Authors Note: I do hope you all enjoy. This chapter is more of an introductory than a true 'chapter one', either way, I do hope to hear your thoughts on this story. I feel I should let you all know right away that this story takes place well after the events of XY, roughly 30 years or so after.
There were many things that Kay expected and wouldn't expect to see whenever he went into the forest. There were also very few things that really made him stop and stare in pure surprise.
This happened to be one of them.
To rewind, for a better understanding, Kay was in the Santalune Forest for a great many of reasons that day. Every few days he'd just wander the forest, look for any injured Pokémon—and if he came across any he'd simply carry them back to his small home deep in the forest and help them get back to health so they could leave on their own. He also regularly went about looking for a variety of things; Wood that he could use for kindling or for repairs. Berries for food or other wild plants that he didn't yet have in his small garden so he could eat or plant.
He'd trek through the forest every time he needed to go to Santalune City. Sometimes he needed to go to the stores, simply because he needed more food or ingredients or other supplies. He didn't like going if he didn't have to, so Kay kept his goings and comings as limited as he could.
There were a few friends that he would consider himself to have. Not many. Kay was a private person, he moved out to the middle of a thick forest to avoid crowds and people in general because he didn't like them. He preferred Pokémon and quiet over the noise and people. But there were a few friends he did have, and a few friends that he did care about, or at the very least, respected enough to go and do things in preparations for them.
One in particular was coming around. Something about needing a place to relax and get away for a few days after he dealt with the Santalune gym leader.
So, of course, Kay decided to make sure he had enough berries for his soon to arrive guest and the Pokémon he was sure to bring.
And so, into the forest Kay had gone. With him he had kept his Gabite so that he had some protection if a wild Pokémon decided to attack him. But he hadn't thought he'd really need his companions help all that much. The Pokémon here were generally very relaxed around him, having grown used to his presence in their forest for the past four or five years. So he didn't expect to really be attacked all that often.
But, it wasn't him who needed to be worried it seemed.
Maybe half a mile away from his home and deep, deep into the forest, far off any of the paths trainers used, Kay came across a sight that nearly had him fall over in simple surprise and disbelief.
There was a girl.
Knocked out, or more likely just passed out on the ground. Her body slumped as it leaned against a gnarled tree. Her clothes had tears in them, bruises and small cuts littered her visible skin, along with dirt stains and twigs. It only took one look to show she'd certainly just been through Hell. She was likely attacked by an angry Pokémon and was unable to defend herself during said attack, if the injuries and appearance was anything to go by. A closer look showed that she didn't have any Pokémon on her personage. He couldn't see and balls at her side, if she was in danger she would have had one out to protect herself.
She was younger than Kay. Probably fifteen… sixteen max. Certainly she had seen better days. But, she didn't look so bad that she needed a hospital. Maybe he should have taken her to a hospital. But, his home was closer.
Sure, Kay preferred Pokémon to people, but he wasn't about to just walk away after finding a hurt person.
"Come on, Gabite," Kay murmured to his Pokémon as he carefully picked the girl up. Her face scrunched up in pain, but she made no noise nor did she stir. "Make sure to clear us a path if anything gets in our way." Right now the girl didn't need a hospital, but who could say that would be true if he didn't tend to her injuries right away?
Kay wasn't the kind of guy to take risks, nor was he the kind to dillydally in any way.
With the young girl in his arms, Kay walked briskly through the forest with Gabite right at his side. He was careful not to trip over any upturned roots or jostle the poor girl too much, and every so often his Pokémon companion would linger back a few paces to growl and intimidate any other Pokémon that would poke its head and draw near them.
He would be happy to say that the girl wasn't as badly hurt as she looked. A few scrapes and bruises, a bit on the hungry side too, if her scrawny, almost gaunt appearance was anything to go by. He laid her out on the guest bed after bandaging her up and she stayed sleeping for a good while.
She slept long enough that his guest had arrived. A lean young man of eighteen with a scowl permanently fixed on his face and a mood range that only went from bored to pissed.
Of course he wasn't too happy that he was stuck on the couch for the few days he'd recuperate. He made some complaints, some faces and then quietly simmered on the sofa with a glare at the wall.
It had probably been a full day before the girl had woken up.
Kay had been arguing with his guest at the table both enjoying a cup of coffee in their own ways. It was almost noon, but not yet there.
"This whole thing is just bullshit," his guest complained, his voice disinterested as he hunched over, chin resting on the wooden table as his coffee steamed beside him. He had a badge on Kay's table, the only one he'd collected since he'd started this quest of his.
Kay still couldn't understand why he was doing this. Going out of his way to challenge gym leaders for badges, intent on taking on the Elite Four and then the Champion. But, the fact that the Champion was at the end of it all… Kay could understand exactly why his companion was partaking in this foolishness.
"You put yourself on this road, you have to see it to the end," Kay said as he sipped his coffee, a soft murmur as he spoke. Not quite agreeing but not disagreeing with what the other had said. "You've only just started, too. Maybe going after gyms is too much work for you after all…?"
That got a rather heated glare thrown at him. Amber eyes narrowed and a scowl deepening. "Shut up, Kay," his companion practically snarled, a lip curling back.
But Kay simply shrugged. "I'm only saying," he wasn't afraid of whatever tantrum his guest might make. If he needed to blow off some steam, so be it.
Soft footsteps echoed deeper down the hall. His guest heard it before Kay did, his neck twisting to the side and eyes narrowing at the hall. Kay only heard the steps as they drew closer, and he brought his mug down with a soft smile.
So, his other guest was finally awake it seemed.
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, she came into view; quietly, almost as nervous as a mouse, she padded into the dining room.
Her blonde hair was a mess from her previous mayhem in the forest and from bedhead combined. Her skin was still a sickly kind of pale, with bandages patched over all her cuts and bruises highlighting the dull skin tone. There were heavy bags under her eyes, as well. Angry shadows dragging down her face.
Kay had changed her into something clean when he bandaged her up earlier. An oversized shirt of his and a pair of sweats that were almost too big for her even with the drawstring pulled tight.
She was a small being. Quite scared too, by the looks of it. Her green eyes darted every which way, as though trying to find something familiar. They landed on Kay and his friend, and she visibly swallowed, taking a fearful step back.
He offered her his most disarming smile as he stood up. "Good day, miss," Kay greeted pleasantly as he slowly made for the coffee pot. "Could I interest you in some coffee… or maybe some tea?"