Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
Gah, gotta get a move on... writing online is hard to do when you're a senior in a Korean high school (yeah, I'm a high-schooler and here I am writing this kind of stuff... OTL). Ah well, I'll manage... somehow. Well, I'm not here to fret, I'm here to write. So let's write.
Began writing April 12th, 2011. Yep, right after finishing the first chapter. I've got about up to chapter 16 drafted.
Chapter 2. Vs. Uxie: First Cross - Second to Fourth
Some people might raise their eyebrows if they're told that a certain fourteen-yeared girl is scared of the dark, but they wouldn't really consider it an oddity. If, however, someone told them that the same girl has been haunted by ghosts almost daily in her dreams ever since birth... well, how would they react?
She wasn't ready to find out, so she kept both a secret that she'll carry to the grave.
But right now, with no one to watch as she wandered alone in utter darkness, aware that a ghost's hand would leap out any moment and seize her, she couldn't help but tremble and whimper. She was glad that her friends weren't around to see her like this, but if they were here, even in this utter blackness, she wouldn't have been so afraid in the first place.
Suddenly, a faint glow wat ahead of her caught her attention. This had almost never happened before. By instinct she immediately raced toward the light - anything to get away from the awful dark! - and kept running for about fifteen seconds until the race abruptly ended with her tripping over something and coming down flat on her face.
"Ouch..." she muttered as she got to her feet, only to discover that the darkness was completely gone, as if it had never existed. Instead she found herself sitting on a large, grassy cliffside, the sky blue above her and the wind blowing pleasantly. Looking below, the girl gasped as she saw a chain of great cities, linked by a single, looping road in a way that the entire region appeared like a giant ring - or rather, as she examined a long tail leading out of the southern part of the ring, a colossal Arbok.
"Where am I?" She wondered aloud. This certainly wasn't like any region she had ever heard about: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn...
"A land that is far distant from yours," spoke a clear, female voice full of wisdom and mystery, echoing not inside her ear but within her mind. Whirling around in shock, the girl saw a very familiar blue shape floating in front of her, its identity way too discernible from its yellow turban and closed eyes.
"Uxie!" The girl exclaimed, a small part of her mind recognizing that the Knowledge Pokemon was a female after all. "What are you doing here? And - and, er, forgive me. I wasn't aware that you were capable of speaking human."
"It would be most shameful is the being who presides over all knowledge doesn't know how to communicate with an entire race," Uxie replied in an amused tone, flying over the girl's head to the edge of the cliff, with the beautiful ring-shaped region still visible below. "You see below this cliff the distant region of Unova, a place where the energy of the universe flows strong... which may soon lead to its demise."
"Demise?" The girl gasped in horror. "What do you mean? Please explain."
"A great power born with the universe will soon make itself known in this region," said Uxie grimly. "A great storm will break out, comsuming not only this land but over the vast seas and the entire world as well... unless a wise and brave individual rises to stop it."
Deep silence.
"...Me?" The girl asked incredulously. "But... you can't be serious!"
"It appears that you harshly underestimate yourself, both as a person and a Trainer." The Knowledge Pokemon replied, her tone perfectly serious.
"But what am I supposed to do?" The girl inquired desolately, feeling as if an enormous mountain had just risen in front of her. Was she telling her she was supposed to scale it?
"There is no need to fear, wielder of the Highest Power, for you shall not be alone in this plight," said Uxie quietly. "Others shall join you on this quest, sixteen prople who have been chosen by destiny to protect this universe from untimely destruction."
"Please hurry, time is short..." as she said this, to the girl's horror the Knowledge Pokemon began to float away from her, slowly fading aginst the suddenly-darkening sky.
"No, wait!" She cried out, only to have her voice drowned out by an enormous thunder that split the sky. Instictively looking down, the girl could only stand and watch in utmost shock as the cities below her were quckly comsumed by fire and lightning, ice creeping over its edges and an unending shadow slipping across the land...(#1)
- Berlitz Mansion, Sinnoh -
"Ah, no!"
Platina Berlitz cried as her eyes snapped open, only to half-shut them again as bright sunlight ruthlessly invaded them. Sitting up in her luxurious bed and shaking her head groggily, she stared blankly out at the window for awhile, playing the dream over and over in her head. All she could understand was that after her usual dream of darkness and ghosts, Uxie had come to her and pleaded to save a region called Unova before it became a center of apocalypse.
If you could call that understanding.
At this point most people would have shaken it off as a bad mightmare, but Platina had learned from her past journeys that not even dreams could be overlooked so easily. And there was something, just something about the whole thing that told her that this wasn't just a dream.
Checking the clock to find that it was already over 10:30 AM - talk about oversleeping, she thought wryly -, Platina quickly got out of bed to dress, thanking heaven that the best place to find information from other regions was right next door.
- Sandgem Town, Prof. Rowan's Lab -
Although the Berlitz mansion was rather secluded from the rest of the small town, it was close enough that Platina was able to reach the lab within ten minutes on her bike (how glad she was that she took the trouble to learn how to ride during her last adventure!). The assistants at the door quickly recognized her, and Platina hurriedly rushed inside before halting in front of a curious sight.
Professor Rowan and her father was sitting at the end of a large table, listening intently to an extremely confused and upset-looking woman - with a jolt Platina recognized Johanna, Diamond's mother. Between the three people sat a post-middle-aged man with short white hair wearing a lab coat (funny, Platina didn't remember seeing him in the lab before), and a young woman with dark brown hair and clear blue eyes, also in a lab coat.
"Ah, Platina," said Sir Berlitz as he noticed his daughter approaching. "Overslept, have you?"
"Good morning, father, Professor Rowan," said Platina with a courteous dip of her head. "Am I interrupting you?"
"Not at all, not at all," said the Professor as he waved her closer. "In fact, you might want to join us. This may concern you as well."
"What do you mean, Professor?" Platina asked puzzled.
"Johanna here came along about an hour ago," began Professor Rowan, flashing an apologetic look at the upset woman. "She told us that your two young friends have just left for Canalave as quickly as their bikes could carry them, to catch a ship that leaves for a faraway region called Unova."
Platina stiffened, feeling her heart skip a beat before dropping down to her toes in shock.
"Diamond and Pearl?" She gasped. "In Unova?"
"Yes," answered Johanna frettingly. "Both of them were rambling about a dream they both had and insisted that they must go there - wherever it may be - and chocked the Internet for ferry schedules before rushing away. I've never seen Diamond in such a hurry, almost as much as Pearl..."
Platina couldn't breathe. It felt as if her lungs were constricting itself, and she could almost feel invisible claws tearing at her heart from the inside. Diamond and Pearl, in Unova. They've had the dream too! Now she was absolutely certain that it wasn't just a passing dream that had come to her.
What a wonder, she thought to herself. How much I owe them even when they're not here.
"Platina?" sir Berlitz asked concernedly. "Is something the matter? You look rather pale."
"...I'm fine, father," Platina replied as calmly as she could. "...thank you. I know what I must do now."
"... Am I right in assuming," said Professor Rowan, his eyes narrowing in anticipation. "That you plan on following those two all the way to Unova?"
"I've been planning to leave as soon as I woke up today, Professor." Platina confessed.
"What!" Sir Berlitz exclaimed as he leaped to his feet, his face flushing in shock and hurt. "But... why?"
"We had a dream," Platina explained, despite the guilt pricking her heart with her father's obvious pain; he didn't deserve any of this. "The same one, I'm sure. Diamond and Pearl must have realized their meaning as well. It was a sign, father. I must go to Unova..."
Trying to avoid her father's torn expression as she trailed off lamely, she desperately cast her eyes upon anything else: Johanna's uncertain face; the assistant Roseanne, who was blinking in amazement; Professor Rowan, apparantly in deep thought; the other old man, studying her own face with an intense expression; the young woman beside him looking shocked, as if something that she had said had reminded her of something important.
"Platina - " Sir Berlitz spoke up as he began to take a step forward, but Professor Rowan abruptly put his hand on his shoulder, stopping his assistant in his tracks.
"Berlitz," he said quietly. "Her mind is set."
"You would let her go?" Sir Berlitz asked as he turned to the Professor with an incredulous expression.
"She's an exceptionally skilled Trainer at the age of fourteen," replied Rowan. "Who are we to stop her from stepping out into a larger world? She's not a child anymore, Berlitz."
Sir Berlitz looked away, obviously unhappy but unable to argue with that.
"But let me warn you this, Platina," said the Professor as he turned back to Platina. "While you have every right to go, this is not a good time for travelling. As you'd already know, the occurences of natural disasters have steadily become more frequent lately, and a lot of criminal activities have been reported here and there; there are even rumors that Team Galactic has resurfaced as well."
That got her worried. Diamond and Pearl would have reached Canalave by now. What if something happened to them on their way to Unova? How could she live without them?
"I say, Platina, is it?" Blinking at the unfamiliar voice, Platina looked up to see the old man beside Professor Rowan looking at her with a kind smile. "If I may be so rude to ask, could that be a PokeDex you're fiddling with inside your bag?"
Looking down at her right hand in surprise, Platina indeed saw that during her worry it had absentmindedly slipped under her bag and was fingering her new PokeDex, her symbol of friendship with Diamond and Pearl.
"Very civil of you, Samuel," said Professor Rowan as he walked over to the man, rolling his eyes. "Platina, this funky old fellow here is my colleague, Samuel Oak, Pokemon Professor of the Kanto region and the inventor of the PokeDex."
Platina's eyes grew round. The Professor Oak was nothing short of a celebrity even outside of his own region, and she had read his writings enough to know how knowledgible he was.
"I-I'm honored," she stammered, hurriedly curtesizing before taking out her PokeDex and handing it over to the pleasant Professor. "Platina Berlitz, Dex Holder of the Sinnoh region. It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Oak."
"The pleasure is mine, Platina," chuckled the Professor heartingly, opening up her PokeDex with a pleased look. "My, you've been working on it. And you first set out on your journey only two years ago. How splendid!"
"I couldn't have done half of it without my friends," replied Platina modestly, slightly flattered.
"Ah, the two that left for Unova, yes?" Asked Professor Oak, obviously delighted. "This is a happy new indeed. Three Dex Holders in Sinnoh! That brings the number I know up to thirteen."
Platina blinked, incomprehending. However, she did notice that the young woman beside the Professor (his assistant, it seemed now) was now looking at her with a sudden soft expression, as if she was looking at her long-lost sister.
"Oh yes, I've been forgetting about you," muttered Oak as he glanced at her. Turning back to the others he spoke out: "Professor Rowan, Platina, I'd like you to meet my assistant, Crystal. Thanks to her I have gathered nearly all the data of the Pokemon in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. She specializes in Pokemon capture, you see."
Platina almost gasped in shock. Crystal didn't look much older than her, yet she had completed the PokeDex over FOUR regions?
"Hm!" Exclaimed Rowan, also looking impressed. "That is an astounding progress for someone her age, I'll have that said. How old are you?" He asked Crystal.
"Seventeen, Professor." She replied politely. "It's an honor to meet you - oh, and of course you as well, Platina." She added quickly as she turned to Platina with that older-sister smile again. Platina dipped her head shyly; there was something in Crystal that she instantly found likable.
Turning to Professor Oak the older girl spoke: "Professor, none of us know anything about the Pokemon in Unova. Since it looks as if Platina wants to go, may I accompany her and work on the PokeDex there?"
"That's a great idea, my dear!" Professor Oak exclaimed, snapping his fingers in enlightenment. "What do you say, Platina?"
"I - I'm honored, thank you," Platina stuttered again. Inside, she couldn't believe her luck; five minutes ago it looked as if her quest would fail before it began, and now she was about to gain a trustworthy travelling companion. Although they've only shared a couple of words with each other, she was already beginning to feel as if Crystal really was her older sister.
"Then that's settled," said Professor Rowan, looking pleased as well. Turning to Sir Berlitz he added: "Well, Berlitz? Now she has another very able person for company. Still concerned?"
"...Less, Professor." Platina was glad to hear her father's tone soften. "Safe journey then, Platina."
"I'll go and change, Professor." Crystal spoke quickly, bowing again politely before hurrying away. After watching her vanish into another room Professor Rowan told his colleague: "I'll give you this, Oak. You have a talent for recognizing gifted people."
"I give the credit to good luck," Professor Oak chuckled good-naturedly. "It's good enough, now that I'm old as I am, to watch them grow to be strong and wise Trainers. Couldn't ask for more, if I do say so myself."
Nodding in agreement, Professor Rowan turned back to Platina and said: "Now that you should be on your way now, my advice would be to go to Jubilife and catch a plane there; there is an airport in Mistralton City of Unova that sends aerial shippings to Kanto and Sinnoh."
"But I thought those planes weren't meant for people?" Platina inquired. "And why not take a ship from Canalave, like Diamond and Pearl did?"
"Bad rumors, dear," Sir Berlitz replied this time. "The climate these days are foul enough, but overseas it's much worse. Ships are sinking almost daily, and there are rumors of piracy here and there."
"I see," said Platina, trying to sound calm despite the cold fear that ambushed her from those words. Diamond and Pearl.
"Ah, Crys, there you are!" Professor Oak's exclamation made her look up to see Crystal approaching them. Now she was wearing jeans with suspenders over a bright red shirt, with long white socks and a round white hat which matched her dark brown hair well. The image was an odd contrast to her appearance in a lab coat, making her look... younger, livelier.
"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own, Professor?" Crystal asked Professor Oak half-teasingly half-concernedly as they all made their way out of the door. "I left Chumee behind in the lab just in case, but - "
"Quite well, quite well! No need to worry," chuckled the Professor, stopping in front of the lab door with Professor Rowan, Sir Berlitz and Johanna. "I'm not THAT old, whatever you might believe, and I was planning to stay here for a few more days anyway. Don't worry about me and enjoy your trip!"
"Good luck, the two of you!" Professor Rowan and Roseanne called after the two girls as they walked on.
"Travel safely, Platina!" Sir Berlitz cried again.
"If you meet Diamond on the way, please call me!" That was Johanna, of course.
After waving all of them goodbye for a good while until they were out of sight, Crystal turned to Platina and asked: "Well, Platina, where to now?"
"We need to catch a plane at Jubilife, er... Miss Crystal?"
Crystal giggled lightly at the awkward title, and said as she looked at the younger Dex Holder with a soft smile: "Crys will do."
"Thank you... Crys," answered Platina, abashed.
"Well, Jubilife is close enough to run, right?" Asked Crys as she took out a Poke Ball from her bag. "Go, Archy!"
The Poke Ball opened with a flash as a magnificent Arcanine leaped out of it, yipping gleefully as it basked under the now-less-common sunshine before licking his Tranier's face.
"It's beautiful," Platina complimented the Legendary Pokemon as she fished out her own Poke Ball and flung it in the air. "Come out, Rapidash."
Another flash revealed the Flame Pokemon, who whinnied gracefully as Platina stroked his back.
"My, he's well-raised," admired Crystal as she hopped onto Archy's back. "I guess you're anxious to meet your friends, right?"
"Yes," Platina admitted as she climbed onto Rapidash with expertise. "I would like nothing more than to share another adventure with them... They mean much to me."
"And you're worried for them," added Crys. "I know that feeling."
Platina looked at the older girl's faraway look curiously. "Crys, can you tell me about your friends? Professor Oak said that there are many Dex Holders in other regions."
"Well, there are three in Johto including me," Crystal began as Archy and Rapidash began to trot forward, slowly at first. "Three in Hoenn, just a year younger than me, and our four seniors in Kanto. That makes ten of us, excluding you and your two friends."
Noticing Platina's info-hungry look, Crys laughed as the two Fire-type Pokemon began to pick up speed. "Okay, okay. so where to begin...?"
As she mused Archy and Rapidash broke into a full gallop, carrying their two Trainers as they raced headlong over the well-worn road leading to their new adventure.
"Well, there's a good friend of mine who's a total hothead and carries a billiard cue around with him all the time..."
This is one of the first scenes that I thought of while considering this story, of how the Sinnoh trio first met their seniors. And Platina and Crystal look as if they can get along together so... yeah. I find these sorts of intro parts interesting, although I don't know what you might think about it. Anyway, enjoy this chapter as much as you did the last, or preferably more. R&R!
Okay, for my mentality check-up. You might have noticed that at times the Pokemon are referred to as 'he' or 'she', and at times 'it'. Technically Pokemon should be called 'it', but there will be occasions when Dex Holders will refer their (or others') Pokemon by their genders to emphasize their bond with Pokemon.
And DEI, one other reason I chose Black and Whites' ages as 13 was because I wanted to make them younger than DPPt, who I've set as 14. If they really were sixteen like in the games, they'd be matching Ruby and Sapphire's age! Ah well, couldn't be helped. Let's just say I wanted them to be younger. Thanks for the pointed review!
Uxie's prophecy at the front of this chapter is peppered with underplots that will mostly be revealed in later chapters. Even without me constantly reminding this, I recommend you to read my fic very throughly, or read it over several times. You'll be able to find that many parts and little info I slip into the words may be a massive plot spolier! *biggrin*
Writing completed on April 16. Yay, two weeks left till Crystal's birthday!