FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Lucario already knew that the aura around the usually cheerful Gardeoir has dropped down immensely at the word of her brother. Did she have some kind of rocky relationship with him? Was he too busy or too neglectful of his sister? This, Jason pondered upon the possibilities that he could muster up. Guren looked very sad, tears almost welling up in her eyes: there was pain, sorrow and hurt inside her heart. One can never trick a Lucario when it came to emotions, her aura was shown. And he could read her like an open book. No form of masking or hiding could ever defend her from a Lucario's sense, it was just that sharp.

"Ah.. nevermind." The Gardevoir smiled, attempting to hide her depression from someone who can clearly see through her. Her naive attempt failed in the sight of Jason, an aura that was so black and grieving could never been hid that easily. "Let's.. um. Just go inside." She said, leading the Lucario towards the door she proclaimed her brother owned. She placed her fingers onto the scanner pad as a green line of light immediately surveyed her digits.

"ACCESS DENIED. ASSERT IDENTITY."

A brow raised, the Gardevoir gazed upon the speaker as she had not expected her to be rejected. She neared her mouth towards the mic beside the speaker to verify her identity. "Guren Kagayaku, Class Visitor."

"GUREN KAGAYAKU, CLASS VISITOR. FAMILY RELATION: YUKANA KAGAYAKU, HEAVENLY TRIO. KANPEKI KAGAYAKU, HEAVENLY TRIO. ACCESS GRANTED."

"That was odd.. it shouldn't be doing that in the first place." Guren said to herself, eyeing the scanner with a bit of prejudice. The two double doors opened with ease, revealing the room inside. It had a large double bed complete with a roof, embellished with decorations such as fabrics of both green a violet. A gigantic window was the main decor, that showed the entire view of the city. The computers inside were no joke as well, as a huge monitor for both television, internet use and surveillance was inside. It was custom made, since its texture was completely made to keep the room's ambiance in check.

"I know it's a bit fancy, but, make yourself at home." Guren said, as she entered the kitchen. "I'll prepare us something.." she said, smiling as she walked inside.

Jason could not fathom the elegant nature of the room, as he was astonished of how the place looked. He grinned widely as he sat on a velvet sofa, unconsciously feeling the soft fabric. "Wow.. this room's really.. really nice." he said to himself as he gave himself a giddy grin. He immediately recognized the giant picture frame that stood out from the other decorations. It was a portrait of a gowned Gardevoir, holding two swords and crossing them above her chest. She looked militant.. and intimidating.

Guren suddenly burst out of the kitchen, with a plate of what it seems to be rice shaped into balls. "Here, I know rice isn't productive where you come from, but try these. They're called onigiri or rice balls." she explained.

"Ah, well, America's not famous for growing rice. We kind of just import that from other countries." Jason elaborated in a slightly high voice. "Say, Guren.. who is that on the portrait?" he asked, curious.

"Nani?" Guren asked, as she adverted her eyes towards the picture who resembled her very much. "Oh, that's kaa-san, my mother."

"Kaasan. A weird name." Jason said, a finger on his chin.

"Silly, kaa-san is japanese for mother." Guren laughed lightly, hiding back a little sadness. "She's the great Yukana Kagayaku. A fierce bladesmaster, even fiercer than my brother himself. She's the original Chancellor of this room. Kaa-san was heavily respected in the Bureau, her knowledge of battle tactics is the reason why we faced the group called the Conspiracy with ease. She actually had them tunneling underground during her time at the war." Guren continued on, but was vaguely interrupted by Jason.

"This place doesn't feel like a vigilante group at all." Jason joked, smiling a bit. "You seem as strong as Japan's military, maybe even more."

"Oh, well. That's what we get sometimes. But we could assure you, there's still a gap in that. You see, our military recruits people here every 5 years. We lose a bit of manpower, and it would have us handicapped, since this is practically a open recruitment." Guren kept on. "I've been looking at your records Professor Kashikoi gave me. And I kinda..."

"Wh-What?!" Jason exclaimed, eyes opening widely. "H-How much did you see?" He stammered, sweating incessantly.

"Uh.. ano-- I just took a little peek at your personal file. I'm sorry." Guren's eyes darted downwards in regret. "But, I only saw you grew up in a military with your father. You could put those into good use, really. I hear Kiyoshi-senpai's needing some people in H.T.F.S." Guren suggested, Jason's complexion brightening up at the sound of being a stature of authority.

"The H.T.F.S? Who are they?" Jason asked, curious at the sound of the acronym. Kiyoshi had been in charge of this group, he'd sure was excited to 'audition' for them.

"The Hidden Task Force Squadron. They're basically trained in the matters of stealth and precision. They're practically assigned with assassinations most of the time, or intel gathering. But even though their expertise lie in the shadows, they're formidable opponents. Their kill count in every mission has amounted to around a hundred per year." Guren said, still having an enthusiastic face.

'Ugh.. why are you so giddy about death?' Jason thought to himself, hiding a creeped out expression.

Just then, the door opened and it from it came Kiyoshi. It was odd since the door was locked by a security so tight, but even the Chancellor of the HTFS has his secrets. The Ninetails made his way inside the room, as he flashed the two with a smile.

"Yo!~" he greeted cheerfully. "Sorry, I was eavesdropping." Scratching the back of his head, he chuckled. "So, what's this about this rookie wanting to join the deadliest task force in all of Shinzuku? Do you think you got what it takes, cutie?" He asked Jason, hands in his pockets, giving him a very laid back stature.

"Um. Yes, sir. I've been involved with these kinds of things ever since I was young." he replied back, his body tensing up in the presence of a skilled veteran. "I wish to join your task force, sir."

"Yosh!~ That's the spirit, we'll kill a lot of people now, won't we?" Kiyoshi exasperated afterwards into a creepy laugh, but his facial expression never faltered. It looked like he was kidding around, but he was actually dead serious. "Well, I can't be accepting recruits now. My right hand man is still recovering." The renowned 'senpai' flashed a peace sign as his prince-like features shimmered brightly, his perfect teeth refracting light.

"Ah, I see." Jason nodded. "Who is he though?" asked the Lucario, wanting to know the other members quickly.

"Hm?" Kiyoshi's eyes widened as he tilted his head, tapping his chin. "Well, I thought you knew. He was with us a while ago, I even carried him over here!" The Ninetails chuckled loudly, a tear almost formed around his eye.

'Ah.. him.' Jason held back a comical glare as he sucked in the mere fact Raiki was a high official amongst his team.

Then there was knocking on the door.

"Oi, oi.." A familiar voice called out as he seemingly pushed the slightly closed door. "Senpai, that was quite a knock out you gave me." he complained, his eyes half-lidded as he scratched his head. "You could have killed me y'know."

"Warukatta (My bad/sorry), ahahaha!" the Ninetails apologized as he gave out a hearty laugh. "Besides, you handled that sloppily. You still are young, I don't know how you graduated into my right side."

"Oi, senpai! Stop treating me like a child!" Raiki protested, his whole face practically in front of Kiyoshi. He was silenced as the blonde male ruffled his hair in happiness. "Oi! S-- Senpai!" Raiki protested once more.

'Wow.. I've never seen Raiki flustered like this before. That's quite a rare sight.' Jason told himself as he released a slight chuckle.

Raiki immediately took notice of this and pointed his index in front of him, his face garnishing a red tone. "Oi, baka! What are you laughing at?!" he directed his eyes towards the Lucario.

"Ah, Jason here wishes to be with our task force, Raiki." Kiyoshi explained, as he gave Raiki a reassuring smile.

"Him?!" Raiki exclaimed in surprise as his whole face degraded into a gloomy structure, upon hearing the Lucario's ludacris request.

"Yes, him. This is perfect though, I have a mission for both of you. It seems this can be his entrance exam. I'm sending all three of you on an elimination mission, just beyond the outskirts." The Ninetails opened his PDA as he scrolled through his mission logs. He searched for the appropriate one, as he pressed his finger on it. "That reminds, me. Jason, have you added my designation ID yet? Here, I'll do it for you." The Ninetails, taking the PDA, quickly scanned him in a ray of light as he flashed another peace sign, taking the male's photo. The male then turned to Raiki, whom he scanned on as well with the Lucario's PDA as it flashed and took a photo of him. The same was done to Guren.

"Ah, Raiki. It's no wonder you're called the Bookstore Prince." the male giggled. "Anata ga kawaii yooo!~" (You are irresistibly cute!) he cooed in a high-pitched voice as it elected an awkward stare from the Luxray. "That's why all the cute women flock to you to buy a lot of manga, eh?"

"Wh-What? Stop baffling on about nonsense!" he exclaimed, crossing his arms and looking at another direction to hide his shame.

'So he's well known...' Jason thought to himself as he gazed at Raiki's flustered exterior.

The fox smiled, ruffling his hair once more, in an attempt to annoy him even more. Truly, Raiki was always flustered around his superior, and it seems Kiyoshi had been taking advantage of that effectively. Seeing the situation, Kiyoshi was the only one who kept the Luxray in check. Boots clacked as he exited the room, gesturing his fingers to come follow him.

---

Two automatic sliding doors swished open, Kiyoshi exiting first. The male's crimson red eyes surveyed the area as he took a deep breath of fresh air. They were outside it seems, the lush and green grass surrounding the terrain, tall trees enveloping the landscape. And several vigilante members sparring outside. Many were practicing hand-to-hand combat and others were honing their elemental abilities to their extent. There were a lot of young people across this vast landscape. And it seems odd. The headquarters didn't look like it could contain this sort of training grounds.

"This place doesn't look like it could fit the whole lot. Where are we?" asked the Lucario who seemed to have a hard time deciphering this mystery.

"Why, we're in Rakuen. An environment protected by the Zen Pokemon." Kiyoshi explained as he extended both his arms out as if to flaunt the beauty of the place.

"Zen.. Pokemon?" Jason asked, his eyes half-lidding in confusion.

"Those were the Pokemon that came before us. The first Chancellors of the Heavenly Trio." The fox went on, as he brushed his hand over the air. "This place was discovered by Furui-sama, an ancestor to the decorated Kizu family. The very first Luxray to ever join their ranks. He was a great innovator and he was an inspiration to my Soul Step ability."

Jason nodded in awe as the blonde fox smiled at him. "Rakuen in Japanese means paradise. This place was engulfed by the sin and evil of all Pokemon, formerly. Then Furui-sama stepped inside and cast away all the demons and evil spirits that enslaved this lost paradise for thousands of years."

'Wow, to think he was related to someone like him.' Jason sneered as he gazed at Raiki who was busy looking at the trainees.

"Furui was then recognized as the Harbinger of Life, as he restored the beauty of Rakuen. The legendary Ying Pokemon, a Reshiram named Zen'no, granted him powers beyond comprehension. The power to control life. He could resurrect anyone or anything, and he was granted immortality since then, but there was a catch." Kiyoshi raised his gloved finger up, tilting his head in a playful way.

"What was it?" Guren and Jason both said in unison.

"He wasn't allowed to leave Rakuen." Raiki finished just before Kiyoshi could speak. His eyes gazed at the three for a second then back to the trainees once more.

Kiyoshi closed his eyes as a sweat drop formed into his temple. For a fleeting second, his expression changed as he looked like he hung his neck. But then shifted into a cheery smile again. "Yes, he was never allowed to leave Rakuen." the male repeated. "So, he decided to let the members of the Bureau to train here. Being a member of the Tengoku or Heavenly Trio, he made an edict that this be the training grounds of every member of the Bureau and his edict passed." the fox said.

"But time passed and he was all alone, he had no more friends who lived and the young people of the Bureau had taken over. A new generation came." Kiyoshi continued on. "The hermit Furui stayed atop the mountain right over there," Kiyoshi pointed at the mountain overlooking them. "and there, he lived in isolation."

"So, he's immortal right?" Jason asked. "Is he still there?"

"Let me finish," Kiyoshi chuckled. "Furui was sent into a spiraling depression being alone. He sought for Tondemonai, the legendary Yang Pokemon, Zekrom. He journeyed to the peak of the mountain, we call the Balance. There Furui said he saw the multitude of generations. He saw the future of many young people and all of them, faced certain death at a point. It was horrific experience, if you ask me." Kiyoshi said with a straight but smiling face, as it made his aura even more disturbing.

"The ancient Luxray called out for the legendary Pokemon by flaunting out Zen'no's energy from within himself. Tondemonai responded as the mighty Zekrom tore through sky itself and descended from the heavens. A mighty black dragon with blood red eyes took its form, as it dissipated into a humanoid person. Furui was able to communicate easily because of that." Kiyoshi said with a sage-like voice.

"---- Wait." Guren interrupted. "You mean to say these legendary Pokemon can shift forms?" the Gardevoir asked, bewildered.

"Well, they're called legendary for a reason, sweetie." Kiyoshi cooed. "Now, let me continue. Furui called out and pleaded for his immortality to be wished away. And Tondemonai agreed and gave him a portion of his power. A power to control life to its contrary. He was granted to control death now. Two powers in perfect balance resided inside one being. Then, the voices of the Balance called to him." Kiyoshi turned around to look at the peak of the mountain.

"There is a grave danger in the future. A haven of lights, a power beyond natural means. When the time comes, your power is needed. O, being of life and death, please, we the spirits of this mountain implore you. A great danger, a threat beyond comparing to even the gods themselves is arising!" Kiyoshi recited the exact words of the spirits of the Balance. A spine chilling tingle went across both Jason and Guren's backs as the tension slowly tightened. They could hear bells and organs erupting from the Ninetails' words. A choir echoed through their heads as if he was a cultist leader speaking of dire prophecies. Which was, undoubtedly one.

"Furui used the power of the Balance to gaze upon the future coming and fast forwarded it into a moment in time. With that, he recorded the things he saw on a stone tablet, carving it with the Luxray's trademark lightning abilities, embedding part of his power into the tablet to react to a specific person. The Balance was sealed off by a powerful barrier made by Furui. The old man placed the stone tablet, containing the things of a desolate future in a cave not too far from where he was." Kiyoshi's tone dropped into a serious pace.

"... S-So, did.. he die?" Jason asked, gulping as the story became more and more intense.

"No." Kiyoshi abruptly interrupted, he wasn't as cheerful as he was before. "Furui sat under the sakura tree that miraculously grew on top of the mountain. And he channeled the forces of life and death inside him, and he absorbed the essence. He had reached an equilibrium not known to even life nor death. He stayed stagnant. He was neither dead or alive. He was.. at balance." The Ninetails' continued on forth. "The powers of both Yin and Yang, life and death." Kiyoshi spread his two hands alternatively as to gesture the two entities. "They gave Furui balance and with that, he sealed himself. So that he could pass on his powers to the chosen one. From that day forth, even today, Furui waits on top of that mountain. Waiting for his chosen one to come and save the world from the impending doom. He took the title as the being of both life and death, the Harbinger of Balance." Kiyoshi ended, taking a long silence, back still facing the two, not seeing his expression.

'That was intense.' Jason said to himself as a sweat drop formed, his expression somewhat beguiled at the story.

'Scary..' Guren whispered to herself as well.

The fox turned around quickly as he gave the two a cheerful smile. "Well, that's all prophecy and whatnot, don't believe a single word of it, though." he said in a fast pace as if trying to mess with the two.

The two were startled as the Lucario with one leg up, arms scrunched up in a scared position screamed in surprise. "Aaah!" the two recited in unison.

"Wait, I still have one question. How did the Bureau fit this whole 'Garden of Eden' behind it?" Jason asked, quite perplexed.

"Oh.~ Well, this world is apart from ours. It is connected to it, but it is a space unknown to anyone but the Bureau. To make things short, we teleported here. And we're in another world." Kiyoshi explained giving a playful gesture.

"Wh-What?!" Jason exclaimed, again surprised at the explanation.

{?} -- [Author's note: Well, I'll stop here. Since this chapter's a bit too long now. I think this'll extend to 2 more parts. So, stay tuned.]