A Love -Hate Relationship
38
~The Power Within~
A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC It based on the GAMES and NOT the anime version.
The sun set high over head of the Tower of Darkness. Its orange light burned through the windows of the top floor. Where Master Mustard stood ready and waiting.
"Bear ma..." The Poke'mon spoke in a soft whisper as he stood before its former trainer and bowed. Anani of course, doing the same, out of respect.
"Master." she said formally in greeting.
"So there you are..." the old man smiled, "I figured you would choose the Tower of Darkness...so I waited here for you." he said.
"It's good to see you again, Master." said Anani, "But it wasn;t my choice that was made here." she stated, "It was Kubfu's. He led us here."
"As it should have been." he smiled as he placed a gentle palm on the Poke'mon's head, "You have both done well to come this far." he grinned.
"Babear!"
Master Mustard chuckled.
"Your final opponent will be me." he said, "It's been a long time since the last time I battled no holds barred..." he blinked, "But I am confident that you two can handle anything!" he said as he closed his eyes and took in a long breath, " A stream too clear is avoided even by the fish Poke'mon." he stated, "We all need some darkness within ourselves." His eyes opened slowly and rested heavily on Anani. "We must not fear it...but instead embrace and over come."
Her heart pounded a bit against her chest and she cupped a hand over it.
So...he can see...?
She blinked.
The Darkness within me...?
He smiled and nodded as he motioned himself delicately into a battle stance.
"Allow me to be the one to teach you your final lesson on the essence of Darkness!" He removed his hat and tossed it back, leaping into battle stance while his jacket flew off his shoulders, blocking out the sun as he stood this time, not as a feeble goof ball old man, but now instead as the Dojo Master.
"He's not holding back this time..." said Anani as she took in a deep breath and slowly sank into a battle position that came naturally to her body, "So we won't either..." she said.
Kubfu gave a firm nod and repeated the posture.
"GO! KUBFU!" Both Anani and Master Mustard shouted as two Kubfus leapt into action on the battle field. Master Mustard's and Anani's own Fuukuu.
"I must get serious if I wish to take you two on now!" said Master Mustard, " It is time for you to Hone and sharpen your senses and show me now just how much you have grown!"
"We plan to do just that!" said Anani as she thrust her hand forward, "Now, Fuukuu! Use Aerial Ace!"
"Bear Bear!" the bear Poke'mon roared in response and charged in on its high speed attack.
"Watch closely now, Anani..." said Master Mustard," Let me show you what Kubfu's fists are truly capable of-use AERIAL ACE!"
Both bears reached forward, fists locking on contact while a tornado of power swirled around them. An Explosion upon impact sounded and blew out the surrounding window and sending Anani back with a scream.
"MaMaaaa!" Kubfu cried out and reached a hand toward its trainer, gripping hand in hand as they flew back.
XXXXX
"AHHH!" Hop and the others let out screams from below as they shot their gazes up with wide eyes while glass fell like rain. they quickly pushed each other out of dodge and took cover behind a few rocks, eyes fixed upward toward the sound of Anani's scream.
"Anani!?" Hop cried out.
"What on earth is going ON up there!?" asked Bede.
"Beats me..." said Marnie, "That was a serious surge of power just now..."
Anani...
Hop called to her with his hear and clapped his hands together in a prayer like position.
Please be okay!
XXXXX
As the girl took cover from the impact and debris she shut her eyes and curled up into herself to prepare for landing. She could hear what sounded like Hop speaking out to herm even though she knew it was only within her mind.
Hop...!
She could feel his presence even when he wasn't there and she knew that this couldn't be the end just yet. As she skidded across th floor with Kubfu in her arms she stood slowly on wobbling knees.
"We're okay!" she called out, and released her partner to the field of battle once again.
"Excellent!" said Master Mustard, "I knew you were strong enough to withstand!"
Toe to toe both Poke'mon fought. Both with Battle technique and fighting style. A Combination of a Poke'mon battle and a genuine spar between Dojo Rivals. Punches countered punches and kicks countered kicks, with a few battle moves tossed into the salad.
"Now use Headbutt!" Anani called out as Mustard's Kubfu charged forward on Fuukuu. With a responding cry the Poke'mon thrust its head forward sending the Mastard's air born.
"Keep it in the air with Aerial Ace!" she demanded. To which Fuukuu responded positively with a growl and a high speed attack, using the momentum to keep itself airborne and position itself above its enemy.
"Remarkable...!" Mustard muttered.
"This is it, Fuukuu!" Anani called out with a thrusting fist forward, "End it all with Brick Break!"
With one powerful blow downward Fuukuu sent Mustard's Kubfu plummeting to the floor. The intensity and speed was too much for its body to take much more of and with a final impact into the ground, it couldn't bring itself to stand anymore, and fell in defeat.
Mustard couldn't have stood more proudly. He held his posture upright and grinned. He was beaten. And there was no way he would even dare to counter the claim, so instead, he threw his head back, and laughed.
"You young folk grow so fast..." he chuckled, "It never ceases to amaze me!" he grinned, "Impressive...MOST IMPRESSIVE!"
with bated breaths Anani grinned, a smile shared with her partner Kubfu who let out a victory cry and leapt toward her. They bumped fists in sweet success and the small Poke'mon in its excitement gave a show of display of every combat action it could take. letting out a victory cry before Master Mustard who chuckled and leapt into the arms of Anani, greeting her with snuggles of gratitude.
"HaHa, I knew you were worthy of trust, Anani." Mustard chuckled, "You have done very well indeed in raising Kubfu to this level of strength."
"Bearmama!" Kubfu yipped and hugged Anani tightly.
"You remind me of Leon..." he chuckled.
"Really?" Anani blinked.
Mustard nodded.
"Not just you...but Hop too." He chuckled as he glanced out the window down below, "The young boy has much of his brother in him, Physically." he stated, "But you reflect Leon's light and spirit." he said, "Leon was once my best student...a long time ago." he said, "And he too attempted this trial..."
"What happened?" Anani asked.
"Well...he never made it to either Tower!" he stated," He got lost along the way!" he laughed.
Leave it to Leon...
Anani thought to herself with a sheepish grin.
Though I can't read a map to save my life...so I imagine if I didn't have Hop or any of my other friends with me...I would have gotten lost too!
"And so the time has come for Kubfu to finally evolve." said Mustard.
"Sir?" Anani blinked with curious eyes before resting them on her partner Poke'mon who seemed to be nodding in approval.
"But of course." Mustard chuckled, "All of that pent up aggression was due to Kubfu not having any outlet to release its true potential in power." he explained, "That's how I knew the time had come...and why I sent you to under go this trial." he said, "To prove that you both were truly ready..." he smiled, "Now then..." said Mustard as he kindly stepped aside and directed their attention to a large scroll that was draped open and hanging behind behind him.
"This Scroll here is the Scroll of Darkness." he stated, "Introduce Kubfu to this scroll..." he stated, "Allow him to read it...he is ready now."
"Bear..." Kubfu blinked its beady eyes and glanced back at Anani and Master Mustard.
"Go on, Fuukuu." Anani said softly, "This leg of the journey is all on you." she smiled.
The small bear Poke'mon's eyes shone as it shared its master's smile and nodded, approaching the Scroll before it.. It stared long and hard at the decorative lettering before giving a firm nod. And with a mighty fist thrusted forward, Fuukuu began to glow. It took on a light so blinding that Anani had to shield her eyes. A shadow grew before her. That of a Towering form known as...Urshifu.
"Behold, Anani!" Mustard's voice sounded from behind her covered eyes and se slowly parted her arms to let in the light that revealed her partner's new found growth.
"Before you now, stands Urshifu." he explained, "This, is its single strike form...a combination of the Fighting and Dark type!" he stated, "Sure to be an unyielding armor that will shatter any blade turned against it." he smiled.
Anani was astounded. The one small bear Poke'mon that she could pick up, carry and hold in her arms, now towered over her. Big and strong enough now to lift and carry her instead. Mustard couldn't help but chuckle.
"You certainly have grown, haven't you?" he said, "To think it wasn't all that long ago you would have run and hid behind me the moment you got scared..."
"Beearrdark..." Fuukuu's voice now was deep and gravely. it stood beside Anani and placed a hefty paw over her shoulders protectively.
"So I see." Mustard chuckled, "Now you've something important to you to protect...and it is for that person you aim to become ever stronger." he smiled,"Indeed...no matter how old I get, witnessing someone grow always brings joy to my heart." he grinned, "Anani. Ursjifu...Thank you both, from the bottom of my heart." he gave a deep bow, respectively, one of which was returned by each of them. "Now then..."Mustard smiled, "Let us head back to the Dojo, shall we?" he smiled and patted Anani's head, "I will go on ahead...I believe there are some people down below, graciously awaiting your safe returned.
"Yes Master..." Anani smiled, "Thank you for everything!" She beamed, "Let's go, Fuukuu...I'm sure our friends are pretty worried...especially since we shattered all the windows."
"Beardaa..." Urshifu gave a sheepish grin and nodded, walking with a heavy step behind his dashing Trainer who raced her way down to the bottom.
Mustard chuckled as he waved, watching them both descend. The expression on his face soon changed and he took in a closing fist.
"...Once Anani has done, what she is meant to do..." he said softly, "It will be time for the next step." he chuckled and gave a gentle shrug, whistling a cheery tune as he walked and closed the final door behind him.
To be Continued