Chapter 36 – Origins
Helloooooooo people! I really hope that you've enjoyed the Edolas Arc! And now comes the Kalos Arc! I can't say how long this one will be, but rough estimates around seven chapters, so this will be longer than the Oracion Seis Arc, but hopefully worth it.
Alpha Dragonis: Go ahead, try and outdo my Edolas Arc! Challenge accepted! Bwahahahaaa!
LunarFox16: Very sophisticated question. Let's put it like this; if Nic goes to Kalos, Nebulus does to, and if everyone else, Erza, Natsu, etc. goes, their counterparts do so as well. If Nic had spacial powers like Palka, then there wouldn't be an issue because he could pop here and there whenever he wants. Let's leave it at that.
Axiov: Let's not get ahead of ourselves because of titles. It's called 'Origins' because it's where Nic's from.
Guest valvrave: Technically, yes, the Pokémon wouldn't speak, but I can still pull some strings.
Alright people, time for many surprises this chapter. I got a few appearances of a few people, and a special someone you've all been dying to meet. So let's go! On with the Kalos Arc!
To Recap:
As Nic and Nebulus and the Dragon Slayers and both Garchomp quarreled with the Dorma Anim, Nic and Nebulus resorted to using Mega Evolution and both Mega Garchomp annihilated the Dorma Anim, defeating Faust. The Magic in Edolas began going through an Anima that Mystogan made. Natsu gives Mystogan the Fairy Tail sendoff and then everyone began to go through the Anima. Both Erza and Nic bid farewell to their counterparts and go through the Anima, but due to Hoopa and the Dark Legendaries, the group had ended up in Nic's homeland, Kalos.
Chapter 36 – Origins
To say that everyone was in shock would be an extreme understatement. Out of all the places they had to end up in, they ended up not in Earthland, nor Edolas again, but in Nic's world. Kalos, to be more precise. Everyone had shock in their eyes at this development as Nic introduced them to Kalos, and the first to act was none other than Natsu and Happy.
"GAH?! WE'RE IN YOUR WORLD NIC?!" Natsu shrieked.
"IMPOSSIBLE?!" Happy shrieked.
Nic narrowed his eyes as he looked down. "I know just how you feel guys, but even I can't wrap my head around this." He turned around and looked back at the Kalos Power Plant far off in the distance. "All I know is that we're in Kalos, and the structure in the distance before you in known as the Kalos Power Plant."
Gajeel narrowed his eyes. "I don't get it Luminous, just who exactly was the wise guy who did this? Did Mystogan mess up those coordinates or something?"
Nic crossed his arms. "Doubtful." Nic turned and looked at the group. "Earthland and Edolas are correspondent, and my world has the same concept that is the Mirror World. My world and Earthland's correspondence can't connect on such a level that an Anima could have sent us here. Which means an interference arose."
"So you have an idea as to what it was?" Sophie asked. "Any lead on the intrusion could give us a hint as to how we could get back to Earthland."
"Yeah." Lucy said. "Our friends and Fairy Tail must be worried sick about us."
"What do we do?" Wendy panicked.
Suddenly, a voice was heard behind a large rock. "It's pretty obvious, we have to remain calm and deduce the problem at hand." It announced. A small figure appeared from behind the large rock. It was as small as Happy and Carla, and was black.
Everyone turned and saw the small figure looking at them, and what they saw was none other than Panther Lily, and he was, well…
"SO TINY!" Everyone exclaimed in comical shock.
Happy stepped forward with a sweatdrop. "Uh, you look cute that size though."
Lily ignored the comment and discussed the matter at hand. "It seems that my physique isn't well suited for Kalos's environment; furthermore, it would appear that I tailed too far behind the other Exceeds and got caught up here."
"And you're not bothered by it?" Carla sweatdropped.
Lily looked down. "I am, but there's more vital essence to be attended to other than my appearance, like how do we get to Earthland."
"That's a good question, but just as Nic said, this is all too vague to discern." Erza stated.
Lily narrowed his eyes and he looked to his right, have a rope. "Now, onto an unrelated note, I happened to have someone who followed us in the Anima." He tugged the rope.
"Yup, he's definitely my cat alright." Gajeel remarked.
"Come here." Lily announced, then everyone started looking at the tugged rope, witnessing someone being tied by the wrists.
"Hold on!" The female voice testified. "Just let me explain!" The female appeared from behind the ground and fell to her knees. "Ow."
Natsu gasped and looked with sheer astonishment, as did Happy, as did everyone. The person was someone they would have never expected to see.
Lisanna perked back up and looked at Lily with annoyance. "I'm not suspicious, I'm a member of Fairy Tail too!"
"I…It's Lisanna." Natsu muttered.
Lisanna continued berating Lily. "Don't be so rough cat!...wait, are you an Exceed?!"
"The name is Panther Lily." Lily corrected.
Gajeel scooted by Lily's side. "If you got a problem with my cat you'll have to take it up with me lady, well?!"
Lisanna ignored them and noticed everyone else, especially Natsu. Lisanna and Natsu starred momentarily at each other, but Natsu was still too distraught.
"Lisa-!"
Lisanna tackled Natsu with such joy. "NATSU!" She cheered as Natsu fell backwards and was still unable to process as to what was happening, and of course Lily was flung in the air and fell while holding onto the rope still. Everyone looked with surprise as Lisanna started tearing up and a few tears fell on Natsu's face. "Natsu…it's so good to see you…I can't believe it's really you." She said happily.
"Wait, she looks just like…" Gray trailed off.
"Lisanna." Erza finished.
"Is she from Edolas?" Lucy asked.
"I don't know." Sophie said. They all watched as Lisanna rushed towards Happy and nuzzled him with joy as Lily was dragged with the rope and groaned while on the ground.
"Oh Happy! You're here too! I'm so glad you're okay!" Lisanna cheered as Happy was being nuzzled. As she finished nuzzling him, Lisanna smiled as she looked at the rest of the guild members. "It's been so long since I've seen everyone. This makes me overjoyed." She then turned towards Lucy and Wendy. "And you two must be new. Your counterparts are from Edolas's Fairy Tail, so that must mean you guys should be in Fairy Tail too. The little one must be Wendy, and the blonde must be Lucy." She didn't say nor look at Gajeel, Sophie, nor Nic because she didn't recognize them.
"Wait…" Gray pointed a finger at her. "Are you…Earthland's Lisanna?"
There was a very long pause as Lisanna looked down at the red clay ground. Her eyes still had tears hanging from the corners of her eyes as she then gave a very slow nod, much to everyone's gasps.
"SHE CAME BACK ALIVE!" Natsu cheered.
"YAY!" Happy cheered.
As the duo raced to hug her, Erza yanked them back by the scarf and green bag they had. "Hold it right there!" Erza testified. She then looked at Lisanna. "You can't be our Lisanna! She died two years ago!"
Lisanna looked back down at the ground and she frowned. "The thing is…I didn't really die that day." Everyone looked on as Lisanna explained. "Two years ago…"
After Elfman failed his Take Over and lost control, Lisanna had closed eyes on the ground as clouds above circled. Lisanna didn't move and Mira was having tears in her eyes as she held her sister's hand.
"Lisanna! You have to wake up! Please!" Mira shouted at Lisanna. Her red guild mark was starting to glow and had begun vanishing off her left shoulder. After her mark vanished, Lisanna's body began glowing and started to float up into the air.
Mira was streaming tears and recoiled in slight shock as she couldn't understand what was happening. "L-Lisanna, why're you glowing?! What's happening?!" As Lisanna was starting to arise, Mira grabbed her sister and held her tight. "NO! DON'T LEAVE!" Mira cried. Mira held her down, but that wasn't proving to be any benefit as Lisanna was converted into light and started disappearing from her arms.
"YOU CAN'T DISAPPEAR ON ME! DON'T GO!" But it was too late as Mira felt nothing and Lisanna's body was gone, turned into sparkles that went off into the sky. "STAY HERE WITH ME!" She got to her knees and cried. "NO!" She cried as loud as she could, repeatedly shouting no as Lisanna was gone and drawn into the Anima above.
"I wasn't exactly certain, but I think I was pulled into an Anima that day." Lisanna explained. "I wasn't certain if they were common, but it was an even bigger shock when I awoke in Edolas."
A conscious Lisanna stood in the Fairy Tail guild that was in Edolas, which was a plant-like structure, the individual members inside looked on as if they saw a ghost. After some extreme shock passed by, the people got up and made a mad dash towards Lisanna and cheered that she was alive.
"They were so overjoyed and welcomed me because they thought I was Edolas's Lisanna. I could assume that she died." Lisanna said dejectedly that her counterpart was dead. "It was as though I was resuscitated."
Edolas Elfman had streams of tears running down his face as he saw Lisanna. "I can't believe it! Lisanna's returned!"
Edolas Mira blew her nose in a hankie and wailed. "That means she survived that terrible fall! I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SEE HER AGAIN!" She cried with comical tears.
Lisanna was confused at the time, as she wondered why they were so happy. It soon dawned upon her that when Edolas Lisanna died, the Anima pulled her in to fill that hole left by her counterpart.
As her Edolas siblings ran up and held her tight, Lisanna had a nervous smile as she tried comforting her crying siblings. "Don't you ever leave us again!" Mira cried.
"Lisanna, we love you so much! Don't leave us ever!" Elfman whined as he hugged his sister.
Lisanna kept her nervous smile. "It'll be okay." Quickly, seeing her siblings all too happy, Lisanna felt her nervous smile turn into a loving smile. She couldn't bear to tell them the truth, so she decided that she would pretend to be Edolas's Lisanna, for everyone's sake.
"…I'm home."
As everyone, exclude Nic, looked on with surprise, Lisanna continued. "It was startling in the beginning. I would tell them that my memory was hazy. It got easier as I fit in and learned more about Edolas. Two years passed quickly, and then…" Lisanna clenched her forearm as she looked and frowned at Natsu and Happy. "Six days ago, Natsu and Happy arrived."
Natsu actually managed to speak. "But why Lisanna? Why didn't you say anything?"
Lisanna looked down dejectedly. "I couldn't."
As Natsu and Happy conversed with the Edolas Fairy Tail about their situation, Lisanna, seeing Natsu and Happy again, slowly crept away from the group and backstepped silently away and out the doors. The doors closed and Lisanna had her back against the doors as her eyes were shaken and had a hand over her mouth.
'It's Natsu…and Happy too.' She started to cry and streams of tears started flowing. 'I…I can't let them find out. I don't want my poor brother and sister going through that again! Not again!' Lisanna didn't want to break her siblings' hearts, she had to keep quiet, no matter what.
Lisanna started choking as she was swallowing back gasps and looked up at the sky. 'I have to stay strong! I have to live my life in Edolas!'
Lisanna then started streaming tears. "But then…"
After the defeat of Faust, and Mystogan 'defeating' Natsu. She watched everyone glowing and ascend into the sky. She then saw that herself was glowing and looked with shock.
"Whoa Lisanna!" Jet said.
"Um…" Lisanna looked at the confused Edolas Fairy Tail Mages. "I-It's not what you think!" She then started ascended, much to everyone's shock. "I'm sorry!"
Suddenly, Edolas Mira gently grabbed her hands, stopping her ascent and making Lisanna gasp. Despite the realization, Elfman and Mira both pulled off sincere and happy smiles.
"It's fine." Mira said. "We've known all along." Elfman lowered his head slightly and Lisanna was left with shock.
Elfman then gently pulled Lisanna down and their heads touched. Elfman continued to smile. "We just wanted a little more time with our sister. Forgive us."
Lisanna started having tears as Mira joined in and all their heads touched. "You're sweet, just like our Lisanna." Lisanna frowned as everyone in Fairy Tail looked on with frowns, accepting this fate. Mira and Elfman both started tearing up. "…But you have to go." Elfman stepped back as Mira continued holding Lisanna's hands, for when she would let go, it's goodbye for good.
"Your real brother and sister are still waiting for you." Mira said. "They love you, so please don't make them suffer anymore."
Lisanna was streaming tears like crazy as she didn't want to go "But I…I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO!" Lisanna shouted.
Mira and Elfman were holding back tears, but smiled. "You still have your siblings in Earthland. Go to them." Mira said. "Please give them our regards. We love you too." With that, Mira let go of Lisanna's hands and Lisanna began to ascend into the sky with tears rising with her.
Lisanna watched from her rapid ascent as Mira broke down on the ground with Elfman comforting her. Lisanna cried and extended her arm out. "NO!" Lisanna was then pulled into the Anima as everyone looked on and bid her farewell.
Everyone was left in deep shock as Lisanna started breaking down in front of them. She had to break hearts and she didn't want to do that. Everyone looked on with sadness as Lisanna cried. Lisanna couldn't bring herself to stop, for she knew when goodbye meant goodbye. Everyone was still in shock, but Natsu stepped forward.
"Hey." He said, making Lisanna soften up on her tears. Lisanna opened her eyes as Natsu pulled her in for a comforting hug, making her almost stop crying. Everyone watched as Natsu gently hugged Lisanna. "It's okay."
Lisanna sniffled and stopped. She smiled as she was glad that she had her Fairy Tail friends again and smiled. "I'm glad you guys are here."
As everyone looked on and comforted Lisanna, the only one excluded from the whole touching moment was Nic. Nic was a fair distance from the group, leaning against a rock and frowning. Her story left him in a sour mood. As he looked away at a smiling Lisanna as everyone conversed with her, he couldn't help but have guilt rise.
He crossed his arms and clenched both his forearms in frustration. 'Three years. Three years and I haven't seen my sister. I'm back home, but…do I get to see her again? Can I face her again after three years of being gone?' Nic wasn't sure how to process this. Of course he wanted to see his sister again, more than anything! But his priorities are so messed up now. His priorities included getting back to Earthland and saving the universe by getting the rest of the Plates, but now that he was in Kalos, can Vanessa be a priority?
"Hey, are you alright?" Lisanna asked, feeling much better and seeing Nic in contemplation. Everyone looked to see that Nic was clenching his own forearms, and rather tightly.
Nic turned towards the group as they all looked at him, and he honestly wasn't intending on bringing his family matters into the group. Something personal like that is one thing Nic dislikes sharing. Nic narrowed his eyes. "I don't wanna talk about it."
"Aw come on man, what's the harm?" Natsu asked, stepping forward.
"I said I don't wanna talk about it!" Nic barked, making Natsu recoil in fear. Everyone fell quiet after Nic's outburst and looked on with surprise. They all saw Nic turn away and make several leaps on a big rock and they all saw Nic jumped to the flat top of the fifteen foot rock and look out blankly.
Sophie stepped forward. "If he doesn't wanna talk about it, then it must be personal."
"Yeah, otherwise he wouldn't be like this." Gray said, still with no shirt, not surprising at this point.
Erza looked on with slight worry as Nic looked out at the Power Plant. The Kalos sky giving a unique vibe to the terrain, despite being the Lumiose Badlands. Erza had her fair share of secrets back in the Tower of Heaven because it was linked to her past. Her thoughts made her come to a realization as she remembered when Nic spoke to her when they hanged out a long time ago, about how he was an abused child and how his sister was spoiled with luxury. Erza looked on, saddened that the link was coming together.
'Nic, this must be your version of the Tower of Heaven.' She thought, looking at Nic.
Nic stared out and took in a deep breath and exhaled for a long time. He opened his eyes as he looked out at the Power Plant, a small smile forming on his face at the memories made there. "…It sure has been a long time, hasn't it?" He softly asked himself.
After collecting himself, Nic crouched and backflipped off the rock and right in front of the group, giving a half grin to the group. "Let's just say that I have issues Natsu." Nic said.
Natsu blinked and raised a brow. "Don't we all?"
"Yes, well, the matter is that I have two priorities and you guys have one." In Nic's mind, he silently pitied himself that he had to miss this chance to meet his sister, but for the sake of her safety, Nic would save the universe by getting all eighteen Plates, and then hopefully he could face his sister again. He crossed his arms and turned away. "Anyways, where we are now is specifically the Lumiose Badlands. It's a barren domain that stretches for miles, but the Kalos Power Plant resides here." He informed.
"So you've been here?" Happy asked.
"Yeah." Nic said, his grin returning. "In fact, this was where I first met Garchomp."
Everyone was a little silent, but Natsu and the other two Dragon Slayers slightly shivered from the remembrance of the vicious dragon. "W-Wait." Wendy stuttered. "Y-You mean tha-that monstrous dragon you have?"
Nic turned and snickered. Wanting to have Garchomp relish in memories as well, Nic pulled out his poke ball. "Garchomp, get out here!" Nic brought out Garchomp, who appeared on the ground and gave a low-toned roar that rippled about. Everyone jerked back slightly from the savage beast Nic possessed.
"Oh great, not that thing." Gajeel spoke.
Garchomp turned and noticed his surroundings, in which made him blink. "(Wait. This is…)"
Nic stepped forward and smiled. "That's correct Garchomp, remember this place? It's where we first met."
Garchomp looked down at Nic and seemed mellow as this was a time to relish in the memories. "(This takes us back.)"
Nic smiled. "It sure does."
Gray blinked. "Uh, isn't that thing suppose to be talking?" Nic turned around with slight surprise from Gray and everyone else.
"Yeah, what's he pulling at?" Gajeel said.
"Why is he just saying 'Gar Gar!'?" Natsu gave a Garchomp impression as he said the last part, to which made Garchomp snarl and bare his claws, which made Natsu flinch.
Nic blinked and looked down at the ground. "Could it be…?" He trailed off as he remembered that his team spoke in Earthland and Edolas, but…
"Wait a minute!" Nic announced. "Of course!" Nic turned towards the group with an epiphany. "Now it makes sense. Listen guys, in my world, Pokémon can't speak. That means they can only be understood in Edolas and Earthland."
Sophie put a hand to her hip. "So what you're saying is that in your world, we can't understand any of your guys?"
"But that doesn't necessarily explain how you can Nic." Carla said.
Nic narrowed his eyes. "I'm fairly certain about this theory. Since I have the power of the Plates, I can communicate thoroughly and understand Pokémon." He said. "That means I'll have to translate if necessary."
"Well that's something." Gray remarked. "By the way, how did you guys meet anyway?"
Wendy looked slightly energetic. "Yeah! I wanna know too!"
Nic turned and Garchomp nodded, and Nic nodded and the two grinned as Nic petted Garchomp's head. He then glanced back at the group. "Well, since you wanna know, let's try this." Nic then spread his feet and glowed, shifting into the Mind Plate with everyone surprised. "I do believe this will be interesting." Nic then inhaled and then exhaled, putting his hands close to the other and an energy sphere emerged. The pink sphere expanded so it was three feet in diameter. Everyone leaned in as Nic was conveying his memories.
Nic was training with his Frogadier, doing a backflip and evading a Water Pulse that exploded. When Nic successfully landed, he skid back and came to a halt. "Not bad, keep going!" Nic exclaimed.
Frogadier then jumped and made two Water Pulse, one in each hand and he did a three-sixty, sending both spheres at Nic. Nic saw the two and leaned left and evaded one, and then ducked and spun to dodge the second. Nic adjusted himself and lunged at Froagdier, now dashing ahead and the two engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
Frogadier flipped forward and swiped at Nic, but he ducked and spun counterclockwise and back-handed Frogadier. The Water-Type jumped and evaded the fist and planted both hands on as Nic followed through. Frogadier jumped off the fist and into the air, where he flipped and attempted an axe kick. Nic caught the axe kick and thrust his arm forward, shoving Frogadier in the air. Frogadier backflipped and landed onto his feet.
Frogadier lunged at Nic, who crouched and spun about with hands on the ground as he brought his legs around a multitude of times, like dancing almost, and Frogadier blocked the incoming first kick, but that kick swept his arm away and he was hit on the side, making him skid towards his left.
When Froagdier finished, Nic stopped the continuous spin and got into a crouched position with one hand on the ground, staring at Frogadier. "Your reaction is off key Frogadier. Rather than block from that sweeping attack, spin out or jump!"
Frogadier nodded and the two then rushed at the other again, as they both emanated battlecries and dashed at the other with remarkable prowess, they saw something crack from in between. Their eyes caught the ground cracking and they stopped in place, before they were three feet from the other, that's when the ground between them broke and a small little draconic Pokémon emerged with a shark fin on his little body.
"What the…? What is that?" Nic asked with uneasiness as the little dragon turned towards him.
"(I'm gonna smash you into oblivion!)" The small creature bellowed and jumped at Nic with surprise, clamping down on his head.
Nic made a comically shocked expression with white eyes at the creature's actions and yelped as his head was being this guy's chew toy. "Get off!" Nic yelped, whirling an uppercut that struck the dragon and sent him landing onto his back. He land with a thud, and in that time period, Frogadier and Nic regrouped.
"(The heck just happened?)" Frogadier wondered.
Nic narrowed his eyes. "It's rambunctious, not to mention hostile." He deduced. He then got his Pokedex out and analyzed the creature.
"Gible, the Land Shark Pokémon. It nests in horizontal holes warmed by geothermal heat. Foes who get too close can expect to be pounced on and bitten."
Gible wasted no time in readying himself with Slash. "(I'll tear you apart!)" Gible then jumped and rushed with Slash at Frogadier, who didn't recoil because he expected this. Thanks to the combat training he endures and lives with, he saw Gible use Slash diagonally and leaned left to dodge and spun, doing a three-sixty and tripping Gible. As Gible fell forward, Frogadier leaped and sprung off his side, knocking Gible land on his other side. Frogadier landed as Gible was on the ground.
"(Whoa…)" Gible was left startled as he slowly got back to his feet. "(I didn't feel something like that in a while.)" He turned towards Gible and used Dragon Claw. "(But I'm just getting started!)"
Gible's energy claw went forward, in which Frogadier leaned left and dodged. As Gible brought the claw around to swat him, Frogadier jumped and did a handstand just like with Nic and leaped off of the Dragon Claw and into the air.
"Now! Smack Down!" Nic's command reached Frogadier and a golden orb formed and Frogadier rolled in midair, throwing it in the process, striking Gible's head and making an explosion. Gible tumbled back and grunted as he was on the ground.
"(That was…impressive.)" Gible admitted, marveled by Nic's battling style, which was close combat primarily. "(I will not give in to you frog!)" Gible declared, readying Slash.
"(Come at me!)" Frogadier declared. Frogadier raced towards Gible and ducked, avoiding Slash and Gible did another Slash horizontally, but Frogadier leaped and flipped, evading once again. Frogadier landed and Gible rushed yet again, now having both arms for Slash. Frogadier shifted continuously and evaded more incoming Slash moves. When Gible used a horizontal Slash, Frogadier deflected it by thrusting his palm forward, making Gible pivot and land with a thud on the ground.
Frogadier stared as Gible was hesitant to get up. Gible was trying and he was pretty exhausted. "(These two…just what are they…?)"
Before any answers could arise, Nic and Frogadier saw sparks at the nearby Power Plant, literally. They saw the entire structure fluctuating energy and the duo saw it.
"You see that Frogadier?" Nic asked, to which Frogadier nodded. "Let's go!"
Gible watched as Frogadier and Nic dashed off with surprising speed. He didn't say anything, but kept a narrowed expression. "(Just what is happening?)"
"Hold up. So you mean that your Garchomp was originally that little thing?" Gray asked.
"Aw, he used to be cute." Sophie admired. Garchomp just stared at Sophie, making her regret saying that.
Nic continued as the memories played in his hands. "Anyways guys, it turned out that the Power Plant was commandeered by a group named Team Flare, a rather villainous group that wanted to make the world be eradicated of foul human nature."
Natsu crossed his arms. "So you're saying they're a Dark Guild of sorts?"
Nic blinked. "In a way, yeah. So I quarreled with them and I didn't realize Gible followed us, and he was shocked that we took them all out not with power, but by working together, and that led to the scientist." His memories then told the rest.
Aliana, a member of Team Flare, looked with her Mightyena at Nic and Frogadier, who were both at their limit from the battling of the other grunts in the Power Plant. The two were exhausted, but they were holding up just fine.
Nic extended his arm out. "Now! Water Pulse!" Frogadier conjured up a blue sphere and threw the attack at Mightyena, who jumped and dodged.
Aliana extended her arm out. "Use Swagger and stop that thing!"
"(My prey is formidable, but I'm done playing around!)" Mightyena was coated in a red aura and then suddenly, Frogadier was starting to get a headache and his vision was getting red.
"(What the…what's going on? I feel hazy…)" Frogadier was seeing red with shady figures that were Aliana and Mightyena. "(Is this a nightmare or what?!)"
"Frogadier, get a grip on yourself! Snap out of it!" Nic exclaimed, trying to get Frogadier to stop being confused. Frogadier was turning left and right, seeing red and hazy figures. He wasn't sure what to do.
"Now, Assurance!" Aliana's command reached Mightyena and the Bite Pokémon went and attacked Frogadier as he had his back turned. Mightyena rammed Frogadier, making him tumble and land on his abdomen, facing Nic.
Nic got worried as his Frogadier seemed to be exhausted and his health was pretty bad. As Mightyena, Nic got antsy and was tempted to step in.
"Curse you-!"
"(HEY!)" Nic stopped and he and Mightyena and the Team Flare Scientist heard the sound. "(IT'S ON!)" Nic turned around and looked with shock at the incoming figure with a fury for the fight.
It was Gible, and like it or not, he was gonna have a crack in this fight. "(I'M GONNA CRUSH YOU!)" Gible lunged right passed Frogadier towards a startled Mightyena, unleashing a Slash attack out of the blue. Mightyena howled as she jerked back from that rather painful attack. Gible then struck with another Slash as she was stumbling back, making Mightyena howl as she took even greater damage.
Aliana was extremely baffled. "What is the meaning of this?!" She exclaimed. "Where did that Gible come from?!"
Nic blinked as he saw Gible rushing in to save them. "Gible…"
Gible turned back towards Nic. "(Let's have some fun destroying these pests. I want to fight.)" He said more calmly than before as Nic returned Frogadier. "(Your teamwork and style…it's weird, but I love it. I want to know more!)"
"Impudent intruder!" Aliana extended her arm out. "Assurance!" Mightyena then followed her orders and the Dark-Type went and pounced.
"Alright then Gible, shift right and used Dragon Claw!" Nic commanded. Gible then leaped left and Mightyena landed, and Gible pivoted and struck Mightyena on the left side with a harsh Dragon Claw, making her yelp and skid onto her side. "Slash!" Gible then had his claws glow and extend and he rushed as Mightyena was hesitant to get up.
Aliana wasn't gonna take this. "Quick, dodge!" Mightyena reeled back just in time to avoid the incoming Slash. "Now, Swagger!" She commanded.
Nic went wide-eyed and gasped slightly, remembering that it confused Frogadier. "Gible! Strike now!" Nic had no idea what Gible would do, but it would be better than getting confused.
"(Choke on this!)" Gible pivoted just before Mightyena could flash a red aura, and he struck her with a Dragon Claw, surprising everyone at the startling and unrelenting attacks Gible used.
'Gible attacks with never-ending blows. He loves to fight and gives no room to defend.' Nic thought as Mightyena zoomed back and tumbled, fainting. Nic grinned at the thought. 'Gible fits my combat style perfectly.'
Aliana was appalled, returning Mightyena and retreating with her grunts. Pretty soon, the police arrived out at the Power Plant, arresting and questioning the grunts that were unconscious thanks to Nic. Nic escaped the Power Plant and Gible followed, and the two went out undetected by everyone and were back in the badlands.
As the sun was setting from that day, giving way to dusk, Nic looked forward at the direction of Lumiose City.
"(Nic was it?)" Gible asked, making Nic stop and he turned around. Gible said nothing as he looked at Nic with a mild expression.
Nic blinked and smiled. "Thank you today. It was rough, but we managed to pull through." Nic inhaled and he turned around, but as he started walking, Gible raced in front of him.
"(Wait!)" He called out. To his surprise, Nic crouched down and pet his head, leaving him speechless.
Nic gave a very warm smile. "Gible, despite your demeanor, you're a very kind Pokémon. You know that?" Gible was shocked again, but had put up no fight as Nic's warm vibe made him happy. Nic picked up Gible and pet his head.
Gible smiled. "(This human, no, Nic…he's so warm and strong. And his team must be as well. I want to be lucky just like them.)"
Nic kept his smile. "I know what you're thinking buddy, and I'm inviting you to be a part of my family."
The memory bubble then faded and Nic shifted back into himself. "And that's where it all started." He said. He turned and pet Garchomp's head, who smiled with a mild and calm demeanor.
Wendy walked up and smiled. "You know." Nic and Garchomp turned towards her. "When you both aren't in battle, you're both actually very nice." Garchomp lowered his head, where he allowed for Wendy to pet his head, and despite his rough skin, he was seemingly warm.
"Yeah." Nic said. "Garchomp is the most gentle one when not in battle, he's very nice once you get passed that vile and monstrous exterior. He just loves to battle, and our styles blend perfectly." Nic said. Garchomp turned towards him and they both kept their grins. "It's good to remember these things."
"(I couldn't agree more.)" Garchomp said. Nic then returned Garchomp, and then he turned back towards the group.
Seeing the smile and memories Nic had, it made Erza smile as well. It was interesting to see how such beginnings turn into some glorious future.
Suddenly, there was some odd sound emanating about through the air, and everyone could hear it. This made Nic go wide-eyed as he was unaware as to what this sound was. The sound was like a distortion of sorts, but no static.
"What's that sound?" Gray asked, turning here and there. "Where's it coming from?"
"It's like it's not here, yet it is." Sophie said. "What do you think it is?"
"I don't know, but be alert." Nic said.
The sound began to clear up, and Nic and all of the Fairy Tail members could hear. 'Nic Pularis.' The one voice said. 'At last we managed to contact you.'
Nic went wide-eyed as he recognized the voice. "That voice. Then…"
A similar secondary voice was heard. 'Hello once again Nic Pularis and friends.'
"Who is that?" Lisanna asked.
"Dialga! Palkia!" Nic shouted into the air. "What's going on?!"
There was a brief silence before Dialga spoke. 'Relax Nic, we are communicating through telepathy. We are speaking from your minds.'
"This is just like Hibiki's Telepathy!" Happy exclaimed.
"I must say, I am quite curious as to what these two have in mind for us." Carla said.
Erza turned towards Nic. "Nic, just who are Dialga and Palkia?"
Nic turned towards her. "They're both Legendary Pokémon that can wield time and space. They're also the ones responsible for sending me to Earthland in the first place." Nic then looked up at the starry sky. "Dialga, Palkia, what's going on?! How did we get sent to Kalos?!"
'We're not sure, but there was a disturbance in spatial properties from within the Anima, as if the Anima was hijacked.' Palkia announced.
'We're not sure how, but the energy was all too familiar for us.' Dialga said. 'The only one who can bend space is Hoopa.'
"Hoopa?" Natsu asked.
Nic narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, who is Hoopa?"
'Hoopa. A very mischievous Pokémon.' Dialga explained. 'Arceus had sealed him, Mewtwo, and Darkrai into a voided dimension. Arceus also sent another Pokémon, one who is beyond comprehension. We believe that he is the mastermind. His name is Giratina, our brethren whom we were to never speak of.' This made Nic go wide-eyed with shock that there was a third who was to be forgotten.
Palkia continued from that point. 'Giratina, the Renegade Pokémon. His deeds in the past, including violence and various treachery, has forced him to be banished and sealed away. As to where Dialga controls time and I control space, Giratina controls antimatter.'
"So you're saying that this Giratina conspired this?" Erza asked.
'We're sure of it. Giratina is as crafty as he is violent. He will stop at nothing to achieve revenge on Arceus. And supposedly, Hoopa, Mewtwo, and Darkrai have all conspired by his side.' Dialga said.
'We can only assume he had Hoopa use his powers and send you here.' Palkia said.
Lucy stepped forward and looked at the sky, hearing the voices. "But why here? Why did they sent us to Kalos?"
'Knowing those four, they're trying to cut Nic off from achieving anymore Plates that could be hidden on Earthland. With Nic in Kalos, he won't be able to find any Plates, meaning the only way that Nic can get the Plates is to get back to Earthland.' Palkia explained.
Gajeel crossed his arms. "So Luminous can't use these new Plates because you've put them in Earthland? What crap."
Dialga's voice was then heard. 'We know, but it was a precaution for Nic. There is a great evil, one that could possibly rival Giratina and the others in pure evil.' He warned. 'Nic's under threat and we sent him to Fiore for that reason, to buy time.'
"Speaking of Fiore." Nic interrupted, knowing just whom they were talking about and not wanting the others to get involved for their safety. "Can you send us back?"
A brief silence fell as everyone looked at the starry sky that was so majestic. Palkia's voice was then heard. 'Nic, we cannot do that at this time.'
Nic gasped, as well as everyone as Palkia stated that they can't send him and his pals to Fiore. "Why?!"
'Apparently a tremendous negative discharge of antimatter is only allowing us to make portals in certain places for a short amount of time.' Dialga said. 'Giratina must have incorporated some of his antimatter power in conjunction with Hoopa's portal, sending an antimatter discharge all throughout Kalos.'
'We're doing our very best to open portals, but the antimatter won't let up for quite some time. I fear that with us tending to Arceus and our constant powers to find spots to make portals, you may have but a week before we are exhausted of our share of power.' Palkia explained.
Everyone jerked in shock. "Hold on! You mean we only have a week to find a portal that you guys made?!" Sophie exclaimed.
"And you're gonna have us travel through Kalos until we find one?!" Nic testified.
'Unfortunately, that is all you can do.' Dialga said. 'You're objective, young ones, is to find a portal that shall send you to Fiore. You must run. Run. Run until Nic senses one.' Palkia said.
Dialga continued. 'Thanks to Nic's affiliations with the Plates, only he can sense where a portal is located. But be warned, Giratina's antimatter is so potent that it may have a negative effect, but we can't be sure who or what is involved.'
Nic perceived this as a warning as the antimatter could be a problem. Hopefully, it wouldn't matter (hah!).
'Good luck everyone. We shall see you when you find and enter a portal.' Palkia's voice then trailed off, and the sound in the air vanished into nothing. This left the group with some shock as they had an objective.
"So the only back is to find a portal, but we only have so much time before said individual portal closes. This means that we'll be going on a wild goose chase with Nic leading the charge." Erza summarized.
Nic looked down at the ground with narrowed eyes. "I guess there's no choice. It's up to me."
Sophie smiled. "Don't worry Nic! We'll find one in less than a week!" She announced.
Lucy smiled. "Yeah! You haven't let us down!"
Gray crossed his arms. "I gotta say, it'll be one heck of a chase, but we'll pull through."
Nic looked back at the group to see them smiling at Nic, the only one who can sense the portals. Seeing everyone relying on him, it felt like a huge weight on his shoulders, but he smiled through it, seeing as how they had his back.
"Thanks guys." Nic said. "We'll find one and get back to Fiore in less than a week."
Erza stepped forward with a smile. "Agreed. You have our faith Nic."
With Erza's words, Nic gave a soft smile and then he turned towards the group with a more serious attitude. "Alright guys, listen up! We have one week to find a portal and get through it. If not, we'll be stuck here for an even longer period. Now that we're in Kalos, my homeland, that means you're playing by my rules! And here's how it's gonna go down; under no circumstances will you ever use your Magic in public. The hysteria will bring about concern for general health of others and we'll be compromised. Understood?"
Everyone nodded, though Natsu just whistled like it wasn't his business, in which Nic gave him a stare and Natsu stiffened and obediently nodded, much to his dismay.
"Another term is that if we reach any town or city, you guys have to dress casual, that means regular clothing and/or attire. Anything standing out from the public will cause unwanted attention."
Erza then crossed her arms. "So you're saying my armor would stand out, correct?"
Nic nodded. "Yeah, but if there's no choice or if it's a last resort, then go ahead." He then turned towards south. "And another thing guys, I know this place, and I remember full well that we're much closer to Lumiose City than Coumarine City. You all will require an attire change."
Lucy stepped forward. "So, just what is Lumiose City?"
Nic glanced back at Lucy. "It's the biggest city in all of Kalos. It's very large, so it's best that we stay together." Nic said. "Though I don't spend much time in cities, I do know their geography, so I can be the tracker if anyone gets lost." He turned towards Happy, Carla, and Lily. "Happy. Carla. Lily. This is important. You must not be seen at any and all costs. People would accuse you as unknown Pokémon and might even try and catch you."
"And just what to do you mean by catch?" Carla asked.
Nic then held out a poke ball and showed it to everyone. "You see this thing? It's called a poke ball. It's a device used to encase a Pokémon."
Happy stepped forward. "But wait, we're not Pokémon!"
"But they don't know that." Nic said. "So whatever it is you have to do, either keep out of sight, or act like plush toys. Either way, we must get moving as quickly as we possibly can." He then turned towards south once more. "Another thing. You have to keep up. My speed and agility is unlike anyone has ever seen, and people find it hard to believe that I can be on par with a Pokémon in combatant terms. I'll restrain from using my powers in public as well…now it's time to go. If we move for a while and rest shortly after, Lumiose City should be in sight by dawn. Now let's move it!"
"W-Wait…!" Sophie wasn't fully prepared, neither was anybody for that matter, but all they saw was Nic running, and he was fast! I mean fast! Everyone started running after him and trying to keep up, despite that they were still rather exhausted from the Edolas battle. They had no time for breaks. Eventually, two hours passed by and the group finally caught to Nic, who was ahead of them by a long shot. When they regrouped, they all rest for the remaining time until the sun began to rise.
Later…
The group had finally entered Lumiose City, where it was hustle and bustle all about. Everyone, even Gajeel and Lily, were slightly impressed by the modern structure of the city and how there were endless lights and vehicles riding all about, and seeing an actual cab drove by made Natsu pale.
"Well guys, here we are." Nic announced. "This is the north side, so don't get too overwhelmed with what you see now."
Natsu and everyone continued marveling at Lumiose City. "Oh wow, it's gigantic!"
"Aye-er, I mean…" Happy remembered that either he had to keep quiet and act like a plush, or keep out of sight. He caught himself slipping on that and kept quiet and he jumped into Natsu's arms. If was gonna be a plush, then he's gotta be held like a plush. Apparently Carla and Lily followed Happy's example.
"I gotta say, this is impressive." Gray said.
"Yeah, you think Edolas could learn a thing or two from Nic's world!" Sophie stated enthusiastically.
Nic turned back towards the group, seeing how Erza was already playing by his rules and her attire was her blue skirt and white blouse. He grinned and he looked at everyone else. "Listen guys, we have to find the Pokémon Center, which is where we can take shelter and clean up." He announced. "Just follow my lead and we should be there soon."
True to Nic's words, the group went a couple blocks forwards and were very fortunate that it was morning and there were minimal people around, so they could get to the Pokémon Center with ease with little to no discomfort.
They all eventually made it, and they were in front of a red building embedded into a regular building (like in the game) and Nic looked up and pondered.
"It sure has been a long time since I've been to one of these things." Nic said, reminiscing with a smile.
Erza stepped to Nic's side. "You must have missed this world, haven't you?" She asked.
Nic turned towards her and he kept quiet for a short while before speaking with a soft smile. "Some parts, yes. Don't get me wrong, I love Fairy Tail, and I wouldn't trade you guys for anything, but Kalos holds a certain part dear to me as well."
Seeing the deep reminiscing that Nic was going through, Erza couldn't help but wonder something with a neutral expression. 'Nic, I wish I knew what that something dear was so I can help you find it. Seeing you distraught like this is uneasy to bare.' With that, Erza made a mental note to help understand Nic and his past.
Natsu stepped forward with hands behind his head. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go inside!" With Happy immobile on his head, Natsu went inside, with everyone else following.
They got inside and found a surprisingly spacious domain that had several rooms, with the room they were in now being where Nurse Joy was. There was an elevator that led to the upstairs compartments, which were spare rooms for Trainers. To the right of the Center was the lounge, and when you enter the lounge, you take a left after that, there's the eating establishment.
"Welcome." Nurse Joy greeted, seeing all the individuals. "Can I help you?"
Nic had to think in a flash, and that's what he was intended for. "Yes." He then got out all six of his poke balls present for Nurse Joy to handle. "Can you make sure that my team is healthy please?"
Nurse Joy kept her smile. "Why certainly." He took Nic's poke balls and started for the back room, where she would heal the Pokémon and make sure they get some rest.
"Why did you just give her your Pokémon, Nic? What's the big deal?" Gray asked.
Nic turned towards Gray. "Don't worry. That's Nurse Joy. She's trained to heal any and all Pokémon, and there are plenty of Pokémon Centers established throughout Kalos, so every Nurse Joy established there would be obligated to heal all Trainer's Pokémon.
"What do you mean by 'every Nurse Joy'?" Lisanna asked.
"Well…" Nic gave a comical despondent look and sweatdropped. "How about I show ya." He walked over to the right of the counter and he faced the group and pointed up at a framed picture. Everyone looked and saw that there were so many Nurse Joys in the picture, all identical.
"WHAT?!" They all gave comically shocked expressions.
Nic raised a brow. "Surprised?"
"Yeah we are!" Lucy exclaimed.
"There's so many! How are there so many Nurse Joys?" Wendy asked.
Nic opened his mouth, about to answer with the truth, but Natsu and Gray just had to go and start making accusations.
"They all gotta be twins or something!" Natsu pointed out.
Gray crossed his arms. "Yeah right, she must have a special Duplication Magic or sorts." Gray testified at Natsu.
Almost immediately, their expressions turned bitter as they were glaring lasers at the other. Natsu bared his teeth at Gray. "As if popsicle! They're all related!"
"Yeah?! How do you know they're not clones ya pyro?!" Gray and Natsu then emanated their respective orange and blue auras and they butted heads.
"Ya care to prove it stripper?!"
"I care to beat your face in!"
Thankfully, Erza butted in and yanked them both away from the other by grabbing their heads. "Cut it out you two!" She then slammed their heads into the other, making Natsu and Gray both drop to the floor. Erza had hands to her hips and glowered down at the two. "This is no time to be fighting! We'll get answers soon enough!"
Nic crossed his arms and leaned back against the way. "Actually Gray…Natsu's right." Nic corrected, making everyone there jerk and whip towards Nic in astonishment. Everyone turned white and was in revelation as Nic continued. "All of these Nurse Joys are either sisters, twins, or cousins of each other. Remember, no one here can use Magic, so everything here is natural. Also, Gray, you still don't have a shirt on."
"Oh crap!" Gray realized this and everyone speculated that they needed to get into appropriate attire, and rather quickly.
Nic turned his head up towards the elevator. "Upstairs is a small shelter where donated clothes are kept. Find something and there's fitting rooms too." He informed. "Erza doesn't have too, and the Exceeds stay put."
Thankfully, since no one was around, the Exceeds were let go and they walked close to Nic and Erza as everyone went up the elevator.
"Alright, let's get dressed, find some food, and we are out of here!" Natsu shouted as he was full energy.
Nic caught the flaw with Natsu rather quickly and tried out to him. "Uh, wait! Natsu! An elevator is…!" But Nic's warning was too late as Natsu took his first steps onto the elevator and then his motion sickness took over. Natsu fell forward and his cheeks puffed as he was whisked away upward by the elevator.
"Aw geez." Lucy sighed.
"That's Natsu for you." Lisanna noted.
Gray then waited and started up the elevator. "Let's just hope he doesn't leave vomit up there." With that, Gray went up the elevator, surprised the stairs move and not his feet.
"Impressive, so your world has these inclines called elevators?" Lily asked since no one was around still.
"Correct." Nic said. "It's convenience. If you guys were to stick around long enough, you would find that Kalos has a bunch of necessities that Earthland and Edolas doesn't." Everyone then made it up to where Natsu was recovering from his motion sickness and they pressed on with their duties.
Erza turned towards Nic, seeing the calm expression he gave off. She wasn't exactly sure if this was the right time, but she had to know. Just what was bothering Nic. "Nic." She asked, getting Nic's attention.
"Hm?"
"Something's been bothering me." She paused and glanced down at the ground before resuming. "You've seemed uneasy ever since we came to Kalos. I know something is bothering you?" She glanced back at him. "And I knew because you seemed despondent after Lisanna told her story. What's going on?"
Nic gave a twisted yet dejected expression as he clenched his forearms again. He lowered his head and his eyes showed some hints of regret and sadness.
Carla had hands to her hips. "Erza, are you sure this is wise to ask?"
"It's okay Carla." Nic said. "She deserves to know." Nic then glanced towards Erza. "Erza, do you remember when I explained about my past?"
Erza blinked and took a moment before answering. "Roughly, about how you were abused and your sister was pampered?"
"So you do remember." Nic had some sign of satisfactory so as not to replay that story again. "Well I never really went in depth before, but the primary reason that I was uneasy about Lisanna's story is because I haven't seen my sister in three years. It hurts really." A shadow went over his eyes. "I can't help but feel conflicted. I want to meet my sister more than anything else right now, but I can't."
Erza was kept quiet as Nic was still explaining about how he felt all torn up. "Now that I'm back, I could have a chance to meet my sister, but the universe is depending on me. Arceus is depending on me. My priorities were conflicting with my feelings and…I don't want my sister to wind up being destroyed with the universe." Nic's voice broke in the last part of that sentence. "So regrettably, I have to keep moving on, for all of our sakes. I want the universe to keep in balance, so that my sister can be safe."
Nic's commitment to his responsibility was something he wasn't allowed to abandon, not when innocent lives are at risk. There was a silence as Nic looked dejected at the ground. Erza took a moment and processed what Nic was going through. Seeing him like this made her sad. If she were in his shoes, perhaps, she would feel the same. It would be a very tough choice, but she would have to go down the same road.
Erza did feel sorry for Nic, as did the Exceeds. The four looked as Nic wasn't doing much but glower and think that he'll have to wait to see his sister. Perhaps someday they'll meet, and they'll be reunited at long last. Three years, that's a long time. Nic left for a longer period than Lisanna. Lisanna was only gone for two years, as to where Nic left for three. The pain of not seeing a sibling that long is unimaginable, but even from such a distance, family is forever.
Erza then gently leaned over and hugged Nic, much to the latter's shock. It wasn't a bone-crushing hug, nor was it a light hug, but this was a genuine caring hug that resembled sympathy and care for the well-being of Nic's distraught mind. Erza kept her gentle and warm embrace as she smiled warmly over Nic's shoulder.
"I'm sure she would be very proud of how far you've come." She said. "I wish I could meet her too."
Nic's attitude started changing into a warm vibe again, and he couldn't help but return the embrace. The two were hugging their pains away, much to their delight. They can't deny that Nic pushed his problems away, but he started to feel much more comfortable around Erza again, and hopefully he will get an answer as to if Erza wanted him or Jellal, but for now, he'll be content from where he stood.
Happy contained his chuckles as he wanted to tease so badly. So badly. If he did, however, he would not live another second. Basic math is Nic plus Erza equals two demons that shall annihilate jokers. The sheer thought of those two teaming up and destroying Happy and sending him to the moon and beyond made in shiver and pale.
The two parted from the embrace and soon, Natsu came down from the elevator, forgetting that he gets motion sickness and had puffy cheeks as he ended up on the bottom, with fresh clothes. Everyone soon joined with simple attires. Their clothing were simple shirts and pants, nothing that would make them stand out. Exclude Gajeel, in which he had a shirt with no sleeves, and Natsu did as well.
Attires aside, which nobody reading this would care, the group made haste and snacked in the breakfast area after Nic got his team back from Nurse Joy. There, there were quite a few Trainers, so playing plush toy for the Exceeds was apparent. Natsu and the gang got plenty of food, and Natsu had a smorgasbord of pancakes and various sausages.
"Aw man, this is good." Natsu said as he ate the pancakes. He then swallowed and turned towards Nic. "What did you call these things again?"
"Pancakes." Nic bluntly stated. "We also got plenty of food that Earthland doesn't have. Maybe I'll find a cookbook and give it to Mira so you guys can make pizza or something."
"Sweet! Buffet, here I come!" Natsu cheered, but was silenced by Erza, reminding Natsu to be aware of Trainers and to not get attention. The Exceeds ate under the gathered tables, so as to avoid detection. Though there wasn't any fish, anything edible would suffice for Happy's appetite.
Shortly afterwards, the entire group exited the Pokémon Center and Nic's coat flapped in the winds that blew. Nic looked in the direction of Prism Tower, where his Gible evolved and won him the Voltage Badge.
Reminiscing in those memories would have to wait as Nic turned and started walking, with everyone following. "Stay close guys." Nic warned. "I say we make way to one of the main plazas; from there, we'll find a gate and we'll set out from there."
"Sure, lead the way Nic." Sophie said. Everyone followed Nic as he led the group, and the pretend-plush Exceeds, towards one of the main plazas. Nic led the group through a rather lengthy trek as he had arrived in Vernal Avenue, just in front of Prism Tower.
Everyone looked at just how massive the tower was. It was much bigger than the Guild Hall, but not as big as the Tower of Heaven, but even so, it was very impressive to behold. "Whoaaaaa." Natsu marveled at how huge Prism Tower really was. "Geez Nic, that thing is high tech!"
"Yeah, and I still can't believe that this thing is the center of Lumiose City itself." Gray remarked.
"It's pretty impressive." Wendy remarked, holding a quiet Carla.
"Yes, it sure is. Believe it or not, this tower is the Lumiose Gym itself." Nic commented.
Erza turned towards Nic. "And just what exactly are these gyms you say?"
"Do they have a lot of weights?" Natsu asked.
Nic gave a twisted face at Natsu. "I'll pretend you didn't say that." He then looked back at Erza. "To be more accurate Erza, a gym is a specific location where challengers are welcome to battle against the ones in charge, namely the Gym Leaders themselves." Nic explained. "The Gym Leader is a tough Trainer and challengers have to defeat them in order to win a badge. The objective is if you win all eight badges in all eight gyms spread through Kalos, you're welcome to challenge the Pokémon League."
Erza blinked and nodded in confirmation. "And I take it that this Pokémon League is strong, yes?"
Nic then got an even more serious expression on his face. "You have no idea. The Pokémon League is comprised of the Elite Four, the four most powerful Trainers in Kalos. Above them lies the one person no one has beaten. Her name is Diantha, the Champion of Kalos." Nic paused as everyone processed the information with shock. "Her Pokémon are the strongest of them all, and those who've tried to defeat her have failed. You really only get one shot at her and the Elite Four, and if you're defeated even once, you're done."
Sophie crossed her arms. "Sounds like an all or nothing gamble."
"It is to everyone." Nic then turned towards her. "But in my case, I just saw it as a hurdle to prove how far I've come."
"So you've fought Diantha in the past?!" Lisanna asked.
"Did you beat her?!" Wendy asked.
Nic looked down and snickered. "Technically…"
A pair of footsteps was heard and a certain someone was walking up Vernal Plaza. She looked rather content as there was a nice wind blowing today. This girl looked barely fifteen, just barely. She was average height for a fifteen-year-old, and a rather slender and nice figure that would leave any man speechless. She had long, flowing black hair. Her bangs primarily covering the top of her right eye, much like Erza, but the bangs covered only enough so you could see both of her warm, blue eyes. The most noticeable trait her head had was single bright blonde bang that went above her right eye. Her black hair reached down to her upper torso. She had black workout yoga pants that went and covered her slender legs, stopping halfway down the shins. She had on brown hiking sandals. Over her navy blue tank top was a grey shirt that was left open, as though a miniature jacket. The sleeves were very short and the shirt reached down just below her hips. She not only had a Mega Ring on her right wrist, but she also had a big, brown purse on her right side, with the strap going over her left shoulder.
Said fifteen-year-old scratched the back of her head as it was morning. "Oh boy." She yawned as she walked. "Why I oversleep is something I'll never figure out. I was very glad I won the Voltage Badge." She smiled and started contemplating. "That Route 14 was a little bit much for me, maybe I'll try again and hopefully I'll…" She stopped and froze in place when she saw a small group up ahead. She took note that one had pink hair, one had blue hair, one had red hair, and there were a few others, but she took primary notice in the one with the flowing, black, sleeveless coat with blue flames.
"Wait a minute…" She muttered. "Is that…?" She narrowed her eyes and saw the figures face turn to his friends, and then her eyes went wide with sheer shock, as if she's seen a ghost. She gasped incredibly loudly, making it sound as though she was suffocating. She was at loss for words. She knew him. "I…I…It can't be…" She began shaking uncontrollably. "I-Is it really Nic?"
She suddenly found herself running madly forward towards Nic, as though her life depended on it. She was moving as fast as a Dugtrio moving underground. Her eyes were getting misty as she was getting closer and closer.
With Nic's group, Nic was continuing speaking. "Technically, I really don't like to talk about it, but…"
"Nic!" A female voice called out. Almost immediately, Nic froze and went wide-eyed, stopping whatever the heck he was saying. He was as motionless as a Nosepass as he heard that voice echo through his head.
The female voice called out once again. "Nic! It's me!" She called out. Everyone from Fairy Tail turned to where the voice came from, seeing a young girl running towards them with blue eyes that were misty with tears.
"That voice…it can't be…" Nic was the last one to turn his head and look at who was coming his way, and when he turned around, Nic saw the girl and he went wide-eyed and gasped in deep shock, as if he too had seen a ghost.
The girl stopped twenty feet away from the group and huffed and puffed as she started to have tears fall. She couldn't care less if people were seeing this, because she wanted to meet Nic. The two stared at each other for a long time, with the girl tearing up while Nic was left frozen.
"Nic…it really is you!" She called out.
"Y-You…" Nic couldn't help it, but since his sunglasses weren't on, everyone started seeing his eyes stop shaking as they were getting very misty much like the girl's. "I can't believe it…after all this time…"
The girl was smiling ever so happily as she then broke into a dash towards Nic, her tears falling in the wind. "Nic!"
Nic suddenly broke away from the group and started running towards her, tears starting to fall down his face too. "It's you!" He smiled and exclaimed.
The two people were running towards each other with tears going down their faces.
"Nic!"
"Vanessa!"
The two people clashed into each other and hugged each other tightly, finally hugging after so long. Nic was holding onto Vanessa like his life depended on it, and Vanessa was crying so hard, her bawling and sobbing tears drenching Nic's shoulder. Vanessa continued sobbing, as was Nic. The two hugged each other while everyone from Fairy Tail watched.
Lucy was just as confused as anybody else, but she looked happy with a smile. "I don't know why, but I feel happy."
Sophie nodded. "Yeah, it's obvious those two know each other."
Natsu and everyone looked on with half grins, but Erza looked on with suspicion and joy at the same time. "Wait a minute. Those eyes, they're the same." She muttered, and then realization dawned upon her. She wanted to say something, but she looked on with a smile as she knew who Nic was hugging. Erza couldn't be anymore happier for Nic right now.
Vanessa smiled as she hugged Nic. "I missed you Nic."
Nic let tears fall as he also smiled. "Yeah, you have no idea how much I missed you." He said over her shoulder.
Erza and everyone else watched with curiosity and content as a couple more minutes scrolled by and the tears finally settled. The two were just hugging it out for that entire time period. The two were as happy as can be.
Finally, Nic had let go and held Vanessa by the shoulders. "Wow Vanessa, you've grown."
Vanessa nodded. "M-hm. I'm just following your footsteps. You became a Pokémon Trainer, and a few months ago, I finally set out."
Nic's smile never left his face. "Vanessa." Nic brought her in for another hug. "I'm so proud of you. I'm so sorry for these three years." His eyes started getting misty again. "I'm so…so sorry."
Vanessa gently Nic away and she smiled. "Nic, look at me." She said, in which Nic did. "It's alright. Look at me. I'm all grown up. I set out at last and decided to become as strong as you've become. Joanna and Michael took really great care of me. They raised a fine girl to look after herself. Here I am, proof that I'm healthy."
Nic wiped a few stranded tears away and the two were left in a content smile. "I'm glad I got to reunite with you Vanessa." Nic said.
Gray finally stepped forward. "Uh Nic?" He asked. "I'm happy for you two to catch up, but could you please tell us who exactly she is?"
Erza turned towards Gray with crossed arms. "Gray, be nice. Nic's obviously having his moment."
Nic turned back towards Vanessa and then back at the group. "I guess it's time for a full introduction. I never really told you guys much, didn't I?" Nic rhetorically asked. Everyone was curious just how Nic was linked to this certain individual, but they would soon find out.
Nic then looked back at Vanessa, who presented herself to the group. "Guys, I want you to meet Vanessa. My sister."
I'm sure many of you saw this coming. Nic's sister is finally making an appearance. I actually had to make sketches to find an attire and appearance that would suit her. At any rate, I tried to make their reunion as emotional and touchy as it could get. As I was typing, I couldn't help but cry when I wrote Lisanna saying goodbye to Edolas Mira and Elfman, and I sobbed again a little as I made Nic reunite with Vanessa. I honestly can't understand why I'm extremely sensitive, but whatever. Review if you had the feels too.
I was on a roll with this chapter. I got close to 7K in one day, and I finished up the next day, meaning this took two days to write. Hoorah!
Don't fret over Pokémon appearances, they'll come. I got next chapter ready to be made, and PokeguardianZ has been waiting for this next chapter for a long time, so be ready for a one-chapter appearance of someone, and I don't mean Vanessa.
Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are loving this Arc and the various surprises I had installed that you are loving and can't wait for more.
Next Time: Like Brother, Like Sister