Yay! Another chapter uploaded! I've been working hard on this and edit this chapter. Unlike the previous chapters, it doesn't feel inadequate. I wanted to delve further in why Pokemon hid from society at first but I can't place where I can dig it in between scenes. I will do it though! I want to write TRC so much...
Pokémon Master: Sakura Rewrite
Chapter 9: The Missing Element
A creature lay curled in a ball in darkened waters, darkness enclosed around its body. Its eyes closed as if sleeping. The creature's eyes opened slowly, revealing deep red eyes.
Where am I? It asked softly.
A disembodied voice echoed through the world. The creature's eyes open slowly but increasingly.
Though it couldn't understand the words the voice spoke, it definitely recognized it. The creature's eyes snapped open, its red eyes glowing with anger. The dark waters suddenly dispersed into thin air as the world turned a misty shade of grey. The creature browsed his surroundings and stood up.
Lucario…
The creature stared at the darkness as if he saw who was talking. Its red eyes narrowed dangerously, illuminating through the fog.
You…
A sudden explosion erupted inside a cave. The bug Pokémon with the halo quickly floated inside. Smoke enveloped the bug as well as surfacing outside.
The bug coughed as the smoke entered his lungs. Its eyes widened in horror when he saw a pair of piercing red eyes.
A shadowy figure rushed past the Guardian, jerking it in surprise.
A blue bipedal dog-like Pokémon emerged into the open, smoke blazing behind it. It glanced at the mid-morning sun and vanished into the woods.
The bug came out of the smoke, still coughing. Its eyes noticed paw prints leading to the woods.
"How could this have happened? Was his hatred this strong?"
"Do it now, Sakura!" Espeon shouted as a bird of iron and steel struggled to stand.
Sakura pointed her staff at the armored bird that was quickly enwrapped in silver wings.
"That was absolutely wonderful, Sakura-chan! And in record time too." Tomoyo said as a silver wing appeared in Sakura's hands. Her eyes fell to the ground in despair as her friends looked at her concerned. "But I still wish I had recorded you capturing Venomoth and Alakazam…" Both Espeon and Sakura fell over.
"Do you ever shut up?"
Tomoyo turned around startled to see Paul with his Honchkrow. His glare is deadlier than the last.
"Hey! Don't talk to Tomoyo-chan that way!" Sakura shouted.
Paul rolled his eyes and turned his back on her, not meeting her gaze. Suddenly, his locator started beeping wildly.
"Huh?" He quickly took his locator from his pockets and stared at the screen. His eyes widened, ogling at the screen motionlessly. Without another word, he took off towards the woods.
"What was that?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura shook her head as she too watched Paul disappeared into the forest. Espeon looked intently at the forest with a concentrated expression. Then, the color drained from his face as horror took over.
"What is it?" Sakura questioned, seeing the look on Espeon's face. Without warning, Espeon disappeared into the woods.
"Espeon-chan!"
Espeon ran through the forest breathless, running by some occasional wild Pokémon and over bushes. His anxious thoughts were a hurricane. Is it truly him? If it is… Sakura might not be able to become the Pokémon Master…
Meanwhile, Paul was on the trail of the pulse readings on his locator. This reading is much higher than a normal Sealed Pokémon… Could it be a Representative?
A sudden gust of wind stopped Paul on his tracks as the readings dwindled to nothing.
"What?" Paul gaped in shock. Frustrated, he punched a nearby tree. Birds flew out of the tree in alarm.
A unexpected breeze stopped Espeon's running. A blue dog-like Pokémon materialized before Espeon in a flash. It has a furry yellow torso and thighs in a shape of blue shorts with black appendages stemming from its head. The Pokémon has black forepaws, each fixed with a spike. A third spike embedded on its chest. It stands on its toes making the Pokémon look more human.
"Lucario?" Espeon gaped.
Lucario glared at Espeon and grunted in annoyance. Espeon waited patiently for a response but Lucario kept quiet. He pricked his ear, sensing someone approaching.
"I sense someone with a strong aura..." Lucario muttered.
"The next Pokémon Master." Espeon said confidently.
Lucario's eyes went wide as dinner plates for a brief moment before narrowing in disgust. "That is what you think…" He vanished without saying another word.
"Espeon-chan! What are you doing?" Sakura shouted. She kneeled besides Espeon, noticing the discontent on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing…"
Stars did not appear that night. The moon shined high above a small figure darting through the forest, lighting paths. The creature dodged every obstacle that came its way, its serious eyes narrowed.
As it strode into a clearing with a cave and a lake, a bug creature hovered on top of the lake.
"Who goes there?" the bug demanded.
"Shedinja, please. I know he escaped." Eevee said sitting besides the lake. Shedinja nestled himself on the grass besides Eevee, gazing hopelessly at the moon.
"Yes, it was a complete surprise. I did not think he would be able to break free of the stone's hold unless someone touched it…or to be able to transform immediately into his strongest form without the nominee's aura." Shedinja said.
Eevee nodded, gazing at the crescent moon wistfully. The silence was deafening that you could actually cut it with a butcher knife.
Shedinja spoke at last. "I am not a Guardian if the one I'm supposed to be guarding deserts me."
"It is not your fault. Lucario isn't a typical Pokémon…" Eevee shook his head as Shedinja looked at him in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"He was trained directly under Sir Aaron therefore his control of aura is extraordinary. However, that is not the only thing…" Eevee's words, though not much enigmatic as he wanted to be, still puzzled Shedinja. He did not press the subject further.
"Take this." Shedinja said as the Shiny Stone floated onto Eevee's back. "I'm not the one to be testing the nominee if they are worthy to be the next Pokémon Master."
Eevee nodded and disappeared into the forest with the Shiny Stone on his back. Shedinja sighed and gazed at the moon pensively.
"Hopefully… just hopefully… that girl will be able to overcome him…"
"Eevee-chan, where have you been?" Sakura said as Eevee struggled to go through the window with the Shiny Stone he tried desperately not to let it fall. Sakura quickly helped her friend.
"And what's on your ba-." Buizel stopped mid-sentence when he saw the Shiny Stone. His eyes shot open wide as Eevee placed the Shiny Stone gently in front of Sakura. Sakura looked at it interest.
"It's the Shiny Stone. The stone that held the Metal Representative." Eevee said. His gaze was on the floor does not lessen Buizel's anxiety.
"Really? But where is he?" Sakura asked looking around.
Eevee refused to meet her gaze, his eyes still on the floor. "This Representative isn't as easy to impress as that jellybag."
Buizel paused and glowered nastily at Eevee, knowing he is referring to him.
"What do you mean?"
"The truth is I wasn't even aware that Sir Aaron made him of all Pokémon to be a Representative." Eevee sighed.
Seeing the befuddled countenance, Eevee shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you have to find his identity yourself. Do not worry…" He gazed at the moon musingly. "It won't be long…"
It was Sunday morning. Sakura had promised she'll do grocery shopping for dinner.
"Okay, I need bread, miso-." Sakura was cut off when she accidentally bumped into someone. She fell to the ground, her list falling on her head. "Sumimasen!" She bowed her head in apology.
"Hm? Oh, no problem. I hardly felt it."
Sakura looked up to see a man with spiky blond hair, wearing a long blue coat with yellow buttons.
"Geez, I've been bumping into a lot of people these days. Anyways, sorry again." Sakura apologized, rubbing her nape sheepishly.
The man waved a hand in front of him placidly. "Stop apologizing. I already said it wasn't a problem."
"Volkner! Where did you go? Oh! There you are!"
Sakura turned around and met the turquoise eyes of a blue-haired girl. The girl's eyes bugged out when she saw Sakura. Quickly, she regained her posture and walked over to them. Her reaction surprised Sakura, but the girl's smile washed away her thoughts.
"Hi there! My name is Marina and that's my brother Volkner. What's yours?" Marina asked bowing.
"K-Kinomoto Sakura." Sakura answered bowing, hoping she was not too rude.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's go, Marina." Volkner turned the opposite direction and strolled away.
"Ohh, you're so anti-social! Sorry, but I have to go. See you later, Kinomoto-san!" Marina gave a little cheery wave and followed her 'brother'.
"B-bye…" Sakura waved nervously flabbergasted from the random meeting.
Marina quickly caught up by Volkner's side. She sighed exhausted, looking at Volkner at the corner of her eye. "Sheesh, you walk too fast."
"You almost reveal yourself when you stared at her." Volkner reprimanded.
Marina pouted. "But I didn't. Besides, it just surprised me."
"Well, be on guard next time so you won't be surprised." Volkner sighed, gently knocking Marina's head.
"Ow!"
"I hardly even hit you."
"It still hurt!"
"Quit complaining!"
Without warning, they collided into two boys. Marina and Volkner stared at the boys in surprise as they stood up.
"I am so sorry!" The boy with short black hair and a high fringe bowed. "My friend here has been messing around and-."
"Hello, miss." The boy with sandy brown hair kneeled before Marina. Marina flushed embarrassed as the boy continued to flirt with her.
"Please excuse Junichi. He's always like this towards girls. My name is Nojima Kenta and that is Sakaguchi Junichi." Kenta pulled his friend into a bow.
"Hello, my name is Marina and this is Volkner." Marina introduced with a smile.
"No last name?" Junichi stopped his jerkings and stared at them in shock.
"Uh…"
A sudden scream distracted and alarmed the group. Volkner and Marina sighed in relief. They looked down the street to see a green-haired boy was shouted into the sky, earning many odd looks from pedestrians.
"I think we better leave that boy alone." Marina towed Volkner away from the crazed boy. Kenta and Junichi chased after them, shouting if they can hang out for awhile.
"WHY IN THE WORLD DID SHE SENT ME TO MEET SOMEONE WHO NEVER EXISTED IN THE FIRST PLACE! NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHO LI SYAORAN IS! AND WHAT DOES SHE MEAN BY SEEING MORE MAJUU! MAGICAL CREATURES! YEAH, RIGHT!"
Flashback
"Oh, Mitsuru, before you leave, please take these advices to heart." Yuuko said as Mitsuru prepared to leave.
Mitsuru looked at her confused. "What?"
"When you meet Kinomoto Sakura and Li Syaoran, you will take comfort in their presence. More than just your…family."
Mitsuru gazed at her open-mouthed.
"And also, you will meet more majuus. I'm sure you, like your mother, will be loved by them."
"'majuus'? 'Magical creatures'?" Mitsuru did not question how she knew his mother, knowing Yuuko very well by now.
"Now hurry along now, Mitsuru! You have to finish packing!" Yuuko waved Mitsuru off as Mitsuru stalked away, grumbling.
End Flashback
Mitsuru sighed as he walked away, ignoring the stares pedestrians gave him.
As Sakura headed home, a bag of groceries in her arms, her thoughts trailed on her meeting with Marina and Volkner. Why did she look so shocked when she saw me? A jolt connected her nerves, startling her. A Sealed Pokémon?
The ground trembled from an unexpected explosion just as smoke billowed from the forest near Penguin Park. Sakura skated as fast as she could towards the woods as the sound of the fire engines blared in the distance.
"Electabuzz, Thunder now!" Paul commanded
Just as Sakura emerged in a clearing, Electabuzz released Thunder, creating another explosion.
"Hey! You're drawing attention!" Sakura shouted. Paul merely shrugged indifferently.
"Well, if people do come, I'll just order Electabuzz to zap them." Paul said. His callousness for innocent people shocked Sakura to the core.
"You wouldn't!"
Voices swarmed from the forest as firemen rushed through the bushes.
"Get ready." Paul ordered. Electabuzz stood at ready.
"I know!" Sakura gasped and immediately summoned her staff. "Sleep Powder!"
Venomoth flew above the bushes, releasing blue powder over the firemen. Sakura sighed in relief as the voices faded away.
A figure suddenly emerged into the open. Electabuzz instantly shot a Thunder at it. The creature dodged the attack and sent a purple X-shaped energy at Electabuzz. Electabuzz crashed onto the ground in front of Paul.
The creature is a scorpion-like with two front claws and a tail with two stingers. Four legs with pointed toes allowed it to stand. Its colors alternated shades of purple and lavender with circular turquoise markings on its arms.
"Drapion… Honchkrow, Aerial Ace, go!"
Honchkrow flew towards Drapion with amazing speed as the opposing Pokémon readied another attack.
"Steel Wing!"
Skarmory soared toward the scorpion-like Pokémon. Drapion hurled another X-shaped energy attack, but it was unaffected against Skarmony.
Both Pokémon collided harshly, sending only Drapion backwards onto the ground.
"Stay out of this!" Paul shouted.
"Honchkrow would have gotten hurt!" Sakura argued.
"Why does it matter to you whether my Pokémon get hurt or not?" Paul snarled. He redirected his attention to Drapion. "Now use Haze!"
Honchkrow emitted black smoke from its chest, temporarily blinding Drapion.
"Electabuzz, use Thunder!"
But Electabuzz has been poisoned, writing in pain. He is apparently unable to battle. Sakura felt sympathy for the poor Pokémon.
"Honchkrow, Dark Pulse!"
Honchkrow opened its peak and fires a stream of dark energy at Drapion. Drapion fell to the ground, unconscious.
Before Sakura can react, Paul threw another one of his red and white balls at Drapion, capturing it.
Sakura fell to her knees helplessly. He had been so quick and she hardly did anything to help the Pokémon.
"Now we're even, loser." Paul said picking up his prize. A purple tablet appeared in his hands in which he pocketed it triumphantly.
He stalked over to Electabuzz and gently nudged it. "Get up." He rolled his eyes and shouted louder. "Get up!"
"Stop it!" Sakura screamed loudly, her hands on her ears. Paul looked over his shoulders surprised as if he just noticed her presence.
"Can't you see Electabuzz-san is already in enough pain?" Sakura whimpered, gazing at Electabuzz sadly.
"If he was in enough pain, he wouldn't get up." Paul scoffed. Electabuzz weakly pulled himself up, wavering at every step as Paul took out the PokéBall. "You rested enough. Return." His eyes narrowed dangerously at Sakura. "Just mind your own business and stay out of my way."
Sakura's eyes fell to the ground. She had to find a way to free the Sealed Pokémon from Paul's cruel grasp. She hated seeing them treated so insensitively.
"I have to do my best to get them back." Sakura whispered, determination lacing her words. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of blazing red eyes watched her in defiance.
"If that is how excellent the next Pokémon Master can do, she doesn't stand a chance." Lucario growled as he vanished.
A green-haired boy had been watching everything that transpired unresponsively. His green eyes looked at Sakura pitifully.
"Kinomoto-san... Is this what Yuuko-san means?" Mitsuru sighed deeply. He frowned as he watched Sakura walked away. "But what does she mean…when she said I will find comfort in Kinomoto-san and Li-san…if Li Syaoran ever exists… GAAHHHH! SHE IS ALWAYS CRYPTIC!" He sighed once more and looked at the sky. "'Hitsuzen', eh? Is it hitsuzen I seen Kinomoto-san and that other boy try to capture Drapion today?"
Yeah, Lucario, and you end up falling in love with her. Anyways, I really hope you like this chapter. Please review. Normally, I don't want to persuade people to review, but at least I want to know what they think.
Oh, by the way, I recommend "Honey, Honey" by Seamo featuring Kozue Ayuse from the anime xxxHolic Kei. It's catchy and I'm sure you like it if you likes Japanese music, modern or traditional. I'm listening to it now and it sounds wonderful to the ear.
Author Notes
Li Syaoran to Mitsuru (Wally) - I tend to twist things up a notch... hehehehehe, Mitsuru knew the existence of Pokemon and so does some others. Mitsuru won't speak a word of it, I assure you. He is not that type of person. Crazy just a bit but he has enough common sense people won't believe him. Oh, Mitsuru, Li Syaoran does exist but you're not looking hard enough for him. Ohohohohohohoho...
Why Mitsuru will find comfort in Syaoran and Sakura? - Read TRC and xxxHolic. That is all I'm saying or better yet just continuing reading especially during the Sakura Pokemon Arc where I take in my hands to do anything I will do to poor Mitsuru.
Shaking hands to bowing - Well, Marina and Volkner must at least have been living for years like Yukito, along with the Legendary Dogs and Birds. I read and know the Japanese etiquette. When it is someone you just met, you bow. Shaking hands are exceptions for foreigners but most Japanese people would feel odd when they are offered to shake hands. It is considered polite and respectful to bow in Japan. Read more about it in books and in the net.
Lucario's Speech Pattern - It's obvious, isn't it? He lived hundreds of years ago. Like you-know-who, he is a quick learner. He will adapt the modern speech sooner than the rest of the Representatives. Then again, this is another of his similarities he shared with Sakura.
Cameos - Nojima Kenta (Jimmy (Johto)), Sakaguchi Junichi (Vincent/Jackson)
Japanese Terminology
Sumimasen - I'm sorry (there are actually three different meanings for this word: I'm sorry, excuse me, and thank you. I'm using the the first one.)
Majuu - magical creature