Just give me a few minutes to make it up.
Chapter 26:Nine-Tailed Newcomer
We had gone back through Mauville, going past the large river that seperated it from Route 218. We had decided to go North through Route 119 to reach Fortree City, and that's where we were right now. It was around midday and we had decided to rest in a clearing of the forest we were passing through. The team were all doing the usual things, but I was actually training Serenity, trying to help her get stronger, and Psyche was helping us out.
"Alright, now lift it up slowly, don't strain yourself,"I said calmly, watching as Serenity's eyes glowed, the Kirlia focusing on a small boulder I had brought up from the ground with my powers. A blue light outlined the boulder, and Serenity seemed to tense up, the boulder slowly lifting a few feet off the ground."Good. Now try and hold it there for as long as you can."
"I'll try..."Serenity said, teeth gritted and eyes clenched shut. Noticing this, I glanced at Psyche, who was standing next to me.
"Spot her a little bit, will you?"
The Alakazam nodded, then pointed a spoon forward, and the glowing grew just slightly, then Serenity let out a small sigh of relief. After a few moments, she gasped and the boulder dropped, the small Psychic falling to her knees and panting. I quickly jogged over and knelt down to her.
"Are you alright?"I asked, frowning at how tired she looked.
"I just...need a...a break,"she breathed tiredly.
I nodded at her."Alright, let's get you a drink while we're at it,"I said. I helped her to her feet and we walked to the center of camp, where I got a bottle of water from my bag as she sat down cross-legged. After twisting off the cap, I handed the bottle to her, and she brought it to her lips before chugging down a bit of it. Quite a bit of it, actually. I raised an eyebrow as she pulled the bottle away, gasping a little bit."Thirsty?"I asked humorously.
She cracked a smile."Maybe a little bit."
"Ken, may I make a suggestion for her training?"Psyche asked, walking over to us.
I jokingly scowled at him."Of course not. Why would I care what you have to think?"
The Alakazam rolled his eyes, but smiled."I think we should focus more on having Serenity learn defensive and supportive abilities. The Gardevoir line is known for specializing in those categories, after all."
I thought about it for a moment."You've got a point there,"I admitted, then looked at Serenity."It's up to you, though. I'm cool with whatever, so long as you'll be capable of defending yourself."I shrugged. I know it may have seemed cruel to say that, but I just didn't want her to be the damsel in distress of our team. And I knew she felt the same way. Heck, it's why we were training her.
"So long as it doesn't put me on the verge of passing out all the time, I'm fine with it,"Serenity said, also shrugging."But who's going to teach me? No one on the team knows any support moves I can learn."She blinked."Do they? I'm not exactly sure what all I can learn..."
I brought a hand to my chin, trying to remember what moves the Gardevoir line could learn."Let's see...if memory serves, your line can learn Will-o-Wisp, Thunder Wave...ahhh..."I tapped my forehead with a finger, trying to get my brain to work right."Lucky Chant, Imprison, Hypnosis, Wish, Heal Pulse, and Healing Wish. There's a lot more, but I can't rem-ah, Safeguard. I remember that much, but like I was saying, there's a lot more."
"Wow, I can learn a lot, can't I?"Serenity asked, sounding a bit surprised."I think I can do couple of those, err..."She looked down in thought, then blinked in realization."Oh, I think I can use Safeguard, Imprison, and Hypnosis, but...that's it."She shrugged again, almost apologetically.
"There's nothing to be sorry for,"I told her."It's not like you can help it."I rubbed my chin."Let's see if you can use those moves."I turned my head to Psyche, grinning."Feel like being a test dummy?"
The Alakazam shook his head."Ah, no thank you."
I chuckled."Just kidding, Psyche. Go on and take a break. Thanks for your help."Psyche nodded, then turned and walked off as I looked back at Serenity, who stood back up."I guess you'll just have to use me for practice. Let's start off with Hynos-"I paused and looked around, sensing something, or rather, 3 things, approaching the camp. I looked at Serenity to see her looking around before looking back at me.
"Do you sense that, too?"she asked.
I nodded, then raised my head."Look natural, everybody. We got company fast approaching."Other than Psyche, they all glanced at me for a moment, then they went right back to what they had been doing. I looked down at Serenity."As far as I can sense, two humans are chasing a pokemon down, and they don't seem all that friendly, if their thoughts are anything to go by."Serenity stared at me in amazement.
"But they're not even that close by,"she said, eyes wide."How can you read their minds from here?"
"With great difficulty,"I replied humorously. I sat down on my rump, crossing my legs."Sit. Meditate with me."She did just that, and we both closed our eyes and relaxed. A few moments later, we sensed the fleeing pokemon, feeling very worried and afraid, running just outside the clearing before settling down somewhere in the woods ahead of me and behind Serenity. Barely three seconds later, the two humans entered the clearing, then I opened my eyes to look at them. One of them was a short and, to be honest, fat man with a red mustach and bushy eyebrows, wearing tan clothes that made him look like he was on a safari. The man next to him was skinny and tall with brown hair, wearing similar clothes. Both of them were carrying plenty of hunting equipment. Tranquilizer guns, nets, you name it. I stood up as the two men walked up to me."Can I help you?"
"We're looking for a rare pokemon, kid,"the short man said. Kid, huh? They didn't know who I was. Can't say I wasn't surprised."You seen one around here?"
"You're looking for a rare pokemon?"I asked, then I barked out a laugh, grinning at them."Aren't we all?"Obviously, I wanted to make them think I was just another goofy, average trainer.
The taller man rolled his eyes."Look, buddy, if you see a Ninetales around here, let us know, alright?"
"No promises,"I grinned again. The two looked at each other in exasperation, then stalked past me and into the woods.
When they were gone, Serenity stood back up and giggled as the others came over."You're a very good actor, Ken."
"Thanks,"I said, then looked directly at the spot where I sensed the pokemon, which was apparently a Ninetales, was at."You can come out now. They're gone."There was silence for a moment, then a beautiful, yellow furred fox with nine long tails slowly walked out of the woods, staring at me with both surprise and trepidation.
"How-how did you know I was there?"she asked, her voice almost melodious, despite the obvious surprise in it.
I shook my head."That's not important at the moment. What's your name? And why were they after you?"
She instantly narrowed her eyes, hackles rising."Why should I tell you, human?"
"Well, he did just save your tails. A little common courtesy would be nice,"Anubis said bluntly, then I bonked his head with a fist without looking at him, shutting him up.
"So, you don't like humans, huh?"I asked rhetorically."Can't say I blame you. I don't like them either."
"...You're a human."
"And what does that tell you?"
She looked like she was about to smile, but she didn't. Though she did relax a bit more."I see. My name is Krysta.'"
"Why were they after-?"I started to ask, but then I stopped myself."Right. Stupid question. You're a rare pokemon."
She blinked at me, as if in realization, and her eyes went wide."Wait a moment, how can you even understand me?"
"Duhhh, I'm all special and stuff,"I said dumbly, causing the team to snicker. The fox blinked in confusion, and I chuckled."Tell you what, you tell us your story and we'll tell you ours. Sound good?"
Krysta sighed."Very well. I was born on Mt. Pyre, a mountain far to the East of here. Do you know of it?"
"Yeah, it's a place where pokemon are put to rest,"I said.
She nodded."Correct. I am a caretaker there. It my duty to watch over the resting places of the deceased to make sure nothing untoward happens."She sighed again, head bowed in shame."And now...I have failed in my duty. Those two humans came one day and captured me. It was only days later, when I was taken far away from my home, that I managed to escape their grasp. They have been chasing me for the past week, trying again and again to catch me. They came very close more times than I care to remember."We were all silent, listening intently."It is because of them that I cannot return home. I was too weak to avoid capture the first time, what's to stop them from trying again and again?"
I hummed to myself, glancing at the others questioningly. Then, as if they were all somehow reading my mind, they nodded. I nodded back, then looked back at the Ninetales."That's quite a predicament you have there."I smiled."So, it's a good thing you've found us."
Krysta started."Wh-what? What do you mean?"
"He means we'll help you get back home, see?"Zaps smirked.
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about those meanies anymore!"Zephyr chirped cheerfully.
"But-but I don't even know you! What could you possibly have to gain from helping me?"she asked.
"Aside from a clear concience?"I asked casually. I shrugged."Nothing, really. It's what we do."
"...I-I don't know what to say..."she murmured, looking at me intently."Who are you?"
I cracked a grin, holding a hand up."I'm Ken Woods,"I said coolly, then I clenched my fist, creating a fire around it, and causing the Ninetales to gasp."And I'm the Element Knight, a human chosen by the Legendary pokemon to take down the Chrome Syndicate."
The fox just stared at me, stunned."Incredible..."
"Heh, I get that a lot,"I remarked, letting the flame disappate and dropping my arm to my side. I motioned an arm towards the others."This is my team. Anubis, Zapperton, Fang, ZC, Psyche, Wrath, and Serenity."I pointed at each of them as I said their names, each of them of waving or nodding as I did so. Krysta nodded at them, but looked at Wrath with wide eyes.
"A-a Spiritomb?"she asked worriedly."Why on Earth would you want such an evil creature in your ranks?"Wrath frowned shamefully, shrinking in on themselves slightly and looking uncomfortable.
I also frowned."Wrath isn't like most Spiritombs."
"I beg your pardon?"Krysta asked skeptically."Spiritombs are hives of evil and hateful spirits who thrive on malice and destruction. How is this Spiritomb different?"
"Would you believe that every single soul that makes up Wrath is innocent of the crimes they were accused of?"I asked with a completely straight face.
"Wh-what?"
"It's true,"Wrath said quietly."Every soul within our being is innocent. By some fluke of destiny, we were all framed and somehow locked away in the very same keystone you see below us."
"But how do you know they are telling the truth?"Krysta asked me, still looking rather untrusting.
"Because Arceus Himself told me so,"I replied calmly, causing her jaw to drop.
"Y-y-you've met...the Original One...?"she asked shakily.
I nodded."You might, too, if we have another meeting before we reach Mt. Pyre."
She blinked."Meeting? W-what do you mean?"
"Look, we've already explained alot,"I said."You obviously need time to absorb everything. Add that to the fact that you've been on the run for, about a week, you said?"She nodded."Well, yeah, I think you could use a break."Suddenly, her stomach growled rather loudly, and she blushed."And apparently some food."The team and I chuckled.
Later that day, we were all sitting around the campfire, taking turns telling Krysta our different stories as we ate, them pokemon food (though we had to convince the Ninetales it was safe to eat) and me some fruits and berries. (I'm a vegetarian) Once we had finished, she looked down in thought for a moment, then looked back up at us.
"So...this Chrome Syndicate you spoke of,"she started."Do you know exactly how they intend to go about their plans?"
I shook my head."No, we've got bits and peices of it, but we're still trying to figure out how it all fits together. For all we know, they could have more than one plan."
"How disconcerting..."Krysta murmured."Don't these fools know that we pokemon are what keep the world from falling apart at the seams?"
"They might know, but they sure don't care,"I replied, popping a Leppa Berry in my mouth. After gulping it down, I pushed myself to my feet, cracking my back with two hands, then I looked down at Serenity."So, you ready to get back to training?"The Kirlia nodded, also standing up.
"Training?"Krysta echoed, looking at us curiously.
"Yeah, we're trying to make Serenity here stronger so she doesn't have to rely on the rest of us,"I replied.
Serenity rolled her eyes."Wow, you make it sound so flattering, Ken."
"Sorry,"I said apologetically.
"Do you think I could join you?"Krysta asked suddenly. So suddenly, in fact, that it took a couple of seconds for me to register what she was asking.
"Uhh, sure,"I said."What for?"
"As I said before, I was too weak to avoid capture when those two humans arrived at my home,"Krysta said, then she gave a rather nasty grin."But if I were to become stronger by our next encounter..."
"Ah, I see,"I said."Then you'd be able to give them some payback."
"Precisely."
"Alright then, you can train with us,"I said. She smiled gratefully, then I blinked as I realized something."Come to think, you might actually be able to help us out."I turned around and glanced at them, motioning with a hand."C'mon, you two."The three of us walked back over to where we had been training, then I turned to them and sat down cross-legged so I was at eye-level with them."So, Krysta, what moves do you know?"
The Ninetales glanced up in thought."Let's see...there's Flamethrower, Energy Ball, Sunny Day, Confuse Ray, Safeguard, Imprison, Will-o-Wisp, and Hypnosis."
I nodded, cracking a smile."Just as I thought. We were about to start teaching Serenity to use those last four moves. So you could help teach her while we focus on making you both stronger."
"Hmm, that's a very good idea,"Krysta said."You're rather clever for a human."
"I get that alot, too,"I quipped. I clapped my hands twice."So! Why don't we start with Imprison? Since you both know the same moves, I figure that would be a good place to start."
"Sounds good to me,"Serenity said.
"Very well. How do we start?"Krysta asked.
"That...is a very good question,"I said hesitantly, bringing a hand to my chin. They both giggled."Okay, okay, how about this: Krysta, try using Imprison on Serenity, that way, she'll know what it feels like."
"I suppose that could work,"Krysta said, then she turned to face Serenity, who seemed to brace herself as the fox's eyes gave off an eerie off-white glow."Are you ready?"The psychic nodded."Alright."Suddenly, Serenity's body started giving off the same off-white glow as Krysta's eyes, and she blinked.
"This feels strange,"the Kirlia murmured, glancing down at her body with a raised eyebrow."Now what do I do?
"Try to use Safeguard,"I suggested.
"Okay,"she said, then she closed her eyes. After a moment, she scrunched her face up a bit, frowning in irritation while Krysta simply kept staring at her, eyes still glowing. Finally, Serenity opened her eyes and glanced at me, shaking her head."I can't do it. It kind of feels like there's something holding me back in my mind."
"That's basically how it works,"Krysta said, her eyes returning to normal and Serenity's glow disappating."You must mentally envision yourself holding back your opponent, keeping them from reaching the level of focus required to do whatever they're attempting."
"I guess that makes sense,"Serenity said.
"Alright, now it's time for you to reverse roles,"I said, crossing my arms."Use Imprison on Krysta."
"I'll try..."Serenity said, not sounding all too certain.
I didn't like that."No, Serenity. You're either going to do it, or you won't. There's no trying."She looked at me in surprise, then a determined expression crossed her face, and she nodded, looking back at Krysta. Taking a deep breath, the psychic's eyes started giving the same glow as before, and Krysta followed suit, glancing at down at herself almost casually. I glanced at the fox."Krysta?"
"She's doing it, I can tell,"the Ninetales said."I don't need to try to use a move to feel it."
"Try anyway,"I said."I want to see how long she can keep it up."
"If you insist,"she said also closing her eyes.
Now, to the usual observer, it would look like the two were just standing there with their eyes closed, as if meditating. However, to anyone with psychic power (e.g: me), it was easy to sense the mental tug-of-war going on between them. Of course, after a few seconds, the two were starting to grit their teeth/fangs in concentration, Serenity bringing a hand to her head and Krysta's hackles rising. After another moment, it suddenly occured to me that the two were trying much harder than they should have been.
"Alright, stop,"I said, but neither of them seemed to hear me. Frowning in concern, I brought either hand to their heads and lightly flicked them both between the eyes, snapping them out of it and causing the glow to disappear.
"What was that for?"Serenity asked, bringing a hand to the spot I'd flicked her.
"Yes, that was a bit rude,"Krysta frowned at me.
"I told you both to stop,"I said calmly, making them blink."You two were so focused on what you were doing that you didn't even hear me. I had to snap you both out of it before you overexerted yourselves."
"Oh,"Serenity said, blushing slightly.
"I suppose we did get carried away..."Krysta admitted.
"It's fine,"I said, waving it off."Happened to me more than once during my own training. When I was training with my powers."I added the last part when they gave me confused looks."Now let's focus on Hyp-"
"Hey, kid!"
"-nosis,"I finished lamely, then blandly thought "Crap."
XXXX
End of Chapter
So, yeah. As you can see, I've changed my username, today, in fact.