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The Past of Darkness, revealed

'I surrender,' said Blaziken, holding up both of his hands, 'You win, Charizard. Satisfied now?'

'You what? Hey, come back here, coward!' yelled Charizard irriatedly. Blaziken ignored the insult. He turned around and walked to Ryan, who looked a little bewilded as he didn't have a clue what was going on.

'What are you doing here?' asked Ryan, 'What about the battle?'

'Sorry, but I surrender,' Blaziken replied, shrugging, 'I suddenly lost all ineterests in fighting him. Beside...'

'Beside, that's properly the best way to end this,' added Ryan, smiling 'If you two continue, Charizard will lose, and I really don't want to imagine what would happen if you beat him. That was a wise decision, Blaziken.'

Blaziken nodded, 'Thanks. By the way, how did you know I was reading Charizard's attacks?'

'Because you let him hit that slash when you could have dodged it easily,' Ryan pointed out, 'I'd been noticing for the whole battle. First, you dodged or countered all of his moves, even hit him back with one of yours...all of that just to provoke him. Then, you allowed him to successfully hit you, and once he did, Charizard would likely to lower his guard and keep attacking with that same move over and over again, giving you enough time to measure his speed and moving patterns, finally come up with a strategy to counter-attack.'

'Impressive. Not many people can figure out my tricks so easily.' said Blaziken admiringly.

'Nah, that wasn't much of a big deal' Ryan shurgged, 'Cuz I've used that strategy a few times before. Now let me guess...it was my father who taught you that, wasn't it?'

'Indeed. Did you learn it from master Derrick too?'

'Nope. I just happened to come up with that tactic a long time ago. Beside, I rarely use it in battle. I mean...if my opponents really are going to lose, I might as well put them out of their misery rather than toying with them.'

'Like father like son, eh?' said Blaziken amusedly, 'I'm amazed that you're capable of forming that strategy all by yourself. But to be honest, you...are a lot kinder than master Derrick. He always wants to beat his opponents in the most humiliating way.'

'That old man!' Ryan cursed, pursed his lips, 'Well, at least you and Charizard stopped fighting.'

But Ryan's guess was incorrect. Charizard was trembling with rage, his hands clenched into fists and his eyes were burning murderously. Even Blaziken had stated that he was the winner, Charizard knew it better than anyone else that he had completely lost the battle. Further more, when Blaziken surrendered, he sounded so lightly, and it made Charizard think that Blaziken considered him nothing more than a joke. In short, the pokemon had never felt so humiliated like how he was like now.

But what else could Charizard do? He had started this mess against Ryan's will, and Blaziken had given up too. If Charizard continued to pursue the battle, Blaziken would simply refuse to fight and Ryan would become extremely angry. Charizard knew he couldn't affort to make Ryan angrier, especially when that pest, Blaziken, was still stuck to him.

'Hey Charizard, are you going to stand there for all day or what? The battle was long over!' Ryan called, beckoned Charizard towards him. Sulking, the fire pokemon walked to Ryan in a lazy manner. When he was about to meet up with Ryan, Blaziken stood before him and offered a handshake, but Charizard walked pass him as if the blaze pokemon was invisible.

Little did Charizard know, not only a certain 'someone' wasn't angry about being ignored, but he also felt so amused that he was smiling devilishly to himself, 'That Charizard...definitely is interesting. I don't know why, but the angrier he becomes, the more I want to tease him, heheh.'

...

Ryan was getting more and more irriated during his way back to the Pokemon Center. After the battle between Charizard and Blaziken, everyone should have known that he was their trainer, yet Ryan could feel the other trainers' eyes fix on him, and all of them were looking at Ryan as if he had been some sort of mutated experience sample, as if they were trying to say, 'Seriously? How the hell can that runt be the trainer of those two cool pokemon?'

'Dang it! Give me a break!' yelled Ryan angrily, 'I am their trainer, alright, and stop following me!'

Fuming. Ryan changed his destination and headed straigth for Eterna Gym instead. A few trainers were still following him. Ryan could see immense hunger for battle in those trainers' eyes, and if he couldn't avoid a challenge from anyone of them, Ryan would prefer to battle at somewhere built to do so rather than the Pokemon Center.

Ryan ran into someone when he was walking (or rather, storming, because he was angry) to the gym's battlefield. Ryan felt backwards, and was about to hit the ground, when Blaziken caught him with both hands, thus forming an awkward embrace. Charizard looked as furious as he had been when Blaziken surrendered their battle earlier.

'A-Are you alright?' asked Blaziken concernedly, but he avoided eyes contact with Ryan.

'I think so...' stammered Ryan in reply. His face went slightly pink when he realized that he was leaning against Blaziken's chest. His feathers were so soft...soft, flawless and very warm, just like Charizard, 'Uhm, can you...let go of me now?'

'Very good reflex,' mused the guy whom Ryan had just run into, and he turned out to be none other than...Jaden, 'Is this Blaziken yours, Ryan?'

'Oh no, not you too, Jaden!' groaned Ryan grumpily, 'Every other guys I've met this morning said the same thing. Blaziken is mine! What's wrong with that? Do I really look like that much of an idiot who couldn't affort a Blaziken?'

Jaden was caught off guard by Ryan's outrage, but he quickly came to his senses, 'No no, don't get me wrong? I just wanted to ask if this Blaziken is yours. I didn't mean to mock you or anything.' he said quickly,

'Oh,' said Ryan, feeling embarassed for getting angry with Jaden for no reasons, 'Sorry...'

'Nah, it's okay,' said Jaden, smiling snugly, 'Latios and I used to have the same problem before I became the champion. Nobody understands how I managed to obtain such a powerful pokemon, they think I used some dirty tricks to hoodwink Latios, but...almost no one knows the truth, for it's a very, very _lovely_secret that I only want to share with a few special persons.' he paused and gave Jake a meaningful wink, 'By the way, what brings you here this early? Challenging Gardenia?'

'Long story, but yeah...I'm quite pissed off right now, so I might as well have a battle to relieve my stress?' growled Ryan.

'Really? Then today's not your lucky day. Gardenia is out for business again.' Jaden said, shrugging.

'What? She's out again!' groaned Ryan, 'Come on, can anyone explain to me why does she have to be out everytime we come here?'

'Don't think bad of her,' said Jaden sternly, 'I just gave her the pokemon that we got back last night, and now she has to return them to the citizens. She wants to give the pokemon to them directly to them, so they would trust her and let her continue to protect them as a gym leader, but man...that's gonna take a whole day. I feel sorry for Gardenia.'

'Protect,' snorted Ryan mockingly, 'She wants to protect the citizens by lying to them and stealing other people's credits. It was us who rescued the pokemon, not her. Imagine what would happen if we weren't here?'

'Ah come on, don't be too harsh on her, Ryan. She was no match for Team Galactic, sure, but it's properly because she was outnumbered, and _at least_she tried. Anyway, I did tell Gardenia 'bout you. I said that you two were couragous and brilliant, and Gardenia was so impressed that she decided to give you these...' he paused and pulled out two badges, which looked like the combination of three green, silver-bordered rhombuses, 'The forest badge, as a token of her appreciation.'

Ryan stared at the badges, looking as if he had just been insulted, 'What's this? Is she mocking me?'

'Mocking?' Jaden tilted his head quizzically, 'I think this is rather convenient. Now you won't have to spend time battling her anymore...'

'That exactly is the point.' Ryan interrupted, 'If I just take the badge like this, I'd feel like she was pitying me. No, I take what I want, but through a pokemon battle. I'll wait until she returns, challenge her, and beat her for my badge.'

Jaden stared at Ryan for a while, then his face broke into a smile, 'Interesting...Ryan, you just reminded me of a trainer...no, a gym leader who I admired back in Hoenn, and his name...yes, Derrick!'

Ryan's face went pale when his father was mentioned, but Jaden didn't notice it as he continued, 'When I was in Hoenn, Derrick was the only trainer I couldn't defeat. He's arguably the strongest gym leader in Hoenn, and many consider him as a legend. And you, Ryan...you really bear a striking resemblance to him. The way you value your pride as a trainer...even the way you speak, just like him. Derrick also had a Blaziken when I battled him...And speaking of Blaziken, where did you get that one?'

'Uhm...' Ryan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, 'I received him this morning, from...from my father.'

'Your father?' said Jaden, looking atounished, 'Wait a second, is there really such coincident? Don't tell me your father is...'

'Derrick.' said Ryan coldly, 'I'm his son, yes. Do you have any problem with that?'

'No, I'm just a little surprised. No wonder why you're such a good trainer.' said Jaden smugly, unawared that he had just touched Ryan's sore spot, and it immediately resulted in another outrage, ' Shut up! Don't you ever mention my father's name in front of me again!' he said bitterly, 'My father...He is a pushy dictator who never considers my feelings, never do me anything good but overshadow my life with his. Just once...I want people to acknowledge me for being who I really am, not some legendary trainer's son. Do you _know_how that feels?'

Ryan stormed off. He had never been so angry in his life. For now, he just wanted to spend some peaceful quality time with his pokemon.

...

'What...the helll was that?' stammered Jaden, looking extremely shocked, 'Do you know why he's in such a foul mood, Jake?'

'Not exactly know, but at least I can tell you what happened.' Jake replied, 'To be honest, I'm kinda surprised too, because Ryan's usually a very calm and collected person. Perhaps we can find out what went wrong after I tell you everything.'

(A few minutes later)

'So that how it is,' mused Jaden, nodding to himself, 'Now I understood why he was so mad.'

'Eh, don't tell me you have a famous gym leader for a father, too?' asked Jake, carrying a slight hint of sarcasm, but Jaden seemed to miss it.

'No, but...my case is somewhat similar to him. During the early time of my journey, everytime I won a battle, my opponent wouldn't take their defeat so easily. They all thought I won because of Latios' power, not my own skills. That was mostly true at first, I have to admit, but I also tried my best through every battle, never stop improving my skills so that one day, I'd prove that I'm truly worthy of Latios.'

Jaden stared off into a distance, sighing warily, before turning to Jake, 'Well, I guess we'll have to wait for him to calm down. In the mean time, why don't you train with me?'

'With...with you?" stammered Jake, 'Are you serious?"

'Well, yes,' Jaden shrugged, 'After the battle at Galactic building, I noticed that Lucario have an extremely great potential.'

'Me?' Lucario asked, pointing at himself.

'Yes. You've just transformed into Mega Lucario once, yet you was able to master your new power so quickly, and that's saying something. However, your moves are still limited in fighting or steel type. Why don't you try something new? I can give Jake a few advises which'll help you learn some new moves. They'll help you utilizing your greatest advantages, which are speed and agileness.'

'Sounds cool. Wanna try, pup?' asked Jake excitedly.

'Whatever you say.' Lucario replied.

'Alright. Then let's begin.' Jaden declared, standing up from his seat, 'You two, follow me.'

(Back to Ryan)

Ryan sat on his bed alone, surrounded by all three of his pokemon, who were standing and staring at their master nervously. Even though there was an air conditioner in the room, the atmosphere was tense like cooled custard, even Monferno didn't dare to do or say anything foolish that would provoke Ryan.

They remained silence like what seemed to be forever, but Ryan eventually spoke first, 'Blaziken, I'm going to ask you a few questions, and I want you to answer honestly. Can you do that?'

'Uhm...Yes, master.' said Blaziken stiffly, his mouth suddenly became very dry, as he had a bad feeling about whatever Ryan was going to ask.

'Do you regret being sent here by my father?'

'Master, this question, I can't...' said Blaziken, but Ryan stopped him from finishing his sentence, 'Just answer me! That's an order.'

Blaziken's face became a little pale. He dropped his head, looking down for a while, before moving his beak to speak again, 'No, master. I didn't regret it.'

'Why?' asked Ryan coldly, 'Don't you think it'll be better for you to stay with my father. After all, I'm nothing compared to him.'

And then there was silence. Charizard was strembling and clenching his claws so hard that he unintentionally injured himself. Monferno was standing frozen, which was saying something, as he had always been relentless.

'Master, no...Ryan,' said Blaziken, 'When master Derrick ordered me to come here and assist you, I was uncertained at first. I didn't want to receive commands from anyone but master Derrick, not because of his skills, but he was the only person I'd ever respected. But...you have changed my mind, Ryan.'

'Me? How?'

'Because you are a good trainer...very good, if I must say. You are proud and strict, yet kind and patient. Not that master Derrick is bad, but...' Blaziken paused, his face went slightly pink (but no one at present seemed to noticed it), 'You are the only person that has ever made me warm, a feeling I have forgotten a long time ago.'

'If so, then...why did you try to avoid me? I know you've been hiding something, Blaziken. True, I have no right to know what it is, but I really want to.'

'I really think you shouldn't ask, Ryan?' said Blaziken, 'You might think of me very different after I tell you, or even worst, find me disgusting.'

'That's why I need to know!' said Ryan impatiently, 'If you really acknowledge me, then let me help. You don't have to carry that burden alone'

'He's right,' said Charizard. His voice were cold and impassive, but his eyes showed great concern. At this point, he couldn't stay out of this anymore, 'Keeping something bizzarre in your head too long will only make you go nuts. Not that I care for you, but...it can't be helped, since Ryan wishes so.'

Blaziken opened his mouth, but quickly closed it. He glanced at Charizard, then looked at Ryan, who gave him an assuring nod.

'Alright. Where should I start, hmm...In Hoenn, my kind, Torchic, is often used as starter pokemon, however, I was born a wild Torchic, and that's quite rare...

I was hatched from an egg. I didn't know who were my parents, or how on earth did an exposed egg survive alone in the wild. But what could a weak, little Torchic have done? I wasn't strong enough to hunt for food on my own, or even protect myself from being eaten by other wild predatory pokemon. Sounds really pathetic, doesn't it?'

Blaziken paused and smiled bitterly. Ryan felt his heart ach painfully when he spotted that smiled, but he didn't say anything and let Blaziken continue his story, 'When I thought I was going to starve to death, they found me.'

'They? Who exactly are they?' asked Charizard.

'Team Magma,' said Blaziken curtly, 'Ryan, you must know about them, right? After all, your father has quite a history with them.'

Charizard looked at Ryan curiously, waiting for the trainer to explain. Ryan sighed, 'There was a time my home region, Hoenn, was terrorized by two evil organizations, Team Aqua and Team Magma. I don't know what their true goals were, cuz my dad didn't tell me. Their activities were kept hidden at first, but then things started to go out of control, and all gym leaders in Hoenn decided to form two alliences to combat and get rid of them. My father was the gym leader in charge of the group whose main task was to stop Team Magma.'

'From now on, Team Magma will be your family...That was what they said, and you can guess what my answer was, right? When you are weak and hungry, you will accept any kind of offer to save your life...

I became a personal pokemon of Team Magma's boss. Days after days, I engaged in an extremely insane training schedule, but in order to repay their life debt, I endured everything, no matter how harsh the training methods were, I never opened my mouth to complain.

In order to prove my strength, I was forced to battle against my fellow pokemon comrades. Many pokemon had lost their lives fighting me. You properly thought that was too cruel, but if I hadn't killed them, they would have killed me.

The flames at my firsts still burnt, but my heart had become colder than ice. I became a soulless killing machine, the most dangerous weapon of the boss' arsenal. He would bring me along during every important mission. I fought like a savage beast, incinerate everything in my sight.'

Suddenly, the image of a rampaging Blaziken in a sea of fire flashed through Ryan's mind, making him shiver and start sweating bullets.

'I knew the boss was doing evil deeds, but I remained loyal to him. I din't expect any kind of affection, but I wanted him to, at least, think of me as a faithful and valuable servant. I was wrong.' said Blaziken in a hollow voice, 'I was nothing more than a worthless pawn of his.

In order to accomplish Team Magma's goal, which was to expand the amount of landmass and gain absolute domination over the world, the boss needed a legendary power - Groudon, and to awaken Groudon, he had to sacrifice a soul of fire. Guess who did he choose? Me.

That was the first time I've ever cried. After everything I did for him...I killed my own comrades, many innocent lives; and yet, he didn't hesitate for even a second...'

Blaziken began to tremble, a tear fell out from the corner of his right eyes and rolled down his cheek, 'But he never had the chance to carry out that evil plan. Your father arrived just in time and quickly defeated the boss, as well as his followers.

Once again, my life was saved, but at that time, I'd rather being killed by your father. My faith was betrayed, I really didn't have any reason to keep this pointless life. Do you know what master Derrick did?'

Ryan shook his head. Blaziken laughed bitterly, 'He slapped me in the face. He told me I was a coward, that dying wasn't a way to show my remorse, but merely to run away from reality.

He made me realize one thing: I can only atone for my sins as long as I'm alive. So, I followed and helped him capture the rest of Team Magma. I want to do as much as I can, to make up for every wrongful thing I did in the past. I finally found peace, but at the same time, I closed my heart, refuse any kind of affection. I don't want to hurt anyone, ever again.'

...

Ryan gulped, his face became pale. He'd never thought Blaziken's past was so harsh and sorrowful.

'So, now that you know everything about me, what will you do, Ryan?'

...

(To be continued)