Into the Unown (Pokemon Fanfiction OC)

“So which city are you headed to first?” Kerry asked Justin.

“Hmm… I dunno, maybe Pewter?” Justin answered, in between mouthfuls of spaghetti. “Gotta start things off with a win, you know?”

“Then why not Viridian? That’s your home isn’t it?’ Nina chimed.

Justin snorted, nearly choking on his noodles. “Nah, I’d be kind of stupid to pass up on a free Star badge. I’ll leave Viridian City for last, that way I can spend the time just before the conference training at home.”

“Don’t underestimate Victor,” Nina warned. “I know he has a weak reputation but that’s only among the upper echelons of trainers. Most firecrackers who underestimate him end up paying the price for it in defeat.”

Not that Nina thought Justin couldn’t handle the Viridian Gym Leader. With a bit more training, the boy could probably go toe to toe with Victor’s Star team just fine. But complacency bred ineptitude and she would hate to see him fail at the final juncture.

“I know, I know…” The boy waved his fork dismissively at Nina before continuing to stuff his face.

“Melina Jones,” called a fiery eyed Lilian. “I wish to schedule a match with you.” The girl challenged Nina with a tone of utmost severity, indicating to her that it was finally time.

Back when Lilian had lost to Nina all those months ago, the Blackthorn progeny swore to Nina that she wouldn’t challenge her again unless she was confident of her victory. They had casual spars over the course of their acquaintance, but it was nothing serious and mostly consisted of them testing out various moves and swapping pointers.

Nina returned the girl’s sentiment with an earnest nod. “Sure, you don’t want to do it now? Nairy can still battle. I think…” She glanced towards her Dragonair who now had his face all scrunched up from brain freeze. Brucey was cackling at him to the side with a frowning Sir Clodington, while Espy just rolled her eyes and ignored her more immature companions.

“On second thought, probably not,” revised Nina. “So when and where do you wanna do this? At school, maybe?”

“No. I wish to battle you in my abode. Alfred will make the necessary arrangements and hire the services of an impartial League sanctioned referee.”

Nina smiled wryly at the girl. “I don’t mind going to your place, and I’m fine with just using Mr Alfred as the ref. So no need to go out of your way to get a third party really.” By this point, Nina was well aware of how seriously the Blackthorn girl treated matters pertaining to her honor.

Lilian shook her head. “There shall be no doubts leveled against my worthiness.”

“Err… Okay?” Nina responded. “I wasn’t going to doubt you. We’ve known each other for almost a year now and I consider you a trustworthy friend.”

“Allow me to explain,” chimed Alfred, who suddenly appeared next to his mistress. In the beginning, Nina would jump in her seat from the butler’s surprise appearances. But after all this time, she had gotten used to the man’s antics.

“This battle is of utmost importance to milady because it will be submitted to the clan elders for review. This will determine her worthiness in the eyes of our clan, and as such, there must be no doubts in regards to the results. Especially considering your friendly acquaintance.”

Nina nodded in understanding. “I see, is it okay for me to be her opponent then? Wouldn’t it be better for her to seek out someone whose intentions can’t be questioned?”

“There are none more worthy!” Lilian declared. Nina felt flattered, but the girl’s terse words left little for interpretation. Thankfully, Alfred was around to elaborate.

“In milady’s age bracket, there are none in the clan who are able to contest her. As someone who once bested milady, you are indeed the most worthy candidate for this battle, Miss Jones.” Alfred also explained that the alternative was for her to leave the region in search of an opponent, which would be a hassle given her current duties as clan ambassador to the Kanto region.

“Huh, so I guess this is kind of like a rite of passage?”

Alfred shook his head lightly. “Rite of passage? Perhaps. It is something that all children of the clan need to go through if they wish for their voice to be acknowledged. I shall not divulge any details in such a public setting, but there will be no reasons to deprive your curiosity come the day of the match where there are less prying ears.”

Nina nodded in agreement. “Alright, send me the details then. There’s not much going on until school restarts anyway.” She had mostly been spending the remainder of her break training with her Pokemon in the morning and Purple Shadow in the afternoon. The ronin wasn’t much of a morning person.

Alfred bowed in gratitude at Nina’s cooperation while Lilian returned the agreement with a determined nod. The girl’s face was one of barely contained excitement at their upcoming match.

***

Lilian’s ‘abode’ wasn’t a posh mansion as Nina had expected. Rather, it was an entire skyscraper situated near the central business district of Vermilion City. 

The one hundred and one storey building wasn’t just a display of vain opulence of course. Lilian and her servants only occupied a few floors at the top. The rest of the space was all in use by the clan’s various subsidiary companies.

But Nina wasn’t headed to the top. Instead, she was escorted into an elevator going down towards the basement where a private arena was contained, one which didn’t at all pale in comparison to the ones found in proper Gyms.

Surprisingly, what caught Nina’s eyes when she first entered the space wasn’t the high tech modular terrain that could simulate any environment, nor the futuristic looking podium that floated in the air through unknown means, but rather… “Is that a freaking orchestra?”

Indeed, arranged on the audience seat were various men, women and Pokemon in fancy suits wielding a wide variety of instruments. The whole ensemble was led by a Mr Mime in a tuxedo who seemed to be serving as the conductor of the orchestra.

“Err… Mr Alfred? Aren’t we supposed to be here for a battle?”

The butler escorting Nina lowered his head in affirmation at the girl’s confused query. “Indeed. But before the battle commences, Milady and Mistress Sapphire have prepared a performance for your pleasure. If I may trouble you to release Master Nairy as well, so that he may also partake in the exhibit?”

Nina nodded and did as she was asked, unclipping Nairy’s Pokeball from the strap she was wearing and releasing her partner onto the field. 

Nairy, as usual, was a bundle of curiosity and immediately looked around the new space in fascination before Nina called her over. “Hey buddy, Sapphire apparently has a performance she wants to show you. Do you think you can watch over her and show some support?”

“Nair~” The Dragonair cried in affirmation while he wrapped himself around Nina.

The performance started with the dimming of lights. All except for the ones in the audience seating illuminating the orchestra.

Mr Mime mimed a coughing motion, giving his conductor's baton a little wave and a tap to signal for the musicians to ready themselves. Then, with a dainty gesture, the music began. 

The score had a waltz-like quality to it, gentle as a breeze, slowly picking up as the lights once again dimmed and refocused on the central arena where a hidden platform slowly lowered Lilian and Sapphire into the arena.

Lilian clicked her heels together and gave her half cape a little flick, taking on an elegant pose as Sapphire followed suit by circling around her and taking up her own pose, snout pointed towards the sky in an arrogant expression.

The music stopped briefly, before picking up again as Lilian rotated her body rhythmically in a one woman waltz. Sapphire followed suit and circled her trainer in a counter rotation.

The mermaid trained part of Nina’s brain felt that the performance was quite simple with certain parts feeling a touch awkward. But overall, it was a very elegant and noble presentation. The royal purple suit that Lilian wore really helped to accentuate the Blackthorn’s dignified demeanor as a Dragon Tamer, and as a member of the region’s ruling clan.

Sapphire was unadorned but that was to be expected if Nina’s guess on the pair’s intentions were correct.

And right on cue, the orchestra began to change tunes, whilst Lilian slowed down her rhythm and gradually began to work herself away from the central spotlight and fade into the background, leaving only a swaying Sapphire in focus.

The music began to ramp up along with Sapphire’s movements, taking on an overall more heroic and epic tone.

“Nair!” Nairy cried out in support of his friend. Nina’s silly Dragon had also lit up his tail crystals at some point and was waving them around like a glowstick.

Sapphire’s body began to twist and writhe, taking on the familiar pattern of the Dratini’s rendition of Dragon Dance that Nina and Nairy had seen her practice many times before.

It was a lot less dynamic than Nairy’s, since the female Dragon had learned it from her elders in the Blackthorn Clan. All of whom were more utilitarian battle maniacs as was the norm within the clan.

Compared to Nairy’s more gentle flowing movements, Sapphire’s had a sharp edge to it as she flicked her head out occasionally and even slammed her tail onto the arena in tune with the orchestral rhythm. In fact, it actually reminded Nina of Haka — the ceremonial Maori dance that Miles once saw in Nina’s past life.

It made sense, Haka could be danced as a form of welcome, in celebration of any great achievements or occasions, and even performed as a war dance. All of which were applicable in this scenario.

A line of drums and trumpets blared out in a triumphant manner when Sapphire’s scales began gleaming, kindling the Light of Evolution which eventually enveloped the entirety of her slender body.

As the radiant Dratini continued to dance, her body grew in length, much like Nairy’s during their first battle together.

However, in place of Nairy’s Dragon song, it was a Pokemon choir that accompanied Sapphire’s Evolution instead. The choir of Jigglypuffs sang a divine chorus, punctuating the momentous moment, and prompting Nairy to subconsciously hum along as well, feeling nothing but immense happiness and merriment at his friend’s achievement.

Soon the light began to fade, and a newly evolved Dragonair was unveiled to the world.

“Dragon. DRAGONAIR!!!” Sapphire cried out in ecstasy, feeling immense satisfaction at finally achieving a long anticipated milestone.

Nina broke out into applause alongside fervent cheers from the excited Nairy. Even the usually stoic Alfred was clapping along with a warm smile on his face.

On the other end of the arena, Nina could also make out the faint silhouette of Lilian who had her face pressed against her forearm. It was hard to make out much detail, but it was safe to assume that the Blackthorn girl had been moved to tears by her partner’s long awaited growth.

***

Author's note:

Was going to do a double chapter today since I don't like leaving you guys on a cliffhanger. But considering there's a chapter tomorrow anyways, I decided to hold back. Also, I might make some adjustments to this chapter down the line if I have the time and energy. *sigh* My rewrite list is just getting longer and longer.