Hey, guys! It's me again, back with more Excel the Limit! I know, I know. Where have I been? To be honest, I don't really have an excuse for why it's been so long. Life's been pretty easy on me. But the important thing is that I've got something, right? Without further ado, here we go!
Wake up, please. I've been calling you for the last twenty minutes.
Diana awoke with a start. What happened? Why am I in a hospital bed? Wait. Team Hurricane's base. Justin!
Justin is fine, Diana. He and Shawn fought them off. Speaking of...
"Looks like you're finally awake." Justin and a doctor walked into the room. The doctor immediately began writing something down. "You've been asleep for four days."
Diana freaked out. "Four days?!" Justin started laughing. "Nah, it's only been a couple of hours."
Diana looked at him sternly. "Really? You had to?"
"Yup. I just told Shawn and Anthony. They went to get food and I told them to pick you up something."
"So what happened after I left?"
"After me and Dante took down all of the grunts, one of the higher-ups came in to deal with us. She almost beat me, but Shawn came in and gave me Blitz's Pokeball. Then, Blitz and Wartortle fought her off. She seemed like she really thought Team Hurricane was doing the right thing, but after we beat her she changed her mind."
"When did Shawn get there?"
"Apparently, a little while after you passed out", Justin said. "He says that he found Anthony about to bring you to the hospital."
"Oh. Figures he'd show up. He never could keep himself out of trouble."
"Yeah, but the difference is this time, it saved me," Justin said with a smile, before his expression hardened a bit. "Look, I wanted to apologize. You got hurt because of me. I was too excited about the prospect of catching Riolu to think of the consequences. It's my fault. I should have just kept going the stealth route with you, and you suffered for it. I-"
"Justin, stop it," Diana said. "Sure you messed up. Anyone can see that. But you can't beat yourself up over it. Nobody's perfect, and everything is all right now. Plus, you looked really petty and... sad. It's strange seeing you anything but happy, because that's all I've seen you as; the happy go lucky kid that never gives up and never gets serious unless his friends are involved. So stop being an idiot."
Justin smiled. "So, I'm an idiot, am I?"
"Justin, don't you dare bring that up-"
"What about the time when you decided to bring a burger to school on Vegan Day? Or when you spelled Pokemon wrong three times in one paragraph?"
"Ok, ok. You win. I've done some dumb things too," she said. They both burst out laughing, though neither one of them knew exactly why.
Shawn and Anthony walked into the room, with Anthony throwing a Pokeball up and down and Shawn barely keeping his balance between the bag in one hand and the pizza box in the other.
Justin looked at Anthony and shook his head. "Anthony, why didn't you carry anything?"
Anthony got an evil looking smile. "It was all Shawn's idea."
Shawn put the food down, then elbowed Anthony. "It was not. You know that."
Anthony's smile widened. "I don't know what you could possibly be talking about."
Shawn just sighed, not in the mood to argue. "So, who's hungry?"
"Who isn't?" Justin said.
Shawn laughed. "You make a fantastic point, sir."
XXXXX
Justin, wake up. You've got someone knocking.
It's just my friends. They can wait.
The knocking grew louder. "Police! Open the door. We need to ask you some questions."
Or maybe it's much worse. I'm gonna dodge their questions. Justin walked to the door after barely getting up.
Justin, I highly recommend not doing that. Tell them what they want to know and they'll leave.
Justin opened the door, cutting his conversation short. "How can I help you?" The officer gave him an annoyed glare. "How can you help me? You can start by promising me that the next time an officer knocks, you'll open up a bit quicker. Next, I've got to ask you some questions about a fire at a fossil research laboratory yesterday. Were you involved in any way?"
"I guess you could say that. One of the scientists there asked us for help getting rid of Team Hurricane, since if the police came anywhere near them, they'd trash the place and leave. So, after sneaking around a bit, my friend and I discovered a Riolu being experimented on. I couldn't stand seeing the little guy trapped. So I had my Pikachu overload the system to free it. But the place started to go up in flames. I ended up catching the Riolu and fighting off Team Hurricane with my friends. But one of their upperclassmen, an executive, tried to stop me, and would have won if it hadn't been for my friends. After that I came to the hospital to see one of my friends, whose arm was cut by a Golbat." He decided to leave out the names of Dante, Diana, and Shawn. He wasn't sure if this officer was legit. The uniform seemed pretty good, but he had to be sure not to give away too much. He could be speaking with someone from Team Hurricane for all he knew.
The officer finished writing down what he had said, then stood up. "Thank you, that'll be-" she was cut off by her phone ringing.
"Hello? Yes, I just did. What? Why would he want to do that?" The whole time, Justin's childhood desire to be a police officer vanished more and more until he hated the idea of being on a police force of any kind. The officer kept going for twenty minutes before saying, "He's here already? Ugh, fine. Whatever." As she hung up the phone, she turned to Justin. "Sorry for this kid, but there's somebody else here who wants to see you about this. He's an... interesting guy."
"Sure, why not?"
The officer stared at Justin, questioning his sanity. Eventually he responded, "I've already been asked some questions today, let's make the list longer for today rather than shorter for another day."
The officer just shrugged as she walked out. Justin brushed his teeth and put on his t-shirt and jeans before sitting back on his bed. He decided that now might be a good time to release Riolu. He might not get a chance in the near future.
He tapped the release button and grabbed a revive from his bag as Riolu appeared. He poured the yellow powder into Riolu's mouth and Riolu awoke with a start.
Riolu looked up at Justin, seemingly remembering what happened, before bowing and putting his fist out in front of Justin. Justin put his fist with Riolu's before Riolu's eyes glowed a bright blue.
A new voice appeared in Justin's mind. Thank you. Those people were terrible, my mind was under more torment than my body from their horrible auras. But you are different. I sense a kind yet tenacious person within you.
That sounds like me. But how are you communicating with me?
My kind are born with more potential for psychic powers than all other fighting type Pokemon combined. I was born more adept with these abilities than most of us. While most of my kind can communicate using their auras, I can communicate like this by simply touching somebody, like I am now.
I see. So have you got a name?
Sort of. Before I was separated from my pack, I was called Voice by many of my family, even my mother.
Would you prefer that?
No, it is not my name, but more a title, as I was the bridge with species who couldn't understand us, the Voice of the pack.
What if I called you Mentality?
Mentality? That sounds nice.
Mentality it is, then.
I think somebody's here.
I'll have to see what moves you know later, then.
Justin opened his eyes and looked at the door. His eyes opened wider when he saw who was standing there.
The teen wore a jacket that seemed to be suited for combat even with its short sleeves. His hat that had come to be an icon throughout two regions sat forward. Justin noticed the sparkle of a stone on what looked like a watch and he could only think about meeting some of the Pokemon on his belt.
The teen opened his mouth to speak, but before he could begin Justin had but one word: "Red."
"Really? Where?" Red laughed as he closed the door behind him. It didn't sound like the boastful laugh of champion Lance or the Stony laugh of champion Steven he had heard so many times on the news. He sounded so much like Justin, yet so different. He couldn't understand why.
"So, Justin. You gave the officer before me a timeline of what happened, but it didn't seem very detailed. Is there any explanation?"
"I... I...". Justin couldn't stop stuttering. He was still in disbelief that Red, Champion of the Jiman region and former champion of the Kanto and Johto regions, was in his room at a Pokemon center. He quickly corrected himself, however. "I wasn't sure if she was legit. I kind of just ruined their plans and they could easily send someone dressed up as a police officer in to try and get information out of me."
Red nodded. "Very smart. Tell me, though. How does a kid like you fight off almost one hundred people, especially if one of them is an executive? That's why I'm here. Any rookie capable of doing that is very talented. What Pokemon do you have?"
"Whirlipede, Riolu, Lapras, Pikachu, and Charmeleon." Red's eyes seemed to glow at the last one.
"So, you too..."
Justin looked at Red, not sure why he was so deep about it. Or rather, depressed. Red looked thoughtful before smiling. "I've decided! Justin, I'd like to make you an offer. I think it fitting that after 12 years, I finally do this." He turned to Justin. "I'd like to make you my student. You have the champion's fire in your eyes, yet you have already lost one of the key elements that all of the champions share. I think that, with my help, you can get it back. Plus, I'd like to have my legacy be left on more than just the Pokedex archives. I want a person who can take the lessons I've learned and share them with another generation. I think it fitting that the one to do this would have his partner be the same as mine."
Justin just looked at him, unaware if the champion himself knew what he was asking.
""Where do I sign up?" Justin stopped for a moment to realize what leaving to train with Red would mean. He could become so much more powerful than other trainers. He could take the conference by storm. Those were the reasons he accepted so quickly. They were the pros of training with possibly the most powerful Pokemon Trainer he'd ever seen.
But when he thought about it, it had its fair share of downsides. Justin doubted Red would casually walk around major cities, so he assumed most of his time would be spent in the wilderness. He would probably train until Red thought he could head into their next gym stop, then train some more. He had no problem with nature, but he didn't like the idea of only having one human companion with him. Then there was probably the only thing putting him on the edge. He would be split up from his friends. Not his team, of course. They were constant friends, more like family. They would be with him all the way. But he would be leaving Shawn, Diana, and Anthony. Anthony was the first friend he made, when he moved to Oakgarb, Justin being three at the time. He didn't want to leave him. He wasn't always the happiest person, and leaving him would probably make things worse. And while he didn't say this as often as he should, he feared Anthony more as an opponent than he did Shawn. Shawn and him had been rivals in school, so it was fitting that their rivalry continue while training. But he felt Anthony was still a better trainer. He'd miss Shawn both as a rival and as a usual target for his sarcastic comments. Then there was Diana.
Diana had always been his friend. For most of the duration of his schooling, he'd hoped that one day, she'd be something more than a friend. Over the weeks before meeting Blitz, she had made it clear that new trainers at the age of twelve were not exactly the best couple formula, and she also felt that she had yet to choose whether she liked him or Shawn more. Justin still felt the sting of rejection even now. But she was still his friend, perhaps second best friend to Anthony, his first friend.
Overall, he didn't want to leave any of them.
However, this was opportunity. Opportunity to grow and truly become a great trainer. Opportunity to prove who he was to his idol and to world. Opportunity to take so many more steps towards his dream than other trainers. Opportunity he would not pass up.
"Excellent! I'll be waiting at the front of the Lab the fire occurred at. Meet me there in two hours. Is that enough time?"
Justin nodded. "I've got something to do anyway. I'll be there."
Red turned to leave before turning around. "Hey, Justin?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm looking forward to training with you." With that, Red left.
Shawn, Anthony and Diana waited in front of the Pokemon Center.
"This is stupid. Justin sends all of us a message saying he needs to tell us something important, then has us standing out here for half an hour!"
Anthony just sighed. Shawn had been at this since they got outside and Justin wasn't there. Even though Shawn exaggerated the five minutes they'd been waiting, he had a point. If Justin had something important to tell them, why wasn't he here before them?
"Shawn, it's been five minutes," Diana said. "You know Justin isn't punctual. He's either too early or too late."
They turned to the door of the Pokemon Center as it slid open. Justin walked out, looking stressed out and downright depressed. Anthony spoke first. "Are you okay? You look like one of your Pokemon got seriously injured."
"No, nothing like that. Look, this morning I was questioned by the police about what happened yesterday. After the officer was done, she said somebody else wanted to see me. That's when I talked with Mentality." At his friends' confused looks he continued, "Riolu. After I was done, Red walked in. Or, I suppose it was while I was talking to Mentality. Anyway-"
"Wait a minute! You're not just gonna speed past that as if you didn't say what you just said." Shawn continued after all eyes were on him. "Red? As in Champion Red, the guy with the legendary Charizard?"
Justin nodded. "He offered me to train with him, and I accepted. I just know I can become a better trainer with his help. But there's a slight issue."
"What is it? What could possibly be more important than the ability to train with Red a week after becoming a trainer?"
"I'd have to leave you guys behind. We promised to travel together. That's why."
Anthony just laughed. "Are you kidding? You need all the help you can get if you want to stay ahead of us. We're catching up quickly, pal. When do you leave?"
Justin got over his initial surprise and smiled. "Thanks, Anthony. I needed that. I leave in two hours. Should be enough time to scan Mentality and get some supplies. Speaking of which, do you guys want to meet Mentality?" They all nodded.
Justin released Mentality. The Fighting type looked around before Justin spoke. "Mentality, these are my friends. Meet-" He was cut off by Mentality placing his hand on his stomach.
I know their names from your memories. I will tell them what fate holds for them.
Wait, what?
If one's aura is powerful enough, I can discern their future.
Why didn't you do that for me?
Your aura is readable, but your future is clouded. I cannot see it.
That's bad, right?
Not necessarily.
Justin snapped back to reality as Mentality let him go, then spoke with Shawn. After a few seconds, Shawn was let go. "I had no idea Riolu could do that."
"Do what?" Diana asked.
Hail, Crush-Maiden. My master, Justin, thinks highly of you. Allow me to tell you your future.
Impossible choices lie ahead. The echo of emotions must in the end choose the echo of will power. The fight against the maelstrom leads to certain downfall unless the blight provides you assistance.
Why does every future prediction have to be cryptic?
Apologies, Crush-Maiden.
Mentality let go of Diana before holding a fist in front of Anthony, who pressed against it with his own.
Hail, Masters-Ally.
Hello.
Shall I tell of your fate?
Sure. Is it going to be cryptic?
Yes. The shifting form leads to two of a pair on opposite sides. Two friends will rescue you from dark times, when the second is truly realized. Shadow's storms are stopped by the Ball's usage.
Mentality let Anthony go.
"Now that that's over with, and I'm sure you guys have a lot to think about, I'm gonna scan you with the Pokedex, alright Mentality?" Mentality nodded.
Riolu, the emanation Pokemon. Male. It communicates with others using auras. Riolu are extremely protective over their trainers.
This Riolu knows the moves Quick Attack, Agility, Force Palm, and Zen Headbutt. It's ability is Steadfast, increasing speed when knocked down. It has a Quirky nature, and appears to have no food preference.
Justin smiled. It wasn't the widest moveset on his team, but he could work with it. "I'm going to recall you now, alright?" Mentality grabbed Justin's arm.
When shadows envelop, victory from intent on life is the only way out. Mentality let him go, then nodded, as if he never said anything. Justin tapped fists with Mentality. Was that my future?
Yes. I was able to grasp that small amount from your aura.
Justin recalled Mentality, understanding that he would know what that meant when he got to it. He turned to his friends. "I guess this is it, for a while, anyway."
"Actually..." Diana said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Justin nodded and she pulled him over to the side. "Do you remember what I said to you and Shawn a week ago?"
Justin nodded, frowning. Why was she bringing this up?
"I made my decision. I'll reveal it when I'm ready, but not yet. Look, besides that, I want you to remember to have fun. You may have your dream, but you're still twelve. Enjoy what little time you've got left as a kid. I know I will."
Justin gave a thumbs up before responding simply with, "You got it." Justin walked towards the Lab.
"Aren't you gonna stay with the three of us a little longer?"
Justin shook his head. "I've got things to get, plus I want to make sure I'm not late. Take care of yourselves."
Justin looked down the block and saw Red standing there.
"Ah, Justin! Glad to see you're here early! Are you ready to go? I've got a Seagallop Ferry bound for our training ground on standby."
"Yeah, I'm ready," he said, having taken an hour to prepare.
He would train to become stronger. He would beat Team Hurricane. He would make the conference and go far. And someday, he would beat Red.
He'd win it all, starting now.
And there it is! I know it's been forever. My computer got messed up and ended up deleting the chapter right before I finished. Twice. Then I took a break, cleanly pissed off. This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I felt kind of desperate just to get something out to you guys. I know it's not my best, and I'll definitely do better without a glitching computer. As for Mentality, a few people said they didn't like large movesets for young team members, and I tried to keep it limited here. If you've got any questions, comments, or advice, please feel free to review!