Tengou's Canon

[Tengou]

This is the first installment of Tengou's journey in Tatsu. Just so there is no confusion this is not an RP board but comments/criticisms are welcome. I will be posting any further chapters like this as well.

[Tengou]

Tatsu Day One

Tengou held his hand out against the bright light suddenly coming at his eyes. After being inside a cruise ship for a couple days the outside world seemed so foreign. The salty smell of a sea port invaded his senses and all at once the noise fell in around him. He could hear people talking, cranes moving cargo on and off ships, birds in the air hoping to catch a meal, and in the distance there was the sound of the city with cars and sirens and all manner of ruckus. Tengou inhaled deeply and dramatically took a large step off the ship’s boarding ramp onto the Centria pier. This was the first step in what Tengou was sure was a long journey.

His first footsteps on the old wooden dock seemed oddly stable. There was no swaying with the ocean or bobbing on the waves. Tengou was hunched over watching his wobbly sea legs carefully, attempting to make them walk straight when out of nowhere a man in an expensive looking suit suddenly formed out of the crowd. Tengou had just enough time to look up before making a head on collision with the business man.

Tengou stumbled back slightly, “Oh sorry. I didn’t…” The man had already walked past him mumbling something about time. At Tengou’s side there was course squawk.

“I know Spearow, I wonder if everyone in Centria is this friendly too.” Tengou stood watching the man’s back as he cut a path down the pier toward a boat. “Well let’s not waste any time Spearow. We need to get our bearings so our first stop should be the Pokemon Center.” He held his hand down to the little bird which rapidly climbed up his arm, hoped off his shoulder, and nestled himself on Tengou’s head. “Alright, now I just need to find out how to get there.”

Tengou looked around him at all the people. He wasn’t sure who would be most likely to actually stop. If he learned one thing while running errands for his father it was that you need to pick your targets carefully because some people just will not talk to you. He tried asking an old woman who wandered across his path but she looked the other way as if she couldn’t hear him. Tengou watched her unsure if she was actually def or just pretending. He also tried asking a teenager but the kid refused to remove his earphones long enough to even hear Tengou’s question so he moved on. Just then a man in jeans and a white shirt came up to Tengou.

“Please sir, I only need to ask you for directions… Or you could walk away from me, that works too I guess.” Tengou breathed in heavily and let it all out at once as he let his head sink to his chest. No one would stop long enough for him to get a question out.

“I know where the Pokemon Center is.”

Tengou looked up to see a little girl in a yellow flower dress standing right in front of him. “You do? Really?” Tengou squinted at her for a moment. “Could you help me out and point me in the right direction?”

The little girl smiled and shook her head up and down. “Mmhmm, It’s that way. Mama knows how far so I just follow her.” The little girl blushed and stretched her arms behind her back.

Tengou looked over his shoulder in the direction she had pointed. It was right into the heart of the massive hive of buildings that he had spotted from the pier. “Thank you, err, little girl.” Tengou gave her a nod and smiling took her little hand and shook it. He turned round about on his heel and started marching towards the metropolis when the little girl stated giggling. He surprised himself when he stopped and turned back to her to see what she was laughing at. He found her covering her mouth with her tiny hands but she couldn’t hide the wide smile that was growing underneath them.

“You have a funny bird mister.”

“Huh?” Tengou plucked Spearow off his head. The bird was staring the little girl down with one eye while he kept the other one squinted for focus. “Easy Spearow what’s a little one like her going to do?” Spearow’s only response was to break eye contact with the girl momentarily to glare at Tengou and then go right back to staring. “You know, I bet it’s you that makes it so hard to get people to talk to me.” He re-placed the Pokemon on his head and started off towards the cluster of towers and domes that was downtown Centria.

“You think they would have signs or something. It’s not very trainer friendly for being the capital city of a Pokemon League.” Tengou strolled down the sidewalk with his hands clasped behind his head. Spearow let out a low, drawn out growl. “No we aren’t lost and yes I still think it was a good idea to take directions from that little girl. She was the only one who would talk to us.”

While it was annoying that he couldn’t find the Pokemon Center he was enjoying watching the city go by as he walked. Spearow gave an agreeing coo from Tengou’s head. “Well I wanted to find this place on my own but it seems this city has bested me. Spearow I think we need to ask someone where to go again.”

Tengou eyed people walking by, sizing them up to see who would be most likely to talk to him. He wondered down the street half hoping someone would notice his dire need for directions and stop to offer him help. He was about to give up when he saw a woman carrying a baby on her shoulder approaching.

“Perfect! Women with babies are always nice! I’ll ask her Spearow!” Tengou took a half step towards her so that he, or Spearow, wouldn’t scare the woman. “Excuse me, miss? Would you be able to point me in the direction of the Pokemon Center? I seem to have gotten lost.” Spearow cooed amusedly to himself.

The kind looking woman smiled and bounced her baby. “Another one eh? There has been an increase in new trainers in this city lately. I think that’s why everyone is on edge.” She smiled again. “The Center is just down that way. You were headed in the right direction, just turn left about three blocks from here when you see the Pokemon Gym. They built them close together on purpose so trainers wouldn’t have far to go.”

“A Pokemon Gym?!”

“Why, yes. Any trainer who wants to challenge the Tatsu League needs the badge from this city.”

Tengou pulled Spearow off his head and stared wide eyed at him “Did you hear that Spearow? Wouldn’t that be awesome if we could get our first gym badge the first day we’re here? We would be able to tell mum and dad that we’ve already made progress!” Instead of putting Spearow back on top of his head Tengou tucked him under his arm so he could run. “Thank you so much miss!”

“Wait, if it’s your…”Before the woman could reply Tengou dashed off. Smiling to herself she watched him run down the street, shaking her head, and bouncing her child.

Tengou rounded a corner to find a gigantic building next to an even taller tower. The tower had a huge sign that said “GYM” above the door. Excitedly Tengou dashed towards the door of the gym as fast as he could. As he was about to go through the double doors a huge man stood in his path.

“Excuse me but I need to get through there I’m going to challenge the gym leader.”

“Oh I’ll let ya ‘frew alright. Just le’ me see your other gym badges.” The man waited expectantly.

“But I don’t have any. This one was going to be my first.”

The man threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Was it now?” He seemed highly amused “Well I says it can’t. You’re not allowed to challenge the leader ‘ere unless you have at least seven other badges first.” He folded his arms and smirked at Tengou.

“What!? I don’t believe you. No other League has that rule. Now let me through or I’ll tell the leader that you’re standing out here harassing his challengers.”

The man roared with laughter again. “Spiny one ‘aint ya? Now beat it before I lose my temper.” He said the last part in a half growl.

“You need to learn some manners!” Tengou reached behind him and plucked one of the Poke-Balls off his backpack. “If I can beat you then you have no right to keep me out of this gym!”

The man smiled darkly. “Alright then. Let’s see what you’re made of.” He reached inside his belt and pulled out a shrunken Poke-Ball. Tapping the button on the front of the ball, it grew larger in his hand and he tossed to ball nonchalantly into the air. When it hit the ground in front of the gym a huge stone Pokemon came out. The ball bounced back to the dark man’s hand.

“Rhyhorn ‘ere hasn’t been able to battle for a while. Maybe you can ‘elp him stretch his legs.” He started to laugh again while bearing his teeth at Tengou.

“I’ve seen those around Kanto and they didn’t seem so tough. Alright Spearow let’s go!” Tengou made a show of pointing with his Poke-Ball even though Spearow was already right beside him. Spearow flapped its wings a little then rose into the air above Rhyhorn. At the sight of Spearow hovering above his Pokemon the man threw his head back again and exploded into more laughing. This time he couldn’t stop and held his stomach with both hands. Tengou drew down his brows “Quick Spearow use Fury attack!”

Spearow dove down through the air straight at Rhyhorn. He hit the stone beast head first and quickly started pecking and scratching wildly at the Pokemon’s head. The Rhyhorn made no move to stop Spearow, only moving his head from side to side watching as the bird danced around his face. The guard erupted into renewed laughter stomping his foot this time and leaning on his other knee.

“Maybe we can psyche him out Spearow! Use Growl!” Spearow landed in front of the stone tank and let out a throaty growl. This caught the Rhyhorn’s attention and he stared down at Spearow past the horn on his nose.

“Enough of this! I’ve got bet’er things to do. Rhyhorn, destroy him with Stone Edge!” With this the guard’s Rhyhorn broke into a dead run at Spearow. Spearow fluttered his wings but before he had enough time to get off the ground the Rhyhorn struck him with his horn with amazing force. Spearow sailed through the air and landed at Tengou’s feet. His Pokemon lay on its side not moving, with one wing draped over his body.

“Alright ‘ome on then, throw us your next Pokemon.” The man stood waiting.

“I don’t have any. Spearow is good enough for me!”

“You were gonna challenge this gym with only one Pokemon?!” The man started laughing yet again, this time his face started turning red. He staggered over to the wall of the gym and started pounding on it in laughter. Without stopping or turning around he reached behind him and pointed his Poke-Ball at Rhyhorn. With a deep moan the Pokemon returned to the trainer in a beam of read light. After a moment the guard wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. “Alright kid I’ve ‘ad my fun, now scram!”

Tengou who was kneeling over his injured Spearow glared angrily at the man. He clenched his fists until they went white and started to take off toward the guard swinging his fists. Before he could take a second step however, someone grabbed him under his arms from behind.

“You’ve made enough of a fool of yourself for today.” Despite what he said the man holding Tengou back had a soothing voice.

Tengou spoke in a half whisper so only his captor could hear him. “I can’t let him get away with doing this to Spearow.”

The man responded in kind, “No you can’t but there’s nothing else you can do right now.”

The guard watched the two people in front of him with his fists on his hips. He didn’t seem worried in the least.

“Come on then, what’s it going to be?”

“Even if you beat me you can’t go on just making up rules like that!”

“Calm down man, our ‘friend’ here is right you can’t challenge this gym.” Tengou looked back to see the man give the guard a very sharp look. “Now lets get you and your Spearow to the Pokemon Center, it’s not far.”

He let go of Tengou and after Tengou picked up Spearow the man turned him by the shoulders towards the Center. Tengou looked down at the Pokemon in his arms through watery eyes. The small bird had its eyes closed and all his feathers were ruffled and dishevelled. He wasn’t sure if Spearow was sleeping or just extremely tired. The injustice of what was happening crushed Tengou “You did good buddy. We will work on our battle strategies and get better together ok? It’s not your fault we lost.”

“You seem to care a great deal about your Pokemon. That’s good. I’ve seen some trainers treat their Pokemon in very disgusting ways.” Tengou looked up at the man walking beside him. It was the first time he actually noticed what he looked like. He had black curly hair that shined a little in the sun, and the glasses on his nose matched his hair as they were thick and black rimmed. He was just a little taller than Tengou and his skin was very tanned. He wore a simple grey plaid, long sleeve shirt and black jeans. He smiled at Tengou. “I used to live in Noire City but I couldn’t handle it so I got out.”

“I’m not sure where that is but if it has bigger jerks there than here I don’t want to go there.”

He laughed. “The people here aren’t bad. You have just had the misfortune of running into some of our more vocal residents.” His expression grew serious. “A lot of people are uneasy about the number of Pokemon trainers that have been coming here from other regions. We’ve had some bad luck with gangs and such so I’m sure you can understand.” He held out his hand ushering Tengou through a set of red sliding doors, which to Tengou’s surprise was the Pokemon Center already. “My name is Darshan Amare by the way.”

Tengou took Darshan’s out stretched hand meant to move him along and shook it. I’m Tengou, it’s good meeting someone normal out here.” Darshan laughed and followed Tengou into the Pokemon hospital.

After Tengou had checked in he waited in the sitting area looking around at the other trainers. There was a short kid on the floor hunched over his Sandslash who was holding its bandaged-up left claw. The Pokemon was cradling it so Tengou figured he had injured it in a battle somehow. A girl on the other side of the room held a Psyduck in her lap while it held its head. Tengou overheard the girl saying that its headache was “worse that normal”. After a while of watching the other Pokemon in the Center Tengou noticed that Darshan came back and sat down beside him. “How’s our little friend doing?”

Tengou shrugged “I don’t know they haven’t said anything to me yet.”

“Don’t worry Tengou, Pokemon are built for this kind of thing and the Pokemon facilities here are really well equipped so there shouldn’t be any problems. Here I got you something to cheer you up.” Darshan reached into his pocket and pulled out a large folded piece of paper. “I figured since you said you didn’t know where Noire was that you weren’t from around here so I bought you a map. Hopefully it helps.” He handed the map to Tengou and wiped his palms on his jeans.

Tengou unfolded the map and looked at all the colours, not really seeing the land marks or names of places. “Thank you. How much do I owe you for it?”

Darshan held up his hands to Tengou “Nothing friend it only cost me 10 P. Besides you look like you could use all the help you can get.” He smiled and chuckled a little, amused at his own humour. “Do you mind telling me what you were doing back there any ways? I mean challenging a gym is tough enough but doing it with only one Pokemon? Either that Spearow can really pack a punch or you aren’t quite sure what you’re doing.”

Tengou grimaced “No… you’re right…to be honest that was my third battle ever. I just got here from Kanto and thought it would be neat to get a badge on my first day here. I guess I just don’t know what I’m doing.” Tengou’s head sunk down to his chest again.

Darshan watched him for a little while and then reached over and took the map from Tengou. He opened it up and studied it for a moment. “Tengou how much practice do you have exactly with catching Pokemon?”

Tengou looked over at his new friend and cocked his head to one side “None. My Spearow was given to me as a present to start my League challenge.”

“Hmm, you really are green aren’t you? Well, here why don’t you start here?” He pointed at a spot near the center of the map. “This is Breezetop City. The gym here specializes in flying-type Pokemon. It may not exactly give you an advantage but your Spearow may be able to fight better there than in a standard gym. More importantly though is this route here.” He slid his finger back and forth along a line connecting Centria and Breezetop. “This is Breeze Valley and it is the quickest way to get to Breezetop. It has wide open spaces and a variety of Pokemon there. I would suggest you follow Breeze Valley and while you’re there train Spearow as much as you can. You should also catch another Pokemon because the gym leaders are sure to have more than just one Pokemon with them.”

Tengou crossed his legs in his chair before he took the map back from Darshan and studied it, resting his head on his fist which balanced on his knee. Tengou turned to ask Darshan a question but before he could say anything a woman in a nurse uniform came out from behind a shiny metal door.

“Pokemon trainer Tengou?”

Tengou jumped up and ran up to the nurse stopping dead in front of her. She jumped a little, startled by his sudden enthusiasm but held out a tray which held one lone Poke-Ball. Tengou picked it up and stared at it in his hand as the nurse walked away from him. Tengou was pulled out of his thoughts when felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Well Tengou I’m afraid I have to leave you now. I’m late for work and my boss’s mercy can only stretch so far. Why don’t we trade numbers and the next time you’re in Centria we can get together?”

Tengou turned to Darshan after putting the Poke-Ball containing Spearow in his backpack “I don’t have a Pokegear yet but I intend on getting one. If you give me your number now, I can give you mine when I get one.”

Darshan held out a shred of paper to Tengou who took it and stuffed it in his pocket. “I work from ten to six every day so I might not respond well at those times. Any time after that is good though.”

“Thanks. And thank you Darshan for the help today. I’m not normally like that I just got fed up with that guy.”

“Don’t worry, I believe it. Good bye Tengou.” Darshan stuffed his hands in his pockets and sauntered out the door into the street.

Tengou picked up his yellow backpack and started for the door as well. Once outside he reached over his head into his backpack and retrieved Spearow’s Poke-Ball. With a pop the ball came open and Spearow immerged diving into the sky. Tengou watched as his Pokemon ascended and did three triumphant circles in the sky before returning to roost on Tengou’s head. “Good job buddy. For now we are headed to Breezetop City where we can get you some experience battling. We are also going to see what we can do about getting you a friend.”

With that Tengou set off on the route out of the city that was still imprinted on his mind and waded out into the open countryside. Eventually the noise of the city died down and the air itself became much fresher. The country side reminded Tengou of the missions he went on for his father. The air back in Vermilion was also fresh being away from any big cities and being so close to the ocean. Slowly the flat land of the city gave way to rolling hills and meadows. The longer he walked the larger the hills became until it was very clear that Tengou was standing in a valley. He looked down into the yawning space and saw a highway with little tiny cars going back and forth. From this distance it was impossible to hear the traffic though. He decided that he was tired of city noise and wondered instead off the path into the hills of the valley. Just as he settled into a slow relaxing march Spearow cried from over head. Tengou looked up to see Spearow dive bombing down back to his location. Just before he crashed into his trainer Spearow flapped its wings steadying himself and hovered right in front of Tengou’s face.

“What is it Spearow? Did you see a trainer? A Pokemon?”

Spearow flapped once and stretched out its wings as far as it could, “Speeeaarow!”

“A Pokemon? Well let’s go investigate.”

Tengou ran after Spearow who led the way over hills and through the bushes that sparsely inhabited the valley. Tengou could feel his heart pumping rapidly in his chest. This was going to be his first wild Pokemon battle. He wasn’t sure what to expect and he froze momentarily when he saw Spearow circling around a thick bush. Spearow was more hyped up than Tengou had ever seen him. He realised it was because the Pokemon wanted to make up for the loss of the previous battle and was now ready for whatever the Pokemon in that bush was going to throw at him.

Tengou took a deep breath and took command of himself “Alright Spearow use Fury Attack on that bush to flush whatever it is out!”

His Spearow immediately began screaming and pulling at branches of the bush with his talons. After Spearow had shredded the bush a good deal a small grey Pokemon rolled out and stopped, looking dead into Tengou’s eyes. Tengou pulled in a steady breath as he remembered what he learned in the Jubilife Pokemon School. “Okay Spearow we have the advantage here just stay up high until I give you an attack order.”

Spearow screamed both his confirmation and his excitement “SPEEEAAR!”

“Alright Spearow fly in and use Pursuit!”

Spearow dove down at the Pokemon as fast as its wings would take it. The wild Pokemon broke eye contact with Tengou and instead turned on his attacker letting out a defiant cry at Spearow.

“PHANPY!”