Chapter 4 – Past to Present
Trainers were a singularly interesting person. A man or woman pursuing the dream of becoming the strongest, subjected themselves to something just short of insane. Travelling the wilds, they searched for those who would become partners in battle. But to achieve a partnership, a trainer must prove that they are an accomplished strategist and able to capture the various Pokemon of the world.
After capturing a Pokemon, the trainer must then thrust said Pokemon into battle. By commanding such amazing creatures, trainers were able to subdue or pursue whatever goals they sought. They were commanders of private armies, holding to a singular goal and ideal. That of the trainers.
It could be argued then, that trainers are the reason for the state of our world. In their quest for power, they stumble into trappings which destroy most. Those who are not conquered, are instead changed. They become more like instruments of destruction, attempting to find and accumulate as much power as humanly possible. Why then do we allow such people to exist and exercise their might? Are we as a society perhaps to blame instead? We have created a world where…
Lawrence closed the book he was reading. The businessman and collector had come across the writings of Lysandre some time ago, and found them to be both enlightened but also amusing. The man's cynical view of society and human nature certainly had not stopped him from attempting to help the world along with its destructive tendencies.
Lawrence was of a different opinion on how to fix things. The overpopulation of the world was a constantly growing concern. Humans were expanding their own manipulated environments further and further, creating less untamed wilderness for Pokemon to inhabit. If the problem started to become acute, then the business man had no question that the most powerful beings on the planet would come down and deal retribution. Those were the legends that the various regions spoke of. However, by adding these immensely powerful creatures to his collection, he could potentially avoid a catastrophe all together.
"Disturb not the balance of nature. For if you do, the world will turn to its guardians…" Lawrence said mostly to himself. The quote was from part of a prophecy made and passed down through the generations. He believed himself to be one of the guardians that the prose spoke of. As such it was his duty to track down the legends and suspend their destructive capabilities against his race. Even the most powerful trainers, those who were labelled as champions, could not stand against the combined might of the legendary Pokemon.
"Sir?" a quiet voice called out in time with a knock on his door. Lawrence turned his plush leather chair, setting down the paper he was reading.
"Kimberly, come in." The young secretary entered and sat across from her boss. "I hear that you were witness to our faithful trackers exploits in the Seafoam Islands."
"I was only witness to him entering the cavern and his exiting with Articuno caught."
"The battle between the two must have been something to behold I am sure. Yet he told you to stay behind?"
"He did sir" the young woman answered.
"Curious." The man did not elaborate, nor did the young woman press her curiosity at her employers thinking.
"I was wondering sir, why we sent him and Jacob back to Johto. Didn't he say that there was a chance that the other two legendary birds would also still be in Kanto?"
"Indeed that is true. However, I have come across stories of one of the ash-born legends once again roaming the region." Lawrence crossed his fingers and leaned back in his chair and Kimberly frowned.
"But we already knew that. He reported to us the young man who was present to their reawakening in the burned tower."
"Yes my dear he did. But we were unsure as to where they had run off to. Suicune has eluded even the young man who desperately pursues her. And while I would never underestimate our dear associate, in this one instance, someone does indeed know more about a legend than we do. Thus I fail in directing Mr. Rivers towards a target. There has been word about one of the legends possibly still in the Ecruteak area."
"So you've sent him back to see what he can discover."
"Precisely."
The adventurer was walking back through the ancient city. The energies here still made his hairs stand on end. Back when he had been a novice trainer, he had stopped for a time in the city standing still throughout history. He had researched its lore, and plundered what secrets he could. But being able to find legends was not the same as understanding them. He had, for so long never been able to come close to a legendary Pokemon.
That had all changed so long ago. Here in this city. While he was investigating the burned tower for what seemed like the hundredth time, he fell through the floor, much like he had witnessed the young man all those months ago do. To have not hit the rocks at the bottom was a miracle in itself. However, what he found waiting for him was worth all the pain. The three ancient and legendary Pokemon, brought back to life by Ho-oh were motionless just feet away from Rivers.
That experience would stay with him for a long time. His team of Pokemon would change as he grew older, until he had assembled a group which would be able to challenge any legendary Pokemon he came against. And after much searching throughout the various regions, Rivers himself came across another legend, the first one he was able to call his own.
Rivers became an expert tracker. He was paid to show people how to track down rare Pokemon, or was paid instead to track them down and capture them for those who were unable to do so themselves. Rivers hated people like that. They did not deserve the power which they were given. It look him meeting Lawrence however, to realize what he was doing to worsen the world. The businessman had given the old adventurer something new to pursue. A goal worthy to accomplish. And a goal in which Rivers believed in what he was doing. It was the first time in his life he had felt this sense of right.
He wasn't here to contemplate the past though. There was a Pokemon out there which Lawrence believed they needed. And Rivers knew just the people to talk to.
"Why are we back here? I thought we already had all the information we needed" the younger scientist asked from just behind the older adventurer.
"If the ash-born are running wild once more, then they are searching. We know about their creation, and we know about their powers. What few know is that those three Pokemon are in search of the right trainers."
"That's not entirely uncommon if the myths about other Pokemon are to be believed" the young researcher replied.
"Not entirely. But sometimes the right trainers are not the ones who should have such power at their fingertips." The younger man stopped in his tracks, frowning.
"Wait… Are you saying we're trying to prevent the right people from getting power?"
"No, I'm preventing Pokemon across the world from making a mistake none of us are going to be able to recover from."
Misty watched as Arthur entered her gym. The pool was raised a bit in preparation for this battle. This new champion reminded her so much of the young man who came in to her gym all those years ago. The man she had fallen for.
The young girl flowed through the water as if she was surrounded by a bubble of air. Graceful and stunning, her red hair streamed behind her, and would have captivated anyone watching, if there had been anyone to witness it. Alongside her, Misty's Pokemon swam through the crystal water. The two sea stars were circling around their trainer, whose smile never left her face. It was here in this pool that she was most at home. Even her sisters had trouble competing against her grace in the water. And they certainly weren't up to her standard in battle.
As she surfaced, Misty realized that there was someone waiting for her. One of the younger girls who trained here at the gym. Misty was something of an idol for some in Cerulean. She was quickly becoming regarded as one of the best water type trainers in the region.
"Misty, there's a guy here wanting to battle" Diana said. The young girl was red in the cheeks saying this, something that Misty noted.
"Does he look tough?"
"He's super cute!" Misty started laughing.
"Just because he's cute doesn't mean he's strong! I want to battle someone good."
"I think he could put up a fight. He barely said three words to me!" Misty's smile subsided at that. Most men who came her to battle were more interested in her sisters. They talked on and on about battling and meeting the famous girls. But for someone to barely say a word… Well that was noteworthy in Misty's mind. She got out of the pool and began her preparations for a gym battle. Her assistants got the pool ready while Misty retired to a change room to dry off and prep.
Some people had filed in to watch the training that happened here, but more than a few had gathered as word went around that a gym match was about to happen. Misty walked out and saw at the far side of the pool a young man whose gaze was downturned, making the red had he was wearing hide his face. The young man's frame was more on the slight side than bulky. But even from across the pool, Misty could tell he was strong. There was a feeling in the air, something that the red head knew was pertaining to this challenger's personality and aura.
"Do you have a name challenger?" Misty called out. The boy raised his gaze and Misty suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach. Piercing hazel eyes met Misty's, telling her that this was a man who would push her to the extremes.
"My name is unimportant" the young man said quietly. Misty inhaled loudly and frowned slightly. "However, if you must know, call me Red." This name confused the gym leader even more.
"Well Red, if you want to obtain the cascade badge, then you'll have to defeat me!" The challenger nodded. "My policy is an all-out water offensive. Are you ready?" The young man smiled slightly.
Misty started out with her Staryu. The sea star had rarely failed her and now this quiet young challenger would feel what power water types could muster up.
These flashbacks were running through Misty's head as the new champion entered her gym. The confidence, the look. Power seemed to emanate from Arthur as he stepped up to the opposite side of the pool.
"You remind me a bit of Red" Misty said when Arthur met her eyes. Arthur was quiet for a minute.
"That's quite the compliment" the champion replied softly.
"You both share similar qualities. I've tried to emulate some of Red stronger qualities so that I may be deemed worthy for the legendary water types this world possesses."
"Well you've done a good job of that it would appear. So, shall we begin?" Misty smiled. Arthur was finally a challenger where she could let loose. And her all-out water offensive was about to be truly unleadshed.
This chapter is a slight departure from Arthur. I did it though to give some back-story to some of the other characters. As this story continues, I plan to give peoples opinions of Red specifically through flashbacks. I hope you enjoy this style but please let me know what you think.