Chapter 23

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="14800640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <B>Dark Reflection (Beginning):  </B><A HREF="dr_pro.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prologue"><U>Prologue</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 1"><U>Chapter 1</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 2"><U>Chapter 2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 3"><U>Chapter 3</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 4"><U>Chapter 4</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 5"><U>Chapter 5</U></A></div> <div> <B>A Master in the Making:</B>  <A HREF="mim18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 18"><U>Chapter 18</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 19"><U>Chapter 19</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 20"><U>Chapter 20</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 21"><U>Chapter 21</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 22"><U>Chapter 22</U></A>   |   <B>Chapter 23</B>   |   <A HREF="mim24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 24"><U>Chapter 24</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id734.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 25"><U>Chapter 25</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 26"><U>Chapter 26</U></A></div> <div> <B>Dark Reflection:  </B><A HREF="dr6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 6"><U>Chapter 6</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 7"><U>Chapter 7</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 8"><U>Chapter 8</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 9"><U>Chapter 9</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 10"><U>Chapter 10</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 11"><U>Chapter 11</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 12"><U>Chapter 12</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 13"><U>Chapter 13</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 14"><U>Chapter 14</U></A></div> <div> <B>Dark Reflection (Finale):  </B><A HREF="dr15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 15"><U>Chapter 15</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 16"><U>Chapter 16</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr_epi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Epilogue"><U>Epilogue</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/oldnews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Old News</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/zrfic/" TARGET="_top" 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in the city.  "Actually, we're not headed for the main city.  My friend lives out here in an old mansion his family's owned for generations.  It's probably for the best, since he's a little on the odd side."</div> <bR> <div>     "Really?  What's so strange about him?"</div> <bR> <div>     Callegh didn't answer for a moment as he turned left onto a side road.  "Well, for one thing, he's obsessed with old legends -- collects everything he can get his hands on.  You'll see what I mean when you see this project we've been working on.  I'll let him tell you about it, since he's the one who came up with the idea for it."  The professor once again turned the car, driving through an open gate.  "There's his house up there." he said, pointing up at the distant mansion, on top of a gently-sloping hill.  Farther away, a large dome-shaped was visible and Zeth tried to figure out what it could possibly be.  "I guess I should tell you one more thing.  My friend trains bird pokémon."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth looked questioningly at the professor.  "Why's that important?"</div> <bR> <div>     "I thought you might want to remember that when you're battling him for your next gym badge."</div> <bR> <div>     "Your friend is the gym leader of Diamond City?"</div> <bR> <div>     Callegh nodded as he stopped the car before the mansion, "Yes he is.  And it looks like he's come out to meet us too."  Sure enough, a tall man with spiky blond hair was walking towards the car.</div> <bR> <div>     "Ah, David!" the man said in a cultured voice, as Zeth and Callegh stepped out of the car.  "I thought you were going to come yesterday!  Where have you been?"</div> <bR> <div>     "We had some trouble with the Porygon 3," the professor explained.  "The Dragons tried to steal it, and ended up ruining its program.  I did call you to tell you that."</div> <bR> <div>     "I must have forgotten to check my messages again.  No matter though, your company is welcome at any time."  The man nodded at Zeth, as he walked around the far side of the car.  "And who is this young man?"</div> <bR> <div>     "I'm Zeth Raltier, from Valencia Island," Zeth said, reaching out to shake the man's outstretched hand.</div> <bR> <div>     "Valencia?  In the Orange Islands?  How very interesting..."</div> <bR> <div>     "Zeth, this is my friend," Callegh said, waving a hand at the blond man.  "Lawrence III, gym leader of the Diamond City Gym."</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence shook his head.  "That is only a job that I have inherited from my father.  In truth, I am merely a collector.  Come, Zeth, let me show you some of my collection."  Turning away, he motioned for them to follow him into his mansion.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Lawrence's collection was as fascinating as he made it out to be.  He had managed to hunt down some of the rarest, most interesting items that had ever existed, ranging from much-sought-after paintings to a huge coin collection to a cute little Dratini that lived in his indoor pool.  Entering a large circular room, Zeth spotted a pedestal at the very center, with light shining down on it from a skylight on the ceiling.  "That's my favorite part of my collection," Lawrence explained, leading them over to it.  "This Mew card is the item that started my collection."  He waved at the other displays.  "This whole room is dedicated to the legendary pokémon.  I've always had a special interest for the legendaries."</div> <bR> <div>     "Which brings us to our project," Professor Callegh added.</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence nodded, "Yes, I suppose it does.  And it looks like we'll finally complete it, if you've brought me that holographic projector you were working on."</div> <bR> <div>     "It's in the car," Zeth said.  "And from what I've seen, it works great."</div> <bR> <div>     "Wonderful!  Let's get it and install it into the navigation systems!"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth halted the collector, before he could take them back outside.  "There is one small matter I'd like to take care of first, however."</div> <bR> <div>     "And what would that be?"</div> <bR> <div>     "He wants to have a gym battle with you," Callegh informed his friend.</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence examined Zeth for a moment.  "Yes, of course.  I should have realized that from the pokéballs on his belt.  Very well, we'll have a quick little battle before we get down to business."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth couldn't resist an amused smile.  "Hey, for me, this is business!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Zeth was, at first, surprised to find that the arena was as much of a display of Lawrence's collection as the rest of his mansion, but on second thought, he realized that he really should have expected it.  Lining the walls of the room were an array of pedestals, each with a pokéball sitting on it.  Behind the ball was a picture of the pokémon inside, as well as some information on it's species.  It seemed that looking at the collector's pokémon was almost exactly like walking through a museum.</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence took one of the pokéballs, a Farfetch'd, from its pedestal as he entered the room, "We'll have a two on two match, no time limit."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth nodded as the collector walked briskly to the other end of the room, where he chose a second pokémon.  "Fine with me.  I'm ready when you are."</div> <bR> <div>     "Then let's battle.  Delibird, I choose you!"  A red-and-white bird, a little under a meter tall, appeared from the pokéball Lawrence threw.</div> <bR> <div>     "A Delibird, huh?  I've heard of them, but this is the first time I've ever seen one."  Zeth pulled out his pokédex for a quick description.</div> <bR> <div>     The pokédex began to state information in its flat mechanical voice.  "Delibird, the delivery pokémon.  This friendly pokémon likes to give delicious presents of food to the people it meets.  Type: Flying and Ice."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth barely glanced at the list of possible attacks that flashed across the screen before returning the device to his pocket.  "Interesting.  In that case, I choose you, Blaze!"  The Growlithe's pokéball hit the ground, spilling out its occupant.</div> <bR> <div>     "A good choice, Zeth," Lawrence said, eyeing the fire-type.  "Let's see how well he can fight, though.  Delibird, Present!"  Zeth frowned, not recognizing the attack.  The Delibird tossed a small glowing box at Blaze's feet.  The Growlithe stared at it for a moment, then bent down to give it a sniff.</div> <bR> <div>     That was when it exploded in his face.  Blaze reeled back and glared at the Delibird, which just whistled and stared at the wall innocently.  Growling, the fire dog dove at the bird, spitting out a Flame Wheel that the Delibird just barely managed to dodge.  "Delibird, use Double Team," Lawrence calmly ordered.</div> <bR> <div>     As the delivery pokémon split into three copies of itself, Zeth gave his commands.  "Blaze, use Agility, then Take Down!"  The Growlithe dove at the nearest Delibird, passing straight through it as it winked out of existence.  Skidding to a stop, he spun around and dashed at another at top speed, with the same results.  This time, however, he was going too fast to stop, making him slide straight into the pedestal that the Delibird was standing in front of.  The displayed pokéball rolled off it's perch and bounced off of Blaze's head, releasing a surprised Jynx which appeared atop the unfortunate Growlithe.</div> <bR> <div>     The Jynx quickly hopped off of Blaze and murmured what sounded like an apology, giving the fire dog a kiss on his head where the pokéball had hit him.  Then, picking up her pokéball, the Jynx set it back in its display and went back inside of it.  The dazed Growlithe just stared at the space she had just occupied, trying to figure out exactly what had just happened.</div> <bR> <div>     Delibird, use Present again!"  Blaze turned back to the fight, but not before a second package had exploded in his face.  Snarling, the Growlithe launched himself at the bird, slamming it to the ground.  The angry fire dog then spat out a Flamethrower attack in the Delibird's face, setting its feathers alight.  The Delibird panicked and jumped away from Blaze, smacking itself in an attempt to put out the fire.  Blaze ran after it, knocking it to the ground with a Tackle attack, which put out the fire, but also knocked the bird unconscious.</div> <bR> <div>     "Very good, Zeth," Lawrence congratulated, "Now let's see if you can handle my next pokémon!  Go, Farfetch'd!"  At Lawrence's command, the rare, ducklike pokémon appeared, twirling a leek stalk expertly.</div> <bR> <div>     "No problem!" Zeth called back.  "Go on, Blaze, use your Flamethrower!"  The Growlithe unleashed a stream of fire, but the Farfetch'd dodged it easily.</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence shook his head.  "My Farfetch'd can move faster than that, Zeth.  You'll have to be quick to keep up with him.  Now, Farfetch'd, use your Fury Attack!"  The bird flew at Blaze with lightning speed, beating the fire dog mercilessly with his stick.  Yelping, the Growlithe stumbled backwards, tripping over his own feet in an attempt to get away from the wildly attacking Farfetch'd.  The bird used that moment of weakness to his advantage, giving Blaze a sharp peck on the top of his head.  The Growlithe fell to the ground, stunned.</div> <bR> <div>     "Blaze, return."  Zeth reached for another pokéball, then paused for a few moments.</div> <bR> <div>     "Well?"  Lawrence asked.  "Are you going to pick another pokémon?"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth frowned, "Of course I am.  I was just considering how I wanted to beat you next!"  Pulling another pokéball from his belt, Zeth tossed it to the ground.  "Go, Florio!"</div> <bR> <div>     From the sidelines, Professor Callegh spoke up, startling Zeth, who had forgotten that he was even there.  "A grass-type against a bird-type?  That seems like a risky move, Zeth."</div> <bR> <div>     "There's no such thing as a match without risk," Lawrence commented.  "Zeth knows his pokémon -- his chances may be better than we realize."</div> <bR> <div>     "I certainly hope so," Zeth called back, before issuing commands to his waiting Ivysaur.  "Okay, Florio, try a Vine Whip attack!"  Florio nodded, and quickly lashed out with his vines, managing to just barely smack the Farfetch'd with the tip of one vine.  The bird beat away the vine with his leek stalk a split-second later.</div> <bR> <div>     "Use your Slash attack, Farfetch'd!"  Lawrence called.</div> <bR> <div>     As the bird darted toward Florio to deliver a stinging blow with his stick, Zeth called to his Ivysaur.  "Quick, use Poison Powder!"</div> <bR> <div>     "Farfetch'd, Agility!"  Zeth wasn't sure how, but the Farfetch'd managed to dodge around the fringes of the expanding cloud of toxic dust to deal Florio a sharp blow.  "You see, Zeth, my Farfetch'd can run laps around a slower pokémon like your Ivysaur."</div> <bR> <div>     "Then perhaps it needs to slow down a bit!  Florio, Sweet Scent!"  At first nothing seemed to happen, but a few moments later, Zeth noticed a cloying aroma starting to fill the air.  The Farfetch'd stopped dashing around, and paused for a moment to sniff the air.  Florio chose that moment to wrap the bird up in his vines, and drag it closer.  The Ivysaur held the screeching Farfetch'd over his bud and released a puff of Sleep Powder that sent the bird into dreamland.  "Ha!  Your Farfetch'd is finished!"  Zeth shouted out happily.</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence returned the sleeping bird to his pokéball.  "Yes, I think you're right.  At least I'll only have to send one of my pokémon to the center, though.  Farfetch'd should be fine after his little nap."  Lawrence placed his Delibird's pokéball on a small pad, and pressed a button.  As Lawrence walked to the Farfetch'd's pedestal to return the pokéball, the ball on the pad vanished.  "It appears that you have beaten me, Zeth.  Of course, I expected as much, since I am not the best of gym leaders.  Collecting is what I excel at."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth nodded.  "You're right about that.  It's amazing how much rare stuff you've managed to find."</div> <bR> <div>     "It certainly is," Professor Callegh agreed.  "Lawrence's collection is unparalleled throughout the world."</div> <bR> <div>     "Ah, yes, but all my 'stuff,' as Zeth calls it, will be mere trinkets compared to the prize I hope to acquire soon.  But we will talk of that later.  Now, I must give Zeth the badge he has earned."  Holding up a sparkling object, Lawrence tossed it to Zeth.  "There, the Diamond Wing Badge is yours."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth looked at the badge in surprise.  "It's a tiny Lugia with gems for eyes!"</div> <bR> <div>     "So you've heard of the great sea bird Lugia, then?"  Lawrence asked with an interested tone in his voice, as Zeth placed the pin in his badge box.</div> <bR> <div>     "Yeah, I have.  I was once the "Chosen One" for the tribe that lives on Shamuti Island.  They have this custom every year where they pick a pokémon trainer to collect three glass balls from the nearby Ice, Lightning, and Fire Islands.  There's also some kind of prophesy or legend about the Islands and it mentions a guardian that a bunch of the villagers believe to be Lugia.  I forget what it says, though."  Zeth looked at Lawrence, who was staring off into space.  "Hey, are you ok?"</div> <bR> <div>     Lawrence slowly started to speak, "Disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice, or Lightning -- lest these Titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash.  Though the water's great Guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, thus the earth shall turn to ash.  O Chosen One, into thine hands bring together all three, their treasures combined tame the beast of the sea."</div> <bR> <div>     The room was quiet for a moment, then Professor Callegh spoke up.  "What was that from, Lawrence?"</div> <bR> <div>     "It's that legend I was talking about" Zeth told him, still watching Lawrence.  "I didn't realize that he knew it."</div> <bR> <div>     "Yes, I know about the legend," Lawrence confirmed.  "I would very much like to see that Lugia.  Very much indeed..."  Suddenly, Lawrence seemed to snap back to reality.  "But I must be boring you both.  I know that you wanted to add your projector to my airship, David, and I would think that both you and Zeth would like to take a test flight."</div> <bR> <div>     "Sounds like fun!" Zeth agreed.  "What kind of airship is it?  Is it like a blimp or plane?"</div> <bR> <div>     "You won't believe it until you see it."  Callegh told him.  "It's beyond words..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Callegh was right, but when Zeth saw the huge circular airship inside the dome-shaped building near the mansion, he tried his best to come up with a way to describe it.  "It's amazing...  fantastic!  Its... its..."</div> <bR> <div>     "Big?" Lawrence supplied.</div> <bR> <div>     "That would be a major understatement." Callegh told his friend.  "I helped you design and build it, and I still can't get over how enormous it is."</div> <bR> <div>     "This must have taken years to build!" Zeth exclaimed.  </div> <bR> <div>     "Yes, but perhaps not as long as you may think," Lawrence told him.  Motioning at a ramp that led to an open hatch on the airship, the Collector added, "Shall we go aboard?"</div> <bR> <div>     Professor Callegh answered him, holding up the projector he had brought, "Of course we shall.  I've been waiting for weeks to be able to install this thing!  Now come on, let's go plug it in!"  Without waiting for the other two, Callegh hurried into the airship.</div> <bR> <div>     "You'll have to forgive him," said Lawrence.  "He's quite exited to finally be finishing this undertaking."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "That's okay, I don't mind.  I'm just surprised that you aren't feeling a little more impatient.  After all, it's your airship."</div> <bR> <div>     "I have...  other things on my mind."  Lawrence murmured, looking at the huge vessel.  Zeth shot him a questioning glance, but the Collector didn't explain his statement further.  After a long moment of silence, he spoke once again.  "Go find David and see what he's up to, Zeth.  I have one last thing I would like to get before our test flight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Without Lawrence to guide him, Zeth had some trouble finding Professor Callegh in the enormous flying machine.  For a while, he found himself wandering inside a huge room that reminded him of one of Lawrence's galleries, but without anything on display.  Huge windows allowed an excellent view -- or they would have, had the vessel been airborne.  Finally, Zeth found that a chair in the center of the room was actually a sort of elevator.  The platform it was on carried him up through a hole in the ceiling and into the main control room of the airship, where he found Professor Callegh busily hooking up his holographic projector.</div> <bR> <div>     "There you are, Zeth," Callegh greeted him, then reached for another set of wires.  "Where's Lawrence?"</div> <bR> <div>     "He went back to the mansion for something," Zeth told him.  "I'm not sure what he was getting, though."</div> <bR> <div>     "He probably went to get his Mew card.  It's his favorite part of his collection, and I know he planned to take it when he left."  The professor leaned back from his work, smiling.  "There, that should do it.  Now all that's left to do is try it out."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth held up a hand, "Wait a minute.  You said that Lawrence is leaving.  Leaving to where?"</div> <bR> <div>     Callegh shook his head.  "I don't know.  Off to search the world for more items to add to his collection, almost certainly.  He'll probably go off on a hunt for some valuable artifact from an ancient civilization, or maybe he'll go off on some crazy quest to try to find the rainbow bird, Ho-oh.  He's always got some kind of wild scheme planned."</div> <bR> <div>     "And this scheme would be no less wild than any of my others, in your opinion, I would assume."  Lawrence stood up from the command chair that had carried him from the gallery below.  "Actually, if you had any idea what I was planning, you would probably think me mad."</div> <bR> <div>     "If it's that bad, then don't tell me what you're up to or I'll end up trying to talk you out of it," Callegh said dryly.  "So, is this it?  Are you leaving to go on whatever hunt you've been planning?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Yes, my friend.  I am pleased to say I am.  I will soon be leaving for the Orange Islands, where I am hoping to find the most amazing addition to my collection yet."</div> <bR> <div>     "The Orange Islands?  What could you possibly hope to find there?"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth frowned, "There's lots of rare stuff to be found in the Orange Islands.  I should know; that's where my home is."</div> <bR> <div>     "Zeth is right," the Collector agreed.  "I have heard of many rare and valuable things that may be found there.  There are many things I could investigate -- Dragonair sightings, ancient legends, the mystery of Pinkin Island!"</div> <bR> <div>     "I've been there," Zeth mentioned, "with Professor Ivy.  It's not a place you'd want to visit.  Not only is it illegal unless you're on a research team, there's nothing special there except for a fairly worthless tree that they can't get to grow anywhere else in the world."</div> <bR> <div>     "Is that all?"  Lawrence shook his head in disappointment.  "All that secrecy for a simple plant.  Very well, let the scientists have their island.  I am no gardener, anyway."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shrugged.  "I didn't think you'd be very interested."</div> <bR> <div>     "No, but there are other things of interest in the Orange Archipelago.  Actually, I was wondering..."</div> <bR> <div>     As the Collector trailed off, Callegh impatiently interrupted.  "Was wondering what, Lawrence?  If you're going to ask me to come along, I'm going to refuse.  You remember what happened the last time I came with you on one of your adventures."</div> <bR> <div>     "As a matter of fact, I was not going to ask you to come, David, though I must say that I am disappointed that our last outing had such a negative effect upon you.  I was merely going to ask if Zeth would like to come along with me.  He could visit home, explore the Orange Islands with me for a few months, maybe even compete in the Orange League before coming back here."  Turning to Zeth, Lawrence grinned.  "What do you say, Zeth?  Would you like to go back to the Orange Islands?  It would probably only take a few months, or perhaps even less.  It would be like a vacation, and we would be back here before you knew it!"</div> <bR> <div>     "Well, I don't know," Zeth said, considering the possibility.  "I would like to go home, but I'm on a bit of a quest myself."</div> <bR> <div>     "If your quest involves collecting, then I might be able to help you complete it."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth laughed, "Yeah, I bet you'd be able to help me find the last two things I need.  If you'd be willing to help me out, then I'd be glad to come to the Orange Islands with you!"</div> <bR> <div>     "Then it's settled.  We'll head for the Orange Islands, and we'll do whatever we can to help you in your quest on the way.  Then, once we've finished up my mission in the Orange Islands, we'll come back and find anything you need that we weren't able to find before."</div> <bR> <div>     "Sounds like a plan.  Let's do it!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     With a loud whir, the great propellors that carried the airship began to spin, eventually turning so fast that it appeared that they were hardly moving.  With a groan, the enormous flying machine started to lift off the ground.  As it did, the roof of the dome above it opened up to allow it to pass.  Slowly at first, then faster, the airship started to gain altitude.  On the ground, Professor Callegh watched the vessel rising into the sky.  He waved until it disappeared from sight behind a cloud.  "Good luck to both of you," he said, although neither Lawrence nor Zeth could hear him.  "I hope you both come back unharmed..."</div> </td> </tr></table></body>