Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, I won't own Pokémon. But I do own this story line and everything that isn't from the series.
" " - talking; Italics – thinking; ' ' - speaking telepathically
Xxxxxx - break in day or event; Xxxxxxxxxxxx - change of days
Chase/Nogitsune – 20 yrs ; Leta – 20 yrs ; Kenny – 21 yrs
Mask – 18 yrs (if you haven't noticed by now...)
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Stopping for the night in Celestic Town, the Rangers took a room in the Pokémon Center for a night. While Ash snored in one of the beds, Gary, Leta, and Kenny were looking at a map that showed all of Sinnoh. They talked quietly about where Neo Team Rocket could be headed.
Kenny took out a marker and X'd off Lake Verity and Lake Valor. That left one last lake left in Sinnoh. "And according to legend, all three beings inhabited the three lakes. So, Lake Acuity is where we'll find the last free Being, Uxie."
"So how much longer before we get there? And more importantly, how can we get there before they do?" Gary asked concerned.
The two boys talked as Leta stared at the map, having seen something catch her eye. Over in the Eterna Forest area, there was a rather large 'E'. And there was another one along Route 217. "Um, what is the purpose of these two 'E's on the map?" Leta asked, interrupting the two boys' conversation.
Kenny looked at the map. A confused look came across his face. "To be honest, I haven't the faintest clue. Why, you think you have an idea?"
"Maybe," Leta said, pulling things out of her bag, looking for something. After a few minutes, she held something up to the boys. "FOUND IT!"
"Found what?" Gary asked.
"This is what sent me to the Eterna Forest a while ago. See the cloaked figure?" Leta said, pointing to one of the pictures. The boys nodded. "Well, this picture shows this cloaked figure battling with an Eevee, then it evolved into a Leafeon. So if that happened at that 'E', what are the chances something will happen at the other 'E'?"
Kenny struck his head with his palm. "OF COURSE!" His outcry got a confused looked from both Leta and Gary. "In the Eterna Forest, there is a rock covered in moss that is said to have powers, to help evolve certain pokemon. Eevee is one of them. The rock causes it to evolve into a Leafeon."
"So what about this other 'E' on Route 217?" Leta asked, pointing to the map.
Kenny thought for a moment. "Although I have never seen it myself, it is rumored that there are actually two forms of Eevees that you can only get here in Sinnoh. A Leafeon. And a Glaceon. You already know about the Leafeon. Now for the Glaceon, there is a second rock, similar to the first, that can help evolve certain pokemon. And…"
"And Eevee is one of those pokemon!" Leta nearly yelled. "I'm sure that he'll make a stop there," she said more to herself than to the others. She got up, grabbed her things, and went to one of the beds that was close to the window. I will rescue you, Chase, she thought as she fell to sleep.
After Gary and Kenny were positive that she was soundly sleeping, Kenny asked, "Dude, how deep is she with this Chase guy?"
Sighing, Gary said, "Deep enough that she has disobeyed her parents to come and find him. Her parents have found plenty of guys for her to marry, but she won't do as her parents want because she is that deep."
Kenny just simply said, "Wow."
Xxxxxx
In a cabin across the town, Mask and Chase were getting ready to get some sleep. Chase could hear Mask snoring lightly before too long, but he stayed up thinking. He saw Shadow sleeping at the foot of his bed. Just as he was starting to drift off to sleep, one of his pokeballs popped open.
"Eevee," one of his Eevees had released itself. It went to the northern window and stared out.
"What's wrong little guy?" Chase asked, getting up to go over to the Eevee. It looked from the window to him, then back to the window. Chase stared out window for a bit before he 'heard' a voice from behind him.
'He feels the pull to whatever pulled your other Eevee to the forest that eventully evolved into your Leafia," Shadow said.
"Well, rumors have it there is this ice rock that evolves eevees into ice types," Chase said to Shadow. Then to the Eevee, "Is that what you're feeling now?"
"Vee!" the little Eevee squeaked, pawing at the window lightly.
"Well, we'll go see if we can't find that rock tomorrow, k?" Chase asked.
"Vee!" the little Eevee squeaked again in delight.
"Good, now let's get some sleep," Chase said, laying back down in his bed. He watched as Shadow jumped up and laid down at the end of the bed, while the Eevee curled up in his arms.
"So I see the all business Chase has a soft spot after all," Mask said, having seen everything.
"I thought you were asleep," Chase said, slightly taken aback by her sudden voice. He looked across the room, to see that the moonlight from outside clearly illuminated Mask's bed. He also saw that her mask wasn't on either at the moment.
"Couldn't sleep since I heard Shadow's voice in my head," Mask said, looking to Shadow who just smiled sheepishly.
'Sorry, I didn't think you'd pick up on that,' Shadow said.
"It's alright. So why is it that you prefer to use only Eevees, even though you could have any powerful pokemon you could possibly want?" Mask asked, now sitting in her bed.
Smiling, because he knew he was somewhat caught, Chase said, "I don't know. It's just something about Eevees…" He trailed off as he petted the Eevee that was curled up beside him. "Just something about them that I find so interesting."
"Still, nice to know that you aren't as rock solid as you make yourself out to be," Mask said smiling to Chase. Chase didn't say anything, but just smiled back, as he looked into her blue-green eyes from across the room.
Xxxxxx
"Okay, the ice rock is over there. You sure that you can do this by yourself?" Kenny asked Leta.
"Yes. It's the only way that I'll be able to get through to him," Leta said. "And besides, his partner may not stop here like he might. Chase might stop here just to evolve one of his eevees, while his partner goes on ahead to capture Uxie."
"Fine, catch up to us later afterwards," Kenny said, leaving Leta behind. She watched as Kenny, Gary, and Ash headed to Lake Acuity to prevent the last Being from being captured.
It wasn't too much longer that Leta saw a shadow coming from out of the blizzard. She was hoping that it was Chase that was coming, but it turned out to be a random passerby. Just my luck, getting all hyped up over nothing, she said, while mentally slapping her head.
Now, a few hours had passed, and she started to wonder if she had missed him completely. But if I had missed him, then they would have gone to the lake, and captured the Being before Kenny and the other two got there. So they would have come back by now! she thought, trying to keep her hopes up.
Another shadow appeared out of the blizzard. This time it looked to be a little Eevee that was pouncing through the snow. And following behind it was two figures. IT'S THEM! Leta thought to herself surprised that the masked one would come to the rock. But then she saw one of the figures head in the direction of the lake, while the remaining figure continued on towards the rock. Now, it's my turn, she thought, stepping out from behind the trees.
"I see you've finally came," Leta said, with an accusing tone in her voice.
Seeing who it was, Chase merely growled in displeasure. "What do you want, Ranger?"
"I want to show you why you don't belong to Neo Team Rocket. And why NTR are evil," Leta said, pulling out a pokéball.
Chase's Eevee growled at Leta. "And how do you suppose you show me that?" Chase mocked.
"By beating you in a battle!" Leta said, releasing one of her pokemon. Latias, remember Chase? The Latias cocked it's head to one side for a second, then as the name struck, it nodded its head. That's him. But don't go easy on him. We have to take him down.
"Eevee, Quick attack!" Chase commanded. Before Leta had a chance to give a counter command, the little Eevee had rammed the side of Latias. The Latias looked at the Eevee with disgust. Without a command from Leta, it countered by trying to ram the Eevee using Zen Headbutt. The Eevee evaded by jumping at the last moment.
"Again with quick attack!" This time, the Eevee didn't become just a blur, it completely vanished. Leta and Latias glanced around nervously trying to find the Eevee. But when they finally saw he snow prints that were being left, it was too late. Eevee slammed into the Latias once again.
"Don't just float there Latias! Use Psychic!" Leta commanded. Latias' eyes glowed a purplish color as it released a huge amount of psychic energy. The Eevee that had been running circles around the dragon pokemon was forced to stop in its tracks and pushed into the snow.
"You think burying him in snow is going to save you? USE DIG!" Chase yelled. The Eevee stayed beneath the snow. No movement was seen, except for the hovering Latias.
"Use dragonbreath on the entire area! Clear the snow, Latias!" Leta said, hoping that she could find a way to get Chase to snap out of his attack.
As the snow melted, Chase knew it would be a matter of time before the Eevee was found. "Shadow Ball!" A blob a dark energy appeared from out of the snow and landed a direct hit on the Latias. It struggled to stay in the air, but slowly fell to the ground. The Eevee took one step closer to the Latias, but then paused. It stood right beside the icy rock, and started to glow.
A few moments later, what use to be an Eevee, was now evolved into a new form. "That's a Glacia!" Leta said. "Well, Chase the Eevee Master, you have yet another one of the Eevee forms."
Chase starred wide eyed at her. "What did you just call me?" he asked.
"Chase, the Eevee Master," Leta repeated. Did I just strike a chord? Then as if on cue, Leta's Dratini popped out of its pokéball.
That name! It sounds so familiar! Chase looked at the Dratini. But something was odd about it. It was pink. And why does that look oddly familiar? Yet I can't put my finger on it. It was like something was trying to break free in Chase's mind. Something was pounding away on the inside of Chase's head, and he could feel it. He put a hand up to his head to try to hold it in.
"What's wrong?" Leta asked, getting concerned.
Chase quickly recalled his newly evolved Glacia and decided it was time to leave. But before he left, he said, "One day, you'll have to explain how you can cause me so much pain." Then he disappeared into the blizzard.
Xxxxxx
Leta eventually caught up with Kenny, Gary, and Ash after her battle with Chase. Since it really didn't go as planned, she was in a little bit of a sour mood. The next time I see that 'Mask' that I always see him with, I'm going to clock her! But she knew that Mask wasn't the reason behind Chase's actions. There was something else.
"So, no luck huh?" Gary asked. Leta shook her head.
"Well, the good news is that Uxie is still here. So we can at least be prepared for when they show up!" Kenny tried to sound optimistic. He put another log on the fire. "I'll take the first watch. You guys get some sleep. I'll wake you if they show up."
"If they come during the night, their nuts!" Ash said, shivering in the cold.
It didn't take long before Ash and Gary were sleeping. But Leta just couldn't sleep. That wasn't until a strange warmness came over her. Kenny had placed his extra coat over her to keep her warm. She smiled as she slowly drifted off. Kenny smiled to himself, seeing that Leta was asleep, and somewhat happier than we she regrouped with them..
Whispering to himself so that no one could hear, Kenny said Leta, "I know that you've been waiting to find him. But is he still the boy you thought he once was, or could be still? Truth is, I think I'm starting to fall for you." Suddenly, Kenny couldn't keep his eyes open. He just slumped to the ground as he started to snore.
"Good job, Sunny," Chase said to his Espeon. Behind him, Mask quietly followed with her Umbreon (Moonlight) out. He and Mask snuck by the Rangers and entered the cave. With Moonlight ahead of them lighting the way, they walked down the cave corridors until they found the huge room that was similar to the other caves.
"Well, we have the infamous Neo Team Rocket to try to kidnap me," a voice said from above them. Chase and Mask looked up to see the third Being levitating close to the top of the room.
"No, we've come to protect you," Chase corrected.
"Protection? I need no protection," the being laughed. "I am Uxie! One of the three mighty beings. And you think I need protection?"
"Yes, there are a group of Rangers just outside your cave looking to capture you" Chase said.
"That's not the way I see things," Uxie said, instantly in Chase's face, with his eyes closed. "Hmm, I can see that you've had an interesting past."
"Stay out of my mind," Chase yelled, trying to push Uxie back out of his mind.
"But why can't I see you as a child? Hmm?" Uxie asked, intrigued by this.
"Moonlight, quick attack!" Mask commanded her Umbreon. The Umbreon became but a blur, and made contact with the Uxie. But Uxie seemed more interested in finding out about Chase's past, than he was protecting himself from any attacks. Granted, that attack did little to him.
"I see," Uxie said. "There is a block where your childhood begins. Would you like to see your childhood?" Uxie asked.
"NO! I HAD A TRUAMATIZING CHILDHOOD! I don't want to relive it," Chase said, falling to his knees, holding his head.
"Aqua-Shell! Hydro pump!" Mask's Blastiose started to pump massive amounts of water in Uxie's direction. But Uxie deflected all the water like it was nothing.
"You know what the legends say, right Chase?" Uxie asked. Chase nodded his head. "Not only can I erase memories, I can also restore them."
Chase glanced upward for a second. And that second was enough for Uxie to get into Chase's mind, and tear down the wall blocking the way to the past. All the memories from the past flooded Chase's now conscious mind. Everything he thought he forgot, was in his mind again. In his fit to regain control, he grabbed one of the dark master balls he had, and capture Uxie with it.
The ball laid on the ground, as Chase collapsed to the ground. Mask picked up the ball and put it in Chase's bag where the other two Beings were being held. "You okay?" Mask asked Chase. He was shaking in her arms. I guess that memory shock is taking its affect on you, isn't it?
Shadow and Moonlight came running back into the cave. Panting, Shadow said, 'They heard all the commotion in here! The Rangers are coming!'
Chase jumped to his feet automatically. Without thinking, he grabbed his bag, and Mask's hand, and led her to the entrance. "When I say run, we run for the exit," Chase said. He watched as Kenny, Ash, and Gary all rush pass them. Then not seeing Leta following, he yelled, "RUN!" Both he and Mask took off for the exit while the guys behind them tried to catch them.
They had just gotten out of the cave when Mask got tripped up on something. What she tripped on was Leta waiting to catch whoever she could. As she kicked off Leta's hold, Kenny and Ash tackled her and prevented her from getting away.
Chase looked back over his shoulder and stopped for a second. He too was almost caught by Gary if it weren't for Mask yelling, "SAVE YOURSELF! RUN!" And right before Gary could catch Chase, he took off into the blizzard. It wasn't long before Chase found a snow bank and could hide from the others. He quietly made his way back to the cave, but stayed behind the trees.
Realizing that there wasn't much he could do for Mask, he turned around and started to return to the NTR base. Starting to cry, he whispered, "Mask, I'm sorry."
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Well, there be another chapter for you guys. As I was writing the second half of this, I was talking to a friend on MSN, Disney Demon. And she kept giving me ideas for this chapter. And a really good idea for the start of the next. Hehe.
I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH THE NEXT CHAPTER! And you all will see why soon enough!