[WAR] Resurgence

[Chibi Altaria]

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WAR I;
.............resurgence

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Pitter-patter.

The sound of rain.

I snorted into the winds, my breath a thick mist; they raced toward the north. As did I. I knew not who I was, nor how I came to be. If you asked for my name, I would not be able to tell you. I did not know. But the wind knew, and it whispered the word to my ears with glee.

I tilted my head towards the silky surface that glistened beneath my paws. It flecked my fur with mud, marring the surface with tiny brown spots. Absently I drew them through the grass, my gaze fixed upon a reflection in the water. My reflection.

Crimson eyes mirrored my own, blinking lazily in the twilight. A crystal diamond-like shape formed from my muzzle, escalating upwards and out. It was this that framed my lilac hair, so delicately, as it flowed behind my body in the breeze. It curled and writhed in a motion, some might say, similar to a slithering Seviper. I preferred not to be likened to a snake. My lips curled with the thought. Revolting. My body, a gentle blue – lithe and agile – was littered with white diamonds, akin to the one that framed my face. A soft white lined my pelt and flowed into ribbons, which I held about me in a regal demeanour. Every so often I would flick them slightly, warding off birds that were tempted to perch on my back. Or simply to reflect that moonlight which cast upon them, creating rainbows in the water’s surface. Beautiful.

I raised my paws to step forward, once, twice, into the shallow pool that surrounded me. A slight shiver coursed through my body. It was cooler than I had expected. Winter had not yet ended, though spring was never far off. My vision flicked to the left, eyeing the lilies that sprung from the lake’s depths. Yes, spring it not far away.

Turning back toward the water I readied myself, crouching low. With a forceful motion I pushed off the muddied water, wind whistling through my ears. When I landed there was no splash, no water to matt my fur; not even a droplet slipped between my claws. My paws touched what felt like glass, sleek and smooth. Yet that was not so. The surface of the pond rippled where I walked, scaring the fish within. As I padded further still, a bright, iridescent aura radiated around me. This was my power. Purification. My peripherals caught algae dissipating, pond scum flaking into dust. I allowed my jaw to open for an instant, my tongue rolling over my teeth in satisfaction. Yet the moment could not last.

A harsh, guttural sound escaped my maw and I clenched it tight with fear. This was not the first time it had occurred. The lands were becoming more and more desolate – Pokemon were fleeing. This pond was only one of many that had become polluted. Such as I was, even with power, I knew I was not strong enough to cleanse them all. Slowly, but surely, the land was dying. And I with it.

My reflection glinted at me once again. Growing increasingly agitated I swiped at it with a paw, causing water to spray the nearby environment. My face no longer stared back at me, but became disjointed and flawed. No doubt soon my body with join it, decaying along with the land. Bitter thoughts. I snorted, turning my back to the once serene landscape.

Humans did this. Humans, who were so caught up in their busy lives, littered the ground with their no longer wanted belongings. As though to amplify the thought, my paw lighted upon a bag made of some material – plastic humans called it. In utter disgrace I swiped it aside, continuing along the rocky path before me.

Starly chirruped in the night sky, greeting me with fervour. Too perturbed with my own thoughts to reply, I simply ignored them. Much to their displeasure. What was to be done about these humans? The land would not simply return to exuberance on its own. My mind recalled a memory from long ago. I had heard a legend from a time passed, before I could even remember.

There was a structure within the Johto region, in Ecruteak City, named Burned Tower. It was not always known as such. Once, the tower stood tall, rimmed with magnificent wooden carvings and bells that chimed with the cries of Pokemon that lived within. This is what gave its former name, Brass Tower.

A horrific calamity had then occurred in which a lightning bolt struck the tower, causing a fight to light. The sudden appearance of gale winds and rain dowsed the fire, but not before it claimed the lives of three Pokemon that were unable to escape in time. I closed my eyes tight at the thought, clenching my teeth. Those poor Pokemon. It was said that their spirits lived on, being reincarnated by the legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh. Whether this was true or not remained an utter mystery, but I believed. If nothing else, one had hope. It was hope that I held onto now most of all. Hope that these lands might one day regain their former glory. If the humans could learn to control their ignorance.

A leaf tickled my ear and I tilted my head to it. The wind whispered to me, calling out with a lilting tone. It beckoned.

Come.

My brow furrowed. What could be more important than this; the destruction of our land? In a time where life was scarce, the wind would call me away from my charge?

Follow.

Urgently, it hastened. The breeze grew stronger, biting at my hind legs with alacrity. Alright. I conceded, allowing myself to run after the wind, toward the north. Toward what lay beyond. I ran fast – faster than I had ever run before. My paws flicked gravel behind me, but when I turned my head to observe the damage it was gone. Too fast.

Foliage blurred into the distant background like a dense, green mirage. The sky cast silver streaks overhead. And waiting in the vast expanse before me, growing brighter by the second, was a shimmering golden light. I had never been this far north before. What lay ahead was unknown. My mind searched inwards, recalling lost recollections to the fore, but none recognised the golden light stretched before me.

North Wind.

My eyes widened at the voice. It was familiar. I knew it from somewhere deep in the recesses of my mentality. But that was impossible. I barely even remembered the month that had passed. Time was all but an illusion that distorted into one thing. My goal; the purification of the land. It was hazy, instinctual. I felt as though I could trust this voice. It recognised me in the very least. Perhaps it knew my past. Perhaps it could help.

“Who is there?!” I shouted into the wind, loosing my bark toward the anonymous being. “Show yourself!” Silence was my reply. I halted my movements in accordance with the voice, only willing to reveal myself if it was.

North Wind, the voice repeated. You play games now, whilst the land is dying?

Of course not. I scoffed at the remark. Questioning my loyalty. Fine. Have it your way. The golden light began to dim as I drew toward it, turning my head to the left slightly to avoid the incoming glare. It was not long before I glimpsed a figure within. Feathers. No, wings, protruded from the creature in question, bathed in a rainbow essence. The form boasted magnificent red wings, rimmed with white and green, akin to the stripe on its neck. A golden tail flowed behind, which blew in the light breeze. Its beak snapped irritably as its crimson eyes gazed in my direction, meeting my own. It flicked the golden crown on its head elegantly and lighted upon the cliff with ease. I noted its talons, a dark grey, held hooked claws that could easily shred any prey. But the creature did not hold a hint of malevolence. In fact, it seemed quite the opposite. The bird held an air of reverence and I could not help but bow my forelegs faintly in response.

You have come at last, North Wind. The creature spoke telepathically as it held my gaze, stooping its head to my level. Your brothers did not take as much convincing.

“I have siblings?” I shook my head. No, that wasn’t the question I should be asking. “What is happening to this land? Who are you? Who am I?”

The bird’s brow furrowed, as though confused. What is this? How do you not know who you are?

“My memories are hazy, I do not recall. Am I this North Wind of which you speak? The winds identify me as such. I merely assumed it was a formality.”

Ah, I see… The bird clicked its beak, peering at me closer still, and shook its head with sorrow. The land is causing your own demise, dear one. You do not remember who you are. A gigantic red wing reached out towards me and I recoiled, instantly wary. Worry not, North Wind. I will not harm you.

Hesitating, albeit somewhat calmed by the reassurance, I allowed the wing to alight upon my crystal. In an instant my mind was filled with rushing images. A tower. Fire. Lightning. Rain. Wind. Pokemon. Cries. Fear. Death. A rainbow bird. And then, finally, rebirth. The legend was true – every ounce of it. And it was as much a part of me as I was of it. The fairy tale I had recalled was not purely a memory. I had lived it. I was one of the three who had died.

I examined my paws as realisation dawned within, clicking my claws together with a motion of unease. “Suicune. I am Suicune; the spirit reborn from the North Wind.”

Yes, the bird replied solemnly. I knew now who this creature was. The very being that had given me life, Ho-Oh. How had I not known? This land is dying much quicker than I expected, North Wind. For it to affect you so, to the point of disrupting your very memories, perturbs me. But all is not yet lost. Your brothers are working just as hard as you are, to reach out to the humans.

“But they will not listen,” I pleaded. “The humans are ignorant to their own folly, when it so clearly destroys others. Even with the help of Raikou and Entei, my brothers, I do not see how this can be rectified.” I hung my head in shame, a murky puddle of water beginning to pool at my feet. This never-ending torrent of rain. Even the sky was mourning the loss of its kin.

Ho-Oh shook its head. No. All it takes is but one to listen. It will not be instantaneous, nor will it be easy, but salvation will come. This dying land will cease and be reborn once again, such as you were, dear one. From the ashes a paradise shall rise. With the end of one life, another is born to take its place. Such is the cycle of life.

Ho-Oh spoke with conviction. It would not be easy, but it could be done. Even if one human were to take responsibility for its actions, the world could become a better place. I knew for certain, as the sky rose each morning, that this was true.

I nodded in accordance to Ho-Oh’s wishes. It will be done. With every end comes a new beginning. And as I dragged my paw gently through the shadowy surface of the water I gasped. For there, before my very eyes, rested something so pure – so untainted – it was worth anything. And everything. My lips raised into a knowing smile as the rain ceased to fall, lighting the night sky with a brilliant rainbow.

The tiny Budew grasped tightly to my muzzle as tears flowed freely down my face into the puddle below, sending tiny ripples in their wake. Proof that one life could make a difference, the sound forever etched into my soul.

Pitter-patter.

[Suicune's Fire]

It was this that framed my lilac hair,

It's slightly odd that the mane is referred to as the Suicune's "hair." xD

No doubt soon my body with join it, decaying along with the land.

Eliminate either 'with' or 'join' here. x)

A horrific calamity had then occurred in which a lightning bolt struck the tower, causing a fight to light.

Ugh, I hate it when fights are lit.

The sudden appearance of gale winds and rain dowsed the fire, but not before it claimed the lives of three Pokemon that were unable to escape in time.

It's sort of odd that you would call the gale winds and rain "sudden," and then say "not before this happened" because the imagery was fairly instantaneous. The elimination of "sudden" would probably solve it. x)


Nice story. c: It was really interesting that Suicune's memories were connected to the land. I've never seen that interpretation before, although to be fair I've barely read any stories with Suicune. xD I was a little confused at some parts, such as where the budew came from at the end, and I wasn't sure if she (?) was running on the water or beside it, because of the leaf thing...maybe I misread something. xD Anyway, I liked the story. I found it weird that the Suicune didn't know what Ho-Oh's gender was, as the voice should be fairly indicative.

Cool interpretation of nature!


~SF.

[Chibi Altaria]

It's slightly odd that the mane is referred to as the Suicune's "hair." xD


Eliminate either 'with' or 'join' here. x)


Ugh, I hate it when fights are lit.


It's sort of odd that you would call the gale winds and rain "sudden," and then say "not before this happened" because the imagery was fairly instantaneous. The elimination of "sudden" would probably solve it. x)


Nice story. c: It was really interesting that Suicune's memories were connected to the land. I've never seen that interpretation before, although to be fair I've barely read any stories with Suicune. xD I was a little confused at some parts, such as where the budew came from at the end, and I wasn't sure if she (?) was running on the water or beside it, because of the leaf thing...maybe I misread something. xD Anyway, I liked the story. I found it weird that the Suicune didn't know what Ho-Oh's gender was, as the voice should be fairly indicative.

Cool interpretation of nature!


~SF.

I KNEW I MISSED TYPOS. xD Yeah, and mane. I thought hair was odd but I had a mental blank at the time, haha. Oh, I used the word 'sudden' because I was reading up on the legend on a few websites, and apparently it was very instantaneous. But if it reads better I can always reword it. xD So yeah, I was just playing on what I'd read elsewhere.

Yeah. 8D Well the story didn't start out that way, but the idea occurred to me that if the land was dying, what would happen to Suicune, who was connected to the water and oceans? I figured it would die along with it, and memories would start to grow hazy and such. I don't think I've ever read a story with Suicune in it, actually. xD IT'S ALL NEW TO ME. Pretty much, at the end, the Budew just sprouted out of thin air. XD No, more like Suicune looked down to discover a Budew in the muddy puddle that had obscured it from view. Maybe should have clarified that a bit. I dunno. PLOTHOLES FTW! X3 I'm sure if I went over it more I could add a whole heap here and there, but it was only a short story so I didn't. xD

THANKS FOR READING <3

[Suicune's Fire]

I KNEW I MISSED TYPOS. xD Yeah, and mane. I thought hair was odd but I had a mental blank at the time, haha. Oh, I used the word 'sudden' because I was reading up on the legend on a few websites, and apparently it was very instantaneous. But if it reads better I can always reword it. xD So yeah, I was just playing on what I'd read elsewhere.

Yeah. 8D Well the story didn't start out that way, but the idea occurred to me that if the land was dying, what would happen to Suicune, who was connected to the water and oceans? I figured it would die along with it, and memories would start to grow hazy and such. I don't think I've ever read a story with Suicune in it, actually. xD IT'S ALL NEW TO ME. Pretty much, at the end, the Budew just sprouted out of thin air. XD No, more like Suicune looked down to discover a Budew in the muddy puddle that had obscured it from view. Maybe should have clarified that a bit. I dunno. PLOTHOLES FTW! X3 I'm sure if I went over it more I could add a whole heap here and there, but it was only a short story so I didn't. xD

THANKS FOR READING <3

DON'T WORRY BECAUSE I DO ALL THE TIME. XD Haha fair enough. Ah, right. x) That seems kind of weird though. I mean, maybe the three pokemon were right up the top and the lighting struck one of them or something and another was crushed by the structure falling down...who knows. xD

Wew! 8D Well that's great! I love when ideas develop further as you think about them more and more. It's super handy. xD Yeah, fair enough. I think I've read one or two...not many, anyhow. xD I had this story in mind years ago which featured a suicune, but I never ended up writing up to that point. =/ LOL really? It was a little random, and there wasn't really an explanation for why it was there, but this is what I imagined. xD

Spoiler:

NO WORRIES. <3 I'll get around to everyone eventually!


~SF.

[Chibi Altaria]

DON'T WORRY BECAUSE I DO ALL THE TIME. XD Haha fair enough. Ah, right. x) That seems kind of weird though. I mean, maybe the three pokemon were right up the top and the lighting struck one of them or something and another was crushed by the structure falling down...who knows. xD

Wew! 8D Well that's great! I love when ideas develop further as you think about them more and more. It's super handy. xD Yeah, fair enough. I think I've read one or two...not many, anyhow. xD I had this story in mind years ago which featured a suicune, but I never ended up writing up to that point. =/ LOL really? It was a little random, and there wasn't really an explanation for why it was there, but this is what I imagined. xD

Spoiler:

NO WORRIES. <3 I'll get around to everyone eventually!


~SF.

AHAHAHAHA THAT PICTURE! That is just way too awesome. xD AND SO CUUUUUTE ~♥
I'm saving that to my desktop.

I don't know. I mean, I could have gone into more detail about it, but again - short story. I also didn't want to spend ages recounting the legend when that really wasn't the focus of the story. xD If I built on this, though, I would probably dedicate a whole chapter to just retelling the legend. OH GOSH, I AM IMAGINING IT NOW. Maybe I'll do it. xD

Aww, well maybe you can write a story about Suicune now? I don't see many stories involving the lesser 'legends' any more, so that might be good. But yes, still random. Next time I'll not to randomise it so much. :p

[Suicune's Fire]

AHAHAHAHA THAT PICTURE! That is just way too awesome. xD AND SO CUUUUUTE ~♥
I'm saving that to my desktop.

I don't know. I mean, I could have gone into more detail about it, but again - short story. I also didn't want to spend ages recounting the legend when that really wasn't the focus of the story. xD If I built on this, though, I would probably dedicate a whole chapter to just retelling the legend. OH GOSH, I AM IMAGINING IT NOW. Maybe I'll do it. xD

Aww, well maybe you can write a story about Suicune now? I don't see many stories involving the lesser 'legends' any more, so that might be good. But yes, still random. Next time I'll not to randomise it so much. :p

XDD LOL THANK YOU. I'm glad you like it. c:

Yeah I understand. xD Probably was, like, a yolo decision or something. I UNDERSTAND. IT'S OKAY. And yeah, that would be awesome. :D After reading this, I actually thought about a story based around that legend and how it would be.

Same here. Then again, I haven't read any stories lately, really. xD But I hope I can get through all the WAR ones!


~SF.