TOUKO'S P.O.V.
I hide behind a bush, and peer through the leaves, searching for my friends. Instead I end up staring straight into a pair of chocolate brown eyes. I'm not worried, though, I know these eyes all too well. They're Touya's.
"TOUKO!" someone screams and hugs me tightly from behind. I wriggle out of their grasp and whirl around to face them. It's Bianca – wait, what is she doing here?
"Bianca, what are you doing here?" I ask.
She pouts at me. "No hello for your oldest, best-est" - she tosses a glance at Touya - "female friend?"
"Sorry," I say, purposefully omitting the 'hello'. "So, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the same reason you are," Bianca huffs. "So's Cheren. We're not spies anymore because Chili says it's not safe. So now we're officially part of the rebellion."
"Oh … fun," I say distractedly, searching for Cheren. I see him trying to help Chili with lunch, spilling precious food supplies everywhere. Chili's face is turning red, as though he's holding back the urge to explode.
"You don't sound very excited," Bianca says with a frown.
"No, I am," I reply hastily, and then yell, "HEY, CHEREN! COME HERE FOR A SEC!" so that Chili doesn't have a breakdown.
Cheren jogs over and gives me a quick hug. "Hey, Touko."
"Hi," I say and then we just stand there awkwardly.
"So ..." says Cheren.
"So..." I echo.
"What did you want?" he asks.
"What? Who said I want anything?" I demand.
"Well, you called me over here," Cheren points out.
"Oh, did I?" I ask, pretending to space out. "Sorry about that. Go hang with Iris or something." I wave my hand dismissively. Cheren gives me an odd look before walking away to join Iris and Skyla, who are giggling about something obsessively.
The two girls steal a glance at me, and then Touya, who's come around from the side of the bush to stand by my side. They burst into another round of spastic giggles, until Iris catches her breath and shouts, "Hey, Bianca! Come over here and give the lovebirds some space!"
"What?" Bianca says, confused. She casts a glance at the only two people around her – me and Touya. A look of understanding passes over her. "Ohhhhhh … 'kay, I'm coming!" She shoots me a knowing smile and flounces off to sit with Iris and Skyla.
I act as though I have no idea what they're talking about, but I do feel grateful that I'm finally alone with Touya again. It's only been a couple of days since I went off to catch Landorus, but it feels like ages.
"Hey," says Touya, staring at me with a hint of a smile on his face.
I'm not sure how to respond, so I go with the sweet-girlfriend act, since that's kind of what I want to be. "I missed you."
"Yeah?" he says, playing around with his hat. "I missed you, too."
"Good," I say firmly and he laughs.
"Did you catch that legendary Pokemon, then?"
"Yup," I tell him proudly, pulling Landorus' Pokeball out of my purse to show him. "Though I can't say it was much of a catch."
"What do you mean?" asks Touya. "it wasn't much of a challenge?"
"Barely," I reply. "I kind of ended up stealing him."
"What?!" Touya cries, freaking out. "From who?"
"N," I answer triumphantly. "He happened to be there."
"Okaaaay," Touya replies, trailing off and then we stand there as awkwardly as I had with Cheren just moments ago, except me and Touya are holding hands.
Suddenly, Iris' voice floats out from the bushes. "Oh, quit the chitchat! Just kiss already!"
"Yeah!" Skyla's voice adds from up in a tree. "We're SOOOOO bored!"
"Have they kissed before?" inquires Bianca's voice, from behind the tree.
"Like, twice," answers Iris' voice. "But there might have been others that Skyla and I missed."
"Not fair!" whines Bianca's voice. "I missed all that? Touko, you and Touya absolutely have to kiss right now!"
"Shut up!" I yell at them. "Touya and I aren't toys. You can't just control our relationship by telling us what to do and when to do it."
"So you admit you two have a relationship, then?" Skyla's voice teases.
"Don't make me send Landorus out on you," I threaten them, admitting nothing. "I've been dying for a chance to see what he can do before I unleash him on Team Plasma."
Screaming – but more in laughter than fear – the three of them run out of their hiding places and back to the 'safety' of the camp, right in front of Victory Road's entrance.
"So, this is it, then?" Touya says, gesturing to the cave entrance. "The real challenge for the rebellion is about to start, isn't it?"
"Pretty much," I reply, trying to act as though I'm not the slightest bit nervous.
"I know you're scared," Touya teases me, putting his arm around me. "But don't worry. You have us to back you up."
"Yeah, three immature girls, one talented chef, a techie, and TWO bookworms," I reply with an eye roll.
Touya scrunches up his face trying to figure out who he is on that list. "Hey! I'm not a bookworm, am I? Oh no, I'm a bookworm!"
"No," I laugh at him. "Cheren and Shauntal are the bookworms. You're … not on the list."
"Why not?" Touya demands.
"Because you're you," I answer, even though it's not really much of an answer. "C'mon, let's go eat with everyone else. The sooner we can get into Victory Road, the sooner we can get out of Victory Road."
We walk towards everyone else, my arm around Touya's neck and his arm around my waist. I have to admit, this feels kind of nice.
We finish up the last bit (or in my case, fifth piece) of pecha berry pie – apparently, Bianca brought a pack of pecha berries with her when she and Cheren joined up with us and Chili made it into a pie for me as a "Welcome Back" dinner – and Iris yawns.
"Do we really have to go into Victory Road now?" she asks with a sleepy expression on her face. "I'm so tired."
"Me too," Skyla agrees immediately, and my bullshit radar starts tingling. Are they trying to set up something here? "We should spend the night right here and go into Victory Road tomorrow."
"It gets so cold at night up here, though," complains Bianca. Okay, so maybe they're not planning something, otherwise Bells would be on their side.
"It's okay," Skyla replies, shooting Touya a suggestive look. "We have spare blankets."
Touya turns bright red and I am left utterly confused. "No, actually, I think we should go," he stutters out.
"I agree," I, well, agree. "We can't waste any more time if what Bianca and Cheren have told us is true. And obviously, it is. So we have to go into Victory Road right now."
Bianca, Iris and Skyla – so they WERE planning something! My bullshit radar is never wrong – sigh collectively, but gather up their things.
We walk into Victory Road and are immediately surrounded by black.
"It's dark in here," comments Iris.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Chili says sarcastically.
"Don't worry," Brycen says, pulling about fifteen mining hats with the cute little flashlights out of his satchel. "Everyone can have one of these."
We all take one and put them on, switching the flashlight on as well. The cave is suddenly much better illuminated.
"Well, I guess this isn't so bad," Bianca says cheerfully. "I thought it'd be all dark and smelly and full of scary stuff, you know? But this is actually oka-" Before she can finish, something seems to scream in the cave, off to the left and Bianca screams as well.
"OhmyArceus, ohmyArceus, ohmyArceus," she hyperventilates. "Get me out of this cave!" She turns as if to run off back to the entrance, but I grab her arm.
"Bianca, no!" I scold her, even though that scream scared the fuck out of me as well. "We have to do this."
Unfortunately, another scream comes out, this time from the right side. Bianca grabs onto Chili and holds on as if for dear life.
Before anyone can say anything comforting, yet ANOTHER scream comes out this time from directly in front of us.
"What the fuck?" demands Chili. "How can it be in all these places so quickly?"
"Well, maybe," Shauntal says quietly, "there isn't just one of these, er, screaming things. Maybe there are three."
"In this one cave?" Touya groans. "That is so just our luck."
"Wait, you guys," I reply, an idea forming in my mind. "These … screaming things … have to be Pokemon, right? And they must be pretty powerful."
"Thanks, Touko, for reminding us," snaps Chili. "Freak everyone out some more, why don't you?"
"Shut up, I wasn't done," I retort. "As I was saying, I think we should split up and find these Pokemon. And then catch them. Then we'll have three more awesome Pokemon to take on Team Plasma with."
"That's a great idea," Cheren agrees, "but are we strong enough to catch Pokemon as powerful as these seem to be?"
"Of course we are!" Iris replies cheerfully. "I'll go catch one if you want, Touko."
"Me, too," adds Skyla.
"And I'll go for the last one," Shauntal volunteers.
I'm a little disappointed because I wanted to catch one of them for myself. But I guess since I caught Landorus, it's only fair that everyone else get a turn. "Okay. You guys keep your X-transceivers on so we can communicate and find each other later."
"Wait, what will the rest of us do?" Bianca demands. "I'm suggesting getting the hell out of this cave until it's safe!"
"No, Bianca, we're not going to ditch our friends," Touya replies. "We'll wait right here, or maybe try to navigate our way to the end of this cave."
"Okay," Bianca says reluctantly, "but if anything tries to attack us, I get eaten last."
No one is quite sure how to respond to that, so we just nod our heads like it's normal and watch Skyla, Shauntal and Iris split off from us and depart in separate ways.
SKYLA'S P.O.V.
So here I am in a cave, searching for a Pokemon that I don't even know what it looks like. However, I did volunteer for this so I guess I can't really complain. And it's not as though I'm not well prepared – Chili stocked me up with snacks, just in case, and I've got my Pokemon, a variety of Pokeballs, plus one of Brycen's miner hats.
Still, though, Victory Road is a little creepy to navigate alone. I wish Caitlin was here – she was part of the Elite Four, so of course she knew Victory Road like the back of her hand. So does Shauntal, but she's off on her own somewhere else, looking for a different Pokemon.
I'm too busy thinking to pay attention, and almost fall down a steep, crudely built staircase that leads me one floor down in the cave. Nervously, I descend, since I've never actually been here before and I have no idea what could be waiting for me down there.
Thankfully – or maybe not, depending on how you think about it – I'm all alone down here as well. I'm starting to regret volunteering for this because I'm hearing the sound of dripping water. What if this place floods? Or what if there's a giant river blocking the way somehow? I love the rebellion and Pokemon and all, but no way am I swimming across a river in this outfit!
Cautiously, I keep my same pace, walking with my head down so that the light from my mining hat shines on the floor. That way, I'll see any puddles or anything like that before I step in them. So far there's been no sign of water.
Of course, it seems like fate hears my thoughts and goes Well, better change that! and causes me to trip and fall into a huge puddle, that kind of seems bottomless. Oh, hell no! There is no way I'm gonna die by drowning in a freaking PUDDLE! I think, but since all I can do is flail around in it desperately, I figure I'm just going to have to accept my fate.
"I'M SORRY, REBELLION! I'VE FAILED YOU!" I shout dramatically, but the scream is drowned out by one of those loud screeches before. "Oh, wonderful," I mutter sarcastically, "now I get to be eaten instead of drowned."
Something charges towards me – I can hear it's loud, thundering footsteps approaching faster and faster – and I flail harder in the puddle, though it does nothing but make me tired faster. Suddenly, the footsteps stop and I lift my head to shine the mining light directly on the Pokemon.
It's giant. Like seriously, even bigger than my Uncle Danny, who's like ten feet tall and wider than a truck. The Pokemon is so tall that the puddle water, which is currently in the process of drowning me, doesn't even reach up to its knees. I will never get over how big this Pokemon is for as long as I live – which, actually, may not be all that long considering it's probably about to kill me.
The Pokemon kind of resembles a Stantler, except it's much, much bigger and a beautiful aqua shade of blue. Kind of like the color of my eyes, and also the adorable crop top I happen to be wearing. Not that that's important.
Anyway, I can't look away from those bright yellow horns right on top of his head. They could probably spear right through me if he charged at me. I force myself to look the Pokemon in the eye and be friendly.
"Hi, Pokemon," I say, acting cheerful and giving it a big smile, "I'm Skyla. Aren't you adorable?" Even though he's actually more intimidating than adorable and I'm scared out of my wits. Oh, and Pokemon don't really speak English.
It doesn't say anything, just stares straight into my eyes, unblinking. And then suddenly it's lunging at me and I'm screaming and I'm in its mouth but then just as quickly, I'm out of there and on its back.
"Did you just … save me from that demon puddle?" I say slowly, finally understanding. Then I pat the Pokemon on his furry blue head and go, "Aren't you the sweetest? Thank you for saving me! You're not half as scary as you look, are you? Just misunderstood."
It walks through the puddle and gently deposits me on dry ground. Shakily, I pull out a Pokeball and hold it towards him. I'm not really sure if that's what he wants, but he's made it pretty obvious that he's friendly. Or at least he likes me.
The Pokemon cocks his head to the left, staring at me. Then it makes a motion as though it's nodding its head, and I reach for my Pokeball. Then I stop and pull out my X-transceiver instead, opening up the Pokedex part of it and scanning in the blue giant in front of me.
Words immediately pop up onto the screen that I have to struggle to read. The gist of it is that this Pokemon is a legendary, called Cobalion, it's type being fighting and steel. His nature is to be calm and gentle, but also powerful. My kind of guy.
I pop open the Pokeball. The giant blue Pokemon disappears inside it and I snap it shut. "Welcome to the rebellion, Cobalion," I say in terms of greeting, and then tuck the Pokeball safely into my purse.
Then I switch on the X-transceiver so I can talk to Brycen. My mission has been accomplished (yes, I've always wanted to say that) and I need to know where they are so I can head back. As it rings, I walk briskly, retracing my steps.
IRIS' P.O.V.
There's something about this Victory Road that makes me feel all happy on the inside. I don't know why Bianca feels the need to hate on it so much – so what if it's dark and kind of gloomy? It's quiet and peaceful and I know for sure all the Plasma Grunts are such scaredy cats they'll never come here.
I start humming my favorite song in the whole world as I walk, keeping an eye out for the Pokemon I'm supposed to be catching, though that's kind of a hard task since I have no idea at all about what it looks like.
"I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokemon to understand
The power that's inside!"
Hey, that actually works pretty well with my current situation. I'm sort of traveling across the land (okay, cave) to search for a Pokemon. I so knew this was a good song to sing. Just as I'm about to launch into the chorus, I hear a scream not unlike the one that first scared Bianca.
"Hello?" I yell out. "Is that you, Pokemon?"
There's no answer. "I'm friendly, you know!" I shout for the Pokemon's benefit. "My name is Iris! That's I-R-I-S. Iris. Say it with me now, Ir-" I get cut off by the Pokemon appearing in front of me like magic.
"Oh, um, hi," I stutter, amazed at how cute it is. It kind of looks like a large antelope, though it's a beautiful shade of green. "I'm, well, Iris."
It glares at me. "I'm friendly," I repeat, not really enjoying the hostile looks. What is up with this? Pokemon usually love me!
It snorts disbelievingly. "Hey," I state defensively, "I really am." An idea crosses my mind. "Look, if you seem to understand English as well as I think you do, I'm gonna sing a song, okay? I wrote it myself with my dad."
It cocks its head to the right and looks at me inquisitively. Thankfully, its lost the hateful glare. I start to sing the next part of Gotta Catch 'Em All.
"Every challenge along the way
With courage, I will face
I will battle everyday
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team
Arm and arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream"
The Pokemon is still looking at me skeptically. "Oh, come on, Pokemon," I beg, "be a little more trusting. Live your life. We'll have fun together. My Haxorus loves me, why don't you talk to him or something? Bet he could convince you."
The Pokemon's eyes widen, but it doesn't make any movement. Suddenly, I feel kind of guilty for only calling it 'Pokemon'. I pull out my X-transceiver and open up the Pokedex part of it. I scan in the Pokemon in front of me.
A lot of words come up, but I only skim them, since I'm not big on reading. It's name is Virizion, which is really pretty sounding, and it's type is grass and fighting. "Oh," I say out loud as I read the part where it claims that because Virizion has seen Pokemon being mistreated, it doesn't really like people.
"Hey, Virizion," I say gently, and it looks directly into my eyes. "I wouldn't like people either, if I'd seen what you have. But I promise you, not everyone is like that. I'm one of those people who are different. And you must have sensed that, right, since you haven't killed me yet? Here, listen to the rest of my song."
I continue with the chorus.
"Pokemon!
Gotta catch 'em all
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokemon!
Gotta catch 'em all
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend"
I look at Virizion hopefully, and it actually seems to have a smile on its face. Encouraged, I keep singing – and Virizion starts bobbing his head along to the lyrics! I laugh and grin at him, and finish up the song.
"Pokemon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Pokemon!"
As I finish, I pull out a Pokeball and hold it up for Virizion to see. I don't want it to think I've tricked it and now am ambushing it.
It gives me a nod, so I click open the Pokeball and it disappears into it. Then I turn on my X-transceiver and get directions from Brycen to get back to the rest of the group.
SHAUNTAL'S P.O.V.
Personally, I love Victory Road. It's quiet and dark and beautiful, and there's something about walking down the same path that thousands of other trainers have once walked, all with the same goal in mind. To challenge – and hopefully defeat – the Elite Four.
I enjoyed it so much, being part of the Elite Four. Of course, I was the strongest so pretty much no one could beat me. But still, seeing such determined trainers with their hardworking, loving Pokemon and watching them battle and strengthen that bond … there is no other feeling like it. And I've missed it terribly these last seven years.
I keep walking, not sure what Pokemon I'm looking for. I keep a tight grip on my Pokeballs, both empty and with my powerful Pokemon in them. I feel as though I've been walking for days – though I'm sure it's only been one or two hours – when I notice a little opening off on the side of the wall. It looks exactly like the entrance we used to come into Victory Road, but there's no possible way this is the same entrance.
Especially since I, as did every member of the Elite Four, know Victory Road better than anyone. How could none of us know of the existence of this little side room? Curiously, I slip in through the entrance and find myself in a spacious room with high ceilings.
Right smack in the middle lies a … large lump. I walk over tentatively and give it a slight poke. It makes a large grunting noise and shifts over, and I can see its face and features much better now. I let out a gasp – this is the legendary Pokemon Terrakion! Grimsley, another member of the Elite Four, and I had had so many discussions about whether it really resided here … and apparently, it had.
Suddenly, Terrakion lets out a piercing scream in its sleep and I jump backward. I could easily catch it now, while its asleep, but somehow that seems wrong. Like a low-down, cowardly thing that Team Plasma might do.
So I poke it again harder. "Terrakion!" I exclaim.
It ignores me, the big bear-like figure turning away from me now. I feel as though I'm some kind of mosquito to the legendary. "Terrakion!" I repeat, louder.
Finally, it opens up it's large brown eyes to stare at me menacingly. "Sorry about waking you up," I apologize quickly. "My name is Shauntal. Very nice to meet you."
I'm grateful no one else is around to witness this. Here I am, talking to a Pokemon like it will understand what I'm talking about and even respond to me.
It stands up shakily and towers over me. I gulp. "So, Terrakion. I understand that you are a very powerful Pokemon. And I need your help."
It narrows its eyes at me as though it would never dream of helping me do anything. "Please listen," I say to it, remembering how much Terrakion doesn't like humans. It, along with its counterparts Cobalion and Virizion, think that all people are like Team Plasma and mistreat Pokemon. I launch into a very long, detailed explanation about the rebellion, starting from the very beginning as I know it.
To its credit, Terrakion doesn't look bored or go back to sleep. In fact, it seems sort of intrigued. When I finally finish by explaining Touko's plan to destroy Team Plasma once and for all, Terrakion lets out an extremely loud roar I'm sure all the others can hear from wherever they are in Victory Road.
I get up the courage to pull out an empty Pokeball and gesture to it carefully. "So, would you mind helping us out?" I ask it. "Please? We need your power to defeat Team Plasma and reunite humans and Pokemon."
It looks at me and nods immediately. With relief, I open the Pokeball and watch Terrakion disappear into it.
I click on my X-transceiver and message Brycen. "Where are you?" I ask. "I've got the Pokemon. Let's get out of here."
I meet up with the rest of the rebellion, along with Iris and Skyla who seem to have gotten back before me, very close to the exit of Victory Road.
"So, what Pokemon did you catch?" Touko asks eagerly. "Skyla and Iris have Cobalion and Virizion, and they're legendaries."
My eyes widen. "That's amazing! I thought Terrakion was the only legendary who lived in Victory Road!"
"Does that mean you caught Terrakion?" asks Brycen, looking extremely impressed. I nod. "Good job, all three of you," he says.
"Yes, yes, this is great and all," Bianca interrupts the little self-congratulatory party. "But can we please get out of here? Victory Road gives me the creeps."
"I know the way by heart," I offer. "Follow me." I lead them easily straight to the exit of Victory Road and we enter the beautiful sunlight. Sure, I like Victory Road a lot, but that doesn't mean I want to spend my life in the cave.
"Okay!" Touko cries out cheerfully. "Who's ready to destroy Team Plasma?"
We all throw our hands up in the air and cheer in response. I feel for Terrakion's Pokeball in my pocket and smile genuinely up at the sky.