Classified Ties

Summary: AU: She'd heard stories about the ancient gods of their world and even those of others. However, humankind only held limited knowledge. When 9 year old Dawn meets the reflection of a lonely but strange man one night, the thought of him being one of those almighty gods never occurred to her, much less - that of the Distortion world.

Disclaim: I don't own Pokémon or anything related to it.

A/N: This story follows the anime/game's events. Pokémon are still evident. Legendaries are referred to as gods. Gijinka!Legendaries.

Pairing: BrokenShipping (Dawn x Giratina)

Chapter Rating: K

Chapter 1: Mr. Shady

She didn't always do it. Sneaking out of the house, that is. Especially late in the evening.

But there were rumours about Lake Verity that were far too interesting to ignore, such as the god of emotion, Mesprit, was the guardian of said lake. And since there was such a brightly-shining moon that night, there was no doubt that a beautiful view will await any viewer's eyes.

That was no fraud. Dawn plopped herself on a thin patch of grass, away from the tall shrubbery and gritty sand. Her expression filled with amazement and wonder. Paralysed by the canvas before her.

Small, graceful waves dancing in the soft breeze, ripples reflecting like diamond shards in the moonlight. She brought her knees in and weaved her arms around them. It was colder than she expected. Her pyjamas only doing so much to trap warmth. But the wind didn't bother her too much, afterall, she was too captivated by the elegant streams of light parading in the water.

There was a figure a few feet away, she noticed. Their dark shadow playing against the bank. The girl assumed it was a man, judging by the shape, peering at the spectacle infront of the two with as much wonder as she had. Although, it was only a thought since she couldn't see the man's face.

Dawn sighed with content, pulling her gaze back to the lake and resting her head atop her knees. A small smile tugging at her lips, the girl felt curious about the neighbouring spectator, so she decided to brake the calming silence by starting a conversation.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" She held back a giggle as the figure jumped at the corner of her vision, obviously startled. They settled back down after a minute, taking a little while longer to reply.

"I suppose it is." Their voice rather deep, giving Dawn a few ideas as to what they looked like. She knew those ideas might be far from the man's actual appearance but it was always fun to sketch out a drawing from a single voice, right? Her smile grew, delighted that a response was finally given. She now knew that the other was listening, so why not say something else?

She glanced at the shadow wavering in the water. Trying to piece together what they look like based off of their voice and outline alone. "A lake fit for a god, as literal as it is." She angled her head so that the lake seemed diagonal, just to get comfortable and listen to the man's next words.

They shifted, like the situation felt akward to them. The girl looked at the shade with a hint of worry that she'd caused it.

They spoke, a nervous edge to their vocals. "I... Can't see in the way others can... Could you describe the view?"

Oh, they were blind? Colour-blind? Maybe just short-sighted? She fumbled through her thoughts before registering the question they'd so politely asked. Dawn blinked and once again, found herself staring into the marvellous scene, only now explaining all the beauty that was filtered over it.

A short chuckle came from were the man supposedly sat, she'd finished her description and felt embarrassment flush over her features. Maybe she'd made her words too exaggerated?...

"Thank you, I don't think there's a better description than yours." And her embarrassment switched to shyness. Gosh, such a gentleman! She thought, this man was clearly friendly... And polite. Dawn found that talking to this stranger was somehow more relaxing than talking to any of her... Friends...

She didn't really have many friends. Or any at all. She grew up with her neighbour, Barry, but he was very forgetful and often rushed with things. She considered him a friend... Sorta. The girl wasn't too sure if the boy saw her in equivalent, he probably forgot about every outing they've had together. Then there was Lucas, the boy she's never talked to but kinda, maybe has a tiny, almost non-existent crush on... Okay, a slight crush, perhaps. However, he's always accompanied by the professor from Sandgem Town so Lucas was never around often. Of course Dawn would think of her mother as a friend but still, someone who wasn't blood-related?

Maybe she could become friends with Mr. Shady over there? Huh. She mentally face-palmed. Names really weren't her speciality. Though, neither knew eachothers names yet, should she introduce herself and hope for something to know him by?

... Yes, she'll do exactly that! Breathing in a puff of air and giving a slow exhale, she looked over to the rippling figure with a small, shy smile. "My name's Dawn, what's yours?"

The shadow gave a barely noticeable flinch, what was assumed to be their head, had turned in her direction. The girl was suddenly hit with a wave of anxiousness. A heavy feeling compressing her to a tiny size. She felt like... A dormant power was about to catch her in bladed claws. It was much to say, scary. She felt herself lean back from the proximity.

A minute passed. The man let their stare pivot back to the lake causing an unknowingly held breath to escape the girl.

Woah, what was that? Such a powerful gaze! Very... Unusual, strange, interesting.

Who is he?

"You can call me whatever you want. I don't mind."

That wasn't fair. He knew her name, so why can't she learn his? A pout pulled at her lips as she voiced her thoughts. "I want to know your real name."

Another moment passed. It seems that Mr. Shady wasn't much of a talker. This didn't bide well with Dawn, since she had a rather talkative character... Well, only once you've learned of her name, and Mr. Shady definitely knew her name now.

"I don't go by any title." Oh... She blinked, her mind slowing down as if a simple answer was given. He didn't have a name at all. But she couldn't just give him the name that she's been mentally calling him by, it could implicate all sorts of things! The nickname was meant to be literal, however, a normal person - if anyone was thought to be normal, could interpret him as... A bad guy, and this man was certainly the complete opposite of such a case. At least, that was how she saw him.

Would he be okay with that name? It was practically a pet-name or one that would be of a cartoon character... Gah, she couldn't think of anything better, it was stuck to her mind now. "Uh, you probably won't like it, the name I've thought for you. -Not that it's anything offensive! But... Ah, I'm terrible at giving names..." She peeked down to her hands that were barely lit by the sky's natural satellite, Her thumbs lapsing over one-another like a nervous habit. She was sure that anyone would make fun of how timid she was when she doubted her own abilities. But in her own perspective, names created by herself were truly... Childish...

She was only nine. Nevertheless, other's her age would still be smart enough to think of more creative names. Not to say that Dawn was dumb, never! Though, her mind simply lacked in the naming area.

She heard an assurance. "I'd like to hear it."

Oh my gosh, this was so embarrassing! The girl refrained the attempt to hide her face as an unseen red flushed her cheeks. "M-Mr... Shady..." Her voice was so small that she was positive he didn't hear it. However, he did, in unknown ways.

She heard another subdued laugh come from the shadow. Adding more heat to her expression. How did he hear that?! His voice soft, as if hit with some kind of personal thought. "It fits."

Thank gods, he was okay with it. She breathed out a relieved sigh. She was inwardly surprised, who would accept a pet-name just like that? Wow, "You're easy to talk to," It was quite nice, really. Another person would push her away as soon as she said something silly or make fun of her flustered appearance and... Did she just say that out loud? Oops... Now he'll decide that she's weird for sure! That wasn't good, no no no, and as soon as she thought she'd made an actual friend. Oh mew, way to go Dawn!

Mr. Shady tilted his head, a sign of intrigue. "That's good to hear." And as a first, said more. "Most individuals find me too... Different to converse with." She was a bit startled with the last sentence. He'd actually said something about himself! Another realisation was that he spoke quite formally, very noble-like, especially with the accent in accompany.

But thinking about that last part, he seemed like he remembered something perturbing. A subject not for touching, better change it quickly or things will get akward. This thought didn't stop the girl from disagreeing with his words, however. Although the opinion was kept to herself. She pondered on something to say until a thought caught her interest. "The guardian of this lake, I wonder what their true story is... Some tales say that it taught humans emotion itself and others believe that we gained them when it flew. But... How does someone learn an emotion? We're all born with them so it's kind of confusing..." She gave a light giggle at that mention, as the last word was part of the topic.

A few seconds of thoughtful silence passed.

"The being of emotion has their own methods, none of which any mortal can define. However, the undying may have trouble with such, too." His words struck slight surprise in Dawn, not expecting an answer but satisfied to have one, nonetheless.

That was... A unique way of thinking. Perhaps the closest truth one can get. He spoke with familiarity, like he had experience. Maybe Mr. Shady was a professor? A scientist or historian? Asking wouldn't hurt, right?... Nah, that was enough questions, saying anymore would put an unwanted impression on her. She was talking too much.

Luckily, the girl didn't have to start the conversation this time, for the shadow beat her to it. "You came out here because of the guardian, I presume." Well, he wasn't wrong. Though, she also wanted to see the lake whilst the moon was out, that she didn't regret. She was also curious about the lake's god... Or goddess? She wasn't sure what gender any of the deities were. But there was another reason as to why she came to the lake. "Yeah... Though, it's kind of silly and childish, I mean, having even a small bit of hope on catching a glimpse of them..."

He spoke amusedly. "It's not everyday one can meet the celestial."

Dawn smiled longingly. "I guess so." But it was then, that she realised that the moon had already moved a quarter of the sky over. She'd stayed out for long enough and the needed sleep was starting to make her drowsy, it would be best to head back home now.

Unfortunately, this meant the girl's departure from the shadow.

Dawn lifted herself from the grassy bank, dusting any dirt off her pyjamas. Peeking in his direction, she felt a bit of sadness gnawing at her. Would she ever see him again? At this lake on another beautiful night? Or perhaps, in the light of the sun where he may be visible.

Clenching her hands, persistence shone prominently in the girl's eyes. "It's late and I need to go now. So-" She took a breath.

"Will I see you again?"

There was silence and his eyes were on her once more. Although the perturbing feel that the other gave off wasn't so strong now. It felt as if he was assessing her, judging whether she was worthy of his time.

Finally, the shadow shifted and his head leant on what was assumed to be a hand. For some reason, Dawn thought that he was undeniably smirking at her. His unsettling gaze caused the noirette to fidget on spot, a blush started to creep up her face when the quietness continued.

"That's conceivable."

C-conceivable? What does that mean?! She was old enough to have learnt many words which are used in day-to-day conversations but there was also a millennia more that hadn't made it into her knowledge. She couldn't let the man know that, however, her mother would be the best choice to ask of it.

He laughed lightly, as if knowing what she was thinking and decided to summarise his own words. "Maybe."

A full flush appeared over her. T-that guy! He's totally making fun of me! She turned on her heel and looked away defiantly. "I shouldn't of given you any ideas, Mr. Shady!" Before sticking her tongue out in the shadow's direction and skipping to the entrance.

She stopped in her tracks to give one last glance at the lake, the shadow now out of sight. The girl smiled cheerfully and called out to him, knowing that he was still lingering near. "But it was nice chatting with you, I really don't mind doing it again!"

Then, she left. A slight giddiness within her giving her steps a little bounce as she headed back home.

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Thank you for reading! I really enjoyed writing this first chapter so I hope that you felt such too!