Chapter Two
The Sea King Appeareth! Cole's Fate Revealed!
Previously on Pokémon: the Ultimate Journey..
Nick Negron and his friends leave their town of Seadawn on their Pokémon journey across the immense Gran Yarosch region. Taking the opportunity to train some more before heading to the gym in the underground city of Valiglow, they detour towards New Hau'oli Beach to take a look at the Sea King Shrine, a monument to the legendary Pokémon Lugia. On their way there, however, the five teenagers run into members of Team Rocket in conflict with a mysterious member of Team Magma in possession of Nick's (missing) older brother Cole's Absol. What could these two enemy teams need Lugia for, if the rumors of its appearance by the shrine are to be believed? Find out now as the ultimate journey continues..
New Hau'oli Beach, Near the Sea King Shrine..
Nick sighed as he held his arms behind his head. "There's the shrine." He said, looking towards the end of the beach in the swiftly fading daylight.
"Finally. It feels like we've been walking down this beach for hours." Elliot remarked, tossing the Poké Ball containing his new shiny Clobbopus up in the air.
"Oh stop, Elliot. Hiking was never your strong suit." replied Sarina as she took Nick's arm in hers, bringing it down to his side.
Elliot rolled his eyes as Sarina's cousin Liam and his best friend Karin trailed slightly behind the other three. "You think we'll really see a legendary Pokémon, Li?" Karin asked.
"Maybe. It seems that Nick has some luck in that department, having a Z-ring from one of the what used to be Alolan Island Deities before we even left Seadawn. Let's just hope that Rocket or that Magma guy haven't beaten us there." Karin nodded as the group continued walking.
The five teens made it to the shrine and Nick, being a believer and hardcore fan of Lugia, went and inspected the shrine. "I haven't been here since we were little, with my dad and Cole." He ran a hand down one side of the monument, tilting his head at the runic writings.
"What does all this mean, anyway?" Elliot asked as he looked at the etchings with his best friend.
"Let me see. All that studying the ancient languages of the region should come in handy here." Nick inspected the writings more closely. "It says here that in ancient times, when all the regions were still primitive in nature, the first settlers of Gran Yarosch regarded Lugia as one of their chief deities, being responsible for their abundant fishing practices. Along with Arceus, the Father of all Pokémon, it was said that one day, the people angered Lugia.
"The next month, during the tribute to the Sea King, a darkness appeared and a twisted form of the legendary appeared, terrorizing the villages that dotted the coast. Ever since, the remnants of those settlers have offered items symbolizing purity and life in attempt to keep the dark Legend away."
Karin put a finger to her chin in thought. "Wait, I know about that legend. Rocket's boss is after such Pokémon. There are legends all over the Gran Yarosch region of Legendary Pokémon turning on the people. Supposedly according to the boss, their parents told them of their life in the remote Orre region, and tales of Pokémon engineered to be more powerful. But, the methods used closed those Pokémon's hearts to emotion and they would attack other Pokémon and trainers alike."
"The Shadow Pokémon conspiracy." Nick said, fists clenched at his side as the others looked to him, expressions of worry and curiosity aimed at their de facto leader. "Team Cipher in Orre tried twice to make Shadow Pokémon, first thwarted by one of their own and then the child ward of the Orre Pokémon Lab. The only way to stop the rampaging Pokémon was to snag them from the trainers utilizing them. Of course, that goes against how trainers should go about their journeys, but the threat was truly necessary. Especially when they tried turning Lugia into an unredeemable Shadow Pokémon."
"So, what? Rocket is looking into whatever Cipher used to create Shadow Pokemon? Wouldn't that be dangerous to them as well? Since Shadow Pokémon can attack their own trainers?" Elliot asked next as a shadow passed through the bushes nearby.
"I don't really know. But if they are, then we have to tell the professor so she can warn the other necessary authorities.." Nick continued speculating as a drone hovered in the sky nearby, unseen by the teenagers.
Elsewhere..
In a Lab somewhere else in the Gran Yarosch region sat an older man with graying hair, watching the scene at New Hau'oli Beach. ".. Authorities and hopefully that doesn't come to pass. We have no way to fight Shadow Pokémon or even help them as far as I know." Came the voice of the would-be leader of teenagers.
The man smirked and turned toward the far wall, where sat several devices in cases, each with wires pulsing with lights ending in a fingerless glove-like bit. "You have no idea the terror this region shall face, young ones. And no one will be able to stop the Shadows." The man laughed as the lights around him in his lab dimmed to black.
Meanwhile..
"Well, we can only speculate about that, honey. Right now, our goal is to be on our journey and capture as many new Pokémon as we can." Sarina said, smiling.
Nick chuckled. "Yeah, you're right. So, should we set up camp, then? Daylight's fading real quick." With nods of agreement, the group set to setting up their tents for the night.
In the bushes, a rustling sounded as a hand dressed in a red glove parted the foliage to look at the beach, a small whimper emanating from the Pokémon standing next to the figure. "What's your problem all of a sudden?" The figure asked his Absol.
Absol refused to answer her trainer as he watched the group of teens.
Later..
The night was starting to otherwise die down, even the fireflies usually present at night had stopped glowing intermittently. Nick, Sarina and Liam were sitting by the fire they had made as Elliot and Karin had decided to call it a night. "You doing alright, Liam?" Sarina asked her cousin.
Liam nodded, looking out towards the ocean. "Yeah, I'm alright. It's just been a lot lately, you know?"
"I can imagine. Remember, we just found out my brother's alive and working for Magma. Even without the rumors of brainwashing, there are dark times ahead for Gran Yarosch."
"Agreed. But then, we just have to make sure we're ready to take it on."
"You think you kids can take down Magma, eh?" Came a chillingly familiar voice as Cole walked onto the beach nearby, Nick's eye's narrowing and his lips curling into a frown as he bounced to his feet.
"Cole? I thought you were harassing those Rocket goons?"
"Rocket means nothing in the scope of Magma's activities. How do you know who I am? Only the highest echelon of Magma operatives even know."
"Do you even remember who you really are?! Cole! You know how I know your name? Because you're my goddamned brother! Our mother thought you fucking died and you're just fine, except for Magma brainwashing you into one of their lackeys!" Nick said angrily, hands clenched as a faint purple glow began emanating from the clear sea off of the beach. "All you ever wanted was to a League trainer, a fucking Gym leader! And Abby over there never hesitated to help you try and realize that goal!" Now he was pointing at Cole's Absol, the Pokémon bowing her head in shame as Nick's eyes softened. "Oh, Abby. I know it's not your fault this happened. There was nothing you could do until it was too late. But you!" The enraged teens' hand pointed back at his older brother, whose eyes lacked all emotion still. "You fucked up. Hard. And you don't even remember yourself to realize that I had to stay up with mom night after night, hoping Professor Jasper heard any news about you, whether you were alive or dead! It wasn't fair to me, mom, and it sure as hell wasn't fair to Rayven, especially not after CJ was born."
Elliot reached out, attempting to try to comfort his best friend, having witnessed the unhappy times Nick spoke of, but Sarina held him back and shook her head. "This is his issue to deal with." She whispered as Nick continued.
"And it doesn't even bother you! I literally just told you about the fact you have a fucking son back at home, growing up with no idea his father is out in the world, trying to destroy the planet unconsciously because everyone knows the only way to even attempt to harness a Legendary Pokémon's power is to be pure of heart and will towards them! Groudon, Kyogre, Lugia. Any of them could literally wipe out the entire population of Gran Yarosch, and they will if you and your damn teammates manage to get a hold of them.." Nick continued ranting angrily at his lost brother, the purple glow in the water closing the distance between it and the shore, the glow becoming more prominent the closer it became.
Elliot and Karin had come back outside their respective tents, wyes wide as they saw Nick berate his older, brainwashed brother ferociously. Liam was the first to notice the glow as it became brighter and bigger, whatever causing the glow most likely rising to the surface. He nudged Karin's arm softly, motioning toward the mysterious glow. Karin's eyes widened in fear of the unknown as she tried getting Nick's attention. "Um, Nick?" Nick wasn't listening, still raving madly at the Magma operative in front of him. "Nick? Nick!" She shouted, getting the whole group's attention, including Cole.
Abby, the previously unnamed Absol, froze and stared directly at the glowing, a growl emanating from her throat as the water's surface broke in a ferocious wave, the spray reaching the beach easily as a large dark shape flew into the sky. The Pokémon was huge, dark purple or black in color with a silvery-gray underbelly and crests stemming from the area around its crimson-colored eyes, each ending in a sharp tip. Along it's back were small spines that flattened themselves to the creature's back every couple strokes of it's huge, somewhat handlike wings. Nick froze, having seen the creature before as he bent down to where his backpack sat. "Where is it? I know I packed it!" He mumbled over and over as he began searching every pocket of the bag.
"Uh, Nick? Why do I feel like you know exactly what that is?" Elliot asked as Sarina went a step ahead and took out her Rotom Phone and activated the scan function of the Pokédex app.
Lugia, the Diving Pokémon. Known as the King of the Sea, Lugia live in the darkest reaches of the ocean, only surfacing to cause hurricanes in anger. It is also known to have connections with the Kantonian birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres.
"That's not a Lugia." Cole stated, surprising everyone. "Lugia are white with a dark blue coloration. That thing is.. Much darker."
"Found it!" Nick said, pulling his hand from the bag, a long silver feather in his grasp. As soon as the item was taken out, it began glowing a bright silver and the supposed Lugia roared as it's demonic eyes narrowed at the feather.
"Nick, you have a Silver Wing?" Elliot asked incredulously, wondering how his best friend always wound up having such rare items.
Nick ignored him as he held the Silver Wing as high as he could. "Lugia! King of the Sea! Stop this rampage and release the shadows that hold you!"
In a call of fury, Shadow Lugia beat its wings and released a Hurricane attack, the wind whipping sand from the beach all around the group of humans. Cole didn't waste another second. "Absol, use Shadow Ball!"
Abby hesitated, looking at Nick instead of her trainer. The teenager nodded and she released the attack, the ball of dark energy flying towards the corrupted Legendary. Nick on the other hand kept trying to speak to the hostile Pokémon. "Lugia! This isn't you! You're meant to protect the seas and the people who revere you!"
Elsewhere..
Back in the mysterious lab, the elderly man sat with his hands clasped in amusement, his chin leaning against them and his elbows on the desk in front of him as he looked at the new feed from his drones. "Stupid boy. Nothing can purify my new and improved Shadow Pokémon. Cipher will strike a third time, and as they say: third time's the charm." With a malicious chuckle, the man continued watching the events at New Hau'oli Beach..
Back at New Hau'oli..
Nick grit his teeth as the Shadow Lugia unleashed Aeroblast after Aeroblast, Abby automatically protecting the teen with another Shadow Ball. Nick smiled at his old friend. "Thanks, Abby. Keep covering me, I know I can get through to it." Without even listening for a retort from her mentally lost trainer, the Absol jumped in front of Nick, prepared to defend him.
"Stop this, Lugia! I can see the light in your heart," The Silver Wing in his outstretched hand began to glow brighter. "I see the love in your soul! You Legends are the only ones who truly protect this world, and we can't afford to lose any of you. You, most of all! So listen to my plea, oh mighty King and bring forth your true form!" The glow of the Wing in his hand engulfed Nick, almost blinding the others as a beam shot from the Silver Wing straight into the Legendary Pokémon's chest, creating an even more blinding flash of light in the sky where the Shadow Lugia hovered.
The Mysterious Lab..
Back in his lab, the gray-haired man grimaced as he pounded a fist into the desk. "No! This cannot be! How does this child know the ancient verses? How did he come into possession of that Silver Wing?! They were all supposed to turn into Shadow Wings once I had perfected Subject XD-001A!" Cursing, he left the lab to consult his partners. That boy was going to be trouble, but not if the Grandmaster of the Cipher Organization had anything to say about it..
Back on the beach, the light diminished as Lugia was revealed, free of the Shadow corruption that had somehow overtaken it. The Legendary began to glow with a rainbow-colored aura. Thank you, young one. You have somehow managed to dispel the Shadows that held my heart.
Nick knew this was telepathy, Lugia being a Psychic type Pokémon. "I.. I had to do what I had to. This world, created in part by you and your brethren must.. Be protected. The wonder and majesty of this world is one thing I aim to always protect." Nick said, panting as he looked towards his brother.
Cole smirked as he readied another Poké Ball in his hand. "That Lugia is coming with me, boy. Poké Ball, go!" He threw the ball only for it to be destroyed by Abby, a False Swipe attack splitting the item in two as she called out in defiance. Cole growled. "Useless Absol! Obey me!"
Lugia, seeing the dissent amongst the two closed its eyes and listened to Abby's calls. You have no recollection of your true self, heathen. Begone with you and your traitorous ways! Focusing another Aeroblast, Lugia sent Cole flying, a lone Poké Ball levitating towards the teens. Nick recognized it as Abby's, the lightning bolt sticker marking it evident above the activation button.
"Looks like you'll be sticking with us for a while, Abby. You gonna be okay with that?" Nick asked the Absol. "I can always bring you back to mom. Or Rayven and CJ. It's your choice, Abbs."
Abby let out a pleased cry, Lugia translating telepathically. She wishes to remain with you, young one. She says if anyone may be able to break your so called brother out of his brainwashing, it is you and your friends. But I do have one question. How is it humans so young know of the Ancient Verses?
"My father was an avid researcher into the pre-unification era of the Gran Yarosch region. Any and all legends and tales he researched became important knowledge to me, especially after he passed away. The Ancient Verses as you call them were merely poems that he thought, in a way, told how the ancient Gran Yaroschans were able to stop the rampages of eons past. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I guess." Nick shrugged.
The Sea King Pokémon hummed. I do not think so, but for now I guess luck is an apt enough description of your presence. It looked towards the water it had sprung up from and out floated an egg glowing with psychic energy. The egg floated down towards the group and landed in Nick's arms, the energy fading to reveal an off-white color with two rows of dark blue rectangular shapes running down one side. I fear this is what they were looking for. If you had not saved me from my rage, the egg would have been corrupted and been transformed into a permanently dark Pokémon. Take it, and raise it with care. I feel that you all may be the ones most trusted by the Legendaries themselves.
Nick looked at the egg in awe as he nodded with a smirk. "You have my word, Lugia. Nothing will ever happen to this egg or the child that resides within."
With a slight nod, the Legendary King of the Sea dove back beneath the waves, further hiding from those that would hunt it down.
Elliot scoffed, throwing his hands up. "Oh come on! Really, Nick gets a fucking Lugia egg?! How is that any bit fair?"
"Shut up, Elliot!" Came the unified chorus of the other teens' voices as Nick began walking off back to their campsite. The resort could wait for tomorrow.
Chapter Two End..
A/N:Finally! Sorry it took so long, other fandoms and life took my time away from this. Short as hell compared to most of my writing but I think it closed well enough to say finito. Hopefully the next one doesn't take as long as this did.
NextTime:The group continues their journey to the first gym on their list. The Professor gets shocked and Cole shows up to cause trouble again. See ya!