Chapter 2: Bump in the Night
The setting sun bled bright red streaks across the cool salt water as a single boat churned waves on its way to the Heiwa region from distant Hoenn. It was a small fishing and trading boat that had taken to these waters many times in its long life but never at such a time or for such a purpose as this.
Forest Runner leaned back in his seat on the boat deck, his trapinch in his lap and his eyes on the distant horizon as his thoughts drifted back to what had led him to this strange new region.
'He had been chasing his friend for years now, always only a step or two behind but he hadn't expected the note that was tacked to the tree he used as a base. They hadn't made direct contact in years yet it seemed he wasn't the only one keeping tabs on the past.
The note itself was simple; a torn scrap of paper probably stolen from the local trainer school, and its statement was equally simple: "I know you're still chasing me, I don't know why and don't care but if you insist then head to Heiwa. The moon is moving again and I fear they're close to the goal…"
Getting information on the Heiwa Region proved a task as most residents of the four neighboring trainer regions dismissed it as an oddity out in the distant sea, something they might fly to for a visit but little else.
It was deep in the ruins of Sinnoh that he chanced upon the first clue, a broken carving of a golden dragon and a strange eevee. Surrounding the dragon were bright shards of light in varying colors and a strange orb marked with a star.'
"You're the survivor from Dusk River…sure are a long way from home…" the boatman's voice pulled him away from the memory and he glanced up to see that the crescent islands were finally visible ahead of them.
Forest shifted his gaze back to the boatman and managed a tired smile, "You know of Dusk River? Most of the region seems to have forgotten…me and Drake here walked away from that fire though…" He rubbed a hand along the trapinch's back as it snuggled deeper into his lap, oblivious to anything that would disturb its nap.
"Know it's gone, disappeared in a single night they say…" the boatman averted his gaze and shook his head sadly, "Had family in that village…hard to believe it's gone…"
"Yeah…the Tragedy of Dusk River…the sky was blacker than I had ever seen it…and the river blazed with fire…" Forest shivered at the memory, his eyes unfocused as the flames blazed before his eyes again, "The whole region heard the story but few actually saw it…saw the aftermath…"
"Sorry, it must bring back memories…" the boatman sighed and turned his attention back to the controls, "We'll make port in Kinkou by midnight if the weather holds…"
On the northern outskirts of Kinkou City the streets grew quiet with the approaching nightfall, locals retreating into their houses and tourists heading back to the hotels and inns along the inner streets.
A lone shadow moved along the darkened alleyways, bright blue eyes flashing as he neared the pokémon lab. "Check the sky Crow, we move when the streets are clear…" the boy whispered quietly as he paused beside a large window that looked into the lab.
A murkrow dratted past him and soared in a brief circle overhead before dropping down again. "The way is clear Shadow, shall we hurry?"
"Yes, collect the items then…" Shadow turned back to scan the quiet street as Crow smashed through the uppermost window pane, the tinkling of glass and a faint alarm warning of his entry.
A few moments passed with only the sound of the alarm echoing above before Crow finally returned and alighted on his shoulder.
Shadow took the items from the murkrow and tucked them away in his bag, leaving only the fire starter ball in his hand. "Pupurn huh, we'll make sure to catch them this time."
He placed the new pokèball on his belt and pulled loose two others, two necklaces briefly clinking at his neck as he returned the murkrow and released an abra.
"Let's go Psy, best to get away from here…" he murmured as the abra grabbed his shoulder and they both teleported away.