Cap 3 - An electrifying surprise
- It is told that originally, the known universe was in its primordial state, a huge concentration of chaos and emptiness. A long time later, an egg developed in the center of it, from which the Original Creature was born.
Imbued with the energy of the giants defeated after a long and exhausting battle, it gave new life to three beings, respectively the masters of time, space and antimatter, necessary to counterbalance the two remaining forces.
But the third son, an unholy and power-hungry creature raged against his brothers and his own creator. So it was that he stretched out his hand toward the skies, and darkness descended upon the land of Sinnoh.
This act deeply shocked the God, forcing him to exile to a dimension from which he would never return. The name of such brazenness has dissolved through the centuries, and to this day we know him simply as the Fallen One. -
Those words shook Katsumi to his core, as he stood in front of the wall that flanked the classroom where this mysterious boy might have been, remembering that he had studied something during his time with Professor Aralia, a woman as shrewd and brilliant as she was young and beautiful, about the myths surrounding her region.
- Squirtle! - a dull thud echoed in the corridor, attracting his attention. His eyes lit up as he looked at the tiny ultramarine-blue creature with the brown carapace that was staring back at him. Could it have been Tyler's starter? Hard to say.
- And what are you doing here? - began the young man, bending down to caress one of his favorite Kanto starters, but that for the circumstances, he had not yet had the opportunity to train.
The epidermis was rather smooth and slippery to the touch, a rather peculiar characteristic for an aquatic creature, relaxing at that selfless gesture. He loved making contact with pokemons, it made them that much friendlier.
- Where are you? - a familiar voice forced him to turn in the opposite direction, noting that someone was approaching. And in fact, he was quite surprised to find himself facing none other than the same trainer he'd met on the ship that would take him to this region, the same silver-haired blowhard who treated his pokemons with condescension if they were weak, someone to stay away from.
- You again - Unima's trainer just snorted. That one meeting and the words spoken to him were surely enough to give him an opinion on the spirit that animated that boy.
Here's another of his peculiarities, he was good at reading and understanding who was around him just from a quick glance; it wasn't complicated, even if with pokemon it was quite easy, since he had always lived among them, an attitude quite similar to that of an old acquaintance of his, who like him, shared the fact of having been chosen by a legendary creature of rare and extraordinary beauty.
- Apparently - replied the other with a smile on his face - I see you found my Squirtle, I wouldn't know what I would have done otherwise. Although I must admit I didn't expect to find someone like you here, I thought you were already in Oreburgh city - he concluded by taking the Water-type in his arms, giving him another cheeky smile.
That guy was starting to irritate him, and he was certainly not one of those guys with so much patience, on the contrary, exactly the opposite.
- Do you know me? - Katsumi asked, curious to find out more about this individual.
- Obviously. It would be foolish not to inquire about a potential rival or complication in the long race to the League -
- Rival? You must surely be too stupid or confident to consider yourself on my level. I'm afraid the climate of Sinnoh has already gone to your head - the young man countered.
-Ahaha, what a clown! Anyway, my name is Tyler Suzuki and this one is my Shellshocker - he said pointing to his Squirtle. Upon hearing the boy's name, he widened his eyes. Could it be that he was the one he was looking for?
- I find it hard to accept that someone like you is his trainer, given your entrance last time, but your Squrtle is very fond of you and believes you are truly exceptional, so I'm willing to turn a blind eye - the young man explained nonchalantly. Speaking explicitly didn't faze him at all, especially with those directly involved.
- How do you know what my pokemon is thinking? - Asked the silver haired boy perplexed - Don't tell me that if one of those special guys who can understand them and talk to them -
The scarlet guy didn't respond, merely nodding his head - I'd heard of them, but I never imagined I'd run into one. You are a continuous surprise -
- I take that as a compliment - replied the other - Ah, before I forget, your father instructed me to give you this - handing him a map of the region, the same as the one he already had.
- Thank you! We'll meet again soon, I'm sure - said the young man before leaving, followed by the cute little turtle who began to wag his tail frantically, shaped like a rodent. It was such a funny sight and the boy couldn't help but smile.
Surely they would challenge each other to the league, of that there was no doubt, or at least that was what he wished, since he had just found an opponent who was his equal. He was sure of it.
Having fulfilled his purpose, he decided to get out of the building and walk through the streets of the center, a bit of entertainment would surely benefit him, moreover it would be a good opportunity to ask around for information about his next stop.
- You must be Katsumi, right? - asked boy of comparable height to him and with ultramarine blue hair.
Everyone seemed to know him, but unfortunately, he couldn't have said otherwise. He felt like one of those famous guys, always surrounded by hordes of fans and never taking a breath. A feeling definitely out of the ordinary and that caused him a lot of discomfort, given his propensity for isolation from his peers. In the big cities, then, he always felt like a fish out of water.
- It seems that I am famous around here - replied the trainer making the newcomer smile.
- I watched your "demonstration" battle a few hours ago and I was fascinated by your skill. I would like to challenge you if it were possible -
- No problem. It's as good a way as any to strengthen the bond with my team, as well as a convenient training for the challenges ahead-
- Yeah! - exclaimed the boy, leaping into the sky. A rather exaggerated reaction for a simple fight
- Oh how careless of me, I haven't introduced myself properly yet. My name is Sean Nakamura and I'm a native of these places - he explained, holding out his hand.
- And I'm Katsumi Ryouta and I'm from Nuvema town - he replied, clutching her.
- A bit far from home, isn't it?
- Yes, it is -
That boy, so lively and energetic in appearance, inspired him a certain sympathy, and given his origin, he would surely be a good source of information.
- May the best man win - began the young man as soon as he had finished settling in, lining up on the other side of the field, in a well-sheltered area of the city, away from prying eyes.
There, no one could disturb them and they could unleash the power of their team without the risk or fear of damaging anything. Just perfect. The two stared at each other defiantly and the tension was quite palpable.
- Piplup, I choose you - the starter native to this region made his appearance, posing like a proud warrior.
A rather unusual behavior when you consider that a few days ago he was rather shy and awkward. But as they say, pokemon take on the characteristics of their masters. Provided that it was the same specimen, of course.
- I suppose you're one of the novice trainers that Rowan was talking about, am I right? - the boy asked curiously.
- Precisely, and as you can see too, I haven't gotten very far yet, which is why I rushed straight to school once I got my starter -
- Understood. But don't think I'm going easy on you just because you're a rookie - said the scarlet boy, launching the pokeball into the air, from which emerged a small black and white bird, a beautiful Starly, the first one captured in this region.
- In fact I don't want you to do that, I may be a novice, but I'm not as clueless as you think and I want to prove it to you! Use Bubble! -
- Counterattack with Wing Attack -
Having a good dose of speed, the starling pokemon was able to soar, overcoming with extreme ease and gracefulness that whirlwind of bubbles, falling on the unlucky prey and hitting it with one of his powerful wings, making him back a lot.
A sufficiently experienced eye would have been enough to understand how the situation would have evolved, also because of the critical blow suffered.
- That starly one looks like it's been trained well - exclaimed the blue-haired man with a toothy grin - I love it! -
- And you haven't seen anything yet - replied the other with a rather smug grin.
- Braggart! Use Roar! - the penguin pokemon emitted a cry almost annoying to the hearing of the poor trainers, making the opponent lower his guard.
- You think you're going to reduce the damage you'd take that way? Poor deluded man. Starly, let's show them! Go with Tackle -
- Gligarrrr! -
At the precise moment when the bird was about to hurl itself at its opponent with all its might, something came crashing down from the sky, hitting the ground and raising a great cloud of dust. What on earth was that?
- But what... - the two remained open-mouthed as soon as it thinned out, watching in amazement their exhausted and wounded companions and a pink pokemon that looked like a bat.
- Starly! - exclaimed the boy running at great speed towards his pokemon, followed closely by the other one. - Where does it come from? - he asked taking his faithful companion in his arms.
- That is a Gligar, a pokemon capable of plowing through the currents that occur punctually in the city - explained the young man.
- Yes, I know what it is, but that doesn't explain where it came from or why it fell on our pokemon so suddenly -.
- It must have followed the current to here, in these parts they are quite common and judging by the approaching verses, it is not alone. -
Indeed, the young man's theory proved correct, a flock of the same specimen appeared before the two and judging by their expressions, they did not have good intentions. In particular, one of their own, presumably the leader judging by its size, stepped forward defiantly.
- Do you still have pokemon? - Katsumi asked, holding the bird in her arms. If they didn't get out of that unpleasant situation quickly, he wouldn't be able to make his way to the pokemon center. This beginning of the journey was proving to be more eventful than expected.
- Unfortunately not - replied the other one bitterly. He would have to capture more pokemon from the surroundings, even if they would be of no use to him, he was sure of that - You still have Chimchar, don't you? -
- Yes, but it would be too much of a disadvantage and trying to calm them down won't do any good, they are very short-tempered types and they get angry over nothing -
- So, what can we do? - asked the other, now in panic.
- The only way would be to distract them and then run away as fast as we can -
- I'm with you brother -
- Don't call me that - the other one retorted.
He had to find something quickly to get their attention, nothing else would do, just a simple little diversion. Something behind them took a leap, appearing right in front of those two. It was a beautiful little lion with a slender body entirely covered in blue fur, except for the back part, which was black and ended with a golden star-shaped tail, placed right at its tip.
His gaze was awe-inspiring to anyone who passed him, even though he was such a small being. He shot a fleeting glance at the boy, roaring back at their attackers. There it was, their escape route.
He was fascinated by that tiny creature, yet so tenacious, a little dude definitely out of the kept him from escaping, like a mysterious force, wishing to fight that battle, yes, something deep in his soul demanded it.
- Sean, I entrust you with my Starly, when I give you the go-ahead, run - said the boy, flanking the little lion.
- You can count on me - replied the other one, charging the injured pokemon.
- Now! -
With all his energy, Sean slingshot towards the goal, running without ever looking back, leaving those two to battle.
The two exchanged one more look of understanding, before the feline pokemon launched into the attack.
