Mew and the Major Arcana
*Four Years Ago*
"Gramps, gramps, gramps!" She called out, excitement bubbling through her whole body. The familiar voice of his granddaughter could be heard from inside of the lab.
"Daisy! Stop that racket! It's hurting my head!" The professor bellowed from his study's balcony.
"It's because you're old! Hurry up! We want to see that pokemon!"
Oak sighed at his granddaughter's sudden fit of excitement. He could understand that that science blood inside her was all so curious about that pokemon, and if the grandfather was even one second late in opening the gate, the usually calm and mature Daisy would simply lay waste to the entrance. As he got closer to the gates, he noticed another familiar visitor. And it was none other than the grandson.
"Welcome, Daisy! And... Green." Oak had paused before he spoke his grandson's name. Green paid no heed in that obviously disappointed tone of the professor as he brushed past the old man, not even meeting his grandfather's eye. Daisy could only hold her breath as she stared at the back of her brother, who had missed his chance to be crowned Champion. Two months had already passed after his rival's coronation, and yet he still could not get over the loss. No, correction, it was not the loss that he grew bitter of, instead, it was the lashing he was given by his very own grandfather. He had grown distant from Oak over these past months and refused to exchange a greeting to the old man. According to Red, her grandfather had actually said the following words right before Red entered the Hall of Fame:
"Green, I'm disappointed. How could my own grandson treat pokemon as battling machines!? Go learn a thing or two from Red...really, it's no wonder that you will lose."
The sister had demanded an apology from her grandfather for being so mindless about her brother's feelings. Daisy could sympathize with her prideful brother, for he had been brutally denied by his only parent figure. Her grandfather had indeed been too strict and sharp in his words.
It was not like her grandfather was totally in the wrong, for the root of this whole heated strain in the grandfather-grandson relationship was Green himself. Daisy was aware that the family's genius had been too arrogant, and even though Oak had advised him infinite times to correct his attitude, Green paid no heed to his grandfather's words and finally, he cut short his own potential. After that particular scolding, Green had neither trained nor battled ever since, as if he had hidden and locked away his passion for Pokémon.
The siblings followed their grandfather into the lab, which was devoid of the hustle bustle of assistants scrambling around and machines whirring. It was a Sunday, thus it was perfectly normal for no one to come for work, yet the emptiness made the lab feel more lonely than ever. Professor Oak moved further in and stopped in front of a tempered glass door that had a scanner on the side. Oak bent down, had his right eye scanned and the door slid open soundlessly.
This was the area where they raised and kept all kinds of Pokémon found in Kanto, and they were all housed in decorated mini-rooms that were stacked against the wall, which was similar to those kinds of cabinet display cases. Daisy waved to some of the "newbies" that were staring at the humans with curious eyes, some of them hiding out of shyness or fear. Green just gave a quick glance at the Pokémon before briskly walking forward. He had seen way more interesting Pokémon out in the open, with him even meeting Mewtwo himself, although that psychic legendary simply demolished him by springing a surprise attack back in the Cerulean Cave.
And yet Red caught Mewtwo, completed the Pokédex, which marked another two losses for Green. His eyes darkened, as he clenched his fists. He knows he should not hold such kind of animosity towards his friend. This made him feel like a sore loser, but he just...
His thoughts were cut short when another tempered glass door opened, bringing them into a room that was neither big nor small and had a sci-fi feel embedded in the four walls of metal. From first glance, it seemed empty, but Oak simply stepped onto a switch, and gears beneath the room started buzzing, metal and chains clanking, lights flashing. The immaculate white metal ground revealed a small round hole, and a metallic blue machine sprung out from the ground like a Diglett. The machine was shaped like the top half of a Pokéball, and a tiny pedestal with a numberless pad emerged from the ground before Oak.
The top of the machine split into halves, the covers retreating back underground, unveiling a small round platform that held five Ultraballs. Daisy's eyes sparkled brighter than ever, while Green just gave a shrug, not at all impressed.
Professor Oak's fingers promptly danced across the capsules, before gingerly picking up the one on the far right.
"Lady and gentleman, meet Mew!" Oak attempted to mimic the tone of a gameshow host, and the siblings did not react towards their grandfather's failed humor. The professor, however, was not discouraged as he clicked the button on the Ultraball, releasing the mythical pokemon with a flourish.
A white flash shot out of the capsule, materializing into a pink Pokémon with big, blue eyes. Mew had a short and wide snout, ears that made her looked like a cat, and an abnormally long tail that could coil around that tiny body at least three times. She hovered in the air as she gave a quick glance at Daisy, who was just oohing and aahing like a pre-recorded tape. Then Mew laid eyes on the spiky-haired human boy, who wore a v-neck navy blue t-shirt and simple beige jeans, a small pendant laid on his broad chest. Tucking his hands into his pockets, and standing so straight with that alarming yet cool-looking hairstyle, his aura earned a knowing look from Mew.
Then she laughed, or whether it was laughter, none of the Oaks knew. The foreign chuckle of the mythical pokemon suddenly ended when she glowed a purple befitting of a psychic pokemon, and the most incomprehensible thing happened.
Daisy vanished. Green almost lost his cool when something that was right beside him was now gone, and Oak could not even blink as he stared at the empty space. They could have panicked, but an abrupt pound at the entrance made them switch their gazes to the familiar figure outside. Through the tempered glass door, Daisy's mouth opened and close, as if shouting about something. She had evidently been teleported from being inside the room to being outside the room, courtesy of Mew's psychic powers. The professor shifted his feet towards the door when suddenly a tall purple barrier appeared right smack in his face, with Daisy removed from his sight yet another again.
"Now, Mew, if you could please stop fooling around, it will seriously help," Oak grumbled. The psychic Pokémon had the behavior of a kid and was quite a handful for the professor.
I'm not fooling around, human. I need to talk to this human boy.
Oak gave a jump, when the rather smooth, high-pitched voice entered his head, for it was not everyday for a voice to intrude into your mind like an uninvited busybody. After he regained his composure, Oak replied, "Alright,"
Then she laughed, gazing at Green, who was raising his brow apprehensively. Grinning, Mew hovered nearer to him, her body glowing purple once more.
Human, do you believe in the Major Arcana?
"No." Green uttered.
Huh, Mew tilted her head, before she continued, her eyes twinkling. But no matter, since you are still Number I, The Magician.
The latter jerked upright, his hazelnut brown eyes went wide, his lips going drier and drier with every passing second. He lifted his head, right arm stiffened and he looked at the Pokémon, eyes narrowing. Meanwhile, Oak was just watching the two, his eyes widening from what Mew had just said.
"You're lying," Green replied, looking skeptical. "The Major Arcana is just a myth."
Well, why don't you tell this 'myth' to me?
Green then clicked his tongue in annoyance, reluctant to waste any saliva in narrating this stupid tale. Regardless, he settled himself down and got ready to relay this nonsensical story, stealing a glance at his grandfather, who leaned against the wall.
"The Major Arcana are the original humans created by Arceus himself, and they represent life and the core of humans. All twenty-two were tasked to find one another, with a certain reward promised to them." He narrated. "The story was told through the Fool's perspective, who found each of the cards in the numerical order: Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement and World."
"But," He then continued while staring eye to eye with Mew. "The myth doesn't have an ending. When the group found the final card, the story just stopped. That's why I said the deck doesn't exist."
Mew merely smiled in reply.
Human, not trying to burst your bubble, but this story has an ending. And in the first place, your version has really inaccurate details.
"Inaccuracies?" Oak asked, puzzled.
The Major Arcana are the original humans, but something makes it a puzzle. Because, you see, humans were never created by Arceus.
A loud hush blanketed itself over the room, as both grandfather and grandson tried to register what they had just heard. And then in unison, both cried out, "What do you mean?"
In a nonchalant tone, Mew replied, That's what it literally means. Everything in this Pokémon universe is created by Arceus, and you could say everything is Pokémon. Each Pokémon can create things or be created by things. Like how bug types create bugs, grass types create green plants. Or maybe like how human-made objects could morph into Pokémon like Trubbish, Rotom or Honedge. It's a cycle of creating and creation. But, humans defy this cycle. Yes, humans do create, but your species only create objects, not Pokémon. Or maybe artificial Pokémon like Porygons and maybe Mewtwo. But neither were you created by Arceus nor any Pokémon. Humans were never Pokémon, and that itself defies the rule of this universe.
"...That makes sense..." muttered Oak, a frown settling between his eyebrows. It was not something that one will think, whether all not you belong to this world. Pokémon was just an everyday thing, and everyone will just assume that it was absolutely normal, and the theories and systems brought about by themselves shaped the world to how it is today: a harmonious society where trainers train Pokémon and people worked with Pokémon. And the hard truth behind everything was just what the mythical Pokémon had said.
Humans were never Pokémon.
This fact seemed so right with everything in this universe. Humans never belonged to a Pokémon type. They were the ones who classify species, not be classified. Humans never possessed any special power and could have been the ones to be wiped out from the face of the earth had they not made friends with Pokémon throughout the centuries.
Twenty-two of your kind just existed on the very Earth Arceus created, and the mighty creator has no idea where you guys came from. In fact, humans fascinate all Pokémon and living things. You, humans, think Pokémon are the mysterious ones and research, experiment on us, then sometimes you deem us as more dangerous than you, but on the contrary, we are the ones who find you intriguing and perilous.
"The Major Arcana..." Green said slowly. "They really exist?"
Of course, they do! Mew chuckled. Aren't you the living proof? It has been known to us that every time a deck fades out, a new deck replaces the original twenty-two, and for unknown reasons, Arceus will always know who are the Fool and the Magician. The Creator has always found this amusing and sees it as a way to learn more about humans. So he decided to set a mission for them, and like your story, provide a certain reward.
"Fine. So what is the reward? Has any of the decks succeeded in gathering everyone?"
The reward is not known to even myself. Mew said as it shook its head. And sadly, none of the decks of the past succeeded.
"Why is that?" Green asked as he quirked his eyebrow, curious.
Most of the cards were sometimes never to be found, because well, you can't really search for another twenty people in every nook and cranny of this wide earth in your lifetime. Some died before the deck could be completed. But the two most prominent cards that were never found even once were Judgement and the World, excluding the first generation.
"What happened to the first generation?"
Before they could gather all the cards, someone in the deck betrayed the Fool right after they found the World. That was what happened to the first generation.
Suddenly, Oak interrupted by clearing his throat, and Mew switched her attention onto the wizened old man.
"Why did you wait till now to tell him that he is the Magician? You could have found him yourself." He reasoned.
The timing wasn't right, she explained. It can be quite the burden if one was too young, and the timing seemed right today. On a side note, don't ever mention anything about the deck to anyone too easily. The twenty-two cards are very special beings and it would not be wise of you to involve any normal humans. But of course, it's an exception if you trust the other very much, such as this old human over here. I sensed that you hold incredible respect towards him, so I permitted him to listen.
Green's cheeks turned red as he glanced at his grandfather, before quickly averting his gaze.
Magician, you will have to take plenty of risks. You will have to bet your life to complete this mission.
"Sure." He smirked, quick to agree with Mew's proposition. Professor Oak watched his grandson in surprise, not really knowing how to react to this. Green was barely twelve, and yet he was so ready to bet his life? On something so enigmatic and suspicious?
That's a nice look you have on your face, Magician. Mew said. When a card is aware of their number in the deck, you'll get a tattoo to identify yourself. There should be one on your body right now.
Green turned to look at his grandfather, who looked slightly taken aback by his grandson's decision. Oak did not know what to feel. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing seemed to be eating at himself. But there was already proof engraved onto Green.
"Green, your collarbone." Oak pointed, the black symbol partly hidden by his wide v-neck shirt. Green, surprised, bent his head down and squinted to find the tattoo Mew mentioned. And sure enough, just right at his protruding clavicle, a deep dark Roman numeral "I" was plastered on, almost as if it had always been there.
"Mew," Oak then spoke. "I forbid you to do this."
"Gramps?" Green exclaimed as he stared at his grandfather in surprise.
"He's still a child!" Oak reasoned.
"I'm not-!" Green got ready to retort.
"Yes, you are, and I won't let you do this." The professor said firmly. "You are my grandchild, and I'm not going to let you risk your life for something like this."
Green Oak froze, noticing his grandfather's knuckles going white from clenching them too hard.
It's his fate, Mew simply said. No one, not even Arceus himself, can change it.
"I-!" Oak said, his head shaking vehemently.
"Gramps!"
Samuel Oak abruptly stopped and turned to look at the boy, whose eyes were filled with determination
"I'm not your grandchild," Green began. "I'm not Professor Samuel Oak's grandson. I'm Green Oak, and I will do what Green Oak will do," He declared. "And I am Number I, the Magician."
Oak opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his jaw went slack, his mouth hanging open as he saw the steely gaze in his grandson's eyes. Finally, he sighed heavily and nodded his head reluctantly.
"So, who is the Fool?" Green asked.
You will know in future. Mew answered.
"Okay, cool." Green shrugged.
I wish you luck. Mew uttered as she removed the psychic barrier that blocks the door. Our talk is over.
Green smirked before took one last glance at Mew, and headed towards the door. Oak, flustered, asked, "What do you plan to do?"
The trainer paused in his tracks. He knew he has to get out there, get stronger, all the while gaining reputation and a certain level of authority to be able to search for the other cards effectively. And what other ways is there than this?
"Sign up for the Viridian City Gym Leader examination."
The professor had been sitting so stiff in his chair for the last minute with his eyes closed. Trying to break the silence, Red called out, "Um... Prof-"
"Sorry, I'm fine, just... nothing..." Oak replied, suddenly reminded that he was supposed to keep the whole matter a secret.
"What is it about Number Zero?" Red inched closer, his red eyes drowned in curiosity, pressuring the old professor.
Oak gulped before he shook his head.
"A-anyways, I guess that's all for my questions, I'll be getting Elm." Then the professor stood up and briskly walked out, not giving Red any time to react. As he slowly walked towards the stairs, the professor felt as if his heart was sinking. First, it was Green. And now, Red.
Over these years, at the request of Green, he had asked many professors over the world and found many trainers. However, most did not reveal signs as to be a part of the Major Arcana.
He trudged down the stairs, a heavy feeling in his chest. He did not like the idea at all, yet, he knew he has to inform Green about this.
Meanwhile, though he was still puzzled by the professor's actions, Red was quick to throw the thought to the back of his head while he searched for anything to do inside the room. Perhaps, he could lie onto the bed and take a snooze while he still can. It was all too normal for him to go on for many sleepless nights while adventuring, as experienced during his journey throughout Kanto. He would probably get tortured by the same thing during his time in Johto.
And he shut his eyes, his eyelids blocking out the afternoon sunlight with a curtain of darkness.
It was a rare kind of wonderful silence that enveloped his ears as time slipped by and he felt his sense of hearing picking out more sounds than ever. The faint ticking of the clock. The beep of the Xtransceiver. The small knock from somewhere. The creaking of a door. The footsteps that seemed too light to be a man.
Everything happened in a blur. Red's instincts dragged him upwards, and when his feet touched the ground, he side-stepped, and quickly his arm aimed for its target. Fingers gripping onto a slender wrist, with a swift motion, he locked the unknown person's arms onto his or her back. Red could still manage a few self-defense moves, for he was not to scale a dangerous mountain without having proper muscles and physical abilities.
Although this time, his rashness to carry out his "self-defense" earned a yell from his "assailant". Her hat had dropped onto the ground with a small thud as she attempted to wriggle out of his grasp.
"What the hell are you doing!? Let me go!" Lyra cried. He promptly removed his grip and took a few steps back, as he muttered his apologies.
"Seriously," she grumbled, as she bent down to pick up her hat. Patting off the dust, Lyra gritted her teeth, as she got ready to get back at this older boy. Well, she actually had wanted to unleash a sneak attack on this freeloader by punching him in the face but the plan had failed seconds ago.
This infuriating Champion got the nerve to take Silver away from her. And she will without fail devastate that face of his. Pushing her hat firmly onto her head, Lyra clenched her fists and spun around, aiming for his...
Way too good looking face.
She saw those red eyes that were of a crimson out of this world, and it momentarily took away her breath. His ebony black hair was stuck up messily like he had never combed it in his life, as its glossy surface sparkled, perfectly complementing his red eyes. That handsomely shaped jawline that could cut diamonds, that perfect lips that were dabbled in moisture, the perfectly sized nose that fixed everything all so right.
Lyra panicked. Her fist would not be able to stop from the force in time. Oh hell, she was going to bash that pretty face and she would have to bear this heavy sin for the rest of her pathetic life.
She had not taken a good look at his face when he was in the living room. First, his cap obscured his face. Second, he was too far away. Third, her wet eyes prevented her from looking at a good-looking guy. No one told her that the Champion Red was so insanely handsome. The net had pictures of him but most were just snotty and childish pictures of his eleven-year-old self, with him having a rounder face and smaller eyes. Time can really change a person, and now he was bursting with hotness.
Lyra admits that she has a fetish for hot guys. And truthfully, it was something she was proud of. She held appearances in high regard. Never would she permit herself to harm those handsome faces.
Yet her fist was going to hit him. Goodness, she was going to hit him. Going to...
"...Erm..." he muttered, and Lyra could not help but breath a sigh of relief. Red had barely stopped the punch of this Lyra girl with his palm, and frankly, her strength was not something to underestimate.
"I'm sorry!" She frantically apologizes, catching Red off-guard. To him, it felt weird to have an attacker saying sorry to him. Were you supposed to say sorry when you were going to punch someone?
"Who... are you?"
"I'm Lyra Kotone Elm, daughter of the professor." She introduced, while she tried to hide the embarrassed blushing on her cheeks. She looked up at him again and she was abruptly remembered what she had come here for. "You're Red, the former Champion, aren't you?"
"... Yes." He answered hesitantly.
"Where is Silver?" She then shouted apprehensively. He faltered, confused as to what she was talking about.
"Sorry, who?"