"Couldn't sleep either?" Ginny asked as Harry walked up to her. The last vestiges of summer had disappeared and fall had arrived at last. Not that Harry minded. There was something about autumn that called out to him and made him feel alive. Perhaps it was because, despite the dark events that had occurred in years past during that season, so many wonderful things had come his way in autumn. He'd left the Dursleys behind and found his place in the world in the fall. He'd met his godfather and Tonks in the fall. He'd become a Gauntlet Runner as well.
More than that, there was something quite wonderful about the end of summer. The world seemed to decide to put on a show, with trees displaying their wildest colors and offering fruity prizes to all those that stopped to hear their whistling windy songs. The air grew old but with just enough heat to make it bearable; Harry had discovered that he rather loved wearing jackets and fall offered him the widest array of wardrobe choices. All the senses were delighted in the autumn months: the sound of dried leaves under his feet, the smell of cinnamon and spice, the taste of ripe fruit and tangy treats, the vision of the world giving one last hurrah before going for its winter rest, and the slight chill that didn't so much cause shivers as a delightful buzz of anticipation.
Summer could keep its white bright heat, spring its confusing rain/sun battles, and winter its bone-chilling gusts. Fall was the season Harry Potter enjoyed the most.
As was common during the start of the school year Harry had awoken early and decided that rather than try to fall back asleep he'd go greet the day. Dobby had been more than happy to pop down to the kitchen for him to retrieve an early breakfast. He'd dressed in a merlot-red shirt, well worn jeans, and his favorite trainer jacket, Hedwig joining him as he left the comfort of his dorm. Dobby had popped in with a paper bag full of apple muffins and a large capped cup of orange juice so cold that parts of it were slush. Harry had accepted both and sent his Alakazam to go get some Pokepuffs for himself and the rest of Harry's team while he and Hedwig shared a muffin and made their way towards the front of the school.
But he wasn't as alone as he'd expected. In fact, quite a crowd was gathered, all of them eating their breakfasts as they watched the show that was taking place on the lawn.
"We heard it outside our window," Ron said, gesturing towards the objects of their interest. "Tried to cover my ears but their voices were too loud."
Harry could only stare in shock at the scene before him. The Johto 7th years were gathered on the lawn right outside Hogwart's main doors, the wet grass poking between their toes, their weight shifting on their bare feet. The guys wore work out pants that were just high enough to ensure they don't trip. Their chests were bare and Harry all at once felt rather puny in comparison when looking at the young men. Yes, he had gained weight and muscle since leaving the Dursleys and coming to live with Remus but it was nothing compared to the Johto students. They weren't body builders by any account but they were fit and trim.
The young women were just as impressive. They were sporting short yoga pants that came just halfway down their calves and sports bras that left their toned stomachs exposed. Each one had her hair tied back in a messy ponytail, ensuring nothing got into their eyes. A Ravenclaw 6th year, Harry couldn't remember his name, let out a wolf whistle, obviously thinking that, based on the way they were dressed, the Olivine Point girls would be used to such reactions.
A small stone brushed past the Claw's ear and hit the wall behind him, reminding 6th year he was in the House of the Smart and should act like it.
"What is this?" Neville asked, taking a seat on the front steps next to Harry, Ron and Ginny. "Some weird Johto military routine?"
"Morning exercises, Mr. Longbottom," Jonas Kenway says from behind them. Before Harry could turn Jonas leapt over their heads, doing a twist in the air before landing on the lawn in front of them. "Looks like we have an audience!" Jonas called out to the students. "Now I know that the original plan was for me to lead you through some katas but since our hosts have decided to watch us, I think we should put on a show."
"And what is that, sir?" a young woman with dyed purple hair ask.
"Something a bit more freestyle, Grace," Jonas said with a teasing smirk. "We're going to do Last Man Standing."
"What are the teams?" one of the more well-built young men asked with a grin. "Men vs. Women? Mix skill set?"
"None of the above, Christian," Jonas said simply, moving onto the stone steps. "The castle is off-limits but everything else is in play. Last Man Standing wins. Normal rules apply."
"But sir… the teams?" Grace said while the others began to limber up; it was clear that had done Last Man Standing before. "How do we divide up?"
"You don't," Jonas stated. "It's all of you…" he looked up towards the third story of Hogwarts. Harry twisted his head and his eyes widened at the sight of Jack Kenway, also wearing nothing more than a pair of workout slacks, standing on a high window frame, casually eating an apple. "…verses him."
"….oh hell yes," Christian muttered.
Jonas raised his hand in the air. "Last Man Standing! FIGHT!"
Jack leapt down, catching hold of a branch of a large oak tree and using it to change his direction so he could slam his bare feet into the gut of one of his students. He dropped to the ground, performing a leg sweep on Grace before driving his fist into another young man's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
"He's gonna kill'em," Ron whispered in horror.
"Please," Jonas snarked, having heard Ron's comment. "My brother has more control than that. This is just a lesson. Can I bum a muffin off you, Mr. Potter?"
"In how to get beaten up?" Neville complained as Harry passed over a muffin, glad that Dobby had packed plenty.
Jack let out a grunt when Grace leapt up and grabbed his arm, painfully twisting it to the point that some students expected to hear the cracking of bones. Jack turned his head and, to Grace's shock, spat a mouthful of chewed-up apple in her face.
"On numbers vs. skill," Jonas said, folding his arms over his chest as the students let out groaned of disgust. It wasn't pleasant but it was effective; Grace let go and Jack was able to back away.
Three of the Johto students managed to shake themselves from their shock and move to try and take on Jack. Rather than rush him like Harry expected two of them moved into defensive positions, circling Jack while the third went to her fallen classmates to try and get them back into the fight. They were signaling each other somehow but Harry couldn't quite make out how; they seemed to use their eyes, hands, and twitching lips at random. Jack merely raised an eyebrow, nodding with approval before he went into a run, fleeing his opponents… at first. While the castle was off limits the rest of the island was up for grabs and Jack made use of it. He snatched some small stones before clamoring up the Main Gate, moving like a Mankey up the bars until he was at the top. He waited, watching in amusement before he began to fire the rocks at the two students that had pursued him, forcing them to back away lest they get hit. The 6th Year Ravenclaw who'd nearly gotten hit with the projectile realized that he'd gotten off with just a warning shot, especially with one of the Johto women began to return fire with frightening accuracy.
Jonas watched his brother as he began to sprint along the high rock wall that surrounded the main yard of Hogwarts, looking for his next target. The younger Kenway took on a 'lecture tone' as he spoke to the gathered students, whose numbers were growing as word spread of the fight. "You see, the mistake people always make is that there is strength in numbers. Throw enough of something, be it attacks, Pokémon, people, or weapons, and you can get through any obstacle. The problem is that if the quality isn't up to snuff it's like tossing grains of sand at a mountain… you might break it after a billion years but that's assuming you have the time to actually do that… and normally you don't. Case in point…"
Jack leapt down, having gained some distance from the two pursuers, and bull rushed the third just as she was getting the student Jack had punched up. He easily tackled her before whipping around and springing at the pursuers, his hands going for their shoulders. His fingers twitched, squeezing on the right bundle of nerves that sent the two crashing to the ground in a boneless heap.
"And that is game, I believe," Jack said with a smirk… only for his smile to fall as clapping filled the air.
"Of course, the thing with numbers is," Jonas said, "is that it's easy to lose track of just how many are being thrown at you."
Jack looked around, head swiveling like a Noctowl searching for a tasty morsel. "You used them. Let them go into battle first to tire me out and give you time to set up your plan."
"Of course I did," Jasmine's voice called out from somewhere to Jack's left. "You taught me chess, da… and the pawns are always sent out first."
"And that makes you the king then?" Jack asked as he ran towards a willow tree. "The most important piece on the board?"
"No," Jasmine said as Jack reached the tree… and the spare dex that was lying at its truck. Jasmine came at him from behind and drove her elbow into his side. Jack stumbled for a moment and Jasmine launched into a spin kick that he just managed to duck under. The world began to flash in Harry's eyes and he realized that Jack and Jasmine were communicating not with words but via their Speaking powers… and had managed to drag him along once again for the ride. "The Queen is the strongest piece on the board."
"Yes and no," Jack 'spoke' as he blocked his daughter's next strike. Harry found it very odd; it felt like, thanks to them constantly slipping in and out of the Speaker Realm, that the fight was moving much slower than it was. For everyone else Jasmine and Jack were a whirl of punches and kicks but for Harry their battle was an elegant dance. Each move was parried, the block leading to a counterattack that forced the other to respond. It was raw and powerful and beautiful and Harry was envious that he couldn't do the same thing. "Yes, she has the most versatility… but a well-played knight can take her down." The two of them traded blows, their arms and legs lashing out as they tried to find a way to take out their opponent. "Everyone so focuses on their queen that they forget the other pieces can be just as useful! You sacrifice the pawns only to find your queen is up against the entire side of the board."
"Right," Jasmine 'spoke'… just as one of the fallen students came up behind Jack, wrapping his forearm around Jack's neck. "And a pawn, if it makes it across the board, can become QUITE powerful." Jasmine leaned in close and, with her regular voice, said, "Yield."
"Very cunning," Jack said simply even as Christian bent him back a bit while Jasmine prepared to deliver a knockout blow if her father tried anything. "There is just one small thinkg you forgot."
"Oh, please tell me, da," Jasmine said teasingly.
"This isn't a chess match. You're not a Queen, Christian isn't a Rook, and I'm not a knight." Jack unleashed a pulse of energy. "I'm a Speaker."
That's when the buzz filled the air.
"Beedrills!" Jasmine shouted just as the swarm burst up from behind the castle and swarmed the Johto students. Jasmine narrowed her eyes and focused, once more drawing Harry along with her into the Speaker Realm. "Stop… I… said… STOP!" The Beedrills paused… then continued towards her and her team. "STOP!" Jasmine roared but the Beedrills ignored her. Harry tilted his head and became aware that Jack's voice was upon the wind, whispering in the Beedrills' ears and encouraging them to ignore Jasmine. "Damn it, we yield!"
Jack's head snapped towards the swarm and he sent out a second pulse of power, sending them away. "As do I, so we make this a tie."
"Bullshit it's a tie," Jasmine complained.
"Against anyone else you'd have won."
"Except you," Jasmine muttered.
Her father placed his hand on her bare shoulder. "Except me… for now. You'll surpass me one day… warrior's decay is catching up to me."
"But your Speaking-"
"True. But having a voice doesn't mean squat without a body to back it up. One day you'll be the Master of Speakers."
To everyone's surprise Jasmine suddenly leapt forward and hugged her father, tears in her eyes. "No… not for a long, long time."
"… not for a long, long time," Jack whispered, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Jonas, get them up."
Ron, Neville and Harry ccould only stare as Jonas began to help the students up… who made their way over to Jack and thanked him for the workout. They showed no signs of anger or disgust or frustration that Jack beat them; they were all just smiles.
"Johtoians are weird," Ron muttered.
"No, they are fighters," Ginny said, speaking up for the first time since the fight had begun. "This was just practice."
"Good eye, Miss Weasley!" Jack called out. "10 points to Gryffindor." He clapped his hands and assumed the lotus position, his students following his lead. "Now then… what went wrong and what went right?"
Harry watched as Jack continued to lead the discussion on the battle. At first he was as befuddled as the rest of the students but, after a few moments, he began to laugh. His friends stared at him, wondering if he'd lost it, but Harry just continued to cackle, gesturing at Jack and his students.
"He's cracked," Ron stated.
Harry gasped for air. "God..." he looked at Jonas, trying to talk between peals of laughter. "We're all... staring at you guys... like your nuts. You... you must think we're... galaxtically stupid!"
Jonas merely smiled. "Not stupid, just ill-informed."
"Harry, could you clue the rest of us in?" Neville asked.
Harry managed to get his giggles under control. "We're looking at them like their mad and strange but to them we're complete idiots." He waved his hand at Jack. "What are they doing?"
"Uh... they just got done beating each other up and are now talking about it," Ginny reasoned.
"And what does that resemble?" Seeing he was just getting blank stares Harry gestured a bit more forcefully at the Johto group, who were listening with rapt attention as Jack explained how Jasmine's strategy had worked but the negatives she hadn't considered. He took time to compliment each one of them and offer a bit of advice."Forget that they just beat each other up... actually listen to them!"
It was Neville who got it first. "Battle Class! They are treating it like a Battle Class."
"Huh," Ron said, tilting his head slightly as he watched Jack stand up and demonstrate to Christian a better hold he could have used. "It kinda is, isn't it?"
"Kind of nothing, Mr. Weasley," Jack said, releasing Christian. He approached them, putting on a t-shirt. The shirt hugged his form and hid most of the scars that marred his flesh; Harry hadn't noticed during the fight but Jack's body was riddled with scars and old injuries. "Or do you think yourself better than a Pokémon? Or perhaps you think yourself lesser, unable to do the amazing things they care capable of? The answer, young man, is neither."
"So... what? You think we're equals to Pokémon?" Ginny asked.
"No," Jack said. "I think nothing. I know that scientists are quite wrong and that there is an 18th Pokémon type: Man."
"You think we are Pokémon?" Ron asked, skeptical.
Jack shrugged. "People have believed mad things for centuries... but the funny thing is, once said insanity is proven correct the world suddenly shuts up and acts as if they were always in on it. Ah, Mumik!" Jack's Donphan marched over, two bags and a massive camping jug secured to his back. "Sorry I didn't wake you but I knew the time different was screwing you up."
Mumik let out a grumble and Jack laughed, squatting down and giving the Donphan a hardy pat on the head.
"Yeah yeah, I know. I see you've secured our breakfast." Jack's eyes slid so he could look at Harry. "Mr. Potter, would you mind walking with me? I'd like to know the lay of this island a bit if it's to be a second home for the next 9 months."
"Of course, Prof. Kenway," Harry said.
"Da? Should we come?" Jasmine asked.
Jack shook his head. "Go hit the showers and get some breakfast. I know this was short but the fight was long and none of you are quite up for a full workout today. I want you all on time for class. Jonas, you don't mind if I abandon you this morning, do you?"
Jonas chuckled. "I should see where Mothra and Kong have gotten off too anyway; Hagrid wants me to show off a bit for his class." Pulling on his shoes, Jonas quickly barked out a few orders before dashing off, waving goodbye to the Hogwarts students as he made his way towards where the Ghost sat just offshore.
"Harry?" Neville asked.
"I'll catch up with you," Harry said, giving them a subtle nod that let them know that he was ok and wanted to go. His friendly gave him one last unsure look before heading back inside while Jack began to trek away from the castle, Harry and Mumik on his heels while Hedwig flew overhead.
"You're going to be the topic of conversation for a while," Jack said as he bent down and retrieved a pack he'd discarded at the start of the warm-ups. "If this school is anything like mine there is nothing the masses love more than juicy tidbits."
"I'm used to it," Harry said, taking a bit out of his muffin.
"That little lie might work on others, Mr. Potter, but it doesn't work on me." They'd reached the eastern edge of the island and Jack sat down on a patch of grass that had managed to grow right in the middle of the sandy shoreline. Harry joined him, Hedwig settling on a bit of driftwood, and Jack pulled from the canvas bags several sealed insolated containers that used miniaturizing tech to keep them overflowing. Cracking them open brought the scent of warm sausage, crispy bacon, and buttered toast to Harry's nose. The second bag had several loaves of sweet bread and a pack of Pokepuffs. "You forget that I'm further along on the road you now walk." He tossed Mumik one of the sweet loaves before plucking a sausage up, staring at it a moment, considering it. "You can lie to yourself and claim it doesn't bother you but it does. It eats at you and annoys you and drives you to near madness. You hear their bitter words and at first are able to comfort yourself, believing that they are just the ramblings of pathetic, faceless cowards that prefer to hide and whisper rather than face you." He smirked. "I admit that it's easy to do that, especially when they curse at you. Why is that so many small-minded dolts believe a string of curse words can hide how pathetic they truly are?
"So you tell yourself they don't mean anything and you don't say a word because that would be giving into them. Oh, it would be so sweet, so juicy, to just-" Jack's voice stopped and he tore into the sausage, devouring it and licking his fingers. "Well... you know. But then you realize that you've made the mistake of playing their game and given them a victory so you shut up and ignore them... but every time they return, thinking you an easy mark, you die a touch inside. It just can't be helped... no matter what you do, those moronic fools who gossip and whisper and attack you always win." He shook his head. "And let's not talk about the pain of when they raise a valid point."
"Then how do you fight back?" Harry asked, nibbling away at his muffin as Hedwig dove at the lake's surface, trying to snag a Horsea to snack on.
Jack swallowed a mouthful of bacon before speaking. "You use the pain. You remember every stupid, moronic, pathetic little thing they said and you turn it into fuel. You make it drive you rather than weigh you down. You strive not just to prove them wrong but to achieve such glory that you know they seethe in impotent rage because the rest of the world adores you while only they are left with bitter hate. Most of all... never let on that you notice them. Let the ants believe they are ants." He tore off a chunk of sweet bread, consuming it with no butter or jam, savoring the taste before continuing. "But that isn't why I brought you out here."
"It's because I'm a Speaker," Harry said, deciding it was silly to dance around the obvious.
Jack merely glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "That depends... do you mean the definition others have given you... or a true Speaker." Harry merely finished off his second muffin and began to sip his orange juice, rather than play with Jack's riddles. The Father of Johto nodded and Harry could sense that he approved of the refusal. "To understand the Speakers you must understand the Arts. What is their sole goal?"
Harry considered the problem carefully. Rather than speak up he took his time, realizing that Jack was willing to wait for him to arrive at the right answer rather than leap at the wrong one just so he could claim a victory of speed. He focused on the water lapping along the shoreline and the grunts of Mumik as he ate his bread.
"To develop a closer bond to Pokémon."
"Good," Jack said in approval. "Now show you work."
Harry pursed his lips. "I studied the Arts a lot this summer. There are seven recognized arts: Elemental Benders, Speakers, Draconids, Aura Knights, Dream Walkers, Veelas, and Pokemagnuses. Each one involves people and Pokémon and their relationships. Benders are able to channel the elemental power of a Pokémon. Speakers can talk to them. Draconids... they seem to be connected to space and other worlds but it's hard to explain... I honestly didn't get that one; there were bits about Mega Evolution without Mega Stones but it got confusing. Aura Knights are extinct but it's said they could channel spiritual energy in unite with their Pokémon. Dream Walkers can enter the minds of Pokémon and even make the dreams real. Veelas sense emotions and can influence them. And a Pokemagnus can become a Pokémon. All of those are connected in some way to Pokémon... so the Arts are about forging stronger bonds."
Jack held up a hand. "Close. A bit far off in some ways but closer than most I talk to. I'm impressed, Mr. Potter; you are quite bright."
Harry grinned. "Hedwig and I are Magnus partners. I heard it was rare for someone to know more than one Art so me knowing two made me want to learn more."
The Father of Johto nodded, devouring another sausage before continuing. "But you need to take the next step if you wish to understand the truth. First, and foremost, is using the right terms. Those are the modern names and they've chanced often in during the last few millennia. Veelas, for example, have been called mermaids, sirens, enchantresses, and the like. The Draconids take their name from a meteor shower; I doubt even their Mistress remembers their true name."
"And?" Harry asked, getting a touch annoyed that Jack seemed to be dancing around the subject at hand, unable to decide what to focus on.
"The point, Mr. Potter, is that you must understand that much has been lost to us. As they say, 'fact became legend, legend became myth, and some things that should not have been forgotten were lost'. The world is a poorer place because of that." Jack let out a grunt of frustration. "I'm a history buff, so when I decided to come here I wanted to enhance my knowledge of your region. What I found saddened me. You all keep your myths close… you practically wear them… but don't know how they started or bother to expand upon them any more than what is found in your history book. You celebrate an entire holiday around the notion that Merlin defeated a thousand angry phantoms that threatened to bring darkness to the land. But all they talk about is the battle itself. Nowhere is it said why the spirits wanted the darkness or how they came to be. We are told nothing of the final results; oh, we know that Merlin won but how and what happened after that. You can't kill what is already dead so what did he do? What happened to those vengeful spirits that were driven by a single idea?" Jack stared across the lake, his jaw working. "That's the thing, Mr. Potter... we forget about the old things yet they have a way of coming back to haunt us."
Harry nodded his head, wanting to chime in. He could sense Jack was getting in a foul mood and didn't want the man to clam up. "I asked my friends about that during my first year. Everyone says that Morgana Le Fay battled Merlin here but no one knows who won. They all think Merlin but who knows? If Merlin won easily why name so many things after La Fey? But if he lost wouldn't that be a huge deal? So why does no one know the ending?"
Jack threw back his head and laughed, the funk that had come over him moments earlier passing away like fog caught by a stiff breeze. "By the old ones, you are a treasure, Mr. Potter! Let no one tell you differently! Talking with you has convinced me that this sad little region might have some hope!" He grabbed a slice of bacon and offered it to Harry, the boy accepting. "But we've gotten off track. You wish to know about Speakers... and what we truly can do."
The revolutionary stretched out his long legs, his container of food resting on his lap, his worn hands lazily weaving through the air as he spoke. "Speakers are like all the Arts: each was created to reach the same goal. I told your friend that I did not think... I knew. I wasn't speaking metaphysically. I know what I said to be true because I have seen it."
Harry stared at Jack in shock. "You... humans... and Pokémon?"
"Don't act so surprised!" Jack said with a playful huff. "Of all the Arts a Skin Changer should know the truth better than all else."
"Skin Changer?"
"The ancient term for Pokemagnuses. I don't know why they changed it... perhaps become Skin Changer sounded too foul for cultured ears. But come now, Harry... you've flown on white wings. Is it that hard to believe man and Pokémon to be the same?"
"It's just... I don't know," Harry licked his lips, the taste of bacon and apples tickling his taste buds. "It just feels like that's so different..."
"Scan Mumik," Jack said simply. "With that fancy Dex I gave you. Scan him."
Harry took out his Dex and pointed it at the armored gray Pokémon. The Donphan stopped chewing and stared at him and Harry was struck by the keen eyes that locked with his own. They were like deep pools that only hinted at the miracles that lay just below the surface.
"Unable to identify Pokémon type," the dex chimed.
Harry blinked at that.
"Point it at me, now," Jack said. Harry scrunched up his brow and did so. He expected the device to declare no Pokémon signature to be found, like it did whenever a human was accidently scanned. However, when it let out a bing and stated 'Unable to identify Pokémon type', Harry looked up at Jack, startled, only for his shock to grow even more upon staring at the man. It was like a mask had been lifted and the true Jack was revealed. Harry suddenly felt as if he were looking at some great ancient beast that had appeared from the mists of time. Jack's teeth seemed sharper, his eyes more wild, and his body stronger and more powerful. Harry felt once more the wave of energy warning that he was facing some great master of the wilderness and all at once he had great companionship to the Horseas that Hedwig was trying to gobble up.
"Do you see now?"
It was a sad statement of the strangeness of his life that Mumik asking him without need of the Speaker's Realm wasn't the most shocking thing he'd dealt with that day.
Like a lamp being flicked off Jack's image seemed to shift and he was himself again, a smirk on his lips as he motioned for Harry to take a seat; it was only then that Harry dimly realized he'd leapt to his feet.
"The Arts work in different ways," Jack said simply, as if nothing had happened. "For Speakers it begins with The First Words. We hear the secret songs that the world sings and learn to pick up the notes. When you Speak with a Pokémon, does the world seem to fade away?"
"I call it the Speaker's Realm," Harry said.
Jack nodded. "A better term than any I've heard for it. Yes, the Speaker's Realm is the second step, which I was taught was called The First Talk. No longer hearing, you now are able to join in with the song, adding your voice to the great choir." His voice took on a steady rhythm as he spoke. "For most that is as far as they get and they incorrectly believe that to be all we are capable of." He reached over and ran his hand over Mumik's armored forehead. "Mumik and I showed you a glimpse of the next step."
"The next step?" Harry parroted, feeling stupid for repeating Jack's words but unable to stop himself.
"The Long Talk. The great communion of Man and Pokémon. To blend the world of the Speaker and the living world together then cast them aside in favor of just the two of you." Harry felt as if he were sitting on some great drum that was vibrating, lulling him into a tranquil state as Jack's slow, rumbling words flowed over him. He could tell this was important, that he needed to listen and commit to memory what was being said. He was no longer listening the Jack the revolutionary or Jack the headmaster. This was the Master of Speaking talking of ancient truths. "You join with your Pokémon, strengthening the bonds between you both to the point that where there were two only one remains. And then..." Jack smiled, his eyes dancing as he spoke of a secret few had ever heard and he delighted in sharing, "when you finally end it, you find the bond was so great, the blending so perfect... that it is impossible to fully snap back into the two you once were. Something is left behind..."
"And something remains," Mumik finished, confirming to Harry that it hadn't been his imagination and the large armored Pokémon had indeed spoken.
"It is as I told your Aunt and Uncle when I had the misfortune of meeting them... I'm not quite human anymore."
"You're... part Pokémon?" Harry asked, scarcely believing what he was hearing.
Jack gave Harry a dry look. "And Mumik is part human. Is that so hard to believe? You've become a Noctowl, Harry... some would call that more otherworldly then what I suggestion." Mumik let out a snort and Jack patted his friend. "Don't mind Mumik... he was a Donphan of few words even before he had a bit of my DNA running through his veins. But he is now my brother… no different than Jonas… and I love him all the same."
Harry swallowed at that. The ramifications of what Jack was suggesting, if it were true, were mind boggling. "So you've achieved it then? The great goal... the union of the two species?"
Jack and Mumik threw back their heads and laughed. "Of course not!" Jack exclaimed, Harry scowling at their mirth. The Father of Johto instantly calmed in the face of Harry's quiet rage, holding out his hand. "I'm just a freak of nature. A man with a bit of Pokémon DNA in his veins. That's how I can create the Pulse that warns others of danger. Much of what I can do is no different than what a Pokémon can. My strength, speed, and stamina are all gifts from Mumik, just as my ability to command and strategize with other Pokémon went to him."
"So... what? That 'hey, watch out, this guy is a monster' feeling I get around you is... your special ability?"
Jack grinned. "A wonderful way to think of it! A variation of Intimidate, as far as I've been able to tell. Of course, being most human altered it, no different than how some species have variations of special abilities." He began to gather his containers, putting them back into Mumik's rump sacks. "But the ultimate goal? No, Mr. Potter, not like that. That is something else entirely, something vastly different and more beautiful than this pale imitation."
Harry, hearing the words Jack wasn't speaking, said, "You've seen it then."
"Yes," Jack whispered, his eyes staring off over the lake though he did not see the world around him. His thoughts were on another place and when he spoke his words were so quiet that they sounded to Harry's ears like a pilgrim's prayer. "It is called The Last Talk. It goes beyond the Long Talk, blending again and again two souls, folding them together like a great smith might metal to forge a fine blade free of imperfections. When it ends where there were two there is now three and though the original souls may pass on to their eternal rest what remains is their gift to the world. Something magical. Something powerful." Tears gathered in Jack's eyes as he smiled. "Something... legendary."
"Legendary?" Harry asked, swallowing. "You're saying..." He found he could not give voice to the thought. "How do you know all this?" he asked instead.
Mumik ran his heavily padded foot against the ground while Jack freed himself from the memory that had taken hold of him. "You think I learned all this from some dusty tome I found deep within the Whirl Islands? Discovered these lessons scratched into some dark wall deep beneath the waves? Oh no. I am the Modern Master of Speaking... because the Ancient Master taught me." He glanced at Harry, his hand on Mumik's back. "The modern world calls him Lugia."
The next words came from his mouth before he could stop them. "Is it possible for someone like me to learn these skills?"
Jack smiled. "Only from a Master." He began to amble away. "It will be a while before we speak about these things again, Mr. Potter." And with that Jack left Harry sitting on the shoreline, Hedwig his only company, the conversation ringing in his ears.
He did not get up for a long time.
~MC~MC~MC~
Authors Notes: First and foremost... to all those that take time to review and give he praise, ask questions, or want to have discussions about this world, I truly thank you all. The main reason I write these stories is for fun... and if not for you guys I'd stop writing it in a second. Thank you, once again, and please continue.
And thus we discover the truth of Speakers and Jack's powers. This chapter was a difficult one because I needed to explain why Jack can do what he does. I didn't want to just go with the blanket "It's magic, I don't have to explain it!" premise. I wanted some weight to it, some rules. I've known for some time, at least since Book 2, that Jack and Mumik had performed the Long Talk and thus Mumik had a bit of human DNA within him and Jack had a bit of Pokémon. This transformation explains how Jack lets off his Pulse (the one that screams 'alpha predator') and why he seems to be able to do superhuman feats: he's a hybrid. Considering Pokemon has seen Harry turned into a Pikachu, an ancient spirit take over Ash's body (along with the other ghosts in the games), time travel, and all sorts of other amazing, supernatural things, I decided that a human-pokemon hybrid (and a pokemon-human hybrid) wasn't that far fetched.
And before anyone asks... yes, the other Arts have similar things. In fact, we've heard and seen glimpses of these. Koga was said to have acid drip from his fingers (and he was the Master of Elemental Benders), and Luna's scream in the aborted timeline was a hint of the Veelas' version of the Long Talk and what could come from a Master Veela.
Also, before anyone comments… yes, I know about Ash being an Aura Knight. It will be dealt with at some point, either in this serious or the 8th novel I'm batting around that would take place when Harry's an adult.
This chapter is the reason why I've spent so much time with Jack, building him up as a character. Harry is a Speaker and he needs to learn how to be a Master Speaker. He'll need a trainer and I didn't want this new mentor to just suddenly appear. We needed to know him, have him feel as much like a character as Remus or Sirius or Dumbledore; that way his words have weight.
I debated a long time about the final reveal, that Jack learned the Art of Speaking from Lugia. Not if I should do it but when to reveal it. I decided since I was laying out so many cards on the table here I might as well play that final one.
Next chapter will get us right back into canon, as the schools gather together for the selections of the champions.
No Dex this time, as the artist is still working on it. I will say that I've decided the name of the Rock Eevee will be… Paleon (Pa-le-on), which is the –eon ending with Paleo, as in Paleolithic.
But a taste of what is coming for the dex next few updates: A grass three stage type based around one of my favorite video games, my attempt to FINALLY give you guys a 2-stage normal rodent (seriously, who know so many people liked these guys?) and… well… something from Gen. 1 will be in the dex.