Nameless Shades of Power

[Weaver]

Nameless Shades of Power

Part 1 –
- Chime and Bell; Song of Sweet Sorrow


Prologue

Gray ash poured from the heavens, creating a dreary vista of charcoal grass, poking out of the sullen earth and wavering powerlessly in the breeze. A certain patch was suddenly flattened, creating a bothersome amount of intoxicating smoke that cast itself into the atmosphere, before falling back down into the suffering meadow.

The hunt had not been going well. Ranshin trudged through the barren field, wanting to sigh aloud but knowing that a mouthful of ash awaited him if he did so. And thus, he replaced the act of sighing with a fit of light mumbling.

He had been searching for a certain Pokemon all day. Had he found it, he would have been rushing home with all speed, bearing great news. But alas, fate hadn’t been kind to him the past few weeks. Hope was a fruitless tool for success, he had found.

He knelt to the floor and examined a leaf blade, shrugging indecisively. Whistling a sudden high-pitched tune, he stood there and looked around. A nearly inaudible resonance came from the left of him, allowing him a short-term grin. He cooed softly and raised a hand in understanding, permitting the tiny creature that floated in the ash-torn air to hover into his palm, safe and sound.

The little beast was less than a foot tall; about the size of a small tomato. Its skin was a vibrant yellow, tiny arms waving excitedly as it approached the human. Diminutive, beady eyes stared out at the boy, a thin, lined mouth opening and closing as tiny cries of joy echoed from out of it. The most distinct figure of all, however, were the two, minute, suction cup wings that protruded from out of the creature’s back, a barely seeable lump connecting the two, blue-lined suction cups of red.

It squealed in delight – a murmur barely heard – and rubbed itself against the boy’s left palm. He smiled in return, stroking the little being with a single finger as gently as possible – to do so otherwise would have resulted in intense pain for the small creature. “Now,” said the adolescent, voice almost surprisingly mature. It was rapid, and roughly threatening, yet a hint of care radiated from out of it, dying before anybody but the Pokemon he held could hear. “Where is Rakurai?”

The shifting sound of grass being plowed through filled the air. Ranshin spun around; already knowing what it was that sped toward him. An average-sized, mouse-like Pokemon sprung through the air and landed on its owner’s black bandana, supporting itself atop of his head and yapping a short greeting.

A curious shade of orange, the Raichu was quite perky and alert, its yellow, lightning bolt tail swishing in the background. Brown ears contributed to the Pokemon’s liveliness, one brown-dipped paw pawing at its bright yellow cheeks, while the other held an attention-grabbing article. Round eyes blinked slowly as a thought came to mind, fluttered, and then resumed its normal flow.

It obviously seemed a bit more excited than usual. Ranshin patted the creature softly on the cranium before looking at what it held in its paws; the source of the creature’s exhilaration: a dull rock with a bit of a gleam to it. The Raichu’s human friend accepted the gift as Rakurai spastically handed it over. Thankful, Ranshin petted the mouse-like Pokemon’s tousled fur once more before pocketing the interesting stone.

The tiny creature in the human’s left palm began to squeak indignantly. The young hunter turned his attention toward the Pokemon and murmured, “No, I haven’t forgotten about you, Jiri. I’m just glad you’re safe.” He laughed, lightly tossing the Riishan into the air and watching as it hovered close to him. “Let’s go home – the day was unsuccessful.”

Moving through Gray Tempest Path – better known as route thirteen – Ranshin paid a passing glance to the odd set of bulbous foliage atop a few thick tree trunks, each positioning themselves directly against each other and creating a natural roadblock. It was a strange sight, to say the least. Shrugging, he continued.

The route to his hometown began to show; signs were evident. Footprints caught in the ash identified that Fallarbor was close. It was seldom people would travel past the town limits, but occasionally an irksome pair of tots would do just that. They had yet to realize the possible dangers of Gray Tempest Path. Ranshin had been sent to eliminate a particular threat, one that had taken a life already. Not all Pokemon were kind – when parents spoke of danger they meant it.

The human and the Pokemon by his side paused as a rustle was heard nearby. He had identified the sounds of almost every creature within his town and route thirteen. He knew what Pokemon was near, as did his Raichu who growled quietly. Just as he had assumed, a wild Spinda popped out of the undergrowth, tottering around uncontrollably as if in a drunken stupor.

It was dyed a strange hue of red and white, blotches of the light crimson splashed all over its face and body. A head too big for its body wiggled apprehensively and the black eye swirls of the odd beast continued to twirl around, as they did upon the monster’s rabbit-like ears. As it teetered toward them, it grinned stupidly, small arms and legs flailing around.

Though it might have seemed humorous and implausible, based on the spotted panda’s facetious appearance, the Spinda were usually the cause of many unfortunate incidents. Since they were almost always in a dazed state of mind, they had little idea of what they were doing most of the time. Thus, they could attack people without meaning any harm at all. A situation featuring a child playing with a wild Spinda would almost always end up in broken bones, as the bear-like animal would flail around and inevitably hurt the poor youngster.

Ranshin stopped to scrutinize the Spinda’s features, keeping in mind that he’d have to be ready act at any time whatsoever; it would be able to attack at any moment. The reason for his examination was that a wild Spinda had assaulted a young boy only days ago. It was not the extremely deadly Pokemon he had been looking for, but it was a danger to the community all-the-same. He wanted to be the first to return the favor. To him, any citizen of his town was worth protecting.

After he had come to a conclusion, Ranshin muttered, “Rakurai,” gesturing at the red-spotted beast. It didn’t need to hear any more – the spirited Raichu was off, dashing toward the wild Spinda and preparing for battle. The panda Pokemon responded faster than Rakurai and its owner had expected, groggily dodging the mouse’s punch, grabbing onto its enemy’s paw and using it to hurl the surprised Raichu into a nearby tree. Ranshin’s expression darkened at the sight of his friend crashing into the bulky trunk. He had not expected a common Spinda to be so brutal, quick, and expert. “Agile assault,” he muttered, thinking only of attaining revenge.

Rakurai sprung up, sharp teeth gritted as anger flowed through. “Rai,” It snarled. The Spinda just stood there stupidly, mouth wide open as it wobbled uncontrollably. Charging once more, the mouse Pokemon responded to its owner’s command, performing a unique set of agile movements and implementing them into one rapid attack. The Spinda moved aside just as the yellow one went flying by, showing uncanny speed for its kind once again. It grabbed out at the Raichu’s springy tail and took hold, using it to tow the poor creature back and whap itself in the face.

The angered Rakurai shot out its small paws, beating against the air pointlessly – the wild enemy had already disappeared. “Behind,” Ranshin cried, catching sight of the rapid blur that was the Spinda. But it was too late – the dangerous panda drunkenly vaulted over the Raichu and slammed its round feet into the front of its opponent’s head, sending Rakurai soaring into yet another tree, defeated.

Though Ranshin wanted only to retrieve his beaten Pokemon, he knew better. The Spinda had succeeded in defeating the electric mouse, and appeared ready for a new combatant. The human swore violently, not wanting to leave Rakurai to its fate, but knowing that, if he approached it, he’d be attacked by the spotted panda Pokemon. Still, the bond between the two was strong; he wasn’t about to leave his Raichu behind.

The citizen of Fallarbor cautiously approached the grounded mouse, making sure not to anger or surprise the victorious Pokemon in any way. Beads of sweat gently swiveled down the young man’s cheek, anxiety filling him as he neared his destination. The loopy bear just spun around in circles, seemingly unaware of Ranshin’s movements. Sighing in relief, the hunter made for his Pokemon.

The last thing he heard before a thick sheet of darkness took him was the soft ringing of bells in the distance.

*****

The aroma of something delectable was the first thing to fill his senses. Sitting upright, Ranshin stifled a gasp of pain as he gently set himself back down. His head was throbbing, though it felt somewhat better against a fluffy pillow.

“Awake, are you?” said the voice of an elderly woman, standing over a particularly large pot and adding ingredients to the apparent tub of soup. Her gray hair was tied in a not-so-elegant bun, her weary face hosting an assortment of wrinkles and boil spots. A blue kimono covered her frail body, a violet strap tightening and keeping the robe from falling. She feebly moved over to her guest’s bed, pale yellow sandals clacking wearily against the ground. “Here – eat.”

Ranshin accepted, though somewhat regretfully. He felt he should have been able to care for himself, but in his current state, he knew that was near impossible. Sighing, he muttered, “Wow. I’m weakened, in a bed with an old lady taking care of me and feeding me soup, and unable to do anything about it. How stereotypical,”

The elderly woman chuckled. “I guess you could think of it that way, but getting beat by a crazed Spinda isn’t exactly what I’d call stereotypical,”

“For some incomprehensible reason, that doesn’t really help. Where’s Rakurai?”

“Oh, that little guy? He’s fine. I don’t know what happened, but apparently Kiro found you and him on the ground, perfectly unharmed. The Spinda, however, had fainted and was hanging in mid-air. Yes, it seems some sort of psychic Pokemon was at work. Strange, really,”

Ranshin pondered what he had heard. It was a strange occurrence, especially since he’d never seen or heard of a psychic Pokemon living around route thirteen. “The Spinda – what’d you do with it?”

“It has been sent to Lavaridge. With you as the only ‘experienced’ trainer here, it left us no choice but to have Flannery take care of it. She’ll know what to do.”

He growled in resentment. “Gah, you had villagers undertake the responsibility of traveling all the way to Lavaridge with a demented Pokemon? Old fool. But then again, who am I to say anything? I was beaten by a common Spinda. Fallarbor needs a new guardian.”

The old one smiled and studied the injured boy. “Distraught is more of the word, Ranshin. You and I both know that Spinda wasn’t a common Pokemon. It had some sort of skill that exceeded your Raichu’s. Do not feel responsible for such a…loss,”

“That Spinda just had an extra dose of whatever alcoholic river its kind drinks from. I know I can rise above that, but the fact still stands: Fallarbor isn’t safe with just me to serve as protection. We need someone with stronger Pokemon. More of them than I have, too.”

“You mustn’t be so hard on yourself, dear,” the old lady consoled.

“I’m not saying this just for myself. Rakurai can’t do this alone; if he keeps this up, he might...not be around for so long. The same could happen with our town. I have to do something else with my life. But that means that Fallarbor needs someone else…someone strong.”

“There is no one else,” said the strong voice of someone at the door, an older gentleman donning a gray top hat. He tipped his cap at the beaming woman before him and strolled over to the downed adolescent, scratching his extensive, black beard. “Fallarbor has always needed someone like you. Someone strong, courageous, able – you check all of them, boy.”

“Flattery isn’t a savior,” Ranshin rejected.

“No, but it is nice,” the senior proclaimed. Ranshin blinked. “Ah, look, boy. We need you here. There isn’t anybody else to do what you do. Besides, how will you get by in life without pay?”

“Rakurai and I are capable of doing other things,” the boy admitted, shrugging. “I wouldn’t exactly struggle to get by. Besides, this isn’t about me, it’s about Fallarbor. It needs better protection; I’m not enough, Kiro!”

“Since the day you were given the title of Fallarbor’s guardian, our town has been doing very well. Much more than before you became guardian, that is,” he added at the disbelieving look on Ranshin’s face. “Listen, Ranshin. With that Skarmory on the loose, no one here is safe. I know you can’t do everything by yourself, but please do what you can. Rakurai is the only Pokemon here that can stop that beast from taking yet another innocent life! And you’re the one that expertly instructs him. Do you not see why we need you?”

“I’ve seen why since the day I was born,” Ranshin stated aggressively. “I will resume my responsibility, but only because I care about the safety of our people. You will, however, send for someone…better...than me. That,” he growled, voice rising at the resentful man’s sudden interjection, “is the only way I’ll cooperate.”

The fancily clothed man pulled at his beard considerately, eyes indicating obvious disapproval. “I thank you for your response, though I cannot determine when I’ll be able to find this ‘hero’ you hope for.”

Ranshin turned his attention toward the ceiling, closing his eyes and preparing to embark on a journey of dreams. “Not a hero, just a sentinel.”

*****

Interconnecting tunnels of monumental magnitude passed through the boy’s mind as sleep basked in its twisted effects. Light blinded his eyes, while shadows haunted his soul. A never-ending sea of green suddenly opened to him, revealing contorted shapes of blurry images rising and falling in unison. They moaned in distress and joy, fear and trust, ecstasy and agony, all at the same time. A waterfall of enchanting magnificence connected itself to the true heart of the ocean, a crescent moon illuminating the water’s ethereal appearance.

Nearing it subconsciously, he shut his invisible eyes and listened for the echo.

Time; twisted in its attempts at peace. Let the flow of the constant tide be set at ease…
…let it slow…

*****

Ranshin sprung up from out of the bed he laid in, ignoring the powerful throbbing sensation pulsing from the back of his head and rushing over to the closest mirror. Luckily for his pride, he hadn’t been talking or shouting in his sleep – no one knew he was awake. Inside of the bathroom, he flicked on the lights and took a look at his thin facial features. A clean-shaven and somewhat tan boy looked back at him, fear radiating out between the two. Shock struck him as he realized what his emerald eyes were producing. Brushing his shaggy, black hair away, Ranshin stared directly into his right eye; transfixed.

He was crying.

---

Hello. Thanks for reading my first and only fan fiction on these forums! I'd now like to identify the "rating" of this fan fiction: PG-14, I suppose, just to play it safe. I will edit this as I go along, for I cannot say [now] what exactly the future will hold when it comes to graphic violence, crude language, and sexual interaction. I doubt there will be much of the latter (save for a few possible romantic experiences), but the other two are very possible.

Please let me know what you think by either PM or Post. Thanks much!

 

[Weaver]

1

Misery

Ranshin the guardian groaned quietly as sleep left him. His mind swarmed with thoughts, yet he forced himself to ignore them all. They could be answered another time. Right now, he needed to see a friend.

Rising from the bed he slept in, he mindlessly fingered at the thick bandage wrapped around his head. So, I’ve been bleeding, he thought to himself. Great… Pulling his rumpled, mahogany sweatshirt on, Ranshin then proceeded to smooth out the bottom of his white undershirt. His black cloak came next – it was cold outside. The interesting article of clothing allowed his red jacket plenty of breathing room, the coattails nearly falling past the back of his knees. Stumbling a bit – somewhat dazed from his slight head injury – the Fallarbor guardian pulled on his light colored pants, his socks, and finally his worn traveling boots.

He nonchalantly looked himself in a full-length mirror and shrugged, not exactly caring for what he saw. Noticing his reliable bandana on the cabinet next to him, Ranshin regretted not having the headwear for warmth, but knew that his new bandage would do something to keep his scalp warm. He pulled on his black half-gloves – he felt they allowed more dexterity than full gloves, while still protecting the palms – and readied himself for the bitter outside.

The decent-sized dwelling he had slept in was filled with the sun’s illumination, though one thing struck Ranshin as odd: the light was a malevolent crimson, making the interior appear to be one giant blood bath. He disregarded it and stepped outside. To his surprise, it was evening.

A group of people stood in a circle, murmuring quietly as they continued to gape at whatever it was they were looking at. The land surrounding them was mainly a brown dirt road, patches of dying grass sprung up on numerous sides. Undersized houses demonstrated the poor quality of their town, and the unclean children playing outside of them just added to the depressing nature. They weren’t exactly what one would call ‘dirt poor,’ but they were certainly more underprivileged than any other towns in Hoenn. Ranshin gritted his teeth heatedly at the sight. He always hated seeing Fallarbor struggle.

As Ranshin approached the ominous circle, many cast him grave looks of superfluous pity and sorrow. He gritted his teeth while keeping his mouth shut, forcing himself to ignore the distressed citizens. “What is this?” he asked nobody in particular, a feeling of dread slowly catching up with him. The looks told him that another attack had occurred. “The Skarmory…what happened? Who was taken?”

The mayor of Fallarbor broke through the crowd without a struggle, a solemn expression set upon his wrinkled face. He held out a hand in offering. Ranshin ignored it and swept past him, pushing through the people who fought back. Once he had finally made it through the circle, he paused to take in what everyone was gazing at. Disbelief began to take him, his pulse rushing violently as emotion swept over his once nervous insides. What he saw upon the ground was a tangled mess of orange fur, fresh blood soaked over the disheveled patch.

Words left his mouth soundlessly as he backed away, lips trembling as they opened and closed with nothing verbal to say. The boy guardian paused to allow himself a comprehension of the fate that had befallen him, but none came to him. The civilians just stood there staring at him; unable to freely mourn for the death of their only protection, and their guardian’s partner.

Ranshin turned around, breathing deeply, not feeling the effects of grief leave him with salty tears, but instead fill him to the brim. The only thing he could do at that point was walk away – walk away and try to understand.

What he found to be his only source of comfort was the old meteor crash site near town – a giant gap in the earth’s crust. He sat himself on the lifeless dirt, pushing back into it so that the soil picked up, creating a makeshift backrest. He locked his arms behind his head and looked out at the newly begun set of flickering stars above.

And then, he allowed grief to consume him. He did not sanction tears to fall, but he felt his heart scream in anguish, making his entire body burn with raw emotion, though none of it was expressed on the outside. Regret, confusion, misunderstanding – the guardian of Fallarbor felt all of these rapidly consume him without mercy.

A few lazy clouds passed by as Ranshin continuously sighed in misery. His greatest friend, Rakurai, had been taken by Fallarbor’s biggest threat. Nothing worse could have possibly occurred. Not just for him, but for the entire town. Rakurai had been the only Pokemon able enough to stop the steel bird’s reign of covert terror, and now he was gone.

The sound of feet crashing softly against the meteor site’s shell woke Ranshin from his thoughts. Still, he paid no heed to his unwelcome visitor. The thought of who it was and what they brought filled him with dread. He wasn’t ready for a new beginning. Nobody was.

Ranshin’s ears rang; the power of his emotions struggling to block out any other noise from entering. But he could not prepare for what he heard next. The recognizable sound of something being delicately pressed against the ground, and he was done. He didn’t hear the footsteps of his departing visitor as his head gently fell to the floor, consciousness leaving him.

*****

Ranshin woke up with a jolt, ignoring everything around him and beating his fists senselessly into the ground. Anger had finally caught up with him. Seconds, minutes, hours went by without a second thought, and still the guardian of Fallarbor continued pounding the dirt and creating a field of awful smoke.

He coughed violently, finally ending part of his paroxysm as he struggled to breathe through the thick fog. His hands were bloody, crimson gray dirt filed into his cuticles and cracking through the nails. Though he didn’t have a mirror to check, Ranshin was sure his face was covered in dirt – he could taste it cracked on his lips.

Once he was done, he languidly fell to the floor, thick saliva dripping out of his mouth and sinking into the earth below him. His breathing came in short, ragged breaths. He couldn’t believe how he was acting – like that of a child – but he just couldn’t bring himself to understand what had happened, and why it had happened.

He picked himself up, brushing off his cloak and then jamming his fingers into his sweatshirt’s bottom pocket. Light shone down mightily upon the ground, as if struggling to repent for a deadly sin. Ranshin grumbled quietly at the newly developed heat and spun around to leave, not realizing that before him was what had sat behind him all this time: a black egg, stringy white veins clearly visible through the large shell.

Ranshin cursed silently and shielded his eyes from the apparently grotesque sight. He paced the floor and stared up at the sun, still shading his eyes with both hands locked together. He groaned; not wanting to further discover anything else about the egg behind him. Yet, he knew he had to do something.

Ranshin played the role of ‘guardian’ of the small and quiet town of Fallarbor. That meant it was his duty to ensure that his people and their resources were kept safe from both wild Pokemon and bandits of any kind with the intent of violence. The boy had entered manhood, along with the responsibility of Fallarbor’s guardian. Why he had been picked was almost beyond him, but many others had had faith in him – much more than he had had in himself, anyway. Although it was an honor, it also paid well. Though he kept it secret, Ranshin knew that he would’ve kept his role even without the decent pay, just for food and shelter. It wasn’t that he needed support, quite the opposite, actually. Living in Fallarbor gave him the ability to call the small town home. The desire to protect what he loved was what drove him on more than anything, even the money he received. He had been given the title only a year ago, at the age of sixteen, and was now already forced to leave them.

His Pokemon had died, and that meant he was unable to resume his duties as Guardian unless he recovered, returning stronger than ever; an unlikely outcome. Like he had said before, Fallarbor needed a new guardian – it was almost as if he had declared that his Raichu was dead beforehand, a thought that brought about fresh anger each time it entered his mind.

The town mayor, Kiro, had been the one who had come the night before; Ranshin was sure of it. And he had been the one that had donated the new Pokemon egg, even though he had probably known the boy’s feelings toward it. Whenever the sole Pokemon of a guardian’s was defeated – deceased – a new egg was given to him or her. But sadly, most had left the position to find a new life, one that, most of the time, didn’t involve Pokemon. The memories of losing a loved one stopped them from following that path. Ranshin knew he was close to succumbing to the same ill-fated tradition, and bit his lip in thought.

A new Pokemon meant a new life – he’d have to leave Fallarbor and journey elsewhere, training his new partner until it became strong enough to defend an entire town. It was an oft unspoken agreement. Ranshin was never one for adventure. He found it unimportant and foolish to embark on such tasks when people needed help; people he knew and cared about.

And then there were the emotions swelled up inside of him. He didn’t feel ready for a new beginning. He felt he was just getting started, as only a year or so had passed. And now, he had come to an impasse. He had to decide what was right for him, but more importantly what was right for Fallarbor, and he knew what that was.

Ranshin grudgingly approached the outlandish egg and surveyed it, struggling to deny the fact that he was curious. Even for a Pokemon egg, it was quite different. Dark and ghostly, the shell radiated a simmering glow of inauspicious shadows. Fallarbor’s guardian forced himself to believe that it was just the sun messing with it, and grabbed at it warily. Instantly he felt it burn his hands, though he held onto it determinedly, all-the-more interested in its disturbing reaction. Though it did smart, his hands felt more of an icy burn from the egg than that of a fire’s. When he couldn’t take any more, Ranshin allowed it to plummet shortly to the ground, kicking up yet another plume of smoke.

What is this, he thought to himself, brows slanting, some sort of ice creature? The egg’s black shade told him otherwise, and he grumbled to himself in thought of what it must be. A few jagged triangles of an intense raven color aligned across the round article’s crust, supplementary stalagmites seemingly embroidered into the top, ranging from crimson to a haunting night shade. It was unlike anything Ranshin had ever seen before, and he had seen a lot, in his opinion. Though he hardly remembered anything other than Fallarbor, he still found it hard to believe that such a bizarre egg would exist at all.

He backed away slowly, stopping at a reasonable spot. While one hand placed itself on the boy’s chin – stubble threatening to pull through – the other remained pocketed. A big decision loomed ahead of him, and he still wasn’t sure of himself. The last thing he wanted to do a day after Rakurai’s death was simply forget about him and move on; choosing another Pokemon without any regrets whatsoever. But it seemed that there were no other options for him to choose from, save leaving his life behind and following the miserable depression past guardians had fallen into.

He clenched his fists and turned to leave. But suddenly, the indistinct sound of twinkling entered his presence, and he froze to glance back. “Jiri…” It took a shameful amount of remorse to admit that he had completely forgotten about the tiny Riishan, due to the importance of past events, and he exclaimed in both joy and surprise as he neared the floating Pokemon. “I forgot about you – where did you go?” The Riishan just hovered there, smiling surreptitiously. “Ah, I see. Secrets abound, little Jiri.”

The tiny Pokemon responded with a squeak that sounded like the ring of a minute bell, waving its arms in the air and circling Ranshin’s bandaged head. It was then that he realized how much it hurt. Signaling for his Pokemon to follow, Ranshin left for Fallarbor to explain his decision, and to rest his injury. Jiri would have allowed him to stay as guardian, had she been a lot older, stronger, and bigger, but he knew that the little Riishan was no fighter. There was no way he could protect the town with merely a creature as small and meek as her.

Ranshin looked back to realize that the little one had abandoned the act of circling his head, and had resorted to doing the same around the egg. Perplexed, he neared the tiny being and stared at it questionably. The soft ding noises that emanated from out of Jiri brought questions to Ranshin’s mind. What was she doing, and why was she doing it? He almost spitefully uttered a crude curse at the black and whitish egg, but thought better of it. “Jiri,” he spoke instead. “Let’s go.” The yellow Pokemon allowed a brief glance at her friend, before exclaiming happily at the presence of the new Pokemon’s shell. She wants me to take it, Ranshin realized. Does she even know what this thing is, and what happened to Rakurai? It then occurred to him that he had no idea of what the Riishan had done during its time away from him.

He gently reached out for the bell-sized creature, allowing it to place a tiny hand against his finger. Almost immediately visions swarmed through his head. Illustrations of a burning town, smoke covering the already ash-infested sky. What looked like a rotting corpse lied in the corner of a tarnished building, singed and entirely blackened from the fire’s merciless wrath. And finally, the appearances of something deadly came to life, two shadows leaping across the indescribable town, using their own forms of terror to create endless destruction.

Ranshin’s eyes fluttered open to meet Jiri’s, the little Pokemon still smiling blissfully, despite what had just happened. The guardian knelt there in disbelief, unsure of what he just saw. And then, a set of various possible answers filled his head, due to his inquisitive and introspective nature. It could have been an omen; good or bad. Was it a warning that, if he didn’t accept the egg, his town would be destroyed by some kind of evil? Or could it have been a warning that, if he did accept the egg, tragedy would befall him? Ranshin thought it over, knowing that it could very well have just been a random vision that had appeared for little reason, but his heart told him otherwise. “My heart,” he said to himself, “such a questionable matter.” Rising from the ground, he nodded in agreement. “All right, Jiri. I’ll take this…thing…and see what happens.” Picking it up and sighing in relief at the simple chilly feeling against his palms – it no longer singed his skin – he began to head for Fallarbor once again. “Coming?”

Jiri squealed – the sound more of a ring than anything else – and excitedly followed Ranshin out of the meteor crash site. Fallarbor awaited his news, and news they would get. What worried him wasn’t how they would take it, but what the end result of him leaving would be. How long would he have before Fallarbor fell into danger, if there was any at all? He could only hope that a trainer superior to him would keep peace in order, for he couldn’t imagine the visions he had had just moments ago come to life. It was too surreal.

 

[Weaver]

2

Parting

The sun continuously beat down on Ranshin, Jiri, and the egg as they moved ever closer to Fallarbor Town. It was much hotter than usual, and that worried Fallarbor’s protector. He itched to remove his heavy sweatshirt, but knew that it would just send him a new wave of fresh pain, due to his head injury. And thus, he dealt with it, grumbling in his usual fashion.

The Riishan hovering by his side seemed unaffected by the unnatural heat waves, much to Ranshin’s relief. If Jiri had been affected, he could only hope that she wouldn’t suffer the same fate Rakurai had. Though he had initially encountered the Riishan only recently, he wouldn’t be able to bear another death.

The yellow hill that led to the openings of Fallarbor came into view, and Ranshin sighed in relief. Ambling past the barren weeds that screamed for life, his eyes squinted in an attempt to see what stood before them. A mixture of both surprise and understanding filled him, and he grunted in mock amusement at the sorrowful stares of the many villagers waiting for him. They had come to pay him their respects, as well as their farewells. And here I was hoping that they’d have allowed me more time, he mused. I suppose I was wrong.

“Ranshin, guardian of our town, Fallarbor,” spoke the mayor himself once the boy was close enough, dressed in his usual business clothes, but one of a deeper blue to signify mourning. Ranshin smiled. “The time has come where you must embark on the task of finding yourself, so that you may once again return to us and protect our people.”

“Sounds deep,” mumbled the ex-guardian, refusing to feel grief, but rather amusement and confidence that he would return.

A glint shown in Kiro’s eye as he said, “I see you have chosen to accept the only egg we have found over the past year. Though it may appear…unusual…may it serve you well, and in return, us. I assume I am correct?” Ranshin nodded. “Good. You may say your goodbyes and then take your leave… You have until evening to prepare for your departure; I will see you out.”

“That’s not really necessary,” began Ranshin, making sure to indicate with subtle gestures that he was injured, “but thank you.” The mayor nodded and took his leave, allowing the civilians behind him to discuss the guardian’s parting in any way they chose. Their protector listened and accepted their blessings, as well as their farewells. Though he didn’t want to accept it, homesickness had already begun to taunt him.

*****

A black knapsack lurched softly every now and then as Ranshin proceeded to stuff it with items both vital and desired. He sighed at the sight of the sun slowly falling – evening was nearly upon him. Every step he took his head ached, and in response he thrust his articles into the bag ever harder in hopes of easing his headache, only to have it worsen.

The sadness in his peoples’ eyes made him feel likewise. Thoughts from before came rushing back, and once again he found himself insecure about his decision. Too many end results played out in his mind; pleasant and dire. Confusion was apparent, causing Ranshin to grouse violently.

Frustration began to set in, and he allowed himself to fall back into a comfortable chair, something that he wouldn’t be able to lie in for some time. Jiri’s presence was assured as her typical cry echoed into his ears. For some reason unknown to him, he began to feel a touch lethargic. Sleep beckoned forth and he complied, falling into the usual corner of his mind as a deep slumber took him.

*****

“Why do I keep falling asleep?” murmured Ranshin, waking for what seemed like the fifth time in the past two days. “I’m such a…” He paused to rub his head, feeling for the bandage or what had lurked beneath it – nothing. Whatever had caused him physical stress was gone. He felt awake, alert, and ready to go.

Ring! Ranshin blinked to find Jiri floating in midair, smiling mischievously once again. He smiled as well, wondering whether she had healing powers…or if he was just crazy.

His attention was suddenly diverted as Kiro cleared his throat, standing by the door. “Well,” he growled. “I’ll admit that you’re the first to not show up at all; I suppose my time limit wasn’t long enough for you. What were you doing?”

Ranshin ignored the idea of giving an apology and muttered, “It’s the blasted sun. It keeps sending me to sleep, I suppose.” He shrugged.

Kiro bit his lip in a manner unlike his normal self. “Yes, the sun has been rather ‘harsh’ lately. Very well; I shall accept your excuse, but only under the circumstances. Now please, follow me.” He motioned toward the door and the guardian complied, picking up what he was bringing and walking outside, Jiri close by.

“Listen, Kiro. Some odd things have been happening recently, and I was wondering if you’d know what they meant.” The mayor nodded to indicate that he was listening, and Ranshin continued, explaining the vision he had seen just recently, but leaving out his dream that even he still had trouble trying to solve.

Kiro nodded and hummed to himself in a grumpy tone. “It seems that, whatever produced it, was predicting the fate of a certain place. By the details you have given me, I would say tragic. And even worse, I believe that what you saw was indeed Fallarbor.”

“So, what it was telling me is that our town is doomed for no explainable reason?” Ranshin questioned, annoyed. “I’ve had many curious things happen to me as guardian, but that is ridiculous.”

“What you say is true – curious things happen to children of destiny.”

“I’m no ‘child of destiny.’ I’m a citizen of Fallarbor getting a decent payroll for protecting what I love. I’m no deity or seer, so why am I fixed with this fate-oriented problem?”

“That is one of the reasons why I’m sending you on this journey. Do you not remember what I told you back when you returned with the egg?”

Ranshin mulled it over, a tad embarrassed at having to recollect his thoughts. “Oh, yeah – how could I forget the incredibly clichéd line you gave me about ‘finding myself?’ What about it?”

Kiro sighed deeply, lines of weariness evident upon his face. “Though I may express myself differently when I’m not around my people, know that my seriousness is the truth, and that I am not being politically correct. What I say is the truth, no matter how differently I act from time-to-time. Take it and run with it.” The guardian shrugged, causing the mayor to slap his forehead in exasperation.

As they approached Gray Tempest Path, Ranshin questioned, “Who will be the one to take my place while I’m gone?”

The mayor scratched his beard in thought, taking his time to come up with an answer. “We have sent for an adequate trainer willing to take the position until you come back. Though they won’t be an actual guardian, they’ll have the responsibility…and pay. Things will change, however,” he stopped, turning to face the taller one at his side, “if you do not return.” The quiet that reigned during the awkward seconds told all.

“How are you ‘sending for one?’”

“We’ve sent a letter to the team whose jobs were to deliver the crazed Spinda to Lavaridge. Trainers from all around the world go there to relax in its famous hot springs, as well as battle Flannery. We’ll be able to find a replacement without many problems, or so I hope.”

“All right,” Ranshin stated simply.

At the exit of Fallarbor – a connecting archway painted orange and gold, splintered in various places from Skarmory attacks – mayor Kiro turned to say goodbye. “This is where I, and all of Fallarbor, leave you, for now. I’m sure you don’t need my advice, but I shall give it you, anyway. Do not get into a fight you cannot win. Watch your back. Travel safely and not through dangerous areas. And finally, take good care of that egg. I know it might not be enough to replace Rakurai, but you’re going to have to learn to accept it. Otherwise, the consequences could be disastrous.”

“Where did you get this thing?”

“I’d rather not get into that. I think you’ll have the right to know if you return, prepared and able to defeat the Skarmory that constantly threatens our town. But until then, just heed my advice. Don’t go searching for answers; you’ll just get lost.”

The boy guardian stared steely-eyed at Kiro. “You seem to know more than what you’re giving up. Is this another set of riddles that’s ‘for my own good?’”

The mayor chuckled and held out a hand. This time, Ranshin shook it. “May luck be favorable toward your future.”

The younger one nodded. “Yeah, yeah. And yours,” he glanced at the solemn archway, “as well as Fallarbor’s.” They both quietly agreed, and Ranshin was on his way, wherever that way turned out to be.

*****

The previous night had been exceptionally cruel to the guardian, as if the gods were trying to forewarn him of an ill-fated destiny. Gray Tempest Path’s volcanic ash had fallen unlike any time before, defiant winds sweeping the dust viciously into the furious trainer. Piles of the sickening, gray powder left marks on his clothes and burned his eyes. Without a Pokeball for his Riishan, he was forced to carry her in a small bundle, making sure not to crunch the little beast inadvertently.

The next day had brought little relief. If it wasn’t the cold, it was the heat. Ranshin couldn’t decide which one he detested more, and thus came to the conclusion that they were both atrocious creations intended on causing suffering. This pleased him. The reason for it being less cold than usual seemed to be an exhaust of the ash during the day. The volcanic matter usually poured down equally during both day and night, but had insisted on raging during darkness, and showering lightly throughout sunlight hours, thus making it colder through the night and hotter during the day.

The good side was that he was nearly out of route thirteen. The thought of being away from Fallarbor made him both eager and depressed. The idea of a clear sky, no ashes in sight, brought a smile to his face, yet the idea of wandering into unknown territory unnerved him. Then again, he thought to himself, I’m probably in more danger if I stay in Gray Tempest Path. The beasts hiding here are possibly more dangerous than anything else I’ll encounter. With a new outlook on his journey, Ranshin continued on.

Soon enough, the hazardous ash had stopped, and he was standing at a crossroads. Now that route thirteen had ended, route eleven had opened to him. The field was much healthier than anything he was used to. As if the path behind him had been devil spawn, the new road appeared heavenly and safe. For once, Ranshin felt at peace, but not for long.

Mountainous cliffs loomed above him, as usual, and he traveled onwards. Unlike the odd, bulbous foliage in Fallarbor, route eleven’s trees were fresh and vibrant, the smell of pine delighting the guardian’s senses. He breathed it in, and then out, wishing that Fallarbor’s had the same exotic scent.

He continued following the road, stopping whenever a bush filled with berries entered his sight. He cared little for the sweet and sour fruits, but Jiri found them most definitely appeasing, and chomped them up in seconds flat.

Ranshin would check on the egg every two hours, but nothing ever changed. It remained stiff and plain, neither shaking nor jittering. Biting his lip in thought, Ranshin moved on.

It was rare to find passersby, but occasionally, he would see one. It was an odd sight for him; a trainer all pepped up and ready to become a supposed master. Dream on, he would think to himself. The odds of a normal Pokemon fanatic becoming champion were slim to none. Still, it amused him every time one walked by. They would oft ask him for a Pokemon battle, and he would blatantly deny. Most of them were idiots, he had come to assume, confident fools that had no idea what real Pokemon battling was all about.

As the sun began its descent once more, Ranshin discovered a small home nestled beneath a few pleasant shrubs. Smoke billowed out of the brick chimney, and a few flying Pokemon tapped against the house’s wooden frame. It came across as odd to Ranshin, but he shrugged it off and moved along.

“Wait, dearie!”

Ranshin paused and turned around, instantly regretting having done so. An obese old lady was waddling toward him, a fat cooking ladle in hand. Her hoary, curled-up hair wobbled along with the rest of her figure. An apron of white covered up an unattractive purple dress, the ends scraping against the grass and nearly tearing. It was the sight of an overly protective mother hounding down her youngest child, and indicated to Ranshin that she was a lonely, ancient fool who yearned for attention, as well as a chance at kidnapping small children for her own disturbing satisfaction. In other words, she was insane.

Fallarbor’s guardian began to pick up his pace, jogging at first, and finally sprinting away. Against his best interests, however, the old hag caught him. “Well, well – what a man!” she exclaimed, voice shrill and obnoxious, striking Ranshin as somewhat odd, just like her home had left him. “Do you want to rest in my wonderful cottage? Why, yes, a rest! Let’s take a rest! Follow me, dear.”

She lashed out at his arm, attempting to pull him into her home. Ranshin recoiled and spat, “Stay away, lady! The last thing I need right now is your comforting.”

The elderly woman smiled, revealing missing teeth. “Aww, but you don’t even know me. Little, ol’ me – alone and miserable! I just want to help the innocent children that wander by, all tired and sweaty. Hee, hee, hee!”

Ranshin paid her a look of disgust before walking away. He had never thought there would be so many freaks abound. Maybe Fallarbor wasn’t such a bad place after all, he decided. The sound of weeping told him that the large woman had given up and resorted to bawling for the rest of the night. The guardian didn’t look back, but instead reminded himself to sleep as far away from the ‘rest house’ as possible.

The egg remained unchanged.