Long Day's Night

The little Absol was born in the streets of the great Castelia City. Her parents, an Absol and Persian, were mangy poppers who had very little other than devoted love. The child, named Solstice for the date of her birth, tried to make friends but to no avail. Despite being an innocent babe humans avoided her for her species, and other Pokemon for the fleas that she carried. Disheartened by each failure Solstice found her only solace to be her parents and herself. It was a bit lonely of an existence, but as all she knew she was used to it.

As she played in the park area of the great city, ricocheting off a tree to see how high she could jump, something unusual happened- another Pokemon approached her. The scrappy young Poochyena was bold and wanted to play but Solstice was spooked. No one ever wanted to play with her. Unsure of her own safety the child ran home, leaving the Poochyena in her wake and not wanting anything to do with him. Day after day, however, she would bump into him over and over, almost as if her fellow dark type was stalking her. The shy Absol was afraid to ask why he was doing this to her and just wanted it to stop. Refusing to leave her home the introvert wondered what she did wrong.

Eventually her parents stepped in- they said he probably just wanted to make a friend of her and there was nothing to be afraid of. Reluctantly, Solstice was ushered out of the den again to explore and learn. Not even a day later though, after being chased away by yet another human child in fear, she bumped into the canine again. Completely unprepared and not in any condition to be near him she finally broke down and asked why he kept bothering her. He seemed puzzled, but smiled and said he just wanted to know her name and introduced himself Equinox. She gave her answer politely and quickly dodged any further questions and left. Yet as the days persisted Equinox kept showing up like before, unafraid to ask her questions or make a statement. Slowly Solstice became used to his presence and finally accepted him as her first friend.

As it turned out the pup was also a human reject, too scrappy and 'dangerous' looking for the kids to want. Despite constantly being cast aside he seemed very happy and knew the city like the back of his paw. Empathy gained his attention, and seer persistence brought forth a friendship, but only time could blossom a bound between the two. With her first real friend Solstice matured into prepubescence with happiness. The pair became inseparable, let it be exploring or playing, the Dark Types always found time for each other. Humans still avoided them but they no longer cared- they had one another for entertainment. Still, the Absol was not overly social. She loved the see the land and adventure but found it much easier to use her companion for support. Exploring as far as the reaches of the neighboring routes and the darkest corners of the cities little Solstice's courage was only present when Equinox was.

So when he didn't come to play for a few days anxiety began to build under her pale colored pelt. And for good reason. When the Poochyena did show up again there was a dark look to his eyes and a limp in his step. Though he smiled at her there was a definite avoidance to her questions about what had happened, a hint of pain in his voice. His thick fur hid wounds that he refused to speak of, and as the weeks persisted more and more of these incidents occurred. The canine grew secretive, and always seemed to be wounded but never had a good explanation. Determined to find out what was happening to her friend Solstice hatched a plan to follow him. After he had gone home and the moon had risen the Absol made her way to the Poochyena's den. She made it just in time to watched the small dark shape sneaking out and heading off under the cover of night.

Steeling her courage the pale colored Dark Type stuck to the shadows, using them as cover as she stalked Equinox. Where was he going, and why in secret? They journeyed far into a more remote area of the city where plants had overtaken their yards, spiny weeds making it unpleasant just to walk. The Poochyena seemed to of stopped and Solstice was just about to reveal herself when a cellar hatch popped open and he slipped inside. Her chest tightened, but after a moment the Absol silently slipped in after him. It was unnerving inside, a strange, dim orange light illuminating the place, and it smelled thickly of blood and death. Solstice could feel her heart beat against her ribcage but forced her way forward as she could now hear Equinox speaking. However, before she could catch any of the words dread washed over her. Without looking she knew there were Pokemon standing behind her. Jumping to the left then the right she manages to dodge their attacks and rush up beside Equinox by pure luck. Panic glistened in his red-gold gaze but the female locks eyes with the devilish Pokemon he had been talking to. "I see you brought a friend," It growls in a voice like hell itself. "We don't take kindly to strangers around here. Tell me child, do you know this hound?" The Absol can feel the stress radiating from the Poochyena beside her as well as the tension in the air. They were being watched on all sides by Pokemon she could not see. "Yes, I do." She replies as loud and clear as possible, refusing to let the fear into her voice.

The dark figure raised a brow as a crooked smile spread across his muzzle, "I see." Its voice was utterly terrifying and the child quaked in her fur. What was this place...? "Tell me child, do you like games?" A bead of sweat forms under her fur. "Lets play a game. Go stand against that wall." A paw with long grizzled nails points to the side of the room. As if in a trance the Absol follows toward the spot it landed on. Equinox whines something but is silenced by a Pokemon she can not see. The beast moved slightly forward so she could see its devilish gold eyes. "You're either awfully brave or absurdly foolish. Lets see which it is." A massive green snake slithers out of the darkness, "Dont move now." It hisses with dark laughter in its voice. There is scare enough time to take in a breath before the Serperior moves into action. With a soft whiz razor sharp leaves fly in her direction faster then one can see. Their sharp edges dig into the wooden wall behind her, mere inches from her bright white fur. Solstice flinches, body rigid and unable to even move as the onslaught continues. A small heart flutters, beating harder and harder as the leaves get closer to her body. It feels like an eternity before it stops and she can finally exhale the breath she had held. Her face is still from the stress, but her large violet eyes reveal how scared she is. A sharp pain rings from her cheek: she must of shifted as one leaf slightly cut her face.

Her blue claws clatter on the floor as she shakes, taking in the fact she had nearly just been killed. "So yo'ure a brave one then, ey child?" The voice from before returns. She nearly soils herself. "Maybe there is use for you." Purple eyes flick toward it only to see the black pelt slink forward. Use? "Well then, give me your name lass, so we can add you to our ranks." The wicked grin returns, "Or the next leaf will hit you a few inches lower." She chokes on her own breath, barely holding back tears. There is a small pause before she can get herself to calmly reply, "Solstice."
"Well, Solstice, welcome to hell."

And Hell It Was

The Absol had no idea what she had just gotten herself into. Instantly she was dragged away to be lectured, told that if she ever spoke of the gangs existence she would be silenced, to obey and respect her superiors, and do as told. Though her life had been far from cushy this was a vast and hard change. Each day they worked her, the childs body screaming for solace as they pushed her to her mental and physical limit. Too afraid to say no the pain was all she knew from them aside from fear. While her nights were spent training she stayed home during the day, too tired to leave. Her parents saw the change in their daughter, but missed her silent pleas and were none the wiser of the horrors she had gotten herself into. Several days passed before Equinox even got the chance to tell her what was going on, purposefully separated from the female at first as they scrutinized her performance. The Poochyena refused her details but said something had happened to his parents and he had no other choice but to join the gang. It didnt make much sense but he warned her there was no way out now. He had dragged her in and now they had to commit, or be killed off... Clear shame and sorrow glittered in his eyes but the Disaster Pokemon was too tired from it all to really register anything.

The days dragged on to weeks. Her sleeping schedule was messed the hell up, training was utterly exhausting, and before she knew it the youth was on her first heist. It seemed the Dark Type children were constantly being tested and threatened. 'failure will result in death' let it be by the mission itself or the gang members punishment, it didn't matter. Under the cover of night the pair were escorted into the nearby desert. "You're first task is simple," the guard spoke matter-of-factly, "Make your first kills, then you can return." He turned to leave, "Until then you'll stay here," he finished before vanishing into the dark. Exhaustion was plaguing her paws and mind, bringing a frown to Solstice's tired face, but with Equinox at least she had someone she could trust. "If we stick together this'll go by twice as fast," she tells him. The Poochyena disagrees, saying packs make prey nervous, and he went off in another direction to start tracking.

Having never hunted the mere thought of killing was making Solstice's stomach churn, pulse race. Every noise and whip of the sand sent panic through her pelt. Was her prey nearby? Would she have to act fast and kill now? Taking in a deep breath she had no idea how to hunt let alone in a sand strewn environment such as this. How did anything even live out here with no hearty plants? The Absol paced around for hours it felt, the darkness shifting across the sand. A strong breeze blows sand straight in her face and she yelps, thick paws rubbing her eyes delicately to get the grains away. Distracted, she failed to notice something rushing up on her. "Look out!" Equinox roared, suddenly appearing pelting toward her. At the last moment Solstice dove to the side, narrowly missing the Darmanitan's fist as it pounded into the sand. With a strong leap the Poochyena propelled himself onto the Fire Types back, sinking his fangs deep into its [lack of a] neck. It roared, rearing with its arms flailing to remove the pup. Solstice barely managed to clear her eyes, watching as her friend clung for dear life as the enraged Darmanitan flailed about.

She had to think fast. She had to do something, quick, as the beast grew even more angry, its fists bright with flames. 'Be brave.' Equinox had been brave.. s-she had to be to! Taking in a deep breath the Absol charged a Slash in her horn and steadied herself on her paws. The focusing and waiting was agony made worse as the Poochyena was thrown to the sand. The Fire Type reared up, exposing its throat as she charged it and released the sharp blade of energy mere inches away from it. The attack seared across it its neck, slashing through it unnaturally so and a mass amount of blood instantly began pouring from the wound. Wounded, pained, and bleeding out the Darmanitan was more then pissed and managed to land one last Fire Punche in the Absol's side before it slumped over from blood loss. Solstice could only stare, mortified at what she had done so.. easily.

Watchers came to collect the harvest, and the children were 'promoted' for their impressive catch. Hell had a new routine, as they were placed in a new unite tasked with different things.

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The Hardest Hit

Together, and finally at peace, the pair had a child. The little girl was perfect, her Little Solace. The family was happy, life perfect. But all perfection for the Solstice couldn't last. There was a sickening scream and the parents awoke to find their daughter missing. Panic stricken they followed the cries until they found Solace in the clutches of their old gang mates. They had come a long way to exact their revenge and the blood spattering the childs pelt send cold dread through Solstice's body. With Equin at her side the parents fought tooth and claw to save their child.
It seemed obvious that the desperate Pokemon had come a long way to find them on little. They were weak, easily killed under the angry parents strength. As the last of them fell Solstice crept up to her daughter only to watch as the life continued to pour out of her. Blood gushed from her belly and neck, her eyes dull already as her spirit faded. Their was a small spasm and she went still.

Grief plagued the dark types like a heavy rain. Solstice cried for a long time, more then she ever had before in her life. Pouring her heart out to the sky she begged and pleaded, wanting nothing more then the child she had lost.. the weeks dragged on, the pain too raw, too much to bear though it became a dull aching in her heart and body. Depression quickly gripped the Absol and she spent a lot of time huddled in her den. Eventually, after much persuading, she decided to go for a walk and stretch her legs. The forest seemed so quiet, so somber. It looked the same, as though it didn't even notice the loss it had suffered but felt as though even the air was heavy with suffering.

She looked down at him, lured by his cries, and seemed unsure what to do. She.. she couldn't believe it. Such a young child, alone in her dark home where she had yet to see an Eeveelution. There was no way she could leave him but to leave the child.. A hope bubbled in the Absol, all clouds of doubt being pushed far to the side. It had to be a sign.. Taking the innocent babe back home with her Solstice