Buzz

Buzz

Buzz

Spark groaned, his feet dangling off the edge of the bed. Maybe Surge was right. He should have slept on the couch instead of this tiny old bed. But old habits die hard.

Buzz

Buzz

Buzz

He reached out blindly for the bedside table, careful not to disturb the sleeping Jolteon on his back. His fingers bumped into his phone. It jumped and buzzed in his hand, Blanche's number flashing on the screen. He swiped the screen and brought it up to his ear.

"Hello?" his voice was thick with sleep.

"Still asleep? I see you haven't changed." His friend sound amused; their usual monotone voice lighter then he remembered.

Spark grinned and turned to the window. The sun was barely rising; Vermillion City was still fast asleep outside his window. "You're one to talk. Why are you always up at dawn?"

"Studies show that people who go to sleep earlier and wake and an early hour are more efficient and all around live healthier lives. You should really consider following my example."

"I like sleep too much. Besides, I just got in from Alola last night. I'm beat."

"Oh right, I had forgotten about your trip. Not that you needed to, but by chance did you-"

"Yep. I got you a Popplio. And I snagged a Litten for Candela."

"Thank you."

"No problem." He yawned, finally disturbing the sleeping Pokémon. Fluffy let loose his own little yawn, stretching on Spark's back. His claws accidently poked him. Spark rolled over, tossing the blanket over Fluffy. "I can't wait tell you guys all the stuff I saw. Alolan Pokémon are so cool."

"I am excited to hear it. It's been a long time since we've all been together." He could just picture the small smile on their face.

"Yeah it has. It's been what… three years? Maybe four?"

"Just about. You aren't going to be late, are you? Professor Willow wants us all there by 1." There was that scolding tone they liked to use.

"I'm not gonna be late." He was met with silence. If Blanche were sitting next to him now, they'd probably be giving him a disbelieving look. "I promise. Watch, I'm gonna be the first one there."

"I will believe that when I see it. Goodbye Spark."

"See ya soon, Blanche."

Spark hung up the phone and tossed it back on his bedside table. It bumped into one of the Pokémon figurines and nearly knocked it over. He couldn't help but smile looking at his collection. Sitting up now, Spark looked around his childhood bedroom. It felt like it had been ages since he lived in this place, and after he thought about it, it really had been. Nine year was a long time by anyone's standards.

I had been nine years since Spark first set out on his journey. Nine years of ups and downs, of one incredible adventure after another, it was still hard to believe that all of it had really happened. After the events that occurred on Lighting Island, the world was introduced to Team Rocket. Different branches of the criminal group began popping up in all the different regions. They even managed to inspire other extremists to form alliances and forge their own teams. But good always managed to out weight the bad.

For a long time Spark, Candela and Blanche traveled together. There was still the threat of Team Rocket and other organizations tempted to steal their birds, but after their incredible display of power, many approached them with extreme caution. While the underground world knew about the three of them, regular citizens had no idea that the three legendary titans appeared because of three children. Spark was glad for the anonymity. It made traveling with his friends a much more fun experience when no one knew you were best buds with a titan.

Of course, as time wore on and as the trio got older, they began to want different things. Candela was the first to leave. After nearly a year of training, Candela took on the Elite four in Kanto, beating them at the age of 14. Unable to stay put, she wanted to try her hand in Johto and Sinnoh. Spark still remembers the look on her face after she beat the champion of Kanto.

Next was Blanche. They had always been more scholarly than the other two, preferring to spend a day in a hovering at the elbows of some professor instead of napping under a tree. They had gotten many offers from schools and research centers all over the region, and also from cities across the sea. They seemed hesitant about accepting them; probably because accepting one meant leaving Spark on his own, but he was insistent. Especially when Professor Sycamore from Hoenn asked them personally to help him research Mega Evolution. Spark practically pushed them on the plane himself.

For a while, Spark was a little aimless. He thought for a while about going back to Vermillion and helping out Surge at the gym. But that meant sitting around watching other trainers go in and out on their own journeys. Going back there made it seem like his journey was over. But it was anything but that.

Spark travelled the world on his own, with his faithful little Jolteon trotting alongside him. He did the things he loved, like taking care of eggs, meeting new Pokémon and helping others understand these wonderful creatures a little better. He would pass by the daycares and volunteer to watch the young Pokémon. He's stop in various labs and learned from the breeders who worked there. He used everything his father taught him and became quiet the talented young breeder himself.

After a while, Kanto start to feel small. So Spark packed up his things and traveled, Unova being his first adventure. He'd run into Team Rocket where ever he went, even running into Davis from time to time. What's worse, Cardinal and a bunch of other Rockets had escaped from jail after a huge explosion took out one of the prison walls. Spark hadn't seen the man since he was 12, but he was pretty positive that any trouble that the criminal organization threw his way were a direct order from the mad man.

Spark handled all of these situations well, having traveled and trained with his friends for so long really paid off. He could have become a champion in his own right, if he had the same drive as Candela. However Spark was perfectly content with the few gym badges he had earned. While he did find battles thrilling and challenging, he'd much rather watch an egg hatch.

Then one day mere hours after he'd stepped off the plane in Aloha, Spark got a call from Professor Willow. Apparently he had rebuilt the research center in the valley that had been Spark's childhood home. The professor was working tirelessly towards some big new project and asked Spark to hear a proposal and consider helping him with it. Willow was pretty vague about the whole thing, but Spark was more than willing to help out in any way he could. When he heard that Willow had asked Candela and Blanche to come by too, it just made him all the more excited.

All that excitement did nothing to keep him from falling back asleep. He woke with a start, nearly punting Fluffy out of the bed as someone was banging on the door.

A moment later, Surge was leaning on the door frame. "Good, you're awake."

Spark grumbled, grabbing Fluffy and hugging him like a stuffed animal. "Mmmmm go awaaayyy…"

"You're too old to be whining like this. Get up. You're going to be late."

"What time is it?"

"About 10:30."

Spark grumbled. At this rate he really was going to be late. It took about two hours to get to the valley from Vermillion. Spark rolled out of bed and shuffled to the door with Fluffy still snoring in his arms. Once Surge pushed a plate of food in their direction, both of them were suddenly awake and shoveling food in their mouths faster than was healthy.

After breakfast, Spark gathered his things. He'd just returned from Alola last night but by some weird happenstance he had stuff strewn about every room of the house. After checking a rechecking everything, it looked like he was ready to go. Fluffy bounded out of the house, leaping into the grass and rolling around. He was always such a playful little thing. Outside there was a big lump of fur in the flower beds, snoring loudly. Sai had gone back to napping most days and only waking up when he was hungry. He'd become quiet the lazy thing since settling down in Vermillion.

Spark gently scratched behind his ear, chuckling as his back legs began twitching. Sai cracked open and eye, grumbling.

"Not even going to say good bye to me? That cold, buddy." Spark teased. Sai's eyes snapped open and he jumped up. He licked the side of Spark's face, coating his hair and making it stand on end. The young man sputtered, shaking the slobber from his hair. "Thanks for that, but I didn't really need a shower."

Sai barked, wagging his tail. Spark turned towards the garage with Surge and Sai following close behind. Inside was a beat up, old motorcycle with a small sidecar, one that Surge had built in his youth. He'd taught his nephew how to ride it and fix it up whenever he'd come and visit, and then one day Surge actually gave it to him. Spark rode it whenever he was in Kanto.

He hoisted his bag on the back and began strapping it down. "Any ideas what Willow is up to?" he asked. The two were friends after all.

"No clue." Surge stayed on the side, crossing his arms. "He was never the type to explain his harebrained ideas. Not until he needs your help that is."

Spark chuckled. He shifted the large Pokémon egg under his arm and frowned. It had been a gift from a friend back in Alola and now he had to figure out a way to safely transport it. Getting an idea, Spark went over to the shelf and grabbed a dusty drop cloth. He shook it out, filling the space with dust and then fashioned a sling to hold the egg. He tied it around himself, pulling it tight so the egg wouldn't budge. He grinned at his work. Surge bit back a laugh.

"Got everything, squirt?" he asked, holding out a helmet.

"Yep. C'mon Fluffy, get a move on!" A little yellow head poked out of a nearby bush. Fluffy hurried over, hopping into the side car and wagging his tail. "Looks like I'm all set."

Surge nodded and took a few steps forward. "Alright, give your uncle a hug."

It was more of a side hug if anything, the egg making things a little difficult. Spark was taller than Surge now, something he kept forgetting. He wasn't sure when exactly he had his growth spurt, having stopped by his uncles house so infrequently over the years. Surge clapped him on the back. Once they broke apart, he turned to Sai and pat him on the head.

"Call when you get there. I want to know what Willow is up to."

"You got it." Spark swung his leg over the bike, strapping on his helmet and slipping on his gloves.

"And be careful driving, for Arceus' sake."

"I'll be fine, Uncle Surge."

"Yeah yeah, see you later kiddo."

"See ya!" Spark revved the engine to get a rise out his uncle and then pulled out of the garage.

The open road felt exhilarating. Spark glanced over at Fluffy. He had his front paws up on the edge of the car and his tongue was hanging out the side of his mouth. Spark laughed at the goofy sight. The closer he got to home, the more and more excited he felt. Not only was he going home, but his friends were there too.

The sun was just about at its highest point when he pulled onto the familiar dirt road. Thick trees rushed passed, but soon the wide clear valley opened up in front of him. Spark sped down the road, eager to get to his childhood home and unpack. Whatever Willow wanted to talk about could wait until after. As the sight of his house came into view, two strange figures were leaning against his fence. A wide smile began to spread across his face. He called out to the figures, waving.

Candela looked absolutely gorgeous. Being a tomboy for the entire time Spark knew her did not prepare him for the beauty she grew up to be. But judging by the muscles she was proudly displaying with a sleeveless shirt, she could still pound him into the ground without breaking a sweat.

Candela was jumping up and down as Spark slowed to a stop. "Whoa, look at you! When did you get to be such a badass?" She hurried over for a hug, but Spark put his hands out.

"Don't jump on me yet! I've got precious cargo..." He rubbed the egg fondly.

"I take it back. You're still such a little weirdo."

Spark rolled his eyes and untied the egg, setting it down gently in the sidecar next to Fluffy. He went over and hugged Candela, the latter having to stand on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. "When did you get to tall?! I remember the good old days when I was the tall one."

"You use to give pick on me so damn much for that." He chuckled.

"It's true. At least you didn't shrink like Blanchey over here." She jutted her thumb behind her to where the third part of their trio was standing.

Blanche looked almost exactly the same as he remembered. Their hair had grown incredibly long, reaching just past their lower back even in a high pony tail. The round feature's they had a child thinned out making their features sharper, more defined. Quite honestly they looked pretty intimidating but Spark knew that they were softer than an Eevee's belly.

"I did not get shorter." They glared at Candela. "Just because I didn't grow to the size of a tree doesn't mean I'm short. I'm a perfectly average height."

"Yeah for a toddler…" Candela smirked. Spark couldn't help but laugh at the sour look on Blanche's face. It was like the three of them had never been apart. Spark made the look on Blanche's face disappear by wrapping them up in a hug. They grumbled for a bit before hugging back, patting him awkwardly on the back. They still weren't the best when it came to dealing with people.

Flareon and Vaporeon came dashing out from behind the house. Fluffy squeaked in excitement, leaping out of the side car and tackling his friends. The sight of the three of them playing together warmed Spark's heart.

"Hey we gotta get going." Candela spun around and began walking backwards towards the research center. "Willow said he'd meet us out front."

"Yes, it's almost time." Blanche nodded.

"'kay, give me a sec. Let me put my stuff inside." Spark pulled at the chain around his neck and grabbed the key. He hoisted his bag over his shoulder, giving the egg to Blanche to hold on to. The key slid in smoothly and Spark stepped into his childhood home.

It was perfect. Covered in dust, incredibly musty and absolutely perfect. Spark dropped his stuff on the kitchen counter and turned to the windows, opening them one at a time. Even if he did decide that Willow's project wasn't for him, Spark was going to stay here and make this place him home again. The thought alone was exciting.

"Spaaarkk, come on already. We've got places to be and I'm hungry!" Candela's voice drew his attention back to the present.

"Coming!" he called back.

The trio made their way to the research center, walking and talking casually. The warm summer breeze felt nice, the earthy smell of grass tickling his nose. The egg in his arms seemed to like the warmth too. Spark could feel it living and growing, even with his hands covered with gloves.

"I wonder what Willow wants to talk to us about." Candela asked aloud.

"For once, I haven't a clue." Blanche sighed. They sounded almost disappointed that they didn't have the answer.

"Well," Spark started, his eye's drifting to Fluffy and Flareon jumping in and out of the grass. "Whatever it is, I bet it's pretty big. Willow wouldn't ask us all to come if it wasn't."

"You have a point."

The path curved, the research center coming into view. It looked so different from the last time they saw it. It looked like its former self again; the grass in the corral trimmed, the paint fresh and bright, everything was how he remember it. He let out a low whistle, honestly impressed.

"Wow, look at this place. It looks brand new."

Blanche nodded. "Indeed. Much different from when we were he before."

"Yeah. This whole place was practically a ghost town." Candela added. Spark glanced around. She was right. Compared to the last time they were all here, it was a completely different place. Like life had been brought back to the valley.

Before the made it to the doors, they slid open and Willow stepped out. His hair had gone from a light salt and pepper to full on grey. Other than the wrinkles that more defined, Willow looked just like his younger self. He looked up at the three of them and smiled wide.

"Spark, Blanche, Candela! It's good to see you all again." They all greeted each other, Spark having to balance his egg while trying to shake Willow's hand. The Professor looked at the egg with interest. "Oh my, that's pretty big… and the shell pattern, I've never seen that before."

"It's from Alola." Spark said proudly. "My friend Kukui gave it to me before I left."

"Interesting. What type of Pokémon is it?"

"I have no idea." He shrugged.

"That makes it all the more exciting."

Blanche cleared their throat, obviously edger to get on with things. "Professor, why exactly have you asked us all here?"

Willow smiled, spinning around and heading back inside. "Right to the point, as always Blanche. Well I'm starting a new project and I need people I can trust."

The trio followed him, exchanging confused looks with one another. The research center had been redone on the inside, looking almost nothing like it had when he was younger. He stared at it hard, trying to remember exactly what it used to look like.

Willow led them through another pair of doors that opened up to a lab of some kind. There was a large map of the world on the wall, large enough that it almost took up the entire wall. There was a large desk in front of it with book shelves and cabinets lining the walls and bursting with books and papers. A small Vulpix was napping on one of the tables.

Blanche and Spark seated themselves while Candela remained standing. "So what do you mean, people you can trust?"

"I'm going to start a program that will enlist the help of trainers all over the world. And I need people to lead them. More specifically, I need you three to lead them."

The three looked at one another with wide eyes. "I think I speak for all of us when I say… huh?"

Willow chuckled. "Let me elaborate. I need people who can lead; three different people with different strengths and weakness to help me guide the young trainers along. You will also be helping me sort through all the data we receive from the trainers while also having the opportunity to explore your own areas of interest."

Spark was really confused now. Blanche sat up, a frowning. "I don't quite understand. Why do you think we are the ones capable of both helping you and also leading a group of trainers?"

"Well, who better to lead then the only three trainers in the world who have bonded with the legendary titans?"

"While that is a very good point, I don't see how that makes any of us qualified to lead. If anything, that might hinder your research. Team Rocket still hasn't given up on obtaining their power."

"True, but even without your three, Team Rocket would be targeting this project any way. After all, they flock to any place that has an abundance of Pokémon in it." He had a good point there. "Honestly, you three having bonded with titans is really more of a bonus. It's your individual skills that I think make you all perfect leaders."

Spark wasn't too sure what he could contribute. He wasn't as smart as Blanche or as strong as Candela. He had good instincts thought and learned a many great things about caring for Pokémon during his travels. Both from studying under the best and working in the field. And he was the only person he knew who could tell when an egg was going to hatch just by listening. Maybe he did have some valuable knowledge to share.

There was a lull in the conversation, his two friends looking a little confused and unsure of what Willow was taking about. Spark spoke up. "So what's the project called?"

"I'm calling it the Go Initiative."