Crimson and Aqua (a Pokemon fic)
Disc.: I swear on my life that I will never own this amazing game series, if I did you can be sure that there would be a hell of a lot more yaoi in it!
A/N: Whew, writing these chapters takes a toll on my hands and mind but it's worth it to bring you guys what you want and/or ask for…I don't want to keep you guys waiting any longer than necessary for another chapter, so I'll go ahead and let you guys have what you want. Take your seats and welcome to Ch.7 of Crimson and Aqua!
Ch.7- Dewford Town and A Fateful Meeting
The sea breeze felt really good against Luca's bare skin, a smile gracing his lips as he inhaled the salt filled oxygen only to exhale a second or two later. Above his head, Wingull chirped happily as they rode the gentle zephyrs that carried them across the endless expanse of blue that was cloudless and clear.
The sound of Mr. Briney's boat gently scraping against the pier brought the slate eyed boy out of his internal calm as he disembarked from the boat and smiled at the older man's wide grin.
"Ahoy, we've struck land in Dewford, lad! I suppose now you'll be heading ashore to deliver that letter to what's-his-name, or whomever…if you're feeling lost or adrift, try calling in on the island's Pokemon Gym. The leader, a really nice yet odd young man named Brawly surely knows everyone or everything on this island."
"Ok, thanks for the advice Mr. Briney…and thanks for bringing us all the way out here, I really appreciate this!" Luca said as he flashed a sincere smile to Briney, who grinned widely at the boy's kindness.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all lad…your smile reminds me of my grandson, he lives out in the Kalos Region; if ever you get the chance to go there, you should meet with him and be his friend…he's a very nice but shy boy named Trevor, the boy is quite the bookworm so don't be too surprised if he starts rambling on about his favorite books or Pokemon research topics."
"Nah, that's alright…I like those who are really passionate about what they've learned and want to share it with other people, so it wouldn't bother me at all. Anyway, if ever we do meet, I'll be sure to make friends with him. See you around, Mr. Briney!"
The old man watched the slate eyed boy run off eagerly, he was reminded in that moment of the days he'd watch his little Trevor run off to play with other Pokemon…Briney looked at Peeko with a smile on his face, the hyperactive Wingull chirping happily once again at her Master's jubilation.
"Peeko, my dear…I'm thinking it be high time to go visit my family in Kalos, would you like to come with me to see Trevor again after nearly 6 years?"
"Gull, Wingull (Yes, that sounds wonderful)!"
(In Granite Cave)
The slate eyed boy was walking through the large cave, many hundreds of hovels being dug out by Pokemon living in the cave. As he made his way through, he battled the various Ground Types that popped up and his Pokemon gained a few levels but soon enough he found himself stopped by a group of Ruin Maniacs that refused to let him go any further so he turned back reluctantly and stepped out into the sunlight once more. After training more with the Water Type Trainers, Luca went to the Pokemon Center and healed up his party before heading to the Gym to challenge Brawly.
(45 minutes later)
Luca had somehow managed to make it where Brawly was currently seated on a bench lifting weights above his head. The blue haired man almost dropped the dumbbell when he heard the brunette boy come into the room, but he instead placed it on the rack above his head. Brawly grabbed the white towel on the bench next to his knee, the fabric wiping the sweat from his brow as he then looked at his opponent, a huge grin showing off his pearly white teeth directed towards Luca. He then got up and walked over to the brunette boy, his height intimidating Luca somewhat, but the boy refused to let it show as the two males looked at each other square on.
"Hey there, little guy…so you're the one I heard laying the pain down on my Trainers, gotta say that's pretty damn cool of ya to be able to trump 'em like they're nothing…anyways, I'm Brawly, the Dewford Gym Leader. I've been churned in the rough waves of the oceans around this little island, and I've grown tough using the cave around this island to make my Pokemon super strong! So, you must be pretty decent yourself if you came all this way to challenge me…that is why you're here, isn't it?"
"Yup, I want a Badge and the chance to earn it from you!"
"Well now, I admire your strong fighting spirit…show me what you're made of!"
As soon as those words left Brawly's mouth, the battle officially began as he pulled a Pokeball from his hips and let loose his first Pokemon.
"Go, Machop!"
Luca watched his opponent carefully before he called out his own partner.
"You're up first, Beautifly!" the brunette boy said as he watched the Bug/Flying Type Pokemon take to the field, Brawly deciding to make the first move.
"Machop, it's your show now buddy! Use Leer!"
"Beautifly, don't get discouraged…use Aerial Ace!"
The two Pokemon followed their Trainers' orders and by the end of the battle, both Pokemon had been knocked out of the fight. Brawly then called out his next partner, the one he was sure would put Luca in his place.
"Makuhita, it's time to brawl!"
Luca watched as the next Fighting Type came out to take the field, he only had Lorien to count on that was advantageous in this battle…the brunette boy prayed that not only was Lorien in battling shape, but also that he would obey him long enough to win this match against the opposing Pokemon. Luca pulled out Lorien's Pokeball and released him from it, the Psychic/Fighting Type's red irises looking at his new Master curiously.
"Lorien, I know that I've held you back from battling…but that was because I was afraid that you weren't in the best shape you could be, so will you please win this battle for me?"
Lorien would normally never obey such a weak command from someone, but when he saw the genuine concern in the boy's eyes along with the tears gathering at the corners of his slate orbs, he vowed then and there to obey his new Master.
"Gal (Yes, I shall win this battle for you, Master Luca)."
"Thank you, Lorien…ready to give it your all?"
"Lade (Yes)!"
Brawly was curious as to what all his opponents were doing, but he dismissed it as a pep talk and told his Makuhita to make the first move against them.
"Alright, Makuhita…use Mach Punch!"
The smaller Fighting Type nodded at his Master's command, his fist pulling back as he ran at his opponent and threw a punch he was sure the other would feel all the way to his bones…but all of them, even Luca, were shocked to see Lorien catch the fist and push his opponent all the way back towards his opponent with a glare on his face. The Psychic/Fighting Type Pokemon then flexed his thin but muscled arms; he was ready to retaliate against his opponent for throwing, in his opinion as a Fighting Type, such a weak punch.
"Lorien, use Psywave!"
"Gal (Yes, Master)." Lorien then channeled his energy into his hands and released a pink colored wave of Psychic energy towards his opponent, the attack knocking Makuhita out in one hit and causing the smaller Pokemon to fall to the ground after being hit full force with the attack. Brawly shook his head but then he grinned widely at Luca, the brunette boy hugging his Gallade…the other Pokemon looking embarrassed as a vivid blush covered his cheeks and tinged the white skin a very bright pink-red.
"Ok kid, ya beat us but good…take this Gym Badge as proof you bested me and my Pokemon." Brawly told the boy as he handed him his second Badge, Luca smiling at the older teenager as he placed the Badge in his Case.
"That there Knuckle Badge ensures that you're that much closer to dukin' it out with the Elite Four! Also, this is a personal gift from me- don't be so modest, just take it kid!"
Luca hesitantly took the gift from the blue haired teen in front of him, the TM Disc glittering brightly in the Gym's fluorescent lights.
"That's the TM containing Bulk Up, it temporarily increases any Pokemon's muscle power! It also raises their Attack and Defense stats for a few turns, I'm more than sure that you'll be able to put it to good use! Ya know what, kid? I can definitely see your talent becoming a gigantic wave that will astonish your fellow Trainers one day when it crashes down on top of them! I eagerly look forward to that day when I can ride that wave of your talents, kid!"
Luca nervously rubbed the back of his head with his hand, Brawly's optimism was highly contagious and he soon found himself smiling widely at the blue haired teen.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me…have you been to Granite Cave yet? If not, then I suggest you head on over there as soon as you and your Pokemon are able. It's chock full of rare stones and wall murals and paintings that are thousands of years old and stuff! My ex boyfriend Steven rushed on over there as soon as he got to Dewford, so if you're interested in all the stuff I just told you about, you should check it out for yourself!"
Luca nodded as he shook hands with Brawly and left the Gym shortly afterwards, his mind praying that those Ruin Maniacs were gone this time and he could get inside to see the murals that Brawly just told him about.
(Granite Cave, 2nd Trip)
The brunette boy finally made it into the cave's inner sanctum, which turned out to be a huge room that was easily larger than the rest of the cave before it. His eyes took in everything, including the massive wall painting that more than easily took up the back wall…his eyes recognizing Kyogre's Primal Form because of his fellow villagers telling stories about it to him while he was growing up with his parents. He instinctively bowed to Kyogre and began praying to the Tidal Pokemon that had blessed their whole world with life sustaining water. After he finished his prayer, he found a taller blue haired teenager that was easily older than him staring at the wall. Luca walked up to the wall and noticed upon closer inspection that the teen was really good looking, with short pale blue hair and blue-green eyes.
He wore a very expensive looking black suit with dark purple zigzag patterns on each side of the jacket, the sleeves had the same color as the patterns on the sides and it flared out with white fabric stitched into the insides of each sleeve near his wrists….his pocket had a strange pin sticking out of it on the left side of his jacket, a deep maroon scarf secured around his pale, thin neck.
He seemed to be deep in thought and didn't notice Luca standing there until he said something offhandedly, the teen looking at the brunette boy in wonder as he listened to him talk about the wall painting in front of them.
"It's beautiful, this wall painting…just think of the effort it took people to paint this into the wall, and that it's been here for possibly thousands of years, untouched and unseen until now…it looks like it was painted not too long ago, yet it's been here for so many years. It's fascinating, isn't it?"
"Yes…it really is. To think that their Primal Forms held so much raw power, their clash having shaped our Region into what it is today…what fascinating yet terrible strength. It seems you know quite a bit about them, so tell me…who are you, young one?"
"My name is Luca, and it's nice to meet you."
"Hm…same to you, my name's Steven. Seeking out rare stones is my favorite hobby, so I travel around quite a lot to find them; but enough about me, why are you here today, Luca?"
"I've come to deliver a letter to you on behalf of Mr. Devon, Brawly said that I might find you here."
"Oh? Well then, may I have that letter?"
"Yeah, here you go Steven." The brunette boy said before he gave the letter to the older teen, his blue-green irises moving over the parchment slowly. After he finished reading it, he placed the letter into his back pocket after folding it up more.
"I guess it must have been quite the task of tracking me down, so I feel as if I should repay you somehow…how about this? I'll give you this TM, which contains my most favorite move, Steel Wing."
Luca nodded and took the TM from the older teen gratefully, a smile on his face that the other reflected back at him as Luca placed the TM Disc into his bag.
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking…what do you feel when you look up at this wall?"
Luca looked back up at the wall, his eyes taking on a hint of knowing that didn't go unnoticed by Steven.
"I feel…as if I'm looking at a more Primal world, one that was here thousands of years before any of us were even thought of, let alone born. That Legendary Pokemon was not only humanity's greatest threat, but it was also their savior in times of great need…that much can be seen and possibly even conveyed in this painting."
"Yes, I believe you're right…but not all power is so terrible. Your Pokemon are all quite capable as well, I can feel that just from looking at all of you. I believe that you have in you what it takes to become a Pokemon League Champion, so long as you keep training of course. Good luck to you, for now I must be going."
As Steven began walking away, Luca was curious about what Brawly had told him before he left the Gym not even an hour ago.
"Steven, wait a minute."
The blue haired teen looked back at the younger boy, his eyes holding curiosity in their depths.
"What is it, Luca?"
"Before I left to come here, Brawly had mentioned that he was your ex boyfriend…did you two date at one point? I don't wanna pry, but I was curious."
"(laughs lightly) Yes, he is my ex boyfriend…we couldn't keep such a long distance relationship going, plus he's a Gym Leader and I tend to travel a lot so we could never seem to put aside enough time to see each other. We decided on staying friends, and have maintained that kind of relationship ever since the day we made that choice. I hope that satisfies your curiosity, I have a feeling that we'll meet again…see you around, Luca."
The brunette boy watched as Steven left the cave, his slate eyes drifting back over to the wall one more time as he offered up one last prayer before leaving. After he made it out of the cave, Luca went back to the pier. He walked up to Briney and told him that he'd delivered the letter to Steven, the old man smiling before he spoke to him again.
"Oho, that reminds me young lad! I got a message from President Stone asking you to do one more favor for him."
"Really? What does he need this time?" Luca asked somewhat irritatedly, he hadn't left his hometown to be anyone's delivery boy but he made sure the other didn't hear the annoyed undertone in his voice. Luckily for him, Briney hadn't seemed to notice and decided to tell him what all the favor was.
"It's about the Devon Parts you brought back for him, apparently they were supposed to be given to some fellow named Stern. He works at a shipyard in Slateport City, and I'll take you there right away if you're ready."
"Actually, could you give me a few minutes? I need to make sure my Pokemon are all healed up before we head out."
"Oh, absolutely young Luca…take as much time as you need and meet me back here when you and your Pokemon are all shipshape and ready to set sail."
"Thanks, Mr. Briney."
The old seafaring man watched as the younger boy ran off towards the Pokemon Center to get his Pokemon all healed up.
(Pokemon Center)
Luca was currently talking to his mother while his Pokemon were being healed up by Nurse Joy, the two of them having a very lively discussion about the wall painting he'd seen in the very back of Granite Cave.
After Luca had hung up on his mom, Nurse Joy announced that his Pokemon were ready. The brunette boy took them all from the pink haired woman and left the building, his footsteps carrying him back to the pier. Upon arriving, he saw that Briney was still standing by the boat and they each flashed each other a smile before getting on the boat and heading to Rustboro to pick up the Devon Parts. After stopping off and getting the parts from Mr. Stone, Briney took Luca all the way to Slateport City.
The boat ride never seemed so relaxing as the brunette boy let the salty wind envelop him once more.
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T.B.C.- Wow, so long of a chapter! Up next, Luca reaches Slateport City! What adventures await the young boy? Read on to find out!
