Chapter One: The Man's Warning

Canalave City, the quaint home of historical nostalgia, welcomes you.

Well that's what the brochure said anyway; however, May got the feeling that this this place was not much of a home to anyone anymore. Even with the wind blowing, the air was stiff, suffocating even. The sea breeze added no refreshing feel and the city itself just seemed so empty. The docks, supposedly full of vivacious sailors and their beloved vessels, were unoccupied save for a single boat. May felt that she could scream at the top of her lungs and no one would be around to hear her.

This was May's third visit to Sinnoh. The first being when she had come to compete in a contest and meet up with her old friends, as well as some new ones. The second time was to watch and cheer on her little brother, Max, in his second ever Pokemon League Challenge. It had always been a very relaxing place, but this city had the hairs on her body standing straight up.

"What a warm welcome, Sinnoh," she mumbled.

Behind her, a gruff, masculine voice replied, "Not what you were expecting, huh?"

With a frightened jump and a swift turn toward the voice, May gasped, holding her brochure out as if it was a sword. An older, well built man with brown-purple hair stared back at her, and then at her make-shift weapon, with wide, tired eyes. Then he let out a hardy laugh. It relaxed May a little; somehow laughter and this eerie city did not appear to go hand in hand.

"That brochure you have in your hand, let me see that," he ordered, holding his hand out. Something about him was familiar- not familiar in the sense that she had met him before but in the the sense that he reminded her of someone, of a father- her father, Norman.

They had the same towering, intimidating stance. Like Norman, he had this powerful air about him, that makes you afraid to challenge him,makes you want to stand up and fight with him, but also makes you want to strive to surpass him. And despite his gruff exterior, he felt like someone she would be safe with. She could tell he was someone people looked up to, and relied on when things got tough. He also had an unyielding stubbornness to him. Yes, this man was fatherly, in all senses of the word.

He cleared his throat. "Miss?"

May gave him and awkward smile, "Oh, sorry sir. You just...reminded me of someone, someone who means a lot to me."

The bearded man gave her a warm smile, "I get that a lot," he said, then pointed to the pamphlet, "Now, miss, the brochure. May I see it?" he asked again, but instead of waiting for her to give it to him, he simply took it out of her hand. May wanted to think it was rude, but she could tell that being impolite was not his intention.

Something sad emitted from him as he read the paragraphs smothered in imagery intended to attract tourists, as his calloused thumb traced over the beautiful photographs. "Seeing her the way she is now, its hard to believe that the city we're standing in used to mirror the one in this here brochure- beautiful and strong as the steel foundations its built upon." A morbid chuckle escaped him, "'A quiet, historical welcome sign to the Sinnoh Region,' indeed she was."

Was? What had happened to change that? She opened her mouth to speak but before she could ask the man any questions he handed back the brochure and put a hand on her shoulder. "Good day, lass. Travel safe. I know you irritating young, stubborn folk don't like to listen to old geezers like me, but just do me a favor and don't stay out too late, and..." There was something else he wanted to say but he held back.

And then his whole demeanor had changed. The man who seconds before had been a strong, unyielding man, now seemed so easily defeated. May was not sure if it was even the same man at all. He seemed almost frightened, as if another word out of his mouth would be the end for him. His eyes were searching, looking up, down, everywhere. It was almost like...

It was almost like this man though the city was listening.

His grip on her shoulder tightened, and May grimaced, trying to pull away. "Um, I'm sorry I have to go! I have someone waiting for me! Sir," she grabbed his hand, trying to pry him it off of her shoulder, "please! You're hurting me!"

But instead of letting May go, he leaned in, his breath hot and uneven against her neck. He whispered something into her ear, and then started to shake. May was now crying out of fear, and begging him to let her go but she was not talking to the same man who had welcomed her, who had reminded her of her father. She was talking to a man who's eyes were blank and body still, who just kept squeezing her shoulder, harder and harder and harder and-

"Let me go!"

The man jumped and his eyes returned to focus, focused on her. His hand relaxed, instantly unhanding her and she backed away from him.

Then she ran. She ran past the gym, past the library, past all the signs welcoming her to the 'City Of Iron Will'.

She was halfway across a bridge when she heard his voice calling after her. "Miss! Miss, please wait!" His voice was achingly desperate. Faster she ran. Her hand clutching Blaziken's pokeball. Something was wrong in this city, and she wanted to leave as quickly as possible. The city's exit was in sight and she ran even faster, afraid that if she wasted any time getting out of there some force would pull her back.

The man was still yelling after her, repeating the same phrase he had whispered to her over and over. It was echoing across the city walls and all the houses. It was echoing inside of her as well.

Finally she made it, her breathing heavy and her chest almost vibrating from her heart's frantic beating. She was out of Canalave City, no longer breathing it's suffocating air, no longer hearing the man's screaming...his warning.

Don't be afraid to be scared of the dark.

I'd really appreciate reviews. I mean, obviously you don't have to, but I'd really appreciate it. So please, review.
this story will be rated M in later chapters. I'll be sure to let you know when they are coming up. When that time comes I may change the rating depending on if I see fit.
I'm hoping this story will be very dark, but also have that lightness that pokemon journeys have. I'm hoping it will be 15-20 chapters too, but who knows.
The upcoming chapters will be longer than this too, I just really wanted to end this chapter with his warning.
Some new characters will be introduced in the next chapter.
Hopefully you all figured out who the man was in this chapter.
thanks for reading!