Starlight in the Dusk
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. All I own are the characters of Dusk, Kioku, and the names and personalities of his Pokemon.
This fanfiction will involve both Pokemon and human injury to make it more realistic. It will also contain emotional themes such as family death. Liberties will be taken with characters and places for the sake of originality and realism. I am breaking the four-move-limit rule, once again, for the sake of realism. Moves such as Bite, Tackle, and Headbutt will simply be actions performed by the Pokemon, rather than special attacks. There will be blood and wounding involved in the battles, so be warned now. Please enjoy reading this fic as much as I enjoy writing it. Reviews are always welcome. Arigatou, and prepare to open your eyes... To the wonderful world of Pokemon!
Chapter One: Memory in the Snow
Theme: Give It All by Rise Against
Along the lonely path to Snowpoint City, a single trainer roamed. He had come far, from his hometown of Littleroot in the Hoenn region. His name was Dusk, and it had been six years since he began his journey as a Pokemon trainer. Dusk wore dark grey cargo pants over black boots, a black t-shirt, and a black, zip-up, hooded sweatshirt. Around his neck were a pair of headphones in the shape of Pokeballs. His ruffled black hair partially covered one of his eyes and his ears.
Dusk had six good friends. They traveled with him always, whether in the red-and-white balls around his waist, clipped to his studded belt, or pacing along at his side. They consisted of the loyal Meiun, a male Mightyena, the powerful Kiba, a male Arcanine, the protective Soul, a male Lucario, the swift Hunter, a male Flygon, the energetic Zephyr, a male Jolteon, and the valiant Rei, a male Gallade. Dusk had caught many Pokemon, which now reside with either Professor Birch, back in Hoenn, or with Professor Oak of Pallet Town. He had only ever bonded with the Pokemon he currently used, all six of which he had raised himself from their first forms.
Meiun was currently padding through the snow just ahead of Dusk. Although he could not see it, the trainer knew that his Pokemon had a scar over its left eye, the mark from a long ago battle when they had first become partners. Meiun had received other battle wounds as well, in the form of a gash on his right flank, and a slightly crooked tail.
Dusk received Meiun from Prof. Birch as a young Poochyena, and he had worked hard to train his Pokemon to its current strength. They had grown closer with every battle, every adventure that brought them farther from home. Meiun understood his master, his friend, better than any person could. He had an innate sense of Dusk's wishes, and his emotions.
At present, Dusk was tired, and Meiun stopped in his tracks, turned, and sat staring at his master with deep amber eyes.
"What?" Dusk asked as he stopped, staring right back into his partner's eyes. His voice was muffled slightly by the scarf around his mouth. It was the only other article of clothing he had worn in this cold weather, and he was starting to shiver. He thought of releasing his Arcanine and starting a fire, but he didn't want to risk Kiba's health in this weather. Instead, he continued to walk, only to realize that Meiun was still sitting on his haunches, gazing after his master.
"Aren't you coming?" Dusk wondered, stopping again. Meiun huffed and lay down, closing his eyes, "Oh c'mon, I know you're not tired, Mei. Get up and let's go."
Dusk began walking again, only to be stopped by a large, menacing noise. He jumped back just as a huge pile of snow slid past him, almost taking his legs out from under him. Meiun jumped to his feet, rushing to Dusk's side to support him.
"So that's why you stopped, eh? Good thing too, or I'd be gone. Thanks buddy," Dusk patted the Mightyena on the head, slightly shaken from the experience he just had, but because of his friend, he was safe. Dusk knew that Pokemon were greatly in tune with nature, explaining why Meiun had sensed the small avalanche before it even came.
"Well let's keep moving then," Dusk muttered, allowing his Pokemon to lead the way. He was eager to get somewhere safe before a bigger avalanche occurred. Soon, the lights of Snowpoint were in sight, and the two travelers jogged thankfully toward the Pokemon Center. Inside, Dusk collapsed onto one of the waiting couches and pulled off his scarf and sweatshirt. A friendly nurse came over and offered Dusk a mug of coffee. He took it, muttering a quick 'thanks' as she walked away.
Meiun lay down on the floor at his master's feet, but his eyes stayed open, keeping an eye out for any sign of danger, even in the friendly atmosphere. Dusk reached down, giving his friend a pat before curling up on the seat. There weren't many other people in the Center. A single trainer was sleeping on the seats across from Dusk, his green-tinged hair a mess. At the young boy's side was a Snover, most likely caught here in Snowpoint as his starter Pokemon.
Dusk smiled slightly, thinking of his own first day as a Pokemon trainer, the day he received Meiun from Professor Birch and set out on his journey to become a great Pokemon trainer. Dusk's goal was to someday surpass his own father in strength and skill, and he felt that he was already well on his way. Sensing his master's thoughts, Meiun raised his head, eyes shining in his own form of a proud smile.
Dusk closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, and Meiun followed soon after.
The next morning, Dusk woke alone. The other trainer was gone, and Meiun was nowhere to be seen. The dark boy sat up and stretched, then stood slowly, looking around for his companion. Dusk pulled one of the Pokeballs off his waist, depressing the button as he did so, so that it became full size. On the red upper surface was a blue, many-pointed star; Soul's Pokeball.
"Go! Soul!" Dusk called, sending out the blue and black, dog-like Pokemon that was Lucario.
"Master?" Soul greeted, bowing. The Pokemon Lucario had the power of telepathy, allowing it to speak with who it wished.
"I want you to find Meiun for me. I'm not worried, but I want to head out soon so we can find some trainers to fight," Dusk told him as he put on his sweatshirt, draping the scarf around his neck.
"Of course master," Soul replied. He stood with his eyes closed and his palms out, seeking the life aura that belonged to his friend Meiun. While Soul was busy, Dusk went to the counter to speak with the nurse.
"Hello trainer!" She greeted him cheerily, "How can I help you?"
"Well," Dusk began, "I'm new to town, and was just wondering where I might find some strong trainers to fight?"
"Let me think…" the nurse said. She put a finger to her lips and gazed at the ceiling. Dusk had to admit, she was pretty cute. It was refreshing not to have to see the same face every time he visited a Pokemon Center, like he had in Johto. All those Nurse Joys actually kinda creeped him out. This girl was younger, conveniently around his age. Her hair was long and purple, with two braids, one on each side that ran down in front of her shoulders.
"Well there's Scott," the nurse stated in answer to Dusk's question, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Scott?" he asked.
"Yeah, he lives on the opposite side of town, and his sister, Mirabelle, is pretty strong too. You could try challenging them if you want a good fight," she smiled in a friendly way that sent Dusk's heart fluttering. He returned a smile of his own and cleared his throat.
"Um, could I uh, ask your name?"
"What? Oh sure! My name's Kioku! It's always nice to see new faces in a place as far out of the way as Snowpoint."
"Oh, well, my name is Dusk, and I like traveling, so nowhere is really out of the way for me…" Dusk blushed self-consciously, although he was not really sure why.
"If you'll excuse me Dusk, I have some sick Pokemon to attend to in the back. How about you go see Scott, then come back here? I'd love to talk to you, and you can always plan your battle for tonight."
"Um, sure, sounds good. Um, see you soon I guess." Dusk turned to leave when Kioku called him back.
"Did you have any Pokemon you wanted me to take care of for you?" she offered.
"Um, no, not really, I like to keep them with me if that's okay."
"Whatever you prefer, Trainer Dusk," she smiled at him in a disarming way that made him blush, "See you later!"
Dusk waved from the lobby area, where Meiun was now sitting next Soul.
"C'mon guys, we're gonna go find a strong trainer to fight," he told them. He returned Soul to his Pokeball, and Meiun padded along at his heels out the door. They began crossing town, and Dusk smiled to himself at the beautiful day, and the promise of spending more time with Kioku later on. Meiun looked up at his master with his scarred left eye, and cocked his head at the curious grin on the boy's face.
Meiun huffed and returned his gaze to the snowy road ahead; despite how much he understood his master, some things he would just never get.
This chapter was named because 'Kioku' means memory in Japanese. Please review and let me know what you think. Don't be afraid to criticize, it will help me get better! See you next time in Chapter Two: Friends in the Cold!