The Search For Sak Ordun
First Log: A Story Refreshes My Life… Sort Of
Disclaimer: Pokémon belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak, not me.
"Nothing on the billboard today, it looks like." A tough, yet reliable-looking trainer stepped back from the old message board on the wall. The pub was deserted, except for the bartender behind the counter, the trainer standing before the billboard, and the Nidorino nipping at the trainer's dirty jeans.
"I suppose even Pokémon Chasers get tired of dead end leads." The bartender commented. The trainer rolled his eyes. "So, chaser," the man behind the counter continued, "what drives you people, anyway? Regular Pokémon just aren't good enough for you?" The Nidorino suddenly looked up.
"I don't see any difference between me and any other trainer." The Pokémon chaser replied. "I simply want a chance to see something… legendary."
"You mean like that darn golden bird? Or Mew? You chasers are always jumping on Mew sightings. You even post leads on billboards for other chasers, just like the one you're staring at right now. To tell the truth, I don't think that even half of those 'legendary' Pokémon exist."
"You think you know Pokémon, old man?" The chaser was ticked off. He turned away from the billboard and leered at the bartender. The Nidorino bolted to attention. It could smell the bartender's defense falling. "I'm Nasc, a professional Pokémon chaser. I do know what I'm talking about, and I've got the proof right here." Nasc took out his wallet and from it he pulled a photograph, which he handed to the bartender.
"I'm Gael, an old fool who lets overgrown kids and their monsters take over my pub." The bartender said sarcastically as he snatched the photo out of Nasc's hand. He studied it for a while. "It's just a field with rocks and trees."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Nasc climbed over the counter to look over Gael's shoulder. He pointed at a blurry dark thing covering some of a large rock and the grass around it. This was located at the far left of the photograph.
"So what?" Gael asked. "It's a shadow."
"It's a Rayquaza shadow." Nasc grinned, admiring his own masterpiece. The bartender was less than impressed.
"Well, if you chasers get all excited over a thing like that, then I might have an interesting story for you. Have you ever heard of Sak Ordun?"
"Never. Who's he?"
"Sak Ordun is a Pokémon, and a real one, too. It's a monstrous Swalot that came down from the mountains some time ago. They claim that it was Sak Ordun who slithered up to the peak of the highest mountain and ate the moon."
"You're kidding. Some Swalot ate the moon?"
"Sucked it right in. It was the most colossal Stockpile/Swallow combination ever seen."
"And who saw it? You?"
"Bartender Gael doesn't see anything. I just hear it and spread the good word."
"Good word my balls. At least I've got a photograph." Nasc took one more glance at his Rayquaza shadow snapshot before slipping it back into his wallet.
"But you should look into it anyway." Gael suggested. "At least it's a Pokémon we all know exists."
"Whatever. I'm out of here. Come on, Jest!" Nasc and his Nidorino headed out the door. The street outside seemed even emptier than the pub. Nasc didn't know much about the town he was in; just that it didn't have any leads and the Nurse Joy at the town's Pokémon Center couldn't tell the difference between Nidorino and Nidorina. That was an interesting episode. Nasc spent practically the whole day at the Joy's throat as she fumbled around the center trying to clear up the problems she caused, just by registering Jest as a female instead of a male. It normally wouldn't be a problem, but the difference between the two sexes is much greater than normal for the Nidoran family. As Nasc thought back through the day's events, he realized that it was already nighttime. He looked up to the sky and there it was, the full moon in all of its glory. "Ha!" Nasc laughed. "I guess that Sak Ordun story bit the dust. Who'd believe that a Pokémon ate the moon, especially with the moon still being in the sky?"
"So you're the one who heard about Sak Ordun today." A mysterious voice called. It was a shadowy human figure standing dead ahead of Nasc and Jest.
"What do you care? That lead is totally fake." Nasc stepped forward.
"On the contrary, sir, would I be here to kill you if it was fake?"
"Hey, are you a chaser, too?" Now Nasc was confused. Somebody wanted him dead for listening to an old man's tall tale.
"Me? No. I am the powerful Dark Mage Homer!" The figure stepped out of the shadows and into view. There wasn't much for Nasc to see, though. Homer was wearing a white mask and a dark blue cloak. "That Bartender Gael was supposed to keep his mouth shut, but he didn't, and for that, he has already been taken care of. Since you know about our secret, you must also be taken care of." Homer reached into his cloak and pulled out a traditional red and white Pokéball. "That puny Nidorunt of yours won't stand a chance against my magical monster! Go, Rhyhorn!" Dark Mage Homer wanted to battle. He tossed the ball in Nasc's direction and out came the Rock and Ground-type beast.
"That's quite alright," Nasc said in reply, with a smirk, "because my Nidorino isn't at the top of my lineup!" Nasc grabbed the Nest Ball attached to his trainer belt and took a good look at it in his hand. "Looks like your first trainer battle's going to be a big one, my little one."
What could Nasc possibly have up his sleeve to combat Homer's Rhyhorn? Is this little one really up to the challenge? What truth lies in the story of Sak Ordun, and why does a Dark Mage want to keep it all a secret? Give me a review and stay tuned for the next chapter of The Search for Sak Ordun!