The Children Are Hunted

"I think I understand. It's not anything he's intentionally done. He naturally takes the lead, and expects them to follow. And, by nature of who he is, they do. And they've followed him for so long that they trust his judgement. They trust it more than they trust their own, so they don't know what to do. Yes that makes sense. They have forgotten how to think for themselves, and I think he's starting to see that. That would explain why he's letting them choose how to proceed. Better for them to start making decisions now, while everyone is safe, than in a crisis," Esper said, choosing his words with care. Amber whirled around and pounced on the Zorua, delighted at having a new playmate, since her old ones weren't doing anything. Esper could hear Vulpix raising his voice again. They must be arguing. Thomas sighed, but lay back and ignored them. They'd work it out for themselves. He did keep an ear on them. If they started fighting, he would be able to stop them. But so long as they were just yelling, they could work it out for themselves. Marcus detached himself from the group and walked over to Thomas.
"When did you need to get to the gym?" he asked. Thomas regarded him for a moment.
"I'm not on a set schedule. It's not like it's going anywhere," Thomas said. Marcus looked troubled. That was not the answer he was expecting. He walked back to the group and told them. Thomas sighed. He wanted to just run and leave them all behind. This was crazy! He had let them go, and they still wanted him to make the decisions. How had he gotten into this! Vulpix and TGP were still arguing, though they had stopped shouting at each other. He wondered what they were arguing about. They would have to work it out for themselves. He couldn't hold their hands the whole time.
 
Arca shrugged and laughed as Zanna wrestled with Amber, looking amused. Then her ears twitched. Had she imagined that? No... that was the sound of someone landing from a flight. It wasn't Alyss. Her trainer was silent by now. This was the sound of someone who wanted to be heard. So that meant... Arca started tugging on Thomas' shirt. She could smell him now. She knew that scent but why would he be here?

Zanna stopped playing, smelling him too. "Get these humans out of here!" she told Esper, looking alarmed. They wouldn't sense Theo right away because his power prevented it.
 
(OOD: Did you want Esper to try and make Thomas run too? If so, then I'll change my post.)

"Villain! Show yourself!" Tgp said. Esper blasted Marcus and TGP with a huge burst of fear. They couldn't withstand it and bolted. Vulpix ran after them, keeping them together as they ran into the forest they were still near. Esper knew that trick wouldn't work on Thomas and started trying to coax him to do something. Thomas stood up and looked around. The three Eeveelutions and Zorua were trying to get his attention. Thomas had sworn he had heard something landing, he looked around, feeling Esper's increasing panic. He was glad that Marcus and the others had run. He didn't know what to expect. He was too far from the forest to take cover, so he just crouched low, hoping not to be seen in the tall grass, keeping his senses on his surroundings.
 
Gotta Ketchum All! (Cue Theme Song) Pt.1

The battle began. Mark decided to start with Gligar since he didn't know the trainer's other Pokemon. Now that he knew about his power, he had decided not to use it in battle anymore. He would battle and win on his own style and accord. The trainer, Tony, was feisty, and Mark knew his Pokemon would follow suit. He started with a Geodude. Mark had never seen that Pokemon before. He pulled out his small red computer, took some pictures, and entered them into an entry.

"What's that in your hand?"

"Oh. This is my Pokemon Database. I've stored entries of all the Pokemon I've seen."

"How about, if I win, I get that computer thing too."

"Fine, because you won't win. It's a two on two battle." Clair spoke up this time. She probably didn't like how obnoxious the boy was but Mark had another thought. He had put in his time on this machine. He would just take that way? Not likely.

"Geodude, start with a Rollout!"

"Gligar, Brick Break."

Geodude began to Rollout at top speed and headed towards Gligar who dodged it in the air. Then, he came down on him with a Brick Break. Geodude stopped rolling and jumped back to Tony. Geodude began to Slapping up Mud which Gligar easily did away with. Geodude began to Throw some nearby Rocks. Gligar was able to easily dodge them and went in for a Bulldoze hit. Geodude rolled himself up and jumped over Gligar, mimicking what had happened before. He fell down on Gligar who took some damage but returned with a Bulldoze hit. Geodude tried to Rollout of the hole he was stuck in to no avail. He pulled his arms in for a Superpower as Gligar went in, but he had the advantage. Gligar finished it off with a Brick Break.

"Geodude is unable to battle. Ha! Take that, obnoxious kid!"

"Noooo! Geodude, you did your best. Come back for now. Let's go, Charmander!"

Charmander came out with a growl. Mark took out his computer and copied down some information. He took the pictures and finished up. That was number 238. He wondered how much other Pokemon he would find. He looked at Gligar and they both seemed ready.

"Gligar, Acrobatics!"

"Charmander, dodge!"

Gligar glowed as he showed off an amazing display of Acrobatics. He span in the air and went down near Charmander who dodged. Gligar turned back and repeated what he had just done. Charmander dodged again. Gligar went in for one more which Charmander didn't dodge. He let out a Flamethrower just as Gligar came in. Gligar fell back, and just barely got up. Charmander went in for a Metal Claw which Gligar countered with a Brick Break. Then, he used Bulldoze to push Charmander into the ground. As Gligar got close, Charmander used Flamethrower which Gligar fought through with Bulldoze. The fire reflected off his Ground claws and as he got near, he managed to hit Charmander. They both fell, done.

"With still one unused Pokemon left, Mark is the winner."

Tony kicked the dirt.
 
(Is cool.)

Arca and Zanna growled and purred at the same time, hearing the sound of grown footsteps. There was a deep chuckle, strong and old. The man brushed his greying hair out of his face as he walked, still chuckling as he walked into the area. "My," he drawled coolly. "It's been a long time since my mere presence has caused fear in all nearby creatures. The man wiped stray leaves from the shoulders of his grey suit, where a Pidgeot perched moments later. "I thought I was done with that after all these years."

Meanwhile, not far away, Alyss trembled quietly from the branch she rested on. Why was he here? She was afraid, more than ever before. He rarely left the labs he had built unless something in his opinion required his personal attention. Alyss trembled despite her will to remain very still.

The man looked near where Thomas was hidden, a small smirk rising on his lips. "You blaze like a beacon boy. You may show yourself. I mean you no harm unless you bring it on yourself."
 
(OOC: Ah, yeah. **** just got real!)

Thomas laughed, despite himself. His power had forced it's way up, despite his attempts to control it. He stood up and walk confidently out into the open, Esper and Amber right on his heels.
"Maybe there is a good reason for my friends to be afraid," he remarked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Something about this man terrified him, and he could feel Esper's fear, though he tried to hide it.
"So... Who are you? I don't think we've ever met before," Thomas said casually. He knew this was not a man to be trifled with, no matter what! So, that was what he was going to do. Push him, and hope something slipped. If he had come here with the intention of doing something Thomas didn't like, he would do it whether he was angry or not. It was a very dangerous game, but Thomas was something of a daredevil, as he had recently discovered.
 
The man merely smiled. "It depends on your reasoning. To some I am worth fearing, others killing, and some even consider following me for reasons they could not care to divulge to me for a time and I will not to you." His grey-red eyes, turned so by a pair of contacts which amplified his powers, flickered with amusement. This boy was scared of him and he had never officially met him. How interesting. He walked over casually and felt the light shying away from him as well. "You may have not met me before Thomas but I know you quite well by someone you know. My name is Theodore Ebony. I am pleased to finally meet you, the boy my dear children were so desperate to keep from my hands."
 
"I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but it really isn't. I have a few questions. First of all, what are you trying to do? What are your goals? What could possibly be so important that is gives you the right to toy with the lives of my friends?!" Thomas said. He was getting angry, and his power was building up. He tried to release it, but couldn't. If he couldn't control his anger, he would not be able to control his powers. Esper sent him support, and Amber interposed herself between Theo and Thomas, hissing at the man. Thomas waved Amber off. He wasn't here to fight, he was here to mess with Thomas's head. She couldn't defend against that.
 
The man ignored him for a moment, as if he was actually not there and had only been practicing an introduction speech. "Alyss?" he called out. "Would you come here please?" The girl stiffened. "It's all right child. I'm not mad at you for running away. I understand. You're a curious little thing aren't you? Come out now." She slumped where she was and obeyed, jumping down and coming out to the meadow. Arca and Zanna ran to her. "That's a good girl. I was worried you would be hurt but I see you haven't forgotten your survival skills." Alyss knew what the man was doing now and kept her head down. Her whole body physically hurt. Smiling again he returned his gaze to Thomas.

"What are my goals? Simple: to pick up the pieces ordinary humans are going to create breaking this world with their fights. The AAPM and RDM... do you know what will happen if one of them succeeds? Pure chaos. Both will be worse. That must be stopped and corrected, harshly, even if it means there is a cost to it."

Pidgeot scoffed, only understood by Alyss and the other Pokemon. "Stupid boy. There is no right or wrong to this. It already is."
 
Gotta Ketchum All! (Cue Theme Song) Pt.2

Tony kicked the dirt. Mark walked over to shake his hand.

"Hey, Tony. Good match."

"Good match? That was awful." he fell to the ground and buried his head in his knees. "I'm supposed to have earned those two badges, but can you believe they were both ties. I haven't even won a gym battle yet. Ugh. I'm awful."

"No, you're not. Where are you going next?"

"Um...I don't know where the next gym is. Listen to me, I'm going back home."

"Well," Mark paused, "We are going to Venice-"

"Venice, huh? Always liked that place. Well, I got to get going, see ya." he got up and started to run but rammed into Clair.

"Hey, kid. Why don't you come with us? We'll help you train." Clair asked, for the first time showing any kindness to the kid.

"Well, you see-"

"You know what. I wasn't asking, you're coming. That's what you get for losing." Clair smirked.

"Well...okay." Tony smiled. "I'll give you the privilege-"

"No, no, no. Don't start. Let's just get going."

Tony nodded and packed up his Pokeballs. When one rolled away, he focused on it, levitated it back to his bag, and ran off to join them.

Congratulations. You unlocked -New Sub-Plot- ;D
 
Thomas considered this. He was already on a mission to stop both groups. Could Theo really have the same goal? He considered things for a moment. And as for Alyss, he didn't believe for a minute that she had run away. The way she was acting even now told him that she'd not do anything to anger Theo. That this man thought he was that stupid made him even angrier.
"Oh, please. Even I can tell that she wouldn't run away from you. You were the one that sent her here, I'm sure. And you know what? Whatever the purpose of that was, I'm glad you did. I'm glad I got to meet her. So, thanks for that. Now, as far as the AAPM and the RDM goes, how exactly do you plan to stop them? They aren't exactly known to just give up!" Thomas said. He was staring at the older man. Something about his eyes. Thomas didn't trust him. Amber growled at the Pidgeot.
"By quiet Amber, that won't help right now!" Esper said.
"But he insulted Thomas!" Amber protested.
"So? Thomas doesn't care about petty insults!" Esper said to her. She calmed down and walked back to Thomas. Esper turned to Pidgeot.
"What do you mean, it already is?" he asked.
 
Pidgeot seemed to smirk at them. "Whether it is right to use them or not, it is a bit late to question the ethics of it, isn't it?"

Theo didn't even twitch barring the gleam in his eyes. "What do I plan to do? Push them to fall of course. Or have you forgotten something? I'm in the AAPM which killed your family didn't they?" He said this all very casually. "All it takes are a few little pushes in a different direction to spiral things the way you don't want them to go. And that's all we are going to do. They'll destroy themselves."

Alyss twitched at this. She knew what was going to happen next. "But what doesn't concern me is right now," Theo said coolly. "What concerns me is after. After these two groups have twisted the hearts of this sheep-like race known as humans, who turn on the black ones as soon as breathe, what will be done?"
 
"You give very little credit to us lowly humans. We are not as helpless as you think," Thomas said. His mind was racing. This man didn't care who got in the way of his plan! He wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even his best friend! Thomas couldn't let this happen, though he didn't see a way to do so right now. But, what Theo was saying, it made a little sense. But he was going to get everyone killed in his bid for power, or whatever it was that really motivated him.

"It's never to late!" Amber said.
"I agree with Amber, turn back from this now, before everyone gets hurt," Esper said simply.
 
"They always say that," Theo chuckled. "Humans are not lowly, on that I'm sure we agree. We are merely uneducated. You have seen Alyss' wings haven't you? You've seen how she acts? How do you think she was treated boy? Ask her. Ask her about the father who shot her shoulder, about the children who threw rocks at her, the nurses who refused to treat her, the kind mothers who threw her aside. All from different parts of Pangaea yet all have done the same. We are not a lowly race indeed, but we have not changed since the beginning. Everything that is disliked is shunned and nearly eradicated. I can believe you have those emotions and even I have them. And it causes the fights you have to have. It causes the pain right in front of you, for you to kill at all. Why? Haven't you wondered that, why this conflict exists at all?"

"Difference," Alyss whispered. "Difference causes fighting."

The bird did not twitch. "It is a awfully foolish to say that when everyone already is hurt. Over seven years of watching this world falling apart at the seams. It needs to be fixed. The population won't even be destroyed. All they will be is taught and the boundaries will be removed. After that, well, it's up to them isn't it?"
 
Thomas started to speak, but found he had no answer to that. He had been asking himself the same thing for quite some time. He had seen it. Those goons he had frightened off, they were terrified of him, and he hadn't done anything! He still didn't trust Theo, but he couldn't deny what he said. He didn't know what to think anymore. He felt his anger fade, and his power with it.
"I have no answer for you, but that is mainly due to my own inexpierence. As I'm sure Zoran already told you, I haven't had my powers for that long. Though, I have already had a taste of that fear," Thomas found himself saying bitterly. He didn't know where that had come from, but it was true. People were afraid of what was different. Like his mother had been afraid of Esper. Like he had been afraid of Zoran and Alyss, though that had passed rather quickly.
"What do you think, Esper?" Thomas asked.
"His Words have sense, but there is more to it than what he has told you. I can't scan his mind, something blocked me. Don't trust him," Esper said.
"You're no help," Thomas said back to him.
"You should do what you feel is right. I can't help you with deciding," Esper said.
"I know, thanks for your advice," Thomas said.
 
Theo shook his head. "Zora and Asha have told me next to nothing about you, other than your power and that you are in danger. Everything else I gleaned the day you left Asha's apartment. I was there, listening to them warn you. It wasn't exactly difficult not to be noticed, you know." He reached out to Alyss and the girl went to his side, visibly nearing a panic attack. He handed her a bottle, which she took gratefully. It was just candy, but he knew she preferred it to actual medication. "I am surprised. You asked nothing of their well-being in this whole conversation, instead choosing to express fury that they were with me. What a strange friend you are indeed."
 
"I don't get why you think I'm so stupid! Why would I ask you? I know they're ok. Zaria would tell Esper if they weren't. And whatever you've had them doing, I know they can handle it. And why would I trust anything you say? You've manipulated the whole situation!" Thomas said angrily. This was getting on his nerves now. He would not be goaded into anything by this man. He had to think. He couldn't just react now. He'd already revealed more than he'd cared to. He was the one being provoked, and he had to let it fade. But, he couldn't! He was dying to know what had happened to Zoran, but he wouldn't give Theo the satisfaction of fulfilling that desire. He wasn't going to trust anything Theo told him about his friends. So why even ask him?
 
The man merely sighed. "It seems I've left a bad impression on you. I apologize. I truly need to stop doing that, don't I Zaria?"

"It will get you killed one day," the ghost child agreed from near Alyss' arm. She gently led Alyss back to Thomas. Zaria glanced at Esper, eyes completely blank and seeming to see through him. It was as though she didn't recognize them.

The man turned and sighed once again. "I suppose this conversation is at an end. I merely came to see why those two were so desperate and now I see why. It is so easy to turn you into a quivering mass of emotional turmoil." He began to walk away. "I have business elsewhere. Goodbye boy. Take care Alyss." Pausing for a moment, Theo turned back to him. "If I believed you were stupid, I wouldn't have bothered trying to speak with you, a mere curiosity."

Zaria waited a moment then her eyes flickered. "You've been marked," she mumbled. "Congratulations." Her heart wasn't in the supposedly cheerful remark and she seemed about ready to slip through the ground.
 
Thomas knew this was far from over. He had a feeling everything he had said would come back to bite him one day. Esper scanned Zaria's mind, after sending her a greeting.
"Maybe if you cut the acting and the games and tried to gain my trust, you wouldn't have left a bad impression!" Thomas said as Theo walked away. Thomas sighed and shook his head. Things were not good. He looked at Zaria.
"And how are you, your brother, and Ash doing?" Thomas asked her. He didn't know if she'd answer him. When she looked at Esper, she hadn't seemed to recognize him. One thing had been proven. Theo knew just how to push his buttons. He'd have to get tighter control of his emotions if he hoped to go toe to toe with him again. He wasn't sure how easy that would be. He was only so capable because he had strong emotions. Well, whatever the case, he'd take care of it. Either way, he had the distinct feeling this wasn't over.
 
Zaria turned the gaze to Thomas now, as if realizing she was being spoken to. Alyss didn't seem surprised at her friend's demeanor, but was watching Theo go. "They're alive," she said softly. "That's a good thing."

"Well at least she remembers how to answer a question," Zanna snarled. Alyss was still looking down.

Zaria smiled dully, a reflex, no doubt. "He's better," she mumbled. "Zora is fighting again. And... someone wants me to disappear."
 
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