Chapter 14:
Headstrong Rage
Mondo leaned casually against a tree. His eyes were shut gently and his chest expanded and contracted slowly with his breath, giving him the appearance of being asleep. A slight breeze ruffled his hair and he tightened his crossed arms against his hoodie.
"Hrrmmn," he muttered to himself.
He blinked his eyes open.
He lazily gazed upward towards the soft grey clouds. A minute, pinkish shape amongst them caught his attention. Mondo sighed with annoyance.
"I never get a break, do I?"
Not that I really deserve one, do I?
Mondo shifted his gaze downward, focusing his sight on a black pebble on the ground near his foot. He absentmindedly kicked it and sighed a second time.
I did manage to screw up with my…my charge. All those years of work, completely wasted. My mother would be furious.
In fact, the only positive thing I've managed to accomplish is to gain Giovanni's trust and make myself valuable enough that he respects my opinion as much as even Domino, even though she's an Elite and I'm not.
Though, we do both have an influence on a certain young man.
Mondo blinked.
Well, sort of, he admitted.
He sighed, before he began to walk slowly from the small grove of trees to the large, metallic building further down the ravine.
The official Team Rocket Headquarters. A place for Agents and Grunts to keep in shape in between assignments and for Elites to make their reports to the Boss.
Few were given the location of Giovanni's personal residence, and fewer were allowed to drop in without a direct invitation, let alone live there. Domino's acceptance into the Boss's family–at least from Giovanni himself–made it obvious why she was one of those few.
Though nearly every single other member of the Team seems to have absolutely no idea why or how I managed to become one, as well, Mondo allowed himself a brief grin before his expression soured again. They think that I manipulated the system, or did something spectacular on a mission, or that I managed to kill a great enemy of the Boss or something.
Just the opposite.
A memory of blood flashed in his mind, and he shook his head.
It won't do to dwell on that.
The grunt on guard duty shot him a glare, but let him pass without a word.
I was crazy to let myself get involved in this, Mondo scolded himself as he navigated the metallic hallways. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into.
Well, I guess this is where those old codgers would say "I told you so," he admitted to himself as he entered a large exercise room.
He walked alongside a wall towards the shelf of dumbbells.
"Aren't you going to change?" A familiar voice caught his attention.
Mondo half-heartedly turned towards the sound.
A youthful man, perhaps in his mid-twenties, with a short, blue haircut, stood next to one of the treadmills, leaning against it in a light, casual manner. His teal eyes were at once amused and condemning. He was dressed in the light grey Rocket workout outfit typical for all members, but also wore a red cloth band that signified his status as an Elite.
"I see you're back from Johto," Mondo ignored his question. "How long have you been stationed there?"
"Three years," the man said in a dry tone, his expression darkening. "There was a lot of work to be done, and way too many of our resources were scattered and needed to be salvaged."
"The G-Men are rather annoying like that," Mondo fought an urge to smirk.
"You were supposed to be stationed there yourself, weren't you, kid?"
Mondo grimaced at the last word.
"It was fortunate that I was not," his tone darkened. "Or do you not remember?"
"Ah, yes," the Elite chuckled. "The assassination attempt. Without you…that would have been a most disastrous night, would it not?"
"Yeah," Mondo spat. "Were it not for me, you might now be Giovanni's successor, Archer."
"Now, now," Archer held up a hand in mock insult. "You know I have no desire to lead the Team," he continued honestly. "I merely serve the Boss. Absolute leadership is more problematic than it's worth. Particularly the position of Boss of Team Rocket."
"God knows you could never put on a pretty face for the public," Mondo allowed himself his smirk. "You could never pass for a CEO of a company that's actually not considered evil by the people."
"Please," Archer shook his head. "I'm not that bad." He grinned.
Mondo turned back towards the dumbbells, when he thought he saw a flash of light off of metal out of the corner of his eye. He started to turn towards it.
"I could be as bad as Moonsbane," Archer added.
Mondo turned sharply back to him, rage filling his heart.
"Elite or not," he said in a calm tone. "You have no right to say that name so…lightly."
"Know your place, Grunt," Archer glared back. "I met the bastard too, remember?"
"You did not witness that man destroy what little shards remained of the Zolton family's unity. I did." Mondo reminded the Elite. "And, I'm a full Agent now. Having the Heir in your debt often earns you a promotion, remember? Or do you forget your days as an Agent?"
Archer continued to grimace, but said nothing.
Not to mention, we lost one of our best and most noble allies to that murderer.
Mondo redirected his gaze towards the opposite corner of the room, his expression softening. Archer followed his light of sight, curious as to what had caught his eye.
"Ah, Silver," Archer identified the young man in the sword fighting area. The teenager was practicing some form of swordplay Mondo was unfamiliar with, and with a type of blade he couldn't identify. The dummy was dressed for kendo, but Silver was clearly not practicing that particular form. At least, not correctly, anyway.
"He's gotten more and more interested in swordplay over the past few years," Mondo nodded sharply.
"Well, without that girl to protect him anymore, he's got to stand up and be a man," Archer shrugged.
Mondo stiffened.
That girl has a name, you jerk, Mondo fought another urge, this one much more violent. And, without her, Silver would be dead. Or at least a far more angry person than he already his.
Not that many people can believe that's possible.
Saying nothing to Archer, Mondo walked over towards where Silver was training himself.
Silver flung himself around in a circle, swinging the sword–which Mondo could now see was wider at the tip than at the hilt–at the dummy. The blade struck the dummy with a loud sound, the blade embedded in the soft padding material. Without releasing the death grip on the sword's handle, Silver glanced back at Mondo out of the corner of his eye.
"What do you want?" He growled.
"That's a different sword than usual," Mondo ignored his adrenaline-fueled anger.
"It's a falchion," Silver looked away, yanking the blade out of the dummy. "It's a little…tougher than I thought."
Fitting, Mondo smiled softly.
"Trying out every blade in the armory, then?" Mondo tried to encourage Silver to think about anything but his anger.
"Maybe," he said in a flat tone, twirling the blade in apparent boredom.
"I might not be an expert, but I know a few tricks with a couple types of blades," Mondo started carefully. "I could teach you them, if you'd like."
"What?" Silver turned towards him, his eyebrows raised in confusion. "Why?"
"Do I need a reason to help a friend?"
"Friend?" Silver blinked. "I don't have…" his voice trailed off, and he continued to blink repeatedly.
"Don't you?"
Silver looked at him, unable to speak. Mondo could almost hear his confused thoughts.
How long until he realizes that I saved him that night because I care, not for some ulterior motive? I know he was devastated by her death, but she's not the only one who loves him.
Even Giovanni's remembering what it means to be a father again, Mondo reminded himself, feeling a small spark of hope ignite in his chest.
"I…" Silver hesitated. "You…?"
"Wasting your time, ain't ya, punk?" A gruff voice interrupted from somewhere behind Mondo. Mondo turned to see a Grunt smirking as he continued. "This little twerp's just a weakling. He'll never be able to stand up for himself. He'll always need someone there to protect him."
Oh, great, Mondo's anger was mixed with a sense of dread. He turned back to Silver.
The sixteen-year-old was glaring at the Grunt, his eyes narrow in rage.
"I'm not weak," he managed in a low and level voice, though his fury clearly multiplied with each word.
"I heard that some chick died during that little attack on you a few years back. A waste of a woman's life, I say, protecting a useless weakling like you."
Mondo practically heard the shattering sound of Silver's already-limited restraint cracking.
"You…bastard!" Silver pushed Mondo out of the way and charged the Grunt. The Grunt's surprise at the teen's sudden attack caused him to lose his balance, and Silver knocked him back onto the ground easily. Silver stood over him, one foot on his chest, the tip of his sword at the Grunt's throat.
At the sound, the entire room stopped whatever they were doing and turned to stare with shock and fascination.
Did the Boss's kid actually fight back?
Did the kid really just knock a man nearly a foot taller and twice his weight onto his ass?
Was he really going to kill the Grunt?
"Silver," Mondo breathed. "Don't." He reached out, but hesitated from touching Silver's shoulder, afraid of startling him into actually killing the Grunt.
"You heard what he said!" Silver snapped. "You heard…. How…how dare you talk about her like that?" He addressed the Grunt. "How dare you disrespect her memory? How dare you objectify her? She was a better and stronger person than you could ever be? If it wasn't for her, you could be dead now, as well! And, this is how you repay her?"
"Silver!" Mondo grabbed his shoulder. "He's not worth it."
Silver glanced back at him slightly. Pain was mingled with the wrath in his gaze.
"She wouldn't want you to become a killer. Not like this. Not for this."
Not in anyway. Not for anything.
Silver jerked his shoulder, breaking Mondo's grip. He bent down and, moving his falchion from the Grunt's neck, took the man's jaw in his hand and brought it close to his face.
"I ought to kill you for this," Silver said in a low, dark voice. "I probably should slit your throat, send a message, prove just how strong I really am." He paused for a moment, then sighed deeply. "But I won't. This time. But, don't think I will spare you again. And, don't ever mistake restraint for weakness…or you'll learn just how strong I am."
Letting go, Silver stood up and started to walk away. He noticed an unused archery target on the wall nearby. After a deep, emotional exhale, he flung the falchion at it, and the blade embedded itself deep in the target just two rings from the bulls-eye.
"Damn," one of the female Grunts breathed.
"Looks like he's not as weak as we though, eh?" Her companion nodded.
"I guess he didn't spend all those years hiding in his room, after all."
The still tension of the room made Mondo nervous. He reached out towards Silver again.
"Silver…"
"I don't need your help!" Silver turned and snarled. "I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles! I don't need you to protect me!"
Mondo said nothing. Silver's hatred was misplaced, but the pain would make him less than likely to listen to logic.
Silver stormed out of the room.
"You just gonna let him go?" Archer's voice startled Mondo.
"I'll just make it worse," Mondo sighed.
"Maybe. But, eventually he'll calm down. And he'll remember your concern. Maybe…"
Mondo glanced at Archer.
What was with this guy, anyway? His personality seemed a little…split.
But, he had a point.
Mondo could not let Silver feel like he was alone in this. He ran out the door after him.
"Silver," Mondo cried out, catching up to the sulking teen.
"Leave me alone," Silver growled, not even bothering to slow down.
"Silver, I know you're not…"
"I said leave me alone!" Silver stopped and turned back to Mondo in a single, furious motion. "You don't need to protect me! I don't need protection! I'm not weak!"
"Silver, I don't think…"
"I'm not weak," Silver repeated firmly.
"I just want to help you," Mondo said quietly.
Silver's expression softened somewhat, but the anger wasn't quite gone.
"Don't concern yourself with me," Silver muttered. "Those that do have a tendency to end up dead."
"I'm not going to die on you, Silver," Mondo insisted. "I've been through too much to die now."
Silver hesitated.
"I don't need your help!" Silver snapped again. "Just…leave me alone…"
Silver turned and continued to walk away.
Mondo sighed, but let him go.
What am I going to do to with him?
Before Mondo could continue his musings, he caught the sounds of a small group of people approaching from down the hall behind him.
Who…? Wait…I know those voices!
He turned to see them as they approached.
It's been years, but it feels like a lifetime ago.
James giggled as he, Jessie, and Meowth walked down the hall. The trio stopped next to Mondo.
"Hey, kid!" Jessie clasped his shoulder, not noticing as he tensed from the touch. "You seem familiar somehow."
"I remember you!" James said cheerfully, swinging a belt he held in his hand. The belt had a couple of Pokéballs attached to it. Mondo's gaze was suddenly fixed on it, and a chill overcame him.
"You're that kid who used to run supplies for us," James continued. "How long ago was that?"
"This is dat kid?" Meowth blinked. "It must'a been over five years since we saw ya last!"
"Really?" Jessie took a step back. "You're that little teenage scrap? You were a scrawny thirteen-year-old, last I remember. Now you're…you're…"
Hot? Mondo grimaced. Yeah, that happens sometimes when boys grow up. They become attractive. How ironic that you notice now, when I no longer have any…need…or desire…for your attention.
"How old are ya, now, anyway?" Jessie continued. "Nineteen?"
Mondo shrugged.
"Don't really know. Never really cared."
"We're on our way to the Boss!" James said brightly. "We're taking our latest victory to him in person. A whole belt of rare Pokémon!"
More like a belt of… Mondo started to think skeptically. Then, his gaze became fixed on the Pokéballs again, and his veins turned to ice. There were miniscule specks of what appeared to be blood on them all. Death. These 'balls are the survivor of a death. A terrible death…of an innocent.
These three are not murderers. They found these Pokémon left alone somewhere, orphaned. No, their rightful trainer must have been killed by someone…far more vicious.
…Someone cursed….
"Want to see us present our spoils to the Boss?" James grinned. "For old times' sake?"
Mondo blinked.
"S…sure," he hesitated. I could use a good laugh. Even if it is internal.
"We're gonna get such a promotion!" Jessie snatched the belt from James and started to strut down the hall.
"Didn't ya used to carry a torch for her, kid?" Meowth smirked at Mondo when Jessie was out of earshot.
"…I outgrew it. It was easy, after you guys left Kanto." Mondo sounded completely uninterested, as he joined them in their slow march towards the stairs leading to the floor where the Boss's office resided.
I just needed to know if...if it was true. My...interest was but a mere cover for my investigations.
Mondo restrained from sighing as they began their long climb up the staircase.
What I discovered…was far more twisted than I thought people were capable of… anymore….
…
Aura sighed, and drummed her paws on the wood beneath her. Her legs dangled off of the edge of the pier. The soft scent of the mist of the ocean wafted through her nose.
"Good!" Nyx's voice cut through Aura's peace.
Aura's ears flattened against her head, and her eyes narrowed. Couldn't they be quieter?
"Now," Nyx continued from where he stood in a battle stance on the beach near the pier. "Try to use Dynamicpunch!"
Ash tried to charge Nyx, but stumbled in the sand, his fist slamming into the ground. Sand was sent flying in all directions. Nyx slammed his eyes shut and covered his face with his ears to block the sand.
"That…sucked," Ash moaned.
"My fault," Nyx chuckled, uncovering his face. "I should have remembered that Dynamicpunch is really hard on the user's accuracy. Sorry about that."
"Ironic, isn't it?" Misty's voice broke Aura's concentration on watching the training scene. The redhead was standing diagonally behind the Lucario near the end of the pier. "A Pokémon training a human how to battle?"
"Yeah, it just drips with irony," Aura muttered. "Nothing like this has ever occurred before, I'm sure!" The Lucario almost seemed offended.
"Aura?" Misty sat down next to her on the edge of the pier. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're…angry. Well, angrier than…than usual." Misty couldn't look directly at Lucario.
"I…!"
"Try using something of the Normal Element!" Nyx's voice interrupted Aura's retort. "Like…Swift, maybe!"
Aura's ears remained pressed back against her head, but she allowed herself a deep sigh and the smallest smile.
"I'm fine," she sobered her expression, her voice flat and emotionless.
"Are you…?"
"Let's just…change the subject," Aura remained calm. "Like, are these all really Ash's Pokémon?" She motioned behind her, where a small group of birds rested.
"As far as I know," Misty nodded. "Though I only witnessed him capture Pidgeot and Noctowl. I wasn't…traveling when he caught Swellow or Staraptor. Nor," she added, motioning to the boat tied to the pier just below them, "did I see him capture Buizel." The water Pokémon stirred slightly at the sound of his name. He looked up at them from where he rested on the boat, but said nothing before returning to his nap just as quickly.
"Why aren't we flying to the Temple, anyway?" Aura asked. "Wouldn't it make more sense to have the Birds carry us directly, rather than have them tied to a boat and guide it through the ocean?"
"Ash's idea, not mine," Misty chuckled, as if that fact explained everything.
In a way, it does, Aura admitted to herself.
"Besides," Misty continued, "Pidgeot might be able to carry Ash and maybe even me, too, but Noctowl is certainly not strong enough to carry anyone but Pikachu, and I have no desire for Swellow to even try. Staraptor might be able to carry a passenger, but certainly not two. So, at least one of us would be left behind."
"Not that it would be a difficult decision for you guys to make, though," Aura grimaced, looking away.
"We won't leave you behind, Aura," Misty put a hand on her shoulder. "We will never abandon you."
Aura looked at her, the Lucario's expression unreadable.
"We're your friends, Aura," Misty smiled.
"I…you…" Aura started. "I don't…you're…" The Lucario stammered a few more words before sighing.
"Didn't you say you trust me?"
"For now." Aura admitted. "That trust is easy enough to lose," she warned.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Misty reminded her.
Aura said nothing.
"At least the boat is more than large enough for all five of us. Six, if you count Buizel, I guess." Misty changed the subject.
"Didn't Ash say you had an…Azurill?" Aura changed it again just as fast.
"I…I did. I do. Technically," the Water Trainer was caught off-guard.
"What happened?" Aura narrowed her eyes.
"I left it with a friend," Misty didn't seem to notice Aura's suspicion. "Actually, I left it with the same friend that gave it to me in the first place. His name's Tracey; I'm sure we've mentioned him to you before."
Aura blinked, but said nothing.
"I…left it with him," Misty repeated. "Him and…and my sister."
"Why?"
"Azurill's just a baby, still," Misty chuckled. "I figured that it would help keep them from doing…anything, well…irresponsible."
"He's your sister's boyfriend?" Aura smirked. "I mean, I assume that meant that having them babysit the Azurill was some sort of clever form of birth control."
"Yeah," Misty nodded. "I guess they're…I mean, they've never officially…but…yeah."
"Must be genetic," Aura scoffed.
"What does that-?" Misty started.
"Guys?" Nyx's voice interrupted her.
Aura and Misty turned to look behind them, to see the Shiny Umbreon, a grin on his face. Ash stood next to him, Pikachu on his shoulder.
I can't believe I didn't notice them come up here, Aura scolded herself.
"We should get going," Nyx looked up at the sky. "I'm not entirely sure how long it'll take for us to navigate our way to the Temple, and we want to get there before dark, if possible."
"We don't want to be out on the ocean at night," Misty nodded in agreement.
I don't want to be on the ocean at all, Aura scowled.
Pidgeot stepped forward from the other Birds, and stretched his wings, clearly eager to get going.
Aura looked back at the boat and sighed.
I guess I better get this over with.
…
"Water Gun!" Silver yelled.
The Totodile shot another burst of water at the Mankey. The wild Pokémon stumbled and fell over backwards, but jumped right back up again. It stamped its feet repeatedly, roaring in anger. The Mankey leapt at Fang, swinging its hands back and forth in a Fury Swipes attack. Fang gurgled in shock and pain.
"Fang, shake it off!"
The Totodile shook his head, before nodding with a hiss of determination.
Nearby the battlefield, the unconscious bodies of several Pidgey and Rattata still rested from being knocked out in earlier battles. The sun was setting behind Silver, its light bathing the sky in a red glow, and casting a cloak of shadow on Silver's face.
The Mankey swung its hand in preparation for a Karate Chop.
"Dodge it, Fang!" Silver's anger from that morning was still quite clear in his voice.
Fang back-flipped just in time, and the Mankey lost balance from the continuing momentum of the attack.
"Finish it! Ice Fang!"
Fang jumped forward and bit down on the Mankey's outstretched arm, a chilly aura clear around his mouth. The Mankey shook him off with some wild thrashing before running off, screaming and roaring at the top of his lungs.
Fang tilted his head slightly in confusion. Why did the Mankey have to run off like that? He was fun.
"Damn," Silver muttered. He spun an inactive Pokéball between the fingers of his right hand. "I wanted Fang to get the full amount of experience…" he trailed off.
A soft rustle in the tall grass slightly to his left caught Silver and Fang's attentions. A male Nidoran slowly trudged into the clearing. The light purple Pokémon walked in a calm, calculated manner, and looked up at Silver with intelligent eyes. There was a small, short stripe of a darker shade of purple over his left eye.
A scar? Silver wondered. There was certainly something tough about this Nidoran.
Perfect.
The Nidoran stood a few inches to the left of Fang, staring at Silver. It eventually glanced around, taking in the unconscious Pokémon several feet away and Fang himself, before locking his gaze with Silver's once more. Fang looked back and forth between Silver and the newcomer, fidgeting with uncertainty of what he should do.
"You seem to be a strong little guy," Silver eventually muttered, not really expecting a response.
The Nidoran stared defiantly at him for another few seconds.
"Nid!" He eventually barked. He seemed to agree.
A survivor, Silver decided. A hardened warrior. Strong, despite his size. Or, perhaps, because of it. How fitting.
Silver looked at the Pokéball in his hand. It was blue and black with a crescent moon symbol near the top: a Moon Ball.
How perfect.
Silver stepped to his right in an arch, putting some space between him and the Nidoran.
"You could get even stronger, you know," he said. "Fight powerful opponents you've never even imagined. I could do that for you."
He wasn't going to force the Pokémon to leave his life, assuming he did manage to catch it. If it would rather live its life in peace out here, in the wilds between Kanto and Johto…well, what right did Silver have to do against that?
Doing so would only make him as bad as his father.
"If you want, battle me, and if I catch you, you can come with us. I don't know where I'll go, but you can join us. You'll get your chance eventually." He sighed. "Or you can leave. We won't follow if you're not interested."
"Nido!" The Nidoran pawed at the ground. He lunged at Fang, jabbing the Totodile's shoulder with his horn in a Peck attack.
"That's a yes," Silver smirked. "Fang! Scratch!"
Fang swiped at the Nidoran, but his claws barely made contact as the Nidoran jumped back and out of range once more. The purple Pokémon roared, and his eyes glowed red in a Leer attack. Fang took an uncomfortable step back.
"Don't let it get to you!" Silver broke the spell with a shout. "Water Gun!"
The blast of water hit the Nidoran with full force, sending it backwards through the air. He landed on the ground with a grunt.
"Nid," he growled. "Nidoran!"
"Bite!"
Fang ran up to the Nidoran, but it reacted too fast, and Fang caught nothing but air in his jaws.
The Nidoran tensed. Silver could feel the power of a Focus Energy building in its tiny, lithe body.
"Ice Fang!" Silver wanted to end this, now.
The Nidoran's eyes glowed a deep purple color, and Fang stopped dead in his tracks. The Totodile clenched his head, which swayed back and forth, moaning in pain.
Confusion? Silver's eyes widened. This Pokémon was trained.
Was abandoned.
It suddenly seemed all the more appropriate to add to his team, now. A group of ragtag fighters from dark pasts, they would be.
Minus Fang, of course.
The Nidoran charged at Fang.
"Snap out of it! Bubblebeam!"
Fang managed to let out a flurry of bubbles just before the first blow of a Double-Kick could land. The Nidoran was knocked backwards, stunned.
"Let's wrap this up," Silver sighed. "Aqua Jet!"
Fang was a watery blur, hitting the Nidoran almost instantly, sending it flying.
"Hope I can aim," Silver muttered, before activating and chucking the empty Pokéball in his hand at the falling Nidoran. The Moon Ball absorbed the Poison Pokémon in a burst of red light.
The ball landed in a patch of grass with a soft thud. The button glowed red, and the ball shook for a few moments. Then, both stopped, and Fang gurgled happily.
Silver did not smile, waiting.
Sure enough, the button lit up again, and the ball continued to shake.
Fang murmured in disappointment.
The ball kept shaking and stopping, then shaking again, as if the Nidoran couldn't decide if it wanted to be caught or not. Eventually, the ball remained still and unlit.
Cautiously, Silver walked up to the ball. He leaned over and gingerly picked it up, half-expecting the Nidoran to break free. When it didn't, he straightened, and allowed himself a small smile.
Glad I nicked this Moon Ball from the supply room. He recalled sneaking in earlier that day, having wanted to be left alone.
I caught a Pokémon, the fact sank in. I'm a real trainer, now.
Six years late, but finally…a trainer. I can stand on my own.
"Venom," he muttered. "Not the most original name, but it'll fit."
He now had a real team, small though it was.
Silver contemplated the idea of running away and challenging gyms. Maybe in Johto…
He sighed.
The Rockets would not let him get far. Archer in particular was very familiar with Johto. Silver would be captured in a matter of days. No, he'd stay with the Team, for now.
He knew better than to flee his prison, anyway.
The last time he'd tried….
"I won't let that happen again," He shook his head. "I'll be stronger next time. With you," he looked at Fang, "and now Venom…we'll become stronger than ever together. Then, when we make our stand, no one will be able to stand in our way.
"Then, we will be free."
…
Aura clenched onto the side of the boat behind her, trying to steady herself–and her stomach.
"Are we there yet?" She growled to herself.
"What?" Ash yelled back from the front of the boat.
"ARE WE…?" Aura started to yell, but suddenly had to clench her mouth shut to keep the contents of her stomach down, turning to the edge of the boat.
The Birds were tethered evenly to the boat, leading it by instinct. It was a rather smart idea, Aura had to admit, once she'd steadied her stomach. Flying Pokémon as a whole had an instinctual compass for locations important to their individual species, and the Temple was the strongest source of Flying Element energy in the world. It was like magnetic North to that compass, and it could guide any Flying Pokémon to the Temple, if they just let themselves be drawn to it.
Aura wondered if it worked for other Elements. She certainly felt no draw to either the Fighting or Steel Temples.
Sitting in the cramped boat, caught in the back end and being shaken up and down by the worsening waves did little to help her be drawn to anything, except being cast overboard.
"Ash!" Misty yelled out. "I think we're lost!"
Aura raised her head to look back over the edge of the boat. All she could see was more and more rolling, dark blue waves under a darkening sky.
"She's right!" Nyx nodded from where he sat unsteadily between the humans. "It's gonna be nightfall very soon, too. We've been out here all day! We should turn around while we can!"
"We can't! We're not lost! The Birds know where they're going! We can't turn back now!"
Aura glanced back over her shoulder at the others. Ash was seated at the very front, hands clenching the sides to keep the waves–which were becoming even more violent–from knocking him into the sea. Misty was much closer to Aura, with Nyx teetering with poor balance between them. Pikachu was leaning against Misty for support, who, despite her experience with the ocean, was also gripping the side of the boat nearest her for dear life.
"This storm is coming out of nowhere, Ash!" Misty yelled over the growing roar of the water around them. "We should at least recall the Birds before it becomes too windy for them to fly safely!"
Ash started to protest.
Buizel leapt up into the boat from the sea, shook off some excess water and tapped his ball on Ash's belt without a word, escaping into it.
That was odd, Aura blinked. A Pokémon…recall…itself?
If a Pokémon that arrogant about its abilities decides that it wants nothing to do with this storm up ahead…then we're in some pretty deep shit.
Aura's grimace deepened.
I'm gonna die out here, surrounded by water, because of the Chosen One's first real brilliant idea.
"Maybe you're right," Ash gave Misty a nervous look. "Return!" He held up a Pokéball at Pidgeot.
The Bird Pokémon avoided the beam of red light, barely glancing at it. Pidgeot kept flying through the irregular gusts of wind.
"Return!" Ash tried again.
Pidgeot flew out of the way once more, shooting his trainer of glare of determination.
"Great, Ash," Misty yelled over the sound of the churning waves. "Looks like your stubbornness has rubbed off on him."
Ash grimaced at her, before focusing his attention at trying to recall the other Birds instead. His attempt to recall Staraptor not only missed, but the jerk of the boat on a particularly nasty wave almost made him drop the Pokéball into the sea. Swellow jolted to the side hard enough to shake the boat even more, and everyone found themselves tightening their grip on whatever they could to stay on. Noctowl swooped down and pecked the trainer on the head before returning to its shaky flight pattern above them.
More like on all of them, Aura thought bitterly as she slammed her eyes shut to try to think of anything but the wrenching motion of the boat. The lack of sight, however, only heightened her awareness of being tossed around, and her stomach gurgled in protest.
"What do we do?" Ash looked desperately between Misty and Nyx.
"Hey, I'm rusty with the whole, life-threatening situation thing!" Misty shook her head.
"Island!" Nyx spat out along with a mouthful of salt water. "We need to find an island, any island! Any place we can rest for the night, until the storm passes!"
"Did ya get that?" Ash yelled up to the Birds. "Forget the Temple! Just find us someplace safe!"
Pidgeot let out a cry in response, looking around rapidly. The Birds attempts to stay aloft in the violent wind became increasingly desperate.
Aura opened her eyes gingerly, just in time to see a particularly nasty wave heading towards the back of the boat.
"Oh sh…" she muttered. Her curse was cut short when the wave made contact, throwing the boat forward into the air, breaking her grip on the wood sides and sending her flying.
"Aura!" Misty yelled.
"Nngh!" Ash moaned as the Lucario slammed into him. "Get off," he muttered.
"With pleasure," she snarled, backing up and trying to stand. She stumbled around in the cramped space, almost stepping on Pikachu's tail and Nyx's feet several times.
"Aura," Nyx tried to reason with her, "sit down before you fall over."
"Or worse," Misty added.
"I'm perfectly fine!" Aura roared over the equally angry storm.
They think I'm stubborn, Ash was almost amused.
"I'm no weakling!" Aura continued. "I've survived worse storms!"
"A storm on the sea is far worse than a storm on land!" Misty reminded her.
"I don't need your help!" Aura snapped. "I'm more than capable of taking care of-!" Her retort was cut short by another side jolt, and she stumbled sideways. She clenched onto the side of the boat and tried to steady her breathing.
"You're going to get yourself killed," Pikachu twitched his nose, giving Aura a concerned look.
"Shut up!" Aura attempted to stand again, the rage of the storm within her chest. She covered her forehead with her hands, eyes shut from the building headache. "I know you don't care! No one cares! No one cared when I lay dying-!"
The boat churned sharply back and forth again, cutting off Aura's rant, shaking the occupants with great force. Aura tried to regain her grip on the boat, but the side slipped through her hands and she tumbled headfirst over the edge and into the water.
"AURA!" Misty cried out, while Ash and Nyx could only stare in horror.
"Ka-Pichu!" Pikachu echoed.
Before Ash could even think of how to react, Misty threw herself over the edge, throwing a Pokéball as she did.
"MISTY!" He found his voice.
"Pikachu-pi!"
"Are you insane?" Nyx yelled.
The red glow from the Pokéball grew and materialized into a large, blue, serpent-like Pokémon. Gyarados roared in rebellious protest to the waves that crashed over him. Misty was clinging to the side of the Water Pokémon's face.
"Gyarados! Help me save Aura!" Misty ignored the boys, pointed down into the sea where Aura had disappeared. The serpentine Pokémon dove into the sea, taking his trainer with him.
Aura kicked wildly around, her hands flailing around in a futile attempt to propel herself upward. She was simply too heavy. She was part-Steel, but that was no excuse. She didn't realize that in her panic, she was tensing her muscles and making herself sink even faster. She simply could not swim. Her lungs burned, and she struggled to keep herself from inhaling water. She clenched her throat, fighting off the engulfing darkness. It was fruitless.
Aura opened her mouth and a burst of water rushed through her throat. She felt everything blur together, just as something wrapped itself around her chest and pull her upward sharply.
I'm sorry. I…failed you, Hikari.
I'm sorry…D….
The sound of an explosion engulfed what little senses Aura had remaining, and the sweet taste of air filled her mouth. She sighed as her world finished fading.
"Aura!" Misty yelled at the unconscious Lucario wrapped in her arm. She wasn't moving and she showed no signs of breathing. "Wake up! Wake up, Aura!" She shook the Lucario with a jolt of her arm. "C'mon! Breathe!"
Aura remained limp.
"Gyarados!" Misty turned to the Water Pokémon she still clung to. "Get us to the nearest island you can find!"
Gyarados roared in acknowledgement before forcing its way through the turbulent waters, dragging the two girls with him.
"There!" Nyx yelled from the boat. "There they are!"
"Follow them!" Ash yelled to the Birds. "We have to stick together!"
Please…be okay…
Gyarados struggled in the water, trying desperately to keep his trainer from being dragged under with him. He would survive, easily enough. She, however…
The clouds above now completely covered the sky in a heavy grey color, and began to drop the first few drops of rain.
"There!" Misty finally yelled. "There! Land! Over there!" She sighed with relief as Gyarados struggled through the waves to the mountain-shaped island. The Water serpent eventually made it to the shallow waters around the beach, just as a large wave crashed into them, throwing them the rest of the way onto the sands. Misty lost her grip on Aura as she found herself slamming face first onto the beach.
After a moment, Misty pushed herself up away from sand beneath her, spitting out a large mouthful of the granules. She shook her head in vain attempt to get rid of the excess water, the rain increasing to a downpour.
"Aura!" Misty ran over to the Lucario's still form. She shook her gently. "Aura!" After no response, she let go, her mind frozen in terror.
What…what do I…?
In frustration, Misty slammed a fist against Aura's chest near the base of her neck. The Lucario suddenly gasped for air, and reached out for Misty in a death grip, her eyes wide and bloodshot.
Holy…! Misty tensed in shock again.
"They're multiplying!" Aura moaned in a scratchy voice. "Born in blood, unleashed from death. That is all they bring. Blood. Death. They cannot be stopped. They will kill, kill us all. Kill us all. More are coming. Kill us all. We're all going to die. We're gonna…die. Die. All die."
She's lost it!
"Look out!" Misty heard a mingle of voices behind her, and turned to see the source.
Having been launched upward by a wave, the boat was now flying through the air right towards them. In it, Ash managed to stand and finally recall the Birds all at once. Misty stared as it arced right above her and landed nose-first into the ground. From the momentum, the boat tipped over and flipped completely upside down, tossing its occupants around and under it as well.
"Ash!" Misty yelled. "Pikachu! Nyx!" Leaving the delusional Aura alone, she ran over to the over-turned boat, and started to dig frantically around one side. She stumbled backwards in surprise, when it appeared to lift itself somewhat out of the sand.
"We're okay!" Ash's voice came from the new gap.
"A bit shaken, but no one's hurt!" Nyx agreed. "How's Aura?"
"Alive, but she seems to be having some sort of hallucination."
"Bring her here, under the boat," Nyx sounded scared. "We…we should hide under here, wait out the storm and rest until morning."
"Good idea," Misty nodded, forgetting that they couldn't see her.
She ran back to where Aura lay, still muttering, curled up on her side in a fetal position.
"Gyarados!" Misty held a Pokéball up to the nearby Water Pokémon. "Thank you for your help. You've earned a good rest, too. Return!" As soon as the serpent was recalled, Misty scooped Aura up in her arms and ran through the rain to the boat.
"Lift the boat!" Misty yelled over a crash of thunder. As soon as the gap was large enough to allow passage, Misty pushed Aura under the boat and slid through herself.
It was dark, and the entire, cramped space was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing. Aura's words were the only thing that broke through them, and were only made worse by the engulfing darkness and the roar of the storm outside.
"Coming. They're coming. Kill us all. All die. Die. Crimson eyes. Crimson eyes will kill. Kill us. Surrounded by blood. A river of blood. A sea. Blood, metallic blood. A sea of silver blood.
"Death has wings."
…
The very earth seemed to glow with the light of an unholy energy. The light etched ancient runes and patterns into the soil around the mutated Charizard corpse. The dark red skin of the body slowly turned to a dark brown, before fading to black. Facing the corpse from just outside the archaic markings on the ground was a chanting, slender figure in a cloak.
The Blood Witch wore a black cloak, its hood down, which only reached just past the small of her back before it frayed off into shreds. The sleeves reached her wrists before they did the same. Under the cloak, she wore a loose-fitting shirt made of patches of various pelts, and a pair of loose slacks made of what appeared to be leather, lined with black fur. Around her waist, she wore a fur belt which held various tools and charms. On her feet was a pair of sandals of the same leather-like material, the straps reaching partway up her legs. On her wrists, arms, and ankles, she wore bracelets and anklets adorned with claws and bones of various sizes and shapes. Her long, black hair was braided, with each braid ending in some sort of small bone as a charm. Around her neck lay a loose necklace of various fangs and claws, leading down to a small, canine-like skull in the middle, which rested just above her bust. Her face bore markings in ash, which made her grey eyes appearing all the colder.
She continued to chant until the runes and patterns were complete, forming a circle around the Charizard. The circle glowed a green color, and the sky above darkened with the sudden formation of heavy clouds. In moments, the sun was all but blocked out entirely, and the only source of proper illumination was the circle.
"The blood," the Witch held out her hand towards Moonsbane expectantly, her voice smoother than a polished blade.
Moonsbane walked towards her, and away from the crude dwelling the Witch called home. He place the jar of the child's Life Blood in her hand. Without even glancing at him, she took it and removed the lid. She reached into the jar and dipped her right pointer and middle fingers in the blood. She approached the corpse, and started to draw various markings on the head, chanting once more in an ancient tongue.
"Innocent blood, force of pure life," she moved down the neck, continuing the markings in a series of dots and wavy lines, "restore what has been lost." She stopped at the shoulder blades to dip her entire hand into the jar. She marked each wing with a bloody handprint, each surrounded by a series of dots and strange symbols. She then walked back out of the circle and faced the corpse again. She poured the remaining blood into the arcane circle and tossed the empty jar aside.
"Energy stolen, reborn anew," she raised her hands as they began to glow with a red light, and the circle itself turned red. "From the deepest realm of the ethereal shadow, Return. Absorb the power of pure life, and become a beast of absolute might!"
She continued chanting, the words becoming more and more unfamiliar to Moonsbane. He had once been able to understand every living creature when it spoke, but…like his control over the Elements, it seemed to fade with time.
The red glow on the Witch's hands faded, a shadowy mist replacing it. The corpse slowly raised itself to an awkward kneel, its wings half-unfurled. Its eyes opened, revealing them to be wholly white. Small spikes grew and mutated on its brow and joints. Its claws lengthened and became jagged on their undersides. The skin on the horns ripped and tore, revealing the bare bone underneath, as they became ridged and ended at a sharp point. Groups of long, thin poisonous barbs protruded out of its shoulders and a series of large spikes ran down its spine, from the tip of its muzzle to the end of its tail, where a black fire now ignited and burned. It let out a guttural growl as rows of new fangs grew out of its gums with a sickening, wet sound. Its wings stretched as they became more muscular and lined with more spikes.
The transformation nearly complete, the Returned Charizard let out a much louder and more powerful roar.
"Step forward," The Witch beckoned to Moonsbane again. When he approached her, she grabbed his right hand, and drew an obsidian dagger from her belt. He already knew what she wanted, before she took the dagger and sliced straight down his palm. Moonsbane did not flinch.
The Witch approached the tense Returned Charizard, Moonsbane in tow. With the same dagger, she cut the Charizard's forehead with a single, downward strike. She then placed Moonsbane's bloody hand on the Charizard, so that open wound touched open wound.
"Bound forever in blood," the Witch spoke in her antique language. "Serve the Master in eternity, serve as the will's body and blade. Let it be so."
The white eyes turned into a dark red that seemed to glow with their own fire. Moonsbane could feel their wounds being magically healed, and a flash of dark yellow appeared and vanished in the Returned's eyes.
Another Returned Pokémon was now bound forever to Moonsbane. The numbers that unquestionably followed his will in this manner were small, but the Returned had powers that no ordinary mortal could ever comprehend, let alone overcome. And, this manner of minion control applied only to Pokémon. A human could not undergo the Final Evolution and be resurrected as a Returned, not anymore. Only a human that was at one with the powers of the Elements within him or herself could Evolve. And the only human that even knew that those powers lay dormant within the species was Moonsbane himself.
But, there were other ways to bind humans to his will, other ways to manipulate their every thought and action.
The Returned Charizard growled deeply in recognition of his master. Moonsbane removed his hand. No sooner had he ended the contact, had the Charizard leapt straight up into the air and took off in flight, soaring off into the distance within moments.
"It must now fly around the world, in order to become in sync with the flow of life's energy once more," the Blood Witch said in an uninterested tone. She turned away from where the magic circle faded, the wind blowing the dirt symbols away. The earth was no longer stained with blood, and the clouds began to part and die away again.
"It will return in a few days to this spot," The Witch returned her dagger to her belt. "It will then be ready to serve you however you wish." She turned slightly to look at him. "As for my payment…"
"I have brought this," Moonsbane produced a dagger in a leather sheath from under his shirt. "It once belonged to a powerful Mage…long ago."
She took it from him indifferently and unsheathed the blade. The silvery metal glinted briefly in the returning sunlight, reflecting in the Witch's cold eyes. She resheathed it, and stuck in her belt.
"I Returned a Charizard," she said in dull anger. "It was not a Raticate or a Fearow, nor even an Espeon or Skuntank. Such payment is insubstantial for a Returned on a tier as high as Charizard."
Years of solitude has done nothing to hone your manners with your betters, Moonsbane grimaced sharply, fighting to control his temper. She would be of no use to him dead, nor did he think he could find another Blood Witch in time. Plus, as rare as those who practiced Blood Magic in general were, he had never seen another female that had retained an eternal youth much like himself. Nor any that were willing to allow his presence beyond business, none that would willingly allow…companionship from time to time.
She walked back toward her dwelling–a small, half-collapsed outpost made of stone, the gaps covered and rebuilt with wood.
"I expect a proper payment before the Returned arrives," she spat without looking at him, standing in the open doorway.
"I shall then require shelter for the next few days," Moonsbane smirked. "So that I may safely search, of course."
She glanced backwards at him.
"You dare to impose yourself further onto my hospitality?" She snarled. "Next you'll be demanding I provide you with rations when I must struggle to sustain myself!"
Moonsbane took a step toward her, opening his mouth to speak.
She slammed the door shut, cutting off whatever he had planned to say.
"I shall return shortly with the evening meal, then," Moonsbane said, his anger undisguised despite his level tone.
Let the hunt begin, then, he grimaced as he turned and starting walking into the forest. Let her be difficult and disrespectful to her elders. It will make my victory all the sweeter, whether it be hours or days from now.
Within the dwelling, the Blood Witch stood leaning against the door. She exhaled deeply, her expression softening a slight amount.
Yes, go off. Win your little victories over me. I am not as solitary as you believe. Her eyes narrowed. I may be feeding your strength, your ego, but even as I am returning you to power, I am crippling you, injecting poison into your veins. I may be returning you to your former glory, I might be a tool in your rise to power, but…right before you achieve your ultimate victory…it is then that you will be at your most vulnerable.
I've made sure of it.
…
Ash haphazardly pushed the rest of the sand out of his way as he dragged himself clumsily out from under the overturned boat.
"Mrrmph!" He groaned, blinking his eyes and shaking sand from his hair.
He sleepily stood and staggered toward the shoreline, yawning and rubbing his dried lips with the back of his hand.
"Water…" he breathed, stumbling and falling to his knees in the shallow tide. Without thinking, he leaned over and scooped up a handful of water, before drinking it greedily.
"GAHCK!" He coughed suddenly at the taste. He blinked his eyes rapidly, shaking his head violently. "Salt water!" He looked around rapidly. "What? Why am I…?" He looked behind him at the overturned boat, and the lone island mountain not too far behind it. "Where am I?"
"That was intelligent," a female voice to his left startled Ash into falling backwards into the shallow water.
"Aura," he glared at the Lucario. "How long have you been awake?"
She shrugged.
"About twenty minutes? I didn't exactly count." She rubbed her head. "Misty, too. She's trying to get a reading on our location, but…"
"But?"
"Our supplies got…a little wet during the storm," Aura started rubbing her head. "Our map of Sevii is…difficult to read now. And…and…and damn! This headache! What happened to me last night? Last thing I remember was…the boat rocking…and the storm. And…being…angry."
"Because being angry is so unusual for you," Ash muttered bitterly, dumping a handful of ocean water on the top of his head.
"What?"
"Nothing," Ash shook his head, spraying Aura with water.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu yelled, running up to his trainer and jumping onto his shoulder.
"Pikachu!" Ash chuckled as the mouse Pokémon rubbed his face against his cheek affectionately.
Aura blinked in slight surprise for a few seconds, before scowling against with a low growl.
"You fell overboard," Ash said softly. "If it wasn't for Misty and her Gyarados…"
Aura's expression sobered. A dark memory of water and pain flashed before her.
"She…saved me?" Aura hesitated. "Why? She could have…."
"That's a good question," Ash narrowed his eyes. "Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to…to die. But, I'm not willing to trade Misty's life for yours."
I will not trade your life for his! A voice echoed in Aura's mind.
"I don't want her to," Aura looked away. "I don't want anyone bearing me as their burden."
That's about the nicest thing she's said to me, Ash frowned.
Ash stood up, shaking his head again to remove what excess water he could.
"So, then, why…?" Ash started.
A loud screech cut off their thoughts, and the three travelers all looked up in shock. A Fearow was flying in place in the sky above them, facing a Pidgey in front of it. The Pidgey's hovering was far smoother and consistent than the Fearow's awkward and lopsided hovering. The Fearow screeched again in anger, and the Pidgey chirred an irritated response. The Fearow screeched in a higher pitch, just before it struck downward with its talons, hitting the Pidgey square on the head. The Pidgey squeaked in pain as it fell like a brick out of the sky.
"No!" Ash yelled, and ran towards the falling Bird. He reached out and managed to grab the Pidgey just in time, but staggered forward awkwardly from the momentum for several seconds before stabilizing. The Pidgey looked unconscious in his grip. "You okay?" Ash asked.
"Pi-ka, Pikachu?" Pikachu echoed.
"Mrrrgh?" The Pidgey moaned, blinking groggily. He shifted his gaze towards Ash, but didn't quite make eye contact. "I think so. Thank you kindly for your impeccable timing." The Pidgey let out a sharp cry to the Fearow above them. "That was a cheap shot," he muttered to himself.
Ash blinked. He wasn't sure that he would ever get used to all these Pokémon speaking in human language.
Wait, Ash made a sudden connection. A talking, Flying-type Pokémon? The Flying Temple has got to be nearby, it just has to be.
"Are you from the Flying Temple?" Ash asked abruptly.
"Wait…" The Pidgey said suddenly. "These aren't talons! You're a human!" The Pidgey pecked at Ash's hands until the teen released him. The Bird Pokémon started to hover in the air in front of him, still not quite looking directly at him. His eyes looked slightly glazed over, and the feathers around his eyes looked permanently singed.
"I'm…I'm Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town," Ash introduced cautiously. "I'm…the…the Chosen One."
"Are you?" The Pidgey mused. "Yes…how else could you know…know about the Temples? Let alone where they are?"
"Um…yeah," Ash hesitated. "So…am I anywhere near the Flying Temple, at least?"
"You're there," the Pidgey said in disinterest. "I can lead you to the Sage, if you'd like."
"Ngh," Ash looked to his right at the new voice. Nyx walked over in a dazed manner, blinking away the last bit of sleep. "Oh, a Pidgey." He looked over to the island mountain. "Oh, we must be there, after all. That mountain…" Nyx perked up, grinning enthusiastically. "That's the legendary Sky Temple!"
"How can you tell?" Ash asked the Shiny Umbreon. "Not that I don't believe you." Ash turned to the Pidgey. "Or you."
"You see the sort of ridge, where the mountain seems to…jut inward sharply before rising up to the summit like normal?"
"Yeah," Ash nodded, staring at the Mountain.
"Hey," Misty startled the others as she walked up to them, carrying a still-soaked map loosely in her hands. "What's going on?"
"Ah, good!" Nyx said brightly. "I'll only have to explain this once. Well, right there, where the mountain suddenly changes…well, that is because…that's not the mountain anymore."
"What." Ash blinked, his voice flat.
"Well, the mountain itself is like a circular ring, relatively flat on top with a huge crater. Or, so I've read and heard. This is my first time here." He chuckled nervously. "But, what you see as the summit, or the part that leads up to the top, that's a completely separate mass of land that…well…you see, it…." Nyx's voice faltered.
"It floats in the air just above the lake at the bottom of the crater," Lucian finished.
"What." Ash gaped at the Pidgey. Misty dropped the map and Pikachu nearly fell off his trainer's shoulder.
"How?" Aura demanded. "How the hell do you expect us to believe that?" Her ears flattened back against her head. She pointed at the mountain, glaring at the Pidgey. "I've put up with a lot of magic mumbo-jumbo lately but, come on!"
"The Shrine rests deep in the caverns in the floating land," the Pidgey remained calm, not even looking at Aura. "The power of the Flying Orb keeps the land aloft. Or so everyone tells me. As far as I can tell, they're not lying."
"Then," Ash scratched his head, "wouldn't removing the Orb cause the floating mountain thing to fall?"
"Very, very gradually," the Pidgey admitted, "but it wouldn't start for at least a few decades, it's been infused with the power of the Flying Element so long. And, when it did start to fall, it would be a very slow process, allowing us plenty of time to react and accommodate for it. At least, that's the theory."
"Who's this?" Misty asked, looking at Ash.
"A Pidgey," Ash pointed out the obvious first. "He was attacked by a Fearow and fell out of the sky. I caught him, and he told me where we are."
"My name is Lucian," the Pidgey briefly bowed his head. "I'm glad to meet you, Ash Ketchum, Chosen One. And, of course, that extends to your companions."
"Pika Pikachu!"
"I'm Misty."
"Nyx."
"Ah, Nila's protégé," Lucian nodded. "I've heard your name many times."
Nyx twitched nervously.
"Sage Alya speaks highly of you and the Night Sage."
Nyx visibly relaxed, his grin returned.
"But, I thought I heard another voice."
"Voice?" Aura repeated. "So…you are blind?"
"Aura!" Misty breathed.
"It's alright," Lucian chuckled. "Yes, I am blind. Don't worry, I more than get by without sight. I might get dealt cheap shots from time to time, but I'm still more than capable of flying on my own."
"How?" Aura narrowed her eyes.
"There are ways that lacking sight can enhance other senses used in moving through the skies."
Aura opened her mouth to speak, but seemed to think better of it, and closed it again.
"So, shall I go and fetch the Sage, and some Birds to escort you all to the temple?" Lucian offered. "I assume, miss…Aura, was it? I assume that you are not a Flying Pokémon, am I right?"
"Unless I was not made aware of a Lucario's ability to sprout wings and fly off into the sunset," Aura said dryly.
"Then," Lucian ignored her bitterness, "with your permission, Chosen One?"
"S-sure," Ash stammered.
With that, Lucian ducked his head politely once more, before turning and flying off toward the mountain.
The Flying Temple, Ash reminded himself.
"We really made it, after all," Ash said, almost not willing to believe it.
"I thought for sure that the storm last night had thrown us off course," Misty nodded.
"That storm…" Nyx twitched his ears. "It wasn't natural."
"What do you mean?" Ash turned and gave him a look.
"I mean, it wasn't a storm made by natural forces. It was the by-product of some great power…of an evil power."
"What?" Ash asked. "You mean, like some sort of evil magic?"
"Like the kind that Odin warned us about?" Misty added.
"Yes…" Nyx nodded. "And…no," he shook his head sharply.
"Is it the type that involves monsters?" Aura asked suddenly.
"What?" Nyx tilted his head slightly at her.
"Monsters," Aura repeated slowly, as if to a small child. "You know, like creatures that look like Pokémon, but they're not. As if they came straight from the mouth of Hell, instead. Creatures of death."
"Are they born from blood," Misty interrupted, "or however a Sage would word it?"
Everyone looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Aura asked.
"Something you said last night," Misty shrugged, "after I got you to shore. You were in some sort of trance, rambling on and on about how monsters were going to come and kill us. You said something about them being created from blood, or something like that."
"The Returned," Nyx muttered under his breath so no one could make it out. Can we be so unlucky?
"Have you met a monster like…that?"
"I fought one, once," Aura said softly. "I think…I think it was a Houndoom. Once…a long time ago. Before some evil magic changed it into…an eldritch abomination."
"How did you live?" Nyx asked. Was it possible that she could have even defeated…?
"I almost didn't," Aura admitted in a voice so low that Ash had trouble hearing her.
"What happened?" Misty asked cautiously.
Aura didn't speak, focusing her gaze on the sand between her paws.
"Aura?"
"We were betrayed."
"We?"
"I didn't always live alone," she growled. "I used to have a family, too, you know."
"What…happened?" Misty repeated.
"I told you," Aura said in a low tone. "We were betrayed."
"How?" Ash demanded.
"Our greatest enemy was led right to us," Aura snarled, "during our most vulnerable moment." She clenched her head with one hand. "The monster…. His demonic pet…."
Misty walked to her side, and gently placed a hand on Aura's arm.
"We can talk about it later, if it's still too painful," she said softly.
"Not…that," Aura rubbed her forehead. "Just…complicated. So…much to explain…" she looked up, and into Ash's eyes.
Dark blue eyes.
His eyes.
Aura shrugged out of Misty's grip, baring her teeth in a snarl.
He doesn't deserve to know.
None of them do.
"It doesn't matter," she spat. "You can't change the past."
"No," Misty agreed. "You can't. But, you can have an effect on your future."
"Exactly," Aura narrowed her eyes, glaring right at Ash. "No one will ever have more control over my destiny than me…ever again. I live for me, and no one else."
"That's not what I meant," Misty sighed.
"Why are you glaring at me?" Ash's expression darkened.
"You don't even know," Aura scoffed.
"Know what?" Ash exasperated. "You're not making any sense!"
"You couldn't understand if I spelled it out for you!" Aura snarled. "It's beyond your limited intelligence!"
"Hey!" Ash yelled back. "I don't deserve-!"
"Deserve?" Aura roared. "You have no idea how much you don't deserve!"
Misty closed her eyes and sighed in frustration.
"You have no idea what pains and sorrows you're responsible for!" Aura continued, her rage overwhelming her thought process. "You have no idea how much you've disrupted in my life!"
Whock!
"Nahng!" Aura groaned as Misty's palm made contact with the back of her head. The Lucario's face was frozen in an expression that was half rage and half shock. The others simply gawked at Misty.
Attack Aura while she's in full rage?
Is she insane?
Aura turned slightly to face Misty. The Lucario's face lost nearly all sign of anger, while Misty's found it. The teen clenched her jaw, her eyes slammed shut as she tried to contain her anger. Aura stared at Misty, her arms limp against her side and her mouth agape.
"What the hell?" Aura finally found her voice.
"That was completely uncalled for!" Misty scolded. "Ash did nothing to you. Not once! He didn't make you follow us and he didn't sprain your ankle in the mountains. And, he certainly is not the person or Pokémon that betrayed you. None of us deserve your attitude!"
Aura stammered, trying to form a complete thought. She gave up after a few moments, and directed her gaze down at the sand with a defeated scowl, ears flattened back against her head again.
"Wow," Ash breathed.
"Don't think you're off the hook, mister," Misty narrowed her eyes at him, before returning her focus to Aura.
"We just want to be your friends," Misty lightly touched Aura's arm again. "You can let go of the pain, now. You don't have to bear your past alone anymore. The only person keeping you from having a family again is yourself."
"I…" Aura hesitated. She looked at Misty, her eyes filled with confusion and conflict. She turned to Nyx.
The Shiny Umbreon grinned and nodded sharply.
Aura looked up at Pikachu, who was still seated on Ash's shoulder.
"We're all you have left now, you know," the Electric mouse said softly.
Aura looked at Ash, their gazes locked.
All I have left…
"Aura," Ash said calmly, but it was not his voice she heard.
All I have left…of him.
Of them, she corrected herself.
"I…" Aura started again, but faltered. "It's not…It's a long…." She looked down at the ground. "It's comp…"
But, then, it's really not that complicated, is it?
"I…"
"You don't have to spill everything right now," Misty let go of Aura's arm. "But you do need to apologize."
"What?" Aura scowled.
"Apologize to Ash," Misty repeated herself.
I will not apologize to a human, Aura crossed her arms. Humans betrayed me. Betrayed us. A human nearly killed me. Thought I was dead.
"Aura."
Aura sighed bitterly. She opened her mouth to speak.
Fwwwmm!
The entire group turned in surprise at the sound of several Birds landing on the sand nearby them. Lucian flew up towards the others.
"Sorry that took so long," Lucian muttered. "I was…delayed…by skepticism."
"It's all right," Ash chuckled.
"I am Zeru," A Staravia walked forward. "I am the Head Aide to the Sage, and we are here to carry you to the Temple."
"Th-thanks," Ash stammered. He wasn't sure he'd ever be used to all the Temple Pokémon speaking human language. "I-I mean, I…"
"And, I," A Pidgeot with a soft, motherly voice approached Ash. "I am Alya, the Flying Sage." She bowed her head in respect. "It is a great honor to meet you, Chosen One, and to welcome you to the Temple of Sky."
"Um, thanks," Ash wasn't sure how to respond.
"Now, come," Alya took a step back and turned slightly. "Daylight is short, and there is much to do before the sun sets. We must all gather in the Temple. My fellow Birds and I shall bear you there."
Ash gave Alya a blank look.
"Get on her back," Aura translated in a dry tone. "She'll take you to the Temple. The other Birds will carry the rest of us."
"Oh," Ash blinked, before hesitantly climbing unceremoniously onto Alya's back.
A Crobat approached Aura.
"As one of the strongest flyers in the Temple," it spoke to her in its native tongue, "I have volunteered to carry you. You may be part Steel, but you will be safe with me."
"Rrright," Aura scoffed. "I'd rather walk."
"It's a long climb," Lucian warned her. "You'd be better off just sitting here on the beach until the Chosen One has finished his task here."
Aura's scowl deepened before she sighed in frustration. She reluctantly accepted the ride on Crobat's back. Almost instantly, the Crobat lunged into the sky. Aura clenched the bat Pokémon's ears desperately, slamming her eyes shut. After a few irregular jerks in the air, the flight mostly evened out. She opened her eyes.
The clouds showed no hint of the previous night's violent storm. The beach and overturned boat shrunk to miniature beneath them. Aura's stomach remained calm, as she stared down at the ground for a moment, before turning her gaze to the mountain.
The wind ruffled her fur and rustled in her jacket. She had forgotten how that felt. She had forgotten how liberating it felt to feel the wind caress her face, her ears flapping uncontrollably in its flow. She had been bound to the ground for so long…she had forgotten that the sky was the one place she had ever felt free.
I am free, the words finally crept into her mind. I have been free for years.
Misty's advice echoed in her mind, and she realized there was more to them than what was spoken.
The only person that's been keeping me enslaved the past few years…was me.
Now, I'm setting myself free.
I am free.
A/N: …Yeah. Next chapter's nearly done. This and Chapter 15 were going to be one chapter, but it became way too massive, so I split it. Proper A/N stuff at the end of Chapter 15, which should be up by the time you read this.