When Worlds Collide

Chapter Two

My fingers clenched around my stuffed toy. I could hear my mother and father arguing in their room down the corridor. Long shadows stretched across the carpeted floor of my room, cast by the guards who were stationed at my door.

"I don't know what you think I should do!" Talia's voice echoed down the hallway. I pulled my little cyndaquil plush closer, my blankets brought up around my ears.

Princess lifted her head from her resting spot next to my bed. Her eyes glowed like hot embers as she glared at the guards.

"How is Alessa ever going to have a normal life? Maybe we should just move into the mountains, where they can't find us." Varian's voice was also raised, but he didn't sound nearly as angry as my mother did.

Just then, their voices went quiet and I couldn't hear any more.  One of the iron clad figures standing at my door shifted his feet, a yawn escaping his tired body.

I continued to stare up at my ceiling, looking at the mural that stretched across its length.  Such vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges spattered all over.  Fire Pokémon like none she had ever seen were acting out valiant displays. 

A cat like Pokémon with a red and orange mane, breathing fire towards a cream colored fox pokemon with many tails. A little further away, a massive bird with flames for wings towered over a black skinned, bipedal lizard with a long, sweeping tail.

I closed my eyes and tried to remember the names that my mother had called them. "Ninetails..." I whispered, opening my eyes to look at the fox pokemon with numerous tails.

I raised my arm and pointed at the bird Pokémon with flaming wings. "That's Moltres," I stated, looking down over the side of my bedsheets at Princess. She grunted, her head resting on her paws.

I let my hand fall and lay against her back, her fur putting off a pleasant heat. I turned my gaze to the corner of my room, which was shrouded in a deep shadow. I squinted, trying to make out a foreign shape in its depths.

"Alessa..." a deep voice hummed. Dark red eyes blinked open, revealing the intruder. But it wasn't a person, it was a Pokémon!

"Alessa, we must go..." the voice hummed once more. A snake like body curved in the darkness, showing her that it wasn't a shadow but a portal that had opened in the corner.

The massive snake like Pokémon turned to look at me, its gold and black metallic body shivering with tension. "Come with me..." it said, almost pleading.

I looked down at Princess, who was unusually quiet. I gasped to find her as still as a rock, not even breathing. The Pokémon must have sensed my distress for it spoke again, "it will be ok... you won't get in trouble..."

I reluctantly slid from under my covers, taking tentative steps towards the pulsing dark portal. The enormous snake Pokémon sprouted shadowy hands from his back, reaching out towards me.

I flinched away, unsure of what this creature wanted from me. "We will not hurt you Alessa..." the beast assured her.

With trembling fingers, I reached my hand out towards the portal. The Pokémon also extended a single, shadowy hand at me. I felt its metallic red "finger" touch my pointer, sending shivers down my spine.

I could hear it's voice even louder, booming into my head. "You are not safe here. The Shadow Mother must come with us."

"What are you talking about?" I asked. The beast did not respond. It was slow close, I was surprised it hadn't snatched me up and slithered away into its realm of darkness.

Suddenly, the illusion was broken. Princess howled and charged towards me from across the room. The guards banged into each other in their panic to get inside my bedroom.

"What's going on?!" One of them shouted as Princess continued frantically barking. The snake Pokémon took one last desperate look through its gleaming red eyes before the portal snapped shut and I was alone once more.

The guards fell onto my carpeted floor, their swords drawn.  Behind them, my mother burst through the door.  She was in her pajamas, her hair drawn up in a tight bun.

"Alessa what happened?" She asked slowly, trying to be heard over Princess's snarling.

The guards got to their feet and tries to restrain the houndoom but she aggressively bit onto one of their hands. "Ouch!" He exclaimed, quickly reeling back with his hand close to his chest.

Talia tried to grab ahold of her collar but she bucking about so wildly, she couldn't get a hold.  With narrowed eyes, she turned on the guards and took a deep breath. 

"Get out!" Talia ordered, grabbing my hand and rushing the guards out ahead of her.  As soon as we rounded the corner, Princess spouted a tide of fire from her mouth. 

I followed them down the hallway without much choice.  My mother's hand was still tight around my wrist.  I could hear Princess howling in my room as we entered my parent's sleeping quarters.

The guards continued down the hall and through a large arch into the armory.  Talia shut the door behind us, her breathing coming in shallow gasps.  Varian must have left the room, for his side of the bed was empty.

"What was wrong with Princess!" She panted.  I shrugged, feeling completely dumbfounded at what was happening.  "You need to tell me what happened," Talia said, trying to regain her composure.

"Well..." I mumbled, wondering where to begin.  I didn't get the chance to speak after that.  An enraged Princess slammed into the door, knocking it off its hinges.

Her head was low to the ground, her nostrils billowing hot smoke.  With a growl, she stepped closer to me.  I extended my hand, touching her on the top of the head between her horns.

She stopped briefly, closing her eyes as she cherished my touch.  But as my mother went to take a step towards us, she snarled and grabbed my night shirt firmly in her jaws.

With a shocked gasp, Talia fell backwards as Princess lifted my body and leapt towards the corner of the room. I noticed in surprise that the portal I saw earlier had appeared in the shadows.  I shot a helpless look at my mother as we flew through the portal's opening and then watched as it snapped shut behind us.