The Legend of A Master
DISCLAIMER – I DO NOT OWN POKEMON OR NARUTO, THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Chapter 11: All aboard the S.S Anne
"Leaf slow down, the ship isn't going anywhere" Alas the words fell on deaf ears as an excited 8-year-old zipped around in the harbour.
Arion could only smile at her enthusiasm. He smoothed down his black turtleneck that was a stark contrast to his pale skin. The conference itself was a casual affair while the after-party would require dressing up.
They were about three days away from Vermillion city, the port for cruises and Cargo ships having been moved after numerous fiascos with Pokemon smuggling attempts. Arion breathed in the salty seaside air.
"Here Arion" Turning to the Professor he was handed a pristine lab coat. Arion put it on, hesitating before also slipping on a pair of glasses.
"My my you sure look handsome"
"Blue-san" with a smile Arion bowed to the beautiful woman in greeting. Without warning, she swept him up in an embrace that he gladly returned. Green appeared behind his wife giving the boy a nod.
"Momma! This place is huge. It is! It is!" Leaf was bouncing with excitement. Swooping in, Green lifted the wiggling child and set her on his shoulders.
"The conference will begin shortly so we better head in" Blue pouted at her husband as he smiled softly.
"We'll join you in" Grandfather and Grandson led the group into the huge luxury cruise. They were greeted by a bowing bellhop.
"Greetings, allow me to lead you to the Conference room Professor Oak and group" As they were led through numerous corridors Arion took it all in his eyes darting around. The ship was packed with trainers and crew all scurrying about.
"Here we are, please have a pleasant time" with another bow he dismissed himself. Blue took Leaf from her husband as she pecked his cheek.
"You go finish up sciency things, me and munchkin will see what we can do about working on a tan" As she turned to go Blue felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning a little Green stole a kiss from his wife that made her blush as he grinned softly.
"It looks like it might rain though?"
"Shush with your logic, go on honey, we'll meet up later" Professor Oak smiled at his grandson, he had come a long way since his cold aloof days.
"Well let's get this show on the road"
"Momma Arion still isn't here!" Leaf pouted as her mother laughed at the adorable child.
"I'm sure he'll come and find us later after he's done" In truth, Blue was worried as well. It was 7.45 and Arion was nowhere to be seen. Ruby paced impatiently whining about being clear on the timings.
"Should we go sear-" she was sharply cut off by someone who was out of breath.
"I'm here, I'm here" Arion looked winded and dishevelled. A rare sight indeed.
"You're Late! GO shower now!" Arion was led away with little protest by the fashion-conscious man.
20 minutes later
"I think I'm overdressed" Blue's eyes landed on the boy now wearing a suit. And she had to agree... he was a little overdressed.
"Nonsense! The tie and vest combo looks great on you and your pocket square matches. Your hair is also gelled to perfection! A masterpiece!" As Ruby turned away, Arion took the time to pull a face of mock irritation at his appearance in over the top fashion. Leaf was obviously amused giggling furiously as Arion further endeared himself to Blue.
His white shirt, freshly pressed contrasted nicely against his black vest and lightly coloured tie. Though he did look a bit like he was attending a wedding, it was a good look on him.
"Make your way to the main hall! I have to go make sure Sapphire didn't change out of the dress I picked or 'accidentally rip it!" and like a whirlwind, the man was gone. Arion smiled before mussing his hair up making him look more his age.
"How was the conference?" Blue enquired as she gently braided her daughter's hair.
"Eh... I caused a small riot with my public appearance" Blue laughed at that.
"Well, they did finally meet the famous mystery man professor aide so they must've been excited" Arion scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"There were lots of cool people with some pretty innovative takes... I had fun" Blue smiled.
"Well, that's good then."
"Shall we go?" Leaf obviously enthused shot right out leaving Blue and Arion alone. His eyes grew serious once the girl left and he turned to Blue handing her a note. Her eyes darted over it as her forehead creased.
"Seriously?"
"I heard a weird beeping when I was leaving the conference so I decided to investigate. Thank god I did. I already told Green about it, He's been doing a final sweep but I'm pretty sure that I found all of them"
"This is why you were late isn't it?" Arion quickly nodded as Blue sighed.
"And here I thought these days were behind us. Did you tell Silver?"
"He hadn't arrived when I became aware of the problem" Blue closed her eyes at that. With a resolute nod and steely eyes, she asked.
"So what's the plan?"
AT THE PARTY
The stormy weather outside did nothing to affect the pleasant and bright atmosphere of the party.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Arion turned around to greet one of the other various scientists aboard. Turns out the S. Conference was just a common name given to the myriad of conferences held on the cruise at the same time. Arion spied several important dignitaries of various worlds both ninja and Pokemon. Daimyos from the courts and nobles as well as business tycoons all making their way to an inner cabin to what was undoubtedly a more exclusive party.
So then who was the target?
Arion hated situations like this. He much preferred known threats. He unconsciously ran a hand down his arm wanting to release a storage seal for a weapon.
"Arion!" the boy's attention was now on the group of Dexholders that had assembled in the corner of a hall.
'So this is him is it?"
"He's smaller than I thought he would be" Arion smiled at that.
"Well, you're a lot friendlier than I thought you would be Ms Platina" The Dexholders laughed at that as even the heiress cracked a small smile.
Arion was introduced slowly to the people present and as he went over and made small talk with all of them. He proved to be attentive and charming, the Dexholders warming up to him instantly.
The first sign of trouble came with the flickering lights. They gave a few more flickers before shutting down. The waiters were all confused, the head manager heading out to locate the problem.
The skylight shattered as Arion pulled Leaf behind him, shielding her with his own body.
"Smokebomb!"
Blue and Green immediately sprung into action.
"Pigeot use Whirlwind, clear the smoke"
"Everyone step back and head towards the exits if you can"
"I'm afraid you'll have to stay right where you are" The manager staggered back into the room a knife at his throat, followed by a familiar Blue haired man dressed in a business suit. On his signal, armed grunts entered the hall their guns trained on the crowd.
The snooty businessmen and nobles of the courts that Arion had seen earlier were herded out slowly at gunpoint. In the empty room behind, Arion could see two bodies from which blood leaked freely.
"It seems we have secured the most amazing group of hostages in the world" Siel's eyes seemed manic with glee.
"What do you want?" Green's eyes were sharp as he tried to get a handle on the situation.
"Ah! a businessman is in our midst! Good! I thought this was going to be difficult..."
"Just cut to the chase" Blue stood along with her husband, gloved hands clenched tightly.
Siel giggled to himself as the man he held at knifepoint began to shake.
"What I want first is for everyone to surrender all their Pokeballs and second, I want money, lots of it" Blue frowned.
"And if we refuse?" The Team Rocket Commander looked thoughtful.
"Well, then this happens" A remote detonator was pressed but nothing happened. Siel frowned. He pressed it again.
"The hell?" Distracted by something apparently being off Siel began to grow more manic and unfocused.
Green locked eyes with Silver who in turn nodded slightly. He rolled his shoulders once and signalled Arion. Arion's eyes took note of the number of grunts in the room.
"5...6...7... 6 not including that Commander guy, Let's get to work"
As discreetly as he could manage, Arion wove a few hand signs activating his storage seals. He palmed his new additions careful to keep them out of view.
"What in the bloody hell is going on?" The Team Rocket Commander roared as his terrified captive couldn't provide him with an answer. The guards too began to sweep the area for anything suspicious, their focus no longer fixating on anyone.
"Now!" On Silver's shout, Arion let loose a few flash bombs that stung the eyes in the darkened hall. The Dex Holders sprang out like a well-oiled machine.
Sapphire, Pearl, Silver and Gold immediately shot out seizing the guards who were closest to them. Chic the Blaziken and Aibo the Ambipom leapt up in quick flashes to disarm the grunts in the Rafters above.
Ruby, Platina, Emerald and Diamond all began to escort the people efficiently as the disoriented crowd struggled to find a sense of direction.
"No! No! No! No! No! I am in control here!" Siel reached behind him to draw something, as Green covered the distance between them in a quick step.
Seizing his knife hand, Green yanked down hard bringing Siel's arm behind him and effectively letting the terrified manager scurry away. The two men began to struggle. Taking advantage of his position Green kicked at the back of the Commander's knee forcing him to the ground. Siel finally managed to unholster his pistol as he shot blindly.
Shots rang out as the civilians on board began to panic and wail. Blue's voice rang out as she tried to calm the obviously distressed crowd.
"Everyone please stay calm and follow me!"
Arion was with Leaf crouching in a small supply closet that he had scouted ahead of time. Keeping the child close, comforting her as she continued to cry. Immediately after throwing the flash bombs, Arion had picked Leaf up and bolted for the exit just as Blue had instructed. They had made it out just as Leaf caught a glimpse of her father wrestling the dangerous man and then she heard the gunshots.
"Daddy could be hurt! Arion! He's not here yet!" She kept thrashing about, smacking the boy with as much force as she could muster.
"Shush Shush I know Leaf I know. But your Daddy is one of the strongest men I know, He'll be just fine." Arion wanted to go back desperately and help, but he couldn't leave Leaf all alone like that.
"Ah to hell with it"
Hugging Leaf close to him, her face snuggled firmly into the crook of his neck, Arion wove the necessary hand signs.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" With a soft poof 10 clones of himself appeared.
"Henge"
"What do you need done boss?"
"I need two of you to sweep through the ship and disarm any grunts you come across, The rest of you head back inside and split off according to what's necessary. I've pumped you guys with enough chakra to take a few good hits but still be alert"
"Roger"
And with that, the small army of clones exited quietly.
"Arion?"
"Hmm...?"
"Will Daddy and momma really be okay?" Arion clutched the little girl closer to him.
"I hope so Leaf, I hope so"
"God I wouldn't mind a drink after this"
Green had been grazed by the first shot before catching one in the shoulder that he felt cleanly exit. Even with his left arm incapacitated he had been putting up a good fight wrestling the man to the ground before a stranger smashed his booted foot into the side of the Rocket Commander's head knocking him out.
Adrenaline receding Green began to feel lances of pain. The stranger handcuffed the Commander before looking at the injured Gym Leader. He hesitated a little bit as he eyed the shoulder before seeming to make up his mind.
"Sir" Green's drooping eyes hazily focused on the stranger.
"Arion sent me back to help. Your daughter is safe, she's with him"
"Thank God" The relief seemed to be detrimental to him staying awake.
"Sir! Sir!" The clone dispelled himself immediately.
Arion's eyes shot open.
"C'mon Leaf let's go to your father" Carefully pulling both of them to their feet, Arion did a quick sensory check.
"All clear" With that they rushed back to the hall.
When Green came to, he found himself lying down on a bed. As he turned his head he could see that the moon was almost setting. Blue and Leaf were curled up in a chair next to him. His senses seemed to sharpen as he spied Arion in the other corner, his back to Green, grinding up some sort of concoction in a small mortar and pestle. His grinding came to a halt as he looked up.
"You're awake" Arion's voice was small as he turned to meet emerald eyes.
"Mmm..." Arion came closer and poured him a glass of water bringing it up to his mouth. Green just watched him as Arion tried to say something but ultimately stayed silent.
"Why do look so guilty kid?" Arion looked caught before he frowned again.
"Try to put up your blank face all you want, your father and you have the same tells" Arion just looked down again.
"I s-should... I-I should have done more"
"You disarmed nearly 20 explosives and informed security. The Dexholders were alerted thanks to you, I think you did more than enough"
"I-I could have ended the whole thing in an instant, th-there would have been no casualties if I did" Green closed his eyes at that.
"But you would have outed yourself to a criminal organisation as a shinobi and a Kekkei Genkai holder at that" Arion's eyes were wide at that.
"Y-y-you knew?" Green had to fight the urge to laugh, if only because his ribs felt like they would stab him if he did.
"Kid, do you really think your parents wouldn't tell us that they had a double life?" tears pooled in the boy's eyes as he squeezed them shut. With some difficulty, Green pulled himself upright to bring the child into a one-handed embrace.
"It's okay to be selfish Arion, It's okay. We meant it when we said we would keep you safe. That means that sometimes we'll get hurt"
"B-but... what's the point of being a strong shinobi... if I let people get hurt? The sacrifice of one... can save many lives" Green looked at the boy closely once more.
"The way you're thinking... you'll crawl into the grave right after Red and Yellow" Arion flinched at that.
"Green's right" Both males turned as a sleepy Blue looked at them blearily, the woman stroked her daughter's hair tenderly.
"Your father was the same, right ol' idiot he was..." Blue smiled softly as she continued on.
"Threw himself into any kind of danger for anyone ever. Didn't care about his own life if it meant saving someone. That is... until he met Yellow" Arion was quiet as he listened intently.
"He finally had someone who was waiting at home... whom he needed to go back to. He was still a reckless dork who threw himself first at everything, but he didn't hesitate to ask for help when he needed it"
"So you are allowed Arion... You are allowed to lean on other people."
When Arion left the ship the next day after dressing Green's wound and a little chakra healing (they should do this at hospitals, Green had grumbled), he had learnt three things.
Number one - Police are really grateful when you help them apprehend criminal organizations, they give you a plaque and all that.
Number two - He couldn't protect everyone all on his own and that was okay and finally...
Number three - His family was the best.
Signing Off,
The Aura Phoenix