A Dragon's Honor

Part of the 'Operation Shattered Crystal' Twitch Plays Pokemon fanfic series, on http://www.reddit.com/r/twitchplayspokemon

It's strange. I'm only a few years old, but my life has been split into two distinct eras : Before, and After.

Before was very different. My father was the head of one of the most well-known and respected Dragonite bloodlines in the Kanto-Johto area, and our name was known beyond it even before humans settled here. Our pedigree was connected to royalty, both for our bloodline as well as those who served as our masters. Kings and emperors went to great lengths to secure one of our kin to battle for them and even represent them in the long-ago ages where men fought not with firearms, but sword and shield. Even today, we serve human leaders and warriors with pride. It was only natural that Lance, the Dragon Master, and one of the most powerful dragons alive, held him as his most powerful Pokemon. My family considered it an honor to be at his side.

But then the Host came. And the Voices with him.

Walking blasphemers, all of them. I've no doubt that the Voices were born of the essence of evil themselves, and indeed, who can doubt it? The wretched 'trainer' was said to have sacrificed his followers to the dark powers that gave the PC form! Of this, I had no doubt, and my father was likewise. Once the Helix was claimed to have been resurrected - whatever it may have been, it was no god - he denounced it. Stated that the might of the Helix could not be manifest in a single, mere Pokemon, and to worship this pretender was a heresy in itself, and the entire band of warriors that purported themselves as his champions was moreso. A puppet for a trainer? A Pidgeot who proclaimed himself the Messiah? Though mighty Zapdos had claim to great nobility, he was most certainly had no divine mandate to baptize the Messiah, let alone an impostor!

The unworthy group fought their way to the Elite Four, and my father proclaimed that this whelp would not be a Pokemon Master while he still drew breath. That he would expose what weaklings they were. And time and again, Red and Lance battled. But when it came time to battle my father, the mightiest of Dragonites, he was presented with a Venemoth. One named after a car, no less. Despite father's noble, mighty strikes, this pathetic beast fought on long after it should have been incapable of continuing. Doubtlessly under the influence of the blackest of magics born from whatever dark power fueled the false Helix. He fought until he could no more, and fell, defeated, and with him, Lance. It was mere moments afterwards that Red confronted the newly crowned champion and defeated him, mere hours into his reign, even more evidence of the grossly unnatural powers used to strengthen the entire filthy band.

And so a mad child and a team of heretics managed to bring my father low. Our family's reputation shattered as the masses among both Pokemon and humans took this to vindicate the claims of divinity by that wretched Omastar, one who belongs on a dinner plate more than on a pedestal. To try to prevent his children from taking on his shame, he pleaded with Lance to take us to different parts of the world, allow us to wait for better times. Father is generous, kind, protective, all noble qualities, and his master is honorable, assisting as he could.

Which led me to here. Training under Clair in the Dragon's Den. I've been instructed to remain some distance away from the visitors for now, as it seems that the Voices have found a new host. Doubtlessly to stain our world with some other false champion. One of us, in fact, may be chosen to join him, as is tradition. If it is I, I'll likely slay him before he can harm this world any further. I'd be subsequently killed, I'm sure, but far better to die with dignity than allow that puppet of the Voices to perpetuate another disgrace. I cannot, however, help but eavesdrop. I know I should not, but the Voices have caused my kin too much pain not to find out more about this latest blight.

As I flick my eyes towards the activity, I overhear voices talking, and one of them is obviously this new host. 'AJ,' they call him, as I overheard but a moment before. My eyes narrow; if I were evolved, I would strike him down where he stands with a Hyper Beam. If I succeeded and slew him, it would do us all a favor!

But the exchange is... difficult. I only hear some of the conversation as I slip next to the doorway.

"...think... Pokemon... pals?... weak... important... strong?..."

It's hard to make out the conversation but it sounds as if this trainer is... actually regarding Pokemon with respect. Neither being convenient tools and weapons, but exhibiting care for their needs and sensitivity for their feelings and desires. This... I did not expect.

"It's rude to eavesdrop," comes a voice from behind me, and I stiffen in surprise.

"Mistress Claire! I..."

She raises her hand. "It's alright. This one is... interesting."

I snort. "'This one' is allied with the Voices."

Claire quirks a brow. "He is. But I think there's at least SOME potential." She states, albeit a grin flickers past her face. "But he has a lot to learn about Pokemon training, whether or not his mental illness is propelling him towards victory." Another glance towards the inside. "I think I'm going to see where he failed; that ought to tell us much about him." A moment later and she enters the hut.

It takes a few moments, but I suddenly hear a shocked shout. Claire. I glance in, doing my best to remain concealed, but ready to jump into the fray to protect her...

...from nothing. She looks horrified, to be certain, but the boy has done nothing, and the old men seem pleased. They rarely seem pleased when around a student. I can't quite tell what's going on, but...

...wait...

...did... he just get the Rising Badge? After a single attempt to answer the questions of the old men?

What manner of being is he? Claire departs, looking as though she has seen much, mild shock registering on her facial features. So surprised that she does not seem to even notice me as she departs.

I bound away from the entryway so as not to be easily noticed as the boy -- is he merely a boy, or something else, even without the Voices? -- walks out, muttering something akin to "A B Start Kappa" under his breath. I can almost see something flicking about his head, purplish, almost like a letter shape, but I file it away. Probably just my imagination.

"Katie?" comes an aged voice from within. The old men want to talk to me.

I bound forward to listen, entering the hut. "My lord?" I inquire; those of my line retain our ancient manners and respect, something sorely lacking in far too many parts of the modern world.

"I don't suppose you could explain why you were eavesdropping on us?" one inquires; all three have gentle smiles, so I know they do not harbor anger, but nevertheless, it is embarrassing.

"My apologies, my lord, but... the Host of the Voices..."

"I cannot say whether or not it's different with him, this time around," he states, "After all, I never met Red, before or after the Voices. But this one was not what I expected, to be certain."

"How?" I inquire, forgetting myself and my manners for a moment. Before I can make a word or gesture of deference, the old man continues.

"Although the Voices were obviously interfering, he has retained his mind and his will. It is... dangerous, with the Voices, but he is doing his best to retain control. Apparently some help, and some hurt, and resistance and obedience are a constant struggle to keep from causing havoc."

"I see, my lord." I float, not entirely certain where this is going.

"Katie, I'd like you to go with him."

I hear myself gasp in horror in an involuntary impulse. Surely he jests! This must be a lesson of some sort. "My... lord?" I ask in disbelief.

"I think," says the old man again, as confusion, disappointment and rage clouding my mind. "That you have a lot to learn from him, and this one's mission isn't what you think it is."

...and of course, as fortune would have it, the boy enters once more, the Voices apparently having asked him to speak with the old men. I quickly rise up to leave, but a hand gesture from the elder stops me, and I simmer in my own suspicion and resentment.

A quick conversation ensues about his potential as a trainer as I eye him suspiciously. And then...

"Katie," says the oldest. "Go with AJ. He is to be your master, for now."

I almost visibly whither. "I... cannot obey, my lord. I shan't ally myself with that wretched blasphemer, nor the one who shattered the honor of my kin."

"Blasphemer?" The first word the boy, AJ, utters is directed towards me, his tone one of in mild disbelief.

"That ridiculous buffoon of an Omastar that Red drags around as though it were proof of divine mandate... my lord." I grate out the last two words with profound humiliation. I will... humor the old men, for now, but I shall not pretend to like it. Perhaps they have gone senile. "For their treachery to the people, for their bringing war and strife, for pretending to wield authority that they do not, for dishonorable conduct, they should all be brought low. Imprisoned, perhaps killed." I pause and add. "And I will not assist them in their perverse machinations. Do what you must to me, but I will not help you deceive the people or the Pokemon with the false Helix. My spiritual allegiance is with the true one, that transcends mortal form, and would never perpetuate such barbarism."

The boy... AJ... my new... master, scratches his head a little. "I... think that you don't quite understand what we're trying to do, here." He reaches for one of his Pokeballs and snaps it open. "'Gator?"

A most unusual sight greets me in this... 'Gator.' Feraligatr, to be certain, with a red visor over his eyes.

"We're not planning to go help that idiot." the growling voice of the Pokemon before me causes me to pull back by the narrowest of margins; it would be unbecoming of someone of my bloodline to show fear, but unease is more... manageable. "We're planning on ripping his fucking head off." A slightly disturbed smile accompanies 'Gator's' statement.

"When the Voices came, and we started out, we wanted to try to end the wars and maybe get rid of the influence of the Helix cult, or at least get them to stop the fighting," AJ explains, his voice growing more solemn. "...but the PC..."

"Ate Omlette." growls Gator, "Prince Omlette, rather."

I stare. "PRINCE OMLETTE?!" The very name indicates that he is of one of the noblest houses in all of Kanto and Johto, even the noble Pokemon in Hoenn would show deference to him! "You... he fought with you?"

"Bravely," Gator states. "For what little he could do. He was... young..." At that point, the boy reaches down and grasps Gator's arm, giving a squeeze of support; the gesture touches me slightly, that he would show compassion for one of his Pokemon like that; not all would. This impacted him greatly, whatever happened. "...and the PC took him. Instead of me. The Voices wanted /me/." A deep, growling voice raises. "And for that we're gonna destroy their champion, and then get rid of them." He shook his head quietly. "No gods in this world. They don't belong here. No gods. Only 'mon."

"Some of the Voices are helping us," AJ states, explaining. "Or trying to, anyway. "Most of them. Some others are sabotaging their efforts. But the good ones are pushing back. They seem like they want to help us out. I'm not even sure they're the same Voices; if they are, they might be trying to fix a mistake they made with this." He eyes me carefully, likely gauging my reaction.

"I don't know what Red did to you, and if you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask," he says, quietly, staring me straight in the eyes. "And this isn't going to be safe. It's a dangerous mission. The PC is plenty dangerous, and I can't... really control it." He shakes his head. "We still don't know what's going on with it, but we've had to go on without the Pokemon it took... we're hoping at the end we can find them somehow, but it's possible they were..." His voice shakes, like one might expect of a human that has seen and done too much, encountered too many tragedies and has far too much on his conscience. My head inclines slightly; I get the idea without him saying the final word.

A deep breath from AJ. "I won't force you to come. If you want, you can stay here. If for some reason they won't let you, then I'll take you and you can leave wherever you want. But we could really use a dragon on the team, and with the way the wars are spreading... you may end up involved anyway. Especially if we don't pull through -- "

"We will." Gator snaps out, flicking his eyes towards his trainer before returning his attention to me. Confident, this one, and apparently unwilling to allow his trainer to wallow in despair. Gator turns back towards me and speaks. "But he's still right, there's no way to know when or where the fighting will break out. Better to get in on the ground floor, in this case; at least then you can do something about it other than just try to survive."

A slow, silent exhale. I consider for a moment.

This is madness, this is ridiculously dangerous. Father would never approve.

But father isn't here, and this opportunity will pass me by before I can consult him. And he would still disapprove, even if I asked. However...

...it would be the perfect mission to restore his honor, and our family.

I return my eyes towards AJ, decision made, steeling myself for perhaps the most important pronouncement I have ever made. "I pledge allegiance to your cause. Obliterating the False Helix is my primary goal here. And the second is like it, their wretched 'ATV' must also be bested in combat, and preferably slain. He sullied my family's honor and brought great shame to us, kept us from our rightful place in preventing those maddened by the False Helix from gaining power." I throw my head back, stretching slightly. "I do not, however, pledge my loyalty directly to you, my lord. Should the Voices decide that you should support Red, and you are unable or unwilling to stop their madness, I shall have no part in it. You will have to earn my trust."

AJ nods, jaw clenching slightly. This must be difficult for him - all of this. He's only a boy. Inexperienced, to say the least. "I guess that's all that I can ask for. But just give me a chance - I'm not planning on backing off on this, even if the Voices try to do it."

Even though part of me cringes, the rest realizes that this is the best option available to me. I must formally introduce myself. "I am Katie, scion of Lancelot the Dragonite, of the Indigo clan of Dragons." I lower myself to the ground, coiling and bending forward, similar to the human custom of a bow, eyes casting downward to the floor. "And I pledge my strength and powers to your cause. Use it well..." A traditional pledge of submission to a new trainer, as is used by the nobler bloodlines among Pokemon... but I pause for an instant and glance up, adding my own end. "...and bring down Helix the Heretic and ATV the Honorless with it."

A slight smile from AJ. Gator grunts, before speaking. "Welcome to the team. We'll get your honor back as soon as we get Red's head."

"I look forward to it." I reply. And I do.

I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing, but once upon a time it was said that a decision was best made within a few breaths of it being presented. And my decision is made.

This may be my only opportunity to restore my father's honor. And I intend to use it to the fullest.