Finally! I made it! And I have a fast internet connection now... It's amazing! breaks down in sobs of joy
Ahem. Anyway. Sorry it took so long. Still battling with that thing called school. Here's the next part! Enjoy!
Ehani: Thanks! I love it when people enjoy what I write.
WildTotodile: Yup! And, here's more bonding!
Once more, thanks to all my faithful readers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I don't understand," Chira said softly, frowning at Erin. "How could she do that? That's impossible."
"Not for someone with her blood," Trey told her.
"Blood?" Chira stared at him. "Blood? That guy who was trying to kidnap her mentioned something about blood, didn't he?"
Trey looked sadly at her and nodded. He sighed. "I guess I have to explain now, don't I?" he asked.
Chira cocked her head. "Explain what?"
Insight doggy-purred at her. "Trey can understand what I say as well."
Chira's eyes widened, then she screamed. "YOU WHAT!?"
The two opponents on the field both turned to see a teen shaking another teen by the shirt collar. "You can understand her, and You NEVER TOLD ME!? WHY?!"
"Calm down, Chira, will you? You're drawing attention to yourself…"
"Like I care," her voice went low and deadly. Two pokeballs at her waist burst open and gave shape to Cami and Morrie. The Snake Fish circled around her, and Cami snorted and stomped her feet, forcing him away from her. Morrie tucked his tail under Chira's feet, and slowly raised her to his head, where she knelt, her eyes narrowed.
Trey gulped as he realized she was unconsciously tapping her power to make her pokemon stronger. "Chira, calm down!" he called.
"I don't believe it," Erin murmured. "They followed me." She turned to the Umbreon. "Zwillum, finish it now. Crunch."
The Umbreon lunged forward, its teeth glowing black. It chomped three times, not letting the Bellosum recover or defend. It went down hard, and Erin imperiously held out her hand for the badge.
Chira, meanwhile, had turned her back on Trey, who had finally called Arcanine for protection. The dog growled at him.
"Didn't I say you should tell her as soon as you got a chance? You should have listened to me…"
"Yeah, probably," Trey acknowledged, crouching behind the fire dog. "But you can't blame me for deciding to wait, can you?"
"Uh, yeah, I can," the dog snorted.
"Well, if I had just marched up to her as soon as I knew, and told her, she probably would have slapped me silly and ditched me."
Arcanine eyed his trainer. "You like her, don't you?"
"What do you mean?" Trey glared at him. "Of course I don't like her. I just feel that I'm one of the few who can train her."
"And the winner is Erin Wingsey!" the announcer yelled, cutting through the conversation.
Trey peaked over Arcanine's back, frowning. "I have to talk to her…"
"I've got it," Arcanine jumped down the stands, landing with a whump in front of the Gym Leader and challenger. "Don't go anywhere, Umbreon," he growled. Chira slid off Cami's back beside him, but marched up to Erika.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to be your next challenger," she said through gritted teeth.
Erika nodded, but her eyes were on her previous opponent staring down the Arcanine. Trey landed in the ring and dusted himself off as he approached Erin. He held out a hand.
"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to have a word or two with you." Trey said conversationally.
"I do mind," Erin spat. She tossed her black ponytail over one shoulder and clenched her jaw stubbornly. "Why don't you just stop following me and leave me alone."
"Not doing." He grabbed her arm. "You don't realize it, but you and I have a lot in common."
"Yeah, right."
"Listen to me. You and I both have the same blood. We're hunted by the same people, and neither of us can win on our own."
"Is that why you paired up with her?" Erin asked nastily, jerking her head toward Chira, who perked up, finally paying enough attention to make sense of what she was saying.
"Of course not. I didn't even know until after I met her. But… Can you at least talk to me while she battles?"
"I think not." Erin jerked her arm away. "Thanks anyway…"
She took two steps before stumbling and clasping her stomach. "What…?"
"I knew you'd find each other if I waited long enough."
"You!" Erin growled.
Trey's fists clenched.
Chira stared, automatically sensing danger, yet not understanding how to react.
Erika held out a pokeball threateningly. "Are you the one who broke in here two days ago?" she demanded.
The man in the black suit smiled from where he lounged in one of the bleachers. "Nice to see you again, Trey, is it? Your sister sends her regards."
"You can send those regards back to her unopened. I don't want them," Trey said slowly and deliberately. Chira had never heard him speak so dangerously low before.
"Tut, tut. She won't be happy to hear you're still mad at her." He gestured imperiously.
"Why wouldn't I be mad? She chose to abuse her gift; she chose to turn back to the old ways. She knew what would happen."
He tossed a pokeball up and down, smiling. "She also wishes reconciliation."
"No she doesn't, she just wants my power."
"Trey…" Chira hissed. "Who is that?"
"No one you need to know. Leave, Leon. Now." Trey pulled out three pokeballs. "Don't make me force you."
"I wouldn't dream of it. I just want to leave you this little trinket." Leon waved a small slip of paper before placing it on the bleacher. "Don't worry. I won't bother you. At least, not this time." He stood to go, pausing before slipping out of the room. "Though, I can't make any promises about the others."
"Trey," Chira whispered, pulling on his sleeve, forgetting her earlier agitation. "What just happened?"
"No…" Trey frowned and turned to Erin, who mirrored his expression of confusion and dismay. Understanding struck. "Everyone, get down!" He grabbed Chira and shoved her to the floor as Arcanine leapt in front of Erika and Zwilum in front of Erin just as the wall exploded.
Chira screamed and covered her head with her arms as Trey shielded her with his body. "Bella, Misdre, Tyrani, Kinglor, Kaddo, go!"
The pokeballs at his waist burst open, and five pokemon took shape. Chira stared at the Bellosom, Misdreavus, Tyranitar, Kingdra, and Kadabra. She squeaked unintelligibly, as Trey pushed himself to his feet. "You know the drill. Keep everyone safe!"
Chira shook her head and pushed herself to her knees. Her eyes widened at the ten men and women in purple uniforms, each with the psychic eye on their chest. Their smiles were bone chilling.
"This will be easy, boys," one of the men hissed, releasing a Rhydon. "They don't stand a chance."
"That's what you say," Trey muttered. "Misdreavus, Night Shade."
The ghost pokemon squeaked, and immediately everything became dark.
Someone's voice echoed out. "Charizard, light up this area!" Immediately a bright light flashed, and the darkness faded. Chira's eyes widened when she saw that all of Trey's pokemon but Arcanine were now behind the masses.
"Snorlax, Tangela, Phanpy, teach these guys a lesson!" Erin released her pokemon with a snarl.
The Snorlax yawned, and flopped down on its stomach, trapping about three people underneath it as it fell asleep. The Phanpy released an earthquake, and Tangela shot into the group with several Leech Seeds.
Cami trotted behind Chira, snorting. "Shall I join in?" she asked. "I can help quite a lot."
"No," Chira said softly. "No." She stared at all the pokemon fighting Trey's six, most of Erika's, Erin's three, and the Celadon Gym trainer's pokemon as well. They were outmatched. Yet… Chira couldn't bring herself to ask her pokemon to help. Morrie had Returned, and Insight sat at the girl's feet.
"Chira, you can't afford to freeze, you know," Insight murmured softly. "Trey and the others need your help. They are losing even as we speak."
"Arcanine!" Trey cried as the fire dog was thrown against a wall, hitting the floor in a crumpled heap. Still, he resolutely pushed himself once more to his feet.
Chira hugged herself as Erin Returned Zwillum. "I can't…" Then her eyes locked on the man wearing the long coat standing outside and to the side, his eyes watchful over the sunglasses he wore. Her eyes widened. "Insight. I need your help." She turned and ran up the bleachers, her feet eating up the ground. She shoved through the doors into the Gym's hall, and immediately ran into some men grinning at her.
One of them smiled. "Deserting never does any good," he said, before throwing a pokeball. "Golem! Rock Throw!"
Chira screamed and ducked, throwing herself forward. She rolled between them, and came up on the other side, still running. "Insight!" she cried, sliding to a stop when she realized the little dog wasn't matching her pace.
"Hey!" she cried, when she saw the Eevee trying to fight the Golem. "Insight! Don't, you won't w-" Something stopped her, something instinctive kept from telling her pokemon it was a losing battle. She bit her lip. "Alright, if you want to fight, let's fight. Tackle him to the ground!" she yelled.
The men looked back at her, a little surprised. Insight lunged forward, slamming into the Golem with all her might. It didn't budge an inch. It brushed at the point of contact, almost as if an annoying fly had bitten it. Chira could feel Insight's rage.
"Calm down, Insight. You don't need to show your anger. You don't need to take offense. Brush it off, and keep your head where it needs to be."
"Shut up!" Insight growled.
"Wha?" Chira stared as the dog snapped futilely at the rock pokemon. "Insight…" Her fists clenched and she sent a punch at the nearest trainer, who, unfortunately, easily dodged.
"You want a fist fight, huh? I'm rather surprised a little girl like you would want to pit yourself against us instead of relying on your pokemon."
"Hah!" She tried again, and this time her fist connected. Unfortunately, it was with his palm. He slowly began to squeeze her fist, and she cringed. "Let go!" She tried to punch with her left hand, but he caught that one too, smiling insufferably at her struggle.
"This was a piece of cake," he told his partners. "She practically handed herself to us."
"Let-me-go!" Chira demanded, her voice clipped. "Insight!" She tried to call to her Eevee, but she was struggling at this point simply to remain on her feet. Chira's jaw flexed. She turned to the man who held her fists in a death grip. She spoke in a low voice, calling on her trump card. "Morrie, release." Once more, the pokeball at her waist burst open, spilling forth a red light that slowly took shape in the form of a Gyardos. The man's eyes widened, and Chira took her opening. Slamming down one of her feet on one of his, she yanked her hands out of his surprised grip and punched him as hard as she could in his stomach. Though she wasn't very strong and the contact was fairly light, it was still enough to cause his breath to hiss out slightly. Immediately, she grabbed Insight's pokeball. "Return! Morrie, Hyper Beam!" She leapt out of the way as the blast of energy was released on the Golem and its trainer. She came up rolling, and smiled. "Morrie! Hydro Pump!"
The water came blasting out of the water snake's mouth at about 50 psi, causing many cries of pain as all but one were unable to dodge. "Way to go, Morrie!" Chira congratulated.
"It was my pleasure," the Gyardos told her. "I'm willing to help in any way I can."
"That's good to hear, I'll be needing you to help me in just a few minutes. But for now; Return!"
Chira was running as soon as the pokeball was clipped once more on her belt. The lone survivor of the attack was blubbering behind her as the rest of his comrades were groaning, many clutching at broken ribs.
Chira ignored all faces, including the traumatized receptionist's as she searched for the roof exit. It took her several storage closets and a locker room to find it in the trainer's lounge. She burst out of it, her hair whipping in the forceful breeze. It didn't take her long to realize the strength was coming from several helicopters hovering overhead, each with the same psychic eye logo painted on them as what the men inside were wearing. She shielded her face from her hair and carefully made her way along the rounded dome to the edge directly above the battle ring. She could see Trey's Kadabra still barely outside the building, repeatedly casting Psychic as pokemon after pokemon charged it. Even from this distance Chira could tell it was having a rough time of it. She narrowed her eyes determinedly.
"Okay, Morrie," she whispered, clutching his pokeball. She had spotted the man in the coat quickly. She crouched down to avoid being blown off the roof. "This is your time to shine. Hit that guy with your most powerful Hydro Pump, and try to land with as little damage as you can. If you have the choice between landing safely or scoring hits, choose the landing. That's an order. Now, go!" She stood and released the Gyardos straight into the air. "Show them what you're made of!" she screamed, her eyes whitening.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She was falling. Twin orders rang in her head, and she knew she could make both. She felt the water attack bubble up her throat and released it with all her might, straight at the surprised man who commanded these attackers. Foolish humans, they were trying to escape as the blast dug a trench deep enough for her to fit in as it traveled toward them. She was falling immensely fast, and she took a deep breath, trued her aim, and released a mighty blast before Returning right before hitting the ground.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chira shook her head, one hand clutching her forhead, the other rubbing her tailbone, where she had connected when she whipped backward. She frowned. What was that? She couldn't figure it out. How could she have seen that through Morrie's perspective? She shook her head and crawled to the edge of the roof. She peeked over to see several men helping their unconscious leader into a helicopter. Slowly the fighters retreated, until only one was left, which hopped in the last helicopter right before it chose to disappear into the distance. Chira sighed, her eyes dazed as she felt herself drifting into deep lethargia. Slowly she fell over the edge, too tired to even scream as she watched the ground rush up to meet her.
Trey saw the figure falling. "Kadabra!" he yelled. "Catch her!"
The pokemon cast Psychic once more, slowly lowering Chira to the ground before collapsing. She looked up dazedly as Trey stood over her. He squatted down in front of her, one hand on her hair. "You did good, Chira. You did good."
Cami snorted as she led Erin and Zwilum over. Erin was looking uncomfortable. "Hey, Chira?" she asked tentatively.
The girl looked at her, nearly falling over. Trey steadied her. "At least she didn't pass out again," he told Erin. "That's only the second time she's bonded."
"You're kidding!" Erin gasped, staring at Chira. "I was out cold for a complete day the first five times I bonded!"
Trey nodded, looking back at their spaced out friend. "She's definitely something, isn't she?"
"Yeah," Erin agreed. "I guess she is." Her hand tightened around a pokeball. I'll talk to her later, then, she thought.