Corruption

a Ruellia Zhang fanfic

A/N: So. It's me. And I'm back from the dead. Woohoo! Also, this fic came to me as an extension of my Espeon chapter in Eevee Evolutions. (Which is on indefinite hiatus, like everything else.) Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: Pokemon is the combined effort of GAME FREAK and NINTENDO. I have no rights to this game at all.

I never had parents. Well, genetically, I did. All creatures must, after all. But a sense of comfort, of warmth, of perfect, serene, peace?

In my world, that doesn't exist.

Some have perfect, flawless memories of their parents. They can remember, in detail, every smell, every touch, every sense activated like it was new.

There are those who have vaguer memories. The details are not there, only that overwhelming, wonderful, comfort.

Then there's me. No memories at all.

After all, I was born in a tiny, closed glass case.

I remember some things now. Memories that, for some inane reason, I did not remember when I needed them most. Flashbacks, tiny clips of violence, horror, and perhaps a few, tiny pieces of joy…

"Don't you have any good stuff, old man?"

"Paying customers only. You haven't bought a single thing."

A low, rough, growl of rage. "Only because I've been told that you're good, you little sneak. If it turns out I wasted my money for nothing…well, let's just say that you won't be able to have a proper funeral."

A laugh. I hear a small click. Then a roar, a loud, glass-shattering roar. I wonder what kind of Pokemon could sound like that…?

The rustling of cash, a low voice muttering "What a dump. What a ripoff."

Then, I hear footsteps. Loud, heavy footsteps. They're headed my way.

"DIEDIEDIEDIEDIE! You fucking piece of shit! How could you lose to some crappy Jolteon? After all the money I've spent on your putrid hide!" The sound of fist crashing against flesh. I cringe, lower my ears so I won't have to listen to this. I can still hear it in the background, but the real words aren't there…

A few minutes later, he enters my enclosed room. He unlocks my cage, brings me out, cradles me in his two rough, unsteady hands…

I stare up at him, wide-eyed. He croons to me in a soft, caressing voice. One that seems, to me, who has never known true love, like the voice of a parent…

"Eevee, Eevee…did you have a bad dream? Do you need Salamence to sleep with you? Don't worry, I'll protect you from anything bad, and I'll definitely train you well…hush, little one, you'll have a wonderful, harmless life…I guarantee it."

For a second, I wonder why he didn't mention me sleeping with his Absol. And that was a dream? It sure didn't seem like one…

But I am young, and I trust him. I dismiss the stupid thoughts in my head, and let him lower me back into my cage, a foolish, trusting smile lighting up my face.

After all, why would my trainer lie to me?

If only I knew what he was really like. My trainer. The one who corrupted my life. The one who turned my pure white canvas into a mass of stained black and spattered red.

My trainer…