Pokémon Journey: Kalos Quest
Hey guys,Paradox is back! And I'm healthier then ever...kinda. So I'm back into the States and also in school so less time to work on this. Otherwise welcome to the real Chapter 62 and Chapter 19 of the Kalos Quest. Like I said last time this chapter will be Drake focused and will be composed of more then one part. Thing is those parts won't be joined together so expect next chapter to be back with the group.
This will be challenge since this piece will be entirely original and not part of the anime so stick with me on this. One last thing is that this chapter takes place around the time Ash and the group were visiting the marshlands. So...let's get busy.
"The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart." - St. Jerome
Chapter 62: A Solace Journey:Part 1
The rays of sun shined through the trees,the nature of everything around made a sound so peaceful. It was a real beauty of a nature perverse,home to many Pokémon. Even those that were shun by people or others found a home a stay there. Everything was perfect..too perfect.
One nice afternoon,a Budew,Scattebug,Patrat,and Bidoof were stocking berries and nuts in a burrow. As they were finishing up,something shocked the ground beneath them as they felt like it was an earthquake happening. They looked surprised to see sunlight beginning to disappear from their area. They look up to see that the sun wasn't disappearing but in fact someone was standing front of them with their shadow hanging over.
It was Gurdurr and he wasn't there to make friends. Gurdurr smirked evilly as he demanded all their food stored in their burrow. The four smaller Pokémon were too scared to move a muscle and shocked in their paws. Impatient and tired of their cowardice,Gurdurr tensed up and used Hammer Arm to hit all four Pokémon with his iron beam.
The four cried and suffered in pain as Gurdurr quickly took as much food as it could carry and marched away. Too injured to moved was the condition to three of the Pokémon however the Budew hardly stood and hobbled on one leg to begin moving. They say to go get help as Bedew nodded and hobbled to go find help. Luckily there was one guy who could help.
It needed to find Matt.
Traveling through the forest,avoiding civilization was now the current living situation in Drake's life. A week was passed since Lumiose City and Drake never felt any better if not worse since the incident. He didn't even want any of his Pokémon out with him since he thought his darkness might influence them and so kept them in their pokeballs.
Drake felt nothing,no happiness,goodness,much less dignity as much as he claimed. Only misery and pain along with recurring flashbacks of that night. Speaking of night,Drake couldn't even sleep and when he does,nightmares swarm his mind which fuels his paranoia.
As he walks,he felt his pokeballs rumble in his belt and heard their voices via Aura link. "*sigh* no,for the hundredth time. I won't let you guys out." Drake spoke out loud,luckily no one was there to hear him. His Pokémon felt sadness and sympathy for their trainer. Aside from Lucario's view of thinking J's fate was more honor then she ever deserved,he didn't want it to cost him his trainer's sanity as everyone else shared this thought. They wanted to help him but Drake wouldn't open up.
Suddenly his pokewatch rang as the call feature came. A holo picture showed in front of him to see that it Diantha was calling him. No doubt she wanted to ask about what happened. It's what everyone talks about these days. Drake was hesitant to answer but knew he didn't want anyone influence by him both his Pokémon and humans,hence why he drew out of the group
He hit the cancel button,no doubt Diantha's not gonna be happy about it. His watch then beeped again to tell that she left a voicemail but Drake neglected to listen to it. Drake continued to walk around to hear the nature around him. He still admire the peace that was here even all the Pokémon living together. It brings joy to him which was good,because he needed all the joyful he could muster.
He past a short tree where he saw a little Patrat struggling to get its head out of a narrow opening. Drake felt Lucario speaking to help the little guy out. Hoping this might make him feel better and not totally useless,Drake agreed to help.
"Hey,you need help little guy?" Drake asked as he inched closer to it. Patrat however wasn't fond of a human walking towards it expect one of course. "I promise I won't hurt you." Drake promised as he grabbed the wood to spilt it while Patrat nudged his head finally out. Patrat to this human and said nothing. It wasn't sure how to respond to this situation.
"There,see,you finally free." Drake said. Suddenly a heavy tackle pounded Drake in chest and knocked him on his back. *groan*...why didn't I see that coming?" Drake laid there. He looked up to see another Pokémon protecting Patrat. It growled at him as its blue coat and brown fur was on display.
"A Herdier?" Drake said as he stood up. Herdier barked and growled more,threaten Drake to stay away. "Easy,if you didn't know. I only helped Patrat out of that hole." Drake said as he rose his hands defensively. Herdier only believed a part of it,after rescuing it,Drake was going to take it away.
"You know I understand what you're saying right? I wasn't gonna going to kidnap Patrat." Drake said leaving Herdier surprised.
"Herdier."
Right then,all three turn to see a man walking through the bushes. A man around his early thirties. He worn light blue jeans,a red striped buttoned shirt,light brown comb over haircut,and pitch black shades for eyewear. Lastly around his left leg was a hoister carrying something. Herdier barked at him lightly telling him to address the situation.
"Now,now...I don't think he can be much trouble." He said. "Wait,is this Herdier your Pokémon?" Drake asked. "Yes he is. And just who might you be?" He asked. Drake shuddered as he couldn't form any words to come out. "I'm..I'm No one. Okay?" Drake said.
"No one? That doesn't seem like the term. Well,No one,you do know you're standing in the middle of a Pokémon Natural Persevere right?" He asked with some spite. "So what does that make you?" Drake asked in the same tone. "I am a watcher of this area. I handle all disputes and situations. The name's Matt." He introduced.
"Okay,Matt. Look I'm just passing through okay." Drake said. "Oh I understand that." Matt said as he took out the object in his hoister. Drake thought it was a weapon and managed to keep a cool head. Drake looked at Matt as he unveiled several pieces to form a thin metal stick. Drake noticed a ball shaped tool at the bottom and realized that wasn't a stick or baton he carried.
It was a white cane. Which means.
"Wait,what...you're" "yes I am blind. You never seen a blind man before?!" Matt rose his voice alittle. "I met a few but not like...um there's a" "I know,there's a rock in front of me. I also know that there's a Fletchling perched on my left and a Scatterbug about to go evolution." Said Matt.
Drake looked around to see everything Matt said was true,Fletchling chirp on its perch and a Scatterbug evolved into a Spewpa just now. "How..how did you" "know? I may not have my eyes but I have everything else. As a bonus I also have Herdier." Matt said as he petted his Pokémon.
"Wait,before this. You can understand what Herdier is telling you?" Drake asked. "No,that would be impossible for a human to actually speak Pokémon. I can actually tell what Herdier's feeling by the tone of his barks." Matt said. "Okay,he can't actually speak to Pokémon so he's not an Aura sensitive." Drake concluded.
"Okay,your some kind of keeper or shepherd of the forest. I get that,but...never mind. I already know the answer." Drake kept his mouth shut. "Good,because I'd hate to explain how senses work for the hundredth time." Said Matt. "Alright,like I said,I was just helping Patrat." Said Drake. "Great and all but tread your choices accordingly because the Pokémon here aren't very fond of humans. I'm the only one they trust." Said Matt. "I'll be more careful to avoid anything then." Drake said.
Suddenly a Budew came running out of a small hedge and finally found Matt. It spoke Poke quickly and frighten about what happen. "Woah,slow down.. take a breath and start from the beginning." Matt knee down to Bedew's level. Bedew then spoke softly about how it and its friends were attacked.
"*sigh* The big lug will never quit huh." Matt said. "Listen,No one,I got a situation to take care of." "I know,Bedew said an Gurdurr came to their burrow,attacked them,and took most of their food." Drake said. Matt was astounded by he exact translation Bedew gave. "Huh,you speak to Pokémon too?" He asked. "In theory." Drake said,stretching the truth. "I could help against Gurdurr you know." Drake added. Matt juggled the offer and decided Drake should come as backup. Gurdurr is known to cause trouble that even Matt has a hard time keeping him on track.
"Okay,I'll let come along,but you have to listen to every instruction I give you." Matt said. "Understood." Drake said as they ran to follow Budew. As they ran Drake was surprised by Matt's reflexes. He didn't bother to slow down and jumped over small branches. "How..how can you tell what's in front of you? Do you have like a sixth sense or something?" Drake asked. "Something like that. Though I let Herdier be my eyes." Said Matt as they follow Herdier and Budew.
When they got to Budew's burrow,Drake was surprised the burrow was left intacted,but Budew's friends lied by it incredibly injured. "Oh shit." Said Matt. "You could tell how bad?" Drake asked. "I could hear them. They're raspy breathing and moaning. I just haven't heard Gurdurr striking this hard below." Said Matt.
"Here,I have some medical supplies in my bag." Drake said. "Thanks,I'll definitely need them." Said Matt. As Drake and Matt treated Budew's friends,Herdier got busy sniffing around.
"He's sniffing for Gurdurr's scent." Said Matt. "I could track beings too you know." Drake said. "Okay,why don't you help Herdier then." Matt said. "I said could,its doesn't mean I won't." Drake shot back. "Really,don't be selfish. If you could track people,you should use it." Matt angrily said.
Drake thought of it,all week he hasn't used his Aura minus the mental links between him and his Pokémon. For his fear of its taintness and the safety of others he suppressed his abilities. "I'm not selfish...it's...its complicated." Drake said. "Well,whatever it is. Get over it." Matt said. "You don't understand. You and your...sixth sense mumbo jumbo,maybe. But still don't understand." Drake said. "It's not mumbo jumbo...it's a mastery of all other senses other then sight." Matt said.
"Okay,okay...*sigh* I can't do it. I just can't." Said Drake. "Fine...just wait until Herdier picks up the trail." Matt said with disappointment. Drake felt a heavy spite in his chest,but payed no mind to it. The danger of his Aura playing in his mind was more of priority to him. Matt was right though,Drake never felt selfishness in a long time.
Herdier barked telling them he found Gurdurr scent. "He got it." Said Drake. "Great,Budew your friends are going to be fine. Will you watch them?" Matt asked as Budew nodded. "Alright,let's go." Said Matt as the three finally start running again.
As they ran,they through two trees to a hidden area. Past the entrance was a straight row of trees that lead somewhere. They continued to trek through to finally the end of the path. In the middle as the sun shined atop to set a spotlight was a hoard of berries all piled up. They looked on top was Gurdurr enjoying himself as he ate a fistful of berries.
"That's a huge hoard of berries." Said Drake. "Sure,the lug gets fat off the misery of everyone else." Matt said. "What are you gonna do?" Drake asked. "Just let me handle it." Matt said as he and Herdier walked up to the pile.
"Hey!" Gurdurr looked down lazily to see two humans and a Herdier getting its attention. "Gurdurr,how many times have we gone through this?! You just can't keep stealing food from others okay?" Matt said
Gurdurr then got up and jumped down where he met Matt and Herdier eye to eye. "You gotta give those berries back." Matt said. Gurdurr only turn his head back in denial. "I'm not playing Gurdurr nor am I asking." Matt rose his voice. Tired of the stupid lectures,Gurdurr reacted by a quick punch to Matt's torso which sent him flying to the right.
"Matt!" Drake cried. Herdier whimpered for his trainer then growled at Gurdurr finally charging at him with Fire Fang. Gurdurr with quick reaction to advantage of the distance between it and Herdier,and managed to strike it with Hammer Arm. "Herdier!" Matt yelled as he noticed Gurdurr was closing in on him. "Gurdurr stop now!" Matt ordered. Gurdurr laughed figured that this human can't do anything to stop him,only cower. He rose his fist to punch him again,only something came in between. Matt could scene that Drake came in and stopped Gurdurr punch,which surprised the latter as he never seen a human this strong.
"ENOUGH!" Drake yelled as he dropped on arm and used his Aura,(or Dark Aura since its still tainted) to power a punch and deliver it right into Gurdurr's chest,causing it to flying through the pile of berries which exploded and finally on the other side of the space. Gurdurr rose back up with his iron beam swinging more angry then ever.
"Oh,you wanna bout,jamoke?!...then let's do it." Drake said an a quiet serious tone. There his Dark Aura manifest into his fist followed by an outline around his body. Both charged at each other with easily dodging Gurdurr swing. This lead to a strong rapid beat down to Gurdurr center which Gurdurr felt immense pain from. From that point on Drake to charge of the fight when he punched Gurdurr's left rib,followed by a left leg sweep which knocked Gurdurr on his right knee.
Drake didn't show mercy to this ape as he then went full fury with a beat down right to Gurdurr's face which caused the latter to dropped his iron beam. With his weapon out of his reach,Drake did a full body takedown with him on top of Gurdurr's chest as he continued to beat his face.
"You..can't...just...keep...doing...what...you...want...you...piece...of...shit!" Drake said as he kept punching and punching. Matt felt horrified by Drake's sudden demeanor and figured this is what Drake meant he was having issues. Gurdurr of course never felt more afraid of a human,he was getting beaten by one as he felt the life slipping from him. He now regretted overpowering those little Pokémon,who would possibly gave him the chance to be friends instead. But now as he felt Drake's punches take his life away.
"STOP! DUDE STOP!" Matt screamed. Drake felt his mind pinged as he finally stopped. Looking through his dull vision,Drake could see red blood on his hands,he could hear Gurdurr raspy breathing,still alive. Shocked and racked with horror,he slipped off Gurdurr's chest and curled himself away from him.
In his grief,Drake had done it again. He lost control and now a Pokémon was in critical condition because of it. Even more so,his Dark Aura acted and fueled his paranoia even more so. Drake started to cry loudly and moan for his mistakes. "No...NO..NO!" Drake said as he cried and cried. Matt went to check on Gurdurr to see a busted body and bloodied face in its place.
He then felt a couple more presences enter the space around them. Drake looked rubbling his eyes to see his Pokémon have broke from their pokeballs. They couldn't take being in there anymore and now this,their trainer needed help and so did the others. Despite this,Drake wailed loudly in misery for his mistake. Lucario went to help Matt treat Gurdurr while the others couldn't think of anything to say,only to embrace their trainer. Matt could sense their support radiating off them as this only fuel his sympathy for the fallen hero.
Night fell quickly as Matt set up a tent to treat Gurdurr. Drake,of course,didn't even bother to help much less move from where he laid from. Art exited the tent to see Drake still in a curled,rocking position,too scared to even talk. All these still made him feel sorry for him. Off the side his Pokémon and Herdier were having dinner.
Matt walked over to Drake with a plate of food in his hand. "You should eat." Matt said sliding the plate. Drake didn't say or move a muscle and stayed where he is. "Look,clearly you didn't mean to do that. Gurdurr is banged up but he'll breath another day." Said Matt. Drake however still didn't feel relief from this. Matt couldn't thing of anything to cheer him up. He barely knew Drake,let alone to know what is name is. He walked away as the night continued to grow. Eventually everyone went to sleep,but not Drake as he could only wondered to the stars as to what Sara might think of him now.
He didn't the whole night because he knew the nightmares would come back. Ones of Ash,Rene,Mara,even Sara and especially the night he took J's life away. He only cradled himself as the night grew old.
Dawn slowly rose as Matt walked out of the tent to see Drake wasn't where he was from last night. "Hey,Drake?" He called. Lucario and the others woke up to see their master missing. "Guys,Drake's gone." Matt called. Lucario looked beyond using his Aura to sense a signature a mile West. It was Drake's.
"I got him. He's a mile West of here." Lucario said. "That's put him at Breaking Point Cliff. I sure hope he's not think of hurling himself off." Matt said as they ran in that direction.
At the cliff Drake sat there with his feet dangling off the edge. He saw the rays of sun dawning,signaling a new day. He's only thought was on yesterday as he wondered how he could've handled the situation better. It wasn't his first time to something like that. He's done it before and they ended almost without confrontation. But this was different,Drake felt pain everywhere,both physically and mentally.
Matt and Drake's Pokémon went to see him sitting at the cliff. He instructed Herdier to watch Gurdurr back at the campsite. Matt walked up to him in calm fashion. "Didn't you get any sleep last night?" He asked. "You know...someone I knew once told me...that if you're all powerful you can't be all good,and if you're all good you can't be all powerful." Drake quoted,ignoring Matt's question.
Slightly confused,Matt mentally decided to play along. "Interesting quote. Very mingle." He said. "Yea it does. As you saw yesterday I'm not normal. My whole life I never was. A week ago I was branded a monster. I committed a serious act against nature. Now I drew myself from people,neglected my instincts,and...I have nothing to regain." Drake said.
"Hey,for the record,I didn't ask for my condition either. I was born blind,I was always being helped. I've never felt so useless ever. So in secret,I've trained my sense,ran away. Finally came to rest here. Since my teenage years I've lived among the Pokémon here. They took care of me as I've took care of them." Said Matt.
"So you lived here alomost your whole life?" Drake asked. "Yes,look the point is,what you state was purely human." Said Matt. "What I did was inhuman Matt." Drake stated. "It's still fundamental by human view..*sigh* I can't help you you know. And it appears you're only goal is to seek and find." Said Matt.
"Seek and find what?" Drake asked. "I think seek redemption and finding the answer to it." Said Matt. "I don't know where to start." Drake said. "If you want my opinion. I'd start from the beginning." Matt said. "Right,right...after that whole sixth sense wisdom or something?" Drake said.
"Hey it's similar to your Aura." That of course rose Drake's attention. "How did you" "you could've told me that your were an Aura User. I found that out during your bout with Gurdurr." Matt said. "Gurdurr..*sigh* I gotta apologize before I leave." Drake said. "I don't think that's a good idea." Said Matt.
"Matt really? I know about the Pokémon distrust in humans here,but I know I can't fuel that knowing I could at least try." Drake said as he march off back to the campsite,leaving Matt and the others at the cliff.
Back at the camp,Drake went inside the tent where Gurdurr stayed in. He saw Gurdurr bandaged up on his face,chest,and arms. Several bruises were there as well. "Hey." Gurdurr opened his eyes slightly to see the human from yesterday. Fear filled his body,but Gurdurr remained calm because of all the pain he's in.
"Gurdurr...I just want to say I'm sorry. I never had any intentions to harm you in any way." Drake said. "I always thought of doing things with purest intentions." Drake said while Gurdurr only stayed quiet. "I wanna show you something." Drake then took of his shirts to show Gurdurr the damage on his body. Gurdurr stayed how he is emotionless on the outside,but on the inside,Gurdurr felt Drake's pain as he saw the huge number of scar tissue on his body.
"Some of these aren't from other Pokémon...Gurdurr I'm not your average human. I'll someone abnormal. A bad guy in league with worse guys. I'm not proud of what I've become recently. But you shouldn't either. That strength,brawn. You could use that to help Matt,not against him. I'm asking you to try,be better then I am now." Drake said. "I'm gonna leave you to this. You're probably not gonna see me again,but I'll keep in touch. I'm sorry,I'm so sorry." Drake said as he left the tent. "Keep watching him,and take care of Matt,Herdier." Drake said as he left back.
Back at the cliff,Matt and Drake's Pokémon waited for him as he came back. "Alright,everyone except Pidgeot return." Drake said as he returned everyone minus Pidgeot. "So do you think you know where to start?" Matt asked. "I have a hunch." Drake said as he took something from his pocket. He then gave it to Matt as he felt it was some sort of communication device.
"It's a transponder. Click the button and it'll send me a message or a call. The thing will open a holo screen so we could talk." Drake said. "So,basically a one way phone?" Matt asked. "Yea,basically,though don't press it anytime some. Like I said,I want to find this alone." Drake said.
"Alright,I really hope this...this solace journey you're taking. It pays off well. You maybe a jackass,but you're a good breed." Matt said causing Drake to chuckle at that. "And you're all gung ho until the Tauros come home it'll make anyone's head spin." Drake said causing Matt to laugh at that.
"Take care my friend." Matt said as Drake nodded. Matt finally left back to the camp,leaving Drake and Pidgeot on the cliff alone. "Well buddy. I hope you're in for a challenge." Drake said as he mounted on his back. Pidgeot then chirp and cried,asking where are they going.
"Like Matt said,go to the beginning. Pallet Town Pidgeot...take me home." Drake said as Pidgeot flapped his wings and took off. "Don't be afraid to go supersonic either." Drake said. Pidgeot nodded and went faster beyond the land. Drake thought home would be the place to go,he wouldn't find answers in Kalos.
Drake hoped to find what Matt supposedly stated: seek and find. "I just hope Kanto can come through me this time." Drake said mentally as Pidgeot flew beyond the borders of Kalos as the Journey continues.
Done guys,well there's Drake's situation as he felt he's dug himself a bit deeper. Now he's heading back home to find Solace in his soul.
Interesting side note about the title. The noun definition of Solace means comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness. which not to be confused with "soulless" which is what Drake's is feeling,really makes sense about this. But I know you guys aren't interested in this stuff.
Next chapter,we're back with the group in a filler chapter. Last thing is since I'm back now and the poll for Serena's egg has been up for awhile. I'm thinking of closing it on the 27th next Sunday so to those who hadn't voted,vote right now.
That is all,thanks for reading. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.
