The 5th Time Around
Chapter 1
Lucas Stoker, he stood atop The Village Bridge in the Unova Region. It wasn't an official town marked on the map. It was east of Opelucid City, home of Unova's most powerful gym. Ah yes, Opelucid City, a futuristic town worthy of respect. However he would show it none. It felt of a cold unwelcoming feel pouring from every alleyway and street corner. The bridge connected that town with the mid-modern town of Lacunosa Town, a peaceful town close enough to the coast. It was a place locked in eternal summer, such a lovely feel to it. Unova was filed with many places, towns, and people. But right there, on that bridge of the unmarked town, was his favorite spot. The bridge was built over 200 years ago according to the locals, this he respected. To him, the past was his home. What a glorious time the past was. When he was younger, in body but not so much in mind, he adventured every region near and far. He was born in the eventful yet humble Johto Region. He captured many Pokémon and formed a special bond with them all. However no bond was stronger than that of the one he shared with his very first Pokémon, which he had received at the age of merely 8 years old, Typhlosion. He had raised it since it was a little baby Cyndaquil, and they grew together. As the flames of Cyndaquil grew hotter, so did his passion, experience, and happiness. Since that time he had grown into a noticeable young man. He was naturally striking. There was something about him that made you turn your head and watch him as he walked by you. He was slightly taller than most young men his age and slender too. However, he was still well built from years of traveling. His eyes had seen the world through those glasses of his. As a child he wore his dark oak brown hair longer, but maturing, decided to keep it shorter now. He once was very well respected as a trainer, he had such an elite team that their very presence made even the most powerful trainer feel of uncertainty. Alongside his Typhlosion were five other trusted and powerful Pokémon. Snorlax, whose strength, was matched only by his uncanny speed. Tyranitar, dark and bruiting, darkness lied within him that could only be controlled by his friend and master. Lucario, no more valor could ever been seen in a Pokémon than in this one. Wailord, a mighty water beast who could turn tides like no other. And finally Dragonite, a silent type but its action spoke words of incomprehensible ideas. He sighed in his depression a pulled out his box of cigarettes from his trench coat pocket. He lit one up and took a smooth long drag from it. As he exhaled, he felt the present fill his lungs and he shuddered. He looked up to shudder once more at the night sky, which always reminded him of the dark unknowable future. It had been so long since he had gone on a real Pokémon adventure. The world of Pokémon was changed so much; this was because of the Unova Region. The Pokémon were so very different. On the inside they were just like other Pokémon, driven by natural instinct, but capable of being befriended by any human. However, he could just sense something different about it, about it all.
"This whole place reeks of my damn angst. I suppose it's my own fault. Lots of people, friend or foe, have moved here in search of new adventure."
He took another drag from his cigarette, but coughed as he exhaled this time. His poke ball then popped open and out came Typholsion. The look in his eyes was compassionate. He could sense when his best friend was in misery. He stood beside him and spoke in his Pokémon language, asking him what was on his mind.
"It's not like I didn't give it a try. I really gave it my best, I did. But this placed just weighs so much on my soul. It's crushed me on the inside. I can't even go back home and fully enjoy myself. I… I hate this place. Sometimes I want to wipe this whole place off the face of the earth."
Typholsion placed his paw on his shoulder and growled with pity for him. He tried to communicate reason to him, and he understood. Their bond was strong enough for this. He looked down at the river beneath. There was a happy singing man with a band. Their gentle music flowed like the wind in the night air. Young lovers danced and children played with sparklers. Oh their happy faces, how they touch him.
"Not like I could ever do that anyway. And besides, that's not what I really want. I just want the same feelings I had back then. This place, it doesn't need to disappear. It's just missing something, and I know what it is."
Typhlosion turned to him and he looked back. A gust of wind blew his cigarette out of flame and out of his mouth. It rolled to his feet and he stomped on it, even though it was already out.
"All this place needs is that kid. That happy go-lucky kid with that get up and go attitude. It needs me, to smile for once. It just needs to have its dark edges filled to the brim with the same enthusiasm as a fresh new trainer."
Fireworks shot off and boomed in air. They had forgotten that tonight was the festival to honor the day this bridge was finished. The gleamed and sparkled with brilliant colors that were very pleasing to the eyes. Bright reds with streaking yellows, and a touch of deep purple that over casted the brighter colors.
"I'm still young, but this change is too much for me, it's not something I can do. The world had out grown me. These people, they are the future and I am just a product of the past. My mind once caressed by time, is now twisted by it to be left behind. I may be young, but I'm an old breed, and since I can't keep up, it's time for me to move on."
Typhlosion growled with confusion. It was meant to ask what they will do now. If not adventuring, what is left for them? He understood and he looked to his trusted and beloved friend and partner. The fireworks died and slowly faded into the night, swallowed by the nighttime.
"Don't you worry Typholsion, adventure runs through my veins! It is my blood. It feeds my heart and it pumps and gushes with bravery and valor. We will adventure all across this great big world, revisiting old friends, old places, and renew them. We have already traveled this world on hand and foot. We have walked over great mountains and crawled over the barren landscapes. So in order to stay and courageous and full of valor as we claim, we will sail the seas.
Both he and Typholsion were both very afraid of the shifting tides and super massive girth of its vast unknowable endless mysteries. Typhlosion took a deep breath and shuddered with fear. It closed its eyes and when they reopened its eyes burned with new potential and purpose. It stood beside him, and he knew that they would stand together through anything. His other poke balls open up and out popped the whole team. They had been overhearing the whole conversation. The look in their eyes as said the same thing; they were ready to stand together through anything. Through thick and thin, nothing could ever break them, for one alone is weak, but together, united as one, they were unbreakable. A smile opened across his face and his eyes lit up with happiness and the fire of his youth.
"So it's decided then. We will join a great sailing vessel and make this world our own! Together… together… yes, together."
He recalled all his friends back into their poke balls, except for Typhlosion. He pulled out a fresh cigarette from his coat pocket and placed in his mouth. Typhlosion lit it carefully with a gentle puff of embers. He thanked Typhlosion, and he turned to the night sky. He saw not the dark bruiting emptiness that once haunted him constantly. Instead he saw the glorious beauty Luna, the illustrious full moon. It shined as if it was putting a spotlight right down upon them. A gust of wind blow by and he took in a breath of fresh air mixed with that of his cigarette. What a perfect combination of new and old. He crossed the bridge. He crossed the bridge into tomorrow and what may lie forth, unyielding, unafraid, and with pride.