Edwardpeddie575: Thank you for the reviews! For your first review: At that point in the story, enough time had passed that Seeker-Of-Endings had received emergency medical aid (Keep in mind that Siebold called for immediate treatment), and as such was no longer on death's door. Hope that's a satisfactory enough answer!
TWELVE HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"Quake." Again Drapion's foot came down, and again he was disappointed when the ground simply caved in under it once more. Earthquake shouldn't be this hard! It's a simple technique - simply stomp and unleash Ground energy in a wave! Why is it so difficult.
Drapion took a deep breath, forcing frustration back. There was a reason why Earthquake was the most sought-after and highly-valued Ground-type technique in existence - and why so many chose to take a shortcut and use the TM instead of putting actual effort into learning it. Even for Ground-types, it was difficult to figure out, let alone master.
He wasn't going to learn Earthquake in an hour. Only constant, continued practice would allow him to draw out the energy required to utilize the technique.
Drapion took another breath and raised his foot once more. "Quake."
ELEVEN HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"You all right?"
Kamado glanced back at Siebold's Starmie and Barbaracle, both of whom exuded a dominating presence as the two Elite Four Pokemon steadfastly scanned the area. From the start, it had greatly unnerved Kamado to be alone with these two Pokemon whom he knew were many times stronger than he was. Siebold was here as well, sitting on a nearby boulder, which didn't help Kamado's tension in the slightest; the rest of the Trainers and Pokemon were off combing the forest for any trace of the Swarm.
Why couldn't Marcus or any of my team come with me?
"You sure you're all right with this?" Marcus had asked beforehand. "You sure you don't want Trevenant or someone else to stay with you?"
Kamado had shaken his head. He'd known Marcus would want as many Pokemon as possible scanning the forest, and had not wanted to impede that in any way. He'd been kicking himself for that decision ever since Marcus had passed out of sight. I can't do this on my own!
Barbaracle was the one that had spoken; the Water/Rock-type was more friendly than the standoffish, almost robotic Starmie. Siebold had taken him both because of that and because he was a Rock-type, which he felt would help identify with the Onix. Nevertheless, it still made Kamado even more nervous to be directly addressed by the Elite Four Pokemon.
"Y…y…yes," Kamado stammered.
Barbaracle knelt down next to Kamado. "I met Siebold when he was walking on the beach," he said. "He was the head chef of his parents' luxury restaurant in Lumiose - promoted at a young age. His parents had pressured him to take the job, wanting him to take over the business once they'd retired. Everyone said he had a bright future in the cooking industry. But he'd always harbored a secret love for Pokemon battling. He would take trips to the beach to gather ingredients, but he'd also use that time to practice with his Clauncher. We met when I tried to eat a bushel of seaweed he'd collected. I was only a few months out of my egg - too young and stupid to realize that messing with Trainers was a bad idea. He was impressed enough with my capabilities to catch me. He sometimes says that it was at that moment he decided he wanted to be a Water-type master."
Kamado listened closely to Barbaracle, not knowing where this story was going but enjoying it nonetheless.
"He took many more trips to the beach," said Barbaracle. "Each time, he would find the bravest wild Water-types around and challenge them to battles. If they met his satisfaction, he would catch them. The best one was Gyarados - he'd always had the spirit of a fighter. I first met him as a Magikarp, when he threw himself out of the ocean just to try and attack me, but in his haste he forgot he actually had to be underwater to breathe - Siebold had to catch him in order to save his life."
Kamado chuckled along with Barbaracle. "Once he'd trained up his team," said Barbaracle, "and evolved all of them, Siebold went to his parents and asked if he could take the Gym Challenge. Just once. His parents ultimately approved, on one condition; if he didn't win the League, he'd have to come back, take over the restaurant, and forget all about his dreams of Pokemon battling." Barbaracle smiled proudly. "Well, he did win, and as they say, the rest is history."
"Wow," Kamado whispered.
Barbaracle nodded. "I suppose you're wondering why I chose now to tell you this," he said. "The thing is…everyone has to start somewhere. It's okay to be nervous. You think I've never been nervous? Because in that last battle of the League…with his entire career on the line…he had to release first. He sent me out, and I promptly got torn apart by the other guy's Chikorita. He recalled me into my Pokeball before I fully fell unconscious, and I had to watch him try to climb out of the 5-on-6 hole I'd dug for him. FIfteen minutes, Kamado - those were the longest fifteen minutes of my entire life."
"How did he win?" Kamado asked.
Barbaracle chuckled again. "Look at it this way," he said. "In a fight between a type specialist and a generalist, a lot of the match revolves around how much mileage the generalist can get out of their Pokemon with type advantage. If they can build enough of a lead before having to resort to their less effective Pokemon, they win, otherwise they lose. In that battle, the generalist is almost always going to take an early lead. A good type specialist knows that, and doesn't lose their head. Siebold never lost his head once. He played smart, starved his opponent out of his Water-type counters, and in the end he was able to mount a comeback and take the crown."
"Cool," said Kamado.
"But that's not the point," said Barbaracle. "The point is that nervousness is not something to be ashamed of. It's part of life to be nervous. Arceus knows we're all nervous right now."
Barbaracle rose to his full height. "You have a full life ahead of you, Kamado," he said. "And someday you're going to be as strong as I am. When that day comes, I will be more excited than you could possibly imagine. But I'll also be quite nervous. Because no matter how proud you are of those who surpass you, when it comes down to it, you never want to be surpassed."
"Thanks," said Kamado.
Barbaracle nodded but said nothing more, focusing back on the woods ahead. Kamado did so as well. He still felt nervous, but at least now he felt a little better about that.
TEN HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
The cave was quiet; Medicham could still hear the Swarm outside, moving about and calling to one another, but the Swarmlord had not returned. She was feeling cramps coming in, and she shifted uncomfortably as best she could, bound as she was.
Wall grunted behind her.
"Sorry," Medicham whispered.
Wall sighed. "Medicham, can you tell me about your Trainer?"
Medicham smiled despite the situation. "His name's Marcus," she said. "He's young, but he's good. He's actually a Gym Leader - just got the position."
"Is he good to you?" Wall asked.
"Yes," said Medicham. "At first, he was a little rough around the edges, but he figured himself out eventually, and since then he's never hurt us, or yelled at us unless we've done something really wrong."
"Sounds like he's a good Trainer," Wall murmured.
"Yes," said Medicham. "Yes, he is. All of them are."
"All of them?" Wall asked.
"Connie, Theo, Serena," said Medicham. "They're Marcus's friends and Gym Trainers. They're just as nice as he is."
"Do you have friends?" Wall asked.
"Yes, a lot," said Medicham. "My best friend's Kriesh - she's a Fearow. She helps me with a lot of stuff. Then there's Cloyster, and Trevenant; both of them can always put a smile on your face. Houndoom's one of the friendliest and most loyal members of the team - we first met when he leaped into the middle of a battle to try and save Marcus's life. And then Liepard and Pangoro are newer; I didn't like either of them at first, but they're not so bad once you get to know them. Lastly, there's Kamado - he's a Tyrunt, just three months old. It's been an eventful three months, but even so there's always been that air of innocence about him."
Wall did not speak again, but Medicham could feel him trembling slightly. "Did you have any friends?" Medicham asked.
"Once," said Wall. "When my old Trainer first hatched me. He was a Grass-type Trainer…wanted to make the best possible team of Grass-types. He had an Exeggutor, and a Torterra, and a Venusaur, and then there were my parents, Breloom and Serperior. They took good care of me, and so did my Trainer - he taught me Worry Seed, and a few other tricks too." Wall shook. "And then he bred Venusaur and Serperior. And the Tangela that was born from that knew Leaf Storm. I only knew Mega Drain and Leech Seed, and so…that was that. All of a sudden, I was the weak one. The outcast. The mistake."
"And your parents didn't do anything?" Medicham asked.
"I could tell they didn't like it," said Wall. "But it's not like they went back for me when I was thrown away like a broken toy."
"I'm-"
"You say 'I'm sorry' a lot," said Wall. "Like you feel responsible for everything that happens, even if you have nothing to do with it. Is that what you feel like?"
"No, I…" Medicham sighed. "I just don't know what else to say. Kriesh is a lot better at the whole 'empathy' thing than I am."
Wall shook again in what was probably a sad nod.
"Wall?" Medicham asked.
"Yes?"
"I don't think the Swarmlord's coming back," said Medicham. "Just let me go to sleep. Only for a few minutes, I promise-"
"No," Wall whispered. "I sympathize with you, I do, but I can't do that. I'm sorry."
Medicham chuckled sadly. "There you are, saying the same thing."
Wall did not respond.
NINE HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"Statement: It has been two and a half hours since we arrived," Starmie pointed out robotically. "Query: Is it not time to start considering other options?"
"What other options?" Barbaracle asked.
"Statement: We could do a lot more than sit uselessly in a boulder field," said Starmie. "Example: Such as aiding the others in their search."
"Yeah, I guess," said Barbaracle. "But we'd just be, what, a few more pairs of eyes? It's not like they need us over there. Whereas if we stay here, and the Onix do come, we'd be a lot more valuable than just a few more pairs of eyes."
"Admittance: That is true," said Starmie. "Counterpoint: However, if the Onix do not come, then we will have wasted our time. Statement: My teleportation capabilities could be valuable to the others."
It was at that point that Kamado spotted something shifting behind one of the boulders.
Barbaracle sighed. "Maybe you're right," he admitted. "But all the same, it feels wrong to leave an option on the table like this."
"Query: Which has more of a chance of success?" Starmie asked.
"Um, guys?" Kamado called. "I think I see something."
"There's your answer," said Barbaracle.
"Admittance: Possibly," Starmie responded. Kamado moved forwards, and the two Water-types moved after him. Siebold, spotting the Pokemon moving, stood up and did likewise.
The shifting was visible again; clearly whoever was behind the boulder had heard and seen the group coming. "Hello?" Kamado called.
An Onix poked its head out from behind the boulder. It wasn't one Kamado recognized, and its facial expression was aggressive. "Leave," the Onix growled. "We have no business with Trainers."
"Can you please-" Kamado attempted.
The Onix cut him off. "I said leave. Your kind aren't wanted here."
Siebold sighed behind Kamado; Kamado was pretty sure Starmie was telepathically translating the Onix's words.
"I…um…" Kamado stammered.
The Onix slithered out from behind the boulder, its full snakelike body becoming visible as it rose to its full height. "One last time. Get out of our territory. This is-"
Abruptly, Starmie lashed out with a pulse of Psychic energy. The Onix froze in place.
Barbaracle stepped forwards, glaring down at the frozen, wide-eyed Onix. "Our friend here wants to talk," he growled. "That's all. So shut your mouth and let him say his piece, got it?"
The Onix looked mutinous, struggling against Starmie's Psychic hold, but after a few moments it clearly realized it was outmatched. Slowly, the Onix nodded.
"Good." Barbaracle gestured. Starmie dropped the Psychic hold; Barbaracle turned towards Kamado and nodded.
Kamado swallowed before speaking. "T…Two of our friends have been captured by the Swarm," he said. "They took them to their camp. We don't know where it is. Can you help us?"
The Onix flinched at the mention of the Swarm; its glare seemed to redouble in intensity as it aimed its gaze back towards Kamado. "Why should I help Trainers with Trainer problems?" the Onix spat, its voice even more venomous than it had been.
"We know the Swarm is your problem too," Kamado protested.
"Yeah, and the agreement says we're not supposed to interfere with each others' problems," said the Onix. "You know something, Tyrunt? After what happened last time we crossed the Swarm to save a group of Trainer Pokemon, the Swarmlord paid us a little visit. Warned us there would be consequences next time we did that. In fact, I seem to recall you were part of that."
The Onix leaned closer. "The Swarm is a lot more powerful than we are," it growled. "And I sure as Distortion am not going to risk the lives of my friends and family for the sake of a couple of Trainer Pokemon. Find them on your own - if they die, they die, and if they live, good on you. But it's not our problem. Not this time." The Onix turned and slithered away before Kamado could mount another protest.
"Statement: Well, that settles that," said Starmie.
"Starmie!" Barbaracle snarled as Kamado cringed. But Starmie just continued to stare at Barbaracle, and eventually Barbaracle's posture sagged. He glanced at Kamado. "Got any other ideas?"
Kamado bowed his head, unable to speak through the humiliation he now felt.
Siebold stood up. "I think it would be best if we go help the others," he said. "Clearly the Onix aren't intent on helping us."
"Yeah," Barbaracle said reluctantly. "Starmie, get us out of here. Kamado, get in close - he can't teleport you if you're too far away."
Kamado went reluctantly, trying to hide the welling tears in his eyes.
EIGHT HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"Quake."
The ground rumbled as a small burst of Ground energy shot out from Drapion's claw in all directions. Drapion stifled a growl as he saw it peter out before it got more than a few inches. He could not afford such worthless frustration. Progress was progress.
My time's a third gone, and I've only gotten this far…
Drapion shook his head. He could feel tiredness licking at him. He hadn't slept for more than a day. But he couldn't sleep. Not now.
Not until this is over.
SEVEN HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
The life of an Onix was a quiet one, even with the omnipresent threat of the Swarm. Every day, an Onix would wake up, spend the rest of the day socializing or wandering, either along the forest floor or beneath it, gobbling up earth and rocks for sustenance, and then return home for rest.
Onix did not normally form colonies like this one. Most Onix or families of Onix preferred to remain solitary, being quite territorial and not inclined to share their space with others. They tolerated Diglett, who often took the tunnels the Onix dug as their homes, for the Diglett knew their place and retreated whenever the Onix came along. Anyone else was greeted with hostility.
The Elder shifted as he gazed upon the colony. It was a little-known fact that Onix had two methods of evolution into Steelix. The Metal Coat, a Trainer-made item, only kickstarted the primary evolution process; the true method of evolution was natural, though incredibly late in an Onix's life. An Onix who had lived for a hundred years would evolve into a Steelix, with no need for a Metal Coat or any outside methods. It just happened.
The Elder had come to this forest as a naturally-evolved Steelix. He had lived in the mountains of Kalos for most of his lifetime, but his evolution had imbued him with a desire to explore. In these forests, he had found many Onix, all of whom had recognized his strength and retreated before him. But he had also found the Swarmlord. A power-hungry Drapion, the Swarmlord had been creating an army, slowly pushing out all who were not part of his Swarm. The Elder had watched as a family of Onix who had lived in one place for many generations were uprooted from their home, forced to flee before the expansion of the Swarms' territory. The callousness of the Swarmlord had enraged the Elder. And so the Elder had resolved to do something about it. He had gathered all of the Onix he had met and spoken to them, explained that the only way to resist the Swarms' expansion was to emulate them. To gather into their own colony. Natural hostility had fallen in the face of the Swarms' threat, and the colony had been born.
Thereafter, the Elder had made a deal with the Swarmlord; they would not interfere in one another's business, as long as that business did not threaten each other. It had been a couple years since that deal. The colony was thriving. And yet the Elder knew the end was coming. The Swarmlord had only gotten more aggressive. It was increasingly evident that the action a few months ago, when the Swarmlord's minions had attempted to make war upon the Trainers who lived in the town near the forest, was but a symptom of the Swarmlord's growing confidence. Soon, the Elder knew, he would betray the deal, and war would engulf the forest.
A war which the colony could not win. Not against the sheer numbers the Swarm possessed.
Publicly, the Elder maintained a strong facade. Privately, he was already considering moving the colony to the mountains. He knew Skorupi didn't like the cold. It was unlikely the Swarmlord would pursue them there.
He already would have done it if he didn't know many of the Onix would never leave the forest. This place was their home. And home was everything to an Onix. Some members of the colony would die before they fled the forest.
It was as if the Elder was caught between two giant boulders, boulders that were slowly squeezing together. Eventually he would have to make a choice to burrow into one. To flee, or to fight and die? The question had wracked the Elder for months, and he still did not have an answer.
The Elder was disturbed from his musing by the sound of raised voices outside. It sounded like one of the Onix was boasting about something or other. Raising his head, the Elder slowly poked it around the corner of his private cave, staring out into the clearing where the colony made its home.
The Onix's voice grew louder and more clear as the Elder sighted him. "…three of them! And their Trainer. And I stood up, and I said, "Go away! Or I'll crush you!" And you should have seen the looks on their faces. Oh, they were terrified! Imagine that! Three Trained Pokemon, scared of me!"
The Elder sighed to himself. The Onix's story was an obvious exaggeration - more likely, the Trained Pokemon had merely not seen the Onix as worth their time. Encounters with Trained Pokemon were a natural consequence of the forest being situated next to a Trainer town. The Trainers usually did not bother them. Not many desired Onix, and those who did preferred to search the mountains, where they were far more common. The rare occasions where an Onix from the colony was captured by a Trainer were simply accepted as part of life.
"What Pokemon were they?" one of the four or five Onix surrounding the boastful one asked eagerly.
"One was a Barbaracle," said the boastful Onix. "Big tall one, almost as tall as I was! Then there was some sort of star-shaped one I haven't seen before, and then - get this - a Tyrunt! I've only ever seen one Tyrunt before, and that was in that battle with the Swarm a few months back."
The surrounding Onix chuckled at the memory. The Elder let them; even if the battle with the Swarm had greatly damaged any possibility of peace between the colony and the Swarm, it had still been good for morale.
"What did they want?" another Onix asked.
"Oh, apparently a couple friends of theirs had been captured by the Swarm." At the latest statement by the boastful Onix, the Elder's eyes shot wide, and he instantly locked his full attention on the conversation. "Like that's our problem," the boastful Onix continued. "As far as I'm concerned, Trainer problems are Trainer problems."
"I don't know," another of the watching Onix said doubtfully. "If the Swarm's taken two Trained Pokemon, other Trainers might come to search the forest."
"Again, not our problem," said the boastful Onix. "If it's Trainers against the Swarm, I say let them fight. I'm not getting involved in another fight with the Swarm."
The Elder had heard enough. Swiftly, he slithered out of the den, emitting a low growl as he did so, ensuring that the group of Onix heard and saw him coming. All eyes turned towards him as the Elder exited his cave, gaze locked on the boastful Onix.
"You speak of a Tyrunt," the Elder growled. "Was it, by any chance, the same Tyrunt that was involved in our previous encounter with the Swarm?"
The boastful Onix cocked his head. "Maybe. Probably. Looked a little familiar. I don't care. If you-"
"The same Tyrunt," the Elder continued, "who is a known associate of the one the Swarmlord calls the Marked One?"
Several Onix gasped; the boastful Onix suddenly looked significantly less boastful. "I mean…he didn't look all that familiar. It could have been another-"
"Enough," the Elder rumbled angrily. "I know you realize what this means. The Marked One has been occupying the Swarmlord's attention - if the Swarmlord succeeds in executing the Marked One, there will be nothing preventing him from turning on us."
"Elder," said the boastful Onix, "I can-"
"You can do nothing," the Elder interrupted. "I must visit the Swarmlord at once. And I pray that one of these Trained Pokemon he has taken is not the Marked One. Because if it is, then we must do everything in our power to get those Trainers on our side. Those same Trainers that you claim to have chased off."
"I…didn't exactly…chase them off," the formerly boastful Onix admitted, lowering his head.
The Elder glared at the formerly boastful Onix. "You will not leave the clearing until I return," he said. "Understood?"
"Understood, Elder."
"Good." The Elder turned and swiftly slithered out of the clearing.
SIX HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
Medicham wasn't sure how long she'd been here. She couldn't see the sun, and the monotony of remaining here, bound to Wall, with only occasional spurts of conversation with the Tangrowth to break the silence, had screwed with any sense of time that still remained.
It wasn't like she was bored. Boredom implied that nothing interesting was happening. And what was happening was most assuredly interesting, although not at all in a good way.
Medicham sighed. She could hear movement outside. At first it sounded like the usual odd Skorupi, Drapion, or some other wild Pokemon moving nearby. But as Medicham listened, she realized she could hear the sound growing louder.
Someone was entering the cave.
Medicham's heart sank as the Swarmlord stepped through the cave entrance, and then rose again as another Pokemon moved through. The second Pokemon was a Steelix so large that his body blocked out the sunlight streaming through the entrance.
She'd never seen a Steelix in the wild before. But she'd seen Onix, in these very woods, fighting against the Swarm, and she knew they were united under a Steelix called the Elder.
Could this be the Elder?
The Steelix's eyes flashed over to Medicham, and Wall behind her, as the Swarmlord turned to face him. "You don't usually come here, Elder," he growled, instantly answering Medicham's question. "I assume you have a reason?"
"Indeed," the Elder rumbled. "I have heard a report from one of my Onix that you have captured two Trained Pokemon." His eyes remained fixated on Medicham as he spoke.
"The way I see it, that's none of your business," the Swarmlord retorted. "You know the terms of the deal. You are not under threat."
"Have you or have you not captured two Trained Pokemon?" the Elder asked.
The Swarmlord glared at him. "Yes, I have."
"I seem to recall," said the Elder, "that a few months ago, I very clearly expressed my views over you bringing Trainers into this forest."
"And I seem to recall," the Swarmlord snarled, "that I very clearly expressed my unhappiness with you overstepping your bounds. Which you are doing right now."
"What do you plan on doing with these Trained Pokemon?" the Elder asked.
"Execution," the Swarmlord growled. "At midnight. Now, I have other things to do, so-"
"Is one of these Trained Pokemon the Marked One?" the Elder asked; once more, his eyes swiveled to Medicham as he spoke.
"I tire of this conversation," the Swarmlord stated. "If this is all you come to us with, I suggest you leave."
But the Elder was not looking at the Swarmlord. His eyes were still locked on Medicham. And Medicham realized that the Steelix's last question had not been aimed at the Swarmlord.
Quickly, she nodded in answer.
The Elder turned his head back to the Swarmlord. "Very well," the Steelix rumbled. "I wish you luck, Swarmlord." The Elder turned and slowly slithered out of the cave; the Swarmlord followed, casting a gloating glance back at Medicham as he departed. But even as he did, the Elder turned his head back as well, and one eye came down in a short wink a second before he passed out of sight.
Medicham smiled. She'd been starting to worry that no help would come. But now?
Now she knew it would.
FIVE HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"Any luck?"
"Nothing," Trevenant answered, using Forest's Curse to peer through yet another tree. Sweat was dripping down Trevenant's brow, and they could feel the strain impacting their body from using Forest's Curse so many times in quick succession. But they kept searching anyway.
If Medicham, or Drapion, or some trace of the Swarm, is behind this next tree…and I stop at this tree…I'll never forgive myself.
Trevenant had been repeating that statement in their mind over and over again. It spurred them on still, more than anything, even through the constant failure. It should have been easy. Marcus, Connie, Theo, Serena, Calem, Professor Sycamore, Valerie, and Siebold, all of them and their teams scouring the forest. And yet the forest was so impossibly vast that even with all of them, it would take weeks before they were able to cover the entire thing, especially with necessary breaks for rest.
"Marcus!" Valerie's voice came from close behind. She sounded out of breath as she spoke.
"What?" Marcus asked, sounding even more exhausted than Valerie.
"We can't go on like this!" Valerie cried. "For all we know, we're searching in the complete wrong direction!"
"And I suppose you have a better idea?" Marcus snapped. There was a brief pause, and then Marcus spoke again, his voice subdued. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," said Valerie. "No, I don't have a better idea. Ever since Kamado and Siebold came back, it's been dead end after dead end. Marcus, even the most well-rested individual has limits."
"If you're saying we should give up, then not a chance in Distortion," Marcus growled.
"What if they've already done it?" Valerie asked.
Marcus paused again. "I can't think like that. I can't. Trevenant, what are you doing?"
Trevenant jumped, realizing that they'd been standing still and listening to the conversation. They turned to look at Marcus, who was glaring at them. "Come on!" he cried.
"Marcus," Valerie said, "yelling at your Pokemon isn't going to solve anything."
Marcus stood still for a moment. Then he abruptly turned and punched a tree. Bark splintered under his fist; Trevenant felt a measure of alarm as they saw blood streaking Marcus's knuckles.
"You're right, Valerie," said Marcus morosely. "There is no reason why the Swarm wouldn't have killed them yet." He choked at the word 'killed', cradling his wounded fist. "But I'm not stopping until I know for sure. Trevenant, keep looking."
Obediently, Trevenant turned back towards the front, and came face to face with an Onix.
Trevenant's eyes widened. The Onix looked to be just as out of breath, if not more, than Marcus was. The Rock-type Pokemon looked straight at Trevenant. "I need a Psychic," he said. "I need to speak with your Trainer. Now."
FOUR HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
"Quake."
Another shockwave burst out. Five inches, by my estimate.
"Quake."
Another shockwave. Five inches again.
"Quake."
Another shockwave. That one might have been six inches. I'm making progress. Just…have to…keep going.
"Quake."
Have to…stay…awake…
"Quake."
Can't…
Silence.
THREE HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
By now, darkness had fallen. Medicham's eyes were fixed on the cave entrance, waiting for something or someone to come through. But since the Elder's visit, the cave had once again been barren.
"They're still moving outside."
Medicham glanced back, as best she could, at Wall. "They are?"
"Yeah," said Wall. "Usually most of them are asleep by now. But today they're preparing. Readying themselves for the execution."
Medicham sighed. "It's not going to happen, Wall," she said. "That Steelix - the Elder?"
"I know him," said Wall. "I don't think I've ever seen him before, but I've heard the Swarmlord mention his name."
"He's going to get help," said Medicham. "I just know it."
"Really?" Wall asked.
"Really," said Medicham. "We've never met before, but I've met some of his Onix. If Marcus is in the area…and I have no reason to believe he's not…the Elder's going to find him, and he's going to bring him here."
Wall remained silent. He was shaking again, in that way he did when he was sad. "Wall?" Medicham asked, concerned.
"Medicham," said Wall, "are you honestly and truly sure?"
"Yes," said Medicham.
"Then," said Wall, before hesitating. He started to say whatever he was going to say a few times, and then stopped. "Then," he said at last, "when this is all over…can I come with you?"
"Really?" Medicham asked.
"Yeah," said Wall. "Your Trainer and his friends sound like good Trainers, and…I don't want to be here anymore. I…for the longest time, I was scared to try a Trainer again. After what happened last time. But…I was just thinking…maybe it's time to try again."
"Certainly," said Medicham. "I'm sure Marcus would be happy to take you in."
"No, wait…" Wall slumped. "He's already got a Grass-type. He won't want me."
Medicham stumbled over her next words. "I mean…I doubt that really matters to him…"
"What about his friends?" Wall asked. "The ones that you mentioned. Do any of them not have a Grass-type?"
Medicham thought. "Connie has Shiftry, and Theo has Cacturne, but I don't think Serena has a Grass-type."
"Then I'd like to join Serena," said Wall. "If…if that's all right with you."
"Of course," said Medicham. "I doubt she'd say no either."
"Thanks," said Wall. "I…you know, it's weird."
"What is?" Medicham asked.
"I don't know why," said Wall. "Perhaps it's desperation. Perhaps it's just a false hope. But I believe you. More than that, I believe in you. More than anyone else I've met like this."
"Thanks," Medicham whispered.
Wall took a deep, nervous breath. All of a sudden, Medicham felt tiredness crash into her like a wave. She understood immediately. "Wall, are you sure?"
"Yes," said Wall. "How long will you need?"
"One minute," said Medicham. "That's all…I need."
"All right," said Wall. "No longer."
And then exhaustion overtook Medicham and she dropped into sleep faster than she'd ever done before.
"Medicham?"
She'd never been so thrilled to hear Darkrai's voice. Medicham opened her eyes to see the familiar dojo walls. "Medicham, are you all right?" Darkrai asked. "You didn't come last night. Did you sleep at all?"
"No," said Medicham. "Listen to me, I don't have much time. Drapion and I have been captured by the Swarmlord. We're being held in the Swarms' main camp, and they're going to execute Drapion, if not me as well, at midnight."
"How?" Darkrai asked. "How did you get caught?"
"Bringer-Of-Visions dropped me in the middle of a forest," said Medicham, "but that's not important. What's important is this: we're getting help from a Steelix called the Elder. He's probably on his way to find Marcus right now. But just in case things go wrong…I want a few Heralds nearby. As a contingency."
"Are you sure?" Darkrai asked. "I know how much you dislike-"
"Yes, I'm sure," said Medicham. "Darkrai, I-"
And then abruptly she was pulled back out of the Dream World and into her waking body, the tiredness instantly receding. "That was not a minute," she whispered harshly.
"I counted, it was," Wall protested. "Do you need more time? Should I-"
"No, I got out what I wanted to get out," said Medicham. "Thank you again, Wall."
"You're welcome, Medicham," said Wall. "And…for what it's worth, I can't wait to be out of here."
Medicham smiled honestly. "Neither can I, Wall."
TWO HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION
Bringer-Of-Visions materialized in Oblivion with her mind free of baggage. Sure, Necrozma was still out there, but aside from that everything seemed to be going well, or at least she'd heard no reports from Seeker-Of-Endings saying otherwise. She did not know why Darkrai had summoned her, but flippantly, she assumed it was to brief her on something involving the Necrozma situation.
The veritable blast of anger she felt upon materialization rapidly dissuaded her of that notion. "Bringer-Of-Visions," Darkrai's voice snarled. Fury filled his tone; Bringer-Of-Visions felt her fur stand on end as she heard him speak. "Explain to me the events of last night."
"I…I don't know what you're talking about, Master," said Bringer-Of-Visions, subconsciously shrinking away from where Darkrai's voice was coming from.
"Why," Darkrai asked, "did you see fit to take Medicham out into the wild, and then leave her there to walk back home, alone?"
Bringer-Of-Visions felt some measure of confidence return to her. "That's what this is about?" she asked, standing back up. "I'm not some mother shepherding her young-"
"SILENCE!" Darkrai roared. "The Swarmlord got to her! She and the Marked One are currently in the Swarm's clutches, slated for execution in a little less than an hour!"
Bringer-Of-Visions swallowed. "Oh…"
"Oh?" Darkrai echoed. "That's it? That's all you can say for yourself? Give me one reason, Bringer-Of-Visions, one actual reason that you decided to leave Medicham alone and unprotected where the Swarm could get at her!"
"I…I didn't know!" Bringer-Of-Visions protested. "Without my Future Sight, I-"
"Let me tell you something, Bringer-Of-Visions," Darkrai interrupted. "Every other mortal on this planet gets by without your level of Future Sight. And they are perfectly capable of avoiding such boneheaded moves using only their normal vision and something called common sense. When I offered you the title of Bringer-Of-Visions, I was looking for someone who could exert our collective wills upon the future of this world. Not for someone who's willing to jeopardize the entire planet out of simple pettiness!"
Bringer-Of-Visions bowed her head. "Master, please…I can fix this!"
"Then listen closely," Darkrai growled. "Medicham and Drapion are already getting help from the Elder and his Onix tribe. Your job is to take a couple Heralds, head to the area, and act as a contingency. If the support from the Elder falls through, and if either Medicham or the Marked One are about to die, you will intervene. Otherwise, you will stay put and watch. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Master," Bringer-Of-Visions murmured, thoroughly cowed.
"And know this, Bringer-Of-Visions," said Darkrai. "If Medicham dies because of your little stunt, I will have to seriously consider if another might be more capable in your stead."
"Yes, Master."
"Go," Darkrai ordered; Bringer-Of-Visions phased out of Distortion in a swift flash of darkness.
Left alone, Darkrai smiled grimly. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he could not deny the fact that it had been nice to finally have a reason to call Bringer-Of-Visions out.
All the same, Darkrai thought as he phased back into the Dream World, this badly complicates things. I would feel a lot better about this if I could use my Future Sight. But as I don't have it...all I can do is watch, and wait, and hope.
ONE HOUR UNTIL THE EXECUTION
Kamado glanced around at the veritable army of Onix that surrounded him. The last several hours had been a whirlwind of emotions. The disappointment of having to report back to Marcus with the news that the Onix wouldn't help them. The hours of fruitless searching that followed. The joy upon learning that another Onix had shown up and made contact with Marcus, telling him to take his friends and Pokemon and follow him back to 'the Elder'.
Kamado didn't know why the Onix had changed their minds. He'd already decided he wouldn't question it.
The Onix had taken them to a large colony of Onix, a colony that was ruled by a single Steelix. This was the Elder, and he had quickly communicated, through Siebold's Starmie, that Medicham and Drapion were still alive, but would be executed at midnight. He had then offered to escort the team to the Swarms' main camp.
Marcus and his group's reaction, to put it mildly, had been utterly ecstatic. Despite the fact that they'd been busily searching the forests near Vaniville for hours and hours (as it happened, they had indeed been searching in the complete wrong direction), Trainers and Pokemon alike seemed full of life, bustling about and ensuring their team was ready for the journey out. The Elder had told the group that it would be best if they struck right at midnight. As he'd informed them, several Swarms had gathered at the main camp, and all told they numbered more than a thousand wild Pokemon. Not only did the Elder have to take time to gather all of the other Onix he'd sent out to try and find Marcus, but waiting until midnight would ensure the Skorupi and Drapion of the Swarms were separated from the rest of the wild Pokemon, who based on Swarm tradition weren't allowed to watch the execution.
So it was that now they were all ready to march, the Elder and his hundred Onix joining the eight gathered Trainers. It was a mighty force. And yet they faced over a thousand adversaries. Wild Pokemon they may have been, but even so that was a truly staggering number.
Still, Kamado would not balk. He'd face ten times that number of adversaries if it meant getting Medicham and Drapion back.
"Are you ready?"
Kamado heard the deep rumble of the Elder, sounding from a little ways off. Turning, he glanced over to see the large Steelix speaking with one of his Onix.
"May I speak freely, Elder?" the Onix asked nervously.
"As you wish," the Elder rumbled.
"Surely we can rely on these Trainers to handle the Swarms," said the Onix. "Why do we have to risk our necks? I mean, if we pit the Trainers against the Swarms, then we win either way, right?"
"How?" the Elder asked.
"If the Trainers drive out the Swarmlord, we win, of course," said the Onix. "But if the Swarmlord wins, they'll be decimated, and we can easily swoop in and handle the weakened Swarms. So why shouldn't we just hang back and let them fight it out?"
The Elder sighed. "Because if we are willing to manipulate so readily, then we are no better than the Swarmlord," he said. "No, I am committing to this. I know it is a risk. We all do. But we will get no better opportunity to drive the Swarmlord out of our forest. And I will not sit back and let others do that for me. I will fight with honor. Will you?"
The Onix nodded.
"Good," said the Elder. "Get in line. We will leave shortly."
"Yes, Elder," said the Onix, slithering away.
Kamado turned his head away from the conversation, his throat feeling dry. So, on top of rescuing Medicham and Drapion, we're also basically saving the Onix?
Like we needed any more pressure.
FIFTEEN MINUTES UNTIL THE EXECUTION
Drapion blinked his eyes open as he heard a rumbling noise. Damn it, was his first thought. I fell asleep!
The boulder in front of him was sliding open. Drapion stood up as a pair of Skorupi came through, both sneering as they beheld him.
"It's time for your execution," one of the Skorupi growled.
The other Skorupi grinned. "Are you gonna come with us, or are we gonna have to make you?"
Shoving the amusing image of these two Skorupi trying to drag him out of his mind, Drapion glared at the duo. "Ah'm comin', keep yer armor on."
The two Skorupi stepped to Drapion's sides. Drapion began to walk, slowly but steadily.
If this is where I'm going to die, Drapion thought as he walked towards the arena, I'm at least going to make sure they remember me.