Chapter One

Lightning flashed. Thunder screamed. A boy stood there, motionless, looking upon the show with eyes filled with awe. The drizzling rain began to make his clothes heavy. In the sky before him he saw three monstrous birds which soared through the black sky with incredible speed and power.

With a crash beside him, a large tree burst into flames. This tree was now among several others in the vast Viridian Forest. The young boy suddenly returned to his senses with a charge of adrenaline.

"Zangoose!"

His sharp eyes scanned what he could in the thick of the forest. He jogged around for several minutes searching in panic. His sweat began to add to the density of cold clothes. Suddenly, he saw a flash of sharp white and red. His feet instinctively carried him toward the motion.

"Zangoose!"

He screamed for his Pokémon at the top of his lungs. He heard a response, but it wasn't from Zangoose. With a golden blur and an earthshaking smash, he was knocked down into the tall, green grass. He turned over to face the flying menace that stood before him. It was rugged and sharp with dangerous sparks electrifying its entire body. Its piercing white eyes transformed into glowing yellow orbs. They grew brighter, and brighter still. The intimidating creature began to dazzle and light up the forest with white sparks. A glowing sphere began to form inside the bird's mouth. All of a sudden, the electricity was put out when a great tearing sound ripped through the trees. Standing near the fearful fallen flyer was a pair of ebony claws attached to a muscular white form. The young boy had found his Zangoose.

He struggled to his feet but his Pokémon was there to help him. The two of them didn't need to speak to each other. They both started to run. Another stabbing roar exploded from behind them and the comrades turned in response. A large fireball accelerated toward the ground and extended its gripping talons. It swooped down and grabbed the other fallen electric monstrosity. The amount of damage from the unusual storm was evident as the boy and his Zangoose continued through the thick grove of trees.

The boy began to fall behind his agile Zangoose. He became slower and slower. Zangoose finally turned and looked at his trainer with pleading eyes that asked him to hurry. Suddenly, everything slowed down. The trainer could not move as he saw a bolt of lightning strike near the base of a large oak tree. It immediately shattered and began a towering descent to the forest floor. By the time the boy realized his best friend was standing in the oak's colossal shadow, it was too late. All he could do was weakly wave his finger…

Smash!

As he approached the fallen giant, his hands trembled with fear. The giant was on fire. It burned, it blackened. Beneath the tree lied a diamond-hard, black as night claw. All he could do now was watch the fire consume his hope, love, and friend. He slowly retrieved the claw and slipped it into his pants pocket. His soggy jacket was composed of rain, sweat and now tears.