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The Children Are Hunted

"I'm glad for you. He really cares about you, I can tell," Thomas said. His mind was racing. Who was this boy? How did he fit into all this? Thomas didn't really care right now. He could be trusted. Thomas rubbed his head. Just what had happened tonight? He had won a badge, Alyss met her friend, Vulpix met his friend, and they took out the AAPM at the gym.
"What about you and your friend? Now what will you do?" Thomas asked, still trying to clear his head. The headache was starting to do away. His eyes were slowly going back to the limited vision he'd had before. Must not have been that bad of a strain. He'd keep this in mind when using his powers. He had gotten so lucky. He almost lost control, and killed them all. But instead, he had probably blinded them for life. He couldn't say that he felt sorry for Toni. He really didn't like her. But he had the feeling she hadn't gotten off too badly. He put his pokeballs back on his belt.
 
Alyss frowned. "He's a friend but he's not the one I'm looking for. I have to keep looking for that person. Silas... will probably be gone by tomorrow. He's... He's in a lot of danger right now." That was a definite fact. The fact that Theo didn't know where he was was a miracle and he was definitely going to remain that way if she had any say in it. That meant being far away from her, no matter how much it hurt either of them.Arca let out a comforting purr as Zanna ran over with Leaf at her side. She growled and ran over to Alyss, taking her place from the Emolga, who let out a wild squeak of anger, gliding over to Esper.
 
"Alright, I understand. You probably get tired of me saying this, but I'll help you however I can. You can count on that," Thomas said. Esper looked at the Emolga with interest. Thomas's phone rang. Thomas was willing to be it was Marcus.
"Yo!" Thomas said.
"Thomas! Alyss just ran off!" Marcus said sounding scared. Thomas shook his head.
"Don't worry, she's fine! She's with me right now," Thomas said.
"Are you alright? You sound tired!" Marcus said.
"It's 2:30 in the morning, I'm going to be tired. How are you and his quirkiness doing?" Thomas said.
"Oh, he fell back to sleep. Where are you guys? You coming back to camp?" Marcus said.
"I don't know yet. I kinda got into a little scuffle. It may be best to stay seperated for the night. We'll meet back up in the morning if we don't head back to camp," Thomas said.
"Also, Vulpix is gone!" Marcus said.
"He's here too. Don't worry about us, and keep yourself and his strangeness safe! I'll talk to you later!" Thomas said. He hung up the phone and lay back.
"Well, now what? Do you want Marcus to know about Silas? If you don't mind, then we should take him back to camp, where it will be safer. If you don't want him to know, I understand. The less people who know, the safer he will be," Thomas said. He left the decision to Alyss. It wasn't easy, but he realized that he had to show he trusted her judgement too. But he didn't like giving up control of the situation. But he'd already said it, and didn't dare take it back.
 
"Why don't you ask me," Silas mumbled. "Since I'm awake again?" He sighed lightly. "If it's all right with you, I'd like to make sure you get back to camp. I won't stay because I've been in one place too long as it is. Call it way too much worry but it's for the best.' Seeing Alyss' crestfallen face, he smiled. "I'll see you again... when this is over. I don't want to get caught up in everything that's happened."

"You never told me what that everything is," she said, a lie that even she almost believed. She didn't exactly know what he had been doing for the past few years after all.

Silas didn't even attempt to call her out right now, awake enough to know that Theo was behind this. "It's too dangerous for you to get involved Alyss. Besides, finding your missing person i more important, and so is getting your memory back. So don't worry." He turned back to Thomas. "Hope you don't mind an escort."
 
"Nah, I don't mind," Thomas said. He got to his feet. Esper leapt to the ground. Vulpix stood up.
"I should go too," Winny said.
"I thought you were going to stay till morning," Vulpix said.
"I just remembered I have to get back. Trigger really doesn't like to be kept waiting!" Winny said. Vulpix grimaced.
"God, you're working under him? What a nightmare! I guess we'll meet again later!" Vulpix said. Winny nodded and ran off. Thomas rubbed his eyes. Everything was getting a little more refined in his eyes. His sight was coming back. He could even distinguish colors a little bit. He looked at Esper. Esper was mostly a cat shaped blur, though Thomas could see his long ears and legs, and his tail swishing back and forth. Esper stood out from the light green around him that Thomas assumed was grass. He was a very light shade of pink. Thomas could almost see around him. Things were getting better. He smiled a little. He looked at Silas and Alyss. He realized that this was the first time he had seen Alyss. Her features weren't clear, but Thomas could tell that she was very pale. Her hair was white. When she moved, Thomas could see that she moved as though there was a rather large and bulky weight on her back, though he couldn't tell what it was. It wasn't the weight of her troubles. It was to subtle for that to be the case. Thomas shook his head. He'd think about it when his head felt better. Maybe he could get Esper to tell him later. Esper aways knew more than he let on. He led the way toward the camp.
 
Alyss saw him look at her and instantly flushed in shy fear. Silas patted her head and then Leaf leapt to his shoulders. He clasped her hand and watched the Wynaut disappear. He mumbled something in her ear and she nodded or shook her head as he asked her questions. Then he spoke to Thomas. "So, you're going badge hunting, are you? Not a bad idea."
 
"Well, it's a good way to get stronger. And with the kind of trouble I'm in, I'll need that strength," Thomas said. He knew that the questions would soon follow, and he told them what had been going on so far. He didn't go into detail, but he made sure they knew that he had killed many with his wild powers. He even told them about the dreams that drove him on his quest, something he hadn't told anyone but Zoran. Not even Marcus knew why he was doing what he was doing. Thomas didn't know why he told them, but he felt he had too.
"... Now you must think I'm a monster after what I've done. I don't blame you. I may be," Thomas said when he had finished his tale. It didn't make him feel any better. It just made him more confused about everything. He didn't know why he had to keep fighting. He wasn't sure he wanted to. But, he would be a target so long as he had his powers, and he couldn't get rid of them. It would be the equivlent of taking off his arm. He wiped the tears away before they could fall. He had a mission, and he had to complete it no matter the cost. Vulpix seemed to have taken this as a good time to be silent. He would say the wrong thing, and that would make things worse for Thomas. Thomas walked in silence after that, not sure what else to say.
 
(Have a feeling he vaguely mentioned Zoran there, if not I'll edit this.)

Alyss and Silas looked at each other, recognizing their good friend's name. Alyss watched Thomas and nudged Silas. The boy nodded and gave Thomas a curious look. "I thought monsters didn't regret what they did," Silas wondered aloud, giving Alyss a solemn look before patting Thomas' shoulder.

"I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy," Silas began. "But I don't really see why you'd think we'd think that way. We've met you before you told us. Why would you assume we'd run away just like that? I mean, Alyss is crying right now-" It was true: the little girl was letting out silent sobs as she walked, hair hiding her eyes. "But I think that's over the lost lives and for your own suffering." Actually, knowing the scared girl well, that was exactly what it was about.

Arca commented to Esper. "Your human has nothing to worry about I promise."
 
"I know. I don't know if you all realize just how much he trusts you. He's never told anyone else this, except for Zoran. Not even Marcus has heard this from him, though he was there for most of it," Esper said to all of those there, except Thomas. After being healed, Esper felt better than ever. He knew they could trust the duo behind them. And Vulpix, judging from his expression, wasn't that shocked. Thomas stopped walking. He turned around and stopped them.
"Well, thanks. We're almost at camp. I should warn you, Silas, that we have someone a little odd. He calls himself The Great Pokemaster. I think he has powers, but I don't he is very aware of them. Just, don't let him get to you," Thomas said.

(OOC: by the very nature of what he said, Zoran's name would have come up several times.)
 
Silas chuckled. "As long as he never tries to set me on fire or freeze me, I think I'll live with it. Have you seen his face or is he protecting his secret identity?" Alyss looked down, thinking as Silas spoke quietly to her. He knew the others were listening. "Methinks you call this boy brave."

"I dunno... don't ask a freakish coward like me those sorts of questions."

"Only when you stop considering yourself such," he replied, watching them enter the area. "I'm a bit worried about that."

"You always worry."

"It's kept me alive, instead of hunted down by him." Silas growled the word, looking annoyed.
 
"He's protecting his identity. I don't think he even knows it anymore. And, for some reason I don't understand, he thinks I'm his sidekick! Me, a sidekick! Can you imagine that?!" Thomas said. Vulpix laughed.
"I would think you would prefer to be the hero, Pokeboy!" Vulpix said.
"Oh shut up!" Thomas said as he continued. He reassured Silas that TGP was harmless, so far as he knew.
"Villains! Show yourselves! You cannot escape The Great Pokemaster!" TGP shouted as they came closer to the camp.
"Wah! What the hell?!" Marcus said.
"It's just us, guys," Thomas said.
"Ahh..." Marcus said, calming down a little.
"Pokeboy, you should know better than to try to sneak up on me while I'm asleep!" TGP said. His powers were active even while he slept? That answered a lot of questions.
"You're right, I'm sorry," Thomas said sarcasticly.
"Nonsense! How else would I get training! Just know that you will never catch me unprepared!" TGP said boastfully.
"Of course... Go back to sleep. I'll keep watch," Thomas said. TGP nodded and lay back down. Marcus looked at Silas.
"I'm Marcus, it's nice to meet you. Now, I'm going to go back to sleep. Sleep well," Marcus said. And that's exactly what he did. Thomas sat down. He couldn't sleep. Silas had let something slip. He was being hunted, just like TGP was. Thomas tried to think. Zoran and Ash had left because they felt they owed someone. Theo, if Thomas remembered right. TGP and Silas were on the run from someone as well. They had been relatively close together too. That had to be the oddest coincidence ever. Or it was connected. Thomas was willing to bet that they were sought after for their powers. And Alyss. She was terrified of something. She was deep in this, and that terrified her. And Thomas thought he had seen a flicker of recognition when he mentioned Zoran. Which would mean they all knew each other. Thomas had a feeling that when he discovered what was going on, it would be at the most inconvinient time ever. Those five kids, though Ash and TGP were a little old to be kids, were all connected to this Theo person. Thomas vaguely wondered if he was getting to involved. He had promised to let Zoran take care of it, after all. But the pieces were pointing toward him. And Thomas didn't like that. The thought that he might have a new enemy, one that held so much power over the lives of his friends. Thomas knew that meant he held power over him too, and din't like it. This was to big to be a coincidence. Esper sent him comfort and support. Thomas knew that all of them fit together, but he didn't know how. What were the goals? What was the motive? Thomas had no answers. He did have the feeling that he wasn't the endgame like he was with the AAPM or the RDM. He felt that whatever plans were going on, he was simply something to work on till other projects came to fruitition. That made him feel slightly insulted.
"Why do I feel this way? I don't even know for sure that anything I've thought is right! Why am I feeling trapped?" Thomas thought.
"Because you always see traps and connections. It is good to be wary. Just be careful. You don't want to lose yourself in your caution," Esper said. Thomas hadn't expected him to answer. But then Esper was right.
"I guess that there is nothing I can do about any of this. I'll just have to be on my guard," Thomas said to Esper. Esper shook his head. Thomas may muse about things like this for the moment, but as soon as something new happened, he'd be into that. Just like tonight. Esper kept his thoughts and Thomas's to himself. Best not to let the others know. Esper sat in Thomas's lap, and purred to him.
 
Alyss glanced at her friend as he sat down at the fire and Silas smiled at her. She inwardly sighed and Zanna groaned. He was prodding Thomas on purpose; Alyss could feel it. She could already feel the older boy's mind whirling from their words. Alyss shook her head and sat down. Silas didn't just let something slip. The forest boy controlled himself way too well for that. He had wanted Thomas to hear it and to react in some way. Whatever he had thought must've satisfied him because Silas smiled to himself. Arca resisted the urge to groan. Zora had taught the pair of them how to play with people's heads too well but a healer like Silas, who was not a physical fighter, was almost as good as the strange boy.

Alyss went back to the tree trunk, lying against the wood sleepily. "Go to bed Alyss. You need another day to recover." She already had, passed out with her hair covering her face. Silas laughed gently, letting Leaf go talk to Arca.
 
Esper watched all of them fall asleep. Thomas had passed out from the way he was still sitting against the rock. He felt around with his mind, but didn't sense anything. Amber burst out of her pokeball. She looked at the sky for a moment, before sniffing around for something. Esper touched her mind, but she ignored him. She walked off into the woods. Esper glanced at the others, the only two that were still awake were Arca and Leaf, and they were talking. Esper sighed and stood up. He would have to follow her, and keep her out of trouble. Esper had no idea what she was doing, but he was curious to find out. After stretching out for a moment, he set off after her. He followed her through the woods, wondering what it was that drove her. She seemed to know where she was going. Esper stopped as she entered a clearing. He smiled as she began digging as fast as she could. He stopped and stared when she actually uncovered something. She looked delighted that she had found it. It was a large, flat, moss green rock. She walked over to it, and sniffed it curiously. Esper sighed as he realized what she was doing. She was getting ready to evolve.
"It's about time," Esper thought to himself. She touched the rock with her paw, and started glowing. Esper could see the changes. Her fur shortened and turned paler, except for on her tail and head. Her tail became what resembled a large leaf. Leaves grew from her paws and one on the top of her head. Her ears grew broader and turned half green. Esper smiled as the transformation ended. Amber looked up in surprise. She looked around, then down at her paws. She began to chase her long tail, and cried in pain when she bit it. She looked around at the rock, as if she had just remembered it was there, and began to bury it again. Esper walked back to the camp. He didn't remember when he evolved that well. He didn't want to remember it either. He lay down and waited for Amber to come back.
 
Arca and Leaf looked up from their conversation as Esper padded back. They waved their tails at him as Leaf smiled.

"Another Leafeon is here," he mumbled. Arca smirked.

"Yes now please do avoid crying over it. Alyss has enough tears for us all."

"But... isn't that okay?" Arca sighed at her friend's naivete.

"Only sometimes silly." They turned to see Silas standing up quietly. He was wide awake again and was walking towards Alyss' sleeping form. "You touch her and she'll wake up, you know."

"Yeah...I know." Reluctantly he turned away. The two Pokemon shook their heads. They both had an idea what was bothering him and Leaf rose to his paws to climb to his shoulders. "Tell her goodbye."

Arca snorted and went to curl up next to the wide-awake Zanna. They swore that Pokemon never slept. "Tell her hello when you see her again instead." Silas laughed lightly and walked off into the forest. He wouldn't be caught, not by anyone.
 
Esper sent his farewell to Silas as he left. He turned his attention to Thomas's sleeping form.
"He's going to have quite a surprise when he wakes up," Esper said to no one in particular. Amber ran back into camp. She was very sleepy looking and curled up next to Thomas without noticing anything else. Esper looked at her, then went to bed himself. It had been a long night. But tomorrow would be better. Esper knew it would be.

My team:
Esper (Espeon): level 28, Psybeam, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Bite.
Volt (Manectric): level 27, Discharge, Zap Canon, Quick Attack, Double Kick
Razor (Skarmory): level 29, Steel Wing, Brave Bird, Air Cutter, Whirlwind
Deluge (Wartortle): level 26, Water Gun, Ice Beam, Rapid Spin, Withdraw
Amber (Leafeon): level 21, Tackle, Quick Attack, Sand Attack, Growl
Draco (Bagon): level 27, Ember, Dragonbreath, Dragon Rage, Zen Headbutt
 
It was a few hours after that Alyss woke up, a burning sensation in her stomach. She had to get off the ground now; she felt positively sick. Normally it wasn't a big deal but she was stressed out with everything that was happening all at once. Flying always fixed it, always. Her wings were sore anyway. She spread them out, stretching them widely to take in the wind. Then, turning in a direction that would hopefully not hurt the others, she took off at a run. Alyss breathed a sigh of relief at the feeling of cracking bones.

Arca saw the girl push off the ground and soar up, wings flapping quietly in the wind. Her face was lit up with bliss as she soared away, up over the trees and into the sky. She quickly left the camp area and Zanna smiled. She would be back in a while, once she remembered she was human and not a bird, but that would be a time yet.

Alyss had already forgotten that; feeling a part of the wind itself as she flew. Forgetting all the pain, joy, emotions, her body even, it was more than meditation. It was almost like a fantasy world, in truth.
 
Thomas woke up as the wind stirred slightly. He sat up and looked around. Silas was gone. He expected that. Alyss was gone as well. He figured that she just needed to get some time to think about things. He looked down. Esper was sleeping curled up against his right side. A leafeon was curled up on his left. He rubbed his eyes. For a moment he thought that Silas had left his leafeon behind, but that couldn't be right. This leafeon was smaller than the other one had been. This one was also female.
"Amber?" Thomas asked quietly. The leafeon looked up at him. She had changed a lot, but Thomas would recognize her big and round amber colored eyes anywhere. He realized that his vision was a lot better than it had been before. He could see things in far more detail than he could last night. Things were clearer and colors were more pronounced. He couldn't see the fur on Espers back induvidually, but he could tell they were there without reaching out and touching them. Esper purred at him.
"Where did Alyss go?" Thomas asked Esper. He wouldn't answer, only reassured him that she would be back. Thomas knew he more than he was saying, but didn't care at that point in time. He got up, careful not to disturb the others. He went over to his bag and pulled out his first aid book. He began reading, going to try to learn a little more first aid. And he needed to use his eyes for something. Esper went off to go fetch some breakfast.
 
With plenty of reluctance, Alyss began to lower herself from the sky. She belonged up there a lot of the time but even birds needed to rest. She found some fruit nearby and carefully began to gather it and some leaves, the leaves special herbs she had been taught about She jumped from branch to branch, her wings tucked in again. It didn't hurt as much now, now that she had stretched them. She saw Esper nearby getting breakfast of his own and she jumped lightly from the branch to land lightly on the ground below. "Um... morning," she said in a mixture of shyness and brightness. She felt better for sure, but she was still herself. Even if she was with a Pokemon... Alyss knew she would have to get over this eventually.
 
What Else Can I Do?

Mark stared as his hands glowed. His body glowed a bright orange. Then, it settled onto his regular color. But there was some other glow, a glow of confidence, left over. He called Buggy over from her place on a log. She waddled over.

"Could you use a Silver Wind?"

Buggy breathed in and set off a Silver Wind. Mark focused on it, but nothing. The normal wind sprinkled over the duo. "Oh well. The best things take practice."

"Hey! You! Battle?! You have two badges right?"

Mark and Clair turned around to see a boy, the exact same age of Mark, looking him right in the eyes.

"C'mon! I want a battle!" He jumped up and down. He was very excited. Mark took this as a chance to train.

"Okay, I'm Mark Ronimoba, from Shanghai. You?"

"I'm Tony Ketchum, from a small village in the Kanto Region (real region in Japan.). It goes by Pallet. So, we battling? Or what?"
 
"Morning! Beautiful display of flying!" Esper said brightly. He continued gathering fruit. After he was done with his task, he walked back to camp. Thomas looked up from his book.
"Hey Esper! You get anything good to eat?" Thomas asked. Esper set down his load. Amber snatched up an apple and walked away.
"Great, more fruit," Vulpix said, stirring from where he was laying.
"If you don't like it, no one is stopping you from hunting for yourself,"Marcus said as he got up. TGP sat up and grabbed a pear for himself.
"So, what are we going to do today?" Marcus asked.
"Well, we're going to begin traveling to Venice," Thomas said.
"How? Razor is strong, but even she can't carry 4 people and Vulpix," Marcus said.
"Then we'll have to go on foot!" Thomas said lightly. This would be a good chance for him to get his muscles honed and back into the shape they once were in.
 
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