Me: Okay, so I took more than a month and a half... To produce a short, nine-page chapter.
While it's true that I've been concentrating on my education lately, its still no excuse (To me!) to have made you all wait this long. Really, this is pretty messed up. I will say in my favor, though, that I'm almost done with what I need to do, education-wise. After that, I plan on taking a break from it, (If I can get away with it!) to concentrate on my chapter writing.
Allan: Yeah... And you plan on achieving this, how? You know you suck at math, and it's the whole reason that you aren't done with it already!
Me: Oi, oi! It's not like I wanted to waste all this time on math... And most people who are good at Writing and Language Arts, have a hard time with Mathematics anyway... And there are cases of vice versa, so there!
Allan: Whatever... Who do you have working the disclaimer this time?
Me: Oh, uh... I spent all that time concentrating on various things that would help me out later on, and on this new chapter... And I haven't even lined anyone up for the job this time! DX
Allan: Then-
Me: YOU DO IT!
Allan: Um, Okay...? Lets see... Lady Umbreon does not own: Pokémon; Any locations that can be leisurely viewed on any Town Map; The officially licensed Characters of the Pokémon franchise; Or... What else is there?
Me: Ahem!
Allan: -.-; ... Or toast.
Me: Happy reading!
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Chapter Ten:
Misunderstanding creates Chaos
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"Ku-ru-da, Star-li!"
Swooping down through the early morning light in the direction of a heavily laden plum tree, the little Pokémon cried it's elation to the skies again, "Ku-ru-da, Star-li!"
Ignoring the little Starly's happy chirruping, Lucario pressed onward. Although she was less than happy herself, she continued westward, honing her senses to locate the one, or ones, who would be able to assist her. Moving toward what she sensed was the wounded part of the forest, she saw with her own eyes the broken boughs and plants that littered the early part of the chosen path of a crazed juggernaut.
Lucario, stopping a few miles from this point sometime in the middle of the night, sighed at the sharp contrasts this brightly hued morning presented. Further in, where the damage begins and the lively morning ends, there were, at odds, shadows and light. The whole scene seemed gray and dead. A true tragedy had taken place.
'There has been much pain and loss here...' She thought quietly. The apparent gloom of the situation, silenced even the most rashly energetic young ones who were merely passing through.
A Floatzel passed Lucario, and stopped to look mournfully at a fair sized mound of dirt and stone. With a closer look on her own part, Lucario realized that this was a grave for the fallen, 'How did this happen!' She exclaimed.
"Flo~... 'tsel-flo~..." : 'It was cruel... Our Protector was caught and made to destroy all in his path...'
"Floatsel-flo..." : 'And my own child...'
'I'm sorry,' Lucario took a step back, and knelt to honor the grave.
"Float-flo, Floatzel!" : 'There was nothing that could be done, the monsters from the east made this happen!'
'Monsters,' Though she had an idea who may well be responsible, Lucario, for the sake of compassion for the mourning mother, asked, 'Who do you mean?'
"Floatzel~!" : 'I mean those awful creatures that drove our Guardian to slay my young one!' The mother Floatzel was becoming more and more upset, but Lucario waited patiently.
"Float-Floatsel, Floatzel flo-flo!" : 'Those damnable monsters that act cruelly to any and all Pokémon they run across...!' Floatzel seemed to be in shock. Remembering the tragic death of her young one seemed to silence her ability to speak.
'Who are they?' Lucario asked again, when Floatzel didn't immediately name her enemies.
"Fu-lo... 'tzel!" : 'If I only knew... I don't!'
Lucario watched Floatzel as she dissolved into tears of sorrow. The sadness of the mother Pokémon affected her deeply.
'It's not worth much coming from me, but... I really am sorry this happened.'
Having said words that felt empty, even to her own ears, Lucario turned and pressed on.
On through the destruction that was caused by an innocent, tainted by the darkness of other's cruelty. Lucario wished that she could stay by the side of the mourning Floatzel; Chivalry is one of the most important teachings an Aura knight, and their partner, learn early on. But Duty was just as emphasized. The loss of the mother's child was saddening, and chivalry would have made Lucario stay, but her duty to Riley, someone who still lived, called for her valor.
'There will be time for mourning lost lives later,' Lucario walked on, through the ruins of a once peaceful forest, 'For now, I must keep going, until Riley is safe.'
Further along, Lucario spotted a sheer cliff. Examining the foliage in that direction from a distance, she noted that the path of the crazed guardian led straight through, clear over the edge.
'It couldn't be...' She stood still, and stared at the cliff. Then, she looked for any impressions left by passing, or near, Aura's.
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XXX
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Many psychic Kadabra had gathered in the night to assist both Allan and Gallade make the final push that would heal the felled Torterra's broken spine. Sometime after midnight, when Allan had rejoined Gallade's efforts, Torterra had grunted a whispered question; 'Why are you helping me?'
Realizing that the huge grass-type had come to his senses, Allan responded by stating plainly, that it was the right thing to do. Torterra didn't seem to agree, but put up no fight to interrupt their work.
Gallade smiled faintly, and said, 'It might seem impossible to you, but none of the other Pokémon believe you deserved what happened to you. Nor do they think you should die when you have been given the chance to survive.'
"Torta... terr-a..." : 'I do not understand. I have... killed... So many of the ones I once called my friends. What could life have left for me after such misfortune?'
"That's not for us to say, but I do know one thing. You can't let what happened to you, happen to anyone else." Allan answered. Allan had been reading Torterra's thoughts, and knew that if this magnificent Pokémon quit living because of something he'd had no power over, then he wouldn't be someone that all these other Pokémon cared about. If Torterra stopped fighting, then the only thing he'd be is selfish.
"Terra't-tor..." : 'Perhaps you're right...' Torterra shut his eyes and went to sleep.
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Later...
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Budew awoke at dawn, and briskly shook off the morning dew clinging to his body. He looked up at the hazy sky, tinted pink by the rising sun, it's clouds streaked with peach and lavender hues. The chill of winter was coming on fast now, in spite of it being more than a month away.
Shivering with something other than cold, Budew hopped over to the clearing at the base of the cliff's edge, to see if the two strangers who'd appeared suddenly yesterday morning, had succeeded.
The sight that greeted Budew, made him sit back and cry out, "Bah-bu-bu-bud~ew!" : 'I can't believe it!'
This caused a Staraptor to swoop down, give him a gentle peck on the head, and utter a warning, "S'arrap-or..." : 'If you wake any of them up, I'll peck your head harder.'
"B-budew..." : 'I-um, sorry...' But Budew was far from feeling sorry. In fact, the only emotion his small body could contain at the moment, was awe.
Surrounding the alee side of the cliff's grotto, were many local breeds of Pokémon who were all resting now, after a long and hard vigil. It was strangely peaceful. The shadow of misery that had cloaked these mountain woods, had been somewhat relieved, and the wild Pokémon, both old and young, no longer able to contain themselves, began to rejoice as the sun rose higher in the sky, painting it as vivid a blue as it had ever been in history.
Although it was autumn, the wild Cherrim cast their 'Petal Dance' to give the mountain the festive feel of spring. And as the wind carried the pink petals away toward the peak, more Pokémon cried their happiness at the site. There had been loss. Suffering. Pain, and death. But in spite of all that, by some miracle, intuition had led a strange human and his partner, Gallade, to rescue the fallen guardian. Many of those who'd suffered personally because of the incident, felt relief that the shadow that had been plaguing them was finally lifted. And many more Pokémon gave voice to their newfound joy.
"What's all the racket about?" Lifting his head from its resting place on Torterra's earthen hide, Allan blinked at the early morning light.
'Sorry, Allan. Just about every Pokémon in the area is happy to know that you, and Gallade, succeeded.'
"Lapras..." Allan picked up Lapras' Pokéball, and said, 'Sorry you couldn't come out to help us last night... If Torterra had landed near a pond, I could've at least let you out to watch over us."
'Think nothing of it. I'm just sorry that the two of you aren't able to keep sleeping.'
"... I can't sleep anymore, anyway... I've got get back on the trail!" Allan stood suddenly, but tilted perilously backward as his legs gave out from beneath him, "Dammit! Even if I barely got any rest, I should be able to at least stand up!"
"Grrrumph..." Allan, in falling over backward suddenly, had landed on the closest target.
"Oh... Sorry, Torterra. I didn't mean to land on you like that," Allan twisted around, and stroked the large Pokémon's head apologetically, "My knees gave out on me..."
"Bud-budew budew!"
"Hm?" Allan looked down at the little Pokémon that greeted him, and noticed that it had brought a couple of larger companions with it, "A Miltank, and Chansey?"
"Chan-Chansey!" Hopping with enthusiasm, she presented Allan with two nutrient-rich eggs from her pouch.
"Mioooo," Miltank held up two rough-hewn wooden bowls, filled with world-famous Moo-Moo Milk.
"Bud-budew!"
"These are friends of yours, I take it?" Allan asked, and budew nodded and hopped about happily, "You brought them here specifically to help me, and Gallade... I thank you..."
'I thank you, too.'
"Gallade! How long have you been awake?" Allan asked, when the Pokémon in question appeared at his side, to accept his portion of the food.
'Well, not for very long... The strain of the effort to revive Torterra was exhausting, but I feel too tired to get anymore actual rest from sleeping.' Gallade shrugged in response.
"Mioo-Milooo." : 'Don't worry. Our tag-team of 'milk and eggs' hasn't been beaten by exhaustion yet.'
'I believe it, too. A couple of such lovely lady Pokémon, feeding us after that hard work, is a real treat.'
"And when did you become such a smooth talker?" Allan asked, feeling somewhat amused that Gallade felt the need to compliment their beneficiaries, who fidgeted and blushed happily.
'I'm just trying to be polite... And isn't etiquette an important part of being an Aura Knight?' Gallade asked, looking up from his bowl of milk.
Allan was visibly paler, 'We are not members of that order! Don't lie to someone like that... It's worse than bad manners!'
'... But... I was thinking that...' Gallade set his milk aside, and took a bite of egg.
'I have a pretty good idea what, you were just thinking, Gallade, and its not going to happen. Not in the next hundred years would I be able to just jump ship without significant risk to, not only me, but you, my Pokémon partners!'
'But, Allan, we are willing to risk that. We've been ready to do so since the beginning of this mission!' Lapras chimed in.
'Stay out of this, Lapras. You both know, well and true, that rebellious thoughts like that get you killed when you're a member of the DK's...' Allan paused, and stared at the scenes of happiness around him, then he whispered, "And I'm losing touch with who I have to be..." In spite of the sun shining down on them through the thinning leaf canopy overhead, Allan was starting to feel that familiar coldness he associated with his predicament.
"Budew?" : 'Is something wrong?'
Allan absently reached out, and patted the little Pokémon on the head, but Budew seemed dissatisfied with this response, "Bud-Budew!" : 'I asked if something was wrong!'
"Huh?" Allan looked down at Budew, and watched as the little Pokémon started hopping about chirping its unhappiness. 'What a contrast...' Allan thought with a frown.
'Well, he did ask what was wrong. All you did was pat his head. He's not a baby just because he's small and hasn't evolved yet.'
'Are you translating that Budew's speech?' Staring at Gallade with an unimpressed expression on his face, Allan said aloud, "Cool it, Budew. I'm just tired, that's all."
"Bud! Bud-budew... Budew?" : 'Its not fair that everyone treats me... Huh, really?' Budew looked at Allan with a puzzled tilt of his head, "Budeeew... Budew."
Gallade snickered lightly, 'He's not convinced.'
'I wouldn't be either, but that's because anyone with sufficient Aura awareness should be able to detect a bad lie. For a Pokémon on the other hand, why do they have to have such good perception themselves?'
'I am a member of the Ralts family, and I have always taken that part of my being for what it was, nothing more,' Gallade was fiddling with his now empty milk bowl, then looked away, 'If a Pokémon can sense deception, why is it a bad thing?'
'That isn't what I meant, and you know it!' Sighing, Allan decided it was time to move on, and prepared to call Gallade back to his Pokéball.
'YOU!'
"What?" Both Allan and Gallade looked up to see a small shadow charging down the side of the cliff, straight toward them!
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XXX
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Riley's imprisonment had been two days of strange painlessness. Nearing sundown of the second day, he sat back at a small table wondering why he hadn't been beaten, tortured, or even just questioned about his objectives with sabotaging the plans of his current "host". Further, they had even gone so far as to treat his injuries!
"They have to planning something dire, if they've got time to just sit around while I heal my wounds, and twiddle my thumbs..." He muttered thoughtfully, "More than likely, they're waiting for me to let my guard down."
Looking up at his only breach in privacy, he watched the security camera for a moment, then the door to his "room" opened and a higher ranking grunt stepped in, "What is it you need, 'sir'..."
"Nothing, thanks. I was just wondering why I have to have a security cam in here; Its not like I can just run away with having a broken arm, and all of your gang to slip past." Riley tried his best 'charmer' grin, then grimaced when the grunt continued to stare blankly.
"You need to be monitored 24/7, so that we can take care of your needs as they arise." So stating the obvious response, the grunt turned and left, shutting the door with its automatic lock clicking soundly after his person.
"I was hoping for a more conversational grunt..." Running his fingers through his hair, Riley sighed, "Gathering intelligence in this place is really slow... I wonder if they need prune juice."
Moving to look out of his tenth-floor level window, Riley watched the reds and golds of the sunset, as dusk sailed quietly in.
"Veilstone city does look pretty nice from this high up, but I think I'd much rather be down where everyone else is... Maybe I'll see Lucario from this height." Chuckling appreciatively at that last thought, Riley amused himself by picturing Lucario leading a veritable army of Aura Knights to the scene, charging right in with no regard for the danger of such an action.
"Yeah, she just might do that, too." Looking up, he started picking out the faint star patterns as they appeared, then, when it grew very late, he moved to the small bed he'd been given.
'I'd better be careful now. No telling when they'll start the "demoralization" attacks.' He thought as he settled in for the night, taking care not to lay on his broken elbow.
"I'll just have to wait and heal... Its a good thing I've been trained in the art of patience, or this would almost be torture in itself."
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Meanwhile...
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"What do you make of this stranger, Saturn?"
"Me, sir?" The third member of Team Galactic to be ranked Commander, blinked in momentary surprise, then said, "I cannot be sure of his origins, but its clear after two days observation, that he's got some sort of talent, or ability..."
"Is that all you've been able assess?" Although the speaker's voice was toneless, it seemed to drip with sarcastic disappointment.
"Sir?" Commander Saturn said, unsure what else there could be in any of those security videos that could reveal more about their captive guest.
"It is plain that you all have underestimated this man... He is smarter than any of you, and clearly more dangerous to our operations than even I initially believed."
While Saturn mulled these stinging words over, he glared at the live video feed of their captive, deep in sleep.
"Leave me." The man with the toneless voice commanded.
"As you wish, Master Cyrus." Saturn bowed out of the room.
Cyrus turned in his swivel chair to face away from the screen on his desk, "Fools... I shall have to begin the interrogations soon."
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Me: Paltry... Completely paltry! Compared with my other chapters, this is pretty dang short... Except for the lateness, does anyone have any complaints about its length?
Allan: Get over that, already! You put something out, and if they don't like it, they don't have to read it!
Me: You're feeling cheery today... That time of the month again?
Allan: I will not dignify that with an answer...
Me: Anyway all, thanks for being patient with me, and please review. The 'Review Call' itself isn't actually going to be held today, simply because I didn't really receive that many reviews from my regulars, last chappy.
Setting that aside, I will say this: Thanks to all of you who added my story to your alerts lists. I really appreciate it, and will try not to disappoint you in later chapters. (I don't have a clue what it is exactly you like about my fan-fic, but hey, I'm not complaining!)
'Til then... Later all!