Chapter 10: Wings Island

Ira and Cedus felt the helicopter gradually decline. Nathan and Comedor followed them out.

“Wings Island,” he said. “Well, call me as soon as you need me to pick you up. So long, Ira.” Nathan held up his hand, and Comedor Humano screeched.

“Bye, Nathan,” answered Ira.

“Not so fast,” came a new voice. They both looked in the direction of the speaker.

“You again,” snarled Ira, noticing Julia.

“Prepare for trouble!” she began, then realized Aaron wasn’t there. However, it still triggered the memory of their previous attempt at the motto in Ira’s mind, and she laughed. Julia growled under her breath.

Behind Julia was a flying vehicle, and out of it stepped a Meowth that walked on two legs. Ira and Nathan stared at it.

“Gy?” said Cedus.

“Okay, stick ‘em up,” said the Meowth.

“Oh? I’m a better shot than you!” snapped Nathan. “I’ve even got a gun in the backseat of my helicopter, you furball, so let’s-”

“The only episode where we had a gun they cut outta the English version,” sighed Meowth. “Pity, isn’t it? I thought it was a good episode.”

Ira and Nathan glanced at each other. Meanwhile, Meowth whispered to Julia, “You get the helicopter and I’ll cause a diversion. Once we have the helicopter, the treasure’s in the bag.”

Julia obeyed as Meowth got back in his vehicle. “Hey Gyarados!” he called. “Eat sharp pointy objects!”

An array of sharp, pointy objects shot at Cedus. With a growl, he fired a Hyper Beam at the airship.

“Gaah! Team Rocket’s blasting off agaaaaaain!” yelled Meowth as the airship was sent flying.

“Nice one, Cedus,” said Ira happily.

“Gyasha,” Cedus answered, pleased.

At that moment, there was a loud explosion. As they stared at the direction from which the sound came from, it took them a while to notice that the helicopter had just blown up.

“What the hell?” said Nathan, without stopping himself.

The explosion was subtle, for an explosion. But the helicopter was now nothing but a crumpled piece of metal with smoke coming out its windows. Slowly, Nathan walked up to it and pried the door open.

Within the helicopter, there was a very gruesome image. To keep it simple, there was lots of blood, and a hand hanging from one of the dials, the one that activated the radio. Julia was kneeling a few feet away from the arm that had been detached from her body.

“Yuck,” said Nathan. “What the damn hell happened to you?” Then his expression changed. “You blew it up, didn’t you, you freakin’ b-” Realizing he was overdoing it a little on the swearing, he cut himself off. “What happened?” he demanded.

“Tried... to turn dial...” Julia was pouring out blood.

Ira looked in through the window. “What exactly-” she began, scrunching her nose as she smelt the thick aroma of the blood.

“...explosion...” Julia managed to continue. “...arm... blown.... off...”

“I see,” muttered Nathan. “You’re gonna die, the amount of blood you’re loosin’. Much of a jerk as you are, I’m gonna bandage you up. But you aren’t going nowhere till we turn you in.” He turned to his Haunter. “Bring me some emergency bandages. In the meantime I’ll look for the cause of the explosion. And give the weapon to Ira.”

Comedor disappeared, Nathan began to investigate the helicopter, and Ira backed away, wondering what the weapon was. She turned to Cedus, who looked up at her.

“Gy...?” he asked.

“We won’t be able to fly in the helicopter anymore. It blew up,” Ira informed him.

You don’t seem happy.

“I’m not.”

I can’t see why. This place is great. Life’s meant to enjoy, isn’t it? Cedus slithered like an Arbok to the beach, and let the waters kiss his sides. The sky was going darker by the moment, and the moon was visible.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Ira let her Pokemon out of their Pokeballs. She sat down and Algol laid down in her lap. She stroked his fur, and flinched as his rings began to glow from the moonlight. But she had gotten used to them over the times they’d been together.

Taglio stretched his wings and soared over the sea. Cedus yawned a Gyarados yawn and settled in the waters. Thank you for helping me, he said suddenly.

“Oh, it was... I mean... you’re welcome.” Ira sighed and let the waters lick her feet like an affectionate Growlithe. “I can never be as great as my father.”

Algol suddenly spoke something in the Umbreon language. Ira looked up at Cedus, who translated for her, since every Pokemon could understand one another’s language. It was something that the Pokemon scientists were still trying to figure out.

Is greatness a state of being, or a state of mind? So many can never achieve what they hope for, but not because their hearts aren’t capable. They just don’t have the resources. All that matters is what you can do, not what you have done.

Ira took a moment to ponder his words. She was silent, resting her hand on Algol’s head, when Cedus spoke. The Elders used to tell us what Lugia told to the Lake Gyarados long ago. ‘Whether or not you fear the most ferocious monsters in life does not determine your courage. It is whether or not you have the will to stand against them.’

“I wish more humans could understand Pokemon,” sighed Ira. “You are as wise as any person.”

There are many things the world needs. Among my wishes are for humans to be compassionate as you.

They sat in deep silence as Comedor Humano returned. He was clutching something in his hand. He dropped it at Ira’s feet. It was a rifle. Ira stared up at the Haunter blankly, who screeched a sentence.

It is Nathan’s rifle. He trusts you with it. He said you might need it to defend yourself, translated Cedus.

“Um, okay, thanks,” said Ira, and as Comedor disappeared, she picked up the rifle with two fingers. It was loaded.

“I don’t want to shoot anyone,” said Ira.

It might come in handy. Aim for their foot and pull the trigger.

“I guess,” Ira muttered. She put it down beside her. Algol stared at it for a few seconds before gazing out again at the sea, rings effulgent as the moon.