Chapter 2

Departure

Astrus walked behind his father all the way home. His father hadn't said a word to him since they've left the Town Hall; all the while he couldn't stop thinking about what Gustav had said. He could become a Pokémon Master, one who would go out and defend humanity against the threat of Pokémon but his road will be plagued with difficulties and hardships.

Why would he go through all that? Yes, he had to admit that seeing Gustav turn into a boulder and rolled off was cool, but he would have to leave his dad. After his mother had left, Astrus was all his dad had. Therefore he put going to the academy out of his mind.

Once they got home his dad turned to him. "Astrus, I'm going to the company and might be home late so don't wait up for me. You're old enough to know what you want to do. If you want to go to the academy, know that your dad will support you."

Astrus shook his head with a smile. "No thanks dad, I'm not interested. I rather learn how to be a merchant and work with you."

Aster gave his son a peculiar look before stepping down in one knee and hugged him. "Nothing would make me happier. I love you son."

Astrus hugged his dad back. "Love you too dad. Think mom would've been proud that I have a Typing?"

He looked up to see his dad giving him the same look as before. "I'm sure she would've." His dad answered with a rough voice before leaving.

As soon as his father left, Astrus went to the library and started pulling up several books detailing the history of the Kanto Continent. He was curious about the world of Pokémon Masters if they were as competitive as Gustav said then, maybe, there was a way he could capitalize on that and make a business venture for his dad. He wanted to show him that he was serious about working together.

The first book he found described the general situation of the Kanto Continent. It was a vast land with all sorts of environments from frozen mountain peaks to sunny islands. The continent was ruled by the Three Ring Kingdom system, compose of eighteen kingdoms divided into tiers. From the strongest First tier kingdoms to the weakest Third tier kingdoms.

From what Astrus could see there were three First tier kingdoms, seven Second tier kingdoms and eight Third tier kingdoms. The Boulder Kingdom ranked last of the Third tier kingdoms and Pebble Beach town was such a small town that it didn't even appear illustrated on the map the book had.

He suddenly remembered that Gustav mentioned if he wanted to develop as a first rate Fire Type Master he would have to visit the Blaze Kingdom. He looked at the map, but was soon disappointed. The Blaze Kingdom was to the east at the foot of a ring of active volcanos. very far away and it was rated as a First tier kingdom, only below the Torrent Kingdom.

"It would take months to go there from Pebble Beach Town and we might get attacked by so many Pokemon it was practically suicide." He shook his head and closed the book pulling out another one.

This one was centered around Pokémon and the threat they posed to humanity. Born to the elements, Pokémon were fierce beasts that lived from hundreds to thousands of years. The older they were the more powerful and intelligent. Some legends stated those who manage to live for more than a hundred thousand years could speak like a human.

Due to the vastness of the continent it was home to many Pokémon and they were very territorial clashing with humans at every turn. For a long time Pokémons were the dominant species on the continent but then humanity -maybe out of necessity- gave birth to Pokémon Masters, warriors capable of going toe to toe with the Pokémon and it was then that humanity slowly expanded to all corners of the world as they know it today.

Astrus read a couple more books to see if he could find out how Gustav turned into that boulder, but couldn't find anything at all. He got out of the library around lunch time and then went out to play in the backyard. His dad hadn't come for lunch at home which was unusual for him.

He didn't think much of it maybe his dad was busy at work. The day passed without much to do and Astrus soon tuck himself in bed. In the dead of night while he was sleeping a looming shadow watched over him for a second before leaving.

Once Astrus woke up in the morning, he went about his usual routine of washing and preparing breakfast. He was about to call his dad when he noticed a red box on the dinner table with a note with his name on it. He picked up the letter and as he eyes read the words they grew watery.

Astrus,

Hello son, by the time you find this, I will already be gone. Don't look for me, you won't be able to find me. Well not as you are right now. You have grown into a remarkable young man and it makes me happy that you want to work at the company, but the world is a much bigger place than our little town and I don't want you tying yourself down to it just because of me.

You've always asked me about your mother and I've never answered you properly. Well the truth is that your mother is a Pokémon Master, from a very powerful family. We met when I was out exploring the world. We fell in love and traveled for a time. In the beginning I didn't know that she was from a powerful family, but she was a very strong Pokémon Master.

Then one night she told me that we were going to have a child and I was the happiest man alive. But she also then told me of her family background and that they wouldn't approve of her being together with me or of the baby. I also had some responsibilities but didn't want to be separated from her, so we ran away and hid in a little cottage in a small seaside town. You were born there and she couldn't be happier.

We manage to live peacefully for three years, until her family finally found us. I tried to keep them away, but they were too powerful. Your mother begged them to let us live, for they wanted to kill us for tainting their precious child. It was thanks to her older brother that took pity on her that we were let go and they took her.

I took you away with me to Pebble Beach Town as far from their influence as possible. I thought we could live a life of peace but when I saw that you awakened the same Typing as your mother it awoke a roaring fire inside me.

There's no running away from this anymore, Astrus. I miss your mother and every day without her is hell. Now that you've awakened you can be consider a man. In the box in front of you are some items that might help you decide how you want to go forward.

If you want to stay in Pebble Beach Town beneath the box there's the deed to the company and house. I've left everything in your name. There's enough money for you to live out the rest of your life in comfort.

However if you want to find me and your mother then you need to become powerful Pokémon Master, if this is your choice then open the box and take what's inside.

Whatever choice you make, be sure to know that your mother and I are proud of you.

With love,

Dad.

Astrus couldn't believe what he was reading. "Dad!" He screamed as tears streamed down his face.

He ran to his dad's room only to find it empty, still crying he ran through the whole house but there wasn't a trace of his dad. He then rushed through the door and to the trading company only to find it closed for the day.

Desolated, he returned the now empty house. His dad had suddenly just vanish and left him alone. How was he going to take care of himself now? He was only six years old. Yes, his dad left him the company and money but it wasn't the same as him being there. And what was all that with his mother?

A fire suddenly burned inside him. He hated his mother's family for separating her from his dad and him. He hated his mom for actually leaving. If she was such a powerful Pokémon Master like his father said, why didn't she fight?

The six year old Astrus heart was in turmoil going a hundred miles per hour. He was confused and uncertain of what lied ahead. But he knew one thing for certain, he wasn't going to stay in this small town.

He held the letter in his hand. "Dad said I'm too weak to go after them now but if I go to that academy and train super hard then maybe I can go look for them."

An inferno of determination broke through the turmoil in his heart and he opened the box to find another letter inside next to a small red ring with a chain through it and a card. He opened the letter first.

Astrus,

So you decided to come find us huh? It's not going to be easy son. The world is much larger and crueler than you might think. But I respect your decision. I assume you want to go to the academy and that's indeed the first step.

In the box you'll notice a ring, protected it with your life son. Don't let anyone see it, that's a gift from your mother that I've been holding onto for all this years. You wont know it's true worth until you become a Poke Scholar.

The card has enough funds to cover your first year of tuition in the academy. After that you will have to fend for yourself. The road of Pokemon Masters isn't easy and if you can't even support yourself then you can forget about finding your mom and me.

Finally you need to find a good teacher there and grow strong my son. What that punk Gustav said it was true, been a Fire Type you will have to work twice as hard as other people to become strong. But by the end of it you will be stronger than any of them.

Love you,

Dad.

Ps.

I know your goal is to find your mom and me. So I'll give you a small hint, your mother's name is Keahi Vesta.

Astrus crush the letter in his smalls hands with a fierce look in his eyes. "Don't worry dad, I'll become a powerful Pokemon Master, the strongest in the world so that no one threatens our family ever again."

He picked up the ring by the chain and put it around his neck. Then picked up the card and went to pack. He needed to be ready for when Master Gustav showed up to pick him up. Then it was off to the academy where he would become strong.

Evening guys Dusk here with another chapter for TRK. I'm really excited for this story and hope you guys like what's up so far. I have a lot of plans for Astrus and the many adventures that await him.

After posting the first chapter, I got cracking on the second one to set the stage for Astrus beginning. Would love to hear your thoughts about the story. So let me know and let's see what crazy shenanigans can Astrus get into.

Till next time,

Dusk