"(This)" (italics and brackets in quotation marks) is when Pokémon speaks and I've translated what it's saying.
"This" (no italics, just quotation marks) is humans speaking or telepathy.
(This) (just italics and brackets) is used for thoughts, memories and other stuff that goes on inside the character's mind.
Author's Notes: I'm actually enjoying myself, coming up with new ideas for this story. Hopefully my readers would also enjoy this story and that I'm not wasting their valuable time.
So, let's begin.
Chapter II ~ The Hunter Or The Hunted?
EX448 (Amaya)
"Master Ardos… she's regaining consciousness… are we sure… didn't seal off her heart… fill her with negative emotions… results" The voices all around me seemed to be talking about me… why? Where am I? How did I get here?
Why am I still within this world?
I slowly opened my eyes and peered through a strange colored liquid. Shadowy silhouettes surround me, gazing at me with expressionless faces. A few wore a look of curiosity and interest.
I slowly closed my eyes again and tried to remember…
("Get away from me! You're pathetic! You're never going to get a win from me! I want you out of my sight! You're dead to me!" My trainer shouted at me. He quickly stormed off while I desperately tried to follow him.
"Master! Please! Forgive me! I'll do better next time!" I pleaded. Tears ran down my eyes as I followed him back to his house, crying the entire way.
"Shut up!" My trainer shouted, and he punched me to the ground. "You're weak! I don't want a goddamn weak Pokémon! If you were so obedient, why don't you just get out of my sight?! I don't even want to look at you anymore!" And with that said, he slammed the door to my face.
Those words were more painful than the punch he delivered. I simply laid there, stuck with grief and pain as I gazed up at the night sky. I don't know what to think anymore… after a few sobs, I got back up and decided to do one thing. Run.
The coolness of the night air breezed through my fur, and images of people and Pokémon passed by me quickly. I was holding back the tears that stung my eyes, and just wanted to look for a way to do as my Master wishes. Disappear from his sight.
Perhaps then, he would be happy. I want him to be happy.
When I finally stopped running, I noticed that I have come across a bridge, standing right in the middle looking down. The water was deep, and a ways down from the bridge.
Perfect. I will live up to my Master's wishes after all.
I gazed down at the river, and then turned around to see Veilstone City for one last time. After that, a single tear flowed from my eye.
This is what you wanted Master.
I fell backwards, watching the bridge above me get smaller and smaller. A stinging pain was felt on my back, and the waters of the river surrounded me. I slowly sank to the bottom, closing my eyes and letting the liquid fill my lungs.
This is what you wanted Master.)
"Master Ardos, her wavelengths! They're getting unstable!" A scientist from outside shouted.
Why am I still alive?! I have even failed to carry out my Master's simple wish! Let me die! These people are denying my Master's wish!
"Yes… those negative emotions are exactly what I want, EX488. Or should I say… Amaya?" A voice inside my head said. I opened my eyes and stared into the eyes of that man they call Ardos. He smiled at me and pressed a hand on the glass.
"I'm your new Master, Amaya." He said. He then made a motion to the other scientists, making them nervous. They hesitated for a moment, but pressed a series of buttons on their computers. The strange liquid drained and I finally felt my limbs. I slowly looked at myself.
The colors where I should have dark blue fur was now a dark violet, and my cream-colored fur were now a white color. I raised my paws in front of my face, examining my new physique.
What is this feeling? Strength? I felt much stronger than I ever did.
The glass around me disappeared, and the scent of the laboratory filled my nostrils. It was cold, and my fur was still dripping of the containment liquid.
"You feel it, right? Power. Power that you never had before. Power that would allow you to fulfill my wishes. Your previous Master, well, he is happy. He's with another Pokémon, happily training and abandoning you." Ardos smirked.
So… my Master is happy… but why? Why do I feel this way? Shouldn't I be happy that he's happy? This burning feeling in my heart…
"Grah!" I screamed. My Aura burned and I looked at it. Instead of the normal blue Aura I had once, a sinister dark purple aura radiated from my body. The scientists got out from their seats and backed off.
They are afraid of me… they hate me. Just like-
A sudden comforting touch was felt on my shoulder. I calmed down suddenly, and stared back at Ardos again. He wore a smile, and I saw my own reflection. I looked different, a totally new Lucario.
"Don't worry. You can trust me. I find you an extraordinary being…" Ardos then took my paw and allowed to jump down from the container. The floor was cold, and my knees buckled and I fell forward. Ardos quickly caught me, and held me in a comforting hug, carefully avoiding my chest spike.
"…Why are you so nice to me? You don't even know me…" I breathed.
"Oh, but I do know you Amaya." Ardos chuckled. "I know the pain and suffering you have felt. But if you're with me, we could turn those emotions to a power that will allow you to vanquish anything. Anything that will upset me, your new trusting Master."
"…I understand now… Master…" I sighed. I smiled and rested my head against his stomach.
"Master Ardos. It appears that the experiment went off well. Instead of closing her heart of all emotions, we simply made those emotions more extreme. It also appears doing so would turn her into a Shadow Pokémon…" A scientist said.
"Good work. Now… listen to me closely, EX488. There is one wish I want you to fulfill. Someone is upsetting me. And his Lucario…" Ardos smirked. I opened my eyes, and a sudden anger began to fill within me. I stepped away from him and knelt before him.
"Who Master? I will kill both of them if it would make you happy." I said.
Lucas
"Ugh… Hunter… Hunter! Wake up! Damn it, wake up!" I shouted. For being "The Saviors" number one Captor, he sure was lazy.
Jeez. This is how he wants to waste his vacation?!
"…Huh…? Lucas… why are you waking me up? It's early…" Hunter whined.
"Early?! It's 2:00 PM now! Do you really plan to sleep in the entire day?! Not even go sightseeing here in Kanto?" I asked. If he doesn't get up soon… I can't guarantee he wouldn't get an Aura Sphere to his face.
"Alright, alright. I remember… I promised you to head to Vermillion…" Hunter yawned.
"And take off that Snag Machine. What if someone sees it? You're so reckless…" I sighed.
"Wow, you sound worse than Perrit! Forgive me if I have grown attached to this thing then."
"Hardy-har. Just get ready. I want to see the beaches of Vermillion."
"Aren't you a steel type? Won't you sink right down to the bottom?!"
"Hah, so it appears you don't know everything about me. I have my ways."
"Alright, alright…"
I walked out of the bedroom. I already have everything packed and ready to go to the beach. I opened the cooler and extracted a pack of Gummy Worms. Perhaps I shouldn't be eating them now… but I love this candy. I took a green and yellow gummy and placed it into my mouth. I let out a satisfied moan, and continued to eat.
"Hey, Lucas, I'll be heading into the shower. After that, we'll be going. And don't you dare eat my pack of Gummy Worms!" Hunter shouted.
Crap.
*~*~*
After almost missing the ferry and a nauseating time on the it (Hunter gets seasick easily), we finally reached the sandy beaches of Vermillion City.
"Finally!" I shouted as I dashed out of the pier, carrying a lot of stuff with me. I picked a perfect spot and placed everything out neatly, grabbing another pack of Gummy Worms and looking out to the ocean.
It was beautiful. The Vermillion Beach rivals that of the beaches near Sandgem Town back in Sinnoh. Many people and Pokémon played and sunbathed on the warm sands. I looked back to find Hunter, sitting down in a foldable chair, stretching an gawking at other attractive female girls. I sighed and walked toward him.
"You know, if you really want a girl, why don't you go ask one out instead of gawking at them like the sleaze ball you are?" I asked.
"Pfft, and get in an actual relationship?! Not a chance. Don't make me explain all of the reasons again, Lucas-"
"Yeah, yeah. We move around a lot and it's a lot more fun to be single. I heard it a million times before. Still doesn't change the fact that you're a sleaze ball…"
"Why don't you get a girl then?""Eh, haven't exactly found one to my liking. Plus, not really interested in settling down just yet. Until we finish our mission, then we'll see."
I rushed out to the open waters and swam out as far as I could. I looked back to the shore, noticing that I have moved out much farther than any of the others have. Wow, I wasn't even tired… Ack, better head back before I face a Sharpedo or something.
For about the next few hours, Hunter and I continued to play in the beach. And throughout the entire time there, I always had a Gummy Worm sticking out of my mouth.
*~*~*
When it got late, we decided to head on to Celadon City. Apparently, Hunter wanted to try his luck in the slots and to also shop and the Celadon Department Store. When the sun began to set, we took a plane to Celadon and enjoyed the bustling, busy streets that is Celadon City. Everyone here was so friendly, they even gave Hunter some coins for the Game Corner!
"Grah, not so lucky, am I Lucas?" Hunter whined. He has almost lost all of his coins, trying to aim for a perfect 7 score.
"Nope. Not at all." I agreed.
"Wait, wait… Rocket symbol, Rocket symbol…! Aw crap, Pikachu…"
I laughed loudly and walked outside the Game Corner. It was then that I felt that something felt odd. A tremendous feeling of negativity… after all this time in a fun night, I felt the pain of someone's Aura. I looked ahead of me into the forest, seeming that the very negative Aura I felt was inside that forest…
"Grah! Why me?!" Hunter whined as he stomped out of the Game Corner. "Come on, I still want to go to the Department Store. I have to get some evolution stones for my sister back in Veilstone. It's about time our Eevee evolved into something. She's been good… she deserves it… What's wrong Lucas?" Hunter asked.
"N-nothing." I stuttered. Hunter raised an eyebrow and continued to walk off.
"Oi! Aren't you going with me?! Unless you have fingers to play the slots, stay here then!" Hunter shouted. I took one last look into the forest and then dashed away to follow Hunter.
*~*~*
After being in the Department Store until it's closing time at 11:00 PM, we were able to buy an assortment of items. A Fire, Water, and Thunder Stone! It was surprisingly cheap here. And along with that, we got ourselves some more Gummy Worms and Peach Rings. It was late, so we decided to head to the airport to continue on with our mission to Jhoto. Perrit has already taken all of our belongings to a hotel there.
"Hey, Hunter. I should let you know… I felt something… 'weird' while I was outside the Game Corner…"
"The 'Shadow Pokémon' kind of weird? Yeah, I know what you mean.""What?! You knew exactly what was wrong? You can't even sense Aura-"
"You see Hunter, you said I don't know you that well. Well, I could tell when something worries you. So yeah, I'm on my guard." He then took out a rectangular handle and a sharp blade extended out of it.
"We're not going to kill it! We're just going to snag it, right?"
"Yup, have the Snag Machine right here." Hunter then lifted up his sleeve to reveal the Snag Machine attached to him.
"…Do you think this must be the mystery Shadow Pokémon?" I asked, now noticing we're in the middle of the Celadon Park. Both Hunter and I faced outward, back to back and examining the area.
"Perhaps. I wanted to see our mystery Shadow Pokémon myself.""This is weird though. When reading a Shadow Pokémon's Aura… it reveals that they don't have emotion. The Aura from this Shadow Pokémon… it's a mix of emotions.""Shadow Pokémon don't have emotions, period. How could that be Lucas?"
"I don't know…"
"…Look out!" Hunter shouted as he pushed me out of the path of a dark purple Aura Sphere.
No. No, it can't be… Perrit was right! Both Hunter and I turned got back up and turned to see our opponent.
"Master wants both of you dead. You are making him upset! Disappear from his sight!" The female Lucario shouted.
"EX448, am I right?" Hunter asked calmly. The female Lucario, or EX448, didn't respond at all.
"It's surprising that she could talk. Shadow Pokémon are usually quiet…" I murmured, materializing a Bone Rush attack in my paws and twirling it.
"Hey, it's a girl Lucario Lucas. Maybe she's your type after all." Hunter joked.
Just like Hunter. Making jokes even if we're facing death at it's most extreme. It's a good tactic, seeing how stressful moments like this could be.
"Don't think so… now, I'll go in and attack her. Get an Ultra Ball ready. I'll finish this as quickly as possible." I assured Hunter. Hunter nodded and quickly jumped up to an overhanging branch.
"You're not getting away- Grah!" EX488 grunted as she was knocked down to the ground. I then stomped my foot on her stomach, pinning her down to the ground and holding the Bone Rush attack against her neck.
"Your fight is with me, EX488. It's a shame really, I don't like attacking girls." I said. The female Lucario all of a sudden let out a scream mixed with anger and sadness. It sent shivers down my spine, for I have never heard such a scream. Taking this chance while I was distracted, she grabbed my Bone Rush attack and threw me to the side.
I landed on my feet, and faced her again. She got up and materialized a Bone Rush attack of her own. She then dashed toward me, raising her bone-like object to attack me. I quickly used my own attack to clash against hers. For about a minute, the battle was nothing but the clashes of Bone Rush against Bone Rush. I tried to finish it by sweeping sideways, though-
"What the-?!" I shouted. She quickly ducked down, and charged up all her Aura into a free paw. Using that paw, she performed a powerful Force Palm that sent me flying through a tree and putting her and I at a considerable distance.
What power… I couldn't get up. I suddenly screamed out as flashes and images flashed through my mind. I opened my eyes and noticed I was engulfed by the shadowy aura that belonged to EX488. I saw images of a fat Trainer punching a Lucario, a bridge slowly disappearing from sight, and-
"Ardos!" I shouted and opened my eyes again. EX488 was standing over me, gazing into my eyes with bloodlust and anger.
"You know my Master's name. Fitting how saying my Master's name shall be your last words." She then conjured a purple-colored Aura Sphere in her paw. She then raised her paw into the air, and it appeared as if she's going to drive it into me.
I'm sorry Hunter. I failed. I closed my eyes and expected the worst.
Nothing. I felt nothing. I also felt a warm touch on my stomach, and opened my eyes. EX488 was merely touching my stomach, and looking into my eyes. She leaned in closer, as though she was curious about something.
"You aren't afraid. Why?" She asked.
"Death is approaching. I know that I will die now, so no point in resisting." I answered back. (Where the hell are you Hunter?!)
"Don't you have any regrets?" She continued.
"No, I have lived a good life. The only thing I regret is that I won't be with my friend, Hunter."
"…Is he your Master?"
"…Yes… but we're more in the friend category."
"…Do you love him?"
(Why isn't she attacking me? And where the hell is Hunter?!)
"Love sounds a little weird to me. I'll just let you know that I would protect Hunter no matter what. That is why I have my regrets. Knowing I can't protect him any longer."
I noticed that she leaned in a lot closer to my face, her snout almost touching mine.
"My name is Amaya." She whispered. She then raised her paw and formed another Aura Sphere. Just then, her entire body was engulfed by light and an Ultra Ball landed on my head. Ouch.
"Where the hell were you?!" I shouted as I quickly got up and ran along with Hunter.
"Hey, it was getting romantic." Hunter joked.
"Nevermind that! Let's get on that plane! I don't think you caught her!" I shouted as we ran to the airport.
"Why do you think I'm running?!" Hunter shouted as he quickly showed both our tickets and climbed into the plane, barely missing it.
First Class. After a rough run-in with a Shadow Pokémon, it's nice to kick back and relax. …Odd, why am I not feeling any pain in my stomach? Hunter also noticed this and looked at my abdomen.
The place where the Force Palm hit… it was healed.