CLAIMER:I own the whole of Moonlight's Shadow

DISCLAIMER:StarDragon X does not own Pokemon. In fact she doesn't even own A Pokemon.

Moonlight's Shadow

Chapter 5: Gods and Saffron City

"And I thought you knew the way to Saffron City!"

"Well I do…" came the reply but the Absol quickly looked left and right, as if to find a new 'way' to Saffron City.

Our two travelers were currently on their way to Saffron City but were taking quite a time to do it- in other words they were lost. Lost in a forest where both knew no Pokemon who might help them, let alone even speak to them.

Shadow pointed her left ear at a boulder next to a tree, "We've past that rock before! We are definitely lost Koja!"

The Absol turned his head to the boulder, "So that's why it looked familiar…"

"Why did you tell me you knew the way!" Shadow sighed in frustration and rubbed her forehead with one paw.

"I thought I knew the way- but I obviously don't!" Koja smiled innocently at the Umbreon but was returned with a piercing glare- his smile disappeared. After a few moments Shadow dropped her glare, and sighed again before using her eyes to scan the surroundings.

"Whattodonow, whattodonow, whattodonow…"murmured Koja to himself. He had actually been pretty sure he knew the way- but that was last night, "Oh, whattodo, whattodo, whattodonow!"

"Ask for directions."

"What?" Koja shook his head furiously, "I know no one here- you know no one here. Who's going to help two Dark Pokemon who should be sleeping at this time of day! Doesn't that look suspicious to you?"

"No." Shadow hailed at Taillow flying overhead, "Hello! Good day? Could you extract a portion of your precious time to help us?"

The Taillow looked down at Shadow, and paused in the air, his wings flapping every now and then to keep him aloft. There was silence for a bit as the Taillow contemplated on what to do. He was quite young, not as old as them.

"Well-" the Bird Pokemon smiled slowly at the two, "I suppose I might help you two of course even though I don't know you and I've never ever seen you before and all that yaddy waddy yadda stuff!"

The Taillow smiled at them again. Koja swallowed. Taillows weren't known for their intelligence but he didn't like that smile…There was something wrong with it- it was creepy.

"He's just being friendly…Don't be paranoid…" Shadow rolled her eyes at her companion after reading his facial features- it was just a smile for Latinas' sake! Besides- how evil and devious could this little-little thing… be? If anything the Taillow looked more cute and innocent then some kind of doomsday freak.

"Whatever…" Koja watched the Bird Pokemon warily as if he expected him to knock them both unconscious at any moment.

"Where are you heading?" The Taillow swooped down to land on a tree branch.

"A human pack gro-" Shadow paused briefly. Not pack grounds…" A human pack city. We're heading for a human city-it's called Saffron City. Home of psychics. Have you heard of it?"

The Taillow clicked his beak in thought before answering in a torrent of words, "Ah… Oh yes! Yes, I have! It's where they have those tall shiny things right? And when you go there during the day time it's really shiny but in the night it doesn't get so shiny and instead all these different shiny colors suddenly show up and it's so bright you can't even see the stars and the shiny things are so shiny and-"

Shadow glanced at Koja questioningly.

"Shiny?" retorted Koja, "I suppose they are shiny but seriously…- But yes, that would be the place."

"So-so anyway you guys want to this Saffron City place that's really shiny and a lot of things that are really tall-"

"Ah- Yes…" Shadow interrupted quickly. She didn't mean to intervene like that- but she felt if she just listened and being really polite they'd be there for… A few years probably.

"Oh yes so anyway you want directions right-" The Taillow paused for a millisecond before continuing, "Yes of course you and follow this path thing and you get to Saffron City or that human pack city and in fact I shouldn't even be speaking to you two because you're strangers and of course you never talk to strangers don't you agree so it'd be a most sensible thing if I just left of course and you'd be al-"

Koja growled and fainted in and out to be right next to the Taillow. Before the Bird Pokemon had time to react the Absol had his paw around the Tailow's body. The tree branch creaked slightly from the weight of Koja but he ignored it.

"And you were saying?"

Koja smiled sweetly at the Taillow.

The Taillow grinned, almost mimicking the smile that Koja had given him, "Oh nothing- I just thought you too were so wonderful and nice to me and benevelont and that you are handsome are your Umbreon friend over there is indeed beautiful and I can't think of a better greater magnificent pair of dark Pokemon-"

"Yeah, that's what I thought you said. Now tell us- where is the city?"

"There-" The Taillow pointed with one of his wings to a well-worn and quite hidden path," it's actually quite a big beautiful city and you two can find loads of food here much more then this mere puny forest in fact you shouldn't even come back to this forest it's so puny-"

"Thanks." Koja released his hold and gazed at the path that he and Shadow had been directed to follow. It was definitely a well used path though it was hid by a huge rock and a few bushes. The Taillow who had given them their directions had by now was flapping his wings furiously, trying to get as far from them as possible.

Though Shadow couldn't be sure, her keen ears picked up what she thought sounded like…laughing. And it was coming from that that Taillow. It wasn't really a laugh, more of some weird disorientated squawks that may have been a Taillow's version of a maniacal laugh. But then, maybe it was her imagination. She shrugged. The Umbreon glanced at Koja who was smiling smugly at her.

"That's how you ask for directions." Extra emphasis was put on the word that's and Koja patted Shadow on the head.

"Whatever- let's go already." The Umbreon bounded onto the path and glanced back at the Absol, waiting for him.

Koja as if in reply leaped into the underbrush and took the lead and Shadow followed closely behind. The growth of plants and trees was much thicker here and you could hardly see the small path that was covered by shrubbery. A few caterpies, weedles, and whatever bug-like Pokemon wandered here and there, sometimes crawling across the path.

Shadow might've talked to them- but that was only a might. Not many Pokemon would sink that low really- if anyone saw you talking to a Caterpie they would think you were insane. Caterpies were more like babies and weren't in what you call the 'smart category' of Pokemon- they could only say a few words, more like grunting actually. So you might now understand why the Umbreon just ignored them like they were part of the environment. But the reader probably doesn't want to get stuck with reading some Poke-ology and getting bored stiff so…

Shadow sighed, remembering the babbling Taillow who'd given them directions.

"How did he speak so fast…" muttered the Umbreon, shaking her hood in disbelief.

"Well, it's probably his special blessing from the Gods- the only blessing I'd say." The Absol snickered, "Or maybe that was more of a curse."

The Umbreon nearly stopped in mid step before she recovered quickly and grinned slowly.

"Curse…Curse…Curse…Curse!"

The words seemed to echo softly in her mind.

"Curse…Curse…Cur-"

"Wait! Wait! Stwop!" An urgent voice screeched, making both Pokemon snap out of their thoughts and turn their heads. Shadow swallowed at the sight. The Taillow who had given directions earlier on was now seen hanging by the scruff of his neck off a larger Taillow's beak. The new Taillow, was much larger and seemed to the previous' Taillow's mother.

."Good! You've finally stopped at last so now I can talk to you about my son!"

The Taillow released her hold on her son, who immediately fell onto the ground- he shrank with fear upon seeing the faces of Koja and Shadow up close.

"Now excuse me you two but am I right to say that this Taillow-" she jabbed the Taillow on the ground who was cowering and whimpering with fear, "gave you directions to the human city otherwise known by humans as Saffron City and that he directed you both to follow this path which will lead you to certain doom because of this,"

She jabbed the Taillow again, "Taillow?"

Shadow swallowed hardly, "Um- yes. I think…"

Koja nodded, "Yes he-"

But before the Absol could say anymore the Taillow who had previously spoken spoke again, "Well then that settles it my fledgling here gave you wrong directions which means that's taking you basically the opposite direction of Saffron City which is not good at all so the direct way to Saffron City the human city the most dirrectest dirrectest way is to head towards the sun." The Taillow pointed with her wing.

"Thank y-" Shadow was cut off by another stream of words.

"You're welcome darling but now you must hurry on otherwise you will not make it to the city before sundown and that's very bad because I don't like the dark and nobody likes the dark but then dark Pokemon like the dark so that's alright but anyway goodbye and hurry on while I need to have a few words with my son and I'm sorry about all this with my deepest apologies."

"Right." Koja watched a little stunned as the Mother Taillow picked up her son by the scruff of his neck and set off flying. The Taillow in fact flew so fast that it was lest then a few seconds before she and her son were out of sight.

The two Pokemon glanced at each other before shrugging and setting off a slow lope, turned and ran towards the sun. Unlike the path that they had been traveling on before, there was no path to guide them through the forest. Bushes and weeds that had grown into monstrous sizes due to years of growth blocked their way and more then once Shadow winced upon feeling some prickles from a bush dig into her fur. That would be uncomfortable to pick out later.

Koja glanced nervously at a Heracross who glared at him from a tree. The Absol kept running though he knew what the Heracross knew. The Absol glanced down at his forelegs ashamed and angry. His cheeks were tinged red and when he glanced at Shadow he had some relief. The Heracross had also glared at the Umbreon behind him.

Shadow tried to ignore the stare or rather the glower from the Heracross who clung to the wide trunk of a tree and kept looking at her. He didn't say anything nor did he move and was quite an eerie sight. Both Pokemon picked up the pace and soon the Heracross was far behind them. Running through the forest, Shadow noticed a few cold glances or looks from the Pokemon who saw them and did not choose to ignore them. But that was expected- she was an outcast, someone who you didn't smile at or greeted. No one associated with an outcast- but… Shadow fixed her eyes on the Absol ahead of her.

Koja wasn't exiled or an outcast. There was no reason to glare at him or turn their heads away from him like they did with Shadow. Maybe they associated him with her- Shadow ducked her head down, upset. Her misfortune shouldn't have affected him to be treated like an outcast- was she really a curse? But then… Koja had too many secrets for her to be sure of anything about him.

The Absol said he was wanderer- but he was only two years old…A little young. Most Absols lived in the mountains and wandered there- not here in the forest of the plains or in human cities. He sometimes evaded or didn't really answer certain questions. He had practically barged right up to her unfazed and a total stranger- today they were traveling companions. Like what she thought when she first met him- what was up with this guy?

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Saffron City looked magnificent. Standing on a hilltop and viewing the gleaming skyscrapers that the humans had built- both Pokemon were in silent awe. Quite long ago had Shadow and Koja left the huge forest where they had been given wrong directions and somewhere, near a slow-flowing river was where Shadow's pack now was. Or rather where the White Paw Pack now resided- definitely not Shadow's pack.

The human city was set aglow in the rapidly setting sun by neon sign boards and bright electric lights that seemed to come from almost everywhere in the city. But there was no more time to think- Shadow quickly scurried after Koja who was already half way down the hill and heading towards the city's outskirts. The Umbreon half tumbled down the hill and skidded to a halt at the base.

Before her was a wide thick black line. She had no idea what it was but before she could ask Koja what it was a pair of flying yellow eyes seemed to appear out of nowhere and was now speeding rapidly to her. Koja had ignored the yellow eyes that was almost upon him and ran right across the black line. For a spilt second Shadow felt a gush of wind past her and when she looked around her, the eerie yellow eyes had disappeared. What kind of Pokemon was that?

Across the line, Koja was standing there, waiting impatiently for her to come across the line. He stood there unhurt and not at all shocked or scared- in fact he seemed to have not noticed that floating pair of eyes. Warily and gingerly, Shadow touched the black line with one paw- it was solid and felt like rock. The Umbreon, bounded across the road, heart beating fast. What would happen to her if she crossed that line?

Nothing. She sighed in relief and glanced at Koja who seemed to be…laughing at her.

"What?" asked Shadow indignant and puzzled.

"Well…Let me see- that floating pair of eyes that freaked you out was a mechanicalised ponyta that the humans use to travel about anywhere and that thing you just crossed is a road specifically for the mechanicalised ponyta."

"Oh." What else was she supposed to say?

"Yep, you have a lot to learn about humans."

Koja shut Shadow's open mouth at a passing human with the back of his paw. Before Shadow had anymore time to take in her surroundings she forced her self to bound towards Koja who was again rapidly disappearing around a corner. Sometimes showing up in the somewhat dim light of the street lamps, Shadow picked up the pace- it would not do to get herself lost in an unknown territory at night.

She found the Absol gazing in at some humans and Pokemon who were eating. Koja was half drooling and his paws were up against the window sill of the restaurant. The smell was delicious; the food looked heavenly…but- Shadow smacked her nose against the glass of the window and fell back, looking shocked and dazed. She had just had her first encounter with a window.

"Invisible force fields- probably made be psychic Pokemon," Koja explained as he left the window and walked off, "Nothing serious."

Rubbing her hurt nose, Shadow followed Koja around another corner. This time there was no street lamp to give light, and the light from the restaurant window seemed so far away. Here, even though the Umbreon could see her companion, she still felt the darkness of night wrap around her in a type of suffocating effect. Shadow shook her head; it was all in her mind these thoughts. Pretty soon she'd be mental, if she'd kept agreeing and thinking about all this…

Koja dug into a trashcan. Human food may not have been healthy or hygienic and was probably a bit hazardous to health as it came from a trashcan but- who'd want to be one of those crazy health freaks when you'd tasted trashcan trash? It didn't even sound or look appetizing but it tasted divine – Koja was half into the trashcan by now, rummaging around for some of the finer and maybe more delicious food scraps.

Shadow on the other hand looked absolutely revolted.

"Mwat?" Koja was stuffing his face, crumbs and goodness knows what other things spraying everywhere.

"H-how can you eat…"Shadow paused, "That…that…rubbish?"

"Very simple- you just pop it into your mouth and work your jaws like so." The Absol stuffed a bun into a mouth and slowly demonstrated how he 'ate that rubbish'.

Any respect the Umbreon had for Koja vanished and she stared.

"I'z rude to st're y'know."

Shadow broke the stare and trotted gingerly over to the trashcan and peered in. She wanted to vomit. She had no idea what any of those foods where and they didn't seem to encourage her appetite. Some of the food seemed to be mushy and she didn't even what why her paws where feeling sticky. The Umbreon turned away from the sight.

She was not going to eat out of that thing. She would starve before she would succumb to that junk! After a few more rants and promises to herself about not touching the trashcan trash which the author won't bother to describe…. A light suddenly came on in the alleyway- or rather a door opened, and the light from inside the house flooded out.

Shadow smiled as she felt the light chase some of the shadows of her- Koja scooted farther into the darkness and continued eating. The human who opened the door was an old human and was dressed in a blue dressing gown and nightcap. The human put tossed a small bag into a box before turning around to-

"STOP!" Shadow flung herself into the light and ran to the human. ANYTHING had to be better then toughing it out here in the streets. It smelled horrible, it looked horrible, and it felt horrible! How did she ever imagine that Saffron City was magnificent?

The elderly lady looked surprised as she saw a stray Umbreon run towards her. Normally they ran away from her. But the Umbreon looked innocent enough and…the human bent down and smiled. The stray would have a bed and food for one night at least.

Shadow smiled as the human led her into the light filled house.

"OI! OI! WE'VE CAM THIS FAR WE CAN'T S'OP NOW!" Koja shook his paw at her forcefully, "HWUMANS ARE DANGEROUS AND-AND IF YOU STEP ONE STEP FURTHER I'LL GIT OOO!"

But if that was a threat, it was ignored as the door was shut and Koja was left alone. Koja sighed and shook his head.

"I'll have to go and get her before they kill her and make her they're eternal slave and do weird things with her-"

He tossed a half eaten apple into his mouth and shrugged, "I'll get her tomorrow."

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Meanwhile…

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Thunder roared across the sky though there were no clouds. A yellow haze appeared for a split second, before disappearing, then appearing, and disappearing again across the horizon. Imagination perhaps, or maybe a trick of the light, or even a mirage form the summer heat was what some would say and think no more of it. But Zapdos knew better. That was Raikou- god of Thunder.

Moving so fast that he was only seen as a yellow blue across the sky, the Lightning God chased after Raikou. He was not as fast his fellow god, but was still speedy. Pressing himself to be faster, the god pierced through the air and soon was behind Raikou. The Thunder God looked behind him without even breaking pace.

"Greetings." Raikou nodded quickly and lessened his pace to that of Zapdos'.

"Greetings also." Zapdos replied, "Do you know of the Evee Ritual of Summoning?"

"Of course… But that is not what you've come to tell me, is it?"

"No." Zapdos flapped quickly again, as he fell behind a little, "There is a miss-evolution. "

There was no answer but a small nod to confirm that Raikou had heard the last statement.

"The miss-evolved Evee is now an outcast, murderer, powerful one. Who is the deity of the dark?"

"There is none and I know nothing of what Mew keeps inside his realm and I do not want to find out."

Raikou managed a small smile, knowing that was the next question.

"Mew is not of great importance in this matter- it is apparently the miss-evolved Evee that is the matter."

"Why do you ask about the Deity of the Dark? Did the Evee evolve into-"

"Yes. And she is more powerful that she should be. Much more powerful."

"I have no information on that type of thing. But you should know that there is something strange happening."

"What?"

"The shadows are rising, my friend. Shifty things that even Celebi has no idea of happen. An outcast here, a sudden burst of rage that turns a peaceful Pokemon to be an assassin. The world may seem peaceful but evil is being done in the shadows. The shadows are rising."

"Then why isn't there more talk of this. Why have you not told the others?" Zapdos demanded.

"Because I am investigating it- Elemental. Fear will spread if this is not kept quiet. There is no need to cause fear - it causes havoc."

Yarharharhar…. This took forever…. And I still have to do 7 more chapters to get this story back on track…Sigh. This story is never going to get a move on is it? Ah well. I guess it's good for me.

-StarDragon X