Sup guys! Advanced Faith here to bring you Chapter 2 of "Crawling." Hope you all enjoy!
Norman could not stop thinking about it.
That conversation… he was almost certain he'd heard of a myth surrounding this "Shadow."
He just couldn't shrug it off, and re-entered the Castle in, arguably, a worse frame of mind than when he left it.
"Warrior… Guardian… Shadow…" Norman muttered, recalling the words that he had picked out of the conversation, as well as the power "Shadow" seemed to possess, according to the two men who were discussing "it."
Norman knew someone who lived in the Castle who would know about Guardians, as he had originated from Kanto, where most of the Guardians had been living, until the King, who feared an uprising, had wiped them out.
The same King that was tormenting Norman with the prospect of war.
Norman had to make an assumption about what the men meant by "Guardian," as there were multiple meanings to the word, but a "Guardian" with the ability to fight like that, and with the word being used in the context the two men had used it in? There was only one variety of "Guardian" like that, that Norman was aware of.
Aura Guardians.
Norman headed straight to the Castle's kitchen, he had to meet with their head chef, feeling that, if this Guardian truly existed, this was the one person who would give him and honest, and decisive answer.
Norman entered the kitchen, and received the standard reception; everyone bowed to him and called out "greetings, your majesty!"
The King smiled briefly, before he sought out the head chef, which wasn't easy. The kitchen was enormous, and lined with counters and cupboards, cooling systems and stoves, cooking utensils hung above the counters, all along the walls, but were there weren't counters, there were people. The Castle employed hundreds of cooking staff, to ensure that everyone was kept satisfied by the meals they ate, as one the more powerful regions, Hoenn often held banquets and meetings with highly important people, so the variety of expertise in the kitchen was essential.
"Brock, I require your assistance, if you please?" Norman shouted out, hoping that the head chef would find his way to the King. He didn't have to wait long, shortly after he called out, a tall, thin man made his way through the crowd, he had dark brown spiky hair, and was currently in his white chefs uniform, with a red and white checkered pattern on his apron, his eyes… well, no one could tell what color his eyes were, he never seemed to have them open.
Brock bowed as he approached Norman, speaking as he did so.
"You have summoned me, sir?"
Norman smiled.
"There is no need for such formality, Brock, you are a trusted member of staff, and essentially part of the family," Norman said, shaking his head and grinning at Brock's formality. Norman did speak the truth, although Norman wouldn't be aware of it or acknowledge the fact, but Brock was almost a stand in father to May and Max, seeing as he didn't have much to do during the day, other than breakfast, lunch and dinner, he would spend a lot of time with the Maple children.
"As you wish, sir," Brock said, standing upright, a big smirk on his face; Norman enjoyed the humorous back and forth, but he swiftly remembered the pretense he had entered the kitchen on, and his face turned serious.
"May I have a word with you in some privacy?" Norman requested, gesticulating towards the door, hinting that the kitchen was not the place to have this discussion. Brock noticed the King's serious expression, and nodded, prompting Norman to turn around, and leave the kitchen, Brock in tow.
The two swiftly walked through the Castle corridors, towards the room where Norman held most of his meetings, whether they be about the financial well-being of the Region, war meetings, or just staff requests, all private business took place in this room, formal or in-formal.
The two entered the room, which was very large, not as large as the kitchen, but it had a ominous feeling to it, with a large rectangle table in the middle, which could seat up to fifty people at a time, the walls and floor were made of a grey flint material, which gave the room a cold chill; two statues of armor were at the head of the room, stood in front of a huge glass mosaic, which let most of the light into the room. At the head of the table was a large chair, where Norman took his place, indicating for Brock to do the same; in the chair right next to Norman.
Once the duo were settled, Norman let out a big, frustrated sigh.
"Brock, you are from Kanto, correct?" Norman asked, rubbing his forehead, before bring his hand down his face, and looking at Brock with desperate eyes.
"That is correct, born in Pewter City, but grew up in Pallet Town," Brock answered, confused by the Kings behavior, but being polite enough not to question it.
"Do you have any knowledge of the Guardians that originated from Kanto?" Norman asked, searching Brock's face for any hint that he may be concealing information.
"I have some knowledge of them, yes, but I have more knowledge on some varieties than others," Brock replied, Norman's spirits were lifted slightly, if Brock had a knowledge of Aura Guardians then this "Shadow" person might just be Norman's, and Hoenn's salvation.
"Am I correct in assuming that Aura Guardians, both originated in Kanto, and are the most effective battlers of all the Guardians?" Norman asked, leaning forward in his seat in anticipation.
Brock was exceedingly confused as to why Norman had spontaneously brought up the subject of Aura Guardians, especially since they had all been wiped out.
"Well, all but one," Brock thought, reminiscing about his tainted time growing up in Pallet Town.
"That is correct, Norman, Aura Guardians had an exceptional battle style, both powerful and beautiful at the same time, but I have to admit, I am confused as to why you are asking me these questions, if you don't mind me saying," Brock admitted, he had laid the bait, he wanted an admission from Norman, but Brock knew that subtlety was the best way to get answers from the King.
"Well, I was out for a walk, to clear my head, and I overhead two men talking about a warrior, they called him a Guardian, and it brought back a rumor I had heard, and also the knowledge that Guardians originated from Kanto, and that the best fighters were Aura Guardians, and since you also originated from Kanto, I thought that if anyone would have the knowledge, and the honesty, it would be you," Norman revealed, leaning back in his large chair, looking up at the grey roof.
Brock was surprised, but had a small smile on his face, almost a look of pride, but he waited for the answer to his next question.
"What was this rumor, Norman?" Norman looked back over to Brock, who had swiftly hidden the smile, trying not to give away any of his Kanto past.
"A rumor about an Aura Guardian who was so powerful, deadly and dangerous, that he is the most feared being in all of Kanto's and Johto's seedy underbelly, and has identical aura to the great Sir Aaron… but is even more powerful… but it can't be about him, he must've been wiped out in the great Aura War… all the adult Guardians were sent to arms, and never came back," Norman summarized, looking back up to the roof as he spoke, which made him miss another smile creep onto Brock's face.
"Well, you are right in the power aspect, but the age you are very wrong," Brock thought. He would've revealed his knowledge to Norman, but he was certain that it would come back to bite him if he did.
Brock did have one more question though.
"Did you catch the name of the rumored Guardian?"
Norman looked back at Brock and answered with one word.
"Shadow."
She had heard the entire conversation.
The bluenette had been trying to find something that the Princess had left behind when the two had been mucking about in the meeting room.
When she heard the door open, she scurried behind one of the many pillars that supported the room.
The conversation confused her, why was the King suddenly interested in Aura Guardians and this Shadow guy?
Dawn was incredibly confused, as she ensured that Norman and Brock weren't aware of her presence.
The bluenette was the Princess' best friend, they had grown up together, what with Dawn's mother being a financial advisor to the King, Dawn and May had spent a lot of time together, and naturally, became excellent friends.
Dawn glanced down at the item in her hands and a look of shock shot across her face. It was a book. Not just any book. It was a book about Aura Guardians.
Dawn couldn't believe the coincidence. She had to blink several times, just to ensure she wasn't imagining things.
She had no idea that May had an interest in Aura Guardians, and now suddenly, so did the King? It was safe to say that Dawn was feeling rather confused.
As quietly as she could, Dawn gently turned the pages to the contents, making sure that Norman and Brock couldn't hear that she was there, and scanned down the different chapters within the book. There were chapters about the origins of Aura, the varieties of Aura and so on.
One chapter stood out to Dawn, it was labelled "Legends of Aura," considering the conversation she had just heard, she felt drawn to that chapter, swiftly, but quietly, turning the pages until she reached the desired page.
"Shadow… Shadow… Shadow…" Dawn whispered quietly, scanning through the pages, looking for anything about this mysterious man.
Nothing.
Dawn then remembered that they had spoken about a Sir Aaron, so she rescanned the pages, looking for anything written about Sir Aaron.
"There's got to be something here," Dawn thought, as she reached the last page of the chapter, and finally, the last paragraph, all about Sir Aaron.
Now, was there anything that could link Sir Aaron to this "Shadow"?
Dawn read through the paragraph thoroughly, which spoke all about Sir Aaron's involvement with the Great Aura War and his powerful Lucario, nothing about Shadow.
That was, until the final line.
"Sir Aaron was one of the final Guardians killed in the Aura War, believed to have stood firm guarding Pallet Town, where it is believed that his wife and son had lived."
Dawn's jaw dropped, they were talking about Sir Aaron's son, surely? If he had identical aura, then surely he was a direct descendent?
Dawn's brain was working overtime, if Sir Aaron had a son, then wouldn't the son have been sent to war too?
"Unless… the son was too young!" Dawn thought, her eyes wide in shock at what she might have discovered.
Closing the book, and glancing around the pillar she had been hiding behind, Dawn noticed that Norman and Brock had left the room, and she hastily did the same, nervously peeking around the door as she did, desperate not to be caught.
The coast was clear, and Dawn made her way straight to the Princess's quarters, desperate to reveal to May what she had heard, and what she might have possibly figured out about this "Shadow."
Dawn didn't even knock; she just opened the doors and walked straight into the Princess's bedroom, unaware that the Princess was having her usual afternoon nap.
Dawn faltered, staring at the beautiful, sleeping Princess, her brunette hair cascading down her face and onto her pillow, her sparkling sapphire eyes concealed. A beam of light seemed to shine through the curtains and fall directly onto her face, giving her an almost angelic glow.
Dawn would have left, but the Princess seemed to squeak in her sleep, and a troubled expression formed on her face. Dawn frowned.
"Another nightmare…" Dawn thought sadly, watching the Princess toss and turn, it came on so quickly, one minute she was sleeping soundly, then all of a sudden her dreams became disturbed, and she'd fidget around the bed, unable to control her movements.
"May…" Dawn whispered, walking over to the Princess and lightly shaking her, trying to wake her up as gently as possible.
"May!" Dawn said a little louder, shaking her a bit more frantically.
May's eyes slowly crept open, and her eyes met with Dawn's, and the former shot upright in her bed.
"It happened again…" May mumbled, physically shaking as she sat in her bed, Dawn looked sadly towards her childhood friend.
"Was it the attack again?" Dawn asked, and May nodded slowly, the horrific images flying through her mind.
The soldiers, mercilessly killing anyone who stood in their way, adults and children alike, burning buildings as they went, blue spheres flying through the air.
So many bodies, piled up in the street, soldiers and civilians alike.
The dream always ended the same, a lone man stood atop a hill, blue tunic, grey trousers, blue boots, and a dark blue hat, raven hair sticking out at all angles underneath, the sun seeming to shine behind him on purpose, signifying his importance.
May had been investigating this reoccurring dream for months, trying to figure out who the man was, and why there was such a fight going on.
"May, since when have you been interested in Aura Guardians?" Dawn's question snapped May out of her trance, and the Princess turned to look at Dawn.
"I don't know… I just heard about them in one of my history tutorage sessions, and got more and more interested, I suppose," May answered, before frowning slightly, "Why do you ask, Dawn?"
"Well, your father seems to have taken an unexpected interest in them as well," Dawn replied, smirking slightly at the look of surprise on May's face.
"Why has my dad taken an interest in Aura Guardians? And how did you find out?" May asked, eyes open wide in surprise, inching closer to Dawn, wanting more information.
"I was in the meeting room, looking for this," Dawn held up May's book, "And I overheard him and Brock talking about them, and specifically, Sir Aaron and someone called Shadow."
May's look of confusion remained locked on her face.
"I've heard of Sir Aaron, but not Shadow… Who's he?" May asked, thoroughly intrigued by this new Guardian; Dawn's smug look only grew.
"Well, I'm almost certain that it's Sir Aaron's son!" Dawn exclaimed, enjoying watching May's jaw hit the floor.
"How do you know that?" May questioned, eyes open wide in surprise once again.
"Well, it says in here that Sir Aaron was the last of the Aura Guardians, and he gave his life to protect his town, Pallet, and his wife and son, at the end of the Aura War!" Dawn exclaimed, finding the page in May's book and holding up the paragraph as evidence; May quickly scanned the paragraph and then gestured for Dawn to carry on.
"Brock and your dad were also talking about an extremely powerful Aura Guardian, a myth apparently, who has identical Aura to Sir Aaron… who else would have identical Aura, other than his son?" Dawn asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
May looked skeptical.
"If he was such a powerful Guardian, why wouldn't he be out there fighting in the Aura War? I thought all male Aura Guardians aged eighteen or above were made to fight in the war to offer the best protection to the Guardians and their legacy?" May questioned, believing she had found a flaw in Dawn's logic.
Dawn's smirk grew even bigger.
"What if he was too young?" May's jaw dropped again, "And… how old would he be now, if he was only a child back then?" Dawn questioned, her excitement clearly evident in her facial expression and tone of voice.
"The Aura War end about Seventeen years ago, didn't it?" Dawn nodded, "Well then he'd be around… Eighteen?" May's eyes shot open, "Sir Aaron's son… The Last of the Aura Guardians! A mere baby when the War was occurring, protected by his fathers sacrifice… What in the name of Arceus could someone that powerful be doing wondering the, well, potentially, World unnoticed?!" May exclaimed, Dawn's discovery finally hitting home.
"That's the thing… he's not," Dawn said, getting another confused look from May, "He's getting himself a reputation… apparently, and this is only what I picked up from your father's conversation with Brock, he's the most feared person in, what your dad called, the Kanto and Johto 'seedy underbelly,'" Dawn explained, once again enjoying the look of surprise on May's face.
"Dawn… you do realize that we have to tell my dad about this?" May queried, her surprised eyes looking straight at Dawn, and it was the latter's turn to be confused.
"Why would we do that?" Dawn asked, "He'd know that I was eavesdropping," Dawn added a guilty look creeping onto her face.
"Think about it, there's been threats from the King of Kanto and Johto that there will be war between our two Kingdoms, the same King that wiped out the Aura Guardians…" At this point Dawn caught onto what May was hinting at.
"And you think that your dad may be able to convince this Shadow guy to join forces with us to take revenge on the man and Kingdom that killed his people?" Dawn summarized, searching May for an indication that she had come to the right conclusion.
May nodded.
No other words were spoken, the duo quickly rushed off in an attempt to find the King, a small smile on May's face.
"Shadow… the son of Sir Aaron… the Last of the Aura Guardians… the protector of Hoenn?" May thought, a determined look crossing onto her face.
"We can only hope."
EOC
Well, May and Dawn have found out a lot about Shadow, probably a lot more than he'd want anyone to know!
What do you guys think of this Chapter and the story so far? I know I'm having a blast writing this with Ashura!
On a side note, I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Best Wishes (see what I did there?!)
Advanced Faith.