"The following year, no Pokémon appeared. Larders grew bare. The young man, seeking the missing Pokémon, journeyed afar. Long did he search. And far and wide, too, until one he did find."
"... conduct a short interview of the leading authority of legendary Pokémon, Professor Birch, after rumours continued to spread around the Sinnoh region after a supposed sighting of an incredibly large Pokémon which is said to resemble the fictional behemoth some call Regigigas. Welcome, Professor."
"Thank you! Hr-hrmph, perhaps not so fictional after all, Miss... er..."
"-Henner. Anyway, please, go on."
"Hmph! Yes. Of course. Regigigas is, in ancient myth and legend, is said to have the ability to move the continents. Some hold fast to the idea that it was the one to shape our world with its power. So, you see, the ramifications of such a sighting are very concerning and-
"Oh, will you change the Mewdamned channel!" Dirk snarled to his son Kris from the kitchenette, as he slammed a pot down in angry emphasis. "You know I can't stand that man. Put on some tournament footage, or something. They've always got some repeats broadcasting."
Quickly, the eight year old grabbed the remote and tapped the Mute button, before studying the guide next to him on the couch. "It's all news programs, dad."
Dirk paused for a moment, then his eyes brightened. "Put on that new one from Orre... what's the name? ONBS, isn't it?"
A few more clicks, and another female reporter popped up on the flickering screen, the still image of a Trainer's ID card behind her, the name and identification number smudged out.
"... police managed to file a report of the boy's amazing story before he spoke to the media after exiting the station, though the Officer Jenny from Goldenrod City refuses to release their initial report in order to compare the details between the two. Nevertheless, the public is reeling in response to the second testimony and most authorities agree that it is only a matter of time before land-greedy citizens and journeying Trainers forgo their old homes for a time, in the hope they too, will discover their own deserted island."
"Eh?!" Dirk said excitedly, leaving the pot's contents to simmer, and stood behind the couch to stare intently at the television and grip Kirk's shoulders firmly. "Deserted island?"
"However, predicting this, the police have already issued a warning to the general public to not endanger their lives or that of their Pokémon in the exploration, if they do so feel such a search to be necessary. Authorities are at the moment examining the Trainer's story, and so far find it to be authentic. Many have already surmised there may be a much larger island further to the south of the small one which was discovered earlier today, though there is still no proof. If Trainers and their Pokémon are willing and able, their help is very much appreciated, yet police seem still cautious about issuing any sort of application for strong teams to be recruited into helping. In other news..."
"Which numbskull wrote this cue-sheet?" Dirk chuckled, shaking his head. "First saying don't bother going, then pleading for help? I hardly know what to believe, anymore."
His son turned around to him, wide eyes pleading. "We're still going, aren't we?"
Dirk's face crinkled into a devilish smile, and he grinned at the small boy. "Of course we are! We're not the best team of explorers for nothing, are we? Go on, turn off the tele and we'll have dinner on the run."
The television was blank and silent before Dirk finished. Kris was off the couch and pulling on his joggers by the time he turned back to the bubbling curry to spoon it into two bowls.
"Want me to harness the Tauros?" Kris said, hope beaming from his face.
"No!" Dirk said firmly. "Sure, they know you, but I still can't trust 'em with you alone, just yet." When Kris' face fell, Dirk sighed and reached in his pocket. "But since something is telling me this is going to be a special trip, and because I trust you, I'm gonna give you something even better."
"What, what?"
Dirk brought out a minimised Great Ball, and handed it to his son. "I'm pretty sure you already know what, and who, it is."
"I'm only eight." Kris said, but that was about the amount of arguing about legalities he gave before maximising the Ball with excruciating care and holding it with open palms. "Blink?"
Nothing happened, so Dirk said gently, "He's awake, now, but you have to call something else for the Ball to open. You know, like, on the tele?"
Something like a light came into Kris' eyes as he absorbed this. After a long pause, he gripped it and held it outstretched. "Blink! Let's go together! I choose you!"
While Dirk held in his proud yet amused chuckle with difficulty, he watched with interest how his son reacted to the sudden white blaze of light which flew from his hand to the floor, and materialised into the small form of an Electrike puppy. Kris forgot all about the Ball held in his hands, staring at Blink, who looked around and yapped happily, small zaps of static electricity bouncing off its fur.
"Blink!" Kris said, and dropped the Great Ball to kneel down on the floor and take the Electrike into his arms.
"Battle?" Blink whined, worry now in his eyes. The newly bred puppy never been in one before, so the concept was a little frightening. In hues of sepia he saw his new master look up and stare at his old one. "What's he saying?"
Dirk shrugged. "He's yours now, so I don't know. I'll go take care of the Tauros while you figure it out." He left, closing the door behind quietly.
Kris stood, still cradling Blink and ignoring the unpleasant feeling of static electricity running into his arms, stroked its forehead. "You're mine, now." he said, pride and excitement filling his heart. "You're my Pokémon..."
Blink understood this very well, and yipped softly in reply, trying to express his agreement to the new arrangement. His old master, the father of his new one, was in fact the Commander of his own mother, a wiry and battle-hardened Manectric called Strike. Strike had been his old master's pride and joy. With that in mind, Blink had an idea to become this boy's favourite. But first, he would probably need a bit of training...
"Trik, trikii." he said. "... Trike." Down, put me down. ... Commander. A little bit of squirming proved his point to be understood, and Kris knelt again, releasing him. Growling in happiness, Blink shook himself, sparking up again, and leapt at Kris, bowling him over.
Kris laughed in surprise, falling onto his back and fending off the electric puppy's mock attacks as best as he could, as even though this was in fun, Blink's teeth were still sharp. Eventually... "Enough, enough!" he had to gasp.
"Fair enough." Blink stopped his energetic lunges and hopped off Kris's stomach, yawning widely and looking at his Commander expectantly. "Well?"
Kris thought for a minute, the slightest glimmer of hope that he had maybe started to garner a little of what the little puppy was saying blooming in his chest. "Oh, ok." He reached for the Great Ball and pointed at the sitting Blink. "Return!"
Blink's form became a red-hued silhouette, and with a mechanical zap, flew back into the Ball, which shrunk automatically.
"Good timing," said Dirk, just having tramped up the stairs and opened the screen door. "We're practically ready to go. Grab your dinner, let's eat up top tonight. Oh, and put Blink somewhere safe, ok? That zip-up pocket on your pants. Yup, ok, let's go."
Trying not to spill the still-steaming curry in his bowl, Kris climbed out and around, up the ladder to the outer seat, just wide enough for the two of them. After dismantling the metal stairs and storing them inside the trailer, Dirk joined his son and gathered the reins. "Hup, hup!"
The Tauros lowed as one, and strained to get the trailer moving. Once they'd gained enough momentum and were moving at a moderate speed, Dirk stopped flicking the reins and turned his attention to his curry. They'd reach the coast by the morning at this speed, which suited him perfectly. Then... he'd finally get the chance to settle down. The wish he'd been making, every year that Kris had been in his life.
"The sea, Bullet; head for the sea."
His head Taurus mooed in reply, and turned his nose to the right, leading the rest in an organised charge which could last hours, and normally did without Dirk checking them.
~~~
That night, both had very similar dreams. Dirk dreamed of training strenuously beside Strike on an unfamiliar beach. His Manectric growled at him, showing her teeth, before charging up her electricity banks on her hindquarters and bringing down a storm vicious with lightning bolts and the harsh crack of their arrival. Soon, he was struck, and felt a pain unlike anything else, watched with eyes burning in their sockets as Strike leapt towards him and the whole world went black...
... until he opened them again, his thin sword in his right hand coursing with electricity, his thick yellow coloured robe flapping in the southerly wind, and recognising the powerful current of air as the subtle announcement of another fierce storm on the way... he smiled.
~~~
The two woke to the harsh cries of Wingull and the salty smell of the sea air. The trailer now rumbling slowly along across the pavement north of Slateport City's beach, Dirk quickly tugged at the reins still gripped in his right hand, bringing the Tauros to a halt. He looked left to the Shipyard. "Hey, Stern!"
He was in luck. The Captain soon emerged from its large doors, a beaming smile appearing on his face as he recognised who it was sitting on the trailer. "Dirk!"
"Long time no see, Stern." Dirk said, jumping down and vigorously shaking the Captain's hand. "How's your current project going?"
But Stern waved him off. "Ah, never mind that. Don't tell me that's Kris up there, too?"
"Yep, he had his eighth birthday a few weeks ago."
Stern shook his head, amazed. "Last I saw him, he was knee-high to a Kricketune... what've you been feeding the boy?"
"Hmph. It's just been too long." Dirk said. "I always mean to bring him to Slateport, but never get the time."
There was a twinkle in Stern's eyes as he said, "Too busy getting favours off other obliging people like Winona?" Noticing Dirk's friendly expression disappear, he said quickly, "Ok then, friend, what can I do for you and your boy?"
"Sell the Tauros and the trailer. The only money I need back is for a good seaworthy boat."
Startled, Stern looked at the trailer and the fidgety Tauros, before shifting his attention to Kris. "You're going south, then?" he said resignedly, his eyes fixed. "... You said eight, didn't you?"
"His safety is more important than my safety." Dirk said quickly.
Stern grimaced. "If that was the case, I doubt you'd be doing this at all. No, you've just got the let's-go-south-bug like every other idiot in this city. But don't let me say any more. I will get you a boat. And I'll keep the trailer and Tauros. Because we both know we will never see each other again. Maybe the Tauros will help remind me of you two."
"Thanks, Cap'n." Dirk said, then bellowed. "Kris! Come on, off there now!"
Stern shifted a little, letting a few coins jangle into Dirk's pocket. "While you wait, why don't you buy your boy something at the markets."
"I'll see you then." Dirk said gruffly, trying not to let embarrassment creep in by quickly changing the subject. "Who wants Clefairy-floss?"
The two watched as Kris' face lit up, and suddenly change his course towards his father, to the bustling market stalls instead, yelling, "Me, me!"
~~~
The stain of pink Clefairy-floss still all over Kris's mouth, the young boy licked them one more time in hopefulness of a bit more flavour, before sighing, hoping his father's gaze would turn away from the seemingly never-ending sea and the beckoning horizon and talk to him again. Adventures were normally fun, but not if it was going to be like this the whole way.
"Daad..." he whined, watching Dirk stir from his tense position and stretch slightly. "I'm booorred..."
Dirk cleared his throat, but didn't turn. "It'd probably be a good idea to let Blink stretch his legs a bit. Why don't you play with him for a while?"
Something in Kris's mind started niggling at him with this. It had not been so long since he'd heard something similar from his father, hardly half an hour after a quick calculation. But the young boy would not be deterred. "I need to pee..."
"Oh, for Mew's sake..." Dirk growled, and unfolded. He suddenly towered over Kris, standing confidently in the bow, and gripped his son's hand, tugging him upright. "Get away from those pots and pans. Here." He quickly pulled Kris's T-shirt off in one motion, dropped it, then turned his attention to his son's shorts.
Kris squirmed. "Dad! I can do that!" He shook his father's hands off and loosened the knot, staring at Dirk questioningly. There was a light in his father's eyes he was sure he recognised, but couldn't place. "What?"
"All off." said Dirk. Once Kris was standing naked before him, Dirk grinned devilishly, and suddenly Kris knew what was going to happen but was too late to stop it. The next thing he knew, he was flying upwards and across through the air, squealing with the sudden exhilaration, and hit the water with a loud splash, his kicking legs leading the way.
The water was freezing. It almost felt like it was shocking his skin like Blink could. Goosebumps erupted onto his arms, and he quickly kicked his way to the surface again so to splash his father for playing such a dirty trick.
Once he wiped the salt water from his eyes, he looked to the boat. Dirk was still standing, but he'd stopped the motor. "You can pee now, but keep close to the boat." Dirk warned. "It might bring the Sharpedo."
The thought of those ravenous brutal Pokémon in the water with him erased all thought of him taking advantage of the clean open water, and he shivered in the cold breeze. Seeing this, Dirk's amusement faded a little. "Nah, there's nothing that Strike can't handle. But you'd have to be out of the water by then, come to think of it."
"I don't need to go anymore." Kris said weakly, and paddled to the edge of the boat. "Pull me up."
Dirk rolled his eyes and sighed. "Right you are..." He reached down and grasped Kris's wrist, pulling him effortlessly back into the prow. Kris stood there dripping and shivering before Dirk rummaged in his backpack and pulled out a thick towel, wrapping it round him. "Not so bored anymore, are we?"
"Nuh-uh..." Kris agreed. "Because there's land ahead."
The expression he saw on his father's face at that last comment after flicking his gaze away from the dark smudge on the horizon was priceless, and stayed with him for years afterwards. Dirk's eyes went wider than he'd ever seen them, and his whole face paled before the blood rushed back, flushing his cheeks and neck.
"By Mew... Kris, you're a better adventurer than I am!" he said, patting the towel over a little shoulder, and then stepped over their belongings to the motor, steadying himself then letting it jerk into life again with a quick pull of his arm.
Ignoring the belching black smoke from the boat's motor, the two watched in anticipation as the boat drew nearer to the land and details slowly became more visible. Once he was sufficiently dry, Kris tugged on his clothes again and waited for the moment when he could jump off the beached boat and land on sand that had never before felt the sole of a human's foot before.
~~~
The Guardian watched from the beach next to a similarly green-skinned Pokémon as the spluttering sound from atop the ocean's waves drew nearer. They both watched in amazement as it came into view, supporting the weight of two yelling creatures. The Guardian shuddered at the whooping sound they were making, imprinted on its mind from the very first time it had seen such a creature approaching its island, and as it was, its friend twitched in response to the worry it was feeling from next to it.
Friend, what is it? Bloomeon asked, feeling the Guardian's response was one of fear of the recognised, rather at the unknown.
They are not Pokémon. They are... Other. the Guardian replied. They call themselves humans, and seek only to control us. It gestured towards the boat. See, their vessel. It is not natural. I have never seen anything like it.
Their vessels back then? Bloomeon said, far too recently born to remember that time.
The Guardian took a while to reply. Eventually... They used their Pokémon slaves, the ones I would call friends otherwise, from the same far away lands as their masters. Like the humans, they... had nothing but bloodlust in their hearts. They did not leave after their... Commanders left them to attack the tree. I did not know what to do. Caught up in the memory of the moment, the Guardian began to weep. The tree was hurt, and thus I was also. Together we killed all but two...
So what should we do now? Bloomeon asked, after a brief pause in order to digest this information. Do you think they come to attack like before?
Composing itself, the Guardian replied by standing and walking back towards the trees, an telepathic message wafting back to the Flora Pokémon's mind as it did so. We will watch, and wait, yet not hold back if we are threatened. I do not know what they want, but we will soon find out.
Bloomeon agreed silently, and followed soon after the Guardian, slipping quickly back into the cover of the trees, with one last warning snarl at the strange creatures, before he leapt deftly up into the lush green of the treetops, to watch and wait...
