Note: This is a collab. My partner doesn't have an account on here, but would be preferred to be credited as Koralpaste. Please keep this in mind.
Chapter 1
Inside you there are two wolves. One has a sword, and the other has a shield. They are constantly in a battle for dominance, one of perfect balance. One seeks to eliminate all threats, no matter how small. It fights ardently for what it thinks is right, no matter the opposition. The other seeks to protect all that are in danger, no matter how capable. It defends its cause and takes a stand, no matter the enemy. You must ensure their balance is kept; that no one legendary warrior of cyan or magenta breaks that tender equilibrium.
SLUMBERING WEALD
WARNING: DO NOT ENTER
This area is extremely dangerous, even for trainers. While most Pokemon found in tall grass are relatively easy to handle, there have been reports and vague historical records of a far more dangerous one present in the forest.
We have not been able to confirm or deny these claims.
If you must enter the Weald, you do so at your own risk.
We are not responsible for any harm that may come to you or your Pokemon.
Running through the haze, the panic in my heart raised with each pound of my footsteps. Some of the panic left my chest, as I spotted some rocks to hide behind. Collapsing onto my knees, I laid my back against the smooth boulder while catching my breath.
The blood rushing through my body slowly dripped from my arm. My brain couldn't piece together a coherent thought, all it knew right now was to run.
The rustle of leaves came from above. Diving to the left, I dodged the beast that just pounced. The boulder I rested against was split in two by the golden sword held in its jaws.
Its eyes glared through my being, as if I was a speck of dust in their perfect paradise.
Reacting quickly, I summoned forth Blaziken and Gardevoir. "Blaziken, use Flamethrower to make a fire wall! Gardevoir, teleport us out of here!"
I can't keep running from this beast!
The wolf-like creature lifted its sword again, ready to swing at us.
Blaziken's cheeks puffed up before he released a large stream of fire, the flames lighting up the fog covered forest. Gardevoir focused her energy, but cried out in pain as a slash came bursting through the flames and hit her head on.
She's just hanging on. Catching her as she collapsed from the hit, I knew trying to keep it at bay was no use.
"Blaziken! Fire Blast!"
Something crashed through the bushes.
"Awoooooooo!"
Looking up, I stared in shock as another wolf-like being charged onto the scene, clashing head on with the one that chased us, as the wall of fire started dissipating.
Not giving the duo a second thought, I ordered Gardevoir to teleport us away as I called back Blaziken.
As we disappeared from the mist drowned land, I saw the magenta coloured wolf look back at us as the last few embers illuminating it died out, plunging the forest back into gloom.
"Bye mum! I'm heading to Niel's now!" called out a young teen as she pulled open the front door. The sunlight turned her dark jacket a bright magenta.
"Stay out of the tall grass now!" reminded an older woman, appearing in the hallway, hands on her hips as she stared sternly at the young woman at the door.
"Alright mum! Geez! You tell me that every single time I go out!" she huffed, closing the door.
She stumbled down the stairs and headed towards the route. She rushed onto the road, eyeing the Wooloo waddling around on the street with their owners, and sighed jealously.
As she jogged onto Route 1, she hummed contently in the sunlight and never once strayed close to the tall grass. Even though she could see some Pokemon sleeping peacefully in the grass, she knew better than to approach. She had no means of defending herself should they attack.
Entering into Postwick, she ran on the path straight to Niel's house. Knocking sporadically at his wooden door, she almost caused it to cave in. It was borderline banging the door down.
"Coming!" a boy's voice called from inside. The door opened and suddenly she was on the grass, with a Boltund on her chest.
"Larna, good to see you here! Hey! Mal! C'mere!" the boy, Niel, called to his Pokemon. The Boltund jumped off Larna and went to stand by his side, tail wagging furiously.
"Hey. W-wow, congrats on Mal evolving." Larna said, pushing herself to her feet. She dusted herself off. Last time she had visited, Mal had been a wee little Yamper.
"Yeah, she's cool, right?" he said, rubbing the Boltund's head. Mal barked and ran off, zipping around the field, leaping over fences and a herd of very shocked Wooloo.
Mal came back around, and Larna reached out to scratch her chin. Larna could feel the Boltund's static electricity affecting her hair.
"Hey, come inside. I got something to show you." Niel invited Larna into his house. Mal was already inside, sitting and waiting patiently.
Niel lead Larna through the living room, through the kitchen, and into the laundry. The house had a cosy feel, despite being rather spacious. Interestingly, he had a separate freezer back there. He opened it with a flourish.
There was a Snom sitting on one of the shelves, slowly chewing on a large ice cube.
"Ta-da! My parents got her out near Circhester when they went there for work a little while ago. I'm going to name her Nom. Nom the Snom. With a K. Knom." he said happily, petting her little head. The Snom made a quiet purr that sounded a lot like contentment.
Larna watched in awe. She had never seen a Snom in person. They lived up north, and she had never been there before. It was quite ridiculous really. She'd been to Unova but not the north of her home region.
"So, how's the thing going with your mum?" Niel suddenly asked, shutting the freezer door after waving a little goodbye to Knom.
Larna snapped out of her trance. "Oh, that… Yeah, not well. I tried convincing her to start with something small, like a Snom or even a single Wishiwashi, but she's not budging." She let out a long, sad sigh. "She keeps saying things about how all Pokemon are 'dangerous creatures' that can kill you instantly. Yamper? Dangerous, even though they're used as herding dogs everywhere. Wooloo? Dangerous, even though she's probably wearing a shirt made of Wooloo wool. Gossifleur? What about a Magikarp? A bloody Magikarp?! Then she's like 'Oh, but it evolves into Gyarados, which can kill you.' Not if it's well trained!"
Niel put his hands on her shoulders, and Larna realised she was in a full on rage. She had let her passion, her ardent feelings seep through. Mal seemed to sense that too, as she was sitting by her feet, looking up at her. Niel lead them to a couch, where they sat down. Mal hopped on and put her head in Larna's lap. She subconsciously began stroking Mal behind the ears.
They sat in silence for a good few minutes.
Larna sat up and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. I guess I just… can't handle it sometimes. I can't do what I love. And that's become a trainer. I've loved Pokemon for as long as I can remember, but I've never trained one. I want to become a trainer, not so I can battle others, but so that I can help others. I've told her so many times, but..."
Niel patted her back. He seemed deep in thought. Suddenly, he perked up.
"Hey! I heard that the current best gym challenger is in town! Syin is apparently staying at Wedgehurst right now! Wanna go see if we can find her?" Niel exclaimed.
"You're just saying that to distract me, aren't you?" Larna said. Niel faltered, then started scratching his chin nervously. Larna did have this knack for deciphering people.
"Yeah, alright, you got me, but seriously! I'm not joking! I swear I saw her earlier!" Niel jumped up, grabbing an electric yellow jacket that matched Mal. He hurriedly pulled it on. "C'mon!"
Larna smiled a little. She always admired Niel's enthusiasm. "Okay. I'll clean myself up and we can go."
As Larna came out of the bathroom after washing her face, she noticed that Niel was packing a PokeBall into his backpack.
"What are you doing?" Larna asked.
"I'm going to ask Syin for a battle! I don't care if I lose, it'll be fun anyway!" he declared.
"You're barmy, you know that?" Larna said, giggling.
"Come on, Larna!" cheered Niel, chasing after the Boltund racing in front of them.
"You're so slow! Mal's running circles around you!" he chuckled, running ahead of Larna, as Mal bounced around in the tall grass, scaring some of the Rookidees and Skwovets.
As the trio rushed into Wedgehurst, they decided to check the Pokemon Center first. Since that place was the normal hangout for trainers when they weren't training their Pokemon, they had a higher chance of seeing someone.
They approached the red roofed building, when its doors slid open and a girl in a formal but punk style outfit came out. She had long sleeves, and her ponytailed hair flowed down her back like a cape. It was Syin, the gym challenger.
At the sight of her, Niel immediately dashed towards her, getting right in front of her face with Mal. "Woah! It's Syin in the flesh! Hey can you battle me?!" he yelled, as the girl stared blankly at him.
Larna jogged up to them, curious of what Syin would do since she was known to blitz through all who challenge her. But she just brushed past them like they weren't there at all. As she walked off, Niel stared at her retreating form in confusion.
"That's weird. She never turns down a challenger." hummed Niel, scratching his head. "Seems like I can't show off how my Pokemon grew."
He exhaled, sulking a bit. Feeling bad for her friend, Larna ran after Syin.
"Excuse me! Hey! Wait! Please!" Larna cried out. Syin stopped in her tracks and turned around, watching Larna run up to her.
"Could you please battle my friend?" puffed out Larna, as Syin looked up slightly to meet her eyes.
"Ah, you're the girl from earlier, with that boy . Your friend was challenging me ?" asked Syin, her posture and expression not changing at all. Her eyes had a cold look in them and her voice was slightly threatening, probably due to her unusual emphasis on certain words. Larna quickly nodded yes, which surprised Syin.
"Wait. You're not scared? You understand what I mean?" she asked, eyes widening in surprise.
"Erh yes? Why wouldn't I?" asked Larna, tilting her head in confusion. "You just asked if he was challenging you. I don't see how it could be interpreted as anything else. You're not speaking a different language or anything."
"Well, it's just that, every time I ask someone something like that, they always get scared and yell out that they're sorry and run off." mumbled Syin, looking Larna dead in the eyes. "Anyways, your friend wished to battle with me?"
Larna nodded her head. Syin answered with a simple "Sure."
They walked back to Niel who was sitting on a bench and messing with some pebbles on the ground. Mal was sitting beside him, probably trying to cheer him up.
"So... why are you here at Wedgehurst? Shouldn't you be at, I dunno, one of the towns with Gyms?" pondered Larna
"I'm here because I heard of the powerful beast of the forest. The Slumbering Weald. I thought it might be a good opponent, but I underestimated its power." answered Syin, grimacing a little as she thought about the creature that overpowered her. She reached up to feel her left shoulder.
"Ah, I see. Oh there he is! Hey! Niel! Syin accepts your challenge!" shouted Larna, cutting Syin out of her gloom and gaining the boy's attention.
Said boy snapped his head up confused, but his eyes gleamed when he realised he would get to battle the best gym challenger.
"Really?! Awesome!" He immediately bounced up, with Mal crouching ready for battle. "What are we waiting for then? Let's go!"
Following Niel, they ended up on the path of Route 1. "This will be our stage. Alright! Let's go Mal!" yelled Niel pointing out at the field.
"Bark!" cried Mal as she bounced in front of him. Electricity surged through her legs.
Syin looked unphased, "Lucario, let's pounce." she mumbled, tossing the Pokeball up.
"Rawr!" growled Lucario, watching Mal carefully.
"You can go first." hummed Syin, looking prim as a peach. Her Lucario crossed his arms and huffed as well.
"Alright! Mal, use Bite!" The Boltund rushed towards the still Lucario and chomped down on its arm.
Mal jumped back after finishing her attack, only to huff in confusion when she saw it didn't do anything. Same for Niel, except he voiced his a bit louder. "What?!"
"That was ineffective. Lucario, Aura Sphere!" stated Syin, looking unimpressed.
"Mal, dodge it!" Niel called.
Lucario started firing small orbs of blue energy at the electric hound, who was trying her best to avoid the attacks. "Alright Mal! Just keep dodging and then use Spark!"
Mal rushed towards Lucario, while enveloping herself in a bright yellow glow. "Lucario, Bone Rush." ordered Syin, just as Mal hit Lucario.
In an instant, Mal was struck by a glowing blue bone shaped baton. "Mal!" cried Niel, watching as his Boltund struggled to get up.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere."
"Rawr!" Lucario charged up a larger orb of blue energy and fired at the weakened Boltund, thus knocking her out
"Aw- man!" hissed Niel, returning Mal back into her ball. "You did great back there, Mal." He smiled, looking gratefully at her Pokeball.
"Is that all?" asked Syin, tilting her head slightly as she recalled Lucario.
"Of course not! We're just getting started! Let's go, Vibrava!"
"Bzzbzz!"
"Alright then. Soar High! Altaria!" yelled Syin, as she threw a Luxury Ball into the air. Out came a blue skinned bird with white cloud like material covering its body.
"Since you let me have the first move, you can go first." grinned Niel, Vibrava buzzing in agreement. The Altaria cooed in amusement, while Syin looked a little surprised.
"How gentlemanly of you." she mused, her expression contorting into one that screams danger. "Alright Altaria, use Perish Song."
The cotton bird started singing an enchantingly malevolent song. The dragonfly-like Pokemon was confused to see nothing happening. Niel felt the same, but he grew a bit more confident.
"Seriously? Okay Vibrava, use Dragon Tail!" commanded Niel. Vibrava charged towards Altaria and swung his tail at her.
"Dodge it." Altaria flew higher up and barrel rolled to the side, dodging the attack.
"Vibrava attack again!" It landed and did a decent amount of damage to Altaria, but not enough where it hindered her movement.
"We're doing good Vibrava! Hit them again with Dragon Tail!" Vibrava charged towards Altaria, and hit it with another attack.
As Vibrava backed off, he suddenly fainted.
"Vibrava a- Vibrava?! Hey! Vibrava?! Are you okay!?" Niel cried as his Pokemon fell out of the sky.
"Perish Song is an attack that will faint any opposing Pokemon in three turns, unless they are switched out." explained Syin. Altaria chirped in agreement, watching as Vibrava crashed onto the floor.
"Oh..." sighed Niel, running his hand through his hair as he recalled Vibrava. "Guess it's my loss then. But can I get a selfie with you?" He grinned, pulling out his Rotom phone.
Nonchalantly shrugging, Syin strolled up to stand next to him as Altaria curled herself up around her shoulders, acting like a large puffy jacket of sorts. A hyped up Niel motioned for Larna to 'get her butt over here', which she did, but ended up getting pulled into a necklock hug by Niel.
"Alright everyone! Smile!" he exclaimed. Niel beamed like the sun. Larna pulled a smile that probably looked forced. Syin simply stared, emotionless.
The Rotom phone flew into the air, and snapped a photo. Niel took it back, and began typing hurriedly.
"I'm gonna to post this! People are gonna be so jealous!" exclaimed Niel joviously, as he pressed the last key.
Larna couldn't help but smile at her friend's excitement.
Larna swirled her cup of tea, while Niel was scoffing down his curry. Mal occasionally pestered him for a nibble. She turned her eyes to the telly playing on the wall of the cafe, but didn't see it as anything other than a flurry of light and sound.
What had Syin seen in the Slumbering Weald?
Of course, she'd seen the sign just outside the path leading into the misty forest. The ominous sign warning the public about the dangers of the place. Apparently there was a beast inside that was so dangerous, no one had even confirmed its existence.
Niel fed Mal another bite, then took a selfie with her.
"Hey, Niel. That reminds me. Where did you get your Rotom phone?" Larna asked.
"Oh, that! My dad gave it to me. My parents work for Macro Cosmos. They get Rotoms as part of their employment, to use on any appliance they want. My dad didn't really want it, so he gave it to me to use on my phone." Niel explained. The Rotom flew out and buzzed in response. "They're almost always at work, they have a house in Hammerlocke, which is why I live with my grandparents in Postwick. Besides, Mal helps them with herding the Wooloo. It's better for her to have more space to run anyway."
Mal barked, and the Rotom phone buzzed again.
As if in response, Larna felt a vibration and a beep from her pocket.
Larna lazily picked it up and looked at the notification. It was a message from her mum telling her to come home. She sighed.
"Well, I gotta go. Mum's callin'." Larna said to Niel, downing the last of her tea.
"Aww. Already? Oh well." Niel uttered, with a tinge of disappointment. Mal bounded over, and Larna gave the dog one last belly rub and scratch before she left.
She didn't have to go far, but it felt like a very long walk.
Larna opened the door and muttered "I'm home."
Larna's Mum, Rosalyn, came flying out of the kitchen.
"Oh dear, goodness you're safe!" She exclaimed, giving Larna a choking hug. "Hey Mum," Larna said unenthusiastically.
Rosalyn took Larna inside and they sat at a table together. Larna watched as her mum adjusted her skirt so she could sit comfortably. Larna never had that issue, as she always wore pants.
"What did you do today, dear?" Rosalyn asked.
Larna sighed. "I could tell you, but I still wonder why you ask. You wouldn't care."
Rosalyn donned a concerned expression.
Larna continued, ignoring her mum's visible worry. "Hung out with Niel, his Yamper evolved, so she's a Boltund now. We went to the Pokemon Center and found the gym challenger, Syin. You wouldn't know."
Larna glanced at her mum and saw that she was glaring at her.
"Niel challenged Syin to a battle. He lost, but of course he did. And don't worry, I kept a good distance away." Larna continued. "Syin was very strong. She thrashed Niel, even with his Vibrava. Used a move called Perish Song that Niel had no idea how to counter."
"You didn't listen to the song, did you?" Rosalyn suddenly interjected.
"I mean, I did, I can't exactly block it out if I'm spectating, but it only works on Pokemon so there's nothing to worry about." Larna said.
Rosalyn dipped her head. "I don't like battles. I don't want you anywhere near them. What if an attack misses? Gym battles are even worse. All that noise, violence. And don't even get me started on Dynamax. All I can see are insurance claims. "
"Well, the spectators in stadiums are protected from stray attacks by a forcefield, and the stadiums are plenty large enough for two Dynamaxed Pokemon to battle in." Larna explained.
Rosalyn looked at Larna, directly at her eyes. "I don't want you hanging out with Niel anymore. Not with that… Boltund mutt around."
Larna jumped up, knocking her chair halfway across the room. "Mal is not a mutt! She's very well behaved! Niel is one of my best friends! You can't just take that away from me!" She exclaimed.
Rosalyn stood as well. "You won't be able to say that when it electrocutes you! All Pokemon are dangerous creatures! Especially that dog !"
"What do you know about them? Have you ever trained one? Played with one? Loved one as a family member?" Larna was tearing up.
"I just want the best for you, Larna! I want you to dedicate yourself to helping others, not risking your life battling Pokemon as a trainer!"
"I can help others together with Pokemon! I can do what I love, and I can do what you want me to do! I want to help others too, but with Pokemon at my side! If you want the best for me, let me do what I love! I'm the only child at school who doesn't have a Pokemon! I'm mocked and pointed at when I can't battle someone who challenges me!"
"Then it's the school's fault! Children shouldn't be battling at school!" Rosalyn was ardent.
Larna sniffled. She took a deep breath. Then, she let it all out. She screamed.
"If you're not letting me do what I love, become who I want to be, then I don't want to be here anymore! "
Larna turned and pulled open the front door, her vision blurred by tears. She slammed the door shut, and shot out into the evening streets. People stared, but she didn't care. She tore down Route 1, and turned right.
Larna came up to the gate. Next to it was a sign. A very ominous sign. One that Larna had read many times, but never paid full attention to.
The wind howled, stinging her cheeks and eyes.
She took one last look at the warning, vaulted the fence, and dashed down the path.
Larna disappeared into the mist.