Taming The Shadows

Chapter One

Phenac City. A city of refuge to those seeking shelter from the harsh desert heat and blistering winds. Built around an oasis, this city retained an ample supply of fresh water springing up from the epicenter of the town. It's structures were mainly constructed from stone, making them perfect for repelling winds and standing up to storms that happen on occasion. A large stone wall surrounded the city, further shielding it from the storms. At the center of it all was a trainer school named the Precept Gym. It was there that many aspiring trainers gather to learn what it means to be a trainer. Many citizens were out and about either jogging with their companions or sitting under the lush palm trees and talking.

Sitting at the very top of the city was the pride and joy of the citizens. The Phenac Colosseum. This was where trainers engaged in competitive battles for an assortment of prizes that ranged from money, to Pokémon eggs, or even tickets to various events like concerts or conventions of sorts. The Colosseum held their battles on a weekly basis. It was the means by which the citizens obtained their entertainment.

Wes stood at the entrance to the city and looked up at the beauty of it all. He took a deep breath as this wasn't exactly the simplest thing in the world for him to do. He had a few memories of this place growing up. He trekked inside the city, his eyes shifting about from place to place as he began taking a trip down memory lane. His eyes fell upon the fountain in the center. With a faint smile and a sigh, he walked over to it and took a seat to rest for a while. It took a few hours to arrive from the Outskirts, and he needed a break. As he sat, he was keenly aware that he was being stared at.

Phenac City was a very friendly city when it came to new arrivals, however there was one town that they were not too fond of. Pyrite Town. Anyone from there was immediately suspicious to them and for good reason. The people of that town were generally not the nicest people in the world. Thugs and ruffians of all sorts gathered there. It didn't help that Wes looked like he was from there. His mode of transportation and his attire and appearance were tells to these people, but what they didn't know, was that he was in the place of his birth.

Uncaring of their thoughts, he reached down to his waist and unclipped his companions and released them both. Umbreon an Espeon stretched and yawned as they materialized, their ears perking up as they looked around at the familiar surroundings.

"You guys remember this place right?" Wes said softly.

"Esp!" Espeon replied, his eyes shifting about as he drank in his surroundings. The fountain was especially familiar to him. He glanced at his brother who was also looking around.

"Bre...Umbreon!" Umbreon exclaimed, leaping up onto the fountain and then diving in to cool himself off.

Wes palmed his face and shook his head. "I forgot, you were the one who always got me in trouble for swimming in there..." Wes muttered as Umbreon jumped out and shook off his fur.

"Umbre," The Moonlight Pokémon responded, curling up at the fountain's edge while Espeon leapt up and nestled against Wes's side.

"Well you guys, get a good look, while you can. We're not staying here long. I just came to stock up on a few-"

"Oh my Arceus! It's Venus!" Came the voice of a young man that had walked out of his house.

"Supplies..." Wes stated as he watched a crowd suddenly rush past him. "What's all that about?" Wes thought aloud.

Espeon and Umbreon's ears perked up and the two jumped off the fountain and followed Wes as he made his way towards the crowd. As he walked, a young girl stopped, hesitating as he passed her. She took hold of her mother's hand who also seemed wary of the spiky haired youth.