Disclaimer:Moved to the Author's Note for pressing ceremonial reasons.
Chapter 50: Ginli
Gallant
It is frustrating, being a Pokemon at times. The re-introduction of Mr. Redwood the Younger was positively infuriating, and in the interest of Lady Vanna's honor I felt duty-bound to unleash the untamed fury of my elbow blades on the lout. Yet at the same time, I could not afford to sully her good name by giving the populace the impression that her Pokemon were untrained and dangerous. Moreover, I knew that despite it being exactly what Redwood the Younger deserved, Lady Vanna would forbid such an action. As her Pokemon, not her equal, I would have to obey that wish.
Now you may wonder why, being the intelligent creature I am, I would consider myself of lower status to Miss Vanna. While some Pokemon are certainly no more intelligent than animals, Psychic types are often as aware and sentient as people, and far more powerful to boot. These were the whispers that came when I was in the deepest caverns of my soul, when loneliness drowned me and I could just faintly make out the echo of his voice. They weren't entirely wrong whispers, either.
In truth, I couldn't put the reason into words, erudite as I may be. There is an impulse within me, a twinge at the base of my cerebellum that tells me she is my trainer, and therefore I should follow and protect her, but from where it originates is beyond me. The cynical side of me says something is altered in the mind of a Pokemon when it's captured and imprinted with its Trainer's ID. It would explain why Death is so capable of warping her Pokemon's natures so drastically. The tiniest bit, anyways.
These were the thoughts that I had ample time to mull over as our party trudged through the foot of snow we'd gotten over the previous night, since no one seemed to have any designs on talking to one another apart from Ladies Vanna and Amber. Gardevoir, sweet, flawless Gardevoir was allowing the boorish Meditite lean into her side as they walked in tandem, and part of me wished to separate them. But as a gentleman, I realized that was an inherently selfish notion: where before I had serious concerns that Medici's influence would be harmful to my fair lady, his presence was actually putting her at ease as of late. Shame on me if I were to ever interrupt that.
My true concerns lied with Inigo the Treecko. I had thought that the two of us had sparked a friendly rivalry, and I had been filled with a good amount of joy when we had fought side by side against the Sawsbuck hunters. But since he had fought that Tyrannitar. whatever spark of camaraderie he had kindled with myself and his team had been seemingly snuffed out, as if he'd come to the conclusion that he was not, nor would ever be 'one of us'.
The other day, when Young Master Jackson had told his team of the possible fates that the Tyrannitar had faced (the more final option of the two being what had happened, judging from Lady Amber's brainwaves), the look in his eyes was like the last few dying embers of a campfire smoldering in the winter air. For our entire march towards Ginli, it was as if he were not there, and Young Master Jackson had to stop and call for him more than a few times, each more frustrated than the last.
I was determined not to let him slip away entirely. In order to keep my swordsmanship at its pinnacle, I needed a steady training partner who would challenge me. So it was that on that day, as we were closing in on the Ginli border at long last, I lowered myself into the stream that was running nearby the path, using my psychic energy to keep warm in the frigid waters as I waited for him to pass. At the sound of his pads echoing across the ground, I lunged up and outward with a loud 'engarde', leading with an obvious overhand strike before quickly changing tack, unsheathing my elbow blade and striking at the Treecko's midriff.
There was a loud 'thud' as my elbow hit Inigo's Leaf Blade, accompanied only by the sudden flailing and screeching of Lady Amber's Totodile, who had been trailing far behind as well. The Treecko stared at me, pale yellow eyes like chilled honey, then grunted and pushed my blade away.
I wasn't to be ignored. "Your technique is slipping. It's not like you, my friend."
"I was not aware that we were friends." I flinched at that, like he'd issued a verbal headbutt.
"There are less hurtful ways to ignore a truth you don't want to hear, Inigo."
"Truth? I am stronger than ever, do not ply me with your 'truth'."
"Stronger, yes, but that's not what I said, friend." I pointed to his feet. "Look at your stance. Your entire lower body is open to assault. If I'd really wanted to hurt you I could have taken advantage of the force you blocked me with and sliced your knee open before you could react. Don't deny that."
His eyes flashed downwards . "Hngh. You are right. I must take better care."
"You're distracted. I know it. Your mind is adrift as of late. Talk to me."
"If you so desperately want to know, I am sure you can pull what you want from my ever-open mind."
"I would never do such a thing. I would hope you'd know that."
"Well..." His eyes fell to the Totodile. "Perhaps it is best you do, if you really want to talk. So this one does not listen in."
"Oh wow, gee, thanks, Inigo. As if I didn't feel ostracized enough, go ahead and keep secrets right in front of me, why don't you?" Amber's Totodile really needed a firm disciplining one of these days. It was old enough not to have the puerile temper tantrums of an adolescent.
I took the Treecko's suggestion to heart, however, knowing he must have his reasons. I centered my psychic abilities around his mind, cautiously knocking so he knew where my sensation was coming from.
Gallant? That is you, yes?
Aye, it's me. Who else would it... oh. OH. I see.
Heh. How quickly you scan the surface once you are permitted inside.
I... am sorry. You did not exactly put much effort in concealing the answer.
More like I am unable to do so. A weakness that has plagued me even since we first met in Woodale, when that Gardevoir so easily overtook and manipulated me.
Is that what bothers you, then? Because I could attempt to help you.
No... it is not that, Gallant. There is far more on my mind, as I am sure you can detect.
Enlighten me. I am doing my best not to see anything you do not wish me too.
Inigo sighed, and he extended one of his leaf blades, dragging it along the path as we began to hike up a rather steep slope. I slope, if I recalled correctly, would be the last thing we climbed before we had our first glimpse of Ginli. I fear that Axel and I are growing to hate one another.
I sensed animosity coming from you towards him, true. But Axel? He does not seem the type.
No I... I am sure of it. Surely you sensed it too, when he was speaking to us about the Tyrannitar.
I sensed nothing. Young Master Jackson's mind is frustratingly difficult to penetrate. Even lady Gardevoir can only read the faintest echoes of his emotions.
He must blame me. I tore into that monster with every ounce of strength I had. I put it in such poor condition that they talked about putting it down. I... killed it. I am sure. And he must hate me for that.
I paused for a moment, tucking my hands in to keep the winter chill off of me. I could feel the sweat I produced from climbing the slope nip at my skin. Is it truly Axel's hatred you feel? It seems to me like it could be your own.
He didn't like that. Not one bet. I could feel him restraining himself from lashing out at me as he had Medici the day before. I don't know what happened to you, Inigo, but you need to find peace again. You were a much more held-together Pokemon when I first met you. Was that simply because you'd never encountered true hardship before?
That... I have encountered... well, I was...
He growled and pushed me out of his mind, though it seemed less out of rage and more out of a need for privacy. I reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder, wanting to show my support. "Inigo... discipline can not take root if you have no love for yourself. Please... try to take those words to heart."
He allowed me to rest his arm on him, so I did. Gradually, I led him to pick up his pace, leading him back to our not-so-merry band of travelers as Lady Vanna was beginning to prepare us for Ginli.
"Attention all passengers!" She was as chipper as the day I'd first evolved. Good memories. "We are fast approaching Jawdrop Ridge, so we here at the Albright Agency suggest you keep your hands securely fastened around your buttocks! This may just blow you first-timers away!"
Inigo nudged my arm, and I briefly reconnected to his mind. Why do you do it, Gallant? Why do you submit to your trainer? Is it not... degrading?
I glanced up at Vanna, striking an over exaggerated pose as we finally reached the top, gasps already echoing across our crowd. Perhaps. But humans are also quite a bit of fun, I think.
Amber
It was as if someone had rolled the stone away, and I was stepping out of a cave for the first time. It was also like an orchestra had suddenly started blaring a grand symphonic piece right next to my bed as I was waking. I had rolled my eyes and sprinted to the top of the slope as Vanna had started hyping Ginli up, but what I saw was breath-taking in the most literal of ways.
The Ginlout river stretched out in front of me as far as I could see, a roaring waterfall directly in my line of sight as I first crested the hill. I looked down and saw a massive surge of red and gold fighting its way up the foaming behemoth of a waterfall, thousands of Magikarp desperate to reach the top and finish their evolution. Across the river, leading over the waterfall, was a silver suspension bridge with intricately detailed arches, hundreds of feet long and swaying in the mighty, misty breeze kicked up by the river beneath.
The bridge led to an enormous dome-shaped island sticking from the water, and from that island I could see the gleam of skyscrapers as they reflected the setting sun. Then a second island beyond that, and a third beyond that... the town of Highbank seemed to be strewn across multiple, enormous islands, clustered at the mouth of the waterfall.
"They say that those islands are the backs of enormous Carracosta, you know." Vanna nudged me in the side, beaming broadly at having been so right about my stunned reaction. "Long dead, of course, but the Ginleans like to tell stories about how Highbank used to course up and down the river on the backs of its patron Pokemon. Nice story, though I'd imagine you'd get sea sick, eh?"
I only half-heard what she had to say, captivated as I was with my first sight of Ginli. Along the banks of the river the forest of pines stretched on, and I could see Panpours alternating between swinging through the trees and diving from the tops into the river. As Vanna grabbed my arm and tugged me down towards a booth at the front of the bridge, I could swear I could see serpentine Pokemon winding their way beneath the various islands of Highbank, poking out of the purplish darkness every now and again.
"NAME?" I snapped to as the booth attendant yelled at me. Border control, of course. I should have known.
"Um... Amber. Amber Gold."
"Eh? Goliath's daughter?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm travelling with Axel here. Keeping him company while he does the Gym Leader circuit."
"Alright. Gym Leader's privilege then, go on." I blinked at that.
"Hm? Are the borders closed right now or something?"
"Big ruckus in the city right now. Called in Redwood to deal with it, so you know it's got to be bad." He forced a fake smile. "Yep! Welcome to Ginli, home of unspeakable horror. Enjoy your stay." The booth attendant clasped his hands together and held them out, and it was only after Vanna nudged me that I realized what was going on.
"Oh! Sorry, I was... expecting something completely different, let me..." I went to grasp his hands in mine.
"Left over right."
"Sorry, sorry..." I did as he said and clasped his hands in mine, left over right, shaking in the customary Ginli way.
"Not a problem, miss. Now, you there young man..."
"Actually... wait, could we go back to that 'unspeakable horror' bit? That seemed important."
"Young man? Name?" I growled and clenched my fist, but Vanna shook her head and I let it go. It wasn't the time to be dissecting melodrama, I suppose.
"Axel Jackson." Axel had barely whispered the name, but the man at the booth heard it nonetheless, looking his trainer ID up in the Registry.
"Alright then... confirm what Pokemon you're declaring, yeah? One Cyndaquil, one Phantump, one Squirtle, one Treecko, one Meditite and one Skarmory, is that right?"
"Yes. Well, no. The Phantump is no longer with us, unfortunately." He and Qwill both hung their heads, and Shelligan let out a soft 'squirt' and clung to Axel's leg.
I bit my lip as the booth attendant made some adjustments to his records. Axel hadn't told me this. "Sorry to hear that, sir. I lost my Herdier a few months back, so I know how you feel."
"Thanks." I reached out for Axel, but he pushed by me and started to head across the bridge, Qwill and Shelligan in tow.
"Medici?" I looked down at the Meditite.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I've never met a Phantump of his. Must have happened before I was captured."
"He's got the right idea, though," the booth attendant said, pointing us towards Highbank. "If you all hurry, you might make Beta Island in enough time to watch the Milotics breach over Gamma. Usually happens right before the sun disappears completely."
"Ooh! That sounds super romantic!" Vanna swooned, grabbing Medidi and Gardevoir and pushing them together... not that they were far apart to begin with. "C'mon, let's go!" She sprinted across the bridge, dragging the two behind her, and I grinned and bolted across with her... though not without slowing down and grabbing Axel to bring along too. The beauty of nature would surely cheer him up, right?
Redwood
Three bodies, all with long sucker-laden bands of red swollen tightly around their necks, a;; blue in the face from strangulation. I was informed by the officer that had escorted me in that the Highbank Morgue was filled with no less than a dozen of these, but this was the final straw that had broken the force's resolve and had them call on my services. All killed the same night. All found on completely different islands.
"It's the exact same MO for each of them, yet time of death puts them within an hour of each other." The police detective shook her head, orange hair shuffling back and forth around her pointed ears. "It's disturbing as you can imagine, P-P-Professor. We thought for the longest time we were only dealing with one of Death's Pokemon."
"If we're to work together, you'll refer to that psychopath as the 'Blue Eyed Killer', is that clear officer? I won't have you ascribing and metaphysical attributes to a terrifying and skilled but ultimately mortal being."
"Y-y-yes Professor, of course. I'm sorry." She bowed her head in respect, and I smiled. This was a working relationship I could thrive in. Complete and unquestioned obedience. "Jenny, was it?"
"It's... w-w-well my name is Ginevra so it's actually 'Ginny'? It's..." I stared her in the eyes, and she gulped. "Well it's... it's only two letters so... you know, Jenny's fine. Really."
"Good. I think we'll work quite well together, Officer Jenny. I want you to draw your attention to the pupils of these victims. Notice anything?"
She nodded, not moving from her spot. "I... yes, I did notice that two of them have a purple hue to their eyes while one of them doesn't, Professor. I... I have my job for a reason, sir."
"But you didn't know what it meant, which is why you called me. I see. I'm impressed, Detective. Most of the vagabonds with your title may not have noticed, it is such a slight discoloration, and it could be from anything, right?" I laughed. "Well it's not from just anything. This is the human body's natural reaction to being exposed to the scent of Tentacruel venom."
"Ah? B-but Professor, their autopsies showed no traces of poison in their systems."
"Which is very concerning, isn't it?" I laughed and clapped my hands together. "A Tentacruel kills these two chaps and intentionally refrains from using any of its venom for the job? That's not just a Pokemon turned loose on an unsuspecting populace of water-locked citizens, no, that's a cold, calculated murderer. If the human body weren't so sensitive that getting merely a whiff of a trace amount of Tentacruel poison didn't cause this reaction, there'd be no difference whatsoever between these two victims and this third one."
"So... what you're saying is..."
"This third one here? There's no way she was killed by a Tentacruel, no ma'am. Plus look here..." I directed her attention to the side of her neck, where the band of reddened skin widened almost unnoticeably. "The tentacle... or whatever it was... that strangled this poor woman is of an ever so slightly different shape of the other two. This murder... it's a copycat."
"There's two killers..." She breathed.
"Right. And one of them is very much a human."
Author's Note
FIFTY CHAPTERS! FIFTY! 5-0! WE DID IT REDDIT!
Godot: Fairly certain Reddit has nothing to do with it, your Amaxing-ness.
Oak: Wonderful!
Ah, yes. You two. I've gathered you here today for the final parts of your interviews. You have both fought valiantly to produce disclaimers, ensuring to the world that I in no way shape or form own Pokemon, and you have have both done equally well. Therefore, we will settle this dispute the only fair way I know how. In the most sacred tradition of my people. Are you both on board?
Godot: Ha! Of course I am. And with a cup of Godot's Blend #37, I'll vanquish this white-haired buffoon!
Oak: Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokemon!
… Right. Well then, without further ado.
(Ahem)
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF FAN FICTIOOOOOOON!
PROFESSOR OAK!
VS!
GODOOOOOT!
BEGIN!
Godot:
Preparation is the last refuge of the weak
So I'm sure it'll be weeks before we hear you speak
In the interim I'll spit a bitter written rhythm 'til you're
buried in a pit that's dimmer than the black moonlitten shade of
COFFEE! Hotter than the depths of hell
That I crawled from just from its luscious smell
You know the measure of a man's in the work they do
So what's it say that you get little kids to do your job FOR you?
Think you're tough? Ha! Don't make me laugh.
You're so Trite and boring I could beat you on decaf
I'll go Von Karma on your ass, you fool.
And before you ask, yes, that's one of my rules.
Professor Oak:
Electrode, Diglett, Nidoran, Mankey
Venosaur, Rattata, Fearow, Pidgey
Rap's a tradition with Pokemon, you see
Now bow in Submission to the OG Poke-MC
Hello there! I'll be leading the defense
Against the bench with the hypertension penchant.
If that's your best, then I'm afraid we're commencing
This entire rap battle under false pretenses.
Don't keep me Waiting on this one, Go-DOT
Want to drink my victory while it's still hot!
Though there's need to Fight since I've already won
Just go down, to the right, and then select 'Run'.
Godot:
If you could imagine all the cloak and dagger Hell I've seen
You'd wish that you could run away 4ever with your Celebi
You're soft Oak1 Do everything that you can
But you've flubbed your one chance to become a real man.
I'll take a rap chainsaw to your weathered old trunk
And make a preosecutor's bench from the largest chunk
So keep your starters you pathetic old poser
And feel free to cry. Because it's all over.
Godot's coffee mug goes flying across the stage and strikes Oak square in the forehead.
Oak: Oh dear...
He collapses and passes out. Godot flashes a toothy smile and downs a full mug of coffee. If someone can't finish the rap battle for Oak, then the prosecutor wins by default!
But wait! Someone leaps down from the gallery and charges onto stage... who is that? Such confidence and swagger... and that mane of brown hair! No... could it truly be?
Godot: Shit...
GAAAAAAAAAARY
MOTHERF***ING
OAAAAAAAAAAK!
GO!
Gary:
Gimme 17 lines and I'll leave ya parched
Cause when it comes to rivals, I'm the patriarch
Wearin' Redd on White because I know that's your weakness
Run circles around ya' like a Rapidash Preakness.
This battle's now a Gary thread
Put you back in your coma if you don't play dead
Had more game than you since I was ten years old
Don't believe me? Then I'll call roll:
Nurse Joy? BEEN THERE! Lexi? DONE THAT!
Your dearly departed Mia Fey? SO HIT THAT!
On the tuckus of any fine maiden you choose, sir
You'll find 'Gary was here, and you're a loser.'
So before you stroll off for your lethal injection
Brought on by your pathetic self rejection
Raise one last Objection! for all you're worth:
But there's no protection that can handle my girth.
(Laughs) Smell ya later.
WHO WON?
WHO'S NEXT?
YOU DECIIIIIDE! (Maybe?)
EPIC!
VIVA!
RAP!
LA!
BATTLES! FEM! OF IN! FANFICTIOOOOON! IIIIIISM!
Thanks everyone who's stuck with the story this long! I'm touched really.