Early Beginnings Arc:

Chapter 6: Emergence

Jubilife stood just as tall as Canalave did, some buildings were even much taller. The wonderful city was comprised mostly of metal and greys, silvers and whites filled the eyes. There were plenty of people seen through the windows of the massive buildings but the streets themselves were not that full. Mia and Bennett walked side by side through the metal jungle with the night sky at their backs. Ivan trailed behind like usual with his flat facial expression. Gus was asleep on Mia's shoulder while Araveer was asleep inside of her ball. Bennett's head darted from side to side as he took in the city. His eyes were looking for something.

"So what makes this city so special? You said I've probably never seen anything like it but it just looks like a regular, massive city. Rustboro is pretty similar to this, just with more stone buildings." Mia clenched her teeth together as she looked embarrassed, darting her eyes away from Bennett's face.

"Well I thought about it more after I said that. Jubilife is something different, its just not exactly the most visible thing. But I will tell you. The thing that is missing are houses. Jubilife is completely a business city. Normal civilians are not allowed to live here. There are hotels for guests and apartments for employees of the companies to live in but that's it. Everything is either factories or business headquarters. The Skeleton Clash League has its department of rules here" explained Mia with explosive hand movements.

"Ah, that is interesting" dryly remarked Bennett. "Is there a reason for that?"

"Oh Hoenn boy…" Mia teased with her tongue stuck out. "The last thirty years have been some of the most exciting for Sinnoh history, you're missing out living in your boring water region. There was a power company called Gaigax. They came up in Jubilife and quickly chased all the other power companies out of town with their cheap, efficient electricity. They powered the entire town as well as providing cable for all of Sinnoh. But their power source was pokemon, yet they kept it secret. They ended up stealing all of the pokemon in town and from the wilds nearby. But Jubilife's civilians couldn't do anything about it, they needed electricity to survive. One day though four heroes came by and did something about it, taking down Gaigax. Jubilife survived, relying heavily on Canalave for help. But the city's reputation was damaged and without pokemon around it wasn't a desirable place. So the champion ended up striking a deal with a few businesses to get them to move into Jubilife. The champion fairly helped the civilians move out and thus the new Jubilife was born. There is your history lesson for the day, son." Bennett scratched at the stubble on his chin.

"That really is interesting. I don't know what other word to use, but it is."

"Of course it is. I'm telling you, recent Sinnoh history is full of this sort of stuff. I should buy you some books."

"I'll pass. I'm not much of a reader. I'll listen to your lessons though, Professor Mia."

"Not much of a reader?" questioned Mia with a louder tone. The group continued to move through the metal city though Bennett had no idea where they were going. "Oh man, I don't understand that. Anyway I need to have a phone call with my father to see what his plan is for the day. Could I get some privacy? Maybe just go and explore the city a bit? Then let's just meet up at the poke center hotel room? My father paid for a room for us already, it'll be under my name." Bennett shrugged his shoulder and began to pull off left of Mia. He softly waved goodbye.

"Sounds alright to me. Have fun."

"Hey you should take Ivan with you. He may not talk much but maybe you guys can exchange a sentence or two, get to know each other more." Both males shrugged and Ivan broke off the path to follow Bennett's mindless roaming. Mia continued straight as she fiddled around with her black pokenav. She flipped through her contacts and stopped at the one labeled 'Dad' with a picture of an Emboar.

"Hey sweetheart" enthusiastically answered a male voice after just one ring.

"Hey Dad" replied Mia with an adorable smile of enthusiasm. "When will you be free tonight?"

"Can you meet me outside of the rules division in like, thirty minutes?"

"Yeah sure."

"Alright I will see you then. Bye for now."

"Bye for now. It was really nice hearing your voice again." Water built up ever so slightly in Mia's fierce eyes. Her father had already hung up on his end and Mia simply shrugged. He was a busy man, he probably answered the phone in the middle of a meeting. Despite his schedule he always made time for his girls. Mia was staring at the picture on her phone of her father's Emboar. She wondered if Boris was with her father, she hadn't seen the silly pig for quite some time. Suddenly something clipped Mia's shoulder and she went tumbling backwards. Her extraordinary reflexes kicked in and her back foot stamped in place to stop her falling. There was a man right next to her who was stumbling backwards as well. He seemed just as shocked as Mia was. Both parties managed to stay on their feet yet the shock still made their eyes and lips peak out. The only problem was Mia's phone which was tumbling down to the ground. Mia's limber arm snatched out to grab it but she wasn't close enough or fast enough to save it. The device stopped just a centimeter from the ground as the man had swiftly pulled it from the air. He handed Mia her phone from his open palm with his head hung down in shame.

"Here is your phone mam. I'm very sorry about that, I should've been watching where I was going" he apologized. His voice was very deep and suave. He looked to be in his twenties. Deep, green eyes met with Mia's fierce hazel eyes. She was enthralled with his gorgeous eyes, his flawless white skin and slicked back black hair also helped. Her head rapidly shook from side to side to knock her out of her trance. The man was dressed in a clean, black suit. From the buttons, to his belt, to his shoes, everything was black. A slim, white tie was the only deviant from black on his clothes. Oddly enough his suit had a cloth hood that was hanging back off his head.

"Thanks" Mia replied as she retrieved her phone back and quickly put it in her shorts pocket. Next to the man she felt so underdressed in her shorts and tank top, both of which had some stains from lunch. "But its not your fault. I was staring into my phone. Are you alright?" The feeling of being inadequately dressed quickly went to the back of Mia's head, she didn't really care that much. The girl stood tall with her shoulders pushed back.

"Yeah, I think so" the stranger answered, glancing around his body for wounds. "It hurt a little more than it should've though. No offense but you look sort of weak, yet your stance is solid, like hitting a wall." Mia chuckled as she scratched the back of her head.

"Thanks. Blame my combat teacher for that. A fight can break out whenever, so always walk like you're fighting. Those words were drilled into me. And look weak? Are you telling me this body doesn't strike fear into men around the region?" Mia attempted to look menacing as she flexed both arms across her chest. There was a lot of definition to her muscles actually, just not a lot of bulk. The stranger chuckled this time and Mia returned to a normal stance with a smile.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean in disrespect. You have fantastic muscle tone, you are undoubtedly a fighter. By the way, my name is Mandon." The black haired man firmly offered his hand out to shake. Mia greeted it with her small hand and attempted to squeeze hard. Mandon didn't even seem phased by her squeeze, his arms were rather thick.

"I'm Mia. Nice to meet you. Well I am meeting someone so I need to get on my way. Are you a traveler or do you live here?"

"Traveler."

"I am as well, so who knows, maybe I'll see you again on the road."

"Maybe, take care." Mandon slowly waved goodbye as Mia nodded and returned on her way to meet her father. A woman appeared from behind Mandon with her long, wavy, brown hair flowing behind her. She looked to be in her young twenties, her symmetrical face and blue eyes made her quite pretty but she wore no smile. A beautiful, flowery white gown was draped over her shoulders and flowed down to the ground. But there was something off about her, she was slightly transparent and the level of her transparency would occasionally flicker.

"Why did you tell her your name was Mandon, that's not what you go by?" whined the transparent woman, her cheeks her flared up with frustration.

"Calm down my sweet. I did that because only you get to call me M."

"Father!" excitedly exclaimed Mia. She ran towards a tall, rectangular building with her pig tails flopping behind her. In front of the building's glass door stood a large man, reaching well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad and his arms were massive. Even though Mia was tall as well she looked like nothing compared to the giant as they shared a tight hug.

"My daughter! How've you been sweetie?" Zan asked in a gentle tone as the hug ended and the two took a step back from each other. He brushed his shaggy, brown hair away from his bright teal eyes.

"I've been great of course. Happy thoughts, happy living right?" replied Mia in an enthusiastic tone. She was much louder speaking to her father than she had been before.

"That is right. I'm glad you remembered that. Wes's pessimism didn't rub off on you too much" commented Zan worriedly. Mia playfully pushed against his large shoulder with her tiny hand.

"Of course not. No one can damper my spirits, you should know that. Alright except maybe mother. But anyway. How did the meeting go?" Zan let out a whiny sigh as his eyes rolled up into the void of his head.

"Ugh meetings. That is the thing that is never talked mentioned about being the Skeleton Clash Champion, the meetings. No one prepared me for this. I've lost track of how many years I've been champion and I'm still not okay with the amount of meetings. But anyway no more of that. Back to you. I got that text from you about beating Posh and making a new companion. Did he already abandon you? I mean I know you were never good at making friends but that is a short friendship even for you" Zan joked with a hefty chuckle. Mia's cheeks flared up as his spun her body away from her father in defiance.

"Hey now, I made friends. Sometimes. Anyway his name is Bennett and he is still with me as far as I know. I sent him off with Ivan to go explore the town. I didn't want him to see you and recognize you. I feel like he will treat me differently if he knows I'm the champions daughter. I don't want that."

"Fair enough. And about Posh?"

"It was cool. He said there were no rules so I fought alongside Bennett who was fighting for the emblem. I had Gus go and set up spider web all around the room and we pushed him against the walls. I didn't get to use Seed Bomb though, which makes me sad. But it was still cool, if Sinnoh continues to give me a chance for fights like that I will be a very happy person." Mia was already wearing a large smile as her head gleefully bounced from side to side.

"I'm sure it will be. Don't tell the press this but my time traveling around Sinnoh gave me more intense fights than I've gotten while being the champion. Just the atmosphere of being a traveler, being young and still growing in strength. And getting into fights, some civilized official matches and other times, you will probably get into mischief. I know I did and you're very much my daughter. As much as your mother is against this travel of yours, I am still very much for it. Its good for character." Zan smiled proudly as he looked down at his daughter, who was facing him again. A loud growl of an Arcanine filled the airwaves around the duo. The sound was coming from Zan's jean pocket along with a vibration.

"Of course my sister would be calling" mumbled Mia jealously.

"Hello Layla, what's up?" Zan blurted over the phone.

"Dad, please help me." The girl had a deep, rugged voice but she was whispering very lightly. Zan didn't even look worried, he simply kept quiet and rolled his eyes. "I've been captured. In my lab in Oreburgh, my boss is up to no good and I confronted him about it. They forgot to take my phone. I'm serious this time. Please Dad."

"Don't worry sweetie. Just stay calm, I will be there soon. So just, deep breaths" comforted Zan in a light tone.

"Alright" Layla softly replied.

"I'm going to hang up now. Just relax." Zan slowly slipped the orange phone back into his pocket while shaking his head side to side.

"What's up?" curiously wondered Mia with an eyebrow raised.

"Your sister. Apparently she is taken prisoner at her work" informed Zan bluntly. Mia's eyes popped out with genuine concern. Her father just waved his hands over her eyes. "Don't be concerned. I get calls like this all the time from her. She gets really drunk at night and thus these sort of calls happen. I still always check up on them just in case but its started to get exhausting. And I am really needed in Veilstone, for another matter. But still, someone should check up on her to be safe." Zan looked at his daughter with begging, puppy dog eyes. Mia face instantly turned stern as she shook it from side to side.

"Dad no. Don't ask this of me dad."

"Mia please. It's probably nothing. But if it is something, think about the story you'll get, there will surely be fights involved. You know your sister is strong so if she got captured then her opponent is strong as well. She is your sister. I know you guys don't get along but you haven't seen her in what, a year? She is family, seeing her won't kill you and saving her if needed insures she won't be killed. Mia please" begged Zan. Mia sighed louder than ever as she threw her head back, her eyes locking on the moon.

"Fiiine" she collapsed. "But only because she is family. You owe me for this."

"I owe you. If I get a chance to see you again before you reach Sunnyshore I'll take you out to the nicest restaurant the town has to offer."

"And you have to bring Boris along." Zan sighed this time, as whiney of a sigh as his daughter.

"You really like that pig. Fine, Boris will be there too."

"That'll make us even."

The dirty, rock town of Oreburgh is home to a lot of things. It has a Skeleton Clash Master and it has a Gym Leader. Not to mention there is the Oreburgh mine nearby, rumored to be home of many treasures. And Mia's sister is being held hostage in the town as well. Or is she? Mia and Bennett show up to investigate but things don't go as easily as they hoped. All on the next [b]Iron Fist: Detective Mia.[/b]