Welcome back everyone! Last time we left off, Ash faced off against Morty and managed to win the Fog Badge from him. With three badges he then planned to leave for Olivine City and his chance at his fourth Gym Badge but first Morty and the Kimono Sisters asked to meet with him at the Burnt Tower.
Anyway, this is the first chapter of 2023 for Master Quest: Loss and I'm hoping that those reading the story will continue to enjoy what I have planned. I'm not entirely sure how much of Master Quest will be uploaded in 2023 but I know that at the least Johto will be completed. Thank you for supporting the story so far!
Ch 7: A Response
The remains of the tower were visible in the distance as the group slowed their pace. Janine looked around for a moment, certain that she heard someone following them but there was no one at all. Still uneasy about she continued to eye the area as the tower grew closer.
"I wonder what Morty wanted to talk about," Ash muttered, Pikachu scurrying ahead as Brock looked at his Holocaster. Janine peaked at the screen as it seemed construction in Goldenrod City was moving along well.
"Clearly it has to do with Ho-Oh and your feather. Maybe you'll get enough information to actually work on your project," Janine teased as a rustle in the bushes pulled her attention away. There was without a doubt in her mind that they were being followed. But whether it was a Pokémon or a person she wasn't sure.
"Speaking of which, have you even written anything down yet?" Brock asked as he shut off the Holocaster. Ash chuckled at that, swinging his backpack around while continuing to walk. Celebi's head popped out of the backpack, curious as to what was happening. Ash's hand shot past the baby and reached into the backpack before reappearing with a wad of crumbled papers.
He uncrumpled them carefully, showing them to Brock and Janine as the duo looked at them with disinterest. Ash however appeared proud of them, something Janine felt shouldn't have been the case. "See, all my notes are kept nice and safe in my backpack. I just need to copy it over into a final project."
Janine reached for them, taking the papers from Ash's hands as she squinted at them. The handwriting was atrocious, barely legible as she struggled to make out certain words. The ink had also smudged from the crumpling as words bleed together.
"Ash, this is trash," she admitted brutally. Ash hung his head low at the insult, Janine giving the papers back to him. "There's no way you'll be able to write a project with those notes. You need to take this more serious."
"At least now he has Morty and Bonji helping," Brock admitted with his own chuckle. "Between those two, Leaf and Bugsy you have plenty of minds to bounce off of. Plus we'll need to come back through here eventually so you can meet up with them again."
That raised Ash's spirits, the boy proudly putting his papers back into his backpack before zippering it up. The tower was right in front of them now, a worn-down gate separating the entrance of the tower from the rest of the city. Not too far past the tower itself was the road continuing towards Olivine City, Janine wondering for a moment just how long it would take them to reach their next destination. Though her attention was drawn to the tower, something about it causing her wrist to flare up as she gripped at it.
It was as if the tower itself called for her, or rather Suicune. Though she wasn't quite sure about it, especially since she hadn't seen the creature since their original meeting in Azalea Town. Her eyes glanced around the area, noting the faint glow from Ash's jacket which was from his feather. Brock also appeared to be grabbing his own wrist.
"Though I hope Morty and the others aren't upset that I invited Bonji, Leaf and Bugsy to join us," Ash stated, rubbing the back of his head. Janine shrugged at that, feeling it was too late to worry about it. Especially since Ash invited the trio without any concern last night during dinner.
"Oh! Rainbow Hero, you're finally here!" Bonji's voice echoed outwards with a jovial chuckle. Janine followed the voice to see the older gentleman waiting outside the destroyed tower for them. Along with him appeared to be Bugsy and Leaf, the former appearing to apologize to Morty as he struggled to hold back Zuki.
"It'll be so much better with you around. These Kimono Sisters didn't care much for my corrections to their story," Bonji admitted. Ash nervously laughed at that; a slight glare being shot by the five sisters towards him. "Though thank you for inviting me along."
"Yeah, thanks for bringing him Rainbow Hero," Zuki hissed out as Morty finally loosened his restraint on the woman. She nearly fell forward only to be caught by one of her sisters. "Thank you, Miki."
"So, what exactly did you want to talk with me about?" Ash asked, his question causing Janine's ears to perk up. She followed behind her boyfriend as they climbed the few stairs to the front of the tower, Brock right behind them as Morty pushed the remains of the door to the tower open. It fell from its hinges, crashing to the ground as the sound of scurrying paws told those gathered that Pokémon still lived within the tower's remains.
"Do you really have to ask?" Leaf chirped in. The girl bounced over to Janine, giving a quick hug before waving to Ash and Brock. "It's clearly about your feather."
To accentuate her point, Leaf poked at Ash's chest as the action caused Ash to rub at the spot. Pikachu laughed a little at it before stopping thanks to a glare from his trainer.
"To think Bugsy and I could have been researching something so unique and special, but we didn't even think of it. Too busy looking into our own research though thanks to Bonji we might have found a connection."
"Really?" Brock asked, turning to the Pallet Town native. Leaf nodded happily, pulling the images of the tablets out of her bag. Included with them now were translations of sorts, one of the images being marked up as crudely drawn images were made over the photo.
"According to Bonji, the tablets are referring to an old description of a fight that spanned across time. One activated only because of the convergence of the Rainbow Hero, the Lunar Knight and one who has fallen to darkness's might," Bugsy explained, his finger running all over the photos. Janine crossed her arms as she took a step closer, her eyes catching sight of Ash growing dizzy from it all.
"Personally I prefer the term prophecy over description but according to Bonji prophecy isn't the correct translation from this ancient language," Leaf added in.
"Personally I'd prefer to get a chance to talk," Morty butted in. His words caused Zuki and the other sisters to laugh. He turned his back to the three researchers, motioning for Ash to follow him as he stepped within the Burnt Tower. Shrugging, Ash followed right behind him as Janine and Brock closed ranks beside him. Behind them were the Kimono Sisters followed up by Bonji, Leaf and Bugsy.
The inside of the tower was dark, the only light being from the sun as it shined in through the destroyed structure. Ash glanced around the building as destroyed images of Lugia appeared to line the walls, or what remained of them. A large pillar stood in the center, what must have been a proper support beam for the building only for it to be rotted now. Holes were also present all around them, some of the floorboards weak as Janine wondered if they would give out from their weight.
Morty walked through without any issues, moving around the open floor as he approached what looked to be stairs of some kind. The Kimono Sisters followed right behind him, no concern for the integrity of the structure as they too made it down the stairs.
"Such a depressing sight," Bonji admitted as he played with his beard. Janine felt her eyes pulled to the stairs, yet she wanted to look at the building a little longer. "So much history lost to the destruction of this building. Especially since it was likely they had some sort of records of Hisui."
"Hisui?" Brock asked but Bonji waved the question off.
"Another time. For today we are here for the young Rainbow Hero!" Bonji shouted, both Janine and Leaf doing their best to fight back a fit of laughter. Ash narrowed his gaze at them, the two girls managing to stop their laughter.
"Yeah...you can knock it off with the whole 'Rainbow Hero' thing. Just call me Ash," the Pallet Town native stated as he walked towards the stairs. Bonji nodded frantically, following right behind him as Janine and Brock carefully replicated the duo's footsteps. Leaf and Bugsy remained behind, the latter taking images of the building while the former began to collect samples of the rotting wood.
"Tell me something," Janine whispered out to Brock. The older boy paused his footsteps, Janine nearly walking into his back. He turned his head, an eyebrow raised as Janine waited for Ash and Bonji to climb down the stairs.
"Your wrist is hurting too, right? Something with these symbols and this location," Janine stated, pulling up her sleeve as the symbol shined brightly.
Brock nodded at the question, revealing his own wrist to be shining at the same time.
"It's been weird ever since the whole incident in Goldenrod City. That guy...he seemed insistent about something," Brock admitted as he compared his fire symbol to Janine's water one. They appeared similar in size yet the obvious difference being their color. One red, the other blue.
"I want to hope we get some answers today," Janine admitted, lowering her arm as she stepped forward. Brock now followed behind her, the duo being the last to descend down the stairs. "At their show the other day, those Kimono Sisters talked about these creatures and knew who they were. Hopefully they have more information they can share."
Janine looked over her shoulder to gauge Brock's response though the look on his face only annoyed her. A deep blush was present as well as a goofy smile as Janine followed his gaze. At the bottom of the stairs rested the five Kimono Sisters, Janine sighing at Brock's reaction.
"Oh come on!" Janine hissed out as she waved a hand in front of his face. Brock was unaffected, the duo continuing their descent until their feet touched down on the stony floor. The entire room was carved out of stone in fact, the only object in there not being made from stone was the statue that rested in the center of it all.
"You were fine yesterday during the Gym Battle, why are you getting like this now?"
"I'm a respectable man, Janine," Brock replied softly, his hands now cupped together. "I wouldn't act up in a professional setting like a Gym Battle. But just look at them, the Kimono Sisters are the definition of pure beauty and grace. How could anyone not love them?"
"Well for one their recitals are filled with misinformation," Bonji stated as he joined their conversation. Janine leapt backwards from the older man making his presence known. He laughed slightly, the sight of him bringing Brock back to his senses for a moment. "But they don't like to hear that. Gotten plenty of hits to my back and head to prove it. Feisty ones."
"Sounds interesting," Janine admitted dryly. Passing Bonji she saw that Morty and the Kimono Sisters were now standing before the statue, the gold glimmering for a moment as Janine started to recognize exactly what it was: Entei, Suicune and Raikou with the retreating figures of Ho-Oh and Lugia above them.
It was a sight to see, though it brought pain as Janine gasped out. She quickly covered her noise up by biting her lip, her hand moving once more to grab at her wrist. She had assumed it before, but something about their location wasn't just calling her here but also hurting her. Her eyes shifted to Brock, the older boy fighting between his desire to gush over the sisters and the pain that must have been surging through him.
"Sorry to drag you all the way here," Morty began as he touched the statue. Janine stared at Ash, his silver jacket glowing with a slight rainbow hue. The action of it caused the six residents of Ecruteak City to bow out of respect, Janine admittedly would have found Ash's uncomfortable reaction funny if it weren't for her pain.
His Gengar floated down from above them, a small, glass case present in his hands as something rested carefully within it. Ash stared carefully at the object, taking a step towards the descending Gengar. The Ghost and Poison-Type handed the glass case over to Morty before sinking deep within the floor and vanishing.
"I'm guessing that's why you called us here?" Janine asked through gritted teeth. A few beads of sweat were present now but she ignored them as the pain started to become unbearable. Fortunately no one noticed as Morty lifted the cover to the glass case.
In that moment a spell of darkness washed over the room, the only light to counteract it being that which came from Ash's feather. Blackness and the rainbow hue pushed against each other, merging as it painted the stone walls with an abstract of color and a lack of it.
"This might be hard to believe but in my hands rests a feather of Ho-Oh," Morty explained as he held it up. Brock mused over it, Janine unaware for a moment that he was by her side. The older boy looked back and forth between Morty and Ash, gripping at his wrist. Ash then pulled his feather out of his jacket, the object looking exactly the same as Morty's except for the color.
"Wait...if it's from Ho-Oh, where's the color?"
"It's fallen to Darkness's might," Zuki admitted as she stepped forward. She took the feather from Morty's hands, holding it softly within her fingers. "Legend states that those Ho-Oh deems unworthy will destroy the color of its feathers if touched by them."
"Not entirely wrong," Bonji stated with a grin. Janine rolled her eyes at his words, Zuki's sisters glaring in his direction as he stepped forward. "Though you're missing information, obviously.
"You see, it's theorized that the reason so few of the Rainbow Wings, or as you've all dubbed it 'Rainbow Feather' exist is due to Ho-Oh refusing to share its power with those deemed unqualified," Bonji continued as he walked next to Zuki. He reached for the feather in her fingers only for the girl to pull it away from the older man. Trying to prove a point he continued to struggle to wrest control of the feather from her though was stopped when Sayo ran up to him and tried to push him away unsuccessfully. Seeing the response to his attempt he shrugged and took a few steps back, but not without continuing.
"However, I believe it's because there are so few that Ho-Oh deems fit to wield its power that causes the feathers to lose their color. However, if someone worthy touches a feather that has lost its luster perhaps it will shine brightly once more."
"So your theory is untested I'm assuming?" Zuki asked with an annoyance in her voice. She crossed her arms over her chest, Morty taking the feather back from her. "What happened to only publishing and sharing credible information?"
"Well this is an open forum to share ideas and theories. Not one of your shows where the masses will misunderstand and spread misinformation around. Why do you think it's tough being a researcher?" he stated with a chuckle, his stomach bouncing slightly.
"Anyway," Ash stated as he coughed into his hand. Pikachu sighed out in disappointment over the entire situation, Janine wearing a pained smirk as she watched. For a moment she wondered how things would have been if Ash never invited Bonji in the first place. "How exactly does this involve me. Or better question, why did you want to share a feather like that with me."
"Well, the truth is we never saw a feather like yours," Morty awkwardly explained. He covered the black feather with the glass, the darkness leaving the area as only the rainbow hue from Ash's feather remained. "My grandfather found this feather the day Ho-Oh left our city and the moment he touched it, the thing turned black."
"My grandparents always viewed it as a sign that Ho-Oh viewed humanity as a plague after the events, but your feather says otherwise!" Zuki added in, clasping her hands together happily. "We really didn't have much to talk about, we just wanted a moment to see your feather and compare it to ours."
"My feather," Morty corrected her, staring at his childhood friend as she rubbed the back of her head. Janine rolled her eyes at the interaction, tired of the fact that they were constantly getting nowhere in their search for answers.
"Tell me something," Janine finally stated as she stepped forward. All eyes in the room turned towards her, the girl shrinking for a split second before recovering. Taking a deep breathe she revealed her wrist, the symbol shining brightly as she grimaced from a spike in pain. Ash took a step towards her, but she waved him off.
"What is this? It's been with me ever since the Slowpoke Well caved in on me. I swept up in the currents down there only to be saved by a voice. No one was there and only this symbol remained."
"I'm much the same way," Brock admitted, showcasing his own symbol. "Only it happened to me when we were traversing Union Cave. I ended up on the bottom floor and heard a voice as well, a being of fire appearing before vanishing and leaving this mark."
"The Legendary Beasts," Sayo stated, tugging on the shirt of one of her older sisters. "Hey hey. Kuni, you know this stuff, don't ya."
The one called Kuni stepped forward, she looked nearly identical to Zuki and another of their sisters, the only difference being a strand of blue dyed into her otherwise black hair. Janine wondered if it was to help differentiate her from her sisters. Now that she noticed, she picked up on each of them being slightly different with the biggest difference being that the youngest had her hair in pigtails.
"It is my area of expertise, but it isn't like I'm an expert in it," Kuni admitted as she puffed the single blue strand of hair from her face. She walked up to the duo, inspecting Janine's wrist first and then Brock's.
Janine rolled her eyes at the sight of her companion, his face bright red from merely having his hand held by the woman. She wanted to smack Brock but fortunately Happiny did the deed. Appearing from her pokeball unexpectedly, her small fist struck Brock as he collapsed to the ground.
"I didn't even say anything," he muttered, Kuni taking a step back as Janine and Ash found themselves chuckling. Happiny hopped atop Brock's back, being recalled by the devastated trainer.
"You may not be an expertise but perhaps if we combine our brain prowess we can unravel the mystery," Bonji offered as he stepped forward. "Though I must admit, I'm so glad you use the term 'beasts' and not something like 'cats' or 'dogs'. While both words are a correct representation, the proper translation falls along the lines of 'monster' or 'demon', yet Legendary Beasts have an overall better ring to it."
"Gee, thanks," Kuni stated as she took one more look at Janine's wrist. The symbol glowed once more, the pain from it seeming to cause Janine's knee to buckle for a moment. She composed herself, standing tall as she questioned why the pain was getting worse as they were in the tower.
"I will say that the symbol on your wrist is definitely one tied to Suicune. One that followers of the Beast tend to brand upon themselves in various locations. I've never actually seen one in person though.
"Same goes with that fire one. It's a mark that the followers of Entei brand themselves with," she finished explaining. A creaking sound could be heard above them, Janine wondering if Bugsy and Leaf were ready to join them. The noise stopped however, Janine returning to the Kimono Sister's explanation.
"Miki, care to give it a look? You spent a semester studying ancient markings and rituals at Celadon University," Kuni stated as the middle sister strode forward. Unlike her sisters her hair was shorter, cut into a bob as it split down the middle of her face and reached just above her shoulders.
"Geez, can we really call something that was started less than a century ago 'ancient'?" she whined before examining Janine's wrist. Kuni moved back towards Brock, examining his wrist once more while Miki ran her fingers along Janine's wrist. The action caused her to jolt her arm back for a moment.
"Hey, are you sure you're ok?" Ash asked worriedly. He stepped forward, placing one hand on Janine's shoulder as the girl nodded to help comfort him.
"Girls, I could lend a hand. I've traveled far and wide to understand the mysteries of these creatures," Bonji spoke up, flipping through a book but going ignored. The creaking from before was back, louder this time as Janine's eyes shot towards the rotted ceiling. A few cracks were present as she didn't remember them from before.
"Well, the markings are the real deal that's for certain," Miki stated with a smirk. With one hand on her hip, she brushed at her hair with the other. "It's nothing like the stuff I studied but it's definitely real. Now if only they had stuff tied to the Diamond or Pearl clans, that would be cool.
"Though if markings for Entei and Suicune are here, then what about Raikou?"
All eyes turned to Ash, the boy removing his gloves to show he lacked a marking. Janine sighed to herself happily, the last thing he needed right now was to be involved with both Ho-Oh and these Beasts. Though as if answering Miki's question, the ceiling gave way as three bodies rained down from above with wood and dirt.
The bodies rested in a pile, none of them moving for a second as Ash and the others recognized Team Rocket. Pushing a broken board off of himself, Meowth was the first to sit up as he coughed out the dirt and dust he swallowed.
"Dats a killa headache," he muttered, paw planted against his temple as Jessie and James began to stir. To everyone's surprise Meowth's other paw was glowing a shade of yellow. Miki and Kuni were quick to move towards Jessie and James as the two sisters removed the gloves from their bodies.
"Have you never heard of look and don't touch?" Jessie asked, growling at Miki as her now bare hands revealed a small lightning symbol. James likewise decried the action, his own wrist showing the same symbol.
"Strange, three beings share a symbol. Unlike with Entei and Suicune, it appears Raikou chose multiple people," Bonji stated, one hand holding a book while the other stroked his beard. Janine was surprised that no one was fascinated by the talking Meowth but she figured right now there were bigger issues at the moment.
"In all my research I've never come across anything like this. Typically there are stories of the Legends sharing their strength with chosen individuals for whatever purpose, but never before have they split their power between multiple individuals. Add to it that I've never heard of anything like this happening in the past."
"The symbols being a part of their bodies do remind me of stuff I've red about the Red and Blue Orbs. How markings will be left on those who have spent too much time in contact with them," Miki stated. Jessie and James swiped their gloves back, dusting themselves off before sliding the piece of clothing back over their hands.
"Thunder Cat told us that it was necessary for the three of us," Jessie remarked, one hand on her hip as she pointed to the statue of the Legendaries of Johto. "He keeps muttering how 'one is too weak' and how his power would 'fry us' if he didn't split it."
"Though truthfully that feral feline isn't a good conversationalist. Always yelling at us," James added in.
Bonji dropped his book, the object bouncing off the stone floor before coming to a rest. The older man looked like he was about to pass out, tears in his eyes as he grabbed Jessie and James by their hands.
"You mean to tell me that you've actually spoken with the Legendary Beast Raikou? This is remarkable. Do share what he says."
"Mostly dat we're a bunch a screwups. Nothin' new. Oh, he also wishes someone else had been around when he woke up," Meowth admitted, paws behind his head.
"Hold on, you talk with it?" Brock asked, blinking in disbelief.
"Sure. Doesn't your Fire Cat talk with you?" Jessie asked, pointing at the Pewter City native. Brock shook his head back and forth, Janine joining in as James pointed at her.
"Strange. Perhaps he just loves us more," James hypothesized, nodding in agreement with himself.
"Or you're just hearing voices after all those Thunderbolts," Ash joked, receiving a glare from the three Team Rocket members. Pikachu joined in on his joke, sparking his cheeks slightly as the three agents quickly cowered.
However, their laughter came to an end as Ash's feather began to glow even brighter. It seemed to resonate with the appearance of all three symbols, each one shining as well. Within moments no one knew what was going on, rainbow outlines of the three creatures from the statue appeared in the room. Bonji fell backwards, knocked unconscious from the sudden shock of seeing the Legendary Beasts.
"To think they would appear before us," Morty stammered, dropping to a knee as the Kimono Sisters followed suit. Each of them bowed their heads towards the three beasts, Ash just looking at them in silence.
"Nice pick, Raikou," a voice called out, appearing to echo from the silhouette of Entei. "What do those three have in connection with lightning besides being fried by it?"
"They weren't my first choice, but it was between them or a mentally unstable, maniacal weirdo," Raikou admitted as Ash swore the two other beasts laughed at him. Looking at Brock and Janine, Ash noticed that their wrists were glowing even brighter yet they were in pain themselves.
"Awww, why don't you tell us how you really feel," Jessie stated, inching closer to the outline of Raikou. The Legendary Pokémon growled at her, the action only causing James and Meowth to form ranks with her and copy Raikou's growl.
"I do! You're just too dimwitted to understand it!" Raikou roared. Electricity appeared to surge around his silhouette but immediately. Janine raised an eyebrow at that, curious as to why the attack failed.
Suicune stepped forward softly, getting between Team Rocket and the silhouette of Raikou. What would have been his body looked tired, his steps weak as his head rose upwards. It turned towards Raikou first and then to Janine as the girl wondered if he sensed her question.
"It appears even after this time we still can't take a physical form," Suicune admitted before lowering himself onto the floor. The silhouette of his body sat peacefully against the stones as Entei prodded around the area. "Perhaps it was the Master's doing that we took shape prematurely."
"There is no 'perhaps'," Entei muttered. His silhouette stared down Ash, the boy taking a step back only to trip over his own feet. Janine moved quickly, catching him by the edge of his jacket and preventing a fall. "As we've known for some time, this boy possesses the feather of Ho-Oh. Why else did we only awaken around his presence."
"But I wasn't anywhere near you three. I didn't even know about your existence until now," Ash admitted nervously. He scratched at his face, Entei appearing to peer into his soul. Despite having no physical eyes, the Fire-Type was intimidating, even Janine worried by him. Though Brock seemed fine, the boy just nodding at the situation.
"Of course," he muttered before pointing at Ash. "The three Beasts were originally revived by Ho-Oh's power. It only makes sense that they were awoken from their slumber when your feather entered their vicinity."
"I'd expect no less from you," Entei growled out, his own body beginning to tire as he sat down. The silhouettes flickered slightly, the rainbow hue around them beginning to petter out. "It had been some time since we last awoke. And here I thought our stories had died."
"We would never allow the tales to pass away. So long as our family breathes, the legends of you all will continue to be told," Zuki explained as she looked at their flickering figure. For a moment Janine wondered if she was giddy over seeing such creatures though just as soon as the excitement had appeared it was gone.
"Though why aren't you in your physical forms? And why place your markings on these individuals?" Kuni asked as she stepped towards the silhouettes. Her hand passed right through them as Suicune slowly rose back to his feet. Janine could tell it was a strained movement, his legs nearly giving out only for him to stand upright.
"The markings are to represent our blessed. A designation lost to time and taken up by those who worship us," Suicune admitted. His form was fading fast, Entei right beside him though Raikou appeared to be fine at the moment. "Despite being resurrected by Ho-Oh it came with a curse: our physical bodies cannot reside in this world for long."
"Great slumber is needed for us between resurrections," Entei continued, his lower half now vanishing as a cough came from his figure. "And to perform the resurrection we require two ingredients: Ho-Oh's power, and a soul worthy of our designation. Someone that might be seen as similar to our element. Though some of us just choose whoever."
"I told you I had no choice you fleabag!" Raikou shouted; his tail having vanished from his figure. Entei appeared to laugh at the creature's reaction, Janine instead looking at the three Beasts as they continued to fade away. Most of Entei was gone now, just part of his neck and head remained.
"Suicune, Raikou, my time is up for now. Finish explaining what you can in your remaining time."
With that Entei's silhouette had vanished, the marking on Brock's wrist no longer glowing. Janine looked at her own mark, the color dying down as the glow started to vanish looking at Suicune she noted how the majority of his body was gone now.
"Entei is correct. Raikou, your body appears to dematerialize the slowest for the time being. Please, do your best to explain the process. Until the next time, brother."
Suicune vanished from sight, Janine feeling the pain in her body now gone. It had been the first time all day that her body didn't ache or scream out in pain, something that was a relief for her. Though she worried for Suicune, especially with how fast he vanished.
"Heh, guess you three are good for something. Allows me to keep my form for just a bit longer," Raikou stated as he walked towards the three Team Rocket agents. He circled them, as if they were his prey. The three agents leapt at him only for Raikou to jump backwards, his blessed hitting the stone floor after their failed embrace.
"Better get to the point," he admitted as his hind legs were now gone. "Since we can't hold a physical form without the help of others we try to choose those who share similarities to our element just as Raikou explained.
"That's because we need the energy within your bodies to recover and take shape. The closer to our element a person is, the sooner we can take shape. However, once we finally rematerialize fully we're on a time limit. Once our strength is gone, we vanish to parts unknown to slumber once more."
"So the pain we're feeling is the effects of this, right?" Janine asked. Raikou nodded, his front legs now gone as the silhouette appeared to smirk.
"We deeply apologize for the problems we cause. The pain will continue until we take form, however, the longer you hold us inside you the weaker the pain becomes. But it isn't constant."
"How long will it take until you take form?" Brock asked but Raikou couldn't answer. The silhouette vanished, the glow from Ash's feather now dull as Jessie, James and Meowth also looked at their wrists. Just like with Janine and Brock their symbols had died down too.
Janine looked around the stone room, the statue still standing proudly as she tried to pick up any sort of response from the others. Unfortunately Brock was at a loss for words and even Ash was unsure. His hands could only play with the zipper on his jacket, moving it up and down as he appeared to mumble to himself about the feather. He looked dazed from the news about the Legendary Beasts but kept to himself.
"Perhaps we should leave for now," Morty admitted as his Gengar appeared from the ground. He handed the glass case housing the darkened feather to his partner, the Ghost and Poison-Type vanishing from sight once more with a devilish chuckle.
Morty walked over towards the still unconscious Bonji as he attempted to lift the older man. It proved futile as the Gym Leader dropped him back onto the ground. Stretching his back he quickly turned to Brock and Ash. "Mind giving me a hand? He might be obnoxious but we can't just leave him here."
"Sure you can," Zuki admitted as she glared at the researcher. Sayo walked past her older sister, poking the man with her finger only to be pulled away by Miki. "No one would even notice if he was gone."
Ash and Brock shared a nervous look with each other from her response, moving to help Morty as the three managed to lift him up. Despite the three's combined might Janine figured it was still hard due to the gasps and grunts that came from each of them. She watched the trio climb the stairs as she prayed they wouldn't collapse with each one climbed. Finally at the top they lowered Bonji onto the floor, a heavy gasp of air coming from all three of them.
"Next time we have to carry an unconscious man from a basement we should just have Heracross and Croconaw help," Ash huffed out, hands resting on his knees. Morty began to nod in agreement to the sentiment as Brock coughed.
"There shouldn't be a next time!" Janine replied quickly. The three boys nervously laughed at the response, standing back up as they grabbed Bonji once more. With exasperated grunts they managed to lift the older man up once more, slowly walking him towards the exit of the tower.
The Kimono Sisters followed behind them, Janine pausing as she looked for Bugsy and Leaf. There was no sign of the duo as her eyes darted around the tower's remains. She wondered why they even came in the first place, shrugging her shoulders at their disappearance before a playful grin crossed her face. She figured the next time she saw Leaf would be a great opportunity to get her back for all the teasing Leaf had thrown her way.
Making her way towards the exit now, Janine paused as she looked down at the mark on her wrist. It glowed slightly, the light rather dull as she wondered just how long they would need to rest. How would she know if they were fully awakened? Would Ash need to be present as well or did being around Ho-Oh's feather so often already contribute to that requirement? All her questions were starting to give her a headache, the Fuchsia City native holding a hand to her head as she walked out into the sunlight.
Further down the road the three guys continued to carry Bonji as the sight of them struggling brought a smile to her face. Regardless of whatever was heading their way she knew she would continue fighting. There was no way she was going to let it be taken from her or her friends. With a deep sigh she took a few steps down the stairs and back towards Ecruteak City as the thought of an ordinary summer was firmly destroyed and cemented in its place was the uneasy thoughts of uncertainty.
And another chapter finished! The Legendary Beasts reappeared before everyone, the action shocking everyone gathered except for Team Rocket. Of course, their awakening didn't answer all the questions for Janine and Brock and if anything they might just be more confused. It was a bit slower I feel, but it was needed before they left Ecruteak City. Of course, the next chapter will have them finally leave the city and head for Olivine City for Ash's next Gym Battle.
Thank you to everyone who read the chapter and supports this story. Please leave a review letting me know what you enjoyed and how I can improve the story.