The New Order: Fading Light
Chapter 8: The Seer of the Forest
A/N: It has been a very long while but I finally figured out what to do with this chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
"The resistance has retreated to Sinnoh Sir," a young man with deep purple hair reported to Giovanni.
"Yes," Giovanni nodded, looking proudly upon his Lieutenant. After Domino, this young man was Giovanni's most reliable of operatives.
The young man of approximately twenty years nodded in reply "Kanto is yours. The resistance cannot hide forever. They are weak."
"Yes," Giovanni said thoughtfully as he rose from his desk, looking out upon Viridian City "They are weak, but never underestimate the power of persistence."
"Persistance is nothing compared to our strength," Giovanni's Lieutenant said, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
"Perhaps not but you can never be too cautious when it comes to these troublesome people," Giovanni mused "I have an assignment for you."
"Do you wish me to head to Sinnoh and lead the attack that will crush the resistance once and for all?" the Lieutenant questioned hopefully.
Giovanni chuckled "You are awfully eager my young friend. But no, the time to eradicate these pests will come but for now I need you to find that child."
"The Ketchum child?" the lieutenant's mouth dropped open. "How can one little girl make that much of a difference?"
"Never underestimate the power that one single life can have over the outcome of events," Giovanni informed the young man in a grave tone.
"She's a child," the lieutenant countered indignantly.
Giovanni raised his hand. A dark blue almost black light began to appear. It started as a pinprick of light but grew quickly into a sphere the size of a golf ball. Giovanni drew his hand back and hurled the sphere at the lieutenant. The lieutenant was knocked off of his feet.
When the young man climbed to his feet once again he stared at his boss in disbelief "What was that?" he asked, completely stunned by what had just occurred.
"The ultimate power," Giovanni leveled his gaze on the young man. "Very few people in the world possess this ability. I tracked down and killed nearly every human that possessed that power. The only one left is my granddaughter."
"Your… granddaughter…?" the lieutenant stared, wide eyed at Giovanni. What had his boss just admitted to him?
"Surprised…?" Giovanni said with a chuckle "Even in death, my bastard son continues to defy me, through his offspring. The baby must be found and dealt with."
"Dealt with," the young man was power hungry, greedy and generally bad tempered but even he had his limits "You want me to…"
"That child has the power of Aura," Giovanni said sternly "Now, what kind of monster would I be if I raised a hand against my own flesh and blood. Thankfully someone already took my son out of the picture but the child must be destroyed."
Giovanni walked to the door of the office "I have an appointment in the interrogation chambers with an old acquaintance. You are dismissed Paul."
XXX
"That looks like a safe enough place to land," Ash pointed to a wooded area on the shore. They had been looking for a place to pull the boat up for an hour now. Every suggestion that Ash had made, Dawn had found an objection to.
"It looks secluded enough," Dawn murmured "But…"
"Oh here it comes," Ash murmured.
"Well excuse me if I'm not too keen on the idea of getting captured by Team Rocket goons the second we set foot on dry land," Dawn snapped, turning in Ash's direction for a brief moment.
"Pippiplup," the water type Pokémon fretted over the raised voices.
"Well I'm sorry if I'm just a little impatient to rescue my wife who I haven't seen in over a year and who thinks I'm dead!" Ash countered.
"Well, if you don't shut up, you're going to alert someone to our presence and then you really will be dead," Dawn hissed.
"Pippiplupupup!" Piplup cried out.
Ash was the first one to apologize "I'm sorry," he began, his voice much calmer now than it had been before "I'm just impatient I guess."
Dawn laughed in spite of herself "Same old Ash," she remarked "I know you're in a hurry but we can't be too careful."
The idling boat motor suddenly stopped "What just happened?" Ash asked.
Dawn looked down at the readings "It looks like we've run out of fuel."
"This wouldn't 've happened if we'd landed at that beach I spotted twenty minutes ago," Ash pointed out.
"There was no cover," Dawn shot back "And do you really want to start argueing again right now?"
"No," Ash agreed "I guess we'd better land here. Are there any oars?"
Dawn looked on the floor of the boat. There were several spare life vests, a half full water canteen that they had brought with them, having filled it with water from a small spring on the island, and a rather large first aid kit that had been sliding back and forth beneath Dawn's feet for the entire trip. But there were no oars.
"No," she replied as she looked up "Piplup," she tossed the Pokémon one of the lines "Do you think you could help tow the boat to shore?"
"Pip pip lup," Piplup said eagerly.
"Great idea Dawn," Ash said with a smile as he tossed a Pokéball into the air "We'll need your help too Buizel!"
Buizel and Piplup got the boat to shore faster than if they had still had the use of the motor. When they reached shore, Ash jumped out and took the line from Piplup, securing it to a tree. He surveyed their surroundings "Hey, we're not too far from Pallet Town," he realized suddenly "Maybe we can get some fuel for the boat there."
"Good idea," Dawn said, gathering her things from the boat "We'll probably need it again. It wouldn't hurt to have it standing by and fueled up in case we had to make a quick escape."
"Buizel return," Ash called Buizel back into its Pokéball before he, Dawn and Piplup set off through the woods towards Pallet Town.
XXX
"Here comes the Pidgey, flying into the nest," Gary cooed as he held a spoonful of mashed carrots in front of Aurora's face.
Aurora shook her head violently "No," she objected "No Pidgey. Ho-oh!"
Gary chuckled "Ho-oh, huh? Okay, Ho-oh it is. Open up for Ho-oh."
Aurora opened her mouth and Gary popped the spoon inside. The child smiled "Yummy," she said after swallowing the food.
Gary laughed as he continued to feed the little girl. She was definitely something special. She made him smile. He felt sad that Ash would never get a chance to meet this charming little individual. He only hoped that somehow, it wouldn't be too late for Misty and that mother and daughter might still one day be reunited.
After he finished feeding Aurora he picked her up "Well little miss," he said as he bounced her lightly in his arms "What shall we do today?"
XXX
Cassidy sat at the desk in her newly attained office. Giovanni had appointed her as Chief of Operations in Veilstone City when she had reported to him that the city was securely under the control of the Rockets. She leaned back in her chair and laced her fingers behind her head. It was good to be in charge. She glanced down at the intercom button and smiled devilishly as she reached forward and pressed it.
"Get me a cup of coffee," she demanded "And something chocolate."
"I have better things to do with my time," the gravily male voice on the other end complained.
"No you don't," Cassidy chuckled "It's your job now Bitch."
"It's Butch!" Cassidy's irritated former partner turned secretary shouted "Of all the people in the world, you should know that!"
"Oh, I do," Cassidy grinned "But you're my bitch now Butch."
Butch groaned "Be right there," he replied finally.
Cassidy relaxed in her chair. It was good to be in charge. It wasn't long before Butch entered with a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar in hand. Cassidy looked up at him "Thank you Bitch," she chuckled as Butch set the items on her desk.
"By the way your majesty," Butch grumbled "Devereux and McBride are here."
Cassidy took a deep swig of her cup of coffee before setting it down in front of her "Send them in Bitch," she laughed.
"She's enjoying being in charge a little too much," Butch murmured as he left the office.
Not long after Butch had departed two Rocket agents entered the room. They stood before Cassidy's desk and saluted her "Reporting as ordered," the male, Jack McBride, stated.
"You're late," Cassidy snapped. She studied the two Rocket agents.
McBride was running a trembling hand through his short dark blue hair. His green eyes were darting around the room, looking everywhere but at her face. His partner, Jill Devereux was staring at the floor and repeatedly running a hand over the red "R" on her uniform.
"Well," Cassidy said impatiently "Report! What did you find?"
"We've reviewed the security footage from the buildings around the school," McBride told her.
"We were able to get the footage you asked for," Devereux added.
"Good job," Cassidy drawled "Were you able to identify Schwartz's killer?"
"We don't have a clear enough picture," McBride told her "The subject is facing away from the camera at all times."
Cassidy slammed her hand down on her desk "I want that killer rebel and that murderous Blaziken identified and dragged back here. Justice must be served. Get back to work."
"Yes Ma'am," the two agents saluted before they exited the office.
Cassidy smirked. She really didn't give a Poliwag's tale wheather justice was served. Giovanni had demanded that she make an example of someone among the rebels. Leon Schwartz's murder had only served to give her a proper target. She couldn't really care less that the guy was dead. And from the file she had seen the day she'd arrived to take control of this bunch of sorry excuses for Rockets, she didn't believe anyone would care, except perhaps for his partner Lynn Davis. But Cassidy didn't even give it a second thought.
Cassidy's first duty was to Team Rocket and to Giovanni. Whatever Giovanni ordered her to do, she would do it. Obedience and success were the keys to advancement in the organization. Cassidy was going places and she didn't care how many people she had to bulldoze over to get there.
XXX
"This thing is insane!" James shouted as the Ponyta he was trying to lead back into the small stable reared up on its hind legs.
"She's not a thing!" Aiden protested loudly as he watched James struggling "Her name is Dancing Flame!"
James grimaced momentarily as he tried to reign in the creature "Well," he said as he struggled to keep from being pulled off his feet "Dancing Flame is crazy then!"
Jessie laughed as she brought the other Ponyta, a male named Dashing Blaze, over to the stable "Her reaction to you seems perfectly reasonable to me," she snickered.
"Very funny," James remarked through gritted teeth "Why is yours so calm?"
"Maybe he likes me," Jessie smiled.
James couldn't help but smile even in the middle of his current predicament. It was good to see a glimpse of the old Jessie shining through the gloom that seemed to have taken over her being of late.
"She's not trying to control him," Aiden informed James "She's guiding him, not forcing him."
James shook his head "That does me no good," he told the boy.
"Get out of the way," Aiden told him as he shoved James in an attempt to get him to move.
"Excuse me?" James looked down at the child.
"I'll do it," Aiden explained before leading a calm Dancing Flame into the stable.
James stood silent, scratching his head. Jessie laughed "Shown up by an eight year old. That's got to sting."
XXX
Misty and Pikachu had been walking for hours through Viridian Forest. They were both exhausted. Misty sank to her knees near a tree "Pikachu," she murmured "I don't know what to do."
"Pika pika chu Pikachupi," Pikachu attempted to console her but it was no use. Misty buried her face in her hands and began to cry.
"Now, now," a voice said calmingly "Why the tears dear?"
Misty looked up to see an old woman standing in front of her. The old woman had a kind face. She was smiling softly at Misty and Pikachu. Her blue eyes however, were dull, as if she had seen far too many things that she wished she hadn't in her many years.
"Hello," Misty greeted softly, hastily wiping her tears "What are you doing in the middle of the forest?"
"I could ask you the same thing my dear," the woman chuckled "But I already know the answer to that. As for myself, I live in this forest." She extended a hand towards Misty "I humbly request that you and your Pikachu join me at my home. You look tired."
Misty nodded weakly. She had the immediate feeling that she could trust the woman. She rose from the ground and followed the woman. A few minutes into their walk Misty decided to attempt conversation.
"Excuse me," she began "But if you don't mind my asking. Who are you?"
"Oh, where are my manners," the old woman laughed "My name is Lydia. I'm a seer."
"A seer…?" Misty asked "Is that anything like a fortune teller?"
"More or less," Lydia replied as they made their way through the forest. A moment later Lydia, Misty and Pikachu stood in front of a little moss covered stone building. "Welcome to my home," Lydia said, turning to Misty "It's not much but it suits my needs."
Misty followed Lydia into the house. It was one room. A small stove sat in one corner. Along one wall a wide wooden plank had been built into the wall. The plank was piled high with blankets and Misty supposed that that was where Lydia slept. In the center of the room there was a small table and two chairs. On the table sat a small candle lamp which provided the only source of light in the room.
"Come, sit," Lydia offered Misty one of the chairs "I'll make you some tea."
"Thank you," Misty said as Pikachu hopped up into her lap.
"I'll get something for you as well little friend," Lydia smiled down at Pikachu.
Suddenly an Abra appeared on the table in front of Misty causing her to gasp. The Abra laughed and teleported to the sleeping shelf than back to the table and laughed at Misty's reaction once again.
Lydia turned around and grabbed the Abra off the table "Abby," she scolded "We don't go around startling company like that," she set the Abra on the floor "Now behave yourself."
Misty giggled "Is that your Abra?" she inquired.
"Yes," Lydia replied with a faint smile "I apologize for Abby, she likes to play games. She's always teleporting hither and yon. She's only a baby. I'm trying to teach her not to startle people like she does but it's just the two of us out here. You're the first person other than myself that Abby's ever met."
"She certainly seems friendly," Misty remarked as Abby rubbed against Lydia's leg.
"Yes," Lydia commented as she set about making tea "Abby is a dear even if she is a little trickster," Lydia chuckled as Abby teleported back to the sleeping shelf.
A few minutes later Lydia set a cup of tea and a biscuit on the table infront of Misty "And for you," she handed Pikachu a biscuit of his own.
"Pika!" Pikachu said gratefully as he began to munch on the biscuit.
Lydia gave a biscuit to Abby before taking a seat across from Misty. Misty took a sip of her tea as Lydia spoke "You are a profoundly sad young woman," she observed.
Misty nodded as she put her tea cup down and stroked the top of Pikachu's head "I've lost a lot because of this war," she murmured.
"Pika chuuu," Pikachu agreed sadly.
"You've both lost someone special to you," Lydia continued "A young man, a very special young man… And you have had to make sacrifices since then." Again, Misty and Pikachu both nodded though neither said a word this time. Lydia smiled softly at the two "All is not lost, he will find his way back to you and together you will reclaim all that which has been taken…"
Misty's gaze dropped "You're not a very good fortune teller," she remarked "My husband is dead…"
"I assure you my powers are quite well developed," Lydia told her "He's alive dear. As we speak he is arriving in Kanto."
"I wish I could believe you," Misty whispered "But…"
"Remember, you never found a body," Lydia explained "A hat is not evidence of death. It just means he lost his hat," she laughed a bit.
Misty looked up "So you're saying…?"
"He's alive child," Lydia stated again "He's alive and he's coming for you."
Misty's heart swelled with joy. She picked Pikachu up off her lap and hugged him "Did you hear that Pikachu?" she asked, unnecessarily as the yellow rodent was already squealing with joy, "Ash is alive!"
The joy was soon replaced by worry "But where is he? He thinks that I'm still in Pallet… What's he going to think when…?"
"Calm yourself," Lydia told her. The old woman pulled out a Pokéball and threw it into the air.
"Alakazam!" the psychic Pokémon shouted with enthusiasm.
"Allow me to introduce you to Abby's mother," Lydia told Misty. "This is Allie. Allie's teleportation powers are far more advanced that Abby's and so are her people skills."
"Nice to meet you Allie," Misty said, more confused now than ever.
"Don't worry dear," Lydia smiled "Allie is going to take you to him." She handed Misty Allie's Pokéball "Allie, you do everything that Misty says until you return here with all of the travelers," Lydia commanded.
"Aaaalllllaaaaaa!" Allie agreed.
"Now take these two to Pallet Town and wait for our young Chosen One to arrive," Lydia said in a commanding tone.
Allie nodded and the next thing Misty knew, she and Pikachu were standing beside Allie in the middle of Pallet Town…
XXX
Lydia stared at the empty spot where they had been. Abby teleported herself into Lydia's arms and Lydia began stroking the top of the Pokémon's head as her eyes drifted closed "I hope this will in some small part make up for what I have done…" she whispered as she thought back long ago to when Allie had still been an Abra and she had made a haunting prediction to a young man who had come with his young lover for a vacation on the Sea Foam Islands.
A/N: Well, Ash and Misty's long awaited reunion is coming up soon. We'll definitely see more of Lydia in future chapters. We learned a thing or two about Giovanni too. As for the Butch and Cassidy scene… well I just had to have her calling him her bitch I couldn't help myself. Please review.