POKEMON RE:DUX IS BACK! Yeah I'm back writing again after a yearlong break and we're getting dangerously close to the conclusion of this arc, and by extention pokemon re:dux. Only 12 chapters to go until the series concludes, I wonder what we have in store for retsuko and the gang?
2027 - Sinnoh, Oracle Village
Retsuko slowly regained consciousness, feeling the cool breeze of the morning on his face. He blinked, trying to clear his mind from the intense experience he had just gone through. As he sat up, he realized he was back in his room at Master Daffodil's village.
He'd been assigned a bunk bed, sharing his room with Kyu, who he noticed to be missing.
Before he could gather his thoughts, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Retsuko called out, still feeling a bit groggy.
"Well how are you gonna go about doing that?" Retsuko questioned.
Master Daffodil entered the room, his usual calm demeanor contrasting with the events of the previous day. "Ah, Retsuko, good to see you awake. I trust you're feeling better after yesterday's ordeal?"
Retsuko nodded slowly, memories of forming a link with Kaz flooding back to him. "Yes, Master. It was... intense, but I think Kaz and I have finally forged a true connection."
He looked down at his table, where his Pokeballs, including Kaz's, sat attached to his belt.
"Or at least started to."
"Good, good," Daffodil nodded approvingly. "I've called you here because there are matters we need to discuss regarding your training and the path ahead."
Retsuko listened attentively as Master Daffodil outlined the next steps in his training, focusing on strengthening his bond with Kaz and honing his Burst abilities. As they talked, Retsuko couldn't help but feel a newfound determination and purpose.
After the meeting, Retsuko was summoned by Samantha to the training grounds beside the cliff where Kyu and Daffodil had smoked together the night before, where Kaz was waiting for him. They exchanged a knowing look, and then looked up to see Daffodil standing over them looking eager.
"I'm sure you have many questions after yesterday's events," Daffodil said, setting aside his tea cup that he'd had in his hand since earlier.
"Let me explain."
Daffodil paused, as if he were going to speak but just remained silent.
Retsuko said nothing in anticipation but he still remained silent, seemingly nodding off.
"Uhh… Master?" Retsuko questioned.
"I lied!" The master exclaimed.
"Eh?" Retsuko questioned again.
"There won't be an explanation. However this is a challenge..!" He said.
Daffodil laughed, lifting up the hair covering his eye and his pupils spiraled into a slit, his toxicroak converting into burst energy and surrounding his body like clothing.
He activated his Sutai and immediately they were enveloped in a purple terrain with fumes and toxins rising around them.
His eye instantly matured from a slit resembling a Toxicroak's eye to a 5 pointed full Star and purple energy enveloped did.
"Allow me to show you the power of my ability. Let's reveal your true nature… V.S.!" Daffodil chanted.
Immediately, purple chains entrapped Kaz's small body within them, squeezing a black and red aura out of Kaz.
"What are you doing?" Retsuko shouted in terror.
Kaz roared in pain.
The sound shook the surrounding forest, shaking trees and sending a wave of air down to the cliff. Kaz's orange energy flowed from her body, creating a shape resembling the head of her species.
Retsuko braced himself as another shockwave of energy almost pushed him off the edge of the cliff.
"Kaz!" he called out to Buizel, slowly walking towards her.
Daffodil stood there, watching and sipping his cup of tea. He seemed unfazed by the event in front of him as if he had seen it many times before. His Toxicroak stood with him, worried about Retsuko and Kaz.
"What's going on!?" Retsuko questioned, adjusting his footing and looking at what had become of Kaz in shock.
"We brought out the venomous power through Kaz's pain within her. All of it. For a Gijinka to truly form a Link with a pokemon, they must be completely vulnerable to each other. You and your Decidueye have such a close bond and you know that. Deep down you wish it was Kuu who had become your Gijinka Link instead of Kaz. But do you really think Arceus would have made it that easy for you? Hahahaha!" Daffodil said.
Retsuko stood there in shock, not knowing how to respond or what to do.
"It's simple, Kourada. Forge a connection with Kaz. You seem to lack the level of trust and respect that she has for you. Quite selfish of you, no?" Daffodil pondered.
Retsuko turned back to Kaz as the purple terrain dispersed, leaving only Retsuko, Kaz, and her pain.
Retsuko inhaled deeply, raising up his hands slowly.
"Jeka Lo!" He cried, slamming his fist into his palm.
Retsuko took off, running forward and dodging stray blasts and waves of energy.
"Get away!" Kaz shouted, releasing a powerful shockwave that sent pressurized air into Retsuko that knocked him back.
Pushing through the immense pain, Retsuko got back to his feet and began slowly walking to Kaz with his arms up to mitigate some of the energy.
"Kaz…" Retsuko thought.
Retsuko slowly made it to Kaz and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I've gotcha," he said calmly.
Immediately the energy she was emitting began to flow into his body, a storm of wind kicking up around them.
Retsuko could feel his body begin to shift, and he started to yell in agony along with Kaz.
Retsuko could feel himself being overpowered with sheer burst energy, as he began sharing the flow of his own power with Kaz's.
The energy wrapped around his body so tightly, like a heavy blanket almost strangling him. No, 10 blankets. 20! The energy seemed to envelop him as he roared in pain.
Retsuko reached through it, placing his hand on Kaz's cheek.
He inhaled, pulling Kaz into a hug.
The burst energy circulation between the two of them unified and began flowing at the exact same rate and frequency, as Kaz's orange energy and Retsuko's blue energy fused into one multicolored mix.
"I'm here for you. Don't worry," he said in a calm, comforting tone.
He was oddly at peace. For so long he'd lacked the sense of comfort when being intimate with someone. It made him uncomfortable but with Kaz he felt at peace.
A tear streamed down Retsuko's face as he winced in pain.
Was this what he'd been longing to feel?
Kaz began to calm down, and the storm began to disperse, the energy turning into a concentrated mass of power surrounding only Retsuko and Kaz.
Kaz was shocked by Retsuko's sudden affection but knew what he was trying to tell her.
That Everything was okay.
Kaz accepted Retsuko's hug, and the unity of their burst energy completed.
Toxicroak smiled in pride and relief, releasing Kaz's chains but Daffodil remained silent, holding out.
"They're not done yet." Daffodil warned.
Catching a hint of one of Retsuko's memories, her eyes widened.
Memories of her own began to return to her.
The memories of the humans who attacked her pond with dragon type Pokemon.
The memory of being taken from her home. The memory of watching her mother die painfully along with the others in her pack and her being so weak that all she could do was sit and watch.
The energy came out of Kaz again and this time completely overtook Retsuko. Kaz's pure rage was enough to blast Retsuko away from Kaz and right past the cliff, sending him barreling down straight to the Sinnoh sea.
Toxicroak jumped up and prepared to go and help the young champion but was held back by Daffodil.
"Toxi?" It questioned, looking over to its trainer.
"Give them a moment," he said calmly.
Toxicroak reluctantly backed off and trusted its trainer.
"KAZ!" Retsuko shouted, falling from the cliff.
He was slipping in and out of consciousness, being sent to some sort of void in which both of their minds, their hearts, their souls were linked.
If he could just grasp it with his hand then he could forge the link he needed…
Closer…
Even closer…
There!
Retsuko completely slipped into the void which manifested into a small shrine above a vast sea, being held up by stilts.
Retsuko looked up and saw the shadow of Kaz standing in front of him.
He reached out and touched her shoulder, getting her attention.
Tears were streaming down her face and her expression was strained.
The sea around them seemed to react to her emotion, the waves moving back and forth as her tears streamed.
Retsuko reluctantly pulled Kaz into a hug.
He inhaled again, letting go of the strange tension that had entrapped him for so long.
"He's right. You're not Kuu. I need to stop pretending like you are. You're Kaz. You're the Pokemon I forged a link with. Alabaṣepọ mi. My partner." Retsuko was comforted.
Kaz woke up from the barrage of painful memories and remembered what she had done.
Returning back from their mindscape, She ran over to the edge of the cliff as fast as her short legs would take her.
"Master…" She said in disbelief. She closed her eyes and remembered the times when Retsuko had been there for her in the short time they'd been together.
Furthermore, she remembered how Retsuko taught Kaz how to battle and even taught her the move Liquidation with Kion's help.
Not only that, but she remembered how Retsuko would be there for anyone he cared about.
For all of his friends, no matter the situation. They'd only known one another for around a bit over a month, but it felt like an eternity.
"Master… I'm not letting you die today!" Kaz exclaimed as she leaped off the edge of the cliff diving after Retsuko.
She spun her two tails to increase her speed as she dove.
Retsuko was falling fast, and she needed to catch up to him.
Kaz now knew the reason they couldn't forge the true link was their hesitation, and now using the link was the only way to save her trainer.
Toxicroak again attempted to try to save Retsuko but was again held back by Daffodil.
"Master! Master!" Kaz called out to Retsuko using their telepathic bond.
Retsuko was now a few meters from the ocean and Kaz was right above him.
Kaz reached out to grab Retsuko…
and missed.
"I-I'm not fast enough… She thought.
Kaz had lost all hope in being able to save Retsuko until one memory flashed into her head. She closed her eyes.
Back during the day of Star Fest, Retsuko had given Kaz a treat before her battle.
A Malasada?
She wasn't used to this type of affection, but it was… Relieving?
Her master had smiled warmly, the type of smile that is calm and comforting,no teeth, no enthusiasm, just a genuinely warm smile.
His words were so genuine.
"Kaz, you don't have to call me master if you don't want to. Call me Retsuko," he'd said.
Kaz opened her eyes, her expression now serious and determined.
She gave one last boost speed by spinning her tails.
Retsuko's hand was in reach, inches away.
All she had to do was grab it, and they were safe.
They were now right above the water, as this whole recollection had happened in a matter of seconds.
"Mast- No… Retsuko!" Kaz called out. She grabbed his hand right as they smashed into the water, the two of them sinking together.
Retsuko opened his eyes and met Kaz's, and as Kaz's body turned into pure energy, Retsuko pulled it into himself.
Suddenly a giant wave of water came splashing up, as a shadowy figure jumped thousands of feet back onto the cliff.
Retsuko, having finally formed a True Link with Kaz, ascended back onto the cliff in his stable Burst form.
He landed on all fours and glared at Daffodil and his Toxicroak.
Retsuko's face had the same markings of a Buizel, with clothes decorated with blue and orange burst energy. The pupil of their left eye had morphed into half a slit and his hair glowed with an Orange and blue tint.
Daffodil's eyes widened, his attention focused on Retsuko's single Sutai in his left eye.
"Impossible… A one eyed Gijinka..?" Daffodil questioned mentally.
Retsuko prepared to say something but the form dispersed and Kaz's energy separated from Retsuko, reforming back into her body.
Master Daffodil cleared his throat loudly to collect himself and smiled while Toxicroak sighed in relief.
"Well then… I suppose the two of you have finally forged the link, eh?" he questioned.
Retsuko looked up at his teacher, clearly discombobulated from the rush of events, falling to his feet.
Kaz rushed to his side to support him.
Retsuko struggled to open his eyes between his exhaustion.
"We did what now?"
2027- Sinnoh, Oracle Village Art Museum
Via, found herself in the village's art studio along with Vye, who she held in her arms (much to the fox Pokemon's dismay), admiring the traditional Sinnohian tapestries and the artwork that had been hung in the walls.
She held up her bright red rotom phone in order to take a picture however she blinked and was shocked to realize that her phone had disappeared from her hands.
Via looked up to find Master Daffodil looking down at her, waving her phone at her tauntingly.
"No devices allowed in the studio. Enjoy the artwork with your mind, your body, and your soul." Daffodil scolded.
Via slumped down.
"Sorry." She said, pouting. "Its just, these designs are fire! I wanted to preserve them. Photography is it's own form of art." She said, pointing to a dress next to her that shined a bright red.
Vye jumped up and snatched the phone back from the daffodil, earning a chuckle from the elderly man.
Daffodil smiled. "Well young Olivia, out of the trio of Yourself, Kyu, and Retsuko, you have quite the artistic talent. A merit scholarship to the esteemed Pokemon High School, i'm impressed!" Daffodil congratulated her.
Via smiled sheepishly. "You're dragging it, I seriously don't deserve the praise…" She trailed off.
"-Yet out of the three of you, you're the only one who has yet to use a burst for the first time." He said, smiling,
Via's eyes widened before her expression relaxed and became one of irritation.
"This… This is a test isn't it…" She questioned, half sighing.
"It certainly is!" Daffodil said cheerfully, activating his Sutai.
The purple chains entrapped from before entrapped Vye's small body within them, squeezing her, but this time a ray of burst energy radiated from her and Via, as a black zone enveloped them.
Via looked at Daffodil who's eyes had seemingly returned to normal.
"I don't get it. Where are we? Where's Vye?" She questioned, looking around the void and realizing the absence of her Braixen.
Daffodil kept his stern expression.
"This is the plane in which you and Vye's link will reside. These are the makings of your link. In order to form your link with Vye... You need to find her. A burst is formed through strong feelings. Your artistry has built a connection between you and your partner, so paint this black canvas with a path to your other half." Daffodil told her, fading away into Via's mindscape.
Via prepared to ask something else but Daffodil had already disappeared.
Accepting her circumstances, Via began walking aimlessly, treading through her memories slowly she began to see faint outlines of people that she knew.
Carmen and Saabrina shot right past her as she extended her hand to them hopelessly.
"Gill?"
"Kion?"
Via extended her hand out to Kion but it was grabbed by a black shadowy figure with a menacing grin.
Grabbing her other arm, the figure restrained her and began to uncomfortably caress her body.
Pinned to the floor, Via sat there, with her screams muffled, tears streaming down her face as the figure continued to assault her.
Right as she closed her eyes and succumbed to the figure, it was blown away after and she fell to her knees, the faint silhouettes of two boys standing side by side appeared before her.
Retsuko and Kyu.
Via reached out to them but a gust blew that threw vision off with her bangs blowing into her face, as her purple ribbon flew right out.
She caught it urgently, holding it In her palm desperately to see if it was okay.
Via breathed in steadily, looking at the ribbon in her hands, thinking.
"I know what I have to do." She said, slowly reaching out into the air and pulling out a... Paintbrush?
She began materializing her art supplies from her memory, holding up her brush to take a stroke.
"If I can't find Vye... I'll pave a path to her myself!" She said, making a stroke through the air.
Her black mindscape immediately turned white and the space she had painted had become full of color and life in an instant.
She made another long stroke, color filling the white void as pink, purple, and red flames surrounded her.
She then followed that with two swift strokes, and another as sewing materials joined the paint infusing it together with clay art and sketches.
With each stroke Via could feel herself getting closer, mere touches away from her grand product.
Finishing her craft, Via fell over in exhaustion, dropping her brush that dispersed into ashes.
The once black and dull mindscape had become a sort of royal art studio with glowing flames and candles everywhere.
The object that she had focused so hard on finishing materialized and fell onto her body like a blanket as she closed her eyes.
Shed painted, or rather created since the product was a beautiful amalgamation of so many different types of art that Via practiced, having some parts of paint, some sketches, some drawn, some molded out like clay, and others sewn, an old Vintage looking black and white hoodie.
Retsuko's hoodie.
Via slowly opened her eyes and found herself back in the forest eight years ago, face to face with the boy who had held her hand and guided her on the day she'd needed it most.
A young Retsuko stood with Vye and Ku'u as Fennekin and Rowlet on the fateful day that Retsuko had found Via in the forest.
Vye dashed over to Via's side, snuggling up next to her under her arm with her small body.
Via smiled weakly.
"Thank you… Retsuko." Via said softly, a tear streaming down her face, as herself and Vye's energies fused, solidifying their link.
2027- Sinnoh, Oracle Village Marketplace
Kyu strolled through the bustling village, his charming smile drawing the attention of a group of women gathered by the market stalls. He engaged in playful banter with them, enjoying the flattery and attention they showered upon him. However, his carefree moment was interrupted by the stern voice of Master Daffodil.
"Having a bit of fun aren't we?" Daffodil's voice boomed.
"Oh sh!t, it's the Master? We can't be seen flirting, let's go!" Two of the girls murmured to the others, causing the women to scatter like startled Pidgeys.
Kyu turned to see the elder Gijinka approaching, his presence irritating Kyu. "Just having a bit of fun, yeah right asshole," Kyu mumbled, faking a sheepish grin.
Daffodil's expression remained stern. "You have a responsibility as a Gijinka, Kyu. Frivolous interactions like these are not befitting of your status."
Kyu rolled his eyes. "You can cut the high and mighty holy act, you're just as much of a h0e as I am." he said, dropping his facade and expressing his irritance.
Daffodil pursed his lips and looked upwards. "I guess I deserve that," he admitted.
He sighed.
"I won't sugarcoat it. You're about to be tested. Come, we have much to speak about." Daffodil stated, beckoning to the temple where a small altar stood.
Kyu crossed his arms and looked at Daffodil.
"Fine, but I'm only here for the sake of getting strong enough to protect the people I love. Don't expect any rekindling happening between us." He said coldly.
Daffodil led Kyu to a temple where he showed him a room.
There was a wall at the end of it with a massive mural of legendary pokemon, with colored glass decorating it's detailing.
"Woah." Kyu mumbled, amazed by the sight of the totem.
"Sit," Daffodil commanded, gesturing towards the meditation mats where he had sat down.
Kyu hesitated, his mind filled with a thousand distractions. "I don't need to meditate. I don't care about this spiritual bullsh!t, don't care about this dumb temple, and I'm perfectly fine," he protested.
Daffodil's gaze turned piercing. "Fine? You're far from it, Kyu. Your inner turmoil is palpable. Your refusal to talk to me about how you feel is evidence enough. Or is it just that the great Kyu Yeonghon is too much of a b!tch to face this old man?" Daffodil provoked.
Annoyed by his grandfather's observation, Kyu sat down with a huff, crossing his arms in defiance. "I'll meditate, but only to prove you wrong," he muttered under his breath.
"Perfect." Daffodil said with a grin.
He lifted his hair and once again activated his Sutai, enveloping Kyu in a realm of swirling energy that evolved into a black and white space, with checkered flooring and a chair sitting across from where he and Kyu were now standing.
In the chair sat a shadowy black figure, who resembled Kyu, but from the back his hair seemed to be puffier.
"What is this?" Kyu exclaimed, his eyes widening as the thoughts from earlier rushed back into his mind.
"This is where you'll confront your deepest fears and doubts, Kyu," Daffodil explained calmly.
Before Kyu could protest further, the realm shifted, and the shadowy figure emerged from the depths of his mind. It was now he sitting in the chair, while Moe stood behind him, caressing his back.
Kyu's heart raced as he faced the embodiment of his fears. Moe's mocking laughter echoed in his mind, taunting him with the possibility of losing control.
"You can't cage me forever, Kyu. I am a part of you," Moe's voice echoed, sending shivers down Kyu's spine as he whispered the words softly into Kyu's ear.
"Shut up." Kyu said again.
Moe sighed, ending his laugh prematurely.
"Now you hate me, but soon you'll come to realize that you and I aren't different. I was born from your desire to be the strongest, to protect. I exist to protect you."
Kyu closed his eyes and delved deep into his inner strength. He focused on suppressing Moe, visualizing chains wrapping around the dark figure and locking him away in the depths of his subconscious.
The struggle was intense, with Kyu battling his own demons within the surreal realm. Sweat dripped down his brow as he exerted every ounce of willpower to overcome Moe's influence.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DO YOU NEVER LEARN? YOU NEED ME, KYU!" Moe shouted in protest.
"No. You've just been holding me back. I was so scared to try and tap into the power of my burst, or even go all out in battle anymore because I was scared of releasing you again."
And then, with a final surge of determination, Kyu emerged victorious. Moe was caged, his power contained within Kyu's mind.
"But you aren't in control anymore."
Kyu activated his own Sutai, stunning Daffodil so much so that he deactivated his own Sutai, bringing Kyu back to reality. Kyu's eyes fluttered open, and he felt a sense of peace and clarity wash over him.
"You did well, Kyu," Daffodil praised, a hint of pride in his voice. "Now, it's time to forge a true link with Kou."
Kyu smirked confidently, as he made a signal with his hands. Kou transformed into burst energy and materialized around Kyu's body, a torrent of water surrounding what had become of Kyu.
Daffodil's eyes widened in shock.
"When did you achieve a link?" He said, trying to hold in his stutter.
"When I went awol back in Vertess, I found old man Shino. He's a famous neuroscientist and mental health whatever guy who helped me get a grasp on Moe and how he affected me. They had me stationed in this facility: They called it Cornea. After I was exposed to the oracle along with retsuko and Via they had us all tested to see how it affected us, and I'm assuming the exposure is what turned us into Gijinka. I've always been able to use the burst. I just never needed to." Kyu explained.
"When did you forge the link?" Daffodil questioned.
"During the fallout of the Vertress conference. We already had the link." Kyu said.
"Well done, Kyu. You've taken a significant step on your journey," Daffodil praised, a genuine smile crossing his face.
"Make no mistake." Kyu started.
Daffodil raised a brow.
"This is just the beginning. I'll continue to grow stronger, for myself and for those I care about. I dont need your help" He finished.
"Well then," Daffodil exclaimed.
"I guess we have our work cut out for us!"