Well, it's been several months, and I don't feel I want to disturb Dragonfree or The Great Butler after all this time, so I tried (and most probably failed hilariously) at proof-reading myself several times. It's been a while since my last burst of creativity, so hopefully there aren't too many problems.
Chapter 20
Intervention
Edward watched as Nincada and Kirlia walked ahead of them, talking quietly amongst themselves.
What would they have to talk about? Edward thought, wondering when the last time they'd ever met was.
During our battle? No, they didn't fight then... So, that night, then?
Losing interest in the thought, Edward looked at Nuria, who in turn was observing Nincada with a suspicious gaze.
“So, they seem to be getting along,” said Edward, indicating to the Pokemon before him.
“Yeah,” muttered Nuria absent-mindedly. After a few seconds, she said, “What's wrong with Nincada's wing?”
Edward couldn't see anything wrong at first, and it was only after a few seconds he noticed how one was bent slightly more than the other.
“Is that a stone lodged under it?” Edward asked Nuria.
“Perhaps,” she mumbled, now sounding disinterested.
Unsure of what to say, Edward looked around. They'd strayed further into the trees: he could no longer make out the path of battling trainers, with only far-off, indistinguishable cries indicating there was even anything there at all.
Now fairly bored, Edward began sliding his rucksack off, careful as not to place much too strain on his chest. As he reached in to take out the book on Legendaries, he hooked his foot on a root; suddenly Nuria's hand was on his chest, preventing his fall. Despite the sharp pain coursing across his chest, he quickly yelped 'Thanks!'.
“No problem,” Nuria said, taking his bag and sliding it onto her own shoulder along with her own. Edward smiled thankfully at her and began walking, flipping his book open to the glossary as he did.
“So, how do we even know all these Legendaries even exist?” Edward wondered out loud as he scanned the first page of names. Cartath, Heatran, Methilace, Lavan, Jirachi... throughout his life he'd heard of all of them, but where was the separator between truth and legend?
“I dunno,” Nuria drawled sarcastically, some playfulness returning to her voice, “if only we had a legendary of our own to consult....
oh wait.”
Edward smirked and looked behind him. No Celebi, not even a shimmer.
“So,” he said slightly louder, “can we get some help figuring this out?”
No response.
“Celebi?” he called, turning his head.
Nothing.
“Good riddance,” Nuria remarked taking the book from Edward and reading through it herself.
“Where do you think it's gone?” Edward asked.
“1366? Space-Slateport? How am I supposed to know? It'll probably return when it decides to annoy us some more.”
“Well, alright then... and I suppose it would have brought it up if we mentioned a false Legendary at the library, right?,” Edward said uneasily, turning his attention back to the book in Nuria's hand.
And if it forgets? I wouldn't put it past getting it having so much fun Arceus-knows-where that it completely forgets us.
“I dunno, Eddy, it seemed too distracted by the
wonders of being human, don't you think?'
Edward grunted lazily in reply, frustrated he hadn't thought to ask the question earlier.
It's a Legendary Pokemon for crying out loud, I shouldn't need to point out these little things!
After a few more minutes of walking and reading, something occurred to Edward.
“Hang on, you dodged that conversation earlier about Bayleef. What's with you and her?”
Nuria's silence hung in the air for a short while, her grip tightening on the book.
“It's nothing really. We just came to an agreement is all.”
Edward arched his eyebrows.
“Oookay. Care to elaborate, or...?” Nuria shifted uneasily, closing the book but keeping it in her hands.
“Back at Dewford – or at least what was left – I needed her to battle you so... well, you know, but she didn't want anything to do with that. I asked her if she wanted me to release her after-”
“Whoa! Seriously?” Edward couldn't believe what he was hearing. Nuria would have thrown away her starter Pokemon to prove a point to him?
“Shut-up,” she grumbled, “and let me finish. She was a bit peeved I was so willing to suggest that, but to be honest at the time I was angry with her and fairly wet and cold so I didn't really care. She told me that, despite hating me and all other humans, she still wanted to mature and grow stronger, and she reckoned that would only be possible if I took her around with me.
“But there was a catch. She said that, if I ever wanted to use her in a battle, right, I won't be able to issue commands, and have to let her decide how she battles.”
Nuria paused for a few seconds, as though consolidating all she just said.
“So?” Edward asked carefully. “It could have gone much worse.” Edward noticed her knuckles turn white as she now practically strangled the book.
“
'So?'? So I'll look like an idiot trainer who can't even control her starter. And you know how stupid Pokemon can be during battle: moves take up so much of their concentration they get confused if they use much more than four in a battle, so strategy isn't their strong point. And besides, would
you trust the Pokemon who'd previously tried to skin an Archen?”
Edward couldn't find anything to say, but still he couldn't see what the big issue was. If Bayleef wanted a bit of freedom, so what? And if it got... rowdy again then wouldn't Nuria just be able to recall it?
What's the big fuss about?
Feeling uncomfortable, Edward just looked ahead, noting that Kirlia was now almost marching ahead, viscously kicking small pebbles out of her way, to Nincada's obvious confusion.
Out of nowhere, a Houndoom clenched its teeth around Kirlia's body.
For a few seconds, absolutely nothing happened. Edward stopped, Nuria stopped, Nincada stopped, and even the Houndoom paused for a second. Kirlia's face was frozen in an image of confusion, trying to move the arms clamped to her sides.
Nincada was the first to react, jumping at the demon dog claws-first. Then Edward and Nuria were throwing their hands into their pockets, dragging out as many Pokeballs as possible and throwing them between themselves and the creature.
As four Pokemon materialised, the Houndoom snorted a thin shot of fire at Nincada, knocking it back to the ground.
“Dig!” Edward screeched, aware Nuria was also shouting but couldn't hear what. He shouted hurried orders and Mudkip and Zubat, and despite the orders being gibberish, the message was clear: help Kirlia.
Now Kirlia was screaming and thrashing, rivers of blood streaking from the area beneath Houndoom's maw. Edward could sense her panic like a homing beacon: the fangs were buried in her arms, literally pinning them to her body.
As Nincada disappeared below ground, Mudkip launched a jet of water at the dog, pushing it back slightly but obviously not doing much damage. Nincada flew in close to try a Wing Attack, but Shellder's Water Gun hit it in the back, propelling him into the Houndoom. Houndoom replied with a torrent of fire from its half-closed mouth, burning around Kirlia's body toward Zubat and Mudkip. Kirlia's scream intensified, but Houndoom brutally shook its head and Kirlia fell limp, its body bending over the sides of the jaws.
Beside him, Nuria fell to the ground.
Edward crouched down to her, ignoring the pain in his ribs, and saw how white her face had become. Her eyes, although closed,were red and puffy, and her lips were bleeding, from what appeared to be...
teeth marks?Then he realised: just a second before, Nuria had been screaming alongside her Kirlia. In his shock, Edward couldn't even contemplate any meaning to this. He was now transfixed on the Houndoom as it let Kirlia fall, broken, to the ground and let out a loud howl.
Houndoom. Everywhere.
From all directions, at least ten of them bounded from the bushes and brambles into open view, each closing in on a separate target. Edward was pushed to the ground as something leapt into his back.
And now he was on the floor, his body oddly limp, the only indication of panic being his elated heartbeat. He heard the other Pokemon shriek in surprise and agony, but before he could look up, the hair on the back of his neck stood as he heard the deep, threatening growl inches from his skull. He couldn't think. He scrambled his arms to try and move, but the Houndoom pinned his arms to the ground. Choking back a dry sob, Edward felt every muscle in his body tense up and he waited for the inevitable.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
His heartbeat was now a constant hum, and that was all he could focus on. He didn't even feel the popping of his ears as the air pressure suddenly increased. Or the release of pressure as Houndoom leapt off of him. He didn't notice any of this, and only after curling up into a ball and rocking himself for half a minute did he realise that he was safe.
Surprised, he roughly wiped his bleary eyes with his sleeves and looked up. Bayleef, Zubat, Shellder, Mudkip, Zubat, Kirlia, even Nincada: all the Pokemon were on the floor, motionless save for the irregular spasms indicating painful breaths, covered in bloody gashes and charred skin.
How could this have happened? he wondered. Steadily he rose and immediately noticed Nuria had been lying behind him, with Celebi several feet above, looking intently into her face. She looked calmer now, her flesh returned to its original colour and her lips healed as though no blood had been shed there. In the instant upon seeing her, he also saw how her hand was stuck in her rucksack at an awkward angle, as though she had tried to pull something out.
“What-” Edward began, but the Legendary raised its arm, cutting him off. He quickly felt up and down his body: despite the ribs, he couldn't feel much damage. He realised with a start that he didn't even feel particularly bad – now the shock was wearing away, there was a strange calm in him.
Well, this can't really compare to nearly drowning and meeting a shed-load of Legendaries in less than a week.
Even through this rationale, Edward seemed surprised with his own steadiness as he recalled each of his Pokemon.
I could have actually died, he thought, but even then there was no particular stab of panic.
Am I in shock? Or just getting used to this?.
All his Pokemon now in their Pokeballs, he knelt to Nuria's abandoned Pokeballs and began to recall hers. As he picked up Kirlia's, however, Celebi swooped in front of him, pushing the ball out of his grip onto the ground.
“What-” Edward began again, but now Celebi used words to cut over him as it looked curiously between Nuria and Kirlia.
“Kirlia imprinted a psychic link with Nuria some time ago, probably unintentionally. In times of severe emotional output they'll both experience the same thing.”
Edward couldn't decide whether he felt more perturbed because of what he was hearing or how serious Celebi seemed to be acting. Then he realised.
“So, when Houndoom bit Kirlia-”
“Nuria experienced the pain too, yes. A human's pain threshold is vastly inferior to most Pokemon, and this attack nearly killed Kirlia. I've removed her memory of this to prevent severe shock symptoms.”
“And Kirlia?” Edward asked, his throat dry.
“Her body had shut down, but her mind remained active. I healed her most major wounds but she asked me not to take her memory. As a Pokemon she will be able to deal with the shock, but I'll keep my eye on her. Any more questions?”
Edward took a few deep breaths. Everything would be okay. Nuria and Kirlia were safe, as were he and the rest of the Pokemon. Something didn't make sense, however.
“Pokedexes are meant to scan the area for hostile Pokemon. What happened to that?”
Celebi replied without skipping a beat:
“Kirlia had been sensing the area using her psychic energy to scan all living life-forms. This psychic field distorts the space around her, thus distorting the electromagnetic field around each Pokedex which detects the hormones of aggressive Pokemon. As the Houndoom are genetically immune to psychic wavelengths, Kirlia could not sense them, so the Houndoom were a shock to everyone, most of all Kirlia.”
Edward closed his eyes, trying to make sense of it all.
“And where were you?”
From behind its back Celebi produced a small pink puff-ball.
“Candy floss?”
Edward groaned, kneading his head as he sank to a crossed-leg position.
“How is she now? Physically?”
“She's okay, but when she wakes up she'll be dazed and will want to know what happened.”
Edward considered the possibilities.
Taking her to a Pokemon Centre or hospital would be suspicious, and there's definitely be an investigation. They might want to keep her longer for treatment... and if the Pokemon mention what's happening? Edward quickly scanned his memory, then bit his lip in frustration.
How did I forget to tell Nincada not to tell anyone what was going on? What if he mentions Regice to a nurse? If we stay here though, they'd come back and-
“No, they won't. As long as they feel my presence, they won't come near us.”
Edward sighed, looking around for any place where they could shelter for a while.
Suddenly he was sitting in a small, cosy plain. The light was dim, the little light getting through the canopy having little to illuminate but the moss-strewn floor.
“We're not too far from where we were, don't worry,” Celebi muttered, still examining the space between Nuria and Ralts, each of whom had also appeared in the area. After a few seconds, the Legendary looked at Edward.
“Okay, recall Kirlia now.” As Edward raised Kirlia's Pokeball, Edward could have sworn he saw Kirlia begin to try and stand.
“So,” Celebi said, its previous enthusiasm returning, “what do you want to do now?”
Edward lay back on the moss, wondering what he was even supposed to be thinking at a time like this.
I could have died. But I didn't. But Nuria got hurt. But now she's okay. He tucked his hands under his head.
There's something wrong with me, he decided finally.
Edward turned to his side, and as he did he rolled onto the book of Legendaries. Picking it up and flicking it open, he held it up for Celebi to see.
“You mind going through this with me and telling me who's real and who isn't?”
Celebi bit its lip, as though considering all the
other fun stuff it could go and have throughout the entirety of the past.
“Okay,” it said reluctantly, and hovered over to lie on the moss next to Edward. Looking over to Nuria again, he passed the book to Celebi (who had the mass of candy floss held between its front teeth) and crawled the short distance over to her.
What were you trying to get? Edward wondered, gently sliding the bag off her arm. With only a few of the contents spilling out, the bag came off relatively easily.
Edward's heart leapt momentarily as he realised the gun in Nuria's hand was now facing him square in the chest.
In a flash he rolled out of the way, and, after catching his breath slightly and rubbing his protesting ribs, gently uncurled Nuria's fingers from around the weapon, letting it fall. Arms shaking, he awkwardly picked it up, making sure his fingers were completely clear of the trigger.
Seeing it clearly in the light for the first time, Edward pondered over where she could have got it.
A shop? No, probably not. Her Mum? Well... could she have been the sort? Edward bit his lip as he thought of Nuria's affectionate, kindly Mum, and wondered exactly how far she might have gone in the name of self defence.
Gingerly replacing the weapon, face down, in her rucksack, Edward exhaled and crawled back over to Celebi, leaving the bag halfway between them.
“So, found any fakes?” Edward asked as he rolled onto his back next to the deity. Celebi nodded and smiled, flipping back to the glossary page.
“Yep, though I'm not sure about some.”
“Not sure?” Edward asked, intending for there to be incredulity in his voice, but instead was just monotonous.
“Poor memory. Most I know for certain
do exist, so why don't we just go through them?”
“Sure,” Edward said, his interest starting to build slightly. Despite knowing he'd have to battle whatever really existed in this book, he could never pass up on learning more about the Legendary Pokemon he'd loved to research as he grew up.
“So,” Celebi said, nestling into the moss to make itself comfortable, carefully balancing the ball of candy floss on its little belly, “where do you want to start?”