Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Descendants
Prologue
Rowlet didn't understand what was going on. It had been far too early in the morning, the sun just above the horizon, when his parents woke him up and carried him out of the nest. Still half asleep, he hadn't really noticed that they were flying towards the town until it came into view, illuminated in the sun's orange early morning light. This made even less sense, his parents hated going to the town. He had only been there once when his mom was really sick and needed medicine, but he hadn't stayed long. As he thought about this, the oddities continued as his parents landed amongst the huge crowd of other Pokemon. His parents had always shied away from large gatherings, even family ones. Just as Rowlet was about to ask what was happening, his mother grip him harder, mumbling a prayer to Arceus. And then suddenly, the whole square became quiet. Rowlet shifted a bit in his mother's tight grip, looking up as from above, two giant boxes carried by a flock of Pidgeot landed in the middle of the square.
The larger box was ornate and shiny, its gold frame and silver trim sparkling in the early morning sun, while the smaller one was wooden and quite plain next to its shiny companion. The Pokemon nearest to the box backed away, and a tiny Kecleon dressed in a funny, puffy, bright green and purple outfit hopped off the front of the cart and cleared his throat, "Pokemon of Pecha Valley, thank you for gathering here today. For today is a glorious day. For today, the Wyvern Empire is extending its protection, laws, and civilization to you! As of today, everyone in the valley is a full citizen of our glorious Empire!" There was a pause. Perhaps the Kecleon expected applause, but there was only silence. After a moment the Kecleon continued, "And to commemorate the occasion, we have a very special guest. Everyone, it is my esteemed honor to introduce the Vanquisher of the Swords of Justice, Conquer of the West, Dragon of the Skies, Princess Victoria Starbound!"
The door on the box opened, and out came four Bisharp dressed in flowing silver cloaks and carrying long metal cylinders with pointy tips at the top. They marched out on either side and stood at attention, their eyes silently scanning the crowd. For a moment, nothing happened, and then the dragon emerged from the box, wrapped in golden armor that shined in the orange light of early morning, cast rays of light onto the crowd as if the dragon itself were a flame. The young Rowlet's eyes went wide as the Dragonite took center stage, her eyes sharp and focused on the crowd, scanning it as her golden cape billowed in the wind. The Kecleon turned and bowed to the dragon, "Your people, my Princess."
The dragon took a step forward, towering over the town's Pokemon, "Pokemon of Pecha Valley, I welcome you into my grandfather's Empire, truly it is a privilege to personally oversee your integration into our mighty Nation, now even stronger with you all contributing to it. Together, we will crush our foes and bring order to this continent." With a flourish, she drew a long, sharp piece of metal and pointed it skyward, "And to show our commitment to helping our newest citizens bring peace and stability to this region, I have a gift."
From within the wooden box came two more Bisharps carrying a bound and muzzled Persian between them. The cat Pokemon struggled against his chains, his tail thrashing about as the Bisharps held him before the dragon. "Some of you may recognize this thief, for eight days ago he stole valuable crops from your stores in an attempt to sell them to passing soldiers. Fortunately, he was apprehended and your crops returned. Now, I present to you this thief as a display of our commitment to help you build your lives in peace." The princess said, and in one swift motion, brought down her blade.
Too late did Rowlet's mother cover his eyes with her wings, for the image of a crimson spray had already burrowed into his mind. A few Pokemon cried out in shock at the display, but no one moved, fear taking hold of the crowd. After a moment, silence fell on the crowd, and despite the loud thumping of his mother's heart, he heard the next words clearly, "Let this poor sinner's death stand as a testimonial to our commitment to your safety, and a warning to all those who would disturb our progress. For the Nation you join today is vast, bringing with it new wealth and opportunity, but that wealth and opportunity will attract more scum like this. All who oppose us, whether from without or, as this Persian once did, from within, will meet similar ends. Of course, as a member of our Empire, you must contribute to its success. For some, that will be continuing to farm the land, for others it will be to administer their shops and goods, and for a select few, the chance to win honor and glory for our Empire. Aureus, the census."
"Yes my lady," the Kecleon said, and one of the Bisharps walked over to a market stand and lifted a mostly empty table. The Bisharp then walked back and set the table in front of the Kecleon, who began to sort through papers a different Bisharp had placed on the table, "Please form an orderly line and I will begin the census."
The next hour was a blur for the Rowlet. His mother continued to smother him as his father held tightly to her, navigating the crowd as each mon went by the Kecleon's desk and received papers, after which those mons would flee from the square under the glaring eyes of the Bisharp guards. As they approached the desk when it was his family's turn, Rowlet felt a chill run down his spine as the dragon eyed them. She had been mostly silent, only leaning down to talk to the Kecleon every once in a while, but for some reason his family had caught her eye.
"Ah, a family of Decidueye, a rare sight in these parts," the Kecleon said with a smile, "Now let's see, two adults and a little young one, how old is he?" Rowlet's mother mumbled something, and the Kecleon shook his head, leaning in over the table, "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch that."
"He'll be eleven next month," Rowlet's father stated, stepping in between his wife and son and the Kecleon, "May we now go?"
The Kecleon opened his mouth, about to say something, but stopped when the Dragonite stepped around the table and towards the owl family. Both of the Decidueye seemed to shrink and cower before her, but the Rowlet just stared at her, fascinated. The dragon laughed, "Well, it appears the little one has some courage at least."
The Rowlet felt a burst of courage and he wiggled out of his mother's grip, landing on the table and puffing his chest out, "Yep! One day I'm going to be a hero! I have to be brave!"
The Dragonite gave a genuine smile, "Indeed, heroes must have bravery." Her smile seemed to waver, "And, as luck would have it, I think there will be many opportunities for you to prove your bravery." She then turned to the Kecleon, "See to it the little one is enrolled into an academy. We need all the fliers we can get."
"Of course your majest-"
"Now hold on," Rowlet's mother finally found her courage, interrupting the Kecleon and putting a talon on her Rowlet, "What do you mean, enroll him in an academy, and that you need more fliers?"
The dragon laughed, "Leave it to the mother to grow a spine," She then turned to tower over the Decidueye, "What I mean is that I am going to fulfill your son's wish, I'm going to make him into a hero."
Despite only moments before being excited at the prospect of being a hero, Rowlet suddenly had a foreboding feeling. "But he's only a child!" This time his father was protesting, "You can't just come here and demand th-"
"I am your princess." The dragon stated, cutting his father off mid sentence. The dragon took a step forward towards Rowlet's father, causing the older Desidueye to stumble back, his eyes wide, "And what I say shall come to pass. And this is my decrey, this young Rowlet will leave today once I am done here with me back to the capital. There he will be trained to become one of the finest soldiers on this continent and will serve the Empire faithfully. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a pause. For a moment Rowlet thought his parents would actually save him from the dragon as he stood, shivering under the icy battle of wills. However, his mother's talon dropped from his shoulder, "We understand." His father said, defeat in his voice.
"You understand what?" The dragon asked, her voice still calm and collected.
"We understand your highness." Rowlet's mother corrected, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Very good, now leave." The two Decidueye turned and began to walk away. Rowlet opened his beak to call for them, beginning to flap his wings to go to them, but a heavy claw fell on his head, keeping him grounded, "Now, little knight," the dragon said, "We will need a name for you."