Hey guys! Heh, I have no homework today so uh, time to update! This is chapter 1. The prologue and 1st chapter will consist of a daydream, nightmare and hallucination/flashback, respectively. So, enjoy!
*Note: I will be adding the ends of chapters to its successors for a small reminder
Ruby opened his eyes to see-
Red painted walls?
The teenager quickly looked around, only to find himself in front of his desk, holding a picture album. Sighing, he looked down at the picture on the page he was on. Him and Sapphire after their first playdate, playing with Pokémon...
There he was, again, celebrating his birthday with nobody but himself.
He shook his head, took off his hat and plopped down on his bed. And drifted off to sleep, hugging the album to his torso.
To escape reality.
The reality, where he had broken that promise.
Chapter 1- Numb
..
The serene, tepid weather came to a stop, as a blue-red dragon flew down from an unknown location, onto the grassy open field. A pair of 5-year olds jerked their heads around to face the colossal Salamence, which roared a roar, intensity abysmal. The two stood stagnant for a while.
Ruby and Sapphires' stationary stances quickly broke, as Ruby walked up in front of Sapphire, protecting her. The turquoise-eyed brunette cowered behind her close friend, silently hoping he wouldn't get hurt protecting her. She glanced at the dragon.
Superficial wounds covered its scaly skin. Aghast, Sapphire endeavored to call for help, but it only came out as a breathless, dry gasp. Then, Ruby threw 3 Pokeballs into the air, and the deadly battle began.
..
A breathless bellow escaped the Salamence's mouth as it fainted, falling to the ground. Sapphire quickly ran up to her savior, with a worried look on her face. Ruby had fought adroitly and with ardor, being anything but apathetic.
He turned around and faced her.
And she froze.
Ruby's face-no, she wasn't sure if it was his anymore-was drenched in blood and sweat. Two parallel, gruesome scars disfigured the cute face he once bore.
Scars that foreshadowed a burning hell of pain.
Quickly walking backwards, she fell on her butt, covering her face. "S-s-scary…" she sobbed, breathless and shaken by the sight in front of her.
At that moment, the two couldn't differentiate between Ruby and the Salamence.
As she unconsciously sobbed and scrambled away from Ruby, he started changing, his feet turning into paws adorned with fur and claws. His body became that of a skin-doffed animal. And he pounced on her.
"Ruby! Please! RUBY!" a scream rang out.
The monster froze-
And a raven haired teenager snapped out of his nightmare, gasping and letting out heavy breaths.
Crimson eyes appeared underneath his open eyelids, as Ruby adjusted to the light and rubbed his eyes tiredly. A nightmare..? He felt a rectangular object on his lap, and found the picture album.
This time, it had randomly flipped to the page where he had finally recuperated from his injuries from the Salamence accident, Aisuru and Sapphire hugging him. How coincidental…
Flipping it close, Ruby set off to fix his room.
..
"Catty!" Coco barked, in an affable manner, as Ruby brushed her elegant fur. The Delcatty had to look cute for the contests, after all, and that included fur. The Normal-Type stretched, contented with its grooming.
Nana barked, slightly ticklish from the smooth brush. The coordinator sighed, relieved that he had finished grooming his Mightyena.
Buzz..Buzz….
"Hmm?" Ruby muttered some inaudible words as he read the name of the caller. Steven Stone..
..
"Speaking of your flight back to Hoenn, shouldn't you be going now?"
"Shit."
Ruby hurriedly hung up, and packed the remaining items on his desk, gesturing for Coco and Nana to follow him. The two nodded, going back into their Pokeballs. Frantically, he threw his bag over his shoulders and headed out of the room, handing his keys to Nurse Joy.
I really should have stayed in the apartment. These rooms barely have enough space. And the last contest just HAD to be won day before yesterday..I could've celebrated my birthday with everyone else…
Bending down and activating his running shoes, the coordinator sped off toward the nearest airport.
...
"Please buckle up, we have reached the landing strip." a monotone voice rang out, notifying Ruby of the fact. I'm almost home, Sapphire. Just wait a little bit longer. Those thoughts did it. Images started flashing before his mind, and before he knew it, daydreaming took over his mind.
..
"Ruby! Oh, my little monkey, you're finally healed!" Aisuru cried, spilling tears of joy as she hugged her precious child. It had been 2 weeks after the Salamence incident. Norman, Ruby's father, was obviously not here, for he was dealing with some…troubling matters…
Aisuru soon leaned back and released her tight hold on Ruby, glancing behind her shoulder. The mother gestured for Sapphire to come over, and the brunette obediently did so. "Ruby…you're okay!" the girl exclaimed, hugging her dear friend and savior in the same manner as his mother. "Yeah..I am.." the boy replied, hugging her back. Soon, they broke apart.
All of a sudden, Sapphire started blushing slightly, and nervously leaned toward Ruby.
And placed a sweet kiss on his cheek.
The boy took a while to respond, registering what happened, and recording the sensation of warm lips on his skin. Soon, his entire face heated up and turned visibly red. Sapphire giggled and blushed as well, embracing her savior once again.
"Don't ever get hurt like that again.." Sapphire whispered with a smile, her mouth brushing against his ear. Ruby shivered at her touch, but smiled.
"I won't."
He soon felt himself being violently shaken-
"Hey, mister! !" a flight attendant called, bringing him back to the world. "We've arrived."
"Oh. My bad. I'm sorry." Ruby replied apologetically. He grabbed his bag and followed the attendant, getting off the jet. Reaching into his pocket, he fished out his PokeGear. Searching through his contact list, he called the person he was looking for-Professor Birch.
"Hello. Professor Birch of Hoenn here." A cheerful, manly voice said. "Hey, Professor. It's me. Ruby."
"Oh. Hello Ruby. How are you? Contests going well?" I freakin' swear his voice sounded a little angry that time.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you about this. I finished all the contests-"
"What?!"
Sighing, Ruby continued. "Yeah, I did. And I'm already back home."
"WHAT!? You're at home?!" The Professor's obviously surprised and confused.
"No. I just got off the plane. So, about getting home. Could you send Pilo here? It's the small airport by the edge of Dewford."
"Oh. Yeah, sure thing." Ruby hung up.
..
As he paced back and forth on the sandy shore, he noticed Pilo gliding down. Smiling, Ruby trotted up to the Tropius and patted its neck. "Hey, Pilo. Thanks for coming." he said.
The boy boosted himself up onto the creature's back, and got comfortable on it. Pilo started flapping its leafy wings and flew into the air at a steady pace. As the two enjoyed the breeze during the trip back, Ruby's mind drifted back to his nightmare the night before.
And he recalled one word.
"S-s-scary.."
He froze.
Why that word..? Why..the one word that changed my life..?
Those were his thoughts as he sat on the creature.
And felt..
Numb.
Welp, that was it for the 1st chapter! How'd you like this one guys? Please continue to tell me how I did by reviewing! Don't forget!
Cya