[Pokémon] Stay Forever: The Mystery of Celebi

[illumine]

So here's a new story I've been writing recently, keep track. This is the first part, which was written quite quickly. Enjoy.

Stay Forever: The Mystery of Celebi

I.

The waiting dawn was misty.

Shawn was unsure why people in their place seemed so concerned about the weather. It wasn't standing in their way. Still, kicking off some mud which had stuck to their shoes, they figured they may as well – venture into the woods, albeit a shallow area. It was likely to be safer, as the rumour was that on certain, strange days, trainers would go in and certain Pokémon would watch them from the bushes and trees, with their eyes causing them to be paralysed and carried over to a dark part of the forest, never to be seen again. It was in all likelihood just to explain why trainers sometimes went missing. Still, it would be a useful occasion to hunt Pokémon, if they wished to, as most would still be waiting in the forest.

The occasional sight of bird Pokémon was lit by the faint sun, a light mediated by the mist until it seemed almost like starlight. At near the edge of the forest, however, Shawn found Letti, someone whom he had known for some time.

"Hey, Shawn, how are you doing today?" said Letti.

"Oh, fine. Just hoping to go out into the forest, seemed a decent day for it."

"You that keen on it? Listen, the bird Pokémon are a bit agitated, I might just try catching some in the city. I mean, unless someone scares them away first."

"You mean like Dennis?"

"Of course, but I doubt he could still do that now, he'd probably try and then it turns out that someone used Future Sight. Way to make a mess of things, again."

"Oh, of course. The mist is a bit tiresome, but I guess bird Pokémon might dislike the cold. What don't bird Pokémon dislike?"

"Electric Pokémon, if Falkner's show is to be believed. Really, Mud-Slap seems more targeted at fire-types, but anyway. So have you caught an electric type yet, I recall people were quite excited about that a while ago."

"No, unfortunately, I'm sure you haven't, you were just checking on a Nidorino."

"I'll get one soon, there'll probably be a power outage soon, and they'll all come running to be caught. Not sure if you'll have the same luck finding electric Pokémon in a forest, in the mist, at least not quickly. I'll probably grab a Voltorb before you even see a Luxio, so that's different."

Shrugging his shoulders, Shawn replied, "Well, if you want, we'll see which one has an electric Pokémon if we meet again, and which one just picked up a Pokéball. Those critters DO NOT like Pokéballs, though, it seems, so I'm sure there's other things to catch. See you later."

"Catch you later," said Letti, presumably looking for the most exuberant expression and finding that.

Voyaging into the entrance of the forest, Shawn noticed himself stepping on wood – or was it stones? – on their way in. The leaves were shining faintly, although it was dark. He could hear the distant sound of Pokémon up ahead. Walking forwards, he noticed a Pidgey, but it did not seem that keen to attack. Not wishing to disturb the rest of the wildlife, and possibly alert the few Fearow and Swellow he had noticed, he started walking by quietly, but then noticed a Spearow attack. He sent out his Stantler, and its immediate Hypnosis missed the bird, who seemed led away from it somehow, and was cutting quickly through the air. Its Peck didn't do much damage, but took advantage of its momentum and its sudden emergence, causing the Stantler to momentarily lose balance and slam into a tree. This was not going as straightforwardly as he hoped.

However, the Stantler frequently seemed to be following its own path toward taking advantage of its character, and had recovered to a prone position, where it seemed to be preparing for an attack. Deciding to trust his Pokémon for once, Shawn allowed it to go ahead and use Headbutt. Slightly venomously, it sought out the hovering Spearow and sent it flying through a nearby clump of leaves. Frustrated, the Spearow tried to use Gust, and begun sweeping the Stantler up into the winds, but, prepared this time, the Stantler used Sand-Attack on the circling Spearow, causing it to lose balance in flight, where it got sucked into the winds with Stantler. From there, Shawn called on them to try a Headbutt, sending the Spearow rushing backwards, gashed by the gust winds as it flew through them. Stantler was thrown to their side somewhat, but remained standing, slightly tired after the foe's attack.

Preview:

Spoiler:

However, as Stantler prepared to finish with Swift, the Spearow...

 

[illumine]

II.

However, as Stantler prepared to finish with Swift, the Spearow called on the Pidgey to join, and the bird half-reluctantly – but seemingly enthusiastic in their native habitat – joined the Spearow circling in the forest's misty, slightly green air, almost lining up as if for a double battle. Did these two Pokémon have a trainer? Noticing that they were waiting, Shawn sent out his Skorupi, hoping that this would be a straightforward battle. While the Pidgey began preparing to attack Stantler, the Skorupi approached the Pidgey, inviting the attack back towards itself, with what appeared to be Bite, taking advantage of the mist, but turned out to be the sting of Toxic, before quickly scuttling away. The Pidgey, straightening to avoid flinching, was taken by surprise, and unleashed a fierce Razor Wind into empty space, causing the plants to settle into a chaotic, slightly horrific pose. While the Spearow attempted to use Pursuit on the Skorupi, Stantler took advantage of this distraction to cast Hypnosis on the Spearow, grounding it.

Preparing to finish that conflict, however, it was cast aside by the Pidgey's Quick Attack, with its attacker quickly fading back into the forest's darkening green air. However, the Skorupi took advantage of the ailing Pidgey's occupation to crawl up to the sleeping Spearow and assaulting it with Poison Jab and finally Bite to cause it to faint. However, in the meantime, the Pidgey had landed a Gust on a charging Stantler, and followed up with another Quick Attack to send it reeling. Though it looked slightly tired, it responded with Stomp when the Pidgey thought it could take its chance, weakening the Pidgey. The returning Skorupi, which the Pidgey had just noticed again, cast Acupressure on Stantler, allowing it to take out the beleaguered Pidgey with a Headbutt before it could target the Skorupi with Peck, sending it reeling backwards.

While it could have been knocked out soon, hopefully without risking much of an attack on the Skorupi, Shawn found something slightly uneasy about the Pokémon of this forest, and the way they moved with the threatening forest air, and decided they might as well catch one of them, as it might be worthwhile later. As it was weak, he used a Pokéball on it, and it almost reluctantly gave in. After some uncertain shivers where the Pidgey threatened to break out of the energy field of the clear Pokéball, it eventually succumbed and was caught. The forest suddenly seemed, Shawn noticed, very still, before the battle was over. He recalled his Pokémon, reassuring the tired Stantler. Dawn had cast a pale pink-grey in the sky.

As Shawn found no space in his party for the Pidgey, it was transported to the computer. He thought he might want to check on that later. However, for now he walked through the forest mist, looking out for Pokémon that might creep out. Hearing a sound which sounded almost like Masquerain, he wandered into a particularly dense area of mist. However, in this he lost his way slightly, and while no Pokémon emerged, he did notice a small opening in the bark of a nearby tree, whose green leaves were tinted golden by the mist, and walked carefully over to inspect it. When he reached the tree, however, he felt slightly faint, and may have near passed out for a few minutes, next to the strange tree.

III.

He could see a vision of a dark vein of amber, which was seemingly clearly extracted from elsewhere, perhaps some other forest, and was almost a faded silver-orange, breathing in and out, and seething almost with a dark grey aura that seemed reminiscent of the Spearow from earlier in this piece, but contaminated or infested with the shades around it like the sunset. The dark eye of some creatures seemed to stare out next to it, with dark blue and red veins staring out from its skin, but it was not clearly seen. However, he flinched back at the sight of what seemed like vibrating scales, and even more when he felt the scales almost trying to replace his own skin. However, exhaustedly, he checked on his Pokémon, and then sent out Skorupi, which he figured might be the most threatening.

He wondered, after seeing the Pokémon that looked like amber, whether he would be taken aback slightly by battling a Ditto, which could take on the forms of his cherished Pokémon. Did he rely on them too much? He sort of hoped that he could engage with their battles in more detail someday, but at present he was just waiting as a trainer or them to do something, and perhaps that could quickly change for them. But as they are, the Skorupi was getting a bit cold in the morning air, so they ventured forwards, the Skorupi, more superstitious than them, especially in the new wave of cold that came over the place, was keeping its threatening, wary tail up to watch for intruders or perhaps groups of eyes which were reputed to be seen in the forest.

There were only so many ways to sting a Pokémon, and, Skorupi reflected, they were generally grouped into one move, such as Poison Sting, leaving a Skorupi to work out the details while pretending it was still just listening. At least it was an attempt at some determination, but a trainer with a detailed interest in stinging would have to have a mean streak. Anyway, it generally figured that poison couldn't be taken seriously at all if it was just left to chance, but perhaps this is getting to the point of a soliloquy by a Skorupi. At least it is not a Skitty, such as are famed for not being good enough for female trainers - he knew of one such case, eerily, from Laverre Town, previously a 'city' until its residents suddenly left, chased out mysteriously -, who hence evolve it into Delcatty. The voice of a female trainer was often as the voice of the Fates or at least the seasons, for Skitty involved in Contests or performance, in popular positions to involve the estranged Pokémon.

The trees were slightly blurred by the mist, and while the Skorupi was listening to something which sounded like the noise of Magnemite in the distance, seemingly with some eagerness, Shawn was looking among the leaves for any signs of Pokémon. This area of the forest seemed unusually uninhabited, but the way back was clear. Suddenly, there was a sound behind them, as if a door had closed. "Welcome," the wind seemed to whisper.

However, the Skorupi was already wandering in the direction of a nearby Fearow, for what particular reason it was uncertain. Nonetheless, Shawn was glad that the bird had chosen to appear. He walked towards it, and sent out a Grimer, hoping to clip the wings of the mighty bird Pokémon. However, he could not have expected that, as soon as the Grimer exited the Pokéball, the bird swooped down, and used a powerful Double-Edge, sending it flying. Perhaps he should beat this thing before trying to capture it. Its movement was still a bit hazy in the forest mist, and I seemed to be flitting in and out of positions. As the Fearow attempted another attack, Shawn commanded Grimer to use Sludge, but instead it came out with a quick burst of Toxic, before squirming out of the way, temporarily debilitating the Fearow. While disconcerted with the disobedience of this Grimer, which was originally from Kanto and found its foreign journeys strange, he was pleased that the attack was avoided, although he knew that if he wanted to catch the strange bird, he would have to hurry before the poison caused it to faint. He told the Grimer to use Acid Armour, waiting to see how powerful the effects of the rarely-used Toxic would be. He was surprised when the Fearow came around again, staring down the watchful Grimer with wings shivering like the battered sails and decks of a ship at a stormy sea, but figured that it was probably fortunate. However, taking his eyes off the battle momentarily, he noticed the Grimer use Poison Jab, seeming to send a wave of toxins towards the opponent before stinging it as it flew, descending slightly, following this up quickly with a Screech to keep the Fearow in check. It looked a bit like a Muk as it did this, which made Shawn wonder. However, he commanded the Grimer to use Screech again, hoping it would worsen the effect of the poison.

While this occurred, however, the Fearow appeared behind the Grimer, and used Peck, shoving it out of the way before using Fly to get away. While the Grimer was stunned, Shawn was still cautious from fear that it may use something like Sludge on him again, part of why he had avoided more elaborate versions of that move on this Grimer. However, realising that his only option was Sludge, he indicated that the Grimer should use this with a gesture of futility, but the Grimer opted to use this to create a poisoned field around it, complementing its Acid Armour. When the Fearow came down, looking to land its strike on the Grimer, it was slowed and taken aback slightly by the poison in the air around the Pokémon, and as it begun to approach the field of its Acid Armour fluttered to the ground, weakly. It seemed overwhelmed by the quantity of poison on their field, after the Toxic. While it managed to gather itself and float into the air for a Leer, with little prompting the Grimer used Poison Jab, which was too much for the Fearow.

However, what happened next seemed strange to Shawn. Though the Fearow had fainted, it did not collapse to the ground in the undergrowth as he had expected, but rather its flickering silhouette in the misty air disappeared backwards into the mist, and left only a strange, white shape, like a rectangle with a part missing on the top-right, before it disappeared. The Grimer also seemed surprised, but was glad to be returned to its Pokéball, feeling slightly unnecessarily exposed after the last Leer. Disappointed at not catching the Fearow, Shawn wandered forwards into a more open area of the forest, hoping to find another Pokémon, or perhaps more confidently to confront another Fearow. However, noticing a strange, green symbol seem to appear on a nearby tree, he stopped to look, but it had disappeared. A few bird types had seemed to flee from a nearby tree, seemingly after noticing the symbol. He carried on to the end of the clearing.

Preview:

Spoiler:

However, he was surprised to see his Pokéballs suddenly glowing, and four of them prepare to disappear temporarily...

 

[Cryovolcano]

Cool! I loved it. Would love to see an update.

 

[illumine]

Sure, thanks.

Another update should be forthcoming, give it a couple of days. I have it written down, so it can be posted fairly soon. I used to know somebody who found random things to remind them of Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me a River,' so there's that. Anyway, but yeah, thanks.

 

[Cryovolcano]

Hm, I wonder why they loved it so much. Interesting. Lol.

 

[illumine]

Apologies for the delays, this place seemed a bit inactive, and there were a few computer issues. It's still a bit unstable, so here's a somewhat shorter section of the story.

IV.

However, he was surprised to see his Pokéballs suddenly glowing, and 4 of them prepare to disappear temporarily, as if at a Safari Zone, leaving him with a team of two Pokémon and two spaces. A voice seemed to emerge through the prostrate trees, saying, "Welcome to our zone, as it were, in this forest. It is modelled on the Safari Zone of Fuchsia City, albeit with you able to keep more Pokemon. If you catch and use two Pokémon, they shall be converted into legendaries according to your use, and then set free in a new region. You may perhaps claim and confront such later. Celebi greets you. Choose wisely, what two Pokémon you shall keep." Quickly checking through the Pokéballs, Shawn opted to keep the original two Pokémon he had used in the forest, Stantler and Skorupi. The other Pokéballs glowed and disappeared momentarily, although he knew from Fuchsia that they were only temporarily disabled, having visited there once a while ago. The voice returned, "As the spirits of the forest may at times override the Safari Zone conventions, some of your other Pokémon may re-appear at some areas in the forest, as you proceed onwards. You may proceed." Noticing a slight tinge of light from the leaves ahead, Shawn clambered through some bushes, etc., near the ground and stepped through to a near clearing. A few Magnemite were hovering in the air on the opposite side. He sent out his Skorupi, hoping that Stantler wouldn't have to face them, being at risk of a debilitating Thunder Wave or Supersonic.

However, only one Magnemite detached from the pack, and quickly sent out a Thunder Wave into the misty air, which failed to affect the Skorupi. Being granted temporary reprieve, Shawn commanded Skorupi to use Bite on the Steel-type, knowing that in this region it would not be mitigated. This threw the Magnemite slightly, and it suddenly felt some pressure from the hostile atmosphere. The Skorupi inched closer, and used Bite again. The Magnemite responded with Sonicboom, but was thrown slightly as the Skorupi clawed safely away at its parts and electrical connection, and this fairly exhausted Sonicboom only served to distance the Skorupi. Shawn knew that, if he tried to catch the Magnemite, the others would be irate and protective, and having no attacks super-effective against them, this could be troubling, but in any case the other Magnemite seemed to be forming some form of circuit, and would be unlikely to approach unless provoked. He assumed that this Magnemite may also be expected to return to this, and Magnemite swarms or swarms of this kind were known to rarely if ever be caught. It's the kind that might be found in an organised, hidden place in the city, and presumably they were organising something or the other. With the Skorupi slightly distanced, the Magnemite used Supersonic, which the Skorupi avoided with an ironic grin.

Finally, it used Bite again, feeling a bit digital itself, and the Magnemite, now weakened, nodded demonstratively and returned to the circuit. "It was best that you see our circuit," said the voice. "It is responsible for virtual 'Mega-Evolutions' of some beasts here, and is shaped like a Paras. Trainers do not note that Mega-Evolutions, even of regular Pokémon on regular days here, is not the same for Pokémon of this forest, and occasionally their attempts to have them act as ordinary Mega-Evolutions result in their transmutation into the strange forms that humans consider to be legendaries."