Had some writer's block to deal with. Sorry.
Chapter 15:Birdbrained Problem
"Thanks for the ride! Again!"I shouted back up at Briny, who laughed heartily.
"You're welcome again!"he said cheerfully."So long!"With that, he drove his boat away. I turned towards the others, who were looking around Slateport curiously, eyeing the different shops around the area. I reached inside my pocket and pulled out Zapperton's pokeball.
"Alright, you can come out now, Zaps,"I said, tossing the red and white sphere forward and releasing the Electivire, who looked around warily.
He sighed in relief."Glad that's over,"he muttered, looking around with the others."So, this is Slateport, eh?"I nodded.
"If memory serves, this is one of the most bustling trading ports in the world,"Psyche said as we began to walk towards the city.
"If memory serves, it's also the only one in Hoenn,"I said, cracking my neck as I put my goggles over my eyes. The sunlight was kinda harsh.
"Is there a gym here?"Anubis asked me. I shook my head.
"Not that I know of,"I said.
"Hey, Ken!"a young voice shouted. We all turned our heads to see a young boy running up to us. He had blonde hair and wore a shirt with many blending colors that looked like it had an eye in the middle. I didn't recognize him at all, but something about him seemed familiar. We turned to the boy with raised eyebrows as he ran up to us.
"Do I know you, kid?"I asked, having the strangest feeling that I did.
"Yeah, it's me, er, Jerry!"he said, smiling at me.
I stared at him blankly."Doesn't ring a bell."
"Aw, c'mon. Jerry?"he asked, emphasizing his own name. I blinked once, having an epiphany. I squinted, peering into the boy's mind to confirm my suspicions.
'Jirachi?'I asked telepathically. He nodded. This was the first time I had seen Jirachi's human form. He rarely ever used it, so something must have been wrong."What's going on?"
He frowned."It's the three birds,"he said."They're at each other's throats again."
I stared again."And?"I asked.
"You gonna alert us whenever those three look at each other funny?"Anubis asked as I I crossed my arms.
"It's Lugia's job to keep them in check, isn't it?"
"That's the problem,"Jirachi said."Lugia's gone. We don't know where he is."I blinked in suprise.
"Oh,"I said, scratching my head."Okay, that is a problem."
XXXX
We were now standing at a cliff on Shamouti island, watching the three birds as they battled in the skys above the ocean, the others standing around me. I happened to glance down at the beach, noticing the islanders watching the spectacle as well, probably wondering where Lugia was. I turned towards Jirachi, who was sitting on Fang's head.
"Jirachi, could put the islanders to sleep so we can work?"I asked him.
He nodded."Easy, but you have to wish for it first,"he said. Okay, here was the deal, folks. While it's true that Jirachi usually had to go to sleep for a thousand years, ever since I had began my journey, Arceus had made it so that he could stay awake for 11 months a year, after which he'd have to sleep for a solid month, with the exception of going to sleep at night like other diaturnal creatures. This apparently made his "wish power" a bit weaker, but he had said it was well worth the trade.
"Alright, I wish the islanders would fall asleep until we're done here,"I said. Nodding, Jirachi closed his eyes while his true eye opened, glowing with power. I looked back at the islanders to see them slowly dropping to the ground, falling asleep as Jirachi's power obviously took hold of them. Smiling, I looked back at Jirachi, who sighed tiredly.
"Done,"he said a bit groggily."Can I go to sleep, too?"
I chuckled."Sure, kid. Go right ahead."Nodding again, Jirachi closed his eyes ( all of them) and fell asleep right there atop Fang's head, a small cocoon forming around his body. Anubis gently plucked the Wishmaker from his perch, cradling him in his arms."Okay. Anubis, Zaps, Serenity, stay here and keep an eye on Jirachi, The rest of you, let's go stop those dumb birds."Right after saying this, I clenched my fists and concentrated, causing my armor to appear over me as the others flew towards the birds.
I quickly flew after them, dodging past stray attacks that happened to come my way. I couldn't help but wonder what they were arguing about this time. Believe it or not, they were actually a threesome of mates, and all of their epic battles were actually marital spats, which was both hilarious and ridiculous at the same time. Lugia was basically they're marriage conselor; and by conselor, I mean the guy who weakened them to the point where they couldn't even peck at each other.
'Ken,'Psyche said telepathically.'We've decided that Fang and ZC will go after Zapdos, while Wrath and myself will handle Articuno. Do you believe you can take care of Moltres on your own?'
'Sure, I've taken on worse,'I responded, then paused.'Well, unless it's that time of the month, then I'm pretty much hosed.'I heard Psyche chuckle before we cut off our telepathic connection. I flew towards the blazing phoenix, who was firing a flamethrower at her electric counterpart. I braced myself as she turned her head to glare at me for a moment, then her expression softened just slightly.
"What are you doing here, Ken?"she asked, her voice laced with anger.
I sighed."What else? We're here to calm you three down,"I told her.
"'We're?'"Moltres asked dubiously. I jabbed a thumb towards the other two birds, and Moltres turned her head to see the others confronting them. She sighed, looking back at me."This doesn't concern you, Ken."
"Since Lugia is missing,"I started, which made her blink in suprise."It sure as hell does."
"Lugia's missing?"she asked, looking down at the ocean."I didn't notice. We'd usually fight him right about now, come to think of it."
"Well, that's why we're here instead,"I said, causing her to look back up at me."Now, why don't you just try to calm down so we can talk about this like civilized hu-err, poke-"I paused for a moment."Beings?"Moltres stared at me, and for a moment, I thought she would attack. But then she cracked a faint smile and nodded.
XXXX
"Excuse me, Articuno!"Psyche shouted, gaining the ice bird's attention as he and Wrath levitated up to her."We'd like to speak with you for a brief moment, if that's alright."Articuno tilted her head.
"Aren't you two from Ken's team?"she asked, eyebrow raised. Psyche nodded.
"Correct, ma'am,"he said politely."If you would allow us the honor of speaking with you, we would like to help you work out your problems with Moltres and Zapdos."
Articuno giggled."Any particular reason you're acting like I'm royalty?"
"I am merely showing respect, ma'am, since you ARE a legendary,"he pointed out.
She shook her head, but actually smiled."Ah, cut it out. I can't stand the 'ma'am' crap,"she said. Psyche nodded.
"Very well,"he said.
"So, do you know why Lugia hasn't come up to bite our heads off yet?"Articuno asked.
"You've noticed?"Wrath asked, breaking their own silence. The ice bird nodded.
"Unlike Zapdos,"she said, practically spitting out the bird's name."I don't completely lose my mind whenever we become angry and get into a fight."
"I see,"Psyche said."Quite admirable, if you ask me."He sat in midair with his legs crossed."Now what do you say we help you work through whatever friction you have with your others?"
Articuno sighed."Oh, alright. I'm really getting tired of fighting with them all the time anyway."
XXXX
"EEEEEK!"Zephyr screeched as he flew out of the way of another thunderbolt. Fang lunged forward and tried to swing a pincer at the bird, but was met with a slash to the stomach, and he quickly glided back. As Zapdos prepared for another attack, Fang glared at Zephyr.
"Why did you hafta go and insult him?"he asked angrily.
"All I did was call him an overgrown feather duster!"Zephyr defended stupidly.
"And you did not process that he would take offense to that!"COREM asked incredulously.
"No! He totally overreacted!"Zephyr shouted.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"Fang screamed, lunging at the Porygon-Z. Zephyr screeched as they collided, tumbling in midair as Fang tried to rip his head off. Zapdos, now very confused, called off his attack as the two flyers continued to roll through the air.
"Uhhh,"he muttered, not knowing what to do. Finally, he shrugged and just stayed there, watching as Fang continued to beat ZC to an electronic pulp.
XXXX
"...and I just wished he'd be a bit more sensitive, y'know?"Moltres said to me, as we were both on her island at the moment."He just likes battling way too much. Don't get me wrong, I love him dearly, but he can just be such a blockhead sometimes!"
I nodded sympathetically."Yeah, I hear where you're coming from,"I said."Dealing with idiots can be a pain in the ass, or in your case, tail feathers, I guess."She laughed.
"You're really not bad for a human, Ken,"she said with a smile.
"Heh, heard that one before,"I said with a slight smile of my own. I noticed her look into the sky behind me, and I looked over my shoulder, seeing Articuno flying towards us, flanked by Psyche and Wrath. I glanced back at Moltres, who seemed sort of pensive. The three of them landed a few feet away from us, then walked over to us, the two large birds looking at each other intently.
"Moltres,"Articuno said quietly.
"Articuno."
There was a pause.
"Well, now that the introductions are over,"I said humorously, hoping to break the tension between them."How about you to try talk to each other?"
"But Zapdos isn't here,"Moltres said. I blinked once, then turned around and looked into the sky. I was barely able to make out the yellow form of Zapdos, who seemed to be watching to dots flying around erratically. Psyche and I glanced at each other, then nodded and closed our eyes. I looked at the scene clairvoyantly, seeing a very strange sight.
"He's with ZC and Fang,"I said.
"And they're fighting for some reason,"I heard Psyche say. Articuno huffed.
"That's so typical of him,"she scoffed.
"No, I mean, ZC and Fang are fighting each other,"Psyche said.
"Then what's Zapdos doing?"Moltres asked.
"He's just laughing at them,"I said."Hysterically, as a matter of fact."I opened my eyes and we all looked at each with raised eyebrows.
XXXX
"This is hilarious!"Zapdos squawked out as the fighters tumbled through the air. Fang flew back and growled as ZC glanced at Zapdos, noticing how he was still laughing.
"Yay! It worked, COREM!"Zephyr said happily, confusing the flying types.
"Of course it did, brother,"COREM said calmly."Two minds are better than one, after all."Fang and Zapdos looked at each other for a moment, then back at them.
"Uh, what are two talking about?"Fang asked.
"It's quite simple, Fang,"COREM said."That little fight we just had? Zephyr and I planned it from the very start."The two nearly dropped from the sky at hearing that.
"You planned that?"Zapdos asked, stunned.
"Yep!"Zephyr said cheerfully.
"Correct,"COREM said."Even the part where Zephyr insulted you. We apologize for that, by the way."The two others blinked.
"How'd you plan that so fast?"Fang asked.
"Being in one body, we are capable of communicating with each other at light speed,"COREM said.
"Yep!"Zephyr repeated.
"Now that you're in a better mood,"COREM said, addressing Zapdos."I believe I saw the others heading towards Moltres' island. I think we should head there so that you can work out your problems."Zapdos said nothing, looking away.
"...Fine,"he growled. They all flew towards the island of the pheonix.
"Yep!"
"You're not gonna stop saying that, are ya?"
"Yup!"
"...Oy..."
XXXX
"Hey, here they come,"I said, seeing the three of them flying towards us. The birds sighed deeply as they landed in front of us."Well, then. The gang's all here."
"Uh-huh,"Zapdos muttered, glaring at the two female birds, who in turn glared at him and each other. I sighed irritably, then stomped the ground, causing it to shake enough to snap them out of their anger and gaining their attention.
"Alright, whatever your problem is, just get over it already!"I said angrily, looking through them."You need to listen each more often. Stop obsessing about fighting so damn much! Save it for the Chrome Syndicate, not each other!"They all looked at me with stunned expressions."Tell me something:How would you react if one you actually won your stupid battles, and then the two who lost were captured by the Chrome Syndicate?"They're eyes widened; obviously, they hadn't considered that."It would be all. Your. Fault."
"You've...got a good point,"Zapdos said.
"I guess we have been acting pretty stupid over the years..."Moltres said shamefully.
"Yeah,"Articuno mumbled. The three looked at each other silently.
'Should I go get the others?'Psyche asked me telepathically.'We still need to find Lugia, after all.'
I nodded at him, and he teleported away.
After another moment of silence, Zapdos spoke up."...I'm sorry,"he said quietly.
"Me too,"Moltres said.
"Same here,"Articuno agreed. The three fluttered together and enveloped each other in their wings, smiling in content.
"Awww,"Zephyr said quietly.
"Quiet a beautiful moment,"Wrath said softly. I couldn't help but agree. It was really sweet to see them like this.
But as fate, the jackass, would have it, the peace didn't last long, as the island suddenly began to rumble violently as the waves began to shake. We all looked on with wide eyes as a massive ship erupted from the ocean's surface that was about half the size of the island. And wouldn't you know it? It was chrome and had a familiar CS insignia on it.
Guess who?
"Hoo, boy,"I muttered, then Psyche reappeared with the others. I glanced at them
"Whoa,"Zaps said, eyes wide.
"Now there's something you don't see every day,"Anubis remarked.
"I'm going to assume that's where Lugia is,"Psyche said with a hint of sarcasm.
I cracked my neck, looking back at the massive ship, seeing a figure standing on top of it. It was a woman who couldn't have been any older than thirty. She had long red hair, a red and chrome striped shirt and blue jeans. She also had a chrome bandanna around her head.
"Well, isn't that sweet?"she asked, her voice so nasally I actually had to resist the urge to laugh."The three stupid birds are all hugs and sunshine. How nice."I looked back at the elemental. They were glaring at her, but it seemed they were having a hard time keeping a straight face.
"You sound funny!"Zephyr said with a slight giggle."Say more words!"The woman seemed to ignore him, instead looking down at me.
"Well, I was going to wait for them to knock each other out, but it looks like you've ruined my plans, Element Knight,"she said.
"Told ya,"I said out of the corner of my mouth as the birds gasped in shock.
"Eh. it doesn't matter,"the woman continued."This ships got more than enough firepower to capture them. I just need to get rid of you."
I chuckled."Worse things than you have tried, lady,"I said, smirking as lightning crackled between my fingers."They've all failed so far, and you certainly won't be the first."
She then made a nasally laugh that felt like nails against my eardrums."We'll see!"She walked backwards, disappearing into the massive sub/battleship. I looked back at the others.
"You guys ready?"I asked them.
"I was born ready, partner!'Anubis said with a grin.
"Just give the word and we'll rip that thing apart, boss!"Zaps said.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM!"Zephyr shouted, flailing his arms around frantically, obviously looking forward to seeing something explode.
"Yes, what he said,"COREM said calmly.
"Err...may I go, too?"Serenity asked. I gave her a very stern look.
"No, Serenity,"I said."I'll admit, you do have battling skills. But you have absolutely no experience fighting the Chrome Syndicate. I want you to stay with the birds."She looked a bit dejected, but nodded. I sighed, kneeling down to her level."I just don't want you to get hurt, alright?"She gave a faint smile, then nodded again."Good."I stood back up, looking at the large birds."Watch after her for me, will ya?"They nodded.
"She couldn't be in safer talons,"Moltres said.
"Give 'em hell,"Zapdos said with a grin. I turned around.
"We'll do just that,"I said. We launched forward.
XXXX
End of Chapter
Well, that was longer than I thought it would be.