Shattered Truths, Chapter 1

Shattered Truths, Chapter 1
          A Misty and Dark Beginning


   The forest was swathed in a thick mist, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to burn the damp blanket away. As a result, the usual sounds of the forest were quieted.

   The muffling fog didn't bother the lean, four-legged figure as it padded silently through the trees, ignoring the dew forming on its short, lavender coat. The red gem on the creature's forehead glistened wetly as it pushed through the mist, now and then pausing to sniff the air.

   Failing to locate anything on the thick, still air, the creature continued on its way. The figure was half lost in its thoughts as it went on searching.

   I can't believe it's already been over a year since we met... It certainly doesn't seem like it's been that long. It seems like it was only yesterday...

   In his mind, the Pokemon flashed back to when he was almost positive he was going to lose the beautiful creature that was now his mate, to an organization that had wanted to capture her. In an effort to do so, the organization had poisoned her. Only the timely arrival of his owner had saved her life.

   The Pokemon shivered and pushed the memory; it was too vivid. He still blamed himself for almost losing his mate. He had been too exhausted to protect her. He often chastised himself for not being able to keep her safe when she'd really needed it.

   Again and again, she had told him not to worry about it. Even so, he still harbored a deep regret that hadn't dissipated over the year he'd known his mate. He had sworn to protect her, even if it cost him his own life.

   His mate knew that, but didn't want him to ever have to do that. She was more than capable of handling herself in a fight. He wasn't a stranger to fighting either. He was in command of exceptionally powerful psychic abilities. He was able to create sturdy barriers and manipulate objects with his mind. It also gave him a telepathic connection with his mate. They shared many things: dreams, emotions, and thoughts.

   Coming out of his reflections, the Pokemon sniffed the air once more. This time, he picked up a vague scent. He could barely tell that it was sweet. He flicked his forked tail excitedly; any kind of sweet berry was his favorite. He had tried other types of berries and never really gotten used to them.

   His mate, though, was much less picky, and was happy with whatever he brought her.

   The light purple Pokemon kept sniffing, until he was able to pinpoint where the scent was coming from. Eventually, he found the source of the scent. He padded off to his left, following his nose.

   It wasn't long until he came across a bush bearing bright pink fruit. His tail began waving excitedly; these were Pecha berries, the very first solid food he had ever tried. He took a branch in his mouth and shook it, bringing several of the berries to the ground. He took a bite of one and went back to when he'd first tried them. He remembered how he hadn't had a care in the world. He was just living for the day, until he left with his family to stop the humans that had attacked his mother. Not surprisingly, those humans belonged to the same organization that had tried to capture his mate. He quickly learned that the world was a dangerous place. He also learned what it was like to fall in love with another Pokemon and care for them.

   The Pokemon laughed to himself. All these memories from a couple of Pecha berries... Now I think I know why these are my favorite.

   He finished the last of his berries, ran his tongue around his mouth and stood up. He then shook six more berries to the ground. These he gently picked up by their green leaves. He turned and delved back into the slowly thinning mist.

   He could feel the sun beginning to climb above the trees. The Pokemon knew his mate would be awakening soon, so he increased his pace slightly. As he walked, the mist began to lift at a faster and faster rate.

   He eventually came to a fence that separated the forest from a field of finely trimmed grass. He smoothly leapt to the top of the fence, recalling that his parents had had to carry him over when he had been a mere two months old.

   He paused at the top of the fence and shivered, despite the bright sun. The Pokemon had trembled out of excitement. He felt this way every morning. For him, getting to see his mate was better than anything else.

   He leapt down from the fence and trotted over the evenly cut grass.

   "There you are..."

   Meanwhile, in a cage, in a completely pitch-dark room, two Pokemon huddled together. The only light came from several dim yellow rings on the jet-black body of one of the cage's occupants.

   "I-I'm scared..." the sleek black Pokemon whimpered to its companion.

   The other caged Pokemon gently caressed its cell-mate's trembling head with its tail. "I know. I am too."

   Any further conversation was cut short, as a door was opened, and the room flooded with light.

   Squinting against the harsh light, the two Pokemon could barely make out a shape coming towards their cage.

   "Let's see how you're doing."

   The cage door clunked as it was opened. A hand came reaching in, heading for the scared, black Pokemon. The other Pokemon jumped forward and quickly bit the invading hand.

   "Ow! You really shouldn't have done that. You're only making it harder for your friend!" the figure shouted as it left the room, slamming the door.

   Once more, the two Pokemon were left in the darkness.

   "He's right..." the black Pokemon whispered, timid and frightened. "You shouldn't have done that. You're only making things worse."

   "I-I couldn't help myself..." the Pokemon answered, hanging its head. "We need to get out of here..."

   "I know, but we can't do that in my condition. It would be next to impossible."

   "But we have to try; do you want a repeat of what happened to S-"

   "Don't ever mention that name!" the black Pokemon snapped fiercely. "I failed them! Never mention that name to me again!" The Pokemon's eyes glinted angrily in the darkness.

   The black Pokemon's companion recoiled at its cell-mate's outburst of fiery anger.

   "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

   "No, it's all right." the other Pokemon apologized, gently nuzzling its partner. "I shouldn't have brought it up; it's all in the past now."

   The two Pokemon pressed close to one another in the stifling darkness, wondering what their fate would be.