Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
And the test draws to next week... ah screw it. Still here I sit, typing away...
Began writing on April 24th, 2011. Like I said before, drafting chapter 23.
Chapter 5. Vs. Aerodactyl: Splitting Journeys
- Route 8 -
"These are but newborns. What are these hatchlings to you, young human?"
"Someone... someone that I must prove wrong."
"You will challenge the League yourself, will you not?"
"Perhaps our path shall collide again..."
"Hey, Black!"
White's exclamation jerked Black out of his reminiscence. Quickly shaking his head to clear it, the thirteen-year-old boy looked at the girl walking beside him, whose gaze was fixed way ahead on the road.
"'s up, Boss?" He asked casually, as if he hadn't been thinking of anything.
"Look ahead!" said White, pointing. "Aren't those your friends we've met before?"
Following her finger with his gaze, Black saw three figures standing on the road far ahead. Upon squinting further he was surprised to see that two of them were indeed Cheren and Bianca. The third, pacing a little behind them, he recognized as Alder, the League Champion. His eventual opponent.
"Oi, Cheren! Bianca!" Black called out loudly, waving widely at them as he and White neared their location. Upon noticing them Bianca immediately waved back before running toward them in full speed, while Cheren walked over more slowly from behind, his expression a mixture of relief and exasperation. Alder came behind them smiling.
"Black! White! Oh, you're both safe!" Bianca cried wildly, literally throwing herself over both of them.
"So you've made it out," Cheren remarked, walking over to them as they steadied themselves. "Sorry I had to take off earlier. Where's Brycen?"
"Returned to Iccirus," replied Black, dusting himself. "He's gotta look after his own city."
"He'll need to do that," acknowledged Alder grimly. "Judging from what Cheren told me, I can assume what had happened up there was the worst. Am I right?"
"In a way," said White, frowning slightly at the unpleasant memory. "N has awakened Zekrom, and plans to take on the Pokemon League with him. That means - "
"Aye, he'll come for me eventually," Alder answered for her. "Somehow I'm not surprised. No need to worry, though," he added quckly, looking at White's worried expression. "I'll be prepared when he comes. I'll at least have to hold out until you come along," he gave the last words to Black, and the words both pleased and disturbed him.
"You sound as if I have to be the one to fight him in the end," He said, trying not to sound judgemental.
"Isn't that what you've been planning?" Alder asked back, raising his eyebrows. When Black didn't answer he went on: "From what I know of this N person, son, he treats you specially, as if he sees something in you. At least he treats you like an obstacle that he must pass through. I was assuming you wouldn't feel so differently."
Black looked away hesistantly, unable to argue with that. The truth was, his first battle with N in Accumula Town had left an impression on his mind that made him forever reluctant to fight him; it felt wrong to destroy the dreams of such a pure-hearted person, no matter how wrong his view was.
"And besides, I meant that you're gonna challenge me someday too, right?" Alder chuckled heartily, clapping Black's shoulders with his large hands. Black smiled, feeling better at once.
"He already has seven badges," White put in beside him. "The eighth gym is in Opelucid, right?"
"Yes," replied Cheren before Black could, readjusting his glasses. "And I was planning on going there myself, but the Champion here has different plans."
"Oh?" said Black, looked at Alder with a confused look.
"Team Plasma has gotten bolder since Zekrom joined them," the League Champion began after clearing his throat. "Their sightings have increased dramaticaly over the past few days, what with those despicable speeches and all. What's worse, there are rumors of OTHER organizations here in Unova, other than Team Plasma. These are ill times, a sort of an era when chaos thrives. Just look at the sky and you'll know."
"Sure enough," commented Black, glancing up at the not-so-clear sky. He shuddered inwardly, wondering if Zekrom was contributing to all the clouds in the sky. He supposed not. "So what would you have us do?"
"Well, our objective is to stop Team Plasma," Cheren stepped in, taking over. "And we won't be able to do that until we stop their Boss, namely N. Which in turn is now bordering on impossible, seeing as he has a god in his side."
Black nodded, prompting his old friend to continue.
"My point being, we need someone on our side that is strong enough to fight a god." said Cheren a-matter-of-factly.
"But no one can defeat a god - " White began, then suddenly stopped herself, as if she had realized what he was implying. " - except another god?"
"Exactly," said Alder. "According to legend there are two dragons of energy in Unova, Zekrom being one of them. The other, Reshiram, is said to be sealed within the Light Stone, waiting for the right Trainer to come along and awaken it."
"I've heard about those stories," said White. "So are you saying that you're going to awaken Reshiram and make it fight Zekrom? Who's going to do it?"
"Wait, wait," cut in Black, shaking his head. "If you're suggesting that we defeat N by unleashing another deity to fight for our sake, that would be wrong."
"Why do you say that?" Asked Cheren, raising his eyebrows. "We're fighting for the right cause, aren't we?"
"I want to prove N that Pokemon can coexist with humans," Black argued. "I told you before that N is a good person, right? He's just misguided. He'll understand once he sees the truth..." at the mention of the word 'truth' he noticed Alder throwing an odd look at him out of the corner of his eyes - "But he'll never be convinced if we drag in someone else to do our fight for us. I mean, that would defeat the purpose."
"You have a point," said Alder, putting his hand on Cheren's shoulder before he could retort. "No, you're right. It wouldn't be just to summon a deity without a pure reason."
"That's why you're going to be one that's doing it."
Black blinked, unsure if he had heard that right. Quickly scanning his surroundings to see the others' surprised faces, he supposed he did.
"... Me?" He asked, pointing at himself in utter confusion. "Why me?"
"I think you'll see what I mean soon enough," chuckled Alder mysteriously. "A good informant told me that Team Plasma found the Dark Stone inside the Relic Castle, so we can assume that the Light Stone is held there as well. Cheren and I were about to go there and retrieve it."
"Why don't you come along?" Cheren invited to Black, White and Bianca. "Team Plasma is most likely to be on guard in that place, and an extra hand or two will be appreciated."
"I still don't see why - " Black protested.
"Trust me in this, son," Alder suddenly spoke, fixing his gaze into Black with such intensity that he almost took a step back. "I'm a man of intuition, and something tells me that we won't be successful unless you come along."
Black hesitated. Usually he was as adamant as steel when it came to arguments, but something deep within him kept prompting him to listen to Alder and follow; a sort of a gravitational pulling, an irresistible fire that was busily melting his iron armor from the inside.
"There isn't much time," Cheren prompted with a serious expression. Black looked around again: Alder looked confident in his words, Bianca seemed oddly nervous, and White was looking at him expectantly.
"I'll come." He said eventually. At once everyone relaxed, as if the atmosphere had suddenly grown lighter.
"Well, it's settled then!" Boomed Alder cheerfully, taking out a Poke Ball from under his rode. "Come out, Volcarona!"
In a brilliant flash an incredible beast rose out, a huge moth-like creature with six wings easily spanning four feet each and its narrow blue eyes flashing power. Bianca and White looked dumbfounded, and even Black was highly impressed as he took out his PokeDex to record the Sun Pokemon - after a second White hurriedly did the same.
"Hop on," Alder invited Cheren as the two climbed easily onto the Volcarona. "Black, I'm afraid you'll need your own flyer. You've got a Braviary, I hear?"
"Yep, no problem," said Black, though he made no move to bring out War. "Actually, go ahead to the castle, if you don't mind. I'll catch up... later. Got things to do."
"But why?" Cheren asked in a puzzled way, but Alder patted his shoulder again, signalling him not to ask.
"Don't lag too far behind," the Champion told Black before petting his Volcarona on the head, who went flying straight southeast bearing its two passengers.
"Safe travels!" Bianca called out after them, as Black turned to face her and White.
"Thanks," White told him a little dejectedly. "And sorry. It looks like I've slowed you down again. War wouldn't be able to carry both of us, could he?"
"That's not the problem," said Black nonchalantly, carefully thinking of how to break the news to her. "Don't worry about me, Boss. I'll be fine. I trust Alder."
"So do I," said White. "Hey, how far is it to Relic Castle? It might take several days to walk all the way back to - "
"Sorry, Boss," Black cut in, deciding to be direct. "No time to walk. This is where we part ways."
"What?" White exclaimed in disbelief, her expression immediately changing from shock to hurt. "But... why?"
"I need you to do something for me, Boss." said Black, looking at White straight in the eye and hoping that she would understand. "It's something that only you can do, what with being a company head and all - "
"What does this have to do with my company?" White asked, totally lost. Better go for the details.
"BW Agency is a big company, so it should have a lot of contacts, right?" Black asked her quickly.
"Yes, but - "
"Go back to the company," Black swept in before she could continue. "Contact the Gym Leaders - all of them - about what Team Plasma is up to. The towns and cities have to defend themselves, to know that the problem is. It'd be better to alert the police as well. Only you can do this quickly enough, Boss."
"Why, that's a brilliant idea!" Bianca exclaimed in amazement. "But how did you manage to think of that ? You weren't even having use Dream Eater!"
"I was, actually," Black admitted sheepishly, holding up the Poke Ball with his dearest Musharna curled up inside. "Ever since he evolved, he learned how to nibble away on my dreams inside his Poke Ball. Very convenient when you need quick thinking, you know?"
Looking back at White, who still looked uncertain and - for some reason - upset, Black again looked into her blue eyes and said: "Please, this puts the entire region in jeopardy."
Flinching from his intense gaze, his Boss looked down at the ground for awhile.
"But Nimbasa's pretty far off..." she murmured hesitantly.
"I know," said Black, now turning to his childhood friend for help. "Bianca, won't you accompany her? I was about to ask you to see Professor Juniper, so maybe you could take her to Nimbasa on the way...?"
"Of course I'll help!" Bianca cried, looking energetic now that she was given something to do. "I'll get her safely to Nimbasa. No need to worry!"
"Thanks," Black told her sincerely. Turning back to White again, he carefully asked "Boss?"
White slowly raised her back up, and Black was relieved to see that she was smiling again, albeit a small one.
"I'll do it," she said, nodding pointedly. "'cause I trust you, Black. Your decision as a Trainer."
"Uh, thanks," Black replied, unsure if that was a compliment or flattering. "I'll head back to Icirrus and stock up before I follow Cheren. Safe journey!"
"You too!" White and Bianca replied, waving back as Black gave a final nod before racing ahead in full speed (with the Running Shoes on, obviously).
"Well, we should be leaving too!" Bianca's cheerful words reached his ears as he raced away. Looking back he couldn't resist a grin as he noticed her nearly dropping a Poke Ball as she took it out of her bag.
"Go, Swanna!"
As one could guess from its appearance, a Swanna just isn't strong enough to carry two people to a faraway city without excessive exhaustion and frequent rests, so anyone could excuse Bianca and White for not noticing a shadowed figure watching them and Black part ways from a high ledge on the side of the road. As for Black... he was lucky to be able to see anything when he was focused.
The figure was that of a tall yet slender man, his entire upper body hidden under a plain brown cloak, most of his face shaded by the hood and only leaving his mouth visible. However he was nothing like a minstrel or any kind of person that would be expected to wear such a thing, as the jeans and black sneakers visible below clearly demonstrated. A fiery Simisear stood next to him, chittering excitely at the three leaving Trainers.
"Yes, Sear," the man answered with a thin smile, returning the Ember Pokemon to his Poke Ball as he looked at Black's sillouette speeding away toward Iccirus. "I think we might be about to set off for another adventure."
With that he leaped off the ledge with expertise, landing on the road with a soft thud before going after Black's trail with incredible speed.
Back on the rock on which he used to stand a moment ago, a single Poke Ball lay.
- Somewhere between Iccirus and Mistralton City -
"I'm sorry," White apologized shamefully as Swanna lighted down exhaustedly on the large field, allowing Bianca to return it to rest. "I'm weighing your Swanna down, ain't I?"
"Not at all," Bianca told her reassuringly, although White could see the worry not fully erased on her face. "It's just that she's a little tired. I said I'll get you safely to Nimbasa, didn't I? I promised Black, and I'm keeping it."
"But - "
RAWRRRRR!
White's protest was suddenly cut off by a distant roar, causing the two girls to flinch and glance around fearfully.
"Wh - what was that?" Bianca asked nervously, hastily shuffling through her bag for a Poke Ball.
"I don't know..." As she said this White's eyes abruptly went up to the sky for no particular reason - or rather, she suddenly just felt the need to look up - only to freeze in terror as a giant shadow suddenly appeared out of the blue, blocking the sun as it descended rapidly down on her and Bianca. "Look out!"
As one the two Trainers thrwe themselves out of the shadow's way, just in time as the entity who cast it slammed onto the ground with a triumphant roar. Hastily scrambling to her feet, White looked up to see one of the most frightning figure she had ever seen: a huge reptilian creature, with obviously rock-hard skin and wings easily spanning seven feet each, its spear-shaped tail swinging dangerously and its large head looking straight at her with its terrible maw (what large teeth it had!) slightly ajar.
"Is... is that a Pokemon?" White gasped, taking several steps back as she instictively took out her PokeDex (Black eagerly taught her how to do it, and she was pretty good with electronics), Her brow furrowed in confusion as the screen of the gadget remained blank. "The... the data won't load!"
"What?" Bianca exclaimed, coming beside her with a Poke Ball in hand. "But... that means this Pokemon doesn't exist in Unova!"
Frowning, White looked up at the monster in question, who was staring back at her without making a move from the ground. Beside the fact that it wasn't attacking them (yet), she was also getting an impression that the creature looked a little familiar. Quickly shifting through her memories, she thought she saw something that looked a little like it in -
"I remember now!" She burst out, causing Bianca to jump slightly beside her in alarm. "I saw a fossil of that Pokemon in the Nacrene Museum! It's a Pokemon native to Kanto - "
Just then the creaturem as if fed up with waiting, let out an impatient bellow and causing the two girls to leap back with a fearful yelp.
" - the Fossil Pokemon, Aerodactyl!"
Where the heck did the Aerodactyl come from? Who knows? *whistles innocently*
Bianca doesn't have a flying-type in the games, but the story required her a flyer so I gave her a Swanna 'cause Cheren has an Unfezant. Hm, maybe I should give White Mandibuzz... *gets shot*
So yeah, some people will be wondering about the apparant OC who has suddenly turned up in this chapter... well, can't say anything! He's important to the story, or at least to its impact. What I can tell you is that he'll reappear again to Black in... hmm... yeah, chapter 9. You'll have to wait a little longer.
Oh, and Pikachu127, of course we'll be starring Reshiram in this story! Can't leave Zekrom alone for so long... well, it depends on how you define 'soon', but she will appear. Not yet, but in this arc, anyway. That means she'll be appearing after at least 30 chapters... *gets shot again* And as for Zekrom... damn, I should have known this would happen... just, not this soon. As for the Kanto Dex Holders, well... why don't you read on and find out? :) And Sird? I can be clear on this one: no. At least, not in this arc. As for other villanous teams... well, Teams Aqua and Magma I didn't put in, 'cause Maxie's assumed dead and Archie, er, vaporized. Althogh, who knows? I've learned from experience that authors are capable of anything, including bringing back the dead. Oh, and thanks about the Dusknoir!
Well, that's all for today. R&R!
This is Yowl of Time, out.