Author's Note: Chapter 17 is here! You can think of this as a birthday present haha – I am 20 years old today! ;] Read, and please, please, please, review! :] I would love to know if you like it and whether or not you have any suggestions. And if you see any typos, let me know – I'll go back and fix them. ;] And congratulations to Wingman11 for guessing the mystery character right! Oh, and I have a poll going on in my profile. I'd love everyone's input. So, here goes Chapter 17.
Dive-Bomb was left alone with his thoughts – Umbreon, Vaporeon, and Jennifer had left him after he had declined their request for his help.
I've got to get back to headquarters, and soon, Dive-Bomb reasoned with himself. I just let the only hope of getting out of here walk away from me. Even if I did decide to help them, Umbreon would never trust me now. I have no other choice – I cannot remain on the streets, at the mercy of all those ungrateful humans. Staying with the CPA is my only chance for survival.
Dive-Bomb stood up from his sitting position, stretching his wings, mentally preparing himself for facing a more-than-likely enraged Scyther. There was no way he was in a happy mood with the Eevee having escaped and all. The Swellow turned around, and immediately felt as though a Machoke had punched him directly in the stomach. Dive-Bomb was sent several feet backwards, sprawling out of control. Due to his intense shock, he had completely forgotten how to use his wings, hitting the packed earth with a loud thud.
"Well, well, Dive-Bomb." The feminine voice spat his name as though it was something terribly disgusting in her mouth. "You think you can almost take me out and I would just forget? I don't think so."
Dive-Bomb, sore from the forceful blow he was dealt, managed to regain his senses and shake off his stupor. Just a few feet in front of him stood a magnificent Pidgeot – Nimbus. He had almost completely forgotten that she was still there; Dive-Bomb had knocked her out during the fight to save Jennifer and her two friends. I didn't even feel her coming, he thought. What did she use? A Quick Attack? He quickly assessed the Pidgeot's condition. She was notably tired and definitely hurt – the Swellow's Endeavor had left her unconscious for quite a while. But above all else, Dive-Bomb noticed that she was angry – no, more than angry. Absolutely livid. Just looking at her expression made Dive-Bomb almost fearful of her – almost. He took her down once, and he was certain he could do it again. The longer he waited to speak with Razor, the worse his chances of getting back in were, and Dive-Bomb was not going to let Nimbus stand in his way. He made a move towards her, but neither her stance nor her expression faltered.
"So, this is how you want it to be, eh Nimbus?" Dive-Bomb chided. "You and I both know who will claim victory if we battle this very moment – it's obvious your hit points are severely depleted from our last go-around." He shot a snide grin at the Pidgeot, and Nimbus visibly stiffened. It was no lie that Dive-Bomb was a master when it came to psychological tactics; after all, he had convinced Jennifer of all the horrors that went on in the Tell-All Chamber.
Nimbus' gaze still did not falter, despite Dive-Bomb's cunning words. "I wouldn't be so self-assured, Dive-Bomb. You don't have a damn clue what I have in store for you." With those words, Nimbus shot straight for the Swellow in a potentially devastating Quick Attack. The battle was on.
Espeon sat outside the warehouse soundlessly. The southern voice had given up talking to the whimpering one, whoever it was, because that's all it would do. Espeon's stellar ears picked up the voice again as its owner descended to the first floor of the building, though it wasn't quite the same as when she had first heard it.
"Keep watch on her!" barked the voice, notably tossing its sweetness out the window. There were apparently others in the building. "Don't give her any food, water, or comforts until she says something of value. Perhaps smacking her around a bit will…encourage her to open her mouth. Since you incompetent fools let that damn Eevee get away, this one is all we have left for now! If she hasn't spoken by the time I get back – well, I'll let you draw straws for which of you will have the honor."
Espeon eyes widened in shock. Jennifer escaped! she thought excitedly. Hopefully she's with the others by now. Espeon slunk as close as she could get to the corner of the warehouse, and carefully peeked her head around. The Psychic pokémon watched the retreating back of a particularly large Scyther, still throwing out curses under his breath.
The Scyther's word sunk in as Espeon realized whom he must be keeping in that room on the second floor. It's got to be Stephanie, she concluded. And even if it isn't – no one deserves to die that way. I have to find a way in there. She pulled her head back and found her way back to the window. Hmm. There are obviously guards at the entrance. I don't know how many more are actually in the building, and I have no idea of their types. She sighed inwardly. I can't do this alone. If only I had the others with me… Espeon then had an idea.
The sun was just beginning to set as Umbreon, Vaporeon, and Jennifer left the Swellow to find Stephanie on their own. Umbreon knew their chances weren't the greatest, but the Dark-type couldn't think of anything better. What he did know was that Stephanie had to be somewhere around the abandoned buildings – not even the CPA would risk trying to hide a human in a populated area. Umbreon looked up at the steadily setting sun. Good, he thought dully. At least the dark will give us some cover.
Umbreon took a peek behind him. Dive-Bomb was nowhere to be seen. Hmm. He just proved what I said. Good riddens. He noticed Vaporeon and Jennifer as well – both looked exhausted. The Eevee kept looking behind her every so often. The black fox guessed she was looking for the Swellow as well as he had been, but probably not for the same reason. I don't know why she ever trusted him.
As Umbreon turned his head back around, his tender ears picked up a faint thudding sound. He and Vaporeon exchanged foreboding glances. Jennifer, oblivious to the world, failed to notice.
"Sounds like hooves," Vaporeon offered, her large, finned ears much more powerful than Umbreon's.
"Move over here," Umbreon instructed, just as Jennifer began to hear the noise as well. "If it's a pokémon headed towards this way, we probably don't want to be seen by them."
Jenn and Vaporeon obeyed and the trio slipped behind some shrubs along the side of the road. They sat, still and silent, until the hooves were almost upon them. Thinking whoever it was would just run on by, the three were shocked when the hooves slowed almost to a stop just a little ways from their shrubs.
Umbreon's thoughts began racing. Could they have seen them? Did they know what their intentions were? If this were a CPA member, would it have been already alerted to Jennifer's disappearance? However, all of Umbreon's worries faded from his mind when the hoofed figure finally strutted into view – Ereyla. And right beside her was a very tired, but otherwise okay, Jolteon.
Umbreon sprang from the shrub, taking Jolteon and the Rapidash, along with her passengers, utterly by surprise. "Ereyla, what are you doing here?" Umbreon wasted no time in his interrogation. "It's still light outside, someone could have seen you, or worse, followed you!"
"No one did, Tat made sure of that," the fire horse answered. Tat gave Umbreon a wink from the rear. "Do you have the others with you? The Eevee and the human?"
We've got the Eevee," Umbreon answered, gesturing towards the shrubs. Vaporeon was gently tugging at Jennifer, who had seemingly managed to get herself tangled in some branches. Umbreon sighed. "We haven't had any luck with Stephanie, and I'm not sure where Espeon is at the moment. If she decided to try her hand at Teleporting again –" Umbreon rolled his eyes – "no telling where she could be right now."
Jolteon collapsed melodramatically into the dirt, groaning. "He ran with me for quite the distance," Ereyla said in response to Umbreon's unbelieving look. "I'm actually surprised he was able to keep pace with me for long. I did have to slow down somewhat, though."
"Yea, looks like you need to get back into shape, Jolteon," Skull piped up as he slid off of Ereyla's back. "You can't go over and kiss your girlfriend if you have your face in the dirt all the time!" Skull made sure he was loud enough for everyone to hear, and he proceeded to make smooching noises towards Vaporeon. Jolteon had more then enough energy to give the cackling Marowak one good zap. Despite himself, Jolteon would have been blushing if his yellow fur had allowed it. Vaporeon, not wanting to embarrass the poor pokémon any further, turned away and smiled.
"Jolteon! Skull! This is no time for messing around! Stephanie is out there somewhere and – " But Umbreon halted his speech right in its tracks. Intrigued, the others leaned in closer to him; Umbreon rarely gave up a scolding.
//Umbreon.\\ The voice was clearly feminine. Umbreon knew exactly who it was.
/Espeon! Espeon, where are you? I've got everyone back together but you!\
//I'm not sure, but I can't be too far away from you all if I can communicate with you like this. I've found Stephanie, but the warehouse is heavily guarded from the looks of it. I'm going to need help.\\
/Warehouses, eh? We'll be there. I'm sure Ereyla can help us out with the general location of the warehouses the CPA uses, it won't take us long to find you. Stay low.\
He could almost hear Espeon rolling her eyes. Or maybe, through their telepathic connection, he really could. //Of course, Umbreon.\\ With that, Espeon broke off their communication.
"Umbreon! Are you okay?" Flareon squeaked from Ereyla's back.
The black fox shook the daze from his head. "Yea, fine. Espeon found Stephanie, but she needs help. Ereyla, we're going need your help in finding some of the warehouses that the CPA uses. I'm sure there aren't too many. Any input?"
"Of course, I know a couple," the Rapidash answered eagerly. "I'm sure the one Stephanie is in is around the same vicinity."
"Good," Jolteon grunted before anyone else could speak. "She and I have some things to discuss anyway." Vaporeon gave the Electric-type a quizzical look, but didn't question him.
"Let's go," the Rapidash ordered. "I don't know how much time we have." Forgetting that Skull had jumped off of her back, Ereyla took off at a steady pace.
"Come on, Skull," Vaporeon called, and the Marowak eagerly jumped into his favorite place on her graceful tail.
Jolteon groaned. The thought of more running made him woozy. However, the thought of Stephanie being hurt, or possibly killed, made it ten times worse. He pushed himself up off the ground and followed the others, hopefully in the direction of Stephanie.
Dive-Bomb scarcely managed to avoid Nimbus' startling attack, but he bolted up into the air just in time. Both birds were now airborne, glaring daggers at each other from across the distance. Dive-Bomb rocketed upwards, soaring so high and so fast that even the Pidgeot's keen vision had a hard time keeping track of him.
Without warning, Dive-Bomb exploded back into view, and he was headed directly for Nimbus! She didn't have the time to react before the Swellow collided with her, mud splashing like a miniature tidal wave as her frame smacked the earth.
"Ha!" Dive-Bomb laughed. "I'd like to see you try and stop me now, Nimbus. In your current condition, I highly doubt you're going anywhere fast." He smirked.
The Pidgeot looked as if she were down for the count, sprawled helplessly on her stomach in the mud. Dive-Bomb turned away, landing a few yards from where Nimbus lay. The Swellow's triumphant and sarcastic attitude immediately vanished. Even if I did leave Nimbus here and headed back to headquarters, she would recover eventually and tell Razor everything! He might or might not believe her, but should I risk it? The only sure way is… Dive-Bomb gulped. …is if I kill her. The Swellow immediately shook his mind of the terrible thought. No, I cannot and will not lower myself to such depths! Giving pokémon to the humans is one thing, but doing their job for them? Not in my job description. And its not like I could do that, either. There's no possible way I could move Nimbus, as large as she is! Panic began to creep into Dive-Bomb's consciousness, like a Caterpie slowing worming its way into a hole. I don't have anywhere else to go! I've ruined my chances of staying with the Eevee and her friends, and now I can't even go back to my own home without the risk of being killed? What –
But Dive-Bomb never got to finish his thought; the Swellow was hit with tremendous force from the back, rocketing him forward several yards and knocking the breath straight out of him. Nimbus was obviously not finished, and Dive-Bomb silently cursed himself for ever thinking she'd be that easy to take down, even in her exhausted state.
Before the Swellow had the chance to return his labored breathing to normal, he caught a glimpse of something metallic in his peripheral to his right. Dive-Bomb stopped breathing altogether as he realized Nimbus was in the air, preparing to swoop down on him with a powerful Steel Wing attack.
Dive-Bomb, throwing aside of all his dignity, screeched out loud as the Pidgeot dove at an incredible speed towards him! The look in her eye was bloodthirsty. Nimbus would kill Dive-Bomb in a second, and without a second thought – the Swellow was all too aware of this horrifying fact. He pulled his wings over his eyes, certain that those were his last moments! A terrifying scream. At first, Dive-Bomb thought he had screamed. But when the seconds ticked by and Nimbus still hadn't hit him, Dive-Bomb became completely confused. He dared a peek from under the safety of his wings.
Nimbus was already on the ground, smoking and faintly sparking.
After waiting for several more minutes, Espeon reconnected the telepathic link between her and Umbreon. It was much easier and faster than it had been the first time. //You're getting closer, our link is stronger. Be careful when you come in, and stay hidden. I know there are pokémon here in this building, and it wouldn't surprise me if any were posted farther out. Stephanie is extremely valuable to them at the moment, there is a lot of information she could provide for them.\\
/I got it, we'll stay hidden,\ Umbreon sent back, nodding for effect. /But just so we're clear, I could kick the CPA's ass all night if I felt like it.\ Espeon could feel the smugness radiating through the link.
//Don't do anything rash, Umbreon,\\ Espeon warned strictly. //I need you here as quickly and as safely as possible.\\
Umbreon sighed. /We'll be there./ Espeon abruptly cut off the connection. Sheesh, is it so difficult to say goodbye? The Dark-type thought sourly.
Jennifer's Point of View
I was so anxious I could barely control myself. Dive-Bomb and his abandonment had completely left my mind when Umbreon announced that Espeon had found Stephanie. I was starting to get irritated that we weren't moving faster.
"We need to hurry," I said, voicing my frustration. "If Stephanie gets hurt because we didn't move fast enough –"
"If something goes wrong, Espeon can reach me," Umbreon cut me off. That was the second time that day someone had done that to me. "We're getting close, now will you shut up?"
If looks could kill, Umbreon would have dropped like a sack of rotten potatoes.
"Chill out, Umbreon," Jolteon spoke in my defense. "She's just worried about her sister. You'd be the same way if you were worried about your family."
The black fox cocked his head in concentration. "Not true," he concluded quickly. "You all are my family. I worry about you all the time and I don't manage to irritate anybody."
Yea, right.
"Aw, you worry about us, Umbreon? That's so sweet!" Vaporeon spoke gleefully in her cutesy voice, obviously poking a bit of fun at Umbreon. I had to fight to keep a laugh from bubbling over at the look on the black pokémon's face. No one seemed to want to risk a laugh at Umbreon's expense at the moment.
We were reaching a cluster of warehouses by then – the sun had almost completely set, the only hint of its existence was the pink and gold colors it spread across the sky. I loved sunsets. I wondered if Stephanie was in a place where she'd be able to see it, too.
"Alright, stay low, stay quiet. We don't want to attract unwanted attention." Umbreon's gaze swept over the group, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Actually…" he began. "I don't think all of us should go. Especially those of us who aren't experienced fighters and those who have…strong emotional attachments." His crimson eyes settled on me.
I got fired up immediately. "What!?" I practically shouted. "You can't leave me here, my sister is in trouble!"
"My point exactly," Umbreon responded coolly. "Back at the CPA building was complete luck – you don't have the experience nor the know-how to battle a seasoned pokémon head-to-head. And no telling what you might do when we make it to Stephanie. It's not worth the risk to her well-being, or to yours for that matter."
"But –"
"I said, no."
I looked around at the others. From the looks on their faces, they all seemed to agree, and it was obvious that Umbreon was not about to change his mind. Why did he have to start worrying now of all times? Well fine, I thought. I'll just have to do this my way.
"Fine."
"Jennifer, Umbreon is right, you could get hurt or –" Jolteon cut himself short. "Wait, what?"
"I said, fine."
"No smart remarks? No argument? No insults? That's it? Where's the real Jennifer and what'd you do with her!" Jolteon looked as if he'd just heard that the moon was made of cheese. Actually, it was rather funny.
I chose to keep my humor to myself and somehow managed to plaster what I hoped was a sarcastic look on my face. "Do you want me to have an attitude? Because I'll backtrack immediately if that's –"
"Enough!" Okay, Umbreon had enough. Jolteon and I stopped bickering. "Jennifer, you're staying here with Ereyla, Flareon, and the Rattatas. I'm sorry Ereyla, but it's getting dark and your flames will let everyone know that someone is out there."
"I understand." The Rapidash nodded.
Flareon gave Umbreon a worried glance. "Be careful," she said quietly. "You all need to come back, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you with me…"
"We'll be back, Flareon, I promise," Vaporeon comforted her. "We're going to be as careful as we can." The Water pokémon's words seemed to assure the younger Flareon.
That confirms it – Vaporeon's sole purpose in life is to be a mom. Although its difficult for me to think of Jolteon as a dad. I laughed on the inside. It's just a matter of time. Vaporeon actually reminds me a little of my mom…I wonder how my parents are doing. I hope they don't miss me too much.
I felt a nudge on my side. I looked up to find that Ereyla was directing me away from the others. The "experienced" battlers. Psh. I saved Umbreon's butt and he damn well knows it. Sighing, I walked at Ereyla's request towards wherever she was taking us. The fire horse stayed uncomfortably close to me the entire way. I began to wonder if she had any idea what I was planning. No matter. I was going save my big sister.
There she stood, head held high, intensely gazing in Dive-Bomb's direction. The Swellow kept switching his eyes from the smoking Pidgeot to the Electric-type – the pokémon that had saved his life. The very same pokémon that had almost fried him earlier that day.
As Dive-Bomb stared at her, too dumbfounded to form words, he couldn't help but notice that there was something different. Reika had changed somehow. There was an unfamiliar, but welcoming softness in her eyes that Dive-Bomb knew hadn't been there before.
"You're welcome," Reika stated simply after Dive-Bomb failed to speak. Her words broke the bird out of his stupor.
"I'm so sorry, Reika, th-thank you," he stumbled over his words. He then looked Reika dead in the face. "But why? Earlier today you almost killed me."
The hard look returned to Reika's eyes, and Dive-Bomb sorely missed the softness. "It was either you or her, and I decided that I like you better. Also –" a sly grin crept across Reika's face – "I've just visited headquarters, came in from the back. I heard some very interesting things. Tell me, Dive-Bomb, why was Nimbus attacking you?" She spoke as if she already knew.
Dive-Bomb again became terrified for his life again. Reika just saved him, but from the looks of things, she might very well take her action back. "Well, she thinks that I am a traitor, but she is mistaken! I have never been anything but loyal!"
"Are you?" the Jolteon spoke with false shock. "If you're so loyal, then why are you sitting here, having a silly fight with Nimbus, when a "loyal" member would be searching for a certain missing Eevee, hmm?" From the fleeting look on Dive-Bomb's face, Reika knew that she had achieved the shock factor she was going for. "Word is that the Eevee has escaped, and that you were the last to be seen guarding her."
This is definitely worse than I first thought – it's not just Nimbus anymore! "I merely left to do some…personal duties. That's not my fault."
"You helped her escape, didn't you?"
"No!" Dive-Bomb shouted desperately. "I would do no such thing, please!"
Reika stared at him for a solid minute, and Dive-Bomb dared to stare back. The Swellow felt an odd sense of comfort when the softness began to creep back into the Jolteon's eyes. What is going on here? he thought, confused.
"Well, obviously it was wrong of me to stop your little battle. I should've let that Pidgeot smear you all over this hellhole. So what are you going to do now, loyal minion? Run back to Razor? And don't forget about Nimbus – I didn't kill her. Better kill her yourself before she wakes up and tells Razor all sorts of things that he doesn't want to hear."
Dive-Bomb was more confused than ever. Reika was staring at him, waiting for him to say something. If I'm hearing correctly, Reika just told me that I'm not what she was hoping because I'm denying that I helped the Eevee escape! And she sounded so bitter when she spoke about Razor, about the organization in general…
Reika smiled at Dive-Bomb's loss of words and inaction towards Nimbus. "Come with me."
"What? Where?" the Swellow asked, slightly taken aback. "What's going on?"
"I've realized a lot of things in the past couple of hours, Dive-Bomb. I've realized that I'm better than this. I've realized that it's time to let go of the past. I've realized that I am not incompetent! I've realized…" The Jolteon paused, quieting her voice. "I've realized that my son would rather pretend I didn't exist than to accept what I've become."
The Swellow let Reika's words sink in. Reika, one of the best members of the CPA…she changed. She's going to stand alone, she's ditching the CPA! I don't have to do this by myself anymore! "Where would we go?"
"Away from here, away from what you and I both know isn't right. I don't know the reason you joined in the first place, and you don't know mine. What I do know is that this isn't the only way."
Dive-Bomb's gaze seesawed back and forth from headquarters to Reika. He already knew his answer, so why couldn't he just say it?
"If you can kill Nimbus, injured and defenseless as she is, then I'll leave you alone – you really do belong here with the rest of the scum. But if you can't – and won't – we both know where you belong." Reika's onyx eyes bored into Dive-Bomb's.
It was about that time that Dive-Bomb actually grew a pair. He had finally made his decision. "I'm with you, no more fooling around," he announced as he waddled over to where Reika stood. "What's your plan?"
"To find my son," Reika answered quickly. "But first, I have to make right what I helped cause. We are going to release the human tonight."
A/N: All right, there you have it! :] Review and let me know how you liked and if you have any suggestions or found any typos. Your feedback is much appreciated and I will do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Again, I have a poll posted on my profile regarding this story, I'd love to see what you all have to say about it. Oh, and one more thing - I will be rewriting the the story from Chapter 14 and backwards; a kind reviewer has brought to my attention that the difference in my writing is evident from Chapter 14 to Chapter 15 and forward (since the gap between them was somewhere around 3+ years haha). So if you're interested, be looking forward to that in days and weeks to come. Don't worry - I'll still be working on the next new chapter, and I won't be changing the story line; I'll just be making it sound more like the writing style I've adopted now. Until next time! :]