Some important revelations in this chapter... not much else to say,
really. The action picks up again in the next chapter; this one mostly
ties up a few loose ends in the story so far and sets up the next major
part of the story. I love receiving C&C... so give me some, please!
Jellic�s Hateful Quest
Chapter 12: A Pidgey in a Pygmy Tree
�There was once a fellow named Murphy,� remarked Jellic as he
sprayed the medicine on Ashley�s stiffened legs, �who said �Anything
that can go wrong, will go wrong.��
�We have a saying like that too. �If you�re fishing for Seaking,
expect to catch Magikarp.� �
�What if you�re seeking Magikarp?� asked Jellic. A full five seconds
later, Ashley got the joke and cracked up. �Now that was a delayed
reaction.� He glanced warily at the Swamp around them. �Meanwhile, we�d
better be on the move again. We�re almost out of the Swamp, and then we�
ll be able to get your legs properly healed.�
�I�m sorry I�ve been slowing you down,� said Ashley. �If it wasn�t
for me, you�d probably be in Heliotrope by now.�
�If it wasn�t for you,� corrected Jellic, �I�d have been crushed by
Ekans before I got halfway through.� He put the bottle back into his
satchel and massaged her legs gently. �Ashley, I know why you want to be
with me, and I know your feelings are very strong. But I have something
to tell you that you may not like.�
�What is it?�
�It�s both good news and bad news, I think. It�s about my age.�
Suddenly, he stopped short, interrupted by a hissing from behind.
�Ekans, did you escape from your Pokeball?�
Ashley�s eyes were as wide as they could get, and her entire body
shivered with fear. �Jellic, I don�t think it�s your Ekans that�s
hissing...� Jellic turned to face an entire colony of Ekans � at least
three dozen of the little snakes. He quickly backed away, but the Ekans
advanced on him � not attacking, just keeping a close proximity. Then,
Jellic noticed that they were smaller than the Ekans he had caught. He
called out his own Ekans, and the others all clustered around it.
�Ekans, do you know these snakes?� asked Jellic.
�Ek, Ekans,� answered Ekans, nuzzling one of the baby Ekans with its
head.
�Are they your children?�
�Ek. Kans,� answered the Ekans with a nod.
�Were you just watching us the whole time to make sure we didn�t
harm your children?�
�Ek.� Another nod.
Jellic sighed. �Then I can�t force you to leave them. I�ve learned
the hard way what happens when a mother isn�t allowed to take proper
care of its young.� He stood up and put the Ekans� Pokeball into his
satchel. �Ekans, I hereby release you from your service to me. You are
free to remain here in the Swamp of Sickness and take care of your
children.� The Ekans glowed briefly, then Wrapped itself around Jellic�s
legs and wound its way up his body.
�I don�t think releasing it was such a good idea,� said Ashley,
reaching for a Pokeball. However, the Ekans merely gave Jellic a slight
squeeze around the midsection, then slithered back to the ground and led
its children off into the Swamp. �Huh? What was that all about?�
�I think that was the Ekans equivalent of a hug,� answered Jellic.
�It feels good to do the right thing.� He extended a hand to Ashley and
helped her to her feet. �The border of the Swamp is just through those
trees. We�re almost there!�
�Thanks,� said Ashley, brushing the dirt off of herself. �Now, what
were you saying before?�
Jellic scratched his head. �I don�t remember exactly. I think I
mentioned Murphy�s Law because your legs keep stiffening at the worst
possible moments ��
�No, it was something about your age. Something both good and
bad...� She stopped walking. �Jellic, exactly how old ARE you?�
Jellic silently cursed, then said, �Nineteen.�
Ashley�s eyes widened once again. �No way! You have to be at least
twenty-five! You�re so tall! And so mature...�
�Fighting evil for a living tends to make you mature faster than
normal. Everyone thinks I�m so much older that girls my own age aren�t
ever attracted to me.� (Except Perilina, he added to himself.) �And I�m
not attracted to the older women I meet. It�s all for the best, because
I can�t ever stay in a dimension long enough to form a solid
relationship. One month, two at the most, and I�ll have to leave.� He
sighed deeply. �I didn�t tell you my real age before because I wanted
you to think that I was too old for you. I didn�t want anything to start
between us.� He thought of how to continue, but Ashley�s loud sniff
stopped him cold. Tears ran down her cheeks.
�I thought you liked me,� she pouted. �Why would you pretend not to
be interested?�
�I made an oath long ago that I would never fall in love. I�ve
broken that oath before, and every time, the girl I loved ended up with
a broken heart or a broken neck. That�s the life of a hero � anyone
close to you ends up sad or dead. I don�t want either to happen to you.�
He carefully wiped the tears from Ashley�s face. �I tried to convince
you that we couldn�t fall in love, but I was wrong. So I think it would
be best if we didn�t continue traveling together.�
Ashley looked up into Jellic�s eyes, finding sincerity where she had
hoped there was none. �You can�t possibly mean that.�
�I do. I�m going to deliver you safely to the hospital in Heliotrope
City, and then I�ll continue through the Desert of Death. I don�t want
to put you at any more risk than you�ve already been through.�
Ashley grabbed his arm and jerked him backwards. �A few minutes ago,
you said that if it wasn�t for me, you�d be dead by now. Is this how you
thank me? By leaving me behind?� Jellic turned away from her and walked
out of the Swamp onto the road to Heliotrope. Ashley waited for several
seconds before running to catch up with him. �I�m sorry, Jellic. I
shouldn�t have said that. But I want to be with you! If you can�t be
here for long, why can�t we have that time together?�
�The longer we spend together, the harder it will be when I have to
leave.�
�I don�t care about that!� shouted Ashley, stamping her foot. �What�
s wrong with living for now?�
�In my line of work, living as if today is your last day makes today
your last day. I have to work toward a better future. That�s my job.�
�You don�t want to see it my way, do you?� asked Ashley. Jellic
shook his head. �Then I have an idea that will settle this. Let�s have a
Pokemon battle. If you win, I�ll stay in Heliotrope when you leave. But
if I win, I get to come with you.�
�You want me to fight � you?� asked Jellic incredulously.
�Of course. It�s the only way to settle an argument,� answered
Ashley. �Go ahead, toss out your first fighter.�
Jellic shrugged. �Mewthree, show her what you�re made of!�
�Beedrill, I choose you!� The Beedrill hovered above the Mewthree�s
head. �Pin Missile attack!�
�Mewthree, Psychic!� The Beedrill�s flight wavered slightly, and
most of its Pin Missiles missed their mark. However, one of them hit
Mewthree right between the eyes, and Mewthree�s concentration was
broken. �Damn! Recover!�
�Beedrill, finish it! Twineedle!� The Beedrill fired more
projectiles at the Mewthree, scoring direct hits this time. �Fury Attack
now!� The Beedrill buzzed angrily and dove at the Mewthree, slamming
into it with an incredible force, then circling around to slam it again.
By this time, the Mewthree was completely stymied.
�Mewthree, return,� called Jellic. �Machop, go!� Machop fell out of
its Pokeball and lay on the ground, unconscious. �Oh yeah, it got
knocked out fighting the Nidoking! Return! Persian, it�s up to you!�
Ashley recalled her Beedrill. �Pidgeotto, go! Sand Attack!� The bird
flew just above the path and flapped its wings rapidly, kicking up a
cloud of sand into the Persian�s face. The Persian yowled and swatted at
the Pidgeotto, but the sand blinded it and it couldn�t see its opponent
well enough to aim. The Pidgeotto finished it off with a Quick Attack.
Jellic quickly recalled the useless Persian. �Gyarados, you�re my
last hope! Use your, um... What attacks does Gyarados have?�
�You think I�m going to tell you in the middle of a match? If you
leave me behind in Heliotrope, you won�t have anyone to tell you these
things!� Ashley recalled the Pidgeotto and sent out her Weepinbell.
�Gyarados, Tackle it! You used to do it all the time as a Magikarp,
so you should still remember that, at least!� The Gyarados flew straight
at the plant Pokemon at high speed.
�Weepinbell, Vine Whip!� The plant snaked out a long vine and
slapped the Gyarados in the face with it, knocking it slightly off
course. The Gyarados plowed into the ground near the Weepinbell. �Now
Razor Leaf!� The Weepinbell spat out a flurry of razor-sharp leaves,
slicing huge cuts in the Gyarados� skin. Jellic had no choice but to
recall the Gyarados. �Want to send out your Metapod? Vulpix will be able
to fry it no matter how much it Hardens!�
�No,� said Jellic, letting his shoulders sag. �I�ve lost again. And
this time was just a complete slaughter. I didn�t even beat a single one
of your Pokemon.�
�I knew I was going to win,� admitted Ashley. �Your Machop was
already finished, and Mewthree was tired from saving me from the Mire in
the Swamp. My Pokemon have the advantage over the rest of your Pokemon.
The key to victory is knowing your opponent and choosing the best
strategy. I can help you with both of those things, but only if you
bring me along.� She crossed her arms deliberately.
Jellic threw his hands up in defeat. �All right! I�ll bring you into
the Desert of Death with me!� He took her hand and together they walked
on toward Heliotrope. �You must admit, it�s a big change from when we
were in Persimmon Town. You didn�t want to go into the Forest of Mist,
did you?�
�And I don�t want to go into the Desert either. But that�s where you
�re going, and I want to be where you are. Even if it�s the Desert of
Death, I want to be by your side forever!� She wrapped her arm around
his waist. �Or at least as long as you�re here in this dimension.�
Jellic had no reply.
Within an hour, they had reached the border of Heliotrope City. The
city had appeared on the horizon long before then � its architecture
seemed to consist mainly of skyscrapers whose designers had taken the
name at face value. �The headquarters of the Pokemon League are here in
Heliotrope City,� explained Ashley. �The Pokemon League oversees all
Pokemon related activity and sets the rules that help keep trainers and
their Pokemon safe.�
�Then why don�t they do anything about Karddor Labs?� asked Jellic.
Ashley shrugged. �I think this might be a good opportunity to look into
this business of the Pokemon League Enforcers. I have a feeling that
speaking with the head of the Pokemon League itself may shed some light
on the subject.�
�There�s also a Pokemon Gym here. If you get a second badge, you
might be able to convince some of the trainers here to support your
cause.� Jellic nodded thoughtfully as they entered the Pokemon Center to
heal their Pokemon. There were several nurses in charge of a rather
large number of Rejuvenators in this Center to deal with the huge influx
of trainers with injured and weakened Pokemon. Jellic and Ashley joined
one of the lines and quickly reached the counter. While the nurse put
their Pokeballs into the Rejuvenator, Jellic and Ashley took the time to
look around the Center for a bit. Posters covered the walls, advertising
Pokemon contests, tournaments, and local businesses. One particular
poster caught Jellic�s eye. After retrieving his Pokemon, he went over
to the poster to examine it carefully.
�KARDDOR LABS, where the future of Pokemon technology becomes the
present!� it read in huge letters. �Tour our facility just outside
Obsidian City for special low group prices! See how Technical Machines
are programmed and try out a free sample of our latest TM: Careful Aim,
the Accuracy-Enhancing technique!� Jellic skipped the remaining details
of the tour and let his eyes wander to the picture at the bottom of the
poster: the founder of Karddor Labs, Orvell Karddor. �Working to make
today less like yesterday and more like tomorrow!� was his slogan.
Something struck Jellic as oddly familiar about the face in the
photograph, but he couldn�t quite place it.
�What are you looking at?� asked Ashley, joining him in looking at
the poster. �Ugh. What a depressing sight � Karddor Labs trying to sell
itself to the innocent people of Heliotrope.�
�They�re powerful,� said Jellic, �but part of being a hero is
knowing how to strike at evil�s weak points. We�ll find a way in when we
get there. First, we need to get you to the hospital.� He unfolded the
street atlas of Heliotrope City that he�d purchased and led the way to
the hospital. Four blocks, three forms, two floors, and a Pidgey on a
pygmy tree later, Ashley was in the emergency room receiving the latest
treatment for her stone condition. Jellic considered heading to the Gym
while he waited, but didn�t think he�d be able to keep his mind on the
fight. The mere thought that he was, in part, responsible for what had
happened to Ashley plagued Jellic with guilt, and he began to wish that
the two of them had never met. He sat resolutely on the bench next to
the Pidgey and waited for news of Ashley�s condition.
�Pidge. Pidgey,� cawed the Pidgey.
�Why have they got a bird in the hospital?� Jellic wondered aloud.
�Atmosphere. Light conversation,� responded the Pidgey.
�You can talk?� asked Jellic, amazed.
�Came from Karddor. Altered. Pidgey.�
�What did Karddor do to you, exactly?�
�Speech,� replied the Pidgey. �Experiment in Pokemon speech. Best
results on a Meowth. But Pidgey can learn too.�
�Why would Karddor want to create talking Pokemon?� asked Jellic.
The question wasn�t entirely directed at the Pidgey, but the bird
responded anyway.
�Improve communication with trainers. Pid, Pidgey. Better fighters.�
Jellic leaned on the arm of the bench and stroked the Pidgey�s head.
�Now that sounds like the sort of experiment that could benefit humans
and Pokemon alike. Not like Karddor at all.�
�Karddor was good,� replied the Pidgey. �Vordekar was assistant
until Karddor died. Vordekar took over and destroyed reputation of lab.
Then Pidgey escaped.�
Jellic suddenly grew very interested in the Pidgey. �What do you
know about the lab?�
�Dangerous now. New Pokemon guard entrance. Experiments. Pidgey.
Traps and secrets. Vordekar. Office on floor minus one. Pidgey. Pidge
Pidgey Pidge.�
�What kind of traps?� asked Jellic. �What�s so dangerous about it?�
�Pidgey. Pidge Pidge Pidgey.�
�Are you talking to the Pidgey?� asked a passing nurse. �It likes to
chatter sometimes, but it never says much. Just �Pidgey Pidgey.� � She
chuckled. �I think it�s cute. You�re very good with it. Sometimes it
pecks.�
�But it was talking before,� protested Jellic, staring daggers at
the Pidgey as if urging it to speak again. Apparently intimidated by
Jellic�s glare, the Pidgey immediately began to speak.
�Pidgey Pidgey Pidge Pidge Pidge Pidgey! Pidge!�
The nurse smiled. �Isn�t that cute! The patients just love our
Pidgey.� She trotted off down the hall with her tray of medication. As
soon as she was out of earshot, Jellic turned on the bird with fire in
his eyes.
�What was that about? Why wouldn�t you talk while that nurse was
standing there?�
�Pidgey.� Jellic groaned and tried once again to coax the bird into
saying something, but the Pidgey�s name was the extent of the remainder
of the conversation for the next half-hour. Jellic turned away in
defeat. �Elvor,� muttered the bird.
�What did you say?� asked Jellic, turning back.
�Pidgey,� insisted the Pidgey, beginning to munch on the leaves of
its tree. Jellic wanted to harangue it again, but the door to the
emergency room opened and a doctor stepped out. The white mask over his
face obscured his expression.
�I�m sorry,� he said. �We couldn�t save her.�
Jellic�s jaw dropped. �What do you mean? It wasn�t a fatal
condition!� The doctor removed his mask and smiled as he opened the door
and Ashley stepped out of the room. She skipped happily up to the bench
and threw herself into Jellic�s arms, giving him a huge squeeze.
�I�m sorry about the bad joke,� said the doctor. �I just get a kick
out of seeing people�s expressions when I say that. I never joke about
terminal conditions, of course. I�m glad to see your friend back to
normal.�
�Thank you, doctor,� said Jellic, and he and Ashley turned to leave
the hospital.
�Bye. Pidgey,� said the Pidgey.
Jellic turned to Ashley. �What did that Pidgey just say?�
�It said, �Pidgey,� � she answered. �That�s what most Pidgeys say.�
Jellic scratched his chin as they left the hospital and returned to the
main road. �So where should we go first?� she asked. �The Gym, or the
Pokemon League headquarters?�
�You said that having a second Badge would improve my status in the
eyes of other trainers, right?� asked Jellic. Ashley nodded. �Then let�s
head to the Gym first. If I can win there, then the head of the Pokemon
League will be more likely to hear me out.� He pulled out his street
atlas and pointed the way to the Heliotrope Gym. However, his mind was
elsewhere as he walked, wondering about the mysterious message from the
Pidgey in the hospital. Had he merely imagined that the bird had spoken?
Even if he had, that one word would stand out in his mind � the name of
his arch nemesis, the Dark Lord Elvor. What could it possibly mean? That
Elvor was here, in this dimension? No, that couldn�t be right. Elvor was
dead...
�Is something wrong, Jellic?� asked Ashley.
�I sincerely hope not,� replied Jellic. �If there is, then Karddor
Labs and the Pokemon League Enforcers have suddenly become the least of
our worries.�
------------------------------------------------------
MOM: I'm getting rid of this TV before the mindless garbage rots your
brain!
JOHNNY: Mindless garbage not rot brain!
(SHAMPOO: Mindless Johnny not got brain to rot!)
"There's a billion places like home. But only one of them's where you
live." - Granny Weatherwax, "Witches Abroad" by Terry Pratchett
JACKIE CHAN: Oh, sorry. I broke your spy camera! (pause) SPY CAMERA?!
My webpage: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~katinamp