Chapter 1 the journey that almost never happened
"Ticket and passport please". Sarachi handed his documents to one of the airport personnel. "In order, you may proceed to the check in area." Since his arrival at the airport his thoughts had been drifting back to his best friend Tageki, the years of friendship they had shared, the end of his life as a student and last but certainly not least the conversation he had with Tageki while he was packing for his journey home. Home being a large farm between Fortree city and Crossgate Town in the Hoenn region where his parents and grandfather lived. The remainder of his family, his uncles, aunts and cousins, lived in Fortree city or neighbouring towns. About two months before the end of the academic year at … University college, a very prestigious University in Kalos, he and his cousin Alessa had received summons that they were expected to return home at their earliest convenience. Their parents had called them with grave news. Their grandfather was grievously ill and the entire family was expected to be at the family house; the Hayashi farm near Crossgate town as he was not expected to live more than another month. As he had always been close to his grandfather he had finished his academic career rather hurriedly. He had defended his thesis successfully and had booked the first available flight home. His cousin had to take a flight about a week later; being the family genius her academic career had been slightly busier. But back to the conversation, what had been so strange about it? Well, Sarachi had never seen his friend so serious. It seemed his friend had never taken anything serious in his life. He always seemed to pass his exams only just. He never talked about the future in a serious way, always joking about how he planned to chase some dream or other. He had followed parts of nearly every available program there was, had never stuck to any curriculum and he had not finished any of the programs he had entered. It seemed like he had no interest in a future at all. It seemed as if he did not realize that continuing on his path would lead to a future without a degree, which in their world usually meant living a life full of menial jobs. It seemed at times as if he just didn't care. It was one of the things they never discussed, just as Tageki never asked him why he seemed so deadly serious about everything he did. They had accepted each other the way they were ever since a fateful day had brought them together. There was one exception to the rule of Tageki's goofing around. The only time he had ever seen Tageki get serious was at Historic Western Martial Arts. Whenever they were training together or sparring against other teams he became serious and focussed. It was the one time when he displayed a form of brilliance. Sarachi liked to think that that was one of the few moments Tageki was completely himself.
When Sarachi reached the security checks his thoughts strayed back to what he had considered to be his final moments at Uni. He barely registered the presence of the growlithe, manectric, furfrou and a singular lucario who were part of an impressive security task force, filled as his mind was with images of a not so distant past. In the present he participated in the mind numbing and annoying steps of the security check. Taking of shoes and belt, jewelry, pokeballs, and removing electronics from his modest backpack.
His mind was elsewhere though, and at that moment of time he was packing his suitcase, cramming clothes and the few possessions he found useful in it. Had he not digitized almost an entire library, as his friend often teased him, the trunk would have been filled with books. Instead he had succeeded in fitting all his training gear inside. His extra padded fencing clothes, mask, gauntlets and most important of all, his shinai, his longsword and his short swords. He wanted to show his grandfather all the new techniques he had added to his already large arsenal of kendo and kenjutsu techniques. His grandfather, the first sensei he had had would certainly find it interesting.
As he was busy packing he hadn't noticed his friend coming in. "So you are leaving tomorrow huh? I guess the days just flew by, but I wish they hadn't Sarachi. Still, to have you leaving even before the official end of the academic year… I wish your grandfather hadn't gotten ill. Then I would have had more time to…". "I know Tageki. Still, we have had great times together. Besides you never wanted to plan, you know that." "I know that, Sarachi!" Tageki actually seemed upset. His tone had changed. "I just figured I had more time to prepare, so I could tell you …, show you…". Tageki looked around as if searching for a solution that eluded him before he looked down as if he was struggling internally. "What is it, Tageki?" He had only ever seen his friend serious as they discussed battle plans together for the "Competition of Blades", and even then he never looked this serious. And there was something else Sarachi realised. He had never seen his friend reaching for words, nor had he seen his friend as distraught. As if he had come to a decision Tageki raised his head and he spoke with a determined look in his eyes. "Please promise me something Sarachi. I don't have the time now to explain fully so, on our friendship, please promise me one thing." Taken aback and a little scared Sarachi answered, "if it is within my power to keep it I will. Name it, friend." Seeming slightly relieved his friend replied thoughtfully. "I know you have to grieve for your grandfather when he … passes. I also know that you have a plan for the future. You were always so focused on whatever you did. I know I always avoided the subject, but I need to tell you about my plan for the future, because … I want you to be a part of it. I don't have the time to explain everything right now, so promise me that, when you are done grieving, you'll meet me in … and I'll explain everything then."
He had given his word. What else could he have done. He owed Tageki that much. After all they had been through together. He still remembered the day they had met.
When they both had barely started their junior years, each in another international student dormitory, they both felt out of place. Most students tend to band together in groups of the same country or region. After that they looked at shared interests to form closer friendships. Sarachi and Tageki were, each for their own reasons, different and had remained without something resembling a close friendship after the 'Week of Welcoming' was over. However, at the end they had both decided to join the same martial arts club, the prestigious 'Academy for Historic Western Martial Arts'. To have something of a social life besides his studies Sarachi had decided to join as soon as he saw them sparring during the demonstration days of the Week of Welcoming. He had enjoyed his grandfather's tutelage in Kenjutsu and Kendo and was genuinely good at it. This had opened him up to many other martial arts and that's why he was immediately fascinated by the western sword fighting techniques when he saw the demonstration of AHWMA. He had decided to enlist immediately.
He still viewed the first training session as a turning point in his life. He still remembered the entire speech the head coach had given them. "All right all you newbies, listen up! For those who are merely here to learn a few cool stunts in order to look cool waving around a sword, I advise you to leave now; there are video's online for that kind of hobbyists. This club is about dedicating a significant portion of your time to the historic western martial arts. If you are not prepared to invest hours upon hours into training and study; if you are unwilling to mould your body, sharpen your mind and hone your skills until you reach your full potential, you should reconsider joining this club. You have the chance to back out now. I'll give you a minute." Some students left, until there were only about two dozen left. "All right, those who decided to stay split up. Odd-numbered pupils stand on the left side of the hall, even numbered on the opposite side. Take a good look at the person standing in front of you. Take in his built. Notice his demeanour and posture. Look him, or her, in the eyes. Approach each other and introduce yourself." We shook hands and talked simultaneously: "Sarachi" "Tageki". "Congratulations! You have just met your partner in combat. Outside from the plenary sessions during which you receive coaching together, you will train, study and spar as a duo. Learn each-others' strengths and weaknesses and learn how to complement them, because our yearly competitive league the 'Competition of Blades' is fought in two vs two battles. Your ranking in the club depends on how well you do during the Blades. Do well enough and you become part of the club's elite and you may be selected to uphold the Academy's honour while competing against other clubs. Now, everybody back in single file. We will commence with our training."
A faint smile touched Sarachi's lips while happy memories of the following years flew through his head. In the meantime he had made it to the last security check. A strict looking woman behind a desk gestured him to come forward. There was a Meowstic lounging on the desk, when he came closer though it regarded him and seemed to judge him positively. "So, young man, what is the purpose of your journey? Business or pleasure?" "Neither, answered Sarachi." The woman shot him a questioning look. "Well, I'm going back home, which would be pleasurable I guess. It's just that the circumstances are not." The security officer, Claire according to her nametag, and her Meowstic scrutinized him. "Care to elaborate?" Sarachi responded in a grave tone. "My grandfather is terminally ill." The expression on the Claire's face somewhat softened. "I see … do you bring any Pokémon with you on the flight?" Sarachi answered with an affirmative. "All right, well if that is the case you may let your Pokémon walk around with you after this check, unless its threat level is above 2. In that case you will have to check in your Pokémon now. If it is lower you may check in upon boarding." Claire pointed towards a poster that showed various Pokémon and their threat levels. "Please let us scan your pokéballs for an assessment." Sarachi handed over Sabre's pokéball. Claire placed the pokéball in a device connected to a screen. A few lights briefly flashed and data flashed across the screen while computerized voice summarised. "Purrloin, no registered battle experience; relatively low level, companion Pokémon." "Allright, no other Pokémon, Sarachi?" As Claire asked the question her eyes drifted towards her Meowstic. Sarachi replied with a negative and after the Meowstic nodded solemnly she smiled slightly. "Thank you for your cooperation. Here is your Pokémon, have a safe flight." Claire stamped his boarding pass and passport. The print indicated he had a Pokémon with a threat level of two. "Thank you madam"
Sarachi passed into a large hallway and scanned his ticket and nearby directions navigating the route he had to take to get to his gate. As soon as he had determined where to go he took out his pokéball and released his Purrloin. Sabre appeared with a "purrrloin" and looked expectantly at Sarachi. "Well Sabre, we're at the airport. We passed all security checks and you may walk around with me until we have to board the plane. Want to keep me company?" Sabre answered with a 'purrr' and rubbed affectionately against his legs. Allright, but don't wander too much, we don't want to lose one another. The plane will start boarding in about half an hour."
Sarachi browsed a few duty-free gift shops and bought a few small gifts for his close relatives as he and Sabre made their way to their boarding gate. When they reached it there were still 15 minutes left until the boarding process would start and Sarachi was wondering how to spend it, as he looked around the boarding area. It was quite a large flight they happened to be on and the departure hall was crowded. As Sarachi looked around for a place to sit Sabre suddenly started demanding attention. She jumped in front of him and pawed at his leg while voicing her enthusiasm. Sarachi looked down at his companion. "What is it Sabre?" Sabre walked in a direction where big screens showed an elite Pokémon duel. "Well spotted girl. I wonder who is battling?" Sarachi and Sabre actively followed the elite battle tournaments. Sabre seemed to enjoy them as much as he did. As he approached the screens he saw that a lot of teens and kids with Pokémon had formed a crowd there. They were chatting excitedly. "Wow, did you see that?! That dodge of Draco's Salamance was sick man! Right in front of Crio's Golem." "I bet Draco will win this year". "No way, he still needs to pass Hanibal. His strategic offense is unstoppable." "Well my bet is on Ghon Zhao. His defence is impenetrable." Sarachi was amused by the reaction of the teens. To many the elite battle style was just a six-on-six brawl where the trainer with the last Pokémon left standing wins. Draco was one of the few trainers who employed an unorthodox battle style, where other trainers employed tactics that fit the most obvious way to win an arena battle. Draco was the second or third trainer to date that adopted a different method. He was fairly new to the scene, this being his second or third season in the elite league and thus far he had not been consistently successful. The whole point of the elite battle was not a six-on-six, but a seven-on-seven battle where the trainers fought alongside of their Pokémon. A team could win by knocking out the entire Pokémon team or by knocking out the trainer leading the team who was wearing a battle suit. 95% of all participating teams thus far all went for the brawl win. Draco always went for the trainer knockout. It was a risky and often aggressive approach that required a lot of skill. As Sarachi and Sabre were watching the screen Draco and his team had through careful manoeuvring managed to corner the opposing trainer. Sarachi cheered. "Yes, another trainer knockout!" Sabre jumped into his arms and climbed to his shoulders. Several teens turned their head, smiled and cheered with him. Elite trainers that went for the trainer knockout were secretly admired. They were not consistently successful though and never seemed to reach the top ranks. Yet they embodied every kid's dream. They were the heroes who risked all by fighting alongside their Pokémon. This was a sharp contrast with those who hid in their defensive suits whilst yelling commands to their Pokémon as if they were their servants.
Suddenly a voice rang through the departure hall: "Flight 916SG is ready for departure! Can the following passengers please board the aircraft? If you are not here within ten minutes we will proceed to off-load your luggage and we will leave without you. Hyashi Sarachi, Ndoki Kouboue and Kenway Kirsten. Hyashi Sarachi, Ndoki Kouboue and Kenway Kirsten." "Oh crap! Sabre, time to run girl." As he ran for the boarding gate he took out his only pokéball. "I'll have to check you in Sabre, but I promise that as soon as we land you can walk around again." "purrrloin" Sabre responded and she nuzzled him. "Well, see you soon. Return." Sarachi took off to come to a slipping stop in front of the check-in desk. "Sarachi Hayashi here! I need to check in my Purrloin Sabre miss." He held out his pokéball and passport at the same time. The attendant at the gate smiled, clearly amused by his sprint to the boarding gate. "So, young man, didn't want to miss your flight, huh? Well, place the pokéball in the check-in slot and scan your passport." After Sarachi had done so, a ticket came out that noted his Pokémon data and personal info. "Very well, now go on! Have a pleasant flight." "Thank you, miss." "Miss?" the woman started laughing. "It's madam, but thank you!" The woman was still chuckling softly as Sarachi ran through the boarding bridge, excited to finally be on his way home.
*Disclaimer: This story is a non-profit, fan-made written work of fiction made for my own amusement and that of others. It is nothing more than fanfiction. I do not, nor do I claim to; own any of the content of the Pokémon franchise. Pokémon (including but not limited to the characters, the creatures and the fictional world of the tv-series, game series, films and manga) is owned by the Pokémon company, a consortium between Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures. Please support the official release*