Chapter 1: Stay with me
*Updated - Since 2017 a web comic version of this fanfiction has been created, to view please google "The Forest's Melody Gallery" and click the first link which directs you to deviantart. Thanks.
Most of the time...my life was frowned upon, and it did not have the best of beginnings. And like all fairy tales, it did not end the way I would like it. All my life I had been hoping for mortality, for I am not content with the reality; that will nudge me into insanity. It did not begin in a palace with riches and jewels galore, and it definitely did not end in happily ever after; with a nice little holy matrimony. This is my story, many would die trying to see it... many would give thousands just to have a little look. But I will not lengthen out my biography with useless facts and details, as I know how it ends...
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"Hey Cyrus!" I whispered to my brother who had fallen asleep; leaning against our mother's coil. Mother is a Serperior. She had herself coiled around us to keep us warm, the coil was loose enough not to strangle us, but tight enough to allow the heat to flow right into us. Her emerald coloured scales glistening in the moonlight, most of the time she had the exact same warm cosy smile that she was wearing back then.
"Cyrus, wake up!" I whispered again before using my little Snivy hands to tug his long thin whiskers. Dewotts, especially my brother hate it when I pull on them, it gets on his nerves.
"Stop it." He said in a dreamy tone with his eyes closed, swatting away my hand. "Just let me keep dreaming about…"
"Come on Dew." I nagged him, gently biting his nose.
"Call me Dewott, Cyrus or brother. Call me Dew again and I'll back hand you back to Box Hill."
"But Cyrus..." I whined, shaking him back and forth. "Remember that you promised to take me to see the city lights."
"Can't we go at dawn?" Cyrus asked before yawning loudly.
"You know I can't go outside during the day. Besides, by the time it's dawn the lights would have already disappeared." I asked, shaking him softly.
"Fine, fine, I'll take you. But if mum finds out that we've been lurking around in the forest at night she will roast us, you will be taking full responsibility."
"Yeah, yeah." I said, irritated and rolling my eyes.
Cyrus stretched out both of his arms, letting out a crackling sound in the process. He then moved his black paw to back part of his head to fix his trough shaped fur, mending it back into a crest. The two of us got up and tiptoed out of our mothers coil, unlike our previous attempt, we made sure that we didn't step on our mothers tail.
"Where's my stuff?" Cyrus asked, searching around the set of bushes where he keeps his valuables. The canopy blocked out the moons guidance making everything on the forest floor invisible. To make matters worse, the roots of the trees make an unforgiving tripping hazard.
"Here." I announced, holding onto two sharp scalchops and a sheath. My red fluorescent eyes helped me to see in the dark. The make-shift sheath was made from some sort of brown wood, a poorly made rope was strapped onto it so that the user may wear it like a messenger bag. It didn't hold a sword, it was made to hold a small wooden flute.
"Give me that!" Cyrus snapped before snatching everything off me.
"I was only trying to help." I said, tilting my head down, hiding a sad frown.
Cyrus dusted his unique dark blue arrangement of fur around his waist before hooking the two scalchops to both sides of his thighs. He then wore the sheath like a messenger bag before kneeling in front of me. His soft warm paws cupped my cream coloured cheeks before tilting my head for eye contact. Cyrus knows I like the feeling of warmth, mostly from his soft fur. Sometimes I wish I could just cuddle him all night long.
"C'mon, cheer up." He told me, his black eyes burning my mind. "I was only trying to protect you. Don't want you cutting yourself."
Those few words and the warmth of his paws brought a smile to my face. I am grateful for having Cyrus as a brother, as he is a good brother.
"Come on." He said, getting up and off his knees. "Let's go see the city lights."
We walked side by side through the dark forest, the moons light was blocked out by the clouds and the forest canopy. Cool winds blew throughout the night allowing trees of all shapes and sizes to dance, their leaves scattering to the ground. The singing of Bug pokemon and some Noctowls can be heard echoing alone with natures little orchestra. If you are lucky to see the night sky, it will paint an immortal lasting memory; just because it is so beautiful. During the night, the smallest stars and galaxies can be seen twirling and sparkling with the white sun (the moon). It is because of those few moments, that I wish those memories would last forever.
Cyrus and I weren't scared of the dark. My brother had been in far more dangerous situations, he doesn't need to be scared by the forest night. Cyrus and his trainer had gone through countless dangerous adventures. He recently came back from one of these adventures to visit us. As for me, unlike other kids my age I wasn't scared of the night, because I was raised in the shadows. I had heliophobia, the fear of the sun. I wasn't scared by the suns light, I was scared by its presence. What puzzled me for a long time was that I had no idea how this phobia developed. Maybe Arceus blessed me with a gift, a gift that forces me to hide away in the shadows during the day. So I was left alone, like a monster in the moonlight. Due my fear, I rarely rely on photosynthesis to receive the energy I need.
Cyrus and I walked for a while, and soon we came to a hill.
"Cyrus..." I panted. He stopped climbing the hill and turned around. "I-I can't keep up..." Right after, I fell flat on my face.
Cyrus walked a few steps down the hill and stopped in front of me. His black paws picked me up and placed me around his neck, wearing me like a scarf.
"Thanks." I yawned.
"Well…it is my duty." He said, resuming the climb. "You tired?"
"Yeah...just a little." I replied, his fur made it hard for me to stay awake.
"You can sleep if you want. I'll wake you up when we're there."
With Cyrus's permission I swiftly drifted into the wonder realm. I wasn't sure how long I slept but I was awoken by the sound of a cheery Irish melody.
"Huh..." I said opening my eyes, I found myself sitting on Cyrus's lap.
"You're awake." Cyrus smiled, tucking away his wooden flute.
"I want you see this." He pointed into the distance.
I focused my eyes and saw the amazing view, we were at the top of the hill. Below the hill there was a lush green field and a valley that was tinted grey by the moon. In the valley was a large city, hundreds of different coloured lights dotted the landscape. Some burning brighter than the others. The city didn't have too many tall structures. Near the city was a lake, the water reflected the moons light, making it look... magical. Surrounding the hill was four identical mountains, north, south, east and west. They shield this forest from the wrath of the elements.
"See those lights?" Cyrus pointed.
"Yeah I do. They look amazing!" I exclaimed, wagging my green tail.
"I know they do." He acknowledged, pointing at the brightest dot of light. "Each one of those specs of light represents a family. It's just that if we had a city, our family would burn the brightest."
My smile died.
"…I wish dad were here with us. I never even saw him. So I can't really say I miss him..." I sighed.
"Well one thing's for sure, I certainly miss him." Cyrus added, staring at the sheath.
"What was dad like?" I asked, looking at my brother. "Is he a Serperior like mum?"
Cyrus stared at me and laughed.
"Of course not you dummy." He giggled. "He is a Samurott, and a proud one."
"Where did he go? Will he ever come back?"
"Our dad left the moment you hatched." Cyrus hesitated. "He told me to take care of mum and you and if we ever needed him he'll be beyond the east mountains. I hope you could understand what he did for us, it was for a good reason."
I jumped up and spun myself around to find the mountain, a gigantic piece of rock stood firmly on the ground. A terrible urge erupted in my heart, the urge to climb over that mountain and to find my father. At the same time the newfound feelings of determination were easily crushed by the feeling of helplessness. My little Snivy body cannot take on the challenges ahead, I knew that as much.
"Will you promise not to leave us like dad." I said, hopping back into Cyrus's lap.
"Unfortunately…" He sighed. "I have to return to my trainer in two days. He allowed me to come back to visit you guys, I'll have to stick to his promise."
"Can I come?" I questioned, disappointed by his previous answer.
"No. It's too dangerous for a young snake like you. Mum is okay with human contact but your too young."
"Why can you go if it's so dangerous?"
"Because I am old enough to take care of myself. Mum knows I would be safe out there in the world. And if I did get hurt, my trainer would be able to help me."
My eyes started to tear up, I didn't want Cyrus to leave. He was the "rare kind of brother", he didn't discriminate me for my phobia, as he believed it's what makes me special. Cyrus sometimes even hesitates to try helping me recover from my fear but even with his help I am still unable walk out from the shadows. He is a nice brother, I want to stay with him forever, maybe even call him dad.
"Don't leave mum and I!" I cried, hugging him around the waist. "I want you to stay with us! I want you to stay with mum and I! I don't want to be alone!"
"I'm sorry." He apologised while running his paw down my back. "One day you'll be a Servine, a strong one. And when that day comes, I'll take you to places that will blow your mind."
I cried and cried until the front part of his chest was wet from my tears.
"Here." He offered, handing me his sheath. "Take it."
Still crying, I let go of his fur and held the wooden sheath.
"Dad gave me this flute. He told me he would not always be with me but the song of the sea will. Play a tune when you feel alone, the music will guide you." Cyrus said, patting my back. "He told me that a long time ago there existed a demon and an angel. The two force raged war... causing death, destruction and chaos. They caused so much commotion that a human God, fed up by their battles... sealed them both into a wooden flute. Legends say if the user plays the right melody to satisfy them, the user will be blessed with unimaginable powers."
Usually I wouldn't believe in such legends or mythologies but a part of Cyrus's voice sounded serious. The closest thing we have of father is his flute, to us, it's something special to have by your side.
"Really?" I sniffed, wiping away my tears while holding the sheath.
"It's true." Cyrus said. "I believe in you. I believe you could be blessed with this gift."
"Thanks." I smiled, giving him another hug. "I wish you were my dad."
"Let's hope that isn't true." Cyrus laughed. "Now, let's head home before mum finds out."
That night a wave of determination sparked within me, I wanted to be like my brother, I wanted to be strong like him so I may go on these adventures and maybe find father. Cyrus was the hero, I wanted to become one like him. I will find a way to prove my worthiness.