Yoru Hana

Episode 3

Water Lily

Thank you everyone for the kind reviews! Let me give you hugs!

And I am really sorry for being late.

The day when Paul brought the twins to the lab was the day the twins first got their mission. Well it was technically Dawn who got the mission due to the fact Arun was inside his sister and the professor hurriedly sent them to Ara* to observe the weapon factory located there.

"Please do not tell me I need to bring all of them." Paul said. The others shot him a look but Paul didn't care. He never cared about what others thought of him anyway.

"You are only going to bring two. Drew and May again?" Professor asked.

"No I don't want to see them being lovey-dovey all over." Paul said immediately and observed the others.

"I will bring Ketchum and Berlitz." Paul said.

"But we need to observe this young lady, Paul. You know-"

"After what you've done to her and us you think you have the rights to do that?" Paul asked in a very harsh voice.

Professor Shinji flinched and didn't say anything He guided Drew and May into the lab, leaving Paul, Dawn and Ash with Chloe.

"You guys are okay, right? Ash do you need an examination?" Chloe asked with kind voice.

"No I'm fine. What about you, Dawn?" Ash asked the blunette.

"What's examination?" She asked in small voice. Chloe heard this, "It's to check if there's anything wrong in you. Like side effects and things like that." She said.

"She can take Ash's medicine. They are all same anyway. We will be back less than three days." Paul said. He told the others that they were leaving but Dawn stopped Paul.

"Can't we leave tomorrow? I'm really tired from all those traveling and stuff."

"You slept on the way here." Paul said with the cold voice of his.

"Please? I need to ask about that to professors as well!" Dawn pleaded but Paul, with a harsh glared, said no once more and they were already heading out the lab. Paul ignored Dawn's complaint and all the swearing she threw at him. Paul sighed, he blew a whistle and stopped walking, making Dawn bump into him.

"Hey, what was that about?" Dawn asked but when she heard the cry of raven over her head she looked up. There was the biggest raven she'd ever seen in her life. It squawked with the terrible of it and glided down toward Paul, sitting on his shoulder.

"Wow…" Dawn exclaimed.

"Hey, where have you been?" Ash asked, clearly happy to see the creature.

"What is this?" Dawn asked.

"Bam, say hello to Dawn Berlitz." Ash said with cheery voice.

The raven squawked loudly as if it was doing Ash's request.

"What is this guy?" Dawn asked, scratching the raven's chin. It made croaking sound of happiness.

"Bam. My pet raven." Paul answered. Bam croaked in agreement.

"What does it do?"

"Anything I ask it to do."

"Do I get one too?" Dawn asked, hope in her voice.

"Unfortunately no. Even I don't get one. And don't try to control Bam. He doesn't listen to anyone but Danchou." Ash said.

"He doesn't listen to you because you are an idiot." Paul said as he glared at the raven haired boy.

Ash frowned. But he didn't complain to Paul. Or protested. He knew what was going to happen when Paul's coal black eyes flashes in darker shade of black.

As they walked down the street toward the station Dawn saw what was across the river. It was morning but the place was still shining bright. It looked like it was glittering. Dawn was mesmerized by the beauty of the region that she stopped to stare at it. Paul heard the footsteps behind him stop and turned around. When he saw where she was staring at he frowned and walked up to her.

"Hey, we need to go. We don't have any time to waste." Paul said as he reached for her wrist but stopped. He paused. Then he grabbed her shoulder to push her away. Dawn didn't protest, she just kept staring at the place shining like a diamond.

"I wonder what that place is." She whispered.

"Creation of Satan. Now stop staring at it and walk properly." Paul pushed her back once more.

Dawn frowned, "I will! I will! Now stop with the pushing. I can walk alone fine by myself." She said as she raised her pace and walked ahead of Paul, catching up Ash who was too occupied with eating a bread that he didn't notice Paul and Dawn the line.

They bought the direct ticket to Ara. Paul rested his head on the back of the chair with his eyes closed. Dawn sat in front of him and stared at him. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep. That grouchy frown was gone, he was inhaling and exhaling the air with his mouth open slightly. She almost found him rather handsome. She quickly shook her head when she realized what she was thinking.

'May I come out?' She then realized that her brother was not outside her and allowed him to sit beside her. Dawn and Arun stared at each other for a moment and Arun smiled to let her feel relieved. Ash, who was sitting next to Paul, stared at Arun like he was a ghost.

"I want to take a break." Arun said and closed his eyes to fall asleep. Dawn sighed and stared out the window. She wondered what kind of thing was waiting for her at Ara. She heard that it was beautiful.

"Ash." Dawn called.

"Huh?"

"Have you ever been to Ara before?" Dawn asked. Ash blinked, he closed his eyes and wrinkles formed on his forehead and he shook his head after a moment.

"I think Paul's been there." Ash said pointing to the guy sleeping next to him. Dawn glanced at the purple haired man and decided to just wait until she get there. She didn't want to wake up the sleeping lion. She decided to go to sleep to save up some energy until the staff comes down to wake them up for a meal.

…

She brushed her orange hair and looked around. She wondered if she was going to tie her hair into her usual carrot top or a ponytail. Wait, she was going into the water, why was she even considering who she looks? The water's possibly going to ruin them all anyways. She decided to just give up on her hair and stood up from the toilet seat and checked herself in the mirror again.

She walked out of the house and headed to the gym nearby. She glanced at the huge grey building far away. It was a factory. For what purpose? She didn't know. But if it was for a good purpose the government would have announced it. Since they didn't it was possibly something for going against the Revolt. She knew the government was thinking about eliminating the revolt rather than to fix the problem that caused the Revolt to form.

She hated the government.

She hated everyone related to them.

She sometimes hated her dad as well.

She couldn't understand why he was working for the government. If she was he she would've escaped from that madness and get a new job.

She inhaled and exhaled, calming herself down and walking straight forward to the gym.

When she arrived she changed into sky blue swimsuit and walked to the pool where kids were waiting for their teacher. She clapped her hands to get their attention.

"Okay class, good morning!"

…

The station was located on the middle of the flower meadow. It was a great way to make the tourist feel how beautiful the meadow was but the town was pretty far away. It was long enough to make the people get sick of the meadow and never want to come back again.

"But it's a good thing for us. The factory is closer this way. 30-minuute walk is reduced to 15-minute walk!" Ash said like a tour guide.

"Who are you even talking to?" Paul asked while frowning at Ash.

"To Berlitz, duh!" Ash said with the giggle that annoyed Paul.

"Whatever. Just, shut up." Paul said as he walked down from the platform to the small trail that leads opposite way from the town. It was hardly a trail since it was covered with grass and flowers. It was clear that not a lot of people use this. Paul stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants and led the way. Dawn followed the next and then Ash.

"I don't know why they sent us to check on weapons. The researchers should know better than us." Ash said, eating a doughnut.

"Don't complain anything on me you idiot, we just follow the orders from above. And is there any disadvantage to know about the weapons we use?" Paul asked sharply.

"Well, no… But-"

"Then shut up."

Ash opened his mouth to say something but shut himself by stuffing the rest of the doughnut into him. Dawn pitied Ash. Why is he so powerless around the leader? Are Drew and May like him as well? Drew didn't seem to be that nervous around Paul that much. Neither did May but why Ash….?

Dawn shook her head and sighed, Arun was telling her to stop thinking it was making his head feel sick.

"We are almost there. You see that building over there?" Paul pointed at the building which was closer to them now.

"You know we were able to see that building since we were at the station." Dawn pointed out.

"You can now see the symbol now." Dawn looked at the building and examined it. There was the huge symbol, it was huge golden circle with hollow center, capital N was attached to it in the middle. Each end of the letter on the circle. The symbol of the government.

"I've never seen that symbol that big." Dawn said. Amazement in her voice.

"You saw that symbol a lot, haven't you?" Paul asked and Dawn nodded.

"In the cover of the textbook, yes I've seen it." Dawn answered.

"You went to school?" Ash asked, eating a biscuit.

"Yes…?" Dawn answered, not sure why he was asking the sort of question.

"Lucky you." He mumbled. Dawn was about to ask the meaning but didn't get the chance since they reached the building.

"Halt!" The guards armed with guns and armor and things like that aimed the pistol toward them.

"We are here for Professor Shinji's request. You are not going to shoot the valuable guests, are you?" Paul asked, which sounded rather violent. The guards lowered the gun, apologized and let them in. Dawn was amazed at the size of the factory. It was at least five stories building and was big enough to put the whole cattle in her town there. And the people, and houses. It was just that big.

There was a lady with a clipboard waiting for them with worried look on her face. When Paul walked up to her she introduced herself-name was Charlotte, and told them she will be the guide around the factory and will eventually bring them to Archie, the head of the factory.

"I don't need the damn tour around this factory. Just take us to Archie. I don't have any time to waste." Paul glared at the woman who laughed nervously and gulped. She then guided the three to the deepest part of the factory.

While on the way there, she looked down from the skywalk to see what the factory was making. She couldn't see all of them. But she could see some cannon balls, shot guns, and few objects she couldn't recognize. Was it because she was stupid or was it because they were things she didn't have to know about?

"Hey, Ash." Dawn called.

"Hhhm?" Ash asked, his mouth filled with muffins.

"Do you know the weapons they are making down there?" Ash glanced down, blinked and swallowed the food inside his mouth.

"Most of them are chemical weapons and some were you know, guns and things like that. Well I am not a scientist so I can't know what those chemicals are from up here." Ash said.

"Well, thanks." Dawn said and she quickened her pace along with Ash to catch up with Paul.

Charlotte slashed the card in the slot and the door opened.

"Sir Archie is in the room at the end of the corridor." She said and stepped to the side. Paul ignored her and walked straight toward into the dark corridor. Dawn and Ash followed him. The door closed behind them, leaving them inside.

"Look at this!" Ash exclaimed as he rushed toward the portrait hanging on the wall.

"Don't touch anything." Paul said with harsh voice.

"I wa0sn't going to touch anything!" Ash protested.

"Shush it Ketchum." Paul growled. Ash whimpered.

Dawn examined the corridor. It was all red. On the floor was red carpet guiding them, red wall with portraits hanging on it. And there was mahogany cabinet or a table on every 5 meters. Each of them had a vase on top of it with different designs. It would have seem more beautiful if the corridor wasn't so dark and it was covered in red.

They walked through the corridor that almost seemed to be endless until they reached the door. The door which took up the whole wall, made out of wood and shaped like a chocolate to Dawn. Paul politely, which was unlikely of himself, knocked the door and waited for it to open. The door opened itself with a creepy creaking sound. Paul pushed it further and gestured the others to enter the room.

Dawn imagined a huge office, the ones that she sees on TV shows and things like that. But it was smaller than her imagination which didn't fit the size of the door. It was big, just not big as she thought it would be. She looked around, the wall was filled with blue prints and idea notes and things like that. All of them weapons, like bombs, missiles, bullets, things like that.

In the middle of the room there was a huge desk. And standing in front of the desk was a bulky man with black beard and hair. He looked like a pirate to Dawn. The man spread his arms to welcome them.

"Welcome everyone, I am Archie, the charge of all the weapons in the factory." He said with very loud voice. He held out his hand.

"Paul Shinji. I am here to check on the number of weapon you can sell to us." Paul said, grabbing Archie's hand to shake.

Archie brought Paul to the computer and started to show what kinds of weapon they are currently available. Paul's emotion in his eyes didn't change at all. They were still, calm, collected, and cold. Dawn could see that he has been through this kinds of things a lot. But acting like shopping for weapon is same as shopping for grocery, it didn't seem right to Dawn.

"Hey Ash?"

"What is it?"

"Is this factory legal?"

Ash nodded, "Its run by the government, of course it is legal." He said munching down the chocolate chip cookie.

"Why would government do this?"

"Because we are right before the war." Paul said walking over to them.

"War?"

"You might not know, living in a place like Azena but yes, we are about to face a war."

"Why?" Dawn asked, so curious she decided to get over the fact Paul insulted her town.

"You will learn details later. We are out of here. The deal is done."

"Positive or negative?" Ash asked.

"Positive. Now move out." Paul said shoving them out of the door. Dawn turned around slightly and saw Archie waving goodbye at her. She was about to wave back but it was too late. The door closed behind her and Paul literally pushed them out of the factory and they headed to the station. Dawn gulped and looked up at Paul,

"Paul, is it okay if we visit the town? Please?" Paul glared down at her. Dawn laughed nervously.

"Fine. But only few hours." He said.

"Really? Thank you!" Dawn said giving him a hug which she got pushed away the second she hugged him.

"Don't touch me." Paul said viciously. Dawn slightly whimpered.

"Okay, I'm sorry." She said and the three walked toward the town. No one asked Ash's opinion because Ash seemed too excited at the thought of eating Ara's famous lasagna.

…

The orange haired girl stepped out of the girl's locker room, dressed casually and walked down the gym's hallway. When she stepped right out of the gym, the sunshine tickled the skin of her.

She headed off to home, thinking how boring her life is. She wanted some excitement in her life. After all, she did have some extraordinary powers. She smiled but it soon faded because both of them were pretty useless except for the time when she rescues the poor kids who drowns.

She heard some noisy sound and looked around. There she saw three people, one was really tall. With messy purple hair, tanned skin and mean looking eyes, he was hardly talking. One was really short, she had blue hair and sparkling blue eyes and ivory skin. She looked very happy and excited to be here. The last one was a boy with raven hair and was munching down a croquette while talking to the girl. She found the raven haired boy pretty cute. She felt her face becoming warm, she slapped her cheek lightly and tried to think of something else.

She kept going toward the direction of the house and felt something tap her shoulder and turned around, only to find the handsome raven haired boy.

"Excuse me, do you know where they sell perfume or you know, things like that? Berlitz there is being girly over there but we just can't find one." He said then took a bite of his food.

"Uh, it's kind of hard to explain so I will guide you there." She heard herself saying.

"Oh really? That's so kind of you!" He said with goofy smile. And some of the food flied out of his mouth and landed on the ground. She stepped back a little. Trying not to get food on her clothe.

"Oops. Sorry about that." The boy apologized with another of his goofy smile. The girl smiled a little.

"Berlitz! Danchou! This girl said she would guide us to the store!" The boy shouted to get his companions' attention. Soon the tall dude and the short girl walked up to them.

"Hi there!" The blue haired girl said cheerily as she waved her hand.

"Hello." She said back.

"I'm Dawn Berlitz. This is Paul Shinji and that is Ash Ketchum." Dawn introduced the other two. Paul didn't say anything but to glare at her. Dawn told him to stop glaring.

"I am Misty Waterflower, nice to meet you." The girl said.

"Your name is really pretty!" Dawn exclaimed. Misty blushed a little. She wasn't used to hearing such a compliment.

"Well, thank you."

"I was wondering, what kind of job do you have?" Dawn asked. She never got the chance to get one.

"I teach swimming lessons at the pool over there." Misty said. This grabbed Paul's attention.

"I used to be a chef's assistant." Ash said, thinking of the days back then. When he got scolded for eating so many food.

"Really? Why did you quit?" Misty asked but Ash didn't answer. He just glanced at Paul.

"What about you Paul? What job do you have?" Misty asked curiously.

"I don't have one." Paul answered. "And I was also wondering, do you have any ability related to your job?" Paul asked, not giving a chance for Misty to question Paul's answer.

"Ability?" Misty flinched a bit.

'Bingo.' Paul thought in his mind.

"Well, like, what kind of ability?" Misty asked.

"I don't know. Maybe you can breathe underwater?" Paul asked. Misty bit her lips. Paul looked around, luckily for them there weren't many people around.

"You are the 7th." He said. When Misty was about to question about it he created an illusion field with them standing on the middle of an island. A very small one. One false move you will fall into the deep ocean.

Misty shrieked. "What's wrong? I thought you can breathe underwater." Paul said with a smirk.

"Get me out of here!" Misty demanded. Paul's smirk disappeared, "Make me."

With that Misty threw a powerful punch toward him, which he dodged. By the sound of it and the speed, he knew that he would be knocked out with one hit. And Professor wouldn't be so happy with that. He readied himself into a combat. Behind him was the ocean he created and in front of him was the only one with two abilities.

Seeing her that she won't attack made him think of two things. One, she is not used to combat. Two, he can win this.

He created another illusion of him standing there and punched her elbow. Not too hard, but enough to let her guard down. She fought back by punching him in the chest. The illusion disappeared quickly and she then realized that she was fooled.

"What do you want from me?" Misty asked, grabbing the punched spot.

"We never expected to meet the seventh one." Ash mumbled.

"She's one of us! Yay, that means more friends!" Dawn cheered. Misty stared at the blunette like she was crazy.

"Can you please explain? I think my head is going to explode." Misty pleaded as she crouched down on the ground.

Paul knelt down on one knee and his black eyes turned even darker as he showed the illusion only to her. Ash knew what he was showing. The vision, the lost memory. He still doesn't remember it now. The explosion, how he got away. Still a mystery that needed to be solved.

"You are one of us now. Stand up." Paul said as he stood up. Misty did as she was told. She bit her lips.

"I can't go."

"Do you want to die?" Paul asked, raising his eyebrow. Misty didn't want to go. She loved her life here. Yet she needed to go to return to this life. She stood up with shaking legs.

"Pack your stuff and meet me at the station in an hour." With that the trio left. Misty stared at the ground with tears in her eyes. She returned home and started to pack her things. She told her mom that she won't be home for a while, that it was severely important that she just couldn't miss it. She kissed her mother goodbye and left the house and walked down to the station as slowly as she could.

When she reached the station the trio was waiting for her.

"Hi!" Dawn waved her hand at her. Misty waved back and walked up to them.

"Hey there." Ash said. Misty felt her cheek burn slightly.

"So you came." Paul said. Misty growled low. She looked away from him.

"The train is going to arrive soon. Be ready." Paul stood up from the bench. And soon enough the train entered the station. They got on the train. Misty turned around for the last time to get the final view of her beloved town. As she went to take the seat the train left. She closed her eyes, suppressed her desire to look at the town and fell asleep.

Dawn looked at her and turned back to Paul.

"Pa-, I mean, Danjang?" Paul raised his brow.

"I will join." She said and Paul nodded.

"Wise choice, Berlitz." He said and looked out the window.

Terribly sorry for being terribly late.

I had mid-term exam, and lots of things going around. I'm planning on new fanfic, not Pokemon though.

It would be very nice if you people review.

Current members

Paul Shinji

Drew Hayden

May Maple

Ash Ketchum

Dawn Berlitz

Arun Berlitz

Misty Waterflower

Please review!