A creature sighed as it sat on the rocky edge of an island, looking out to the beautiful blue of the ocean, its scarlet eyes filled with wonder and longing. He took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, feeling refreshed each time, tasting the air just as it was. 'The sea is beautiful...' he thought as he looked down to the edge of the water, seeing a face look back at him. His face was blue with black marks under his eyes, continuing between his eyes to the crown of his head. Earrings crafted by his fellow tribesmen hung from them, each one an achievement in and of themselves.

'How I wish I could go out there, to see the world as it is, to see all the islands, to travel the waters like I was meant to do' the jackal-like creature thought, a small frown on his face. Right when he was about to think more to himself, he heard a small twig snap behind him. Whirling around, he smiled when he saw his best friend there, his eyes identical to his own. "Jaxisco, when will you learn?" the other jackal asked, chuckling a little while the other jackal just smiled, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Come; supper is almost ready," Jaxisco's friend said, beckoning him to follow.

"How did the hunt go Haxicco?" Jaxisco 'asked', using his paws to communicate with a series of paw gestures. "Great! Aillkie and I took down an Emboar!" Haxicco said, a tone of pride in his voice. Jaxisco licked his lips as he patted his friend on the shoulder, giving silent congratulations to him, his stomach agreeing with a loud rumble. "Looks like we will be eating Quite well tonight!" Jaxisco signed, making Haxicco agree with him, "Not to mention the harvest is abundant this year; the Oran, Sitrus, and Akapa berries are perfect this time!" Haxicco said, making Jaxisco laugh silently; his friend was much more of a herbivore than an omnivore.

Soon, sounds of the village could be heard in Jaxisco's ears as he followed a well-worn path that generations of paws had passed, the soft grass leading to a dirt as the village slowly came into view. Giggling Riolu ran past them, playing a game of tag, making Jaxisco smile as he watched them run further into the village. Seeing other Lucario were bustling between the huts; Mothers gathering items to make for the village feast, Fathers moving around, carrying various fruits and meats to other huts, and of course, children playing happily not a care of the world on their shoulders.

"Haxicco! Jaxisco!" a voice called as the two teens turned, a female standing in the doorway of a hut, her paws on her hips. "About time you two got here! I need you two to help carry the food to the Main Field," the female said, making Haxicco and Jaxisco look at each other as they walked in their home, a minuscule twinge of sadness entering Jaxisco's mind. Even though he considered it his home, Jaxisco knew it would never truly be.

"Haxicco, you carry the meat, Jaxisco, you carry the fruits," the female told them, getting a nod from Jaxisco. "Yes mother," Haxicco said, lifting the pole, the meat was hanging on, and putting it on his shoulders, gaining a firm grip on it. As Jaxisco moved to get the fruit baskets, the Mother told Haxicco to go ahead. "We will catch up," she said, getting an understanding nod from her son before he departed at a modest pace.

"You are thinking of them, aren't you?" Haxicco's mother said, making Jaxisco take a deep breath before he nodded, his eyes moist. "I can't help it Zoerri," Jaxisco just managed to sign before he began to cry, holding his face as he silently sobbed to himself, his body shaking lightly. He felt arms wrap themselves around him, a warm presence making him feel slightly better as he returned the embrace, crying into Zoerri's shoulder deeply. "Sssh, it is going to be okay Jaxisco. Your mother and father are with you always; you know this," Zoerri said gently, patting him on the back as he cried, flashbacks playing in his mind.

-flashback-

Jaxix was running in the forest, laughing and playing by himself, burning off the energy of an average Riolu. He jumped on top of a tree and began to climb, jumping branch to branch till he could see just above the rest of the trees, making him smile.

At least till he smelt the smoke.

Jaxix turned around in time to see a large column of smoke coming from the ground... 'Mama! Papa!' Jaxisco screamed in his head, racing to his home, tearing through the undergrowth in an attempt to get to his family. When he reached his home, all he saw was his mother and father on the ground, growling at two Charizard's that stood over them, smirking. "You will never get our son!" Jaxix's father snapped at one of them. His eyes saw Jaxisco, silently yelling for him to run. "Tell us where he is or die," the Charizard said, fire leaking out of its jaws; Jaxisco began to shiver with fear, a low whimper escaping his muzzle.

"Leave us alone! We have done nothing wrong!" Jaxix's mother begged, looking at the fire-types with fear clear in her eyes; this made the pair chuckle. "That is where you are wrong," the first one said. Jaxixs mother saw him and a voice screeched in his head. "RUN!!!" she yelled, forcing Jaxix to do just that. That command was the last one he ever received from his mother before the Charizard's unleashed twin flamethrowers, his parents only giving him one last loving look before they were lost in a wall of flames.

Jaxisco must have made some sort of noise because the two turned to him. "You!" one of the Charizard's shouted, preparing a flamethrower. Jaxisco turned and ran, just barely avoiding the flames. Jaxisco kept running, his tears falling as he sent up a desperate aural signal, pleading for help from the village as his tears blurred his vision. The last thing Jaxisco had heard was voices shouting before he passed out from exhaustion and shock.

Two days later, Jaxix stood before the graves of his parents, wearing only black markings on his chest and wrists, ceremonial markings for grief amongst his people. He had received no help burying his parents; it was up to the child or children to bury the parents. A rock slab was chiseled as a tombstone on each grave, stating who was buried; Jaxix had also made these. 'Mama, papa' Jaxix thought, falling to his knees as he began to cry, only able to cry, not noticing a pair of arms picking him up, the warmth of them luring him to oblivion.

-end of flashback-

Jaxisco was slowly brought back to awareness, his crying steadying to only a sniffle as he backed out of Zoerri's embrace, Jaxisco silently thanked her. "Do you want to stay here? I can leave some food for you," Zorrie offered, but Jaxisco shook his head. "I need to go; my parents would want me to," Jaxisco replied, making Zorrie smile with it seeming that Jaxisco was better. "Good. Now, let's get these berries to the festival, shall we?" Zorrie said, making Jaxisco nod with a small smile on his face.

This is the first installment for Waking of the Tide! Leave a comment and tell me how I did! I really do appreciate your feedback! Thank you!

Till next time,

Peace out mi Pokemans!