The Children Are Hunted

Vulpix just laughed at that. He set his head down, but jumped when he heard Marcus snoring softly.
"Is he, Is he alright?" Vulpix asked. Then, deciding he didn't care enough to hear the answer, lay his head down to go to sleep. Esper looked at him for a awhile. He was curled up with the Houndour and the Luxio. Esper scanned him again. He was still worried about Thomas, and still had something blocking his private thoughts, but Esper could see something about him. His hard shell was coming down. He was beginning to care for the humans, and was frightened that he felt that way. Esper decided he didn't deserve the mistrust to much anymore. He sent what he had picked up to Zaria, then went to sleep on the chait he was laying on.
 
Zaria smiled faintly at the thought, feeling everyone falling asleep. She didn't reply to Esper, knowing the Pokemon wouldn't want to be woken up. "That was a good lie Zora," she praised.

"I'm good at those," he replied, speaking mentally now.

"That Pokemon is scared."

"When your world changes it is pretty scary."

"I guess so... Night Zora."

"Night."
 
The Search Begins.

Agatha watched the Arcanine, Garet, walk into her office. She had one Litwick left with her, which she held in her lap. She was happy to see such a strong Pokemon in such a high position in the RDM. She flipped her hair to avoid it getting in her head.

"Garet, this an important mission I wanted to talk with you about. There is somebody following the boy. A girl, Clair. I wished to ask of you, to try to find her. Merin has put a tracker on her." Agatha tossed Garet a small device which tied itself around his paw.

"Could you, please, go find her? I would go, but, she could easily outrun me. Also, so you know I am to be trusted, I would like to entrust you with the secret of the boy."

Agatha motioned for everyone else to leave the room. She lowered her voice to ensure there would be no eavesdropping.

"The young man is a trainer. Yet, for some reason he is different than most. It has been suggested, that those who have a kind heart and kindred spirit, would be bestowed with a special power of sorts. There are maybe 5 trainers, chosen by an unknown source."

Agatha waited for Garet to take in everything she had said. Then, she began to talk again, this time back in her normal voice.

"The girl, Clair, has no doubt something with the boy. A connection of sorts. Yet, she is also connected to the AAPM. If you manage to bring her here, the boy will come to save her. We may also get some information from her about the boss of AAPM."

This time the Litwick turned to speak.

"But, why would she know about the boss?"

"She doesn't. But the young man's father is Regis Ronimoba. The leader of the AAPM."

The room was quiet.

**************************************************************************

Shauntal sat, writing in her small journal. She was on RISE Island. RISE. Removal. Island. Safe. Evacuation. Agatha had thought of the plan. She was breaking Pangaea apart, loosening off some land and creating a region just for Pokemon. So far, it had worked well. There were five cities, populated only by Pokemon. Slateport, Dewford, Mossdeep, Ever Grande, and Littleroot. They had been around for maybe a year now, and had flourished beautifully.

Yamask floated over to her as she dug her face in her stories. The Adventures of Shauntal. She had been working on it for quite a while. She had written about her time at the RDM. She had been found by Agatha, floating on a log in the middle of the ocean. Shauntal couldn't remember what she was doing there, but that's how she was found. She hugged her knees close to her chest and waited as Yamask danced around her. Ghost Pokemon were beautiful creatures, she loved them with all her heart. One day, she hope to live far away with all her spirits.

Shauntal was waiting in the space reserved for Pacifidlog City. Here, the tides would take any person that fell in the ocean. Here, she was found. She looked around at the construction behind her. Half the island was underwater, perfect for underwater Pokemon like Corsola and Frillish. She gazed out into the Forever Ocean that stretched into oblivion. She wondered what was on the other side of the world. Agatha warned her not to think too deeply about it. Then, she saw a bump in the water. Maybe her friend had found him. Lugia.

**************************************************************************

Mark had no idea where he was going, but he saw land. He just wanted to get out of the ocean. The giant bird, Lugia, had saved him from the depths of the Forever Ocean. There had been so many whirlpools out there, but strangely, there was land. But Pangaea was the only land in the world. Strange as that was, he had no time to worry about that now. Ducky was swimming next to Lugia and his other Pokemon were just riding Lugia's back.

Mark could just barely make out another young girl sitting on a rock with a ghost-like pokemon floating around her. Lugia cruised to the edge of the beach and spoke," Hello, Shauntal. Wast this the boy you were talking about?"

"Yes, thank you so much, Lugia. What is your name young man?"

"I'm Mark! These are my friends, Ducky, Volcan, Fighter, and Gligar. We're inseparable. Shauntal, is it? Thanks for saving me with Lugia."

"Perfectly fine." Shauntal had to play her cards right, so that he wouldn't know about RDM's plan, "Look out for Yamask, he doesn't like humans."

The small ghost danced around Mark who began to laugh and spin along with Yamask. "I guess he likes me!"

Shauntal was shocked that Yamask just liked Mark so quickly. That hadn't even happened to Agatha or her. Maybe there was something special about this boy. She wouldn't turn him in, just yet. He wanted to learn more.

Mark laughed along with the ghost, Yamask. It was so spirited and kind. He had decided he would trust Shauntal. If you can't trust the person who saved your life, who can you trust.

**************************************************************************

Clair had left Tokyo. She didn't know where she was, but she had to be somewhere in India. It was cold and her Pokemon hated the cold. Her sweater was barely enough to keep her warm and she had ignored maybe ten calls from the AAPM. She was going to go save the young man and then...then bring him back to Regis. She took a deep breath and kept on her motorcycle. She would get there soon.

She could barely hear the small buzzing behind her right ear.
 
Marcus woke up refreshed. He looked around. Esper blinked at him, then hopped out of the chair. Marcus knew from expierence that Zoran was probably already awake, but couldn't be sure.
"Zoran, you awake? It's morning!" Marcus said softly. Esper's eyes twinkled at him. That pokemon was so, odd. The way he could comunicate with Thomas from so far away was just... Odd! Marcus grabbed some clean clothes and took a shower. He came out after he was done and looked at Vulpix. It was easy to forget that he was an enemy, especially with the way he was curled up in a pile with Zoran's pokemon. He reached out to pet him, and Vulpix growled at him.
"Touch me, and you'll lose that hand. I'm sore all over, and your clumsy hands won't help anything!" Vulpix said. He opened an eye, but didn't move. Maybe he was waiting for the others to move before he got up himself.

Thomas also woke up rejuvinated. He was ready for whatever lay ahead. He spotted a tray with a bowl of oatmeal on it. Deluge was asleep right on his chest. The events of yesterday seemed so far away. He could feel it, today he was going to get out of this cell! He shook Deluge awake, and the two of them dug into the oatmeal. It was cold, and tasted terrible, but that lunch had been so far away. Then Thomas tested the connection with Zaria.
"Zaria, you there?" Thomas asked quietly. He didn't get an answer at first, but became slowly aware of a gentle purring. He tried to place where he had heard it before.
"Esper?" Thomas asked. The purring increased in volume, and Thomas felt himself flooded with joy and relief.
 
Zoran, who had been thinking for the past hour, turned over and sighed. "Hiya..." There was a strange exhaustion in his face, but he shook himself and sat up. "Everybody sleep all right?" There were various growls of assent from his two Pokemon as they sat up. Zoran grinned at them and pulled out apple slices for them, having somehow kept the fruit cold the whole time. He placed them on a plate. "Vulpix just keep resting for a bit. When I'm done in the shower, I'm going to clean you off and bandage your wounds again. Oh Marcus," He placed a few bills on the desk. "Do me a favor and buy more: healing items, including pain pills, food, a sewing kit, and yourself a gift. It's fine, don't worry." He disappeared into the bathroom, intent on showering. He shot his head out the door to add. "By the way, there's more food Pokemon, so make sure Vulpix eats." Doom yipped his agreement. "You too Esper." He disappeared.

Zaria gave Thomas a soft good morning, keeping an eye on the Pokemon, releasing Cody from his ball to join them. She wondered what Marcus would do with the money after he got what they needed.
 
Marcus took the money. After making sure each pokemon had some food, he walked out to the streets after writing a list. He found his way to the pokemart and bought the items. He counted what was left. Quite a bit. Zoran expected him to spend all of this on himself? He counted out half, and put it with the items. What was left would be more than enough to get himself some trinket or another. He walked down the road. The town had an old school bazaar type of place. He heard someone in a stall shouting and wandered over. There were a great deal of pokeballs stacked up.
"Come on everyone! I present to you the greatest water type pokemon ever! Magicarp! The pokemon dreams are made of!" the merchant said. He spotted Marcus, well, because he was the only one around.
"Ah, my young friend! You look like a pokemon expert! Surely you understand the magnificence of this pokemon! I'm offering him at the low price of $50! Surely, a better deal you could not find anywhere!" the merchant said. Marcus considered this.
"Magicarp, huh? What can it do?" Marcus asked.
"A better question would be what CAN'T it do? How about it? Only $50!" the merchant said. Marcus had about $45 left over after taking out half of what was left. He would have to take more money, but on the other hand, his parents had bought Clefairy! She turned out to be a great pokemon!
"I'll take it!" Marcus said.
"A wise choice, my young friend! All purchases are non refundable, not that you'd want to get a refund! Here's your new pokemon!" the merchant said, handing over the pokemon after he got the money. Marcus grinned and ran back to the hotel room. He burst in the door and said, "I just got a Magicarp! A vender sold him to me! He's going to be great, I know it!"

(OOC: sorry, couldn't resist.)
 
Zaria gaped. "Oh no, you didn't!" She then burst into giggles. Zoran glanced up from where he was gently retying Vulpix's bandages and checking on Esper and Volt.

"Do you know what a Magikarp is?" Zoran asked curiously, grinning faintly. "You'll have a lot of work with that guy. Magikarp is a fish Pokemon who was badly weakened from some genetic mutation. When it evolves it's pretty scary but until then, you have to train it up really well. It'll be difficult because it can't attack very well, especially out of water."
 
"Hahahahahah! You're such a fool! Magicarp aren't that strong! Hahah- OW! Watch it!" Vulpix said, yelping when he shifted in Zoran's grasp. Volt was trying to attract Sparx's attention, while Esper was watching the whole scene.
"What, you mean I shouldn't have bought him?" Marcus asked, his words faltering a little.
"I didn't say that! You may have saved that little guy from a far worse fate! Humans can be so cruel to pokemon they consider weak or worthless. At least with you and the others, Magicarp will get what he needs," Vulpix said. Marcus blinked. That was the closest Vulpix had ever come to saying something nice about anyone! Marcus wordlessly handed the supplies to Zoran. He got his stuff ready to go.
"Whenever you're ready, I'm ready!" Marcus said.

Thomas was sick of waiting. He walked over to the door.
"Hey! When you take me somewhere else, where will I be going?" Thomas shouted.
"I don't think you need to know that! Now, keep it down! You'll make me lose this game!" Kevin shouted back.
"What are you playing?" Thomas asked.
"Halo! Now shut up!" Kevin shouted. Thomas waited for a moment.
"Can I play?" Thomas asked.
"What are you, nuts? You're a prisoner! Prisoners don't get to play video games!" Kevin said. Thomas tried a bit more, but gave up.
"Could you at least turn up the volume so I can hear it?" Thomas asked suddenly.
"Will you shut up and let me play if I do?" Kevin asked, ready for some peace. Thomas agreed, and sat down, enjoying the sounds of slaughter going on in the next room. From what he could gather, Kevin was either really good, or really bad. Thomas bet that it was the latter. He looked at the window. Maybe he could read the sign he saw earlier! He looked out at it. The Sleep Powder had evidently worn off, and he saw it perfectly! It said the name of a company. He repeated this information to Zaria or Esper, whichever one of them was keeping tabs on him right now.
 
Zaria nodded and whispered in her brother's ear. He smiled quietly and packed up, watching Sparx peer curiously at Volt. Doom gently rested Esper on his back. It was likely more comfortable than his partner's shoulders. Zoran nodded, checking them out of the hotel. "Well, you're takin' the lead again Marcus. You know how to get to Toledo and I don't. So show us the way."
 
Marcus nodded and led them down the road. Esper whacked Doom with his paw and hopped off of the Houndour's back. He was easily keeping pace with them. He seemed to be feeling better. Marcus looked at Volt. The Elektrike wasn't usually this friendly, and Marcus didn't really care to find out why. Instead, he focused on remembering the way back. It wasn't that hard. He had other things on his mind. He pulled Thomas's pokedex out of the bag, and used it to scan Magicarp. Magicarp was level 13, and it knew the moves Splash and, well, Splash was the only move it knew. Even so, Magicarp was his highest level pokemon.
"Hey, Zoran. You said Magicarp becomes strong on it's own, right? When does it do that? Because Thomas's pokedex says it is level 13! That's a higher level than any of my other pokemon!" Marcus said. He stared at the pokeball.
 
Zoran smiled. "It'll evolve at level 20. So you don't have long to go. But Splash isn't the best move. You could probably use it really creatively though." Sparx looked up at her trainer and let out a soft growl of confusion. "I think he likes you lass," he said to her, causing Sparx to blink and her eyes to widen. She honestly wouldn't have guessed. Doom blinked at Esper and shrugged, returning to padding loyally next to Zaria.

"Did he say that's his highest leveled?" Zaria asked.

"Well he's not taking the Gym challenge."

"Still..."

"Yeah..." Zoran sighed. "Marcus, what are the levels of your other Pokemon?"
 
"I have a level 11 Clefairy and a level 9 Magby! Not bad for a beginner, huh!" Marcus said. His pokemon weren't as tough as Thomas's or Zoran's, but he was very proud of them! Volt, as if to confirm what Zoran said to Sparx, sparked his fur for a second, then pointidly ignored her. Although he was glancing at her, he looked away whenever she looked at him. Marcus laughed at his antics. Esper's eyes turned violet. Marcus felt something pass through his mind, briefly. He looked at the others and saw that they all felt it too.
"Hey! Fur-brain! I told you to stay out of my head!" Vulpix said angrily to Esper. Esper was scanning the area for hostility. He didn't sense anything that he would consider an enemy, much to his relief. Realizing a little belatedly, he tried to tell Zaria what he was doing. He also tried to explain that he would keep doing it, so they could all relax. He couldn't use Words to tell her, but he figured she'd get the gist of his intentions. She seemed very adept at mental comunication, where you needed no Words.
 
"They are strong," Zoran agreed, with that same familiar grin. "And by training Magikarp, they'll get even stronger. But when Magikarp evolves, that's the real test. You'll have to prove your strength or run for cover."

Zaria nudged him, whispering something. Zoran smiled faintly. "Zaria says that was just Esper checking for hostility. He's gonna do that a lot so he recommends to get used to it."

"Zora... I don't get it. I gave you my power... how can Esper talk to me?"

"You're a ghost for one, psychic thing. For another I don't think you were able to give me all of it, thank God. It's fine Zari, just keep talking with him. You're the only one here right now who understands him."

"Right." Zoran felt something at the back of his head. He decided not to think about it. It wasn't why he was being hunted, that much he knew.
 
Marcus accepted that answer. He hoped that he could deal with Magicarp when he reached level 20. The day seemed to pass quickly, and just before dusk, they were standing at the city limits. Marcus said as much to Zoran. Esper's eye's turned a deep shade of purple as he searched everywhere for Thomas. With a cry, he ran off.
"Wait! Esper, come back here!" Marcus shouted after the cat. Esper stopped and turned around. Vulpix laughed at him.
"Stupid fur-brain! You really want to just run off with no plan! Hah, you're just like him, all muscle and no brains. You are going to get caught! Then you'll never see your precious- AHH! I told you to stay out of my head! That hurts! I said cut it out!" Vulpix said, his eyes glowing a deadly shade of violet. A shade that was matched in Esper's eyes. Vulpix was twisting and turning in Zoran's arms. Then Marcus heard in his mind, I have been patient with you! But if you say one more word against him, I will turn you into a mindless shell and set you to walk out into the ocean and never come back!
Everyone in the immediate area heard it. Children started crying, adults looking around nervously. Marcus got very scared.
"Fine! I'm sorry!" Vulpix said, still twisting around, looking at things that weren't really there.
"Esper, leave him alone!" Marcus heard himself saying. Volt walked over to Esper and growled a challenge. Volt against Esper? Marcus had never seen him raise a paw against Esper, and yet here he was. Esper slowly released Vulpix, and walked off toward where he was going.
 
Garet just stared at Agatha for a minute, thinking over what she'd just said. The boy he'd been chasing was the son of AAPM's leader? And yet, the boy was out and about on his own (unless you counted the Pokemon with the boy) with this Clair on his trail. The Arcanine recalled what the man in the bridge toll booth had said.

The boy also, probably, had some sort of special power. Along with up to four other trainers that could be anywhere in the world.

At least Garet finally had some idea of why the RDM - and perhaps the AAPM - were after the boy. "So you want me to find this Clair," he said, looking back down at the small device around his paw. "And the boy is the son of AAPM's leader. I find it weird that he'd be on his own. How does this thing work, again?" The Arcanine indicated the device.
 
Zoran sighed. "Your big mouth is going to keep getting you into trouble isn't it?" he gently chided Vulpix. Zaria flew after Esper, looking worried. Zoran smiled painfully. He had been hit by Psychic attacks before, some nearly frying his brain, but the emotion in that one made him sick. He knew Zaria wasn't much better either. "All Esper has is Thomas. You shouldn't insult the bonds someone has with someone else, even if it is a human. Besides, Thomas may be reckless, but he's a good guy." He walked after the Psychic-type.

Volt followed Sparx, who was snarling viciously in Esper's direction. You did not just attack her partner or someone he cared about and expect to get away with it. Doom was growling in agreement. Zoran clicked his tongue and the two stilled, instantly calming. However, there was something unforgiving in their eyes as they followed.

"Vulpix and Esper both went too far," Zaria mumbled and Zoran nodded. However, neither brought up the subject any further.
 
Thomas paced impatiently in his cell. It was starting to get dark outside. The other guard had long since yelled at Kevin to turn the volume on his game down. Thomas wondered what was taking them so long.
"Zaria! Are you guys alright?" he asked. He knew he sounded impatient. He really didn't care. He was about to start pulling his hair out. He didn't like being rescued. He'd much rather be the rescuer.

Marcus ran after Zoran and the others. He tried to think of something, anything to break the icy silence. Esper was walking at the front of the group, flicking his tail at the rest of them. Volt, Sparx, and Doom were following not to far behind. Volt was still growling at Esper, and the other two, while they weren't about to kill him like Volt was, were still quite agitated. Zoran was behind them, carrying the still recovering Vulpix. Marcus walked side by side with Zoran.
"So... I wonder how they've been treating Thomas,"
"He's important to them, so they've likey been leaving him alone. They probably have him locked in some room somewhere! Hahaha! I bet he's hating every minute of it!" Vulpix said weakly. Marcus hoped that Vulpix was right. He had a very active imagination, and after seeing Zoran change the bandages on Vulpix this morning, he was trying not to imagine what they were doing to Thomas.
 
"As fine as we're expected to be. We'll get there when Esper gets us there," the little girl replied in a mixture of exhaustion and patience. Honestly, the psychic wave earlier had left her close to tears. Only her brother's quiet ease was keeping her from crying. Zoran let a placid smile cross his face.

"As self-degrading as that was, Vulpix is right. They need him, us, so they aren't just gonna torture him, not until they get permission to. Honestly," Zoran frowned. "I'm not sure that's a good thing. To be deemed important by scum like that..." He hissed. "How foul."
 
Thomas sighed. He sat down. About thirty minutes later, Deluge shrieked and fell off of the window sill. Thomas got up and looked out side. He saw Esper leading his friends down the street. He felt Esper purring in his mind, and realized what he was about to do.
"Zaria! Esper's about to bust in the window! That will ruin the surprise, and get him caught! You have to stop him and come in a different way!" Thomas said as Esper started walking purposefully toward the room he was in.
 
Zaria nodded and sent out a feeling of panic and denial. She tried to tell him to stop, filling his mind with painful images and Thomas' worries, trying to explain that this would get his partner in trouble and they had to find another entrance. Zoran stilled, getting the backlash. He sighed. "Sis, careful..."

"It's all right," she murmured. "I have to stop Esper before he does something stupid. Keep Razor's Pokeball on hand." Zoran nodded, clutching the bird's ball.
 
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