Pokemon: Grovyle's Promise

   "We'll never make it!" I shouted to my one comrade as I took down another Sableye. "There are too many of them!"
   "Just… keep trying!" Snow the Minccino panted back as she took on two of the foes at once. Coming to her rescue, I Quick Attacked one and Pounded the other. "Thanks," she said to me before launching back into the fray. Quick as a Thunderbolt, a Sableye latched itself onto my back while another readied Shadow Claw. But before he could I landed a heavy Rock Smash to his stomach, toppling him over backward. I then shook off the other and Pounded her with my tail 'til she was down for the count.
   Then I heard the voice I hated immensely command in a disgustingly pleasant way, "A special reward to the Pokémon that knocks them out." This exited the Sableye greatly, and in their rush to attack us I was soon overwhelmed by the numbers and disappeared under the mass of the Fury Swiping Darkness Pokémon. Next thing I knew they had me on my knees, with a Sableye on all sides. The one in front of me stepped aside to reveal my ultimate enemy, Dusknoir. He laughed in that same creepy way of not moving what he had of a mouth, the laughter echoing throughout his entire form. "My dear Treecko, don't you think it's a good time to stop running and face the Fate? I have been ordered many times by Master Dialga to put an end to your existence. But you have evaded for the last time. Now, my foe," the gaping mouth in his stomach opened up and a great shadowy sphere appeared. "Prepare to face the Ultimate Attack."
   The Sableye scrambled in all directions, not wanting to get caught in the blast. Seeing as I was free, I made to run for it. As if reading my mind, Dusknoir said, "You may want to rethink that plan. If you depart from our little battle, your Minccino friend will find her life coming to an abrupt halt."
   I glanced to my side. The remaining Sableye were holding Snow down, one had its filthy claws to her throat. She shook her head no as slightly as she could, I saw her mouth the word "run" at me. I sighed. Even though the Prophecy told that I was destined save the world, I would not sacrifice the life of a friend.
   Beaten and battered, I nodded. Dusknoir smirked as the deadly attack was slung at me……
   To this day I still can't explain what happened in that single moment. I saw a blinding flash of white light and felt myself buffeted to the side by a dull blow. My entire world was filled with a combination of smoke and dust. It had cleared by the time I opened my eyes and looked around. I was alive!  I thought happily. I was alive. But what saved me?
   I looked desperately around for an answer. Then I saw the small, grey-white mass lying to one side. "SNOW!" I shouted and ran to her side.
   Holding her in my arms, I pleaded for her to wake. Finally she opened her eyes half way. The feeble breath escaped her mouth as she whispered her last words. "Keep going……" and then she went limp. Finally and forever gone. This wasn't happening. My mind was spinning as I tried to process what had just happened.
   Then suddenly an anger like none I've ever known rose inside me, until it boiled in my very blood. Dropping Snow's body, I stood up, and my vision was shrouded in a red haze. I couldn't see the setting sun or the fuchsia sky or the fleeing Sableye; I saw only one thing: Dusknoir. Overwhelmed by my anger, I ran at him and delivered and ill-effective Quick Attack.
   The enemy easily sidestepped, his single eye shining with malevolent laughter. "That was your mistake, Treecko. You let yourself love." Screaming with wrath, I Pounded him with all I had, which wasn't even enough to leave a mark. Dusknoir continued taunting me, avoiding each and every attack I threw at him with unspeakable ease. "Love is the origin of all weakness. It slowly consumes the soul from within. One cannot be truly in control until he eliminates all emotion from his entire spirit, the very foundation of his being."
   Screaming in outrage, I felt my wrists begin to form a long, glowing leaf. I jumped upon Dusknoir with the Unbridled attack, but just before it made contact, he teleported away.
   I landed in the dirt with a sickening thud, knocking the breath away from me. I couldn't believe it. He managed to escape, right before I let loose on him with an Unbridled attack. Pain of the battle mingled with realization of what had just happened.
   Next thing I knew I was beside Snow. My one and only friend, the same Pokémon who nursed my wounds and teased me and stood by my side throughout all this time, was gone. Finally and forever. As this thought entered my mind, I started crying for the first time. I cried for the family I couldn't remember. I cried for the pain that I had hidden. I cried for the future, this world of Darkness that was to become my home. But mostly I cried for Snow. I cried for all the adventures we shared, for the challenges we overcame, the battles we won together. And I cried because I never told her how I felt. I never said how much she meant to me. But now it was too late.
   In the midst of my mourning, I felt a warm and comforting sensation surround me. Finally I stopped. Standing up, I realized that I had Evolved into Grovyle. But I no longer cared. My life had one purpose and one purpose only. To seek out Dusknoir and extract my revenge.
   I used Dig half-heartedly to build a grave. Then, taking Snow carefully in my arms, I laid her gently in the hole. I snapped off a twig from the nearest tree and Leaf Bladed it in half. I held one end out in the corner of my mouth in true Grovyle fashion. Jumping into the grave, I put the other end in Snow's paw, then placed it over her heart.
   I was preparing to leap out when something caught my eye. The necklace that she always wore. I lifted it carefully from around her neck and examined it. It was a locket, made from GoldWater, the most valuable substance on Earth. In its center were two golden bars, crossing together to make an X. I flipped it open. Inside was a shred of Ho-oh flame, the fire that never extinguished, symbolizing hope for all. I adjusted the chain and put the locket around my neck so that it hung just over my heart, warming it. I could use some hope on my journey.
   Then I jumped out of the grave and filled in the dirt, taking care to get one final look at my friend. Then I stood and watched the last of the sun set on Snow Minccino. I said no words to guide her to the Spirit World, for Arceus no longer guided me.
   Finally, when the sun had set, I turned my back on the life I had known. Tomorrow was the dawn of Darkness. The sun was doomed never to rise again, for Time had finally come to a complete stop. I had no place in this world, other than to find Dusknoir and wreak my vengeance for taking Snow away from me. And if that meant saving the world and fulfilling the Prophecy along the way, that was fine by me. Because I had to keep going.
   For Snow.