rushed voice as she left with the Chansey.
"You three are going to clean this room, and repair anything that can be repaired, then you're leaving the Centre with all of your things. Before noon!" Morgan stared as the door swung closed. There was a moment of silence before Gerald shook slightly. He belched, a small cluster of white feather spraying out over the floor, and Serena chuckled.
When did you get that bird- Morgan grabbed Serena by the back of the head, and Gerald by the body, before shaking gently.
"Focus! We have, let's see, uh… Four and a half hours to clean this room, pack our things, and leave this Centre. Gerald, clean up those feathers first of all, we'll talk about that later. Serena, get upstairs and find me my trainers. I'll go get some cleaning stuff from a Chansey. He stood, picking his way through the chaos on the floor before stepping out, followed by Serena. She turned, heading up the stairs as Morgan spoke to a Chansey nearby, ignoring the small crowd in the lobby that were glaring at him, or holding injured Pokémon.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"And next time you come back, you had better prove that your Pokémon are more behaved, and that you deserve to be in here!" Morgan flinched as Joy shouted after him, touching the two Pokeballs on his belt as most of those in the street stared at him curiously. He sighed, before slinging his backpack over his shoulders, shrugging it into a more comfortable position, and started walking down the street. After passing several blocks, he glanced to his left, seeing what looked like a bike shop. He paused, before shrugging and stepping towards it.
Several bikes were outside, secured to bike railings as examples of available colours and models; he ran his hands over one of the bikes, before turning and entering the store. A bell jingled as he opened the door, passing a few others within to step up to the desk. The man behind it looked up, smiling happily.
"Well hello there. How can I help you today?" Morgan glanced around slightly.
"Well, uh… We're in a bike shop, and you're behind the counter, so… I was curious about the bikes?" The man nodded, passing him two small leaflets from beneath the desk.
"We stock a variety of colours, these days, and recently we have upgraded our stock; although we primarily deal with our original, specialised bicycles, we can also send for an overseas delivery of the multi-gear bikes that prove more popular elsewhere." Morgan nodded slightly, opening the leaflets. One detailed an Acro bike, while the other covered the Mach bike.
"So… What sort of payment is it? Or are they out for loan, and rental?" The man smiled at him again, before gesturing to the leaflets.
"We sell our stock for the price of five hundred-thousand Pokedollars. Once one bike is purchased, provided it is returned in good condition; used bikes can be returned, you see, as long as nothing is broken, it's all been repaired and treated correctly, and you have the receipt still. Returning it within a week will get you a refund, with the amount dependent upon how used the bike is and how damaged it is, or for free you can exchange it with the bike of the other kind.
Alternatively, for those who are registered trainers, we offer a seventy-five percent discount; that means trainers pay only one hundred and twenty five thousand Pokedollars. Provided, that is, said trainer has good credit and minimal issues with their account funds. For a ten percent extra payment, and a delay of five to eight days, we can send abroad for the multi-gear bikes." Morgan nodded slowly, before tapping a leaflet.
"I like the sound of the Mach bike. Can I see one of those?" The man nodded happily, stepping out from behind the counter and entering a room at the back of the shop. He came back carrying a bundle of metal and wheels, and with several quick pulls unfolded it into the shape of a racing bike.
"All of our bikes come with this, that is the key areas can be unlocked, allowing it to fold up and fit into a backpack or satchel, with a little shoving for the latter. They're constructed from racing-grade aluminium, rendering them very light and responsive, and they are given internal structural support through cross-braces at regular intervals. The wheels for a Mach bike are constructed for the ideal speed lover, being at the point where they're thin enough for the fastest speed possible without making them too thin to be unsafe for urban use." Morgan nodded, taking the bike as the man passed it over to him; it was incredibly light, with thin wheels, and handle bars that curved down from the crossbar and back to form a shape that hands could sit in, the brakes taking the shape of a moulded grip along the handles. The crossbar of the handles had an odd, curved projection, spanning both above and below the bar a short distance.
"It's light, yeah… I could run with this on my back, easily." The man chuckled, nodding, before gesturing to the doorway."
"All of our potential customers are allowed to take the demonstration bikes and test them; so long as you stay within the city limits, of course. You could take it all around the border of Mauville, but take the bike a step outside of that and the brakes will automatically lock, as well as sounding an alarm. Take care with this one, it has a stopping distance; people have set it off on mistake, by skidding across that border." Morgan nodded, shaking the hand of the man with a grin.
"OK. I'll be careful, thanks." He turned, leaving the store and set the bike on the floor. He shook it, just to see if any parts would suddenly fold away beneath it, before stepping over and straddling it. Resting back on the seat, he had to lean forwards slightly to grip the handlebars comfortably. Looking around and checking the street was clear, he placed a foot on the pedal and kicked forwards, beginning to cycle down the street.
Within seconds he was crouching low to the bike, pedalling fast enough for a wind to whip and yank at his jacket. He grinned, glancing down at the projection of the crossbar; leaning close to it let him still see, but it also protected his eyes from the wind sheeting back over him. Approaching a corner, he turned the handlebars, almost getting thrown from the bike as it whipped around the corner faster than a Skitty darting after a laser pointer.
He wobbled from side to side, stopping the pedalling and coasting down the street, the design of the bike preventing as much speed loss as it could; the next corner he was much more careful with, leaning as he took it to keep balanced, before pedalling. After several minutes, and getting thrown off a few times, he finally walked it back into the bike shop.
"Ah, hello! How was it?" Morgan shrugged, glancing down at a slightly bent handlebar, passing the bike back slowly.
"Sorry about the handles… I, uh… Those corners…" The man nodded, waving a hand at him as he took the bike and folded it up.
"No need to worry. Everyone gets thrown from the Mach their first ride, minor damages like this are fine. We had one person walk back in with the bike in one hand, and the front wheel in the other, you know." He chuckled slightly, as Morgan pulled his Pokedex out and tapped the screen several times, calling up the balance page.
"So… What are the payment methods..?" The man stepped behind the counter, placing the folded bike on it and lifting a wrench, beginning to unscrew the handlebar.
"There are a few. We take bulk payment, which is obviously the best way if it is affordable; there is payment in segments, but that proves a little more expensive. Bike insurance is only when you have fully paid for it, and if something happens to a partially-paid bike, you'll have to fund the repairs. Of course, it's entirely up to the individual; payment in segments is also up to the buyer, because we take payments in various ranges. You could pay it in anything from ten to a hundred segments." Morgan nodded, closing the Pokedex again.
"OK… So, uh, what else is there?" With a slight grunt, and a sharp tug, the damaged handlebar popped free from the bike.
"If you decide to pay in segments, then there's a down payment to be done; one sixth of the number of payments totalled. So, let's say you decide to pay in sixty segments. One sixth of that is ten months payment, in bulk, allowing you the time of the next nine segments to raise the money for the rest of the segments." Morgan nodded, before sighing.
"Well… I'd love to get a Mach, but I don't think I can do it, even with the payment through segments. It's just such a large amount of money." The man paused, before clearing his throat.
"How many badges do you have?" Morgan slid the Pokedex into his pocket, before looking around slightly.
"None." The man nodded, placing the handlebar down on the counter.
"The majority of those who purchase a bike have at least one badge to their name. I would recommend that you come back after acquiring one, perhaps two if you prefer, in order to help. More badges means more challenges from other trainers because you've proven that you can put up a good fight, so that's more cash coming in for you." Morgan nodded, shaking the man's hand again.
"Thanks, anyway, for the help." He nodded at Morgan, before tapping the bike with the wrench.
"Whenever you're ready, you can come back to collect a bike. I wish you the best of luck." Morgan nodded, before leaving the store. Stopping outside it he sighed, before looking up as several people ran past. Frowning slightly, he turned and followed them; joining onto the back of a large group, crowding in at the windows of several nearby houses. The windows were open, and someone had pulled the TV's to the windows, turning it up for the crowds to hear.
On every TV screen was the same image; a solid, matte emerald green background, with a symbol in solid grey. On the left of the background, a volcano formed the bottom left, a jet of magma spearing up; opposite it, and leaning in at the same angle, was a whirlpool. Between them, an aeroplane was depicted, the wings bridging the two other symbols, forming a rough 'A'.
On the right, stood a single person. Standing upright with arms held in front of their body and hands clasped together at the waist upon the emerald-set pommel of a darkly stained wooden cane, they wore a pair of black, pinstripe trousers and heavily shined shoes of a green so dark it appeared black until the light caught it. Over that, a long sleeved cream shirt was worn in a perfect state, with the only creases being those along the sleeves, tucked into the trousers perfectly. The outfit was topped off with a grass-green waistcoat done up with five polished red buttons, and a mask covered the persons face; the eyes were shielded behind lenses coloured black but for a yellow circle in each; the mask was decorated in such a way it resembled the head of the Legendary, Rayquaza.
"Ladies and gentleman, do I have your attention now?" A smooth voice flowed from the TV speakers, as rich as coffee and sweet as honey; it was the voice of someone who knew exactly how to speak to a crowd and keep all of the attention. It stroked across the ears, caressed the mind, drawing attention even when it was unwanted; the crowd as helpless as the Goldeen before a baited hook.
"My name is Icarus. I am here today, in order to announce to the Hoenn region-all at once, such is my power-that a new order is coming. Everyone trusts the Elite Four, to keep the region running. After all, they are the strongest trainers, and therefore must be best at keeping the region safe. They are also recognised as being at the top of society. However, today I believe that I shall claim otherwise.
Many years ago, now, this region faced the threats of two groups of eco-terrorists. Now, I will admit that the intentions were good, and bad. Increasing the landmass is a valuable idea, as most of this planet is water, and volcanic soil is very fertile for growing. Increasing the water surface is a valuable idea, because even if we all had to live like Pacifidlog, we could get all we needed to live from the ocean resources.
But the infighting between Magma and Aqua ruined them; as did their focus not on ability, but numbers. Together, they could drag down the opponents. One to one, or even two to one with the numbers in their favour, they still lost, because they were not skilled. I have spent many years reforging the remnants of these two teams, into a stronger, better, talented force.
I am here, to announce the rise of Team Aero. The oceans are filthy and polluted with trade, ship waste, derelicts and wrecks. The land is being taken over; slowly, yes, but surely, by humans. We destroy, raze, and burn so that we may construct buildings and industries. It is very rare for humans to live in balance with this planet; Fortree and Pacifidlog are two examples. Therefore, we seek to control the only area that is still primarily untouched; the sky. Aeroplanes and zeppelins exist, but have had so little time to affect our skies.
You can choose, now. You can allow us our ways, and live happily as soon as we leave this pitiful surface; or you can resist, and be crushed beneath us. Or, for the very few trainers who can truly prove their strength, then you can seek to join us." He raised the cane in one hand, tapping the top of it to his mask.
"We are here, we are awake, and we will survive. The choice is yours, everyone. Ensure it is the correct one…" The cane dropped down with the arm, the end hitting the floor with a sharp clack, and a second later the transmission ended. The crowd looked around, murmuring anxiously. Morgan scowled, shaking his head.
"Great. Now we have to stop another group of idiots from destroying Hoenn because they've got a big opinion of their self." Several people glanced towards him, but most continued to talk anyway. He pushed through the crowd, leaving the other side, and started through the city. He had to reach at least the entrance to Route 117.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Well, how do you think it went?" As the voice spoke, a woman looked over. She wore knee-length, emerald shorts with several pockets and a sky blue crop-top that exposed her stomach. A pair of flying goggles resting on her head, holding the shoulder long hair out of her eyes while a white scarf wrapped around her neck, the two ends hanging down her back out of the way, and she nodded.
"It went great, Icarus. You really know how to talk to people." Icarus nodded, softly tapping his cane against the floor as he thought.
"I suppose. I must admit, I don't see the point in this outfit. If everyone must wear a uniform, then what is there to show we're different from the two groups that came before, hmm? We have different aims, and yet we must look and sound like them to anyone outside our group, Anya." The woman, Anya, shrugged slightly before tapping a finger to her scarf. It was decorated on both sides of her neck with a series of chevrons, a pattern formed from thick black bars and thin, blue bars.
Her scarf, in particular, had one chevron that was three fingers thick, and above it a trio of chevrons that were but a finger thick.
"Well, the fact we have a much better organisational structure is one thing, Icarus. I mean, it's obvious that I'm a higher rank than, say… That guy." She gestured to a man, walking past and wrapping up a line of thick cable; he was wearing a similar outfit, consisting of knee-length emerald shorts with multiple pockets, but instead of the crop-top wore a full shirt of the same blue, the sleeves ending at his elbows. He also had flying goggles on his head, on top of a close-cut hairstyle. A white scarf, wrapped around his neck with the loose ends hanging down his back, had three of the chevrons on the sides, each at a finger wide; rather than the straight lines on Anya's scarf, these were shaped like V's, sat one inside the other..
"To us, yes, but then we understand the meaning. I don't doubt that many people would have no clue what the number of chevrons represent. And, besides, that is beside the point Anya. They also had a system of organising; the leader, the Admins, then the Grunts. It was a hopeless expression, really, to concentrate their meagre strength into so few individuals." Anya chuckled, nodding slightly.
"Oh, and you feel that you've done better then, Icarus?" Icarus tilted his head forwards slightly, pointing at her.
"Yes, I do, Chief Marshal. I admit that we are of lower numbers than either of our predecessors; but that it beside the point. We have perhaps… three or four individuals beneath each of the Sergeants. There are five Sergeants beneath a Flight Sergeant, and each Flight Sergeant is directly below a Warrant Officer. And then we get the higher ranks; Flying Officers, Squadron Leaders, Commodores, all the way up to the two Chief Marshals…" Anya nodded, before gesturing at him.
"And then you…The Marshal of Team Aero." Icarus nodded, before glancing around. Most of the broadcasting equipment had been packed away already, the practice the team had taken before performing the broadcast easily helping before the police arrived. Abruptly, before he could speak again, there was shouting from up above. Icarus looked up, seeing a member of Aero calling down from the roof, through a window.
"Sir! Vehicles moving in from the north, with a Pokémon escort!" Icarus nodded, before turning to the side.
"Sergeant. These are your men. Give the order." The sergeant nodded, snapping out a salute before dropping the cable he held and strode forwards, shouting orders and snapping out at those who were too slow.
"I believe it is time for us to go, Chief Marshal…" Icarus turned away from the commotion in the room, pushing a pair of windows wide open. A powerful swipe of the cane broke free the framework between them, forming one large opening. He tapped the emerald at the top of his canes decorated top, and it suddenly opened up, a burst of red light revealing a Skarmory.
"Scythe. It is time to go." The Skarmory nodded, hopping onto the window ledge as Icarus climbed onto his back. Anya saluted to him, before turning away.
"I'll supervise the emergency removal of the broadcasting equipment, sir, while the squad deals with the approaching vehicles. Good luck, and may there be a tail wind for you." Icarus nodded, saluting in return, before tapping the end of his cane to Scythe's wing. With a crouch, and a jump forwards he was quickly flying away as the sounds of battle rose up suddenly.
Icarus looked back, seeing those who had gone to fight were riding their Pokémon and circling the vehicles; easily seen to belong to the police, now he was outside the building. He smiled behind the mask, watching as the Weather Institute quickly faded into the distance. The satellite, although not intended to broadcast, had done so remarkably well when re-aligned and fed a signal from inside the facility.
"Everything is falling into place, Scythe. Soon, we will care not for the ground or the ocean, but for the sky; the only place that humanity has not truly had the time to ruin. All else will fall beneath us, as Aero rule over the largest kingdom of the world in prosperity." Scythe nodded slightly, cawing in agreement as he tilted to the side and flew towards a sandstorm, just visible as the edge off the horizon.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Gerald, use Pound!" The Gulpin nodded, his body marked with several bruises, lunging forwards and swinging a glowing hand. The Roselia cried out on the impact, flying back into the grass and landing on its back. Morgan grinned, nodding as Gerald turned to face him.
"Good job. You'll get better in no time." He turned to face the trainer opposite him, who had picked up the Roselia in his arms and was carrying her. The trainer looked back up at Morgan, before standing.
"Thanks for the battle." Morgan nodded, before shaking the hand of the other trainer. The two of them removed Pokedexs from their pockets, touching the top of them together so both were screen-up.
"How much was the payment we agreed on?" Morgan asked. The other trainer tapped his screen several times, swiping upwards as the sound of coins rattling played, and several hundred Pokedollars transferred between the accounts.
"Seven hundred Pokedollars, as agreed." Morgan smiled, putting the Pokedex back in his pocket and recalled Gerald. The trainer recalled his Roselia, and closed his Pokedex.
"Good luck." Morgan nodded, replying in kind before turning and walking along the path; it wound through an area spotted with lakes, wooded areas and large patches of blossoming flowers, the air sweet with the scent of various plants.
So, why didn't you let me fight? Morgan looked at Serena, before petting her head gently.
"Because, as easily as you would have won that battle, I can't rely on you all of the time. I need to train everyone else, who I capture. After all, if I did use just you, and one day you fainted, then I would be left undefended. It's better to spread my defence through everyone, than focussing it on one." Serena rolled her eyes slightly.
Oh, so phio... philos... So... Morgan chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
"Philosophical?" Serena nodded, gently pressing her head against his hand.
Yeah, that one. I don't get why humans spend so much time trying to make sense of everything. Stuff happens, things change, there's a good reason, that's the end. But you look for reasons for the reasons, and eventually you're all just gonna work yourselves to the end. Morgan shrugged, before scratching his neck.
"Yeah, I can understand some of what you say. We know a lot about the world because we ask questions; and so do you, a lot of them, for someone who doesn't seem to mind not knowing a lot of things." Serena hissed, butting his thigh.
I don't ask like a human. I ask more about what I need to know, not what I want. Morgan smiled, before scratching under her chin gently, a slight hiss coming from Serena.
"Well, if you say so. But, anyway... I'd say we're perhaps halfway towards Vendanturf. With luck we'll get there by late afternoon. Then we'll be perhaps... two, maybe three days away from Rustboro. Certainly going to get some fights on the way, and with luck some other team members." Serena nodded, tongue flicking out gently.
Huh. You'll never guess who's up ahead, Morgan. He frowned, before looking along the path.
"Who?" Serena grinned up at him, as a loud rustling came from the trees, a second before a Mightyena lunged and tackled Moran to the floor. He barked happily, licking his face repeatedly.
It's Luke. Morgan smiled, pushing the excitable Mightyena away.
"I can tell, Serena..." He sat up, petting Luke, who nuzzled his hand and licked his cheek again.
Hi! I didn't know you were here! Morgan smiled, standing up and scratching Luke between the ears, the canine murring happily and nuzzling into the scratches.
"So... Is Beverly around somewhere?" Luke nodded, grinning up at him.
Yeah! Come on! He grabbed Morgan's hand with his mouth, careful not to break the skin, and turned to run down the path. Morgan stumbled after him, running to avoid being dragged on his butt to wherever Beverly was. He quickly failed, as Luke ran between some trees and he tripped over a fallen branch, Luke happily dragging him through the undergrowth.
"Luke, what are you doing?!" Morgan looked up to see Beverly hurrying over, as Luke sat beside him and let go of his hand, grinning wider.
I found a friend! Morgan sat up, wincing and pulling several twigs and thorns from his clothes as Serena slid between the trees to coil up beside him.
"Morgan? Are you OK?" He nodded slightly, standing and brushing his hair for any rouge plant life.
"Yeah... Although now I know how it feels to be the stick that gets thrown for a game of fetch..." Serena nuzzled his arm, hissing slightly at Luke, before Morgan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against himself.
"Don't even think of it, Serena, he wasn't trying to hurt me." She glared slightly, before licking his chin and coiling around his torso, head resting on his shoulder.
"Uh... Are you OK..?" Morgan nodded, placing a hand on a tree.
"Yeah, yeah... Just, uh... Is there somewhere I can sit down..? I think my feet are sinking into the earth..." Serena hissed in annoyance, squeezing tighter slightly as Beverly helped him over to a tree stump. Morgan sat down, groaning slightly, before rubbing Serena's back.
"So, how is your travel so far?" Beverly shrugged, before sitting beside him. Luke walked over, leaning against her and set his head on her lap. Beverly smiled, gently petting him before replying.
"Not too bad. I didn't feel like staying in Mauville, so we camped out; went in, got healed and left straight away. I'd have been further along, but Luke ate a berry that was past best and had to spend a few days in the Centre. I got a new Pokémon, too." Morgan nodded, smiling.
"Neat, so did I. A Gulpin, you?" Beverly giggled slightly.
"Of course, what else did I expect from you... I caught myself a Plusle, actually. He's an adorable little thing. I think he went out to find something to eat; he's not exactly keen on berries unless he gathers them with his own paws." Serena laughed slightly.
Well, he is a prey... They don't trust anything that they can't understand the origin of until it happens several times, or they see some other prey do it without a problem... Morgan tapped her nose with a finger, frowning.
"Serena. I've told you before. You can't just refer to them as 'prey', even if they are. It's rude, and upsets the trainer. You aren't exactly helping sometimes, to prove that Poison types aren't as bad as they're made out to be." Serena rolled her eyes, before nuzzling his cheek.
Hey, it's not my fault humans are all squeamish things who don't care about natural order. If it wasn't for the technology, or the fact you breed like Rattata, then you'd be prey just as much as a Plusle. More so, because you don't have any attacks. Morgan sighed, shaking his head.
"You just refuse to change... Fine, just be careful what you say." He turned to Beverly, shrugging slightly.
"Sorry about her..." Beverly nodded, before reaching over to pet Serena.
"Well, what can you do. She is who she is. Even if that means she'd rather eat my Pokémon than battle them, as long as you keep her on a controlled leash, there's not much trouble." Morgan nodded, gently stroking Serena's back.
"So, you have a Plusle now? I thought you would have been one to get a Roselia, or something." Beverly laughed slightly, before shaking her head.
"Nope. Roselia are pretty, but I didn't want to catch one of them. And in any case-" Her sentence was cut off as a bush nearby rustled, a Plusle stepping out. Its back was to Morgan, and in its arms were a trio of berries. It froze, ears twitching slightly as Serena hissed softly, before dropping its berries and sprinting towards Beverly, hiding behind her legs.
"Pl-Plus..!" Beverly sighed, picking up the Plusle and putting it on her lap, petting it gently.
"Morgan, this is my Plusle, who I called Edward. Edward, this is Morgan, a friend of mine, and his Pokémon Serena. She won't hurt you." Edward looked up at her, before slowly turning to face Morgan. He smiled, before reaching over and holding his hand out to Edward.
"Hey, little fella... How are you..?" Edward sniffed his hand slightly, but remained still, staring at Serena. Morgan sighed, before reaching up and petting her slightly.
"Serena, stop staring. You're scaring the little guy." Serena rolled her eyes slightly, before looking away.
Not my fault I stare. It's just what happens. I mean, it's easy enough to do. Stare into the eyes, hold it, and let their fear steal away any thoughts of resisting. You humans always say that we snakes can hypnotise our prey, but that's a lie. It's just a trance; if I look away for a second it's over. I can show you if you want. Morgan shook his head, before pushing her head aside and down to his lap.
"Nope. And stay down there. I think it will be better if you don't have your head up above him in a striking position." Serena blinked slightly, her tail flicking in surprise.
You caught that? Morgan nodded, stroking along her neck.
"Yes. Don't forget what I've seen you do, Serena, I know most of your kinks and behaviours. Head up high, staring at them, and that tensing in your coils, you were getting ready to lunge." A nervous chuckle slipped from Serena, before she closed her eyes and relaxed.
"Was she really going to do it?" Morgan shook his head, before picking up the berries and placing them beside Edward. The Plusle looked up at him, before slowly taking a berry and sniffing it, taking a small bite.
"No. Well, maybe. I'd have stopped her, sure, if she had tried. I've done what I can to keep her... Civil... With others, but she's wild at heart. All Pokémon are, really, some more than others. Don't forget when we were talking and she tested you. She's probably seeing how well Edward would do in a threatening situation. I'd guess that she's just working out how to judge him." Beverly nodded, before hesitating slightly.
"...Did... You see the broadcast..?" Morgan paused, before nodding.
"Yeah. How did you see it?" Beverly lifted her Pokedex, flipping it open.
"Wireless, remember? It picked up the signal and played it. The display was pretty pixelated, but I heard it clearly. I don't know what to do... Last time this happened, they woke Legendaries, and it took a lot of trainers across the whole region to beat them... I mean, everyone knows there was that one trainer who really led the fight, but the only reason they did it was because of all the Leaders and trainers who they inspired..." Morgan sighed, before nodding.
"Yeah, but... This time it's different. The one who lead the last fight against a group of madmen isn't here anymore. They left the region to take up training and adventuring in other regions, and they haven't appeared since. We're on our own, and relying on the League and the police."
I just don't get why a human could be so arrogant to do that to a Legendary. I mean, dressing as one? That's so disrespectful! Morgan turned to Serena, eyebrow quirked in curiosity.
"Really? You consider that disrespectful? You never had a problem before with people doing that." Serena shook her head, tapping the point of her blade to his chest.
If a human dresses as one of them in a celebration, like those parades or useless little contests your kind love, that's different. That's them using the Legendary as an icon of power, or strength, beauty or whatever fits the time. It's an act of respect. What that human is doing, is abusing Rayquaza's image. Taking the Legendary with true control of the air and sky, and twisting it to fit what he wants. It's using a being of power to further goals that would never be supported, and it will not end well. Beverly nodded slightly, looking up at the sky through the tree branches.
"Hubris... The biggest thing that a human can do when looking for power is try to control what they can't... " Morgan sighed, before nodding in return.
"This is getting too depressing. We should be talking about other things, not this. Not now. I doubt that this group will be trouble, especially after what was learned from the last two."Beverly nodded, before checking her Dex again.
"Well, it's not too late... I suppose we can walk for a little longer. Where are you heading after the next town?" Morgan nodded, unwrapping Serena and standing. Beverly did so as well, Edward sitting on her shoulder as Luke stretched and stood.
"Well, we were thinking of heading down to Rustboro. It's gonna be tough, but... The sooner we fight her, the weaker her team will be overall, especially considering that the more Badges you collect the more Pokemon you have to fight." Beverly nodded, beginning to walk with her back slung over one shoulder. Morgan pulled his on, keeping pace beside her.
"Yeah, that makes sense. We were going to pass through Rustboro first, take the ferry to Dewford Island. I was really considering that I should catch a Taillow, or a Wingull on the way; get a good team base started, train and get the Badge after." Morgan nodded, smiling slightly.
"I still don't know why you plan to train a variety. You're pretty skilled with Dark-types." Beverly laughed lightly, shaking her head at him.
"Because I want a balanced team; something to counter everything. It's a lot more open for battling and different tactics compared to single type teams like yours. I know there are dual-types out and about, but honestly there aren't enough Darks like that to make a viable team in this region..." Morgan nodded, before looking down as Luke nuzzled his leg, a large stick held in his mouth.
Wanna play? Morgan chuckled, before pulling the stick away and throwing it, Luke bounding after it with a bark of eagerness.
"He's still a big puppy. How do you deal with him?" Beverly shrugged, before gesturing after Luke.
"The way you do really. I play a lot and it keeps his energy level controlled. Sure, he tires me out, but he'll calm down as he gets older." Morgan nodded, as Luke barrelled towards him with the stick hanging from his mouth. Morgan smiled, taking it with a slight tug and throwing it once more.
You know, speaking of exercise I can give him a good run-around. Just let me take after him. Morgan shook his head, petting her slightly.
"No, he's fine. Let him run around on his own. It's easier, and I can trust that he won't end up being bitten." Serena let out a slight hiss, a wounded expression on her face.
Morgan, you really don't trust me to not help him run? Morgan shook his head, before petting her.
"No. Because you'll encourage him by trying to fight him. You stay here, OK?" Serena sighed, grumbling quietly before laying her head on top of Morgans head. Her fangs rested just in front of his ears, preventing her from sliding off, as Beverly laughed.
"It looks like you're hearing a hate and scarf..." Morgan shrugged, before scratching Serena's head gently.
"Yeah, well, as long as she doesn't scratch me with her fangs, she can stay there." Beverly nodded, as they continued to walk along for another hour or so, taking it in turns to throw the slowly degrading stick that Luke would keep bringing back to them. Eventually, he walked up to them and dropped it, panting heavily.
"Well, I guess this is far enough then... We should camp here for the night." Morgan nodded, shrugging Serena off onto the floor and stretching.
"Alright. Let's get the tents up, then we can see about getting a fire up and food going." He looked up at the sky, the clouds stained a burnt orange by sunset, before turning to Serena.
"Take Gerald, OK? I want you to explain to him what I expect when it comes to you two eating. No more mistakes, no accidents, and no mysterious disappearing Plusle during the night." Serena sighed, nodding slightly before taking the ball he passed her between her jaws, leaving the clearing they had stopped in. Shrugging his backpack off, he unclipped some straps holding a waterproofed bag to its side and opened it to tip out a large mass of similar material and several metal poles.
"So... What exactly do you mean by getting food going? Will we be making those two stuff, or are they gonna eat out there?" Morgan shook his head, trying to clip two of the poles together repeatedly as they just sprung apart again.
"No. I expect them to complain or argue about the lack of fresh food, but I have the supplies to feed them what they should eat since they aren't wild. But I would suggest you keep your Pokemon in their balls tonight. Gulpin can eat surprisingly large things in one go, and he's been caught for a day or so." Beverly nodded, the frame of her own tent already set up, and began pulling the material over it. Morgan sighed, jamming the frames together and twisting it into place, only to have it spring open again.
"Damnit..." He grabbed the poles, jamming them into the floor in a rough square shape before hooking the material to drape over the top of it. Beverly looked over, laughing slightly at the make-shift shelter.
"Want some help?" Morgan sighed, before nodding slightly.
"Sure. I'll start the fire going then." He crossed to a point of equidistance for the two tents, scraping a foot over the floor to remove any loose twigs, leaves and grass until it was bare mud. Scavenging several large stones to form a ring around the mud, he finally stood and scratched his head.
"Well, that's ready. Now we just have to get some sticks and leaves for kindling." Beverly nodded, stepping back from a now-assembled tent.
"There." Morgan shook his head, crouching to grab several twigs and branches off the floor.
"How did you do that?" Beverly turned round, picking up a handful of leaves, the shed plant-life crinkling and rustling from dryness.
"Well, I'd guess that unlike you I practiced with the tent at home so I could get it up fast." Morgan smirked, piling the sticks into the makeshift fire area and scooping some more up.
"Well, I had more important things to do..." He and Beverly quickly stocked the fire area with dried sticks and leaves. Reaching into his backpack, Morgan pulled out a whetstone and file. Looking up at a curious stare, he shrugged and crouched beside the kindling.
"Serena uses them to keep her fangs and tail sharp. Figured with some luck I can scrape metal over stone and get sparks." He placed the file on the whetstone, dragging it down in a swift movement. A grating sound filled the air, along with a small puff of stone powder, but no sparks. He sighed, trying it again, getting the same result.
"Well, that doesn't seem to work... Guess I need to find a flint..." Beverly sighed, shaking her head.
"Didn't you plan much of this out?" Morgan rolled his eyes, standing and repacking the stone and file in his backpack.
"I planned it, it just seems that it won't work. Not my fault." Beverly chuckled, before reaching into her own bag and passing him a lighter. He nodded as he took it, flicking back the lid and thumbing the wheel to spark up a flame. Touching it to the leaves saw them quickly burn, and he blew on them gently. Most of the leaves burned fast as he closed the lighter, with the fire burning at a slow rate underneath all the twigs.
He passed her the lighter, sitting back and opening his backpack, pulling out a can of soup and a penknife. Folding out one of the arms he cranked it up and down, peeling back the can top and sitting it on one of the stones to heat up. Beverly chuckled, empting her own can into a medium-sized metal bowl with a loop of metal over it. Fitting a forked branch to the loop she dug it into the floor, suspending the bowl over the twigs.
"You really do show off don't you." Beverly shrugged, tapping the bowl with a finger.
"I just thought about what I would need." Picking up a stick she poked the flame, moving the twigs about. After several seconds a tongue of fire snaked up and about, and the remaining kindling soon turned into a crackling fire, warming them and the food. Morgan smiled, nodding slightly and laying back on the floor.
"Well... Once this is cooked, I guess we'll feed our teams, deal with any problems... Talk for a while and then turn in for the night." She nodded, looking into the fire as Morgan stared up at the sky, clouds of dark red and edged in purple drifting across the sky. Smiling, he closed his eyes and prepared to wait for the return of his team, the food and finally sleep.