A/N :: Here's the third chapter! I found it practically impossible to write, and it was a great deal more difficult to actually finish. Hopefully other chapters won't be as hard to pen. If you spot any mistakes in my typing be sure to make me aware of them. This is the longest chapter to date, so enjoy! It even has some poke-battling! Hurrah!
<<Soul Awakening>>
Chapter 3
[Cinders and Quills]
A Natu was perched astutely upon the weathered branch of an oak tree, heralding the newborn day with its hypnotic birdsong. Luminous sunshine melted through the lattice of the oaks foliage, casting a brassy glow upon the many roofs of Ephrill Town.
Silver threads of heaven fell upon the shadows of Marins bedroom. Volltas smoke was now a sporadic puff of mauve, as the ghost rested in her former bed, renewing memories shrouded and contorted by her death.
Marin lay on her side, cocooned in the folds and crevices of her blankets. She began to stir as a melodious ballad echoed through her soul. Her first vision as she woke was of Vollta, who was submerged in a dream, or perhaps fused with a nightmare. The fact that Vollta was no longer a Pichu was still so wrong, so disturbing. Marin wasnt overly fond of the phenomena of spirits and ghosts, but such things did not unnerve her as they did her mother, who was also quite leery of Psychic-types.
Marin rubbed her eyes, stretching with the elasticity of a feline, and drew the shades. A lustrous symphony of light flooded into every corner of her bedroom, suffocating the heavy black coat that it had worn since yesterday.
As Marin got dressed she was plagued by a mob of thoughts, jeering tumultuously, and beseeching her to pay them attention. And so she was mutinously forced to confront her mind, sending her into a pensive state of tranquility.
How do you explain this to Mom?
Honestly, she had no clue. Marins mother was frail, emotionally cancerous, what with Anna moving out, and Dad in Johto. If Marin were to leave, Mom would be alone, trapped in the morbid desolation that was an empty house.
What about Vollta?
What about Vollta, indeed. Marins mother was more afraid of ghosts than death itself! How could she explain, without sounding insane, that Vollta had became a ghost, and now, with the assistance of a stranger from Gemini City, Marin was planning on resurrecting her. When Marin said it to herself, it sounded absolutely ludicrous.
All in all it was necessary to leave on a number of grounds, most importantly for Volltas sake, but also for Marin. She had wanted to see the sights, to care for pokmon and assemble a strong team, to be with Vollta... but there was yet another motive. She needed to begin to mature on her own. She couldnt waste the whole of her life in the confines of her home. Marin needed to explore the world, needed to group up without the meticulous care of her mother... at least for a little while.
And so, Marin made her decision. She would venture to Gemini for better or for worse, but before she could do so, she would have to tell her mother.
***
Mom, Marin piped up, her voice tense and irregular.
The two were seated at the kitchen table. The darkly stained wood glistened softly in the early morning. Marins eyes met her mothers and as if instantly the mother and daughter understood each other.
What? came the reply, cold and direct, a gale of glacial wind. Her eyes, a deep amber, were intense, wrought with suspicion, fury, and wronging. The simplicity of her words held such emotion, as if she was already aware of what was to come.
I need to go, Marin answered, her voice a faint whisper. She held her breath, fearing the imminent wrath of her mother... but she did nothing, and though Marins statement had been vague, the two both knew what it meant.
The only response that surfaced was an expression of hurt and shock, and Marin felt the need to elaborate. By then Tsuna had absent-mindedly wandered into the sorrowful atmosphere of the kitchen, her crystalline eyes wide with awe and wonder. She lashed her tail methodically, its fin rippling through the ties of the oxygen.
Im only going to Gemini, and Ill be sure to call you by Videophone when I arrive... Marin explained. Itll only take a few days and Ill be bringing - She was about to say Vollta, but decided against it. Her mother deserved time to heal her wounds. - bringing a friend I met a while ago.
She thought of Persephone and Psyche. Persephone had said that they might see each other on the road, though Marin would hardly dub them friends. After all, Persephone was a rude and often outspoken girl who Marin would much rather not be associated with.
Her mother glanced up, surveying Marin with an expression best surmised as reluctance. It was the first time the two had connected in minutes. Marins mom made a strange noise as she cleared her throat, preparing to speak.
I suppose youll be in need of some money and couple fresh changes of clothing, she responded, tousling a strand of her graying hair. For the most part her hair was a dark wave of ebony, but the brutal effects of time were beginning to take their toll on her physique. Thin lines, wrinkles as they were better known, were embossed upon the skin near her eyes and mouth. Somehow her voice seemed cold and foreign to Marin, a monotonous blathering devoid of the slightest amount of emotion.
Marin nodded in acknowledgment as her mother slipped with pursed lips at her beverage. A fine wisp of steam spiraled into the air, fading into oblivion. When do you plan on leaving?
Tomorrow.
...Alright...
Its only a few days, mom.
***
In the back of Marins mind she knew that this escapade would exceed a few days by a longshot. It bothered her that Mom would be so alone... then again, Tsuna was here. The Vaporeon was extremely intelligent. Marin had remembered having crude and childish conversations with her when she was an Eevee.
After Vollta had been informed of everything that had went on in the kitchen she became dynamic and enthused, the sheer thought of adventure stimulating her core.
So, Vollta, my instructor at the Academy said that my pokdex can tell me a lot about your abilities and statistics, Marin began. So, would you mind if I checked? It would really help in battles and such.
I wouldnt mind at all. No objections here. Go ahead, Vollta confirmed, soaring through the air, ecstasy, elation, and euphoria consuming her every movement.
Marin dug through the tangle of items in her backpack to find her pokdex. It was navy, a small silver pokball engraved on the front cover. It resembled a calculator, though it was far more complex when Marin opened it. A score of buttons was crammed onto a small amount of space, all with various functions and purposes. A screen was situated at the top left corner of this ocean of buttons, blank and colorless, that was until Marin pressed the ON button. A serene and slightly robotic female voice began to emit its sound from a speaker located on the back of the pok dex.
Hello. Welcome to Pokdex Set-up. Please enter your name, the pokdex demanded in its robotic tone. A screen popped up, with blanks for one to type their name. Marin selected the letters of her full name, spelling Marin Cresswell.
Marin Cresswell, the pokdex repeated. Age 14. Resident of Ephrill Town, Ruinimm. Licensed Pokmon Handler. Daughter of Alexander Cresswell and Christine Cresswell. Is the aforementioned information correct?
Though astounded the pokdexs database contained such extensive knowledge regarding her, Marin pushed the ACCEPT button.
Identity confirmed. Please input your current roster, the pokdex requested.
Roster? Marin questioned with a smirk, glancing towards Vollta, who was seemingly riding an invisible roller coaster. Vollta! I need you for a second!
Vollta came to a sudden stop, lurching uneasily as her motions slowed.
Yes, what is it?
I need you to press your eye to this screen so the pokdex can recognize you, Marin explained, gesturing to the blue device in her hand.
Alright, Vollta retorted, positioning herself before the pokdex.
Retinal Scan commencing, chimed the pokdex. An intensely vivid beam of light began to move rhythmically, recording the details of Volltas eyes.
Pokmon Species: Gastly, Experience Level: 7, stated the pokdex. A small diagram of a Gastly flashed upon the screen, with a variety of statistics surrounding it. A window declared that Gastly was a Poison-Ghost type, while another listed the various techniques that it could learn. Yet another listed which techniques the pokmon actually possessed. On Volltas list, in small digitized scrawl, were the words Lick, described as a Ghost-type move capable of inflicting paralysis, and to Marins astonishment Thunder Wave. She was positively sure that Gastly did not naturally acquire such an attack, and with a quick reference to Gastlys full list, she became confused. Perhaps some of Volltas apsects had endured throughout the process of perishing.
According to this you still know how to perform Thunder Wave, Marin mused. I guess that explains that blue spark I spotted yesterday morning.
A grin spread across Volltas face, since she was utterly delighted that not all of her had been lost...
***
The following morning Marin and Vollta awoke in unison. It was nearly six oclock in the morning, the sky a deep navy, legions of stars shimmering with celestial beauty upon its velvet plains. Angelic spheres of warmth shone from the street-lamps lining the cobblestone roads of Ephrill.
The events that occurred that morning were strangely subdued, arrested by the strain between Marin and her mother. As Marin slung her backpack onto her shoulder, her mother, flanked by the curious Tsuna, bade her farewell, and when they embraced each other Marin held on as tightly and as long as she could.
She trudged into the gloom of the morning, and once the door had shut Marin signaled to her window. Vollta noted the cue, soaring from the windowsill to Marins side, engulfed by a flowing rainbow of lavender and mauve shades.
I thought wed never leave! exclaimed Vollta in exasperation.
It feels so good to fly though the winds... Im beginning to become used to some
of the traits that these ghosts possess.
Marin smirked, glancing at her pokdex. With the push of a button, a map appeared on the screen. It denoted that she was currently situated in Ephrill Town, and that it would require just over five hours to reach Ayoris Town.
The sun was just beginning its ascent, a jaded gold glimmering on the horizon. The streets were empty, aglow with the occasional twin beacons of a passing vehicle. The paths of stone gradually transformed into a worn dirt road, leading into a continent of tall grass, swaying like a drunkard by the gentle force of the wind.
And my Neptune beats your Geodude! claimed a voice that Marin knew as Persephones. Hand over the money you bet, and Psyche and I will be on our humble way.
Marin glanced to the north where Persephone and a sullen-looking boy were gathered. They stood next to a glistening river that stretched the entirety of Route A, or at least of what Route A Marin could currently see. The boy, obviously the loser of the pokmon battle, hulked away, shoulders lowered in the shame of defeat. As Marin and Vollta approached Persephone fixed her metallic gaze upon them.
Good morning, she greeted blankly, attaching a Great Ball to her belt. Some kids... they think theyre the best trainer in all of Ruinimm. I, of course, teach them a lesson in modesty. Persephone smiled coldly, directing her stare at Vollta. So, this is the one you call Vollta? Hello, Vollta.
Gas - Gasssly! Vollta replied indignantly.
So, youre heading to Gemini, as I advised, right, Marin? Persephone inquired, raising her eyebrow as she often did. She swept a curtain of blonde hair behind her ear, returning Psyche to his pok ball.
Yes, I - Marin began, but she was cut short as a shrill cry rang sharply.
Cynd, Cyndaquiiil! came the shriek.
Upon whipping around, the current scenario became apparent: a Cyndaquil was being savagely attacked by a Murkrow. It jutted its beak cruelly, and cawed demonically. Its plumage was sleek and dark, bright with a morbid sheen. Murkrow donned a crown of feathers, black as midnight, upon its head, and near its ebony crown were its eyes, lifeless and truly evil.
Krow! Murkrow! the Murkrow squawked malevolently, as it tore at Cyndaquil with the blade-like edge of its talons.
Purely on instinct, Marin turned to Vollta, whose eyes were wide with fear.
Lets go, Vollta! Use Thunder Wave! Marin commanded, adrenalin pumping through her veins. She felt an overwhelming sense of vertigo and of nausea, a sickening lurch in her stomach.
Vollta responded instantaneously, nearing her target with impeccable agility. As she began to charge her energy, Vollta emitted blue sparks until reaching the foe. Once the Murkrow had made contact with Vollta, it was engulfed in an explosive flash of turquoise lightning. After the violent shock waves had diminished, the Murkrow lay frighteningly still.
A thread of scarlet wove its way to the unconscious crow pokmon, sealing it within the prison of the pokball. Marin turned around to see that Persephone had made good on all of her and Volltas efforts.
Persephone! Marin exclaimed with rage.
Persephone wore a pompous expression, surveying the pokball. First come, first serve, she spoke selfishly. Or as some prefer, You snooze, you lose.
Though incredibly furious with Persephone, Marins heart was begging her to tend to the Cyndaquil. He lay limp on a bed of grass, his flames extinguished. Quill, he whispered weakly.
Shh... Marin cooed motherly. Rest, little one... She took the pokball that she had purchased the previous day and offered it to the Cyndaquil. He glanced, blinking, to the peculiar sphere placed before him, and with his remaining reserves of health, pressed the button with his nose. The sphere divided in half, drawing him within and closing. The pokball did not rattle with protest in the least, as Cyndaquils energy was absent. Marin smiled, rather amused with herself... her first capture had been a success... The sun revealed itself, reclaiming its throne in the heart of the sky, and Marin, Persephone, Vollta and Psyche were left bedazzled by its solar beauty.