Naruto: Johto Journeys
Chapter 24: Legendary Pokemon
"Pokemon" Normal speech
'Pokemon' Normal thoughts
"Pokemon" Pokemon that can talk
"Pokemon" Flashbacks
"Pokemon" Pokedex speech
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I don't own Pokemon. I do however, own this laptop and this story and NONE OF YOU CAN HAVE IT!
Blackthorn City-Blackthorn City Gym
"FERALIGATR SURF!"
"DRAGONITE, USE HYPER BEAM!" The giant orange beam of energy easily blasted through the titantic wave of water that Feraligatr formed. Both fully evolved Pokemon stood, each one covered in wounds and panting heavily.
Ever since Naruto and Sasuke's battle the day before, Sasuke had decided to take it upon himself to challenge his mother once more now that he knew where he stood in terms of strength with his rival. The battle had occurred earlier this morning and that was a testament to Sasuke's abilities as the battle had been dragging on for at least an hour and a half, nearing two hours.
The battle had stretched on, with neither Uchiha willing to give in due to their stubbornness and pride. Once again, Sasuke had lost five of his Pokemon and Mikoto had easily lost her Charizard to Feraligatr's superior elemental advantage and strength. Her Dragonite was then summoned to the field and both it and Feraligatr had resumed their titanic battle and having lost to it once before was one time too many for Feraligatr and it never once gave in to the powerful blows that Dragonite dealt it, Dragonite doing the same having nearly fallen to the Big Jaw Pokemon's strength.
"Use Aqua Tail!"
"Counter with Dragon Claw!"
Feraligatr's tail became coated in water and Dragonite's claws burst into crimson flames that took the shape of a dragon's head. Both moves clashed and water and flame blasted apart in opposite directions with steam rising straight upwards at the point of collision. Feraligatr then spun and brought its claws down for a slash which Dragonite avoided before aiming another Dragon Claw at Feraligatr's chest. Feraligatr leaped back to avoid the flurry of slashes aimed for its body before tackling the Dragon-type and sending it skidding backwards, but Dragonite stood strong and unleashed a massive Hyper Beam from its maw.
"Counter with Hydro Cannon!" Feraligatr's eyes glowed a startling sapphire as its Torrent ability activated as well. A powerful orb of water concentrated within its jaws before being unleashed as a high pressure blast of water. The two powerful moves crashed into one another and caused the battlefield to crack from the force exerted between them. An explosion followed afterwards and both Pokemon were sent skidding backwards and panting heavily when they came to a stop.
The two Pokemon collapsed to one knee as the recharge aspect of their powerful moves required them to pause in order to regain energy to continue fighting.
"I don't know what happened to you, Sasuke-chan...but you've become much better with that Hydro Cannon attack of yours."
"Well considering we mastered it, I'd hope so." Sasuke said as he looked at his bare wrist. Having come to master the most powerful Water-type move in existence, Sasuke was feeling very proud of his accomplishment. However, he looked back up as he watched both Pokemon climb to their feet. Dragonite took off at high speeds and reared back a Dragon Claw to strike its opponent with, but Feraligatr used Surf to send the Dragon-type away from it before the Big Jaw Pokemon ran on all fours to augment its speed and opened it jaws to crunch down on Dragonite's right shoulder. A deep wound was inflicted on the Dragon Pokemon and red decorated the Pokemon's bitten area and tinted the Big Jaw Pokemon's teeth.
"Use Dragon Claw and get it off!" Dragonite's eyes hardened as it raised its left arm and crimson flames ignited across its claws. With a roar, Dragonite slammed it down on Feraligatr's head, but the tough Pokemon refused to let go. Another blow followed, and then a third. Sasuke observed his Pokemon being physically abused by the Dragon Pokemon and he watched as Feraligatr was quickly losing the will to hold on. Sasuke waited for Dragonite to rear its arm back again before making his move.
"Feraligatr, let go NOW!" He exclaimed. Feraligatr's jaws pried themselves out of the wound and Dragonite missed and ended up hitting itself in the wounded shoulder and it released a powerful cry of agony that sent it to its knees.
"Use Blizzard!" The powerful Ice-type move sped towards the Dragon Pokemon, but Mikoto quickly had Dragonite use Safeguard and Dragon Claw in order to perform the necessary combo and deflect the attack. The ice froze a portion of the back wall before melting into water by the heat of the lava pool.
"Dragon Claw!" Mikoto ordered. Dragonite sped forth and slammed a powerful diagonal slash across Feraligatr's chest leaving a trio of burnt slash marks on the Pokemon's scales that hurt greatly. Feraligatr roared in pain and anger before punching Dragonite in the face. The two Pokemon refused to give up, their spirits surpassing their bodies as they continued to fight one another in a physical brawl. Dragonite slashed its adversary across the face. A vertical slash followed afterwards before Dragonite aimed to trip Feraligatr's feet out from under it with its tail. However, the Water-type raised its foot and slammed it down harshly on the rear appendage earning a roar of pain from the Dragon-type before shoving it harshly. Due to the lack of balance, Dragonite went tumbling to the ground.
"Now use Blizzard and finish it off!" Feraligatr took a deep inhalation of air before a devastating blast of freezing wind and snow burst forth from its jaws. Dragonite roared in agony from the super effective move and Mikoto watched in shock as the powerful move had actually made an impact on her most powerful Pokemon. She then chuckled and fell to her knees, having given in to defeat. She then looked up from the ground to see her Dragonite, frozen and unconscious with its icy prison.
She raised her Pokemon's Ultra Ball and with a flash of red, returned it to the spheroid capsule.
"Well done, Sasuke-chan...you have finally defeated me in battle and so you have conquered the Blackthorn City Gym." Sasuke nodded, a stoic look on his face, but on the inside, he swelled with pride and his Uchiha ego would be donning a Superman costume if it could. "However, both you and Naruto-kun are not fit to gain the Rising Badge."
"NANI?!" Both trainers looked at each other. Naruto had been watching from the sidelines with Typhlosion and both trainer and Pokemon were busy bothering their rivals about their win. The blonde was giving a Sasuke a bothersome noogie, burning the raven haired boy's scalp from the friction.
"What do you mean, Mikoto-san?! We beat you fair and sqaure and we pretty much raped your Pokemon battle-style left, right and centre. Why can't we get the stupid badge so me and the teme can go to the Silver Conference where I will kick Sasuke's ass followed by the Elite Four's and Champion's before I emerge victorious as the greatest battle in all of the Johot-Kanto continent?" Naruto asked lengthily.
"Umm disturbingly long and dramatic complaint aside, the reason you cannot obtain my badge yet is because I do not think either of you are ready for it. You are both very immature and the Pokemon League is not a place for people as young as you."
"Okaa-chan, the dobe and I have worked extremely hard to get where we are now. We've beaten an evil organization, fought seven gym leaders and mastered the Ultimate moves for both of our partner Pokemon. I highly doubt your saying of us being immature. Plus we beat you, now gimme my badge." Sasuke added with a gimme-gimme motion of his hand. The two Pokemon and Naruto made the same motion.
The Uchiha matriarch sweatdropped before sighing, "Immaturity and the fact that there is one other test for the two of you to undertake. Behind this gym, across the small body of water, there lies the cave where only the strongest trainers are allowed. These strong trainers are then to meet the elder Uchiha who resides within the cave. This is known as the Dragon's Den."
"The...Dragon's...Den?" Naruto and Sasuke blinked before looking at each other.
"What do we have to do to earn the Rising Badge?"
"The elder will test you on your qualities as a trainer. If you pass I will have no choice in the matter, but to give you both the Rising Badge. You both have Pokemon that know Surf so it will be easier for you all to cross the water to reach the cave." Mikoto said before going to the warp panel she had installed into the gym. The warp panels were a technology developed in Kanto by Silph Co. in Saffron City. Many gyms and large buildings had warp panels installed into them in order to exit the area quickly and was especially for emergency reasons as the Silph Co. didn't want another ROOT happening within their company like what happened thirty years ago.
"Then we go to the Dragon's Den then." Naruto said as he watched Mikoto step onto the warp panel and began to spin rapidly. A beam of pale white light shot up and engulfed the young woman before she vanished. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other before frowning.
"Did you know about this?" Naruto asked.
"Why would you think that, dobe?" Sasuke replied with a hiss. Naruto's eyes hardened as he looked at the raven haired boy.
"The reason is that you are an Uchiha. Your Kaa-chan is the gym leader and therefore aware of the customs brought about within this city and given you are her son, I'd assume she would have told you about this test that takes place within the Dragon's Den." Naruto replied smartly. Sasuke looked down at the ground, his hands clenched into fists.
"Well, you have grounds to make an assumption such as the one you just made, but my Kaa-chan did not tell me anything regarding the test of the Dragon's Den. I have heard of it and I have only seen as far as the entrance, but other than that, I know next to nothing about it. Besides, the Dragon's Den, as said by Kaa-chan, is that it only allows trainers who have managed to defeat her inside there. Hence why I do not about it." Sasuke explained.
"Fine, teme. Now come on, we got our eight badges to get. It's so close I can taste the metal." Naruto said as he and Sasuke withdrew Typhlosion and Feraligatr into their Pokeballs so as to use the warp panel. In a flash of light they were spun around and sent out of the gym, reappearing on the warp panel that lay outside. The wind blew and caressed their faces as they took in the natural, cool environment.
"Man, being inside that lava heated room really makes the wind feel good." Naruto said as he closed his eyes, stretched his arms and embraced the wind currents. He then opened them to see Sasuke was walking away. "Oi, where ya goin' teme?"
The coal eyed boy pointed at the Pokemon Centre, "I need to heal my Pokemon. I can't go into a place like what the Dragon's Den sounds like unprepared." Naruto shrugged, but nodded in compliance before laying on the grass and unleashed Typhlosion once more in a flash of white light from its spheroid capsule.
"So, Typhlosion we have some time to spare before Sasuke comes back with Feraligatr and his other Pokemon from the Pokemon Centre."
"Ty Typhlosion." The Pokemon curled up as if it were about to sleep, which is exactly what it wanted to do, however Naruto refused the Fire-type the luxury of sleep.
"Actually could you hold off the sleeping for a bit...I've been to ask you something." The Volcano Pokemon tilted its head in a confused manner before shifting its position so it now rested down on its haunches to listen to the blonde trainer.
"Ty Ty." It motioned for Naruto to ask his question. Naruto scratched his head as he looked down at Typhlosion...more specifically its crotch.
"Pokemon are able to reproduce right?" Typhlosion nodded.
"Ty Typhlosion Phlosion Phlo Ty Ty."
"Okay, so you say that you guys are able to reproduce in just about anyway imaginable, whether it be through regular...sex and stuff." He blushed a bit at the mention of the 's' word, but hey the boy was twelve, what would you expect?
"Ty." The final evolution of Cyndaquil nodded.
"I see. So if you guys are able to do all of that...Where do Pokemon Eggs come from?" The Volcano Pokemon sweatdropped as it face-faulted.
"TYPHLOSION TYPHLOSION PHLO!"
"What do you mean, how do I expect you to know that?! YOU'RE A DAMN POKEMON, YOU SHOULD KNOW! IT'S LIKE...BASIC KNOWLEDGE FOR YOU ISN'T IT?!" The Volcano Pokemon's face flushed as its mind went elsewhere as it did indeed know about where Pokemon Eggs came from, but rather than answering its trainer, the Fire-type merely opened its jaws and breathed a mouthful of fire at the blonde trainer.
"ITAI!" The blonde rolled around on the ground to out his flaming form. In the end, the boy was now charred and smoking. "Ugh...you could have just said no." He groaned. Typhlosion turned away from its trainer and snorted, an ember ejecting from its mouth to express its embarrassment and anger towards its trainer.
"Typhlosion."
"I am not a hentai, that's Ero-Sennin's job." Naruto said as he brought up the concept of his godfather.
"Typhlosion Ty."
"So what if he's my godfather, he's never around that much and Kaa-chan would have killed me and him if I ended up a super pervert like him." Naruto reasoned with his Pokemon. The partner Pokemon of the blonde Uzumaki blinked as it gave its trainer a blank look.
"Typhlo Typhlosion." Naruto blinked as he translated his Pokemon's dialogue to 'Hinata's breasts'. Naruto continued to blink and suddenly his face turned red from the blush that developed and blood ejected from his nose.
"AGH, DAMN IT TYPHLOSION...YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"
"Typhlosion. Typhlosion Ty."
"I AM NOT A PERVERT DAMN IT! WELL WHAT ABOUT YOU, YOU DON'T SEE ME TAUNTING YOU WHEN YOU SOMETIMES WATCH ESPEON'S BEHIND!" Typhlosion growled after a stream of blood flew from its nostrils.
"TYPHLOSION TYPHLOSION!" The Volcano Pokemon quickly tried to fry its trainer once more by aiming Flamethrower attacks at the blonde.
"HA! SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU BAKA-HENTAI POKEMON!" Naruto laughed as he pulled tissues out of his backpack to clog his nose with and prevent any further blood loss. Typhlosion did the same as it and Naruto began glaring at one another. As the two sat there, glaring at each other, Sasuke had returned with Feraligatr walking alongside him. He and the Big Jaw Pokemon now looked with slightly confused expressions as they saw the fiery tempered duo glaring bloody murder at one another.
"What did you do now, dobe?" Sasuke asked with a sigh.
"None of your business teme!" Naruto exclaimed before getting up and putting Typhlosion in its Pokeball. He then took out Quagsire's and released the Water/Ground type into the open.
"Quaaaag." The Pokemon yawned lazily before blinking its beady eyes.
"Come on Quagsire, let's go."
"Quag?"
"A place called the Dragon's Den." Quagsire blinked at its trainer before turning to Feraligatr and Sasuke. Both gave the Mud Fish Pokemon a shrug before said Mud Fish Pokemon followed behind Naruto. The two trainers and their Water-types walked around the Blackthorn City gym where they then stopped at a small body of water. It looked like a small lake, but on the other side of the small lake was a large mountain and within said mountain was the entrance to the cave complex known as the Dragon's Den.
Sasuke and Naruto climbed atop their Pokemon and had them swim across the body of water, easily reaching there within a matter of seconds due to the use of Surf. As they reached the end of the lake, they climbed out of the water and walked towards the entrance of the cave where an old man was sitting. His cane was resting lazily against his body as he sat before the entrance.
"Oi, Jiji...you're kinda in the way." Naruto said. The old man looked up with squinted eyes before rising to his feet, albeit slowly.
"You young people, no one but those who have defeated Mikoto-sama are allowed to enter the Dragon's Den. The only exceptions are the elder Uchiha himself, Izuna-sama and members of the Elite Four."
"We actually have defeated Mikoto-san." Naruto stated. The old man's eyes remained squinted, but the stretch in his face showed that his eyes were widening...sort of.
"Impossible. You two are no older than twelve, I believe. How could YOU have defeated Mikoto-sama?!"
"Because we're strong, old man. Now get out of our way before we make you." Sasuke snapped harshly. The old man turned to the black haired boy.
"You're an Uchiha as well, boy. But name along does not grant one access into the Dragon's Den for as I said before you must have proof of your defeat of Mikoto-sama to enter the..." The old man's speech froze as Naruto used Quagsire's Blizzard to freeze the man solid. The Big Jaw Pokemon then moved aside the ice sculpture of a man before grinning in satisfaction.
"Gatr." It said with a thumbs up.
"Why didn't we just do that before?" Naruto asked.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted before he and Feraligatr entered the cave. Naruto and Quagsire followed after them. The cave was dark for a while, but their eyes adjusted to the light of the cave and their eyes widened as they looked around it. They were in a small confined space, but spotted a single hole in the ground where a ladder piece was shown. They climbed down the ladder and emerged within the main area of the Dragon's Den.
"Woah." Naruto gaped in awe while Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow to show his impressiveness towards the environment he was currently witnessing. The cave was larger than how it looked from the outside. The space was simply gargantuan with large rock formations everywhere and a large flowing current of water. In some parts of the cave, there were shown to be small whirlpools swirling around. In the centre of the Dragon's Den was a single island where an old shinto shrine was sitting. The shrine had a black tile roof and was painted red and gold. Small statues of Dragonite surrounded the shrine at its four corners and there was the symbol of the Uchiha, the red and white Uchiha fan, emblazoned on the back of the shrine (the side of the shrine that Naruto and Sasuke were currently watching). A red wooden fence of some sort outline the shrine's island.
They walked down the path, moving down the steps before coming to a stop at an old wooden bridge piece that was shown to be completely destroyed. The other end of the bridge which was shown on the shinto shrine's island was the only other remaining piece of the bridge. Naruto and Sasuke took note of how there were large pieces of driftwood floating in the waters of the Dragon's Den.
'Must be the pieces of the broken bridge.' They deduced. They quickly had Quagsire and Feraligatr get back into the water and surfed along it. They managed to find a slope on a rock formation in order to bypass the wall of boulders that blocked their paths before climbing over it and going down the other side before coming to the edge of the whirlpool that blocked their path.
"How do we get past this thing?" Naruto asked. Sasuke stared at the whirlpool for a moment before reaching into his backpack and taking out a small blue disc.
"Oi, what's that?" The blonde's eyes narrowed as he spotted the disc.
"HM05: Whirlpool." He stated.
"Where did you get this?" Naruto asked.
"I got it from Izuna when we beat ROOT in Mahogany Town. It's an HM used to nullify whirlpools and it can be used as a battle move in a manner similar to that of Fire Spin." Sasuke explained. "You may be able to teach it Quagsire or Dragonair."
Naruto nodded, but then a thought occurred to him, "Why can't we just fly over the whirlpool and get to the shrine on Pidgeot?" Sasuke opened his mouth to answer, but his brain could not come up with said answer and he was left with his mouth hanging open and a blank look on his face.
"We could have done that the entire time, couldn't we?" He deadpanned. A sweatdrop formed on the back of Naruto's head as he saw Sasuke turn away without answering.
"Hn."
"I'll take that a yes. PIDGEOT!" Naruto called out as he tossed the Pokeball for his Flying/Normal type skyward. The Bird Pokemon emerged in a flash of white light and screeched like the bird it was. Naruto caught his Pokeball before reattaching it to his belt and then had Pidgeot lower itself.
"Arigato, Pidgeot."
"Pidgeooo." The Bird Pokemon cooed as Naruto climbed onto its back.
"Return, Quagsire." In a flash of red light, Quagsire gave its trademark blank look at its trainer and returned to its ball. The blonde then steered Pidgeot towards his rival and looked at the stubborn Uchiha. "Well?"
"Hn?"
"What do you mean 'hn'? Sheesh, teme you can't even get a hint. Are you coming on Pidgeot?" Sasuke gritted his teeth before sighing and nodding. Feraligatr then held up Sasuke and helped vault him upwards to Pidgeot's position before said Big Jaw Pokemon was returned to its ball. Sasuke landed atop Pidgeot, but he suddenly paled before nearly falling off.
"Woah woah woah!" Naruto exclaimed as he saw his rival tipping over the edge of the Flying-type Pokemon. "Sasuke, you alright?" Sasuke shook his head in slow motions before he gave a small wheezing sound and Naruto suddenly winced when he watched Sasuke curl up into a ball and covered his balls with his hands.
"Ooooo, ouch." Naruto hissed. "It's okay buddy, but hey look at the bright side." Sasuke looked up at his blonde friend with a questioning look.
"How does getting hit in my testicles have a bright side, dumbass." He groaned.
"At least now we have proof that you DO have balls."
There was a period of silence as the sound of raging water was the only sound that echoed throughout the Dragon's Den. Sasuke's eyes the caught afire with anime flames of rage.
"When I recover from this..." Sasuke wheezed once more as he clutched his balls again, "I'm going to kill you and throw your body in the lava pools in Kaa-chan's gym." Naruto chuckled nervously as the look in Sasuke's eyes made it seem as if he were actually going to do it.
'He's not really going to do it is he?' Naruto thought. He cast aside the threatening thought before directing Pidgeot to fly towards the Dragon Den's shrine. Pidgeot had decided to take its sweet time to fly around because it never got a lot of time to take leisurely flights and Naruto understood that and let Pidgeot do as it wished.
"But no aerial tricks. We don't want to fall off, okay?" Pidgeot seemed to frown and gave a coo of agreement.
"Pidgeot Pidgeo."
"I'm not a buzzkill. I just don't want to fall into cold, dark waters within a dark, damp cave where a raging whirlpool is." Naruto argued with the Bird Pokemon.
"Pidgeot Pi Pi Pidgeo."
"Typhlosion said what now?"
"Pidgeot." The Bird Pokemon turned away with an innocent look on its face.
"No, don't say it was nothing. I want to know, now repeat what you just said or so help me I'm gonna..." He was interrupted when Pidgeot screeched and landed on the wooden surface of the Dragon Den's shrine. As they landed, Feraligatr immediately popped out of its ball and stood by its trainer protectively. Pidgeot landed beside Naruto and walked after the blonde. Both trainers and their Pokemon walked towards the entrance to the shrine and stared at its wooden door before looking at one another.
"Lady's first?" Naruto chuckled. Sasuke stepped forward and opened the door before entering.
"Man before beast." He countered with a smirk. Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke childishly as he saw the raven haired boy enter with Feraligatr. Naruto and Pidgeot followed soon after, but just as soon as they had entered were they suddenly intercepted when two old men appeared out of the shadows with a pair of Dragonair by their sides. They were both wearing dark blue robes like the monks within the Sprout Tower in Violet City with the Uchiha fan emblazoned on the right breasts of their robes. The Dragonair's coiled around their bodies, their heads resting gently on their trainer's bald skulls, though circles of black hair and their sideburns were shown to have remained from their hair going away in old age.
"Welcome, trainers. You are the two Mikoto-sama has spoken of, Naruto Uzumaki, son of Kushina Uzumaki...and Sasuke Uchiha, son of our matriarch. Prepare yourselves." The two Dragonairs sped forth with a battle cry.
The two young trainers looked at each other and nodded.
"Feraligatr, intercept. Choke hold and then Blizzard."
"Pidgeot, multi-strike Wing Attack. Finish them with a dive bomb Steel Wing."
The Dragonair suddenly froze in shock for just as they launched themselves forth, Feraligatr had taken it upon itself to step in front of the two trainers and its arms reached out, its clawed hands gripping the two serpentine Pokemon a growl, Feraligatr slammed the pair of Dragonair into the wooden ground of the shrine with enough force to dent the wood. It then spun and threw them away before following up with a full scale Blizzard attack sending both Dragon-types backwards. Both Uchiha elders watched in shock as they saw their Dragonair being repelled but then their eyes widened even further as they saw a flash of colour pass across their vision and their Dragonair suddenly gained numerous bruises across their bodies before Pidgeot performed a dive bomb as it flashed into existence above them. With a screech, Pidgeot's wings glowed a stark silver. The Dragonair released cries of pain as they met the ground with terrific force. Pidgeot hovered over them with a piercing gaze directed at both the downed Dragon-types and their trainers.
Naruto and Sasuke walked past the two beaten Uchiha elders with neutral looks on their faces. Pidgeot landed and both it and Feraligatr walked after their trainers.
"Such...power." The first elder said.
"Did one second even pass?" The second one asked, more to himself than his partner.
They continued to walk down the single pathway within the shrine before coming to its end. Two Dragonite statues stood on either side of a large pedestal which had the statue of a European dragon which seemed to glare at those who looked at its stone eyes. Clutched in its claws was a large replica of the rising badge made of steel. In front of these statues lay a small red cushion upon which an old man sat. The old man had long gray hair and a stringy moustache. He wore the same type of robes as the two previous elders Naruto and Sasuke had defeated just before. A cane was clutched within the hands of the man as he slowly rose to his feet. Standing beside the elderly man was Mikoto Uchiha, a serious expression plastered on her face.
"Naruto Uzumaki, son of Kushina-chan. Sasuke Uchiha, son of Mikoto-sama. Weclome to the shrine of the Dragon's Den, the place where all trainers whom have conquered Mikoto-sama's gym come to see if they can pass the test to earn the right to hold the Rising Badge. This act of earning the Rising Badge has been a way of life within the Uchiha family for generations. The test involves a series of questions, but it is depending on your answers is what will determine if you are worthy of receiving the eighth badge that will grant you access to the Victory Road and through the path that will lead you to the Pokemon League Silver Conference Victory Tournament dome." The elder Uchiha spoke.
"Questions? No battle?" Naruto asked.
"I assumed it would be something more challenging." Sasuke spoke.
"Though it is said actions speak louder than words...words spoken are often required to be made through much thought. That thought process will allow you to be enlightened and open your eyes to truths about yourselves that you yourselves may have never even been aware of. Are you ready for my questions?" Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other before looking at the Pokemon besides them. Pidgeot and Feraligatr simply shrugged their shoulder/wings before making a gesture for them to continue with this 'test'.
"We accept. We'll take you on, old man." Sasuke said with the pride and arrogance that was worthy of any Uchiha. The elder Uchiha nodded as he tapped his cane on the ground. Mikoto looked at her son and her best friend's son before speaking.
"Very well, young trainers." The Uchiha elder spoke as he unfurled a small scroll. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Your first question. Strong Pokemon. Weak Pokemon. What do you believe is the more important?"
Sasuke immediately answered as he said, "Strong. Strong Pokemon help you win battles and overcome many of the obstacles we humans, as trainers, face in our journeys." Sasuke said. The elder hid the frown he had wanted to form, but raised an eyebrow as the blonde chose to speak.
"I disagree, teme." Naruto interjected and crossed his arms, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.
"Weak Pokemon, aid in showing people how it is to properly raise a Pokemon. If you raise a weak Pokemon, it will unlock the potential it has within it and show you that despite the weaknesses Pokemon have, they are all strong in their own rights. That's why I think weak Pokemon are much more important to have that strong Pokemon. I mean look at all our Pokemon." He patted Feraligatr and stroked Pidgeot's plumage softly. "Your Totodile was once an untrained and, no offense, weak." The Big Jaw Pokemon's eye twitched at that remark, but understood where the blonde was coming from so it let it slide. "And my Pidgey wasn't always as strong as it was. Now look at them. Feraligatr and Pidgeot are epic badasses."
The Pokemon mentioned swelled up with pride at the comments made by the son of Kushina. Sasuke nodded in agreement with his rival.
"I see your point, dobe, but strong Pokemon do not show you what you are doing wrong. Strong Pokemon often have the mentality to only obey a strong trainer. If one owns a strong Pokemon and by many uses of training it, it will show how one is able to earn the trust of a strong Pokemon and thus make you as a trainer, that much stronger."
"Weak Pokemon may have that same mentality as well Sasuke. Pokemon with a prideful or stubborn nature are known to be disobedient at first as well before they become obedient to their trainers."
Mikoto and the elder Uchiha watched with fascination as the two continued to spout off ideas about their ideals concerning what was the most important type of Pokemon. However, they gained curious looks as the two were now staring at one another with looks of realization.
"It's not strong or weak...it's both." They spoke simultaneously. "The answer is both."
The elder chuckled at that and nodded. "Yes, though both of you have initially argued with one another about weak and strong Pokemon, the truth is that both types of Pokemon are important. One is not more important than the other. Now for your second question." The elder glanced at the scroll.
"What helps a trainer to win in battles?"
"Strategy." Sasuke and Naruto spoke immediately.
"Though training the Pokemon is also important in order for a trainer to win." Sasuke added.
"Yeah, I mean we can't go to the League with a low level Pokemon in tow." Naruto spoke.
"A correct answer to both options. The third question now is what kind of trainer do you wish to face whenever you battle?"
Sasuke and Naruto shrugged. "Honestly, we would like to fight strong trainers, but in actuality we don't really care." Naruto said.
"I could battle weak and strong trainers, I mainly battle just to test my limits and see where I stand so any kind of trainer is good to face." Sasuke said.
"Yes, a correct answer once more. Usually, many people have a preference to fighting opponents in Pokemon battles, but the truth is that you learn from both types of trainers. Experience is gained no matter where or how you gain it. Weak and Strong do not matter, as long as you enjoy the battle and you gain experience from it." Mikoto smiled at the two boys before glancing at the scroll in the shorter Uchiha's hands.
"Your fourth question would be...what is most important in raising a Pokemon?" The long haired woman asked.
"Kaa-chan always told me that in order to properly raise a Pokemon, one must have extensive knowledge about that Pokemon. So knowing about Pokemon is what is important in raising a Pokemon, though that's my opinion." Naruto replied.
"One time, I was training with Itachi's Umbreon and I kind of pushed it a bit too hard. Itachi found me and told me that if I push my Pokemon too hard they may not end up liking me and disregard me as their trainer. So, my answer is that...one must care for their Pokemon in order to properly raise them." That was Sasuke's answer. Mikoto and the elder Uchiha frowned as they remembered Itachi, but their expression quickly changed to soft smiles as they saw the raven haired boy patting Feraligatr on the muzzle.
"Love and Knowledge are correct answers. There are many important aspects to raising a Pokemon. Knowledge about Pokemon and Love for your Pokemon are two of the most important."
Silence then filled the air as the elder Uchiha and Mikoto stared them down with fierce gazes causing them to gulp audibly, as if they were being judged or their very lives were at stake if they answered this next question wrong.
"This will be your fifth... and final final question, Naruto-kun...Sasuke-chan." Mikoto spoke, "What are Pokemon to you?"
Sasuke and Naruto's eyes widened at that.
"N-N-Nani? That question is kind of ambiguous isn't it?"
"True, it is vague...but explaining this question would make you all aware of the options and thus it is possible that you may lie in answering this question." The elder Uchiha said. "Now answer...What are Pokemon to you?"
Naruto and Sasuke looked at the Pokemon beside them. Feraligatr and Pidgeot were watching them with equal intensity. Suddenly, flashes of light burst forth and suddenly, both teams of Pokemon emerged before their trainers.
"What are you all...?" Sasuke's eyes widened with confusion, though he sweatdropped slightly, the cause of his pause, when he saw Gyarados was bent down low to the ground so as not to hit the ceiling and thus looked very unconfrotable. 'Maybe I should return Gyarados to his ball.'
"Why did you come out?" Naruto asked.
"Ty Typhlosion Phlo. Typhlo, Typhlosion Phlo Phlosion Ty Ty...Ty...Typhlosion Phlo. Typhlosion Phlosion Phlo, Typhlo?"
The other eleven Pokemon released their various cries as well upon Typhlosion finishing its speech.
"Naruto, what did Typhlosion say?" Sasuke asked.
"He said...he wishes to hear my opinion." He turned to Sasuke. "Though they know we care for them and that we battle with them, not asking them to do anything they don't want to do, a mark of a good trainer in Typhlosion's eyes, but...he still wishes to know. What is my opinion of Pokemon? What is he...what is my team...what do they mean to me? That is what our Pokemon are asking us."
"Is that really what you want to know?" Sasuke asked his team of six.
'A boy with the ability to understand the speech of Pokemon? Though it is possible, not many have been able to truly understand the language of every Pokemon they communicate with. This boy must be something special.' The Uchiha elder thought.
'Kushina-chan...your Naruto-kun really is something else.' Mikoto gaped at the boy who translated the speech of a Pokemon into human language. Meanwhile, the two teams of Pokemon stared intently at their trainers as they faced them. Everyone then turned when they heard Sasuke release a chuckle.
"Amused, are you?" The Uchiha elder asked.
"No...just laughing at my own realization. Truth be told, in the beginning...all I thought about Pokemon were how they would be merely support pillars and tools to give me the strength I would need to fulfill my goal and become a Pokemon Champion...to find Itachi. They were once, I guess disposable would be the term to use seeing as how I lack a better one...but, after remembering Itachi's words to me...and the opinions of many different trainers towards their Pokemon, they aren't like that to me anymore. My team, my Pokemon...they are my allies and my companions. They are the ones who do all of the fighting, all of the training, all of the heavy lifting. All I do is call out commands. They helped to teach me humility and so...Pokemon to me, are the best kinds of companions any trainer would deserve to have. Nothing more, nothing less." Sasuke said.
Sasuke then raised an eyebrow as he saw everyone around him suddenly began crying anime tears, river spilling from their eyes.
"TEME, HOW DARE YOU BE SO DAMN EMOTIONAL!" Naruto yelled as he slapped Sasuke across the shoulder. Naruto then wiped his eyes.
"But I couldn't have worded it any better than Sasuke-teme would have. My opinion of Pokemon is the same as his own." The blonde stated with a foxy grin on his face. Sasuke shook his head at the blonde's expression, but suddenly, everything grew dark and he looked up. His eyes then bugged out of his head as he was greeted with a terrifyingly large shadow.
"Oi, Oi...no no no! AHHHH!" Shadows descended upon Sasuke as he saw all six of his Pokemon leap at him and dog pile him in a hug, or makeshift embrace in the case of those who weren't bipedal. ALL. SIX. HEAVY. POKEMON. It was a wonder as to how the floor didn't collapse out from beneath them.
"Guys...body...being crushed...can't...breathe. Lungs collapsing." He managed to wheeze out, his face turning slightly blue from the suffocation, though immediately reverted back to its normal colour when the Pokemon rose up off of him.
"Sasuke-chan...Itachi really can't be removed from your thoughts can he?" Mikoto whispered to him as she hugged her son. Sasuke's eyes widened as he slowly returned his mother's embrace. He close his eyes and rested his chin on the taller woman's shoulder as she knelt down to his level.
"Gomen, Kaa-chan. But...it's not possible." He said, earning a chuckle from the Uchiha matriarch.
"Then...you do what you have to. If you believe Itachi is out there...then you should look for him. You're no longer a little boy it seems, Sasuke-chan and the fact that I kept seeing you and Naruto-kun in that way blinded me as to how mature and grown up you two are. I apologize for my ignorance." Mikoto bowed low to her son and Naruto.
"Oi, Oi...no bowing, no bowing. I'm not one for things like that." Naruto said with a sheepish look on his face, scratching the back of his head like he always did when embarrassed or nervous.
"Get up, Kaa-chan. You're a Uchiha...Uchiha's don't bow." He said with a small smirk. Mikoto laughed as she wiped away the small amount of tears that managed to escape from her tear ducts.
"Right, right." She laughed as she rose to her feet before turning around to the dragon statue behind them. She tapped the dragon's muzzle and its eyes changed colour, one turning black and the other white. The steel Rising Badge in its claws then rattled slightly before it parted open and in it revealed a series of Rising Badges lined up next to each other, making the shape of an actual Rising badge, though the shape was ruined when two of the badges were plucked from their positions and handed to the two pre-teens.
"This is the Rising Badge, the eighth and final badge of the Johto region's gym rewards. Take it and may you both succeed in your endeavors, I know that both of you will do exceedingly well in the Pokemon League Silver Conference Victory Tournament. I, Mikoto Uchiha, matriarch of the Uchiha clan of Blackthorn City and gym leader of Blackthorn City...find you, Sasuke Uchiha, and you, Naruto Uzumkai...worthy of being given this badge as proof of your victory over me in battle." Mikoto smiled as she handed out the badges.
Naruto and Sasuke took their badges from her hand and examined it. It was in the shape of a dragon's head with the left half of the badge being coloured black and the right half being white. Twin slits of silver represented the dragon's eyes with two dots of silver near the bottom to represent its nose. The two boys placed their badges in their badge cases and smirked with pride and joy, though the latter wasn't that much revealed in Sasuke's expression.
"Arigato. I can't wait to call Kaa-chan and Hina-chan and tell them I beat you and got the eighth badge." Naruto whooped as he was suddenly dogpiled on all sides by his Pokemon and they released their cries of joy towards their trainer gaining his final badge. Sasuke chuckled, but then turned and glared at his team.
"NO...NOT AGAIN!" He exclaimed, pointing an accusing index finger at them. The Pokemon who were in mid-jump, suddenly froze and landed on the wooden surface, frowning at their trainer.
"Feraligatr."
"Not a buzzkill." Sasuke said to the Big Jaw Pokemon as Feraligatr and the other five members of Sasuke's team slumped their shoulders.
"Oh and as another gift...here you go." Mikoto handed her son a disc case containing a TM, said Technical Move was coloured red and blue marking it as a Dragon-type move. Naruto struggled and with a grunt of effort, freed himself from the bottom of his pile of Pokemon.
"What's that, Mikoto-san?" He asked.
"TM58: Dragon Pulse." Sasuke read on the disc.
"Hai, Dragon Pulse. It is a Dragon-type move that launches a fierce vortex of energy at the opponent. It is quite powerful." Mikoto informed the two trainers. "Now, get a move on you two. You have quite a road ahead of you. Victory Road is after New Bark Town after you go through Tojho Falls which leads to the borderline between Kanto and Johto."
The two nodded before returning their Pokemon to their Pokeballs, except Pidgeot, and they climbed back on Pidgeot's back as they exited the shrine and flew back to the entrance of the Dragon's Den with Mikoto following behind them on her Dragonite. As they exited the cave, Mikoto gained a confused look as she saw the frozen Uchiha elder outside the Dragon's Den.
"What the...SASUKE! NARUTO!" The two younger trainers gave nervous looks, looking every other way except for directly at the Uchiha matriarch's eyes. After getting a stern talking to, Naruto and Sasuke went to the Pokemon Centre for a moment to take a break from the hectic day they had. Naruto had taken the time to call Kushina and inform her of the feat he had performed, something she was most proud of.
Naruto then called Hinata and did the same. He was congratulated by the young Hyuga and he was also informed of her and Sakura having received their fourth contest ribbons and thus leaving them with only one more ribbon left to gain to enter the Grand Festival.
"That's great, Hina-chan. I knew you were awesome."
"Thank you, Naruto-kun. So I'm assuming you'll be going to New Bark Town then, to head for Victory Road?"
"What? Why would I do that? You, Sakura-chan and Akatsuchi have to come with us. Now that me and Sasuke have all eight of our badges we can afford to slack off for a while. I mean, we have a few months before the Pokemon League actually starts. We started our journey sometime in October and it's only been seven months since then. It's May now and the Silver Conference starts in late November."
"Oh...well, that's actually very considerate of you, Naruto-kun. Ummm..." Hinata was about to talk, but she paused. Naruto heard Sakura's voice on the other end, but she was speaking in a hushed tone so he didn't manage to catch anything, well maybe a little bit, but 'weird make-up' and 'kimono' was not much to go by.
"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry...but Sakura-chan says she needs to show me something. We can talk later, okay?"
"Sure thing. Later, Hina-chan." Naruto then hung up and turned off the Pokegear on his wrist. He then looked up to see Sasuke, Feraligatr and Typhlosion looking out the window of the Pokemon Centre with focused gazes.
"What are you all looking at?" He asked as he followed their gazes. There was no answer, not that there was any need for one for as he looked out the window, his eyes widened as he saw a pair of Kimono Girls standing outside the Pokemon Centre. They stood still and there dark coloured eyes were a stark contrast to the pale make-up they wore on their faces.
"Are they...looking at us?" The blonde asked.
"It seems that way." Sasuke answered as he rose up from his seat. Feraligatr and Typhlosion dropped onto all-fours and followed their trainers outside of the Pokemon Centre and stood in front of the two Kimono Girls.
"Naruto Uzumaki, the boy who bears a heart of shining gold. Sasuke Uchiha who bears a soul of polished silver. Your services have been required now, for it is time. The Beast of the Sea and the Bird of the Skies are soon to return to the land of Johto and make themselves known. The bells and wings within your bags are responding to the energy signatures of the two legendary Pokemon." They spoke simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed the whole thing. Naruto and Sasuke opened their bags and their eyes widened when they saw that the Tidal Bell and Clear Bell were glowing slightly, along with the Rainbow Wing and the Silver Wing.
"Naruto Uzumaki, your path will lead you back to Ecruteak City, the home of the newly built Bell Tower that made to replace the Burnt Tower. Sasuke Uchiha, your path will lead you to the Whirl Islands off the coast of Cianwood City. The two females you two have traveled with, one of the two will accompany each of you. It is unknown as to which path they will take to reach either one of you, but they will be there to provide their services to aid you. It is imperative you go now. The time of their awakenings is almost here. You must move with haste." The two Kimono Girls stated.
The one with the image of Ho-oh stitched into her kimono grabbed onto Naruto and took out a Pokeball from Naruto's belt. She thew it skyward and Pidgeot emerged from the ball.
"Huh? Wait, how did you know that was Pidgeot's...who are, hey put me down!" Naruto was suddenly flung atop the Bird Pokemon. The Kimono Girl looked at the two Pokemon that belonged to the blonde.
"You know what must be done." Typhlosion and Pidgeot looked at the Clear Bell and the Rainbow Wing and suddenly their pupils dilated. If one were to see what was going on in their heads, they would see the top of the Bell Tower, the sky coloured like fire due to the setting sun and then a rainbow arcing across the sky before the ringing of the Clear Bell was heard. A flash of gold appeared and then the image of a giant bird with feathers coloured orange, green and white and flapped its mighty wings as fire surrounded it.
Pidgeot and Typhlosion shook their heads from the sudden vision before nodding to the Kimono Girl. Typhlosion was grabbed by its arm in Pidgeot's talons and Pidgeot flapped its wings as it took to the skies before using the HM move it knew, Fly, in order to augment its own flying abilities.
"Wait, but how am I getting to the Whirl Islands. I don't have a Flying-type." The Kimono Girl bearing Lugia's image on her kimono nodded at that before turning to her left. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw his own mother standing there. He then got the hint and ran towards his mother.
"Kaa-chan!" He exclaimed as he stopped in front of her.
"Yes, Sasuke-chan?" She asked.
"Kaa-chan, will it be alright if I borrow Dragonite or Charizard for a moment. Naruto-dobe left without me and I need a Pokemon that can fly." Mikoto giggled at her son's predicament, unaware of Sasuke's twisted lie, not that it wasn't truth as well, but you get the point. She then opened a Pokeball and Charizard emerged in a flash of light.
"Charizard, take Sasuke where he needs to go and return back here, 'kay?" Charizard roared in compliance before watching Sasuke. Sasuke nodded and climbed atop the Pokemon's back. The Kimono Girl bearing Lugia's insignia then held the Silver Wing and Tidal Bell before Charizard's and Feraligatr's eyes and the two Pokemon received the vision of the inside of a dark cave where a large waterfall lay. The ringing of the Tidal Bell was heard before the sound of what sounded like a whale song was heard. The image of a large winged beast then burst forth from the waterfall in a flash of silver, coated in wind and water.
Charizard and Feraligatr nodded in understanding. Sasuke returned Feraligatr to its ball and Charizard released a roar before taking off at high speeds towards Cianwood City.
The wind whipped through his hair as Charizard sped through the air and Sasuke looked back at his bag where the Tidal Bell and Silver Wing were stored.
'The Beast of the Sea is returning huh?' Sasuke thought. 'Well...let's just see this legendary Pokemon is worthy of its name.'
After another two hours of flying at high speeds, Charizard landed in a small crater as it impacted with the sands. Sasuke jumped off the Flame Pokemon and patted its head.
"Thanks, Charizard. Go back to Kaa-chan now." The draconian looking Pokemon nodded before giving a thumbs up of good luck to Sasuke. Spreading its massive wings, the fully evolved form of Charmander took off back towards Blackthorn City. Sasuke then began looking around the coast, the waves lapping at the white-brown sands. Sasuke looked at the Black Pokegear on his wrist before opening it out and activating the map card. He looked at the map and directed it to the ocean areas.
'There they are. The Whirl Islands.' He thought with narrowed eyes as he spotted the chain of islands where the supposed legendary Pokemon should be sleeping. 'It's located a few miles to the East. Now before I set off, that Kimono Girl stated that either Sakura or the Hyuga girl that was with Naruto, Hinata I think her name was.' The young Uchiha glanced around the island and took the time to go into the island city's drug store to buy some supplies he may need for the journey. He bought a few healing items such as Max Potions and Revives as well as a numerous set of Ultra Balls. After all, he wouldn't want to catch a legendary Pokemon with low quality Pokeballs like a Great Ball or regular Pokeball.
As he exited the store, he spotted Hinata dropping down from the sky atop her Togekiss. The pale eyed girl looked around for a brief moment before her eyes settled on Sasuke.
"Oh, Sasuke-san?!" She exclaimed. He nodded.
"So you're the one that came to me?"
"Apparently so. I dropped Sakura-san off at Ecruteak City before coming here and since you're here then that means she is with Naruto-kun." She said, though with a silent hint of jealousy and rage in her tone. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at that, but ignored it. It wasn't his place to say anything. "So, Sasuke-san...the Kimono Girls that Sakura-san and I met have informed us of the current predicament. The legendary Pokemon within the Whirl Islands is ready to awaken it seems and you are the one who possesses the necessary items to do so. Though seeing as we are going to the Whirl Islands, you will need the HM Whirlpool in order to bypass the whirlpools surrounding the island chain."
"I have it, but none of my Pokemon can risk learning that move. Do you think you could teach one of your own?" Sasuke asked. Hinata nodded as Sasuke reached into his bag and handed her HM05: Whirlpool. The blue disc was loaded into the lavender Pokedex she held before tossing out a Great Ball. In a flash of blue, a large blue Pokemon appeared. It had a saurian look to it and had blue skin with its underside being a cream colour. Four flippers replaced its legs and atop its back was a large grey-purple coloured shell which had numerous spikes on it. A horn stretched out from the forehead of the Pokemon and its dark eyes blinked as it appeared before the two trainers.
"LAAAA!"
Lapras the Transport Pokemon. A Water and Ice-type Pokemon. They have gentle hearts. Because they rarely fight, many have been caught. Their number has dwindled.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked at the Water/Ice-type before him.
"You caught a Lapras?!" He exclaimed. Hinata nodded with a smile on her face.
"Yup. When passing through Union Cave after Violet City, Naruto-kun and I had found the lower level entrances of the Union Cave. After getting Surf for Furret to better swim over the waters in the cave, I had flown back there on Togekiss..." She patted the final evolution of Togepi on the head affectionately, "..and then I found the Lapras there. You can guess what I did from there. Afterwards, I deposited Butterfree for it, though I feel bad for doing that since Butterfree was one of my first catches." Hinata frowned.
"Well no doubt you raised that Lapras well. It looks pretty strong."
"It was the Pokemon that won me my fourth ribbon." Hinata said with pride as she held up her ribbons case and showed the raven haired boy her fourth ribbon, which was a deep blue with purple stripes and had a golden pin in the middle in the shape of an eight pointed star. Sasuke nodded before he let Feraligatr out.
"Well, now that we've been reacquainted, we need to hurry to the Whirl Islands." Sasuke said. Hinata nodded and she returned Togekiss to its ball before pointing her Pokedex at Lapras, said Pokedex containing Whirlpool's disc in it.
Your Lapras would like to learn Whirlpool, would you like to forget a move to learn Whirlpool? Hinata clicked Yes using the Directional Pad on her Pokedex. Which move would you like to forget?
In her Pokemon's move set, it was revealed that Lapras knew Ice Beam, Brine, Hydro Pump and Body Slam. A tough move set for her to choose to forget a move, but after going through the pros and cons of forgetting a certain move, Hinata chose to get rid of Brine. After that, she handed the Water-type move back to Sasuke before placing it in his bag.
The two pre-teens then climbed atop their Pokemon and zoomed across the waters. Fighting past the Pokemon that got in the way using Lapras's new Whirlpool move and Sasuke using Surf to wash over them, they had made great time in arriving to the Whirl Islands. Their eyes widened as they saw the chain of rocky islands and the numerous whirlpools that surrounded them. Luckily though, Lapras was able to generate its own whirlpools using the HM move it was taught earlier to create whirlpools that spun in an opposite direction to nullify them and return the currents to normal, though it was shown the whirlpool nullification was only temporary as they formed back after a period of two minutes.
After doing this, they finally reached the entrance to one of the Whirl Islands. As they entered, they ran through the cave, climbing down and up ladders that were placed within the islands by previous excavators who wished to explore the island in earlier times. Finally, after much running, beating down on wild Pokemon and climbing ladders, they reached the end of it all. As they navigated through a few tunnels, they went down a slope only to come face to face with a monk who bore a staff with the image of the Silver Wing atop it.
"Halt, young trespassers. Only those who are said to be worthy of entering the Beast of the Sea's chambers may get past me. Though I am old, I will show you why I was not beaten for the past forty years within this cave complex."
"As impressive as that is...wow forty years?" The two trainers asked earning a nod from said monk. "Look, we need to get there, I have the Tidal Bell and the Silver Wing with me." Sasuke held up the two items from his bag and the old monk's eyes widened.
"Amazing, you are the chosen one of the Beast of the Sea. Very well, I shall grant you both passage to its chambers." The monk stepped aside and the two trainers nodded their thanks before following the paths through the Whirl Islands. In the end, Lapras and Feraligatr followed the two trainers up the stone steps of one of the three stone formations within the chamber, only for their eyes to widen as they saw the five Kimono Girls whose kimonos bore the image of Lugia in silver silk. Behind them, a giant waterfall roared and Sasuke and Hinata, Feraligatr and Lapras could only stare in awe and wonder at the majesty of the waterfall.
Hinata then decided to let Lapras return and in response, her partner, Espeon emerged. The Sun Pokemon gave a greeting to Sasuke and Feraligatr only for it to gape alongside them as it stared at the waterfall just like its fellow team member, Lapras.
"Welcome, chosen one of Lugia." One Kimono Girl spoke.
"That's right, this is where we welcome Lugia, the Beast of the Sea." Another Kimono Girl spoke.
"When the dance that we have practiced for many days becomes one with the sound of the Tidal Bell we entrusted with you, then Lugia shall come out from deep within the waterfall basin once again!" The Kimono Girl that stood in the lead spoke. The girls then got into their positions around a smaller rock formation that protruded upwards from the flat of the rock formation they were currently standing on. The Tidal Bell suddenly seemed to react from within Sasuke's bag and the raven haired boy opened it and the silver coloured bell and the Silver Wing floated upwards, out of the bag and hovered in the air over the small rock protrusion.
All of a sudden, a beautiful song began to sing throughout the air. The Tidal Bell rung loudly and harmoniously as the Silver Wing circled the bell. The Kimono Girl danced a beautiful, hypnotizing dance around the rock protrusion, doing their movements in time to the song of the Tidal Bell. They then turned behind them and the two pre-teens and their partners watched in awe as the calm waters suddenly began to rage and roared to life. Waves rose up and crashed against one another. Images of silver flowers floated from the glowing Silver Wing and shone in the air.
Other bells began to ring and Sasuke, Hinata, Espeon and Feraligatr watched as two brass coloured bells that seemed to have been tied to the rocks beforehand, rung in with the Tidal Bell. After the song died down, there was an eerie silence within the chambers. The Kimono Girls looked at one another before nodding and walked up to the opposite end of the rock formation and bowed low to the ground.
The two trainers and their partner Pokemon followed the Kimono Girls, but did not bow for they were in shock as they saw a piercing gaze stab through the thick wall of water. The waterfall was suddenly beginning to rumble louder and the piercing gaze that shone through, glowed a brilliant blue and silver. Wind and water then exploded outwards in a beautiful, yet terrifying whirlpool that showed tremendous power. The shadow of the great beast that lay within it suddenly became visible and with the song of the Beast of the Sea, the whirlpool burst apart revealing the great legendary Pokemon.
The Pokemon looked like it held a resemblance to that of a dragon and a bird combined. It had white-silver feathers covering its body, though they weren't actually that visible as the feathers looked more like sleek skin, the skin that one fight find on a seal. Its underbelly was a dark blue and dark blue, spine-like protrusions emerged from its back. Its mouth was very much shaped like a beak, but there were few sharp teeth that lay within those jaws. Its tail had two small, spine-like protrusions on either end of it as well. Its large wings had feathers than bore a resemblance to large hands. Its black eyes narrowed at the two trainers before it.
The black eyes then shone with a bright blue colour and it let out its cry once more as the powers of wind and water swirled to life. Sasuke, Hinata, Feraligatr and Espeon could only watch in awe as they gazed before the majesty of the legendary Pokemon. This was the power that split apart the Whirl Islands when it was once a single island, this was the power of the legendary Pokemon. This was the Beast and Guardian of the Seas.
This was the Diving Pokemon...Lugia.
Ecruteak City-Bell Tower
"Come on Sakura-chan, you're lagging." Naruto said to his pink haired friend as he and Typhlosion landed on the other side of one of the slopes that they slid along. Sakura and Meganium followed after the two before glaring at them.
"Hold on, Naruto. We're not stamina freaks like you and Typhlosion."
"Mega Meganium!" The Grass-type agreed with its trainer.
'How did we get into this mess again?' She thought.
Flashback
Sakura and Meganium had been dropped off in Ecruteak City by Hinata on her Togekiss since Sakura had no Flying-type Pokemon of her own, nor did she own one that was capable of using the HM move Fly. After thanking her for the ride, Sakura had headed towards the Bell Tower where she was to meet the person who was to go and 'awaken the Lord of the Skies' at the area near the Bell Tower. At least that's what the Kimono Girl said to her.
She had then heard a screaming sound and looked up, her eyes widening as he saw Naruto's Pidgeot swoop in low and drop the boy and his Typhlosion off at the ground before going into a loop-de-lopp and circle back.
"Thanks...for the ride Pidgeot." Naruto groaned as he returned the Bird Pokemon to its Poke Ball. Pidgeot cooed in response. The Sakura and her partner Pokemon watched as Naruto stood back to his feet with Typhlosion before looking at the green eyed girl.
"Hey, Sakura-chan!" The blonde greeted his friend. "What are you doing...oh are you the person who's gonna come with me to wake up Ho-oh?" He asked. Sakura nodded in confirmation.
"Hai, though I don't know how we're getting into the Bell Tower though. I heard that only a few chosen are allowed into it." She and Meganium then turned to see Naruto and Typhlosion wearing matching grins.
"Leave that to us, Sakura-chan." Naruto said. However, the blonde had decided to take a little detour, much like his rival had done, and bought a few items, mainly Burn Heals, Max Potions and Revives. A lot of Ultra Balls were added to the mix too since he wished to catch the legendary Pokemon of the rainbow. As they entered the dojo area that led to the Bellchime Trail, the monks living there immediately wanted to kick them out.
"NARUTO-BAKA I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU HAD THIS UNDER...control?" Her expression became very confused as she saw Naruto reach into his bag and pull out a golden coloured bell and a multi-coloured feather.
"You...You...You have the Rainbow Wing...and you have the Clear Bell. You are the chosen of Ho-oh, please forgive us. Pass through and awaken Ho-oh. Allow for the Lord of the Skies to be resurrected once more." Naruto nodded as he passed through the space between the two rows of bowing monks.
"By the way, the girl and the Pokemon are with me."
"Of course, chosen of Ho-oh." The monks chorused. Typhlosion, Sakura and Meganium followed Naruto through the autumn coloured trail known as the Bellchime trail before stopping at the entrance to the Bell Tower. It was enormous. Easily over nine stories tall.
"Well come on." Naruto said.
"Wait, Naruto, shouldn't we be more careful and..."
"Trust me, Sakura-chan. We'll be fine." And with that they entered the tower.
End Flashback
'Ah yes...it all leads back to Naruto.' The rosette thought. After numerous hours of hopping along the slopes within the Bell Tower, some of which involved people, namely Sakura and Naruto, slipping and nearly falling to their dooms had it not been for Pidgeot's Fly or Meganium Vine Whip to save them. After climbing up the tower, they finally reached the top of the tower, climbing the longest ladder they ever climbed in their entire lives. After exiting through the hole the ladder poked through, Naruto returned Pidgeot to its ball and the two trainers and their partners walked forward, only to stop after their first step.
This was due to them finding themselves at the top of the Bell Tower, the very top, the blue tiled roof to be specific. Before them, five Kimono Girls, each one bearing the golden silk image of Ho-oh on their clothing, stood and bowed to Naruto and Sakura. The two pre-teens walked up the wooden flight of stairs that had been constructed for them to stand up on while Meganium and Typhlosion stood behind them.
"Welcome, chosen one of Ho-oh." One Kimono Girl spoke.
"This is where we welcome Ho-oh." Another one spoke.
The lead Kimono Girl that stood in the middle spoke, "When the dance we have practiced for many days becomes one with the sound of the Clear Bell we entrusted to you, then Ho-oh shall come down from the great arch in the sky once again."
Naruto then looked around at the roof and saw that the roof had four spires, each with a golden bell attached to it. With the centre spire rising up from the centre of the blue tiled roof and towering over the other four which lay at the corners of the roof. He then felt his bag rustle and he opened it to reveal the Clear Bell and Rainbow Wing which were now glowing with power. The two objects then floated high into the air, hovering by the centre spire. The Clear Bell began to ring in harmony with the other four bells that were attached to the roof after its formation.
The Clear Bell then began to ring and a beautiful song echoed through the air. The sun had begun to set and the autumn coloured leaves from the trees in the Bellchime Trail fluttered through the air. The four other bells rung in harmony and the Kimono Girls danced to the beat of the song of the bells. The Rainbow Wing released a glowing rainbow aura that decorated the air around them.
"Beautiful." Sakura said.
"Megaaa." Meganium stared in awe at the display.
Then, the song stopped and everyone watched as a visible pulse of energy from the Clear Bell, that looked similar to a sound wave, and from the Rainbow Wing, flew into the air. A golden flash suddenly burst forth in the clouds and there a sudden burst of flame that accompanied the flash. The spiral of flame tore through the air before landing on the roof of the Bell Tower. The flames then dispersed with a mighty screech.
The Kimono Girls bowed as Naruto, Sakura, Typhlosion and Meganium stared in awe.
The Pokemon before them was gargantuan, a size truly deserving of a Legendary Pokemon. The Pokemon was a phoenix-like bird with gold and red being its dominant colors. It also loosely resembled a peacock. It had yellow tail-feathers tipped with white or a cream colour. Its underside was white and green feathers were at the tip of its wings. The great Pokemon had a green stripe on its neck, a yellow beak, black rings around its red-iris eyes, and a feathered-crest. Its wings flapped heavily, causing great, yet gentle gusts of wind and the colours of the rainbow emerged and disappeared with each flap.
With a mighty screech, the large bird-like Pokemon called upon the powers of the wind and fire and it burst to life. Naruto, Sakura, Meganium and Typhlosion could only stare in awe at the magnificence of the legendary Pokemon and its powers. This was the power of a legendary Pokemon who could resurrect the dead. The power of a Pokemon who could burn everything to ashes. This was the Lord and Guardian of the Skies.
This was the Rainbow Pokemon...Ho-oh.
Pokedex: Seen-150
Caught-100
Character Bio: Kurenai Yuhi
Eye Colour: Red
Hair Colour: Black
About: Kurenai was born in Ecruteak City and is a descendant of the original priest/priestesses who used to watch over the Bell Tower and Burnt Tower. She has been in tune with Ghost-type Pokemon for many years and was gifted with the ability of clairvoyance, to see into the future and see everything around her due to an otherworldly power. She is known to be very bossy when angered, but in most cases she is very level headed and is a very competent Gym Leader for the Ecruteak City Gym. Her dream is to one day see Ho-oh when it returns to the city.
Naruto's Team:
Typhlosion(Male)
Pidgeot(Male)
Heracross(Male)
Quagsire(Female)
Amphoros(Female)
Dragonair(Female)
Hinata's Team:
Espeon (Female)
Butterfree(Female)
Nidoqueen(Female)
Jumpluff(Female)
Lapras(Male)
Togekiss(Male)
Sasuke's Team:
Feraligatr(Male)
Sneasel(Male)
Gengar(Male)
Rapidash(Female)
Red Gyarados(Male)
Rhydon(Male)
Sakura's Team:
Meganium(Female)
Azumarill(Female)
Porygon2(No Gender)
Jigglypuff(Male)
Vulpix(Female)
Pikachu(Male)
Akatsuchi's Team:
Golem(Male)
Steelix(Male)
Sudowoodo(Male)
Crobat(Female)