The Children Are Hunted

Zaria smiled softly. She sent an image of trust and patted Ralts' head. The Ralts blinked shyly and looked down. She wasn't scared, just badly confused. Shrugging, she went over to Thomas, peering at his eyes then jumping down. She tried to initiate a "conversation" of sorts with Esper, trying to understand why they were here and to thank them for helping her. Doom went up and poked her helmet with his nose, sniffing around and offering her a berry. She took it, still trying to talk to Esper. Ash yanked him back with a laugh, scratching behind his ears.
 
Esper had hoped to avoid this, but could see no other alternative. He sent the raltz images of his recent past. Starting with the fire that Thomas and Zoran had fearlessly stood against, to Zoran being kidnapped, followed by Thomas and the others insane attempt to rescue him, their limited success, Esper's basic understanding of the poison that was in Zoran right now. He went on with how he and Zoran fought against the cage that held Zaria, eventually ending with Zoran breaking it open. Esper decided to leave out the pain he and Zoran went through because of that toxin. He also sent warmth and compassion to the raltz, and the hope that she understood what they all went through and their purpose for the future, which was , at least from what Esper could tell, to recover and set out for the next gym. Thomas, Marcus, and Vulpix quietly ate their food and let the two psychic types talk things out.
 
Ralts let these emotions sink in. The emotions were stronger for her, that was just how her kind worked. She nodded and seemed to smile under her helmet. She sent something back, a garbled desire to help. Her horns suddenly lit up and she turned to where Zoran was sleeping. She bounced up, looking strangely happy.

"She must be sensing something good. Ralts really like positive emotions, which is why they stay away from humans a lot," Ash stated, smiling. "Must be a good dream." Zaria tried swirling around the Ralts, which seemed to make her even happier.

"Weirdest sight ever," Deena commented with a small smile.

Ash laughed before glancing at Thomas. "Hey Thomas, how good is your hearing?"
 
"As good as ever! Why? What are you plotting?" Thomas said. Esper briefly sent him an image of the ralts dancing with Zaria, which he laughed at.
"What's going on?" Marcus asked. Thomas heard something moving.
"Who's there?" he asked.
"Just me. I'm going to drink some water, I'll be back later!" Vulpix said before disappearing into the brush nearby. Thomas shrugged. He streched his arm down to pet Esper, who had walked over to him.
 
"Just thinking... whether this is permanent or not... you should probably try to track the battle with your hearing." Ash sighed. "There are times when you can't see what you're doing so being able to recognize attacks and such by sound and feeling is really useful. I can kinda do it... the unconscious idiot can do it slightly better than me, pro'ly cause of Zaria, m' cousin's a darn expert. Anyway... since you probably can't use Aura, it's a good alternative."
 
A Strange-Talking Pidgey

Garet sighed, then pressed his paw to the small red button for the eleventh time. Still right in the same area, just like the last ten times he'd checked. And, going by the tracker's signal and comparing its location to the Arcanine's surroundings, Clair was in that big, spooky-looking building.

Just then, a Pidgey settled on a nearby tree-branch. "First time I see white doggie," he chirped, "first time. What you doing, white doggie?"

What was with this bird's talking? "Waiting for someone," Garet answered, shutting off his virtual map. Looking back at the building, he asked, "Do you know what that is over there?" He pointed with his snout.

The Pidgey turned his head to follow Garet's gaze. "Oh, that, humans call it Gym, call it Gym. I always wonder why it called Gym, yes I do."

A Gym? But, Clair had a connection with the AAPM, if she wasn't a direct member herself (according to Agatha, anyways). Garet didn't recall hearing anything about the AAPM concerning itself with challenging Gyms. "What else do you know about this Gym?" he asked the bird.

The Pidgey turned his attention back to the Arcanine. "There are webs and stones, webs and stones. I do not go close, no I don't, but I hear from birds that Gym floats, Gym floats. I see humans go in and out, in and out, some for long time. Some humans leave fast." Before Garet could ask another question, the bird said, "Must go now, need to eat. Byebye, white doggie." And the Pidgey opened his wings and left.

An AAPM-related person in a Gym. If Clair was still on the boy's trail, then it was quite possible that both of them would be here, since the boy had already been to the Gym in Tokyo.
Eh, I'll find out sooner or later, he thought, settling back down. There was still a while to wait.
 
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Permanent. That was the only word Thomas really heard. He hadn't even thought of the possiblity that this would be permanent. Now, given what Ash was suggesting, it was more likely than not that he would never be able to see again. They were trying to make plans for him to be able function again, so they assumed his vision would never return. He fell to his knees. He was crushed. He may be able to function somewhat, but he would never be able to even participate in a battle. He wouldn't be able to win anymore badges. He was never going to finish what he had started because of that dream. Well, maybe not. Zoran would recover, and probably had the same agenda. Then it hit him even harder. He wouldn't be able to travel with his friends anymore! If he tried, he would simply be a burden, and even worse than that, a handicap. He was still a target, after all. He didn't know what to do, and that terrified him. He felt the light building up in him, and retreated into it's warm embrace. But the light was still wild and untamed.
"Thomas? Are you alright?" Marcus asked, shaking him a little.
"What's going on?" Vulpix said, returning from his drink.
"It's Thomas, he..." Marcus said. Vulpix walked over and sniffed his hand. He tried licking him, and when that got no response, Vulpix bit his hand. The only response that got was a hiss from Esper.
"Great! You broke him!" Vulpix said.
"Not helping right now, Vulpix! Ash, Deena, do you guys know what's wrong with him?" Marcus asked. Before either of them could answer, Esper yowled in terror and ran into the woods. Vulpix was a scant second behind him. One glance at Thomas told Marcus why they had reacted that way.
"Run!" Marcus yelled, leaping on to Razor's back. She took off and flew up very high into the air. Marcus shot his eyes, terrified of the height. Even through his closed eyes, he could see the blinding light that was emitted from Thomas. He felt Razor land again and opened his eyes. The ground was seared and blackened, except for a small circle around Thomas, who was lying face down on the ground, passed out. Marcus hoped that Ash and the others had gotten away. Marcus's bag, the fire, and the bones from the animal Vulpix had eaten last night had been reduced to piles of ash. Esper ran back out of the underbrush, and right over to Thomas and meowed scaredly at him. Vulpix emerged a moment later, and looked very shaken.
"What was that?!" he asked, his voice shaking.
 
"An idiot with too high of emotions," Ash snarled. Around her and the others, a black shadow retreated, returning to Zoran. "Thank god Zora has good instincts." She rested a hand on her head and groaned. "Dang it..." Kira was doing the same, shaking his head. Ralts was shaking in fear.

"He really can't control its power... or his emotions." Zaria stared at Thomas with confusion. "Is being blind really that bad?"

Deena shrugged. "For Pokemon it's dangerous but we can adapt. Ash, how're your eyes?"

"Like crap..." she replied, looking dizzy. "That kid's stupid light messed with my aura perception... stupid."

"You should have been more sensitive Ash!"

"I was!" Ash retorted. "His life's not over, he can still take this journey if he learns to adapt! I can teach him for God's sake!"
 
"I know that, and Thomas will learn it too! But we have another problem! That light was like a beacon! Anyone even glancing in our direction will have seen that!" Marcus said urgently.
"We're still next to an RDM base," Vulpix pointed out. Thomas groaned softly, and stirred slighty. Esper hissed at Ash. She was way out of line talking about Thomas like that! Esper sent his apologies and reassuances to the ralts, and to Zaria. He understood the situation, but he didn't have to put up with anyone slandering his partner. Not after what he's done, and still can do! But as soon as Thomas woke up, Esper was going to have a long talk with him, and he made that clear to Zaria.
"What do we do now?" Marcus asked pointedly.
 
Ash scowled and rubbed her head, a human reflex. "Crap...Kira you feeling better?"Kira growled and shook his head no. Hearing Esper's hiss, she sent an image of her own, of Aura itself connected to her and of black vision. Then she gave a weak nod, which Ness obeyed to, lifting herself and Deena up on his back. Kira leapt on as well, barely managing to get on without falling. "Follow Ness and fast. Riley, go ahead of us. Use Volt Tackle for all it's worth!" Riley obeyed and bolted, running quickly out of the camp back toward the house. "We're just going to implement the plan early that's all. Come on!" She hurried off, with Zaria waiting behind for the others.
 
Razor trilled softly and knelt down as best she could. With Esper's help, Marcus was able to push Thomas onto Razor's back. He put Esper back in his pokeball, and climbed on Razor as well. Vulpix leapt into his arms and shut his eyes. The Skarmory took off, and easily caught up with the Metagross. Marcus shut his eyes against the wind. Razor took her cues from Metagross, following him almost lazily. He hoped that they wouldn't be followed. Maybe they would be too confused by the assault of last night to worry about the group flying away. Maybe they wouldn't even see them.
 
An Ice Cold Victory.

"Zut, zut, et zut! C'est la vie. Let us begin, Weavile!" Darrell commanded after Aaron said the results. He had returned the Sableye and Mark had walked over to pick up Buggy. He placed Buggy near Clair and began the next battle. He had never seen a Weavile before, but he had seen something close. He grabbed his small, red computer and searched. He found it, a Sneasel.

"Is Weavile related to a Sneasel in any way?"

"You are correct! My Weavile evolved from a Sneasel. Have you not seen much evolution?"

"Well...no. But...I've seen a Yamask change into a Cofagrigous and Buggy evolve. So, I guess I've gotten into the swing of things. Let's go, Fighter!"

The Timburr came forth with a growl and began to fight. She pushed forth with a Wake-Up Slap which Weavile dodged easily. Then, Weavile a Beam of Ice. Mark watched it freeze Fighter on the spot. The Weavile then rushed forth and shot another Ice Beam all around the field. Now, they would be fighting on the ice, something Weavile was well accustomed to. He began skating around, using Icy Wind on Fighter, who helplessly watched. Finally, the ice began to break, but Fighter was left dangerously low on health. Fighter sprung forward and slipped on the ice. Weavile sped up and hit him with a Faint Attack. Fighter kept sliding and Weavile missed but skated around for another attack.

"Weavile, marchez! Use Night Slash!"

"Fighter..." Mark didn't know what to do, but, maybe he could use the field to his advantage, "Spin on that ice and use Wake-Up Slap!"

Fighter began to spin and as Weavile grew closer, he struck him. But not just once. It was as if he was Chipping Away at Weavile continually. Weavile was sent to the other side of the room, but easily came back for an Ice Beam. Fighter jumped and came down hard on the ice where she slid. Weavile came across with a Slash with the power of Night. Fighter took a hard hit and skid across the ice where it broke. Weavile shook off balance but then stood back up. Weavile began skating again. Maybe, he could use the ice to his advantage. Fighter began to formulate some Rocks and was about to Throw them. Weavile went as fast as he could to intercept the attack. Fighter sent the attack straight at Weavile who fell back and broke through the ice.

"Now, spin on your back and use Ice Beam!" Darrell was putting up his final stand.

"Go, jump on those ice pieces! Use Wake Up Slap!"

Fighter began sliding towards Weavile. She seemed to have gotten the hang of the ice. As Weavile began using Ice Beam all around. Fighter was jumping on the pieces making a funnel of ice around Weavile's body. Fighter kept jumping, waiting for the perfect time to attack. Then, once Weavile became dizzy and stopped the Ice Beam, Fighter came down hard with a Wake Up Slap. She gained momentum by sliding through the funnel. Weavile had nowhere to escape to. The collision sent Weavile flying. Weavile was done.

"That's it for Weavile. The winner is Fighter. Now, Darrell send out your final Pokemon."

"Ohhh no! Zut, zut, et zut!" Darrell breathed out. "It is finally time. Let us begin, Drapion!"

"You ready, Fighter? Let's go! Use a Chip Away attack!"

Fighter began by making her arm glow and speeding on the ice. She began to spin and hit the Drapion. One-two...three? Fighter stopped moving. Drapion was staring at her, holding her up with her two claws. Then, the ends of the claws began to glow with Fighter inside. Drapion prepared to send off Missiles with Pin sharpness. Fighter began to struggle but it was too late. Fighter fell to the ground, limply.

"Fighter is unable to battle anymore. Now, Mark, your final Pokemon."

Pokemon Team Just For Update:

Gligar: (level 23) Quick Attack, Bulldoze, Brick Break, Fury Cutter
Ducky: (level 21) Water Pulse, Aerial Ace, Water Gun, Defog
Volcan: (level 19) Flamethrower, Ember, Smokescreen, Quick Attack
Fighter: (level 24) Rock Throw, Chip Away, Wake-Up Slap, Bide
Fright: (level 19) Rollout, Shadow Punch, Mud Slap, Astonish
Buggy: (level 20) Protect, Silver Wind, Bug Bite, Razor Leaf
 
Ash, feeling better, leapt from Ness' back. Deena shouted. "Idiot! You could be killed!"

The girl rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah who cares? Kira!" Kira jumped down and sped himself down faster, catching her. She rolled as she landed, standing to unlock the door. Taking Zoran's form from Ness, she returned her Pokemon and hurried in. "Come on before Riley gets back!"

Zaria spun around agitatedly. She could feel the imbalance in the air but wasn't sure how to fix it.
 
Razor landed, and Marcus jumped off of her. Esper popped out of his pokeball. He extended his psychic senses out, but all he could sense was that something was amiss. He couldn't tell what. Marcus left Thomas on Razor's back. If something happened, he'd be safer up there. Marcus and Razor followed Ash into the house. Esper stayed at Thomas's side, still trying to figure out what was going on. Vulpix, once he realized he was on solid ground again, struggled out of Marcus's arms. He sniffed the air.
 
Ash sat on the couch next to Zoran, gripping her head. Kira had already recovered and was watching her with worry. She shook her head as Riley came back. "Bring Thomas inside and down to the battleroom," Deena ordered smoothly. "He has another outbust like that, he won't be able to do anything. It was designed to nullify destructive power... wasn't it?" She glanced at Ash, who glared in her direction and nodded.

Zaria twirled again, hugging Ralts. "Zora?" She went to her brother, realizing he was slightly awake after the burst. She paused. "Ash, can you hear him?"

"Not now I'm still scrambled," Ash replied. "Why?"

"He wants Kira to take him downstairs. His shadows can cancel out Thomas' power."
 
Marcus carefully lifted Thomas off of Razor, with Esper's help, and carried him down the stairs.
They set Thomas down on his back gently, and Esper curled up next to him. Razor tried using the stairs, and ended up falling down them. Esper caught her with his Psychic and set her down. He then called Amber, Volt, and Deluge out of their pokeballs. Esper liked with their minds and let them know what was going on. Marcus walked back upstairs. He was confident that Thomas wouldn't be able to do anything else. He had to be out of power now!
"Something smells wrong! I can't tell what, but it just does! Be wary," Vulpix said, walking into the house.
 
Kira lifted Zoran then paused before taking him downstairs. Kira placed him down and stood at the foot of the stairs, watching. As Deena went to another room, Riley took her place, tail lashing anxiously. "Don't worry,"Ash muttered. "We can tell that much." Doom and Sparx remained upstairs, knowing they would probably hurt someone if they went near Thomas. Ralts was hiding in fear. Their type was terrible with hostile emotions, so she was under the couch. Ash leaned back,trying to concentrate. "Those goons break my door down and I swear I'll cut off their heads."

"You mean that?"

"Zari I've got a bad headache. Course I mean it."

"You'll get blood on your floors."

"I have a mop."
 
"If... If it comes to it, I'll fight too. But I'm worried about Ralts! She shouldn't be near all this hostility and unease! But I don't know what to do with her. I'm no good with psychic types," Marcus said.
"Maybe we should take her downstairs too. After all, she seems to like Zoran's emotions. And Esper can block out anything she might pick up from Thomas. Sorry to talk about you like you aren't here little one! I guess I've picked up some habits from my human friends," Vulpix said with a shrug.

Esper watched the Lucario bring Zoran downstairs after them. Volt roared at Kira, and Esper silenced him with a glance. Amber ran over to Zoran and sniffed his hand. When he didn't respond, she looked up at him.
"Eevee?" she asked. Esper meowed at her, and she ran back. Deluge looked at Thomas.
"Wartortle?" he asked. Esper sent him reassurance that Thomas would be alright. The bigger wartortle walked over to Esper. He grabbed him in a hug and started crying. Esper resisted the instinct to fight back. Some things never change... Razor cooed soothingly at them, which made Deluge cry harder. Volt glared at him.
"Elektrike!" Volt said angrily. Esper glared at him again. Volt coughed cooly and lay down. Esper stared at the Lucario. He tried to say that they didn't need a guard, Esper could handle anything that happened. Amber had meandered over and was trying to catch the Lucario's tail. Esper hissed at her, and she came back to them.
 
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Stuck in the Twilight Zone. Gligar vs. Drapion!

(OOC: Just forgot to mention. After the second badge or so, try to make the gyms a tad bit more challenging. ^^)

Drapion stomped on the ground as Fighter was retrieved. He had never had a tough battle, so he hoped that this boy could compete. As he smiled Darrell laughed out loud, "Are you ready for this battle's intensity."

"Oh yeah! That Shadow Badge is mine! Let's finish strong, Gligar!"

Gligar came out with a growl and his rowdy behavior matched Drapion's. Aaron announced the beginning of the next match. Gligar started with a Bulldoze attack that went straight for Drapion's face. Drapion stopped the small Pokemon with his claws and sent him whirling back. Then, his claws began glowing a thick purple. As Gligar glided to the now unfrozen ground, a Poison attack Crossed paths with him and knocked him onto the ground. Gligar went forward with Brick Break which Drapion stopped with his claws again. Those claws were what was causing Gligar's failure. He always got stuck there.

"Drapion, Beauty in the Shadows. Go forth with a X-Scissor, sil vous plait!"

"Gligar, he's coming right at you. Combat him with a Brick Break attack!"

Drapion's claws glowed a bright green as he ran forth at top speed. For a larger Pokemon, he could move fast. Gligar tried to counter the hit but fell back. He managed to get a small hit in on his leg. As Drapion came down, he fell out of balance. Mark paid no attention, he had to get at least one good hit. Gligar sent off a Poison Sting which Drapion took. On impact, it created a fog shield that Mark couldn't see in. He didn't know what Drapion was planning. Suddenly, the scene became clear, yet the fog was still there. Mark's eyes glowed a bright yellow as he pierced the smoke. Drapion's claws glowed white, he was making a Pin Missile!

"Gligar, glide into the air!"

"Drapion, unleash the fury!"

Drapion sent off a Pin Missile that Gligar just barely dodged. Gligar went in for a quick Brick Break and it hit, bringing Drapion down. Drapion swung his claws around and the one on the left hit Gligar. Drapion pushed it down to hold Gligar on the ground. There was no escape. Gligar began to squirm, he would meat an end similar to Fighter's. Gligar looked to Mark for some guidance, but he just returned a hopeless look. Drapion's claws glowed a bright white. Mark got an idea. Gligar injected his tail into Drapion's claw which weakened it's grip. Then, he used Brick Break on the ground which loosened it more. Just as the Pin Missile was unleashed, Gligar slipped out. Gligar was barely making it, but Drapion had almost no energy. Drapion fell but still held its strength together. Mark looked at Drapion. What was his weakness?

Weakness: Defense.
Strength: Balance.
Protection: Claws

Mark remembered the battle with Weavile. Weavile had fallen due to his lack of balance on the ice. He had tripped up giving Fighter a perfect chance. That's what he had to do with Drapion. But it was so stable. Drapion was a protected fortress. Mark looked at his claws. The one on the right seemed weakened. That was his chance. Gligar glided around to Drapion's right leg. Drapion extended his left claw but couldn't reach. Drapion tried his right but cried in pain. Gligar used Brick Break against the leg, and Drapion could only watch. He fell over, out of balance and in pain. Now the equal battle would begin.

"Drapion, you don't need to move, Cross Poison!"

"Gligar, Bulldoze it!"

Gligar's eyes glowed a bright yellow and he pushed through the tough attack. Sprigs of poison flowed throughout the air. Gligar continued straight onto him. Drapion's claw began glowing a bright green as he prepared to slash Gligar. But as he raised his claw, their was too much weight on his left side and he toppled over, successfully hitting Gligar who continued with his Brick Break until the very end. The battle was impossible to read, the collision could be heard from miles around the outside of the gym. Two simultaneous screeches and Aaron called it. Mark kicked the dirt as he saw Gligar and Drapion both fall. What would happen now?

"Noooo! Zut, zut, et zut! Pas mal!" Darrell took a deep breath. "Thank you for your battle, Drapion. And thank you Mark, this loss will help me greatly."

"Loss, but it was a tie. I didn't win."

"Oh. You showed great connection and talent with handling your Pokemon. As a gym leader, I have tested your abilities and I approve. Here. Take the Shadow Badge."
 
The Ralts perked shyly then bolted down the stairs. Kira smiled indulgently at the Eevee. She was curious, so it wasn't a big deal. He leaned to the side as Ralts went past them to rest with the others. She looked over at Amber and managed a timid wave. Kira rolled his eyes at Volt and Esper and sent a message. I'm not guarding you; I'm guarding the others from your trainer. And I'll train you if you want. Besides, I doubt you want to try carrying two humans back up stairs.

Cody came from one of Zoran's Pokeballs. He examined them all before going up to Ralts and grinning. His fin twitched and he looked at Esper. He let out a strange cheered cry, trying to calm the Pokemon down. Being upset wouldn't change anything, he reasoned. You had to keep a cool head all the time.

Ash sighed and rubbed her temples. "Okay... it's fading... and I'm sensing something... great. So Marcus or Vulpix, can you explain something to me while we've got time? Why did your buddy go off like that? I told him there was a way for him to still keep his quest going despite the situation."
 
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