Hi. Since I have nothing else to say then…
CLAIMER: I own this story that you are reading or not going to read or will read or will be skim reading or will be trashing or whatever.
DISCLAIMER: StarDragon X would own Pokemon if someone else didn't own it.
Moonlight's Shadow Chapter 4:
Koja
Shadow ran for her life. Faster then she had ever ran before. Past the grounds of the pack, over the river, past the trees and into the forest. Even as Shadow ran, the Umbreon desperately wanted to look back- just one last time. But she could always sense someone's eyes on her- so she didn't, to be safe. The Umbreon kept running and running- it was almost as if she couldn't stop herself.
Who could fight Akara and win? Let alone kill! The Espeon wasn't such a high ranking Pokemon in the pack for no reason. Then…There was the 'curse'- her. It made sense. It all did. She had been found after a devastating flood- she had caused the flood. She had divided up the pack- some not against her and some deadly against her. She had broken up families and friends by just coming into the pack. She had killed a pack member- she had disrupted the White Paw Pack by being an adopted member. No one had done that and that alone was trouble- she was a curse…
The Umbreon let the thoughts drop a little. She had enough tension and worries, confusions and frights today to last her a lifetime. There was no point in make her any more paranoid about anything.
"Nice day for running huh?"
"Yeah I suppose," Shadow ducked her head under a low branch.
"Where are you going- if I may ask?"
"Somewhere…" Shadow said distantly. She didn't really care- what was life now? There was nothing more.
There was a period of silence for a while before Shadow realized that there was actually someone beside her- not a voice in her head. She glanced to her right and sure enough a male Absol about two years old was running besides her. The Umbreon tripped in surprise and landed in a small heap on the ground.. The Absol stopped running, amused at what he saw.
"Why did you scare me?" asked Shadow irritably, getting off the ground. But while she did, she quickly rubbed dirt over the 'x' shaped wounds on her forelegs. He didn't need to know she was an exile.
"What do you mean, scare you?" retorted the Absol, "I was just talking to you! Who else do you expect? Your conscious? A voice in your head?"
"Yes, I thought it was a voice in my head." said Shadow stiffly.
The Absol laughed but was silenced by a glare from Shadow's blue eyes.
He cringed and looked away, "You wouldn't mind to stop that look? It's quite paralyzing."
Shadow's glare stopped immediately, "I'm sorry."
Shadow bowed her head a little to the Absol before starting back into a run, "Well- it was nice meeting you. But I have to go."
She could feel the dirt falling off her legs. That couldn't happen. She didn't care if the Absol thought she unpolite or something- he shouldn't see those wounds. If he knew she was an exile- he might tell the whole forest. And if the whole forest knew- well things might get quite dangerous.
"Hey, hey, hey!" The Absol bounded in front of her, "When I said your glare was paralyzing… I meant it as a compliment! Yeah! A compliment!"
What was up with this Absol? Couldn't he take a hint? Was he suspicious of her being exiled or something? Was he some kind of stalker?
"You know you're a terrible liar." she said, "But I-"
"Glad to hear it. What's your name?" The Absol grinned at her.
A maniac maybe?
"Ah- ah-" The Umbreon tried decided whether to actually give her name to the stranger, "It's- it's Shadow."
"Koja for me- nice to meet you."
Shadow raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Koja glanced at Shadow confused, "No…"
"Koja is like a demi-god to the Evees and their Evolutions. He's the one supposedly responsible for them being able to evolve."
Shadow began walking again. She noticed with growing fear that Koja had glanced at her forelegs. If he knew then he seemed to take not much notice of it. Maybe he was an ignoramus and didn't know what those scars meant- hopefully.
"Really?" asked Koja interested. He grinned with stars in his eyes, "Koja… the demi-god…"
"Koja was an Evee- not an Absol. I'm sorry to burst your bubble." Informed Shadow.
Koja looked offended, "My mother is a Flareon, and my father is an Absol. Besides that, what's a sweet Umbreon like you traveling a lone?"
Shadow froze and she tried to smile casually at him, "Oh just-"
She searched frantically for an answer before looking brightly at Koja, "Searching for my parents."
Shadow decided to throw the question back at the Absol before he had anymore time to ponder about her answer, "So what are you doing, traveling alone?"
Koja twitched and his red eyes widened a little, "Just- just wandering."
"Ah."
There was something wrong with this Absol. He was hiding something.
"You know- Shadow…"
The Umbreon cocked her head as she walked along, "Hm?"
"The world isn't exactly what you call a safe place is it?"
"No- of course not." Any Pokemon knew that.
"Well- it'd be much easier for me to travel if I knew there was someone watching my back."
"Are you implying that we travel together?"
"Basically- yes."
There was something wrong here. Firstly, she was a year younger then this 'Koja'. How was she supposed to watch his back?
"I'm a whole year younger then you." She stated bluntly.
"You don't act like a 'whole year younger'." Stated Koja just as bluntly.
"We don't know each other. We met a few minutes ago."
"What difference does that make?" asked Koja, "You don't seem like an assassin."
"You might be." Shadow pointed out.
"Well you know I'm Koja who's a year older then you. I know you're Shadow whose a year younger then me. There- we know each other."
Shadow swallowed. She could probably take him on with- with her powers. But even as she thought that, she felt uneasy. That just wasn't her killing Akara. She would never do that- what happened?
"Well?" Koja was waiting.
Shadow snapped out of her thoughts quickly, "No thank you. I-I can't burden you with the responsibility of watching my back."
"Well- you said you were searching for your parents right?"
Shadow's heart nearly missed a beat- what was he going to ask now? About her pack? About Akara? What?
"Yes…"
"Well, how do you intend on finding them? Waltzing around the world? Asking every Pokemon you meet whether they're your mother or father?"
Shadow breathed an inward sigh of relief- easy.
"Of course not! I'm going to go to this human pack ground."
"They're called cities, towns, or villages pup."
"Well, anyway, this ca-city is called something like… Soffon City."
"Saffron City?"
"Yes! That's it! And I'm going to find a Psychic Pokemon there to help me. Apparently there are many in that city."
"Do you know how to get to Saffron City?"
"No."
"Good! That settles it!" Koja ruffled Shadow's head, "Let's go, my new-found companion, let's go!"
"What?"
"You don't know how to get to Saffron City and from the looks of it, you don't know what it looks like. So you then can't accomplish your goal of finding your parents. I know how to get to Saffron City. Therefore without me basically you can't accomplish your goal in finding your parents." Stated Koja in a very logical manner.
Shadow swallowed. She was caught really.
"See? All good?"
"Yes but…One more question- why me? Why help me? I can't give you anything in return. I'm of probably no value to you. Why do you want to help me?
"Because little Shadow-" Koja paused, "I want some company- you're good for that. You're actually quite a good Pokemon to talk to… And you're a fellow Dark Pokemon."
Shadow cringed.
"Oh, wait I mean Children of the Night. You were probably brought up that way weren't you?"
"Yes! Yes! I was." Shadow nodded her head vigorously while secretly scolding herself for cringing because of the word 'Dark'.
"But aren't you- I mean how about my eyes?"
"They're rare and ah- unique. In fact, they'd be great for fending off any enemies- another good reason to have you with me. Just don't stare with them- one it's rude and two people will think someone's one with you. Don't gaze at someone directly in the eyes- right? Ok!"
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"Let's stop here for the night." The Two travelers were in a small clearing that was surrounding by various fruit and berry trees.
"Fine with me." Shadow shrugged but she was growing more tense by the moment. Back at her pack –her old pack- there was always a small fire in the cave in which they slept in. The fire was a source of heat- and a source of light. A privilege Shadow knew she would not find out here. She shivered.
"Aren't you hungry?" the Absol was foraging for berries in a small tree. One of his front paws was leaned against the tree for balance while the other was scrounging around.
"A little." Shadow went to the tree and picked up a few oran berries from the ground. Just as she was about to eat them Koja swiped them away. Shadow watched aghast as they rolled back into the underbrush of the forest.
"What did you do that for?"
Koja wagged his paw at the Umbreon, "You NEVER EVER eat berries lying on the ground."
"Why not?" This was Shadow's first experience in fending for herself. Normally the adults of the pack would bring back food for them all.
"Only someone like Celebi- the great god may he live forever- would know. I mean, some Rattata could've rolled it around in his mouth before deciding he didn't like it or someone with really dirty paws has trampled n them-"
"Alright, alright! I get it!" Shadow held up her paw.
"Good." Koja threw her a branch of huge fruits, "You can eat those."
"Koja-"
But before she say anymore the Absol was down beside her and was eating one of the fruits- or trying to. He yelped in pain upon discovering that-
"Sitrus Berries are very hard." Shadow wagged her paw at Koja. Even while this was the first time in fending for herself, many fruits and berries had been brought back to the pack for eating. Throughout her life, Shadow had seen and eaten a large variety of them and had by now had some knowledge of them.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier!" the Absol rubbed his jaw painfully.
"I did try to tell you but you went ahead anyway! You don't just eat Sitrus Berries- you have to crack them open! But- we need something for your jaw now so…"
Shadow turned around and leapt up onto a low branch of a tree nearby
"Now these berries-" The Umbreon snagged loose a fruit from the tree and carefully brought it down, "Are good to eat."
"Are you sure that- that thing is safe to eat?"
Koja eyed the fruit suspiciously. It was big, round and yellow.
"Of course- besides that, it'll relieve the pain in your jaw! It's a Grepa Berry. Try it."
"All right all right!" Koja picked the fruit up with one paw and after analyzing it for several seconds, popped it into his mouth. The Absol's eyes widened and his lips was sucked in together tightly. He made gagging noises for a couple of moments before he let out a deep breath. He glared at Shadow who was trying hard to keep a straight face.
"You knew that would happen- didn't you!" Koja gasped for air, "That- that- was so so SOUR!"
"It turns sweet!" shrugged Shadow, "And the pain in the jaw is gone."
"Revenge will be mine sometime!" threatened Koja, shaking his paw in the air.
"I'll look forward to that." Shadow said sarcastically. The Umbreon then turned around to the Sitrus Berries.
"1…2…3!" Shadow drew a breath concentrated on a single Sitrus berry. Almost suddenly, a dark bolt jumped out of Shadow and split the berry in two.
"Wow- and I thought you said you couldn't watch my back!"
Koja looked awed. Shadow didn't answer to the Absol. She still had her back turned and was shaking.
"Shadow?" Koja ran over. The Umbreon was staring at what she had just done.
"Look it's all right ok? All good alrighty?"
Shadow glanced at him after a few more seconds.
"Yeah I'm alright- I'm sorry. I was just surprised."
The Umbreon started to eat one half of the Sitrus Berry and didn't say a word. Koja followed suit, wolfing down the other one down messily, trying to the taste of the Grepa berry out of his mouth.When they had both finished eating their fill of berries and fruits Shadow dug a small hole in the ground. Koja watched, half interested from under a tree.
Shadow rolled a Sitrus Berry into the hole and carefully covered it up with some more dirt.
"Why for Groundon's sake did you do that? It's a waste!" scolded Koja angrily.
"The priestess of my- I mean a pack I knew taught me to 'return to the lands what you have gotten from it.'"
"What a load of rubbish!" retorted Koja, "It's just a dreadful waste of a berry!"
"It isn't" Shadow shook her head, "A few years later, when the fruits of the tree that we were just eaten from are gone, the berry I have just planted will be another tree for someone like us."
"I guess... But- look, I know this will be weird for you. But you have to go to sleep alright? I know, we're all nocturnal and all but trust me- just go to sleep now. Don't worry about any rabid Pokemon out there since I'm keeping watch."
"Aren't you tired?" questioned Shadow.
"Nah. I woke up quite late today, so I'm alright."
Shadow was more then obliged to comply. She was tired out by the whole day's events. She settled herself near Koja and lay down, head on paws.
"Obedient little thing. I'd thought you'd be hyper! What are in those berries!" Koja glanced to the berry trees.
"Whatever…Goo-good night…." Shadow was asleep.
"Good night Shadow." Whispered the Absol- and he smiled at the sleeping body. Things were going well- things were FINALLY going well.
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Unknown Area- Kanto Region
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"You know I find this Shadow quite interesting," Articuno readjusted her wings into a more comfortable position.
"Interesting?" questioned Zapdos, the God of Thunder, "I think she's far more then just 'interesting'"
"She evolved into something completely different then what we decided." Added Moltres, "She was to become a Vaporeon, but she became a Child of the Night."
"Yes, she is more then just interesting brothers. A wrong statement. But even worse, right after her evolution she killed the Priestess of Evoluton in her pack. Who, was, if I am correct, quite a skilled figh-"
"Killed?" The Fire God looked shocked- and Gods don't get shocked that easily.
"And she is exiled." Finished Articuno.
"This high priestess-" remarked Zapdos, "She will be in the realm of Mew? No? Yes?"
"Do the dead even go the realm of Mew?"
"Who knows? That crazed God doesn't let anyone go there!" snorted Moltres, "Not even the Gods and Goddesses are allowed. Who knows what is in there!"
"Well, it cannot be evil- Mew would never do that." Reasoned Zapdos.
"Let us go back to the original subject and forget for now about Mew's realm." Cried Articuno hasitily. Mew's realm was a sacred place in the heavens where few God's had ever visited. Only Mew came in or out and did not let along in. Her two brothers were more then often debating- or sometimes arguing about this realm. A reason why the world was having what the humans called thunderstorms.
"She has suffered an unfortunate fate. It is very sad and grave. But there is no more we can do for her." Stated Moltres calmly, "Now, that is over. Let us go back to Me-"
"Mew is not evil-whatever reason you have against him. He is not evil brother." Zapdos' eyes flashed and electricity crackled in the air.
"I am not saying he is evil- I am merely saying that he needs a rest from his duties. He is not exactly…Sane- these days." Moltres smiled.
"It is all very well for you to talk about Mew but I doubt he would be very pleased if he found out. And this subject about the Umbreon is not over yet!" snapped Articuno.
"I have already told you sister, the Umbreon is merely a sad twist of fate. We cannot help every Pokemon who faces danger or deep sadness in their life." The Fire God sighed impatiently.
"She could be more then a sad twist of fate, borhter." Zapdos turned to face his brother, "It will not do us any harm to find out more."
"It will cost us time brother!" snapped Moltres, "Have you both forgotten your duties? It is the season of evolution. We are busy enough."
"It will not take us longer then a day, brother!" reasoned Articuno, "Besides, if do not agree with us. At least tell me this- who made the Umbreon when she was an Evee evolve into what she is now? Who has the power to go against our decisions for evolution? Who?"
And there was silence. For Articuno's fiery brother did not know the answer. And neither did his siblings know.
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Ta-da! All done! Now we all know what we have to do.
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