Jack flopped onto one of the bunks in the sleeping quarters. "Well then, I guess we'd best enjoy the voyage while we can."
"I for one am just glad to have some down time," Nova said as she did the same on a bunk of her own. "Well, that and to have Lucario back, especially that part."
"I can agree to that," Lucario continued, sitting next to Nova and running one of his paws through her blue mane.
Jack closed his eyes and sighed wistfully. "How long do you think the trip will take? I didn't keep track on the way here."
"It took us two days the last time we were on a ship going between Saldara and Sinnoh," Lucario replied, looking over at Jack. "So I imagine it will be similar this time around."
Jack nodded. "Okay then, just wondering."
"You are from Sinnoh, correct?" Lucario asked.
While he was pretty confident in his assertion, he didn't know Jack all that well at this point.
Jack nodded again in affirmation. "Yup. Born and raised there. This was the first time I've ever been out of the region."
"We were both in Sinnoh for a few days many months ago," Lucario said, thinking back. "That was actually when we met Eric, though we were disguised as humans at the time."
"So, if this is your first time away from Sinnoh, are you eager to get back home?" Nova asked, sitting up on the bunk before leaning against Lucario's shoulder.
Jack grinned slightly, although it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I guess. Although I probably won't be going home for quite some time yet. Still, it'll be nice to get back to familiar territory after spending so much time wandering around with no idea what I was doing."
"Well, you were pretty clueless when you first arrived," Nova countered with a smirk.
Jack glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Well," he continued, his grin spreading slightly, "Keep in mind, I kept up with you pretty well while we were defending Fort Aaron on my second day in the region."
"Last I checked, you stumbled into a military checkpoint on your first night," Nova said as her smirk grew as well. Lucario just let out a short laugh at their banter, shaking his head ever so slightly.
Jack snorted dismissively. "Details, details…"
"Details are important," Lucario started, interjecting himself into the conversation. "Details allow one to pick up on the weakness of their opponent in combat."
"And what weaknesses could you possibly ascertain from the fact that I'm a bumbling idiot?" Jack deadpanned.
"Spar with me and I will gladly show you," Lucario countered with a semi-malicious grin.
Jack shrugged. "I'll pass. I think the mainland is still too close, we might destroy something important."
Both Lucario and Nova let out a short laugh at Jack's words.
"You might have a point," Lucario replied with a grin.
Jack chuckled, and swung around so he was sitting on the edge of his bunk. "Well," he said, getting to his feet, "I'm going to go see if it's dinner time yet. Coming?"
"Sure, why not," Nova said as she jumped to her feet. Lucario simply stood up and followed after the two of them.
Two days later...
"Captain, I have three radar contacts on bearing one-nine-three. Range is thirty kilometers and closing."
"Any idea what they are?" Yazek inquired, leaning forward from his chair in the center of the bridge. He glanced at this ship's clock and saw that it was just past 10AM. They were due in port in just under ten hours. They had covered all but the final leg of the trip without any other radar contacts.
"I would say medium sized ships, the computer is estimating their length to be around fifty to sixty meter," the radar operator replied. "Possibly fishing trawlers as we are approaching the Sinnoh economic exclusion zone."
"Could be… What is their current heading?" Yazek asked.
"All three vessels are maintaining a course along zero-eight-zero, sir."
"Helmsman, what is our bearing?" Yazek called out, turning his attention to the sailor at the helm of the warship.
"Our heading is one-six-one, maintaining a speed of fifteen knots," the helmsman replied.
"Keep tracking those ships, I want an estimation of where they will be in relation to us as soon as possible," Yazek ordered. Ten minutes later, the model for the unknown ships' course was made.
"Sir… if we maintain our current speed and heading and they do as well, we will pass within three kilometers of each other," an officer reported upon analyzing the data the corvette's computer had generated.
"Far too close…" Yazek muttered under his breath, "Helmsman, reduce speed to one-fourth and bring us to bearing one-nine-three."
"Reducing speed to one-fourth and turning to bearing one-nine-three, aye sir," the helmsman replied as he pulled back on the ship's throttle. The ship gently started to slow down from its fifteen knot speed down to just under nine knots. The sailor then turned the wheel hard to starboard causing the ship to turn right through the ocean. After a few seconds, he spun the wheel back around and steadied the ship on the proper heading.
"That should give us a little bit of breathing room," Yazek said with a sigh. He could only hope that those ships were indeed fishing trawlers. A half hour passed before the next development came in.
"Sir, I see a Pokémon off the port side. A large flying type with what appears to be someone riding on it," a lookout reported as he glared through his binoculars at the Pokémon in question.
"Sir! I just picked up a coded radio transmission originating off of our port beam. It's encryption matches that of an Alpha handheld radio!" A different officer relayed.
"All three ships just increased speed and are changing their bearing, they are turning right towards us sir!" The radar operator said as he monitored his station.
"I am picking up Alpha fire control radar in the direction of the unidentified fleet. At this range they should not be able to acquire us," a different officer relayed.
"Sound general quarter! Helmsman, full speed ahead and set course for Canalave City! Fleet is confirmed to be hostile. Weapons, you are free to engage," Yazek ordered in a powerful, yet calm voice. All throughout the ship, alarms sounded as the ship leaned over some as it executed its powerful turn to port. The warship's two waterjets propelling through the waves at a speed of thirty-five knots.
"Aye sir, confirming radar lock on nearest ship and uploading targeting information to the RBS-15s," the weapons officer replied. "Both missiles on the port side are ready to fire."
"Fire!"
Jack stumbled for a moment as he felt the ship turn sharply under him. "Woah…" he muttered.
"That cannot be good…." Lucario said.
Only a moment later, alarms sounded throughout the ship. The ship's crew that had been with them in the crew quarters instantly jumped to their feet and started running to their battle stations.
Jack glanced at Lucario. "No kidding. Should we go and see what's going on? I mean, we are supposed to protect the ship."
"Teleport to the helicopter deck?" Lucario suggested, putting on of his paws on Jack's shoulders. "Nova, go to Eric and find out what is happening."
"Alright," Nova replied as she nodded her head and went off in the direction of Eric's aura.
With a crackle of electricity, Jack teleported up to the deck of the ship dragging Lucario along for the ride. When they got there, there was a loud roar as the ship vibrated lightly before a bright flash and plume of smoke on their right. This was followed almost immediately by another as two anti-ship missiles raced into the sky.
Jack stared in shock at the massive projectiles as they arced through the air away from the ship. "What the… what were those things?"
"Anti-ship missiles, not the first time I have seen them but definitely the closest I have been to them," Lucario replied in a level voice.
"Wow," Jack commented, this being the first time he'd ever seen missiles of any kind.
That was when Nova's voice rang out in both of their heads.
"Eric said that there are three Alpha ships closing in on us. Also, you two might want to steady yourselves," Nova said.
Jack opened his mouth to say that he'd be fine, but decided the better of it.
Jack and Lucario both took Nova's advice and aurically attached themselves to the ship right before it executed another powerful turn to port, the bow of the ship cutting across the direction in which Jack guess the Alpha ships were in based on the missiles. Once the ship finished its turn, another two missiles shot out of its side.
"All four missiles are in the air and tracking, sir," the weapons officer reported. "Current range to enemy ships is fifteen kilometers and closing fast. They will have a radar lock on us any moment."
"Given that they are most likely Göteborg class corvettes, that would give them twenty-four missiles ready to launch as soon as they get a lock on us. Our single gun cannot defeat that many missiles…" Yazek muttered. "Helm, put out bearing directly towards them, give them the smallest radar cross section possible."
"Aye sir."
"The first set of missiles has entered them terminal runs now sir. Impact in five… four… three… two… one… Impact! One missile was intercepted but the other has struck the lead ship. The second pair of missiles are closing on their target now…. The lead missile was just intercepted and destroyed but the second one is still closing. Impact… now!" The radar officer relayed. A few moments later two columns of black smoke could be seen on the horizon.
"Alright… so that leaves us up against eight missiles…" Yazek said. "I still don't like those odds…"
"Sir, if I might offer a suggestion," Eric started, having made his way to the bridge with Nova. "I believe that our three guests might be able to help."
"How so?" Yazek inquired.
"Nova, can you call Lucario and Jack here so I can see if this will work," Eric said.
"Alright," Nova replied before closing her eyes for a brief moment. Seconds later, both Jack and Lucario appeared in a crackle of electricity.
"What's this about missiles?" Jack asked.
"We are about to have eight of them heading our way. Chances are we can only intercept about half of those with the ship's main gun. What are the chances either or both you can redirect a missile with your psychic powers?" Eric inquired.
Jack glanced at Lucario. "I don't know about him, but it'd probably be easier for me to just detonate them midair."
"I don't think that is a good idea… What is the range of your abilities?" Yazek asked.
Jack scratched the back of his head. "Only a little more than a kilometer. Let me guess, not enough?"
"Not anywhere near enough…. These missiles carry two-hundred kilograms of explosives and travel at over three hundred meters per second. You detonate that missile at one kilometer and you going to be pulverized by shrapnel," Yazek warned.
Jack winced. "Okay, redirection it is then. Might be tricky, if they're moving that quickly. Still, having to deal with four missiles would definitely be better than eight."
"We will also pop off of chaff rockets to try and make one or two of them miss," Yazek said. "So can you do this?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, it won't be a problem."
"I should be able to do that as well," Lucario replied.
"Can you do that from here or do you do you need to be on the bow of the ship?" Yazek asked as he looked the two of them over.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of Jack's mouth. "Well, the fewer things between me and my targets the better."
"Then on the bow would probably be better," Yazek said.
Before anyone else could say anything, the radar operated interrupted.
"Sir! The lone surviving ship just started launching its missiles!"
"No time to waste then," Lucario stated as he put his paw on Jack's shoulder once again.
Jack nodded, and teleported them both up to the bow of the corvette. Once there Jack immediately turned toward the direction the ship was facing.
"So," Jack commented. "How long do you think it'll be before the missiles are in range? For that matter, what is your range anyway?"
"Never really tried to extend my psychic abilities, so probably not as good as yours," Lucario replied. "You get the first one, I will grab the second."
Jack nodded. "That's assuming we only have to deal with two of them. But sure, that sounds like a plan. I should be able to get at least two of them, if it comes to that."
"I certainly hope so… or else this could end very badly…" Lucario muttered.
That was when there was a mechanical sound just ahead of them as the two panels flipped outwards on the turret in front of them and the barrel rose up from its hidden location. That was when Jack noticed a trail of smoke on the horizon.
"Here they com-" Lucario started but was interrupted by the bark of the ship's cannon.
"I see them," Jack replied telepathically. "And I'm ready."
The ship's main gun fired over three rounds a second at the approaching missiles. Small black puffs of smoke were visible in the distance as the shells detonated and filled the sky with shrapnel order in destroy their targets. Almost instantly there was a large explosion, quickly followed by another. Jack counted the large explosions in his head. After the fourth one, he noticed that the missiles were getting uncomfortably close. That was when the ship launched off several chaff rockets, filling the air around the ship with thousands of pieces of aluminum.
Jack's eyes glowed like molten gold and he held out his right hand towards the approaching missiles. He furrowed his brow in concentration, and a plume of water rose into the air as one of the missiles dived down into the ocean and detonated. Lucario's were closed as a bright purple light emitted from around the edges. His extended right paw was glowing purple too as he found a psychic grip on one of the missiles as well and plunged it into the sea.
The third approaching missile was drifting away from them, being lured into the cloud of chaff, leaving only one final missile closing on the ship. The 57mm gun had been firing nonstop, but was having trouble against the maneuvering missile as it entered its terminal approach.
Jack gritted his teeth and unleashed a tidal wave of telekinetic energy in a last-ditch attempt to redirect the last projectile to the side. With a grunt of exertion from Jack, the missile moved just enough to skim past the corvette's stern; missing it by no more than a dozen meters.
Lucario let out a sigh of relief as he leaned back and sat down against the forward part of the ship's superstructure.
"Too close…" he muttered as he opened his eyes and looked up at the sky.
"You're telling me…" Jack groaned, both exhausted and terrified from the experience. His face was pale as a ghost, and he was breathing heavily. Sweat was dripping from his hair into his eyes, despite the chilling ocean spray. Redirecting the missiles had taken a lot more effort than he'd bargained for, and he still hadn't fully recovered from his near-death experience at the Alpha base. It had taken almost everything he had to move the second missile in time.
"We aren't done yet…" Lucario said as he saw the stillhouse of a ship on the horizon. As if to answer his complaint, the corvette's main gun trained towards the ship before once again roaring to life, firing the remaining rounds in its current clip at the Alpha ship in the distance. That was also when the Alpha ship started to return fire, turning slightly to the side to get both the guns on the front and rear of the ship firing.
"It would probably be best if we got back inside," Lucario suggested as shells started raining down around the ship.
Jack was still looking out at the incoming Alpha ship, trying to decide whether or not to do something insane. Even now that they'd stopped its first volley of missiles, there was no guarantee that the Alpha ship didn't have more. In addition, there was a chance that the enemy's guns would find their mark. A rueful grin tugged at one corner of his mouth as he contemplated how crazy his scheme was, but he got to his feet nonetheless.
"I'll… be right back," he said.
Before Lucario could respond, Jack disappeared with a crackle of electricity. His target was the only other landing point in direct sight, the Alpha ship. Jack popped back into existence in a cramped room, probably somewhere below deck on the enemy corvette. There was a lot of machinery with a long, belt-like part running up towards the roof. Jack could see the belt of shells being fed through it, and he could barely hear the sound of one of the ship's two guns firing.
"I'm in the loading room for one of their guns," Jack thought to himself.
Looking around, Jack realized that if the shells exploded on impact then a well-placed explosion here could very well detonate the entire load. Jack glanced at several large containers, similar to the one attached to where the shells were coming from, and conjured up an Aura Sphere in his hand. He presumed that the containers held ammunition for the main gun. One explosion, and the entire ship would probably go up in flames. That's all it would take. One explosion… and everybody on the ship would be dead.
Jack froze, a sense of disgust washing over him. "What am I doing…?" he asked himself. He didn't like the answer.
They're the enemy. They're trying to kill you.
"And that justifies me stooping to their level?" Jack argued with himself.
This is war. You remember war, don't you? Casualties are unavoidable.
"I may not be able to save everyone," Jack countered, gritting his teeth, "But I won't kill."
Even if it's you or them?
Jack shook his head defiantly. "There's always a third option. And if not, I'll make one!"
You really are too soft, Jack. I promise you this much, it will be your downfall.
"So be it," Jack replied grimly.
Jack went to dissipate his Aura Sphere, his mind already racing to find other ways of disabling the Alpha ship. He could just go around and knock out everyone on board. It would be a lot of work, especially in his current condition. Plus, it he stayed on board too long there was a chance the Saldaran corvette might end up hitting him with their cannon. Even so, it was better than killing.
It was at that moment Jack realized that he'd teleported. He was back on the Saldaran ship beside Lucario. He could feel his mouth being stretched upward in a small grin, but he didn't feel like smiling.
"What…? What the heck just happened?!" he asked desperately.
You just did what had to be done... I'm sorry, I really am, but you have to learn.
Jack watched the horizon in morbid fascination as the Alpha ship went up in a massive fireball. The Aura Sphere he'd left behind when he teleported had exploded, just as planned, and detonated the ship's ammunition supply. To Jack's horror, he felt his lips part and heard a chuckle escape them.
"Well," his own voice said, an edge of steel in its tone. "That was surprisingly easy."
"Yeah…" Lucario replied as he looked from the rising pillar of black smoke over towards Jack.
Jack stared numbly at the destroyed ship for a few more seconds until, eventually, the sound from the blast finally reached them; no more than a low thud after travelling so far. It was the final testament to what he had done. Jack's stomach tied itself into a tight, cold knot as the horrible truth sank in. Even so, he knew he couldn't stand there all day.
"Well then, shall we report back to the captain?" he asked grimly, turning to face Lucario; any trace of a smile having completely vanished from his face.
"I guess that we should," Lucario said as he put one of his paws on Jack's shoulder.
One quick teleport later, and the two of them were back in the bridge. The crew that was present were all looking at the remains of the Alpha ship before turning their attention back to Jack and Lucario.
"What did you do to them?" Yazek inquired as Lucario walked over to where Nova was standing.
"I took the most important-looking thing I could find," Jack replied solemnly, "and blew it up. In retrospect, I think it was their ammunition."
"Definitely the ammunition," Eric said as he looked through a pair of binoculars.
"Helmsman, bring us back down to cruising speed and resume course for Canalave City. Secure the ship from general quarters," Yazek ordered before turning his attention back to Jack. "Thanks for your help. Without you, we probably would not still be here. Granted, if you weren't here, I probably would have avoided combat altogether."
Jack felt like screaming. He didn't want to be congratulated, he wanted to be berated; maybe even punished. If people kept congratulating him, telling him that what he'd done was okay, he might start believing them...
"Thanks for that vote of confidence," Jack replied, doing his best to seem upbeat. "Anyway, if you don't mind I'm going to go have a nap. That trick with the missiles really took it out of me."
"I think I will do the same," Lucario added on, as deflecting even one missile had proven to be a tall order.
"My thanks goes out to you as well, Demon of Razgriz," Yazek said, nodding his head towards Lucario.
"I am simply trying to right the many wrongs I was forced to commit," Lucario responded.
"Well, let me ask you this, if you hadn't been forced to be a weapon for Alpha, would you have still helped?" Yazek asked.
"Of course," Lucario replied in a bit of a forceful voice.
"Then in my opinion, you have no wrongs to right," Yazek finished before turning his attention back to the ship.
With that done, the trio left the bridge and started down to the crew quarters passing a few sailors along the way. It didn't take them long to reach their destination and both Lucario and Jack plopped down onto a bunk with a heavy thud, each letting out a sigh. Jack didn't feel like starting a conversation, but he knew that if he didn't someone would probably ask about the missiles or the Alpha ship; and he didn't want to think about them right now.
"So," Jack asked in what he hoped was an off-handed manner, "Demon of Razgriz, is that some sort of title?"
"I guess you could call it that…" Lucario started. "It's from a story, one that has an interesting history in this world. The Demon of Razgriz as a deadly demon that rained death and destruction upon the land. However, it is eventually killed. After a period of slumber, it awakens again. Though this time it returns as a great hero. I guess people see me in similar light as I have both helped and hurt Saldara."
Jack nodded. "I see… do you like the nickname?"
Lucario closed his eyes and was silent for a few seconds as he thought about Jack's question.
"It… does have a certain appeal to it. It reminds me of what I did, yet also gives me hope for a better future," Lucario replied in a somber tone.
Jack was silent for a moment. "Okay then, just wondering," he replied eventually. "Hey Nova, do you have any nicknames?"
"Nope," Nova said in response before turning back to Lucario. "I think that Razgriz would sound nice. It does kind of have a nice ring to it."
Jack chuckled, grinning mischievously. "Well then, I guess we'll just call you Razgriz from now on. Gotta say, it'll be less confusing that way if we run into any other Lucarios."
Razgriz nodded his head before closing his eyes as he laid on the bunk. "Very well then."
Nova sat down next to Razgris, placing one of her paws on his shoulder as he rested. "Reliqua," she said in a soft voice with a faint smile.
"By the way Nova," Jack continued, "I never did ask you. Are those armbands some Azorian thing? They look too fancy to be for fighting."
"Verum," Nova said as she nodded her head. "They are royal Azorian bracers, worn by queens. On most occasions, they were to be offered during a proposal."
Jack flung himself into one of the top bunks. "Okay, I think I get the picture. If you need me, I'll be up here beating my curiosity into submission."
"Got more questions I take it?" Nova said with a short laugh.
"Nope, none," Jack replied decisively from his crow's nest.
"That's a lie if I ever heard one," Nova countered with a smirk as she stood up and climbed onto the bunk above where Razgriz was sleeping.
"Nope," Jack denied. "That would require curiosity, but mine is currently off for the day due to work-related injury."
"Tomorrow then," Nova said as she sat down. While she wasn't very tired, she could use the time to meditate. "I know most people usually have more questions after hearing about a Pokémon wearing royal artifacts."
"Actually, I think I understand the situation just as well as I'd like to," Jack replied. "Remember, I'm still young and impressionable."
"Is that some human saying?" Nova asked curiously.
Jack's face was hidden, but Nova and Lucario, or Razgriz as he was now to be called, could practically hear him roll his eyes. "No… never mind."
"Humans…" Razgriz muttered before trying to get some rest.
"Wake me up when it's time for lunch, deal," Jack replied with a yawn. "Otherwise I'm not sure I'll get up in time."
"Not making any promises," Nova responded playfully, a noticeable smirk present on her muzzle.
Jack snorted slightly. "Fine then. Just remember though, once we get to Sinnoh I'll be handling the food. Unless you want it all extra well-done, I'd suggest humoring me for a while," he shot back smugly.
"Implying either of us would need to rely on you for food," Nova countered, equally as smug.
Jack chuckled mischievously. "I can cook it in your paws at twenty paces."
"Fine…" Nova huffed, rolling her eyes in defeat.
"Glad you know who holds the aces here," Jack stated. "It's like they say, control a person's food and you control the person."
"I prefer beating them to a pulp then branding them," Razgriz countered.
Jack was silent for a moment. "Well, you're not wrong. Then again I don't think that's a viable option in this scenario, for reasons discussed previously."
"Simply stating facts," Razgriz said, "It usually isn't a good idea to get in the way of a Pokémon and their food."
"Exactly," Jack retorted. "Hence why Nova should wake us up on time for lunch."
"Are you implying you are a Pokémon?" Nova inquired.
"At this point, would you be at all surprised?" Jack countered.
"Honestly… not really…" Nova started before glancing over at him. "You aren't actually a Pokémon, right?"
"Not to my knowledge… Although honestly it wouldn't surprise me either," Jack deadpanned.
"Just how much of your past do you actually know?" Nova inquired.
Jack chuckled ruefully. "My adoptive parents, a pair of Lucarios, found me in a basket in the woods as a baby. They don't know who left me there."
"That is interesting…" Razgriz started as he glanced over at Jack. "Certainly explains a lot."
Jack nodded. "Yup. I had nothing on me but my robes and my dashing good looks, both of which have served me well to this day."
"I don't know, I never found humans to be that good looking," Nova teased with a small laugh.
Jack let out a small huff. "Well that's a matter of opinion…"
"I agree with her," Razgriz added in. "That makes it two to one."
"No it doesn't," Jack replied smugly. "Because my side is supported by a reputable authority."
"Huh?" Nova said, slightly confused at Jack's comment.
"My mom says I'm very handsome," Jack finished with a snicker.
"Right…." Nova deadpanned, both of her ears lowering to the side as she rolled her eyes.
Jack sighed and peeked at Nova over the edge of his bunk. "Really? That's all you've got? Here I was expecting a withering comeback."
"What were you expecting, something along the lines of you having a face only a mother could love?" Razgriz interjected once again with a healthy smirk.
Jack shrugged. "Eh… that's kinda obvious, but I guess it works."
"Well… look on the bright side of things," Nova started, her voice becoming more somber though she maintained a faint smile, "Out of the three of us, you at least still have your mother."
A look of guilt flashed across Jack's face, and he studied the floor. "Oh… right. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. It is something we have both long since accepted," Razgriz replied. "Though, it was definitely more recent for me than for Nova."
Jack nodded solemnly. "Okay then… I guess I am pretty lucky. I never knew my real mother, but... my adoptive parents filled the hole."
"In that regard, I suppose I am the luckiest of the three of us, as I actually knew my mother. Nova's died before she could even get to know her," Razgriz said as he looked over at Nova.
Jack sighed ruefully and rolled back out of sight. "Well, aren't we a pretty bunch. I'm starting to wonder if all supernaturally powerful people have some sort of tragic backstory."
"The tragic trio," Nova joked with a slight laugh, before she looked over at where Jack was lying. "So, what were your adoptive parents like?"
There was complete silence for a moment before Jack finally spoke. "They… were wonderful people. They taught me everything I know about… well, among other things my faith. They lived in a little forest near a human town, and all the Pokémon in the forest had come together in a community of their own. My father was the… I guess you could say he was the closest thing to a leader they had. He was the pastor, and one of the few Pokémon there who could read and speak the human language. He's the one who taught me."
"Your father sounds a lot like mine," Razgriz started as he thought back to his childhood days. "He was the leader of the Pokémon community in the mountains. A role that is currently Matthew's. He was well respected by pretty much everyone. A lot of people looked up to him, and he was always willing to help others in need. He also could read, speak, and write in the human language as well, though I highly doubt for the same reason your's could."
Jack shrugged. "My father used to be the partner of a human trainer. It's not too long a story."
"Yeah… not that simple for my father," Razgriz said with a small smirk.
"Kinda figured as much," Jack replied. "So… did either of you have any siblings?"
"No, neither of us do," Nova responded.
"It wasn't something that crossed my mind often as there were plenty of other younger Pokémon to play with when I was a child," Razgriz said.
"Okay then," Jack mumbled. "Just wondering."
"What about you?" Nova inquired.
Jack was silent for a moment. "I have a brother, a Lucario. He's... one of the people I came here to save."
"So that is why you came to Saldara?" Razgriz inquired as he still didn't know too much about Jack.
Jack sighed. "Yeah… that one is kind of a long story."
"Well…. We have a while till we get to port," Nova started tentatively.
Jack paused once again. He was reluctant to dredge up those memories, especially now that most of them had a bitter-sweet sting in their tails. Even so, Nova and Razgriz had a right to know the story.
"I suppose we do," Jack said with a sigh. "In that case, I suppose I might as well tell you considering you're only coming with me to help me find them. I owe you that much at least. You know I was raised by a family of Lucarios, right? Well, I left home about half a year ago to go and explore the world outside the forest. It was just me and my adoptive brother, Jason." Jack chuckled ruefully. "We got into a lot of trouble, even right off the bat. Do either of you know anything about Pokémon trainers?"
"Most go around forcibly stripping Pokémon away from their homes, family, and friends," Razgriz retorted in a none too kind manner.
Jack mulled it over for a second. "I guess… that's not an unfair description," he continued, his tone clearly stating that he thought it was. "For some, at least. I assure you though, trainers come in all shapes and sizes. I personally know a few who treat their Pokémon like… well, like family. And trust me, when I started my journey I saw them exactly the same as you do. I've just learned not to judge people by their title."
"I have learned that as well. There is a reason I said most, not all," Razgriz replied. "I used to hold a strong disdain towards all humans. I guess I still hold a bit of that, but it has mellowed out over this past year after getting to know some humans that were… well, honorable."
"Okay then," Jack continued. "Anyway, one of the first things Jason and I did when we left the forest was head for the human town nearby. We hadn't seen many humans before, so we figured we might as well make that our first adventure. It all seems so long ago now. Anyway, somehow or other we got roped into some kind of… trainer initiation ceremony, I guess. We met a professor who assumed I was a new trainer, and he put Jason in a Pokéball. I… may have freaked out a little."
"The last time someone tried to put me in a Pokéball, it exploded," Razgriz commented.
"When he put Jason into a Pokéball, I nearly exploded," Jack replied wryly.
"I doubt you were about to literally explode," Razgriz countered.
"No, I couldn't do that back then," Jack said with a straight face.
"Right…." Nova deadpanned, "Because there isn't anything you can't do."
Jack shifted slightly, most likely in a shrug. "I don't see why you're so surprised, considering I just deflected two anti-ship missiles with my mind."
"Not surprised, just wondering where the limit is," Nova countered.
"Between you and me," Jack started, his tone growing somber, "That stunt with the missiles was pretty close. That, and when we were fighting the hybrids. I'm still not sure what happened back there, with me disappearing and then my hair turning black... but one thing I do know, that was the closest I've ever been to dying."
"Yeah… been there as well, would not recommend it," Razgriz said.
"Anyway," Jack continued, his tone returning to normal, "Where was I… oh right, the professor. Well he gave me some basic trainer supplies and sent me on my way. Not before I got him to show me how to let Jason out of the Pokéball though. After that I figured hey, if people are going to assume I'm a trainer then that's fine with me. It provided a good cover story for why I was travelling with a Lucario."
"A cover story that writes itself, sounds nice. We always had to make ours," Nova replied with a playful smile.
"Yeah, it seemed like a good idea at the time," Jack said. "But then we ran into a couple of other Pokémon, a Scyther and a Breloom. After a brief fight, they decided they wanted to come with us. Then we ran into a few more Pokémon, who decided to come with us. And then we ran into a few more Pokémon… I think you can see where this is going."
"Yeah," both Nova and Razgriz said, nodding their heads.
"Eventually I just decided to embrace it," Jack continued, "And started actually doing trainer stuff. I went around challenging the gyms, meeting more Pokémon, and generally having a great time. Then… well, they say all good things must come to an end..."
"Sadly that always seems to be the case…." Razgriz replied, knowing all too well how such events played out.
Jack took a deep breath in an attempt to steel his nerves. This was where it got painful. "I… it was all my fault. I was too sure of myself, too cocky… I only have my own pride to blame for what happened. I was attacked by someone who I should've been able to defeat, but they took me by surprise. She made some sort of deal with some Alpha commandos. They wanted this."
Jack held his hand out over the side of his bunk and teleported the Pack into it, grabbing it by one of its two cloth straps and holding it out for Nova and Razgriz to see.
"What is it?" Nova asked, one of her ears tilting over to the side.
"This is…" Jack paused for a second, trying to figure out how to describe it to two technologically uneducated Pokémon. "Well, it's basically a replacement for Pokéballs. It can… house dozens, if not hundreds of Pokémon at a time. They can enter or leave one at a time or all at once, pretty much whenever they want."
"Interesting… I would not recommend trying it one me unless you want it to explode," Razgriz said with a small laugh.
"Definitely not," Jack replied. "The thing is, this pack was developed by Alpha scientists who were hiding out in Sinnoh. I found it in their laboratory."
"Wait… Alpha has bases outside of Saldara?" Nova inquired.
"So it would seem…" Razgriz muttered.
"Long story short," Jack finished, "They came for it. I followed them here because I thought my Pokémon were still inside it, but they weren't."
"I see… As I said before, I owe you for saving me and I will do everything in my power to help you get them back," Razgriz stated as he bowed his head towards Jack.
Jack nodded in appreciation. "Thanks. At least I know who has them; a nasty piece of work called Hunter J. If we find her, we find my Pokémon."
"Hunter J…. sounds interesting…." Razgriz muttered.
"She's worse than any trainer, I'll tell you that much," Jack muttered grimly. "She goes around catching rare species of Pokémon and selling them like animals. I ran into her once before, but like I said; I thought she was dead."
"Catching rare species of Pokémon… Tell me, how rare is a genetically modified Lucario?" Razgriz said with a smirk.
Jack shrugged again. "Well I've only ever met about half a dozen, so pretty rare I guess."
"What are the odds that she would want one?" Razgriz continued.
Jack was silent for a moment. "I honestly don't know. It all depends on whether she thinks she can actually catch you but, all things considered…"
"You are not going to find better bait," Razgriz countered. "Unless you have a better plan to find her."
Jack leaned out over the edge of his bunk, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. "Nope, that's the best plan I've heard so far; and way better than I'd hoped."
"Glad you agree, we can continue to scheme later. As for now, I am taking a nap," Razgriz said before lying back on the bunk.
Jack shrugged. "Sounds like a plan, I think I'll do the same. Remember Nova, it's your job to wake us up for lunch."
"Right, right," Nova replied dismissively, waving one of her paws in the air.
Jack nodded, and retreated back into his bunk; pulling the pack in with him. He was silent for a moment, but then he sighed.
"Nova… Razgriz…" he said quietly, "Thank you for… for everything; for wanting to help me."
"Just doing the right thing, no need to thank us," Nova responded with a warm smile.
Jack didn't reply. There was nothing more to say. He simply closed his eyes, relaxed, and eventually drifted off to sleep. His rest was untroubled by dreams, and he was feeling quite refreshed when Nova woke him up a few hours later for lunch.
Jack, Nova, and Razgriz made their way along with several of the other sailors. Eric and Tyler were not present though. They made their way through the small buffet line and grabbed what food they wanted. Lucario and Nova picked up what meat they could, which was currently chicken. There were a few berries that they picked up as well. Jack just loaded his plate with anything he could get his hands on.
After eating, both Razgriz and Jack were feeling more energized. From that point on, the trio simply continued to relax in the bunks until the ship made it to port a few hours later. All three of them were on the helicopter pad on the rear of the ship as it came into port at Canalave City. The ship slowly pulled up to the dock and was gently pushed up against it. Eric and the other soldiers offloaded the diamonds and statues, then handed them over to Sinnoh authorities.
"So, what now, just walk off?" Nova asked once the delivery had been completed.
Jack shrugged. "I guess so. I don't think there's as much paperwork for leaving Saldara as there is for entering it."
"Well… honestly, I don't think anyone will care if we were to just vanish," Razgriz started. "Afterall, from what I have gathered, you weren't supposed to be in Saldara, so if you were never in Saldara, you shouldn't arrive in Sinnoh."
Jack nodded. "Can't argue with that logic. In that case, I know somewhere we might be able to disappear to."
"Where would that be?" Nova asked.
Jack grinned slightly, although there was a rueful tint to it. "An old friend's house. I'll bet Maylene will be happy to see me in one piece."
