Dark Illusionist Chapter 2

I woke up the next morning to the smell of food. Zerra was cooking something. I got up and walked out of the bedroom into the kitchen where Zerra was cooking.

“Morning Zerra.” I said.

“Morning Desmond. How’d you sleep?” Zerra asked.

“Zerra, I’ve been wondering all night. What was going on yesterday? Why were those two guys shooting at us?” I asked.

Zerra seemed hesitant. “Desmond, there are dangerous people out there. They want to misuse the power of pokemon, from the legendaries to us bonded ones. They’re known as Team Imperius. They’re made up of all the old teams, looking to get vengeance for their defeats.” Zerra said.

“But why us? What’s so special about me being a bonded one?”

“You have a gift Desmond. A gift they want to use and control for their own selfish reasons. So we need to keep moving so they don’t get us. We keep moving, we keep alive.”

“Alright. I understand Zerra. Thanks for telling me at least.” I said.

“Of course. Now go ahead and sit down. Breakfast is done.” Zerra said.

I sat down at the table like she said and waited. She set a plate of scrambled eggs down on the table and I started eating.

“So Desmond, how’s it taste?” Zerra asked.

“Good as always Zerra. Thanks.” I said.

“No problem.” Zerra replied.

I kept eating my breakfast and soon finished it. I was about to get up when I felt something placed inot my hand. I knew what it was.

“Zerra, this is the puppet from before. I thought I dropped it when we ran from the cabin.” I said.

“Well you did. I snuck out last night to go back for it. I know it was risky but it was a gift for you. I’m not gonna let some jerks with guns keep that from you.” Zerra said.

I held it and hugged Zerra.

“Thanks sis.” I said.

“It’s not a problem Desmond. You have fun with that. I’ve got dishes to wash.” Zerra said.

I nodded and started controlling the puppet and making it dance. Zerra in the meantime started washing the dishes and packing up more supplies. I kept messing with the puppet and stopped for a moment. I sniffed the air and smelled something.

“Zerra, I can smell something. There’s a couple people outside the town.” I said.

Zerra suddenly stopped and looked at me.

“That can’t be good. Wait here Desmond.” Zerra said.

I sat at the table and waited as Zerra ran off.

Zerra’s POV

I ran outside and headed down to the end of town. I could smell something. Two beings, one bonded pokemon, one bonded human. Getting closer and closer to the town. I was worried the Imperius men from before had tracked us for a moment. When I heard something.  It sounded like some people were talking. I ran into a building and hid near a window so I could hear them.

“Who’s there!?” I asked.

The voices stopped. They knew they were being watched. One of them spoke up.

“Where are you? We’re allies.” He said.

I wasn’t ready to believe him so I moved to a different window, closer to him so I could get a better look. It was a Growlithe. The Bonded Pokemon I smelled earlier. But where was the human?

“Who are you?” I asked.

The Growlithe didn’t move. He sat there sniffing the air. He could tell I was there.

“Dark type Pokemon, whatever your name is, my name is Datphoros. Come out and show yourself, Bonded Pokemon.” The Growlithe said.

“Name’s Zerra. Give me one good reason to trust you. How do I know you won’t try and hurt Desmond?” I asked.

“Though most would say the same thing about a dark type Pokemon, I know that you have no intention to harm. I can smell it on you, though you do not show yourself. And it is my oath that I will not harm a Bonded unless they are trying to harm my own human.” Datphoros said.

“Fine.” I said as I walked out f the building into plain sight. “But if you try anything, there will be trouble.” I said.

Datphoros stood up. “Likewise.” He said.

I watched as he turned around to look into the forest.

“Elaine, it’s alright!” Datphoros said.

I looked and saw a girl walk out from behind a tree and stop. I guess she was a bit freaked out at the sight of a dark type pokemon. But that wasn’t what I was concerned about right now.

“Just one more thing. Desmond’s blind. For the most part he’s adapted to it but he still doesn’t generally enjoy being insulted about it.” I said.

The girl said something and Dat walked back over to her to talk to her. I guess she was worried but Dat assured her everything was fine. Then the girl known as Elaine looked at me.

“You’re Bonded? Then would you mind introducing us to your friend? And no we won’t insult.” Elaine said.

“Alright. Follow me.” I said.

I led them into the small town. We stopped outside the building where I left Desmond.

“Desmond, come out here for a second.” I said.

Desmond walked out with the puppet sill in his hand.

“What is it Zerra?” He asked.

Desmond’s POV

I heard Zerra call for me outside. I grabbed the puppet I was messing with and walked outside. I could smell Zerra standing close and two others. I’m not sure who they were but if they were with Zerra then there wasn’t much reason to worry.

“What is it Zerra?” I asked.

“Desmond meet some people who are like us. Datphoros and Elaine. Both are Bonded like you and me.” Zerra said.

“I see. Hello Datphoros, Elaine.” I said.

“Nice to meet you Desmond.” Datphoros said.

“Yes very nice to meet you.” Elaine said. “Sorry but have you two seen or heard anything strange lately?” Elaine asked.

“Not including the two of us.” Datphoros added.

“Um… not really. Unless you count the two people who tried to kill us earlier strange. They were trying to shoot us and got Zerra in the shoulder.” I said.

Datphoros looked at Zerra. “You okay?” He asked.

“I’m fine. Zerra said.

“So it’s not just after us. They didn’t try shooting us… not with bullets anyway.

I heard Datphoros sniff the air around Zerra’s injry.

“I think she’s alright but one of the men had a sniper rifle and the other had a light machine gun.” I said.

“I’ll be fine. It was a normal bullet.” Zerra said.

“Light machine gun? Like low caliber rounds?” Elaine asked.

“No light machine guns are those massive belt fed things with large bullets sticking out of them.” I said.

“What she is asking was if it was made to specifically exploit Zerra’s weakness. Since she is a dark type pokemon.” Datphoros said.

“Yeah what he said.” Elaine said.

“I don’t know. It didn’t seem fancy but I’m blind so what do I know?” I said.

“No it was a plain copper jacketed bullet.” Zerra said.

“Well you may be blind but I’m sure that you’re more than that. Enhanced because you are Bonded to a pokemon.” Elaine said.

“Well I’ve learned to adapt I have Shadow Sight which lets me see a silhouette of everything around me. And I have this.” I said. I put the puppet I was carrying down on the ground. “Shadow Marionette.”

I moved my fingers and the puppet got up and bowed to Elaine. I could tell Elaine seemed happy watching the puppet move. But then she seemed distracted.

“I’m sorry but Dat and I have to get going. The people after us seemed to want us dead and I don’t want them finding you two. Maybe we’ll meet up again sometime. Zerra, take care of him. Desmond, take care of her.” Elaine said.

“Yeah sorry. It was nice meeting you two. See ya later.” Datphoros said.

“Very well. It was nice meeting you.” Zerra said.

“Be careful you two.” I said.

I heard them turn and felt the vibrations through the ground get weaker and weaker indicating they were walking away. I looked at Zerra and we both decided it would be best to keep moving. So I picked up my puppet and walked back into the building with Zerra and we started packing up supplies. As I helped her pack I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d meet Elaine and Datphoros again. But I had a feeling we would. And soon after packing a bunch of supplies into a couple of backpacks we walked out of town and stared heading through the forest to find somewhere else to stay, and hopefully an answer to why Team Imperius was after The Bonded Ones.