Author's Note:

UPDATED

I do not own Pokémon. It is owned by The Pokémon Company. I have no relationship to Gamefreak, or Nintendo. Only my OCs are mine.

Hello all! Just to let you guys know, this story will be based on the games as I no longer watch the Pokémon animated series. If there appear to be any major mistakes I make due to differences between the games and the show, please let me know and I'll work on making it tie in with my story :)

Enjoy the read~

The Beginning

It felt like dying.

The terrifying feeling of knowing that there would be nothing to save you.

I was so scared. I knew I couldn't save myself anymore. I was struggling and fighting, but nothing would remove the heavy weight on my body. It felt like I was being dragged down by something I couldn't see, nor could I fight.

I cried out, but nothing came out of my open mouth. No sound. No noise. I felt the anxiety rise, and a pain like no other, ripped through my nose and my chest. That's when I started praying. I started praying for God to save me. If there was any God out there, I begged him to take away the pain. I was so scared. So helpless. I felt that it really might be the end. The unknown fate that awaits you when you let the darkness take over. I knew I was not invincible, but it never occurred to me that my very last moments could be right this instant. As terrified as I was, I couldn't help but have my mind wander to the precious memories I made. Strange, is it not? It's said that your life flashes before you when you are close to passing through to the other side. I never gave it much thought, but now I feel as if all the memories that I've created in this life are finally bubbling up to the surface. Countless memories arise, even the insignificant little things that I thought I had long forgotten. From that, a bittersweet nostalgia washes over me.

As if an iron chain wound itself around me, it felt as if my limbs were being pinned down. I struggled to claw my way back up, but I could feel myself losing it. Somehow... I couldn't keep my eyes open any longers. My arms and legs grew tired, and I didn't want to fight anymore.

'Please. Somebody save me.'

At that moment, I wanted to trade anything for a rescue.

I think... It felt like all of time slowed down. I felt myself letting go. My mind was starting to go blank. All my thoughts fading away. The only thing I found myself focusing on was the faint glow of the surface, rippling away. I thought to myself what a beautiful sight it was. And knowing that it would be the last thing I would ever see gave me a little bit of comfort. When all the struggling had tired me, I accepted, with resignation, that nothing would be able to save me now.

Letting the water embrace me, I succumbed to the eternal darkness.

"Breathe!"

A constant pressure pushing on my chest pulled me back into consciousness. Feeling something gather from within me, I snapped open my eyes and expelled a bunch of water. Choking, I tried to push myself up, while coughing up the foul tasting water. I felt something support my back as I attempted to pull myself up. Dispelling the foul liquid, I gagged as I fought the urge to whimper and cry. A familiar face came into my view. My childhood, Daniel, was currently supporting my back.

"You okay?" He asked.

I nodded weakly.

"Your vaporeon saved you." He nodded his head toward the blue pokémon who was nestled by my side. "I didn't think they would actually use their pokémon to attack you..."

Confused, I tried to recall what exactly happened earlier, but my mind was in too much of a haze and I couldn't focus.

Daniel studied me with serious eyes. "They sent their milotic after you. Do you remember?"

Taking my silence as a response, he gave a grimace. "Geez. This is making me uncomfortable. I don't think these are normal trainers... They tried to kill you!" Daniel shook his head as he dropped his gaze. "We've got to get out of here."

Scanning the battle zone with his eyes, Daniel pushed me down.

"Find somewhere to hide. We'll take care of this."

Giving me a troubled smile, he took off back into the war.

I felt a nudge at my side. Vaporeon was giving me his support. As if telling me it was going to be okay, he rubbed his head against my arm. Staring up at me, he gave a slow blink. It was his way of saying it was going to be okay. I raised my hand and rested it on his head. I smiled at him to show that I was okay.

"I know, it's going to be okay, right?"

Crying in encouragement, vaporeon bounced around me to show his approval. I know what he was trying to say to me. Vaporeon was telling me that it's time to get back on my feet again. It was a motto for our team: Don't let anything keep you down on the ground. Pick yourself up no matter how you're feeling.

Right now, Daniel needed me. I couldn't just sit back and relax while he was locked in battle. Even though I may be a bit shaky on my feet, I've got to lend him my support. Breathing out slowly, I gave a sigh as I heaved myself up with great effort. "I get it. I know what you're saying. There's no way we're going to let Daniel deal with this alone."

Cheering in agreement, my pokémon paced around my legs, brushing his body against me. Filled with resolve, I reached into my hip pouch and curled my fingers around a pokéball. 'Guess it's time to let this guy out. Now there's no way we're losing!'

Flinging the pokéball out into the air, I called on my pokémon, "Luxray, out!"

A fiery roar ripped out from within the pokéball as my luxray materialized in front of me. Turning his majestic head towards me, he stood proud, head raised and ready to charge.

Glancing at my loyal partners, I nodded. "You two know what it is. We're serious about this fight. Daniel needs out help, and there's no way we are going to let some rogue trainers pummel us down."

Receiving a growl and a high pitched cry in return, I focused my gaze on the area where Daniel ran off into.

"Let's get out there and show them what we got."

Feeling confident, I bolted into the battle field with my two pokémon darting forward, taking the lead. Soon enough, a clearing manifested itself before us. Daniel's altaria and his nidoqueen were fully engaged. A male trainer, slightly older, was barking commands at his pokémon. With one eye obscured by his bangs, he held his hair back in a short ponytail. Dressed sharp all down to a vest, and good shoes, I had to let myself lose my composure at this. Why the hell was this guy wearing a full on suit while battling?!

A loud shriek blasted my thoughts apart and drew my attention upwards. Circling above, shooting attacks at each other, altaria was holding her own against the foe's yanmega, a mismagius was swiftly dodging altaria's attacks, but was keen on firing attacks on Daniel. Daniel was in danger!

Knowing that I was starting to fall behind my two partners, I pushed my legs to go faster.

'Come on legs... Don't fail me now.'

"Luxray," I commanded, "Paralyze that yanmega!"

Growling loud, Luxray kicked off of the earth and shot into the air. Gathering energy, his eyes gleamed as he let off a furious discharge attack. Catching the yanmega off guard, it screeched in surprise as it was blasted through the air, taking the full brunt of an electric attack.

"Good job, Luxray!" Praising my luxray, I felt myself getting heated up again. The rush of a battle always never ceases to elicit a rush of adrenaline and excitement through my veins, Grinning, I reveled in the feeling that makes my blood boil. Though my lungs were burning, and my limbs were sore, I knew I couldn't fall behind now. I had to keep pushing until we pull through. Darting through the various craters and uneven terrain of the cave, a flash of pink streaked past my sight and I skid to a stop. My pokémon didn't pay me any attention as they continued to bolt forward.

'What the hell was that?'

Letting out a battle cry, vaporeon leap off of a nearby boulder and shot out an ice beam from his open mouth.

'Is there someone up there?' I took a quick scan around me. Surely there can't be a trap set up?

That quick flash of pink drew my attention away from the battle immediately. There was someone here wasn't there? Searching the boulders and cliffs above me, I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. It was all just rock and barren land.

Moving one foot back at a time, I retraced my steps back to where I thought I had seen something. Scanning the rocks above me, I took care to watch my step. Feeling unsafe, I made sure to keep my guard up, knowing that there could be anything or anyone lurking in the dark.

"Aw.. Looks like a little kitty got lost."

Snapping my head up at that voice, I called out, "Where are you?"

Receiving no answer, I felt little bit threatened. Who was this person that could see me, but I couldn't see them?

"Who are you?"

"Answer me!"

I felt like a fool. Calling out to something I couldn't see, but definitely was there. Before I could even get properly angry, the voice returned.

"Follow my voice."

'Strange... It doesn't sound like it's moving. This person is staying in the same place?'

Well, it definitely was female. Probably a little girl though. It makes me cringe thinking that a sweet child was involved in this vicious battle that was raging on, but what was a person like that even doing out here? It made no sense. Surely she can't be a part of this? I began to move towards the voice where I last heard it. Moving first slowly, then up to a steady jog, I began to think about it. The more I wanted the answers, the more the answers eluded me. Why was a little girl here? What would she be doing in a place like this? She didn't sound injured, and she definitely wasn't distressed... so then what is going on?

"Keep talking!" Panting, I kneeled down on one knee and gripped the ground. I had to pause to take my breath. Breathing hard, my airway still felt a bit raw.

"You're getting closer~"

As if the voice was teasing me, I had to force myself to stagger back onto my feet and run towards the location of where I heard the voice before I lost it again.

"That's it. Keep coming."

'How does she even know I'm approaching?'

Feeling drained, I didn't give it much thought as I quickly swerved left and squeezed my way through a thin opening.

"Can you hear me clearer now?"

Startled, I caught myself before I propelled myself to the ground. This voice... She was right above me!

It was then I finally had full view of her. I wasn't mistaken. I definitely did catch a sight of pink earlier. Curled into a boulder, there was a girl with flaming pink hair. It was chopped short, to her chin, with side bangs falling into her right eye. Sitting with her knees up, she molded her body into the hollow of the rock. Surprisingly, she wasn't that young as I thought she was. She was definitely around my age, with a petite body and vivid green eyes. Smiling at me, she leaned her head onto her knees. Her fingers just barely peeking through the long sleeves of her sweater. With her stripped tights and dirty tennis shoes, she really did look like a child.

Feeling a protective side emerge from within, I gave her a smile back in return. "Hey, are you lost? You should come down, we can get out together."

She gave me a blank look, "Do I look lost to you?"

Giving me a belittling look, she leaned down a bit closer, "And you think that somebody lost would be resting up here?"

Shutting my mouth, I was speechless. I guess I should never judge somebody until after they've spoken. she didn't seem very friendly, and she certainly didn't look very happy to see me. I'm sure I can be compared to something the cat dragged in to the house. With that snarky tone, this girl definitely wasn't lost. So then, if she wasn't lost then... Feeling my smile drop off my face, I started to piece the pieces up together. 'Stupid! Stupid! Ugh, how stupid can you possibly be, Damia?' Mentally berating myself, I took a shaky breath and a step backwards.

She noticed, for sure. "Yeah, that's right. You should be afraid, shouldn't you? Here, you are. Unarmed and at the mercy of your enemy."

I didn't say anything. I was a fool to have followed this voice here. It must have been a trap. Now, feeling truly vulnerable, I had nobody to blame but myself. I had dug my own grave.

"What? You didn't think that I'm just an innocent bystander, did you?" Studying me, the girl shifted her gaze back to the clearing. "I'm with him."

I didn't need to look to know who she was referring to, but I still did. The man from earlier. This girl was allied with him!

Gulping, I felt cowardly again. I shouldn't have drifted away from the group! I shouldn't have let curiosity get the best of me! Cursing my luck, I turned back to face her but before I could speak, she beat me to it.

"Heu... Looks like curiosity killed the kitty, hmm?"

Giving me a wink, she leaned her head back against the rock, "But I'll let you go for today. Little kitty has got to watch out for the big bad tiger. Mrraw!"

'It should be the opposite way, you little kid.'

Letting some of my annoyance show on my face, she only aggravated me more when she smirked at me. Letting her gaze wander behind me, her smirk only grew in size. "Uh-oh. Looks like that's got to hurt."

Puzzled, I opened my mouth to ask, but a high pitched cry shut me up. Whipping around, the scene before me made my heart constrict. My vaporeon was blasted into the air. Taking a hit straight on, I watched as his little body fell back limply as the enemy's milotic shot up into the air to deal another blow. I wanted to cry out to him to tell him to watch out, but I was too alarmed to utter a word.

"Milotic! Hit him with Scald!"

Preparing for another blow, milotic reeled backwards and let out a scald attack at which my vaporeon took full on.

"TORO!"

A wave of horror swept over me as water rained down. Drenching me in hot water, I bit back a scream as I took the full brunt of a scald attack. Squinting through the mist, I swept my hand around blindly, trying to feel my way through to get to my partner.

"Toro!" I screamed again as I forced my feet to move. I forced them to carry me through the heat and steam, and towards the area Toro plummeted down into the water. Usually, I would have no doubt that he would have been alright, but that attack looked to carry too much force for a small body like his.

'There! I see it!'

A clearing reveals itself as the mist began to clear. Throwing myself down to the water side, I peer into the endless blue.

'What is this?! Where is he?'

I pawed my hand through the water, my anxiety rises as I was unable to grasp anything underneath the surface. There wasn't even a brush of cool flesh or a prick of a scales on my fingers.

"...Toro.."

I squeezed my eyes shut and bit down hard onto my lip.

'Focus, Damia. Focus'

There would be no way that Toro would drown from an attack like that, would he? After all, he is a water Pokémon, is he not?

Peering down, I shifted myself closer. Reaching my arm into the water, I dug my fingers of my left hand into the rocks as I struggled to get a good grip. It wouldn't do any good if I were to plunge into the water myself. I felt around underneath the water. There wasn't even the slightest movement in the water. The calm of the surface was a complete opposite to my distress. Biting back tears, I forced myself to push down my panic and think properly.

As I shoved my hand down deeper, I noticed a dark blurr slowly appearing underneath the surface. Feeling a bit apprehensive, I left my hand limp for a moment and drew back a bit slowly. Narrowing my eyes, I braced myself for whatever it was that was coming up.

Whatever it was...

It definitely wasn't Toro.

It was too large to be Toro..

Forcing my eyes to stay open, I felt my heart beat quicken. It was coming up too quickly!

As it got nearer, I lost my calm and felt a surge of fear rush through me.

"Nhn!"

I withheld a whimper and pulled my arm back, but it came too quick for me to act.

Something grabbed a hold of my wrist and held it on.

Fingers.

A hand.

I wanted to scream, but my voice would not come out. I was too petrified to act. What a coward I was. Rushing into everything and going chicken last minute.

As quick as the hand latched on, a head broke the surface. Cerulean eyes locked onto mine.

"...Toro?"