The revelation of Brawny’s history leaves me speechless. I simply stand there, looking at Brawny, who just scratches his head with his goofy grin. This whole time, he is the son of Father’s Machamp, and I never knew, but looking back, it makes sense. As unruly he had been when he first arrived at the Goldenrod Department Store, I arrive on the first day and he calms down. I thought I just had some kind of magic touch, but now I realize, he must have sensed it, smelled his father on me, something. It fills me with endless joy knowing that this Pokémon’s father had a bond with my father, and now we have a similar bond. I know that if it came down to it, I would die for Brawny, and deep down, I believe he would do the same for me.
Lugia bows its head. *I was mistaken about humans,* it says. *You are not all bad. To meet a human that could make the Unown leave the ruins fills me with hope.*
The Unown chimes. Lugia smiles and nods.
*Crono, this Unown clearly trusts you,* Lugia says. *I think it is time to solidify the bond between you two. Crono, if you promise to take care of the Unown, then please, take it with you.*
I look at the Unown, and it returns my gaze. I smile and nod. “I promise.”
Darius reaches into his pocket and pulls out a Dusk Ball. “Here bud,” he says, tossing me the ball. “Make it official!”
I catch the ball and silently thank him. I look back at the floating question mark. It chimes and I nod. I throw the ball, it pops open, and Unown is pulled in. The ball wobbles a bit, then clicks, sealing Unown inside. I pick up the ball and look at it. The unusual Pokémon I met in the Ruins of Alph, mere days ago, but yet, feels like ages, followed me all this way because it saw I cared. I vowed to take good care of it and I intend to live up to that vow.
Lugia smiles. *The Pokémon you now carry with you is very special,* it says. *The Unown have not revealed themselves to any human for many millennia, let alone leave the ruins. To do so must mean there is hope in this world again. Perhaps it is time to abandon my solitude and become the guardian once again.* Lugia bows its head. *Crono, you are always welcome here. I will assist you out so you may go home.*
Darius looks up at Lugia. “Erm, excuse me, but what about me?”
Lugia looks at Darius, narrows its eyes, and I see Darius wince slightly. Lugia must be reading his mind. Lugia relaxes its eyes and Darius relaxes as well.
*You are good at heart,* Lugia says. *You care deeply for Pokémon and treat them well. However, do not neglect them. Raise them well, and you will achieve that which you desire.*
Darius cocks his head. “Huh?”
Lugia closes its eyes and the waterfall parts. The water splits, revealing a dry path. *Follow the path and you will find your exit.*
Darius, Talonflame, Brawny, and I walk the path Lugia cleared for us. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. As we pass through the waterfall, Lugia looks back at us. *May the skies be clear on your journey home,* it says, and the waterfall closes. We continue walking through the tunnel and when we reach the end, we are greeted with clear skies and a rising sun. The storm has ended and the sea is calm. I look back at Brawny.
“Time to go home, buddy,” I say. Brawny flexes and grins as I pull him back into his ball. Darius follows suit with Talonflame, then releases Lapras. She appears refreshed and ready to take on the sea again. Darius smiles and strokes her neck.
YOU ARE READING
Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story
FanfictionCrono is a 17-year-old boy living in Goldenrod City who longs to escape the noise of the big city and see the world. One day, a strange Pokémon falls into his lap, sparking the adventure of a lifetime.
