Kate let the wind sweep her bangs out of her face, the rest of her hair in its pigtails again as she flew near Keith. They were going back to Almia, to face off with someone Kate knew to be the villain in this challenge: Kincaid. And if what she feared was true, almost everyone was counting on them.
Keith glanced over at her, his brown eyes sparking with determination, as they neared the more familiar forests of Almia. Kate patted the restless Fearow she was riding on while she considered Keith silently, her eyes eagerly exploring his expression. Fear, worry, doubt… but also determination, calmness, and a sure look in his eyes. His mouth was set in a small line, but she could just see the edges turned upwards in the barest hint of a smile. She truly looked at him, and saw all of the things she had hoped for and more of the boy she loved.
The trees below them shifted fluidly into the trees of Almia, and the wind shifted from a just off headwind to a tail wind. Before she knew it, she was looking down at Partner Farm, with her other seven partners still there. Gible, Misdreavous, Shieldon, Snover, Piplup, Sneasel, and Hippopotas all called up to them in joyous tones as they flew overhead. Kate waved down at them, a happy smile on her face.
Chicole Village came next, its usual quietness unbroken as they passed overhead. As Vientown came into view, Kate's throat caught painfully. By the time they had passed Vien Forest and had gotten to Pueltown, she was crying silently.
They continued north in silence, watching Pueltown fall behind them while a large building loomed ahead, the clouds hanging around it's top heavily. Kate flinched slightly when she looked at the building.
Altru Inc. was the reigning champion in the top places she didn't want to be. Her stomach protested when they made the banking turn to land at the door. Keith landed first, watching as she jumped off the Fearow as she always jumped from flyers. She stumbled a few steps forward, nearly falling before Keith grabbed hold of her and steadied her. She looked up at him, very aware of how much taller than her he was. She took a ragged breath.
"This is it," she whispered hoarsely, looking at the building as the Fearow she had ridden hovered nearby instinctively. She knew it wanted to go back to Kanto, but it realized it could help her one more time before leaving. She was grateful. It meant she didn't have to capture anything. It meant she only had to go to the top of the tower and face Mr. Kincaid.
"Yeah," Keith nodded slightly, "this is it."
Kate took another deep breath, glancing anxiously at Keith for a second before deciding, "Keith, I need you to free the building. Go through all the floors and take out any obstacles and call Erma to let her know we're taking on Altru again. Ask her to send help for restraining… the guy behind this." She hesitated only slightly. She knew it was Kincaid but… if Keith knew he might refuse…
"Kate?" Keith tilted his head, "What do you mean?" his eyes widened, "You're not…"
"I gotta do this alone, Keith." She whispered, "I've gotta… know that I can face him alone now…" she cold see the disbelief on his face, "Please, Keith. You told Suicune you'd do anything to help me. Help me this way… a way that isn't dangerous to you…" she bit her lip, "…a way I know you'll walk away fro without injuries…" She stared pleadingly at him, begging with her eyes, "Please."
Keith debated silently whether to make a stand or cave in, glancing between his hands and the determinedly hopeful gaze of Kate. He could feel his resistance crumbling every time he looked at her. He forced his eyes away from her and sighed, "You're… sure?"
"Yes…" she pulled him into a hug, "for me, please…"
Keith nodded slightly, "…Any trouble at all… Voicemail me… and I'll be there as soon as I can." She nodded back, biting her lip. "Don't worry," he murmured, pulling her close, "I have faith in you. Have some faith in yourself… and go save the day again." He smiled sadly.
Kate grabbed his cheeks lightly and pulled him into a tender kiss. She pulled away.
"See you when it's over…" she whispered, her nose against his, before stepping back and running over to the Fearow and jumping on its back. She nudged it into flight, her long cloak flying out behind her as the Fearow circled to gain altitude. Keith watched her rise out of sight toward the top of the building. He touched his lips gently; eyes misting over with unshed tears. He didn't know why, but he dreaded reaching the top floor.
He let his hand fall, his gaze returning to the door as he steeled himself to walk in and start his mission.
--
Kate announced the mission specs into the microphone on her Styler, holding onto the Fearow with one hand and her knees as it rose upward.
"Mission: Save the Luminous Crystal." She recited, "Importance: Critical." Her voice quavered slightly, "Top Ranger: Kate Davies. Mission Type: Self-Assigned." The question 'Approved by' appeared on the screen and she frowned, "Approved by: Operator Linda Marcel. Submit Data."
'Processing' appeared on the screen. She glanced at the tower as her Styler progressed through the steps of forming the specs of a self-assigned mission of Critical Importance. She glanced back down as a "Approved!" sound came from her Styler, and the Mission name flashed across the screen.
Save the Luminous Crystal. Critical Importance.
She took one more deep breath as the tower came into clear view. She prodded the Fearow still higher.
This is it.
--
A list of beeping mission specs appeared on the computer at the Ranger Union. Linda dried her eyes and read through them, her eyes widening and her mouth curling into a smile.
"THEY'RE ON IT!" she shouted as loud as she could, so everyone in the building could hear. Her happiness left her nearly hysterical, "Kate's… protecting the Luminous Crystal."
Christen jumped up slightly, "That's great!" she shrieked. She glanced at Noah, who looked hopeful. With any luck, this would be over today… then they could move on…
--
Ice huffed in impatience, glancing over at the Almost-Shadow Crystal, then at the ten recruits prepping their Pokemon to attack the last gem. He glanced at Lavana, who was readjusting her make up. He walked over and planted himself in front of her, staring at her solemnly as she finished up.
"Yes?" she asked, her tone blasé, not looking up until she was certain she looked perfect.
"You look fine, you don't need to primp." He intoned, "Stop wasting time."
Lavana frowned at him, and he turned away. He looked toward the final member of the Sinis-Trio, the member he didn't think really fit in anywhere. Heath, with his usually happy disposition (which could get annoying at times), was a sort of oddball out when it came to missions of the Sinis-Trio.
"Roi'!" the blond man grinned, patting his Rhyperior as he chuckled in a good mood. "Time ta finizh thiz up!"
Ice's left eye twitched in annoyance, and he determinedly looked away. He would not lose his cool. "We still need to wait for the noob to appear, Heath." He pointed out, "We can't finish this up before she comes… that's just not how it's done."
"Torture her little already-offset mind with the sight of her ultimate defeat." Lavana sighed happily, "Such a beautiful picture."
Ice smirked slightly, glancing at the bubblegum haired woman beside him. She could be so devious and so mean at the same time… it was such a beautiful sight to him. She certainly had her points of annoyance (her obsession with her looks, for example), but he truly had to admire the determination she could show when it came to causing pain.
"You'd be surprised how much you can hurt someone before they pass out," Lavana pointed out blandly, looking at her nails. "Or go insane…" she chuckled with a smirk, "A little more time and we can destroy her from the mind out."
Ice let out a loud laugh, being joined by Lavana and Heath only seconds afterward.
--
Kate could barely hear three voices beginning to laugh loudly. She didn't like the sound of that at all. She checked the release button on her Styler; shivering as the wind got colder the higher she went. She tugged the hood on her cloak over her head, covering her pigtails and her bangs, leaving her eyes in shadow. She shivered again, this time from unease.
The Fearow cleared the top of the tower, going up twenty feet more before she slipped off it and landed on the roof, her hood still covering her eyes. She released her Styler before looking up to meet the shocked-turning-angry faces before her. The Sinis-Trio. Great.
She stood up again, her capture disc already flying around the two Drowzee standing off to the side and several of the pokemon standing around beside people in the tell-tale Team Dim Sun suits. The Drowzee were the first to return to normal from control, and she barked at them, "Help your helper."
The Drowzees instantly waddled over toward the Drowzee guy, who had passed out at some time a few minutes before. She spared the man a passive glance, feeling thankful he didn't have to witness the monstrosity of a battle that she now faced. She turned to the Sinis-Trio, who had Pokeballs in their hands and were staring at her as if trying to decide whether she was worth it.
--
"Froslass." Ice called, eyeing the cloaked figure in curiosity, "Take care of the intruder." He let out his Froslass, still staring at the person as they let their Styler out as well. Frosslass moved to attack, and was instantly surrounded by a quick moving capture disc.
"You don't recognize me?" the person asked, holding a hand to their chest while the other directed the Styler on their arm, "I'm hurt."
Ice growled as Froslass cried out in distress, unable to attack the moving capture disc. He recognized that voice well enough.
"So, Kate-noob, you've decided to join us." He muttered as the Styler on her arm let out an "OK!". The cloak around the girl before him fluttered in the wind, "And you upgraded your wardrobe, it seems."
"Infernape!" Lavana yelled, tossing her Infernape into the mix. Ice called back Froslass, giving her a chance to recover from the onslaught of 'friendship'.
Ice let out his Garchomp, which growled at Kate as she tossed her hood off her head, her pigtails swaying slightly in the wind. Her eyes were glowing with determination, something none of the Sinistrio expected. Her mouth was a small, un-amused line. She stared impassively at them, Ice in particular.
Kate didn't respond to Ice's insult, instead calmly capturing Lavana's Infernape and his Garchomp as well, her capture disc almost a blur as it moved around at the barest twitch of her fingers.
"You three always annoyed me," she murmured, as Heath let out his Magneton. Lavana narrowed her eyes at her, and she grabbed the second Pokeball on Heath's belt. Heath protested, and was ignored by Lavana, who threw out the Electevire it contained.
Kate sent out Turtwig, which stared down the two Electric types strongly, and Pachirisu, who stood beside Turtwig firmly. The two small pokemon stood before her as the two electric types stood before the Sinis-Trio.
Ice smirked, "Simple two on two battle?" he announced.
"I don't expect you to keep to the rules." Kate muttered, "As long as you keep out only two, I'll keep out only two." She nodded to Turtwig, "Turtwig, use Leech Seed followed by Razor Leaf. Pachi… do what you do best."
The two pokemon chattered and got ready to attack while Heath growled, "Magn'ton, Dischahge! 'Lectavi-ah, Spah-k ball!"
Kate watched her pokemon expertly dodging, Turtwig using Leech seed on the Electevire and the Magneton while Pachirisu charged up a Bolt Tackle. She kept one eye on the Luminous Crystal, her eyes narrowing.
Where was…?
--
Everyone had stopped speaking in that cozy room, looking at each other anxiously. "I'm not the only one who can hear that, right?" Rhythmi asked quietly. One by one the others all nodded. They could hear it too.
A battle.
Nearby.
Which could only mean one thing.
"They're here…" Melody whispered excitedly.
Rhythmi bit her lip, listening hard, "No… only Kate is. Keith wouldn't be that silent, not for something as big as this… he's not with her." She declared; looking worried now. Kate was good, but could she do it alone?
The others around her shivered in anticipation: avoiding each other's gazes as they tried not to show how anxious they really were. Rhythmi shivered as well, glancing at Isaac and then down at their hands, gripped together in worry for their friend. Rhythmi's face tinged with red again.
She glanced at Isaac, who turned to meet her gaze. She bit her lip as his face turned pink as well. He didn't let go of her hand, however. She leaned against his shoulder, her heart beating wildly as he rested his head against hers.
They were both worried.
--
Out of nowhere, a familiar voice called lazily, "Poison Sting."
Kate winced as pain shot through her shoulder, raising a hand to hold it as blood started flowing from it. She could feel hot fire rushing through her veins, winding its way down her side until she couldn't feel her shoulder and ribs from the pain.
Turtwig used Razor Leaf, which connected as Pachi completed its Bolt Tackle attack. The two enemy Pokemon fell to the ground, unable to continue battling.
Turtwig returned to its Pokeball shortly after the two enemies returned to theirs. Pachi stood next to Kate, chattering anxiously up at her as Kate winced from the poison spreading through her body. She reached into her berry pocket to find that she was out of Pecha berries.
Perfect. Just. Fricking. PERFECT.
The Sinis-Trio backed away as Kincaid walked forward, his gaze maniacal as he watched her face contort in pain.
"So close, aren't we?" he sneered, sending shivers down Kate's spine. She was standing in front of Mr. Kincaid, hurt and poisoned, while he was standing with a Gengar and a Gliscor next to him.
She was afraid.
AN: Okay. So I decided to cut the final battle in two and throw some shameless Isaac/Rhythmi fluff in there. SO you have two more chapters after this one. Which should come quickly, since I'm working on the chapters whenever I can at school in my notebook anyway xD
I TYPED THIS ALL LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING. I WAS SLEEP DEPRIVED LAST NIGHT SO IT MIGHT SHOW.
So yeah. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS?!
REVIEW AND CONVINCE ME TO POST.
