Torn: Chapter 1: Partners

As our protagonist sleeps in the cave he's currently sharing with a combusken he saved from a houndoom's clutches, we see him tossing & turning in his sleep...

Location: Unknown (presumably Kanto), near City Hall
Time: 8:43 pm

"..And so it is, that with a heavy heart, we must cleanse this soul of his impurities! Brothers & sisters, do not be alarmed, for it is HE who shall repent, as we watch his sin be purged from this land. May god have mercy on your soul, Riley..." Said a man wearing a tunic & a cloak, sorrounded by other people in the same cloak. They formed a circle around a fire pit (like when they burned witches in Salem), to which, an umbreon was tied up.

"You bastards! Let her go, she had nothing to do with this! Punish me, please!" Said a man, whose hands were tied to a wooden post. His face was bruised & bleeding, and his hands were burned. He had shoulder length hair (dark brown, now roughed up) & stood at 6-1.

"Son Riley, you are not responsible for this sin... It is this BEAST who has tempted you away from our holy congregation. So you must stand & watch. With hope & prayer, we know that you will renounce your sin & join our community as a healthy individual once more." Said the cloaked man, now approaching the pit with a lit torch & an oil can.

"Dammit, Chelsey, do something! Don't do this for me, please. I'll gladly die a thousand deaths, if only to see you live for one more day. I'd rather our child not know his father than not be born at all..." Said Riley, know sobbing silently, as the pain & significance of what was about to happen was virtually crushing him.

"Please, my love. Don't cry. I'll always be with you... Always." Said the umbreon, now struggling slightly, as the torch started lighting her sorroundings.

"NOOOOO!" Riley scram, trying to untie himself & help his umbreon lover, but to no avail. The umbreon began to scream, as the cloaked men & women could be seen rejoicing in the display. Some were dancing, others were screaming in joy, altogether enjoying the 'purification' of the man named Riley. As soon as the umbreon's screams died out, the cloaked man began to speak.

"It is done, my brothers & sisters. Now we must take our leave, as Riley must face the next level of cleansing alone." Said the man, as he approached Riley with a 3-inch blade. The man stood behind Riley & untied him. Riley fell & knelt down on all fours, still sobbing. As the man turned to face Riley, he crouched & said:

"Son, now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to rejoice. The sin has been purged from your soul & now you're on your way to be free of this evil." Said the man, as he petted Riley's head. Before he even knew what happened, Riley has the man's knife & slashed at his throat, cleanly cutting through his traquea. The man shot up & held his throat, gurgling what seemed to be a cry for help. Suddenly, Riley tackeld the man to the ground & stabbed him until he was no longer moving, and even then, Riley didn't stop for another five stabs. The crowd watched in horror, as one of their own was brutally murdered by Riley.

"You crazy mother fuckers! I'm going to eviscerate every single-" Riley was cut off by a severely strong hit to the back of his head. The last thing he saw was the crowd dispersing in different directions, as a shadow ball was flung at them...

Location: Kanto (Cave clearing)
Time: Between 7 & 8 am

I awoke with the coldest sweat I've ever had. I looked around me and, to my surprise, the fire was still going & the storm had died out almost completely, with it still raining lightly. I sat now in a fetal position, looking at my hands & at the fire slowly roasting the twigs inside. I swear, I could almost make out the figure of an umbreon inside the fire... I decided to look away from the fire & looked around some more. The combusken was still sleeping soundly. Her wing looked ok, despite being held together with a makesift splint. No swelling or redness, so there's no broken bones or clogged vains or arteries.

'Good. Maybe we can make it to town & the nearest hospital... I just hope Kanto has changed, if only a little bit.' I thought to myself, as I reached for my head to remove my balaclava. I did so & threw it into the fire, which made short work of it. I then pulled out my blade to inspect my facial injuries. My eyes were fine, but a little bloodshot (they're yellow, like a golden yellow). My forehead's gash wasn't bleading anymore, so that's good news. My chin was fine, as far as I could tell with my thin handlebar. My hair was slightly messy, but I kept it that way, though it was now short (one of the curses of being in a private armed forces contract). My sweater was almost completely ripped, so I removed it & used it as fire fodder. I sheathed my blade & inspected my pants, which were fine, other than having some dirt on them. My boots were ok too. My bare chest & back gave way to a plethura of old scars. One ran from my chest to my left thigh. The rest were small & scattered. On my back were scratch marks & small bites, which I chuckled at slightly, both in amusement & slight sadness. Yes, I sometimes indulged in rough intercourse, so what? A slightly muscular build, the result from all my training.

After inspecting myself for more injuries, I noticed that the combusken was waking up.

"Ugh... What happened?" I heard her slur, as the jolt of pain in her right wing reminded her of the events that took place last night.

"Someone had a nice nap." I said with a small hint of amusement, now staring at the fire, back to my fetal position.

"Are you ok, though? You sound tired..." Said the combusken, as she approached me & sat carefully 8 inches apart, while she too satred at the fire.

"Rough night." I said, as I grabbed a random stick & prodded the fire, listening to it cackle ever so slightly. I remembered that the elites' trench coats could ome in handy, so I instinctively proceeded to head out into the base I was at last night, hoping that it was empty.

"Where are you going?" Said the combusken, dusting heself off with her left wing while getting up.

"A place where I can find some clothes... Hopefully for free..." I said, while streching lightly & jogging in place to limber up.

"Can I come?" She said, the interest in her voice being obvious.

"I don't know... You wouldn't be able to fight well with that." I said, pointing to her right wing. She looked at it, then brought her left wing up.

"Try me!" She said, throwing a few mock swipes & thrusts with her left wing.

"Fine... Just promise me something..." I said, getting her attention.

"What?"

"Don't puke..." I said, making her cock her head slightly to the right.

"Ok?" She said, with now a worrying expression, seeing as I didn't stutter.

"Alright, stay close." I said, pulling out my SAA & exiting the cave. It was still raining lightly, but luckily, it was spring time, so I was only in danger of getting a cold, instead of freezing to death.

"Is that what you used to... kill the houndoom?" She said, the eminent fear showing in her tone.

"Don't worry, I've never used this against friendlies or innocents." I said, showing her my magnum (get your mind out of the gutter, you sick fucks.), then pointed it towards where we're going.

"So... What's your story?" I asked as I knew where we were headed, since I noticed blood on a few fronds & tree trunks, wondering if the blood belonged to me or Green.

"What do you mean?" asked the combusken.

"Like, did you have a clan, or were you rogue?" I said, walking a little slower.

"Well... I was captured by a snatcher when I evolved. My parents dissappeared when they heard foot steps, or so I thought. They ambushed the snatchers & managed to tae down three of them before..." She said, then stopping with what we call a frog in her throat.

"I'm sorry for asking." I said, not sounding too keen on emotion.

"No, it's... ok. I needed to tell someone, at least." She said.

"So, how'd you end up here?" I asked, almost dreading for the answer.

"Slavers." She said, with her head lowered.

"Thought so... You know where we're going?" I asked.

"Actually... Yes. I was at a slaver camp, then these five humans showed up & started fighting the slavers & freeing us." She said unknowingly.

"Really? That's good, I guess." I said, ignoring the fact that one of those humans was me.

"I didn't know where to go, so I ran out randomly, until I found the cave you were in..." She said.

"Coincidence." I said in a slightly lower tone, knowing we were getting closer to the camp.

"What about you?" She asked, using her leverage over my questions.

"Well... I was a mercenary." I said.

"Was?"

"Yes. I've decided to leave that life behind." I said, knowing very well that I had enough money in my bank account to last me a lifetime.

"Did you have a clan?" She asked.

"You could say that. I was part of a 5 human clan. We were hired for a branch of special mission all around the regions. In fact, I was at Hoenn before coming here." I said, recalling the time Snip drank all four of us under the table. That guy could outdrink a fucking snorlax.

What were you doing at Hoenn?" She asked.

"Vacation." I said, not lying, but not telling her the whole truth. I felt sort of bad, but I knew better than to trust a stranger with all my info. She was probably still a kid, but I wasn't going to risk it, remembering the time I had to kill a seven year old riolu, since he started dry snitching about my operations... Dammit...

"Why are we going to the slave camp?" She asked.

"To take some clothes & hopefully, a map." I said, earning a glare from the combusken.

"Alright..." She said with a tone of suspicion.

"We're here." I said, as I knelt down, motioning for her to do the same, which she did. I had a view of the base... I seems Triad's button caused a full scale self-destruct sequence.

"What's that?" She said, pointing at my left arm. I looked, then saw a small tattoo of an umbreon.

"It's nothing." I said, trying to stay focused. I motioned for the combusken to ait in the bush we were looking from & walked hunkered down for a few seconds until I found a dead elite. His face was horribly disfigured, likely from an explosion. There was a slightly dy pool of blood around him. His right leg was twisted in a very bad way & his chest was plit wide open, revealing his ribs, heart, lungs & part of his stomach. I carefully removed the trench coat the dead elite was wearing & inspected it for any holes or marks; there were none. I put it on & then decided to leave the premises.

"What about the map?" Asked the combusken, as she saw me approaching her with the trench coat. It only reached just below my knees, so it wouldn't hinder my movements.

"Don't need one." I said, then unsheathed my blade & proceeded to chop through the shrubbery in front of us as we made our way back to the clearing. Upon reaching it, we were faced by an unwelcome sight: A police officer, followed by a few paramedics & patrol pokemon (one glaceon & a monferno), both wearing bullet proof vests.

"Stay low." I said, then pulled out my binoculars to size the officer & his pokemon.

"So, a dead mercenary & a mutilated houndoom... Looks like an avarage fight to me." Said the officer, with his right hand placed just over his gun.

"Until you notice the bullet wound in the merc's skull." Said the paramedic, pointing at the aforementioned area.

"Hmm... .357 bullet, close range. In fact, right on her temple." Said the officer.

"Now the houndoom has only one bullet wound, but the injuries suggest it was killed before it bled out. Same can be said for this poor woman." Replied the paramedic, taking one last look at the body on the stretcher, before ziping up the bag she was in & pushing her inside the ambulance, along with the houndoom's remains.

"Whoever was here, they were likely responsible for the houndoom & the mercenary. They're gone now, but the fire I found in the cave was still burning. Whoever it is, they left in a hurry." Said the officer, writing down something on a pad he was carrying.

"Well. I'm done here. I'm heading for the morgue, you're welcome to follow. If the culprit is still out here, they'll be heading for the city." Said the paramedic, adjusting her baseball cap & heading to the ambulance's driver seat.

"Yeah, you're probably right. Brutus, Scout: on me. We're heading out." Said the officer, then the monferno & glaceon respectively responded, then heading in the officer's car. The paramedic & cop left the area, heading back down the main road.

"Now's our chance." I said to the combusken, as I lifted her up with my left arm & placed her on my shoulders.

"What are you doing?" She asked, slightly irritated because of my sudden action.

"This." I said, then proceeded to sprint in the direction od the cars, knowing they were too far to se us. I kept sprinting, even after they were out of my sight. I reached the main road & could already make out Pewter City.

"Alright. We still have a long way to go." I said as I looked at my watch (it was 4:38 pm).

"Let's go then. I've never been to a human community before." Said the excited combusken.

"Don't expect a particularly warm welcome." I said, adjusting my trench coat & buttoning it up, until only a small part of my chest could be walked for another ten minutes, until the combusken broke the silence:

"Would it be too much to ask if I go with you?" She asked.

"Where?" I retorted.

"In your travels. You're a trainer, right?" She asked, eyeing my ball holster, which had three empty luxury balls.

"Of a sort." I said, making her give me a quizicall look. She then got closer to me & tugged on my coat. I stopped to look at her.

"Could I get a name?" She asked, surprising me to say the least.

"You've no name to bare?" I asked.

"No." She said, lowering her head. I remember this. 'This is reminding me too much about Chelsey. Kanto can go burn in hell for what they did to me.' I thought, letting my anger show just a little bit...

"Ok... How about... Mia?" I asked. She pondered it for about half a minute, before speaking up.

"Such a nice name." She said, with a warm smile.

"It's settled, then?" I asked.

"Yes." She said, giving me a surprise hug. It took me six seconds to return it, then we broke from the hug & continued our way to Pewter City. I remember there being a nice inn for trainers. I'm no trainer, but the balls will fool anyone, if I keep my mouth shut, that is.

So we walked until we reached the inn, which was just in the ourskirts of the town. There were a few cars parked outside, but not enough to discourage more attendance. We walked in & shook off some mud we had on the carpet.

"Welcome to Pewter estates. I would reccomend you call for a medic while you stay. We have medical facilities for such an inconvinience." Said the innkeep, noticing our injuries.

"Can do." I said, approaching her & rested my arms on the counter, with Mia siting in the reception room, as I instructed.

"One night. Queen sized, mini bar. Also a smaller bed for my combusken." I said, before picking up the phone the innkeep gave me.

"300." She said. Then waited for me to get off the phone.

"...I'll be right over." Said nurse Joy over the phone. Luckily, the hospital was nearby, so I knew that it wouldn't take her long to arrive.

"Here you go." I said, thanking Arceus that I carry my wallet on my missions. I handed the money & phone to the innkeep, who was sporting grey sweatpants & a black hoodie. She had blue eyes & maroon hair that reached her thighs. Didn't see her shoes thanks to the counter.

"We hope you enjoy your stay in Pewter Estates... Also, if you see my brother, tell him he's late for his shift." Said the innkeep, clearly irritated at her brother.

"Can do. What's he like?" I asked.

"As tall as me, same eyes. Shaved head." She said, then picked up a magazine she began to read.

"Alright." I said, hading tho the reception area.

"There you are." Said Mia, now approaching me.

"We're staying here until nurse Joy comes & looks at your wing. Then we can head to the room." I said, showing her the keys I was handed.

"Ok." She said with the same smaile she always had. It took like fourteen minutes for the nurse to arrive. When she looked at us, she almost freaked, but maintained her posture.

"What happened?" She asked, eyeing my forehead injury & noticing that my right hand was bleeding.

"Houndoom attacked my combusken. We fought it off." I said, leaving behind any unnecessary information.

"You're lucky to stil be in one piece. Follow me." She said, motioning us to the medical facility.

"Pokemon get treated for free..." Said nurse Joy, as her Chansey approached us.

"The man's injuries don't look too severe." Said the chansey... Strange to hear a male chansey.

"I guess I really am lucky..." I said, not looking in the chansey's direction.

"Did you just... understand my chansey?" Asked the nurse.

"Took me a few years." I said.

"Alright. Let's look at that wing." Said nurse Joy, motioning for Mia to sit on a bed she prepped. Mia did that, as chansey was sinpecting her wing for any serious damage.

"That's a very well done splint." Said chansey.

"Thank you." I said, cathing his attention. He said nothing more, instead replaced Mia's splint with a fresh one. Mia winced lightly & sighed as he finished. Nurse Joy examined Mia's wing & concluded:

"She'll be better in a few days. Here." She said, giving me a few painkillers.

"Alright." I said, looking at the instructions on the label, then pocketed the cylindrical pill package.

"Let's look at your arm now." Said the nurse. I removed my trench coat & placed it on a coat rack near the sewing table. Both Joy & chansey gasped at the sight of all my scars.

"Well... Your arm is fine. No major lacerations, bone is untouched, no blood clots..." Said Nurse Joy, inspecting my right arm & grabbing her sewing needle.

"Hmm... That's a relief. And my head?" I asked.

"It's almost completely healed..." Said nurse Joy, sewing around my elbow & across my arm, to the back of my hand, 9 points total.

"Use this on your forehead & arm, to avoid any infections." She said, handing me some type of cream, antiseptic with antibiotica, no doubt.

"That'll be 45 pokedollars." She said.

"Here." I said, handing her 65 pokedollars.

"Keep the change." I said, as Mia & I walked out of the facility while waving goodbye.

[There's something wrong with that man... His scars, his communication skills...] Said chansey.

"He's probably dealt with danger in his job... Whatever that is." Said nurse Joy, dusting off her smock.

[Probably.] Said the chansey, adjusting his nurse cap.

"C'mon, let's go." Said Joy, now walking to her ambulance.

It was now 9:50 & the events of today were weighing me down to say the least. I had entered the room I was given: It was fairly large, with two beds separated by a small square coffee table with a lamp on it. There was a minibar next to the queen sized bed. The bathroom was across from the beds, next to a large drawer that held a 36 inch tv.

"We should probably bathe first. We look dirtier than an orgy." I said, clearly not thinking after using my words. I immediately regretted my choice of words.

"Or-gy?" Said Mia, which made me go pale for a split second.

"Nothing, nevermind I said that." I said, leading her to the bathroom: It was big, with a rectangular shower on one end, closed by glass sliding doors & a curtain. There was a toilet, next to the sink, which was just small enough for Mia to use. I might have to crouch to use it. Above it was a medium mirror with no frame.

"Alright, get in." I said, after adjusting the temperature to a nice 'warm'.

Mia hopped into the shower & stood there, then gave me a worried look.

"You're not going to shower?" She asked, which made me blush lightly & respond:

I'll get in when I'm done with you." I said, grabbing a towel & setting it on top of the toilet. I looked to the small cabinet drawer next to the mirror...

"Grass type... Steel type... Ah, here it is." I said, finding the body was that was specialized for fire types. I lathered some on Mia's head & she closed here eyes with a small smile, though it was hard to tell, since she had a beak.

I then proceeded to lather the body wash on my hands & gave her a slight massage as I worked my way around her body, being careful not to touch her injury. I stopped around her chest when I felt some very small nubs, but then immediately continued to avoid any explanation... I think I won't be able to do this without raising a flagpole every now and then... shit...

"Something wrong, master?" Asled Mia, snapping me out of my trance. I was humming lightly until I touched her... um... ah ha ha ha...

"Y-yeah... No, I'm f-fine..." I said, sounding as normal as I could. I finished lathering her legs & she rinsed off. I grabbed the towel & carefully dired her off. Once she was dry, I then motioned for her to go to the queen sized bed.

"Is that ok with you, master?" She asked.

"One: Don't call me master... From now on, we're partners. Understand? Secondly: I'm used to sleeping in tight spaces." I said, then, after Mia layed down on the big bed, she almost immediately fell asleep...

The next ten minutes are just me bathing while humming another tune. When I dried myself off, I put on my spare plain dark green boxers & headed into the room. My pants were set next to the small bed on a chair, as well as my tremch coat & gun/knife holsters. I smiled at Mia, hearing her snore slightly.

'Good night. May Arceus guard you in your stasis, as he once guarded your forefathers.' I said in my head, not wanting Mia to wake up. I closed my eyes & drifted to sleep, my last conscious thoughts being about my squad mates...

A/N: Hello there everyone. 2 pages in less than a week? I'm insane... Anyways, I hope you're all enjoying my story so far. So yeah, this would be the first chapter of my story, officially. I'd like to point out a few things:
1: I am working solo on this, so I apologize for any grammar mistakes & the such.
2: I'd like to thank my friend 'The Pant Buckler'. Just because...
3: Thanks to Sonregion & Vixal for following my story. I'll try not to dissapoint.

Finally, I'd like to thank my mother, who is supporting me on this story (at least until I begin with the lemons XD). I'd also like to thank Game Freak & the Pokemon Company for making an EXTREMELY diverse world with so many colorful characters.
Hope to see this story grow as time goes by. And I will talk to you all in my next chapter, till then... Ciao.
-Blood Moons