(November 3rd)
After a harrowing rescue and infiltration mission, the kalos elite four begin planning their next move. However, fate has thrown a wrench into their plans as one of their members, Jarod, struggles to overcome the tragic loss of his first ever pokemon. No one has any clue that the current champion is undergoing an emotional turmoil that could spell failure for the team. The sun rises over Kiloude as Jarod is the first to stir…
"…urrr…. urgh…." The champion groans while sitting up, his gaze falls upon his right hand which has been bandaged. His mind flashes back to the previous night.
". who would've thought a few measly cuts could bleed so much…" Jarod whispers to himself, before quietly slipping out of the bed without disturbing Diantha, who stopped him from harming himself any further, and was now sleeping soundly by his side.
The trainer quietly walks through the halls of the maison before stepping out onto the balcony. As he observes the rising sun. Another pang of sadness hits him inside as he remembers another precious memory.
"(Its funny…the sun rose just like this on the morning that I began my trainer career…. the morning…that I met Flare)." He doesn't notice Cynthia stepping out on to the balcony before she calls to him.
"Oh. Good morning Jarod, you re up early." The blonde champion says.
"I suppose I am…" Jarod sighs, his shoulders slumping, which Cynthia notices.
"Jarod…. I can't imagine what you're feeling inside right now, but just know that me and the rest of the team are here for you." She says before hugging the kalos champion.
"…. thank you cynth…. It's just so hard… she was my first ever partner…." Jarod says mournfully.
"I know what you mean." Cynthia says. "She cherished her time with you and I know she would want you to keep living as the selfless, loyal trainer you are. She's smiling down on you knowing that she got to be your partner."
"You really think so?" Jarod says.
"Of course." Cynthia replies.
"Her words are true, my dear friend." Says a feminine voice through telepathy. The two trainers turn around and come face to face with a tall bipedal feline creature, with a white body and a long green tail and stomach. Its hands consist of 3 bulbous fingers each and a small tube runs from the base of its head to the base of its neck.
"Fantasia! Is that you?" Jarod says in surprise at the sudden arrival of his mewtwo.
"Oh, my arceus!" Cynthia exclaims.
"My apologies if I spooked you. Lady arceus informed me of what happened and I am truly sorry for your loss." Fantasia says before also hugging Jarod. "I'm here to aid you in your quest to rescue palkia and fill the gap that Flare left behind." States the genetic pokemon.
"Thank you mewtwo, that means a lot. We need all the help we can get right now." Jarod replies.
"How did you two meet?" Asks Cynthia.
"It all went down about 4 years ago during my journey through Johto and Kanto." Jarod replies.
(Flashback)
In the depths of cerulean cave, a heated battle is taking place between Jarod and a newly discovered pokemon known as mewtwo. Multiple trainers had been injured while training in the cavern and He had gone to investigate the source of the attacks. Mewtwo is seen on one knee with various wounds across her body as well as sparks of electricity from a thunder wave by Jarods umbreon.
"Urrgh…. Damn you!" Mewtwo yells in pain. You humans are all the same. Cold, deceitful and selfish with no remorse for anyone!"
"Mewtwo, listen to me. I know there is a lot of scum in this world but not all of us are like that. Many people live and work together with pokemon in complete harmony."
"That's what you think…. From the day I was created, I was nothing but a pawn for the selfish gains of humans! I was forced to battle and even kill numerous pokemon just so they could collect data on me. Those bastards tortured me just so they could force my power to increase. One day, I was forced to slay an abnormally powerful gyarados and I lost all control. My psychic powers combined with all the pain and hatred that those fiends had instilled in my heart led to me completely obliterating the entire building and all who were inside from existence." Mewtwo explains.
"You did the world a favor by doing so. That place was revealed to be an illegal pokemon experiment facility where they were subjected to horrifying alterations and tests that caused extreme changes to their genetics and many wound up dead or crippled as a result." Jarod says.
"My suffering only continued, people despised me and constantly tried to get rid of me. Day after day I came under assault from both humans and pokemon alike. Eventually I wound up here where I could find solace. There's just no place for a creature like myself in this damned world." Mewtwo finishes bitterly. However, before she can act any further, the Sinnoh champion approaches the injured psychic and embraces her.
"What…what are you doing?"
"Mewtwo…. I can't imagine the suffering that you have been through but I mean it when I say that you belong just like every other living thing. We are all alive for a reason, it does not matter if we are born naturally or through scientific means. We all have a place in this world." Jarod says determinedly
"I…. I don't…believe…...urrgh…" Before she can finish her sentence, Mewtwo feels a slick substance run down her back, and combined with the strain of the battle and exhaustion from constant attacks by wild pokemon and trainers, she loses consciousness.
"Mewtwo!" Jarod shouts, realizing that various wounds had torn open due to their battle and now she was in danger of bleeding out from her injuries.
(Present time)
"Oh my gosh, what happened next Fantasia?" Cynthia asks.
"I don't remember too much. After I passed out, I could feel my body being picked up and carried out of the cave. I would later wake up inside the home of my companion right here." Fantasia says while pointing to Jarod.
(Flashback)
Jarod quickly escapes the cerulean cave with the unconscious mewtwo on his back. Once outside he summons Sky queen the shining rayquaza and hightails it back to his home overlooking the lake of rage. He quickly lays the nearly dead legendary on his bed before calling Nurse Joy who comes quickly from Mahogany town.
"In here." Jarod says.
"A mewtwo, now this is a surprise, let us not waste any time." Nurse Joy says before quickly setting to work, cleansing and stitching up each of the mewtwo's wounds. During the process, her heart stops but Joy quickly restarts it with a jolt from the defibrillator. Eventually, the psychic type's vitals stabilize as the nurse finishes bandaging her torso.
"How is she nurse joy?" Jarod asks worriedly.
"Thanks to your quick response, she will make a full recovery." Joy responds
"Will she wake up soon?" Jarod asks.
"I predict she will come to sometime this evening, though she may be rather groggy." Nurse Joy replies. "I must return to the pokemon center, just call if anything changes."
"Thank you very much." Jarod says and the nurse departs for Mahogany town. Throughout the day, He monitors the sleeping psychic carefully as his umbreon and Flare also stand on guard when he cannot be there. Later that evening, just after the team has dinner, Flare calls her trainer up after hearing mewtwo start to stir.
"mmph…."
"Mewtwo? Mewtwo can you hear me?" Jarod says.
"…Wait…. that voice...Who's there….?" Mewtwo says nervously.
"Its Jarod. Im the trainer with the umbreon you battled this morning.
"…J…j…Jarod…. where am I…. what happened…?" Mewtwo stammers as her green eyes slowly flutter open and meet with the hazel hues of the trainer.
"You lost consciousness back in the cerulean cave. You had various wounds on your back that opened up causing you to bleed heavily. Me and rayquaza flew you back here to my place. I called nurse joy and she helped patch you up. You were in such bad shape that your heart stopped and the nurse had to revive you." Jarod explains.
"…. Why…. why didn't you…leave me…im nothing …. but a freak." Mewtwo says bitterly as she sits up in the trainer's bed. Jarod grips her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes.
Goodnight from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky plays
"Mewtwo, listen to me. I told you that every living thing has a purpose in this world. You are not a freak, you are a living being with emotions, and thoughts. There are people out there that fail to understand that but I promise you that im not one of them." Jarod says.
"I…I don't know…." Mewtwo retorts.
"Mewtwo…. I've been with Jarod since the day I hatched and he is the most selfless, kindhearted person I have ever met. He always puts the needs of others ahead of his own." Flare says.
"If it wasn't for his bravery, our world would have been destroyed." Spectra and Sky Queen both affirm.
"Mewtwo…. I…no, we as a team want you to stay with us. We can be the family that you never had or knew. You will never be alone again, that's a promise." Jarod says caringly as his team nod in agreement. Mewtwo's eyes start to glimmer.
"Do…do you really mean it…" Mewtwo says.
"I do, and I never break a promise." Jarod replies as he embraces the legend, while the rest of his team gather close to her.
"….im sorry…. I…you shouldn't see me like this…" Mewtwo stammers.
"Emotions do not make us weak, release your pain mewtwo. We are here for you." Jarod says soothingly and with that, mewtwo lowers her head onto his shoulder and begins to cry, letting loose years of misery, pain, and loneliness out of her heart.
"That's it…. release it all." Jarod whispers
"We have your back mewtwo." Umbreon says.
"Indeed." Anubis states in agreement while the rest give a nod.
"…. *sniff*…thank you…. all of you." Mewtwo replies softly as she slowly manages to smile through her tears. a slight one, but one with a big meaning behind it.
"So, are you feeling better?" The champion says.
"I feel much at ease…as if a major weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, and it's all because of you." Mewtwo replies
"So…. will you stay with us?" Jarod asks.
"yes…yes I will!" Mewtwo declares cheerfully.
"Well that's settled, but you ll need a name…. hmm…how about Fantasia?"
"Fantasia…. I like it." Mewtwo replies.
"Excellent, welcome to the family Fantasia." Jarod says as the rest of his team bellow out in cheers.
(Present Time)
"You seem to have an incredible ability to bond with even the most tortured souls." Cynthia says.
"I suppose I do." Jarod replies in agreement.
"Anyways, Jarod would you like to spar later, I've gotten a bit rusty." Fantasia asks.
"Im down for that. After the morning briefing, we can go up to the hill behind the maison and spar there if you like." Jarod replies.
"Sounds good to me." Fantasia says.
"Ok, ill see you then my friend." Jarod says with a smile.
The morning proceeds as normal as the trainers eat breakfast and then meet with Wikstrom to discuss the current status of the conflict and the strange lack of activity from team infinity since the frost cavern raid. Once dismissed, Jarod suits up in his giratina armor and heads up to the hill where Fantasia is waiting.
"(Rest easy…. comrade)." The psychic says to herself while silently paying respects to the deceased Flare.
"Hey Fantasia". Jarod calls out.
"Oh. Hey there Jarod, I was just paying my respects to our fallen friend." Fantasia explains.
"I see. Anyways, are you ready to spar?" The champion asks as he takes up a combat stance.
"Im ready to rumble, nice armor by the way."
"Thanks, I forged it myself." Jarod says.
"Let us begin shall we." Fantasia says taking up a combat stance
"Here I come!" Jarod shouts before the two partners charge at each other. Mewtwo swings her tail around but Jarod quickly jumps before landing a swift jab to her stomach. She quickly recovers and repulses his charge with a psywave.
"Nice shot, your psychic abilities are still sharp as always." Jarod says before engaging in a CQC melee with a series of rapid jabs which knocks mewtwo back a few feet.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I feel as though my powers are not as strong as before." Fantasia says before launching a psystrike blast at her trainer. However, she misses and accidently hits Flares memorial, damaging it. She quickly restores it using her powers but when she turns to face her trainer, all hell breaks loose.
(Battle! Giratina from Pokemon Platinum plays)
"Im so sorry…I didn't intend for that." Fantasia pleads.
Jarod stares for a split second, his face contorts in rage and a dark aura erupts around him. His eyes turn a vibrant purple and six tendril like wings sprout from the back of his chest plate, giving him the appearance of an anthropomorphic giratina. Before mewtwo can react, Jarod seemingly vanishes before decking her in the head with an aura infused punch that sends her to the ground, drawing blood.
"GRAAAAAAAAGH." Jarod roars out.
"Jarod…. what's…. happening…. to... you." Fantasia chokes out before fainting. The scream draws the attention of Diantha, Cynthia and Steven who run up the hill to investigate. Spectra also appears sensing the dark aura.
"What is going on?" Steven exclaims before seeing the possessed Jarod.
"Babe! What's wrong?" Diantha calls out but he pays no heed.
"He cannot hear you, as he is caught in the grasp of spectral fury." Spectra booms.
"Spectral fury, what is that?" The three trainers ask.
"Spectral fury is an aura-based power specifically utilized by ghost type pokemon and trainers who have established a deep bond with them. It feeds on the emotions and spiritual state of the user and allows them to control otherworldly powers such as disappearing from sight at will and it increases their speed and physical strength as well. However, if the amount of negative emotion is too high, then the user enters a berserk state with no sense of friend or foe." Spectra explains."
"Can he be calmed down?" Cynthia asks.
"Yes, if I can get close enough to him, I can absorb the aura from him…." Spectra is cut off by Jarod screaming before lunging towards the downed Fantasia with a shadowy claw extended from his gauntlet, ready to impale her.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR DESECRATING MY PARTNERS GRAVE!" The champion yells, but before he can strike, Spectra tackles him and locks eyes with him.
"Come back to us Jarod!" Spectra booms as the dark aura slowly dissipates from around the trainer. His eyes return to normal as he swoons dizzily. He then sees his mewtwo unconscious next to him with blood trickling down her face as well as a look of fear and worry on his girlfriend's face.
"Diantha…. Fantasia…. what…. have I done….?" He utters out before falling backwards, but Diantha catches him.
"Jarod !" She yells in worry as the two other trainers run to his aid.
(A few Hours Later)
Diantha watches over her unconscious lover after he went berserk due to a previously hidden power he held within as a result of his bond with giratina. Fantasia was quickly taken in and healed, only suffering a small heir line fracture to her frontal lobe along with a minor concussion. She also watches over her human companion wondering what happened to him.
"(So, Jarod has some sort of special power due to his bond with Spectra. Its hard to believe but I have to wonder if it may actually help us in our battle with team infinity)". Diantha wonders to herself before she hears Jarod start to come around.
"…. Urrr…."
"Jarod…jarod can you hear me? Diantha asks.
"Are you alright my friend?" Fantasia says, as Jarods eyes flutter open.
"Fantasia…Diantha…. what happened?" He asks wearily.
"You lost consciousness after losing control because of some hidden power you hold within." Diantha says.
"Hidden power? What are you talking about my lady?"
"According to what Spectra told us, it is an aura-based power called spectral fury. It's utilized by powerful ghost type pokemon such as giratina and it enhances their powers. Some humans who have established a strong bond with these pokemon have gained this type of power that enhances traits such as speed and physical strength and enables them to vanish from sight." Mewtwo explains.
"That's…just…unbelievable. "Jarod says in shock as he tries to sit up but quickly winds up fainting again which Diantha notices and lays him down."
"Jarod, you need to rest, especially since Spectra had to tackle you after you lost control." He looks at mewtwo who has a bandage wrapped around her head.
"Fantasia….im…im so sorry…. I didn't mean to..." However, she quickly interjects.
"Don't worry about it, my friend, you couldn't control yourself." Fantasia says reassuringly before hugging him, just as he did back in cerulean cave.
"Fantasia…. thank you." Jarod replies back before lightly scratching her feline-esque ear causing her to unexpectedly giggle.
"Hehehe. You know im ticklish back there!" Fantasia says sheepishly.
"That was actually cute, mewtwo." Diantha laughs.
"Aww how do I always get into these awkward situations." Fantasia says before joining in the laughter with her companions as the moon rises above the town.