Hey guys! Meta-Akira here, apologizing for this extremely late update. Wow. I said I'd try to update this story within a week of TD's last update? I guess that was a tad too optimistic. So much craziness abounds over here.

First, I'm officially becoming a history major! YAY! I'm thinking that after finishing up my four years here, I'll go to a graduate school for Archaeology perhaps. Hm. A future in archaeology and writing. Sounds like a good future to me! :D

Okay, I mean it this time. Once I get off on Christmas break, it'll be crunch time. I'll try to get out an update on each of my stories before Christmas, and if I'm lucky, one or two will be updated again before the New Year. Hopefully. If I don't get sidetracked and write Christmas one-shots here and there. XD

Oh, and I got Ocarina of Time for my 3DS. LOVE. IT. Unfortunately, I never had an N64, and I tragically missed out on OoT and MM. But now I'm living a part of my childhood that never was! 8D

Love and hugs to my reviewers from last time: FangandIggyRule, Kaiyojin Kobayashi, Sapphiet, FluffyMareep, japaneserockergirl, AwesomeWolfLover, Sparks101, LoveAndSerenity, and Dappledvine. You guys are awesome! ^^

I have to say, that this chapter is kind of boring. Introduction for Lyra isn't nearly as spectacular or dramatic as Silver. But in this story she's a peasant shepherd girl. So... what can I say? But the story officially starts... now.

(~)

I sighed, settling against the rough bark of a tree, fingers splayed out in the long grass. The sun had only just risen a few hours ago, but I'd been up before then. My hat was off, lying amongst the grass as I took a short break. Despite how it looked, though, I was quite alert. I couldn't risk a wild Monster making off with one of our creatures.

Yellow woolly Mareep, interspersed with a few pink hides of the Miltank, grazed the grass nearby. I would need to herd them over towards the nearby lake to water them soon. It could be quite the daunting task for one girl to do by herself. Rounding up all the Mons and making sure none stray off on the walk to the lake could be troublesome. Especially if a wild monster spooked them.

I gazed across the long fields and dirt paths that separated the small handful of modest homes. It was all that really made up the small village of New Bark. In fact, I was quite sure that few, aside from any merchants that happened to pass through on voyages between the kingdoms of Johto and Kanto, knew this little hamlet even existed. We don't even have the need for a Guild Leader, which were common in so many towns. Because this small little place is located right on the brink of the Johto Kingdom's edge. New Bark is nestled right on the edge of a valley, you see.

Mountains lay to the north, and to the east, past the lakes and rivers, was Kanto. As I said, only merchants really came through, and even then, most prefer traveling by ship along the ocean, since strong Monsters frequented the forests that lay in wait on the route between. With a shiver I could understand their misgivings.

The only reason that anyone could really know of New Bark at all was because of a famous researcher who took residence here. Professor Elm, a very learned man for his youthful age, decided to live away from much busier towns to study the growth of Monsters and their eggs. Even so, he doesn't warrant as much notice as Professor Oak, his senior colleague and his mentor.

I've spent my whole life assisting my mother in tending to our Mons, as they were an important asset to this small village. Our Mareep's wool and Miltank milk were invaluable since they brought precious income from any merchants who did chance by.

Smiling down at the small herd and flock, it occurred to me that it was nearly time to usher them over to the lake to be watered. I stood, back arching as I stretched, then neatly plucked a long strand of grass from nearby by feet.

Holding it betwixt my thumbs, I pressed my lips to the slight gap between and blew so that a shrill, musical note whistled across the fields. The Miltank's ears flicked upwards and the Mareep glanced over at the familiar sound.

I walked down the hill as heavy hoof falls sounded in my ears and a strong velvet muzzle nuzzled my shoulder.

I turned to see a large Tauros nibbling lightly at my sleeve. I hugged his neck, running my fingers through his shaggy mane. I buried my nose into his fur and was reminded of my father's smell.

"Hello to you as well, Samson," I murmured fondly. "Will you kindly help a lady out with herding the others?"

He lowed in reply, and I stepped back to stroke him between his horns, fingers running over the gemlike studs on his forehead.

He took his loyal place beside me as I walked, and the rest of the Mons began to follow us, trotting dutifully after. Samson was something of their leader, and I was the shepherdess. He was our most trusted Mon, and he was always a great comfort. He was strong and protective, and I loved sitting nestled by the large Tauros' side.

I lead them, my hand still curled gently into his shaggy mane, towards the lake to the east of the village. It was not too long of a walk. I could make the trip there and back several times over in a day. I usually did it twice to keep the Mons well cared for, and they enjoyed being able to stretch their legs and roam. As long as they did not stray, they were safe.

I stopped by the edge of the water, and with a snort Samson lumbered forward and dipped his muzzle into the cool water. The lake was glittering beautifully today. Fed from the streams up the mountains, it was usually very cold, and the lake eventually thinned into a small river to the south and ran into the sea.

I noted that the banks were soggy. We'd had a lightning storm the past two nights, so it was good to let the Mons move about after being sheltered for so long. Their hooves sank into the bank's mud, happily gulping down the cold water.

I was left to wander. I kept a sharp eye on the small herd as I meandered along. Twigs and refuse littered the ground from the storm, and I avoided the larger branches that had been broken off. Sometimes, curious things of interest could be found after a storm. Not more than a year ago, I'd found an empty Pidgey's nest, miraculously whole after being plucked from its tree by the winds. Once, my good friend Ethan said he'd found a Gyarados scale washed up on the banks, but he claimed that he lost it soon after. I rather doubt his claims, since we have never seen the blue, scaly hide of one of those Monsters around.

I stooped down when a large, brown feather caught my eye. I smiled as my fingers brushed its soft, glossy surface. A Noctowl feather. I claimed my prize when I saw a Mareep moving away from the rest out of the corner of my eye. Quickly straightening, I snatched up another blade of grass and whistled a sharper sounding note than before. The Mareep only glanced back at me before continuing to bound away, bleating. Bemused, I started to run after her, grasping at my dress's skirt so that it wouldn't catch and snag on a branch. I followed the small Mon, keeping a close eye on the shimmering blue orb that festooned the end of her tail. I had my senses on full alert. The last thing I needed was for the Mareep to run into a hungry Ursaring. Occasionally, they wandered south far enough to be a nuisance.

"Come back, silly dear," I called to the Mon, but she merely continued to bleat and run. I sighed, trying to catch up as the little lamb pranced about, playing her little game. The Mareep were always filled with energy after a lightning storm.

She had made a particularly large leap for a lamb her size, and I made my move. My arms outstretched, I caught her mid-jump, prepared for the jabbing tingles that seized me from suddenly gripping her wool. But aside from the numbing prickles, I was safe from further harm. She was only a little lamb, just hatched not too long ago.

"Caught you, silly pet," I murmured to the Mareep, "You shouldn't run off. It's a foolhardy thing to do, little lady."

The lamb hardly seemed bothered by my scolding tone. Instead, she turned her head inquisitively towards the bank, bleating again with renewed curiosity. Puzzled, I looked in the direction she was indicating.

Since both my arms were occupied with cradling the small creature, I could not clap a hand over my mouth to muffle a gasp.

Half-concealed by bushes near the bank was a prone human figure, lying still in the shallows. I gently set down the Mareep and took off my shoes. I carefully approached, wincing slightly as the bracingly cold, clear water swirled around my feet. As I came closer, I saw that the stranger was a young man, covered in dark, but fine clothing, though I couldn't observe much of it under the cloak that entangled him. His brilliant red hair was plastered to his slightly blue face, and his clothes seemed waterlogged.

I put a hand up to my mouth, fearful and paling. Had I just discovered a drowned person? Could he have suffered misfortune during the storm and died in the water? He looked so young, too, hardly older than Ethan and I could have been.

I felt ill to my stomach. What was I supposed to do? I was afraid to touch the body. But I was loathe to leave him, it seemed disrespectful.

I stood in a frozen stupor, uncertain and shivering, before I realized that I could see his chest rising and falling weakly. Gathering courage, I drew closer, and I could make out slight, shaking gasps.

I let out a shuddering exhale, not noticing that I'd been holding my breath. He was alive! But by how soaked through he was, he must have been sitting here for hours. The waters were quite cold, and he didn't seem to be awake.

I could not possibly go to get help from someone. He could possibly die if I tarried around for too long.

"Samson!" I cried out urgently, kneeling down next to the stranger, disregarding the fact that my dress's skirt was getting heavy with water. "Samson, come quickly!"

It did not take too long for the thudding hoofbeats of the large Tauros to come within earshot. The Mon looked around urgently, snorting and pawing the ground, expecting a fight. When he saw no danger, his nostrils stopped flaring and he spotted me, calming down and trotting into the shallows. I placed a grateful hand on his nose before attempting to lift the stranger up by the underarms. Water ran off his soaked clothes as I managed, after a while of splashing and fumbling, to get him upright, with his weight leaning on me. I shivered as his sodden clothes in turn drenched my dress. I was not used to lifting weight like his, so it took Samson's help to finally get the red-haired stranger onto the Tauros' back. Lying on his stomach, the stranger stirred slightly from being jostled, coughing to rid his lungs of liquid. However, he didn't wake.

I felt a chill come over me as one of New Bark's common winds seemed to bite through my damp clothing.

"Come, Samson," I said, gripping one of his horns and leading him in the direction of home. I'd have to leave the Mons behind and hope that none got into trouble while I was gone. Hopefully, I could find Ethan and ask if he could take care of them and bring them back. His father owned a Marill, so he would not be short of help. I paused to sling the wayward Mareep lamb over my shoulders before starting to jog my way back to the village, Samson and the sleeping stranger close beside me.

(~)

So, yes. There we have it. For now. Next chapter might feature both POV's if I don't decide to stick strictly with one per chapter. Runaway prince shall meet the peasant girl, and we'll have more of a look into what goes on at New Bark.

P.S.: If I'm not quick enough for you guys, or am struggling to get things done on time, I give you permission- nay, I beg you- to bombard my PM Inbox. Your input greatly helps any writer's block I may be experiencing.

Thanks, and please review!

See ya! ~Meta-Akira