The Fallen Guardian

Chapter One

The Legendary Dragonbird

It was getting darker. Nearly silent, as well. And the air felt more burdensome while breathing...

But, of course, the last one was a result of the currently, emotional condition.

~C~

She took a deep breath. Was she doing the right thing? And... was she even ready...? Was she really... strong enough – and deserved it finally...? Could her wish... become true...? Was there – in the end – really a silver-white dragonbird, who was a possible new member of her Pokémon-Team...? A new friend...? Just the thought of that was like a dream. Unbelievable. … Well... All of this here was at last thrilling – and in the same moment too overwhelming for her... Of course. Of course, she was skeptical. After so many failures. It was hard to breath easily, when her greatest wish could come true. Be very soon reality.

~C~

~-~C~-~

~C~

Her name was Melody. Melody Northdale. Eighteen years old, 170 centimeter high. A girl with magenta eyes and extreme long, waved hair in the same color. Mostly wearing dark, skin-tight suits thanks to the practical use of them – at times also dresses and cute outfits with brighter colors. Had characteristics, which were really colorful – depending on the people around her and the respective situation, she could be very bubbly to the point of being extreme earnest. For herself, she was truly a balanced person. Someone, who spent the whole day together with her friends and being consumed by her daily training – plus all kinds of studies in her freetime as well as practicing of some hobbies.

~C~

The young woman was – like so many other girls – a Pokémon-Trainer. Born in Sinnoh, her first partner or rather Pokémon-friend as a child was a bold Riolu named Lucaris. Together with him, she caught many other new creatures and faced lots of trainers. Battling was always important for her – and really fun. It was mostly like a game – full of joy; without heavy sorrows. To meet new faces was every time so thrilling. She could learn so much from her fellow mans as well as from the Pokémon around her.

As a teenager, she moved with her Pokémon to Johto, where she actually lived since a few years. It was always her preferred region, so she had used the first moving-chance she got. However, in Johto, she trained even harder than before – developed more seriousness during battles. Her personality got more earnest as well. Lucaris, who evolved meanwhile into a Lucario, represented– together with Shina the Luxray, Rose the Roserade, Mukuru the Staraptor, Zirpiera the Kricketune and Bippa the Bibarel – her Main Six, who shared with her the wish, to become a solid team. A team, on which can everybody count.

~C~

Melody truly gained over the years lots of strength. Strength for her friends; strength for herself. Not only mental strength for herself as a trainer, though. After all, Melody was no regular human being. The fact, why she was since childhood a bit obsessed with training.

She was one of some special kind of human beings. One of those people, who made miracles come true in the same way like Pokémon did. People, who understood the Pokémon-language. People, who could fight like Pokémon. Who had special abilities like them. Who could fly, breath underwater, read minds and did all that supernatural stuff. People, who were called Tamer.

~C~

As a Tamer, Melody got her powers indirect from her Pokémon-friends. All this things, which she was able to do, were lend from the bonds between her and those Pokémon who were close to her heart and soul. Her friends just awakened some sleeping powers inside her, which were nearly lost for humanity. And like more or less all Tamer, Melody knew exactly how to use that great gift in the right way.

Like Pokémon Rangers, there were many Tamer who fought for law and order. So Melody did, too. As an organization, the Tamer helped out Rangers, the Police, civilians and Pokémon by choice with all their strength. Even as a child, Melody already had helped many people together with her Tamer- and Pokémon-friends. She was proud of that – especially today she was proud to protect others successfully.

~C~

That was, because there were in the last time – since circa two years – some black sheeps in her own 'race'. They called themselves Dark Tamer. People, who forced the powers of captured Pokémon into their own bodies, instead of gaining an emotional bond and developing with that very own powers. Who stole the abilities of that poor Pokémon even against their will. A point, which degraded the health of the weakened creatures in an extreme way. Only for more power of that crazy, morbid humans... As if that wasn't enough, the Dark Tamer were also criminals. Thieves, who stole ancient artifacts as well as electronic stuff from important concerns. Rowdies, who liked it to hurt others fatal. Besides... It also seemed, that they planned something bigger...

As much as she could, Melody fought against those people every time they appeared. Together with other Tamer, Ranger and of course the Police she did everything necessary to stop their dark antitheses. On the first look, such a big effort wasn't really needed. Sure... It was maybe seldom, that the Dark Tamer did anything in public – and were up to now never successful with greater crimes than thievery of simple stuff... But every Tamer, every Ranger and every Policeman were regardless careful after a victory. Nobody could trust into a quick piece, when it came to that organization. And whatever those Dark Tamer wanted in truth... This group was an earnest opponent. They shrank away from nothing.

~C~

But even though about all that trouble... Mostly, Melody was just a regular helping hand for others. A 'Ranger' with a bit more possibilities than usual. An ambitious trainer. With a talent for battling; for breeding. Plus: Besides of that good old Pokédex-Story, she really wanted to have lots of Pokémon to befriend with. After all, they were her family. She cared for them with her full heart. More, than for other humans. She had many human-friends, yes, but they could never be that close to her, like her special friends. Maybe this was a Tamer-thing... Well, it didn't bother her in the end. To be a bit strange, was a part of her personality. And with the strong bond to her Pokémon, there was nothing to worry about being a little odd. At least, she was so close to her friends, that they all gained the ability of using telepathy.

~C~

Since a few years, she had a big dream...

A dream, which was in the end a strong desire of her.

Capturing a Lugia – her favorite legendary Pokémon ever – and becoming close friends for each other. That was THE big deal of her heart.

It was also no secret. Many people knew about her wish – including the Kimono Girls, who were good friends of her. Besides of some Tamer they were the best human-friends, who Melody had. So, whenever she visited Ecruteak City, she spent lots of time with the five woman. Talked now and than with her friends about her dream and if there were maybe new possibilities to fulfill her wish.

~C~

To make her dream come true someday, Melody had learned as much as she could about the species Lugia.

She knew, that some of the legendary creatures lived near to the Whirl Islands. It would be – of course – easy, to find there a Lugia. Especially a Tamer would have no problem with that. Thanks to psychic powers. But... Melody was afraid, to capture THERE a Lugia. That was so... Well... Per accident, it could be a mother or a child. A deadly fact, which would destroy every possibility of becoming friends with that new-captured beast. Because: The particular Lugia would never trust her for taking away the free live in the ocean together with a beloved family. Losing his or her liberty was already a big loss, but also losing a mother or a child... That was too much. And Melody didn't want to create any familiar trouble or pain. Not even for her wish.

So she refused to battle a Lugia from the Whirl Islands. Hoping, to find another place without a population like that one, she searched as much as she could. But she never got any other information – and became with the time a bit tired of her difficult, exhausting dream.

~C~

Some day in Ecruteak City, the Kimono Girls had challenged her suddenly. They wanted to test the bond between herself and her Main Six; the closest Pokémon she had. Melody was confused about that – she didn't expected ever to battle her five friends. They had never wished for that, whenever Melody asked them for it... However, she accepted with a big, self-confident grin.

The fight was interesting. A true challenge. But nothing, what she and her friends couldn't handle. They beat the five woman and their Pokémon successfully. Smiling, the seven friends wanted to celebrate the new, sweet victory, but the Kimono Girls interrupted this.

After Melody had passed their test, the Five wanted to offer her a special gift. The knowledge about a hidden place inside of the Whirl Islands. A place, which was a big, dark secret. A place, where a strong Lugia without a family lived. Overwhelmed by that information, Melody asked her friends, why they told her that – it was a secret, at last.

The woman explained. They thought, that the legendary creature needed badly a superior master with a strong will and a good heart. The being was lonely – even, if it didn't realized that actually. And Melody was perfect to care for that Lugia as a talented trainer. Plus, the legendary beast was not a regular Lugia. Which meant, that this creature needed also a person who was not helpless without Pokémon – who was able to keep up with the strong will of a wild Lugia. So the five woman asked Melody as a Tamer, too, if she wanted to accept her gift and look after the beast.

~C~

Without knowing, what her friends meant with 'not a regular Lugia', Melody had accepted after a few seconds.

~C~

~-~C~-~

~C~

That was, why she was here... Why she wandered through the deep caves of the Whirl Islands. Together with her five quite friends, who guided her through the caves and tunnels. Who still wore their kimonos instead of something practical. And who still preferred not to tell her, what was so special about this one Lugia.

~C~

Melody sighted. Her friends were too silent, in her opinion... Unusual for them.

They said nearly nothing, since it had become really dark around. That was depressing.

'I can't help... Something feels wrong about this.' echoed abruptly Lucaris' voice telepathically through her mind. The Lucario sat inside of his Pokéball and watched skeptical every step his trainer and the five woman did. 'You mean: Because they act absolutely NOT strange?' replied Melody sarcastic. 'That's what I think. I never saw the girls like that. Normally, they're so very much talkative. But now...? It's scary... And so...' 'Don't be ridiculous, dear Lucaris.' interrupted Rose the Roserade. 'Do you have no sense for a mysterious place like that...? It would be very wrong to have a loud talking hen party here! … Oh Melody, please don't worry. I'm sure your five friends will not be all the time silent. Just wait! As soon, as you all entered this secret place, they will overwhelm you with their one-million words.' She smiled a little bit: 'Thanks, Rose.'

'Hm? What is it? Secret place? One-million words? Uhm...?' said Bippa the Bibarel telepathically. Like always, he had missed very much of the whole conversation – because of his bad mind-condition. A big problem, which he had since childhood. 'Bah, you silly head again.' ,snarled Shina the Luxray, 'Why do you have a brain, if you can't use it...? Listen, finally!' (She often argued with him, because he stole her and Rose usually lots of nerves in just one day. And mostly, Bippa didn't care.) 'I don't understand.' answered the Bibarel confused. 'My, its useless, Shina. Let him be.' tried Zirpiera the Kricketune to calm her friend. 'She's right. Bippa is just that way. You can't change that.' agreed Mukuru the Staraptor. Shina nodded inside of her Pokéball: 'Yeah, you guys are right... But...! I just want to bite him for his stupidity! One little bite!' 'Or one little strike with my thorns.' Rose said with a demonic grin. 'Puh, am I the only Pokémon-girl here, who doesn't want to kill Bippa...?' Zirpiera asked gloomy. Mukuru smiled a bit: 'I know, how you feel. It is embarrassing. Especially for a male like me or our Lucario.' He scratched his head with his right wing. 'Only, because you are not interested in fighting with him.' told Lucaris both of his friends. 'Huh, I forgot. You like to clobber him as well.' said the Staraptor and rolled his eyes.

Melody giggled a little. She loved the conversations of her Pokémon. It didn't matter, if they talked directly or via telepathy. She just could always forget time while watching and/or listening to them. And... Huh? Melody was puzzled by an abrupt walking-stop by her five human-friends. Irritated, she looked at the faces of the Kimono Girls. One woman – Sakura, who was befriended with her at the most, smiled brightly: "We're almost there. No need to feel uncomfortable! Come on, smile a bit! Your dream will come true, after all." "Wh-What...? Where...?" reacted Melody frightened. "Over there, silly. Where you can hear lots of water flowing." "A waterfall, huh...? There is the Lugia hiding...?" thought Melody loud. Giggling, Sakura replied: "A-ha. The whole thing is a separate, great cave with a link to the ocean. Including a beautiful waterfall. You will love it."

~C~

Her friends guided her into the promised place. And Sakura was right: Melody liked the cave really. Crystal-clear water, fascinating rocks and a beautiful big waterfall enriched it. Everything looked so mystic... It was a shame, that she never had discovered the cave by her own. Especially, because she was often in her freetime on and in the Whirl Islands. But... She had the feeling, that only special people – like for example monks – could visit this place... In the air was something... strange. It was not concrete, but the atmosphere was changed suddenly. Like a barrier was all around.

However, she looked curious around. Where was the Lugia...? Was it hiding in the waterfall or was it diving actually in the ocean? Normally, she should be able to feel it, if the dragonbird was near to her. But with that strange atmosphere, she couldn't register anything...

Suddenly, the Kimono Girls began to hum. Melody stared confused at her friends. Why did they do this...? There was no reason. Were her friends crazy...? Or wanted they to drive at last HER and her nervous nerves crazy...? … Because she couldn't do anything, she just listened to her friends. Hm... She didn't knew that song – never heard it before. But somehow, it felt familiar... It was a calming, beautiful melody. Worth, to have it in mind. And it made her think. Maybe it was such an old song from Ecruteak City, which only the monks there and of course the Kimono Girls knew. The five women seldom performed any of that ancient, actual secretly melodies – only in special moments they did that. So... This here was – possible – such a moment...?

Listening to the melody, she watched the faces of her friends. They were really earnest. Even Sakura, who was a bubbly, sunny personality. This was a strange behavior. Singing in such a place – with an abnormal atmosphere all around. Unworldly... All of that was confusing... So much, that even her talkative Pokémon-friends didn't say a word... They were irritated, too.

A few moments passed. Without knowing, why she did this, Melody finally sang, too, after she had internalized the song. (It was odd... Well, whatever. Maybe she would forget in that way, how cryptically the whole situation was. At least, it was a wonderful piece of music.) … Her singing-voice was always beauty. Because of her interest in music, she knew lots about it and practiced singing and playing instruments very often, which was why she could do it even better than the Kimono Girls. Stepping into the front of the middle of the cave, her voice echoed perfectly inside of the whole place. It fulfilled the atmosphere. So much, that the voices of her friends vanished under her own. But Melody didn't recognized that. She was almost caught by the beauty of that ancient song.

~C~

Abruptly, something big raised from the waterfall.

Frightened about that unexpected action, Melody moved a step backwards.

Stared in the direction of the great walls of water. And gasped. This was... unbelievable.

There was it. Directly appeared from the flowing water. Flying – nearly floating in the air. And watching her with a cold expression in the caramel-colored eyes. Almost glaring at her... A proud, graceful creature. Beautiful and mystical. Lugia. And like the Kimono Girls had said: It was indeed no regular Lugia, but a true special one. This Lugia here... was a Shiny. Instead of sky-blue, its belly was rose like the inside of strawberries. Its scales were not deep ocean-blue colored, but as red as cherries. Its silver-white feathers, finally, shined a little red like copper. Overwhelmed by the appearance of the beautiful dragonbird, she looked at it silently. This beast was amazing... Even greater, than she imagined.

Suddenly, the great Pokémon used telepathy.

A deep, full male voice filled Melodys thoughts: "Who are you...? Why are you able to enter that cave...? How... can you know about THAT song...? And... WHAT do you want from ME...?" A long, threatening growl from his throat followed his unfriendly, telepathically words.

Melody looked nervous over her shoulder – searching for some help by the Kimono Girls. But... The five woman were gone. 'Oh yeah, how great that is...' she thought sarcastic. Again watching the Shiny-Lugia, she felt very uncomfortable. His glare was so harsh... But after a few seconds, she didn't need anymore some emotional support. She didn't let herself getting intimidated that easily by a stranger. (Her Pokémon-friends registered that and knew her courage very well, so they said meanwhile nothing inside of their Pokéballs.)

With a half-smile, Melody answered cheeky: "Oh... Well, I am Melody. Melody Northdale. Nice to meet you. … Some friends helped me to find that place here. It seems, that they also summoned you. Or rather, they told me in an odd way, what I have to do for that result. And, you know, I'm looking for a strong Lugia without a little child, so that I can challenge it without hesitation. That is, I guess, what I want from you, if you are really not a parent. A good fight and the possibility of becoming friends. I really wish for that, so... How about you? Do you have children?"

At first, he seemed to be puzzled. But than he replied harshly: "No, I don't. And I also don't wish for any. … Do you little, silly human even know, why I am here...? I want to be alone! For that, children would be the falsest thing there is, don't you think?!" "Wow-wow, how unfriendly." ,she answered brave, "If you continue being so mean, it will be hard for you to become friends with my other Pokémon. At last, I am here to capture you." He growled deeply. While glaring at her, he landed for a moment on the rocks near to the waterfall. His telepathic voice was cold, when he snarled: "Try, if you are so confident. You will only lose."

~C~

The Lugia was indeed really strong. The Kimono Girls were right in that point, too.

Maybe he was under-leveled – compared with Melodys Pokémon – but his proud, almost stubborn will was an extreme challenge. He was the first wild Pokémon ever, who made her lots of trouble. (Normally, she enjoyed harder battles. In the end, it became at least always easy to catch the being she wanted as soon as it was weakened. But this exemplar here was a bit too hard for her usually sunny, confident look at a fight. Too much for her optimism. She became completely earnest as a result of that. More concentrated, than ever before while fighting against a wild Pokémon.)

It took already a while, to weaken the body of the flying beast with a perfect opponent. Yes, as a Staraptor, Mukuru was of course a tough one – able to keep up with the fast, strong Lugia. He dodged lots of Extrasensories and attacked the Legendary amongst other things with some Heat Waves. Always striking the dragonbird in an ideal way. But... The process was nevertheless very slowly – her own Pokémon became tired, before Lugia even began to breathe heavily. She was forced, to switch her friend out – to send Mukuru back into his Pokéball.

For a moment, Melody was unsure. Looked at her Pokéballs.

She had watched every single move of the dragonbird. Had analyzed him...

If she wouldn't do anything about his strength, than she would have no chance to catch him. As soon, as he would become tired of this fight, he could easily escape. And she didn't want to show him in such a problematic moment, that she was a Tamer... No regular human, but someone with special powers. That wouldn't be helpful to earn his trust.

Yeah... It was meanwhile really time, to weaken the Legendary in another way... Making him fall asleep would do it, but Rose as a Roserade was a bad choice. A psychic Pokémon – also a flying type – was too much for her... 'Oh please, I could handle that. Don't worry about me!' used the proud Roserade her telepathically ability. Ignoring her Pokémon, Melody continued thinking. Zirpiera was as a bug type – currently – way too unsure for using Sing. But for catching Lugia, her help would be very necessary... So... Time to become unfair.

"Shina! You can do it!" said Melody and let her Luxray out of her Pokéball. While the female lion stretched herself, Lugia hissed: "An electric type...? It doesn't matter, if you use such a Pokémon, silly human. You will not beat me. Nor catch me." "Hmpf, you will see. Don't be always a meanie." Melody replied with a little grin. She had wanted to catch him in a fair way, but he let her no other choice, right? And she trusted her first self-caught friend very much. The Luxray was a strong, also stubborn being. She didn't need wings for 'flying', because she ran and jumped like no one else. Someone, who seemed to be a good choice for overwhelming a Lugia.

"Alright! Try it with Thunder Wave! As long as necessary." Melody told her friend.

Shina called: "I'm on it!" Motivated, she attacked her opponent. Lugia dodged her Thunder Wave with a strong barrier. "Fools." he hissed with his cold voice. Growling, he used Hydro Pump a few seconds later. The dragonbird hit her, but the Luxray wasn't easy to defeat. With her strong legs, Shina jumped and gripped his long swan-like neck with her claws. Growling like him. "Take that, you meanie!" she called and used Thunder Wave again.

Thonderbolt after that.

Lugia shouted distressful with closed eyes.

The beast landed shivering on the ground. Hissing, he shook Shina abruptly off.

"How dare you...?!" he snarled heavily breathing. "You let me no other choice than paralyzing you. I can't be fair to someone, who is always so unfriendly." Melody answered and shrugged her shoulders. "YOU...!" His mental voices 'burned' loud inside of her head. "Au, that hurts.",she said winking, "No need to become noisy." Shina nodded: "There is really no need to be like that. My trainer is a nice one. Your fault, if you prefer being such a grump." The Lugia growled and used Aeroblast – missing Shina as well as Melody just by a half meter. "O.k., he really IS a meanie. And a grump. And a scumbag, too." the Luxray scolded quiet.

~C~

"Another Tunderbolt would be too much now.

Use your move strength, please, so that he get no deadly damage."

"What do you little fool think, how weak I am...?!" Lugia snarled full of wrath.

Melody shook her head: "I guess, you really need someone who look after you. You must be indeed very lonely, when you act the whole time so aggressive." "How. Dare. YOU!" His mind nearly exploded inside of Melodys thoughts. "Shina, it seems to have no use... Attack him." she ordered sighing. The Luxray did, what her trainer asked for. Lugia wanted to dodge the attack, but the paralyze prevented him from doing so. At first screaming, the beast shivered a few seconds later with a quiet wheeze after the female lion struck his upper part of the body.

At lightning speed, Melody switched Shina with Zirpiera.

"Get him finally down! False Swipe!" she told her Kricketune authoritarian.

"Got it!" her Pokémon-friend replied. With upraised scythes, she dashed away.

Growling, Lugia prepared an Aeroblast. Fired it off. As quick as a flash, Zirpiera jumped gracile over the blast. With her right scythe, she hit her opponent – using False Swipe. Landed a direct hit in one of his weak points. But thanks to the effect of False Swipe, the legendary beast didn't faint. He only fell on the ground – still conscious. In the meantime, Melody pulled out a Pokéball – a Dive Ball. Fitting a Pokémon like him, who lived mostly in the ocean. Now, she looked thoughtful at her opponent. Hesitant, she came closer to his powerless body.

Feeling a bit guilty, she said: "I'm sorry for taking away your liberty..."

With a weak voice, he replied rough: "Don't talk anymore... Just use your contraption... and let me alone..."

"Please, listen to me." ,she began, "It was always my dream to catch a Lugia. I wished so much for that... Especially, because I want to be friends with him or her. I can't imagine anything, which would be more fascinating. And now... Well, now I want to be a good friend for YOU. Your trainer, too, but in the first instance, I want to be your friend. … Hey, Lugia... I will be a good trainer for you. A trustworthy friend. I promise."

Fragile, he whispered: "I... will not accept you..."

After that, he closed his eyes tired.

When the Pokéball had hit him,

he stayed inside of it.