Pokemon Wars. Episode 2: Dance Upon Black Petals [Part 1]

[Raviel the Phantom]

As the sun sets over the mountains, the tavern is alive with music. Soldiers returning from the battlefield put their weapons down to drink their wounds away. The tavern bar maids gladly serve these valiant warriors, giggling as they fill the tables with tankards of ale. The men at arms take the time to relax, listening to violin and accordion make a upbeat melody. By the bar, a knight in violet armor plates sits with his own glass. A floating sword is by his side. The sheath creates a face of the Honedge, as it drools over the meat the bartender serves.

"That blade of yours is creeping me out, Shade," the bartender says to the knight of violet. Setting the plate down, the blade leaps at it, causing the burly bartender to jump. "W-What the hell is it?"

"He's Honedge," Shade chuckles, watching the sword eat happily.

Suddenly, the door to the tavern bursts open, ceasing all music and merrymaking. A woman runs inside, eyes streaming with tears.

"Help, somebody help me," she pleads, running from knight to knight.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" the bartender asks.

She turns to the man, "My son's missing! He went to look for his father on the front lines!"

"The front lines!" a few of the knights gasp.

"Please, someone find him," she pleads.

"Are you insane?" another knight shouts, "The boy is as good as dead. No way I'm risking my life."

"Me either".

The mother falls to her knees, tears pouring across her cheeks. She tries to beg, but none of the soldiers wish to hear anything about it. That is, until a single knight rises from the bar. Slamming a few gold pieces on the table, he attracts the attention of those in the tavern. Shade and his Honedge head for the door. He goes to open the door, when a knight rises from his seat.

"Shadow Knight," he calls to the violet knight, "Do you have a death wish?"

He never answers, pushing open the door. Outside, his Arcanine is curled up, sound asleep. It picks its head up when its master exits. Stretching, it rises to its paws, allowing Shade to mount it like a trusted steed. Arcanine howls up at the moon before racing out of town, headed to the battlefields.

The front lines, a land of death and destruction. By day, men and Pokemon alike journey to fight against the opposition. Steel flies and bodies fall. It is a land where men march to die. By night, it is a different story. Those same men that fought bravely and died in the heat of battle...return. Fallen warriors rise as Ghost Pokemon. They seek vengeance for their untimely demise. In darkness, it is not a place for men to trek.

Shade's trusted Arcanine slides to a stop as the landscape becomes decorated with corpses. Shade remains vigilant, Honedge already drawn for battle. Only the moon hanging in the sky provides them light, but only shows movement of their own shadows.

"Wait...what is that?" Shade looks around.

Arcanine perks up its own ears, and runs in the direction of a faint sound. The beast bounds over bodies, racing through the night after an unknown noise. It grows louder as they approach, becoming more distinct. Crying. Something out here is crying.

"Wait, there!" Shade pulls on Arcanine's mane to stop it.

He leaps off his Fire Types' back, and approaches a small pale Pokemon weeping. It is a Ralts, the small Psychic Type cradles the body of a boy in its tiny arms. No doubt, it is the boy that wondered here looking for his father.

"Hey there, little guy," Shade kneels down. "Were you this little boy's friend.

Ralts look up at the Shadow Knight, and cries more.

"I'm sorry what happened," Shade says regretfully, "But we need to get out of here. It's dangerous at night."

It's cold...

Both Ralts and Shade look down to see that the boy's eyes are open, despite the blood that stains his clothes. A bright, white grin materializes across his face. Shade rips the Ralts off the boy, and turns away to run. Ralts screams, trying to shake itself free to get back to the boy.

Ralts...why are you running...hehe...

"That is not him," Shade pleads to the Pokemon. "It is trying to trick you!"

The boy rises, and begins to float in the air. Ralts cries for its friend, but gasps when the boy's flesh seems to melt. It leaves behind a purple skin, bright red eyes, and the same sinister smile.

"Geeengar..."

The ghost seems to awaken the others. Corpses rise, only to be shed to reveal more haunting Pokemon. Shade runs for Arcanine, but the fire dog is suddenly hoisted into the air by black hands. It roars, breathing fire, but the ghosts have a hold of it. Arcanine fails to see the Reaper Pokemon, Dusknoir sneak up behind it. Shade is helpless as the once Forest Guardian is slain, a ghostly fist punched through it. As much as the young knight would wish to mourn, he cannot. Arcanine sheds its living flesh, revealing a Lampent underneath. It looks accusingly at Shade, before letting out a stream of flames.

"Dammit!" he growls, leaping out of the way.

Flames catch the few corpses that have not been transformed into Ghost Pokemon, creating a blazing bonfire in the midst of the front lines. Shade find himself surrounded. He grits his teeth, but tightens the grip on Honedge.

"Shadow Claw"

Swinging the sword, he attacks the horde of Ghost Pokemon from afar. Claws of shadows rip through them. Several of the weaker ones retreat, but leaves the fully evolved left. Gengar approaches, and summons shadows. It launches a Shadow Ball, and Shade has no time to get out of the way. He is hit square in the chest by the attack, and is knocked on his back.

"Ugh," he groans, showing signs of life.

Struggling to sit upright, he sees a shocking sight. The Ralts stands on his chest, appearing to defend Shade.

"Get out of here," Shade growls at the Ralts. "You're not strong enough!"

Ralts ignores him, and attacks the ghost horde with Confusion. Gengar only laughs, the attack doing practically nothing. It decides to toy with the little Pokemon, Shadow Sneaking up to strike it. Luckily, the light attack merely grazes Ralts, but frightens it more than anything.

"Gengarrrr"

"Ra...Ralts..."

Ralts looks into Gengar's eyes, and senses a trace of the boy that this Pokemon birthed from. Seeing what his friend has become makes Ralts angry. Gengar ignores the growling Ralts, and gathers another Shadow Ball to finish them off. Suddenly, Ralts screams. Its shriek disturbs the Shadow Ball, and Gengar backs off.

"What is going on?" Shade looks as Ralts becomes blanketed in white light.

It steps forward, growing taller, more distinct.

"Kirlia.." it says, looking at the ghosts.

The ghosts try to attack, but are caught up in a strange blue light. Kirlia attacks with Psychic, knocking all of them away. Gengar manages to remain, as it charges Kirlia, angry by the defiance.

"Night Slash!"

A black blade flashes past Kirlia and hits Gengar square in the face. The ghost boss rolls back, and is slow to get up. Shade is back on his feet with the Kirlia. He looks around, only to see more ghosts have come to the fight.

"This isn't good...there is too many..."

The ghosts get ready to add two more to their group.

"Grwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar"

All the ghosts stop and stare. But they do no look at Shade or Kirlia. It is the figure that casts an enormous shadow over them. The Shadow Knight turns to find a dragon. Golden armor gilds its head and neck, while great black wings erupt from its back. It stands on six gray legs. The ghostly dragon looks at Shade and its blade, watching them with its glowing red eyes. Shade does not attack, but prepares Honedge for the worst.

The ghost dragon looks to the ghosts and then turns away. To Shade's surprise, the ghosts follow the great beast. He and Kirlia watch as a hole appears within the ground, as the dragon sinks in, leading to the Ghost Pokemon to another world.

"We...survived," Shade sighs with relief. A smile is about to reach his lips when he looks at Kirlia. "I'm sorry for what happened to the boy."

"Kirliaaa," it says, downhearted.

Shade can feel warmth from the morning sun on his back, and knows that the war will return.

"Come with me," he offers, outstretching his hand.

Kirlia looks from the opened hand, then up to him. It pushes his hand aside, but leaps into his arms.

"Kirlia, Kirlia!"

Edited January 8, 2015 by Raviel the Phantom

[Dr. Zexal]

I liked your story its very good , the sword is a bit creepy though . like imagine a floating sword just sitting there but it was a very good story.

and was the glowing dragon with the legs perhaps the legendary giratina ?

Edited December 31, 2014 by Dr. Zexal

[Raviel the Phantom]

Thank you. For future posts, please leave all discussions about the story in the topic thread

http://www.pokemonreborn.com/forum/index.php?s=ec571b544ad62d552df54ec93560a942&showforum=17

[Raviel the Phantom]

“Run!”

A Kalos soldier shouts to his fellow countrymen as the enemy turns them all to ash with a platoon of Pyroars. It decimates an entire line, through the royal army into disarray. Some draw their blades to fight the fiery felines. Charging straight on, they are met by another sect of their foe’s army. Aggron act as a defensive wall, their armored hides shattering any sword or spear that may come their way. Behind the wall of Steel Type, the enemy sends their lethal wave. Weezings take to the skies, spraying a cloud of poisonous gas onto the battlefield. The Aggrons are immune to the assault, but the Kalos humans are not so lucky. Their bodies soon blanket the landscape of the Frontlines.

The force is no mere invading army as they march over the corpses. It is a rebellion that upheaves the Kingdom of Kalos. For too long the common people have been under the thumb of a tyrannical king. Humans and Pokemon alike have become fed up of the royal family that has plagued Kalos for centuries. The ragtag army devastates the trained soldiers by using Pokemon. Known only by the name given to them by the villages across the land, the Kalos Heroes are the salvation for the region.

“Soldiers, advance,” their strong jawed commander bellows. “We will take the castle!”

They march uphill, towers poking over the horizon. Atop lies the Dragon Keep, said to once have housed the legendary “Dragon of the Earth”. Now it is a major fortification for the royal army, with enough supplies to last years. If conquered, it will strike a major blow for the Kalos King. Over the crest of the hill, the rest of the majestic castle comes into view. Living up to its reputation, the castle appears to have been made for a Dragon Pokemon of immense size. Even the gate could easily fit the army in the march with much room to spare.

“Sir,” a soldier shouts to the commander, “Someone is standing at the gate.”

A lone man blocks their way from claiming the castle. He is a colossal soldier, clad in red armor trimmed with white, the colors of Kalos. A blue cape flutters at his back along with his dark raven hair. A goatee as sharp as his longsword jets from his chiseled chin. Instead of a normal helmet worn by the Kalos Knights, his is fixed with metal spikes to look more crown-like.

“Is that…?” the commander’s voice trails off.

From behind his shoulder plate pops a small Pokemon. The pixie-like Pokemon seems to float in the air, carried by the breeze on the black flower she holds.

“A floette with black pedals,” a soldier gasps, “It’s the prince!”

Hearing that the crowned prince of Kalos has taken the field, the soldiers turn and run, leaving their swords and shields behind. Prince AZ looks to his faithful Floette and only nods. The pixie Pokemon floats gracefully upwards. Higher she flies until she can see the entire enemy army fleeing with their tails tucked. She opens her arms wide and gathers energy from the moon. Pink light creates a ball, then turned into a beam that decimates the fleeing forces. The Moon Blast turns the tide of battle.

“Dammit,” the commander curses, “Pyroars, burn them both. Flamethrower!”

The squad of Fire Types steps forward, and together, releases a wave of flames. AZ appears unmoved by the attack that barrels toward him. At the last second, the prince’s Floette leaps in front of him. A barrier forms, a Wonder Guard, which nullifies the attack. She returns the strike with one of her own, a devastating Moon Blast which wipes out the Pyroars.

“Aggrons, get in there and cut down that Floette,” the commander barks.

The titanium reptiles march forward. When they try to hit Floette, it is the prince that is the defender. With his longsword held in both hands, AZ manages to cut an Aggron in half with a single stroke of the sword. The sight frightens its brethren, as the other Steel Types retreat. The Floette attacks again with a third Moon Blast, leaving only ten troops left alive.

“Sir, we should retreat,” a soldier suggests.

“But It’s one man and Pokemon,” the commander seems defeated. “Dammit. Where’s shade?”

Among the ten left alive, the Shadow Knight jogs to the front with his Honedge floating by his side.

“You wanted to talk to me, sir?” he asks.

“It is about damn time you earned your coin, mercenary. Your target is the prince.”

“S-Sir,” Shade hesitates, looking at the prince from afar, “You cannot be serious. He’s a master swordsman.”

“And you have an enchanted sword,” the commander reminds him. “Now move!”

Shade takes a heavy gulp before stepping forward. Honedge follows behind at a distance. It seems to rattle in its sheathe the closer they get, as if itching for a fight.

Shade approaches AZ, being towered over by the colossal man in armor. It appears that a small boy is going up against a bear by comparison, yet Shade keeps calm. He whistles for Honedge, which leaps out of its sheathe and into his hand. The blue ribbon hugs his arm tightly, as the Shadow Knight gets into a battle stance.

“You intend to fight me, boy?” the prince speaks in a deep, hollow voice.

Taking a deep breath, Shade says, “I do…”

“Hmph,” AZ scoffs taking the longsword in both hands, “I see you have a great connection with that Pokemon. Perhaps this will not be a dull fight. Floette…”

“Flo…?” his Pokemon looks at his curiously.

“To arms, my dear friend,” he says coldly. “This is war!”

Steel clashes against steel, as their swords cross.