The Platinum Adventure
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. I own a game and a DSi, but that's it.
Kenshin: Hello everyone. I have been asked to warn you that this chapter will be a bit darker than the last few. Someone will be brought to near death actually. Enjoy the show.
Journal Entry 7: Riley the Aura Guardian
Floatzel rushes at Sneasel with all its speed, but got outmatched by the dark ice Pokemon. The weasel receives a slash to the face and falls down. Lucas shouts, "Geyser, use Water Gun!"
Floatzel fires a stream of water at Sneasel, who quickly dodges the attack with all its speed. Cyrus then says, "Blizzard," and his Pokemon releases an icy cold wind. This pummels the two-tailed weasel and freezes its legs.
"Geyser!" Lucas calls out as Sneasel gives off multiple Fury Swipes on his Pokemon's face.
"Ice Punch." Cyrus' calm commands forces his Pokemon to finish Floatzel with a freezing punch to the face.
"Crunch!" Lucas commands, as his weasel Pokemon opens its mouth and bites down on the ice attack. Floatzel lifts up Sneasel and slams it down on the ground. Floatzel then tosses it in the air. Lucas then shouts, "Finish it off with Iron Tail!"
Both of Floatzel's tails glow silver and it leaps into the air. The water Pokemon slams its tail down on the ice type, making a super effective hit. Sneasel falls down but quickly regains its balance. Floatzel lands in front of it, the ice on its feet already broken off.
Cyrus smirks then returns Sneasel to its ball. "How boring; Mars and Jupiter lost to this."
"Huh? What are you doing?" Lucas asks him.
"I'll be taking my leave. I have what I want already; I'll be able to create my perfect world, and break this imperfect balance you call a planet." Cyrus says as he walks away.
"But the world can never change as long as the three Lake Guardians are around! How hard of hearing are you?!" The old lady shouts at him.
"Not if both gods are present." He whispers to himself. Lucas and Cheryl follow after him with Floatzel in front of them.
By the time they reach the outside he has already disappeared from sight. Lucas punches the ground, cursing, "Dammit! I was so close to getting him!"
"Lucas, let it go. We'll get him when we're stronger." Cheryl says to him, as she wraps her arms around him.
"But we could have beaten him! One more Iron Tail and Floatzel could have-
"Even if you had both went all out you would have lost." A voice calls out to them. Both trainers look up ahead and see Cynthia standing before them. "After all, there's a reason why he's called the Galactic Leader."
"Cynthia! What are you doing here?" Cheryl asks her. If she is here then she could have delivered the item herself.
"I was following that man in hopes to stop him now before his group got out of hand." Cynthia says to them, looking off to the side. "I battled him before, but our fight ended up as a tie. As you are now there is no way you could stop him."
"Now hold on, what makes you think he's stronger than me if he could tie against you?" Lucas asks her full of rage.
Cynthia's grandmother walks out of the ruins and says, "Apparently Cynthia here hasn't told you she's the Pokemon Champion."
Looking back at the lady Lucas and Cheryl listen to her words. Then they quickly turn around to look at Cynthia with dropped jaws. Pointing his left hand index finger at her shakily Lucas sputters, "You're the…Pokemon League…Champion!?!"
"That's right, I never told you. Anyway, how were the ruins? Were they fun?" Cynthia asks him with a cheerful smile.
Lucas nods at her. Cheryl pouts once she realizes how friendly Lucas is with her. The old lady comes before her granddaughter and says, "It's so nice to see you again. How is your research going?"
"Good. I think I'm about to make a breakthrough." She replies to her grand mom.
"Well that's great. But I do hope you don't get too caught up in your research and your title as champion to find yourself a husband." Her grandma says as she cackles.
Cynthia covers her face to hide any form of blushing she'll have. "Granny!"
'Is that why she's so familiar with Lucas? She's trying to steal him from me!?' Cheryl thinks in a paranoid way as she glares at the Pokemon Champion.
Lucas turns to Cheryl and says, "Well it seems our work here is done. But now we gotta find the next gym city…"
"Uh-huh…" Cheryl replies, still focused on Cynthia at the moment.
"Well as you know there are at least 8 gyms in Sinnoh; Oreburgh, Eterna, Hearthome, Veilstone, Pastoria, Canalave, Snowpoint, and Sunyshore. Which gyms have you gone to?" Cynthia asks the teenage boy.
"I have the first five badges. So I guess I should head to Canalave right?" He responds to the champion.
"Of course. They have a library there that's rich in Pokemon legends." She states.
"Okay. Thanks." Lucas then pulls out his town map to look up their next destination. "It seems we should head to Jubilife and head west, but there's a sea route that blocks the way."
"Then you'll need this." Cynthia's grandmother walks over to him and hands him an HM disk. Lucas takes it and looks it over. "This is the HM 03 Surf. With it you can teach Pokemon like your Floatzel over there to swim with you and your friend over water."
"Wow, thank you. But is it really okay to give this to me?" He asks her.
"No, it's okay. This use to belong to my Granddaughter, but she doesn't need it anymore. Think of it as a thank you for saving the village." She says to him.
"I don't mind Lucas. You'll need it anyway." Cynthia says to him while patting his head.
"Thank you Cynthia." Lucas says while blushing.
"Let's go Lucas." Cheryl says while pulling on his left ear. "Summon Tropius so we can go to Jubilife."
"Ah! All right! Return, Floatzel." Lucas procures his water weasel into its ball, and takes out the Safari Ball with his Tropius. "Go Tropius!"
His Fruit Pokemon appears before everyone. Lucas hops on it first with Cheryl latching on behind him. Before take off Lucas says to Cynthia and her grandmother, "Bye! Hope to see you guys again!"
"See you again Lucas." She says to him as he disappears into the distance. She walks towards the ruins after seeing him go. "Now, there's something I wanted to see…"
"Huh?" Her grandma watches as she walks inside of the ruins.
Inside Cynthia goes up to the painting, and looks up at it. She takes out a notebook and begins browsing through it, and suddenly she gasps. "No way…"
She takes a good look at the painting one last time, and sweat begins to fall down. "It can't be! This is…"
--
Tropius lands in Jubilife City by the Pokemon center, and Lucas returns it to its ball. "Wanna have a look around before tomorrow?"
"No." Cheryl says to him, looking down and upset. She walks inside of the Pokemon center completely ignoring him. "I'll be inside. You can do whatever the hell you please…"
"Cheryl…" Lucas whispers to himself as he watches her leave him. Her words seem to pierce into his heart.
Inside Cheryl books a room for her and Lucas. She then goes near the downstairs escalator and releases Togepi from its ball. She then hugs her tiny baby Pokemon, closing her own eyes as she thinks of someone. 'It still hurts…I want it to stop…why does it hurt so much seeing him having so much fun with other women…'
"Cheryl…" The green haired teen turns around to see her object of affection walking up to her. She faces away from him, once again spurring his own feelings. Lucas stops in front of her and then asks, "Is something wrong? What did I do?"
"Lucas, if you don't know what you did then don't bother trying to make up with me. Just leave me some time alone." She says to him while looking away. Sure it wasn't his fault; Lucas is just a truly positive person. He's friendly to anyone he meets, but that still doesn't help with her feelings for him. After all what woman likes to see the man she loves blushing because of another girl.
"Cheryl, I'm your friend. If something's bothering you and it's because of me, the least you can do is let me help you." He says to her.
"It's nothing. Just go awa-Aah!" Cheryl tries to walk away from him, but trips accidentally on part of the mechanical steps, and was about to fall down headfirst.
Lucas acts fast and leaps for her, quickly saving her and Togepi. Lucas now holds Cheryl in his arms with both hands grasping her sides. Her face was pressed against his chest, slowly rising in temperature. Lucas looks down at her then helps her back on both feet. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you…" She says to him, looking up at the cap wearing teen.
For the rest of the night there was an air of silence between them. Even as they ate together they hardly ever spoke together. Togepi continued to watch Cheryl with a sad look on its face. Cheryl's sadness was infecting her Pokemon.
By the time they were preparing for sleep, Lucas ends up sleeping alone. Cheryl lies in a separate bed and Togepi slept beside her. Both had a hard time drifting off into slumber, but eventually Lucas did.
Cheryl looks at Lucas from where she laid, and rises up with Togepi in her arms. Without letting him know she lies down beside Lucas, both of them facing the other. Cheryl scoots up closer so both of them were touching Togepi and each other. Feeling something warm and inviting nearby Lucas instinctively wraps his arms around Cheryl.
She blushes at this quick act she was totally unprepared for. 'He's really something; Lucas is rather closed off in his own little world most of the time. He tends to say stupid things without realizing it. He never realizes other people's feelings for him, and he isn't very bright. The kindness he gives to me isn't really exclusive. He'll no doubt show such care to other girls after his heart.'
As she thinks of these things Cheryl smiles, and without thinking she leans in to place a kiss on his lips. Both of them grow warmer by the quick peck, and she falls asleep, with these thoughts in her mind, 'Still, I love him. So there's little I can do about it…'
--
Lucas wakes up first to the feeling of Togepi hoping on top of his head. The Spike Ball Pokemon hops off of him once he begins moving. Lucas then looks in front of him, and gasps when he sees Cheryl's beautiful face in front of him. Lucas blushes and quickly rises up, releasing himself from her.
Cheryl slowly opens her eyes and looks up at him. "Lucas…I'm sorry for what I said yesterday…I may have overreacted over nothing."
"Cheryl, it's okay. I would just like to make it up to you." He says to her, looking down at the bed as they both sit up.
"I know you do…and it's fine. Let's continue with our quest." She says as she rises up from the bed to get dressed in another room. Lucas nods in agreement and gets up too.
Togepi leaps up and down squealing, "Priii! Togepriiiiii!"
Of course the Pokemon is really trying to say, "Yay! Green mommy and hat mommy are friends again!"
The two friends get dressed in separate rooms and exit the Pokemon Center with all their Pokemon healed and full, and placed inside their Pokeballs. Lucas and Cheryl walk west of the Pokemon Center and head past the gate for their next destination Canalave City.
At the other side they see a large portion of the outer sea blocking their progress. Lucas stops in front of it and sends out Floatzel. "Geyser, I need you to take Cheryl across this sea to the other side. Then come back and get me."
"Me first?" Cheryl asks in bewilderment.
"Of course. You know the saying, ladies first." He says with a smile. Cheryl chuckles and agrees.
She hops onto Floatzel, who is already submerged in water, and has it surf her to the other side for land. After they reach land she climbs off and rings her dress and braided hair of water, and Geyser heads back for Lucas. After the two of them return to her he hits land and dumps water out of his shoes.
"Good job Geyser. You deserve a nice rest." He says as he returns his water friend to its ball. "Ready?"
"Uh huh. I'll go wherever you go." Cheryl replies. With that the two of them continue into Canalave through the gateway.
Stepping through to the other side they could plainly see a port like town separated by an inline of water cutting through the middle of the city. Both sides were reachable by bridge.
"So Lucas," Cheryl begins as she turns to look at him. "Ready to tackle the Gym?"
"Not yet. I'm going to get some training down. The stronger I become the better I'll be against Cynthia and that guy…" He says to her, heading to the bridge. "I'll see you later!"
"Sure!" She says to him, walking over to the Pokemon Center.
Lucas walks over to the other side of the bridge and notices a large library. "Huh. That must be what Cynthia was talking about. I can't train in that though…"
Lucas continues looking around, until he comes before a large cruise ship. Lucas stops before the captain who was standing before his ship. "Hey there. Do you know any places I can get some training done?"
"Well if you'll looking to train then you can go to Iron Island. Just hop on board and I'll take you there." He says to Lucas tipping his hat to him.
"Okay, take me to Iron Island!" He shouts with newfound interest.
"That'll be $1000." The captain says, holding his right hand out to him.
"D'oh!" Lucas digs into his wallet and pulls out the amount of cash for the trip. After giving it to the captain he then says, "Alright, time to set sail!"
Lucas smiles and hops on the ship, the captain following behind. With his cruise he takes Lucas all the way to Iron Island. With Cheryl she is outside of Canalave City with Grotle and Noctowl battling each other.
"Alright guys! Try harder! We need you guys to get stronger so we can support Lucas!" She says to them, as both her Pokemon dodge the other's attacks. Togepi and Chansey watch her from behind.
"Chansey?" Her first Pokemon asks the tiny baby, which means, "What's wrong with Cheryl?"
"Toge Togepriii!" Togepi answers back, translating to, "I think it's about hat mommy."
"Chan Chansey?" Chansey once again asks the spike ball. In English this means, "Who the heck is hat mommy?"
"Togeprii!" "You know, the mommy with the red cap and green mommy loves." – Togepi
"Chansey! Chansey!" "That's Lucas! And he wouldn't be called a mommy but a daddy!" – Chansey
--
"Welcome to Iron Island!" The captain says to Lucas, who steps onto the rock hard surface. "I'll come back in three hours to pick you up."
As the ship sets sail the curious trainer walks along the trail until he reaches a set of stairs. Figuring he should head to the top Lucas dashes up the flight of stairs. He could clearly see someone standing near the entrance though. Lucas stops before the person to get a good look at him.
The guy has a navy blue tux jacket over top a black collar shirt. For pants he has dark brown dickies. His shoes were as black as his downward spiky hair covered by the blue mobster hat with the black hem. The man looks at Lucas as his hat lifts up slightly, and Lucas could see his cold white face and cerulean blue eyes. Around his neck is a golden necklace of some sorts.
Lucas could feel a strange presence about this person, but didn't care since he couldn't explain it. So he smiles and says, "Hi, who are you?"
"Well that's a nice way to meet someone. My name is Riley, and welcome to Iron Island." He says to him with a smile.
"Thanks. Is this a great place to train?" The young trainer asks the blue trainer.
"Of course. All sorts of trainers come here to practice battling. Even the Elite Four and the Pokemon Champion come by." He says as he walks inside.
"Is that so? Great! I can spend two hours here training and that Mine Badge will be a synch!" Lucas says as he pulls out a Pokeball. "Would you like to battle?"
"A battle? You don't know me do you?" Riley asks Lucas, who looks up at him questionably.
"Of course I do; you're a friend I'll get to know through an interesting battle should you accept." He replies with a chuckle.
Riley chuckles back at him, and then says, "Fine then. I'm already beginning to like you; you're almost like her."
"Her?" – Lucas
"Fine then. Let's battle inside." Riley walks inside the cave of the island, and Lucas follows after him.
The two keep walking until they reach a decent battlefield, and both of them face the other once they stop. Lucas then says, "You ready?"
"Always for battle!" He says taking out a Premier Ball. He then throws it shouting, "Lucario!"
He sends out his very own male Lucario, which stands up straight with its eyes closed. Lucas pulls out a Pokeball, and throws it shouting, "A Lucario? Haven't faced one since Maylene. Go, Natsu!"
Infernape appears before the Aura Pokemon, and gives out a pre-victory roar. Riley grins under his hat. "A fire type eh?"
Both trainers shout, "Ready? Go!"
Infernape charges in headfirst. With a shout of Flamethrower by Lucas Infernape releases a stream of flame at the dog. Lucario holds its right hand up to the fire.
"Force Palm." On Riley's command the flames are dispersed by a forceful push of energy.
"What?!" asks a bewildered Lucas. And who wouldn't when your strongest Pokemon's best attack is stopped by a weak attack?
"If your only battle experience with a Lucario is against Gym Leader Maylene then you're in for a surprise; After all she isn't the only person out there to possess a Lucario." Lucas grits his teeth as he listens to Riley.
Lucario's eyes illuminate through its lids, taking a good look at Infernape's energy and Lucas'. It then flinches once it gazes upon Lucas, for his was shown to have a weird appearance. Looking back at Riley Lucario could tell Lucas and his were the same.
Riley notices this and looks closely at the young teenager, clearly seeing the energy around him like his Lucario. "Amazing…this boy holds a small amount of aura hidden within him."
"Aura?" This is proof of his misunderstanding.
"I'll tell you later. Let's continue." Riley says, as Lucario faces Infernape once more.
"Fine by me; Ember!" Infernape fires three balls of flames at Lucario, who dodges all with vivid movements. The fireballs go over to Riley, who holds his hand out to them. Lucas calls out, "Look out!"
Instead of dodging Riley's hand somehow produces a light blue energy field that neutralizes the attacks. Lucas could only stare at his ability in awe. "Amazing! How can you do that?"
"Dragon Pulse!" Lucario's eyes open up as it disappears in a flash. It comes up before Infernape and holds both hands up in front of it. A beam of light blue energy releases from his hands and consumes the fire ape completely.
Natsu crashes into the walls of the island cave, falling all the way back down. She quickly gets back up and glares at Lucario. Lucas tenses up at the sight. This is like a repeat of his gym battle with Maylene, only this time he may not come out tying or even winning.
"Natsu, try to focus. You need to in order to beat Lucario like last time." Lucas says to it, as Infernape gives out a battle cry.
"That's right, bring out your drive…" Riley whispers under his breath. "Lucario!"
Lucario rushes in for the ape, preparing to perform Close Combat. Infernape fires a much stronger Flamethrower attack, but with the dog's Extreme speed he could easily dodge it. Infernape releases more consecutively, but each stream misses as Lucario closes in and uses Close Combat. Infernape counters with its Close Combat move.
Infernape soon begins to tire. Lucario's strength and stamina holds up even beyond the fire monkey. Lucario looks like it would win this high-speed battle of fists, but then it receives a smack to the face by Infernape's tail, slamming back to the ground.
"Huh. I can't believe that worked twice." Lucas says with a chuckle.
Riley laughs at that action. "I sure didn't see that coming."
Lucario grumbles as it rubs the impacted area. Lucas then quickly shouts, "Shadow Claw!"
Infernape's right arm is engulfed in darkness and it rakes at the blue dog. Lucario dodges easily with Double Team, and forms a blue ball of energy in both hands. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
Lucario fires a blue sphere of energy at Infernape, but with Shadow Claw still working it uses it to try and stop the energy ball. But Natsu's plan fails, and it is forced onto the ground. Lucario rushes in after the rising ape as a light blue bone appears in its hands. Riley then says, "Lucario, Bone Rush!"
Lucario smacks Infernape with the energy bone three times, once in the face and twice in the ribs, knocking it back onto its knees. "Dragon Pulse!"
"Flamethrower!" Infernape and Lucario both fire their strongest attacks at one another, neither gaining advantage over the other. Their attacks push the other back a little more than an inch every 2 second. "Keep it going Natsu! You're doing great!"
"Is that your thought?" Lucas looks over at Riley, who smirks under his hat.
Suddenly, Lucario's Dragon Pulse overcomes the Flamethrower, and Natsu is soon enveloped in its cobalt glow. Infernape falls to the ground in pain, fainting as a result of defeat. Lucas gasps in shock while Riley smirks triumphantly.
"Natsu!" Lucas runs over to his fallen Pokemon, taking out a Super Potion spray to heal its wounds.
"It seems I was right; you're a rather strong trainer." Riley says as him and Lucario walk up to Lucas and Infernape.
"Yeah, but even my strongest Pokemon couldn't handle yours. If my opponents are just going to get stronger then maybe this was all for nothing…" Lucas says to Riley, then the last sentence to himself.
"Well you're never going to become stronger by moping. What's wrong?" Riley asks him.
"I went against the Team Galactic leader yesterday, and the guy went easy on me. And even then I couldn't get an upper hand…" Lucas confesses.
"Well of course you would have trouble against him if he's the leader. Team Galactic is a troublesome group." Riley says, his voice becoming more stern and angered.
"I know…but I just want to become stronger, as a person and a trainer. If I can't then I'll never be able to stop them, and protect Cheryl." Riley listens quietly to Lucas' heart pouring out.
"You know, there's a story that might help with your situation; there was once a kid close to your age who was suddenly chosen to become the force of good that would bring peace to the world against his wishes. At first he denied it, but eventually gave into his fate." Riley begins as he sits down beside Lucas. The diamond protagonist returns his fire Pokemon inside its ball and listens to the older trainer. Lucario closes its eyes and looks away. "At one point in his adventure he is forced to come face to face with a certain truth that he needed to realize to clear his mind and continue his journey. The former chosen hero was close to death, because of a duel with the young boy."
"What? Why would he fight against him if he were going to die? Why fight at all?!" Lucas asks with confusion blinding his words.
"He had drunk an elixir that would give him back his youth, but shortens the rest of his life into 15 minutes. And do you know why he wanted to fight him?" Riley asks Lucas at that last part.
Lucas shakes his head no, and Riley continues with, "Life is a journey kid. To live is to journey. To journey, is to live. The past hero simply reached a point in his life where he would mark his final destination. Their battle reached a certain place that was near and dear to both of them, but once he got there his legs grew tired. They even gave out on him.
"With the weight of the world on him for 50 years, all to keep the promise of the woman he loved, his legs gave out as if his back was carrying too much." Riley then looks up at the ceiling, convincing Lucas to do the same. "This also applied to the boy. He carried too many things on his shoulders: the hopes, dreams, and future of the world and the people who lived in it. For such a young soldier to be forced into such a position, it was too much for especially him to carry.
"That's why he had friends; nakama who would carry that weight with him. With his friends by his side the pressure began to lighten up on him. This was something the old man didn't have, even though his position was past over, since all of his dear friends have past on. After all more backs won't add to the weight of the world." Riley finishes, standing up at the last sentence.
"So wait…are you saying I should have friends by my side?" Lucas asks him at last.
"What I'm saying is, if you're going to fight Team Galactic then don't do it alone. Such pressure shouldn't go on a young soul like yours. As long as your friends trust you and care about you, they'll go into battle along side you no matter how little sense it might make." Riley says to him, patting Lucas on the top of his head.
Lucas gapes in shock at understanding his words. "Wow. You're amazing. Where did you get that? An ancient Greek story?"
"I got it from a manga." Riley replies, slightly irritating Lucas.
"Let me guess; Naruto?" He asks.
"No."
"Bleach?"
"No."
"Dragonball?"
"No! Stop guessing!" Riley shouts, now pissed at the boy.
"Sorry. I understand. As long as my friends are by my side I shouldn't worry too much and trust in them." He says, at which Riley nods.
"Very good. Here, take this." Riley digs into his pocket and hands him an HM disk.
Lucas takes it and looks over it. "What's this? An HM?"
"It is HM 04 Strength. With it you can move giant boulders outside of battle. Of course you'll need the badge from Canalave City." Riley says to him, and then him and Lucario begin to walk further into the Iron Island cave.
"Wow. Thank you - Hey wait!" Lucas calls out, rushing up to them. "I want you to help with my training!"
"You want my help? Didn't you hear me before?" He says to him.
"I know, but I still want to get stronger. I've relied on the strength of the friendship between my Pokemon too often. I need to train them as well and increase their individual strength." Lucas says with a confident smile.
"…If you say so…Let's go." Riley says to him, and with a smile Lucas follows him behind. "What's your name?"
"Lucas Kongoseki of Twinleaf." – Lucas
The two trainers and Lucario walk down the man made path. Lucas looks around and finally asks Riley, "What's up with this place?"
"This place use to be a fairly thriving ore mine once upon a time." Riley says as they step over gravel. He then chuckles. "I'm guessing the steel ore's played out. There's only Pokemon here now."
"Wow." Lucas says.
The two trainers continue walking around, but apparently neither of them has seen any Pokemon yet. Riley is the first to notice this, and Lucario follows next. "Something's wrong…"
"So what's this gym leader like? The one from Canalave?" Lucas asks him, bringing the aura user out of his stupor.
"Oh, you never met Byron? He's the leader. The guy's obsessed with digging and fossils, so much so he had a bad confrontation with his son." Riley replies, causing Lucas to release a sweat drop. "He once asked me to become a Gym Leader, but I refused to. After all there's his son Roark to consider."
"He's Roark's father?" Lucas asks in shock. He then stares off into space, muttering, "So that explains it…"
"Ha! You realized the connection just now?" Riley laughs even more. Lucas joins him soon after.
Both of them stop their laughter once they hear the sound of an engine roaring. Lucas and Riley look ahead and see an Onix and a Graveler coming after them with a crazed look in their eyes. Riley quickly says, "Run!"
--
"That's weird…Lucas hasn't come back yet…I hope he's okay…" Cheryl mutters to herself, pressing her knees to her chest as she sits on her bed. She spent the last hour training her Pokemon.
"I should go find him…" She says to herself, rising up quickly to go outside.
Cheryl searches the city for her best friend, but her quest fails. She eventually ends up at the docking sight and meets the captain. "Hello. Do you know a kid my age with a red cap on?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, he's at Iron Island. He's a dear friend of yours?" He asks her, bringing a slight blush up on her face.
"No he's…" She pauses as she begins to think over her next words. She then smiles and says, "Yes. He's a very precious friend of mine. I want to be with him…"
"Well then hop on board." He says to her, and Cheryl follows behind. The cruise ship heads onward to Iron Island.
--
Lucas and Riley successfully evade their pursuers, escaping deeper into the island. "What was that about?"
"It would seem the Pokemon here are restless and attacking any humans they see. Something's going on here…" Riley says, pondering what could be the problem.
"Let's team up and find out what's going on?" Lucas says with a grin of confidence.
"Yeah. Let's do it!" Riley and Lucas leap out from where their hiding spots, exposing themselves to the rampaging Pokemon. Both take out Pokeballs. "Lucario!"
"Gabriel!" Lucas and Riley release Lucario and Gabite, both of which take down the opposing Pokemon.
"Let's go! I should be able to find the culprits with my aura powers." Riley says, and the four of them continue traveling the island.
With the help of Riley's aura powers they quickly reach the end of the cave, and find a giant machine releasing a wavelike energy through a sonic cannon. Two members of Team Galactic stand position before it.
An angry Riley shouts, "So you're the ones who are responsible for the Pokemon's strange behavior!"
"I should have known!" Lucas shouts in agreement.
The first grunt then says, "Who gives a damn what you two say? We're Team Galactic, and we can do whatever the hell we wish! Isn't that right partner?"
"You said it, brother! That's what we're going to do; abduct every Pokemon in this rusted out Iron Island!" The second one replies.
Riley grits his teeth in anger. "To share in all the joys and all the sorrows…that is how all the trainers and Pokemon of Sinnoh live! I won't forgive anyone who defiles that code of ethnics!!"
"Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it!" The first grunts questions, taking out a pokeball. His partner does the same.
"Lucas, this is a battle we can't afford to lose. Let's get them!" Riley says as Lucario stands by his side.
"You got it! Let's go, Gabriel!" Lucas states. Gabite stands before him.
"Go get them!" The two grunts send out Golbat and Stunky. "Air Slash and Sludge Bomb!"
"Lucario, Force Palm!" Lucario sends out a pulsating force blast from its left hand, which slams into the sludge bomb attack and disperses it.
"Use Sandtomb!" Gabite forces a wall of sand to rise and block the Air Slash.
"What?!" Both the grunt were shocked at how strong both of them are.
"Aura Sphere/Dragon Rage!" Lucario fires a sphere of energy at Stunky while Gabite releases a ball of dragon power at Golbat. Both attacks successfully take out their opponents, and the grunts are forced to return them.
"Don't think it's over yet! Go!" The grunts were about ready to send out more Pokemon, but our heroes had other plans.
"Lucario!" The Aura Pokemon releases a Force Palm and knocked them to the ground.
"Gabriel!" The dragon Pokemon stomps on the ground and creates a miniature earthquake, knocking the Pokeballs they've dropped into tiny crevices.
Lucas and Riley return their Pokemon to their balls and walk slowly to the grunts. The first one pleads, "Stop, please! Your combination is too sick! Let's beat it partner. I'm not sure she's even coming back!"
"You said it brother! We don't even know what this was about anyway!" The second one says, and they both skid addle.
Riley turns to face Lucas. "Thanks. You really helped me out."
"It's okay. Just providing more backs." Lucas says with a smile. Riley smiles back, but then frown when he sees someone walking up to them.
Lucas turns around and gasps at the sight of Team Galactic Commander Mars, still wearing that ridiculous outfit. She grins evilly at the sight of him. "Well, well, well…if it isn't the foolish boy who foiled my plans at the Valley Wind works…This is the last we'll see each other."
"What's that?" Lucas shouts at her.
Without them knowing she presses a button on the side of her legs. Her actions cause the device to explode, and catches Lucas and Riley off guard. Both trainers are blown back into walls by the explosion, battered by jagged rocks and burning air.
Riley rises up from the rubble he was stuck in, Lucas laying on top of him. "What a despicable woman, catching us off guard like…"
He pauses when he realizes his right hand has blood on it. He looks down and pales when he sees that Lucas is completely unconscious, and bleeding from his head and abdomen.
"We got exactly what we needed from those two fools running that machine. With these readings Master Cyrus' plans will go swell." Mars says to them before tossing a tiny device at their feet, getting ready to make a grand escape. The resulting explosion caused the cave to shake up, and soon the area Lucas and Riley were in would cave in.
"You…I'll get you for this!" Riley growls at Mars.
"Sorry boy, but I'm afraid this is the last we'll see each other; BYE!" At that last line she snaps her fingers and grins, and the device explodes. As she runs away the area she left them in quickly caves in, trapping them forever inside.
--
Outside of the island the cruise ship still making its way to them stops in front of the place, just as smoke was billowing out from inside the cave. Cheryl's heart tightens up as her worries begin to grow. Where there's smoke, there's fire; and where there's trouble, Lucas will usually be close by.
Back at the impact sight Riley can be seen dragging Lucas' body down a flight of stairs. His breathing is harsh and rough; do to inhaling too much dust from the explosion. 'I can't believe that happened…what was that thing?'
Seconds before the explosion could blast Riley he holds his hand out at it to contain it as much as he could. His aura skills prove useful and the explosion is redirected. The powerful bomb causes the area to cave in all around them; even the ground below them begins to break up. The two trainers slide down across the crumbling floor, and fall into a gaping dark hole.
Riley grabs hold of Lucas tightly to prevent him from receiving any more injuries. 'I'll have to use that…I need to get Lucas to a hospital quick!'
Before he could do anything Riley is suddenly caught in the arms of something hard and metal. Looking up Riley could only see darkness, and 7 glowing red dots that resemble eyes. The thing, whatever it is, carries Riley down a dark path; the only things Riley could see are the creature's eyes and the light that was present down the end of the road.
Riley closes his eyes to sense the Pokemon's aura, and gasps when he realizes just how big it is. The giant Pokemon finally reaches the end of the road and releases both of our protagonists. Riley watches as it walks back deeper inside the cave, as he walks off with Lucas in his arms.
'It was a miracle we were saved by a legendary Pokemon, but now I have to deal with this kid…' Riley lays Lucas down on the rock hard ground, taking a good look at his wounds. There seems to be a piece of metal impaled in his abdomen, and he seems to have suffered a concussion.
Riley places his head down onto his heart, and curses. "His heart beat is lowering with each second. I have to do something!"
Riley first pulls out the metal inside of him, and wraps the wound up by ripping off his left arm sleeve. Lucas' breathing slowly begins to lessen up the more Riley treated his wound. The blue trainer closes his eyes to read Lucas' aura, and could see that his was beginning to disappear. 'At this rate he's going to die. I need to do something drastic…guess I have to do that then.'
Riley places his hands on Lucas' chest, just before his aura completely vanishes. With all his might Riley yells, and projects his aura into the boy's body. His action increases Lucas' own aura, and slowly heals the wound present on his skull. Soon Lucas' aura signal is shown to be completely fine, leaving Riley to sigh in gladness. He then lifts up the unconscious boy and walks on, but as he moves a huge strain is placed on his heart, and stops him in his tracks. Riley falls down to his knees. 'I knew this would happen…I shouldn't have used so much…'
"Lucas, where are you? Lucas!" A voice calls out nearby. Riley looks around for whoever it was that said those words, but eventually falls down unconscious. The last thing he sees before going out is a woman with long green hair.
--
Lucas slowly opens his eyes, adjusting them to the bright light of day. He looks around to see that he is inside some sort of hospital. He looks to his left and sees his jacket and hat along with his parcel and pokeballs. "Where am I?"
"Lucas?" Lucas could hear Cheryl's sweet voice close by, and turns to his right where he could hear it. There he sees the beautiful girl leaning down over him with watery eyes. She reaches down and hugs him, crying out, "Thank god! I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Cheryl…" Lucas whispers to himself. This is the most emotional he's ever seen her. She must really care about him. Lucas pushes her off of him for a second and asks, "What happened? Why am I in a hospital?"
"I don't know… I found you and that blue guy unconscious by the Iron Island's cave entrance." She explains to him.
Lucas looks at her as if she was crazy, until it hit him. "Blue guy…! Oh no, Riley!"
"Over here…" Riley's voice could be heard from the other side of the room. Lucas sits up and sees his new friend lying in a bed like him. "Hey Lucas. You feeling better?"
"Riley…what happened? All I remember is Mars showing up and then I turned around and suddenly I was blown back. Where is she?" Lucas asks him.
"Who knows…my guess is she fled out of fear of getting caught in the destruction." Riley says to him. Lucas punches his right fist into his left palm and curses, but when he does he cringes in pain and grabs his wounded stomach.
"Lucas! Don't move so much, please!" Cheryl says to him, wiping her tears away while hovering over his wound.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I hope I didn't scare you…" Lucas says to her. She only wraps her arms around his head and embraces him inside her chest.
"I'm okay with it. As long as you're okay…" She whispers to him, as Lucas blushes from the contact he is receiving from being so close to her breasts.
Riley smirks from where he lies. Cheryl then releases him and asks him, "Are you hungry?"
"Actually yeah. I could use some food." Lucas says as he pats his stomach.
"One store bought lunch coming right up!" Cheryl says, and runs out the door to go purchase a meal.
"Quite a catch you got there. You two must be really close." Riley says to Lucas.
Lucas blushes even more at the embarrassment he was getting from the blue trainer. "Yeah, I feel so lucky being with her. But what are you in for? Did the explosion get you too?"
"No really…I'm here mostly for the gravel-dust that got into my throat. I also had heart problems." Riley says while looking away.
"Heart problems? Is that something you've always had to deal with?" Lucas asks him, now concerned for his well being.
"No, actually…" Riley hesitates in completely his sentence. He couldn't tell Lucas that he almost died trying to save him. But he has to know the truth, no matter how hard it may seem. "I got that near-fatal injury saving you…"
"Huh? What?" Lucas asks in surprise.
"Remember when I mentioned you having aura? Well, I'm in training to be an Aura Guardian." Riley explains, still looking up at the ceiling. "A long time ago, there existed a group of people that could sense this power and control it. They were the original Aura Guardians. They traveled the world doing good deeds and passing on their skill to those who possessed this innate ability. I'm one of the few humans still alive to be able to control aura, or at least as far as I know."
"So when you were able to deflect those Embers, it was because of your aura abilities? I never heard of a person ever being able to do that before!" Lucas says while being amazed at what Riley has told him.
"That's because they're all gone now. They disappeared for some undisclosed reason before the present era. I'm now searching out people who can use aura." Riley says to him.
"Oh…wait, does this mean you used this power to save me, and almost killed yourself doing so?" Lucas asks him finally.
"Your aura was diminishing, so I transferred some of my own into you. Doing so unleashed your stored up potential, and you were able to preserve your life long enough for us to be rescued." Riley says before giving out a sigh. "But to transfer aura into another person is a fatal risk to the user, which is why I was hesitate to do so."
"You…almost killed yourself…just for me…why?" Lucas asks him, feeling totally guilty for bringing so many people pain and worry. Thank god his mother doesn't know!
"I don't know. Maybe I didn't want a talented person to die. Maybe I felt myself being the old man in that story, and you were the young hero burdened to save the world. But I think there's another reason." Riley begins, closing his eyes before he could continue.
"What?" – Lucas
"We both have something in common; back when I mentioned that the hero had friends to help carry his weight? This was true for all except one thing. There was only one thing he could carry on his shoulders that no one else could: the desire to protect the one closest to his heart. The old man believed that protecting precious people, and saving the world, were linked together," Riley then turns to face Lucas, and finishes with, "and so do I."
"To protect those…precious to you…" Lucas begins to ponder his words over, and then it clicks in him when he remembers something he said.
"I know…but I just want to become stronger, as a person and a trainer. If I can't then I'll never be able to stop them, and protect Cheryl."
"That's right…I wanted to protect Cheryl…she is my most precious person!" Lucas states firmly, and Riley smiles as he comes to this realization. Lucas then asks him, "Does that mean, you have someone to protect too?"
"Yeah. She's actually very strong, as a trainer and a person, but I still want to do so." He replies to Lucas. Riley rises up and says, "I've come to a decision; I'm going to help you become stronger."
"Huh? Why me?" Lucas asks in shock.
"I just do. Once we're fit enough to leave these sick beds then we'll resume your training. I might even show you how to use your aura." He says to him, bringing a curious and happy grin on Lucas' face.
"Sure thing! With you training me I'll become even better than that bastard Cyrus!" Lucas shouts, punching his fist into the air. His wound twists when he does so. "Ita!"
Riley laughs at his idiocy. Things sure are going to be interesting.
Kenshin: And that ends this chapter of Platinum Adventure. Also, if you want to know what manga he was talking about, don't bother guessing because you probably won't get it.
Yusei: Which one is it?
Kenshin: If you wish to know then leave a P.M. asking which manga it was. Or you can guess. You probably won't know!