Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any related characters, plots, ect., however, I do own Dan, along with all other human characters, the plot of this particular story, and basically anything in this that is not licensed by Nintendo or other huge companies that can sue me. I am allowed to publish this under the names Draconic Espeon, Phantom SunsSong, Light Dragon SunsSong, Ryuki, and Ryuki Kurokawa. If someone claims this story as their own that does not go by one of those names, tell me immediately.

Platinum: Sacred Flames

By: Draconic Espeon/Phantom SunsSong

Capture I: Horsea

Chapter Two- The Calling

"What could you want from me?" Dan was slowly beginning to question whether or not this was really a dream. Ho-Oh, standing in front of him, seemed so real and lifelike, even though whatever kind of room they were in had no walls, no floor, no ceiling. Just darkness, with no way of telling where he was.

There's something that needs to be done, Ho-Oh began. Something in your world that requires action. But, I cannot go there physically. Only in spirit, to choose a vessel to complete my task for me. I choose you, Daniel.

"What's going on? Why would you need to come here?" It didn't make sense. Was this really Ho-Oh he was speaking to, a Pokemon? But Pokemon weren't real. Were they?

Yes, Daniel, Pokemon are very real, Ho-Oh rumbled. Long ago, our worlds were connected, and humans and Pokemon lived together in harmony. But, some of the humans stopped seeing Pokemon as living things, and instead saw them as tools. The Pokemon rebelled, and a war was started, long and bloody. At its end, there was few of either race left. We, the Legendaries, decided that humans and Pokemon could no longer live in peace with one another. We separated the world, making the survivors forget, so we could live in peace again.

But, not all was well. In all this time, one of our own, a Legendary named Darkrai, has been plotting the end of humans. He has been slowly wearing away the thin border that separates our worlds, until now, when he has been able to push Pokemon through to cause havoc in your world. The tear he has created is only small now, but it will grow, gradually. This is why I need your help, Daniel. You must find the Pokemon that come through, defeat them, and send them back.

"How can I do that? I don't have a Pokemon," Dan said, though his excitement crept into his voice. A chance to actually capture Pokemon! And, to find out that Pokemon really were real! It was all so amazing, if… If it was all real. He hoped that it was.

I will be sending a partner Pokemon to you, along with special nets you can use to catch the Pokemon on your side. You partner should be able to send them back. Ho-Oh solemnly nodded his head in farewell. I am counting on you, Daniel. With those last words, the darkness began to swallow Ho-Oh, all until nothing was left but his fiery eyes.

"Wait, Ho-Oh! How-" Before Dan could finish his question, the eyes blinked shut and disappeared as well. When they did, Dan was plunged back into himself once more, sleeping soundly.

---

When Dan awoke the next morning, he sat up with a jolt. He looked around the room quickly, half expecting to see Ho-Oh again, but all he saw was his poster. It seemed dull now, paling in comparison of the vibrant colors of the real thing…

No. Dan threw off the covers and climbed to his feet. He was still in his school clothes from the day before, after falling asleep while playing. He found his DS lying on the floor, still plugged in with the screens lit up. He finished the battle quickly and saved before turning it off. The game wasn't exciting anymore. It didn't seem as fun as the prospect of going out with his own Pokemon and catching more. And, doing it to save the world, the chosen one of Ho-Oh. It could only have been a dream. Here, in the realness of his room, that black place and Ho-Oh were far away, not believable.

With little enthusiasm, Dan changed his clothes and went down stairs for breakfast. He grinned slightly to see that his mom had made pancakes. She smiled in reply as he approached, while his father was buried in a newspaper. His brother was still asleep, since he wasn't there yet, and Dan grabbed some pancakes while he could. In the mornings, Nate ate practically everything in sight.

Halfway through his first cake smothered in syrup, Dan heard a loud yell from upstairs, combined with a squawk. A door slammed open, and, with heavy footsteps, his brother came down the stairs from his room, carrying a fluffy mass of green feathers. Nate was a basketball player, tall and fairly muscular. He had a fiery temper to go with his bright red hair, inherited from their father who was now mostly gray, and their mother's blue eyes. He threw the feathery thing at Dan, who only just managed to catch it. The ball was a lighter than he thought it would be, though the impact still hurt.

"Quit puttin' those stupid things in my room!" Without another word, he turned and stomped away again.

"Nate! Don't yell at your brother," Dan's mother said, sounding exasperated. Nate didn't say anything in reply. He just kept walking.

"I-it's my fault, Mom," Dan said quickly, trying to hide the scruffy ball of fuzz. "I shouldn't have left this in his room. Let me go take it back to mine." Quickly climbing to his feet while keeping the object out of sight of his parents, he went upstairs to his room.

All the while, the thing had been squirming and scrabbling. Whatever it was, it wasn't Dan's, and it was alive. He dropped it on the bed, and it righted itself. Dan could see its tiny yellow beak and red talons clearly now, and could easily tell it was a bird. As the creature calmed down, the feathers began to lay flat; enough that Dan could tell that it wasn't all green. Its tiny wings were yellow and red, too small to support its round body in flight. Its tail feathers were rather long and red as well, and there was a long red feather sticking from the top of its head. Its eyes were black, and seemed almost painted on. It took Dan a few minutes to work out what it was.

"You're… You're a Natu! But then, that means…"

That you're meeting with Ho-Oh was real? Yes. The voice was masculine, but not overly deep, sounding almost young. There was a hint of sarcasm there as well, especially with the last word. I take it you are Daniel?

"Yes. Um, why were you in my brother's room?"

Misinterpreted the directions. Teleporting is difficult, especially when you don't know where you're going. Your brother is very heavy, by the way. It's not fun to be stepped on. Dan laughed.

"I'm sorry, I can't help it that my brother doesn't watch where he steps." Blinking, Dan remembered something else. "You're my partner, right?"

Yes, the Natu replied, puffing out his feathers some in irritation. What? Were you expecting a Charmander?

"Well, kinda…"

Yes, well, Charmanders can't use telepathy. One reason Ho-Oh chose a Psychic type. Also, my mother knows him quite well. She's a seer, you see, and informs Ho-Oh of impending doom and other disasters. She didn't see Darkrai's plots until after they'd been done, though. He kept her from seeing them.

"Oh. Well, I guess it makes sense, then. Do you have a net or something for me? Ho-Oh said something about one," Dan said, watching the Natu. The bird jumped up slightly, and began looking around the bed, turning every which way.

I did, but… I must have dropped it. It's in your brother's room, probably. It looked crestfallen, having failed in its duty to safely deliver the device to his new trainer.

"It's okay," Dan said as he sat down on the bed beside the bird. "We can go in there later, after he leaves. Oh!" Dan stood up quickly. "I have to go back down to the kitchen and finish my breakfast. Stay up here and don't make too much noise, okay? I'll sneak you a pancake."

A… What-cake? Natu asked, sounding confused. Oh, whatever, so long as it's edible. I'm starving.

"Okay, I'll be back in just a few minutes." Dan left through the door, slowly closing it behind him. He stopped, smiling to himself, before going back down. The meeting really had happened, and there was a real live Pokemon in his room! This summer was going to be interesting.