Meeting

I wake up with a start. I don't know if it's from a bad dream that I couldn't remember no matter how hard I try, or because of the sharp, strong smell of the pollens that drifts through the air so visible like snow falling during daylight. It has become a familiar smell that I woke to every midnight since I brought this Shaymin to our quarters. For some reasons, he (yup, though Shaymins were naturally genderless, I already decided it is a 'he', I wanted him to be) always uses Sweet Scent every time he falls deeply asleep. I don't know if it's deliberate, habitual or just his nature, but it is surely a welcome comfort in these very stressful times. His snout was perched on my right shoulders and his body that was covered with soft grass-like fur was leaning on the side of my head. I run my long fingers in his torso brushing his fur and felt him stir and moved away from my face. I know he likes it when I do that. The smell is still lingering and would be for a long time, and I got up from the bed cause I know I wont be able to go back to sleep soon. I went towards the window and pulled it open. Cold wind breezed in intensifying the scent. I really loved it. It's like I'm in a garden full of blooming flowers. I stared outside. It's barely two in the morning and the night is starless and moonless so it's very dark outside. I heard a faint hoot of a Noctowl from a distant forest and suddenly remembered the very first time I met Shaymin.

Six Days Earlier...

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm out for a quick walk in the forest. Unlike before when a lot of wild Pokémon usually roam the greens, it was pretty much deserted except for the occasional Pidgeys flying out of the top of the trees as I passed by or some Nincada's that were quickly burrowing underground as I get nearer. Since the Clan Wars Era had begun, Pokémon has become evasive to humanity. I couldn't blame them though. If I were them, I'm sure I would do the same. Clans were created for a golden purpose of ensuring trainers and Pokémon to live peacefully and harmoniously together. But as time went by, some has gotten astray. Clan leaders and members craved for power and absolute supremacy over the Pokémon world, using Pokémon as tools rather than treating them as beings and disposing them as trash if they deemed that they were useless to them. They called themselves the "Dark Clans" and one of them in particular made a mark in my head, Havoc. They are group of strong trainers that started it all. They aimed to capture and control the supposedly legendary Pokémons. At first I thought they were insane because the creatures they were searching for were mythical, only heard from books at school and, if they were even true, were meant to be powerful, but every little thing I believed changed when the news came about the fall of Groudon. It was hard to grasp, but it was broadcasted and I had seen it myself that somewhat, somehow they managed to take down the Earth shaker. He was still uncontrollable but they already managed to subdue him so I'm not sure if it is beyond their capacity and I could only think of what will come next, and next, and next. And what's worse, they had inspired a mass of evil doers that even the unthinkable is possible. What were they thinking?

I was distracted in my reverie by a sudden movement in a bush ahead of me. I slowed down and approached it furtively. I was at arms distance when suddenly a rain of Razor Leaf falls down in front stopping me on my tracks. It came from the bush, no, two Sewaddles were under the bush and they were on attack mode. I could tell they were really angry bugs 'cause their tiny eyes were squinting and they just gave me warning shot. I slowly took a step back, arms raised, thinking "What's the matter with these bugs?"

"Easy now. I'm not here to bother you." I muttered. It was true but curiosity is already eating me up and I'm pretty sure these little buddies are hiding something they don't want me to see and knowing it just makes me want to see it more. I took a tentative step forward. They were so small they can't probably hurt me that much but it still pays to be careful sometimes. I took another step, not taking my eyes of the Sewaddles and as I get closer, to my confusion, the retreated and disappeared behind the bush. I took the opportunity and sprinted forward. The grass patch taller than me by several feet so I'm not able to see what's on the other side and the only way to get there is crawling the same path the where Sewaddles had disappeared and that's what I did. I'm halfway through the tunnel, my elbows and my knees were already hurting from crawling when I smelled it. I know in an instant it is Sweet Scent but I've never smelled something like it before. I'm a trainer who specializes in grass types and I know very well how each of every grass specie's Sweet Scent smells like and this one is alien to me. I hasten my pace and in less than a breath I reached the end and what I saw almost made me gasp. The other end was a clearing and the smell is strong in here but what surprised me is the congregation of different Pokémon in there. I guessed the Sewaddles had pressed intruder alert and every pair of eyes where trained on me. So they were waiting. I don't intend to fight but just in case the push comes to shove, I took a quick count of the army in front of me. There were ten of them: a Ledian and a Starly were flying over head, four Mankeys were dangling on the branches of a tree, a Furret was arched behind an Excadrill who stood in the middle of them, the two Sewaddles on it's either side. They were obviously attracted here by Sweet Scent, but where did it came from? None of the present Pokémon here can use the move, so who had set it? I push myself to my feet and the troop compressed inward. They were hiding something in their backs and it could only be one thing, the owner of that alien Sweet Scent. I know is shouldn't provoke them but I'm a grass master, I can't help but want to know. I dug my hand into my jeans pocket and take out a Pokéball. They won't attack me, would they? I took another step forward and I was proven wrong when Excadrill's claws shone and an X-scissor was on its way towards me. Whatever or whoever they were protecting, they mean serious business. Okay, enough to not fighting. I release the ball from my hand, a whacking sound and Sceptile was out deflecting the attack with a Leaf Blade. The Ledian was diving with a glowing right hand, a Comet Punch, side by side with the Starly who had picked up speed charging with Aerial Ace.

"Sceptile, use Leaf Blade again." I commanded. I know, I know. You think I'm a fool for fighting a bug type and a flying with my grass type and a lot of people thought of the same thing, well who cares about type effectiveness?

The tiny leaves on both of Sceptiles arms extend with a green, blade-like blaze and it jumped as the other Pokémon neared. Ledian's attack missed and he was solidly hit by Sceptile's right blade. Starly connected though Sceptile managed to shake it off and caught Starly with his left swipe, knocking them both out cold. He landed near my side uttering a victorious growl. I know I'm just acting out to defend myself from their sudden agitation but I can't help feeling a little guilty. The Mankeys were now on the ground between us and the Excadrill's group but they seem to be hesitating after what they saw but it eventually passed and all four lunge into Sceptile's direction. They were fast but he was faster and he already had backed away before the Mankey's collided with him. They hit the ground with a loud thud. I looked at Excadrill. He was obviously the leader here.

"Please calm down. You have to stop them. We're not here to cause you any trouble." I said raising both of my hands. Furret leaned closer to Excadrill. He was silent the whole time I completely forgotten he was there. Furret whispered something and Excadrill pointed his right talon in my direction clearly not any happier. There is a sudden movement behind them and a green little creature came into view that left my mouth hanging open. It was the size of a Pikachu with green bluish grass-like fur, green eyes, a small snout and a pink flower where ears should have been. I was shell shocked. Of course I know what, no who it is. It has a slightly different color from the images on the books but there���s no mistaking it is a Shaymin. It was stretching and shaking sleep off then suddenly looked into my eyes with puzzlement and amazement. It all made sense now. The Sweet Scent was to gather the Pokémon nearby to protect it while it's asleep. Pretty wicked! I wasn't able to stop myself and took a step forward. That put the other Pokémon in motion.

"Excaaaaaa" he shouted. I don't understand Pokémon jargon but by the way he said the words, it probably meant "Kill the bastard!". The Mankeys were prompt and they were on their feet again, arms lighted and crossed in front of them. Sceptile creep closer to me waiting for an order. I was still indecisive. I was the intruder and I am the wrong-footed here but if I don't fight back…

Orange flames burst out of nowhere narrowly missing Sceptile by a breath. The Mankeys were not as lucky as they were directly hit and they all fall on a heap on the ground. Smoke filled the air for a while and I saw from the other Pokémon's surprised expression that they were not company.

"What the hell!" I cursed as I looked where the fire had come. A woman wearing dark clothes and from head to feet came into view on the direction opposite to were I came from. Huge bat wings forming an H were printed across her chest, the mark of Havoc. A Houndoom sat beside her.

"Shielah," I muttered. A hundred questions bubbled up in my mind. Where have you been? How did you end up with Havoc? What really happened? But her name was all I could muster.

There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes as she heard and looked at me but it was gone as swift as it came.

"Hand over the Shaymin then nobody is gonna get hurt." Shielah said looking straight at me or was it through me I don't know. I was dumb struck. The other Pokémon left standing shift their attention to the newcomer; obviously I'm not the immediate threat now.

"Shielah," I breathed again. Speech is getting difficult.

"But how, why?" I continued.

"This is none of you're business, if you're smart you'll walk away now and will not meddle with Havoc's plan." She replied sternly.

I looked into her eyes, searching for something, a familiar thing that will remind me of the girl that used to be my bestfriend, the girl that I cared about so much. But nothing. The girl in front of me is nothing like Shielah, my Shielah. Her eyes were usually warm and filled with joy but this girl's eyes were just pure coldness. I stepped in between her and Shaymin. I didn't realize it already moved towards me until it was tugging on the hem my pants. The poor creature is really scared. So this is whom it needs protection from. I wonder how long she had been following it. With real difficulty I face her. This is a different person, I kept telling myself. The Shielah I know will never ever attach herself to something evil like Havoc. This was wrong.

"No. I will never consent to anything that is morally wrong. You know that, don't you? Because that's what we do, that's what we're trained for. I know in my heart you really don't like being with Havoc. I know that somehow they were forcing you to do whatever they want you to do. I know you might just be scared. Please, stop this. You can come with me. Our clan can protect you from them." I pleaded.

She laughed. A laugh that sounds so genuine that it made me shivered to my bones. What happened to my best friend?

"Scared? Help me? I don't think so. If you don't plan on making this easy, let's try it the hard way." She said unleashing another Pokéball. There was a loud thud and a Volcarona appeared out of the ball with a glow that was too bright it hurts my eyes.

Reflexes kicked in and I picked up Shaymin in one swift movement. Excadrill, Furret and the two Sewaddles were already in front of us. They're really dedicated on protecting Shaymin. Sceptile remained on my side.

"We can't let it get away this time. Volcarona, use Fiery Dance, Houndoom use Flame Burst! Incinerate them!" she commanded with authority.

I watched as Volcarona flew in our direction, wings ablaze, and hovered from left to right. Fire started to rain down to where Excadrill and the others were standing. Smoke erupted from were the fire met the ground until I wasn't able to see what was happening to our Pokémon ensemble. I was about to send Sceptile to check with them but Houndoom has already launch Flame Burst directly at me. Sceptile grabbed me by the waist and jumped before we get hit. Is she really going to kill me? This can't be happening! This is not her. Not her at all! I need to accept that my friend is gone. With a new found motivation, I prepared for counter attack.

"Sceptile, use Energy Ball towards Volcarona. Help the others. Go." I muttered. He nodded and let us down. Shaymin were now curled on my chest, holding tightly at my arm. It was whimpering. I thought it was worried about the others but I'm not entirely sure.

Sceptile fired Energy Ball towards the target but Volcarona managed to evade the attack. But somehow the attack cleared the smoke and I saw that Excadrill was still standing there. The others were gone and there was a hole where Furret stood earlier. They must've used it to escape. I sighed with relief and look back to Shielah.

"What is wrong with you?" I uselessly asked.

"I won't let that Shaymin get away again." She answered.

"Houndoom use Overheat, Volcarona use Hurricane!"

Houndoom unleashes a sinister blow of fire while Volcarona whipped up wind that looked like a mini storm. These two had grown stronger since I last saw them. Now I know it's not the right time to praise them because two powerful attacks are on their way towards me. They meant serious business here. Sceptile was now side by side with Excadrill. A while ago it thinks I'm the enemy but I had to take my chance.

"Sceptile, use Aerial Ace to dodge, Excadrill use Dig to do the same." I shouted.

Sceptile quickly jumped higher this time. Excadrill looked over his shoulder and I was unsure if he will obey me because he has every reason not to, but he just growled and burrowed his way under ground. I needed to escape. No matter how I look at this I'm in big trouble. It doesn't matter if I'm the Grass Champion, I know I won't be able to win while looking out for Shaymin and I cannot risk any of these Pokémon's safety.