The Sage Chronicles A Story By Awkward Dreams Chap. I OT (killiangglynn@msn.com) ----------------------------- Summary: Nateja Shannow is a fourteen-year-old girl, hungry for adventure. Nateja is not your ordinary girl. In fact, she is connected with a powerful magic, thousands of years old. Nateja can communicate with Pokémon, a special talent that rarely runs through blood. However, when she finds out that her parents want her to stay with them until she is legally allowed to leave home, she decides to run away, with a little help with the towns local Professor and her best friend. Legal Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever, own Pokémon. This story is made for pleasure purposes only. It is not made to make money. Just thought I would make that clear. ----------------------------- The Sage Chronicles Chapter I Auburn Dreams Silence. A new dawn, etched with hot pink and gold, rose longingly from bright green hills, which zigzagged their way towards slate grey mountains, which seemed to brush their summits along the sky, which was now a baby blue, as clouds swirled formlessly around, as if they had no care in the world. Beautiful. Yet, strangely, all were pre-occupied in dreams, creations of their own mind, to dwell upon until morning gradually caused their eyes to flutter open, to embrace a new day in history. Silence no more. A soft wind rustled the cornfields, as goldenrod swayed from side to side, accompanied by green yellow stalks. A cock crowed, splitting the silence and tumbling it into official morning. No one was conscious to lay eyes on such a sight. The residents of Willow Town lay contently under their satin sheets, whispering unheard conversation. In a small corner of Willow Town, the smallest part of the area stood a thatched roofed cottage. You wouldn't expect anything unordinary to be going on within those walls. But, as sure as the sun will raise once more, a young girl of fourteen lay sleeping in her room. Now, this room was a rather ordinary room, as you will see in a couple of seconds. It was painted earthy greens and browns, and a basket full of unwashed clothes stood in the very farthest point of the room, left there, as if never to be heard of again. Toys of little creatures were scattered along the floor, some with gleaming, pointed teeth, some with pink, squishy bodies, and others with spikes running along their back, or skulls covering most of their face. A stereo stood on a mahogany desk, playing "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" softly. A laptop was there; too, an abandoned chat box conversation still lay motionless on the screen, flashing a bright orange, signalling someone who was supposed to bring attention to it sooner or later. Now, lets pay more credit to our hero of this story, shall we? Nateja Shannow was breathing lightly in her bed, raising a light skinned hand to brush locks of hair out of her face. Bright blue eyes, witty and sparkling, were hidden behind closed eyelids. Her hair was a light brown, and streaks of electric blue ran along some strands, as well. Her light complexion brought out her eyes, and her lips were a rosy red, like a dolls'. At the end of the bed sat a very strange creature. I mean, very, very strange. This creature, for instance, looked remarkably like a large dog – very much like a Shikoku dog, in fact. It was covered in yellow fur, which pointed and stuck up all around, like needles – its mane was white, and it, too, was pointed and very much needle-like. It glared at Nateja, and let out a bark. Nateja jumped up straight, as if commanded to do so, as her hair tossed over her shoulders, onto her face, and gave a groan, which sounded quite similar to a pouting noise. She scratched the back of her neck, and yawned, as her eyes prickled with tears (the reason being the yawn, which, by the way, was quite loud). She stretched her hands, swinging them around and around, trying to her limbs circulating and working again. "Jolt, what have I told you about waking me up, like – like -," (she let out another yawn, patting her mouth repeatedly for a couple of second) "that. I'd very much prefer if you just… just… shook me until I came back into the real world." Jolteon rolled his eyes, and stared hard at Nateja, shaking his head. "Nat, I have tried that technique, yet you just pushed me over. You're a real heavy sleeper, and ya know that. Besides (Jolteon grinned), I've always managed to make it up on time." Jolteon grinned rather proudly to himself. "Boaster. 'Sides, I get good grades in most of my classes anyway without being late." "Yeah right. You're not a genius, you know, Nat." "Well I can be here 'cause it's my room. So go away for the moment." "Nateja!" "Since when did you start using my full name, Jolteon?" "Since you became a lazy girl who wishes to stay in bed all day." Nateja shook her head solemnly; that wasn't exactly true. She wanted to travel the whole world, from the small town of Willow (her current residence), to Marble City, past the rough waters of the Peregrine Sea, over the mountains of Mable, she'd even stick with going through Equidae City. As normal, Nateja knew Jolt wouldn't give up 'till she got up. "Okay, okay, I'm getting up." "Thank you Nat." "Whatever. Look away while I get dressed." "Alright, will do." Nateja brushed her long hair (which went down to her waist), being particularly obsessive whilst brushing her electric blue streaks. She didn't want to mess them up and have to get new ones. After straightening her locks, Nateja soon decided on a dark green tank top, white long-sleeved shirt, and her usual three-quarter length army pants, with trainers which (unfortunately) had worn soles, with scratches and the like. She hastily tied her hair into a simple ponytail with her beautiful butterfly barrette, which was a shade of the most wonderful, fantastical green you could imagine. Its wings were a light pink and lilac, and its eyes were actually embedded with rubies, which sparkled. It was Nateja's most prized possession, and it had been passed down through the generations of her family, in a small, light brown box, And there it had been, laying upon a red velvet cushion. Nateja found a slot in her mind where she was dancing in a long, beautiful lilac gown, dancing around the room with a handsome young man. Her hair was auburn, and there was her barrette, gleaming with its two ruby eyes… its wings spread, and it took flight – the party room sparkled with glitter. "Nateja Madeline Shannow! Hurry your behind up! You'll be late for school! Again. Your breakfasts on the table." Nateja groaned, as did Jolt (though in a more Pokémonish way). Nat's mother, Marigold, was a tiny bit obsessive, trying to make their life overly perfect, always going to school on time, eating scrumptious food at dinnertime with china plates, everything. It annoyed Nateja sometimes, frankly. Jolt always had to be quiet and behave himself when Marigold came into the room: for Nateja had made a promise to be responsible and take care of Jolt. And she had, honest! She shouted to her Mom that she'd be out in a minute. Marigold's image was nothing like Nateja's – she had short, shoulder-length hair, which was a fiery red, and emerald eyes, with a wonderfully amazing complexion, however much Nat refused to admit it. Nateja ushered Jolt to turn around. "You're wearing the same clothes as Wednesday." "No I'm not. Jolt, you know that." "How? It was just two days ago, and, as you know, I have a phenomenal memory." Nateja pointed to the diamond necklace (which was shaped like a small vial, in the shape of a diamond) lying on her chest, its silver chain coiling around her neck gleaming because of the sunlight that escaped through the curtains. Nateja walked over and pulled the red drapes backwards, as sunlight lit up the room. "Come on, we'd best head down now." "Whatever you say Nat." Nateja entered the cottage's kitchen, and beamed as she wrapped her arms around her Fathers neck and pulled him into a deep embrace. "Whoa there sport, you'll be knocking me over next. Hey there Jolteon." Jolt simply stood there, and nodded his head slightly. Marigold chuckled. "Alex, honey, you know he defitenley doesn't understand you." Nateja frowned, and opened her mouth to speak. "Mom! Of course he does! Pokémon aren't stupid you know. They're the most wonderful things on this entire planet. Jolt is one of my best friends!" Alex smiled, and ran his hand through his jet-black hair, his black eyes sparkling, however dark they were. "That's exactly what your Grandfather told me, Nat. He was one of the greatest trainers of his time, you know. Your Grandmother always told me that he was always rambling on about Pokémon in his younger years. Just like you, my dear." Nateja beamed and helped herself to some Muesli, Alex returned to his paper, Marigold continued with the breakfast, and Jolt gratefully gulped down the unwanted bacon from Alex and Nateja. Nat soon stood up, waved goodbye to her family, and headed outside with Jolt, and made her way to school with him. People were always battling there, and Nateja rolled her eyes at their stupidity. Pitting Pokémon against each other was what she wanted to do as a Pokémon Trainer, but doing it for popularity was just stupid and ignorant. Becca, Nateja's best friend, was already waiting at the school gates for her with her Wigglytuff, and they both started giggling before they could even start the conversation. They high-fived each other, then banged their knuckles together, before hugging for a second or two. Their own friendship greeting! Specially theirs. Becca had blonde hair and bright blue eyes the same shade as Nateja's - this is how they had met and became best friends, gradually. Best friends for life. School at Willow Highschool went normally and Jolt kept his promise and stayed quiet throughout the evening. Apart from being teased and pushed around by the Barbie of the class – Clarissa Charles – everything went practically perfect. Nateja was shocked to find that there was no smoke bellowing from the cottages' chimney when she returned home via Willow Forest. Nat and Jolt decided to investigate. "Whats going on, Nat?" "I don't know." Nateja got a firm grip on the metal handle, and pushed down hard. The click of the door creaking open gave an atmosphere of anxiety overwhelmed Nateja's mind and soul. Jolt sat there, confused and bewildered. The kitchen was silent, and hushed voices came from the Living Room, talking in hurried tones. Nateja and Jolt paced towards the Lounge. The voices were Marigolds and Alex's. The hushed voices were now evolving into shouts. Nat and Jolt listened intently, trying to catch phrases. "Alex! You don't understand! She's much too young! She wouldn't be able to handle the truth! I am NOT and I mean, not putting this on her shoulders so early!" "Marigold, my Father was four years younger when he left!" "Ash has nothing to do with this, Alexander!" "She can follow her heart, if she wishes, Marigold!" "I'm not tolerating this. My baby is not going out there! Its much too big, and no way can she go without supervision!" "I'll go with her!" "For goodness sakes', Alex, you have this family here to take care of, you can't just abandon this town!" "You're right." Nateja heard Marigold sighing. "It's settled. She's not leaving until she is as old as eighteen Alex." Alex mumbled. Nateja couldn't believe it. Jolt could not either. He looked at Nateja in a pitying way. Nat lay against the wall. She let out a whimper, and silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Jolt snuggled up close to her. Nateja saw herself in her lilac gown. She fell to the floor, weeping. Her butterfly barrette hit the ground with a thud and shattered into a million pieces of broken glass.