Fox Demon Avaritia12 Posts : 3342 Location : On her train, her hype train o3o
| Subject: Divergent Paths [Pokemon Fanfic-Ongoing] Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:23 am | |
| Welp, I decided to post this here to accompany the countless other story threads that've been popping up in this section. This is an ongoing story and fanfic of mine, and I'm quite lazy when it comes to typing up the new chapters, so bear with me! Feel free to comment, critique, draw fanart, or whatever you want in regards to this story. I'll try and keep all of the chapters listed in this first post in a spoiler, unless I meet the character limit for a post. If that happens, you'll have to search for the new chapters >:} - Chapter 1:
Chapter 1 I was drifting in the blackness of unconsciousness for who knows how long. I was in no hurry to get back. The drifting of dull thoughts, of sights and sounds was almost serene. The thing that drew me back into the real world was the scent of something familiar. As I inhaled, more and more reality started forming. Oak…Maple…Pine…I'm in a forest. I nodded in acceptance to this fact, reality and logic still not entirely piercing my mind. After a moment of idle thought, my mind suddenly jolted into full awareness. What am I doing in a forest?! Sitting up, but still with closed eyes, I tried to remember where I was supposed to be. I knew it was strange that I was in a forest, but I didn't know why it was. The more I tried to find it, the farther the answer danced away from my mind. I couldn't remember anything. It was as if I was born that day, in that forest, but that obviously wasn't right, though I still wasn't sure why it wasn't right. After giving up on remembering, I opened my eyes for the first time. No, not the first time. Just the first time I could remember doing so. The first thought that came to my mind was the sight of the trees, I could then put an image to the scents. Why are they so big? I wondered. Before I could get up to study them, however, exhaustion hit, and I quickly drifted off once more. In my dream I kept hearing a voice. It had been completely black for a while, but now a voice was making its way into it, more than pushing, it was burrowing inside, not allowing the coaxing darkness to take me. I tried to push it away and ignore it, but it just got louder and louder. "Hey," it said, "You need to get moving. This road will by busy soon!" My eyes slowly opened, only to be met by the eyes of a... Vulpix, my mind confirmed after a split second of thought. Though this one had something off about it. The image in my mind was a fox of blazing red fur, not golden like this one was. "Why are you so big?" I asked, the question turning half into a yawn. The Vulpix looked confused, but shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'd hurry if I were you. We have to get out of here!" I blinked for a moment, and cocked my head. Something was off about this. Then it hit me. The Vulpix was talking! "You're a talking Vulpix!" I said, a bit loudly. "Were you dropped or something?" the Vulpix replied with an amused look. "Of course I talk." Her ears perked, and she heard something my own couldn't. "We'd better get out of here quick!" Before I could even take a breath to respond, she grabbed me and dragged me into the trees at the side of the road. I didn't fight her, and let amusement wash over me. A large Vulpix dragging a human through the woods. The world must have a sense of humor. I thought, chuckling. Once in the trees, the Vulpix loosened her grip and stepped back. "That would have been easier if you would have just got up when I told you to. Though you're pretty light for a Zorua," she laughed. "My name's Flair, what's yours?" Zorua? Was this Vulpix insane? Or was I? Maybe this was just some bizarre dream. I'll just play along until I wake up. This dream seems strange enough, I mine as well enjoy it. "My name is Lily," I replied. Flair smiled. "Glad to make your acquaintance. Come on," she laughed, "I can't drag you everywhere. Well, I can, but don't expect me to!" Her sudden enthusiasm was contagious. I stood up and tried to walk, but ended up tripping over my own feet. Heat rushed to my face, but my new fur seemed to hide the blush of embarrassment. I guess that's one perk of being a Pokémon. Flair tried to hide her giggles, but the silent heaving of her sides gave her away. "You really are a strange Zorua," she said, somewhat regaining her composure. "I've never seen another one of you around here, so maybe you're normal for where you came from. I honestly don't know." She looked at me with a curious expression, but some petty emotion, perhaps the hurt and embarrassment of being laughed at, didn't make me want to give her any kind of answer. I remained silent. After a few still moments, Flair put her question aside. Giving me a meaningful look, she took a few slow steps, trying to show me how to do it without tripping over my own feet. I copied her movements, and took small steps. Once I got the hang of it, a proud feeling welled in my chest. I could walk! Nothing could stop me now! Nothing, except for one thing. Flair stood by me with a huge grin on her face. It almost looked as if she were up to something. Suddenly, she shot off deeper into the forest at a sprint. Surprised, I tried to follow. "I can't run!" I shouted at her. "Slow down!" "If you can walk, you can run!" she shouted back, her voice indicating where she had disappeared into the trees. Trying to follow, my walk grew faster and faster, until I was finally running. It was exhilarating! The trees blurred by in streaks of green and brown. My full attention was on the yellow tails of Flair, who I had almost caught up to. Minutes passed, or hours, I didn't know. Without any warning, Flair skidded to a halt. I did as well, but not nearly as graceful. My face scraped the ground as I slammed into it, and the taste of dirt filled my mouth. Ignoring me, Flair's ears were once again perked. She had a panicked look in her eyes. "There are trainers coming Lily," she said, "we have to get away from here." She turned toward a thick looking growth of trees, the kind of thing we seemed to avoid on our run. "Follow me," she said before sprinting off into it. Startled, it took me a while to comprehend what was happening. Why would a trainer want to bother me? I have nothing to battle with. Besides, maybe they could tell me where the heck I am. Then I remembered that this was some wacko dream, that I was a Pokémon. A rare one around here, from what Flair had said. I looked around for Flair, but there was no sign of her. The bushes next to me rustled, and I could hear voices: human voices. "I swear I heard something over here," a male voice said. "If it's another Beedrill, I'm going to kill you," another male voice replied. The two trainers appeared into the clearing where I stood frozen, and I was staring wide eyed into the shocked expression of both.
- Chapter 2:
Chapter 2 "I-Is that a Zorua?" the first trainer asked with a shocked stutter. He reached up and wiped his eyes, as if rubbing them would prove that it was all in his head. "No, it can't be," the other trainer said, just as bewildered as the first. "They can only be found in Unova. Besides, it would use illusions if it were real. They're smarter at hiding than the Bedrill you insisted weren't going to attack us..." I was still in a frozen panic as the trainers launched into a heated argument, almost as if they had forgotten I was there. My body was still frozen, as if the shock of being on the other end of the trainer-Pokémon spectrum caused my entire mind and being come to halt. All I could do was with for the best until I had control of my feet again. The bushes suddenly jolted and rustled from behind where the trainers stood, and concerned eyes met my wide ones. It was Flair! A burst of hope flooded through me, and I was thrust back in control. Though before I could take a step toward her, the all too familiar gleam of an object in the first trainer's hand sent me into a panic once more. "Even if it's not a Zorua," the trainer sighed, "it can't hurt to try. It looks real enough." It was stupid of me. In all of my thought to make a run toward Flair, I had tuned their conversation out, giving me no clue on what the trainer had decided until it was too late. No. This was not going to be a part of this dream. This was my dream, and I should be able to stop him! I closed my eyes in focus, and images filled my mind. I brought them together into a different scenario, creating an alternate version where the trainers never stumbled upon us. It didn't feel as if anything changed, and a cold and ominous breeze whipped across my face before I opened my eyes. I saw the shine and rapid change of red to white as the still very real Pokeball hurtled toward me. How poetic, I couldn't help but think while I braced myself, I wake up to a new life only to have it end with this. Instead of the end and whatever fate awaited me inside the ball, however, there was a sudden blur gold and a blinding flash, followed by the thud of a fallen, empty Pokeball. Flair stood protectively in front of me with a heaving and breathless chest. Her ears were turned back in a threatening manner, and she barred her teeth toward the trainers. It was terrifying, and an expression I thought I'd never see on such a cheery Vulpix. Still, something was... off about the Pokeball she had blocked. It had acted as if she was a Pokemon already captured, or at least that's what my mind was telling me. "You have a trainer?" I asked in a low, shocked whisper. "We have to go," she said with a flick of her ear and an almost emotionless voice. "Unless you want to try and dodge another one." I nodded, took one glance at the dumbfounded trainers, and fled toward the thicket of trees with Flair following close behind. The voices of the trainers quickly faded, lost in the density of the forest. I heard Flair's footsteps slow and come to a stop, so I did the same. "What was that about?" Flair asked, her peppy attitude seemed to have returned. "Now I know you aren't a normal Zorua. No Pokémon would just freeze out there," she giggled, "so what gives?" "I don't know. I-I just froze." She gave me a skeptical look, and I sighed. "Okay. I was trying to wake up from this dream. Or at least change it," I confessed. "This isn't a dream," she said softly, "why would you ever think it was?" "Because I'm a human."
- Chapter 3:
Chapter 3 "Human?" Flair giggled, "of all things, you clearly aren't that. Crazy, maybe." "That's why this has to be a dream," I sighed, "I woke up as a Zorua, but I clearly remember being human, two legs and everything." "Well," Flair said with a sly and joking smile, "that's a flaw in your logic, I found you asleep, and even a Bidoof would know you can't sleep in your dreams." I rolled my eyes, though a small space in the back of my head raised some lingering doubts. What if this wasn't a dream, but what else could it be? "Out of curiosity," Flair suddenly said, breaking the tension of my thoughtful silence, "what's it like being a human?" She was clearly amusing me, and there was no hint that she had taken my statement seriously. "I don't know, I don't remember anything. When I try to, all I see are flashes of images that fade away before I can focus and make them out." A gleam crossed Flair's eyes, and her sly smile widened. "Looks like we have a mystery on our hands." "We?" Her smile widened to an excited grin, "Yes, we. I don't have much to do anyway, and you're far more interesting than wandering around this dull forest. Unless you're the type to stare at trees all day. I met a Xatu like that once, not as talkative as I would have liked." I couldn't help but laugh, but I cut my amusement of short when I caught Flair's sudden expression. Her eyes were distant and her ears pointed low, as if sad about something. Her eyes seemed distant, but as they met my own, she raised her head back up and sighed. "There's something I have to tell you," she said, "I'm damaged goods. You saw it before, I had a trainer. Most Pokémon aren't fond of the ones like me." Her sudden somber attitude was unnerving, and I shook my head. "I'm not a normal Pokémon, remember," I flashed her a smile, "and what do you mean had? Did something happen?" Her eyes turned downcast again, and her brow furrowed with a look of far away sadness, like someone who had just watched a good friend leave them. I mentally gave myself a slap, realizing how hard it seemed for her to bring up the first part. And I just had to bring it up, I'm such an idiot. "You don't have to tell me," I quickly said, "I shouldn't have brought it up." She shook her head and straightened up, wiping her eyes with one paw-swipe. "No, I'm the one who brought it up, and I'm overreacting. It's just a little hard to remember, and if we're going to go off and solve a mystery together," it was clear that she forced a smile, but it was a good sign, "you should know about me. I'm what some humans call a shiny Pokémon, I-" "You don't look shiny," I said in observation, she rolled her eyes. Another good sign of recovery. "Don't ask me, humans are just weird like that. And don't interrupt, or I won't tell you any more," I nodded, and she did too before continuing. "Anyway, I was originally from this area, but was caught by a traveling trainer who seemed to be fascinated with me. Humans called him a Professor and a scientist, though I'm still not sure what those are. Like I said, humans are weird, no offense," her smile was genuine this time. "The scientist had a daughter, who always seemed to like me. I had an easy life with her around, she would pet and feed me and attend to anything else I needed, and when she was old enough to crave adventure, so did I. We left on our own journey." Her eyes were distant, as if she were seeing what she remembered. "My trainer was a kind person. We always had a bond, but it only strengthened on our travels. We met all kinds of humans and Pokémon, and we learned a lot too. It was clear that I wasn't a normal Pokémon, and that drew attention, and not always good attention. Still, we managed," her faraway look suddenly grew darker as she met my own curious gaze. "Then it all changed. For the worse." "It was in a region far from here, we had gone there because my trainer had wanted to see the musicals the city we arrived in was famous for. We rode all the way across the ocean in a huge ship to get there, and when we finally arrived, we were met by a group of humans in white uniforms. There was a loud crowd of humans around them, listening to the voice of one of the uniformed people. My trainer decided to see what was going on and she-" "White uniforms?" I suddenly blurted as a strange thought crossed my memory, "are you sure they weren't black? Black unif-" "I told you not to interrupt, and besides, I'm not blind, and my memory hasn't gone all funky like yours. The uniforms were obviously white. Anyway, she walked toward the crowd, and like always, I followed close behind. The speaking human really seemed to be getting to her, I couldn't understand what he was saying though, I've only really been attuned to what my trainer said in their garbled language. Whatever it was, though, it made her really upset." "She had never put me in my Pokéball before, but after the crowd started to disperse, she did. I-I'm not sure what happened next. All I remember is drifting off while waiting for her to let me out again. But it never happened. Finally I had to push and fight my way out, and once I was, it was just me. I was all alone in an unfamiliar land, far from even the scent of the noisy city we were destined for." Flair sighed, and glanced up to the gathering stars now above us. "I waited for her," she took a deep breath, "I waited in those woods for three days, watching the stars change around me, and feeling my hope fade away. I never saw her again, and even though I hope to Arceus it's not true, I know she abandoned me. I know she wouldn't have just left me there otherwise. B-But I just can't come to terms with it. I know I'm an idiot for it, holding onto hope instead of logic, but a small part of me will never let go of that," her smile was sad, and I couldn't imagine the feeling of devastation it would be. Sometimes not knowing your circumstances is a greater gift than being an onlooker to it, unable to stop what path fate has set out for you, a small voice in my head whispered. "Finally," Flair said, again interrupting the silence of my reminiscence, "on the fourth day, I had to force myself to leave. I couldn't stay in that unfamiliar place. I snuck on a departing ship and once it landed, I made my way to the most comforting place. Ironic that it was a forest that gave me something to hold on to, since it was one took my hope away. But I guess everything has a happy ending in mind," she yawned and cracked a crooked grin, "I did meet you, after all. Maybe fate has something in store for us, if you believe in that kind of thing."
- Chapter 4:
Chapter 4 There was a heavy weight on me as a regarded Flair's story. It seemed so much more harrowing than my own situation, and I felt a little selfish even bringing myself into her own problems. Her downcast gaze that lit with happiness as her own wide eyes gazed into mine was encouraging though, at least it seemed I was a messenger of at least some sort of joy to this Vulpix. The least I could do now was to break the silent tension that seemed to have gripped the two of us. "Looks like you have a mystery too," I said, and found myself swiping my tail across her flank in a gesture of comfort. A sheepish smile creeped across her face and her head cocked as she suddenly voiced a question. "What were you saying about black uniforms, anyway," she started, "after you oh-so rudely interrupted me. I remember them white, but did you get one of your memories or something to help us figure out your enigma?" She seemed hopeful, and it hurt me a little to crush the shine in her eyes after they had just lightened back up. "Unfortunately, it's not that. I, well, I'm not exactly sure. The thought just came to me when I said it," a yawn escaped my lips and I realized how dark it had become. "I was probably tired," I offered, though she seemed doubtful that this was the true reason. "The plot thickens," she giggled, standing and yawning herself. "Let's get some sleep for now, I don't think we'll get any farther tonight." The golden hued Vulpix offered one more fleeting smile before padding toward the shelter of a nearby uprooted tree. I followed, curling beside where she had made her own spot. We fit snugly, and our body heat, particularly that of the blazing fire type, was comforting. Closing my eye, the only thing that dampened my content mood was the small thought that crossed my mind. Looks like this dream is coming to a close...----- The dazzling glow of dawn was what awoke me from my dreamless night, and the first thing I noticed was the warm body pressed against my own and the shade of the wooden roots above us. I'm still a Pokemon, this can't be right! I sucked in a startled breath, not wanting to alarm the still slumbering Flair. Carefully getting to my feet, er, paws, I gingerly stepped out from our makeshift shelter and back onto the forest floor that felt so alien to me. A patch of grass rustled as Flair shifted and tiredly blinked awake, gazing at me through still half shut eyes. "Good morning," she smiled before launching into a long stretch. "I was thinking about your mysterious black uniforms," she started, "and I doubt we'll find any of them running around these woods. If there are any, they'd probably be in a more human inhabited area. There's a place not far from here... I believe humans call it Pyrite Town. It's not a good place for people or Pokemon, there are a lot of shady characters around there. The perfect place for your shady lack of a description." "Pyrite Town," the name didn't ring any bells. I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. "Yep," Flair replied, seemingly glad that I wasn't raising any protests to the idea. "It's a pretty long walk, but if we're lucky we may be able to find a passing truck. They frequent the desert, and if you aim just right you can grab on and hitch a ride to most anywhere, I've done it before." The whole plan seemed doubtful and dangerous in my mind, but I pushed back the warning bells. After all, I was just a stranger to wherever this place was. She must know what she was doing. Besides, the peppy grin on her face and the excitement in her eyes was enough to keep me from saying anything against the matter. Instead, I nodded slowly, causing her to let out one happy bark. "Follow me," Flair said before dashing off back into the forest. Unlike before, I was ready, and kept up right along her flank. She glanced back and grinned, speeding up. I followed. ----- "We've been waiting for hours," I said, unsure if it truly had been that long. Flair nodded in agreement, pawing anxiously at the sandy ground below and scanning our desolate surroundings. We had opted to wait out a passing vehicle bound toward Pyrite's direction. Unfortunately, it seemed more of a fantasy than a reality. I wasn't sure what kind of region this was, but it definitely wasn't a bustling one. There hadn't been any signs of other life since they reached the desert landscape. Suddenly, however, Flair's ears perked up and her head snapped to the right. "Do you hear that?" I focused my ears as well, and the faint roar of an engine greeted me. "Yes," I replied, "looks like waiting finally paid off." The noise kept getting closer and closer, and soon enough a truck could be seen speeding along the desert sand. There was a green tarp covering whatever contents were in its back, and an unseen driver shaded by its tinted windows. "When I say go, jump and grab onto something," Flair commanded, lowering herself into a crouch. I followed suit as anticipation flooded through me. I had waited too long to back out now, bad idea or not. The truck got closer. And closer. I didn't hesitate as I heard Flair's sudden "go", I leaped forward. The wind seemed to want to tear me off of the truck the moment I landed, scrabbling desperately to get a hold of something. I dug my claws into the tarp, and I stopped sliding. I didn't even know I had claws, the amusing though crossed my mind, and my small victory over the wind made me feel content. That was, until a piercing sound wiped the happy thoughts away. It sounded like something ripping, and I looked down right as a bump in the road sent my flying into the hole I had just created. Everything was suddenly dark save for the small sliver of light above me. Shaking my head, I searched desperately around. "Flair..." I trailed off meekly, there was no sign of my Vulpix companion.
- Chapter 5:
Chapter 5 The first thing I felt was a cool sensation across my leg, as if something metallic was pressing up against it. Startled, I backed up, and whatever it was that I had been leaning into disappeared into the shadows, announcing its departure with the faint whir from rolling across the truck-bed. I looked up, there was no way to reach the hole that I had fallen in. No way out... I shook my head to clear my desperate thoughts. I can do this. I may be an idiot for getting into this situation in the first place, but Flair is counting on me. I need to get out of here! Suddenly, as the vehicle jetted forward, I was thrown off my feet and against the back of the small prison I found myself in. An echoing click resonated in the air. "Ah, finally," a deep sounding voice spoke, "you found the release latch. Thanks for getting me out of that wretched Pokeball, by the way," it continued. Soft steps could be heard, claws tapping with every step. I froze, they were coming closer, but the darkness still hid them, consuming them in its anonymity. The walking froze for a second, as if he were studying something for a moment. "The poor bastards," he snickered, though I doubted it was a statement toward me. I hadn't noticed before, but my eyes seemed to have been rapidly adjusting while I cowered in the darkness. Everything was slowly coming into focus, and I could make out more of what was going on. I should have figured, I am a Dark type after all... From this, I could finally observe the shape of the stranger. He walked on two heavily-clawed legs and had a long feather extending from where an cat-like ear complimented it on the other side of his head. It took a moment for my mind to put a name to the image. He was a Sneasel, or so my blank mind was telling me. I also turned my gaze to see what he had commented on before. It seemed to be a box of more round objects, Pokeballs, neatly packed with only a few sticking out from the top. "You've undone the lock, but you aren't going to open it for me," the Sneasel said in mock hurt, he closed the gap between us and pushed me gently aside before thrusting his clawed hands at the back wall and pushing. His arms trembled and shook with effort, but it was rewarded as it gave way. A blinding light filled what was no longer my prison, and I blinked rapidly as my eyes tried to adjust. What I was left with after the stinging light faded from my eyes was the sight of the desert road passing by in a blur. "Since it seems I'm the courteous one around here, lady's first," the Sneasel grinned, motioning toward the gap. I hesitated, it looked like a hard fall. "I-I can't go," I said, forming an excuse, "I have to find a friend." Flair could still be in this place, somewhere. Maybe I missed her before, but it was light now, no way I could miss her now. "Suit yourself," the Sneasel said, "but if they're in there," he nodded toward the box of Pokeballs, "all I can say is good luck. I'd hurry up, though. They'll probably check their precious cargo soon." He rolled his eyes, and backed up toward the opening. With that, he saluted me with a wry grin and jumped, disappearing with the blurry sands that escaped my gaze. I knew Flair wouldn't be in here. My mind accepted it, but it was me that had been in denial. I looked over everything one last time before sighing and laying onto the ground. It was just me and countless others that I didn't care for. What had they been called, 'poor bastards'. Look who's the poor bastard now, I sighed. There was nothing else tying me to this place. Flair was gone, and I was alone. I looked toward the opening and stood. "Only one way out." With a running start, I raced toward the exit of my prison. Toward the light. As the mechanical ground beneath my feet subsided, I jumped. Well, fate, if you do have plans for me, now would be a pretty good time to keep me alive.
I'll type up Chapter 6 and 7 quite soon, since it's been a month or two wait elsewhere for them X3 |
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