A/N: I've wanted to write a Nando-centric story for a while. Well, here it is.
The way I planned it, it's kind of a not-very-original Finding Nemo/Zoroark: Master of Illusions mishmash with some inspiration from the Portal fanfic "Maternal Instinct". But it's my first, so enjoy...please? I'll even throw in a cookie if you review. It's got chocolate chips and sprinkles...and vanilla frosting.
Also, sorry for the lack of actual Pokémon. But that cookie is still up for grabs.
Chapter 1
It was a common superstition among mages that the strangest things happened when the moon was full. Indeed, this night the moon hung clear and bright in the sky for all the world to see, its radiance bathing the little town and the forest in silvery light. One ray of moonlight reached down to illuminate a lone house standing by itself at the edge of the forest, a house belonging to a sorcerer called Nando Moonbow.
Tales abounded throughout the village of this strange man with the ghostly face and pale eyes framed by long dark hair, as black as the darkest night. Some claimed that he could punish those who angered him with curses unspeakable by a human tongue. Others claimed that he had a way of crossing the intangible border separating the living from the dead. Still more were convinced that he was a ghost himself, trapped in human form and doomed to walk the earth for all eternity.
From the smallest child to the wisest elder, everyone was warned never to go near him.
Alas, things have a way of changing when we least expect them to.
Flames tainted the endless sky a thousand shades of red and orange and yellow as the smoldering wreckage burned itself out in one final blaze, crumbling to ash.
Just a little farther, the young woman in the black cloak reminded herself as she limped down the path, away from the ruins, away fromthem, carrying the basket in her arms. The wound in her leg ached again. It's not going to be much longer.
The familiar glow of her magic enveloped her, and she vanished, reappearing in a flash of light.
In front of a lone house near the edge of a forest.
She approached the doorstep of the house, clutching the basket to her chest. Looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her, she set the basket on the doorstep, then fled into the night, never looking back.
The door swung open. Nando knelt down to examine the contents of the basket, raising his lantern to get a better look. Lifting a corner of the tiny fleece blanket, he gasped.
A little boy with soft green hair lay fast asleep in the folds of the blanket. Inconspicuously wedged into the cloth folds was a hastily written note.
My old friend —
When you read this, they will probably have already caught me. I can't keep running from them forever. You're my only hope.
Even if they kill me, I won't let them take my son. I know how much I am asking of you, but there is no other choice — I am sorry. My last request to you is to care for Conway as if he was your own. I know he will be safe with you.
All at once, the realization fell like the moon itself onto Nando's shoulders. She was in danger! Taking the basket into his arms, he fled into the dense forest, following the sounds of battle that echoed through the trees. Red light flashed in the shadows, unmistakable signs of his enemies' mark: the fiery blaze that consumed everything in its path.
The light was growing fainter, but not for an instant did Nando halt, until all at once, the sounds stopped and the fiery red light began to fade. Darkness was thrown over the forest once more, but the dying fire still lit the way in the clearing up ahead.
The clearing where she lay.
Desperation and denial flooded through Nando's veins as if he could block out the crushing realization, tears pricking at his eyes. No. It can't be...it's not true. It's not! No, please, no! Kneeling over her body, he felt his healing spell flood to his hands in a futile attempt to revive her, but it was too late. She was gone. Nando's shoulders crumpled as his body shook with heaving sobs at the loss of his dearest friend, whispering her name over and over as if it would bring her back. Why couldn't I save you?
The spell was broken when a tiny cry sounded from the basket, instantly snapping Nando out of his mourning trance. Awakened, Conway's wide eyes were quivering with unshed tears of his own, as if he knew what had happened to his mother. Nando held the boy to his chest as close as he could, stroking Conway's soft green hair until he fell asleep. As Nando gazed down at the sleeping boy and a gentle love crept into his heart, he felt a new instinct spark inside him, not to grieve...but to protect.
"You are my son now. And I swear to the gods above that I will keep you safe until my last breath."