Part Seven A. Shigeru: A wedding and an almost funeral.

"A beautiful day," Hiroshi said. "Perfect for a wedding."

"it should be," I said. "Grandfather and Petal-Rose deserve to have things good for them."

Nanami smiled as she urged her Ponyta closer to Hiroshi's. "Ignore his self-satisfied tone," she whispered to the current insect clan ambassador to the fire-clan --Akira figuring that since Hiroshi spent so much time away from the clan visiting us all, he'd give him the job and get some benefit from our friendship-- "Contrary to what my brother would have you believe Shigeru had nothing to do with it.

Hiroshi laughed. "Even if he had, he couldn't have made any improvement."

"I might have made this journey a little less long," I said. "Go, Rapidash!"

"Shigeru!" my sister screeched as I took off without them. I ignored her--she had Hiroshi and most of the fire-clan travelling with her so I knew she'd be safe-- I just relished the chance to escape my councillors, even if it was only for a few moments.

"Shigeru!"

Another voice hailed me as we reached the storm clan walls . . . or what was left of them . . . this I slowed down for.

"Hello Sato-chan."

"Hi Geru-chan! I was hoping you'd get here early, I have so much to tell you about! You won't believe what Kanna--"

"The ice-clan's here now?" I asked annoyed. Couldn't they respect a wedding?

"Yeah . . ."

"They're not invited are they?" I asked knowing the answer already.

"We had to."

I sighed. My grandfather's policy had been to politely have as little to do with the ice-clan as possible . . . I guess I would follow his lead and try not to start a clan war . . . if only because I didn't want to ruin my grandfather's wedding.

"Bring Rapidash round and put him in the stables," Satoshi said. "And I can tell you all that's--oh. Hello, Lady Kanna."

I scowled as Satoshi turned to a figure approaching on the wall.

"Hello Satoshi," she said courteously. "I haven't seen much of you today.'

"Oh . . . I've been busy, getting ready for the wedding and stuff. Organising, that sort of thing," Satoshi answered so vaguely I knew he hadn't been doing any of that . . .

"Of course. I was beginning to think that you were avoiding me."

"Oh no," Satoshi said hastily. "I have to be ready early, to meet people and that . . . in fact I have someone to meet now. "

"Oh?" Kanna reached his side and caught sight of me. She did not look happy. "I see."

I met her cool gaze with one of my own. Rapidash shifted under me as if he could feel the heaviness of our gazes. Behind them was centuries of feuding and distrust, if not outright war . . . Pikachu whimpered on Satoshi's shoulder, probably picking up the enmity . . . it was so thick there was only one person I knew capable of failing to pick it up . . .

"Oh, have you two been introduced?" Satoshi said.

"I'm glad you have to stand here with me and meet people," Satoshi confided as we stood at the entrance to his grand hall, receiving gifts on behalf of my grandfather and his mother.

"So you're not the only one being bored?" I ask. "Or is it so that you can observe my stunningly perfect manners and learn from them?"

"Pika-pika?" Pikachu guessed. We hushed as another guest approached, received their present and congratulations equably and waved them on to the wedding pavilion.

"It's because Kanna will leave me alone when I'm with you," Satoshi continued once the guest was out of ear shot.

"Oh?" I had to admit I was pleased Satoshi didn't like Kanna either.

"Yeah. You won't believe how hard being polite all the time is . . . Thank-you very much," Satoshi smiled at another guest.

I added my thanks then waved them on.

"I have to wear these stuffy robes all the time and then there's the baths, the meetings, the meals . . . and that's not even the worst bit!"

"Oh? What could be worse than taking a bath?" I ask, dryly.

"She wants--Ah! Takeshi! Hi! Where did you come from?"

"Shigeru, tell the lightning master that the two of you are required for the ceremony."

Ooookay.

Takeshi stalked off. I nudged Pikachu. "Is it just me or does it sound like those two don't like each other very much at the moment?'

"Pikaaaaa," Pikachu sighed.

"It's stupid," Satoshi complained. "It's not my fault . . . but stupid Kanna is being very polite to me and stupid Takeshi got the idea that . . . well, you know how he gets around girls . . . and Kanna is a very pretty girl."

"Is she?" I ask, doing my best to imply that there is nothing about Kanna or any member of the ice-clan worth praising.

"Well, yes I guess she is," Satoshi says not getting it. "And she's a good trainer too, and a good clan-leader. Kasumi seems to think so . . ."

"Kasumi thinks so," I repeat chillingly.

"Geru?"

"What's the matter Satoshi. Aren't you capable of thinking by yourself?"

"I am too capable--" Satoshi blinks as he realises we've just reached the place where the wedding is set to take place. A tent has been set up in a now open-air courtyard, where Grandfather and Petal-Rose will make their vows and brightly coloured cloths have been hung elsewhere to provide an awning for the guests to sit under as they watch. Our little argument is attracting curious stares from some of which guests . . . Satoshi and I exchange a glance then go to take up our separate places.

I stand by my grandfather, dressed in his best fire-clan regalia . . . I overlooked strict protocol to allow him to wear the ensigna of our clan leader, the Moltres, for this special occasion . . .

He fidgets nervously as we wait. "What's taking so long?" he hisses in my ear urgently.

"I'm not sure," I reply.

Hiroshi pushes over to us. "Matisse asked me to inform you there will be a short delay while they attempt to get Satoshi into his full ceremonial outfit. Ask the councillors to start the speeches."

We listen to the representatives of the fire clan express their extreme delight at being asked to attend this most special of occasions, their many good wishes to the happy couple and their wish that the happiness and prosperity that so well-loved a couple must surely enjoy might spread to the whole of their two clans . . . even though they are my own councillors and I pretty much gave them the outline of what they had to say I'm beginning to find them a little tiresome . . . I think I'm going to write a new clan policy when we return . . . to do with eliminating unnecessary verbosity . . .

Forty minutes later, with one last bow the fire clan chief of etiquette has finished his speech and is ready to let the Storm clan representatives start.

"Are you sure nothing gone wrong?" my grandfather asks me. "Perhaps you should go and check . . . just in case . . . "

"They'll be here soon. Don't worry," I reply.

Yuuji is speaking on behalf of the Storm clan. I settle back and resign myself to another half hour of my life spent listening to the same old phrases stretched out longer than they were ever meant to stretch by people who's idea of a good time is writing a speech where every sentence contains at least two conjunctions and . . .

"Greetings friends," Yuuji says. "We are very glad you could join us here today for this celebration . . . the occasion is made even more joyous by your presence. Thank-you for travelling to be here with us, particularly those who have travelled from other regions . . ." he nods in Lady Kanna's direction. "Now, let us devote all our effort to the joining of Ookido-hakase and Lady Petal-Rose in life and love." He makes a gesture and a flock of Pidgey take off from the corner of the courtyard . . . as they fly across the courtyard they drop a hail of sweet smelling petals from the baskets they carry . . . there are exclamations of delight from the audience . . .

I nudge my grandfather. "Impressive, ne?"

"She's beautiful . . . " he replies in an awe-struck voice.

I realise my grandfather is looking past the audience to the entryway to the courtyard where Petal-Rose, her arm on Satoshi's is making her way gracefully towards us . . . I expected she'd look good. She was a geisha after all . . . I just didn't expect she'd look this good . . .

She's wearing a pale grey silk kimono, one that shimmers with every step . . . in it's folds are visible a delicate floral pattern, amongst which Pidgey can be seen . . . the Kimono is nothing to the woman who wears it. Protocol has again been overlooked to allow petal Rose to tie her hair up in the fashion of a true Lady . . . her auburn hair shines beautifully in the sunlight. She's chosen to wear very little jewellery . . . just a touch of silver at her ears and a simple necklace, the silver of which matches the threads in the tunic Satoshi wears . . . so they managed to get him properly dressed after all. He's not looking too upset either --he's smiling as he escorts his mother to her soon to be husband, Pikachu running ahead of them . . .

I'm very glad I could be here to see this day. It means so much to my grandfather . . . and not just to him, to Petal-Rose too . . .

As Satoshi takes his place next to me I nudge him. "Did it really take you all that time to get dressed?"

"Don't believe it!" he whispered back. "My Mum wanted to make a spectacular entrance."

We hush as my grandfather takes Satoshi's mother's hand in his. They both look so happy it's like they're glowing. With a strong voice that reaches the whole of the courtyard, my grandfather turns to Satoshi and asks his permission as storm clan leader ask for Petal-Rose's hand in marriage.

I do think that must be one of the weirder aspects of being a clan-leader . . . people ask your permission to marry . . . particularly your own relatives . . .

"Pi-pikachu!" Pikachu says blithely, giving them the little 'v' sign as a go ahead.

Satoshi nudges him with his foot. "You know that's not the traditional response!" he scolds. "Ookido-san," he says. "What have you to offer my mother?"

"My life, my land, my love," my grandfather makes the traditional response. I don't think I've ever heard those words said with so much feeling. If I wasn't the Fire clan leader and up on a podium in front of so many wedding guests I think I'd be in tears now. As it happens, Nanami is sniffling behind me, Kasumi is very teary in the front row and . . . Takeshi is bawling his eyes out? Disturbing . . .

"Who can vouch for the honour of this man?" Satoshi demands.

I step forward. "I am the leader of the fire-clan. I can vouch for his honour and the truth of his words . . . " All of the fire clan members in the courtyard rise and raise our swords in salute to my grandfather . . . he was not told of this and there is a suspicious looking twinkle in his eyes as we honour him with the salute . . . "You could not find a better man anywhere in Indigo!" I tell Satoshi.

He smiles as he steps forward and joins his mother and my grandfather's hands.

"The Storm Clan accepts your suit. You may ask my mother for her hand."

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu demands to be held up so he gets a better view.

For a long time my grandfather and Petal-Rose just look at each other over their hands. Then my grandfather whispers something to her . . .

She smiles, blinking back tears . . . "I agree."

There are cheers from everyone watching . . . well those watching who aren't crying so hard they can't. The now married couple unite in an embrace and Nanami crushes me in a sisterly hug.

"Isn't this wonderful, Geru-chan? It's everything a wedding should be . . ."

"Should be," Satoshi echoes. For a moment he looks kind of worried . . .

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Tell you later," he replies. "Don't want to spoil the wedding . . . "

Before I can reply to that Petal-Rose is hugging me tightly. "I feel like I've got another son . . ."

"What--wasn't Satoshi bad enough?" I smile hugging her back. To tell the truth this whole marriage feels like it took place a long time ago. I've always considered Satoshi and his mother family . . .

My grandfather is formally shaking Satoshi's hand, then Pikachu demands his turn . . . and then everyone pours around us, wishing my grandfather and Petal-Rose-san their happiness.

"You two will always be happy," Hiroshi tells them rather breathlessly. "I just know it!"

"Congratulations!" Kasumi sniffs. "I wish you two every happiness!"

"Congratulations," a rather calmer voice adds. I scowl. Kanna. Why can't she just leave be? But no she's smiling her cold smile at my grandfather and his new wife, wishing them happiness like she was really hoping for the opposite . . .

"Satoshi," she adds. "I must say you really handled your part well."

"I didn't have to do that much," Satoshi replies uncomfortably.

"How beautifully set up your clan is! I must say this has been a wonderful wedding. I do look forward to the next one . . . "

Next one?

Maybe she meant that innocently . . . maybe she's not scheming anything and I've got her and the ice-clan painted all wrong. Hah! She's planning something all right.

"Satoshi--" I start.

And then someone screams.

I look up to see a pink haired woman who I know but just can't place at the moment running across the courtyard, apparently making a bee line towards Satoshi. "Help-help me please!" she begs. "Don't let them get me!"

Before we can ask her who they are a green haired girl jumps over the wall landing in front of her. "You--Stay still so I can kill you, poison clan scum!" she yells. She whirls her hatana blade down in a blow her opponent only just manages to avoid. As the rest of the guests panic and try and move out of their way I try and make my way to them. I have to stop this . . .

The crowd is blocking me . . . I can't get through . . .

"The Banners!" Satoshi yells to me. I see what he means. Jumping up from the podium I grab onto the rope holding the multicoloured banners up and swing over the heads of the crowd below until I reach the two battling warriors. The pink haired one has lost her weapon and is defenceless as her cold-eyed foe prepares to strike--

Just at the last moment I drop, drawing out my sword in the same movement and blocking the blow.

Ching!

Satoshi and I glance at each other in surprise. We apparently got there right at the same moment.

On the other sides of our crossed swords the green haired warrior gives a frustrated cry.

"Drop your weapon!" I demand. "I want to know why you have intruded on this wedding!"

"Ne, Natsume, I'm sure I sent you an invitation," Satoshi says.

I blink, then take a second look at the girl. It is Natsume . . . I've just never seen her so emotional before.

"Satoshi-san, Shigeru-san," she says, bowing and drawing herself together. "Forgive me. I lost control of my emotions when I saw this . . . this . . . piece of dirt!"

"What's happened?"

Natsume answers quietly, yet her words echo hollowly in the courtyard. "My clan-leader, Kikuko is dead. The poison-clan, aided by some mysterious pokemon have killed her." There is a murmur of shock that spreads around listening crowd, over which Natsume's words carry like the sword of a blade on rock. "Our clan fortress has been burned and we are in hiding. I was the last to leave."

"Natsume . . ." Satoshi's eyes are brimming sympathetically. There are angry murmurs from all the storm clan members . . . of course, it was not that long ago that they too were exiles without home . . . "If we can help you we will."

"Your offer is appreciated. However let me kill this . . . poison worm. I must have vengeance for Kikuko's death!"

Natsume raises her sword again. My fingers tighten around mine, I am ready to give her the fight she wants.

Satoshi calmly steps in front of her. "I know why you're angry, Natsume. But in my clan, you can't just kill someone for what clan they belong to." He bends down to Musashi. "Now, why are you here? Did you have anything to do with the attack on the psychic clan?"

She shakes her head. "I came to beg your help, Satoshi. It's . . . it's Kojiro. A week ago . . . well Yamato-san deposed him. She's taken control of the poison-clan and she's imprisoned him in the dungeons!"

"How could this happen?" I demand. "Didn't Kojiro have guards?"

She looks affronted. "I was his second-in-command! I was there when it happened! Of course he had guards--it's just nothing we did was any use. The creature Yamato had with her . . . it was just too powerful."

My eyes meet Satoshi's. "Knew this was too good to last."

He nods. "I call a meeting. Yuuji, Matisse, get all the representatives from the other clans and that and take them to the outer hall. You two," he turns back to Natsume and Musashi, "Come with us. We'll need you both . . . Natsume, put your sword away, please!"

I sheathe my sword, sighing. "Why couldn't this have happened tomorrow? I wanted today to be perfect . . ."

"I know," Satoshi sighs, looking to where Petal-Rose and my grandfather stand, hand in hand, worried looks over faces that should have nothing but happiness.

"Please, start the feast," Satoshi says, giving the guests an ushering gesture towards Great Hall. They move off slowly . . . the mood that was moments ago so happy, now equally tense . . . I follow Satoshi in silence to the meeting. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Part Seven B. Jirarundan: Drastic moves.

It's a bright sunny day. Perfect for the purposes of most. However it is something of a hindrance to my plans.

"How long can we maintain this cloud cover?" I ask my ship.

It answers in a woman's voice. "It will last us until nightfall, Lord. More than enough time to reach the Storm Fortress unobserved." It took many spells to give the air ship I control weightlessness and direction, even more to give it this semblance of life. Even then I must rely on magic to keep it screened from below. It was constructed from the skeletons of seven Gyrados. Nothing like it has ever been seen in Johto, Indigo, or, dare I say, any other continent.

"Very good," I say. "Well, you know what to do."

We leave the ruins of the Psychic clan stronghold below us and continue our southward drift . . . always keeping out of site amongst the cloud banks. I sit back and watch the passing scenery . . . after a moment the table beside my seat pools and a chess board rises from its surface. I look at it again. The past few days have seen many changes. Checkmate for that Kojiro . . . and Kikuko of the Psychic clan. Yet by all accounts the woman was preparing a successor a long time ago . . . I call forth a new crimson piece and watch as it takes on green hair and serious blue eyes.

I pick up the new piece thoughtfully. I've pondered all the reasons for the attack but there's only one of them that fits . . . I put down Natsume and pick up the blond piece shaped to represent Yamato. Her I know. She's has often been mentioned in the reports of my poison clan spies for ambition, daring, a good deal of success and even more ruthlessness. Sasaki's heir in every way . . . but she doesn't have the imagination or power suitable for the sort of cunning I read here . . . a different sort of game is being played.

I stare at the shapeless piece beside her. Slowly it begins to take on a white colour, it's features becoming more feline in appearance. If what I've read in the poison clan annals is correct . . . and it should be. I have copies of all the Indigo clans histories dating back several centuries--let's just say I inherited my thirst for exact and precise knowledge from my ancestors-- and here and there I've found a mention . . . the reports my spies in the poison clan have sent seem to justify the vague hints in the histories.

A mystic pokemon with almost unlimited psychic powers will be a valuable addition to my collection . . . and of definite use in the capturing of Indigo . . .

But why settle for one?

The psychic clan histories, although a struggle to obtain were more than worth it , if even half of what they say about Mew is true . . .

"My Lord?"

I looked up to see the head Junsa bowing to me. "Yes?"

"The force is ready."

"Very good. I will notify you as we approach the Storm Fortress."

"My Lord," Junsa bowed again. And hesitated.

"Yes Junsa?"

"I don't see the reason for the attacking the storm clan., my Lord, just to obtain a hostage."

"Bargaining tool," I correct her. "And more than that. I suspect Natsume's use will be greater than a means of securing Yamato's alliance . . ."

"It's risky. Don't you think the storm clan will respond harshly?"

I pick up a small piece smiling as I turn it over in my fingers. "The leader of the Storm clan is, by all accounts, an irresponsible child. The clan lacks strong leadership and numbers. I do not think we need to fear them."

I replace the piece smiling as I do so . . . Satoshi has so far proved a disappointment as a clan leader. Still as a master of pokemon . . . I may yet get the adversary I want.

"It’s a risky move . . . " I say, speaking to myself. "But one that will bring results."

"By taking the iniative the game will be in our hands," the ship answers me. "You plan to manipulate the action by moving the events along as benefits you."

"More than that," I reply. "I control more than the events." With a wave of my hand I set up the chess board anew. "They are all but my play things," I say, adjusting the clan leaders. "I know all their ambitions, their characters, loyalties . . . all I need is to create a rift between them and . . ." I scatter the pieces with a wave of my hand.

"Divide and conquer?" suggests the ship.

"Precisely."

I end up with the red clad Shigeru in hand. I tap the piece absently as the ship reminds me that a friendship stronger than clan politics ties the storm and fire leaders. "You will not create a rift between them easily. Two master clan leaders and their allies may be enough to destroy us."

"Even the best of friends may disagree."

"You foresee a rift then?"

"I see strain added to already forming tensions," I say studying the piece. "Ookido Shigeru is used to ruling without question. He has been raised to do so. To have his best friend suddenly in a position to do so . . . it will be disconcerting to them both. Add to that the political manouvering of the clans . . ." I laugh. "There will be a rift all right. And what makes it perfect . . . we don’t have to do anything about it. The ice-clan will take care of it for us."

Part Seven C. Satoshi:

I usually complain about these meetings being boring . . .this one could stand to be a little less exciting I think. I sigh as Pikachu, Shigeru and I take our places at the council table. In deference to my position as Lord of this clan, I'm put in the middle between Kanna and Shigeru . . . fun. Still, if what Natsume and Musashi say is true, then I have a lot more to worry about then Kanna wanting to marry me . . .

Then again, I think I prefer the poison clan.

"I think this matter is urgent enough that we can dispense with formalities," I said. "Natsume and Musashi will tell us more detail what has happened and then we can ask them questions or decide how to deal with this."

I caught Matisse's eye as I sat down. He was frowning--had that been too forward? I really didn't understand clan protocol . . . I mean, most of it seemed designed to waste time in emergencies like now!

Natsume and Musashi opened their mouths to speak at the same time.

"Perhaps if Musashi went first," I suggest. "After all, what happened to Kojiro came first."

As Musashi repeats her story I can’t help but worry. A strange pokemon with mythical powers apparently working with Yamato . . . well, I still remember being the prisoner of the poison clan and my memories of her are anything but fond. I feel sorry for Kojiro too. I mean, he doesn’t deserve to be Yamato’s prisoner . . . from the tears in Musashi’s eyes as she finishes I can tell she’s really worried about him.

That’s scary . . . she’s come to me for help. I mean--what do I do? What if I mess up? Kojiro’s life is hanging over my head and I don’t even know what to do--

Pika-pi," Pikachu mutters, climbing into my lap. My pokemon want me to know that they’re ready to help if I can. I look up and spot them, watching the meeting silently from the shadows at the end of the room. It’s good to know they are there . . . just having their silent support means a lot to me . . .

"The deposition of a clan-leader formally appointed by the full clan council is no laughing matter," Shigeru says once the pink haired samurai falls silent. "We must take every step we can to secure his safety and his position in order to maintian order."

There are murmurs of agreement from around the table, Kanna even goes so far as to nod--but I can’t help but think Kojiro as a person is more important. I guess it’s because I wasn’t raised as a daimyo . . .

"It is too late to rescue my daimyo," Natsume says in an empty voice. She’s passed wanting to kill Musashi and now just sounds empty . . . well, who can blame her? She obviously cared for Kikuko . . . It’d be like Shigeru loosing his grandfather.

"Why on earth would the poison clan want to attack the psychic clan?" Matisse wonders out loud.

"The key is that creature . . . I’m sure of it," Hiroshi muses. "Maybe it’s scared of psychics."

Natsume shakes her head. "It hates us," She intones solemnly. "I was not near enough to pick up why but I know that it hates us and is implaccable."

"Surely you exagerate," Yuuji said uncomfortably into the silence that followed her statement.

And then the roof fell in.

Well, that’s what it seemed like.

Kasumi screamed and Takeshi swore as the wall and ceiling where they were was torn away . . . bits of stone and that fell everywhere. A bone shaped hook lay in the debri.

"What is going on?" Kanna demanded.

"We’re being attacked!" Matisse bellowed as more stonework and a good deal of ceiling was shattered.

"Satoshi!" Lady Kanna grabbed me and pulled me back as a bone shaped hook crashed through the roof to land just where I’d been standing . . .

More rubble fell and bounced off a psychic shield Natsume was generating. But that seemed to be it . . . for the moment. As Hiroshi and Yuuji cautiously approached the holes in the wall to see what had caused them I caught my breath.

"Okay, Sato-chan?" Shigeru asked, putting a hand on my shoulder to steady me. I caught his hand gratefully.

"Yes. Thanks to you, Lady Kanna," I said, looking at her.

She smiled. "It is my duty to protect my future husband."

I yelped as Shigeru’s hand tightened about my arm. "WHAT?"

"Swords drawn, everyone!" Hiroshi yelled from the window. "This doesn’t look good."

"What is it?"

"I’m not sure . . . I think it’s some kind of pokemon . . ."

"Are you kidding?" Kasumi said. "We can’t fight pokemon . . . Eeeee! I take it back! Someone get rid of them!"

They were pokemon . . . if of a type I’d never seen before. They swarmed down the bone like hooks faster than Kasumi could become hysterical.

"What do we do?" Kanna asked. "Our oath as samurai forbids us to use our weapons on pokemon . . ."

"I don’t know," Shigeru said. "Maybe you should ask your HUSBAND if he has any bright ideas."

As if Takeshi wasn’t bad enough . . .

"Pikachu! Thundershock!"

Pikachu obediently leapt into the fray. "CHUUUU!" The lightning attack was enough to stun the strange pokemon but I knew it couldn’t last long.

"Get back!" I yelled to the others. "We’ll handle this!"

My pokemon stepped out of the shadows, and formed a ring around the guests, all except Metapod who was being carried by Meowth.

"I’m counting on you . . ." I said to them and we turned to face the pokemon, just beginning to get back to their feet again together.

"We’ll go and get our pokemon," Yuuji started towards the door but a string shot attack from one of the little pests glued it shut.

"We’re trapped!"

"Charizard! Break down the door!"

"Satoshi! That door is new!" Matisse protested.

"Fine. Charizard, break it down gently, okay?" I turned back to the rest of them. They weren’t very big or very intimidating looking . . . but there were many of them and they were quick. If they could use stringshot they were obviously bug type pokemon . . . which meant water attacks would most likely be the most effective.

"Squirtle! Use water gun and get rid of them!" The squirtle complied, pausing only to whip out there sunglasses.

"Help them, Jynx!" Kanna called.

"Jynx! Jynx!" An ice beam froze several of the critters where they stood. However more kept coming . . .

"Lady Kanna! Look out!" Takeshi’s shout alerted me to the predicament of Kanna and Natsume. The bugs seemed to be concentrating on them . . . "Pikachu! Use agility to get rid of the bugs!" I ordered, knowing I could trust Pikachu not to harm them. "The rest of you aim your attacks at the new ones just coming in now!"

"Bulba!"

"Squirt!"

"Dat’s da way, Metapod! Harden!" Meowth said.

"Pika!" Pikachu’s opponents were down. I hurried across to Kanna and Natsume, freeing them from the bug’s thick netting with a few quick sword strokes.

"Are you two all right?"

"I am fine . . . thanks to you, my Lord," Kanna said as I helped her up.

"AW . . . isn’t that sweet," Shigeru said.

I dropped Lady Kanna immediately. "It’s not like it looks!"

"I think a marriage agreement is pretty clear, Satoshi! Were you planning tot ell me before or after the ceremony?"

"Stop it!" I yelled. "The agreement isn’t final! I haven’t said yes, yet!"

"Well . . . "

"Actually . . ."

I gave Yuuji and Matisse a look. I feared what was coming . . .

"Actually?"

"Well we kind of already signed it . . ."

"We’ve even planned the ceremony . . ." Both of their replies withered and died as I stared at them.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

"Um, Satoshi--"

"You know, the next time you decide to make a life changing decision for me, do you think you could ASK ME FIRST!"

"Satoshi!"

"No, I guess that's being a bit to UNREASONABLE! After all, this just happens to be MY LIFE we're talking about here, of course I shouldn't be allowed to have any say in it--"

"Satoshi!"

I glared at Shigeru. "WHAT?" I snapped.

"BEHIND YOU, YOU BAKA!"

I'm not exactly sure what happened then . . . all I know was that it was painful.

"Ooh . . " I moaned, coming to and finding myself covered with the same sort of stringy stuff that had covered Kanna and Natsume . . . I couldn't breathe let alone move.

For a moment I panicked thinking I was going to choke . . .

Then there was fresh air rushing over me and I could breathe . . .

"Pika-pi!"

"I think I'm all right Pikachu," I murmured. "What--Shigeru?"

"You may be an idiot," He said, helping me back up again. "But you're still my friend. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to turn your back on an enemy . . . especially not in the middle of battle?"

"I think your grandfather might have mentioned that," I said rubbing my head. "Um . . ."

There was a scream.

"Natsume!"
The bug pokemon had managed to wrap her in their webs again. This time they all began to make a chirping sort of noise . . . a signal to something I guess.

"Natsume!" I tried to get to her side but the bug's fired there string shot at me again and, still shaken by the last one, I didn't manage to avoid it.

Then we found out just what that had been a signal for . . .

A disk of light floated through the holes the hooks had made in our walls and circling Natsume. It was about the size of my hand . . . it didn't look at all threatening.

"What is that?"

No one could answer Kasumi's question.

The crawly bug pokemon inched away from the disk, beginning to climb back across the ropes tied to the hooks. I frowned, wondering whether or not I should stop them. Better just to let them go . . . I mean, they would have been a pain to keep . . .

"Help!"

I spun around to see that the disk of light had expanded itself and was trying to encircle the trapped Psychic trainer..
"Natsume!"

"My psychic powers aren't stopping it!"

I cut myself free of the webbing and rushed to help her with my blade . . . that didn't seem to be having any more of an effect either.

"Aaah!"

The disk burst through the last of Natsume's psychic defences and slipped over her head, widening then tightening to trap her arms at her waist. It then began to float upwards, lifting her through the hole in the wall towards . . .

I gasped as I saw where those hooks had come from.

I'm not sure what it was. I think it could have been a ship except ships usually aren't found hundreds of metres in the air . . .

"Natsume!" I yelled as the disk carried her in side the ship. She wasn't protesting at all, she'd apparently decided to accede defeat with dignity.

Well I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Pidgeot! Ready to fly?"

"What? You can't seriously be thinking of pursuing her, my lord?"

"It's far too dangerous . . ."

Matisse and Yuuji both stepped back at the look I gave them.

"I think I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like this for myself," I said, climbing onto Pidgeot's back. "Now, fly!"