{Ashen x Drakonnas} Ransei's Revenge {Rated M for Mature}

Ransei's Revenge

Arrrrrrrrrmageddon is upon us...
Drakonnas / Ashen

Galen Windrose stood at the helm of his ship, The Nightengale, looking over the calm seas. It really was a beautiful evening, and as he inhaled, Galen smelled the salty sea air, and couldn't help but feeling at home here on the ocean, as he always did. This was where he belonged. This was where he wanted to be.

The older man stood with his hand firmly on the wheel, as the ship rocked back and forth. His crew were up and working hard, singing sea shanties as they did. They were fiercely loyal to him, he was very respected among his kind. He had a short, neatly trimmed white beard, and a bushy mustache, but his hair appeared a little bit unkempt, due to the wind. He had his fair share of battle scars, and his face was both kind, and yet stern at the same time. A beautiful silver feather hung around his neck, suspended by a silver string. It shone and glistened in the morning light, sparkling gently.

A tall, green pokemon stood next to him, ever watchful, and ever present. His Decidueye, Nightengale, was his first pokemon, and it had been with him for many countless years. The two of them had grown up together, and Nightengale was very protective of his trainer. Besides his Decidueye, Galen had two other pokemon; one was currently swimming alongside the ship, creating ripples and waves as they went. A huge Gyarados called Levias poked his head above the water. Notoriously hard to train and tame, Levias was about as well trained as they came. He was absolutely loyal to Galen, and they had spent many, many years together as well. His final pokemon was an Ampharos, Luxia, who currently resided in the Crow's Nest, shining her light out for them to see.

All of his crew had their own pokemon as well, and together, the ship was busy.

"Good evening, Cap'n!" One man called. "It's been a beautiful day, eh? The seas are calm after the storm? I reckon we'll get a good bounty this week."

Galen nodded, and replied, his voice solemn and wise as always. "Aye, that it be, Calvin. I'm feeling good about being out here today. It's nice to be back on the water. Visiting Kanto was nice, but the seas be my home. That storm blew us off course. See if you can figure out by how much. I expect a report back before noon."

"Yes sir."

It had been a long and eventful day, and as a distant moon crawled across a dark sky, a child and a Pokemon made their way back home. That day, the two of them had hunted a plump Girafarig, and they were able to enjoy a feast for kings. Their supper had ended recently, and so they were heading home for bed. Home, to them, was a cave tucked into one of the mountains on their island. And indeed it was their island; no one else dared inhabit it. After all, the Ransei tribe had been massacred half a decade ago. All that remained on this island was a child and his best friend.

The island was not large, and the boy did not even have to look where he was going to get home. He'd spent too much time memorizing every nook and cranny to pay much attention to detail now. As he proceeded, he spoke to the Sliggoo that was struggling, as always, to keep up with him. "We have had a wonderful day today," he said. His voice was low and rough, as if it had not been used in a long while. "We will be able to rest well. I hope tomorrow brings similar fortune." The Sliggoo made a happy noise before tripping and falling right on its face. The child stopped then and chuckled. "Oh, Anyo," he murmured, shaking his head. "Whatever shall I do with you?"

When they got to their cave, the boy grabbed an old blanket from the depths. The blanket, like his loose T-shirt and worn shorts, had far too many holes and had grown far too thin. He didn't seem to notice as he brought the blanket back to his Pokemon. "Oh," he murmured. "Have I stayed my spear at the beach?" He looked around for the missing spear and, upon not finding it, sighed. "I will run back for it. Try to get some sleep, will you?" With that the child was off, heading back to the beach where he had left his spear, unaware of just what he would find.

It was not a long journey to the shore of the island, and as the child stopped there he easily found his spear. It had been the spear used for their hunt that day, the spear that had been passed down in his tribe. It, unlike most of the other tools of his people, had not been destroyed in the raid. He took up the spear and prepared to turn back when he heard a rumbling behind him. Spear poised, he waited for the assailant to show himself. Soon, a small dragon fell face-first into the sand, and the boy could only laugh. "I told you to wait at the cave," he told Anyo. The Sliggoo jumped into his arms, and the boy held his small Pokemon to his chest. "You were scared without me, is that it? Come. Let us to bed."

But before they could, the child noticed something out at sea. There was a thick fog, and through the fog he could just make out the shape of... a ship? That didn't make any sense. The island of Ransei had seen no visitors in the last several years, not since the incident. Perhaps, he decided, it was a mirage. It just couldn't have been real; no one came to a land completely ruined. Anyo turned to his trainer with blind eyes, a questioning look upon his face. "Hold, Anyo," the boy said softly. "Something approaches us."

"Sir!" A voice called. His second in command, a sharp, raven-haired woman named Camilla Jamison stepped up, saluting. "My Swanna spotted land at 2:00. As best we can calculate, we were blown about seventy nautical miles off course. Which means that this island is a relatively little known island, inhabited by the people of Ransei. It could be suitable for trade, or treasure. Would you like to go aboard, sir?"

Galen frowned. "Hmm..." He said softly. "I heard rumor that something had befallen the people of Ransei. If this is true, there is perhaps merit and reason to go land. If the people have disappeared, then we may find relics of their past, which would make good treasure. I expect a museum would pay well for them." He smiled at the idea of having some fresh coin. "And if they are there, well, perhaps we could pick up some fresh supplies, or something interesting. Tell the crew to make way for shore." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Camilla said, saluting again. "YOU HEARD HIM, LADS! Get to work! We go ashore this day!" The crew hurried and got to work, heading towards the shore. Galen watched with a concentrated eye at the land, as they continued closer.

When they were within reach, the old man hoisted a rowboat into the water, and climbed in. "I will be back before nightfall." He spoke, addressing the crew in a voice of finality, that none would argue with. "Be ready to either leave, or come to land if I give the word. Camilla is in charge until I get back. You will resume your normal duties until further notice."

With a chorus of "Yes sir", Galen sat down in the little rowboat. "Levias, come. Nightengale, come. I want both of you with me. Luxia, stay here and guard the ship." At an instant, his pokemon were at his side, Nightengale flying above him, silently, while Levias swam beside the boat. Together, they would make shore not too long.

Was it just his imagination, or was there a figure on the beach?

This was no mirage. There was an actual ship on the seas, and coming from it was a smaller vessel. There was a man aboard that ship, and a giant serpentine Pokemon beside him, and a stranger-looking bird flying above him. The boy stepped away from the shore. This could not be happening. Another pirate was trespassing on his sacred island, finally to finish what his predecessors had started.

The child was not aware of how tightly he was holding his Sliggoo to his chest until the small Pokemon pushed away and made a tiny noise of discomfort. At that, the boy let Anyo slip to the ground, and he poised his spear. This could not be happening. Pirates? More pirates? What chance did he have, when his entire tribe had fallen victim to men such as this? But this pirate, he was alone. He had his Pokemon behind him, but didn't seamen usually travel in groups? Maybe he could be felled in a single shot. Maybe the boy could end this massacre before it even started.

But there was a shimmer to those wary blue-green eyes, and the child stayed his spear. Even if he was a pirate, this was the first person besides the boy himself to set foot on this island in years. There could be so much to learn in such a man, and yet. He was an enemy, as clear a target as any. The Ransei people, they would have killed him in a heartbeat, they would have prevented another genocide. But the last of the Ransei, the child stayed and watched, internally struggling upon his next action.

He didn't have long to think, for the man was drawing nearer. The child found himself mesmerized by the color of the man's skin. It was as pale as the pink sands beneath them, several shades darker than the kid's own sun-kissed skin. He hadn't known it possible for skin to be so pale; was this man diseased? And what was wrong with his hair, cast in hues of white and grey? Was he planning on eliminating the survivors--survivor--by means of a plague? No, the boy thought, that wouldn't make sense. The pirate didn't seem hostile; he seemed almost... fatherly. It was strange, and he did not know how to interpret it.

The child shied away from the shores to hide behind the undergrowth. He would wait until this man docked, stalk him to determine his purpose. For now, he whispered to his Sliggoo, and he watched, wary and curious.

No, perhaps it was just his imagination. Perhaps the figure he thought he saw on the beach was not there, after all. He continued making his way towards land, and soon, land they did. Galen held out his hand, upright, and at a 90 degree angle. His pokemon stopped immediately, obeying his orders totally and completely. Nightengale's eyes narrowed, focusing on the entire area around them, looking for signs of life.

He spotted movement, and nodded to his trainer. Galen nodded back in reply, and stepped forward on to the beach, wary. So there was someone here, at least. That made him hopeful that the Ransei people, were indeed still here, and still alive. He tried to think back to the studying he had done way back when, so many years ago. He had once been proficient in most of the languages spoken at sea, had he once spoken their language? If he had, it had been twenty or thirty years since had last spoken it. Communication would be challenging if he could not remember how to speak it, if this was, indeed, where they were.

"Come, Levias." He said simply. His pokemon made a gutteral reply, and came forward, floating just a little bit above the sand. "Do not make any sudden moves, we do not wish to frighten whosoever is here." He stopped, halfway up the beach, looking into the underbrush, where, apparently, someone was waiting for him. Nightengale had a very keen eye, and could see the native, while he could not. Not yet, at least. Two long swords were sheathed on either side of him, and a single, solitary pistol was strapped to his arm, easily within reach. That, and both his pokemon were on high alert.

To say that Galen was defenseless was completely wrong. But he had no intention of attacking either, he wanted to make contact, positive and friendly. He just hoped the native was as friendly.

He stood there, on the shore, looking, observing, examining. He did not once reach for his weapon, nor did he make any aggressive movements. Slowly, he began working his way towards the trees, to see if the native would reveal himself or herself.

This stranger came onto his island after all. The child's grip on his spear tightened. Such large Pokemon; what would he do if they attacked? The bird Pokemon seemed to look directly at him. The boy did not move, did not breathe. The scene was all too familiar; a child staying perfectly still, almost lifeless, hoping his life would not be taken from him.

The man started speaking to his Pokemon. The child could not understand a word of what he said. His foreign tongue intrigued the boy, and he found himself leaning in to hear more. He watched more closely, and from this distance he noticed the weapons on his person. This made the boy shy away again. Memories flashed in his mind, and he had to fight back the tears that stung his eyes. He shook his head, but suddenly the pirate was starting towards him.

The Ransei child was perfectly still, not daring to make his presence known. He didn't know what to do. Would this man catch up with him if he bolted? This man had long legs, and his Pokemon were powerful... The boy was about to start away, but then he noticed a pale purple Pokemon waddling its way over to the enemies, his arms outstretched.

Panic washed over those sea-colored eyes. The Sliggoo walked right in front of the pirate and waved its small hand. His trainer ran after him and stood before him, spear poised. He glared at the pirate. "What do you want?" he demanded. His voice was harsh, coarse. "Your kind is not welcome here." He looked into the pirate's eyes, challenging, despite his culture's customs of never doing such a thing. The boy, more than afraid, was far too intrigued to chase this man off yet. He stood his ground, ready to drive his spear into this man if he dared try to attack.

Galen saw movement, and paused. A little Sliggoo was making its way out towards him, waiving hits little hand in a friendly gesture. A smile broke over the man's face, and he knelt down on one knee, and smiled at the little pokemon, ever so gently petting it. "Hello, little guy, or girl." He said gently, his eyes holding vast kindness and gentleness.

But as he looked up, and heard another's voice, speaking in that old language he barely remembered, Galen saw that this person was holding a spear, and looked... Somewhat hostile. But Galen, with his experienced knowledge of combat, knew that this native was also afraid. He was not holding his weapon properly, not was he in a good stance.

Galen rose up off his knee, but remained in a crouching position. He was far from vulnerable, ready and able to defend if this boy attacked. He looked carefully into this child's eyes and face, trying to remember the language that had long eluded him.

This child... Was it a boy? He thought so, but it was difficult to tell, he might have to ask. He was dirty, and his clothes were very worn, fraying and torn. Was he somehow stranded here? It was difficult to believe that all the natives would be in such condition.

Galen concentrated, trying to remember some of the language. But, to his dismay, he could only remember​ bits and pieces of it, hardly enough to communicate. To make matters worse, he wasn't sure if all the vocabulary was the Ransei language, or other languages he had used.

He tried a few different phrases, in the hopes of communicating something to the boy. His first attempt only contained one, poorly mangled version of a Ransei word, translated to kindness.

He tried again, this time, accidentally saying something about jelly filled doughnuts. After one more attempt that ended up being mangled, he gave up, and turned to his Pokemon.

He pointed to himself, then to Nightengale, then to Sliggoo, then to the boy. "Nightengale, please communicate to this Sliggoo here, that we are not here to harm them, that we are friends."

Nightengale nodded, and spoke to the Sliggoo, communicating with him the given message. Now it was time to see if the boy understood the Pokemon he had nearby.

The man didn't appear hostile, but he didn't appear very intelligent, either. He was speaking a mess of words the boy couldn't understand. What were donuts, and what did they have to do with kindness? The boy watched the man give up and talk in his own tongue again to his bird Pokemon. Was its name Decidueye? It then communicated to the Sliggoo, who seemed more than happy to be getting a new companion to communicate with. The child raised a brow at his Pokemon inquisitively, but didn't dare interrupt.

The Sliggoo spoke back to the Decidueye in happy tones, expressing his excitement at this new arrival to his land. He turned to his trainer and chirped about them, but the boy wasn't going to trust so easily. The Sliggoo, he had not known the horrors the child had seen. In seeing the pirate, it all became fresh in his mind. Their swords, their guns, their vicious Pokemon... They had all torn his family from him, and that was something he would never forgive.

He stayed his spear, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You talk as an idiot," he said. Even though his tone was still cold, the boy was smirking now. If nothing else, this man was funny. "Do you not speak on my tongue?" He cocked his head to the side. Maybe the man could teach him some words in a different language even. That would be exciting. But the Ransei child needed to push those thoughts aside. This man would not be staying, he couldn't be. He had probably only come for him, and he was not going to get what he wanted.

"What calling have you?" A mere child, he didn't know how to rephrase his question to make it make sense to someone who did not understand. He paused, then tried to act it out. He pointed to the pirate, then to his own mouth, and cocked his head. What can I call you? If this man couldn't even communicate properly, what good would that do them? He rolled his eyes. "For what reason do you dare come?"

The child didn't seem to trust him, that much was certain. He did not find this bothersome, it was natural to not trust a stranger. And he had a feeling that this child did not have much practice with social interactions. Or maybe he was just scared.

Hearing the boy talk seemed to trigger some of Galen's memories, and he started to recognize and remember some basic vocabulary. He was able to understand that the boy wanted to know what he was called, and said something about speaking. He guessed that the boy was wondering if he spoke the language.

Trying again, Galen spoke, picking his words. "I speak not this." He said, using the simplest words he could to communicate. "Been many... Moons? Times? Since I speak this." He smiled to himself, and shook his head. At least he had exposure to the language before. When he got back to his ship, he would pull out his old journals, perhaps they would have additional vocabulary from his studies.

"My calling is Galen" he said, patting his chest. "I come there." He pointed at the ocean, still not sure if he was communicating properly. He hoped he was.

Levias looked around, seemingly impatient with the goings on here. He snorted a little, and clouds of white smoke were billowing gently from his nostrils. The giant snake coiled around, waiting for some action to happen. It had been too long since it had last fought, it was itching for a good fight.

This pirate was quite amusing. The child laughed out loud when he finished speaking. I speak not that. "I am able to observe that myself," he said with a grand smile. He was quiet for a while, processing all that he had said. Finally, he tried to pronounce his name. "Galen. It is... an odd calling." An odd calling for an odd man. The boy looked out at where Galen had pointed, off to the seas. So, there were people from beyond the raging waters. Fear forgotten, the boy wanted to meet them all.

The child looked back at Galen. "I am called Kinta," he told him. He motioned towards the Sliggoo beside him. "And this is Anyo. We are of the Ransei people. You are a pirate. Your people killed my people." He watched the pirate's eyes to see if he was following. He was talking with his hands, an uncharacteristic action, in the hopes that Galen would understand better with motions. "For what reason have you come?" He spoke slowly too, in the hopes that something would stick. The first person the kid had seen in half a decade, and they couldn't even understand each other.

Kinta took a step away from Galen and motioned towards the island behind them. "The time is night. Why would you want to come at night? It is growing dark." It could only mean trouble, someone trespassing at night. Kinta did not know what to think. This man was a strange entity, one he wanted to know more about, but he didn't know how to communicate outside of his language. His Pokemon didn't seem capable of telepathy, and there were no Ransei elders to translate for them. Briefly, the child wondered if it would be better to kill the pirate where he stood. If he could learn nothing from him, it was better to be safe.