Review response: Dear Shadow Snivy, thank you! I'm always very flattered when someone likes my story. Also, congratulations on catching the Chieftain Absol joke, I was beginning to wonder if anyone caught it or if it was simply too idiotic to mention. I'm not sure what you mean by race ... so I can't answer your question. As for your comment about my cover, I know it's boring however I can't figure out how to change it yet. Once I do, I will replace it with something more interesting.
Dear AliceBaskervile123, I love Sekani as well! He is a highlight of my writing and makes me laugh whenever I write him. Thank you for the grammar correction, I was wondering if I was writing the Pokemon names incorrectly and what you said made a lot of sense.
I realized that I haven't been placing a disclaimer at the beginning of my chapters, so from here on out I will do so. I do not own Pokemon or their world, the only things I own are the plot and these particular characters.
Chapter Four: Will to Fight
The waves crashed against the shore, wetting the rocky beach with its sloppy kiss over and over, an endless cycle of splashing forward and receding back to itself. This sound, and the light of the late afternoon sun, were the first things to achieve access on the dulled senses of a certain young sleeper. She blinked and squinted against the sunlight, her ears twitched weakly as she woke up.
Raising her head, the Pokemon looked around. No dream ... still here. She sighed and began the laborious work of forcing her limbs into standing. She had been stuck on this island for a long time now, almost two weeks if she counted correctly, and she was still trapped in the cave she had first washed up in and had now made her den.
Her gaze turned longingly upward to the cliff top twenty feet above her, even if she couldn't see it from inside the cave, she knew it was there, an impregnable wall between her, freedom, and good food. Gingerly, she traced the long, raw scar that ran jaggedly from the upper center of her forehead, over her right eye, and down her jawbone with a cautious paw. Pain lanced across her face and she hissed angrily, the wound was still tender and while the salty water of the ocean had helped keep it from getting infected, it made it hurt like crazy.
She dry swallowed experimentally, her throat was still slightly swollen from the amount of salt water she had accidentally gulped down that fateful night, but at least it didn't hurt too much and she could get a good drink through it without agonizing throat spasms.
Pushing herself all the way to her feet, she limped slowly down to the wide but surprisingly shallow stream of clean water and guzzled at it greedily. She had been surviving off of the stream ever since she'd woken up ten days ago. She lapped up the clean unsalted liquid, her mind briefly going over her stay in the cave in her mind.
When she had first come to, she had been too weak and exhausted to move, her entire body had throbbed with pain and she had been unable to see out of her right eye because of the dried blood sealing it shut from her new head 'ornament'. But something inside her had refused to remain still, had refused to give up and starve to death in the cave where the ocean had spat her up.
So, she had wrestled to her feet and somehow crawled down from the narrow ledge to the bottom of the cave and its stream. The daily high tides which were able to lick at the very front of the cave and the frequent storms had caused her to retreat from the stream and back onto her hidden ledge because of her newly developed phobia of the ocean. This forced her make the trip to and from the cave stream daily, gradually building up what little strength she could muster.
But the stream would only sustain her for so long, she knew that soon her stomach would insist on either food or her weakness would increase. She needed to escape before then or else her fight with the ocean and her injuries would be for nothing. Finishing her drink, she raised her head and looked around. The late afternoon sunlight that had first awoken her shed precious light towards the back of the cave but did not reach all the way.
She followed the stream backwards, for once curious and strong enough to investigate its source. Soon, she was sniffing gently at the tall crack in the wall that allowed the stream to flow through the cave and down to the ocean. It was just barely wide enough to her to squeeze through, but if she did, she wasn't sure she would be able to back out of it again.
The Pokemon sighed, I really hate small dark places, I really, really do. But, for freedom and survival! Steeling herself for an unpleasant trip, she pushed her bruised body through the crack and into the limestone tunnel carved out by centuries of water flowing down the same path.
Disconcertingly soon, the sounds of the waves were reduced to faint vibrations and the sunlight was but a distant memory. The only sounds to be heard were the brave traveler's splashing paw steps, her thudding heartbeat, and the faint curses she grunted out breathlessly every time she slipped on the smooth rocks.
As she stumbled and limped through the seemingly endless dark, it slowly dawned on her that she was heading upward. While this gave her the hope to continue, it also meant that she found it increasingly hard to keep her footing.
After yet another slip and painful jab in her paw, she stopped and took a long drink from the water trickling around her ankles. Oh how I wish I had a light ... but if I generate one myself I'll just fry this whole stream and me with it. She raised her head, licking the water off of her jaws absentmindedly, and froze.
Very faintly up ahead, was a dot of light. As she wondered if this was some kind of fatigue induced illusion, a draft of fresh air played gently with her fur, fluttering her ears mischievously. Yes! She stumbled forward, working her paws with adrenaline aided speed toward the promise of freedom and life.
The tunnel grew steadily wider and the water steadily deeper until she was half wading, half swimming against a slow moving current. The light resolved itself into a cave opening as she swam toward it. She paddled to the left side of the shore and finally emerged from the dark tunnel of rock. Evening sunlight bathed her wet body with welcome warmth as she dragged herself onto a rocky shore.
She closed her eyes, relishing in the feelings of freedom and triumph that burbled up in her soul. I'm alive ... I'm alive. Her hold on consciousness slipped away and she dozed off there on the shore. However, fate was not yet done throwing challenges her way. She had one more test to pass before she would be allowed to rest.
A blood chilling howl of victory ripped from the throats of the houndoom hunting party as Ahanu of clan Wobbuffet finally ran out of breath and came to an unwilling stop. He looked up through his eyes that appeared to be permanently squinting and panted through his mouth, "Come on!" he call pleadingly to the houndoom pack as they surrounded him, "I said I was sorry! Please let me go!"
The leader of the errant hunting party, a houndour with a recently singed fur glared hatefully at the blue, balloon-like Pokemon, "Forgive you? You attacked a member of the houndoom clan on their own territory! The price for such a crime is death!" The cruel doberman-like Pokemon's face split into a toothy grin, "Besides, I've always wanted to see if a wobbuffet was as puffy on the inside as they are on the out."
Ahanu shivered and shielded his face with his handless blue arms, his black tail wiggled agitatedly, "I didn't attack anybody! It's impossible for a wobbuffet to initiate attacks, remember? That's why we're called Patient Pokemon! Besides, it was your own fault for trying to use Ember Attack on me!"
The houndour's smile flopped back into a snarl, "I'll make you pay for embarrassing me in front of Viola! You can't counter an attack from all of us at once!" He raised his head and called to his five snickering pals, "On my mark, use Flamethrower with every ounce of power you can muster! Let's teach this sniveling cave creeper not to mess with us! Ready? One, two, mark!"
Ahanu covered his head with his rubbery blue arms and summoned all of his psychic power into the signature move of his clan, Counter Attack. His light blue skin glowed pink and yellow with the move he hoped would fend off six Flamethrowers.
Heat surrounded him as all six Houndours pummeled him with scorching hot Flamethrower attacks. His psychic barrier began to waver under the inferno and Ahanu began to wail, "Please! Stop! I'll do anything you want, just stop!"
Over the sound of crackling flames, Ahanu heard something. It sounded like a clap of thunder, thunder? but ... there weren't any storm clouds a few minutes ago! Suddenly the Flamethrower attacks stopped and were replaced by screams of surprised pain from his houndour antagonists. A strangely sharp scent filled the air that reminded Ahanu of the annual magneton festival he had once attended as a wynaut.
He shakily opened his eyes and peeked between his arms to see what had happened. Three of the houndours were climbing to their feet, their fur smoking. Two of them were out cold and bleeding across the rocky sand. The lead Houndour panted and glared to his left at a large boulder, "Hey! Who are you to dare interrupt the justice of clan houndoom!" Ahanu's curiosity overrode his terror and he lowered his arms to look at his rescuer.
A Pokemon stood on the top of the boulder. The Pokemon had long yellow ears with black tips, a round body that looked deceivingly chubby, four legs, and a tail the shape of a lightning bolt with a V shaped notch on its end. His eyes traveled back up to her face, red circles stood out in the center of her yellow cheeks and her mouth was set in a thin line of rage.
His eyes traveled further up her face and he gasped, his heart going still in shock and horror. A long, angry red welt of a scar ran from the center of her forehead, across her right eye-ridge and temple before ending at the base of her jaw. Her right eye was half closed, but from underneath the lid it burned with the same gut-wrenching hatred that blazed in the fully open left one.
The Houndour ring leader and his two still conscious companions all snarled at the stranger, "Well, speak up! Who are you to dare attack members of clan houndoom! Answer or suffer the consequences!" She stared at him silently, her eyes blazing with more fire than even he, a Fire/Dark-type possessed. The young dog Pokemon growled, his stubby ears flattened, "Fine, suffer in silence you miserable freak!"
He opened his mouth and a powerful Flamethrower attack leaped out at the silent Pokemon. Ahanu smothered a horrified cry with the ends of his arms as the boulder became consumed with flame. Why didn't she say anything? Why did she just sit there after trying to save me? Oh no, oh no, oh no!
The Houndour smugly closed his mouth, clearly expecting to see the crisped remains of the one who had dared to attack him. The rock was scorched black and smoking softly in the evening light ... but there was no body to be seen. One of the Houndour's friends looked around and sniffed the air, "Where did it go Connlaodh? Did you burn it so good that there aren't even any remains?"
Connlaodh puffed out his chest, "Hah! Well good riddance to it I say!" He turned back to Ahanu, his grey helmet-like skull plate glinting wickedly in the last light of the day, "Now let's finish dealing with the trash!" The other two Houndours bared their teeth happily and fell into formation next to their leader.
Ahanu shied back, his heart pounding, Why do I never get a break? Just once? He prepared to try another Counter when a figure, now backlit by the setting orange sun stood up on its hind legs behind the Houndours. A voice rasped out, rage clearly heard even if the words were few, "Leave ... him ... alone."
All three Houndours whirled in surprise and Ahanu gawked. Connlaodh roared in vexation, "What the-! How are you not dead? I burned you to a crisp!"
The mystery Pokemon settled down onto all fours in a pouncing pose, her scar was a deep black against the setting sun as she sneered, "Stupid Fire-type." Her cheeks sparked with electricity and suddenly the air was filled with the sound of crackling energy and the agonized screams of the would-be bullies.
The two companion houndours fainted to the ground, their black fur smoking from the sharp electric attack. Connlaodh was the only one left standing, barely. He gasped for air and Ahanu could see his muscles quivering and spasming in protest to his weight. The fire dog looked up, "By the name of Ho-Oh ... I demand ... to know who you are! What ... what is your clan?"
The Pokemon limped silently over until she was nose to nose with the shaking Houndour. She pulled back a small five fingered paw, balled it into a fist, and swung. A meaty smack sounded in the air and Connlaodh collapsed senseless to the ground.
Ahanu gaped at the Pokemon, an electric-type he had never seen before who looked like something a Mandibuzz dragged in and yet still utterly kicked the tails of five houndours. He swallowed hard, "Who, who are you, please? What is your clan?"
The Pokemon swayed lightly on her feet, she locked eyes with him, "I ... am a Pikachu," she rasped out before her intense green eyes rolled upwards and she passed out.
Ahanu ran over on his four stubby legs, gently scooped his mysterious rescuer into his arms and began to waddle home, "I don't know who clan Pikachu is, miss. But if they can raise a Pokemon like you, then I hope to meet more of them. Let's get you to Healer Xatu."
Almost a day later, Ahanu was pacing on his four stubby legs, while it happened that Healer Xatu had disappeared on her annual journey for solitude and meditation, her capable apprentice Chansey was all too willing to help. The pink, egg-shaped Pokemon was patiently tending to the stranger from clan Pikachu. She clapped her paws together gently and then raised them, "Soft Boiled!"
Healing yellow energy glowed from the egg in her pouch before slowly floating to the Pikachu and merging with her. For a few awe-inspiring seconds, every line of the strange electric-type's body glowed as the energy produced from Chansey rejuvenated the unconscious Pokemon's muscles and healed the many cuts and bruises.
The glow faded, leaving the Pikachu to sleep much easier then before. Ahanu studied her, "She still has the scar," he pointed out nervously, "I thought Soft Boiled was supposed to heal everything."
The Chansey shook her head, causing her six dreadlocks to bob softly, "No, it only heals about fifty percent of any injures taken and that," she motioned to the scar, "did a lot more damage that you would think. At least it isn't so pronounced anymore and once Max gets here she will be as energetic as any other electric-type."
Ahanu sighed and nodded in agreement, Apprentice Chansey was correct. The scar, formally angry red and puckered, was now a pink, slightly raised line. Now if only she would wake up!
Energy poured through her veins for a second time in what seemed like a dark eternity, a different kind than from before. While the previous flow of energy had been warm and comforting like a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter night, this energy was sharp, exhilarating, it made her want to open her eyes, run and leap and shout. She gasped and her eyes snapped open. At first everything was a jumble of colors and sounds but she knew one thing for certain, there was another electric-type in the room and he or she was giving her a recharge.
She sat up and shook her head, vaguely hearing the cry of, "That's plenty, Max. You can stop now." She looked around, taking in the cave walls, the nest she was lying in, the pleased looking Chansey, and the thoughtful looking Magnemite. Her green eyes finally rested on the Wobbuffet staring at her worriedly from a corner.
The Chansey waddled up to her happily, "My, you recovered remarkably fast, miss! How are you feeling? Thirsty? Hungry? In need of some more electricity?"
The Pikachu pinned her ears flat at the chatter and the Chansey instantly quieted, her pink face showing extreme regret for having upset her patient. The patient in question slowly relaxed and smiled tentatively, "Thank you," her voice was so dry it sounded like wind scraping a pine branch on metal, "water ... would be great."
The Wobbuffet instantly leapt from his corner, "I'll get it! I'll get it!" He immediately began to run willy-nilly around the room muttering, "Water, water, need to get water!"
The Magnemite rolled its single eye and spoke impatiently in its electric voice, "There is bowl lying by the patient's nest and a pond in the next room over." The Wobbuffet stopped running and flailing his arms and looked sheepishly at the bowl.
The Chansey chuckled, "I'll get the water. Ahanu, stay in that corner and don't say anything. The last thing my patient needs is you riddling her with questions." The fat pink Pokemon picked up the bowl, smiled pleasantly at the Pikachu and waddled off to get water.
As soon as she was gone, the Wobbuffet ran over to the nest and began babbling, "Hello, stranger from clan Pikachu! I am Ahanu Wobbuffet, the guy you saved from those Houndour! How did you overpower those guys when you were so low on energy? It was ama-ouch!" Ahanu retreated from the Magnemite who had just jolted him with a shot of electricity, "Watch it Max, I was just asking!"
'Max' bobbed in the air, "As Apprentice Chansey recently ordered not too." He turned in the air to face the amused looking Pikachu, "I request your pardon on behalf of Ahanu Wobbuffet. He, like many of his species, are too impatient and ... goofy to obey orders with any degree of efficiency. I am Magnemite 023 but many seem to enjoy calling me 'Max'. You may as well if you wish."
The Pikachu smiled at Max and whispered a reply, "I am ... Mira Pikachu. Nice-" her sore throat rebelled at being used when it was so dry and she bent double, her body suddenly racked with coughs.
The Chansey rushed back into the room and gently rubbed Mira's back with soothing circular motions to ease to coughing. When the coughs had subsided, she offered the bowl of water to Mira, "Remember, sip, don't gulp." Mira silently complied, sipping happily at the bowl of water until her throat returned to a comfortably wet level.
Lowering the bowl from her lips, she handed it back to the Chansey, "Thank you, that was wonderful." Apprentice Chansey positively beamed at the thought of having made Mira feel better.
Ahanu bobbled forward again, "Hi! You said your name was Mira? I just wanted to thank you for saving me from those Houndour, if you ever need a Wobbuffet, just give a shout."
Mira studied Ahanu, so he's the one those bullies were chasing. A bright flash of hatred flickered through her, she hated bullies with an unmeasurable passion that rivaled the ocean in violence. Keeping her face utterly calm she answered, "I was happy to help, Ahanu." She turned her gaze to the Chansey, "How much do I owe for your services and that of Max's? I'm afraid I don't have anything to trade but I can work-"
Apprentice Chansey waved her paw dismissively, "Don't be silly! You don't have to pay me! Consider it a thank you from his clan for saving Ahanu. As for Max, he stated earlier that it was payment enough to meet a member of a whole new electric clan."
Mira frowned, "Whole new clan? What do you mean? Clan Raichu can be found in almost every region."
Now it was Apprentice Chansey's turn to frown, "Really? Because Max's clan have members all over the island and none of them have even heard of clan Raichu ... no offense of course!" Mira blinked, island? I was talking about regions like Johto or Sinnoh or Unova. What is she talking about?
To avoid an argument or worse, questions about where she came from, she waved a paw, "Never mind, my clan is very private so I'm not surprised. Is it all right if I leave?"
Apprentice Chansey blinked rapidly, "Of course, if that is what you want. But it is nighttime, wouldn't you rather stay here till morning?" Seeing Mira shake her head, Chansey continued, "How silly of me, you must be in the middle of your Discovering and eager to get back to it. Ahanu? You have the best night vision, would you lead her outside and point the way to Airmd Town?"
Ahanu stiffened and threw the characteristic wobbuffet salute, "Yes, ma'am! Right this way, Mira Pikachu and clan Raichu!" Mira jumped out of the nest and with a polite nod of farewell to Max, followed Ahanu down many tunnels towards the outside world.
Faintly behind her, Mira's sharp ears picked up the Chansey's high voice commenting, "Rather abrupt isn't she? Well, since she's from a secret clan, she probably has to follow all sorts of rules about secrecy and not talking to nonmembers. Poor dear."
Mira shook her head, I cannot believe they swallowed that! Everyone knows about how open clan Raichu usually is! But then ... they didn't even know that Pikachus existed until they met me. Could it be that this island has lost all contact with the outside world? She turned another corner, her mind briefly shoving an unpleasant memory on her. Cruel laughter, hard blows, and constant fighting. She shuddered and slammed a mental wall on those thoughts.
She kept her eyes firmly on the bobbing blue form of Ahanu, Well, if it is, then at least I will be able to live my life without meeting them again. If that means being the only pikachu here, then so be it.
A cave opening yawned into her field of vision and suddenly she was standing in the cool night air. She breathed deeply, taking in the scents of the desert at night. She turned to Ahanu, "What is this place called?"
The Wobbuffet cocked his head to one side in befuddlement, "Kasai Desert, uh ... if we head straight in that direction we should reach Airmd Town in few days."
Mira gave him a scathing look that the dim lighting failed to dull, "What do you mean 'we'? That Chansey told you to simply point out the right direction."
Ahanu bobbed his head up and down, one arm in a salute, "I know, but you saved my life! I am bound by honor to follow you until the day you die!"
Mira felt like frying something, the last thing she needed was a wobbuffet following her around, they were notoriously nosey. She flattened her ears, reared up on her hind paws, and crossed her front ones over her chest, "You only have to do that if I tell you. So, you can go back to your clan now. If it makes you feel better, consider taking me to the Chansey as repaying your debt."
Ahanu shook his head vigorously, "No, no, no! It doesn't repay even a tenth of my debt! I have to follow you or else be shamed for life! Wobbuffets hold the debt of loyalty under different rules than most Pokemon. If a wobbuffet needs saving then that wobbuffet is bound to serve his rescuer until one of them perishes! Please let me come with you, if I don't my clan will banish me!"
Mira sighed irritatedly, What exactly did I do to deserve this? She lowered herself back onto all fours and sped off in the direction of Airmd Town, "Fine, but you're going to have to keep up!" Using her electric pouches to light her way, she couldn't help but relish the surprised sound that came from Ahanu as he struggled to catch up.
She ran through the night for a long time, ignoring Ahanu behind her and the hunger that pinched at her stomach. Mira looked up as she leaped from rock to rock, the moon was full and round, shining with a bright silver-white glow that made it the precious jewel in a crown of darkness.
Her legs slowed and then stopped as she stared thoughtfully at the moon. Behind her she could hear the loud wheezing of Ahanu, she felt the tiniest twinge of guilt, wobbuffets were far from fast when it came to running and their legs made it impossible for them to possess any real endurance. Mira had hoped that if she outran him, he might give up and go home. This one is persistent, I'll give him that.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Ahanu had stopped a short distance away, his mouth open wide in an attempt to gasp in more air. She looked passed him, brightening her electric light to see farther. They had come a good distance. Mira sighed, climbed off of the rock, and curled up on its lee side. She called curtly to Ahanu, "We've come far enough for tonight, get some sleep."
Ahanu wobbled up to her and made as if to snuggle against her side. Mira sparked her cheek pouches threateningly, "You may be under a life debt to me, Wobbuffet, but that doesn't mean you have the right to invade my personal space."
He pulled back and looked apologetic, "Oh, sorry. I just thought ... nights can get very cold here on Kasai." Mira twitched her ears, she wasn't cold at all. Then again, that could simply be because she had been running for so long.
Mira continued to glare at him, "Your clan live in caves, I think you can manage the cold." Ahanu sputtered slightly and murmured something about how 'that hadn't been what he meant' but eventually drifted off to sleep a short distance away from her. She watched him sleep for several minutes before uncurling and climbing the rock again.
She perched at its top and stared at the moonlit sky. She watched the stars twinkle and listened to the sounds of nocturnal Pokemon in the distance. She listened to these sounds and watched these sights, but in reality, she wasn't paying attention to any of them. Her mind was far away, above the desert all around her, beyond the island she was now stranded on, it was lingering on a face she had once loved.
A breeze flitted across the sand and scrub. It played with her fur and flapped her ears mischievously before passing on, leaving Mira to shiver softly. With her green eyes still locked on the moon, she whispered in a lonely, bitter tone "Good night, Jack. I hope your choices have brought you the good fortune you hoped for."
She sat there for a long time afterwards, her thoughts lost in the past, before sleep overcame her and she drifted off into dreams on the top of the windblown rock.