Chapter 2

*Pit*Pat*Pit*Pat

Tsunami listened to the sound of the raindrops falling from the cavern's ceiling into the trickle below. He sat up, pulling himself off the hard cave floor. Aero was asleep, roosting on a small rock outcropping. He stood up, then quietly walked over to the water, and bent down. He cupped his hands into the flow, and washed his face, then wiped it on his cloak. A opening in the ceiling lit a small portion of the cave with moonlight.

"Well well. You're up awfully early."

He stood up. "I never fell asleep."

The sorceress chuckled. "What? I don't bite. You don't need to be scared."

"Maybe not." He looked into the flow, then realized that he could see the reflections in the water. Hmm… "You know," he began, "Why don't you want to be seen? You told us, but… well, we don't even know you."

"Because I know that you're like every guy outside; selfish, ignorant, shallow. So I stay hidden. And if any guy tries crossing me, I brainwash him. After collecting supplies for my magic, of course."

"Supplies?"

"Oh yes." He heard her chuckle. "Poochyena spit, Pikachu hair, you name it."

"Oh," he said, trying to coax her to come closer. "Are there any materials you need from a Vaporeon?"

"Hmm… no. Actually, there is one very interesting thing I do need. It's rather different; Vaporeon blood."

He rested his hand on the hilt of his blade.

"I know you're trying to coax me over the water, and I'm not going to fall for that."

"Actually, I wasn't. I was using your voice to pinpoint your location. It appears you have stopped moving." With a wave of his arms, a glob of water flew at the mysterious pokemon, and she screeched as the water hit her.

"You little bastard! I treat you and your friend with hospitality and you get me wet?" She growled gently. "Time for you to learn my power."

And all off sudden, three Vaporeons like himself rose from the water. They ran straight at him, and Tsunami pulled out his blade, cutting through them, realizing they were fake. He felt a blow on his side knock him down, but couldn't grab her in time.

"Too slow. I always heard Vaporeons are the slowest of the Eeveelutions. You know, both mentally and physically," she taunted.

Tsunami pulled himself to his feet, feeling a bruise forming on his left side. "I will find out who you are! As far as I know, you could be lying to me."

She laughed. "Hah! In your dreams, bastard!" From the ceiling came some Zubats, but Tsunami knew they were a decoy. He stayed still and listened for the subtle footsteps of another Pokemon, and spun around. He landed a satisfying thwack on her side, and heard her yelp as she retreated. "Ow! Don't hit a girl!"

He watched as a bolt of lightning came racing to him from the shadows, but, knowing it was likely an illusion, jumped straight into it. It was an illusion, and he felt the mysterious pokemon's warm body under his hands. She tried struggling, but it was to no avail.

"Now, let's see that pretty face everyone talks about."

"Please don't rape me," she whimpered. "I'm sorry for attacking you!"

He sighed. "I don't want any of that stuff. I just want to know who you are really."

The female stopped struggling as he dragged her out into the light. "Promise?"

"Of course." Then he finally saw who the illusionist was; her eyes were gorgeous amber, like the first streaks or sunlight racing across the morning sky. Her fur was a lighter color, a much lighter shade of the sunrise, but equally perfect pink. Her forked tail was twitching gently, while she downed a black dress whose bottom was gently torn. Her face was very young; he was certain she was younger than him.

She brushed some fur out of her eyes. "I know that look in your eyes."

He shook his head, then said, "Well, they weren't lying. You are stunning!"

She sighed. "I hate that everyone says that about me. Here, step into the moonlight. In the dark, I could barely make out your shape. Let me see you better." He stepped into the moonlight, and she looked at him. "Hmm… I've never met another Eeveelution…"

"Nor have I," he added quickly. "Well, at least not since I've awoken."

"Are… how old are you? I'm "

"I don't know. I have no idea."

She stepped back into the shadows. "You've got your wish. Go back to sleep."

"Alright… do we still have to leave by morning?"

She nodded. "I'm afraid so, Tsunami. I would appreciate you not go out and tell everyone I'm an Espeon. As you know, many guys would love to take me as a mate, and, well, the fact that they don't know what do expect discourages many of them."

He looked at the lonely young psychic-type. "Do you want to come with us?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, but I won't go out to be swarmed by hordes of guys." She chuckled. "Better I stay in these shadows."

"Oh." He felt a stab of disappointment. "I-fine. Wait. You want to talk a little?"

She paused. "Talk? About what?"

"Well, you. You seem lonely…"

"I do?"

The two of them sat in the darkness, and he could barely make out her shape. "So… you're Lily. Just making sure, you're not casting an illusion of an Espeon on yourself, are you?"

"No. I swear."

"Anyways, what's your background."

He watched her dark figure brush hair from her eyes again. "My family is from Enlau. When I was 10, my parents both died of sickness."

"Oh. I'm… I'm sorry to hear that."

He heard a drop of water land on the ground, and realized they were her tears. "I'm sorry for crying… it's just… I haven't talked to anyone like this in so long," she confessed.

"It's okay."

She sniffled softly, then said, "After that, I split my time working and learning magic, to try make a living. My teacher said I was a natural at illusions. I was happy, a young Eevee. But then I evolved; I became what I am now. When I was an Eevee, people would look at me and think, 'Look at that cute Eevee.' Now, they want me as a trophy wife." Anger edged her voice. "I was going to have to get married away to keep training. Instead of being married away to a man I hated, I decided to run away to this cave."

He knew not what to say to her, so he just held her hand softly, and felt her look at him.

"Thanks, Tsunami." She sniffled, then said, "You should be going to sleep."

"You should be coming with us." He felt her let go of his hand, then back into the cave. He heard her voice echo, "I wish I could come…"

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"And?" Aero and Tsunami continued walking in the daylight. "Did you ever find out what kind of Pokemon she was?"

Tsunami shook his head. "No. It was too dark. But I felt her. I offered that she could join us-"

"WHAT? A GIRL JOIN US?" The flying type laughed. "That's funny, Tsunami. But really…"

"I wasn't kidding. I talked with her… she seemed kind… and lonely."

"You sound like you're developing a liking for her… I mean, what if she's an ugly old hag?"

"No she isn't! She's a beautiful…" He stopped himself.

Aero shot him a suspicious glance, then said, "Whatever."

The two of them had left the cave a few hours back, right as the sun had set. Apparently, Lily had been a little lenient about them leaving before sunrise. Aero had started leaving the cave, but Lily had stepped out of the shadows right as Tsunami left, and the two had a brief exchange.

"You sure you don't want to come with us?"

"I'm sure, but… Tsunami?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I did enjoy talking to somebody. I mean, maybe you could come visit sometimes?"

He nodded before strapping Orcahilum to his belt. "Of course."

She gave him a quick hug, then said, "Good luck finding out about your past."

And as he left the cave, he had felt her amber eyes watching him.

"Tsunami? Hello?" Aero snapped him out of the daydream. "Huh?"

"There's a town coming up ahead. You want to stop there?"

"Yeah. We'll pick up some supplies. I found some money in my cloak earlier today. We can get some stuff to eat."

"Yeah, I've got some too. I…"

"Hey, hands up!" A loud voice shouted from behind the two of them. They both turned around to see a Shinx behind them. "I heard you two say you had some money. Well, hand it over!" His eyes glimmered dangerously, like he had stuffed himself on the sugar of berries. He had a knife in one hand that glinted in the sunlight, while he donned a cape. "C'mon, hand it over."

Aero and Tsunami exchanged glances. "Alright…" Aero put his hands into his satchel around his neck, and the Shinx watched hungrily.

Tsunami, carefully watching the Shinx's eyes, rested a hand on the hilt of his sword. Then, with a flash, he slashed his liquid blade across the Shinx. The Shinx jumped back, but was caught across the cheek.

"Fuck!" The electric-type cussed loudly, then launched a small bolt of lightning at Tsunami.

Tsunami rolled to the side, then sprayed a stream of water at the electric type, who fell over. The Shinx got up, then tried launching a thunderbolt again, but fainted immediately.

"Wh-what was that?" asked Aero curiously.

"One thing many Pokemon do not realize is that electric types will short themselves out if you spray them. True fact." He wiped his slightly bloody blade on the grass.

Aero nodded slowly. "I guess… but they still have the type advantage…"

"True." They both looked at the unconscious electric type. "We'll just leave him," stated Tsunami before sheathing his sword, and walking towards the village.

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"So Tsunami, how are those noodles?" asked Aero.

The two had decided to eat at a noodle shop in the village. "Actually, it's pretty good. Nice saltiness, but not overdone. Plus the berries spice it perfectly."

"I know. Hey!" Aero waved a wing, and one of the workers nodded. "Another one for me, please!"

"Tea with that?"

"Yeah, why not?" Aero turned back to the Vaporeon, then leaned over, as if he was about to say something important. "Listen, when I was walking through the town, I heard an interesting thing." The flying type's eyes darted back and forth, then he said, "I've heard news that a masked assailant has been roaming through these parts." He leaned over closer. "He has a huge bounty on his head; supposedly he steals things from the peasants here during the night."

Tsunami sipped his tea. "Mmm. Does anyone know what he does with the money?"

"No. Nobody knows. They all think he's a selfish bastard, though." Aero chewed on a noodle thoughtfully.

Tsunami nodded, then asked, "How much is on his head?"

"How much? Twenty thousand poke!"

"Hmm… that is quite a lot." He looked outside, to see the moon rising, then slid some coins to the bartender before walking outside into the nighttime air. He sighed, then looked around. "Where are we going to stay for tonight?"

"Hmm…" They both looked to a barn on a hill on the outskirts of the village. "I'm sure the owners of that barn won't mind." They headed to the hill, then sat down inside the warm hay.

"Hmm… this is very comfy… for hay, at least."

"See you in the morning, Aero."

The Staravia was already snoring away, and it wasn't long before Tsunami joined him.

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1 DAY LATER

Shit! I can't win, can I? Tsunami was running through the forest, with the mysterious bandit in hot pursuit. He felt the burn of a scythe along the back of his right leg, and forced himself to run faster.

The mysterious Pokemon chasing him was insanely quick; no wonder nobody could best him. His scythe was black, while the blade was a bonelike white. Then Tsunami saw the edge of a cliff coming up. He was trapped!

He turned around to see the bandit standing there, white eyes shining like ice. The Pokemon's fur was white as moonlight, and he didn't seem to be breathing at all.

Tsunami bent over, feeling blood leaking from a previous cut along his left should. "Argh…"

"Give up the hunt, Vaporeon," growled a low voice. "You can't beat me. You're good, but I'll be forced to kill you if you keep following me."

Tsunami was getting dizzy from blood loss. Aero had stayed back, since he assumed Tsunami would be fine. But he wasn't. The water-type collapsed onto the rock outcropping, and the bandit put his scythe away. Then the bandit sniffed. No… could…? He sniffed again. There was no doubt about it! He recognized this Vaporeon! He had't smelled this scent in a month since the accident. With a growl, he pulled the limp Vaporeon onto his shoulder and walked through the trees.