CHAPTER 12: A Place to Call Home?

Cyrus' Monologue

Sinnoh, at last...knowing Saturn and the rest, I think I know where to look for them...

Cynthia...you still have some debts to pay, I'm also coming for you.

Ash, hmph, just stay wherever you are right now and pray we'll never meet each other, or else...

And as for that kid...sorry...I don't want you to be involve in my business, for you've got yours as well, much bigger than mine actually...

Grow up fast, for the alien God is about to do something...soon...

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Archer was scribbling on his notes as he read Girana's details. A Ghost-Normal type was perfect for him as he wanted to have a Pokemon that only had a few weaknesses, much more this type having only one. What made him perplexed was its description. Antimatter, such an otherworldly concept, yet Girana was considered as one. He hoped to see its actual statistics but could not do so until he officially catch Girana and have the Pokedex scanned it. Contented for now, he stood up and went into the Agora Market to see their goods.

"Fishes! Fresh fish for your dish!"

"Veggies. Selling fresh veggies, harvested from the Farm!"

"If you want some meat to eat, then check my stall!"

The place was somewhat chaotic and noisy, like how it reminded Archer of his world. The merchants were busy talking with their customers, maybe negotiating with each other, as their goods were displayed on their stores. Archer frowned because he never liked visiting marketplaces, and he knew him being here would still not change his dislike against it. 

As he strolled, he noticed a bulletin at the center of the Agora. Photos of some sort were posted, seemingly occupying most of the board. What attracted his attention was a young boy who was just facing the bulletin while standing still. He decided to investigate to sate his curiousity. 

"Kid, are you okay?"

The boy just shifted his gaze toward Archer without speaking, seemingly crying because his eyes were puffy red. After a few moments, he turned his eyes back again to the pictures.

Archer pried at the board and finally realized that these were photos of missing people and Pokemon. Some were dated five years ago, and others just recently. He further probed and found out that all of them were last seen here in Cinnabar, at one of the caves somewhere in this island. 

"So where do you live, kid?" Archer inquired.

"Mom said that I should not talk to strangers." The boy answered this time, albeit unwillingly. 

Chuckling, Archer continued. "Yeah, your mom's right. You should never talk to strangers." He crouched down while facing the boy and said, "I'm Archer Sullivan, almost 18 years of age, and currently staying here. Now, I'm not a stranger to you since you know some things about me."

The boy widened his eyes, backed out a bit as he pointed at his head, stuttering as he asked, "Wha...what is that thing?"

Archer knitted his eyes in a furrow, then smiled widely as he took off Girana. "This is my Pokemon, Girana."

"Gira?" The critter shook its legs as its eyeballs move from left to right.

"Girana?" Stepping forward to move closer, he reached out his hand and halted. "Could I, could I touch him?"

"I'll ask. Girana, this kid wants to touch you, won't you mind him doing so?"

"Gira?"

Archer smiled, not understanding if it agreed or not, yet he turned Girana's body as its belly was now facing the kid. "Sure, you can. Just don't touch the spot below its stomach."

The boy traced his fingers on its shells, then its jaw and legs. "It's very hard, like metal."

"Yes, it is. You want to hear a funny thing?"

The boy nodded, looking at him in expectation.

"Poke its belly."

The boy seemed hesitant at first, then decided to poke it softly.

"Gi...gi...gi..."

His eyes brightened up, and continued to poke him as Girana made a 'Gi...gi...gi' sound. Soon enough, the boy was laughing very hard as it continued jabbing it with his chubby fingers.

Archer couldn't help but smile at the scene, but frowned a little later. Poor kid, too young and innocent yet the world did not want him to stay innocent.

The boy stopped prodding as he wiped his tears from excessive laughter. Grinning, he extended his small hand and said, "You're no stranger anymore. I'm Kenneth Smith."

Archer ruffled the boy's black hair. "Yes, and call me Big Bro if you want. After all, I'm much older."

"Yes, Big Bro." 

"So why are you here?" Archer interrogated.

Kenneth was quiet, staring down as his feet, for about a minute or two, before replying, "Mom, Pop and big sister went missing last week."

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"I see." Archer knelt down and looked at him face-level. "Are they...missing?"

"Yeah."

"Want a big hug?" 

Kenneth's eyes went red as he abruptly embraced him while wailing. Archer felt emotional, the only thing he could do was pat him on his back, and let him cry as much as he wanted. The boy kept on crying while Girana hovered in the air, looking at them as if it knew what was happening.

Archer patiently waited for Kenneth to stop as he comforted him. This went on for about half an hour until only stifled sobs could be heard. "Are you alright now?"

"Yes," Kenneth affirmed as he moved away from Archer. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Crying is good for everyone."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's our way of easing our pain. I cry too, you know?"

Kenneth looked at him with disbelief. "Do big guys cry?"

"Yes. In fact, I've just cried last night. Like you, I'm far away from my family, friends and everyone I loved, not knowing if I'll ever meet them again."

"Did...did the Plankas get them?" Kenneth asked. "People say the Plankas ate the missing people, but I don't believe it because my Pop's really strong."

"See? If your Pop is strong, then definitely they are safe," Archer replied bleakly, his eyes narrowed. As soon as he stood up, Girana perched on his head and stopped moving. "So where are you staying right now? You've got someone with you?"

"No one. I'm just living alone. I just came here at the market to beg for food."

Archer softened his gaze and patted the boy's head. "Have you eaten?"

Kenneth shook his head and kept staring down.

"Why don't we do this? Since we're here in the market, Big bro will buy some food to cook and go to your place. Can we cook there inside your house?"

"Of course we can, hehehehe."

"Hah! What do you want to eat then?"

"Fish! My Mom always cook fish!"

'Then, it's gonna be fish for lunch."

"Yay!" Kenneth jumped around like a rabbit. Singing, he kept prancing around while Archer laughed boisterously.

"Big bro?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Your welcome."

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They sauntered their way to Kenneth's house, reaching it at around 11:00 AM, as they gossiped about interesting things that happened in Cinnabar Island. Archer told him about his journey, minus the teleportation and the Fossil Lab fiasco, while Kenneth listened attentively. They kept on talking until Kenneth cut him off. 

"Big bro! That's our house. Neat, isn't it?"

Archer shifted his gaze to where he was pointing and saw a rather, big brown house. It was a 2-storey mansion fenced with metallic gate and brick walls. Trees surrounded the place, as if hiding the area, and flowers, which looked like roses, adorn the pavements. 

A girl was playing just beside the brown house, running away from the Meowth as she screeched. "Stop it, Kitkat! I promised I won't pull your tail again!"

"MEOWTH!"

The girl paused a bit, as if catching her breath as she sat on the ground. 

"MIA!"

The girl looked at them and grinned. "KENNETH!" 

Kenneth sprinted toward her, and soon began laughing and talking noisily. 

Archer ambled on his way as he ate one of the apples he bought earlier. "You want some Apple, Girana?"

"Giragi!"

"I guess it's a yes, then," he replied as he took out an apple from the grocery bag and offered it to the Pokemon. Girana screamed in delight, and he heard munching sounds a few minutes after. "Hey, Girana, eat slowly. I don't want your spittle and fruit juices staining my shirt. Better yet, just find another place when you eat." 

Girana ignored his reminders and continued eating. Shaking his head, he moved to where the kids were, whistling as he carried the bags. 

"Big Bro, meet Mia, my best friend," Kenneth introduced her.

Archer saw Mia fixing her clothes and hair, and gestured a bow like a princess. "Hi, Mr. Archer Sullivan."

"Oh, you know my name."

"Yes, Kenneth told me. He said you're the second best man after his dad of course, and you'll be cooking food."

"Ahahaha!. Anyway, where do you live, Mia? Are your parents around?"

Archer noticed that the mood was not good as he saw Mia produce a stifled sob. Kenneth then patted Mia and explained, "Her Pop and Mom went together with my Pop, Mom, and big sister. They said they want to get some 'stone' inside a cave. They told me it was dangerous for me to join them because there are lots of Geodudes inside."

"I believe they will be back soon. So, before they come back, let me prepare a feast for all of us. Sounds good, right?" Archer assured them as he continued his rant. "Let's celebrate!"

"YAAAY!"

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It was almost 1:00 PM. and Kenneth was inside his new room. Archer looked around as he left his things on the table.

I could stay here until his family will return, of which I doubt it.

Archer flopped down on the soft bed as he relaxed his body. Living outside is somewhat fun, but nothing beats a comfy bed and a house. He just stayed there for about five minutes, staring at the blue ceiling while thinking of his next agenda. 

This could be my 'secret lab'. Well, only if they will not return, which is highly probable.

I wonder if they were consumed by the Plankas. Poor kid, you're just like me, aren't you? 

Well, thinking about these things do not help me become stronger. I need to do what I have to do.

Archer opened his bag as he sat down and took his catching-type and containing-type Pokeball. "Girana. I want to ask you something." He placed Girana on the table and plonked on a chair. 

"Gira?"

Tickling its face, Archer paused for a moment before he spoke. "Do you want to be my partner? You know, me as your master?"

"Giragi!"

"How about this, if you understand me and agrees to what I am saying, fly to the left. Okay?"

Girana soared up and flew to its left, then back to its position. Satisfied, Archer said with praise, "Very good Girana. Now, I asked you do you want to be my Pokemon?"

"GIRAGI!" Girana screamed as it went the left hurriedly. "Giragi! Giragi!"

Archer guffawed as he saw Girana's positive feedback, and he gave a firm thumbs-up sign. "If that's the case then listen to this. I'll throw a Pokeball at you. Do not reject the Pokessence that will enter your mind. Get it."

"GIRAGI! GIRAGI! GIRAGI!" Girana did the agreeing sign and landed back on the desk.

"Okay, here it goes."

Archer felt a tingling sensation as he pressed the knob on the catching Pokeball. He knew something inside him was absorbed as he observed his body somewhat got tired. He then threw it at Girana, now enveloped inside a dazzling light. After a few seconds, that same light was sucked up by the Pokeball, and Girana could be seen no more. The Pokeball moved once, twice, then three times. 

"FUCKING YES!" Archer bellowed as he gave himself a victory applause. He then went closer to the table and hit the Pokeball with the Ghost-type he was grasping in his hands. A cold sensation filled him as the beam of light he saw earlier transferred to the Pokeball he was holding. Then, the weird feeling left and everything was silent.

Was it successful?

Extending his arms, he shouted, "Girana, come out."

A flash of laser-like beam came out of the Pokeball, and Girana materialized.

Archer was about to hug his Pokemon when a childish voice spoke in his mind.

...Archer...Master?... 

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NEXT CHAPTER: THE FIRST TRAINING