Chapter 1 – Lost
Late in the night, two figures strolled, in no particular rush. By then, they were nearing the heart of the seemingly deserted forest. There weren't the usual songs of the Kricketune, or the hooting of the Hoothoot. Even the wind seemed to be dead on this cold winter night.
"Hey, hold it! You have to see this…" one said suddenly, stopping in its tracks. The Houndour motioned toward the right with his head. His companion yawned lazily, and took a look. Immediately, all traces of drowsiness disappeared. The full moon and stars above lit the darkness of night. There was no mistaking it.
"Finally, our luck has changed!" he exclaimed. "Brother, we shall be paid generously for this one." He paused and shook his head in disbelief. "To think we'd find one of their kind in this forsaken forest."
"Yeah, you'd think they'd be smart enough to go into hiding in some safer place." He paused and took a few steps closer. "It's either sleeping or unconscious. Good for us either way. Tobial said that they could be dead or alive for us to reap the rewards… right?"
His brother seemed to contemplate what was said for a second, before a malicious grin formed on his face. "I like the way you think… You run in and rip out its throat. I'll back you up incase it wakes up."
"Hey, why do I have to do the dirty work? And look at those quills or whatever sticking out its neck. Those things look sharp!"
"You were the one who found it, so you should do the honors. Besides, I'm older, so what I say goes!"
"Then I'll just tell Tobial to give me the full reward!"
"Hey that's not fair! Alright, alright! I'll go in for the kill, but then we split it, fifty-fifty, got it?"
"Deal! Haha, that Jolteon won't know what hit him!" The two brothers turned to face their target, finally having settled their dispute. Both gaped in surprise, before jumping back and getting into striking positions. In front of the unconscious Jolteon, a Ninetales sat. "Well, well, if it isn't our dear friend Fluffy again!"
The Ninetales grimaced at the greeting, but remained seated. Her eyes locked onto the two Houndour ahead.
"Get lost vixen! You have no business here! Shouldn't you be getting your beauty sleep right around now?"
"And what business, may I ask, would you two have here?" the Ninetales replied coolly.
"What's it to you? Why don't you mind your own business and shoo? You've already ruined one of our chances; you're not doing it again, Fluffy."
The fire fox stood up, a hint of rage in her ruby eyes. Each of her nine tails stood on ends in a fearsome display. "I will not sit back and watch your senseless killings. When you threaten the lives of others who are innocent… that is when I am concerned."
The Houndour brothers stood their ground and growled, baring their sharp canines. They circled their prey, one padding slowly from the left, and one from the right. "Why protect the outlaw, Fluffy? Listen, how about we give you a third of the reward for turning that filth in, eh?"
"They're only outlaws to you and your kind. To everyone else, they're just like you and me," the Ninetales growled. The tips of her tails began glowing – a mystic blue shine, as the fire fox prepared a Will-o-Wisp. The azure flames began to grow, larger and larger. "Last chance to leave, before you see what this Fluffy can do," she warned.
The two Houndour stopped, cursing their luck. "Tobial will not be pleased… You watch yourself, vixen. Bad things happen to those who cross us. Who knows? You may find that your realm is the next to crumble!" With a nod, the pair bitterly turned from their prey and walked away, into the shadows of the undergrowth.
When the threats were out of sight, the Ninetales loosened up with a sigh. The azure flames at the tips of her tails became fainter and fainter, until it dissipated into the crisp air. Fighting was a last resort that she was glad to have avoided. She turned around and faced the Jolteon she had saved from certain doom. Still unconscious, the only movements he made were from his light breathing, and his shivering. By the glow of the moon, cuts and bruises could be seen all over the battered thunder dog.
"Rest at ease now… you must have been through a lot," the Ninetales whispered, gazing compassionately at the resting Jolteon. The fire fox settled down next to him and gently covered his shivering body with her soft and warm tails.
It was around noon when the Jolt began to stir from his sleep. The sun's rays shined brightly against his closed eyelids, welcoming the Jolteon to wake into his new surrounding. Jolt slowly opened his eyes, the sun blindingly bright. When his blurry vision finally sharpened, the thunder dog had to use every ounce of will power he had, to suppress a gasp. What a surprise it was, waking up to find a beautiful Ninetales sleeping next to him. Careful not to wake her yet, the Jolteon shifted his eyes to get a better picture of where he was. They were in a clearing, surrounded by large leafless trees. A thin blanket of snow covered everything around them.
[Where am I?] He shifted his gaze back to the Ninetales. She was still asleep – eyes closed and mouth slightly opened, releasing a steamy breath every time she exhaled. He noticed her warm tails covering his body like a blanket. [Who is she?] he thought to himself, [And how did I get myself—] Jolt stopped. The memories of what had happened before came flooding back to him. [Laura!] Confused, the Jolteon gazed around once again. There were so many questions that needed to be answered. [No time to panic… pull yourself together!] Calming down, he looked at the Ninetales' peaceful face. [I should start by waking her up… she should have some answers. But…] Any doubts or questions on how to wake her vanished, when the Jolteon suddenly sneezed. Along with the violent noise, he blew air and bits of mucus onto the sleeping vixen. The Ninetales instantly woke, jumping back and shaking her head left and right vehemently.
"Sorry!" Jolt called out. He stood with a pitiful and helpless look on his face, one paw lifted. After a few more shakes, the Ninetales stopped and looked at the apologetic thunder dog. Feeling another sneeze coming, Jolt quickly turned his head and sneezed into the ground. Sniffing, he said, "I really didn't mean to sneeze on you, I'm sorry!"
The Ninetales nodded, "It's alright. It seems like you might have caught the cold. Glad to see you're finally awake though."
The Jolteon pondered at this. "How long was I asleep?"
"I'm not sure, but I found you lying here last night," she replied. "How are you feeling? You have a lot of cuts and bruises." She paused a bit before adding, "And how did you end up here, of all places?"
"I'm feeling fine for the most part, thanks. As for how I ended up here… I was hoping you'd be able to answer that." There was a moment's silence, as both Pokémon puzzled over the mystery. The Ninetales shook her head apologetically, unable to answer him. "Where are we anyways?" he asked.
"We're currently at the heart of Tunderice Forest. It's… not how it used to be." Seeing the Jolteon's puzzled face, she asked, "You're not from around here, are you?"
Jolt shook his head. "The last I remember, I thought I was… dying."
The Ninetales tilted her head in confusion. "I'm not sure what is going on, but it seems like you don't have anywhere to go. Would you like to come with me for now? I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay here. I wasn't the only one who found you last night."
Jolt nodded, trying hard to contain his uncertainty and endless amount of questions.
"We'll head for my cave then. It's not extremely far from here. Perhaps I can find some herbs for those wounds of yours." She turned around and started walking away from the clearing.
The Jolteon stood for a second, watching her walk off. [It's not like I have any other options at the moment…] After another sneeze, he began following the Ninetales. [Tunderice Forest… I know for a fact I was in a crumbling cave. How did I end up here?] The Jolteon's head began throbbing with a dull pain. [A crumbling cave…. What was I doing there? I remember trying to save Laura, and that someone else was there, but my memory's starting to get hazy now…]
"Hey, what's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" the Ninetales suddenly asked.
Snapping back to reality, the Jolteon answered, "My name is Jolt." Awkwardly he added, "Oh, and thanks for, um… looking after me, and keeping me warm for the night. I really appreciate it… uh…"
"Fiora," the Ninetales finished for him, smiling. "And no problem, Jolt. Just doing what I can to help in these dark times."
Before he could ask about the "dark times" she spoke of, a red and orange stream of fire jetted toward the Jolteon from behind. In the next instant, the spot where the thunder dog stood was set aflame – a pillar of red orange flames.
Author's Notes
A shift of perspective from the Prologue, introduction of a few characters. As usual, comments and criticism appreciated.