Good morning lovely people! Mango here with another new story. Why, you ask? Well...my keyboard broke so it forces me to use the tablet screen. I do not want to take forever and a day to type the length of chapters you would expect from me in Icy Wrath or Flames of Revolution. So, I have resolved to make a story with shorter chapters which means there will be a lot produced in a single day which will most likely equal out to one of my usual chapters. Also, I put this idea on hold for a long time and had originally planned to release it prior to my first fic. So, without further ado, let us begin this crazy story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon! All of it's characters and content are owned by Gamefreak and Nintendo.

Chapter 1: Waking Up

Spring had just begun in Littleroot Town. Gone were the chilling winds of winter. It was a most welcoming feeling. Just outside of a small home in town, sat a young 18 year old boy by the name of Satoru Kiyoshi or as most called him, Ru. Satoru had penetrating gray irises and mid length blond hair that reached just past his neck. He was a fairly good looking young man who had a lot going for him. He was fairly athletic but also very quiet. In fact, he couldn't speak at all. Satoru was mute. Not only that, but he was a telepathic individual. Both of his parents were psychics, however they could speak plainly. Beside him was an unusual Beldum. It was silver and gold in coloration. Satoru sighed soundlessly as he stood up, dusting himself off so he could go back inside.

Waiting for him was his mother, Yuki Kiyoshi. Beside her was an Abra, sleeping soundly on the table. Satoru rolled his eyes at the lazy Psychic-type. Beldum floated beside him, his single eye looking around as he did.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you?"

'Could be better. I think I am gonna go on a walk though. I just came inside to get something from my room.'

"I see...well, don't stay out too late. Make sure to be back by dinner."

'No worries mom...I'll be fine...'

"I am sure you will be..."

With that, Satoru made his way to his room upstairs. He opened his door and stepped inside, walking over to his desk to grab then locket that was sitting on it. It was a treasured keepsake since it had a picture of a young girl in it. She had light brown hair and wore a beautiful yellow dress with a sunhat. She had vibrant green eyes that went well with her electrifying smile. This was Annelise. His first real friend and love. However...she had been struck ill by an sickness that left her unable to function properly. Her muscles were weakened badly and she was always in constant pain. Soon, she was bedridden and a few months prior to his birthday, she died. His birthday was not a happy one.

All life seemed to fade from the cold gray eyes that were once filled with joy. Annelise had given him confidence and a reason to endure ridicule. Now? All she was...was just a memory. Satoru looked down at the locket and blinked back a few tears. Beldum looked down at the locket and then back to its friend.

'Satoru...your emotional levels are beginning to increase...at this rate, it is possible that you might stress yourself beyond what your bodily limitations can manage...'

'I'll be fine Beldum...I just need a minute...'

'But what about your walk? It is important that you maintain a habit of daily exercise in order to keep your depression at bay. Why don't yo go play with the local Zigzagoon? They appear to respond well to you in spite of your inability to speak...'

'Perhaps I will...that always seems to cheer me up. Right...let's go..'

Satoru slipped the locket around his neck and made his way into the living room where he found his mother waiting.

'Ru? Is everything okay? You look distraught..."

'I'm fine mom...I am just going to go on a walk for a while. Beldum suggested that I go play with some of the Pokemon that I made friends with a while back...'

"I see...well, just be careful. There have been a lot of strange happenings as of late. Just yesterday there was talk about some odd looking groups of people wearing uniforms and they were all in Slateport City for whatever reason. They aren't there now though..."

'I see...well, don't worry. I won't be going there any time soon. If I were going on a journey then maybe...'

"About that, Ru? Have you seen Professor Birch yet? I know you can't talk directly to him. Are you still not wanting to go? I know that losing Annelise was hard on you but we were all there for what she said Ru."

Satoru shook his head as his mother spoke. Of course he didn't want to go. Without her with him he felt empty. She was with him since he was five years old and now that she wasn't? He didn't feel like doing much of anything.

"Ru...you can't mourn her forever...she would hit you harder than usual if she saw you sulking like this..."

'Mom...I don't think you un-'

"Satoru Yuki Kiyoshi!"

Oh he was in for it now.

"For the past three months I have watched who used to be a vibrant and energetic young man sulk and cry like some sick puppy. You have been hung up on her for so long that it even has me depressed and that doesn't happen often. The worst part is, you do nothing about it. You lost all passion that you once had and you lost any aspirations of becoming a trainer. I didn't put you through school so you could graduate as an Ace, just to sit around and wallow in a pool of self pity. You have the potential to be a very strong trainer and yet you choose to let that potential go to waste! Annelise even told you to go ahead and do it. Are you really going to let her last wish go unfulfilled?"

This hit Satoru like a ton of bricks.

Three months ago...

Annelise was struggling to sit up and look at Satoru. Her arms were barely holding her up and she was breathing weakly. Satoru was holding her close, trying with all his might not to break down. Annelise was saddened by this display. She had seen him so much stronger than this. She watched him graduate with top marks and was even given an Beldum by Steven Stone who was the speaker for the ceremony. He was to start his journey soon but in this state, he didn't seem like he would have the courage to go. Annelise understood Satoru better than anyone as she could actually understand him due to their deep connection.

"Ru, my love...what are you doing?"

Satoru didn't speak. It's not that he couldn't communicate, it was more that he didn't want to. He looked up at her after a prolonged period of time, tears dried on his cheeks. Her question puzzled him. What was he doing? Crying...what else? What did she want him to do? Smile? No. He wouldn't. Not getting an answer, she slapped him, like usual. It hurt, they always did. She grunted in pain afterwards as it took almost every ounce of her strength to do so. Satoru was being ridiculous and needed it.

"Are you just going...t-to sit there like a crybaby or are you going to be strong like I know you can be?" Annelise wheezed out, her breath getting caught as it was painful to speak.

'You shouldn't talk...you are only going to-'

SLAP!

"Don't tell me not to talk...I won't be silenced until I have said my peace...got it Ru?"

Satoru bit his tongue and decided to let her continue.

"Ever since I fell ill...y-you have b-been acting more like a loser than when we first met. You were know as a freak because you couldn't speak and on top of that you are a telepath meaning you are limited to thought projection only. Fortunately, I had a similar problem. I am deaf, but your thoughts, for whatever reason...I could hear. I can't hear anyone else but you. And...and right now, I can hardly stand looking at you the way you are. Ru, for the love...of Arceus...stop being such a whining sad sack. I knew from the minute I got this stupid disease that I would die, but that still didn't stop me from graduating either. Ru..-"

She slumped back onto the bed, breathing harder this time as the pain ran its course.

'Annelise!'

Satoru took hold of her hand as she reached for his.

"Ru...come closer...please..."

Satoru looked skeptical, but he leaned closer. As he did, he felt her hand caress his face softly. She then gently brought him down for a soft kiss. With great pain they parted, her eyes welling up with tears as she tasted the last kiss she would ever give him. It was rather bittersweet and yet, she was smiling. Why?

"Ru...can you hear me?" She said in an almost inaudible whisper.

Fighting the urge to scream, he nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Good...then...please, take this...and when you go on your journey...wear it always. And when you find love again...remember how you treated me...and do likewise for her."

This was painful for Satoru to hear. She was basically telling him to move on. How could he? She was the only one besides his mother and father who could talk to him. Nobody else understood him like she did. How could he ever move on?

'But...what if I don't want to move on? What if I can't?!'

"Ru...so help me...Arceus...I will come back from the grave and slap you til you...cry...if you don't go on a journey. Please Ru...please do it. Don't let me die without knowing...without knowing you will be OK. Move on...and when you do, protect her as you have done for me. I...will be watching you from Arceus' home..."

End flashback...

"Ru...please do this. You have let yourself suffer long enough. I think it's about time you left like you always wanted to do. Take Beldum and go out there and be someone. Make Annelise proud to have been with you. You know she would have wanted that, right?"

Satoru considered this. His mother was right. He needed to stop this. But how? And when? The answer came in the form of a shriek from outside. Yuki opened the door quickly to see what was wrong, only to see a young girl running from what appeared to be a few Poochyena. The girl stumbled and scraped her knee as she fell. The canines closed in, their eyes fixated on her menacingly. Poochyena were known to be vicious and this didn't seem to bode well for the little girl. Yuki was about to react when she saw that Satoru was gone.

As the dark canines stalked towards the girl, something hit one of them very hard. The Poochyena staggered for a moment before turning to growl at the opposition. Already, the metal on the body of Beldum gave off a metallic shimmer, signifying that Iron Defense had been used. The three dark dogs turned to attack, one charging forwards only to get slammed with a powerful Iron Head. The concussive blow shot one of the Poochyena into his brothers who were smacked hard to the ground. The three Dark-types struggled to their feet only to look into the cold eyes of Satoru. The three pups scampered off after looking into his intimidating hues.

The girl on the ground was a bit shaken up but also dumbstruck. She just witnessed an incredible battle that seemed to take little to no effort on Satorus' part. He slowly knelt down and helped her to her feet.

'I wonder why they were chasing her...'

'Poochyena, according to their data, are known for being aggressive. It is likely that this little girl was in their territory and they felt threatened.'

'Probably...'

"Um...excuse me...but...thank you..." She said bashfully, looking away from Satoru as she spoke.

'I wish I could tell her it wasn't a problem...'

"Fine work Ru!" A voice from behind him shouted as he turned to walk off.

'Well...it looks like I didn't have to go to him after all. Did he forget I can't talk?"

'I doubt that is the case. Your mother translates for you.'

'Good point. But what do I do when she can't?'

'Have you forgotten that I am Psychic?'

'Smart arse...'

'I believe the correct term is a-'

'Don't finish that.'

"Good day professor. I take it you got my message?" Yuki chuckled.

"Yes, I did indeed. I came over to talk with you both as you requested. I admit...I wasn't sure he would be ready to see me after...sorry...forget that. But after seeing how well he handled the incident a moment ago, I believe he is indeed ready."

'Mom...why?'

"Because you need it young man. Now let me talk."

Satoru sighed. This was going to take a while.

And so it begins. Satoru is going to have to bite the bullet and go. As I said, these chapters will be shorter than my usual. Mainly to slow the story down a bit. Anyway, this took less time to write and I am happy about it. So yeah, Hoenn. A favorite region of mine. It will, however, include the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire storyline. But like usual...I will alter it. That said, it's onto the next part of Rising!