Chapter 13: The Heart Of Ilex/Interlude
Peppy: Two chapters in quick succession again. I'd like feedback on the character of Sazo too. Thanks.
Pandabot: Yep it's another double whammy. This is just a short one; it just felt right to end the chapter there. Nice bit of overview and foreshadowing. So again review and stuff thanks.
The group trailed the Houndoom deeper into the dank Ilex Forest, intimidated into silence by the oppressive atmosphere. The Houndoom, possessed by Celebi, glanced back to ensure they were following and continued on.
Finally, JT broke the silence with a few quick words,
"What is Celebi?" he asked, directing his words at the watchful Alex. Lyra perked up as she heard the question. Alex made a thoughtful noise as he stepped carefully over a fallen branch,
"Celebi is...," he blew out a breath, "well, we think that it's a she for one thing. She, if Celebi is a she, is the legendary Pokemon that presides over Ilex Forest. Blue told me that she has the capability to travel through time and control plant life, but he also said that he wasn't sure if it was true."
JT gave him a quizzical look as Lyra spoke up.
"So do you actually know anything about Celebi or not?" she asked, exasperated.
Alex shrugged as the Houndoom came to an abrupt stop in front of the group. It turned back to them; a brisk wind blew through the forest.
A voice seemed to float on the wind, whispering into their ears; Your friend is right. I can do all of that...and so much more.
JT and Lyra gaped at Celebi as she turned away and began to lead again. The wind spoke up again: And for the record, I am a female.
The group had been walking for several hours through the forest, each attempted conversation falling flat in the silence that the possessed Houndoom left in its wake. Lyra finally spoke up,
"Ugh. Can we please stop? My feet are killing me" she groaned, stumbling after JT. The wind whipped up as Houndoom disappeared out of sight; No need child, Celebi spoke with a motherly tone, We are here.
The group stepped through a particularly thick piece of undergrowth and into a huge clearing. The group stopped dead, shocked at the sight before them; in the middle of the clearing was a monstrous tree...it was dead.
Here you see the heart of Ilex Forest, Celebi spoke sadly, Or it was. The Houndoom was suddenly bathed in a green light, Celebi separating from his body in the form of a small green ball. Celebi floated over to the dead tree, touching the dry wood. Two years ago, this tree was cared for by a large colony of Treecko.
The freed Houndoom turned its head away as Celebi continued with her story; They were thriving...until the pack came hunting. Lyra closed her eyes in horror. The whole colony...they killed them all. All except...for this one.
Almost as if cued by her 'words', a Treecko leapt down from the dead branches, landing smoothly in front of the group, glaring with fury at the shamed Houndoom. The wind picked up again, the voice this time containing real pride,
Easy child, she eased the Treecko, This Treecko has helped me in replanting the Ilex Tree and even rebuilding part of my home. But now it is time for him to be free. He was never meant to be bound here; that is my duty.
Suddenly the green light dimmed and the group were finally able to see Celebi's real form; a small green humanoid with antennae and large blue eyes. She floated down to the Treecko and touched its head gently,
When I was in that Houndoom's mind, I learned many things, she soothed, One of which was that you are excellent trainers who care for your Pokemon. She turned around and floated over to the group at eye level,
Would you consent to taking this Treecko with you when you go? He deserves to see the world, to live his own life...not the one that I forced him into. The Treecko looked sharply at Celebi in suprise, then back to the stunned group. JT spoke up,
"You want us to...raise Treecko?" he asked. Well, preferably only one of you, she answered with some amusement. JT merely gaped at Celebi. The Treecko stepped towards Celebi, a confused look on its face as it spoke up questioningly. Celebi gained a sad look as she turned back to the disillusioned Treecko;
No its not that. You should not have to spend your life fixing my mistakes child. That is why I wish you to go with these humans - they are more deserving than they seem. Celebi's wind 'voice' spoke comfortingly to the Treecko. Celebi floated past the Treecko, touching it lightly on the head as she passed, and faced the dead tree.
It is time for me to accept my birthright, she 'spoke' with a steely determination, Know that they need your help. The Treecko reached after Celebi, tears already beginning to spill from his eyes. He gave a desperate cry. Celebi smiled as she turned, facing the distraught Treecko,
Oh, child. I have always thought you as my son. Never doubt that. Never doubt yourself.
JT stepped cautiously forward, kneeling gently next to the Treecko. "Are you sure, Celebi?" he spoke softly. Celebi caught his eye with a clear blue gaze.
Yes, he will live well with you, she said, turning her gaze on her son. Celebi floated to JT, grasping a pokeball awkwardly off his belt and placing it gently on the ground in front of Treecko. Lyra looked at Alex, suprised to see the frown on his young face as he stared at the scene. She turned back in time to see the Treecko dry its eyes and then, with a last longing look at the clearing and Celebi, slam its palm forward into the release catch on the pokeball.
As he was sucked into the centre, a mess of red light, Celebi sank to the ground sadly;
You had best be going, she whispered. JT nodded sharply, placing his new Treecko on his belt alongside Blitz, Zero and Hoothoot, as he clambered to his feet. Alex and Lyra joined JT awkwardly, standing over Celebi. She looked up, indicating to the group's left;
If you walk that way, you can make it out of the forest in a few hours, she whispered again. Alex nodded, turning and already beginning to move in the direction indicated. Lyra stayed behind as JT spoke.
"Celebi...I..." Celebi gave him a sad half-smile,
Go. I did what I had to.
JT opened his mouth to speak again, then closed it as Lyra led him away, rubbing his arm comfortingly as they followed Alex's disappearing form.
Half an hour later, Celebi was floating before the dead tree, eyes closed. Finally, she spoke up without turning around.
You wish to earn forgiveness?
The Houndoom, who had been lying quietly on the opposite side of the clearing, clambered slowly to his feet. He growled in affirmation.
Celebi nodded slowly. Follow them. They may have need of you. She heard a second growl, this one a more grateful tone as he bowed his head, and then the rustling of leaf litter as he left the clearing.
A brisk wind blew through the clearing, whipping the dead leaves up, creating a tornado in the centre of the clearing. Celebi turned and spoke.
Not your most subtle work. She raised an eyebrow. She heard laughter, a strong chuckle.
Perhaps.
...You do have odd taste, Celebi turned back to her tree. Again she heard laughter,
Perhaps. But you saw it too, yes?
Celebi paused for a second, reaching and delicately touching the dead bark,
I don't know what I saw, she admitted.
Indeed...
And with that the voice had gone, leaving Celebi alone in the clearing with only a dead tree for company.
'...not the greatest outcome. The time is five o'clock. So, Greer, what's going on in the wide world right now?'
'Well, Tyle, there's been more news coming out of Violet City regarding the destroyed train station. The terrorist cell, Blue's Boys, has come forward to claim responsibilty for the attack that, while causing no major injuries, has effectively shut down transport throughout the centre of Johto.'
'That's bad news, Greer.'
'It sure is Tyle, and that's not even the end of it. Word is that the infamous leader of Blue's Boys, Blue himself, was involved in an attack on an operation run by our brave Rockets. While details of the attack are still sketchy, we can confirm that two other members of Blue's Boys were involved in the attack.'
'Is that so? That's good news for our boys, Greer.'
'That's right Tyle. So, our loyal listeners, if you are aware of the whereabouts of Jordan Takeshi or Lyra Kotone then inform your nearest Rocket Headquarters or-'
Guy sat back in his seat, having just turned off the radio set. He ran a hand over his face desparingly; hopefully Blue had enough compassion to look after his daughter.
Or I could go after her, he thought, dropping the hand from his face and glancing at the pokeball sitting on the side table. He moved his eyes from the pokeball to a picture of Lyra, she was the spitting image of her mother;
No. Blue will look after, he thought with a grimace, Im needed here. He sat forward, steeling himself before turning on the radio set to catch the end of the report.
'...and Sazo, the newly appointed Executive under the great Giovanni, has decreed that any member of the cell will receive the death penalty. No exceptions.'
'Well, I can think of plenty of people who would agree with that hard line policy. And on that subject, Sazo has proven himself to be popular with the lovely girls of Goldenrod! The striking Exec striking all the right chords with the fervant crowd gathered for the opening of a brand new youth centre in Goldenrod's south-east block. The young Sazo delivered a rousing speech, sending the largely female crowd into a delerium as he jovially announced his bachelor status.'
'Good to see. Too focused on the job I bet!'
'We can only assume so Tyle.'
'And that of course, Greer, is just one step in a number of initiatives set to stimulate the city's young boys and girls, offering a path away from crime and violent Pokemon fighting and into responsible adulthood.'
'Its great to see Tyle. "Team Rocket shoots higher!" Weather in five.'