Disclaimer: Hm… no, don’t own pokemon, but I wish I did. Now that I’ve disclaimed that on with the fic!

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics when pokemon talk

Title: Dark Wings, Dark Things

Chapter 1

They found a little boy-child by the side of their cave, a Gyarados curled protective round him, a dead woman close by. The scenario was tolerably obvious. Three bullets were found buried in her chest, and the Gyarados was not in much better condition…

They were not sure what to do with the child. He was possibly three or four, with white hair and the oddest golden eyes, but he wasn’t crying. He just stared straight ahead, as if unaware of his place in the world.

The Elder finally reached a decision. A quick scan had revealed a hint of the Blackthorn Clan bloodline, and so, they decided it was probably the bastard child of a distant relative.

They would keep him then.

So they named him Wataru and kept him.

It’s not easy being an orphan.

Wataru and Clair hid behind the schoolyard, listening to the taunts of the other children. Spoiled little brats…

Clair wiped at her eyes angrily. “They’re mean!”

“I know, but there’s twelve of them and only two of us. We can’t win.”

“You’re bleeding!”

“I am?” Oh, this wasn’t good. If he went home with blood visible, grandfather would blame him for being a bad child again and make him clean the shrine. Not that he minded, but…

Clair nodded, since he had deep-sunken teeth marks on an arm. One particularly vile child had done that. Wataru cursed.

“I wish these weren’t here…”

To his surprise and almost shock – perhaps even a bit of horror, they closed up… nothing was left except clean skin.

Clair clapped. “You know magic just like grandfather, except you don’t need the dragon key!”

“The what key?”

“It’s a secret!” Clair whispered, lowering her voice and glancing around furtively. “Our family’s magic comes from the dragon key.”

“The dragon key?”

“Yes, Grandfather wears it on a chain around his neck. It’s got a little sun and moon on it.”

“I see…”

“I’ve never gotten a good look though.”

“So, do you know how to use it?”

“Not yet, I’m too little.” Clair smiled. “I’m only five, we’re not supposed to learn until we’re eleven. Oh well. Do you promise you won’t tell?”

“Promise.” Wataru and Clair linked pinkies and swore.

Wataru was seven, two years older than Clair, but he doubted that they’d teach him how to use the dragon key.

After all, he was only a distant relation, not of direct descent like Clair….

Plus, the other kids teased him because of his white hair. It wasn’t fair! They had green and blue and purple and pink hair, so why couldn’t he have white hair? They called him an old man and threw rocks.

Someday though, he’d get his revenge.

Someday…

Seeds of darkness began to sprout in a child’s heart.

They went home and had apples and milk for a snack, and then Clair went with her grandfather for special training.

Clair was one of the two direct descendants from the Blackthorn Dragon line, and the other was a boy of ten, Justin. Justin had golden blonde hair just like the mysterious man who had founded the Clan, and piercing blue eyes. He was already learning how to use the dragon key.

Wataru left and called up his Gyarados – actually, it was his mother’s Gyarados, but it didn’t matter.

Hello, Wataru.

“Hello.” He said. For some reason, this Gyarados could understand human speech and speak it – or so he thought.

What happened today? You seem down.

“I suppose I’m a bit jealous of Clair and Justin.” He replied. They were the only kids near his age but they were always busy, and Justin didn’t like him at all…

Last week he had filled Wataru’s thermos with Caterpie sap, and last month, he’d dyed his hair green. It had taken weeks before all the disgusting color got out.

He didn’t *know* why Justin didn’t like him, it was just always there! He shrugged. It was none of his concern.

He left Gyarados at the pond and returned to his room. It wasn’t as if the Dragon clan members abused him or anything, they just ignored him, except for Clair.

Perhaps it was better that way.

Back in his room, he took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and opened his book of dragon stories, immersing himself in the words.

Dragons were so cool…

If he read enough, he could pretend the stories were real, and it put the pain away to deal with…

Clair tripped over her Horsea as she tried to dodge Justin’s attack. Apparently Grandfather had decided she needed training now. Why?

He said girls were weaker and they needed more time to learn, so he was teaching her early and she ought to be grateful.

She supposed she was, but it was hard!

I worry about him.

Why? Dragonair stared at the female Gyarados quizzically. He had met her two years ago, along with the child she had brought. He saw nothing wrong with Wataru.

They are not properly caring for him.

Well, our clan is not known for raising children. Only the heirs are important. It’s a miracle they took him in at all.

I know, it’s just that I feel uneasy…

You females worry too much. Dragonair shook his head. Come. He led Gyarados down into the seaweed bed.

She sighed as she followed him. * I hope I’m wrong… * Surely the situation would get better, right?

The old Clan leader couldn’t be that blind. Besides, he had a friend in Clair. That would be enough….

She hoped.

End Chapter

Completed 5/16/05