Recently Phoo has come to Saffron City. He is now searching for
Icy, who, unknown to Phoo, is now in Lavender Town.
Phoo hid in the shadows of the tall buildings, heading towards a
old mental signal which he felt might be of Icy. Evading people left and right, Phoo
scurried onwards. "Hmm... this mental feeling... it is different... not quite what I
would expect. But I assume... that the great power source in Saffron is what is...
distorting it," Phoo thought, to himself.
After a long walk, Phoo reached the house in which he felt the
strange mental signal coming from. He felt no major acitivity inside the building, so he
entered the one-story residential house through a crack under the door. The inside of the
house was lightly furnished. Phoo searched around.
Several minutes had passed, and Phoo had searched the house. It
had appeared to be empty. "Hmm... this house... there is some signal about it... but
absolutely nothing here..." Phoo thought, as he continued to search. After a while,
Phoo found a stairwell, which apparently led upwards. The house was erriily quiet as Phoo
crawled up the stairs.
Phoo reached the top of the stairwell, and came out onto the roof,
where it seemed like there was still nothing. Phoo looked around himself, then noticed
something spectacular only about 30 yards above his head. Up in the sky loomed a glowing,
rainbow set of colors, which spiraled into the sky.
Phoo was mesmerized at the great shape in the air. "Spectrum
Way... invisible to humans, but visible to those from my plane... the source of energy in
this world. The house... must have been... I must have been picking up signals from this
place. Icy isn't here... but maybe if I..." Phoo stopped, in recall of a previous
memory.
*** Flashback, about a year ago, in a peaceful meadow outside of a log cabin ***
Phoo meditated in silence. The birds were chirping, and Phoo's
pokemon had gone off adventuring. As Phoo concentrated, the voice of Foomyama spoke into
his mind.
Foomyama communicated to Phoo, in a fashion such as this. (of
course, the enlightened tones of the great Foomyama could not be written here) "Phoo!
Of course you know that Spectrum Way is the center of the great nexus of energy throughout
the lower world. You know this means that from this central point in the nexus, you could
travel anywhere."
"Yes."
"But only once, when you reach the summit. You also know that
climbing Spectrum Way would require incredible effort, the likes of which almost none are
capable of. The Spectrum Way locks on to your mind, your energy. If you start climbing it,
you must reach the top or... perish trying."
"Indeed. But why would I ever need to go there?"
"I believe... you might need to in your future. It... it will
be necessary, I am now certain of it, Phoo. It will be hard, and the strain may affect you
forever. But if the apex is reached, a realm of wisdom and understanding will come to
ye..."
*** End flashback. Back to present ***
"Yes... if I go to the top... I could reach Icy... if I
can..." Phoo thought. "I... I must. I will." And with that, Phoo shimmered
with light, and teleported to the base of the great Spectrum Way. "This is
it..." Phoo thought, as he watched the great road spiral above him.
Phoo put his claw onto the first colorful step of Spectrum Way.
Instantaneously, Phoo's entire body was glued to the first step. Phoo found it almost
impossible to move, and he had to use all his energy to get the the next step. The top
loomed about a mile above. Phoo tried to sigh in exasperation, but couldn't, as his
thoughts were drowned out in Spectrum Way's power.
*** Minutes later, but it seemed like hours ***
Phoo had, with the power of his mind, actually ascended halfway up
the great Spectrum Way. His concentration was starting to waver, but Phoo didn't think
about that. He couldn't. The power of where he was didn't allow him to. Energy bombarded
Phoo's mind and will, but Phoo repelled it as best he could. His mind slowly cramped under
the severe pressure.
*** Hours later, but it seemed like eternities ***
Phoo had almost reached the top. His mind was crumbling, and he
had no idea where he was going, except up. Phoo had no idea how close he was to the edge
of the road. His legs dangled off the edge, and Phoo had no idea what was about to
happen.
In a second, Phoo's body fell off of Spectrum Way. He
tumbled and tumbled downwards towards Saffron city below. Phoo could do nothing as
he plummeted towards the blunt edges of the buildings far below. Phoo was increasing
velocity when...
Phoo started to feel some force, some energy, moving about him.
He started to shake and pulsate in a way he had never felt before, and then... he
blacked out.
*** An unknown amount of time later ***
Phoo slowly returned to his senses. His eyes opened, and he
saw himself high up in the sky, floating there. Looking about himself, he noticed a
rainbow of colors completely enveloping him. A strange surge of energy started
flowing into his mind. With one thought, Phoo exclamined, "Hmm!" Phoo had
reached the top of Spectrum Way.
The wealth of energy filled Phoo's mind. He felt a greater
sense of understanding, a greater sense of enlightment. It slowly went on for
moments, and Phoo glowed a translucent color. For the most brief of a moment, he
felt a fleeting oneness with the great Foomyama himself.
Then, as if a computer prompt were asking it, a new, alien thought
entered his mind. "Where?" it simply asked. Phoo understood, and
blanked his mind to one thought. Fuzzy, warping sounds could be heard, and the sky
flashed an aurora of colors. Suddenly, a boom of sound, and Phoo found himself in a
different space.
*** An unknown place, an unknown time ***
Phoo looked about him. He was in a town that rotted of the
dead. It reeked of negative energy. "Hmm! Is this... the town of
Lavender? Negative placeholder of Saffron? Hmm... maybe..." just then, Phoo saw
Clan Caterpie only about 15 yards ahead of him. Phoo rushed over to the one he was
looking for, Icy. "So I guess Spectrum Way does its trick after all..."
Phoo thought, as he looked up to the sky.
Phoo snuck up behind Icy when he was somewhat seperated from the
rest of the group. Phoo reached out, and tapped him with his claw. Icy turned
around slowly, then noticed Phoo. Of course, being surprised to see a giant
cockroach behind him, Icy gasped. Phoo took a deep breath, and spoke aloud,
"Greetings, Icy. Remember... me? Phoo? We met several times in...
umm... ah, yes. Celadon. I'm back."
"Phoo huh... Hello. What brings you to Lavender
Town. Are you getting your Pokemon renamed too?" Icy asked.
Phoo was a little disturbed at the prospect. "Hmm?
They... allow you to merely change a pokemon's name down here? Hmm... that is
different. Not naming out of incredible respect or honor? A simple name
changer? Hmm... ... ... ah well. No... I am not here to change... my fellows'
names," Phoo said aloud.
"Ok. Well then," Icy stopped mid-sentance.
He had never formally introduced the others. "I'm sorry, Phoo, this is
InsaneLlama, and he is Tauras. Team Rocket had just stolen two of his pokemon, you
better be careful around here. They are actually getting good..."
Phoo blinked, and stared at the thought. "Team...
Rocket... rockets... ..." Phoo thought, to himself. Trying to pull away from
that horrible memory, Phoo attempted to change the subject. Aloud, he spoke,
"Ah... hmm... Tauras... I don't remember him. But all is... well, as they may
say. You may or may not know why I am here..." Phoo gathered up his thoughts,
and determined what to say. "What... you may find important now... is that I...
well... hmm... have important matters. In retrospect... yes... ... yes. I am
sure, now. Due to... hmm... important matters... ... ... I need to travel with
you." Phoo gasped momentarily, exhausted at speaking so many words audibly.
Icy tried to make sence of everything Phoo was telling him.
"Ok. Ummm... So basically you want to be part of our group?"
Phoo thought about this comment, then chuckled as well as a
cockroach could chuckle. He said aloud, "Hmm... yes! In a simplistic
manner... or an objective manner, for that, I want... must join your group. Your...
your kind is one of... a few words, is it not? But now that cordialities have been
exchanged, yes, methinks we... shall need to be in point. Simply, yes. I wish to
join your... group." Phoo took another breath. Speaking aloud in English
was exhausting for him.
"Great!" Icy replied. "We are headed for
Cinabar Island, but I think we are making a stop at Grandpa Canyon on the way, right
Tauras?"
"Yeah. I heard there's gonna be a big digging
expedition there soon!"
"So Phoo," Icy said, turning his attention back to the
cockroach, "do you have any pokemon?"
Phoo pondered at the mention of this Grandpa Canyon he had never
heard of before, but let it pass. He diverted his attention to answering the other
question. Gathering his breath, Phoo stated, "Yes... I do have... pokemon.
I am assuming you would like me to elaborate. Well, my five... umm... well...
four comrades in arms could be considered pokemon. You... would probably like to see
them, I feel. It is.. quite obvious from your... thoughts. Excuse me..."
Phoo took another breath, and continued, "Well... Aurelia, Lickitung, Porygon...
umm... (he said the name carefully, trying to pronounce it correctly) Farfetch'd, Kr...
hmm... nevermind... Come out now, you are wanted!"
There was a shimmering flash of light, and in an instant, four
pokemon appeared, side by side, behind Phoo. From left to right, there was a
Chansey, a Lickitung, a Farfetch'd, and a Porygon.
"Cool, a Porygon!" Icy said upon seeing Phoo's Porygon.
It shined almost as much as his own which he sent out. Nurse Joy was getting
worried their would be a battle but noticed it was only Icy and his friends and that they
wouldn't break the rules. She went back to helping sick pokemon. "I have
a Porygon too. Let me show you the rest of my group." Icy couldn't help
but snicker as he called out each of his pokemon. "Go, Hocus, Windstorm, Leafy,
Pin, Moni, Michelle, Sunshine, Lilly, Wiggler, Suctioncup, Sandy, Dill, Verde, Buggy,
Static, Neptune, Cy..., oops, you're already out, uhh, Buttercup, Hyper, Vapor!"
All of Icy's pokemon apeared either on him or around him. His ten cite little
Caterpie crawled around him then inspected Phoo. Phoo was slightly nervious for a
second, but Icy reassured him it was ok. "What do you think of my team?"
Phoo paused, and looked around at the plethora of pokemon.
Phoo had never seen someone who had more than five pokemon, ever. It was a
completely new experience to see so many. To himself, Phoo thought, "Hmm... but
I wonder if... hmm... are they all taken care of? How can one devote the hours of
attention and caring each one needs...? Either this Icy is one of the greatest
beings imaginable, or Icy was... no... it couldn't be. How could Icy ever
shorthandle them?"
Just then, Phoo looked upwards, and noticed that he was in what
was called a pokemon center. Phoo was very nervous, just now realizing the hordes of
people in the area. Aloud, he said, to Icy, "Hmm... err... let us move outside
this building... if you do not mind? It... is... hmm... may we just leave it at
that? Hmm, yes. Let us go outside." And they did. Phoo and
Icy stepped outside of the pokemon center, while Insanellama and Tauras looked on from
inside.
Attempting to restart a plausible conversation, Phoo spoke,
"So... what are the abilities of your... pokemon? What are their talents?"
"Well, I programmed Cyber here to be able to transform into
vehicles like cars, planes, or ships. Uhhh... My Caterpies are just adorable.
Hyper..., let's just say he can pack a fearsome punch. I should know..." Hyper
giggled to itself. Icy continued, "I'm not sure what Vapor can do yet, I just
caught him. Buttercup is very talanted with psychic attacks and its small size helps
her in battle. Hocus is very intellegent, that's why he has almost learned all the
attacks a Kadabra would have learned by now. He is one of my closest friends. He was
also my first pokemon. The others are just regular pokemon, they don't really have
any notable talants, for say..." Icy decided to stop there thinking he was
getting very boastful and would rather be modest. He figured now was a good time to
find out the true reason for Phoo seeking him out. "Phoo, why have you been
following us for all this time?" Icy waited for Phoo's response.
Phoo was surprised, and not quite ready to answer this question,
so he obviously bumbled at it. Stuttering as he talked, Phoo said, "Hmm...
hmm... well... my reasons, you ask? That... that... is something... hmm..."
Phoo looked around to make sure no one was looking at them, then continued. "Well...
I have my reasons. May it just be said that you are very special, Icy, and we need
you. Yes... we need you to help us. And... being sent by them... I am here to
help you help us." Phoo looked around, very nervously, making sure no one was
watching. Lickitung started rambling off some sort of song, out of boredom.
Phoo relaxed a little, and continued to speak. "Hmm...
well... you are Icy, the former human. You have knowledge of both sides of
intelligence down here... yes, you are the one who can help us. I need to... hmm...
as I said before, help you help us. Maybe at another time... if it is so meant to
be... you will learn more..."
Completely devoid of any knowledge of what Phoo and Icy were
talking about, Lickitung started to play with Icy's Caterpie. Aurelia watched
lovingly, and Porygon was fervishly recording the conversation in his memory.
Farfetch'd sat there, blankly.
Icy was very confused now as to what Phoo meant. "What
do you mean 'we'? I don't see anyone else." Icy didn't know what Phoo's
sevret mission was, but he was certain it involved him. Meanwhile, his Caterpie had
just about covered all of Phoo's Lickitung's body...
Phoo replied, "You do not understand 'we?' Hmm...
well... of course! Of course you wouldn't! Hmm... I was too assuming that everyone
would know... hmm. Well... let... me just say that I... have affiliates. I
have no more to say of that matter."
Meanwhile, as the heated conversation continued, Lickitung started
to romp around in a closeby park with the Caterpie. They started to play tag, and
Lickitung generated a mild Petal Dance out of sheer joy. Golden petals and leafs
fluttered down out of the sky as Lickitung frolicked about. The Caterpie jumped
through the crimson petals, making a shower of color rain down everywhere. In a
word, there was utter bliss.
"Who are these affiliates of yours? Are they friendly?
And why do you want me?" Icy was becoming somewhat cautious, and it
showed.
Meanwhile, Buttercup went over to play with Lickitung and the
Caterpies. Leafy also joined them. She wandered around and started walking towards a
nearby lake to catch a drink. Verde and Moni joined her. The other 8 Caterpie
continued their game with Lickitung. Hyper and Cyber began playing with Phoo's
Porygon.
Back in the Pokecenter, InsaneLlama and Tauras sat down to a
fairly sized lunch. Icy's other pokemon stayed with them as they ate.
Phoo sighed, and took a deep breath, for all the verbal
communication was tiresome for him. As Phoo streched his vocal cords, he looked over
to his Porygon. The so-called "Hyper" and "Cyber" were
attempting to play with him. Phoo's Porygon was trying to store away as much
information as it could on the new topic "Fun." Aurelia bounded over
towards all the Caterpie, as she could no longer not take part in jolliness.
Farfetch'd was acting fairly strangely, and started digging a small pit in a nearby
pile of dirt.
Phoo had regained his breath, and continued to speak.
"Hmm... words, words. Words can communicate so little. You ask if
my... 'affiliates' are friendly? I believe... in the terms of the word 'friendly'...
it would depend. Generally... hmm... towards you? Yes... of course they would
act... positively towards you. Good natured may be more of the word we are looking
for."
Phoo continued, "And you ask... why do I want you? The
same reason I am wanted... for the prospect of peace on our horizon. Maybe you will
understand later... words are so cumbersome..."
Completely unknowing of the conversation between Phoo and Icy,
Leafy looked up from her drink and noticed a very rambunctious Lickitung bounding towards
her. In a magnificent leap, Lickitung jumped over Leafy and landed in the lake, then
dived under the water. Leafy looked out over the edge to see where Lickitung went,
only to be splashed by him as he cannonballed through the water. Meanwhile Porygon
was trying to absorb as much sensory input as possible.
Some Lavender citizens were starting to turn their heads and
watch.
