The Children Are Hunted

Thomas watched as she left. He still had the feeling she could kill him, but he also figured she didn't want to. Something about her was... Off. But, he was no closer to figuring it out. Oh well. Zoran had promised to fill them in, or, Thomas hoped that was what she meant when she siad to 'tell the story.' He had to admit, he was very curious. Esper let the barrier fade when he could not smell her anymore. He had neglected his natural senses trying to use the ones that wouldn't work, and that had gotten Zoran hurt. He was a fool. He lay down and meowed sadly. No one said a word for a moment.

"Go ask Trigger Hawkeyes. Or Truthseeker. You'll get no answers from me! I'm just doing what I'm told," Winny said. She wasn't exactly lying. She had been told by Van to choose a side a long time ago, and she had chosen it today. She just wanted him to go! She didn't want him to pull her back to the RDM. She had given them up to be with Van, and wasn't too fond of the idea of being guilted back in.
 
Zoran watched her go. His mother was a scary woman... but he loved her all the same. So he thought a few moments and Sparx came up to him, purring a few moments. Doom popped out of his Pokeball and walked over to Esper. He placed a large paw gently on Esper's head. "Do not beat yourself up," he said. "None of us could have stopped that attack, not even Ash. And he is not hurt too badly. It is just a scratch."

Zoran smiled at his Pokemon before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath."Years and years ago, before any of us, before even Theo, Mama was a young trainer in a time before real Pokeballs. She and a good friend of hers traveled together. Mama had befriended a Ninetales and they were close. The other was jealous and one night attacked the Ninetales. It retaliated but Mama got in the way. She didn't know what was going on and simply did what she thought was right. So the curse that was meant for the other got her. It should have killed her but her Pokemon... stopped it... I think"

It was hard to remember for his young mind but he tried. "Um... but two curses in the same body doesn't... work well. Her time stopped and froze her. The Pokemon couldn't break its curse. So she's alive, can do the same stuff a normal human can, but she can't die. She wants to... but she can't." The little boy shrugged helplessly. "And... I can see the curse. it's all black smoke with red eyes." He shuddered. "It stares at me, laughing because its keeping her alive." He fell quiet and went over to Van, scratching behind his ears. "You need to treat Pokemon kindly but without leashes. Otherwise you will suffer for it. Or others will."
 
"That doesn't sound like an RDM member who respects his superiors," Leo replied, then shut down his side of the telepathic channel. "I suppose I'll be off, then," he said. "Not much interest in a group o' people who aren't talkative. Cheerio." The Lucario then returned a glare at the other Aura-user before turning and briskly walking away, though alert for any danger to himself as he headed for the trees.

Two Pokemon who could talk: the Vulpix and the Wynaut. One of them wouldn't answer Leo's questions, so either he was often like that, or he might have left the RDM. Quite possible that it was the latter option. Leo sighed. That hadn't been much of a benefit, sticking around like that. He had learned, though, that one, maybe two, RDM members were with the CTs, one of which was a little boy. He assumed that the two whose Auras were as bright as the Ronimoba boy's Aura were CTs. Oh, and the humans had a Psychic Pokemon with them.

At least Leo had something to report.
 
"Like I care! And I'm a girl!" Winny said, not knowing if Leo could hear her or not. She sighed and shook her head.
"That Lucario was an RDM member. He's off to go get some more help, I bet. I'm sorry, I couldn't get him to stop," Winny said sadly. She glanced at Van, who had calmed down now that the dead lady had gone. Winny understood nothing about curses or the like.

Esper grew very quiet as Zoran descibed what he had been trying to fight. He hated that thing with all his heart. He had been suprised to hear that there was a kind person trapped inside it. He didn't know what to do now. If he killed it, then the woman inside would likely die, and she didn't deserve that, not after hearing what he had heard.
"I am sorry," he simply said. He glanced up at Doom who was trying to comfort him. Such a sweet dog, unlike another little pest. He looked at Thomas, who was taking everything in and silently agreeing with Zoran's last few words. Marcus, Robby, and Mia said nothing. They were all too stunned by what they had heard.

(OOC: I get the feeling the Venice saga is drawing near it's conclusion. But it isn't there yet. We still need one big clash between the CTs and their friends and the RDM still in the area. Ash and Esper didn't get them all!)
 
Zoran simply looked at him. "Why? It's not your fault. It's nobody's fault really. It just happened so she wants it to not happen again that's all." Zaria agreed with this and went to fly by her brother. "Anyway," the boy mumbled. "There are others coming here now aren't there? Why? Why are they after us? What can we possibly do to them?"

Ash shrugged and opened her arms. Curious, he went over to her and let her hug him. "A lot of things Zora," she told him. "There are groups in the world right now that do not like the bonds between Pokemon and humans nor do they like those of us who have powers they do not. So they are hunting us, you, Thomas, and that boy Mark especially. And we can't let them win but I think you know that."

Zoran nodded quietly. He didn't have the answers he wanted but his gaze said he would get them. he understood this much though and quickly came to a decision. "I'll fight," he said softly, firmly. "If my friends are fighting then so will I." Doom barked his agreement and Sparx let out a lion's roar. Zoran looked at Thomas. "Your power... is light? And... it's stuck? Maybe I can get it out."

Ash smiled quietly. Even young, confused, and a fish-out-of water, Zoran was always a clever, pragmatic, good-hearted person, even when his destructive urges overpowered him. He adapted quickly even though his mother threw him off center, though she did that to everybody. She got up and nodded firmly. "Okay, everybody, which includes you three antisocialites over there!" she called referring to Mark and his friends. "If the RDM are gonna come after us, that means we are gonna kick them the heck out! I refuse to lose to a bunch of hypocritical jerks because they think they've got firepower. So, we need to fortify this area. Any suggestions? Not dynamite but god is that tempting." Mickey snorted.
 
"Do you think you can? Do you need Esper to show you where to look, or can you find it on your own," Thomas asked. That was a dumb question. Darkness could always find light and light could always find darkness. That was the way of things.
"Scratch that, I just realized how incredibly dumb that sounded," Thomas said. Van walked around, sniffing the area.
"My nose was one of the best in the RDM. I'll be able to tell you if anything that shouldn't be here comes. Humans. pokemon that aren't supposed to live here, and especially Trigger, Garet, and that Lucario," Van said softly.
"That was Leo Skyhigh. I can let you guess how he got that name. But, I'm going to show you how I became known as Winny Shieldmaker!" Winny said. She erected sereval powerful Light Screens around the area. Those would not easily be broken. Marcus sat down and tried to call another vision. That was just about all he could do.
"I've got Sparkles. She's pretty tough. And I have a secret weapon Simon gave me, but I don't want to pull him out. Ursaring doesn't listen to me at all," Mia said quietly. Robby vaulted himself on top of the roof. The air was clearer up here, and it would be easier to detect any vibrations in it.
 
Ash nodded firmly and placed one hand on the ground. The air pulsed and a disrupting Aura made its way through the air. "We have a barrier for now," she stated quietly. "And that Lucario's going in blind now. That Aura is a big pain in the rear for enemies. Easily detected but it gives off being in every other direction than the one it's actually coming from. It's a good one for once." She walked off toward a tree, digging under the roots before grinning. Ah she loved the smell of dynamite.

Zoran nodded, almost shyly. He held out a hand, palm-up, toward Thomas. His body began to be covered in black and violet fire. Zaria blinked. She could hear the shadows. They were pleased, immensely so. Zoran closed his eyes. The shadows obeyed his unspoken command, drawn by the faded light. Behind it was a lock. Zoran bit his lip. This was likely going to hurt its user. Oh well, he wanted it. He reached out and unlocked it, swearing he heard a metal clank. It was really easy. That Pokemon said it had been hard... weird. He drew his power back, wondering if it worked. he watched Van, wanting to make sure he was okay.

Alyss looked at Mia. "He might listen to one of us if worse comes to worse. Keep him ready." Mickey had gone inside and had come out with blankets.

"Okay, here's my suggestion," he said. "Not all of us should fight at once. Some of the stronger and some of the weaker should be out at the same time. The rest, exhausted or not, stay in the RV as back up. One CT should be out at any given time, to keep their attention occupied.
 
Thomas felt Zoran's shadows enter him. It was a very strange sensation. He vaguely wondered if it had felt this weird when Thomas had sent his light inside Zor when they were fighting. Oh well, he'd never be able to find out now. They found the lock very quickly and unlocked it. That was odd. They made it look easy! The light responded hatefully. This wasn't the domain of the shadows! It chased them out and flooded through Thomas all at once. The result was quite painful.

"Ahh!" Thomas yelled as he fell to his knees and glowed brightly. Light flooded into his "vision" and blinded him in white. When he looked around, he could see the light of each of his friends. Esper yowled softly and Thomas put his hand on his head. Then Thomas got back to his feet. He pulled Razor's pokeball off his belt and examined it. He had no idea how it was locked. He put it back. He didn't want to mess with it and break the ball, or worse, hurt the pokemon inside.

"Thanks Zor. And I'm sorry about my light trying to blast you a second ago," he said. The light was very active and it responded to his summons well. He smiled. That was good. He had a feeling he would need it soon. He turned to Ash.
"I agree with those suggestions. Also, we need either Van or Winny out here all the time. They can tell us who the real threats are and who is just some punk. Trigger, Garet, and Leo can't have been the only powerful members they had," Thomas said. Esper turned to Zoran.

"I wonder why it was so easy for you to open it but I couldn't do a thing. I nearly killed myself the last time I tried," Esper said happily. He didn't care what the reason was. He was glad Thomas was back at full strength!
 
The shadows instantly shied back, hissing angrily. Zoran didn't notice right away but he patted one as it flew back. 'Sokay," he mumbled. "s'okay." They settled, but they seemed annoyed. "I dunno..." The boy peered at Esper. "Maybe it's 'cause you were throwin' yourself at it with your power. Locks don't have emotion; they just need to be opened or broken. Maybe dat's it..."

Mickey nodded. "Good idea. However, they should stay hidden unless they're specifically going to battle one for a good reason. If they get taken out, some of us could get overwhelmed."
 
Partners Reunited

So this was the RDM base of Venice. Leo opened the portfolio to pull out his RDM brace before closing it again and making his way into the base. When a Mightyena appeared to challenge him, the Lucario showed him his RDM brace. "Leo SkyHigh," he said, "not an intruder. I need to see Garet TruthSeeker."

The Mightyena calmed down and nodded. "He went this way," he replied in the language of Pokemon. He didn't know whether the Lucario spoke Italian.
As Leo followed the canine, he remembered something. "Hang on. I'm not familiar with the layout of this base, and I need to file a report." They changed course, and the Lucario thought back to what he had seen. Weren't all of the known CTs supposed to be around the same age? And why would a little boy be with the other humans? Not to mention that two talking Pokemon were with them. The Wynaut's last words before Leo had turned and left indicated that she was probably not with the RDM anymore. Just an assumption on my part, Leo thought.

~~~~~

Garet left the room. If he had to make one more report for the remainder of that day, he was going to bite someone! Or maybe set something on fire! Too many words, in his opinion, and it used up time that he could've spent making plans. His nose twitched in recognition of a familiar scent. Garet turned to see a Mightyena and...Leo!

"Thank you," Leo nodded to the Mightyena, who turned and headed back for the entrance. "How's it been, Garet?" he asked, stopping in front of the Arcanine.

"Somewhat frustrating," Garet answered. "Now hurry up with those stupid reports. We need to decide what to do next."
 
"That's not it. My power of empathy is gone. I was trying to break it. Hmm... Maybe it has something to do with how it was made. The one who made it is a psychic type that is tougher than I am. He knew about me, and probably crafted the lock so I wouldn't be able to do a thing. And of course, he wouldn't have known what you can do, or if he did, he couldn't know how to defend against it. Or I could be totally missing the mark. Either way, thanks," Esper said. He had a slight headache now. He had thrown himself at that damn thing until he had knocked himself silly. And then Zoran came along and broke it with no effort! Was this the powers of the CTs?

Mia called out Delcatty and Sparkles.
"Ok, you two know what to do! Just like before!" she said. The two pokemon began digging in the ground and making pitfall traps. She walked around, trying to think what else to do. Those misspent years of her youth were finally becoming useful!

Thomas looked around. He still couldn't see anything with his light vision. He wondered what he could do to open his pokeballs. He flexed his powers and blasted a shrub nearby. Good, that didn't take that much power. He wondered if he could bend the light around other people nthe way he could himself. Probably. But he had to test it out.
"Yo, I need a volunteer! I'm going to turn you invisible. Want to try?" he asked. Mia walked over to him.
"I'll try," she said.
"I've only done this to myself before, I have no idea what could happen," Thomas said.
"I'm not afraid. I trust you," she said simply. Thomas then bent the light around her, turning her invisible. But to him, she lit up like a christmas tree. He removed it after a moment. It was tough than blasting something, but a lot easier than moving something through the light like that glass of water. He still wasn't sure if the glass had shattered in the light or when he dropped it.

Trigger got out of the room. Damn fool. He didn't have to answer to that up tight Tyrouge! He shook his head and flew. He spotted Garet talking with a lucario he identified as Leo Skyhigh. When had he gotten back? Whatever. He landed on a branch and began preening. He hadn't cleaned his feathers in a while, and was starting to develop a drag. That was unacceptable. It slowed him down in a fight, and that would mean death. Especially if he was about to have to do what he thought he was.
 
Zoran blinked confusedly. "You're welcome?" He went over to Alyss, who was unfurling her wings slowly, trying to ease up the muscles. He blinked at her. There was a spirit in her too but it seemed very quiet. That was okay then. He rubbed his eyes. How come he could see the spirits but they couldn't? Well, he was crazy... The little boy shrugged and gave up on thinking about it. he began to absently draw in the sandy area by the RV. The shadows poked up curiously and then went back down again.

Zaria frowned. Those things were acting so weird. Mickey looked in the RV. Bryan stumbled outside. His eyes were still violet but the chains were gone. He stared blankly ahead, not sure where he was going.
 
Leo raised an eyebrow before walking into the reports section, whatever the official name was. If Garet had been that quick to get on with something, then whatever it was, it was more serious than usual. If that was possible where the Arcanine was concerned. Leo decided to hold onto the portfolio and its contents until he could find someone to go through its papers.

Garet looked over at Trigger. The Staraptor was preening, from the looks of it. The Arcanine didn't fully understand what that was supposed to do, and he wasn't going to take the time to find out. He didn't have feathers or wings, so there was no point. The Arcanine settled down against the wall opposite the door Leo had gone through. "When you and Leo are done," he called to Trigger, "we need to go over what we know about those humans and plan our next move." Garet could wait that long.
 
Van walked around. He was still sniffing the area. He looked down at his paw. The RDM band that he had gotten so long ago was still there. He had thought he had removed it. He put his paw in his mouth and yanked on the thing. He pulled it off and spat it out. He didn't need it anymore. He wasn't Van Flaresoul or Vulpix. He was just Van. That was the name he had been born with. He walked back to the others.
"So... When do you think they're coming?" Van asked.

Thomas watched as Winny put up more Light Screens. He began to wonder if he could do that. He didn't want to try right now. Experimenting with his powers took a lot out of him. He would need that strength to do what he knew he could do in a little while. Esper walked over to him.
"We're not going to let anything happen to any of them," Thomas mumbled.
"No, we won't. Our strength will protect our friends," Esper said. They knew they would need all the tricks they had to get out of this one. Thomas reviewed what he could do well, what he could kind of do, and what he didn't think he'd be able to do yet. He could blast his foes. He could blind them. He could turn himself and others invisible. He could become light. He could create illusions. He could move other things through the light, but not well. And they weren't in one piece when he was done either. A plan formed in his mind and he grinned.
"Hey! Have any of you ever heard of Zoroark?" he asked, knowing where this was going to lead because he knew Alyss had a Zorua.

Trigger looked down at Garet. Again? What was it with this guy? Well, he had his own mission. And it likely coincided with Garet's.
"Very well. When Skyhigh gets back then we shall do as you say," he said and continued preening. He had gotten all the gunk out of his wings and tail, the two most important parts. Now he began working on his back. Hmm... He was going to molt soon. But that wouldn't be for a few days.
 
Alyss nodded and so did the others. She released Zanna. "It's can use a stronger form of Illusion, Zanna's ability," the girl said softly. "The ability creates an Illusion of a living creature. Zanna can evolve anytime. She just doesn't want to. Why?"

Zoran went over to Van unexpectedly and hugged him lightly. He didn't know why he did; he just wanted to. "Soon," the boy mumbled. "Can't you feel it? I bet they're already planning their attack. They do things like that."

Zaria agreed in silence, floating over to Bryan. The twin was sitting on the ground in front of the Light Screen, staring blankly ahead. Ash frowned and walked over to him, waving her hand in his face. "Should have worn off," she muttered. "Huh..." The boy was mouthing something silently. Sighing, she walked away, going to help Alyss clean her wings. The girl would need all the ability she could get.
 
OMFG, THERE WERE ZOMBIES?

Mark had watched the scene in front of him go down. When the woman seemed to have left he turned back to the group of kids. His hand stopped quivering. At the sight of her...he had just shut down. It was as if all the fear in the world had entered his mind and froze him.

"Ummm...what just happened?" he was confused, as were Clair and Tony. But Tony seemed more into it. He smiled as if he enjoyed the eccentricity of the scenario. He hopped off his chair and went over to Mark.

"I don't know either, but it seemed important to them. Best not to ask questions. Great to know you are alive by the way."

"Thanks...that reminds me." Mark pulled out the phone. The contact SO was still highlighted. He paused and analyzed what he was about to do. He was about to meet his father for the first time. Meeting your father after fourteen years didn't seem that ridiculous, right? The grass around his legs began to grow. They tangled his knees so that he couldn't move. He had never lost control of his powers that way before, so why now? Mark focused. Maybe he could decrease the intensity of his power. So maybe... The grass began to lower until it was right under his shoes. He looked down. He had done it. Both things. He had managed to lower the grass, and unknowingly, he called his father.

As it rang, Mark contemplated shutting the phone, stomping on it, and never looking back. But he had to know. The phoneline was busy. The beeping continued for a minute and Mark was silent. Of course, this happened at this point in time. Then, all of a sudden, the beeping stopped and a deep breathing was heard.

"Hello? Hello?" Mark yelled. He could hear the breathing still, he had no idea what was going on. Then, a giant BAM, as if a door had been torn off its hinges.

"Ahhh! Regis? It's Samuel Oak. I'm being attacked by them, plea-" the voice trailed off into screaming. Mark fell to the ground, where the grass enveloped him and covered his eyes.
 
"Well, you know I can create mirages. I was just trying to think of ways that could be useful. Maybe we could use that part of the light to scare them. Or it could be useful to trick them during the fight. What do you guys think?" Thomas asked.
"What did you have in mind?" Esper asked. Thomas frowned. He had an idea, but it seemed like a waste of power, which he would need to save. But, maybe it could work.
"Well, I had a thought. Maybe, I could make it look like there are more of us or we are trying to run away or something. They might be confused and go after the wrong ones. But, there is a flaw. I would be able to do it, but I don't think I'd be very useful after I'm through with it. Hmm... Maybe I should think of a new plan," Thomas said slowly.

Van let Zoran hug him with a baffled expression on his face. What had just happened?
"Yeah, I know they're coming soon, but how soon. I don't like the thought of them out there, plotting against us. In a way, I almost want them to hurry up and make their move. This waiting is just putting my nerves on end!" Van said. He looked at Bryan. What was his deal?

Mia walked over to her brother. She looked at Mark as he fell to the ground.
"What happened? Are you ok? Tony, what's going on?!" she asked. She had no idea what had just happened, but she had heard the bang on the phone. Sparkles and Delcatty finished making the traps and walked over to her. Sparkles climbed up on her shoulder.
 
Is he dead?

Tony watched Mia come over to him and ask about Mark. In truth, he himself didn't know what had happened. He had heard the BAM. That was it. Had something happened to his father? After all this, his father is taken away from him, by something.

"Mark, what happened to your father?"

Tony tried to listen through the wall of grass which continued to grow until it appeared Jack would be arriving soon to climb the Beanstock. "He's gone. I don't know where he is. He's gone."

Clair snapped, "Mark, can you trace the call?"

"Not location-wise...no."

"But you're smart. Figure it out." Clair was yelling, but she had the best intention. She had to stop Mark from feeling bad for himself. It was time to take action. "Let's find your dad."
 
Zoran looked at the boy who was making the grass grow. He sighed. Honestly why were older people so silly? He understood being afraid but being sorry was a silly idea when someone was hurt. He sighed again. Growing up seemed so annoying now. He let Vulpix go and told him. "You shouldn't be that way. It will make you angry when we have to fight." Then he marched over to the large grass and called. "Would you stop that? Your friends want to help but you're being mean and avoiding them!" He shook his head. "Why do you grownups always run away because something's hard?"

Ash grinned at this, as Alyss seemed to whine through her work. "Careful, I gotta get this feather-" She yelped and Ash saw a drop of blood. "Sorry, but here, I'm done." Alyss nodded. She didn't like people messing with her wings, even if they were dirty. She'd rather clean them herself.

Mickey nudged Bryan, who remained quiet, still staring. Sighing he dragged the boy back inside. This kid was useful. No reason for him to die here. "Look THomas," he said when he came back out. "We need to figure out how to get your Pokemon out. Maybe it's a Psychic lock"
 
Thomas shook his head. Zoran was still calling them adults. Heh, the only ones that really qualified were Ash, Robby, and Clair. And maybe Mickey. Thomas couldn't be sure how old he was until he could see him for himself without the light vision. But to an eight year old, everyone over the age of 12 was an adult. And he himself was bigger than many grown men he had fought already. He turned to Mickey.
"What do you propose we do? I can't see what's wrong with them. Here, have a look yourself," Thomas said tossing Deluge's pokeball at him.

Van looked at Zoran and nodded. Blind panic wasn't going to do anyone any good right now. He walked over to the pile of grass. The kid in there was being useless. When things got tough you were supposed to work through them. Thomas always did that. Zoran too. All of them did, even Marcus!
"Hey! That's not helping anyone! If you want him to be ok, then go do something about it!" Van said irritably. He hated people sitting there and feeling sorry for themselves. It made him want to bite something.
"Hey, what was the area code on that number? Because that would narrow down a search for him," Mia said suddenly. All the area codes were different, and she knew the ones in Venice, so she would be able to bring them to the region the code was used for. If it was a Venice number that is. If not, then they would be SOL.
 
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