//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 : When Dawn Break.... // Story: A New World, A New Dawn // by Uber Reaper //------------------------------// Good things just don’t happen on a whim, we have to fight for it. But, I was naive. There are no good or evil in this world. Anyone is capable of a great good, or great evil. To me, what I did is just the lesser evil. I’m maybe no different from the criminal I sought to bring to justice, but at least, I’m maybe better than most of them. That’s what I used to told myself. The world is cruel, very cruel - Eric Angelo Play this as opening theme “Flamethrower!” A man shouted while pointing at his enemy, maintaining a stoic look. He was wearing a deep charcoal black jacket with a symbol of a Braviary diving. His brilliant light brown eyes shining with hope of victory. His Salamence, who was wearing an earring, stood in front of him and snarled. “Sal!” She took a deep breath and unleashed a cone of hot red flame. Anyone in a large radius could feel how strong was that blast. “DODGE AND USE WOODEN HAMMER!” Another man ordered to his Chesnaught, the Flamethrower heading towards him. Quickly complying, the Chesnaught moved aside just as the blast of flame about to hit him. With the attack missing, he saw an opportunity to charge at the Salamence. Not missing a beat, he ran forward, the Salamence preparing itself to dodge. “Wait!” Her trainer commanded, holding his right hand up. ”Let it get closer.” The Salamence obediently stayed in place just as it’s trainer ordered. His opponent was five meters away, still charging. Even the foe was confused at the lack of action or order coming for the trainer. One meter away until impact, the arm passed above her. That was when it happened. The counter-attack planned by the man. “Step aside and attack!” A rush of adrenaline went through the Salamence. She stepped aside as quickly as possible, the attack barely missing her tail. The ground shook when his arm hit the dirt. The Chesnaught tried to swing on his side, only to feel gravity call out to him. The Salamence tripped the Chesnaught by spinning a full circle with her tail out. Before even making contact with the ground, his opponent’s right forelimb crashed onto his head with a Brick Break attack. The man pointed skyward.“Now Fly!”With a quick beat of her crimson wing, she took off toward the blue skies. The trainer on the opposite side gritted his teeth. That Fly move could be quite dangerous to his Chesnaught should it hit. He prepared to give the Chesnaught command to either dodge or use Wooden Hammer to protect itself from the worse of the attack. That hope was dashed when he heard the man said something with his eyes closed.”Mega Evolve!”He widen his eyes when his foe revealed a brown colored watch. The watch itself was nothing special, what matters is that there’s a stone. A Keystone embedded into the leather strap of the watch beside the clock itself. The man didn’t say another word, just that his left hand thumb hit the stone. That’s when all trainers, but a few knew happened. The Salamence earring which happens to be a Salamencite glow alongside the Salamence who is glowing of various color itself, but mostly purple hit the still ascending Salamence. The crimson wings melded together to create a brilliant crescent-shaped wings that could all, but rend everything that stood in it’s way. The underside markings grew larger, allowing the Salamence foreleg to tuck in. The underside of it’s mouth had turned crimson to match the similar marking on the neck. The head spines that resembles fin grew longer and curved to reach out toward the mouth. “How is it possible?”The trainer. He never knew that Salamence could Mega Evolve, much less the man having a Key Stone on his wristwatch. “It is possible. Let’s finish this, Giga Impact!”The man said calmly. Letting out a mighty roar. The Salamence descended upon her foe to let out the devastating Normal-type attack. Streaks began covering the Salamence. “What? Giga Impact!?”Why would the man suddenly use Giga Impact in the place of Fly? It doesn’t make sense. “Aerilate,”The man replied.”An ability that causes a Normal-type attack to become a Flying-type while also receiving more power into the attack. Only two Pokémon currently has this ability, and only by Mega Evolving.” He stared at the incoming Salamence in disbelief.”Which means....” “Yeah, Giga Impact will be very fatal to Chesnaught!”The man nodded in confirmation. “NO! CHESNAUGHT, SEED BOMB QUICKLY!”The Chesnaught complied, bringing it’s arm together to form a green orb. The orb itself had become a seed. The Pokémon threw it at the incoming Salamence. The Seed Bomb were largely ignored when it just exploded harmlessly from impacting with the attack. The trainer began to panic. There’s only one thing he could do right now.“USE WOODEN HAMMER TO BLOCK IT!”The man frantically shouted toward the Chesnaught who witnessed a massive meteor lookalike descending on it. “Naught!”It’s arm began to glow green in preparation in a desperate attempt to block the incoming attack. Everything seems to go into slow motion as the descending Dragon-type were seconds away from the impact. A massive crash is heard and large amount of dust washed over the area from the impact shockwave. The trainer covered his eyes while the man just stood still with an arm raised over the eye as the dust washed over them both. There were two shadows within the dust that slowly settles. Once the dust had disappeared, the victor has been discovered. The Salamence had stood proudly on top of the Chesnaught chest with a grin. The Chesnaught itself is groaning with swirly eyes, signalling that it’s knocked out. “We win this game!”The man said as he put his hands into his pocket while smiling proudly at his Salamence. The Salamence flew over to her trainer, a familiar glow overtake her. Her crescent wings had reshaped itself into the familiar wings of a Salamence. The underside markings had receeded back toward the belly. The jaw had became snow white again. The head spines had receeded to become fins. It landed right in front of her trainer then proceeded to nuzzle his arm in affection.”Salamence, mence!” The man responded by petting her head. The Dragon Pokémon purred happily.”You’ve done well again, Sally.” “I never would’ve thought that Salamence could Mega Evolve!”The voice had caught their attention. It was the trainer from before returning his Chesnaught back into it’s pokéball. “There are a lot of things you can find if you’re well informed.”The man replied while petting Sally the Salamence who leaned onto her trainer’s touch.”It helps if you plan ahead too.” The trainer rubbed his head.”Yeah, I’m always just winging it when battling. It was still a good battle.” “It sure is.”The man replied. At least both sides are happy with the battle. The trainer reached into his pocket, taking out a wallet. After checking into the wallet for a small amount of money, he presented it to the Salamence’s trainer. The man frowned upon seeing the money. It’s a 3000 Pokédollar.“You don’t need to do that. Winning is already enough for me.” “Uhhh, why? Isn’t it tradition for trainer to receive a small amount of money upon defeating their enemy as a sign of respect.” “I already have enough Pokédollars. My wallet is filling up.”The man explained. The wallet in his pocket is full of money from the many battles he had won. The trainer stared at the money in his hands. The man was surprised when he still held it out and giving emphasis by shaking it slightly.”It’s disrepectful to decline another trainer’s sign of respect. Did you know that?” “I,uh, guess….I don’t know about that.”The man really didn’t know. All he knew was that the loser was supposed to give money to the winner. “Then take it, try to think that it’s a gift from one trainer to another.”He grabbed Eric’s arm and slapped the money onto his palm. “Thanks? I think.”The man was unsure on what he should say. Only that, he felt that the trainer was bluffing about the money. “Well, guess I better run. I need to get to a Pokémon Center ASAP.”With that, he quickly ran the opposite direction of the clearing.”Good luck to you, man.” “Good luck to you too.”The man waved his hand in goodbye. The trainer soon become a tiny dot who disappeared in the distance. He stared at the money in his hand. Shrugging, he pocketed it into the left jacket pocket. After fixing his rucksack back into place alongside a shoulder bag, he called for Sally to join him.“Sally, let’s get moving again.” “Sal!”She said, following her trainer’s lead toward the next town. A pair of eyes belonging to a trainer named Eric stared toward the river that ran through the area. The man and his Salamence is now travelling through Route 15 of Kalos. Heading toward the next town where the gym is located. To earn his next badge. The battle earlier had released their adrenaline full force. They didn’t realize they were both quite tired after the adrenaline had worn off after a while of walking. The man sighed. Huffing out a breath out of exhaustion. He glanced at Sally who was farring no better than him. It would appear to him that the battle had took a lot out of her after the rush ended when she de-evolved back. Using Giga Impact didn’t help either. The trainer of Sally had decided. They would rest for a moment, take a breather. Both haven’t been resting since the dawn had broken the night. “Let’s rest for a little while, Sally. I think the two of us needed a little breather.”Eric said while trying to straighten out his rucksack. “Sal?”Sally looked at her trainer. A leather jacketed arm pointed at the edge of the river.”There, it should be a good spot to rest up a bit.” Both the trainer and his Pokémon went down toward the edge of the river. Once reaching the desirable spot, Sally curled up near the shore and Eric put down his rucksack and shoulder bag down on the ground. “Hey, Sally.”Sally raised her head up on her trainer’s call.”Do you want some food while we’re at it?” That causes her eyes to shine with excitement.”Sal, mence!”An excited nod came. Sitting down with a sigh, he reached toward the rucksack. Zipping it open, he fished for a certain case inside.”It should be around here......this is it.”He fished out a small dispenser containing a total of seven blocks inside of various colors.”Pokéblocks.” Shaking the case upside down, a sound of rattle is heard and a purple pokéblock fell out to his left hand.”Here!”He flicked it sideways at the Salamence. “Mence!”With an accurate snap, she caught the block in her mouth. Licking her lips in satisfaction. Eric shakes the dispenser to let out more pokéblocks into his waiting left hand. Those blocks are originally came from berries, he had known it should be consumable for humans as well. Popping one into his mouth, he flicked another toward Sally for her to eat. “Eat up, Sally. We’ll move again in an hour.”The leather-jacket clad trainer added while popping onto his awaiting maw again. Before he flicked another to Sally. “Sal!”She happily clamped the food with as much accuracy as before. The man popped one more Pokéblocks into his mouth. Seeing his hand are empty, he shakes the dispenser. The lack of any rattling sound inside reveal that it is devoid of anymore blocks. He frowned at the appearant lack of anymore Pokéblocks “Dammit,”The man cursed.”I should buy a larger dispenser case.” With an accurate toss, the dispenser case went flying back into the open rucksack. He layed down onto his back, staring at the baby blue sky in the morning. The Salamence curled back up, staring across the river, attempting to relax herself. The man didn’t say anything, only that he began to brood. In deep thought, he started to daydream out of the waking world. Silence began to waft throughout the area, nothing but the chirps of nearby Flying-types only there to accompany them. Eric seems to take his time inspecting his watch, alongside the keystone that embedded within. He always did wonder where did this watch came from. It’s costum made for embedding a Key Stone onto the metal strap. The silence is broken when the Dragon-type turned and look at her trainer with a new worry in her eyes.“Lamence?”The Salamence said. Turning his head at the call. The man looked toward his Salamence with an eyebrow raised.”Hmmm?” “Sal, mence, la!”The Salamence continued to speak in Pokéspeak. “What is it, girl?”Eric asked, not really hanging onto what his Pokémon are saying. “Salamence, mence!”She spoke before pointing at her mouth and to his. “Is there something you want to talk about?”The Dragon Pokémon replied with a nod. With a sigh, Eric reached into his jacket, pulling out an expanded pokéball. “Will, you’re up!”A white energy emerged from the ball. It finally coalligated into the form of the Multiplying Pokémon, Will the Reuniclus.“Reuniclus!” “Will, I’m going to need you to translate for me.”The man said. Straight to the point. The Reuniclus sighed. Again, Eric? The Reuniclus spoke through telepathy directed toward his trainer.. “There’s something Sally wants to say.”Eric said with a curt nod. The Reuniclus stared at Sally, who gave him a nod, unnoticed by Eric. He still couldn’t help, but complain. Great, I’ve been used as the walking translator here. The Multiplying Pokémon thought out sarcastically. He had gotten tired of being used as a translator multiple times. Whatever, here we go. Will closed his eyes, causing the outline of his body to glow light blue. After a few moment, a soft female voice is heard. Eric? Can you hear me? “Yeah, I heard you.”Eric replied with a nod. “Now what was it that you wanted to talk?” The Salamence sighed. She tried of a few think to start off the conversation, it wasn’t exactly like she’s good at this. Uhm, for starters, how are you, Eric? The man didn’t say anything, just a simple reply.“Just fine.” She wasn’t sure of what to say about that. It wasn’t a good way to start a conversation. Oookay... Another silence washed over the area. The conversation was akward at best, for one thing, Sally didn’t even know what to say. Another thing is that her trainer and friend seems to be....hard to talk to these days. Not since what had happened. It made her worry, the rest of the team could share her sentiment. Eric, can we at least...uhm, try to have a simple conversation. The Salamence groaned at her poor choice of words. Ah, I’m not good at this. Can you please tell me what went on in your...head? The Reuniclus sweat dropped. It would appear that Sally isn’t good at this. And I’m a head psychologist. A little girl could start a conversation a lot better than this. Sally glared at the Reuniclus. You’re welcome to try, Will. She retorded. “Are you two trying to cheer me up? It’s not that simple, you know.”He replied, turning his head staring at the sky once more. The two Pokémons “Nothing is ever simple.” Sally curled up closer beside her trainer. The Reuniclus followed suit who stopped levitating to seat beside his trainer. You should at least try. When I was little, I tried to forget..... “The key word is ‘tried to’, girl. I did tried to....forget....what happened. It wasn’t easy.”The Salamence and the Reuniclus frowned at the reply. It’s not the answer they wanted. Sally wasn’t willing to give up just yet. Maybe Will could help out? He’s a Psychic-type. The female Dragon-type looked at the aformentioned Psychic-type who looked at her with worry. “I doubt a Psychic power can make the feelings go away. Like I said before, It’s not really that simple.” Well, we’ll never know until we try. Sally quickly added. I think Helen did think of this method once, didn’t she? “Somethings would just refuse to go away, Sally. It’s just how this world works.”He said, maintaining his dark look as he sit up.”It’s cruel, Sally. Very cruel. Not many are that lucky if you know what I mean.” Sally unfortunately...could relate what he mentioned.I know what you mean. It’s because she herself....had experienced similar hardship comparable to her trainer. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. “Easier said than done, girl.”Eric replied.”A lot has their way of coping with things. How’s your way of coping?” Uhhh, by battling and training? She wasn’t sure, but by battling, it did take her minds off thing. The trainer nodded.”And that’s why I didn’t have a method of coping. I just....don’t know.” “But I am trying, if that’s what you trying to get the point across.”Eric patted her on the shoulder. “Girl, you don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself just fine.”The man smiled. Sally is glad that he could at least smile, albeit rarely.”You don’t need to babysit me. That’s my job as your trainer.” Ain’t that the truth. Will added with an eye roll. Nothing she said had actually had any effect. His assurance that he will be fine didn’t dissuate her doubt even by a small amount. But, it will have to do for now. Flanked by his Pokémons, he proceeded to stroke Sally’s neck up and down toward her wings. She let out a small unheard purr of enjoyment in her throat when her trainer rubbed the spot between her wings. Will wasn’t spared, as a left hand stroked the Reuniclus bubbly body up and down. Despite his sarcastic attitude, he always did enjoy the stroking that Eric gave to him. It made his body looks like jelly and relaxed. Eric smiled at his Salamence and Reuniclus enjoyment.“Thanks, guys. At least you guys tried to. I appreciate it” Sally and Will stared at each other. Nodding, Will closed his eyes. A familiar female voice sounded in his head, and only his head. What do you think? Sally made a mental shrug. I’m not really good at this psychological thing. That’s more of Helen’s thing. Just say what you want to say, Sally. And please say it straight, for Arceus sake. I don’t know...he probably would just brush it off. Like every other attempt. She glanced at her trainer who wasn’t paying attention and stared toward the infinite skies in the ensuing silence while regularly stroking the heads of his Pokémons. I’m getting really worried for him. Me too, Sally. This has been going for far too long. Sally knew what he meant, Eric wasn’t always like this. I just hope he can get out of that dark box. Out of nowhere, a wave of drowsiness hit the two Pokémon having a mental conversation. W-What.... happened? Why am....I suddenly.... so sleepy? Sally struggled to keep her eyes open. Will, d-did you- The Reuniclus struggled to stay awake, his sense of levitation is wobbling. I...don’t kn- The Multiplying Pokémon had dropped to the ground on his back, fast asleep. The Dragon Pokémon tried her best to stay awake. Then she remembered her trainer. She glanced at him who also had his eyes opening and closing. Using his left arm to balance himself as he rubbed his eyes.“Sally....” “Sal..a...mence!”She remembered her training. Rearing her head back, she is about to do something to jolt herself awake. The wave of drowsiness were a lot more powerful than she had thought compared to her previous experience. With a groan, the Dragon-type had finally fallen asleep on her side. Not even Eric could resist any longer. She is quickly joined by her trainer whose mind remained conscious long enough to hear an ethereal voice. “Rest now my children, for when you awake a whole new world shall be your home.” The trainer had finally joined his Pokémon in their sleep. Unaware of the fate that awaits them later on. Play this as closing theme