Legend of the Exile
Chapter 15: The Barren Desert
With the help of a Lairon, Barrel, Sparktail and Thalia had come to the edge of a great desert, a dry expanse of rock and sand. Sandstorms raked across the desert landscape, kicking up clouds of dust and sand and gravel.
The sun blazed hot on their backs, the earth baked and hardened beneath layers of dry dust and brutal sand. "You're looking for the Red Orb, yes?" said Barrel. "Let's get going. We have a desert to search." Nodding, the group entered the desert.
"Wait up!," shouted Altaria, trying to keep up with them. Stopping, Sparktail looked back at Altaria. Then Thalia gasped and pointed. Thick clouds of dust were rolling straight toward them!
Roaring, the sandstorm swallowed them up in a blinding mass of chaos and pain. Sparktail found himself surrounded by howling, sand-laden wind that stung at his eyes, nose, and mouth. "Thalia!" coughed the Raichu, one paw up to shield his eyes, breathing through his fur. "Where are you?"
"Sparktail! That you?" came Barrel's reply from several yards off, his voice barely audible over the wind. "Don't know where Thalia and Altaria are, though. You all good there?"
"I... I think so." Sparktail stumbled towards Barrel until his paw found the Lairon's spikes. In the fierce sandstorm, neither of them could see any other Pokemon but each other and themselves. "Thalia! Where are you? Altaria?"
"Sparktail, you can't stay out here," said Barrel, shaking his head, tugging at the Raichu's fur. "You won't last more than a few minutes without shelter!" Desperate, Sparktail searched the vicious haze with scrunched eyes, and then reluctantly allowed the Lairon to lead him off.
They struggled through the sandstorm, two blurs in the wind, Sparktail dragged his teir paws through the desert, taking step after agonizing step, eyes watering from the sandstorm's lash. "I thought I see a tower," croaked Sparktail, his throat raw.
"Hang in there, Raichu," said Barrel. The sandstorm was lifting, the sun's rays on Sparktail's filthy, sand-coated fur. "We're almost to safety. Just gotta keep moving..."
A sandstone tower loomed over the tumultuous desert. The color made it hard to see, but it slowly became more visible as they approached. Sparktail's eyes widened. "It's real...?"
Barrel smiled. The tower's walls shimmered with the desert glow, but it was definitely real. "That's right. It's no mirage. Let's get inside."
Sparktail nodded silently. The air made his throat dry, and the hot sand was rough on his paws.
As they approached the tower's entrance, the desert suddenly lurched. Sparktail's hind legs went slack, the vibrations in the earth shaking his senses. He leaned on the Lairon for support.
"Easy there," said Barrel, shoving his weight against the door. "Lend me a paw, okay?" Slowly getting up, Sparktail took up a position next to the Lairon, and the duo pushed their way inside the mysterious tower.
The sun blazed hot on their backs, the earth baked and hardened beneath layers of dry dust and brutal sand. "You're looking for the Red Orb, yes?" said Barrel. "Let's get going. We have a desert to search." Nodding, the group entered the desert.
"Wait up!," shouted Altaria, trying to keep up with them. Stopping, Sparktail looked back at Altaria. Then Thalia gasped and pointed. Thick clouds of dust were rolling straight toward them!
Roaring, the sandstorm swallowed them up in a blinding mass of chaos and pain. Sparktail found himself surrounded by howling, sand-laden wind that stung at his eyes, nose, and mouth. "Thalia!" coughed the Raichu, one paw up to shield his eyes, breathing through his fur. "Where are you?"
"Sparktail! That you?" came Barrel's reply from several yards off, his voice barely audible over the wind. "Don't know where Thalia and Altaria are, though. You all good there?"
"I... I think so." Sparktail stumbled towards Barrel until his paw found the Lairon's spikes. In the fierce sandstorm, neither of them could see any other Pokemon but each other and themselves. "Thalia! Where are you? Altaria?"
"Sparktail, you can't stay out here," said Barrel, shaking his head, tugging at the Raichu's fur. "You won't last more than a few minutes without shelter!" Desperate, Sparktail searched the vicious haze with scrunched eyes, and then reluctantly allowed the Lairon to lead him off.
They struggled through the sandstorm, two blurs in the wind, Sparktail dragged his teir paws through the desert, taking step after agonizing step, eyes watering from the sandstorm's lash. "I thought I see a tower," croaked Sparktail, his throat raw.
"Hang in there, Raichu," said Barrel. The sandstorm was lifting, the sun's rays on Sparktail's filthy, sand-coated fur. "We're almost to safety. Just gotta keep moving..."
A sandstone tower loomed over the tumultuous desert. The color made it hard to see, but it slowly became more visible as they approached. Sparktail's eyes widened. "It's real...?"
Barrel smiled. The tower's walls shimmered with the desert glow, but it was definitely real. "That's right. It's no mirage. Let's get inside."
Sparktail nodded silently. The air made his throat dry, and the hot sand was rough on his paws.
As they approached the tower's entrance, the desert suddenly lurched. Sparktail's hind legs went slack, the vibrations in the earth shaking his senses. He leaned on the Lairon for support.
"Easy there," said Barrel, shoving his weight against the door. "Lend me a paw, okay?" Slowly getting up, Sparktail took up a position next to the Lairon, and the duo pushed their way inside the mysterious tower.
Giratina soared through the sky. His scarlet eyes swept across the conquered lands. His army continued on, restoring the darkness that was the world's most instinctive soul, the impulses of war and savage desire. The lost screams of ghosts echoed within his body. None would dare stand against the Adversary, for all would face death.
As his army flowed into Cerulean City, chaos erupted in the streets. Hundreds of doors flew open as humans emerged from their homes, staring up in horror as they saw the terrible features of Giratina the Exile, whose vengeance encompassed all the earth in his wrath.
Screaming, sobbing, many fell to their knees, desperately crying and praying for Giratina's mercy; but there was no mercy to be given. "Crush them!" shrieked Giratina, his six black tentacles flapping like wings on either side of him. Dark energy burst from his maw and ripped through Nugget Bridge, sending its pieces and all standing upon it into the canal below.
Horizon smashed through the street as the roars of Rhyperiors surged forward. Buildings shattered and collapsed. People screamed and tried to flee in every direction at once, grabbing hold of their families as the wave of destruction swallowed them.
As his army flowed into Cerulean City, chaos erupted in the streets. Hundreds of doors flew open as humans emerged from their homes, staring up in horror as they saw the terrible features of Giratina the Exile, whose vengeance encompassed all the earth in his wrath.
Screaming, sobbing, many fell to their knees, desperately crying and praying for Giratina's mercy; but there was no mercy to be given. "Crush them!" shrieked Giratina, his six black tentacles flapping like wings on either side of him. Dark energy burst from his maw and ripped through Nugget Bridge, sending its pieces and all standing upon it into the canal below.
Horizon smashed through the street as the roars of Rhyperiors surged forward. Buildings shattered and collapsed. People screamed and tried to flee in every direction at once, grabbing hold of their families as the wave of destruction swallowed them.
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As soon as Sparktail and Barrel entered, wild Pokemon attacked them. Sparktail ducked as a Sandslash lunged at him from the walls, ducking and rolling under to slash out with his tail. Painful needles flew into the Raichu's arm from a screeching Cacnea before Barrel tackled it aside. Clutching his arm, Sparktail lashed out with his tail as a Baltoy dropped on him.
Barrel pulled Sparktail out of the way, clawing the Baltoy. "They're as scared as we are," said Barrel grimly. "Looks like the Behemoth's rage has sent the desert into chaos. Follow me!"
As they climbed the tower, they saw cracks forming in the floor, more enemies charging towards them. Ducking as a Vibrava dove for him, Sparktail, darting up the steps as hungry Mawile jaws shot out from holes in the walls. The higher they climbed, the greater the cracks, the more copious the enemies as Vibravas, Cacneas, Sandslashes, and a Hippowdon advanced. They could feel the tower shake and tremble, buffeted by the turbulent winds outside.
At last, they reached the top floor, a set of steps leading up to a raised platform, the ceiling and walls all cracked and crumbling. In the center of the chamber was a pedestal with the Red Orb glistening atop it, a red chain locked around it that bound it to the platform. Guarding the pedastal were an Armaldo, a Cradily, and a Claydol. The Claydol looked towards Sparktail and Barrel. Its two hands spun around and pointed at them. "I:ll fetch the Orb," said Barrel. "Can you draw the guards away?"
Nodding, Sparktail leapt at the Cradily, slashing with his tail across its neck. He spun around and struck the Armaldo with a thuely between the eyes. Then suddenly, a blast of psychic power flew from the Claydol and flung him off his paws. Out of the corner of his eye as he got up, the gasping Raichu saw Barrel racing up to the Red Orb.
The Lairon reached for the chained orb on the pedastal, his claws digging into the chain links. Electricity flashed from Sparktail's cheeks as Claydol flew at him, dissipating uselessly on its black clay body.
Cackling, the Cradily suddenly swept up Sparktail with sinewy vines, holding him in place. Horrified, Sparktail struggled to pull free from the vines, tail lashing on the sandstone floor as the Armaldo drew back its pincers. Writhing, the Raichu managed to squirm out of harm's way as the Armaldo struck.
Then, a loud crack filled the air. All of them froze and stared as Barrel ripped the Red Orb from its pedastal, tumbling to the floor. A mighty roard erupted from deep within the earth that set Sparktail's fur on end with a fear he had all but forgotten.
A massive plume of red-brown flames burst up from beneath the pedastal and blasted up through the ceiling, leaving behind a charred crater where the Red Orb had been moments ago. Sparktail ran to the smoking hole in the floor, staring far down through the howling smoke, through three shattered floors, into the dark abyss.
In the farthest reaches of the terrifying chasm was a glowing red cavern. A monstrous shape with gleaming red eyes shifted in the molten depths, a shape that the Raichu could comprehend, only fear.
The room lurched beneath Sparktail's paws. Barrel grabbed the Raichu, keeping him from tumbling down into the pit. The entire tower began to shake all around them. Squeakling, the Cradilly retracted its vines, and the three wild Pokemom fled down the stairs as the ceiling, walls, and floor began to crack.
Sparktail glanced frantically around the collapsing chamber. "i'm sorry," said Barrel heavily, picking up he Red Orbs. "I should've remembered fhe traps Let's go!" They ran to the stairs, then stumbled to a halt as a mass of sand collapsed on the landing, trappig them.
The floor was growing soft, too soft to hold their footing. The roars of the terrible beast grew louder with every passing second as thick masses of sand collapsed on the coughing duo, threatening to bury them alive.
Sparktail tumbled back through the cloud of soft earth that was once a wall-- and found himself no longer trapped in the earth but falling from the tower spire. Panic filled him as he hurtled down towards the dunes, a good fifty feet below, the wind rushing through his fur.
As soon as Sparktail and Barrel entered, wild Pokemon attacked them. Sparktail ducked as a Sandslash lunged at him from the walls, ducking and rolling under to slash out with his tail. Painful needles flew into the Raichu's arm from a screeching Cacnea before Barrel tackled it aside. Clutching his arm, Sparktail lashed out with his tail as a Baltoy dropped on him.
Barrel pulled Sparktail out of the way, clawing the Baltoy. "They're as scared as we are," said Barrel grimly. "Looks like the Behemoth's rage has sent the desert into chaos. Follow me!"
As they climbed the tower, they saw cracks forming in the floor, more enemies charging towards them. Ducking as a Vibrava dove for him, Sparktail, darting up the steps as hungry Mawile jaws shot out from holes in the walls. The higher they climbed, the greater the cracks, the more copious the enemies as Vibravas, Cacneas, Sandslashes, and a Hippowdon advanced. They could feel the tower shake and tremble, buffeted by the turbulent winds outside.
At last, they reached the top floor, a set of steps leading up to a raised platform, the ceiling and walls all cracked and crumbling. In the center of the chamber was a pedestal with the Red Orb glistening atop it, a red chain locked around it that bound it to the platform. Guarding the pedastal were an Armaldo, a Cradily, and a Claydol. The Claydol looked towards Sparktail and Barrel. Its two hands spun around and pointed at them. "I:ll fetch the Orb," said Barrel. "Can you draw the guards away?"
Nodding, Sparktail leapt at the Cradily, slashing with his tail across its neck. He spun around and struck the Armaldo with a thuely between the eyes. Then suddenly, a blast of psychic power flew from the Claydol and flung him off his paws. Out of the corner of his eye as he got up, the gasping Raichu saw Barrel racing up to the Red Orb.
The Lairon reached for the chained orb on the pedastal, his claws digging into the chain links. Electricity flashed from Sparktail's cheeks as Claydol flew at him, dissipating uselessly on its black clay body.
Cackling, the Cradily suddenly swept up Sparktail with sinewy vines, holding him in place. Horrified, Sparktail struggled to pull free from the vines, tail lashing on the sandstone floor as the Armaldo drew back its pincers. Writhing, the Raichu managed to squirm out of harm's way as the Armaldo struck.
Then, a loud crack filled the air. All of them froze and stared as Barrel ripped the Red Orb from its pedastal, tumbling to the floor. A mighty roard erupted from deep within the earth that set Sparktail's fur on end with a fear he had all but forgotten.
A massive plume of red-brown flames burst up from beneath the pedastal and blasted up through the ceiling, leaving behind a charred crater where the Red Orb had been moments ago. Sparktail ran to the smoking hole in the floor, staring far down through the howling smoke, through three shattered floors, into the dark abyss.
In the farthest reaches of the terrifying chasm was a glowing red cavern. A monstrous shape with gleaming red eyes shifted in the molten depths, a shape that the Raichu could comprehend, only fear.
The room lurched beneath Sparktail's paws. Barrel grabbed the Raichu, keeping him from tumbling down into the pit. The entire tower began to shake all around them. Squeakling, the Cradilly retracted its vines, and the three wild Pokemom fled down the stairs as the ceiling, walls, and floor began to crack.
Sparktail glanced frantically around the collapsing chamber. "i'm sorry," said Barrel heavily, picking up he Red Orbs. "I should've remembered fhe traps Let's go!" They ran to the stairs, then stumbled to a halt as a mass of sand collapsed on the landing, trappig them.
The floor was growing soft, too soft to hold their footing. The roars of the terrible beast grew louder with every passing second as thick masses of sand collapsed on the coughing duo, threatening to bury them alive.
Sparktail tumbled back through the cloud of soft earth that was once a wall-- and found himself no longer trapped in the earth but falling from the tower spire. Panic filled him as he hurtled down towards the dunes, a good fifty feet below, the wind rushing through his fur.
She coughed the gritty sand blowing through her fur, the heat that parched her leaves. All around them were the bodies of wild Pokemon, She glanced back to the collapsed Herald, sheltering under a rocky alcove. "Sorry, Herald... I've got to find my friend," gasped Thalia. Wiping her stung, watering eyes, she scampered into the sandstorm, towards the terrible roar that shook the desert.
Sparktail crashed down into a sand dune, tumbling head-over-tail in a thick cloud of dust. Blurred, dizzy, and bruised, the Raichu groaned and crawled out from the sand, his fur ragged and torn. A few feet away gleamed the Red Orb, half-buried in the sand and still bound by its scarlet chain.
Arid wind battered at Thalia from every direction, tearing at fur and leaves. A wide leaf up to shield her face, she charged forward as the beast's terrible roar shook the desert again. In the distance, the Mirage Tower burst into a shower of sand and dust as Groudon clawing its way out from far beneath the desert.
Shaking, Sparktail stared up to the sky as the sun's blazing heat shone down through the haze, the sandstorm subsiding. He froze as he saw the ancient Pokemon towering high over him, the gigantic beast whose body glowed blue in the crevices between its earth-brown plates. A few feet away, Barrel poked his head out of the sand, staring up at Groudon.
"VERMIN UPON THIS LAND!" snarled Groudon above the howling winds of the desert, a wall of pure sound blasting Sparktail and the dusty air at the mighty behemoth's cry. "LOWLY SLAVE, UNWORTHY TO CRAWL UPON THE EARTH. BE SWALLOWED BY DESTRUCTION!"
Sparktail began to back away from the raging Behemoth, terrified, sand flying under his paws. His head throbbed with hot blood, every step burning at his pawpads. A soft patch of sand gave way beneath his paws, and he lost his footing, tumbled to the ground. Hateful blasts of sand threw back pricks of blinding sunlight into his eyes
"Sparktail! Hang on!" called Thalia. Sparktail stared up as the Leafeon hurried towards him, leaves and fur wild. Wrapping vinds around her paws, she caught Sparktail as he fell. The Raichu body was overheating, his movements becoming feeble, but he was still conscious and breathing. Thalia hugged him close. "It's okay. I'm here!"
The hot sun filled Thalia's fur and heart as she raced towards Groudon and the Red Orb, her leaves glowing with power that wrapped around her like a cloak of light. Beneath her paws, the ground shuddered with Groudon's terrible footsteps.
"THE EARTH IS LIMITLESS; AND THUS IT SHALL CONSUME YOU," thundered Groudon as he towered high above Thalia with indomitable strength, his sun-bleached plate a horrific blight of the desert. "OF THE EARTH, YOU WERE BORN; TO THE EARTH YOU SHALL RETURN!"
Massive claws swiped at Thalia as she leapt up with leaf-blades drawn, the harsh wind screaming past her ears. Barrel and Sparktaol stared as the Leafeon lashed out with her vines and swung down from the spikes on the Behemoth's chin, striking at Groudon's back with whirling leaf blades.
A mighty foot crashed down into the sand, missing the Leafeon by inches, sending a rolling wave of harsh dust across the desert. Fissures split the desert open, branching out for Thalia, sand spilling down into the crevices as they closed.
Panic flooded Thalia came as a stream of yellow flames flew from Groudon's maw, zigzagging across the ground for her. Sinking razor leaves into the back of Groudon's arm, she clung to the underside of Groudon's belly until he struck her away, Focus, Thalia, she told herself as she leapt to her paws again. The Orb was what mattered.
Not fully sure what she was doing, Thalia spread her leaves wide, the intense sunlight flooding into her body. With a cry, she leapt up and unleashed a concentrated blast of solar power, catching up the Red Orb in its hold, blasting the red chains until they shattered.
As the Leafeon dove forward to catch the Red Orb, an agonized snarl erupted from Groudon, his tail swinging around with shocking speed, sending her flying. Frantic and delirious,, Sparktail hoarsely shouted Thalia's name, his head throbbing with, pawing at the sand, trying to reach her, until the desert faded away.
Sparktail crashed down into a sand dune, tumbling head-over-tail in a thick cloud of dust. Blurred, dizzy, and bruised, the Raichu groaned and crawled out from the sand, his fur ragged and torn. A few feet away gleamed the Red Orb, half-buried in the sand and still bound by its scarlet chain.
Arid wind battered at Thalia from every direction, tearing at fur and leaves. A wide leaf up to shield her face, she charged forward as the beast's terrible roar shook the desert again. In the distance, the Mirage Tower burst into a shower of sand and dust as Groudon clawing its way out from far beneath the desert.
Shaking, Sparktail stared up to the sky as the sun's blazing heat shone down through the haze, the sandstorm subsiding. He froze as he saw the ancient Pokemon towering high over him, the gigantic beast whose body glowed blue in the crevices between its earth-brown plates. A few feet away, Barrel poked his head out of the sand, staring up at Groudon.
"VERMIN UPON THIS LAND!" snarled Groudon above the howling winds of the desert, a wall of pure sound blasting Sparktail and the dusty air at the mighty behemoth's cry. "LOWLY SLAVE, UNWORTHY TO CRAWL UPON THE EARTH. BE SWALLOWED BY DESTRUCTION!"
Sparktail began to back away from the raging Behemoth, terrified, sand flying under his paws. His head throbbed with hot blood, every step burning at his pawpads. A soft patch of sand gave way beneath his paws, and he lost his footing, tumbled to the ground. Hateful blasts of sand threw back pricks of blinding sunlight into his eyes
"Sparktail! Hang on!" called Thalia. Sparktail stared up as the Leafeon hurried towards him, leaves and fur wild. Wrapping vinds around her paws, she caught Sparktail as he fell. The Raichu body was overheating, his movements becoming feeble, but he was still conscious and breathing. Thalia hugged him close. "It's okay. I'm here!"
The hot sun filled Thalia's fur and heart as she raced towards Groudon and the Red Orb, her leaves glowing with power that wrapped around her like a cloak of light. Beneath her paws, the ground shuddered with Groudon's terrible footsteps.
"THE EARTH IS LIMITLESS; AND THUS IT SHALL CONSUME YOU," thundered Groudon as he towered high above Thalia with indomitable strength, his sun-bleached plate a horrific blight of the desert. "OF THE EARTH, YOU WERE BORN; TO THE EARTH YOU SHALL RETURN!"
Massive claws swiped at Thalia as she leapt up with leaf-blades drawn, the harsh wind screaming past her ears. Barrel and Sparktaol stared as the Leafeon lashed out with her vines and swung down from the spikes on the Behemoth's chin, striking at Groudon's back with whirling leaf blades.
A mighty foot crashed down into the sand, missing the Leafeon by inches, sending a rolling wave of harsh dust across the desert. Fissures split the desert open, branching out for Thalia, sand spilling down into the crevices as they closed.
Panic flooded Thalia came as a stream of yellow flames flew from Groudon's maw, zigzagging across the ground for her. Sinking razor leaves into the back of Groudon's arm, she clung to the underside of Groudon's belly until he struck her away, Focus, Thalia, she told herself as she leapt to her paws again. The Orb was what mattered.
Not fully sure what she was doing, Thalia spread her leaves wide, the intense sunlight flooding into her body. With a cry, she leapt up and unleashed a concentrated blast of solar power, catching up the Red Orb in its hold, blasting the red chains until they shattered.
As the Leafeon dove forward to catch the Red Orb, an agonized snarl erupted from Groudon, his tail swinging around with shocking speed, sending her flying. Frantic and delirious,, Sparktail hoarsely shouted Thalia's name, his head throbbing with, pawing at the sand, trying to reach her, until the desert faded away.
"Sparktail...?"
The Raichu's eyes flew open at the sound of Thalia's voice, his chest heaving for breath and his mouse-heart pounding a mile a minute, his last memories a blur-- Mirage Tower, the desert, Groudon, Red Orb, Barrel, Thalia coming to the rescue...
Eyes widening, Sparktail sat up and stared at the bruised, disheveled Leafeon. "Oh, good! You're finally awake," said Thalia happily, tired but relieved. Her eyes lit up as he looked at her, sending an odd shiver down the Raichu's spine. "I was afraid you'd be out for another day, at least. You all right?"
He felt sore all over, his throat was dry, his head was throbbing, and his joints felt a little stiff-- but something told him that he was lucky, that he could be in so much more pain. "I- I think I'm fine," he rasped. "Thanks." His fur stood on end as he hugged her, his tail rippling.
They were in a small patch of -tiny flowers, a rock alcove sheltering them from the desert's wind. His head swam as he scanned their surroundingd, bordered by mountainous ridges. A few feet away, Barrel stared down at an unconscious Altaria. "Where are we?"
"We're safe; that's what matters," said Thalia, playfully poking his chest with a paw. Sparktail stared at the Red Orb at Thalia's paws, gleaming in the sun, then followed her gaze to the Lairon. "Groudon and Barrel brought us to safety. Apparently, Barrel's a servant of Groudon!"
"A servant of Groudon?" echoed Sparktail. He tried to say more, but the words got trapped in his throat and turned into fits of dry coughing. Was that why Barrel was helping them?
Barrel's eyes narrowed. "Here," said the Lairon, handing Thalia a water pouch. Carefully, the Leafeon tipped the pouch into the Raichu's mouth, gulps of soothing water splashing down his throat.
"It's all right," said the Leafeon. "Groudon.... Well, he's still scary, but eh, I'm pretty sure he's on our side now. And he wants to fight Giratina." Her voice dropped. "You collapsed from the heat. But you're better off than Altaria."
Setting the waterskin down, he stared at Thalia, then at Altaria. It was hard to wrap his mind around; Groudon and Kyogre were always violent and destructive in the old stories. And yet... was there something more to that destruction and violence? "What happened to Altaria?"
Thalia's smile was gone. "After we got separated in the sandstorm, Claydols ambushed us," said the Leafeon, faltering. Sparktail watched Thalia's face, worried. "I... I'm not sure what happened, exactly. I guess I killed them all, but... well... Altaria collapsed."
She was silent for a moment. "The Herald is just exhausted from her journey," said Barrel gently. "I'll see to her health. Do not worry; she is very strong." Holding another waterskin, the Lairon padded over to Altaria.
The Leafeon's eyes were clouded. "I- I don't know what came over me," admitted Thalia bleakly, sending a chill through his body as she rested her paw on his. "I just remembered seeing the broken black clay scattered across the sand, and- and my leafblades. I don't know if I ever said this. But... I just can't stand it all. It's like- like-"
Clearing her throat, she lifted her gaze to meet the Raichu's. Tears were forming in her eyes. "It's like back in Sinnoh, when we saw the death camps... the slave miners... all of those horrible things," continued Thalia slowly. "I- I don't know how to say it. But all I can think is... How can this happen? How can these Pokemon... how can I..."
She took a shuddering breath, then shook her head and looked back to Sparktail. "Sorry to ramble about all this," said Thalia shakily. "I didn't mean to--say all that or anything. Just, thanks for... for being here."
Not knowing what to say, Sparktail gave Thalia a reassuring smile and patted her. He didn't quite know what was shaking her so badly, but maybe he could help put her at ease. "Silly. I'll always be here."
"Yeah," said Thalia, smiling. The Raichu's heart pounded as the Leafeon picked up the Red Orb and held it up to the light. "A-anyway... one down? Two to go."
"The law of wild has spoken," growled a deep voice. Exchanging glances, the three turned to see Groudon rising from the earth, beyond the ridges. His scales had lost their copper sheen; now the ancient Pokemon's plates were a fiery magma-red. "She, who breaks the chains of the earth-spirits, shall unleash the chaos within."
As the great Behemoth towered over them, the Orb by Thalia's paws began to glow, and the sunlight overhead grew warm and bright. Sparktail froze, his fur prickling. Nodding, Barrel lay himself prostrate before the super-ancient Pokemon.
"I am Groudon, ancient master of continents, wrath of the land," declared Groudon. "Too long have I allowed the adversary to deceive me; too long have my brethren run rampant in accordance to his plan. Go forth with my jewel; and bring liberty to the eyes of my kin!"
The Raichu's eyes flew open at the sound of Thalia's voice, his chest heaving for breath and his mouse-heart pounding a mile a minute, his last memories a blur-- Mirage Tower, the desert, Groudon, Red Orb, Barrel, Thalia coming to the rescue...
Eyes widening, Sparktail sat up and stared at the bruised, disheveled Leafeon. "Oh, good! You're finally awake," said Thalia happily, tired but relieved. Her eyes lit up as he looked at her, sending an odd shiver down the Raichu's spine. "I was afraid you'd be out for another day, at least. You all right?"
He felt sore all over, his throat was dry, his head was throbbing, and his joints felt a little stiff-- but something told him that he was lucky, that he could be in so much more pain. "I- I think I'm fine," he rasped. "Thanks." His fur stood on end as he hugged her, his tail rippling.
They were in a small patch of -tiny flowers, a rock alcove sheltering them from the desert's wind. His head swam as he scanned their surroundingd, bordered by mountainous ridges. A few feet away, Barrel stared down at an unconscious Altaria. "Where are we?"
"We're safe; that's what matters," said Thalia, playfully poking his chest with a paw. Sparktail stared at the Red Orb at Thalia's paws, gleaming in the sun, then followed her gaze to the Lairon. "Groudon and Barrel brought us to safety. Apparently, Barrel's a servant of Groudon!"
"A servant of Groudon?" echoed Sparktail. He tried to say more, but the words got trapped in his throat and turned into fits of dry coughing. Was that why Barrel was helping them?
Barrel's eyes narrowed. "Here," said the Lairon, handing Thalia a water pouch. Carefully, the Leafeon tipped the pouch into the Raichu's mouth, gulps of soothing water splashing down his throat.
"It's all right," said the Leafeon. "Groudon.... Well, he's still scary, but eh, I'm pretty sure he's on our side now. And he wants to fight Giratina." Her voice dropped. "You collapsed from the heat. But you're better off than Altaria."
Setting the waterskin down, he stared at Thalia, then at Altaria. It was hard to wrap his mind around; Groudon and Kyogre were always violent and destructive in the old stories. And yet... was there something more to that destruction and violence? "What happened to Altaria?"
Thalia's smile was gone. "After we got separated in the sandstorm, Claydols ambushed us," said the Leafeon, faltering. Sparktail watched Thalia's face, worried. "I... I'm not sure what happened, exactly. I guess I killed them all, but... well... Altaria collapsed."
She was silent for a moment. "The Herald is just exhausted from her journey," said Barrel gently. "I'll see to her health. Do not worry; she is very strong." Holding another waterskin, the Lairon padded over to Altaria.
The Leafeon's eyes were clouded. "I- I don't know what came over me," admitted Thalia bleakly, sending a chill through his body as she rested her paw on his. "I just remembered seeing the broken black clay scattered across the sand, and- and my leafblades. I don't know if I ever said this. But... I just can't stand it all. It's like- like-"
Clearing her throat, she lifted her gaze to meet the Raichu's. Tears were forming in her eyes. "It's like back in Sinnoh, when we saw the death camps... the slave miners... all of those horrible things," continued Thalia slowly. "I- I don't know how to say it. But all I can think is... How can this happen? How can these Pokemon... how can I..."
She took a shuddering breath, then shook her head and looked back to Sparktail. "Sorry to ramble about all this," said Thalia shakily. "I didn't mean to--say all that or anything. Just, thanks for... for being here."
Not knowing what to say, Sparktail gave Thalia a reassuring smile and patted her. He didn't quite know what was shaking her so badly, but maybe he could help put her at ease. "Silly. I'll always be here."
"Yeah," said Thalia, smiling. The Raichu's heart pounded as the Leafeon picked up the Red Orb and held it up to the light. "A-anyway... one down? Two to go."
"The law of wild has spoken," growled a deep voice. Exchanging glances, the three turned to see Groudon rising from the earth, beyond the ridges. His scales had lost their copper sheen; now the ancient Pokemon's plates were a fiery magma-red. "She, who breaks the chains of the earth-spirits, shall unleash the chaos within."
As the great Behemoth towered over them, the Orb by Thalia's paws began to glow, and the sunlight overhead grew warm and bright. Sparktail froze, his fur prickling. Nodding, Barrel lay himself prostrate before the super-ancient Pokemon.
"I am Groudon, ancient master of continents, wrath of the land," declared Groudon. "Too long have I allowed the adversary to deceive me; too long have my brethren run rampant in accordance to his plan. Go forth with my jewel; and bring liberty to the eyes of my kin!"