Extinction

After the battle in Felure, the trio rested a day, enjoying friendly company and full bellies. They had waited until officer Magnezone arrived to arrest the invaders; turns out, Sapphire had alerted the police in Celadine, but decided to take matters into her own hands, given the slow response.

Then, the trio moved on. There were three roads away from town; one leading down the hills, back the way they’d come. Another, wound further around the mountain and across the ranges, eventually giving way to long empty plains.

At Nick’s request, the trio set out by the third path. A long, dark tunnel burrowed into the mountainside, dropping sharply into the freezing belly of the snowbelle ranges.

Nick and Vine were well suited to the dark, and had no trouble seeing. The same could not be said for Flip. Regardless, he never stumbled nor faltered in his unending march.

Smelling of must, the tunnels wound through the mountains, seeming to stretch forever. The caves were eerily silent, the occasional sound of running water and passing conversation desperately fighting to keep the silence at bay.

Nick had been doubled over, studying a stone he’d found, but now he tossed it aside and ran to catch up. Cackling, he slapped Flip on the shoulder. ‘Gee, Flip, you really gave that Bisharp the what’s for, hey?’

Flip glanced sidelong, unable to see Nick, but doubtless of his grin. Flip tried, but couldn’t keep the smile from his face. ‘It felt nice, being able to help them.’

Nick doubled-over, clutching at his stomach and howling in laughter. ‘Help them? No, no,’ pausing, Nick shuddered and made several unintelligible growling noises. ‘I was watching. You enjoyed that fight.’

His brow furrowing, Flip answered, ‘I didn’t mind the exercise.’

Cackling again, Nick leapt forwards, crashed to the ground, and crawled to Flip’s feet. ‘I was watching,’ Nick said slowly. ‘That Bisharp was terrified. And you, you loved it.’

Flip’s unbreaking stride paused. When he spoke, his voice was icily cold. ‘That Bisharp was a criminal. They took over a town, stole supplies, lodging, kicked people out of their homes.’

With a shrug, Nick waved the comment aside. ‘Sure, but, you didn’t just kick them out, no.’ A wicked grin spread across Nick’s face. ‘You terrorized them. It gave me nightmares.’

His body rigid, Flip turned sharply, walked around Nick, and continued marching through the dark.

Running after Flip, Nick fell in step beside him, gesturing wildly. ‘No, really. I dreamt of you, tearing me apart with your bare hands! I know you don’t have hands, but still, after the other day, I’m sure you could do it.’

Whirling around, Flip loomed over Nick. The Sableye fell backwards, his eyes gleaming with Flip’s monstrous reflection.

‘Oh, I could,’ whispered Flip. ‘Would you like to see?’

His smile growing impossibly wide, Nick rolled backwards and began jogging down the tunnel, giggling all the while. ‘Ah, I love it, I love it! But no, not yet, not today!’

His heart pounding so loud he could hear it, Flip took a deep breath and released it in a long sigh. Steadily, his heartrate slowed. The anger remained, but it burned low, like coals, ready to leap into a wildfire.

‘For the record,’ Vine said gently, ‘if you had hands, I would appreciate a hug.’

His mind elsewhere, Flip walked past, ignoring Vine’s comment, and his open arms.

With the conversation lost, silence covered them like a cloak. Vine’s silence was soft, comfortable, unafraid of being broken. Nick’s silence was one of choice, and delight; he wore it like a crown. Flip’s silence was familiar. Too familiar. It chased him as if it were his own damn shadow, and it reminded him, you can scream all you like, if none can you hear, you are silent, and alone, and worthless.

Now, to shift gears from that dreadfully edgy vibe, imagine the trio continuing their spelunking expedition. Vine is full of cheer and hope, as is Nick. Flip however, is busy crafting his edgelord persona through the ancient art of brooding.

Now, after some more time, no directional awareness, and plenty of darkness, you would think they had grown profoundly lost, but once again, Flip came through, which is really quite irritating. He’s doing everything himself, though that’s somewhat the point. Oh, I beg your pardon, I’m getting ahead of myself again. Now, where were we?

Leading the way, Flip turned down a tunnel. Eventually, a soft light appeared at the end, accompanied by music. Stepping from darkness into the light, Nick hissed and cursed softly, waiting for his eyes to adjust. When they did, his jaw dropped.

The trio stood upon a rocky outcrop, high up the wall of a massive cavern. A staircase had been carved out leading to a sprawling city below. Hewn from the mountain, buildings of great black stone filled the cavern, adorned by massive gleaming crystals which filled the space with light of all colours.

The distant roar of water reached their ears from the far side of the cavern, where a waterfall spouted from the mountainside, gushing down in a river which snaked through the city. Cold, fresh air was breathed into the cavern, seemingly coming from the same tunnel as the water.

‘What is this place?’ Breathed Nick.

Flip raised a brow, and managed to be civil. ‘This is the city of Drifas, the light quarter, anyways. Other tunnels lead to the night quarter, which is basically the same, but without those massive crystals lighting the place. Musicians come here from the world over. Apparently, master craftsman can dig out hollows in the rock with accoustics that are unmatched.’

Vine managed to tear his eyes away from the sight long enough to tilt his head at the Wooper. ‘How do you know so much? Everywhere we’ve gone, you’ve already been there.’

‘Like, I said,’ muttered, Flip, ‘what I’m searching for doesn’t exist anymore.’

Vine’s face fell. ‘You, you’ve already searched the world over, looking for something. We’re just-‘ he paused, fiddling with his little hands- ‘retracing your steps.’

After a long silence, Flip smiled. ‘I wish you better luck than I had.’

Gently laying a hand on Flip’s shoulder, Vine asked. ‘What were you looking for?’

‘My brother.’

His mind racing, Vine leaned back. ‘Then, he’s?’

Flip nodded. ‘He’s gone.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Vine whispered. ‘You must have loved him dearly.’

With a weak laugh, Flip felt tears at his eyes. ‘I really wish he was still here.’

Nick sat on the edge of the outcrop, his feet dangling over the edge. Swinging his legs, Nick chewed on the delicious new information. Certainly, that explained a lot about his friend, Flip. Still, it didn’t change what Nick had to do. If Flip didn’t realise it soon, Nick would simply have to break him.

The trio sat in silence, taking in the view for a short while longer. Then, at prompting from Vine, they traveled down a super sketchy stone staircase and into the city of Drifas.

The trio found an inn and booked a room, ready to rest their feet after the long trek, but none of them wanted to sleep. Flip strolled off, talking about getting a drink. Nick muttered something before scurrying away. His empty hands reaching after them, Vine watched his friends go, his mouth falling open.

After a moment, Vine shook his head and laughed at himself. Those two were perfectly capable. They would be fine without him for a few hours. No matter how social the person, sometimes you need time alone.

Whistling softly, Vine floated through the city, taking in the sights. Pokemon bustled about, peddling wares, chatting wildly, and doing those everyday tasks that built monotony, and routine, and comfort.

Something tugged at his heart and Vine felt himself slip into old memories. The nostalgia of simpler days filled him with warmth, and a soft sharp pain. He missed those days dearly, and he would search the world until he knew why he’d been ripped away from them.

‘Hello there!’

Ripped from his thoughts, Vine blinked and looked around. He wasn’t in the city anymore. He’d wandered off the main streets, onto an old, seldom used path, weaving through boulders and leading into a tunnel.

‘Are you lost, lad?’

Heavy footfalls sounded nearby and Vine squinted, searching for the one who’d called him. A large blue figure stepped forwards. The strange Pokemon’s body blended with the rocks, camoflaging it. Well, mostly, red crystals jutted from the Pokemon’s body.

The Gigalith moseyed nearer, her eyes glimmering. Vine studied her for a moment longer before nodding. ‘Ah, yes. I was just… lost in thought.’

Gigalith seemed to smile, and nod. ‘I understand. Follow the path back and you’ll reach the city, no problem.’

Vine glanced back, but felt something urge him, beg him to continue forwards. ‘Um, I might walk a bit longer. Do you know what’s down this path?’

Gigalith rocked back slightly. ‘Indeed, I do. It doesn’t get many visitors these days, but I’d be happy to show you.’

His brow furrowing, Vine wondered what he had gotten himself into. ‘Thank you.’

‘My pleasure,’ answered Gigalith. Turning slow, she lumbered down the path, into a narrow tunnel.

The tunnel held several scattered crystals, like back in the city, though they didn’t shine as bright. Torches had been hung in sconces behind the crystals, casting light over every crevice in the tunnel.

As they walked, Gigalith sang quietly to herself. ‘Secret tunnel, secret tunnel, through the mountains~’

Eventually, Gigalith made a sharp turn, and the pair passed through an entryway which opened into a massive atrium. The ground was relatively even, though it rose in the back, as if forming a stage. A magnificent crystal tree hung from the ceiling, it’s roots holding on tight. The trunk stretched downwards, mighty branches reaching out, interlacing like a spiderweb.

‘What is this place?’ Whispered Vine.

Gigalith sighed fondly. ‘Drifas is the city of music, renowned for our theatres, and their unmatched accoustics. This, this is where it all began.’

His jaw hanging open, Vine shook his head vaguely, hopelessly lost.

Gigalith nodded and continued, ‘You may not know, six hundred years ago disaster befell this world. It was a dark time. It’s theorised that some species of Pokemon died off, but it is fact that one species did indeed go extinct; humans.’

Vine froze. Unable to do anything, he slowly dropped from the air, until he sat, enraptured by Gigalith’s story.

‘Humans used to cover this planet, but they weren’t as strong as Pokemon. They died off, but it’s believed that this city is where the last colony of humans lived. They fled their homes, seeking refuge here, in the caverns, but humans weren’t met to live in caves. They eventually died down here.’

Vine shook his head. ‘I don’t understand, then why-‘

‘Hush, I’m getting to it!’ Growled Gigalith. ‘They eventually died out. Until that happened, they clung to hope. They brought music to these tunnels, and with it came laughter, and cheer. Something sorely lacking in those days. Pokemon living in the mountain heard the beautiful sounds and rejoiced. With their help, the humans survived several months, but they couldn’t outlast what drove them here.’

‘Which was what?’ Vine asked, desperation dripping from his voice. ‘What was the danger?’

Sighing, Gigalith shook her head. ‘I’m afraid I don’t know, lad. I’ve been here since before the humans arrived, but rarely stuck my head aboveground.’

‘You’re over six hundred years old?’

Gigalith chuckled, a deep rumbling sound from deep in her core. ‘I look good for my age. Yes, I was here when music first swept through these halls. Since then, I’ve worked to preserve the beauty that humans bestowed upon these dark caverns.’

Suddenly feeling very weary, Vine floated upright, his eyelids heavy. ‘Well, thank you. I appreciate your effort, and your time.’

Gigalith nodded politely, and Vine floated away, back towards the city. It went by in a daze, until he found the inn. Hurrying to the room they’d booked, Vine curled up in a bed, but his sleep was restless.

A nightmare rolled through his sleeping mind. Thunder and lightning over stormy seas. A voice, crying for help. Vine hovered over the towering waves, chasing the voice, desperate to help. He found no one, but in the water he caught glimpses of a shadow.

Vine awoke in a cold sweat. There was something just out of reach. Someone was drowning.

Fear gripped his heart, its icy clutches chilling his veins. The thought of it happening again, waking up and finding he’d lost someone else, he felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

Curling into a ball, Vine whimpered. ‘Please, please, just hold on.’