Andromeda, Johto
His arms were sore, his muscles straining far longer than they should. His teeth gritted together, pressing hard as if it would help at all. Arceus, what was this thing?
He dropped it on the counter and it fell with a bang, with the cluttering of silverware and the shaking of the table. His nerves ran like lightning, the adrenaline rushing away and reality quickly set in. The clash of dread, excitement, confusion, it left him heaving. The water of the lake clinged to his clothes, dripped from the tips of his hair.
The Pokemon was limp and cold, unmoving even with any gentle poke or prod. It just continued to drip with lake water and seaweed from it's skin.
"What are you?" He repeated as he gripped his chin, pacing around the table, back and forth. "I-I don't understand."
He quickly began to pat his pockets, a man with a million things on his mind. Phone, phone, where's the phone?
"Striker, have you got my phone?"
The Mightyena shook its fur and the man suddenly held his hand up triumphantly, with a red cell phone
"Gotcha! Okay, alright, what should I do now? I need to document this. No, no, wait, I need to call Cassie. Striker, grab me the sketchbook, please. And a pen- Oh, I need to call Cass."
As the phone began to ring, he flicked away more droplets of water, and analyzed the creature on his dining room table. It's feet, legs, and even thighs didn't seem to match. Like a toddler had spun the diagrams of a Pokemon in the classroom, mixing each body part until you had a conglomeration of...Something unnatural. Something amazing. And it's head...On its head, a restraint like wood, shaped like a battleaxe, but still looked incredibly heavy. Maybe that's where the weight came from.
On the other end of the phone, speakers were bumping, people shouting, and the man grimaced as he held the phone away from his ear. A voice laughed, and between a separate conversation, spoke directly into the phone. "What's wrong? Damien?"
Damien rubbed his brows hard. "Uh, yeah, Cassie. It's me. Hey, so remember when we said we'd meet up later? Uh...I need you back home. Now."
"Like, now? I'm spectating a battle, as in-I'm in the middle of a battle. Is it really that important, or are you calling me to show me an Ivysaur sprouting a different species of flower again?"
"Something big washed up tonight. I-I can't explain, I just need you here. Don't tell anyone, don't bring anyone."
As he spoke fast, he rummaged through drawers in the hallway, and wrapped a stethoscope around his neck, and slipped a retinoscope into his pocket. "Just hurry up, okay?"
He hung up the phone, and went back to the Pokemon. In the direct light, he could see the wounds on its body, burn marks unlike any natural battle. Battle burns were smaller, and more controlled as attacks were not to kill. He warmed up the stethoscope, rubbing it across his palm, and gently pressed around its body, and his eyes widened when he felt a heartbeat. It was alive.
The music was blasting across the stadium, special Loudreds rocking out with their ears broadcasting across the field. Guitars, drums, bass, you name it and there was a member of the band on the stage. Crowds were cheering, raising fists and raising midnight chaos for the night's battle. A woman bopped her head to the music, her blonde hair swaying and her scarf blowing in the breeze. She rolled her shoulders and looked upon her crowd, at the faces and Pokemon in the seats. A proud grin couldn't stop from coming as she turned to her Lucario.
"You ready?"
Lucario gave a small smile and nodded his head, and Cassie chuckled as she turned to the band wrapping up, the singer leaving a long note for the crowd to cheer on, and once noticing Cassie standing in the shadows, she smiled and left the microphone open, waving to the crowd as she stepped out, and Cassie stepped in.
Cassie took the microphone into her hands and faced the wild people.
"Show of hands, and I better see a lot, who's ready for an old fashioned, Johto styled, Andromeda battle?!"
The screams and cheers, whistles and clapping was enough to give Cassie an honest answer, and an ear-ful. She playfully winced and slowly nodded her head, turning to the microphone to calm down the city.
"I hear you! Now, I know Andromeda's getting some light nowadays. Things to do, things to see! I get it! For all who've been here before, you know them, you love them! For the new folks, I want to show you what Andromeda can really do. So come on, Cora and Gliscor!"
From the opening next to Cassie, a young woman tied up her long hair and waved to the crowd as they welcomed her in. Above her, a Gliscor soared around, posing on light poles and fences. When Cora made it to her side of the field, Gliscor joined her side, playfully bumping her shoulder and grinning mischievously. Cora nuzzled its cheek and waited for her opponent.
Cassie cleared her throat.
"Encouraging new trainers is what we're all about here! So without further ado, I want to welcome in Viola and Abra!"
From the farthest end, another girl entered the arena carrying an Abra in her arms. Her hair swooped in front of her face, and she made no effort to move it away, even keeping her eyes from the crowd as they cheered her on. Viola made her way to her end of the marked grass, and gently set her Abra on the ground, crossing her arms behind her back, and walked towards Cora as Cora did the same.
Cora shook Viola's hand firmly, while Viola held a faint grip.
"Good luck, Viola!"
"Same to you, and your Gliscor."
They backed up to their positions, and Viola looked down at Abra. "Okay, Abra, we trained for this remember? Are you nervous? Calm Mind."
Abra took a silent, deep breath, and a light pink aura fizzled around its head. Cora jumped up and crossed her fists. "Alright, Gliscor, Swords Dance!"
Gliscor copied Cora's move, crossing its arms in an X motion, and its body glowed in a faint orange light. It's next attacking move would do more damage. Viola kept a close eye on Abra as it levitated into the air, and turned to Cora and Gliscor.
"Toxic, Abra!" Was all she needed to say before Abra teleported away, and Viola placed her hands behind her back. Abra appeared right in front of Gliscor, and struck it with a staggering claw, that left Gliscor holding its chest as a poison stain coated its hand. Abra teleported back to Viola.
Cora shook her head. "No heals, we're gonna do this, right Gliscor? Let's use that move too, Poison Slash!"
Gliscor shook itself and rushed forward to attack Abra with a taste of its own medicine, knocking it back with its long stinger. Abra cried out and teleported before it hit the ground, dropping next to Viola's foot. Viola pried Abra off her leg, and set it on the ground.
"You can't give up, Abra...Headbutt!"
Gliscor's eyes widened as Abra disappeared. Cora shouted out, "Slash!" and stood back as Gliscor reared its pincer back and uppercut Abra as it reappeared, knocking Abra in the gut as it hit Gliscor head on. The force threw them both back to their spots.
Meanwhile, Cassie whistled as she watched closely. "Not bad, that Abra." She mumbled. She took the microphone into her hands and was about to make a comment on the unfolding fight, when her pocket buzzed loudly and obnoxiously. Dropping her arm, Cassie groaned and took her phone out. "Now what?"
"Don't you hate in-game interruptions?" A band member asked. Cassie laughed as she answered the phone. "Happens too often. What's wrong? Damien?"
Damien's voice was stuttered and rapid; Panicked. Cassie plugged a finger in her ear and frowned, leaning down to try and block out the surrounding noises.
"Like, now?" She demanded, glancing up every moment. I'm spectating a battle, I'm in the middle of a battle! Is it really that important, or are you calling me to show me an Ivysaur sprouting a different species of flower again?"
"Something big washed up." Damien's voice was stern, and it made even the fired up night feel chillier. It didn't help when his orders were to come alone. The phone call ended and there was a monotone ringing until Cassie hung up as well.
"Everything okay, Cassie?"
Cassie motioned for Lucario to follow her. She turned to the drummer that asked. "I've gotta go, something's come up. Let the trainers know I'll see them next week."
They took Cassie's seat, and waved to her as she quickly left the field, back into the Arena and her room past the locker room. The light flickered on, and the footsteps of Cassie and Lucario echoed on old concrete. Cassie sighed as she heard the crowds cheer reach her ears, picking up her bag that hung on the old battered chair.
"Let's go see what Damien's got planned…Whatever he's got to show me that keeps me from doing my job."
She paused, looking down at Lucario's neck, and the locket that carried something very special. Cassie had one too. She adorned a small smile and gently touched Lucario's hand with her palm, leaving her hand to linger and slowly pulled away as she walked out of the room, shutting the light off behind her.
The outside air carried a wind that only happens at the sea, and the night sky was starless. The city was very quiet on weekends like this, and anyone who still lingered around kept the peace just fine. Still lively as the weekend night, trainers and others hanging out both inside and out. A Snorlax snored loudly on the grass, and a Bulbasaur, Lilligant, and Fomantis were curled up comfortably on top of it. A Misdreavus and Shuppet floated among the sidewalks.
Cassie strolled the sidewalk, her hands in her pockets and her walk on auto-pilot, as she slipped into a mind to think about many other things. It was almost disheartening to hear her meditation be cut short when footsteps ran behind her, and a young voice called out.
"Night, Cassie! Hey, Lucario!"
Pausing, Cassie glanced back to see her trainer catching up to her. Long bangs covering their eyes and many freckles dotted their cheeks and nose. They gave a bright smile and Cassie felt herself smiling back.
"Not feeling well? I've never seen you leave this early."
"Didn't want to, but...Got some business I gotta take care of at home."
"Mind if I walk with you, at least for a little bit?"
Cassie waved her arm, and continued to walk again, with Echo joined at her other side, head tilted to the sky. The buttons on their coats glinted under the moonlight like fallen stars. Where Cassie's jacket was pristine and clean, Echo's was dirty and worn away. Along Cassie's shoulders were great spikes that could pierce, Echo's was small and dull, if some weren't chipped and broken.
"Why didn't you come to the battle tonight?" Cassie asked.
"You'll see me when I'm needed, but no one will fight me for a while. Because when they fight me, they'll fight you. And no one in Andromeda has ever gotten that far."
"What if someone broke some rules? Showed up and demanded to fight you?"
"Trust me, I'll be there for that." Echo laughed. "I'm the rule breaker in this town."
"Fair enough."
For what felt like a long walk, Cassie and Echo talked about all sorts of things on their walk. The Johto League season opening back up in the coming springtime, the oncoming Winter season and how they wish they could escape to a place like Alola. Who would be Champion next year, and if anyone from Andromeda would make it. They both laughed and shook their heads.
Past the apartment buildings and cafes, the Pokemon Centers and corner side shops, the urban city fleshed out and began to change. Sidewalks turned to grassy terrains, with sandy roads lined with pebbles and rocks. Time ticked away slowly in the city, but the moon quickly rose above the horizon then, bringing a starless night and a strange, slow wind. Cassie didn't even realize that Echo still walked with her.
The remainder of the walk was very quiet, with the wind continuing to drift, pulling the ends of Cassie's scarf, or Echo's long hair. Pokemon would run back and forth across the brush and trail, but with one stern look from Cassie, they'd back off. Echo tried to copy her look one time or another, but the Rattata in the grass tilted its head and stared as Cassie and Lucario passed by. Echo stuck their tongue out and ran to catch up.
The path leads to the dense, dark forest. They followed it through to find the stream that leads to the lake at the edge of Johto. It parts in two, and Cassie lead the way to turn left, and continued walking on. She listened out for music playing; Acoustic tunes that carried around the trees and through the branches, singing about lovers and darkness and light. Tonight, she heard nothing. Just the lull of the Pokemon in the forest.
Their house stood in a clearing, a traditional Johto-styled home that held up well against the years, aesthetically and functionally. When there would usually be lights on, and Damien leaning over the railing of the front porch, a steaming cup in his hands, Cassie paused when she noticed there was none of that. The lights were off, Damien was not there.
Lucario picked up on Cassie's stiffness, the trouble lurking in her aura. Cassie shook her shoulders out, dropped the chills of her head, and pressed on to the front door. She held her hand outstretched behind her.
"Just hold on, Echo."
Echo stepped onto the porch and waited, while Cassie pressed her ear against the door and listened. Her eyebrows furrowed, there wasn't any noise coming from inside. No fighting or talking, or anything strange. She reached into her pocket and fished out the key to her house, and unlocked the door.
"Hey Damien, I'm home. I uh, I brought Echo too."
There was an immediate, harsh "Shh". Damien's voice whispered, "Not so loud."
Damien came from the living room, and quickly ushered the both of them, and Lucario, inside. He immediately shut the door, locked it, and even checked the blinds.
"No one followed you?"
"...No one's out there. Now what do you have to show me?"
"I hope you don't mind, I put it in your room."
Cassie blinked slowly, and made sure she heard that right. "I-I'm sorry, you put it in my room?"
Damien handed her a notepad with a page full of notes taken. Cassie passed it to Echo as she followed Damien up the stairs, quietly pressing the situation. What was in her room? Why in her room? Damien walked slow, and greatly urged everyone to stay quiet, as to not wake it up. He lead Echo and Cassie to Cassie's bedroom, the first one at the top of the stairs.
"Striker caught it in the water, and I brought it home. It's extremely heavy, and your room was the only one I could manage to get it to. I have no idea what it is."
Echo was reading the paper, and every observation lead to another question. They peered over Cassie's shoulder as Damien cracked the door open, peeked his head inside, and then allowed the two to come in. Cassie and Echo's eyes both widened, and they edged into the room.
"What is that?" They whispered together. Echo stepped around Cassie and walked up to the sleeping Pokemon, so big on the bed it almost didn't fit at all. It was huge.
"In the paper, I noted that it was burned and had traces of glass in its wounds. I'm no doctor, but I think I got all that out, and I saved it to research. These burns didn't look like they came from a battle. It seems to be gaseous fire, like a building explosion. A...mix of chemicals."
Echo kneeled down beside the Pokemon's head, and reached out to it. They gently touched its helmet, and the Pokmeon didn't stir from its deep sleep.
Cassie rubbed her head, trying to take it all in. "What, you're saying it came from a lab, or something?"
"Where else, Cassie? What trainer in any region would have something like this? Everything about it is a mystery. It's...biology is unearthly. That helmet, it must be containing some kind of power in it, restricting it."
"This is absolutely insane." Cassie whispered, pacing across the room. "What if it's dangerous? It wakes up, it blows up the house."
"Cassie," Damien began. "You are the leader of an entire Gym. You almost get blown up by inexperienced trainers, unstable Pokemon, everyday."
Echo joined in. "Yeah, Cass! You're a Dark trainer! This should be a cakewalk for you! And, if it's not in a lab anymore, it'll wake up in a big soft bed, we'll be here, and we can figure out what to do next!"
Damien and Echo both turned to Cassie with big eyes and pleading hands. Cassie stared back at them, glancing at the Pokemon, and eventually looked down at Lucario.
"Do you sense anything dangerous with it?" She asked quietly. Lucario shook his head, and Cassie sighed.
"Fine, fine. But-" She cut off the two before they could celebrate. "We tell no one about this, not a soul. Not the rest of the team, not your professor friends, not bystanders in a Cafe. Got it?"
The two nodded their heads eagerly, and Cassie took one last pitiful glance at the Pokemon. The wounds that covered its body, and she could only imagine what kind of situation it escaped from to end up in the ocean water, almost to die. She mumbled to Damien, "I'll get some towels, and the Burn Heals."
The rest of the night would be a long and grueling one.