As Allen snapped back to reality he flinched and groaned as a beam of sunlight shined through his eyelids painting his world in a bright red colour that hurt his eyes. " Uuuhhhgh!" He flicked his head in a random direction hoping to escape the painfully bright light, feeling the grass shift under his cheek as he moved out of the sunbeam. His mind was foggy and he seemed to hurt everywhere, he had not felt this sore since he had tried to go a round with a Hitmonchan, that had been a dumb move but, then hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
He lay there for a few more minutes still groggy from being woken so early as his mind tried to get itself going. Allen was not what one would call a morning person, it always took him a while to actually wake up, and in the minutes his mind struggled to warm up the damned sunbeam had made its way back into his closed eye. He whined as his vision glowed a Cheri(1) red and his nerves were set a blaze by the cursed stream of photons," Son of a-"
The words died in his throat as he felt coarse fur brush against the the softer fur on his neck, shivering at the unfamiliar sensation," Nova are you shedding again?" He grumbled.
"No, now move over." Replied a gravely voice.
Allen snapped his eyes open and twisted his head to stare at his Pokemon, Nova lay there on the grass curled up with his head resting on his paws. " Nova did you hear that!? I think there's someone out there!"
He saw the Fire-types ears twitch briefly before he grumbled," There's nothing out there. it was probably a Pidgey or something, their allover this freaking region."
Allen felt his blood run cold as he stared at the drowsy Pokemon," Nova! You're talking!?"
Without opening his eyes Nova snorted," I always talk." He said flatly.
"No!" Allen shouted making the Fire-Type lay his ears back. " I can understand what your saying! Like we're speaking the same language!"
Nova sighed," It's too early for games Allen. Go back to sl-" He had cracked his eyes open to glare at his trainer only to snap his head up and stare wide eyed at what he saw. " Allen?" He whispered in confusion," Is that you?"
"Of course it's me Nova! That's hardly important right now!" He cried his voice edged with panic. "What's important is figuring out why you can suddenly talk!" Already his mind was a hive of activity, researchers from all over the world would want to study Nova! ' We're in Kanto maybe I should take him to Professor Oak! It's not that far from Celadon to Pallet Town!' Then a memory came rushing back to him,' Wait! We were in the Celadon Gym battling Erika! When did we get outside!?' Then just as quickly another fact jumped to his mind," THE MATCH!" He screamed. "We were fighting Erika! She was about to Mega Evolve her Venusaur!"
Nova just kept staring at him," Allen I think we have other things to worry about. Look at your hands." Confused he obeyed, oblivious to the irony that his Pokemon had just given him an order, he had to bite his tongue to keep from screaming. Instead of a hand and its digits, the limb that moved at his command ended in a hard looking black hoof, even stranger was the ethereal blue flames at what should have been his wrists. "Allen, you're a Pokemon! It looks like your a shiny Rapidash!"
The next several minutes involved the former human screaming like a little girl and flailing about wildly because every attempt to run in panic ended in him face planting on the hard packed earth.
It nearly an hour had passed since what Nova had concluded was a panic attack, which had consisted of a great deal of screaming and colourful language that would make a Ghost-type blush. After about fifteen minute of that, Allen had stood up on wobbley legs and just wondered off into the trees, with Nova a few steps behind silently worrying for his former trainer.
They had walked in an awkward silence ever since, every now and then Nova would catch Allen glancing back at him only to snap his gaze ahead. This bothered Nova the most to because it was one of the tells he had picked up on over the years, something was bothering Allen and he was the main subject of the newly christened Fire-types thoughts.
' Allen what's going on in that head of yours?' It was never good when he dwelled on things and there was no chance he could hope to understand what was going on in his friends mind. It was one thing for your body to go through radical changes as a Pokemon but, for a Human something like this was the kind of thing horror stories were made of. There was no way to tell what he was feeling, walking ahead of him, stealing glances with the look of a terrified child, it tore at his heart. There had to be something he could do to put Allen in better spirits. Nova wracked his brain, what do you say when your best friend changed species? Was there even a game plan for this kind of thing?
"Nova." Allen had broken the oppressive silence at last. There was a break in the trees, and through it Nova saw a city by the sea, patchy farms gave way to suburbs, then worked up to tall office builds, not the mirrored glass skyscrapers of Castilia City but certainly possessing an artistic flare, before giving way to an industrial district that was clearly metal foundries. " Nova, we're not in Kanto anymore(2)."
"What do you mean?"
"Kanto doesn't have any metal refineries anymore. The last one was shut down a few years ago following the incident with Kyogre and Groudon, it was all over the news." Allen stared down at the city still more than a few miles away. "We can probably get there before nightfall. We can atleast figure out what region we're in, and if we're lucky maybe get some answers about what happened." Without looking back the former human started down the steep hill, choosing to take the most direct path possible and, the awful silence returned to gnaw at Novas mind.
The park in Fillydelphia was quite busy today despite how odd things were today, first there had been word that something big had crashed in the Everfree, supposedly all the villages and cities that surround the wild forest had gone into a panic over it. Then everypony had started to notice a lot of strange creatures all over the city. Speculations wee spreading like wildfire, ranging from a magical accident in Canterlot mutating animals, to Discord going crazy and wreaking havoc again. If one listened to some of the more crackpot conspiracy theorist, these creatures were Nightmares Moons unholy spawn she had bred to thrive in her eternal night.
However despite wild rumors most ponies had noted that these animals, whatever they were, seemed peaceful enough, some were quite friendly in fact. As it happened one pony, a light pink(3) unicorn mare, was resting on a bench casually tossing popcorn to a flock of small birds that bore a striking resemblance to swallows. She had a two toned blue and pink mane and her Cutie Mark was three diamonds cut in a pentagonal shape.
While most ponies had come to the park today to enjoy the seasonal fair that was passing through, this mare was more than happy to watch these curious birds. These were something new and different, and those were just the sort of things she loved to be around, she was actually quite happy that her friends had drug her to the fair. Normally it would be too loud and far too crowded for her liking, but since the doomsayers had started spouting their nonsense about these creatures, a sizable portion of the city was giving the park some distance.
She sighed as she gripped more popcorn in the magenta aura of her magic and tossed towards the little birds, to her surprise on of them fluttered up and landed on the bench next to her," Tail?" It cheeped at her, cocking its head to one side inquisitively.
She smiled down at it," Well hello there." The little swallow like bird cautiously hoped closer and started pecking at the bag that held the remainder of the popcorn she had been feeding the whole of the flock. "You want the whole bag huh?" She grinned down at the bird. " I'll make you deal. You tell me where you and your friends came from and its all yours. Sound fair?"
To her astonishment the little bird bobbed its head in a very avian fashion, but one that was clearly a nod," Low! Taillow, ta, Taillow!" It chattered away for a few seconds before beaming up at her, as she stared down in a state of mild shock it hopped forward began to once again to insistently peck at the bag.
She suddenly got the feeling that she had actually just gotten exactly what she had wanted but had not been able to understand. "Well." She said with a small smile," I guess you earned it." She tore open the rest of the bag and poured it into a pile, the little bird chirped happily as the rest of its flock fluttered over and began to hastily gulp down the popcorn.
"Sparkler!" Called a voice. " There you are!"
She turned to see her friends trotting up to her, or rather her friend Starshine and Starshine's coltfriend Feather Storm. She had never much liked the stallion, he had made it a habit of hitting on her whenever Starshine was not around and no matter how many times she told her friend, Star would dismiss it. Often saying that she must have misunderstood, or that he was too much of a gentlecolt to possibly do something like that. It had been enough to convince her that not only was love blind but it must have some severe mental disorders too.
As he strode up the, apparently infallible pegasus stallion, sneered at the birds that were happily munching at Sparkler's hooves. " Sparks why are you feeding these things? You know their some unholy demons from Tartarus right?"
"Taillow?" No sooner had the words left his lips than over a dozen angry glares were leveled at him, Sparkler's included. The whole flock of little birds lifted off together and dive bombed the offending pony, pecking at any part of him they could get their pointed beaks at.
"Whoa! ah ah AH! AHHHHHHH! GET THIS LITTLE MONSTERS OFF ME! OW OW OW OW! WAAAAAH!" It took less than a minute for Feather Storm to turn tail and run from the angry flock, which was hot on his heels.
Starshine stood in shock as her coltfriend ran for cover screaming like a filly," Stormy!"
"Ppffffft hahahahah!" Star's thought was interrupted as Sparkler started laughing like she had just heard the best joke in history. " They didn't like being called that hahaha."
"Sparkler it's not funny! What if they hurt him?" She turned to look in the direction the pegasus had run, she cloud still see the birds in the air diving at him.
"Well maybe he'll learn to keep that crap to himself. It was bound to happen sooner or later." She said still giggling.
The mare dug at the ground with a sheepish look," He's getting better."
Sparkler couldn't help but roll her eyes," Star, he's a bigot! If he wasn't dating you I would swear he was a tribalist (4) too." Feather Storm had earned a reputation and a criminal record, crashing several mixed species weddings while ranting about it being unnatural and perverse. It was a sentiment that had all but died out in Equestria, about two hundred years ago Princess Celestia had personally married a Griffon to a Pony and the belief that love in any form should be accepted had taken root in all but the most close minded of families.
The other mare hung her head," He's not that bad."
Sparkler rolled her eyes and groaned," Star I love ya, but you have lousy taste in stallions."
"Taillow."
Both mares started and turned to see one of the birds that had chased off Feather Storm hovering in the air above them. Starshine after seeing them attack her coltfriend took a nervous step back, while Sparkler smiled," Hello again, don't you want to go play with your friends." She smirked as she heard the stallion scream in the distance.
"Taillow." The bird shook it's head and swooped down to settle on her horn, where to began to preen itself.
Sparkler smiled," Well aren't you friendly." She smiled over to her friend," Looks like I made a new friend. You okay up there?" She asked crossing her eyes to look up at the bird perched on her horn.
"Tail!"
With a bigger smile than ever she looked to the other mare," Well come on Star lets enjoy the Fair."
"What about Feather Storm?" She asked still worried.
"He'll be fine." Sparkler waved her hoof dismissively and motion to the bird on her horn," I'm sure they quit chasing him after a while. Now lets go have some fun!"
"Well that's... Different." Allen said as he stared at the scene before him. The suberbs of the city had been closer than he had thought, and they had been making their way toward the taller builds that should have been downtown. It was odd that they hadn't encounter anyone save Pokemon, but what the two Fire-typs were staring at now were definitely not Pokemon.
"They look kind of like Ponyta, but the colours are wrong." Nova said genuinely baffled.
Allen nodded and pointed with a hoof," And look that one has wings. Where the heck are we?" He continued to stare at a group of tiny creatures that resembled Pokemon, they were about two feet tall with big expressive eyes, they were also staring at him in slack jawed awe.
"I think their young." Nova offered.
As if to confirm this a larger creature screamed from the door to a nearby building that resembled a schoolhouse, it darted between the foals and the two Pokemon. It was taller than the other ones and had a stubby looking spiral horn, after a moment it spoke in a voice that was high and panicked," Stay behind me everypony!" She then fixed a panicked but determined glare directly at Nova," Listen carefully my little ponies, i want you to very carefully and very quickly go inside. I'll deal with this."
"She's got gall." Nova said with a chuckle.
Allen turned and started down the sidewalk," I'm in no mood to Battle. Come on Nova lets see if we can find a phone or something, maybe Officer Jenny." Nova turned away from the pony and followed him, leaving a very frazzled and confuse mare behind them.
"Allen what do you think those things were?" Nova was looking back at the group of wide eyed foals with a small grin," They're not like any Pokemon I'm familiar with."
Allen was still watching them too," I'm not sure they are Pokemon. All those different colours don't seem possible in any one species." They had continued down the sidewalk passing ponies every few minutes, Most didn't seem to put off by him but they were clearly nervous around Nova for some reason. As homes gave way to businesses, the foot traffic seemed to increase, or was it hoof traffic? Regardless they were drawing a lot of attention now, and the more of these not Pokemon he saw the More Allen was beginning to think he wasn't going to find the help he was looking for.
These ponies seemed to be living the lives of humans, he was seeing street vendors selling produce. There was a Library with more foals being led down its steps, small bags strapped to their backs stuffed with books. As they turned a corner he saw a restaurant with ponies sitting at tables chatting peacefully while a few waiters in formal clothes carried trays of food to different tables. Several of the ponies looked ready to panic when they saw Nova, hoping to ovoid causing a scene Allen smiled and nodded doing his best to look friendly. " Afternoon." The diners exchanged confused looks but didn't start screaming.
The two continued to wonder, searching for anything that seemed familiar, a police station, a branch of the Ranger Union. Hell at this point Allen would have settled for a Pokemon Center just for a warm bed and something to eat, but there was nothing, just more of these technicolor ponies and their dirty looks.
The sun was creeping towards the Horizon and they had yet to find anything. "Allen! Listen!" Nova cried pointing towards a nearby park.
He twisted his ears to hear what the Fire-type had meant, he could hear lively music like the kinda played at a carnival or circus but that wasn't what Nova had meant. He heard screams, the kind that came from people who were scared. He turned and saw most of the ponies on the street heard it too, he broke into a gallop," Come on Nova!"
Rushing into the park they saw a lovely park play host to some kind of fair, a large Ferris Wheel. However what drew the attention of everyone was the trio of ponies clinging to each other as all manner of debris swirled around them as though caught in a tornado. A small Taillow was flying over the ponies heads," Knock it off! This isn't funny!" A crushed trashcan lid rocketed out of the floating debris straight at the little Flying-Type, who nimbly evaded the projectile. " Why are you doing this!?"
The rapidly spinning debris came to a stop, still hanging in the air acting as a barrier to prevent the ponies escape. Every pair of eyes watched as a shadowy, imp-like figure materialized in the air above the floating trash. The Shadow Pokemon looked down at the havoc it had wreaked with glee," Because now there's no one to stop me!" The floating objects once again resumed their rapid orbits, but slowly began to close in on the ponies who screamed in terror.
"There's me!" The Taillow declared as its wings began to glow. "Wing Attack!"
" Oh please." The Gengar said in a bored tone. "Protect." An energy shield formed around the Ghost-Type and the Taillow bounced harmlessly off it. " You're so out matched it not even worth the effort to grind you into dust."
The air was getting warm and Allen turned to see the air around Nova shimmering. The Volcano Pokemon glared up at the Gengar laughing at the misery he was causing," I don't believe it!" He snarled. " That's Loki!"
Allen wasn't sure how to feel at the moment, relieved that one of his team was okay or, furious that Loki was causing so much trouble. After the Ghost-type started to laugh at the ponies cries for help, he chose furious. " Nova use Flamethrower!"
The ponies standing nearby screamed as Nova's shoulders and back burst into flames and he spat out a torrent of red hot fire. The Ghost-type didn't see it coming until it was too late, Loki turned just in time to be swallowed by the intense flames. With his focus broken the crumpled metal and rocks went flying in which ever direction momentum carried them. When the fire move ended Nova sprung into action leaping into the air and dragging the ghost to the ground," What the hell Loki!? Are you out of your mind!?'
The Shadow Pokemon blinked in surprise," Nova? He abandoned you too?"
This made the Fire-type pause," You think? Your a special kind of stupid aren't you!?" Nova roared," Allen would never abandon us!"
The Gengar sneered," Big words but he ain't here is he?"
He looked ready to say more when a hard black hoof smashed into the dirt next to his head," I happen to be right here Loki." The former human scowled at the ghost his firey blue mane billowed showing how agitated he was," And I would have hoped that you knew me better than that."
Loki just stared at him for a few seconds before he started laughing hysterically," Jeez Allen! What happened to you? You look ridiculous!"
The Ghost-Type continued to laugh until he heard Nova say," Fire Punch!" Which landed on the right side of his face and sent him tumbling away. " You're an idiot."
Allen snorted," How many times have I told you about this." He gestured to the disaster around him," Just look at the mess you've made."
"Give me a break Allen." Loki said rubbing his cheek. " I thought you had abandoned me! I was distraught!" The shiny Rapidash leveled a glare at him that said just how little he bought that line. "Alright fine!" Loki sighed in defeat. "I did think you had ditched me but I saw it as a chance to have a little fun. I swear I wasn't gonna hurt anymon."
Nova snorted," Your definition of 'fun' gives Ghost-Types a bad name." Loki retaliated by blowing a razzberry at him.
The two would have started bickering, it wouldn't have been the first time, until they heard a fearful voice cry out," Sparkler! What are you doing those things are dangerous!"
A soft, but no less panicked voice pleaded," Please Sparks come back! Just look at those two! Their on fire!"
The trio turned to see a pink mare with the Taillow from before perched on her horn stiffly approaching them, Once she was about six feet from Allen, who was closest to her, she put on a nervous smile and gave a weak wave," H-h-hello."