The Great Ball sucked Lugia in, dropping to the ground. I watched in horror as it wiggled once, then twice. Luckily it snapped open, a burst of light shining as Lugia reformed with a screech. It looked down at the Great Ball and glared, lifting a foot and smashing the ball to pieces. Its glare snapped over to the trainer, who looked like he made the biggest mistake of his life. Which, to be honest, really wasn't far from the truth.
"What?! It didn't work?!" The kid stammered. My own glare matched Lugia's intensity.
"Lugia is my friend. It wouldn't go with someone who doesn't appreciate that fact." I held up the Cherish Ball. "We'll let Lugia make the choice. Lugia, would you rather go with me, or with him?" It looked at the other trainer with the fire of the sun, then nudged me. I smiled and held up the ball.
"Guess you made your choice. Here." Lugia tapped the button with its nose, the ball snapping open and sucking it in. It wobbled once, twice, and tree times before a click sounded. I sighed and held it up to look at it. The red ball seemed to shine in the sun.
"That is so not fair! Battle me! And if I win, I get the Lugia!" I matched the heat of Lugia's look as I stuffed the Cherish ball into my pocket.
"I am doing no such thing. Lugia made its choice." I turned to Nurse Joy and held up the ball. "May I get Lugia checked up on and registered to me please?" She looked between he two of us for a second before nodding.
"Why of course. Follow me. And young man, would you like your Skarmory checked out?" The realization that he lost his chance pacified the kid. He shrugged in disappointment.
"Sure, I guess." We followed Nurse Joy into the building and she scanned my Cherish Ball and trainer license, matching them together. She handed me my license and set both Pokéballs on the Healer.
"It will be about 10 minutes."
"Thank you Nurse Joy."
"Yeah, thanks." I found an empty seat and dropped my bag, plopping down and sighing. I instinctually reach for Pyroar's Pokéball to thumb it but sighed when I didn't feel anything. I snagged the only bland Pokéball on my belt and rolled it between my thumb and fingers, mindlessly staring into space.
I noticed Nurse Joy on the phone, talking in hushed tones, and the trainer from outside walking up to me. He gestured to the seat across the table.
"This seat taken?" I hesitated but decided against giving him the cold shoulder.
"Yours now." I mumbled. He hesitated but sat down.
"Sorry, if I was a rude out there. It was the first Legendary I'd ever seen, so I, was excited and got a hot head. The name's Chris." I looked into his eyes for a moment before sighing.
"James. And, I get it. Most people don't even get to see a Legendary, much less battle it."
"So, how did you meet Lugia?" I put a finger up, a silent note to keep his voice down. I was lucky there was no press here trying to "get the scoop" on why a Lugia was in town. At least not yet.
"It actually saved my life. I had been fighting a Pokémon when a stray Shadow Ball hit me. It knocked me off a cliff, which was high enough to kill anyone. Lugia snagged me with its Psychic powers, saving me from becoming a splat on some rocks or the bottom of the ocean." He shuddered a little at the thought.
"Well, glad it was around to break your fall. Who's your other partner?" I raised an eyebrow and he pointed to the Pokéball in my hand. I hesitated.
"Oh, it's just a common Pokémon."
"Did you start with that?"
"No, I caught it. Unfortunately it doesn't like me and doesn't listen to any commands I give it."
"And that's the only Pokémon you have on you?"
"I...had a team of six before...but I made a stupid mistake and now they need help."
"Well, what happened?" I sighed, knowing I was invested into this too far.
"Do you know Damien from Titan Corp?"
"The sleazeball? Yeah, why?" I blinked, surprised into silence for a moment.
"Oh good, I'm not the only person who can see. I found out how bad of a guy he was when he wiped my whole team. He stole them from me and tortured them right in front of my face."
"What?!" Chris slammed his hands on the table, standing up. I held up my hands up, trying to calm him down.
"SHH! I don't need anyone to know!" He was hesitant, but I waved him back into his seat, glaring at anyone who was staring at us. He lowered his voice to a hiss.
"How could you keep this quiet?! People need to know!"
"I know, I know. I just..." I ran my hand through my hair in exasperation.
"Wanted to keep this to yourself? Try to fix it yourself?" I felt some shame and almost ducked my head.
"...Yeah." I looked up as Nurse Joy walked over, two Pokéballs in hand. She handed me the Cherish Ball and Chris the regular Pokéball.
"James, I have talked to the Officer Jenny up near Titan Corp When you get there, head to the Police office and she will have you file a report of what happened. Then she will see what she can do." I stood up, but kept my voice down.
"But that could take forever! Nurse Joy, there is no telling how much pain they've been in. I need to get them out of there before..." She placed a hand on my shoulder, cutting me off with an understanding smile.
"Officer Jenny will make this her top priority. Pokémon being kidnapped and tortured is something we will never let stand." I hung my head, contemplating ignoring the law and blasting a hole through that base right to my team.
"...Yes Nurse Joy..."
"Good. Now, I've had her call me as soon as you get there, so I will know if you don't go."
'Rats, she caught me.'
"I'll…be there."
"Good. Now, off you go." I stood up, having no reason to stay. Chris stood up as well.
"James, I want to come." I turned halfway around, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.
"Pardon?"
"I want to help! You won't be strong enough on your own."
"You really should stay out of this."
"I don't care what I should do. I want to help!"
"...You're going to follow me, aren't you?"
"You bet!" I sighed.
"Very well."
"Alright, no guarantee it won't be mad at you, so keep your distance for a minute. Come on out!" Lugia popped out of the ball and spread its wings, flapping them a little before folding them back. It cooed when it saw me and I rubbed its beak.
"Hey Lugia. I know you may not like this, but, Chris here is going to help us." Lugia looked over and glared. Chris waved from where he was at.
"Sorry I tried to take you away from James. It won't happen again." Lugia stared at him for a minute, then turned a look on me.
"Don't look at me like that. We're going to need all the help we can get. Are there going to be any problems?" Lugia stared at me for a minute, then bowed its head. "Thank you. Now, we need to head to Lilac City. That's where Officer Jenny will meet with us." Lugia nodded and crouched down. Chris released his Skarmory and hopped on, petting its horn. I started to hop up onto Lugia when I heard a voice.
"Please wait!" I turned and saw Nurse Joy running over, something in her hand. She didn't even hesitate when she saw the large Pokémon, and walked right up to me. She handed me a box. "You might need this."
"What is it?"
"Call it a gift. It will help you get your team back." I opened it and gasped when I saw a Moon Stone.
"How?"
"I have my ways." She smiled. "I saw in your trainer profile that you had a Nidorino. I figured you might need this at some point."
"Nurse Joy, has anyone ever told you how amazing of a woman you are?" She instantly blushed and rubbed the back of her head.
"Oh! Well, not really?" I laughed.
"Well you are. And don't forget it."
"Well I guess."
"Alright, shall we go? It's an hour flight to Lilac City and it's getting dark." I looked over and nodded at Chris.
"Sounds good." I turned to Nurse Joy. "Thank you. I was going to need a Moon Stone at some point."
"I know. I can tell how much you care for your Pokémon." I nodded.
"I try. Let's go Chris."
"Yeah!"
We landed in the forest not too far from the edge of the small town. I was petting Lugia's beak as it sighed, grateful for a rest.
"You've been flying for hours. Take a long break." I held up the Cherish Ball and returned it. I sighed as I shrunk the Ball and stuck it in my pocket. Chris was ready to head out and we nodded at each other. "Let's go."
"I'm ready for bed."
"Same." We walked into town and looked for the nearest place to stay. We soon found shelter in a small inn, getting two rooms for the night.
I settled into the bed and sighed. The past two days had been overwhelming, and I was exhausted. Sleep quickly washed over me, and I faded from the waking world.
I was wandering through a forest, a bright moon lighting my path with small beams of light through the dark leaves. I was searching for something, but I couldn't remember what it was. I stepped around a tree, only to feel eyes on me. I looked around, but I couldn't see anything.
Then something fell from the tree above me. Looking at the thing at my feet, I gasped in horror when I saw a Pichu laying face down, not moving. My head snapped back, and all I saw was two glowing red eyes above me.
I took a few steps back, then turned and ran. Panic filled me as I heard the creature chase me through the trees with a roar. I ducked under branches and leapt over bushes, but it was far faster than me and was catching up. I saw an opening in the trees and sprinted with everything I had.
Something smacked into the tree I was running past and nearly stumbled. Soon the tree line broke and I ran into the middle of a clearing.
The moon shone brightly as I skidded to a halt, spinning around to look at where I had just come from. I heard rustling in the trees, and then silence. I didn't move, except to breathe.
Something shot out of the tops of the trees, flying high into the air. My eyes followed it, but was temporarily blinded by the moon behind it. I heard it roar, and I stumbled back.
It landed hard, a cloud of dust covering the area, and I backed up a few more steps. Soon the dust settled, and I gasped at what I saw. A Lucario was down on fist and knee, its breathing labored. It looked battered and bruised.
Tufts of yellow fur were torn out of its torso, and as its head snapped up to snarl at me, a crazed look in its glowing eyes. I wanted to run, but something stopped me. I got a second look at it, and its eyes flashed with something I recognized. I paled.
"...No."
"Grr, rah!" It leapt at me and I dove to the side. It landed awkwardly on the ground, its arms swinging limply as it stood up. "Rah! Gr-HAH!" It leaped at me again, and I rolled out of the way. I scrambled to my feet as it ran at me, energy gathering in its paw. I shut my eyes and covered my face.
"RIOLU!" Silence filled the clearing as my voice retreated into the distance. I cracked an eye and saw the Lucario's fist inches from my arms. Energy was pooled around it, ready to explode and take me with it.
My eyes shifted over to meet the Lucario's eyes, which still had the crazed look to them. The energy around its fist evaporated, and its arm dropped loosely to its side.
I froze stiff as a board when a gentle and fear filled voice entered my mind.
"...J...James?" I almost collapsed in relief at my name.
"You've grown a lot." The Lucario could only stare. He lifted a paw and placed it on my cheek, like I did to him in times of comfort. I smiled as he tried to comprehend what was happening. "I'm here. It's okay."
"...But...how?"
"All I know is I am getting you out of there. I have a few friends to help me out too."
"You're, helping us?" I couldn't take it anymore and wrapped him in a hug, being careful of his new chest spike. I sighed as the weight of the world seemed to lift for a moment, and then everything came crashing down. I lost my grip on my emotions and they all came flooding out at once. I gripped the Pokémon tightly as tears ran freely.
"I'm sorry Riolu! I failed you! I failed all of you! I broke my promise! I swore to protect you and I betrayed you!" I felt Lucario's arms wrap around me, almost unsurely.
"James..."
"I shouldn't have tried to take down Damien! I should have waited!"
"...You're right." His voice dropped to a low growl in an instant and I pulled back, tears making it hard to see.
"R-Riolu?"
"You failed us." The crazed look slowly returned, and horror flashed through me.
"I-!"
"We told you we weren't strong enough! We KNEW we would be destroyed if we tried! But did you listen?! NO! You were too focused on your selfish desires! You were too focused on anything but us!" The tears started again, both in fear, and at the reality of Lucario's statement. I had been warned that my little band of 5 wouldn't be enough. Had I listened? Obviously not.
"Lucario...I..."
"Don't think you deserve any thanks!! We are suffering because of your pride!" Something welled up inside of me and I felt something snap.
"Don't you think I get that?!" Lucario pulled back. "You think you are the only one to suffer here?! I've gone through HELL trying to rescue you!" I paused to gain some breath. When I spoke, my voice was a low whisper, sadness and misery spilling out.
"Don't you think...that every time I wanted to battle someone, I wanted one of you by my side...? Don't you think, that I thought about you every, single, day? Wondering how it could have been different...? Dreaming of the times we had, only to have it torn from my grasp the instant I would wake up?" I had my palms up, trying to show Lucario I was serious.
"I've spent every single waking moment, trying to figure out how to get. You. Back-." Lucario pulled back again in shock as my voice cracked. I didn't have anything left to say, I couldn't think of any way to help him understand how I felt. We started at each other for a while, both of us not sure what to do.
"...You really are trying to help us..."
"Rio-why would I ever stop trying? I care about you too much. I care about ALL of you too much." I felt myself waking up slowly, and panicked, grabbing Lucario's paw. "I am coming for you. I'm coming to get you out. I'm going to fix everything! Tell the others to be strong!" The dream faded, and I felt the paw I was holding vanish. "I love all of you!"