Chapter 11 – Legends Calling
The hike out of Mount Moon lead directly down in to Pewter. The city was constantly bustling thanks to the museum, which held restoration chambers for people who had fossils in good enough condition that the scientists could bring the Pokemon contained within back to life. Due to this, and its proximity to Mt. Moon, the city was world famous for its historical importance. Meteorites could also be found here. All in all the stones in the area were of extreme importance.
Brock was outside the gym, tending to the gardens surrounding the structure. Most of the time, he had help, but today he was looking for a bit more solitude. The city sounds were quieter here, and the gyms elevation above the city helped bounce some of the sound back. In the gym, the trainers were practicing and preparing for whoever next came in. Rock types were his specialty, but Brock also knew much about all the types of Pokemon as he was planning on becoming a breeder someday. But before that could happen, his siblings would have to get older. That or his father would have to take over gym leader duties.
The sun was beating down, and sweat dripped down Brock's neck as he worked. His corded arms and callused hands were surprisingly tender as he pulled weeds and fixed small inconsistencies. He was so engaged that he didn't hear the small crunch of gravel from the footsteps coming up behind him.
"Gardens look impressive" a young man said. Brock pulled one last weed, then stood and turned to face the new arrival.
"Champion!" Brock said with a small laugh. "What brings you to these parts?" The gym leader looked behind the young man to see his strongest Pokemon there, a Typhlosion.
"I've been travelling around Kanto, so Pewter was next on my list" Arthur replied looking down at the city below. The museum could be seen just a little bit north of the gym.
"Words been going around that you've been challenging the gym leaders in the region" Brock stated as he walked around to where a hose was lying. Arthur followed, admiring the gym leader's handiwork.
"I have been yes. Looking for a challenge. Some of you have provided just that."
"And others have been simply steamrolled?" Brock asked with a smile. Arthur just shrugged but his smirk told Brock all he needed to know. "Well not all of us are at the Elite Four level. Even less are able to contest against the Champions. You've come quite some ways since that meeting back in front of Dark cave." Arthur looked at the gym leader as Brock stood having rinsed the dirt off his hands.
"I didn't think you'd remember that" Arthur said.
"I'm not like to forget someone like yourself. You reminded me back then of a few other trainers I've met before." Arthur nodded distractedly. "So tell me, was it just a gym challenge you came here for?"
"You're perhaps a little too aware Brock."
"It's proven useful in battle." Arthur laughed.
"No you're right. I heard that there's a man who lives here whom has an innate knowledge of histories. I'm guessing he works at the museum?" Arthur inquired.
"I know the man you're looking for. And yes, he used to. However, he retired some years ago and now lives alone. I can take you to him if you can wait for a few minutes so that I may shower and change out of these clothes."
"By all means. I could probably do the same." Brock smiled as he beckoned the champion to follow.
Champion and gym leader walked down along the streets. Arthur's back was feeling relieved as he was no longer wearing his pack. It was also a little different to be wearing decent, non-sweaty clothes. Travelling all these weeks, he'd been getting used to not showering every day and wearing similar things all the time. Now however, he was wearing jeans, a blue button down shirt and no hat. A nice change.
Brock led the way up the walkway to the old museum curator's house. It was a modest looking place, just out of the way on the top of a small hill. An elderly man was working in the yard out front as the two trainers walked up.
"Well Brock you do bring interesting people here don't you?" The elder said. His voice was gruff and so similar to sandpaper, it was surprising that he could use it at all.
"I try Mr. Kowalski." The old man stood up and turned to face Arthur. He was a taller man, with a weathered face. His clothes were dirty after a day spent under the sun working in the dirt.
"You remind me of me when I was younger. Where are you from?" Kowalski asked.
"I'm from New Bark town sir. My name is Arthur" the young man said holding out his hand. Kowalski grabbed hold and shook it.
"Walt Kowalski. Well you two might as well come in." The two trainers followed the old man in. The house was small, yet clean. Light gleamed off the white walls which were adorned with pictures of a man in the past. Pokemon, battles, awards. Arthur wandered around looking at all of them.
"I went to Johto when I was younger to train. Interesting region to be sure."
"I could say the same about Kanto" Arthur replied turning around to face Walt and Brock.
"So what brings you here?" the old man asked.
"I was told that you might have some answers to a few questions I have." Brock remained silent as the two men regarded one another.
"You want to know about the legends of old don't you?" Arthur nodded. "I see. I'm not sure what I can help you with. It's been some time since I've travelled."
"I was hoping you might know something about the guardian of the sea." Walt silently stared at Arthur. He seemed to be considering something.
"I've found many relics" he finally said. "Most were interred at the museum. But there were two legends which were special in Johto, and that was of Ho-oh and Lugia. Seeing as you're asking about the sea guardian, I take it you have the answers you need about Ho-oh?" Arthur once more nodded. "Alright, well, story goes that Lugia lives within the Whirl Islands. They are difficult to navigate and have many different undersea chambers. It is from there that the legend protects the waters and holds its ties to the legendary flying trio which calls Kanto home."
"The same thing is said in Cianwood. I was there to challenge Chuck on my journey and heard mutterings about it."
"Yes they would know much and more about it. However, Lugia's legend actually begins in Ecruteak." The old man watched as that information was processed by both trainers. They were frowning.
"The burned tower…" Arthur finally mumbled. Walt nodded as the champion began to figure out more of the legend.
"In response, Ho-oh became the leader above, while Lugia guards that below."
"Neither fighting, not in opposition, but the balance to maintain the order…" Arthur's mind was racing ahead. These two legends were the avatars for that which was uncontrollable. Their words of balance were not in recreating it, but rather allowing the natural systems to control themselves. It was all finally starting to make sense. Chaos and order were not completely in opposition of each other. They were rather, two sides of the same coin. To have one without the other was an anomaly which caused a shift and change. Nature abhors a vacuum and that is what all of one creates. A vacuum of chaos, meaning that the entropy of the universe could be unleashed in devastating ways.
"I have something for you." Arthur looked up at the old man. Both the champion and gym leader watched as the elder left the room for a short time, returning with a small box. Arthur slowly opened the case and peered inside. Nestled within the soft cloth was a pendent, which looked like the soul of Lugia, its song infused within the silver colour. It also seemed to have a hole to hold something small. Also within the box was a feather.
"That there is a silver wing feather" Walt explained.
"A feather from Lugia" Arthur said his hand reaching down to touch it. As his finger brushed the silver object his mind was torn away.
The roar of a crashing waterfall assailed his ears, while a faint illumination caused from some ethereal glow brought the chamber he was standing in to life. It was a scene of beauty and majesty. Something out of a dream. Which Arthur believed this was.
"It is not entirely a dream. Only those worthy are granted a vision of where you may find me."
"Argyra?" A warm smile spread through his mind. More of a feeling than an actual picture.
"You are ready."
"Am I though? I am still constantly assailed by doubt. People are not ready for an unveiling."
"That may be, but they no longer have a decision in the matter. You do. You are ready little one, to see what is coming. You possess foresight few are even aware of. Past mistakes are coming to fruition. The call must be answered."
"That song that I'm just now hearing then… It's yours isn't it?"
"You've heard it many a time before" Argyra noted. Arthur wasn't aware of a time but that wasn't the point.
"So I will find you here?"
"Yes."
"And what if this battle for balance isn't truly about balance?"
"We knew you were the one" Argyra said as her voice faded away. Arthur felt as though he was being pushed back, the wind whipping past his head, screaming in his ears. Yet through all of it, he could hear the lament. The beautiful and haunting melody of the legend of the seas. Yes, he was finally ready to seize his destiny.
"Arthur?" Brock was asking starting at the young man's face. Eye's flitted open and Arthur stared around.
"It took you there didn't it?" Walt asked. Arthur looked up at the aged face and said nothing. Kowalski smiled.
"Keep it lad. You'll need all the help you can get if the legends are calling." And still the song lingered in Arthur's head, adding a weight to those words that Walt would never truly understand.
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
Back again with a shorter chapter. This one is some filler slightly to explain more about Arthur's link to the legends. Prophecies, myths and the like. And Brock makes a reappearance! Was always a fan of him...
Anyways, as always please let me know what you thought. And I'm still waiting to hear about some team suggestions so please let me know who would like to see from Platinum!