Well, here's chapter one! I've been a bit lazy over the past few days, so sorry it took so long! Hope ya'll like!
Chapter One
“Hey! Are you okay?”
Ow.., my head…
“…Oh no, oh no… What do I do?”
I take a deep breath, barely registering the voice near me. I shake my head slowly, opening my eyes and wincing at the sudden light.
I hear a gasp as my eyes are adjusting to the glow of evening. “Are you awake? Hello?”
Looking upwards, I see a small, dark-colored Shinx standing in front of me, a mixture of surprise and shock on his face. I let out a moan and stand up tiredly, a pain emanating from behind my eyes. It feels like I’ve never used my legs before; a strange sensation, almost like I’m in a new body.
“Oh! You’re alright! That’s a relief!” Seeing the dizzy and confused look on my face, the Shinx stepped away.
Where… Where am I? I studied the area around me, becoming even more mystified. I don’t remember coming to a beach… Yes, the area around me was like a small cove, surrounded by large rock walls on one side and an endless blue sea on the other. Small bubbles floated through the air, some floating away on the horizon, others disappearing without a trace.
Actually,… I don’t believe I can remember anything as of now…
“I’m glad you’re okay! I was really worried!” The Shinx beside me says. My attention snaps to him, my grogginess slowing my memories of his waking me.
“Do you remember how you passed out here?” He asked.
“Err… No. I can’t recall much.” My voice was scratchy, almost unused, it seemed. I clear my throat.
“Oh… That’s odd.” He noted. “Well, my name is Shadow. It’s nice to meet you!” He said cheerfully.
I nodded, closing my eyes in thought. “I think my name is… Lynn? No, Lark. My name is Lark. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Shadow cocked his head at me. “You… You have no memory?”
I shake my head. “I can’t seem to evoke anything about myself other than my name… And that I am a human.”
“What?!” Shadow was obviously disbelieving. “You’re… A human? But you look like a totally normal Vulpix!”
“Excuse me?” I turn and look at myself. I expected to see my normal clothes and red hair, but instead was met with downy red fur and curly tails.
“What!?” Now it was my turn to shout. I look at my hands… But they were paws! I run over to a nearby tide pool, tripping over myself a few times. When I see my reflection…
It’s true! I’ve turned into a Vulpix! I blink, trying to see if my eyes were tricking me. But… how? I still don’t remember anything…
“You’re a little odd…” Shadow said, looking at me with a disbelieving expression. “Are you pulling a trick on me?”
“No! Absolutely not!” I exclaim. “Truly, I am a human! I swear it!”
The Shinx sighs, obviously still bewildered. “You’re telling me the truth?”
I nod eagerly. “Of course! Of all the things I am, I am certainly not a liar!”
“…Okay.” He finally responded after a long silence, kneading his paws in the sand nervously. “You don’t seem to be a bad Pokemon. Sorry for doubting you.”
Although I was still a bit frustrated, I didn’t want to be rude. “No, it’s quite alright. I don’t blame you.”
Shadow sighs, looking down. “It’s just that so many Pokemon have become aggressive lately. You never know who is safe…”
Just as he finished his words, I noticed a pair of Pokemon coming up behind him. “Shadow, watch-!”
Before I could conclude my warning, a Zubat attacked him, bumping him into me and throwing us both backwards.
“Ah!” He yelped, wincing in pain. He had most likely absorbed most of the hit. I stand tiredly, wincing as I pulled a tender spot on my flank where it had hit a rock.
“Well, I do beg your pardon.” The Koffing said sarcastically, mocking my accent from our conversation earlier.
“Hey! What was that for?” Shadow demanded, glaring angrily at the duo.
“Heh-heh-heh! Are you that dull? We wanted to mess with you!”
Taken aback, he responded. “Huh? Why?”
“Can’t face up to us, can you?” Koffing mocked.
Shadow tried to respond, but he had no comeback. Instead, he just looked down again, growling.
“Well, isn’t that yours?” Zubat asked, gesturing towards a chunky rock laying in the sand.
“Wha-No! That’s…”
“Sorry, kiddo, but we’re gonna take that.” Said Zubat, as he flew over and picked it up in his teeth, tossing it in their bag.
“Ah! You can’t take that! That’s mine!” Shadow protested.
“Whoa-ho-ho! What are you going to do about it?”
“I-I-….” He stammered.
“Heh, I didn’t think you’d be such a big coward!” Zubat snickered. “Come on, Koffing. Let’s get out of here.”
“Whoa-ho-ho. See you around, chicken.” With that, the pair left, retreating to what looked like a cave on the left side of the beach. We watched them leave, anger beginning to fill me to the brim, at both the muggers and Shadow. How dare they steal in broad daylight, with others around, and expect to get away with it? And how can Shadow let them?
“Oh… Oh no…” He whimpered. “That’s… My personal treasure. It means everything to me… If I lose that…” His golden eyes fill with tears, but before he could break down, he shakes off his sadness.
“No! I have to get it back!” Shadow said to himself. He then turned to me, asking, “Do you think you could help me?”
“Pardon me? We just met!” I exclaim.
“I know, I know… But I don’t think I can get it back on my own…” He replied, flustered.
“Oh…” I think for a few moments, trying not to let the pleading look in Shadow’s eyes get to me. “Alright. I suppose I’ll help you.” After all, what can be the harm?
“Really? Thank you!” Shadow replies excitedly.
I chuckle. “Well then, shall we take care of it now?”
“Y-yes! Of course!”
And so he led the way. The only thing I could do was hope this choice wasn’t a mistake.
When we entered the cave, the air rapidly became more humid with a salty tang to it. Deeper in the cave, it got quite a bit darker, and it took a bit for my eyes to adjust. The chasm was smaller than I had thought, having one large room with smaller pathways leading between rock walls to other places, I would assume.
“Have you ever been through here before?” I ask.
“Um, no…”
“So, you don’t know the way out. Or the way in.”
“Yeah…” Shadow looked a bit embarrassed, averting his eyes from my gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, stop worrying so much. We’ll find our way.” I say cheerily, taking the lead. “I suppose we should just look until we discover the thieves’ hiding place, and then we can work on getting your… err, rock back. Does that sound acceptable?”
He was silent for a bit, staring at the ground with a blank look in his eyes. A bit worried, I nudged his side with my nose. “Excuse me, were you listening?”
Shadow jumped a bit, looking at me with a blush on his furry cheeks. “Oh… Yeah! Sorry. That will work.”
I nod. “I suppose we should start now, then?”
“Yes! Of course!” He smiles at me, and although I just met this strange Shinx, I can already feel a friendship growing.
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Please, tell me what you think! :D
I'M GONE