Authors note- I don't own Pokemon or Sakuri
Luc woke up at dawn expecting a headache that never came, suggesting his wounded shoulders weren't infected. Eve was no longer sleeping with him on the mattress so he was able to stand up without restriction.
Only when putting on his clothes did he realize that he had left his drying close out in the rain from the day before. He cursed to himself as he laced up his tauros boots.
Once all dressed Luc proceeded to have some of the salted sproink bacon that had been left in the pantry, drowning down the taste of salt with water from the pump out front.
Wondering where is little brother had gone off to Luc went off in search of him. Only to realize Blaze wasn't on the farm any longer when Luc couldn't find his energetic aura. But he did find Eve, or she found him, when she she tackled him to the floor when he was double checking on his wet clothes from yesterday.
"Good morning to you to Eve." Luc said when standing up.
Only to get a little "Eve." from the little fur ball.
"Come on lets go find us a little chicken." he picked Eve up and placed her on his blue head.
Knowing that he could not continue to work on the farm without his father and brother's assistance he thought it best to head off to Kaji to see what they were doing. At least that was his best guess of where they were.
Ocean Man- By Ween
The road to Kaji was not a long one. Consisting of a two hour trek on foot going there and back. The muddy path leading to the town held two sets of trees that shaded the road from both sides, making the ground littered with the fallen dead leaves that herald from the maples above.
While Kaji was certainly not the largest town Luc had heard about it was the greatest he had ever seen. Mainly since it was too time consuming for his family to trade with the other coastal towns, or so his father had told him. And while he did want to eventually venture to the other coastal towns he knew it was best to stay and help on the farm for the time being.
Majority of Kaji's population consisted of fire types, which is ironic since they live next to the see. But the only response foreigners would receive from Kaji's denizens was it was to help cool them off. Which made Luc feel like an outsider at times since he couldn't relate to puns mad fathers about Kaji women being hotheaded or vice versa.
Luc saw the smoke from the chimneys before he saw the town, but only barely since the trees blocked majority of the sky view.
While traders didn't know the streets that well and could get lost on the turns and alleys, Luc knew this town by heart easily finding the Wassermann family Inn.
An Embroar stood behind the counter fiddling with a little hour glass, handling it carefully as to not shatter it with his giant hands. He gave a snorty chuckle when he saw Luc entering. "Ho Luc. good to see ya again Lad." he said setting down the hour glass.
"Like wise Mr. Wassermann." Luc said continuing inside. "I see you got yourself another hour glass."
"Ah, yes. An Alakazam came by the other day and he just happens to be willing to sell it." he said with a large grin covering his piggy face. "So what can I do you for lad. Or did you just come by to give the Misses a kiss." with that, a giant hand hit him on the back of the head which belonged to Mrs. Wassermann, who was the Nidoqueen that was married to Mr. Wassermann.
Mrs. Wassermann glared at her husband until she saw the little Riolu standing there, swaying awkwardly. Mrs. Wassermann smiled, "Oh hi dear.". Mr. Wassermann groaned while rubbing his temple. She then hit him again knocking him out cold and causing Eve to jump when the Embroar hit the ground. Mrs. Wassermann continued as nothing abnormal had happened, "So what can we do for Little Lucky?"
He hesitated, "Um... d-did it c-come?" he said stuttering.
"Lets see..." the Nidoqueen bent under the counter, shuffling her husband aside. "Ahh here it is." She came up from the counter pulling up a leather rectangular satchel. She handed it to him. "There you go deary, a little book for a little cutie." She giggled when he started to blush.
"T-thanks M-Mrs. Wassermann. H-how much d-do I-I owe y-you." still shaken by the "little encounter".
"Oh you don't owe us anything Little deary, just make sure to pay us a visit next time your in town. Now I assume you're going to go off to find your father?" He nodded. "He's over at the wheelwright." she pointed over at the center of town.
He turned about to head outside of the tavern, "Thanks M-Miss W-Wassermann." Luc went out the door with Eve at his tail.
Mrs. Wassermann called out, "Any time deary, and say hi to your father for us." she then picked up her husband and carried him to the area behind the wooden counter.
Luc started to make his way down to the center of town passing the citizens of Kaji before he turned down an alleyway to take a shortcut to the center of town. He was about half way when he felt two Pokemon approaching from behind. When he hesitated to do something they started at him going full sprint. Panicked he turned around to face his attackers when he realized a third aura was directly above him and falling fast.
Eve continued at her normal pace in the alley.
The Pokemon landed directly on top of him making him whimper a little when his shoulders started to hurt. "Hey guys guess who i found." said a familiar voice. The Pokemon had Luc pinned with warm hands that gripped around his hands. Eve just sat in front of Luc smiling.
"It seems you got a lucky find Arson." Luc sighed when he knew who these Mon were.
"Dammit guys." Arson let go of him and helped Luc stand up. "You know I don't like getting jumped by friends, or anybody for that matter." Luc stood up brushing off the dirt. He glared over at the Monferno that had just sat on top of him.
"To be fair it wasn't my plan." Arson pointed at the Buneary that was walking towards them. "It was hers." he said giggling.
He sighed Lola always liked to pull a fast one on anyone in the group, always getting a good amount of chuckles at someone else's expense.
Following right next to Lola was the little Braixen Phoxy. Snickering at the angry little face the Riolu made when he was flustered.
"I would call that a very welcoming...welcome back." Lola announced smiling.
"It's not like I was gone for a year." Luc retorted
"Sure felt like it, we thought you would have evolved by now." Arson said whilst picking up a cheery little Eevee.
"Ya, miss foxy over here couldn't stop daydreaming about the return of the knightly prince named Luc." Lola couldn't stop giggling at Phoxy's expression after having said that.
Phoxy gasped, "I did not!" her aura said otherwise. But Luc wouldn't have needed to see she was lying through her aura since her face was blushing, becoming redder than the feathers on Blaze.
Arson pulled on the Buneary's ear to get her shush, getting a little "ow" from Lola. She in turn stepped on his tail having him let go of her ear. Followed by a punch to the stomach, forcing him to his knees. She stuck out her tongue at him.
"Anyway...do you wanna hear something cool?" Lola didn't wait for his response. "An Alakazam from Saikikku arrived yesterday with a cart full of odd trinkets." She said leaning against the alleyway.
"Ya Mr. Wassermann told me before his wife knocked him out cold." Luc proceeded to help Arson up, whom was still coughing from the blow to the stomach. "By the by. Where's Blaze? I assumed he'd be with you." Luc now had Arson arm around his neck propping him up.
Both the girls giggled looking past the two boys.
"I AM HERE!" yelled Blaze who now stood directly behind him. Scaring Arson, Luc, and Eve knocking them on their bums.
Luc now clutched his chest, "Shit." he looked at his brother, who didn't get the chance to say no cussing. "You're going to kill me one of these days, you know that right." Blaze just chuckled with his hands on his hips, legs spread apart slightly. Luc got up from the dirt brushing the blemishes off his shirt and breeches.
"Well there's number six. Where's number seven?" Luc asked his friends who had now gathered them selves from there laughter, more precisely Lola and Phoxy.
"He's over at the docks in his usual spot." Phoxy replied smiling at Luc.
"Then it looks like I'm off again." he said after thanking Phoxy. "Before I do can you guys watch over Eve, I'm running all over and feel like I'm gonna lose her."
Lola picked up Eve, "Looks like your Dad can't keep track of you carrot cake." smiling at Luc
"I'll find you guys later" Luc waved to them as he ran out of the alleyway.
Getting to the docks wasn't hard most of the roads in Kaji led to them, and for some reason you couldn't find them through the roads you always get to ocean by following the salty smell that came from its mist. On the moist wooden docks he saw Shinrin, a little green Treecko sitting next to a literal sea of blue. He was sitting down and looked to be meditating, except his eyes were observing everything.
"Morning Shin." Luc sat himself next to Shin who acknowledged Luc by looking at him.
Shinrin didn't talk much, since most of the time he was thinking; that's at least what Luc believed. He didn't mind though, Shinrin's aura was what he liked about him. The treecko experieced pure emotions, making Luc feel very calm and peaceful around him; which was very different from the explosive nature of Kaji. Plus Shinrin taught him to read.
"I got something for you." he pulled out a book from the satchel given to him by Mrs. Wassermann.
Shinrin took the book and read the title out loud, "Knights of Arceus and the Blighted Crusade." On the front cover was picture of several armored Pokemon many of which they didn't recognize except the Blaziken on it. "Thanks Luc." was all the Treecko needed to say, his happiness didn't need to be known through words.
"By the way there is an Alakazam in town. He might be selling more quills and parchment." Shin nodded. "I need to be off, I'll read with you later." Luc stood up and turned down the dock heading for the wood works.
Luc ran in a full sprint down the dirt road making sharp turns at the end of the road, passing several of the other citizens of Kaji. On the last corner he turned he saw the wood works directly in front of him. What he didn't see in front of him was the large Alakazam that walked into his path. The Alakazam collided with Luc, falling to the floor with an expression of pure shock with Luc on top of him.
Frightened beyond his wits Luc stood up quickly, repeatedly apologizing to the psychic. Then Luc thought that he must already know that he is sorry, but then came up with the idea that if he knew that he himself was sorry then the magician must think that he was being insincere; and if that was the case then Luc thought he should continue to apologize to his elder. But if that-
"Don't overthink it lad." Luc jumped in fright as the Alakazam stood in front of him. "It was my mistake I should have felt you coming, weird." he chuckled at the terrified little Riolu. "No need to be so frightened... hum... what's your name lad."
Luc's eyes widened, "U-uh... L-Lu-uc... L-Luc s-sir." he stuttered.
"Funny for someone to be so Lucky, don't you think" he scratched his yellow beard. "I'll make this up for you lad." he opened up a little wormhole to his right, pushing his hand inside. "Now where is it...hum... here it is!" The Alakazam withdrew his hand from the portal and it closed with a little flash. "Open up your hands lad."
Luc held out his shaking hands to have the gift bestowed upon him. "T-thank y-you sir." the Alakazam dropped the offering into Luc hands that were ready to receive it. A crimson cloth was placed upon his hands, warming his paws as if they had been lying next to a welcoming fire.
"Go ahead lad. Open it up." the Alakazam tapped the top of the cloth.
Luc began to unfold the cloth in his hands, revealing it to as a very fine woolen scarf. Luc knew it was not Mareep wool since the texture was off, the red scarf's texture had a certain grandeur about it. The smell that rose up from it was very familiar, yet he couldn't pin where he had smelled the fragrance. Luc wrapped the woolen scarf around his neck and looked up at the Alakazam, "T-thank y-you...um-
"Merlin" the Alakazam gave a deep bow towards the little Riolu.
"T-thank y-you Merlin" returning the bow, albeit a little more off balance.
Merlin rose up, "Now lad might I ask what a little Riolu is doing so far away from Hagane?" his posture was very calm and relaxed.
"I u-uh l-live here mister M-merlin." Luc struggled to maintain eye contact against the Alakazam's curious eyes.
"Hum.. curious." he stroked at his beard, his eyes drifting off as he went off into thought. Only to come back to life when he saw Luc standing uneasy in the silence, unable to leave from the pure intimidation of Merlin's persona. "Hum, sorry lad. Got a little lost in thought." he placed one of his palms upon lucks shoulder. "Now I am terribly sorry for having wasting your time lad, I must be off now." Merlin released his from Luc's shoulder as he turned back into the direction he had been heading previously. "Till the next time we meet Luc."
After the magician had turned out of sight Luc took in a great gasp of air. He did not like having someone going through his head, especially someone whom he had just ran into full speed. The one good thing he thought to come from the encounter was the scarf. Greatly enjoying the warmth it provided wrapped around his neck.
Now going a slower pace than before, Luc was now off toward the wheelwright. Arriving at only a minute in his jog. Outside the wood works he could see his fathers cart, although the families Mudsdale wasn't hitched up to it. Luc stepped on the wooden porch and entered the shop.
The wheelwright's shop was another one of those ironic pieces of Kaji, at least Luc thought it was funny for someone to keep a wood working shop in a town full of fire types. Looking around the shop he saw no one in the main area, only the wood working tools Mr. Mallet must have left about.
Still trying to find Mr. Mallet or his father Luc pushed past the wooden doors and went to the back of the store. Luc found the replacement for his fathers cart among other wooden trinkets, but no father or Mr. Mallet. Luc wondered where they could be. Leaving the back room Luc went back to the front of the store to sit in wait of his father.
Luc heard the commotion before he had stepped outside. Exiting the shop Luc saw many of Kaji's denizens rushing down the road off toward the docks. He saw Lola's dad as well, who was also following the crowd to the docks. He called out to them, "Mister Holland! Whats going on."
Mr. Holland looked toward Luc, excitement beaming across his face. "Hiya Lucky." Mr. Holland said. He ran up to the steps of the shop where Luc now stood and began to pull him along. "There's something going down on the docks Lucky."
"What for?" Luc asked with a curious tone, following him along with Mr. Hollands guidance.
"I haven't a clue lad." they were now following the rest of the crowd that led toward the docks.
"By the way, Mister Holland, you haven't seen my father have you?" Luc still followed up close behind him, very exited to see what all the fuss was about.
"Nay Lad, I'd assumed he'd be with you." Mr. Holland said, his gaze never shifting from where the crowd was going.
The last time luck could think about when the town got this hyped up is when one of the royal heirs had paid homage to the port town as they made upon their trek to all of the allied towns. Of course lucky Luc hadn't seen them, but his younger brother did. Whom could never stop talking about how pretty they looked.
Before the two of them had reached the dock the overflowing crowd had come to halt from the surplus amount of people wishing to see what the commotion was about. The only thing that Luc could see was that there was a large two masted schooner now docked at the ports.
Mr. Holland hopped up and down trying to see passed the crowd to no avail. "I can't see anything over this sea of Pokemon lad." he shoved his arms passed a two fire types picking up Luc and struggled to place him on his shoulders. "Jee wiz, you're heavier than I thought kid." he groaned. "You see anything from up there." looking up at Luc.
Looking over a mass of Pokemon Luc took a second to find the center of attention. The crowd enveloped around a single opening where the village elders were walking with three hooded figures that were heading for the town hall. Luc wondered why there was such a riot about three sailors. Luc looked down at Mr. Holland, "Ya. There's three hooded Pokemon being led by the elders to the town hall." he looked back at the eye of the crowd. That's when he saw his father walking among the towns elders. Which was funny since Luc never considered his old man to be... well old. But he had lived at Kaji for a good amount of time. Probably making him the oldest Blaziken he knew.
Apparently the Riolu's weight proved to be too much for the old Lopunny, and he was forced to be set down. "Maybe they're royals?" Mr. Holland said, who was now hunched over taking deep breaths.
Luc shook his head, "I don't think so sir, their ship doesn't seem to be as ornate as a royal barge, its more of a merchant vessel." pointing to the ship docked at the port.
A familiar, aged voice now spoke,"I do believe you're right lad." Luc turned around to see Merlin, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Luc stared at the wizard wide eyed with his mouth open, as well as Mr. Holland; who looked about ready to pass out. "But to be sure maybe you should get a better look for us lad."
Directly after having said that Merlin lifted his hands, which had now begun to glow pink. Suddenly Luc was being lifted over the crowd by his now glowing pink clothing. Luc was completely terrified as he looked down at the surprised crowd that was watching a blue Riolu float above their heads. Luc even saw his friends looking up at him with their mouths wide opened; except Shin who was now giving him a thumbs up. As he started to get comfy floating about in the air, Luc was suddenly dropped down upon the thatched roof of the town hall.
After recovering from the fall, Luc climbed up the slightly angled roof until he got close enough to a window to peer inside. He began to feel extremely excited as the mass of all the Pokemon's auras filled him with their hysteria.
The town hall was well little from the candles and sunlight, making it easy to make out the six figures that stood inside. One was elder Pepper, Phoxy's mother. Another was Shin's mother Trexy, and his father. There was a group of circular pillows for the party members to sit on while conversing. Very quickly did the elders seat themselves, hastily gesturing for the hooded figures to sit as well.
His father Ren was the first to speak, he gestured two the three cloaked figures "Please take off your hoods, I'd like to gaze upon your faces." his fathers voice sounded like a flute in a band compared to the mass outside the town hall. The three figures hesitated but eventually all removed their hoods.
Meeting royals of the Anaheim region would have been a story to tell his grandchildren, Luc knew that. But he also knew that encounter like this was all the rarer. These figures were no royals, but something entirely different. These were men.
