Chapter 8 – Team Tenebris
PLUMA ISLAND
The Pluma Island is part of the Sevii Island of Kanto, different from the others, it is uninhabitable due to the lack of potable water, thunderstorms and volcanos that can be find through the island which make also impossible to find any kind of vegetation. The island was named Pluma because the last expedition to the island found many plumes around the coast, probably from the last Pokémon that lived there, which probable were flying Pokémon. However, deep in the heart of the Island there is one cave which mysteriously takes to an underground headquarter of a very powerful organization that were aware of everything that was happening at the Indigo Plateau and the Elite Four Tournament and following the steps of all trainers looking for one in particular.
"So, it finally started" said a mysterious woman looking to many televisions that was showing all cameras within the Indigo Plateau
"Yes" said a man next to her "This tournament surely is something interesting"
"Are you sure he is there?" asked the woman
"Yes" he answered "I saw him today at the opening ceremony"
"Lance, my friend" said the woman "Why do you hide from me?"
"We already have some of our people at the Tournament" said the man
"Good" said the woman "And don't forget to make them be aware to anyone who might have information about Lance"
"What about the boy?" asked the man
"No need to worry about him" said the woman "But just in case, be aware on him too"
"As you wish My Lady" said the man leaving the room
"Ash Ketchum" said the woman to herself "You are a mysteriously shiny piece of gold"
INDIGO PLATEAU
May, Dawn and Serena were "celebrating" the success of the opening ceremony, at least not being together in the same group and not having to battle at first were enough reasons to celebrate at that point.
"Well, the first part has gone" said Serena
"If we keep being this luck we have nothing to fear" said Dawn smiling
"I wish it was that easy Dawn" said May "But now it gets tough"
"You are right May" said Serena "Each of us has to beat nine other trainers and finish in first place to go on to the finals"
"We'll do it" said Dawn "We are not here just for glory"
"We are here to find someone" said May "Lance"
"And then make him tell us all he knows about Ash" finished Serena
The girls looked at each other knowing that now they weren't at the same group they had to help each other. The failure of one could be the failure of all, just like their success. It didn't mind who would be at the grand finale against Lance, but it had to be one of them.
"We should go back to the hotel now" said May
"Why?" asked Dawn "It's not even two o'clock"
"She is right May" said Serena "Why don't we go eat something or go shopping?"
"We've just had lunch. Shouldn't we go prepare a strategy for our battles?" asked May
"Yes, of course" said Dawn "But if we only do that we will go crazy"
"She is right" said Serena once more "We can relax a little bit and then go think about it"
"Well, I think you are right" said May "But it's been quite a while since I had a battle, so I think I will go back to the Hotel and prepare myself"
"Would you like us to go with you?" asked Dawn
"Please no" said May "You should go and have some fun, I may catch up with you girls later"
"Ok, if you say so" said Dawn "Let's go Serena"
Serena and Dawn got separated from May and headed to the center of the city, where all stores and restaurants were installed for the Tournament while May went back to the Hotel
"Dawn, do you think May is alright?" asked Serena
"I don't know" answered Dawn "She really is acting weird lately"
"Do you think it's because of me?" asked Serena
"What? Hell No" lied Dawn remembering what May had said the night before "Why would you think that?"
"I don't know" answered Serena "It just came to my mind" said Serena
"You don't have to worry Serena. We all have the same objective here" said Dawn " We are helping each other"
"Yes. I think you are right" Serena said
Serena was feeling horrible, she knew May and Dawn were in love with Ash and that was the reason both of them were at the Tournament to find Lance, just like her. But neither of them knew that and it was killing Serena from inside to hide this from them because they were starting to get along with each other and yet Serena was lying to her new friends
"Serena" said Dawn "What was your relationship with Ash?"
Serena blushed with Dawn's question "What do you mean?" she asked still blushing
"Were you just friends? Or maybe something more?" asked Dawn. She wanted to check if what May told her last night could be true, if Serena was hiding information about Ash
"Well, we started traveling together in Kalos after I saw him on TV and recognize him from our childhood" said Serena
"You lived in Pallet Town?" asked Dawn
"Not exactly" answered Serena "I came to Pallet when I was a kid for the Professor Oak summer camp. That's how we met"
"I see" said Serena "So you started travelling together in Kalos. Has Pikachu destroyed you bike as well?"
"What?" asked Serena
"That's how Ash met me and May" said Dawn smiling "It also happened with Misty"
"Misty?" asked Serena
"She used to travel with Ash as well" said Dawn "It seems Pikachu's favorite hobby is to destroy bikes" said Dawn smiling
"Really?" asked Serena "But no. It didn't happen with me. I never had a bike"
"Let's get back to the point" said Dawn "What do you think about him as a trainer?"
"He is very determined, never give up and always think of a way to conquer his goals" said Serena blushing
"That is so Ash" said Dawn "And what do you think about him as a man?"
Serena got redder than a red pepper
"He…. Is….. very handsome" said Serena breathless
"Very handsome" repeated Dawn "Serena follow me please" said Dawn started walking away from the street, going to an open field behind the Pokémon Center
Serena wasn't sure if she should go after her, but she did anyway
Once Serena reached Dawn, she turned around and faced Serena for a couple of seconds
"Serena" said Dawn looking deep into Serena's eyes "Be honest with me. There are only you and me here"
"Yes, of course" answered Serena
"Do you like Ash? Asked Dawn also blushing
"Like him?" asked Serena
"Yes" answered Dawn "Like a boyfriend"
Serena didn't know what to answer, she wanted to say yes and finish that once for all, but she still was afraid of losing Dawn's friendship. On the other hand, Dawn seemed much more comprehensive than May. Maybe Serena could tell her about her feelings for Ash
"I…I…lo…" started Serena but got interrupted by a masculine voice
"Well, well" said a voice from behind the girls "What have we here?"
Dawn and Serena looked back and saw a man, he should be around 25, blond and was wearing a black overall. His eyes were deep brown and he had a scar a little above his left ear going all the way down until the end of his neck. He was not a pleasure person to look at that was for sure, actually he was scary
"Who are you?" asked Dawn seriously "May we help you sir?"
"Maybe" answered the man "I was passing through and I overheard you two talking and stopped to listen"
"Not a nice hobby sir I must say" said Dawn ironically
"You are funny" said the man "I hate funny people"
"Would you mind telling us what you came here for?" asked Serena starting to get irritating
"As I said" started the man "I overheard you talking"
"You listened something you liked?" asked Dawn
"Absolutely yes" he answered "Have you girls mentioned the name Ash Ketchum?"
Dawn and Serena got scared but hided from him, they just kept staring at the man. Both already had their hands on their belts ready to pick up their Poke balls if needed
"We might've said" answered Serena "Why do you care?"
"Actually I don't" answered the man "But he may take me to someone I am very interested to meet"
"Lance" said Dawn
"So you know Lance as well?" asked the man
"No, we do not" said Serena
"I don't trust you" said the man "Tell me where I can find Lance"
"You should have gone to the opening ceremony" said Dawn "He was there"
"Of course he was" said the man "But it would be crazy to attack him in the middle of the stadium"
"So you want to attack him?" asked Serena
The man got angry "I shouldn't have said that" said the man " So now I will have to take you two down" he said taking two Poke balls out of his belt and throwing them
"Go! Ninetales and Mightyena" said the man revealing his fire and dark type Pokémon
"Go Togekiss" said Dawn also throwing her Poke ball and revealing her Pokémon
"Go Pangoro" said Serena revealing her Pokémon evolved from Pancham
"It will be useless for you two" said the man
"We shall see" said Dawn "Togekiss use Sky Attack
"Pangoro use Shadow ball" said Serena joining Dawn for an attack
Both Togekiss and Pangoro were preparing to attack when…
"Ninetales use Extreme Speed" said the man "Mightyena use Body Slam"
Before Dawn and Serena's Pokémon could prepare their attacks, Ninetales and Mightyena had already attacked and taken them down
"That's impossible" said Serena
"How could Togekiss and Pangoro got defeated by just one move?" said Dawn
Serena and Dawn called their Pokémon back to the Poke balls, they were in shock, not only their Pokémon got defeated, but with only one attack
"Come on Serena" said Dawn "Let's use another Pokémon"
"The end will be the same" said the man "Your Pokémon are not match for me"
Dawn and Serena had no idea what to do. And they had absolutely no idea of what that man wanted with them exactly or even who was he
"Who are you?" asked Dawn
The man started laughing out loud "Who am I?" said the man
"Answer us" ordered Serena
"Well, since you will not leave here I can tell you" said the man "My name is Willfer and I am from Team Tenebris" said Willfer
"Tenebris?" asked Serena "What is that?"
"Too much information already" said Willfer "Let's just say we have plenty interests in Lance"
"Hum, It seems suddenly everybody is after him" said Dawn ironically
"So tell me where is he" said Willfer "I will give you another chance to reveal his hideout"
"Once more we say… We don't know" said Dawn
"Should I trust you?" said Willfer
"They are telling the truth" said a voice from above them
Dawn and Serena looked up to the top of a tree and saw a familiar face from this morning
"It's her" said Dawn "The woman who was at the opening ceremony"
"Lorelei" said Serena
Willfer looked at the girls by listening Lorelei's name "Lorelei?" he asked "So you are Lorelei of Elite Four?"
"The one and only" said Lorelei jumping from the tree and landing in front of Dawn and Serena "Are you two all right?"
"Yes we are" said Serena
"Good" answered Lorelei "Now don't worry, I will handle with this jerk"
"Jerk?" asked Willfer "The only thing you will do is telling me where Lance is"
"How am I supposed to know?" asked Lorelei "Have you searched at the Yellow Pages? You may find him there"
"Are you making a joke?" asked Willfer angrily
"Absolutely not" answered Lorelei
"Tell me where he is and I will not hurt your Pokémon like I did with them" said Willfer
"I would like to see that" said Lorelei smiling
"You will" said Willfer "Ninetales, Mightyena attack now"
Both Pokémon started running toward them ready to attack with all they had
"They are coming close Lorelei" said Dawn "Do something"
Lorelei took a Pokéball from her pocket and threw into Willfer Pokémon "Dewgong, I Choose you" said Lorelei revealing her Pokémon "Use Aurora beam"
Dewgong used its move as was ordered avoiding the contact of Willfer's Pokémon throwing them backwards at Willffer's feet.
"What?" said Willfer "Ninetales, Mightyena don't be weak. Go back there and finish her"
Ninetales and Mightyena got up and started running again to attack Dewgong
"You shouldn't talk to your Pokémon like that" said Lorelei "Dewgong, use Ice Beam and froze them solid" Dewgong used its move faster than the eye could see and in less than two seconds both Ninetales and Mightyena were frozen solid
"Your Pokémon are unable to battle" said Lorelei to Willfer "I recommend you to call them back, leave and go to the Pokémon Center as fast as you can"
"I don't give up that easily" said Willfer "I have more Pokémon"
"The end will be the same" said Lorelei "Your Pokémon are not match for me"
Willfer got paralyzed, it was the same he had just said to the two girls. So that's was the feeling…. The feeling of losing so easily.
Willfer could no longer battle, he was in shock, not saying a word, just stood up looking to the ground. He had been defeated
"I don't think he will move for a while" said Lorelei to Dawn and Serena "Let's just leave him and go back to the city"
"But…" said Serena "He is after Lance"
"She is right" said Dawn "Isn't he in danger? Shouldn't you call officer Jenny to arrest him?"
"Please" said Lorelei "If that duckbill couldn't beat me, he will never beat Lance"
Lorelei guided Dawn and Serena back to the city safely
"Lorelei" said Serena "Thank you for helping us"
"Yes" said Dawn "We had no chance against him. But you defeated him so fast. It was incredible"
"You would have defeated him as well" said Lorelei "Trainers like him, who doesn't understand the concept of being a caring trainer will never be able to defeat trainers like you two"
"So why did you interrupt us?" asked Dawn
"I was on the top of a tree" said Lorelei "I am a Show off woman"
Dawn and Serena just looked at each other, that was a very interesting and weird woman
"Thank you anyway" said Dawn once more
"You are very welcome" said Lorelei turning around and going away
"Wait Lorelei" said Serena
"Yes?" she answered
"I know you didn't tell that guy for a reason..." starter Serena "But could you tell us where we can find Lance?
Lorelei looked at both girls, they were determined just like Lance said and their love for Ash would take them anywhere. That was interesting
"I am sorry girls" said Lorelei "But I said no lies. I don't know how to find Lance"
"What?" asked Dawn
"He is the one who always come at me" said Lorelei "But if you want to find him, there is one place I am 100% sure he will be"
"The grand finale of the Tournament" said Serena
"That's right" said Lorelei "Make it all way to the finale and you will find Lance"
After that Lorelei turned away and vanished through all people on the street.
Dawn and Serena went back to the Hotel to tell May What had just happened but when they got close they saw that May was outside the hotel at the door, like she was waiting for them to arrive
"May you have absolutely no idea what just happen" said Serena
"Your mother called Serena" said May ignoring her commentary
"My mother?" asked Serena
"That's right" said May "She called on the room phone. Since you weren't there, I answered to get you a note"
"And what did she say?" asked Serena
"Mother stuff you know" said May "If you arrived safely here in Kanto, If you were eating right and basically if you had already found Lance to ask him where the love of your life is"
Serena widened her eyes in surprise
"The love of her life?" asked Dawn looking at Serena
"That's right Dawn" said May "Ash Ketchum. The love of Serena's life"
Dawn went away from Serena and put herself next to May, both looking to Serena. Serena couldn't say by the look if they were angry or disappointed with her, but now it was done. They knew her secret and the question now was… How are they going to react to this?
"I knew you were hiding something from me Serena" said May "You are in love with Ash. That's why you are here to find Lance"
"You lied to us" said Dawn "You lied to me. How could you"
Serena just looked down and started crying. She cried, and cried, and cried. That's all she could do.