AN: Hello!
You know, every damn story out there has an orphan as a MC because parents are a bother to the plot, especially in the adventure genre. Except in the pokémon universe where you always have a mom proud of you for going in a journey, and somtimes a dad. So, in my story, I want the parents to have more 'screen time', if only to fill Xavier and Ann's duties when they are busy. It's a shame that parents aren't used at all in some pokémon fanfics, it's missed potential, not that I expect to be able to use that potential to it's fullest but I'm gonna try!
Enjoy!
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Xavier had slept the entire afternoon by his pokémon's side and was far too rested to sleep that night. So after letting the zubats and golbats out from the basement and attic, he decided to run and play with the poochyena and mightyena pack (with his coat and scarf, of course). All were team rescues, Rocket, Galactic, Magma and Aqua mostly. They also had a lot of other pokémon common to all teams but they got adopted quickly after being diagnosed clean of any lingering issue.
He was lying buried in a pile of dark typed canines when Mini's flash got stronger then back to normal and the minun snickered softly. Suddenly all the poochyenas jumped away from him and he was left alone before a big, grinning, ready to jump luxray. He rolled away just before she could land on him and got up with his heart racing.
"You're not a cute little shinx anymore, you know..."
Rayde didn't look sad that Xavier had gotten away, in fact she purred and got ready to jump again. Xavier laughed as he caught on to her game and ran away, some of the pack running after him. Rayde let them get a head start and walked after them at a slow pace, her tail waving from side to side.
Xavier hid behind some geometrically styled hedges, not that it would do him any good against Rayde's X Ray vision, and looked at his unexpected allies, no Mini but a lot of poochyenas and a single mightyena. He asked for them to keep quiet and to keep an eye out for Rayde. He took out a whistle and blew in it. No sound was heard from it by either human nor canine, however it was by the zubats and golbats. They flocked around Xavier and the miniature pack and waited for him to speak.
"We're playing chase with Rayde the luxray. She's the predator, I'm the prey. Spread out and give a signal I can hear when she's close to you. Also, I won't be able to hide for long so I'll have to run and distract her, you guys will be my distraction."
The bats silently glanced at each other and dispersed with very little sound. An exited grin bloomed on Xavier's face. Rayde might have the advantage with her vision and speed, but he had the home base and the allies within.
He heard the first signals from where they had started, followed by Rayde's annoyed yowl. She was closer than he had thought. He ran away and zigzagged between the hedges with the pack dispersing and barking everywhere to mask the sound of his footsteps. It sounded and looked like a huge mess even before the zubats dived at Rayde while making high pitched sounds and generally just making a nuisance of themselves. She wasn't fooled for long though, and sprinted through the flock and pack straight at Xavier. She had to jump above the hedges but that slowed her very little. Xavier heard panicked barks and dived into a roll. He looked back to see Rayde standing were he had been moments before. Her tail star was lit in a flash and was keeping her face in ominous shadows, but Xavier knew her grin was as big as his own. She growled some words and PolyZ used his brand new speaker to translate.
Hello, dinner.
She sweeped playfully at him with her claws sheathed and he dodged her paws as he laughed. He tried to run again but she pounced on him and sat on his legs with a pleased purr.
"Geeoff," he managed to huff through the dirt his face was in.
She did so and promptly stretched, sat next to him and purred again. Xavier let out a breathy chuckle as he turned on his back and calmed his breathing.
"You're just like an overgrown kitten."
She just swished her tail and made the shadows dance without a care.
The pack and flock gathered around them and settled down on the ground or up in the branches of nearby trees. Nox apeared with Mini on her head and they also claimed a spot of their own. Rayde growled in a pattern peculiar to 'pokétongue'.
How you weak, frail, slow, blind humans survived this far in this world, I will never understand.
Xavier looked up to the bright stars and his mind seemed clearer and sharper after the game.
"For the same reason that pokémon let themselves be caught and used." He answered softly. "Humans have many things pokémon do not, just like pokémon possesses many abilities we do not. Pokémon and humans are stronger when they stand together, to add on their strengths and cover their weaknesses. Yes, we are physically weak, but we have strong minds, we have creativity, adaptability, tactical understanding, stubbornness, and we are social creatures, more so than pokémon ever will be. Attack one human, their family will fight back. Attack the family, the town will fight back. Attack the town, and the region will fight back. And now that international relationships are on the incline, attack a region and the world will fight back. We are united in front of a threat, while pokémon are divided by their species and their 'level'. We humans are all basically the same, we can understand each other well enough so that we can gather in front of a common enemy.
"Also, don't let yourself be fooled. Just like I did earlier, humans can tame and use other pokémon. It might not have been so at the very beginning when man first met monster, but it's a fact now.
"One more thing, we humans can make tools. Sure other pokémon's can too, but humans took it to another level. We created weapons. Their sole purpose: to maim and kill. You may be quick, but you won't be quick enough to dodge a bullet. Your hide may be thick, but bio weapons and chemicals will bring you down easily. You may be anything at all, and humans will be creative enough to find a way to bring you down, even if they have to go down with you. My kind has always been the most creative when thinking up ways to kill foes and protect their own. We truly are the most terrifying creatures on this planet. Well, we know little about legendaries, so perhaps they could stop us. But then, even Palkia and Dialga were chained and controlled not too long ago by team Galactic. It isn't ludicrous to think humans could come up with something to destroy all and they only survive. Team Flare was like Galactic in that way too."
Rayde was stunned. She had never, ever, though that the frail little humans could bring down a pokémon on their own. She had been aware of the many times this world neared destruction, but it never truly dawned how much it was a single man's delusions. She had thought that humans existed as a bonus to this pokémon world, that they were not necessary but had advantages to be with. Pokémon could live both with them and without them, they followed a human for the care and training they were given in exchange of their power. But now, if what her trainer had said was true, then pokémon were not necessary to humans either!
Why are you using pokémon then? If you can take care of yourselves.
"Many reasons. As I said, we are stronger with pokémon by our side. There's also the traditions from before weapons were a thing. Pokémon being more widespread than weapons and ammunition, too. Also, we are aware that balance must be kept. Years ago, team Plasma in Unova tried to make everyone release their pokémon to the wild, and they did succeed a bit. What researchers found the following years was a decline in overall productivity and security of the region, because we need pokémon to help us in our works, in our security. Weapons are not the answer we go for because it's impractical and new. Pokémon have always been there and we know how to deal with them.
"And we can't allow ourselves to come into conflict with pokémon as a whole. Weapons will not save all of us. We would be far too few at the end of that theoretical conflict to ever grow strong again. The world would be left ravaged and infertile, the air polluted and the waters poisoned."
Rayde was silent in her horror, just like everyone else. Nox's crimson eyes were glowing eerily in the dark and were fixed upon Xavier's unguarded form. Her claws clenched and her muscled tensed. A shiver started from her horn and spread to her entire body, leaving her fur standing on end. Her gaze sharpened and she bared her fangs. She suddenly snapped back to her senses when Mini touched her paw and gave her a small shock. The minun had stopped his flash but she could see his worried expression perfectly regardless. She turned her attention to a cub that got closer to Xavier.
Do you have any weapons?
"... Yes. A rifle, two guns and a stun gun. I only ever used the stun gun against something other than a dummy." He gave a tired sigh. "Against Magmar. Once to incapacitate her after she attacked us and killed two of our pokémon, though Lt. Surge used thunder wave at the same time so it was a bit pointless. Then a second time in the snowy peeks to paralyse her while she 'cooled down'."
Those weapons could paralyse a war pokémon. They could kill a war pokémon. A pokémon that drew into their deepest, most feral powers, the maximum limit of what a pokémon could reach. The thought was scary. It was daunting. All of that power, nothing against some human tools. A shiver ran down Nox's spine again but this time she was expecting it. She took a calming breath and asked the question that would show if this human leaned more toward Yveltal's design or Xerneas's grand work.
Will you ever use the weapons that can kill?
Xavier looked at her and answered without breaking eye contact.
"... I won't kill if I don't have a reason to nor a need to. If I have to chose between my own life and a pokémon's, then, well, it'll depend on the exact situation, but I'll most likely choose my own life. If it's between one member of my family and a pokémon, I would pull the trigger without a single thought, and I will not regret doing so. Usually, if I can think of any other way, then I will not shoot, though I may come to regret it later on. Killing, for me, when not a mercy kill, is a last resort. Life is precious, not by itself, but because a person or pokémon can change in life. And that ability to change is so very precious. It is freedom at it's finest. Not a physical freedom but a spiritual one." He exhaled loudly. "I don't know if I'm making any sense. Just, I won't bring out the guns for no reason, and I hope I'll never have to."
Nox turned his words many times in her mind. She slowly relaxed and the foreboding feeling of disaster that had gripped her earlier dissipated. For the first time, a disaster had been created and avoided not by actions but by words and ideas. She put her head on her paws and gazed silently at her trainer. You are truly respectful of both life and death. You understand them better than most of your age, and has witnessed them far more than any care to count. I pray for the fog to lift from your memories, as you are ready for the burden of your contracts. I pray for the stars to guide your way in the darkest of nights, as that is when you'll thrive. I pray that no harm befalls those you call dear, as you would be the one to spread the wings of Destruction upon us. I pray for you, my human, so that you may protect all Life and know when to claim it when it's time comes so as to keep balance.
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Raza slithered from branch to branch in the thick greenery of Kalos' north eastern mountains. He was going closer to home. Abra had said that he needed to be close to the manor to teleport safely.
The journey here had been a pain. He wouldn't have minded it if Abra hadn't lost his concentration when he had gotten them away from the police, and had landed them far away from the safe spot where food, hyper potions, antidotes, and stuff were. It had been poison type after bug type after flying type until they had found the damn place. Even J wad been an okay travelling companion, silent and smart. She had risked going in a town to buy some necessities, contact Xavier and searched if some of her crew got away.
Now, the only thing he wanted was to be in his territory and coil safely around Xavier and curse his own ancestry. Some days he truly disliked being a grass type, it felt like the world was out to get you.
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Xavier woke up to the sound of his poketch's mail notification. He opened his eyes to see he was in a puppy pile with the pack, Rayde and even Nox. He shifted so that he could free his arm and phone and opened the mail.
Hello, Mr Sulann,
I have come across the information that a bagon, spinarak and skorupi were soon to be in your possession.
I always had a fondness for those three and was wondering if you would be interested in a trade.
However, I don't have many pokémon on me currently, I'm afraid. For now, how about the bagon for a rare unovan pokémon. I have heard of your fondness for the region's pokémon, though Hoenn isn't a bad place either, right?
I'll let you choose what pokémon to trade for the other two, though it'll have to be at a later date, if you're agreeable of course.
I'll be out of contact for next few days, so my psychic employee will teleport to you and play messenger. I hope you can accommodate him. It also means that it's pointless to reply to this mail.
With gratitude,
Jane P. Hills.
Xavier was immediately alert and read the mail three times before closing it and checked when J's pokémon would arrive. Hopefully it would be today.
He wondered how she managed to get the information about her pokémon being transferred here. Not that it mattered much. He was also surprised she would let him choose, more like commission, two other pokémon. If he took her on her offer, she would hunt those pokémon to give them to him. Xavier might have bought many pokémon from poachers, but they had all already been caught and looked mistreated, and he did notify the police after hiding all proof of his transactions. He didn't however wish to ask a pokémon hunter to hunt down a perfectly happy and healthy pokémon. No, he'll just get Raza and as soon as he's back with him, he'll head to agent Watcher.
He fell back against Rayde with a yawn.
"Raza will be back today, if nothing else happens."
A grumble between snores was all he got from his black and blue pillow and Mini got his attention by gesturing at an opening between the hedges. From said opening came a couple guided by a meganium who was in turn guided my a mightyena. Xavier was about to greet them when he coughed for a while and felt a wave of heat go through his body. Great, I'm sick. They all looked at him disapprovingly and Meganium got closer to him to use aromatherapy. His throat felt better and he looked up at his adoptive parents like a child with his hand caught in a cookie jar.
"Um, I'm sorry."
"About what?" Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Missing our arrival, missing your friend's departure, or sleeping outside and catching a cold?"
"... All of the above?"
"Are you telling me or asking me?" Her frown would have been more intimidating if not for the twitching of her lips. All the pokémon were snickering at him, even the pack. It was hard keeping his face as is but he managed one last sentence.
"Which answer will get me a cookie?"
Matt was the first to loose it and burst out laughing and set everyone off. It wasn't particularly funny but it was a familiar routine for them. Xavier felt even more drowsy afterwards and considered the wisdom of staying here for a nap. Nox came up to him and gave him a flat look.
Go and take a rest in your bed, you foolish child. There's nothing we and your family cannot take care of.
"Alright. Sorry Mom, Dad, I'll greet you properly after sleeping off this fever. And conrgats on evolving, Meganium."
The Johto starter gave him a goofy smile and pulled him up with his vines, the gesture achingly familiar to Raza's.
"No worries, son. Give us a list of what you need done." His father clapped his hand on his shoulder and steered him toward the manor. "Oh! Do you have that jolteon's pokéball on you? Ann said he wasn't supposed to be left out without supervision."
"Eon! I completely forgot about him!"
The hand on Xavier's shoulder kept him from running all the way back to the manor and making his cold worse.
"I'll lend you Rapidash. There's no rush, that jolteon seemed well behaved. Now, what do you need us to do?"
"Well, The zubats and crobats are already back at the manor, so it's only the pack here that needs to be fed and put in the PC or in storage. PolyZ will give you the details. Rayde, gather them up and send them back home?" The luxray sent a mild glare his way and stood up, to many pups' whined protests. "Anything else, you can ask the girls. I feel like I'm forgetting something..."
"You'll sent a message if it comes back to you, now scram." Matt put Rapidash's pokéball into his hand and waved him away.
As Xavier walked away from the hedges and rode his way back home, Matt turned back to see Lisa giving treats to the poochyenas.
"I'm worried about that child," she said without looking at him.
"He always has been distracted by his own thoughts. You shouldn't be worried if he forgets a thing or two."
She shook her head and looked back at him. She did look her age then, even behind the make-up and dyed hair.
"He's never forgot something he's payed attention to. At school, he had almost an eidetic memory for subjects that interested him. If he forgot about jolteon, his job, and something else, either he's distracted by something huge, or something is... wrong... with him, with how much he remembers I mean."
"Well, Raza's missing. That's distaction material if I ever saw one."
"True. Maybe he lacks vitamins? Does he even eat enough? He looked slimmer than last time I saw him," she muttered under her breath.
Matt shook his head and let his wife fuss over Xavier. He quickly gestured some Mightyenas to follow him and walked at a brisk pace. If he didn't get away from Lisa soon, she would turn her fussing on him.