Chapter 10 – Power?

What indeed was power? Was it simply an illusion, or was there something concrete to understand about it? Giovanni had sought power, subverting science and society to accomplish that goal. Was that the only way? No, it couldn't be, otherwise people such as the dragon master at the league or men like Arthur and Red would not exist. But they do not flex that absolute power they hold over others in the same way. So what then was the flaw?

Did it instead come from society? Were there unwritten rules stating that those who held on to power were to use it as they deemed? Was there some human desire to constantly search for that power? What then about it corrupting? Or did those who did obtain power, were they already corrupt and instead it was them that abused it?

These thoughts plagued Zeke as he made his way through the mountains. His Pokemon were beside him travelling in silence. They had grown steadily closer as time progressed with their trainer. They realized what people had originally thought was weak resolve and a lack of confidence, was instead an internal war with only two stories. One from his childhood, the one of the search for the ultimate power and weapon. This was coupled with abuse and abandonment. A desire to prove himself against those who followed the ill-fated crime lord.

The second came in the form of the man who would go on to obtain power unimaginable. Legends had picked Arthur for reasons unknown to Zeke. Or at least, he thought them as unknown. Perhaps he was more aware of why they picked him than anyone else.

The young man crested another rise and looked down into the basin below. A lake was there with a river both feeding into it and exiting as it wound its way back to the ocean. The picturesque scene was invigorating for Zeke for some reason. Perhaps he was finally getting out from his father's shadow. Not that anyone knew of his relation to Giovanni. And perhaps that was for the best. This would allow him to become his own man. Kanto had shown Zeke so many different things, and perhaps now, he could truly understand where Arthur's power came from. It wasn't anything to do with society, parents, and other people. It came from within himself, his ideals about the world, and his faith in his Pokemon. The new champion knew his Pokemon would win out every time. His confidence was absolute. There was no questioning him. Was there a way for Zeke to be the same? Could he bring himself to rely on his Pokemon as much as he did himself?

Rivers stood off to the side while Lawrence watched the quietly pacing Entei. The legend was somewhat restless but was not trying anything unruly. Much like the Articuno in the pen next over.

"Caleb seems shaken" the employer said.

"The young man witnessed something not many are privy too. Battles against legends rarely go smoothly. They are the most powerful beings around."

"Titans in truth. Yet you have now managed to capture three." Lawrence was impressed with the man he had hired. True, others came and sought out legends for themselves, and those who were unable to find them came to Lawrence. Rivers in turn was hired to find what he needed. Now there were two such people contacting Lawrence.

"We will have to be leaving Kanto for a time soon" the businessman said. Rivers nodded. He had read the memo Kimberly had given him.

"Finding these for profit could possibly send the balance into greater disarray."

"I believe it will yes." Lawrence turned to face the old adventurer.

"You are okay with the chaos which will ensue?" the grizzled voice asked.

"In this instance, I believe it will be to our benefit. I cannot be certain of course, but it is my hope that it will be the rude awakening required by society."

"And the potential destruction?"

"Acceptable losses if we are to bring the balance back." Rivers strode over to the railing and stared down at the two legends below. Finally he nodded. The two stared down at the legends for another minute, contemplating what the future would hold.

After a week-long travel by coach, Arthur finally made it back to Cerulean. The city was bustling as usual, gearing up for the busier summer months, where tourists from all over came north to visit the cape and the mountains. Cerulean was a perfect spot for many different adventurers.

For Arthur, he was simply passing through. Mount Moon was his destination. He would hike through the mountain, and come out close to Pewter on the other side. He hoped to make his hike only last a few days, as the path wasn't long as Union cave or Dark cave. His team was up for it, as they had the break during the travel back up north on the coach.

The path up to the mountain took a day and a half. Arthur had stocked up on all the essentials before leaving Cerulean. Thus he was enjoying a hot meal by the fire, surrounded by his team. Tusk was snoring just outside of the fire light, while Spark watched Syrio and Blaze go through some mock battling. The three were not really attacking one another, but they were teaching each other a thing or two still. Finally, Lucky and Delphin were laying by the fire with Arthur.

"So do you think we'll find the guy you're looking for?" Delphin asked.

"I certainly hope so. We could use some more leads on the legends." Arthur replied

"Do we need to search for them do you think?" Lucky inquired. The champion looked thoughtful for a couple moments before responding.

"As to that I'm not certain. But it probably would be a good idea to find a few more of them, especially if they're looking for us."

The next morning the group headed out early. The pre-dawn mists were still floating just off the ground, while the smell of dew permeated the air. It was this crispness and freshness that Arthur loved. It was just him and his Pokemon, and it was this that made him content. He could just disappear into the wilds never to be seen again. As he thought that, his mind sharpened. Red may have thought a similar thing, and followed through on it. It made Arthur wonder where that man had gone to.

Four days later, Arthur and his team were through the mountain. There was a clearing near the entrance with no boulders or anything. The ground was spotless with no one around. No one except a single red haired young man. Gravel crunched underfoot as Arthur made his way closer. Zeke turned at the noise.

"So you came to Kanto too." It wasn't a question but a statement. For once, Arthur didn't note any anger in his rivals tone however.

"I thought it would be a good way to train." Zeke nodded his agreement.

"The trainers here are even stronger than I remembered. Which is good, as its giving my Pokemon good training." Both were silent for a moment regarding one another.

"I still feel like I need to challenge you" Zeke finally said. Arthur nodded once and stepped off to one side, setting his pack down. He was dirty and tired, but the champion could tell that is rival had also spent some time away from civilization. Thus they were on even footing. Both men grabbed their first Pokemon and sent out their partners at the same time. Arthur began with his first Pokemon, while Zeke started with the one he had stolen in Cianwood. The two Pokemon faced one another waiting for word to attack. Arthur waited, as he wanted to see how Zeke would command his Pokemon.

"Faint attack!" Zeke yelled. But there was less harshness with it. Rather, it was more a tactical sound. Arthur began a small smile.

"Absorb the blow, then light him up!" Arthur countered. The small dark type vanished from view, before reappearing behind Blaze and striking. The fire type rolled with the blow, absorbing most of the shock, and negating most of the damage dealt. In return, Blaze ignited his fire and loosed a flamethrower as he turned back to face the ice type. Zeke winced as the flames engulfed his Pokemon, knocking it out in short order.

"Let's see how your weak ass Typhlosion handles Feraligatr!" Zeke launched his next Pokemon into the fray, releasing the blue gator. The two Pokemon stared one another down before throwing themselves forward.

"Why are you still fighting for him?" Blaze asked as he grappled with the reptile.

"You wouldn't understand. Your trainer comes from privilege. Zeke comes from abandonment. The exact same as how we were left at the lab!" Jaws snapped shut just in front of Blaze's face as he kicked himself away from the bulkier opponent.

"We weren't abandoned!" Blaze shouted. "We were picked!"

"Zeke has true strength in his heart. I'll show you!" Feraligatr swung his tail sheathed in water. Blaze avoided the attack, sending another flamethrower out. This time the flames did little.

"Blaze return." The fire type was brought back before anything more could be done, replaced instead by Spark. This change in Pokemon did nothing to deter the gator from pressing the attack.

"This opponent is highly aggressive!" Spark exclaimed as he attempted to avoid attack after attack. He was having a hard time as Zeke was pressing hard. Arthur did not fail to note however, that the pressing of the attack was no longer harsh. True, he was going further than most trainers would, and Arthur guessed that in most instances, this strategy would overwhelm any other opponent.

"Spark you'll have to take him down hard. Use discharge!" The electric type backed away as quick as it could and charged its magnets. Then, as the water type closed the gap once more, Spark unleashed his lightning. Four bolts hit the Feraligatr square in the chest, knocking the Pokemon back and ultimately out. Zeke was frowning still as he sent out his next Pokemon, an Alakazam. Arthur quickly recalled his steel type. The champion knew that there was no way Zeke would not have a strategy to handle Spark. Instead, Arthur sent Syrio into battle. The mantis was a match in speed for the psi Pokemon. Zeke and Arthur traded commands at a lightning pace, attempting to gain the upper hand.

Syrio was darting in and out, but Alakazam was just as fast at putting up barriers, preventing a direct attack, which of course, is exactly what Syrio needed to do. The champion was impressed that his rival, whom he had only ever seen play offense, could also combat effectively on defense. The two Pokemon continued at it, until Syrio did a misstep. The falter opened up an avenue which Zeke and his psychic were quick to exploit. It was too late for them to realize it was a feint. One of the bugs scythes hit, spinning the already tired down psychic and knocking it out before being thrown back by the mental attack. Arthur was truly feeling the rush of battle, something he hadn't felt since facing down Lance.

Zeke was quick to follow up Alakazam with his Golbat, but Arthur could tell that Syrio was exhausted. There was no way he would be able to fight with a type disadvantage. So instead, Spark was sent back in. This battle was much shorter lived, as Spark was ready this time. The cackling electricity shot out in every direction, knocking the bat out of the sky.

"No!" Zeke yelled in frustration. "There is no way you can still be more powerful than me!" He next sent in a Gengar. Arthur was still extremely wary as he sent out Lucky. The ghost was much faster, allowing it to confuse the flying type. What's worse is that Zeke had combined that strike with a shadow ball attack, completely throwing Lucky off. It was close to thirty seconds before the happiness Pokemon finally heard Arthur and attacked back. Gengar's smile was quickly changed to a look of shock as it was pummelled by an extrasensory attack.

Zeke's last Pokemon went up against Blaze. The fire type was still passionate about the battle as he mustered everything he had into his flamethrower, taking out the Magneton in one shot. Arthur audibly sighed as the battle ended. It had been his most intense in months.

"I don't get it. They're getting better with every battle, I can feel it, and yet it is still not enough. Why are they so weak?"

"They aren't weak Zeke. In fact, your Pokemon are some of the strongest I've faced on my journey. You can tell they're getting better however, as your commands are better. They are responding to you in ways that few get to experience." Arthur walked closer to the red haired man, explaining this. Zeke was listening, but he didn't really want to hear what Arthur was saying. Instead he stared at the Pokeball in his hand.

"I need to train more and harder." Arthur stayed silent. Finally Zeke looked up at the champion. "Someday I'll defeat you. I will get stronger than you. Just wait and see." Arthur held out his hand, a gesture that surprised both Zeke and Blaze. Zeke stared at it for a minute, then grasped it.

"I look forward to it" Arthur said.

Arthur's team:
Blaze (Typhlosion) - lv. 56
Lucky (Togetic) - lv. 56
Delphin (Vaporeon) - lv. 55
Syrio (Scyther) - lv. 55
Spark (Magneton) - lv. 56
Tusk (Mamoswine) - lv. 57

A couple of things. Yes I know you cannot access Mt. Moon from Cerulean, but for the sake of the story, I did not want to have a weird route through digletts cave then north then back south.

Second, I know that in this game, Togekiss is a normal/flying type thus shadow ball would not have an effect. This makes more sense if you've read the first novel where Arthur and Lyra talk about the fairy type being discovered. And because ghost type attacks can hit them...

Thank you and please to leave a review to let me know what you thought!