Please R+R! btw, this is my first fanfic so go easy on me.
Desclaimer: I dont own Pokemon
Chapter 1: Horizon
Sky and Artemis both heard it. The sound of someone coming up the stairs. Step, by step. Each step seemed to echo for an eternity in the two friends' ears. But before they had time to even think about the punishment they could get from Mr. Shine, the door opened, and in came Luna Crescent, followed by Mr. Shine. In his late 70's, Mr. Shine was not someone that you would call young. Or even middle aged. He was balding, although he managed to keep a few tufts of white hair at the back of his scalp. When he saw the two teens, he brought his wrinkly old face into a wide smile.
"Hello, Sky and Artemis," greeted Mr. Shine, "got yourselves into a spot again, I see."
Sky and Artemis looked at each other and groaned. However, Mr. Shine just chuckled lightly.
"No, no, you two aren't in trouble… yet." said Mr. Shine, "This depends on what you tell me. Now, please tell me what happened last night. Do not leave a single thing out, as this is critical. Understood?"
Artemis and Sky nodded. Sky told Artemis to tell the story, and so, Artemis started to tell the story from the part where they got out of town. Occasionally, Artemis missed a few things, so Sky added them in for her. Then, they finally got to the point where they started bickering. When Artemis was just about to start talking about the argument, she felt a squeeze on her shoulder. Looking to her side, she saw Sky's hand on her shoulder. He glared at Artemis. Of course, the meaning was obvious. No way was Artemis gonna tell them what Sky and she actually said.
So, Artemis simply said, "…and then we started arguing, and kept on walking on the path…"
Artemis kept talking until she got to the Absol bit. Then, suddenly she stopped. She couldn't go any further. Noticing Artemis' discomfort, Sky started talking. When he mentioned the blood red Absol, however, Mr. Shine gasped. Still, Mr. Shine told him to continue. It was obvious though, that Mr. Shine was gravely concerned. His wrinkles were wrinkled even further when he frowned. Eventually, Sky told of the Absol cutting Artemis' back. Luna emitted a half shriek, half whimper when she heard that her daughter had been harmed by the Disaster Pokemon. A few minutes later, he finished at the part where he blacked out. Sky looked around the room. Everyone looked grim, especially Mr. Shine. After a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke.
"I'm sorry Artemis, but you're back will never get better…" said Mr. Shine. He sighed deeply, and looked really sad.
If Mr. Shine was sad, however, Artemis was devastated. She burst out crying, with her dreams shattered beyond repair. Sky looked down at her, and he felt a twinge in his heart. Guilt? Sky felt responsible for this. If… if only Sky had been quicker to act, he could have prevented it. A tear slid down his cheeks as well. He patted Artemis on her back. She looked up at him, and half smiled..
"…unless of course, you went on a journey." continued Mr. Shine, evidently unaware of the teens' reaction.
Suddenly, Artemis stopped crying. Sky's eyes widened. Mrs. Crescent let out a huge gasp.
"Yes, a journey. You see, that Absol used to be mine, but it was evil," explained Mr. Shine, "never stopped terrorizing the villagers. So, sadly, I had to banish it. Only a good journey will heal your back, Artemis. That Absol's blade is cursed. You will have to find a Crescent Berry, to fully heal your back. To do so though, you'll need a Pokemon to go with you. During your travels, you will learn about Pokemon, travel with them, and create a bond with them. Maybe, just maybe… you'll realize your dream! Top coordinator, wasn't it?"
Behind him, Luna let out a squeal of joy. "Oh my god… my little Artemis is going on a journey!!! Wait till your daddy hears about this!" With that, Artemis found her self being smothered in her mother's embrace.
"M-mum… MUM! You're squishing me! And anyway, Sky's here! Don't do that!" said Artemis, as she wrestled her self out of her mother's arms.
Sky, meanwhile, was feeling awfully left out. Also, the thought of himself without Artemis was haunting his mind. He had always taken it for granted that Artemis would always be there by his side. She was always there with him, ready to stand up for him or to comfort him. Artemis was like a sister to him.
'Perhaps…' he thought, 'I could go with Artemis?'
Sky, turning around to look at Mr. Shine, asked, "S-sir. M-may I travel with Artemis?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Sky saw Artemis blush. However, Artemis turned around so that she wasn't facing him anymore.
First, Mr. Shine was surprised, but soon he cracked a grin and said, "Of course you can, Sky. After all, you are fourteen." He paused for a moment, and added, "as long as your mother and Artemis don't mind. Do you? Artemis?"
Artemis, evidently blushing, just shook her head. Sky, noticing her reaction, snickered.
Artemis heard him, and yelled, "WHAT?!!"
Sky, sensing that this was a perfect time to get her back for last night, answered, "You were blushing."
"WAS NOT!" yelled back Artemis.
"WAS TOO!" yelled Sky.
This went on for a few minutes, until Mr. Shine decided to break it up by pointing out that Sky needed to go and tell his parents. Sky dashed out the door. Chuckling to himself again, he got up and started getting ready to go. However, when he got to the door, he turned around so that he was facing Artemis, and threw a Poke ball at her. She caught it, but not before a Pokemon popped out. In front of her was an elegant Pokemon with purple fur. It had a feline look to it, and its tail was split in two. It looked up expectantly at Artemis, who reached down from her bed and scratched it under its chin. It purred softly as it enjoyed the touch.
"Awww. It's so cute! What's it called Mr. Shine?" asked Artemis.
Smiling, Mr. Shine tossed a red gadget at Artemis, and then left through the door. Artemis inspected the red gadget. Opening it up, she realized that it was a Pokedex. But not the crappy ones that they have at school. This was the newest version of the Pokedex, the Pokedex Deluxe. Pointing the Pokedex at the purple Pokemon, she pressed the "scan" button on her Pokedex. After a few seconds of whirring, an image of her Pokemon popped up on the screen.
"Espeon, The Sun Pokémon," it read, "It uses it's fine fur to sense air currents and predict it's foe's actions. The tip of its forked tail quivers when predicting it's opponent's next move. It is extremely loyal to any trainer that it considers to be worthy. It is said that it developed its powers to protect its trainers."
An Espeon, Artemis thought. She was actually surprised that she could actually see a Pokemon not native to Sinnoh with her own eyes. Of course, the Absol was one of them, but it wasn't quite as rare as this little creature here.
"Hmm… From now on, your name will be… Sora." said Artemis.
The Espeon, now Sora, purred her approval.
Meanwhile, next door, Sky was having pretty much the same sort of thing happening to him. He told his mum, who told his dad, who got so excited that he went and bought Sky a Travel Pack.
"So, son, are you ready for a great adventure?" asked Mr.Stratus.
"Yes, dad, for the sixteenth time." answered Sky wearily. He sighed. Why do parents always have to be like this? Sheesh.
"I remember when I was your age…"
Sky shook his head again. Adults ALWAYS had to bring in those "when I was your age" stories. Ignoring his father, he got ready to pack. Some things, he just through away, some things, he paused over.
Clothes, tick.
Medicine, tick.
Water bottle, tick… And the list went on. Nearly finished, he bent down to pick up a photo that was lying on the ground. It pictured him and his family, with Artemis and hers. He smiled to himself as he saw a younger Artemis and him sticking their tongue out at each other. Nothing much had changed in the last eight years, had it? Still smiling, he gently placed into a pouch on his pack.
That was when Mr. Shine came to his house. Telling him that he had Sky's Pokemon, he chucked a Poke ball and a Pokedex at Sky. Out popped a black, feline Pokemon with yellow rings on its ears, head, legs, and tail. As it stretched, Sky noted the rippling muscles underneath its smooth velvet fur. Purring, it started licking Sky's leg. Noting the Pokedex he just received, Sky scanned his Pokemon.
"Umbreon, The Moonlight Pokémon," the Pokedex recited, "When darkness falls, the rings on its body begin to glow, striking fear in the hearts of anyone nearby. When agitated, it protects itself by spraying poisonous sweat from its pores. It evolved as a result of exposure to the moon's waves. It hides silently in darkness and waits for its foes to make a move. The rings on its body glow when it leaps to attack."
He scratched his new Umbreon around its ears, and Umbreon started to purr pleasantly.
"Ok, then. From now on, you'll be called… Aura." said Sky.
Aura purred loudly, evidently appreciating its new name. Sky thanked Mr. Shine, and returned Aura to its Poke ball. He could hear his mom calling his name from downstairs.
"Skyyyy! Are you ready to go yet?" shouted Mrs. Stratus.
"Coming mom!" answered Sky.
Looking at his room for what may be the last time for a while, he ran down the stairs and to outside, where his parents, Mr. Shine, Artemis, and her parents were. Mr. Shine asked them if they were ready. Artemis and Sky confirmed him.
"Well then, you two better be off now." said Mr. Shine.
"Take care of Sky for us," said Mr. Stratus, to Artemis.
"I will," replied Artemis
Sky tried and failed to ignore the comment. He complained to his parents, stating that he could take care of himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Artemis grinning broadly. Seething, he said, "Let's go already."
"Sky, take care of Artemis for us," said Mr. Crescent.
It was Artemis' turn to flush. "Daaaad! I can take care of myself!" complained Artemis.
The parents all started laughing, along with Mr. Shine. He told them that they should be off now. Nodding, the two teens said their good byes and set their eyes on the road.
"C'mon! Let's go!" said Sky, tugging Artemis along.
"Race ya," said Artemis, as she took off.
Rolling his eyes, Sky ran after her.
Behind them, a sign was illuminated by the rising sun.
Twinleaf Town Masago Town