The Children Are Hunted

Zoran nodded gratefully at Van and Mia, thankful someone was agreeing with him on this. He gently patted Van's head. "We'll all help you," the child added. "But you have to be willing to try. You can you know. Your friends are here for you."Sparx padded up to him, sniffing the grass curiously.

Mickey examined them closely. He couldn't feel anything wrong himself but... "I'm not a Psychic," he told Thomas, but you have a Psychic type don't you? Maybe Esper can see it or Dora. I'm sure one of them might be able to tell you."
 
"I can't sense anything. The only reason I knew the lock was on Thomas's powers was because Thomas himself could feel it. But then again, it's no wonder I can't sense anything. I was blasted halway to death and most of my psychic abilities are dead now. But maybe Dora or Winny could," Esper said. He glanced over at Winny, who was sitting down resting after putting up all those Light Screens. She waved over at him and turned back, making the light shimmer and turn invisible, expect for a ripple when the air moved around it. She leaned back and tried to focus on keeping those shields up. She wasn't going to be much help now. Esper sent out a plea to Dora, asking for her help.

Marcus muttered under his breath and stood up.
"Sorry, but I can't get a vision right now. I wish I could do something to help, but that's about it," Marcus said. He walked around trying to think of some way he could make himself usefull. Nothing sprung to mind. He sat back down again and concentrated. How did this power of his work? Why had he been able to call a vision before, but not now? His mind went back to the previous vision. Mia had been reunited with Sparkles, and they had been fighting pokemon in some field place. Well, this was a field, kind of. It matched the vision fairly well. Then he figured something else out. His visions were looking through other people's eyes. The first one with the white Arcanine had been someone looking up at him in a room. Both of them had been alone. Esper had said he had faced Garet, the Arcanine, in a room all alone. This one was someone looking down at Mia as she battled something. So, it had to have been from someone taller than her. The only ones here that were taller than her were Robby and Thomas. So it had to be one of them. But what had been going on? Was it a vision of the fight? Or was it something else? Marcus had no idea.
 
Dora nodded softly, the Gardevoir leaving her Pokeball swiftly to float over to the one Mickey held. She let it glow around her hand-like appendages and concentrated. She closed her eyes and let the glow fade. "There is something there," she commented. "But it is blocking my Psychic energy as well. It's as if it's neutralizing the Psychic power itself, which is why I cannot open it. I apologize."

Mickey frowned. "Does anybody know the move Shadow Ball? Maybe that could neutralize it."
 
"So... You want me to blast the homes of my teamates with Shadow Ball? That should be interesting," Esper said. He laughed and used his powers to lift the pokeball out of Mickey's hand. He told Deluge, who had been sleeping, to wake up and get ready to burst free. Then he fired at the ball. The ball turned black for a moment, and Deluge burst free.
"Tortle!" he cried as he jumped at Thomas. Thomas was not expecting this and was knocked over by the pokemon.
"Whoa! Easy Deluge! I'm fine, see!" Thomas said. Thomas placed the other four pokeballs on the ground. Esper decided to do Razor next. Again, he fired the Shadow Ball and Razor flew high into the air. She trilled happily and then landed, turning her eyes toward her trainer and Mickey and the Gardevoir. She cooed happily and nipped at Thomas's shirt. Draco was next. He didn't seem to care at all, and he walked over and sat close enough to Thomas so that he could reach him. Thomas reached out and pet Draco's head, and the little Bagon acted as though he didn't care. It was clear he was enjoying the attention though. Amber was next and she jumped right at Thomas, happy to see him, then went chasing after a butterfly.
"There you go," Esper said. Volt's pokeball shook.
"You forgot one," Thomas said. Esper pretended to be emberrassed as he freed Volt, who turned around and fried Esper.
"Manectric!" he shouted angrily.
"Ow..." Esper said. Volt walked over and greeted Thomas, who pet him happily, then padded over to see what Sparx was so interested in.
"Typical Volt right there," Esper said as sparks shot from his tail.
 
"I thought you had something to do," Leo commented, closing the door behind him. "I'll let you know I kinda hurried that one, what with your attitude. What happened to make you even more eager to get on with your mission?" There was no point in asking why Garet wanted him to be part of it. Leo had seen for himself that Clair and the Ronimoba boy were with other humans.

Garet glanced at the portfolio that was still in Leo's paw. "Do you really need to be lugging that around?" he asked, getting to his feet. That was something made by humans. No matter what the RDM had to do, the majority of RDM members were still Pokemon.

"I haven't passed it on to someone else to look through, yet," Leo answered. He looked up at the Staraptor. "Do we need him along?" he questioned.

"Preferably," Garet said. After a moment's thought, he added, "If he doesn't have anything else pressing to do. Oh, by the way," he turned to Trigger, "did you ever find out what Flaresoul had stolen from the plane?"
Leo's ears pricked up at this. Someone had taken something from his plane?
 
Trigger glanced at Skyhigh when he asked if they needed him along.
"Well, that's an awfully harsh way to greet someone. The name's Trigger Hawkeyes. And Garet, Apparently Van stole some kind of map. I heard him and the others talking about it. Would either of you happen to know anything about this map?" he said after he got bored with giving Leo his hawk gaze.
"Also, I think you both should know that We've lost another Devisor. Winny Shieldmaker, a young Wynaut who has an unhealthy obsession with Flaresoul has seemingly follwed him. I shouldn't be surprised, really. Not after the other stuff she's done because of him," he added. He wasn't sure either of them knew what had transpired as Winny had still been inside the RV when Garet had left. He also knew he had handed them the key to breaking through her incredible defensive abilities, if they were smart enough to have listened to what he said closely.
 
(Where on the ranking ladder is Merin?)

"I suppose that means the Vulpix and Wynaut I saw with those humans are Flaresoul and Shieldmaker," Leo replied. He grinned when he saw Garet's look of mild surprise. "Saw them on my way here, and I heard them both speak a human language. The Wynaut knows that I'm around." His grin disappeared after a second, replaced by a frown. "Wait, map? Tell me exactly what happened about my plane and this map!"

Garet sighed. "While I was distracted with that Underoot coward and you were tying up the humans," he started, "Flaresoul snuck onto the plane and stole something from the compartment. Like Trigger said, that something was a map. I was also told by a Mapmaker's partner that you had borrowed a map from them some time ago. While your plane was being fixed after it had been sabotaged, they looked for it but didn't find it. I never found out what it was a map of."

Leo's eye twitched. Sabotage? And they'd stolen the map he'd borrowed? "They're goin' down," he growled, his voice low and angry. "If any of them can read Chinese, they'll know about Plan RISE. And no one hurts my plane and gets away with it." He didn't care if his love of the plane was unnatural.

"Hey, snap out of it," Garet snapped. He continued in a quieter voice. "You may get your chance, but we need to think clearly right now. And I'm suggesting that we get somewhere other than this hall. As for Shieldmaker, if she's with them, we'll need either a way to break through or to lure her out. Probably with a Van decoy." The Arcanine turned and began to walk away, looking for an empty room where they could plan their strategy. "Are you needed elsewhere, Trigger?" Garet asked over his shoulder.
 
"No. I have no plans that require my immediate attention. And we should assume they do know about Plan RISE. Van and Winny both know Chinese, though Van is terrible at it. Also, and this is important if we are going after them again, that espeon they have with them. The empathic one. I know you know him, Garet. I also found out that someone burned some of his mental powers away. His empathy, and his psychic senses. He wouldn't stop complaining about it. And Winny is terrible at sensing things psychically. Those aren't her talents," Trigger said as he glided lazily along behind Garet. He wasn't done preening yet, but he could finish in the room. One thing he hated about being a Starapter was that it took for ever to get all of his feathers clean. Oh, well. Not much goos would come from complaining. Plus, they would have one heck of a mess to clean when he was done. And Trigger now knew why Leo was called Skyhigh. That love for his plane would get him in trouble one day. Just like it seemed Winny's love of Van was going to get her in trouble today. Oh well, he'd tried to warn her to let him go. Now she would learn why.
"Truthseeker, Shieldmaker will not be the only one with defenses up. You know they have an Aura user, a light user, a darkness user, a wind user, and many powerful pokemon. We must prepare for the worst."

(OOC: I assumed Merin was about as high as Trigger. Or only slightly higher. That was why Trigger was mad when Merin tried to order him about.)
 
Dora nodded softly in acknowledgement as the Pokemon returned. Sparx purred at the sight of Volt but that was all. She looked at her trainer, who was currently examining her fur with curiosity. Zaria hummed from nearby. The Psychic type returned to her Pokeball, looking pleased. Ash looked up a moment and asked. "Hey Zoran?"

The little boy glanced at her. "What's up Asha?"

"You're explaining that name to me someday," she responded happily. "But anyway, there's a Gym near here. Stonehenge. And I think I've got an idea. You haven't earned that badge yet. There are RDM troops hunting CTs. I think during this little invasion, you should go get your badge."

"But you guys will-"

"Exactly," Mickey said, catching on. He knew what Asha was really thinking. Powerful or not, his friend was now a seven-year-old with many emotional issues he hadn't quite accepted. Normal or not, she didn't want him to get hurt unless he had to be. Unfortunately, their best friend was clever, even young, and knew that too. The only way to convince him was with a good argument. "You'll be outside the Light Screen and can cause a sneak attack once you win. And trust me, you will. It's a Rock-type Gym. Between Cody, Dora, and Sparx, it'll be quick." Zoran seemed to agree but he looked uncomfortable on leaving his friends behind.

"I'll go with," Alyss decided. "Silas could be nearby still. He wasn't caught yet." The boy looked uncomfortable still, yet was glad for Alyss to agree.
 
It was a few minutes before they found an empty room that was ideal for such plans as they were going to make. Once they were all in, Garet turned on his virtual map to check on the tracker. It was in the same place. "That boy's still there," he said, turning the map off. "The Espeon and Shieldmaker won't be the only Psychic Pokemon there. They have one other who could sense things psychically, as you put it. That girl you talked to before seems to have a way of knowing if you're around. She did come out straight to you when we first went there."

"So we leave Trigger behind?" Leo joked, grinning. He cleared his throat when Garet stared at him. "Anyways, I'm assuming we need someone to break through the Wynaut's barriers. By the way, did you know they have a little boy with them? His Aura has the same kind of glow as the CT I know is with them, and it was kinda black..." What kind of person has a black Aura?

"If you haven't figured it out, then all three CTs we know of are all there," Garet replied. "We can safely assume that whatever we come up with, they'll be able to sense anyone who gets close."
 
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"I think it's a good idea. I can keep them all focused on me while you go get your badge, and then when you get back you can hit them hard from behind. Don't worry, between me, Ash, and Mickey, we'll keep everyone safe," Thomas said, agreeing with the other two. He knew the real reason for this new plan. Zoran was a little kid. He didn't want his friend to get hurt in the fighting. He grinned at Zoran.
"I know you can do it buddy!" he said.

Van wondered if he should go. Probably not. Thomas and the others would need him here more than they would at the gym. And as Alyss was going to, they wouldn't even need directions on how to get there. He sniffed the area again. Still no traces of the RDM that he knew were coming.

"Well, I guess if I'm not needed, I can go. After all, it's only three CTs. Nothing the great Leo Skyhigh can't handle by himself. Oh wait, weren't you the one that got captured by one lowly AAPM grunt? And as for the black Aura, that would probably be the darkness user," Trigger said to Leo. The fool was getting on his nerves. It's people like him that were turning this organization into a joke. People full of hot air, and not much else. He turned to Garet.
"Agreed. Even if they didn't have an Aura senser, and that other psychic pokemon you mentioned, Van would be able to smell us coming. He has a very finely tuned nose," Trigger said. He was very proud of his former student, and though he didn't really want to fight him, he was looking forward to seeing what he had learned.
 
The little boy sighed and gave Asha and Mickey a scornful look, making him look a lot older than he was. "You guys really are mean," the child told them. Then he sighed, returning Doom and placing his Pokeball against the belt. "I'll go," he said simply. "Come on Sparx." The Luxray nodded and Alyss walked over to them. The three reappeared on the other side of the barrier and Sparx ran off, the boy on his back. Alyss flew above them, the wind getting her high in the air quickly.

When Alyss was sure they were far away from everyone, she landed on the ground in front of Sparx. Zoran blinked, looking up. "What's the matter?"

"Don't lie," she told him, looking amused. "You managed to fool Zaria, Asha, the others too. But you can't fool me. You know who you are, don't you? You know the truth. So why are you playing this game?"

~~

Ash sighed. "So, who dares me to kick that Lucario's ass to the curb?"

Mickey left the trailer, drinking red from a bottle. "I do!" he called, Sneasel following him. "It'll be fun to watch but I think Kira would be better."

Ash grinned. "Awesome ideas!"

Zaria chuckled at this.
 
Leo kept what would have been a retort to himself. He reminded himself that this wasn't the time to try to joke around.

"The Aura-user has a Lucario with her," Garet said, which drew Leo's attention, "so there may be two Aura-users. Leo, I'll let you decide how best to deal with them and any barriers they set up, as you know more about this Aura business than I do. For the Psychic Pokemon, we'll need a Dark Pokemon, or a stronger Psychic Pokemon, or both. Someone who can resist any psychic ability. Trigger, I trust that you know how to deal with the wind user."

"What about the CTs?" Leo asked. "Far as I remember, we haven't gone up against a light user or a darkness user before. And in my experience, until I find a way to fight effectively against someone, I would just knock them out in some way without having to fight."
 
"Heh, I think you could handle it, Asha!" Robby said from where he was sitting atop the RV. Thomas stood up and Deluge was still clinging to his leg. Amber bounded back to him and meowed at Esper. Esper meowed quietly back and she leapt on him. Esper tossed her lightly off and she rushed back at him only to be met with a barrier.
"Personal space Amber," Esper said quietly as he meowed at her. She sat down and he lowered the barrier.

"I know how to deal with the wind user. She's not as strong as she believes she is. And I suggest that we get Merin to join us. He's a prick, but he's very strong. I heard that he was the one that wounded the espeon's powers. And I haven't got a clue what to do about the CTs. I've never seen anything like them," Trigger said. He really didn't like Merin. But he knew Merin was capable of a great deal. They would probably need his help on this.
 
Ash grinned. "Well, if you say so Robby, then we're all good!" Kira snorted as he left his Pokeball. The Lucario seemed to mumble something to Ash before padding off, meditating. Ash rolled her eyes good-naturedly and sat down.She placed her hand on the ground again and seemed to be listening. Since, as far as she could tell, the Earth gave off an aura, would listening to it do any good?

~~

Zoran stared at Alyss for a moment before laughing. "I dunno!" Alyss almost fell over.

"You don't-" He shook his head.

"Not really. I know something but the rest is blocked off you know." He shrugged. "So... I kinda get what you're talking about but... maybe not yet." He shrugged and returned Sparx, plopping on the ground. He held out Dora's Pokeball to her. "Show Dora the way so we can go."

"But if we land outside..."

"We won't," he assured her. "But nearby is good enough." Alyss nodded quietly then sneezed.

"Someone's talking about me," she mumbled. Her whole body shook a moment. "I'm going to have to fight him again... why? I'm not that good..."

"Yes you are." Zoran stared at her. "You are strong. Maybe you're not strong enough but you are good. And so what if you lose? He's older and better at this than you. Learn from him, find his mistakes, and then you'll be better. Come on now. We don't have time." Alyss nodded quietly and placed her hand over the Pokeball. The pair disappeared.
 
Garet: Merin's pretty high, probably the same as you give or take a bit.

Area codes? He looked back down at the phone. He stared into its lit up menu and then watched as the number redialed. There was no area code. All that appeared were the letters SO. He looked through trying to find out why there was no number. The only explanation would have been that the number was...​

"Locked. The number is locked." the grass around Mark began to cave in. His father had been ahead of him the whole time. Now what was he supposed to do? He looked at Clair and Tony but they seemed out of ideas.​

"A dead end. It happens a lot Mark, there's nothing you could do. How about tracing the number."​

"My dad must have thought of that too." he whimpered and then walked over to the RV. "I have to get back some control in my life. I need to take charge...and have some fun." Mark smiled.​

"Mark's right. Where's the nearest gym?" Tony said, reflecting Mark's sudden change in emotion.​

"It's right here in Venice. Simon the Normal User."​

Simon...his brother... Tony looked at them all and smiled, "Time to go!"​

Clair tossed her hair and sat up. She looked at the trio and smiled. She must have had some part in this happiness. She felt comfort in that fact. Forget everything else for now.
She repeated those words over and over until they felt like home.​
 
"Wait, you're leaving!?" Mia said shocked. Van snorted. What ever! They wanted to just ditch Thomas and the others, let them. They weren't needed anyway! He walked back over to his real friends.

Thomas grinned at Ash. He was ready. He summoned up a wisp and began to toy with it. He was ready to fight. Esper watched him, with Amber jumping around trying to get Esper to play with him. He waited for the others to say something.
 
Ash sighed and smiled at Thomas in return. Then she turned back to the departing group, wishing Zoran was here to talk sense into them. "So, because you don't understand what's going on, you're going to walk out of here and leave the rest of us to save your worthless rear ends. Let me tell you something, since you're obviously mentally drunk or something or the sort. If you go out there: the RDM will find your worthless butt and drag all of you for whatever crazy crap they came up with on one drunken night in the sand. Your scent, Aura, everything of that nature, leaks out like, god I dunno, a big beacon because you people have about as much emotional control as a baby."

Kira snorted and Ash rolled her eyes. "She may be quick to fly off the handle," Zaria mused. "But she's right you three. You shouldn't go off like that: it shows bad character. Besides," She gestured to Thomas. "He has business there too. Why don't you wait and you both can go together?"
 
Sorryness.

Tony walked over to where Mia was, "Sorry to leave in such a spur of the moment but...I think it's best for Mark. I also want to see Simon again...after such a long time. I hope you can understand." Tony's eyes filled with sorrow at the sound of leaving his sister, but...Mark had been a good friend to him, he had to repay the favor. He put out his hand, hoping for some kind of handshake or something. He hadn't had a sister for a while now. He just hoped she would except it.​

"Please don't be mad, but I have to see Simon."​
 
Van walked over to Mark. He looked up at the boy.
"You know what's about to happen here. And you're still going to leave? Really? Even if it weren't safer to stay here, you would really just take off on Thomas and the others. That's cold man. It's humans like you that drove me to join the RDM in the first place!" Van said bitterly as he walked back to Thomas and Ash, who seemed to be getting ready.

Mia looked at Tony.
"So... You really are leaving. Why? Why does it have to be now? We just found each other again!" she said with tears in her eyes.

"Hm... Simon, right? Well, I know where to find him. After this is done, I was going to head that way myself. But, you know the RDM is still after you. So... Why are you just wanting to leave like that. You were paying attention to everything that we said here, right? You know what kind of danger you're in, and you still want to take off on your own?" Thomas said. His tone was bored, uninterested, but the wisp turned a slight purple. He was afraid. Afraid for Mark. Mark didn't even seem to be able to control his powers. And Thomas doubted his pokemon were at the same level as Volt and the rest. So, how would he stay safe? Thomas really didn't want to have to try and rescue him. He was still sore from the last rescue he had been on.
 
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