TheoLeung@Sprint.ca

"Nil? Interesting name," he told me. I nodded, wondering how the doctors would come up with such a name. Nil…means…nothing? No memory? I can’t remember anything…only the beach…that was it…

"My name is Styx," the male Pikachu told me, raising his hand. I took it, and we shook hands.

"Nice to meet you Styx," I told him, smiling. He was…somehow familiar…in a way I can’t describe…like…we knew each other so long ago…

A forest? White coats…cages…screams…

I clutched my head, the thoughts hurting. They were painful…HELP!

"Hey, are you okay?!" Styx quickly asked, taking my hand with his own. That touch…so caring…

"I’m…okay…" I lied. I didn’t want to tell anyone about these disturbing thoughts. I would have to decipher them later, when I get more of the pieces of the puzzle…more memories…to link up.

I know I’m amnesiac. I didn’t remember anything beyond when I woke up on that beach…it felt so long…something happened before…but I can’t tell…a battle? It was hard to grasp…everything is so blurry…

"Um…do you want a tour of the place?" Styx asked. I guess it wouldn’t really matter what I respond with, I’m probably going to need to know the place anyway. I nodded. The faster I familiarize myself with the surroundings, the better. He leaped down from the table, then glanced back up. "Do you need help down?" he asked. I shook my head, also jumping down. It stung a little when I touched down, but nothing too bad.

"When ever you’re ready," I told him casually, possibly a little to casual. Being unable to remember anything and in and unfamiliar environment is more then a good reason to be cautious, but for now, I have nothing to gain from not following my guide around.

* * * * * *

I have to admit, he was very nice. Styx gave me a thorough tour of the T.R.S. Sciteneg. More specifically, this was a ship, a large one at that. It housed over a hundred different Pokémon, as well as at least twenty trainers, and you can’t forget the crew and staff. Even if I had no prior knowledge about ocean worthy vessels, I am quite impressed.

There are five decks below, and five decks above the main deck. It was quite interesting layout. The bottom two floors acted as a mini dock. The way the ship was made, the center of the bottom two floors was hollowed out to allow for a mini-docking platform. The front and back of the ship could open to allow seaworthy vessels and Pokémon in and out. The second floor of the docks acted as the control tower, regulated by a control room that can see all of the docking area.

The two floors above provided to be also interesting. Each of the two floors was divided into four sections, and each section provided a training ground with different environments, so if you ever needed to train for a certain of environment or terrain, it was there for your leisure.

Then the floor above that…anything else that may be needed on a ship. There was a mess hall, a rec. room, lounge, etc…that floor was packed with assorted rooms. Quite a sight to see.

The deck however, was a change to all that. Nothing much, but it was a nice place to be sometimes. Quite, cool…it was very calming. I asked Styx to leave me alone for a bit. Just me and the ocean breeze. It lightened my mind nicely, before we continued on with the tour.

The next two floors provided to be all the living quarters for all the Pokémon and trainers aboard. Styx informed me that most of the Pokémon shared rooms. The elite Pokémon, however, got a room to themselves, as well as the trainers. The floor above is for the crew of the ship. The top two floors, obviously part of one of those floors are for the bridge, but the rest is unknown. Styx said very few people were allowed up that high. Only the scientists that inhabit the ship are allowed up there, and a few select crew and Pokémon.

"Anyway, you shouldn’t worry about it too much," Styx told me, opening the door to his room. Guessing by the shape of his room, he was here alone, and therefore an elite. I nodded to his comment, walking in. I walked over to the other end of the room. The room would perfectly accommodate a Pikachu, which was very convenient. I opened the opposite door to the balcony, stepping out and leaning on the railing. There obviously has been a lot of thought into designing this ship. I gazed across the deck, another feeling of calmness washing over me.

"What’s that?" I asked, glancing down at the decks below. Near the bow of the ship, in a pool of water, swam a Lapras, with a Jigglypuff on her back. The two sang loudly, yet peacefully, with such a beautiful song. I stood there, listening with interest and passion. Such music was so hard to come by, even if I don’t remember anything prior to these events…I can just…feel it.

"Enjoying?" Styx asked, trotting up beside mean and also leaning on the railing. "The Ice Valkyrie is named Melody and the other is Harmony," he informed me. I nodded, seeing why they would be named such. Something else bothered me now though…aside from the fact no one fell asleep from listening to the Jigglypuff sing. Possibly a way to control their sleeping ability? I can’t really say for sure…

"What is it…with these names? Ice Valkyrie…Fire Knight, Lightning Dragoon?" I questioned, curious about such methods of classifying Pokémon. It was so…different, for lack of better words.

"Well, let’s see…what’s the best why to define it…" Styx thought out loud, lowering his head down to think a bit. "On this ship, there’s kind of a ranking system. Knights for male Pokémon, Valkyrie for female Pokémon. In addition, Dragoons are for the elite Pokémon, whether male or female. Then comes Crusaders, who are basically the elite elites. Angels are the trainers."

"The element or type that precedes the rank name is their type. Of course, in some cases, the names are different. Flying Pokémon are called Sky Knights/Valkyrie/Dragoons/Crusaders/Angels. Venom can be used for Poison, though not very often. It’s all up to the person or Pokémon."

"But…how does these Angels gain types?" I continued to ask. It was strange that trainers could obtain an ‘element’, but for some reason…I feel like I’ve meet one of those before…a girl…with…Ice?

"Well, Angels don’t actually gain types…more like it is the type they prefer to train, but not always. Alex, who is a Psychic Angel, hangs around with Ignite, Skymin, and me a lot. We do missions together quite often, so, the elements don’t always hold true."

"It’s…an interesting system," I commented, staring back out into the sea. It was so soothing to hear that music… "Where are we?" I questioned. So many questions, so little time…

"Welcome to the Trilands," he told me, entering back into his room. "There are three large, urbanized islands in this area that are connected in more ways then one."

"For starters, the island are so close that bridges span the length between the three of them. This can be done since they aren’t really three separate landmasses, more like one large landmass with three different peaks above sea level. Quite a peculiar place. The waters are shallow enough to build supports for the bridges on them, but deep enough to allow sea worthy vessels to pass."

"Currently, I think we would be around the center of these three ‘islands’. We’re staying away from the islands so we can plan our next encounters. Hard to say for sure where we are though. We’re just…around, for lack of anything else to say."

"Hmm…this is a very…unique place…in this area of the world…" I whispered. How did I come here? Where was I before? Can I trust these people? Do I have a choice? They all seem friendly enough…still…anything can happen…

"I guess you would like to know where you are staying, would you?" Styx asked. I glanced back, not thinking about anymore questions and nodding an answer. He nodded back, leading me down towards the lower deck of the living quarters. "I guess…there really isn’t much for you to protest, but you’ll be splitting a room with Ignite. You don’t mind, do you?" he asked. I couldn’t identify if he was concerned for my well being or not. Still, I shook my head, telling him I didn’t mind in a silent manner. He then proceeded to tell me that the DNA scanners for the door is already set to open for my DNA, and all I had to do was touch the pad to open it. Amazing how well technology works on this vessel.

I tested his theory, and was happy to see that the door did click open for me. Again, I thanked him, then entered the room, leaving him outside to do his own business.

Upon the initial examination of the room, it was quite obvious to tell the two halves of the room: one half for me, the other half for Ignite. Of course he wasn’t here right now, but it was obvious to tell who had which side. Ignite’s side was more clustered with a bit of junk here and there, and his mattress was also untidy. My half has been untouched, most likely reserved for the next passenger on the ship. I guess that’s me…

Perhaps a little more exploration will clear my mind…too many thoughts…I need something to cool me down…

* * * * * *

Strange…how I came to the training floors of this ship to cool off. What is even stranger was I was attracted to this ‘Angel’ training alone in the ‘gym’ grounds. Just him, the air, the floor padding, and his long staff. He twirled and whirled the staff with such expertise I had trouble keeping up with all his movements, and quickly got dizzy just from watching the long, sapphire staff rotate over and over again, up and down, and around.

The ‘Angel’ himself was well built, though nothing to excessive. He was about 5 feet 10 inches, with short black hair. His eyes were as blue as the sea, though it was hard to notice without the amount of times that staff whizzed around his body. He wore blue jeans and a sleeveless shirt, which was sweat soaked, revealing partially the amount of time he spent in this room today.

He quickly clasped the staff, stopping the spinning near instantaneously. Slowly, he turned his gaze towards me, but I didn’t feel scared. Maybe if some other Pokémon was here, they would look away, just with the slowness and all, but with me, I had no such thoughts. Even if he looked like a loner, I could tell…he was…saddened…different…and no one wished to be near him because of these traits. But for me…it was sort of an attraction…he was like me…we both knew we were different then the others…one way or the other, we are similar in a differential sort of way. Some might find me crazy to approach him. I felt like he was an old friend, even if we may have never met before.

"Hello," I greeted calmly. He nodded, sitting down onto the blue padding and releasing his staff. Still, unconcerned, I walked up to him, and sat down in front. He glanced down out me, with a sort of questioning look on his face. "My name is…Nil. What’s yours?" I hesitated on speaking my own name…I knew it wasn’t my name…but for now, it’ll serve a purpose.

"Ice…" he whispered, glancing back up at the ceiling.

"Ice?" I inquired. I thought I had an interesting name…this ship is full of surprises.

"Ice…and I guess you can figure I’m an Ice Angel," he continued, smiling lightly. "It’s nice to meet you Nil."

"The pleasure is mine," I replied, cheering up. He didn’t seem at all that bad, just, unique.

"Hey Ice, scaring some Valkyries again?" another voice intervened, booming across the empty grounds. We both quickly gazed towards the direction where the voice came from, though Ice instinctively took his staff and stood up, not entering a fighting pose, just turning his back towards the new voice.

And there stood the next Angel I met today. He was an inch taller then Ice, with a stronger muscular build. He had short blond hair, but his eyes were crimson, such an unusual colour. He wore black jeans and a white T-shirt, hanging over his shoulder was a leather jacket.

"Oh, don’t ignore me boy!" he yelled out again, but Ice once again pushed aside the comment, walking away. "Heh, chicken," he muttered, glancing away.

"Hey, don’t be so mean!" I shouted at him. He stopped in his tracks, then slowly turned back to me.

"You should be afraid of him," he whispered. I had to strain myself to hear his words. "He may freeze you without warning. I wouldn’t go near him." With those final words, he left me, alone, and worried. What does he mean?

* * * * * *

Morning crept up faster then I thought possible. Before I knew it, the sun was already breaking the horizon, but my thoughts were mainly on Ice and what the other man told me.

"Something bothering you Nil?" I heard Ignite ask behind me. I was staring out of the window in our room when he asked. I sighed, wondering if I should ask him about this situation or not.

"Ignite, what do you know about Ice?" I finally mustered the courage to ask. I felt strange asking him such a question, but then continued by describing the other man who approached us the other day.

"Well, for the man who approached you yesterday, his name is Fuge. He’s a Venom Angel, or Poison Angel, whichever you like," Ignite told me. "As for Ice, well, there’s a past between those two. You might call it rivalry, you might not. Fuge considers Ice his rival, while Ice doesn’t. However, what made everyone afraid of Ice was after a duel. Fuge showed everyone that his saber has been frozen by Ice, and he actually proved it. His saber was frozen, and no one could believe. From then, everyone stayed away from Ice to avoid being ‘frozen’, even though the rumors were never confirmed."

"Well, an Ice Beam could have that kind of effect," I whispered. How many humans could wield Ice Beams anyway? I don’t think there ever was one…or was there? It’s faint…but maybe…

"Hey, Ignite, Nil! Mission time!" Styx shouted through the door, knocking on it repeatedly.

"Mission…time?" I questioned, not liking the sound of that.

"It’s not all that free out here. We have to do jobs for our captain to get to stay," Ignite told me, sighing. "Come on, there’s no point dwelling on Ice right now." I grimaced, not liking this ‘mission’ what so ever, even if I didn’t hear what it was yet.

* * * * * *

"So, now what do we have to do?" Styx asked out, though of course no one knew yet. We all sat in the passenger compartment of the small motor boat. Styx, Ignite, Skymin, and me. Alex was driving the boat. All that we were told was to pick someone up at shore and await instructions there. Now I really didn’t like this job one bit. Something is going to happen…

Styx already explained to me about my ‘eye’. At first, I was completely devastated. Was I really that foregone? What did I do to deserve this? Am I really that…different? It was all so sudden…

Still, adaptations must be made. If I were to integrate with my surroundings…it would be best to serve my own body first…

I heaved a sigh, quickly learning about the uses of my new ‘eye’, and with much more shock, learning of my new internal electric sacs. How sad that I have been changed to such a…monster.

Of course when the door opened, my train of thought was instantly smashed. I glanced up, seeing we had new guests. Surprising, one of these two new passengers was Ice…

<Fin>