Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the End

Chapter 1 -- The Beginning of the End.

David tossed and turned in bed. It was 3:00am and freezing cold. At the foot of his bed, his small yellow Growlithe Pepper lay on its back snoring peacefully. Outside, the sound of explosions and distant yelling filled the air -- a reminder of the ferocious fighting going on a few miles away in the capital. David got out of bed, and slipped into his clothes. A tattered white tshirt emblazoned with a pokeball motif, light blue shorts that ended just above the knee, and a pair of waterproof walking shoes, more trainer than boot.

This had become a regular routine now. Every night the fighting in the capital got louder as two opposing kingdoms clashed together for control of the large port city. Man and Pokemon alike fought night and day, vying for control over the valuable harbour town of Aberystwyth.

"Come, Pepper."

David called out softly to the small fire Pokemon, and it lazily opened its eyes and hopped down off the bed. Barely 18, David lived alone with his Growlithe in the sleepy town of Beddau. It wasn't a wealthy town, but it was friendly. As David stepped outside of his one bedroom home, he saw his neighbours doing the same. Everybody in the town knew the routine: when the fighting got loud enough that you could hear it, everyone had to make for the Pokecenter in the middle of town. There, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny would organise sheler, food and comfort to the scared town folk -- it also helped that the Pokecenter was stuffed full of strong Pokemon, in case the worst should ever happen.

Standing in line to be let int, David gazed up at the sky. Stars shone brightly, off set by the brightly colour lights that emanated from Aberystwyth. Bright yellow, red and white blasts lit up the night sky every few minutes -- the remnants of powerful Pokemon attacks being shot off in the nearby battle.

Finally, David and Pepper got to the front of the line and were met by a solemn looking Nurse Joy.

"Hello David. Please come in --"

Joy was cut off as a high pitched scream cut through the night air. An explosion came from nearby. Much closer than the capital. Spinning around, David saw a group of soldiers cutting down towns folk down the way. Large, fully evolved Pokemon backed them, firing off attacks at will against the town's smaller Pokemon. It wasn't even a fight. The town Pokemon were companions, not fighters.

Before David could react, a Rhydon was towering over him. It was dressed in the colours of the Empire, deep blues and blacks painted onto its natural plate armour. Its horn span ferociously on its nose as it reared its large claw back to strike David directly. As he winced, a blast of fire came roaring from behind him. Pepper jumped onto David's shoulder and leapt straight at the Rhydon, barking aggressively and shooting off fire balls at the larger Pokemon's face. The type match-up was not favourable though, and the Rhydon shrugged off the attacks with ease.

"Rhydon, finish them!!"

A call from the Empire soldiers who were rounding up villagers and ordering their Pokemon to finish them off. David watched as Pepper got punched out of the way by the ground type Pokemon, before turning back to him. A large thud echoed throughout the town, followed by screams. David blacked out.