Trials of the Cursed

Chapter 1: Presentations

-Oz-

"You feel that, right? In the air…" Oz said. "I feel that something good is going to happen tonight," Thom replied. "But what about…never mind," Oz said.

Oz was always a quiet person who was full of secrets. He was incredibly mysterious in a way that made him seem awkward, but serious. He almost always wore black on purpose; normally to express a somewhat fake personality to keep people away.

The only beings he ever trusted in any way were Thom; his best friend since mid-childhood, Dent; Thom's friendly but calm Sandshrew, and Flint; Oz' goofy energetic Sableye. Those three were the only souls who ever truly knew anything about him, and even at that, they knew little of him. Oz always wore an eye patch that he almost never took off. Only Flint actually knew what was underneath it.

"If it has anything to do with what you were thinking, there is something ominous in the wind as well. But there is a feeling that counters the bad. It feels…fortunate in a way," Thom responded. After a short walk, the four arrived at their destination: The central fountain in the National Park. They got out their instruments and began playing.

Oz first got out his violin and started the group of with a soft, emotional solo. Eventually, Thomrin joined in on his guitar, Dent joined in on his flute that Thom taught him how to play, and Flint came in softly with his bongos.

They music they played filled the starry night air. Music had always been important in their lives. Thom and Oz had special abilities that no one else could really conceive. Thom had a direct link to nature, and could communicate with the feelings of pokemon. Oz could somewhat do the same, but he never really shared what he felt, other than simple emotions in the atmosphere around him.

The four sat around the fountain, eyes closed, and serenaded the park around them with powerful and intense emotions. The song went on for 10 minutes, and none of the performers opened their eyes, as they were wrapped up in the emotions of their music. Oz was crying…but only out of one eye. Thom could never cry unless he felt it inside of him, but the power of the music affected him just the same.

The group finished the music and opened their eyes. They had noticed a crowd had gathered around them to listen…and they were crying as well. The figure of a girl around their age emerged from the crowd to greet them. "That was…beautiful…" she said. "Thanks," Thom said. "I…I'm Whitney." The figure said. "I'm Thom. This is Dent." Dent looked up, gave a polite smile and waved. "This is Oz," Thom said as he pointed to Oz. The girl looked at him shyly and said "…Hi…". Oz simply looked at her for a brief second with an emotionless face, and looked back at his violin. Whitney blushed in embarrassment.

"And this is…uh…this is Flint…" Thom finished. Flint was doing a headstand with a ridiculous grin on his face. He rapidly shook his foot in a vertical waving motion, which Dent found hysterical. Whitney got a laugh out of the cartoony image as well. Thom looked up at Whitney. "You're the Goldenrod gym leader, aren't you? I've heard about you, you apparently give some trainers a hard time in battle," He said. "Yeah, that's me…" Whitney replied.

The other members of the crowd had left. It was just the three of them now. An awkward silence fell over the three, until Thom broke it. "Hey, if you ever want, you can come to my herbal shop, it's only a few blocks from the gym. Feel free to drop in, to buy something or…just to hang out…you know, if you want."

Whitney seemed to stutter, until she just shook her head and hastily went back to Goldenrod City. Oz just sat there and listened to the conversation, but he felt something in Whitney's aura. She seemed sad, alone, scared, but when she looked at him, something changed. She seemed comforted by his presence. Oz just decided to ignore this, and left home early. Thom said he would stay behind.

-Whitney-

Whitney had been a gym leader for many years now. The once adorable little girl with a peppy can-do attitude has now grown into a stunning, beautiful young woman. Since her first years as a gym leader, she was so innocent and protected from the world. Now, she has had time to mature, and with that, she began feeling unhappy with herself. She began to realize that with maturity coming, she had no idea how she would make it outside of the gym.

Now, she felt hopeless, denied, abandoned, and all for reasons she could not explain. Over the years, she has seen the lives of many people, including those who live in poverty, hunger, sickness and damnation.

She was raised in a large house, and every one of her needs was always satisfied. She had recently gotten in some arguments with her parents, and now she has left home. Unfortunately, the career of "Gym Leader" never truly paid off very well. She lives in a small apartment in a bad neighborhood, and struggles just to eat. Most of all, however, she felt alone. She never had any real friends.

Whitney had to get out of the apartment for a while, as her neighbors were getting into a fight again, and this time, fists might be thrown. She had to get out of there, and when she felt troubled, she always went to the National Park to calm down, and cry I she needed to.

She walked down the cobblestone walkway, and came to some flowers. She stopped and sat on a bench to stare at them. The night-time sky felt nice above her. She could hear the sounds of bug-type pokemon around her, along with the voices of various people talking on their night-time walks. She felt at home here more than her actual home.

"(Why can't I live here?)" she thought to herself. She closed her eyes and waited for time to slowly creep by. Out of the distance, she began hearing soft music. She was attracted to the sounds, and began slowly walking towards it. It eventually led her to the central fountain, where other people had gathered. She made her way to the front of the crowd and saw them.

A guitarist with workout clothing and a black, white and gray beanie began playing a solo. His long, blonde hair seemed to sway with the music he played. He seemed charming, attracting, like his music was a net pulling her in.

Afterwards, the other one, dressed in all black, came in with his violin. He seemed dark and mysterious, but Whitney felt that he was suffering on the inside, and his music was a call for help. He wore an eye patch, but that didn't bother her. He was also attractive.

The two men and their pokemon stopped playing their instruments, and looked up. A slow applause moved over the crowd. She walked up to the musicians, slowly.

"(Come on, think, what do you say?)" She thought to herself. She stood in a shy position. "That was…beautiful…(Oh, come on! Is that really the best thing you can say?)" Suddenly, the guitarist responded in a soft, soothing, caring voice. "Thanks" he said, making Whitney blush.

A short conversation went on for a while. She was introduced to Thom; a guitarist who owns an herbal shop, Oz; the violinist who also runs the herbal shop, but doesn't seem to say anything, Flint; the Sableye who seemed to be quite the clown, and Dent; a polite young Sandshrew who just waved.

"Hey, if you ever want, you can come to my herbal shop, it's only a few blocks from the gym. Feel free to drop in, to buy something or…just to hang out…you know, if you want…" Thom said, making Whitney blush again. "(Oh my god, he just invited me to his shop! That's incredible! Uh, oh god, I have to say something back, uh, uh…)" Whitney stammered on for a few seconds, until, she just nodded and smiled. "(Well, that will have to do it, I guess)". Whitney fast-walked back down the street back home before she began feeling any more embarrassed.

Whitney stopped just as she was under the bridge of the bullet train. "(Wait…I don't want to leave them…they're both so…)" Whitney began slowly walking back to the park, in high hopes that the two mysterious boys would still be there. Eventually, she came back, hid in the tall grass, and came to the fountain. However, only Thom was there this time.

-Thom-

"Wow. She kinda hot," Thom said. "What do you think?"

It took a little while for Oz to reply. "She's…pretty." "Yeah, pretty HOT" Thom replied. Thom and Oz shared a laugh, a thing that Oz would only do when his trusted ones were around.

Oz yawned. "I'm going back to the shop. I'm tired and hungry. You coming?"

Thom thought to himself for a moment. "Nah, I have this idea for a song I want to start, and being alone in the park would be a good way to get the music flowing again." Oz shook his head and began walking back.

Thom pulled out his guitar once more and began plucking the strings delicately. He began feeling the music move through him as he played a soft lullaby-sounding song. Dent had fallen asleep next to him. As Thom was playing, Dent's aura began connecting with his, and Thom could read his emotions and inner thoughts.

Dent was dreaming of him and Thom playing in the park with a little ball Thom bought for him. Almost every day, he and Thom would come to the park, Thom would throw the ball high in the air, and Dent would jump up and catch it while spinning. It was a method of training and a fun game. Seeing this heartwarming dream made Thom cry. It was good to know Dent was happy.

Eventually, Thom heard a voice. It sounded like a young boy, and it was saying "Thank you, Thom! You gave be the best life I could ever ask for!" Thom stopped playing and looked around, but no one was near by. Thom began thinking in his head, "(…Dent…is that you?)"

"Yeah, it's me." Thom was shocked. He could hear the voices of pokemon in his head now. He had never had this power before.

Thom began playing the soft song again. This time, he was listening to the pokemon voices around him. Hoot-hoot and Noctowl were gathering around him, telling him how soothing his music is. Bug pokemon gathered, and began buzzing their wing and making humming sounds, but Thom heard what they were really doing.

A chorus of beautiful; singing voices joined in with his guitar, and it seemed as if every pokemon in the park had gathered to listen and sing with Thom. Even Dent woke up and began playing a solid note, the thing he would normally do to provide a basic background for Thom's music.

Thom finished his new song. He looked up. Standing in front of him was a massive amount of crying pokemon…and her.

Whitney sat down by Thom on the fountain as he put up his guitar. She was wearing a white tank-top and black gym pants. Her hair was long and flowing, almost touching the water beneath her. Her eyes were glistening from the fountain's light. As Thom looked at her, He began seeing something in this girl. She was, as Oz said…pretty."

"Do you come here every night?" she said. "Not every night, no. Sometimes I have to work late. Why?"

"I just wanted to be with you guys more. You both seem really nice." She replied. "Well thank you," Thom said. "You know, you seemed pretty nervous around Oz. Do I sense…SOMETHING…there?" Thom said with a goofy grin. "What! No, no, I don't think…no…I doubt he would like me…a-a-and, plus, I kind of already like this other guy…"

"What other guy? Are you already dating him?" Thom asked as he stood up and looked at the dispersing pokemon. Whitney blushed, stood up, and turned toward the fountain. "No…I barely know a thing about him really…and same thing goes for Oz." She turned around, and Thom was right in front of her, almost touching her. Whitney's eyes opened wide and her heart started racing. Thom stood there, smilimg at her.

Thom obviously knew the other guy was him. "Don't worry about it right now. We'll all get to know each other over time. Okay?"

Whitney blushed again. "…Okay." She smiled and stared into his eyes. After a short while, Whitney broke the silence. "Come back here tomorrow at midnight, I want to show you something."

"Okay." Thom replied. "Let me walk you home." He offered. "Okay," She replied.

Thom walked her back home, saw her to her door, and walked back to his herbal shop with Dent asleep in a ball inside his backpack. When he got back home, he got ready for bed, went to his room, put Dent in his bed (built into a drawer), and went asleep himself.

That night, he woke up to the sound of the door opening. He suspected robbery, so he woke Dent up, got his other pokemon, and prepared for battle. He and Dent rushed to the door, but in stead, he saw Oz and Flint leaving. He ran outside to catch up with him and ask him what he was doing. Oz turned, and said, "I'll be back by morning, you can go back to bed, all is well." "Dude, what the hell are you doing?" Thom asked. "I'm going to Violet city, that's all I'm going to say. Don't stress." Oz answered. "Okay, man." Thom replied. Oz walked off into the darkness, and Thom and Dent walked back to bed. As Thom got back in his bed, He began worrying. What was Oz doing? Why now, in the middle of the night? Thom was really worried, as he felt something ominous in the atmosphere, another special ability that only he and Oz had. He didn't want to sleep because of another part of his abilities, but he had to. Thom closed his eyes, fell asleep…

…and the horrid nightmares began…

Well, I hope this was a good intro to the story. R&R please, as always.

-Tobalancetoslay-