A/N Greetings, New and old readers alike! My name is Thomas, and I welcome you to Fire and Beauty. Now, I know what you're thinking, and no, I'm not ripping off Shadow Snivy's Thunder and Ice. Okay, I might be. The setting is the same, and a few characters miiiiight return, but otherwise, everything is new. Characters, plot...everything! So, yeah. I hope you enjoy!
"Hey, Flare? Did you grab everything?" Her loud, soft voice rattled the walls. My baby sister had asked that question several times that morning, and eventually, she just wandered into my part of the den.
"Oh, uh, yeah. You don't need to worry, Selkie. I'll be fine." I called her Selkie. Her real name was Silk, and, honestly, I don't even remember why I called her that.
"But I do! I'm going to miss you!" She trotted around the room, examining my bag, which was quite literally several leaves tied together by Ariados String. She eyed it warily.
"I understand, and I'm sorry I have to leave. I will return, although, I promise you."
"You better keep up with that promise, or else." Her brow furrowed.
"I will, goodness." A nervous laugh escaped my muzzle. Selkie was a kind Espeon, sure, but when she got mad...I shuddered at the remembrance of the mind-splitting headaches she would give me.
"Well, lessee..." she also wasn't one for personal space. She immediately pounced on my bag and opened it. "Oran berries, an Apple, a few revived seeds...what's this?" She pulled out that big, blue sketchbook and my several pencils. It had a large flower on it, sketched out beautifully. I don't remember where I got the book, either.
"H-hey, back off! That's private-" I almost sprinted at her, trying to grab it. She rolled out of the way, however and I hit the dens wall. She flipped open the large blue book.
"Since when have you been able to make art?" She thumbed through the pages, admiring every sketch. Her eyes lit up with each one, gasping at the drawings.
"I, uh..." rubbing my head, I gave a shy smile. "I can't really remember, honestly."
"Crazy. You have to teach me how to do this stuff sometime." She carefully put the bag back, and handed it to me. "Promise me you'll be safe, please?"
"You already used your monthly promise several minutes ago."
"Flare!"
"Couldn't help myself, sorry." I quietly laughed to myself.
"Anyway..." she then turned to me, and hugged me, or whatever kind of hug Eons can do. We had just sat there for a long time...hugging. She then separated, and turned to the entrance of our den. I began to walk out into the snow.
"I love youuuu!" She yelled out. I turned back and smiled at her, then stepped out into the snowy forest, the snow crunching under my feet. A chill ran up my spine.
"I hate the cold." I grumbled to myself as I began to walk then beaten path. At least it was pretty here in Maplewood. I wonder what Sugarcane would be like. I'd lived here my entire life, so moving to another place was exciting. Even then, however, there was one small problem...it took a little while, but I did eventually come to the exit of the forest. And the problem stood right in front of me.
A huge chasm. Two bridges were on each side, but it would have taken a heck of a long time to get to them. I sighed, walking left. I had no choice, honestly. It's not like I was a jolteon who could jump the dang thing. I trotted to the left, examining my surroundings. I've only ever come out this far, I never crossed the area. But I guess there's a first time for everything. The small blades of grass under the snow caressed my paws as I tried my best to not burn them. Oh, the woes of being a Fire type.
I would eventually get to the bridge. A wooden structure with rope as handles. It didn't look exactly safe, but I mean, its my only option besides taking a risk and going to the other side. That could take until nightfall, and I didn't want to take that long. Anyway, I got up on two legs (you never know), and began to cross. I shivered as I heard it creak, but I had to keep going. I was sure as heck scared that it would break on me, but if that happens, I could grab into the ropes and pulled myself across.
And of course, I jinxed it. About halfway through the walk, the plank I was standing on broke, leaving me hanging by the two ropes on either side. I sustained my scream, and began to climb onto the rope. It strained me a bit, but I did eventually get on it. I slowly crawled along the rope, shakily not looking at the ground. It took several minutes, but I hopped off, and all the breath I held in me flew out. I had to flop over and breath for a second, before I got up and continued walking, still slightly short of breath. The snow melted under my feet as I walked. Again, Fire Type.
I would eventually come to a large field. In the distance, a large beach and the forest I was heading to: Sugarcane. I almost burst into a sprint, but I had to keep my energy up, so I simply walked quickly. The field was huge, and sprawling. It seemed endless. The snowy grass waived in the chilly breeze, and the few pokemon that had wandered out played in the snow. I walked past, skiing at the children while greeting the adults with a simple nod. The snow continually crunched under my feet.
Eventually, I would find a pathway down to the beach. It was a pretty large area, spanning about a mile or so. The water gently pressed against the sand, snow cleared of the ground. I walked towards it, excited. I was so close to my destination. The sand caressed my aching paws. I sighed happily. I'm gonna like it here. I wandered the area, looking down at the dark blue waters. I stared my reflection for a minute. I looked surprisingly tired, even though I wasn't that exhausted. Staring at my reflection, I smiled. "Hope I make a good first impression." I thought to myself.
I continued on, my mind wandering to the forest. I excitedly began to for, a smile plastered on my face. It had been my first time ever leaving Maplewood forest, so seeing new areas excited me even more. I looked around the beach. I didn't anyone, really, but I did spot two figures. One blue, one yellow. I considered walking up and greeting them, but I decided against it, not wanting to interrupt anything. I eventually made my way to the path up to Sugarcane, and I wandered in, careful not to kick anything a long the way. The trees swayed a happy "hello" to me as I walked by.
I entered the forest. "Sugarcane. I think I'm here." I began to wander around the trees. I eventually heard the happy laughter of others, and I went to investigate. I had found a large celebration, vendors, dancers, and many residents wanders around. Behind said celebration, a huge tree, larger than the others. How did I not see that before? Not wanting to be disruptive, I left the scene, the laughing eventually left my ears, and they filled with silence.
I eventually had found a clearing, and to my left large den. it was smaller than my old one, but nonetheless a good home. I entered it, and found it to be quite large. A wide area of the right, and a small, closed off space to the left. Deciding I would make that my bedroom, I walked out and bragged a bit of straw and grass from outside, I made a small bed for myself, and lied down. It was pretty cold, even for a Fire type, but it had to do. Soon enough, I couldn't keep my eyelids open, and I fell asleep.