Hey gang, I'm back. I want to finish this story. And maybe continue with other stories. so, another year later, here is chapter 5. I kinda started this chapter a year ago, and continued a bit ago. So I'd like to say my writing style improved mid-chapter. Tell me if you think so, I'd love feedback. Also I am writing an original story called "The Reviver's Passage". Summary for that is at the end of the chapter.
February 24th, 2143
9:43 a.m
Once more, I found myself at Finnick's little Antique shop. The man looked up as I entered. He looked a bit confused. I suspect it's because he wasn't expecting me. Wally and Brendan, who were already in the shop, looked towards me for a split second, before turning back to browsing the merchandise.
Finnick's face paled, realizing, I suppose, something major must've happened for three insurgents to be in his shop without prior knowledge. I walked over to Finnick, scanning the shop and seeing no other shoppers.
She smiles at him, and he gives her a weary smile back. She gives one last look around the store, before reaching into her coat and pulling out a folder. Finnick's eyes widened.
"Give this to the boss. It is new information I have collected," I answered, immediately knowing the question that was on his mind. Finnick's eyes darkened, but he nodded in acknowledgment. He quickly put the folder under his arm as the door opened once more.
Finnick and I whipped around towards the door. I vividly remember my face blanching when I realized who it was.
Drew and Harley entered the store. One with a giddy expression, and the other who looked as if he had been trying to lose the purple haired man.
"Oh come on Harley, leave already. I don't want you here," said Drew angrily. Harley didn't listen as he kept prodding the boy.
Wally and Brendan turned around in surprise, not having expected them to come. Drew gave Harley an annoyed look before looking forward. His eyes widen when he recognizes me at the counter. Harley's face breaks out into a huge grin.
"Why, I didn't think we'd run into you here," he said mockingly. He ran up and put his hands on her shoulders. I didn' exactly know what else to do, so I gave him a meek smile in response.
"The same could be said to you Harley. What brings you here?" I asked him kindly, as I pushed myself off the counter.
"We just wanted to browse around for fun," interjected Drew. Wally walked up to Harley and I, and gently pulled Harley off me. He gently shoved Harley to the otherside of him, earning a growl from the man. Wally placed a hand on my back before winking at me inconspicuously. May Arceus protect this man with all his might.
"I see, see anything interesting?" I asked, giving Wally a look of thankfulness.
"We just entered May, we haven't been given any time to browse. You should know this by now," smirked Drew. I laughed, it sounded a little strained but I don't think he noticed.
"I'm sorry, it passed my mind." I chided.
"Can you be any dumber April?" Sneered Drew mockingly.
I gave him a dark look, not pleased by the teasing. Brendan gave me a look, his eyes asking me if I wanted him to jump the green haired man. I shook my head quickly, turning his unspoken proposal down.
Finnick had his hand on mine, gently tapping it. I realized he probably had something he had to say to me. I gave him an inconspicuous look so as not to alert Harley who was currently arguing with Wally. Wally himself looked tired but answered the loud man's protests calmly.
Not now
I said with a pointed look. Finnich backed off.
I sighed looking towards Drew. "Well we have to leave now. Our business here is done." I hooked my arm into Wally's and led him outside. I also gently pushed Brendan out with me.
"Finished browsing already?" Asked Drew. I stopped and looked at him. I gave him my best fake smile.
"We were long done when you came. I was just chatting up Finnick, and these two were lounging around waiting for me to be done." I opened the door and left the building.
I sighed a sigh of relief thinking I had lost them, then I heard the door to the antique shop open again. I turned around, to see Drew and Harley exiting the store. I bit my lip in agitation.
"I thought you wanted to browse around the shop Drew," I asked, trying my best not to sound rude.
"Well we wanted to hang with you more," admonished Harley, in mock shock. I rolled my eyes.
"Ok, fine. I'm surprised you wanted to 'hang out with me' Drew." I said.
Drew shrugged. "Harley just pulled me along. I didn't have much of a say."
Wally shook his head, and leaned in towards May who still had her arm hooked in his.
"You used to be friends with this guy? Seems pretty rude. I don't know how you befriended a man like that," he asked.
"Oh be quiet." Hissed May. Wally grinned at her, from the corner of her eye May noticed Drew frown at their friendly interaction.
What could be his problem now?
May released Wally's arm, before turning to Brendan and clutching his arm. She placed her mouth near his ear and whispered.
"Finnick has something for us inside. Can you go collect it for me? Oh and laugh as if I had just said a funny joke. Drew is looking at me weirdly and Harley is just a jerk."
Brendan, without a second thought, let out a laugh. Drew and Harley raised their eyes but said nothing else.
Brendan disconnected from May's grasp. "Well I've gotta go now. Much to do." She watched as he rounded a corner from them, most likely to hide and wait for them to disappear before he walked into the store again.
She turned to Wally, who had engaged in an awkward conversation with Harley. Harley looked ecstatic while Wally kept giving May glances. He remained polite as the flamboyant man kept speaking.
May decided not to interject, and kept walking alone behind them.
She kept her hands in her pocket and kept walking forward. She felt a man sidle up beside her, and felt her stomach drop when she realzied who it was. Drew was now walking side by side with her, silent, but his presence was enough to send her into panic.
What exactly does this man want with me?
They walked in silence for a bit, but then Drew decided to break the silence.
"So, how are you doing?" Asked Drew.
"I am doing well enough…" May drawled, hoping to deter his interest away from her. Drew merely smirked and continued on.
"That's it? Well enough? Really?" He teased. May was slowly losing her cool.
"Yes, nothing much has happened. Just a normal day."
Drew's lips turned into a slight scowl, May almost missed it. "An average day as a Magma grunt…" he muttered under his breath. May feigned ignorance.
Their conversation was cut short when a horrible scream pierced the air. The group froze in shock. May listened closely, her heart beating rapidly as she tried to find the source of the screams. Her hand on her gun, her hands shaking.
Another scream closely followed. May winced and closed her eyes. Vivid memories of Petalburg, the war, and the final battle raging in her head.
Make it stop… please…
She leaned on Drew, hand on his shoulder. The memories were too terrifying that she could hardly stand alone. Drew looked mildly stunned.
I just wanted the screaming to stop. I knew it wouldn't stop unless I did something about it. The actions of what I did next were fueled partly by part selfishness, and the need to help the poor victim. It wasn't purely selflessness, as what many people thought it had been.
When I realized the screaming had come from my left, I pushed Drew always from me (I think he fell to the ground, I don't know my memory is failing me) and rushed towards the scream.
I heard the screams of my friends as I rounded a corner. When I arrived to the scene, I saw a crowd of citizens surrounding something in the middle.
"Please make way!" May yelled out, the people in the crowd gave her a look, upon realizing she was a high ranking magma leader they quickly moved to make way.
When May made it to the middle, her eyes widened at the scene in front of her. There was an Oldale citizen on the ground, bleeding profusely. His bloody hand was up in the air, his palm facing the magma grunt who towered over him.
May didn't understand what was going on until she saw the grunt lift a belt into the air.
An agonizing scream emitted from the citizen's throat.
May felt her friends make it beside her, all as shocked at the scene in front of them as she is. Wally quickly nudged May.
"You're an admin, you can put a stop to this."
May didn't respond immediately. Her arms had flown to wrap around her body. She closed her eyes, hoping to block out the sounds of the guttural screaming.
Her minds filled with the burning bodies of Petalburg, the screams of comrades being slammed wit bullets and with no hope of surviving the next 3 minute, bodies being quite literally liquidized by the monster during the final battle.
Screams of people who would never scream again.
She felt warm hands push gently into her shoulder blades. Wally's concerned face came into view when May turned her head to look over.
"May?"
May shook her head, silencing the screaming tortured voices of thousands of nameless victims for the time being.
"Hey!" She screamed as she ran to the middle. The grunt's whip was about to whip the man's back, but was stopped when May grabbed a hold of the man's wrist.
The grunt howled in pain as the opposite end of the belt slapped his forearm, May hardly winced when it slapped her fingers.
"What the hell do you think you are?" Growled the grunt. May pointed to her left chest, to the badge sitting there. The grunt blanched.
"I'm sorry. Sorry Ma'am…" he walked away quickly. May wasted no time, she reached down and pulled the injured man to his feet. She let him lean on her shoulder. HIs head rolled onto her shoulder and she winced as his cold breath hit her neck. The injured man's chest
She looked around at the flabbergasted crowd. Most looked stunned, but some looked impressed. A couple people ran forward.
"Here, I have a car we can use to get him to the hospital… ma'am." Said one woman nervously. May gave her a bright smile and nodded. The woman visibly relaxed. She led May to her car. May got in the back seat, pulling the man in gently but quickly. She saw the man's legs move in, looked up and saw Wally assisting her. Drew was in the front talking to the woman from before, before climbing into the front seat.
Harley and Brendan stood to the side. Brendan trying not to get in the way of his friends, while Harley just looked more annoyed.
May laid the man's head on her lap, while Wally held his legs in his. The man laid on the car seats, back up to the roof. May could see him seething in agony. His wounds were deep and long, the whip having torn chunks of his skin from his back. Blood occasionally poured from the wound and onto May's lap.
Drew from the front seat, was gagging on the smell. May could see him block his nose, and close his eyes. The pungent smell of blood spreading throughout the entire car. Wally himself was looking out the window. Trying to look anywhere but the bloody battered body on his lap.
Neither of these men had ever seen the war, whether it be from wealth bribes or sickness, they had never seen blood like this before.
Having seen much worse, from flying limbs, to heads blown off, to people crying for mom; May was unfazed. Even as the blood covered her hands, her laps, her entire lower body. She leaned in towards the man and whispered comforting words into his ear.
The only repulsion she felt were the vivid memories of the war coming back to her. Limbs, bones, blood waterfalls, wails, screaming, and the feeling of hopelessness that came from all that. But nevertheless, she prayed to Arceus for those memories to be pushed away for the time being. An innocent man was in need of her help, and those feelings would not do.
The ride to the hospital was short, lasting around 7 minutes at most. When they pulled up to the entrance of the hospital, Drew was the first one out. Gasping a bit for fresh air, before running inside to get help. 5 nurses showed up, a stretcher in between them. May helped pull the man onto the stretcher, while Drew and Wally kept their distance, thankful for air free of the smell of metal.
May followed the doctor's inside, only stopping when they entered the emergency room. She stood outside mindlessly, watching through the window as the surgeons began preparing for operation. She rubbed her bloody hands together, before taking a seat on the ground. She figured the hospital staff wouldn't want their seats to get blood all over them.
She, as much as anyone else, was aware of the numerous stares she got from the people around. Patients and staff alike. It wasn't everyday you saw a bloody Magma member accompany a man to the emergency room. But she had more important things to worry about. She pulled her legs up towards her body, and let her head fall in between her knees. Her arms wrapped around her folded legs.
The buzzing of the hospital ceases to be heard by her ears, as her mind drifts elsewhere.
After a few silent minutes, she heard footsteps get closer to her. But then they stop right in front of her, she looks up to see two familiar faces looking down at her. Two men, one with a stunned expression, and another with a sympathetic one.
"I thought you two hated blood," she said blankly.
"I'm not as well acquainted with the stuff as you are my dear. But I have to grit it and get over it sometimes." replied Wally, as he got down on the ground to sit next to her. Drew takes the chair on the other side of May.
"Feeling bad?" Asked Drew. He played with his tie as he asked his question. Yanking it up and down.
"Yeah, kind of," she answered truthfully.
"But you're Magma, isn't this something you are used to?" Asked Drew. His voice was rigid and dry. May couldn't blame him, he would know what Magma has done. He has the basic idea of the atrocities they had commited, before the war and after.
Of course May knew more than him. She was in the war after-all. May knew this, but decided she'd better hold her tongue. All Drew saw was a former friend who had decided to work under a cruel and evil organization. He didn't know the actual reason as to why she was in Magma. He didn't know that she was an insurgent, nor that she was actually working to take down Magma. And for now, that was all he needed to think.
She knew she should hold her tongue, she should be the villain in his eyes. It would make her entire disguise more believable.
So of course she couldn't.
"Does being in Magma mean I don't care? Does it mean I cannot care for someone?" She turned her head to face him. She looked into his eyes as she said this. Her eyes were blue and icy as they stared into his.
Drew blinked, and moved slightly backwards. His hands began to fidget with his tie a little faster.
May couldn't help but reminisce in her mind, as she watches his nervous reactions. The years have changed them both. Drew still had his cocky arrogant attitude that she remembered of him all those years ago. But he also held a slightly nervous stature around her.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see his eyes dart back and forth from to he wall across from him, and to the Magma badge on my chest. I couldn't help but to wonder, at that moment; who changed the most? I know that the war had messed with me real bad, and to this very day it still does. But at that moment in time I didn't know much about the new Drew, the one who is four years older than the last time we met. I know now that the answer to that question is both of us.
After I gave Drew my answer, he fell silent for the rest of the time we were at the hospital. Wally looked back and forth between us, but decided to say nothing.
We waited for what seemed to be hours, I believe it was actually hours. Surgeries for injuries as dire as the ones that man got took a very long time. But after a while, the head doctor came out. Blood on his blue medical clothes. He wore glasses and a sky blue face mask.
He smiled when he saw Drew, an expression that quickly morphed into surprise and apprehension when it landed on me and Wally, both having had Magma uniforms on.
He told us that the man was ok, well not that he was ok exactly, but that he would be ok. Wally shook the doctor's hand (the poor man looked like he was trying not to faint). He gave the doctor a word of thanks.
He then turned down to me, leaning down slightly and stretching out his hand to me. I accepted it. He pulled me to my feet with one strong pull. He put his arm around my shoulders, as Drew stood up from his own seat. He was giving us a suspicious look.
"I think you should clean yourself up before heading back into work," he chided. Motioning to the blood on my hands and clothes.
"Yeah, I suppose you are right." I pulled on my uniform's shirt, examining the stains of red that almost camouflaged with the red-orange magma clothes.
I would go home and clean it all later.
I then remembered that there was a third man in the room with us. I turned to the second green-haired man in the hospital hallway.
"What are your plans for now Drew?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
Drew shrugged. "I'll probably go meet up with my father. He doesn't know where I am, and I was supposed to be home a long while ago."
"Until next time I guess," I smiled at him.
"Yes, until next time," Drew smirked back at me. "See you later April."
I watched him walk away until he turned the corner and was out of my sight. When he was gone, Wally leaned into my ear. His breath was hot against my ear.
"Brendan wanted me to tell you, Algernon is going to give you more hands-on missions," he whispered.
"When did you learn this?"
"He texted me, and then deleted the text," had been his astute response.
I took in a deep breath, and nodded. Well it was a revolution after all, more work led to more success. So, I just took it in stride.
February 27th, 2143
12:01 pm
We were back at the ruins. I stood to the side as multiple scientists studied the numerous ancient fish pokemon that lived in the water, the relicanth were slow and ugly. But they would give a strong clue as to how the ancient world worked. Why I was doing this, I had no clue at that time.
There was also a mural on the wall, showing the relicanth, probably left by an ancient civilization that has long since fallen. Paleontologists studied the mural, while pokeologists studied the relicanth.
Along with those scientists, there were tech guys handling the expensive research equipment, and grunts to make sure everything went smoothly. Wally was one of the grunts stationed there with me.
I directed scientists where to go, the grunts where to stand, and was simply the head lady of the entire operation. I listened as the scientists excitedly talked of their discoveries, as well as the random small talk the Magma grunts took part in.
As I was yelling at a scientist because he had dropped some papers, and they nearly landed in the water, I felt someone sidle up next to me.
I turn around and see Drew standing, his legs parallel to his shoulders, and his hands folded behind his back. The only reason he was here was because all the expensive equipment had been given to Magma by his father's tech company. Rich people were something else I swear.
"How's the new job going for you?" He said with mock enthusiasm. Like every other situation I saw him in, he had a cocky smirk on his face. At this point dead reader, just know wherever this man is spoken of in this tale, he will have a smirk or some sort of expression screaming I am so much better than all of you.
"It's going," I replied. My eyes were still on the scientists.
"I think we should hang out after this. Chat up, and talk about our lives. I mean," Drew paused his speech when he noticed I had stiffened up. But he decided to ignore it and continue on. "So much has changed after all."
"I'm ok with that," I said mustering up as much enthusiasm as possible. Although, I knew, and I think he kinda knew too, the last thing I wanted was to talk about the last 4 years.
"Ok, after the work day ends we can pick somewhere nice to eat dinner. Just sit together, and talk over some good food."
While I do love food (then and now), I was still hesitant. But I was very curious as to what he did the last few years. He appeared back in my life by total surprise. A pleasant but scary surprise. My curiosity about him was as large as his curiosity about me.
Ah to hell with it, if his questions get too personal, I can just sidetrack.
"Have you done any contests these last four years?" I asked.
"Of course I did!" He said in surprise, but with much pride. "May I be a coordinator, and so are you. I don't know why you quit like that so suddenly, even with the horrible war going on, contests were still as popular as ever. People still competed, and people still watched for the first while. Even when the war was horrible. Even, when Kalos took over, and even for a while when Magma and Aqua had power. The contests have taken a pause, because of Magma and Aqua, but I am sure they will allow them to continue soon. Contests are why Hoenn is so famous. I've heard from my father that Magma is planning on allowing trainers and contest coordinators to travel to Magma Hoenn soon. I'll be back in the game soon, I'll win my second ribbon cup. And when you and I battle, you will stand no chance."
He was smiling so hard, his eyes gleaming as he told his story. I had never seen him so excited like this before, he used to always be so… not humble…. And it still warmed my heart to see this is still…
"Wait… 2nd ribbon cup?" I asked.
"Yeah, I won the cup like… 3 years ago," I felt my heart sink at his tone. It sounded confused, but mixed with sadness and betrayal. "Did you not watch me? I mean, I don't quite understand why you quite hanging out with me and Solidad, heck even Harley… but you didn't even watch us perform?"
I internally winced. I swallowed my shame down and answered him. "Well, the military hardly had enough money to feed us good food," I said, thinking back to the rock hard biscuits and rotten vegetables the Hoenn military had given us. The food had only gotten worse when we came under Kalos rule, and than Magma rule. "They most definately didn't have money to put tv's in the barracks."
Drew frowned. "Military? Why…" his eyes widened in shock. Now It was his turn to feel shame.
I frowned back. "Did you not know I was drafted?"
"N-No, I did not know," he stuttered.
"Oh, " I answered. "I would have thought Harley had told you already. Guess I was wrong."
"I-uh oh. But, how?" He asked. "You couldn't have been more than 14…"
"15, just made the cut unfortunately. Did you not receive a draft letter?" I asked.
"I did…" he said, rocking back and forth on his heels awkwardly. I raised my eyebrow at him, telling him to continue. "But my dad paid a bribe to make them take my name off the list…"
I've never had a good impression of rich people, but dishonesty from the rich basically saved Drew's life. I turned a blind eye to it just that once.
I opened my mouth to ask another question, but then I heard the sound of a struggle. I whipped my head around to see scientists and grunts running away from the mural on the wall as it collapsed. The room was filled with flying dirt and dust.
My view was blocked by all the dust in the air, I remember coughing as it got in my throat. I now wonder how Wally was able to stand it, especially with his chronic asthma. It would have had to been torture for my dead friend.
When the dust cleared and my vision returned, I looked towards the broken mural. At first I was terrified as to how Hunter would react when he saw the damage done, but when I looked over, I was astounded to see a dark corridor behind where the mural had been.
I covered my mouth with a shirt and walked towards the entrance, stepping over broken rocks, scattered dust, and stunned people. When I was at the entrance, I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight.
The walls were bare and cracked. I remember that they were made of a light brown rock material, much like the material the rest of the cave used. I then pointed my light in towards the dark hallway, turning away from the wall.
The corridor was long, even with my bright light, I could not see where this hallway led to. I turned back towards the Magma grunts and scientists behind me. They were all watching me with surprised curiosity.
I saw Wally, sitting on the ground, still coughing horribly. But he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, with the help of a bystanding grunt. Drew on the other hand, stood arms crossed and stone faced.
"Ok," I had said. "Let's get some people to go check this out with me." I started pointing to random scientists, paleontologists and pokeologists alike, just in case. I also grabbed around 5 grunts to help us out.
"I'll come along with you," said Wally, raising his hand and pushing himself off of the grunt who had been helping him stand up.
I frowned at him "I don't think that's a good idea." Watching him wobble on his feet when the grunt released him.
"I'll be fine, just let me come along," he argued back lightly. He walked towards the corridor and past her, still coughing from the dust. I grabbed his arm to ensure he didn't topple over. I than turned to Drew.
"Can I trust you to watch over things here?" I asked him. I watched as he nodded slowly.
"I'll be right here making sure everything is on this side of the cave. You can take care of things on the other side."
I thanked him. I turned around and began to push my team forward. We walked down the dark corridor, using flashlights and phones to light our way down.
We didn't get very far down.
I could still hear Drew yelling orders at the paleontologists, I think they accidentally manhandled one of his family's machines.
I heard the sound of rumbling somewhere above us. I looked up, pointing my flashlight up to the ceiling, trying to discern what made that sound. The sounds kept getting louder and louder. I watched as the rest of my crew stopped walking, and started looking around. Even Drew stopped talking, and was listening to the rumble.
We quickly got our answers.
Without any warning, rocks began to fall as the cave corridor began to collapse on us. Drew was yelling at his men to run to the exit, but his voice was quickly drowned out to me by the rockfall. The rocks started falling near the entrance of the corridor, the opening of which we had entered.
"Run! Keep running!" I yelled, waving them forward, away from our only known exit. At the moment, I was praying that there was an opening somewhere we could escape through. But at that moment, all we could do was run.
I remember having a vice grip on Wally's arm as we ran, he was stumbling behind. I half dragged, half carried him along somehow. He was breathing heavily behind me, his asthma acting up, and his lungs failing him.
"Look!" said a scientist "Over there!"
He pointed his flashlight forward, and I could barely make out a clearing. We all increased our speed.
It took a minute or two, but eventually we were all able to run into the large opening. We backed away from the corridor, only for the roof to collapse and block our only way back in. The rock collapse ended right there.
"Where are we?" asked a grunt.
I looked around and was able to discern that we were in a room of sorts. The walls, made of rocks, were too smooth to have been made from natural causes. On top of that, there were pillars around the room, and the room was very, very tall. At the far end of the room, was a very neat looking waterfall.
"I think we have just walked in on history," said Wally, his mouth agape as he took in his surroundings. It was a magnificent room, the architects would have been proud to see their work still standing.
I heard a groan from behind me, a Magma grunt was trying to move the rocks to no avail. He than peered into one of the cracks in the pile and sighed. He turned back me, looking displeased.
"I think the entire corridor is blocked. From start to here Ma'am. Unless we get outside help, we are kinda stuck here." he said.
A murmur ran through the group. I could see some people look panicked, and some looked stunned at the turn of events. I knew I had to take control of the situation before it got out of hand.
I clapped my hands loudly, the sound echoed throughout the ruins. Everyone winced and turned to me.
"I need everyone to calm down ok! Look, I need everyone to go around looking for escape holes. Get in groups of three and scour around. I need atleast once group, preferably paleontologists to take a look at the rock slide over by the enterance, let's get going!" Everyone divuldged. I placed Wally on the ground, leaning against one of the pillars.
I looked around, looking as people walked around, crawled around, and inspected their surroundings.
And I just wondered just what I did to have gotten myself in this situation. I sighed and went around talking to everyone.
So, idk when the next chapter will be up. I'm working on my original story along with this. Here is the summary for my original story "The Reviver's Passage":
The day Hestia Ambrosia's life went to hell, it started with a river, a stalker, and 7 highwaymen. And of course, it began with death. For the length of 10 long years, Hestia Ambrosia has lived with her close friend Wally. A sickly, bedridden man who has become her closest companion.
But life takes a turn when she meets a stalker by the river, and when, shortly after, her friend Wally dies of his unknown disease. While in the middle of her grief, she meets her stalker again and he introduces himself. Not as a man, but as a god of the underworld. He tells her that he will help her get her friend back from the land of the dead if she helps him with his own mission, he gives his reasons, but Hestia can tell he is withholding information.
Allied with a secretive god, and walking down to the pits of hell with nothing but a bit of food and a sword, Hestia has to battle the occupants of the land of the dead and continue to unravel the mystery at hand. And to bring back, her only friend, from the land where no one had ever returned from.
This story is free to read. So give it a chance. Look up "the reviver's passage the odd visiter" it should be the top google result. It is in a blog website called . You are welcome to email me if you need any help to get to this story!
As usual...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it (which was a lot)
Reviews are much appreciated.
I don't any of the characters (except for certain characters which any genius can guess) and locations, those belong to the Pokemon Company. I only really own the plot.