Episode 8: Opelucid City! Meet Andrew!

 

      “Okay, that settles it.” Drake said, a huge map in front of his face. “We are lost in Twist Mountain still. And the convention is over tomorrow.”

      Hana, the Shiny Umbreon, made a small sound of understanding her life-long trainer’s sadness. He knelt down and pet her.

      Kitty, the faithful Skitty, meantime was chasing her own tail. Whenever Hana would ask Kitty why she chased her tail all the time, Kitty would reply “I can never seem to catch it! I mean really, why does it have to run away from me all the time?”

      Absol, the newest member of the family, was walking ahead, not caring if Drake and the others followed. He was use to abandonment, and knew every secret curve of the mountain well. Drake would make his silly poetry event, provided he listened to Absol.

      Soon, they picked up their pace to keep up with Absol. “I see light!” Kitty cried out and charged faster ahead of Absol.

      “Absol, sol.” There it is. Opelucid City.

      “Wait a moment, Absol.” Hana went next to him. “We should be in Mistralton City, not Opelucid so fast. Where are we really?”

      “Absol, absol ab absol sol.” Ever heard of underground tunnels Foxy? They work wonders when you know which ones are the right ones to use.

      Hana growled and ran to keep up with Kitty.

      They had arrived in Old Opelucid, a place with old buildings, to preserve and honor the past in a fast moving world. An elderly lady was sitting on a bench near the tunnel, blowing a song into a grass reed flute. She stopped and looked at the strange crew. “The prophets spoke of ones such as you. Hmm… but two of you are missing still, and the Lucario Moon has yet to rise. I play my song in honor of the prophets of whom I speak.”

      “What are you talking about, grandmother?” Drake asked, motioning the Pokemon to keep back. He knelt down on the ground before the old lady, so he was eye level with her.

      “The prophets spoke of words from Arceus’s time passed from generation to generation. Speak to Drayden, he is this generation’s keeper. Find him at the border of Old Opelucid and New Opelucid at the gym, wrestling dragons.” She said, and went back to her reed.

      Drake got up and went over to the Pokemon. “You heard her as well as me. Interested in the old stories?”

      Hana, eager to impress Drake, got up right away. “You bet!” she said.

      Kitty licked her lips and reached into Absol’s furry white mane and pulled out a candy bar. Absol said nothing. At this point, nothing surprised him about Kitty. She turned human with a POP! and started to open the wrapper.

      Hana caught a whiff of the chocolate. “Kid… Mind if I try a piece?”

      “Why of course Hana!” she broke half the bar, pulling apart the gooey melted mixture inside. “Help yourself.”

      Hana ate her half and licked her lips. It was heavenly. Her pointed ears perked up though as she felt Absol smirking at her from behind. “And what are you looking at?”

      “Absol ab absol.” You are sorta cute when you eat like that. All smiles.

      Hana growled loudly as Absol turned away and followed Drake smirking.

      After wandering around, they heard the music of a synthesizer, indicating they were in New Opelucid. The player looked at them. “My grandma plays that reef in Old Opelucid to honor the past. I play my synthesizer to send hope off to the future.” The player said as they got close.

      Drake turned to face a building with a black dragon statue and white one as well. “This is the gym. Drayden must be inside.”

      They came inside to see the tall, gruff man wrestling with a giant Haxorus, shirtless. Hana noted that he was not attractive, not when compared to Drake anyway.

      Drayden stopped when he saw them come towards his field. “Are you my latest challenger, young man?”

      “No. My name is Drake, and I wish to learn about the prophecies you know. I was sent by the reed player in Old Opelucid.”

      “I know quite a few. You and your young sister can sit, and I’ll tell the stories.”

      Just then, a boy charged in. He had dark green hair like moss, and his eyes even darker green. “Are you Drayden?” the boy demanded at the old trainer.

      “Yes, I am. I guess you are a challenger. But you will have to wait.” Drayden said, not looking up to face the boy.

      The boy already came in with a smug look on his face, now he looked annoyed. “My name is Andrew Hayden. What exactly am I waiting for?”

      “Sit, Andrew, and listen to an important story I’m about to tell these two and their Shiny Umbreon and Absol.” Drayden said, offering a space. Andrew sent a poisoned look at Drake and Kitty, but sat anyway.

      Drayden cleared his throat. “Long ago, at the dawn of human time, it is said that Arceus spoke directly to humans and Pokemon, known as Magical Creatures back then. It spoke of all of its creations, especially a Pokemon known as Darkrai. He was born out of the darkness of the world.

      “Because of his darkness, Darkrai wanted to take the world away from Arceus and smother it with darkness. Arceus knew this was bad, but knew it was out of his control to stop Darkrai. Attacking directly would only fuel Darkrai’s rage.

      “So, in order to help save the world, it is said that Arceus created a Pokemon out of light – Cresselia. Only she could save the world from Darkrai and his nightmares. The two legendary Pokemon had fought many times, rampaging and destroying towns and cities. Arceus would come afterwards and clean up and tell the stories that are now basis for legends.

      “But soon even Cresselia tired of chasing Darkrai. She wanted to stop this. She used a special power to put Darkrai in a slumber for many eons. But the prophets warned us of what Arceus said. That it would take the Fated Five to save the world from Darkrai and purge the darkest of hearts.

      “But before the Fated Five, the prophets said that certain events needed to happen to guarantee the best possible future. In that way, another Five were needed. The prophets called them The Blessed Tenfold.

      “The Fated Five… Many prophecies surround them. I will tell you the story I believe the most. Of the Five, three would have unique powers to change shape, and fit the world that suits them at whatever time.”

      “But wait!” Kitty interjected suddenly. “What do you mean, change shape? What worlds?”

      “Good questions. I assume the only worlds known of back then were the human world and the Pokemon world. They say those three could easily go between those worlds.” Drayden said.

      A surprised stillness fell over Hana, who’s head was resting on Drake’s lap, and on Kitty.

      “And the other two were the body guards. There are rumors of a sixth helper, but let us just stick to the Fated Five, okay? Now, there is the other Five, who complete The Blessed Tenfold. Those Five… the stories are less clear. I think the most accurate interpretation is that they are somehow the parents of the Fated Five, each having a role to play.”

      “What role?” Drake asked, stroking Hana’s fur. She gave a small smile.

      “Allow me to quote the legend as I knew it: ‘The Leader shall bear the seed of evil. The Passionate One will save the Leader’s life. The Quiet One will create the Box. The Smart One will fight the strongest. The Truthful One will symbolize when the tainted one is pure.’ And I believe in this. I believe that the Leader, Passionate One, Quiet One, Smart One and Truthful One have already gathered. That just leaves the Shape-shifters and their protectors.”

      Andrew was silent, deep in thought. “Could this have to do with my dreams? Of that magical world where I see only Pokemon playing? And a dark storm cloud, taking many Pokemon away? Could this be related…?”

      He then shook his head. “It’s just a story. No one, except a Zorua or Zoroark or Ditto or Mew can change shape and fit whatever world needs them. A Pokemon is a Pokemon.”

      Drayden raised an eyebrow. “Well, a legend is a legend. But I believe it. Now, if you will excuse me and Haxorus, we must shower quickly before we challenge you Andrew.”

      “No, I think I will wait and challenge you another day.” Andrew said. “I… I think I rushed into this one too fast.” He went outside.

      “Thank you Drayden for the story.” Drake said, shaking Drayden’s sweaty palm. “It really will make an interesting poem for the convention.”

      “Ah, you’re here for the convention. Yes, legends are the greatest of poems. Use my words as you see fit.” And the group went outside.

      Kitty dashed out first, eager to see some place less scary. Drayden was intimidating, with that crazy mustache, and that Haxorus, with blades on the sides of its face… But she didn’t see Andrew standing in her way, and she bumped into him, falling to the ground on her rump. “Oh, sorry!” she said.

      Andrew rolled his eyes and offered a hand to help her up, which she took. “You’re a klutz. Just saying. But then again, you aren’t her.”

      “I’m not who?” Kitty asked, sounding offended. Hana rolled her eyes.

      “You aren’t Heather Romania.” He said. Kitty backed away.

      “You… You like her?!” Kitty cried out.

      “Love her is the correct term. I know she doesn’t like me back, but, I think deep down there is a nice part of her. How do you know about Heather anyway? Oh, it doesn’t really matter, don’t tell me any details. I’m not interested. Anyway, I get the feeling I’ll see you around more than I’d like. Just don’t be so klutzy.” He walked away.

      Once Andrew was out of earshot, Hana transformed, slower than Kitty, but still fast enough not to be totally obvious. She fluffed at her purple hair. “What a jerk. Yet, he seems like he would be a good ally.”

      Drake sighed. “I have to go hurry over to the convention. I’ll let you guys do as you want, just don’t leave the city.” Drake looked into Hana’s eyes. Before he could kiss her cheek she turned away. Drake blinked, but shrugged and went off into Old Opelucid.

      Hana and Kitty went back into their Pokemon forms, and went under a tree. Hana was hoping for a nap, but the moment she curled up, her gold eyes closed, Kitty jumped on top of her. “Train me Hana! Please! You’re so strong and can make me strong too!”

      Hana didn’t know what to say. It would be good for the kid to get stronger, and she couldn’t put her paw on it, but she felt like she wanted to help. Like some hidden, happy emotion. Whatever. Just satiate the kid and be done with it. Right?

      “Alright, kid. But we’re gonna be serious today. No more wimpy moves like doubleslap.”

      Kitty nodded. Absol moved aside, laid down on his belly, and put his head on his paws, pretending to sleep. He was secretly watching over Hana. He was drawn to her, and wanted to protect her.

      But, what on earth was he protecting her from?

      There wasn’t anyone around, and nothing bad happening either. Or, was it his senses going crazy again?

      So, he watched closely as Hana trained Kitty in learning Assist, a valuable move. Kitty held up one of her short paws, and a bright light would form. He heard Hana telling her “Good! Now, try to decide which moves you’d like to use. One that me or Absol know. No, don’t use shadow ball on me!” there was a small explosion of dirt as Hana jumped aside nimbly. “Kid!!!” Hana began to chase Kitty around, and Kitty, knowing she was in trouble, ran off. Finally, Hana figured they had run around enough, looking quite stupid in the process, so she just stopped. Kitty quickly distracted herself by chasing her tail again.

      “Get back here tail!” she cried out, as her tail was always out of her mouth’s grip.

      Hana walked over to Absol. “I bet we looked pretty stupid, didn’t we?” she asked.

      “Stupid? I don’t know about that, but for a second, while you were chasing her, it looked like you were smiling and having fun.”

      Hana’s hackles rose up. “Fun?! What do you know about what I call fun?”

      Absol smirkled. “Hey, I was just giving my observation.” And he walked away.

      Hana lowered her hackles, and sat down, watching Kitty. She realized that she liked the annoying, candy addict, Skitty. She was… special.

 

***

      Later, as the sunset, Drake came back with Absol. Apparently, Absol had found Drake. Not that Hana cared. Kitty and Hana went over to Drake’s side, and they went to their room in the Pokemon Center. Unknown to them, a shadowy figure was watching and following them from a safe distance, out of Absol’s range of senses.

      …Very soon, I will make them mine.