Tandorian Tragedy

Beast of the Clouds

Fear was a feeling that I had never thought I would experience. Alas, as the marine layer crept in, ever darkening, I was staring into the eyes of death. All alone, I stepped back, ever so slightly trembling. 'You're braver than this, Theo. This is nothing. Be like father, be like father...' Repeating those words to myself was a method of coping in sticky situations, but this was far from something I could bribe myself to muster up courage to face. Standing just feet from me was a terrifying figure that we had encountered only once before.

They sported a set of dark, intimidating robes, blue boots, and an unmistakable gas mask marked with green patterns. As they approached, I could hear the substrate crunching beneath their feet. I yearned to start running, yet the fear that had crept into me paralyzed my body. Almost cowering in complete terror, I looked up slowly. The figure stood over me, striking distress into my heart. They lunged their hand out and grabbed me by the collar of my jacket.

"Foolish child... You are far from clever. Even thinking about entering the vicinity of Omicron and myself will be your worst, and last regret." The being sneered.

Salty tears ran down my cheeks as I tried to get the being off me. Their grip only grew tighter. I let out a scream of agony, hoping that someone, anyone, could hear. But even if anyone was around, it was too late. I was being dragged to the entrance of the Power Plant. This was the end. I was probably going to be tortured, imprisoned, forced to work, or even killed.

Suddenly, from out of the gray overcast, emerged a mighty Yatagaryu. Seeing the beast swoop down brought me hope. 'Maybe he was sent to help me... I might make it out of this alive!' I hoped with all my strength. My captor was pulled back by the neck, and their grip came loose. As I fell too my knees, I saw just who was responsible for the heroic action. My hope and relief turned into shock and anguish when I saw the person who rescued me.

A bulky man and the figure were in a fistfight. Tears stung my eyes while I watched the devastating scene. As I looked down to my bloody hands, I heard a broken voice yell a command to a separate being. A machine that appeared to be living immediately came to the figure's aid. Cameron let out a gasp and stopped fighting.

"IF YOU WISH TO KEEP FIGHTING, THEN I HAVE NO CHOICE OTHER THAN TO TAKE YOUR SON FROM YOU. IT'S TOO LATE." The figure boomed.

The man instantly ran to me, and embraced me, covering as much of my body as he could. Being in his grasp felt warm and comforting. Could it really be him? Was my father not dead? Countless thoughts rushed through my head. I peered out a bit and saw the form with the robot standing behind us.

"URAYNE... USE HALF LIFE!"

I felt the man get shocked, and his form go limp. As Cameron fell to the coarse, wet ground, the figure and the animated being disappear before my very eyes. I looked back at the man, in pure disbelief. Not only had my father emerged from what seemed like his death, but sacrificed himself. For me.

"Theodore... I'm so sorry... you must hate me... but... I love you. Never forget that... we've done so much together... but... it has to end..." Cameron muttered, and closed his crimson hues.

"Wait, dad, you can't leave me like this! You just can't..." I gently stroked his cheek.

The last thing Cameron did was hold the hand I had on his cheek. When he deeply exhaled and stopped moving completely, I knew exactly what had happened. Anger and remorse topped every vein in my body. Whoever that sickened person was had killed my father.

I rested my head on Cameron's chest, and cried my eyes out. I hugged his carcass as hard as possible. Even Yatagaryu came and lied down by the fallen legend. The rain started to pour, and all grew cold and gray. I sobbed and hugged the mighty Pokémon, who was also terribly upset.

"I don't know what to do now, 'Garyu... I just don't know..." I wept.