Chapter Four

Yoshiko and Tao walked into the Trainer's School.  There was a table with some younger kids writing reports in notebooks.  Others were typing on the computer, and a boy and a girl were battling in the corner.

Yoshiko noticed Ryan reading the chalkboard with an Ace Trainer to his left spraying her Psyduck with an Antidote, explaining to Ryan how it worked.

Yoshiko and Tao walked up to him.  Ryan turned around.  "Finally your here, Yoshi-Chan!  Dang you're slow!  Who's your friend?"

Tao smiled brightly.  "My name's Tao."

"Cool.  I was just memorizing some stuff on the blackboard.  Did you know Pokemon can get frozen?!  It's so wierd!  Even Fire types can get frozen!  I don't get that..."  He reached into his bag. "Anyways, Yoshiko.  I got something for you."  He pulled out a map.  "It's a map.  Tells you where the gyms are too.  There's a gym here in Oreburgh.  I think the guy there is a-"

The T.V flashed on.  "Word just in.  Cynthia has returned from the Distorsion World.  Safe and Sound.  This world has been spared a disaster, thanks to our Champion!  No word on Team Galactic yet.  Nothing about their leader, either.  That's the news for now.  This preceeding program has been brought to you by Jubilife T.V."

Yoshiko stared at the screen.  "What was that about?"

Ryan stared at Yoshiko.  "You didn't know what was goin' on?!"

The Ace Trainer spoke up.  "Team Galactic was stealing people's Pokemon.  Apparently to make a new universe, or whatever.  Thankfully, our renowned Champion, Cynthia, stopped Team Galactic.  Her and their leader were taken into the Distorsion World.  That is the world that keeps this world in balance.  Giratina brought them there, and sent Cynthia back home."

"What about Cyrus?"  Tao asked.

Yoshiko shot a glance at Tao.

The Ace Trainer shrugged.  "I could care less about what happened to the emotionless loser."

Yoshiko shook her head.  "Wait wait!  You said his name was...Cyrus...?"

"Yeah, why?"

Yoshiko put her face in her hands.  "Uhm...I need to think..."  She ran outside back to Route 202.  She sat down, her face still in her hands.  Ryan came out and sat by her.  "Hey Yoshi-Chan.  You gonna be okay?"

Yoshiko shook her head.  "My dad...was Team Galactic's leader.  I mean, I knew he left us, but...Leaving us for something like that?  How could he?"

Ryan hugged her.  "I'm sorry...I knew about Team Galactic, and I thought you knew.  But I never expected their leader to be Cyrus...  Hey.  Maybe it's a different guy?"

Yoshiko shook her head.  "I know it's the same guy."  She sighed, and stayed silent for a minute.  "I'm gonna call Mom."  She walked away from Ryan and leaned against a tree.  Bone still sat on her shoulders, looking sadly into Yoshiko's broken eyes.  She dialed her mom's number.

"Hello. You've reached the Murasaki's.  Who's this?"

"Hi, Mom."

"Oh!  Yoshiko!  How've you been?"

"Mom, why didn't you tell me about Dad?"

"...You saw that news report, didn't you?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm sorry, sweetie.  I couldn't bring myself to tell you."

"So he is-er...was, the leader of Team Galactic?"

"Yes...He decided that spirit was incomplete and was the cause of all the worlds strife."

"But...It's the desire of flesh to do what is wrong, and the spirit wants what is right."

"Exactly, but your father didn't see that."

"...I wish you had told me..."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry.  I couldn't force myself to tell you he left us."

"Dad and I both knew I knew he was leaving.  I overheard what happened that night, and when he left, he just looked at me, and walked away..."  Yoshiko tried not to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Yoshiko...Your father still loved you, you know."

"Yeah right.  If he loved me, he'd stay."

"...Part of me wants to believe he did it for you."

"He wanted to destroy the world to prove he loved me?"

"To make the world a better place for you."

"By destroying it?!  What's he thinking?!"

"Yoshiko..."

"If he wanted to prove he loved me, he shouldn't have left us!!!"

"...Your father always struggled to do what is right, and I think he truly believed that making a new world was best for you."

"What about everyone else?!  Ryan, Rowan, Pokemon!  And you!!!  He broke your heart!  And he acts like he doesn't even care!"

Mrs. Murasaki stayed quiet.

"...I gotta go Mom.  I enjoyed talking to you.  I love you."

"...I love you too."  She sounded like she was going to cry.

"Mom, don't cry.  I'm not mad at you.  I'll come visit you sometime, okay?"

"All right.  E-enjoy your adventure, sweetie.  Your mom's rootin' for ya'."

"See ya', Mom."

"Bye sweetie."

Yoshiko closed her Pokegear and shoved it in her pocket.  She went back over to Ryan.  "My mom says it's the same Cyrus.  Told ya'."

Ryan hugged her.  "Aw, man Yo!  I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault.  Let's go back to Tao."

"M'kay."  Ryan and Yoshiko walked back into the Trainer's School.

"Hey, I'm really sorry, Yoshiko."  Bone told her, hugging her head.

Yoshiko glanced at Ryan.  He apparently couldn't understand Pokemon either.  Why could she, though.  What was so special about her?

Tao smiled brightly at Yoshiko.  "Hey.  What was wrong?"

Yoshiko shook her head.  "Let's just go."

"Okay!"

Ryan, Yoshiko, and Tao walked through Jubilife City.  Yoshiko was trying not to cry, and Ryan had his arm around her sympathetically.

A Fisherman walked by them, and noticed Yoshiko's sad look.  "Hey, lassie.  You want a fighing rod?"

Yoshiko looked up at him.  "What?"

"A fishing rod.  You can catch Pokemon like Magikarp and Goldeen.  Don't worry.  They have something called the 'Splash Factor' that let's the breathe without being in water.  Though, they're stronger when in water.  Anyways, you want the rod or not?"

Yoshiko glanced at Tao, who slightly nodded.  Yoshiko looked back at the man.  "Sure, if it's all right with you."

"Of course!  I offered it to you!"  He handed her the rod.  "I hope you feel better, lassie."

Yoshiko nodded. 

"You two want one?  I have plenty."  he handed a fishing rod to Tao and Ryan.

"Thanks, sir."  Tao said, looking at the rod.

"Yeah, man!  This is awesome!"  Ryan had a huge grin on his face.

"You're welcome kiddies.  Have fun with your Pokemon, and be safe."  The Fisherman walked away from them towards Route 202.

"He was pretty nice!"  Yoshiko said cheerfully.

Bone smiled.  "I liked him."

Tao looked at Yoshiko.  "Hey, why did you run out of the Trainer's School like that?"

Yoshiko sighed.  "...Cyrus is...my dad."

Tao flinched.  "What?!"

Yoshiko nodded.  "Yup.  He left me and my mom, Tanya Murasaki.  I called my mom about it...and...she thinks I might've done it for me..."

Tao stared at Yoshiko.  "Really?  How would making a new world be good for anyone?"

"He thinks there would be no more suffering...But there would be plenty of that."

Tao closed his eyes.  "That's...strange."

Ryan smiled.  He looked a Yoshiko.  "Ya' know what'll make you feel better?  A Pokemon battle!"

Yoshiko smiled.  "You're on!  Let's do this Bone!"

Bone hopped of her shoulder.  "Right!"

Ryan reached in his bag and pulled out a Pokeball.  He pushed the button, and let Starly out.  "Let's show her how a master does it, Starly!"

"Right!"  Starly said.

Yoshiko glanced at Ryan.  He couldn't understand Starly either!  Why was that?  Why could she understand Pokemon.  Bone did say he'd tell her later...  She decided she would ask him when they were alone.

Yoshiko sighed.  "You ready?  Bone."  She whispered.  "Prepare Counter."

Bone nodded, and readied to counter an attack.

"Starly!"  Ryan yelled.  "Use Wing Attack!"

Starly's wing glowed, and she charged at Bone.  She slammed into Bone, but instead of hurting him, she hurt herself.

"WAH!"  Starly fell back, and struggled to get back up.

"Hey!"  Ryan yelled.  "What was THAT?!"

Tao smiled.  "Counter is a move that makes the foes Pysichal Attacks hurt the user instead of the foe."

"That's not cool!"

Yoshiko smiled.  "Bone!  Use Quick Attack."

"Got it, Yoshi!"

Bone charged at Starly and smashed into her.

"Owie!"  Starly shrieked.

"Okay, Bone!  Before Starly can recover.  Use Force Palm."

Bone charged up an aura-like power in his left paw, and punched Starly.

"Oogh..."  Starly collapsed to the groud, fainted.

Ryan stared at Yoshiko.  "I-I'm speechless..."

Tao had a huge grin on his face.  "That was amazing, Yoshiko!  I've never seen anyone battle that good!  Especially for their first time!"

Yoshiko blushed.  "I just...did...something."

Bone smiled, and climbed back on Yoshiko's shoulder.

Ryan picked up Starly.  "Listen here, Yoshiko.  I'm gonna be the greatest trainer in the world, and I won't let you stand in my way!  I'll become the Champion!  You'll see!  Hahaha!"  Ryan ran to a Pokemon Center to heal Starly.  He came back out a few seconds later with Starly perched on his head.  "You two!  I'm gonna get my Oreburgh Gym Badge!  First one to get it RULES!"  Ryan ran to Oreburgh City, now with Starly flying by his side.

Tao laughed.  "Ryan's so entergetic!  And you're calm.  It's kinda weird that you two are such good friends."

Tao's Pokegear rang.  He reached in his pocket and pulled it out.  "It's Professor Rowan.  He never calls unless it's an emergency." 

He opened his phone.  "Hello?  ......  No, I'm not near a T.V.  .......  What?  Wait...Cyrus?!"

"What's going on?!"  Yoshiko asked.

Tao held his hand up, silencing her.  "......Yeah, I know Giratina lives there......HE DID WHAT?!  ...  Sorry, Professor...  Are you sure?  That can't be right...  What? ......  It happened not to long after Cynthia left?  ...  Right after?  Are you sure?  ...  Hang on a second."  He put his hand over the phone's speaker.  "Is it okay if I tell him about your dad?"  he asked quietly.

Yoshiko sighed and looked at Bone.  He nodded.  "...Fine.  Go ahead."

Tao nodded.  "Yeah?  I'm back, Professor.  Uhm...About Yoshiko...Her dad is Cyrus.  .....  Yeah, I know.  It's a little shocking.  I think Mrs. Murasaki can explain his actions.  Or, a least what she thinks of them.  .....  Wait...  Do you believe that?  Would Giratina do that?  .....Do you think they'll get him outta there?  .....Okay, well, thanks for the news.  Bye."  Tao closed his phone.

"Well?"  Yoshiko asked impatiently.  "What is it?!"

"It isn't good.  Cyrus was left in the Distorsion World with Giratina."

"...Wh-what...?"  I don't know what to think of that...

"And, since Giratina stopped his plans of making a new universe, he got his revenge.  By killing Giratina."

"Dad-er...Cyrus killed Giratina?  How'd he do that?"

"I dunno.  But Professor Rowan says people have noticed a shadow gliding across the ground, but nothing is casting it.  He thinks it's Giratina, and people have been saying it's headed for here."

"Here?!"

"Yes.  And Rowan also said that Team Galactic are trying to get Cyrus outta the Distorsion World, then they'll go for their new universe again."

Bone looked to his right and saw a shadow flying at them.  "Guys!  Look!"  He pointed at the shadow.

Tao looked where Bone was pointing.  "Ah!"  He flinched.

Yoshiko stared at the shadow, and it dissappeared underneathe the three of them.  "Weird...It's gone now."  Yoshiko said.

"Really?"  Tao asked, looking at Yoshiko.  "That IS weird...Was it really Giratina?"

Yoshiko shrugged her shoulders.  "I dunno.  Do you know, Bone?"

"I didn't get a good look at it..."

"Hey, Yoshi...Why do you keep talking to him?"

"Cuz he's my friend!"  Yoshiko yelled.

"Whatever, crazy.  Let's head to Oreburgh City and get our Gym Badges."

"Okay!"

So Yoshiko, Tao, Bone, and Snorunt headed to Oreburgh to get their first gym badges.

 

Author's Note

In case you're wondering... a Pokegear is a kind of cellphone, like a blackberry or an ipod touch. It's the newest version. lol ^ ^