Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 4

“There are twelve left we must obtain.” Lance said. “Violet City… the task is not so difficult. A feather from the steel bird – a Skarmory, I believe, that resides in the town. Falkner may be selling feathers.”

“I would all our tasks were that simple.” Red said, but they made their way hastily through the boggy road until the outskirts of Violet City were seen. They were muddy and disheveled, but quite happy to see civilization again.

At the door, the two guards stationed there, wet and miserable in their soaked leather armor, waved them through without even a glance.

“Tis fortunate they noticed not what you were.”

“Even if they had, they would not have believed their eyes.” Lance retorted.

“Perhaps, but I still count any fortune we possess a good one.”

“Ah, yes, you always were so charming, Red.”

“Am I?” He asked a bit coyly.

“Perhaps tis only because you wear that lovely ring of Charm Person on your finger, but I feel you would not charm me falsely.”

“I know the consequences of what such would be. I dare not tempt Fate, or Lady Luck, as it were.”

“Thou dost speak masterly and with wisdom.” Lance parried. “Now, shall we to this merchant?”

“Yes, that would be wise.” They soon found a man in a long coat with an umbrella standing near the house where Falkner lived.

“Oh! A traveler! Wouldst thou buy a souvenir?”

“Your wares do display, and we shall list them.” Red said flippantly. The man immediately procured a handful of grubby feathers.

Lance shook her head.

“These aren’t real steel feathers!” Red said indignantly. “How dare you try to foist fakes off on us?”

Wizard Theodore gasped. He’d cast an Illusion spell on his chicken feathers, but apparently, these travelers were also adventurers…

Red and Lance nodded to each other and then prepared for an attack. It was not long in coming. Enraged, the wizard cast a Darkness spell, surrounding the three of them in darkness.

Lance tsked. She could see perfectly well in the dark…

Red grinned. He was a rogue as well as a fighter, and he’d invested well in a pair of night vision goggles.

He immediately unsheathed his broadsword and took up defensive position. Lance, on the other hand, smirked slightly. That was all the warning Theodore got before he was hit with a poisoned arrow.

“You pick your enemies foolishly.” Red said coldly as he gave one good swing and the man clutched at his leg, copiously bleeding.

“You turn the tides against me!” He shrieked. “Two on one…. Tis unjust!”

“Complain all you like, but you drove the first blow home.” Lance said, before she cracked him over the head with her longbow and he crumpled.

Red immediately began looting the fallen man’s possessions. He found a good supply of food and a few potions that might come in handy. They left him his clothing, spell book, and weapons.

“We are not so hard hearted as to leave you with nothing, though you be a knavish fellow.” Red said coldly as he and Lance hurried towards Falkner’s house.

“Yes, he is regrettably…” Lance paused for a second, “Foolish to the extreme, and cowardly beside.”

“What do you mean he was a coward?”

Lance paused. “It escaped your notice which spell he was preparing to use?”

Red nodded a bit sheepishly.

“Destiny Bond. He would have sent us all to our deaths had I not acted in a sufficiently ready manner to disable him.”

“That explains the fuchsia tinge of the air…”

“You are too careless.”

“It’s very lucky you look out for me then, isn’t it?”

“Aye, till our debts have cancelled or peace come to this land, ‘twill be here to guard you and guide you.”

Red met her eyes with a grin. “I thank thee for thy pains.”

“Pains? My dear, I take pleasure in this task.”

“And pleasure will be paid, one time or another.”

Lance gave a curt nod before she kissed him, leaving him breathless and quite literally shaking. “Tis better we were to talk to Falkner first, and not continue our dalliance in his hall.”

Red blushed, but nodded.

They found Falkner waiting for them. As they entered, he looked up and gave a bright smile.

“I heard of you from Lady Erika. She entrusts me to hand thee this.” Inside a case was a lovely pair of steel feathers.

“How can you trust so easily? We could be impersonators.” Red asked in shock.

Falkner laughed. “Clever, but you see, I’ve been watching you since you came to this fair City. I have messenger-birds.” Indeed, cluttered round the room were dozens of Pidgey of varying color, shape, and size, perfect for spying.

“You would not be a wise man to cross.” Lance said, sinking into a bow. “We thank you.”

“And you, my lady… what brings you here?”

Lance half-smiled. Falkner was bright enough to tell she was female even in her gender-neutral armor and cloak. “A quest of course. What else?”

Falkner nodded. “I’ll offer you what help I can. I have heard of Lord Morty. He is a Necromancer who lives in a tower of lavender stone far from here… but it lies close to the City of Celadon where Lady Erika lives.”

“Interesting.”

“I also know that Lady Sabrina in Saffron City will help us in this matter.”

“Many thanks for the information. We will not tarry here overmuch.”
“I know. The seasons ever pass swifter. Please… save our land.”

“We will.” Red promised, and the two quickly cast a Teleport spell, heading to Celadon.

They had to hurry…

End Chapter

Completed 1/6/06

Arm hurts from donating blood… and I have no idea why they switch between Shakespearean lingo and normal speech. *Sighs*