wheevee. I'd attempted one fic before, but it's over now, and I'm sorry to say that I haven't been visiting the FanFic forum as much as I would like. I'm trying to improve my writing skills while I'm at it. ^_^; So, here goes, my second attempt at writing a fic.

The introductory chapters develop quite slowly, and the plot is left intentionally vague until things speed up later on. I hope that's not a bad thing.

[EDIT]: Argh, I can't figure out how to work paragraph indentations! ;_;

[b]
~ Lune ~



Chapter 1
The Sanctuary

It all began, Lune recalled, when chaos first broke out in the Sacred Kingdom. It hadn't always been this way. Life was enjoyable once. Lune shook his head sadly. His face was marked with the scars of sorrow, and his once brightly-lit eyes were dimmed with weary hopelessness.

And yet, what was an Eevee like him to do? He knew (or thought, at least) what would once more bring joy to the Sacred Kingdom, but he had neither the power nor the support to do what had to be done.

Sighing, Lune rested his head on the soft, sweet grass, allowing his long ears to droop down his neck side-by-side. With his bushy tail wrapped around his small body, he idly pawed at the white tuft of fur that grew around his neck and fell at his chest, frowning as he did so. The cold, smooth stone embedded in his forehead glowed slightly as the sun's morning rays cast warm light upon it. This Everstone would, till the end of time, prevent Lune from evolving into a more powerful form. Forever an Eevee he would remain. He yawned, peeking over the water's edge to look at his reflection. A pathetic creature stared back at him with its infinitely deep gray eyes, whose golden fur had long since lost its glorious luster. Truth was bitter.

This secret meadow was the one place he could find peace nowadays. The soothing melody of the rushing waterfall and swift stream would often help to calm his nerves. Here, in the midst of sweet, fragrant flowers, he could rest. There was no fear of discovery. Lune himself had stumbled upon this meadow by pure chance, and not without help. The only way in was hidden deep in the darkest corner of a mysterious cave. The cave itself wasn't very large, but many pokémon tended to avoid it because of its narrow, confining space and the risk of falling into unseen holes, never to be found again... Hidden and unnoticed lay the entrance to the meadow. Even from up close, it seemed like nothing special... just another crevice in a cave that was full of them. On the other side, though, was this sacred meadow, serene and welcoming. The best part? It was a secret, not to be seen even by air. Only one other pokémon knew of this sanctuary...

"Hey, Lune, plan on sitting there feeling sorry for yourself all day?" Shockwave crawled through the narrow crack in the stone, leaped through the waterfall's cascading curtain (his favorite part), and swam across the stream, coming out icy cold and thoroughly drenched: just the way he liked it. Lune had to give the Pikachu credit. That crazy yellow mouse never failed to brighten up the darkest day. Lune smiled. If Shockwave weren't here to cheer him up with his - literally - electric personality, Lune wouldn't know what he'd do.

"Seriously, though." Shockwave shook himself dry. "They're announcing the new Guardian today. You should come."

Lune blinked. He'd forgotten all about the new Guardian! Traditionally, there had to be at least two. They were chosen by the Emperor... At the thought of the Emperor, Lune grimaced. He didn't want to think about that just yet. This day, though, would be a very important one.

The Guardians held the responsibility of maintaining order in the kingdom. In times of war, they, along with the Emperor, (Oh, not the Emperor again!) would command the vast army. Of course, the choice would be crucial. Lune hoped that the Emperor - it pained him when he thought of that good-for-nothing - would at least be capable of making a decent choice. No one, in Lune's mind, deserved the Guardianship at this point. They would just have to make do. Unless...

"Hey, Kingdom to Lune! Kingdom to Lune!" Shockwave crossed his arms. "Coming?"

Lune grinned sheepishly. "Um, yeah. Sorry."

"I was afraid I'd have had to zap you," Shockwave teased. "Speaking of which, you don't appear quite alert yet. Perhaps it'd be a good idea, anyway."

"Oh, no you don't!" Lune snickered, playfully shoving the Pikachu into the stream. Shockwave emerged, spewing water and twisting his mouth into a sly grin.

"Race ya!" he called, already halfway across the stream.

"Hey! No fair!" Lune yelled, chasing after the rapidly-disappearing Pikachu, forgetting, for a moment, his pain and his sorrow.