A/N: Fangames are incredibly entertaining and their storylines are great. I'm not taking bets on when your mother is going to ever be the champion or the Villain Team Leader, but it's probably gonna be a while.
Once more I live up to my age old habit of writing and finishing things in the dead of night. I apologize in advance. Also I don't have a beta. I'm gong to apologize for that right now too.
Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon, nor do I own or am I involved with Pokemon Zeta (and Omicron), the fangame from which I took inspiration, in any way whatsoever
(Edit: as I also posted this on deviantart, I also gave it a little rewrite. I hope no one minds.)
The world seemed to be shaking.
Around her the people rushed, never pushing but instead coaxing each other forward, gently but firmly steering first the oldest then the youngest, then the rest of the survivors through the rough stony caverns. A muffling urgency fell over them, the overwhelming desire to remain quiet and unnoticed overriding the instinct to panic and seek reassurance from friends and family alike. They couldn't stray, not now. Not when freedom was still half a cave system away and there was only so much time left.
Nyasa town is under attack.
Viniya stood at the mouth of the tunnel, keeping the rowdiest of the crowd calm and warning the townsfolk against moving forward prematurely. Professor Oak's voice crackled from the recorder in her hand. She herself was numb with adrenaline, her heartbeat loud and slow and lacking in the rapid energy everyone else was full of. Her panic had already come and gone, leaving her to lead while the elders of their town directed those who were left. Only half the elders remained out of what had been a full group mere hours ago.
Team Asgard has been confirmed to be behind the attack. For now, please remain calm as we evacuate the survivors.
Aria, Viniya's mother, brushed past her to stand before the gathered people, steering them through the remaining tunnels leading towards Zarivar town and, hopefully, safety. Her voice was firm, like her daughters, with an air of authority and power no one dared argue against. Soon, the last of the townsfolk scrambled down the ladder, leaving Viniya alone.
Emergency pokemon are available within the escape route for those needing further protection and in case of combat situations. In the meantime, please remain calm and patient. No one will be left behind.
The recording began to loop and Viniya shifted, allowing it to play for a little longer before clicking it off. The new silence that replaced the desperate hushed whispers and Oak's static-y voice felt large and out of place. She tucked the device into her bag just as the crunch of gravel announced Aria's return and Viniya turned, trying to keep her breathing steady now that there was nothing else to focus on.
"I think we're safe here for now..." her mother huffed, brushing the dirt off her pants. A hand drifted to her belt, flicked at the objects hanging there. "Go, Lucario!"
The pokemon emerged without a sound, gazing up at her solemnly.
"Dear friend," Aria said, "the time has come. Go... go find... Wilson ." She spat the name, bitterness warring with what she knew needed to be done. "Tell him the time for cowardice is over. Tell him to redeem himself."
Lucario nodded, accepting his trainer's command without question. Then with a burst of ExtremeSpeed he vanished, darting down one of the extraneous caves that led not to the cities but to the wilderness. He would find his way.
Aria moved to stand beside her daughter, looking mournfully down the tunnel that led to what had been their home.
"Oh, Viniya," she said, voice soft. "I hoped it would never come to this." Her eyes met the ground, then her daughter's eyes. "They're out there, and they won't stop until they get what they want." Aria paused, taking a deep, bracing breath. She reached up, hand resting against her daughter's cheek for a moment before letting it drop. "Viniya... you're growing up. You've done it so quickly." A smile. "I know it's not the best time... or maybe it's the best and I just I wish it wasn't. But... I think you're ready. For your first pokemon."
When she turned Viniya's eyes followed hers, casting them onto the ladder leading to the caverns below. "I know you know there's pokemon down there for emergencies," Aria said, taking Viniya's hand. Their fingers intertwined, a small comfort between mother and daughter, just like it had always been. "You might as well take one. Perhaps, if Team Asgard is ever stopped, you'll become an even better trainer than I ever was!"
For the first time that day they shared a look, an almost grin, and Viniya laughed. "I doubt that, mom, but thanks anyway." Her voice was quiet, barely echoing in the large chamber. Viniya took a deep breath, tried to hold herself together for just a little bit longer.
An 'I love you' is whispered, a request for reassurance that is returned in the answered 'I love you too' .
Aria's lips curled into a smile as her heart swelled, but unraveled again as her mind drifted elsewhere. "I only wish I knew why they came after Nyasa town..." Her hand rubbed across the remaining pokeballs at her belt. Vinia gave her hand a squeeze.
"HEY!"
A frantic voice echoed down the tunnel, Aria startling and Viniya squawking and stumbling as Professor Oak all but skidded into sight. "Team Asgard's found the cave," he said breathlessly. "Aria, we need you."
Viniya gasped. "No!"
"Oh, no ," Aria breathed, eyes darting between the professor and her daughter. She stepped back, tugging Viniya around to face her and placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Go with the professor, honey. He can get you a pokemon and take you to the lab in Zarivar. I promise you'll be okay." Aria paused, studying Viniya's face.
"...Mom?"
Her hand moved to rest on her daughter's cheek, eyes shining. "Viniya," she said, "I love you. Be safe." She pulled her into one last hug. Then she let go and pushed past both of them, sprinting back down the path. Viniya screamed after her, a plea for all the things they hadn't said, and Aria shut her eyes and whispered a promise back.
She would see her daughter again, safe and sound and away from Team Asgard. This, she swore.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Oak said, placing a comforting hand on Viniya's shoulder. She resisted the urge to pull away and took another breath instead, trying to calm her nerves. Her mother would be fine, she knew she would be.
'But knowing doesn't always diminish fear,' says the little voice in her head that sounds like herself but also a little like her mom. 'There's nothing wrong with being afraid despite what you know.'
Oak was still talking. "...s a professor, I'm supposed to give you a pokemon and get you started on your journey. As a friend of your family..." A pause. "Well, I trust your mother's judgement. She is one of the greatest trainers I've ever met." He gave Viniya a sheepish smile. "Not that I doubt you either way, of course. You're very mature for your age." He nodded towards the ladder. "Follow me."
The silence they made their way down in was one of a man doing his job on Professor Oak's end and a thoughtful one on Viniya's. He led her through winding passages and around underground pools, and she couldn't resist glancing at the water and wondering what it would be like to simply plunge in.
"It's not far," Oak said. Viniya nodded.
He stepped out to a small peninsula, pulling a case from one of the stalagmites clustered in the center. Its outer covering was rough, the perfect texture to mask its presence. Oak set it down, popping the lid, and smiled up at her.
"There's three pokemon in here," he said. "Pick one, and pick wisely. They'll be your companion for the rest of your life."
Viniya cast her eyes to the case in front of her, eyeing the pokeballs lined up neatly inside. Magby, Horsea, Bellsprut: everyone in Nyasa knew the pokemon hidden in the tunnels, even if they'd never imagined having to someday make the trip themselves. Even now, standing here, it was hard to believe. Like a dream that refused to be left behind.
She shook herself and focused. Her decision had to be a quick one - Viniya refused to regret by being impulsive, but they were on a time limit now. There was no time for long deliberation, for hours of logical play or careful strategy. This was a choice that had to be made here and now.
Her gaze studied them, hand ready. A tug in her heart, the flash of a pokeball.
'Trust your instincts, Viniya. With pokemon, they'll never lead you astray.'
The pokemon cried out before her, flexing vines and leaves proudly. It blinked, head tilting to examine her with curious black eyes. Female. A name echoed in her mind, satisfaction clicking in her heart, and she knew she chose well. Professor Oak let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"So that's who you chose... you really are your mother's child," he said. Oak shook himself and met her eyes. "I need to be off now, Viniya - I have other places to check in these caves, and a lab to return to. I'll meet you in Zarivar later today. I'm sure you know the path to town from here, but my assistant is in these tunnels if you need any help." He smiled. "You'll be a fine trainer, Viniya. I just know you will."
She and her new pokemon watched as he shut the case and brought it with him, its duty fulfilled. He vanished around a rocky corner and neither of them moved until the sound of stones underfoot faded away completely. Viniya took a breath, shutting her eyes and holding it for a moment before giving a long deep sigh that had the bellsprout looking up at her again. When she opened her eyes, she looked back at the little pokemon, who only blinked. It gave her the approximation of a smile, the bell of its head pursing shut and curving up at the corners, and Viniya grinned back. With a laugh, she crouched down and offered a hand.
"Well, Atropa, shall we be off too?"
Atropa took the hand graciously, curling her vines around Viniya's arm and perching at her shoulder. Viniya straightened, giving the pokemon (herpokemon, now) a moment to adjust.
"All set?" The yellow head bobbed. "Okay." They turned to the rocky path, together. "Let's go."