A review! Joy! Sorry it's confusing. Now that the setting is established, hopefully it won't be, as much. Thank you very much for reading!
Of Recoil and Grace
In the clearing stands the boxer, and a fighter by his trade.
And he carries a reminder of every glove that laid him down...
or cut him 'til he cried out in his anger and his shame
"I am leaving! I am leaving," but the fighter still remains.
- Paul Simon, "The Boxer"
His back burst into unbelievable pain. He could hear the blood splatter across the ground even against the backdrop of rain. He fell forward soundlessly, his face suddenly cold against the wet grass.
The absol stepped into view, blood drizzling down the blade perched atop her crown. He noticed dimly that it was falling into her fur and slowly dying her head and face red. She looked him in the eye, her expression merely interested. She spoke to him in a soft, proud voice that he could not understand. She spoke of something ancient, something lost among all human recollection.
She spoke of a promise.
Lein landed hard on his knees, gasping the briny sea air. The rough grasp on him loosened as the gallade literally disappeared again. He looked up to see bright blue eyes and a broad grin against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. It took him a moment to realize that he was on a beach, the ocean sparkling merrily behind him in the fresh morning sun. This could not have happened. "...Mars?"
The blonde cheerily pulled him into a standing position by the upper arm as Lein spluttered incomprehensibly. "Welcome home!" he gushed as the gallade reappeared, Ein by his side, and hastily rejoined Mars. "I hope Silas here wasn't too rough with you."
Lein shoved him off with an indignant sound. "Wh... what are you doing? Seriously, Mars? I'm pretty sure this is illegal, even for you! This is kidnapping," he finished viciously, ignoring Silas' low growl.
Mars chuckled, waving his hand airily, "Shush, Silas. Yes, I'm sure you're just dying to have the entire region know we're related. But believe me, I could do so much worse than bring you here."
Lein's eye twitched. "Oh?"
Mars' mouth twitched into a sly smile. "Let's see... After giving my deepest apologies to my dearest brother,"
"Half-brother," Lein interrupted with a hiss.
"Ahem," he said politely. "My dearest brother, giving my sincerest apologies for giving him a free ride back home- at this point, I might lightly insinuate that in your jealousy, you are attempting to smear my name- I will then vow to earn your forgiveness, no doubt by joining you in your quest to do... whatever on earth it is that you're trying to do."
... Damn. Having to leave Hoenn was still a million times better than having to go anywhere with Mars. They were technically half-brothers, yes, but Lein could barely remember Mars during his childhood. Mars' parents had divorced early and the boy had gone with his mother before Lein was even born, and had since lead a charmed life. Mars' mother, Helene, was an extremely famous psychic with a talk show all to herself, shown in three regions. Combined with Mars' talent at training, they were certainly no strangers to fame or wealth. Meanwhile, Lein the farmboy spends years trying to save up money to begin a journey..., he thought bitterly.
Mars must have seen the incomprehensible rage in his expression, because his own softened. He drew a sizable blue pouch from his back pocket and held it out. "Here. There's a revive for your absol, some lunch, and a few other things. Take it."
Lein remained obstinately still. That is, until Ein gave him a headbutt from behind. Traitor. He reluctantly snatched the pouch, earning a genuine smile from his brother.
"It's good to see you, Lein. You look like you're doing well for yourself. Um..." Mars shifted a bit, in a rare moment of uncertainty. "Well, I think that's all. You're in Archipelago Sharlio. Port Sharlio is to the Southeast, very near to here. From there, you can get a ferry to the mainland. I'm sure you have questions, but... Well, you know where you can find me." He startled Lein by drawing him into a quick hug. He drew back beaming. "I have to head back now. Have fun exploring your homeland! Remember to be careful!" he finished, waving. Silas approached touched his wrist, and just like that, his brother was gone.
Lein sighed in frustration, rubbing his temples. As much as he hated his half-brother, it was hard to remain visibly furious at anyone when you happened to be on a picturesque beach. Sharlio was indeed an archipelago, one with islands so small that some were only yards across. Yet others were large enough to support a small town. The one that Lein currently presided over was somewhere in between, large enough to support scattered palm trees and a huge spire of black rock. Fortunately, the water rarely got deep on this side of Sharlio, and one could often slosh their way to the next island without incident.
It was just past sunrise and the peach-colored light played gently on the water's surface. In every direction there were a fistful of small islands and the massive structures of sea rock that Sharlio was famous for, spread across the land and water like hairs on the back of a vast beast. It was said that all of the rock was connected deep beneath the sand and formed a massive tunnel system. Lein oriented himself, finding southeast by the sun. Best to get to town before nightfall, and then worry about their predicament.
Ein nuzzled his trainer's elbow. (Trainer...)
"What's up, Ein?"
(Silas forgot to get Roy.)
"Fuck."
Lein and Ein sat in the sand while Antigony, newly revived, crouched by the waterside. "All right, let's see what the arrogant prig gave us," he said, dumping out the contents of the blue pouch.
(I don't see what you dislike about him so much,) Ein stated.
"... Ahem. Let's see, there's super potions, turkey sandwiches- hmm, a book on training in Ariellan. And.." he picked up a small black device and flipped it open. "A cell phone, nice. With his number, like that's going to happen, and dad's. Bet it's on his bill, too- I'm not complaining. And- oh my God, seriously? Holy shit, yes!" He stood up triumphantly, only to fall back on his knees, laughing maniacally, clutching a larger white device with a big screen. There was a splash nearby and the absol pranced past, a krabby dangling from her jaws.
(What is it?)
"A digital storage unit," he replied, his voice full of emotion. "We don't have to carry heavy stuff anymore. We can even get a bike, and an extra blanket- and we can travel in the winter, we'll have room for the extra supplies- and aghhhhh, I almost forgive Mars. Almost. Two years of carrying the food and the sleeping bag and clothes and potions and pokeballs and that damn pot..."
(Oh, good. I suppose this means that you'll be lighter, too.)
"Yes. And now you have no excuse to carry me around at all times."
Ein decided not to answer. (What do we do about the cacturne?)
Lein bit his lower lip. "I... guess we'll just have to explain the situation. Then he can decide for himself. No time like the present, I suppose," he said tentatively, drawing the greatball and tossing it onto the sand.
The cacturne emerged with a hissing sound that reminded Lein of air being let out of a tire. Antigony drew close, eyeing him curiously. (When did this happen?) she asked in her proud, melodic voice.
"It's a long story," Lein said shortly. "Now- er, do you have a name?"
The cacturne replied, and predictably, Lein couldn't understand.
(He said, 'you may call me Nox,') Ein translated.
Lein nodded. "Okay, Nox. There's kind of a situation. I'm giving you the choice to stay with me, or return to the wild. But I can't take you back to the desert. We're in Ariellan, there are no deserts here, and I can't go back to Hoenn right now. It's possible that I might be able to find a trainer going there or something, but unlikely. Do you understand?"
The cacturne thought for a moment, then turned unexpectedly and said something to Antigony. The absol paused, then replied with a slow nod. At this, Nox addressed Lein again.
('Release me'.)
"... Are you sure? You think you can survive here, in the archipelago? It's very different from the desert."
('Release me'.)
Lein sighed and shrugged, "If you say so," opening Nox's greatball and snapping it at the hinge. "Sorry about all this. You're free, now. Good luck out there." Then he remembered.
"Wait, before you leave- what did you say to me, back there in the desert?"
The cacturne's gaze grew icy and- there was no other word for it- predatorial. ('I spoke of the promise, child.')
And without another word, the cacturne left, whipping up a small, harmless sandstorm and disappearing with it. Lein shielded his eyes and turned to Ein. "What did he say to Antigony?"
(He asked, 'will you remain?')
After confirming that Antigony had never met Nox before (he supposed it was a dark-type thing?) and gleefully putting just about everything inanimate that they owned inside of the storage unit, they set out for Port Sharlio. Ein lumbered near the water (the wet sand supported his weight much better than the dry) while Antigony dashed around to anything of interest, climbing to the very tops of palm trees and harrassing packs of sunbathing seel and dewgong, her fur peach-pink in the weak morning sun. Flocks of wingull and ducklett circled lazily overhead, out of reach of either of his pokemon. Which was unfortunate because, as Lein mentioned with a sigh, he was down to only two usable Pokemon, both with serious weaknesses to fighting, and one mystery egg.
The scenery remained the same for most of the morning until they approached a group of fisherman at work. One of them, a very tall old man with a broad-rimmed hat, was taking a break and feeding the birds with pieces of his sandwich. It seemed like a good opportunity to ask how to go about catching a bird on the beach.
The old man paused, chewing thoughtfully. "Well, you won't be able to catch any decent sea birds with those two, but..." he paused to give Antigony, who was leaping impressively- but futilely- at the birds, a stern look. "There are rivhen in the rivers around here, and plenty of flockatiel and grifferth in the plains past Embrandt. I'd say that's your best bet in catching a bird."
Lein nodded gratefully. "All right. Thank you, sir."
They spied Port Sharlio by late afternoon without incident. The port was just barely large enough to qualify as a city, but bustling nonetheless. They overcame the size restriction by building up. Each building was at least two stories high and raised walkways were nearly as abundant as grounded ones.
Port Sharlio had countless ancient shrines and artifacts, and for this reason, was very popular among researchers. It was said that the shrines were dedicated to a legend who slumbered deep within Sharlio's immense cave system. Lein may have been an Ariellan native, but he had barely seen the area outside of Lancass. He knew immediately that he would have to visit one of Port Sharlio's ancient shrines.
But first things first. Lein visited the Pokemon Center, blessedly on the edge of town, facing the water. It was a sweet, homey little place with flower boxes hanging on the windows. There he somberly placed an ad for Roy, attaching a picture of him. The bird would be just fine, he knew, but he couldn't help but feel as if he had abandoned him, or something. Would the fearow notice? Would he come looking for Lein, only to come up with nothing? He didn't know. For being something of a part-time member of his team, Lein had grown rather fond of Roy and his lackadaisical demeanor.
After getting the bandages changed on his arm, he stepped back out into the dying sunlight. There was one last thing he wanted to do before retiring for the night. He released Ein and Antigony as he walked slowly uphill. The streets were fairly busy despite the hour- mostly shopkeepers and vendors headed home for the day, but the trainers were easy to spy- two boys with matching pelipper were chatting animatedly in front of the 'Center and a minccino played with a girl's long brown hair just ahead of him.
(Where are we going, child?) Antigony asked with a hint of boredom, padding along beside him. Ein seemed more interested in the beautiful array of clouds above them, a dimming purpley-red in the nearly set sunlight.
"I wanted to see one of the shrines here before we left in the morning. Look, you can see it from here," he replied as they rounded a corner.
They suddenly faced the ocean, painted brilliant colors by the blazing crescent of orange-red on the horizon. The cobbled stone path lead nearly straight into the ocean, ending in a stone structure about twice the size of a phone booth, silhouetted by the blaze of sunset. Beautifully crafted pillars supported a simple peaked roof. Inside there was a pedestal and hanging over it was a large, solid bell. As Lein drew closer he realized that nearly every inch of the shrine was engraved with drawings, the largest and most intricate of them on the bell.
It was a large circle, divided into eighteen pieces like a pizza. Each 'slice' was decorated with what Lein thought at first were random designs. But as he looked closer, he noticed that one had hundreds of tiny leaves and snakes of ivy engraved into it. Another had hundreds of intricate snowflakes surrounded by icicles, and yet another had cresting waves. Perhaps they represented the eighteen elements?
As he came across one slice that appeared to portray floating boulders, he was struck with a memory. He drew a stone suddenly from his back pocket, the one he had found in the desert. It was vaguely oval or maybe diamond-shaped, with no distinctive markings and a dull grayish color. He pulled out his Pokedex for a quick reference, and found a page with pictures of all the known evolutionary stones.
(Need some help?) Ein asked politely.
Ten minutes later, Lein, Ein and Antigony all crowded around the palm-sized stone, squinting at the Pokedex.
(It's got the same shape as that one, but none of them has that grayish color.)
(Maybe it is dirty, child. Have you washed it off?) Antigony said dryly, in her exotic voice.
"Hm, that could be it. Let's-"
"That's a shiny stone," a voice stated suddenly behind them. They all jumped, and Antigony spun, hissing.
The speaker was a rather muscular girl around Lein's age, with honey-brown skin and a strong nose. A minccino perched on her shoulder, leaning over curiously and twitching its brush-like tail.
Lein was the first to recover. "It doesn't look very shiny to me," he said intelligently. Without warning she took the stone and, as Lein watched in unbridled horror, beat it mercilessly against the side of the shrine, nearly knocking the minccino off of her shoulder. But when she held it up to him he saw that it was indeed shiny and yellowish-green where pieces of rock had broken off.
"Look, see? I need it. I can trade."
Lein plucked the rock out of her grip. "Like what? I don't need any stones."
"I can give you a Pokemon you can't find around here," she said plainly, pulling back a strand of hair that had fallen out of her long, dark brown braid.
"Like?"
"How about a cute gothita?"
"Mm, I don't like psychics."
"Hooow about a tough scraggy, then?"
"My team already has a weakness to fighting."
She pursed her lips in thought, or perhaps annoyance. "A... sewaddle?"
This gave Lein pause. Would he ever really need a shiny stone? He couldn't even remember what pokemon needed it. He could sell it, sure, but he wasn't hurting for money. A new and foreign team member sounded like just what he needed- and a resistance to fighting, to boot. "Deal. I'll take a sewaddle."
"Phew. Tough customer, eh? All right. But the thing is, it's at my grandmother's house, and she doesn't have a phone or anything. She's a little... old-fashioned. But I'm on my way there, anyway. Do you have a phone?"
"N-yes. Yes, I do."
They exchanged numbers.
"All right. I'll call you when I get it. My grandmother has a bird, so I can fly to you then. Good luck on your journey."
"You too."
Night had fallen as they parted ways. Lein and his team went back to the 'Center, had their respective dinners (pasta for Lein, raw fish for Antigony and iron ore for Ein) and hunkered down on the couch as they waited for their room to open. Lein was appreciating just how sore a day walking on the beach could make one's calves as a special alert appeared on the television.
"There has been a massacre in the Hoenn desert."