18

[Dragon Master Mike]

Prologue

Corey awoke, startled by a slight tapping on his back. He quickly opened his bright brown eyes and darted his head around, half expecting to see some predator standing over him. No, it wasn’t a predator. It was his best friend, staring at him with an annoyed look.

“What is it, Rex.” Corey said to his fellow Eevee, slightly annoyed over his rude awakening.

“You were supposed to meet me by Snorlax Rock this morning!” Rex responded, understandably annoyed.

“Wait, this morning? What time is it now?” Corey responded, confused.

“Its already noon! have you been sleeping this entire time?” Rex asked, surprised.

“Wait what? you should have come to wake me up sooner!” Corey said, shocked that he had slept so late.

“Whatever, lets just get going.” Rex said. As soon as Corey stood up, Rex darted off into the forest.

“Wait for me!” Corey said, darting after him. It was a particularly nice day. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. There was not even the slightest hint of humidity in the air. Corey saw a couple of Zigzagoons chasing each other around. He was about to run into one, but just barely managed to dodged it. Corey continued shouting at Rex to slow down, but got no responses.

“Rex, come o-” Corey stopped as he slammed into Rex, knocking him to the ground.

“oww,” Corey moaned in pain, “Why did you have to stop like that?”

“You asked me to slow down did you not?” Rex responded. Without saying another word, the two Pokemon ran, slightly slower than before, to Snorlax Rock. Snorlax Rock was a large rock in a clearing in the forest, and a common meeting place for Pokemon. There are many stories as to why the rock is named Snorlax Rock, but the most Popular story was that once, a long time ago, a wise Snorlax would sleep on that rock. He slept most of the time, however if you went to the clearing while he was awake, he would answer any one question. One day a young Rattata went to the clearing, only to find the Snorlax was gone. No one ever saw him again after.

Upon reaching the rock, the two Pokemon proceeded to debate their next move. They would often pretend to be legendary Pokemon and fight each other, or run around playing tag. Sometimes they would even find trees and see who could climb the highest. Today however, they decided to explore the forest around the clearing. The two Pokemon walked out of the clearing from the opposite end they had entered. As they walked, they felt the forest getting denser and denser. They had never been in this part of the forest before.

“I'm getting kind of nervous. There could be anything out here. Why don't we turn back?” Corey said to Rex.

“Don't be such a baby. There's nothing out here.” Rex said in response, looking back at Corey. Rex was much braver than Corey. He also was not as intelligent as Corey however, and often got into trouble by being too daring for his own good. Corey on the other hand, was very cautious, never wanting to do anything out of the ordinary or take unnecessary risks. As the forest got denser, The light on the forest floor began getting dimmer and dimmer, with only the slightest hints of light shining through the dense Canopy. The sounds of Pokemon began to die down. Eventually through Dense shrubbery and many thorn bushes, the forest began to thin.

“Is that a clearing up ahead?” Corey asked, trying to see what the area in front of them was. Rex did not need to answer, for Within seconds it was clear that they had indeed reached a field. Corey and Rex stood at the end of the treeline looking across at what rested on the other side. On the other side was a large fence, at least three meters tall. They both simultaneously realized it. They had reached the edge of their sector. Corey remembered what his father had told him many times.

“Once, a long time ago, Pokemon and humans lived together in peace. Pokemon helped humans and humans took care of their Pokemon. That all changed long long ago. No Pokemon here is old enough to remember what caused the divide between Pokemon and humans, but it was major. At some point they captured Pokemon and then created 18 sectors, sorting the Pokemon into the sectors by type. There are many other species of Pokemon out there that you have yet to see, and probably won't. “

Corey was remembering the story when he noticed something out of place. A group of four humans walked across the field in front of them. Corey remembered with fear the last part of his fathers story.

“At some point, the humans with their twisted minds had an idea. Once a year, they would go into the sectors and capture Pokemon. They would then lock these Pokemon into a massive arena where they would be forced to fight to the death. This yearly battle has been called the Arceus Tournament. They built giant screens where video of the Tournament would be broad casted for all Pokemon and humans to see. The only Pokemon who usually watch it though are the friends and families of those forced to fight.” There was only one reason that humans would be entering the sector, and Corey knew it. It was to capture a Pokemon for their sick games.

“Rex, we have to go” Corey said quietly, biting lightly on Rex’s tail and tugging it. Rex looked back at Corey and nodded. As Rex nodded, Corey let go of his tail and began walking quietly back into the dense forest from which they had just left, Rex following closely behind. Again they walked through the deep shrubbery. By the time they returned to Snorlax Rock, it was already later than they were supposed to be out.

“We really need to be getting home, our parents are going to kill us!” Corey said.

“Yeah, i guess i will be heading back.” Without another word, the two Pokemon departed for their homes. Corey lived in a tiny clearing in the forest enclosed in dense shrubbery and trees in all but two small openings. Upon walking into the den, Cory's mother angrily greeted him.

“Where have you been!” She shouted. “I've been looking everywhere for you!”

“I'm sorry mom, i was out playing with Rex around Snorlax Rock and lost track of time” Corey lied, leaving out the part about travelling through the forest and seeing the humans.

“Well I've gathered fruit for us to eat” She said annoyed, looking over to a pile of food in the corner “Oh, and your father went out, he will be back tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you” Corey said, walking over to the corner and helping himself to the pile of fresh fruit. It was late, and Corey was sore from walking all day. He decided it was time to rest. Without saying goodnight to his still annoyed mother, he walked over to the edge of the clearing and laid down. He closed his eyes, recalling the days events. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

Corey awoke, startled by a slight tapping on his back. He quickly opened his eyes darted his head around, half expecting to see some predator standing over him. No, it wasn't a predator. It was much worse.