[Prologue]

I always knew I was different, I seemed to stand out and everyone always had their eyes on me as if they were cautious about me. I noticed it at home as well, I always seemed to be treated much better than my siblings, not like the favorite child would, more like a treasure. Everyone seemed to not want to be with me as if my relationship with them would only lead to pain and grief. My parents seemed to hide my reason for being different than everyone else, they said my trait was often sought after, however i didn't believe them, why would anybody want a curse as this one to bare this title. The title "shiny pokemon." This title stuck to me and I could almost hear the endless whispers of it as I galloped through the fields in hopes to get home as soon as I could. I sprinted through a dim alley as i was halted a burly being, much taller than i was. "Look Krookodile, I don't want any trouble today, I just want to get home to my siblings."

"Are you trying to say that you have more important things to do than me, because it seems like you are trying to say that this encounter is of no importance, and if that's the case. You must be saying you're are more important than me!"

"No that's not the case Krookodile, it's just that they need me."

"Oh they need you. Now I understand they need you, does that mean YOU are IMPORTANT to them. You shinies think you are the great pinnacle of society, you strut around radiating as if you feel you are the flaming blue beacon of greatness that everyone needs, well I for one think someone needs to put you in your place." I felt as if i was being suffocated in the torrent of sand slowly engulfing me. What's going to happen to me, is this what my parents ment by "sought after." So many thoughts ran through my mind, but my concentration was swiftly broken by a pink glimmer in the sand. It quickly turned around and through the grainy sand I saw a giant pink ball of energy flying in my direction. After that the sand rapidly dispersed as Krookodile laid their in a daze. He seemed to mutter a few words. "Soon the public shall know about the suffering you shiny pokemon bring everywhere you go." I had to know who had saved me and once I had turned I saw a note. It read, "There are more like you, when the time comes all questions will be answered, however until then remember a great force is coming for you. The only ones who can help you... are us. Reading this left me with more question than answers, mostly because it didn't answer any.

My life never really changed after reading that note, i seemed to just forget about it. However I never seemed to forget the woods Krookodile said to me. Soon enough it felt as if i was unwanted. I was uninvited to most activities or gatherings. I was unable to enter some events like the monthly bonfire. Worse of all I was forbidden to attend the annual Festival of Feast. It became an important family tradition as we would partake in miraculous races and I usually came in second right behind my father. I was hoping to finally get first, but now those dreams had been crushed by something I never wanted to be. I began hearing numerous tapping coming from outside the cave I lived in, as if it was to get my attention. As I stepped outside I saw a cat-like pokemon with two small ribbons, one on her neck and a second on her ear. Her fur was white as snow and the ends of her fur were a deep sky blue. The feature which drew my intrest was her giant pink eyes. They captivated me and were one of the only reasons why I didn't hesitate to speak with her.

"Well hey there, I don't believe we have been formally introduced. I'm Garland, y'know those shiny strands you put on festive trees."

"I don't believe we have met, ever."

"Oh wait one sec, lemme just warm up." Shortly a lustrous pink sphere emerged from the air outside her mouth, it seemed to be collecting energy from the moon.

"Wait so you are the one who saved me that day."

Yep you better believe it, and boy it is great to meet you, never have I seen a shiny Ponyta. Such majestic flames sprouting from you."

"Okay well enough about me, what are you doing here."

"Quiet..." The bushes to the left of us began rustling very slightly till suddenly a boy with a net had erupted out of them. "RUN!" Garland and I began rushing through the fields trying to escape the boy chasing us down.

"What's going on here!" I yelled as i finally caught up to Garland

"Trainers, and not those nice ones with the Squirtles and Torchics, hardcore trainers who use us in collections and as tools." I was shocked that there were trainers who would choose to take pokemon because they had looked different. I had finally realized by what my parents had meant by sought after. I turned and saw the faded image of my home, and I was shocked. It was being destroyed. All of those trainers, taking pokemon I knew as family and using them for collection sake, taking all of them, searching for me. Krookodile was right. All of this was hidden from me and I had to see the ugly truth. I couldn't stop running though. I couldn't have all of this destruction and end up getting caught. I had to run, until the day i can fight. Garland and I continued running until it seemed the trainer had given up. We rested and the last thing she said was, "Don't worry. We're headed to a place nearby. A shelter for shiny pokemon. We call it Northridge Keep.