From: mobius101@aol.compactpika (Maria Rocket) Subject: [PW!] The Endless Night Date: 19 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT >"Mimic think Aerie put all into that beam." > >"Yeah, but just one? C'mon, Aerie, wake up! This isn't funny!" > >"No worry, Seth. Aerie still alive. Just use much much energy." > >"I'll say. But if her 'programming' drives her *this* far...that isn't >safe. She might not survive her own attacks before long." > >"Agreed. Is danger. Should get to Sabrina with haste." > >"Right. Slasher! You scout the way, make sure there's no 'suprises' >waiting for us." > >"Sian!" This was still a Rocket base, even if most or all of the >inhabitants were apparently dead; any that were still alive would >undoubtedly have heard the ruckus and be on their way. Slasher took >point as they made their way out through the tunnel Aerie had made. > *** As nightfall lowered its dark blue veil over the sky, they had found their way to the eastern end of Celadon. Carrying Aerie was tiring Seth out, and it was clear they wouldn't make it to Saffron that day. Also, he could tell Mimic and Slasher were still recovering from their ordeals as well. Rest is what they needed...... Up ahead, Seth spotted a small inn standing on the city boundaries. He immediately headed straight for it. "C'mon guys, just a little farther." It was a cozy little inn, somewhat out of place near a busy city like Celadon. Inside, Seth was reminded of the kind of house somebody's kindly old grandmother would keep. Though his own grandparents had certainly not fit that stereotype. Everything was illuminated with rosy lights, and there was a hint of potpourri in the air. With Mimic's help, he guided the weary Aerie towards a business desk and punched the bell a few times. "Hold your Rapidashes, I'm coming, I'm coming!" Following the sound of clicking heels, an silver-haired woman entered the room. She slipped on a pair of spectacles, and set her keen blue eyes on them. Then stopped and stared. She took her specs off again to polish them on her flowered blouse, then replaced them, blinking at what appeared to be two perfectly identical Seths on either side of Aerie. Finally, she realized that her eyes or her glasses weren't the problem. "So, you're twins, eh?" Seth and Mimic gave each other confused looks in unison, though only Seth's expression was genuine. "Err...yeah, we are." Seth gave her one of his winning smiles. "And we're looking for a room for the night." The woman lifted a suspicous eyebrow at the barely conscious Aerie. "And who's your friend here? I'll have you know that this is a family establishment, and we don't-" "No! It's nothing like that!" Seth laughed, turning a bit red. "She's our sister, you see. And we've had a long hard walk today, you can see how exhausted she is. We're all on a Pokemon journey." "A Pokemon journey? You're all a bit old to be starting a journey, aren't you?" "Never too old to follow a dream," Mimic smiled. The woman nodded. "Ah....I suppose you have a point. And lucky for you, we offer free rooms for those on their Pokemon journeys." As she turned and reached into her pocket, she noticed Slasher slinking around behind the trio. "But dear, I'll have to ask you to keep your Pokemon in their Pokeballs while indoors here." Seth grimaced. "That's okay..." He looked over at Slasher. "Slash, think you'll be okay out there for tonight?" The Persian was just grooming himself casually. "Purrrsiann...." With a flick of his tail, he turned and trotted off towards the screen door to let himself out. He would spend the night stalking poor weaker Pokemon no doubt. Seth didn't worry much, Slasher was too tough for most trainers to capture, not that he'd put himself in that position. "Well then.." The woman looked from the retreating Persian to the trio. "If you'll just follow me." *** "Think we'll make it to Saffron tomorrow?" Seth lay back on the bed, his arms behind his head. The wicker ceiling fan was slowly spinning around, holding his gaze. Next to him, Aerie was curled up, already fast asleep and snoring softly. "Mimic no see why not," Mimic replied. He was sitting crosslegged on the second bed, looking through a brochure he'd found in the room. "Seth should try to sleep." "I can't. I'm tired, but I don't feel like sleeping. What do you think Doppler was up to back there? Think any of it was real?" Mimic looked up from his brochure. "Mimic can't say for certain. Was fainted most of time. Doppler capable of much. Whatever brother up to, Mimic just feel lucky to have escaped." "Strange, it was like he just let us go....." "Best not to worry about what Doppler scheming for time being. Have enough worries for tomorrow." Seth looked sideways at Mimic. "Mmm. What do you think will happen when we find Sabrina?" "Mimic not that psychic. What happen will happen. If lucky, Aerie's mental conditioning be cured. If not lucky.... Well, Seth should just sleep." Seth looked back up at the spinning fan. "Mimic..." There was a rustling sound. Turning over again, he saw that Mimic had turned on his side, and appeared to be asleep. With a quiet sigh, Seth turned and removed his shades. He looked up at them for a moment before dropping his arm and letting them fall over the side of the bed. A bluish-pink glow hovered at the edge of his vision. With a glance, he recognized the woman he'd met in Pewter City standing in front of the closed door. Surprised, he sat up to confront her. But the moment he turned to meet her eyes directly, she was gone. His eyes wandered around the room, unsure of what he'd just seen, and he was a little frightened. Mimic was still sleeping on his side. Casting one last nervous look around the room, Seth lay down. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around Aerie, holding her close. He wasn't sure what the following day would bring, but he knew he'd do anything for Aerie. Anything. And that scared him. Seth still had trouble sleeping. Letting the warmth of Aerie's body against him soothe him, he could only pray that Sabrina could help her. If Doppler's will became too strong to control... No, he didn't want to think about that. He wanted to stay there in that night forever, with Aerie in his arms looking so peaceful as she slept. This is how he wanted to remember her. This is what he wanted to see every night for the rest of his life, if fate would allow. Eventually though, his own weariness overtook him. .... [Every endless night has a dawning day] [Every darkest sky has a shining ray] [It takes a lot to laugh as your tears go by] [But you can find me here till your tears run dry] [It's a private emotion that fills you tonight] [And a silence falls between us] [As the shadows steal the light] [And wherever you may find it] [Wherever it may lead] [Let your private emotion come to me] TBC? I'm not usually one for song quotes, but it seemed to fit. ^_^ ~Maria R "Psy yie yie..." ----- Tha webber: http://hamstergirl.cjb.net/ ----- "Taking Pokemon straight from your pockets, With the power of the stars, it's Maria Rocket!" -My corny PW! motto ^.^; --- Rocketshipper Forever! --- TEOTWAWKI