Tales of a Pokemon Master

Summoning of a Pokemon Master

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Chapter 2

Pokemon Master

Part 1 - First Contact

Well, I’m bored, Discord thought as he floated through a forest filled with curious creatures; none of them aggressive, thankfully, unlike the ones he had faced before. His inner nature begged him to transform some of the green or yellow cocoons into giant butterflies or make a few trees dance for his amusement, but he resisted the urge.

He had enemies to defeat, friends to protect and something to prove, and he wasn’t going to lose focus only ten minutes after arriving in this new world.

Okay, let’s use the ole noggin for a change. I need to find the smartest, most powerful, and most amazing creature this world has to offer, with only thousands of kilometers of earth to search and billions of monsters to choose from. Easy peasy. Discord’s thoughts were interrupted when a green bug fell onto his face, spraying him with some sort of white web before jumping away.

Unamused, he wiped it from his face and groaned, “Oh, screw it, I need a quick way to find someone. Think, think.” He summoned his thinking tree and perched himself on a branch, using more brainpower than usual. One minute and various thinking poses later, a light bulb appeared above Discord’s head and flashed brightly. “That’s it!” His eyes slitted halfway as he focused his chaotic sense in searching for the residual aura of the magical disturbance.

If Mr. Sombrero was summoning monsters from this world into his army, I’m sure a bookworm or two would be able to look into the disappearances. I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but please, let there be bookworms. He wasn’t disappointed, as his senses picked up on a concentration of magical energy. “Excellent! We have a winner, Mr Thinking Tree, now let us sally forth and find our target!” He jumped from his thinking tree and flew upward, hovering over the forest, his eyes staring towards the horizon. That’s odd, I can sense magic only from specific spots. Maybe magic doesn’t encompass the entire world here like it does in Equestria. He shrugged. “Whatever, let’s check it out. Maybe I’ll hit a jackpot.”

***

Much to Discord’s annoyance, he had failed to get to his target with one teleportation, as his chaotic magic was seemingly still weakened. After a bit of effort, he reappeared on a watchtower in what appeared to be some sort of large prison. Hmm... A prison on an island, interesting. Maybe I could grab a cop or two and bring them to Ponyville. He looked around, noticing the huge birds nearby. I better disguise myself for now.

After shapeshifting himself into a bird, he descended, flying from window to window. He began listening for any vital intel that could help him find his target. Rumors of disappearing prisoners from their cells, and the disappearance of creatures called pokemon that police confiscated from the inmates, seemed to be the main topic. To his annoyance, a few more birds started to follow him, repeating the word ‘Pidgey’ over and over. Oh well, at least the prisoners and guards speak our language. I just need to find one that uses complicated words, and boom! Job well done.

After a few minutes of fruitless searching, he flew up to get a better view. A massive building was filled with empty prison cells, while smaller ones were filled with guards and strange bits and bobs of blinking lights and machinery. The prison itself wasn’t just isolated from the city by water, but also by a massive stone fortification that reached seventy meters into the air. A small dock was located near the entrance, yet no ships were present there. Hmm... either those Clefairies yelled at me so loud that I’ll never be able to see straight again, or it’s ‘bring-your-twin’s-twin Tuesday’, because all those pokemon and cops look the same to me. What the heck is up with that? His attention focused on the police officers gathered on the roof of a large building, as if waiting for someone.

Curious, he vanished in mid air and reappeared on the roof, disguised as a spotlight. At least now those pesky birds will leave me alone. Now then... Let’s see if any of those cops is either an egghead or hero-material.

“Do we really have to wait for her? It’s not like a pokemon trainer can do a detective’s job any better,” said a creature in a bronze hat and coat, his tone slightly arrogant.

“You didn’t make any progress either, Detective Mirage. As for Master Astra, she may be young, but she’s faced more dangers and criminals than any of us.”

“But Prison Chief- I mean, Mr. John, how can you put so much faith in her considering how much she dislikes law enforcers? She shows no respect to us and takes action without permission,” Mirage said in annoyance. “She’s completely refused to cooperate with the police and detectives in the past.” He gestured over to the male officers, every one of them wearing a guard’s uniform and equipped with a stun gun and at least two white-red pokeballs. “She even called your subordinates incompetent that one time.”

A high-ranked officer, whose name on his ID card read ‘Rieker’, lowered his hat and joined the discussion. “It cannot be helped. Master Astra was betrayed by those despicable, corrupt law enforcers in the past. Not to mention that many of the dangerous criminals she caught were released because of some shady connections and conspicuous circumstances.” He raised his head and tightened his fist. “I’ve been in charge of this prison’s security for years now, and more than half of the inmates here were captured by Master Astra more than once. It’s pretty obvious to me why she may distrust us and use her position to act as a vigilante behind the police’s back, besides that I vastly respect her for what she’s doing.”

Mirage rolled his eyes. “To think that a Pokemon Master and even the Elite Four of each region would have such high political power to act above the law...” He shook his head. “No matter. All those criminals she caught vanished without a trace. She’ll just be wasting her time and ours by coming here.” He turned around and walked towards the stairs before entering the building.

Officer Frankie looked over to his side and whispered as discreetly as he could to Officer Jenny, "Psst, hey Jenny... what was all that about?”

Jenny leaned her head closer to Frankie before replying, "Didn't you hear about the guardians’ incident?" He looked upon her quizzically. “The Guardian organization was responsible for dealing with those who would abuse a pokemon’s power for crime in all regions. After they went rogue and were arrested, crime started rising everywhere. Many experienced pokemon trainers were robbed of their pokemon and the police couldn’t do much to help them.”

“And what does that have to do with Master Astra?” Frankie asked curiously.

Jenny decided to make some distance from the group and gestured for Frankie to follow her. Once they were a few steps apart, she whispered, “Astra’s father was leading that Guardian organization, while her mother was one of the most revered members. There’s a rumour amongst the police forces that both of them were killed and betrayed by their subordinates. Some even say that Astra’s motivation to hunt criminals was to continue her parents’ work.”

Frankie rubbed his chin. “I see. That would explain why she went after the most elite criminals, putting her life in grave danger so many times. No organization can be that competent if all they have are rookies.”

“Exactly.”

Frankie tilted his head to the side and looked at Officer Jenny questionably. “But why does she distrust law enforcers so much, then?”

“That’s actually the odd part. While fighting crime and protecting pokemon trainers, Master Astra was also trying to gather evidence to prove the innocence of many Guardian’s members. The top brass from the police didn’t like it and went against her investigation. They have been at each other’s throats ever since.”

“WHAT!?” Frankie shouted, only for Jenny to slap her hand onto his mouth.

“Be quiet, you nitwit,” replied Officer Jenny in a harsh whisper. “I don't want us to be caught talking about things we shouldn’t be.”

Frankie complied, lowering his voice into a whisper. “But didn’t you say members of that organization killed her parents? She must really believe in their innocence if she’s doing all that.”

“You didn’t hear it from me,” Officer Jenny whispered back, moving her mouth closer to the other guard’s ear and covering it with her hand. “If the Guardian organization never betrayed them, it means some members of the government and police caused a large scale incident. Either the Pokemon Master is wrong, or the top brass wants to cover up their corruption.”

Frankie crouched and started to rub the roof with his finger, drawing a sad face on the dust. “And there goes my chance to ask for an autograph...”

Interesting, Discord thought, no longer bored but excited. Someone powerful with a strong sense of justice and a tragic past. Now that’s the hero we need! Hopefully she isn’t all bronze and no brains.

“Here she comes,” Officer Jenny said, pointing towards the sky.

Discord moved slightly to look up. He spotted two figures holding the leg of an orange dragon, releasing it and falling towards the roof a moment later. One of them was taller than the other. Please don’t be stupid, please don’t be a show-off like Rainbow Dash, he thought, hoping that his chosen candidate would have both muscle and brain.

The smaller creature landed on its very long tail gracefully and caught the taller one with its paws, its tail keeping them both above the roof despite the weight pressing against it.

“Thank you, Nica,” Astra said with a grateful smile as she jumped from her partner’s hold onto the roof, standing tall on her two legs. Her voice was clearly young and female. She wore green long shoes, durable and rugged, a short blue skirt and a white-blue suit. Most of her legs, hands and neck were exposed, while her long orange hair waved freely in the wind. A green purse was attached to her blue belt alongside six black balls in red and golden stripes.

“Raichu, Rai, Rai,” the smaller creature responded with a nod and a cheerful smile. Its voice was also distinctly feminine. Her fur was orange, with a fluffy white belly and two bronze stripes on her back. Splotches of bronze fur were also present at the edges of her legs and paws. Her tail bared a close resemblance to a yellow lighting bolt attached to a long whip. She had two long bronze-yellow ears and yellow spots on her cheeks.

Astra looked up and waved at the dragon. “Thank you for the ride, Lance. I appreciate it.” Her partner waved as well.

The red-haired rider in a cape beamed a smile at Astra and saluted before flying away.

“Master Astra, Master Raichu,” greeted Mr. John, Rieker by his side. Prison guards and police officers kept their distance as they secured the perimeter. He half-bowed in respect and added, “It is always an honor.”

Astra placed her hands on her hips and looked back in disappointment. “I wished I could say the same, but the rumors on how prisoners -some of which pose a large threat to all the talented trainers in the world- have escaped from under your very nose makes it difficult for me.” Despite their size and age difference, Astra’s posture and voice displayed both authority and maturity. She glanced at the nearby guards before asking, “Are the Pokemon we confiscated still locked up securely in the maximum security vault? Or have they vanished as well?”

Both the Prison Chief and his Chief of Security looked to the side and refused to speak.

Astra sighed. “As a Pokemon Master, I am privileged to assist in an investigation as long as the well-being of pokemon is threatened. I expect your full cooperation and permission to visit any or all secured areas. Any objections?”

“N-no, of course not,” said Rieker nervously, pointing to the stairs leading inside. “We don’t wish to challenge your authority.”

Discord observed the spectacle with full interest. So those critters are called pokemon, and a Pokemon Master must be a big deal here. That Astra seems to be very young, yet grown ups respect her as if she were a princess. It seems like she's worth a shot. His vision was obscured as Raichu approached him and started poking and sniffing. What’s wrong with this large rat? I’m not a ball to be played with.

“Raichu! Raichu!” she shouted, catching everyone’s attention.

Astra stopped in her tracks and turned around. “What is it, Nica? Did you find something?” She started walking towards her partner, who kept pointing at the disguised Discord while repeating her name.

“It’s just a spotlight,” said Officer Jenny. At least three identical female cops were staring at Raichu curiously.

“Spotlight or not, Nica seems to be pretty wary of it.” Astra bypassed her Raichu and walked over to the spotlight.

Tiny drops of sweat started appearing on Discord’s disguise. Does the rat know? But how? I’m disguised as a spotlight, for crying out loud!

Astra crouched and opened her purse, taking out notepad and pen. Snatching it out of her hand, Nica scribbled a reply hastily before giving it back. “Raichu!”

After reading the notepad, Astra looked at the spotlight suspiciously. “Are you trying to say that this object is alive?”

“Rai, Rai,” Nica confirmed, nodding.

Astra poked the spotlight and spoke, “Whoever you are, reveal yourself this instant.”

They saw through my disguise, I’m impressed. Now's my chance to make a good first impression!

“Nica, maybe an Iron Tail will motivate this stalker to come out of hiding,” Astra suggested, winking at her little companion.

Raichu winked back and her tail started flashing brightly. “Raichu!” With one quick swing of her tail, she pierced through the roof, leaving a hole in it.

“Attack this spotlight in three, two, one…”

“Uncle, I call uncle!” Discord shouted, dropping his disguise and falling onto the roof. Despite being the Spirit of Chaos, his last encounter with pokemon had taught him not to underestimate them.

“D-did that pokemon just speak?” asked a dumbfounded Officer Jenny.

“He did talk!” shrieked another one. “What kind of pokemon are you?”

“Forget about speaking, it transformed from a spotlight!” spoke a prison guard.

“It doesn’t look like a Ditto, I don’t think transformation works that way.”

Prison guards and female cops took a few cautious steps back in shock before throwing their pokeballs, summoning pokemon in a red flash. Three fire-breathing dogs and three large spiders surrounded Discord and started to form a defensive perimeter around him, preventing him from fleeing.

“It seems we have a spy,” Rieker spoke in anger, pointing at the draconequus accusingly. “If you’re responsible for the recent disappearances in any way, shape or form, we’ll get the truth out of you!”

“Easy there... Don’t jump the gun,” Discord said as he stood up and stretched himself, towering over the two-legged creatures. It came as a surprise they were only slightly taller than mares standing on rear hooves, yet a bit thinner and with smaller heads. It seems I overestimated their size while disguised. I wonder if asking them how’s the weather down there would chill them out.

Astra stood up and took out some sort of device out of her green purse. “No data found.” She looked on confused at the creature before putting her device back in her purse, and when she spoke, she did so calmly, “You can talk, witch is pretty rare for pokemon, and there’s no data about you. Are you an undiscovered legendary pokemon?” she asked. Her partner stood protectively in front of her.

“What are you talking about? I’m not a pokemon, nor do I know what they are.” Discord snapped his claw and a military uniform appeared on him, from black heavy boots to green helmet. “I’ll be brief: I come from another world.” He summoned a blackboard showing two planets and an arrow between them. “An evil villain from my world is summoning those… how do you call them? Pokemon. He summons and brainwashes them into joining him. I came here to find an egghead who can help us solve this problem.” A pointer appeared in his claw as he leveled it at Astra. “You seem smart. We could certainly use your help.”

“You… cannot be serious,” Rieker said in disbelief. “Another world, summoning? I don’t know who or what you are, but we’re not going to fall for your tricks!”

Discord examined everyone's faces. Guards, cops and ranking officers stared at him either with distrust or disbelief, but the Pokemon Master showed hints of curiosity. His attention focused on the yellowish-orange rat, who approached him and looked up. Two black eyes stared at him as if judging his very soul. “What? Do I have something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Seeing as the large rat kept staring at him without any response, Discord raised his head and spoke, “I know it may sound crazy, but I’m speaking the truth.” He held claw on his chest and displayed his puppy dog eyes.“Please, believe me.”

Nica turned around and nodded. “Raichu!”

Astra smiled and spoke in a calm tone, “Since my partner is trusting you, so will I. And I have to admit, being able to speak without telepathy is quite unique for a pokemon.” She placed her hands on her hips, shifting uncomfortably. “However... if you can travel between worlds, care to show some proof?”

Discord blinked in surprise. That went surprisingly well. Maybe I can convince her to help us without taking her by force… Although now that I think about it, that would probably end up poorly. He cleared his throat and half-bowed. “Your wish is my command.” With a swift move of his claw, he hit the air in an attempt to open a portal to Equestria. After a failed attempt, he smiled awkwardly and tried again, this time successfully.

The law enforcers and their pokemon gasped, staring at the portal in disbelief. The scenery inside the portal looked like a thriving city, with a statue of a large pony holding a torch in the background. A few buildings, though, had either collapsed to the ground or displayed an unsettling amount of holes and cracks.

"Looks like your dear Pokemon had quite the party over there," Discord pointed out with a smug smile, and looked at Astra expectantly. “So, was this demonstration good enough for you?”

“Not really the weirdest phenomenon I’ve witnessed... but certainly something,” Astra said, hurriedly hiding any signs of shock. “I think I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Raichu kept staring at Discord, judging his every action.

“Not impressed?” Discord asked, suddenly feeling as if his pride had been stepped on. “Trust me, I could unleash chaos beyond comprehension without even trying.” He looked to the side and frowned. “Also, can you pleeease tell your little rat to stop staring at me? It’s creepy.”

“Rai, Rai,” Nica said as she rubbed the back of her head, blushing.

Discord massaged his forehead. “Listen, I eavesdropped on you earlier. We both have a problem caused by the same enemy, and I came here to find backup, so are you in or out?”

Astra crouched and looked at Raichu for a few seconds, who approached and stared back at her. “What do you think, Nica? Should we risk it and take his offer?”

“You cannot be serious,” interjected Mr. John, who had remained silent during the whole conversation and was now incredulously staring at Discord. “Are you saying all those criminals were summoned to another world? Give me a break.” He looked at the Pokemon Master and her Raichu before asking, “Please tell me you don’t believe in this nonsense, Master Astra?”

“Stand down,” Astra said, glowering at him. “He’s presented us with proof and given us a chance to fix this mess. Near a hundred prisoners and hundreds of pokemon don’t just vanish without a trace.”

Discord interrupted as he summoned a life-sized plushie of Fluttershy, which was now standing next to his left leg. “Just think of all the poor ponies who will end up enslaved without help.” He held his claws together and once again displayed a puppy stare. “Please, please, pleeease...”

“Ponies?” Astra raised an eyebrow and took a closer look at the presented plushie. “It looks similar to Ponyta, but it's as big as Rapidash… though Rapidash does have a horn instead of wings. Are you trying to tell me that you're representing ponies?”

“You could say that,” Discord responded.

Raichu looked at the plushie and gifted Discord with a hard piercing stare. After a few seconds, she turned to her partner. “Raichu.”

Astra looked down at her partner. “Are you saying we can trust him?” The moment Nica nodded and smiled warmly, she smirked. “It seems the adventure we've been after for so long awaits us.”