-:-
Prologue: A World of Pokémon
...
Welcome.
I must say, it took you long enough to get here. In a few moments, I'll be sending you back down to the world of Pokémon.
Oh? And what's the occasion?
It's him. Darkrai. His aura has finally resurfaced.
Ah. Excellent. It's about time, too. So you've pinpointed his location?
...
This'll be interesting. Chiora, eh? What can you tell me about the place?
From what I can gather this country has not taken humanity's absence well. The Chioran Pyschics… they have created a functioning society of their own. The most technologically advanced civilization we have come across since the humans.
Yeah that rings a bell. Can't say I'm surprised it's the last region standing. Those Psychics really have no idea what they've accomplished.
I do not think "accomplished" is quite the word I would have used.
It appears that these Psychics fancy themselves as gods. They… actually capture and enslave other Pokémon… Perform twisted experiments on them and treat them like beasts. These Psychics believe that all other Pokémon are beneath them.
Meanwhile, the world outside their cities has fared no better. Crime is rampant. Thieves and murderers reign, and the weak live in constant fear. Tyrants claim to be saviors, and what good is left will soon be extinguished.
Ugh. The lengths to which mortals will go to hurt one another are simply astounding...
Still worth saving, no?
Not what I expected to hear from you.
Heh. Perhaps you don't know me as well as you thought.
Would you like another interview?
Nah, I was just kidding. My soul's still as overbearingly pink as ever, isn't it.
Of course. "A pure, uninhibited pink… nurturing yet dynamic, like the sky at daybreak. As fleeting and gentle as the falling cherry blossoms."
Alright, alright, I've heard this spiel before. Jeez, you're making me blush. Anyhow, I'll be off now. Want to wish me luck?
You know better than to put stock in wishes.
It's the thought that counts.
…
Very well. Good luck. I hope you realize what the consequences will be if we fail to stop them this time.
Don't worry, I know. The end of life as we know it.
Beat the bad guy and save the world. This should be simple enough, right?
I'll be back soon. Stay safe.
…
…
…
You have nowhere left to run this time, Darkrai.
We will finally stop you and put an end to your plans.
I wish things could be different. But the world is not ready for the change you desire to bring about.
We will save Chiora.
…
What a disgusting place.
This world of Pokémon.
-:-
The Skorupi chittered happily as it took another bite of its prey's flesh.
The scorpion Pokémon quickly scanned its surroundings as it finished its meal, wary of larger predators that might have been attracted by the scent of blood. The Rattata had not been a difficult catch; the rodent had meandered directly into its trap, clearly malnourished and disoriented.
Done with its meal, the Skorupi made to burrow back into hiding when it was suddenly blinded by a powerful flash of light. The scavenger gave a shrill screech of shock and slammed its eyes shut, frantically burying itself into the cold sand. It couldn't tell where the light was coming from, but knew immediately that it was unnatural, too bright to be the moon and too early to be the sun.
The light vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, and when the Skorupi couldn't hear anything besides the gentle breeze of the desert, it deemed it safe to come out of hiding.
Lying face down and unmoving on the sand was a small, orange-furred rodent, no bigger than the Rattata it had devoured. It had prominent black ears and a long, thin tail with a fluffy tip. Whatever it was, the Skorupi had never seen a Pokémon like it before.
It approached the mouse cautiously, tail poised to strike. Once it was close enough it prodded the newcomer, expecting a reaction. Whatever it was, it was breathing. The Skorupi quickly backed away when the mouse shifted slightly, apparently stirring from its slumber.
The creature did not look intimidating by any means, and the Skorupi was not one to pass up an easy meal. But its instincts all but screamed that it should stay away, set on edge by the utter unfamiliarity of the situation. The light was unnatural, the creature's sudden appearance was unnatural, it all felt too unnatural.
Briefly indulging its curiosity, the Skorupi glanced back to see the mouse now fully alert, beady eyes blinking in confusion and wiry tail held in its stubby paws.
The scorpion ultimately skittered away in disinterest, satisfied by its earlier meal.
"Huh. Did I always have a tail?"
A/N: Many thanks for any kind of feedback. Anything I should work on, anything I could improve on, anything horrendously awful about my story, this relatively inexperienced writer would love to hear about it. So without further ado, I hope you enjoy my addition to the lore of the PMD universe.
A broken world inhabited by only Pokémon awaits your arrival. One of friendship and love, mystery and betrayal, adventures and horrors.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Nightmare's Refrain