April 2005
White light dissipated to reveal a pale face. A man's face. She wanted to reach out and touch that face, that familiar face. Who are you? she asked. The face only smiled softly. His blonde hair...was it blonde? There were hints of soft pale greens, giving his familiar hair an almost grey yellowgreen colour. Like my hair...
He wore robes--a barely celadon aqua colour that she could not quite make out. His body below his face was blurry, distorted, as if in a distant memory. The man seemed to be getting further away, but he was not walking. No...no, come back! Ixion tried to shout, but heard nothing. Who are you! The man just closed his eyes, still barely smiling, as his figure softly transformed into a white silhouette.
The silhouette danced in front of the ocean blues behind it. Arms became wings, a long tail emerged, until the figure was no longer that of a man's. The white figure seemed to evaporate, as Ixion opened her eyes.
The young girl found herself staring at the ceiling of her small home. "Not again," she whispered to herself. How many times have I had this dream? How long has it been since the last time?
With a sigh, she forced the dream out of her mind. She had no way of knowing who the man in the dream was, so she thought it best not to worry about it. Picking up a hairbrush and beginning her battle with her pale silvergreen morning hair, she walked to her bedroom window, stealing a glance outside. Her window faced due south, overlooking the popular fishing docks of Lavender Town. Between her home and the docks dwelled a lake where no fishermen sat. This peaceful lake was where Ixion raised and bred her Pokémon.
Splash. A white dorsal fin teased the lake's glassy surface, red and orage ripples of the sunrise's reflection circling outward, tagging the shorelines. Ixion smiled, putting her brush down and affixing her black headband behind her sideswept bangs.
After changing into her casual jeans and small black top, Ixion made her way to the edge of the lake. She could call for Tides, but there was no need. If Ixion stood there for any amount of time, her little girl would come splashing.
The same white dorsal fin crested the surface again, this time followed by another as the snakelike figure swam towards the Breeder on the shore. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a massive blast of water came shooting from the lake, missing Ixion by inches. Following the blast emerged a familiar face, laughing. Or at least, laughing as best a Gyarados can.
Ixion rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smirk teasing at her lips. "Tides, you crazy girl."
Ixion stroked the dragon's teal green crest softly. She turned around to take in the Lavender morning air. Few people were awake, just a few people seen entering and exiting the Pokémon Tower, paying respects to their deceased Pokémon. Though the Tower was a gloomy landmark to have in the town, Lavender was still a happy peaceful place that many travelers came through, seeking rest after long treks through Rock Tunnel or the day's journey from Fuschia City through pathways and fishing docks. Because there were so many travelers and so few people living here, the town was full of mainly inns, shops, and Pokémon Centers. It was always interesting to go to a traveler's restaurant and meet new people.
While glancing over the town's early morning activity, Ixion noticed a boy leaving the Pokémon Tower that she thought she recognized. She called Tides back to her Pokéball and made her way towards the boy to get a closer look.
He looked a mess. He had either taken a nasty fall or had just been roughed up good, Ixion couldn't tell from first glance. The boy turned north, walking briskly and almost angrily. Ixion had to quicken her pace to a jog to catch up to him.
Is that...no way... Ixion finally recognized the face from her past.
"Wyr?" she called, but the boy ignored her. Maybe it's not him... "WYR! Wyr, that's you, isn't it!"
His brisk stride halted only for a moment, long brown jacket flowing past his ankles once. The brand new bandana that Ix was used to seeing was not neat and tidy as it usually was, but in fact looked quite tattered. Wyr's usual jetblack hair was full of frays and split ends, as if it had not been washed in days. He looked like he had come straight out of Rock Tunnel.
Then why is he heading north, back towards it?
Wyr's glare softened momentarily. "Ixion."
Ixion grinned and threw her arms around her best childhood friend. "Wyr, I haven't seen you since...I don't even remember! How've ya been? What have you-"
"-I have to go," Wyr interrupted. With that, he turned back towards the unforgiving cavern that had only spit him out an hour ago.
"Wyr!" Ixion started to follow him, but slowed herself to a stop. What happened to him? she thought, worried. He's...always been happy to see me...
She stood her ground, a light breeze teasing at her silvery green hair, and watched Wyr Katsaku storm him way back to Kanto's most terrifying darkness.
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AN. Review, review, review, pleeeease! -