Welcome to Legacy of One. This is a unique story that is a collaboration between me and a good RPing buddy of mine. We actually RPed out the story and then I worked on converting the chat-text into the full-length story that follows. My friend then did some proof-reading and tweaks to the story before I posted it here. He has also posted this story in DeviantArt. Just look for BloodWolf84.
As a result, if you've read my previous works, you'll probably find this considerably different from them.
My usual disclaimer: the characters are our own creations, but the pokemon that they are, are property to Nintendo and the other owners of the Pokemon franchise. Not only am I alone not worth their time or money to yell at, but they'd have two people to hunt down anyways. XP
So... with that said, I hope you all enjoy this work that we both put together.
Legacy of One
Part 1, Chapter 1: Setting the Sync
A blue Riolu wandered into the grassy clearing. His name… Renegade. He looked like most Riolu, with blue fur, black markings across his body, the slim, small stature that characterized his species, and the bipedal canine-like appearance. About the only thing that set him apart from other Riolu were his eyes, which shifted colors from time to time.
Renegade's expression was one of simple, yet deep depression. To look at him, just about anyone would've thought a loved one of his had died. Afterall, what else was that deep frown that seemed to be perpetually etched on his face supposed to indicate about him?
He was followed by another Riolu that was a sharp pink in color. Her name, as Renegade knew quite well, was Raine. Her own expression was only slightly less glum than his own, though hers was present more out of concern for him than anything else. For many, many years, she had attempted to keep Renegade, who she infrequently nicknamed "Raid" at times, in a cheerier mood. Over those years, she had met with mixed success, her successes helped along by the fact that her very presence seemed to cheer him up.
It was only too evident though that her most recent endeavors had been failing despite her presence, and at the moment she was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to remove that troubling depression on her closest friend's face.
After several moments thought, she finally approached Renegade and placed a paw on his shoulder.
"Renegade… what's wrong?"
Renegade looked up on-contact, but his gaze and his head soon dropped again, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.
"I… just can't seem to put- I don't know, sorry." He gave up trying to explain mid-sentence.
I find it hard to talk about it, how I seem to always be... Lost? Out of place within myself? It's so hard to explain.
His mind always seemed to be in a muddle. It was just part of the reason for his perpetually gloomy expression. He rarely could ever think straight.
Raine, no stranger to this behavior, quietly sighed and gently placed her paw under his chin and inclined his head upwards again.
"Renegade... I really do hate to see you so sad, especially with how often you are." She said a little sadly herself "How about you just relax and forget about whatever is troubling you, please? Smile for me?" She asked kindly… soothingly.
Renegade was about to wonder if he could forget about his troubles, when Raine smiled. That smile… it was the sunshine in his life. Every time he saw it. And her voice… even if he was depressed beyond belief, he listened to it as if his life hung on her every word.
A slight smile started to show through his own otherwise dreary demeanor.
How can I not when she's so gently... So nice sounding...
"Alright, you got me Raine." He said quietly, his sadness fading slightly.
Happy to see him smiling again for her, Raine promptly embraced him a delighted hug, which just prompted the smile on Renegade's face to widen with happiness.
"Good, I'm glad you will. It's always much better to see you happy." She said gratefully. Naturally, Renegade returned the embrace.
"You always seem to know just how to make me happy." He replied, a content warmth spreading through his very heart.
I know I can always be happy with her, I know her so well. And she knows me... I always feel more... How to even put this? Complete? In-sync with myself? Ugh... whatever it is...
He didn't bother trying to figure out how to describe it. He was just too content at the moment to care.
That was, until a loud snap from several yards away drew their attention and they promptly released each from the hug they had been sharing to look for the source of the noise.
They spotted the culprit quickly enough: a Lucario who had been watching and eavesdropping on them for a while now. The pokemon, once a Riolu like them, didn't look hostile, though he did look quite embarrassed to be caught watching them.
His coloration was much like Renegade's, though his stature, being an evolved pokemon, was considerably taller and more defined than Renegade's. His torso was covered in a short, white fur with a metallic spike extending from his chest. There were two similar spikes each extending from the back of his hands.
"Who are you?" Raine immediately asked, staring at him.
With a resigned sigh, the Lucario carefully stepped out of the brush he had been hiding behind and introduced himself, trying not to alarm the two:
"My name's Ein. And I was simply passing through"
After a few moments, Renegade dropped his gaze and looked away with a quiet "Alright", his moment of bliss having come to an end. Raine, in contrast, approached Ein with a smile.
"Well my name is Raine, nice to meet you." She said.
Ein crouched down as she approached, returning the gentle smile and giving her a polite hello.
"I... did overhear a little of the conversation you two were having." He said, with just a little hesitation. His smile brightened nonetheless, "It really sounds like you two care for each other."
Proud of this fact, Raine's smile just broadened even more.
"We sure do." She said, coming to a stop in front of the Lucario. "Heh... So I'd kinda look like you if I evolved, only pink?" She asked with a little giggle, a cute smirk playing about her lips.
Renegade's mood, which had already gone from depressed, to happy, and then to gloomy again… now shifted down into despondence.
I don't want to go over there... But she is! Aww man!
He stubbornly remained in-place, watching their conversation… until finally he stepped over to a nearby tree and proceeded to sit there under it, and allow his depression to wash over him, his thoughts inexpressibly chaotic.
Ein was reacting to Raine's behavior with bashful cheerfulness.
"I… I suppose-" he started to say to Raine, when he noticed Renegade in the back. It was only because Raine stood up on her toes and put herself into his sight again that he looked at her again.
"So... Do you think I would be taller than you? Because you're pretty tall!" she remarked, grinning almost mischievously.
"Er- yeah." Ein said, rather quickly. The fact that his eyes were only on her for a second before he looked past her, told Raine that he was distracted.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" she said, looking for the source of his distraction… and her eyes fell on Renegade, who was presently absorbed in staring at his own paws, his confusion raging in his mind.
"Oh, Raid..." she murmured, her cheery mood falling as she realized his mood was hitting a certain peak.
Ein then inhaled a little sharply, as if he had been stabbed or something. Raine immediately turned and looked at him again.
"What?" she asked, looking for answers now.
None were forthcoming though. Ein was staring intently at Renegade for some reason that was unclear. His head tilted a little, his expression showing a great deal of puzzlement.
Raine, feeling very isolated in that moment, backed away from Ein. She felt lost in that moment, as it was unclear why Ein wasn't responding to her, and when Renegade's mood hit a valley as it had just now… she never was sure what to say to him.
Renegade's own thoughts prevented him from being aware of any of this.
It was only after several moments that Ein finally broke his gaze away from Renegade. In fact, he shut his eyes and rubbed them, as if he had been staring too hard.
"Er- sorry. It's nothing." He said, far too late to be convincing at all.
"It doesn't seem like... Nothing to me though." Raine responded, not fooled for even a moment.
Ein looked at her, his expression a little apologetic.
"It's… hard to explain." He said, "But I think he needs to know that something's… wrong." He said.
Though it troubled her to hear this, Raine nonetheless nodded.
"Alright, I can accept that..." she then looked back at Renegade, "Sorry about him, I really am. Do you want me to try and get him to talk to you?" she asked politely. Ein's head bowed slowly and rose again.
"If you can. I think he needs to know this anyways..." he said, his tone a little grave, "Doing anything about this situation though..." he shook his head, "I suspect it will be up to him to do something about it." He said, his concern tingeing his voice.
"Alright." Raine said simply and turned to go get Renegade.
At the time, Renegade had been trying to collect his thoughts. Get his thoughts straight… it wasn't easy though.
What do I understand? I-
At that moment, the world seemed to blur to his mind… and he straightened up in his seated position.
What? Ugh... Just... Why did I do that?
It wasn't the first time it had happened… but every time it did, Renegade never could figure out why it had happened.
Am I weak or strong? Stupid question I guess, but how do I make it sound right? I mean... Am I mentally weak, or is my mind actually a strong point? Is my body itself weak? I don't know...
He looked at his paw more, trying to think…
I feel like I'm falling apart all of the time... And I just can't pick up the pieces. Then again, sometimes I feel... Whole. I don't even have to be around Raine all the time to feel that way either... I can't explain it though.
It was at that moment that Raine came over and grabbed his shoulder and shook him gently for his attention.
"Hey, Raid. Do you mind talking to that Lucario over there, please?" Raine said, that same gentle smile on her face that she always wore for him.
Again, in that moment when he looked up, the world seemed to almost blur… but then it came into better focus as she spoke to him. It was as if a connection had been repaired.
"Sure, I can do that." He responded, almost automatically, and steadily got up to head over. Raine, who thought she had seen something about his eyes, blinked.
"Thank you." she said politely to Renegade's response… but her expression was trying to hide mild bewilderment.
He proceeded past Raine, going up to Ein, his head lowered. He stopped in front of Ein… one thought clear enough in his head:
Why does he want me?
Ein, who had been staring at Renegade rather hard with eyes that shined an odd gold, blinked hard and then focused on Renegade as if waking up from sleeping.
"Raid, wasn't it?" He started, "Could you look up at me? Please?" it was a request, no more… no less.
Renegade responded with a quiet grunt but after a few moments, he did look up.
"I can go by Raid, yes… but my actual name is Renegade." He said, correcting Ein, who simply nodded.
"Renegade then." Ein then paused, clearly taking a minute to think before continuing, "Renegade… I… noticed that you seemed a little distracted back there." He said his tone a little hesitant and careful.
"Yeah… I was, sorry if it troubled you though." Renegade said, a little dully.
Is this guy going to try to dig into me? What if he knows something about me? How though...?
Renegade's thoughts were scrambling as he thought on this… and one of his ears flicked. He couldn't avoid glancing up at the movement, which had occurred in an involuntary manner, feeling irritated that his body seemed to keep acting of its own accord.
Ein's own eyes also strayed to the movement in the corner of his eye… and he noticed where Renegade had been looking, even if Renegade himself didn't realize it. After a few more moments of deliberation, Ein spoke again.
"Just curious, but do you train a lot? Maybe with Raine over there?" he asked politely.
Renegade turned and glanced back at Raine, who was simply standing behind him with a hopeful expression on her face, before looking at Ein again.
"Yes, I do train a lot… and, yes, I do train with Raine as well." He answered, quite honestly. Training was nothing unusual for their species.
"Can you focus when you're training?" Ein asked, his gaze boring into Renegade.
This topic caused Raid's jaw to tighten, crushing his teeth together. It never was a subject he liked to touch upon.
"Yes, I can focus…"
Though I can't all of the time... And it can be very hard to. He thought afterwards.
Behind him, Raine started to look a little more concerned again as she knew how much Renegade disliked to talk about focusing as well.
Ein meanwhile observed these reactions, briefly glancing up at Raine… before leaning forward, close to Renegade and proceeding to whisper quietly.
"Is it easier for you when Raine is present?"
Renegade, who was feeling a little uncomfortable with Ein's interrogation, quickly glanced back at Raine before returning his attention to Ein and responded,
"It can be and often is… yes."
Why is he asking me these things…?
It seemed that Ein could tell he was wondering because he said
"Alright. Last question, I promise." Ein then raised a paw and a small light-blue flame flickered to life just over his paw. The "flame" exuded no heat and made no noise. "You're familiar with aura, right?"
Raid looked at the flame of aura… and for one instant, his eyes flashed red and his mind shattered, a hurricane of thoughts whirling loosely through his head in a matter of seconds.
He was forced to shut his eyes and try to pull himself together from that. He reopened his eyes when he had his mind under some control again, his eyes a gentle blue again. He then responded to the final question:
"Yes… I am."
He had heard of aura: a certain energy that all creatures exuded. It was something innate to their species in-general, even if he couldn't see it normally.
Behind him, Raine turned around, worrying about Raid and not wishing to see more. She'd seen him experience chaos like that previously…
Ein meanwhile, was clearly surprised for a moment at the change of eye-color that had occurred, but he dispelled his surprise after a moment and spoke again, still keeping his voice low.
"Well… I've been observing yours… and it's like nothing I've ever seen before."
Renegade breathed in deep and then exhaled slowly… somehow, this news didn't particularly surprise him.
"Is that so…? I can only wonder that it's bad… mixed up… tainted… I don't really know." He said a little dully.
"Actually," Ein said putting the aura between his paws, "It's split." He then pulled the flame apart into two smaller flames, demonstrating what he was talking about.
This didn't make Raid feel any better and he sighed.
"Oh boy… that's hard to swallow…" He looked up at Ein again, "So I was thinking right in a way earlier, my life is completely out of sync. Would I be correct there?" His tone was glum.
Ein's smile was sympathetic and kind.
"Not completely." He assured him, "It seems to pull together… if you just have the right mind-set."
Renegade wasn't terribly reassured.
"That's so hard…" He had to make himself look up at Ein again "Riddle me this… If there are two of me, in a sense, then what are the two things you see? Is it my mind and my body? Or is it something like soul and heart?"
Ein's head slanted a bit as he considered the question.
"Honestly, I'm not sure myself. I'm still learning about aura as well…" He admitted, "But if I had to guess… I would guess mind and body… and it's probably not as hard as you think. You just haven't noticed the right way of thinking." He then smiled and looked past Renegade, at Raine, who was simply sitting on the ground, her head on her paws, waiting.
"I would figure it would be my mind and body…" Renegade said with a nod, "I knew something was wrong… can you tell something about me? What about me is weak, my body or mind? Or am I looking about it all wrong and one of the two just simply is more powerful than the other?"
Ein smiled patiently.
"Well, you have one thing right: You're looking at the situation wrong." He said, "From what I've seen of your aura… neither is stronger than the other. The simple fact is: they just aren't together. What you need to find… is a mind-set that will do that: make them merge and become one again." He finished with a smile and then asked, with just a note of concern, "Am I making sense?"
Raid thought it over… and he sighed yet again as he understood everything perfectly so far.
"Yes, you are…" he looked down at his own paws.
What am I to do about this? I can make myself one again, I've done it before… but it takes such extreme concentration for me to do so… I train so hard… but it doesn't seem to matter.
It was disheartening to think about and Renegade was seriously wondering if it would be worth it to try and focus himself like that again, only for the whole thing to undo itself. Ein was watching intently.
I train to become stronger physically, of course... But my training does not just consist of that, because I can spend hours just... Concentrating. Training myself to focus. When I do, I feel... mo-
Raid blinked as his eyes shifted colors again and glowed, turning red.
…more in control.
Raine was watching again and she had seen this before as well.
Raid was unaware of any of this… he was collecting himself, and his breathing slowed until he was breathing calmly. His eyes ceased glowing.
When I feel myself as whole... I don't feel confused... I feel set in my place, but it's so hard for me to reach the point. But I've reached it here and now.
Indeed… everything in the world seemed to be clearer to him now… it was a feeling he didn't get to know all that often and the moment of clarity wouldn't last forever, he knew… but it was a moment he certainly would treasure every time he experienced it.
Ein smiled.
"There you go." He said with a nod.
Renegade finally looked up at Ein and gave him a rare, though small smile.
"I've reached it. I don't know how long I can hold onto it, but I feel it now." He said confidently. Everything was so much clearer in his mind. Raine rejoined them a moment later.
Ein's grin widened a bit.
"Heh. That grin suits you." He chuckled.
The smile already on Raid's own face got bigger at that comment.
"Really? Well I'm happy to wear it for the time being." He said, his tone happy for the first time in a while, he then looked back at Raine behind him, "And I know you are too, you don't even need to say it."
Raine beamed and embraced him in a hug almost as if she couldn't help herself.
"Oh, why couldn't I just say it anyways?" she giggled.
Ein chuckled as well as he observed this heart-warming little moment.
Renegade returned the hug and he was now wearing a very nice, kind smile. He looked towards Ein again.
"I'm so happy when I reach this point of myself." He said as he broke away from Raine, "And I feel... stronger as well I think. Also, if I really, really concentrate I can do something pretty cool." He added cheerfully.
Raine's interest was immediately piqued. She'd seen it before… but she always was excited to see it again.
"You're talking about that?" She asked, excitedly, "I have no clue how you do that… are you going to show Ein?"
Ein, who had no idea what they were talking about tilted his head.
"That? What are you referring to exactly?" he asked, his curiosity coloring his every word.
Renegade started feeling a little like he was the center of attention which gave him a sense of bashfulness. He rubbed the back of his head as he responded,
"Ah… heh, it's… If I really focus I ca-"
"He can move things with his mind! Like psychic powers or something!" Raine cut-in excitedly, speaking quite fast and completely overruling Raid's explanation.
Ein's response was, understandably, stun-shock and a quite a bit of skepticism. They were fighting-types afterall… they didn't really possess any psychic abilities.
"Psychic… powers?" He said, uncertainly, "Now that… is strange…" He looked up, looking unsure, and then looked again, "Really?"
Raid nodded, feeling quite confident he could do this.
"Yeah, would you like to see me perform something?"
Ein's response was to lean forward in his seated position, watching closely. It was clear enough that he was interested. Raine hurried over and sat down next to Ein, fidgeting and jittering excitedly. Her excitement couldn't be clearer.
Raid backed up a bit to give himself a little working room.
"Alright…"
He closed his eyes, focusing hard and his smile being replaced with a frown of concentration as he held up his paws to his own chest.
I've picked up Raine before… But… can I do the same with this Lucario, Ein?
Well, time to give it a go.
After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, which flashed yet again.
C'mon!
His paws started to glow… and after a few seconds, so did Ein. He remained on the ground, though his fur on his torso shifted around a little.
Rrrrr… c'mon…
Renegade focused harder on Ein, willing his target to lift off the ground, his paws starting to glow even brighter. It took another few seconds, but Ein did suddenly and inexplicably lifted off, disconcerting him considerably. Raid let out a triumphant laugh.
Raine was understandably surprised when Ein lifted off, staring wide-eyed at him.
"Whoa!" She scooted away in her surprise… then her mouth fell open in amazement, "Wow!"
Ein wasn't feeling quite as amazed as he was feeling freaked out and he had the helpless express of someone suspended off the ground. He was out of control of this situation.
Raid held Ein there for a while, grinning and relishing the feeling of power flowing through him… but this effort was already exhausting him considerably. Lifting Raine before had been difficult. Lifting and holding Ein was proving even harder as he was bigger and heavier.
"This… is what I can do… but it's hard…" he panted…
The glow of his paws faltered, he was starting to lose his focus. He tried to lower Ein gently while he still had control.
"If… I could train more with this… I could hold it… and… last longer…" Raid grunted, trying to keep his hold until he could set Ein down. However, the exertion already had his jaw clenched from the effort and after a few more seconds, Raid finally collapsed onto his knees panting.
The power holding Ein released him, still hovering a few feet off the ground. He dropped to ground with a yelp of surprise and made a three-point landing on one-knee. He was breathing a little hard himself, unsettled by his unexpected experience.
Raine applauded, laughing happily.
"Great job Raid!"
Ein exhaled, getting his nerves back together.
"Well… that was… unique." He commented, a little awkwardly.
Raid leaned back and sat down, still panting for breath.
"Told you I could do it." He said, sweat beading his forehead, "I still need to train with it though… all I can do is tricks with it for now."
"And you've always been able to do this?" Ein asked, his tone measured. Raid nodded in response.
"Yeah… of course, I didn't always know. I actually figured it out by accident when I was doing my concentration training one time. I just… was focusing the best I could and I accidentally lifted a rock. It was… so unreal to me at the time. Heck, it's still unreal. I shouldn't be able to do this, but I can." Renegade said.
After a few more seconds, wherein Ein stood up, thinking to himself, Renegade finally stood up again with a sigh.
"Well, I'm glad I could meet you today… But I feel like I'm…" He blinked, the clarity in his mind falling away, "Fading… my mind… I'm feeling…" he shook his head, unable to focus anymore, "I don't know." He murmured, his tone back to the normal dull sadness.
Raine sighed as well, a little depressed to see him going back to this state.
"Well, I think he's back to… 'normal' for now." She said, though the way she said "normal" implied she rather disliked him like this. Ein just looked at Renegade, looking contemplative.
"Well, I think I'm going to go now." Raid said, stepping over to them, "I'll see you later Ein, it was nice meeting you." He said, his expression slowly melting and softening into the calm sadness he usually displayed.
Ein crouched down to his level again, looking sorry to see Raid's stronger nature leave.
"Alright." He said with a grimace, "See you around… and take care of yourself, alright?"
He nodded a little vaguely.
"Alright, I'll try and do so." He then turned and shuffled away, his shoulders slumping down as Raine bade Ein goodbye and hurried to follow Renegade.