Pokémon: the Vanguard Descends
Chapter 43 The Champion’s Test
Level 70 Ahmes (Gallade) psychic/fighting
Level 70 Wingal (Lycanroc (dusk)) rock
Level 69 Llew (Golisopod) water/bug
Level 69 Gancelot (Lucario) fighting/steel
Level 73 Soul Saver (Haxorus) dragon
Level 100 Alfred (Aegislash) ghost/steel
A young Aichi looked rather nervous as a young Oliver squeezed his hand in reassurance.
“Don’t worry you’ll be fine. You’ve done this before and you can do it again. I believe in you 003v.”, Oliver told him.
He still seemed a bit nervous, but it was eased a bit at Oliver’s assurance. He didn’t know why but, he always felt much less nervous around him compared to the adults. Perhaps it was because they were around the same age? Or because they were related? All that he knew for sure is that he felt more at ease with Oliver rather than those men in lab coats. Oliver gave him a reassuring smile and he took a deep breath calming down.
“I can do this. Father is counting on me to impress his colleagues.”, Aichi said, raising up his fist.
He didn’t remember why yet, but he was deathly scared of disappointing his father. Perhaps he would remember why when he regained the rest of his memories. Oliver was always rather patient with him like this, he could feel it. It was because Oliver was the only person besides his father that could really get him to do anything that Oliver was assigned to be by his side.
In reality Aichi was still fast asleep, not even hearing the commotion downstairs at all. Soul Saver was still glued to his side not even hearing the commotion either because her attention was so focused on Aichi. Shizuka heard it rather curious and a bit cautious as she went back down the stairs. She prepared a Poké ball just in case it was something dangerous. What she didn’t expect was to see Emi arguing with a smaller girl. Alfred tried to help Emi out with diffusing the situation and the other Pokémon didn’t really know what to do mostly since the girl couldn’t understand them.
“I won’t let you get in my way, sword man! Let’s take him down Ahsha!”, the girl said, throwing out a Snivy.
“Is this girl serious? She knows Aichi is the champion right?”, Emi questioned, sweat dropping.
“Ahsha use vine whip!”, the girl ordered.
Ahsha slapped Alfred with the vine, having little to practically no effect on the ghostly king. Alfred didn’t even flinch from the attack just sweat dropping at the ridiculousness of the situation. Ahsha attacked again and again to not much effect on the Pokémon much to the girl’s annoyance. Alfred didn’t even bother to raise his shield, further enraging the girl.
“Darn it! This is just the first goon, I’ve gotta at least be able to defeat the first one!”, the girl said angrily.
“I am not a goon. I am Alfred Pendragon, the once and future king of Galar.”, Alfred replied.
“I don’t care who you are! I’ll defeat you and your boss for my bro-“, the girl was saying before she was suddenly scooped up by a male teen.
He had greenish-blue hair that went down to his shoulders and orange eyes the same shade as the girl’s. There was a noticeable resemblance between him and the girl. He wore a white dress shirt with a red tie and dark grey pants. He had a belt where six Poké balls hung.
“I’m so sorry about this please don’t mind her.”, the teen said.
The girl squirmed stubbornly in his grip kicking her legs.
“But Mamoru! Didn’t you hear what the guy on the phone said? He said that a bad guy named 003v is trying to take over the region!”, the girl yelled.
“Wait...your Anjou Mamoru aren’t you? You were the champion of Kakusa before Ren!”, Shizuka realized as they all gasped in shock except the two newcomers.
“Your right I recognize him from tv! He had disappeared after Ren became champion!”, Emi said.
“That stupid coward Ren made him disappear! There’s no way he could’ve beat my brother!”, the girl yelled as Mamoru sweat dropped.
“Calm down Tokoha. I know what you may have heard, but this whole thing is really a massive misunderstanding.”, Mamoru told his sister Tokoha as she calmed down.
“What are you talking about brother?”, Tokoha questioned.
“You see 003v, Sendou Aichi defeated Suzugamori Ren and saved the region. But, the higher ups in the region are skeptical about him because he’s Gin Gaillard’s son. They don’t actually have any proof that he’s up to anything. I am supposed to see what kind of person he is. You would have heard that if you didn’t scurry off.”, Mamoru explained.
“Ohh...I was scared he a bad guy was going to take you away again…”, Tokoha said a bit sadly, as she looked down realizing her mistake.
“I see you were just worried about your brother. I can understand the feeling.”, Emi replied.
“What did happen to you?”, Shizuka asked.
“Me and Koutei tried to stop Ren when we found out about his plans. I was captured for a while along with Koutei, but he was moved somewhere else. As you may know while he was being moved in Kagero town he was saved by Esuka and Miwa. Afterward Koutei helped finding where I was kept and freed me.”, Mamoru explained.
“So, that’s what happened. I thought it was weird that you just suddenly disappeared out of the blue.”, Emi replied.
“Yeah...I feel bad that I wasn’t able to do anything while the region was nearly taken over. I’m glad that Sendou Aichi saved it. Where is he?”, Mamoru replied.
Almost if on cue they heard a thud, all turning their attention to the source. Aichi was leaning against the wall on top of the stairs with Soul Saver by his side. He held the wet towel to his head and he was still sweating.
“W-who are you?”, Aichi asked shakily, swaying a bit.
“What are you doing your not fully recovered from before yet?!”, Shizuka yelled at her son full of concern.
Aichi seemed to ignore this yelling, walking down the stairs only for his mom to stop him.
“Is he alright?!”, Mamoru asked with concern, setting down Tokoha and helping hold Aichi up.
“P-people with...bad intentions...are near...I can feel it. It’s not you.”, Aichi mumbled out, looking over to Mamoru.
“What is he talking about?”, Tokoha questioned.
“I don’t know, but he IS psychic.”, Emi replied.
“You came down here in your condition just to warn them?”, Mamoru asked.
“I-I’ve gotta...stop them...I won’t let them hurt…”, Aichi mumbled out, before Mamoru set him down.
“Do you know who he's talking about?”, Shizuka asked with a serious expression as Mamoru looked down.
“I have a feeling...they're the government employees. I think that whoever chose them sent employees purposely biased against Sendou Aichi to skew the results of his appraisal.”, Mamoru surmised.
“What do you think of my son?”, Shizuka asked as Mamoru stood up.
“My first impression is that is a respectable man who protects those he loves even at his own expense. I intend to give him a chance.”, Mamoru answered as he looked at Shizuka.
Shizuka put her hand on Aichi to keep him down as loud banging came from the door. The door opened to reveal men in suits with Pokémon by their sides. Aichi’s Pokémon tensed, taking this as a threat.
“It seems you have been bewitched by 003v and betrayed us Mamoru. Looks like we’ll have to eliminate you alongside him.”, a man said.
“Does he look like he’s in the condition to do something like that?”, Mamoru questioned.
“No. But it’s not like we have to tell the higher ups that. The story will be 003v bewitched the former champion and gym leaders so he could trick the masses into believing he was their hero. Then, control Kakusa from the shadows.”, the man replied as Mamoru tensed glaring at the men.
Shizuka and the Pokémon also glared at the men. Emi and Tokoha gasped in disbelief that they would do such a thing.
“Just sit here and leave this to me.”, Mamoru told Aichi.
“Because 003v is in no condition to move much less fight we can easily kill him here. We will step over your lifeless corpse if it means killing him, Mamoru.”, the man replied.
“You guys are blinded by your hatred for Gin Gaillard. He may be his son, but Sendou Aichi is certainly not his father.”, Mamoru replied as he threw out his Pokémon: Haxorus, Kommo-o, Dreepy, Noivern, Kingdra, and Turtonator.
“Haxorus! Haxorus! (I’m seeing double!)”, Soul Saver gasped in disbelief behind Aichi.
“Make sure your mamma is safe.”, Shizuka whispered to Soul Saver, who nodded.
“Haxorus. Haxorus. (I will keep mommy safe.)”, Soul Saver said as she got in front of Aichi who looked up at her.
Ahmes got in front of Aichi with Wingal by his side. The other Pokémon got into fighting stances and Emi and Tokoha went behind Mamoru. Shizuka walked up to Mamoru’s side, throwing out her Intellion, Elaine.
“Blademaster use dragon claw!”, Mamoru ordered.
The Pokémon clashed with the intruders Pokémon, but it seemed like every time they defeated one more came almost endlessly. More men came in with more Pokémon. Not to mention, they had to hold back so they didn’t destroy the house and drop the roof on their heads. The Pokémon started to get exhausted as they fought for a solid hour.
“Getting tired? We came prepared with an army to kill 003v so you won’t stand a chance of holding out!”, the man said as Mamoru sweated nervously.
His Pokémon pushed back the invaders, but it was obvious that their attacks were no longer at full strength. One by one their Pokémon were getting knocked down leaving Ahmes in his mega form, Alfred, and Soul Saver. A mega Scizor shot forward with blinding speed towards Mamoru to kill him. Alfred rushed as fast as he could to block with his shield, but he was preoccupied by the other enemy Pokémon.
“Brother!”, Tokoha cries out.
Mamoru closed his eyes knowing there was no way he could outspeed the Pokémon. He suddenly heard a clang noise, but he felt no pain. He opened his eyes to see Aichi in front of him covered with a light blue aura. He still didn’t seem like he was fully recovered, however despite it much to his shock and awe he held the Scizor’s claw. He held it so tightly the claw started to crumple like a tin can. The Scizor cried in pain when Aichi pushed its claw back, bending its arm. They all gasped in shock seeing that Aichi was able to do this in his current condition. The suited men gaped in shock and fear of Aichi’s power.
“I...won’t let you...kill...him...or anyone else…”, Aichi mumbled, still sounding completely exhausted.
“What the hell is this kid?!”, another suited man gasped in terror.
They flinched as Aichi glared at them with a level of anger that made them tremble. Everyone else was in awe and disbelief looking at Aichi.
“Where...where was this army...when Team Asteroid...attacked…?!”, Aichi questioned.
They didn’t say anything as Aichi gridded his teeth. The enemy Pokémon stopped fighting and shook in fear at this anger. Their instincts were telling them to run far away from him.
“How...can you claim...to care about...this region...when you had this...much fire power...and did nothing!?”, Aichi questioned angrily.
The men had nothing to say backing away and looking down feeling extremely ashamed. Because Aichi was right they had this power, but did nothing against Team Asteroid. They didn’t even try because they were too scared. Aichi, the one that they hated was the one who saved the region and their families. They were too afraid of the actual enemy so they had tried to kill a wounded hero instead.
Mamoru caught Aichi as he stumbled and the aura vanished. He looked up to the men in suits who flinched.
“Do the higher ups hear us right now? I approve of Sendou Aichi. As the former champion I give him my blessing.”, Mamoru said.
“Fine…”, the man grumbled in defeat, recalling the ref of the men.
Aichi was back to sleep in Mamoru’s arms. He helped Shizuka bring him to his bed. Emi and Tokoha went to the Pokémon center to heal up the Pokémon after all the men were gone.
“You have a very brave boy, Mrs. Sendou.”, Mamoru commented as Shizuka smiled.
“I know. I’m so proud of him though, it can be frustrating with how reckless he is.”, Shizuka replied, causing Mamoru to chuckle.
“Yeah, I can definitely sympathize with that.”, Mamoru replied.
They stood before Aichi’s bed which Soul Saver sat back next to. Soul Saver rubbed her head against Aichi.
“Pokémon seem to love him quite a lot as well. They fought very fiercely to protect him without even being ordered to.”, Mamoru said as he watched how affectionate Soul Saver was towards her trainer.
“He’s always been able to understand Pokémon deeper than most can. Though, to be fair he technically is one.”, Shizuka replied.
“I heard all about it from the higher ups. It’s rather strange though it doesn’t bother me.”, Mamoru replied.
In the Sanctuary town Pokémon center...
Tokoha looked down as she walked beside Emi.
“I’m glad your brother saved mine. I thank him.”, Tokoha said as Emi chuckled.
“I don’t think Aichi minds that much. That’s just the kind of person he is.”, Emi replied.
“Yeah. Sorry for thinking he was evil I jumped to conclusions.”, Tokoha apologized as she rubbed the back of her head.
“It’s fine. If our positions were reversed I would have done the same thing. Friends?”, Emi replied as she extended a hand to Tokoha.
“Friends.”, Tokoha replied, accepting it.
Takuto had a smug cat-like smile as the higher up in a suit grumbled in anger.
“Looks like Mamoru approves of Sendou Aichi as well as your other men.”, Takuto said.
The higher up shook with rage especially as Takuto played a recording that revealed the men’s intentions causing the gym leaders to gasp in disbelief and anger.
“I knew it!”, Misaki yelled angrily.
The other men in suits gave the man sideways looks as moved back.
“I-I was just trying to protect the region from that monster!”, the man said with desperation.
“Oh really, then where were you and your men when Ren attacked?!”, Misaki questioned, glaring at the man and pointing to him.
“I-I”, The man stuttered.
“It seems that you are not qualified for your job. We will have someone else replace you who will hopefully do a better job at protecting the region.”, a different man in suit said.
“Then, it’s settled Sendou Aichi is the champion of Kakusa.”, Takuto asked and Kourin smiled at this.
She glared when Suiko and Rekka gave her knowing looks and she blushed.
Aichi woke up fully recovered from before. He stretched as Soul Saver looked very happy, bouncing. Aichi petted Soul Saver’s head who giggled.
“Good girl. Is Mamoru still here?”, Aichi said.
“Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus.Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus.Haxorus. Haxorus. Haxorus. (He said he was leaving earlier. He said that the big meanies were forced to accept that your champ now.)”, Soul Saver replied.
“That’s relief.”, Aichi said with a relieved sigh, before looking over to Soul Saver.
