Story Notes:
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, and is applicable for all consecutive chapters that follow.
The Shocking Truth
As the three of us held a nice little conversation I started gazing at the sun as it set over the mountains. Though for some reason the conversation came to a stand still when I turned back around. A puzzled look crept to my face as they stared suspiciously at me. Feeling slightly awkward I said,
"Uh...is there something I did wrong or something?"
Even though my question was heard, it was unanswered. Shrugging my shoulders I walked next to a tree and laid down. Seeing the sun fall behind the mountains I suggested,
"Kerli, Shasha, I think we all should get some sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us in the morning."
With that being said, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. Though as I rested I felt a bone-chilling sensation fill my body. The feeling forced my body to shiver throughout the duration of night. My shivering came to an end once the sun rose. Noticing the warmth emitting from the sun I slowly opened my eyes. Rising to my paws, I stretched for a while, and popped some of my bones.
As I stood there I yawned for a couple of seconds before walking around. It was very pleasant at the moment, chatots were humming, wingulls flying, and the breeze flowed through my fur making it wave. I looked over at Shasha and Kerli to see them still asleep. I looked down to shake my head when I heard my stomach growl.
The sound was pretty loud, but not enough to wake anybody. Making sure I didn't wake anyone I avoided leaves and twigs that laid on the ground. When it was clear that I was a good distance away from them I began running. Step after step I came closer to the edge of the cliff we climbed yesterday.
Speeding up I came to the edge quickly and leaped from a rock to a tree, and from that tree to the ground.
Taking long, deep breathes I looked around before searching for berries to eat. Trying my hardest to remember where they were located, I began walking through the thick forest. Looking left and right I found nothing, though that didn't end my search. I continued to search bushes and trees for something to eat, but there was still nothing to be found. Tiring of my failure, I used agility to speed up my searching.
Running past trees and through bushes I came to the river that lead to the waterfall where my friends and I slept. Knowing they were the opposite direction of the river's flow I decided to follow the river. Minutes passed as I trudged along the river's bank to find out that it lead right to some bushes that were full of fruit. Even though I found fruit to eat another problem arose. How was I gonna get the berries to the others?
Pacing around a bush I looked around and saw an unusual tree. I glared at it's rather abnormally large leaves and got a thought. Then I leaped up to the leave and snatched one out the tree. Laying it on the ground I began gathering berries and placing them on the leaves. Since there were only three of us I really didn't have to gather a huge amount. Once I was finished I picked up the sturdy leaf by all its edges and headed back to the waterfall.
As I was making my leave I heard a rattling in the trees. Knowing I myself didn't want to be a battle made me run to the waterfall. Even though I wasn't scared, I still didn't want to fight. After running for a few minutes I found myself looking up at the rocks I climbed yesterday. Shaking my head slowly from left to right I began hopping from rock to rock reaching the top in seconds. Panting heavily I looked back to see that there was no one there. With the leaf still in my maw acting as a bag, I carried it over to where Shasha and Kerli slept. Laying the bag down gently I saw a couple of berries roll left and right. Smiling slightly I got a few that were on the edge of the leaf and walked to the edge of the cliff and laid there.
While eating the berries I felt the most pleasant breeze flow through my fur. After finishing my last delectable fruit, I decided to take a little nap. Drifting to sleep peacefully I dreamed about seeing my mother again. Wishing I could feel her loving embrace and the softness of her fur. Though enjoying every second of my wonderful memories began to feel awkward inside me. After seeing my past in my sleep I felt myself being nudged slightly.
Opening my eyes I saw Shasha standing over me while Kerli was sitting on my back. Opening my maw to yawn I heard Shasha say softly,
"Thank you for the berries, they were delightfully good."
"Mhmm," Kerli agreed jumping off of me to go get another.
As I got ready to get up I saw something staring at me from a bush on the lower ground. I stared at what seemed to be a pokemon as it glared at me. Suddenly it moved quickly and before I knew it glowing leaves were flying towards me. Acting as quickly as possible I yelled,
"Get Down!"
Knocking Shasha to the side I felt my hind leg get cut by two of the flying leaves. Surprised from the sudden attack Shasha asked,
"Zyruss what's going on?!"
"We're being attacked! I'm pretty sure it a grass-type, but that's all I know. Shasha watch Kerli," I said with firmness in my voice.
I jumped from the cliff's rocks until I was on the lower ground again. Looking around carefully for the attacker I heard the bushes rattle. I turned towards them to see a Scyther jump out quickly. Glaring at me with anger in it's eyes I saw him prepare to use leaf blade. Knowing he was a grass-type I used Flamethrower right as he charged towards me. After unleashing my fierce attack I saw it fall to one knee, but that didn't stop it from staggering back to it feet.
Not wanting him to use Quick-Attack I charged towards him and used TakeDown. The impact from the blow sent the Scyther right into a tree. Immediately after the blow I felt the recoil, but shook it off seconds later. Watching the Scyther struggle to get and fail made me feel horrible inside. Not wanting to leave it severly injured I went to our pile of Oran berries and got two. After retrieving them I walked over to the badly injured Scyther and laid them right next to it.
"I'm sorry. I hope those help," I said gently before leaving to climb the cliff once more.
Slightly tired from the battle I ate an oran berry and shook it off. Right as I digested the berry I heard Shasha ask,
"What just happened Zyruss? What's going on!?"
"There's no time for explanation, grab Kerli, and follow me," I explained walking past the tree we slept next to.
Glancing to my right I saw Shasha walk up beside me with Kerli in her maw. Still glancing I saw her look slightly towards me and give a single nod. When I knew she was ready I used Agility and disappeared with her right behind me. As we passed tree after tree, it began to get darker. Feeling a little odd I looked left to right and noticed that this part of the wilderness was thicker than the rest. It was also cooler than the rest of the forest too.
After using agility for almost an hour I decided that we have traveled enough. I let Shasha know by shouting,
"Hey, Shasha lets rest for a bit. Ok?"
"Ok," she shouted back.
Seconds after, I stopped running and slid a few feet leaving another dust cloud behind me. Moments later Shasha walked through the cloud with the vulpix still gripped in her maw. The little vulpix's eyes were swirls for some reason, but Shasha still lowered her head to let Kerli down. Now being able to speak Shasha asked,
"What happened back at the waterfall?"
"We were being attacked, or at least I was," I stated before looking at the ground.
"What do you mean you were being attacked," Shasha asked tilting her head sideways.
"This may sound ridiculous but...I think my dad wants me dead," I said shaking my head in confusion.
Shasha walked in front of me and sat down looking directly into my eyes. After staring for a few seconds she beseeched,
"Zyruss please...tell me whats really going on!"
Finally coming back to her senses, Kerli looked around and saw the two of us face to face. The vulpix's curiosity wanted her to find out why we were face to face, but when she saw tears forming in Shasha's eyes she decided not to.
Tearing up slowly Shasha continued to stare at me with worry in her eyes. I took a long sigh and explained,
"Shasha, ever since I was a cub I've been this color. I thought it would be awesome to be a different color, but I was sadly mistaken. After I had change to this color my mom nuzzled me and kissed me for just being alright. She never knew what was going on, she thought something bad was gonna happen to me, but I only changed colors. Though unlike my mom, my dad grabbed me and took me to the elders where I found out minutes later that I was 'The Growlithe of Snow.' They said that "I couldn't live there any longer for my existence there would bring many storms of cold."So one of the elders took me away."
After telling her my past I got up and walked to a tree to sit behind it. Shasha's tears had disappeared after I had told her my history. She looked at Kerli who was about to cry. Kerli weeped in a low sniffling voice,
"I....I thought my life was bad growing up, b...but it'll never match up to his."
Looking from the tree to Kerli Shasha told the vulpix to "stay there for a second." Walking slowly towards the tree I heard Shasha paws crushing leaves along with her whispering my name a couple times. When she finally was next to me, I just continued staring at the ground. Upon feeling a cold sensation fill my body I began to breath cold air. Shasha still next to me started whispering calmly,
"Zyruss, I...I never knew you had been through so much."
Without saying a word I turned my head slightly feeling colder than normal. Feeling sorry for me Shasha attempted to nuzzle me, but was interrupted by the icy fog coming from my body. The fog was so cold that part of the tree had been frozen. Though that didn't stop her from walking to sit in front of me. Never feeling this a day in my life, I started to change colors very slowly, yet she stilled wanted my happiness.
Shasha moved closer and placed her paw on my chest. At this time I was so cold that a small fog cloud had formed from her touch. Moving her paw further up she lifted my muzzle to press hers against it. She continued the kiss while she used her other paw to push me until I fell over. Slowly I laid on the ground just to be sat on by her. Then she kissed me again, but this time it felt a little seductive. Even though I knew she was going to try to get me back to normal, I didn't know what methods she was going to use. After a while I began feeling like my old self again.
After keeping our muzzles together for a few minutes I heard Kerli walk up and say,
"HEY! What's going on here!?"
Shasha parted from my muzzle and said,
"Zyruss was really down, so I decided to cheer him up. If you don't believe me look at the tree."
Tilting her head in curiosity the vulpix glanced at the tree to see it covered in ice. While Kerli was astonished at the sight, Shasha slowly got off of me to let me up. Sitting up I felt the sensation go away making feel like my normal self. Once I was sitting up right Shasha licked my cheek gracefull and asked,
"Better now?"
With my muzzle still red I nodded and responded,
"Much better."
Kerli still staring at the ice covered tree shouted,
"You did.....THIS!? Without using an attack....whoa! I better not get on your bad side."
We all laughed cheerfully, enjoying every second. Though during our laughter I noticed something very familiar. It was a star clawed into a big tree with some letters carved in the center. When I took a few steps towards it I heard the laughter die out slowly. When there was no more laughing Shasha ask cheerfully,
"Whatcha looking at Zyruss?"
"Memories...it's time for you two to meet some old friends," I said with a smile forming on my muzzle. After looking at the special tree I began walking past the tree to an old trail. Shasha paced herself to catch up with me while carrying Kerli on her back. Curious as always Kerli asked,
"Where are we going? When will we get there? Does it lead to food? What did you mean by memories?"
"Relax little one. Everything will be revealed in the time to come," Shasha stated slightly looking at Kerli.
"Uh...is there something I did wrong or something?"
Even though my question was heard, it was unanswered. Shrugging my shoulders I walked next to a tree and laid down. Seeing the sun fall behind the mountains I suggested,
"Kerli, Shasha, I think we all should get some sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us in the morning."
With that being said, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. Though as I rested I felt a bone-chilling sensation fill my body. The feeling forced my body to shiver throughout the duration of night. My shivering came to an end once the sun rose. Noticing the warmth emitting from the sun I slowly opened my eyes. Rising to my paws, I stretched for a while, and popped some of my bones.
As I stood there I yawned for a couple of seconds before walking around. It was very pleasant at the moment, chatots were humming, wingulls flying, and the breeze flowed through my fur making it wave. I looked over at Shasha and Kerli to see them still asleep. I looked down to shake my head when I heard my stomach growl.
The sound was pretty loud, but not enough to wake anybody. Making sure I didn't wake anyone I avoided leaves and twigs that laid on the ground. When it was clear that I was a good distance away from them I began running. Step after step I came closer to the edge of the cliff we climbed yesterday.
Speeding up I came to the edge quickly and leaped from a rock to a tree, and from that tree to the ground.
Taking long, deep breathes I looked around before searching for berries to eat. Trying my hardest to remember where they were located, I began walking through the thick forest. Looking left and right I found nothing, though that didn't end my search. I continued to search bushes and trees for something to eat, but there was still nothing to be found. Tiring of my failure, I used agility to speed up my searching.
Running past trees and through bushes I came to the river that lead to the waterfall where my friends and I slept. Knowing they were the opposite direction of the river's flow I decided to follow the river. Minutes passed as I trudged along the river's bank to find out that it lead right to some bushes that were full of fruit. Even though I found fruit to eat another problem arose. How was I gonna get the berries to the others?
Pacing around a bush I looked around and saw an unusual tree. I glared at it's rather abnormally large leaves and got a thought. Then I leaped up to the leave and snatched one out the tree. Laying it on the ground I began gathering berries and placing them on the leaves. Since there were only three of us I really didn't have to gather a huge amount. Once I was finished I picked up the sturdy leaf by all its edges and headed back to the waterfall.
As I was making my leave I heard a rattling in the trees. Knowing I myself didn't want to be a battle made me run to the waterfall. Even though I wasn't scared, I still didn't want to fight. After running for a few minutes I found myself looking up at the rocks I climbed yesterday. Shaking my head slowly from left to right I began hopping from rock to rock reaching the top in seconds. Panting heavily I looked back to see that there was no one there. With the leaf still in my maw acting as a bag, I carried it over to where Shasha and Kerli slept. Laying the bag down gently I saw a couple of berries roll left and right. Smiling slightly I got a few that were on the edge of the leaf and walked to the edge of the cliff and laid there.
While eating the berries I felt the most pleasant breeze flow through my fur. After finishing my last delectable fruit, I decided to take a little nap. Drifting to sleep peacefully I dreamed about seeing my mother again. Wishing I could feel her loving embrace and the softness of her fur. Though enjoying every second of my wonderful memories began to feel awkward inside me. After seeing my past in my sleep I felt myself being nudged slightly.
Opening my eyes I saw Shasha standing over me while Kerli was sitting on my back. Opening my maw to yawn I heard Shasha say softly,
"Thank you for the berries, they were delightfully good."
"Mhmm," Kerli agreed jumping off of me to go get another.
As I got ready to get up I saw something staring at me from a bush on the lower ground. I stared at what seemed to be a pokemon as it glared at me. Suddenly it moved quickly and before I knew it glowing leaves were flying towards me. Acting as quickly as possible I yelled,
"Get Down!"
Knocking Shasha to the side I felt my hind leg get cut by two of the flying leaves. Surprised from the sudden attack Shasha asked,
"Zyruss what's going on?!"
"We're being attacked! I'm pretty sure it a grass-type, but that's all I know. Shasha watch Kerli," I said with firmness in my voice.
I jumped from the cliff's rocks until I was on the lower ground again. Looking around carefully for the attacker I heard the bushes rattle. I turned towards them to see a Scyther jump out quickly. Glaring at me with anger in it's eyes I saw him prepare to use leaf blade. Knowing he was a grass-type I used Flamethrower right as he charged towards me. After unleashing my fierce attack I saw it fall to one knee, but that didn't stop it from staggering back to it feet.
Not wanting him to use Quick-Attack I charged towards him and used TakeDown. The impact from the blow sent the Scyther right into a tree. Immediately after the blow I felt the recoil, but shook it off seconds later. Watching the Scyther struggle to get and fail made me feel horrible inside. Not wanting to leave it severly injured I went to our pile of Oran berries and got two. After retrieving them I walked over to the badly injured Scyther and laid them right next to it.
"I'm sorry. I hope those help," I said gently before leaving to climb the cliff once more.
Slightly tired from the battle I ate an oran berry and shook it off. Right as I digested the berry I heard Shasha ask,
"What just happened Zyruss? What's going on!?"
"There's no time for explanation, grab Kerli, and follow me," I explained walking past the tree we slept next to.
Glancing to my right I saw Shasha walk up beside me with Kerli in her maw. Still glancing I saw her look slightly towards me and give a single nod. When I knew she was ready I used Agility and disappeared with her right behind me. As we passed tree after tree, it began to get darker. Feeling a little odd I looked left to right and noticed that this part of the wilderness was thicker than the rest. It was also cooler than the rest of the forest too.
After using agility for almost an hour I decided that we have traveled enough. I let Shasha know by shouting,
"Hey, Shasha lets rest for a bit. Ok?"
"Ok," she shouted back.
Seconds after, I stopped running and slid a few feet leaving another dust cloud behind me. Moments later Shasha walked through the cloud with the vulpix still gripped in her maw. The little vulpix's eyes were swirls for some reason, but Shasha still lowered her head to let Kerli down. Now being able to speak Shasha asked,
"What happened back at the waterfall?"
"We were being attacked, or at least I was," I stated before looking at the ground.
"What do you mean you were being attacked," Shasha asked tilting her head sideways.
"This may sound ridiculous but...I think my dad wants me dead," I said shaking my head in confusion.
Shasha walked in front of me and sat down looking directly into my eyes. After staring for a few seconds she beseeched,
"Zyruss please...tell me whats really going on!"
Finally coming back to her senses, Kerli looked around and saw the two of us face to face. The vulpix's curiosity wanted her to find out why we were face to face, but when she saw tears forming in Shasha's eyes she decided not to.
Tearing up slowly Shasha continued to stare at me with worry in her eyes. I took a long sigh and explained,
"Shasha, ever since I was a cub I've been this color. I thought it would be awesome to be a different color, but I was sadly mistaken. After I had change to this color my mom nuzzled me and kissed me for just being alright. She never knew what was going on, she thought something bad was gonna happen to me, but I only changed colors. Though unlike my mom, my dad grabbed me and took me to the elders where I found out minutes later that I was 'The Growlithe of Snow.' They said that "I couldn't live there any longer for my existence there would bring many storms of cold."So one of the elders took me away."
After telling her my past I got up and walked to a tree to sit behind it. Shasha's tears had disappeared after I had told her my history. She looked at Kerli who was about to cry. Kerli weeped in a low sniffling voice,
"I....I thought my life was bad growing up, b...but it'll never match up to his."
Looking from the tree to Kerli Shasha told the vulpix to "stay there for a second." Walking slowly towards the tree I heard Shasha paws crushing leaves along with her whispering my name a couple times. When she finally was next to me, I just continued staring at the ground. Upon feeling a cold sensation fill my body I began to breath cold air. Shasha still next to me started whispering calmly,
"Zyruss, I...I never knew you had been through so much."
Without saying a word I turned my head slightly feeling colder than normal. Feeling sorry for me Shasha attempted to nuzzle me, but was interrupted by the icy fog coming from my body. The fog was so cold that part of the tree had been frozen. Though that didn't stop her from walking to sit in front of me. Never feeling this a day in my life, I started to change colors very slowly, yet she stilled wanted my happiness.
Shasha moved closer and placed her paw on my chest. At this time I was so cold that a small fog cloud had formed from her touch. Moving her paw further up she lifted my muzzle to press hers against it. She continued the kiss while she used her other paw to push me until I fell over. Slowly I laid on the ground just to be sat on by her. Then she kissed me again, but this time it felt a little seductive. Even though I knew she was going to try to get me back to normal, I didn't know what methods she was going to use. After a while I began feeling like my old self again.
After keeping our muzzles together for a few minutes I heard Kerli walk up and say,
"HEY! What's going on here!?"
Shasha parted from my muzzle and said,
"Zyruss was really down, so I decided to cheer him up. If you don't believe me look at the tree."
Tilting her head in curiosity the vulpix glanced at the tree to see it covered in ice. While Kerli was astonished at the sight, Shasha slowly got off of me to let me up. Sitting up I felt the sensation go away making feel like my normal self. Once I was sitting up right Shasha licked my cheek gracefull and asked,
"Better now?"
With my muzzle still red I nodded and responded,
"Much better."
Kerli still staring at the ice covered tree shouted,
"You did.....THIS!? Without using an attack....whoa! I better not get on your bad side."
We all laughed cheerfully, enjoying every second. Though during our laughter I noticed something very familiar. It was a star clawed into a big tree with some letters carved in the center. When I took a few steps towards it I heard the laughter die out slowly. When there was no more laughing Shasha ask cheerfully,
"Whatcha looking at Zyruss?"
"Memories...it's time for you two to meet some old friends," I said with a smile forming on my muzzle. After looking at the special tree I began walking past the tree to an old trail. Shasha paced herself to catch up with me while carrying Kerli on her back. Curious as always Kerli asked,
"Where are we going? When will we get there? Does it lead to food? What did you mean by memories?"
"Relax little one. Everything will be revealed in the time to come," Shasha stated slightly looking at Kerli.