Something Beautiful (Storm, Ezio/Mod)

[Ezio]

With his heart dropping slightly as Elayne spoke, Ezio was moved. As happy as he was learning this about Elayne, he himself was hurt simply by seeing how hurt Elayne herself was as she spoke.

Watching Elayne walk off away from both himself and Ari, Ezio's anger for Ari whittled away only to resurface once he looked at Ari once again. Glaring again at him for another second with his fists and jaws clenched, Ezio shook his head, deciding he wasn't worth it.

Walking away before slowly turning it into a jog and chasing after Elayne, Ezio whispered to Fly. "Don't let him come near Elayne, keep him away" he commanded in a stern voice, staring at Fly in the eyes. With a nod, the Flygon complied, turning her attention to Ari and his pokemon.

Continuing to follow Elayne in the direction he saw her headed last, memories of the last time they were there came rolling back. "The cave..." He thought to himself, remembering. Slowing down as he spotted Elly nearby, Ezio called out to the Espeon.

"Please don't stop me, I need to talk Elayne. You know I won't hurt her, I just need to be with her. Please. You can read my mind and thoughts, why would I lie to you? Please let me see her"

[MCstorms]

A huge fire shot out between ezio and espeon. The fire belonged to Blaze for Ari had told him to not ezio go near Elayne. The fire made a wall between ezio and the espeon. Ari then said "those methods work both way's . Don't ever tell me what to do or tell your pokemon to keep me from doing it".

Ari then bolted towards ezio and said "you wan't to act tough fine then let's go". Ari then let out a fist of rage in ezio's direction aiming for the abdomen.

Ari was now royally pissed off. He was having a bad day and here of all places. Ari had, had enough of ezio"s words all talk and no action the boy thought to himself.

Ari then said "your a fool ezio and so is that women". Ari had viewed Elayne as a fool because of the words she had just said.

[Maid Melody]

Elayne had turned around the moment Ezio had spoken just in time to see a wall of fire come up between Ezio and her. Alarmed at what might happen Elayne looked at Elly who immediately used psychic to pull the flames apart just as Ari lunged towards Ezio.

What happened next Elayne was not aware of; one moment she was looking at Ezio from the opening in the wall of flames and the next she was running, stopping in front of Ezio just as Ari slammed his fist into her abdomen. Crying out in pain she doubled over, breathless. For a moment Elayne didn't hear anything at all as her knees buckled underneath her and she sank to the ground, finally catching her breath after a few moments.

Erebus was livid; Ari had just punched Elayne! Now not needing an excuse to attack, the Zorua jumped across the gap in the fire that Elly still had open and aimed at fury swipes at Ari.

Elly growled as Elayne's pain hit her like a ton of bricks and managed to jump through the gap in the flames before the psychic ceased. Running over to Elayne, Elly growled defensively and hissed at anyone who would dare go near Elayne, putting up a protect around her hurt trainer for good measure.

[Ezio]

Ezio had extended his arm out to Elly when the wall of fire split them two, causing Ezio's right arm to get burnt. Fighting the pain as he heard Ari's voice, Ezio knew it couldn't have been anything else as the heat from the flames warmed up his body and fueled rage.

A roller coaster of emotions seemed to flow through Ezio all in the space of a split second. As he turned around to face Ari and prepared himself to teach him a lesson, Ezio clenched his fists tighter then before, ready to fight back. What happened though, Ezio could never prepare himself for.

Paralyzed for a second as he watched Elayne take the punch intended for him, Ezio quickly bent over to Elayne, hugging her tightly but careful not to touch where it was still hurting. With rage filling his eyes, Ezio looked up at Ari. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Ezio screamed out, no emotion other than anger in his voice.

As it was extremely rare for Ezio to outburst like that, all of his pokemon came out of their pokeballs. Upon seeing the fire raging, Aquarius, Ezio's Lapras, quickly put out the fire with Water Gun before turning her attention to the Blaziken.

Quickly realizing the situation, Metallic, Ezio's Beldum placed herself in between Ezio and Ari, prepared to fight to protect her trainer. Spotting the Ariados, Tierra, Ezio's Rhyhorn, knew it just had to fight it, charging at it, using Take Down. Luis, Ezio's Togepi quickly rushed over to Elayne wanting to see if she was ok and if he could help in any way.

A sound is soon heard above, similar to some sort of singing. Quickly glancing up, Ezio realized that it was his Flygon. Even though he had no idea how they got post her, he still trusted in her as she flew above, ready to swoop down and attack.

The last pokemon to come out of its pokeball was Ezio's Garchomp. Standing next to Metallic with a snarl on its face and what appeared to be a grin mixed in to that. Ezio was surprised to see it out of its pokeball but he would need it. "Step aside Meta, you're too weak for this"[/color] Vice said to Metallic, not taking his eyes off Ari. Metallic just stayed quiet yet not willing to back down and prove itself in front of her trainer.

[MCstorms]

Ari returned his pokemon before things escalated any further. The boy saw all the other pokemon come out but brushed it off as nothing. Ari could not stop staring at Elayne and couldn't help think to himself what have I done? why did I do it? who am I? Ari was conflicted and confused about what had happened. AS Ari was in turmoil A far off voice broke the silence.

"Well now Ari what have you gotten yourself into now". At the sound of hearing this Ari froze to the point that it looked like he had stopped breathing. His contracted as he turned to see the man.

Off in the distance a man walked up the mountain he was dressed in black with a white overcoat. He had brown ruffled hair and glasses. The man seemed to be a scientist for thats what he was.

Ari was breathless he couldn't speak he could only look at the man that was in-front of him. Ari could not believe it he could not process this thought that he was there.

The man spoke again and said "Whats the matter skitty got your tongue? Are these your friends?". The man smiled and said "hello there how are you today".

[Maid Melody]

After a while the pain ceased to a dull throb, enough that Elayne could actually speak again.
"Ezio...no..."she managed to get out, still breathing rather hard from having the wind knocked out of her,"it's all right...I'm fine..."

Elly was torn between protecting Elayne and wanting to make sure she was all right, but the choice was decided when a new man approached. Hissing at him, she crouched defensively, still keeping the protect in place just to be safe. She knew Ezio would keep Elayne safe if she was busy but if Ari knew this man...she would not trust him...not after what Ari had just done to Elayne.
"Stay away!she hissed at Ari and the new man, growling at them for good measure.

Erebus growled at Ari after his Fury Swipes had missed and backed up until he was by Elayne. He wouldn't let the new stranger or Ari get NEAR her.

Elayne heard a new voice and looked up to see a man in a white coat approach. Not knowing what to think about the new man, she simply answered his apparent question with a nod of her head. Just then though, a new spasm of pain erupted from where she'd been punched, causing her to gasp and hug herself even tighter.

Elly felt Elayne's pain and ran over to her trainer; Erebus would take care of protecting Elayne after all...
"Elayne...? Are you all right..." she asked in a concerned voice, sitting by the spot where her trainer knelt in the snow.

Elayne couldn't speak but simply nodded her head...she would be fine...eventually.

[Ezio]

Hugging her tightly and not letting her go, a small tear formed and slowly fell out of Ezio's right eye. "Elayne...." Ezio whispered softly to her, "why?.... I'm the one that supposed to be protecting you, I promise on my life I won't let anything or anyone else harm you" he added with a stern yet soft tone in his voice, looking up at Ari fiercely as he spoke towards the end.

Ezio was more determined than ever to protect Elayne. He wanted to hit Ari so badly yet... no.. he must remain calm and controlled. Upon seeing that Ari returned his pokemon, Ezio remained tense yet still managed to somehow return his charging Rhyhorn, Beldum and Lapras, only leaving his Garchomp and Flygon left.

Still staring at him with anger in his eyes, Ezio became all the more confused at Ari. "I will NEVER understand that guy" he thought himself as the silence fell over the area. Such tension, Ezio knew he wouldn't be able to stand it much longer. However he would not have to for much longer as a new character entered the scene. Who was he? Ari clearly knew him but what was their relation?

Hearing the man speak, Ezio let out a soft, short laugh, out of disbelief more than anything. Friends? Seriously, this man thought they were friends? He could never be friends with the likes of that.. that kid in front of him. "How does look like we are?!" Ezio called out angrily at the man.

Sensing the tension and the atmosphere, Fly flew down and landed and with Vice, stood by either side of Erebus, knowing that the wouldn't be any chance that those two will get any more closer to Ezio and Elayne.

[MCstorms]

Dai walked until he was about 15 feet away from everyone The man chuckled before he said " Friends have their fights don't they". The man had a sinister smile drawn across his face. He looked at Ari and said "come on speak boy I haven't seen you in 7 years". Dai then continued in saying "oh thats right Spirittomb is still controlling you isn't he?". "Come on now spirittomb let loose and see what this boy has to say".

With this a spirittomb phased out of Ari and went to the strange man. Ari fell to his knees using his arms to hold him up. Dai then said "please forgive the boy he was not in his right mind from when he walked down this hill."

Ari got up clutching his stomach then turned to see Elayne and Ezio . Ari opened his mouth and said "I'm sorry please forgive me". Ari then turned to look at the man and said "You people should be going this man he is crazy."

The man laughed as he said "you could say that." The man continued and said "I was the one who triggered that avalanche, But you survived why wont you die?"

Ari had a look of disgust on his face. And said "Yea I guess it was just how I was raised".

[Maid Melody]

Elayne heard Ezio whisper and thought about why she had protected him. In truth...he was the one person she had met who had ever made her feel...safe...and she didn't want to lose that; not now, not ever.
"I...I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you...and..."she whispered, stopping when tears threatened to overwhelm her words.
Hearing the man speak, she looked up at him, not sure what to make of him...whoever he was it seemed that he wasn't to be trusted. Alarm swept through Elayne as she saw the Spirittomb come out of Ari...had that pokemon been inside the boy the entire time...?

Elly stiffened as she felt Elayne's alarm and narrowed her eyes as she turned to Dai, glaring at him. If he so much as threatened Elayne...
"What do you want stranger..."she hissed at Dai, "If what you've said is true...you've done more than enough here. Leave now."

Erebus stiffened when he saw the Flygon and Garchomp land on either side of him but relaxed when he saw that they were Ezio's pokemon. He glared at Dai, growling at him the whole time. This man...he was evil...and Erebus wasn't about to let him get near Elayne.

Elayne looked at Ari after hearing the man say that he had tried to kill him; what kind of monster would intentionally try to kill someone...?
"It...it's all right...Ari...but...w...we won't leave you alone with him. We'll get through this together...just as we did when the avalanche hit. You remember that...don't you...?"she said in a quiet, gentle voice.

[Ezio]

Hearing Elayne speak the words she spoke deeply touched Ezio. He vowed then and there that he would protect her all his life, just to see her smile and to prevent all tears. Kissing her gently on her forehead as she spoke, Ezio's attention turned back to Ari and the man.

This night only got weirder and weirder he thought to himself as he listened to the man speak, only to be shocked when the Spiritomb leave Ari's body. What on Earth was this? It would certainly explain quite a bit if they were related however.

Upon seeing the Spiritomb both Fly and Vice tensed up, prepared to battle it at a second's notice, Vice letting of a soft snarl as he watched the events unfold. Both of them took one step forward, so that their legs were in front of Erebus. They had figured that he was too young and if things got nasty, he would must likely get hurt.

Hearing Elayne's words as she spoke again, Ezio had a short flashback of the events before, when the avalanche struck that time. He still didn't trust Ari but if Elayne wanted to save him yet again, then he would also try his best, however protecting Elayne was his priority. "Old man. Leave. Now. And... and leave him be." Ezio called out sternly to Dai.

[MCstorms]

Ari shook his head and said "It's useless he won't leave until I'm dead even if that means taking you two along with me". A tear made its way down Ari's face as he said "If i hurt you guy's anymore then i already have I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Dai spoke by saying "The boy speaks the truth i will not hesitate to kill him or you my boy" these words were directed at Ezio and Ari. Dai then looked at Elayne and said "But you my dear you will fetch a high price your parents do miss you".

At the sound of this Ari tensed and his voice became filled with rage as he said "You so much as get near them i will end you". Ari was running out of patience for this man. "When I go that letter from van i never expected it to be true".

Dai the spoke saying "Has your brother ever lied to you?". "Because I don't think he ever has how about your mother does she know?".

Ari answered with a no and said "she will never find out that your alive because you will die here and now".

[Maid Melody]

When Elayne heard the man speak, fear gripped her heart once again and she clung to Ezio, shaking with fear.
"Please...don't let him take me..."she whispered in a fearful voice.

Elly felt Elayne's panic and growled before attempting to throw the man with Psychic.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!!!" she yowled right before aiming a Psybeam at Dai.

Erebus heard the man threaten to take Elayne away and growled, teeth bared even as he looked for an opening to attack. He didn't know what pokemon the man had so it wouldn't be wise but the Spiritomb...that would be a problem for Elly if she got hit. Putting his front paws on the legs preventing him from moving forward, he began to use Bark Out directed at the Spiritomb, hoping to distract the pokemon from Elly. No doubt after hearing the man threaten Elayne she would lash out and the last thing Erebus wanted was to have Elly get hurt.

[Ezio]

"This man... This boy... I will never understand them no matter how long and how much I try. But that man dare threaten us?..." Ezio thought to himself as both Ari and the man spoke. If there ever was such a thing as confusement day, this would be that day yet one thing remained clear.

Closing his eyes for a second as Elayne clung and whispered to him, Ezio knew what had to be done. Putting one hand under her chin, Ezio stared into her eyes, absorbing the moment. "I will.. never, ever let him or anyone, take you. Elayne... Just please know... I love you..." Ezio whispered, almost choking on his emotions.

At this Ezio stood up and faced Dai, staring him down, showing he wasn't going to be intimidated by anyone. Closing his eyes for a second as he took a deep breath, Ezio lifted up his arms to point at Elayne, her pokemon who were attacking and Ari. "RESCATE!!!" Ezio screamed as Vice and Fly suddenly flew off in different directions.

As he remembered training his pokemon that method, Ezio was grateful he did. Throwing his Rhyhorn's and Beldum's pokeballs, Ezio prepared for battle. Using their superior speed, Fly and Vice both flew at the targets Ezio pointed at. Vice aiming at Ari to scoop him up and fly him to safety whilst Fly went for Erebus, Elly and Elayne.

This was the first time they ever actually tried it in a real situation and they honestly didn't practice it all that much but Ezio had confidence in his pokemon and their speed. "Tierra you know what to do." Ezio told his Rhyhorn who was already preparing a Stone Edge attack at the Spiritomb, firing it only a second later.

[MCstorms]

Ari Screamed at the top of his lungs saying " STOP OR I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF". Ari sent a death stare at Ezio and his Pokemon. Ari continued in saying "This is my fight I can't let you inter fear".

While this was going on Spirittomb had casted protect over him and Dai. This deflected the attacks. Dai added to Ari's words by saying "Haven't you ever heard of a fair fight". Dai smirked almost demoniacally.

Ari looked at Ezio With sadness in his eyes. Ari said "Save Elayne you do love her don't you?". "If you meant that then save her I have to fight this battle on my own".

Dai laughed and said sarcastically "When did my son become such a hero? you were so scared as a child." "Where did you get this fearless attitude?".

Ari looked at him with determination and said "Courage isn't the absence of fear rather the strength to overcome it". "At least thats whet you taught me right DAD?". Ari's voice was filled with hate when he said dad.

The farther sand son were having a stared down. Ari continued in saying "I will do whatever you want just let me fight him on my own". "I feel bad enough I put you and Elayne through this crazy mess". Ari had sadness in his voice "If you to die because of me I will go insane".

[Maid Melody]

Elayne heard Elly's shout in her mind, heard Erebus attack but the only thing she was conscious of at the moment was Ezio. She could hear his heart beating as she lay her head on his chest moments before he lifted her chin up and stared into her eyes. Any coherent thought or response she could come up with vanished when she saw the emotion in his eyes.

"I will.. never, ever let him or anyone, take you. Elayne... Just please know... I love you..."

The words repeated over and over in her mind as she looked into his eyes, her own mind void of any other thought except for the last words he had just spoken. He...he really loved her. Elayne's eyes swam with unshed tears as she looked into his eyes, unable to speak, not that she could have formed a coherent thought at the moment anyway. Clinging tighter to Ezio she wished that she could just stay right here...in this moment...but a part of her knew that wasn't possible.
"Ez..." she barely whispered before he stood up, causing her hands to slowly tear away from him.
For a moment Elayne felt utterly lost; why had he just left her...what was going on...had those words been a lie...? Her heart beat rapidly inside her chest, just barely aware that her hands were now on the cold snow. Her mind felt like it was in a fog, the only thing she was aware of was the pounding of her own heart as she remained where she was, as if frozen. She saw Ezio point at her and the pokemon and heard him yell but her mind couldn't compute what it meant until she suddenly found herself on the back of the Flygon. It seemed in her daze her hands had involuntarily reached out to steady herself so that she wouldn't fall. Shaking her head to clear the fog she blinked as she was finally aware of the fact that Ari was speaking.

"Courage isn't the absence of fear rather the strength to overcome it. At least thats whet you taught me right DAD?"

Elayne's face heated as anger surged through her, eliminating the fog entirely from her mind. Ari's own father had tried to kill him?! Elayne's clenched her hands into fists, still keeping her balance on the Flygon as she pulled out a pokeball, releasing Skye without a second though just as she heard Ari speak again.

"I feel bad enough I put you and Elayne through this crazy mess. If you to die because of me I will go insane".

Elayne took a deep breath as Skye appeared in front of her in a flash of white light, there was no way she was going to let Ari fight this battle on his own.
"Skye, fly to Ari and wait." she said in a relatively calm voice before looking down at Ari from where she flew," Ari, I will not flee so easily and leave a friend in danger. Friends stay by each other's side no matter what; I don't care what you say Ari, I will not leave you."

Skye nodded in understanding of Elayne's command and flew down by Ari, looking at Dai with a determined expression on his face. He would wait just as Elayne commanded, but there was no way he would let anything happen to this boy next to him.

Elly blinked as she felt the surge of emotions coming from Elayne and suddenly found herself unable to concentrate. Shaking her head she looked back at Elayne and Ezio and purred/meowed happily, at least something good had come out of this mess but...the man was still there...shouldn't she be guarding Elayne...? Shaking her head again she stared at Dai with a blank expression, unable to think clearly. Was she supposed to attack him...or...before Elly could decide either way she felt something pick her up. After a while the fog in her mind disappeared and she found herself being carried by a Flygon looking down at Dai.
Dai...Ari's father...hissing in anger and agitation, she attempted to use Psycho Shock on the man. How dare he do that to his own SON!

Erebus growled in agitation when he saw the Protect and used Bark Out once again, directing it at the Spiritomb. After finishing the attack he felt himself being picked up and struggled to get free before realizing it was Ezio's Flygon and Elayne was on it. Sighing in relief that Elayne was safe, he sighed and stopped struggling and watched the scene below him.

[Ezio]

Staring back at Ari, like the death stare was nothing, Ezio shook his head before turning back to face Dai again. "This kid is messed up. First he wants us to forgive him then he says he will kill me. Can't he just decide?" Ezio thought to himself.

"Ain't you heard of parent classes old man. You should have taken some. Fair fights don't always apply, you know that don't you. A parent and a child, that ain't a fair fight you self righteous prick. Fear is one of the things that makes us human, yet I get the feeling you lost your humanity long ago. Ari, learn to accept others' help. You said this is your fight yet you also said you dragged us into this mess so its already our fight. Someone is going to confront it and it isn't going to be you Ari."

At this a large swooshing sound is heard as Vice, Ezio's Garchomp appeared again. Much to Ezio's surprise however, it didn't pick up and fly Ari away, but in fact, it came from the side, attacking the Spiritomb with Dragon Rush. It had flown away Ari and went to attack the Spiritomb instead, giving in to its love of battling. "...at least, not alone." Ezio added, despite his intial surprise.

Seeing his attack being deflected and Vice attack, Tierra felt compelled to attack again, firing another Stone Edge. He somehow felt that a new power was somewhere in him and waiting to come out.

Turning back to see Vice attack the Spiritomb, Fly sighed internally but kept flying for a little longer. However as she was concerned for her trainer, Fly landed nearby, yet hidden from view. Turning to the Espeon, Fly explained. "Vice disobeyed Ezio's commands and I am going to do the same. I am concerned for his safety. Take Elayne away from here to safety."[/i]

Turning away and flying back to the battleground, Fly flew up high so the sound of her wings could not be heard on the ground. Looking down, she prepared herself to attack at any moment.

[MCstorms]

Ari couldn't comprehend this Idea if they helped him they might die. Ari looked at Ezio before saying "If you help me you might die aren't you scared?".

Dai then said "courage isn't the absents of fear but rather the strength to overcome it". Dai the let out a smirk because he got his point across

Ari looked at him and said "SHUT UP". Ari had lost his composure his hair was a mess.he was indeed losing his sanity. Ari noticed as the garchomp was closing in a lightning bolt came flying down between Dai and the dragon pokemon.

It created an explosion of smoke so that they couldn't see Dai and his pokemon. With this a boy who looked like he was not to much younger then ezio appeared. he had on a snow white jaket unzipped enough to reveal his black tee shirt. The man whore dark denim jeans as well as black sneakers. He had a back pack
with one strap that wen't from his right shoulder down to his left thigh.

The boy also had a cigarette in his right hand with an abnormal sized elective behind him. The electric pokemon was about a foot bigger then average. "Ari long time no see the man said."

Ari looked over to see the man and his face lit up "Van! your here" Ari ran over and gave the man a hug. Van was a few inches taller then Ari. The man said "You think i would let my Lil bro go get himself killed ?".

Ari said "Guy's this is my older brother Van". Ari said this letting go of his big bro. He was excited and scared at the same time he never got to see Van. However he wished the circumstances were better.

The smoke had cleared now to reveal Dai and his pokemon. Now Dai was smiling and he said "The family is back together now how Van simply flipped him off with a smile. The man dropped his cigarette and stepped on it.

Van said "hey you" directed at Ezio "Don't get involved in problems that aren't yours ok?". Van then smiled walking away from Ari and said "This party is about to get crazy!".he had an excited tone in his words.

Dai smiled "its been almost 3 months Van I missed you". Van said "Missed you to pop" in a very sarcastic tone. The look in both there eyes was the same determination to destroy one another.

[Maid Melody]

Elly looked at the Flygon, shaking with rage both from what she had heard and from Elayne's emotions as well.
"I'm sorry...I can't do that. Elayne has a reason to fight just as much as you do...I couldn't keep her away right now if I wanted to..." she said in an irritated voice mostly from the rage coursing through her.

Erebus immediately raced over to where Ezio was, ready to fight. He may be young, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to fight, especially if it was for Elayne's sake.

While Fly was talking to Elly, Elayne slid off of the Flygon's back and started back towards where Ezio was. She had just found the person who accepted her despite knowing who and what she was...there was no way she was going to lose him now. By the time she got there, a new person had arrived. Confused she walked over by Ezio and slipped her hand in his just as Van told him not to get involved. Looking at Van with a determined expression on her face, she smiled and shook her head.
"You're wrong...we have just as much a right to fight as Ari and you do...friends stick together no matter what happens. No matter what you say I...we're not going anywhere...I'm done running."she said in a calm, determined voice before looking up at Ezio, "I don't want to lose you Ezio...we'll get through this together." she whispered, squeezing his hand for a brief moment before relaxing her grip.

By this time Elly had joined the group and now stood next to Elayne, ready to attack should there be any threat to her trainer.

Skye waited patiently throughout the entire conversation and sighed, shaking his head before looking at Ari, drilling him with a stare that seemed to confirm exactly what Elayne had said earlier; they weren't going anywhere...not without him.