Riley sighed. “Lucario, what’s the point in me being diplomatic if you’re going to say things like that?”
The Pokemon had notably not spoken with telepathy, forcing N to look at this strange duo in a new light.
“You understood that?” He tentatively asked.
“In a sense, but perhaps not in the way that you mean,” Riley nodded. “When Lucario, or most other Pokemon for that matter, speak in their normal tongue, I am not able to hear the words and extract their meaning like I am able to when speaking to you. Instead, it is more… a combination of reading their thoughts, emotions, and actions, in a way that allows me to intuit their meaning.”
The look that Lucas gave the man’s explanation was comical, though probably insulting.
Aura is the essence of every living thing, Lucario further explained, To understand Aura is to understand others on the most fundamental level possible.
N wasn’t quite sure that he understood, but the potential such a thing had was enormous. Understanding Pokemon on a fundamental level…
“So yer gonna tell me that ya understand me on a fundamental level while also tellin’ me I scare ya? Mind ‘splainin’ ta me how I’m not s’posed ta take that as in insult?”
“Apologies, Mimikyu,” Riley tried to salvage, “but that’s why I brought up the anomalous nature of your group before. You specifically… well, quite frankly I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I’m not sure that I’d frame it in the same way that Lucario did, but there is some quality I can’t put my finger on that is… off putting, shall we say? I may still be in training when it comes to mastering Aura, but I’ve observed enough to know that there’s something… special about you.”
“Bzzrt! Who else is anomalous in your eyes?” Rotom spoke up. “Are they special too?”
Riley eyed the flip phone curiously before turning his gaze to Lucas. “You have a surprisingly strong Aura signature. Not quite to the level of someone that would be able to wield it on their own, but…” He hummed, a pensive look on his face. “Later, I would like to discuss an offer with you.”
His eyes drifted past Dusclops without even a moment’s hesitation, briefly considered Rotom before moving on, and stopped once more when settling on N himself. “You… are similar to him, in a sense, and yet… if I were to put it to an analogy, it’s as if you’re two sides to the same size coin. Not the same coin, but coins of equal value.”
“...you’ve lost me, there.” Dusclops awkwardly laughed.
Mimikyu, on the other hand, seemed to have some idea of what that nonsense was meant to relay. “Two sides, huh? Would it really be the same size? I’d have thought Lucas would be…” he muttered before shaking his disguise. “Could ya explain ta me exactly how I differ from the others? I get that it ain’ easy when I can’t just look at it ‘n’ see what you see, but ya’ve got me a bit worried now.”
Riley hesitated once more, but Lucario once again put niceties to the side. “This is my first time encountering your kind, but everything about you seems wrong. Putting it into words you may understand… When looking at things through what Riley called our sixth sense, it’s like looking at merely the outlines of my surroundings, the general forms if they were hollow or made of glass, but also what’s beneath the surface. If I look at the Rotom or Dusclops I see a dull blue flowing through them. If I look at the humans here I see a brighter blue radiating off of them like flames, with Riley having a far brighter blue with more intense flames. These sights make sense. It’s how all living things are. You, on the other hand, are some strangely intense pink-ish hue that’s barely visible because it’s buried beneath a sea of shadow. There’s so much of it that I can’t tell if it’s obscuring your ‘outline’ or if you lack one completely.”
Lucario’s eyes narrowed. “I shouldn’t see shadows when I’m sensing Aura. Everything about you is weird. Unnatural. Frightening.”
“Jeez, tell me how ya really feel…” Mimikyu grumbled.
“You’re the one who asked.”
N couldn’t make heads or tails of a word that these two were saying. If not for Riley’s at least partial understanding of the Pokemon, he’d have thought it was all being made up on the spot. And yet, he couldn’t just dismiss these things. They had called it a sixth sense. If he were forced to explain to a blind person what it was like to see, would he be able to? He would likely struggle just as much as these two were, if he were able to at all.
“A sea of shadows, you say?” Dusclops probed.
Lucario tilted his head. “Yes. Do you have an explanation?”
“Well, I don’t know about an explanation, I’ve never been a deep thinker or anything like that. But if you’re talking about shadows specifically…. I’ve certainly got an idea or two!” Dusclops laughed.
“Are you thinking the same thing that Rotom is thinking?” Rotom buzzed.
“It’s probably because of the King, right?” Dusclops suggested.
“The… King?” Riley asked. “Apologies, I’m not sure I understood that correctly.”
Mimikyu ignored the question, the head of his disguise bouncing a bit as he turned to his fellow Ghost types. “Ya tryin’ ta say that Giratina re-ghostin’ me is the reason?” He ignored the way that both Riley and Lucario jolted, their eyes widening. “I mean, I can see why ya might say that, what with the shadow connection ‘n’ all that, but I feel like yer conflatin’ too many things ‘ere. Giratina wen’ an’ fixed my Source, then Lucario comes in ‘ere ‘n’ tells me my soul looks funny ‘n’ my Aura is all messed up. They can’t all be the same thing, right? What sense does it make for humans and plants ‘n’ stuff ta ‘ave a Source if it’s the stuff that lets us use moves? Though I s’pose if ya look at Aura Guardians specifically then ya might be able ta say that humans can tap into the same sorta thing, even if they’re practically lesser Lucario… I’m still sorta hung up on the plant thing though…”
As Mimikyu descended into mumbles and muttering once more, the group stared at him a little slack-jawed.
Rotom eventually let out an electronic giggle. “You know, Rotom can understand keeping many secrets, but don’t you seem a little too well informed? How do you know anything about this Aura stuff?”
Mimikyu froze up for a moment before quickly retorting with “Well, we used to travel with someone who had a lot of Aura stuff going on, so I just picked up a thing or two…”
N squinted down at the little fae. “We? Who are you talking about?” That seemed like the sort of thing he would have picked up on.
“Ash.”
N disliked the fact that he couldn’t dismiss the possibility outright. Ash having some strange sixth sense that allowed him to understand Pokemon would explain a lot about him. He didn’t remember it ever being brought up, but Mimikyu did know a lot of details about the boy before they had even met…
Riley looked down at his gloved hands. “I can’t recall the last time I doubted my ability to understand Pokemon so much.”
This sounds just as strange to me, Lucario reassured him.
Riley shook his head. “Putting aside the… the King for now,” though he hesitated to do so, “that name sounds familiar. Is this Ash person a fully trained Aura Guardian?”
“Ah, no, if ya recognize the name it’s probably cuz he got caught up in that stuff with Rota ‘n’ the Tree…”
Though Mimikyu was seemingly intentionally vague, Riley and Lucario’s eyes widened even more.
You mean Sir Ketchem? Lucario asked.
“I dunno how he’d feel about ya callin’ ‘im sir, but yeah.”
Riley let out a sigh, rubbing at his forehead. “Anomalous indeed. I can feel the migraine coming on already… but I have so many questions.”
N almost wanted to laugh. Riley could join the club, and also the back of the line.
The blue haired man gave each of them an appraising look. “We have been imposing on you, and I still have much I’d like to ask, but it feels unfair to take so much and give nothing. How would you feel about a day trip to Iron Island? Access may have opened up quite a bit in recent years, but I can grant you access to areas that are still closed off to the public, if that’s something that interests you.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Bzzrt. You have the authority to do that?” Rotom clearly doubted his words.
That was a good point. Rotom had been telling them about how the League had been the ones to restrict access to the island, so someone who could do as they pleased must have some power with them. Getting involved with yet another member of League personnel was not something he was keen on.
Riley smiled in a knowing way. “I may not be officially associated with the League, but when it comes to Iron Island specifically, I have some connections.”
That was less concerning, but still… “What exactly is in these still restricted areas that would be of interest?”
That would ruin the surprise, Lucario snarked.
N wasn’t sure about all this, but the option to learn more about someone who could understand Pokemon like he could… he couldn’t pass that up.
N was not a fan of boat rides. A bit too much jostling for his tastes, though apparently that wasn’t as much of a problem if you were on a larger vessel, if Mimikyu was to be believed. Regardless of that, however, he was glad to set his feet back on solid ground after several hours of crashing waves and sea spray hitting him in the face.
“Thank you again, Captain Eldritch.” Riley gave a nod to the small boat’s owner and operator, a portly man who wore a sailor’s uniform.
“Think nothing of it, lad. Just let me know when you’re ready to leave.” Captain Eldritch followed them up the first set of stairs on the island before splitting off to enter a small house.
“His name is Eldritch?” Mimikyu quietly asked Lucario.
“Yes, why?”
“...no reason.”
N didn’t question it, instead taking a moment to look around. The island was large, far larger than he had expected, with what was basically a mountain peak poking up out of the water. Vegetation clung to the lower parts of the island, but the higher you looked the more barren it became. The tiny dock that the captain had stopped his ship at was at the base of a small path leading up to a cave entrance situated on the southwestern part of the island. It wasn’t visible from here, but on their approach the remnants of a sizable city had been visible on the eastern, flatter side of the island. They’d been rusty and overgrown with vines, some of them collapsed.
“Is there a reason we didn’t pull into the main port?” He idly asked Riley.
“The old city is off limits these days,” the Aura Guardian-in-training replied as he led them up yet more stairs, “partly because the Pokemon have reclaimed it and partly because it’s frankly just too dangerous. Some of the locals have diets that are heavily based in metals, and when more processed ‘food’ became available, a few developed a taste for it and started to eat the city itself. One wrong nudge could take a building down, and while that’s fine if you’re a Steelix, it’s not so safe for humans. Technically speaking I can access the area if I’d like, but I just don’t see the point in risking it when there’s so much else to explore. Besides, this dock is the only one with a structure that’s currently inhabitable. We make sure to keep it stocked up to keep the sailors happy and any adventuring trainers safe. Speaking of which…”
As they reached the entrance to the cave, Riley stopped at a box sitting right beside it, pulling out a flashlight for each of the humans. “The caves should be bright enough without this, but we try to keep everyone well prepared in case of an emergency. Just be sure to return them before you leave the island.”
With that, they stepped inside, finding themselves in a small room carved into the stone with a few barrels and I-beams scattered around. Against the back wall were two stairways leading in opposite directions that went deeper inside. Without pausing, Lucario led them down the one to the right.
“It’s odd to be in a cave with no residual Distortion…” Dusclops mused.
“Residual Distortion?” Lucario briefly looked back as he wound his way through rocks and barrels, making the path clear to the rest of them.
“Ah, well, I’m from Turnback Cave, you see…” Dusclops awkwardly chuckled.
“Right… and does that have anything to do with the mention of the King?”
The connection between Giratina and Turnback Cave must be pretty well known in Sinnoh if he could put those pieces together so easily.
“Indeed!” Rotom chimed in.
“...would you care to elaborate?”
“No!” Rotom giggled.
Mimikyu switched gears on their guide. “Are Aura an’ Source the same thing?”
Riley had a contemplative look, but Lucario shut that down instantly. “No.”
“You sound pretty sure of that, but what you described for Mimikyu would make a lot of sense if they were the same thing. A powerful shadow gifted by the King…” Dusclops still seemed a bit in awe over the whole ordeal.
Lucario gave them the best approximation of a frown that he could manage with his facial features. “I am certain that they are different. I have and utilize both, I would know.”
“I believe Lucario is correct that they are different things,” Riley agreed, “however, I would not rule out the possibility that they can influence each other. I’ll admit that my understanding of the subject is limited, though, so do not take my word on that.”
“There should be a relatively easy way to put the theory to the test,” N found himself saying. “Mimikyu has a bad habit of draining his source rather quickly, and it has an odd side effect of making him physically smaller. If he did that, and it had something to do with this Aura stuff, you should be able to notice if you can see it, right?”
Riley and Lucario both snapped their attention to him.
He frowned. “What, do I need to be an expert to put my two cents in?”
Lucas facepalmed and Rotom giggled.
“What?!”
Riley looked at him in a new light. “You understand Pokemon as well?”
“Rotom was wondering when you would notice! He responded when he shouldn’t have back at the library as well, you know!”
A tinge of embarrassment passed over them all.
Riley eventually laughed to himself. “I suppose I was so distracted with your odd Auras that I didn’t pick up on something that should have been so much more obvious.”
It is to be expected. With the amount of Aura they have, understanding Pokemon should be simple, Lucario added.
N frowned once more. “Wait, what? It’s not because of Aura.”
Lucario gave him a dubious look. Are you certain about that?
“Yes! I’ve been able to speak to Pokemon for most of my life, and the mere concept of Aura is new to me in case you haven’t noticed.”
Then you’ve been doing it subconsciously. Lucario shrugged. Impressive!
“Nah, yer wrong on this one. N understands the literal words we’re sayin’. Besides, if that were the case an’ Lucas ‘as the same amount of Aura, he should be able ta as well, but that kid doesn’ ‘ave a clue.”
“You understand the literal words?” Where Lucario was casting doubt, Riley now looked more impressed.
“Is that really so odd?” He wasn’t sure why he was feeling so defensive about this. “I know a Meowth that can speak League.”
Now you’re definitely lying.
When the arguments and revelations eventually stopped, the two groups having a reasonably more developed understanding of each other, they found themselves in the depths of the cave.
N’s old nemeses had reared their heads once more, but with the level of light provided by occasional overhead lights, he had managed to avoid tripping over any of the Geodude and the resident Golbats had been kept away by their constant conversation.
A few Onix and a single Steelix had tunneled by them, giving those unfamiliar with the island a bit of a fright, but they’d passed by without any issue beyond some rumbling of the cave walls that subsided without any incident.
Of more note to N were the more elusive pokemon. He swore up and down that he kept seeing the glint of gems in the corner of his eye but they kept disappearing when he tried to bring attention to them. There was also the wet smacking of a mouth that sounded far too hungry, but the source of that noise never revealed itself either.
For some sort of special Pokemon habitat, it seemed much like any other cave to N so far.
Now, though, they were seeking some answers.
Riley and Lucario were observing Mimikyu as he gave some demonstrations. Rotom and Dusclops had giggled before sneaking off somewhere. Lucas…
Well. Hopefully Lucas didn’t get up to too much trouble, wherever he was at the moment. It’s not like there were any homes for him to break into down here in the cave.
The shadows in front of N rippled as Mimikyu swam through them, displaying his “false” Shadow Sneak.
“This is so strange to observe…” Riley commented.
Mimikyu popped back into existence. “What’s strange ‘bout it?”
As loath as I am to admit it, there seems to be some credence to the idea of one’s Source and Aura having a relation of some sort. Do a normal Shadow Sneak again for us? Lucario requested.
Mimikyu did so, the Mime Jr. doll appearing a short distance away.
I feel as if my understanding of Aura has deepened, but my understanding of you has gotten even more shallow.
“The pink light seems unaffected, but the shadows have definitely receded a bit.”
But you’ve never noticed my Aura depleting after using non-Aura related moves in battle, correct?
“Yes, that’s what makes this so weird…”
N sighed. “Mimikyu is definitely weird.”
“Hey! Takes one ta know one!”
Is it something to do with the size change? I’ve heard of techniques like Minimize, but I’ve never observed it in person so I’m not sure if the Aura is affected by it.
“Perhaps, but I feel like there’s more to it than that. His physical size is changing, but… I’m bothered by the fact that there’s no ‘outline’ to it all, no confining shape. The volume of the shadows themselves goes down, but the pink core remains unaffected by anything despite the lack of a ‘container’ for it. Why does it seem like there are two parts to his aura? Why is that all there is?”
The distinctness of the constituent parts is confusing, yes. As for the lack of a proper shape to it all…
Lucario hummed, his expression growing more and more pensive until finally he asked–
Mimikyu… beneath that disguise you wear… is there anything to your physical form other than your Source?
NEWS: For those who like my work, you may be interested to know that I’ve just started an original work titled Garden of Yesteryore. It will eventually be uploaded to this site, but I'm building up a bit of a backlog first. The Prologue is available for all at a place that shall not be named on a fanfiction. If you would like to learn more about this, join the discord with code Cw2YWKkmNe
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