Prologue:
The entire region was virtually empty as it whistled with wind.
Oppressively empty.
In the suffocating heat of the T'nako desert, far from any semblance of civilisation, few 'mons dare to travel this time of year. It was the middle of summer, with the only respite being the few hours at night when temperatures fell to tolerable levels.
The only living things around were those capable of surviving in such extreme climates. One would often see a few Cacnea dotting the landscape. The occasional Diglett or Sandshrew ventured to the surface, only to burrow deep underground again, away from the blazing sun.
However, even these Pokemon had taken for any shelter available, after a particularly ferocious sandstorm had picked up steam within the desert. Particulates were scattered all around the air, rendering visibility near non-existent.
That was, except for one lone traveller. Trudging blindly against the dunes of sand.
A Jolteon, outfitted with a small knapsack containing supplies, clenched a roll of parchment in their maw.
Struggling against the rough winds of the raging sandstorm, a particularly fierce burst of wind wrenched the paper out of the Jolteon's clamp, who could only watch in despair as it flew away, now buffeted into the air and swallowed by the surrounding curtains of sand.
After an eternity of fighting against the wind, the sandstorm had subsided and the lone 'mon had finally arrived at the edge of the vast desert. With the sand no longer threatening to blow into one's eye, a few trees could be seen beginning to pepper between the increasing foliage; a brook meandered off into the distance. The Jolteon, with the pressure from the winds subsiding, rushed desperately towards the greenery, towards salvation. After a mad dash and having thrown the bag aside, the electric type went towards the water's edge to plunge headfirst under the surface. Gulping down the cool liquid greedily, having long run out from the arduous trip.
Eventually popping out from below, with fur matted from the impromptu shower. Only stopping for some much-needed air.
Thirst quenched, the Jolteon retrieved the bag and collapsed within the shrubbery underneath the shade of a majestic oak, its mighty boughs swaying in the slight wind. Only then did they reach within the backpack, to pull out a pawful of barely recognisable, shrivelled berries. Sighing, the Jolteon chewed unenthusiastically on the bitter, hardened fruit, making a face all the while.
Now having relaxed, the Jolteon's eyes darkened and a scowl formed upon its face, visibly withdrawing inwards as if to contemplate something. Eventually, exhaustion started to set in with eyes drooping and head nodding off. However, the Jolteon immediately snapped to attention at the sound of pawsteps approaching.
"And who might you be?" An intimidating, steely voice cuts through the air.
The Jolteon squinted as if to make out the obscured figure behind the shrubbery from which the voice originated.
"Greetings, I have trekked past the desert as an official envoy from the Kingdom of—"
"You crossed the desert?" the voice bluntly interrupted, "I'm afraid you've broken the agreement between our kingdoms."
"Yes, however, you must understand, I'm on a diplomatic mission."
A brief scuffle could be heard from the undergrowth.
"Tauros-shit. I highly doubt that someone in your state is an official. Where is your entourage? Your official decree?"
"You see, a fierce sandstorm—"
"As far as I'm aware you're nothing but a liar or worse, an outlaw or criminal. You'll need to head back," the voice ordered, laced with hostility.
The Jolteon stared in the direction of the voice, body rigid, possibly from the shock and indignation. The tension palpable in the air.
"I'm afraid that I just must get to Dzagar," the self-proclaimed diplomat asserts, taking a few steps further into the plains, towards the grove that gave shade to the voice. The figure hissed, causing the Jolteon to pause, with one foreleg hovering in front as if to take another step forward.
"Not one more pawstep, trespasser."
The Jolteon hesitated, then gently placed his paw further onto the grass.
Well, I suppose I did post something, huh? Rather short prologue for the beginning, but hopefully the actual chapters will be a bit more chunky than that.
This story isn't set in the PMD, anime, or any in-game universe from the franchise, which you could argue: 'why even use Pokemon at all then?'. Which I mean, fair, but you gotta admit, Pokemon's characters are nice, and I would rather not make up my own fictional, quadrupedal, elemental-bending, floofs. Also, it makes it more accessible, so fun!
Expect updates... when I have time I suppose (so don't expect much ;-;). But if this story gets some attention I'd probably try to update more often.
Feel free to review, and it would be awesome if you all could provide any criticism, I am quite the amateur writer after all.
Much thanks to other authors' stories like bc414 and cresselia as inspirations, great stories, I recommend you all to check them out.
Enough said, have a good one all!