Lucas Brilliante was many things. He was a research assistant to Professor Rowan. He was a trainer. He was a boy trying to find his niche. He wasn't strong like Paul, not as multi-talented as Dawn or as energetic as Barry. But he hadn't thought himself as bad or weak. At least not until now.
"Look at the little fella, Neptune. He's not feeling so hot." A duo of Galactic members stood over him. The one whom has spoken had an androgynous appearance. They had long greenish blue hair and had a coat that was longer and more dress-like then other Galactic grunts or commanders. They also had the same greenish blue for eyeshadow and lip gloss.
"I agree, Ouranos. Let's put the little punk of his misery." The other Galactic commander was a tall, buff muscular woman. She seemed to have a dark blue mohawk and has filed her teeth. Her neck had tattoos that looked like the gills on a Sharpedo and she had a few piercings in her eyebrow and ears.
"I'm so sorry Lovekov…Starbit." Lucas sneered. He held his Dunsparce and Clefairy in his arms. They had been beaten badly by these two. The tsuchinoko and star fairy Pokémon whimpered but the looks they gave their trainers were still one of pure affection. "I'm still not done!" he said as he recalled his Pokémon. "Hardhead, Tank!" A Cranidos and his Grotle came out.
"That is adorable." Ouranos said as he let out an ojou-sama laugh. "But it gets boring quickly. Lickylicky, wreck his shit." The huge pink round ugly as sin long-tongued Pokémon shot out his tongue. The Cranidos jumped up and ran along the tongue.
"Headbutt!" Lucas commanded as Hardhead hit the Lickylicky head on. Pun intended. The Lickylicky staggered.
"Power Whip!" Lickylicky's tongue became green and slammed into the Cranidos, whom then was flung into his trainer, and he was knocked onto the ground.
Lucas could only be concerned about Hardhead and not about the ribs whom may have possibly been bruised from having a rock-skinned pachycephalosaur thrown into him. "Hardhead, you ok?" the little dino Pokémon groaned. Lucas gritted his teeth. "Tank, Tackle them!"
The Grotle shot forward to ram his weight into the Galactic members' mons. But he tripped over his feet and landed on the ground. The both of them laugh. "That is hilarious." Neptune hollered. "Probopass, Zap Cannon!" The huge Maoi statue/Groucho Marx themed Rock/Steel type shot a blast of electricity from its nose, hitting Tank. Despite its resistance, the blast did hurt him, he wasn't fast or agile enough to dodge and he was paralyzed when it hit. "Now Flash Cannon!" a burst of silvery metallic energy shot out of its nose and knocked Tank out. "It was so easy it was almost no fun." Neptune said.
"Almost." Ouranos said as he let out that annoying ojou-sama laugh as Neptune gave a hearty chuckle that somehow also sounded cold. "We tire of playing. I think we should claim a prize."
"None of his punk ass weak mons." Neptune said. "They're no good."
"You are right, my esteemed co-worker. But this is interesting." Ouranos picked something up.
Lucas eyes widened. It was his Pokédex. He must have dropped it when Hardhead was knocked into him. "Give that back!"
"Make us." Ouranos taunted. "Quite a nifty device. You know, a little coat of green and blue paint and it would fit our aesthetic."
"Is that one of those Dex thingies? With a lot of info and shit about Pokémon." Neptune said.
"It is. Only given to select trainers. A rarity. Our lucky day. A much better trophy then his trashy mons." Ouranos said.
"My mons aren't trash and that doesn't belong to you." Lucas said as he took out another Pokéball. "Majin!" a Kadabra came out. "Psybeam!" it shot multicolored energy at the mons, but the Probopass moved in front of the Lickylicky and absorbed the attack with minimal damage.
"He just doesn't learn his lesson." Neptune said with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Luckily we are patient teachers and will take the time to make sure the lesson sticks. Lesson one: You don't f*** with Team Galactic." Ouranos said. "Body Slam!" The Lickylicky and his huge gullet slammed into the Kadabra and knocked him down. "Lesson two: We win!"
Lucas couldn't stand these two bullies roughing his Pokémon up, and taking away his gift from Professor Rowan. So Lucas charged in, but found Neptune's fist burying in his gut. And then Ouranos backhanded him. "Pathetic." Ouranos whispered. "As amusing as it was having beaten up a child, we have better things to do then to shatter his delusions."
"Yeah, but this is more fun." Neptune smirked.
"You may be able to handle a weakling like him. But you won't stand a chance against a real trainer." A voice said. Neptune and Ouranos turned around to see Paul. "I hate Team Galactic. They are weaklings bullying weaker people to feel strong."
"Weaklings? We will show you, kid!" Neptune growled.
"You got the right idea, Neptune. We have to teach another kid a lesson. In how to respect his betters." Ouranos added.
"You can't mean yourself with that." Paul noted. He grabbed two Pokémon. "Ursaring, Torterra, standby for battle." He took out two of his strongest Pokémon for this. He was going to show these two how utterly outclassed they are.
"Lickylicky, Stomp!" Ouranos ordered. The overweight tongue monstrosity rushed at the Torterra and stomped with his leg on its face. The Torterra didn't flinch, it barely even moved. The Lickylicky kept kicking at the face fo the giant world turtle Pokémon.
"Crunch!" Torterra didn't take the last hit and grabbed the Lickylicky's leg with its huge serrated mouth. The Lickylicky screamed out in pain. The Torterra then threw the Lickylicky to the ground. "Earthquake!" it planted its forelegs on the Lickylicky and stomped hard, delivering an earth shattering stomp to the pink round abomination.
"Probopass! Zap Cannon!" Neptune ordered. The electic burst shot at the Ursaring, hitting dead on. The Ursaring sparked for a bit. Before it growled, its eyes glowed red and it roared out to the heavens. "I think that wasn't a good idea."
It wasn't, she has triggered Ursaring's Guts ability. Now it gets a power boost form the parlysis. "Brick Break!" Paul ordered. The Ursaring moved with a greater speed its bulk and parlysis would suggest.
"Stone Edge!" Neptune said. Huge spikes of stones burst form the ground from under Probopass towards the Ursaring, but it just had its clawed fist forward and smashed through the rocky obstacles like they were paper mache. Then it got close to the Probopass and with one blow cracked its nose, and sent the iron filings under its nose scattering.
"What the f*** is this kid?" Ouranos backed off, genuinely looking scared.
"Hyper Beam!" Paul ordered. Torterra and Ursaring both charged yellow-orange energy in their mouths, and then shot it like a beam at the two. The two and their Pokémon were sent blasting off, as they became a twinkle in the sky. However they had dropped the Pokédex in the process. Paul picked it up from the ground. "This yours.
"Yes, so now…please give it back." Lucas noted.
"I wonder if you even deserve to hold a Pokédex. There are expectations from the ones getting this. Only those with potential to be the greatest get these. But you…" Paul said as he eyed the Pokédex.
"It wasn't up to you to decide. Now, give it back." Lucas growled.
"Or else what? You couldn't handle those two, and you want to challenge me, the one whom was able to handle those Galactics?" Paul noted.
"Please, I need it for my research." Lucas noted.
"Research into Pokémon…with your current skill level that wouldn't do you much good. Even researchers need to have a base concept for Pokémon battling, as they need to capture and test the strength of the Pokémon they research. But you don't even have that kind of strength. Your research projects would surely fail." Paul said. "I could take this for my own…but I already got one. And they were right to give me one. I know I'm strong, and I don't need false humility to say me otherwise." Paul threw the Pokédex back to Lucas, whom caught it. "You're lucky I'm feeling generous. Either get stronger or do yourself and your Pokémon a favor and get out of the game." Paul then recalled his Pokémon and walked away.
"What an asshole." Lucas muttered. At least he got his Pokédex back. But it was not due to his own strength. He had failed himself, and his Pokémon."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the Pokémon Center, he was at the cafeteria portion, drinking his woes away. "Another Kanto Kola." He said as he finished the can, crumpled it up and threw it away.
"Don't you think you have enough? That's way too much sugar and caffeine." The server at the cafeteria said.
"It's my problem to deal with it. So please…" he pulled out more Pokédollar coins. "More Kola!" the server just shrugged and took the coins, getting another soda for him.
"Whatever it is that makes you drink like that, there isn't enough Kola in the world." A girl's voice sounded. It was quite monotone and it came from a girl in Gothic Lolita gear, and the outfit makes him think of a psychic Pokémon in Unova whose name he can't quite remember.
"What's it to you?" Lucas asked.
"Nothing I guess." The girl said as she sipped her own soda, which was a Rawst Berry Fizzy. "Though admittingly it is a bit sad seeing you like this. And by 'a bit' I mean 'really, really sad.'"
"You don't mince your words, do you?" Lucas noted.
"I have to since I have friends whom are utter disasters unless someone like me gives it to them straight." The girl said. "Name's Marley."
"Lucas." Lucas took another sip of his Kola. "What brings you here?"
"I'm thirsty and I craved a soda." Marley noted. "But I guess that's not what you meant. I'm just passing through to meet one such of my friends whom is a disaster. How about you?"
"I thought I knew but I don't know what I'm doing again. I thought I was a decent trainer and a researcher but I got my ass kicked. Badly, by a pair of Galactic Goons. Had to be saved by that purple haired jerk Paul whom…is as blunt as you but not half as friendly." Lucas said.
"Ouch." Marley noted. "So what are you going to do about it?" Marley asked.
"Me? What can I do?" Lucas said.
"Anything else but wallowing in self-pity and drinking your sorrows away with caffeinated fizzy drinks? Either you get over it and shape up, get better. Or you take a different direction in life." Marley said.
"You make it sound easy." Lucas noted.
"Maybe you make things 'not easy'." Marley said as she took another sip of her Rawst soda. "So what do you want to do?"
"I don't know." Lucas admitted. "But at least I don't want to a repeat of the fight with those Galactic Goons. I need to get stronger. Don't mind being a sparring partner?"
"Got nothing better to do before I meet up with my old friend so why not? My mons need exercise too." Marley said as she got up.
Later on they were outside. Marley had a Ninjask out, which was flying circles all around Lucas' Grotle. It was slashing away while Grotle could barely move and act against the insectoid creature. "It seems your Grotle is unfamiliar with battling." Marley noted.
"He isn't. It's just…he was a speedy fella when he was a Turtwig, and as a Grotle…he isn't as fast anymore." Lucas admitted.
"Thought so…sometimes evolution drastically changes a Pokémon's biology. I mean as a Nincada, Shinobi couldn't fly and now he can fly around like he drank all your Kanto Kolas." Marley said as her Ninjask buzzed around her head and twitching like he was on a caffeine rush. "He needs a new fighting style." Marley observed.
Lucas and his Grotle both looked thoughtful. It was then that they heard some heavy footsteps. They turned around to see a Torterra. "Hey, I know this one. He belongs to Paul."
"The purple haired jerkass you told me about?" Marley asked with a raised eyebrow. The Torterra looked at her, huffed and planted his feet. "He wants to challenge me?"
"Without his trainer? Guess he must really love to battle." Lucas noted.
"Fine then. Shinobi, Fury Cutter." the Ninjask obliged and rushed at the Torterra. He shot with great speed at the Torterra, slashing away at him. But the Torterra stood firm and strong.
"He is taking the hits…" Lucas observed. "Just like with that Lickylicky…" the Torterra kept taking the blows for a few more moments, but then suddenly when the Ninjask was close enough for its next strike, Torterra's eyes glowed green and vines shot from the ground. The Ninjask was too close to avoid them and was wrapped up. "Frenzy Plant!" Lucas realized.
"Oh, walked right into that one." Marley noted.
"That's what he wanted to show me. Speed no longer works. But defense…the waiting game, taking the blows and striking when the time is right." Lucas realized. The Torterra released Shinobi from its grasp and turned around. "Thanks for the help, big guy." The Torterra turned around and let out a small smile.
The next morning, Lucas had woken up from a better night's sleep. He was about toe leave the PokéCenter as he ran into Paul again. "Oh, it's you." Lucas droned. "I guess I could be grateful that your Torterra was a huge help."
"Don't thank me. Torterra decided to do it on his own." Paul said.
"Don't give him any flack for this." Lucas said.
"What he does in his spare time is none of my concern as long as it doesn't interfere in his battle prowess." Paul noted. "It's his choice if he chose to help a weakling like you."
"I won't be weak much longer." Lucas noted.
"Then work to prove it. Dawn is too idealistic, but she is rocking two circuits with sheer skill, determination and stubbornness. His blonde hyper friend is an idiot but he works hard and pushed through. Both of them have set goals. Set a goal for yourself and do all you can to work towards it." Paul said. "I am going, I wasted enough time."
"Screw you too, Paul." Lucas said. He sighed as the purple haired menace left.
"He's a jerkass, but he isn't wrong." Marley noted. "You need to set a goal for yourself. You called yourself a trainer and researcher but…what is it that you truly want to do with your life?"
"What? But I…" Lucas wanted to speak up, but found himself at a lost for words.
"It's ok if you haven't figured it out now." Marley said. She pulled out a card. "I'm part of a group. We are very good at helping people gain direction in life. If you need help, contact us."
"Ah, ok…fine. Er…thanks for your help Marley." Lucas said.
"No problem. Now if you excuse, a lez disaster friend of mine waits for me to tell about problems with her 'not-girlfriend'." Marley said, making air quotes on her last words. She called forth her Arcanine and got on its back. She then rushed off into the distance. Lucas found himself staring a bit longer at the horizon, and has been a few minutes after Marley disappeared before he realized it.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So, you must be Lucas." The guy in a dapper blue suit, black gloves and equally stylish hat said. "The name is Riley. Nice to meet you."
Lucas shook his hands. "Nice meeting you too. So er…Marley said you guys could help me?"
"We help anyone we come across. That's our thing." The little girl Mira said.
"We are the Support Tending to Advanced Training; or STAT." Riley said.
"I still think that name sounds dorky." Marley said, her usual blunt self.
"We thought it'd be fun. I mean, we all have certain affinities for a specific stat. Mira for special, Cheryl for HP, me for physical attack, little Buck for defense and Marley for speed." Riley said. "Took me a while to make the acronym work."
"He had way too much fun with it." Marley said.
"Er, anyhow. I seek to become stronger." Lucas said.
"And why do you want to become stronger?" Riley asked.
"I was beaten badly before…by evil trainers. I was helpless. I wasn't strong enough. And also…I seek purpose. I have been a trainer and helping Professor Rowan with his research…going around cataloguing Pokémon…I'm not sure if I am cut out to do that." Lucas noted.
Riley looked intensely at Lucas. Like he tried to look into his soul. "I see…I used to be like you. I was once just a young troublemaking punk. I made the mistake of messing with the wrong guy. I wanted to fight. Just because I could. Oh boy, did I get my ass kicked. But the guy was a good sport and gave me a chance…that's how I met my master and mentor. Thanks to his guidance I became whom I am today."
"Really?" Lucas asked. "That was awfully nice of him. What is he up to now?"
"He's gone. He lived a dangerous life. He fought to protect people. And he did that until the very end." Riley said, sounding a bit sad.
"Sorry to hear." Lucas said.
"It's ok. He was a hero. My hero, and I continued his teachings. I gave others purpose with STAT." Riley said. "Helped them find direction."
"I was once all alone, but big brother Riley found me and now I have a family." Mira said.
"I live in the shadow of my older brother. I love him but I wanted to find my way to get stronger." A young kid called Buck said.
"I would have inherited my parents' Gym but I didn't want that. My sister now runs it and she is happy in her role, and better then I could be. I would go around the world, as I want to discover all the treasures nature can provide." Cheryl said as she held a jar of Combee Honey.
"I just bumped into these guys and now I'm stuck with them." Marley said bluntly.
"You love us!" Buck noted. Marley didn't deny anything.
"A purpose is one determined by one's self. I cannot find it for you, I can only show the way. But at least I can help you get stronger. That newfound strength at least will serve you well. It won't be easy but you'll find…fulfillment." Riley noted.
"Well, no turning back now." Lucas said.
"That's the spirit. Let's get started shall we?" Riley said.
The next few weeks were harrowing. Riley was a strong trainer and so were the rest of STAT. Marley was def holding back when they last had a battle. And not just his mons, he himself got a workout. They all had a good cardio regime. Getting up early, running, push-ups, climbing. There were slower moments…when the pain of exercise caught up. It was meditating and such.
We see Riley's Absol cut down Lucas' Rotom. He threw Lucas a Revive, whom used it on the Rotom, whom got up again. Then they resumed battle.
They cut to Lucas' Gallade slashing at Buck's Claydol, whose shields were kept up at all time and the Gallade kept slamming his fists and cutting at them. Until finally he broke through one of them. The Claydol blasted him back afterwards, but Gallade had done something at least.
Mira's Alakazam was meditating mid-air, while Lucas' Kadabra did the same. They made objects in the surrounding levitate in their grasps, as Mira and Lucas also meditated.
Marley raced Lucas on her Arcanine. Lucas used his Tauros, whom was left in the dust by Arcanine. Literally as both Lucas and his Tauros coughed.
Lucas was doing push-ups. Riley observed as Lucas was keeping up a good pace. Then Riley started to push Lucas down with his hand on his back, so that the push-ups would become more difficult.
Riley and Lucas later were shown in meditative poses, eyes closed. The others had sand bags on ropes. They unleashed them, but Riley avoided them, no problem. Lucas was pelted a few times and knocked down. But only the first few times as he was quickly picking it up and avoiding the sand bags while keeping his meditative pose.
The next part of the training showed Lucas getting stronger. His Gallade cut through the Claydol's barriers quicker and delivered a follow up attack. His Tauros was able to keep up with Marley's Arcanine.
And when blind-folded he resumed his meditation poses. The others would try to throw them off. But he could sense them. Not just that his hearing was good. He just felt…something and was able to dodge more easily. He was becoming a natural. Riley looked on in approval as he liked to have a suspicion confirmed.
Final scene is Marley sending her Ninjask out again and deliver various blows on the Grotle. It learned to tank the blows. When it was time to counterattack, he missed the first few times. But afterwards he managed to get a grasp on the Ninjask, grabbing his arm in its mouth, throw it to the ground and pinning it down on under his belly. Lucas smiled as the tactic had worked. And the normally stoic Marley gave a soft smile…which he thought was kind of cute. He looked away quickly as he found himself blushing a bit.
Anyhow, it was indeed difficult but…Lucas knew he had gotten stronger and…being among STAT, it felt right. He didn't know his purpose yet, but at least he was not in bad company.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Normally Riley would take him to train on Iron Island since his team would be strong enough to handle that. But they run into some old acquaintances. Team Galactic was there causing trouble at Iron Island. And Lucas thought 'not this time.'
Neptune's Probopass was fighting Riley's Lucario. Zap Cannon was deflected by the Ground-type Nature of Bone Rush and every Flash Cannon or Stone Edge was broken with a Force Palm.
But that left Riley to deal with Ouranos. The Lickylicky stomped Tank's face over and over, the Grotle taking the punishment. He growled a bit in pain, but the brave Grass starter held strong. "You got a bit stronger…just a smidge…" the arrogant Galactic Commander said. "He at least doesn't crumble like wet paper."
"I had to get stronger. I would not want to be able to stand by or be powerless while bullies like you exist." Lucas noted.
"You try to talk tough but you are not the purple haired kid. You are nothing special, perfectly forgettable. What can you do against the might of Team Galactic?" Ouranos said. His Lickylicky did a Body Slam and pinned down the Grotle under his girth. "Seems all that time getting stronger is getting wasted."
"It is not. I still draw breath, me and Tank can still fight. And we will." Lucas said.
"Why persist? While it is amusing, it doesn't make sense. Unless your masochist?" Ouranos asked.
"Simple, you are hurting people and Pokémon. You are turning people's livelihood, the training area, the sacred shrine inside, you are destroying all that. For what? For shits and giggles?" Lucas answered.
"OH, and this isn't about the fact you try to reclaim your pride? Like you truly care? You're no different from us." Ouranos said. "All of us people are selfish and like to come out on top. That's the nature of humanity, and it is a flaw in the world that we tend to fix as our leader creates a glorious new world."
"I would lie if I said it wouldn't be cathartic. And maybe its part of it. But know that I do care for something other then myself. I seek to better myself and find goals. While you are, for all your strength, just a bully, no better then a kid taking lunch money at the playground, and you haven't moved forward a bit. You are static, stuck in your dreary existence that you can only temporarily alleviate by ruining other people's happiness. Because you can't create your own. And that is the saddest life I can imagine. You are not big, you're pathetic. And I pity you."
"You insolent whelp!" Ouranos growled as he charged at Lucas. Lucas had hit a nerve by deconstructing him like that. However, to Lucas Ouranos was moving in slow-motion. It was as if he moved frame by frame and each frame left a colorful blue after image. Lucas dodged and tripped Ouranos whom was sent flying. "What the…"
"I told you. I have bettered myself. I am not a scared little boy anymore. I am stronger now. Me, and my Pokémon both are. And we will not lose to you anymore." He turned to Tank. "You can do it, Tank." Lucas' eyes glowed blue.
And so did Tank's. Whom got up his feet and pushed up, despite the heavy Lickylicky on his back. Indeed, the bubblegum pink Pokémon found himself surprised to be lifted up from the ground by the much smaller mon. Which started to glow. "I am strong!" a voice sounded. Lucas heard it in his mind.
"Tank?" Lucas asked. As Tank evolved, becoming engulfed with the white light of change as the Lickylicky was flung off. Soon a Torterra stood there; But it was different from Paul's. The dark green parts were a different shade, that almost looked dark blue. The rocks on his shell were blue crystals and the foilage on its tree were mixed in with light blue blossoms. "Tank…you look amazing."
"Lucas…let's defeat them together." He spoke in his native tongue, but Lucas understood him. He didn't question it for now. But as Riley and Lucario finished up with Neptune and her Proboboss, the latter out cold…they threw a knowing smile.
"Get him!" Ouranos ordered his Lickylicky, whom stomped on the Torterra's face…and then held his foot in pain, hopping around comically as it felt like it had hit a brick wall.
"Tank, Seed Bomb!" Tank opened his mouth, and explosive seeds shot out, which hit the Lickylicky, whom cried out in pain. "Stomping Tantrum!" the Torterra lifted its forelegs and then slammed them down on the Lickylicky, and kept pummeling it deeper into the ground.
A scream was heard and Neptune was sent flying through the air, landing on top of Ouranos. "Oh sorry bud. The scrawny guy in suit is stronger then he looks."
"Get off of me!" Ouranos said in a grumpy tone. Soon her Probopass followed and landed on Lickylicky's soft belly as it squealed in pain.
"I suggest we sent these ruffians packing. What do you say?" Riley asked.
"I'm all for it. Tank, Energy Ball!" Tank opened his mouth and a ball of green energy formed in his jaws.
"Aura Sphere, Anubis!" Riley ordered his Lucario. He formed a ball of blue light in his hands.
Both launched the attacks, which met mid-air and formed into a bigger blue-green ball of energy, and it kept growing. Both the Galactic Commanders and their grunts (whom had their butts handed to them earlier) looked on in surprise. "Oh sh-" Neptune and Ouranos said before it hit them. The two, their goons and their mons were sent blasting through the cavern ceiling and into the night sky. "This is so humiliating, beaten by a weakling!" Neptune whined.
"We may be Galactic, but I that doesn't mean I want to be a star in the sky." Ouranos whined until they vanished in the sky and became a twinkle.
"I did it. No, we did it!" Lucas said happily. Tank roared triumphantly. "And you look awesome, Tank."
"I feel strong thanks to you Lucas. And you have become strong too. And I hear you as clear as the language of my fellow Turtwigs, Grotles and Torterras."
"I understand you too. But how?" Lucas said.
"Something that confirms my theory…you have aura powers, young man." Riley explained.
"Aura? Like Sir Aaron form legend?" Lucas asked.
"It is no mere legend. I'm a descendant and I have inherited the powers of my ancestor." Riley said as he formed a small blue sphere of aura energy in his hands. "And you have the gift too."
"Wait…when I learned to sense things, and when Ouranos tried to hurt me…I felt things, I saw things. Is that part of all…this?" Lucas asked.
"It is, just a tip of the iceberg of what you can do. And with training, you may become a really powerful Aura guardian. That is if you want. I can just help you control it. But as a Guardian…you have a whole world ahead of you. We are the defenders of the world, from threats that go beyond mere Pokémon battles. It is a hard and dangerous life, and that battle just now, it is a mere pillow fight compared to what we can get into." Riley said.
"Teach me…" Lucas asked. "Please. I…when we fought just now. Not just fighting for sport or for research, but fighting to oppose evils like Galactic…I felt strong. I felt whole. I felt…right. I want to do that. I want to help people."
"If that is so, I will teach you everything I know, like my old mentor did. Like I said, it will be difficult. You up for it?" Riley asked.
"Best things in life don't come easy." Lucas replied.
"Very wise words from someone so young. Well then, my new apprentice. Today we rest up but tomorrow the real work begins. Welcome to the Guardians, and welcome officially to STAT."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Can't leave you alone without you running in trouble, can you?" Marley droned.
"Hey, can't help it if the Galactics decide to mess up Iron Island on the day Riley decided to train me there. And we'll be going back there for further training." Lucas retorted.
"Yes, that aura business. The rest of STAT can't do it. Everyone has aura from what Riley told me but…we can't do what you or him can do." Marley said. "And I think Iron Island sounds like a good for me to train as well."
"Really, not minding training in a dusty old mine?" Lucas asked.
"It's not all work. I also want to take a look a the shrine. It says something about ancient Pokémon. I have been looking for them. Though not this one specifically, it is a nice little detour form which I can learn a thing or two." Marley had a sketch pad. A Gothitelle, a Shaymin and the statue in the shrine on Iron Island were drawn into it.
"Any other reason?" Lucas asked with an impish grin.
"Riley often goes on his own special solo missions. Is an Aura guardian thing. It's something we can't help him with. He can't tell us about it. Probably big stuff. Best that you have a second pair of eyes looking out for you, to make sure you are ready when the time comes." Marley noted.
"Oh, so you do care." Lucas said.
"As if." Marley said. However, the soft smile and slight blush she couldn't hide. "Glad you found your lot in life, though."
"If I haven't met you, I wouldn't have. I'm eternally grateful, Marley. So…if you need help tracking down those legendaries you think off, I would be happy to help. To help you with your goals like you did mine." Lucas said.
"Oh, you want an excuse to hang out with me?" Marley asked.
"As if." Lucas said, giving a playful smile not unlike Marley. And the goth girl had to admit, that impish grin looked handsome on him. But she wouldn't tell him ever.
"So what did your Prof say? About you…" Marley asked.
"He's ok with it. After all, he used to be a Champion before he was a Professor. He knew what it's like to find a new purpose in life. I'm still welcome at the lab anytime. He's like a grandfather to me, so I'm glad he's understanding like that." Lucas said. "Tomorrow is a long day, but the evening is still young, I'm going to do some sightseeing. Care to join me?"
"Why not? I have nothing else to do today." Marley said.
"Cool, it's a date. I mean, not a date-date but…" Lucas said.
"Please don't finish that sentence, because you're sounding like my disaster friend." Marley said. Both of them chuckled at this.
Lucas had felt he was just a background character, the person whom wouldn't get to shine. Thought he wouldn't measure up, and not have a clear goal in life. But he has found it now, and life hasn't been better. Lucas was optimistic.
