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Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Jan 17 2010, 01:34 AM

She wondered if he had managed to survive until morning.

Tuesday was sitting on the windowsill, an area large enough for a person to sleep on. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and was staring out at the rising sun.

"Red in the morning, sailor's warning," she whispered.

She sat there for a long time, watching as the sun rose, and then the sky's morning colors faded to a gentle blue, spattered with clouds. She watched as the wind blew darker clouds from beyond the other side of the house, and then as those dark bodies, fat with moisture, finally released, and it began to rain. She stared through the droplets splattering on her window, not really seeing anything, not really caring.

The door to her room burst open, emitting two pokemon. Ashleigh came bounding in first, his tongue lolling out of his mouth, crimson eyes bright. Behind him, Mercury floated - an odd pair, the two of them, and she with more confidence than had ever been seen in the presence of a dark-type. She was scolding the houndoom for barging in on Tuesday, who, though she clearly wasn't, might have been sleeping.

Ashleigh didn't ignore her, but he wagged his tail fitfully, clearly amused by Mercury's attempted lecture.

The houndoom trotted right over to the windowsill and leapt up, flopping his forepaws upon the sill and sticking his cold, wet nose against the window. He blinked out at the rain, and then licked the window, trying to taste it. With a disgusted and disappointed snort, he shook his head wildly at having been blocked from the rainwater by the window, and then turned to Tuesday. He opened his mouth and his tongue flopped out, drool rolling down its length and dripping onto the sill.

His tail twitched as Mercury began to lecture him on that, and he nuzzled Tuesday's hand, seeking a headscratch.

Tuesday's movements were slow as she reached out and placed her hand on Ashleigh's head. She stared at him, though her eyes appeared distant and didn't hold any of the light that Ashleigh was so fond of seeing. He gave her a hopeful glance, but his wagging tail slowed, then eventually stopped and dropped between his legs. He gazed back at the silent Tuesday, and then softly whimpered. Tuesday's eyes seemed to focus momentarily. She looked at Ashleigh, and then glanced at Mercury, hovering nearby.

Her gaze dropped again and with a sigh, she stood up from the sill and walked to her closet. She changed robotically, moving on autopilot, and was soon dressed in black pants and a dark blue long-sleeved shirt. She was putting her hair up into a ponytail when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes filled with tears and she turned away quickly, opening the door and practically throwing herself outside.

She stumbled into Jaima, who looked as though he had just awoken not long before. Tuesday stopped, looking up at him. Ashleigh stepped out of the room behind her, whimpering softly in Jaima's direction. The blonde warrior would be able to clearly see the black bags under Tuesday's eyes that Ashleigh had seen, not at all hidden from sight by the redness around her eyes.

The houndoom's tail was dropped low between his legs and he dropped his head in disappointment when Tuesday turned without saying a word to Jaima and continued down the hall. Inching out of the bedroom, Ashleigh stared after her, whining softly.

A hand came down upon his head and Ashleigh rolled his eyes back to see Jaima with his arm extended downward, rubbing the houndoom between the horns. Ashleigh sighed in contentment, closing his eyes. He wish someone could rub Tuesday between the horns and make all her worries go away.

When Jaima removed his hand, Ashleigh perked up and wagged his tail. Tongue lolling out again, he trotted after Jaima down the hall.

He skidded to a halt abruptly when he saw Tuesday standing stock still in front of a taller girl - a young woman, in fact.

She was tall and thin, her arms taut from her own martial arts practices. Her hair was fire red and streaked with blonde, pulled back into a ponytail that splayed out like a horned halo. She was dressed in tight red leather pants and a tank top of the same material. Her high-heeled boots were red with black soles and buckles.

The sound of a low growl drew everyone's attention, but the redhead's gaze was fierce as she turned it on Ashleigh. The dark dog had crouched low to the ground and pulled her lips back, baring her fangs, dripping saliva. Tuesday turned her dark eyes onto the houndoom and sighed wearily. "Hush, Ashleigh," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible in the silence of the hall.

Ashleigh quieted immediately and though he loosened his muscles, he did not remove his distrustful glare from the redheaded girl.

"I see you're still capturing useless fire-types," the redhead drawled, regarding Ashleigh with a look of disdain. "I thought you would have learned from the wimp that they are weak and useless." She sniffed and turned her gaze back to Tuesday. "Force is all that will make a difference, little sister."

Tuesday sighed softly and looked back at the taller girl, and only when faced with their profiles in contrast were others able to see the resemblance. The two shared a nose, a sharpness of gaze. Tuesday's flesh was paler, however, and though her eyes were sharp, her gaze did not hold the fierceness that stood as dagger's in the older girl's. Tuesday's eyes held a constant, ruggedly unpolished kindness, like an uncut diamond - seemingly worthless, but beautiful when one looked close enough.

"Caring for your pokemon despite their weaknesses or strengths is what matters," Tuesday replied, her voice soft where her sister's was harsh.

The redhead scoffed, turning her head to the side and making a brushing motion with her hand. "You care too much for creatures that have no use. You would do yourself a favor by getting rid of trash such as this filthy mutt." She sneered at Ashleigh, and then raised her eyes to give Tuesday a disgusted look. "I had thought that you going on your own adventure would help raise your intelligence where it is sorely lacking." She raised her nose, gazing at her younger sister from half-closed eyes. "It seems I was greatly mistaken. You are even more foolish than you were before you left, and this time, we're not around to catch you when you fall."

"My friends are there for that," Tuesday replied softly. She swallowed convulsively, and then raised her eyes to meet her sister's. "I can rely on them, Anika."

The redhead stiffened almost imperceptibly at the words, but it was clear by the widening of her hazel eyes that they surprised her. "Well, I was leaving when I ran into you, and I've clearly overstayed my welcome." She glanced at Tuesday once more as she turned to leave, quickly being joined by a machoke and riolu. "Try not to get yourself killed, eh, little sister?"

That said, she turned and left the room. The sound of a door opening and closing followed swiftly after, announcing her departure.

Tuesday turned to see that Jaima had been joined by Meiko and Darryn, and a number of their pokemon. Tuesday lowered her eyes to the ground. "Sorry for the bad introduction," she mumbled softly, glancing up at them. "That was my older sister, Anika."

Posted by: Living Arrow Jan 17 2010, 05:44 PM

Darryn hated waking up in other peoples’ houses. It made him uncomfortable to go walking around alone where someone else lived so he’d sit in the designated room until he heard the sounds of movement outside and rise to join whoever was on the other side of the door. In Tuesday’s Uncle’s house, however, things weren’t so simple. For a start, the place was huge – hearing a noise would be difficult enough in that place. But more importantly, he had something drawing him away from the bed that had been kindly loaned to him.

He donned a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, leaving his room quickly to search for Lady. It had felt so wrong to sleep without the Vulpix curled under his nose and the presence of Romeo hadn’t helped the way he had hoped. Even so, having someone – even a Pokemon – nearby had calmed Darryn a little.

When they had arrived in the night, Darryn left Jaima to talk with Meiko alone so that he could find somewhere to sleep but his feet had carried him a little further. He found himself in a clinical suite of sorts – a lab geared towards the treatment of humans or Pokemon. Clear glass walls indicated that the lab was larger than expected and had more uses than simply medical treatment. The room in which Darryn found himself held a table-like bed where Zorro lay still, his chest lifting and falling with each small breath he took.

“Zorro…”

“Ah, you must be one of Tuesday’s lot? Is it Damon?” A bumblebee’s voice enquired.

“Darryn.” The Co-ordinator turned, smiling weakly. “I’m Darryn.” The man standing there smiled, too, but his reached his eyes. There was a warmth there – like every kind hearted grandfather in every warm winter tale. Give the guy a whit beard and he would be Santa Claus himself.

“Well, Darryn, I am DeBrody – Tuesday’s Uncle.” DeBrody said softly. “I see that you found my lab – is there something I can help you with?”

Darryn gulped and looked around. Would it be rude? Would he be stepping too far away from politeness? He should really wait until the next Pokemon Center – Lady was hurt but she was nowhere near as bad as Zorro.

“My Vulpix got badly hurt tonight and I was wondering if there was room in here for her?” Darryn asked quietly, unclipping the Heal Ball. “If there isn’t then it’ll be fine… I’m just worried about her.”

DeBrody’s kind eyes crinkled again when he smiled.

“Of course. Let’s see what we have here, then.”



Romeo whined, nuzzling Darryn’s leg and biting at his jeans to lead him away from the lab. Darryn frowned down at him.

“We can’t play right now, Romeo.” He rolled his eyes. “Lady is-”

“Tee!” Romeo whined louder, dragging Darryn’s leg with more force.

“What? Crazy dog…” Darryn muttered, resigning himself to follow the golden Jolteon outside. The morning air was cold and crisp but the sky was clear – it was going to be a hot day in Furoh. The forest around them was thick but the ground of DeBrody’s manor had cleared more than enough trees to give the building an almost halo-like effect of smooth grassland with a few large boulders jutting from the earth like snaggleteeth.

<Good morning, Price Darryn.> Lady didn’t turn her head. Her little body sat primly atop a boulder, her face tilted up to bask in the rising sun.

“Lady!” Darryn ran to where his Pokemon sat, kneeling quickly and taking her head in his hands. He examined her with delicate fingers, stopping once when Lady winced but completing his check in moments. “You’ve healed up really well!”

<That old buffoon buys good quality Potions…> Lady admitted, rising to her feet and stretching out her body. <I am ready to train.>

“Hang on a second, Lady.” Darryn released her, Romeo instantly moving to try and get petted himself. When it was clear he would not get such treatment, he settled for sniffing Lady. She smelled of beets. Ew. “You’re still not one hundred percent so I think we’ll give the training a miss today.”

Lady glared.

“And don’t give me the ‘but I can train in any condition’ spiel today. There’s more important things right now, ‘kay?”

“Umm, like your bleeding back?” Meiko tutted.

“What is it with people sneaking up on me at the moment?!” Darryn exclaimed standing to find his tired-looking friend behind him. Ramhorn was with her, standind firm at her heels. *She’s worried…* He mock-gasped. “Wow… want me to fix your make-up?”

Meiko’s eyes widened.

“What?!”

“Yeah… you really need to sort yourself out before Jaima gets up…” Darryn teased. Meiko stuck her tongue in her cheek.

“Whatever,” she sighed, “just let me look at your back again – you’ve broken the scabs and bled all over that hoodie.” Darryn gasped and twisted his head in vain to see.

“Nooo! This is dry-clean only!”

Meiko tended to Darryn’s back swiftly, making sure to patch him up with bandages that wouldn’t come loose. It turned out that the wounds were pretty much superficial except for one particular gouge near his left shoulder. It was pretty deep and should really have had stitches. When she was finished, she patted his back.

“You’re good to go!”

“Thanks, Mei-mei.” Darryn said, tugging his sweatshirt back on. He chewed the inside of his mouth. As the most experienced trainer of their team, Meiko was usually his source of advice when it came to the treatment of his Pokemon. Even so, he felt that the issue raiding his mind was more of a Jaima topic – he really knew about Pokemon and how to handle their emotions. He sighed. Anyone was better at this than himself. “I need some advice.”

“Grey doesn’t suit you, so stop trying to make it happen.” Meiko finished for him cheekily. Darryn grinned. This was exactly what he needed after last night – she really knew how to lift him up.

“Very funny and, by the way, completely untrue. Anyway, I need to talk about Zulu…”



In the manor, after his one-to-one time with Meiko, Darryn caught Tuesday out of bed and talking with some harsh-faced girl with hair made of fire. In a word, she was fierce. And it also seemed her attitude was, too.

She made an abrupt exit, stalking past Darryn and Meiko with a face like thunder. Darryn whistled low.

“Ooooh, bitch much?”

“Darryn!” Meiko chastised him, elbowing his ribs. He grunted playfully but when he saw Tuesday again, apologised quickly.

“Sorry – mouth. Autopilot.” He excused himself pathetically. Romeo trotted to Ashleigh, raising his nose to sniff at Ashleigh’s own, his stubby tail wagging underneath his golden fur.

*Aww. Romeo made a friend!* Darryn inwardly smiled, trying best to ignore the bright orange halo surrounding the two dogs. Now was not the time for his problems to surface. Instead, he picked up Lady and fussed her to distract himself and try and get the emotaglows to disappear.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Jan 18 2010, 05:07 AM

Jaima woke. And instantly wished he hadn't.

It wasn't just the pain in his head that made him wish that he was still asleep. It certainly wasn't the fatigue dragging at his bones. He was used to that particular sensation. It was, in part, the phantom tingling at his cheek. That reminded him of the mistake he had made (had to have made) with Meiko last night, and facing her so soon afterward was not a prospect he reveled in.

He imagined she must hate him now, or at least was angry with him. And there was no one to ask, to talk to, about what he had done wrong, though he suspected he had gone too far in kissing her. He'd like to have blamed the heat of the moment, but he couldn't even do that. He had been driven by the pent up fears and frustrations, and pride in his team and his friends, but that was an excuse, and nothing more.

Sighing, he sat up. Mercury was not in the room, nor was Shadow. He remembered, vaguely, seeing that there was so much room and deciding to release everyone still with him. As such, Grondir was in a corner, snoring. Ember had stirred at the foot of his bed, but drifted to sleep again. Tsunami also slept, but had opened her eyes briefly when he sat up. Fang had been curled at his feet and grunted as he moved. But Mercury and Shadow weren't there. It felt odd.

He stood, and dressed, not remembering the mundanities of getting undressed and crawling into the bed. Such trivialities were crowded out by the events of the night before. Zorro's weak yet steady breathing. Meiko's face just after slapping him (She had looked terrified. How could he make it up to her?) The battles before reaching the safety of Tuesday's family's house. DeBrody's words just before he found a room to sleep in filtered through the haze of exhaustion, and he pulled the door open to go and find Tuesday.

It didn't take long. He had barely moved down the hall when Tuesday had flung her door open and nearly run into him. He looked down at her, taking in the dark eyes and red rimmed lids that were from more than lack of sleep, and then she turned, retreating down the hallway.

Jaima sighed, not in exasperation, but to steel himself, taking the time to comfort the forlorn looking houndoom, and followed. Mercury was at his shoulder, her usual place, when they had to stop. A woman who looked very similar to Tuesday stood in her path, and Jaima had little time to observe her before Ashleigh started growling.

The following exchange was informative as it was insulting. Jaima had the strong desire to sic Ember on the girl, if only to make her eat the words about Fire-types, but Tuesday's retort to her was... less surprising to Jaima than to the girl, but still surprising. And heart warming.

He thought he heard Meiko mutter, "Subeta..." and definitely heard Darryn call her a bitch. He tsked, shaking his head, out of reflex. In truth, he wanted to say the same thing, but his upbringing had gotten in the way. He wanted to apologize, but when he looked at Meiko, she flushed and looked away, and his heart dropped. He no longer had the emotional strength to do it.

Pressing his lips together, Jaima stepped forward, touching Tuesday's shoulder. "Tuesy, come with me, please." She looked at him, for a long time, and finally bowed her head and stepped toward him. He put a hand on her shoulder and guided her down the hall, opening the door to the lab where Zorro lay.

If she recognized it, she didn't show it. In fact, she didn't even look up, not until Jaima had said her name, gently, three times. Finally, he knelt, tilting her unresisting chin up with the crook of his finger. "Imouto," he said softly, pushing hair out of her face. "Zorro is going to be fine."

The news seemed to not reach her for moments, and then her eyes widened, showing more life than she had all morning. They blinked, filling, then seemed to snap to the exact location of the riolu, taking in his chest rising and falling, the bandages around his frame, the tubes coming from him.

"Your uncle says that the fluids are more of a precaution than anything else." He didn't elaborate further, but the news seemed to relax Tuesday. As Jaima watched, tears leaked from her eyes. There were no other signs of her grief, except that Jaima could feel rather than see the tension in her shoulders. He moved behind her, looking at Zorro as well, and put an arm around her, hugging her from behind. His voice was soft in her ear as he spoke.

"I don't know what you're thinking. I do know you're a lot like me, and I know exactly what I'd feel if I were in this position. In fact, I was, and I did feel it. But you're not to blame." Tuesday stiffened in his arms, and seemed about to pull away, but Jaima's words seemed to stop her. "Listen to me, imouto... you are not to blame. It was them. The ones that attacked us. They hurt Zorro, and they lured him away, and they more than likely lured you away, too." Tuesday, slowly, seemed to relax; perhaps in relief, or perhaps in shame, Jaima didn't know.

"If it had been me, or Meiko, or Darryn, we'd have done the same thing; run off, to find our pokemon, and try to help him in any way you could. None of us would have done differently."

Gently he stroked her hair, in a way that Mariko and Natsume had always found comforting. "And what you said to your sister was right. You have us to rely on. What's more, when we needed you, you came through for us. Do you understand that? You found us a place to be safe and get the help and rest we need. We needed you, and you were there."

He didn't force her to look at him, but he did come around to face her and wipe the tears from her eyes. "When you're ready, I'd like you to come out for training. Zorro wouldn't want you to miss that, and you'll need to be ready for when he joins us." With a final squeeze of her shoulder, he stood and, smiling down at her, smoothed her hair one more time. "I'm going to give you time with him. Take as long as you want."

And then he was out the door, hoping that, for once, he'd said the right thing.

* * * * *

It wasn't much later. Or maybe it was. Mercury had decided that she didn't need to keep track of time for the moment. Jaima was no longer in here, and nor was Tuesday. She was alone.

That made her feel no better.

<<I'm sorry, Zorro. I'm so sorry. I should have been paying attention,>> she whispered to him, her paw gently stroking from above his mask to between his ears. His breathing was steady, and Mercury thought she saw, hoped she saw, his eyes move behind the lids. <<You never should have heard that your emotions hurt me. That couldn't have been helped.>> With a shaky sigh, she allowed herself to open her mind to Zorro's. The images were serene, muted; he was still asleep and would likely stay that way. And she decided that was for the best.

Turning, she began to float to the door when Tempest let herself in, looking behind her to make sure she wasn't followed. When the pikachu turned, Mercury was floating, in plain sight. Tempest gasped, then narrowed her eyes.

Before she could snap at Mercury, however, Mercury was already speaking, her voice at a whisper. <<This, Tempest, is why I didn't want him to know I was affected. This is why I was upset when you told him.>> Tempest blinked, then looked to see Zorro lying still. Her ears lowered, flattening to her skull. When she looked to speak to Mercury, the kirlia had already teleported out.

* * * * *

When Jaima had cleaned, and dressed, and stepped out of his room, he was only half surprised to see Tuesday waiting for him. She looked up at him, still wordless, but with more color to her cheeks and more light in her eyes. Jaima smiled at her, and she seemed to begin to smile back. The smile developed as something a bit more amused when Jaima's stomach growled loudly.

Together they moved to the kitchen, Tuesday leading with the precision of familial knowledge. They stopped in the doorway, confronted by yet another person that wasn't part of their group.

Sitting at the table was a young boy, slightly younger, it seemed, than Jaima, but with a face that held knowledge and maturity beyond his years. His hair was blonde and unkempt, but naturally so, not out of neglect. His faded blue eyes were looking toward the door they had just entered, but did not seem to focus on them at all. A kadabra stood behind him, and as he smiled and sipped his tea, just bfore the cup reached his lips, he said, clearly, "Well, hello there."

Jaima bowed. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm--"

"Kuonji Jaima. I know," he said, his voice as well as his face smiling with amusement.

Tuesday's reaction was quite surprising, but welcome. "Brone!" she cried, crossing the kitchen quickly. The kadabra made a small coughing sound, and Brone just managed to set his tea down and catch her in a hug.

"And how is my little sister today," he said, embracing Tuesday fondly.

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Jan 18 2010, 06:48 PM

“I missed you, Brone.”

“And I, you, Silence.

Tuesday buried her face in Brone’s dark green sweatshirt, drawing in the familiar and oh-so-missed scent of peppermint that clung to him continuously, compliments of the medication he used. Her arms were wrapped around his waist and she realized she had tears rolling down her cheeks. She had missed him so much…

”Hush now, Silence, you didn’t really think you’d never see me again, now did you?”

Leave it to the psychic to be all-knowing – even moreso than she was of her own heart. It seemed impossible that he was here – a mere dream.

She heard a chuckle echo through her mind, a psychic laugh that he was prone to give often. She sighed at the familiarity, relaxing. She felt his arm around her back, holding her close.

”You’re exhausted.”

“I’m okay.”

“You should still be sleeping, Tuesday.” The fact that he had used her real name was testament to how serious he was. Tuesday opened her eyes and pulled back enough to gaze into his face. He wore an expression of concern and she flushed in shame. She loathed making him worry. He had enough problems of his own.

”Caring about you will not be the end of me, Tuesday, no matter how overprotective and worrying our parents might be. She suppressed a whimper just barely, but he felt the tremor in her mind and sighed mentally, hugging her close both with his arms and a touch to her mind. She welcomed the embrace on both levels. ”You need to sleep, Tuesday, and I will make sure you do if I have to Suggest it.”

Tuesday shivered at the concept. She had, of course, been the victim of psychic Suggestions before and she never found Sleep to be a pleasant one. The Suggestion did not work on her as it did others, for some reason (and now that she knew about it, it was quite possibly her Aura powers which caused this difference) cutting her off from everything, even dreams. She remained in a lucid state while sleeping, trapped in a void of darkness that she could not escape. It was terrifying for her, and Brone knew that.

”That bad?”

“Yes, though I will not tell you why.” She had expected that and it did not disappoint her where it normally would have. Perhaps she really did need sleep. ”Yes, you do. You’ll be here for a few days, Silence. Take the time to rest.”

“And Zorro?”

It wasn’t as though she didn’t trust Jaima’s judgments, or that she doubts Uncle DeBrody’s abilities. It was simply that she had always relied on Brone before, and call it falling back on old habits, but she knew she could rely on him to be right.

”Three days,” he assured her, and she felt her heart lighten, her body relax where she hadn’t known it was tense. ”He will be weak, and perhaps subdued, but he will be fine.” Tuesday hugged him tight in response and he brushed a hand down her back. ”You should listen to Jaima,” he added, almost as an afterthought, he mental voice full of admiration, ”he, too, is wise beyond his years, and more caring beyond his species.”

And then the connection which Brone had created and pulled them both into was broken, and he leaned back. Tuesday stepped backward, wiping her eyes, as he reached for his cup of tea and took another sip, smiling against the porcelain.

The interaction between the two had hardly lasted a few seconds – enough for an extensive hug, a few glances. The words were all spoken in their minds, Brone projecting his voice for Tuesday to hear, and using his telepathy to allow him to read Tuesday’s thoughts – a deep connection that he crafted with so few, but had long ago shared with her.

Their discussion had lasted maybe ten minutes internally, but only a few seconds outward, and only those with psychic abilities, or those accustomed to them, would have recognized the signs of such a deep interaction.

As it was, all those in the kitchen were well acquainted with psychic powers, or were themselves psychic, and so they knew what had happened, if only vaguely. None asked, for that would have been to pry more deeply than was morally right, and so Tuesday wiped her eyes, Brone sipped his tea, and DeBrody, in the corner of the kitchen, burnt the bacon.

“Son of a crap!”

It was so wrong, for him to be lying still.

This had been the general consensus of thought for all who had seen Zorro, but it bore repeating in Tempest’s mind. She was sitting on the table beside him, staring down at his unconscious form. She wanted to say “slumbering,” but that would have been a lie. Sleeping suggested that one could wake up at any moment, or be woken. Unconsciousness, however, was involuntary and suggested nothing for certain, except that something was wrong when it occurred.

Tempest’s ears were flat against her head, but her face was not contorted into rage. Her eyes held a deep sadness – a kind that she never let others see.

She hated seeing others like this, human or pokemon alike. Eraki, who had been her friend when she had been held by her previous trainer, had ended up like this. The work of their trainer during one of his tantrums, she had ended up bandaged and unconscious, and Tempest had worried over her.

Until one day, she just wasn’t there anymore.

He had gotten rid of her, tossed her away somewhere, and turned on his other pokemon when he had lost one to attack. It wasn’t long after that when Tempest had managed to escape, but the image of Eraki lying unconscious, bandaged on a table like this had never left her. It was later replaced by the image of Tuesday, unconscious, lying on a couch after the feraligatr’s attack.

And now, here was Zorro, lying unconscious on the table, bandaged, breathing steadily, but weakly. Tempest reached out and placed a paw gently on Zorro’s bandaged arm, unknowingly the same place where Tuesday had placed hers earlier that morning.

If she was honest with herself, here, where no other conscious person was present to hear, she could admit that this – Zorro’s state, how far Team Deception had gotten in their attack – was her fault. She had been so cruel to Zorro, telling him that it was his emotions that had overwhelmed Mercury, when her own emotions hadn’t helped, and her actions had made it worse. Tempest sighed softly and rubbed her paw over Zorro’s arm. His hyperactive, mischievous actions annoyed her to no end, but it was better than this.

“I’m sorry, Zorro,” she said softly, and she meant it – every word. “I really am.”



Cassandra had been listening and watching as the house woke up. Tuesday was one of the first awake, but her consciousness did not equal comprehension. She was physically awake, but mentally bound by the forces of her own weakening despair. It was heart wrenching and Cassandra moved to shield Brone from sensing such emotions within his little sister. It would cause him undue amounts of pain, and not because of his psychic abilities, either.

She watched the others awaken, but her psychic eyes followed Tuesday most prominently. She watched as Jaima spoke with the young girl, telling her what she needed most to hear, and then left her to take what time she needed with the young riolu.

The bond between them shocked Cassandra, despite knowing how fast it had been growing. She had known of Tuesday’s Aura powers for some time, but had said nothing to anyone, choosing instead to let it develop as it would.

The riolu was doubtlessly meant to be with Tuesday. Cassandra could not read Auras, but she could feel the minds of pokemon and humans alike, and the two held a similarity that was deep and profound. In some ways, Tuesday was closer to Zorro than she was even to Dante.

Cassandra watched as Tuesday stood in the laboratory, her eyes full of unshed tears, more leaking silently down her cheeks. Her eyes were red-rimmed, dark bags heavy, as she gazed sorrowfully at the riolu. She had her arms wrapped around her midsection and she did not take her eyes from the riolu on the bed. Her eyes, Cassandra could see, had a golden tinge to them, and she saw Tuesday reach her hand out and hesitate, pulling it back. It took her some time, before she finally gained the strength of will to touch the riolu without fear that he would shatter beneath her hand.

She rested her hand on Zorro’s arm for a long time, before she seemed to calm down. With a sigh, she softly left the room. Cassandra smiled softly, as she listened to them come closer, Tuesday and the boy she called both her adoptive brother and her sensei, and his kirlia, Mercury.

Cassandra liked the little kirlia, which didn’t really surprise her. She knew who she was as soon as the boy entered the house, having become accustomed to his particular presence through others. Still, she could not deny her surprise upon finally seeing and sensing Mercury for herself. The kirlia had a remarkable resemblance to her mother.

Gentle but fierce; that was how she had always seen Serenity. The gardevoir had found her when she was lost and alone, having been separated from her family and all things familiar and kind. Cassandra had been a mere abra at the time, young and full of fear, but the kindness of the beautiful gardevoir had given her hope. It was Serenity who led her to Professor Oak in Pallet Town, and through him that she came to be the companion to Brone. She owed the gardevoir a great deal of thanks and would miss her, like many others that had known her. The emotion pokemon had helped her in other ways, however, given her links across the globe. Even when in Pallet Town, Cassandra was able to keep her senses attuned to Tuesday, through others who worked as bridges, not the least of which was Mr. Postman, who had become a good friend.

Cassandra smiled serenely as she felt the probing mind of the kirlia reach out to her. She was not surprised by the other’s sense of distrust. It was, after all, only natural after what she had been forced to face in her short lifetime.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mercury,” Cassandra intoned gracefully. Her mind was constantly locked down, both in attempts to be certain she retained her calm around Brone, as well as to keep him from learning all that she knew. He did not know of all of her contacts and she did not wish to worry him about his sister, when the young girl was in danger. That had become a frequent state of being, of late.

Cassandra was not so surprised by Mercury’s attempts to determine her place in this great plan that had been crafted to test the very limits of their group, of the self-proclaimed Team Rogue. She was, however, pleasantly surprised by the craftiness of the kirlia’s questions. She kept her form more questioning than accusatory, and whether she did so out of a type of respect or in some attempt to hide her true purpose for the interrogation, Cassandra could not read from her. It didn’t really matter at the moment. It merely made the kadabra feel a surge of pride at Mercury’s abilities. The kirlia was quite a bit more of an opponent, whether by force or wit, than she appeared. That would help her in the future.

Cassandra answered sincerely to every question asked her, when able. She held her calm demeanor despite the nature of some questions, or how they could be misconstrued, and she thought that this might, in fact, be annoying to the kirlia. It was not her intention, but she understood. As an emotion pokemon, Mercury was accustomed to being capable of reading others, human and pokemon alike, who were not blocked to her powers with a dark affiliation. Being unable to read Cassandra would have been like staring at the holographic image of your favorite book. You could stare at the title and long to reread it, but you couldn’t touch it or open the pages, and it remained blank to you.

It was not something that Cassandra did on purpose, though in a way, that was untrue. Over years of practice, she had grown to be able to hold her emotions within herself. She was not emotionless, but she placed a wall up around what she and Brone referred to as her Inner Core – the deepest part of her heart, where she held all that she was. It was here where she felt emotions and held her deepest secrets, and nothing escaped the wall surrounding this place of chaos without her consent, and nothing got in without it, either. The ability had not come easily, and Cassandra had made her fair share of mistakes, one in particular that she would never forget. She had, in a way, eventually triumphed over herself, and though it annoyed Mercury to be faced against this wall of serene apathy, Cassandra would not lower it for her. For Brone’s sake and the sake of Darryn Kellor, the boy coming into his Light Sight, she dare not reveal her Inner Core.

The interrogation eventually stopped, Mercury either satisfied or too mentally exhausted to carry on, in which case Cassandra expected the questions to pick up again at a later time. She smiled gently at the kirlia, hoping to give her a sense of serenity that she seemed to need. It was easy to see that Mercury was exhausted, in more ways than one.

“How do you do it?”

Cassandra’s ears twitched, even though the kirlia had spoken to her mentally. “Pardon?” she asked, meeting her eyes.

Mercury sighed, a weary sound that did not befit her age or beauty. “How do you handle it all?”

“Mm…” Cassandra hummed softly in thought, her eyes glancing to the right as she thought, her smile soft, if a little sad. She took some time to consider the question, to give the best answer, before she looked back at the weary kirlia. She gave Mercury a hopeful smile. “I do what I can,” she admitted gently, “and I rely on my friends to be there when I have taken on too much.” She closed her eyes, sighed in contentment, before opening them again. “None of us are all powerful, little one. And none of us will never not fall.”

Posted by: Living Arrow Jan 19 2010, 05:21 PM

Darryn followed the others into the kitchen, still amazingly aware that he was in someone else’s home. The manor, though large, managed a homely feel that the young Co-ordinator appreciated and yet couldn’t hold to. He resigned himself to the fact that showing up to someone’s place uninvited (despite the circumstances) went against every bone in his body and decided to instead focus on everything that had happened the night before. None of them had talked about it and he didn’t want to bring the mood down. His thoughts, however, were soon to be distracted.

In the kitchen sat a boy, maybe a little younger than Darryn himself but only by one or two years, holding a cup of steaming tea. His eyes were glazed white with blindness, staring blankly ahead but directly at them. He must have heard them coming. Darryn kept at the back of the group, smiling slightly at the Kadabra that stood at the boy’s shoulder. It didn’t respond.

When the boy introduced Jaima for him, Darryn’s eyes widened. How was that possible? Another one of Tuesday’s letters sent by tele-Swellow? Actually… it had been a while since Mr Postman had appeared… The next time, Darryn would have to see what his Emotaglow was like. In fact…

Darryn turned his eyes on Tuesday’s brother – Brone – and his Kadabra. His eyes narrowed and sought out the telltale glow of emotions that surrounded everyone and everything. He had worked out how to switch it on and off now, so it didn’t take a great deal of concentration. He just narrowed his eyes, allowed them to drift in and out of focus and…

<Lady?> He asked quickly, taking a slight step back. <I can’t see!>

<That, Prince Darryn, is a lie.> Lady corrected him. <There is only one blind person in this room.> He squeezed her in his arms as a warning to be nice.

<But that boy… his Pokemon…> Darryn tried again, scanning the pair for the glowing lights that should be surrounding them. Automatically, colours burst out of everyone else in the room and yet those two remained untouched by the swirling lights.

<The female with the moustache is blocking their emotions.> Lady said calmly, nuzzling his arm. She nudge him meaningfully. <And she is listening to us.>

Darryn’s heart skipped.

<What?>

<She can hear everything we are saying.> Lady’s body shifted nervously. <And I can’t stop her.>

Darryn swallowed hard. The realms of the psychic Pokemon seemed to be expanding every day. First it was images, then speech. They could read some thoughts of others and even tell when another Pokemon was using a psychic ability but never, never, had they been able to eavesdrop on another psychic conversation. Darryn knew from Lady’s admission that she had tried many times to listen to Mercury and Shadow talking – the Vulpix was certain it would be better than any soap opera on television.

The Emotaglows in the room were extinguished in a flash. Darryn sliced the connection with Lady and tried to remain calm. Whatever happened, he did not want to explore that route of thinking any further. He mentally stamped on his adopted abilities and joined the others for breakfast.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Jan 20 2010, 10:22 PM

He was a good kisser.

A great kisser.

She could feel his arms under her hands. Muscular. Strong. Her fingers pressed against them, unable to press into the flesh, and it sent a thrill up her spine. She smiled into the kiss.

She could feel the pressure of something behind her, and he pressed her, lightly, into it. She moaned, and pressed into him, half to get away from the pressure, half to get closer to him. To feel the pressure of him against her. To feel his heart beat through her chest.

She wasn't sure, still, when the moment happened. When her mind interrupted the good feelings to send warnings to her nerves. She tried to ignore it, of course. But it persisted, and she noticed why. A hand was straying too far. Again.

She pushed it away, but it came back. She did not stop kissing. Boys would, after all, be boys. But she did push it down again.

The third time, it would not be pushed away.

Meiko tried to pull back, but whatever was behind her stopped her from pushing back, and his arms kept her from stepping to the side. Her heart started to beat rapidly, and she squirmed. "Stop it," she hissed, playfully at first, and them alarmed when her protestations met with nothing but stronger efforts to move his hand to parts unexplored.

"Stop it!"

"Meiko-chan... it's OK. It's going to be OK..."

"Let go--!"

"Meiko-chan...

"No!"

"No..."

Her eyes were open before she realized it. Her heart was throbbing in her chest, and she forced herself to lie still, swallowing deeply before the muscles in her chest, arms, and legs unclenched.

When they did, she flipped the covers away as if they burned, her face set in a deep scowl.

"Great. Just great," she snarled into the room, putting her hands over her eyes, breathing easily.

When she looked up again, Rockclaw was staring at her, across the room, his eyes hooded. Meiko blinked, then narrowed her eyes.

"Just... great."

* * * * *

The sandshrew perched on the high stool, sitting and watching over the riolu on the table. He had no idea what the tubes and machines did, except that the tubes had liquid in them, and the machines were constantly beeping and making other kinds of noise, some mechanical, some near biological, all disturbing. It couldn't be healthy to be the only thing one heard, even if one was not cognizant of hearing. And so, Desertdancer searched for topics of conversations.

Of course, Dear Mercury had told him, in a fit of melancholy, all that had happened, and exactly why, in her words, "it was, ultimately," her "fault". Of course, this was patently ridiculous.

<<You know, lad, I would have to say that growing pains, like that which young Tuesday, and yourself, and, well, quite a few of us, are a fact of life. Why,>> he chuckled, looking up as if the story he was about to tell floated just above his head, and he only had to watch and retell it, <<when I was just a lad, I remember my time in the desert. Oh, the sand was flying all around, even on days that didn't seem as if there was a breeze in the air. It got... well,>> he mused, brow-ridges raising as if he'd just read the most interesting thing about cheese mold, <<it got everywhere.>>

He rocked back on his tail, smiling a bit at the memory. <<Including just under my plates. Oh, goodness,>> he chuckled, <<that was quite annoying. Even painful, if you don't mind a fair bit of whining.>>

He looked down at the resting riolu and nodded. <<Yes, painful lad, and I hope it doesn't shock you. Oh my, it itched something fierce. It was even hard to move a bit.>>

He looked down, fondly, at the resting pokemon. <<But, you see, the sand served a purpose lad. The more that got under my plates, the harder those plates became to counteract the sand. And soon, my defenses against physical attacks was through the roof.>>

He sighed, speaking seriously, wishing the riolu could hear him now, for certainly it would help. <<It may be the same with Dear Mercury. Though it sometimes causes her distress, experiencing the full range of emotionsmakes her that much stronger. It is something she needs, and something that she needs to endure.>>

He smiled, and reached over and patted Zorro on the head. <<At any rate, I apologize for boring you. Master Shadow will be in soon to keep you company.>> He smiled, hopping down to the ground. <<Get better, lad.>>

* * * * *

Ember had wandered out of the house. She had heard the one with a vulpix on her head deriding fire types (which was surprising, since she obviously wore an electrocuted vulpix on her head). She'd known that she was weak. She'd always been weak. She'd been weak from the very beginning. But Jaima kept her around, anyway.

Maybe, though, Jaima hadn't known how weak she was. She tried to be stronger. She did her best, really! But she wasn't strong enough. She had been knocked out early before she could have helped with the fighting. She knew she should have roasted that big flappy bug when she'd had the chance! But she had assumed that it was part of the forest, and by the time she realized there was danger, sleep powder was floating all over them.

She had failed Jaima. She had failed everyone. Even Fang had woken before her. She was worthless, and the vulpix head had finally told Jaima how worthless she was.

But maybe she could get stronger.

<<Um... Um, excuse me?>>

The water weasel turned, blinking at her. <<Ay, lass?>> When Ember only looked down, Odysseus raised a brow. <<Come then, lassie, let's have it.>>

Ember looked back toward Jaima, then looked down at her paws. <<You fight pretty well... can... can you teach me?>>

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Jan 22 2010, 12:51 AM

Cassandra studied the boy before her, for a boy he was. Although he was mature in the eyes of other humans, his mind was still young, and his powers still very weak. That would change, but it would take time – much time.

He was growing in many ways, she could see and had seen. He was learning to love where he had not loved, and love greater where before there had been less. It was enlightening, and beautiful, and it pleased Cassandra greatly, to see how one could take a gift that was never meant to be theirs and use it as he would use it. She smiled softly. Ah, the things that boy had the potential for, and those which he might do.

But one who sees the future does not speak of it. That was the way it was meant to be. The way it had always been.

The creature that Darryn Kellor held within his arms was of a far greater concern, and Cassandra’s dark blue eyes narrowed upon the crimson vulpix. She respected The Lady Foxtrot, as was her name, for her strength and sheer force of will, as much as she pitied the vulpix, for she would find it difficult to be a target for friendship. Although such relationships would come in time, they would not come quickly, and Cassandra feared that the vulpix had a hard road ahead of her that she did not anticipate facing.

Cassandra dared not reveal the future even to Brone in most cases, but that did not mean that she could not offer aid.

She had not allowed her emotions to lift, keeping she and Brone as a distinct void to psychic readings, and she could tell in a number of ways that it bothered Darryn Kellor and The Lady Foxtrot.

She did not reveal her emotions, but she did lower her shields enough that her mind connected to the vulpix’s, sliding together with hers with the ease and smooth motion that came only with practice and understanding.

“The Lady Foxtrot,” Cassandra whispered gently into the vulpix’s mind, and was pleased when the vulpix did not startle at her voice. So, she had been expecting this. “I could tell you many things, FireMind. I could tell you many things, all of which you would hear but perhaps not listen to. I could tell you many things which you might find interesting, but gain nothing from. I could tell you many things. I can tell you one thing, however, that will aid both you and he you call your own.” She nodded at Darryn, for the two of them were unmistakably linked. She was his bonded pokemon, the one who bore the weight of his powers alongside of him.

Or the one who should.

“He would protect you, FireMind, with all that he has, and all that he is.” She felt a smugness in the heart of the creature, and her pity grew all the more. “This is not the way that it should be, for the one who sees the colored lights to give himself entirely to a creature who is all but his blood. You are his guardian, Lady Foxtrot!” She yelled the last part, listening to the echoes that ran through the link she had crafted, bouncing off the pillars of a there-yet-not-there bridge.

“He found you, or perhaps you found him, but Fate or powers far greater than the both of you or I have brought you together, and given you each a purpose in the other. He would protect you, FireMind, but it is you who must protect him. He bears powers that are not his own, but his own inner-strength with overcome this hardship with colors that far surpass those which he can see, and you can see through him.

“It is not the origin of the powers which will be the danger in this, but the powers themselves. They will be a great asset, FireMind, and they will stand as one of his greatest strengths. However, they alone will also be his greatest weakness, for humankind is young and often foolish, but they have the potential to do great things – whether these things be those which help or harm others. As pokemon born with these powers, we grow with them and know them and have no questions about our strengths, just as we have none of our own nature. Humans, however, have no set nature but in its unpredictability, and these powers are rare and appear abruptly in most, as with the one you calls yours.

“He will need you to be strong for him, fight for him, and protect him, FireMind – even if it is himself that you must protect him from. You must be his sword – his strength and force – just as you must also be his shield. There will be times when fighting will cause him harm, and to spare him pain far more than even you can imagine, you must stand down.

“You must learn, FireMind… Lady Foxtrot. You must learn, and you will learn, but I pray that you heed my words now and do not leave it to experience to teach you these lessons, for such teachers are harsh and too oft quite cruel.”

She bowed her head gently to the vulpix, and without even a farewell warning, cut off the link that had bound their minds together, and turned back to Brone.

It was strange that it was both dark and light.

It was strange that he was both walking and flying.

It was strange that he was alone and yet there were many around him.

It was strange that he was scared but he felt no fear.

It was strange that he was awake but dreaming.

Zorro opened his eyes, but he did not open his eyes. He was awake, but he was still asleep. He was within a dark, forbidding forest, but he was lying on a table in a laboratory. He was alone, but he could feel people all around him. He was frightened, and yet he did not want to run away.

It was strange.

Zorro knew that he was dreaming, and perhaps that was why he did not instantly dash off in search of his hermana, who was clearly not here. He was aware that the disembodied feeling in his limbs meant that he was asleep, and his mind was trapped in a dreamy unconscious. He knew that he was dreaming, and so he took some time to stare down the dirt path upon which his dream-feet stood.

Around him on both side there were trees, growing too thick together to see anything beyond them. Zorro tried to look, but he could see nothing, and so he turned, instead, toward the way of the path that seemed to lead to a brighter end. Perhaps he would wake up as he walked?

With that thought in mind, he began trotting down the path, glancing around. There were strange patches of ground that didn’t seem to belong standing along the edges of the path. Zorro continued walking, but he glanced at a large stone pedestal that looked like a birdbath as he past.

And then again.

And then again.

And then he past it again.

He was going around in a circle.

Pausing, Zorro sighed, and then walked over to the birdbath. There was no water within its depths, but sand as golden as the sun on the clearest spring morning. Zorro stared into the sand and, as he watched, the grains began to ripple like disturbed water. He watched curiously, easily recalling that this was a dream, as the ripples began more pronounced, and then a voice erupted out of the sand, echoing slightly.

“When I was just a lad, I remember my time in the desert.” The voice was unmistakable – Desertdancer, speaking softly but with great strength. “You shouldn’t let the sands weigh you down, lad. Now get moving. There’s someone up ahead who wishes to speak to you.”

Zorro stared at the sand for a time, but the grains gradually stopped moving until they had sank to a standstill, and the presence that had been there a moment before was suddenly gone.

With a slight backward glance, Zorro turned and moved on.



The rain was gentle, but harsh.

It was gentle because it came down softly, a light sprinkle and nothing more. It was harsh because it caused him to weaken, but he refused to go back inside until he had become strong enough to protect them.

Dante stood out in the center of the yard, his face set into a mask of grim determination, his lips pulled down into a painful sneer. He refused to give up, even though his tailflame flickering in defiance against this masochistic act, and steam rolled off of his fire-heated flesh.

Evolution was supposed to have made him stronger, but he was still just as weak as he had been before. Anika had assured him that she recognized this, before she left. And it couldn’t be that way. He had to be stronger. He needed to protect them.

He would never fail to keep any of them safe again.

Posted by: Living Arrow Jan 23 2010, 02:40 PM

Darryn gratefully took his breakfast of burnt bacon sandwich and orange juice outside, keen to make some distance between himself and the Kadabra that had put his nerves on edge. It would have been the greatest understatement of the year to say that he was simply scared of the psychic Pokemon – the truth was he was petrified. What were the limits of Psychic Pokemon? Could they take control of a human body by force? What sort of secrets could they draw out of an individual’s memories? Was anyone’s privacy safe?

The cold of the morning air refreshed Darryn as he drank it deeply while ignoring the faintest hint of rain, stuffing the final crust into his mouth and planning out his training routine for the morning. He hadn’t wanted to push his Pokemon so quickly after their intense battle the night before but it would clear his head and put him more at ease.

“Is that OK with you, Victor?” The Co-ordinator asked his Squirtle as his other Pokemon took their positions. The gutsy turtle grinned and gave Darryn the thumbs-up, tottering across the grass field to jump atop one of the raised boulders. As appointed fire-fighter, he would be able to control any stray flames that may spread during the practice session that was about to begin.

“Right, so this song should help us with timing.” Darryn instructed his Pokemon, ensuring that their Emotaglows were parcelled away in the back corners of his brain. “Zulu, I want you to drum the bass as I showed you and then Lady and Bravo can get started.”

Darryn’s Rampardos yawned and looked away, more content to watch the clouds roll lazily by. His temper had faded as soon as Darryn had put him back in his Pokeball whne he evolved – almost like the lifting of Confusion. Even so, his lazy demeanour had not changed. November snorted with derision from her position beneath a stand of trees, stomping her hoof clearly to let Darryn know that she would take over, instead. He smiled at her fondly and gave her the nod. With the crisp forest air filling his lungs, Darryn sang through the morning while directing his Pokemon with his arms like the conductor of an orchestra.

“Is this how you guys normally train?” Victor asked Romeo, not taking his eyes off the swirling flames on the grassland. Bravo and Lady repeated their combos again and again, striving to achieve the perfect timing that Darryn was calling for. Victor was not stranger to training under a Co-ordinator but the boy’s approach was a lot different to what Victor was used to.

“Yup!” Romeo replied, his knees quivering with the restraint it was taking for him not to launch himself onto the field and join his team mates in the dance.

“So you don’t actually battle?” Victor asked again, tensing as a tongue of fire flew past them harmlessly. “How will timing help if you don’t have the surprise of an experienced opponent against you?”

Romeo cocked his head to the side.

“Danny says that a perfectly timed combo can’t go wrong. If we as fast enough, we can always come out on top!” Romeo replied heartily, nodding to his own words with enthusiasm. “And Danny says that I’m the fastest so I help everyone to run faster in those sessions!”

*Danny? He's so hyper his brain isn't connected properly. Stupid mutt.*

“Those sessions?” Victor asked, frowning deeply.

“Yup… We got different sessions!” Romeo pawed the ground, eager to leap into action when it was his turn. “Danny makes us go through different sessions so he can pick out what we all need to focus on. He gets me to help with speed attacks since I’m fastest and I’m the target when we do target practice!”

“OK, now you’re just pulling my tail.” Victor rolled his eyes.

“Nope! No-one can hit me cos I run too fast. Foxy thinks she can but she cheats every time. Birdo is faster than her, anyway – he’s a lot faster now he’s evolved. An ol’ Novvy’s getting better every time.” Romeo stated, his tail wagging quickly.

“And what about the big brute over there?” Victor asked, his voice slowly catching. Romeo didn’t notice. “I bet he’s not very fast.”

Romeo shook his head. “He’s real fast! We battled together in our first Contest and he was faster than both our opponents. All of us are really quick – Danny makes sure we can all keep up so that our timing is in sync. If any of us is too slow, we wouldn’t be able to do a double battle properly so we’d lose all the time. Danny really know what works!”

Victor hid his worry expertly. All of Darryn’s Pokemon were far faster than he was. Not only that but speed was the driving force behind all of the Co-ordinator’s strategies. With a brave face on, Victor continued his surveillance of the training session but one thought could not be completely removed from the forefront of his mind.

*If I can’t keep up, will I be left behind again?*



*Protect him? I have been! How dare she speak to me like that?!*

Lady jumped high, Bravo diving behind her to sweep below her feet at ground level. As he shot past a swirling stream of glittering feathers fell in his wake, creating a pathway into the air that Lady could solidify with her mind. Her psychic powers were constantly growing and telekinesis was a simple trick for her now. With floating feathers under her feet, Lady sprinted into the air, dashing after Bravo as he climbed higher into the air, banking a sharp turn before diving right back at Lady.

“Quick Attack! Flamethrower!”

Bravo shot like a rocket, folding his wings and diving at the imaginary target below. As he passed over Lady’s body she roared flames into his undercarriage where it spiralled around his streamlined form. Darryn named it the Burning Quick Attack.



Lady sprang from the golden highway, dropping on fours to wait for the next move.

*What would a moustache-wearing, man-handed, spoon-bending-”*

“Lady! Focus!” Darryn called abruptly, stealing her thoughts. “Just a little more and then we’ll break. Ready? Will-o-wing!”



Bravo fluttered to the ground, his chest heaving. Maintaining that sort of speed while generating enough heat to power his Heat Wave and shield himself with a stream of wind took nearly everything he had. His one-and-only master was clearly very proud of his efforts and so Bravo was content to exhaust himself.

“Good work, Bravo.” Darryn smoothed the Pidgeotto’s pink crest feathers under his hand. “You did an amazing job – we’ll leave it there for today. Next time I want to see your wings making clean, crisp movements, OK?”

Bravo revelled in Darryn’s praise. Oh, how he loved to be praised! And Darryn’s soothing, melodic, splendiferous, magical voice made it all the more wonderful! His favourite, the Vulpix, said something with her mouth but Bravo could not hear it. Well, that wasn’t exactly true.

Since his evolution, Bravo had not only gained an undying gratitude to his trainer for turning his health and life around but he had also developed an unshakable faith in his trainer. This faith, his obsession, had worked to focus Bravo’s mind on the one and only being that had ever shown confidence in him, resulting in the rejection of communication from any other creature.

His ears, yes, were able to hear the words coming out of the Fire Fox’s mouth. His brain, no, could not understand them. There was simply no recognition to convert sound into understanding. Somehow, in his growing worship for Darryn, Bravo had lost his ability to pay any sort of attention to anyone or anything speaking to him. Did he know that he was afflicted by this condition? Yes. Did he care? No.

“Pidgeoooh!” Bravo cried enigmatically, rejoicing in his master’s adoration.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Jan 23 2010, 09:49 PM

<<Rain!>>

It wasn't long after the pitter-patter of little drops hit the window that Cosette made the first gregarious move that Grondir had seen; she trotted up to him, grabbed one of his large sprout-leaves in her mouth, and tugged until he followed her, blinking. With a giggle Grondir hadn't known she was capable of, she cantered to the sliding glass door, kept open to allow the pokemon access. This was, evidently, common practice for the elder man; the outer patio was built far out into the yard beyond, covering enough beyond and around the door that only the strongest winds would be able to send rain inside.

Cosette scampered out, closing her eyes and laughing as the light drops hit her face and back, saturating the soil that packed there and bringing that final surge of green to her healing leaves. <<I love the rain!>>

Grondir couldn't deny his own affection for the life giving moisture, but he still had trouble reconciling this Cosette with the one that had begged the two rattata who's tails she was kicking in not to eat her. The memory made him chuckle.

<<What?>>

Grondir looked at her fondly. <<I'm just surprised, is all. You seem to be feeling much better.>> When she tilted her head, quizzically, Grondir clarified. <<Less afraid.>>

Cosette blushed green. <<W-well... A lot of the things that eat my species don't... Don't like the rain. Especially fire types and ground types. I know, because some of us are ground types. Like my Uncle Grot!>> She sighed, still happy. <<I can't wait until I evolve like Uncle Grot did... Then I'll be too big to eat!>>

Grondir turned to look at her. He hadn't ever seen her so happy. Getting caught by Jaima's mate was a good thing.

Over her back, Grondir spotted something that almost made him choke. There was Dante, arms spread, looking up defiantly at the sky.

<<Hey,>> Grondir called. <<Are you sure you should be doing that?>>

At first, it seemed that Dante didn't hear them. Cosette pressed against Grondir's side, but both of the plant types stayed where they were, watching. Finally, Dante muttered, voice shaky, <<I have to get stronger.>>

Grondir nodded, frowning in thought. <<Your Tuesday won't like it if she sees you out here. I've seen how it is with her and water... Especially when it comes to you.>>

<<At least one of you sees it,>> Dante growled low, causing Grondir's brow ridges to raise. The ivysaur made no comment, however.

When it became evident that Dante would neither go back inside, nor speak anymore about why he insisted on standing steaming in the rain, Grondir stepped back, next to Dantes tail. <<Gets kind of chilly out in the rain. Mind of we borrow your tail?>>

Dante didn't answer, but also didn't move his tail, and Grondir positioned himself so that one of the large, broad leaves arced over the charmeleon's tail flame. After a while, much of which was spent gaping at her companion, Cosette moved to the. Other side and, with the force of will used to create new leaves to send spinning to attack, forced one of her headleaves to grow, covering the tail flame from the other side.

* * * * *

Shadow sat, stiffly, on the stool. He had taken his turn soon after Desertdancer had left, and he knew, less from seeing a time keeping device and more from the sensation that someone was just outside the door. A feeling that was confirmed when the door was opened and Ramhorn stepped in.

<<You may go, Noble Heracross.>>

Ramhorn looked at Shadow, who had not turned to see him. Wide set eyes blinked, and rather than turn and walk away, he asked a simple question.

<<Have you slept?>>

<<My kind do not need as much sleep as others. We can pass three valleys and two mountains in a night and be ready to fight at need.>>

Ramhorn studied him, then turned. <<I believe, last night, there was more than a mere three valleys and two mountains worth of work.>> He closed the door, but did not leave by it. <<And I am here for my healing.>>

Shadow shrugged, but stood and sighed when Ramhorn used what Shadow considered a low blow. <<Perhaps I should see if Mercury would care to join us.>>

As Shadow left, Ramhorn smiled, then called after him, calmly, <<And I will know if you stay under Mistress Meiko's window again, too. You must rest.>>

Even through his frustration, Shadow found himself chuckling.

* * * * *

Ember was panting by the time the impromptu training session was over. But her panting was nothing on the wheezing, moaning carrying on from Odysseus.

She had been able to knock him flat (striking from behind and being careful of his tail) twice now, and as he stood up, he looked at her incredulously. <<I'm not complaining none. I needed the work out too, of course. But seems to me when you asked if I could teach you how to fight, you were sailing under a following wind.>>

Ember blinked, frowning worriedly. <<... Huh?>>

Odysseus chuckled. <<You fight fine, lass. Better than fine. It's getting you to fight that takes some doing.>> He put his paws up as she scooted forward, and Ember slowed; she hadn't meant to seem aggressive. He leaned back, his forepaws on his hind leg joints, and caught his breath as she sat. <<So in order to make you a better scrapper, we've got to find out how to get some wind in yer sails.>>

Ember wasn't sure she understood him, but she had caught the jist of it. <<I... I have to find out what makes me want to fight?>>

Odysseus smiled, showing fangs. <<You don't lack power, lass, you lack will.>>

Ember sighed. <<I don't like to fight. It... it scares me.>>

<<What about fighting scares you?>>

Ember blinked up at the buizel. <<I don't like to get hurt. And I... I don't like the idea of my teammates getting hurt.>>

Odysseus tilted his head. <<I don't know. Seems like your teammates can take care of themselves. And you don't learn moves like that by watching others.>>

Ember blinked. <<So... so you're sayi-->>

Odysseus pushed off of the wall, sending a water jet her way, and Ember dodged to the side, immediately lunging forward to attack. Only the quick dodge and chuckle from Oddyseus stopped her, confused.

<<You're skilled enough, lass. The rest... that will come in time.>>

* * * * *

Meiko looked over her shoulder for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Half the time, it was the creeping of memories, but the other half, it was because something was following her, and it was as disturbing, thought not as frightening, as her fears.

Rockclaw's claws clacked harshly as he turned from a crop of bushy grass, having missed the weedle he'd been hunting. He looked at Meiko with hooded eyes, then scuttled away, his eyestalks seemingly turned toward another patch of grass.

Meiko shuddered. Rockclaw had been a gift from her first real boyfriend, and she had gotten him a little before they'd broken up and she returned to New Bark Town. With the memories flooding back to her, the circumstances behind her leaving, she was beginnign to look at Rockclaw under a new light.

She turned away from him and started. There was Jaima, running down the path, dressed in his gi bottoms and a tank top. He hadn't seen her yet, and she fought the urge to run and hide before he did.

What had made her do it? What had made her slap him? She tried in vain to remember if he had done anything, bu the memory of kissing Jaima was indelibly connected with the memory that had so frightened her.

She had to talk to someone. Get over this so that she could continue with her life. The only other alternative was to leave Jaima here and run away again, to spare him dealing with her issues.

And that was not acceptable. Not when she'd been so happy for the last two days.

Meiko clenched her fists and turned, stalking back to the house. Maybe she couldn't talk to Jaima just yet, but Darryn might be able to help, or at least listen.

Unfortunately, Jaima saw her just as she turned. Her clenched fists and rigid posture told him the story that he'd already assumed was true, and his run back was much, much slower.

* * * * *

Mercury was outside when the shadow passed over her. Unlike metaphorical shadows, however, this one caused her to smile, almost leaping for joy.

As soon as the figure that cast the shadow made itself known, she sent him, with as much joy as she could muster, a mental message.

Oh, wait a minute Mr. Postman!

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Jan 26 2010, 12:31 PM

He was walking still, only this time he didn’t pass the birdbath full of sand anymore. Whatever loop he had been caught in that made that repeat was somehow broken by hearing the voice of Desertdancer speaking to him from the rippling sands.

Now he was walking again, trees still on either side. The forest was thick, but he could see little flickers of sunlight trying to peek through. Still, they fought against the shadows futilely, unable to reach him. He looked away from the helpless flickering lights; it hurt him too much to see them struggle so painfully. He didn’t like it here.

He stopped abruptly when he nearly ran into a large steel door. Blinking, he stared at the door, sitting in the middle of the path. It was so out of place, it might have been hilarious, except that it had both a sinister and friendly feel to it.

Zorro stared at the door, glancing to either side of it, but finding no way around it. He stood in front of it, regarding it with curious eyes, before reaching out a paw and tapping it gently.

The metal rippled like silver water, from the center all the way out to the sides. The metal darkened in the center, until a shade seemed to appear in the steel. It still wasn’t definable, but it was clearly there.

“Little brother. Do not follow the path so closely that you forget others walk with you.”

The voice was clearly his big brother’s. It was clearly Shadow’s. The shadow in the metal stood there for a long moment, as though staring at him, making sure that he had heard, before it faded into the metal with the gentlest of ripples.

Zorro placed his paw flat on the door, trying to reach his brother, but it was cold to the touch.

The door swung open. Zorro stepped through and continued on.

He was getting too old for this.

When the quilava had come asking for his help in learning how to fight, he had expected her to not know how to fight. Or, at least, to not be good at it.

Neither was the case.

Being a water-type, he had a natural advantage against the timid child, and he tried not to use this advantage to the point where he caused her undue harm. As she fought him, however – swabbed the deck with him, he thought was more appropriate – he found it more and more difficult to simply sit back and let himself be beaten.

Contrary to what an untrained eye might see, speed was not Odysseus’ strength. In the water, he was indeed faster than pokemon of another element, but in comparison to others of his own kind, he tended to lag. No, no, it wasn’t speed that gave him the advantages that his type did not. It was his ability to see incoming attacks before they happened, and to dodge accordingly.

That’s not to say he was psychic – far from it. In fact, he had been told before by pokemon of that disposition that he hadn’t a psychic flipper on him, and never would. That was fine by him, he did need to see the future to realize an attack was coming. He only needed to read his opponent – the tensing of muscles, the narrowing of eyes, the slight, nigh-imperceptible pressure placed on one foot rather than the other. It was something born from experience and years of making mistakes in learning it, but he had succeeded in the reading.

It was probably the only thing keeping him on his feet in this fight.

The lass had power, she had strength, and she knew how to fight. It was clear that none of these were the problem. From the concerned, unsure look in her eyes when she first approached him, however, he had a feeling he knew what was.

A sharp strike to his back sent him crashing face-first into the dirt. He pushed himself to his feet, wheezing. “I’m getting too old for this,” he moaned to himself, as he turned to face his impromptu opponent. She was merely panting – nowhere near as tired as he was. Younglings, they didn’t realize how strong they were.

He shook his head and stared at her incredulously. “I'm not complaining none. I needed the work out too, of course. But seems to me when you asked if I could teach you how to fight, you were sailing under a following wind.”



”I have to get stronger.”

The rain had stopped some time before. Dante vaguely recalled Grondir speaking to him, but he couldn’t remember what was said, before the ivysaur took a frightened Cosette and left him still standing where he had been for some time now.

The rain had stopped and the natural heat from his body had caused the water on his flesh to evaporate, but his skin felt clammy now, and his breathing was ragged, as though he had run a long distance without a break.

He imagined that he sank to the ground, rather than collapsing, though others would have likely disagreed. He laid on his stomach in the wet grass, breathing heavily, his eyes drooping. Exhausted as he was, he let his eyes slip close, and his mind slip off to sleep.



Tuesday was sitting on the floor of her room, a pokeball in her hands.

It was an antique pokeball, in use because it was as unique as the pokemon inside of it. Made of stone, the ball contained Wraith, the black-fire ponyta that Tuesday had received as a gift. Whether her dream was a result of the gift, or the gift somehow a result of the dream, she neither knew nor bothered to concern herself with any longer. Wraith had been an important part of her team and she loved the ponyta as much as any of the rest of her pokemon.

That was why this decision was so very hard to make.

Wraith had been injured in their run from the three steelix. One of the pokemon’s attacks had shattered the ground beneath the ponyta, and when Tuesday had been thrown from her back, Wraith had gone down on her knees, gouging and twisting her left knee on the sharp stone.

Tuesday had been waiting for them to get to a pokemon center before she could deal with Wraith. She knew that basic cuts and bruises could be healed by the nurses and equipment at the pokemon center, but sprains and twisted muscles were more complicated and therefore difficult.

She had asked Uncle DeBrody to take a look at Wraith. He had been reluctant to tell her that the ponyta’s fall had done a number on her leg, and even if the pokemon center could heal the damage, it was likely that the horse would be lame.

“So Wraith won’t be able to run anymore?”

“I’m afraid it’ll be difficult for her to battle or run for long distances, especially carrying someone.” He looked at her with a sympathetic eye. “Hey, kidlet, stuff like this just happens. It’s not your fault, all right?”

Tuesday nodded softly, sniffing despite herself. “All right.”

Tuesday ran her fingers over the stone pokeball and sighed. She knew what she had to do. If Wraith remained with her and was forced to battle, the ponyta could further injure her knee and be unable to walk properly. Wraith didn’t need a life of battling or a life of standing around, watching other pokemon battle but being unable to. What she needed was to be able to live calmly, where nothing was required of her but to enjoy an open field of grass.

All of those years helping Professor Oak, Tuesday remembered how the pokemon in his pasture had seemed so happy. By the time she had left, among the various other pokemon there, the ponyta and rapidash had accumulated to such a mass that they had actually formed a herd. Tuesday knew that Wraith would be happy there, and safe. That was the important thing.

Hugging the pokeball close to her, Tuesday left the room to find the computer. She needed to make a call to Professor Oak.



The light was slipping through, just little rays, but it was enough to bring a smile to his face. Zorro smiled contentedly as he continued walking, the light flickering over his face as he walked. The trees were not as close together as they had been, and the shadows not as dark. Zorro glanced between the trunks, but still he could not see what lay beyond them, and so he continued walking.

He stopped when he turned a corner and the path was bathed in light. His ears perked up and a smile lit up across his face as he bounded forward.

The sunlight enveloped him in a warmth embrace and he sighed in peace, melting into it. The light was so much more inviting than the darkness he had been traipsing through. His golden eyes scanning the lit area, he was surprised to see that the air itself began to ripple. Blinking, he stared at the area, watching as two dark blue orbs appeared before him, and then blinked as a faint white shadow began to materialize. The eyes appeared downcast as he stared at her. He knew who it was.

“I'm sorry, Zorro. I'm so sorry. I should have been paying attention. You never should have heard that your emotions hurt me. That couldn't have been helped.”

Zorro stepped forward, reaching out a hand, but his paw passed through Mercury’s ghostlike form, and she reacted as though she hadn’t even seen him move. “You have to keep going, Zorro. You have to keep going. There’s someone who needs to talk to you.”

The air rippled again, and her form flickered and was whisked away like smoke. The light went with her, and Zorro wilted when she was gone. It was like he was alone again.

"Do not follow the path so closely that you forget others walk with you."

"Mi hermano," Zorro whispered. He looked to the side, where the trees were thinning and light was slipping through. It wasn't the great swath of light that had covered the path, but there were rays of sunlight leaking through the trees. He walked over, stepping off the path, and stood under one of the rays.

"I'm no alone," he whispered into the sunlight. "I'm no alone."

Smiling softly, he turned and continued on.

Posted by: Living Arrow Jan 26 2010, 05:06 PM

Darryn sat at the window, cupping a steaming mug of coffee in his hands. The rain fell at a lilting slant, turning the very air grey with its light touch. He watched it bathe the forest earth producing the typical scent of loam and fresh dew even as the sun emerged. Darryn loved it when the weather did that. Rain and sun together forming a shimmering curtain of diamonds that took the breath away.

*That gives me an idea...*

Unknown to the casual observer, Darryn's real reason for sitting at the window was not to watch the world go by.

"Dante... isn't it?" He whispered to himself, watching the Charmeleon for some time. The crimson lizard stood proud, defiantly facing the sky, seeming to silently challenge the very heavens to bring down all that he could take. It was, to Darryn, extremely disturbing.

*That should be hurting him... Not a lot but it must sting like a bitch...* Darryn sipped his tea. It was sweet. Refreshing. *Why is he doing that?*

<If you are so interested in the reptile, why not watch his emotions?> Lady asked, stirring in his lap to stand and prance to the floor. She turned her large chestnut eyes back to him. <I'm going for a walk.>

"Huh? Knock yourself out..." Darryn sighed, turning back to the window and raising the mug to his lips once more.

He wached Dante for some time, somehow aware that Tuesday's brother entered the room with his Kadabra, Cassandra. Without looking, Darryn could tell that the psychic Pokemon was watching him. Her eyes had been so piercing before. So clear. He ignored her.

Outside, Jaima's Ivysaur and Meiko's Turtwig attempted to shield the Charmeleon's tail flame but they did not out-stay their friend. Even as they slowly lowered their leaves and moved to re-enter the house, Darryn was surprised to find Dante still standing. Still defiant. Was it some sort of special training? Darryn had read that Forcing was a dangerous way to build defences and only particular types of trainer went that far - bad trainers.

A quiver. That was all it took. Darryn's eyes narrowed straight to the offending muscle. Dante was weakening. And it wasn't surprising - he had been facing that rain for some time. In fact, Darryn's tea had gone cold. How long had he been sat there?

*I don't need those stupid auras to see how he is feeling.* Darryn set the cup down. *He's angry, frustrated, desperate... But why?... Maybe just one peek...*

Blue. Red. Brown. Gold. Grey.

Darryn coughed and squeezed his eyes shut. They ached as though someone had just shone a light right in his eyes after sitting in the dark. Holding a hand to his head and looking back outside, the Emotaglow around Dante was gone and instead, the Charmeleon was face-down on the ground. In a flash, Darryn was at the door and rushing to his side.

Even though he was still tired from the night before, Darryn scooped up the large lizard making sure the burning tail was pointed away from his clothes and hurried to find DeBrody. As he passed by the living room door, his eyes caught with Brone's glazed white and something chilled the Co-ordinator's neck. Ignoring it, he went in search of Tuesday's Uncle.

<So this is where you're all hiding.> Lady announced as she entered the lab. Shadow barely glanced in her direction but Mercury swivelled in the air and floated down to the ground.

<Zorro's recovering, it seems.> Mercury informed her, a light smile reaching her eyes. <I'm sure Tuesday will be pleased.>

<Pleased? For how many minutes before he starts making a fool of himself again?> Lady rolled her eyes, sitting down and curling her tails around her legs. <What's wrong with him, anyway?>

Mercury passed a look to Shadow and he, back to her.

<It's kind of private for Zorro.> Mercury shrugged, floating back up to the table to watch over him.
Lady sighed and stood, circling the table and leaping up to the foot of the bed.

<Privacy means secrets and secrets mean lies.> Lady stated calmly. <How do we help him if we are surrounded by lies?>

There was a mental pause.

<You want to help?> Shadow accused, folding his arms and frowning.

<He's slowing me down from getting to that Contest Hall.> Lady snipped back. <The faster he gets better, the faster we move on.>

<You don't have to pretend that you don't care, Lady.> Mercury said softly. <I know you do.>

<You know nothing, 'Dome.> Lady hissed. She turned her nose up as though Zorro was afflicted by a bad smell. <It would make my Master happier if Tuesday started smiling again.>

<Hmm... Whatever you want!> Mercury half laughed, rising up and floating backwards towards the door. <Just be nice - Zorro's actually been through a lot and needs a bit of compassion right now. If he wants to tell you anything, I'm sure he will in his own time - his thoughts are not for me to discuss with others.>

Shadow eyed Lady warily and joined Mercury, leaving the room with one backwards glance that simply said "I've got my eye on you".

Lady watched them go, unperturbed. Once they had left, she laid down next to Zorro and stared into his closed eyelids.

<You have a past?...> Lady's eyes grew pensive. <Don't we all...>



Darryn fidgeted behind Tuesday, not wanting to interrupt her phonecall. There were a few reasons behind that. The first - it was rude. The second - he knew telling Tuesday about Dante would likely upset her. And third? He was too starstruck by the face of Professor Oak to move.

As he waited, chewing his lip nervously, Darryn kept passing glances over Tuesday's shoulder. He was far enough away not to be eavesdropping but he could see the scene on the other side of the videocall. The Oak Ranch sprawled out in the background - lush and green, sunny and peaceful.

*It's like Floaroma Town... Zulu... November...*

Posted by: Master Houndoom Jan 28 2010, 01:29 PM

Strike. Turn. Spin. Kick. Spin. Parry. Dodge. Thrust.

Whack!

Ok... Let's try that again...

Jaima took his stance, once again running through the motions of a makeshift kata. He would get so far into it, and his mind would empty, and he'd be in a state of near emotionlessness. Then, as sudden as a strike, the memory of Meiko, and the battle, and the Slap, would hit him with a resounding mental whack!

Jaima gave up, sitting on the ground and putting his head in his hands. He realized he was curling his fingers through his hair and pulling after he'd felt the pain of it for a while. A part of him, the same part that had derided angst ridden moments in romance movies, thought he was being melodramatic. Other parts of him realized that there may be some truth behind the trope: he felt as if he were being driven to nervous breakdown by the mere thought that he'd hurt or frightened Meiko.

A sudden sound, a high pitched, laughing, joyous sound interrupted his teen angsting, and he looked up to see Mercury flying on the back of Mr. Postman (identifiable by his green vest-like plumage on his chest), arms spread wide, eyes closed, crying out "Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" As he swooped toward his master's son in long, diving arcs. Despite his earlier thoughts, Jaima smiled.

"Oh, wait a mi-"

There is no need for that, Jaima. The one on my back has graced me with the amusement I seek. When Jaima's eyes widened, Mr. Postman landed and nodded. Besides, I sense you could use what I carry without distraction. There is only a note from the girls, as your mother is on vacation with her new romantic interest, and it is still too early to bother them. he and Mercury smiled at the look of uneasy illness that crossed Jaima's face.

Jaima took the letter that was proffered in Mr. Postman's claw, opening it slowly. The letter was written in the girl's usual style of alternating colored ink designating the voice of each different sister, Mariko in a bright green, Natsume in a sky blue.

As usual, the letter brought a range of emotions across Jaima's face, from a soft smile the an embarrassed grimace. He looked up at Mr. Postman. "Are they still in Goldenrod?"

Yes. They have taken jobs in order to finance some small project. Young Mariko has discovered a mechanical aptitude and is working on the bicycles, and little Natsume is working at the flower shop.

Jaima frowned, but instead of pressing and folded the letter. "I'll call the-"

"OF ALL THE STUPID--"

From the direction of the house, from which he was not very far, came a strident, angry call, which Jaima would not have reacted to, except for one thing..

The voice was Tuesday's.

Jaima was on his feet and running in an instant. Even though it didn't sound like trouble, per se, a yelling Tuesday was not something to be ignored.

* * * * *

Meiko sighed. She'd gotten halfway back to the house before she turned around again and walked to the nearby beach, letting the sound of the surf clear her mind. Just when it seemed as if the pounding waves and susserating sea would give her serenity, the image of Jaima's face, his cheek red and one eyes watering, came crashing into her like a wave, threatening to suck her into an ocean of confusion.

Why had she hit him? Why was she pushing him away when she had worked so hard to get close to him?

She had never been one to quail at the harder things in life. She had always faced her problems head on, except for one time when she ran away, her spiritual tail tucked between her legs, and went home for a while. Even then, however, after a time or relative peace, rather than stay at home, she decided what was best for her was to take a chance. And a big one. So she did, and it had paid off big time for a while.

So why was she ruining it now?

She stood, staring out at the ocean, but the only thing that would come to her besides a litany of 'whys' was that she really, really wished Chompwater was around. With a sigh, she turned around and began walking back. When her feet hit the grass, she heard it, the sound being able to overcome that of the waves.

"- IDIOTIC THINGS THEY -"

Meiko's eyes widened, and she almost grinned at the sheer absurdity of the mental picture in her mind; Tuesday, Little Silence-san, shouting at the top of her lungs.

She raced toward the house.

* * * * *

They will take care of it, little one. For now, there is something that must be done as soon as possible. When will such a convergence happen again?

Mercury peered over her shoulder. The beak on her arm was firm, yet surprisingly gentle, and not painful despite the sharp material the beak was made of. But... Trainer Tuesday is shouting. That never happens!

And it will be taken care of by the trainers. We have other things to discuss.

Before Mercury could protest, they were in front of the kadabra of Tuesday's brother (this was not a hard task; they, trainer and pokemon alike, had been attracted to the odd sounds of a thirteen year old young lady shouting in anger, an unpracticed and odd reaction for the girl, and unfamiliar to all that knew her. Behind Brone and Cassandra, Mercury caught sight of Jaima and Meiko nearly plowing into each other in the hallway. Seeing each other had a very odd effect on them: They stopped, looked at each other in surprise, and then looked away, saddened and blushing.

How much was she missing?

But Mr. Postman was already 'speaking' to Cassandra. I'm sure you've taken the time to meet this little one, Mama Cass. A flash of amused annoyance went through the other pokemon's eyes, but did not register psychically. Mr. Postman continued as if he hadn't noticed. I think, perhaps, she is far past the point of needing to learn to establish her own psychic network, and since the one who perfected the ideals behind it was taken from her, I believe she should learn from Serenity's prized student.

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Jan 30 2010, 11:32 AM

Zorro was walking down the path with a bounce in his step. He stuck to the side of the path so he was nearly walking on the grass, letting the rays of sunlight dapple on his blue and black fur. It was growing warmer the more he walked and he couldn’t help but want to know who it was that wished so badly to speak to him.

He was looking up at the canopy of leaves above his head, watching the sunlight dance through the leaves, like a child playing Peek-a-Boo, when he was startled out of his reverie by many voices speaking at the same time.

“So this is where you’re hiding.”

Zorro gave an undignified yelp of surprise, his head coming down quickly, his eyes adjusting to the change in light, as he stopped walking.

Before him, the dirt path he had been walking on widened, and split off in seven different directions. There were three on the left, three on the right, and one right before him.

Sitting in the middle of each path, blocking his progress, was a vulpix.

“Privacy means secrets and secrets mean lies.”

The vulpix all spoke at once, their voices synchronous. They did not, however, all look the same.

On the left, the vulpix closest to him was black in color, her fur like the shadows that he had been trapped in, wading through for some time. Her eyes had a level of intelligence that he had seen mimicked in other pokemon, but rarely ever one that didn’t hold a mass of psychic power.

Beside her, on the next path, there sat a glittering vulpix, her fur golden in color, so rare and beautiful that Zorro was struck with awe. She had a slightly lesser glitter in her eyes to the black vulpix, but one that seemed to match the other vulpix beside her.

On the third path, the vulpix with an equally strong glimmer in her gaze was pure white, her fur like powdered snow. Zorro would have thought, perhaps, that the vulpix was nothing more than a snowmon, except for the expressive eyes and the soft rise and fall of her chest.

Straight ahead of him, there sat a beautiful crimson vulpix that did not escape a sense of familiarity. Lady Foxtrot, she was called. Her eyes were locked to his, as the others, but her gaze, as always, held something of a sinister gleam, as though she would hurt him just to prove to whomever doubted that he was not worthy of her presence.

On the other side of her, to Zorro’s right, there sat a vulpix with oddly pink fur. She was easily the most beautiful of all the vulpix before him, her coat appearing so soft it might have been brushed by a god.

To her left sat her exact opposite. Mottled red and brown fur had patches of bald spots and rough patches that made the vulpix the ugliest among them. Her eyes held barely a spark within them, but there was still something there.

The closest to Zorro on the right, and the last, was a brown vulpix with eyes as dull as a slowbro’s in comparison to the first vulpix’s. There wasn’t a glimmer or spark within them, and she herself seemed dull and faded to his eyes, flickering in and out like a fuzzy image. Zorro couldn’t bring himself to focus on her for too long. It was as though her unfocused form came to his mind, though because he intended it, as an obvious failure for her to matter.

Zorro studied them all with confusion, the seven of them blocking his progression through this forest and toward greater sunlight. He stood for a long moment, waiting for them to do something, but when nothing was done, he took a step forward.

They spoke as one again.

“How do we help you if you are surrounded by lies?”

Zorro stopped and looked at them all. “Escuse me?” he asked. He didn’t understand what they meant. He knew the one vulpix was clearly Lady Foxtrot, the princess, but he did not know the others, and why would they bother to help him, anyway? The princess didn’t like him, and who were the others to care?

“You have a past…?” the black vulpix asked him, speaking alone.

“Don’t we all…” the brown vulpix replied solely, causing Zorro to whip his head around and stare at her.

“We have not forgotten each other,” the golden vulpix said.

“Though we have often wished to forget,” spoke the ugly, mottled vulpix.

“We are the Seven Vulpix Sisters,” the white vulpix said quietly, her eyes glimmering.

“We are rivals and allies, as one,” the pink vulpix declared.

“You are foolish,” Lady Foxtrot said, her eyes locked dead to his golden gaze, as he turned to her. “You will act a fool soon after you wake, but you should wake. It would make my Master happier if Tuesday started smiling again, even if you are a fool.”

“There is someone who wishes to speak to you,” the seven spoke again as one. Zorro looked at them all, wondering who they were and what names they bore, if they were the princess’s sisters. In his mind, he gave them all names.

The black one, a shadow, was Shade, for her fur might have been black from soot, her eyes gleamed with too much intelligence to bear such a name.

The gold one glimmered as her color, and so he called her Treasure.

The white one looked as snow, her fur as soft as such, and so in his mind, he named her Powder.

Lady Foxtrot though she had been named, Zorro called her Princess, for that was how her trainer treated her.

The pink one, so beautiful and soft, he called Belle.

The mottled, ugly one, he called Mask.

The brown one, with the dim eyes, he called Terra, for her earthen-colored coat.

In his mind, he named them all, for they seemed important somehow, and he did not wish to forget them.

“Go on. You must go on, and find the one to speak to you.”

The seven sisters finished their synchronic exclamation, leaving a ringing echo of their final words dancing in the air. As smoke is brushed away by the wind, so the vulpix sisters began disappearing, first the two closest to Zorro, then those after, and then the following, until only Princess was left, staring at him.

Her eyes locked to his, she sniffed and raised her head, turning her nose away. “Fool,” she called him, simply, and then vanished like the others, leaving that path uncovered.

Zorro looked around, finding that the other six paths had vanished, and only then realizing that the views beyond them had not been of the forest he saw now. He stared around him for a long moment, and then, shrugging to no one in particular, turned and trotted down the path that Princess had blocked.

Who wanted to speak to him, anyway?

In hindsight, she would realize that she had been extremely rude to Darryn. She had finished sending Wraith to Professor Oak, getting his promise that he would take good care of her (and he assured her that Tyson – the stallion who led the herd – would also watch out for her, as he did all of the ponyta), when Darryn came up behind her. He seemed nervous somehow, though she didn’t understand why, as she listened to the computer shut down behind her.

And then he had told her about Dante, that the foolish charmeleon had been standing out in the rain, letting it pour on him.

There weren’t a great many things that could get Tuesday riled up (Reilly, however, counted among these things, since there was no way someone that annoying could be human), but her pokemon being self-mutilating could do it in a heartbeat.

“Shards!” she cursed, and brushed past Darryn without a thought to thank him or even apologize for being so rude, as she bolted down the hall.

Now, she stood in the small room that held Dante, conscious once again and lying on the table. He looked tired and more than a little worried, but Tuesday took no notice, as she was busy ranting, pacing back and forth violently as she waved her hands emphatically in the air.

"OF ALL THE STUPID, IDIOTIC THINGS YOU COULD HAVE DONE! WHY ARE ALL OF MY FRIENDS SUDDENLY ACTING LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SENSE THEY WERE BORN WITH?!"

“Is the pup gonna be okay?” Ashleigh and Odysseus were also in the room, staying out of the way of the pacing child. Ashleigh was sitting on his haunches underneath the table on which Dante lay, and Odysseus was standing beside him, arms crossed, slightly amused.

“The lass’ll be all right, boy. She’s jus’ worried an’ rightly so.”

"CALL ME VIZINI IF YOU WISH, BUT HOW CAN IT NOT BE INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE LOT OF YOU ARE SO INCREDIBLY FOOLISH THAT YOU MAKE A TOOK LOOK SANE?!"

“The lass likes ‘er books, dun she?”

“That’s how she names us all,” Dante replied wearily. He sighed, his tail hanging over the edge of the bed. “I’ve done a dumb thing, I guess.”

“Water and fire dun mix, Scaley! You should know that, yes you should!”

Dante sighed again and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the table. “I want to be stronger,” he whispered. “I need to be strong enough to protect her.”

”I think yer missin’ a key point in how things work ‘round here,” Odysseus said, walking out from under the bed so he could look Dante in the eyes. “None of us want the lass t’ get hurt, and we’re gonna do our damnedest t’ make sure she ain’t. Ye getting’ yerself all hurt ou’ of stupidity ain’t gonn’ do her no good, lad. Ye don’ get stronger tha’ way. Ye jus’ get hurt.”

Dante closed his eyes. “How do I get stronger?”

“Tha’ comes wit’ time, lad, patience, an’ practice.” He nodded sharply. “Ye get yerself better an’ I’ll see if’n I can’ help ye wit’ tha’, yeah?”

Dante looked at him for a long time, and then nodded in agreement.

Odysseus nodded sharply. “Good lad! Now ye rest. Me and the landlegger’ll take care of the lass.” He motioned for Ashleigh, who bounded over to Tuesday, who was still pacing and ranting, and nudged her head against Tuesday’s legs.

The girl stopped and looked at Dante, who had fallen asleep almost immediately, and sighed. “Why do you guys keep doing this to me?” She grabbed a blanket and threw it over Dante, careful to keep it clear of his tail. She stood at the table, staring down at him. “Do you guys realize that I couldn’t handle it if I lost any of you? And it almost happened with… with Zorro. And now Wraith’s gone.” Her eyes cast to the floor. “I don’t want to lose anyone.”

“The lass don’ realize how strong she is, landlegger,” Odysseus said in answer to Ashleigh’s worried look. “Com’on, lad, get ‘er out o’ here.”

Standing beside Tuesday, Ashleigh leaned against her leg a little, at first, earning himself a scratch between the horns that made his tongue loll out. At a motion from Odysseus, however, he leaned almost all of his weight on Tuesday’s leg.

The girl let out something between a yelp and a cry, as she nearly fell over. She caught herself staggering to the left and looked at Ashleigh, his tail whipping back and forth, tongue letting drool drop all over the floor. He barked softly at her.

“I get it, I get it,” she muttered, and turned to the door. “I’m going.”

She did, she realized, need to apologize to Darryn.



The path was bathed in light, the shadows flickering in, trying to take over, but they couldn’t. Zorro was full of glee as he bounded down the path excitedly, the sunlight warm against his fur, his golden eyes practically glowing in anticipation. Who wanted to speak with him?

Maybe it was his hermana. That would be nice, he missed her. He wondered where she was and why she hadn’t come into his dream like she had before. He liked that, even when the dreams were scary. It was nice when she was around. She felt like home.

He turned a corner, skidding through the dirt and laughed, before stopping abruptly in surprise.

In the middle of the path before him, there was a thunderstorm.

It was more like a small dark cloud that had too much fight in it, lightning arching down to scorch the dirt path, rain pouring, the area too dark for him to see the path beyond the storm.

Maybe there wasn’t anything beyond it.

Zorro took a step forward and the lightning arched down again, golden and fiery. It did not last a moment, however, but remained in a fall of electricity, slowly, he realized, rippling, taking form.

Unlike the others, however, who were merely voices, eyes, and shadows, this form was full. Golden and brown, small, the pikachu appeared, stepping out of the lightning as much as it birthed her.

”Ratta?” he asked, cocking his head to the side. Why would she want to speak to him?

Tempest looked at him, and her eyes looked so sad, before she looked away, ashamed, her ears flattened against her skull not in anger, but in self-disgust. ”Ratta?”

“I’m so sorry, Zorro,” she said, and her voice sounded so full of emotion and lost that he couldn’t for a moment doubt her sincerity. “I really am.”

”I know,” he said, stepping forward. He hesitated, because he knew that Tempest did not like him, but then he placed a paw on her back in what he hoped she understood was meant to be a comforting manner. ”It’s okay. You no mean to hurt me.”

“But I did.”

Zorro shrugged, grinning. ”S’ok, then. In past, and we no worry anymore.” He shook a finger at her mockingly. ”You no do it again, Ratta.”

She grinned. “Do you want to wake up, mutt?”

His ears perked and he grinned. “Back to mi hermana,” he said excitedly, and nodded.

Tempest held out a paw to him and he took it in his own. Before moving forward, however, she leaned up and kissed him softly, surprising him, on the cheek. She turned around and started toward the door that had appeared in the storm, and so she missed his full-faced blush.

”This way, Zorro… It’s time to wake up…”

He stepped through the doorway and there was nothing but light.



“Keep with me, Mercury,” Cassandra said softly into the kirlia’s mind. “I will show you where the others dwell.” Cassandra hardly considered herself Serenity’s best student or greatest at anything, but she was available and it was past time for Mercury to have made a network, so she supposed that was all that mattered.

“Here, Mercury, is where dwell Dresden, my friend in New Bark Town.”

They were jumping from friend to use, using each as an anchor as though playing connect-the-dots. Cassandra was introducing Mercury to her own network, so that the kirlia could contact them and perhaps find others that she could link with, to create her own. For a network was formed out of trust, first and foremost.

Dresden was the Hypno that Cassandra had personally met once when she was younger. He had become a good friend. She, keeping Mercury’s consciousness hugged tightly to her own, had introduced the kirlia to the Espeon, Amelia, the Chimecho, Belle, and the Xatu, Zen.

She continued to carry her throughout the world, letting her pass other psychics and not saying anything as she felt the kirlia stretch out her own senses to recognize them for what they were.

“You must find those who you are comfortable with, and if you wish to speak with one, jump from another to reach them – connect with one to use it as a base for those who are too far. Ride on the back of Mr. Postman if you need to; he is always more than willing. This is how I keep tabs on Tuesday, for she always was getting herself into trouble. My friend, Chimera, a girafarig, is here in Furoh, and I link closely with him.”

Cassandra pulled away slowly, letting Mercury linger throughout the world on her own. She remained close by if she was needed, but she doubted that she would be. This was Serenity’s daughter. She would be fine.



He opened his eyes slowly, finding it too difficult to do so, his body stiff and pained. The room smelled funny, felt funny, and he was so tired, it didn’t seem right.

He yawned, stretched, and winced, and then looked around as he felt around.

There was one other presence in the room whom he recognized, and though he was tired, his golden eyes lit up in excitement upon seeing him.

”Mi hermano!”

Zorro was awake.

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 1 2010, 04:56 PM

“Shards!”

*Aw, crap!*

Darryn stumbled backwards as Tuesday rushed past him, her face already flushing into a bright beetroot. A glimmering trail of scarlet, grey and pale green followed her like a bad smell, clinging to her tiny body. Darryn blinked them away and watched the younger trainer’s back storm away.
Lady nimbly side-stepped Tuesday’s trotting legs and snorted with distaste as she leisurely sauntered down the hall.

<Bad shrimp?> Lady chuckled to herself, rubbing into Darryn’s legs as a prompt for him to lift her into his arms. He did so, albeit absentmindedly, and chewed his lower lip in worry.

“Oooh, I’ve done it now.” He muttered, smoothing the fur on his prized Pokemon’s back.

<You corrected her hair? Took long enough.> Lady sighed, stretching her neck lazily. <Next it should be those Mew-awful shoes.>

“No, not that.” Darryn huffed. “I told her that Dante was hurting himself. You know? When we were watching him in the rain?”

Lady looked up with unimpressed eyes.

<So?>

“So, that’s going to make Tuesday sad – she really cares for her Pokemon.” Darryn made to move towards where the blonde youth had disappeared but stopped himself short when her usually tiny voice made the picture frames in the hall shudder:

"OF ALL THE STUPID, IDIOTIC THINGS YOU COULD HAVE DONE! WHY ARE ALL OF MY FRIENDS SUDDENLY ACTING LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SENSE THEY WERE BORN WITH?!"

<She does?> Lady snorted. Darryn frowned.

“Look, Lady. Shut up. Why do you have to be so mean? We’ve talked about this before – If you can’t say anything nice, just don’t bother talking. I’m sick of it. These are my friends and I like them for who they are – not what I want them to be!”

Those large, chestnut, glittering eyes scowled up into Darryn’s own. An unseen force opened Darryn’s arms and pushed him back, causing him to drop the Vulpix and stumble a few steps. He shot her an incredulous look and reached for her Heal Ball. Lady, however, was too fast for Darryn’s recall and darted out of the front door.

“Bitch…” Darryn hissed under his breath.

“And I didn’t even say ‘Hi’ yet. That’s got to be a record.” Meiko rolled her eyes as she approached, arms folded defensively. She stuck her tongue in her cheek – it was an obvious joke. Jaima, next to her, was a picture of worry and there were no surprises there. For all intents and purposes, he was Tuesday’s big brother and everyone knew it out of character for her to shout.

Darryn knew what was coming next. The “why is she so upset?” demand and the “it’s my fault” admission. He hated being the badguy but he hated not having Lady to protect him even more.

Victor sat in the rain, thinking. All of his contemporaries were high-flying, fast-running, speed-wheeling stars who had proven their abilities to their shared master long before the Squirtle had arrived on the scene. It had only been a day, but Victor felt the desire to impress his captor even stronger than he had when she had caught him.

One battle. That’s all he had under his belt. A simple, straight-forward duel with a foe Pokemon which Darryn had barely had time to glance at. Victor had been left to his own devices to engage with the Pinsir and defeat it in a timely manner so as to catch up with the rest of the gang. One battle was all he had to show for himself. One battle that proved absolutely nothing.

“Damn, Shellshocker.” Victor said to himself, speaking aloud his original nickname. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, yet again.” He tilted his face up to accept the falling patter of rain. “Don’t mess it up this time.”

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 1 2010, 11:29 PM

He didn't want to ask. Not really. But at the same time, he had to. And, thinking about it (which he'd rather not have to, thank you,) it was a lot better to ask 'why is Tuesday so upset?' than 'who's attacking us this time?'

He looked at Meiko, and once again his stomach flew into turmoil. Concentrating on Tuesday suddenly became a welcome distraction. He looked at Darryn, not seeing Meiko turn to look at him, just in time to watch him look away. She crossed her arms over her chest again.

With a heavign sigh, half to calm his stomach and half to clear his mind, Jaima looked at Darryn, unaware of how bone tired he looked. "OK, so why is Tuesday so upset?"

Darryn sighed, speaking hesitantly at first. "I was watching out the window when I saw Dante standing out in the rain. He collapsed just after the rain stopped. I went and got him, and..."

Jaima rubbed the bridge of his nose. "And then went and told Tuesday."

Darryn hesitated, but then the words seemed to come out in a rush. "She had to know, Jaima. If one of her pokemon is hurting itself deliberately, she has to be told, doesn't she?" Jaima didn't look up, or he might have seen him wringing his hands. Meiko patted his shoulder, but her eyes were on Jaima, her brow scrunched.

Jaima's hand shook, and his eyes began to burn. For a brief moment, he wanted to stand up and punch something. A wall. A book. A rock type pokemon. Shadow (but only because Jaima knew it would hurt his hand more than it would hurt the lucario). In the end, he fought it down, clenching the one fist and pinching the bridge of his nose so hard he gave a minor his in pain.

He didn't notice the vulpix trot quickly into the room.

Looking up, feeling even more drained, he nodded. "You're right, of course, Darryn. She had to know." He stood, ignoring or not seeing the worried look on the faces of his companions, and walked to the door. "I'll go talk to her," he sighed, wearily, and left.

Meiko stared after Jaima, torn between cursing him under her breath and chasing after him to hug the melancholy out of him. Instead, she turned to Darryn.

"Da-kun... can I talk to you? It's... it's important. I need a friend."

* * * * *

Shadow smiled as Zorro sat up, stiff yet brimming with the energy and aura that defined him. <<It is about time you woke up, Little Brother.>>

The words seemed to be the wrong things to say. Zorro's ears drooped heavily, and he looked down, staring at his paws. Shadow rose from the stool upon which he had been perched and put his own paw on the top of Zorro's head. <<My apologies, Little Brother. It was a poor attempt at levity, something which we have sorely missed in your absence. I haven't near the skill with bringing it out as you do.>>

Zorro's golden eyes met Shadow's green ones, and the riolu's face began to split into a great grin.

* * * * *

"I... I was..." Meiko began to pace in front of Darryn, gesturing with her hands. "When I was ten, the thing I wanted most was to go on my pokemon journey with my best friend. Best friend ever." She looked at him, blushing and looking sheepish, but not shying away from it. "Jaima."

She sighed. "Has he told you his past? He doesn't talk about it, and maybe I shouldn't... but it's important!!" She looked pained, then foraged ahead. "Jaima's father was killed the day we got our pokemon. At first I didn't think about what would happen after. I mean... it was so sad. But then he said he was staying home... and I didn't get it."

Meiko's face worked, as if she were struggling not to smile or cry. "I hate to admit this, but I felt let down. Like he'd abandoned me. And we didn't talk much, but part of me... I had a little girl crush on him, you know?"

She stopped at the window, looking out. It was a small window, befitting the small room, but the outside captured her attention. At least, it seemed to. In reality, she was deep in the past, and speeding through it.

"I did a lot on my journey. I was determined to make it without Jaima. That'd show him," she said, her voice shaky. "But I was lonely, and... and Mom seemed to know it. She arranged for me to meet up with a boy from our town. Toshiro Yamamoto." She sighed, as if saying his name had taken some building up to. "He was from a good family. The Yamamoto's were great friends to my family, especially Mrs. Yamamoto. Mom and her were tight. Best friends."

She turned to face Darryn, her arms crossed across her stomach, but couldn't seem to look up at him. "I... I liked him, Da-kun." She smiled sadly at the ground. "I really liked him. We got along well, and he was funny, and fun, and strong..." When she finally looked up, there were tears just about to fall in her eyes. "And a great kisser." She chuckled, a sad, lonely sound that shouldn't be associated with a laugh. "I found out I liked kissing because of him."

Wiping her eyes, she seemed to steel herself. "A little bit ago, we were both in Blackthorn. Blackthorn has cultural festivals all the time, and it was the Cherry Blossom Festival. So I got dressed up in my kimono, and so did he, and we went to the festival grounds. He gave me Rockclaw." Her face crumpled again. "I don't like having pokemon given to me. I feel like it doesn't have the same bond, you know? But..." she whispered. "But I thought I was in love. Maybe I really was."

"We went into the nearby woods, and... and we started kissing..." Meiko began to breathe heavier, and when she noticed that Darryn was hugging her, and realized that he was carefully to her side, as unthreatening a hug as any boy could give, she clung to his arms, leaning against him. "His hands started roaming... it wasn't the first time, you know? Boys will be boys... that's what Daddy said. So long as they listened when I said no, then it would be fine." Meiko actually sobbed, and knew she would hate herself later. "He'd always stopped before. Always. But not this time. This time he... he got pushy."

Meiko could feel Darryn's arms tighten around her, but rather than let him speak, which, she feared, would make her stop, she soldiered on. "I could feel his hands... and I was scared. I... it wasn't like I hadn't wondered, or imagined... it was just that I knew, I knew I wasn't encouraging it at the time... and I was very aware of how strong he was..."

She swallowed, but spoke as soon as her constricting throat allowed. "I finally got space between us, and slapped him, and managed to get away. I ran... all the way back to the pokecenter. I remember calling out Chompwater, and prac-practically screaming into her... her chest. And then he was at the door, and we were yelling back and forth. Stupid stuff. 'But I got you that corphish!' 'I can't believe I trusted you!' We must have sounded... so odd..."

Finally, she looked up at Darryn, her eyes wet, tracks of tears running down her face. "He finally went to bed. I left. I.. I couldn't stay, I couldn't do my challenge... I just left. And I went home. Mom... Mom still doesn't know."

She sighed, leaning her cheek against Darryn's chest. "I'm sorry, Da-kun. I'm sorry, it's just... I thought I was over it.. but it's coming back, and I'm scared... because..." She could feel the sob coming, and tried to hold it back, but heard, to her mortification, the quiet, keening whine escape her. "Because Jaima... is so strong now..."

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Feb 2 2010, 04:26 AM

Exhaustion was probably part of the reason that Tuesday was so emotionally distraught, or it was, at least, a good excuse. She had left the room at Ashleigh’s forceful insistence, Odysseus following behind. She stood in the hall, leaning against the wall, staring off into nothing. The anger had faded, leaving her feeling drained and empty.

She heard footsteps coming closer, but didn’t turn. She knew it was Jaima, though if pressed, she wouldn’t be able to say how she knew. She continued to gaze forward into the wall, her mind not really pondering much of anything in her weary state.

“Tuesy.” His voice was soft, as it usually was when he spoke to her. He was like an older brother in so many ways she could never see him as anything else. Maybe it was a little weird, being in Brone’s presence again. It was like she had two older brothers now. She liked that.

“What’s wrong, Tuesy?” he asked, stepped up next to her. He didn’t touch her, but he was close enough for a hug. It seemed an unspoken offer, and she was grateful for it.

“Dante was out in the rain.” She didn’t mean for it to sound so emotionless, but she didn’t seem able to call forth enough energy to put any force behind her words. “He was just… standing in it.”

There was a moment of silence, during which Jaima seemed to be trying to figure out what to say. “I know,” he finally settled on. “Darryn told me.”

“He was hurting himself,” Tuesday whispered, her voice taking on an unwanted pleading tone. “Why was he hurting himself, Jaima?” She narrowed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears, but they blurred her vision in an instant and a couple rolled down her cheeks. She heard a groan from Jaima. It wasn’t one of those “oh, damnit, now she’s crying” groans that adults with no experience (or just bad experience) with kids will utter, but a sound that showed how he shared in her distress, wishing she didn’t have to suffer it.

His arm was around her shoulders in a second, and she turned to him, wrapping her arms around his chest in a tight hug and burying her face into his chest. She didn’t sob; the force required for such an action probably would have sent her reeling into unconsciousness, but she did cry. Jaima just held her for a time, offering the comfort that she so desperately needed.

“It’ll be okay, Tuesy,” Jaima assured her softly, brushing his hand down her hair, “I promise.” Tuesday nodded into his chest, sighed, and pulled away, brushing away her tears.

The tell-tale sound of tap-tap-tap on the floor, familiar to Tuesday above all others, was the only warning she got before her brother appeared.

In his left hand, he held the end of a white cane, used when Cassandra was too busy to meander with him. A thin tan leash was wrapped around his right hand. The other end was latched onto a thin, matching collar around the neck of an umbreon.

Brone’s steps were silent but swift. He marched in with purpose, raised his cane, and pointed it sharply at Tuesday, causing her to blink in surprise. “You. Bed.”

Tuesday’s eyes went wide. “But-”

“Now!” The tone Brone used was sharp, one that was rare and not argued with. Tuesday wilted slightly and looked at Jaima.

“You… you heard your brother,” Jaima said, sounding uncomfortable.

Tuesday swallowed, nodded, and left quickly, Ashleigh trotting behind her, his tongue lolling out.

Brone, of course, did not watch Tuesday leave, but he was silent as he listened to her receding footsteps. He heard Jaima sigh and give telltale signs of getting up and leaving. He chuckled lightly and raised a hand to stop Jaima. “I have only one cane, Jaima, but that command was meant for you, as well. You need to rest.” He raised a hand, holding it out for Jaima to begin walking in front of him. “Come; I’ll walk you.” He stepped to follow as the umbreon tugged lightly on the leash.

They walked in silence for a time, Brone walking confidently through the darkness as the umbreon led her.

“I wanted to thank you,” Brone said finally, continuing his steady walk, “for taking care of Tuesday.”

Jaima’s footsteps halted, and Brone stopped, as well, the umbreon purring lightly and rubbing against his legs. Brone steadied his equilibrium by touching the cane to the ground and turned an ear to Jaima.

“I know Cassandra keeps an eye on Tuesday through her contacts, and I can do what I can to make sure I know she’s safe, but the fact is that I cannot be there for her, no matter how much I would wish to. But I understand that she needs to learn to live without me hanging on her; it’s a part of growing up. Still, she shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

Brone turned sightless eyes to where he thought Jaima was standing. “You have been there for her when she needed someone most, and I am grateful for that.” He could feel the rise of Jaima’s emotions, his own exhaustion causing him to lose control as Tuesday had. He made a gentle motion with his left hand and the umbreon moved in between he and Jaima, easing Brone’s mind of the emotions he was feeling, but still not leaving him completely blind.

“I know Tuesday considers you a brother.” Brone reached out and placed a hand on Jaima’s shoulder. “You should know that I feel the same. As far as I am concerned, ani, you are as much a member of this family as I am, and I’m glad to have you.”

He could feel Jaima’s shoulders shaking under his touch and he smiled softly. He knew the boy was trying to hide his tears, but Brone could sense his emotions, and there was no shame in that.

“Come, ani. You need rest as much as our sister. It will do you both good.”

Ashleigh lay on top of the blankets, curled into a ball in the crook of the pup’s bent knees. The little one had tried repeatedly to cover him with a blanket to make sure that he was warm, and he had finally endured it long enough for her to fall asleep, before shaking the cover off and making himself more comfortable.

His head lay on his paws, his nose taking in the pup’s scent, spread throughout this room so prominently that it didn’t take a genius to realize that she slept in here every time she came.

Captain had told Ashleigh to watch over the pup and to make sure that she slept, and he intended to do just that.

Lying in bed, he watched his chest gently rise and fall, her face calm in sleep. He sighed softly, yawned, and curled up tighter against her.

Captain didn’t have to worry. The pup was safe with him.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 2 2010, 11:55 AM

Mercury, at first, felt the beginnings of panic, much like a new swimmer getting into deep water for the first time. The sensation was similar; stepping from familiar territory to that where there was nothing under your feet, yet somehow you stayed afloat. It was frightening, and exhilarating, and she found, after a while and with Cassandra close by, her panic turned to elation.

It was a world in which she, and others of her type, belonged. And yet there were strong presences as well, that were not of her type. Almost like intruders. No, that wasn't right. More like immigrants. Those with natural ability who wandered into this world of free-floating psychic energy that was like air to Mercury, and in surviving it, thrived and were adopted into the family.

Vulpi, noctowl, psyduck, denizens of the sea, denizens of the air, grass types, bug types, all of whome seemed to look with wonder at this new addition, or perhaps simply with more clarity. As they 'passed', it was the non-psychic types that stood out.

After meeting Zen, who was wiser than his form indicated, Mercury passed by a particular non-psychic and reached out, tentatively.

At first, it was as if she were suddenly yanked away from Cassandra, but she could still feel the psychic weight of the kadabra. But there she stood, in a white skirt, blue clad legs on "solid" ground. She was, briefly, surprised to see feet at the bottoms of her legs, but it seemed, also, natural. She looked back to Cassandra, who merely smiled and said nothing.

Before her was a squat man, dressed all in beige with yellow slippers on his head and bright yellow lips that seemed both overly large and just right. "Yes. What is it I can do for you, who has reached out to me like this?"

Mercury blinked, then smiled. "I'm..." She looked back and Cassandra nodded once, encouragingly. Briefly, she caught a flash of both the kadabra she was in the "real" world, and her representation here; short blonde hair to the back of her neck, a veil of the same color over her mouth that hid nothing but seemed fitting, a brown blouse with large shoulder pads and a yellow skirt, holding a spoon.

She turned back to the odd little man. "I'm Mercury, and I'm in the psychic plane for the first time. I'm building a network of friends to help me help my trainer."

The little man walked around her, running a hand through the tuft of black hair on the top of his head. "Seems you're a little late," he said, but was smiling in such a friendly manner that she knew he was joking. "Very pretty, I think. You're a shiny, yes? Yes, of course. Rude of me to ask. Name's Mortimer, but friends call me Morty." He leaned in close, as if to whisper to her, and there was a chuckle on his breath. "This means you can call me Morty."

Mercury giggled, and Morty went on. "Can't say I can help you. I'm here, but sometimes, not so much, you know?"

Cassandra cleared her throat. Her voice here was the same as her mental voice in the physical world, deep and smooth. "Sometimes, Mortimer, being in a psychic network can improve your psychic powers."

As if just seeing her for the first time, Morty stepped back, then tilted his head. He moved forward, waddling around her, then chuckled. "Ah, so this is Mama Cass, I think. Mr. P speaks highly of you, or, at least, as highly as Mr. P speaks of anyone." Cassandra stiffened, but Morty was already back in his usual place, which seemed to be represented by a beanbag chair surrounded by water reeds. "Call me Morty too. Any friend of Mr. P, and all that."

Mercury smiled and bowed. "Thank you, Morty. I will contact you again."

It continued on. There were, really, only four contacts she was able to make on her own, but it was a start, and it was enough. And then a presence attracted her like nothing else could.

She looked back at Cassandra, who had stopped at her alertness, as she had when the other four had caught Mercury's attention. Instead of leading Cassandra to the presence, Mercury pulled away. Cassandra nodded, seeming, if not surprised, then impressed. A line appeared between them, like a rope, but it stretched in length as Mercury traveled away from Cassandra, and she could still feel Cassandra's presence through it.

In this area, there was darkness, and destruction, and things flickered in and out of existence. Mercury, however, felt no fear, only curiosity.

Chained to a crumbling wall was a girl dressed similarly to her, except that her leggings and hair (Mercury had to reach up and confirm that, yes, she had hair, which was blue) were green. Her arms were extended above her by heavy, black chains, and the girl wept bitterly. Mercury's heart broke.

"Hello?"

As if the word triggered life, the girl looked up, not sad and pleading, but frightened, and then terrified. The terror rushed at Mercury, and the girl opened her mouth and screamed.

"GET OUT!"

The scream was accompanied by a pull, a push, like being caught in a current, and Mercury was thrown out of the dark destroyed area to land at Cassandra's feet. Cassandra knelt next to her, eyes wide.

"What happened?"

Mercury looked back at the place she had been. The words had been few, the push had been quick. So little had happened, but that brief moment had been so informative that Mercury knew she would think on it for months and learn something new each time.

The girl had not been angry. She was not reacting to a trespasser nor expelling an intruder.

The girl... the kirlia... had pushed Mercury away as one pushes someone out of the path of an oncoming tauros. The kirlia was protecting Mercury, even at the cost to herself.

"We have to go back," Cassandra announced, not pushing for information. "Your trainer needs you."

* * * * *

Mercury sat at the head of Jaima's bed, softly stroking his thoughts to keep him asleep. Brone had been right, and something he had said had released a great fear in Jaima, obliterated it. But it was one of many stones in Jaima's heart, and sleep was what he needed now.

To the outside world, it was a kirlia sitting at the head of Jaima's bed, one hand on his head. In the psychic worlds, however, it was a young girl with blue hair sitting in the lap of a strong, yet defeated man, giving him comfort and tending his wounds, singing to him to ease his troubled mind. Mercury loved Jaima, like a young girl loves a father, and yet she now knew something, simply by interacting with Cassandra, and with Morty and the others, and even with the strange girl who'd protected her so violently.

She, too, was strong. And she, too, had strong friends to support her. And she, too, would protect her Trainer with all that she had.

She reached out, to Shadow, to Zorro (welcoming him with the strongest mental hug he could stand), to Desertdancer, and to Lady, though she seemed annoyed at first, to be approached mentally so suddenly. One by one, she hugged them, and implanted in their hearts that as much as she could count on them, they, too, could count on her.

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 2 2010, 05:41 PM

"OK, so why is Tuesday so upset?"

Darryn nearly threw up. Too much was coming at once! His own nervousness was as miniscule as an ant to a towering Oak compared to the bombardment of light that swarmed into his eyes. The series of Emotaglows pouring out of Jaima were erratic, inconsistent and so bright that they burned through Darryn's eyelids even when he blinked. They whispered on his skin like a chorus of Nincada, caressing and probing and then clamping tightly like so many claws trying to break into Darryn's shell. From every direction, the lights stabbed into his skin and searched for his soul, twisting and turning into his mind. It was too much! And Darryn couldn't stop it!

*IT HURTS!* Darryn screamed to himself, his stomach pitching with every wave of melancholy grey, angry red and exasperated violet that attacked him so ferociously. *But I can't tell them!*

Darryn sighed, more to calm himself than anything else before speaking. His breath came out slowly, unfocused as his attention was repeatedly snatched from him. "I was watching out the window when I saw Dante standing out in the rain. He collapsed just after the rain stopped. I went and got him, and..."

Jaima rubbed the bridge of his nose. "And then went and told Tuesday."

Before he could lose touch with his flow, Darryn continued as fast he could. "She had to know, Jaima. If one of her pokemon is hurting itself deliberately, she has to be told, doesn't she?" Jaima didn't look up. Streaks of glittering crimson flew off him amid a darkening blue-grey aura. Darryn had never seen anything like it! Why wouldn't it stop?! Why couldn't he quell it as he usually could?

*HELP ME! IT HURTS!*

<Prince Darryn. STOP.>

The world froze. Not only did it all stop moving, but it went dark in an instant - the calamity of lights vanishing as shadows before a sunrise. And, much to Darryn's surprise, Lady was the sun.

<Your talent grows stronger and you ignore it. The longer you do so, the less control you shall have.>

<Lady, I-> Darryn began, but the Vulpix silenced him with a slice of her own power.

<As cliché as it is, you focus too much on your own outer beauty. Without caring for your inner self - your own emotions - how can expect it to flourish? Without care, it will rot and blacken your thoughts.>

<Isn't that a little dark? Even for you?>

<It's a metaphor.> Lady quipped. <In simple terms, your power is a true extension of your own emotions. You're an Empath, Prince Darryn. Emotion is what you are learning to see, read, feel and, in time, project. If I am to be your guardian, you must develop yourself enough so that I have something left to protect. Without control of yourself, you will find your emotions - and those of others - take you over. Now, my skill isn't enough to make our Moment any longer so I will leave you with this.> Those enormous brown eyes burned straight into Darryn's soul. <Learn to accept what has been given and I will learn to ... be nice>

"You're right, of course, Darryn. She had to know." Jaima continued, walking to the door. "I'll go talk to her," he sighed, wearily, and left.

Darryn watched with disbelieving eyes as the Emotaglows around Jaima vanished with a touch of Darryn's will.

"Da-kun... can I talk to you? It's... it's important. I need a friend." Meiko's voice was worried.

*Time for the next steps, huh?* Daryn thought to himself as he listened to Meiko's story.

"I'm sorry, Da-kun. I'm sorry, it's just... I thought I was over it.. but it's coming back, and I'm scared... because..." Meiko began to weep more freely. "Because Jaima... is so strong now..."

Darryn's throat caught. With Lady's help he had managed to shield himself from the probing hands of Meiko's aura and block out the blinding greys and greens of her emotions. Her story was sad, to be sure, but not one he hadn't heard before. His sister, Cleo had had a similar eperience. Well, at least Meiko's case hadn't involved the police. Even so...

"And you think Jaima will get to be like this Toshiro guy..." Darryn finished for her, rocking her sobbing body against him soothingly. "Shhh, shh..." He hushed her. "Oh, Mei-mei. What will we do with you?"

Her reddened face turned up towards him.

"You've known Jaima forever, right?" Darryn smiled softly. "I know I'm pretty new to you guys but I'd like to think we've all grown closer. And, I know it's not my place to start spouting opinions everywhere but, I really really honestly don't think you have a problem there. Jaima's always going orange and gold when he looks at you and he-"

Meiko's eye were quirked at a confused angle. Darryn's mouth stopped moving.

*Awww CRAP!*

"And he's never seemed the pushy type. 'Sides - I'm still around, right? And Tuesday will be around a lot longer, too. We're all here to support each other and none of us would let anything bad happen to anyone else." Darryn managed to get out quickly. Meiko's face softened.

"I know, Darryn... I know..." Meiko sighed heavily, fat tears rolling off her cheeks. "Thanks... Thanks for listening..."

"Oh, and Mei-mei? This Toshiro guy? If he talks to you again, I'll have Lady mak him think he's a 4-year-old girl for the rest of his life. Y'hear?"

Meiko's blubber-soaked giggle was music to Darryn's ears. He smiled more intently and hugged her tightly to him. Everything was going to be alright.



<Hug me again, 'Dome and I'll burn that shiny head of yours to ash, got it?> Lady shot at Mercury. The reply was a resounding giggle.

<Awww, Lady! I love you, too!> Mercury laughed, dodging a psychic slap and cutting the connection.

Lady curled up defensively next to her trainer's feet at the base of the bed, watching out for Mercury in case the Kirlia had a deathwish enoug to come and actually hug her. When the suspected threat of incoming affection was clear, Lady relaxed a little and closed her eyes. With no-one to see her smile, Lady sank into the fading feeling of the embrace and snuggled deeper into the duvet.

*You might have a nice touch, 'Dome, but next time let it be the sweet stroke of the Darkhound's tail...*

That night, Lady slept soundly. Very soundly, indeed.

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Feb 2 2010, 10:54 PM

Odysseus sought the North Star with his eyes, finding it nearly faded into blackness against the bright glow of the waxing moon. He sighed as he studied the stars, mentally naming the constellations with ease, his mind elsewhere.

“Elizabeth,” he murmured, and his voice was taken by the wind. Odysseus had never been one to mope on the past. The man who had raised him from his youth had taught him to live in the moment. Worry not for the future or the past, and all that. It was a law to live by, and Odysseus had done it for a long time.

When you had kids, however, you fell into the habit of gazing into their future, even if it wasn’t always wise.

It had been painful to see George go. The man had raised him for years and Odysseus had been his first mate – first pokemon mate, anyway. It had been hard to say good-bye, but life went on, whether or not it seemed fair.

Odysseus returned to the wild and though it had taken determination and more than a little stubbornness, he had made it – he had survived. He had found others of his kind, bested the cocky ones, taken a place high in the ranks of his fellow buizel, and fallen in love. He’d had a daughter – Elizabeth – and he’d looked to their future as a family.

A pity not all humans were as kindhearted as the lass. His wife and daughter had been captured by ruthless pokemon hunters, Odysseus managing to escape with only a scar along his belly, buried in his fur, but he had been too injured to follow them at the time – too wounded to save his family.

He’d followed later, kept on their trail, gathered news from connections he had about the land and most especially the sea. That’s how he’d learned his wife had been killed when she fought too hard for freedom.

That’s how he learned that Elizabeth was still alive, being sold to other trainers as though she were goods and not a living creature, but it gave him hope. He knew she was on Furoh, knew he could find her, if he had the search the rest of his days. It was worth it, to make sure she was safe, and free. Even if he had to remain with the lass, he would make sure Elizabeth was free.

That was the most important thing; family.

“That was an incredibly stupid thing to do. How did you think she would react? Did you expect her to be pleased with you for hurting yourself? No one cares if your intentions were to get stronger, you were standing out in the rain, you big oaf.”

Tempest stared down at the slumbering charmeleon, completely oblivious to her one-sided rant. “You big stupid oaf, you had us both worried.” She grumbled slightly. “I’ve had enough to worry about these past few days.”

Tempest’s conscience had not been kind to her since they had arrived at DeBrody’s ranch. Tempest usually enjoyed it here; DeBrody knew well enough from his own experience to leave her be and Tuesday usually let her roam, so Tempest was allowed some privacy outside of the pokeball. Oh, she liked Dante well enough, but she got tired of his constant yammering about how great Tuesday was. She was great, yeah, kind and soft and loving, but could he make his poke-crush on her a little less noticeable?

Yeah, she usually enjoyed coming her. This time, however, they hadn’t arrived for a chance to see Tuesday’s uncle, but because Zorro had been injured to the point that they weren’t sure he would be all right. Beaten, poisoned, dying… it didn’t escape Tempest; it was on everyone’s mind.

She tried to convince herself that none of it was her fault or her concern, but she knew she was a lying sack of camerupt dung to try and force that opinion on herself. She hadn’t needed Mercury to add onto that; Tempest had already been well aware, if reluctant to admit it, of her mistake in being so crass with him. That’s why she had visited him in the lab. She wanted to make sure that he was okay, but… he wasn’t.

Tempest reached out and placed a paw on Dante’s horn, sighing. “You get better, you stupid oaf, and we’ll see what we can do to help Tuesday.”

And help Zorro, she added silently, as she hopped off of the table and scampered to the door, slipping out silently. She wasn’t paying attention, and so she didn’t notice the charmeleon’s smirk as he cracked his eyes open to watch her leave, before closing them again and going back to sleep.



“If he calls me Mama Cass one more time, I’m going to use him as a feather duster and clean this whole manor. … it could use it.” She scowled when a chuckle met her ears. “I’m not kidding.”

“Yes you are, and we both know it. You may not like the name he gives you, but you’re incredibly fond of Mr. Postman and wouldn’t pluck a feather from him, much less turn him into a cleaning instrument.” He smiled softly. “It is a good threat, though, if that’s what you’re going for.”

“Thank you.” There was silence for a long time, during which the two concentrated on the mental chess board in their linked minds, moving their players back and forth. “You’re worried.”

“Of course I’m worried; you’ve seen what they’re up against.”

“You should have more faith in her; in them.”

“No amount of faith, however great, could keep me from worrying about her. She is my sister.”

“And he is your brother.” She merely smiled when he looked at her. “He would wound himself a thousand times before allowing harm to come to her, you know?”

“Yes, I know. It both worries and gratifies me. I am grateful to know that she has others willing to watch out for her, but I do not wish for them to be hurt any more than she.”

“In your hopes for her to remain protected, don’t lose sight of the strength she has. She is not as weak as you have thought her – not in the past nor once you finally came to accept that things are as they are.”

“Her powers are the cause of most of this.”

“Do not be cruel,” Cassandra chided him sharply, causing Brone to look down in shame. “Tuesday has done nothing to deserve the harsh attentions of these people. It is by their choice that they hunt her, just as it will be their choice to hunt you, eventually.”

Brone opened his mouth in surprise, but said nothing. He shut it again and went back to concentrating on the chess board in their linked minds. There was silence for a long time.

“You do not question this?”

“When are you ever wrong?”

“Hmph. Don’t become too reliant upon my gifts, else they will falter when you most are. But I have seen this – they will come for you, whether or not you choose to take your sister’s advice.”

“And you have an opinion on that, too, I’m sure.”

“She is wise and I agree with her.”

“Yeah, and now all I have to do is convince Mom and Dad.”

Cassandra chuckled in merriment. “No, I don’t think you need worry there. It is Tuesday’s intention to speak to your parents. She merely waits to know your opinion, and intention. She is, of course, better with a pen and word than either you or I.”

“Will she convince them?”

“As before, I say again, Brone. Have faith.”



Ashleigh lay on the end of the bed, heavy forepaws hanging over the edge. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as his tail whipped wildly behind him, making a thud-thud-thud sound every time it smacked against a pillow. His muscles were tense, quivering with his readiness to leap to his feet at the earliest sign of their leaving the room. He kept getting false alarms and nearly jumping to attention, only to realize that the pup wasn’t ready yet and lying back down, panting with the exertion of staying still.

He wanted to go!

“Hang on, Ashleigh, I’m not ready yet,” Tuesday mumbled, her voice muffled as she pulled a sleeveless black shirt over her head.

“You know, this would go a whole lot faster if you would move and let me sit there," Tuesday said matter-of-factly, from where she sat on the floor, pulling on her sneakers.

In response, Ashleigh rolled over onto his back and drooled, grinning up at her. Tuesday, tying her pants off, raising an eyebrow at him. “Do you want a belly rub?”

“Yuuuuuuuuusssssss,” Ashleigh drooled, as Tuesday scratched his underside. His eyes rolled in ecstasy, his tail curling. When she stopped, he abruptly rolled over and leapt off of the bed, racing around the room twice before jumping back onto the bed and lying down, tail whipping.

Tuesday stared at him for a long time, her hands clutched to her chest, her eyes wide. “Remind me never to give you a belly rub inside again.”

“Belly ruuuuuuuuuub,” Ashleigh moaned, flopping onto his side and watching Tuesday pull her hair up into a tight ponytail. She moved on auto-pilot, her mind on the dream she'd had the night before. She had woken up in the dream, lying in a grassy field of sunshine, and Zorro had been waiting for her, wearing his pirate hat and dancing in the sunlight. She'd gotten up and danced with him. It had been a good dream.

“Okay,” Tuesday said, opening the door, “time to go for our run.”

The door wasn’t even open all of the way before Ashleigh was out of it, racing down the hall at top speed. Tuesday chased after him, hoping he didn’t decide to just plow through a closed door instead of waiting for her to catch up and open it.

Either Uncle DeBrody was already up, or Cassandra had foreseen this incident, because all of the doors were open. Tuesday raced through each and out of the house in time to hear a sharp cry of “Pharos!” and see Ashleigh race swiftly past the ampharos standing by the fence.

“Sorry, Lex!” Tuesday called, as she chased after Ashleigh, the flocks of mareep scattering at their intrusion in the field. The houndoom’s legs carried him faster and farther than she could travel by half, and soon she was breathing heavily and had slowed to a walk, as she made her way up the hill the rest of the way.

When she made it, the sun warm on her skin and Ashleigh grinning and panting beside her, tail whipping, she looked around and blinked. She had woken up a little late today, but where was Jaima?

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 3 2010, 05:04 PM

For the briefest of split seconds in his mind, Tuesday was dead.

Mercury watched, the speed of her own synapses slowing the moment and thought down, bit by bit, image by image: a bloody, small hand sticking up limply from a bush, the wild, laughing fat man who didn't match the boy Jaima actually knew, the crying pikachu mourning her fallen friend. With the images of the memory came the feelings associated with it. She let herself feel what her trainer felt: sick shock, despair, disbelief, and anger. Building to rage before the image went away.

For a split second, she was dead, and new images and feelings flooded into her heightened perception. Grief. Despair again. Shame, so deep, so harsh that his heart had stopped because he'd wanted it to. Her wrinkled, pale crest, Shadow's look of suffering, Jaima's own shaking hands...

It did not overwhelm her. And, realizing that she had braced herself for nothing, Mercury chased the images and memories away like swatting away flies.

It had beena dream, anyway, a bad one, but just a dream.

She marvelled at the sudden strength in her mind. Touching the few she'd befriended had surely strengthened her, yes, but more importantly, she began to believe, was meeting Cassandra's network. Meeting them, touching their minds, she began to feel surges of strength, minor in some, great in others. All of them had mentioned Serenity at some point, and truly Mercury felt like she was learning and remembering her mother better. She hadn't told Trainer Jaima, nor had she told Cassandra. She felt Cassandra knew as much.

But even Cassandra couldn't suspect that she had felt the largest connection to her mother aftwr she'd made her own contacts.

she's dead, she's dead, she's dead...

Mercury blinked. Hadn't she just banished those memories? Looking again, she saw the same ones playing, only now there were more. Meiko lying in a room, sprawled on a bed, glassy eyed. A green haired girl and a blue haired girl that, for a moment, she thought might be the mindscape versions of her and that poor trapped kirlia, but turned out to be familiar to her Trainer, broken and bleeding. Darryn hanging from a tree as if lynched. Brone lying pale and unmoving on the floor.

None of it beyond the first two, with Tuesday and Mercury, had any basis in fact or dream. Even when Meiko and his sisters (for that is who his memories told Mercury the green and blue haired girls were; his sisters) featured in nightmares, they took the place of principal members of previous nightmares. These images were new. Harsh.

False.

She envisioned a shield around Trainer Jaima, and a weaker one around Trainer Meiko (if they'd just sleep in the same bed like they wanted to, she'd be able to protect them both). Alerting Cassandra and Lady to watch Brone and Darryn, she cast out, getting the hint of a malicious presence, but nothing solid.

* * * * *

Rage.

It had been going so well. The boy was wallowing in despair, the girl in fear, the one with powers in shame... More time, and he'd have completely isolated the aura user, and incapacitated her with rage.

But the aura user kept leaping in and out of his control, and the last time he could sense her, she was Not Thinking. As opposed to having no thoughts, Not Thinking was a state of not allowing thought to grip your mind. He noticed it most in those who were involved in physical activities of all kinds.

Instead, he attacked the girl, and the boy, and the Talent. He left the Psychic alone. He was too well trained, and besides, attracting the attention of the kadabra was akin to suicide.

How was the expletive deleted kirlia throwing him off?!

Squit paced. He should call Perdita in. He should report back.

No.

Screw Perdita.

This kirlia was really rubbing him the wrong way. And besides, he had to prove, once and for all, that just because he was a gardevoir didn't mean he was useless.

* * * * *

He twitched, and she reached down, stroking his hair. She'd woken early. One moment, she was pushed up against a wall, unwilling to move, and the next the image exploded and she was...

Safe.

It was an odd, yet wonderful feeling, to feel safe after feeling unsafe (and ashamed for feeling unsafe) for a while.

He twitched again, but this time his eyes opened, and her fingers were in his hair. He rolled, and she let her fingers release his hair naturally, and then they were looking at each other for the first time since they arrived.

She blushed and looked away. She had been ready! Talking to Darryn had helped, and she was ready to tell Jaima the truth, but Meiko now couldn't go through with it.

Jaima sighed, sadly, and she had to look back or he'd get the wrong idea.

"I'm..." She winced. He was going to say he was sorry. He was going to take the blame himself.

"confused."

Blink.

"I don't know what I did. I don't..." he hesitated, then soldiered on. "I don't know that I did anything. But if I did, I don't know what it is."

"You didn't," Meiko whispered, looking down at his chest.

Jaima didn't look at her expectantly. He didn't sigh, or get angry, or even press for an answer. He just closed his eyes and muttered, "then why are we acting like it's too hard to look at each other."

That, she thought, was worse than any yelling.

"Jaima--"

"Meiko," he interrupted, and for a split second she was afraid, deeply afraid, that he'd call an end to their relationship. Only later would she find a sparkle of hope, realize that she wanted their relationship to continue. "Meiko, I... I like you. A lot. I mean... I think you like me, too, a lot. Right? So... whatever it is... you can tell me anything." He was stumbling over his words, and he knew it, but he pressed on anyway, trusting her to understand somehow.

And she did.

"Jaima," she said, putting a hand on his chest to stop him from talking. He paused, and she swallowed. "I need time. And... I need to slow down. OK?" She thought she saw his eyes fall, and if he'd been sitting up, she knew his shoulders would sag. "I do, I like you, a lot. I just have to deal with something... I have to tell you some things, and I have to deal with... with telling you that."

Jaima nodded, swallowing, and looked at the window. His voice was even when he asked, "How's Tuesday?"

"I don't know. She ran out the door with Ashleigh. I think she's going to train."

There was a pause, then Jaima sat up, the cover falling from his chest. "Aw crap! Training!" He pulled the cover up as Meiko stood, then slammed it back down, red as a radish.

"Um... M-mei-chan?"

"What is it..?"

"... Can you step outside for a bit?"

"Jaima, what's wrong?" By now, she was alarmed. He was acting strangely nervous, like he was hurt, or about to be sick."

Jaima sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. "My pajama bottoms were dirty..."

"So- Oh... OH!" Meiko turned, flushing herself. His bare chest didn't exactly help matters. "Um... yes. I'll j-just..."

As she left out the door, mechanically, there was Rockclaw, staring at the door, eyes half lidded, his claws clacking. Meiko's own eyes narrowed.

"Shut up," she snarled, turning on her heel and walking to the kitchen.

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 3 2010, 06:03 PM

“You like that, don’t you?” Darryn murmured, polishing Zulu’s dome with a rough cloth that he had found in the kitchen. Out in the orchard, Co-ordinator and Rampardos were granted some privacy from the other humans and Pokemon that they had lacked for some time. Even Lady gave Darryn some space, choosing to watch over Victor and Romeo as they trained in the morning sunlight.

Zulu’s rumbling reply resonated in his throat without his tough lips parting. Those large hooded eyes rolled back with pleasure as Darryn’s scrubbing reached the sweet spot on the far back of his cranium.

“I know how you feel, you know.” Darryn confided in his Pokemon, polishing the spiked horns that encircled his head. “Don’t ever think that I don’t know how you’re feeling.”

Zulu gurgled again and twisted for Darryn to rub the sweet spot again.

“And if you don’t feel like battling, I won’t make you.” Darryn continued, feeling around Zulu’s neck to make sure no moss had settled in… again. “You have a choice whether to fight or not. I know you have in the past but I want you to know that I’m not going to force you to do anything you don’t want. All I want is for you to be healthy and happy. Are you even listening?”

Zulu’s eyes lolled open and crinkled at the edges as he smiled warmly. A large, crusty claw hooked around Darryn’s shoulder to hug him – not too tightly – before lowering his head to press it against Darryn’s own. At such a close distance, Darryn could practically feel the orange glow of contentment wash over him like a welcoming embrace.

“Good boy.” Darryn whispered.

“Fire!”

“OK! Here goes! Water Pulse!!!” Victor gathered his aqua-driven energy in his palms into a sphere of swirling power, focused his mind and… Romeo dashed out of the way, his lightning legs flashing underneath him as he sprinted and jumped and sidestepped and skipped out of the way of Victor’s attacks.

“Come on! Pre-empt his moves and hit him!”

“I’m trying that, already!!!”

“So try harder!!!”

“Try this! Water Pulse!” Victor threw the globe at Lady angrily, the torrent flying right through the spot where she had been standing moments before. Victor had to look around quickly to find that she had circled him in an instant.

“If you can’t hit me then you even further to go than I thought!” Lady laughed, stalking towards Victor slowly. “I might be vain but I know my limits and as it stands, I am slower than the dog, bird and the horse. You need to time your attacks better to keep up with our sort of speed. Or…” Lady stopped, fixing Victor with a level glare. “Or you could skip on the battles and take part in Appeals, instead.”

“Now look here, you stuck up little-”

“Oooh, Danny said to be niiice!” Romeo warned, stepping nimbly between the two. Their eyes widened. “And if you can’t play niiice…”

Victor and Lady collapsed to the ground, their limbs quivering amid the Thunder Wave’s paralysis.



*Well, if this isn’t the most pointless thing ever, I don’t know what is!* November complained to herself as she trotted through the forest. A pair of Nidoran scurried out of her way as she hurried on, turning slightly further to the west as she continued on her circular scouting run of the DeBrody grounds.

*If Lady wants to check the area on a hunch, a hunch, then she can do it herself! Anyway, since when did she start talking to that slip of a Kirlia, anyway?* The Ponyta’s delicate hooves clattered over a rocky outcrop, finding soft earth covered in dried twigs. She broke into a canter and scanned the air. It would have been too much to expect the bird had actually listened to the Vulpix, too. When November had given in to the haughty fox’s demands Bravo had remained on the ground, ignoring every word spoken to him.

*Oh! Pretty!* November slowed her pace to a walk, drawing up to a small lake where the water barely rippled – its shimmering surface a near perfect mirror that reflected the Ponyta’s image back into her eyes. She twisted and turned her head back and forth, regarding the deep crimson of her flames and the smooth curvature of her proud neck. *Not too shabbay! Damn, girl!*

Behind November, in the bushes, a dark shape slithered into the gloom of the trees, sticking to the shade to hide its appearance even further. It had information to report and its master would want to know of any movements of the girl.

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Feb 3 2010, 11:59 PM

The sun was warm on his skin as he walked and he knew it must be shining brightly to cause such a feeling, but there was no pink behind his closed eyelids as he walked – only darkness. He hummed a little in amusement; there was light in his eyes, but he could feel the light to prominently to ever she shadowed perpetually.

“Besides, you could never be lost amidst the darkness, could you, Dapit?”

“Bree-ee!” the umbreon purred, rubbing against his legs before walking forward, the thin leash tugging on Brone’s wrist and leading him through the thick grass.

Dapit-hapon had been given to Brone as an eevee from his father. He had been given the small creature as a gift when he was battling some tough trainers overseas in Sinnoh. He had been gone for three weeks and during this time, lost the ability to contact his family when a fire broke out in the small village where he was staying and the pokemon centre burnt down. His Machamp and Kangakhan had been instrumental in beginning the construction of a new pokemon centre and, for his kindness, one of the nurses had given him an eevee with fur of a darker brown than he had ever seen before, and oddly, black marks on the tips of the pokemon’s ears. When he had finally returned home, he had explained the color variations to Brone, and given him the eevee.

Brone chose to name the eevee with regard to her dark coloring, and he called her Dapit-hapon, which meant “dusk” in Filipino. The eevee bonded well with him and a few years later, during the night of a full moon, had evolved into an umbreon. She became something of a seeing-eye feline for Brone when Cassandra was not around.

The dark cat led Brone cautiously through the field, stopping some distance away from where the boy with powers like her master was cleaning up his grooming tools. Brone smiled as he leaned on his white cane, reaching out just strongly enough to be felt, but no stronger, and giving Darryn something like a psychic tap on the shoulder.

“Good morning, Darryn,” he said pleasantly. “I was wondering if, perhaps, you wanted to speak with me?”

“Marrrrr-reep reep reep reep reep!” Ashleigh screamed with glee, as he raced through the grassy pasture.

Screaming in terror, the flocks of mareep exploded apart like balls on a pool table as he rushed at them. Their eyes rolled in their sockets as they rushed out of the way, seeking shelter. They would dash for a moment before slowing and then, seeming to forget that there was danger nearby, they would calm and return to grazing, before Ashleigh made an abrupt turn and dashed back at them again.

Sitting on top of a fence post, Tempest was watching this all occur with sardonic amusement. She turned her head to follow Ashleigh’s screaming run, and watched with a sneer as the mareep fled stupidly.

Ashleigh spotted her at another turn and raced toward the fence, barking sharply with laughter as he frightened more mareep away.

“Sparky!” he cried in delight, completely missing the pikachu’s cringe as his gleefully-shrieked nickname for her.

Tempest recovered and looked back at the mareep, flocking to the other side of the pasture from Ashleigh, whose tail waved back and forth maniacally. “What’s eating them?”

“Can we?” Ashleigh asked, opening his mouth and letting his tongue fall out abruptly, flopping with a wet sound and drooling on the wooden fence. “I’m hungry.”

“This actually doesn’t surprise me.” Tempest regarded him with curiosity. “What are you doing?”

“I’m talkin’ to you, Sparky,” Ashleigh said, with a hint of “duh” coloring his tone.

Tempest resisted the urge to face-palm or sigh heavily or roll her eyes – okay, she did roll her eyes, but that was a worthy reaction. “I meant are you planning on doing anything?”

“Well, there was a nice bush over there that I haven’t peed on, yet,” Ashleigh said matter-of-factly, causing Tempest’s ears to flap straight up in surprise. “I was chasing the fluffy piggies, because sometimes looking at ‘em makes my mouth get all drooly, so I figure maybe if I chase ‘em, my pe-”

“I get it!” Tempest snapped, before he could go on, her face buried in her paws. “Do you want to train, or should I let you get back to chasing the piggies?”

“Fluffy piggies,” Ashleigh corrected her sternly, “and yeah yeah, I’ll train! Can I be the caboose?” Tempest raised her head and stared at him. “I wanna go WOOO WOOO!”

“Are you actually this dumb, or are you having me on?” she asked.

Ashleigh gave her a grin that seemed to seal the deal that he was a complete idiot. His tongue lolling out of his mouth, slobbering drool all over the place, he stared at her with stupid eyes and asked, “Wanna see if I have a better bite than a bark?”

Tempest crossed her arms over her chest. “You are a tricky mutt, aren’t ya?”

Ashleigh gave a grin, crouched down suddenly and, with a bark, leapt at her. Tempest smirked as she spun, her tail whipping out.

This… would be interesting.



Tuesday breathed heavily as she stepped back, away from Jaima. They had completed their run of the pasture, going up and down the hills giving Tuesday a little trouble in the wake of how she had become used to running on flatland, but she didn’t complain.

They had taken a mild breather after the run was complete and Jaima had offered something that he hadn’t before.

“Do you want to try some combat?”

Tuesday looked up at him and blinked. “Combat?”

He nodded once in affirmation. “Sparring,” he said, using a term he had explained to her before. “I can show you a few maneuvers if you’d like.”

“Okay,” she said, a little nervously.

That was what led into her taking a fighting stance and he correcting her, before beginning to show her some basic movements to stop an opponent who was coming at her. They had worked at it for some time, he moving toward her and she going through the motions to stop his various intrusions, he correcting her where need be. His most recent instruction was showing her how to thrust the heel of her hand forward and up to break someone’s nose.

“You might have a little trouble with this one, though,” he admitted, sounding somewhat reluctant to say anything.

“You mean because I’m fun-sized?” she asked, looking up at him.

He blinked at her. “Fun-sized?”

“Yep!” Tuesday said, flashing him a grin. “I’m small and full of excitement. Venture says I’m fun-sized.”

“Oh.” Jaima’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. “Who is Venture?”

Tuesday’s eyes lit up in both realization and excitement. “I never introduced you! Venture Star is Uncle DeBrody’s salamence.” She pointed behind Jaima, toward the large field behind the barn that their run hadn’t carried them to. “She’s right over there. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” She grabbed his hand and pulled as she raced down the hill. She loved Venture Star! She couldn’t wait to introduce her to Jaima.



Zorro tiptoed through the house. He had successfully made it out of the lab without incident, and somehow managed to sneak past Ramhorn without the heracross catching sight of him (he still wasn't sure how he pulled that off), and grabbed his pirate hat from Tuesday's room (it was easy to find; it rippled with blue like her, and red-brown like the drooling furball). With his hat firmly set upon his head, he was peering out of the kitchen window to see if he could sneak out into the sunshine without being caught.

A presence behind him caught his attention and he froze. "Little brother..."

Turning with a sheepish smile, Zorro shrugged at the lucario, trying on his best innocent grin. "We... train, mi hermano? Por favor?"

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 4 2010, 05:05 PM

Darryn flinched and span about quickly, expecting Brone to be right beside him but finding him some feet away, smiling openly with his Umbreon sat at his feet. The breath that had caught in Darryn’s throat resumed its way to his lungs and his heart slowed slightly but not completely. He couldn’t explain it, but Tuesday’s brother put him on edge. It wasn’t like the guy was a threatening sort or anything like that – he was blind for goodness sake! – but there was more than just and average teenager standing there.

*No Emotaglow, still.* Darryn thought to himself, patting Zulu on the shoulder as a sign that they had finished. With a grateful sigh, the lumbering Rampardos plodded off to find somewhere soft and peaceful to nap.

“Er, Morning.” Darryn responded, not really sure if eye contact was necessary but deciding that it would be rude to treat him any differently than anyone else stared into those gloosy white orbs. “Speak with you? What about?”

Brone smiled a knowing smile, clasping his alabaster cane in both hands.

“Oh, I don’t know… How about the weather? Your Co-ordinating career? Things you like about my sister – whatever you like!” Brone’s demeanour was hard to swallow, knowing that his Kadabra was so much more talented than Lady in the psychic realms – power radiated equally from Cassandra’s trainer but in a different way. Not quite confidence, not quite the solidarity of knowledge… It was impossible to pinpoint.

“I’m not sure you want to hear about my short-lived career so Tuesday it is!” Darryn chuckled nervously, packing away the final wash cloths and pointing to a log bench nearby and nodding to Brone’s Umbreon. The Moonlight Pokemon tugged slightly at the leash to prompt Brone’s movement to the bench but he seemed to understand almost instantly and followed smoothly.

“Your sister is a really smart kid.” Darryn admitted as they got comfortable, Romeo trotting over merrily to sniff at Brone’s Umbreon. She looked at him quizzically but didn’t move to sniff him back – she was very well trained.

“Smart’s one word for her!” Brone agreed, grinning straight ahead. “Probably smarter than any of us!”

Darryn frowned but said nothing.

“So, you’re OK with her Aura powers?” Brone asked bluntly, his tone still elevated. Darryn nearly gawped at him. Talking about the supernatural so casually?!

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Darryn tested back, clicking his fingers for Romeo to leave the dark type alone. “She’s still the same girl – even with these new abilities.”

“A very mature outlook on things.” Brone nodded his head wisely. “But it’s a little naïve, don’t you think?”

Darryn turned to stare at him.

“How do you mean?”

“Well, Tuesday’s special status won’t – and hasn’t – gone unnoticed. Her new powers are something that a lot of people might fear, respect or covet for so many reasons. She might be the same girl but your situation will – and has already – change for as long as they continue to develop. She will need friends like you, Jaima and Meiko to watch out for her while she grows into her new skin. You understand, right?” Brone continued smiling. His calm was so eerie it made Darryn shudder. Even as he did, Brone gave a light chuckle to himself.

*Is he really blind?*

“Yeah, I’m OK with Tuesday’s powers.” Darryn repeated.

“Those cuts on your back would say otherwise.” Brone tilted his head in thought. “They’re bleeding again.”

Darryn bit down on his lip. Hard. How the hell did this guy know all of this stuff?! Unless…

“Very subtle.” Darryn shook his head with amusement. “You’re good, y’know?”

“Oh, I know.” Brone laughed back, still staring ahead but smiling that wonderful knowing smile.

“And you know about the rest?” Darryn presumed.

“By the rest you mean your own little situation?” Brone offered, rolling his walking stick between his hands.

“That’s a yes then…” Darryn murmured.

*This is insane! Does that mean he’s told Tuesday? He is her brother so why wouldn’t he?... Then again, why would he? It doesn’t effect anyone. Or maybe-*

<Do not worry, Darryn. Your secret is quite safe.> Brone’s voice blossomed within Darryn’s mind. Unlike when Lady announced herself in his head, this entrance was a lot more controlled and came with a welcome glow that put the recipient at ease. <But don’t be afraid to believe in your friends – they are more understanding than you know.>

Darryn smiled and patted Brone on the shoulder.

“Maybe. But when I ‘out’ myself for the second time, it’ll be when things calm down a bit more and the others have settled. It isn’t fair for them to have this much on their plates in one go.” Darryn listened to his own voice and felt a little tension drain from his body with every word. Just like the first time, revealing his true self to someone else made living so much easier.

“And that’s the true mark of an Empath.” Brone reached up to clasp Darryn’s hand. “You’re learning to care, Darryn. And with time, you’ll find that to be the greatest power of all.”

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 4 2010, 06:08 PM

Jaima looked down at Tuesday as their run slowed. She had taken to the defense part of martial arts quite well, at times reacting before he had been in place.

He wondered if she'd noticed that, after a while, they'd been doing the techniques at full speed. She didn't seem to notice, or at least she didn't seem to care, and if she did notice, she didn't seem to feel any kind of special attention was required for it.

Soon they were at a fence surrounding the large field Tuesday had pointed out before. Tuesday called out, putting her hands to her mouth and shouting, "Venture!"

Jaima was amazed. Tuesday... Silence... was making more noise today than she had made from the day he had met her.

From within the barn came a muffled roar. A gust of air rattled the slats of the barn, and soon they slammed open. Jaima's thoughts were diverted between alarm at the sudden opening to attention to a minor detail that sometimes distracted him at times he was alarmed; in this case, the rubber stops and padding that kept the wood from shattering at the doors' opening; this had evidently happened before.

The first to appear was a great blue head with red crests running back along it's skulls from its brow. Then, lumbering, yet still graceful, a flat, wide, four-legged body not unlike Grondir's trotted out. The last feature to make itself known was the most magnificent. Wide, crimson wings the shape of medieval axes spread, catching the sun and causing Jaima to catch his breath.

"That," Tuesday said, the grin evident in her voice, "is Venture Star."

Jaima watched her as she came out, her long, whip-like tail curling back and forth as she walked to the fence. Her head, with its red crests and spike-like vanes, moved back and forth, watchful but not threatening.

"Venture," Tuesday cried in glee as soon as the dragon was within her arm's reach. She stretched out to touch her nose, then hugged her neck over the two log fence that surrounded the field. Jaima wondered if the fence's purpose was more to protect any large pokemon from coming in than it was to keep Venture Star from escaping.

"She's beautiful," came a wonderous, clear voice from next to him, and Jaima turned his head to see Meiko standing there, dressed in thigh length shorts and a modestly cut tank top, her hair pulled back so that most of it was in a bun. He face was enraptured, and her eyes were locked on the salamence, smiling in child like awe.

* * * * *

<<Train, Little Brother?>> Shadow raised an eyebrow quizzically. <<I don't think you're quite strong enough for a physical strain like that...>>

<<Ah, no, no... ah...>> Zorro held his paws out, struggling with the words. <<You train... you teach me... ah... waves. Ripples. Aura!>> His smile was hopeful, but fell when Shadow shook his head.

<<I cannot teach you such things, Little Brother,>> Shadow said, slowly. Zorro's head dropped, but Shadow's paw raised it again. <<I am not ready to be a teacher. I know so very little myself. However, we will go outside, and we will watch, together, and I will show you what I see.>> Zorro practically whooped for joy, standing and walking, while subdued, with a familiar gait, a spring in his step, that Shadow, smiling, was beginning to realize he'd missed.

* * * * *

No, no, that was very smart, to send November on patrol. No, I'm quite certain it's important, and we should make sure we're all safe anyway. Yes, very smart. All right. Enjoy your training.

Cassandra looked at Mercury with amusement on her features. They were in the psychic space, Mercury hoping to catch a glimpse of the attacker she was, despite her outward calm, beginning to fear wasn't real, and to help her get used to it. Despite the kirlia's own protests of becoming addicted to the space to the detriment of her trainer, Cassandra convinced her. Besides, Psychic Space didn't work that way. It was merely an overlay, an interface, to help the psychic more easily navigate through her duties.

They sat, facing each other, Mercury speaking into what looked like a Victorian era telephone, hanging up and smiling, tucking a few strands of her sky blue hair behind her ear. It was, in short, amazing how the kirlia had adapted this mindscape, her mindscape, to her personal needs and whims. There were surprisingly comfortable tatami mats, the sound of the ocean in the background, a Victorian era telephone to communicate to those who could not (or would not) enter the mindscape, and green tea in Japanese tea cups. Her trainer had a great influence on her life, and it was clear to see, and gratifying.

"Lady says that November is searching through the woods. She seems tense. It might be because she feels like she's taking orders..." The pretty girl chewed her lower lip, and Cassandra chuckled.

"Or perhaps it is because someone has attacked her Prince, or tried to attack her Prince, and she is worried. As are you." Cassandra placed long, elegant fingers on the back of Mercury's pale hand. "You are doing a magnificent job."

"But you don't think there is a reason for all this." It wasn't a question, and Cassandra didn't do her the dishonor to deny the statement.

"I don't believe there is any significant danger to you out there," she said softly. "However, I am also helping you because you do believe it, and I am not infallible."

Mercury nodded, took a long slow drink of her tea, then looked up with her dark blue eyes. "Have you found anything?"

In the real world, Cassandra pulled the bush back silently, seeing the gardevoir in front of her, peering so intently at the house that he likely wouldn't have turned has a heard of donphan walked past.

No. Nothing dangerous.

She stepped through the gap in the branches, then let them come back to place, letting a light rustle sound. As expected, the gardevoir didn't turn.

<<You would do best to leave now.>>

In a whirl of white and green, the gardevoir spun, holding his hands up in frount of him. If it was possible, he paled further upon seeing Cassandra. She smiled at him, saying nothing, but watching him closely.

<<I have... a job to do.>>

Cassandra tilted her head. <<You have no power here, Gardevoir. I can see it in your eyes. You're straining to do what little you've managed. It would...>> She tilted her head, searching for the right word, then smiled, <<behoove you to leave now, before I am forced to get involved.>>

The gardevoir scowled, deeply, then rose, slowly backing away from the house. <<You can't protect them forever.>>

I, Squit, she cooed into his mind, smiling as he reacted in surprise at both her intrusion and the easy way he found out something as personal as his name without his knowing she was looking, won't need to.

Back in the mindscape, there was no interruption. They had been sipping their tea together, Mercury once in a while glancing at the phone. Finally Cassandra set her cup down.

"Your trainer and his lover have been through quite an ordeal. Is it possible that these nightmares are simply signs of stress."

"You're right, of course," Mercury said, causing Cassandra to blink in surprise. "I wouldn't make such a big deal out of it, except that, for Trainer Jaima, it was all too severe. He's not the type to dwell on things. And Trainer Meiko is not given to fear." She sipped her tea, her face set, determined. "This is being done in a clever, subtle way."

It was all Cassandra could do not to laugh.

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Feb 6 2010, 01:32 AM

Venture Star pulled her head away from Tuesday’s grasp and turned to Meiko, gazing at her with golden-brown eyes. Her lips curled back mildly in a smile and she closed her eyes, a rumbling chuckle rolling from her chest.

“You flatter me, little one.”

Tuesday smiled as the gruff feminine voice rumbled into their minds. Venture Star’s voice was not manly, but it was as sharp as her teeth. “He would say the same about you.” But her words were always as blunt as an anvil.

Meiko’s eyes had gone wide and her face took on a worried gaze as she stared silently at Venture. Venture Star studied her for a moment, before she rumbled softly and pulled her head back slowly – a lot more slowly, Tuesday thought, than she had ever done around her.

Tuesday looked between Venture and Meiko for a moment, before frowned, her previous glee dissipating. Why’s Meiko scared of Venture?

Worry not, little one; she is merely shocked. Venture’s head moved back in front of Tuesday and the dragon blinked honey eyes at her, her voice echoing solely within Tuesday’s mind. My kind, as you know, are not prone to psychic abilities and I do believe that your friend was rather ill-prepared.

Tuesday wilted. I’m sorry.

Not at all, little one. Venture stretched her neck out and nuzzled Tuesday’s chest until the little girl had wrapped her arms around the dragon’s nose and leaned her body against Venture’s face. The dragon rumbled, pleased. After a moment, however, she sighed, hot breath whooshing out of her nostrils and making Tuesday’s ponytail fly backward. Your uncle is flying without me. I’m hurt. She raised her head and stared off into the distance, her eyes seeing much farther than a mere human’s could manage. “Perhaps you would like to introduce your friends to who your uncle really is?”

Jaima looked at Tuesday sharply, but she just smiled at him. “It’s a secret!” she said. “You have to see! Come on!” She grabbed Jaima’s hand and went to grab Meiko’s, but Venture dropped her head down to stop her.

”If you’ll allow me, little one,” she said softly, and turned to Meiko. ”Perhaps you would care to fly there?”

Meiko’s wariness didn’t so much explode as it simply ceased to be. “Yes! Please!” she cried in delight, and Venture rumbled in excitement as she red-head leapt upon her back.

Venture turned her head to Tuesday. ”I made a promise to the little ember that he would be the first to carry you on wings, little one, so I’m afraid you’re running for this.”

Tuesday grinned and gripped Jaima’s hand tightly. “Race you there!” she cried, and jumped into a run. Jaima cried out as she dragged him behind, until he caught up and they raced across the field.

There were two seconds in which they were ahead, and then a roar split the sky and the air behind them cracked with might, wind bursting outward and hitting them in the back. A moment later, Venture Star shot through the sky overhead, Meiko sitting on her back and screaming in glee.

Tuesday laughed and ran through the grass. She watched as Venture glided into a smooth landing and letting Meiko off next to Darryn and Brone, who had already arrived. Tuesday let go of Jaima’s hand and ran up to her brother excitedly.

“Brone! Has somebody linked to you so you can see?”

Darryn glanced over at Tuesday in what seemed to be surprise, but she didn’t pay much attention to her. She was too busy trying to catch her breath.

“I am covered for this viewing, Silence,” Brone assured her, reaching a hand out lightly to find her. Tuesday took his hand in hers and stepped closer, leaning against him.

“You okay?” she asked softly, as Venture took to the skies with a roar.

“Are you worried about me, dear sister?” Brone asked teasingly. Tuesday frowned, her face falling almost into a pout. “I’m fine,” he assured her.

“Fine’s a four-letter word in our family,” she said softly.

Brone sighed softly, patient as always, but loathing her observational skills. “You should worry more for yourself and less for others.”

“When I was little, you told me never to change.”

“You were less annoying when you were little,” he said, his tone serious. Then he poked her in the side with his cane, making her squeal and pull away slightly. She giggled for a time. “I will be fine, Tuesday,” he assured her. “I am merely… unaccustomed to requiring my full shields.”

Tuesday frowned. “Is it because there are so many people here?”

“No,” he said, and his face had become as serious as his voice. He leaned on his cane, sighing. “There are other forces at work here, but I daresn’t speak of them, yet. Be assured that they are being dealt with.”

“Cassandra?”

“She is quite efficient, isn’t she?” he asked, amused. He felt her worry and smiled reassuringly. “I’ll be all right, Tuesday – I promise. There are merely some… complications.”

“I don’t like that word,” she whispered.

“Interventions of Fate?” he offered, causing her to smile. “It’s nothing too serious and will be dealt with promptly, fear not. I promise that everything will become quite clear to you in time.”

The truth was that it had been a long time since Brone had needed to place his shields on full maximum and it was tiring him out. It was not, as one might expect, the proximity of numerous psychics, both human and pokemon, but one psychic in particular.

The gardevoir in the forest may have been trying to attack them all, but his efforts were failing because of his psychic impotence. What he lacked in power, however, he made up for with self-loathing.

Brone had learned from a very young age to put up a shield that would void out emotion, but he had never been able to fully muffle the feeling of self-loathing. It attacked him now as a school of piranha would, nibbling on a piece of him every chance it got. Brone knew that he didn’t look well, and he certainly didn’t feel well. If not for the unintentional attack on his mind and on his soul, Cassandra probably wouldn’t have stepped in. The truth was, however, that much more of that deteriorating emotion could send him into an epileptic seizure, and Brone knew if that happened, Tuesday would never leave his side again.

But Cassandra was taking care of it. The gardevoir didn’t dare defy her – she could defeat any of the psychics present, including him. It was best not to trifle with her.

Brone smiled as the eyes he was looking through glanced at the sky. “Tuesday, here comes our dear, mad uncle.”

Tuesday tilted her head back and stared for a time, before she spotted Venture and her mate, high up in the sky. She pointed upward for the benefit of those who weren’t accustomed to this. “There’s Uncle DeBrody! And he’s on Voodoo!”

“What’s a voodoo?”

“Technically, it’s a fighter aircraft, but in this case, we’re referring to a pokemon,” Brone supplied helpfully. “Namely, DeBrody’s aerodactyl.”

Meiko made a choking sound in reply. “DeBrody has an aerodactyl?!”

A roar interrupted any reply that might have come, and then something seemed to tear off of the purple blotch in the sky. It was a smaller dot, racing downward, dark blue with red streaks. Tuesday watched it with amusement.

“Who do you suppose he got the insanity gene from?” she asked thoughtfully.

There was a pause as they all watched the object plummet.

“Definitely our grandmother,” Brone replied with a nod.

It seemed to take forever for the object to come into something of a distance at which they could define it, and that was when Darryn and Meiko both yelled something crass, and Jaima took a step back, taking on a calculating look, as though planning a rescue.

Brone chuckled once. “Calm,” he ordered, and everyone stopped, staring at him, but for Tuesday. She remained with her gaze locked onto DeBrody, and Brone quickly shifted his consciousness to her. She frowned momentarily as he buried his mind with hers, and then she felt his sightless eyes overlap her own as he watched.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Brone assured them. “And Venture has him.”

That was true. The salamence had wrapped her wings around her body and spun, shooting downward right behind DeBrody in case he needed a last-minute rescue. He was ready, however, and fifty feet from the ground, he pulled the tag on his pack.

A parachute exploded open behind him, black with the image of a giant flame in the middle – the symbol of his first pokemon. He let out a whoop, and then hit the ground, the parachute taking air to land downwind of him. Sitting in the tall grass, he roared with laughter, as Venture Star opened her wings and exploded by overhead and took again to the skies, flying up beside Voodoo.

“That was insane!” he said, leaping to his feet and dropping the parachute pack. “Did you lot see that?”

“No, actually – not really,” Brone admitted.

DeBrody waved him off. “That’s a record – twenty seconds. Still, I want to reach ten. I need to work on my freefall.”

“Are you crazy?!” Meiko cried.

DeBrody just grinned at her. “Relax, Miss Omura – I’ve been doing this for years. Used to be in the Air Force, you know. You have to know how to jump out of planes.” He leaned toward her conspiratorially and stage whispered, “I suggest to never try it without a parachute.”

He stood up suddenly, straightening his outfit. “Allow me to introduce you all to my team!” He waved his hand in the air. “Venture Star and Voodoo, my jump crew!” he cried, and the salamence and aerodactyl exploded by overhead, racing each other to land a small distance beyond the ground. “Warhawk, my diver!” A staraptor came shooting down from the cloud cover, releasing an eerie cry. “Sea Fury, my amphibian base.” He waved a hand toward the pool that formed from trapped sea water, as a gyarados raised her head above the surface and roared. “My navigator, Starfire!” With a cry, a gligar came gliding in on the wind, to land on DeBrody’s shoulder.

“Oh!” he said, pointing behind him. “And Jack.”

There was a chattering screech and a pachirisu came leaping out of the grasses. Like a half-crazed energizer bunny, it dashed across the field in a zigzagging star pattern, grabbing nuts up into his hands and shoving them into his mouth until his cheeks were fat protruding rudely from the sides of his face. He stopped abruptly in the middle of the field and threw back his head, laughing a hysterical, high-pitched cackle.

He stopped laughing abruptly and looked at Tuesday. He pointed at her and, raising two fingers, moved them from pointing at his own eyes to pointing at her in the universally known “I’ll be watching you” sign.

Then with a scream, he turned and dashed off again.

DeBrody sighed after him, rubbing his head. “I knew I forgot something this morning.”

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 8 2010, 02:45 PM

Darryn's heart was pure thunder long after DeBrody had reached the ground and showed now sign of slowing in the presence of such magnificent Pokemon. They not only looked impressive for all to see, but Darryn's world was illuminated by fireworks of sparkling gold and silver that raced through the air unseen by the others. The sheer joy, compassion and ecstacy of life from these creatures was outstanding and never before had Darryn appreciated his donated gift for its real beauty.

Words could not explain what he was seeing - it was simply... Devine.

<Distracted by bright shiny things?> Lady commented loftily, curling her tails around Darryn's leg. Her fur was a little fluffier than normal and, on closer inspection, a little singed.

<It's hard not to be!> Darryn cut the light from the Emotaglows and found much to his delight that the spectacle of DeBrody's Pokemon was just as impressive with the lights off.

"Jolteee!" Romeo flashed past the umans in hot pursuit of the dashing little ball of blue and white named Jack. The Pachirisu squealed and ran, nuts falling from his cheeks as he rid himself of ballast to gain speed. Romeo laughed insanely, pushing himself to catch the little trickster.

"Ugh, Romeo return." Darryn rolled his eyes and facepalmed as the lightning dog went merrily back into the Quick Ball.

A flutter of short wings annonced Bravo's arrival as he swept down from the air to perch atop Zulu's head.

*What? I thought Zulu went away to sleep?* Darrryn frowned. *And I didn't even hear him come over... that's weird.*

"Ram rar!" Rampardos pointed at Voodoo, beckoning challengingly with an outstretched claw. The Aerodactyl looked completely unimpressed, choosing instead to fuss over Venture Star. Zulu stomped a foot with annoyance, looking to Darryn for support.

"What?" Darryn opened his arms out wide. "I don't have any more berries!"

"I don't think little Zulu wants a berry, Master Kellor!" DeBrody chuckled, patting Voodoo's flank for emphasis. "It looks to me like he wants to have a good old battle!"

"Wha-?" Darryn looked up at his fossil Pokemon suspiciously. "But you never want to battle."

"Maybe the fact that Voodoo is a fossil as well makes him all riled-up?" Tuesday offered, looking between the two Pokemon carefully.

"That makes sense to me." Meiko nodded with a thoughtful frown. "Maybe Zulu sees Voodoo as more of a challenge than whatever he's faced before so is actually bothered to get off that big gray butt and do something about it?"

“I guess…” Darryn mused. “But Zulu isn’t exactly the most experienced battler ever… And that Aerodactyl looks really tough – why would he want to jump into a battle he can’t win?”

“RAM RAM RAAA!” Zulu roared, shaking his head and patting his chest emphatically. With the sudden movement, the Pidgeotto using his head as a perch had to flap clear in a clamour of wings.

"PIDGEOOOOOH!" Bravo screamed, waving his wings in DeBrody's general direction.

“And you’ve got a rather spirited flier there, Master Kellor – maybe he’ll want to test his strength against one of my squadron?” DeBrody spread his arms wide, showing Darryn the selection of opponents.

Bravo screamed again, this time performing a somersault with a scatter of golden Featherdance.

"Trust Darryn's Pokemon to want to show off in front of strong opponents!" Meiko laughed. "Lady will be next!"

The Vulpix gave the girl a stern scowl and turned her nose up with contempt.

"Well I think that's a splendid idea! A battle will get the fresh air deep into our lungs and really liven up the day! It won't be as fun as a little free-fall, but it will do for now!" DeBrody clapped his hands to his hips. "How about all six of us? Pick an opponent and have at it!”

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 8 2010, 05:37 PM

Once Meiko passed, two distinct urges warred for Jaima's attention. One, an unconscious urge, was to sprint faster, try to pace, or even pass, the flying salamence. The other was to grin from ear to ear at the sounds of unbridled glee floated up to and passing them. The grin urge won, but only because Jaima's legs could move just so fast.

He was hyper aware of his reactions to Meiko now, and part of him mourned this. However, seeing her exhilarated, red cheeked and grinning, calmed his nerves with a kind of warmth, like pouring melted butter over popcorn. She looked at him and blushed, but remained grinning and stepped toward him, taking his hand.

"That was so fun," she whispered, bouncing a little, like she'd done since she was six. Whenever she was truly excited, she'd bounce.

Jaima then blinked. He had, evidently, been aware, but not aware. Tuesday had not only kept up with him, even with his little burst of speed.

She had passed him.

He watched her conversation with Brone, picking up the worry, the tenseness sin her shoulders giving up her feelings. Evidently, however, Brone was as adept as assuaging her fears as anyone; She giggled, then, though concerned, no longer bothered Brone about it, though she kept a safe distance. It was all forgotten, at any rate, by the approach of her uncle.

And the fall of her uncle. Or, rather, plummet.

Jaima's mind raced, even as Meiko and Darryn swore, and if he could have flown himself, he would have. His hands went, automatically, to his belt, though most of his pokemon were out and enjoying the day.

"Calm."

That's my line!

The outrage, surprise, and, yes, teasing in the mental cry was so out of the usual that Jaima almost burst out laughing, despite the circumstances, and missed what Brone had said entirely.

The spectacle was amazing. DeBrody's team was amazing, save for Jack, who was insane, and for DeBrody himself, who was borderline. Why would anyone jump off of a perfectly good pokemon?!

That was when Zulu roared his challenge (preceeded, comically, by Romeo scattering after Jack, causing the squirrel pokemon to run screaming from the dog until he was caught.

There was talk of challenges, and then talk of more than one battle. Jaima decided he'd wait and see. He looked over at Meiko, who, oddly, was hanging back.

"You don't want to battle," Jaima said softly, approaching her. Meiko looked up and blushed.

"Nah. Eggheart's not ready for a battle, yet, not against pokemon of this strength. DesertDancer is with Shadow, Zorro, and Ramhorn, and Cosette is with Grondir. Besides, I don't think she's ready to fight yet." Meiko shrugged. "I have no idea where Rockclaw is. Maybe if I had Chompwater with me..." Her shoulders slumped when she saw the tight expression on his face. "I'll sit out," she said, summoning a smile.

* * * * *

The corphish danced on the keyboard to the one connected computer that this old human had in his house. It had taken his master forever to teach the corphish to use his legs as fingers on the keyboard, but he'd mastered it. He'd always known he was to keep tabs on the girl, but she proved difficult. She kept him in his ball untill recently, she got into weird situations, there were others on her team which watched him closely. And now she was cheating on his master!

Well, no more. He'd finally gotten to a computer, and finally entered the address he had been given, and finally entered in the address he'd been given to contact his master. Once on the appropriate screen to create an e-mail for him, the corphish stepped like a dancer on each key.

C - O - M - E......T - O.......F - U - R - O - H........M - E - E - T.......I - N.......P - E - T - R.

After that, all that was left was to hit send, and soon she would be back where sh belonged.

* * * * *

Jaima, too, hung back, though looking at Ember, she seemed eager to fight. Jaima knelt next to her. He hadn't really used her, or Fang, or Tsunami, nearly as he had the rest. Maybe, soon, he'd change that.

"Jaima?"

Jaima turned as Tuesday looked at him calculatingly. Then she bowed. "I challenge you to a battle."

Jaima blinked, then stood and bowed in return. "I accept."

Posted by: Padawan Umbrae Calamitas Feb 9 2010, 03:14 PM

It had taken a lot of determination for Tuesday to challenge Jaima to a battle. Even standing across from him now, she doubted herself. Yes, she had fought against Team Deception on multiple occasions, but that was a battle of instinct for her life and the lives of her friends. This was different – this wasn’t a battle for her life or even one for freedom. This was a battle against a friend; a practice, if you will, but she still worried. Jaima had agreed, but was he really okay with it?

But when she looked across at him, there was a smile on his face – one of the ones he wore when he was amused by her book references or pleased by something that she had accomplished, one of the things that she doubted she ever could.

She smiled shyly, looking inward. Jaima wasn’t mad that she had challenged him to battle, he was proud of her.

Her smile turned into a grin. Well, that made it just fine, then.

Reaching to her belt, Tuesday touched the first pokeball and felt the warmth of fire and life within it. She couldn’t think of a better pokemon to begin the battle with.

She grinned across at Jaima, tossing the pokeball out. Dante appeared in a flash of light still redder than his leathery skin, snorting and turning to face his opponent, until he stopped, blinking at Jaima. Narrowing his eyes, he snorted and crouched, ready for battle.

Tuesday blinked at him, a bit surprised by Dante’s willingness. She gave a mental shrug then. Charmeleon were well-known for their hotheadedness, and she knew that their evolution often sought out powerful opponents to fight and test their strength again. She supposed it was only a matter of time.

“I have a few new things to show you, Jaima,” she said, smiling across at him. “Who are you battling with?”

Jaima smiled back across from her and pulled out his own pokeball. “Fire with fire, shall we?” he asked, and called out Ember.

Standing by a tree near where the battle was to take place, Odysseus raised a brow at Ember and smiled. He nodded at Dante with a smile. “With respect, lad, I wish you luck, but I’m rooting for the little ‘un.”

Dante snorted at the buizel. “Root for whoever you wish, but I’m winning, Chief.”

Odysseus gave a smirk and a shrug. “Have at i’, lad.” He turned to Ember and smiled. “Dig deep, lass. I be lookin’ forward t’ this.”

DeBrody gave a stretch as he stood across from Darryn, grinning at the sky. "This has been a good day. I got a jump in, broke my record, and now we're have a battle of the fossils." He gave a grin and waved his hand, his aerodactyl falling in beside him.

"Go do that voodoo that you do," he said, and gave an inviting wave forward.

With a roar, Voodoo launched into the sky overheard, and the battle was begun.

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 11 2010, 05:04 PM

With Voodoo in the air, Darryn was left speechless for several long seconds. He wanted a Pokemon that he could fly on! He wanted to feel the wind roar through his hair while the world passed below in silence. For now, he’d have to be patient and just do what he knew best.

“Zulu and Bravo, return.” Darryn called the Rampardos and Pidgeotto back into their Pokeballs. DeBrody raised a quizzical eyebrow. Darryn smiled. “As you know, I’m now a Co-Ordinator so entrances are just as important as the battles themselves. Let me show you what we can do! I call Zulu to the field!”

The Luxury Ball span to the ground, launching red light straight up into the air where the great fossil Pokemon materialised with a roar and stomped back to the ground, his glowing arms slamming the earth with a ferocious Hammer Arm that rip the ground to shreds and scattered pebbles, twigs and leaves like dust.

A fire was well and truly lit in the Pokemon’s eyes that Darryn had not seen before. It bordered the blind red rage that had consumed him back in the forest when he evolved but feel a little short. Some control was still there, albeit a small amount.

Without waiting for pause, Darryn put plans into motion. Of all his Pokemon Zulu was the one that had had the least battle practice (saving Victor who was still new) and so had the least combinations prepared. Not only that, but Zulu was a certified close-combat fighter with only one option for a ranged attack. Darryn chewed his lip. Three options. Attack. Prepare for defence. Prepare for a counter-attack.

“Voodoo!” DeBrody’s voice carried no order but the Aerodactyl seemed to know exactly what to do. His wings folded and the resulting stoop became a full-bodied assault.

*A Tackle?! No… there’s more power than that… it’s Take Down!*

“Zulu! Counter with Ancientpower!”

“Rampaaar!” Zulu locked his arms into a cross on his chest, summoning spins balls of light from his body to coalesce before him before spreading his arms and scattering the projectiles upward towards his opponent. The spheres appeared to scatter without direction but with a flick of his wrists, Zulu took control from a distance and focused them upon his target. DeBrody’s Aerodactyl, still diving at his target, span into the dive, dodging each approaching missile with ease before flaring his wings at ground level and rocketing right at Zulu.

The force with which Voodoo hit Zulu produced a shockwave that ruffled Darryn’s glossy hair and forced him to squeeze his eyes shut. The hit was so… so…

<It is too strong.> Lady warned Darryn, her tails waving menacingly as she stepped up beside him to watch Zulu struggling back to his feet while Voodoo soared back into the air to prepare for another pass. Her ever-watchful eyes gazed intently at Zulu. <I can help the brute win?>

<No.> Darryn replied quickly. <There is no shame in losing – it helps us learn and makes us stronger.>

Lady made no further response.

“Voodoo! Iron Head!” DeBrody’s call carried merriment but it was less than before. He didn’t sound bored exactly but his high was definitely sinking.

“Zulu! Scary Face!”

The stooping Aerodactyl balked in the air as Zulu’s raging eyes locked with its own, slowing the dive to a rapid glide. Launching himself into a sprint, Zulu ran wide of Voodoo, springing up into the air with a glowing fist.

“That’s it! Hammer Arm!” Darryn cried, delighted that Zulu got an opening.

“Make it a Wing Attack!”

Zulu’s gulp of surprise was all that was heard before Voodoo’s wing slashed backwards, connecting with his neck and propelling him directly at the ground. With a resounding crash, Zulu slammed into the dirt, creating a crater twice the size of his own body.

“Zulu! No!”

<I believe it is time for me to intervene.> Lady suggested, her eyes flashing blue.

<Lady! No!>

Zulu’s pain-wracked body slowly rose, nearly downed by a mere two hits which, for all intents and purposes, shouldn’t have been very effective at all. He eyes shimmered a pale blue as his focus was regained, searching the air for the Aerodactyl.

<Whatever you’re doing, stop it.> Darryn hissed at Lady between their minds.

<I’m just teaching him a new trick.> Lady said loftily. <Order a Headbutt attack and we’ll see the results.>

<But… Damn it!>

“Zulu! Headbutt attack!”

“Voodoo! Iron Head!”

The two fossil Pokemon surged towards each other, lowering their skulls for a head-on collision. As Zulu raced ahead, a mystical swirling energy grew in his cranium. A shining light within his head produced a psychic aura that could only be Lady’s doing and yet… the power seemed to come from Zulu himself.

“What is that…?”

As the two fossils slammed together, Darryn could see the aura around Zulu’s entire body surge. It immediately stained red with inconceivable rage as their heads met – a rage that had only been witnessed before when he had evolved. And yet, even as that energy grew it evaporated into nothingness. Zulu’s body collapsed and fell, tumbled end over end across the ground to lay in an unconscious heap next to Darryn’s feet.

“Looks to me like your Rampardos just learned Zen Headbut, Master Kellor!” DeBrody chuckled heartily. “Just look how my Voodoo is flinching!”

Darryn looked up from his fainted Pokemon to see the Aerodactyl stood on the ground, shaking his head as though in a daze. True, he was hardly breathing heavily and no scratches appeared to be on him but the effect was definitely there.

“I… I guess he did!” Darryn leaned down to pat Zulu’s flank fondly. “Well done, Zulu…”

<Well done, Lady.> The Vulpix corrected him, sitting back and allowing her eyes to fade back to their normal chestnut.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 15 2010, 12:24 AM

Ember was quivering. Odysseus, who was nice, and just as good a fighter as she'd thought he was, had told her that she was a natural, she only had to figure out what motivated her to fight. There was only one problem with that.

She had no idea what that was.

Oh, she had been pondering it for a while, ever since he'd told her that. When Jaima had gone to sleep early, she hadn't. Instead she'd looked out the window, wondering what it had been that had made her fight well.

The first time was when Fang had been knocked out. That pokemon had been mean! Fang was, at the time, a little thing.

The next time had been for Tuesday, though Ember hadn't known her name then. Only that the girl had rescued her, and had intended to take her back to Jaima, and the bayleef was going to hurt a nice person. It made her mad.

When she *had* fought otherwise, it was to please Jaima, or because they were being attacked. Then pokemon started evolving. First Mercury, who had been the newest, and then Shadow, who had hatched just before her. Fang was next, and she began to fear she would never change like they did, never get stronger or better able to fight.

And then it happened. But she was still scared!

Finally she came to Odysseus, because he'd fought Victor pretty well, and had fought with the others, she'd been told, when the camp had been attacked. Only he said she already knew how to fight.

And now, there was Dante an angry scowl on his face, glaring at her as if she were the worst possible creature ever.

No... Wait... He wasn't looking at her...

With a growl, he sent a gout of flame, and Jaima ordered her into a tackle attack.

* * * * *

Jaima looked at Tuesday, not out at the pokemon. He was confident that Ember could, for now, handle herself, and he wanted to give her a little time to deal with any fear.

Looking across at Tuesday, it had seemed that she was having second thoughts. Why, he couldn't say. Maybe it was the stigma of his having won two badges. He hoped not. He truly believed, and insisted, that he had been more or less lucky in that.

Maybe it was just more of Tuesday's http://forums.gtsplus.net/index.php?showtopic=14871&view=findpost&p=356204. This was something Jaima had recognized early in her, which had been http://forums.gtsplus.net/index.php?showtopic=14871&view=findpost&p=462772. Something which he had recognized only through self examination.

Maybe it was just that she felt she was a bother for making the challenge. But make it she did, and in doing so was taking another step toward self reliance.

He smiled at her, and her worry turned into a smile, and then a grin. She called Dante out, a small surprise, since he'd recently angered her to the point of yelling. Jaima, however, approved of the choice. He was, it was obvious, going to be her main battler, and using him showed a trust that he might have feared gone otherwise. Dante seemed eager to please, giving a fierce hiss in Jaima's direction.

Jaima called Ember, smiled at Tuesday, and called out, "Give it your best, Tuesy! This is training!"

Jaima knew that most of what Ember'd learned by her evolution were fire moves, and Jaima wanted to switch it up a bit. "Ember! Tackle!"

* * * * *

Meiko watched Jaima and Tuesday with a bittersweet smile on her face.

Toshiro... Toshiro had reached across time and space and managed to mess things up for her again. She never once believed that she'd forgotten, or could forget, anything that had happened, but, perhaps foolishly, she believed she had 'gotten over' what had happened. The shattering of that belief challeneged everything else she believed.

She had gone home for a while, but then she'd sought out Jaima. A boy she'd had a crush on since she was eight. More and more, she wondered if she was pursuing that crush, rather than what she believed, that she had been finding out if they could be more than friends. She had acted impulsively, and while it had paid off in the beginning, what about the long term? What if Jaima was being a typical boy and was just in it for the physical rewards? When she'd come here, he'd been involved with a Nurse Joy, and had left her because she would be stationary, and he was travelling. Did he think of her as a travellng make out partner?

That wasn't what she wanted at all.

She didn't think he was a threat. At least, not snce talking to Darryn. But so many questions rolled through her mind, and the answers were all so potentially hurtful; was he using her? Was she using him? Did he think of her as a tool, something with which to satisfy his 'needs'? Did she think of him that way? Was he a safety net?

Her head hurt. Her throat hurt. And she wanted to go back to before the attack and forget all this.

* * * * *

"Tackle!"

Ember, for a split second, hesitated. But then she launched herself at Dante, letting the fire of his Ember attack roll over her, her small, triangular ears folded back to protect the sensitive skin inside them. Yes, it would hurt a bit, but her hide was fireproof. The flames wouldn't do permanent damage.

As she passed through them and hit Dante in the chest, she turned, scampering off. Her eyes narrowed in confusion. Jaima had stepped to the side. He wasn't looking overly concerned, but there was a scorch mark near his feet. That happened sometimes, sure, but still, Dante was a careful fire type.

<<Please be careful, Dante,>> she reminded him gently. Dante didn't seem to respond.

"Ember! Quick attack, then Smokescreen!" This time, there was no hesitation. Part of it was that she was resigned to fight, but also, Dante's little mistake with the fire had made her a little angry. She pushed off with her strong rear feet and launched at him, a blur of charcoal blue and cream colored fur. Dante had tried to dodge, and Tuesday's cry had turned that into an attack as Dante stood on on foot, pitched forward with his tail counter balancing him, and began to spin, spewing flames from his mouth, and his tail whipping around to catch her in the head. She shook her head and her tail, releasing a stream of smoke, then danced backwards, shaking her head. Dante was still spinning, even though she was not there, and Ember reacted in embarrassment. The smoke barely reached his chest, and his head was clear of the smoke. That's what made the next little bit startling.

Dante's spin ended with him facing Jaima, and rather than stopping the flames, Dante continued to spew them, blatantly sending the stream toward the male trainer. Jaima didn't move, as the stream wasn't close to him, but the message was clear.

"That's OK, Ember. Next time, let's get that smoke as high as you can!" Jaima called, but that was, right now, the least of her concerns.

<<Stop that,>> Ember chided. Dante looked back at her and curled a lip. Then he rushed at her, trying to claw her. Had Tuesday ordered it? Very possible, she thought, as blood rushing through her ears was making it a little hard to hear. As Dante clawed at her, she dodged back toward Jaima, to better hear his next order.

When she got near Jaima, Dante sent an ember attack right at Jaima. It was blatant, again, and it made her mad.

<<You did that on purpose!>>

Dante sneered at her. <<Consider this a trial by fire. A scar or two will do well to remind him not to be a heartless pile of muk vomit.>>

Ember saw red, like when Fang had been knocked out, or when Tuesday had been attacked. <<What,>> she growled with deliberate calm, <<did you just say?>>

A small part of her mind got Odysseus' point. Her motivation to fight was her team, and her trainer. And Dante had showed her it was time to fight.

Posted by: Puck Feb 20 2010, 05:19 PM

The lass had found her motivation. That was well and truly clear to anyone who was watching the battle.

What a pity the charmeleon had to be such an ass for it to occur. The respect that Odysseus had felt toward Dante was gone. The charmeleon was acting far too childish for Odysseus to even consider him an equal at this point. As it was, the buizel hoped that Ember won – not only because it would boost her confidence, but because the charmeleon could do with a lesson in humility.

“Dig deep, lass,” Odysseus murmured quietly, watching as the quilava fought well and with great prowess. There was no doubt that she was a natural fighter. If she wished it, Odysseus would help her to find her motivation beyond when her team was in danger.

Odysseus sighed softly. It was clear that the lass hadn’t realized how angry Dante was with the one she called brother, else she would have done something about it, he knew. Pokemon, however, were always more observant in areas such as that. It was not unexpected that she didn’t realize. Odysseus didn’t fancy being around when she did; that would not be a pretty confrontation.

He watched as Ember’s attacks gained strength in her anger, and Dante’s gained carelessness in his ire. The flames licked the air as the two fire pokemon battled fiercely, and their words were cast back and forth in anger. Ember wanted Dante to stop being negligent in his attacks, risking Jaima’s welfare, but that wasn’t truly the case. If not for the fact that it would have been painfully obvious to Tuesday, Odysseus didn’t doubt that the charmeleon would have outright attacked Jaima.

It was sad, really. After all, Dante’s trainer had nearly died at the hands of a pokemon doing the same thing. He wondered if the charmeleon would be so easy to let his flames get close to the human if he was offered this comparison.

But Odysseus remained silent. This was not his fight, and he would not interfere, unless necessary. He did, however, move closer to Jaima’s side of the battlefield. If anything happened, his water attacks would do well to keep the flames at bay and any harm from coming to the boy.

He glanced over at Dante, his eyes narrowing. He had seen much in his long life and he was old, though perhaps not as wise as some would dare to say. Still, he knew foolishness when he saw it, and he and Dante would have words later about his behavior.

For the moment, however, the battle raged on.

That one there’s a bonfire and a half! DeBrody laughed to himself, gazing with amused pride at the vulpix. Oh, she was a smart one, but people often didn’t realize how observant DeBrody was, mistaking his demeanor and actions for borderline insanity. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

So he caught the glowing eyes of the vulpix and it didn’t take a genius to know that she was doing something toward the battle. It didn’t bother him – this battle was for fun. He would have called her or her trainer on it, had this been an official battle, but he was enjoying this too much to ruin it.

Besides, the rampardos was strong, but not nearly strong enough even with help.

The second part of the battle was to commence, however, and DeBrody raised his hand in the air, calling the attention of his watching pokemon. “Warhawk, front and center!”

With a startlingly beautiful but eerie cry, the staraptor burst in a flurry of feathers from where he had been perching and shot to the battlefield, Voodoo having been recalled to the sidelines. The staraptor settled to the ground with grace, his slow, graceful wing flaps sending dust flying outward from him in all direction.

“Now that’s an entrance!” DeBrody cried happily. He grinned wildly, his eyes sparkling. “All right, Darryn – call forth your challenger and let’s have some fun!”



Zorro crouched on top of a fence post, watching the battles as they raged on. Darryn’s battle with DeBrody was interesting to watch, especially since it was a battle focused on the strength of two fossil types. As Zulu was defeated, however, Zorro turned his attention back to the battle between Ember and Dante. Fire against fire was interesting enough, but Ember, who Zorro knew was rather timid and didn’t like to fight, was showing a level of prowess that he had never seen from her. She was fighting with fire burning from her back as ferociously as it blazed in her eyes.

As Zorro watched, he tried to concentrate not only upon what his eyes saw, but also at what he was able to see with a sixth sense that few held. What Shadow said that he could see in waves, Zorro was only able to view in ripples, but he was learning.

From Ember now, he could see choppy, crimson ripples, clearly coming off of her in a rage. He cocked his head to the side thoughtfully as he turned this “vision” to Dante, seeing similar ripples from him, though his were scattered, jerking all over the place in a uncontrolled manner – carelessly.

Zorro tilted his head to the side in confusion, looking at Shadow. “Dante es… no like his self,” he said in curiosity and concern.

“Yes, little brother,” Shadow replied, also looking. “It seems that he is bothered by something.”

“Es no worry,” Zorro said. “Es rabia.”

Shadow nodded silently, thoughtfully, as was his way. “Let us watch, then.”

Zorro turned his eyes back to the battle, confused and a little worried, but he trusted Zorro. “Sí.”



Dante was not happy.

Not. One. Bit.

If he had to answer truthfully, he would have grudgingly admitted that it was because he was losing to a pokemon who insisted on protecting Jaima from what he concerned his justifiable wrath.

She – the timid, weak, terrified-of-everything quilava – was kicking his ass.

He hated her at this point. He hated her for protecting him, and keeping Dante from giving Jaima what he deserved. The stupid boy had done nothing but force Tuesday again and again to face her greatest fear, and then, when she needed someone to tell her not to hurt herself, or to change her wet shoes and socks – because she would never remember to do anything for herself when someone else needed help – he was flirting with his stupid girlfriend! He needed to be taught a lesson!

Dante threw his head forward and hissed loudly, ferociously, putting his entire body into the snarl. ”Your stupid trainer is worthless! Dante yelled at Ember. ”I hope he and his stupid hypocrisy burn, and I hope I’m the source of the flames!”

He saw the quilava’s whole body tense in anger, her eyes burning. It looked as though she wanted to say something, but words had failed her, and she was left with a consternated look on her face, almost as though she were physically in pain, or trying to force something out of her. In fact, she almost looked constipated. If Dante wasn’t so pissed off at her, he might have laughed.

Her back and rear flames flared higher than they had ever before, and her eyes narrowed. Her forepaws lowered her to the ground and her rear rose in the air as she snarled – yes, snarled – her response. "My trainer has done nothing but care for your trainer! And if you touch him, you will learn what it's like to burn!"

“Your trainer is a useless, self-serving prick who can go and rot, and I hope he does! So long as he stays well and good away from my trainer. I don’t need her hurt anymore by people who care only for themselves!” Dante hissed loudly. “And you stay away from her, too!” Opening his mouth, he released a wave of fire in a flamethrower attack, not caring where it went, so long as it kept away everyone who would dare to hurt his trainer.

Posted by: Living Arrow Feb 22 2010, 05:25 PM

“All right, Darryn – call forth your challenger and let’s have some fun!”

*So Zulu couldn’t take on DeBrody’s Pokemon with pure strength but maybe my team’s speciality will be enough! The obvious choice for this would be Romeo but Bravo had been so psyched! The feathers are gonna fly for sure!*

Darryn’s fingers flickered to the Premier Ball at his belt and snared it in a pinch, rolling it smoothly in his palm so that his index finger rested squarely on the button. Bravo would have a hard time against a larger bird like the fearsome Staraptor named Warhawk that faced them but surely he would be able to show off one or two on his better manouevers. After all, how many Pidgeotto knew Heatwave?!

Ripple.

Darryn wiggled his nose and blinked. What was that?

Ripple. Ripple.

Darryn’s ears itched terribly and his eyes began watering. Someone was letting off the most confusing of emotions that he was doomed to distraction. Excitement predominantly fed the feeling flowing from nearby, mixed with confusion and uncertainty. Opening his Inner Eyes, Darryn looked around the paddock to find the swirling lights that denounced such emotions. It was Meiko.

<Uh, Lady?> Darryn asked his Vulpix quickly. <Can you ask Romeo to go get Meiko’s Sandshrew from the other field? Meiko said he was with Shadow… I think she wants to battle… but she’s making excuses for herself… but she really wants to.>

<As you wish, Prince Darryn.> Came the sigh of a reply.

Romeo’s body twitched with excitement as Lady spoke to him directly using her actual voice. With a bark and a laugh, Romeo’s fur stood out on end and like the lightning that he used as a weapon, was gone in an instant. With that sorted and the battlefield ready, Darryn focused himself again.

“Zulu might not have had the strength to stand up to a Pokemon as strong as Voodoo but my next choice has more than just strength on his side! I call Bravo to the field!” Darryn span and released, the Premier Ball cracking open in dazzling rays of white and red as the Pidgeotto tore directly upwards, scattering golden feathers in his wake before releasing a conclusive puff of Featherdance at the peak of his climb. Rather than land like the Staraptor had, Bravo remained aloft, circling the battlefield.

“Oh-ho-ho!” DeBrody chuckled. “I see your own wings are very well Co-ordinated! Let’s see how they battle.”

“They battle like this! Bravo, Whirlwind, Go!”

“PIDGEOOOH!” Bravo screamed, leaning back in the air and propelling forth an immense gust that swirled downwards into a raging spiral of wind that descended all around Warhawk. The Staraptor disappeared from view as dust and leaves got caught up in the wind, raging into a spout like that caused by a mini tornado. DeBrody laughed.

“I see! Now, let’s counter that with our own Whirlwind!”

From within the vortex came an eerie cry as a new wind blew out from within the original. The dust and leaves around Warhawk were dispelled instantly, scattering every which way as the bird propelled its own attack upwards. Bravo squawked with shock as the Whirlwind enveloped him, turning him end over end through the air without mercy. By the time Bravo righted himself, and caught his breath the larger bird was in the air beak-to-beak with him.

“Close Combat!”

Wing. Claw. Beak. Claw. Wing. Wing. Claw. Wing. Wing. Beak. Bravo was slammed repeatedly in midair as Warhawk tore him a new one, slamming his limbs repeatedly into the smaller flying-type’s body. Bravo plummeted with a scream as the attack ended, slamming the ground with a puff of feathers.



“Bravo!” Darryn gasped. How had he been taken down so fast?! It wasn’t possible!

“Now Aerial Ace!” DeBrody simply wasn’t letting up! This match was going to be over even faster than Zulu’s if Bravo didn't act fast!

“Bravo! Jump and use Gust-Counter!” Darryn called out his first Co-ordination.



Bravo flapped strongly away from the floor to dodge Warhawk’s incoming attack and beat down a slash of air at the foe’s back. Warhawk, however, anticipated the move and dodged with a sharp bank, circling quickly to attack with Aerial Ace again.

“Follow with Mud Feathers!”

Bravo dropped like a stone to the ground, landing on his feet and flapping insanely at the ground. Mud Slap met Featherdance creating hardened projectiles that flew at the enemy like a spray of knives. Warhawk dodged again, flaring and climbing straight up into the air. Bravo took off after the larger bird, shooting upwards in his wake.

*Yes! Looks like DeBrody’s Pokemon aren’t used to Contest battling!*

“Bravo! Use Twister!”

As they continued to fly straight up, Bravo span to create a swirling silvery blue hurricane that stretched down to the ground and up to the clouds. Warhawk disappeared within the shining vortex with a shrill cry and a gasp from his trainer who was watching with wide eyes. Those eyes softened quickly into a hearty chortle.

“You’re supposed to fly above the storm, you old featherbrain! Above!”

Warhawk came tearing out of the Twister, seemingly unscathed, with a glitter in his eye that said he was annoyed. Bravo neatly twisted around in the air and began to stoop with Warhawk in hot pursuit. The Staraptor was clearly faster, the distance between itself and the smaller Pidgeotto closing quickly. Darryn glared daggers at the bird. First, Zulu was outdone with power and now Bravo was beaten in speed?!

*I really have a long way to go, huh?*

“That’s it, Bravo! Now Featherdance!”

Feathers poured out of Bravo as he fell, swirling upwards to smatter Warhawk as he plummeted behind. The feathers temporarily blinded the bird as they stuck to his face and body, sapping his strength with their strange golden light. Bravo banked away, circling around for another attack while Warhawk went… well… he went mental. Darryn learned later that day that Staraptor are especially mindful of the state of their crown – the tuft the hangs down over their face. The feathers that Bravo had used to defend himself had, quite simply, mussed the great brid’s hair and as such the creature became enraged.

“RAPTOOOR!” Warhawk’s body took on a powerful blue light as his final ttack began to charge and Darryn panicked. He had seen it before only once on his old friend’s Swellow. Bravo didn’t stand a chance.

*Not Brave Bird! If that hits, it’s all over!

“Bravo! Heat Wave!”

“Heat Wave?!” DeBrody’s jaw dropped again.

Bravo kicked his wings into overdrive, a gout of flames igniting in hisbreast and racing through the air towards his opponent. Warhawk broke into a dashing attack, meeting the flames head on and slicing through them like a knife through butter. The flames whirled around Warhawk ineffectively as the mighty bird slammed its attack home into Bravo’s small frame. With a strangled cry, Bravo folded and fell.


Darryn recalled the bird before he could hit the ground, proud that his Pokemon had put up such a good fight.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Feb 23 2010, 04:20 PM

Jaima stepped back instinctively, bringing a hand to his face as the flamethrower went wild. He felt odd. Something, obviously, had been going on. He hadn't seen Ember so eager to battle, so... if he didn't know better, he'd say she was actually angry. And Dante, for his part, was in a righteous hissy fit.

If he didn't know better.

The flames, luckily, were only on his side of the field. He could immediately feel Mercury's ire at the nature of the thought, and would have grinned if he wasn't so afraid, but it was true. He'd rather have the fire be focused on himself than on Tuesday, especially if that fire was coming from his own pokemon's mouth.

Mercury was in front of him, her arms spread out, silhouetted in the flames, but, luckily, they fell short. Dante's desire wasn't to hurt anyone, Jaima felt, but as a show of force. 'Be careful, or I'll burn you.' Ember, being much closer to Dante, was engulfed, and Jaima briefly was concerned. Maybe he should stop the fight.

Trainer Jaima, I love you. But you need to let this happen. Jaima blinked. He had only heard that tone in Mercury's mental voice once, and then her speech was much simpler... but she was very, very angry right now.

He briefly wondered what Lady had done now.

* * * * *

Desertdancer lounged back, enjoying the company of his fighting type companions. Many would have felt ignored by the two paying attention to the fighting and not the sandshrew, but Desertdancer loved it. They were not being silent, so he could hear everything they said, and the information they imparted was delightful. And also worrying. It seemed young Dante had worked himself up into a towering rage. Ah, the species and evolution. It was, in part, why he had chosen to remain a sandshrew. The 'slashes were much, much more volatile, he knew, and he'd rather keep his head, thank you.

A sort of buzzing sound caught his attention, and, likely, that of his comrades, but it was Desertdancer who took his eyes off of the battle in progress to watch the jolteon dash toward them. If he didn't stop soon, he would likely bowl into one of the trio, but the jolteon didn't seem too concerned. He altered his course with lightning speed, dashing between the riolu and the lucario, and heading straight for...

Oh dear...

The impact was less than he'd expected, and though they did roll quite a ways, Desertdancer was most willing to chalk it up to his round body more than any purposeful impact. Still, it was disconcerting to see those brown, slightly glazed eyes staring down at him.

<<You're a sandshrew, right?>>

Desertdance blinked, then chuckled. He wasn't in any real danger, not from the pup. Electricity had no effect on him whatsoever, and the pup was not trying to attack him in any other way. <<I suppose I am at that,>> he replied amiably.

<<Finally!>> Romeo hopped off him, then grabbed a paw (gently, of course. As said before, the pup wasn't trying to hurt Desertdancer), and began pulling him. <<Daiaiy sayfs yoff haffa co' fied wiff mou may!>>

Desertdancer blinked and pulled free. <<I'm sorry, lad, what?>>

<<Danny says you hafta come fight with your May! And you taste like dirt! And he sent me to get you, because I'm the fastest! Come on, come on!>>

Desertdancer scowled. <<Listen, lad,>> he said gently. <<I'm not sure what it is that you're getting at...>>

If there was any exasperation in the jolteon, Desertdancer couldn't feel or sense it, but then his species had no talent for that sort of thing. No, it was observation that won him any foresight! The jolteon sat next to him and sighed. <<Danny,>> He said, pointing to Darryn, who's concentration was on the field, <<told Lassie,>> he pointed with his nose to Lady, who turned back and glared at him even though there was no way she could hear him, <<to have me,>> he paused puffing out his chest, <<because I'm the fastest, get you, and have you battle with your May, because she's in the mood to battle and is just being a sulkybutt! At least, Lassie says she's a sulkybutt, I don't think Danny actually said sulkybutt...>>

It took a moment or two, but finally Desertdancer got it. <<Yes, yes, I see. Thank you, Romeo,>> he said, patting the jolteon in the head, before walking to Meiko.

She was, indeed, watching both battles intently, and Desertdancer had been one of her pokemon long enough to pick up signals, as well. He prided himself on his observational skills. Human bodies, especially, spoke volumes. She seemed relaxed, yes, but her fists were clenched, and her eyes were wide, and her left leg was bouncing a bit.

She was the portrait of someone who wanted to battle.

Desertdancer waddled to her hand, took it, careful not to drive his claws into her pink skin, and pulled. <<Come now, dear. We both know how you get when you're over excited, and you won't be able to sleep tonight. Mew knows that when you don't sleep, you worry, and you have quite enough to worry about. Honestly, something has set you crooked with that young man, and he certainly has proven himself to me...>>

Meiko blinked down at him. "What is it, sweety?" He pulled again, and she was nearly pulled over. "Dancer! What?" When he looked up and her, and then pointed at the area where Darryn and DeBrody were squaring off, and then again where Jaima and Tuesday were, much closer, Meiko blinked. "You want to battle, boy? I don't know..."

Desertdancer huffed out a breath. <<Come now, young lady, don't be intractable. You don't have to be shy, they're your friends. And besides, the young man whom Tuesday knows doesn't seem to have a sparring partner. Now let's not dilly-dally, shall we?>>

Meiko looked, then sighed. "OK, OK, I do want to battle, but..." She smiled sadly. "You're right. I should just go ask Darryn if he wants to battle."

Desertdancer pulled her and she got to her feet, pulling her sandshrew to her chest and walking toward the battlers.

* * * * *

The fires faded, leaving a dark scorch mark and smoke billowing on a full half of the field. Dante stepped back, looking quite satisfied.

<<Are you done now?>>

Before he had a chance to look surprised, Ember had come out of the smoke, trailing it behind her. She rose to her hind legs, her tiny forepaws growing long, claw-like glowing extensions. She swiped, slowly, deliberately, backing Dante up with each swipe.

<<Jaima has done nothing but care for people since we met! And he did it through the worst time in his life, because he was the only one there, and he never abandoned those girls or his mom, because they needed him!>> She dropped low, sliding the distance between Dante and her, kicking him viciously in the stomach with her back foot, then rose and kicked him with the one she stepped off from. <<The only two things he's ever done for himself was buy glasses and come here, and his mother had to practically force him to do that!>> She launched forward, slamming her head against his chest, sending him flying back. <<I don't know what your problem is, but maybe someone else should watch the egg until you calm,>> fire enveloped her as she spun forward like a discus on the ground, <<down and,>> she rose from the spin, clawing with each hand, spiraling up, <<figure it out!>>

Ember landed at the same time Dante did, except that she was on her feet and Dante was back, struggling to get up. Ember dropped to all fours, but did not relax otherwise.

<<What is your problem, Dante?>> There was no answer except for Dante opening his mouth again, and Ember launched forward, slamming into him and knocking him down. Ember backed up, and it took Dante a bit longer to rise.

<<What is your problem, Dante?>> Again, there was no answer, but he crouched and hissed, his eyes flashing. Ember sighed, charged him again, and struck his chest with her quick attack.

"OK, I think that's enough. It's only training, right?" Jaima grinned at Tuesday. "I'm telling you, somehow you and Meiko and Mindy bring out some awesome things in my pokemon!"

He struggled to rise, and Ember snorted, until Jaima called an end to it. She didn't feel good about the praise he gave her, and watched, blankly, as Tsunami took the field, idly putting out the flames that Dante had started.

Posted by: Puck Feb 26 2010, 05:42 PM

The battle over, DeBrody recalled Warhawk from the battlefield and the staraptor shot from the field with a flurry of his wings. He flew over Darryn, swooping low so that the wind burst against him and made the boy’s hair fly into disarray. With a satisfied squawk, the bird settled on a perch in the distance and began to fix his feathered top.

Chuckling, DeBrody made his way over to Darryn as the boy tried to fix his own hair. “I think that’s the first time in a long time that anyone’s ruffled Warhawk. I’m not too good at giving congratulatory speeches, though, so…” He clapped Darryn on the shoulder. “That’ll do, pig.”

He bent forward, his hand still on Darryn’s shoulder, laughing. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” he said, standing up and chuckling as he tried to get himself under control. He wiped a tear of mirth from his eye as he bit out the last of his laughter.

“You’re a good battler, kid. The best I’ve seen in a long time.” He gave a wistful smile, staring off behind Darryn as though a reel was showing him a memory. “In fact, I think the last time I’ve seen someone pull off something like that, it was during the war. Stuka was a good guy – great battler. He had skills I’d never even seen before; kinda like you, kid. Yeah, he was a good battler.” He sighed softly. “Too bad we lost him off the lines. He pulled a good battle, knew how to lead, knew how to keep the enemy busy long enough for someone else to put the damage in. But sometimes it’s not enough.”

He could see that Darryn had gone somewhat pale and couldn’t contain his grin. There was a loud snort behind him, a rush of hot air, and then something hard shoved against his back. “Ah, come on, Vent – you’ll ruin my fun.”

“Stop scaring the poor boy, Marcus.” DeBrody rolled his eyes, as the salamence turned her head to face Darryn. ”Ignore him. He never lost anyone in a war. He’s blowing more smoke than me.” DeBrody snorted loudly and Venture eyed him. “He did, however, have an accident during one of his first jumps.”

“Hey!” Venture Star grinned at DeBrody’s cry. He gave her a betrayed look. “Don’t talk about a guy’s tragedies so carelessly, Star,” he chided brokenly, giving a grimace that was still half put on as he rubbed his groin area. “One’s still smaller than the other.”

Venture Star rolled her eyes, but stayed quiet as DeBrody turned back to Darryn. “Look, kid, all jokes aside, you battle like a bloody freak, and I ain’t lying. You fight flashy. It’s the most annoying, distracting, and unexpected thing that I had ever expected from a battler, and it’s effective. Hell, kid, the only reason you didn’t beat me is because I’ve got mondo skills.” He flashed a grin. “You’re gonna make somethin’ out of yourself one day, kid, and no one’s gonna match ya, that’s for sure.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and watched with amusement and pride as the boy walked over to where Brone was standing with the girl. Venture Star snorted over his shoulder thoughtfully, as she watched the boy, as well.

“You know, I think Stuka would have liked him,” she admitted softly.

DeBrody gave a wistful smile. “Yeah, Star. Yeah, I think so, too.”

Dante struggled to get up and finally pushed himself unsteadily to his feet. He stumbled a little, but gained enough equilibrium to hiss at the cyndaquil as she retreated to her trainer’s arms. To the humans, it could have seemed to be nothing more than a promise to challenge each other again, or gratitude for a good match, but it was clear to all of the pokemon present that it was a hiss of anger and disgust. Without words, Dante was insulting her and giving his full opinion on everything that she had said.

It was all a load of taurosshit.

With a snort and a stagger, the charmeleon turned and stumbled over to Tuesday, moaning. I feel like… my dinner. Gah…

Tuesday wrapped him in a hug. He sighed, too tired and sore to truly enjoy the attention he was receiving. “Dante, why wouldn’t you listen to me?” she asked softly.

Dante huffed. He had heard Tuesday telling him to use certain attacks, of course, but he had ignored her. By the tone of her voice, it was quite clear that she hadn’t understood the real reason as to why.

“I guess you were just excited, huh? It’s been a long time since you’ve battled a fire type for fun.” She stroked the horn on his head and he shut his eyes, though he sighed again. Why couldn’t she see how badly the boy was treating her?

She cares too much, and I wish she wouldn’t. She’s going to get herself hurt again. He nuzzled her softly. But I’ll protect you, Tuesday. No matter who I have to face to do it.

Tuesday hugged Dante again and then stood up, leaving the charmeleon to flop onto his stomach in exhaustion behind her to watch the battle. He yawned loudly, as he saw Odysseus make his way onto the field. Great, the smartass was battling.

Odysseus moved onto the field, watching Dante with a wary eye, but grinning at Ember in hopes that she would ignore Dante’s actions and comments. “Ye did good, lass,” he assured her with a nod. “Now, lemme show ye how an ol’ seadog battles.”



Sitting with Shadow, watching the end of one battle and the beginning of another, Zorro turned to his proclaimed older brother. ”Mi hermana es afraid of agua, sí?” he asked, a confused frown on his face. ”Why she battle with Captain?”

Posted by: Living Arrow Mar 6 2010, 03:34 PM

The adrenaline from battle was reluctant to leave Darryn as he replaced Bravo's ball on his belt and bowed his head in defeat to DeBrody. He had to hand it to the old timer - his training was top-notch. Zulu nor Bravo really put a scratch on their opponents before they were down and out but previously both had shown themselves to be excellent battlers. For DeBrody to have swept him so simply, he'd have to be... well, it was crazy! He'd have to be the Champion or at least as powerful as... right? Or was Darryn still only the rookie that left Gigarte? Was he still so inexperienced that he couldn't stand up to an average trainer?

A laugh disturbed Darryn's thoughts as DeBrody came over. Darryn fussed with his hair quickly to make himself presentable. “I think that’s the first time in a long time that anyone’s ruffled Warhawk. I’m not too good at giving congratulatory speeches, though, so…” He clapped Darryn on the shoulder. “That’ll do, pig.”

*Ruffled? RUFFLED?! He didn't bloody blink!*

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” DeBrody said, clapping Darryn's shoulder warmly while laughing all the while. Darryn didn't need to see the man's Emotaglow to know how joyous he was - it was written over his face.

“You’re a good battler, kid. The best I’ve seen in a long time. In fact, I think the last time I’ve seen someone pull off something like that, it was during the war. Stuka was a good guy – great battler. He had skills I’d never even seen before; kinda like you, kid. Yeah, he was a good battler.” He sighed softly. “Too bad we lost him off the lines. He pulled a good battle, knew how to lead, knew how to keep the enemy busy long enough for someone else to put the damage in. But sometimes it’s not enough.”

*In the war? THere is no WAY I'm getting conscripted!!!*

Darryn's mind wandered away rather easily as DeBrody spoke with his gorgeous Salamence, still trying to piece together what had gone so wrong in his plans. Where were the holes in his strategy? What combinations did he need to improve to get a better result next time...?

“Look, kid, all jokes aside, you battle like a bloody freak, and I ain’t lying. You fight flashy. It’s the most annoying, distracting, and unexpected thing that I had ever expected from a battler, and it’s effective. Hell, kid, the only reason you didn’t beat me is because I’ve got mondo skills.”

*No kidding... Mondo doesn't even being to describe it...*

“You’re gonna make somethin’ out of yourself one day, kid, and no one’s gonna match ya, that’s for sure.”

"Th-thanks... Mister DeBrody, sir." Darryn bowed his head again and moved away quickly, Lady offering the old man a snort as she pranced after him.

*****

"Tough battle?" Meiko's eyes and tone were sympathetic - Darryn scanned the airwaves for any hint of sarcasm and found none. Instead, he smiled weakly and shrugged.

"He had me beat before I even tossed the first Pokeball." The CO-Ordinator admitted quietly, discarding his mantle of sorrow and putting on his game face. "But whatever, yeah? I mean, we can't win them all!"

Meiko nodded with a knowing smile and even Tuesday's brother seemed to agree as he inclined his head slowly.

"Well, aaanywho..." Meiko shifted slowly. "Since your battle is over, I thought I could have a go with Brone? We've had a quick chat and think that it would be fun to have a double battle but I've only got Desertdancer with me, so..."

"So you want to borrow a Pokemon?" Darryn asked quickly, fishing balls off his belt. "Sure! You can have Romeo or Lady..."

"Actually, I am rather keen to have you on the other side of the field, too." Brone cut in, a plain smile openon his face. Darryn raised an eyebrow and looked between the two.

"What, like a two-on-one battle?"

"Precisely." Brone confirmed, that smile not wavering as his hands flexed around the leash connected to his Umbreon. "You see, Dapit here was kind enough to let me watch your battle and I have to say - it was breathtaking! I would very much like to be put in the driving seat <There's a first time for everything!> and witness first-hand what it is like to challenge a Co-Ordinator."

<Oh, Lady - give it a rest.>

"And I'd like a battle, too." Meiko's eyes were glistening slightly. Darryn took a peek at her Emotaglow to find it shimmering between orange and silver.

*Wow... She's missed it since breaking away from her journey, huh?* Darryn surmised, grabbing a Pokeball from his belt.

"Fair enough. Well, I caught a Pokemon recently that I'd like to see battling before I set his training regime so I won't say no to another match!"

All three trainers moved to their assigned sides of the field and took their positions. Brone's hair floated gently in the breeze as he found his trainer box without any trouble and unclipped the leash from his Umbreon's neck. Another Pokeball found its way into his hands.

*So the Kadabra is out of the picture... What will he pick for his second Pokemon, I wonder?*

Posted by: Master Houndoom Mar 10 2010, 05:51 PM

Meiko bounced on the balls of her feet, chewing her lower lip. Part of her knew, knew she should be watching Jaima and Tuesday battle, but doing so had reminded her how much she used to enjoy battling, just for the fun of battling, for the challenge of it. Not because she was scared and surrounded by evil men and their pokemon.

She was afraid that she'd lost her touch. That she'd forgotten how to battle just for fun. Briefly, she thought she might just turn around and give up, but looking at Jaima and Tuesday quashed that idea. She bent down, allowed Desertdancer to jump out of her arms, and stood back up, watching Brone closely.

Brone stood with a small smile on his otherwise passive face, both hands holding his cane in front of him as if he were leaning on it. Standing straight up, the cane, white with a red end, was almost as tall as the blind young man, and looked too flimsy to support his weight. He still held it, his eyes staring between Darryn and Meiko, more than likely seeing them in whatever way he'd found to compensate for his blindness.

"Dapit, you will battle Meiko's Desertdancer," Brone said softly. "Darryn's pokémon shall battle," he said with a soft smile, "Hidalgo."

He held up the ball in the open palm of his hand, and though his finger did not click the button, the ball expanded, then opened, releasing a small spotted horse like pokémon; a girafarig, which nearly made Meiko squeal. The girafarig blinked, looking around him with wide brown eyes, the other head on it's backside swinging in a mirrored reflection of the primary.

"Arig!"

Dapit, the umbreon, merely stood, regally, waiting for the battle to begin.

* * * * *

Shadow sat up straight, looking at the new battle about to take place. He say Mercury twitch away from where the three trainers prepared, and had drawn his eyes there to see what the problem was. It was the dark fox that had done it, evidently, but her fear was manageable if she didn't focus on it. He could, however, feel her mind creeping toward his, just a touch, and he allowed it, responding with a gentle touch in return.

Zorro's question had been pondered. <<I do not know, Little Brother. Perhaps she is ready to face that fear.>> But the aura around her did not seem tense, as if she were bracing for fear. It seemed relaxed, joyous, and as much as he wanted to believe it, he didn't think that Kohai Tuesday had taken some things into account.

* * * * *

Tsunami regarded Odysseus with wide eyes. <<But, you're hurt!>>

<<Never you mind that, lass. It'd take a far sight more than a hobbled tail to sink this dinghy.>> Odysseus crouched low, tails in the air, stiff and not whirring.

Tsunami looked troubled, but did not comment further. If she were to prove she were strong, she'd have to take whatever opponents she was sent out against. But to fight someone who was injured..?

"Tsunami," Jaima said, quietly enough that Tuesday couldn't hear him. "No straight water attacks, and avoid his tail, OK? It's just training, so you don't have to worry about mistakes."

Well, Tsunami thought, blinking, that was different, right? She flexed her knees and waited, and when the command came, she executed it at speed.

"Mud slap!" The wave of mud blocked the buizel from her vision briefly, but when it dropped, he was gone. She cast around for him, finding him three feet to the left of where he started and approaching too fast to dodge.

"Bide!"

She braced herself, taking the impact and feeling energy, like a warm wave, build inside her.

<<You'll think twice before worrying over my tails again, eh, lass?>> chuckled Odysseus, and launched at her again. The energy spread.

"Release!"

As he launched an attack again, Odysseus was caught in a beam of pure energy that erupted from Tsunami's mouth, sending him stumbling back, barely able to avoid landing on his tail. Rather than growl, as many pokemon she'd seen fighting did, he laughed, a single, joyful bark. <<HA! Tha' was a good one, lass! Teach me to assume I'm too fast, eh?>> He grinned and waited, then smirked. <<Try this on for size, girly!>> Suddenly a stream of water appeared around his body as he launched himself toward the marshtomp, leaving a trail of water behind him. Before she could move, he had struck her in the chest, sending her toppling backwards.

Posted by: Puck Mar 11 2010, 10:38 PM

The cold made no sense.

Tuesday hadn’t gotten wet; she was too far back from Odysseus for his water attack to have struck her in the least. But the cold, the chill, was unmistakable and inescapable.

Her breath caught in her chest and she stumbled backward, trying to catch it. Her hands clenched into fists as she tightly shut her eyes and lowered her head, shuddering.

Outwardly, she may have appeared to be having a fit, or an asthma attack. Internally, however, her mind was flashing back and she could see, all over again, the feraligatr and his attack and the water coming at her, and wet, cold, darkness.

Zorro was standing inside of the house with Shadow. Desertdancer had left some time before, leaving the two jackal pokemon alone. They were watching out of the window, Zorro keeping his attention firmly on the battle between the captain and Tsunami. He did not know why, but he had a very bad feeling.

He wished he was more attuned to Aura, because then he could help his hermana better. Unfortunately, his knowledge of such mechanics was sorely lacking, and so he could only dimly attempt to concentrate on the ripples that flowed off of people and pokemon alike. It was as though the whole world was a giant puddle, so crystal clear that no one could see the water, and each person and pokemon was a pebble that caused these ripples.

It was fascinating but, somehow, it also made Zorro feel separate from the world. How could he honestly be a part of it, when he stood to the side and saw how everyone else affected it?

He was contemplating this as he studied the ripples. The marshtomp, Tsunami, had light yellow, sandy ripples, which were flickering outward in a sign of worry and uncertainty.

The captain’s ripples were a deep orange, flashing in and out and all over in amusement and laughter so pure that he could almost hear it through his Aura sense. There was a strange, pale level of calm beneath this, however – something subtle which Zorro had trouble defining.

Tuesday’s ripples were dark blue and lingering around her, calm, like a steady layer of snow across the ground. She was calm and, he thought – hoped – happy.

He was watching her when Odysseus used Aqua Jet, blasting forward and flashing water behind him, in an attack that sent Tsunami rolling. The marshtomp was fine, of course, but it didn’t matter. The damage had been done by Tuesday’s own mind. She clearly hadn’t realized… though how could she have not?

The dark blue Aura that surrounded her jumped like a seismograph during an earthquake. The ripples around her, previously calm, immediately started leaping and ricocheting off of each other, spazzing out in every direction like a seizing firework. With his eyes, he could see her shrinking away from Odysseus, curling into herself, her head ducking down as she gasped in terror.

He completely ignored the fact that the window slid open of its own accord. Without a second’s hesitation, he leapt through the open window and dashed across the ground, his pirate hat flying off of his head, his black tassels flying behind him as he ran. He could see Odysseus, surprised by Tuesday’s reaction, his own orange ripples no longer calm, but… worried, concerned, and he moved toward her. She skittered back further, nearing hyperventilation, panicking, ready to run by afraid to run or not knowing any place that would be safe. It wouldn’t lead to anything safe. If she flew into a full-out panic, she could flee, and fly right into danger without realizing it, to escape a danger that didn’t really exist.

Except it did, for her.

Zorro slid to a stop, kicking up a cloud of dirt as he dug his rear paws into the earth, slipping and falling onto his forepaws, but standing up quickly. He stood firmly in between Tuesday and Odysseus and raised his hands out in front of the buizel in a halting gesture.

”Mi capitán, no… no, por favor.”

Odysseus stopped walking forward, if only in confusion, his face displaying such emotion. “What’s go’ yer sails tangled, lad?” he growled gently in concern.

”You no come closer, Captain, por favor. Is no bueno.” He glanced back at Tuesday, who wasn’t running or hyperventilating, but who also did not look as though she felt at all safe. ”Mi hermana is miedo… a… afraid of water. You stay away… she – she calm down, uno momento.”

Odysseus stood staring at Zorro for a moment, and then his gaze moved to Tuesday. She was shivering, her arms folded across her stomach as though to protect herself from a blow, her eyes wide but unseeing. Her breathing was calming, but slowly, and she still looked too far away to be fully aware of the current situation.

He swallowed some words, knowing that they were born of a love of the sea and the water. He did not dare to be so crass to the child, and though he did not understand her fear, he could not deny that look in her eyes as terror.

He watched in silence, still confused, very concerned, as Zorro stepped slowly toward the lass. He moved with careful grace, not too quickly. It was as though he was approaching a skittish ponyta and not his trainer, his hermana, as he called her. He reached out a paw and touched her lightly on the arm.

Odysseus saw the girl jump, startled, her eyes widening before focusing abruptly onto him. Her lip quivered and looked very much like she was going to cry. Her eyes flashed to Odysseus and she shivered and took a step back. Zorro, however, reached out and wrapped both paws around her arm. She stared down at him and he gave her a reassuring look in return, before pulled on her arm gently, guiding her back toward Odysseus. She fought him at first, with reluctance and fear, but not strongly, and she gave up quickly and allowed him to pull her closer to Odysseus.

Zorro spoke without looking back. ”Captain, you come, por favor? Slowly,” he added, and did glance behind him.

“O’ course, lad,” Odysseus said. He stepped forward calmly, moving to the left as he walked so that he moved further into Tuesday’s line of sight. He noticed how her eyes flashed to him the moment that he started moving, but Zorro’s grip on her arm kept her where she was. She swallowed thickly and shrunk down, and Odysseus stopped. “I reckon this quite far enough, lad. The lass don’ look like she’ll be takin’ much more.” He hesitated, and then added, “Perhaps it’d be best t’ stop the battle. I c’n take a forfeit, lad.”

”No,” Zorro said, shaking his head. ”Mi hermana keep running. Is no bueno. She must face.” He smiled at Tuesday and held onto her arm, trying to convey to her that she was safe. She was safe.

To the outside party just watching, Brone looked bored; amused, but bored.

To any psychics in the vicinity, it was clear that he was having the time of his life.

Having been born both blind and psychic, Brone learned to compensate his disability with his ability. He could not see with his eyes, so he saw through other’s. When Tuesday was old enough to understand exactly what it meant for Brone to be psychic, they had a long discussion and his blindness, because it was a constant, inescapable factor, was a major part of the discussion.

It was during this discussion, when Brone explained his psychic powers as best he could to his little sister, that she gave him permission to look through her eyes whenever he needed to. They practiced this ability, especially since it initially caused Tuesday a lot of discomfort. One she began used to feeling his mind within her own, they practiced his other powers on her, and came to agreements with many.

Tuesday had no problem with Brone being psychic. She did not mind if he looked through her eyes or spoke to her telepathically or even, on occasion, read her mind. She didn’t like when he psychically suggested things, like sleep, because she had a strange reaction to these suggestions that resulted in a discomfort which couldn’t be overcome and was often incredibly frightening. But for the most part, Brone was free to use his psychic powers around Tuesday without her being disturbed by them. There were only a select few who felt this way and most of them were pokemon. Brone’s own pokemon had become accustomed at very young ages to his abilities, and so Brone often saw through there eyes.

As he battled now, he didn’t just glance through one set of eyes, as most psychics might, but he bounced around through varying. It wasn’t random, but it was such an abrupt and sudden shift between channels that it would have made some people motion sick.

Standing with his legs spread apart slightly, Brone had his right hand over his left on the top of his cane, planted in the ground in front of him. His eyes were unseeing as he stared ahead, a slight smile on his face, but his mind was in a split focus. He watched the battle as it began from above, through the eyes of Warhawk, as he circled overhead.

”Dapit, quick attack, if you would,” he said politely to the umbreon. ”Hidalgo, agility, please. He never opened his mouth, his small smile never fading, as he telepathically spoke to his pokemon. Strategically, it was a good tactic, because he opponents had no idea what attacks they were in for. Personally, it allowed Brone to connect closely with his pokemon and battle with them. It was a tactic that he used almost every time he battled and, he knew, one that Tuesday was particularly fond of.

His mental focus faded from Warhawk and switched to Voodoo, as the aerodactyl swooped low over the battle. He dove through the air with the great winged fossil, getting closer and closer to Dapit as the umbreon dashed from side to side and leapt in a quick attack at the sandshrew who was her opponent.

As Voodoo adjusted his motion and rose from the dive abruptly, Brone’s focus switched to Hidalgo, and he felt his own forehead tingling, as the girafarig unleashed a confusion attack. He bucked with the horse pokemon, stomped his hooves, only they were Hidalgo’s hooves, and he was the girafarig, but he was an umbreon, and he was leaping over a sand attack and crashing into the ground, dashing through dirt and kicking sand against his underside. He was there and then he wasn’t, slamming into the sandshrew with a faint attack, but it wasn’t him fighting, it was Dapit, and he could see the sandshrew diving for him, but he couldn’t.

And then he wasn’t an opponent, but an observer, leaning on a fence with a grin on his face, wishing he had an already-rolled parachute so he could make another dive.

And then he was a hyperactive squirrel and nuts were more important than the battle, but he supposed the battle was important, too.

And then he was with Venture Star, who, also a psychic, flew mentally alongside of him, laughing at his excitement and flying with him over the battle and then circling it like a great tornado.

He was battling, observing, playing, gathering nuts, fixing his feather frock. He was everywhere, and yet he never moved, standing leaning on his staff as the battle raged on, grinning, because whether or not he won the battle, just the act, in itself, was a victory.

Posted by: Living Arrow Mar 14 2010, 02:47 PM

*Umbreon and Girafarig… Looks like we’ll have an even playing field…*

“I call Victor to the field!” Darryn tossed out the Dive Ball, releasing his Squirtle in a dazzling display of white and blue. The Tiny Turtle looked pumped for battle, boucing from foot to foot with anticipation.

Tension blossomed on both sides of the field as the trainers began to plan their battle strategies but Darryn’s were already in place – that was the mark of a Co-Ordinator. His few secondes of spare time were instead spent examining his opponent. Brone. For all that the boy was blind and blessed with psychic talents, it seemed joy couldn’t be controlled completely, at least not without his Kadabra at his side. The faintest glimmer of gold shone in the teen’s heart and that was all it took for Darryn to relax a little. Pristine calm on the outside may have made him seem all the more impressive but Darryn had finally caught a glimpse of the real Brone Berdison.

*So Psychics aren’t all-powerful… humans and Pokemon… they’re still just that – humans and Pokemon.*

With no warning, the Girafarig named Hidalgo leapt into action, his hooves thrumming into the sod as his Agility allowed him to flash across the battlefield at blinding speed.

“What!?” Darryn clenched his fists. No attack had been ordered! There was no time to waste! “Victor, Water Pulse!”

“Squiiiiir…” Victor summoned the swirling sphere between his palsm and jumped back, firing the projectile into the ground where it surged like a wave across the field. The Girafarig, however, easily galloped around the attack and stopped at a fair distance to glare pointedly at the Squirtle.

A flash of blue and Victor was screaming, tumbling end over end through the grass.

*Another attack that wasn’t called?! What’s going on?!*

Hidalgo reared and whinnied from both ends, dropping back down to all fours and entering a full-out charge.



Victor righted himself quickly, tottering back to his position even as the quadruped raced at him. With wide eyes, Victor took a step back in fright. Darryn grit his teeth.

*Victor’s getting freaked by this… We’ve got to pull it back!*

And that was when Darryn saw it. A technique that November used in much the same way. The turn of the hoof that led into…

“It’s Stomp! Victor, use Withdraw!”

Head, arms, legs and tail all sucked into the Tiny Turtle’s hard shell as the hard hooves of the Long Neck came down to produce a sharp *crack* from the target.

“Rapid Spin!”

Victor’s shell immediately span into overdrive, ripping the support out from Hidalgo’s forelegs and sending him tumbling to the ground. Victor emerged from his shell almost immediately, backflipping and landing on all fours to square off once more.
The horns atop Hidalgo’s front head began to glow before he even made an attempt to stand, a blast of swirling psychic energy emitting forth.

“Bubblebeam!”

Stream of bubbles meant Psybeam, creating a wall of popping water that broke into sparkling mist between the combatants. Hidalgo’s view, temporarily blocked was all that Victor needed. Sprinting through the shroud, Victor gathered the coldest energy he could into his fist and dove out of the cloud right at the Girafarig. Hidalgo cried out as the Ice Punch hit its mark but not before a strange aura surrounded the Long Neck’s body. Darryn was somewhat put back by how easily the Pokemon got up from such a powerful direct hit.

“What gives?! Your Girafarig should be way more tired than that after that hit!” Darryn complained, frowning deeply. Brone’s unwavering smile increased in intensity just a little bit.

“Ah, in normal circumstances I would agree. However, just before your Squirtle hit his mark I had Hidalgo use Guard Swap.” Brone’s reply carried a hint of amusement.

“No you didn’t!” Darryn called back across the field. “You didn’t even say anything!”

“Didn’t I?” Brone’s tone was still even, still amused. When the penny finally dropped, so did Darryn’s jaw. “Co-Ordinators are meant to overcome unexpected battles like this, are they not? So, Darryn, I suggest you… Co-Ordinate?”

“You want a Co-Ordination?! Fine!” Darryn clenched his fists. He had only gone over the theory of the next move with Victor once before but he’d have to have faith in the water type for it to be pulled off first time. “Victor!”

Darryn’s Squirtle looked back over his shoulder and gave him the thumbs-up. Darryn grinned. As this passed, Hidalgo leapt into another silently-ordered Agility, running rings around his opponent with ease.

“Let’s do it! Jump and use Bubblebeam and Icy Wind!”

“Squitaaal!” Victor sprang straight up, firing Bubblebeam and Icy Wind simulataneously below him creating a spiral of frozen orbs thatdanced precariously in the air like glass Chimecho. At the peak of his jump, Victor finished the move and fell straight back down, punching out rapidly with Ice Punch. The frozen bubbles were catapulted through the air like crystal bullets, spreading all around him to take down anything within range at 360 degrees. Hildago screamed as a series of hardened spheres slammed into his body and knocked him to the ground.


“Is that what you had in mind?” Darryn grinned fiercely across at Brone. That faint smile was finally gone from the blind boy’s face. But, instead of the disbelief that Darryn hoped to find there, a very open smile had erupted upon his lips.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Mar 17 2010, 02:53 PM

Shadow watched the waves of Aura come off of the combatants on the field. Sensei Jaima's flickered brightly, both in anticipation and some unease; He was, after all, battling his adoptive sister, and was worried, if Shadow could read him correctly, that he would somehow insult her or cause her to believe she was angry. Of course he needn't have worried, but Shadow could see a small hint of what caused the worry; a connection with Sensei Meiko that was flickering, in a state of flux that was making him nervous and cautious, not just with Sensei Meiko, but with all of his friends. Shadow scowled, wondering how to rectify it, or even if he could.

In contrast, Kohai Tuesday's aura was calm, placid, like a still lake. It was good to see, Shadow thought, and he smiled a bit.

The pokemon were something else, and Shadow learned much from watching them. He learned the difference between rage, which Dante exuded so strongly it was as if he had gained some power in Aura, and anger, which Ember, sweet, gentle, timid Ember was feeling in abundance toward Dante himself. The waves coming off of his body were like a blazing inferno, but those coming from her were controlled, directed. It was a wonder that Kohai Tuesday, so bonded with her pokemon, did not sense the rage from her charmeleon. In retrospect, Shadow would come to think this a good thing; If Kohai Tuesday felt what Dante felt, she may act on the rage, to whom the rage was directed.

He was proud to note that Zorro was reading the ripples he could sense quite well.

Shadow also learned to read the direction certain emotions, where certain emotions were being focused. Jaima's worry was toward Kohai Tuesday, as the color of that particular emotion bled that way, but also, more strongly, toward Sensei Meiko. The anger that Ember felt was only for Dante, and was built from solid evidence of Dante's misdeeds. The rage Dante felt, and this bothered Shadow quite a bit, was directed outward, almost to everyone, but a strong, heavy part of it was at Shadow's own Sensei Jaima.

Shadow felt his eyes narrow, and somehow, in the link with Mercury that he still felt, as she still, at times, leaned on him to dull the emotional onslaught of dealing with humans, he could feel Mercury's ire. Focusing on her, she was a bright, shining, tumultuous star, showing a similar presence of anger as Ember had, but also a fierce, strong emotion, one that he had yet to see through aura. She moved closer to Sensei Jaima, and the feeling in her aura intensified, and when she 'ported in front of her Sensei, arms spread to keep the flames from him, the feeling was very bright indeed.

She was protective of him. So protective that it became a force unto itself.

Shadow wanted, when the flames burst forth toward Jaima and all of his pokemon, to rush in and beat some sense into the charmeleon. However, Ember, enduring the flames, had that matter well in hand, putting Dante on the defensive, wearing him down, and finally pushing him to the limit of his endurance with controlled attacks. It was, in fact, her control that let her win, striking only enough to keep him off balance, where he had expended so much energy that rapid attacks were no longer an option to him.

Sensei Jaima's little pet had become Sensei Jaima's Little Warrior, seemingly in the blink of an eye. Shadow was impressed.

Then it was the next round, and Shadow felt a shiver of fear rush through him. That was when he got his final lesson of the day, a more practical lesson. As the battle progressed, Tsunami being cautious and Odysseus acting as if the caution were humorous, the buizel crouched, and his aura... rippled. Not as the ripples he had remembered sensing as a riolu, but like a stone thrown in water. It rippled so naturally, that when the water surrounded Odysseus, Shadow was not surprised. That was when he realized that he could, if he knew what to look for, anticipate the movements of another pokemon.

The surprise came when Tuesday began to shake at the sight of the water attack. Her aura was no longer the placid blue, it was a cacophony of color and waves, as if someone had presented a visual representation of what a whismur's Uproar attack must look like.

Shadow's muscles bunched to leap out the window, to find the solution, but Zorro was already a rapidly moving form, growing smaller in his vision as the riolu moved toward Kohai Tuesday.

And Shadow watched, alert, intent, ready to move as Zorro handled the situation, keeping Odysseus at bay until he felt that Kohai Tuesday could handle him, urging him closer when she was reluctant, smiling at her reassuringly.

Taking care of her. Seeing to her need, and making sure she learned, grew stronger from it.

In short, Taking His Rightful Place as her companion.

He did not edge out her other pokemon. That would have been selfish. Instead, he would, with time, bring them together. Make them stronger, as individuals, and as a team, and, most importantly, as Kohai Tuesday's support.

Shadow, Zorro's oft proclaimed "hermano mayor", had never been so proud in his life.

* * * * *

Jaima's heart shook, ached, as Tuesday reacted to the water attack. Tsunami blinked, eyes wide, as the girl shrunk into herself, but was sent spinning as Zorro passed her at top speed, his proclamation of, <<lo siento mucho!>> seeming to come seconds after he passed.

Jaima's fist gripped. How stupid was he? They were fighting with water types. This was bound to happen. He gritted his teeth. They'd have to stop the battle. There was no other way. Jaima stepped forward to call an end to it, and was held back.

Trainer Jaima, I love you, but you really have to let this happen...

Jaima threw a quizzical look at Mercury, scowling. She looked, slightly, alarmed, but pointed to Zorro, who was holding Tuesday's arm and patting it to comfort her. As Jaima watched, Zorro directed the buizel (or so he assumed, not having the ability to understand pokespeak, and Mercury not translating for him), slowly, to approach. Jaima bit his lip, then made the hardest decision he could.

"Everyone," he murmured so that only his own pokemon could hear, "sit down, please. Mercury, on the ground, if you will..."

With a blink, all of his pokemon did just that, sitting or laying on the ground. Mercury floated to Jaima's lap and sat in it, still intent on the scene before them. Not that I disagree, Trainer Jaima, but... why?

Jaima sighed. "Because," he said, in a whisper that one might use in a church, "a very wise pokemon or two told me that I can't do everything for her. My... girlfriend," he said, and Mercury cataloged the hesitant, near desperate hope in his voice, "said the same thing. So we are going to wait, and not attract attention, and let Tuesday and her pokemon get through this. Because she may not always have me, or Brone, or Meiko, or Darryn... but that young lady will always have her pokemon to help her."

* * * * *

Meiko was impressed, after a fashion. The battle wasn't so much a doubles battle, as it was two single battles on the same field. Ordinarily, this would only be mildly impressive. However, this was far from normal. Her opponent and Darryn's opponent just happened to be the same person. He just happened to be holding his own in two battles at once. He just happened to be doing all of this without speaking.

When the umbreon seemed to disappear, only to reappear at Desertdancer's side, she knew she was dealing with a very advanced battler. Desertdancer staggered to the side, turning to try to attack even as he did so, but the umbreon had long since been gone.

Meiko would have to use tactics.

"Desertdancer, Rapid Spin.... now!"

The delay worked to her advantage, usually, because an opposing trainer would order his pokemon in, trying to beat out her command. Usually, it would be caught in the attack. This time, the delay worked for a different reason; no attack had been forthcoming. Instead, the spin loosed soil beneath Desertdancer, and released some of the sand that was under his plates.

"Swift!" Still spinning, star shapes began to shoot out from Desertdancer's form, tearing after the umbreon. Though he tried to dodge, Dapit could not, for the stars would shift and converge on him. This put the umbreon, briefly, on the defensive, even as he moved toward Desertdancer to attack. This was exactly what Meiko wanted.

"Sand Tomb!" Sand poured out from where Desertdancer spun, flooding the area around him, packing densely around Dapit's legs and trapping him. Desertdancer stopped spinning and rolled backwards.

Dapit struggled, "ree"ing with more and more intense agitation. "Sand Attack!" Once, twice, and a third time Desertdancer kicked sand from the tomb toward the umbreon's face, making him close his eyes and shake his head. A deep, angry growl began to sound from the depths of Dapit's chest, and his struggles grew frantic.

Meiko bit her lip. She had gotten caught up in the battle, forgetting, it seemed, that it was a friendly battle only. Now Dapit was getting so agitated he could really hurt himself, and that wouldn't be fair. She opened her mouth to call Desertdancer off, knowing that it would forfeit her the match since neither pokemon was near fainting, when a voice sounded in her head, causing her to blink in alarm.

No, no, battle on. This is brilliant!

For a split second, Meiko's chest heaved. You're psychic? she thought wildly, half remembering how it felt to speak to Mercury.

I thought you knew, came the amused, slightly abashed voice. My apologies, then, for the intrusion.

Meiko blinked, hard. Are you going easy on me, she sent, hoping he could still hear her, with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. Are you letting my attacks hit, even though you know they're coming?

To be fair, I am running two battles at once. But no. I am not 'going easy' on you.

Meiko smirked, then smiled, brilliantly. "OK, then. Desertdancer!" She was surprised to note that the sandshrew seemed to have just been finishing his third sand attack. Had he done another, or was the communication just that fast? A question for another time. "Rollout!"

Posted by: Puck Mar 21 2010, 02:15 AM

Look, mate, I realize you’re havin’ a goo’ bit’o fun an’ all, but this is get’ing out of hand, don’t ya think? Dapit thought at Brone, his mental voice exasperated. The sheila’s no’ a weak one and I’ve go’ no place ta hide ou’ here in the paddock.

Brone smirked softly, chuckling internally. “Crikey, Dapit, this battle must be hard on you.”

Oh, shu’ i’, ya boofhead.

Dapit struggled to pull his paws out of the sand in which they were trapped, tugging ferociously and jerking from side to side. The sand had been packed together tightly by Desertdancer’s attack, and Dapit hissed angrily.

The dirt that Desertdancer kicked up as he spun slashed into Dapit’s eyes, effectively blinding the umbreon. Being trapped was one thing, but blinded was quite another, and Dapit let loose a shriek as he tore at the sand in an attempt to escape.

"Perhaps your best option is to pursue him."

Please, mate, be a bi’ more obvious nex’ time, Dapit growled. His eyes flashed and he jerked his paws free from the sand, leaping upward and quick attacking forward blindly.

He missed Desertdancer by a good foot and slammed headfirst into the ground, rolling and staggering to his feet as he shook his head to clear the sand out of his eyes. As he blinked, tears washing the sand away, he crouched low and snarled at the sandshrew. His eyes flashed purple and he released a confusion attack on Desertdancer, before leaping forward in a rage.

Hidalgo staggered to his feet and shook his head and tail from side to side. Blinking, he looked around, sticking his tongue slightly out as he scanned the area. When he spotted the squirtle, he pounded his front hooves eagerly into the ground and then reared, whinnying in excitement.

Shaking his head wildly from side to side, the girafarig exploded into a gallop toward the squirtle with reckless abandon. As Victor fell into a ready position, Hidalgo unleashed another attack. His form seemed to explode in size, rising out of the ground, his head expanding to twice its normal size. With a screeching howl, it leaned over Victor and shook back and forth wildly.

The squirtle jerked backward in surprise and the illusion vanished, revealing the girafarig leaping at Victor and stomping at him with his hooves, whinnying excitedly all the while.



As the battle between Hidalgo and Victor and the one between Dapit-hadon and Desertdancer continued, Brone turned a modicum of his attention to Tuesday. Always attuned to her emotions when he was near, he could sense her terror and uncertainty. It pained him, because he recalled that time, years ago, when Professor Oak had brought her home. She had been unconscious and soaked, in desperate need of medical attention.

It had been painful for Brone to be near her, because he had been unable to do anything to help her. Her mind had been lost within the recesses of her being, the only way to reach it a labyrinth that even Cassandra could not traverse safely. She had been lost during so many attempts, managing only to reach the entrance again after being trapped for hours.

Sitting for three days at her side without her regaining consciousness once, Brone remembered the terror that he had felt. He remembered also, upon her waking, the terror that had flashed from her own heart – a profound, bestial emotion.

It had never been as strong since – he prayed it never would be – but the fear was there. It did not match the level that it had been, but fluctuating, threatening to. He reached out with his mind, hoping to give her a touch of calm, and felt his mental hand slapped away.

He jerked back psychically, as another force interposed itself between he and his sister on the psychic plane.

”Mercury is right, Brone – this needs to happen, and not even you can interfere.”

Cassandra… she’s my sister!

”I know. But this must be allowed to happen or she will never grow. I have said it before, but I must repeat it now. Have faith, Brone. Have faith.”



“Zorro,” Tuesday whispered, almost whimpered. He still had his paw on her arm, his eyes patient as he watched her face. He placed his other paw gently on her back and nudged her slightly, urging her forward.

Tuesday whimpered softly, but stepped forward. She glanced down at Zorro, but cringed when she looked at Odysseus.

”He no hurt you, mi hermana. You know that, you know.” He smiled reassuringly at her, and clasped her hand in a paw, tugging her forward as he stepped toward Odysseus.

The buizel, for his part, stiffened. He hadn’t known that Tuesday was afraid of water and the knowledge disturbed him. If she was so terrified of it, then he really shouldn’t be here, but Zorro kept insisting.

”Mi heremana see?” Zorro asked, gently leading her right up to Odysseus. ”Captain no hurt. No at all.”

Odysseus shook his head softly from side of side, a painful kind of lump in his throat. ”Of course not, lass.”

“See?” Zorro grinned. ”We still battle, sí? Learn is bueno, mi hermana, sí.”

Tuesday, of course, couldn’t understand a word of what he was saying. She could only see the reassuring smile and appreciate his gentle touch. She stared at Odysseus, who stood still before her, looking ashamed for no reason.

“You… you’re a friend,” she whispered softly, clearly trying to reassure herself. “You won’t hurt me.”

She reached out a hand softly, with some reluctance, hesitating. Odysseus closed his eyes as she ran her fingers down the soft fur of his head. “You’re a friend,” she whispered. “You’re not like him.”

Dropping to her knees, she hugged the startled buizel, careful of his tail. She shivered even as she did so, as shocked by her actions now as when she caught him. But she swallowed thickly and continued to remind herself that the feraligatr wasn’t here and neither was his trainer. She was safe.

“You’re a friend.”

Posted by: Living Arrow Mar 24 2010, 12:19 PM

"Dodge it, Victor!" Darryn urged wholeheartedly. His Squirtle tensed up and started to move but the reaction time simply wasn't good enough.

Hidalgo's hooves rained down on Victor, slamming him straight into the ground where he became half buried in the grass and mud. The Girafarig jumped back and galloped in a wide circle before charging in for another attack. Darryn watched helplessly as his own Pokemon struggled desperately to get up from the ground in time to defend against the manic quadruped.

"Victor! Use your Water Pulse with both hands! Straight down!" Darryn cried.

The Squirtle gulped with apprehension yet still managed to throw his arms wide, palms down, and blasted out two powerful waves of water. Instantly, he was thrown straight up into the air right above the startled Girafarig. Twisting midair, Victor plopped down on Hialgo's back and gripped hard onto the Long Neck's horns.

"Reeeeeeee!" Hidalgo whinnied loudly, bucking hard to try and loosen the water type from his back.

"Do it, Victor!" Darryn yelled, his Tiny Turtle taking the signal... drawing back his head.... and slamming it down with all the force he could muster. The sheer force of the Skull Bash buckled Hidalgo's knees and the Girafarig fell, Victor still riding shotgun.
Like a demented and very angry balloon, Hidalgo's tail turned around and bit down on Victor's tail. The Tiny Turtle yelped with surprise, still clinging to the horns on the front head. Both heads proceeded to simultaneously pull away from each other, stretching Victor between them.

"Squiiiir.... taaaaaal....." Victor moaned as Hidalgo fought back from both sides like the clamps on a rack.

"Rapid Spin!"

Victor's unexpected move made the Girafarig cry under the reponsive pressure and in a flash both Pokemon were separated.

"Ice Punch!"

Hidalgo barely had time to blink before Victor appeared at the front head, delivering an icy cold uppercut to the delicate Long Neck's jaw that left him unconscious and frozen on the battlefield.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Mar 25 2010, 01:14 AM

Jaima watched, in silence. He sat cross-legged, with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped, fingers intertwined. His chin rested on his knuckles, and, besides his breathing and the odd blink, he made no moves.

Mercury stood next to him, on her feet, arms behind her, crossed, as if she were simply watching a very interesting scene in a play. She, too, did not move, but at the same time, she did not need to move to interact as Jaima and other people and pokemon did. So it was more pertinent to note that her mind reached no farther than her trainer and those she had a reliable link to, namely Shadow and Cassandra.

She also watched the other battles going on, watched as Victor and Hidalgo (who, when she'd reached out to sense him, was actually very very cute), gave their all in a pitched battle, and as Desertdancer, usually very passive, showed off the toughness and strength he always kept hidden.

Odysseus looked absolutely ashamed, as if he himself had done something to frighten Tuesday. Keeping mentally still, Mercury could still see it, in his expression, in his body language... it was a great lesson, one that she had learned before when, in Arasam, her emotional state had briefly blocked her powers, to learn to read the visible and audible signs of distress as well as the psychic signs.

Shadow, similarly, could see Odysseus' aura, and was showing Mercury a representation of what he could sense.

But Zorro had neither of these talents, only instinct and a bond with his trainer that was impressively powerful, and as the trio watched, Tuesday's fear ebbed, and though she was still disoriented, she allowed the water type to approach, and touched him, and finally pulled him into a hug. Zorro sagged in relief, and after a while, Tuesday looked up, looking shocked and self-conscious, still hugging Odysseus to her chest. She stood, loosening her grip slightly, allowing the buizel to turn in her arms, though he still hung there, his forelimbs hanging limply over Tuesday's arms, the rest of his body hanging below. He looked bemused, but relaxed.

"Um," Tuesday said, swallowing, then licking her lips.

Jaima smiled, standing. "You start," he said, winking, not trying to pretend that what had happened hadn't happened, but also not making a big deal about it.

Tuesday set Odysseus down, distracting herself by gingerly checking his tail, then stood, straight, and pointed at Tsunami. "Aqua Jet," she said, a tremble in her otherwise firm voice.

"Bide," Jaima gave his command as softly as he could, trusting that Tsunami had heard, who, by raising herself to her hind legs, indicated she had indeed.

The battle was back on.

* * * * *

Meiko chewed her lip. Something was happening over by Jaima, but she couldn't afford to look over. Desertdancer was doing well, but Dapit had managed to free himself of the sand tomb and Meiko was running out of tactics.

But even so, she was thrilled. She hadn't lost her skill. She had, yes, perhaps lost the edge to battling she'd honed in years of gym challenges and training in the wilds of Johto, but the skill itself was still there.

But now was not the time. Dapit had hit Desertdancer with Confusion, and it had done it's job right off. Desertdancer was stumbling around, blinking rapidly. He had yet to try an attack, but it was only a matter of time.

"Desertdancer, left!"

The sandshrew shook his head rapidly, then stumbled into a dodge. It was, contrary to the command, a dodge to the right, but it got the job done. However, he was out of position for a scratch attack. "Sand Attack him!"

<<Which one, dear?!>> he gasped, watching as the three umbreon's swimming in his vision rushed into him and slammed into him.

"Dig!"

Despite his confusion, Desertdancer had been raised in the desert, where, often, the only way to get away from a sandstorm was to dig into the ground. He leapt up, then dove into the ground, digging into it.

As he rose, hoping that he was, indeed, pointed toward the surface, he rose, his claws swiping to hit the umbreon from behind. But the umbreon wasn't there.

A cough sounded behind him, and as Desertdancer spun, Dapit charged behind him with a Sucker Punch that sent Desertdancer crashing backwards and into a wave of darkness.

Meiko gasped, and had to control her urge to run to him. She did drop to her knees when she reached him, stroking the top of his head.

"You did such a great job," she whispered, lifting him into her arms. "I'm so proud of you..!"

Meiko smiled up at Brone, a little sad, but ultimately having good feelings for the match. "Thank you for the battle."

Posted by: Puck Mar 26 2010, 11:51 AM

Odysseus glanced back at Tuesday with a wary eye. Had she really just asked him to do an aqua jet attack? When it caused her that amount of fear?

He considered denying her that, to save her the reaction she had just suffered, and him the guilt that he wasn't yet over. Zorro didn't agree.

"Captain," he said, giving an urging nod of his head, "go. Por favor?"

"Ye saw wha' i' did t' the lass," Odysseus nodded toward Tuesday, his voice harsh in response. "Yer askin' me t' force tha' on'er 'gain?"

"No." Zorro shook his head. "Mi hermana ask you, because she think she can take it. Mi hermana can."

Odysseus looked doubtful, almost fearful, but he glanced toward Tuesday to see her reaction. She was pale and her eyes were wide, but her jaw was clenched in a determined look and her hands were fisted at her sides, as though waiting for an attack. She was ready for this, he saw, and waiting for it to happen. Testing herself, like they all had to do at some point in time. Face their fears.

He sighed, reluctant, but understanding. "Fine, lass," he growled quietly to himself, tensing his muscles as he crouched low to the ground. "Bu' I won't be pullin' i' 'gain if'n ye reac' like ye jus' did."

Standing beside Tuesday, Zorro wearily glanced up at her face, his own mimicking her determination in a battle against exhaustion - one that he was trying desperately to hide from everyone, including himself. Failing in the latter, mind.

Gritting his teeth together, Zorro nodded sharply. "She won't," he said assuredly, as the buizel surrounded himself in water, and then exploded forward toward the marshtomp, leaving a crashing wave behind.

The battles, surprisingly, ended at about the same time. Hidalgo was left unconscious on the ground, but Brone gently probed the girafarig's mind. Within it, he could feel the roiling sense of excitement still lingering. There was a disappointed air, as well, but as he studied it closely, he found, to his pleasure and amusement, that it was not because he had lost, but because the battle - the game, as Hidalgo saw it - was over.

Dapit, on the other hand, was slowly relaxing now that his opponent was down. His black and golden fur had fluffed up during the battle, and he stood stiffly now as it began to relax and flatten itself back against his body. His eyes, glowing in the force of the fade, slowly returned to normal, and he shook his head roughly, glancing back at Brone.

"Tha' sheila's go' more fire in her blood than the ruddy lizard," he said sharply. He tried to look affronted when he heard Brone snort sharply in his head.

The boy in question had finally relaxed his hold on his cane and taken a step back to reorient himself. As he did so, however, the heel of his sneaker caught on a doubtlessly present rock in the middle of the field, and he tripped. Blinking in stupid surprise as he promptly found himself sitting on his bottom, with tall grass tickling his bare forearms, and he began to laugh.

He heard a distressed yip and managed to latch onto the consciousness of Dapit's mind and see himself from the umbreon's eyes as he continued to come closer and closer to the creature. He sighed. "I'm fine, Dapit. Do calm down."

Two of the pokeballs on his belt detached themselves with nary a thought and floated above his head. A red beam shot out at Hidalgo first, consuming the girafarig and returning him to the depths of the device, as Brone allowed a small link with the psychic equine's subconscious mind to assure him that a job had been well down. He felt a ripple of elation as he praise was recognized.

The second ball recalled an affronted Dapit, as Brone shushed him with a mental thought and assured him that he, too, had down a wonderful job. Though, he admitted, the umbreon could do with trying to have a little fun, rather than taking everything so seriously. It earned him the presence of a dark-skinned child on the psychic plane, who promptly stuck out his tongue, before slipping away.

Chuckling in amusement at his pokemon and his own clumsy predicament, Brone felt the presence of his first pokemon flash into existence behind him.

The kadabra teleported in abruptly behind Brone, reaching down with her long arms and hooking them under the boy's arms as she helped pull him gently to his feet. Brone stumbled for a moment, trying to catch his bearings in the darkness that was his whole existence. With a snort of amusement that replaced the embarrassment he otherwise would have been feeling, his held out his hand and telekinetically summoned his cane to him.

The white, red-tipped cane flew up from the ground and gently placed itself in Brone's hand, where he tightened his grip and placing the cane against the ground, found his equilibrium. With a soft sigh of relief that he didn't quite notice himself, he felt Cassandra remove her hands from his arms, but keep one gently against his back, as though comforting him, though he knew she remained in case he should fall again. They were all far to overprotective.

Brone smiled widely as he turned to Meiko and Darryn, his consciousness peering through Cassandra's eyes to ascertain that he wasn't speaking to a random space of air.

"Thank you both for the battle," Brone said sincerely. "It was a great deal of fun and I wouldn't say no to us possibly doing it again in the future." Cassandra glanced to the left for him, so that he could see that Tuesday's battle was ending. "Perhaps," he continued, as he began to walk carefully through the tall grass, using his cane for help, "we should go and see how the others have fared."



The battle did not so much rage as flow. The two water types danced back and forth on the waves of their own attacks - even those that did not consist of water. Odysseus' aqua jet, much to unanimous relief, did not cause Tuesday any great fear. The most that one could see when looking at her outwardly was a clenching of her jaw and a slight frown. But even that, then, was replaced by a slightly more relaxed expression a moment later, and the battle had continued undeterred.

Odysseus, despite his lesser evolutionary state, proved to be the more experienced of the two, at least for the moment. He continued to, after his worry for Tuesday was mostly quelled, compliment Tsunami on her attacks and to slightly suggest improvements which, much to both his pleasure and his detriment, were used on him moments later. Because of that, perhaps, the battle flowed on for longer than it may have, otherwise.

In the end, after Odysseus had flipped over a mud shot attack and landed behind the marshtomp, hitting her in the back with a water gun that sent her rolling through mud, Tuesday chose to call off the battle. Both pokemon were breathing heavily in exertion and looked tired, and she didn't want to faint either of them during a practice battle.

Also, though no one admitted it, she thought that she had probably had as much exposure to water attacks that she could take for the moment, but she had done at least that.

"Odysseus," she said softly, and the buizel, who was patting the marshtomp on the head and smiling at her encouragingly, leapt into a slide across the soaked and muddy ground that brought him to Tuesday's feet. He stood slowly before her to find she was smiling, and she hugged him again, despite the mud that coated his front.

"Thanks, Odysseus," she said, holding him tight. The buizel blushed a little at being hugged so tightly again, but he took it with pride and happiness. Both of them pulled away swiftly, though, and turned in surprise, when Zorro collapsed to the ground next to them.

"Zorro!" Tuesday cried.

The riolu whimpered softly, not in pain but at his own apparent weakness, and sagged in exhaustion finally, unwilling to stand up and try to pretend again. He yelped a little in surprise when Tuesday abruptly scooped him up in her arms and hugged him to her tightly, worried, of course, but finally, in a moment of peace, to realize that he was okay. After everything and her mind was back on the present, he was okay.

Zorro, so tired and yet so pleased by her happiness - even if it was a happiness that made her cry - didn't even argue when she told him that he was going straight to bed.

Bed, as it was, sounded perfectly fine.

Posted by: Living Arrow Mar 30 2010, 05:14 PM

That evening, Team Rogue curled under blankets with mugs of hot cocoa in their hands while a fire crackled heartily in the gaping fireplace of DeBrody’s sitting room. Their eyes drooped wearily as they laughed and talked, recounting their adventures to the owner of the house and his nephew who watched on (well, metaphorically at least) with avid interest and more than a little disbelief.

Darryn smiled fondly as Brone remarked on how impressed he was with his little sister and saw, not for the first time, that Jaima wore the same expression. Clearly, a lot had happened between his friend and the young girl before they had reached him on Mount Carello and even more had taken place before then. It was shocking, actually, just what had transpired when they were given the opportunity to look back over it all – things that Darryn had never thought he would experience in a million years.

When the embers amid the grill began to fade, Darryn knew it was time to sleep. Tuesday had already dropped off and DeBrody was lifting her with utmost care and gentility to carry her to bed. Her faithful Pokemon, gathered about the rug she had been sitting on, followed in a sleepy stupour - even Ashleigh who seemed confused by his own lack of energy.

Brone used Tuesday’s exit as his own cue and bid the other three goodnight, Cassandra guiding him safely to the door.

Darryn stretched. “Well, I guess that’s me, too.” He yawned and blinked away the stars that appeared in his eyes. “’Night, guys.”

Jaima and Meiko offered their goodnights from under their shared blanket and Darryn made his way to his allotted room.

In the bedroom, Darryn didn’t have the energy to notice how beautiful the furnishings were or how plump and soft the bed was. Instead, he was judging how much space there was… how much room he would need… He had never done it before… But maybe he needed to…

“OK, everyone…” Darryn whispered, clicking his Pokeballs open one at a time. His partners all materialised in near quiet, somehow aware that it was late despite being in their Pokeballs since the sparring that afternoon. “We’re all sleeping out tonight.”

Lady’s ears twitched violently as Darryn’s Pokemon smiled and quietly arranged themselves close to him as he rolled under the duvet. Zulu and November pushed themselves up against the side of the bed – taking most of the floor space of the entire room between them. November’s flames dimmed slightly as she rested her head on Zulu’s thigh.
Bravo fluttered to the windowsill, perching facing into the room to keep watch over Darryn as Romeo, Lady and Victor piled onto the bed.

Darryn let himself drift as the greedy fingers of sleep grabbed at him from the dark, making himself as aware of his Pokemon companions as he felt possible. Their emotaglows bathed him with a light that he rarely saw in them but often saw in Jaima’s Pokemon – they were really happy. For the first time in a long time, Darryn smiled as dreams stole his thoughts from the waking world and he accepted sleep.

Posted by: Master Houndoom Mar 31 2010, 04:31 PM

Meiko had laughed when Brone tripped, but offered to help him up. His Kadabra, Cassandra, made the motion a futile effort, but she sensed (hoped? been shown?) a level of gratitude from both of them. Her lips drew into a thin line. Psychics were not the nosy terrors she'd been told they were, but sometimes, they were a little smug and condescending.

That was all she needed, some smug seer looking into her brain.

And giving advice.

And giving advic-- HEY!

Meiko fought to keep her reaction from being physical, but since she had little experience speaking with psychics, she could not express her annoyance psychically, and so had to settle for a clenched fist and a huff of breath from her mouth.

Forgive the intrusion. I don't usually do this, but I have recently been dealing with a bit of a psychic problem, and, frankly, I need the rest. So please, let me help you, or at least cheer you up a bit.

Meiko huffed again. She already felt guilty for dumping her problems on Darryn, and was still unsure about how this resurfacing problem would affect her relationship with Jaima. She hadn't told him yet, and here she was, about to dump her problems on someone she hardly even knew.

See, it started like this, she began, clenching her jaw. She told the whole story, but tried not to make the act sound as horrible as she felt it was.

Brone was not fooled.

What happened to you was a horrible experience. While I can't help you deal with it more admirably than you have already, I have advice; Quite simply put, Jaima is not Toshiro. You should not fear that he will act the way Toshiro acts. And, have confidence in yourself. You know some warning signs now, if Jaima turns out to be like Toshiro, you have options, and you will see it coming.

I don't want to spend all this time wondering if Jaima's going to hurt me!

She felt more than heard the chuckle. Then, Meiko, you have more faith in him than you believe you do.

Meiko blinked, focusing on the battle, which was coming to a close, and thinking about these words. Her heart lifted. Thank you. And stop being so smug!

* * * * *

<<Ye've got to lead more if you expect to catch me, lassie!>> Odysseus chortled, dodging yet another mudslap from the marshtomp. Tsunami scowled. His trainer may have ordered a water attack or two, but hers had not. Instead, he left her, it seemed, to her own devices. She understood, however. He could better learn what she could do if he saw her doing it.

She sent a mudslap ahead of him, and managed to graze him. He laughed again, nodding. <<That's the way, lass, a little practice and ye'll be hittin' them faster'n me smartly! Now, aim amidships and ye'll get a better eye for it!>>

The battle continued this way, with Tsunami firing at the faster buizel, until she noticed he began to slow. His rear legs shook as he crouched, waiting for her next attack, but Tsunami shook her head.

Before the buizel could protest, Tuesday called for the match to end, and Jaima agreed. Tsunami walked back to Jaima, glancing at Odysseus. She smiled, and called back, <<Work on your stamina, my friend! I'd like to keep practicing with you!>>

* * * * *

After Darryn had gone to bed, and Tuesday had been carried to hers, Meiko had watched the fire, holding her half of the quilt tightly, leaning against him. Jaima felt tense, swallowing, and was about to head to his own bed when Meiko cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, Jaima."

Jaima blinked down at her, but she was still watching the fire. "I haven't been fair to you. Not... um... not the night we arrived, and not now."

Jaima's heart sank. He could almost hear what was coming; Meiko would be leaving, to go home, or would, at least, tell him she just wanted to be friends.

Meiko's hand searched and found his, and pulled. He allowed her to take it, to lead it where she wanted, because a little contact with her hand was all he had hope to have. He found himself blinking again when she wrapped it around her waist, not quite looking at him. She was blushing, quite brightly.

"Someone in my past... um... really scared me. I'm still... I thought I was over it," she complained, then composed herself. "With the stress of the attack, I guess..."

"I pushed too much-" Jaima started, but Meiko's eyes on his silenced any further temporizing.

"You... I..." she sighed, her nostrils flaring, which Jaima had always found cute in her. "I don't think you did. And even if you did, you haven't tried anything since. I mean... we've been under this blanket for a while, and you jump whenever your hand accidentally brushes my knee!" It was true. He did, indeed, make every effort not to touch her more than he had to. "And I did that."

"No." It was Meiko's turn to stop short in her self depreciating speech. "I mean, I'm holding back because you said to take it slow, not... not because you... you know..." he trailed off weakly.

Meiko smiled, a small, sad smile. "Jaima, that's what I mean. You're proving yourself, in small ways, that... that you're not going to do what I was afraid you might do... so... so I don't want to worry about it anymore, and I don't want you to worry about it anymore... and I..." She stopped, looking into his eyes, and huffed, annoyed with the temporizing and the talking when actions would speak so much louder than her words.

"Kiss me."

Jaima blinked, then leaned down and kissed her cheek. Meiko rolled her eyes and grabbed his ponytail, lightly enough not to hurt him. "No," she said, and kissed him, thoroughly, deeply. She kept it going until Jaima relaxed, and then kept it going some more, deepening it. At first, it annoyed her that he was not responding, and then, with a happy jolt, she realized he was, but allowing her to set the pace. Finally, with air becoming an issue, she pulled away, looking at him in an odd mixture of triumph, wonder, and mischievous glee.

"Just... let me set the pace for a little while..."

With that, she got up and went to the door. She stopped there, not turning to face him. Her knees were already weak. "Just... so you know, I'm not trying to be a tease... um... I just..." she blushed and giggled. "I just need to follow my own advice and take things slow."

"Oh," Jaima said, his voice husky. "I... I didn't think..."

"That I was a tease?"

"At all... that was a... spectacular kiss."

"Yes," Meiko said, looking over her shoulder and smiling like the skitty that ate the spearow, "yes it was."

She walked to her room and opened the door. A pair of sharp clacks stopped her short, and she found herself looking into the glaring eyes of Rockclaw. Her own eyes narrowed. They stared at each other for a moment, then, with a sharp clack, Rockclaw reached over to the belt on the table in her room and pushed the button to recall himself into his pokeball.

Meiko suppressed a shudder, gathering things for a shower, stopping only to wish Jaima, who had just gotten to his doorway, goodnight.

* * * * *

Jaima woke with a smile, checked his poketch, and sighed. It was much, much earlier than he'd thought it would be. He padded out of his room, dressed, still, in his tank top and shorts, and looked around.

He met DeBrody in the kitchen, and cleared his throat. "Sir, do y-"

"DeBrody, Jaima, call me DeBrody."

"DeBrody," Jaima started again, "do you have a phone I can use? I want to call my sisters in Johto." Realizing how it sounded, he raised a hand, waving it frantically. "I'll pay the charges, of course..!"

DeBrody chuckled. "Down the hall to the left, take a right at the first open door. And take your time, Breakfast will wait."

Jaima found the office easily, put in his access code, and dialed the number to the pokecenter in Goldenrod City. It was one of the few numbers he remembered by heart, as he'd have to make arrangements for purchases from the Department Store through the pokecenter, as one had to have a medical or scientific permit to do so, and Professor Elm was usually too busy to make arrangements.

The familiar face of the Goldenrod Nurse Joy smiled at him. "Jaima! It's been so long since you've ca- Oh my goodness, you're in Furoh?!" The number display must have told her.

"Yeah, I'm finally taking my journey. How are you, Nurse?"

"I'm very well, actually. I assume you're calling for your sister?" Jaima blinked at her, and she smiled. "There aren't a lot of Kuonjis, even in Johto. I'll patch you to their room"

The scene changed after Jaima thanked the nurse, and he was treated to an empty room. Blinking, he leaned closer, hearing music and a familiar voice singing softly, "That's what you get when you let your heart win..!"

Jaima grinned. "Natsume! Oi, Natsume!"

A surprised face appeared on the screen, wreathed in cyan colored hair. Jaima could see the top of a dark blue waitress uniform hanging from her shoulders, but was prevented from asking when she screamed in delight.

"Tou-kun! Mariko, Mariko, hayukeshite!" She grinned at him, straitening the alice band in her hair, dark blue, like the dress. Still speaking in Japanese, she leaned forward. "<How are you doing, Daddy? We've missed you!>*"

"<Don't call me Daddy!>" It was said without heat, more automatic, and Natsume smiled at him. Ever since they were old enough to go to school, and he would walk them there or pick them up and walk them home, they called him "tou-kun", which was a mix of Father and a familiarity one would not show with their father. Before he could go on, Mariko popped her head in. She had allowed her hair to grow longer while Natsume had kept hers short, but here was no mistaking her face. Unlike Natsume's waitress costume, she was wearing the outfit of a store clerk. She smiled, and, for a moment, seemed overcome with emotion.

"Tou-kun," she sighed, wiping her eyes. "<Did Natsume already say we've missed you?>"

Jaima smiled softly at Mariko. "<She's mentioned it. What's wrong, little sister?>"

Natsume rubbed Mariko's back, and Mariko closed her eyes. "<I lost a gym battle. So...>"

Jaima waited. It was, he found, the easiest way to get the facts, by waiting instead of assuming. Natsume, however, seemed to understand that Mariko was too embarrassed to go on. "<We're staying in Goldenrod to save up a little money, until Mariko can rechallenge.>" The implication was not lost on Jaima. Natsume had not lost her match. That was, Jaima believed, for the best. Mariko could, at times, be a little cruel, especially with her twin, but Natsume was more reserved.

Mariko glanced back at Natsume, then looked at Jaima. "<I told her she didn't have to wait->"

She was cut off by a tut. "<We're traveling together, of course I have to wait,>" Natsume said, as if that ended it.

Jaima smiled at Mariko's uncomfortable look. "<Miko-chan, losses happen. OK? It's not a sign that you're a bad trainer or that your pokemon are bad.>" Mariko's eyes narrowed, but Jaima didn't flinch.

"<How did you know that's what I was thinking?!>"

"<Because he's a smart big brother,>" came a voice from behind Jaima. He turned and looked, and couldn't help but smile. Meiko walked in, bending low to allow the girls to see her. The looks on Natsume and Mariko's faces went from commiseration and sadness, respecitively, to delight.

"You did it," Natsume shouted in English, and Mariko laughed, wiping her eyes.

"She told us she would."

The four chatted, briefly, and Natsume's attention was caught by something passing by the door, spied between Jaima and Meiko. Meiko looked back, giggled, and turned back in time for Natsume to ask, blushingly, "Who's that..?"

"Darryn," Meiko responded. "He's travelling with us!"

Jaima blinked, wondering why, suddenly, Natsume was blushing, but she quickly changed the topic of conversation. When the call was over, both girls seemed happier, if rushed, worried they'd be late for their jobs, but only after making Jaima promise to call once they reached Petropolis.

Posted by: Puck Apr 1 2010, 11:22 PM

If one thought about it, it was strange that Tuesday hadn’t noticed that Zorro had awakened from his coma until he collapsed beside her. Even when she was interacting with him, she hadn’t fully comprehended that he was all right. There was too much excitement and too much fear, all rolled up and chucked into that single battle with Jaima that her mind simply hadn’t taken the time to process it. After all, Zorro was okay, so she hadn’t really needed to think about it, even to acknowledge it.

She realized this fact only when there was the fear of it being taken away again, though his legs gave out purely from exhaustion and nothing more. Shadow had told him that he wasn’t ready – was strong enough, yet – to practice sparring. He hadn’t realized that the simple act of running out to Tuesday, of trying to calm her, would be enough to exhaust him so thoroughly, but he was clearly not fully healed yet – that would take time.

Tuesday had carried him back into the house, the battles done. This time was better than the last, though, because this time Zorro was merely tired, and this time, he was still conscious. Even if he did choose to spend the time poking an annoyed Tempest as she sat on Tuesday’s shoulder, it was still better – even the pikachu would admit – that this time was different.

Sitting and drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace after dinner, the riolu had fallen asleep in Tuesday’s lap, only a few minutes before she did. DeBrody carried Tuesday to bed, but Tempest had told Mercury, when she heard her mental giggle, not to say a word about carrying the recalled riolu’s pokeball in her paws as she trotted after DeBrody down the hall.

But that was hours ago and Tempest had long since fallen asleep with the rest of them. With Tuesday lying half on her side, her Lugia plushie clutched to her chest, Tempest was curled up at the girl’s shoulder. Her ears twitched lightly every time Ashleigh snorted, his tail paws jerking and twitching as he dreamed. He lay across the bed, halfway up, stretched out to his full length, with Tuesday’s legs propped up over his back. Her weight was nothing to him and the natural heat of his body kept her warm.

Ashleigh’s tail whipped up and slapped Zorro across the face. The riolu snorted in his sleep and stretched but did not waken. He lay sprawled out like a starfish, his head tucked against Tuesday’s side, his mouth open as he snored softly, drooling profusely out of one side of his mouth. As Ashleigh’s tail whipped up again, he snatched a hand out and slapped the tail away before kicking a foot at the air and falling deeper into slumber.

At this point, Odysseus, sitting on the windowsill with his back against the wall, cracked an eye open and glanced at the bed. He smirked at the sight of the lass covered in a blanket of pokemon, but his smile faded slightly when he glanced at the floor. He sighed.

Dante was there, curled up around the pokemon egg, his tail close to it and keeping it warm. He was asleep, but there was an expression of grim acceptance on his face. Odysseus had seen nothing but that on his face since their confrontation. While the others were inside drinking hot chocolate, Odysseus had taken the charmeleon aside and decided that now, more than ever, was a good time to tell him to buck up and stop being just a jackass.

Needless to say, he didn’t take it well.

Fighting a fellow water type who doubted her own abilities and felt she needed to go easy on her opponent because they had a broken tail? – that was hard in comparison to battling a cocky fire-type angrier than a spanked primeape. Odysseus didn’t send the lizard into unconsciousness, but he did drive him to the point of staggering, of gasping for breath, and of asking the sorry question of “Why? Why are you doing this?”

Odysseus had done little more than explain to him that he needed to grow up, that he needed to see things as they were and not just because he wanted them to be that way because it made things easier.

He'd left then, and Dante had come in on his own time, with that expression of grim acceptance. He didn't look at Odysseus once, not even to glare at him.

The buizel was still trying to figure out if that was a good thing or not.

Ashleigh let out a sudden snort and raised his head. Opening and closing his mouth sleepily, he glanced behind him, at the floor, and then stood up. Tuesday let out a groan as her legs dropped to the bed and she was forced to reorient herself, which merely worked to wake her up. She mumbled something incoherent, yawned, and then blinked at Ashleigh. "Whaa-uh..." She was interrupted by a yawn.

Ashleigh jumped to the floor and walked over to where Dante was on the floor, sitting up and staring down at the egg, which was shivering and shaking, with cracks appearing in it.

Tuesday crawled to the edge of the bed, successfully waking Zorro up when she slipped and fell on him,, but then they were both peering over the edge of the bed at the hatching egg.

Tuesday yawned again. "Are we gonna have omelettes...? Oh wait- oomph!" She toppled off of the bed and rolled into a sitting position next to the egg. "Well... I'm awake." She yawned widely. "Sorta." She reached out and picked up the egg, holding it gently as more cracks appeared in it. A piece of shell fell off and clattered to the floor, breaking into small pieces, and a small head peeked out, wet fur matted down, but ears sticking straight up.

Pure white ears, and large crimson eyes that blinked in innocent confusion at Tuesday. A tiny mouth with a little pink tongue opened and the creature let out a tiny "Eeeeeeee," and twitched her ears.

Tuesday giggled and reached out, picking the creature up. She kicked the egg with her tiny feet and it cracked and fell open. Tuesday cradled the small pokemon in her arms and studied her. "You're an eevee," she said, as though she needed to explain this, "but you're an albino." She leaned down and bumped her nose lightly against the eevee's, causing the dog-like pokemon to let out a giggle-like purr. "Let's go see what the others think about you, ruby-eyes."

Zorro was, surprising, the first one out the door, followed by an excited Ashleigh. Tuesday heard barking and a familiar "Oh no! You're not going to lick me again are you, Ashleigh?", but then Zorro was back. He had a rather expensive looking shirt with him, which he had tied around his neck by the sleeves and was now wearing as a cape. Tuesday raised an eyebrow at him. "That's not Darryn's, is it, Zorro?" The riolu gave her an innocent smile and dashed off again. Tempest rolled her eyes.

DeBrody was making breakfast when Tuesday reached the kitchen, still dressed in her pajamas, which had Latios and Latias flying all over them. He glanced over at her from flipping a pancake and raised an eyebrow at the eevee in her arms. "Brone said something about there being a new addition to the family this morning. Have you picked out a name, yet?"

"Eowyn." Tuesday blushed and ducked her head.

"Lord of the Rings," DeBrody said approvingly. "Good choice. It's a bit strange, though, that she was born as an albino." He frowned. "What are you going to do?"

"I was hoping you would look at her," Tuesday said, glancing down at Eowyn. "I know she just hatched and I'm a little loathe to leave her, but I'd like to see what you have to say. I know albinism can cause some problems. If you can't, I could send her to Professor Oak. I know you're busy an I-"

"Tuesday!" DeBrody chuckled. "I'll take a look at her, keep her under watch for a few days. Then I'll send her to Professor Oak. He can transfer her back to you." He smiled. "How's that sound?"

"Good," Tuesday said, and then frowned as she glanced at the frying pan. "You're burning that pancake, Uncle DeBrody."

"Son of a crap!"

"You can call me any time if you have need," Cassandra spoke quietly to Mercury. "I dwell in constant partiality on the Psychic Plane, so you will always find me there. Do not hesitate to contact me, if you even wish for conversation."

"Thank you," Mercury whispered.

"Tuesday, would you stop worrying, please?" Brone smiled at his younger sister reassuringly. "You have more important things to worry about."

"I hardly know what they are, so why worry? You, on the hand, need someone to fret over you."

"I think I see some grey hairs."

"Funny." Tuesday rolled her eyes. "Brone... be careful, okay?"

"Of course." He tapped her chin. "You best get going. Your family is waiting for you."

Tuesday glanced behind her, where Jaima, Darryn, and Meiko were waiting. Everything was packed up and they had set out to leave after breakfast. Tuesday didn't want to leave, but then she also did, and Brone was encouraging the latter. DeBrody stood nearby, holding Eowyn.

"Get going, Tuesday. Time waits for no man."

Brone smirked. "It would wait for her, if she really wanted it to." He nodded at her. "Go on. I'll see you later."

With a grin, Tuesday grabbed the strap of her bag and dashed toward her friends.

Brone stood watching her go through Cassandra's eyes, and even DeBrody, who had no psychic abilities, could feel the waves of sadness rolling off of him. Cassandra sighed softly and put a hand on his shoulder.

"We shouldn't just stand here and let them walk into this blindly. It's not fair for them to face this alone."

"They'll be all right, Brone." Cassandra hugged him from behind, closing her eyes as she leaned her fox-like head against his. "Have faith."