To Fight and Defend: The Legend
#1 of FightAndDefend
A Word From the Author
Well, I'm back with a new story. My inspiration for this one is dual-fold. 1. Avril's song "Keep Holding On" from the Eragon Soundtrack and 2. Dragon Booster Episode 17: Faster then Fear. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
To Fight And Defend
Chapter 1: The Legend
A Story By: G'lek
Just beyond the edge of our imagination lies the world of Pokemon. This world, filled with amazing creatures, is home to young trainer Ash Ketchum. Ash has the dream of becoming the world's best Pokemon Master. However, at the moment, Ash is having a much different dream.
"Where am I?" Ash wondered as he gazed upon the bleak landscape in front of him. The earth was rust red and scoured by dust storms. The few trees standing were mere skeletons of true trees, black branches twisted in strange shapes, clearly dead. A bright orange sun sat low in the blood red sky.
"Is this a dream? Or maybe it's a nightmare! ... Well, wherever I am, I need to get out. Pikachu?"
Ash looked around for his companion, but the little yellow Pokemon was nowhere to be found.
"Pikachu! Where are you!"
Ash searched the landscape for his friend, but instead of Pikachu, he found a different Pokemon.
"Darkrai! What are you doing here!"
"I should ask you that question. This is my dream."
"Your... dream?"
"Yes."
"Well... Nice dream. Now if you could just send me back?"
"You came here, I did not bring you."
"So you can't send me back?"
"You are here for a reason, clearly."
Before Ash could come up with a suitable response, the dream changed. Now there was a dark cloud hovering on the horizon. Ash stared, for the cloud was not so much black as it was without light. A perfect darkness.
"Darkrai?"
"The RiQue."
"The what?!"
"Go to Goldenrod. Find Michael. He will explain all you need."
"Wha... wait, hold on!"
"Go now. You have much work and little time!"
"Ash!" Called a new voice, echoing as if over a great distance. It had a female tone to it.
"Ash, wake up!" A male voice called.
"Wha?!" Ash sat straight up, hitting his head on the bunk above him before falling back while holding his head.
"Are you alright Ash?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, you were making quite the commotion." Brock said.
"I'm fine... Just a dream." Ash replied, unsure of what he just saw. It all seemed too real.
"Pika!"
"Hey Pikachu, did I wake you up?"
"Pi!" The yellow Pokemon replied, nodding vigorously.
"I'm sorry buddy. Guys, I think we need to head to Goldenrod."
"Oh, I've never been to Johto!" Dawn said.
"Ash, what's up?" Brock asked, sensing something was wrong.
"I need to find someone."
"Alright. I'm sure your mother would appreciate a visit while we're there."
"Latias, wake up!" Bianca called, bringing the red and white Eon Pokemon back to the real world.
"Laaaaa!" Latias cried, grabbing Bianca and burying her head into the young girl's shirt.
"It's okay, it's okay. That must have been some dream!"
Latias recalled the nightmare she had. The barren and dead landscape, the ominous cloud, and feeling of evil approaching, and the image of a certain young trainer facing the darkness alone. The dream made little sense, but somehow the Pokemon knew Ash was in danger, that something was happening that would threaten everything, that Ash Ketchum needed her.
Latias gave Bianca a loving nuzzle before delivering before taking her leave. She left through the hidden tunnel, navigating the waterways of Alto Mare towards the sea. At the edge, she paused to collect herself. She knew where she had to go. Rising above the water, the Dragon-Psychic Pokemon gathered her energy. When she released that energy, it propelled her with great speed in the direction of Ash. The pressure wave generated threw up twin plumes of water to either side of her.
Ash looked around the small campsite he had setup with his friends. Traveling was hard. Almost every night since they had begun traveling back to Johto, Ash had been having nightmares. Most of the time his friends woke him up and he couldn't remember what he had been dreaming. The rest of the time, he didn't tell them what his dreams were. He didn't want to think about them himself.
Everyone else was asleep. Ash sighed and walked a short way into the forest for some alone time. He felt bad for keeping his friends, even Pikachu, out of the loop. As he grew more tired, he also grew more irritable. He knew he was putting a strain on his friends with his mood. He needed someone he could talk to.
"That's all I want." He sighed to himself. "Someone to talk to."
Like who? Asked a female voice. Ash was confused, because it sounded like the voice was in his head.
"Who's there?"
An old friend. Replied the voice, and Ash watched as a familiar red and white form floated down from the trees.
"Latias!"
Hi Ash. Miss me? She asked playfully.
"Did I ever! And... wait a minute, I can hear you!"
So?
"So... You're a Pokemon, how can I understand you?"
I don't understand either. All I know is that I'm talking and you're understanding.
"Oh... well, that's cool."
You wanted someone to talk to. What's wrong Ash, you look terrible. Like you haven't-
"Slept? I know. I keep having nightmares. About a-"
Dead world, with a dark cloud on the horizon?
"Yeah, how did you know?"
I'm having the same dreams. Something bad is happening Ash.
"No kidding. I saw Darkrai in my dream. He told me to find a guy named Michael in Goldenrod City."
That's where you're going now?
"Yeah. I'm hoping he can help."
Well, then I'm coming with you!
"Wha?! Wait, don't you have to protect the Soul Dew?"
Bianca and her father can take care of it. This is more important. Ash, I think we need each other.
"Whaddya mean?"
I mean... well... I'm not sure. Latias replied, looking down like she was being scolded.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not expecting you to know. This Michael guy probably does. But how are you going to travel with me? I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to follow me like Pikachu does, you'd be a target to anyone looking for rare Pokemon."
I'll travel in one of those. Latias said, nudging a Pokeball attached to Ash's belt.
"Really?" Ash said, surprised. "You'd let yourself be caught?"
I trust you Ash. I know you'd never do anything to hurt me.
"Okay. Wait, I have a question."
Yes?
"Was that you who gave me Bianca's picture on the dock?"
Latias didn't immediately respond, instead blushing sharply.
"Latias?"
Yes. It was me who kissed you... as... as a... a... thank you for everything you did to help us.
"It was nice. Thanks." Ash said, although he suspected that there was more to it then the Eon Pokemon was telling. As a general rule, Pokemon didn't blush very often, partly because the wide range of colorings often made it hard to detect a blush and also because some Pokemon were physically incapable of blushing. The fact that Ash could see Latias' blush despite her red coloration meant she was blushing hard. Ash filled that thought away for later.
"Well, I need to get a spare Pokeball from my pack. Wait here?"
Sure thing.
Ash quietly sneaked back into the camp and grabbed a spare Pokeball from his pack. He returned to the woods to find Latias staring up at the sky.
What will it be like?
"What will what be like?"
The inside of a Pokeball?
"I don't know. I've always been told Pokeballs are designed to make a Pokemon comfortable. You won't have to stay in it if you don't want to. Pikachu doesn't, he just breaks out."
I can leave it if I want to?
"Sure. I wouldn't force you to do anything, I'm not that kind of a person."
Okay. Latias said, taking a deep breath. I'm ready.
Ash gently tossed the Pokeball at Latias, watching as it's red glow enveloped the Pokemon before the ball absorbed her. Ash picked up the Pokeball and looked at it for several seconds. When nothing happened, he smiled slightly. Obviously Latias was alright with it, or she would have broken out. As went back to the camp and lay down, placing the Pokeball on his belt. For the first night in a while, Ash slept peacefully.
The group reached Goldenrod City in record time. Ash, Dawn, and Brock split up to search for Michael. Ash was in the downtown, looking around for anything that might help him. A police officer approached him and asked, "Is there something I can help you with? You look lost."
"I'm just looking for a friend."
"Who's your friend?"
"His name is Michael."
"Oh, I know who you want. Go to the Flygon Club, it's a few blocks down the street. Michael is the owner and head DJ."
"Thanks sir!" Ash called, already running down the street, fumbling for the Pokeball containing his Staravia. He tossed it as he ran.
"Staravia, go find Dawn and Brock and guide them to here." Ash said as he stopped in front of the Flygon Club. There was no music as he went inside. People were sitting at the bar enjoying food and the company of others. The dance floor was empty, save for a lone worker sweeping the floor. Ash went to the bar and flagged down a waitress.
"I'm looking for Michael."
"I'm sorry, he's out to lunch right now. You'll have to wait for him to get back."
"How long will that be?"
"Not long, he doesn't like leaving his club unattended for long."
Ash ordered some food while he waited. Dawn and Brock eventually arrived, and pulled up seats next to Ash.
"So, did you find the guy you're looking for?" Brock asked.
"He's out to lunch. Should be ba-"
Ash was cut off as a bass beat started from the back of the club, where a pair of Loudred were warming up. Several other Loudred and Exploud were setting themselves up in various locations around the club. People were finishing their food and heading for the dance floor.
"Looks like he's back." Dawn commented.
Without warning, a tall man, not much older then 19 or 20, vaulted into the DJ booth at the back of the room, his Flygon coming to hover nearby. He had a pair of dark sunglasses on, with black, medium length hair cut to make it look like it like he had just rolled out of bed. His clothes were a plain tan shirt with a silhouette of a Flygon and a pair of dark jeans. He had a pair of headphones lying around his neck, which he grabbed and put one up to his ear.
"Are you ready?" He shouted. The crowd roared in return. "Then let's ROCK!"
Instantly, the Pokemon that had positioned themselves throughout the club setup a fast-paced beat with plenty of synth mixed in. The man swiped his hands across several controls, manipulating the club's lights in time with the music. The Flygon watched, nodding to the beat.
"Well, lets go see if he can help us." Ash said, getting off his seat and pushing through the crowd.
It took a bit of work to get to the DJ booth, having to deal with near riot like conditions on the dance floor. Ash noted that the Flygon spotted them and nudged the DJ, directing his gaze. A quick conversation ensued and the Flygon took over the controls as the man stepped down to meet them.
"You three look like you have a purpose."
"Are you Michael?" Ash asked.
"I am. What can I do for you?"
"What do you know about the RiQue?"
Michael gave Ash a hard stare for several seconds before ushering the three towards a door.
"Best not to talk about that in public. This way."
He led them to a small office set off from the rest of the club. Papers were piled high and several computers sat open, busily mixing new beats or in one case, translating some text.
"Okay, first tell me who you are." Michael demanded.
"My name is Ash Ketchum, and these are my friends Dawn and Brock."
"Well Ash, tell me how you know about the RiQue."
"I just know the name. A Pokemon called Darkrai told me it in a dream."
"Funny, because a Pokemon visited me in a dream and told me someone would come from my knowledge about the RiQue. This was only a few nights ago."
"What do you know?" Dawn asked.
"The RiQue are evil. Not evil as in bad, but as in evil itself. They are everything wrong about humans and Pokemon taken physical form. Greed, the lust for power, destruction, chaos, darkness. Legends say that once, long ago, the RiQue entered our world and it took all the humans and Pokemon, united as one, to defeat them. The RiQue gain power from the actions of men and Pokemon. Every time someone does an evil deed, the RiQue grow in power. The legends say that one day, they will return to our world when their power has grown enough, and a hero called The One will rise to unite humans and Pokemon to defeat them."
"Who is The One?" Brock questioned.
"The legends don't say specifically, but they give a general idea. The One will have a close bond with Pokemon, even the Legendaries. You see, in that past, humans had powers that allowed us to understand Pokemon and much more. As we moved into the future, we lost those powers. It's said that these powers will flow through The One's veins as it used to. He, or she, will be able to understand all Pokemon, and also speak their own language. They will be kind, caring, determined. It's also said they will be able to sense when the RiQue enter our world."
"How will they come to our world?" Dawn asked.
"You know the basics of how our solar system is structured, correct? Space is too tight, too dense within our system for the RiQue to break through. They'll have to enter our world beyond the edges of our solar system, and then travel in-system. They'll form a rift there, where space is thinnest."
"How long will it take them to travel?" Ash asked, concerned.
"I don't know. The legends give no information in that area. They do say that The One will know when they arrive, and how close they are."
Ash rolled Latias' Pokeball in his hand, wondering if she could hear what was being said. Some of his Pokemon had shown an awareness of the outside world when they were in their Pokeballs.
Ash's train of thought was interrupted by a spike of pain, like a molten stake being driven through his skull. His awareness dimmed, and he could hear little beyond the blinding pain. Dawn and Brock seemed to be calling to him, but he couldn't hear their words.
Suddenly, he was in the dead land from his dreams. Latias hovered beside him, looking equally confused.
How did we get here?
"I don't know. I must have passed out or something."
Look. Latias said, indicating the sky above their heads.
The sky was black as ink, a swirling mass of terrible shapes. Claws, tentacles, talons, wings and tails all swirling in the darkness.
"Beautiful, isn't?" Asked a mysterious voice, causing Ash and Latias to spin as one.
A man in a black business suit stood, staring at the cloud.
"Who are you?"
Ash, be careful, something is wrong!
"Tut tut, no secret conversations please." The man scolded while at the same time raising a hand and pointing at Latias. Dark energy leaped up around her, dragging her to the ground and pinning her there.
"What are you doing!"
"So young and naive. It's just business, plain and simple."
"It's cruel."
"Cruelty is my business, among other things."
"RiQue." Ash breathed.
"You're not as dumb as you look, Supposed Hero."
"You won't get away with this!"
"This is my realm, this dream world. But I'll give you a chance. A spark of hope, so that crushing you will be all the more cruel. I'll give you two weeks to gather your 'army' to fight us."
"Two weeks?!"
"No more, no less. I'd suggest you stop wasting time dreaming and get to work. You've got a lot of it to do."
Author's Notes:
I hope you liked that opener. I've got quite a storyline planned, so please leave a comment on what you think and vote (you don't have to vote well, just be honest).
I will accept any comment that is not flaming. Those will be used to roast marshmellows, and then be removed.
EDIT: I've fixed some problems with paragraph spacing. For some reason SoFurry was adding bottom-margin:0cm to every paragraph after a certain point. Sorry to anyone who had trouble reading it! I also fixed a few spelling mistakes. Sorry!