The Rescue (Part 3)

A blaring noise blasted through the air that sounded something akin to an Exploud's screech of pain.  Humans started pouring out of the white den, more than we had originally thought possible.  They all rushed towards Bolt, along with a pack of about 50 Mightyenas!  Bolt cranked out the lightning as much as he could, but, no matter how much his attacks looked like it, he was not the Great Raikou.

Inferno ran to the edge of the den's roof, despite Surf's warnings.  "Bolt's being overrun!" he shouted. "His distraction is working too well!"

Seeming to realize this himself, Bolt backed up on his branch, looking for an exit as the Mightyenas tried to climb the tree to get to him.  Bolt took one look at the pack of ferocious dog Pokemon and ran, using his skill set to the max as he bounded from tree to tree with amazing agility.

A Staraptor's cry pierced the air behind us.  "LOOK OUT!" Streak screeched just before the Mandibuzz swooped in and snatched Inferno.  For the fourth time that day, however, his fluff protected him from any serious damage.  Streak lived up to his name as he and Night flew after them with astonishing speed.

"Streak!  Night!  Get back!" I yelled.  "Inferno!  GO!"

Whatever the Mandibuzz was expecting, it wasn't Discharge.

Barely managing to stay in the air (that's one tough bird Pokemon), she released Inferno, dropping him to the ground near the humans.  She then let out a raucous screech as the Flareon tried to sneak away, causing several humans to turn around and spot Inferno.

Inferno shot Flamethrower over his shoulder and ran as fast as his paws would carry him.  I couldn't tear my eyes away as Bolt zipped by in a tree parallel to his best friend... and then as a quick Gliscor that was pursuing the Jolteon cut down the tree he was in.

My paws were rooted to the spot as Bolt fell next to Inferno, both where they could be easily attacked. They took one look at each other, then blew up.  Bolt zipped away with a recharge, and Inferno turned to fight with the power-up.

Espeon's voice sounded in my head as Streak, Night, and the Mandibuzz met in mid-air, clashing a spectacular display of prowess.  Splash, we're clear!  That may not be safe for Bolt or Inferno, but Snow and I have a perfect clearance to the den!  How do you want to do this?

I though for a moment before speaking aloud so that Surf and Umbreon could hear me as well. "Listen, I know this is unsafe, but those two can hold their own.  We need to continue with the plan and save Clover."

Everyone nodded their assent.  Umbreon trotted to the edge of the roof where the metal plate was.  As Surf and I followed suit, the grate glowed blue before popping off the wall, exposing a rectangular hole that was perfectly Eevee-sized.  I looked at the two males stranding next to me.  "Umbreon, can you get in without Espeon's help?"

He nodded seriously.  "It'll definitely be more difficult, but I can manage."  With that, he leaned over the edge.  Helping out as much as I could, I grabbed the end of his tail in my teeth and braced my paws.  Umbreon mumbled thanks as he took all four paws off of the roof, trusting me to hold his weight before finding the opening with his front paws.  "Ok," grunted to me.  "I've got it.  You can let go."  Trusting that the Dark Type knew what he was doing, I released my hold on his tail, and he fell. For a heart-stopping moment, Umbreon just hung there before he pulled himself into the hole, his tail vanishing into the foreboding white den.

"Surf next," I said aloud.  Just as my mate began to protest, Espeon picked him up with telekinesis and carefully maneuvered him into the gap as well, this time, much smoother than Umbreon's entrance.

I did a final check on my clan as Espeon started to pick me up as well.  I didn't like what I saw.  Bolt was trapped between a whole group of humans and half of the Mightyena Pack, which was about 25. On the other side of my field of vision, Inferno was fighting valiantly, but was surrounded by an ever-closing circle of humans and Mightyenas, every human holding a Poke ball, or a cage, or both.

Movement caught my eye as I was lifted over the roof.  Snow was running from the safety of her hiding spot towards the treeline!  Following her line of sight, I spotted Espeon, who had her entire focus on me and not on the three humans and Mightyenas behind her!  I sent her a frantic thought as she turned me around and started moving me into the square hole.  ESPEON!  BEHIND YOU!

I couldn't see anything, as I was half in, half out of the squashed passageway, but within the next second, I dropped out of the passage as Espeon's telekinetic focus broke.  My small claws slid helplessly across the metal until I hanging out of the den by my claws.  I tried to scrabble for purchase with my hind legs, but that only succeeded in making one paw come loose!  "Surf!" I yelled, hoping that he could save me.

The smell of Mightyenas and the stink of a human hit my nose before Surf could even respond.  The human's voice was sickening.  "Well, well, well.  Look what we have here.  What trainer put you up to this?  Let's find out.  Mightyenas, get it."

His scent retreated as the Dark Types began jumping and snapping at my tail.  I could feel their breath on my flukes!  I tried to hold my tail up and away from them, but that only made one of my claws slip off!

Finally, Surf arrived.  "Splash!  I've got you!  Hang on!"  He leaned out to grab my fins in his teeth, trying not to touch my claws.  His face moved just short of mine, trying to reach my fins.  "Splash, your fins are vibrating!  I can't..."  As he tried to reach me again, I put as much effort as I could into stopping my fins from moving.  A Mightyena barely caught the corner of my fluke in his fangs.  He slipped off immediately, but it was all my claws could take.

I slipped and fell.

BOOSSSHHH!!

A massive geyser of water erupted underneath me, saving me from the ravenous dogs.  I screwed my eyes shut as the water died down, waiting for the attack.  Instead of landing on the ground, however, I had a soft landing onto what felt almost like cloud.  I opened my eyes.  A purple cloud-like mane.  I looked up to see a familiar, hexagonal, cerulean blue crest and the serious red eyes that I knew all to well.

"Thought you might need some help," he said with a ghost of a smile.

"Suicune!" I said.  I was never happier to see the Legendary of the water.  I stood up on his back.  He must have caught me by appearing in that geyser!

FWOOOOON!

CRACK!  BOOOOOOOM!

Entei and Raikou appeared by their favored Eevee as well, Entei stepping out of a massive column of fire near the human holding Inferno in a cage, and Raikou's massive thunderbolt striking the ground between Bolt and his human pursuers.  

Entei took a step towards the human carrying Inferno.  His posture said it all.  "Let... the Flareon... go.  NOW!" he roared.  The human didn't need any more encouragement.  He dropped Inferno and ran.  Entei engulfed the cage in a blast of fire that would have knocked out any other Pokemon.  When the smoke cleared, Inferno was standing in the middle of a puddle of molten metal, his fur giving off heat waves from the fire.

I dimly heard him murmur.  "Best.  Power-up.  Ever!"  With that, he jumped clear of the remnants of the cage and unleashed a powerful Flamethrower, which ended up turning into Blast Burn, scattering the Mightyenas around him!

Raikou turned his head slightly to check on Bolt.  Agile as ever, the Jolteon leaped up to his favorite perch on Raikou's back, recharging with the lightning that was angrily crackling among the thunderclouds on his back.  Bolt spoke while looking at the humans and Mightyenas in front of them. "Boy am I glad to see you!"

Raikou responded in kind.  "Friends don't let friends get captured by humans!" he rumbled before charging into the mass, both Legendary and Jolteon firing thunderbolts like crazy.

The Mightyenas surrounding Suicune and I growled uncertainly.  The Aurora Pokemon's smile at me vanished, replaced by his usual seriousness in bad situations.  He stared down the pack around us.  Then, he threw his head back and roared loudly, sending the dog Pokemon scampering like puppies.  

"Where am I going?" he growled, all business.  

"I think I saw them take Espeon inside the building!  Clover's in there, too!"

He nodded and signaled to Entei, who, grudgingly, let Inferno climb onto his back as well.  The second that Inferno was settled in, the Volcano Pokemon charged at extreme speeds, thick fur flying.  Just before he hit the wall, he lowered his head and extended his paw smashing through the wall as if it were made of sand.

Finally, the humans snapped out of their trance, and began attempting to fight back.  Many commanded Pokemon of their own, while others threw easily dodged Poke balls.  Suicune exploded into action, attacking anything that moved and wasn't an Eevee.  I could barely keep track of his attacks!  

When my mount's eyes turned to the sky and began blasting flying Pokemon with Ice Beam, I called out. "The Staraptors are with us!  That Staraptors are with us!!"

Both powerful bird Pokemon had been barely able to flap their wings, dumbstruck.  Finally, Streak managed to find his voice. "You know LEGENDARIES!?" he shrieked at me.  I could only nod before Suicune raced off at unfathomable speeds, blurring my vision as we approached the white den.

As he stopped near the gigantic hole that Entei made, completely ignoring all sense of the boundaries between spaces, a Poke ball zinged through the air.  Suicune marginally managed to stop before it hit him, but its trajectory continued towards Raikou!  Seeing this, Bolt heroically leaped off of the Thunder Pokemon's back and took the Poke ball in a bright flash of light.  It fell to the ground with Bolt inside.  "BOLT!" Raikou and I both yelled at the same time.

With another flash, Bolt reappeared.  He jumped back onto Raikou's back.  "Friends don't let friends get captured by humans!" he yelled back, throwing the Legendary's words right back at him.  Streak and Night swooped into my field of vision, now mounted by Surf and Umbreon.

Umbreon called to Suicune and me.  "Espy's this way!" he shouted, steering Night around the side of the den.

Suicune looked over his shoulder.  "Raikou!  Come on!" he called before racing after Night with Streak, Raikou, and Bolt hard on our tails.  I clung tight as Suicune ran.  I had never gone this fast before in anything!  It was almost as fun as flying, if not equal to!

A Liepard jumped through a broken window, landing silently in front of Suicune and me, causing the Legendary to skid to a stop.  "If you're here for Clover, I know where she is!" she meowed bravely. 

Suicune leaned his head to the side so that I could speak to her.  "Where is she!?  Tell me RIGHT NOW!" I snarled.

"On one condition!" she called back, bravely standing her ground despite the two powerful Pokemon that were staring her down, each more than five times her size.  "You don't hurt my trainer!"

Raikou let out a thunderous growl.  "You're in no position to make demands, Liepard!"

"Terror!" she called back.  "Clover calls me Terror!  And your Leafeon is well hidden!  You don't hurt my trainer, I'll show you where she is!"

Neither Legendary said anything.  Suicune looked at me for an answer.  "Fine!" I called back.  "As long as, when we're done here, neither you, your trainer, nor ANY of these other humans come anywhere near my Clan again!"

Terror looked back and forth between me, Raikou, and Suicune.  "With these resources you have, deal.  This way!"  With that, she turned and ran.

Umbreon stuttered.  "But... Espeon!"

I took charge of the situation.  "Bolt, Raikou, help save Espeon!  Surf, Night, you come with Suicune and me!"  Realizing that I just told two Legendaries what to do, I waited for the repercussions.  To my amazement, however, both nodded and raced in opposite directions.

I felt Streak's wingbeats on my back as he struggled to keep pace.  We easily caught up to Terror, even though she was running as fast as she could.  She glanced back at us.  "There's a door that you should be able to fit through!  This way!"  As she turned back to her path, my ears barely caught her mutter "...dear Arceus, that's terrifying."

Sure enough, two large panes of glass in metal frames laid on the floor, apparently having fallen from the ferocity of Entei's smashing.  Suicune leaped over them easily, following Terror into the den.  He growled at the Liepard as we ran.  "I swear, Liepard, if this a trap..."

"It's not!" she squeaked.  Evidence of Entei's attacks were everywhere.  I hoped Inferno was ok. Finally, Terror stopped near a pair of metal doors.  "She's right through there!"

Suicune didn't stop.  He smashed through the doors with a massive leap and a headbutt, sending the doors flying off of their hinges and across the room.  I spotted her immediately.  "CLOVER!!"

"SPLASH!" she yelled back, jumping to her paws.  She then screeched in pain and fell back onto her belly.  What was she doing all the way up there?

Pawsteps from the entrance caught my attention.  "CLOVER!" Snow cried as she raced in.  Without asking, she took a flying leap onto Suicune's back, then took another up to her best friend.  "It's ok...  It's ok, I'm here..  It's gonna be ok... We're gonna go home, ok?"  Clover could only whimper in response, pushing herself up to Snow.

I looked at Suicune.  "Get her down from there.  I don't think she can move on her own.  He nodded and pushed his snout into the open cage, past the stunned Zorua who seemed incapable on movement, and found the Leafeon.  The height wasn't much of a stretch for him.

As he carefully pulled the injured Leafeon down, she yelped again.  Snow paused on the edge.  "Do you mind...?" she carefully asked Suicune.  He nodded, though he didn't seem entirely happy about it. The Aurora Pokemon carefully draped Clover over his back as well.  I helped Snow steady her.

She panted through the pain and mumbled "Soursap's still here... get Soursap, too..."

I leaned down and asked her quietly.  "Who's Soursap?"

She barely answered before she slipped into unconsciousness.  "Brown Leafeon..."

From the doorway, Terror spoke.  "Brown Leafeon...  7a!  This way!" she meowed again before bounding off down another passage.  Being careful not to disturb his passengers, Suicune carefully ran after her, trying his very best to give a smooth ride.  After only a few strides, Suicune stopped next to Terror, looking at a row of cages.  Two Leafeons were in two cages.  One, true to Clover's words, had brown leaves.  His eyes were misted over, showing that he was blind.  Finally, as he sat up to try and figure out what was happening, his two tails moved on the floor.

It didn't take much for Suicune to pull the cage door off.  "What are you doing!?  Who are you?" he yelled in a scratchy, creaky voice.  

I leaned into his cage, helping him stand up.  "I'm Splash.  We have Clover here.  This is Snow and Suicune."

His sightless eyes narrowed.  "The Legendary?" he asked skeptically.  

Suicune dipped his head, even though Soursap couldn't see him.  "Greetings," he said in a serious voice.

I helped him onto the Legendary's back, being careful to avoid Clover.  "We're here to get you out.  Sit here, it's a bit crowded.  Now hang on."

He did as I instructed, feeling everything with his paws before placing them.  "I knew she was keeping something secret...  Leave the other Leafeon here, it's too late for him.  The humans poisoned his food."

All of us bristled and/or growled in anger.  I looked at Suicune.  "Surf and Streak are still outside.  Streak's wings can't fit through the door.  Suicune, please get us out of here.  I hate this place..."

Suicune nodded seriously.  "You and me both, Splash."  In a blur of motion, he raced out of the desolate, cruel place, back into the sunlight, back towards home.

The Rescue (Part 2)

We sat in our conference circle for the third time in the last four days.  I didn't even look at Clover's empty spot this time.  I just focused on Espeon and Umbreon on the other side of the circle.  Snow was still teary-eyed.  I clenched my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and attempted to speak in a steady voice.

"As you all know, the Legendary Trio can't come to help us.  They're being kept busy.  We have to devise our own way to rescue Clover.  Suggestions?"

Everyone was silent.  Inferno spoke without standing.  "How are we going to pull this off?  Last time, just to get in, we needed Entei's hole in the walls and Raikou as a distraction!"

Espeon stood up.  "While I have no definite plan, I can highlight our strong points.  We have the size, versatility, adaptability, and sneaking skills that the Legendaries don't have.  We can operate in stealth mode.  I've even been working on masking a Pokemon's presence."

Surf tilted his head at her.  "How?"

She turned to face him.  "Simple.  I use distraction methods.  I mask the ally's scent and sounds while focusing the foe's attention on something else."

Umbreon looked at his mate.  "Does it work on Dark Types?"

Espeon shrugged.  "I don't know.  I've never tried."

I looked at her incredulously.  "Well then, let's try it!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ten minutes later, I was hiding in a bush near Bolt and Inferno's rock den.  I peered through the leaves at Umbreon, who was sitting in the middle of camp, and then moved my gaze to my intended destination, which was his and Espeon's log den.  Espeon was sitting on top of the log, closing her eyes and focusing.  Finally, she waved her tail.  That was our signal to move.

I watched Bolt and Inferno creep out of hiding first, as they were the first group to try and beat Umbreon.  Both had unnaturally silent pawsteps as they snuck behind the Dark Type, probably the work of Espeon.  Umbreon had his ears up and eyes alert, but instead of detecting the pair of males less than two tail-lengths behind him, his attention was fixed on a tree above camp.  At one point, his gaze strayed from the tree, but soon fixed on another random piece of foliage.  Espeon was trying insanely hard to make this work.  Finally, Bolt and Inferno crept into the log den.

Next, it was Snow's, Surf's, and my turn.  Snow, who already had very quiet paws, reached the log den with perfect silence before Surf and I were halfway there.  I placed my paws lightly on the ground, worried that I would give myself away. 

"AH-HA!" Umbreon yelled, not at me, but at Surf.  "Got you!  ...which is not good news for us."

Espeon jumped down gracefully, despite her swollen belly.  "Doing three is harder.  Snow already has soft steps; maybe she can do without the sound muffling."  Snow nodded in agreement.

I sat down and looked at Espeon.  "Ok, so we can sneak around Dark Types... But that still doesn't mean that we can get in at all.  We need a way to get the humans away from the weird white den."

Bolt jumped out of the log.  "I can be the distraction!"  Everyone turned towards him.  "Not only do I know the Great Raikou's fighting style, he can hit from afar!  If I hide in a tree and cause a big lightning storm, they might think that Raikou came back!  It helps that he'd probably be the most likely to help anyway."

Umbreon led off of him.  "That'll draw their attention... Then we can sneak in.  I remember seeing a square hole in the wall with a plate of metal over it.  If Espeon can pull it off while Bolt is keeping everyone else busy, she can levitate us in before anyone notices."

I finished.  "We'll split up and go in pairs, Snow with Espeon and Umbreon.  Best to have one more fighter on their team if it comes to it, because they seem so fittingly fixated on Dark Types."

"Yeah...  Frankly, I'm disgusted with my type right now..." Umbreon muttered.

Wingbeats sounded from overhead.  We tensed and prepared for battle as the shadow of a large bird Pokemon swept over us.  Then, two forms landed on a low branch of Bolt's emergency tree. 

"Mind if we help with this?" Streak asked. 

I smiled at the two Staraptors.  We might not have the Legendaries, but we might be able to hold our own now.  "Ok everyone, rework the plan to include these two!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I tried my best to balance in the treetop, using my tail to steady myself.  How did Bolt do this so easily?  Next to me stood Surf, Umbreon, and Inferno.  Umbreon was the only one amongst us who looked marginally comfortable in the branches.  On another nearby branch sat Streak and Night, both of them analyzing the odds of Espeon and Snow on the ground.

Inferno was trembling.  "We're supposed to... jump?" he asked shakily for the 50th time.

Night answered the same way she did the last 49 times.  "Yes."

Umbreon looked at Streak and me.  "What if you were to hold him instead of Splash?  He wouldn't get hurt because of all his fluff, and he wouldn't be able to Torchic out of this."

Streak and Inferno spoke at the same time.

"Good idea."

"NO WAY!"

I rolled my eyes.  Do it, Streak.  I know him, he'll be fine.  He'll make a racket in the process, but as long as he's covered by Bolt's lightning, we should be fine."

Streak nodded as Inferno continued to protest.  "All right.  Then, we'll find that Mandibuzz."

Espeon's voice sounded melodiously in our heads.  "All clear for now.  Bolt, start your diversion when you see Streak and Night take off.  Air Strike Unit, wait at least 30 seconds before circling back.  We'll move when you drop."

I took a deep breath.  "Ready when you guys are."

"I am not!" Inferno shouted.  We ignored him.  The Staraptors turned around on their branch, putting our back to us.

I looked at Umbreon.  "Ready?"

He nodded with a small smile.  "Are you?"

Together, we jumped off of our branch, landing on the Staraptors' backs at nearly the same time, me on Streak, Umbreon on Night.  Hooking our paws over their wings as they instructed, we got settled in and prepared for flight.  Then, the two powerful birds took off, almost throwing me off before Streak's flight balanced out, giving way to the smooth freedom of the air that I had always imagined.  The wind blew over my fins, making them wave in the breeze.  I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of the fresh, open air.

"Enjoying yourself?" Night asked as she flew up alongside Streak, matching him wingbeat for wingbeat, just as Umbreon and Espeon did with their pawsteps. 

"I wish I could do this all the time!" I called back.  I looked over at Umbreon, who seemed like he was all business, but I could tell he was secretly having fun, too.  I looked back towards the remaining Eevees in the treetops.  It almost looked like Surf was wrestling with Inferno.  "Let's go back and pick the others up!  I think Inferno is trying to escape."

With a single flap of his wings, Streak flew ahead of Night and extended his talons.  Seeing this, Surf grabbed Inferno, rolled over, and shoved him upwards just as Streak grabbed the alarmed Flareon.  In another perfectly timed maneuver, Surf got to his paws without falling and jumped, giving Night the perfect opportunity to catch him as well.  The six of us rose into the sky with two pairs of wings.

That's when the lightning started.

CRACK!!  BOOM!!  CRASH!!

Blinding bursts of electricity flashed everywhere, just as Raikou would have done it.  So far, the plan was going smoothly.  The two Staraptors made a banking turn, despite Inferno's screaming, and soared over the desolate white den.  On Espeon's silent signal, they dropped Surf and Inferno.  Espeon stopped their fall with telekinesis just before they hit the top, then released them.  Surf landed perfectly on his feet.  Inferno did not.

Streak and Night started to circle back.  "Ready?" my Staraptor asked.  I nodded seriously.  Umbreon and I counted down in our head before letting go and free falling.

For a few terrifying seconds, I just fell.  Just before I hit the smooth, hard roof, I stopped in mid-air.  Espeon had caught me.  I hovered for a full second before gravity resumed working on me, and I landed solidly on the ground.

Umbreon, who had apparently jumped after me, was still falling.  But he wasn't stopping.  Espeon's voice screeched in my head in terror.  SPLASH!!  Her telekinetic powers didn't work on the Dark Type!  Thinking quickly, I jumped into the air and gave Umbreon a solid thwack from my tail, sending him to the side and slowing him down a bit.  Ever in sync with me, Surf tackled Inferno, shoving him directly into Umbreon's path.

POOF!

"OW!!" Inferno yelled as Umbreon landed on him.  Neither seemed hurt, though Umbreon looked rather shaken, and Inferno looked extremely irritated.  The Flareon's fluff had protected both of them.  I bounded over to the pair of males.

"Are you two ok!?"

Umbreon staggered to his paws.  "I think so...  That scared me.  Quick thinking, you two."

Surf nodded thanks as Inferno whined.  "What is this, pick on Inferno day!?  Umbreon, I'm glad you're all right, but seriously, you are much heavier than you look."

Umbreon, getting his normal friendly attitude back, tilted his head at Inferno.  "Is that a compliment or an insult?"

Espeon's scared voice whispered in my head again.  ...is he ok?  Is my Umbreon ok?

I sent her a thought back.  He's fine.  Surf and I made sure he had a soft landing on Inferno's back.  They're both ok.

I heard a mental sigh of relief.  Good.  I can't believe we didn't think of that.  Thank you for being so quick on your paws, Splash.

I smiled.  No problem.  Just make sure that you and Snow are safe.

Inferno stood up and shook himself off, fluffing himself up even more.  "Anyway..." he muttered.  "Bolt can't keep going forever.  Let's get in, save Clover, and get out."

Naturally, that's where everything went horribly wrong.

Clover was in pain.  A lot of it.  Breathing hurt right now.  She didn't dare move.  That would make the pain worse.  Anyone who knew a thing about healing knew that.  Still, she had to breathe.  Still with her eyes shut, she took a quick, jagged breath through her mouth before holding her breath again.  That hurt.  A lot.  So much pain.  Clover took another quick breath.

 

What had happened?  Clover could only recall fragments.  She took another sharp breath.  The last clear memory she had was fighting Terror.  Another breath.  The metal thorn.  That had obviously done something to her, as she could remember scant details after that.  Another breath.  Lots of humans in white cloth-furs surrounding her.  Another breath.  The harsh cold of metal beneath her.  Another breath.  Unbearable pain in her back...

 

That pain was still there.  Clover couldn't stand it.  She took another breath, wishing she was unconscious again.  She realized she was lying on her belly.  Why?  Another breath.  If Snow were here, she could numb the pain.  But Snow couldn't save her.  Clover took another breath, this one edged with a sob.  She might never see Snow again.  Or Splash.  Or Bolt or Inferno or Espeon or Umbreon or Surf. 

 

The combined pain and emotional blows were too much.  Clover started to cry.  Tears leaked out of her eyes and every breath she took was laced with pain.  How did this happen?  How did everything go so wrong?

 

Clover dimly heard pawsteps.  She was too busy with hurting to care.  She just wanted it all to stop.  Another tear splashed onto the unyielding metal floor.  Something jumped up onto the platform her cage was on, shaking it.  Clover screamed in pain, more tears flowing freely.  She clenched her eyes shut and whimpered.

 

A female voice spoke.  "Oh, gosh!  I'm so sorry!"

 

Clover whimpered back, barely forming words.  "Go away, Terror.  Leave me alone..."

 

"Not Terror.  Zorua.  I'm here to help you feel better."

 

Clover still didn't move.  "Don't wanna talk.  Hurts too much..."

 

"I know, I know," Zorua mumbled soothingly.  "I know it hurts.  The humans have done this before, but with very little success.  You got lucky, really."

 

Clover took a steadying breath that was still rough, still not opening her eyes.  "Don't feel lucky..."

 

"I know...  Here.  These will make you feel better."  Clover smelled Zorua's paw near her nose, along with two things that smelled a bit like food.  "This is a cookie.  It sort of melts in your mouth."  Clover whimpered, smelling something akin to... what did humans call it... bread?  It had a starchy smell to it.  When she didn't move, Zorua stepped close to her, making sure not to touch her.  "Here.  I'll help."  She gently pushed the 'cookie' into Clover's mouth. 

 

Zorua was right, Clover thought.  The cookie did taste pretty good, and it melted in her mouth.  She was able to swallow it without much effort.  The food made her feel a bit better.  "And this," Zorua continued, "is what I call chew sap.  It's like thick tree sap, but it doesn't stick to everything.  It's super sweet and has a bunch of stuff in it that'll make you feel better."

 

"Ok," Clover managed to mumble.  Once again, Zorua put it in her mouth so that Clover didn't have to move.  It did require chewing, which hurt, but Zorua was right.  It did taste good.  It had a hint of... honey, Sitrus Berry juice, and a few things that Clover couldn't identify.  As she finished the chew sap, the pain subsided a marginal bit.  Clover was able to open her eyes now, without as much pain.

 

The first thing she noticed was that it was dark, like night.  She was in a cage all right, but one with no door.  The platform that the cage was resting on was a rather large height off the floor, but there was a larger area below, with walls to close her in, of course.  A small bunch of dry grass was in the corner, and bigger pitcher plant things with more water an icky stuff inside.  More water was good.  The best part was, there was another sand box in the opposite corner!

 

Clover yelped as she leaned a bit to see more, the pain starting to come back.  The small black fox Pokemon in front of her helped her ease back into lying down.  "Shhhh..." she murmured.  "Don't move yet.  It's ok.  You'll get better.  Just give it a few days.  You'll be up and walking in no time."

 

Clover breathed evenly now, though she was still in immense amounts of pain unlike anything she had ever encountered before.  "I don't want a few days..." she sighed, still sobbing a bit.  "I want Snow.  And my Clan.  I wanna go home."

 

Zorua sat down next to Clover.  "Listen... As much as I'd love to tell you that that's possible, I don't think it is."  When Clover didn't answer, she continued.  "On the bright side, the humans won't bother you for a bit."

 

Clover turned her head to ask why not, but the movement sent a wave of pain over her, making her scream.  Zorua, being careful not to touch the distressed Leafeon and cause further pain, instead moved closer to her.  "It's ok, it's ok.  Don't move yet...  You have a really low pain threshold, huh?"

 

"Yeah," Clover squeezed out through clenched teeth.  "I've been told...  But why won't they bother me?"

 

Zorua looked towards the door.  "I don't know, to be honest.  I think there's some kind of disturbance outside or something."

 

Despite all of her pain, Clover smiled.  The Clan was coming.



The Rescue (Part 1)

I awoke with a start.  They had thought of everything.  They knew that the Legendaries might come to the rescue, so they created situations that called for their help more urgently elsewhere.  I dove into the water, swimming towards the surface.  Maybe Raikou or Entei could finish with their planned disaster quickly.  Suicune had said that it would take at least another day to solve the oil spill.  Clover would have that much longer to wait for massive assistance.

I surfaced in a leap, landing on the ground.  Surf looked at me hopefully.  "Well?"

I shook my head.  "More bad news.  Suicune is busy with an oil spill over a reef.  It's threatening a lot of Pokemon."  Surf looked down in disappointment.  "I said that the lives of all of those Pokemon outweigh Clover's needs right now.  The weird part is, I think they were set up."

Umbreon looked at me in confusion.  "Set up?  How?"

I sat down.  "Suicune and I both agreed.  Don't you think it's a little odd that, according to him, all three Legendaries just happened to be needed at three different disasters almost exactly when this whole thing started?"

Espeon sat down next to Umbreon, her belly bulging a bit at this point.  "No way that's a coincidence."

Just then, Bolt and Inferno came running out of their rock den.  Both started talking at once.  I held my tail up for silence, then looked at Inferno.  "I couldn't get a hold of Entei at all.  I mean, we're not exactly best buddies like Bolt and Raikou are, but I appeared at the hot, boulder-strewn place we met that one time.  He didn't show."

Bolt led off of his best friend.  "I was able to meet Raikou, same as always, but it took him a bit to show up.  As if that weren't weird enough, he said he had an emergency to take care of.  Even after I told him about Clover, he said that he needed to finish this up first!  He'd come as soon as he could, but..."

I nodded.  "Yeah, same thing happened with Suicune.  Some oil spill out over a populated reef.  I think they were set up."

Inferno's eyes went wide.  "So that they couldn't help us!?"

I looked out towards the forest.  "More like they couldn't help anyone.  I seriously doubt that anyone outside of this clan and the trio themselves know about our connection.  They tried to stop the Legendaries once, they're doing it again.  Indirectly, this time.  Plus, if they're targeting Leafeons, this would kind of fall outside their jurisdiction..."

Snow finally spoke.  "Then why stop them at all?"

Umbreon looked at her.  "My guess is, whatever they're doing there is so horrible, the Legendaries would come no matter what type they're doing it to."

Snow's eyes filled with tears.  "Clover..." she whimpered before running into her bush den.

Espeon looked at her mate chasteningly.  "That wasn't the right thing to say."

Umbreon looked back at her.  "It was most likely the truth."

I shook my head.  "Regardless, we need a new plan."

Clover woke up in her cage again.  All of her flowers had been torn out.  The sand was disturbed.  There was only one berry in the corner for her to eat.  On the bright side, her water had been replaced.  A door opened.  She head squealing.  It sounded like that of another Leafeon.  It couldn't have been Soursap, as she'd taken to calling the brown-leafed Leafeon.  The screams were too high and clear.

Thinking quickly, Clover flopped back down on her destroyed garden, pretending to be unconscious again.  She carefully kept one eye open a crack, trying to see what was happening.  The man with the Mandibuzz strode into the room, with his demonic bird Pokemon sitting on his shoulder.  Sure enough, the man was gripping a struggling Leafeon in one hand.  He opened one of the cages between Clover and Soursap and shoved the Leafeon inside.  Then, he slammed the door shut and locked it.

As the man strode towards the door, it opened again.  A familiar smelling Liepard walked into the room alongside her trainer.  The two horrible men began talking.  "How'd testing go?"

"Not as well as I'd hoped.  7d's legs are paralyzed.  It can only use the back ones now."

"Hit a muscle?"

"Yeah.  Last one before the boss cuts my funding.  Gotta make 7e work."

"You'll find a way.  Liepard's already clawed some sense into it, so I think it should behave itself..."

Clover almost had a small heart attack.  Was 7e her?  What were they planning on doing to her?  The Leafeon they just brought in couldn't use her front legs!?  What were they doing!?  What were they planning on doing to her?

As if sensing her fear, Terror put her paws up on the edge of Clover's cage.  "Hello, Clover," she purred silkily.  "Glad to see you up so late."

Clover froze.  How did she know that Clover was awake?  Terror tilted her head.  Feeling no other option, Clover whispered.  "Late?"

"Mmm-hmm.  You've been out for the whole day.  I must have given you quite a fright yesterday..." she purred as she casually pulled a strip off of one of her claws with her teeth. 

Clover remained on the floor of her prison, trying to avoid detection from the two horrible men.  "You mean...  It's been three days?"

"...Yes."

"My clan still hasn't come for me..." Clover said aloud without meaning to. 

"Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but they aren't coming," Terror meowed bluntly.  Clover turned her head to look at her in horror.  Snow wouldn't rest until Clover was safe!  When the scared Leafeon didn't respond, Terror continued.  "This building is impenetrable.  Once, the humans here even captured the Legendary Trio.  No way your friends could get in.  Even if they could, they'd never get out."

"Not Raikou," Clover automatically corrected.  Terror raised an eyebrow.  That was the biggest reaction Clover had ever gotten out of the Liepard.  "...And he helped the other two escape," Clover finished uncertainly.  She only hoped that Terror couldn't tell when someone was lying like Umbreon could...

"You know this how?"

Clover froze.  "...Snow told me," she finally finished.

Terror gave her a peculiar look.  "I'll buy that for now.  I'll come back and ask again when you wake up."

Another jolt of fear swept through Clover.  "Wake up?"

Terror smiled.  "Why yes.  You're 7e.  The humans need you to experiment on.  That's why I'm here.  To make sure that you behave."  The horrible men walked up behind Terror, who let herself fall back onto four paws.  "Just do what they tell you, and we won't have to have another run around the maze."

Clover certainly didn't want that.  Then again, she didn't want these humans touching her at all.  Which was worse?  Even if she picked Terror over the men, they'd almost certainly try again.  At some point, she'd have to give in. 

There was one other option she could try...

"Fight me!" Clover shouted, leaping to her paws.  She knew Aura Sphere, and if she could win, it might afford her a chance to escape!

Terror growled with a hint of amusement.  "And why would I do that?"

"I'm scared to death of you and these despicable humans!  One of my friends is going to have kits soon!  And I need to be there to help her!  And, most importantly, I need my clan and they can't help me!" Clover shouted, letting all of her fears show.

Surprisingly, Terror paused, then nodded.  Her trainer nodded.  "Get it, Liepard.  Don't hurt it too badly, though."

Not believing this was actually happening, Clover jumped down, feeling her paws touch the unnaturally smooth and sterile floor.  She squared her stance, swishing her tail.  Terror took her place opposite her, taking a more relaxed position.  She paused, waiting for Clover to make the first move.  The size difference made Clover feel slightly uneasy.  Nonetheless, Clover waited out the stare down.

Finally, Clover fired Aura Sphere.  Terror easily bounded over it, using Slash on Clover's flank.  Clover quickly used Leaf Blade as Terror passed her, giving the Liepard her own slash on her side.  Just as quickly, Terror used Dark Pulse, but Clover barely managed to dodge, returning the attack with another Aura Sphere.  This time, Terror rolled to avoid the attack, using Hone Claws.

Just as Clover began using Dig, a sharp pain suddenly hit her shoulder.  She yelped, looking at what caused the pain.  What appeared to be a pink feather on a long metal splinter was stuck in her shoulder.  Clover pulled it out irritably.  It hadn't done any damage...

Terror made a wide swipe at Clover again with Slash, one that Clover should have been easily able to avoid.  But for some reason, her reactions were dulled.  She barely dove out of the way.  Even then, it was hard for her to get back up.  By the time she was steady on her paws again, her Aura Sphere failed.  How did that work?  Clover became unsteady on her paws.  She stumbled and fell over.  Her vision hazed.  What was wrong with her?

The two men walked over to her.  She tried to use Leaf Blade to defend herself, but could barely lift her tail, let alone attack.  The men scooped her off the ground, and put her in a cage.  Clover could barely think.  All she saw was Terror's expression of indifference before she passed out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, dear readers!  For some reason or another, my comments section is acting up today, so I'm commenting here.  This does not mean, on any level, that you should not comment.  It's just my internet.  I have had a serious lacking in comments for quite a while, so COMMENT, PEOPLE!!  I want to see something here!! 

As far as Clover goes... I honestly feel so sorry for her.  I'm feeling all the things she is feeling, and I hope you are, too.  Will the Clan be able to get to her in time?  Will the Legendaries be able to help?  Will Splash and the gang get captured as well?  Does Terror have other motives?  And, the most burning question of all, what do these mad scientists have in mind for Clover?

Comment, comment, comment, follow, follow, follow, and share this blog with everyone you know!!

~Chief

P.S.  Some things I wish I owned, but don't:  Pokemon, Harry Potter, NCIS, Sherlock, Doctor Who, Castle, Pokemon, The Big Bang Theory, Super Mario, a horse, Pokemon, and my sister's level 100 Cresselia that she got in a wonder trade.

Taken (Part 3)

I stared at the white walls, the open ground, the barren soil.  Entei's hole in the wall was fixed.  None of us moved or spoke.  Umbreon had fallen silent again.  How could we contend with these forces?  I finally mustered up the strength to speak again.  "Back to camp.  Now.  Hurry," I said in a quiet whisper.

Snow turned tail and fled.  I followed suit, half wanting to make sure she was safe, half wanting to run away from that place myself.  Espeon followed right behind me, and Umbreon brought up the rear.  No one said anything as we pelted back to camp, home, safety, familiarity.  We didn't stop, slow down, or break stride until we ducked through the entrance in single file at top speed.

Snow crashed head-on into Inferno, who let out a small "Oof!" as he was knocked over.  I barely managed to skid to a stop in front of Surf, who was running to greet us.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he shouted as I hit the ground and he jumped over me in a perfectly timed maneuver.  "What's the matter?  Something after you?  You look terrified."

I stood back up, panting.  "No, Surf, it's worse."

Bolt piped up.  "Did you lose Clover?"

"Worse," I said tersely.  "We found her."

Inferno cocked his head.  "What does that mean?" he asked critically.

I looked him with dead seriousness.  "We tracked the pack.  I was right, the Mandibuzz was there, too.  But the worse part of it is...  She's there."

Bolt and Inferno looked at each other, Inferno with fear, Bolt with concern.  Inferno looked at me.  "Well...  What do we do?"

"Conference," I said.  "Now!"

We rushed to sit in the meeting circle, the empty spot for Clover still present.  I tore my eyes from it and started.  "This is a serious problem."

Bolt stood up quickly.  "I have a solution."

Everyone turned their eyes to him.  Umbreon spoke with a hint of criticism.  "What would that be?"

Bolt turned to face him, gravely serious.  "Simple.  Splash, Inferno, and I take a nap."

Espeon nodded.  "I move for that to happen immediately.  We need the help."

Snow nodded in agreement.  "If there was ever a time, it would be now."

I stood up.  "Are we all in agreement?"  All other Eevees nodded.  "Good.  The Clan moves for the assistance.  Bolt, Inferno, den.  I will do the same.  Espeon, help us fall asleep faster."  She nodded solemnly.  With that, Bolt and Inferno dashed off towards their rock den while I dove into the pond, swimming up into my den and jumping into my bed, turning in a circle, and laying down.  Where it probably would have taken hours for me to get any sleep normally in this situation, Espeon's power made me fall asleep in a few minutes.  Soon, we'd go and save Clover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes again on the shore of the familiar clear lake.  I took a steadying breath.  "SUICUNE!" I called loudly.  For a few seconds, he didn't appear.  "SUICUNE!" I called again, getting nervous.  Again, no one came.  "Suicune?" I asked quietly, starting to give up hope.  "I need you..." I said, now talking to no one but myself.  Suicune had never stood me up before.  I had spoken to him not 3 days ago.  Why wasn't he here?

I waited for a few more seconds before slowly turning around, my tail dragging on the ground.  He wasn't coming.  I started trudging sluggishly away from the lake, back towards the distant forest that would wake me up.  I'd have to figure this out on my own.  Hopefully, Inferno or Bolt could get Entei or Raikou to help.

"SPLASH!" a regal voice shouted from across the lake.  I turned back around.  He was there!  Suicune was racing towards me at full stride, so fast that I could barely see him in motion.  His majestic power put me in awe as always.  He seemed grim, yet determined.  "Splash!  Don't go!  I'm here!" he called.  I raced back to the lake shore, meeting him on the sand where the miniscule waves lapped at my paws as the Aurora Pokemon swept up to me like the North Wind he was said to embody.

He stopped perfectly, right next to me.  "I don't have much time," he said seriously.  "I only came because you said you needed me.  I don't have time for idle banter today."

"I didn't come for idle banter," I said quickly.  "What's got you in such a rush?"

He remained standing, unlike most of our meetings, when he would lie down to stay on my level.  "There is an oil spill over a reef.  A lot of Water Type Pokemon are in danger.  I was in the midst of purifying the water when you called.  I assumed you needed something, since you called me in the middle of the day, so I took a minute.  What's the problem?" he asked quickly, but calmly.

I looked him right in the eye.  "Clover's been taken.  Normally, I would handle this myself, but-"

"Nonsense," he said, finally laying down beside me.  "You were right to call me, then.  Try and find out where she is while I finish at the reef.  Then, I'll come and help you rescue her," he said comfortingly. 

"We know where she is.  That's where the problem lies," I said with trepidation.  "She's... you know.  There."

Suicune's red eyes filled with hatred.  "Those humans..." he growled.  "I despise them so.  Insolent, impudent, disrespectful, hateful humans!" he snarled, making me draw back a step.  He looked at me.  "I'm sorry, Splash.  I didn't mean to frighten you.  I just despise humans like that...  And they have Clover...  I doubt they want her for ordinary purposes.  We need to get to her as soon as possible."

"No," I said, surprising both myself and Suicune.  "The Pokemon on the reef need your help more.  There are more lives in danger there.  Clover would be the first one to agree."

Suicune nodded thoughtfully.  "Very noble, Splash.  I admire that."  I smiled.  Suicune looked away and frowned.  "You know..." he began, his powerful voice tinged with suspicion.  "...Raikou and Entei also had emergencies that they had to take care of.  I thought nothing of it at the time, but  now..."

I spoke what I guessed he was thinking.  "Was this set up?"

Clover froze.  The strange voice didn't speak again.  For several minutes Clover didn't move or speak.  Finally, she whispered in a barely audible voice.  "Who's there?"

It took a few seconds for the voice to respond.  "I'm in the next cage over.  A Leafeon, like you," it said in a grating voice.

Clover forced up the courage to respond.  "Wh- Why do you sound so weird?"

The strange Leafeon spoke again after a few seconds.  "The humans did things to me.  I'm permanently blind, my leaves are wilted, I'm tired all the time, and I seem to have two tails."  He sounded tired already, just from their conversation. 

Sadness and horror crept over Clover, and she took a step towards the door of her cage, being careful not to get too close to her thorny plants.  "Who are you?" she asked quietly.  It seemed wrong to talk loudly.

"I don't have a name.  Just a number," the Leafeon said listlessly.  "7a.  There was a 7b, but he died a short while ago, after the humans did something to him, too."

Clover could think of nothing to say.  This was horrible!  They might try and do something to her, too!  "I have to escape!" she said desperately.

"There is no escape!" the Leafeon said again.  "I've tried!  It's hopeless.  I've been here for months, at the least, years at the most.  I've lost all track on time."

Clover shook her head, refusing to believe it.  "No.  I have a Clan.  They'll come and save us, you'll see!  And Snow!  Snow's my best friend.  She'll do anything to help me," Clover said, confident in her Clan's abilities.

"Keep thinking that," the other Leafeon said, without any hope. 

That upset Clover.  One should always have at least a smidgen of optimism.  And how could he doubt Snow like that!?  Another thought struck Clover, one that excited her.  The Legendary Trio!  That's probably what Splash and Snow had in mind.  If anyone could help Clover, it was Snow, Splash, Raikou, Entei and Suicune!  She started to say so, but then recalled that the three had sworn the Clan to secrecy unless absolutely necessary.  She could tell the buzz-kill Leafeon later.  Right now, she had to get out of this cage.

Suddenly, a door opened.  Clover dove into her makeshift flower den, quivering in fear.  The smell of a human washed over her.  "Well," a cold human's voice said.  "Isn't this cute."  There was the click of the latch on Clover's cage being opened.  Clover shrunk further into her shelter.  "Heeeeere, Leafeon..." the scary man crooned mockingly.  Clover didn't move, hardly daring to breathe.  "Ok, then," the man said, taking a step back.  Clover heard him release a Pokemon from its Pokeball.  "Find it, Liepard," the human commanded.

Clover felt the sand move beneath her feet a bit as the predatory cat Pokemon searched for Clover.  Thinking quickly, she quietly built up an Aura Sphere, then waited until the Liepard got a bit closer.  It hissed in annoyance as it encountered Clover's thorny plants.  Finally, it reached the flower den.

Clover released Aura Sphere, knocking the Liepard away.  As it fell to the floor, Clover mad a mad dash for the cage door, leaping from the edge towards the floor.  Halfway through her fall, the human caught her, putting his sterile hands around her tightly!  Clover screeched in terror, failing wildly and trying to use Leaf Blade, but to no avail.  The human just squeezed the breath out of her, then started walking, Liepard by his side.  He turned to look at his Pokemon as he walked.  "Good girl, Liepard.  This one's feisty.  You'll have fun with her..."  Clover almost passed out in terror.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then cold human finally arrived at a small fenced in area with many twists and turns, like a small maze.  He forcefully threw Clover inside, causing her to hit one of the walls and see stars for a second.  She heard the door open, and the human's voice saying "Go get it."

Clover stood up, trying to clear her head.  She couldn't see the exit or the Liepard.  She'd have to navigate the maze, and hope she found the first before the second.  Just as she started walking in one direction, the Liepard appeared right in front of her!  She swished her tail and purred silkily.  "Hello, lunch."

Clover turned tail and fled as fast as she possibly could.  As she rounded a corner, there it was again!  "Oh, don't run away!  Make this easy for me!" she purred as she pounced at Clover, long claws extended.  Clover tried to change direction, but slipped on the metal floor, giving her foe a chance to slash at Clover's tail, tearing her leaf tail.  She squealed and raced on, around corners, down walkways, around bends, not sure of where she was running, nor caring.  A few seconds later, the Liepard reappeared again!  "At least tell me your name, lunch!" she said before swiping at Clover flank as she turned a corner.  Luckily, the claws missed.  The Liepard appeared at the next bisection as well, this time aiming a bite at Clover's legs.  "Tell me!"

"Clover!" Clover squeaked as she turned the other way, feeling the air quiver where the Liepard's teeth snapped shut on empty air.

"What a cute name, lunch..." the Liepard growled as Clover raced away.  "The others here call me Terror."  An apt name, Clover thought as Terror reappeared next to her.  "Well... enough with the formalities.  I'm hungry."

Clover screamed and ran.  She didn't care where, she just wanted out!  Terror seemed to be everywhere at once!  Clover caught glimpses of the hunter all around the maze!  She was off to the left!  No, there she was on the right!  Right behind her!  Around that corner!  Behind that wall!  She was closing in!  Pawsteps from behind her!  She was catching up!  Just as Clover started to increase her pace, Terror leaped over a wall in front of her, landing silently.  Clover was going too fast to change directions!  She slipped on the metal floor landing on her side and sliding right to Terror's paws.  "Well..." Terror purred as Clover shut her eyes and tried to brace herself for the killing blow.  "That's convenient..." the Liepard purred, dragging a single claw down Clover's body, freaking Clover out even more.  "This was fun, Clover, but I have things to do."  With that, Terror lunged towards Clover's neck with her fangs bared...

And grabbed Clover's scruff.

At which point, Clover fainted from fright.