This time we will be following group 2, did they make it out of Pallet? Will they make it to Shamouti? Can they keep Mew safe and find the other Legendaries? So many questions, and the only way to an answer is to read on! :)
"CAMERON GRAB THAT LINE" Brock roared, heavy rain splattering against his face.
Thunder boomed as lightning cracked across the stormy sky, regular lightning, not Dominion. Cameron slipped across the wood flooring, his fingers clasping around the soaking rope that had come loose. He pulled as hard as he could, straightening up the mast to their boat.
May gripped tightly into the railing as a wave crashed itself against them. Her fingers were numb in the freezing rain, but she held firm, lest she fall over the edge. The wind slapped her wet hair against her face, forcing her to squint to keep an eye on Cameron.
Brock and Delila were up above, sitting on an overhang where the helm was located. The couple were working to keep the boat on the correct course. Brock spun the wheel, making up for the direction the wave had shoved them, while Delila was unsuccessfully reading over a map and compass. The ink was splotching from the rain, and the paper falling apart in her fingers.
Cameron maneuvered around the mast pole, reaching for the hook to retie the rope. The boat jolted from Brock's quick maneuver, and Cameron's foot slipped, dropping him to the deck with a squishy thud. He scrambled to his feet, pulling the rope with him. A few more inches…There! He slipped the end of the rope into the hook, and yanked it through. Now came the fun part...
Trying to tie a wet rope, while you're being jolted back and forth in a lightning storm, is actually pretty intense. Another wave hit them, and his fingers slipped, almost allowing the rope to slide back out of its hook.
"Dammit" he cursed, yanking the binding back as hard as he could.
May's hands appeared, holding the rope firmly in place. Her blue eyes glimmered in the flash of lightning, turning almost silver, before being dipped into the darkened light again. Cameron shouted a thank you, that probably went unheard as the thunder roared past them. Gripping the soaking binding as hard as he could, he tied it off and wrapped it thrice around the hook. That wasn't going anywhere now!
"HOLD ON" Brock's voice boomed down from above, and Cameron didn't stop to think.
He grabbed May, and wrapped his other arm around the mast, just as a massive wave crashed into the boat, and washed over deck. If May thought she was soaked before, it was nothing compared to now. There was water in places she didn't even know water could be.
Cameron's arm slipped down to her waist as their tiny ship tilted harshly. May instinctively reached her arms out around his back to keep from sliding away. She was pulled against his chest, her face slapping against his sopping wet shirt.
CRACK!
5 Hours Ago
They ran as fast as their legs would carry them, taking the quickest route to the Pallet Town Harbor. Sticking along the outskirts of town, to avoid the dancing light from the fires, they knew they had to be getting closer.
Brock led the way, his eyes darting from place to place, looking for a Dominion that might swoop down upon them. The shrieks behind them had not died down any, but the screams of people being slaughtered certainly had. Most were surely dead or gone into the woods by now.
May's face still sparkled with drying tears. It had been a little while since she had stopped crying, but had yet to take the time to wipe them away. Behind her, Delila was starting to breathe heavily, probably from the baby taking most of her energy. Good thing she wasn't very far along yet…
Something exploded back in town…hadn't those damn things blown up everything they could already?! May unknowingly grit her teeth, racing directly behind Cameron, each step she took beginning to burn the soles of her feet. Thunder boomed off in the distance, the opposite direction from town. Great….just what they needed, a thunderstorm to deal with too…
Her foot contacted with concrete, telling her they had reached the parking area for the pier. They swerved through the few vehicles, taking care not to bump into one. You know, in case of a car alarm.
The smell of salt in the air was almost relieving to May, the scent of secure freedom. Why? She didn't know or care, if it was helping to calm her racing heart, then that was good enough for her. Their footsteps clapped on the pavement as they ran, and soon, they could make out the shapes of other people fleeing for the docks. Seems they weren't the only ones with this idea. Maybe even Professor Oak was one of those figures?
Then the terrible sound that made them sprint much faster, if that was possible, the unmistakeable screech of the Dominion's making their way closer. They crossed through the ticket gate, jumping and climbing over the security desks. Running down the wooden steps towards the water, the looming figures of boat masts could be seen against the night sky.
May yelped aloud as she took a step too far, and slipped down the stairs. Cameron turned at her sound, and she crashed into his chest. His heel slipped off the wooden stair, and he then tumbled backwards, with May's weight on top of him.
With each painstaking slam against the steps, they flew past Brock and Delila, and thudded against the concrete at the bottom.
"Guys" Delila called out, carefully picking up her pace.
She knelt down as she reached them trying to untangle themselves. Cameron was on his knees first, and he snapped around to May. His fingers found her temples, and he gently, but quickly, turned her head side to side. With a swift nod, he indicated she was ok, and helped her to her feet.
"Are you-" May started, but Cameron finished with an affirmative, "fine'!
He then clasped her hand, and nodded with his head to Brock to indicate he should continue leading the way. A few more minutes of running, and the group was racing across a bobbing dock along the water. One boat floated at the end of it, smaller than some of the others, but perfect for them to sail away with. With a mighty leap, Brock lunged over the railing, and his feet thudded against the wooden deck. He raced over to the ladder up to the helm, while the others clambered over the rails.
Cameron let May's hand slip away as she sidled herself over. He gripped the metal rail with his now free hand, and yanked himself off the deck and onto the boat. A woman's scream rang down from the pier parking lot, followed by a Dominion shriek. In a mad scramble, Cameron and May began to fumble with the ties keeping the boat anchored. Delila rushed over to the helm ladder, and climbed up after Brock. He was already flipping switches, and pressing buttons to fire up the engine. It sputtered a few times, but remained silent otherwise.
"Come on" Brock was muttering, over and over and over, his teeth clenched together.
May unhooked the last tie, and tossed it to the dock. She stepped away from the siding as the boat began to drift away from the pier.
"May" Cameron called behind her, beckoning for her to assist him in raising the sail on the mast.
The wind was growing stronger as storm clouds had begun to reach the shoreline, and tiny droplets of rain sprinkled down. Brock felt them splattering on his face as he tried the ignition once more. It cranked over weakly….once….twice…..then died again.
"NO" he shouted, slamming his fist against the controls.
Other boats began to sail away, retreating from the Hell behind them. Cameron and May gripped the rope to the mast, heaving together as the sail raised high. Reaching the top, it burst open, and instantly absorbed the increasing wind. The boat jolted forward, nearly knocking the four of them down on their rumps.
Brock hadn't understood what happened, until he spotted the now open sail, and he shouted his relief. If they couldn't use the engine, then the wind would have to do! He spun the wheel, turning them away from the pier and out to the ocean. As long as the Dominion's didn't follow them out into the water, they were in the clear! After all, what could possibly go wrong now?
Present
CRACK! Wooden splinters shot out from directly beside Cameron and May. A fissure in the wood streaked up the side of the mast, raining wood chips down onto them. The coarse wind blasted against the sail, breaking the pole in dozens more places, and tilting the mast towards the helm. The rope that they had just tied off snapped from the pressure, and whipped against May's back. She inhaled sharply as the stinging sensation swept across her shoulder blades. Raindrops tickled her skin, telling her the rope had cut her dress, not that it was salvageable anyways. The fissures in the wood were cracking consistently now, and the mast began to decline much more rapidly.
"BROCK! DELILA" Cameron bellowed, his chest vibrating May's cheek.
The couple in the helm heard, and turned just in time to see the sail growing closer. Brock grabbed Delila and pulled her underneath the wheel, taking cover underneath the other various controls, and window frames.
With a shaking crash and shattering glass, the mast slammed into the helm, breaking the wheel in two, and shorting out the few electronics. Glass sprinkled down onto them, coating Delila's hair with the glittering shards.
Brock then crawled out from under the controller board, taking Delila's hand to help her up. The mast creaked as it rocked back and forth in its resting place. Lightning cracked in the distance, vibrating the boat from the thunder.
Brock's stomach had suddenly turned over…they had no way of steering their boat now…
May had repositioned herself so that she was no longer shoved into Cameron, and was holding herself steady on the railing.
"Are you two alright" she shouted up to the helm.
'We're ok" Delila called down, moving to the edge so that they could see each other, "the controls are gone, we can't steer"!
Cameron watched the worry spread over May's face as she looked at him. None of them had big enough water Pokemon to battle against the rocky waves, and the wind was too much for his Dragon Pokemon. They were officially up shit creek without a paddle…
"What are we going to do" Delila shouted over the roaring wind, looking back and forth from Brock and the other two down below.
Brock looked away from her, unable to meet her gaze. There was nothing they could do, and he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. Then a flicker of light flashed over them, and was gone just as abruptly. Brock blinked, had that been a funky flash of lightning? Then another one passed by, only illuminating half of the boat.
He looked up, and holy crap how could they have been so lucky?! Dozens of helicopters were swooping past them, their spotlights shining bright. The wind, mixed with the rain, roared too loud for them to be able to hear the blades of the choppers, but they didn't need to now!
"HEY" Brock yelled, throwing his arms into the air, and waving frantically.
If they couldn't hear the helicopters, then his shout certainly wouldn't help, but he couldn't hold it in, "HEEEEYYYY"!
Delila looked up right as another light passed over them, and she whooped with joy at the sight. Soon all four of them were shouting, and trying desperately to flag down the choppers…but were having no luck.
"They're not going to see us" May shouted in distress, lowering her arms.
"WAIT" Delila exclaimed, pulling out a PokeBall that had been clipped to a concealed belt under her dress.
Brock gave a funny look to her, that went unnoticed, and she tossed it to reveal her Flaaffy.
"Flaaaaaffy" the wool Pokemon complained, having been smacked in the face with brutal wind and cold rain.
"Can you signal those helicopters with your tail" Delila asked, pointed up to the sky.
"Flaa fy" it nodded, raising its tail, and lighting the tip with a bright blue light.
The Pokemon's tail began to flick on and off at an even pace. Another wave knocked their boat aside, forcing them to grip the nearest object for support. For May, that happened to be Cameron, and his suit sleeve ripped along the seem.
The helicopters were almost completely past them now as the last remaining few came into their sights. Lightning cracked in the clouds, illuminating the final three choppers.
"No, no, no, no" May was whimpering, "come on, please"!
….they passed by….even as Flaaffy raised its tail even higher, flicking the light in its tail faster. May's eyes began to burn, and she was aware that a tear had escaped since it was much warmer than the rest of her soaked face. Her chin hit her chest, her wet hair slipping down over her eyes.
"May"!
The sheer excitement in Cameron's voice forced her to look up, and she saw why. The very last helicopter had turned around and was coming back!
"YES" she shouted, jumping into the air with a fist pump.
The four watched the spotlight grow closer, until it was hovering just above them, illuminating the deck. It lowered to a safe distance, and from out of the light, a rope ladder dropped down in front of May and Cameron.
"Hurry" a female voice called down.
"Go go" Cameron told May, putting his hand on her back to move her to the rope.
She gripped the ladder, and lifted her foot to it. Step by uneasy step, she climbed up the tied together rope, Cameron's weight pulling the ladder tighter.
"Thank you Flaaffy" Delila said as she returned her Pokemon.
Brock helped her down from the helm, letting her then lead the way to the ladder. Delila had just taken her first steps up the ropes, when another wave slammed harshly against them. The boat lurched, and Brock's feet left the deck. He wildly reach out, and his fingers closed around the ladder. It swayed violently from the sudden weight shift, and May yelped from above. The bottom of the rope ladder was slapping against Brock's midriff, indicating that their boat had been swept out from underneath him.
"BROCKY" Delila screeched, cocking her head to look down.
"KEEP CLIMBING" he shouted back, "GO"!
They listened, scrambling up as fast as they dared, taking extra care to clasp tightly on the wet rope. May's hand reached up the the floor of the chopper, and a hand reached down to help her up. She was lifted into the helicopter, to safety! Collapsing against the metal flooring seemed like a good idea, but she instead turned back to the opening to help Cameron in.
The woman beside her reached out with her right hand, grasping the back of Cameron's suit as May took his hand. They heaved and he slid inside, then next up came Delila, followed closely by Brock. He laid on his stomach for a moment, inhaling a deep breath of air. He sat up to thank their savior, but accidentally yelled at her in surprise, "Lorelei"?!
"Brock Harrison" she said back with just as much awe, "good to see you're still alive"!
Lightning cracked ferociously, streaking close enough to the nose of the chopper the smell of ozone clogged their nasal's. The pilots reacted, and swung the chopper harshly, causing it to tilt violently. May's heel slipped, and she toppled out of the still open door. She screamed as she went weightless, and the rain was once again splattering against her face.
Then two hands closed roughly around her wrists, stopping her in mid fall.
"I GOT YOU" Cameron shouted.
He had dove out of the helicopter after her, his front half hanging out of it as he gripped her tight. Brock, Delila, and Lorelei were clasping onto his lower half, trying desperately to pull them back in. May swayed in the wind, her dress billowing around her as she looked up at his face.
"I GOT YOU MAY" he shouted again, locking his eyes with hers.
She turned her hands to grab his wrists and help secure their grip on each other. She kept her eyes focused on his, not daring to look down, sideways, or any other direction. Her chest thudded hard, faster and faster as she was lifted back up into the helicopter. Delila slid the door shut as May collapsed onto the floor. She was breathing rapidly, and her arms were shaking. Cameron tried to maneuver her to the seats, but her fingers were locked around his wrists, and wouldn't budge.
May tried her best to still keep her eyes on his, but she soon found herself lying on her back looking at the metal ceiling. The other's voices were muffled and distance, the sounds of her beating heart booming in her ears. Cameron's face appeared in May's line of sight, but it was fuzzy and swirly. Then her eyesight blacked out.
May jumped awake, her eyes flying open as she inhaled sharply. She quickly regretted that decision as burning sunlight was shining through an open window to her right. Squinting, she carefully looked at her surroundings. She was in a semi small room, that sort of resembled a hotel. There was a small TV on a half size dresser near the foot of the bed, and a night table directly beside her. Near the window sat a round table big enough for three, with polished wooden chairs tucked underneath. Next she noticed her change of clothes. Her wedding dress had been removed, and she was wearing a bright red shirt and pajama bottoms.
She shifted under the covers to get out of bed, but hesitated. They were so smooth, and soft! What kind of material was this?! Wait…was she dead?! Was this like some kind of transition into the after life? Oh no! Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no-the door opened suddenly, and a tall girl, with long brown hair that trailed down her back, walked in. She was wearing a pink tank top, blue jeans, a green beanie, and was sporting aviator sunglasses.
The two girls paused for a moment, looking at one another, then the girl removed her sunglasses.
"Good to see you're awake" she said, fully entering the room and shutting the door behind her, "your friends have been worried since your panic attack, and I've grown a little tired of checking on you every hour".
May was going to ask 'who are you', but her newest train of thought was, "my friends?! Are they ok? Where are they"?
"Easy tiger" the girl chuckled, leaning against the dresser with the TV, "they're all fine, a little banged up, but fine".
May exhaled in relief, then asked, "who are you? Where am I"?
The girl smiled, a knowing smile almost like a smirk, "Oh I'm sure you've heard of me before. Ash had to have talked, no, bragged about it a few times".
May tilted her head…huh? Was this an ex?
"My name is Melody" the girl told her, "welcome to Shamouti island".
Cameron stood outside in the sun, stretching slow and yawning wide outside of a small coffee stand. Since arriving on Shamouti he had changed out of his torn up suit into more casual clothes. A green shirt the same color as his eyes, and blue jeans. New clothes however, did nothing to hide the tired look about him. Bags were under his eyes, which were also tinted a slight shade of red, and his hair was an unkempt mess.
"Here you go sir"!
"Thank you" Cameron nodded to the clerk as he took his cup.
Walking away, he took a sip and headed towards the table positioned under a tall palm tree. Brock and Delila were sitting at said table, and the smell of salt water brushed their noses as a breeze rolled by. Cameron sat down, sipping on his coffee again.
"When was the last time you slept" Delila asked him, taking in his appearance.
"Mmmmmmm, 49 hours ago" Cameron said, "since I woke up to get ready for the wedding".
Delila's jaw dropped open, "that's bad! Go get some sleep right now"!
"I can't…".
"Why not" Delila protested, leaning forward, "you should at least try-".
"Leave him alone Delila" Brock interjected, "he has to stay awake to do his job…".
His tone had been low and harsh, and Cameron looked at him funny.
"My job" he asked slowly.
Brock didn't elaborate his meaning, in fact, didn't even glance at Cameron. He had been thinking since the night in Pallet Town, since Professor Oak's lab.
"I'm surprised they were ever confident" Matilda snarled with a wicked grin, "seeing as one of them was a Rocket".
Had she men't that as literally as it sounded? Had someone in their group been, or was, a Rocket? He doubted it was May…out of the other three he was with, Brock was absolutely sure it wasn't her. That only left Delila…and Cameron…
"There you are" a strong female voice caught his attention, "I've been looking for you three.
With a turn of his head, Brock spotted Lorelei approaching. She took a seat opposite him, and leaned her right arm on the table. Her left arm was bandaged from fingertip up to shoulder, and was resting in a sling.
"How's the arm" Brock asked politely, pushing his worries aside for the moment, "it looked pretty torn up".
"I'll get to keep it as long as nothing else happens" she explained, looking at it smugly, "but I'm not here to talk about me. There wasn't time for me to answer your questions on the chopper, so here's your chance. Ask".
Immediately Brock obliged, "have you heard from Ash and Misty? We were hoping they'd be with Lance".
"Yes" Lorelei replied, then added, "they arrived at the Indigo Plateau with Lance. After forming our ragtag defense plan, they were to set off for Sinnoh. The Plateau fell under attack, but they made it into the air with Lance and….his pilot Kyle".
Her hesitation caught Brock off guard. Lorelei was always so powerful, so confident. To hear a hitch in her speech was a little nerve racking.
"They were being pursued by a Dominion though" she continued swiftly, "I do not know wether they have made their trip or not".
Brock's temple twitched, Delila looked at the table, and Cameron's fingers tightened around his cup.
"Anything else" Lorelei asked, looking between each of them.
"Why the Orange Islands" Cameron spoke up, "why did the League send the people of Indigo here? Won't Kanto need all the defense it can get"?
Lorelei's expression visibly darkened, and she swallowed before speaking, "the Plateau is lost, along with Kanto. There is nothing we can do. Lance ordered the evacuation of all regions to Unova, to regroup and form a counteroffensive".
"And the Orange Islands are Kanto jurisdiction, so you're going to evacuate the few Kanto civilians who will be able to fight" Cameron guessed, raising his cup to his lips for another sip.
"Desperate measures" was all Lorelei had to say.
With that she stood up, and gave each of them a nod. She had turned and started to walk away, before she stopped and looked back, "evacuation of the Orange Islands starts first thing tomorrow morning. Get some rest".
"Your boyfriend is adorable by the way, he's rarely left your room. Refused to do so until he knew you'd be ok" Melody said as she led May down the hall, who had ditched the pajama's for jeans.
May's head tilted to the side for the second time, "boyfriend"?
The girl giggled, "that tall brown haired boy with the pretty green eyes. Cameron, right"?
May flushed a bright shade of pink, and mumbled, "we're just friends…".
The girl laughed out loud at this, "oh my goodness! Not another pair like that"!
May, for the third time, tilted her head and asked, "another pair"?
"Ash and Misty" Melody chuckled, "they were adamant that they were 'just friends', but even a Mankey could see they were head over heels for each other".
May giggled, "wait, they argued about that when they were hear"?
"Oh yes" Melody smiled, "I had some fun teasing Misty about it. She's so easy to get worked up"!
May giggled again, somehow the thought of Ash and Misty arguing about their feelings during a world crisis was just so…them!
"But I suppose if you and Cameron are just friends" Melody cooed to herself, "then you wouldn't mind if I tried to date him? He is super cute"!
May's smile faded, and heat rose to her face, "no! I mean yes-Er-I mean…I don't think he'd be up for that".
Melody exploded in laughter as she reached for the outside door handle, "awfully defensive for someone who's just a friend".
She winked at May, then opened the door and proceeded outside. May found herself standing in front a massive stone shrine, with tourists, and locals gathered around it. Some were snapping pictures, others seemed to be paying respects, or even praying.
The shrine itself was a massive slab underneath a wooden structure with a domed roof. How did they get the wood to look curved like that?
"That's for Ash" Melody informed, seeing May's awed look.
Her head snapped to Melody, her eyes widening, "you guys built him a shrine"?!
Melody laughed again, "some people go a little crazy over things like that. Come on, you should see it. I'll admit, it is pretty neat".
She began walking in the shrine's direction, and May followed her along the path. As they walked underneath the wooden roof, a spot opened up by the stone, so they proceeded up to it. Up close May could see it was made of a white material, and was polished with a clear protective coating. The stone was huge, with pictures carved over it.
Lugia was at the top, its wings spread magnificently. Below it were the three Legendary Birds: Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos. Each with their elemental symbol carved behind them. They were arranged in a triangle with even lengths between them. A paragraph of text was etched beautifully into the stone below the Birds. May's eyes scanned over the lines, a sense of a more grand power tingling her nerves as she read.
Prophecy of Shamouti Isle
Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice or lightning, lest these titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash. Though the water's great guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, and thus the earth shall turn to Ash. O Chosen One, into thine hands bring together all three. Their treasures combined tame the Beast of the Sea.
At the base of the stone sat a protected picture behind a glass frame. Four people, and seven Pokemon, were in the photo. Wide grins spread across their faces. In the very front stood an eleven or twelve year old Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder. Right beside him on his right stood Misty, holding a Togepi in her arms. They were standing close enough their arms were brushed together. To Ash's left was Tracy, his hands up to his chest holding the straps of his backpack. Beside Tracy was a much younger Melody, holding an ocarina in her hands. Behind all of them, with the exception of the smaller ones, were the Pokemon: A Charizard, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Snorlax, and Lapras. In the background, angled to include all of them, sat the three elemental islands.
"Wow" May whispered.
"Gives you a sense of awe doesn't it" Melody asked, her eyes scanning over the photo, "I still remember that day perfectly".
"Have my friends seen this"?
"Yep! Cameron and the pink haired girl wanted to see it".
"Delila" May informed her.
"Right" Melody smiled, "are you hungry? I'm starving"!
Now that the thought had been brought up, May's stomach gave a loud growl, which made her smile sheepishly.
Melody simply laughed and then said, "let's go find your friends then"!
"Cameron, you really need to try and sleep" Delila argued, watching him hold onto a palm tree for support.
"Not until I know May's fine" Cameron retorted.
"You're not even going to make it back to her room" Delila pointed out, "Brocky, help me out here"?
Brock didn't answer, didn't even look their direction.
"Brock" Delila asked softly, "is everything ok"?
"Oh thank God" Cameron sighed in relief.
Delila turned to see what he was talking about, then spotted it. Melody was escorting May along the path, walking past the dozens of trees and flowers. Cameron leaned off the tree and rushed forward.
"Cameron don't run right now" Delila shouted, chasing after him.
He wasn't listening, all feelings of exhaustion were gone for the moment. May smiled as he ran up to her, wondering why Delila was so concerned for him running. Cameron reached her, and May opened her arms to give him a hug. Because, well, it seemed like he was going to hug her. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off the ground, and planted a kiss on her lips.
Her eyes shot wide open, and every muscle in her body tensed up. Beside her, Melody's hand had shot to her mouth to suppress the massive amounts of giggles trying to break free. Delila had stopped running after him, and a smile was slowly etching across her face.
Cameron broke his kiss, and set May down. Her eyes were still the size of plates, and her facial color matched her shirt.
"U-u-um" she stuttered, "I'm glad t-to se-e you too".
Her shock was beginning to wear off, and she couldn't help the grin forming on her face.
"Don't ever do that again" Cameron playfully scolded her, "you had me worried".
"Got it" May's smile widened from ear to ear.
Cameron had yet to remove his hold on her, and he smiled back down at her. May's face turned even brighter red, flushing at the glint in Cameron's green eyes.
"Can we get food now" Melody interrupted, "I'm still starving"!
"Food sounds wonderful" Delila exclaimed, "are you hungry B-….Brock"?
Brock hadn't rushed forward like Cameron and Delila. He had remained behind, watching the exchange carefully. Delila's expression twisted in confusion, "Brock what's wrong"?
Brock looked between each of them, then walked forward, "Melody, do you mind if I have a moment alone with my friends"?
Melody looked a little taken back by the request, but nodded, "um…sure. I'll be over by the shrine ordering food when you guys are ready".
She then gave a funny look to May, and turned to walk away. Delila's expression was a mixture of confusion, hurt, and wonder. Brock stopped walking directly in front of Cameron.
"Is something wrong" Cameron asked carefully.
"Do you still have that handgun" Brock asked.
"Why"?
"Answer me".
Cameron's brow furrowed, "yes".
"Give it here" Brock demanded, extending his hand for it.
Cameron looked down at his hand, then back up at him, "okayyy"?
Cameron reached behind him, raising his shirt and pulling the gun out of the waist of his jeans. He then placed it Brock's hand, who then pocketed it, shifting his shirt to conceal it.
"Were you with Team Rocket" Brock asked suddenly.
The other three had similar reactions, bewilderment covering their face, but Cameron answered, "no".
"Don't lie to me" Brock sneered, taking a step forward, "were you with Team Rocket"?
He said that last part slowly, stressing each word with venom. Cameron didn't move, looking Brock back directly in the eyes.
"No" he repeated.
"Brock" May tried to interject, but Brock raised his hand to stop her.
"Matilda said one of us was a Rocket" Brock explained, "I know it's not May, and I'll be damned if it's Delila. So that leaves you".
He glared at Cameron, taking another step forward so that their faces were mere inches apart.
"I have never been, nor have I ever wanted to be, a part of Team Rocket" Cameron told him slowly, not backing down.
Brock glared at him in silence, his fists clenching together. He could feel Mew's MasterBall on his belt, weighing him down. If a member of Team Rocket was with them, Mew wasn't safe!
"Brock" May said, but he didn't respond, "BROCK"!
Her shout rang across the grass, catching the attention of a few locals relaxing under a palm tree a few yards away. Brock looked at her, his glare faltering her for a moment.
"He's not with Team Rocket" May stated plainly, "he's saved my life a few times over, and he helped us get out of Mt. Chimney, away from Team Rocket! Matilda was just trying to break us apart"!
Brock stared at her, but May refused to remove her eyes from his. They were not about to rip themselves apart, not over this, not now! Then, Brock sighed and looked back at Cameron. He nodded at him, and pat his shoulder before he turned to Delila.
"Sorry guys" he apologized aloud, "I guess the tension of everything is getting to me".
Delila inched forward, wrapping her arms around him and placing her head on his chest. He hugged her back, closing his eyes and sighing again.
"Well, if we're all good" Cameron began, "I'd like to go eat, and then get some much needed sleep before we go find Lugia".
2 months ago
Pallet Town was always a quiet town at night, even with the new night entertainment that had sprung up over the years. Make it the middle of winter, and there were certainly going to be even less people out and about.
One lone cloaked figure rushed down the road, avoiding the brighter lit areas, and moving as silently as possible. They ducked into an alley, first checking to see if someone else inhabited the area before then pulling out a PokeGear. They activated a tiny device on the side of the phone to encrypt the call, and then dialed.
After three rings a female answered, "what is it"?
"I've been trailing Ash Ketchum as ordered Matilda" the figure said.
"And"?
"Nothing new on the Dominion front, and Gary Oak still has not returned" the figure explained, "but, Brock Harrison has shown up, along with May Maple…I've also spotted Misty Waterflower in town. She was standing outside Ketchum's mother's home, she then ran away".
"You are to report on Dominion information, or inform us if Gary Oak returns" Matilda cut in, "not keep me up to date on their day to day lives".
"Ketchum, Harrison, and Maple have just returned from Oak's lab" the cloaked person continued a little irritated, "not ten minutes later, three cruise tickets to Hoenn were purchased in their names, along with Gary Oak and a man named Everett".
Matilda was silent on the other end of the call, and the shady figure waited patiently, standing perfectly rigid.
"This is interesting" Matilda finally spoke, "it seems you are right…and Gary Oak has just purchased himself a plane ticket back to Pallet, departing in fifteen minutes…interesting indeed…".
The cloaked person in Pallet Town ducked down behind a dumpster as a couple walked by the alley, saying disgustingly cute things about each other.
"You are being re-tasked" Matilda's voice said, "be on that cruise! Follow them to Hoenn, get into their group if possible. Once they reach the halfway mark to Slateport, we will stage an assault on the ship. You are to then plant a tracking beacon on them, and maintain your cover if at all possible. Understood"?
"Understood"!
The figure then shut the PokeGear, checked to see if it was clear to leave the alley, and then sprinted down the street.
Oh how things are never simple! Also, as I was finishing this chapter...I kind of broke my finger, so my writing has slowed down, and its frustrating! I only have to wear the splint for a short while, and I'll keep working on the story, so hopefully there won't be too much of a hiccup in release times. Catch ya'll at the next chapter!