Story Notes:
This is my first dive into the sea of pokemon fanwriting, so any advice or constructive criticism is appreciated.If you want to have your character in it, drop me a message and I'll see what I can do.The all important Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.The prologue is now non-existent, I've decided to scrap it.
Chapter 1 - Homecoming
The summit shrine was a sight to behold in the summer, for this was the only time of year it was free from it's otherwise constant mists. The trees that surrounded ancient stonework had leaves that shone like emeralds, even though they outdated it by centuries. On the steps of the old shrine sat a lone Ninetales, his dark silver-grey fur standing out quite pleasantly against the weather worn grey of the stone. He scanned the tops off the trees with his cobalt eyes as if something would fly out of them to greet him if he simply waited long enough.
It won't be long now... the old fox though to himself, the sun starting to shaft through the trees behind him, Won't be long at all.
Shortly after he made this prediction the Ninetales heard the beating of rotors, followed soon after by the tell-tale buffeting of a helicopter's winds. The thing hovered down towards the shrine, stopping roughly a story above the ground and turning so it's side faced the waiting fox. The Ninetales' eyes never left the machine, even despite the gale it was buffeting him him with, so he immediately could recognize it as the belonging to the human with whom his daughters had left with all those years ago. The side door opened, and sure enough the kid was standing there with his daughters standing on either side.
Immediately after sighting the silver fox the boy gave a smile and, in the reckless fashion the Ninetales remembered him for, dived out of the helicopter. While many would have considered this stunt stupid and unnecessary, it was in fact the fastest, safest, way for anyone to get down so long as they knew how to land it properly. The old fox of course knew this, and couldn't help but smile when the kid landed with several rolls forward, unharmed but a little dizzy. While the human tried to get his bearings, the pokemon landed next to him and rushed to greet their father, only to be stopped by a psychic wall.
Hold on, let me look you over first,the old Ninetales instructed, causing his daughters to stand stock still.
The older of the two was now a Ninetales, and she looked almost exactly like her mother. She had her long cream fur, her ruby red eyes, and the same patch of long fluffy fur fur on her chest. There were only two differences: the long fur on top of her head that humans would describe as hair abnormally long like her father's, and she wore a FireStone as a pendant around her neck.
The younger sister wasn't actually related to her elder. In fact, she wasn't related to any of the Mt. Pyre Ninetales tribe, because she was a Lucario(although she was a Riolu when she left home). Despite her different species she was raised by the silver Ninetales and his mate, who had found her as an abandoned egg in the crypts that ran through the mountain. Due to some mutation during evolution, she lacked the signature Lucario paw and chest spikes. In their stead she had what could be described as forearm guards running from her wrists to just below her elbow and a crescent of the same material running just below her neck, around where the collarbone would be on a human.
You two have grown up quite nicely, their father commented after he was finished, allowing his daughters to embrace him. The human smiled at this gesture before turning his attention to the still waiting helicopter.
"Go back to town!!" He bellowed, his voice somehow cutting through the wind to reach the pilot, who brought the helicopter back over the treetops before heading back down the mountain. "There, now I can hear myself think again," the boy commented, turning to look at the pokemon, who were still hugging. Figuring it would be a while before he would get a chance to talk to the father of his friends, he walked towards the trees and pretended to be interested with one of the plants.
Its good to see you again, dad, the cream-furred fox said, nuzzling her father.
I was just about to say the same thin- Oh! He broke the embrace to look at his daughters. That's right, you two are to have new names now that you've changed!
His daughters smiled at him, having already thought of new tribal names before coming back. We've already decided on our new name, dad.
Well then, do tell!
I'm to be known as Shieldpaw, The Lucario began, with the Ninetales finishing And I'm Swiftblaze now.
The old Ninetales blinked. Swiftblaze and Shieldpaw, eh? The sisters nodded, getting a smile from the silver fox. I think they'll do wonderfully. They embraced one more time before he looked over to were the human was studying a flower. Joshua, get over here so I can get a good look at you!
The boy, Josh, walked over, stopping a respectful distance away. He sure has grown over the years, the Ninetales remarked to himself, which was true. Then again, he was ten when I'd seen him last. Which was also true. Josh was now nineteen, and had grown like a weed. He was around 5'4" with a thin build, placing him around 130 pounds in weight. He wore a yellow shirt, blue jeans, and a black jacket and shoes. He had deep blue eyes and was naturally a blond, but dyed his hair often. Right now it was blue.
You seem to have sprouted up nicely, he finally said, getting a smile from the human. Getting mischievous an idea, the Ninetailes asked, The girls tell me you haven't been treating them well. Is this true? smiling inwardly when Josh started to look a bit nervous.
"What do you mean?" Josh asked, his voice still level.
Well, they tell me you've been doing... things, to them.
"Y-you mean to say that I... d-defiled, them?" Josh was finding it harder to keep his voice in check.
Exactly, the old Ninetales replied, his eye glinting, and I'm sure you know what that means...
"B-but I..." The Human began, trailing off when he realized it was pointless, then sighing. "Just make it quick..."
The silver fox looked at him with surprise. What? No pleading? Josh shook his head. Well, that isn't any fun.
"Fun..?" It took Josh a minute or two to realize he was being played, at which point he fell over backwards with relief, causing all present to laugh.
Dad really had you going, Josh! Swiftblaze giggled, You were as white as a sheet!
"You would be too if you were in my shoes!" Josh sat up, placing his head around level with a Ninetales'.
No hard feelings? The father asked of the Human.
"Just don't ever scare me like that again. I really thought I was going to die for something I didn't do!"
But it's fffuuuuuuuunnnn... The old fox whined, mimicking a child that was just told "no".
"Fun? I didn't think the mighty Silverfur had time for fun."
Silverfur grinned the way only those with muzzles can. On the contrary, I've still got a few more centuries left in me.
#####
Roughly two later Silverfur led the others into a wide clearing with some obviously purposefully arranged boulders. In the center there were two smaller ones set so that a longer could rest over top of them, creating a small cave beneath. About halfway between that formation and the tree-line there was a ring of nine medium sized stones. The whole place had a majestic feel to it, but that could've been because of the full moon that was shining down on it.
Here we are, the silver fox said as he led his daughters towards the ring, inside of which many Ninetales and Vulpix were waiting. Josh stayed back by the trees, knowing full and well he wouldn't be welcome at the meeting. The cloud of foxes parted as Silverfur made his way towards rock pile, he was the tribal leader after all.
Taking his place at the top of the stones, Silverfur looked over his followers. Unlike what many people like to assume, not every Vulpix was red or gold, nor was every Ninetales cream or silver. They came in all sorts of colorings, black, light blue, all shades of orange, and even green(though the last green Ninetales to grace the tribe had died several centuries ago, mind you). The old silver Ninetales smiled with a sense of pride before inhaling deeply.
{Let this meeting of the Mt. Pyre tribe commence!}
Instant silence below.
{First, I must report the disappearance of Longflame and her kits, who were last seen down by the coast. If you find or hear anything that could help ensure their safe return report directly to me or my mate.}
Whispers amongst the tribe.
{Next, It is with a heavy heart that I must report the death of Whiteblaze. Lived nine and half centuries, he was the one we turned to for the wisdom of ages past. It is fitting that he passed in his sleep. May the gods give him paradise.}
Mournful silence for the death of the elder.
{However, I do have some joyful news for the tribe: Brushfire's and Smoketails' first eggs have hatched, bringing forth two heathy boys and a girl! Stand up and feel proud you two!}
The two new parents stood to be recognized and were received with cheers: It was not often more boys came from a litter than girls.
{Continuing with the good news: Curledflame, Goldenember and Sootpaw have all passed their rites and may venture into the world! Stand to be recognized!}
The trio of sisters stood to be recognized, receiving yips of encouragement from their fellow tribe members.
{Finally, I happy to say that my daughters have returned from their journeys fully matured! Swiftblaze and Shieldpaw, it's your turn!}
The pride Silverfur had felt while looking over his tribe was nothing compared to this feeling. Seeing his girls fully matured from up, and knowing here was quite possibly the most joyful experience of his life. Too bad it only felt like a second had passed before they sat back down. The old fox had to force himself to clear his throat to close out the meeting.
{That is all I have in the way of announcements. Does anybody have something they would like to share?}
No response.
{Well then, it seems that this meeting is to come to a close. Go forth, and may your lives be happy.}
Only after the assembled started to clear out did Silverfur come back down, making a Beedrill's line straight to his family, smiling widely.
{Has your head deflated a bit, dear, or is it still swelled with pride?" His mate, Flameglow, asked with a nuzzle.
{What makes you think it was swelled?} The silver fox asked innocently.
{Oh come off it. You were smiling the entire time, and I thought you might've howled when it was time for the girls to stand.}
{Well, I didn't.}
{No, but you're still proud,} She nuzzled him again.
{I can't say that I'm not,} He replied looking at his girls.
{Thanks dad,} Shieldpaw replied, hugging her father again.
{So, got your eye on anyone?} Flameglow asked her daughters once the two broke apart.
{Huh?} they responded in unison.
{Well, having fully matured, you two can now pick mates,} their mother explained.
{Ooooh... I forgot about that,} Swiftblaze admitted before looking to her sister, who was looking at the ground withe her arms crossed shyly. {Looks like you didn't though... So, how is it?} Her sister simply looked her in the eyes, apparently sending the name via telepathy. {Oh, him...} The ninetales started to blush lightly, {I can see why you like him.}
{Who?} Silverfur asked. Neither of the girls answered, getting thier mother to ask the same thing. Again, no response.
Looking at each other, their parents realized that they were going to have to force it out if they were to get an answer.Chapter End Notes:Be sure to tell me how you liked it and how I could improve!
Character Fact:
Swiftblaze is actually a couple of decades older than Josh, and Shieldpaw is roughly five years younger than him. Pokemon lifespans make for interesting age differences. :
It won't be long now... the old fox though to himself, the sun starting to shaft through the trees behind him, Won't be long at all.
Shortly after he made this prediction the Ninetales heard the beating of rotors, followed soon after by the tell-tale buffeting of a helicopter's winds. The thing hovered down towards the shrine, stopping roughly a story above the ground and turning so it's side faced the waiting fox. The Ninetales' eyes never left the machine, even despite the gale it was buffeting him him with, so he immediately could recognize it as the belonging to the human with whom his daughters had left with all those years ago. The side door opened, and sure enough the kid was standing there with his daughters standing on either side.
Immediately after sighting the silver fox the boy gave a smile and, in the reckless fashion the Ninetales remembered him for, dived out of the helicopter. While many would have considered this stunt stupid and unnecessary, it was in fact the fastest, safest, way for anyone to get down so long as they knew how to land it properly. The old fox of course knew this, and couldn't help but smile when the kid landed with several rolls forward, unharmed but a little dizzy. While the human tried to get his bearings, the pokemon landed next to him and rushed to greet their father, only to be stopped by a psychic wall.
Hold on, let me look you over first,the old Ninetales instructed, causing his daughters to stand stock still.
The older of the two was now a Ninetales, and she looked almost exactly like her mother. She had her long cream fur, her ruby red eyes, and the same patch of long fluffy fur fur on her chest. There were only two differences: the long fur on top of her head that humans would describe as hair abnormally long like her father's, and she wore a FireStone as a pendant around her neck.
The younger sister wasn't actually related to her elder. In fact, she wasn't related to any of the Mt. Pyre Ninetales tribe, because she was a Lucario(although she was a Riolu when she left home). Despite her different species she was raised by the silver Ninetales and his mate, who had found her as an abandoned egg in the crypts that ran through the mountain. Due to some mutation during evolution, she lacked the signature Lucario paw and chest spikes. In their stead she had what could be described as forearm guards running from her wrists to just below her elbow and a crescent of the same material running just below her neck, around where the collarbone would be on a human.
You two have grown up quite nicely, their father commented after he was finished, allowing his daughters to embrace him. The human smiled at this gesture before turning his attention to the still waiting helicopter.
"Go back to town!!" He bellowed, his voice somehow cutting through the wind to reach the pilot, who brought the helicopter back over the treetops before heading back down the mountain. "There, now I can hear myself think again," the boy commented, turning to look at the pokemon, who were still hugging. Figuring it would be a while before he would get a chance to talk to the father of his friends, he walked towards the trees and pretended to be interested with one of the plants.
Its good to see you again, dad, the cream-furred fox said, nuzzling her father.
I was just about to say the same thin- Oh! He broke the embrace to look at his daughters. That's right, you two are to have new names now that you've changed!
His daughters smiled at him, having already thought of new tribal names before coming back. We've already decided on our new name, dad.
Well then, do tell!
I'm to be known as Shieldpaw, The Lucario began, with the Ninetales finishing And I'm Swiftblaze now.
The old Ninetales blinked. Swiftblaze and Shieldpaw, eh? The sisters nodded, getting a smile from the silver fox. I think they'll do wonderfully. They embraced one more time before he looked over to were the human was studying a flower. Joshua, get over here so I can get a good look at you!
The boy, Josh, walked over, stopping a respectful distance away. He sure has grown over the years, the Ninetales remarked to himself, which was true. Then again, he was ten when I'd seen him last. Which was also true. Josh was now nineteen, and had grown like a weed. He was around 5'4" with a thin build, placing him around 130 pounds in weight. He wore a yellow shirt, blue jeans, and a black jacket and shoes. He had deep blue eyes and was naturally a blond, but dyed his hair often. Right now it was blue.
You seem to have sprouted up nicely, he finally said, getting a smile from the human. Getting mischievous an idea, the Ninetailes asked, The girls tell me you haven't been treating them well. Is this true? smiling inwardly when Josh started to look a bit nervous.
"What do you mean?" Josh asked, his voice still level.
Well, they tell me you've been doing... things, to them.
"Y-you mean to say that I... d-defiled, them?" Josh was finding it harder to keep his voice in check.
Exactly, the old Ninetales replied, his eye glinting, and I'm sure you know what that means...
"B-but I..." The Human began, trailing off when he realized it was pointless, then sighing. "Just make it quick..."
The silver fox looked at him with surprise. What? No pleading? Josh shook his head. Well, that isn't any fun.
"Fun..?" It took Josh a minute or two to realize he was being played, at which point he fell over backwards with relief, causing all present to laugh.
Dad really had you going, Josh! Swiftblaze giggled, You were as white as a sheet!
"You would be too if you were in my shoes!" Josh sat up, placing his head around level with a Ninetales'.
No hard feelings? The father asked of the Human.
"Just don't ever scare me like that again. I really thought I was going to die for something I didn't do!"
But it's fffuuuuuuuunnnn... The old fox whined, mimicking a child that was just told "no".
"Fun? I didn't think the mighty Silverfur had time for fun."
Silverfur grinned the way only those with muzzles can. On the contrary, I've still got a few more centuries left in me.
Roughly two later Silverfur led the others into a wide clearing with some obviously purposefully arranged boulders. In the center there were two smaller ones set so that a longer could rest over top of them, creating a small cave beneath. About halfway between that formation and the tree-line there was a ring of nine medium sized stones. The whole place had a majestic feel to it, but that could've been because of the full moon that was shining down on it.
Here we are, the silver fox said as he led his daughters towards the ring, inside of which many Ninetales and Vulpix were waiting. Josh stayed back by the trees, knowing full and well he wouldn't be welcome at the meeting. The cloud of foxes parted as Silverfur made his way towards rock pile, he was the tribal leader after all.
Taking his place at the top of the stones, Silverfur looked over his followers. Unlike what many people like to assume, not every Vulpix was red or gold, nor was every Ninetales cream or silver. They came in all sorts of colorings, black, light blue, all shades of orange, and even green(though the last green Ninetales to grace the tribe had died several centuries ago, mind you). The old silver Ninetales smiled with a sense of pride before inhaling deeply.
{Let this meeting of the Mt. Pyre tribe commence!}
Instant silence below.
{First, I must report the disappearance of Longflame and her kits, who were last seen down by the coast. If you find or hear anything that could help ensure their safe return report directly to me or my mate.}
Whispers amongst the tribe.
{Next, It is with a heavy heart that I must report the death of Whiteblaze. Lived nine and half centuries, he was the one we turned to for the wisdom of ages past. It is fitting that he passed in his sleep. May the gods give him paradise.}
Mournful silence for the death of the elder.
{However, I do have some joyful news for the tribe: Brushfire's and Smoketails' first eggs have hatched, bringing forth two heathy boys and a girl! Stand up and feel proud you two!}
The two new parents stood to be recognized and were received with cheers: It was not often more boys came from a litter than girls.
{Continuing with the good news: Curledflame, Goldenember and Sootpaw have all passed their rites and may venture into the world! Stand to be recognized!}
The trio of sisters stood to be recognized, receiving yips of encouragement from their fellow tribe members.
{Finally, I happy to say that my daughters have returned from their journeys fully matured! Swiftblaze and Shieldpaw, it's your turn!}
The pride Silverfur had felt while looking over his tribe was nothing compared to this feeling. Seeing his girls fully matured from up, and knowing here was quite possibly the most joyful experience of his life. Too bad it only felt like a second had passed before they sat back down. The old fox had to force himself to clear his throat to close out the meeting.
{That is all I have in the way of announcements. Does anybody have something they would like to share?}
No response.
{Well then, it seems that this meeting is to come to a close. Go forth, and may your lives be happy.}
Only after the assembled started to clear out did Silverfur come back down, making a Beedrill's line straight to his family, smiling widely.
{Has your head deflated a bit, dear, or is it still swelled with pride?" His mate, Flameglow, asked with a nuzzle.
{What makes you think it was swelled?} The silver fox asked innocently.
{Oh come off it. You were smiling the entire time, and I thought you might've howled when it was time for the girls to stand.}
{Well, I didn't.}
{No, but you're still proud,} She nuzzled him again.
{I can't say that I'm not,} He replied looking at his girls.
{Thanks dad,} Shieldpaw replied, hugging her father again.
{So, got your eye on anyone?} Flameglow asked her daughters once the two broke apart.
{Huh?} they responded in unison.
{Well, having fully matured, you two can now pick mates,} their mother explained.
{Ooooh... I forgot about that,} Swiftblaze admitted before looking to her sister, who was looking at the ground withe her arms crossed shyly. {Looks like you didn't though... So, how is it?} Her sister simply looked her in the eyes, apparently sending the name via telepathy. {Oh, him...} The ninetales started to blush lightly, {I can see why you like him.}
{Who?} Silverfur asked. Neither of the girls answered, getting thier mother to ask the same thing. Again, no response.
Looking at each other, their parents realized that they were going to have to force it out if they were to get an answer.Chapter End Notes:Be sure to tell me how you liked it and how I could improve!
Swiftblaze is actually a couple of decades older than Josh, and Shieldpaw is roughly five years younger than him. Pokemon lifespans make for interesting age differences. :