Hi all, I know i said i would post daily for a few days, but i got lazy. It happens to the best of us.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. This story is written by me with assistance on grammar and the such.
This chap includes two different time skips so if you need any clarification just PM me.
-Tyson
December 17, 2023
Today marks Lan's 12th birthday. It also marks the day that Steven Stone leaves on his trip to search Hoenn for stones similar to those found in Kalos. By noon, the center of Mossdeep City is decorated in colors of bright silver and dark blue. Streamers are hanging from trees and buildings; outlining banners reading "Good Luck Steven!" or "Happy Birthday Lan!" along with balloons of similar color. A grand feast is on display at many tables with all the fixing of a Christmas Dinner. The celebration and send-off begins at 12:14 AM.
Sitting at a table with images of Metagross and Walrein are Lan and Steven. Lan is dressed in a blue and white checkered button-up with khaki shorts and black Both are overcome by the onslaught of "Congratulations, make us proud!" or "Happy birthday! Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime?" A line forms at the front of the table to honor the two. An elder couple reach the table after a few gentlemen and snobby rich kids.
"Happy Birthday Lan! Twelve years old is such a huge accomplishment. Back in my day, "the elderly woman begins, "when we turned ten, we took a boat to Petalburg and walked our way through Oldale Town and then to Littleroot Town to begin our journey. You're twelve already, why are you still here?"
Lan gives a slight bow to the elder couple and says thank you before they can walk away.
Before the city's psychic can walk up to the table, Lan quickly turns to Steven, "they all keep asking me why I'm not an adventure. Even those rich snobs started their journey. Tell me again why I can't go with you on yours," he says in a voice full of irritation.
"You can't come with me because it's too dangerous. I won't be able to protect you the whole time and I promised myself that I wouldn't let you get hurt," Steven says in response to the sudden outbreak.
Lan turns away from him with arms crossed. He hates how an adventure is out of the question even though he is older than the average person starting. Steven chuckles at Lan pouting in his chair and turns his attention back to the line of people. The psychic clad in a flowery dress instead of her usual purple gown finally reaches Lan and places a box with a lock on the table in front of Lan.
"Open this with snow," she says in a motherly fashion.
He accepts the gift and thanks her for coming to the celebration. Lan stands from where he is sitting. He moves his button-up to the side to reveal a single Pokéball on his belt. Carefully, he detaches the ball and taps the center to enlarge it. With a single toss, the Pokéball goes into the air and opens. A beam of light shoots out towards the ground and collects into a round figure. The light fades to reveal Lan's Spheal.
The Pokémon releases a small cry. She tilts back and forward creating momentum before she rolls toward her trainer. Spheal comes to a stop before Lan and uses her Powder Snow. Over the past eight years, Powder Snow has become a gesture of appreciation to Lan so instinctively he spins around. After he feels the small flurry come to a stop, he turns around and sits on the floor. Spheal can now clearly see the chest in Lan's hands. She tilts her body in confusion at the foreign object in her trainer's hands. The lock clinks against the chest from the sudden force.
"C'mon Spheal, stop that. You're gonna ruin my new shoes," he says between fits of laughter. "Let's go to the table with the other gifts."
Lan gets up and moves the chest onto one arm so he could dust himself off. He makes his way to the table where Steven is after he finishes cleaning himself. Spheal follows along in her usual fashion.
Steven quickly places a box in the middle of the pile of gifts for Lan as he notices him making his way down. Steven is dressed in a black coat with purple sleeves and a stripe going across his stomach. He is also wearing black fitted slacks with purple dress shoes.
"Lan, what a pleasant surprise seeing you here." He says in hopes of not being caught.
"Hold on Pops," Lan starts as he places the chest on the table, "what are you hiding?
"It's nothing. I have a gift for you, but you won't be getting it until you start your journey when you're older" Steven responds as he grabs a chair to sit on. "Sit down, I have something else to tell you."
Lan nods, but he is a little angry that Steven unintentionally just said that he still has to wait until he gets to leave Mossdeep. Lan finds an empty chair at the table with Farmers. He politely asks if he could take the chair before grabbing and placing it to the left of Steven. Lan plops down onto the chair, mentally preparing himself for what's to come.
"Your parents," Steven says rather solemnly, "they left something at the door before you woke up today and I. . ." His voice dies out trying to think of how to properly phrase the next part when Lan gets up and quickly runs off in the direction of the Space Center.
Oddly, Steven is feeling a sense of déjà vu as he runs along the same path he did eight years ago when he first found Lan. Steven sees Lan at the edge of the same cliff his parents slid down to escape the island. He quietly sends out a Skarmory into the sky.
"Skarmory," Steven whispers, "circle around and if you see him getting ready to jump, swoop down."
The steel bird flew into the sky. Steven begins walking towards Lan when he sees that Skarmory is perched on the edge of the Space Center. Lan still hasn't noticed Steven getting closer. Where is Spheal when you need her? She can always solve any of Lan's problems. Steven's foot cracks a twig on the floor from one of the bare trees. He freezes in place hoping the sound isn't loud enough to catch Lan's attention. The tree from which the twig fell from is close enough for him to hide behind, but it is too late. Lan sees Steven frozen in place.
Lan's face is flush from recently crying. He wipes away his tears with the sleeve of his top and looks up to make eye contact with Steven.
"Why Steven," he asks between sobs, "I could've gone on with just you as my parent."
Steven's face falls. There is only guilt in his stone blue eyes as he sees Lan drop to the ground. Steven walks up to Lan. He slowly drops down to a squat behind Lan and starts rubbing circles on his back. In just a matter of seconds, he let Lan get hurt. A promise broken.
"Sorry Lan. Just think, in four years I'll be taking you to Littleroot Town to register your own Pokédex so you can start your journey," he says praying that it calms him down. "You'll get to be on your own and start an adventure. Of course you'll be able to reach me on your PokéNav if you need help, but still, you'll be on your own."
Lan stops crying. His face lights up at the thought of going on an adventure. Maybe this is the answer to finally forgetting the parents he never had. Steven stands up, leaving Lan on the ground, and goes to the Space Center to return Skarmory back to his Pokéball. He helps Lan get back on his feet. With a hand on Lan's shoulder, he guides them back to the party.
April 28, 2027
Lan hears a knock at the door. For the past four years, Lan has been in the care of Tate and Liza, the leaders of the city's Gym, and is under their wing at the Gym's training facility.
Slowly, he maneuvers his way off the couch decked out in a dark gray shirt with an unbuttoned sapphire blue top and his favorite pair of khaki shorts. His black sneakers are by the door. Now at the age of sixteen, Lan is about 5'7 with light colored skin and copper brown eyes. He has short black hair with a blonde streak that is off center which used to be the blonde patch on the crown of his head.
He finally reaches the door after tying his shoes on and looks through the door's peephole. Lan sees silver hair. His eyes widen in shock. Lan reaches for the doorknob and throws it open.
"How's it going Lan?"
Reminders: Locked Chest. Parent's Gift. Return of the Man of Steel.
