Pokemon: The Legends (Sequel to The Protectors)

Prologue

Prologue

-Ryker-

I climbed the steps, one by one, until I was on the stage. My Umbreon nimbly moved beside me. I walked to front of the stage, overlooking the gymnasium full of students. The students were abuzz in their conversations. I slightly grinned, tapping the microphone in front of me. The conversations immediately died off.

"Thank you," I said. "Since Mr. Curt couldn't make it tonight, I decided I would give the speech and present Ms. Bree Taylor, our Interregional Academy Champion, with her trophy."

The crowd went wild, cheering Bree. I spotted her in the middle of the mass of students, blushing with all the attention. Preston was next to her with his arm around her. I thought of Curt. He was secretly working with The Order of Darkness all along. Working with my father. Only an hour ago, we had fought them. A part of me wanted to believe that we had beaten them for good, but I knew my father wouldn't stop until he had what he wanted.

We had also gained an ally that I wouldn't have guessed: Zero. He had saved Jase and retrieved the stolen orbs. Mew, the legendary Pokemon that created the Orbs, had also shown up and saved Bree's life. Zero had left with Mew and became a guardian to him of sorts.

The students chanted Bree's name as she climbed the stairs to the stage. We exchanged smiles as the students voices died down again.

"Bree," I said. "I have never seen someone as devoted to anything as you. Whether it is your friends or your Pokemon, you are there for them, inspiring them, protecting them. You have a very bright future ahead. I'm not sure what path you will walk down or when you will, but I know you'll keep your friends close. You have an exceptional bond with people and Pokemon alike. You are one of a kind, so rare we wish there were more people out there like you."

The crowd cheered and applauded for Bree. I went to the table behind that displaced the trophy. I picked the trophy up and carefully handed it over to Bree. She smiled and held it in the air, making the crowd go wild. I was proud of the girl. I meant every word of my speech. She deserved that award, and I knew she wouldn't let it go to her head.

I grinned and descended down the stairs, Umbreon following closely. I pushed the closest door open and entered the dim hallway outside the gym. I briskly walked to my class room. Cress wasn't doing so well in the hospital, and I needed to find a way to help him. He was attacked by Darkrai while trying to retrieve an Orb. He has been unconscious ever since.

I felt responsible for Cress; I felt responsible for everything that ever happened to the Protectors. I often wondered if I should've even gotten Bree and the others involved. They were just kids, kids who had to shoulder this great burden and put their lives on the line. A part of me wished I never recruited them, and I continued to work alone.

I wouldn't have been able to retrieve the Orbs without their help though. I pushed the door open and closed it behind me. Umbreon hopped on my chair and curled up for a nap. I went over to my many bookshelves and went to work.

"Darkrai, Darkrai, Darkrai!" I plucked a book from the shelf and placed it aside.

I went through all of my books, taking the ones concerning Darkrai or Legendaries. I had already had a tall pile when I got to my last book case. My finger trailed along the spines of the books until it landed on a book entitled, Cresselia and Darkrai.

I pulled the book quickly which caused a book to drop the floor. I tossed the book onto the pile and bent down to pick up the fallen one. I frowned, realizing I had never seen this book before. It had a green cover and looked very old.

"The Draconid People," I said out loud, reading the title.

I spaced out a bit, my eyes analyzing the title. I shook my head and placed the book back. I carried the books over to my desk and slammed them down, causing Umbreon to shoot off my chair with a hiss. I put on my heading glasses and pulled out my journal. With a sigh, I slumped into my chair.

"Tonight's gonna be a long night, or a long winter break for that matter. Most teachers visit their families, or go skiing, but no! I have to find a way to wake a kid up from a coma...I need to get my life straightened out after all this Protector business is done. I need a girlfriend," I cracked open the first of many thick books on my desk.