The Obsidian Empire

01. Chapter One



A man lay strength out beside a small campfire. Heavy trees surrounded the makeshift area, trees that had gown over the years with help from the local creatures that had escaped the reach of the Obsidian Empire. There were just too many strong willed ones out here that would not become mindless slaves. As the man poked at the fire with the tip of his glistening staff to cause the embers to reignite he felt the eyes of many beast around him. They, the creatures about, watched him; waiting to see if he were friend or foe. It was bad, he could remember passing through here all those years ago. Just a little ways away was where he had received his first partner, when he was first claimed as a Linked. The man wore a black sleeveless shirt and fingerless gloves with thick black cargo pants on. He adjusted his silver ponytail out from behind him as he took out a black orb. It had been crafted for him, specially made for him by an expert that made the devices which one held the creatures that now surrounded him, wild, and afraid.



He tossed the orb and it opened to have a sparkling white light express form it and formed into a small living creature. It was fox like with soft buff colored fur and a large leaf extending form the tip of it tail and ears with two leaves growing from its head and two thick twisted leaves that covered the creature’s breast. It shook itself and walked over to rub against the man and nuzzle up to him.



The man stroked the creatures head as he thought back to before the war started, before the Obsidian Empire rose. He missed his friend, Julia. She was the best herbalist there was and she would always trade with him. She would give him her best herbs and berries and he would mix up amazing foods for their partners to have the shiniest coat and the most contained energy that could be called upon at any time. But those days were long past and now, he no longer knew if Julia was still alive or whether she had been killed by one of the Obsidian Empire’s raids.. It was why he was in Eterna Forest. He would head into town tomorrow to see if anyone had heard from her yet. Many had forgotten about him and her but there were still those that remembered, which is why he tried to always avoid the city that had once been his home.



The fox like creature nibbled on his fingers to draw him attention back to it. “I guess I should let the others go as well and stretch, huh?” he questioned and saw the birthmark that the fox creature had as well as every one of it’s littermates. It was rare for such a birthmark and sometimes it was said that the creatures were twins in they shared one. It was a crescent moon that fell over it’s left eye, but it was a black gem instead of actual skin. All the others of its litter had it too. And the man, he had a similar mark on the back of his hands that he kept hidden with his gloves. It had appeared the night that the creature and it’s littermates were all born.



The creature stood and stretched then and then just looked at the man. The man shook his head as he stood, “Alright, alright. We will have to find some water so we can all have us a drink.” He said as he stood and clipped his staff to the harness on his back. He took out five more black balls to release them out over his head.



One by one they opened to expel shining light that then formed into creatures before it solidified. All six including the first creatures were back on the man’s belt, small and insignificant looking.



The other fix creatures looked similar to the first but each having a distinct marking as if genetically similar but totally different. One was yellow with a full white collar that looked like tiny quills each deadly sharp and indestructible but they bowed to give the look of long fur. Another was an orange-ish red with a white and yellow collar and bushy tail with a tuff of the white and yellow flame looking fur atop it’s head, fixed between it’s fox like ears. The four had slick looking seal like blue skin with spines along its spine and forming a mane around it’s head. Fin ears stuck out and atop its head was raised spines with almost clear translucent film that rand down its head to the tip of its tail and between the spines that encircled its neck. The tip of the tail held two flimsy fins that were like the tail-end of a fish. The fifth was a dark creature that blended in with the night and it had yellow rings around its ears and tail and had circles over each shoulder and on it’s forehead. The last one to stand there had soft lilac colored fur and was rather fluffy, unlike the rest. It’s tail split in two thick soft fully functional appendages and on it’s face it had tuffs of fur that angled away from its face. Two large deep violet eyes looked at the man and a Obsidian rhombus shaped jewel began to glow on it’s forehead.



::About time you let us out Danu:: A sing song female voice chimed in his head.



The man glared at the violet furred creature, “I had to make sure it was safe Espeon. We no longer know how far the Obsidian Empire is looking anymore and I for one would like to not have to fight a whole heard of creatures that have been enslaved.” He huffed.



::Give it up Danu, you know as well as I do that Espeon would as soon go out and slay the entire Obsidian Empire if you would let her.:: Came a second female voice, this one more seductive then sing song.



The man looked to the creature that had fire flowing from it, “But of course Flareon. But we all know that it is a little odd that I can hear all of you. I have several theories but each time I think I have figured it out, you all throw me a new curve ball.”



::All psychic Pokemon can speak if they so choose, most of them just choose not to have an intellectual conversation with a human.:: A quick speaking feminine voice whispered softly.



An argument was raised by a pleasant lulling toned female voice, ::Yes Jolteon but most Pokemon are not near human intellect. Only the psychic ones have a mind close enough if not more so then a human. We are all special. We are all of the same and we were destined to be Linked so we had an understanding beyond normally allotted to our kind.::



The man went to speak but was cut off, ::Yes Vaporeon, we were destined to be Linked. But why was it not until we evolved that we were able to be Linked and why was it all of us, and why was it to the same human.:: A heavy female voice demanded as the male raised an eyebrow at the creature that would be completely hidden if not for the yellow rings.



The man looked up to the sky, “Why me?” He asked no one.



A deep male voice, so unlike his own answered him, ::Because we love you. Ignore Umbreon, her questions would make an Alakazam’s mind hurt. Even a Linked one at that.:: The male voice chuckled and rubbed up against the male standing in the small clearing.



“You realize that you are the one always touching me Leafeon. I know that you and I were Linked first and you were the first to evolve, but the others will be getting jealous if you don’t let them have some face time.” The man joked.



For once it was silent until Espeon broke the silence, ::We like you Danu, and we are all bounded to you for whatever reason, but Leafeon was the first. He has the attachment to you because you are the only other male in a sea of females. We all have thoughts and we all share them if we are not concentrating on hiding them. When we touch you, any of us, the voices of the others are cut off unless we choose to enlighten the other. He touches you because his thoughts are the only ones different from ours because he is male. His subconscious deals with things and analyzes things differently then ours.:: The sing song voice chimed.



The plant like fox rubbed up against the man, ::We need to find some water, someplace we could preferably clean up some. I am sure that Flareon could warm up the water for you some if you wanted. The deep male voice suggested.



The man smiled as he gently touched Leafeon “I can probably get a warm bath in the morning in the city. Lets just worry about getting back here as quickly as possible so that way we can settle down to sleep. The more we move around, the more likely we are to run into someone else and that is the last thing we need. If we stay in on spot, we are likely to be ignored as just some random creature in the wild.” The man smiled and looked towards Vaporeon, “Love, can you find the nearest above ground water source for the others to drink from. Leafeon and I will raise a place for us to sleep tonight that is well hidden and away from the sight.”



Those that were female left, following the aquatic blue skinned fox like creature. The man and the plant like fox creature sat beside him. They looked to one of the larger trees in the area, they stopped in front of it. The man raised his free hand and his eyes began to burn a eerie green that filled up his entire eye socket with light. Leafeon’s eyes began to burn the same as power filled the air. High up in the tree, where the branches where thick and obscured the sight.



The limbs began to move and twist as the bird creatures took flight and cried out into the night, at least many did. There where those that merely moved aside and watched as a sphere was made within the branches. The tree groaned as the limbs twined together and around each other. Then a wind picked up and it slithered almost snake like around the man whose eyes began to glow violet and Leafeon’s eyes lost their emerald glow. The wind whirled around them and leafs were picked up, turning over to create a massive storm as they floated up to scatter within the sphere to create a bedding for them. The wind died just as the silver faded from the man’s eyes.



“Come on.” The man whispered to Leafeon, “Lets go before the others get out of joint and accuse me of giving you special treatment again.”



Leafeon nodded with a smile as it gave a chirp like growl.



*~*~*~*~*~*



The man had finally had all the fox like creatures gathered up, all of them taken care of and he and Espeon had used their tie to levitate all up to the make shift living area for the night. They had all finally chosen their sleeping spot and finally stilled. It was silent around the man as he lay there with Leafeon curled in a ball just before him and Espeon laying stretched out along his curved spine as he himself lay in a ball. He knew where each of his partners were, he felt their mind, though his own would be closed off against them. He always did when he slept, never knowing exactly what he would see. Memories of the past he did not want them to question, want them to know that he was still thinking about. They had plenty of protectors around them if something dangerous came their way. It would be impossible to not alert at least one of the part members, hopefully that party member choose an appropriate way to awaken its siblings.



*~*~*~*~*~*



Danu was dreaming peacefully when a stir in the wind awoke him. It was full of fire and brimstone, never a good combination. Danu shifted and rose gently to have Leafeon and Espeon curl around each other. Danu had reached the edge of the make shift nest when all of a sudden Umbreon appeared before him. The creature looked crossed and her rings began to glow a beautiful halo around her body.



::Danu, the forest will be set ablaze. We have no way to stop what is causing it. Our only hope is that you can call upon our powers yourself and direct us to try to stop it from eating this area alive.:: The creature shifted and stood next to him. When it’s head met his hand, the almost frenzy like behavior was quieted.



“Alas, the fire has not started as of yet, I believe we should see why there is to be a fire before we start to foam with worry over nothing.” Danu paused, “Did Leafeon tag you with worry seed again? “ He demanded.



The black creatures shook it’s head and gazed away, frozen in meditation to try and find out exactly what was going on before it hit them. Danu picked up a vine that rose to almost kiss his cheek and then he leapt from his hiding place.



Landing on the ground with a heavy solid noise. His eyes opened to reveal complete solid darkness. The world was so clear to him, as he looked through trees and brush. He found Pokemon racing away and continued to where they were racing from. They were racing from a human who stood tense and rigid with a fiery blue aura burning brightly around him. The man’s eyes were closed and blond hair trailed around his face in a purposely messy style. He was medium build and had on blue jeans and a red collar vest that was opened half way down his chest. He stood before a lithe yellow fox creature with multiple tails fanning behind it. Blue fire burned around it much like the man that stood before it.



Opposing them were two other people and two Pokemon. The two humans wore the black jeans and a black shirt with the black vest and silver outlines and symbol associated with that of the Obsidian Empire. The female with long black hair stood with a humanoid creature with shimmering blue skin before her. The creature had a bill and webbed feet, a long tail behind it used for steering while swimming. A red gem began to glow in the middle of it’s crown as the yellow fox Pokemon went flying into a nearby tree. The second Obsidian Empire was male with spiky brown hair. He had a Pokemon that was made of rock in the shape of a human head and was the color of violet-gray. A disproportionate red nose was on the front of its face and it had short arms and legs with no joints.



It picked up a large bolder form the ground, almost falling over when it did so and it launched the stone at the man. The man crossed his arms over his chest as his eyes opened to reveal a burning blue like his fox Pokemon. The man threw out his hands and a vortex of fire rose before the man and the stone entered it. It exited the vortex glowing red and the man tumbled away from the rock, barely dodging his death.



Danu shook his head, the man and his fiery companion would never be able to stop the other two, regardless who was linked, which the man probably was as he had called his own Fire Spin out.



Danu looked up to his make shift hideout and forced his companions awake. Instantly filling in the information of what was going on, they moved from the tree to have to duck as fire exploded from a small clearing in the direction of the fight.



Flareon moved forward, eyes glowing crimson as she swallowing the flame as Vaporeon inhaled and her eyes began to glow a sapphire color as she sprayed out a jet of water to try to put out the water. Espeon’s eyes began to glow violet as the flames swirled around themselves to create an orb and shadows rose to encircle them as Umbreon’s fur stood on end, her entire body tense as her eyes were swallowed darkness. Leafeon’s vines dug deep within the ground, the earth rumbling as his eyes burned emerald and trees feel and the earth opened up to create a trench to swallow the fire. Jolteon growled as it’s quill like hair stood on end and the sky darkened. A flash of lighting hit the yellow fox creature and a crack of thunder rumbled as rain started to pour.



“FIRE SPIN!!!” The man called out and above the tree line Danu could see a vortex of fire raise up.



He looked to his companions “Do what you can to stop the fire, I will go and assist our potential ally as to have him stop is the only way to ensure the fire will not devour the forest.” He was gone, slipping into the make shift darkness of the night.



The silences was almost deafening as Danu moved through it. It was always hard for humans, no matter whether they were linked to a dark Pokemon or not. The only time it was easy was if said companion was with the human, guiding them. Danu moved through and saw with painful clarity and he stepped up next to the man, realizing they were around the same age. He saw that the blue duck like creature let out a large blast of water.



Danu stepped before it and caught the sphere, allow it to explode in his hand. The boom roared and was almost deafening as Danu glared at the woman before him.



“Who dares defy the Obsidian Empire?!?” She demanded darkly.



“Who I am is of little consequence young one. Are you a Linked, or are you just some underling that had a Pokemon before the war began?” Danu demanded.



The woman smiled, “I am Linked, my Golduck is my Companion. Now, Hydro Cannon!!!” The woman commanded.



Danu’s eyes began to glow emerald as he stretched out his hand before him. The duck like creature spat three more spheres as large as a human hurtling at Danu. He raised his hands and the trees bent and interlaced to create a shield that shattered when the third sphere hit the make shift shield. Danu extended both hands then and the wind stirred. It began to howl as the forest around them leaves began to swirl about, almost as if dancing and as they spun they began to speed towards Golduck and the woman, razor sharp and whistling as it did so.



The creature’s red jewel started to glow as it cried out and raised its hands away from it. The razor sharp leaves hit a barrier and fell harmlessly to the ground.



“You will have to do better then that little grassling.” The woman laughed, “Golduck has psychic properties, making it a more challenging opponent then just a regular waterling.”



Danu smiled as the vines that slithered unseen and snake like encircled Golduck’s feet and flipped it over, pulling it upside down up into the air, suspended and crying out. Danu again let the leaves float around him before launching themselves at the now captured creature. Again the creature’s gem glowed to blow the leaves and it glared at Danu about to last out before a vine wrapped tightly around its arms and leaves floated around it, attacking at random intervals. Danu looked just in time to see a rock flying at him. He spun about, pulling his staff to him and slicing the rock in two. Before he could react, a wall of fire rose up to his right and it hissed as water mixed with it.



Danu glared back at the other man with the fiery Pokemon to see fiery blue eyes narrow, “The girl was attacking from the side. I may not be able to actually harm her but I can at least block most of her attacks.”



“This has drawn out too long.” Danu replied, “Can you contain the fires you have started, Eterna Forest should not be reduced to ash.”



“Of course.” The other man sneered.



“Then do it.” Danu growled through gritted teeth, his eyes glowing as the end of his staff began to glow white and form into a sword. He opened his eyes that began to glow emerald as he raced forward.



The woman held out her hand to blast an orb of water at him as the rock creature spat shards of rocks to cut its ally down. As the Pokemon hit the ground on its feet it cried out in pain. The man looked to see Danu standing before the woman, sword lodged within her chest.



“You are pathetic.” Dany hissed as he pulled out his sword to twirl about and drop down to one knee as a rock soared above his head.



“I’LL KILL YOU!!! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!” The male snarled as his eyes began to burn a tan color and he began to sling his arms to have huge boulders of earth break out of the earth and fly towards Danu.



Danu moved around them with liquid grace but was clipped by the last one before a vine rose from the earth and wrapped tightly around the man’s throat and pulled him back. Danu raced forward and the sword met no resistance as it sliced the man in two. The stone creature roared and shattered into dust as the man died.



Danu closed his eyes as the sword began to glow white and was stood his staff again. He opened to reveal his normal silver eyes staring at the man who was looking at him in disbelief.



“Most people have a problem ending another human or Pokemon’s life.” He said.



Danu’s six Companions walked through he forest to appear behind their Linked, “Most people don’t have people and Pokemon counting on them to stay alive and keep others alive. The Obsidian Empire has made it painfully clear that it is either join them or die and as they kill those that would other wise remain impartial to this war, they must die.”



“So, I am taking it that you are linked with your Leafeon?” The man questioned as he stroked the yellow fox creature with multiple tails that now sat at his side, watching Danu with intelligent, burning eyes.



Danu decided to omit the fact that the others were also linked to him as well, in case this person turned out to be a spy or was captured, “Yeah.” He said as he looked at the man.



“You know, running around with all those different eevee evolutions and people are going to think you are the Dark Warrior.” The man said.



Danu laughed as if it were a funny assumption, even though it was his true nickname, “So, what is your name?” He asked.



The man eyed him suspiciously, “How do I know you aren’t with the Obsidian Empire?”



“I just killed two of their underlings, why would I be with them and kill my allies?” Danu questioned.



The man looked away, as if to hide a deep pain, “The Obsidian Princesses would have one of her underlings do just that to make me trust them. She has done it before.” He whispered.



Danu was slightly disturbed, “The Obsidian Princesses, she is linked with a corrupted Charizard right?” He asked.



“Yeah.”



“Surely there are other fire users that she could use.” Danu spoke aloud, hoping to gather more information.



“Yeah, she does. But she has a personal interest in me. I insulted her so I am on her most wanted list.” The man said.



“I’m Danu.” Danu said as he held out his hand, “Would you like to spend the night with us and you and I can go into Eterna City and get some supplies?”



“Um, no offense Danu, but I don’t really know you.” The man answered.



“I just figured that two Linked and their Companions together would be better then two separate.” Danu shrugged, “Well, whoever you are, I hope you find what you are looking for.”



The man seemed slightly uncomfortable at offending Danu, “I’m sorry, it’s been a rough couple of years.”



“Yeah, it has.” Danu replied.



“It’s getting harder and harder to trust people. My name is Kai.” The man smiled as he held out his hand.



Danu took it and shook it with his own false smile, “So why are you out here in Eterna Forest?”



“I am trying to find the Ivory Order, that and this was the hometown of two of the best trainers ever talked about besides the last two Champions. The Dark Warrior and Mother Nature. They are from Eterna City and I was hoping to find the powerful duo to team up and try to find the Ivory Order of simply create it if we couldn’t find it. I figured that if word got out there was someone claiming to be with the Ivory Order then if it were real, they would send someone to investigate.” Kai explained.



Danu felt a pain in his chest at his old name and Julia’s old name, “I guess that makes sense.”



“What are you doing in Eterna Forest?” Kai questioned.



Danu still retained his smile, “This is where Leafeon evolved and I became a Linked. I have traveled all of Sinnoh, trying to hide form the Obsidian Empire. This is just another stop.”



“You know, it is said that the Dark Warrior had a Leafeon that he was rather fond of.” Kai replied.



“Yeah, but we all know that the Dark Warrior was from Eterna City. I’m not. I’m from Snowpoint City.” Danu lied.



Kai eyed him suspiciously but nodded, “Sure, where are you at?”



Danu cursed himself, realizing he would not be able to use his gifts to levitate up to his shelter, “Over this way.” He motioned.



Kai followed him to the tree and vines floated down to encircle all but Espeon, Ninetails, and Flareon.



“What the fuck?” Kai growled.



Danu looked back at him and then realized what he had done, “Sorry, I’m not use to having to speak my thoughts out loud. Leafeon and I talk mind to mind as well as Espeon because she is psychic. The rest just read my body language. We are going up there.” Danu pointed to the hidden safe haven.



“I don’t see anything. And what about Ninetails. She hates pokeballs.” Kai whispered.



“Espeon is strong enough to lift herself, Flareon, and Ninetails up to the haven. But Ninetails and you will have to tone your fire gift to nothing for the night. Don’t worry, I have been hiding like this for years.” Danu explained, “I wasn’t really counting on two extra bodies so it’s going to be a little close quartered but at least it’s safe.”



“Safe is better then personal space anymore.” Kai whispered.



Danu nodded in a agreement as he closed his eyes and the vines started to pull them up and Espeon with Flareon and Ninetails began to float up to the bowl Danu had created.



Kai looked around in wonderment but chose to remain quiet, “So tomorrow you are going into Eterna City?” He questioned.



“Yeah.” Danu replied absentmindedly, laying down, “I have to resupply.”



“Mind if I tag along?” Kai questioned.



Danu thought about it, “So long as you don’t start looking for the Dark Warrior or Mother Earth. If they are out there, I am sure no one knows that they are themselves. They probably hide it anymore with the Obsidian Empire cutting down any that won’t join them.” Danu said in disgust.



“You sound like you, yourself hate the Obsidian Empire. Do you mind if I ask why?” Kai questioned.



Danu thought about it and decided again for a partial truth, omitting certain facts, “The Obsidian Emperor, before he was known as the Obsidian Emperor killed my lover. He has no value for any life but his own. He is a collector, a theif, and a killer.”



“So are you hunting down the Ivory Order?” Kai questioned.



“No.” Danu growled softly, “I don’t care about the Ivory Order. I don’t want to follow anyone else’s rules or plans. My plan is to find the Obsidian Emperor and kill him where he stands.”



“But the Obsidian Emperor is somehow linked with three Corrupted Dragonites. And he has the Obsidian King, Queen, Prince, and Princess with him at all times. Not to count all the Knights that would probably stand in your way.” Kai replied, “It would be hard to kill him with so many in the way. It would be near impossible to survive.”



“I don’t care about surviving so long as I get my revenge. He took the most precious thing away from me and I in turn wish to repay the favor.” Danu explained then realized that he had given much about himself away, “Good-night Kai, I hope you have pleasant dreams.” Danu lay within the shelter as he had before, his Companions taking up their sleeping places again.



Danu watched Kia though the darkness, calling upon his ties with Umbreon. Kia seemed sad as Ninetails and he spoke mind to mind. It was something Danu probably could have heard with Espeon’s help but he felt that a Linked and their Companion’s conversations were private so he merely sat and watched. Ninetails eventually took up a resting spot near Flareon furthest away from the opened area so not to draw attention and Kia lay beside Danu, keeping his distance from Danu but still close enough to feel if Danu moved during the night. Eventually Kia stilled and his breathing evened out as he relaxed and Danu knew that he was asleep. He then found himself drifting off himself and eventually let himself fade into that blackness.



~ End of Chapter One ~