A/N: I just want to firstly apologize for abandoning this story for over a year thats entirely my bad, I'd had writers block for around 6 months and school and a breakup really took a number on me. But I could be coming back? Who knows. This is a short chapter and I will definitely be coming back to rewrite it but for now, this is chapter 17!
Samantha pointed her finger at Retsuko.
"What's up?" Retsuko said cluelessly.
Samantha's Lucario charged up an Aura Sphere attack in front of them.
"Right. So it's a Pokemon battle you want!"" Retsuko said, slamming his palm into his fist.
Kuu perked up, getting into a fighting stance.
"Not with him. Her." Samantha said, gesturing to Kaz who was hiding behind Retsuko in intimidation.
"Say what?" Retsuko questioned.
Samantha sighed.
" Y'know Retsuko, I really hate your type. If there's one thing I would say that I hate the most in this world... It's truly kind-hearted people like you, Retsuko Kourada!" Samantha said as Lucario rushed forth and tackled Kaz at a speed so fast that Retsuko barely saw it.
"The heck are you talking about!?" Retsuko screamed.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Samantha commanded, her voice filled with confidence.
Lucario's paws glowed with an ethereal energy as it unleashed a powerful Aura Sphere, hurtling it towards Kaz with blistering speed. Retsuko's heart skipped a beat as he watched Kaz being propelled into the air, a trail of water droplets in her wake.
Thinking quickly, Retsuko gathered his thoughts and called out his next move. "Kaz, use Liquidation to defend yourself and Bulk Up your way outta there!" Retsuko ordered.
Kaz's muscles bulged as it focused its energy, raising its defenses to withstand the impending attack. With a burst of determination, Kaz retaliated with her blade of water as she drew it to slash at her opponent, crashing down upon Lucario. But to Retsuko's dismay, Lucario effortlessly intercepted the attack with its steel-hard paws, deflecting the liquid onslaught.
A bead of sweat rolled down Retsuko's forehead as he realized his strategy had faltered. Samantha smirked, a glint of recognition in her eyes.
"You think I haven't seen your previous Pokémon League battles, Retsuko?" Samantha taunted, her voice laced with a hint of superiority. "You won't catch me off guard with the same old tricks. Lucario, Blaze Kick!"
With a swift motion, Lucario's leg ignited in a blazing flame as it lunged forward, delivering a devastating kick towards Kaz.
"Dodge it!" Retsuko ordered.
Kaz ducked out of the onslaught with an aerial, however lucario used their position in the air to retaliate with another bulk up to increase her defenses.
"Sh!t! Kaz doesn't have any ranged attacks, she's all physical! We're outmatched here." He thought.
Retsko smirked. He hadn't felt cornered in an actual pokemon battle for so long that he'd forgotten the rush of a tough match. He knew he couldn't stand idly by as his pokemon was pummeled.
"Kaz! Use Ice Punch on the ground beneath Lucario!" Retsuko commanded, his voice filled with conviction.
Samantha's eyes widened momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure. "You think destabilizing the ground will help you? It won't be that easy!"
Kaz obeyed her trainer's command, unleashing a chilling punch that struck the ground beneath Lucario's feet. A tremor rippled through the battleground, causing the terrain to crack and shift. However, before the ground could fully give way, Samantha reacted swiftly, seizing the opportunity to turn the tables.
"Lucario, use Blaze Kick on the debris! Send it right back to Kaz!" Samantha ordered, a sly grin playing at her lips.
Retsuko watched in horror as Lucario's fiery kick collided with the crumbling ground, propelling chunks of debris towards Kaz. It was a calculated move, one Samantha had witnessed Retsuko employ in previous battles. At that moment, Retsuko felt a pang of frustration. He needed to find a way to break free from this predictable pattern.
Desperation etched on his face, Retsuko wracked his brain for a solution. Suddenly, a mischievous glint crossed his eyes. He had an idea—a risky one, but it just might work.
Samantha's eyes gleamed with determination as she issued her next command. "Lucario, close the gap with Close Combat!"
Lucario's muscles tensed, and with a burst of agility, it closed the distance between itself and Kaz. The two Pokémon clashed, exchanging powerful blows. Retsuko gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a solution.
In the midst of the fierce exchange, a sly smirk curled at the corners of Retsuko's lips. Unbeknownst to Samantha, Retsuko had secretly communicated with Kaz, having taught her the same sign type language that he'd taught his other pokemon.
"Kaz, use Bulk Up one more time!" Retsuko commanded, his voice laced with determination.
With a surge of energy, Kaz's muscles swelled, reinforcing its defenses for the upcoming onslaught. Samantha's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was amiss, but before she could react, Retsuko's plan unfolded.
"Now, Kaz! Brick Break!" Retsuko called out, his voice ringing.
Kaz's paw glowed with a powerful aura as it delivered a swift and focused strike, landing directly on Lucario's body. The attack was super effective, hitting Lucario's weakness. For a moment, it seemed like the tides had turned in Retsuko's favor.
However, to Retsuko's astonishment, Lucario remained standing, seemingly unfazed by the devastating blow. Before Kaz could fully comprehend what had transpired, Lucario retaliated with a ferocious Close Combat, pummeling Kaz relentlessly.
The impact of Lucario's assault sent Kaz sprawling, battered and bruised. Retsuko's heart sank. In the two years since becoming Unova's champion, he had never struggled against an opponent a single time. He couldn't bear to see Kaz endure any more suffering.
"Enough." Retsuko said blankly.
Kuu unleashed a spectral arrow so quickly that Samantha hadn't had any time to react.
It enshrouded Lucario, binding it tightly and preventing any further attacks.
As the dust settled and the battlefield fell silent, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Master Daffodil approached with a cup of tea in one hand and a trail of smoke curling from his lips. His eyes, filled with a mix of amusement and sternness, surveyed the scene before him.
Slowly, he clapped, the sound echoing in the stillness. "Well done, Retsuko. Your strategy of using bulk up to account for the power difference was clever, but there is a deeper issue at play here."
Retsuko's eyes widened in surprise, his breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected the Temple Master's presence or his commentary on the battle.
Heck, he hadn't even expected a battle in the first place.
"I'm guessing this was another test." Retsuko asked.
Daffodil took a thoughtful sip of tea before continuing. "Your bond with Kaz, your hesitation, it's apparent. The synergy between you two is lacking. A trainer must be in tune with their Pokémon, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, anticipating their moves before they happen."
Retsuko's gaze drifted.
"I've seen your championship matches. How you battle with your other Pokemon. You seem much more adept, especially with that Decidueye. Is that all that the son of Nagato Kourada is capable of?"
Retsuko remained silent.
"Hmm." Daffodil grunted in amusement.
"Well, I've got other business to attend to so for now just contemplate and think about how you stand with Kaz at this moment." Daffodil said, walking off again.
Saabrina followed, and Kyu finally made his way up to Retsuko.
"You alright?" Kyu asked hesitantly.
Retsuko silently returned Kaz to her Pokeball.
"Do I look alright?"
Retsuko sat on the edge of the cliff, looking out to the vast sea below.
vast ocean in front of him. The peak was covered in snow up to the cliff by the edge of the forest, and Retsuko rested there eating lunch with Ku'u. His other pokemon were in the village helping the townsfolk with their daily activities; Retsuko's way of thanking them for their hospitality.
Right as Retsuko was about to take another bite of the sandwich that he'd made, Ku'u knocked it out of his hand with one of his arrows.
Retsuko gawked in surprise, looking down at the remains of his beautiful lunch in shock.
"M-My sandwich…" Retsuko mumbled, falling to his knees to mourn the death of his ambrosial acquaintance.
"What was that for?!" He yelled to Ku'u, pointing his finger with tears in his eyes.
Ku'u smirked slightly. There was the Retsuko he'd remembered. Being secluded but having such a big spotlight on him as a champion had left Retsuko in such a deep depression and Ku'u had missed his old partner. Glimpses of who he was - the real retsuko, had begun to show themselves but there was something holding him back.
Ku'u hooted at Retsuko, waving his wing to ask a question, and Retsuko got the hint.
"Nothings wrong with me, it's just that there's a lot on my mind." Retusko said, grabbing the remains of his lunch and packing it up.
Ku'u looked at Retsuko earnestly, and Retsuko understood that he intended to receive an explanation.
"I'm happy to have everyone back. But there's so much I'm worried about. The Orakuru attack. All the lives lost. This new ability I apparently have. My friends are endangered. I mean we got shipped off to this village in sinnoh but I should be in Unova. I'm their champion and here I am, in a completely different region training to do who knows how what, with a pokemon that i barely know or care about-"
Retsuko caught himself.
Ku'u sighed and Retsuko slumped back down, looking up at the sky laying down.
"It's Kaz. I care about her. I do. It's just that I've bonded with you and the others. I never thought I would need to add a new member to my team, and this whole Gijinka thing is so confusing. It's just scary. We're being thrust into a whole new challenge, just like the team Plasma incident, and I have to put all of my trust into such a weak pokemon that I haven't fully bonded with. Master told me that we formed a 'bond', but I hadn't seen her outside of my dreams until the attack on the Plaza." Retsuko vented.
Ku'u looked at Retsuko expectantly.
Retsuko sighed. "I know I'm worrying a lot, but I mean I have responsibilities. You know that more than anyone."
Retsuko stood up and walked up closer to the edge of the cliff.
"But… I can't let my fears hold me back."
2027 - Sinnoh, Oracle Village
Retsuko found Samantha engaging in a conversation with a white haired boy about the same age as her.
The village members were participating in a monthly celebration, with food, drinks, and socializing.
Kyu and Via stood next to them in a big circle, dancing together to music blasting from a speaker amplified by pokemon increasing the sound.
Samantha and what Retsuko assumed to be her boyfriend went in for a kiss but were startled by a burst of water coming from the left.
Sam sprung into action with her Lucario, pushing the boy to the side but sighed with relief when she saw Retsuko.
"What are you doing, man-"
Retsuko interrupted Samantha.
"Yo! I want a rematch." He said.
Sam pouted, feeling irritated by Retsuko's sudden eagerness but reluctantly nodded in acceptance of his challenge.
"Liquidation!" Retsuko shouted, as Kaz materialized a blade of water through her hilt and slashed at Lucario.
"Bone Rush!" Sam retorted, as Lucario parried the attack, sending Kaz flying into the air.
The Lucario then threw the bone staff at Kaz to knock her out of the air, but she caught it while using Bulk up.
"Bulk Up again," Retsuko exclaimed, Kaz tossing it back at her foe.
Catching the staff again, Lucario rushed at Kaz, who reciprocated the advance, also rushing forward.
The two clashed, as Kaz used her smaller body to maneuver around the attacks.
"Close Combat!" Samantha shouted, as Lucario slammed Kaz into a wall and rushed forward to begin another assault.
Kaz swept up some dirt from the ground to disorient Lucario as Retsuko grinned.
Regaining his footing, Lucario jumped back up ready for a final clash.
"Brick Break!" Retsuko shouted.
Right as the two made contact they were both sent flying back by a pokemon that had caught their attacks.
Daffodil, who had been watching their battle from afar, smirked, standing atop the roof of the building behind them.
Kou had ceased their attacks against one another, as Kyu and Via rushed over to them.
"Why'd you guys crash the party?!" Kyu questioned, dissapointed.
The village dwellers who had surrounded them had dispersed as to not get caught in the crossfire of the battle, and the booming music had quelled.
"I've seen enough from you, Kourada. I'm impressed." Daffodil started, stroking his chin.
Jumping down with a frontflip, he landed in front of Retsuko and shook his hand.
"That synergy the two of you just showed. The bond you share. It's apparent now." He said, smiling.
Retsuko grinned.
"It was me. I was holding Kaz back. I wasn't treating her like one of my own pokemon and letting her in. But it won't happen again." Retsuko explained.
Daffodil laughed, louder than he had before this time.
"Um…. Hello?" Kyu questioned Via giggling from behind him.
"Retsuko. Have you noticed Kaz's speech recently?" He asked.
Retsuko looked down at the small Buizel and back to his master, nodding.
"The talking in my head? It's like, telepathic right?" He asked.
"A pokemon linked with a Gijinka will take the Gijinka's traits and abilities. Initially I presume, Kaz spoke in broken English and could barely form a sentence but she is very talkative and fluent now. This is one of the many abilities of a Gijinka and their Pokemon." He explained.
"Aye!" Kaz responded eagerly.
"Wait… That explains why I've always been able to understand Vye! She's never directly spoken to me but like I can understand what she means a lot." Via suggested
"As of right now, you two may be linked but there is a lack of a connection between the two of you. I see sparks and much potential, but after that battle earlier with Samantha it goes to show that you all of you have a long way until you're ready." Daffodil explained.
"Ready for what exactly..?" Kyu said in suspicion.
Daffodil smiled widely and lifted up four fingers.
"Four tests! You'll have to overcome four challenges each." Daffodil said.
Retsuko rolled his eyes in annoyance after being reminded of a certain shirtless Professor.
"Here we go again…" He groaned.
"All Pokemon Gijinka have access to three types of abilities that they obtain during a burst. The ability that the Gijinka inherits from the physical traits or design ideas of a pokemon, known as a Latent ability. For example, if I were to burst with 감염…"
Daffodil started, initiating his burst with his Toxicroak, revealing the fusion to the trio for the first time.
Getting a real look at Daffodil in his Burst form, his hair had turned a grayish purple color, fading into a red that matched the color of his dark claws that ended in a bloody red. He donned what seemed to be a traditional Korean hanbok with the colors of his Toxicroak, with red flowing streaks running down the lining.
"...Then I'd receive the traits of a Toxicroak." He finished, showing off the large poisonous red claws on each of his hands.
"Another attempt at a burst with any of your Pokemon will result in you going berserk. In order to have a controlled burst, you need to tame your linked pokemon in her most primal state. So you must form a true link with that Pokemon before any further training. After that, your first test will be performing a basic technique usable by any Gijinka that requires the user to use any physical attack in the Pokemon's moveset, though you must learn to divide the point of impact with the force of the impact with the flow of your burst energy. This attack is called the"그레이트 디바이더", or "The Great Divider", but you can just call it 'jangseong' for short." Daffodil explained, stabbing a stray tree with his claw. The impact delayed for a second before completely obliterating it and also causing cracks in the ground, starting a tremor that shook the whole mountain.
"Opps, forgot my own strength for a second there."
"As for the third and Final type of Gijinka Ability… Well… It's quite complicated." He said.
Kyu continued to give Daffodil an untrusting glare and Via raised her hand politely.
"Complicated, how?" She asked airheaded.
"The final ability is an eye seal resembling the eye of the Pokemon a Gijinka bursts with. As it matures the pupil evolves into a star made from the combined eye of the Gijinka and Pokemon, and they are unique to every Gijinka. They differ in color, and are extremely unpredictable but one thing is certain; this Eye will determine your fate as a Gijinka. With mastery over the eye, you can create constructs out of burst energy in the form of terrains made to your liking that will overpower anyone with the force of god and will give you complete dominance over your foes as long as your eye is more developed."
Retsuko and Kyu's eyes widened, realizing that this is the same ability that he had used those times where he'd left everyone around him unconscious and powerless in his presence with the will of a god.
"Furthermore, these constructs can also be awakened as weapons that a Gijinka can form and the weapon is determined by who you are" Daffodil said, creating two bladed fans out of burst energy with his eye.
He flashed them around before turning them into a separable staff, and then dispersed them.
"And the most complicated factor in this eye.. Are true Gijinka Abilities. You see, every Gijinka has a Reality bending ability held within their eye that is completely random and unpredictable. They could be anything, and the sources could be from anywhere, including the will of your soul, hereditary abilities, anything. From creation of all things, to the power to create a faux Paradise of Murder and death." Daffodil explained grimly. "These eyes are called the 스타 아이 in Korean, but a more simplified term for them would be something like "Sutai." They both work in conjunction, and separately from the burst. You will need to master the input of your Pokemon's burst energy and the developmental level of the eyes separately, but once Mastered, they will prove to be a deadly combo. The eyes are unlocked and matured when a Gijinka is feeling an extremity of their most intense emotion. The eyes grant the Gijinka greater vision, reflexes, and Burst control, and they also limit the burst so that a Gijinka doesn't reabsorb their Pokemon's burst energy." Daffodil finished.
"Woah. This is a lot to take in." Retsuko said.
Daffodil smiled, his silver eyes brightening.
"This is only just the beginning."