Title: Over the Horizon
Disclaimer: Kazuki Takahashi and company own Yugioh. Game Freak, Satoshi Tajiri and company own Pokémon. This story is written for fun. Therefore, I own nada and make nada.
Pairing: Mobiumshipping
Warnings: Drama. Mild Angst. Possible sexual relations between males. Some demography and geography in the Pokémon themed world information is purposely inaccurate to fit the flow of the plot. No main characters from the Pokémon series will be used. Only the general theme is borrowed.
Rating: R or M
Summary: Yugi Muto, a newly budded Pokémon Trainer, has left the safe haven of his home Domino City, Kanto to set out on his quest to discover his place in the world. His dreams are as wild and vast as his home region, but his thirst for success leads him as far as the Sinnoh and the Unova Regions. From Sinnoh, he meets anadventurous Pokémon Photographer, and from Unova a withdrawn Pokémon Breeder, both out to fulfill their own agendas.
Author's Rant: This story is written based on a flickering plot bunny. The idea has evaded me for several days until I finally managed to construct a somewhat decent formula of what I had in mind. Updates will be sporadic based on whenever I finish a chapter. I guesstimate this story to be 10-15 with short to moderately long chapters. Enjoy!
A New Arrival
"Guess we'll rest here. What do you think?"
A chirpy bark confirmed that the current location was a perfect place to camp after enduring a grueling twenty-mile journey in the heat. It was a perfect sanctuary to recuperate. Wild open grass fields, eaten low from the herds of grazing Rapidash and young Ponyta frolicking under the watch of their parents. Flocks of Pidgey nitpicked at the grass for any suspecting Weedles.
After securing data of eighteen new species of Pokémon, confronting several in a head-to-head battle and escaping a small hive of Combee in just one day, Yugi Muto was beat. The Sinnoh Region was a world of wondrous discoveries, beauty and modern grace. Yugi couldn't compare his own home, Domino City, Kanto, the much older, sturdier Sinnoh. Grassy meadows stretched for miles with grass as gold and high as a Girafarig's neck.
Not long ago, Yugi and Vulpix managed to catch some fish for their dinner tonight. Now, with a small clearing near and a berry tree in sight, this may end up being another one of those nights they'd be able to sleep on a full stomach. That'd be better than nibbling off herbal weeds and grass blades to prevent hunger from slowing them down. They'd run out of Pokémon food about two days ago.
Besides, a young Pokémon could only live off nature's gifts for so long; especially a house reared Vulpix. Shrugging off his duffle bag, Yugi unzipped the top, scouring through the contents for a bottle of Max Repel and his ceramic bowl. He sprayed around the perimeter and over his duffle bag. Any wild Pokémon getting too close would likely sniff out the nasty odors and head off in another direction.
In some ways, though he enjoyed the life of being on his own at sixteen, venturing every day to find different species of Pokémon, Yugi loved learning of the Pokémon Employments out there. He'd seen so many and taken notes from dozens of experts. Pokémon Breeders, Specialty Type Trainers, Pokémon Herders, Pokémon Doctors and Nurses, Pokémon Day Care Givers, Regional Professors, Coordinators, and so far, his current favorite, Pokémon Ranger. By eighteen, he hoped to realize his true calling, but for now, he had plans to learn as much as he could about all the regions of Pokémon. Having full knowledge of all species out there would further enhance his ability to adjust to the needs of every type, breed, and gender.
Yugi smiled down at Vulpix as she excitedly inspected a twitching grass blade with her paw. "I'm gonna head on up," he said, gesturing toward a lopsided tree. "Don't wander off, OK?"
A happy squeak said she heard, but kept her attention on the dancing grass. Yugi climbed up, digging his brown hiker boots into the thick bark. He bypassed two long branches to straddle a wider one with bustles of Salac Berries. He started snapping twigs and plucking off the green orbs, careful not to squeeze the spiny skin.
Finally, he could enjoy the peace and quiet. Another day, another set of uneventful few hours spent. How long had it been since he left Domino Town? Eight? Nine? Ten months now? Maybe if he squinted hard enough Yugi could imagine seeing the dark line of buildings rising and falling against the backdrop of the sky.
The herd of Rapidash and Ponyta roamed across the neighboring grass plains; diamond hooves thundering into the earth as they stampeded to another area to feed. Yugi smiled again and sighed as he reached overhead to pluck more ripen fruit from the Salac Tree. The freshly ripen berries were swelled and bright as party balloons; green spiny fruit bits half the size of his finger.
The early evening crept in, forging a burnishing sheet of rich crimson, brilliant apricot and sultry pinks along the horizon. The sweet summer air is springy and very humid from yesterday's rains.
This edge of the forest isn't as populated. Yugi was grateful. An hour ago, he had a run in with a horde of Murkrow nesting in the branches of another forest he'd tried to settle in. He shouldn't have been surprised at the sudden onslaught of dark birds. It was growing dark, their time to start hunting for prey. With the branch above his head picked clean, Yugi inched forward to another brimming with berries and started to fill the upper half of his bowl. Dinner tonight was going to be a repeat of the previous ones; fish roasted over an open fire and a bowl of fruit. Not exactly appetizing, but it sure beat going without a meal at all.
"There." Yugi's voice was soft and pleased as he palmed one more handful into the bowl. It was overflowing, a few tumbling over the edge and bouncing off to the ground below. Gazing over, Yugi smiled down and present his bounty to his companion. "How's this? Think this'll tie us off until breakfast tomorrow?"
A high-pitched bark replied immediately. Little Vulpix piped up and braced up against the tree, six tails curling and uncurling. She spun in a circle and began clawing at the tree bark.
Yugi laughed. "Hold on, love, I'm coming." Her impatience unfortunately is a trait he instilled in her personality by mistake. It couldn't be helped. Ever since he received her from a litter of Vulpix born from a breeding Ninetails—courtesy of his town's professional breeder and distributor of companion Pokémon—Yugi has spoiled her rotten. Could anyone blame him?
Just look at her.
Vulpix touched him in a way that no other Pokémon could. Her glossy red fur, chocolate brown paws, peppy personality and desire to always please her trainer, just brought out the need to treat her like a princess. And those big green eyes were soul sealing and hypnotic, able to bewitch the hardest soul into becoming as soft as a Mareep's wool.
Yugi wiggled backwards against the tree, using one hand to hold the bowl against his chest and the other to find bearing to climb down. Carefully, he bent his legs and swung around. Holding onto the tree's round trunk, Yugi held his breath and made the fast jump down. He landed on his feet, feeling a slight twinge in his left ankle, but shook it off.
He plopped down on the ground, blowing out a short breath. It'd been over an hour now of just gathering berries. His crotch felt like it'd been kicked in.
Vulpix pranced over, bumping her curly haired head into his elbow, chirping delighted to have her trainer back and at the prospect to getting a meal.
"I hear ya. It's coming." Yugi scratched the top of her head before scooping out a handful of berries and dropping them on the ground. "Here, you've earned it."
Vulpix pounced on the offering, kicking up dirt and grass in her haste. Three tails wagged, while the other four lazily wavered in the air, expressing contentment and pure satisfaction.
"Easy," chuckled Yugi. "We've got plenty. Gotta save room for the fish, remember?"
Whether she heard him or not, Yugi had no clue. Her head stayed bowed, shaking from side to side and her paws were slapping the ground for whatever berries attempted to escape.
Yugi closed his eyes as he cupped his third scoop of Salac Berries into his mouth. His tongue captured the sweet nectarous juices as they threatened to leak from the corner of his mouth. He concealed a smile from the satisfied purrs resonating by his thigh. Sucking the sticky juices from his fingers before they left a nasty stain, Yugi reached inside his green and yellow ceramic and passed his companion another helping. She eagerly leapt at the rolling berry balls before they could escape her paws.
The pair finished most of the berry supply in no time. Vulpix managed to get more of the syrupy nectar all over her muzzle then in her jaws. The three thick curls on her head were spiked in every direction, congealed in a distorted fashion.
Yugi rolled his eyes and leaned over to dry and wipe off the residue, but to no avail. His help only made it worst.
"Ah geez and I just gave you a bath this morning."
Vulpix looked at him, blinking big innocent eyes.
Yugi frowned. "Don't gimme that look. It's your own fault. You're going to bed that way. The seashore's about an hour walk from here and we need the canteen water to keep us going until the next town."
A quiet blend of purrs and growls answered to Yugi's proclamation. He shrugged. She hated going to bed filthy.
"Anyway, let's eat the fish before it spoils. It's a long walk to Sunyshore City and from there, we head to Unova." Yugi reached behind him to fetch his black duffle bag. The fish gave off a raunchy odor as soon as he unzipped the bag.
Stupid idea to keep it in there. Yugi swatted at his nose as rafts of drying fish erupted in the air. He held the catch at arm's length, examining the firm gray scales, clear eyes and pink gills. One thing he was relieved to remember were lessons from his grandpa about how to determine the overall health condition of his meals in the wilderness. What mushrooms to eat, herbs to nibble, small prey to catch and what wasn't poison were all firmly implanted in his brain.
Yugi poked it, sniffed and nodded. The fish did give off a slight smell, but it should be fine to eat. He climbed to his feet, laying the fish and berries on top of the rock. By now, the Max Repel had worn off. The fish's scent would travel for miles for the Pokémon would with the intense sense of smell. Using too much of the Repel would mean having less for future travels.
And Yugi hadn't the money to keep a steady supply. "Vulpix, give the area a sniff. See if there are any other Pokémon around."
Vulpix yelped, bouncing up to her fours and started sniffing the air, bumping her nose to the ground and turning all around. A couple of moments she went still, frozen with her left paw up and eyes peeled to a particular spot. She did this several times more before strutting up to Yugi and yipping.
"Nothing?"
Another yip.
Good. If there weren't any around, he could stand to leave his things here for a quick moment and fetch some firewood. Yugi gave a visual glance around the campsite near the tree and boulder before deeming it safe enough to climb up the tree again and gather some branches. He snapped off a few twigs, reaching for the driest ones and knocking a few extra berries on the ground for Vulpix to snack on.
The sky was as pitch as a Gastly's NightShade. Yugi broke off another twig and suddenly felt uneasy. Some leaves broke off, dancing in the light breeze. A sixth sense for danger if you would. His stomach felt queasy, his nerves troubled. Checking over the thick branch he was saddled on, Yugi noticed Vulpix pacing in front of a bush several feet away.
Sudden rustles disturbed the leaves. Vulpix darted backwards, fur surging disorderly on her back and all of her red tails unraveling. She bared her teeth, snarling and scratching at the dirt. It could be anything.
Yugi wished he hadn't been so careless. Just because they hadn't detected a Pokémon nearby didn't mean one wouldn't suddenly pop up. It could have concealed it's presence by any means.
The grass plains were dangerous to be near at night, but Yugi preferred knowing the danger had no way to disguise itself. This left him with the advantage to attack first. However, that still left the edge of the forest, where the trees and tall grasses were plentiful and lush.
Digging into his pocket, Yugi wrapped his fingers around a small Repel bottle, prepared to ward off whatever creature emerged.
Whatever it was had Vulpix on edge, her nerves rattled. Yugi jumped down, ignoring the sudden shock of pain in his ankle. A slight roll confirmed his fears. It twisted from the last tumble. Yugi tilted it back, balancing gently on the tip of his foot, the only way he knew to relieve putting extra weight on it.
Looking nervously at the brush and where his duffle laid hidden behind the boulder, a quick guesstimate made Yugi realize that he'd have no time to make a quick dash to it without startling the creature. He needed to force it out on his terms, not its own. The aliment of surprise would work in his favor.
"Come out of hiding!" He shouted, Vulpix's motorized growling enforcing his demand. "We know you're there!"
Route 222 entirety had a variety of dangerous Pokémon. Luxio caring for their young in prides with Luxrays as the pride leaders. Floatzel's had a terrible habit of sneaking up on trainers, stealing their foods and running off, sometimes attacking with water gun. Worst yet, an Electabuzz could be running loose. Reports of several being spotted in the area were mentioned on the news on Yugi's Poketech.
Electabuzz. . . right.
"Damn," he silently cursed to himself, fishing the Repel out. If it was an Electabuzz, with their nationally known aggressive natures, there will be a heated battle. And that was one Yugi couldn't risk putting Vulpix in. She was still far too young to go against the Pokémon in this area. Their experience far outmatched hers.
Leaves swished violently and a sudden bubbling snarl shouted out. Shivers snuck up his spine; the sound was so gut clenching. It was large, heavy. The rattling sticks and sounds echoed louder. Vulpix's lips pulled back over her fangs as she sneered and erected short white claws from her paws. She cocked back, hind legs bent and red tails sprayed open. She was ready for combat.
Yugi nodded. He understood. As far as flight or flight, they'll stand and fight. Tucking the bottle in his pocket, Yugi took position by Vulpix and poked. "Vulpix use Roar! Flush it out!"
Cocking her head back, Vulpix's jaws clamped down, and chest expanding as if she inhaled helium. Snapping forward, Vulpix unhinged her jaws and let off a thunderous boom. The crackling noise exploded like underground gauzier. Nests of roasting Chatot and Pidgey scattered from the tree canopies to escape the sound waves.
Clouds of dirt, rocks and sticks powdered the air, fogging the clearing.
Seconds, then minutes passed. No sounds came after the dust and debris settled. Yugi relaxed his shoulders and unclenched his fists. Maybe whatever it was got spooked. He could only hope that were the case.
He had the right mind to think that it escaped until he noticed Vulpix's hairs standing on end, fangs still grinding.
Therefore, it was a lot stronger than they were. Way stronger. Yugi grimly knew what had to be done and kneeled down, angling his arm downward. "Climb on," he ordered.
Vulpix hesitated, sniffing the air.
"Come on," Yugi impatiently urged. "There's no time. " Vulpix whimpered before backing up a step and climbing up Yugi's arm. She sat on his shoulder and together they looked on at the consistent disturbance in the brush. Deep-throated growls warningly aroused from the bushes. Staying on the ground would be a liability. Getting to higher grounds was their only solution.
Yugi kept his gaze on the bushes as he took slow steps back towards the tree; though as he did, the sharp sting in his ankle reminded him there'd be no way he'd make the climb up. He pitched forward from the pain, balancing down on his good foot.
Sweat perspired on his brow, his blood ran hot, ran cold. Air escaped faster his lungs than it let in. Fight or flight. Stand firm or flee. Protect Vulpix. Distract the danger. Yugi's mind raced with so many solutions, but there was no action.
His back framed the tree, bark digging through his white and red rimmed t-shirt. His black cargo pants had several items: Max Repels, his pocketknife, some potions, and a couple of extra healers in case Vulpix was ever poisoned or worse. A pocketknife would do little damage against anything other than a Normal type.
Think Yugi, think, think, think.
It was then that Yugi paused, his eyes settling on the bushes as if he could see straight through. It came out, a burst of brilliant yellow, jazzed black strikes and the cackle of electricity sparking. Yugi was so full of frightened awe, he didn't notice the sudden golden streaks of Thunderbolt weaving between the roots and soil before it snapped at his feet from the Pokemon's antenna.
He barely had time to tip toe back and shield Vulpix from the excess trickle of dancing electricity. However, it was as Yugi did that he realized that the tree was the wall blocking any possible getaway. Too close, he thought frantically, as a second wave of wild static ripped through the earth.
The rustling erupted, sticks snapping, rocks crushing under heavy pressure. Yugi turned his head away from the beast's appearance, afraid to see it bushwhacked its way through, snarling from its nostrils. It was big, angry, and out for blood.
No escape. Save yourself. Run. Get Vulpix out of the way.
The thoughts were instinctive, rapid, flashing through his head in the instant that another wild attack hurtled toward out of the darkness in mid-air. Up, down, zig zagged, everywhere but all in one direction. Yugi knew that there was no other choice. He closed his eyes as a lifetime of memories burned out into clear, steely resolve.
Only one of them really mattered.
It was nice while it lasted.
Yugi opened his eyes.
Twisting in a move fast enough to impress Professor Hawkins, Yugi shrugged Vulpix off his shoulder and threw her up, as hard as he could. Tossed high in the air, Vulpix shrieked back against the backdrop and fell on the branch, safe.
Then Yugi turned around, wide-eyed at the snaking streams of Thunderbolt, untamed, and killer, determined for the destruction. It was too fast for dodging, for thought, for anything other than acknowledging the pain to come. Electabuzz roared, flailing bulky arms, and charging, sending bolt after fat bolt of wild power.
Somewhere in the distance, so far off as if through a clogged tunnel, Yugi heard Vulpix's wails, her desperate cries.
And Yugi saw a dark distortion dart in the midst of all gold. Or was that from the speckles of agony staggering through his bones from the network of bolts hitting him? His mind, perhaps, preferred to play tricks on him now. It was better this way. At least when he died from the shocks he wouldn't remember.
A dull roar, wounded growls, a spasm and—words? Someone shouting. Yugi's vision failed him, unable to fully center on the swishing black figure swallowing fractions of the golden chaos. Wetness spattered Yugi's cheek and his ears numbed from the horrible sound of pain, but still all he saw was black, darkness.
Paralyzed and unable to move, his joints locked in the oddest angles, spasming out of control as if to try to channel the network of currents racing throughout his nervous system. His legs gave out first, gravity tugging down hard. Yugi prepared himself for the rough connection with the earth.
It took so long to happen. Did he hit the ground yet? For a long time he waited for the smack of rocks and dirt to hit his face. It wouldn't come, no matter how much he made himself ready for the inevitable.
He opened his eyes a bit to figure out why he felt light as Altaria feathers and realized he was hovering. No feet or hands touching the ground. So, that's it then. He'd died after all. What a terrible way to go.
A blinding dizziness suddenly struck the back of his neck. Yugi whined breathlessly, bile threatening to build in his throat and choke him. Everything seemed to turn white, grey and black at once. All the blood was rushing to his head in this angle, lifelessly dangling. A tightness enveloped him soon. Arms like woven quilts were around him, firm and secure.
"He's paralyzed," a deep smoky voice diagnosed.
Well, that explained a lot. Yugi would have to remember to thank Jesus for stating the obvious.
Yugi or perhaps the person/thing holding him wobbled back and forth without warning.
"Easy, Jack, steady." A long-winded sigh brushed the baby hairs sheltering Yugi's ears. "I think he'll be fine. He took some direct hits. Crazy kid, taking a Thundershock straight on like that." A small chuckle. "Brave and stupid. Cute too, but stupid. Saddle up, Jack. We're bunking here tonight."
There was a low bark and movement under Yugi's legs—what? Hold on.
His twitching fingers skimmed layers of shaggy fur. Subconsciously, he gradually became aware that he was straddling some huge Pokémon, but what kind he wasn't certain. Its growls weren't distinguishable. Wherever he touched the fur, fleshy, hard muscle beneath the furry layer flexed and quivered as if to banish off fleas.
A vibration ran through Yugi as he tried lifted his head. Numbness soaked deep into his muscles tenors. That's a good sign. Maybe the Thundershocks hadn't made a direct strike. There'd be no way to move a single muscle or notice the gentle propping fingers curling under his chin and stroking his cheek.
"Such a pretty face. Hm." Some shifting around and the unmistakable sound of a blooming pokeball, alerted Yugi that his hero was about to make a summoning. The ball popped into the air, snapping open. A radiant shot of white energy unleashed as the tunes of a freshly summoned Pokémon took shape.
Out of the corner of his eye, the new creature was an indescribable blur in the cloak of night. Its glowing green eyes, sharply almond shaped, beaming and close, paralyzed Yugi all over again.
"Lady, scout ahead for that Electabuzz. Make sure it's out of this territory before we settle in."
The new Pokémon, Lady as it was named, nuzzled where the person's leg parallel Yugi's and purred obediently before dashing off into the distance.
The tiny struggles to regain his energy eventually worn Yugi down to the brink of shutting off entirely. He tried to stay awake, to find a way to focus on his surroundings or listen for Vulpix's cries.
It was a losing battle. His eyelids felt as heavy as a Golem's shell. No way was he going to be able to thank his hero or make sure Vulpix wasn't harmed. Not now away. Maybe when he woke up, but he was just too sleepy. . .
TBC: Anyone wanna take a guess as to who the two Pokémon, Jack and Lady are? Quick hint: One is native to the Unova Region and the other is from the Hoenn Region. ^_^