Penitence 003: Acies

"If you care for Pokemon with a kind and gentle heart, then they'll always be your friends..."

In these past two weeks, Lance had grown accustomed to Yellow's voice finding a place in the back of his mind. It was… odd. He found that the more he fought it, the more the voice would grow stronger only to lead him back to submission. It managed to tire him out to the point that Lance decided it would be best to let it say what it has to say, even if he has heard the same words many times.

Along with that brat's voice in his head, Lance found it quite difficult to show his affections more towards his Pokemon. He knew that his Pokemon saw he was trying his best. After all, when a person has acted a certain way for many years, it becomes very hard to change. For Lance, his love for his Pokemon motivates him to change for them.

Speaking of which, Lance never forgot about the Larvitar that accompanied him ever since his arrival at Mt. Silver. After he accidentally hit the small green Pokemon, Lance and his Pokemon had been searching for it whenever time permits them. He wanted to make sure that the Larvitar knew he did not mean to hurt it before he left Mt. Silver. At least, that would give him the peace of mind for the time being.

Lance felt that after finding Larvitar, he would travel elsewhere. He decided he had spent enough time as it is on Mt. Silver. He needed to know what's going on now. He felt ready to face the world again. After a month a half, Lance needed to investigate something that had been nagging at him besides Yellow's voice.

What was it?

Lugia.

It was extremely rare for Lance to lose control of dragon or dragon-like Pokemon, which included legendary beasts. Especially with the Badge Energy Amplifier, it would be completely impossible for Lugia to break free from his hold. He was interested, to say the least. Lance wanted, needed, to know who the actual owner of Lugia really is. Now that he managed to put Yellow's words at the back of his head, he could think clearer.

Who could they be, he wondered. What kind of human had such great power and forces to obtain a legendary Pokemon like Lugia? Were they a crime syndicate?

Could they, or rather, he be Giovanni?

No. It couldn't be. After all, if Giovanni were in control of Lugia, he would have pulled that trick card out of his sleeve during their battle on Cerise Island. If anything, Lance knew that Giovanni hates to lose. Even to the point of using four children to thwart his plans of world domination.

Who then? Team Rocket disbanded already. Without Giovanni anymore, Team Rocket should be done for. Those imbeciles could not lead themselves.

If Lance had to describe Giovanni, he would have to call him extremely cold and very intelligent. Giovanni, like Lance, is also naturally gifted when it comes to Pokemon. However, if there's one thing he will say, and he's sure Yellow would agree with him, it is that Giovanni's attitude towards Pokemon is… sick.

Enough about Giovanni. In a quick summary, Lance does recognize him as a very intelligent and talented trainer; however, he still sees him as part of the trash that is humanity.

…what if it is someone who needed Lugia for plans similar to what he needed the legendary sea Pokemon for?

What could this person want with Lugia? What kind of powers did Lance not know of that the owner needed Lugia for? Well, let's think for a minute.

Through these last two weeks, Lance brought back old memories of what he had learned as a child about the legendary Pokemon of the world. Lugia spends its time at the bottom of the sea because it is extremely powerful to be with man. It is also the guardian of the seas of Johto or possibly any sea it inhabits. Lugia will most likely show up when storms happen because its duties entail calming them. For what purpose, Lance reasoned it's to protect the Pokemon of the sea. As well, should Lugia flap its wings above the sea when it's calm, it will cause a 40-day storm to happen.

Did this person want to cause a major weather disaster? What purpose did that serve? What else did Lance not know of Lugia?

Lance put a hand in his pocket to retrieve a beautiful wing that did not lose its luster. He managed to receive this wing by searching the islands of the Whirl Islands. He knew that he needed this particular wing for his plans to exterminate mankind.

The Silver Wing.

What could they possibly want from Lugia? Is it this wing? What purpose did this wing serve other than summoning Lugia?

Shaking his head, Lance put it away. For now, that would have to take precedence once he leaves Mt. Silver. Lance needed to do something more important at the moment. That is to apologize and hope that Larvitar would accept his apology.

Lance planned to leave the mountain tonight. He did not want anyone following him and he was sure no trainer would come close to Mt. Silver unless they were strong enough to withstand the powerful Pokemon here. Clasping his cape around his body, Lance started to make his way to the blocked off entrance he caused when he first arrived at Mt. Silver.

"Rock Smash." Immediately, Aerodactyl smashed the rocks in front of its trainer. The rocks and debris fell everywhere but, thankfully, Aerodactyl shielded its trainer from getting unnecessarily harmed.

The noise of the rocks being smashed attracted many of the wild Pokemon towards Lance. The young dragon trainer looked around to see if Larvitar was amongst the group but to no avail. Did Larvitar really believe Lance is that type of person?

Lance released a sigh. He did see a lot of potential in Larvitar. After all, the weakest of Pokemon usually turns out to be the strongest of Pokemon. That's what he saw in his now Gyarados.

The wild Pokemon surrounding Lance felt such a strong and confident aura around him. They all felt hesitant at challenging the dragon trainer into a battle. Eventually, they all dispersed and left him alone.

Lance could not help but smirk a little. He still had it after all. Even losing to a child, Lance is still considered powerful amongst the wild Pokemon.

Seeing this, Lance called back his Pokemon into their respective Ultra Balls. He planned to search for Larvitar first before leaving after all. As well, he did not want to risk being noticed by any potential trainer that may recognize him because of his signature Pokemon.

Lance used to be a member of the Kanto Elite Four after all. There would be many pictures of him and his Pokemon around the region.

Closing his eyes, Lance sat on the ground and started to meditate. He wanted to see if he could his use powers as a blessed user of the Viridian Forest to track Larvitar. It would not be so hard. After all, each Pokemon, no matter the type or specie they are, are different.

"Hey you weirdo! What the hell do you think you're doing here?!" Immediately, Lance opened his eyes and quickly got up on his feet to face the person coming towards his way.

Dammit… Lance thought as this… punk looking trainer approached him. Upon taking in the trainer's features, Lance did not feel any threat towards him. If anything, this punk should not be out here. He was not experienced enough to take on the wild Pokemon. Then again… it's his funeral. Lance did not give much thought to humans after all.

So…what did this punk want?

"You…!" The trainer stated, pointing at Lance, "You look extremely familiar… where have I seen you 'round?" He demanded the dragon trainer.

Lance contemplated on whether to answer him or not. Was this man… stupid? Did he really not know who he was? Well… at least luck was on the dragon trainer's side.

"I'm just a passerby. I'm just finding my way out." Lance replied with formality in his tone.

The punk trainer did not let this go by, "Wait… you look like someone from the Elite Four!" He called out, "Were you involved with the Cerise Island incident?"

Lance slightly frowned at this, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Fine. Avoid the question. The way to settle this is through…" The punk trainer released one of his own Pokemon, "a Pokemon battle!" He cockily grinned, "I can recognize any sort of Pokemon the Elite Four possesses!"

Crap…. Lance did not like how fast the situation turned on him. A million thoughts ran through his mind. Would any human this guy if the dragon trainer decided to obliterate him into pieces? There weren't any witnesses around. And besides… Lance was the type of guy not to feel any type of remorse when it came to ridding people. His fingers curled itself around the ball of his Dragonite, ready to go through with his plans.

"Why do you use it for destruction?! Why do you use it for evil?!"

Yellow's voice loudly cried in his head. Lance placed a hand on his forehead, trying to calm the incoming headache he was receiving. Ugh, that child would be the death of him eventually. He grunted in frustration as the child's words kept resonating from the back of his head.

Ok, if he can't obliterate the punk, what were his other options?

"Hey! What's taking so damn long?!" The punk cried out, "Fine, I'll just force your Pokemon out!" He threatened, "Nidorino, use poison jab!"

Lance's eyes widened at the incoming attack. If he calls out one of his Pokemon, he will immediately get recognized! Struggling with a decision, Lance prepared to call out one of his Pokemon.

"Schweetuler!" Lance's eyes remained in shock when he saw the Pokemon that defended him from the incoming attack.

Larvitar.

"Is that… Larvitar?" The punk demanded when he saw the Pokemon defending Lance.

Realization quickly hit Lance once the punk said those words. That punk trainer… was the ex-trainer, the abuser, of Larvitar.

"So… you're utilizing a stupid weak Pokemon like that mega wimp to fight for you eh?" The punk cackled, "Well, it looks like it's going to be an easy fight! Nidorino, push through with poison point!"

Upon hearing those words, Lance clenched his fists with determination in his eyes. He would, could, not lose to this degenerate! He closed his eyes and focused his energy on Larvitar, 'Larvitar, I don't know why you're helping but let's finish this guy first!' His thoughts traveled to the small green Pokemon.

Larvitar looked back and nodded in agreement, "Dig!" He commanded and quickly, Larvitar did as Lance instructed. The dragon trainer had a plan and it would take a little bit of time, he noted.

"Ah, so you decided to hide underground eh? Well, that's not enough!" The punk declared, "Let's leave a present for our old friend Larvitar! Set up the toxic spikes!" He cried out.

Nidorino started place toxic spikes around the field and even down the hole Larvitar created. Lance kept an emotionless face on as the punk started calling out demands, "Now, use sludge bomb and send it down that hole!" The punk cried out, "You picked such a pathetic Pokemon, did you know that?"

"…" Lance kept calm and watched as the sludge bomb fell in the hole. Immediately, the hole suddenly burst with an immense light that it blew out the poison.

"What the…?! What the hell did you do you cheater?" The punk ordered.

"Thrash." Lance ignored the punk and immediately, a blue larvae Pokemon shot out from the ground and rammed itself into the Nidorino. The pressurized gas within the larvae Pokemon managed to knock both of them into the side of the mountains, causing a collision to occur and topple on both Pokemon.

"What?! No, my Pokemon!" The punk quickly ran to the damaged side of the mountain. He started to move rocks aside and found his Nidorino in extremely bad shape, "You… cheater! Where's that weakling Larvitar?!" The punk demanded.

Lance kept ignoring him, "You did well…" Out of the rubble shot out the blue larvae Pokemon, "Pupitar." The dragon trainer held out a ball, "It would be an honor if you accompanied me on my journey."

"Hey, quit ignoring me! Where's Larvitar?!" The punk ran in between the Pupitar and dragon trainer.

"Larvitar evolved." Lance sneered at the trainer, "If you had a brain you would know that."

"Wha…?! Don't insult me! And hey, evolving during a battle is a cheap tactic!" The punk clenched his fists, "I'm gonna…!" The punk ran towards him, ready to assault him; however, he was stopped when Pupitar rammed itself in the trainer.

Falling to the ground and onto the rubble, the punk trainer was knocked out. Lance shook his head, "Pathetic." He stated, knowing that the punk was too idiotic to comprehend anything he was planning.

It was simple really. Lance synchronized his energy into Larvitar. All the determination and hatred towards the abuser gave Larvitar an immense level boost that really, Larvitar was ready to evolve. He copied that same technique Yellow did during their battle on Cerise Island. Lance had Larvitar dig and eat the ground in order to fast forward the evolution process. It worked no doubt as the Pupitar in front of Lance is living proof of that.

Lance also knew that the Nidorino would never stand a chance against Pupitar. Pupitar is a pretty powerful Pokemon even if it is a larvae. The dragon trainer knew of Larvitar's lineage after all. He used Pupitar's body and natural abilities to his advantage. Pupitar has amazing destruction capabilities – its thrashing can topple a mountain after all. As well, its body is as hard as sheet rock that not even a collision of solid steel would harm it. In addition, Pupitar naturally creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and uses to forcefully eject itself like a rocket.

With all of the knowledge Lance possessed, the punk trainer stood no chance against him. It really was pathetic as Lance stated.

Lance brought his attention back to the Pupitar, "I would like to apologize again for what I did. I can understand if you could not forgive me and would not like to accompany on my journey." He sighed, "But… should you decide, it would be a great honor for you to accompany me as I said before." He held out an empty Ultra ball once more.

Pupitar looked at Lance then at the ball. Should it accompany him? What if Lance hurt it again like before?

After a small moment, Pupitar tapped its forehead on the capsule and was quickly ensnared inside the Ultra ball. As soon as Pupitar was inside the ball, Lance took another moment and healed Pupitar. Golden light emitted from the palm of his hands and filled Pupitar with renewed energy and strength.

"Thank you…" Lance softly smiled as he placed the ball on his belt.

His solitude was done for now. At this time, Lance focused his attention on something bigger that disturbed him. In his guts, he felt something big was about to ensue and involve both the Kanto and Johto regions.

What could that be?

Well, Lance felt that Lugia was heavily involved with this plan. He was going to find out. He needed to find out.

Because… his home, Viridian Forest, could be at stake.

TBC

A/N: I have nothing much to say other than I may revisit this chapter to re-edit this. I apologize if this seems choppy but life gets to you sometimes and you just have to tackle it like how Lance is doing in this story haha.

Thank you for your continuous support my silent readers and if it is not too much trouble a nice review would help along the way!

- Pochi