FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It took me about half a day to reach the harbor town the Team Flare member had told me I would be able to find the carrier at. All the while, Umbra was telling me the story behind the curse.

The old man was correct, he began, that the Curse of Solitude is placed on a child when they are about 10 years old, and when they reach 15 or 16, the enchanter who placed the curse will seek out the child and kill them, thus extending their life, and absorbing the curse, making them stronger. I nodded to myself. What about you? How do I have a demon living inside of my head? I asked. I heard him chuckle as he spoke, I am no longer a true demon, merely a spirit that is bound to you. You see, one of the things needed for the curse is the horn of a demon, so I assume he used mine. When he used the curse on you, my dormant consciousness was passed into you. All I needed to be revived was a huge emotional spike, like when you were about to die. You realized if you died, Vix would also die, and your resulting rage awoke me. Thank you, by the way; I was afraid I would never be able to see this world again.

I smiled. No problem man. Suddenly, I heard a rustling coming from my left. I glanced to the side and saw a Machamp charge from the brush at me full speed. I had no time to move before it uppercutted me and sent me flying into a small pond on the other side of the path. I quickly jumped out in time to see it coming in for a second strike, but I was ready this time: I jumped, using its head as a step, and flipped over it, landing gently on the ground behind it. I conjured a handful of kunai, holding them in a ready position, and spoke clearly, "You can come out now, whoever's pokemon this is."

I saw the bushes near the pond shift as familiar bearded man came out from the brush, the one I had met the night of the festival. His eyes widened when he saw me. "You're alive! I thought that creature had killed you back there!" he ran up and swung me around in his arms happily, and then gently set me down. "Sorry about all that. I'm keeping guard out here, making sure Team Blaze doesn't try and attack here. I don't want them killing anyone else." He looked down sadly and I realized what had happened. "They... they killed your family?" I asked gently. He nodded. "But I'm not letting them get away with it. Quads and I are sabotaging their supply shipments. They'll have to come out of that damned carrier on their own at some point." He said triumphantly. "Oh, I just realized we've never been introduced. My name is Leon." I nodded. "Steven." I said simply. "Can you bring me to the town? I have to look into some things there." He smiled. "Of course, my boy! Say, where is the girl you said you were with at the festival?" I remembered he didn't know who Vix really was. I smiled, hiding what had happened to her, and said "I'm meeting her near the town in a while. I just need to stop for some supplies and a rest." He recalled his Machamp and began to guide me down the path. In truth, it wasn't supplies I needed; when I reached the town, I was gathering a band of people crazy enough to fight alongside me and take down the carrier. If Team Blaze was causing problems to the point that people were guarding the town, then I knew I wouldn't have too many problems.

It was about an hour before we reached the town, and at that moment I took Leon aside to an alley and told him the truth about everything. After about 10 minutes, he knew about me, my powers, the events of the past few days, and who Vix really was. He took it in rather well, which was not what I was expecting. When I finished my story, he smiled craftily. "I've got your back, kid. I know some people who would be willing to join you on your attack." He held out his hand, and I shook it lightly. "Meet me here tomorrow at midnight, and we'll see who's all lined up." He looked around suspiciously. "Watch out, though, because Team Blaze has spies everywhere. You may have to get some kind of disguise before word gets around that you're here." I nodded and he grinned. "I have to go back to my post, so I'll see you later. Remember: stay hidden until tonight!" he called as he ran off. I looked around quickly to see if there were any prying eyes, but I saw nothing. I put on my hood and walked onto the main road. I had to find some proper attire, and fast.

I found a clothing store about a block away, and was able to sneak out with an interesting mask: a lower-jaw skull mask that concealed my face so no one could see me, without disrupting my vision. As an added measure, I snagged some sunglasses off of a rack, but not without commenting on the outrageous price tag plastered to it. I shook my head, ignoring it, and quickly exited the building before the clerk could realize what I had done. I didn't feel good stealing, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, I was going to give them back when I was done. Well, as long as Yveltal didn't shred them like it had done to my lucky hoodie.

I found a fire escape outside a building, so I climbed to the top to find a place I could rest without being disturbed. I knew it was going to be a long night, and I needed to keep my strength up. Now that I had some high ground, I looked over to the harbor and saw a large shape a few miles off the coast. I knew that this had to be the carrier. I stared at it intensely, as if my gaze would cause the ship to sink, but eventually realized sitting around wasn't doing any good for anybody. I had a revelation that day: I needed to stop Team Blaze and kill Silus, not just to save Vix, not just for retribution, but for the good of everyone. I wasn't going to let any more towns or cities be destroyed or overrun, and I wasn't going to let any more families be destroyed. I swore once again that I would stop them as I drifted off into sleep.

I opened my eyes to find myself lying on my back in what appeared to be an endless white room. It was a strange feeling; I felt as if I were outside, but I couldn't see any sky or feel any breeze. I heard footsteps approaching from behind, and saw a strange sight when I turned. It was a boy, who appeared to be my age, and my height. As I studied him further, I realized it was me, except he had black hair and white skin.

"Who are you?" I asked cautiously, holding my hand out to summon my sword, but nothing happened. The stranger smiled and said "There is no need for weapons here, Steven. I only wish to talk, face to face."

I raised an eyebrow. "How do you know my name? And, on top of that, who are you?"

The figure chuckled quietly. "You really need me to spell it out for you? I thought it would be pretty obvious."

I relaxed when I finally realized who I was speaking to. "Umbra." I said softly. He laughed loudly, and I realized he sounded like me to, but with a deeper tone layered on top of his voice. "Where are we?" I asked. I was a little concerned, seeing as I had fallen asleep on top of a building, and was now... nowhere.

"We are in your mind. Now that I have been awakened, I can make you aware of your dreams. Being a spirit, I cannot sleep, so I can awaken you subconsciously." He turned and began to walk in the direction he had come from. "Come with me." He called over his shoulder. I jogged to his side.

After a few minutes, Umbra held an arm out to his side, stopping me. Ahead of us I saw a massive stadium. It stood higher than any building I had ever seen. "What is this all about?" I asked, shocked by the sight of the immense building ahead of me. "This is where you continue your training. You may have learned a few skills from the old man, but his unexpected betrayal cut your training short."

I looked at him, confused. "But he taught me everything there was to know about my powers." Umbra narrowed his eyes. "Yes, but you are going to have to get used to having a voice in your head. On top of that, there is still more you can do in your demonic form. The old man probably didn't tell you because he feared you would overcome him if you knew these powers." "Then if I could beat the old man without those powers, then I can beat Silus with them too." I said with confidence. Umbra exploded with laughter, and wiped a tear from his eye as he explained: "Silus has Yveltal, a pokemon that is basically the physical embodiment of destruction. You really think it's going to be easier to beat than the old man?" I nodded understanding his point. "Okay, then. Lead on." He turned back to the arena and led me inside.

We entered to see a massive battlefield inside the building, and stands filled with screaming people. I looked around in awe. "What's going on here?" I exclaimed in amazement. Umbra shrugged. "I thought it would be good to have positive reinforcement. And, I love making things more dramatic." He clapped his hands twice as a shadowy figure appeared in the center of the field. It slowly became clearer and clearer until it took on the form of Registeel, a legendary pokemon that appeared to be a metallic statue, but was in fact a living powerhouse. It sat there simply, as if awaiting orders.

"First, you must accept that you are going to be killing, both humans and pokemon-" I started to protest, but he continued, "-I know you don't like the idea of that, but it must be done, because Yveltal and all of the other pokemon Team Blaze will have on the carrier are going to be trained to kill without hesitation. In the end it's going to be you or them." I looked at him angrily, surprised at how heartless he was.

"I know you're a demon, but you're kind of an asshole." I said. He simply smiled and walked away, holding his hand in the air and snapping his fingers twice. I heard a low groan as the large pokemon behind me began to move...