(Day 13)
Lucryn looks up from his book to see Rye Akai watching him. Blinking, Lucryn pretends he doesn't see Rye studying him, dropping his eyes back down to what he's writing.
One of the things Steven bought him was a Z Tablet that he could fill with his own notes, and it has the latest security tech implanted to keep what he writes confidential. Utilizing it now, his fingers swiftly tap the screen as he writes, occasionally making a sketch and attaching it to his notes.
At the moment he's researching Charcadet, considering his two Charcadets in specific, carefully analyzing how they currently fight and creating a training outline individually tailored to each of them. In another folder he writes out a more generalized training plan for fire type pokemon. In a third folder he draws out all the summoning arrays he's seen, taking additional time to write each symbol in a separate note and organizing them in multiple ways from color to number of strokes within the symbol.
Rye is unable to see what Lucryn's writing due to the angle he holds the tablet, but he's unbothered, simply studying the child. "I was told you're 13, you don't look it."
Lucryn glances up, meeting Rye's black eyes with his own lilac ones. A moment later he looks back down at his tablet, Rye unbothered by Lucryn's demeanor.
"I contracted Torchic when I was 11." He says, getting Lucryn's attention once more. "I didn't know what to do, it's been four years since then. You seem calm."
Lucryn realizes what Rye is trying to do, and his slender fingers grasp a book off to his left, passing it to Rye. Rye looks down at the cover, lips ticking up in two parts irritation and two parts amusement. 'How to be a good trainer. Vol 3: Staying composed during a pokemon battle.'
Placing the book down, Rye locks eyes with Lucryn. "Your Charcadet isn't weak, with the right training it could be very strong."
Rye's words don't get a reaction from Lucryn who had already decided he'd train both of his Charcadet's to be as strong as they can be. Rye continues, "I have an offer for you, but it's only applicable in one year."
Lucryn leans back, scrutinizing Rye. This is rather unexpected.
Rye's eyes burn with a passion and liveliness that wasn't there previously. 'A strong will...he'll go places'
"In one year I'll form my own Special Unit, under the military pokemon Battle, seventh division. I want you to join it." Rye's offer surprises Lucryn, but he has a problem. He hasn't bothered learning about the current military situation. He semi-understands Rye's offer, but also doesn't.
Tapping his finger on the table, he looks into those black eyes burning with a strong will. He didn't like being around people, but he's rather comfortable around this cold youth who doesn't talk all that much. However, there's one problem.
Writing swiftly on his tablet, he shows the screen to Rye. 'My contract as an RA is 2 years'
Rye frowns, looking thoughtful. "Then join a year after I create it, I'll leave a space for you. That is, if you prove yourself over the next year."
Lucryn's lips curl up, this youth is rather amusing. His appearance is also very similar to ' "I won't leave you, so don't cry" ' Lucryn flinches as a memory floats to the forefront of his mind. Warm black eyes gazing at him, a soft smile full of warmth. Shaking his head, Lucryn writes on his tablet. 'one year for you to prove you're worth following.'
Rye nods, eyes cold, but a fire burns within, ready to devour whoever gets in his way. Lucryn goes back to reading, Rye also picking up a book and studying.
Like that the morning peacefully passes just as it did the previous day. The two have a swift lunch before heading out to the Pokemon Battle grounds, finding an empty spot for training.
Rye calls out Torchic, Lucryn calling out Omni and Blayz, admiring the new symbol at the center of the summoning arrays. Lucryn was positive now that those symbols represent the name he gave them, and from that info he had begun discerning possibilities of what the other symbols mean.
"You have two Charcadet's?" Rye asks, Lucryn surprised Rye wasn't told this little bit of info as it seemed Rye already knew a good bit about him. Lucryn smirks, Rye raising his brows at the odd show of emotion from Lucryn. A moment later a similar smirk is on his lips. "Not bad"
The two go quiet as they begin training, Rye focusing on training Torchic's fire type moves ember and flame thrower. Lucryn taking the time to correct the posture of his two pokemon as they go through the different stances Lucryn taught them.
Neither boy questions each other's training method, focusing on their own pokemon and giving each other space. As the day comes to an end, Rye stretches, returning Torchic. Looking over, he sees Lucryn standing with his head lowered staring at his tablet, his two Charcadet's running around the training fields. Walking closer, he feels a bit strange as he looks at the serious little child. Unable to help himself, he reaches out, patting Lucryn's head, admiring how silky and soft Lucryn's hair is. He's a little surprised when Lucryn sharply backs away, crouching a tad, eyes narrow, looking ready for a fight.
Raising his arms in surrender, he takes a step back, letting his black eyes lower, not meeting Lucryn's eyes so as not to provoke the child. Lucryn instantly relaxes, returning his Charcadet's to his summoning space.
"See you Monday." Rye says, Lucryn watching him leave. Today being Thursday, it's also his day to head back to Steven's home after completing his work hours. Heading into the lab, he arrives at his room, packing away his tablet and throwing his satchel over his shoulder. Not wanting to bring along the backpack he had left it behind at Steven's home, just bringing his satchel.
Walking back out, he pictures the way back in his mind. Coming to and from here all the previous times has been by car, but Lucryn isn't in the mood to ride in the tight space of a car. Reaching the road leading back to Steven's home, he veers off slightly, heading directly south, which is a more direct path to Steven's home, but also requires one to spend more time going through the woods.
As he starts walking, a thought comes to him, 'Lance did say he'd pick me up.' A moment later Lucryn shrugs, 'He'll figure it out.'
Lucryn wanders through the grassy fields, observing the pokemon he sees around. The pokemon warily observe the human child passing through, warning sounds being sounded out, alerting all pokemon around. 'A human is nearby'
Lucryn spots one pokemon that he recognizes and is actually very interested in. "Onix!" The creature bellows at him, rocky tail rising up threateningly. Lucryn lowers his eyes in response, a silent sign that he means no harm and has no desire to fight. As he is now he truly can't best Onix the rock snake pokemon.
Onix watches Lucryn as he walks by, not attacking, but clearly ready to. Lucryn is unfazed by the open aggression of the pokemon, he finds them rather fascinating so he enjoys wandering through their territory, something most people would say he's insane for doing.
Blood red eyes watch him from the shadows, every now and then Lucryn would glance in the direction of those eyes, a faint smile on his lips.
Marshadow vanishes every time Lucryn spots him, sinking back into the shadows, amazed by this human's senses. Not many humans have been able to find him when he's within the shadows. 'I chose a strong human.'
Lucryn calls out his Charcadets, seeing as he's already let Marshadow out, he doesn't feel the need to confine these two. The two Charcadet's happily follow him, greeting any pokemon around with happy cries, startling most of the nearby pokemon. Lucryn glances back at the two fire child pokemon, making a mental note to remember stealth training. Those two aren't stealthy at all.
Within an hour he's deep into pokemon territory, wandering alongside a creek as he communicates with all three pokemon, going over battle strategies and fighting techniques. They stop every now and then to train, at times wild pokemon come to watch, never getting too close, but near enough for Lucryn to be aware of their presence.
By the time two hours have passed, Lucryn is downright concerned for his life. He had forgotten something, or rather overlooked something that he probably shouldn't have. Glaring at his Z+ Band, he wonders if removing it is such a bad thing. Sure, he'd be penalized, but how bad can that be? There is a problem as the band itself isn't able to be removed so easily, it required a code he didn't have, so removing it would probably require some work.
Omni: Master?
Lucryn: It's nothing, focus on the task I gave you.
Omni goes back to training. Lucryn has all three of his pokemon practicing the same thing. Through watching a few pokemon battles, he had realized more often than not that the time it takes to use a move leaves them open to be attacked, so he had them training how to cancel their move in the midst of using it. Little success so far, more often than not his own pokemon injured themselves in the process, but Lucryn knew it would take time, and in his mind, he knows how valuable this skill will be.
The skill to cancel a move and instantly move will enable them to dodge more sudden attacks and to better control the tempo of the battle. Later he'd work on lowering the time it takes for his pokemon to use a move, some moves taking longer than others. The ones that required long periods to use may be stronger, but in Lucryn's mind their the weakest moves as they leave you open and defenseless. Unless they can be canceled instantly, they're a weakness waiting to be utilized by an enemy.
Glancing at his Z-band, he notes the time. 'Lance should've realized I wasn't there 2 hours and 37 minutes ago, and yet I see no sign of him.' This is the most concerning matter on his mind, as Lance should know about the tracker, so there's no reason for Lance not to have found him. Unless something came up and deterred Lance from looking for him. 'Such a pain.'
Lye: Look out!
The warning came a second too late, Lucryn feeling something cold touch his neck. A slight pain reaches him, a droplet of blood sliding down from a thin cut on his neck. A dagger is held against his neck, a dagger he recognizes, along with a familiar pair of eyes burning with the desire for battle. 'Gallade.'
Blayz: Master!
Lucryn: Stay still.
The three pokemon raring to fight all remain still, warily watching Gallade, unease showing in their eyes as they see the dagger right at Lucryn's throat.
"Gallade!" The pokemon says, Lucryn having an inkling of an idea as to what Gallade said. Reaching up, movements slow, he wraps his fingers around the blade, mindful of the sharp edges. Gallade releases the dagger, not backing up, face inches from Lucryn's. Lucryn deftly drops the blade, catching it by the handle, letting his hand holding the dagger drop to his side.
"Lade!" The creature cries, face coming closer to Lucryn's, arm rising, glowing darkly, the light forming a blade on Gallade's arm. Lucryn recognizes this move as the one that had caused him to be stuck in bed for so long. Lucryn's lips curl down, his mouth opening a bit as he shows his canines, a light growl coming from him, eyes darkening to blood red as he lets his bloodlust show, a show of dominance.
Gallade's eyes narrow, arm rushing forward, stopping right at Lucryn's neck. Lucryn doesn't even flinch, feeling the trickle of blood increasing a tad, more; blood soaking the collar of his white shirt. 'This is new, darn it.'
Lucryn's eyes darken more as he lets out another growl, not at all phased by the blade at his neck. Gallade draws back abruptly, observing Lucryn with a deep interest, no longer showing so much bloodlust. Lucryn observes Gallade back, curbing his bloodlust, his eyes returning to lilac. The look in Gallade's eyes tells Lucryn that he's right. 'A test, huh.'
Taking a step forward, Lucryn approaches Gallade, Gallade's arm once more glowing with that black light. Another step forward and the darkness congeals into a clear blade over Gallade's arm. Another step and Lucryn is right beside Gallade, not even sparing the pokemon a glance, his eyes forward as he walks right past Gallade. Gallade stands there, Lucryn not stopping, continuing to walk, his back to Gallade.
Turning Gallade watches that slender back as the human moves further away. Those three pokemon running after him, casting Gallade glares and letting out threatening growls. Gallade feels his heart beat faster, the blood rushing through Gallade boiling in excitement. 'At last, I've found someone worthy.'
Lucryn feels a breeze by his side, and something warm touches his chest. Eyes locking with Gallades, Lucryn shows no signs of aggression, calmly reaching up and touching Gallade's chest, his hand curled up to make a fist, just as Gallade had done. The two silently communicated through their eyes, Gallade giving a bloodthirsty smirk, vanishing right before Lucryn's eyes.
Lucryn grunts, feeling a pain course through his body, his right arm burning as if on fire. Falling to his knees, he holds his arm, breathing in and out, trying to center himself and ride out the waves of pain. Omni and Blayz let out surprised cries, instantly at his side, pulling at his clothes, trying to understand what's wrong.
Lye seems more understanding of the situation, letting out a warning call, which has the two fire child pokemon backing away from Lucryn. Their flames flicker uneasily, their eyes intently watching Lucryn.
In the matter of a few minutes, the pain ebbs, Lucryn letting out a choked breath, gasping in fresh air as he fully collapses on the forest floor, simply lying there. The remaining pain fades away as the sun goes down, the woods surrounding them kept alight by Omni and Blayz's flames.
Feeling completely normal, save some phantom pain messing with his mental state, Lucryn rises, pulling off his shirt, revealing his snowy skin, a few scars marring the once perfect skin. Lucryn doesn't glance at the scars, only focusing on his right arm. His right arm shouldn't have any marks on it as his pokemon are all summoned, but the marks remain, only the color of the swirls have changed to a deep pink and a light pink. 'Fairy and Psychic. Those are not Gallade's types.'
Confused, Lucryn rises, looking at the marks that are slightly aglow. With a thought, they vanish from his skin, a summoning array appearing before him. From out of the circle rises a much smaller creature than Gallade, with white skin and green hair, a pink horn adorning the creature's head. 'Ralts, Gallade's starting evolution. But how?'
Lucryn hadn't spent any time studying contracted pokemon and the effect the contract has on them, and now he regrets it. Ralts looks up, Lucryn meeting Ralts eyes. Pink eyes burning with bloodlust and a desire for battle. 'No doubt. This is Gallade.'
"Ralts!" The little creature cries. Lucryn observes the little one, bending down, he determines a name. 'I'll call you Azrael.'
The connection is instantaneous, the two both feeling it as they stare into each other's eyes.
Azrael: Train me, show me how to become strong.
Lucryn: As you desire, in return, you are mine.
Azrael: It is so.
The two end the communication with just that, inwardly they had already come to this decision when Gallade had touched Lucryn chest, Lucryn returning the gesture. Lucryn takes the time as they walk through the woods to get to know Azrael, this pokemon it would seem was born lusting for battle, almost all Azrael shared with him is info on previous battles, opponents fought, and a desire for more battles that could stir his blood and cause him to let loose.
Lucryn learned much about how pokemon fight through listening to Azrael, and this info was very important to him. As such, he very carefully began tailoring a training plan for Azrael. Azrael he connected with, the desire for strength, for blood, he felt a stronger bond with Azrael then with his other pokemon who have been by his side for longer.
Lucryn understood one thing. 'Azrael is only mine in the pursuit of strength. There are no feelings of affection or loyalty, there is only desire.' Lucryn felt at ease though, he rather liked it, this feeling of no emotional attachments. Both sides were only together due to a desire from each other. In the future it could change, but as it is now Lucryn isn't worried. 'Azrael will not abandon me unless he deems me too weak to be a worthy master. In my books, that promise is stronger than a promise made due to love and affection.'
(3 hours later)
Lucryn sneezes, leaning against a tree, catching his breath. Sensing Ralts watching him, Lucryn casts the small creature a wild smile. Sneezing a second later, he rubs his nose, irritation evident in his eyes.
Perhaps an hour ago, maybe a little longer ago, he fell into the river to avoid a grass type pokemon, Treeko. His Charcadet's has returned to the contracted space, only Lye and Azrael remained at his side during this time, the two hadn't been able to react in time, Lucryn just barely sensing the incoming attack and rolling to avoid it. Being so close to the creek, he rolled straight into the creek, returning Lye and Azrael as he fell.
Hitting the water, he was unfortunate enough that his right leg bashed into a rock, the impact breaking the bone, but he was able to swim to shore further downstream, settling himself on the bank after ensuring his surroundings were safe. He had brought back out Lye and Azrael, having the two keep an eye on his surroundings as he makes a makeshift splint for his leg with a few supplies he had in his satchel and some sticks Ralts brought him. It was a clean break, so Lucryn didn't overly worry, he had suffered worse.
Time had continued to pass, Lucryn still aware of the direction of Steven's home only thanks to his navigation skills and memory, but he's also aware that he still has six or seven hours before he'd make it home at the pace he's going. Feeling an itch in his throat, Lucryn bows his head, closing his eyes and shaking his head, trying to clear his head which is feeling a little heavy and foggy.
Marshadow rises out of a shadow next to him, letting out a quiet cry. "Mar!"
Lye: This area is quieter.
Lucryn focuses, nodding to Lye and observing the area carefully himself. Scattered trees, the river flowing nearby. Nodding to himself, he sends the two a thought.
Lucryn: we'll stop here for a few hours and rest
Lye: okay
Azrael just casts Lucryn an indifferent glance, but aLucryn can see the glint in those eyes, the wildness. Lucryn moves abruptly, crouching, eyes meeting Ralts.
Lucryn: 2 hours, then we move out
Azraels eyes lower in submission.
Azrael: as you say