A/N: Guess who's back? ;3c I'm incorporating the storylines of Black and White into this story, but don't think you'll be able to predict everything! ^~ I'm using the Japanese terms through this fic, so for all of you Pokémon fans reading this: Green = Shigeru = Gary, Hiun City = Castelia City, and Vio = Zinzolin.
Warnings: Yes, this is the prequel to Wake Me Up When This Chaos Ends. You don't need to read that other Pokémon fanfiction in order to understand this one, but I encourage you to read it if you want a taste of apocalyptic!Pokémon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugiou (Yu-Gi-Oh) and/or Pokémon.
Redemption
Written by Fenikkusu
Chapter 2 – A New Beginning
They were both up at dawn the next day, which was apparently a feat for Satoshi judging by his unkempt appearance and bedhead. Atem couldn't help but hide a laugh at the sleepy look in the teenager's eyes as they met in front of Satoshi's house.
"Thank you, Mrs. Akai," Atem said with a bow. "I appreciate all that you've done to aid in my recovery."
The brunette waved a hand at him. "It was no problem at all! You and my boy keep each other safe. Even though Satoshi's been traveling from region to region for the last six years, I can't help but worry."
"Is that not the duty of a mother?" Atem inquired. "Satoshi is extremely lucky to have one such as you." He smiled as Mrs. Akai blushed at the praise. She really did deserve it for all she did. From what he saw last night, Atem noted that she cooked all the meals and completed all of the household chores with little help. He couldn't help but compare her to Yuugi's own stay-at-home mother. Satoshi's and Yuugi's families were even more similar as there was no sign of their fathers anywhere… not that Atem was crude enough to ask about them straight out.
However, unlike his partner's family, Mrs. Akai was always around. Atem's gaze softened as he watched the mother say goodbye to her son. She placed a kiss on his forehead and hugged him tight. Satoshi returned the embrace just as firmly. I never saw such a bond between Aibou and his own mother, Atem thought as he turned around and walked a few yards away. A few moments of privacy were called for.
He pulled on the strap of a backpack slung against his shoulder. The Shadows had warned Satoshi well; everything had been prepared for Atem. His pack was filled with everything a traveling trainer needed: Pokéballs, potions, berries… The only other things he needed were technologies from Isshu. Of course, Atem vehemently argued over expenses, but the Akai family made the point that Atem didn't have any currency from this world. He eventually settled on an I.O.U.
His royal garb sat at the bottom of the backpack. Instead he wore a crimson tank top the same shade as his eyes. Jeans sat snug on his hips, held up by a few belts, one of which held Riolu's Pokéball. A long black blazer wrapped about his torso. Atem's hand went to the center of his chest above his heart.
The missing puzzle disturbed him. Atem had no doubt that the Millennium Items had something to do with these Rogues. The questions were where the Items were and more importantly who had the expertise to use them in such a way?
"Hey, thanks for waiting," Atem heard from his left. He turned his head to see Satoshi dressed in jeans and a light jacket. The outfit was predominantly red and white. The other teen grinned and placed a matching baseball cap atop the mop of black he called his hair. "Let's go! We have a five minute walk south to our first ferry. That'll take us to Cinnabar. In about half an hour, we'll get there. Then we can catch our ride to Isshu. Got all of that?"
Atem chuckled. "More or less." He blinked, realizing something. "Do you not have a Pokémon of your own?"
Satoshi's grin immediately disappeared. "Noticed that, huh." He motioned for the other teenager to walk side by side with him. "Most of my Pokémon were Converted into Rogues when this whole mess started."
"You said 'most', not 'all'."
"You really are a smart one," Satoshi commented off-handedly, causing a small blush to crawl up Atem's neck. "My best buddy, Pikachu, is in Isshu right now. I left him there with a researcher friend of mine, because that's where he's the safest. This region, Kanto, was the first struck by what we call the Chaos. Since I'm current Champion of Kanto, it was my responsibility to face the YnK head-on."
Atem didn't bother to ask what happened in detail. The grieving look on Satoshi's face was enough.
"They were just too strong," Satoshi whispered brokenly. "A lot of my friends lost their lives in that first big battle."
"I apologize for your loss, Satoshi."
The teen shrugged. "It took me a while, but sometimes you've just gotta move on, you know? The commander of the Warriors of Hope told me that. You'll be meeting her later on today. She's been in more contact with Yuuko, so you'll get most if not all of your questions answered."
A few minutes later, Atem found himself staring up at a large ferry. The boat was easily three stories tall and about four times as long. He was immediately whisked back in his memory to the day before he and his friends separated. They had all embarked upon a ferry similar to this, though much smaller. Atem chuckled to himself, oblivious to Satoshi's quizzical look.
The Egyptians believed that the sun made a new journey across the sky each day. Ra, the god of the morning sun, would travel on two solar boats. The first was the Mandjet, also known as the morning boat. When evening approached, a great serpent called Apophis tried to stop the boat's journey. Some believed that Ra then transformed into a different solar deity in the form of a ram or even a man. The second solar boat, Mesektet, would take this form and carry it through the underworld back towards the east.
What symbolization, Atem thought to himself as he and Satoshi boarded. Always a boat to start off a new journey. Perhaps some things don't change, no matter what dimension or universe I'm currently… stuck in. Satoshi left him at the front of the ferry, leaning over the railing. Something about grabbing a bite to eat. As Atem's gaze scanned the horizon, he sighed. And here I assumed I would rest peacefully after my journey with Aibou and our friends.
At a rattling on his belt, Atem was drawn out of his thoughts. He pulled back his blazer to see his Pokéball rattling. Reaching down, he released the creature inside. The Riolu stretched and hopped upon the railing next to Atem. Calm ruby irises stared into his own. "You seem confused, ma—"
"Kkwy…"
The Riolu gasped aloud. "Sorry! Um… Yami?" An affirmative. "Well um. If you would like to speak to someone privately, you can always share some information with me. Lady Selene taught me that talking about your problems relieves a pressure from your chest, both physically and emotionally."
"Lady Selene?"
"Yes! She's the one who bred me, after all. My mother is a Lucario, my evolved form, while my father was a Blaziken, an evolution of one of the beginning Pokémon new trainers start out with in the Houen region. I believe she's the one you ran into when you first arrived."
Atem hummed. So Aibou's twin is apparently named Selene in this world. Interesting. "Tell me, Kkwy. What do you know of my 'mission' here in this new world?"
"Unfortunately, I don't know much. Lady Selene said that if she shared too much information, the enemy could eavesdrop. She's still on the run back in Kanto." Kkwy frowned. "I do hope that she'll be all right. I don't have any doubts about her survival skills, but she is a frail one."
The former king distantly remembered the comforting Aura he felt from the girl. "Can all Pokémon read Auras?"
A shake of the head. "Only a few species like myself can read them. This telepathic ability I have is even rarer. The humans which understand the magic behind Auras let alone have the ability to read them is even fewer and farther between." Kkwy nodded his head to Satoshi, who was walking back toward them carrying two ice cream cones. "He is one of those few."
"So all is not as blatant as it seems," Atem commented offhandedly, thanking Satoshi for the frozen treat. He thanked the stars that Aibou had shown him a few foods back in Japan. Chocolate ice cream in particular was the shared favorite.
Satoshi grinned. "I figured that you were a chocolate person; most people are!" He licked at his scoop of mint-chocolate chip.
"You figured correctly." Atem took a small bite of his own. "Kkwy just told me you have the ability to read auras, Satoshi."
"Yeah… I'm not as good at it as some other people I've met. They told me it was a gift though."
"There are certain Pokémon which have the ability?"
Satoshi reached into his pocked, retrieving a black and blue machine. "This is a Pokédex." He slid the screen up and pressed a few buttons. A large chart showed up. "We've found sixteen types of Pokémon so far. This is a type chart, showing which types are weak Kkto which. Most make sense, which is why I don't use this much anymore. All Psychic and Ghost types can sense auras, but there are special cases."
Atem's eyes scanned the information. No wonder why the Pokédex was a prized possession! "Riolu is a Steel and Fighting type," the former king noted aloud.
"Yup! Now if I open his specific entry…" Satoshi selected Riolu's image. He scrolled down until he reached a page called 'Moves'. "Aura Sphere is the signature move of Riolu and Lucario."
"I have other moves too!" Kkwy exclaimed, jumping onto Atem's shoulder. "My move set consists of Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Blaze Kick, and Bullet Punch."
The trainer's eyes widened. "Woah. I knew that Selene was a good breeder, but I didn't think she was that good!" He whistled. "Damn. No wonder why she's the top breeder for the KnS. We need all the Innocents that we can get after the attack we had the other day." Satoshi shivered. "That's the whole reason why I'm heading to Isshu right now. My friend Green says that Pika's been getting antsy."
Yes, my friends… Atem once again turned to the horizon. I wonder how they are all doing. What would they say if they found out what had occurred?
"I'll give you my memories," Yuugi sobbed. "Please, just stay!"
Yami frowned and placed his ghostly hands over his partner's. Although he couldn't touch Yuugi, he could definitely feel the warmth passing between them. He didn't say anything; there was no need to. He could only watch the tears cascading down Yuugi's face and feel his heart clench.
They both knew they would need to go their separate ways someday. But were they ready? Certainly not, judging by the burns on Yuugi's pale face. Yam's frown only grew at seeing the possibly-scarred skin. If only Aibou hadn't tried to solve the Puzzle in that fire… "Aibou, you need to rest."
Yuugi bowed his head. "But—"
"Aibou." The teen flinched at the stern tone. "Your body is still recuperating." It took all of Yami's will to not try and wipe the tears away. "And your heart… Sleep would do your heart well, little one."
The boy sat down on his bed, still clutching the puzzle close. "But what if… what if I sleep and wake up to find you gone? What will I do then?" A new surge of tears slipped down his cheeks.
Yami could only stare. "Aibou…"
Yuugi snapped his head up, staring deep into Yami's eyes. "Stay with me? Until I fall asleep?"
Even though Yuugi was not a child in age, Atem knew he wasn't completely grown. He placed a hand on Yuugi's shoulder and whispered, "Anything for you, Aibou."
"Hey, you okay?" Atem heard. As he blinked, his eyes refocused. He turned to look at Satoshi. "What's up? We still have a while until we reach Isshu."
"I apologize. I'm merely ruminating."
"Ruminating?"
"Thinking over. Reviewing… Remembering."
Satoshi cocked his head to the side. "Remembering what? Like what did you do before you came here?"
Atem took the rest of the trip to tell Satoshi about his adventures with Yuugi, from the moment he was freed to the moment he walked through the apparent doors to the afterlife. After the tale, Satoshi stood silent.
"Do… do you miss your friends?" the boy asked timidly.
Atem's eyes slipped shut. "That I do."
"I have close friends too. But isn't saying goodbye a good way to test how much you've grown up?"
Crimson irises stared at Satoshi in shock. The boy was looking out at the horizon much the same way Atem just did. Wistfulness was obvious in the chocolate-colored eyes. Didn't his mother say he traveled for six years? Surely he was accompanied by some companion other than his Pokémon.
"My friends have their own lives to lead, too. We made memories together, both good and bad," Satoshi continued. "Isshu is like a clean slate for me."
Atem chuckled. "You're quite mature for your age, Satoshi."
"Thanks. You too."
They docked a few hours later in Hiun City, the first place for foreigners to arrive. Unlike Kanto, Isshu flourished. The trees swayed in the summer breeze, and the chatter of Pokémon could be heard. Atem looked around in wonder as Satoshi got them through customs. Apparently the Warriors of Hope were a strong force in the country since they were allowed into Isshu without too many questions.
"This way," Satoshi said, pointing north. "The Commander said she'll be at—look out!"
Atem found himself pinned to the ground as a blast of ice flew over his head. Satoshi groaned, clutching his left leg. "Shit," the teen hissed. "Green's gonna have my head." The limb was frozen solid.
"Kkwy, Blaze Kick!" Atem shouted, releasing his Pokémon. The Riolu burst out of his Pokéball in a flash of red light. With fire burning in the ruby irises, it attacked the snowflake creature which dared to attack Satoshi. It flew backwards into an old man wearing purple robes. Kkwy leapt back to Atem's side, remaining in a fighting position. "We have no qualms with you! Why are you attacking us?" he demanded, glaring at the man.
He chuckled as he got up off of the ground. "Satoshi Akai, code name Red. Major General of the Kibou no Senshi, the Warriors of Hope," the sage began. "You'll merely get in Team Plasma's way."
"Team Plasma?" Atem asked.
"Cryogonal, use another Ice Beam to quiet this boy!" The snowflake creature shook off the tongues of fire from the Riolu's Blaze Kick and began to charge another strike.
The sound of pounding hooves caught their attention then. "Not so fast, Vio! Fire Blast, Helios!" Atem looked up as a milky steed leapt over him. A neigh rang through the area the horse threw its head back and released a five-pointed star blast of fire. The Cryogonal shrieked, falling to the ground unconscious.
A woman with long indigo hair tied back into a ponytail and deep cobalt irises glared at the old man from atop the flaming steed. She wore a samurai's outifit with a navy gi and off-white hakama. A sleek katana sat on her left hip, Pokéballs wrapped about its sheath. "Tell Ghetsis that he will never control Isshu, not while the Warriors of Hope are present. Go." She brandished her blade, causing Vio to flinch. "Or shall I test out how truly sharp this sakabatou is?"
The sage screamed and returned his Pokémon, immediately fleeing. Once he was gone, the woman dismounted her steed. She ran over to the two teenagers, quickly resheathing her sword. Helios followed suit, nudging at Satoshi's leg with his snout. At a nod from the woman, a soft fire was blown onto the ice, melting it.
Satoshi sighed in relief. "Thanks, Commander."
The Commander is a woman? Atem had nothing against her; he was just… surprised.
"We should get this checked. Helios?" Satoshi eeped as he was hauled onto the steed's back. "Go on ahead. Green's waiting for you in the Pokémon Center."
"But—"
"I need to speak to Atem alone," was the curt reply.
The boy frowned. "Yes, ma'am…" Helios trotted away, leaving Atem and the Commander alone.
In a swift movement, she knelt upon one knee in front of him. "My liege," she murmured.
Atem's eyes widened as memories assaulted him.
The sands of Egypt fluttered about as a result of a recent dust storm. Atem barked out orders to his generals as they scrambled about, tending to the injured and the chaos caused by them.
"My pharaoh!" he turned to the left to see Selene. She was dressed in a simple white dress and held a golden staff. "Where do you need me the most?"
"How much heka do you have left?"
The young girl brought her left arm forward, the stone fan opening to reveal a glowing bar. "I have a good half of my heka remaining. I only needed to summon a few times."
Atem frowned. "Selene…"
She waved him off. "Yeah yeah, I was already scolded by Cassius and Heba about it. I'll take it easy from here on in."
Another patter of feet came from his right. A young woman who looked nearly identical to Selene fell to her knees. She was dressed in the same white cloth as Selene, though a crimson sash sat around her waist. Atem knelt and gathered the petite into his arms. "Heba, are you all right?"
A tiny nod. "Yes. Just… tired." Amethyst irises—so familiar—locked with his own crimson ones. "Alexis and Cassius are guarding the palace walls. Seth and the rest of the Priests are dealing with the enemy's Shadow creatures." She leaned her sweaty forehead against his neck. "I'm sorry, my pharaoh. I'm just so tired…"
The screech of a monster caused all of them to look up. A flaming horse flew through the skies, shooting a five-pointed star at a ghoul. Once assured at the foe was incapacitated, it swooped low enough to touch the ground. To Atem's surprise, there was a woman on the Firewing Pegasus' back. She had long brunette hair tied back into a ponytail and wore the pleated iron armor of a foreign country.
"Cassius is worried about all of you." She turned to Selene. "Lumina, he needs your help. A poisoned arrow nicked his side."
Selene gasped. "We have to hurry. Poison is a fight against time." She hopped on behind the warrior, wrapping her arms around the woman's waist. "Let's go, Alexis!"
Atem came back to himself with a groan. Was that… a memory from the time I was king? He placed a hand on his forehead and took a better look at the female samurai. She looks just like the Alexis in my memory. "You…"
The Commander smirked up at him. "I am known as Setsuka in this life, my liege."
He shook his head. "Rise, Setsuka. I'm no longer your king."
"You will always be my king, Atem, no matter what life I am living." She frowned as he stumbled forward. One of her hands went to his back. "What's wrong?"
"My… my head…" The world span as he passed out in Setsuka's arms.