Storm Sworn

Aric Fisk's Team:

Tynamo (Vita)
Veluza (Ascalon)
Silver Magikarp
Skrelp
White-Striped Basculin

Red Tropius

Nessa's Feebas (Quin/Tessa)

Note: Took a bit of a break and fed into the writer's block instead of agonizing about overcoming it (and ran out of stuffs to read again) And a new pokemon Legends game with the supposed return of Mega's huh? You think they'll cook up any new ones? Like.. Eelektross or Emopol—

As for the lack of food issues, the pokemon either ate Ascalon's discarded flesh, Tropius' strange fruits, and unsaid insects. Aric only had the fruits, which aren't so great that they could replace a human's diet. Just what was the deal with something of importance going untouched, huh? That's for me to know, and for you to read about eventually~

An extra hint: Aric is simply too inexperienced and "excited" to notice.

- [ᛊ] -

Piplup hated being cumbersome.

A mix of jealousy at the agility of older Empoleon and a sense of acute insecurity may have jumpstarted the pokemon's distaste with his own weakness. Eventually, after months of traveling with its waddle of penguins, the small first-stage got over that part. He, instead, sought perfection from the top.

Screw all the steps towards it.

Watching his father break through a glacier for the first time cemented that drive. He would emulate their movements and copy their aura usage. He wanted that. He wanted it now.

Why bother with the basic attack of water gun if Whirlpool and Aqua Jet were superior? All he had to do was get better at running and controlling water. He had gotten it down after a month of trial and error. Whirlpool was still a work in progress, unfortunately. To be fair, he favored Aqua Jet more. Moving fast was just so cool!

He just needed to get better at running. Still, it was usable in water, allowing him to move in any direction at a moment's notice. It wasn't as flawless as his Father's yet, but he'd work on it.

Peck—nah, Drill Peck. It was better in every way. It still made him a lil dizzy, but he was sure he would get better at it. He understood the mechanics and the process to call upon their minor ties to Flying energy for this move. His tiny body wasn't up to par yet.

No matter how much his parents and other elders tried to insist he rethink these, the Piplup could not. There was no motivation to be mustered, whether to summon a weak waterspout or the weak moves of all the other babies. He did not want to be like them. Not because he was better, but because he knew what the top looked like already!

Incessantly, he bothered all the older pokemon to teach him or at the very least show off their own techniques. With keen eyes, he'd glue their actions onto his mind and practice them as best as he could with his much smaller body.

Because of this, he forgone all the other things a young Piplup would pick up. Such as, how to swim flawlessly, how to hunt accurately, and how to communicate his thoughts properly.

The first one was the very reason he had taken a ride on the iceberg. His stamina regarding swimming was pretty paltry compared to others his age. Ever since he got a handle on Aqua Jet, he turned his focus outside of water.

Nor could he hold his breath as well as all the others. Perhaps, it was fate as one of their few predators had chased the rest of his clansmen out of the water, where he beckoned them to join him on the safety of his ice-type friend's back.

They had risked much to tread the waters of the Cloud Dragon's domain, apparently, but it's rarely sighted in the past couple years. At least the elders had said so, urging the ice pokemon they rode to press deeper through the calmer waters where not even their predator swam.

As they did so, Piplup couldn't help but wonder what the Cloud Dragon was like. His own father was the King of their clan, but he did not rule a domain. Rather, he had taken the responsibility to care for his species, escorting them from their breeding grounds near humanity and their other roosting grounds across the ocean. All the while, he made sure each member was accounted for, fed, and trained enough to hunt or eventually leave if they chose to become their own Empoleon.

Since the clan had recently left their breeding grounds for the second time in his life, they had a lot of young this year. His father did not want to risk them, explaining his choice to retreat.

Piplup had wanted to try fighting, but his mother had knocked him out before he could try something. He was quite sure he could have fought off one of the smaller pokemon accompanying the predator!

When he came to, they were safely far away from the enemies. It left him with a ton of energy to work off and full of annoyance to be treated like a nuisance. So, in an effort to rebel, he refused to go with them and continue his "useless" practice.

He knew his body would change, but based on the other pokemon (mostly Prinplup) in the clan, they grew with the same body shape for the most part unlike most others! He just wanted a head start. Was that so much to ask for? Was it truly that wrong to go about it this way?

Honestly, he didn't ponder much on all the extra thoughts. He knew what he wanted and how he would work towards it.

And then, he saw them.

Storm-marked and Water-kissed, a thin human and a tiny eel stood and floated respectively, looking down on him from their island.

He knew it then that he wanted all of the smoke. To compare his slow growth to theirs. His efforts to their gifted strength. It was such a sudden feeling; he could only stare emptily. As he did so, the primal water energy within him surged like a raging whirlpool.

Their predators knew their migration patterns for sure, but it wasn't a major issue with Piplup's father at the helm. However, they had gotten braver and more numerous with the demise of the elder Sea Guardian.

Perhaps, blessing the two had weakened the Sea Guardian King Manaphy, but he didn't know for sure.

He could recall the storm they had swam around to safely travel. His father had made the tough decision to abandon the guardian's cry for help that day.

Not even a day afterwards, all of the waters mourn the loss.

This was after his mother had shared stories about the twin protector of the seas, Manaphy and Phione. He couldn't believe his father would do something so unheroic as to leave behind the Sea Guardian's cry for help. It was then Piplup knew he wanted to leave. He just didn't think they would abandon the beloved sea guardian in its entirety.

He quickly got over the impulsive sense of betrayal. He had training to focus on—he always had things to better. Like clockwork, he started by practicing his run. Getting land mobility out of the way—especially being able to practice safely on ice—was one of his first priorities.

He hated tripping.

Which was the funny part. That was how he first noticed the blessed pair.

They could be trusted as the Sea Guardian King (an epic name in his humble opinion) Manaphy's chosen, no? They were definitely strong as well, no matter how small the eel was. He could feel it.

He could barely hold himself back.

He could taste his evolution. His new, better form.

And so, he let go and started a fight. There was too much thinking going on. That didn't fit him. Moving his body was simple—albeit a struggle with how clumsy it was for now. And so, he asked his icy steed to launch him at this rag-tag group. Ice energy pooled under his flippers, and Piplup tensed in preparation.

This wasn't his first time asking for such a thing. He couldn't quite fly yet by himself after all. Drill Peck was still another work in progress!

But being launched into the air like so? What better time to practice! Hopefully, he would stick the landing despite the coming dizziness...

Apparently, the evolution had even gotten the fur-covered dragon's attention. This time, I had the chance to see it glide out of the cave. It was in stark contrast to all the lazy resting I've seen from it. Again, there was a such a regal mystical feeling as it conquered air without wind or wings. Unlike my starstruck self, the newly evolved pokemon seemed to eye the dragon oddly, as if to size it up. Honestly, I just didn't want to believe a miniscule penguin (in comparison) could thought it could take on the white, fluffy dragon. Mind you, it just screamed like it could take on the Mega Gyarados or Sharpedo, and I haven't even seen it fight yet!

Either way, this time, the dragon focused on me, having done a double take.

Whatever I did to offend, I profusely apologized for it all in my mind's mind, stilling in my spot. It sniffed once in my direction then just took off into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

I deflated, falling onto my ass.

Vita was by my side immediately. Tropius hovered over me protectively but didn't look all too concerned. Feebas in her vines cooed worriedly. From the corner of my vision, I saw the Prinplup also pause, instead of taking advantage of the lack of attention.

I didn't know a single bit of what's going on, but it was time to cool everything off.

Prinplup waddled directly up to Vita, outweighing her many more fold now, but my eel did not back down or cower. She was too cool—and didn't sense any negativity? I say, because even Tessa and Tropius tensed.

"Prin Prinplup!"

"Ty.."

All the pokemon turned to me. Honestly, I was still reeling from the fact that I hadn't been needed to play ref.

"Yes?" I didn't know what they wanted from their looks alone, but the penguin had stopped attacking. I wouldn't mind "hearing" it out.

I couldn't tell exactly what it was saying, but based on the expectant looks from Vita and Quintessa, I shoved down my latent excitement and reached into the metal crate. My eyes bore into the last empty pokeball.

While this was one of the Sinnoh starters, this was the final pokeball on my person. I doubt that I would come across a better pokemon. That I even could. However, I could no longer rely on myself to break or disrupt any conflict by myself potentially without this tool. I would have to rely completely on the group that—for some untold reason—decided to stay by me.

Sure, it's all I've been doing, relying on everyone else, but still.. I couldn't not swallow the sentiment without an internal struggle.

I took in a deep breath and stepped closer.

Prinplup showed some curiosity but nodded and preened once I stepped closer with it.

"Ready to join the family?"

"Lup!"

I'm glad that one of us understand another.

Vita made quick friends with the newest teammate of ours, despite the rocky—or icy—start. Of course I could rely on her to do so. My lil eel was too good for this world. I need to repay her and her fallen siblings.

But first, I had to get over myself and leave this island.

She had helped the penguin with his paralysis by... eating it? I have no idea if that was normal, but I was glad it didn't have to suffer random spasms.

All in all, Feebas and Tropius were wary of such a "violent" pokemon, who seemed more keen with the idea of getting used to its new body.

Ascalon, on the other hand, had the most extreme introduction.

I don't know if pokemon had awareness from within the pokeball. This could be some psychic shenanigans, but my mute Veluza came out glowing and then swinging.

The almost two-foot penguin took to it with very little surprise and a savage grin curling its beak. A metal sheen overtook both wings to block the Aqua Jet and the Water Slash (this still felt weird to say; I'm sure there was a proper name, and Game Freak wouldn't just follow Slash's direction) that followed.

Funnily enough, that was exactly why my newest pokemon backed off.

It stared at the metallic energy covering its two wings with awe. As if it couldn't believe that it could do that. It blushed lightly, almost embarrassed. "Priiin..." it trilled softly.

My dicey fish rushed forward again. His pink blades flickering. My eyes widened and I pulled back.

I only managed to get out, "Asc—"

A whirlpool, summoned with nearly twice the speed as the one from before, roared into existence, causing me to fall on my ass. It rushed forward in Ascalon's—my direction. However, Tropius and Vita took point.

It wasn't necessary.

Psionic energy burst the water like a balloon. "Veeelll!" the de-fleshed fish finally screeched, cutting through air to slice at the Prinplup even faster.

My newest capture didn't back down. The oversized penguin simply summoned more steel energy and coated both wings again before rushing to meet Ascalon head-on. Psychic energy protected my fish from the heavy Metal Claw's.

Amidst one of their clashes, I realized Ascalon was levitating. There was no Aqua Jet's nor any sort of water manipulation I could see. Instead, the pink fins never lost their glow, throwing immense psionic power.

It was too bad that Steel resisted Psychic though. Seeing it in action was something else...

Ascalon's pink energy splashed or shattered against Metal Claw like water and ice. Some left marks, but Prinplup wasn't concerned about that.

As I spied my latest capture's expression, it was happy as it completely controlled the fight. Blankets of Whirlpools broke against blasts of Stored Power away. Metal Claw batted away Slashes, what I dubbed, "Water Slash," and wild Psycho Cut.

The Steel type, defensively, was pretty crazy.

However...

I tore my gaze away, hearing my heartbeat raise steadily, and my breath hitch. For all my awe, I couldn't ignore my... new aversion to blades. Swords were as cool to me as with any other man, but my mind couldn't help but trail back to that night with the knife. The day I died, full of regret, like a loser, and for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Since Veluza, a bladed fish, and the eventual Empoleon, a sharp penguin, were now in my pokemon Team, I would have to get over myself. For them.

For me...

It wouldn't be now, I know. The only reason I wasn't losing my mind again was because I was more aware of this problem given my last episode.

I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing inwards. Ascalon saved my life multiple times. I had already processed my feelings regarding his fearsome look. It wasn't something he could help.

It helped that neither Tropius nor Vita were freaked out.

My gaze couldn't help but trail back to the fight. It was just like watching the anime—but so much more real.

So absorbed into the fight, I had only just noticed the concerned looks the red, leaf-winged dino was showing me and my starter. To her side, Vita blazed with yellow sparks, struggling to float stably. Immediately, I was on my feet. My previous mind was thrown out of the window.

In all the practice of Magnetic Rise, Vita had never lost control of the move, outside of tiring. Even then, she'd just lower herself into my hands or the pool of water. She NEVER lost her control over her own electricity—with some testing that I compared to Nessa's training; Vita just had far more finesse than even trained pokemon.

Currently, her small, grayish face was in furrowed confusion with shut eyes as she tried to get a handle of herself. She squirmed uncomfortably all the while. It wasn't working as the sparks grew more numerous.

Her eyes flared open as she screeched, "Nammm!"

I refused to step back again. I do not know what she said, but I wasn't going to step back and leave her alone. I didn't want to show more fear for her.

I had her final evolution for that, a part of me mumbled, recalling Eelektross's fearsome design.

That and I felt at fault for not finding the nearest human settlement already.

For fuck's sake, we had all stayed in the same clinic! I knew there was something wrong with them! They all pretended to be fine, I could only assume—just like I had done. But here I was taking a vacation after death with four sick bodies who could only rely on me.

I shook my head. My hand scrambled for Vita's pokeball. Then, Ascalon's. A click to each, the two were absorbed back into the capture devices.

I marched up to Prinplup. His defiant but confused eyes met mine. I did not care what this fighting manic wanted. He chose to join me.

Therefore, I would pick the path we strode.

"Prinplup, do you know where others like me are?" I said, pointing at myself. My voice was such ice, it nearly snapped me out of my laser focus.

The pokemon shook its head.

Frustration welled into me like never before. It curled my hands into tight fists and sank my stomach. I nearly screamed into the air, but it wouldn't do anything.

The dragon was still gone. Tropius knew only the island. And we were stranded in the middle of the ocean with no one the wiser.

My hand fumbled the dumbass green fish's pokeball. Maybe I was a dumbass too since I was debating whether to let it annoy the Feebas chilling by the cliffside. Just so one of them could call the Milotic—just so I could ask if it knew where the closest human was.

That was stupid. Insane really.

There was no guarantee it knew where. Or that, without the dragon's presence, even with Tropius here, it wouldn't just tear me to shreds. It had wanted to before Feebas' intervention.

Who's to say Quintessa could stop the Milotic after the warning had been given?

I had to try though.

"—Prin Lup!" A cry from my latest capture drew me out of my destructive thoughts. "Lup, pri..." It was conversing with the ice pokemon from before—the singular pokemon I had completely forgotten about. It had approached the cliff, as if to wait for Piplup- or well, Prinplup now. "Prinplup!"

Suddenly, the penguin turned my way, chatting at me, pointing to me and the iceberg repeatedly.

I understood none of what it was trying to say. The gesturing helped drive their meaning into me though.

The iceberg knew where to go.

That was the only thing that mattered at that moment.

My arms slipped Quintessa from Tropius' vines as Prinplup leapt off onto the icy shell. Because my weakened legs wouldn't make the jump, much less stick the landing, I prepared to swim.

"Help me to the ice, Tessa?"

The fish nodded. Her taut face was one of seriousness.

I sucked in a breath and stepped off. I was in freefall for less than half of a second. Vines shot out and slithered around me. They were taut, sharp but didn't slice my skin, and held me with ease that always managed to surprise me.

"Trooo" came the soft trill of Tropius, who looked at me with an expression that was hard to discern. She trod closer. And once we were face-to-face, she dipped her head and spoke with the ice pokemon with a series of pokemon words.

Obviously, I didn't know what about but by the end of it, Tropius seemed satisfied and tied me (and Tessa) to her back.

"Tropius?" I asked.

She turned her stiff neck around to look at me. I think I caught what was a hint of a smile as her red, scaly leaf-like wings grew extra segments and fluttered slowly.

"Piii!" She cried.

I held on tight.

She glided down to the ice pokemon smoothly. If I wasn't busy holding my breath and fretting over all the injured or sick pokemon in my mind, I could've found myself enjoying the weightless sensation. It all promptly ended once Tropius landed.

Both Tropius and I shivered.

Tropius did something that caused her to radiate some warmth. It did little stop the shivering, but it was better than nothing.

"Prinplup!" The penguin pokemon pointed the direction of the head—commanding it to swim, I assumed. The ice pokemon did. Just after turning in the opposite direction.

Prinplup didn't waver or seem embarrassed. Only excited still.

I was glad one of us could be...

I took stock of everything again. Nessa's Feebas seemed okay with the cold in my arms. Tropius had actually grabbed the crate I forgot about and brought it with a red serrated vine. In my pockets, on one side, I had the seahorse and the white-striped Basculin pokeballs. My other held Vita and Ascalon's.

My hands were mindlessly playing with my latest capture's pokeball.

I didn't really know what to make of the guy. But it was probably best to get to know it before reaching land, right? After all, there was nothing better to do.

"Hey Prinplup?" I jolted the penguin from its vantage point, seemingly enjoying and getting used to its new height. "Are you a male?"

It blinked, tilted its head, and nodded slowly.

His head, I then corrected mentally.

I bowed my head slightly and swallowed. "Thank you for the help." I meant it. He had really pulled me out of my funk without trying and before I pulled something stupid.

The blue pokemon stiffened at my words from the corners of my eyes.

I cracked a smile at that. The images of Metal Claws faded from the forefront of my mind. Who knew the fighting maniac could get why?

Well, he was now my fighting maniac. Not my starter. Though, perhaps, my strongest capture yet.

My eyes trailed to Tropius, who chose to accompany me to human civilization. I can't tell if she just wants to see me off safely or join. Either way, Prinplup's evolution may even put him on even footing with Tropius.

Said pokemon walked slowly in a circle, uncomfortable with standing still on moving ice. I couldn't blame her, but I was thankful for her warmth and the slowness. I wouldn't get dizzy with the current speed.

If she did choose to join me, I hoped I could repay the caring dino.

The marching eventually caught Prinplup's blue eyes. He took to the circle walk as a challenge or perhaps, a race. His new legs carried him, so he no longer waddled. He quickened into a run.

A scene from the anime flashed in my head. It was a memory that I couldn't believe I could still recall.

"Prinplup, try tilting forward and letting your wings trail behind you." The oversized bird stared at me, unmoving.

After a moment of silence (aside from the gentle waves and crackling of ice against the water), Prinplup tried. He utterly failed, falling onto his front promptly. However, instead of getting mad or frustrated, he quickly stood and tried again.

I felt bad. He sorta understood what I meant. He was tilting way too much. I tried to tell when to stop or how to tilt himself, but words didn't work quite right.

I would have to show him then.

My eyes flicked down to the ice and the water that rushed past us. If it weren't for the island quickly growing tiny behind us, I would have thought we made no progress. I was pretty confident I could stand on the ice.

I've never slipped on ice before.

I could use the distraction until we made it to land again, anyway.

And so, I tapped Tropius' neck twice, softly. "Could you let me down, Tropius? So I could show Prinplup what he's doing wrong."

Tropius passed me an odd stare but nodded a moment later. She released me as I pocketed my Prinplup's pokeball. However, she kept a firm vine around my waist. I didn't question it, growing warm at the sentiment despite the cold seeping through my soles.

"Prinplup." My words stopped his latest attempt. "Like this."

My body imitated the ninjas from Naruto, evening starting the famous run. That was, until I slipped. Tropius' vine held me up so I only looked like I slumped over. Embarrassment welled up in me. A part of me worried the hot rush would burn the vine, but really, that was a dumb thought.

Prinplup didn't care, seemingly taking the new reference with deference. His body leapt forward, bent nearly 90 degrees forward, and his wings were behind him and fanned out slightly, turning him into more of a moving arrow.

He mostly had it until he also slipped.

I shoved down my shame and clapped. "That was a great try!" I cheered, honestly. "Maybe the ice is too slippery to properly test the new running technique, Prinplup."

The pokemon's head whipped my way with wide eyes. Despite my inexperience with pokemon, there was no mistaking his expression.

Utter confusion.

It was different from that moment with his dual Metal Claw's. Back then, he knew what he was looking at. Now, he didn't even know what to make of the clapping and, perhaps, even my words of encouragement.

I softened my tone and said, "You almost had it down before you slipped." I rose to my feet and approached, then took his beginning stance. I then widened my legs more. "Your feet—your legs, actually, aren't so close anymore. You don't have to force yourself to keep them together since you're no longer a Piplup."

The penguin's gaze finally left him to glance down to his flippers.

"Lup?"

I smiled and tried to help him up. He quickly rose before I could touch him. My lips only widened.

"Go on. Try it, boy."

The penguin stared at me with an unreadable look. Then, he nodded and focused on his longer legs. He shuffled, getting ready to run and staring at his feet, but I spoke up again.

"Don't focus on your legs too much!"

The pokemon didn't nod but carefully stared forward.

I couldn't help it and cheered him on again. "You got this, Prinplup!"

He leapt forward. One leg led into the other by its side. They no longer bumped into one another, stepping half a foot apart now. He didn't lean as far forward either, thankfully. His upside v shape body with his wings cut through air as he ran circles. It got faster as he went.

There was no stopping him.

I whistled, "Look at you go!"

Tropius made a noise of appreciation as well. Her head moved to and fro, whipping her shortened, red wings. For a moment, my eyes lingered on them, but a happy trill from Prinplup drew me back.

Even as he slipped, straight off into the water this time, the penguin seemed to be happy. He crawled back into the ice pokemon, who had stopped when he was sent overboard.

"How was it?" I asked with a grin. The fretting thoughts now were only yelling at me from the recesses of my mind.

"Prin Prinplup!"

I nodded in understanding, even if I didn't know what he meant. Tropius stomped excitedly behind me, like a prancing dog. That only got the attention of the ice pokemon.

"Luuuuuug!" A deep, icy groan reverberated from beneath.

Tropius lowered her head and bent her four knees, looking thoroughly reprimanded and sheepish. I patted one of her legs and sent her a smile as well. "We'll make it back to land in no time."

I ignored the creeping cold in favor of Prinplup. That oddly reminded me of something.

"Hey Prinplup." I caught both the pokemons' attention. "Do you want a name?"

Prinplup's stare was a mix on confusion and question. I had a feeling it wasn't used to talking. I bit back a laugh. Anyone could be anti-social or could have issues communicating, huh?

I continued, pulling out some of my pokeballs. "My Tynamo you fought first is Vita. The spiked fish was Ascalon." I jabbed a thumb to Feebas. "That's my.. friend's. She's Quintessa or Tessa for short."

Said pokemon cooed softly. I couldn't help but pet her, careful to not nick myself against the ridges and small spikes.

I continued to explain, "A name helps me differentiate—" the pokemon frowned at that. "Helps me tell the difference between you and others of your kind." I fondly rubbed Vita's ball. "It stays the same between evolution."

The blue penguin rose and pointed at itse—himself. "Prin?" It was like it couldn't believe what it was hearing.

"Yeah, for you," I answered, smiling. He paused, nodded, and plopped onto the ice. "I'll pick one for your eventual final evolution, Empoleon." He perked up at that. "Yeah, you joined me for that right?" Again, he sent me a slow nod. "I could tell. You practice hard, refining your skills and attacks. I don't think Piplup's are supposed to know Drill Peck and whatnot..."

Refining, huh? It would be a bit like sharping... which would fit his eventual Steel type.

I glanced around, re-absorbing my surroundings. I was in the Pokémon world. An impossible feat. Only one word fit, and, despite everything else, I was sure he would like it.

"Vorpal." At Prinplup's questioning look, I stifled a laugh. "It's the impossibly sharp blade. A goal for you to reach. So, whatcha think?"

Instead of question or hesitant acceptance, there was a sparkle to his eyes that answered before he cried out, "Prinplup!" His wings brought him up-right again as he settled himself back into training. And since he had gotten sufficient rest, I only watched on with a wry smile. I would allow it since he was understandably excited. I really hope he wasn't stressing himself because I was trying my best to ignore my worries and trust the ice pokemon.

Through it all, I palmed Vita's pokeball the entire time.

Though, I was careful as I climbed back onto Tropius, who helped with her vines, cooing while restraining her own excitement I was paying more attention, I would've assumed she wanted a name too. However, the sea has shown me that they weren't so kind and I would have to prepare myself as best I could for the trek. Mentally. Emotionally. And hopefully, not too physically. But, I won't cling onto hope.

- [ᛊ] -

Aes (A/N): Who's that (iceberg) pokemon?

So, whatcha think of the future Emperor Penguin? I tried to make him out to be a bit of a autistic lil thing, if that makes sense. He's just not used to being taken seriously or considered. I don't think I properly conveyed it, but I'll get around to fleshing it out at a later point, ig; it took way too long to post this and struggled doubly to end it on coherent note.

Words: [5,426]
Edit: a good amount