Blades, Scales, and Rose Thorns
Author: CrazyHorseNinja
Category: Adventure/Tragedy
Rating: T (maybe M later, depends on details and language)
Description: In the outskirts of Black City resides a beast more beautiful than any ever seen. The rumor that this beast spread its wings and started a new hunt quickly spread throughout the Unova Region. Meanwhile, in a secret underground kingdom, a young man is crowned King. The event, known only to the beast, triggered a chain reaction in Unova. Now the beast seeks the source of the events and to quell the rage stabbing its heart like thousands of sharp, jagged blades.
Chapter One: Rising Thorns
I am Hana, known to humans as Hanako. I am an Oquine daughter. This is my story…
It was a night darker than any other. Outside of Black City, hidden among a cluster of Sakura trees, a large beast raised its head. Its proud gold horn gleamed with its own internal light. The beast spread its four leafy wings and took to the sky. Silver tears streamed from its tired emerald eyes, tinted red from crying.
'It's already begun… I'm too late to stop it…'
The beast flew south. Wherever its tears fell, silver roses sprouted, long gold thorns crossing above the sparkling flowers.
…
Hana roared and landed in the middle of Nuvema Town. She curled her leafy wings and shook herself. She sat on her haunches and ran her talons through the thin green vines of her mane, scattering flower petals on the grass around her. She twitched her nose and grinned.
"Cheren! Bianca! How are you?"
A black-haired boy and a blonde-haired girl approached Hana.
The boy- Cheren- waved. "Everything's good."
The girl- Bianca- bolted and glomped Hana. "It's good to see you Hana!"
Cheren pulled Bianca off Hana with a straight face. Hana laughed. "Energetic as ever, I see!"
Cheren tilted his head. "Hana… Have you been crying? Your eyes are bloodshot."
"Yes. I'll explain everything to you later. I promise."
…
Prof. Juniper smiled, satisfied. "Well, Hana, Cheren, and Bianca. How would you like to name your new friends?"
Hana looked at Bianca, who looked at Cheren, who looked back to Hana. Not a word was spoken, but their faces gave a clear answer: Yes.
Bianca giggled. "I know just the name!" she exclaimed, cuddling her Snivy. "I'll call him Snarevine!" She laughed when the green Pokémon nuzzled her cheek, clearly accepting the name he was given.
"My turn now," Cheren said. He picked up his Oshawott and looked him in the eye. "I'll call you Guro. How's that sound?" Cheren smiled when the blue Pokémon purred, pleased with his name.
Hana crouched before the little Tepig sitting before her. The two stared deeply into each other's eyes, neither one of them blinking, for several seconds. Prof. Juniper, Cheren, and Bianca waited in strained silence for the name to be chosen.
Finally, the silence was broken. One word escaped Hana's mouth. "Charogo."
The little black-and-red Pokémon's eyes lit up. She made a sound that reminds one of little songbirds in the early morning, but lower-pitched. She loved the name. Charogo.
Hana picked up Charogo and cradled her in her arms. The little fire-type nuzzled Hana's cheek.
"Well, it's time for you three to head out into the world," Prof. Juniper said. "Along with your own journeys, I have a task for each of you." She handed each of the three friends a small rectangular device. "It's the latest model of Pokédex. I would love for you to fill it as you go along. It will take time and seem frustrating, but the reward will be great. Now, begin your journeys. Follow the paths before you and fulfill your dreams."
The three friends nodded, holding their new friends in their arms. The Professor smiled. "You three take care, okay?" She waved to the trio as they filed outside.
Hana gently set Charogo on the soft grass and sighed, her gaze distant and troubled. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, scattering flower petals about. "I'll need to put on my human guise, won't I, Mom?"
The massive form of Dema Oquine, Hana's mother, slipped through the door of their house. Her golden mane and horns glinted in the sunset light. Her intimidating fangs were recently polished. "I just want you to be safe, Hana." She lovingly nuzzled her daughter's cheek. "You know how secretive we must be to survive."
Hana smiled, encouraged by her mother's soothing voice. She closed her eyes and folded her leafy wings flat against her sides. She hummed quietly and started glowing. Several people rushed from their homes to witness the rare spectacle of an Oquine transformation. When the glow faded, Hana tied back her long brown hair and put her pink ball cap on her head. She smiled and picked up an awestruck Charogo before turning to Bianca and Cheren.
"Guess we're gonna have to call you Hanako for a while, huh?" Bianca chuckled. Snarevine purred and snuggled deeper into his Trainer's arms.
Cheren rubbed Guro under the chin with his thumb. The little blue otter purred contentedly. "We should be off," Cheren sighed, obviously distracted by his new companion.
Hanako nodded and followed her friends north, to Route One, and the start of their new adventure as rival Trainers.
Hanako inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of the spring flowers. A small leaf swirled in front of her. Charogo reached out with her forefeet and grabbed the leaf between her little black hooves. Hanako giggled. "You're all full of life, aren't you, my friend?"
"Hey!" Bianca piped. She pointed eagerly toward the stretch of tall grass that intersected the path. "Why don't we have a little contest?" She pulled a Pokéball from her belt. "The person who catches the most Pokémon before reaching the other side of the grass wins!"
Cheren nodded, slate eyes gleaming. "Sounds like a plan to me." At his feet, Guro eagerly bounded circled around his Trainer.
Hanako set Charogo down and pulled her goggles down over her eyes. It was on!
The three friends and their companions rushed eagerly into the tall grass. It was only a few seconds until Charogo blundered right into a resting female Lillipup. The brown puppy sprung to her feet and growled menacingly at Charogo. The two stared each other down.
"Charogo, tackle!"
The little pig barreled into the brown puppy, knocking her into the dirt. She rolled back onto her feet and countered with a tackle of her own. Charogo squeaked and coughed a few sparks. Her big black eyes narrowed and she tackled the Lillipup again. The puppy wobbled.
Hanako seized her chance and threw a Pokéball at the downed puppy. She disappeared in a flash of red light. The ball wobbled three times, then emitted the much-sought-after DING! Hanako grinned and picked up the Pokéball.
"I'll call you Lily, after my grandmother, and your determination."
She pulled her Pokédex from her pocket when she heard it ring. She slid it open and looked at the screen, where an image of Lillipup appeared. A grainy female voice came out of the small speakers on either side of the screen.
"Lillipup: the Puppy Pokémon. It faces strong opponents with great courage. But, when at a disadvantage in a fight, this intelligent Pokémon flees."
Hanako looked at the ball in her hand, then back to the device in the other. She shrugged and put the Pokédex back into her pocket. "Intelligent and courageous indeed; worthy of sharing a name with my unbeatable grandmother."
…
Hanako cautiously extended a hand toward Lily's nose. The puppy curiously sniffed and licked her new Trainer's fingertips. "I named her Lily, after my grandmother."
Bianca presented her own Lillipup, a shy female. "I call her Tasha. Isn't she adorable?"
Cheren pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm not too sure about this, but I call this little guy Tanner." He motioned to a dark bundle of fur at his feet. A wide-cheeked feline head poked up and looked critically at the others. "He's a Purrloin. They're not usually found around here."
Hanako and Bianca stared jealously at their friend. Lily and Tasha, meanwhile, wrestled playfully in the dirt. They stopped when the Trainers' cross-transceivers rang. Prof. Juniper's voice filled the air.
"I have the feeling you three are already well on your way to filling up your Pokédexes! Right now, I'm in front of Accumula Town's Pokémon Center! Hurry on over!"
Hanako was already running toward Accumula Town with Charogo and Lily in her arms. She looked over her shoulder. "Eat my dust, suckers!"
Well, let's see… I started this thing in, I dunno, last October, maybe? I put it off because my mom kept interrupting my creative groove. I was on a roll that day, too! Oh well. Here's where my patience and inspiration run out. Please don't hurt/kill/threaten/maim/target/infect me! Feel free to flame me, though!