I was born and raised in Alamos town, and I had no intentions of leaving it. Of course, I had always wondered what the outside world has looked like, but I was content. I didn't have many friends, but I wasn't a very social person, preferring the solitude of the magnificent garden.
The Pokemon there had known me sense I was a small child, and I knew almost all of them personally. I greeted them with enthusiasm as I walked along one of the many paths that meandered through the garden. As I continued deeper, I found a fountain. This signaled that I was in the center of the garden, and I turned left. Walking towards the back of my second home, the Pokemon became few and far between, until they disappeared completely. I nodded to my self and called,
"Darkri! Come out! I've got something to share with you!" Silence met my ears, and I sighed.
"Fine, I'll just eat these pastries by my self." I acted disappointed and unwrapped a lemon tart. Raising it to my lips, I prepared to eat it-
'I'm here.' I smiled. Worked every time. Turning, I saw Darkri materializing from the shadows. I held out my hand and he floated closer. Once he took the treat, I pulled out my own.
"You know, the what's-it-called is coming up soon. A few days." I said, sitting under a tree. He bobbed in the air. I took that as usual his non-spoken yes and continued.
"I don't know if I'm excited or not. I mean, sure there will be plenty of good battles, but, ugh. My parents will want to be there, an I'm not sure if I want to go. I mean, I've got Haunter, Absol, Umbrion, and Houndor, but I don't feel like entering, you know?" I had no idea how my parents had gotten me my Pokemon, but apparently they were extremely good merchants with friends in very high places. They weren't home very often, and so had given me my Pokemon as gifts and guards.
One by one, I had received them for my birthdays- feeling like my affection could be bought miffed me, but...they were dark types! My favorite kind! First was Ghastly, then Houndor, then Umbrion, finally, an Absol. I was ecstatic! Umbrions were rare enough-to my knowledge anyway-but an Absol! Ha ha! People were jealous for weeks. Some still were.
A few day ago, Ghastly evolved, giving me a Haunter. I had trained each of my Pokemon faithfully and dutifully, so seeing my hard work pay off almost made me cry. I was shaken from my thoughts by Darkri poking my cheek.
'Wake up. I will eat your pastry if you don't want it.' Noticing that my hand containing the pastry had fallen to my lap, I hurriedly said,
"No! I want it! I was just thinking!" I not into my tart and chewed in an exaggerated manner to prove my point. He grumbled and folded his arms. I smiled and continued.
"I guess that every one would like to test out there skills, but I'm just not feelin-" my breath caught as I heard my name being called. This normally would cause me to halt my words, but the voice was familiar. And I didn't like it's owner. I growled and scooted farther into the shadows, hiding my body behind some ferns as well.
"Dante! Come out, come out wherever you are!" Darkri floated near my head, his arms brushing the crown of my head, still folded across his chest. A boy came into view, dressed in finery not usually seen in a quaint town like Alamos. He walked with a self-assured gait that put my teeth on edge.
'Of all the days. He chooses this one. Gah, if only I could ram a stick up his-' My train if thought was derailed by a large hand covering my face.
"What the- Darkri get off!" I whispered. My words came out slightly muffled due to the bottom of his palm mostly in my mouth. Reaching up, I pried my face free.
'Violence will not help.' I scoffed.
"It would benefit me quite handsomely." I muttered. He snorted and placed his hand back on my face.
"Mgghph!" I scowled at him between his clawed fingers but he was looking at something else. I stilled, knowing the boy was getting close to our hiding spot.
"I know you're here! Danté! I'm not leaving until you come out!" I slumped down in despair. He meant it. He would wait all day. I gently touched Darkri's hand, and he lifted it. Rubbing my face, I stood. The disturbance drew the attention of the boy and he smiled. More like sneered. Ugh.
"What do you want, Tyrane?" He feigned a hurt look and placed a hand on his heart.
"Danté, how you wound me! Am I not wanted company?" He stepped toward me and I laughed sarcastically, and leaned on the tree.
"Hahaha-no, you're not. Do the world a favor and stop poisoning the air by breathing."
"Haha! Oh, Danté, you're humor is wonderfully dark!" He continued walking up to me, but my sudden motion stopped him dead. I was now standing, my feet shoulder width apart, hands fisted in anger.
"Seriously? Do you not get it? I don't want you here! I don't like you! Why is that so hard to understand!" I had enough. Every day, he would seek me out and try to charm me. Every. Day. I could usually get rid of him and spend time with the people or Pokemon I wanted to, but I'd had enough.
"Darling, where is this coming from?" He frowned.
"I'm not your 'Darling'! I'm not your 'Dear', I'm lot your anything! I have had enough! Enough of you trying to get into my pants, and into my life! I don't want you in it, now or ever! I never have!" The wind gusted by us harshly, as if agreeing with me.
"Now, now! You must be on your-" I screamed and ran at him. He froze in surprise and I socked him. Hard.
"You sicken me. You think the world revolves around you, and when someone says 'no' to you, you degrade them. You're no man. You're just filth off the street. I don't care of you are related to Baron Albarto. Now get out." I turned to retreat into the shadows once more, but a hand grabbed my wrist. I spun back around to see Tyrane scowling. A red splotch had bloomed on his left cheek, where I had hit him.
"You had better watch your self. Next time you won't be the one throwing the punches." He hissed.
"So now you're threatening abuse? How sad. You can't fight to save your life." He growled and curled a fist. Before he could raise it, a dark blur took him out. He was thrown several feet back and landed on his side. I looked at the assailant, and smiled at Darkri. He just scowled at Tyrane. Hearing a groan, I looked over to see him on his side, struggling to get up.
'Get out. Don't come back.'Darkri growled. Tyrane's face paled, then he glanced at me. I was smirking at him, one hand on my hip. A dark shadow passed over his face and he stood up.
"You made a mistake, and now you will regret it." He pulled out a pokéball, and clicked the white button, making it expand. Hurriedly, I did the same. Tyrane threw it into the air and called out,
"Herdier, go!" I snorted and threw my own. Herdier appeared and so did my Houndor. He snarled at the smaller Pokémon, and Herdier shrunk back.
"Herdier, tackle!" The small dog-like animal raced forward it's face focused.
"Dodge! Then bite!" My Houndor leaped over the Herdier and spun once his feet touched the ground. Darting for the smaller creature, Houndor's jaws locked around its side, delivering a strong bite. Herdier yelped.
"Herdier, use leer, then bite back!" It struggled free, then sent a piercing glare at Houndor. He stood unimpressed.
"Good one," I snickered. "Houndor! Use fire fang!" Knowing this would end it, I smirked at Tyrane, and crossed my arms triumphantly. I kind of felt bad for Herdeir, no one deserved Tyrane as their trainer.
"Well done, Houndor! You were awesome!" Crouching, I rubbed his ears and kissed his head. He barked happily and licked my cheek. I stroked his head and stood. Houndor faced Tyrane as well, standing by my side.
"You'll regret this." He spat. Darkri and I stood impassively and Houndor snapped threateningly. Tyrane flinched and glared. I simply flicked my fingers, gesturing him to leave. He snarled and stomped off.
"Thanks, by the way." I smiled and turned to Darkri. He simply looked at me with one luminous blue eye and nodded. I sighed and rubbed Houndor's head once again, before walking back to the tree. I had put my bag down here somewhere-
"Oh, thank you!" Darkri's hand held my satchel. Taking it, I looped the strap over my head, and prepared to leave. I turned to face Darkri and placed my hand on his chest, my fingers brushing the red spikes.
"I'm glad I'm able to call you friend, Darkri. You are better than some people, and you're always there for me. I want you to know that." I said softly. Placing a clawed hand on my own he replied,
'How could I do anything but?'I was slightly shocked, as he didn't usually say sentimental things, but smiled any way. I hesitated, then took the hand Darkri had covered one with. I held it for a moment, looking down.
"I'm gonna head home, maybe I can finally be able see them, huh?" I whispered. He watched me sadly, knowing the pain of loneliness, and dropped my hand. Instead, he took both my shoulders, his claws gently pricking my shoulder blades. I looked up in surprise, he had rarely initiated physical contact, other than to place his hand on my face when I got annoying or was thinking violent things to people.
'They will come, they wouldn't miss today.'I sniffled and nodded. He stared at me a moment longer and them dropped his arms. I turned and started to walk to the front of the garden, looking back to see Darkri sinking into the shadowed ground. Smiling faintly, I started forward again, headed home. Maybe they would be back. I mean, what kind of parents missed their own kids birthday?