Chapter 1: Cursed, Shiny Beginnings
Author's Warning: This chapter contains subjects involving family violence and homophobia. Proceed at your own caution.
The sun beats down on the rolling sands of the Desert Resort within the region of Unova. In an empty, hot wasteland such as this, not many people or Pokémon would suspect any real activity to be occurring, at least not in this era of the Pokemon world. However, there is a hidden shed tucked away in the dead center of Unova's barren wasteland, where sinister activities are taking place. Inside sits a middle aged man with light brown skin and darker, curly hair on both his head and upper lip. He drums his fingers on the desk he sits at, looking over all of the Pokémon eggs he had acquired in his many years of Pokemon poaching. The man grumbles impatiently, glaring at the doorway to the shed.
"Where is that damn boy with my newest shipment?" He mentally brutes, about ready to call the boy he's waiting for, when he suddenly hears the sound of a truck pulling in out front.
After a few minutes pass, a younger man that looks vaguely similar to the older one walks in. He carries in a couple of crates full of Pokemon eggs with a sigh, setting them down in front of his senior.
"Took ya long enough…bring the rest in quick Ron! I don't have all day."
The older man demands the younger one irritably.
Ron groans tiredly before nodding, heading back outside to bring the rest of the eggs in.
After about 3 more trips from the truck to the shed, he enters the shed with one last egg. This particular egg had a cream and pink coloration with a unique wavy pattern, and on the very top was a strange hole the size of a needle's eye. As Ron carries it in, it glows incessantly, signaling it's nearing hatching time.
"Glowing again?! Ugh, I swear, if that guy who traded me this egg hadn't told me it was a shiny Pokémon in here, I would've smashed it by now…"
Ron internally fumes before bringing over the small pastel colored egg and setting it down last.
"Alright boss, this is the last of the shipment…"
Ron announces unenthusiastically, crossing his arms.
Ron's boss looks down at the egg with a scrutinizing glare, then back up at the boy.
"An Audino egg? Seriously Ron, do I look like a cheap poacher here?"
The older man grumbled in distaste.
"Does it really matter? The guy that sold this to me said it was a shiny Pokémon, so who gives a crap what kind it is?!"
Ron explains defensively, growing increasingly more frustrated.
His boss is silent for a moment before scoffing, folding his hands in front of him as he talks calmly at first, hiding his bubbling rage within.
"And…you believed him? Just like that?"
He inhales deeply, his fingers gripping each other like mini iron vices.
Ron's frustrated exterior melts away before turning to slight anxiety, his tone going back on the defensive.
"Uh…yes? He seemed legit…"
Ron tucks his trembling hands into his pockets, attempting to hide his growing unease.
At this, Ron's boss pounds the desk with his large fist with malice.
"You absolute MORON! We could've been scammed for all we know! Any idiot on the street could've given you a Pokémon egg and slapped the "shiny" label on it!"
He grabs Ron by the collar of his shirt threateningly, his rage increasing to dangerous levels.
"Da- I-I mean boss…I swear on all of the eggs we have here, this guy was being serious! I mean, the egg didn't even cost that much either…if he was a scammer, he would've charged more than 100, don't you think?"
Ron tries desperately to reason with the older man, instinctively trying to pull away from his grip.
"That does not make it any less suspicious you little-!"
The older man is interrupted in his scolding by the sound of a small crack coming from the now glowing Audino egg on the desk.
He grumbles, letting go of Ron with a shove as he turns his attention to the egg.
"Huh, looks like it's hatching…"
The boss opens up the egg's capsule before glancing back at his subordinate.
"Ron, I swear to Arceus…if this Audino ends up being a regular one, I'll sell you to the highest bidder!"
He threatens him with a low grunt, placing his hands on his hips as he looks back down at the egg expectedly.
From behind the boss, Ron shudders with discomfort, praying to all the legendary Pokémon that existed that luck would be in his favor.
The glowing increases for a few moments before a burst of white light expels from the egg, revealing the Pokemon within. A small shiny Audino appears from the egg, it's lavender fur and blue eyes being reflected back at the two men under the dim lighting of the room.
"H-Huh? Oh…hi!"
The little Audino gasps in surprise, his wide innocent eyes looking up at the humans in front of him curiously as his fluffy tail wags behind him.
The older man is surprised for a moment, before smirking, looking closer at the hatchling while rubbing his chin mischievously.
"Huh…it is a shiny Pokémon! You may still be an idiot, but you got lucky Ron!"
The boss snickers, his eyes scanning the Audino's lavender pelt greedily.
Ron sighs with relief, allowing himself to look over the Audino as well from a distance.
"See! I told you…"
The young man does a double take for a moment.
"Wh-? Hey, I'm not an idiot! I searched up a lot of sketchy sites to get you that stupid thing!"
Ron shoots back defensively.
The little hatchling seems to be oblivious of his current situation, leaning forward excitedly.
"Are you guys my new family?"
The bunny-like pokemon asks hopefully, trying to get up onto his feet.
The boss's eyes widen at the sound of the shiny Pokémon's voice…it sounded young, yes…but it was blatantly male in nature.
"Wait a minute…"
He turns to Ron slowly, ignoring the Audino's question.
"Did you get me…a male Audino?!"
His voice is cold and menacing now as he looks at Ron with an accusatory glare.
Ron's blood runs cold, remembering that the figure that had sold him the egg had said that it was a male based on an egg ultrasound.
"Yes…"
The younger man admits, bracing himself for the backlash he knew he was going to receive.
Ron's boss instantly smacks him across the face, unleashing his pent up rage onto him.
"You imbecile! You didn't get me a female Audino?!"
His fists are still clenched, as if ready to swing at him again any moment.
Ron groans in pain from the blow, gingerly touching his now bruised cheek with his finger tips.
"C-Come on Dad…I said it's shiny, r-right? Shouldn't that be enough for you?"
Ron's voice trembles, struggling to hold back his tears.
Meanwhile, the young Audino is appalled by this exchange as he slowly sits back down onto the blue blanket he hatched on.
"Are they…fighting about me? But…why?"
The Audino wonders to himself fearfully as he hugs his tiny knees to his chest.
The boss grits his teeth as he looms over his frightened son with shaking fists.
"Ron…no one is going to want a male Audino, regardless of it's shiny value! Feminine looking male Pokemon never sell well to our buyers, you know this!"
The boss reminds him with a livid snarl.
When the hatchling behind them hears this, his young heart breaks immediately as he whimpers softly.
"No one…wants me..?" The little Audino internally laments to himself, hugging his knees closer as warm tears trickle down his cheeks.
Just then, the door to the shed opens slowly, revealing a young man about Ron's age. He had peach colored skin with blonde hair and a purple streak lining the center of his undercut.
He looks around the room before spotting Ron on the ground. His eyes widen in shock before narrowing into slits at the boss.
"What is going on here George..? I hope you're not frightening my little Ron-Ron again…"
He chuckles lowly, smirking up at him with a vengeful glare.
At the sound of the newcomer's voice, Ron gasps, turning to look up at him with worry mixed with relief.
"J-Jackson?! What are you doing here?" Ron asks fearfully, his eyes begging him to leave.
Jackson kneels down to Ron's side, lifting his chin up tenderly to look at the bruise on his cheek.
"So this is what that garbage did to you…?" He utters softly, blood boiling with rage, yet he still keeps a calm exterior.
Jackson whispers something into Ron's ear before giving his hand a gentle squeeze and standing between him and George.
"So, Georgie boy…care to explain what this little…spat was over?"
Jackson interrogates him with a terrifying looking smile spreading across his face, his nails digging into his arms as he crosses them.
George glares daggers into Jackson, his gaze filled with hatred.
"That is none of your fucking business kid…and who said you could waltz in here and get close to my son?"
George seethes, about ready to swing at him too.
"Oh, but it is my business Georgie…especially when you harm someone I care very deeply about. Now…if you tell me, I may be able to satisfy that greedy little wallet of yours…"
Jackson offers, his eyes flicking over to the Audino on the table.
"And from the looks of it…it seems that you could be payed a lot…" He notes, as he looks the hatchling up and down, now intrigued by the unique coloration.
George scoffs, glancing over at the now quivering Audino with a disappointed roll of his eyes.
"Please, for that thing?"
The boss is about to laugh it off before sighing irritably.
"On second thought, of course someone like you would probably be interested…
Fine! I'll tell you what our fight was about…basically, this useless little-"
George is cut off after gesturing to Ron by Jackson, who pins the older man's wrist painfully to the desk behind him.
"Continue…and I better not hear another bad word about my Ronny spill out of your disgusting mouth again while you do it…" Jackson threatens, still wearing that unnerving grin as he tightens his grip.
George grunts in agitation as he shoves Jackson off.
"Maniac…anyway…Ron here got a shiny male Audino instead of a female. I told him that only females of its species tend to sell better…this was a…dumb mistake on his part."
George explains, his eyes watching Jackson's every move.
Jackson is silent for a few moments, helping Ron up to his feet and checking his bruise once more. He then looks over at George with annoyance.
"Really? And you struck him for something like that?! By Arceus, I oughta…"
Jackson is about to say before inhaling deeply and smirking calmly once more.
"Alright, to end this little argument, how about you let me buy the little runt? It won't be an issue…besides…female or male…I don't make…"
Jackson discreetly takes Ron's hand in his, squeezing it again.
"…Unnecessary judgements…"
"Oh really? And how much are you even offering? I doubt you can afford much considering the fact that I'm sure your parents must have disowned you by now..and cut you off!"
George growls viciously before crossing his arms.
Jackson laughs, shaking his head at George's assumption.
"Ohh Georgie, Georgie, Georgie! You underestimate my ability to…get what I want…let's just say I…took care of my parents and their fortune was "loaned" to me…"
Jackson informs him with a sinister glint in his eye.
The blonde haired man fishes out his wallet before pulling out a wad of cash and waving it in the boss's face.
"Now…how does $1,000 for the little cutie sound?"
He offers with a confident grin, noticing that George's resolve is faltering with each wave of the stack.
George wants to protest, however his obsession with big money made him give in.
"Fine…you can take the Audino, I don't care!"
George huffs, reaching to grab the money from Jackson.
However, the blonde man pulls it back with a wave of his finger.
"Hold it…I have another offer as well…I'll pay this and more if you…let me have a little outing with your son. Come on Georgie…you know you can't resist more mon-"
Jackson is interrupted by George barking back angrily.
"Not in a million years you faggot! I don't care how much you pay me for that…
As much as I love high payments…I make exceptions for freaks like you…
You can buy that hatchling…but my son is off limits."
George spats, his eyes narrowed in disgust.
Jackson grips the stack of money a bit tighter in his hand, his teeth grinding with unadulterated wrath.
"…So now you refer to him as your son…lovely. After someone offers him a chance at happiness and safety…you just cling to him like he's an enslaved Eevee…"
Jackson groans, pulling Ron close to him as he strokes his cheek possessively.
"Sorry my Ronny…guess that's another "no" from your selfish prick of a father…but don't worry…"
Jackson brings his lips close to Ron's ear as he whispers.
"…I'll have you even if I have to get rid of him…"
Ron gasps in surprise, his cheeks flaring as he almost melts into Jackson's arms, his hands clinging to the front of his shirt.
"Jackson…" Ron whispers anxiously, feigning fear in front of his father, but internally enjoying the protective energy Jackson is exuding.
George grabs Ron by the wrist, pulling him away from Jackson.
"Hands off of my son pal…
Now, take that Audino and leave before I change my mind!"
George demands, blocking Jackson's path towards Ron, who now looks over at Jackson with deep longing and sorrow.
Jackson huffs, marching over to the desk and picking the small Audino up.
"Sheesh…pushy are we? I'll take it and leave for now…"
As Jackson holds the small hatchling in his arms, the little Pokemon can't help but tense up. He didn't know why, but this human radiated an unpleasant aura that he couldn't shake.
Jackson pauses in front of George before leaving, his obsessive eyes drilling into Ron's father relentlessly.
"…but George, I'm warning you…when I said that I have connections in getting whatever I want…I meant it. You have no idea how far I will go…how many people I will remove from this earth to have Ron all to myself. And I make no exceptions…even for his father." Jackson speaks low and menacingly, a malicious grin spreading across his face as he gets uncomfortably close to George.
George flinches slightly, but maintains his defiant front.
"I'm sooo scared. Leave now, you worthless shit!"
The boss demands as he glares daggers into Jackson. George is pulling a sarcastic act, but in reality, he hears the terrifyingly serious tone in Jackson's voice and internally panics at the threat.
Jackson chuckles, re-adjusting the little Audino in his arms before heading out the door.
The little Audino quivers fearfully in this new man's grasp, looking up at Jackson in concerned silence as he's carried over to a large white van.
Jackson seems to notice the hatchling's reaction and smirks.
"Oh, don't be so tense little one…I'm not going to hurt you…" Jackson coos with a sickeningly sweet tone, gently stroking the Audino's little ears.
In response, the small Pokemon whimpers slightly…he didn't trust this man…his pulse felt strange and unreliable, even to his young Audino senses.
"Mister are…are you telling me the truth..?"
The Audino gulps as they get closer to Jackson's vehicle.
"Oh of course little one…killing you would be a waste, especially one with your unique coloration…no, no. You, my little pet are going to be my new…trophy~"
Jackson chuckles darkly as they reach the back of the van's doors.
Before the little Audino can respond to this unnerving statement, Jackson opens up the back doors and throws the young hatchling into a cold, unoccupied cage. The small Pokemon struggles against the man's grip as he is forced down and locked inside.
"Tsk, tsk, now don't be naughty like that next time my little trophy! Just get comfortable and enjoy the ride…it'll be long, yet oh so worth it when we get to my mansion…"
The blonde haired man laughs menacingly, causing the hatchling to shake even more from fright.
The tiny Audino clings desperately to the bars, his big blue eyes now reddening with tears.
"Let me out mister, please! I-I don't like it in here…"
He cries out in terror, gripping the bars and pulling as if trying to will his confines into disappearing completely.
"Not a chance, you little brat! You belong to me now…"
Jackson sneers before slamming the van's rear doors shut.