Finally get back into this and got quite a bit more done, so hope you guys enjoy.
And those who may not know, I've done some changes in earlier chapters, so I highly recommend going back to re-read to see what new changes I did.
Atop a high point in the mountains, vicious thunderstorms roared continuously, yet not a drop of rain fell, nor wind howled.
It was almost unnerving, leaving the young brunette to tremble with concern before having another bolt strike him.
While a normal man, child no less, would have died, he didn't, the electricity coursing through him replenishing his strength.
But it didn't cease his shaking; trying to fight the urge to dodge the blows, reminding himself that he wouldn't be hurt.
"I have to get stronger for Sakura-chan!" he scolded himself, only to get blindsided by a ferocious paw, ripping part of his shirt.
"Control your emotions, brat!" Raikou roared, glaring his charge down, watching as the child trembled. "Of all masters I could get, I get one who needs to draw on fear."
"Shut up! I'm trying, I was taught not to show fear! Hard to undo years of that," the boy snapped, letting out a startled cry when a bolt struck near him.
"There's more to it!"
"Focus you idiot, how do I use fear without cowering and crying?" the brunette scolded himself, dodging blows from the Pokémon to keep him focused.
He could only dread what the girls must be going through, though also was a little jealous of them that they don't have such cranky teachers.
He needed to think, who the best to look at for the needed guidance, yet his mind kept dropping back to Sakura.
"That's it!" he whispered, remembering all the times she cowered and cried in fear when capturing the cards, even transforming them.
She had always been so afraid of the job, yet she managed to pull through and show courage through it.
She used her fear to push her!
Hearing crackling, almost fearing it was Raikou ready to pounce; he saw it had been his own built up electricity.
Grinning, he dove from behind the rocks, sending uncontrolled bursts towards the tiger, hearing him yelp in surprise.
"Seems he's starting to get it," he grumbled as he found himself now the one running from the attacks.
Now it turned more or less a game, nearly forgetting they were training as they traded blows, Raikou barking orders how to better control his power.
Seeing the child actually begin to enjoy himself while using his fears, the Pokémon couldn't determine how it was possible.
But he knew that this friendly sparring can only go so far…
Once he actually fights Eevee, even with help from the others, his feelings are likely to change quickly.
He could lose the ability to control the lightning and either get hurt from his own element, or worse, lose control and hurt those dear to him.
Lightning in itself is unpredictable, but adding in fear as well, it is practically spelling disaster.
If only the child could have gotten his emotions to sync with something more like anger or a sense of calmness.
Eventually both stopped, worn out from today's training, the large Pokémon having hunted down a deer for himself while the boy caught some fish for himself.
As both ate, they were silent, rarely talking, having difficulty bonding due to their opposite natures.
Glancing up at the fierce Pokémon, Li knew he had to find some way to bond, knowing they had to get along if they're to fight together.
As if reading his mind, the tiger was first to speak, "So who's Ichigo?"
"What?"
That's what he asks?
And who the hell is he talking about?
"You've talked in your sleep, you keep calling for someone named Ichigo."
"You must be imagining things, I don't know anyone of that name."
"Could this be someone from that daycare?"
"I told you, I don't know anyone of that name!" he snapped, not wanting to go down those memories.
Seeing he hit a sore spot, the tiger looked away, not feeling as hungry as he pushed his kill away from himself.
"Gomen," he apologized, his voice sounding otherwise, yet his eyes made it true.
"I honestly don't know anyone with that name. So why would I call for someone I never knew?"
"Maybe you did in a previous life?" the tiger suggested, seeing the boy look curious of what he means.
"You believe in the whole reincarnation thing?"
"Doesn't that boy claim he's a reincarnation of Clow Reed?"
"True, but that was done through a spell…"
"You don't believe in it then? A more natural means than through magic?"
"I don't know, it just seems hard to believe, but I guess it could be true," the boy sighed as he stared at the fire the Pokémon created with his lightning control. "So this Ichigo…what do I say when I'm calling out to her?"
"Him."
"What?"
"You call to him, this Ichigo."
"A guy named Ichigo?"
"Hai."
"Weird, but stranger things have happened."
Unable to suppress a chuckle, the tiger looked more relaxed as he rested his head on his paws, "Can't help but agree with you there."
"So you think I was dreaming of a past life?"
"Possibly, the mind is a place even psychic and ghost Pokémon have difficulty understanding, especially those who specialize in dreams and that junk."
"Raikou-kun…do you miss your old master?"
"Hai…"
"You two were close, weren't you?"
"You heard the others, I'm the youngest of the three, Entei had gone through four Elements, Suicune through five, and…"
"I'm the second, aren't I?"
"Hai…"
"Gomen…I never meant to assume his element, I didn't even know I would be born with it."
"I understand, no one is ready."
"How did they take it though, how do they handle going through so many?"
"They don't, they've mourned each one they had, each one who passed on before guarding a new Element. But after that fight, for once Iactually held it together while Entei and Suicune completely broke down."
"You didn't cry?"
"No, which I found strange. You'd think I'd be sobbing alongside them if not be worse…"
Li couldn't help but stare at the tiger, not expecting such a short tempered creature to be in so much pain.
He felt was starting to understand the other better, as if knowing what he was talking about.
Nervously, he reached out, gently stroking the Pokémon's fur, seeing him flinch a little before relaxing.
"When my otōsan died, I didn't cry either," Li spoke softly, figuring the other would know this already. "I thought it was so weird, even my okāsan cried, but I didn't. I was sad he was gone, I felt this pain in my chest when they lowered his casket, but I still didn't cry. I never understood why…"
The Pokémon gave him an earnest look, trying to read what he might be thinking, but let him continue on.
He knew the child's father died, but didn't attend the funeral, it reminded him to much of his master's own burial. It wasn't any fancy service most humans make it into, but the fact it was for someone who died still hurt, bitter memories forming.
"Then I read in a book I found in a library, before I was sent to Japan to find the Clow Cards. It talked about psychology, I don't know why, but it sort of always interested me, gave me this strange comfort. Well, I read about how people react to different situations when under stress. Some laugh, others cry, some scream, others are silent, it depended not only on that individual, but what caused it."
"So you're saying we were in a shock of some sort?"
"Maybe, it would explain some things," the boy spoke softly, trying to hold back a yawn, unknowingly leaning against the warm body.
Instead of barking at him to get off, the tiger relaxed, realizing just how fragile his master was, how alike they were while completely different.
They grew up in different lives, yet walked similar paths, taking various paths to cope with things that came up to break them.
Finding himself more at ease, the tiger rested his head back down once more, careful with his fangs, both fall fast asleep.
When the brunette woke up, he found himself having used Raikou as a giant pillow, ready to leap away before finding the tiger was still asleep.
Still feeling somewhat tired, the boy closed his eyes, leaning back against the soft fur, finding some strange familiarity.
Why did it stir these things inside him?
Did it have to do with this past life he mentioned?
Did this Ichigo, whoever he is have some impact on his life?
How important was he?
Was he someone he loved or someone he hated?
Mentally shaking his head, he knew if this was someone he hated, Raikou would have made mention of his tone. No, this was someone he cared about a lot, exactly how much, he couldn't be certain.
When both were fully awake, cleaned and fed, they resumed training, yet they seemed to read each other better.
Raikou still snapped, but the boy didn't get as frustrated with him and vice versa when the boy lost momentary control.
By the end of the week, the boy had nearly perfect control over the electricity, able to create shapes midair without them breaking up or striking something.
"Not sure how you managed it, but you've damn near harmonized with your element," Raikou laughed, the boy giving a partial scowl. "Now it's time to finish that harmonization."
"Finish?"
"My sphere, once you claim it, it and your element will be linked."
"Really?"
Giving a rare nod than some barking laugh or insult, the tiger seemed more at peace, "Hai, if you successfully claim it, you would be officially become the Voltaic King. You not only will control lightning at will, but if times are dangerous, you can use that sphere to put me inside. And if a similar danger appears and you need help, you can use it to summon me from within or use it as a beacon to call for me."
"Sort of like Eli-kun's Zorua? At least recalling you into it that is."
"Hai, very much so."
"How do I find it?"
"Follow me," he spoke with a soft growl, his tone becoming serious.
What felt like hours, they came upon what the boy thought to be a large tree, only to let out a startled cry when a bolt of lightning struck it.
He watched as it danced around the surface, realizing it wasn't a tree, or not anymore at least. He wasn't sure what it was, but it had to have metal in it to attract and keep it the electricity flowing as is.
"At the very top is where my sphere rests."
He wasn't about to ask how it even got up there, seeing the branches were too thin for his weight, possibly to thin even for the boy's weight.
Li doubted climbing was part of the training, meaning he may have to use the lightning that struck down.
"I'm allowed any hints?"
"Don't hold back."
Most would wonder what that meant, but he didn't, he knew exactly what Raikou meant, staring as another bolt of lightning crashed down.
Without touching, he knew these bolts were even stronger than the ones he got hit with before, both from the sky and the tiger's.
Taking a deep breath, he charged for the tree like structure as another bolt crashed down, focusing everything he's learned into climbing the crackling lights.
He felt them tingle, but didn't hurt, but they were getting weaker and it'll be another ten seconds before another strike.
"Dammit," he cursed as he tried to find a sturdy branch, realizing there were none to hold his weight.
A surge of panic swam through him, nearly losing control before the bolt he needed came faster, as if summoned.
No, it was summoned, knowing without it, he'd fall and die.
Using it to his advantage, he absorbed as much of the electricity than letting it course through the tree.
When it weakened, he released what he collected, revitalizing the electricity enough to climb another ten feet.
Before long, he had to have successfully climbed at least three hundred feet, only fifteen feet left before reaching the top.
He could see there was a platform of some sort, hopefully strong enough to hold his weight until he can get another lightning strike.
Grabbing the edge, he hoisted himself up, using the lightning he collected to help move his muscles, giving him the necessary boost to hoist himself up.
"Made it…" he panted, sweat having collected on his brow between the effort and sheer terror.
He didn't even want to think about looking down, bad enough he'll probably have to find a way down if Raikou doesn't come get him.
Heights were never a problem, it was what makes things high that gives him chills, such as this place. One slipup and he'll fall…
"Don't freak out, don't freak out. It's terrifying, but not guaranteed to be the end of you," he spoke to himself, trying to calm his panicking heart some.
He couldn't erase the fear, that would defeat the purpose of all the training; he simply had to redirect it.
Forcing his eyes open, he nearly did a double take at what was in front of him.
Balanced perfectly on a stone pedestal was a golden sphere, a jewel in the center, the shape and design looking almost exactly like Eli's ball.
He barely flinched when another bolt of lightning came crashing down, filling him with its power, watching as it directly struck the sphere. Not a scratch was left behind, no burns, nothing, showing just how powerful it is.
Slowly, careful not to get to excited, he made his way, his hand connecting with the sphere just as another bolt of lightning struck, enough to make him cry out in surprise.
Just as he was about to lose balance, the lightning enveloped him, the jewel on the sphere glowing brightly.
He couldn't hold back a scream as he felt his chest ache again, feeling very much like when Eevee attempted to attack him with some sort of psychic power.
Clutching the sphere, instinctively holding it close to his body, the pain dulled, enough to clear his mind and focus again.
Voices whispered into his head, briefly wondering if he was going insane, but they were gone in an instant.
Shaking his head, trying to clear his thoughts, he stared at the sphere in his hand, wondering if that was part of the harmonizing.
Maybe they were voices of past Elements?
Then again, Raikou would have mentioned it, would he? Or was it part of the test, to see if he does hear them or not?
Feeling too tired to think about it, he swallowed a thick lump in his throat on the one thing he knew he had to focus on. He had to figure out how to get down, knowing he would have to look down to do it.
Finding the bolts still came down, he pondered how to use it to climb down before glancing at the sphere.
If by connecting with it, he should have full access over lightning, if that's true…
An idea forming in his head, he backed up until his heel connected with the pedestal, marking his spot.
This was crazy, and he was terrified of the outcome if it went wrong, but it only fueled his need to get down.
Longer he stayed up here, closer he'll get to a full blown panic attack and start crying for help.
"Please work," he whispered as he suddenly ran, leaping off the edge, hearing a surprised shout from the legend down below.
Just as he leaped, the lightning came down, but instead of aimed at the tree, aimed right for him!
Prepping for the landing, he felt the lightning course through him, filling him with its pure energy. But that wasn't the reason he did this, no, it was the static electricity. It was a risky shot, but found it was working, the bolts coming down through his will, adding more static to his body.
He began to slow down, body away from the tree not to get hurt, but close enough to act as if he were a balloon having been rubbed against something like hair or fur.
Before long, he was at a more comfortable height, letting himself freely drop to his feet, seeing the stunned face of his guardian.
Unable to suppress a grin, no matter how childish it may have been, he was feeling too proud of himself.
He held up the sphere, showing he succeeded before feeling lightheaded, collapsing into unconsciousness.
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