The Children Are Hunted

Thomas was slightly aware of what was going on around him. He felt something struggling in his bag. He couldn't say anything, his muscles were all seized up still. Luckily, Marcus grabbed the bag and opened it up. A very distressed looking Vulpix leapt out.
"I can't believe they did it!" Vulpix cried angrily.
"Did what?" Marcus asked. Vulpix shook himself free of the clutter that was stuck to his fur.
"I had heard rumors that my former allies were building something to take away a pokemons power! They turned it on right after Thomas freed Zoran and Zaria. I felt it! I couldn't do anything! I can't believe they would do something like that!" Vulpix said angrily.
"Aren't you glad you're with us now?" Marcus asked him. He turned to Ash when she landed.
"What now? We got Zoran back, and Zaria. But those two and Thomas are in really bad shape. Don't we still need the antidote?" Marcus said worriedly.
"Maybe it will wear off on it's own?" Vulpix said hopefully, sniffing Zoran to be sure he wasn't injured.
 
"It will," Ash said quietly. "It has to be able to and I'm not saying that out of hope. Poisons like this have to wear off incase they don't have an antidote on them. So chill." Metagross set the pair down and Ash went check on Thomas. "Thomas, I know you're in pain, but listen. Just stay calm so Deena's Heal Pulse can get through to you. You're not going to be able to move for a while so I suggest letting go for a bit and taking a rest." With some effort, she carefully moved Thomas onto a blanket Riley had brought.

"And Zora's fine," Deena added, following her. "His injuries can heal on their own. The shadows aren't stupid; just bloodthirsty." Her eyes traveled toward Zaria. "It's been a few years since I've seen her pass out though. Ness, try connecting with her." The Metagross obeyed but then winced, shaking his head. Nothing. Deena sighed. "Great, we're stuck here until one of these guys can recover."
 
Thomas tried to let go, he really did. But his whole body felt like it was on fire. Not quite as bad as before. That Heal Pulse seemed to be helping. He tried to relax his mind, but he felt the strange emptiness. His power was sleeping, building back up, and Esper was still out like a light. Thomas wished he could pass out too. That would make things easier for all of them. But fate wasn't that kind. He hurt, but not enough to pass out from it. And there was nothing else wrong with him that could cause it. Oh well, he'd never been a good patient, although he tried. He guessed he wasn't going to start now. He tried to focus on somthing else. He felt very proud of himself. He was willing to bet that they had taken Zor because he could control his power. But not being able to control the light was what got Zoran out of there. He knew he had to get control, and he would! He had this awesome power inside him. If he couldn't make it do what he wanted, then why did he have it. So by that token, he knew he would learn to control it.

"Well, we have your team, Thomas and Zoran's teams, though I don't know if they'll listen, and my team. I think if they come back, we can handle it. But I wish we could move them. That would make things a lot easier," Marcus said sadly. He looked at Thomas. Was he smiling? Marcus couldn't believe it! He was hurt so bad he couldn't even move, and he was smiling! What was going on with him?!
 
Ash shrugged. "Like Zari said, your friend's stupid." She went to sit by Zoran. "It's not that we can't move them; more like we shouldn't." She began to rebandage him, his arm and back both bleeding on the ground. "As you can guess, the constant movement's caused these to open up. So Zora's useless. But... we can't all stay in one place when we're being hunted." She sighed. "Tomorrow I'm going to take Zora and Deena back home with Zari. Later I'll come back and get you guys. Even if we;re watched there, if we stay out here, we're more likely to get caught. The battlefield doubles as a shelter. So it'll be all right. But for now we need rest."
 
"Oh, I'm stupid huh? Well, my plan worked, so I can't be that- Ahg!" Thomas said slowly as he tried to sit up. He sighed and leaned back. Deena was doing wonders with that Heal Pulse!
"Hah! I think that she's right about that!" Vulpix said.
"I think I have to agree with Vulpix. You can't move without getting hurt. You know that, and what's the first thing you do? Try to sit up! And blasting into that room! You could have been killed! That wouldn't have helped anything! Don't scare us like that again!" Marcus said. Thomas blinked his still blinded eyes. Where had that come from?
"It all worked out alright, didn't it? I'm going to be fine, Zoran's going to be fine, Zaria's going to be fine! Everthing worked out ok in the end! And the risks I take are my own buisness!" Thomas said angrily.
"Not when you have friends who are counting on you! You have no idea how close we all came to getting caught!" Marcus said. He was nearing hysteria.
"Alright, I'll be more careful in the future. But I will stand by my decision. We only got Zoran and Zaria out of there because I was willing to risk my life. And it wasn't just me either! Everyone risked everything to save them, and save me when I got hurt! So, thanks!" Thomas said. Marcus was caught off guard by the sudden change in attitude. He mumbled out a 'your welcome.' Vulpix snorted.
"Ha, you guys are fools! Everything worked out because it was going to work out!" Vulpix said. He knew what he meant, but couldn't say it any better than that.
"Yup! And it worked out because we had you as a good luck charm!" Thomas said, whincing in pain as he said the words. He still couldn't move. He would have to deal with it though.
 
Ash sighed. "Not sure that's completely true Thomas, but we can hope." She turned to Zaria, whose eyes were clearing slightly. "Deena, keep the moron still or I'll let Riley electrocute him."

"No murdering the patient," Deena ordered smoothly, glancing in her direction. "Zaria stay still, you were hurt pretty badly." Zaria coughed and obeyed, her face pale.

"How's Zora?"

"Unconscious and trying to sleep off breaking the cage you were in.the venom's still in his body." Her eyes flickered at this.

"You guys are out, don't worry."

"But that lady-"

"Left when we found you." Zaria remained quiet at this, looking sad. She managed a nod and closed her eyes, trying to contact her brother.
 
Esper popped out of his pokeball. He had finally come to after what had happened. After a quick look around, he started purring. He couldn't really do anything yet, but he walked over to Thomas and lay down next to him, letting him know that he was there. Thomas grimaced as he moved his hand so that it was resting on Esper, causing him to pur even louder.
"Did I just hear Zaria?" Thomas asked.
"I heard nothing, but then again, I can't hear her. So maybe. Deena seems to be talking to her now," Marcus said to Thomas.
"Don't worry Zaria. We'll get her," Thomas said gently. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do with her when he did get her. But he wanted to get her none the less. You didn't hurt his family and get away with it! He decided to stop talking before Ash made good on her threat.
 
"No..." Zaria tried to say but her voice was weak from screaming and the power she had last used. Deena still heard.

"What do you mean no?"

"Help... she helped... Zora... he says..."

Ash paled. "Maybe that woman wasn't as foolish as I thought." She released Kira. "Can you go get some firewood?" The Pokemon nodded and bolted off. Ash sighed, beginning to feel irritation. "Deena, how's it going?"

"Better, his muscles are relaxing more. That's a start. But like I said Thomas, don't use your power for the next few days even when you get it back. Your body needs to recover."
 
"She helped? Alright, so she may not be that bad. Which means that someone put her up to this. Which means that someone will likely try again. But I think we have a little time to rest and lick our wounds. And don't worry. I'm not going to use mt powers for a while. Even when they come back, I'll think twice about doing anything like that again," Thomas said. He was telling the truth. He would think twice about it, but would probably still try. He then had an idea.
"Maybe we can convince her to help us! It's a long shot, but still," he said, whincing at the force of his statement. He doubted she'd help them, but it was possible. But, like he had said, improbable.
"Thomas, calm down! You're going to hurt yourself again!" Marcus said uregently. Thomas waved him off, then grimaced at the pain he felt. It was reaction pain. He had used his broken arm to wave him away. Still, it hurt. He sighed and put his arm down gently.
 
"Who knows?" Ash mumbled in agreement as Kira came back. "I hate this hunted feeling. It makes me sick." She spat on the ground before gratefully taking the wood from Kira and stting up a small fire. "Not much to work with here but..." Doom popped out of his Pokeball. He let out excited, friendly barks and rushed to Zoran's side, licking his face energetically. The lady wasn't here, but his master was safe. Good enough.

Deena laughed. "Always the excitable one. Go get meat okay Doom?" Doom nodded and ran off into the trees, grinning. Riley plopped on the ground, carefully figuring out which berries were edible.
 
Mark Loses His Touch. Battle for the Shadow Badge!

"Challenger, yell your name please!" Darrell said, swinging himself into the battle arena.

"Umm...I'm Mark." the boy answered softly.

"Eh, Zut! Non, you must be spontaneous! Et Alors, what is your name?"

"I'm Mark!" This time, the boy mustered up the strength to yell out his name. Clair laughed. Mark blushed. He had never seen Clair laugh, let alone, made her laugh.

"Commencez le match? Shall we begin? Aaron, please make your entrance!" Darrell announced in the room. Mark didn't know who he was talking to. Shortly afterward, a young boy came out. He was younger than Darrell, about the same age as Mark.

"I am the Darrell's younger brother!" the accent didn't run in the family. The boy was dressed completely different than Darrell. He had on a white suit with black outer coat. He had long, greenish hair while Darrell had midnight black, short hair. From behind him walked a small Pokemon, a small worm-like creature. It was pink and had spikes on the end of its tail.

"Oh, Wurmple, stay close. I don't want you getting lost again. The battle is usually three on three, so....yeah. Let the match begin!"

"Je Voudrais, Sableye! Come out and show your delighful secrecy."

"Umm....let's go, Buggy."

Aaron spoke, "Ooo! A bug Pokemon! Bug Pokemon are just, just great!" He pulled down his green flags, ultimately beginning the battle.

Sableye eyed the small Sewaddle before making its first move, a quick Poison Jab. Buggy just barely dodged and began glowing a pure white. Now? Buggy was choosing to change now? That's what she must have been doing on the tree, why it got so annoyed when Mark interrupted it. The small caterpillar began growing wider and more circular. A Swadloon was born!

Female Swadloon: (Level 20) Protect, Grasswhistle, Razor Leaf, Silver Wind

This was awful. Mark didn't know all of Buggy's new moves. So, Buggy would have to show him. "Okay Buggy, show me what you've got!"

"Ooh! Great Changes activate at the peak of battles! Let us go, Sableye! Shadow Ball!"

Mark remembered Shadow Ball from Shauntal. Buggy began to puff out a green or around her body to Protect herself. Then, she began to gather the wind around her. She let loose a Wind with a Silver tint. Sableye easily dodged it. Then, a circle of blue flame began surrounding him. He let loose a Will-o-Wisp! It covered Buggy in flames. Buggy got back up. Mark had no idea what that move was but it had hit Buggy harshly. Sableye began forming a small orb that Pulsed Dark energy across the room. He let it loose and it formed a chain-like attack. Buggy put up a small orb to Protectitself again. It barely worked. The chain broke apart and flew around the room. Sableye smiled.

"Now, finish this Will-o-Wisp!"

"Buggy, come back!"

Mark began to return his Pokemon when suddenly Darrell smiled. Sableye looked deep into Buggy's eyes. It was as if thousands of eyes were staring straight at Buggy. They were giving a Look of Mean aura. Darrell smiled as the Will-o-Wisp was started up again and Buggy couldn't leave. Buggy decided to fire out a Silver Wind which fought with the Will-o-Wisp. But the Fire Energy beat the simple wind. Buggy took minimal damage, but still felt the hit. Buggy was about to go down. Mark realized Buggy was stuck there. They weren't going out standing still.

"Go Buggy! Use Razor Leaf!"

"Sableye, use Dark Pulse!"

Buggy summoned up a storm of leaves. It was as if it was being powered up by Mark's willpower. Sableye's Dark Pulse was no match. Mark decided to take on a tactical approach. Sableye didn't take a hard hit, but still stumbled. Buggy looked at him and fired off a Silver Wind. Sableye jumped up and brought down a Poison Jab right on top of Buggy just as she let loose a beautiful Grasswhistle. Sableye grew weary and Buggy sent him flying with a close-range Silver Wind. Sableye was still asleep. Buggy fired off another Razor Leaf that hit against Sableye, sending him into the air where he awoke. Then he came down with another Poison Jab. Buggy Protected himself but Sableye sent off a Will-o-Wisp which hit Buggy. Buggy tumbled over. It seemed as if nothing would work against Dark Pokemon.

"Sableye! Allez Le Fin! Finish this with a Shadow Ball"

Mark had a quick plan, "Use Razor Leaf while facing down!"

Buggy was confused, by followed the command. The Razor Leaf was fired in two directions which cut across the Shadow Ball. At the collision, dead leaves were fired everywhere. Buggy wasn't easily seen. Sableye had to focus. Buggy appeared behind him and fired a Razor Leaf. Darrell's eyes widened as did his smile. Sableye span with a Will-o-Wisp and formed a Fire Tornado. It incinerated the leaves. Mark wouldn't be outdone. Buggy began sending a Silver Wind the other way of the Tornado. It began ti slow and then spin the other way as the fire was overcome with Bug power. Sableye was spinning in the middle of the air where he fired a Shadow Ball, hitting Buggy. Then, he got close for a Poison Jab. This was Mark's plan.

"Buggy! Fire off a Razor Leaf, right behind you!"

"Contiuez avec le Poison Jab! Maximum Power."

Just as Sableye was about to connect, a Razor Leaf squashed him to the ground. It had rebounded off the walls and ceiling. He fell, just barely able to hit Buggy who toppled over Sableye. The smoke around the collision confused both combatants. Who would come out victorious in the first battle?

"A Tie." Aaron sighed as the hard-working Bug-type fell with the Dark Pokemon.
 
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Thomas lay back for a few more moments. He smelled the fire and sat up. If he wasn't seeing all white, he would have been seeing stars. Marcus gasped at him.
"Idiot human! You have no sense!" Vulpix said. Thomas ignored him.
"I know what you mean. I hate being marked like this! It's bad enough that one powerful organization wants me and Zor, let alone two!" Thomas said with bravado he didn't really feel.
"Anyway, all that effort made me hungry. We got anything to eat, or will I have to wait til we leave?" Thomas asked.
"Yep, he's feeling better!" Vulpix said.
"Um, when we left, you were trying to puke. I'm worried you won't be able to keep anything down after all that. You're still recovering, you know!" Marcus said reproachfully. Thomas glared in his general direction. He swore under his breath and rubbed his eyes. It didn't help anything.
 
Zaria weakly raised her head to see Doom come back with meat. "Good dog..." she whispered as Doom brought the meat for Ash to skin. It was a fair amount.

"Good work," Ash praised and Doom barked, chasing his tail in excitement. He kept running and slowly began to glow white. When it finished, Doom was larger with horns, two bands on its legs, a collar with a skull on it, and three bands on his back. His barks were deeper as he cheerfully chased his arrow-headed tail. Ash groaned. "You have the worst timing." Zaria managed a small giggle as Ash carefully began to cook squirrel meat. Deena sighed and ended the Heal Pulse, going get a few fruit. She held a piece of apple up.

"Open your mouth kid. I know it's embarrassing but that's the least of your worries right now. And knowing him, he'll probably force it down." Deena glanced over. "Any luck at waking Zora?"

Riley shook her head, pawing at him again. Ash shook her head, preparing to char the next animal as she pulled napkins from her bag to place the meat chunks on. She passed two to Marcus, one for himself and the other for Thomas. "Leave him, the shadows will keep him alive for a while. He won't wake up anyway, you know that."
 
"I don't think I'm in such bad shape that I can't feed myself!" Thomas said when he realized Deena's intent. Razor came and settled down behind him, and he leaned back against her. He reached out to try and grab what the Audino was trying to shove down his throat and missed. Esper used Psychic to lift the meat that Ash had offered Thomas into his hands. Thomas took the meat and bit into it. He chewed slowly, savoring the taste, as well as not hurting himself.
"So, I was kind of out of it before, but what's the plan now?" Thomas asked.
 
Ash shrugged. "We rest here a day, then in trips go back to my home. I have someone who can take us to the next Gym without drawing attention like flying will but he'll take a bit to get here. He's... not exactly on the right side of the law."

Deena laughed. "If it's who I'm thinking of then that's true."

"The reason we're going back to my house is because the battlefield doubles as a shelter and that it's better than recovering out here with few supplies. I don't like the idea of going somewhere we know they'd assume we'd be but... it's safer than right now. Definitely. And the guy wants me to be there."

"Won't he betray you?" Zaria mumbled.

Ash snorted. "I certainly hope he knows better than that. My death threat stands and so does Doom's burn. And I have backup if he tries." Doom wagged his tail.
 
"Heh, Volt knows that for a fact! He hid in the battlfield until I needed him to get me out of the fire. Although, I think he had been asleep down there. But anyway, this guy, it doesn't sound like you trust him that much. Anything I should be aware of?" Thomas said. He was feeling a bit better now that he had some food in his stomach. He couldn't eat to much, but still. A little was better than nothing. He could tell Marcus was chowing down. He sighed and rubbed his eyes again. Still no better than before. His arm give a twinge of pain, and he clutched it to his chest. Esper nuzzled the side of his leg and continued purring. Thomas smiled as Razor let out a soft chirp. Whatever was coming, he'd face it in the morning. Then he thought of something.
"We suspect that toxin they gave Zoran will wear off. Do we know when? Is it smart to move him all over the place while it's still working? Because it sounds like we are rushing things a bit. Going back to the shelter of your home is one thing, but it sounds to me like your trying to send us off to the next gym as soon as we get back. Granted, I'm still a little muddled right now, but that's just how it sounds to me..." Thomas said.
 
Ash snorted. "Please. We've got at least three weeks before that idiot gets his rear end in gear."

"Longer, probably," Deena muttered. "We don't trust him because he's an arrogant, swindling-"

"Deena!" Ash muttered. "I caught the guy swindling about half a town out of cash. Tried to keep me quiet. I think it was one of the few times I actually felt helpless."

The Audino snorted. "Was that before or after you saw Zoran ram Mickey's broken skateboard in the guy's head?"

"Definitely before. He knows I haven't pressed charges yet and I won't as long as he keeps his mouth shut. It's that or Doom burns more than his arm." Ash sighed. "And as long as Ness helps with Zora, we're probaably okay. The toxin will likely wear off soon, maybe a week or so."
 
"Arrogant? That sounds like someone I know..." Marcus said to the group.
"Yeah. Sounds like Vulpix!" Thomas said with a smile.
"What was that?" Vulpix asked, his voice oddly muffled. Thomas wondered what he was doing. So he asked him.
"What are you doing?" Thomas asked.
"I was hunting! I have to eat too, you know! And I prefer my meat raw!" Vulpix said, before he tore into his dinner. Thomas heard the noise, as he wasn't trying to hide it, and was almost sick. He tried to think of something to say so he wouldn't have to hear Vulpix eating.
"So... A week or so? Well, I guess that we can't rush things," Thomas said.
"Says the guy who rushes everything!" Marcus said as a retort. Thomas held his hand theatricly over his heart.
"You wound me!" Thomas said with a smile on his face. He closed his eyes, but still could only see white! It was maddening! He wouldn't get any relief from it! He sighed.
 
"Finally," Deena mumbled. "We found a way to keep him still." Ash laughed and frowned. She didn't reply, watching Doom run to play tug of war with Vulpix's meat. Kira sat quietly, listening to the air around him.

"Vulpix," she commented. "I don't think Doom likes you being so noisy." She quietly took a chunk of meat.

Zaria slowly tried to reach out to Esper's mind. It wore her out but she wondered if he was okay. She wanted to thank him: apparently, he had helped Zora.
 
Vulpix growled at Doom. This was his meat, and he wasn't going to share with anyone!
"Go get your own!" Vulpix said, as he ran away from Doom, the rabbit hanging out of his mouth. He decided, now that he had eaten some of it and wasn't so ravenous, that maybe he would try to be quieter. He sat down and watched Doom for a while, then returned to his meal.

Esper felt someone reaching out to him. He tried to respond, but his mind was so tired that it wasn't very clear. So, he got up and walked over to Zaria and purred. Thomas let him go with a smile. Esper was worried about Zaria. He hadn't been able to contact her since he helped free her, but Thomas had a feeling that he was trying to reassure her. Thomas tried to get some sleep. He would need his energy for tomorrow.
 
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