Chapter 30: Training Session

Roku's P.O.V.

Unknown Location

"So…you finally became a Legend Keeper," Celestrix said.

"That's correct," I replied. "We're one step closer to completing our mission."

"I hate to have to burden you like this," Celestrix said sympathetically. "This should've been my mission alone."

"Don't worry about me," I said. "It's no burden. I'm not gonna let Team Prime take over this world; not without a fight. I'll do everything I can to stop that."

"I can't thank you enough, Roku," Celestrix said. "I believe a gift is in order."

The white dragon produced a small stone from her chest, passing it to me. It was orange in color, with a blue and red swirl in the center.

"That is a Mega Stone for your Lucario," Celestrix said. "Use it to help you in your quest."

"Lucarionite?!" I said, holding the stone like it was a holy relic. "Thanks!"

"You're very welcome," Celestrix said. "I'll let you return to your world now."


Roku's P.O.V.

Legend Keeper HQ

I woke up to see Reia getting dressed. I quickly dove under the covers to make sure she didn't accuse me of being a peeping tom.

Definitely doesn't help that my bed is directly in front of the bathroom, I thought to myself.

As soon as I heard the bathroom door shut, I pushed the covers off and got up, heading to the laundry room attached to our room and washing my clothes again. After about two hours, I got dressed and stepped out just as Reia was putting her felt hat on.

"Hey, you're awake!" Reia said. "Did Celestrix hijack your head again?"

"Yeah," I said. "She gave me this."

I pulled out the Lucarionite Celestrix gave me and showed it to Reia, which caused her to gasp.

"A Mega Stone?!" she shouted. "Wow, what a gift!"

"Yeah, tell me about it," I said, putting it back in my pocket. "So, are we heading out?"

"Not yet," Reia said. "Cedric says he wants to see you for a bit."

"OK," I said, clipping my belt and heading out the door. Reia decided to follow me out, saying that she was curious.

Eventually, we got to his office, and I stepped in, saying, "You wanted to see me, Cedric?"

Cedric turned from his view of the Sanctuary and said, "Yes. I need you to follow me to the arena for a bit…alone."

I looked at Reia, who had a weird look on her face. I guess she was trying to decipher Cedric's tone. Now that I think about it, he did seem a little different today.

"Uh...OK," I said, hesitating slightly.

I followed Cedric down to the arena, him closing the doors behind us.

"What's this about?" I asked.

"You still have your sword, don't you?" Cedric asked.

"Well, yeah, I always keep it on me," I said, pulling it from my back.

"Good," Cedric said, moving to a rack in the back of the room. "You may not know, but we Legend Keepers carry weapons as well. These have been empowered by the very Legendary Pokemon we've sworn to protect."

Cedric pulled a sword from the rack, and I jumped back in surprise as the sword erupted in flame. Cedric swung it around like it was second-nature, and he got into a battle stance.

"This sword had been infused with the aura of my partner, Moltres," Cedric explained. "And I think it's time you learn how to use the blade gifted to you by your guardian. Now, enter your best stance."

I nodded and entered my usual stance; with my knees bent, heels off the ground, and my blade in a horizontal position above my head.

"Good. You've done this before, haven't you?" Cedric said.

"Yeah, Latias and I used to spar before she left," I replied.

"OK, then let's see how well you can block my attack," Cedric said, a smile on his face, before he rushed me.

Now, a normal person would've dove out of the way when they saw 250 pounds of muscle charging at them. But I planted my feet in the ground, and right as Cedric swung down, I swung and knocked the sword aside, spinning around once and pointing my sword at his neck.

"Well, well," Cedric said, looking down at the blade. "Not bad, Kimura. You've got some skill."

"Your attacks are far too predictable, Cedric," I said, smiling and retracting my sword. I jumped back and went back into my beginning stance. "Now let's see your real moves!"

"You want a real sparring match?!" Cedric shouted, entering a forward stance. "You've got one!"

Cedric and I ran at each other, both on the offensive. I had to admit, despite Cedric's style being like that of a berserker, he had some amazing defense. After about 5 or 6 minutes, we were standing a fair distance apart, both of us breathing heavily. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't as exhausted as I should've been. Cedric was a big guy, as I'd mentioned earlier, and guarding from his strong attacks would've taken some serious power.

"Hah...hah...looks like I underestimated you a bit," Cedric huffed. I could tell that his age was getting the better of him.

"Hah...hah...so, are we done yet?" I said. "I don't mean to be rude, but Reia and I have to hit the road, and there's obviously no need for training me, since I already have the skill."

"That's where you're wrong, Roku," Cedric said, stabbing his sword in the ground. "Despite you possessing a good knowledge of how to wield a blade, you still have a lot to learn."

Cedric pulled his sword back up, and I entered a defensive stance, ready for round 2. But then, I dropped my guard as soon as Cedric walked to the back wall and put his sword back on the rack.

"That being said, I don't believe that there's anything I can teach you," Cedric said. "I can't keep you here longer than you should be. Besides, you still have a Gym challenge to finish."

I nodded and sheathed my sword. Cedric walked up to me and held out a hand, saying, "Be strong, Roku Kimura. Never give in, and your dreams will come true."

"Farewell, Cedric," I said, shaking his hand. "I wish you well."

I turned around and walked out of the arena, and after stopping by the Mega Evolution specialist to get Lucario fitted with a mount, walked out to the elevator, Reia and Zuki beside me. Luna and Latias were also out, ready to hit the road.

As we exited the Dance Theater, Zuki stopped us and said, "I believe that this is where we must part ways. My sisters need me back at the HQ, and there can't be a Dance Theater without all five of us."

"I understand, Zuki," I said, holding out a hand. "I guess this is goodbye, then."

Tears welled up in Zuki's eyes, and she rushed in and hugged me, surprising pretty much all of us.

"I'm gonna miss you guys," she said in-between sobs. "It's been fun these past few days traveling with you."

"I'll miss you too, Zuki," I replied, hugging her back. Just then, I heard the doors open, and out walked Calem, shaking his head.

"Geez, another sob story," he scoffed. "Come on. If we want to reach Olivine quickly, we need to get moving now."

"He's right," Latias said, tears streaming down her face as well. "Let's go. I was always a sucker for sad goodbyes."

I released Zuki and waved goodbye, heading to the west gate of Ecruteak City and heading out to Route 38.

"So, got any info on our next challenge?" Reia asked.

"I believe Olivine is home to Jasmine, the Steel-type Gym Leader," Calem said. "Her pride and joy is a Steelix, and that suggests that maybe she's also able to use Mega Evolution."

"Just because her Pokemon's capable of it doesn't mean she can awaken its true power," I said. "The fact that Morty was able to Mega Evolve his Gengar was entirely coincidental."

"Even so, we should exercise caution," Calem said. "There's no telling what she could do."

"No problem!" Luna said confidently. "We can take anything that gets in our way! Right, Roku?"

"Yeah!" I said, getting pumped. "There's no way we'll lose to her!"

With our hopes up as high as the sky, we increased our pace to the next route, hoping to get there as fast as we could.


Unknown P.O.V.

Olivine Lighthouse

At the highest point of Olivine's famous lighthouse, a lone Ampharos lay sleeping peacefully. Ears twitching dreamily, it had no idea that there was something lurking just outside the glass, looking inside.

"Have you found the Ampharos?" said a voice through a speaker in the figure's ear.

"I'm looking at it as we speak," said the figure, slowly removing the window pane. He leaned it up against the glass and stepped inside, pulling a vile out of his pocket.

"Good. Inject the essence into it," the voice commanded. "The townspeople won't even know what hit them when they see what's happened to their beloved Ampharos."

The figure snuck up quietly to the snoozing Pokemon before pressing a small needle into its neck and releasing whatever was in the vile into the Ampharos' bloodstream. Soon enough, the Pokemon began to shudder violently, crying out in pain, and all that remained was a whisper as the window was replaced and the figure disappeared into the night.

The lights came on as the entire city heard the Ampharos' cries, and a young woman with light brown hair exited the Pokemon Gym, looking up at the lighthouse.

"What's going on?!" she said to herself, rushing in the direction of the lighthouse. She didn't slow down until she reached the top floor, and when she did, she saw the Ampharos that lit up the lighthouse standing up, facing away from her.

"Amphy?" she said cautiously, taking a step towards the Pokemon. "Are you OK?"

Amphy turned around and looked at her with piercing eyes; eyes filled with hatred. The woman took a step back, scared slightly. Amphy soon screamed loudly and launched a Power Gem attack at her. The woman dove to the floor, the stones flying right above her.

"Jasmine!" she heard a voice shout. She looked behind her to see one of the Trainers who trained at her Gym standing there, holding a Poke Ball.

"It's not safe! You need to get out of here!" he shouted, throwing the ball. "Go, Doublade!"

The ball exploded, releasing the Ghost- and Steel-type Pokemon to take on the now rogue Amphy.

"Doublade, use Shadow Sneak!" the Trainer shouted.

Doublade sunk into the shadows and reappeared behind Amphy, slashing it twice with its twin swords. Amphy sprawled forward, but righted itself and used Thunderbolt, delivering a powerful electric shock to the sword Pokemon and knocking it out in one hit.

"Uh, oh," the Trainer said sheepishly, returning his fallen Pokemon. Amphy screamed violently once more, and Jasmine closed her eyes, waiting for an attack. But all she heard was a body falling to the ground. Jasmine opened her eyes again to see Amphy on the ground, unconscious.

"What...?" she said, standing up. She pulled up her P*DA and dialed a number, saying, "This is Jasmine. I have a bit of a problem here, and I need your help."


Author's Note: Sooooo sorry for the EXTREMELY delayed update, but I haven't been able to write in quite a while due to my tablet biting the dust. I graduated high school in May and just now converted my documents to an older format so they would be editable on my old PC.

So anyway, I'm hoping to get this story back up and running, and please review. I have to know what you think and any suggestions on how I can make this story better will be accepted graciously.

Strato Abyss signing out.