As the flames danced, they reflected the hatred that now engulfed the once peaceful town. Rumbling thunder shook the ground in waves, but this was no common earthquake. His form blocked out the rays of the rising sun, a mountain of twisted fury and immense strength, so that the rays of the divines never touched this land. Nothing would ever touch this land again but flame and ruin, as he stomped away crushing and leveling the earth as he made his way back to his dark master. Red eyes rivaled the sun in a fiery, dead-set gaze that seemed to only point one direction, disregarding the apocalypse unfolding behind him as he apathetically trudged on past the smoke and carrying screams. Groudon had lay claim to another land, bringing everything around him to an unyielding end. Yet, he was not alone, nor was this the first of his venture. Another town would fall to his might, and right into the waiting hands of his master..
"Eiko? Eiko! Gods save me from such disobedience..Eiko!" An older man stood out on a sloping porch, calling out to the trees of the forest. His magnificent robes draped around him like sheets of luxurious clouds. The expression on his face was a mix of disappointment and annoyance as the trees served as a barrier to the innermost forest, breaking his voice into soft whispers through their thick boughs. The girl in question, his daughter and heir to a powerful lord, had run off into the forest again and disregarded her studies and practices. The urgency in his voice hid any hint of worry, yet it was still there. Not wanting to give way to the thoughts of what beasts she was stalking or what type of creature she would bring to his feet next, he turned back to the sliding rice paper door to grab the attention of his most trusted partner and officer and called to him. "She's run off again, Kenji.." He muttered, hanging his head slightly in defeat.
The name rang as two sharp blue ears flicked forward, followed by a deep and heavy sigh. The once-meditating pokemon climbed to its feet, standing tall and meeting eyes with his master. Lucario, as his species was called, was extraordinarily rare and made for an invaluable, irreplaceable warrior and companion. Passed down through the family through generations, the two families within a family saw both ruin, war, and prosperity. The last war, however, left them with one final egg and no sires. Much like Eiko. Despite the grim future of the once proud and noble lord, Noritaka, the man raised the pokemon and his daughter as if they were equal, even if the two fought like rivals. Silently moving to the porch, the wolf-like biped expressed the same feelings as his master. With a swift nod, he bounded off on two feet, piercing the forest barrier with amazing speed.
Hiding off in a small clearing, deep in the heart of the forest, a soft giggle bounced through the trees. Little Eiko rolled down the feet of a great oak, followed by a crowd of Seedot. The group carelessly played along the enormous roots, serving as a playground in a simpler time. The rays that filtered through the canopy speckled the grassy carpet with pure light, and when a flock of Butterfree happened to pass by above, the light would shift into many colors creating a spectacular display. This was Eiko's special place. A place where she didn't have to worry about studying, or training for wars she never wanted to face. A small piece of the world that lay untainted by the greed of man and the despair of battle. Her father told her stories of the pokemon that lived there, the great and the small, the powerful and the kind. She'd never seen half of them, but one remained in her memory. The one her father warned her about above all others. She had gotten a glimpse of this pokemon while hiding in the mossy remains of a tree trunk. Its beautiful cream pelt reflected radiance and wisdom, as did its many tails as they billowed behind it like a regal cape. The Ninetails, the ruler of this forest, serves as its guardian to the inhabitants from the flora to the fauna. While having no children of her own, the townsfolk had lay claim to many outrageous myths and superstitions involving Ninetails. From bewitching husbands to stealing children, the town had conjured a great fear of this pokemon. As they should. She was powerful, beautiful, and deadly. That is why the borders to the forest were decorated with lavishing stone walls as well as offerings and gifts, so that she may never wander into their territory, and they never entered hers. Eiko didn't know if Ninetails heard of her frequent visits to her forest, neither did she wish to find out, but something in her told her that even though Ninetails was as dangerous as they claimed, as long as she respected her forest and its inhabitants, Ninetails would forgive the trespass. Like a wisp of smoke, as soon as Eiko had seen her, she vanished. One story Eiko always like to imagine about her is that she could turn into a beautiful woman at will, if she sensed other humans. While not knowing if it was actually true, it became another myth logged away in the library of her imagination. But like all myths, there's truth lurking, waiting for the moment when it needs to come forth.
As the group chased one another around the bend of a tranquil pond, the laughter and chattering of the grove fell into an awkward silence as a shattering, distant roar pierced the fragile air of the forest, shaking native pidgey and fletching from their nests and sending them fleeting in a panic. It was far, but so monstrous that it stabbed Eiko, that even she had put her imagination on hold while her heart trembled at the fearsome thunderous sound. The seedot had run to their homes as quickly as they'd ran around the pond's edge, scuttling away and out of danger. All the while leaving Eiko still wondering what would make such a noise. And, like a spirit, Ninetails had appeared soon after, on the island that lay in the middle of the grove surrounded by pond. Soft nose pointed to the sky in the direction of the sound, and soon bright blue eyes fell upon Eiko. The wind rustled the silence, tossing those long flame-tipped tails carelessly in its weak fleeting grasp. Eiko was frozen, staring back at the beast, heart bounding in her chest. It stood from its haunches slowly, as they held locked gazes, the corners of its mouth tilting in a hint of a smile. A voice like a whisper, soft and gentle, slipped through her head. 'Hello Eiko..'
Before Eiko could react, a pair of black paws closed around her and swiftly picked her up off the ground. Arms cradled her close as she fought, all too familiar with who they belonged to. "Kenji! Stop! I was just playing!" She beckoned, as they turned back to face the trail to the village. They soon came face to face with Ninetails herself, Eiko now balled up in the Lucario's arms, a mix of fear and adrenaline conflicting as she remained tucked tight to him. And, she spoke, much to Eiko's surprise. Her tone remained gentle like the whisper before, but this time she was moving her jaws, at which point Eiko had a full glimpse of sharp, pearlescent fangs. "Kenji, you've grown.."
"And you're in my way, beast." Kenji replied bluntly, but in his own tone. He hadn't quite figured out human speech yet, but pokemon tongue was still native to him. The rough guttural growling was the only way he could communicate despite his earnest tries to match auras with others. The bitterness towards Ninetails was natural, given that he saw her as a threat to his master. As he calmly walked around her and continued on with his mission, he heard a chuckle nip at his stiffened ears.
"That's all I get? That's not a very warm greeting.." Ninetails rebutted, using a hind leg to brush her many tails to the side.
"That's all you deserve, demon." Kenji spit back, not even turning his head.
"I wasn't going to hurt the girl. You have my word."
"Oh? Then our business here is finished." Kenji took another step forward towards the trail.
"Not quite.." Ninetails followed, her voice carrying a tone of urgency from its normal seductive playfulness. "I come to bear a warning."
"Are you threatening my family?" He growled, clenching his jaws.
The large beast simply chuckled, falling back on her haunches as she examined the both of them carefully, paying no mind to his sudden aggression. "I have no ill will towards you or your family, but something does, and it's on its way.."
"Well then, we will deal with it when it decides to show itself, until then, stay away from my family." The venom in Lucario's grunts and growls needed no translator. Eiko could tell from the facial expressions and body language that Lucario didn't care much for Ninetails. With nothing left to come back with, Ninetails watched them make their way out of the grove, and with one long yipping howl, called after them.
"Do keep her safe..she may be our only hope.."
After a session of scolding and disapproval from her father, and a silent meal, Eiko was sent to bed. As she lay looking up at the small opening, watching the peeking stars as they sailed by through the night sky, she wondered about that noise she heard. Her imagination wandered to Ninetails, and how she witnessed a pokemon speak human language. Her father talked about the Lucario they raised and how some of them could speak with us, through aura and telepathy, but Ninetails could talk like a human without that. The myths flooded back, taking apart each one now that she'd seen a tiny piece of her power. Eiko wondered what else Ninetails was capable of, if it could do the things people claimed. And then something else fluttered to the surface of her mind. The conversation that seemed one-sided. She wished she could ask Kenji what they were talking about, and what the warning was for. So many thoughts buzzing through her head, it made it impossible to sleep. So she didn't. Climbing out of her bedding, she sat next to the window and watched the swaying branches sing through the night, wondering if she'd see Ninetails again. She'd dare not tell her father of their meeting, or they'd think her cursed. 'Or simply not believe me..' She pouted, laying her head on her crossed arms that sat along the window sill.
It wasn't long til the door creaked open, and the pokemon stepped forward. He wore a grim smile that held no remorse for Eiko's disobedience but still scooped her up from the dirty floor and sat there instead, curling her up into his arms. He'd known his species had spikes along the paws and one on the chest, but as a sign of loyalty and submission to their masters, his family had them filed down as a symbol of tolerance and acceptance of their role. He had to admit it was nice not having to worry about hurting anyone with them, as that was what his blade and fists were for. And times like this, it made all the difference. Despite all the trouble Eiko could find herself in, he was there to get her out, and hold her when she needed it, especially when the last war claimed her mother and brother. Being the last heir of Noritaka, the future of the village was starting to look bleak. Yet, as long as she lived, he would defend her and her father to the death. It was not only an oath, but a lifestyle, and it gave his life meaning. Kenji didn't see himself as a pokemon companion, but a member of the family. And that's how they treated him. Cradling the young girl, he placed her back into her bed and before walking away, took one long look at her. 'I wish I could get you to understand, the world isn't what you think it is..and I'm just trying to protect you before it breaks your heart..' With that, he gently glided out and shut the door with a silent clap of wood against wood.