The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 5

Friday, October 13th, 12:10 am, 2018
Outside Brimstone Pub
"Hey, Birch," a nasally voice growled. "I want to talk to you."
"Ah, Drew, isn't it?" Brendan yawned, not turning to face him. "Have you been waiting out here all this time just to talk with me?"
"Stay away from May, she's mine," he snarled.
"Hmm," Brendan hummed, still not looking at Drew. "No, I think I'll stay by her side, if it's all the same with you."
"She deserves better," Drew hissed. "She deserves to be with me. Not a failure like you."
"Fuck you too," Brendan retorted, still looking away. "You're really fucking petty, you know that, Drew?"
Brendan caught the glint of steel from the corner of his eye.
"A switchblade, huh?" Brendan smirked. "You've got balls, I'll give you that, flashing a weapon at me on this open sidewalk."
"Last chance to get out of this alive, Birch," Drew snarled.
"Give it your best shot."
Drew ran towards him, thrusting the switchblade towards his stomach. Brendan grabbed his wrist with inhuman speed, and held his wrist tight. Smoke slowly began to emerge from beneath is hand, and his hand began to glow an orangish hue. Drew, still holding the switchblade, tugged and struggled to free his wrist from Brendan's grip. After a few minutes, Drew's wrist cracked, making him drop the weapon at Brendan's feet, and fall to a knee.
"Burn," Brendan thought, staring at him.
Drew yelped as he felt Brendan's hand become super hot.
"It feels like he's setting my wrist on fire!"
Brendan let go of Drew's wrist, where a puff of smoke that was left behind began to dissipate. Drew clutched his now burnt wrist, staring at Brendan in shock.
"Relax," Brendan said, in a scalding voice. "It's a first degree burn. Just put some aloe on it or something. If I wanted to, I could've seriously injured you."
Drew looked up at him, and Brendan felt a rush of satisfaction at the shocked look on his face. Brendan had a fiery aura surrounding his entire body, lighting up the sidewalk. His red eyes glowed a brighter shade of red (only slightly darker than pink), and his amulet, now visibly on his chest, glowed. He watched as his switchblade melted at Brendan's feet.
"Wh-wh-what the hell are you!?" Drew yelped, fear showing in his eyes.
"Someone you shouldn't fuck with," he retorted.
"Y-you're a freak!" He paused, looking smug all of a sudden. "Wait until I tell May this! She won't want you around then!"
"Oh, really," Brendan smirked fire still radiating from him. "She already knows. She's always known who I am. And, she's still around me. Now, get out of my sight."
Drew cursed, and raced off, clutching his wrist.
"Good riddance," Brendan thought. He took a deep breath to calm himself. His flames dissipated, leaving behind a few wisps of smoke. "I'm pretty sure he's damn terrified right now. What do you think, Groudon?"
"I think he's probably thinking about how to get revenge," the Legend replied.
Brendan continued his walk. He thought back to when he was talking to Ash.
"Hey, Groudon, what did you think of that kid with the raven colored hair. I think he said his name was Ash Ketchum. His aura was odd. Similar to a Patron's aura, and yet completely different."
"Yeah, I sensed that as well," Groudon replied telepathically. "From what I can gather, he's a descendant of Sir Aaron, the legendary king of old. His bloodline has unusually powerful aura coursing through their veins. I think he's an aura guardian. But, there hasn't been one since the days of Sir Aaron. It's extremely rare for one of his descendants to show his innate ability."
"How rare, exactly?"
"There's a good chance that he's the only true Aura Knight in the world. Uxie, the Pokémon of Knowledge, estimated at one point that the chances of an Aura Guardian appearing are well over 'one in two billion'. I should also mention, he's also seen every single Legendary Pokémon, Arceus herself included."
"Sounds like he must be interesting enough for Lady Creation to reveal herself in such a way."
"Well, she was going to bring about Armageddon that day as well, but yeah."
"Y'know, after everything I've been through and witnessed, that doesn't surprise me at all."
Friday, October 13th, 12:50 am, 2018
Littleroot Town, Third Street
Brendan finally finished patrolling, thankful that all was quiet. Apart from Drew's failed attack, the streets seemed peaceful.
"Well, time to get some sleep, I guess. I'll head back to Brimstone tonight."
As he walked, something clicked in Brendan's mind.
"I should contact Steven and April," he thought. "Tell them we need to talk in the morning."
He took out his phone, and dialed Steven's number. After a few moments, Steven's voice growled at him from the other end.
"Alright, listen here, asshole," he growled, angry at being woken up. "It's almost one in the damn morning. What could be so important that it requires a call now!?"
"Simple, we need to chat in the morning," Brendan replied. "I think I might have a lead in that case. I need to talk to you and April. Be at Brimstone at nine o'clock, got it?"
"Fine. I'm going back to sleep now. I suggest you do the same, Birch."
"Well, I've still got to get a hold of April."
"Have fun."
"Fuck you, too."
Steven hung up, and Brendan muttered some obscenities about the Patron of Rayquaza. He dialed April's number, and she picked up almost immediately.
"What is it, Birch?" She asked with a yawn. "I trust whatever you have to say is urgent enough to disturb me."
"Well, that's a calmer reaction than what Steven said," Brendan muttered. "Anyways, I think I have a few leads on who's been killing Patrons. Meet Steven and me at Brimstone. Nine o'clock."
"Very well," she yawned. "See you then. I presume May will be there, too?"
"No, I imagine she'll be hanging out with her friends, and with Claire."
"Alright, then. Goodnight." She hung up.
"Well, back to Brimstone. I'll probably in one of the seats."
Friday, October 13th, 9:00 am, 2018
Brimstone Pub
"Hey, boss, you got company."
Brendan opened his eyes, seeing Wally standing in front of him with a cup of coffee.
"Want some coffee?"
"Sure," Brendan yawned. "And let them in, I just need to freshen up." He paused. "Is May home?"
"No, she went out with her friends. Claire and Twins went with them," he looked at Brendan. "I heard a commotion outside last night. What happened?"
"I'll tell you later. I really must get ready for this meeting."
"Alright, boss. I'll get refreshments ready, then."
"Thanks, my friend."
Friday, October 13th, 9:10 am, 2018
Brimstone Pub
"Well, you took your time, Birch."
"Watch it, airhead," Brendan yawned, drinking the last of his coffee.
"Can both of you just calm down?" April muttered, turning to Brendan. "Brendan, you called us here to discuss the Patron Killer?"
"Yes, I did," Brendan said. "But, I have a couple questions. First, have either of you heard of a Patron that controls shadows?"
"I haven't," Steven said. "But what does that have to do with any of this?"
"Patrons get their powers bestowed to us by Legendary Pokémon," April said. "That's how it's always been. And the only Dark type Legend I know of is Giratina, but he can't give out any of his power. So, I doubt they exist. Why?"
"It was something May told me," Brendan explained. "She said that her one rival, Harley, threatened her, telling her to watch the shadows. And he also knew she was a Patron, despite never actually saying anything about it to anybody. It's probably just an empty threat, but I figured it was worth bringing up."
"I'll do some checking, but I'm not sure it'll do any good," Steven said.
"Ok. Second question," Brendan looked at them. "Have either of you heard of an Aura Knight?"
"No," April said.  "I've never heard of them."
"I have," Steven said. "And, they don't exist. At least, not anymore. That bloodline died out over a century ago."
"Actually, I think I encountered one," Brendan said. "Either that, or he's an extremely powerful Patron."
"Really?" Steven replied skeptically. "And what was the name of this so-called Aura Knight?"
"Ash Ketchum, I think."
"I know of him, Brendan," Steven scoffed. "And, I'll tell you right now, that he's not a Patron. And he's certainly not an Aura Guardian."
"And you're absolutely certain about that?" Brendan asked. "Groudon also believes he's an Aura Knight."
"I think it's worth checking out," April cut in. "Even though this won't help us make progress in our search, an Aura Knight could make for a powerful ally."
"Why do you say that?"
"An Aura Knight can has an innate ability to use their power without a Legend's support," Steven told him.
"I already know that."
"Anyways," April said, looking at Brendan. "Do you know where this Knight is?"
"He's with May, the rest of his friends, the Twins, and Claire," Brendan said. "I shouldn't have a problem finding him."
"Then, what are we waiting for?"
"Touché," Brendan agreed. "Wally, we're heading out. Keep an eye on the place."
"I always do," he replied.

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