Thread: A New Home (ZaWarudo and Inspirit)

A nameless boy ran through the forest. He didn't know how long he'd been sprinting, or where exactly he was even going. Yet he ran as fast he could, even as his legs slowly turned to jelly and his lungs burned fiercely. Above the moon pierced through the foliage above, illuminating a faint path before him. Twisting trees, bushes and other foliage sprawled out before him like a haphazard obstacle course. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd stumbled over his own two feet, or slammed headfirst in an overhanging branch. He'd done this before, more times than he could count. They'd forced him to run the obstacle courses back at home countless times before, all apart of an attempt to hone his abilities. The overseers had always been strict, going a second above the record would result in a beating. More than that and then there'd be no food for the next couple of days. This wasn't all that different now that he thought about it. Run as quick as you could, or fall behind and get punished. Yet , he grimly realized, punishment this time around will be far worse than a couple knocks to the head. He had been seen as nothing than an 'asset' to those bastards at Team Rocket. He and the others were treated like puzzles, a bundle of potential that just needed to be unlocked. He'd been under their watch for as long as he could remember, his name and his parents having been lost to the annals of history. To the scientists assigned to watch over him he was naught more than 'Experiment 13'. A part of the mysterious 'Shalour Project', the trials he and the others were forced to go through each day were immense. Trials of agility, of fighting ability. The expectations were high, and those who proved to be a disappointment were either punished harshly or disposed of entirely. There were other days spent simply strapped to an operating table being poked, prodded, and injected. For him those days had always been the worse. With the trials he was at least capable of doing something , but during the operating table days he could do little more than stare daggers at the scientists looming above him. No more though. No more games, no more restraints. The uprising they'd attempted had been an utter disaster for the most part, and yet it had allowed at least a few to make their escape. He was one of the lucky ones, and for the sake of those who had given their lives he would savor his newly-found freedom. All he had to do first was find some way to escape his pursuers. He could still hear them thundering behind him, branches snapping as they gave not a single care to being subtle. Maybe he could fight them, he'd always done well in the combat exams, but the Lucario had little doubt that they were alone. One would be easy enough, two a challenge, and three or more nearly impossible. If battle did happen how long would it take the reinforcements to arrive as well? The rebellion had sent the faculty in a complete and utter uproar, the azure-haired young man having little doubt that they were using all their forces to sweep the surrounding areas. If he stopped to attack then there'd probably be even more upon him before he could even off those currently pursuing him. All he could do now was flee and just hope that there'd be someway to lose them. Huh? A small, breathless gasp escaped his lips as he saw what awaited up ahead. The trees seemed to part ahead into a clearing, and glance at the night sky would show shimmering lights. A town? That was just what he needed. The idea of being stuck around so many humans made his skin crawl, but if it'd allow him to escape those chasing him the Lucario was willing to ignore the discomfort. Forcing his ailing limbs to move faster and trying his best to ignore the fiery pain in his chest he'd quicken his pace as best he could. Ducking beneath a branch and shifting to the side to avoid a tree he'd close the distance he himself and the forest's edge within a matter of seconds. Dammit! Only to emerge at the edge of a cliff. Those lights had most certainly belonged to a town, and yet it was much farther than the Lucario had thought. Nestled near the bottom of the cliff, it shined like a bright beacon in the night. The place stood at the mouth of a massive lake, several rivers feeding into it. One of them actually ran through the area just beneath the cliff, though the idea of making him leap all way down there and into the water made his stomach squirm fiercely. As far as the Lucario was concerned this was a dead-end. The cracking of wood came behind him, ground trembling as massive footsteps echoed out from the forest's edge. This is it. With a deep breath he turned about, eyes falling upon his pursuers for the first time. There were three, more than he would've liked. At the forefront of the trio was a Pokeboy dressed in black and red, a pair of massive horns sprouting from his long raven hair. Cloak billowing in the gentle night-breeze, the Lucario was quick to recognize him as one of the faculty's favorite hunting dogs. The look on the Houndoom's face was one of bitter annoyance, the man raising a hand and making a small gesture. The two massive Pokeboys flanking him would give a small nod before moving forward. Both were covered in blue chitin-like armor, leaving only the upper-half of their faces exposed. A massive horn formed out of their forehead, the sharpened tip gleaming in the moonlight. Both were Heracross, and Lucario knew almost immediately that being hit even once would result in his loss. We have orders to take you alive. The Houndoom spoke calmly, the look of disdain in his eyes nearly palpable. Return the stone and come willing, and just maybe your punishment will be lessened. He was met with naught but silence, a faint sigh escaping the dark-haired man's lips. I'm hardly surprised. Well then, don't say I didn't warn you. With a snap of the fingers the two Heracross would lunge forward, moving surprisingly quickly despite their size. Fine then, let's go! He wouldn't give up his freedom so easily! -- Ugh. The river carried his bruised and battered body at a soothing pace, his eyes only partly open as pain addled his mind. The whole thing had been an absolute blur, and try as he could the Lucario could only recall the basics. Try as he might he was match for the two at once. Maybe if he'd been in good shape, but after hours of running through the woods exhaustion had hindered him severely. Broken bones, bruised ribs, his entire being hurt. Through a stroke of luck one of their blows had sent him flying back, and right off the cliff into the river below. He didn't know how long it'd be until they found him, but the Lucario knew it was only a matter of time. With his last remnants of strength he'd raise his right arm, hand slowly opening as he glanced at the stone he'd been holding this entire time. Sphere-shaped and amber colored, a swirling red and blue helix could be seen within. At least he'd denied them this. The life slowly losing his light blue eyes, he'd give the stars above final glance before closing them for what seemed like for good. Sorry...everyone...